🌱 Youngsters Love History + Sequoyah-Con Is Here + Restaurant Scores

Good morning, Woodstock-Towne Lake. I'm here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town. In today's briefing, you'll find news about these stories and more...

• History Cherokee events for the younger crowd.
• Sequoyah-Con starts is Saturday!
• Cactus Cantina rebounds with a "B."

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

How do you take advantage of the most complex real estate market in years?

Barely a year ago, the real estate market in the Woodstock area was straightforward. If you were selling, you priced your home at an all-time high and let the buyers compete. If you were buying, you took advantage of historically low interest rates, made an offer above asking, then crossed your fingers that the seller would accept. Oh yeah – and everyone was suddenly a real estate agent.

Today’s market is more complex. Interest rates went up — but are now coming back down. Inventory went down — but now new homes are coming on the market. In these rapidly fluctuating conditions, deep knowledge of our market and the best financing strategies is at premium. And as for part-time realtors — well, would you go to a part-time doctor?

Leslie Spennato has been in real estate in our area for over 22 years. She’s in the top 2% of producers nationwide for Berkshire Hathaway because she’s extremely good at what she does: getting transactions done for clients, no matter how challenging the market. That’s why she has dozens of 5-star reviews, like this one:

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Whether buying or exploring a sale, in a complex market, you need an experienced professional you can trust. Visit Leslie today to see her listings and to learn more.

Now, today's weather:

Some rain and a t-storm; warm. High: 75 Low: 46.

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

1. A new batch of events has been released at History Cherokee, starting with "What's Up with Ms. Magnolia Thomas?" on March 22. You'll learn about Ms. Thomas and then head over to the Education Classroom to decorate a pencil case. The event is for ages 3 - 7, and each month, the "What's Up Wednesday" events will have a different theme. The events include the exploration of a museum artifact and a related story, activity or craft. Check out their website at the link to see the next few offerings and to register. The event starts at 11am at the Cherokee County History Center located at 221 E. Marietta Street in Canton. (History Cherokee)
2. Sequoyah-Con starts Saturday at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library in Canton. The Sequoyah Regional Library System's three part mini-convention will feature fandoms, panels, activities and tons of fun programs for the family. This is a free, all-ages event and this week's event is Pokémon themed. There will be themed crafts, a scavenger hunt, trivia for adults, music, a costume contest and more. If you're an avid reader, there's also a Beanstack Reading Challenge running until March 31, where you can read books and earn digital badges. Check out the link for the schedule of events. (Sequoyah Regional Library System)
3. Cactus Cantina, at 402 Argonne Terrace in Canton, received a score of 87-B on its recent health inspection. After receiving a 46-U failing score on its February 12 inspection with 16 noted violations, the restaurant was re-inspected on February 22 with all but 4 violations resolved. The current violations noted include food-contact surfaces not being cleaned and sanitized; physical facilities not being installed, maintained and cleaned; and insects, rodents and animals being present. They had an additional violation that is a known risk factor for foodborne illness - adequate handwashing facilities were not supplied and accessible. On a slightly brighter note, The Salty Mule on South Church Street in Canton received a 100-A on their latest inspection, with absolutely no violations noted. They're coming off a string of stellar inspections, receiving all "As" since September 2021. (Atlanta News First and North Georgia Health District)
4. The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is looking for help identifying a male in relation to a suspected shoplifting incident on January 14. The person in question was seen on camera at the Cabela's store at 152 Northpoint Parkway in Acworth, you can see the pictures of the individual and the vehicle he left the store on the Sheriff's Office Facebook page. If you recognize the person or vehicle, please reach out to the Sheriff at 770-928-0239 or 9-1-1. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
5. The City of Woodstock would like us to know that there is help for people that rent their homes and are in a state of financial hardship. Georgia Power customers, through a Georgia Power/Georgia Department of Community Affairs collaboration, may be eligible for financial help via their utility assistance program. You can apply until March 31 here - you must be a Georgia Power customer living in the state, rent your home and have a balance due on your account. You'll need your account number, proof of your identity and verification of income, renter status and show a risk of homelessness or housing instability due to things like owing a past-due electric bill. (City of Woodstock via Facebook)
6. Cherokee Recreation & Parks has opened up registration for their annual Eggstraordinary Extravaganza at the Aquatic Center. The event will be held on April 8 and will include a bounce house, face painting, raffles, crafts, pool time, vendors, an outside egg hunt for those 3 and under, an underwater egg hunt for those 4 - 12, a visit from the Easter Bunny and more. You can read more about the event and register for a time slot here. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks via Facebook)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Open Gym: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. There is a nominal fee to play. (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• March Stroll and Roll: for kids ages 5 and under, admission includes a dance party, time on the playground and a craft. Ride-along toys are allowed, but pedal bikes and motorized vehicles are not. Hot Wheels Skate Center is located at 228 Farm Ridge Drive NE. (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
• Homeschool Skate: admission includes either the playground or skating at Hot Wheels Skate Center. (noon - 4 p.m.)
• Family Storytime: for children of all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The little ones will have fun with stories, singing and lots of fun at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (4 - 5 p.m.)
• Locals Night: meet March's featured artist, Harmony Reid, during the opening reception and enjoy live music and wine at the Education Studio inside the Reeves House, 734 Reeves Street. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• Southern Comforts with Executive Chef Daniel (demonstration class): the menu tonight includes biscuits with bacon braised greens, fried chicken with white gravy and mashed potatoes and apple cobbler with whipped cream at Leaning Ladder, 105 East Main Street. (7 - 9:30 p.m.)
• Surrender Hill: catch the live music tonight in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (7 - 10 p.m.)
• Woodstock Arts Improv Troupe - WIT!: at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• GoldenEye Tournament: the top three win prizes at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 p.m.)
• Tom Blair: the artist will be playing live at Donovan's Irish Cobbler, 1025 Rose Creek Drive. (9 - 1 a.m.)
• DJ Karaoke: every Friday at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (9:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.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.)
  • 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.)
  • Nutrition 2023 - every Friday at the William G. Long Senior Center. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Clay Duke (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Little Wing Experience (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Yacht Rock Schooner - The Smoothest Jams from the 70s & 80s (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Pelican's SnoBalls is opening up for the season today! They'll be open from noon - 9 p.m., and you can find them at 8099 Main Street. They have more than 100 flavors to choose from. Yum! (Pelican's SnoBalls via Facebook)
• Leaning Ladder offers camp, and they're holding an In-Person Camp Open House this Saturday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for you to check it out. There will be light bites created by current campers and you can meet the camp staff and the newest Georgia State Watermelon Queen. Camp registration starts online this Monday, Leaning Ladder is at 105 E. Main Street. (Downtown Woodstock via Facebook)
• There is no open gym this weekend at The Buzz, located at 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. Their calendar states that the CYB championship games will be taking place in the entire gym Saturday and Sunday. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• Parent's Night Out is happening twice this month at the Aquatic Center, located at 1200 Wellstar Way in Canton. On March 10 and 24, 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)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Battle of the Brews Series at The Daily Draft Sports, Food, & Beer On Demand is taking place over the course of the next month. This event gives community members a taste of the Daily Draft experience and shines some light on local breweries looking for a platform to share their craft beer styles..." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Make plans to be at the Spring Fashion Sip + Shop in Downtown Woodstock on Thursday March 16th, 5pm-9pm Tickets are $10 per person at https://wdstkbrandstore.square... Your favorite Downtown Woodstock shops will have special deals..." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Making Waves Salon & Brazilian Wax — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• "Luck of the Pickle" (March 18)
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That's it for today! See you all tomorrow for your next update.

— Nina Lightcap

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