Preservation Woodstock Selects 2017 Citizen of the Year David Potts, member of the Woodstock City Council, has been chosen by Preservation Woodstock, Inc. as the recipient of this years Barbara G. Ingram Citizen of the Year Award for his notable efforts in preserving the history and heritage of the city. Preservation Woodstock wished to honor David Potts specifically due to his work on renovating a historic house on Main Street in downtown Woodstock. David Potts purchased the former Beverlys Day Spa and spent two months entirely renovating the structure. This renovation was honored by the Cherokee County Historical Society earlier this year with a Historic Preservation Award.
Woodstock Marine Corp League Detachment Members Receive Quilts of Valor Recently, at the Semper Fi Grille, John Newport, a career USMC Master Sargent who served two tours of duty in Vietnam; John Blair, a Vietnam veteran and Silver Star recipient; and Eddie Cranford another Vietnam veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart, were each the receivers of a quality-made quilt for their military achievements by the Quilts of Valor Foundation, Georgia Chapter. The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with a comforting and a healing Quilt of Valor. Quilts of Valor is a national foundation based in Winterset, IA., which was organized during the Iraq War, with Chapters throughout the U.S. Presenting the Quilts of Valor were Karen Lawrence, a Marine member of Marine Corps League, Detachment 1311 of Woodstock; and Christine Twiss, volunteer for Quilts of Valor, Sew and Sew for QQV, from Big Canoe.
Woodstock Mayor Announces $350K for Upgraded Crosswalks and Lighting Following the September accident and death of three pedestrians in downtown Woodstock, the Woodstock City Council and Mayor Donnie Henriques indicated that $350,000 would soon go toward more crosswalks and devices to make crosswalks more visible around downtown. City Manager Jeff Moon said the City plans to add crosswalks, red lights and sidewalks to the heavily traveled intersection of Arnold Mill and Hubbard Road. Moon also said the City is looking to construct a pedestrian bridge/crosswalk at the intersection once Morgan Ace Hardware redevelops in the future, adding that the crossing could tie into the parking deck that is anticipated for downtown Woodstock if the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for the county is approved Nov. 7. City Council Member David Potts added, The installation of the improved crosswalks and crossing signals in downtown Woodstock will hopefully improve pedestrian safety in the downtown district. With the increasing popularity of the Main Street corridor, pedestrians need to be aware of their surroundings and cross only at designated areas and times. Everyone seems to love the look and feel of the downtown area, and we all want it to be a safe place to visit.
Leadership Cherokee Graduates Class of 2017 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.
Woodstock HS Senior Earns Perfect ACT Score Woodstock High School Senior Katherine Relick earned the top composite score of 36 on the college entrance and placement test. On average, less than one-tenth of one percent of students who take the ACT earns the top score. Only 2,760 out of the more than two million students who took the exam in 2017 earned a score of 36.
Two Cherokee County Citizens Awarded Georgia Trend Magazines 40 Under 40 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.
Historic Deans Store Will Continue to Welcome Visitors and Illuminate Local History The Woodstock Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the Woodstock Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) recently closed on the purchase of one of the most historic properties in Woodstock: Deans Store. Deans Store has been a mainstay on Main Street for 111 years and has served as Woodstocks Visitors Center since 2001. The store belonged to Alice Felton, daughter and granddaughter of the stores founders. Mrs. Felton passed away January 20th, and her estate offered the opportunity to purchase the property to the DDA and CVB.Deans Store opened in April 1906. A local physician, Dr. William Dean, and his eldest son, Linton, who had recently graduated from business school in Atlanta, intended to operate a doctors office and pharmacy at the prime location on Main Street. Unfortunately, Dr. Dean passed away in the stores first year, so Linton turned the store into a drug store and general store.The store was the home of the areas first Coca-Cola fountain. It also served as a Trailways bus station, a service that was discontinued in 1975. At different times, the store served as the collection agency for telephone, electricity and water, in addition to some City services such as payment of taxes and applications for business licenses. Due in part to the soda fountain and the abundance of Coca-Cola products, and even more so to Mr. Deans welcoming spirit, Deans Store has served as a meeting place for decades. Woodstocks retired gentlemen have gathered in the store throughout its history.The DDA will be investing in updates to the store that will keep its historic charm intact while improving the function of the space. Staff is currently planning to refine the historical displays, bringing the generosity and spirit of the Dean family to life and highlighting the vital history of retail in Woodstocks charming downtown. For more information, visit VisitWoodstockGa.com.
Cherokee Countys Ronnie Young is 2017s Fittest Police Officer on Earth Cherokee County resident Ronnie Young, an officer with the Johns Creek Police Department, recently showed off his muscles and athleticism by winning first place in his age bracket in the 2017 World Police and Fire Games. Sergeant Ronnie Young travelled to the Los Angeles Convention Center to compete in the Crossfit division with police and firefighters who hailed from 65 countries worldwide! Only the top ten in each discipline were invited to compete. Sgt. Young stated that the experience was, absolutely amazing! To be able to compete at this level with people who put their lives on the line for others every day was an honor I cannot put into words.
BEATS Haunted Horse Hill Needs Sponsors & Volunteers Bethanys Equine & Aquatic Therapy Services (BEATS) Haunted Horse Hill fundraiser will be at Mariposa Farms (75 Red Gate Trail in Canton) on October 20, 21, 27, 28, and 31 from 6:30-11pm. Besides the Spooktacular haunted barn on the hill, there will also be food trucks and a kid zone! How can you help? -They are requesting sponsorships from local businesses to offset the costs of putting on this event. Sponsorships start at only $100.-They need volunteers for the nights of the events, LOTS of volunteers! This is a great opportunity for groups (church, service, school, etc.). Opportunities include parking, tickets, face painting, supervising games, manning stalls with candy for trunk-or-treaters! -The creator of the haunted house, Ross Spencer, will be needing volunteers to be zombies and other scary creatures. Please join the fun! Tickets for the Haunted Horse Hill are $10 and kid zone tickets are $5. All proceeds from this event will support BEATS programs, horses and scholarship. To sponsor or volunteer for this event, please email Bethany at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To learn more about BEATS, visit BEATS-Inc.org.
The Childrens Haven Becomes an Affiliate Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse Georgia The Childrens Haven, a Canton-based agency that provides services to children who have experienced abuse or neglect, has teamed up with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia to help prevent child abuse in Cherokee County. The not-for-profit evolved from the organization originally known as CASA for Children, Inc. but changed their name in 2015 to The Childrens Haven to better encompass the many services they provide to children. Their programs work to give foster kids the opportunity to succeed by bringing a variety of support programs under one roof. Of course, the most important work in these efforts is to ensure that children who have already experienced abuse are safe from secondary abuse. This partnership with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia will allow our agency to provide innovative prevention programs using research-based models that prevent primary abuse. We are thrilled to be positioned to get in front of the problem and emphasize prevention right from the start to make sure child abuse and neglect never occur, stated The Childrens Haven Executive Director, Deidre Hollands. Hollands states that their first Prevent Child Abuse initiative will be the promotion of 1-800-CHILDREN, a helpline for anyone who is concerned about a child. The helpline provides support for parents, caregivers and professionals alike. It is professionally staffed by operators from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies and operates Monday-Friday, from 8:00am-6:00pm.Callers can get the following information and referrals from the helpline:-Parenting support-Counseling and support groups-Referrals for legal needs-Grandparent issues-Child abuse and prevention information-Concern about the well-being of a child or family member-Family violence concerns-Community resources for emergency assistance-Resources for special needs children