🛶 Standing Right Outside The Door

Good morning, Forsyth County.

May has a funny kind of energy to it. It is not quite summer yet, but it is definitely not spring in the slow, gentle sense anymore. May is when the calendar starts acting like it had three cups of coffee and suddenly remembered everything it was supposed to do before school lets out. There are end-of-year programs, awards ceremonies, graduations, recitals, field days, sports banquets, final projects, church events, summer signups, family plans, and about six different things that somehow all land on the same Thursday night.

It feels a little like the Friday of the school year. Everybody is still working, still driving, still packing lunches, still answering emails, still trying to get through the normal routine. But mentally, you can feel summer standing right outside the door. The kids can feel it. The teachers can definitely feel it. Parents are trying to keep the wheels on for just a few more weeks. Even the evenings feel different, like they are asking us to stay outside a little longer than usual. So if this week feels full, you are not imagining it. May has a way of turning the pace up right before it gives everyone permission to breathe.

- Chad

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The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is moving forward with proposed updates to the county's tree-preservation rules, which would require developers to keep more existing trees on site during new construction. The proposal arrives as Forsyth's growth continues to compress the county's tree canopy and as the new statewide drought response highlights the role forests play in stormwater management, shade, and wildlife habitat. The BOC's next regular meeting is Thursday, May 7 at 5:00 PM at the Freedom Park campus, where the ordinance updates are expected to come up.

The Georgia Department of Education named 162 students statewide as 2026 Georgia Scholars this spring and six of them are Forsyth County Schools seniors. The Georgia Scholar designation is one of the state's most rigorous academic honors, recognizing students who demonstrate sustained excellence in coursework alongside meaningful school and community involvement. The honor adds to a strong stretch for Forsyth schools heading into graduation, which has also seen nine seniors win corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarships and the Riverwatch Academic Bowl team earn its trip to nationals.

Riverwatch Middle School won the PAGE Middle Grades State Academic Bowl Championship at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville on March 28, taking home a second consecutive state title and a trip to nationals. The team, David Bai, Doris Bai, Shreyas Devagupthapu, Vihan Devagupthapu, Suchet Kuturu, Nathan Li, Pranav Sivakumar, Cameron Vance, and Presley Vance is coached by Ann Hicks and Laura Jopling. Their back-to-back titles cement Riverwatch as one of Georgia's strongest middle-school academic programs and send them into the national bracket as the team to watch from the state.

Adult Special Needs Craft & Story Hour

When: Monday, May 4, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
What: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are invited to listen to stories and create simple crafts designed to accommodate a range of abilities. Caregivers welcome. A warm, low-pressure way to start the week. Free; no registration required.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Cumming Branch, 585 Dahlonega Hwy, Cumming, GA 30040

Crochet Basics for Beginners: Bookmarks

When: Monday, May 4, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
What: Learn to crochet a bookmark from scratch at the Post Road Library. No experience required and all supplies provided. Just bring yourself. Event passes are handed out 30 minutes prior. Hobbies-for-adults series.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Post Road Branch, 5010 Post Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Monday Mood: Yoga on the Green

When: Monday, May 4, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Free outdoor all-levels yoga at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater green at Cumming City Center. The class runs every Monday evening through October 26. Bring a mat, a water bottle, and a friend. Instruction ends with a closing meditation.
Where: Cumming City Center – Lou Sobh Amphitheater, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Storytime with Forsyth County Public Library at Lou Sobh Amphitheater

When: Tuesday, May 5, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
What: A morning collaboration between the Forsyth County Public Library and Cumming City Center: outdoor storytime on the amphitheater green with books, songs, and movement. Designed for toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who bring them. Free; weather permitting.
Where: Cumming City Center – Lou Sobh Amphitheater, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Mastering the Dungeon – A D&D Dungeon Master's Training Series

When: Tuesday, May 5, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
What: A four-part series for high schoolers and adults that builds the foundation to run your own Dungeons & Dragons game with confidence. Whether you've played for years or you're brand new, the series teaches story design, encounter pacing, and table management. Free.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Hampton Park Branch, 5345 Settingdown Rd, Cumming, GA 30028

Forsyth Creates: Decoupage Tin Planters

When: Tuesday, May 5, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
What: An adult craft program at Denmark Library: decoupage your own tin can planter with patterned paper, then take it home and plant something. All materials provided. Free; for adults.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Denmark Branch, 6624 Wallace Tatum Rd, Cumming, GA 30028

American Red Cross Blood Drive

When: Wednesday, May 6, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Walk in or schedule a donation slot at the Sharon Forks Library meeting room. The need is constant; the gratification is instant. Donors should bring photo ID and eat a full meal beforehand. Hosted by the American Red Cross.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Sharon Forks Branch, 2820 Old Atlanta Rd, Cumming, GA 30041

The Japanese Art of Kintsugi

When: Wednesday, May 6, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
What: Learn the Japanese tradition of kintsugi, the art of repairing broken ceramics with gold-flecked seams, and make a kintsugi trinket dish to take home. A beautiful program on imperfection. Free; for adults. Event passes are handed out 30 minutes prior.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Post Road Branch, 5010 Post Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Tree Identification and Its Benefits – with a UGA Extension Master Gardener

When: Wednesday, May 6, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: A UGA Extension Master Gardener walks adults through how to identify common Georgia tree species and the role each plays in shade, stormwater, and habitat. Especially useful for homeowners weighing what to plant or save. Free; for adults.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Denmark Branch, 6624 Wallace Tatum Rd, Cumming, GA 30028

Mah Jongg Weekly Open Play

When: Thursday, May 7, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
What: Players who already know American Mah Jongg are welcome to drop in to the Hampton Park Quiet Room for an afternoon of open play. Bring your card; the library brings the tables. Free; for adults.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Hampton Park Branch, 5345 Settingdown Rd, Cumming, GA 30028

Tin Cup Cruise-In

When: Thursday, May 7, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Cars roll in starting 5:00 PM via the Canton Road entrance.
What: The first Cruise-In of the season. A monthly classic-car showcase along Cumming City Center's main street, with prizes from Tin Cup restaurant and free parking in the deck and overflow lots. Family-friendly; all makes and models welcome. Runs every first Thursday May–September.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

78° 🌡️ 54° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 NW 9 mph (8 knots)

82° 🌡️ 60° | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 W 8 mph (7 knots)

83° 🌡️ 63° | ⛈️ | 60% | 💨 W 11 mph (10 knots)

74° 🌡️ 51° | ⛈️ | 80% | 💨 W 13 mph (11 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 67ºF
Temperature readings taken from Lake Sidney Lanier the night before publication

Thanks for reading the Forsyth Flyer. I appreciate you taking the time to keep up with what is happening around Forsyth County.

If something on the calendar caught your eye, send this issue to a friend, neighbor, or family member and make a plan before the weekend gets away from you. A good local event is always better when somebody tags along.

As always, I want to hear what you are seeing around town. A new business getting ready to open, a road project causing headaches, a community event worth sharing, or a story that deserves a closer look. Just hit reply and send it my way. Some of the best Forsyth Flyer stories start with a reader noticing something before everyone else does.

Have a fantastic week!

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