Sponsorship Program Launched To Provide Food Boxes to Families in Need SERV International (SERV) has launched Food Local, a monthly sponsorship program, to provide food boxes to 800 families in Cherokee County and surrounding areas.Individuals and organizations that would like to be a part of this program can sponsor a local family in need for just $35 a month, which covers the entire cost associated with supplying a weekly food box. The Food Local program goal is to fill all 800 sponsorship opportunities, with plans to increase the number of food boxes if funding allows. To sponsor families through SERV Food Local, please visit ServOne.org/foodlocal
New Cherokee County History Center Set for Hey Day Opening On November 5, get ready for some educational fun, as the brand new Cherokee County History Center opens for you to explore. From 11:00am-3:00pm, the Center will present a Hey Day celebration, featuring food and festivities for the whole family. Inspired by the 1958 Denim Day Carnival, Hey Day will have games, crafts, raffles, food trucks, educational opportunities, and, of course, the museum exhibits. For more information, visit HistoryCherokee.org.
Leadership Cherokee Graduates Class of 2022 A program of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Cherokee has graduated its 33rd class, bringing the total alumni count to 690. Over the course of a nine-month period, Leadership Cherokee exposes the group to a range of topics such as economic development, infrastructure, government, justice, arts, education, recreation, tourism, public safety, health care, and social/human services.
Highway Named in Honor of Local World War II Veteran In 1942, Roger W. Cavender joined the U.S. Army to fight in World War II. Now, 80 years later, he has been honored with the dedication of a highway in his name. The memorial highway is the portion of State Highway 372 that connects Highway 575/515 to Old Highway 5 between Ball Ground and Nelson. A resolution to name the highway in Cavender’s honor was passed and then signed by Gov. Brian Kemp earlier this year.The naming of the highway, which is located in both Cherokee and Pickens Counties, is an appropriate gesture, as Cavender was born in Jasper and had close ties to both counties. For most of his life, he lived on a hill in northern Cherokee County that overlooks the highway
Five Locals Selected for Prestigious 40 Under 40 List Congratulations to five of Cherokee County’s best and brightest who made this year’s Georgia Trend magazine “40 Under 40” list:Kyle BennettTourism Manager City of Woodstock and Visit WoodstockMichael CaldwellMayor of WoodstockCo-Founder and Managing PartnerBlack AirplaneRajpal SagooManaging Partner, MDD Holdings CIO, Rugby AtlantaMarcie SmithExecutive DirectorThe Children’s HavenHeath TippensVice President Cherokee Office of Economic DevelopmentThese five individuals were selected from a large pool of statewide nominees, which “represent the government, health care, legal, and nonprofit sectors, as well as large corporations and startups while also finding time to give back to their communities,” (Georgia Trend).
Rotary Club of Canton Honors Public Safety Heroes The Rotary Club of Canton honored community heroes at its Fifth Annual Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon, which included awards for service, leadership, and valor.“We call upon those honored today as heroes. They step into scenes of chaos only thinking of who they can help,” said Cherokee County Chief Marshal Jamie Gianfala, a Rotary Club member who also served as the program emcee. “You make the community a better and safer place. Thank you for your loyalty, and thank you for your service to our community.”The Club presented a Posthumous Public Safety Medal of Valor, the highest honor presented at the event, to late Officer Joseph “Joe” Burson of the Holly Springs Police Department, who died last year in the line of duty. His award was accepted by the police department.The Col. George Bailey Distinguished Leadership Award, named for the late Rotarian and community leader, was presented to four public safety employees to recognize their leadership within their agency and in the community: Sgt. Randy Fifield of Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services; John Haile of the Woodstock Police Department; Sgt. Travis Palmer of the Holly Springs Police Department; and Terrance Stallings of the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office.Public Safety Employee of the Year Awards were presented to at least one representative from each community agency: Canton Police Department, Officer Carlos Henao and Sgt. Tiffanie Cromer; Cherokee County E-911, Heather Bradberry and Penny Daniels; Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services, Chad Huff; Cherokee County Marshal's Office, Lt. Richard Ricketts; Cherokee County School District Police Department, Officer Keith McGraw; Holly Springs Police Department, Cpl. Jay Burns; Woodstock Police Department, Officer Josh Collie.
Cherokee County Launches 2023 Comprehensive Plan Update During a recent Board of Commissioners meeting, Cherokee County kicked off the 2023 Comprehensive Plan Update. Updated every five years, the plan highlights intended land uses over a 20-year period and is a guiding document for county planners and leaders, as well as property owners and developers. “The 2023 Comprehensive Plan was named ‘Our Cherokee,’ because it’s important to have involvement from the county as a whole: residents, business owners, elected officials, and those doing business in the county” said Kevin Turner, deputy director of Cherokee County’s Planning Department. The process begins with an online survey at CherokeeGa.com/ourcherokee. The survey will remain open until November 18. A series of in-person public input meetings are taking place, with two more meetings this month:• Waleska area, November 3, 6:00-7:30pm, Waleska Fire Station Community Room, 9080 Fincher Road, Waleska• Free Home area, November 10, 6:00-7:30pm, Free Home Fire Station Community Room, 9253 Freehome Highway, Canton
Register Now for 19th Annual Reindeer Run for the Children Sponsored by the Service League of Cherokee County, this holiday-themed event takes place on Saturday, December 10, at Etowah River Park in Canton. The 1-mile fun run begins at 8:00am and the 5K begins at 8:30am. All proceeds benefit local children in need. The race is an official Atlanta Journal Constitution Peachtree Road Race Event.A $1,000 cash prize will be awarded to the Cherokee County school with the most race participants. Anyone can register to help a school win the award.Santa Claus will be at the race to pose with race participants, and the Avery ES chorus will sing Christmas carols. All preregistered runners will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt. Runners registered after October 27 will receive a shirt as available.Medals will be awarded to the overall top male and female, top masters male and female, and top three males and females in standard age groups. All 1-mile fun run participants will receive a commemorative holiday medal. Registration is $40 for the 5K and $30 for the 1-mile fun run. Those who do not want to run are welcome to sign up as a “Santa’s Helper.” Race day registration will begin at 7:30am. Prerace package pickup will be available from 5:00-7:00pm December 9 at Etowah River Park. Registration can be completed online at ServiceLeague.net or Active.com (search for Run for the Children 5K).
“Adopt a Veteran” in Cherokee County This Christmas The Cherokee County Homeless Veteran Program and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 45 are coordinating the 8th annual Cherokee County “Adopt a Veteran” program. If you know of a veteran family in need or an elderly veteran who lives alone, or if you or your group would like to support the “Adopt a Veteran” program, please contact Jim Lindenmayer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 678-983-7590. You can also call or text Betty Lewis of the American Legion Post 45 Auxiliary at 770-318-6451.
Cherokee County School District Announcements Indian Knoll ES Named Microsoft Showcase SchoolFor the second consecutive year, Indian Knoll ES has earned a global honor recognizing its dedication to using technology for teaching and learning. Only 43 U.S. schools were selected as 2022-23 Microsoft Showcase Schools, and only two Georgia schools were named to the list.Indian Knoll ES PE Teacher Wins Top State AwardThe Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance honored Jason Bermudez of Indian Knoll ES as the Georgia Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Each year, one Georgia PE elementary, middle, and high school teacher is recognized as PE Teacher of the Year. The award honors excellence in ensuring students receive a complete and diverse PE education. Additionally, the three teachers who make up the PE department for Liberty ES, Jose Lago, Rick Myers, and Lucy Pence, together earned the association’s Award of Excellence in Physical Education.CCSD Earns International Recognition for Excellence in Education CCSD is one of only 38 school districts in the world to be named a 2022 Cognia School System of Distinction by the international accreditation organization. The recognition honors school districts that “exemplify excellence in education and service to learners.” Students Honored With National College Board AwardsThrough National Recognition Programs awards, the College Board has honored 88 CCSD students, including 16 from high schools in Woodstock. To be considered for recognition, students must meet guidelines, have a GPA of at least 3.5, and have either exceptional test scores placing them in the top 10% in their state on the 2021 PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 or scores of 3 or higher on two or more 2022 Advanced Placement (AP) exams. The programs are designed by the College Board to provide recognition opportunities for high school seniors and juniors in underrepresented groups. Students may apply for the National African American Recognition Award, National Hispanic Recognition Award, National Indigenous Recognition Award, and National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award. Students can earn multiple recognitions.National Indigenous Recognition Program AwardCREEKVIEW HSDavis ViningNational African American Recognition AwardSEQUOYAH HSCayla JohnsonCHEROKEE HSSummer McRoyJoanna OjoMikalah QuillenAddae Spaulding-BurfordEtowah HSJordan GrahamRiver Ridge HSJoel AgodioArianna DunkleyStephen FarmerAnna FreemanWoodstock HSIsabella Bailey James SowNational Hispanic Recognition AwardSEQUOYAH HSOscar ParedesJennifer Ramos- HernandezSophia RodriguezCHEROKEE HSGabriel AcaBrighton CuxDiana Hilario-CoronelElida Pablo-RaymundoYael Reyes-CortesRenzo ZapataEtowah HSMiranda CrespoRiver Ridge HSNatalia Faure Madison Gonzalez Heidi Juarez Enrique MoradoWoodstock HSIsabella Bailey Briana Castaneda Dania Gonzalez Paola Tlaseca Ruby BarreraNational Rural and Small Town AwardSEQUOYAH HSTeagan DurhamBrock FreemanPeyton FreminKellyn GilliganAvery GloverZachary HowellEmma JiraCayla JohnsonKathryn KlucsaritsJake KosterDanielle KremerTaryn MareauDmitri MorrisWilliam MurphySunny NguyenAnna Louise PanhorstOscar ParedesSophia SchipskeLandon SipeEfrosyni SouliosAva TiltCHEROKEE HSGabriel AcaAnsley AkinGriffen BonNatalia BroomeJuliana BrownAnna CarrollRemy CharlestonLaney ClineBraden FlournoyBryce LongstaffAshley LyenSummer McRoyJoanna OjoWeston OldsKayley OwensElida Pablo-RaymundoAlexa PaveseMikalah QuillenHaley RobersonIsabella StewartPeyton WhiteAnna WielerRenzo ZapataSophia ZellerCREEKVIEW HSMichael AbdinoorSophia ChengCooper CherryNoah ClaryOwen ClaryJames CorraoLauren DenereazMakena DuboisCamdyn GatesLaura HandLana HoustonNora KharratKristen MacLeodLuke PayneChristian RichardsMakenna ShapiroEmerson ShiKinley SikesHayden TiptonDavis Vining
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