🌱Hot Springs Spa Coming + Georgia Milestones Assessments Released

Hello, friends! I'm here with your fresh copy of the Cumming Daily, filled with all the community news you need to know right now. Here's the lowdown.

Fun fact: July 29 is National Chicken Wing Day (National Day Calendar)

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First, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 90 Low: 73.

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Here are the top four stories today in Cumming:

1. Sometimes you just need a spa day. Well, now you may get one. In a 4-0 vote on July 21, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved Passport Springs and Spa to build a 10.6-acre hot spring spa near The Collection in south Forsyth. The spa will combine luxury cuisine, massage, spa services and North America's largest hot spring pool when it opens next year. The hot springs will be modeled after exotic locations like those found in Costa Rica, Israel, Iceland, Japan and Italy (Appen Media).
2. The 2021-22 Georgia Milestones assessment results were released last week and while Forsyth County students showed improvement in nearly all subject areas, educators are still working to get those numbers up to pre-pandemic levels. Milestones tests were not administered in Spring 2020, and testing requirements were relaxed in Spring 2021 due to COVID. Last year's results showed students' scores dropped between 4%-26%. This was still above state average. This year's results, which also include end of grade (EOG) and end of course (EOC) assessments for grades 3-12, revealed that students are on the right track towards recovering from the lost learning due to the pandemic. The most significant increase in EOG for Forsyth County students was in math. And EOC scores for American literature showed a 25% increase from last year. The district saw a slight decrease in English/language arts. Yet despite the lower score, Forsyth County students still scored well above state averages. (Forsyth County News)
3. The Cherokee Theatre Company is seeking volunteers for William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" performance at the Downtown Canton Theatre. The theater is located at 171 E. Main Street in Canton. Performance dates will be Aug. 12 through Aug. 14 and Aug. 19 through Aug. 21. Volunteers can see the play for free. (The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
4. The boil water advisory that was recently implemented for a portion of northeastern Forsyth County has been lifted. Officials said water quality tests are complete and the water is safe for consumption without having to boil. The advisory notice was issued Tuesday in the area east of Hammonds Crossing. There was no water main break and water service was restored within approximately 15 minutes of notification. No known contamination occurred. However, in an abundance of caution, the water boil advisory was issued. (Forsyth County Government)

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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)
• Pirate Goodie & The Magic Chest - Sharon Forks Library (11 a.m.)
• LEGO® Club - Hampton Park Library (1:30 p.m.)
• Food Truck Friday - Downtown Duluth (6 p.m.)
• Teen Writers' Club Lock-In - Cumming Library (6 p.m.)
• Kapow! Comics MTG Commander Night - 540 Lake Center Pkwy, Cumming (7 p.m.)
• Little Black Dress Party - American Legion Post 201 (7:30 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• BINGO! VFW Post 9143, 1045 Dahlonega Hwy, Cumming has BINGO every Saturday at 7 p.m. Concessions are available during the non-smoking family fun. No children under the age of 6 are allowed. Children and young adults under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. (VFW)
• There's still time to donate. Kiwanis Club of Forsyth County is hosting its 3rd annual Christmas in July event to benefit children and families served by the Bald Ridge Lodge, Family Haven, Jesse's House and The Place of Forsyth (Kiwanis Club of Forsyth County).
• Forsyth County Schools will hold the 2022 State of the Schools with the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce August 2. Reserve your seat at fcstateoftheschools.com. (Forsyth County Schools via Facebook)
• Rock Solid Brewing in Ball Ground will host a Teacher Appreciation Day Saturday, August 27, offering all teachers a $5 gift card with your order during the hours of noon- 6 p.m. (NextDoor).
• Parent's Night Out! Drop the kids (ages 5-13) off at Cumming Aquatic Center Saturday, Aug 5 from 6 - 10 p.m.. They'll enjoy supervised pool time, games, and a pizza dinner. Lifeguards will be present and on duty. Children will be supervised both in and out of the water. $20. (Cumming Aquatic Center).
• Coal Mountain Elementary will host a Back to School Ice Cream Social July 30 from 1 - 3 p.m. sponsored by the PTO. (Coal Mountain Elementary 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)
• 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)
• 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)

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Events:

• Inspire Women Expo-2022 (July 30)
• The Secret Sounds of Summer (July 30)
• Salsa ATL's Dinner & Latin Night @ Tonys Johns Creek July 30th (July 30)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar (August 4)
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That's it for today. I'll see you around!

— 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 phil.giltman@Patch.com