From Stage to Screen

By Justin Spainhour-Roth

I dream for a living. While I cant take credit for that quote (you win this round, Mr. Spielberg), it definitely resonates with me a lot and the work I get to do at Elm Street Cultural Arts. Each day, I get the opportunity to think outside the box, be creative, and come up with ways to make the arts more impactful, more relevant, and more accessible to our community.

On March 13, hours before the curtain was to go up on opening night, we had to make the very difficult decision to cancel all performances of Helvetica, a beautiful new play by Will Coleman, due to COVID-19 concerns. In times like these, you have two choices in how to respond you can either lie down or stand up.

Within 24 hours, the cast, crew, creative team, and Elm Street staff came together to do something we had never attempted before we filmed the show and released it for people to enjoy from the comfort and safety of their homes. We normally film our performances for archival purposes, but this was different. This had to capture the spirit and the essence of the show as well as translate the magic of a live stage performance to an audience on film.

Our photographer, Bronson Kurtz, connected us with David Thompson Technologies LLC/DDT-Live, a media production company run by two talented young men who I could not believe were still in high school. Several different cameras were set up at multiple angles, audio was tested from all the microphones, and the show was filmed without an audience.

When we put everything together, the final edit revealed so many nuances from the production a touching moment between two cancer patients, an awkward first date, a heartbreaking but real conversation about death between a young girl and her father. That day of filming was so surreal and will probably be one of my favorite experiences at Elm Street. If youre interested, Helvetica can be viewed for free at ElmStreetArts.org until May 10.

The arts impact us in so many ways, and to me, film is a great visual example of that. Watching and experiencing something can make us laugh, tug at our heartstrings, encourage us to think, or a combination of the three. The next time you watch something new or revisit an old favorite, think about the artistry thats behind the angles, costume pieces, performances, and so much more. Its awe-inspiring.

Liberty ES, a national School of Character, remains committed to service learning. Before the schools closing, Libertys Student Leadership Team launched an initiative to help stock the Cherokee HS Care Pantry. This pantry, which complements the MUST Ministries food pantry housed at Cherokee HS, provides basic household items and toiletries to students in need, along with their families.

When CCSD schools closed on March 13, donations of toilet paper, soap, and more were piling up at Liberty ES, but had not yet been delivered to Cherokee HS. After a temperature check and following social distancing guidelines, teachers were permitted into Liberty ES to gather student donations as well as their classrooms leftover hand wipes/sanitizer, cleaning and household supplies, and the schools remaining supply of After School Program snacks.

The donated household supplies and snacks, which filled two truckloads, were shipped to Cherokee HS to be distributed to students and their families when they come to school to pick up food boxes.

This service-learning project, which was planned for several weeks prior to the pandemic and was designed to create a partnership between the two schools, turned out to be way more than expected and essential to Cherokee Countys most needy at this unthinkable time, said Liberty ES Principal Doug Knott.

Canton Police Chief Stephen Merrifield announced the promotion of Lt. Matt Baldwin to the position of police captain, Support Bureau commander.

Captain Baldwin has 23 years of law enforcement experience, with his last four years serving as the assistant Support Bureau commander. He has also served in a variety of other positions, giving him a well-rounded level of knowledge as a patrol officer, Uniform Patrol Division shift supervisor, CMANS agent, detective, and Criminal Investigations supervisor.

Dr. Kina S. Mallard, 20th president of Reinhardt University, will resign her position on June 30. The Board of Trustees has accepted her resignation and has appointed Dr. Mark A. Roberts, executive vice president and provost, as interim president effective July 1.

Dr. Roberts has served as an instructor and administrator in higher education since 1996. In 2013, he joined Reinhardt as vice president for Academic Affairs and English professor. Then, in 2016, he became the universitys first provost. During this time, he assisted with all aspects of the strategic direction of the university, including oversight of academic affairs and university liaison for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The Board of Trustees will appoint a presidential search committee and launch a search later this year for the 21st president of Reinhardt University, whom they seek to have in place by June 2021. Both internal and external candidates will be considered as part of the search.

Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority (CCWSA) recently announced the winners of its 2020 student photography contest.

Student photographers were challenged to capture interest and beauty in the human water cycle by considering questions like where does the water that we use every day come from? How does it get to our homes, schools, and local businesses? Where is it stored? How does fire protection fit into the cycle? Where does it go after we use it? And what is its connection to food production and energy?

The 6th-8th grade category winner was Caleb Miller of Creekland Middle School with his photograph entitled Tower at Sunset. The 9th-12th grade category winner was Leila Raymond-Kaina of Cherokee High School (untitled photo).

The winners received a framed copy of their winning photograph and a check for $50. The photographs are now displayed at the CCWSA main office, Rose Creek Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), Fitzgerald Creek WRF, Riverbend WRF, Etowah River Water Treatment Facility, and H.Q. Lathem Reservoir.

Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services is requesting public input in a survey that will be available through April 30. The Community Stakeholder Survey provides an annual baseline of how well the fire department is performing in the eyes of citizens and seeks input on the importance of programs and initiatives currently in place. 

The survey enables the department to gauge perceptions on levels of services and provides data for the upcoming strategic planning sessions, which are in alignment with the departments goals of continuous improvement and efforts to become an internationally accredited fire department through the Center of Public Safety Excellence on Fire Accreditation International.

The survey is open to anyone who visits, works, or lives in Cherokee County and can be found at SurveyHero.com/c/CherokeeCountyFire.

The Cherokee County Board of Education recently unanimously approved contracting with Mountain Education Charter High School to take over the school district's evening high school program, currently known as Polaris Evening Program.

Beginning in June, Mountain Ed will run the evening school program at the Etowah East building on the Etowah HS campus, and expand services using the same successful model already in place in counties across north Georgia. Just as with Polaris, there will be no charge to students to enroll in evening classes with Mountain Ed. Classes are open to students ages 15-21 and to age 22 for special education students.

Mountain Ed will offer our high school students the continued opportunity to earn their high school diploma in the evenings and will provide them with new services including a mentor to coach them on to graduation, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said, noting that an evening high school has been a valuable academic choice in Cherokee County School District (CCSD) for many years. Were excited about this partnership and the benefits it will provide to our students.

Like CCSD, Mountain Ed is accredited by AdvancEd, and students earn credits toward the same high school diploma as they would at any other Georgia public high school. Mountain Ed is also accredited by the NCAA. Students will complete self-paced course work online, using computers at the school, with one-on-one support from teachers; classes have a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Students will meet weekly with their mentors for coaching and support.

For more information about Mountain Ed, visit MyMEC.org.

The Cherokee County Historical Society (CCHS) recently launched a multi-million dollar History in the Making capital campaign for its new headquarters located in the former Canton Police Department building in downtown Canton.

Funds raised through the capital campaign will be used to renovate the facility, providing space for engaging museum exhibits, enhanced collection storage, and a comprehensive program of cultural events.

According to campaign leadership, $1.8 million has already been raised, which is 64% of the $2.8 million funding goal. 

The new multifunctional facility will serve as a dynamic education resource that collaborates with educational institutions at all levels, instilling a deeper appreciation of Cherokee Countys unique and compelling history.

The exhibit space for the new History Center will expand from its current 675 square feet to at least 5,000 square feet. Each gallery and exhibit space will include naming rights opportunities to recognize families and local organizations that have made significant investments in the new facility.

The launch event marked the beginning of the public phase of the campaign, which is being managed by Atlanta-based POWER 10 and a Campaign Leadership Council of volunteers affiliated with the Cherokee County Historical Society.

For more information about the project, please contact Kevin Donovan at 404-667-7768 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Circle of Friends advocacy group founders Diane and Glenn Keen and Stephen Taylor recently accepted 262 acres of land in Ball Ground for a proposed community for the disabled.

Karen Cash of Community of Hope, Inc., donated the land to Circle of Friends after learning about its mission. Cash, along with her late husband Raymond, envisioned bringing people to their property, which is located at 1163 Bishop Road.

We wanted the land to remain as an open space for folks with developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, and inner-city youth to enjoy nature, said Cash, who kept the property as such since her husbands death in 2008.

Glenn Keen said the mission of Circle of Friends, which is to help support adults with special abilities and their families in Cherokee County, started years before its formation in January 2019. Questions arose from the Keens concern for their son Haden, Whats going to happen to my child when I die? What kind of services can I get for my child? Why do I have to travel so far for services?

These queries inspired the Keens to research existing communities such as Bridge Meadows in Portland, Oregon, and North Street Neighborhood in Durham, North Carolina.

Their research showed that these programs provided the following benefits:

• Socialization where young adults could have opportunities to do activities in the community, have fun, and make friends
• Supportive employment where they can flourish, develop skills, and be productive
• Supportive affordable living for different needs

The Circle of Friends formed to share those findings and hold meetings every first and third Thursday at Hickory Flat Church to bring awareness to their goal and to establish social activities for adults with disabilities.

Through this new partnership, Community of Hope and Circle of Friends will work together to build an intergenerational residential community.

The preliminary plans call for a community of 15-20 single-family houses, a group home community consisting of 6-8 detached townhouses (either duplex or triplex), and a large area to remain as an open space with potential for a camp.

Taylor said whats needed most right now are prayers and contributions. Fundraising events will be announced on the Circle of Friends Facebook page.

The housing component though will not be restricted to county residents only. We prayed for land in Hickory Flat, and our prayers were answered. Were still looking for Hickory Flat land, so keep praying, said Diane Keen.

Circle of Friends is also looking for a storefront in Hickory Flat to open a coffee shop. Donations are being accepted by check made payable to Circle of Friends, 900 Abbey Court, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004.

For additional information, email Stephen Taylor, executive director of Circle of Friends, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Diane Keen, chairperson-elect, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Freedom Middle School recently won the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site Academic History Bowl. The schools team competed against 19 other middle schools across the state and remained undefeated throughout the event, which tested students history knowledge. The team already has plans to compete again next school year.

Team members are Trenton Wingo, Isaac Mendez-Robles, Robbie MacMillan, Isabella Bailey, Grayson Schutz, Thaddaeus Brake, Matthew Shewfelt, Theodore Lewis, Sarah Vassy, and Annabeth Dudley. The coaches are 8th grade teachers Allison Cook and Anna Trull.