Seeding Greatness at TEDx Dupree Park After more than two years of planning, TEDx Dupree Park hosted its first in-person event at the Woodstock Arts Center in downtown Woodstock.This year’s theme, Seeding Greatness, stems from an ancient Greek proverb that states, “Great societies flourish when elders plant trees they know they will never sit under.” The daylong event featured 14 speakers plus entertainers who gathered to discuss how attendees can seed greatness and foster positive change in the world.
Collett Promoted to Battalion Chief Fire Investigator Cheri Collett made history in Cherokee County when she was recently promoted as the first female battalion chief for the county fire department.Collett will be serving as the manager of the Business Intelligence Department. Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather stated that this is part of the department’s reorganization plan to implement the Business Intelligence Department. The department will be responsible for the systematic computational analysis of data or statistics to help with response times, purchasing, and managing personnel.“Chief Collett has been an outstanding employee in several of the disciplines of our department. She is a highly motivated employee and always willing to accept a challenge. She excels at about everything she is involved in, whether it’s leading ISO evaluations, the pursuit of International Accreditation, or simply being someone that has learned to play the bagpipes — representing the department proudly! She is simply an amazing, unique individual who never ceases to impress me on many levels. She is absolutely an asset to Cherokee County, whom I thoroughly support and enjoy working with on our team,” stated Prather.
Cherokee HS Student Named to State Student Advisory Council Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods named 66 high school students to the Student Advisory Council, from more than 1,000 applications. CHS junior Weston Olds is among those chosen for this honor. A Superintendent Key Scholar, Olds is a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Beta Club service organization, and Ultimate Frisbee Club.
Public Safety Awards Presented to Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services Hosted by the Canton Moose Lodge, members of Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services were recently honored for their outstanding service to the community. The following firefighters and staff members received the awards listed below at this year’s Public Safety Service Awards Banquet (L-R):Paramedic of the Year — FAO Milton ZapetaSupport Services Member of the Year — Richard ScalesChief Fire Officer of the Year — Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim PratherEMT of the Year — FAO Nick LeslieSpecial Operations Member of the Year — Jack Tuszynski, Dive TeamFire Officer of the Year — Lt. Craig HendersonVolunteers of the Year — Malcolm Fox and Walter Snead
City of Canton Updates Harmon ParkThe City is wrapping up phase one of renovations, which include installation of new energy efficient lighting. Atkins Engineering is completing field work for the next phase, which includes construction of a mini-pitch soccer field, pavilion, continuous drive, half-court basketball court, batting cages, sidewalks, and baseball field upgrades. The project will be completed early next summer. Reservoir Drive and Hickory Log Drive (Teasley MS) Traffic SignalThe City approved a task order to Atkins Engineering for the intersection improvements necessary for a new traffic signal at Teasley MS and Reservoir Drive. This project is funded through developer contributions and impact fees. The City hopes to have the project out to bid before the end of the calendar year. Hickory Log Creek Buffer StudyThe City received a presentation last month from HGOR recommending a conceptual plan for the creation of a new trail system around the Hickory Log Creek Reservoir. The trail would include nearly 12 miles of additional walking/nature path areas as well as other possible amenities such as small craft boat docks, protected coves for swimming, natural education areas, overlooks, and possibly a zipline feature. More project updates can be found at CantonGa.gov.
CCSD Theatre Programs Announce 2021-22 Season Many CCSD schools and the districtwide Academy Street Theatre will present shows this school year. Contact the school’s front office for information or check to see if advance tickets are sold at CherokeeK12.net/News/ccsdtheatre2122. Academy Street Theatre Group • The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!November 18 & 19, 2021• The Last Day of SchoolFebruary 10 & 11, 2022• Shrek the MusicalJune 2, 3, & 4, 2022Etowah HS• The Drowsy ChaperoneMarch 25 & 26, 2022 • Puffs: Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and MagicMay 6 & 7, 2022 River Ridge HS• G2K FootlooseJanuary 21, 22, 24, 25, & 26, 2022 • The Butler Did ItApril 22, 23, 25, 26, & 27, 2022Woodstock HS• James and the Giant PeachJanuary 28 & 29, 2022 • High School MusicalApril 21, 22, & 23, 2022 Cherokee HS• Leaving Iowa November 11 & 12, 2021• Elf Adventures December 3, 2021• The Magic Treehouse: Pirates Past Noon February 16 & 17, 2022• Lost Girl March 25 & 26, 2022• Big Fish April 21, 22, & 23, 2022Creekland MS• Disney’s Beauty and the Beast March 25 & 26, 2022Creekview HS• Xanadu, Jr. and Legally Blonde, Jr. February 10, 11, 12, & 13, 2022Dean Rusk MS• Sister Act, Jr. April 22 & 23, 2022Sequoyah HS• An Evening of One Acts: Fortress and Miss Havisham’s Expectations November 4, 5 and 6, 2021• Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella March 24, 25 and 26, 2022
Service League Celebrates Successful Return of Riverfest In September, more than 23,000 patrons visited the 37th annual Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival at Etowah River Park in Canton. For more than 35 years, this festival has signaled the arrival of fall and has become a favorite tradition of many north-metro Georgia families. Riverfest is the cornerstone of the Service League’s fundraising endeavors, with proceeds benefiting children in need within our county. Established in 1935, the Service League of Cherokee County is a group of 100 women who volunteer more than 10,000 hours per year to raise funds for local children in need. For more information, visit ServiceLeague.net. Vendor applications for the 2022 festival will be available on the website in January. For additional inquiries, contact Rachel Ashe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Smiles Abound at Next Step Ministries’ 2021 Run, Walk, or Roll Nearly 500 people participated in the 8th Annual Next Step Ministries Run, Walk, or Roll 5K on October 2 at First Baptist Church of Woodstock. This year, over $30,000 was raised, which funds the services that Next Step Ministries provides for families with loved ones who have special needs in Woodstock and surrounding areas. This year’s presenting sponsor was PowerSecure. Platinum sponsors were Noah Spinetto’s Family and CyberGate IT. Family Life Publications was also a proud sponsor of this event. Awards were given to F3/FIA Cherokee for the largest team, with 101 participants.
Fleet Reserve Association Sponsors Wreaths Across America Since 1924, Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) has worked to preserve and protect benefits and quality-of-life programs for Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guard personnel. In north Georgia, local FRA Branch 089 has been serving veterans since 1944. Every year, Branch 089 takes part in Wreaths Across America (WAA) by placing wreaths on the gravesites of veterans at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton. WAA will take place on December 18, 2021. With more than 22,000 gravesites at the Georgia National Cemetery, you can help ensure that sufficient wreaths are available. Please visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/GA0056P and click on “Sponsor Wreaths.” Note that “FIVE wreaths” is preselected, but you may change it to the number you wish to sponsor. For full disclosure, FRA Branch 089 does receive a small portion of what is donated.Veterans wishing to join FRA can visit FRA.org to learn about the organization and join online. However, it may be beneficial to call either Wayne Barron (678-689-7921) or Ernie Rose (770-993-6680) to receive available discounts.
NE Cherokee County Parks Plan Residents provided input and viewed potential opportunities in a recent virtual meeting for the Northeast Cherokee Parks Master Plans project.The Board of Commissioners earlier approved an agreement with TSW to create the plan for three parcels in northeast Cherokee County. The sites include a 102-acre parcel in Free Home for the E.W. and Edith Cochran Park, a 538-acre parcel on Yellow Creek Road along the Etowah River, and a 23-acre parcel on Ball Ground Road now called the Long Swamp Creek Recreation Area.At the meeting, residents participated in several surveys, allowing them to provide input on park amenities. Participants selected a kayak/canoe launch as the top amenity preferred at Long Swamp Creek Recreation Area and hiking and mountain biking trails as the most desired amenity at the Yellow Creek parcel. An online Zoom meeting will be held on November 10 at 7:00pm. Preregistration is required. TSW.MySocialPinPoint.com/ne-cc-parks-plan. An outdoor informational workshop will be on November 13 at 10:00am at Cherokee Veterans Park.
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