Woodstock Middle School teacher Stephanie Vidrine shapes math lessons into stories that remain in students hearts and minds long after the equations are solved. Her extraordinary gift for teaching her students, especially those who struggle with math, resulted in her becoming Cherokee County School Districts 2018 Teacher of the Year.

Mathematics, the 20-year teacher said, is so much more than manipulating numbers and following procedures. It is art, beauty, creativity, patterns and connections to other mathematical concepts and life experiences. Her addition of storytelling to math concepts totals a successful combination for students, who appreciate her so much that they stay in touch long after theyve advanced, graduated and even pursued their own careers in math.

The CCSD Teacher of the Year is selected by a panel of community leaders who evaluate applications from each schools Teacher of the Year; school winners are selected by their peers. Ms. Vidrine will now serve as CCSDs nominee for Georgia Teacher of the Year; the winner will be named in the spring.

Principal David Childress recruited Ms. Vidrine to Woodstock Middle School from Etowah High School, where he previously worked alongside her as a fellow math teacher. The proof of her powers, he said, is in the numbers: all of her students earned proficient or better scores on their State exams, and pulled CCSDs highest marks for performance growth.

Northside Hospital Cancer Institute is currently offering no-cost screening mammograms and other breast diagnostic procedures for qualified women who cannot afford them.

More cases of breast cancer are diagnosed and treated at Atlantas Northside Hospital than anywhere else in the southeast. Early detection of breast cancer saves the lives of thousands of women each year. However, medically underserved and uninsured women often lack access to care.

At Northside, financial assistance is available for screening mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies and other breast diagnostic procedures for uninsured women who meet specific eligibility requirements. In 2016, more than 1,200 underinsured women in Georgia received breast cancer screening and diagnostic services through the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute.

Funding is made possible through generous grants from the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer, Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta, and the Northside Hospital Foundation.

Services are available at select Northside Hospital imaging locations across Georgia, as well as aboard Northsides ScreenAtlanta mobile-mammography van. For more information, or to schedule a mammogram, call 770-667-4400.

This year marks 21 years Georgia Trend has honored the states best and brightest under the age of forty in business, government, politics, nonprofits, science, health care and education. Over the last two decades, many of these honorees have gone on to great success, having a tremendous impact on the lives of Georgians.

The 2017 40 Under 40 were chosen from nominations made by readers throughout the state. Final selections were made by the Georgia Trend editorial staff. Congratulations to the two Cherokee County residents who made the list: Kristi Estes, 39, co-owner and occupational therapist at In Harmony Pediatric Therapy in Canton and Jennifer Reynolds, 36, special education teacher, department chair and professional learning teacher leader for the Cherokee County School District.

The work that has begun on the restoration of Cantons historic Jones Building is a big step toward better days in the citys center. Cherokee County sold the Jones Building to Atlanta-based developer Westbridge Partners for $1.8 million. Westbridge plans to turn it into a mixed-use facility with retail and office space and a restaurant on the ground floor.

Canton Downtown Development Authority Chairperson Wanda Roach said, I think this is just going to enhance the beauty of downtown in traditional, historic downtown Canton, I think this is going to add to the ambience.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that John Aden with Aden Insurance Consultants has been named the Chairmans Council Volunteer of the Quarter for second quarter 2017 and Janet Ponichtera with Family Life Publications has been named the Chairmans Council Volunteer of the Quarter for third quarter 2017.

Members of the Chairmans Council are accepted by invitation only from the Chambers Chairman of the Board. The Chairmans Council members are invited to attend ribbon cuttings and ground breakings, Coffee & Connections for new members and special invitation Chamber meetings that arent open to the general membership.

In determining the Volunteer of the Quarter, attendance at Chamber events is evaluated for all members of the Chairmans Council. John and Janet are dedicated Chamber volunteers, and we appreciate the countless hours of service they have provided this year, said Bryan Reynolds, Chamber chairman and director of Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency.

Leadership Cherokee, a program of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, graduated its 29th Anniversary Class during a recent ceremony. With the completion of this years class, the alumni count now totals over 600 graduates.

Members of the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2017 selected two of their peers to receive special annual recognitions. The Cristal Stancil Leadership Award honoree was Cherokee County Sheriffs Offices Buster Cushing. The Bob Frongillo Magic Spark Plug Award was presented to Cherokee County Chamber of Commerces Brandy DeBord. Outgoing 2017 Leadership Cherokee Chair, Heath Tippens with the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, was recognized by incoming Chair, Jennifer Stanley with Northside Hospital-Cherokee.

The mission of the Cherokee County Chamber, a Georgia Certified Chamber of Commerce, is to promote business and the community while expanding the economy and enhancing quality of life.