Atlanta Senior Life - July 2022

DISCOVER THE RETIREMENT YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED 770-765-0607

FROM REPORTER NEWSPAPERS

JULY 2022 • Vol. 7 No. 7 • AtlantaSeniorLIFE.com

Pets & their People

TRAVEL 5 lighthouses shine on the Georgia coast page 8

THINGS TO DO The High Museum offers new programs for seniors page 18

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.

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Assisted, Independent Living & Memory Care East Cobb: 678-946-4454 Shelly • West Cobb: 770-255-7000 Sherry & Lacey 2

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Contents JULY 2022

OUR PET ISSUE on Wheels Atlanta 4 Meals provides for seniors’ pets, too

6 Pets & their people 8 TRAVEL 5 Georgia lighthouses stand as icons of the state’s

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maritime heritage

HEALTH 10 PERSONAL Watch out for your mental health THE CRATES 12 FROM Like a record spinning round, I’ve returned to Athens

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FROM REPORTER NEWSPAPERS

TECHNOLOGY 13 PERSONAL Don’t get smashed by a ‘smish’

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SAFETY 14 PERSONAL A police officer needs a thick skin sometimes

Visit Atlanta Senior Life online by scanning this QR Code

15 PEOPLE Pam Tallmadge: Off the sidelines and into the spotlight

Editorial

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16 GARDENING Ground covers for your garden TO DO 18 THINGS Learn about art this summer at the High Museum

On the cover

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Jerry and Janet Caswell relax with their pet cavachons, Bandit and Boomer. Photo by Donna P. Williams

JULY 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

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COVER STORY

Providing for Pets

Meals On Wheels Pet Pantry Program Fills A Need

Lucky and Max (Photos by Isadora Pennington)

By Isadora Pennington Pets can do wonders for a senior’s quality of life. Many seniors rely on the relationships they form with their furry friends to avoid loneliness and to feel a sense of purpose. But when there’s not enough food to go around, some seniors may decide to sacrifice some of their own provisions to keep their pets fed and healthy.

Shirley Robinson, who’s 74, said she once worried about how she would find food for her two pet dogs, Lucky and Max. But now, as a client of Meals On Wheels Atlanta’s Pet Pantry program, she gets food for them delivered when the agency’s volunteers deliver food for her. “That is so

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wonderful,” she said. “That is beautiful.”

MOWA has been serving seniors struggling with hunger since 1965. As the agency grew from its humble beginnings as a soup kitchen to a complex program that serves more than 600,000 meals to metro Atlanta seniors’ each year, staff members realized that seniors providing food for their pets created a problem the agency needed to help address. In 2010, MOWA started its providing pet food and pet care items to clients who need them through its Pet Pantry.

“There was a senior who called and was near tears as she expressed her deepest appreciation for her program,” said Chief Innovation & Business

JULY 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

Development Director Jason Tucker, who oversees the Pet Pantry. “She had run out of funds, and she had been feeding the dog her food… she was down to her last few dollars, and she was having to make a decision about how to get food for her pets.”

And the need keeps growing.

“Last year we delivered about 3,350 pounds of pet food,” Tucker said. “This year, we anticipate providing 3,500 to 3,600 pounds of food. Next year, in 2023, we project that we may get up to 4,400 pounds of food.”

Through the years, MOWA has adjusted in several ways to best serve the changing needs of their clients. In 2017, when staff members realized that many seniors didn’t get any food outside

of the seven meals the agency provided each week, MOWA implemented a breakfast program with shelf-stable breakfast provisions.

Another example of a service that MOWA has expanded to provide is home repairs, enabling seniors to age in place. Coupled with the socialization and camaraderie that comes along with visits from volunteers when they deliver food, these services are vital to helping seniors survive and thrive.

In addition to food for cats and dogs, the Pet Pantry also provides necessities such as litter boxes, leashes, pet food bowls, beds, and even toys. Those supplies are delivered once a month. Roughly 19% of the seniors served by

“Enjoy Living”

Shirley Robinson (Photo by Donna P. Williams)

MOWA access the Pet Pantry.

While the majority of the organization’s overall annual funding comes from Meals On Wheels national grants and private fundraising, partnerships such as the Atlanta Humane Society also provide food and goods to the Pet Pantry.

“Our seniors live alone, most of them, so providing that opportunity to connect with a living being is so important to their wellbeing and emotional state,” Tucker said. “Those seniors that have pets have a constant connection and a form of socialization. Seniors look at their pets as part of their family, and it’s so important for us to provide services to the senior and the pet to make the family as a whole healthy and happy.”

This year, with the help of construction partners Choate Construction, ASD SKY, and Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio, MOWA has been renovating its headquarters and building out a new kitchen. Once

completed, staff members project they will be able to expand their offerings from more than 1,800 meals every day to 3,500 meals per day.

“We want the community to understand that by supporting Meals on Wheels Atlanta through volunteering or financial support, you are helping hundreds of our senior neighbors and their furry friends. That’s our mission – to support senior independence,” Tucker said.

“Additional programs like the Pet Pantry and the breakfast program, that’s how we try to close the gaps that seniors face that we hear about from our volunteers and the seniors who call in. As we use innovation to think about ways that we can close those gaps for seniors, we really rely on the community to help us through giving their time and financial aid.”

If you’d like to learn more, get involved, or donate to Meals on Wheels Atlanta, visit their website www.mowatl.org/donations.

VILLA PA L A Z Z O SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY “Enhancing Life & Wellness with Each Touchpoint”

Assisted Living & Memory Care Services We look forward to seeing you soon.

Please call or email Chelsea Taylor to set up your personal visit today

CTaylor@VillaPalazzo.com or 470.955.3230 1260 Hightower Trail, Sandy Springs GA 30350 | VillaPalazzo.com

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PETS AND THEIR PEOPLE

Top Row, Bob Krugman and Winnie; Jerry and Janet Caswell with Bandit (L) & Boomer (R) their pet Cavachons (Photo by Donna P. Williams); Daisy and David Borchardt of Sandy Springs Middle Row, Owner Jim Jackson sits out front at Lenbrook with his 10-year-old Havanese, Mitzi, considered to be the resident greeter (Photo by Donna P. Williams); Joe Dietrich walks 12-year-old Mulligan (Photo by Donna P. Williams); Ginger with Judy Fielder of Sandy Springs Bottom row, Delilah with Alan Vaughn of Buckhead; Joe and Joanne Dietrich with their rescue dog, Mulligan (Photo by Donna P. Williams); Vincent with Robin Shore of Buckhead

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TRAVEL

Georgia lighthouses stand as icons of the state’s rich maritime heritage Travels with Charlie

Tybee Light

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.

British Gen. James Oglethorpe founded Georgia in 1733. Three years later, he oversaw the building on Tybee Island of the colony’s first lighthouse.

Oglethorpe saw the crucial need for lighthouses to safely guide ships, laden with people and goods, through Georgia‘s treacherous coastal waters.

Eventually, over more than two centuries, 15 lighthouses came to dot Georgia’s 100-milelong coastline. Five still stand.

Like lighthouses everywhere — more than 400 in the United States — Georgia’s five remaining lights represent a rich, maritime heritage. They’re admired not only for their great beauty, but also for the trove of history they represent. They all tell their own tales of fierce wars, marauding pirates, lost ships, and rescued sailors. They have withstood hurricanes, destructive erosion and cannonballs raining down during raging battles.

Today, Georgia’s lighthouses add a coastal charm and remain as symbols of hope and safe haven. Three lighthouses — Tybee Island, St. Simons and Sapelo -- still serve as navigation aids. From the tops of them, glorious views can still be had of salt marshes, estuaries, maritime forests -- and the restless ocean itself.

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Here’s more information about Georgia’s five lighthouses (from north to south along the coast): At the mouth of the Savannah River is the Tybee Island Light, Georgia‘s oldest lighthouse — and tallest at 145-feet tall. The striking black-and-white tower remains one of America’s most intact lighthouses, with all its historic support structures — including lighthouse keepers’ cottages — still on site. The lighthouse and museum are maintained by the Tybee Island Historical Society and open to the public.

The 46-foot-tall Cockspur Island Lighthouse, sitting on a tiny isle two miles south of Tybee Light, is Georgia‘s smallest lighthouse. Made of Savannah gray brick, the current structure was built in 1857 to mark the Savannah River’s south Channel.

No longer functional, it’s now a

JULY 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

Cockspur Island Lighthouse

part of the Fort Pulaski National Monument on Tybee, managed by the National Park Service. It’s closed to the public, but good views of it can be had from an overlook trail at the national

monument.

With bold red and white stripes, the 100-foot-tall Sapelo Island Lighthouse is perhaps Georgia’s most beautiful light.

Built in 1905, it replaced a

Sapelo Island Lighthouse

previous structure damaged by hurricanes and the Civil War. By 1934, with ship traffic in the area declining to a trickle, the Sapelo Light was deactivated. It has been fully restored and is open to the public through special tours.

Near the lighthouse is another light, a so-called Range Front Light, one of few such structures remaining in the country.

Although it’s not considered a lighthouse itself, mariners used it

Front Range Light, Sapelo Island

with the Sapelo Light to position their ships and plot a safe course into the harbor.

The original St. Simons Island Lighthouse was destroyed during the Civil War and replaced in 1872 with the current 104-foot-tall tower. The beautiful lighthouse was electrified in 1934 and automated in 1953.

Maintained by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, it’s still operational and open to the

St. Simons Island Lighthouse

public.

The 60-foot-tall Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse was built in 1838 to mark the entrance to St. Andrews Sound and the Satilla River in Camden County. Later deactivated, it and the surrounding area are now privately owned and closed to the public. However, the top half of the lighthouse can be seen from Jekyll Island’s south end.

Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse

JULY 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

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PERSONAL HEALTH

Aging can be hard, so watch out for your mental health thinking healthy Shelly Howell is the author of “Don’t be a Wuss: Inspiration for a great life after 60.”

Let me start off by establishing that aging is not easy. There are so many challenges as we get older. Big challenges.

Our risk of disease goes up as we age. Our bodies and minds are changing in ways that can be confusing and terrifying. And it can be daunting be on a fixed

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income after years of financial options.

If you think about it, it’s scary just to get out of bed.

Even with all these challenges, studies have shown that older adults are less likely to experience depression than younger adults.

How can that be?

Older adults have a lifetime of experiences that have made us survivors. We’ve seen fads come and go, we’ve made new friends and lost some, and we have learned coping mechanisms that a person in their 20s

JULY 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

Franklin Abbott

just can’t understand. In short, we’ve got some skills.

But seniors do develop mental health issues and we need to look at what they are going through. Because as a group we are less likely to seek out help if we’re struggling.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. Some of the most prevalent mental health issues include mood disorders like depression, anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. And most mental health conditions are treatable.

I recently spoke to Franklin Abbott, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who treats patients in the Decatur area.

“Most of the seniors who reach out to me are retired or working part-time. Many are dealing with anxiety and depression as a result of physical challenges, concerns about the future and the grief of loss.”

Knowing the warning signs is the first step. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, these are the most common signals that a person should seek help: ■ Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood ■ Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities ■ Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism ■ Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness ■ Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down” ■ Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions ■ Difficulty sleeping, earlymorning awakening, or oversleeping ■ Appetite and/or unintended weight changes ■ Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts ■ Restlessness, irritability ■ Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment

Now Offering Tours If you’re experiencing any of these feelings or conditions, or see them in a close friend, take action. It’s always smart to start with your primary care doctor. My primary doctor now asks me at my annual physical if I’ve had periods of sadness or depression.

Stigmas about mental health still affect many older Americans. “Attitudes have become much more positive and therapy is an accepted form of treatment for many,” Abbott explained. “Seniors may have lingering negative perceptions from times when therapy was stigmatized and medications often had terrible side effects.”

It’s important to know that medications have improved over the years and can be used to treat many conditions. Abbott went on to say that “depression and anxiety change the brain and make things like sleep and focus more challenging.

Because seniors are often on other medications, they may

be reluctant to add another.

It is also important that they coordinate with doctors to make sure their medications don’t interact badly.”

Staying active and engaged in life is a critical part of protecting our mental health as we age.

Whether you’re involved with a church, have a busy work life or join a pickleball league, you’re supporting your mental health. “Exercise and diet are as important as medication, as is a good social life.” Abbott added.

And if you find that you need a therapist, there are professionals out there who can get you back on track. “Not every therapist is a good fit. If you don’t feel that a therapist cares or gives good feedback, find another,” Abbot concluded.

We all know that life is going to continue to throw us challenges. If you need some help, don’t be afraid. Get some support, build some new skills, and start enjoying life again.

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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 upcoming special section publishing August 7th in your Atlanta Journal-Constitution print and ePaper editions.

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FROM THE CRATES

Like an LP spinning on the turntable, I’ve come full circle 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.

I’ve come full circle.

It will soon be five years since I left the land of country clubs, manicured lawns, mansions and McMansions in the northern suburbs of this city I love so much.

Any day driving around the neighborhood could be an exotic car show featuring special imports, custom rides, and some that cost as much as a fancy dwelling. We were incredibly blessed to live in a great community with award-winning schools, shopping, dining, and all the other nice things that came with the environment. Lifelong friends are the best thing about any space you call home.

I have returned to the Classic City of Athens, which is home of the University of Georgia, and for the moment reigning national college football champions.

I attended school here, and later worked and supported myself as a young adult in radio broadcasting. That led me to the “Big A,” as we called Atlanta back then, and after spending 40 years in the big city, Athens seems more like a big country town with a cool college that’s far enough away from — yet close enough to — Atlanta. Another thing, everyone seems happy to be here.

When you move, it takes some adjusting, but once you get adjusted, there’s no turning back.

As I age, my need for the faster pace is not as great. This area is

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not slow at all, but the laid-back pace is fine. I’m fortunate enough to spend a lot of time in a country paradise on one of Georgia’s amazing lakes.

Getting there on the main highway, I may be hampered by a slower driver for a few minutes.

That may not nearly as exhilarating as six lanes of traffic, with the slowest moving at 80 mph, but I’ll take it.

Quite often while cruising around town these days, I’ll hear a song I played from a black vinyl circle four or five decades ago and think, “Wow… that’s pretty cool and surreal!”

Being blessed with a really good memory, my mind transports me back to the old control room, where I can see the vinyl spinning and even recall memories of old acquaintances a song reminds me of.

That’s another thing of beauty we all share. We knew the music was good in those days but had no idea of the impact most of those songs would have on music history.

One station I worked for was the originating station for broadcasting all things Dawgs.

During football season I saw a very young Vince Dooley every Monday, and young Larry Munson every Friday. I was the ripe old age of 23. I was fortunate enough to work with Larry again for many years during my WSB

JULY 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

R.E.M. Belgium 1985

member of this group that does so much good. The organization recently celebrated 75 years of being, and it is still going strong.

Living in Athens in the early and mid-70s is a part of who I am. The music scene was great then, and now. I’ve mentioned the amazing Randall Bramblett and his superb career and world class songwriting. He’s teamed with superstar artists and groups and is still wowing people today.

You must take the time to see him.

And how can you not be aware of R.E.M and the B-52s, more groups who hail Randall from Athens? a Bramblett And this city still hosts a supercharged, vibrant music scene as I write this.

Bring us more good music!

I hear the term “influencer” a lot these days.

In a way, we old radio folks did that in our time. It’s still rewarding when someone has kind things to say about hearing me on the air from 10 to 40-plus years ago. I’ve played thousands of songs — everything from sad-and-silly love songs to rock and roll, to “Play that Funky Music.”

FM days. I saw him I’d do it all over again. Thanks pretty much every day. I see for listening and reading.

Coach Dooley quite often these days at the Athens Touchdown Club meetings. I’m proud to be a

PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY

Don’t get smashed by a ‘Smish’ PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY Gene Rubel the Digital Device Doctor, cures digital anxiety for seniors and home/ home-office users.

A graduate of Harvard Business School, “Doctor Gene” spent more than 30 years in international business. He can be reached at generubel@gmail.com.

If you’re not familiar with the term “smishing,” it’s time for an introduction.

You may be familiar with the term “phishing,” It refers to a bogus email campaign – a fishing expedition – to get people to open a link that either plants malicious software on a device or gets people to divulge personal information, such as financial or medical info or a Social Security number. The idea is that if a cybercriminal throws enough “click bait” out there, somebody will bite, leading to a payoff.

“Smishing” is a similar tactic that uses text messaging. It gets its

name from SMS – Short Message Service – the technical name for a text sent to a mobile device.

It’s a term that seniors should get used to because texting has become a default way for many to communicate. That may frustrate those of us who wish our kids and grandkids would just pick up the phone and call, but in today’s mobile world, they text.

The criminals behind the attacks are hoping that you don’t even know the term “smishing” exists and that you are completely trusting of anything that shows up in a text message. With some 3.5 billion smartphones in use worldwide, it’s worth a shot for them. Smishing attacks are up a reported 300 percent in the past two years.

As with email, opening and reading a text message won’t infect your mobile phone. The danger lies in downloading an infected file or clicking on a malicious website link.

Most smishing attacks work like email phishing. The attacker sends a message enticing the user to click a link or asks for a reply that contains the targeted user’s private data. They’re looking for online account credentials,

private information that could be used in identity theft, or financial data that can be used in online fraud.

Your best defense against a smishing attack is a deep breath.

Give yourself a second or two to take another look. Am I expecting a package? Does this look like a normal tracking number from UPS or FedEx? You can safely check on a delivery notice by writing down the tracking number and then using your browser to go to the appropriate website to enter the number.

Here are some steps you can take: ■ Don’t respond to a phone number you don’t know.

■ Messages received from a number with only a few digits probably came from an email address, which is a sign of spam.

■ Don’t store financial information, such as bank accounts, credit card numbers, etc., on your smartphone or tablet.

■ Consider malware protection software for your mobile device.

■ Keep your phone and tablet operating system software up to date to get security patches and bug fixes.

■ Don’t ever send credit card numbers, ATM PINs, or banking information to someone in text messages – or in emails.

While there’s no need to be paranoid about smishing – or phishing, for that matter – it’s important to be vigilant. As with anything else online, if a message contains something that looks out of line or offers something that’s too good to be true, it’s most likely to be a scam.

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PERSONAL SAFETY

A police officer needs a thick skin sometimes STAY SAFE 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.”

A friend posed a question the other day: “Do the police still use K-9 dogs?”

Absolutely. K-9 duty is one of the more interesting assignments for an officer. It is not for everyone, obviously, because not all folks are “dog people.” And, since we do not have police cats, the field narrows to those who are “dog people.”

Makes sense.

K-9s are truly wonderful and smart creatures. Many are credited with saving police officers’ lives.

A K-9 and a human handler

go through training together for several months, developing the skills of the trade. The development of a bond between the two partners is important.

If they don’t have that bond, the dog’s performance will fall below potential, meaning they may miss, or misinterpret a smell or other piece of evidence they had trained to recover.

The most popular breed that I have seen for K-9s is the Belgian Malinois, a very athletic and lean animal. Many of these dogs are imported from companies in Holland, meaning the handlers bark commands in Dutch so that no one but the dog knows what the blazes the officer is yelling.

Confusion goes a long way in hastening the quick surrender of a suspect.

I saw one dog pushed up an attic stair to retrieve a burglar hiding behind a piece of plywood, which he did without either suffering a scratch. The same dog, weeks later, entered the bathroom of a fast-food restaurant to retrieve

the knucklehead who robbed the bank next door. “I always use the same line,” one handler told me. “I give them one warning, and then I am sending the dog in. Almost all the time, they come running out.”

One handler told me the life of the K-9 is much like his. The dog acts like a family dog — much like two other dogs in the house, including one that is a retired police dog — but the K-9 has a required pen and doghouse outside. The K-9 interacts with the kids and other dogs and is very much a part of the family until the handler puts on his uniform. Then, the dog knows it is time to go to work. His demeanor changes and he becomes a working police dog.

Comfort wise, K-9 partners need larger vehicles. Most use SUVs with a compartment cooled by a separate AC system, complete with sensors to alert the human

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officer to remotely open the door as a safety measure when the temperature reaches a certain level. Some officers have a remote on their duty belts that opens vehicle doors. I imagine that if the car doors burst open, the dog knows to look for the handler and find out what is going on. You do not want to be the guy fighting an officer when his K-9 shows up.

Like anything else, Murphy’s Law exists in police work. One officer found this out one hot afternoon when he went after a burglar who had broken into a home and absconded into the woods.

A K-9 unit arrived, and the dog and officer began tracking. A nearby officer, walking parallel to the K-9 and his handler, unfortunately stepped on a nest of yellow jackets, which set in motion a series of unfortunate events.

First, the yellow jacket in charge signaled the others and they attacked the officer full force, penetrating beneath his Kevlar vest and stinging the poor guy at will.

Now violently thrashing about while being stung time after time, the officer did everything possible to rid his vest of the yellow jackets that were busy stinging him inside his vest. Unfortunately, he inadvertently stumbled into the path of the K-9 handler, whose K-9 partner misinterpreted the action as an attack and responded appropriately.

It was not pretty.

An hour later, the officer sat on an emergency room bed with numerous red yellowjacket stings and, courtesy of the K-9, a punctured arm. He was surrounded by fellow officers trying desperately to look concerned rather than amused.

One needs thick skin in this business—literally and figuratively.

PEOPLE

PAM TALLMADGE: OFF THE SIDELINES AND INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

By Cathy Cobbs

council from 2015 to 2021, recently recalled with fondness how she was “tricked” into co-chairing the parade in 2005.

“I was with [longtime parade chair] Bill Robinson in the choir at Dunwoody Methodist Church, and he said, ‘Pam I’m not going to chair the parade anymore and I’d like you to be the parade chair.’ I said I didn’t want to be chair, but I would help,” she said.

“Then the next week, I read in the newspaper that I was the new parade chair.”

She admits this year’s festivities will be an unfamiliar experience.

“It’s very strange not to have my hand on the steering wheel,” she said. “When they told me that I was going to be the grand marshal, I think it might have been the first time I’ve ever been speechless.”

Her longtime friend and Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said Tallmadge’s long reach into many areas of the community earned her the honor of leading the procession. “Pam has

Former Dunwoody City Councilmember and longtime coordinator of the city’s Fourth of July Parade Pam Tallmadge isn’t used to being in the spotlight on parade day, but this July 4, she will be front and center.

Tallmadge, who co-chaired Dunwoody Fourth of July parade for 16 years before retiring in 2021, will be this year’s grand marshal.

The parade, reputed to be the largest in Georgia, is co-sponsored by the Dunwoody Homeowners Association and Reporter Newspapers. DHA president Bob Fiscella said the organization is “tickled pink to honor Pam.” “It seems like Pam had a hand in everything,” Fiscella said. “We appreciate her time as a member of City Council, but more so her nearly two decades as co-chair of the Dunwoody parade. It’s the largest Fourth of July parade in the state largely because of Pam’s tireless efforts.”

Tallmadge, who served on the

impacted our community in so many positive ways. The schools, City Council, Light Up Dunwoody, Dunwoody Methodist Church, and, of course, the parade, have all benefited from her time and talent,” Deutsch said.

Tallmadge said she has thousands of pleasant memories associated with the parade, but one she recalls with sadness.

“When we had to cancel the parade in 2020 because of the pandemic, I cried all throughout the day,” she said. “It was terrible. I felt so bad for Dunwoody.”

Tallmadge, who now lives in

Woodstock, said highlights of past parades included appearances by military bands and soldiers, Black Hawk military helicopters, and horses. Memories that stand above the rest include the three times that naturalization ceremonies were held as part of the parade after-party.

“What a better day than the Fourth of July to be sworn in as a citizen of this great country,” she said. “Talk about tears – what a spectacular event.”

Dunwoody Fourth of July Parade The 2.7-mile parade route steps off from the intersection of Mount Vernon Road and Jett Ferry Road at 9 a.m., proceeds west on Mt. Vernon to Dunwoody Village, turns right onto Dunwoody Village Parkway, circles around the Parkway, and left into Dunwoody Village between First Watch and Citizens Bank.

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15

GARDENING

Ground covers for your garden THE ENVIRONMENTAL GARDENER

Native pachysandra

Greg Levine, co-executive director of Trees Atlanta, describes himself as happiest when his hands are in the dirt.

In the American Dust Bowl of the 1930’s, we learned the perils associated with soil left bare of vegetation. It’s not a good for the environment, and it really isn’t good for your garden, either.

Bare ground can easily be eroded and does not retain moisture for the living plants that we all love. It can become compacted and nearly impervious, causing rainwater to run off quickly and flood streets, sewers, creeks and homes.

Planting groundcovers helps aerate the soil, adds organic material, and helps stormwater infiltrate and replenish our groundwater, creating a healthier ecosystem for humans, plants, and animals.

In our gardens, we have so many possible ground covers that it can often be overwhelming. Including them in a master plan for your home landscape is a good start.

Remember, plans are guides and sometimes changes are OK or an improvement as our gardens grow. Ground covers may need to change over time.

When thinking about ground covers, consider that there are as three major types: living plants, organic materials, and inorganic materials.

Some materials are inappropriate from an ecological point of view. Plastic mulches, netting, weed prevention fabrics and artificial turf have limited environmental benefits and may be harmful and should be considered a last choice. While there is some usefulness of such products for saving time on

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mowing, mulch replenishing native plants that can compete and weed reduction, their use with its ability to create a low is bad for the environment and growing mass. should be avoided. Plastics Native sedges are really and microfibers are polluting gaining popularity for their our planet both physically and toughness. Of the dozens chemically. Plastic turf also native to the region, Cherokee heats up–as opposed to cooling Sedge (Carex cherokeensis) is an down–the environment, has no excellent evergreen groundcover wildlife benefits, and has less that can take sun or shade, high water permeability. water or low. Non-native ground Living plants as ground covers covers can be a bit aggressive are my first choice in the garden, for some, but a handful are and there are so many beautiful manageable, including Mondo choices for gardeners. Native Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) and plants are the best solution as Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon they provide the best habitat for japonicus ‘Nana’). I have seen it our native pollinators and other used in partial sun to full shade. animals.

Native Cherokee sedge pachysandra (Pachysandra procumbens) has been mentioned in the past because few plants are more beautiful. It holds up pretty well in mild winters as an evergreen and takes the deepest shade. You can’t walk on it, but there are few

JULY 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

It is quite attractive, and the dwarf version looks more like turf that you never have to mow and it reseeds much less than the former.

Low-growing meadows are best for full sun areas. A sharp mowed edge helps tidy up the appearance for most people.

Taller native grasses like muhly grass and switch grass cultivars are also great for full sun and a more uniform appearance.

Turf Grass – This is a typical most obvious choice for human and canine recreation because as it can take foot traffic and mild compaction without detriment to the plant, but certain types require ample amounts of water, which limits the use in areas of low rainfall.

Fescue grass is best for light shade. Many in Atlanta are becoming rather fond of the carpet -like appearance of Zoysia for full sun, but Bermuda may be the best choice as it has higher drought tolerance. For small properties, like my quarter-acre lot installing Bermuda may be more of a problem than solution, as it gets in flower beds causing havoc visually and aggressively competes with perennials.

Attractive organic ground cover materials for weed prevention, water retention, and playground surfaces include hardwood mulch, pine straw, or bark. It is best to stay away from colored mulches as they are adding chemicals to your yard.

Cypress mulch performs well, but it’s created by destroying important flood control and habitat, cypress swamps, for the sole purpose of creating mulch for gardens.

Most local tree companies will give you free wood chips or have a small fee for dropping it off, which keeps this resource from going to the dump. Try layering newspaper or cardboard then mulch on top of it

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to kill weeds naturally, this is called “sheet mulching.” Weed cloth eventually breaks down or tears and creates plastic waste that gardeners prefer to avoid and makes digging and planting extremely challenging.

This leaves inorganic materials and hardscapes as a final groundcover solution.

Meadow in bloom

Good design goes a long way.

In your planning, understand what you are trying to accomplish with your hardscape, such as creating seating, grilling, and eating areas. Most hardscapes are impervious, preventing water from absorbing into your soil, and contributing to flooding issues in Atlanta.

There are pervious choices as well. such as stone aggregates (slate chips, pea gravel, or granite fines) that provide a walking surface and allow water to infiltrate into the ground. Most cities have a maximum area of

impervious surface allowed, so make sure you are getting the appropriate permitting and avoid costly design mistakes.

Some materials are inappropriate from an ecological point of view. Plastic mulches, netting, weed prevention fabrics and artificial turf have limited environmental benefits and may actually be harmful and should be considered a last choice. While there is some usefulness of such products for saving time on mowing, mulch replenishing and weed reduction, their use is bad for the environment and should be avoided. Plastics and microfibers are polluting our planet both physically and chemically. Plastic turf also heats up–as opposed to cooling down–the environment, has no wildlife benefits, and has less water permeability.

Groundcovers are an extremely important component in the garden.

Making thoughtful choices can contribute to improving the beauty in your garden, enjoyment of all that visit and habitat for all living things.

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THINGS TO DO

Programs for seniors to explore art In-Gallery Conversation (Photo courtesy High Museum of Art)

By Logan C. Ritchie The High Museum of Art is launching a Lifelong Learning series for art fans aged 50 or older with events and classes designed to explore art, exercise creativity and make social connections.

“Atlanta is one of the most rapidly aging cities in the country, and we see an opportunity to reach this growing population in our metro Atlanta area,” said Laurel Humble, head of Creative Aging and Lifelong Learning at the High.

By offering different types of programs oriented toward people with varying levels art experience, museum officials hope to appeal to a people with a variety of learning styles and motivations. A kickoff celebration at the High on June 1 attracted a range of art enthusiasts, from newbies to aficionados.

Humble has spent her career working with adults in museum education. She earned a B.A. in art from the University of Georgia and an M.A. in urban education from City University of New York. Prior to the High, she worked at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York with people with Alzheimer’s disease and their

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JULY 2022 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

care partners.

After two years of disruption due to COVID, Humble is excited to be launching the program. “In some ways it feels like we’re finally at the moment we hoped for a couple of years ago,” Humble said.

Humble said the High has taken into consideration Lifelong Learning students of all abilities. Assistive listening devices and foldable, lightweight chairs are available by request.

Museums can be tiring places to walk around, even if you’re not covering a lot of ground, Humble said. “We try to share how much distance we’ll be covering and give people the information so they can make an informed decision around their own accessibility,” she said.

Here are some upcoming events planned in July: “Conversation Pieces” July 5, 12-12:30 p.m.

Members: Free; Non-members: $16.50. Registration required.

Location: Taylor Lobby at the High Museum Museum fellows discuss Howardina Pindell’s watercolor, “Untitled #69.”

Architectural Walking Tour (Photo courtesy High Museum of Art)

Walking tour July 14, 6-7:30 p.m.

light-weight collapsible stools may be requested in advance.

Members: $14; Non-members $18. Reservations required.

“Conversation pieces”

Location: BeltLine Eastside Trail Miranda Kyle, chief curator of art on the Atlanta BeltLine and program manager of arts and culture for Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., leads a walking tour to explore works found alongside the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail.

The tour covers about two miles of walking. Assistive listening devices will be provided, and

July 19, 12-12:30 p.m.

Members: Free; Non-members, $16.50. Reservations required.

Location: Taylor Lobby at the High Museum A museum fellow discusses Abraham Walkowitz’s “Rock and Bathers” in a virtual meeting on Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants.

Short course studio

Small group conversation

Tuesdays, July 19-Aug. 9, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

July 12, 1-2:30 p.m.

Members: $14, Non-members $18. Reservations required.

Members: $200; Non-members, $250. Registration required.

Location: Taylor Lobby at the High Museum of Art

Location: Anne Cox Chambers Wing Lobby at the High Museum of Art

“Off the Grid”surveys the High’s collecting areas and offers a look at works by artists from a variety of cultural backgrounds and artistic practices who are unified by their engagement with grids. Stools and assistive listening devices will be provided upon request.

Participants in this multi-week studio course will experiment with varied media and draw inspiration from artists featured in the exhibition, “What Is Left Unspoken, Love.” Participants will learn embroidery, textile design, figural sculpting, and found-object collage. Materials will be provided. No prior experience is necessary.

Studio Workshop (Photo by CatMax Photography)

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