🌱 Hiker ID'd + Softball Tourney In Forsyth + Teacher Of The Year

Hello again, friends! It's me, Phil Giltman, your host of the Cumming Daily. Let's get this Thursday started off right, with a quick review of the most important things happening around town.

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First, today's weather:

A heavy t-storm in the p.m.. High: 91 Low: 74.

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Here are the top four stories in Cumming today:

1. The hiker who fell and died Sunday has been identified as Michael Joseph Gorman, 39, of Texas. Gorman died after sustaining fatal injuries from a fall in north Dawson County. Officials from Dawson County Fire & EMS, with assistance from other local agencies, responded to a report of a male hiker who had fallen from Bearden Falls at 12:43 p.m. Sunday, according to a DCFES press release. Bearden Falls rests along a creek inside of the Chattahoochee National Forest and is one of multiple falls located in Dawson County. Rescue personnel from Dawson and Forsyth counties arrived to the scene around 2:22 p.m. at which time the incident changed into a recovery of the person. The incident appears to be accidental in nature and no foul play is expected, according to the DCFES report. (Forsyth County News)
2. The Triple Crown Softball Southeast Nationals came to Forsyth County this weekend with more than 115 girls' fastpitch softball teams competing. Coaches, players, tournament officials and families came to area parks from 14 states including California, Illinois and Michigan. Games took place at Central Park, Fowler Park, Sawnee Mountain Park, Sharon Springs Park and North Park in Alpharetta. The event consisted of games for players aged 18 and under, 16 and under and 14 and under. The Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates that the tournament brought around 3,500 people into the area over the weekend, driving an estimated economic impact of about $200,000 with guests patronizing the city's hotels, restaurants and attractions. The Atlanta Vipers 18U team from Buford was one of the tournament's highest performers, losing only to the top-ranked Rock Gold team from North Fort Myers, Florida during two games at Fowler Park. (Appen Media)
3. Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church has announced the 29th Annual Auto Crusade Car Show and Autocross will take place August 26 and 27 at Cumming Fairgrounds. The charity event benefits families in need at Christmas and other church-related activities. There will be a DJ, concessions, homemade ice cream and of course beautiful trucks and cars to look at, both old and new. Auto Crusade Car Show started in 1994 as a single day event with 54 cars at Forsyth Central High School. Twenty-nine years later, it is a multi-day event. This includes Autocross during the day and a Cruise-In at night on Friday and features another day of Autocross and the annual Car Show on Saturday.
4. Whitlow Elementary's Taylor Rodden has been named a Teacher of the Year for Forsyth County Schools. Rodden, who won the award last year as well, has been a Whitlow Wolf for ten years. This year she taught Accommodated Curriculum Autism Grades 4-5 and served as a specialized instruction team lead. Rodden is a graduate of University of North Georgia and the University of Alabama. (Facebook-Forsyth County Schools)

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Today in Cumming:

• Georgia's Response to the Holocaust - Exhibit from the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust - Post Road Library (All Day)
• A Garden with Wings Butterfly House - Smith-Gilbert Gardens (9 a.m.)
• Puppetpalooza! - Hampton Park Library (10 a.m.)
• overBOOKed - A Book Club for Adults (10 a.m.)
• Recycled Boat Regatta - Cumming Library (3 p.m.)
• Teen Thursdays: Ocean Art - Art workshop with Lara Maclean - Sharon Forks Library (6:30 p.m.)
• Up & Cumming Writers - Cumming Library (6:30 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Humane Society of Forsyth County is in need of an electric washer as the one they have in their cat building is on its last leg. If anyone has an electric washer in good working order that they would like to donate, the HSFC would be forever grateful. (Humane Society of Forsyth County, GA via Facebook)
• Forsyth County Public Library is looking for a part-time Information Specialist. If you love books, libraries, and helping people, check out the current posting (Forsyth County Public Library via Facebook)
• Tickets are available for the 2022 State of the Schools with the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce on August 2 at http://ow.ly/Zmlz50JZAO7. (Forsyth County Schools via Facebook)
• Scammer alert! Be careful when you sell anything online, especially Facebook marketplace. Scammers will ask you to send them the 6-digit code because they are using your phone number to make a fraud and need that code from you. Never give away any code. Report the Facebook account and block the number. (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Carriage Walk: My neighbors in the Carriage Walk subdivision are looking for an experienced handyman or contractor who can replace some house siding. You can reach them by phone or text at 706-386-1498. (Nextdoor)
• Be aware! The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office has received complaints from citizens about a text scam where the perpetrators are giving $10 off a FCSO t-shirt if you click a certain link. FCSO is NOT selling t-shirts. Don't click the link. (Forsyth County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Open House! Sawnee Elementary will host an Open House Tuesday August 2. (Sawnee Elementary via Facebook)
• If you need help, get it! A new mental health hotline is now active. You can now call or text 988 to reach the Suicide Prevention Hotline and get the care you need 24/7. You can also visit 988lifeline.org/chat to chat with a caring counselor. This shortcut is not replacing the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255), but will serve as an easy alternative for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. (United Way Of Forsyth County via Instagram)
• Open House! Daves Creek Elementary will host an Open House Tuesday August 2. (Daves Creek Elementary via Facebook)
• Christmas in July! The Christmas in July Event at 3 Oaks Farms, 3565 Tallant Drive, Cumming, is Saturday, July 23. Register for a cornhole tournament, shop early for Christmas at Cindy's Café & Corks for unique items made out of wine corks along with other vendors. Enjoy food, beverages and a day on the farm. (Patch Neighbor Posts)

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That's it for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Phil Giltman

About me: I've lived in Cumming since 2010. I'm married with two kids, both in Forsyth County Schools. I consider myself a jack of all trades. I love solid news reporting, scoring baseball games, playing golf, watching movies, reading books, doing crossword puzzles, listening to music, competing in fantasy leagues, commissioning said fantasy leagues, playing poker, trying new foods, traveling, and hanging with friends and family. I appreciate you stopping by.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Cumming Daily? Contact me at Cumming@Patch.com