🌱 Marketplace Blvd. Target Moves Pride Line + Cumming 4th Of July

Hello all. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Cumming Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Including news on...

• Cumming Target moves Pride display following national backlash
• Local students win pitch competition at UNG
• 4th of July in Cumming

But first, today's weather:

An afternoon thundershower. High: 78 Low: 63.

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Here are the top five stories in Cumming today:

1. Target has come into the national spotlight after receiving backlash on its 2023 Pride Collection, with many locations pulling or relocating the themed merchandise in an effort to protect their workers from threats. The Cumming Target on Marketplace Boulevard has followed suit, moving its Pride display to the back of the space. Last week, Target's corporate team released a statement addressing the decision modify to the line, including "removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior." (Subscription: Forsyth County News)
2. A local team emerged victorious at this year's innovateUNG Pitch Challenge at the University of North Georgia. The winning students — including Dian Kriel, a management student from South Africa currently residing in Cumming, as well as teammates Justin Burgess, Freddie Pellini, James Porter, and Parker Whitton — earned a $2,000 cash prize and will also receive training and feedback from mentors. The five students are the brains behind WoodTek, a company focusing on eco-friendly wooden products, including a white oak chalice designed for the optimal whiskey-sipping experience. (Jackson Progress-Argus)
3. This Jul. 4, Cumming residents can look forward to the Thomas Mashburn Steam Engine Parade and Independence Day Celebration. The parade will march along Tribble Gap Road from Forsyth Central High School to the Cumming Fairgrounds from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. The festivities continue at the fairgrounds with an Independence Day Celebration from 4:00-10:00 p.m., culminating with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit cummingfair.net. (Lakeside on Lanier)
4. The Forsyth County Public Library has announced its kickoff events for this year's Summer Reading Fun series. The festivities began yesterday with a performance by Magician Arthur Atsma at the Sharon Forks Library, and he'll return to the Post Road Library today (Wednesday, May 31) at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Lew-E's Comedy Circus will be coming to the Cumming Library tomorrow (Thursday, Jun. 1) for 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. performances, and reprise their show at the Hampton Park Library on Friday, Jun. 2 at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (Forsyth County Public Library via Facebook)
5. Georgia is nearing the end of its eight-year journey to legalize medicinal cannabis, with two state manufacturers expected to make their products available to Georgians this summer. The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission is now working on issuing dispensing licenses to the state's two low-THC oil producers, allowing them to open up to 12 stores across the state. According to data from the Georgia Department of Health, Forsyth County has between 500-1,000 registered patients. (Georgia Law News)

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Today in Cumming:

• Paws To Read At Sharon Forks Library (3:30 PM)
• Food Truck: Black Market BBQ At NoFo Brew Co. (4:00 PM)
• Mah Jongg For Beginners At Sharon Forks Library (6:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Heads up, house hunters: five more homes in Cumming have just hit the local real estate market. (Cumming Patch)
• The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office shared its Memorial Day weekend statistics, noting "very unsafe driving habits" across the county and encouraging the county to "do better." (Forsyth County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Forsyth Central High School's "Team Otto" made Cumming proud, placing in the top five in the FIRST Robotics World Championship. (Forsyth Central High School via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning for another update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.