🌱 Help For Those Less Fortunate + A Chance To Work With The Weather

Hi all. It's me, Nina, your host of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter — here to impart all the most important things happening in our community. Including news about...

• There's help for those that need it.
• A cement truck accident stalled traffic yesterday.
• A volunteer opportunity with the SKYWARN program.

But first, today's weather:

Couple of thunderstorms. High: 61 Low: 36.

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

1. The Atlanta Braves Home Plate Project, Chick-fil-A, MUST Ministries, CHOICES and SERV International have banded together to help take care of the less fortunate in Cherokee County. On March 22, fresh produce, frozen meats, non-perishable goods, Chick-fil-A sandwiches and hygiene kits will be given out to anyone in need in the parking lot of Action Church, located at 271 Marietta Road in Canton. You must fill out the registration form found here to receive the aid, but the form states that everyone in need will receive help. MUST Ministries estimates the turnout will be upwards of 300 local families. If you and your family can benefit from the service, be sure to fill out your registration form and head over to the church next Wednesday between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
2. The intersection of Waleska Road and Riverstone Parkway in Canton was a messy scene yesterday morning when a cement truck flipped onto its side in a single-vehicle accident. The accident was reported around 9:30 a.m., and traffic was heavily impacted until the road was cleared and traffic moving around noon. There were injuries reported by one person, but a hospital once-over wasn't required and no one was transported for evaluation or treatment. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. The counties of Cherokee, Dawson and Forsyth are offering a SKYWARN Storm Spotter training class in Cumming on March 31. The training is free and is for police, fire, dispatch, EMS, public utility personnel and private citizens that want to help the National Weather Service by providing reports of severe weather. The volunteer program has been around since the 1970's and has helped provide accurate warnings regarding severe weather like tornadoes, thunderstorms and flash floods. In the training, you'll learn the basics of storm development, the fundamentals of storm structure, how to identify potential severe weather features, what information needs to be reported, how to report that information and basic severe weather safety. You can sign up for the class here. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
4. Mayor Caldwell issued a proclamation at Monday's Council Meeting celebrating the local Girl Scout chapters by naming the week "Girl Scout Week" in Woodstock. Congratulations to the organization and the local girls involved! It's cookie season, and if you've been looking for a box or four, just enter your ZIP code into the Girl Scout cookie locator here for a list of upcoming sale locations and times. You also have two options these days, you can have cookies shipped to you, or help local Girl Scouts gather valuable social and business skills by visiting a booth in person. The locator says there will be appearances in Woodstock all weekend! Today, they're at Canyons Fresh Grill from 3 - 7 p.m. and Sam's Club from 4 - 8 p.m. Yum! (City of Woodstock via Facebook and Girl Scouts Official)
5. We have a thriving bar presence in Woodstock, and for everyone's safety, it's extremely important to drink responsibly while enjoying all the top food and drink spots around town. The Woodstock PD is reminding us all to get a safe ride home tonight. Use a rideshare service, name a designated driver, call a taxi, whatever you need to do, just don't drive under the influence. It's one of the deadliest holidays on the roads around the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, so take extra care today while driving and be super observant. Drinkers, get a sober ride to keep yourself, and everyone else, safe. (Woodstock Police via Facebook)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Open Pickleball Play: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. There is a nominal fee to play. (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Saint Patrick's Day Party: doors open up at 11 a.m., a parking lot party with live music from Daniel Lieving starts at 4 p.m., and at 9 p.m., the DJ starts and it's ages 21 and up from that point on at Donovan's Irish Cobbler, 1025 Rose Creek Drive. (11 a.m.)
• St. Patrick's Party: there'll be food trucks, craft beer, themed cocktails and fun all day until closing at Truck & Tap, 8640 Main Street. (noon)
• Open Gym: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. There is a nominal fee to play. (noon - 6 p.m.)
• St. Patrick's Party: there'll be food trucks, craft beer, themed cocktails and fun all day today at Truck & Tap, 8640 Main Street. (noon - closing)
• 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. (4:30 - 6:30 p.m.)
• Cherokee County Deaf Social: signers of all levels are welcome to the party every third Friday at The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta food court, 915 Ridgewalk Parkway. (6 - 8 p.m.)
• Carter Horne: the artist will be live tonight at Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• Art on the Spot: watch as three local artists create art in under three hours, followed by a raffle to win one of the pieces. This month's event features Barbara Dorn, Martha Reid and Heather Stevens, and the event will be held at the Reeves House Visual Arts Center, 734 Reeves Street. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• DJ T Mix: live music on the rooftop at PURE Taqueria, 405 Chambers Street. (7 - 11 p.m.)
• "Company": catch a performance of the play at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• Drew Ashworth Live Music Session: the local artist will be playing live in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (7 p.m.)
• Saint Patrick's Day Party: Irish food all day, t-shirts and giveaways, drink specials, green beer, and DJ Karaoke starts at 9:30 p.m. at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (9:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.)
• Senior Center Programs - most classes and events are held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC), 223 Arnold Mill Road
  • Fit Over 50 - stretch and exercise with chair yoga, balance, bands, weights and core strength work every Wednesday and Friday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.)
  • Nutrition 2023 - every Friday at the William G. Long Senior Center. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Georgia Back Porch Band (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • The Garrett Collins Project (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • The Troubadour Project - 70's Revival, Queen, Zeppelin, Bowie & More (7 p.m.)
  • Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Elevation - The U2 Tribute (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• It's time to start planning your stops in the Shamrock Pub Crawl this Saturday. You can find a map online here, and a listing of participating shops, restaurants and bars and their specials here. You'll grab your pub crawl entry form at the first participating location you visit, from there, you'll get a stamp at each spot you visit. Once you get five stamps, turn the entry form in at any participating location to be entered to win a prize. (Visit Woodstock)
• The indoor pool at the YMCA of Cherokee County is now open. The swim lesson schedule picks up today, you can register for lessons here. There is a lot going on at the Y, including drop-in water polo for kids, water aerobics, lessons, swim teams, special events and much more. You can learn more about joining the YMCA here, our area's Y is at 151 Waleska Street in Canton. (YMCA of Cherokee County via Facebook)
• The Cherokee County Animal Shelter always hands out some great advice for pet owners on their Facebook page. Today, they want you to keep in mind that cold weather is coming back this weekend. Please keep your pets inside overnight and until it warms up outside. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
• Reminder: there's a free car seat check-up on March 24, brought to us by Cherokee Recreation & Parks, Safe Kids Cherokee County and Cherokee Fire & Emergency Services. Head over to The Buzz at Cherokee Veterans Park, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton, from 1 - 4 p.m. to learn how to install your child's car or booster seat and have it checked for safety. (Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Eagle Watch: "Coming soon to Townelake! - Veteran and locally owned. Can’t wait! https://www.coffeesweetsba.com/visit" (Nextdoor)

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Featured events:

• Lenten Fish Fry (March 17)
• Irish Song and Dance (March 17)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Chattahoochee Technical College - Woodstock Campus (March 22)
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• Receiving - kitting person (Details)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— Nina Lightcap

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