🌱 Take A Walk With TrailStory + Repairs For Veterans + Blood Drives

Hey, neighbors! It's Monday in Woodstock-Towne Lake and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally, including news on...

• TrailStory is back!
• Home repairs are available for local veterans.
• Blood donations are needed, can you help?

But first, today's weather:

A morning t-storm; warmer. High: 78 Low: 46.

Business owners and marketers in Woodstock-Towne Lake: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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

1. The TrailStory project is back! For the month of April, take a walk on the Trestle Rock Trail in Olde Rope Mill Park for an interactive look at the book "Drawn Together" by Minh Li. Created by the Sequoyah Regional Library System and Woodstock Parks and Recreation, The TrailStory project gives elementary school-aged children and their families a way to have fun reading and exploring our local trails together. Pages of the book will be posted along the trail, and as you walk, you'll see signs with a book page on one side and a QR code on the other. If you scan the QR code with a smartphone, the codes lead to questions about the book. (Woodstock Parks and Recreation)
2. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity of North Central Georgia, the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program (CCHVP) and the Johns Creek Veterans Association (JCVA), local veteran homeowners are eligible for home repairs through the 2023 Veteran Home Repair Program. Repairs can be major or minor and include things like HVAC replacements, plumbing and electric work, roofing, mobility ramps and much more. To apply for the repair program or to volunteer your time to help local veterans, please reach out to Jim Lindenmayer (CCHVP) at jlindenmayer80@gmail.com or Keith Bogle (JCVA) at kbogle@bellsouth.net. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. Giving blood is a very important service, if you're eligible, please consider donating at an upcoming blood drive. You or someone you love has likely needed and was able to get donor blood during surgery or after an accident, it's not just for emergencies and shortages do happen from time to time. There are two American Red Cross Community Blood Drives coming up this week for you to donate at. As a bonus, donors will receive a $10 prepaid Visa card and will be entered to win a $3,000 prepaid Visa card. The first drive is today from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 11905 Highway 92. Then on Friday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., there's a drive at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, located at 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. You can make an appointment for either drive at the link. (American Red Cross)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Community Yoga: the free class is open to all fitness levels and takes place every Monday morning and Tuesday evening. Please bring your own mat. You can sign up at the link for the class at The WREC, 7545 Main Street, Building 200. (10 - 11 a.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 with Lights Up! Entertainment: every Monday at Truck & Tap, 8640 Main Street. (7:30 - 10 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.)
• True Crime Trivia with Lights Up! Entertainment: play alone or with a team, this week's theme is true crime. The top three will win prizes, and admission includes unlimited games until midnight 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 and Wednesday 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:

• Are you thinking about a new home? Take a look at these five beautiful homes that recently hit the Woodstock-Towne Lake market. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)

Here are some events coming up this week that require a ticket purchase or registration in advance:

• MadLife Stage & Studios, 8722 Main Street
  
  • Tuesday: Live Band Karaoke with The Checkers - you can sign up for your spot here. (7 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: Sy Chadwick with Special Guest Leesa Biddy Lyons - Modern Classic Country (7:30 p.m.)
  • Thursday: Double Take - An 80's Concert Experience (7:30 p.m.)
  • Friday: The Four Horsemen - Metallica Tribute (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Harvest Moon - The Music of Neil Young (7 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Jeremy's Ten - A Pearl Jam Tribute (10 p.m.)
• Made Mercantile, 8636 Main Street
  • Wednesday: Jewelry 101 with bamabelle - learn basic wire wrapping skills and create two pairs of gemstone earrings, you'll go home with a six-piece set of professional jeweler's tools, a jeweler's mat and tray and a take-home project. (9:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
  • Saturday: Hand paint Your Own Earrings with Broken Ankles - paint your own clay earrings. The clay, tools, snacks and beverages will be provided. (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400
  • Saturday: April Fool's Day Wine Tasting Fools' Party - drinks, an illusion game, fools' trivia, fools' fun karaoke and dancing. (5 - 7 p.m.)
• Woodstock Parks and Recreation
  • Thursday: Woodstock Community Garden Volunteer Workday - help spruce up the garden and prep the site for the spring season. The new Donation Garden installation will be continued as well at the garden, located at 311 Arnold Mill Road. (6 - 8 p.m.)
  • Friday: Butterfly Gardeners - join the group of citizen volunteers as they maintain the Woodstock butterfly gardens. This month's workday location has not been posted yet, please keep an eye on the registration page for more details. (6 - 8 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Discovering Yoga - for ages 16 and up, give yoga a shot and learn about the basics on the stage of the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater, at 101 Arnold Mill Road. All equipment will be provided, but please bring a mat if you have one. (10 - 11 a.m.)
• Cherokee Recreation & Parks
  • Tuesday: Community Yoga - the free class is open to all fitness levels and takes place every Monday morning and Tuesday evening. Please bring your own mat. You can sign up at the link for the class at The WREC, 7545 Main Street, Building 200. (5:30 - 6:30 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: Easter Hiking Scavenger Hunt - hike the trails of Lewis Park in Woodstock while hunting for Easter-themed items. The event is for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration closes on Tuesday at 5 p.m. (6 p.m. - midnight)
  • Friday: Flashlight Egg Hunt - bring the kids over to Cherokee Veterans Park in Canton to meet the Easter Bunny, have fun in the Kid Zone, make crafts, dance and get their face painted, and there will also be craft and food vendors. The egg hunt starts at 8:30 p.m., and there is a $10-per-child entry fee - they will only accept cash at the event. Registration closes on Thursday at 10 p.m. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• Woodstock Arts
  • Saturday: Kids Corner, Artist in Space - the kids will explore the Art and Science exhibit at the gallery, and then they'll create space scenes using watercolor, paint and oil pastels. This event will be held in the Reeves House Studio, 734 Reeves Street. (10:30 a.m.)
  • Sunday: Paint on the Patio, Inside Edition - all supplies will be provided, and there's an option for bottomless mimosas during the painting session at the Reeves House Visual Arts Center, 734 Reeves Street. (2 - 4:30 p.m.)
• Sequoyah Regional Library System
  • Tuesday: Storytime at the Gallery - head over to the Reeves House Visual Arts Center for an artsy storytime featuring art, stories and crafts. Children must be accompanied by an adult, you can register here for the event at 734 Reeves Street. (1 - 2 p.m.)
  • Tuesday: Tween Book Club - for ages 10 and up or those at a 5th grade reading level, those under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. This month, the group will go over "Lalani of the Distant Sea" by Erin Entrada Kelly using discussion, games and more. You can register here. The group meets on the last Tuesday of every month at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. (5 - 6:30 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: Reading Dog - for children of all ages. 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.)
  • Wednesday: Spring Egg Spoon Planter - for the adults in town, head over to the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, at 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton, to create a spring planter using painted spoons. You can register here. (5 - 7 p.m.)
  • Thursday: Who Dun It? Mystery Dinner Party for Teens - Find clues, investigate crimes, and enjoy some pizza and mystery at the Rose Creek Library. You can register here, the library is located at 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (6 - 7:30 p.m.)
• 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.)
  • Friday: Morning INfluence with Cherokee County E 9-1-1 Director, Shane Bonebrake - enjoy some breakfast, networking and a brief presentation. Non-members are welcome, but an RSVP is required. The event is being held at the Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main Street. (8 - 9 a.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.)
  • 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.)
  • Thursday: Duplicate Bridge - every Thursday in the WGLSC Multi-Purpose & Meeting Room. (12:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
  • Friday: Nutrition 2023 - every Friday at the William G. Long Senior Center. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Other
  • Tuesday: RPG Night - new players are welcome. Please make a reservation on their Meetup page to ensure your spot. Mason and Noah will lead the evening, and the admission fee includes unlimited gaming until midnight at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 - 11 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Colleen Oakley In-person Event - the meet and greet itself is free and doesn't require a registration, but you can order a hand-signed copy of the author's book "The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise" online here to be picked up at the shop or shipped to you. The event will be held at FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main Street, Suite 138. (1 - 3 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Battle of the Brews, featuring the Sour Gose. Take part in a Sour Gose blind tasting, rank your favorites and enjoy some great food at The Daily Draft, 8594 Main Street. If you can guess the brewery of each tasted beer, you'll be entered to win a grand prize. (2 - 4 p.m.)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow 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