🌱 It's Almost Derby Day + Comprehensive Plan Update + Weekend Events

Hello, everybody! It's Saturday in Canton-Sixes and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today you'll find news about:

• Derby Day is coming up fast!
• Your input is wanted for the Comprehensive Plan.
• Local students received scholarships thanks to Sawnee EMC.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm. High: 49 Low: 41.
• Sunday: Remaining cloudy and warmer. High: 65 Low: 43.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Canton-Sixes who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top five stories in Canton-Sixes today:

1. History Cherokee's 20th Annual Derby Day will be held on May 6 at The Mill on Etowah and you can get your tickets now! The fundraising event was held in the Historic Crescent Rock Barn in Canton until moving to The Mill and is the largest fundraiser that History Cherokee holds all year. The event will feature bourbon tastings and a hat contest, pony pull and silent auction. Attendees will also enjoy gourmet food, specialty cocktails, a live viewing of the Kentucky Derby and more. You can learn more, purchase tickets or become a sponsor at the official website here. There is also an opportunity to volunteer at the event. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
2. We're in the final stretch of the 2023 Comprehensive Plan, the document that will outline future growth, development, investment and land use changes in the county. We’re at a point in the process where citizens get to give their input again. Starting last October, the county held a series of public input meetings around the county. In November, we were asked to provide our feedback by way of a survey on what we find important when talking about city and county growth. Now, we are being given the opportunity to review the 2023 Comprehensive Plan draft. The draft will be available on the official Comprehensive Plan website from April 10 - 28 and a community meeting will be held on April 11 at the Northside Cherokee Conference Center in Canton for us to share our feedback. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger News and Free: Cherokee County Communications Department)
3. Three county students were awarded $5,000 scholarships through the Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation's Youth Scholarship Program. This year, 20 students within Sawnee EMC's service area received the scholarships. Eligible students are required to be a high school senior, have a permanent residence serviced by Sawnee EMC and hold a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Of the three county students that received scholarships, two currently attend Sequoyah High School and one attends Creekview High School. Congratulations! (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News and Free: Sawnee EMC)
4. The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is holding its regular adoption event today. The available animals can be seen online here. I don't want to be the one to spoil the surprise, but there are puppies and they're all adorable! If you'd like a slightly older pup, I bet your heart will flutter when you see Bert and Ernie - those smiles! Head over to the shelter this morning, and a QR code at the front door will become active at a random time around 10 a.m., please scan the QR code to enter the "virtual line." The shelter adopts on a first come, first served basis, and animals can't be put on hold. The adoption fee includes the spay or neuter, heartworm and leukemia testing, initial vaccinations, deworming, flea preventative, microchipping and more. The shelter is located at 1015 Univeter Road in Canton. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
5. Have you heard of the Woofstock Food Pantry? Stephen C. Monahan, Founder and Executive Director of Woofstock Food Pantry and Green Pets America Charities, created the non-profit in 2004 to help feed pets when their family is having trouble doing so. Donations to the organization not only help feed the area's food-unstable pets, but also help save pets from ending up in a shelter, keeping them home and with their loving families where they belong. The Woofstock Food pantry sends pet food straight from Amazon and Chewy to the families and serves the pets of families in need in Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs, Smyrna, Marietta and greater Cherokee and Cobb counties. If you feel that you could benefit from their service, would like to donate to the cause or have some time to volunteer, you can find the information you need at the link. (Woofstock Food Pantry)

Today and tomorrow in Canton-Sixes:

Today

• Open Pickleball Play: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway. There is a nominal fee to play. (7 - 10:30 a.m.)
• Open Gym: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway. There is a nominal fee to play. (7 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• Cherokee Amateur Radio Society - club call sign WX4CAR: if you'd like to join the ARRL Affiliated club, head over to their meeting today at the William G. Long Senior Center, at 223 Arnold Mill Road in Woodstock. The club holds regular meetings, shares the hobby with others, educates people about amateur radio and supports the local community in disasters. Meetings are open to the public, membership and licensing is not required. (9:00 a.m.)
• Easter Egg Hunt: head over to The Green at The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, for a hunt this morning. (10 - 11 a.m.)
• Rock Wall Climbing Zone: open to county residents ages 4 and up and 40-pounds and over at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway. There is a nominal fee to climb. (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
• Plant Daddies Plant-A-Palooza Scavenger Hunt: search The Cotton Mill Exchange for something to grow a plant in, the zanier the better. Then, Plant Daddies will show you how to make your found item into an appropriate and functional container and how to care for it. Fermented Wine is also hosting the event and will have great wines to go with the thrill of the hunt. You can get your tickets at the link, and you can drop in anytime during the event hours at The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway. (noon - 5 p.m.)
• Saturday Family Storytime: for children of all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The kids will have fun with stories, songs and more at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (2:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
• LEGO Lab: for all ages and skill levels, create and build with LEGOs. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the fun today at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock. (3 - 4 p.m.)
• Atomic Biscuit Market: local vendors will be on hand today at 225 Reformation Parkway, Suite 122. There will be woodwork, jewelry, mugs, soaps and more for you to bring home. (3 - 7 p.m.)
• Laurie Jazzwine: the artist will be at J. Michael's Prime tonight, the address is 110 Mountain Vista Boulevard. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Acoustic Soul: catch the live music tonight at C'est la Vie, 361 E. Main Street. (8 - 10 p.m.)
• Juicebox: the band will be playing 90's rock tribute tonight at Canton Ice House, 150 Keith Drive. (9 p.m.)

Tomorrow

• Bike Night: join your friends, neighbors and family every Sunday for a family-friendly Bike Night at Canton Icehouse. Children eat free, and there will be live music with Juicebox and Bettin on the Mule. Head over with your bike, Canton Icehouse is located at 150 Keith Drive. (4 - 7 p.m.)
• Easter Sunday Services
  • Hickory Flat Church, 4056 East Cherokee Drive. (6:30, 9 and 11 a.m.)
  • Canton First Baptist at Teasley Middle School, 151 Hickory Log Drive. (8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.)
  • Revolution Church, 125 Union Hill Trail. (8, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.)
  • Canton First United Methodist Church, 730 Lower Scott Mill Road. (8:15, 9:30 and 11 a.m.)
  • Local Church, on The Green at The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway. (10:15 a.m.)
  • Liberty Hill at the Mill, 225 Reformation Parkway. (11 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Looking for a fun way to support the local youth? South Cherokee Baseball is holding a fundraising golf tournament on May 5 at the Fairways of Canton Golf Club. The organization has been around for more than 55 years, offering a baseball program complete with tournaments. The aim of the program is to instill in children the idea that winning isn't the most important thing. The foundation of good sportsmanship, honesty and reverence is seen as part of growth and the true point of training and competing in the program. You can find out more about the organization at the link, and you can sign up to compete, sponsor or volunteer at the golf tournament here. (South Cherokee Baseball)
• The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is hiring! If you have at least two years of investigative experience, this may be your opportunity. The salary is nice and the position comes with benefits. You can apply online here, there are also other positions listed. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• City of Canton GA: "Learn more and provide your input for the City's proposed South Canton Park! On Thursday, April 20, from 4-5:30 p.m., join us at City Hall for the South Canton Park Concept Open House." (City of Canton GA via Facebook)
• City of Canton GA: "Here's your April 2023 News & Updates! What you'll find inside: GA Cities Week schedule, River Rock lineup announced, Open House for South Canton Park, April's lineup of events and much more! https://conta.cc/3ZPhEZg #cantonga #cityofcanton..." (City of Canton GA via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday! I'll see you soon.

— Nina Lightcap

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Canton-Sixes Patch newsletter? Contact me at Canton-GA@Patch.com