🌱 Feeding Needy Pets + Derby Day In May + Comprehensive Plan Update

Good morning, neighbors. It's Saturday in Woodstock-Towne Lake and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally, including news about:

• There's help available for pets in need.
• History Cherokee's Derby Day is coming up soon!
• Your input is wanted for the 2023 Comprehensive Plan.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm. High: 50 Low: 42.
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy and warmer. High: 64 Low: 44.

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

1. Have you heard of the Woofstock Food Pantry? Stephen C. Monahan, Founder and Executive Director of Woofstock Food Pantry and Green Pets America Charities, created the non-profit in 2004 to help feed pets when their family is having trouble doing so. Donations to the organization not only help feed the area's food-unstable pets, but also help save pets from ending up in a shelter, keeping them home and with their loving families where they belong. The Woofstock Food pantry sends pet food straight from Amazon and Chewy to the families and serves the pets of families in need in Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs, Smyrna, Marietta and greater Cherokee and Cobb counties. If you feel that you could benefit from their service, would like to donate to the cause or have some time to volunteer, you can find the information you need at the link. (Woofstock Food Pantry)
2. History Cherokee's 20th Annual Derby Day will be held on May 6 at The Mill on Etowah and you can get your tickets now! The fundraising event was held in the Historic Crescent Rock Barn in Canton until moving to The Mill and is the largest fundraiser that History Cherokee holds all year. The event will feature bourbon tastings and a hat contest, pony pull and silent auction. Attendees will also enjoy gourmet food, specialty cocktails, a live viewing of the Kentucky Derby and more. You can learn more, purchase tickets or become a sponsor at the official website here. There is also an opportunity to volunteer at the event. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. We're in the final stretch of the 2023 Comprehensive Plan, the document that will outline future growth, development, investment and land use changes in the county, and we're at a point in the process where citizens get to give their input again. Starting last October, the county held a series of public input meetings around the county. In November, we were asked to provide our feedback by way of a survey on what we find important when talking about city and county growth. Now, we are being given the opportunity to review the 2023 Comprehensive Plan draft. The draft will be available on the official Comprehensive Plan website from April 10 - 28, and a community meeting will be held on April 11 at the Northside Cherokee Conference Center in Canton for us to share our feedback. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger News and Free: Cherokee County Communications Department)
4. Three county students were awarded $5,000 scholarships through the Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation's Youth Scholarship Program. This year, 20 students within Sawnee EMC's service area received the scholarships. Eligible students are required to be a high school senior, have a permanent residence serviced by Sawnee EMC and hold a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Of the three county students that received scholarships, two currently attend Sequoyah High School and one attends Creekview High School. Congratulations! (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News and Free: Sawnee EMC)
5. The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is holding its regular adoption event today. The available animals can be seen online here. I don't want to be the one to spoil the surprise, but there are puppies and they're all adorable! If you'd like a slightly older pup, I bet your heart will flutter when you see Bert and Ernie - those smiles! Head over to the shelter this morning, and a QR code at the front door will become active at a random time around 10 a.m., 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. The adoption fee includes the spay or neuter, heartworm and leukemia testing, initial vaccinations, deworming, flea preventative, microchipping and more. The shelter is located at 1015 Univeter Road in Canton. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)

Today and tomorrow in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Today

• Open Pickleball Play: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. There is a nominal fee to play. (7 - 10:30 a.m.)
• Open Gym: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. There is a nominal fee to play. (7 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• Cherokee Amateur Radio Society - club call sign WX4CAR: if you'd like to join the ARRL Affiliated club, head over to their meeting today at the William G. Long Senior Center, at 223 Arnold Mill Road. The club holds regular meetings, shares the hobby with others, educates people about amateur radio and supports the local community in disasters. Meetings are open to the public, membership and licensing is not required. (9:00 a.m.)
• Essential Gardening, Kitchen Garden: join the Cherokee County Master Gardeners and Cherokee County UGA Extension Office for an herb gardening class. The class is open to all Woodstock residents and will be held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC), at 223 Arnold Mill Road. Participants will go home with a plant or seeds for their own herb garden. (10 - 11:30 a.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. There is a nominal fee to climb. (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
• Yoga at the Library: for ages 17 and up, perfect for beginners. Certified yoga instructor Jigna Patel will lead the yoga session. Please bring your own mat to the free class at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street in Woodstock. (11 a.m. - noon)
• Masters Week: specialty cocktails and frozen drinks, souvenir cups, Queenie's BBQ specials and the Masters and Braves games on TV, plus, a chance to win a prize in their giveaway at Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street. (11 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
• Spring in Bloom: head over to The Outlet Shoppes, located at 915 Ridgewalk Parkway, to have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny in center court for free, and you'll also receive a digital photo souvenir. There will be costumed characters, a live DJ, an Easter egg hunt, face painting and more at today's event. (1 - 4 p.m.)
• Mia Tsai In-person Event: the meet and greet itself is free and doesn't require a registration, but a book order is required to attend. You can get a copy of the author's book "Bitter Medicine" online here. The event will be held at FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main Street, Suite 138. (2 - 4 p.m.)
• Saturday Family Storytime: for children of all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The kids will have fun with stories, songs and more at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (2:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
• LEGO Lab: for all ages and skill levels, create and build with LEGOs. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the fun today at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (3 - 4 p.m.)
• Art + Science, Teen Time at the Gallery: calling all teens! Head over to the Reeves House Gallery on Saturday for a special event. You'll make your own scientific creation after exploring the Gallery at 734 Reeves Street. Registration isn't required, but it is suggested. You can sign up here. (3:30 - 4:30 p.m.)
• Bunny Ball: it's an Easter wine tasting party honoring the Great Easter Bunny. Enjoy themed games, activities and prizes at The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400. (5 - 7 p.m.)
• DJ Dub Gee: the music will be playing on the rooftop at PURE Taqueria, located at 405 Chambers Street, weather permitting. (5 - 9 p.m.)
• WILKES: catch the artist live in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (7:30 - 10 p.m.)
• Karaoke Night: belt out your favorites with Lights Up! Entertainment at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 p.m.)
• Reed Waddle: the artist is playing tonight at Donovan's Irish Cobbler, 1025 Rose Creek Drive. (9 p.m. - 1 a.m.)
• That's What She Said: the band will be live tonight at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (9:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Caleb Wilkie (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • John Amoroso (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Big Toe Mojo (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Seven Feet Above (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Cougar Town - John Mellencamp Tribute (7 p.m.)
  • Dueling Pianos with The Andrews Brothers (10 p.m.)

Tomorrow

• Masters Week: specialty cocktails and frozen drinks, souvenir cups, Queenie's BBQ specials and the Masters and Braves games on TV, plus, a chance to win a prize in their giveaway at Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street. (11 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
• Ian Schumacher: the artist will be playing live on the rooftop at PURE Taqueria, located at 405 Chambers Street, weather permitting. (5 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Greg Shaddix (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Jana Holland (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Mother Legacy (5 - 8 p.m.)
• Easter Sunday Services
  • Hillside United Methodist Church, 4474 Towne Lake Parkway. (6:30, 8:30, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m.)
  • Timothy Lutheran Church, 556 Arnold Mill Road. (6:30, 8:30 and 11 a.m.)
  • Woodstock Christian Church, 7700 Highway 92. (7, 8:30 and 11 a.m.)
  • Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1028 Rose Creek Drive. (8:30 and 10:45 a.m.)
  • First Baptist Church, 11905 Highway 92. (9:30 and 11 a.m.)
  • Full Life Church, 2510 East Cherokee Drive. (9:30 a.m.)
  • Sojourn Woodstock, at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater downtown. (10 a.m.)
  • Woodstock Community Church, 237 Rope Mill Road. (10:30 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Looking for a fun way to support the local youth? South Cherokee Baseball is holding a fundraising golf tournament on May 5 at the Fairways of Canton Golf Club. The organization has been around for more than 55 years, offering a baseball program complete with tournaments. The aim of the program is to instill in children the idea that winning isn't the most important thing. The foundation of good sportsmanship, honesty and reverence is seen as part of growth and the true point of training and competing in the program. You can find out more about the organization at the link, and you can sign up to compete, sponsor or volunteer at the golf tournament here. (South Cherokee Baseball)
• If you're hunting for somewhere to go on Sunday, Pelican's Snoballs is open from 1 - 9 p.m. There will also be BBQ from Tha Q Spot available to purchase and an Easter egg hunt by Jeanie's Yard Cards. (Pelican's Snoballs via Facebook)
• The Blue Ghost Arcade has souvenir glasses! Next time you grab a drink at the arcade, you can bring home a special shot or pint glass by adding just $5 to the price. Supplies won't last for long, be sure to get yours soon. The arcade is at 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (The Blue Ghost Arcade via Facebook)
• While we're on the subject of places having things, Woodstock Beer Market now has coffee! If you didn't get a chance to head over yesterday for opening day, The Stout Brothers Coffee Co. will be open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., and weekend hours are 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. The coffee shop operates out of the Beer Market at 240 Chambers Street. (Downtown Woodstock via Facebook)
• Personally, I can't have enough branded Woodstock stuff, and the Woodstock Visitors Center has some new glassware in. It's gorgeous. There are ombre-colored glasses, some solids and a delicious blue swirl one that would love living on my desk. Head over to grab yours, the Visitors Center is located at 8588 Main Street. (Woodstock Visitors Center at Historic Dean's Store via Facebook)
• The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is hiring! If you have at least two years of investigative experience, this may be your opportunity. The salary is nice and the position comes with benefits. You can apply online here, there are also other positions listed. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Always lots of cute items to discover at Fashion Cupcake in Downtown Woodstock! @shopfashioncupcake #woodstockga #woodstockgeorgia #downtownwoodstock" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right. I'll catch up with you soon 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