🌱 Mill Creek Teacher Wins Award + Help Stock The Pet Food Pantry

Hi all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new copy of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Daily. Follow along to find out the most important things going on around town. Today you'll read about:

• A Mill Creek Middle School teacher won a statewide award.
• The Pet Food Pantry needs help stocking its shelves.
• Guns & Hoses late registration is ending this week.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Leslie Spennato of Berkshire Hathaway

What’s really happening in the local real estate market?

If you listen to some, you might think the current real estate market is in free fall.

The picture is more complex. Compared to last year, in December:

• New listings are down nearly 50%
• Closings are down 21%
• Prices vs. last September are basically flat

These changes present opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Sellers can offer their homes with less competition. Buyers have more flexibility and leverage to negotiate prices. And with the right guidance, buyers have options to lower their interest rates as well. But to take advantage of these opportunities you need a trusted advisor with deep experience in our market and at getting deals done.

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To get a trusted advisor on your side, visit or call Leslie today: 770-330-0291.

Now, today's weather:

A morning shower; cloudy. High: 57 Low: 44.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Woodstock-Towne Lake who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

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

1. A Mill Creek Middle School teacher has been named the Georgia Science Teachers Association Teacher of the Year for Middle Schools. Ann-Margaret Somers, a Mill Creek eighth-grade physical science teacher and science department chair, is one of three state award winners - there is one winner each for elementary, middle and high school. The award recipients will each receive a $1,500 grant and complementary registration for the Georgia Science Teachers Association annual conference, and they will be honored at an association awards luncheon in March. There will also be a Cherokee County School Board meeting in February where Somers will be recognized. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
2. There's a wonderful program in our county that helps senior citizens in need by providing food from the Cherokee County Animal Shelter's Pet Food Pantry for their pets. The program, Pet Assistance & Welfare for Seniors (P.A.W.S.), is offered by the Cherokee County Animal Shelter and works in tandem with the Meals on Wheels program that provides food for seniors in need. The Pet Food Pantry also helps feed pets that have an immediate need and helps keep pets at home, where they belong, instead of being surrendered at the shelter. If you'd like to help local pets in need, the shelter has an Amazon wish list set up to bring in donations for the Pet Food Pantry, you can find the list here. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
3. Late registration for the Guns & Hoses 5K Run/Walk at Hobgood Park is ending this coming Sunday. After Sunday's deadline, registration won't open up again until February 11, the day of the run. Because t-shirt orders were sent to suppliers after the early registration period ended, registrants aren't guaranteed their chosen t-shirts if they sign up during this late registration period. The 5K will be on February 11 at 8 a.m., 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)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Storytime at the Gallery: the Reeves House Visual Arts Center, located at 734 Reeves Street, is the place for today's special storytime, featuring stories, art lessons and crafts. Children must be accompanied by an adult, you can register here. (1 - 2 p.m.)
• Tween Book Club: held on the last Tuesday of each month, the book club is for ages 10 and up or those at a 5th grade reading level - those under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The group will go over the reading "A Wrinkle In Time" by Madeleine L'Engle using discussion, games and more at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. You can register here. (4:45 - 5:45 p.m.)
• Sake Tasting: this month's wine tasting will feature Sake. Six one-ounce pours for $10 tonight at Woodstock Beer Market, 240 Chambers Street. (5:30 - 8 p.m.)
• CCSD Parent University at Woodstock City Church: the discussion will focus on cyber bullying and social media and their impact on individuals and families. The panel will feature CCSD administrators, law enforcement officers and behavioral health therapists. Also, the film "Screenagers" will be shown to both highlight the impact of screen time on the younger mind and to offer solutions. The session is for students ages 11 and up and their parents or guardians. You can register here. (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
• Family Bingo Tuesday: each game wins cash every Tuesday at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92. (6:30 - 8 p.m.)
• RPG Night: Mason and Noah will lead the evening, and the admission fee includes unlimited gaming until midnight at The Blue Ghost Arcade. (8 - 11 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs:
  • Woodcarving Club - every Tuesday in the WGLSC Multi-Purpose & Meeting Room. (9 - 10 a.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows, no ticket needed):
  • Open Mic Night - you can sign up for a spot here. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • Breaking Bands, A Monthly Local & Regional Band Showcase - featuring Adrian Stover Project, Kings Peak and Cure My Enemy (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Woodstock Police Department wants you to know that the free and confidential 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is here for anyone, at any time, on any day. "Help is available by calling or texting 988 for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need support. For more information, visit 988lifeline.org" (Woodstock PD via Facebook)
• Cherokee County, along with most of Georgia, is under a Dense Fog Advisory until today at noon. Please drive carefully and slow it down a bit today. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
• Woodstock is looking for a new court administrator. This is a specialized, full-time position that requires a bachelor's degree, prior experience in the field and several certifications that will need to be earned within a year of being hired. If you've worked in the court system and you think you'd be a good fit, you can read more about the job and apply here. (City of Woodstock via Facebook)
• How would you know if the grass is greener if you don't take a look? Check out these open positions around the Woodstock-Towne Lake area. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Tranquility Fine Arts is excited to begin their 3rd year in business! To help them celebrate join them at their Fine Art Anniversary Exhibit. Artist reception and opening night will be Feb 3rd at 5pm. @tranquilityfinearts #woodstockga #woodstockgeorgia #downtownwoodstock" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

If you haven't made plans to show love for your loved ones yet, there are a few events going on around town with spots still available:

• The Cherokee County Aquatic Center has two Parent's Night Off dates scheduled for this month, the next two are on February 10 and February 17. If you won't have a chance to celebrate on the 14th, grab a kid-free evening to have a nice romantic evening with your significant other. Sign up early, these tend to fill pretty quickly. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• Donations for Empower Cherokee's Project Valentine will be accepted until February 8. Cherokee Recreation & Parks is collecting donations to be put into goody bags. The items requested are lip balm, lotion, sticky notes, pens, markers, word searches, art and music activities and pre-packaged treats. You can drop items off during regular business hours until February 8 at The WREC, located at 7545 Main Street. Empower Cherokee is a local organization that helps "empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live life as they define it." (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• February 11
  • Annual Red Party, Artisan Wine Tasting - at The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400. (5 - 7 p.m.)
• February 12
  • Valentine's Wine Therapy's Sip & Paint - at The Gifted Ferret. (3 - 5 p.m.)
  • Dirty Date Night Design with Dirty Unicorn - at Made Mercantile, 8636 Main Street (6 - 7 p.m.)
• February 14
  • Valentine's Day Chocolate Truffle Wine Pairing - at The Gifted Ferret. (6 - 7 p.m. or 8 - 9 p.m.)
  • Celebrate Valentine's Day with The Purple Madness, Prince Tribute - at MadLife Stage & Studios, 8722 Main Street (7:30 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs
  • February 14: Valentine's Prom Luncheon - at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion (noon - 2 p.m.)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Mantra HHC-Metaphysical Shop and Holistic Hea — (Visit website)
• Queen Custom Couture — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• “Love Is in the Air” Exhibit & Chocolate Truffle Tastings - February at the Cumming Arts Center (February 2)
• Christian Singer Jeremy Rosado Live In Concert (February 2)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Chattahoochee Technical College on February 7th & 9th (February 7)
• Home Buyer Workshop - This is for ANY Buyer - Your First Home or Your Forever Home! (February 11)
• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (February 23)
• Add your event

For sale:

• AKC registered Rottweiler puppies (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday off right! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Nina Lightcap

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