🛶 There By The Water

Good morning, Forsyth County.

When was the last time you went fishing? I’ll be honest. It has been a couple of years since I’ve been freshwater fishing around here. I have a group of buddies who do a yearly fishing trip off the coast, and that is always a great time, but there is something different about freshwater fishing. It is slower. Quieter. A little less planned. You are not trying to turn it into a whole production. You are just standing there by the water, waiting on a tug, and for once your phone is not the most interesting thing in front of you.

Maybe that changes today, because it is National Go Fishing Day. If there is one place where that holiday makes sense, it is Forsyth County. Between Lake Lanier, local parks, neighborhood ponds, docks, banks, boat ramps, and those little spots people do not like to tell anyone about, we are not exactly short on water. The funny thing is, a lot of us live this close to it and still go months, or years, without slowing down enough to enjoy it. So maybe today is a good excuse. Dig the tackle box out of the garage. Sometimes the best local outing is a folding chair, a gas station snack, and the hope that something bites.

- Chad

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Forsyth County marked the latest expansion of the Antioch Water Treatment Plant with a ribbon cutting on Friday, June 12, at the facility on Antioch Road. The $21 million project increases the plant’s peak treatment capacity from 33 million to 40 million gallons per day, strengthening the county’s ability to serve residents and businesses as demand grows. Upgrades include a new flocculation and sedimentation basin, additional membrane filters and a 700-horsepower distribution pump. County water and sewer officials described the improvements as a long-term investment in dependable, high-quality drinking water and system resiliency. The project was funded through the Forsyth County Department of Water and Sewer and is intended to support the community’s needs for decades.

For the first time since 2012, Special Olympics Forsyth County athletes are headed to the Special Olympics USA Games. Four local athletes were selected to compete as part of Team Georgia at the 2026 games, which will be held June 20–26 in Minneapolis. Julianne Howell will compete in the mini-javelin and 100-meter race, while Amanda Blue will run the 100 and compete in shot put. Joshua Kirby and William Robinson will each run the 200-meter race, with Kirby also competing in shot put and Robinson in mini-javelin. All four will team up for the 4x100-meter relay. The athletes have spent the past year training weekly at North Forsyth High School, building toward the national competition. Team Georgia alternate Hector Rivera also represented the group in the USA Torch Run ahead of the games.

Forsyth County Schools will move ahead with a districtwide upgrade to high school athletic fields after the Board of Education approved a $13.2 million contract Tuesday with Shaw Sports Turf. The project, funded through ESPLOST 7, will install synthetic turf on 20 fields across the district’s seven traditional high schools by the end of 2027. Each high school with baseball and softball programs will receive new turf for both sports, while four campuses will add turf practice fields. Practice fields at Lambert and Denmark will also be resurfaced. Alliance Academy is not included because it does not offer baseball or softball. Work is scheduled to begin with softball fields in January 2027, followed by baseball fields that summer. District officials said approving the contract now helps secure favorable pricing.

Cryptids for Kids!
When: Thursday, June 18, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
What: Kids can learn about favorite American cryptids and make their own cryptid-inspired creation. The library lists the program for elementary-age children under STEM & STEAM, nature, education, and crafts.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Cumming Branch, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

Summer Cornhole League
When: Thursday, June 18, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM listed
What: Cumming City Center’s summer cornhole league runs as a six-week league with a tournament, prizes, and registration through Georgia Cornhole Events. The calendar displays an 8 AM–5 PM window, so players should check the league site for event updates and exact timing.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA

Up & Cumming Writers
When: Thursday, June 18, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
What: A writers’ group for adults looking for constructive feedback on their writing. The listing shows the event at Cumming Library and notes that guests can join the wait list.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Cumming Branch, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

Twilight Tales
When: Thursday, June 18, 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM
What: A family storytime with books, music, and a puppet show. A calm evening library option for young children and caregivers.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Cumming Branch, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

Crime Time: The Interview Room — Unearth a Story
When: Thursday, June 18, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
What: An adults-only guest lecture exploring what police interviews are like in real life, beyond the way they are often shown on crime-related TV shows. Deputy First Class Jon Beival is listed as the presenter.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Sharon Forks Branch, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041

Scout’s Sourdough Grand Opening
When: Friday, June 19, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
What: Scout’s Sourdough is opening its storefront with fresh sourdough, pastries, coffee, and bakery items available until sold out. Come early for the best selection and to support a locally owned Forsyth County bakery.
Where: Scout’s Sourdough, 5535 Bannister Road, Cumming, GA 30028.

Friday Mood: Jazzercise Move & Groove on the Lawn
When: Friday, June 19, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
What: A free outdoor Jazzercise class at Cumming City Center. All fitness levels are welcome, and guests are encouraged to bring water, handheld weights, and a mat for floor work.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Journey to the Center of the Earth — with Science Guys of Atlanta
When: Friday, June 19, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
What: Professor Static Fuzz and Jupiter lead a science program that “unearths” the story of the planet. Event passes will be handed out 30 minutes before the program.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Sharon Forks Branch, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Summer Fridays in Forsyth
When: Friday, June 19, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: The Collection at Forsyth’s recurring Friday evening series features live music, summer vibes, to-go drink specials from participating restaurants, and outdoor gathering space on The Green. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket.
Where: The Collection at Forsyth, 410 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming, GA 30041.

Groovin’ on the Green at Halcyon
When: Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
What: Halcyon’s recurring Friday-and-Saturday live acoustic music series continues on the Village Green. Guests can grab dinner, drinks, or dessert from Halcyon restaurants and picnic outside while listening to local musicians.
Where: Halcyon Village Green, 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

Stereo FM at Lou Sobh Amphitheater
When: Friday, June 19, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
What: Stereo FM brings a free summer concert to the Lou Sobh Amphitheater. The listing notes free admission and parking, with guests allowed to bring lawn chairs or blankets; no coolers, outside food, outside alcohol, cans, glass bottles, smoking, or tents are allowed.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Cumming Farmers Market
When: Saturday, June 20, 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
What: The Cumming Farmers Market at City Center features farm-fresh produce, locally raised meats, eggs, honey, homemade breads, desserts, jams, jellies, plants, handmade arts and crafts, and more. The market is set up in the Vision Parkway parking lot.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Dinosaurs: A Million Years of Stories
When: Saturday, June 20, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
What: Cumming Library is hosting an interactive dinosaur-themed program with Jerry G. The event invites kids and families to “unearth” a story through dinosaur fun.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Cumming Branch, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040.

Unearth Inner Peace
When: Saturday, June 20, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
What: Denmark Library is hosting a guided meditation program focused on calm, clarity, and connection. A relaxing option for anyone looking to take a break from the noise of the week.
Where: Forsyth County Public Library – Denmark Branch, 530 Fowler Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

Georgia Blood Drive in Honor of Josie Anne
When: Saturday, June 20, 3:00 PM – 8:30 PM
What: The Allo Hope Foundation, Cumming City Center, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, and the Luevano family are hosting a community blood drive in honor of Josie Anne. The event listing notes an urgent need for blood donors and says guests can stick around afterward for the free Bon Jovi tribute concert.
Where: Cumming City Center by the fountain, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Movie in the Park: IF
When: Saturday, June 20, activities at 7:00 PM; movie around 8:30 PM
What: Forsyth County Parks & Recreation is showing IF under the stars at Fowler Park. The event includes pre-movie activities before the film begins around 8:30 PM.
Where: Fowler Park, 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming, GA 30040.

Slippery When Wet – The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute at Lou Sobh Amphitheater
When: Saturday, June 20, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
What: Slippery When Wet, a Bon Jovi tribute band, brings a free summer concert to the Lou Sobh Amphitheater. The band recreates live arrangements from several Bon Jovi tours, and the City Center listing notes free admission, free parking, no coolers or outside food/alcohol, and lawn chairs or blankets are welcome.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Father’s Day at Halcyon
When: Sunday, June 21, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
What: Halcyon Forsyth is hosting a Father’s Day event on the Village Green with live music, brunch specials, and a relaxed outing for dads and father figures.
Where: Halcyon Village Green, 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

78° 🌡️ 69° | ⛈️ | 90% | 💨 10 mph SW

83° 🌡️ 66° | ⛈️ | 80% | 💨 5 mph W

87° 🌡️ 67° | 🌤️ | 30% | 💨 Light

84° 🌡️ 68° | ⛈️ | 50% | 💨 Light

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 77ºF
Temperature readings taken from Lake Sidney Lanier the night before publication

That’s it for today’s Forsyth Flyer.

Some of the best local stories do not announce themselves. They show up as a new sign at The Collection, a lane closure that suddenly changes your morning routine, a restaurant papering over the windows before anyone knows what is coming, or a lake notice that starts moving through neighborhood group chats before it feels like official news.

That is part of what makes Forsyth County interesting. Things are always shifting here, and a lot of what matters starts with someone noticing something small and asking, “What’s going on there?” So when you see something around Forsyth County, send it my way. A photo, a quick note, a question about a business, a road project, a new development, or something you heard that needs checking out is more than enough. It does not have to be polished. A lot of useful local stories start with a simple tip from someone paying attention.

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

Have a great weekend!