January 2025 Community Life - Woodstock Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood To Be Built in Cherokee CountySeeking to meet an unprecedented level of need, leaders of Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia (HFH-NCG) have announced plans to build 70 new homes in three communities over the next three to five years in Cherokee, Forsyth, and, for the first time, Dawson counties. “Our expansion comes at a critical time,” said Steve Napier, executive director of HFH-NCG. “Housing affordability is one of the most pressing challenges in our community today. Together, we have an incredible opportunity to make a lasting difference and create a brighter future for families in our community.”The HFH-NCG campaign’s fundraising goal is to raise $9 million over the next three years. When combined with funds from government grants and corporate, faith, and civic partners, it will support infrastructure development, building costs, and the construction of 70 homes in three neighborhoods in three counties. The new communities will be inspired by Pinewood Heights, the 14-lot HFH-NCG neighborhood in Gainesville, which now has six completed homes providing safe, affordable housing for six families. For more information about supporting the initiative, contact Katherine Ortwerth, director of philanthropy, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Steve Napier at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Founded in 2006, HFH-NCG serves Cherokee, Dawson, Forsyth, and North Fulton counties and enables individuals to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. ——————————————————Parking Deck Mural Project Is UnderwayVisit Woodstock GA is pleased to announce the selection of artists for the Parking Deck Mural Project. Artists Brianna Gardocki, Sylvia Smith, and Elaine Stephenson have been chosen to create murals for the new City Center East Deck. The murals, which will be prominently displayed in high-traffic elevator bays, will celebrate Woodstock’s vibrant natural environment with themes inspired by trails, flowers, pollinators, and water.“We feel so fortunate to work with these talented artists to create a warm welcome, as visitors and residents begin their Woodstock adventures in the new parking deck,” shared Madison Beaulieu, public art coordinator for the City of Woodstock.Artists began work on December 11, 2024, sketching initial on-site designs for the project, and are anticipated to be completed with their murals early this year.Brianna Gardocki is a professional multimedia artist based in Atlanta. A 2019 graduate of the University of Georgia, she launched her career as an independent artist, infusing the world with vivid hues through her work. Her art is characterized by vibrant color palettes, bold lines, and imaginative themes that visually express her unique perspective.Elaine Stephenson is an artist, designer, and muralist known for creating bright, colorful works with uplifting messages. Inspired by her journey with anxiety and depression, Stephenson’s art focuses on the beauty of life and encourages positivity. After a decade-long career in graphic design following her studies at the University of Georgia, she transitioned to full-time art, allowing her to explore her creativity more deeply.Sylvia Smith is an illustrator and product designer based in Woodstock. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design, she has over a decade of professional experience designing products and illustrations that spark joy. Her work is set to add a playful and uplifting touch to Woodstock’s art scene.For more information on the City Center East Deck Mural Project, please log on to VisitWoodstockGa.com/public-art.——————————————————Keep Cherokee Beautiful Presents Annual Service Awards Keep Cherokee Beautiful (KCB) honored its volunteers for exceptional services to the organization and the community.Allatoona Lake Warriors earned the Partner of the Year Award for their work in keeping the lake free of litter and debris. The group of over 225 volunteers cleaned up over 270 miles of shoreline. Every weekend, the volunteers travel the lakeshores and coves by various transportation means. The group also helped install trash booms along creeks and tributaries, which prevent trash from flowing downstream and entering the lake. Etowah High School student Hayden Raffield earned the Volunteer of the Year Award. Raffield is the founder of Etowah Eagles Service Connection, a group that allows over 160 students to serve the community through Habitat for Humanity, the Lake Allatoona Association, and KCB among others. Raffield has led several volunteer efforts and most of KCB’s litter cleanups and recycling events, as well as Woodstock’s recycling events. Linda Hartsfield was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of volunteerism with the Lake Allatoona Association. She coordinates efforts for the Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup, handling the needs of the volunteers and ensuring the annual event's success. Hartsfield was traveling and unable to attend the meeting to accept her award.————————————————————Cherokee County Recycling Center Expands ServicesCherokee County Recycling Center is expanding services through a partnership with America’s Thrift, enabling residents to recycle more items conveniently.“We are excited to announce that we can now accept donations of clothing, textiles, shoes, and books for recycling,” said Recycling Center Manager Troy Brazie. “Three donation drop boxes have been installed at our Blalock Road facility, and items can be dropped off anytime during normal business hours.”Donations are accepted free of charge, and a portion of the proceeds from America’s Thrift will support Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.The main Recycling Center is located at 470 Blalock Road in Canton. For more information, including hours of operation and a list of accepted items, visit CherokeeGa.com/recycling-center.——————————————————Former Cherokee Arts Center To Be Rehabilitated for Court System UseGroundwork is being laid to rehabilitate the former Cherokee Arts Center on North Street in downtown Canton for court system use.The Arts Center closed in 2022, and the property reverted to county ownership. Last year, the county engaged Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects for structural engineering services, as the building is in disrepair. The county is now moving forward with repairs and renovations that preserve the historic structure while also reducing the space needs and resulting cost for the upcoming expansion of the adjacent Justice Center facility. American Rescue Plan Act and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds are being used to pay for the renovations. The Board of Commissioners approved a Construction Manager at Risk Agreement. The approval included a guaranteed maximum price allowance not to exceed $5.7 million. Completion of the project is expected in early 2026. Once completed, the refurbished facility will house the Accountability Courts, Drug Testing Lab, and Indigent Defense Office. ———————————————————Cherokee Youth Girls Flag Football Team Wins State ChampionshipAt the 2024 Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) State Championships hosted December 6-7 by the Jackson County Recreation Department, the 14U Cyclones bested their competition, earning the championship nod in their division. The team’s historic victory represents a significant milestone in Georgia’s youth sports. The girls dominated the competition, beginning with a 26-0 win over Jackson County, followed by a 44-0 triumph over Sandy Springs before clinching the championship with a 25-19 win over Gilmer County.The championships, held at Panther Stadium at Jackson County HS, featured flag football talent from across Georgia. The championship games celebrate athleticism, teamwork, and sportsmanship with teams from various counties competing for top honors. For more information about the Cherokee Youth Girls Flag Football program, visit PlayCherokee.org.——————————————————Cherokee County School District AnnouncementsStudents Increase AP Success and Earn International HonorsCCSD high school students have increased their success in college-level courses, earning international honors for their schools. Students raised their overall Advanced Placement (AP) exam average score to 3.6, up from 3.4, this past spring, according to a new report from the College Board, while also increasing participation with 6,955 exams completed, up from 6,091. Eighty-two percent of CCSD’s exam scores were a 3 or higher – the highest pass rate ever for the school district, up from 78%. The total value of the college tuition CCSD students will avoid paying due to this success, assuming each exam equals just one college course, is estimated at $6.1 million, up from $4.6 million.Two Teachers Named Georgia STEM ScholarsKarina Dean of Hickory Flat ES and Cat Klingbeil of Freedom MS earned the honor presented annually by the Georgia Youth Science & Technology Centers (GYSTC). Only 25 elementary and middle school teachers from a pool of statewide nominees were recognized as 2025 Don Cargill STEM Scholar Award winners.Honored educators are selected for their excellence in teaching students about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), their innovation in integrating STEM lessons in elementary and middle school education, and their leadership of student-based projects with an impact that reaches beyond their classrooms. Each honoree receives a $500 award to purchase classroom STEM supplies.Athletes of the Month CCSD’s December Female Athlete of the Month is Elizabeth Waller of Cherokee HS for flag football. Will Rajecki of Sequoyah HS is December’s Male Athlete of the Month for football. Outstanding student-athletes are nominated by their high schools, and a committee selects an overall winner. The winners receive a T-shirt, a certificate, and recognition on CCSD’s athletics website and social media.Etowah HS Student Represents District at Statewide Education Event Senior Laika Olwana is one of only 10 high school students statewide selected to serve on the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) Youth Advisory Council. The program allows outstanding Georgia high school students to provide meaningful input to school board members from across the state. Olwana recently spoke at GSBA’s Annual Conference in Atlanta as part of a panel of Youth Advisory Council members. The conference is attended by School Board members, superintendents of schools (including Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis), and other education leaders from across the state.
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