🛶 Paying Attention to Local Decisions

Good morning, Forsyth County.

I was talking to someone recently about one of the local government meetings and they admitted they had never attended one before. Most people do not start paying attention to local decisions until those decisions land right on their doorstep. A rezoning case is easy to ignore until the woods behind your neighborhood are marked for development. A road project sounds boring until it changes your daily commute. A school board vote feels distant until it affects your child’s classroom, bus route, or calendar.

That is how a lot of local change works. It rarely arrives all at once. It builds quietly through meetings, plans, proposals, and conversations that seem unimportant right up until the moment they become personal.

This is why I include a Civil News section letting you know when local meetings happen. You don’t need obsess over every small update, but I want you to avoid being caught off guard by the big ones. The more you understand what is taking shape around you, the less your community feels like something that just happens to you.

- Chad

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Forsyth County residents got a reminder this week that spring brings more than wildflowers. A black bear was caught on a Ring doorbell camera raiding a bird feeder in a Cumming neighborhood on the morning of April 9. Resident Linda Ebert shared the footage, which showed the bear calmly helping itself to seed before moving on. Wildlife experts note that black bears are more active in spring as they emerge hungry from winter. County residents are encouraged to bring bird feeders inside, secure trash cans with bungee cords, and keep pet food indoors.

The original location of Bronx Bagels, known to south Forsyth regulars as BB's Bagels, was demolished last Friday on McFarland Parkway, roughly a year after a devastating fire gutted the building. Demolition crews were photographed clearing the site April 10, officially closing the chapter on the beloved breakfast landmark that had been a fixture in south Forsyth County for years. No announcement has been made about what will replace the location, but the cleared lot marks a visible end to one of the area's most-recognized neighborhood eateries.

A week after a spring break crash in Franklin County, Florida claimed the lives of three Horizon Christian Academy students, Forsyth County remains in mourning with a quiet act of grace helping mark the loss. Florida prison inmates built and installed wooden memorial crosses to the crash site where Charlotte Martin, 16, Jaylyn Fehr, 17, and Jackson Mobley, 18, died on April 6. Mobley's sister Jamison survived the wreck. Horizon Christian Academy, located on GA Highway 9 in Forsyth County, has asked the broader community to continue supporting the three families in the weeks ahead.

Two government meetings are on the civic calendar this week. Tuesday, April 14, the Forsyth County Board of Education will hold a work session beginning at 5:00 PM at the Board of Education and Professional Development Center, 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming. Work sessions give the board time to review and discuss upcoming items before they appear on the regular meeting agenda. The board’s next regular meeting, which is open to public comment, will be Tuesday, April 21 at 6:00 PM at the same location.

Thursday, April 16, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular meeting at 5:00 PM at the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main Street, Cumming. The agenda will be available ahead of time at forsythco.com/meetings. The City of Cumming City Council’s next regular meeting will be Tuesday, April 21 at 6:00 PM at Cumming City Hall, 100 Main Street.

Monday Mood: Yoga on the Green

When: Monday, April 13, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

What: Join a free, all-levels outdoor yoga class on the lawn at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater as part of a weekly series running every Monday through October. Class wraps up with a guided meditation session. Bring a mat, water, and a friend. Weather updates will be posted on Cumming City Center's social channels. Free.

Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Chess Free Play

When: Monday, April 13, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

What: Drop in for open chess play at the Cumming Library. No registration is needed, and all ages and experience levels are welcome. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned player, pull up a chair and make a move. Games take place in the Meeting Room with library staff on hand. Free.

Where: Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

Toddler Tales Storytime

When: Tuesday, April 14, 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

What: Enjoy a fun-filled storytime designed especially for toddlers ages 18 to 36 months and their caregivers. Songs, movement activities, and engaging picture books help build early literacy in a welcoming, playful environment. A great Tuesday morning outing for little ones and the adults who love them. No registration required. Free.

Where: Cumming Library, Cumming Meeting Room, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

Preschool Pals Storytime

When: Tuesday, April 14, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

What: Join a weekly storytime built for children ages 3 to 5, featuring books, songs, and activities designed to spark a lifelong love of reading. A cheerful, interactive program that gives preschoolers a chance to connect with peers and stories. Held in the Meeting Room at the Cumming Library. No registration required. Free.

Where: Cumming Library, Cumming Meeting Room, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

Teen Writers' Club

When: Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

What: Share your writing and get real, supportive feedback in a judgment-free setting for student writers in grades 6 through 12. Whether you write fiction, poetry, essays, or something entirely your own, all styles and genres are welcome at this monthly gathering. Held in the Cumming Library Meeting Room. No registration required. Free.

Where: Cumming Library, Cumming Meeting Room, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

Flack's Showroom Grand Re-Opening

When: Wednesday, April 15, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

What: Celebrate the grand re-opening of Flack's newly renovated showroom, thoughtfully redesigned in early 2026. Explore the refreshed space and discover what's new in their product lineup. The event also marks the debut of Flack's 2026 Spring Sale, making it a good time to visit, browse, and get inspired for your next project. Free to attend.

Where: Flack's Showroom, 5750 GA Highway 400, Cumming, GA 30188

Paws to Read - Read to a Certified Therapy Dog

When: Wednesday, April 15, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

What: Help a young reader build confidence by letting them read aloud to a certified therapy dog in the Cumming Library Children's Area. Dogs are patient, non-judgmental listeners, and kids love the experience. Drop in during the session window. No registration required. Open to children of all reading levels. Free.

Where: Cumming Library, Children's Area, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

South Forsyth Memorial Chapel Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening

When: Thursday, April 16, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Ribbon Cutting at 11:30 AM)

What: Join the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of South Forsyth Memorial Chapel. The ceremony begins at 11:30 AM, followed by facility tours, refreshments, door prizes, and networking opportunities through 7:00 PM. County Board Chairman Alfred John and other special guests are expected. Free and open to the public.

Where: South Forsyth Memorial Chapel, 3545 Peachtree Parkway, Suwanee, GA 30024

Boots and Boogie - CASA of Forsyth County Fundraiser

When: Thursday, April 16, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM

What: Support Forsyth County's foster children at this annual fundraiser for CASA of Forsyth County, the nonprofit that recruits, trains, and supports court-appointed advocates for children navigating the foster care system. Expect live music, dancing, good food, and a strong crowd of community supporters. Tickets are required. Visit forsythcountycasa.org to register.

Where: Reid Barn, 6844 Majors Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Twilight Tales - Evening Family Storytime

When: Thursday, April 16, 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM

What: Wind down the week with an evening family storytime at the Cumming Library Children's Area, featuring picture books, music, and all the warmth of a good story shared together. A nice weeknight outing for young children and the grown-ups who read with them. Drop in anytime. No registration required. Free.

Where: Cumming Library, Children's Area, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

81° 🌡️ 57° | ⛅ | 10% | 💨 SW 8 mph (7 knots)

83° 🌡️ 58° | ⛅ | 10% | 💨 W 8 mph (7 knots)

82° 🌡️ 58° | ⛅ | 10% | 💨 W 7 mph (6 knots)

81° 🌡️ 60° | ⛅ | 10% | 💨 W 9 mph (8 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 59ºF
Temperature readings taken from Lake Sidney Lanier the night before publication

Thanks for reading the Forsyth Flyer. I appreciate you taking a few minutes to keep up with what’s happening around Forsyth County.

If you have friends, family, or neighbors who would enjoy staying in the loop of what’s happening in Forsyth County, forward this to them and encourage them to subscribe. Every new reader helps the Flyer become a stronger local resource for the community.

And if you see something happening around town that people should know about, just hit reply. A new business opening, a local event, roadwork, a community issue, or something that simply caught your attention, I’d love to hear about it. Some of the best tips come from readers who are out there noticing what others miss.

Have a fantastic week!