🛶 How Remarkable It Is

Good morning, Forsyth County.

As I’m typing up this week’s Flyer, I have a brand new American flag leaning against the corner of my office wall. It’s headed for the front porch tomorrow, but for now it’s just sitting there, reminding me how remarkable it is that this country is about to mark 250 years.

A lot has changed since the first version of that flag. More stars have been added, generations have come and gone, and our country has been tested at home and abroad. But here we still are, getting ready for another Fourth of July, hanging flags on porches, gathering with neighbors, and finding ways to celebrate the place we call home.

- Chad

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Forsyth County has a new stop for fresh sourdough after Scout’s Sourdough opened June 19 on Banister Road in north Forsyth. The bakery is owned by Scout Samples, a Forsyth County local who turned a home baking hobby into a full business. She first started making sourdough in her apartment, then began selling her baked goods at farmers markets and festivals before opening her own storefront. Scout’s Sourdough offers classic sourdough loaves, pastries, cakes, coffee, gluten-free options, sourdough starters, and take-home mixes. The shop is set up for to-go orders and has already seen strong demand, with inventory often selling out early. The bakery opens Tuesday through Friday at 7 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m., closing once items sell out.

Visitors to Lake Lanier will have more access to free life jackets this summer after the Lake Lanier Association donated 150 jackets to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The donated jackets will be placed at loaner stations throughout Corps-operated parks around Lake Lanier. The program allows visitors to borrow a life jacket at no cost while they are at the lake, then return it when they are finished. The goal is simple: make it easier for families, boaters, and swimmers to have proper flotation gear nearby when they need it. The Lake Lanier Association already supports other life jacket stations around the lake, and this latest donation adds another boost to water safety efforts during one of the busiest times of year.

A major fitness brand may be headed to Forsyth County for the first time. Life Time Fitness is proposing a new athletic country club on about 17 acres near Post Road and Highway 9. Plans call for a 100,000-square-foot indoor fitness center, along with a 50,000-square-foot outdoor pool area. The facility would include workout space, group fitness rooms, a spa, cafe, childcare area, indoor pools, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and cold plunges. Outside, the proposal includes a lap pool, family pool, waterslide, and outdoor bistro. The site is already zoned commercial, though Life Time still needs approval for the outdoor amenities and a height variance for part of the building. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval, with county commissioners set to make the final decision later.

Monday Mood: Yoga on the Green
When: Monday, June 29, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Cumming City Center is hosting a free all-levels yoga class on the Lou Sobh Amphitheater lawn. Bring a mat, water and a little Monday patience. The class is designed to help people slow down, stretch and reset before the week really gets moving.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Stars and Stripes Storytime
When: Monday, June 29, 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Sharon Forks Library is hosting a patriotic storytime for children and families as part of the library system’s America 250 programming. The evening will include stories and activities tied to America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Where: Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041

Twisted Trivia at Cherry Street Brewpub
When: Monday, June 29, 7:30 PM
What: Cherry Street Brewpub at Halcyon hosts its weekly Twisted Trivia night for the 21-and-up crowd. It is a casual weeknight option for anyone looking to grab dinner, bring a group and test their random knowledge.
Where: Cherry Street Brewpub at Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Science Heroes: Digging It!
When: Tuesday, June 30, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
What: Sharon Forks Library is bringing in Science Heroes for an interactive program built around science, adventure and discovery. Event passes will be available 30 minutes before the program begins, so families may want to arrive early.
Where: Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041

Georgia Historical Archaeology
When: Tuesday, June 30, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
What: Hampton Park Library is hosting Dr. Kathryn Deeley for a talk on historical archaeology projects in Georgia and along the East Coast. It is a good fit for anyone interested in local history, artifacts and the stories that can be uncovered through archaeology.
Where: Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road, Cumming, GA 30041

Singles Social Tuesdays
When: Tuesday, June 30, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
What: Cumming City Center is hosting its weekly singles social, giving local adults a relaxed place to meet, mingle and get out during the week. The event is designed as a casual social night rather than a formal dating event.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Live Music and Salsa Class at Eclipse di Luna
When: Tuesday, June 30, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM, with salsa class from 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
What: Eclipse di Luna at Halcyon has live music from C.O.T. Band along with a Tuesday evening salsa class. It is a lively midweek option for dinner, music and dancing without having to leave south Forsyth.
Where: Eclipse di Luna at Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Dr. Dinosaur! Presented by Mr. Niko
When: Wednesday, July 1, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
What: Cumming Library is hosting a prehistoric-themed children’s program with Mr. Niko. The library describes it as an exciting dinosaur expedition, and event passes will be available 30 minutes before the program begins.
Where: Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

Hooray for Jump Day!
When: Wednesday, July 1, 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Cumming City Center continues its Wednesday summer fun series with bounce houses and outdoor kid-friendly activities on the lawn. It is an easy afternoon option for families looking to let the kids burn off some energy during the week.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

American Red Cross Blood Drive
When: Wednesday, July 1, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Sharon Forks Library is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive. Blood drives are one of those simple local events that can make a direct difference, and appointments are typically encouraged through the Red Cross.
Where: Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041

America’s 250th Birthday Party
When: Thursday, July 2, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Cumming Library is hosting a family event tied to America’s 250th birthday celebration. Families can stop by for activities, a little history and a community-friendly way to get into the Independence Day spirit early.
Where: Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

Tin Cup Cruise-In Car Show
When: Thursday, July 2, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Cumming City Center’s monthly cruise-in brings classic cars, families and car lovers together for an evening at the City Center. The event is free and gives residents a relaxed Thursday night reason to walk around, look at cars and enjoy the area.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Music Bingo at Butcher & Brew
When: Thursday, July 2, 7:00 PM
What: Butcher & Brew at Halcyon is hosting its weekly music bingo night with prizes. It works like bingo, but instead of numbers, players listen for songs. A good fit for a casual dinner night with a little competition mixed in.
Where: Butcher & Brew at Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005

92° 🌡️ 74° | ⛈️ | 55% | 💨 7 mph NW

91° 🌡️ 72° | ⛈️ | 55% | 💨 6 mph E

90° 🌡️ 72° | 🌤️ | 25% | 💨 2 mph SE

94° 🌡️ 72° | 🌤️ | 25% | 💨 4 mph NNW

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 78ºF
Temperature readings taken from Lake Sidney Lanier the night before publication

Thanks for reading today’s Forsyth Flyer.

One thing I like about this time of year is that it makes home feel connected to something much bigger. A flag on the porch is not just decoration. A neighborhood cookout is not just another summer gathering. A fireworks show is not just a few bright minutes in the sky. Around the Fourth, even the ordinary parts of life in Forsyth County can feel tied to the long story of the country we get to call home.

Most of the time, that story does not feel distant. It is right here in the places we drive past, the schools our kids attend, the churches and neighborhoods that shape our weeks, and the people who keep showing up for one another. That is part of what makes local news worth paying attention to. It reminds us that history is not only something behind us. It is still being built close to home.

So if you see something around Forsyth County that makes you pause, send it my way. Sometimes a simple “what’s going on here?” is where the story starts.

And if you know someone who likes keeping up with what is happening close to home, forward them this issue. Be sure to follow Forsyth Flyer on Facebook and Instagram for updates between emails.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!