🌱 WDSTKtoberfest Starts Today + Court Clearance Rate Recognized

Hello all. It's me, Nina, your host of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter — here to tell you all the most important things happening in town. Today you'll learn about:

• WDSTKtoberfest starts now!
• Cherokee County courts recognized.
• Searching for the next superintendent.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A thunderstorm or two. High: 75 Low: 66.
• Sunday: Some sun with a stray thunderstorm. High: 79 Low: 58.

From our partner:

Apple announced some big news at Tuesday's "Wonderlust" event! Click here for all the details.

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

1. WDSTKtoberfest officially starts today at Reformation Brewery, and there's lots of fun to be had for the rest of this month! The coveted Reformation Beer Boots are back as of this morning, but grab yours when you can, they'll only be available while supplies last. Today's events at the brewery include our very own Mayor Michael Caldwell heading up a ceremonial keg tapping at 10:30 a.m. On Sept. 23 at 6 p.m., the Event Green will be transformed into Glow Night, with 80s cover band Guardians of the Jukebox, and on Sept. 30 at 2 p.m., the WDSTKtoberfest Pub Crawl will round out the celebration. The address for the festivities is 105 Elm St. (Reformation Brewery)
2. Considering even the pandemic slowdown of the court system, three courts in our county have been recognized for the forward movement of cases through the system. Through efforts like virtual courts and e-filing, the courts in our county kept cases moving and have been recognized for doing so. The Judicial Council of Georgia awarded the county's Superior, Juvenile and Magistrate courts with the Clearance Rate Excellence Award, given to the top ten percent of courts in each class that met or exceeded a 100 percent or higher clearance rate. (Cherokee County Communications Division)
3. The Cherokee County School Board unanimously approved the path to finding a new school superintendent. Decided on Wednesday, the Georgia School Boards Association will be signed on to conduct the search, in a process estimated to last anywhere from 4 to 8 months. Having held the position since 2016, current Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower will be officially retiring on May 31. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
4. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the current exhibit at Reeves House Visual Arts Center was highlighted by Fox 5 Atlanta this week. The "LatinX Voices" exhibit in the Gallery features many different styles of work created by Latin American artists living in the U.S. and honors the vibrant and diverse culture of the LatinX community. You can see the exhibit for yourself at 73 Reeves St. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
5. If you're an artist that lives within a 15-mile radius of Woodstock, the Reeves House would like to see your work. Submissions are being accepted for the third annual "small town : small works" exhibit until Sept. 25 at 11:59 p.m. Please note, submission doesn't guarantee your work's acceptance, and the review committee will avoid works that contain anything deemed offensive in nature. Participating artists must be 18 or older, please see the link for the rules, guidelines and submission details. (Woodstock Arts)

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Today and tomorrow in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Saturday, September 16

• Farm. Fresh. Market.: Every Saturday morning through Dec. 30, Market Street transforms into an open-air market, full of local vendors offering locally grown and created products. (8:30 a.m. - noon)
• AMPED in the Park with Pure Barre: The Amphitheater downtown will be the place for a fun workout this weekend, the free class is for all fitness levels. (9 - 10 a.m.)
• Essential Gardening - Apple History: Learn about the history of apples, how it became widespread, the loss in genetic diversity and apple preservation work from Josh Fuder, the UGA Extension agent for Cherokee County. Participants will get to taste apples and try out an apple cider press, the class will be held at the William G. Long Senior Center, at 223 Arnold Mill Road. (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Creative Corner - Frida Kahlo Headbands: For teens and adults, explore the current "LatinX Voices" exhibit and create a floral headband like those of Frida Kahlo. The event takes place at the Reeves House Studio, 734 Reeves St. (10:30 a.m.)
• Storytime Live! with Leonardo: There's as special storytime today at the Gazebo in the Park at City Center, featuring Leonardo from "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." The kids will love the story, photo opportunities and more, the address for the free event is 101 Arnold Mill Road. (11 a.m.)
• Flowers & Flames with The Pop Up Poppy and Cherokee Rose Candle Co.: Create your own custom candle and flower arrangement at Made Mercantile, 8636 Main St. (3 - 4:30 p.m.)
• Summer Chill Out Wine Tasting: Ticket add-ons include commemorative wine glasses, gourmet charcuterie boards, chocolate truffles, brownie sundaes and various other cakes at The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Unit 400. (5 - 8 p.m.)
• Latin Dance Night: The beginner-friendly classes will take place at 6 p.m. for salsa and 7 p.m. for bachata in the Reeves House Backyard, 734 Reeves St. (6 p.m.)
• Emo Music Night: Enjoy music of the emo variety tonight at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. There is a full bar at the arcade, and admission includes unlimited gaming all night. (10 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Jake Hughes (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Roseblood (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Steve Baskin Band (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Dark Star Brothers (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Molly Hatchet - With Opener, Them Mixon Boys (7 p.m.)
  • RockForce - A Tribute to the Iconic Rock of the 90s & 00s (10 p.m.)

Sunday, September 17

• Elaina Trent Jazz and Blues Session: Enjoy music and brunch at Rootstock, 8558 Main St. (11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
• Michael Fermil: The musician will be performing live on the rooftop, weather permitting, at PURE Taqueria, located at 405 Chambers St. (4 - 8 p.m.)
• Jacob Johnson Listening Room Session: Music and great food and drinks at Rootstock, 8558 Main St. (6 - 8:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • The Shetlands (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Sonya Shell (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Greg & Spenser (5 - 8 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • I'll Fly Away - An Evening with Gospel Music Legend, Buddy Greene & Friends (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Bring the whole family over to Cherokee Veterans Park in Canton, today is Touch-A-Truck day! There will be fire trucks, work trucks and emergency vehicles to check out or tour, as well as games, music, vendors and food trucks - tons of fun for everyone, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The park address is 7345 Cumming Highway, and there's a quiet, sensory-friendly version of the event from 9:30 to 10 a.m. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• If you're looking for your next best friend, the Cherokee County Animal Shelter is holding its regular adoption event today. Available animals can be seen online here, a QR code on the shelter's front door will become active at a random time around 10 a.m. Please scan the QR code to enter the "virtual line," the shelter is at 1015 Univeter Road in Canton. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
• If you have a hankering for trivia, Trivia Night at The Blue Ghost Arcade is on Mondays at 8 p.m. This coming Monday, it's WWE Trivia, so get your friends together and head to 164 Towne Lake Parkway for one of the best trivia nights in town. (The Blue Ghost Arcade)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. 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