🛶 There's An Election Coming Up

Good morning, Forsyth County,

In case the commercials, text messages, phone calls, mailers, and knocks at the door haven’t given it away, there’s an election coming up. Apparently, the campaigns are worried we might forget.

Here at the Forsyth Flyer, we keep things nonpartisan. You already have plenty of people telling you how to vote, and I doubt you opened this email hoping for one more. What I can do is help you find the information you need before heading to the polls.

This is the final week of early voting, which ends Friday, October 30. Before you go, view your personalized sample ballot through Georgia’s My Voter Page to see the candidates and questions on your ballot. You can also check your registration and find your assigned Election Day polling place there.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you vote that day, be sure to go to your assigned polling location.

– Chad

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A small reptile gave Forsyth County firefighters an unusual assignment: a chameleon stranded in a tree in south Forsyth. Station 14’s C-shift crew brought the pet safely back to the ground on October 12. Chameleons are built for climbing. Their grasping toes help them hold branches, and most species have tails that curl around limbs for support. Even with that equipment, this one needed a hand. The rescue’s happy ending has since attracted coverage from WSB-TV, giving one very small Forsyth resident a surprisingly large audience.

KidStrong is bringing a mix of movement, problem-solving and confidence practice to The Collection at Forsyth. The planned center at 410 Peachtree Parkway will offer 45-minute classes that combine physical challenges with activities such as public speaking and teamwork. Franchisee Patrick Houseman is targeting a March opening. The company’s standard membership includes one class each week, with groups organized around children’s developmental stages. Its broader program serves children from crawling age through 11 and uses activities ranging from balance work and climbing to memory games. Families can explore the brand’s class format now, while watching for confirmation of the local opening date and schedule.

Before heading to the Big Creek Greenway, check which stretch your usual entrance actually reaches. The section from the Bethelview Trailhead at mile marker 8.5 to just south of Kelly Mill Road at mile marker 10.3 remains closed for boardwalk replacement. At Fowler Park, a disconnected boardwalk section means visitors must use steps to reach the trail, leaving that entrance temporarily inaccessible to wheelchair users. The county plans to restore the Fowler Park connection and Phase 4 before beginning work on Phase 3 between Fowler Park and Bethelview. The larger project also includes parking and accessibility improvements at the Bethelview Trailhead. For now, plan a route around the closures and consult the county’s Greenway page before leaving home. Open access points do not mean the entire route connects.

Cumming’s swim season is off the blocks. Chattahoochee Gold opened its short-course campaign with the 33rd annual Gold Invite at Cumming Aquatic Center, collecting numerous top-10 finishes during the two-day meet. The club enters the season with a larger roster after bringing the former Aiken-Augusta Swim League into its program. Gold’s Cumming swimmers train at 201 Aquatic Circle under head site coach Matt Sanspree. The club identifies August through April as its short-course season, followed by long-course competition from May through July. Families interested in joining can schedule an evaluation through the team’s Cumming page. Prospective swimmers must be able to complete 25 yards of freestyle and 25 yards of backstroke without stopping. That gives local youngsters a clear starting point for moving from recreational swimming into regular team training.

Forsyth County Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Public Hearings
When: Tuesday, October 27, 6:30 PM
What: The commission will hear rezoning, conditional-use and variance requests, including proposals for 201 homes near McConnell Road and Heardsville Road, 96 homes near Jot Em Down Road, and a 187,608-square-foot commercial development on Peachtree Parkway.
Where: Forsyth County Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 110 East Main Street, Suite 220, Cumming, GA 30040.

The Library Laboratory
When: Monday, October 26, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
What: Travel back to medieval times for a science program exploring alchemy, exploration, and more. This STEAM session is designed for elementary-age children and homeschooling families, but all ages are welcome. No registration is required.
Where: Cumming Library, Cumming Meeting Room, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040.

Monday Mood: Yoga on the Green
When: Monday, October 26, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: The Heart Studio Yoga wraps up its outdoor season with a free, all-levels class at the amphitheater, followed by meditation. Bring a mat, water, and a friend. Check The Heart Studio Yoga’s social media for weather-related delays or cancellations.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Family PJ Storytime
When: Monday, October 26, 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Settle in for an evening of books, songs, and activities for the whole family. Sharon Forks Library’s Monday evening storytime welcomes all ages, making it an easy outing before bedtime.
Where: Sharon Forks Library, Sharon Forks Meeting Room, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Books & Babies
When: Tuesday, October 27, 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
What: Babies ages 0–18 months and their caregivers can share books, songs, movement, rhythm, and rhyme at this early-literacy storytime. Free play follows the program, giving little ones time to explore and caregivers a chance to meet other families.
Where: Post Road Library, Post Road Meeting Room, 5010 Post Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

The Blind Spot in Your Manuscript
When: Tuesday, October 27, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
What: Jessica Parker of BookLogix helps writers spot the big-picture problems that can hide in their own drafts, including plot holes, weak structure, and pacing issues. Learn what a developmental editor looks for and how to turn feedback into a practical revision plan.
Where: Sharon Forks Library, Sharon Forks Meeting Room Side B, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Book Sleuths: A Mystery Book Club for Adults
When: Tuesday, October 27, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
What: Mystery and psychological-suspense fans gather for a discussion of Stuart Turton’s The Last Murder at the End of the World. The adult book club meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Post Road Library.
Where: Post Road Library, Post Road Meeting Room, 5010 Post Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Teen Thread & Dread: Halloween & Harvest Yarn Crafts
When: Tuesday, October 27, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
What: Teens in grades 6–12 can turn yarn into witches, ghosts, black cats, pumpkins, or fall tassels for backpacks, keys, and bedrooms. No knitting or crocheting experience is needed. Registration is not required, but supplies may be limited.
Where: Sharon Forks Library, Sharon Forks Meeting Room, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Zumba Sunset Sweat with Allyson
When: Tuesday, October 27, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Onelife Fitness presents a free, Latin-inspired dance workout on the amphitheater green. Allyson’s class welcomes all fitness levels and takes place rain or shine. Wear tennis shoes and comfortable clothing, and bring water and a small towel.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Mexican Train Dominoes: Weekly Open Play
When: Wednesday, October 28, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
What: Adults can spend the morning playing Mexican Train Dominoes and getting to know their neighbors. New and experienced players are welcome, and the library provides all supplies. Come ready to learn the game or pull up a chair for another round.
Where: Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Kids Club at Halcyon
When: Wednesday, October 28, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
What: Halcyon’s final Kids Club morning of the season welcomes preschoolers and their caregivers for free activities that may include crafts, music, dance, story time, animal encounters, or special guests. No registration is needed, but a parent or guardian must stay with each child. The program is weather permitting; check Halcyon’s social media for the weekly theme.
Where: Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

Trick or Treat Storytime at Sharon Forks Library
When: Wednesday, October 28, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
What: Children can wear their costumes for Halloween stories and songs, then show off their outfits and trick-or-treat with library staff. All ages are welcome, and no registration is required.
Where: Sharon Forks Library, Sharon Forks Meeting Room, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Paws to Read
When: Wednesday, October 28, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
What: Children in grades K–5 can practice reading aloud and relax with a certified therapy dog. Sign up at the door for a 15-minute session. Advance registration is not required.
Where: Sharon Forks Library, Sharon Forks Meeting Room, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Paint & Sip with Rise & Wine
When: Wednesday, October 28, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Artist Katie Phillips guides participants through a Halloween-inspired painting at Rise & Wine. The paid reservation includes a wine tasting, painting supplies, about two hours of instruction, and an apron. Reserve and pay online to save a seat; refunds are available through October 26.
Where: Rise & Wine at Halcyon, 6655 Town Square, Suite 1285, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

Crochet Basics for Beginners
When: Wednesday, October 28, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
What: Adults can learn the basics of crochet at this beginner-friendly class, with all materials provided. No experience is needed. Free event passes are required and will be distributed first-come, first-served starting at 6:00 PM, 30 minutes before the program.
Where: Post Road Library, Post Road Meeting Room, 5010 Post Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Trick or Treat Storytime at Hampton Park Library
When: Thursday, October 29, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
What: Dress the kids in their costumes for Halloween stories and songs, followed by a chance to show off their outfits and collect treats from library staff. The program welcomes all ages, and no registration is required.
Where: Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Cherry Street Brewpub Live Music
When: Thursday, October 29, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
What: Cherry Street’s Thursday live-music series runs through October, with rotating solo and duo performers in the beer garden. Grab dinner and a drink for the season’s final Thursday show. Check the brewery’s social media for the performer; in case of rain, the music moves inside to the Brewhouse, which is restricted to ages 21 and older.
Where: Cherry Street Brewpub at Halcyon, 6640 Town Square, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

Gather and Game
When: Thursday, October 29, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
What: Adults can unwind with board and card games at Hampton Park Library’s weekly meetup. Bring a favorite game from home, try something from the library’s collection, or join a table and learn. No experience is required, and you can come solo or bring a friend.
Where: Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

A History in Horror Movies
When: Thursday, October 29, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Film and digital media communication professor Dr. Candice Wilson explores how horror reached the big screen and why audiences love being scared. This adult program looks at the genre’s origins and questions such as who invented the jump scare.
Where: Cumming Library, Cumming Meeting Room, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040.

Glitter Star Fest
When: Sunday, November 8, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Enjoy an afternoon of music and art supporting the American Cancer Society and the fight against pediatric cancer. Tori Gideon headlines at 5:30 PM, with additional entertainment from Dr. P & the Groove and DJ Mr. Inspiration. An art contest offers a $1,000 prize; submit artwork by 3:30 PM, and the winner must be present to collect. Admission and parking are free. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Friendly leashed dogs are welcome; no coolers, outside food or alcohol, or tents.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

71° 🌡️ 46° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 5 mph NE

74° 🌡️ 49° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 0-5 mph NE

70° 🌡️ 51° | ⛅ | 0% | 💨 5-10 mph E

74° 🌡️ 52° | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 5-10 mph E

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 66ºF
Temperature readings taken from Lake Sidney Lanier the night before publication

That’s all for today, Forsyth County.

Have a local event coming up, spotted a new business, or heard about something your neighbors should know? Hit reply and send it my way. Some of the best stories start with a reader saying, “Did you hear about this?”

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Thanks for spending a little of your daywith me. Have a great week!