Cherokee Thanksgiving Needs Your Help For nearly 30 years, Cherokee Thanksgiving has served meals to families and public safety/emergency workers of Cherokee and Pickens counties at Canton First United Methodist Church. In 2020, the venue was changed to Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q of Canton, which offered its restaurant as a staging area, with restaurant staff volunteering to prepare the food. Last year, 2,600 meals were served — 600 more than ever before. Williamson Bros. is graciously hosting again in 2021.This year’s event is dedicated in memory of Don Stevens, cofounder of Cherokee Thanksgiving, who sadly passed away from COVID-19. Another record year is anticipated, in the number of meals to be served and in the cost of preparation. Estimated funding needed to cover expenses is $12,000. For more information about event sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, please email Cheryl Mosley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Worshippers Return to Holbrook Campground Last month, many residents participated in one of Cherokee County’s oldest religious traditions – the 183rd edition of the Holbrook Camp Meeting.Rev. David Laycock of Macedona United Methodist Church served as this year’s host pastor, while Rev. Mike Orr and Rev. Jared Lathem were guest ministers. Dylan Feezell served as the meeting’s song leader for the first time.The tradition of camp meetings at Holbrook Campground began in 1839, when Jessie Holbrook was reported to have sold 40 acres of land for $20 to local Methodists for the purpose of having such meetings. Camp meetings have been going strong there ever since, with the current arbor having been built in 1890, according to organizers of this year’s camp meeting. Traditionally, the camp meeting is a nondenominational Christian gathering, with Baptist and Methodist ministers preaching.During the 10-day event, children’s services were held daily, followed by a morning worship service, and afternoon prayer services. Each day concluded with an evening worship service.While some participants come for just a day or two, others stay the entire time. Rev. Orr said he was glad to be back again in 2021, offering messages of hope to those gathered at the campground, leading worshippers to a restored sense of faith, and guiding attendees to salvation.
Cherokee County Farm Bureau Awards the Cheyenne Heard College Scholarship The Cheyenne Heard College Scholarship is awarded to a Cherokee County senior who is pursuing a degree in agriculture. The scholarship is in memory of Cheyenne Heard, who was a student at Creekview HS and a volunteer for Cherokee County Farm Bureau. This year’s $1,075 scholarship was awarded to Braesen Parker. While he was a student at Cherokee HS, Parker was a member of the football team, Football Leadership Council, and Student Government. He also received the Love of Language Award in 2018 and was a Scholar Athlete from 2018-2020. Parker is attending Berry College and majoring in agricultural science.
New Comprehensive Transportation Plan Website Cherokee County recently launched a Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) website, CherokeeMoves.com. The new website was created, as the county prepared to update its CTP, which identifies current and future transportation opportunities to address the growing population. The updated CTP will assess enhancements to roadways, pedestrian and bicycle access, and transit and freight capacity.“Transportation demand continues to rise in Cherokee County, and this update is an opportunity to enhance our network,” said County Manager Geoff Morton. “The CTP will identify infrastructure improvements that manage increasing demand, support economic development, minimize environmental impacts, and ultimately promote a high quality of life for our communities. This process is key in determining the future of transportation across Cherokee County and ensuring our growth is met with the right transportation investments.” Residents, businesses, and visitors are encouraged to read more about the CTP on the website. Opportunities for the public to provide input on proposed project plans will be provided later this year.For additional information or questions, please contact the county at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Cherokee Music Teacher Association Presents Awards The Cherokee Music Teachers Association recently held its annual awards ceremony at Reinhardt’s Falany Performing Arts Center.Trophies were presented to students who had participated in the Association’s judged event and accumulated sufficient points. Recipients included Nathaneal Anderson; Addie Balboa; Jordan and Virginia Battaglia; Hayden Danneman; Joey Dagostino; Logan Dodd; Jack Dugas; Henry Dusseault; Emily Dubuc; Robert and Thomas Duffoo; Davis, Kate, and Kyla Fenn; Nina Forsythe; Amonis Godfrey; Luke Griffies; Maci Hamilton; Felicity Jeong; Jonah and London Kim; Elijah Kotronis; Angela Matthews; Brennen, Elsa, and Sophia Maxwell; Mckinley and Clair Moore; Julianna Ogden; Amelia Oliver; Shaoey Pace; Noah Powell; Uriah Ribley; Allison Sirmon; John Thomas; Julie Tryon; Colt Turner; and Kyle Yuzzi.Guest artist Raffi Besalyn of Georgia State University presented a recital, and Summer Music Camp Scholarship winners from 2020 and 2021 also performed: Nico Brett, Joey Dagostimo, Leland McAbee, and Noah Powell.
Pierson Receives Dr. James Creel EMS Pioneer of the Year Award At this year’s Northwest Georgia/Region 1 EMS Awards Banquet, Cherokee County Paramedic Program Director Randy Pierson received the Dr. James Creel EMS Pioneer of the Year award. This award honors a person who has been instrumental in the development of the region’s EMS system and has served multiple roles throughout his/her career for the betterment of the profession. The recipient is selected by an average of the scores of three independent judges.Pierson has worked for the department since 2015. He is responsible for getting the initial accreditation to the Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic Training Program at Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) in March 2019. CAAHEP is the largest programmatic accreditor of the health sciences professions.
Sheriff Frank Reynolds Appointed to Georgia Board of Driver Services Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds was recently appointed by Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan to serve a six-year term on the Georgia Board of Driver Services. “I am very honored to serve on this Board, and I appreciate Lt. Gov. Duncan and Director Spencer Moore for giving me the opportunity to serve the citizens of Georgia,” said Sheriff Reynolds.The Georgia Board of Driver Services governs the Department of Driver Services (DDS), which is responsible for enforcing and administering state laws and regulations relating to driver’s licenses.The nine-member board meets monthly to discuss issues related to improving customer service, advancing technology, and protecting the safety of the citizens of Georgia.
Exciting CCSD Student Accomplishments Six Students Earn State Honors at Technology CompetitionThe annual Georgia Student Technology Competition offers students in grades 3-12 the opportunity to showcase their skills through 16 categories and vie for honors at regional and state fairs. Six CCSD students placed first, second, or third at the statewide event (Top L-R) 1st place, Marissa Migneco, Graphic Design, Etowah HS, grade 9; 2nd place, Micah Kampman, Audio Production, Johnston ES, grade 4; Ryan Wexler, Project Programming, Indian Knoll ES, grade 4. (Bottom L-R) 2nd place, Sequoyah HS Class of 2021 graduate Daniel McCrobie, 3-D Modeling; 3rd place, Cherokee HS Class of 2021 graduate Isabella Ayala, Internet Applications; and Paxton Miller, Multimedia Applications, Indian Knoll ES, grade 5.Twelve Class of 2021 Graduates Honored by Cherokee County Sports Hall of FameThis community organization recognizes the most outstanding male and female senior athletes from each of CCSD’s high schools. Honorees are nominated by high school administrators based on the outstanding athletic contributions the seniors made during their high school career. This recognition is a separate program from the Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony honoring individuals who have distinguished themselves in the field of athletics in Cherokee County. Congratulations to the Class of 2021 honorees: (Top L-R) Cherokee HS’s Kate Johnson and Dom DeLillo, Creekview HS’s Makena Gates and Grant Anderson, (Middle L-R) Etowah HS’s Kinsey Norton and Brock Rechsteiner, River Ridge HS’s Ciara Miles and Taylor Harris, (Bottom L-R) Sequoyah HS’s Paige Powers and Carson Throne, Woodstock HS’s Michael Roe and Glenda Setlock. Six Class of 2021 Graduates Earn $1,000 ABM ScholarshipsEach year, ABM Industry Groups, LLC, which provides custodial services for CCSD schools, awards a $1,000 scholarship to one graduating senior from each of the high schools. The six winners are selected by a scholarship committee of retired CCSD educators and ABM representatives based on the student’s involvement in school and community activities and service, a personal essay, and references.The Class of 2021 winners are (Top L-R) Cherokee HS’s Miguel Esteban-Juarez, Creekview HS’s Brinn Dameron, and Etowah HS’s Aneisa Jones. (Bottom L-R) River Ridge HS’s Legacy Guider, Sequoyah HS’s Matthew Scoretz, and Woodstock HS’s Sebastian Moss.Ten Class of 2021 Graduates Win Jason T. Dickerson Family Foundation ScholarshipsIt is the second year for these annual college scholarships, which have expanded from the inaugural awarding of two scholarships to 10. Each recipient receives $2,500. The scholarships are open to students planning to continue their education in Georgia and study education, agriculture, veterinary medicine, religion or theology, or a related field. The Foundation also considers applicants’ community service and their references’ recommendations.Class of 2021 recipients are (Top L-R) Olivia Barger, Dylan Mahoney, Braesen Parker, and Abigail Taylor of Cherokee HS; (Middle L-R) Christian Deneka of Etowah HS; Stephanie Felonta, Victoria Kershaw, and Legacy Guider of River Ridge HS; (Bottom L-R) Jordan Campbell of Sequoyah HS; and Annisabelle Aguilar of Woodstock HS.Ten Student Athletes Honored With 2021 Positive Athlete Georgia Regional AwardsPositive Athlete Georgia, a subsidiary of Celebrate Positive, LLC, which promotes the benefits of positivity to young athletes around the world, sponsors these awards. Hines Ward, a former Forest Park High School, University of Georgia, and Pittsburgh Steelers football star, formed Positive Athlete with local businessman Scott Pederson.More than 3,000 high school students are nominated annually by coaches, principals, athletic directors, teachers, and parents. Awards are presented for each sport at the regional level, with regional winners advancing to state-level competition. In addition to demonstrating excellence in their sport, Positive Athletes must show characteristics such as an optimistic attitude, teammate encouragement, servant leadership, heart for others, ability to admit imperfections, giving 100% all the time, and realizing the team is more important than the individual.Award recipients include (Top L-R) Cherokee HS’s Laney Cline, tennis, and Lexie-Anne Rodkey, alternate sport; Creekview HS’s Samantha Buchberger, golf; Etowah HS’s Maggie Bradley, soccer, and Molly Froman, gymnastics. (Bottom L-R) River Ridge HS’s Camden Cochran, wrestling; Sequoyah HS’s Grant Davis, swimming and diving, and Jonah Haney, football; and Woodstock HS’s Ryan Comeau, multi-sport, and Reece Morrish, lacrosse.
Canton PD Unveils New Electric Motorcycles The Canton Police Department added a new form of patrol, which will enhance community safety and support the City of Canton’s sustainability goals. Canton Police Chief Stephen Merrifield announced that the department has added two new all-electric motorcycles to its fleet. “The motorcycles will allow us to patrol our newly expanded park trail system without emission and noise pollution,” said Chief Merrifield. The new motorcycles will also “allow officers to engage more community members, as we continue to build relationships and trust,” he added. Three Canton police officers have been trained and certified to operate the motorcycles. They will be used regularly throughout the year for traffic enforcement, concerts, parades, trails, and special events. The motorcycles are manufactured by Zero Motorcycles and are designed for on and off-road use. For more information, please visit ZeroMotorcycles.com.
City of Canton Special Project Updates City of Canton Special Project Updates Heritage Park Plyometric GymA new outdoor fitness gym is being installed at Heritage Park near the staircase from the YMCA to the park. This gym will include weight-training equipment that utilizes the person’s own body weight. Downtown Tree LightsThe lights in the trees in downtown Canton are one of the unique features that many enjoy. These were replaced in July under a new contract and maintenance agreement with a provider. State Route 140 to Waleska ExpansionA request for qualifications for engineering design between Marietta Highway and Mary Lane on SR-140 received submission packages last month. The City is reviewing and creating a shortlist of potential firms. A contract is expected to appear before the council for approval in October. Archer Street Parking DeckConstruction documents were released for bid proposals on July 1, and bid closing is August 3 with a recommendation for council approval in September. Construction should begin in late October. For more information on project updates, visit CantonGa.gov.
to your business!