🌱 Bryce Leatherwood Speaks On Win + 4 Firefighters Now Cross-Trained

Hi all. It's me, Nina, your host of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town these days. In this issue, you'll learn about:

• Bryce Leatherwood speaks out about his journey to the top.
• Four firefighters graduated from law enforcement training this week.
• There are a few retirements, new assistant principals in the school district.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Mostly cloudy. High: 48 Low: 29.
• Sunday: Plenty of sunshine. High: 45 Low: 25.

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Here are the top three stories today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

1. Bryce Leatherwood spoke out about the musical journey towards his win on the competition show "The Voice" earlier this week. As we've seen and heard, he is a tremendous presence on stage. In a recent article published by 11 Alive, it's also made clear that he is a true southern gentleman, proud of his family and hometown. Even amid the elation of winning, the huge prize and a record deal, Leatherwood took a moment to thank his hometown for both its contribution to who he is today and for the support of the city's residents. Of growing up in Woodstock, Leatherwood says "It has shaped me to be a kind gentleman. It's shaped me to be a caring man." (11 Alive)
2. Four Cherokee County firefighters graduated on Thursday from a three-month Basic Law Enforcement Training in Jasper. Three of the firefighters will serve as SWAT medics and one will serve as a Cherokee County Fire investigator. The four graduates were Battalion Chief Scott Gwinn, Lieutenant Joe El-Bisi, Sergeant Brandon Barton and FAO Megan Hamilton. Sergeant Barton was presented with an award for having the highest Academic Achievement and Chief Gwinn was presented with the Top Shot award for his outstanding accuracy in his firearms evaluation. (Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services)
3. The Cherokee County School Board celebrated a handful of retirements and a few new leaders during their meeting this week. Retiring from the board are Clark Menard, who has been on the board since 2015, Mike Chapman, who was celebrated last month, Tom Roach, a longtime School Board Attorney, and Dr. Jennifer Cash, a longtime educator and administrator. The retiring members received a standing ovation from the audience, which included family and friends. Three new assistant principals were recognized, Shannon Thomas for Liberty Elementary, Lacey Bass for Little River Elementary and Tiffany Cothern for Mountain Road Elementary. (CCSD Press Release)

Today and tomorrow in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Today

• Adopt-A-Park Volunteer Day: a great opportunity for individuals, families and groups to give back to the county and to the parks we love. The first clean-up day is today! For more information or to sign up, please call 770-924-7768 or email Jessica Hallman at jshallman@cherokeega.com. (All Day)
• Farm. Fresh. Market. is a great place to find lots of locally grown and created products, all in one spot. The market will be open every Saturday on Market Street in Downtown Woodstock until December 31. (8:30 a.m. - noon)
• Yoga On Tap: the beginner yoga session includes a free pint or coffee, please bring a mat and water. The class fee can be paid at the door of Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street. (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Creative Corner - Gnome for the Holidays: for teens and adults, enjoy the "small town : small works" exhibit and then create your own gnome decoration at the Reeves House Studio, 734 Reeves Street. (10:30 a.m.)
• Themed Adult Book Club: a book club for adults, December's theme is "What If?" You can read any book where characters experience multiple or alternate versions of their lives and share your thoughts during the meeting at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (10:30 a.m. - noon)
• "Pete the Cat" Christmas Story Time: Ms. Beth will be reading a holiday "Pete the Cat" book at FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main Street, Suite 138. (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Making Spirits Bright Taproom Party: there will be new releases, cocktails on tap, holiday-themed drinks and a DJ tonight at Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street. (2 - 11:30 p.m.)
• Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl: wear your best ugly holiday sweater for this bar crawl downtown. Tickets include a holiday drawstring bag, an Ugly Sweater Crawl Koozie for the first 100 participants, a holiday movie live stream for trivia while you crawl, a registration party at the beginning of the crawl, themed discounted drink specials, live DJ's, a map to plan your evening and an ugly sweater after party. Please see the listing for more information, including a list of participating restaurants. (2 - 8 p.m.)
• "A Christmas Carol": sensory-friendly performance at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (2:30 p.m.)
• LEGO Ninja Christmas Design Challenge: build holiday creations, all LEGOs will be provided for the meet up at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (3 - 4 p.m.)
• Kid's Winter Fairy Garden with Uptown Design: enjoy hot chocolate and a snack while you create a fairy garden at Made Mercantile, 8636 Main Street. (3 - 5 p.m.)
• Woodstock's Got Talent (Holiday Edition): showcase your talent, prizes will be awarded. Please register here for the event at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (4 - 6 p.m.)
• Live Nativity: everyone is welcome, there will be live animals, music, refreshments and actors at Bascomb United Methodist Church, 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road. (5 p.m.)
• Annual Christmas Hanukkah Mashup Wine Tasting Party: enjoy a wine tasting, karaoke and games this evening at The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400. (5 - 7 p.m.)
• "A Christmas Carol": the annual Woodstock Arts production of "A Christmas Carol" at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• Board Game Night: great for groups, play one of the 100+ board games at the arcade or bring your own. There is also a full bar at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 p.m.)
• DJ Jamz Shuffle Skate: for ages 18 and up, participants must have their own skates for the event this Saturday at Hot Wheels Skate Center, 228 Farm Ridge Drive NE. (9 p.m. - midnight)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows):
  • Eric Turner (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Ryan Slice (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Wyatt Espalin (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Mother Legacy (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • Back 2 Mac - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac (7 p.m.)
  • Nightrain International - Guns N Roses Tribute (10 p.m.)

Tomorrow

• Santa Sundays: visit with Santa in center court for a photo opportunity. Carolers will also be performing around the center at The Outlet Shoppes, 915 Ridgewalk Parkway. (1 - 5 p.m.)
• Wicks and Sips with Woodstock Candle Co: enjoy snacks, adult beverages and music while you create a custom candle. (2 - 4 p.m.)
• Paint on the Patio, Inside Edition: all supplies will be provided for the painting session at the Reeves House Education Studio, 734 Reeves Street. (2 - 4:30 p.m.)
• "A Christmas Carol": the annual Woodstock Arts production of "A Christmas Carol" at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (2:30 p.m.)
• Screen on the Green - "The Polar Express": bring chairs and blankets, the free screening will be outside on the Green. (4 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• It looks like it will be a great weekend to catch the Holiday Lights of Hope at Hobgood Park. Events start up at 6 p.m., head over to see the display with more than 2 million lights, visit with Santa, enjoy some concessions and more. You can purchase tickets online here, children 14 and under are free. Please check their Facebook page for weather updates, they are not open if the field is wet. (Holiday Lights of Hope)
• The Cherokee County Animal Shelter will be offering free adoptions again today! You can see the available animals here. A QR code at the front door of the shelter will become active starting at 10 a.m. today, please scan the QR code to enter the "virtual line." The shelter adopts on a first come, first served basis, and animals can't be put on hold. Today's adopted pets will go home with their spay or neuter, heartworm and leukemia testing, initial vaccinations, deworming, flea preventative and microchipping completed free of charge. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
• Events at Leaning Ladder tend to fill up pretty quickly, so here are the next few events with tickets still available:
  • January 7 - Learn How to Make Potato Gnocchi with Executive Chef Daniel (demonstration class with attendee participation at times) (6:30 - 9 p.m.)
  • January 9 - ServSafe Exam and Certification (9 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 2 - 6 p.m.)
  • January 11 - Plant Power with Chef Megan (demonstration class) (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Made Mercantile events also fill up quickly, here are their next few events with tickets still available:
  • December 29 - Bubbles and Bubbly with Dirty Unicorn (7 - 8 p.m.)
  • January 12 - Pick & Pour, Pick Your Vessel, Pour Your Candle! (7 - 9 p.m.)
  • January 21 - Build Your Own Earrings with Broken Ankles (6 - 8 p.m.)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Looking for a unique gift for Christmas? Blue Frog Imports is the perfect spot to find a one of a kind gift for the holidays! @bluefrogimports #woodstockga #woodstockgeorgia #downtownwoodstock" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

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That's it for today. See you all next week for another update!

— Nina Lightcap

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Woodstock-Towne Lake Daily? Contact me at Woodstock@Patch.com