DISCOVER THE RETIREMENT YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED 770-765-0607
FROM REPORTER NEWSPAPERS
JUNE 2022 • Vol. 7 No. 6 • AtlantaSeniorLIFE.com
Finding special places in Georgia
HEAD FOR THE HILLS Page 4
SPORTS BUCKHEAD SENIORS MAKING ROOM FOR CROQUET page 10
PEOPLE Retiring Spelman College president faced many challenges page 14
HEARTIS | BUCKHEAD O P E N I N G S U M M E R 202 2
A FRESH BEGINNING IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER Contact us to learn about becoming part of our Heartis Club and enjoy $14,000 in benefits. Call 678-870-4908 today.
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Contents JUNE 2022
COVER STORY special places to see in 4 Find the Georgia mountains in the mountains 8 Bike without leaving metro Atlanta
10 SPORTS Buckhead seniors making room for croquet
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THE CRATES 12 FROM Be the correct caller and win, win, win! PEOPLE Retiring Spelman College president faced many challenges
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special birthday 15 Acelebration
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FROM REPORTER NEWSPAPERS
HEALTH 16 PERSONAL Think about habitual eating
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SAFETY 18 PERSONAL Watching out for Medicaid fraud
Visit Atlanta Senior Life online by scanning this QR Code
20 GARDENING Use plants to create screening and hedging in your garden
Editorial
Published By Springs Publishing
Joe Earle Editor, Atlanta Senior Life joe@springspublishing.com
Keith Pepper Publisher keith@springspublishing.com
Collin Kelley Editor, Atlanta Intown
Neal Maziar Chief Revenue Officer neal@springspublishing.com
Amy Wenk Editor, Reporter Newspapers Contributors Kathy Dean, Erica Glasener, Shelly Howell, Collin Kelley, Ann Litrel, Kelly McCoy, Claire S. Richie, Logan Ritchie, Steve Rose, Charles Seabrook, Mark Woolsey
Rico Figliolini Creative Director Deborah Davis Account Manager | Sales Operations deborah@springspublishing.com
Advertising For information call (404) 917-2200 ext. 1 sales@springspublishing.com Jeff Kremer Sr. Account Manager jeff@springspublishing.com
TO DO 21 THINGS A guide to June events
22 FOOD Chow Club Atlanta – come for the food, return for the community
Suzanne Purcell Sr. Account Manager suzanne@springspublishing.com
On the cover
Circulation Each month, 12,000 copies of Atlanta Senior Life are distributed to 260 plus locations in Metro Atlanta
Artist Ann Litrel painted this image Finding of Cloudland special places in Canyon in Georgia northwest Georgia, one of the state’s most scenic state HEAD FOR THE HILLS parks. The park offers views of and walks among waterfalls, sandstone cliffs and deep canyons. DISCOVER THE RETIREMENT YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED 770-765-0607
FROM REPORTER NEWSPAPERS
JUNE 2022 • Vol. 7 No. 6 • AtlantaSeniorLIFE.com
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SPORTS BUCKHEAD SENIORS MAKING ROOM FOR CROQUET page 10
PEOPLE Retiring Spelman College president faced many challenges page 14
JUNE 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
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HEAD FOR THE HILLS
Waterfalls, wildflowers and wine
Georgia’s mountains offer plenty of things to see and do Travels with Charlie Veteran Georgia journalist Charles Seabrook has covered native wildlife and environmental issues for decades. For “Travels with Charlie,” he visits and photographs communities and places throughout the state. “Thar’s gold in them thar hills” — and also stunning waterfalls, breathtaking mountain vistas, charming small towns, pristine trout streams, award— winning wineries, quaint lodges, apple orchards and on and on. They’re all in the splendid mountains of North Georgia about a two-hour drive from Atlanta. Whether you visit for a day, a long weekend or even longer, you’ll find an array of ways to escape life‘s daily rigors. Stroll along a scenic trail bounded by wildflowers in the 750,000-acre Chattahoochee National Forest. Learn about the fascinating history of Georgia‘s gold rush, 20 years before California’s. Taste superb wines at some of the more than 25 mountain wineries. Shop for arts and crafts in the inviting towns. Climb to the top of huge ceremonial mounds built by prehistoric Native Americans. Sample down-home barbecue and country cooking at roadside eateries. Rent a rustic cabin. Or, simply relax by a serene mountain lake at a state park or resort. North Georgia’s mountains are the southern end of the Appalachian mountain range that extends north into southeastern Canada. In Georgia, the mountains are divided into three so-called “physiographic ecoregions” based on their rocks, origins and other geological characteristics. The Blue Ridge Mountains region encompasses the northeast
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Swinging Bridge on the Benton Mackeye Trail, Chattahoochee National Forest, Fannin County
part of the state; the Ridge and Valley region occupies most of the state’s northwest section; the Appalachian Plateau covers the extreme northwest corner of the state. But no matter where you go in Georgia’s mountains, you’ll find an amazing variety of publicly accessible natural treasures -- spectacular waterfalls, picturesque valleys, roaring whitewater creeks and aweinspiring views from mountain peaks. Among the waterfalls, a must-see is 153-foot-high Anna Ruby Falls (actually twin falls) near Unicoi State Park in White County, one of North Georgia’s premier vacation destinations. Another is Amicalola Falls in the state park of that name in Dawson County. At 729-feet tall, Amicalola Falls is Georgia’s highest waterfall and touted as one of the state’s Seven Natural Wonders. Two other magnificent,
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don’t-miss waterfalls are reached from a popular trail in Cloudland Canyon State Park in Dade County — Hemlock Falls and Cherokee Falls. North Georgia’s greatest natural treasure by far, though, is the majestic Chattahoochee National Forest, most of which lies in the state’s Blue Ridge Mountains (where Atlanta’s drinking water source, the Chattahoochee River, begins) with a smaller portion in the northwest region. The Chattahoochee forest is said to be a hiker’s paradise with some 430 miles of recreation trails lush with wildflowers in spring and fall and winding along tumbling streams, cascading waterfalls and forested ridges. From leisurely, short-day strolls to more strenuous, longdistance ones, there is a trail for nearly every level of hiker, from novice to expert. Several of the trailheads are
along one of Georgia’s most beautiful drives, the 38-mile Richard Russell-Brasstown Bald Scenic Byway, which begins near the town of Helen in White County. One of my favorite hiking trails during all seasons, the Raven Cliff Falls Trail, is easily accessed from the highway. The well-maintained trail winds 2.5 miles (5 miles round trip) around several waterfalls, including one of the forest’s most unusual falls where water gushes from a crevice in a 90-foot-high massive cliff. Also, along the RussellBrasstown Bald Byway are several roadside turnouts and overlooks that provide sweeping, far-as-the-eye-can-see views of the mountains. The grandest view of all, though, is from atop Brasstown Bald, which, at 4,784 feet above sea level, is Georgia’s highest peak. A shuttle bus takes visitors from a parking lot to a visitors’ center and observation
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1 - Anna Ruby Falls, White County 2 - View from Tennessee Rock Trail, Black Rock Mtn. State Park, Rabun County 3 - View of East Armuchee Valley from Johns Mountain Overlook, Walker County 4 - Day hikers on the Benton Mackaye Trail, Chattahoochee National Forest, Fannin County 5 - Unicoi Lake in Unicoi State Park, White County 6 - Lake Trahlyta, Vogel State Park, Union County 7 - Tallulah Gorge State Park, Rabun County
Article and photos by Charles Seabrook
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deck from which, on a clear day, one can see four states — Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. In the northwest mountains is another great scenic drive, the 47-mile Ridge and Valley Byway, offering mountain overlooks and views of picturesque farmlands as it travels U.S. 27, state routes 136 and 156 and county roads. From the highway, you can reach the Keown Falls Scenic Area and the Johns Mountain Overlook, from which you can get a grand view of the serene, fertile Armuchee Valley. We would be remiss, however, if we didn’t mention some of the other fabulous panoramas that can be had from vantage points elsewhere in the mountains, including Cloudland Canyon in Dade County and Rabun Bald, Black Rock Mountain State Park and Tallulah Gorge in Rabun County. But as if natural beauty and outdoor recreation were not enough, Georgia’s mountains are incredibly rich in human history and culture -- and visitor attractions. The countryside holds the histories of the native Cherokee Indian Nation, Civil War battles and early settlers whose 1800’s farmsteads still stand. In 1828, the discovery of gold in the Dahlonega area in Lumpkin County triggered America’s first major gold rush, which quickly spread through Georgia’s mountains. Today, reminders of the frenzied quest for gold abound in the mountains. In Dahlonega, tour an old gold mine and visit the Gold Museum State Historic Site, which offers visitors a closeup look at the state’s gold mining history, including a complete collection of gold coins -- worth a small fortune -- minted in Dahlonega. The gold rush changed the course of North Georgia’s history. For the native Cherokee Indians, who owned most of the land usurped by thousands of frenetic prospectors, gold mining spelled doom. A bitter tension arose between the gold seekers and the Cherokee people, culminating in one of Georgia’s darkest hours -- the forced removal of the Cherokee to lands out west via the infamous “Trail of Tears.” The Cherokee Nation’s former prominence in northern Georgia is still evident in the region. Most noteworthy is the New Echota State Historic Site in Gordon County, the location of the short-lived but highly significant Cherokee capital on the banks of the Oostanaula River -- the spot where the tragic Trail of Tears began. Today,
JUNE 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
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HEAD FOR THE HILLS visitors can see 12 original and reconstructed buildings, including the nation’s Council House, Court House, Print Shop, a tavern, a missionary house and Cherokee farm buildings – as well as a small museum in the visitors’ center. Another notable Cherokee site is the Chieftains Museum/ Major Ridge Home in Rome in Floyd County, a National Historic Landmark. Major Ridge was a signer of the Treaty of New Echota, which resulted in the Trail of Tears. But, wait, there’s still much more to see and do in Georgia’s mountains. We’re talking about the region’s captivating towns and cities full of charm, delightful shops and friendly people. There’s Helen, whose Bavarian-style shops, restaurants and lodgings seem right out of a storybook. Ellijay, surrounded by orchards and wineries, is home to the Georgia Apple Festival each fall. In Blue Ridge, you can hop aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, billed as a step back in time that takes passengers to the equally charming town of McCaysville and back. Hiawassee is home to the Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa and the site of several concerts and festivals each year. Clayton is a Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and close to Georgia’s highest state park, Black Rock Mountain. Cave Spring lives up to its name: It has an easily accessible limestone cave in the middle of town and a picturesque spring that gushes water pure enough for drinking. Blairsville is within a short drive of Vogel State Park, one of Georgia’s oldest, most popular state parks with one of the prettiest mountain lakes in the state. So, what are you waiting for? Head for the hills.
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8 - Tallulah Gorge SP 9 - Red Trillium along a trail in Chattahoochee National Forest, Union 10 - Poole’s BBQ, Ellijay, Gilmer County 11 - Supreme Court Building, Cherokee Nation, New Echota State Historic Site, Gordon County 12 - Vann’s Tavern, New Echota 13 - Typical early 19th Century Cherokee homestead, New Echota 14 - Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site, Lumpkin County 15 - Helen, GA 16 - Drinking the pure water from the spring in Cave Spring, GA, Floyd County 17 - Entrance to the cave in Cave Spring, GA, Floyd County
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THE LIFESTYLE YOU DESERVE. Designed to bring out the best in our residents, The Arbor at BridgeMill makes everything possible. Incredible activities. Delicious food. Experienced, dedicated staff. And a sense of belonging that makes every day your best one yet. Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care
CALL 770-765-0607 TO LEARN MORE! www.ArborBridgeMill.com/Living | 700 Freedom Blvd., Canton, GA 30114 ©Arbor Company
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HEAD FOR THE HILLS
Two-Wheel Daytripping
Exploring Arabia Mountain, Stone Mountain, and Panola Mountain by bike CO
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Stone Mountain: In Stone Mountain Park, take the 4.5-mile loop trail around the base of the mountain for a look at the local flora and fauna and lake views. The Stone Mountain Trail has numerous access points with places to park.
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Mountain Trail for biking. Enjoy dozens of featured art installations along the 3 miles of multi-use trails that make up the Beltline.
Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail: Rent a bike from Atlanta Bicycle Barn or one of the many bikeshare stations. A combination
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The PATH Foundation trail within the AMNHA is designed to link cultural, scenic, natural and historic sites. More than 30 miles of dedicated, paved trails are open to bikers and hikers. We’ve highlighted some of our favorite sites here. There are several opportunities with the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve to hike trails on foot and bike racks are located at the entrances to several of these trails. Remember to always be prepared for your ride, take plenty of water, a cell phone and sunscreen. The terrain is hilly and some bikers should be aware that some climbs are particularly strenuous.
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Explore a land 400 million years in the making. The Arabia Mountain 0 National Heritage Area (AMNHA) is an open landscape of breathtaking beauty, peace, and wonder just east of Atlanta along I-20. Dominated by two massive granite outcrops, it offers visitors natural wonders, compelling history and heart-pumping activity.
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Gasoline is still sky-high, which might put the kibosh on a long road trip or weekend getaway this summer. For a cheaper alternative, hop on your bike and head for the hills that are literally in Atlanta’s backyard. If you’re a cyclist, Stone Mountain, Arabia Mountain, Panola Mountain, and the South River Trail offer easy daytrips for all skill levels.
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of multi-use trails and linear greenspace, the Eastside Trail connects with the Freedom Parkway Trail and Stone
JUNE 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
South River Trail: About 15 miles southeast of Atlanta, the South River Trail offers a wooded route along its namesake river. Enjoy nature, scenic views, and sounds
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while biking the trail running parallel to the river. This trail ties into the extensive trail network with a connection to the Arabia Mountain Trail, which connects to the Rockdale River Trail. Panola Mountain PATH Trail: A little further south is Panola Mountain State Park, which features a gorgeous five-mile trail through the park to glassy Alexander Lake. It’s a great way to check out the granite outcroppings covered in lichen, moss, and wildflowers. For more information, visit pathfoundation.org and discoverdekalb.com.
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LEADING THE WAY
Voted Cobb County’s Best Assisted Living & Retirement Communities 4 Years in a Row “We’re honored that both Sterling Estates Communities have been recognized as ‘Best of Cobb’ for Retirement Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care again in 2022. I’m proud to say that it’s the 4th year in a row we’ve won these awards and an awesome tribute to our staff members. We’ve been serving seniors in greater Atlanta for over 25+ years now...we invite you to come and experience what sets us apart.” Marshall Gill, COO & Partner, Sterling Estates Senior Living Communities
“What I’ve learned is that all communities talk about wellness and socialization... but they don't have the that Sterling Estates has. No one can match what Sterling provides for their residents. My parents are thriving at Sterling Estates... Bet yours will too." ~ Susan S.
Come See What Sets us Apart Local Owners and Managers | Unparalleled Wellness & Activities Centers & Programs | Award Winning Food and Spacious Dining | Beautiful Manicured Lawns & Courtyards w Walking Paths | Certified Parkinson’s Delay the Disease Programs | Longevity of Staff
STERLING ESTATES SterlingEstates.com
Assisted, Independent Living & Memory Care East Cobb: 678-946-4454 Shelly • West Cobb: 770-255-7000 Sherry & Lacey JUNE 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
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SPORTS
BUCKHEAD SENIORS MAKING ROOM FOR CROQUET By Logan Ritchie Break out the white linen pants and big summer hats. Croquet appears to be spreading in some metro Atlanta senior living communities like a wellmanicured lawn. It’s probably no surprise the game played with mallets and wickets is finding older fans. Croquet is easier on the body than golf, played at a slower pace than pickleball, and requires strategic thinking as much as a game of bridge does. The game of mallets and wickets requires delicacy and skill, not speed or strength. People who use adaptive technologies, like a walker or cane, are welcomed on the croquet court. “The United States Croquet Association has seen a lot of traction helping seniors see that they still have the capability to get out on the lawn. You take
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your walker out, hit the ball with your mallet and use your walker to get to the next spot. It’s relatively universal,” said Felecia Sveda, vice president of operations at Lenbrook senior living community in Buckhead. Lenbrook announced a $100 million expansion project in 2018. While planning amenities for the new space, residents requested a croquet court. Lamar Oglesby, Mary Virginia Davis and David Dimling encouraged Lenbrook to consider croquet as a sport people could move to when they were no longer golfing. Oglesby is a member of Highlands Country Club in Highlands, N.C., a club with one of the most active croquet programs in the United States. Thirteen clubs in Western North Carolina offer croquet. Oglesby said he switched to croquet because playing golf began hurting his shoulder.
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He took some Lenbrook folks to several clubs in Highlands to show them what croquet was all about. “Many of us had never played before,” Sveda said. “We saw the program, talked to the director and really started to think about creating this amenity
space that would be part of our Kingsboro expansion [in Atlanta].” Sveda looked to Oglesby and his fellow croquet players to guide her. Oglesby laughed, “I’m not an expert player. I’m average up in Highlands. Here in Atlanta, they think I’m an expert because nobody’s ever played.” The full-size court opened for play in October 2021, so two groups can play at a time. The lawn is artificial turf surrounded by raised gardens. Another Buckhead senior residence, Peachtree Hills Place, also provides its own croquet lawn and club, according to its webpage. Lenbrook brought in professionals to teach lessons, who in turn formed a group of resident ambassadors who have passion for introducing the game to new players. Bob Hunter, who calls himself a rookie, is one such resident ambassador. He teaches group lessons to players with a basic understanding of the game who want a refresher. “The teamwork is fun. You’re outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air. It gets you up and out of your apartment and going for the day,” said Hunter, who also plays tennis and volunteers with Backpack Buddies, which provides meals for schoolchildren. Lenbrook estimates that around 100 of the 500-plus residents have tried the sport, and a smaller number play on a regular basis. The game is popular enough that the court
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GRAND OPENING Ribbon Cutting at 2 pm June 23rd 2 - 4 pm
Villa Palazzo Assisted Living 1st & 2nd Floor “New Owners. New Management. New Mission.” Lamar Oglesby (Photo courtesy of Lenbrook)
is used regularly. It can be reserved a few days in advance. Still, some residents were skeptical at first. A man told Sveda he opposed spending money on building the program, but soon realized an unexpected benefit. Sveda explained, “Men can be in the minority in senior living environments, but croquet is providing an opportunity to form a bond. They may not be going to the golf course anymore, but now they’re going to the croquet lawn. They see Lamar, in his 90s, who is an excellent croquet player. They’re in amazement of how this guy can be such a stellar athlete as his age.” Women at Lenbrook tend to socialize more freely, so Sveda said she’s pleasantly surprised to see the number of guys coming to the court. It just goes to show that anything is possible, she said. Now that warmer Atlanta
weather is here, residents can be found in pressed white outfits practicing, taking lessons, playing a casual round with friends. The residence also offers social events, like Wine and Wickets. In the future, Lenbrook hopes to offer intergenerational play, more social events and themed croquet parties, Sveda said. There’s even talk of a friendly competition among area senior communities. Oglesby and Hunter can be found lending a hand or a bit of advice on the court. Both men said they enjoy meeting new people through the sport. “I try to mix up partners because I’m trying to get everybody to have a good time,” said Oglesby. “I play with all of them. Most of the time I try to get the player that has the least knowledge, so I can explain the strategy.”
Give-Aways, Live Entertainment, Hors d’oeuvres, Raffle Prizes
VILLA PA L A Z Z O SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY “Enhancing Life & Wellness with Each Touchpoint”
Add your name to the guest list by June 21st Email CTaylor@VillaPalazzo.com or call 470.955.3230 1260 Hightower Trail, Sandy Springs GA 30350 | VillaPalazzo.com
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FROM THE CRATES
Be correct caller No. 98, and win, win, win! from the crates Kelly McCoy is a veteran Atlanta broadcaster who writes about the days popular music only came on vinyl records, which often were stored in crates. Before the interweb thing came along, the main way to hear music, get instant information and win cool stuff was from your radio. I mean a real physical radio – one with knobs, buttons, antennas and other connections. In those days, “Buds” meant “friends” or cans or bottles of “the King of Beers,” not the tiny things we put in our ears these days. And, of course, radio was king in the car. We needed it even before traffic reports! It was cool to control your own station for your favorite tunes, and the volume, when needed. Most music stations had some sort of contest, giveaway, or promotional events for free stuff. Over my many years of giving away said free stuff I’ve handed out thousands of items at hundreds of appearances. The big serious giveaway things could mean cars, trips, limo rides and front row seats to concerts. Backstage after the show to hang with the artists, photos were included, and the listener got a taste of the showbiz side. I must mention these were real photographers. Phones with cameras hadn’t been imagined yet. Of the gazillion things we gave away over the years, cash was king. A cold hard check. Why do this? To increase listenership ratings. Without getting into a full-fledged analysis of the procedure
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to procure or determine “numbers” as they’re called in the industry, I’ll briefly explain. These days, terrestrial radio listening is measured by a small unit you have on your person that monitors everything you listen to via codes the station is transmitting. This data is uploaded to the mother ship. Results are quickly available or any designated time period. Pre-digital world, the paper way of determining this feat was from actual diaries, or recorded time spent listening periods written by a human. The tabulations of these figures for the market determined who had the most people listening in every daypart, and demographic. A national firm that provided these services for all who subscribed did the numbers stuff. These survey periods happened twice a year…Spring and Fall. Hence the
JUNE 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
reasoning for major contesting and other happenings to keep listeners engaged with hopes that a magical diary would be in the household of station fans. These ratings results determined advertising rates for stations to charge. Big numbers in bodies meant big numbers in bucks. During my amazing tenure in the market some of the best in the business were my mentors, bosses, and coworkers. I was blessed, and lucky to work with strategic minded people who knew what it took to get ratings and turn those ratings into revenue. What came out of the speakers was the most important thing. We were very successful. Giving away huge amounts of cash certainly didn’t hurt. The “Three Songs in a Row” contest was designed to keep the listener engaged as often and long as
As a tease, we’d play one of the songs. As an even bigger tease, we’d play two of the three songs back to back. Imagine calling a radio station with an old-fashioned push button phone…some had rotary dials. possible. Very simple. When you hear these three songs in this exact order, be the 98th caller to win. We promoted the contest verbally, and with recorded promos that included snippets of the songs to listen for. The cash amount increased each week. The lowly amount of ten thousand dollars was the starting prize. Each week, we’d increase it by another ten thousand. As a tease, we’d play one of the songs. As an even bigger tease, we’d play two of the three songs back to back. Imagine calling a radio station with an old-fashioned push button phone…some had rotary dials. Gasp!! We were the top at work office listening station. I would imagine supervisors would get a little annoyed with us when a major part of the staff would stop work to play a contest. The contest was live and local. Funds were from our enormous promotional budget, and not a nationwide contest from a big conglomerate with hundreds of stations involved and the chance of winning slim to miniscule. YES, all the incoming calls were counted. It would be morally wrong, illegal, and bad karma not to do so. There was always a witness in the room who was our immediate supervisor,
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or management from the promotions department. Once we were aware of how successful the contest was, we had a computer specifically designed to count the calls, and when the designated caller number was reached, we had a “winner only” line. With any contesting, there will always be someone to complain or say it’s rigged. Our jam up legal department had all the elements secured to ensure things were properly executed. It was a huge thrill for all of us to give away life changing money, especially when you sensed the person really needed it. Most were gracious and
stunned. I do remember giving “Biff from Buckhead” a huge amount of cash. He sounded very underwhelmed and reacted as if I’d shot his dog. I may have had a word of prayer with him. Of the many winners I had, one particular is still my favorite to this day. The station was able to change the life of a gentleman in his 60s who lived in let’s say, not the most affluent part of the world. I had the pleasure of giving him ninety-eight thousand dollars! The best for all of us. I’m still talking about it years later. Hopefully he is, too. Happy winning.
Tech Care for Seniors Computers Devices WiFi Networks
We make House Calls Gene Rubel
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Ezra Flom
ezraflom@digitaldevicedr.com
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With so many things to do, we suggest getting an early start on your want-to-do list. There’s a lot to do at The Piedmont at Buckhead senior living community — clubs, events, socializing, and more. So, go ahead and make your want-to-do list. But please don’t include a bunch of chores. We’ll take care of most of those for you. We invite you to see all that The Piedmont has to offer (including assisted living services if needed) at our upcoming event, or call 404.369.7523 to schedule your personalized tour.
Captain’s Dinner | Tuesday, June 21st • 4:00-7:00pm All Aboard! Don your best attire and join us in the Grand Dining Room for an elegant dinner prepared by our culinary team. Dance and listen to live music in our Copper Lounge while sipping on your favorite refreshments. To make a reservation, please call 404.369.7523. It’s a great way to get to know us! ASK ABOUT OU R ON -SITE REHAB ILITATIVE SERVICES
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650 Phipps Boulevard NE • Atlanta, Georgia www.ThePiedmontatBuckhead.com • 404.369.7523 JUNE 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
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PEOPLE
Retiring Spelman College president faced many challenges the time of her life in her seven years at Spelman. Atlanta Senior Life contributor Mark Woolsey talked with Campbell recently about Spelman and about her plans. Answers have been edited for space. Mary Schmidt Campbell leaves a legacy of challenges met and successes marked when she retires at the end of June from her post as the tenth president of Spelman College. She faced no small number of challenges during her presidency: the COVID-19 epidemic; the protests and upheaval following the police murder of George Floyd; and controversies surrounding admitting transgendered students; and sexual assaults on campus. Her successes include a fundraising campaign that exceeded initial expectations and an endowment that now approaches $500 million; a significant upgrade to the college’s creaky IT infrastructure; additional aid to students; expanding coursework in science and technology; and maintaining Spelman’s place at the top of the list of the country’s elite HBCUs, historically black colleges and universities. Campbell’s varied career has included work for museums, a stint as cultural affairs commissioner for the city of New York and the deanship of New York University’s Tisch School for the Arts. At age 74, she gives every indication of having had
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Q. Why are you stepping away at this point? A. I committed to five years at Spelman (in 2015). When we drew near the five-year time frame, I was asked to renew my commitment. My husband and I thought very long and carefully and made the decision that two more years was reasonable because it would mean I would have time to complete work on our capital campaign…, and that I would have time to complete work on our strategic plan. Q. You built a strong background in museums and cultural affairs. What prompted the shift to academia? A. I consider a museum essentially an educational institution. Yes, we collect and, yes, we mount expeditions, but we do so for the purpose of enlightening and instructing the public. When I arrived at New York University, that’s when I began to profoundly grasp how effective the arts were in terms of teaching. So, when I was invited to consider Spellman, it seemed to me that the arts could be a force that could be generative for the liberal arts.
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Q. What are you most proud of looking back on your Spelman sojourn? A. Spelman has long had a reputation for excellence. The two founders in 1881 said this school will be second to none and here we are 141 years later, and Spelman is the number one HBCU. (U.S. News and World Report ranking). When we set out to do the capital campaign, we had advisers who thought maybe setting a goal of $200 million would be ambitious for Spelman. We decided to push that envelope and set a goal of $250 million dollars in five years. I am very pleased to say that the campaign has now exceeded, I think it’s somewhere around $315 million dollars that has been raised. Q. What has the money been used for thus far? A. Scholarships was the number one goal. That was very important. Also increasing support for our faculty. Our faculty teach with a very high course load, so we used the money to help support their research and creative efforts. Another goal was, as I like to say, Spelman had a very quaint technology infrastructure and so we had launched a complete digital transformation of the school. Q. What about challenges and perhaps frustrations during your tenure? For instance, the issue involving the admission of transgendered students. A. When we began the conversation maybe five or six years ago, there was a great deal of consternation because people thought we were perhaps changing or altering the mission of the school. We spent a year thinking about what our policy should be and then we spent
another year making people sure we were going to unroll that policy. I think it also created a climate where people were more understanding of the fact that when young people come to college, they’re exploring who they are. I felt like the campus grew during that period of time and we became comfortable discussing our diversity wherever that diversity might reside. Q. And then there was COVID. How big was that an issue for Spelman? A. It was a problem for everybody in the country and the world. However, we had the distinct advantage of being part of a consortium that had in it a leading medical school and we had the advantage of having a very proactive and highlyorganized leader in [Morehouse School of Medicine President and Dean] Dr. Valerie Montgomery who brought to bear the expertise of faculty, staff and physicians to help the consortium think through the protocols and practices we could put into place to continue to educate our students and keep them healthy and safe. Q. What about challenges to Spelman and HBCU’s in general going forward? A. For Spelman, you may know we had a very unexpected enrollment surge, so one of the challenges will be to determine how large our residential stock should be to accommodate the number of students we need to accommodate on campus. A challenge also is affordability. It is going to be important to the college to continue what we have started, to find sources other than tuition to bring in as income so we don’t have to rely on continually increasing the tuition each year.
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Q. And for HBCUs in general? A. I think the largest challenge for HBCUs and frankly for the African American community in general is affordability. I think we’re all looking forward to the time when the government will substantially increase the Pell Grant, so that we can provide more financial aid resources to students and relieve some of the burden on the schools to come up with more financial aid. Q. What will you do in your postSpelman phase? A. I have several writing commissions. I am assuming I will continue to get those commissions and assignments. I have grandchildren -- with an eighth on the way -- so I will get to play grandma many times over. My husband and I have been married 53 years and we thoroughly enjoy each other’s company, so we’ll get to do more of that, as well.
A special birthday celebration For his 100th birthday, Ray Young of Roswell got to meet someone special: a dolphin at the Georgia Aquarium. On May 15, as part of a special birthday week celebration, Young was able to pet and feed the dolphin. Later in the week, the Dixie Classic Car Club was scheduled to bring some of its classic cars to Magnolia Place of Roswell, where Young lives, for a cookout, and members of Young’s family were to join him for a special birthday party stocked with root beer floats.
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The Atlanta-Journal Constitution is committed to facilitating conversations on the topics important to aging well in Atlanta and providing you resources to live your best senior life — especially in today’s challenging environment.
Visit us at ajc.com/aging to sign up for the newsletter and see a recording of our spring virtual event. You’ll find plenty of 55+ focused content there as well as links to our previously published sections and events. Look for our special section publishing June 5th in your Atlanta Journal-Constitution print and ePaper editions.
JUNE 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
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PERSONAL HEALTH
Thinking about habitual eating thinking healthy
Jatun Neal
Shelly Howell is the author of “Don’t be a Wuss: Inspiration for a great life after 60.”
I’ve had an unhealthy relationship with food my entire life. I use it for everything. When I’m happy, I celebrate with food. When I’m frustrated, I distract myself with food. And when I’m low, I soothe myself with food. Combine these behaviors with the fact that my family has multiple traditions around food, and you see the problem. Quite simply, there are many of us who have some bad habits that involve food. Few of us were raised to see food as fuel and to eat only when we are hungry. And being overweight is a risk factor for multiple diseases from cancer to diabetes to heart disease. So, what do you do to manage your habits, lose weight and protect your health? I recently spoke with Jatun Neal, MFCS, RD, LD is a Registered Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist with the Atlanta VA Weight Management Program. “I have found that many habits stem from childhood or have developed as coping mechanisms. If you can identify your undesirable eating habits, then you can set up ways to avoid those triggers.” Some of the most common
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The Wine Habit 120 calories 2 glasses per night 4 nights per week 52 weeks per year 120 x 2 x 4 x 52 = 49,920 calories Equals 14 extra pounds in a year
(Substitute your favorite habit, whether it’s chips or ice cream or beer)
JUNE 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
If you snack in the evenings, go for a walk, take a relaxing bath, or run errands so you’re not sitting on the sofa when you normally crave food. If you’re obsessed with cleaning your plate, reduce the size of the plate and give yourself smaller portions at home. food habits are: ■ Eating too fast ■ Always cleaning your plate ■ Eating when not hungry ■ Eating while standing up (may lead to eating mindlessly or too quickly) ■ Always eating dessert ■ Skipping meals (or maybe just breakfast) “The habit I see most often is emotional eating,” Neal said. “The emotion that triggers the habit will differ from person to person, but the outcome is usually the same: eating too much of high-calorie, lownutrient-dense foods.” One of my bad habits is drinking wine. I love a glass of wine with dinner, which invariably turns into two glasses. And let’s not even talk about the glass that I sometimes pour myself as I’m cooking a meal. Stop for a moment and do the math on one of your bad habits. Unchecked, my wine habit can lead to 240 calories
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a day, which turns into over 46,000 calories a year. Since a pound is 3,500 calories, I’m looking at gaining nearly 14 extra pounds per year from wine. “A great strategy to help you understand your eating habits is to keep a detailed eating log,” Neal explained, “but also keep track of what you were doing and how you were feeling while you were eating. There are free apps that make it easy to keep track of these things.” The CDC suggests watching for the “cues” that trigger your eating habit. Watching TV, having a stressful day at work, or driving past your favorite doughnut shop in the morning can be just the cue you need to feed your habit. Start looking for the cues in your life and develop strategies to avoid them.
If you snack in the evenings, go for a walk, take a relaxing bath, or run errands so you’re not sitting on the sofa when you normally crave food. If you’re obsessed with cleaning your plate, reduce the size of the plate and give yourself smaller portions at home. And if you always need dessert, keep hard candies or mints around so that you have a small treat after a meal. The workarounds are just as personal as the habit, and they must fit your needs and lifestyle. While changing habits sounds easy on paper, it is not. “I tell my clients that you didn’t develop these habits overnight, and they will not disappear overnight. I remind them that they are human, and I encourage them to be kind and understanding with themselves while they work to replace the
bad habits with more desirable ones,” Neal said. I cannot go without wine completely. But knowing that I could lose 14 pounds over a
year by changing my habits has given me motivation. But since I’m also an emotional eater, I don’t want to get too excited!
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PERSONAL SAFETY
Watching out for Medicare fraud, even in a pandemic STAY SAFE
from law enforcement and now contracts to investigate Medicare fraud, which he says keeps him very busy. Apparently, business is good. Medicare is a government health insurance program, so obviously, it is mammoth in size, volume heavy, and ripe for fraud. A major concern is not specifically focused on patient fraud, but fraud committed by medical providers. Medicare fraud investigators find themselves diving into a sea of paperwork to expose frauds such as double billing, phantom billing (which is billing for services or supplies the patient never received), sending multiple bills for the same service, and what they call “upcoding” (billing for a more expensive service than the patient actually received). He told me a lot of focus is on doctors who are short on ethics, who engage in these types of
Steve Rose is a retired Sandy Springs Police captain, veteran Fulton County police officer and freelance writer. He is the author the book “Why Do My Mystic Journeys Always Lead to the Waffle House?” and the column “View from a Cop.”
I was on the phone recently with my brother, debating as usual who was the favorite son. He is in Houston; I’m here, as is my mother. He informed me that he called her first on Mother’s Day and so he wins. I told him I took her to lunch at a nice Italian restaurant and paid $85 on the tab, so “checkmate,” my friend. Having defeated my nemesis, the discussion moved onto the topic of fraud in the healthcare world. My brother is retired
frauds strictly for profit—and they make a lot of money doing it. COVID-19 opened up a brand-new page on the topic of fraud. In April of this year, the Department of Justice indicted 21 defendants across the U.S. for taking part in various healthcare related fraud that exploited the COVID-19 pandemic. The DOJ said false billing to federal programs and theft from federally funded pandemic assistance programs amounted to $149 million. The department seized over $8 million in cash and other fraud proceeds. When the pandemic first hit in 2020, fraudsters wasted no time. By the end of the year, the FBI was looking into fraud schemes involving vaccines, antibody testing, the procurement of PPE (personal protective equipment,) other COVID-19 equipment, and fraudulent treatments. Medicare fraud isn’t
limited to COVID claims, of course. In May, a federal judge sentenced 10 defendants for their roles in a health care fraud scheme involving three physical therapy clinics that recruited and paid kickbacks to beneficiaries of Blue Cross Blue Shield health benefit programs who submitted false claims for services the clinics never provided or were not medically necessary. The defendants included the owner of the clinics, sentenced to 120 months prison, and over $4.1 million in restitution, a doctor, sentenced to 57 months and $2.8 million, two co-owners, a therapy assistant and three “patient recruiters.” (Source: DOJ, Southern District of Florida) A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to 20 years in prison, fined $40,000 and ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution for running a prescription “pill mill” from his medical practice in
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Now Offering Tours Philadelphia. The defendant was convicted of fraudulently billing insurers for medically unnecessary physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, and prescription drugs, as well as treatments that were never administered. He provided his patients with a “goody bag” of addictive narcotics including muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatories, and Schedule IV controlled substances for pain. and then submitted pharmacy claims through his company, netting more than $4,000 for each bag. He prescribed oxycodone to “pill-seeking” patients in exchange for their tacit approval that he would submit excessive claims to the patient’s insurer for the “goody bag” and unnecessary services. The DOJ estimates he profited an estimate $4 million from 2015 to 2018. (Source: DOJ, Eastern District of Pennsylvania) Fraud committed by patients and others include bogus marketing, convincing people to provide insurance ID numbers and other personal information
to bill for non-rendered services, or simply to steal their identity. Identity swapping and impersonating a healthcare professional are two common frauds that someone like you and I may run into. Remember to treat your insurance card and Medicare information as you would a credit card. Never loan or even allow another to access the ID number. If you are contacted, either by phone or email, by someone identifying himself or herself as a doctor or nurse practitioner, for the purpose of soliciting services, make sure that you confirm who she or he is by requesting specific information on the company. Online profiles are available for most doctors and clinic services. Don’t make quick decisions before you check them out. Here is your off-topic tip: If you have old prescription drugs you no longer use, several police agencies have DEA drop boxes available. Check your local department for locations.
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GARDENING
Use plants to screen your yard THE ENVIRONMENTAL GARDENER Erica Glasener is the Community Involvement and Events Manager for the Piedmont Park Conservancy. She also serves on the advisory board for Trees Atlanta. I live on a dead-end street. When we moved to our current home over 15 years ago, I designed my garden to be enjoyed from the inside looking out. In this case, I mean the inside of the garden, looking out to the road, as well as the inside of the house looking out to the garden. With this in mind, I planted a living screen along the street so that if you are driving or walking past, you can’t really see the garden without walking up my driveway. Using a combination of evergreen and deciduous plants, I wanted to create a sense of enclosure, but also have a few spots where you get glimpses of the garden or the street depending on your vantage point. The effect depends on the season — lush, green and colorful in the spring and summer, muted and more open (but still an effective screen) in the fall and winter. While fences make good neighbors, living screens are effective and provide seasonal interest, not to mention habitat for birds, butterflies, bees and other critters. Evergreens may be an obvious choice for screening or hedging but a combination of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees
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can provide an effective and interesting screen. Over the years my combination of plants along the street has developed into a colorful tapestry that includes evergreens like yellow anise (Illicium parviflorum), a golden variegated selection of Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa), deciduous trees such as the Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’), and purple smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’). The native evergreen Florida Leucothoe (Agarista populifolia) provides a fountain of foliage.
plant and determine how much space to allow between plants or you will have to take out mature plants when they quickly outgrow their spots. If you start with containergrown plants, they should quickly catch up with large balled and burlap-wrapped plants. Make sure to water them weekly (if we don’t get rain) throughout the first year after they are planted. Here are some screening and hedging plants for different garden situations: Full sun, damp soils — Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra) these
Photo by Erica Glasener
All of these will tolerate full sun, but the anise and leucothoe are happiest with part shade. In front of this screen is a random rose that tolerates some shade and offers welcome coralcolored blooms over a period of months. When selecting shrubs and trees for screening or hedging, first determine how much sun the site receives and what the soil type is. Do some research before you
JUNE 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
hollies can reach 8-10’ tall and wide at maturity. Combine them with deciduous hollies (Ilex verticillata selections) and yellow anise. There are also dwarf cultivars available. Inkberry hollies are well suited for both informal or formal hedges. For a formal look, prune them on a regular basis. Full sun, moist, well drained soils: Tea Olive (Osmanthus fragrans). This evergreen will reach 20’ or more at maturity.
Rabbiteye blueberries. For the best results, plant three different selections and they will produce fruit over a period of weeks. Blueberries while not completely evergreen make an effective screen and offer tasty fruits and fall color. Mine are about 10’ tall and require a minimum of care. Shade or part shade in average well-drained soil — American Holly (Ilex opaca). These evergreen hollies can reach 30-40’ at maturity but are slow growing. The female cultivars offer colorful red, orange, and yellow fruits. Carolina rhododendron (Rhododendron carolinianum). 3-6’ in height with mostly evergreen flowers that are white to pale rose in May. Catawba Rhodendron (Rhododendron catawbiense), an evergreen native rhododendron with lilac-colored flowers. This native can grow to heights of 8-10.’ Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) is a tough adaptable native with small evergreen leaves and masses of fruits. There are many selections to choose from, including those that are dwarf or weeping. It grows in full sun or part shade and tolerates salt spray. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), ideal for shade but will also tolerate sun, if it has adequate moisture. Ideal for a formal hedge or informal screen with lacey dark-green needles that have a silver cast on the underside. Invasive and aggressive plants to avoidAutumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellate) and Ligustrum –both evergreen and deciduous types (including privet). Many people (including me) are allergic to the flowers that appear in spring.
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THINGS TO DO
Check out our guide to June events By Kathy Dean Summer is coming and Atlanta is again opening up for the warm weather. June brings chances to see and hear movies, music, art, street fairs and more. Oliver Jeffers: 15 Years of Picturing Books Through Aug. 7. Eighty original drawings, sketches and finished illustrations by the awardwinning artist and children’s book author Oliver Jeffers whose works include “The Day the Crayons Quit” are part of this retrospective exhibition. Go to high.org for more information. Origami in the Garden Through Oct. 16. Check out an exhibition of massive origamiinspired sculptures by Jennifer and Kevin Box, including one that weighs 7,500 lbs., at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Click on atlantabg.org for additional info. Atlanta Opera at Pullman Yards June 2-19. Atlanta Opera closes its season with the “Come As You Are” festival at the Kirkwood destination, with a new production of the musical “Cabaret,” chamber opera “As One,” and a cabaret-style concert from Metropolitan Opera star Jay Hunter Morris. Visit atlantaopera.org for more. Frozen June 2-12. Broadway in Atlanta presents Frozen at the Fox Theatre. The hit musical includes an expanded score featuring dozens of new musical numbers. For tickets and info, visit foxtheatre.org. Candler Park Music Festival June 3-4. There’ll be food trucks, vendors, artists and, of course, music with performers that include Grace Potter, the Disco Biscuits, Cha Wa and Twiddle. Go to candlerparkmusicfestival. com to learn more. Flying Colors Butterfly Festival June 4-5. Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, 12-5 p.m. The Chattahoochee Nature Center spotlights butterflies through entertainment, games and a Butterfly Encounter. Details are at chattnaturecenter.org.
Virginia-Highland Summerfest June 11. The historic Va-Hi neighborhood’s John Howell Park will come to life with music and art — and a 5K run. There’s more info at vahisummerfest.org
touring exhibition includes paintings and works on paper by the contemporary African American artist Bob Thompson (1937-1966). For more info, go to high.org.
Civic Season Kick-off Party June 12, 2-7 p.m. Celebrate what you stand for at this new event that anchors parties happening around the country. There will be giveaways, live music, food trucks and much more at Atlanta History Center’s Midtown Campus. For more, go to atlantahistorycenter.com.
Pullman Pops: A Tribute to Motown and R&B June 18. Complete with food and drinks, the outdoor concert will be performed by a 45-piece symphonic orchestra at the Pullman’s Art Center Amphitheater. Go to feverup.com and search for ‘Pullman Pops’ for tickets and details.
Atlanta Summer Beer Festival June 12, 4-8 p.m. Everyone aged 21+ is invited to sample local and national beers while listening to live music in the Historic Fourth Ward Park. Additional info is at atlantasummerbeerfestival.com.
Atlanta ShortsFest June 25-26. Rolecall Theatre presents the year’s best short films produced by filmmakers from around the globe at live indoor and outdoor screenings. More info at atlantashortsfest. com.
Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival at the Fox The festival kicks off June 17 with a 50th anniversary screening of “The Godfather.” Other flms include: “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (June 18), “Casablanca” (June 24), “Coco” (June 25), and “Saturday Night Fever” (June 25). Tickets and details at foxtheatre.org. The Big Homecoming June 17-18. Here is an HBCU experience that pays homage to historically black colleges with performances from top-tier talent, tailgating and vendors offering food and art. Learn more at thebighomecoming.com. Lost Art Music Festival June 17-18. Cathead Distillery hosts a music festival that features Durand Jones & The Indications, Rayland Baxter, The Lone Bellow and Paul Cauthern. Find tickets and details at lostartmusicfest.com. Juneteenth Atlanta Parade & Music Festival June 17-19. African American Emancipation will be celebrated at Centennial Park with a parade, music, arts and performances. Make plans by visiting juneteenthatl.com. Bob Thompson: This House is Mine June 17- Sept. 11. This nationally
Vegan Dark Food Festival June 26. The public is invited to Atlanta’s first Vegan Dark Food Festival in Atlanta that features dark coffee, chocolate, blackberries and lesser-known foods like black garlic and
boudin noir. Go to facebook.com/ events/523936268219472/ to learn more. Fantastic Fourth Celebration July 1-5. It’s a full day of family attractions and entertainment, as well as a special fireworks and laser show, when Stone Mountain Park celebrates Independence Day. Visit stonemoountainpark.com for additional info. Off the Grid July 1-Sept. 4. This exhibition confirms the grid — the geometric form of intersecting vertical and horizontal lines — as a dominant force in 20thcentury art and expands it to include a more diverse group of artists working in a wide array of media. Get details at high.org. Midsummer Night’s Dream July 2-24. Lovers, fairies and amateur actors get hilariously tangled up in Shakespeare’s classic comedy at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. Tickets and info at shakespearetavern.com.
Visit our event calendar @ HowDoYouAtlanta.com
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Ciao Chow on June 17 and 18 will feature Chef Deborah Kudelka’s Italian creations including arugula soup, eggplant “meatballs”, Nutella stuffed crepes with coffee/liqueur sauce. “It’s not going to be things you’ve seen on an Italian menu before,” Plumb said. Kudelka is a private chef with 20 years in the Atlanta restaurant and catering industry. Up next in July, Cantonese cuisine. Each dinner includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. The idea for Chow Club was sparked when Plumb asked Yohana Solomon to cater a traditional Ethiopian dinner for her friends. “I used to organize Atlanta Underground Market, a pop-up food event that promoted small businesses - mostly refugee and immigrant chefs,” Chow Club cofounder Solomon said. “Amanda was a member and volunteer. One day Amanda asked if I could
On May 7 and May 8, Chef Carmenia Morgan Tyrus presented an authentic fivecourse Liberian meal to more than 50 Chow Club Atlanta guests in a brand-new Lindbergh area office building atrium. Chef Tyrus served up plantains with corn beef hash gravy, sweet potato greens with smoked meats, coconut candy, homemade ginger beer and more, while sharing stories and pepper sauce. “It was amazing!” Chef Tyrus shared. “The guests really enjoyed the food and asked me a lot of questions.” Chef Tyrus migrated to the U.S as a teenager and spent 25+ years in nursing before becoming a chef and running Musulyn ‘s Amanda Plumb and Yohana Solomon Catering & Events Planning. recommend a great Ethiopian The monthly pop-up supper restaurant. I said ‘my house’.” club, Chow Club Atlanta, brings Solomon knew a lot of chefs. chefs and members together in Plumb had friends who loved to a way that’s mutually respectful eat. “What if we started hosting and beneficial. once a month?” they pondered. “It’s about celebrating cultures Since then and despite a through food,” Chow Club co466-day COVID-19 pause, the founder, Amanda Plumb said. venture has served more than It’s also about supporting small business owners.” 4,000 guests at 83 dinners
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from 34 different cultures including Syria, Antigua, Korea, Afghanistan, Hungary, Morocco, Nigeria, the Philippines and more. Interested chefs submit a menu for consideration. “We invite them for a tasting,” Plumb said.” We have a photographer take photos for our website and social media and share them with the chefs to help build their brands.” Chow Club lets chefs focus on the food while they handle everything else. “We find the venue, do the marketing, do the ticket sales, figure out tables, chairs, volunteers and all of that,” Plumb said. Participating chefs range from James Beard nominees, like Parnass Savang of Talat Market, to those who’ve never cooked for 50+ people, like Christian Lopez, a middle school teacher who does pop-ups on the side (@humocuisine, June 5 at O4W market and June 25 at Three Taverns in Decatur). “I was super excited to give a good representation of what Colombians eat – street food [empanadas and buñuelos] because we grew up humble”, Lopez said. I had my grandma come help me and everyone
was able to meet her.” Veteran Chow Club chefs Wellington Onyenwe and Marlena Joseph also volunteered alongside Lopez. And Lopez returned the favor to Chef Tyrus last month. The experience extends well beyond the food. “My favorite was the Syrian dinner we hosted during the Muslim travel ban,” Solomon said. “We met a mother and son Syrian refugees, who feared not being accepted. Especially the son. He was protective of his family and didn’t know how he
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fit in this new world. We asked them to do Chow Club. They were very happy but nervous. The tickets sold out fast. The day of the dinner there was much joy to connect with them and make them feel welcome. The son – you know – cried. He was very touched and felt appreciated and welcome. We have the best members, they are all about supporting community.” Membership is free and acquired by joining the mailing list or purchasing a ticket to a dinner. Fittingly, members
receive a passport to collect a stamp per cuisine. After receiving five stamps, they become Ambassadors and get first crack at tickets. At the dinner, members find fellowship when seated alongside new friends from different backgrounds and zip codes. “One of our first-time guests pulled me aside and said, ‘Yes the food is amazing, but we were just having the best conversation’,” Plumb shared. “We don’t do any conversation prompts – we’ve never had too.” Volunteering is another way to experience Chow Club. “Volunteers come an hour early to help set up, work as servers and help out in the kitchen,” Plumb said. “You really get to know the chef, see behind the scenes and eat!” Chow Club is also looking for a home base with a big meeting room, full kitchen and parking. Experience it for yourself. “It takes you to a street in Colombia or to Auntie’s house in Nigeria. It takes you global within Atlanta.” Lopez said. Sign up at chowclubatlanta. com for exclusive invitations to monthly pop-up dinners, email chowclubatl@gmail.com to volunteer.
To advertise, call 404-917-2200 ext. 1 or contact Deborah@springspublishing.com
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