🌱 Local Man To Help Hurricane Ian Victims + Lake Lanier Water Deal

Hello, everybody! It's Friday in Cumming and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening locally. Because community information is power! Today you'll find these stories and more...

• A local man who's helping those impacted by Hurricane Ian
• A deal to get Forsyth County's water supply from Lake Lanier through 2050
• The upcoming Cumming Country Fair and Festival

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Heart & Hammer Realty

Has the local real estate market changed? Yes. But probably not how you think.

If you listen to some gloomy types, you might think the current Atlanta-area real estate market is in free fall. Guess again.

Compared to July 2019, in July 2022:

• Inventory is tighter (Listings are down by nearly 50%)
• Prices are way up (Median home prices are up nearly 50%)
• Time on the market is shorter (11 days vs. 28 days)

Oh and interest rates? They’re up, but by historical standards, they’re still low as well.

The Atlanta market though is changing. And whether buying, selling or investing, you need a Realtor with enough experience and local knowledge to turn market data into insights that create value for you. And if that Realtor comes with a homebuilder who can help you evaluate a property or to prep a home for current market demand, odds of success go up.

Fortunately, Amanda Shelton and her husband Andy Shelton of Heart & Hammer Realty have you covered. She’s a Top 20% Keller Williams agent. He’s a top-notch builder who knows houses from the inside out.

To get a read on your home’s value or to learn about current market opportunities, call or text Amanda today at 770.572.0722 or email her at amandashelton@kw.com.

Now, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 73 Low: 58.

Here are the top five stories in Cumming today:

1. As Hurricane Ian makes its way along the coast, a local nonprofit is setting up shop to help feed hungry people. D911, a nonprofit founded by Dan Francis, is tracking the radar in Florida and utilizing volunteers, donations and operational restaurants to support affected communities after the storm passes. Francis is organizing all this support from Cumming and hopes to head to Cape Coral in Florida roughly 24 hours after the danger is over. (11Alive.com WXIA)
2. Georgia's ongoing water wars may soon be over, thanks to a new deal. This Monday,representatives of water supply systems in Gwinnett, Forsyth and Hall counties finalized an agreement with the state guaranteeing them water from Lake Lanier through 2050. This deal closes the chapter of the tri-state water wars between Georgia, Florida, and Alabama going back to the 1990s. Forsyth County has been buying its water from the City of Cumming, and was granted access to lake water last year. Full implementation of the plan could take up to 10 years. (Appen Media)
3. The Cumming Country Fair and Festival is less than a week away, and the community is preparing for 10 days of food, entertainment, and fun. This family-friendly event will be happening at the Cumming Fairgrounds from Oct. 16 through 16. Hours of operations vary by day of the week, and admission is $10 for ages 11 and up (kids 10 and under are free). Learn more about ticketing, vendors, and attractions on the festival's website. (City of Cumming)
4. Forsyth County native Samiksha Gaherwar recently became the first Georgia student ever to win the Optimist International World Oratorical Championship. The 18-year-old Princeton University freshman received about $23,000 total in college scholarship money from the championship award and related contests leading up to it. Gaherwar was an active member of the Forsyth-Cumming Optimist Club and later, the Sawnee-Cumming Optimist Club. In an interview, Gaherwar said she is excited to be the first Georgian to win the world championship: "I love that I am representing an incredible education system and community from home!" she said. (The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
5. The 2022 Forsyth County Transportation Summit is coming on Thursday, Oct. 13, at Browns Bridge Church. Along with updates on various improvement projects across the County, the annual summit is an opportunity for residents and business leaders to ask questions about the future of transportation in Forsyth County from state and local leaders. If you're interested in learning more about the Transportation Summit, you can learn more using this link. (Forsyth County Georgia Government via Facebook)

Patch deal of the day:

Looking to upgrade your laptop? We found a deal on refurbished 13-inch Apple MacBooks Airs that might be too good to pass up. You can save 74% and take home a great laptop with 8GB of Ram & 128GB of storage for less than $420. The deal is a for a limited time — hurry here for details.

(The Patch Deals team scours the web for deals we think our subscribers will like. We may earn a commission on products purchased. All promotions are as of publication and could change.)

Note: Patch readers are strongly encouraged to use caution and follow safety protocol when choosing to attend an event as Hurricane Ian approaches. These events are accurate as of the newsletter's writing, but please check with the event organizer for the most recent status update.

Today in Cumming:

• Explorer Tots At Forsyth County Public Library, Cumming Branch (11:00 AM)
• Kurt Thomas At Good Ol' Days Bar And Grill (5:00 PM)
• Eric Leland Duo At Legends Distillery (6:00 PM)
• Music Authority At Freedom Brew and Shine (6:00 PM)
• Twilight Tales At Forsyth County Public Library, Cumming Branch (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• If you're looking to bring a new furry friend into your family, look no further than the adorable, adoptable pets that are now available at Cumming-area animal shelters. (Cumming Patch)
• Looking for your new dream home in the Cumming area? Check out the latest local properties to hit the market, including one for $149,900, and another with 6 beds and 6 baths for $1.7 million. (Cumming Patch)
• Did you know the Forsyth County Public Library has a free video streaming service? Access Video offers thousands of educational films, documentaries, independent films, and helpful instructional videos, all accessible with your library card. Visit the eLibrary tab on the library's website for more information. (Forsyth County Public Library via Facebook)
• There's still time to register for the #FCSiChallenge before it begins on Monday, Oct. 3. Participation is $10 for students and $20 for adults, and all money raised goes to staff scholarships. Register at this link. (Forsyth County Schools via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Dinner & Latin Night Atlanta @ Tony's John's Creek Sat Oct 1, 2022 (October 1)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.