🌱 Students Make Racial Posts + The Guns & Hoses 5K Is This Weekend!

Morning, everybody. It's me, Nina, your host of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days. Including news on...

• Two local high schoolers were punished for social media posts.
• The Guns & Hoses 5K is Saturday. Are you signed up?
• The current Reeves House exhibit is ending this month.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and mild. High: 64 Low: 36.

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

1. Two Sequoyah High School Students have been disciplined for their hateful and wildly inappropriate social media posts. The posts were made, of all days, on the first day of Black History Month and included one student's praise of his family's ancestral roles and actions of racism. The students were identified and were disciplined at the school, and letters were sent out to parents with a statement from Sequoyah HS Principal Robert Van Alstyne reading in part, "...we have no tolerance for such language in our school, and any students who engage in it will face school discipline." The CCSD superintendent released his own statement condemning the students' activities. Cherokee County seems to be no stranger to racial concerns, less than a year ago, racial slurs were hurled from the seats of Cherokee High at a playoff game between Cherokee High School and Brookwood High School. There are ongoing pushes for a rethink of the old ways in the county after a failed 2021 attempt at diversity and inclusion by hiring an administrator to focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and citizen pushback on Critical Race Theory curriculum, and currently, each high school has an organization of students that focuses on issues of diversity, and those groups provide feedback to the superintendent and his senior staff. (Atlanta News First)
2. The Guns & Hoses 5K Run/Walk at Hobgood Park starts at 8 a.m. this Saturday! If you didn't get a chance to register already, you can register on the day of the run from 7 - 8 a.m. However, because t-shirt orders were sent to suppliers after the early registration period ended in January, late and day-of registrants aren't guaranteed their chosen t-shirts. Don't worry if your chosen t-shirt isn't available, though, a shirt order is going to be made after the event for late and day-of registrants. Those shirts will arrive about 2 weeks after the race. 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)
3. Be sure to make it over to the Reeves House for the Echoes of Ecology exhibit at the Reeves House Visual Arts Center this month. The exhibit is a free, full sensory experience, with the artist incorporating the visual aspect of mixed media boat sculptures, and the sounds and smells associated with the elements of earth, air, water and fire. The themes across the exhibit include loss and transformation, with surrounding references to the lunar cycles and sacred Four Directions of the Native American culture. Corrina Sephora's work will be on display until February 26. (Woodstock Arts)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Maker Monday - Planter Pals: for children in kindergarten and up, though children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All materials will be provided for the crafting session at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. Please register here. (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.)
• Peregrine's Pictures: local teens, head over to the teen room at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton tonight for a fun art project. You'll be making your own version of a picture chosen from "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children". (6 - 7:30 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.)
• Trivia Night: every Monday at Truck & Tap, 8640 Main Street. (7:30 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.)
• "The Princess Bride" Trivia: "Inconceivable!" It's trivia on the movie favorite, hosted by Lights Up! Entertainment, the top three winners will receive prizes at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs - most classes and events are held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC), 223 Arnold Mill Road
  • Walking Club - every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Dupree Park walking/running track, 513 Neese Road. (8 - 9 a.m.)
  • Beginner Bridge Instruction - every Monday in the WGLSC Multi-Purpose & Meeting Room. (9 - 10 a.m.)
  • Line Dancing - every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (9:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
  • Adult Coloring Club - every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
  • Nimble Fingers Sewing Club - for all skill levels, learn to knit, crochet or cross-stitch every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The next Parent's Night Out at the Cherokee Aquatic Center is this Friday. You can drop off the kids from 5:15 - 10 p.m., and while you are out and about, the kids will be enjoying a swim, dinner, crafts, games and a movie. You can read more about the event and register here. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• Who wants a new home? Take a look at these five new properties for sale in our area! (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Cherokee County Animal Shelter: "#Dontfloodthem #fearisnottheanswer #trainpositively Try not to flood your dog with something he associates negatively. Change the way they feel about that something from negative to positive. For ideas and training techniques check out our Pinterest Page..." (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Instagram)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Cornerstone Estates: "Hi pickleball neighbors! - Join us for this fun & competitive tournament on March 18 & 19!🏓😃 You can sign up at whatever level ( 2.0 - 4.0 ) partner or no partner. Call or text Yvonne 770-547-9962 for more info" (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: Country Dance Night, featuring The Honky Tonkers - the evening begins with dance lessons. (6 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: Tiger County Regulators - ATL Homegrown New Vintage Rock 'N' Roll (8 p.m.)
  • Thursday: Laugh-Lines & Stretch-Marks - Comedy for Women, Moms and Couples! (8 p.m.)
  • Friday: Big Bam Boom - Hall & Oates Tribute (7 p.m.)
  • Friday: Back N Black - AC/DC Tribute (10 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Rod the Tribute - Rod Stewart Tribute (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)
  • Sunday: Sun and the Stars - Presley, Orbison, Cash, Lewis & Perkins Tribute (1 p.m. and 4 p.m.)
• Rootstock, 8558 Main Street
  • Saturday: Kurt Wheeler Listening Room Session (7 - 9:30 p.m.)
• The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400
  • Saturday: Annual Red Party, Artisan Wine Tasting - come dressed in your best red outfit and enjoy red wine and music with other locals. (5 - 7 p.m.)
  • Sunday: Valentine's Wine Therapy's Sip & Paint - enjoy some nice wine while you paint either an oversized wine glass or a recycled frosted wine bottle lamp. A bottle of wine is also included with your ticket. (3 - 5 p.m.)
• Woodstock Parks and Recreation
  • Friday: Garden Club - work with the city community garden to develop and implement plans for planting and maintenance around the Senior Center, the club meets at the William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. (10 - 11 a.m.)
  • Saturday: Essential Gardening, Edible Landscaping - learn what plants you can use in your yard to create an edible and beautiful landscape. Cherokee County UGA Extension Agent Josh Fuder and the Cherokee County Master Gardeners will host the class, and participants will go home with a plant or seeds of their own. The class will be held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC) Activity Center Expansion, 223 Arnold Mill Road. (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
  • Saturday: Love Rocks! - paint river rocks with hearts, encouraging words, Valentine's Day images or whatever you'd like and hide them around town for others to find. It's a great way to bring a smile to a neighbor's face this Valentine's Day! The event will be held in the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC) Multi-Purpose & Meeting Room, 223 Arnold Mill Road. This is a free event. (11 a.m. - noon)
• Woodstock Arts
  • Tuesday: Tie-In Talk: The History of Blacksmithing - Josiah Wolff, the education coordinator at the Funk Heritage Center, will be speaking at the Reeves House Visual Arts Center, located at 734 Reeves Street . Wolff will speak about the history of blacksmithing, apprenticing and the legacy of blacksmithing. The event is free, but please RSVP. (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
  • Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Murder on the Orient Express - the play will be performed at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (Various Times)
• Sequoyah Regional Library System
  • Tuesday: Rose Creek Memory Lab Open House - take in a short presentation and a demonstration of the new memory lab equipment at the library, located at 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. You can register here. (11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: Zoey the Reading Dog - for ages 6 and up, sign up for a 15-minute slot to read to Zoey the reading dog at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. You can sign up here. (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.)
  • Friday: Valentine's Crafts with Ms. Lara - for all ages, though children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Create paper baskets and heart sun catchers at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. You can register here. (10:30 a.m. - noon)
• IN WDSTK (open to non-members)
  • Thursday: YPOW AM - join the Young Professionals of Woodstock every Thursday morning for coffee, networking and an informal chat with a local leader at The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way. (7:30 - 8:30 a.m.)
  • Thursday: emPOWer @ Dentistry of Olde Towne - join IN WDSTK for a fun, Young Professionals networking event. An RSVP is required, but the event is open to non-members and will be held at Dentistry of Olde Towne Lake, 113 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 110. (6 - 8 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs - most classes and events are held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC), 223 Arnold Mill Road
  • Tuesday: Woodcarving Club - every Tuesday in the WGLSC Multi-Purpose & Meeting Room. (9 - 10 a.m.)
  • Tuesday: Painter's Club - for all skill levels, receive professional instruction, share ideas and be creative at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
  • Tuesday: Mahjong Instruction - for beginners, every Tuesday in the WGLSC Multi-Purpose & Meeting Room. (1 - 3 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: Nutrition 2023 - every Wednesday at the William G. Long Senior Center. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
  • Wednesday and Friday: 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.)
• Other
  • Wednesday: Hank Phillippi Ryan In-person Event: You can pre-order a hand-signed copy of the author's book "The House Guest" online here and you can either have it mailed out or pick it up in person. The meet and greet itself is free and will be held at FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main Street, Suite 138. (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Guns & Hoses 5K Run/Walk at Hobgood Park - you can register on the day of the run from 7 - 8 a.m., but because t-shirt orders were sent to suppliers after the early registration period ended, day-of registrants aren't guaranteed their chosen t-shirts. Don't worry if your chosen t-shirt isn't available, a shirt order is going to be made after the event for late and day-of registrants. Those will arrive about 2 weeks after the race. 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. (8 a.m.)
  • Saturday: Georgia Defensive Carry Course, Women Only - learn about the state laws on use of force and self defense, state laws on where and when you can and can't carry, handgun fundamentals like stance, grip and how to perform under stress and how to get your permit. The event is for those 14 and up and is presented by Focused Fire Training at Comfort Inn and Suites, 713 Transit Avenue in Canton. (9 a.m. - noon)
  • Saturday: Reformation Brewery is going back in time to the prohibition era. Don your smartest 20s glad rags and head over to the brewery for some giggle water at the speakeasy. The new Orange Liqueur will debut, and there will be live music with Funk Cake and a subdued speakeasy-esque atmosphere. Tickets include a craft cocktail and take-home spirit glass. (10 p.m. - 1 a.m.)
• Here are the next few classes at Leaning Ladder with tickets still available:
  • February 10: Olive Oil and Vinegar 101 Class with Joanna Scott - demonstration class (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
  • February 21: French Quarter Favorites with Chef Kyle - demonstration class (7 - 9:30 p.m.)
  • February 28: Bavarian Winter Feast with Chef Kyle - demonstration class (7 - 9:30 p.m.)
• Here are the next few classes at Made Mercantile with tickets still available:
  • February 11: Wicks and Sips with Woodstock Candle Co. - create a custom candle, decorate your own fire starter and enjoy some snacks, drinks and music. (7 - 8 p.m.)
  • February 12: Dirty Date Night Design with Dirty Unicorn - for ages 18 and up, create a custom candle and soap scrub, then enjoy a live demonstration by Chef Stoney on how to prepare a romantic dinner together with your loved one. (6 - 7 p.m.)
  • February 13: Mixology Moments with Moments with B. - for ages 21 and up, create a custom mocktail or cocktail and go home with a five-recipe book and a metal jigger. (6:30 - 7:40 p.m.)

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Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Chattahoochee Technical College on February 7th & 9th (February 7)
• College Planning and Financial Aid Webinar (February 7)
• Cherokee County Republican Precinct Caucus (February 11)
• Home Buyer Workshop - This is for ANY Buyer - Your First Home or Your Forever Home! (February 11)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday! 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