🌱 Fireworks Safety Tips + Pets Love Microchips + Books For Seniors

Good morning, everybody! I'm back with your fresh copy of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Here's all the local news you need to know right now. Today's briefing includes...

• Fireworks tips from CCFES.
• Microchip tips from the shelter.
• Donate books to the senior center.

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 90 Low: 63.

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

1. Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) says that public fireworks displays are the safest, but if you are going to set off fireworks yourself this year, be sure to follow some safety rules. Always purchase fireworks from a licensed dealer, and always follow state and city laws. Read the label and make sure an adult is supervising, with children never lighting the fuse. Safety glasses are a good idea, as is having water close by, but no matter what, only light one at a time in an outdoor area away from buildings and vehicles. (CCFES via Facebook)
2. The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is advising we get our pets' microchips checked and updated, if needed, prior to the Fourth of July holiday. Pets of all types can be very frightened by fireworks and often run away. In fact, it's one of the busiest times of year for the shelter. If your pet isn't microchipped, the shelter offers that service free of charge during operating hours, Tuesday through Saturday. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
3. If you have any spare books laying around, Cherokee County Senior Services would love you to consider donating to its "A Side of Books" program. You can bring your large-print, Agatha Christie, fiction or mystery books to Senior Services, located at 1001 Univeter Road in Canton. If you can't make it over on a weekday during business hours, after-hours donations can be left on the picnic table behind the building. (Cherokee County Senior Services via Facebook)
4. Don't forget to grab your Star Spangled Woodstock T-shirts from the Visitors Center before the holiday. There are three designs to choose from in youth shirt sizes and one in the adult. They also have a Star Spangled silicone pint cup, a "silipint," available. The Visitors Center is at 8588 Main St. and they're open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Woodstock Visitors Center via Facebook)
5. Registration is open for the youth Volleyball Intro Camp at Cherokee Recreation & Parks. You can sign your children up until July 21 for the July 24-27 camp, where they'll learn the basics of the sport, including passing, serving, setting and hitting. Open for those ages 8-12, the classes will meet each evening at 6:30 p.m. at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)

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Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Wednesday, June 28

• WIT! - Woodstock Arts Improv Troupe: The laughs are best for ages 10 and up at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main St. (10 a.m.)
• Fairy Garden Party: All ages are welcome with an accompanying adult. The party will include snacks, crafts and more at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main St. (11 a.m. - noon)
• Teen Writing Group: For teen creatives, ages 12 - 18. Meet up with other teen writers, help each other with your work and get some writing done in a nice, peaceful environment. There will be snacks and drinks, the group will meet at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main St. (4:30 - 6 p.m.)
• Unwind Wednesdays - Pup Stars Dog Show: If you'd like to enter your dog, just bring them with you a bit early to sign them up. Be sure to give other dogs plenty of space and keep yours leashed at all times. There will also be food trucks, vendors, music and more at Cherokee Veterans Park, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton, you can find more information here. (5:30 - 8 p.m.)
• Trivia Night: Join your friends and neighbors at Reformation Brewery tonight for trivia. There are prizes for the top-three winners, the brewery address is 105 Elm St. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Slay the Arcade - A Drag Show: In celebration of Pride Month, The Blue Ghost Arcade is bringing back their drag show tonight. The event is for those 18 and up, you'll pay the usual admission price at the door. The show starts at 9:30 p.m., the arcade address is 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Top Artists Extended Sets (6 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Mary Kate Farmer with Opener Brianna Shelko - Texas Roots & Country-Rock (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Today's the day to watch a featured movie with the Regal Summer Movie Express. Bring the family over to the 10 a.m. screening for $2 tickets at Regal Cherokee. You can choose to watch "Sonic the Hedgehog" or "Dora and the Lost City of Gold;" the theater address is 355 Cinema View. (Regal)
• The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Swallowtail Butterfly Garden at Woofstock Park is today at 4:30 p.m. The butterfly garden is located at the trailhead of the Noonday Creek and Towne Lake Pass trails and created and maintained by Woodstock Parks for Pollinators and the Woodstock Parks and Recreation Butterfly Gardeners. There is a class being held afterwards, "Essential Gardening - Pollinator Gardening," if you'd like to attend, you can sign up here. (Woodstock Parks and Recreation)
• If you'd like to take part in the Downtown WDSTK Walking Tour Series, the next tour, "Public Art," is on July 12. The tour will bring you to some of the unique pieces in the downtown area, and groups will depart from and return to the Reeves House Visual Arts Center, where you'll view the current exhibit. The first tour group leaves at 6 p.m., you can sign up at the link. (WDSTK Brand Store)
• The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is hiring deputy sheriffs. There will be a hiring event held on July 22 at the CSO Training Center, located at 516 Chattin Drive in Canton, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can call or text 470-533-9552 with any questions, no registration required. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Registration for the fall session of classes at Woodstock Arts opens this Friday. You can see the full list of offerings and register here once the update is made, and there are a few classes listed currently that start in July. (Reeves House at Woodstock Arts via Facebook)
• The Star Spangled Pub Crawl is coming up fast, be sure to make note of the local food and drink spots participating so you can plan your route. The crawl runs from 2 to 6 p.m., you'll pick up an entry form at the first place you visit. You can see more event details on the official page here. (Visit Woodstock via Facebook)

That's it for today! See you all tomorrow morning for 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