Cherokee Ledger Monthly - March 2025

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Lots to do in Cherokee as spring arrives

Welcome back to the Cherokee Ledger Monthly.

Spring is just around the corner. Some flowers have started popping up, and it won’t be long before we start seeing daffodils everywhere. Or are they jonquils?

Our cover story in this issue is the Etowah Wildlife Expo, which is returning as a one-day festival March 8 in Canton, drawing thousands of visitors to celebrate North Georgia’s amazing and diverse wildlife.

family running a new coffee shop in Canton. And go to our calendar starting on Page 19 for just some of the community events coming up in Cherokee.

Go to our Sports section to see how local high school swimmers did in the Class AAAAA state championship swim meet, and coverage of football signing day college commitments and more.

To the Ledger readers, thank you for your support.

Publisher Lee B. garreTT

Managing Editor

Shannon BaLLeW

VP of Content Jk MUrPhy

Writers

Shannon BaLLeW grIFFIn caLL aghan dr. cLayTon FULBrIghT eThan JohnSon

VP of Advertising BoB Mccray

Circulation Director daVe goSSeTT

VP of Production doUg croW

Photographers

L arry BL aSe naoMI hoPkInS roBIn rayne

LIndSay Snyder anThony STaLcUP

Layout & Design

JUSTIn grIFFIn, JennIFer BroWn, PhILIP cLeMenTS

On the Cover

You’ll also find updates about the Cherokee County school board, including District 3’s new school board member, the latest on plans to expand the Cherokee County Justice Center, new initiatives for the Canton Police Department and more.

In our Dining section, meet the

For even more local news, check out the Cherokee Tribune, our website www.tribuneledgernews. com, and the Cherokee TribuneLedger podcast.

Shannon Ballew Managing Editor

Lindsay Snyder, of Lindsay ann Photography took this photo as Wildlife Wonders presented a safari stage show at last year’s etowah Wildlife expo.

Volume 2, Issue 3

The Cherokee Ledger Monthly 521 E. Main St., Canton, Ga 30114 • (770) 479-1441

Community News

♦ The Cherokee County school board votes to opt out of a statewide exemption that would limit property tax increases, 4

♦ Beam appointed to Cherokee County school board, 6

♦ Cherokee County considers justice center expansion, 6

Cover Story

♦ Etowah Wildlife Expo celebrates North Georgia’s outdoors, 8

♦ Perspectives, 10

♦ Letters to the Editor, 11

♦ Soapbox, 12

Dining

♦ Stitch Coffee, a family-owned and operated venture by co-owners Dave and Geralyn Hickey, had a soft opening set for Feb. 21, with a grand opening planned to be about 60 days later, 13

♦ Upcoming concerts, 17

Sports

♦ Community events, 18-19

♦ Local swimmer earn top 10 finishes, 21

♦ Football stars ink college deals, 22

♦ Creekview wrestling dominates, 24

♦ Aylo Health opens primary care cen-

Crossword and Sudoku, 33

Ballew

School board opts out of HB 581

By Shannon Ballew sballew@ledgernews.com

The Cherokee County school board unanimously voted Feb. 13 to opt out of a statewide exemption that would limit property tax increases for homeowners.

A majority of Georgia voters in November passed a referendum through House Bill 581, which aims to create a statewide homestead property tax exemption that limits tax increases to no more than the rate of inflation.

But a provision of the law allows local governments a one-time opportunity to opt out of the cap, so long as they advertise their intent and hold three public hearings before voting on a resolution to do so.

According to CCSD, not opting out means that the district would lose out on $7.8 million in revenue for next school year and almost $50 million over the next three years.

As for taxpayers, if the school board had not opted out, the district projected that a resident with a home valued at the average of $465,000 could expect to see a tax savings of $171 of the year over

what they otherwise would see on their property tax bill.

The move does not affect Cherokee County’s senior school property tax exemption, which county residents voted to expand last year.

CCSD projects that this senior exemption will result in $14 million less in revenue for next school year.

School Board Member Patsy Jordan said that it’s important that the district maintain the funding it needs to provide students a quality education and to attract and retain good teachers, adding that

opting out could mean permanent furlough days for teachers.

“My vote tonight reflects serious thoughts about the negative impact on our students, and I have worked with students and teachers my entire life,” she said. “I was elected to keep students at the forefront of my decisions.”

The decision came after a series of public hearings in which most residents urged school board members not to opt out. Some encouraged the board to instead raise the millage rate to make up the lost revenue.

HOMEOWNERS

Shannon Wymer, co-founder of Take Action Cherokee, said that keeping the state homestead exemption but raising the millage rate would shift the tax burden to commercial property owners.

“I might not make a lot of friends here, but I would rather increase the millage rate to make the commercial people pay for it, than lose a homestead exemption to where the property owners who live here are paying for it,” she said. “The millage rate can go up. Leave the homestead property tax alone.”

Some noted that about 70% of Cherokee County voters approved the statewide homestead exemption. One resident told board members if they opt out, “you’re basically poking them in the eye.”

But some parents and community members told the board it should opt out, that the expected revenue shortfall from not doing so would cause substantial cuts to teacher pay and necessary services to support students.

Audrey Legrand. president of the Cherokee County Council of PTAs, said many voters did not fully understand the implications of HB

581 when they cast their ballots, including herself.

“Fewer resources could mean larger class sizes, outdated technology and fewer extracurricular activities for students,” she said, adding that not opting out could mean CCSD losing teachers to other districts that offer higher salaries. “I, for one, can only speak for myself, but I can afford $14.25 a month by foregoing my Starbucks two times.”

School Board Member Kelly Poole said that the state lawmakers behind HB 581 wrote a “bad law” that put school districts, counties and cities across Georgia in a bad position.

“I know there’s a lot of anger directed towards us. But truthfully, you should be ashamed of your legislative body, who wrote this law. They wrote a bad law,” she said. “So if you want to blame someone, go talk to your legislators. We’re doing what is best for children…I took an oath when I took this office that I would not harm children, and they are my true constituents. They are the ones that I’m concerned with and going to make the right decisions for, and opting out is the right decision for our children.”

File/Shannon Ballew

Cherokee County School District’s Dr. Frank Petruzielo Educational Services Facility.

Beam appointed to Cherokee County school board

Chance Beam

By Shannon Ballew sballew@ledgernews.com

The Cherokee County school board has appointed Woodstock resident Chance Beam to serve on the board representing District 3. School board members voted to appoint Beam Feb. 13 to fill the District 3 post that was vacant

after former School Board Member John Harmon resigned due to moving outside his district.

The board made its appointment by voting via paper ballots.

In January, the board voted to accept Harmon’s resignation and accept applications to fill the seat for the remainder of the term, which ends Dec. 31, 2026. Can -

didates for the post were not announced before the appointment.

Beam is a local business owner, the Cherokee County School District reports. He and his wife, Christine, have two daughters who attend River Ridge High School.

School Board Chair Janet Read thanked everyone who applied for the post for their interest and will -

ingness to serve the community.

“We had a lot of great candidates. Everyone had some amazing resumes, and this is always a tough choice,” she said. “To everyone who threw their name in the ring, or put their application in, thank you for being willing to serve alongside us to make a difference for kids.”

Cherokee County considers justice center expansion

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

Cherokee County leaders are considering new plans to expand the Justice Center in downtown Canton, including projects to address parking needs.

K. Scott Gordon, director of the county’s General Services Agency, gave a presentation to the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners and other county leaders and staff in attendance during the annual BOC retreat Jan. 27 on plans for the Justice Center campus.

“There is currently an over 100-car deficit for the Justice Center campus,” Gordon said. “On court days, it is a disaster. The reason it has been OK up until now is because the courts weren’t maxed out like they are now. We have grown into and exceeded the current capacity.”

A previously proposed plan would have transformed the parking lot behind the historic marble courthouse into a parking deck, Gordon said. But this plan was scrapped due to the subsurface soil conditions and conflicts with building height limitations, as well as the potential impact to the courthouse and cemetery, Gordon said.

Instead, a new proposed plan involves two projects: one to build a 600-space parking deck at a different location, and another to add 102 spaces to the existing parking lot behind the courthouse.

The new proposed location for the parking deck is between the Justice Center and Bray and Johnson Law Firm, on property currently owned by the Canton Downtown Development Authority.

The deck could be built behind a potential future mixed-use development that’s been proposed for this Canton DDAowned property, Gordon said. It would support the future annex addition to the courthouse.

The city of Canton’s master plan for this area shows that this potential deck could also provide parking spaces for visitors of this mixed-use development, though an exact parking space count has not been indicated yet, Gordon said.

The campus currently has about 450 parking spaces, Gordon said.

The current estimated cost for the 600-space parking deck, plus proposed expansion of surface parking behind the historic courthouse, is $21.5 million, Gordon said.

If 102 spaces are added to the surface lot and the 600-space deck is completed, there will be a total of 1,152 spaces, according to the county.

The surface parking expansion is planned to start later this year after the weather warms to allow paving, Gordon said.

Over the summer, the Canton Downtown Development Authority purchased 2.5 acres in downtown Canton, including Cherokee North Apartments for $4.3 million for future redevelopment. The Canton DDA purchased the 2.4-acre law firm site in May 2023 for $1.05 million.

In late January, Canton City Manager Billy Peppers said the city was working to schedule a meeting for a presentation of the work done to date by Goodwyn Mills Cawood to the city council and Canton DDA.

The Canton City Council and Canton DDA will work with current residents of Cherokee North Apartments on a housing transition plan. The city has committed to honor current leases and allow residents to stay in the apartments until at least September, Peppers said.

In addition to the needed parking for the Justice Center, the campus will also need to expand and undergo renovations, Gordon told commissioners, adding that the goal is to create a design plan for the number of courtrooms needed for 2030 and then 2044.

To help meet the needs of the Justice Center, renovations can be made to the existing main building to house the Clerk of Courts on the ground level and use the rest of the space for courtrooms and chambers, Gordon said. This would involve renovating 72,000 square feet, a little over half the total square footage, for an estimated $21.2 million.

Additionally, Gordon presented a proposed concept plan showing a new 132,314 square-foot four-story building on the campus that would help meet any court needs through 2044.

The cost for the existing building renovation and new annex addition to meet the 2044 needs is projected to be about $115.3 million, Gordon said.

“Working collaboratively with the city of Canton who holds the property, the current working schedule is to design, engineer and cost model the project (Justice Center expansion) in 2025, and begin construction on the annex, parking deck and selected renovations in 2026 with completion of all construction in 2028

or first quarter of 2029,” Gordon said.

County Manager Geoff Morton said that the county and the city of Canton are working on an intergovernmental agreement for the county’s shared use of the DDA parcel.

Gordon also said renovations and repairs to the former Canton First United Methodist Church and Cherokee Arts Center building are expected to be completed in March 2026, Gordon said. When this project is complete, the facility will also be part of the Justice Center campus.

About $3.4 million of the construction costs will be funded using American Rescue Plan Act 2021 funding, Gordon said. Another $3.5 million will be paid for through Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds.

Hogan Construction is under contract as construction manager at risk.

“The good news is there are good interim solutions that meet the immediate needs in the short term, and there is a path, albeit a cloudy one, that takes us forward to at least what we will need by 2030,” Commission Chair Harry Johnston said. “It will take another round to get us to 2044.”

ethan Johnson

K. Scott Gordon, AIA, registered architect and agency director of General Services Agency, gives his presentation during the Jan. 27 BOC retreat.

ethan Johnson

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners and other county leaders and staff watch as K. Scott Gordon, AIA, registered architect and agency director of General Services Agency, gives his presentation during the Jan. 27 BOC retreat.

CANTON PD LAUNCHES CO-RESPONDER PROGRAM

Canton is introducing a co-responder program that aims to help police in providing mental health services.

On Feb. 6, the Canton City Council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding between the city of Canton and Highland Rivers Behavioral Health for a co-responder initiative.

This initiative will make a licensed counselor, employed by Highland Rivers, available to respond to calls for service with a Canton Police Department officer for a mental health component.

“A lot of times, officers don’t have the advanced training to handle certain situations that come up, so this co-responder can step in once the scene is safe and help people that are in distress,” Canton Police Chief Marty Ferrell said. The co-responder initiative is expected to start by April, Ferrell said.

This $100,000 initiative is funded through American Rescue Plan Act funding and the city’s general fund, City Manager Billy Peppers said.

“The city has already recognized all of its ARPA funds into the general fund. So, the project will be funded through the general fund moving forward as part of a traditional budget allocation upon approval annually by the Canton City Council,” Peppers told the Tribune.

The goal of this initiative is to increase citizen access to behavioral health care and non-emergency services, reduce the number of non-emergency 911 calls, reduce reliance on emergency rooms, reduce the use of ambulance transportation for behavioral health needs, lower overall incarceration rates and to generally address behavioral health needs for individuals in Canton, according to the city.

Highland Rivers established a co-response program with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office in 2022.

COMMUNITY NEWS

CANTON PUBLIC SAFETY AMBASSADOR INITIATIVE TO START THIS SUMMER

The Canton Police Department is set to hire four civilians to serve in a new ambassador program.

On Feb. 6, the Canton City Council unanimously approved a request from the police department to implement a Canton Ambassadors for Public Safety initiative program and hire four ambassadors.

Through this program, civilians will be hired and trained to help provide needed services including taking reports for nonviolent and non-emergency situations, like a stolen cell phone report, Canton Police Chief Marty Ferrell said. Additional duties will include patrolling city parks, directing traffic and patrolling downtown and city park special events.

“We certainly want all of our sworn officers to focus on the matters at hand and use their time to think more productively,” Canton Mayor Bill Grant said.

Ambassadors will wear a uniform and drive a vehicle with Canton ambassador branding on it, according to city documents. They will not carry weapons, Ferrell said.

The program is expected to start in June, and could be expanded in the future to include more ambassadors, Ferrell said.

Training will take between six to eight weeks and consist of internal administrative procedure training and training with police field training officers, according to the city.

Ambassadors will earn a starting salary of $24.59 per hour plus benefits, according to the city.

“This is something I wanted to implement at Canton PD when I first came here last year,” Ferrell told the Ledger. “This program will free the uniform patrol officers up a great deal to go out and do more proactive patrols in our higher volume areas for calls and keeps them available to respond to emergency calls when they arise.”

Canton PD’s budget allocation is expected to cover the program for the remainder of the current fiscal year, about $180,000, according to the city. For the 2026 fiscal year

budget, the department will request about $360,000 to fully fund the CAPS Unit.

For more information, go to https://www. cantonga.gov.

COED NAMES NEW PRESIDENT

Heath Tippens is the new president of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development.

COED announced Tippens as president Jan. 28, and he started the role Feb. 12.

A Cherokee County native, Tippens has served the organization for for over 15 years, most recently as vice president.

Tippens began his career at COED as project manager in 2009 after two years with Wells Real Estate Funds as an investor relations specialist. He advanced to senior project manager and has been serving as vice president since 2018.

According to COED, Tippens has been intricately involved in real estate transactions, including much of the development work at Cherokee 75 Corporate Park, The Bluffs and the future Canton Corporate Park. He has also served in a leadership role at COED with the management of existing industry programs as well as the comprehensive initiatives under Cherokee By Choice, Inc.

“Heath has been a valued employee for over 15 years and has earned this promotion,” COED Chairman Marshall Day said in a statement. “We look forward to continued success under his leadership.”

Tippens is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Family & Consumer Sciences in Housing. He is also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program for Non-Profit Organizations through UGA’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, as well as the Georgia Academy for Economic Development and Georgia Tech’s Basic Economic Development Course. He is a member of the International Economic Development Council and serves on the board of directors for the Georgia Economic Developers Association.

“I am excited for this opportunity and am committed to executing COED’s strategic vision,” Tippens said. “I look forward to working with our boards and staff as we continue to shape the future and build on Cherokee’s legacy of success.”

REPAIRS COMING TO COUNTY ROADS

Cherokee County has approved a contract to repair three busy county roads.

On Feb. 4, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to award a $324,879.57 construction services agreement to Deep South Industrial Services, Inc. for crack sealing and asphalt restoration repairs on Sixes Road, Eagle Drive and Towne Lake Parkway.

The asphalt rehabilitation project will include about 38 lane miles, where needed, including turn lanes on the following roadways:

♦ Sixes Road: Holly Springs Parkway to Bells Ferry Road

♦ Eagle Drive: Bells Ferry Road to Towne Lake Parkway

♦ Towne Lake Parkway: Bells Ferry Road to Eagle Drive

Cherokee County Commission Chair Harry Johnston said this work will be similar to the type of work the Georgia Department of Transportation does on GDOT roadways, typically halfway through the pavement life.

“This will definitely increase that pavement life and keep the water from getting into the pavement,” County Manager Geoff Morton said.

According to county documents, Deep South Industrial Services, Inc. was set to be given a notice to proceed on or after Feb. 4, with the scope of work expected to be completed by June 15.

The contractor is expected to work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to county documents.

John Blend III named First Citizen of Cherokee County

By Shannon Ballew

sballew@ledgernews.com

CANTON — This year’s First Citizen of Cherokee County is a resident credited with spending over two decades working to improve the lives of youth in the community.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce presented its First Citizen award to John Blend III, founder of the Goshen Valley Foundation, at its Annual Meeting Jan. 24.

Blend is the 50th recipient of the prestigious award.

Blend was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised on Long Island, and moved to Georgia in 1980 through his career with IBM. He later ventured into building technology companies, all while serving on numerous public and private Boards of Directors.

In 1982, John and his wife, Connie, purchased a farm in the Waleska area, and later in 1991 they decided to dedicate their farm to God’s work. This dedication became the cornerstone for the founding of the Goshen Valley Foundation, the guiding force behind Goshen Valley Boys Ranch, which cares for young men in foster care.

Today, the Goshen Valley Foundation encompasses a broader spectrum of care through multiple programs for foster youth and at-risk families: Goshen Valley Boys Ranch, Goshen New Beginnings, Goshen Homes, and Goshen Therapeutic Services.

Under Blend’s leadership, Goshen Valley has received widespread recognition from national and state associations for its work serving children in foster care.

“John W. Blend III is not only a community leader in the field of child welfare,

“The impact of his leadership, vision and tireless efforts has left an indelible mark on the community, embodying the spirit of meritorious service that this award seeks to honor.”

Blend has also served as the president and chair of Together Georgia, an association of local and national child welfare providers. He also served as vice president and Treasurer of the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children and has been involved with the Cherokee County YMCA Board of Directors.

but also a dedicated participant in various civic and cultural organizations embodying the spirit of service and engagement in every facet of his life,” Cherokee Chamber President and CEO Pam Carnes said.

Blend thanked the community members in attendance for their support for Goshen Valley.

“It’s been a remarkable journey, and you are all part of it. Nobody in this room has not contributed in one form or fashion to where we’re headed, where we’ll be,” he said.

Marty Ferrell

Heath Tippens

Harry Johnston

Geoff Morton

Shannon Ballew

John Blend III accepts the First Citizen of Cherokee County award from Cherokee Chamber Chair Neil Blackman.

Escape, explore, experience

Etowah Wildlife Expo celebrates North Georgia’s outdoors

By Shannon Ballew sballew@ledgernews.com

The Etowah Wildlife Expo returns to Canton on March 8, bringing outdoor enthusiasts, families, and animal lovers together for a day packed with animal exhibitions, a petting zoo, music, and more at The Mill on Etowah.

Admission is free.

The organizers are expecting between 15,000 and 17,000 people to attend.

The expo, now in its fourth year, began as a celebration of North Georgia wildlife inspired by the Southeastern Wildlife Expo in North Carolina, said Amy Taylor, marketing manager for The Mill on Etowah.

“We felt like that would be such a fun kind of celebration to do here, which then kind of was what brought about the

Etowah Wildlife Expo,” she said. “So it was just another great way to bring together all different types of people, people that love the outdoors, that love just our great state, and want to bring their kids, bring their family for some educational fun, and then come and visit The Mill on Etowah.”

Animal demonstrations include Wildlife Wonders’ Safari Stage Show, Dixie DockDogs diving and Bethel Woods Kennels dog obedience and hunting dogs shows.

At the safari show, audiences will be able to learn about different animals showcased by handlers from Wildlife Wonders, based in Cleveland, Ga. So far at the expo, they’ve brought birds including owls, falcons and parrots, and also held reptile demonstrations.

See WILD, 9

Lindsay ann Snyder / Lindsay ann Photography

Wildlife Wonders shows a large snake to kids during its stage show at the Etowah Wildlife Expo in Canton.

robin rayne

Sofia happily holds a plastic duck she retrieved from a pond during training with her human, Matt Briant, at Lewallen Farms in Waleska. Briant owns Bethel Woods Kennels, which will be holding dog demonstrations at the Etowah Wildlife Expo.

The Dixie DockDogs diving, in which dogs compete in a diving competition in a large pool, is a crowd favorite, Taylor said.

“People love to see the big splashes that are made by the dogs,” she said.

New this year will be a canine wall climbing race.

Bethel Woods Kennels will have a gun dog exhibition showcasing the skills of dogs trained for hunting and retrieving, said owner Matt Briant.

“These dogs demonstrate their ability to work in the field, responding to commands and showcasing their natural instincts in retrieving game. Handlers often put their dogs through various tests, retrieving in different terrains, allowing spectators to see the bond between dog and handler in action,” he said. “The event highlights the intelligence, agility, and precision of these versatile working dogs.”

Kids will also be able to interact with animals at the expo’s petting zoo, which is expected to have about 30 animals, Taylor said, including goats, pigs, cows, rabbits and more.

The expo is partnering with Georgia Bass Nation, which is hosting the Etowah River Open kayak fishing competition on Lake Allatoona. An awards ceremony will be held later in the day at the Mill on Etowah.

And for the first time during the expo this year, there will be a turkey calling

competition hosted by Talk About It Outdoors at the Timbers on Etowah for beginner, intermediate and advanced turkey callers, Taylor said. Registration for the turkey calling will be on site the morning of the expo. Participation for the “Poults” kids division is free. Registration for the other divisions is: Juniors — $25; Hunters — $35; Owl — $50; Gobbling — $50; Friction — $100; and Open — $100.

The expo will close out with two concerts on the main stage: The Band Waleska will perform, followed by a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band.

“It’s one of the best free events that you can just come to with your family,” Taylor said.

Representatives of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources will be at the expo with animals native to the state, offering education about conservation efforts, said Dana Cox with the Mill on Etowah. There will also be nonprofit organizations at the event with resources about wildlife conservation.

Attendees at the expo can shop from a variety of vendors, including woodworkers selling handmade canoes and paddles, duck calls and more.

The expo is seeking wildlife-focused vendors to be part of the event. Those interested in being a vendor at the event can apply online through the event website until March 3.

The Mill on Etowah is located at 225 Reformation Parkway in Canton.

For more information, visit https:// etowahwildlifeexpo.com.

Bil on Business

A weekly column addressing small-business, answered by Henssler Financial’s business experts. Submit your questions to businessexperts@henssler.com or call 770-422-6180.

William G. Lako Jr., CFP®

PRINCIPAL AND MANAGING DIRECTOR

More Than Money: The Emotonal Journey of Retrement

Most investors view retrement as a numbers game: How much do I need to save? How should I invest? How soon can I retre? How much can I spend in retrement? However, many overlook the emotonal aspects of retrement.

tme and money freely. Meanwhile, the working spouse started to feel like they were working solely to fund the other’s lifestyle. In this situaton, we reviewed their fnancial plan and explored how retring earlier for the second spouse would impact their goals.

You’ve likely spent 30 to 40 years pouring your heart and soul into your career. But have you considered how it will feel when that part of your life is gone? The professional identty you’ve built over decades suddenly becomes disconnected from a world where you felt valued. Retrement can be a signifcant adjustment.

I recently observed this through the experiences of three diferent couples. Financial advisers ofen wear our fnancial hats, focusing on numbers and goals. But it’s equally important to wear the emotonal hat to address the aspects of retrement that investors may not antcipate.

For example, one couple came in fnancially ready for retrement. However, during the meetng, it became clear that one spouse did not want the other to fully retre because they didn’t want them at home all the tme. To keep the peace, the retring spouse would consider volunteering or working part-tme.

This situaton raises an important queston: “What will you do once you retre?” It is essental to fll your days with purpose. Afer all, there’s only so much golf you can play or so many books you can read before boredom sets in. Finding your passions and purpose is a conversaton to have with your spouse as you approach retrement. Otherwise, too much unstructured tme together can create tension.

In another case, a couple atempted a staggered retrement, with one spouse contnuing to work while the other retred. The retred spouse began pursuing actvites they dreamed of enjoying together, spending

Retrement can fundamentally change your dynamics as a couple. You met, dated, and loved each other enough to get married. You shared common goals—buying a home, raising children, and planning for retrement— but you also had independent lives through work. While you spent weekends and vacatons together, much of your tme was spent apart. In retrement, you’re together 100 percent of the tme. This shif ofen requires reacquaintng yourselves with each other and fnding a new shared purpose.

Unfortunately, not all couples successfully navigate this transiton. One couple I worked with divorced within two years of retring, forcing both to return to the workforce afer losing 50 percent of their retrement savings.

Planning for retrement is far more complex than just managing a portolio. Asset managers focus solely on fnancial decisions, but what’s best fnancially may not always align with what’s best holistcally. A trusted adviser’s relatonship with clients allows them to consider the emotonal components of fnancial decisions, balancing the pros and cons.

True success in retrement isn’t just about being fnancially prepared—it’s about having an enjoyable and fulflling life in retrement.

If you have questions on how your business can navigate these tough economic times, contact Henssler Financial at 770-422-6180, businessexperts@ henssler.com, or Henssler.com/ businessexperts.

COLUMNIST|

MELANIE DALLAS

Community Service Boards essential to state, local healthcare

If you’re not familiar with the term Community Service Board, or aren’t sure what, exactly, a Community Service Board does, you’re probably not alone. Unlike a Public Health department, Area Agency on Aging, or Division of Family and Children’s Services — agencies whose names describe their purpose — ‘Community Service Board’ doesn’t seem to describe anything specific, let alone what one might do. Adding to the confusion, while there are 22 Community Service Boards in Georgia, not all of them have those words in their name; for example, Highland Rivers Behavioral Health.

If you’ve heard of Highland Rivers and have an idea of what we do, then you have an idea of what a Community Service Board does — because Highland Rivers is indeed a Community Service Board. But I want to take this opportunity to be much more specific. Community Service Boards are an essential component of Georgia’s healthcare system. Even more important, CSBs are critical local healthcare providers, and serve residents of every county in Georgia.

conditions, especially mental illness and substance use, are often referred to as ‘behavioral health’ because their symptoms can affect people’s behaviors.)

So let’s start at the beginning. Community Service Boards — we’ll call them CSBs — were created by state statute in 1994 as healthcare organizations that deliver services in local communities in Georgia. As specialty healthcare providers, CSB services focus on treatment, support and recovery for mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. (These types of

COLUMNIST|LYNN GENDUSA

MKeep

ooch woke from his nap, yawned, and settled back on his warm bed with his little pink sock. Suddenly, he realized, “I have lost my purr!” For some unknown reason, Mooch, a pet cat, could no longer produce his affectionate, fluttering, pleasing sound.

Alarmed, Mooch ran to his best friend for help. “Earl, I have lost my purr!!”

Earl, the black-and-white dog who had known Mooch for years, exclaimed, “Where did it go?”

Afraid and sad, Mooch replied, “I don’t know, but we must find it!” Mooch and Earl tried to locate the purr for days but to no avail.

But CSBs occupy another critical position in the healthcare system — safety-net provider. CSBs exist to serve the most vulnerable members of our communities and provide critical access to these services — regardless of ability to pay. In other words, CSBs provide services to individuals who, if we did not exist, would not have access to mental health, substance use or disability services. Like other Georgia CSBs, Highland Rivers serves individuals with limited income, or who are uninsured or underinsured, or have Medicaid, Medicare or other public insurance (Highland Rivers also accepts many types of private/commercial insurance). If it seems there is a lot that isn’t quite apparent in the term Community Services Board, there is one word I think is essential: community. CSBs provide healthcare in communities, where people live, work, go to school and raise families. Highland Rivers Behavioral Health serves 13 counties in northwest Georgia, and operates outpatient clinics, residential substance use treatment programs, crisis units, intensive community-based programs, peer programs, disability services, supportive housing programs and so much more. As a Community Service Board, Highland Rivers provides all of these services, which is one reason we employ more than 900 professionals across our service area.

In addition to everything above, one more thing I think it’s important to know, and repeat, about Community Service Boards is that they are an essential part of Georgia’s healthcare system — a system that includes providers for so many types of health problems. When you go to your primary care doctor about a health concern, he or she may refer you to another provider who specializes in the type of condition you are facing — a dermatologist or cardiologist or orthopedic doctor. It is the same for behavioral health — because physical health and mental health are always linked. We receive literally hundreds of referrals from doctors and hospitals every year, because we specialize in mental health and substance use treatment.

So the next time you hear the term Community Service Board, I hope you will remember that these specialty healthcare providers work in your community, specifically to ensure everyone in Georgia has access to critical behavioral healthcare services. CSBs are essential to the health of individuals, families and communities.

Melanie Dallas is a licensed professional counselor and CEO of Highland Rivers Behavioral Health, which provides treatment and recovery services for individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities in a 13-county region of northwest Georgia that includes Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Floyd, Fannin, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk and Whitfield counties.

‘purring’ to greatness

Mooch let out the loudest purr ever heard in the neighborhood!

Later, Earl came for a visit and found Mooch in his bed with his pink sock, purring.

“So, you found your purr, Mooch!” Earl declared with joy.

Mooch replied, “Nope, it found me.”

One day, around lunchtime, as snowflakes began falling from the gray sky, Mooch decided to try again to hunt for his purr. He saw his little friend, Stinky Kitty, approaching him.

Stinky was shivering, lost, and hungry. Mooch quickly returned to his house and grabbed his lunch bowl, which was full of food. When he reached Stinky, he said as he lowered the plate, “Here, Stinky, have ALL my food, and then I’ll carry you home. I can find my purr another day.”

As the little tiger kitten began to softly purr while nibbling the food, suddenly

When we give to others out of the goodness of our hearts, we heal our souls and regain our purrs. This generosity fuels our lives, allowing us to perform at our best. The most wonderful people I have encountered indeed embody this spirit of giving and love, bringing joy to others while also finding happiness and peace within themselves.

Since the holidays, we have witnessed multiple heartbreaking tragedies. Some people immediately assign blame for suffering, but often, it is just the way things happen — whether it’s misfortune, a mistake, or simply the way the wind blew. No matter the cause, blame never eases pain, but compassion does.

After wildfires devastated communities and hurricanes flooded towns, people of all ages, religions, ethnicities, and income levels came together. Their focus was not on who to blame but on how to help. Questions like “How do we get diapers, water,

clothes, and food?” and “How do we rebuild our lives?” became paramount.

Most of us have never faced such loss, but we must understand and unite to provide the necessary aid.

I am fortunate to come from a family of women who considered it essential to write thank-you notes. If you wronged someone, you apologized. If someone was sick, you cooked a meal, and if you saw someone in need, you gave — whether from your wallet or your talents.

My great-grandmother barely scraped by; her home was heated by an old woodburning stove. Yet, she hand-stitched countless quilts to keep others warm and gave them away. Her daughter would give her last dime to a stranger without hesitation, often saying, “Honey, you lose nothing by giving something away!” Throughout their lives, they never lost their purr, peace, or passion for living.

Frank Sinatra once said, “If you possess something but can’t give it away, then you don’t possess it; it possesses you.”

If we hold onto regret, shame, and resentment for too long, we cannot regain our purr because we have failed to give it to God. We cannot recover our joy with crabbiness and complaint.

These days, many people discuss how to

improve our country. Everyone, from our leaders to the average person on the street, has an opinion on how to achieve this goal. Legislatures pass various bills, believing they will build a better nation. Courts consider laws aimed at improving justice, and meetings are held nationwide, from rural communities to large cities, on ways to enhance our lives.

However, the truth is that the only way we can improve our society is to become better people who believe kindness is the key to productivity, who understand that compassion is the healing element of tragedy, and who recognize that in giving, we never lose anything.

Kindness and understanding are not just moral virtues but also the building blocks of a more harmonious and equitable society. Mooch and Earl live in a cartoon created by Patrick McDonnell called “Mutts.” There is a bit of Mooch and Earl in all of us. Yet, sometimes, we just need to be reminded that to sleep with a purr, we must rise each day with a giving heart. It is through this generosity that joy finds us.

Lynn Gendusa’s latest book is “Southern Comfort: Stories of Family, Friendship, Fiery Trials, and Faith.” She can be reached at www. lynngendusa.com.

Dallas

Gendusa

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Constitution and common sense

DEAR EDITOR:

Whether Republican or Liberal Democrat, whether a Constitutional principled American or an indoctrinated, emotional, anti-American activist, the Constitution and Common Sense, give all of us some two centuries old strict guidelines and understanding on how to react to certain real and made-up issues of our time.

For starters, there is no mention in the Constitution of creating and allowing “Sanctuary” cities and states and their independent legal systems that are set up to override the Federal legal system. For Sanctuary cities and states to exist, the Constitution must have been amended and that has always been most improbable, especially after the last election results. Amendments have always required a majority vote by three quarters of the states. The federal government needs to bring a lawsuit against sanctuary cities and states to stop their ridiculous interference into the will of the people and stop supporting our sensational media.

Illegal immigration is a federal crime. There are legitimate ways to become a citizen of America. Illegal immigration has increased crime, has increased taxes, has created massive drug deaths and child trafficking, has allowed terrorists into our country, and has disrupted the lower end of the job market. Common sense clearly says that open borders is a pathway to eventually losing our sovereignty.

Government spending and budgeting is too political and is not properly audited and managed. We have far too few Congressmen and so-called

leaders with business backgrounds who understand real economics versus “vote buying economics and getting wealthy economics”. This lack of spending control is greatly exaggerated by our bloated bureaucracy that operates with little citizen control, always in a vacuum and always generating more and more rules and regulations which require more bureaucrats to manage. Where is “common sense”?

As the “liberal movement” and “creeping socialism movement” slowly continue their slow path toward the ruination of our Democracy fed by the supporting liberal media, our ability to change the direction of our country becomes more remote with our government and the bureaucracy gradually pushing our country and a majority of citizens into believing that “big government” is the solution to all of our problems. Just look at the results of our liberalized education system that is now run by the Department of Education and the Teachers Unions and is failing and costing us more and more tax dollars to maintain. How about trying to teach reading, writing, math, and a little history as a “common sense” way of solving a growing problem before it decimates our country.

We have a new government as a result of citizens expressing their concerns over a fraudulent, lying, indoctrinating, media hyped, political party interested only in maintaining power and pushing the liberal, creeping socialist agenda. Let’s use “common sense” instead of media driven distortion.

Russell Armer Woodstock

Tell Cherokee what you think

Letters to the e ditor may be submitted by email to editor@ ledgernews.com, or by mail to 521 e. Main St., canton, ga 30114. all letters must be typed and include a phone number to verify authenticity. We reserve the right to reject publication. We reserve the right to edit for libel and brevity. The editor and publisher reserve the right to publish a sampling of letters that reflect an accurate representation of those submitted on the same subject. The content and accuracy of all information contained in a letter to the editor is the responsibility of the letter-writer. Letters must not exceed 450 words.

Reasonable expectations

DEAR EDITOR:

“Donald Trump hit the ground running” was an understatement for his first week back in office. It was as if he had stored energy for the past four years, anxious to unleash it on day one. On inauguration day, he had 3 separate executive order signings, over 100 orders for the day. 5 clergymen prayed, both before and after the oath of office. Rev. Lorenzo Sewell even managed to work “Stone Mountain, Georgia” into his benediction. The reality that Donald Trump nearly lost his life to an assassin’s bullet was lost on no one.

Among the most notable executive orders — declaring a national emergency at the southern border, a national energy emergency, and granting clemency to the January 6th protesters and rioters. The January 6th pardons surprised many. Most expected case by case consideration, not a blanket pardon. While not excusing the President’s decision, it is somewhat understandable. The vast majority convicted were misdemeanors, and Mr. Trump believed with cause that the Justice Department had been weaponized, as it had been on him. One more day, Trump felt was inexcusable. At the risk of over promising, President Trump proclaimed the beginning of America’s Golden Age — not to be confused with the Gilded Age of the late 1800’s, where it was big business, and not the President that called the shots. Trump’s critics suggest that with Musk, Zuckerberg, and Bezos present

at the inauguration, it was the Gilded Age all over again. Rest assured, it is Trump that is firmly in charge, and his focus on the economy will benefit all America. The suggestion here is that the Congress should listen to Speaker Johnson and President Trump and pass one beautiful bill.

The legacy media is already presenting a message of fear. They are concerned that Trump’s deportation program will separate families or will deport the wrong people. The media is also portraying federal employees as victims. Reducing the size of the federal government and regulations is needed, but sometimes it is best to use a scalpel and not a sledgehammer. Unless you are a federal employee that might lose your job, or an illegal immigrant, particularly a felon, there is nothing to fear.

For those conservatives that supported Trump, he might not always be as conservative as you want. Making America Great Again most often requires conservative principles, but not always. People that voted for Trump were not just conservatives. Watching President Trump meeting with the fire victims and officials in California showed he cares about and serves all Americans. Trump is the master of the deal. Many deals require compromise. The common sense that Trump promised for his 2nd administration, not conservative ideology only, is what will Make America Great Again.

Would you follow Pete Hegseth into battle?

DEAR EDITOR:

If you were in the military, would you be excited to follow Pete Hegseth, an officer who isn’t a gentleman, into battle? After taking your pay and benefits as he’s done through mismanaging his vet nonprofits, he released a message to our forces last week — “Peace through Strength, restoring warrior ethos, rebuilding our military, and reestablishing deterrence” — yes, a peace via coddling our enemies and destroying confidence provided to our world partners. Let’s use our military to expand our empire by taking over Greenland and the Panama Canal. What happens to high un-

compromising standards, our unity and shared purpose. And let’s use Musk to make further cuts to those budget items that take care of our current force and our veterans.

All of this is supposed to be done with accountability and readiness, but we started this year by firing those with accountability roles. And is he all for defending and supporting the Constitution as he just pledged to do? We are managing the country now with someone who’s never led anyone else so it follows that he can’t recognize leadership in others.

Patrick Thompson Woodstock

Bruce Purvis Hickory Flat

SOAPBOX

♦ Since we don’t seem to be able to get road patrols in Cherokee County and the cities therein, I’ve come up with a new acronym: OAD — overly aggressive driver.

♦ Saw this post and thought, why is there so much opposition to DOGE other than those being so engrained in their wasteful ideology and hatred for President Trump? “The richest guy in the world is taking time away from managing his companies to try to reform Washington and give you your money back. For free. If you’re against this, you should probably reflect at which point in your life you were brainwashed.”

♦ The orange man bragged how he didn’t have any wars in his first term. Now he wants to take the Panama Canal, take Greenland and take Canada. Well, just because he killed the federal agency investigating Tesla doesn’t mean he has any conflict of interest, anyway. Good luck with that.

♦ 25 years ago, I fired my lawyers and represented myself, because they were looking after their interests rather than mine. And also, they had forgotten who was paying whom. One of the other parties sued me to pay half of her lawyers’ bill. I verified the items on the bill and found many that were false. How much common sense does that take? Yet her lawyer asked another lawyer if he had been helping me.

♦ These politicians and media personalities who are more concerned about protecting illegal immigrants than protecting U.S. citizens, maybe they should also be deported.

♦ Just can’t wait until Barry Loudermilk gets to the bottom of the J6 investigation by subpoenaing Cassidy Hutchinson AND HER PHONE as the first witness.

♦ Liberal Democrats, Leftist Media and Journalists and TV Talking Heads, Emotional Activists, Elitist Educators, Bureaucrats, and Anti-American, hateful persons have started a campaign against Trump’ s directives to reduce the size and scope of our government and make it more efficient and effective and eliminate wasteful fraudulent spending, are all now back to the lying tactics, distortions of the truth, focus on negative comments, just plain old hatred toward anything Trump is trying to do to end division in our country and to Make America Great Again. Why are all of the Liberals continuing to take positions contrary to what the voting public clearly asked for?

♦ A tear in our country’s fabric raises

the ire of the soul. Our heritage marred by the will of Christian nationalists who blueprinted the agenda Trump is following step by cruel step. This disruptive president is tearing apart the legacy our forefathers worked so hard to implement and preserve, which is to make the world safe for democracy, not to unlawfully terrorize the world.

♦ I see that Conrad Q-anon’s bold predictions of a Utopian Trump administration are crumbling in 2 weeks, not the 2 years he suggested. Of course, Connie would never admit it: he is too blinded and brainwashed by the Trumpoleon cult.

♦ Our new fully Republican-controlled Congress has the opportunity to pass all legislation involving taxing and spending in a process called reconciliation, where a simple majority rules. But, they only get one shot at this, so everything they are serious about gets included. So, we can expect President Trump’s promises to be included in this first bill. No more taxes on Social Security benefits, on overtime pay, and on tips.

We voted. Now deliver, Congressman Loudermilk and company. No hedging, no excuses, no lies.

♦ It will be eye-opening to hear how MAGA drones attempt to justify the pardon of the criminals who carried out the Trump-directed Jan. 6 riots. Trump’s inexcusable actions are but one more example of how the Republican Party has gone from the party of “law and order” to being the party that believes itself to be above the rule of law.

♦ Thanks to Joe Biden and Ms. Giggles Donald Trump was elected 47th President. If Joe had been a good president he would still be collecting money from China and Ms. Airhead would still be laughing. As it was, Joe was head of a crime family and she was an airhead who never took questions because she had no answers. Thanks be to God for a president who is honest and answers questions because has a plan for restoring America to greatness.

♦ “Sanctuary”, a safe place under God’s protection. Not any more. Thanks to President Trump, that centuries old

tradition finally no longer applies in the US. A church is now just another building to law enforcement. Next step will be to make it like that for taxation purposes. I’m sick of taxpayers subsidizing the lavish lifestyle of so many pastors.

♦ Honesty is back in power and it’s a brutally cold honesty. After years of calling for “responsible” global corporate capitalism, the CEOs gathering in Davos are now openly only focusing on their bottom lines. At least we now know...we’ve been openly warned, again...

♦ I’m sitting here at Sixes Road and Holly Springs Parkway, what we call Old Highway 5, and I’m looking at all these wood frame apartments that Holly Springs is allowing to be built, four and five-story units, that’s just going to increase the fire load, and in about 20 years, it’s going to be just like south Cobb County is right now.

♦ Just in case you didn’t know, the letters DEI are an acronym for “didn’t earn it.”

Editor’s note: The Soapbox is a forum for residents to sound off about topics of interest. all comments are those of the callers and do not reflect the views of the newspaper. We welcome the contributions of our readers and encourage respectful and lively debate. The Ledger-news reserves the right not to publish Soapbox items based on libel or other considerations the editor and publisher deem valid. Comments may be edited for brevity. Please keep comments as brief as possible. Lengthy opinions should be addressed in a letter to the editor. To submit a Soapbox, call 770- 928-1055 or email editor@ledgernews.com.

New coffee shop opens in Canton

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

A new coffee shop is in Canton, offering a variety of coffee flavors and sweet treats.

Stitch Coffee, a family-owned and operated venture by co-owners Dave and Geralyn Hickey, had a soft opening set for Feb. 21, with a grand opening planned to be about 60 days later.

The new coffee shop is at 135 Reinhardt College Parkway, next to Moe’s in Canton’s Riverstone area.

The name is derived from Canton’s historic cotton mills, Dave Hickey said ahead of the shop’s opening.

“So much of Canton’s history is kind of built around the mill and stitching denim together,” he said. “We also want to help ‘stitch’ the community together.”

The Hickeys, who are from New Jersey, originally owned a coffee shop in their home state called The Coffee Potter. A little over two years ago, they sold their shop there and moved to Canton to live closer to their daughters, Sarah Medranda and Anna Dower.

Medranda and Dower are business partners who will help with day-to-day operations, marketing, social media and more, their father said.

“Anna had moved here after college about 10 years ago, so we became familiar with the area visiting her. It got to a point where the sisters decided they wanted to live close together to raise their families. So, we all decided to move to Cherokee,” Dave Hickey said. “We’ve fallen in love with the area since we moved here.”

Stitch Coffee offers a five-bean signature blend from the three major coffee regions around the world: Central and South America, Indonesia and Africa.

“It’s a medium roast. It’s got a nutty flavor and sweet finish. We use it for our espresso, our cold brewed espresso and our nitro coffee, so the primary menu is supported by that five-bean, medium-roast blend,” Dave Hickey said. “We will also carry craft coffees roasted by Crimson Cup from Columbus, Ohio.”

The Crimson Cup is the same roaster the family partnered with at The Coffee Potter.

“Some people have questioned why not use local roasters. There are great options, but we wanted to bring a new option to the area,” he said.

In addition to coffee, the shop sells bakery items and sweets.

“Primarily, we’ve partnered with a business called Southern Creamery out of Fairmount, Ga. to provide us with a number of bakery items, as well as breakfast and lunch wraps,” Dave Hickey said. “We also plan to bring some of our favorite things in from our New York and New Jersey network, like Linda’s Biscotti in Brooklyn.”

Dave Hickey said they wanted to open another coffee shop in part due to the success of The Coffee Potter, which received multiple awards and recognitions, but also because they wanted to provide a space for the community to gather and socialize. After looking, they decided that the Riverstone area of Canton was the right fit.

“We like to be connected to the town that we are living in, so Canton was our priority in terms of identifying a location for the shop so that we can get that much more connected to the community that we live in,” he said. “We really enjoyed helping create community at The Coffee Potter, and we want to do the same in Canton. We want to connect with people and work as a family to provide a space for people to meet and connect.”

Initial hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Stitch Coffee will feature 40 seats inside and eight seats outside.

For more information, visit www.stitchcoffeecanton.com.

Geralyn and Dave Hickey, the owners of Stitch Coffee.

♦ Special — Stitch coffee

Special — Stitch coffee Stitch Coffee offers a five-bean signature blend from the three major coffee regions around the world — Central and South America, Indonesia and Africa.

Special — Stitch coffee

Stitch Coffee is a family-owned and operated venture in Canton.

Special — Stitch coffee Stitch Coffee mugs.

Boiled Peanuts

Honey Yard Art

Jen’s Elderberry Syrup

2442 Marietta Hwy, Ste. 350 Canton, GA 30114

678-880-6107

taxwize2015@yahoo.com taxwizecanton.com Mary Dee Jastrzemski Tax resolution Specialist E/A/CAA/ERO Teresa Garland Senior

M-F 9:30am - 5:30pm | Sat 10:30am - 3:00pm

Woodstock announces Summer Concert Series lineup

New initiative this season raises money for local nonprofits

Staff reports

The Woodstock Summer Concert Series this year includes a variety of performances including Grammy-nominated musicians, the city announced.

The Woodstock Summer Concert Series features free concerts at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. This year’s lineup was announced by Woodstock Mayor Michael Caldwell in his State of the City address Jan. 31.

The concerts, held once a month from May to September, bring thousands of visitors to downtown Woodstock.

“If you’ve never joined us for one of these shows, you are in for a treat,” Caldwell said. “The Woodstock Summer Concert Series started as a group of public concerts held in the downtown gazebo, and it is now the largest free public concert series in the southeastern United States. With more than 14,000 crammed into the amphitheater to just one of our shows, it’s an experience that is truly uniquely ‘Woodstock.’”

This year’s concert schedule is:

♦ May 10 — Let’s Sing Taylor — A Live Taylor Swift Tribute Band

♦ June 14 — Gin Blossoms

♦ July 12 — Josh Turner

♦ Aug. 9 — 10,000 Maniacs

♦ Sept. 13 — Interstellar Echoes — A Tribute to Pink Floyd Concerts will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater, 101 Arnold Mill Road.

“With three Grammy-nominated artists and two top-tier tributes, this is set to be one of the best seasons our city has ever put on,” Caldwell said.

New this season, the city of Woodstock has launched Woodstock Summer Concert Series Gives Back. Through this initiative, Woodstock officials will desig-

nate a charity and design concert series branded merchandise that concert lovers can purchase online. All funds raised will go directly to the nonprofit selected.

For the first offering in the series, Woodstock Council Member Tracy Collins has designed a stainless steel mini tumbler to benefit Butterfly Whisper, a Cherokee County nonprofit providing assistance to those affected by poverty and homelessness. The tumblers are $20 and are available for purchase at www.customink.com/fundraising/sippersforwhispers.

For rules and more information about the concert series, visit https://www. woodstockconcertseries.com.

city of Woodstock

Let’s Sing Taylor will perform on May 10.

Gin Blossoms will be performing on June 14.

Josh Turner is performing on July 12.

10,000 Maniacs Interstellar Echoes

COMMUNITY EVENTS

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN CHEROKEE

MARCH

4

Canton Rotary Attainable Housing Forum

“Building Homes, Strengthening Communities,” featuring a panel discussion addressing attainable housing challenges in Cherokee, is at noon March 4 at the Timbers on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway Suite 202 Canton.

The event is hosted by the Rotary Club of Canton.

Panelists include Cherokee County Commission Chair Harry Johnston, Cherokee County Community Development Agency Director Brantley Day, Canton Housing Authority Board Chair Darrell Rice, Cherokee County School District School Leadership and Operations Chief Debra Murdock, Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia Executive Director Steve Napier, and United Way of Greater Atlanta Vice President of Economic Stability Rorie Scurlock. The panel will also feature two Canton Rotary members: Homeless Coalition of Cherokee County Executive Director Marianne Butler, and Serenade Heights Development Associate Amber Jones.

Tickets are $35 for general admission including lunch. All proceeds from the event will benefit local agencies and organizations.

For tickets and more information, visit https://therotaryclubofcantonga.org.

MARCH 7-23

Constellations

Woodstock Arts is presenting “Constellations” March 7-23.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays at the

Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main St. in Woodstock.. The March 15 show will be ASL interpreted.

In a swirling multiverse, star-crossed lovers travel through a myriad of experiences — from barbecue to ballroom dancing, bar-hopping to beekeeping. “Constellations” is a love story told through multiple realities, and multiple possibilities, not neatly from beginning to end but as a jigsaw of simultaneous moments, and viewers jump forward, back and sideways to watch the couple’s parallel lives unfold.

The run time is about 70 minutes. The show is recommended for ages 12 and up.

Tickets are $20-22 online and $23-25

at the door. For tickets and more information visit https://woodstockarts.org/ events/stars.

MARCH 8

Etowah Wildlife Expo

The Etowah Wildlife Expo returns for the fourth year in Canton, with all-day festival starting at noon March 8 at the Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway. There will be music, vendors, animal exhibitions, a petting zoo and more. Demonstrations include Wildlife Wonders’ Safari Stage Show, Dixie DockDogs diving and Bethel Woods Kennel dog obedience and hunting dogs shows.

While admission is free, there are some events that may have a registration fee to participate, such as the Etowah River Open kayak fishing competition. There will also be a turkey calling competition at the Mill on Etowah, in which participants can sign up the day of the event. For more information or to sign up for the fishing contest, visit https://etowahwildlifeexpo.com.

MARCH 8

SequoyahCon

The Sequoyah Regional Library System is hosting SequoyahCon March 8, a free community event celebrating fandom and fun with activities and events for all ages.

This year, SequoyahCon will take place at three different SRLS locations with three different themes, all on one day: March 8. Visit R.T. Jones Memorial Library for all things Percy Jackson, Hickory Flat Public Library for Studio Ghibli fun, and the Pickens County Library for Dungeons & Dragons activities and events.

Community members can also celebrate 2025 SequoyahCon themes with the SequoyahCon Reading Challenge on Beanstack. Read books from your favorite themes and participate in SequoyahCon activities to earn digital badges. For more information or to join the challenge, visit SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org.

SequoyahCon is a free event, and cosplayers of all ages are welcome.

For a full schedule and more information, visit SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org.

EVENTS, 19

robin rayne

Matt Briant, pictured training a dog at Lewallen Farms in Waleska, will demonstrate dogs’ skills for hunting and retrieving at the Etowah Wildlife Expo.

Woodstock arts

Woodstock Arts is presenting “Constellations” March 7-23.

EVENTS

From Page 18

MARCH 14

Circle of Friends Gala

Circle of Friends is hosting its annual gala March 15, with food, live music, a cocktail hour and both silent and live auctions.

The event is 6-9 p.m. March 14 at His Hands Church, 550 Molly Lane in Woodstock.

This year’s theme, “Our Future is Bright,” reflects the nonprofit’s commitment to creating meaningful housing opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Proceeds will support Circle of Friends’ mission to build an inclusive neighborhood that integrates individuals with IDD, their neurotypical peers, and older residents.

Tickets start at $165.

For tickets, to donate, to sponsor the event, or for more information, visit https:// www.circleoffriendsinc.org/gala.

MARCH 15

Bree’s Miles of Memories 5K

The third annual Bree’s Miles of Memories 5K run/walk and 1K fun run is at 8 a.m. March 15 at Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton.

The event is organized by Bree’s Legacy, also known as the Breanna Leigh Chadwick Memorial Foundation, and proceeds from the event will go to the nonprofit.

Registration is $35 for the 5K and $25 for the fun run. Registration for the virtual 5K for $30. Registration for the 5K and fun run is open through March 14. Registration for the virtual 5K is open through March 15. To guarantee a race shirt, register on or before March 1.

Race day check-in starts at 8 a.m., followed by a memorial presentation at 8:15 a.m. The fun run then starts at 9 a.m.

The 5K race will start at 9:15 a.m.

Awards will be given out to the top overall male and female, the top masters overall male and female, the top three males and females in different age groups ranging from 10 and under up to 70 and over.

There will be food, entertainment and family activities.

In honor of Breanna Chadwick’s love of Dr. Seuss, attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Seuss characters and enter a costume contest. All registered participants 10 and under will receive a free Dr. Seuss book.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.thebreannaleigh.com/ breesmilesofmemories.

MARCH 15

James Tormé

James Tormé is performing at Flint Hall in the Falany Performing Arts Center at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. March 15.

Tormé is fast becoming one of the world’s most celebrated artists. He is blessed with the ability to interpret melody and lyrics with stunning versatility, scats like a virtuoso, and yet remains as natural a singer as any on earth.

Tickets are $45 for adults, $40 for seniors and $15 for children.

The Falany is located at 7300 Reinhardt Circle in Waleska.

For tickets and more information, visit https://thefalany.com/event/james-torme.

MARCH 22

Agriculture Expo

The Cherokee County Farm Bureau’s Ag Expo is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 22 at River Church, 2335 Sixes Road near Canton. This free event includes a pet farm, tractors and agriculture exhibits.

For more information contact the Farm Bureau at 770-479-1481 or dbforward@ gfbco.org.

MARCH 22-23

Wing & Rock Fest

The Wing & Rock Fest is returning to Canton March 22-23

The free festival is set for noon to 7 p.m. March 22 and noon to 6 p.m. March 23 at Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton.

Over 25 vendors will be serving up wings in “every flavor imaginable,” according to the festival, from classic buffalo to unique options like bourbon barbecue and hot and spicy.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

The festival will feature rock performances with tribute artists like First Wave, an 80s new wave and alternative rock group, Switchblade, a rock anthem band, and Flannel Nation, which will perform 90s hits.

The event offers family-friendly fun, with activities for all ages in the Kids

Zone, along with the chance to witness wing-eating records being broken at the hot wing eating contest.

Along with chicken wings, there will be a selection of craft beers and cocktails available on-site.

For more information, visit www. wingandrockfest.com.

Jessica eisenhauer

In this 2023 photo, hundreds people race in Bree’s Miles of Memories at Etowah River park.

Special

The Wing and Rock Fest will feature a hot wing eating contest.

River Ridge, Sequoyah girls finish Top 10 at state

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@ledgernews.com

River Ridge and Sequoyah earned Top 10 finishes at the Class AAAAA state championship swim meet at Georgia Tech on Feb. 8, while every other Cherokee County team but one ended inside the Top 25.

The Knights had the county’s top performance as its girls took fourth place with 234 points. The Chiefs’ girls finished ninth with 157 total points, while their boys team was 15th-best at 95 points.

Following the successful meet, River Ridge coach Tracye Bulger believes Cherokee County swimming is a force to be reckoned with.

“We may not have some of those deep pockets of swimmers that some of the Cobb, Fulton and Gwinnett County schools have, but I think overall, Cherokee County had a great showing,” Bulger said. “Cherokee County produces some really good swimmers that certainly hold their own at state.”

The Woodstock (87 points) and Creekview (45) girls finished 16th and 17th, respectively, while Etowah checked in at 20th in Class AAAAAA.

Behind Sequoyah, Creekview (23rd) and River Ridge (24th) paced the Class AAAAA boys, with Cherokee (23rd) and Etowah (25th) earning their spots in the state’s highest classification.

River Ridge’s girls, on the way to their countybest showing, broke five school records and excelled in its backstroke events. Four backstroke swimmers scored between Ava Hoynowski, Addison Hodgins, Macie Portis and Sofia Valenzuela.

The 200 and 400 freestyle relays were among the Knights’ broken records, with the group of Hodgins, Laura Butler, Maja Brooker and Jersey Saylor finishing the 200 in 1:41.62. Hodgins, Hoynowski, Portis and Saylor secured a time of 3:39.55.

Individually, Saylor and Portis stood out to their coach.

“Jersey Saylor had a fantastic meet, finishing fourth in the 100 free and sixth in the 50 free,” Bulger said. “Macie Portis finished out her high school swimming career in a great way, getting a personal best time, being in the A final and breaking a school record. We just had a lot of great moments.”

The ninth-place Sequoyah girls peaked at the perfect time, led by Lainey Blase and Olivia Parks. Blase was the sixth-place finisher in the 500 freestyle finals (5:11.51), while Parks’ best event was the 200 IM (2:07.27).

Mason Thomas headlined the Chiefs’ boys team. He was the fourth-place finisher in the 100 backstroke (51.30) after taking third in the prelims.

“We have kind of a small team, and even though we are Class AAAAA, our team is not as big as some of the others,” Sequoyah coach Cora Hodgins said. “We don’t typically go in thinking we’ll get first, second or third as a team, but we have so many kids that finish in the Top 5, and it makes up for that.”

Outside of Sequoyah and River Ridge, Shannyn Lambert made the podium for Woodstock with her second-place 100 breaststroke race at 1:04.91. Cherokee’s Hudson Evans was second in the Class AAAAAA 500 freestyle (4:32.02).

Luiza Carvalho led the Etowah girls with 12thplace finishes in the 100 breaststroke (1:10.11) and 100 butterfly (59.81). Mason Reed paced the Eagles’ boys team with a 12th-place swim in the 500 freestyle (4:49.69).

Larry Blase

Sequoyah’s Olivia Parks swims at the 2025 Class AAAAA state championship meet.

Larry Blase

Macie Portis, River Ridge

SPORTS

Cherokee’s football standouts make it official on signing day

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@ledgernews.com

Seventeen Cherokee County football players made their college football dreams a reality during the Wednesday, Feb. 5 national signing day.

Cherokee led the county with eight players signing their letters of intent, including four who will remain close to home to play at Reinhardt. River Ridge had four signees overall, while Creekview and Woodstock each had two. Andrew McNair was Etowah’s lone player to sign Wednesday.

Cherokee quarterback Tanner Savasir was one of the most notable names to sign as he will be going to Berry, which he had committed to Jan. 21. Savasir threw for 2,674 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024, while also leading the Warriors in rushing with 543 yards and five touchdowns.

“Signing day was awesome because I got to see all of my teammates’ hard work pay off,” Savasir said. “All of those guys have worked so hard, so it was great to see that it has taken them to the next level. I can’t wait to see what all of us can do at the college level.”

had multi-position players Jayce and Jared Jones go to Reinhardt, along with running back Christian Irwin and offensive lineman Spencer Kelley. Irwin is expected to pair well with the Eagles’ current power rusher, Jamarion Walker.

Reinhardt coach James Miller spoke highly of Irwin after he signed to play in Waleska. Irwin had 356 yards and nine touchdowns this past season for Cherokee.

“Christian Irwin is going to be a physical guy in our backfield,” Miller said. “He’s going to do a little bit of running back and fullback. He’s just going to be a physical menace, which is what we want him to be.”

River Ridge quarterback Ethan Spector and Woodstock running back Isaiah Payton also signed with Reinhardt on Wednesday, with Miller and the Eagles’ coaching staff making a concerted effort to recruit the local area.

Spector had an efficient 2024 season, throwing for 35 touchdowns and just two interceptions for River Ridge, which made a third consecutive playoff appearance. Payton, who helped lead Woodstock back to the postseason for the first time since 2017, had a breakout year with 1,062 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Cherokee County seniors headed to Reinhardt. Cherokee’s standout tight end, Wyatt Tash, signed with Carson-Newman after catching 36 passes for 620 yards and four touchdowns as the Warriors’ top receiver. Two-way player Gracen Sexton will join Savasir at Berry, while receiver Israel Conway is headed to UVA Wise.

Creekview had two signees Wednesday in Counts and defensive back Evan Wayland, who was the Grizzlies’ third-leading tackler with 55 tackles, three passes defended and two tackles for loss.

Wayland signed with The Citadel, where fellow Creekview alum and defensive back Cale Williams appeared in 11 games last season.

River Ridge’s Grant Hollier signed to play in the Football Bowl Subdivision at Georgia State, with teammates Revis McClairen III (Davidson), and Nik Bryant (Centre) also making their collegiate intentions official. Woodstock linebacker Drew Burmeister signed to play at Columbia in the Ivy League. Burmeister led the Wolverines with 113 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions in 2024.

Cherokee

Creekview offensive lineman Charlie Counts made it seven

Special

Cherokee players pose at national signing day on Feb. 5.

Eagles lean into Cherokee with 74-man class

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@ledgernews.com

Reinhardt’s football program revamped its roster on the Feb. 5 national signing day, adding a 74-man signing class that featured a prominent Cherokee County presence.

The Eagles, who finished 7-4 overall and 5-1 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference last year, signing 10 players with Cherokee County ties. Overall, the class consisted of 62 high school seniors — mostly from Georgia — and 12 transfers.

“We are super excited about them,” Reinhardt coach James Miller said. “We really added a lot of depth up front to the Oline and D-line. We added playmakers on both sides of the ball. I felt like we really needed to try and fix our defensive line. I really wanted to revamp it and make it better, and I feel like we hit the mark.”

Among those home-grown high school prospects, River Ridge quarterback Ethan Spector leads the pack following an efficient senior season in which the dual-threat standout was the co-Region 6AAAAA Player of the Year.

Spector fits the bill for a quarterbackneedy Reinhardt team.

said. “We are hoping he can come in and compete for a starting job. That’s what I really want him to do, and I know that’s what he wants to do. He’s here now practicing with us this spring and trying to get mentally caught up. He’s off to a great start. He’s a great kid with a great family, and we are excited to have him.”

Miller said emphasis on Cherokee County recruiting will remain.

The offensive and defensive lines were points of emphasis in terms of recruiting numbers, with the defensive front leading the way at 16 signees. Fifteen offensive linemen signed, while 10 linebackers and nine receivers were the next-most.

Alongside Spector, Cherokee running back Christian Irwin joins a loaded backfield, while Woodstock’s Isaiah Payton will play both receiver and running back following a breakout 2024 campaign in which he rushed for more than 1,000 yards with 11 touchdowns.

Cherokee twin brothers Jayce and Jared Jones also excited Miller because of their versatility and elusiveness at mul-

“I thought we did a really good job of recruiting the county — probably better than we ever have,” Miller said. “We are excited about the quarterback out of River Ridge, Ethan, who is a great player who threw 35 touchdowns and only two picks (last year), and he can make plays with his feet.”

tiple positions. Along the offensive line, the Eagles signed Creekview’s Charlie Counts and Cherokee’s Spencer Kelley.

One of the bigger names on Reinhardt’s signee list was former Etowah and Kennesaw State quarterback Braden Bohannon, who transferred away from the Owls after his father, Brian, was fired.

Braden Bohannon saw time in seven games over two years at Kennesaw State and Miller expects him to compete for the starting job after Taylor Jackson and Stephin Craig split snaps for the last two seasons.

“That’s what we are hoping,” Miller

After movement within its coaching staff, Reinhardt was at a disadvantage during the recruiting cycle with only four coaches. Still, its staff rose to the occasion and built out the 2025 roster.

“I can’t say enough about the staff,” Miller said. “They just did a phenomenal job of putting this thing together. It’s Tyler Hennes, Willie McCloud and Barry Gardner. It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of work that goes unnoticed. A lot of relationships and phone calls. I want to thank their wives and families for the sacrifices they made. It’s 24/7. They tried to make it happen, and I am just proud they are with us.”

File anthony Stalcup

River Ridge’s Ethan Spector looks to pass the ball in the Sept. 6 game against Woodstock.

SPORTS

Creekview cruises to traditional title

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@ledgernews.com

MARIETTA — Creekview’s dominant 202425 wrestling season continued at Lassiter High School as the Grizzlies finished atop the score chart and had seven individual champions at the Region 6AAAAA traditional title meet.

Behind the Grizzlies’ match-best 291 points, Sequoyah was the second-place team with 167.5 points, followed by Pope in third (153), Woodstock in fourth (140.5) and host team Lassiter in fourth (139).

The Feb. 1 victory comes two weeks after Creekview earned its first duals state championship, which followed an eighth consecutive region title the week before that. The state duals title was a comefrom-behind effort, unlike this time, where the Grizzlies were in control throughout the day.

“Our kids are battle-tested, and they have wrestled a ton of matches this year,” Creekview coach Ross Cravens said. “They have been in a ton of tough tournaments. It sounds bad, but this region tournament is probably the easiest match we’ll wrestle in all year. It’s by design to be prepared to go out and battle.”

“Seven individual champs, four runners-up and three thirds, so we pushed all 14 through to sectionals, which is the ultimate goal,” Cravens said. “This weekend, a couple kids didn’t wrestle all the way through their matches in the finals, and it’s one of those things where the goal is accomplished and they qualified. They should be good to go for the next one.”

Creekview hit some adversity in the lighter weight classes, winning just one of the first six before taking three straight between Campbell, Pritchett and Wilkie. The Grizzlies secured six of the final eight classes.

Lassiter’s Casey McElligott was the match’s first champion at 106, denying Creekview’s Jack Cory with 1:38 left on the clock. Tyler Herring provided Woodstock its first winner at 120, and Logan Robinson (126) followed right after. Malekhi McFarley won at 138 to give the Wolverines three region title holders.

Carter Brickley became the Trojans’ second first-place wrestler at 132.

Pope and Sequoyah each had one champion between Miles Grossman (165) and Tyler Patterson (215), respectively.

Despite finishing eighth, River Ridge

The Grizzlies’ individual region champions were Cole Warren (113 pounds), Aaron Campbell (144), Logan Pritchett (150), Weston Wilkie (157), Costen Wright (175), Jackson Locke (215) and Damion Moreno (285). Creekview won 7 of 14 weight classes.

nearly had a winner in Enrique Perez, who wrestled Wright in one of the most intense matches. Perez jumped ahead 7-0 on the scoreboard, but a massive comeback from Wright earned him the major decision.

“I’ve been fortunate to coach some really good teams, and this group is special,” Cravens said. “They have all grown together, and they all came through our program, start to finish. They just battle. This group is just gritty. You can never count them out, no matter what the score is. If there’s time on the clock, they are trying to score.”

Jack bests his own scoring record in region tourney

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@ledgernews.com

CANTON — Luke Jack’s scoring repertoire was on full display at Sequoyah High School as he broke his own single-game record with 53 points in a 77-68 win over River Ridge to start the 2024-25 Region 6AAAAA tournament.

Jack became Creekview’s career scoring leader in December, and he took the single-game record less than a month later. On Saturday, he propelled the Grizzlies (11-15, 6-8) one step closer to a state playoff berth, with a little extra motivation.

“It felt great,” Jack said. “I was getting to the basket pretty easily, and I got to the free throw line a lot. Before the game, I was locked in because I got the news I didn’t get Region Player of the Year. It lit a fire in me.”

Jack had 28 points at the half, and Creekview led 45-27.

“Coming out of the locker room, my friend told me I was on pace for 56,” Jack said. “I thought, why not go for it.”

River Ridge (9-17, 4-10) never went away, though, and the Knights’ sharpshooter Zeb Runion gave the Grizzlies’ defense fits. Runion finished the night with 30 points, including eight 3-pointers, with four in the fourth quarter alone.

Still, Jack put Creekview over the top with 17 points in the final eight minutes.

“He had a great offensive night, and you could just tell he was feeling it,” Grizzlies coach Tyler Whitlock said. “We played off of him, and it allowed some other guys to make plays. (Jack) has worked extremely hard for a long time, and to see it pay off at this point of the year, it’s really special.”

griffin Callaghan Creekview’s Costen Wright celebrates after winning the region championship for the 175-pound weight class.

By griffin Callaghan

Creekview’s Luke Jack scored a school-record 53 points in the region tournament win over River Ridge.

Restaurant coming to Garland Mountain Sporting Clays

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

A shooting range in northwest Cherokee County is building a restaurant to replace a clubhouse that burned down in 2023.

On Jan. 21, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a board-initiated rezoning at Garland Mountain Sporting Clays and Grill to rezone about 5.67 acres of a larger 226.83-acre tract from general agriculture to general commercial to build a full-service restaurant at 2618 Garland Mountain Trail near Waleska.

The building is planned to be two levels: a main floor and a basement. It will be a part of the Garland Mountain Sporting Clays and Grill development in north Cherokee near Waleska. The square footage has not been finalized.

The restaurant, open to the public, will feature 74 parking spaces.

The clubhouse that burned down in November 2023 featured a dining area. A restaurant was not permitted prior to this approval.

The new plan is to have a standalone restaurant separate from the clubhouse, which will include administrative areas, said Cherokee County Zoning Division Manager Thomas Trawick.

Commissioners also approved a concurrent variance to eliminate a required zoning buffer between Garland Mountain’s GC and AG zoned properties, and approved the added square footage for the new restaurant building.

The rezoning and variance required BOC approval due to a 2019 settlement agreement between Salacoa Community Association, Inc., Garland Mountain, LLC and Cherokee County, concerning any expansion of the facility on the property.

The vote was held after a public hearing, in which restaurant representatives and some residents expressed support for the plan.

“This restaurant was not just a business, it was a vital part of our community,” Garland Mountain Sporting Clays Owner Jack Chevalier said.

Two nearby residents said they had concerns about the

business, including gunfire near their property, noise and property values. One neighbor said he was concerned about what the restaurant will look like.

“There’s gunfire directly aimed toward my property. So, we had a town hall meeting not too long ago, where I basically asked the ones pointed toward my property be moved. Those haven’t been moved, and my concern was the noise level,” said Ray Walker, who owns property bordering the shooting range. “Now, we add this after hours to the noise levels with the restaurant.”

Commissioner Steve West, who represents the area, said the restaurant request has nothing to do with the shooting at Garland Mountain.

“He’s not expanding his hours at all. In fact, if the fire hadn’t had burned his place down, we wouldn’t be here,” West said. “It’s not changing hours or adding shooting. This is just to get his restaurant up and going.”

Special

A rendering shows what the new restaurant at Garland Mountain Sporting Clays and Grill could look like.

Special

A rendering shows what the restaurant could look like. The building is planned to have two stories: a main level and a basement.

Steve West

Aylo Health opens primary care center in Hickory Flat

Staff reports

Aylo Health has opened a new primary care office in Cherokee County’s Hickory Flat community.

The Aylo Health Primary Care Practice at 6613 Hickory Flat Highway opened Feb. 3.

Before the opening, Aylo Health hosted an open house event and ribbon cutting ceremony Jan. 30.

On the heels of opening a primary care center in Woodstock and Dawsonville, the Hickory Flat practice marks Aylo Health’s eighth location in the North Atlanta market and 20th in the state.

“We are committed to providing quality, convenient and comprehensive preventive care to every community we serve,” said Nick Williams, chief executive officer of Aylo Health. “Our new Hickory Flat location is a major step in

that journey, offering a wide range of services from primary care and wellness check-ups to in-house labs and imaging. This expansion allows us to deliver a personalized healthcare experience tailored to the needs of the Hickory Flat community.”

Aylo Health, an independent, familyowned network of primary care practices in Georgia, reports that it has brought 300 jobs to Cherokee County, including clinical, administrative and leadership positions.

“The Hickory Flat community is expected to grow faster than the county as a whole in the coming years,” said Tim Reichert, Aylo Health’s vice president of marketing. “We are excited to expand our footprint in Cherokee County as we continue supporting individuals’ health journeys with a personalized level of care that is difficult to find in

the healthcare industry.”

The primary care center offers inhouse labs, X-rays, extended hours, weekend availability and same-day ap -

pointments at the 14,344 square-foot area that Aylo Health will occupy.

For more information, visit tinyurl. com/bdhfwkxx.

robin rayne

Kristopher Dolehanty, physician assistant, chats with Nancy Hogan and her son Patrick at the Aylo Health Primary Care Hickory Flat clinic.

robin rayne

Visitors tour the Aylo Health Primary Care Hickory Flat clinic at an open house Jan. 30.

robin rayne

Aylo Health Primary Care Hickory Flat hosted an open house Jan. 30, where area residents met employees and toured the facility.

robin rayne

Aylo Health Primary Care Hickory Flat clinic employees host an open house reception and tours for area residents.

aylo health

Aylo Health Primary Care in Hickory Flat.

Understanding endometriosis

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and while I would bet nearly everybody reading this has heard of somebody with endometriosis, has had a family member affected by endometriosis or has personally had an experience with the disease, many are unsure of what it is.

What is endometriosis and how common is it?

The lining of the uterus responds hormonally every month to grow a thickened lining, and then you shed that lining during your period. If that same tissue that’s normally inside the uterus grows outside the uterus, that is what we call endometriosis.

the correct diagnosis.

Dr. Clayton Fulbright

It is a chronic condition and can lead to a range of symptoms such as pelvic pain, infertility and complications that vary based on where the endometrial lesions land in the body.

Endometriosis is incredibly common, affecting about 10% of women of reproductive age. Despite its prevalence, many women suffer in silence, unaware their symptoms may be linked to this condition.

Risk factors and common symptoms

Several factors can increase the risk of developing endometriosis, including:

♦ Early onset of menstruation (before age 11)

♦ Short menstrual cycles (less than 27 days)

♦ Heavy/prolonged periods

♦ Never having been pregnant

♦ Low body mass index

♦ Height of more than 5 feet, 8 inches

♦ Family history of endometriosis (Having a mother or sister with the condition increases your risk seven- to tenfold.)

On the other hand, factors that may reduce the risk include starting menstruation at a later age, having multiple pregnancies, breastfeeding for longer periods and exercising more than four hours a week.

The most common symptom of endometriosis is pain. Many women with the condition experience severe menstrual cramps, pain during sex, painful bowel movements or pain during urination. Additional symptoms may include irregular periods, infertility, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and nausea.

It’s important to note the severity of symptoms doesn’t always correlate with the extent of the disease. A woman with mild endometriosis may experience intense pain, while someone with severe endometriosis might have little to no symptoms at all.

Diagnosis of endometriosis

Symptoms of endometriosis can mimic other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, interstitial cystitis or fibromyalgia. Some patients have no symptoms, while others have mild symptoms they may dismiss as “just bad periods.” Many women suffer for years before receiving

Even when patients bring up concerns to their obstetrician or family doctor, symptoms are sometimes overlooked or passed off as normal menstrual cycles. The only way to confirm endometriosis is through surgery, which many patients find daunting. There also isn’t a specific lab test. But based on clinical exams, history and imaging, even without a confirmed diagnosis — when the whole picture is put together — if there’s enough suspicion, treatment can begin. Management options

There is no cure for endometriosis, but several treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the disease and a woman’s desire to become pregnant.

♦ Pain management: First-line treatments often involve medical management to control symptoms and manage pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Motrin or Advil are commonly.

♦ Hormonal therapy: Birth control pills, hormonal IUDs or gonadotropinreleasing hormone agonists can reduce or eliminate menstruation, preventing the endometrial tissue from bleeding and thus reducing pain and inflammation.

♦ Surgery: In cases where medication does not provide sufficient relief or when fertility is a concern, surgery may be recommended.

Laparoscopic surgery is the gold standard for diagnosing and treating endometriosis, allowing doctors to visually confirm the presence of endometrial lesions and remove as much tissue as possible. However, even with surgery, endometriosis can reoccur. In some cases, a hysterectomy may be recommended for women who are done having children and continue to suffer from severe symptoms. Though endometriosis is chronic and often progressive, not all cases get worse. Some improve with conservative treatment and, in some instances, surgery is unnecessary unless symptoms resist initial treatment or are severe.

Looking to the future

Endometriosis remains a complex condition to diagnose and manage. The condition can have a significant impact on a woman’s physical and emotional wellbeing. The chronic pain and uncertainty about fertility can lead to stress, anxiety and depression. But ongoing research and advances in medical technology offer hope for improved outcomes in the future. If you’re experiencing symptoms of endometriosis or if you’ve been diagnosed and need help managing the condition, it’s important to talk to your health care provider.

Dr. Clayton Fulbright practices with North Georgia OB/GYN Specialists in Canton. Get more information at northside.com.

Don’t let another year slip away while living with debilitating symptoms. For a limited time, we’re offering a free neuropathy severity exam to help you start your journey to becoming pain-free. Make this the year you take back control of your life.

holding you back.

Where To Find

THE CHEROKEE LEDGER MONTHLY

CANTON

h Texaco, 180 Butterworth Rd, Canton 30114

h Shell, 3550 Marietta Hwy, Canton 30114

h Chevron, 4129 Marietta Hwy, Canton, 30114

h Exxon, 2619 Holly Springs Pkwy, Canton, 30114

h Union 76, 900 Waleska Rd, Canton, 30114

h Marathon,14 Mill St, Canton, 30114

h Chevron, 111 Mountain Vista Blvd, Canton, 30114

h Johnny’s New York Style Pizza, 559 Riverstone Pkwy, Canton, 30114

h Cotton Mill Exchange, 225 Reformation Pkwy, Ste 100, Canton, 30114

h Bedoe’s Bar & Grille, 6115 Hickory Flat Hwy, Ste 101, Canton, 30115

h Kroger, 4045 Marietta Hwy, Canton, 30114

h Kroger, 6766 Hickory Flat Hwy, Canton, 30115

h Publix, 15 Laurel Canyon Village, Canton, 30114

h Publix, 1451 Riverstone Pkwy, Canton, 30114

h Publix, 6175 Hickory Flat Hwy, Canton, 30115

h YMCA, 151 Waleska St, Canton, 30114

h Bojangles, 1665 Ball Ground Hwy, Canton, 30114

h Georgian Hills Restaurant, 69 Waleska St, Canton, 30114

h Cherokee Courthouse, 90 North Street, Canton 30114

h Cherokee Tribune, 521 E Main St, Canton, 30114

h RT Jones Library, 116 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton, 30114

h Northside Hospital Women’s Center, 450 Northside Cherokee Blvd, Canton, 30114

h Northside Hospital Main Entrance, 450 Northside Cherokee Blvd, Canton, 30114

h Post Office, 2400 Riverstone Pkwy, Canton, 30114

WOODSTOCK

h JD’s Bar-B-Que, 6426 Bells Ferry Rd, Woodstock, 30189

h Family Tradition Restaurant, 4379 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock, 30189

h Family Tradition Restaurant, 7830 Hickory Flatt Hwy, Woodstock, 30188

h Circle K, 12155 Hwy 92, Woodstock, 30188

Pick up your free copy of The Cherokee Ledger Monthly at these convenient locations:

h Family Tradition Restaurant, 4379 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock, 30189

h Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock, 30189

h Kroger, 12050 Hwy 92, Woodstock, 30188

h Citgo, 6790 Bells Ferry Rd, Woodstock, 30189

h Kia, 630 Olde Rope Mill Park Rd, Woodstock, 30188

h Texaco, 6790 Bells Ferry, Woodstock, 30189

h Texaco, 6511 Bells Ferry, Woodstock, 30189

h Village Burger, 9550 Main St, Woodstock, 30188

h Bizarre Coffee, 440 Chambers St, Woodstock, 30188

h Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street, Woodstock, 30188

h Woodstock Visitors Center, 8588 Main St, Woodstock, 30188

HOLLY SPRINGS

h Hop In, 2204 Holly Springs Pkwy, Holly Springs, 30115

h Kroger, 5341 Old Hwy 5, Holly Springs, 30188

ACWORTH

h Food Depot, 5530 Bells Ferry Rd, Acworth, 30102

h Mapco, 1530 Kellogg Creek Rd, Acworth, 30102

1920s Adult Prom raises over $50K for Children’s Haven

Staff reports

The Children’s Haven Adult Prom returned to Canton Feb. 8 as a 1920s-themed party to raise funds for the nonprofit.

This year’s costume party sold out The Timbers on Etowah with 250 in attendance, and raised a total of more than $50,000, The Children’s Haven reported.

Prom Court members were nominated by attendees and community members and selected by a committee. The Prom Court couples raised funds for The Children’s Haven. Prom Court Couples were: Velinda and Michael Hardy, Dustin and Tarra Davey, Christine and Chance Beam, and Sarah and Christopher Hobson.

Sarah and Christopher Hobson were crowned the 2025 Queen and King for raising more than $4,000. Together, the four couples raised $12,410.

The event included a 1920sthemed speakeasy pre-party, dance

lessons from Fitfully Forward and more.

The funds raised support The Children’s Haven, a nonprofit promoting the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse and neglect.

“The evening was a celebration of community. Our community makes our work possible. We are filled with immense gratitude for everyone who supported this event. It was our biggest event yet and we had so much fun,” said The Children’s Haven Executive Director Marcie Smith.

“There are more than 350 Cherokee County kids experiencing foster care right now. We have a waiting list of families who need our in-home parent support program. Our mentoring program has doubled in size in the past year. We are only able to meet the growing needs of our community because of the generosity of our supporters and the dedication of hundreds of caring volunteers.”

naomi hopkins Photography

Fitfully Forward led attendees in dance lessons to start the party.

naomi hopkins Photography

Genny Mendez and Katie Huff at the 1920s-themed Children’s Haven Adult Prom.

naomi hopkins Photography Christopher and Sarah Hobson were crowned Prom King and Queen.

CHEROKEE SCENE

Guns & Hoses race raises over $8,200 for local nonprofits

Staff reports

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services and the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office raised over $8,200 for local nonprofits at the 19th annual Guns & Hoses 5K Run/Walk.

The Feb. 8 race at Hobgood Park drew 689 participants.

The two agencies compete with each other for race registrations. The Hoses team had 433 registrations while the Guns team had 256 registrations, making the Hoses team this year’s winner.

“We have something in Cherokee County that not every community has and that’s great citizen support for our public safety officials,” said Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds. “I want to thank everyone for the continued support and for their participation in this cause.”

The purpose of the race is to raise money for charity causes selected by both groups.

The Hoses team raised $5,196 for The Goshen Valley Boys Ranch, a nonprofit organization serving young men in the state foster care system, and the Guns team raised $3,072 for the Charlie Ferguson Community Center, which provides after-school programs, senior activities, events and other functions.

“This event not only provides the fire department with a great opportunity to support Goshen Valley, but it also gives us a chance to fellowship with our brothers and sisters from the Sheriff’s Office,” said Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services Chief Eddie Robinson. “Both agencies are proud to work together to provide the outstanding level of public safety that we are fortunate to have in Cherokee County.”

The overall male winner was William Baldwin with a time of 17:49 and the overall female winner was Miranda Hrouda with a time of 21:19.

Cherokee County

Cherokee County Fire Chief Eddie Robinson and the Hoses team celebrate being named the registration winner of the Guns & Hoses race.

Cherokee County

Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Thomas Pinyan, left, and Cherokee County Fire Chief Eddie Robinson, right, congratulate William Baldwin, center, the overall male winner in the Guns & Hoses race.

Cherokee County

Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Thomas Pinyan, left, and Cherokee County Fire Chief Eddie Robinson, right, congratulate Miranda Hrouda, center, the overall female winner in the Guns & Hoses race.

Cherokee County

The Guns & Hoses race drew 689 participants, raising over $8.200 for nonprofits in Cherokee County

Cherokee County

Members of the Cherokee County Search and Rescue team participate in the Guns & Hoses 5K.

Night to Shine at First Baptist Church of Woodstock

Hundreds of area residents were guests of honor at First Baptist Church of Woodstock’s Night to Shine event Feb. 7.

Night to Shine is a prom-style event for people with disabilities age 14 and older. Guests are given the red carpet treatment when they arrive, greeted by community members cheering and holding signs with encouraging messages. Inside, they enjoy music and dancing, and receive a crown as a king or queen of the prom.

First Baptist Woodstock’s Night to Shine had 300 prom king and queen guests and honored about 400 caregivers, the church reported. About 800 volunteers worked to make the event happen.

Night to Shine is hosted by churches around the world, and is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

You are invited to visit Epcon Communities during our Spring Open House Weekend, March 20-23. Explore communities designed around single-level living and a low-maintenance lifestyle, with everything you need on one floor and lawn care included. With less time spent on chores, you will have more time to enjoy the lifestyle you’ve earned.

robin rayne

Carissa Vaughn and her buddy Alison Steer walk the red carpet as they arrive at the 2025 Night to Shine event at First Baptist Woodstock Feb. 7.

robin rayne

Alexandra Donato and her buddy Taylor Berkani arrive on the red carpet at the 2025 Night to Shine event at First Baptist Woodstock Feb. 7.

robin rayne

Cassidy Baker makes her entrance with her buddy on the red carpet at First Baptist Woodstock’s Night to Shine, a complimentary prom event for people with disabilities.

robin rayne

Sean Daugharty waves his ticket as he makes a grand entrance on the red carpet at First Baptist Woodstock’s Night to Shine.

robin rayne

Aaron Kaminer, Brody Myer and Ty Brown dance to the rocking music at the 2025 Night to Shine event at First Baptist Woodstock Feb. 7.

GARDENING WITH THE MASTERS|MARC TEFFEAU

March is the ‘cruelest’ month

The English poet T. S. Eliot, in the opening lines of his famous poem, The Waste Land, wrote “April is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.” I think that we Cherokee County gardeners would disagree with T.S. Eliot! For us, March can be the “cruelest” month.

The tease of spring with the flowering cherries, daffodils and tulips, azaleas, and the like can also be followed by FREEZE warnings! Checking the data from the Ball Ground weather station of the UGA Weather Network, the last frost date in Ball Ground has ranged from April 22 in 2021 to March 21 of 2023. Of course, what may be a freezing temperature in the north part of Cherokee County may not be the same in the southern end.

rate of these crops to account for the cool soil temperature and then thin the seedlings that have germinated to the proper distance, depending on the crop.

So, dear reader, be of good cheer... April is around the corner! However, my point is do not rush the season, especially for warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and green beans. While we usually focus on the ambient air temperature, we need to remember that the soil temperature is just as or maybe more important.

Warm-season crop transplants planted in cool, wet soil will just sit there until the soil warms up. Warm-season crop seeds planted in cold soil will fail to germinate and be subjected to rot. Soil temperatures should be at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit for planting most spring vegetables. One advantage that I have found in planting in raised beds is that the soil in the bed tends to warm up quickly and stay warmer than the native soil in the garden. If you want to get serious about soil temperatures you can purchase an inexpensive “soil thermometer” — both analog and digital readings — from many vendors on the Internet.

You can still do a planting of edible pod peas like the Sugar Snap and Sugar Ann before the end of the month. It is also not too late for other cool-season crops that can be directly seeded into the garden including beets, carrots, turnips, kale, lettuce, Swiss chard, onion sets, radishes, and spinach. You can also do a final planting of potatoes before the end of the month. You might want to double the usual seeding

CORRECTION

In last month’s gardening column, an incorrect photo was inadvertently used of the author, Linda Freedman. Here is the correct photo of Freedman.

Since most varieties of spinach and lettuce bolt out in warm weather, make sowings every week for three or four weeks to have a good, fresh supply coming up until June. So many new and different mixes of salad lettuce varieties are available now with different textures and flavors, so get creative in your seed choices.

The garden centers now have transplants of various “cole” cool season crops for sale. Transplants of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and leaf and head lettuce can be planted. I would recommend that you plant Brussels sprouts as a fall crop and not a spring crop because it will do better in cooler fall temperatures.

Make provisions to cover or protect the transplants if a freezing spell is forecast. These crops can take some light frost but cover them to be safe. Plastic milk cartons with the bottoms cut out and placed over the transplants are suitable protectors from forecasted cold weather. Other types of “cloches” — a bell- or dome-shaped cover — like flower pots, or those made of fabric also be used.

While you are preparing your garden or raised bed soil for planting there are a couple of things you can do. The winter annual weeds like chickweed and henbit are in active growth and flowering so remove them from the flower bed and vegetable garden before they go to seed.

Remove any dead plants, plant stems, and leaves to reduce the source of possible disease inoculum for this year’s garden. Also, if you haven’t done a soil test in a couple of years in the garden, now is the time to do so. Soil testing bags and instructions are available at the UGA Cherokee County Extension Office at the County Administrative Building on Bluffs Parkway in Canton. The cost of the soil test is $10. Happy Gardening!!!

K. Marc Teffeau is one of many UGA Master Gardener Extension Volunteers of Cherokee County. For more information or questions contact the Cherokee County Extension Office at 770-721-7803 or for upcoming seminars follow us at www. facebook.com/cherokeemastergardeners or at cherokeemastergardeners.com.

gardens alive!

Inexpensive soil thermometers can be purchased online.

Teffeau

CROSSWORD ANSWER

CROSSWORD

• Fractures, Sprains, Strains and Dislocations

• Painful, Swollen or Injured Joints • Back and Neck Pain