🌱 A Cleaning For Dupree Park + A Song For Cherokee County + Fostering

Hey, Woodstock-Towne Lake! I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Because community information is power! Today you'll learn about...

• The local Girl Scouts cleaned up a local park.
• There is now an official Cherokee County song.
• Ways you can help the shelter and local pets in need.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 85 Low: 57.

Our local sponsor has some great stuff to offer:

Looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity in Woodstock? The Children’s Haven is excited to announce their next training opportunity to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Next training will begin April 12 - May 10, Wednesday sessions from 9am-4pm. CASA volunteers advocate on behalf of children in foster care, ensuring their best interests are always at the forefront. Visit The Children’s Haven to learn more, or email Mandy here for more information and complete training details.

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

1. A group of Girl Scouts gathered together to help clean up a Woodstock Park last weekend, and in my opinion, Dupree Park has never looked spiffier. Over 20 girls from Greater Atlanta's Riverwood Service Unit gathered to pick up litter and help maintain a clean and safe area for our residents. The Girl Scouts holds group events like the park cleanup day regularly, encouraging their members to provide a service to the community while also helping form their values of environmental stewardship and making a positive impact on the communities they live in. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
2. During their scheduled meeting on Tuesday, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted to establish an official song for Cherokee County. The song, "Cherokee County," was originally written in 2020 by Barbara and Kurt Wheeler, a local mother and her son, for History Cherokee and performed by Kurt during an event to raise funds for the creation of the Cherokee County History Center. The song celebrating the county's beauty and history was also performed at Tuesday's board meeting by Kurt Wheeler, a solo artist, Lathemtown Poets Society band member, Air Force veteran and Creekland Middle School teacher. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. The Cherokee County Animal Shelter has a wonderful opportunity for you if you love animals and serving your community. The shelter has spots for you in their volunteer community, helping out at the shelter and taking in animals temporarily while they get ready for their forever homes. These beautiful animals just need love and a safe space to spend some time. If you or someone you know would love to foster, you can hear more about the opportunities by filling out the registration form here. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
4. Cherokee County Senior Services and the Atlanta Regional Commission are holding a free Caregiver Support Group on April 24. The meeting will feature guests from the Atlanta Regional Commission, and they'll be sharing resources like free classes and workshops that they offer, including Tai Chi, Powerful Tools for Caregivers and Fall Prevention. There is also time set aside for an open discussion where you can speak with other caregivers and staff from Senior Services about your needs or concerns. The meeting is open to all seniors and anyone that cares for a senior citizen, and there is a 5:30 p.m. start time. The event will be held at Woodstock Recreation and Parks, located at 7545 Main Street, Building 200. Please RSVP by calling 770-345-5320 or 770-345-3297. (Cherokee County Senior Services via Facebook)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• YPOW AM: open to non-members, join the Young Professionals of Woodstock every Thursday morning for coffee, networking and an informal chat with a local leader at The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way. (7:30 - 8:30 a.m.)
• +55 Trail Walkers: head out to socialize and get some exercise every Tuesday and Thursday, the walking will alternate between the Noonday Creek, Rubes Creek, Towne Lake Pass and Trestle Rock trails. The group is for those 55 and up that can walk a minimum of one mile on a paved trail. Today, the meetup spot will be the Rubes Creek Trail via the William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. (9 - 10 a.m.)
• Open Pickleball Play: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Baby Lapsit Storytime: for babies 18 months and younger, songs, rhymes, books and playtime. Children must be accompanied by an adult to the storytime at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Farm Bureau Storytime - Strawberries: for children of all ages, though children must be accompanied by an adult. Learn about strawberries during the special storytime at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Basketball Open Gym: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. (1 - 8 p.m.)
• Rock Wall Climbing Zone: open to county residents ages 4 and up and 40-pounds and over at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. (3 - 8 p.m.)
• Resources for Entrepreneurs: if you're thinking about starting your own business or have a small business you'd like to grow, the talk today at the Woodstock Library will feature representatives from the library, the Cherokee Office of Economic Development and IN WDSTK to share the resources and services the organizations offer for entrepreneurs like you. There will be a Q&A session after the talk. The library address is 7735 Main Street. (5:30 - 6:30 p.m.)
• Butterfly Gardeners: join the group of citizen volunteers as they maintain the Woodstock butterfly gardens. The group will meet at the William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. (6 - 7:30 p.m.)
• Jordan Denton: the artist is playing live tonight on the Rooftop at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• Julie Carrick Dalton in Conversation with Colleen Oakley: the in-person event itself is free and doesn't require a registration, but you can order copies of Julie Carrick Dalton's book "The Last Beekeper" and Colleen Oakley's book "The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise" at the link. The event will be held at FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main Street, Suite 138. (6:30 p.m.)
• Team Trivia: every Thursday at Sidelines Grille - Hickory Flat, 6199 Hickory Flat Highway in Canton. (7 p.m.)
• Music Bingo: The Daily Draft will be holding on-demand music bingo every Thursday in April, they're located at 8594 Main Street. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament: double-elimination tournament with prizes for the top three winners, the entry fee includes access to all arcade, pinball and board games at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 - 10:30 p.m.)
• DJ Trivia: every Thursday, the top three teams win cash at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (8 - 11 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs - most classes and events are held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC), 223 Arnold Mill Road
  • Line Dancing - every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (9:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
  • Nimble Fingers Sewing Club - for all skill levels, learn to knit, crochet or cross-stitch every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
  • Adult Coloring Club - every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
  • Duplicate Bridge - every Thursday in the WGLSC Multi-Purpose & Meeting Room. (12:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Hughes Taylor (5:30 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Laugh-Lines & Stretch-Marks - Comedy for Women, Moms, and Couples (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Hello readers! I wanted to touch on the use of Facebook and other subscription-based sources for the newsletter. I always aim to use sources with no subscription, but unfortunately, many city and county departments and event locations solely use Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to issue their updates and activities. I try to get all the info I can into each summary, but a link to the original source is provided for you to read further if you'd like. I wish there were avenues that ventured off the social media path a bit more, but when some appear, I promise I'll find them and share them with you. Thank you always for your readership, hope to see you around town!
• The interactive map for Woodstock's City Wide Yard Sale has been released. All the participants in this weekend's yard sale are now on the map and also on a list here that you could print out if you'd like. You can find the map, the official event flyer and more information at the link. Happy hunting! (Woodstock Parks and Recreation)
• Reformation Brewery is holding an Earth Day celebration this Saturday. There will be specials on beer, cocktails and slush drinks, special green rose cups and t-shirts, live music by David McPherson at 2 p.m. and karaoke at 8 p.m. The brewery is located at 105 Elm Street. (Reformation Brewery via Facebook)
• If you've been searching for a new home, you can't look at too many homes before making a life decision like that. Head out and take a look at these 5 Woodstock-Towne Lake area open houses. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Celebrate Seis de Mayo in Downtown Woodstock with your Amigos for the next Downtown Woodstock pub crawl! On Saturday, May 6th, 2pm -6pm Visit Woodstock GA will celebrate Seis de Mayo in Downtown Woodstock. When you arrive at you first restaurant on the crawl, you will be given an entry form. For each restaurant visited, you will receive a stamp on your entry form..." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Nina Lightcap

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