🌱 Comprehensive Plan Update + Fire On Bells Ferry + Play Auditions

Hello again, neighbors! It's Thursday in Woodstock-Towne Lake and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in town, including updates on:

• 2022 Taste of WDSTK winners
• The Back Hand Comedy Festival
• Upcoming Parents Night Out

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 80 Low: 52.

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

1. Cherokee County's 2023 Comprehensive Plan Update began at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday. The plan forecasts land use, growth, development and investment over a 20-year period and is updated every five years. The last update was made in 2018. The citizens of Cherokee County are included in the plan strategy, and as such, there is an online survey we can complete until November 18 that asks what is important to you in terms of city growth. You can share your input here. A series of in-person public input meetings will be held starting next week, the first public input meeting will be on October 11 at the Cherokee County Administration Building in Canton. The next step will be to create a vision by gathering said input, then the development of the plan's policies and guidelines, and finally, the document will be created to include comprehensive maps, policies and narratives. (Cherokee County)
2. An early morning fire destroyed a home on Bells Ferry Road on Wednesday. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services sent out crews from five stations to battle the fire. Two people were inside the home when the fire broke out, but they were able to escape. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
3. The winners from the 2022 Taste of WDSTK have been announced. The event menu food items from each restaurant were judged based on a pre-set list of criteria, including presentation and flavor. The winners are: Prime 120 for Best Appetizer, Freight Kitchen & Tap for Best Entrée and Eden Woodstock for Best Dessert. Queenie's BBQ received The People's Choice Award. Congratulations! (Downtown Woodstock via Facebook)
4. Auditions are this weekend for the Woodstock Arts Theatre production of "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical." The production is solely for teenaged performers. Auditions will be Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and video auditions will be accepted until Sunday at 8:30 p.m. You can send audition tapes to kyle@woodstockarts.org, please check out the website for details on audition requirements and dates. Rehearsals for the play start up on October 20. Performances will run from January 20 - 29. (Woodstock Arts)
5. The next Parents Night Out at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center is happening on October 14 from 5:30 - 10 p.m. While you are spending a rare evening without the kiddos, they will be swimming, eating, making crafts, playing games and watching a movie. Please make sure to send a dry change of clothes or pajamas with the kids so they can change after swimming. Please register online, there are still spots available but these events always fill up very quickly. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)

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Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• The Young Professionals of Woodstock (YPOW) meets today for YPOW AM networking at The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way. (7:30 - 8:30 a.m.)
• Family Storytime: for children ages 1 - 3, enjoy books, songs, rhymes and activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult to the event at the Hickory Flat Library, 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar: the seminar will help you understand the potential impact taxes have on your retirement income. Please register here for one of the two sessions being held at the Chattahoochee Tech Woodstock Campus, 8371 Main Street. (11 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 6 - 7 p.m.)
• IN WDSTK committee meetings: the IN WDSTK mINgle Committee is meeting to discuss 2022 Jingle Mingle prep and the LunchIN' Committee is meeting to discuss learning opportunities for IN WDSTK investors at the Chattahoochee Tech Synergy Room, 1 Innovation Way. (11 a.m. - noon)
• Mad Hatter Tea Party: snacks, drinks and a craft for ages 13 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult to the event at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (4 - 5 p.m.)
• 1970s Skate Party: costumes are welcome at Hot Wheels Skate Center, 228 Farm Ridge Drive NE. (5 - 9 p.m.)
• The Woodys Live Music: on the Rooftop at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• 90s Music Bingo with Lights Up! Entertainment: at The Daily Draft, 8594 Main Street. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament: double-elimination tournament, the entry fee includes access to all arcade, pinball and board games at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 - 10 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs:
  • Line Dancing - every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
  • Nimble Fingers Sewing Group - every Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
  • Birthday Celebration - celebrate those born in October at the Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. (12 - 1 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows):
  • Sterling Barrett (12 - 3 p.m.)
  • Mother Legacy (5:30 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • Laugh-Lines & Stretch Marks: Comedy for Women, Moms & Couples (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Reminder: Woodstock Parks and Recreation is still looking for volunteers to help maintain the area butterfly gardens. The first Thursday of each month is a required workday for volunteers, held at the Monarch Butterfly Garden at Dupree Park and the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Garden at the William G. Long Senior Center. The first scheduled workday is today at 6 p.m. Please see the link for more information and to register. (Woodstock Parks and Recreation)
• As of October 1 and through April 30, 2023, outdoor burning is allowed in Cherokee County. Burning can be done on a daily basis, but please reach out to the Georgia Forestry Commission to make sure conditions are suitable for burning on the day intended. You can reach the commission by phone at 877-652-2876 or through the internet here. (Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services)
• Officer J. Buckner of the Woodstock Police Department was recognized by MADD Georgia this week for his "dedication and work towards MADD's mission to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking." (Woodstock PD via Facebook)
• If you're wanting to purchase a new home, here are five open houses to check out in the Woodstock-Towne Lake area. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• There is a free Veteran's Day Breakfast planned for November 12 at 9 - 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 11905 Highway 92, Fellowship Hall, "A" Building. "Military - past/present, spouses and children: You served us with honor, now allow us to serve you with honor and gratitude." Registration closes on November 6, you can register here or here. For more information, reach out to David at 678-570-5828. (Nextdoor Neighbor, Deer Run - Woodstock)

Some events coming up this weekend that require registration or ticket in advance:

• The Back Hand Comedy Festival promises to be tons of fun, with shows all weekend around Downtown Woodstock. Please check out the festival page for show schedules. There is a welcome party today at 5:30 p.m., and the comedy shows will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You can get your tickets here. (Back Hand Comedy Festival)
• Coffee with Veterans: enjoy coffee, donuts and conversation with other veterans this Saturday. The veteran-only gathering, hosted by the Cherokee Veterans Community, will be held at the First Baptist Church, 11905 Highway 92, Building "A" Chapel, Room A250 on the second floor. Please register here. (9 - 11 a.m.)
• Bread Beckers - Getting Started: the class on Saturday includes milling flour, mixing quick breads, kneading dough and more at Bread Beckers, 305 Bell Park Drive. (10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs
  • Friday: Walking Club - every Monday and Friday at the Dupree Park walking/running track, 513 Neese Road. (8 - 9 a.m.)
  • Friday: Fit Over 50 - every Wednesday and Friday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (9:30 - 10:30 p.m.)
• Woodstock Arts
  • Friday: WIT! - Woodstock Arts Improv Troupe! at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: The Lasting Laugh hosted by Jessica It's All Good - clean comedy, recommended for ages 12 and up at the Woodstock Arts Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Gina Chavez is playing as part of the Lantern Series on the Event Green downtown. (7:30 p.m.)
• Rootstock, 8558 Main Street
  • Friday: Back Hand Comedy Festival - Handup-Standup Comedy Hour (5 - 6:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Back Hand Comedy Festival - Saturday Comedy Hour (5 - 6:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Brooke Alford, The Artist of the Violin - in The Listening Room (7:30 - 10 p.m.)
  • Sunday: Back Hand Comedy Festival - Sunday Afternoon Comedy Hour (4 - 6:30 p.m.)
• Made Mercantile, 8636 Main Street
  • Saturday: Maker Bar - make a project in 30 minutes or less (3 - 4 p.m.)
  • Sunday: Wicks and Sips with Woodstock Candle Co. - snacks, beverages, music and candle making (2 - 4 p.m.)
• Leaning Ladder, 105 East Main Street
  • Saturday: Sensational Italian Sausage with Chef Alan - demonstration class (6:30 - 9 p.m.)
• The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400
  • Saturday: Artisan Wine Tasting (5 - 7 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Moonlight Movies & Wine Tastings Retro Drive-In, showing the movie "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar" (8 - 10 p.m.)
  • Sunday: Wine Tasting BINGO (3 - 5 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios, 8722 Main Street
  • Friday: Pandora's Box - Aerosmith Tribute (7 p.m.)
  • Friday: Elevation - The U2 Tribute (10 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Electric Avenue - The 80's MTV Experience (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)
  • Saturday and Sunday: Back Hand Comedy Festival (noon)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Nina Lightcap

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