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From left are SNC’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” actors Elaina Bryant, Steven Glude, Melodie Spevack, Fletcher Nonnemaker, Josh Peck and Kiki Lee, shouting “Huzzah!” DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

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SNC brings ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ back for summer run

News Staff

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

SOLfest is set to transform the Sautee Nacoochee Center's 8.5-acre campus into an immersive artistic environment starting this weekend. SNC will present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” returning after a successful production last summer.

Sautee Nacoochee artist Angela Gilmore created “The Perfect Day” using her wedding dress and other materials from her previous marriage. Gilmore is currently competing in The People’s Artist competition supporting The Art of Elysium. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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Sautee Nacoochee artist competes in national art contest

News Staff

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

By Carly Henderson Sautee Nacoochee artist Angela Gilmore is currently competing in The People’s Artist competition, presented by actor Johnny Depp and supporting The Art of Elysium.

White County News general manager and marketing specialist Erin Etris, center, received the Tom Tucker All-Star award for 2025 on June 3. Regional Publisher Keith Barlow is at left, and CNI Chairman Alan NeSmith is at right. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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Etris recognized for outstanding sales excellence

News Staff

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

By Denise Etheridge Erin Etris, general manager and marketing specialist for the White County News, was recognized for outstanding sales excellence last week. Etris was officially presented with the CNI (Community Newspapers Inc.) Tom Tucker All-Star award for 2025 on June 3.

Connor Rowland, 16, a Team USA paddler, practices at Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club during a recent training session. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club builds athletes through programs

News Staff

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

By Carly Henderson Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club, based at the Gainesville City Olympic Boathouse, the former site of the 1996 Olympics, has been developing paddlers since 1994. LCKC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization led by Executive Director Kim Martin, who is based in White County.

Marilyn Martin and her husband Stephen Martin, not pictured, own Farmhouse Coffee in Cleveland. The coffee shop will open its larger space on Friday, June 12. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

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Farmhouse Coffee holds grand opening

News Staff

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

By Denise Etheridge Stephen and Marilyn Martin opened their first Farmhouse Coffee location on March 6, 2021, in a small end unit on the square in downtown Cleveland.

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Early voting underway in White County

News Staff

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

By Carly Henderson Advance in-person voting for the June 16 general primary runoff began Monday, June 8.Several races impacting White County are heading for a runoff election on June 16.

The section of the Chattahoochee in Helen that is popular for tubing is safe, according to EPA tests. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Water testing confirms safe conditions in Helen

News Staff

Monday, June 8, 2026

The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper has published the results from this week's EPA-approved testing of a water sample gathered at Riverside Park confirming the Alpine Helen-White County section of the Chattahoochee is currently clean and safe for recreational use.

The Cleveland Planning and Zoning Board voted to recommend approval of a rezoning request from Cleveland First Methodist Church to the Cleveland City Council late last month. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

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P & Z Board recommends rezoning Cleveland First Methodist parsonage

News Staff

Friday, June 5, 2026

By Carly HendersonThe Cleveland Planning and Zoning Board voted to recommend approval of a rezoning request from Cleveland First Methodist Church to the Cleveland City Council at its May 28 meeting.The church requested to rezone a 0.084-acre tract, Tax Map and Parcel C01D 108, in Cleveland.

Spectators and balloon crews gather in Helen for the 53rd annual Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival on June 4. Around 20 balloons are participating in events throughout the weekend. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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Mike Meyer wins 53rd Helen to Atlantic Balloon Race

News Staff

Thursday, June 4, 2026

By Carly Henderson The 53rd annual Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival kicked off June 4 and continued through Saturday, June 6, bringing thousands of visitors to Helen for a weekend of balloon events and competition.

White County resident Andy Negra, 102, grins below his birthday balloons last weekend during a celebratory dinner at Nacoochee Grill. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

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Negra celebrates major birthday milestone

News Staff

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

By Denise Etheridge Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.”If this is true, then local celebrity Andy Negra is a masterpiece.Negra turned 102 on May 28.