The City of Canton is taking active steps to transform its public spaces with a newly commissioned sculpture for Heritage Park.

Driven by the Canton Cultural Arts Commission's vision, this initiative brings dynamic art to streets, parks, and community spaces.

Heritage Park, known for its scenic trails and playground, will soon feature this artwork beside the Waleska Street Bridge.

The city designated $20,000 for the sculpture’s design, creation, and installation, inviting artists to highlight themes of connection and movement.

Up to three finalists will each receive a $300 stipend for concept development.

The chosen artist will build and install the piece, with the city prepping the foundation to their specifications.

Recent projects like the vivid 'Legs Through Time' mural and the colorful 'Canton Wildflower' artwork underscore Canton’s commitment to cultivating an inspiring, connected community through public art.

Cherokee County stands at the heart of Georgia’s dramatic Joro spider invasion, with over 390 confirmed sightings in the area.

Native to East Asia, these brightly colored spiders likely arrived around 2013 via international cargo and thrived in the region’s climate.

Joro spiders spread quickly, traveling up to 100 miles using a unique “ballooning” technique—riding the wind on silk strands.

They endure Georgia winters thanks to exceptional cold tolerance and rapid reproduction, with females producing up to 1,500 eggs per year.

Residents are noticing golden webs in parks and neighborhoods, especially in late summer and fall, as these spiders feed mostly on flying insects and may help control pests.

Experts expect the Joro population to keep growing across the region, making it crucial for the community to understand their impact and how to live alongside them.

The Cherokee Career Expo is set to return on October 8 to connect local talent with employers in the area.

The event aims to provide opportunities for job seekers to network and potentially secure employment.

With a motivational mood, the expo will offer a platform for individuals to explore different career options and make valuable connections.

Employers will have the chance to inform attendees about job opportunities and company culture.

The event will be held on Wednesday, October 8th, and promises to be informative and engaging, fostering a supportive environment for both job seekers and employers.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with local talent and potential employers!

In the original 1984 Ghostbusters movie, what was the name of the marshmallow mascot for a Corporation that comes to life as the chosen form of the Destructor?

ChatGPT Reads Coffee Grounds, Predicts Divorce—Husband Left Speechless!

Cherokee County residents may think local happenings are quirky, but a recent story from Greece takes the cake.

There, a woman leaned on AI—not a psychic—to “read” her coffee grounds and reveal her marital fate.

When the chatbot predicted her husband would cheat with someone whose name starts with ‘E,’ she filed for divorce within three days.

The bewildered husband, unversed in astrology, found himself accused by coffee stains and algorithms.

Just imagine that wild scenario unfolding in a Cherokee County café, with locals nervously eyeing their cups.

While technology might amuse, legal experts remind us that neither bots nor coffee grounds will sway courts here.

Whether abroad or right here, truth is often stranger than fiction. Read the full story below.

Major Festivals & Music

Lights Up! Entertainment Music Bingo

• 📅 October 8, 2025

• 🕒 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

• 📍 Truck & Tap, Woodstock, GA

• 🎟️ Likely free / casual cover

• 📄 Every Wednesday evening, Truck & Tap hosts a fun music bingo night where songs replace bingo numbers. It’s a casual, community-friendly event.

Live Music Night

• 📅 October 9, 2025

• 🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• 📍 Truck & Tap, Woodstock, GA

• 🎟️ Open / casual entry

• 📄 Truck & Tap regularly features live music sessions. On October 9, expect a performance on their stage for an evening of local sound.

Woodstock International Food Festival

• 📅 Friday, October 10 – Sunday, October 12, 2025

• 🕒 Fri 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM • Sat 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM • Sun 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• 📍 St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church, Woodstock, GA

• 🎟️ Admission free

• 📄 The annual food festival brings cuisines from around the world, live entertainment, children’s activities, and international community flavor.

Trivia Wednesdays (at Reformation Brewery, Woodstock)

• 📅 October 8, 2025

• 🕒 7:00 PM

• 📍 Reformation Brewery, Woodstock, GA

• 🎟️ Usually free / casual

• 📄 As noted on the Woodstock site, Reformation Brewery hosts weekly trivia nights, offering a fun, laid-back challenge for teams and friends.

Healthy Kids Running Series — Fall 2025

• 📅 Sundays, October 5 – November 9, 2025

• 🕒 4:00 PM

• 📍 Woodstock, GA

• 🎟️ Entry fees (varies by age group)

• 📄 A multi-week running series for kids from PreK to 8th grade (and a 2-mile run option for high school students) designed to promote health, fun, and community involvement.

The Great Pumpkin Fest

• 📅 Saturday, October 11, 2025

• 🕒 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

• 📍 Cherokee Veterans Park, 7345 Cumming Highway, Canton

• 🎟️ Free admission and free shuttles

• 📄 A family-friendly fall festival with pumpkins, booths, entertainment, hayrides and seasonal fun.

Dad Joke Of The Week

Why don't scientists trust atoms?

Because they make up everything!

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce has announced the winner of their Lemonade Day contest, recognizing a young entrepreneur named Rosalee for her successful lemonade stand ("Rosee's Lemonade").

Rosalee received a trophy and $100 for her impressive sales and creativity.

Lemonade Day is a national event that teaches children valuable skills in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and teamwork.

The Chamber of Commerce thanked all participants and sponsors for their support in making the event a success.

Practical Tip of the Week

Helping young children and dogs cope with thunderstorms

Is your preschool aged child or grandchild scared of thunderstorms and get upset when they occur? Empower them by having them yell "Boom" back to the thunder. This helps them feel more powerful then the load sound and in control, easing their anxiety.

Alternatively, you can help prepare them for bad whether by  occasionally diming the lights, softly playing thunderstorm music on your Alexa device or favorite music streaming app on your phone, and let them simulate the lightning using a flashlight. When a thunderstorm happens your child will be conditioned to the sounds and flashes. 

When it comes to your dog, if they suffer from anxiety at the sound of thunder try a similar routine to prepare them. Except try gradually turning up the sound of the thunderstorm sounds during these sessions.

Have your dog lay down next to you while the music is playing softly. Each time you turn up the volume, reward them with a treat as a reward if they remain calm. If they don't, then do not punish them, just ignore them. Once you have you have reached a good volume level then gradually turn the volume back down until it is eventually silent.  Repeat this over the span of a few weeks, particularly during the rainy season/

Closing Thoughts

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