🌱 Hurricane Season Prep + Book Donations Sought + Cops On Donut Shops

Hi all. I'm back with your fresh edition of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in the community today, including...

• How and when to prepare for hurricane season.
• The Teen Public Safety Academy has room for you.
• You can donate your spare books to Senior Services.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Michale Pena, Realtor at RB Realty

The Realtor will see you now

Imagine you had a realtor who was as attentive and caring to clients as, say, a great physician’s assistant was to patients in the operating room. The analogy might seem like a stretch, until you meet Michale Pena.

For much of her career, Michale has worked as a Surgical First Assistant to one of our area’s top orthopedic surgeons. It’s a demanding, high-stress job that requires the highest level of attentiveness, precision and service. Along the way, Michale, who has spent her whole life in the Woodstock area, started helping her medical colleagues solve another problem: figuring out where to live in our area’s tight housing market.

These days, Michale is a rising star at RB Realty, offering the same level of attention to detail, responsiveness and service she learned in the operating room to buyers and sellers in our area. Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what a recent client says:

“Michale was fantastic from start to finish. She took all the stress off of us. She is a true professional, and we highly recommend her to anyone who is interested in buying or selling a home.”

In this challenging market, whether buying or selling, work with a realtor with deep local ties, a demanding and satisfied client base and a surgeon’s attention to detail. Contact Michale Pena today, or call her at 678-848-4351.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Now, today's weather: Intervals of clouds and sun. High: 85 Low: 63.

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

1. Cherokee County E 9-1-1 has put out the word that hurricane season is upon us, it runs through Nov. 30 in our area. To prepare for potential weather threats, be sure to determine what the risk for water and wind damage is at your home and office, begin preparations as soon as you can, before storms hit, learn about hurricane forecasts and alerts so that when the time comes, you can disseminate the information you see and hear, and finally, learn what to do before, during and after a storm hits. You can learn more about hurricanes in our region and see current advisories on the official National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Hurricane Center website here. (Cherokee County E 9-1-1 via Facebook)
2. Applications are still being accepted by the Woodstock police and fire departments for the Summer 2023 Teen Public Safety Academy. The academy is for ages 14-19, and participants will attend the week-long session from June 19-23 at the police department and other locations in the county. Classes will include criminal investigation procedures, patrol operations, mental health, fire safety and several others geared to help teens gain a better understanding of the police and fire professions. You can pick up an application at the Woodstock PD, located at 12453 Highway 92, and for more information, you can reach out to Officer JoAn Willingham at 770-592-6000, ext. 1172. (Woodstock News and City of Woodstock via Facebook)
3. If you have spare books laying around, Cherokee County Senior Services is in need of book donations for their delivery program, A Side of Books. If you have books you'd like to donate, especially large-print and Agatha Christie, you can drop them off at Senior Services, located at 1001 Univeter Road in Canton. Donations can be made Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. If you can't make it in during the week, after-hours donations can be left on the picnic table behind the building. If you'd like more information, please email jnmceuen@cherokeega.com. (Cherokee County via Facebook)

This other great local business sponsors the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter. We love what they do, and we think you will, too:

Looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity in Canton? The Children's Haven is excited to announce their next training opportunity to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Next training will begin April 12 - May 10, Wednesday sessions from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. CASA volunteers advocate on behalf of children in foster care, ensuring their best interests are always at the forefront. Visit The Children's Haven to learn more, or email Mandy here for more information and complete training details.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Sizzling Spices Grand Opening: The first 100 customers will get a free appetizer, and there will be food specials and samples throughout the day. The ribbon cutting with Mayor Caldwell will be held at 11 a.m. and there will be live music during the event. The restaurant serves "fine Indian cuisine" and is located at 106 Arnold Mill Road. (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• Native Plants 101: A Cherokee County Farm Bureau talk about the plants that naturally grow in our area. After the presentation, the library will be discussing their "Cherokee BioBlitz" challenge, you can learn more about it here. The talk is being held at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. (Sequoyah Regional Library System)
• Local Artist Showcase: Tonight is the opening reception for Laurie Litke, whose artwork can be seen at the Reeves House. At the free event, you'll have a chance to meet the artist and enjoy live music and wine in the Education Studio at the Reeves House, 734 Reeves St. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• Chad Patterson: The Woodstock Beer Market now hosts live music; the first show is tonight at 240 Chambers St. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Wicks and Sips with Woodstock Candle Co: Create a custom candle, decorate your own fire starter and enjoy some snacks, drinks and music at Made Mercantile, 8636 Main St. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Big Toe Mojo (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • 1996 (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  
  • Get Sideways - High Energy 90s and 2000s Rock Tribute (7 p.m.)
  • Dueling Pianos with The Andrews Brothers (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Today from 6-11 a.m., participating Dunkin' locations around Georgia are holding a "Cops on Donut Shops" event. The event will help raise funds for the Georgia Special Olympics, so stop by and grab a doughnut, say hi to a local officer and make a donation to the organization. The participating locations in town are at 9755 Highway 92 and 875 Towne Lake Parkway. (Woodstock PD via Facebook)
• The next session in the AMPED in the Park series is happening on Saturday, June 17. The morning workout is free, and it's held on the Amphitheater stage downtown. The free class is for all fitness levels, you can sign up here. (Woodstock Parks and Recreation via Facebook)
• Reminder: The rail crossing on Highway 92 by Main Street is being repaired this week, and the eastbound side of 92 will be closed from tonight at 8 p.m. until Sunday at that crossing. The Georgia Department of Transportation will be detouring traffic through Cobb County via Canton, Piedmont and Sandy Plains roads. There are maps of the work zone and the detour traffic flow at the link. (Woodstock News Post)
• If you're looking for a new pet to add to the family, take a look at some of the latest pets up for adoption in the Woodstock-Towne Lake area. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Introducing Canyons - Woodstock SEASONAL FEATURES - available all summer long! The Mediterranean Burger & A Watermelon Salad are joining the menu for a limited time. Make sure to come by and try them!" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Phoenix Flooring and More — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Big Psychic Fair (June 3)
• Vacation Bible School (June 5)
• Juneteenth Pickleball Tournament (June 17)
• Add your event

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

— Nina Lightcap

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