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Shopping malls, old and new, are stirring up local news. In Forsyth County, Krause Auto Group offered a proposal to the city of Cumming in mid-April to build The Gathering at South Forsyth at the intersection of Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Union Hill Road, along Georgia SR 400. If approved, this mixed-use shopping, dining and entertainment area will feature a 750,000-square-foot arena that could become home to a National Hockey League team. Plans also include a 100,000-square-foot community center, a 7,500-square-foot fire station, a 450-room hotel with meeting spaces, and residential units. Read moreAmerica’s malls: Looking for the perfect fit

The senior class of 2023 represents the 41st consecutive year that Big Canoe Chapel has awarded scholarships to deserving seniors living in Pickens and Dawson counties. Over $2.8 million and 2,100-plus scholarships have had a tremendous impact on many lives.

“All are architects of Fate, working in these walls of Time,” a quote from the poem “The Builders” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, expresses truth. Suddenly, the week is over, then the month and then the year. In the moment, it may not seem urgent to create our legacy and protect it with esta…

Big Canoe Artist Club member Ed Nudd and his wife Betty have been residents of Big Canoe for over 23 years. Ed retired a few years back, after serving as president of the successful business, Tooling Concepts, and started painting landscapes, using acrylics as his medium. With no formal trai…

Model radio-controlled sailboat enthusiasts had “hands on the helm” as they launched their boats in a stiff wind on Lake Sconti, April 22, to officially open the 2023 sailing season for the Big Canoe Model Yacht Club. Many former club members and residents of Big Canoe turned out for an info…

In June, the Big Canoe Photography Club will welcome Jeff Milsteen, who will speak about macro photography. Getting close-up images is a special skill, and Milsteen will talk about the equipment needed, lighting, and focusing methods. He has been an avid photographic enthusiast for over 30 y…

Traditionally, Ridgerunners takes a two-month hiatus during June and July. What does a month without Ridgerunners look like?

I have always enjoyed tasting the variety of spirits when traveling and working around the world. I was fortunate to taste sake in Japan, weinbrand in Germany, obstler in Austria, and whiskies in over 15 countries. These included Scotland, Ireland, Japan, China, France and even India. Way to…

There’s a lot of competition these days among river cruise companies but, according to AmaWaterways Business Development Manager Rob Huffman, there are a number of important things that differentiate Ama from the rest of the river pack.

The Big Canoe pools are open and all outdoor amenities are in full swing. Summer is just around the corner and the kids or grandkids will be visiting soon. Time to protect the largest organ in our body—our skin—from the potentially dangerous ultraviolet rays.

I felt like a spurned lover. “But we had such a long and enduring relationship,” I argued. There was only silence and a blinking screen. I imagined a snickering response to my codependent pleadings. A blink of detachment made me realize there was no reasoning with this lifeless, passionless …

It’s all in the cards. Or, centuries ago, it was all in the khartes, Greek for “papyrus leaf.” Britannica, fact-based information giant, notes Chinese writings from the 10th century mention a word for cards which could also be used for dominoes.

Recently, my granddaughter and I visited a new specialty store, where cookies are baked fresh after the customer orders via the store’s digital device. One cookie, albeit large, is just shy of $5 with tax. Before you complete the purchase, a screen appears with gratuity choices of 10%, 20%, …

James Patterson lives here. Sue Grafton lives here, also. So, too, Pat Conroy, John Grisham and Louise Penny. They live with thousands of other world-famous authors right here at Big Canoe Chapel’s library, quite possibly the community's best-kept secret.

A big thank-you to the Big Canoe Artists Club members who submitted artwork for the Spring Art Show at the Beach Club. It was a big success due to our homeowners, families and friends who supported our talented artists.

The Photography Club’s March meeting featured guest speaker Phil Kaplan of KEH Camera in Atlanta. KEH, based in Smyrna, buys and sells used photographic equipment both through its online shopping portal and at its store location. Kaplan's engaging presentation fascinated club members as he t…

Pine Needle Quilters’ April meeting, featuring guest speaker Shannon Armstrong, was packed full of information and delicious refreshments and offered a time for fellowship.

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