🛶 I Am Grateful

Good morning, Forsyth County.

The Forsyth Flyer exists because it should not be this hard to know what is happening in your own community. There is always more going on around Forsyth County than most people realize. New businesses are opening, schools are looking for volunteers, local organizations are planning events, and county leaders are meeting to make decisions that shape the community. The information is out there, but it is scattered across Facebook pages, government calendars, websites, and word of mouth.

Most people do not have time to search through all of that every week. That is why I started the Flyer. I wanted to create one place where you could sit down with a cup of coffee and quickly understand what is happening around you.

The Forsyth Flyer is my attempt to help more of those stories reach the people who live here. It is here to help you discover something new, find somewhere to go, and feel more connected to the place you call home.

I am grateful you are here to read it.

- Chad

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The former Cumming Police Department property on Castleberry Road is being transformed into a new public green space with parking, a covered pavilion, and restrooms. The old police building and parking lot have already been demolished, clearing the way for the next phase of construction. Cumming City Council approved a $159,115 contract with Beltan Properties during its July 21 meeting. The pavilion and restrooms are expected to support visitors during major city events, including the Cumming Country Fair and Festival, Fourth of July Parade, and Christmas Parade. Plans also call for a passive park area where residents can gather and enjoy the property. The new parking lot is expected to be ready before this year’s fair. A completion date has not yet been announced for the remaining park improvements. Developer impact fees will fund the project.

Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters has opened the Giaquinto Medical Center at its Union Hill Road campus, expanding the veterinary care available to rescued animals in Forsyth County. The facility, which opened July 18, will provide surgery, dental care, disease treatment, and other medical services on-site. Keeping more procedures at the shelter will reduce the need to transport animals elsewhere for treatment. The center will also support veterinary education through Furkids’ partnerships with the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, and other programs. Furkids has cared for more than 80,000 animals since 2002. Last year alone, the organization performed more than 3,500 surgeries and treated over 5,400 animals. Future plans include converting part of the facility into an affordable community clinic offering vaccinations and low-cost spay and neuter services.

A Gainesville nonprofit is working to bring a fully inclusive playground to Kelly Mill Elementary, where students with wheelchairs and other mobility devices currently have limited access to recess equipment. Hope for Hall presented plans for the $1.08 million project to the Forsyth County Board of Education on July 21. The new playground would be added beside the school’s existing mulch-covered play areas and designed so children of all abilities can play together. Kelly Mill houses the school system’s orthopedic impairment program, and about 15% of its students receive special education services. Hope for Hall plans to fund the project through donations, grants, business partnerships, and Georgia’s PEACH Education Tax Credit program. An informational pep rally will be held Wednesday, July 29, at 6 p.m. in the Kelly Mill Elementary cafeteria.

Family Flicks: The Land Before Time
When: Monday, July 27, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
What: Post Road Library is screening The Land Before Time for its latest Family Flicks program. Families can settle in for the animated adventure about a group of young dinosaurs searching for safety and a new home.
Where: Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Dig It: Best of Summer!
When: Monday, July 27, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
What: Denmark Library is wrapping up its summer science series with a collection of hands-on activities drawn from topics explored throughout the season. The program is designed for children entering grades 1 through 5. Event passes will be distributed before the program.
Where: Denmark Library, 530 Fowler Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

Monday Mood: Yoga on the Green
When: Monday, July 27, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: The Heart Studio is leading a free outdoor yoga class for participants of all experience levels. The session will conclude with meditation. Bring a yoga mat and water, and check the studio’s social media pages for weather-related changes.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Animals Around the World
When: Tuesday, July 28, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
What: Wildlife Wonders is bringing live animals to the library for an educational tour of wildlife from across the globe. Zoo educators will explain where the animals live, what they eat and how they survive in their natural habitats. Event passes will be distributed 30 minutes before the program.
Where: Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Book Sleuths
When: Tuesday, July 28, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
What: Book Sleuths is a monthly discussion group devoted to mystery and suspense novels. Adult readers can meet fellow book lovers and take part in a relaxed conversation about the month’s selected title.
Where: Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Singles Social Tuesdays
When: Tuesday, July 28, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
What: Cumming City Center’s weekly singles gathering moves to a different restaurant or business each Tuesday. This week’s meetup will be held at The Well, giving local singles a casual place to meet new people and enjoy an evening out.
Where: The Well at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Summer Finale!
When: Wednesday, July 29, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
What: Post Road Library is closing out the Summer Reading Challenge with an afternoon celebration for children and families. The finale will feature games, crafts and a special button recognizing participants’ summer reading accomplishments.
Where: Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Animals Around the World
When: Wednesday, July 29, 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
What: Wildlife Wonders will introduce children and families to live animals representing different parts of the world. Zoo educators will share facts about each animal’s habitat, diet and behavior during the interactive presentation.
Where: Denmark Library, 530 Fowler Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

Puppetpalooza!
When: Thursday, July 30, 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Children and families can spend the evening enjoying a lively library puppet show. The family-friendly program is designed for preschool and elementary-aged children and offers a playful conclusion to the library’s summer events.
Where: Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040.

Teen Trinket Bowl Crafting
When: Thursday, July 30, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Teens can create small decorative bowls for jewelry, keepsakes and other personal items during a guided evening craft session. The program is intended for students entering grades 6 through 12.
Where: Denmark Library, 530 Fowler Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

Kidz Dayz: Back-to-School Bash
When: Thursday, July 30, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
What: Cumming City Center is hosting an afternoon of bounce houses, outdoor games, vendors, face painting and other family activities before the new school year begins. Organizers will also collect donations of coats, toys and school supplies. Parents can relax and visit while children enjoy the activities, and Jump N Jacks Moonwalks will keep the bounce houses and games open until 4:00 PM.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

BPRC Cumming Run Group
When: Thursday, July 30, 7:00 PM
What: Big Peach Running Co. hosts its weekly Cumming run group at Crooked Culture Brewing. Runners and walkers of every pace and experience level are welcome, with participants able to choose the distance that works best for them. The gathering offers a casual way to exercise, meet other local runners and spend the evening at Cumming City Center.
Where: Crooked Culture Brewing, 421 Vision Drive, Cumming, GA 30040.

92° 🌡️ 73° | 🌦️ | 20% | 💨 5 mph NW

94° 🌡️ 73° | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 5–15 mph W

90° 🌡️ 68° | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 5 mph NW

90° 🌡️ 69° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 5 mph NW

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 82ºF
Temperature readings taken from Lake Sidney Lanier the night before publication

Thanks for spending part of your morning with the Forsyth Flyer.

This publication works best when it reflects the full community, and many of the stories you read here begin with someone taking a moment to share an event, send a tip or point me toward something worth knowing about. If there is something happening around Forsyth County that deserves more attention, reply to this email. I personally read every message.

If today’s issue helped you learn something new, find somewhere to go or feel a little more connected to the place you call home, send it to a friend or neighbor. That is still the best way the Flyer grows and reaches more people across the county.

Local businesses interested in reaching Forsyth County readers can reply here or email [email protected].

Have a great week, and look out for each other!