Holly Springs Adds to Management Team, Hires Economic Development Director City of Holly Springs Manager Robert H. Logan, with the support of Mayor Steven W. Miller and the City Council, promoted City employee Erin Honea to economic development director. Honea has worked as the Main Street director for the City since 2014. Over the last six years, she has earned and maintained the City’s status as an Accredited Main Street Community from the National Main Street Center and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ Office of Downtown Development. She earned her Economic Development Finance Professional certification from the National Development Council in 2017 and completed the Regional Economic and Leadership Development course from the Georgia Academy for Economic Development in 2015. She is also a 2013 graduate of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Cherokee class. As Economic Development director, Honea will oversee the City’s marketing and communications, special events, and most importantly, the City’s business attraction and retention efforts.
Creative Partnership Revitalizes Iconic Brand in Cherokee County History Cherokee recently announced a collaborative partnership with Whim-Wham Art Farm to revitalize local history with a nod to nostalgia. In 2019, the owners of Whim-Wham Art Farm approached Stefanie Joyner, executive director of History Cherokee, with the idea to pursue the copyright of the Salty Dog branding as a means to connect the past to the present. The Cherokee County Historical Society is excited to share the news that Salty Dog is back.As many long-time Cherokee County residents may recall, Salty Dog was the branded mascot of Canton Textile Mills’ introductory and revolutionary SCRUBDENIM fabric in 1963. This Canton-perfected process of treating regular denim fabric and altering its texture to a soft, velvet-like appearance opened new markets for denim in the early 1960s, making Salty Dog and Canton Textile Mills internationally recognized. Boasted to be “soft as a puppy, yet rugged as an old hound dog,” SCRUBDENIM was popular into the late 1970s when the American textile market slowed due to cheaper markets overseas. Canton Textile Mills officially shut its doors in the spring of 1981.“We think that connecting our community to the elements that helped build it allows us all to share the stories from generation to generation,” said Mary and Nicole Fischer-Mullins, owners of Whim-Whim Art Farm. “We see Salty Dog as a key part of that story and how the Mill shaped our communities and the families that worked and lived here.”From T-shirts and stickers that are available now in the museum shop and online, the Fischer-Mullinses plan to continue exploring how Salty Dog can connect with the next generation. With ideas of penning a children’s book, developing a walking scavenger hunt tour around Canton, and even introducing us to Salty Dog’s sidekick Cat’s Meow, Whim-Wham Art Farm is excited to grow and shape the Salty Dog brand.“We are thrilled our creative partnership with Whim-Wham Art Farm is allowing us the opportunity to have a piece of wearable Cherokee County history again and look forward to how Salty Dog will continue to connect us to our county’s past,” said Joyner. To purchase your piece of local history, visit Shop-History-Center.Square.site/s/shop. A portion of the sales benefit History Cherokee.
Cherokee County Animal Shelter Director Becomes Georgia’s First Certified Animal Welfare Administrator Cherokee County Animal Shelter Director Susan Garcia recently became Georgia’s first and only Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) through the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement. She is one of only 207 CAWAs nationwide. The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement is an independent agency with a mission to help develop strong leaders and promote standards of practice in the animal welfare profession. “Certified Animal Welfare Administrators have demonstrated that they hold specialized qualifications and a commitment to high standards and ethical practices in our industry. We respect their dedication to their own professional development and their pursuit of leadership excellence,” said Jim Tedford, the Association’s CEO. The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement administers the CAWA program, which distinguishes top-level executives and managers working in both nonprofit and municipal animal welfare agencies. In addition to meeting strict eligibility requirements for leadership and management in the animal welfare field, Garcia passed a rigorous exam in order to earn her designation. The exam covers best practices in animal welfare with questions reviewing leadership, human resources, finance, fundraising, marketing, administration, and animal care.
MUST Ministries Raises $175,000 for Neighborhood Mobile Pantry Bus As a result of donor generosity on Giving Tuesday, MUST Ministries raised the money necessary to purchase and retrofit a bus that will become an innovative Neighborhood Mobile Pantry. The mobile bus will take fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen meats, breads, canned goods, and dairy products (when available) to people living in “food deserts” in Cherokee and other surrounding counties where groceries are not within walking distance.In addition to many individual gifts dedicated to this important cause, organizations committed a total of $80,000 for purchasing and converting the bus. Beacon Foundation, Griffco Design Build, and Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church made significant donations during Georgia Gives Day.“On behalf of thousands of our clients who suffer from food instability, MUST is grateful to these donors who support MUST Ministries and fulfill MUST’s mission of serving our neighbors in need,” said Dr. Ike Reighard, president and CEO of MUST Ministries. The pantry should be operational by March, according to MUST officials. The organization is still in need of funds to cover operating costs, which include a driver, permits, gas, maintenance, and other essential expenses. To donate, please visit MUSTMinistries.org.
Farm Bureau Seeks Entries for 2021 Art and Essay Contests Students are invited to enter this year’s Georgia Farm Bureau High School Art Contest and Middle School Essay Contest. The high school art contest is open to all public, private, and homeschool students in grades 9-12. To enter the contest, students should contact the Cherokee County Farm Bureau for an official entry form and contest rules. The middle school essay contest is open to all public, private, and homeschool students in grades 6-8. Teachers, students, and parents may contact the Cherokee County Farm Bureau for an official entry form and contest rules. Entries for both contests must be received by February 26. The Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee coordinates these contests. For more information, please call 770-479-1481 x0 or visit GFB.org.
Public Input Desired for Hickory Flat Area Plan The Board of Commissions is reaching out to Hickory Flat residents and business owners to share their input on county plans for the area. Upcoming virtual meetings are set for January 13-February 3. All interaction may be completed online at HickoryFlatAreaPlan.com.The study area, which is called the Hickory Flat Area Plan, encompasses the core of the community, stretching to a 2-mile radius from the intersection of Hickory Flat Highway and East Cherokee Drive. More than 3,600 acres (including 500 acres located in the City of Holly Springs) are part of the plan. Principal Planner Margaret Stallings and Senior Planner Chris Luly reintroduced the plan to the Board of Commissioners last October, explaining the new approach to the input process. A three-week window enables residents and business owners to provide input in a virtual platform. In-person meetings will not be held; however, interested parties may utilize the project website to provide feedback or contact Luly directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 678-493-6110. “Hickory Flat residents and businesses have the opportunity to share their vision of what Hickory Flat will look like over the next 20 years,” Stallings said. “This is your opportunity to tell the county what you want to see in the area. We conducted similar public input meetings in the southwest area of the county, which told the county those residents wanted parks. Now, we are working with the community to develop the type of parks they want in their area.”The goal is to start with a blank slate and work with community members to create a long-term plan. Input meetings began last January, but the COVID-19 pandemic and related state orders forced the process to pause.
Two CCSD Teachers Named 2021 Georgia STEM Scholars E.T. Booth MS teacher Daniele Deneka and Teasley MS teacher Scott Reece, who teach engineering and technology classes, were recently named 2021 Georgia STEM Scholars by Georgia Youth Science & Technology Centers. Each year, only about two dozen teachers from a pool of statewide nominees are recognized as STEM Scholars.Honored K-8 teachers are selected for their excellence in teaching children about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and their innovation in integrating STEM lessons in elementary and middle school education. Each honoree receives a $500 award to purchase classroom STEM supplies.“We’re so proud of Daniele and Scott for earning this statewide honor recognizing their dedication to STEM education, which follows numerous other professional achievements by both of these accomplished teachers,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said, noting that they are also past Teacher of the Year winners for their schools. “STEM learning provides our students with a window to many excellent job opportunities in those fields, but also refines their critical thinking skills that are important for success in all careers and in life.”
Etowah River Trail Extension To Open This Month Mayor Bill Grant enjoyed a sneak preview and stroll along Canton’s new Etowah River Trail extension from the amphitheater under 575 and on to the train trestles. The extension adds an additional 1.73 miles to the concrete trail and runs parallel to the beautiful Etowah River. The trail extension is tangible evidence of Canton’s progress as well as the positive energy and fresh perspective citizens are experiencing.“We will keep moving Canton forward in the right direction, one informed and endorsed by our citizens. I look forward to the journey ahead, as well as some incredible updates in the near future,” said Mayor Grant.
Deputy Chief ADA Katie Gropper Appointed to Sexual Offender Registration Review Board Gov. Brian Kemp has appointed Katie Gropper, deputy chief assistant district attorney, to serve on a state board dedicated to protecting Georgia residents from convicted sexual offenders.The Sexual Offender Registration Review Board (SORRB) meets monthly to review cases from throughout the state to determine if sexual offenders are likely to re-offend or engage in a crime against a minor. After conducting assessments, the Board classifies offenders as a Level 1, Level 2, or sexually dangerous predator.“I am honored to serve the state of Georgia on this Board,” said Gropper. “As a prosecutor, I am invested in protecting our communities from sexual offenders, but the role of the prosecutor in our system of justice is largely reactive. My appointment to SORRB is an opportunity to be proactive in preventing future victimization by ensuring the most dangerous sexual offenders in Georgia are identified and distinguished from those who are less likely to re-offend.”As deputy chief of the Special Victims Unit, Gropper handles crimes involving child and elder abuse. Gropper has dedicated her career to the prosecution of sexually based crimes against women, children, and other vulnerable populations. “We are pleased to see Katie Gropper take a leadership role in Cherokee County and beyond,” said District Attorney Shannon Wallace. “I am confident she will make an immediate impact on the important work SORRB performs in keeping our communities safe.”
Sequoyah HS Gets New Baseball Coach The Cherokee County School Board recently approved the hiring of Jason Eller to serve as a P.E. teacher and head baseball coach for Sequoyah HS. Coach Eller has previously coached at the University of Georgia, Augusta University, and Georgia College, and his many accomplishments include three College World Series, three conference titles, and Coach of the Year in 2018. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University.
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