🌱 Cherokee Dive Team Training + Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

Hello, neighbors. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days. Here's the lowdown.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and comfortable. High: 84 Low: 60.

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

1. Six members of Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services received their Emergency Response Diver, Level 1 certification last week. The course was held at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center and Lake Allatoona. It was the second certification the divers have completed in their journey to becoming certified Public Safety Divers. The county's Dive Team responds to water-related incidents, conducts underwater search and recovery operations, participates in water safety awareness events and assists law enforcement agencies with underwater evidence collection in the lakes, ponds, tributaries and reservoirs in Cherokee County. (Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services)
2. Five students from the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) have been named 2023 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists. The seniors from Cherokee, Creekview, Etowah and Sequoyah high schools will be honored by the School Board and superintendent at the School Board's meeting in October. Out of 1.5 million students considered, 16,000 were named semifinalists, an elite group that consists of less than 1% of all high school seniors in the nation. The next step in the competition will include an application outlining academic achievements, participation in school and community activities and a recommendation from a high school official, among many other deliverables. (CCSD Press Release)
3. The annual Touch-A-Truck is coming up Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cherokee Veterans Park, 7345 Cumming Highway, Canton. Bring the kids for a close-up look at emergency vehicles, including a firetruck, a helicopter, a police car and more. Food, vendors and games for all, with a quiet time "for those with sensitive ears" from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. There will be shuttles arriving at and leaving from Macedonia Elementary School and Macedonia Baptist Church. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
4. Auditions are being held on Sunday and Monday at 6 p.m. for the Woodstock Arts production of "A Christmas Carol." Video audition submissions can be sent to the director, Zach Stolz, at Zach@woodstockarts.org until Monday at 8:30 p.m. In-person callbacks will be held on Wednesday, September 21. Please check out the website for important audition details. (Woodstock Arts)
5. Woodstock Arts offers a ton of classes, head over to its website to find one that suits you. There are classes for all age groups and the new crop of classes starts up in October, including "Acrylic and Oil Painting," "Clay Kids" and "FUNctional Ceramics." Woodstock Arts also is home to The Lantern Series. The concert series includes artists from different genres, and the next show is coming up on September 24 when The RT's will perform. You can purchase general admission tickets or reserve tables for the shows, and you can even purchase a subscription to the whole concert series. (Woodstock Arts)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• The Young Professionals of Woodstock (YPOW) meets today for the YPOW AM networking event. The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock (7:30 a.m.)
• "International Dot Day Celebration," read "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds and create your own Dot Day-inspired art. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult to the event at R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. (10:30 a.m.)
• "Lap-Sit Storytime," for ages 1 to 3. Reading, songs, rhymes and activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult to the event at the Hickory Flat Library, 2740 East Cherokee Drive. (10:30 a.m.)
• The Brown Bag Concert Series: Matt Jackson at The Gazebo at Park at City Center. (noon)
• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Kenny Askew Park at the Richard Mauldin Sports Complex, 1080 Univeter Road, Canton. (3 p.m.)
• "Family Drum Circle," for all ages and skill levels at Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (5 p.m.)
• "Stranger Things Theme Night," costumes are encouraged for the event at Hot Wheels Skate Center, 228 Farm Ridge Drive NE. (5 p.m.)
• "Taste of Woodstock" on the Event Green downtown, 111 Elm Street. (5 p.m.)
• "Tune Up Thursdays Live Music: Justin Monday" on the ROOFTOP at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (6 p.m.)
• "Doing Life with Your Adult Children, An Event with Jim Burns" at Woodstock City Church, 150 Ridgewalk Parkway. (6:30 p.m.)
• "Super Smash Bros Tournament!" at Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs:
  • "Nimble Fingers" sewing group. Learn to knit, crochet or cross-stitch. All skill levels are welcome. Please register online for this activity at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion, 223 Arnold Mill Road. (11:30 a.m.)
  • "Mats for Vets Volunteer Day," help cut bags and crochet mats for homeless Veterans. Please register online for this activity at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (2 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage:
  • Ben Bostick (noon)
  • Cody Bolden (5:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • "Bridget Kelly Band - Texas & Memphis Blues with Southern Blues" (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Check out these two open houses coming up in the Woodstock-Towne Lake area. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Reminder: applications are now being accepted for the "small town, small works" exhibition at Reeves House. You can submit your piece until October 3, it must be 15-inch by 15-inch or smaller, including the frame. The application can be found here. (Reeves House at Woodstock Arts via Facebook)
• Made Mercantile holds some really great classes and events, but they tend to sell out very early. Here are the rest of the September events with tickets still available: "Bubbles & Bubbly," September 22 and "Wicks and Sips Class with Woodstock Candle Co.," September 30. (Made Mercantile)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Taste of Woodstock is today from 5 - 9 p.m. Taste the best food in Woodstock at this delicious event on the Woodstock Arts Event Green. Eighteen amazing local restaurants are being featured." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram
• Some events coming up this weekend that require registration or tickets in advance:
• Senior Center Programs:
  • Friday: "Walking Club" at the Dupree Park walking/running track, 513 Neese Road. (8 a.m.)
  • Friday: "Fit Over 50" at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion, 223 Arnold Mill Road. (9:30 a.m.)
• Woodstock Arts:
  • Friday: "WIT! - Woodstock Arts Improv Troupe!" at Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: "Creative Corner: Handmade Paper" is an event for teens and adults. Make your own paper in the Reeves House backyard, 734 Reeves Street. (10:30 a.m.)
  • Saturday: "The Lasting Laugh! Hosted by Jessica It's All Good," for ages 12 and up, at Woodstock Arts Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)
• Woodstock Parks and Rec:
  • Saturday: "AMPED in the Park with Pure Barre," is a free outdoor workout held at the Amphitheater. (9 a.m.)
  • Saturday: "Discovering Tennis For Kids!" All equipment is provided. For ages 6-15 at Dupree Park tennis courts 1 and 2, 513 Neese Road. (10 a.m.)
• Rootstock:
  • Friday: Ethan Senger, in the Listening Room (7:30 p.m.)
• Made Mercantile:
  • Friday:
• The Gifted Ferret:
  • Saturday: "Grape Harvest Wine & Food Fest" (5 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • Friday: "Smokey Jones and the 3 Dollar Pistols - Country & Honky-tonk" (7 p.m.)
  • Friday: "Angry Chair - The Ultimate Alice In Chains Tribute" (10 p.m.)
  • Saturday: "The Dave Matthews Tribute Band" (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Mantra HHC-Metaphysical Shop and Holistic Hea — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Taste of Habitat (September 16)
• Cherokee County Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale (September 17)
• Grape Harvest Wine & Food Fest (September 17)
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For sale:

• Cash 4 Phones!! Any condition!!! (Details)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Nina Lightcap

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