🛶 Once The Smoke Clears

Good morning, Forsyth County.

I hope you had a great Fourth of July weekend and got to enjoy the kind of celebration America’s 250th birthday deserved.

I spent part of mine watching what I thought was going to be a simple neighborhood fireworks show. My neighbor described it pretty casually, like he had picked up a few boxes for fun. Then he walked out with one of those remote firing systems, and suddenly we had a full production going in the yard. It was impressive, and honestly, a pretty perfect way to end the night.

But once the smoke clears and the folding chairs get packed back into the garage, the bigger thought is still there. The signing of the Declaration of Independence was not the finish line. It was the beginning of a long, difficult, remarkable project. Freedom had to be defended. Generations had to decide whether the country they inherited was worth preserving and improving.

Now that responsibility is ours. So here’s to 250 years behind us, and to doing our part so that our descendants can look back one day and celebrate 500.

- Chad

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Visitors to the Forsyth County Courthouse can now see a unique tribute to America’s founding as the country marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The display features a metal engraving by poet and artist Sri Krishna Swamy, who was inspired after seeing how faded the original Declaration had become during a visit to the National Archives. After also visiting Mount Rushmore, he began working on a more lasting version of the document in brass. The artwork includes the full Declaration of Independence, the first page of the U.S. Constitution, and imagery connected to the signing of the Declaration. After being shown at other county facilities, the piece is now installed at the courthouse in downtown Cumming.

Golfers will soon have a new indoor practice option at Cumming City Center. Back Nine Golf is preparing to open by the end of the week in Suite H105 at 451 Vision Drive, the former Roxy Moxy Boutique space. The facility will include four private simulator bays, a putting green, and a conference room for swing consultations. Members will be able to use the space 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while public tee times will be available during set daytime and evening hours. The Cumming location is the second local Back Nine opened by owners Brian Muncy, James Moak, and James Grant, following their Milton location earlier this year. Guests will also be able to bring in food and drinks from nearby City Center restaurants while they play.

Two Forsyth County students are bringing local ambition to a national stage with vctryprep, an AI-powered platform built to help students prepare for Career and Technical Student Organization competitions. Alliance Academy senior Harswarup Bathe Balaji and Denmark High senior Soumith Kondamadugula recently pitched the startup at the Mott Million Dollar Challenge Finals in Flint, Michigan. The national competition drew thousands of student ideas, with only a small group advancing to the finals. Vctryprep gives students practice tools for events connected to groups like FBLA, DECA, and HOSA, including presentation feedback, roleplay practice, testing support, and access to mentors. The goal is to help students from schools with fewer competition resources prepare more confidently. The team did not win the top prize, but earned $5,790 and plans to keep improving the platform.

Monday Mood: Yoga on the Green
When: Monday, July 6, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
What: Cumming City Center is hosting its weekly free, all-levels outdoor yoga class at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater. The class ends with a meditation session, and guests are encouraged to bring a mat, water, and a friend or family member.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Keith’s Magic and Ventriloquism
When: Monday, July 6, 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM
What: Forsyth County Public Library is bringing a kid-friendly magic and ventriloquism program to Post Road Library. A good indoor option for families looking for something fun after the holiday weekend.
Where: Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Storytime with Forsyth County Public Library at Lou Sobh Amphitheater
When: Tuesday, July 7, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
What: Forsyth County Public Library is hosting a free family storytime at Cumming City Center with stories, music, and a puppet show. It is designed for families and takes place outdoors at the amphitheater.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Singles Social Tuesdays
When: Tuesday, July 7, 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
What: Cumming City Center’s weekly singles meetup continues with this week’s gathering at Crooked Culture Brewing. The series rotates through different City Center venues and gives locals a casual place to meet new people without making it feel like a formal dating event.
Where: Crooked Culture Brewing at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Zumba Sunset Sweat with Allyson
When: Tuesday, July 7, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
What: Onelife Fitness is presenting a free outdoor Zumba class on the green at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater. The class is built around upbeat, Latin-inspired dance fitness and is open to anyone who wants to get moving outside around sunset.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

KFCB Enviro Camp Session 1
When: Wednesday, July 8, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
What: Keep Forsyth County Beautiful is hosting a free environmental camp for kids at Young Deer Creek Park. The program includes games, crafts, and activities focused on water conservation, water quality, recycling, and litter prevention.
Where: Young Deer Creek Park Pavilion, 7300 Heard Road, Cumming, GA 30041

Hooray for Jump Day
When: Wednesday, July 8, 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
What: Cumming City Center is bringing back its weekly summer jump day with bounce houses, water slides, and games from Jump N Jacks Moonwalks. Admission is $10 per child, and the event runs each Wednesday through the end of July.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Summer in the City Art Exhibit
When: Wednesday, July 8 and Thursday, July 9, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
What: The Cumming Arts Center’s annual Summer in the City exhibit is on display through August 8. The exhibit features bright summer-themed artwork and a mix of creative styles from local artists.
Where: Cumming Arts Center, 111 Pilgrim Mill Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Rock, Lava, Gemstones!
When: Thursday, July 9, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
What: Cumming Library is hosting a summer STEAM program about volcanoes and gemstones. It is a hands-on library program for kids who like science, rocks, and the messier side of learning.
Where: Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

Kidz Dayz: Summer Vibes Only
When: Thursday, July 9, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
What: Cumming City Center is hosting a children’s event with bounce houses, outdoor games, vendors, face painting, and other activities. Parents can hang out while kids play, making it a simple midweek summer outing.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Music Bingo at Butcher & Brew
When: Thursday, July 9, 7:00 PM
What: Butcher & Brew at Halcyon hosts Thursday night music bingo with prizes. It is a casual option for anyone looking for a low-key evening out at Halcyon.
Where: Butcher & Brew at Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005

90° 🌡️ 72° | ⛈️ | 60% | 💨 5 mph SW

90° 🌡️ 72° | 🌤️ | 20% | 💨 5 mph W

91° 🌡️ 71° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 7 mph W

92° 🌡️ 73° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 8 mph WSW

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

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Have a great week, Forsyth County!