🛶 After A Weekend Watching The Forecast

Good morning, Forsyth County,

After a weekend of watching the forecast, I’m grateful the storm mostly brought rain at my house. The lights flickered briefly, but the power stayed on. When a tropical storm is headed your way, a quiet evening with very little to report is a pretty good outcome.

Now the rain has moved along, but summer seems to have left a few things behind. Afternoon temperatures are heading back into the 80s this week, just when I was getting comfortable with fall. Georgia has a way of making a sweatshirt feel sensible at breakfast and ridiculous by lunch.

Enjoy those cooler mornings, take your coffee outside, and leave the shorts within reach. Apparently, the air conditioner hasn’t earned its break quite yet.

– Chad

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A new option for keeping kids active is on the way to The Collection at Forsyth. KidStrong plans to open at 410 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 3116, with franchisee Patrick Houseman targeting March.

The brand’s weekly, 45-minute classes combine physical challenges with practice in teamwork, problem-solving and speaking in front of others. Activities can include obstacle courses, balance exercises and memory games, with classes grouped by developmental stage. KidStrong serves children from crawling age through 11.

Houseman, a father of two and former foster parent, hopes to launch the Cumming location with 500 members. The center would join existing Georgia locations in Johns Creek and McDonough, bringing another option for families seeking structured activities that keep kids moving while building confidence.

South Forsyth is getting a soda shop where the fountain drink is only the starting point. Swig plans to build a new Cumming location at Forsyth Town Center, near Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Peachtree Parkway, across from The Collection.

The chain specializes in dirty sodas, adding flavors, fresh fruit, purees and cream to familiar soft drinks. Customers can choose a menu combination or customize their own, with water-based refreshers, energy drinks, cookies and warm pretzel bites also part of the lineup.

Founded in St. George, Utah, in 2010, Swig expanded into metro Atlanta with its October 1 opening in Brookhaven. Cumming is among its next planned stops as the chain grows across the suburbs. An opening date for the Forsyth shop has not been announced.

A confusing benefits letter can stand between a senior and help with groceries or health care. Two Forsyth County students are trying to clear that hurdle with SnapRight, a free iPhone app that explains government paperwork in everyday language.

Saanvi Yaratha and Varnika Gorkanti developed the platform to read a letter from a photograph, highlight deadlines and organize next steps. It also screens for possible eligibility and guides users through documents and interviews for programs including SNAP, Medicaid and Medicare. Users still submit their applications through official government websites.

SnapRight won first place and $5,000 at the Youth Business Venture Competition, held August 15 at Stanford University. Organized by the Silicon Valley Youth Entrepreneurship Program, the international competition brought 15 finalist teams to campus.

Forsyth County Board of Education Work Session
When: Tuesday, October 13, 5:00 PM
What: The school board meets for its monthly work session to review district business and discuss matters ahead of its regular meeting.
Where: Board of Education and Professional Development Center, first-floor boardroom, 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming, GA 30040.

Forsyth County Development Authority Regular Meeting
When: Thursday, October 15, 9:30 AM
What: The Development Authority supports business investment, expansion and employment opportunities in Forsyth County. Its regular meeting is listed on the county’s official calendar.
Where: Administration Building, as listed on the county calendar. The meeting’s exact street address and room still need verification before this item goes to the editor.

Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting and Public Hearings
When: Thursday, October 15, 5:00 PM
What: Commissioners meet to conduct county business. The planning department also advertises a public hearing during this meeting on the Forsyth County Comprehensive Plan update, which guides future growth and development.
Where: Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Suite 220, 110 East Main Street, Cumming, GA 30040.

Books & Babies
When: Monday, October 12, 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
What: Babies from birth through 18 months and their caregivers can share books, songs, movement, rhythm, and rhyme at Hampton Park Library. Free play follows storytime, giving little ones time to explore and caregivers a chance to meet other local families.
Where: Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Conversational English
When: Monday, October 12, 11:00 AM – noon
What: Adult English learners can practice reading, listening, and speaking in a welcoming group at Denmark Library. The free class also covers grammar and cultural topics. All reading levels are welcome, and registration is not required.
Where: Denmark Library, 530 Fowler Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

Cumming Country Fair & Festival
When: Monday through Thursday, October 12–15, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM each day
What: The fair continues with carnival rides, games, farm animals, live entertainment, Heritage Village attractions, and plenty of fair food. Gate admission is $10, with children 10 and younger admitted free. Rides cost extra, and $25 unlimited-ride specials are available each of these four evenings.
Where: Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Monday Mood: Yoga on the Green
When: Monday, October 12, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Ease into the week with a free outdoor yoga class at Cumming City Center. All experience levels are welcome, and the session finishes with meditation. Bring a mat and water, and check The Heart Studio Yoga’s social media for weather-related changes.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Family Storytime
When: Monday, October 12, 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Denmark Library welcomes the whole family for an evening of stories, songs, dancing, and puppets. This short program offers a chance to enjoy books together before bedtime. No registration is required.
Where: Denmark Library, 530 Fowler Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

Family PJ Storytime
When: Monday, October 12, 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Bring the family to Sharon Forks Library for a cozy evening of books, songs, and activities. The library’s Monday night storytime welcomes all ages and gives younger readers another way to enjoy stories together.
Where: Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Four Scythes Haunted Attraction
When: Monday through Thursday, October 12–15, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM each evening
What: Add a Halloween scare to your fairgrounds visit at Four Scythes. Admission during the fair is $20 plus tax, with a separate $10 fair admission required at the gate. The attraction operates rain or shine and is not recommended for children younger than 12.
Where: Horton Hall at Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

American Red Cross Blood Drive
When: Tuesday, October 13, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Denmark Library hosts an American Red Cross blood drive in its meeting room. Make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org using the sponsor keyword DenmarkLib, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Donors must bring photo identification.
Where: Denmark Library, 530 Fowler Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

Geek Speak: Family Trivia
When: Tuesday, October 13, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Test your book knowledge with family, friends, or a new teammate at Sharon Forks Library. This literary trivia game draws on both current reads and older favorites, from The Lord of the Rings to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. All ages are welcome.
Where: Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Singles Social Tuesdays at Cumming City Center
When: Tuesday, October 13, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
What: Meet other local singles during Cumming City Center’s weekly social gathering. The meetup rotates among City Center venues, so check the organizer’s event updates or social media for this week’s exact location before heading out.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040; participating venue varies.

Zumba Sunset Sweat with Allyson
When: Tuesday, October 13, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Onelife Fitness presents a free outdoor Zumba class with Allyson at Cumming City Center. The Latin-inspired dance workout welcomes all fitness levels. Bring water, a small towel, tennis shoes, and comfortable clothes for an evening of music and movement.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Bugs of Forsyth
When: Tuesday, October 13, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
What: Learn to identify the beetles, dragonflies, cicadas, moths, and other insects that call Forsyth County home. This adult program begins with a presentation, followed by an outdoor session using a light sheet to attract and document insects. Download iNaturalist beforehand if you would like to record your finds.
Where: Denmark Library, 530 Fowler Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

Kids Club at Halcyon
When: Wednesday, October 14, 10:00 AM – noon
What: Preschoolers and their caregivers can enjoy Halcyon’s free weekly Kids Club on the Village Green. Activities rotate and may include crafts, music, stories, dancing, animal encounters, or special guests. No registration is needed, but a parent or guardian must stay with each child. Weather permitting.
Where: Halcyon Village Green, 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

Books & Babies
When: Wednesday, October 14, 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM
What: Cumming Library brings babies from birth through 18 months and their caregivers together for books, songs, movement, and rhyme. Free play follows the program, giving babies time to explore while adults connect with other families.
Where: Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040.

Fall in Love with Espresso Martinis
When: Wednesday, October 14, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
What: Casa Nuova hosts an evening built around espresso martinis, with three cocktails, light bites, and time to mingle. Tickets are $45 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Seating is limited, and reservations are required.
Where: Casa Nuova, 5670 Atlanta Highway, Suite A1, Alpharetta, GA.

Books & Babies
When: Thursday, October 15, 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
What: Babies from birth through 18 months and their caregivers can enjoy stories, songs, movement, and rhyme at Sharon Forks Library. The program supports early literacy and includes free play afterward for babies and a chance for caregivers to meet other families.
Where: Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Toddler Tales
When: Thursday, October 15, 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
What: Post Road Library welcomes toddlers ages 18–36 months and their caregivers for age-appropriate stories, action rhymes, songs, and movement. The activities help young children build early literacy skills while having fun with books.
Where: Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Cherry Street Brewpub Live Music
When: Thursday, October 15, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
What: Enjoy dinner, drinks, and live music in Cherry Street’s beer garden at Halcyon. The weekly series features a rotating lineup of solo and duo performers. If rain moves the show indoors, the backup location is the Brewhouse, which is restricted to ages 21 and older.
Where: Cherry Street Brewpub at Halcyon, 6640 Town Square, Suite 510, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

Twilight Tales
When: Thursday, October 15, 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM
What: Head to Cumming Library’s children’s area for an evening of stories, music, and family activities. The program welcomes young children and their families, and no registration is required.
Where: Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040.

Up & Cumming Writers
When: Thursday, October 15, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
What: Adult writers can refine their work and exchange constructive feedback with fellow writers at Cumming Library. The monthly group provides a supportive setting for improving writing and preparing work for publication. Registration is required through the library’s event page.
Where: Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040.

Witches Night Out at Halcyon
When: Thursday, October 15, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
What: Gather your friends for Halcyon’s annual Halloween ladies’ night, featuring music, dancing, shopping specials, pop-ups, photo opportunities, and giveaways. Come dressed for the costume contest at 8:30 PM, with prizes for the winners. Tickets are $17 and include your first cocktail or mocktail at Eclipse di Luna. The evening benefits The Place.
Where: Village Green at Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

83° 🌡️ 55° | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 8 mph NW

84° 🌡️ 57° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 5 mph WNW

86° 🌡️ 59° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 6 mph WNW

86° 🌡️ 60° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 5 mph ENE

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 74ºF
Temperature readings taken from Lake Sidney Lanier the night before publication

Thanks for making the Flyer part of your morning.

After a soggy weekend, I hope you get a chance to enjoy some sunshine this week. Take a walk, catch up with a neighbor, or head out to one of the events above. We may still be waiting on sweater weather, but a few dry days are a welcome place to start.

If you don’t already, be sure to follow us on social media for news and updates between Flyers. And if you know someone who lives in Forsyth County who should know what’s happening around town, forward them this Flyer.

Have a great week!