Actor and Director

By John Midkiff

Growing up in New York City, Andrew Berardi was always fascinated with museums. He loved to explore the collections and dreamed of one day going to work in one. When Andrew was eleven, his father, an airport customs official, accepted a new position at an airport in Georgia. Through high school, Andrew enjoyed school but was never interested in theatre. However, he did maintain his love for museums and the art and collections showcased

Here's How Parents Can Help their Child

By Donna Anello

The new school year begins next month. Class schedules, first tests, and projects are on the horizon; new friendships will be forged; separation anxiety tears will be a hurdle for some; and long carpool lines will mean leaving the house earlier to ensure you make it to work on time.

Many will make a smooth transition from the carefree days of summer. Many children and families will transition from

By Farris Yawn

When Atlanta Private Investigator Nick Price is hired by Julia Garrett to find her missing husband, he soon finds himself in the middle of a deadly conspiracy. It will take all his skills and experience to unravel the mystery before criminals put a permanent end to his investigation.

“I saw no movement in the shadows. If someone were going to come after me, this would be the perfect time. Catch me going to my car in a dark alley, put a bullet in the back of

By Lyle Harp

Cherokee County residents are protected by an excellent fire service. The hard-working men and women of Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services respond to tens of thousands of fire, physical danger, and emergency medical situations every year. Within this department, there are several groups of people that respond to special situations and emergencies. Whether it is a hazardous material spill, a lost person, or a rescue from a tower, a cliff, or under

Join our Team!

By Sheriff Frank Reynolds

I love my job! I mean it;
I really love going to work every day.

I hear other people talk about how they don’t enjoy their job because it is the same old thing, day after day. Not this guy — I love it. I love the people, the excitement, and the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself.

Don’t get me wrong — this is a tough business. There are many days that are long and

Designing Wearable Works of Art

By Tina Morris

As children, we all have a passion for something, but it isn’t often that our childhood interests become our adulthood careers. For Sue Shefts, that is exactly what happened.

Sue Shefts grew up on Long Island, and was raised by parents who nurtured her creativity. Her mother took her to the ballet and encouraged art, culture, and an appreciation of high quality design. Her father was an artist who, along

By Jessica Asbell

Every once in a while, a book comes along that grabs you and doesn’t let go. Usually, it is a thriller or a mystery, but sometimes, it is the true story of someone’s life. It’s not often that you end a book feeling like everyone should read it, but Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved is one of those books. A friend gave it the highest praise she could by saying that she gives a copy of it to everyone she meets. While you will read

By Sheriff Frank Reynolds

America has enjoyed a rich tradition of law enforcement weaved into the fabric of its identity. Notable personalities come to mind when one thinks about the lawmen of our past: Wyatt Earp, Elliott Ness, Bufford Pusser, and even Andy Taylor. History extends a certain reverence for strong men with a desire to fight crime and corruption from the saloons of the old west to the big city of New York.

Growing up, I was taught to respect law

By Hillary Groover

Growing up in the northern part of Cherokee County, I was fortunate to always be a short car ride away from the North Georgia Mountains. Every fall, my Pop and I would take a long scenic drive through Blairsville to see the leaves change and visit a few of our favorite spots. One place we always stopped was Mountain Crossing, a small outfitter next to Blood Mountain. On a clear day, you can see the city of Atlanta from a wide stone porch right next to the

Upon entering Jyl Craven Hair Design, you will notice a clean, modern atmosphere; a vast line of professional products; and fashionable, refined stylists who are diligently going about making their guests look amazing. Since 1999, the salon has provided an experience that most would expect to only receive inside the perimeter. As a member of Intercoiffure North America Canada, guests who visit Jyl Craven Hair Design can be confident they will receive the best in quality and professional

Balancing Art and Life

By Hannah Olson

Mary Booth Cabot was standing in her apartment in Tennessee forty-six years ago when she received her life’s calling to be an artist. She remembers hearing a voice ask her, “What are you doing?” For Cabot, that was all the prompting she needed to quit her job as a secretary and move home to Atlanta where she established Wren Hill Gallery and her now nationally recognized private garden.

Cabot has harbored an

By Farris Yawn

Growing up in the south, particularly the rural south, one often has a deep appreciation for the simple things in life such as time spent with friends and family, neighbors who look out for each other and help when needed, or dogs and cats underfoot when sitting down to dinner with loved ones.

Songs like Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” and John Mellencamp’s “Small Town” extoll the virtues of a small-town way of life. The popularity of these songs

Benson Chambers for Superior Judge

With more than 35 years of legal experience, Canton native Benson Chambers is ready to serve as Superior Court Judge for Cherokee County.

His experience as both a prosecutor and a private attorney gives him unique insight on the legal process. His many years representing clients from a variety of backgrounds in all areas of the law will help him tackle any cases that end up in his court, and his lifelong history of living and working

When Fostering Becomes a Forever Home

By Carrie Patterson

When Fortis came into our lives in February of 2016, she was broken — literally broken. She had been used as a breeding dog for several years. She was malnourished and afraid. It was surmised that she had been thrown from the window of a moving car and left for dead on the side of the road. The local road crew came by with a shovel to pick her up, and when they realized she was alive, they took her to the

Standing Up for Cherokee's Quality of Life

By Cyndi Braun

Responsible. Reasonable. Ready.

These three words describe Harry Johnston’s candidacy for Cherokee County Commission Chairman, a position he believes will make a big impact on Cherokee County’s future.

“Cherokee County is the best place in the world to live,” said Johnston. “With careful management of our growth and development, and effective leadership to build quality infrastructure

Sugar Detox for Better Health

By Jill Rowlands

There are many popular diets going around, and proponents of each diet will convincingly promote the one they are passionate about as a “one-size-fits-all” solution for everyone. However, the truth is that each person must figure out what works best for them through trial and error. While there is disagreement amongst nutrition professionals about dietary choices, especially extremes, most would likely agree that

By Sheriff Frank Reynolds

One of the duties and responsibilities of the sheriff is to be the keeper of the county jail. So, what is a jail, and why is it important to our community?

The Georgia Constitution requires the sheriff to perform certain duties including civil process, issuing warrants, providing security at the county courthouse, maintaining and operating a jail, and providing general law enforcement services throughout the county. Although there are

Quadruple Threat

By Tina Morris

A Tennessee native, Brian White has been performing all his life, beginning in church choir and progressing to high school plays and musicals. Brian moved to Georgia after earning a role in a live musical show at Six Flags. While there, he auditioned for the Atlanta Jazz Theatre and was cast in their professional dance company. On scholarship with the company, Brian took thirteen dance classes a week to further develop his talents.