🌱 Students Donate 11K Items To Food Pantry + Murder-Suicide Victim

Hi all. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Cumming Daily — back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in the community today. In this issue, you'll find...

• Students donate almost 11,000 food items to pantry
• Cumming resident is an apparent murder-suicide victim
• Four open houses in the Cumming area this weekend

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Heart & Hammer Realty

How is the Atlanta-area real estate market changing? The numbers are in.

We all know the real estate market in the Atlanta area has been slowing. But in October, the market hit the emergency brake.

Consider:

• Home sales dropped by 35% vs. October of last year
• 4,415 homes sold in October — the lowest October number since 2011
• Active listings are up nearly 80%

Fortunately, demand in Cumming hasn’t fallen as much as in the greater Atlanta area. But in a more challenging market, your agent matters more than ever. And if that Realtor comes with a homebuilder who can help you evaluate a property, odds of seller concessions — and buyer 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:

Cooler. High: 47 Low: 26.

Business owners and marketers in Cumming: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top five stories in Cumming today:

1. Students from Pinecrest Academy in Cumming donated nearly 11,000 food items to a local food pantry last year. The school's "Elves for Shelves" food drive was a door-to-door engagement where faculty, staff, students, and families worked to collect donations for St. Joseph's Food Pantry from November to December. The students were able to deliver 11 truckloads of donations to the food pantry. (Appen Media)
2. Those who knew Cumming resident Megan Frix say they were honored to know her. The 26-year-old was the victim of an apparent murder-suicide in her home on Jan. 8. Frix was apparently killed by her father, 58-year-old Jerry Frix. Lisa Bennett, manager of the Forsyth and Dawson campuses of Creative Enterprises, said, "Megan was so funny." Bennett had known Megan since she was 3 years old because she came to the campus often due to her autism spectrum disorder. Bennett also said Megan's primary caregiver was her mother who had died three years ago, and said her father couldn't see any way out. (Appen Media)
3. Four homes have scheduled open houses in the Cumming area this weekend. Available properties range from a 4,195 square-foot, three-bed, three-bath home for $599,900 to a $799,990 home with five beds, four baths, and 4,200 square feet. Get all the property details at the link. (Cumming Patch)
4. Forsyth County Schools will host an Educator Job Fair on Feb. 4. The job fair will run from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. at South Forsyth High School in Cumming. Interested attendees can register for the job fair here. (Forsyth County Schools via Facebook)
5. If you and your sweetheart are eager to tie the knot, you might be able to do so for free in Forsyth County on Valentine’s Day. The Forsyth County Probate Court is offering free wedding ceremonies to couples who reside in-county on Tuesday, Feb. 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wedding ceremony appointments can be requested via email (ProbateHearing@forsythco.com), and couples must apply for and pick up their marriage license ahead of Feb. 14. (Newsbreak)

Today in Cumming:

• Books & Babies At Forsyth County Public Library – Sharon Forks Branch (10:00 AM)
• Best Of Forsyth 2023 Awards At Forsyth Conference Center At Lanier Technical College (6:30 PM)
• Music Bingo Soundcheck At Freedom Brew And Shine (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Check out the photos from the 100th day of school celebration at Shiloh Point Elementary at the link! (Shiloh Point Elementary via Facebook)
• Meet Hero, a 2-year-old boxer who loves taking naps and giving everyone sloppy kisses. Consider adopting Hero today! (Humane Society of Forsyth County, GA via Facebook)
• ATTENTION: The Forsyth County Public Library's online catalog will be temporarily unavailable today between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. due to a system upgrade. (Forsyth County Public Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• No Cost Boot Camp 4 Divorcing Women Workshop (January 28)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (January 31)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all 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.