This year, why don’t you consider a new Thanksgiving tradition? Save Mom from slaving over a hot stove for days and take her out! The very suggestion may create emphatic “Nos” from some; but on behalf of Moms everywhere, I am suggesting that for just one big holiday give Mom, as well as the rest of the family, an opportunity to be able to eat and enjoy. I’ll bet her level of gratitude would increase greatly and give her more energy to buy Christmas presents on Black Friday. Wink, wink. There are many tasty ways to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner without Mom’s help and still maintain important …

1. DIXIE DAYS Deal: Through period crafts, games and interactive stories, this free program at the Hickory Flat Library will teach children all they need to know about life in the South. Good through: Tuesday. 2. NIGHT AT THE MOVIES Deal: See Rio on an outdoor big screen at the Macedonia Community ballpark. Macedonia Elementary PTA members get in free. Join at the door—or pay the $5 admission fee for non-members. Good through: Friday. 3. AUTUMN FEST Deal: Holly Springs will host this free celebration at Barrett Memorial Park at 10 a.m. Saturday. There will be children’s games, food, music and…

1. RIVERFEST ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL Deal: Head to Boling Park this weekend for food, entertainment, arts and crafts exhibitors, and children's activities. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 10 and younger. Good through: Sunday. 2. FREE HAPPY MEAL Deal: Buy one Happy Meal at any McDonald's, get another free from 2 to 7 p.m. Good through: Thursday. 3. 2011 CHEROKEE COUNTY PROBE COLLEGE FAIR Deal: More than 75 admissions representatives from Georgia and out-of-state colleges will attend the event, which will be held at Cherokee High. All Cherokee County students and parents are…

1. FREE FAIR ADMISSION Deal: Print this ticket (or open the PDF on this page) for free admission to the Cherokee County Fair. Make sure to bring your elementary, middle or high school IDs, Cherokee students and staff. Good through: Today. 2. FREE PET ADOPTION Deal: In honor of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, fire, police and military personnel can adopt a pet from the Cherokee County Animal Shelter at no charge. Good through: Saturday. 3. FREE HAPPY MEAL Deal: Buy one Happy Meal, get another free. This promotion begins Friday and runs from 2 to 7 p.m. Good …

1. SATURDAY NIGHT CONCERT Deal: The Return, described as the "best Beatles tribute band around," will headline the latest installment of Woodstock's free Summer Concert Series.  Good through: Saturday. 2. CHARLOTTE'S WEB Deal: Enjoy the Elm Street Players' stage adaptation of E.B. White's novel for less than $10.Good through: Sept. 18. 3. FALL AND WINTER VEGETABLE GARDENING Deal: This free seminar at the Hickory Flat Public Library will teach you "what to plant, when to plant it, and how to care for a bountiful tasty harvest." Good through: Sept. 10. 4. FUN ON THE FARM Deal: Cagle's Family …

1. CHARLOTTE'S WEB Deal: The Elm Street Players present a wonderful adaptation of E.B. White's novel at a cost of $9 to you. Good through: Sept. 18. 2. RUN FOR THE RESCUES Deal: Donations from the 5K/1K fun run will help Cherokee's homeless animals find loving families. Good through: Monday.   3. OOLALA YOGURT Deal: Look in the September Valpak for a free 5-ounce frozen yogurt coupon. The offer is good at all three locations, including the new store in front of BridgeMill. Good through: Sept. 30.   4. YONG-IN MARTIAL ARTS Deal: One month free.  Good through: Trial offer ends today. 5. …

1. PRACTICALLY PERFECT DAY SPA Deal: Buy one "Practical" facial, get one free. Good through: Aug. 31. 2. THE BOUNCE HOUSE Deal: Parents night out is from 6 to 11 p.m. The cost, which includes a pizza dinner, drinks and a snack, is $5 per hour per child. Good through: Saturday. 3. MOVIES IN THE PARK Deal: Free outdoor movie in Brown Park. Movie begins at 8:15 p.m. Good through: Saturday. 4. NUNSENSE           Deal: The Elm Street Players present a wacky musical comedy recommended for ages 13 and up. Adult tickets are $11, and student tickets are $9. Good through: Saturday. 5. KAYSONS BAR …

1. BOOK SALE Deal: Find gently used books as low as a dime. Proceeds from the sale, which will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Hickory Flat Library, go to the Sequoyah Regional Library. Good through: Saturday. 2. NUNSENSE Deal: For as little as $9, head over to the Woodstock City Center Auditorium for the Elm Street Players' musical comedy about five nuns. The show is appropriate for children who are at least 13 years old. Good through: Aug. 27. 3. DJ NIGHT MINI GOLF Deal: Schedule a family outing to the Swing Factory in Woodstock, where kids can play for as low as $7 on Friday …

1. THE BATTLE OF ALLATOONA PASS Deal: This Civil War history program, which will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Rock Barn, is free and open to the public. Good through: Tuesday. 2. WOODSTOCK CONCERT SERIES: WET WILLIE Deal: Admission is free. Good through: Saturday. 3. DANCING AND COUNTRY MUSIC AT THE CHEROKEE SHRINERS CLUB Deal: Tickets cost $5 at the door. Good through: Ongoing. Dances are held every Saturday night at the Hickory Road location. Call 770-313-9368 for more information.  4. WHAT A GIRL WANTS Deal: Mention the ad in AroundAbout West Canton magazine and get 15 percent off your…

1. THE SWEET SPOT Deal: Buy one dozen cupcakes get another dozen free. You have to mention you saw this deal on Patch. Good through: Aug. 14 2. CHEROKEE LANES Deal: Bowl for 25 cents a game on Sunday nights from 5 p.m. to close. Good through: Ongoing 3. HOTWHEELS SKATE CENTER Deal: Dollar admission every Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Good through: Ongoing 4. KAYSONS BAR AND GRILLE CANTON            Deal: Kids eat free Tuesdays after 4 p.m. You can receive one free kids meal per adult entree. Good through: Ongoing 5. CHEROKEE COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER Deal: All adult animals (1 year and older) are …

1. BACK-TO-SCHOOL BARGAINS AT OFFICEMAX Deal: Buy school supplies with the MaxPerks Bonus Rewards symbol, and the amount paid will be credited—dollar for dollar—to your MaxPerks account. Good through: Saturday 2. FREE BOOT CAMP SESSION Deal: Come out to Brown Park at 7:30 a.m. for a free boot camp that is guaranteed to make you sweat. It's open to everyone age 10 and older. Bring a mat, a towel and plenty of water.   Good through: Saturday 3. ROCK YOUR PARK Deal: It's the final weekend of Parks and Recreation Month. Head to a Cherokee County park this weekend to have full use of the fields …

1. DEATH BY CHOCOLATE Deal: Enjoy a murder mystery dinner show at Liberty Hill United Methodist Church for $35. Good through: Saturday 2. FREE POTTERY EXHIBIT Deal: The Cherokee County Historical Society will feature the work of Edward Leslie Stork, a potter who lived in the early 20th century in Orange, at the Cherokee County History Museum and Visitors Center. Good through: Sept. 15 3. FREE MOVIE IN THE PARK Deal: Watch Rio on a gigantic high-definition screen in Brown Park. Good through: Saturday 4. FREE PUPPET SHOW Deal: Woodstock Public Library will celebrate the end of summer break with…

1. RIVERSTONE 15 CARMIKE THEATER Deal: Come out and watch a movie for $1 every Thursday at 10 a.m. Good through: August 11, 2011 2. HEAD OVER HEELS GYMNASTICS AND ACTIVITY CENTER Deal: For $8 ($12 for non-members), bring the children to a kids workshop and open gym every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Each week has a different special performer. Good through: Every Thursday this summer 3. PAYLESS Deal: Get back to school sandals for the kids for 50 percent off.  Good through: July 20, 2011 4. WILLIAMSON BROTHERS BAR-B-Q             Deal: Kids eat free on Mondays, Tuesdays, and …

1. STEVI B'S Deal: Kids eat for 99¢ every Sunday after 4 p.m. at the Woodstock Stevi B's. Good through: Ongoing 2. FEATHERSTONE'S GRILLE RESTAURANT Deal: Kids eat free every Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. One adult entree purchase is required for every two kid buffets. Additional child buffets cost $2 each. Good through: Ongoing 3. THE ELM STREET PLAYERS PRESENT CINDERELLA Deal: Seats for the show, which will be held at the Woodstock City Center Auditorium, are $9. Good through: July 24, 2011 4. WOODSTOCK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Deal: Woodstock continues its free Friday night concert series at 7:30…

1. BUY ONE MOVIE TICKET, GET ONE FREE Deal: Each Friday, Visa Signature cardholders can buy one movie ticket and get another free. Tickets must be purchased through this dedicated Fandango link. You may only get one free ticket per card, per Friday. And you must see the movie that same Friday. Good through: Ongoing 2. $1 MOVIES Deal: During the summer, Alpharetta's North Point Market 8 and other locations within the Regal Movie Theaters chain will offer $1 movies every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. Click here for participating theaters and the movie schedule. Good through: Aug. 3, 2011 3. …

1. FREE SATURDAY BOOT CAMP Deal: Grab your yoga mat, beach towel and water, then head to Brown Park for a free fitness workout. Good through: July 30 2. A CONCERT OF AMERICAN MUSIC Deal: For $20, head over to the Falany Performing Arts Center this Saturday for the sounds of the Atlanta Concert Band. Children and seniors get in for $16. Good through: Saturday 3. FREE SWIM GOGGLES Deal: Tell Aqua-Tots Swim Schools of Georgia that you saw its ad in AroundAbout magazine and new customers will get a pair of free swim goggles. Good through: June 30 4. FREE VIDEO GAMING Deal: Buy one hour of video …

1. 99¢ KIDS MEAL Deal: Take a break from the kitchen on Monday nights and head to the Canton Marketplace. Kids eat free for 99¢ at Cheeseburger Bobby’s. Here's how the deal works: Purchase one adult meal from 4 to 8 p.m., get one kids meal for 99¢. Limit two per family. Good through: Ongoing 2. $1 PHOTO PAPER Deal: Printing photos at home is more affordable this week at Staples. Purchase a 50-pack of HP Everyday Photo Paper for $9.99 and receive a rebate of $8.99. Rebate must be requested within 60-days of purchase. Good through: June 18, 2011 3. FREE MATH PROGRAM Deal: Download a free math …

Compost, Vermiculture and Mushrooms When: Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Cherokee County Senior Center in Canton. Call the Extension office at 770-479-0418 to register. Early registration is encouraged. Deal: Learn to make your own compost and take home a free mushroom garden you make. All classes are free unless otherwise noted. Good until: Gardening classes are offered throughout the summer. Click here  for more information. Gold Panning When: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allows panners on Blankets Creek and Sixes Creek to pan for gold year-round. You must use a pan and shovel only. Call …

1. KIDS BOWL FREE SUMMER PROGRAM Deal: Register your children and receive two free games of bowling per day, per child from AMF Woodstock Lanes. Shoe rental is not included. Adult and family packages can also be purchased. Good through: Sept. 5, 2011 2. KIDS EAT FREE Deal: Kids 10 years old and under eat free after 5 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays at the Hickory Flat Frosty Frog Creamery & Cafe. To redeem the offer, an adult meal and drink must be purchased. Good through: Ongoing 3. OFFICE SUPPLY SALE Deal: Click here to save 20 percent off of in-store purchases at the Woodstock Office Depot. …

1. MEMORIAL DAY 5K & FUN RUN Deal: $18 advanced registration for 5K; $8, Fun Run; $20 on race day for 5K; and $10, Fun Run. Both events take place at Holly Springs Elementary School on May 28. Click here to register online. Good through: May 28 2. BOUNCE HOUSE CAMP Deal: $25 off summer camp if pre-registered by June 1. Sibling discounts. Half-day or full-day camp options from June 6 to July 29. Good through: June 1 3. VEGETERIAN COOKING CLASSES Deal: $3 classes and lots of samples. Good through: Ongoing (classes held second Tuesday of every month at Cherokee Seventh-Day Adventist Church) 4. …