🌱 Memorial Ceremony Next Week + Free Barn Cats + Talent Show Tickets

Hey, 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, including news on:

• Local officers will be honored at a memorial ceremony.
• Learn about the Barn Cat program.
• Let's go to the talent show.

But first, today's weather: Clouds and sun; less humid. High: 84 Low: 62.

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

1. The annual Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Ceremony is scheduled for next week. The ceremony this year will honor the 245 American law enforcement officers that lost their lives in service to their communities in 2022, including 11 here in Georgia. The ceremony was not held in 2020-22 due to COVID-19, so the loss of Officer Joseph William Burson on June 17, 2021, will be honored as well. The ceremony will take place in the park at City Center at 7 p.m. on May 18, but if it rains, the event will move inside to the Woodstock City Council Chambers across the street. (Woodstock PD via Facebook)
2. Here in the relatively rural areas of Cherokee County, there's a need and purpose for outdoor cats. Farms of all kinds often entrust rodent-clearing activities to these fine felines, and in return, the cats are kept well fed, sheltered and brought to the vet when needed. The Cherokee County Animal Shelter has a program for cats that are more outdoorsy and independent called the "Barn Cat" program. If you're interested, these adult cats are free to adopt and they come with their spay/neuter, initial vaccines, rabies shots, flea preventative and microchip done, and they go home with a crate and sample bag of cat food. You can find more information here. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
3. The Summer Fest Talent Show is coming up soon. Therapeutic Recreation, a program for those with physical and intellectual disabilities out of Cherokee Recreation & Parks, is holding the event on May 26, from 5-8 p.m., and you can expect a ton of talent, raffle prizes, food trucks, crafts, a magician and dance party, a singalong and games. Tickets are on sale at the link for the event at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Toddler Sensory Hour: For children 4 and under. You can register here for the play group at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (11 a.m. - noon)
• Reading Dog: For children 6 and up. Sign up here for a 15-minute spot for your child to read to Zoey the Reading Dog at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.)
• Dried Flower Sachets: For adults, create sachets and learn about the flowers and herbs used at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. (5:30 - 6:30 p.m.)
• May Flower Arranging Class: Learn about flower arranging and create a spring flower arrangement with Madison O'Brien Art at Tavern at Towne Lake, 1003 Towne Lake Hills East. (7 p.m.)
• Trivia Night with Lights Up! Entertainment: Prizes for first, second and third place teams every Wednesday at Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm St. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Darkridge Reunion, A Murder Mystery Escape Room Game: You're back in high school and it's your job to figure out who the murderer in the group is. The evening is for those 18 and up at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 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
  • Garrett Collins and Hughes Taylor - Blues/Rock (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Blue Ghost Arcade has a special day planned for all the amazing moms in town. The Mother's Day Cupcakes & Cocktail Flights event this Sunday will feature mini banana pudding, French quarter, champagne and mojito cupcakes paired with a cocktail flight. The arcade is at 164 Towne Lake Parkway, and the event will start at 1 p.m. (The Blue Ghost Arcade via Facebook)
• Woodstock Arts offers a lot of great classes, and there are always options available. Whether you like to work in clay, on the stage or with a canvas, there's a class to bring that dream to life. You can see their catalog here. (Reeves House at Woodstock Arts)
• If your children love getting out on the water, Cherokee Recreation & Parks is offering a fun camp for kids to teach them about rowing. The Youth Learn to Row Camp runs June 12-16, and the morning classes are for ages 12-18. The kids will learn the basics, including Olympic-style rowing and tips on maneuvering the boat. You can read more and register here. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks via Facebook)
• Service League: "We'd love to see you on June 16 at our 5th annual Golfing FORE! the Children. All money raised goes back to the children of Cherokee County." (Service League via Instagram)

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Featured events:

• Here Comes the Sun: Music of the Beatles (May 12)
• You're Invited to a House Party! (May 13)
• Mother's Day BeltLine Food and Street Art Tour (May 13)
• Veteran Block Party! Veterans eat free! (May 20)
• Cherokee County Alzheimer's Community Forum (May 25)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning 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