City of Chattahoochee Hills

MAYOR TOM REED

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend! I also hope that you managed to find a few moments to express some gratitude to the men and women of our armed services who made the ultimate sacrifice in the ongoing fight to protect American democracy. We owe them so much.

There is much going on in our city right now, so pardon me if I bounce around a bit with updates and thoughts on a variety of subjects.

With the return of beautiful summer weather, folks are getting outside again, and there are so many ways to enjoy nature right now in our parks!

At Councilwoman Ruby Foster’s suggestion, we have added temporary bathroom facilities at Hutcheson Ferry Park, making it more comfortable to enjoy Parks Commission member Roland Alston’s beautiful new perimeter trail. Hutcheson Ferry Park seems to be a community secret, a great place for a gentle hike or picnic in a beautiful setting. Do you like to fish or canoe? Public Works Director Darold Wendlandt and his team have the Campbellton Park boat ramp in great shape. And we’re finalizing plans with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) on the new pavilion and bathroom facilities there (which they are paying for!), which will make that experience far nicer.

We’re doing the same work at the new Riverlands park on the south side of town, with TPL adding a bathroom and pavilion, AND an additional canoe launch, so soon you’ll be able to float the Chattahoochee all the way from one end of town to the other! If the movie studio goes forward, the developer will be donating another 70+ acres of land to the park, and a trail along the entire river frontage, expanding this City of Chattahoochee Hills park to over 330 acres.

Planning director Mike Morton has been following up on one of our Comprehensive Plan work list items, the detailing of plans for the Rico Historic Crossroads Hamlet, by working with residents and business owners in Rico. This project looks at the possibility of adding some minor but needed community services in the area right around Smith’s store in the context of the historical community that used to exist there. Look to see those plans soon; they show a light touch, but are very exciting.

We’re also expecting to review and act on the studio project this month. I gave a detailed rundown last month of my thoughts on the issue, which I won’t repeat here. But if you want a quick reminder/primer, please take a peek at that again.

In the meantime, be well and be safe.

Tom Reed

Chatt Hills Police Chief Rides 286 Miles to Honor Fallen Officers

Photos from the Facebook of Jim

By Laurie Searle

Little

Chattahoochee Hills Police Chief Jim Little obtained a “personal” best when he rode his bicycle 286 miles from Norfolk, Virginia to Washington, D.C. in the 2023 Police Unity Tour, May 10-12.

Now in its 26th year, the Police Unity Tour raises awareness of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, and raises funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial. It started in 1997 with 18 bicycle riders and has grown into nine chapters with nearly 2,600 members nationwide who make the trip annually.

Chief Little rode in honor of two fallen officers: his great-great-grandfather, Little Rock Arkansas Police Detective Sergeant George Moore (1923), and Chattahoochee Hills Police Lt. Mike Vogt (2010).

As an avid cyclist who rode over 9,000 miles last year and placed in several competitions, Chief Little felt confident about his ability to finish the long-distance ride. But since this was his first organized ride of this magnitude, he wasn’t sure what to expect. When a fellow rider said, “This isn’t a race, it’s a journey,” Chief Little shifted gears and thought about the journey that brought him there.

The

Start

of Chief Little's Police Journey

Chief Little recalled the evening before he was to begin his new career in law enforcement 25 years ago. His grandmother had given him a box of momentos from his great-great-grandfather George Moore who served as a Police Detective Sergeant in Little Rock, Arkansas. It contained his badge, his gun, and the following newspaper clipping:

Detective Sergeant Moore - End of Watch Tuesday, July 24, 1923

Detective Sergeant Moore and Detective Sergeant Luther Hay were shot and killed as they investigated a dice game and other illegal activities. As the two officers approached the home three men opened fire on them without warning, striking Sergeant Moore in the head three times, killing him instantly. Sergeant Hay was shot six times and succumbed to his injuries two days later.

Chief Little made a promise to his grandmother that he would remain vigilant and safe in his new career, and he would honor his great-great-grandfather’s sacrifice. He has kept that promise through the years and to this day.

Cheif Little's Journey as a Bycyclist

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Chief Little was among the many who turned to the outdoors for exercise. Already a better-than-average-bicyclist, he hired cycling coach Scott Moore to improve his skills and techniques, and set an impressive goal to increase his annual mileage from 2,000 miles to 9,000 miles.

By 2022, he was riding his bicycle 5 to 6 days a week, often in Chatt Hills after work and on the weekends. This had an added benefit for the city, as Chief Little kept an eye on properties as he rode his routes, and he gave gentle reminders to other bicyclists to obey the rules of the road. By the end of the year, Chief Little was on top of his game and was the Chainbuster 50-59 year-old class champion in the three-hour mountain bike endurance series.

Chief Little's Journey on the Three-Day Ride

Chief Little rode with Chapter 8 of the Police Unity Tour, comprised of 115 law enforcement officers and survivors. His extensive training had prepared him well for the physical part of the ride; however, he was unprepared for the range of emotions he felt along the way.

On Day 1, Chapter 8 rode 114 miles from Norfolk to Tappahannock. During the ride, they did three honor stops to remember officers killed in the line of duty. Chief Little said, “It was an amazing day of riding, remembrance, and honoring our fallen officers.”

On day 2, Chapter 8 rode 72.5 miles from Tappahannock to Fredericksburg. Chief Little said, “It filled me with such joy to see crowds of people lining the streets, cheering us on as we rode by.”

On Day 3, Chapter 8 started at 5:30 a.m. for their 64mile ride into Washington, D.C. About five miles from the end of the ride, all of the chapters converged for the final ride into the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial. Chief Little said, “It was all quite overwhelming, with the long motorcade of police officers on motorcycles, sirens blaring, lights flashing; leading what looked like a thousand bicyclists in police-blue jerseys and bike shorts; then the nation’s Capital coming into view.”

As the riders approached the Memorial, they road through in single file, taking a slower pace to observe the blue-grey limestone walls, etched with the names of more than 22,000 officers who died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history.

After the closing ceremony, Chief Little returned to the Memorial to look for the names of the two fallen officers he was there to honor. He found the names of George W. Moore and Michael S. Vogt and took a photo and pencil etching. This seemed a fitting end to his 3-day journey.

After Story

At the end of my interview with Chief Little, he announced plans for his next life’s journey as he approaches his 60th birthday this year. See Part 2, page 26.

Southern Piedmont Climate-Smart Project

Rodale Institute, in partnership with a team of twelve universities, farming NGOs, and consulting firms, is working with vegetable farmers and farmers markets in the Southern Piedmont to promote the adoption of climate-smart farming practices and expand markets for the sale of climate-smart commodities.

The project, entitled “Quantifying the Potential to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Increase Carbon Sequestration by Growing and Marketing Climate-Smart Commodities in the Southern Piedmont” is part of an historic multimillion-dollar investment by the USDA.

Project Scope

We are partnering with Southern Piedmont organic and conventional diverse vegetable farmers through an enhanced incentives program.

Farmers will be asked to add cover crops to their vegetable rotation. We will monitor greenhouse gas emissions, soil health benefits, economic impacts, and social barriers to the adoption of using cover crops versus not using cover crops on their fields. This information will provide farmers with the data needed to capitalize on carbon market programs and understand how they can better steward their lands and communities while providing recommendations to the USDA for ways to economically and socially support farmers’ transitions to climate-smart agriculture.

Through partnerships with Southern Piedmont farmers markets, we will expand markets for climate-smart commodities in the Southeast. We have designed a marketing campaign that investigates the best strategies for educating consumers about the value-added benefits of purchasing climate-smart commodities. The information gained from this work will help farmers get the value of their work and provide the USDA with recommendations on ways to support climate-smart markets through consumer education.

OPPORTUNITY FOR FARMERS & FARMERS MARKETS IN THE SOUTHERN PIEDMONT

We are looking for diverse vegetable farmers and farmers markets in the Southern Piedmont region who are willing to commit to partnering with us on this historic project. Financial incentives will be provided to farmers and farmers markets who are selected to participate in the program.

Farmer Partners Will:

• Follow the planting and cover cropping rotation provided

• Commit to provide data via phone application

• Participate in project training events

• Allow project team scheduled access to enrolled acres for data collection https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/climate-smart-farmer-application

Chatt Hills Movie Night Rain Didn't Dampen the Spirits By

Laurie Searle

Photos by Chip Denton

Chatt Hills Community Outreach (CHCO) hosted its second annual Movie Night on April 29th at Rico Park, featuring kids “Music Fun” pre-movie activities, followed by the blockbuster movie, “Field of Dreams.”

Even though rain cancelled the movie after its first 15 minutes of viewing, this event was counted as a Win, Win, Win.

Win #1 – Team approach to creating community fun

With the support from CHCO volunteers, city staff, and the Art Farm at Serenbe, this event was offered to the community Free of Charge!

Residents began arriving at 6:30 p.m. when the gates opened. They were welcomed by volunteers offering free giveaways and new Chatt Hills baseball caps for a small donation. Near Judy’s Home Plate Concession Stand, Chatt Hills staff offered freshly popped popcorn, sodas, and bottled water. Public safety staff and volunteers helped residents park safely.

With their freebies, picnic blankets, and lawn chairs in tow, residents staked their ideal place for viewing the movie and for visiting new and old friends and neighbors.

Win #2 – Pre-event activity was the star of the show

The Cupcake Concert series hosted by the Art Farm at Serenbe has become a big hit with kids and adults alike. These concerts feature a wide range of musical talent from pop groups, to chamber music, to interactive music with kids.

The Art Farm team announced the evening’s concert would start with percussion lessons given by Thomas Usher.

Residents received two drum sticks and a white construction bucket, which when turned upside down served as make-shift drum.

Thomas demonstrated the art of holding the drum sticks and the single stroke roll, which participants first practices in the air. Then, with a humorous apology to the adults, he taught several of the basic drum rudiments, resulting in a cacophony of rhythmic sounds and a neighbor’s howling dog joining in. After learning the multiple bounce roll, flam and paradiddle, the audience applied their skills and accompanied recorded music for their Cupcake Concert.

Win # 3 – A Movie with a vision and a dream

As the night sky darkened, CHCO event coordinators Councilmembers Camille Lowe (Dist. 4) and Ruby Foster (Dist. 1) thanked residents for attending and then introduced the movie, “Field of Dreams.”

Known for its ghostly phrase, “If you built it, they will come,” whispered by “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, the movie centers around a farmer driven by a vision to create a baseball diamond in his cornfield – a seemingly impossible dream.

That phrase was only uttered a few times before the night skies opened up in Chatt Hills and the event was called because of rain. As residents packed up and dashed to their cars, a few gave parting words of thanks to the event team. Sarah Davis, who lives next door to the ball field said, “I love these community events. This is one of the reasons I moved here – to have this sense of community.”

And with that closing comment, it would seem that the Chatt Hills Community Outreach vision is becoming a reality. If you create opportunities for the community to meet up and connect with one another, they will come. And when people connect, they make a strong community.

Blessing the Land at Three Lotus Farm

On a bright spring morning in April, guests from Chattahoochee Hills, Atlanta and Serenbe gathered for the land blessing for Three Lotus Farm on the 25-acre site off Old Rico Road. Founded by Kim and Pierre Ferrari, Three Lotus Farm is envisioned as a refuge of contemplation and calm for students, retreat guests, visitors, and residents of the Chattahoochee Hills community.

Kim and Pierre’s long-time spiritual friend, Geshe Phende-la, resident teacher at Drepung Loseling Monastery of Emory University, conducted the blessing pujas, along with remarks from Ven.Thubten Chonyi, from Sravasti Abbey Pacific NW, on the importance of creating communities of lovingkindness and compassion.

In support of the project, Mayor Tom welcomed Kim back to her home state of Georgia, and her vision for the small, low-impact project with an inclusive mission: to be open to all who wish to explore paths to genuine well-being.

Opening in 2024, the retreat is rooted in Tibetan Buddhist wisdom traditions, and will offer programs in yoga, wellness, and meditation study and practice in a beautiful, peaceful and supportive environment connected to nature. In 2025, Three Lotus Farm will also offer retreat cabins for elders who wish to live in a warm-hearted rural community designed for quiet contemplation and shared conviviality.

Acton Academy at Serenbe Welcomes Dr. Brett Hardin as Head of School, Ushering in a New Era of Innovative Education in Chatt Hills

Acton Academy at Serenbe recently announced the appointment of Dr. Brett Hardin as the new Head of School. Dr. Hardin’s arrival marks a significant milestone in Acton Academy's ongoing commitment to delivering cutting-edge and transformative education.

Dr. Hardin’s 25-year career in education has equipped him with a diverse skill set and a deep understanding of educational best practices. In addition to his seven-year tenure as the principal of the high school at The Paideia School, Dr. Hardin has taught high school economics and U.S History in public and independent school settings, and worked at education-focused non-profit organizations such as the Georgia Council on Economic Education.

A lifelong learner, Dr. Hardin's own academic journey includes an undergraduate degree from Wesleyan, a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a doctorate from Georgia State University.

“We are thrilled to have Brett Hardin as our Head of School, as he shares our values and vision for the future. With over 25 years of experience in education and a passion for our core mission, Brett has the background and growth mindset to lead our school,” said the Acton Academy at Serenbe Board.

Acton Academy is also celebrating the appointment of two additional senior leadership positions. With 18 years of teaching experience, Nicole Bettis has been promoted to Director of Education for Montessori learners aged six weeks to six years. Nicole will oversee guide development and curriculum design and development. In addition to her Montessori certifications, Nicole recently completed her capstone research with the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Larisa Wilson will be joining Acton as the Director of Education for learners aged seven to eighteen. With a proven track record of transforming middle and high school sciences at The Mount Vernon School, Larisa will be responsible for curriculum design and development.

“Our learning model, environmentally sustainable cam- pus, and location in the iconic Serenbe community makes us truly unique. With the addition of all three of these leadership positions, we will further equip our learners with a team that is passionate about the Acton model and will inspire our learners to change the world,” said the Acton Academy at Serenbe Board.

The school is also building a state-of-the-art campus in Serenbe. Designed with environmental sustainability as a core principle, the campus aims to achieve energy independence, implement closed-loop water systems, and prioritize biophilic design, offering students unrivaled access to nature. The second of four buildings will open this Fall.

Enrollment is open to learners in all communities outside of Serenbe. To learn more and enroll at Acton Academy at Serenbe, visit https://actonacademyatserenbe. com/

Ceres Architect and Development Team

By Dominique Love

When conceptualizing Ceres, I wanted to create a community that would be a feast for the senses—and feasting our eyes on great design and excellent construction is the start. I’m thrilled to share that our architectural design will be led by the extraordinary Elizabeth Graziolo with Yellow House Architects. Elizabeth’s talent and credentials are impressive, to say the least. She enrolled at Cooper Union at 16, worked for the famed Peter Pennoyer for two decades as a partner, and then founded Yellow House Architects. She opened YHA in NYC weeks before the COVID lockdown but continued to thrive, and now has a second office in Coconut Grove, FL. She has been on the Architectural Digest AD100 list for the past few years and designed the magazine’s Iconic Home that debuted in 2021. She is also a trustee of The Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, serves on the Delano & Aldrich/ Emerson Fellowship Committee for the American Institute of Architects, and is a designer for this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House. The list of her accomplishments goes on and is only overshadowed by the sheer delight and pride that Clive Davis and I have for her joining our journey to bring Ceres to life…and for our residents and guests to live deliciously.

IMPACT Development Management

I'm also excited to share our rockstar project management team, IMPACT Development Management (www.

impactdm.com), which includes Jason Hughes, Ashley Johnson (project lead), Laura Leigh Barrett, Ashley Webb, and Alex White.

Impact DM has an impressive track record with more than 570 projects under their belt, including Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, The Bellyard Hotel at the Interlock in Atlanta, Adela at MiMo Bay apartments in Miami, Emory Medical Office Building at the Atlanta Falcons’ Training Facility, Atlanta United’s Training Facility, Kennesaw State University Student Housing, and many others, including impressive mixed-use projects.

Clive Davis and I have set our standards high for this project, wanting to work with the best, and we're proud of how our CERES development team is coming together.

To say we're in good hands with Impact is an understatement!

If you want Ceres updates, please sign up for our newsletter at www.ceresch.com

Reactivating the Rico Historic Crossrroads Community — A Progress Report By:

Laurie Searle

Before the city of Chattahoochee Hills incorporated in 2007, much of this area was known as Rico. Once of five thriving crossroad communities that developed in the mid 1850s, Rico was the last to survive with a few commercial businesses, churches, and an old school, now repurposed as city hall.

During the city’s first Comprehensive Plan process in 2011, residents were asked if there was an interest in reactivating the Rico Historic Crossroads Community. The answer was yes – contingent on the support from Rico residents. Rico Historic Crossroads was added to the Comprehensive Plan with a vision of adding smaller, historically consistent, commercial or civic development, and a future work plan for scheduling community meetings and developing a Master Plan.

During the 2016 Comprehensive Plan Update, planning meetings were scheduled with Rico residents. They were in agreement to reactivate the historic crossroads, and gave input for the type of smaller, historically consistent, commercial and civic development they preferred, as well as the suggested boundary.

In 2019, the city acquired 45 acres of land behind city hall, which expanded the potential boundary for the Rico Historic Crossroads. Soon after, students from the Georgia Tech Graduate Urban Design Studio worked with the city and residents to create a Master Plan for the Rico Historic Crossroad Community. The Plan primarily focused on the 45 acres behind city hall, and created a Town Center Plan with a 100-year build out.

When the Covid Pandemic hit in 2021, work on the Rico Historic Crossroads was put on hold. In the fall of 2022, a few Rico business owners requested the project pick up again, as they were ready to present plans for commercial development.

Farmer D Joins the Project Team

In the winter of 2022, Mayor Tom Reed asked Farmer D to continue the project. Farmer D is a dynamic team of farm community planners, designers, and activators growing thriving communities for developers, landowners, nonprofits, and governments. The founder and project lead, Daron ‘Farmer D’ Joffee, is a nationally recognized Biodynamic farmer, educator, and consultant, who was hired in 2002 to be the founding farmer and establish the Serenbe Farms. Team member Greg Ramsey was also a part of this project. Greg is a village and conservation community designer and planner that has been collaborating with Farmer D for twenty years.

The Farmer D team had several meetings with the city’s project team, consisting of Mayor Reed, Councilmember Laurie Searle (Dist. 3), Community Development Director Mike Morton, and City Planner Caity Chandler. In the early winter of 2023, a draft plan was created as a starting point, and the Farmer D team began the process of contacting local business owners and key landowners within in the project area to get their initial input.

After several revisions to the plan, a workshop was scheduled on May 4 with the Rico business owners and key landowners to get their additional input before presenting the plan to the city council.

Rico Crossroads Community Workshop Summary From the Farmer D project team

The Rico Crossroads Opportunities Map is designed to represent a long-term potential development buildout opportunity framed within the historic Rico crossroads to the North and City Hall to the South.

The Phase I Community Plan is designed to address short term potential work projects including: development startups, initiation of several trails and a street crossing, reinforcement of existing and proposed community anchors and spaces, next step on the public works area, and initiation of the city park community framework.

The Rico Crossroads Opportunities Map as a long- term potential buildout can over time fulfil community and general market needs.

Some of these building opportunities may never be built and others may take a long time; the key is to hold places for these community-oriented buildings into the future as infrastructure is developed.

General Theme - Regaining some of Rico's Original Historic Character & Balancing Community Based and Destination Based Development

One of the primary issues that surfaced from the workshop is how Rico over time has lost significant character in regard to the businesses that used to cater to the needs of Rico and surrounding residents. A key question that surfaced from this discussion is how small entrepreneurs can be drawn into Rico to meet some of the needs of residents in the surrounding district and in Rico itself. In order to achieve at least part of this goal, Rico will need to create opportunities to meet the needs of small entrepreneurs, farmers, and artisans that need affordable opportunities for work spaces and housing.

One opportunity is to incentivize some of these affordable work places and housing opportunities using the city property as a key catalyst and identifying other private property owners, developers, and nonprofits interested in doing the same. The other key issue that arose was how to simultaneously create exceptional destination-oriented restaurants and other curated experiences; this combined approach has the potential to insure a balance in sustainable long term, mixed-income, community-based-development that the civic seat of Chat Hills can offer combined with unique destination-oriented development.

Approaches include:

• Partnerships to build those opportunities on city land

• Nonprofits and developers looking to help provide affordable work spaces and housing.

Next Steps

The Farmer D project team will give a presentation to the city council on June 6, with an overview presentation and the Concept Opportunity Map.

PALMETTO PARK—A Senior Living Community Next Door By

Laurie Searle

Nearly one third of the population in Chattahoochee Hills is senior citizens aged 60 years and older. We are an active group, accustomed to maintaining our large rural properties, bushhogging the back 40, tending our farm animals, keeping our households neat and tidy, attending church with our families, and driving miles and miles to shop or obtain services. It’s who we are, it’s what we do.

No doubt every senior would like to stay in their Chatt Hills home forever. But if there comes a time when that is no longer possible, there’s an active senior living community right next door in Palmetto that would still keep you close to all of the things you love in Chatt Hills.

Palmetto Park is a beautiful place to call home. Located near the intersection of Hutcheson Ferry Rd and Water Works at 519 Perkins Rd, the senior living community is tucked away in the woods and surrounded by the beautiful countryside we have all come to love.

A Tour of Palmetto Park

home. This is significant, because as residents of Chatt Hills Joanna and Andy understand what draws people to our area – the peace and tranquility and the sense of community. These same qualities draw seniors to Palmetto Park.

Palmetto Park is a part of the Baptist Retirement Communities of Georgia, serving seniors 50 years and older. Belonging to the Baptist faith is not a requirement for residency; however, the ministry has maintained a clear mission: “To enrich the lives of senior adults by empowering each individual to flourish while aging within a Christian environment.”

Corporate Development

Director

Joanna Hannah contacted me when she learned we had started offering Chatt Hills senior lunch & learn programs. She wondered if our seniors might have an interest in learning more about Palmetto Park, so she invited me to tour of the facilities.

As it turns out, I’ve met Joanna before. She lives in Chatt Hills and is the wife of Andy Hannah who built my

The 25-acre Palmetto Park campus adjoins the 350acre campus of the Georgia Baptist Childrens Home on Hutcheson Ferry Rd. While these two facilities are not affiliated with each other, the vast open space and sprawling pastures of the Children’s home offer a scenic and natural buffer from the surrounding area.

Upon entering the campus, the Willis Cottages are on the left in front of a lake, and the Baptist Manor and main parking are just past the cottages.

The Baptist Manor is a lovely manor-style facility. The foyer is welcoming with a reception and information desk to the left and an open library room to the right, adjoining Joanna’s office. As we toured the first floor, my first impression was, this is nice, really nice. The facility is well-appointed and newly decorated without being overdone. Hallways are wide and well lit, and the community rooms are spacious and teeming with activities.

We passed by a private dining room that is used for small parties, a fitness room with a schedule of activities, and my favorite, the Palmetto Perk-Coffee Café with fresh breads and pastries donated by local grocery stores. There is a full range of services available, including: spa services, hair salon, massage therapy, on-site chaplain & chapel, and free local grocery & pharmaceutical delivery.

Joanna showed two of the available 92 apartments, a studio and a two-bedroom with a fully-equipped kitchen and a patio. I found myself daydreaming about where I’d set up my piano and clarinet, then had to giggle a bit.

We did a quick walk-around the outside to look at the 26 Willis Cottages, which are offered with one or two bedrooms, plus garage. All of the cottages are currently occupied, so we didn’t tour the inside; however, Joanna said they have a waiting list and future expansion plans.

We returned to the main dining room for lunch, and as we made our way to our table, Joanna stopped to say hi to every resident, greeting them by their first name. She had previously served as the activity director here for 12 years and said that personally getting to know each resident was the highlight of her job. Once we were seated, a server took our order and within minutes brought out hearty plates of food. After lunch, we visited another table with the guests who were all welcoming and asked if I was planning to live here. “That’s a definite possibility, at some point in my future,” I replied.

At the close of our tour, Joanna extended an invitation to our Chatt Hills residents to learn more about Palmetto Park. She is available to give presentations at churches and civic groups, and individuals may also contact her or the website to arrange tours. We have invited Joanna to attend our Chatt Hills Senior Lunch & Learn on June 16, 11 a.m., at City Hall, and she will bring informational brochures to share.

Palmetto Park

Senior Living Community 519 Perkins Rd, Palmetto, GA, Web: https://brcga.org

Joanna Hannah Corporate Development Director

jhannah@brcga.org

(770) 463-2460

Community Members Highlighted in Greystone Power Magazine

Chatt Hills resident, Maribeth Wansley, is featured on the cover and on page D. Maribeth, who serves as Greystone Power Board of Director for our District 6: Fulton, Fayette, and Coweta counties, was featured in an article about plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).

The other story on page 8 about our Chatt Hills Barn quilt trail. It shows three of Laurie Searle's favorite barn quilts in our community: On Dave & Maria's property at Goodes, on Heather and Keith's Three Silos property on Hutcheson Ferry Rd, and on Emily & Paul Harrison's Good Shepherd Farm on Hearn Rd.

GreyStone Power will be making Fiber Internet available to Chatt Hills by next year.

Hear ye, Hear ye!

Did you know that Chattahoochee Hills now has a hearing clinic located in Serenbe? We have recently completed our first year of business as The HearingSmiths, or Blake and Rachel Smith.

Rachel is a medical school school graduate who had aspired to becoming a pathologist. After graduation and a change of heart, she followed her passion into the field of hearing health. Rachel is now a board-certified hearing instrument specialist and licensed hearing aid dispenser. She also wears hearing aids and advocates for the positive change they've made in her hearing health.

We have over a decade of combined experience in the field of hearing health care. We offer free hearing screenings and mobile services for the community. Our perspective on hearing aids is that they're like glasses for your ears. We're proud to be your guides on the journey to better hearing.

For your FREE hearing test, call us at 770-778-3304. We accept most major insurance plans; mention this article for an exclusive discount.

The HearingSmiths, LLC.

Rachel and Blake Smith

(770) 778-3304

10916 Serenbe Lane

Chattahoochee Hills. Ga 30268

Trending Topic EVENTS

Every Wednesday, 7-9:00pm Get in Your Creative Flow with Figure Drawing Sessions!

StudioSwan llc | 6401 Campbellton Redwine Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268

Email you are coming to: info@studioswan.com.

All Saturdays at 2:30 pm

Serenbe Farms Tour

8715 Atlanta Newnan Rd, Chatt Hills, GA 30268

Tickets $15 (Children under 3 free) https://bit.ly/3YI1Tnb

Serenbe Farms is a small, diversified certified organic farm located in the Serenbe community and surrounded by the rural oasis of the Chattahoochee Hill Country, just 30 miles southwest of Atlanta.

Learn how Serenbe Farms uses sustainable practices to grow and harvest more than 300 varieties of heirloom and hybrid vegetables, herbs, and flowers. They harvest more than 60,000 lbs of produce a year to feed the Serenbe Community!

Contact ian@serenbefarms.com for more information. Access parking through the main Serenbe Farms entrance at 8715 Atlanta-Newnan Road, or park on Serenbe Lane in Grange to come through the neighborhood entrance. Tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred.

Fridays, 5:30-8:30pm

Farmhouse Fridays: Live Music & Drinks On The Porch

10950 Hutcheson Ferry Rd, Chatt Hills, GA 30268

Free

The Farmhouse invites you to start the weekend with them. Grab a drink from The Farmhouse Bar and enjoy the ambience of warm weather and live music on the wraparound porch.

3rd Thursday of each month

Sommelier Guided Wine Education Class

9135 Selborne Lane, Chattahoochee Hills, GA

Join the Wine Shop at Serenbe on the 3rd Thursday of each month for a professionally-guided wine education class with Sommelier Camille Balboa. Each class will be an in-depth exploration of fine wines throughout the world. We'll taste 5 premium wines that will be paired with a custom-made charcuterie board. Each month will have a new focus. Limited availability. Tickets $100. https://bit. ly/3BeIksx

Saturdays, 4:00pm

Wine Tastings at the General Store

10642 Serenbe Lane, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268

Cochran Mill Brews are now at the General Store.

Join Nadine to taste wines from around the globe every Saturday; $35/person with tasting notes and small bites. Please email nadine@generalstoreatserenbe.com with any questions.

June 3 | 10:00am

Join the Cha+ Hills Bee Club

%ahoochee Hills has established a new Bee Club. We welcome New-bees to Novice beekeepers.

What: Our monthly mee?ngs include presenta?ons about the art of bee keeping, maintaining healthy gardens, honey making – and all things bees. We also schedule field trips to local hives and learn from each other with show & tells.

When & Where: Mee?ngs occur on the first Saturday each month, at 10 a.m. in the basement classroom of Bear Creek Nature Center, 6300 Cochran Mill Rd in Cha% Hills, unless otherwise specified.

• The June 3rd mee?ng will be a field trip to Serenbe to observe Flow Hives. RSVP to Brigit Bolton below.

Want to volunteer? Need more Info?

We’re looking for a few interested community members to help co-lead this effort.

For more informa?on, or to be added to the Cha% Hills Bee Club (CHBC) Google group and Facebook page, contact: Birgit Bolton at 404.783.2045 or Birgit.bolton@gmail.com

June 10 | 7:00pm

The Sea The Sea

Private home/public concert

10544 Serenbe Lane, ChattGA 30268

BYOB-BYOC-kids are free

Tickets $25:https://bit.ly/3MgXnbs

Indie Folk-pop Duo with Dazzling Vocal Harmonies

Chuck E. Costa and Mira Costa are an Upstate New York based indie folk-pop duo featuring what Bob Boilen (NPR’s All Songs Considered) calls “excellent harmonies” & Huffington Post calls, “Two of the loveliest male-female voices you might ever hear this or any other year.” The group’s 2020 release, Stumbling Home dubbed “otherworldly” by RollingStone marks the duo’s third full-length album, and the duo’s first primary recording / engineering credits on one of their albums, as well as that of co-producers— teaming up with recent Grammy and Tony award winner Todd Sickafoose (Hadestown, Anais Mitchell, Ani DiFranco, Andrew Bird).

Chatt Hills Seniors are invited to a Free Lunch & Learn hosted in partnership with AARP, the city of Chattahoochee Hills, and Chatt Hills Community Outreach. The event will feature entertainment by Bill & Nesha Bryant, a lunch and presentation by AARP on How to Age in Place, Community Announcements from Guests & Participants, and Fellowship with your neighbors. Registration is required to reserve your seat.

June 17 | 10am-1:00pm

Story Tiles Workshop

The Paint Space

10625 Serenbe Lane, Ste. A

Tickets: $95 https://bit.ly/3BPH8vP

In this fun-paced, three-hour workshop, we create and mount our 16-tile collection. The workshop offers energized cutting and layering exercises. Instruction is designed to open synchronicity through a series of feisty paper, coloring, and placement methods using simple tools. The assembly project approaches puzzling moods, shapes, and messages together while seeking integration. The alchemy of High Play unfolds for personal and group experience. A class for 6, beginner or advanced, all welcome.

Note: we previously listed the AARP registration link on our flyer, but it was too difficult for residents to use and so only 7 have registered so far. We decided to bite the bullet and create a new website for CHCO so we could offer simple registration forms or EventBrite registration. I’ve updated the URL in the attached flyers, and have included a higher resolution for print and a lower resolution one for the city’s website. www.chatthillscommunityoutreach.com

June 24 | 11:00am-4:00pm

Reptile Rally

BEAR CREEK NATURE CENTER

6300 Cochran Mill Road

Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268

Admission: $6 per person

FREE for members

Our biggest event of the year is back! Join us at the cabin to meet hundreds of reptiles and amphibians between our resident animal ambassadors and our visiting herps! We will be hosting friends of the center including local reptile rescues Georgia Herpetological Association and Rescue and the Georgia Reptile Society. Meet the animals, participate in crafts & activities, talk to scientists and reptile rescuers, hike or canoe, and spend the day learning about the diversity of reptiles and amphibians. Local food truck, Me Lumpia Long Time, will have fresh Filipino island BBQ available for purchase. So fuel up and have fun all day!

The southeastern United States is home to one of the highest diversity of reptile and amphibian species in the world. All proceeds raised at Reptile Rally benefit the environmental education and conservation efforts at Bear Creek Nature Center, including the awareness we bring for these often misunderstood animals and the daily care for our resident rescued animal ambassadors. Visit bearcreeknaturecenter.org to learn more about becoming a member.

Follow us @bearcreekATL on Facebook and Instagram

June 24 | 7:00pm

Angela Easterling

Private Home, Public Concert

10735 Serenbe Lane, Palmetto, GA 30268

Tickets $25: https://bit.ly/3nI9dlH https://www.wildfernranch.org

Angela released her 6th album, Witness on October 28, 2022. It went on to be chosen by American Songwriter Magazine in their Top 24 Albums of the Year, was named “Album of The Year” in The Greenville Journal, and was chosen #6 in the Favorite Albums of the Year Reader’s Poll on Americana Highways. It has earned rave reviews in No Depression, Americana UK, Glide Magazine, and more. Her 5th album, Common Law Wife, went all the way to number 1 on the Roots Music Report Americana Country Airplay Chart, and remained in the top 5 on that chart for nearly 2 months, closing the year out as #12 on the top 100 albums. Her 2nd album, BlackTop Road, produced by Will Kimbrough, remained on the Americana top 40 airplay chart for 7 weeks, and was chosen as a top pick in both Oxford American and Country Weekly The Boston Herald named her song “The Picture” “Best Political Country Song” in their Year’s Best music picks.