🌱 Traffic With A Side Of Whataburger + Leatherwood Was Awarded A Day

Hey, friends! It's me, Nina, your host of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Daily — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally. Including news about:

• Major delays are expected today on Hwy. 92.
• Bryce Leatherwood was honored with his own day.
• The Original Hot Chicken opens this weekend with a party!

But first, today's weather:

Cooler. High: 48 Low: 27.

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

1. Today's opening of Whataburger is expected to draw large crowds, causing traffic delays along Highway 92. Reminiscent of the lines of traffic when Popeye's first hit town, the Woodstock Police Department has put out a warning and offered some guidelines to help minimize congestion to some extent. The new Whataburger is located on Highway 92 near Indian Valley Drive, next to the Chick-fil-A, and the drive through will open at 11 a.m. Expect delays in the area to start prior to opening time. If you cannot avoid the area, the Woodstock PD asks drivers heading east on 92 to use the left and middle lanes for normal traffic, and drivers waiting in line for the restaurant are asked to stay in the far right lane and not block intersections or driveways while in line. Those heading west on 92 cannot enter the restaurant due to the median, and they will need to swing a U-turn at Parkway 575 to get into the line. This traffic is expected to last for several days, officers and private security will be on site to handle anything out of the ordinary and to move traffic along if the lines cause too long of a delay. (Fox 5 Atlanta and Woodstock Police via Facebook)
2. At Tuesday's Board of Commissioners meeting, Bryce Leatherwood was recognized for his success and win on "The Voice" and for the way he represented the county and state during the contest. To honor the local singer, January 24, 2023 was named Bryce Leatherwood Day in Cherokee County. As a resident of the Hickory Flat area and a 2018 graduate of Sequoyah High School, Leatherwood was praised by the Board of Commissioners for the class with which he carried himself throughout the competition and represented his hometown. Leatherwood will be relocating to Nashville to embark on the next part of his musical career - his win was rewarded with a record deal and a move to the country music capital. (Cherokee County Communications Division)
3. There's a huge grand opening event going on this Saturday at 180 Parkway 575. The Original Hot Chicken will celebrate their Woodstock debut with a party featuring Joey Chestnut, the world's leading competitive eater. The party starts at 11 a.m. when the restaurant opens up, and at noon, there is a chicken dance contest. Joey Chestnut will display his eating skills with a five-minute mac 'n' cheese chow down at 1 p.m. and will be available for meet and greet opportunities afterward. There will also be a live DJ, swag bags for the first 50 people, a $200 prize for the winner of the chicken dance contest, live art from Roodoodles and free food samples. The Original Hot Chicken serves marinated, hand-battered chicken pieces and tenders, sandwiches, chicken and waffles, tenders and fries, and specializes in "Nashville-style" chicken. (Business Wire)
4. The 5th Annual Bargain Hunter Coat Drive is going on right now, benefitting The Children's Haven. Through the drive, donations of coats, new boys' and girls' cl0thes, new shoes and pajamas, new back packs and school supplies, diapers, baby wipes and toiletries are collected at nine different drop-off locations. The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is one of the drop-off locations this year, the address is 150 Chattin Drive in Canton. If you'd like to donate, click the link to see the full list of area donation sites, but the Woodstock locations are In Harmony Pediatric Therapy at 9880 Hickory Flat Highway and Hollingsworth & Company Real Estate KW Partners at 722 Stonecroft Lane. Collections will end at the end of this month. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
5. The Convoy of Care is heading to areas hit by the tornadoes on January 12. To bring much-needed supplies to the areas hit, WSBTV, local law enforcement, the non-profit Caring For Others, the Georgia Motor Trucking Association and other groups have joined forces to collect donations. The Woodstock Police Department will be at our local collection point, First Baptist Woodstock, from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. today. The church is at 11905 Highway 92, you'll want to take the Gunnin Road entrance. Items requested include personal hygiene supplies, diapers, wipes and other baby supplies, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, non-perishable food and pet food. All items will need to be new and unexpired. (Woodstock Police Department via Facebook)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• 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.)
• LEGO Lab: for all ages and skill levels, create and build with LEGOs. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the fun tonight at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (4 - 6 p.m.)
• Friendship Bracelet Workshop: for all ages, though children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Learn how to make friendship bracelets, all materials will be provided. The class will be held at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.)
• Nailed It! Teen Winter Cupcake Challenge: for ages 12 and up, create a winter cupcake in a race against the clock. Please register here, all materials will be provided for the fun at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (5:45 - 6:45 p.m.)
• Artist Talk with Corrina Sephora: hear about the creation of and inspiration behind the works currently on exhibit at tonight's free event at the Reeves House Gallery, 734 Reeves Street. An RSVP is required. (6:30 p.m.)
• WIT! - Woodstock Arts Improv Troupe: at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament: double-elimination tournament with prizes for the top three winners, the entry fee includes access to all arcade, pinball and board games at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 - 10 p.m.)
• DJ Trivia: every Thursday, the top three teams win cash at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (8 - 11 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs:
  • Line Dancing - every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (9:30 - 11:30 a.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.)
  • Adult Coloring Club - every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows, no ticket needed):
  • Mother Legacy (5:30 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • Malibu Cowboys - 80's, 90's & 2000's Rock Hits Cover Band (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Woodstock Officer B. Keane was mentioned in a social media post by a local he helped out the other day. Officer Keane noticed that a driver was stopped in the road near Sam's Club, and when he found out that the driver had run out of gas, he waited and kept the vehicle safe from traffic while gas was brought over by a family member. When the gas didn't help, Officer Keane pushed the car with his patrol car to get it into the gas station. He then got out to push the car by hand when needed. (Woodstock Police Department via Facebook)
• The official list of 2023 event dates have been published by Woodstock Parks and Recreation. Check out the list for an overview of what's coming up this year, I see a city-wide yard sale coming up in April, super exciting! (Woodstock Parks and Recreation)
• Way back in the late 1900's, there was a magical musical culture called New Wave. If Alternative or New Wave music was your thing, The Blue Ghost Arcade has something awesome for you. This Friday at the arcade, it's New Wave Karaoke! Starting at 8 p.m., you can step back to a time when hair was king. While the theme is New Wave, you can sing anything you'd like. Admission includes unlimited gaming all night. The arcade is located at 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (Visit Woodstock)
• There's a new offering out of the Cherokee County Aquatic Center! The new event, Sunday Funday, will take place on select Sundays in the indoor Recreational Pool. The center will have pool toys and games ready for everyone to enjoy, just bring your friends and family! The first Sunday Funday is February 19, from noon to 6 p.m. Please do not bring in any toys or floats, they will be provided by the Aquatic Center. Regular daily admission charges apply. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks via Facebook)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Stop by The Woodstock Beer Market THIS SATURDAY, Jan 28th, to welcome Jose's Birria Local back to Woodstock and get some of his delicious birria! If you haven’t met Jose or tried his delicious menu, you need to!! They will be at The Woodstock Beer Market from 1:00pm-sell out!!" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

Here are some events coming up that require registration or tickets in advance:

• MadLife Stage & Studios, 8722 Main Street
  • Friday: The Ray Howard Band - Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)
  • Saturday: The Chili Poppers - Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute (7 p.m.)
  • Saturday: AR38 - A Tribute to 38 Special & Atlanta Rhythm Section (10 p.m.)
  • Sunday: Big Band Jazz - Performing the Timeless Music of Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole (4 p.m.)
• Rootstock, 8558 Main Street
  • Friday: Ben Kimbrall - playing live in The Listening Room (7 - 10 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Magnolia Express - playing live in The Listening Room (7 - 10 p.m.)
• The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400
  • Saturday: Get Twisted Wine Tasting Party - two-person games of Twister, the winners of the first rounds will get a free future wine tasting. The first-round winners will play against each other, and the top winner will get a free bottle of wine to take home. (5 - 7 p.m.)
• Leaning Ladder, 105 East Main Street
  • Saturday: Olive Oil and Vinegar 101 Class with Joanna Scott - demonstration class (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
• Made Mercantile, 8636 Main Street
  • Sunday: 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.)
• Woodstock Parks and Recreation
  • Saturday: Essential Gardening, Seed Starting - UGA Cherokee County Extension Agent Josh Fuder and the Cherokee Master Gardeners are hosting the session to help you grow your seed starting techniques. All participants will take home a flat of seed starts that they create during the class at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion, 223 Arnold Mill Road. (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
  • Saturday: Bee Hive Maintenance 2023 - learn how to manage your beehive in this once-a-month class headed up by Woodstock Community Garden Beekeper Shannon Sorescu. The class for all skill levels meets three times, the first meeting will be held at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (3 - 4:30 p.m.)
• Woodstock Arts
  • Friday, Saturday and Sunday: "The Lightning Thief" - performed at the Woodstock Arts Theatre. (Various Showtimes)
  • 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
  • Saturday: Budgeting 101 Workshop - for ages 18 and up, local author and personal finance expert Jessi Fearon will lead the workshop to help you fine-tune your personal and family budget. You can register here for the event at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (2 - 3 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs
  • Friday: Walking Club - every Wednesday and Friday at the Dupree Park walking/running/biking track, 513 Neese Road. (8 - 9 a.m.)
  • 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
  • Saturday: Soup and Bread - learn how to make your favorite soups using a pressure cooker with Sue Becker at Bread Beckers, 305 Bell Park Drive. There is also an option to watch an online stream of the class instead of the standard, in-person option. (10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Ooh-Rah-Ha-Ha Comedy with Headliner Derrick Tennant - for ages 16 and up, the comedy starts at 8 p.m. and dinner service will be available from 6:15 - 7:30 p.m. at Semper Fi Bar and Grille, 9770 Main Street. (8 - 10 p.m.)

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Events:

• No Cost Boot Camp 4 Divorcing Women Workshop (January 28)
• OOH-RAH HA HA Comedy Night with Derrick Tennant! (January 28)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (January 30)
• Intuitive Painting Classes - Ignite the Healing Power of Your Creative Process (January 30)
• 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)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— Nina Lightcap

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