🌱 Guns & Hoses 5K Registration Is Open + Upcoming Events Around Town

Welcome back, Woodstock-Towne Lake. I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Today you'll learn about...

• Guns & Hoses 5K registration is open!
• You can pay tribute to a veteran at Cherokee Veterans Park.
• A Christmas tree chipping event is coming up next week.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 48 Low: 37.

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

1. There's still plenty of time to register for the 17th annual Guns & Hoses 5K Run/Walk in Woodstock. The 5K will be at Hobgood Park on February 11, and the charity race is an official qualifying event for the Peachtree Road Race. The charities that will benefit from the 5K were chosen by the Cherokee Sheriff's Office (Guns) and Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services (Hoses) and include Sheriff Frank Reynolds Charities and The Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. You'll pick the team you want to represent when you register. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
2. If you haven't seen it, there is a beautiful, star-shaped monument at Cherokee Veterans Park that honors those that have served our country in the military. The monument has sections in tribute to each branch of the military and a special area dedicated to prisoners of war and those who are missing in action. If you'd like to pay tribute to a veteran, there is an option to purchase a 4/8-inch brick paver that holds up to three lines of text or an 8-by-8 inch paver that holds six lines of text or three lines of text and a military seal. The funds raised through the sale of the brick pavers are used for the design, construction and maintenance of the monument. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
3. If you have a live tree this year and you're trying to figure out what to do with it after the season is over, Woodstock Parks and Recreation is holding a Christmas Tree Chip & Dip event from December 26 - January 10. Strip the decorations off the tree completely, no painted trees are allowed, and bring it down to Olde Rope Mill Park to have it put into the chipper. The next week, you can head back down with a shovel to grab some free mulch. Additionally, free tree seedlings will be handed out at the park on January 7, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., along with coffee and donuts. (Woodstock Parks and Recreation)
4. There are two Woodstock Arts offerings that are ending this week. Be sure to head over to the Reeves House Gallery to check out the "small town : small works" exhibit before it closes on Friday. The exhibit features work measuring 15 inches or less by artists that live within 15 miles of Woodstock. "A Christmas Carol" is also ending its run at the Woodstock Arts Theatre this week, there are only two more performances scheduled for the annual production. You can catch it on Friday at 7:30 p.m. or Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Please click the links for more information on these events. (Woodstock Arts)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Maker Monday - Candy Sleighs: for children and teens, though children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy a fun craft making candy sleighs. Please register here for the event at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.)
• Hot Vinyasa: all levels are welcome, though some prior experience is helpful to the class held at Ember Hot Yoga, 330 Chambers Street. (6:30 - 7:45 p.m.)
• DJ Bingo: test your musical knowledge and win prizes every Monday at Woodstock Beer Market, 240 Chambers Street. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• DJ Trivia: the top three teams win cash prizes, every Monday at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (7:30 - 10:30 p.m.)
• "Elf" Trivia: questions about the movie, play alone or with a team. The top three winners will leave with a prize at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs:
  • Walking Club - every Monday and Friday at the Dupree Park walking/running track, 513 Neese Road. (8 - 9 a.m.)
  • Beginner Bridge Instruction - every Monday at the WGLSC Multi-Purpose & Meeting Room. (9 - 10 a.m.)
  • Line Dancing - every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (10 - 11:30 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Cherokee County Animal Shelter would like to remind you to bring your pets inside when temperatures are low. This week, the temps will likely be in the 30s and 40s on several nights, so bring those furry friends inside. Bonus points for making warm outdoor shelters for the neighborhood strays! (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
• If you've been looking for a job, the county is hiring! The openings span most departments and include a CATS bus driver, detention center deputy sheriff, lifeguard, public works laborer and many more. You can see the entire list with job descriptions and application links here. Good luck! (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• Don't forget to sign up for one of the amazing classes offered over at Woodstock Arts. The new classes start up in early January. You can find lots of options in their catalog here, including acting, acrylic and oil painting, drawing basics, improv and even a Broadway Bootcamp. There are classes for all ages and interests. (Woodstock Arts)
• There's a little bit of time left to register for the White Elephant 5K in Canton. The 5K will be run at Etowah River Park, located at 600 Brown Industrial Parkway. There's lots of swag for participants, prizes and a medal for all finishers. You can sign up until Friday for "last minute" registration or even on the day of the event, though the price increases after each deadline. (White Elephant 5K)
• If you're looking for the most perfect, unique gift for your friends and family, the Woodstock Visitors Center has a ton of great items to choose from. They have Woodstock sweatshirts, shirts, mugs, books, ornaments, stickers, postcards, coffee and much more. (Woodstock Visitors Center via Facebook)
• Downtown Woodstock: "What's the night BEFORE Christmas Eve? Christmas ADAM of course! Join Reformation Brewery for their tradition of gathering to share the season's best gifts - time with loved ones, and a full glass in hand. @reformationbrewery #woodstockga" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Arnold Mill Rd: "Just a plug for Alma Coffee in Holly Springs. We stopped in for coffee today and I have to say it was delicious!! I also got a bag of fresh roasted beans to go. Will definitely go back and I hope our community will help support this veteran owned business." (Nextdoor)

Here are some events coming up this week that require a ticket purchase or registration in advance:

• MadLife Stage & Studios, 8722 Main Street
  • Tuesday: Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon - John Denver Tribute Christmas Concert (7:30 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon - John Denver Tribute Christmas Concert (7:30 p.m.)
  • Thursday: Rock Force - A Tribute to the Iconic Rock of the 90's & 00's (8 p.m.)
  • Friday: DEPARTURE - The Journey Tribute Band, Eve of Xmas Eve Show (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)
• Rootstock, 8558 Main Street
  • Tuesday: Nick Howrey, Live in The Listening Room (6 - 9 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: Hand Up Stand Up Comedy Night (7 - 9 p.m.)
  • Friday: Hughes Taylor Band, Live in The Listening Room (8 - 10:30 p.m.)
• The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400
  • Friday: Jingle Paws, Vinny's Birthday Tasting Party - you can bring your pet along to this wine tasting party. (7 - 9 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Annual Christmas Eve Wine Tasting (5 - 7 p.m.)
• Woodstock Arts
  • Friday and Saturday: "A Christmas Carol" - these are the last two performances of the annual production at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (Various Show Times)
• Sequoyah Regional Library System
  • Tuesday: Tabletop RPG, Winter Wonderland - for ages 13 and up, Dungeon Master Luke will host the Pathfinder campaign, all Pathfinder, Dungeons & Dragons and RPG players are welcome. Please register here for the event at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (6 - 8 p.m.)
  • Tuesday: "The Polar Express" - read the book, relax in your pajamas and drink some cocoa. Please register here for the event at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (6 - 7 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: "The Polar Express" - read the book, relax in your pajamas and drink some cocoa. Please register here for the event at the Rose Creek Library. (5 - 6 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs
  • Wednesday and Friday: Fit Over 50 - at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.)
  • Thursday: Nimble Fingers Sewing Group - at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— Nina Lightcap

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