Official Publication of the City of Chattahoochee Hills, GA
CHATT HILLS NEWS
Issue 5 Volume 3 www.chatthillsga.us
MAY 2022
Features
Events
Arts in Chatt Hills
City Government
Our Community Page 3
What’s Happening Locally? Page 17
Local Artists Page 25
Stay Informed Page 29
JULIE DEXTER MAY 21 | 7:30PM
BOUCKAERT FARM
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MAYOR TOM REED
As a part of my ongoing narrative on the City’s services and budget, I thought it might be appropriate to discuss the financial logic behind our development plan. As you already know, Chattahoochee Hills’s zoning will only allow development to take place on up to about 30% of our land, while maintaining the rural character and community on the balance to focus on the quality of life inherent in both country living and small-town living, rather than the faceless and anonymous suburban sprawl that surrounds us. In a future letter I’ll talk about the mechanisms for that protection and how I have worked hard to make them fair. I’ll also discuss the history of that effort, in which the citizens of Chattahoochee Hills consciously decided to upend the traditional patterns of development which have destroyed, or are in the process of destroying, the remaining rural character of the Atlanta Region. For now, though, let’s focus on how our land use rules allow development while sustaining rural our character and ways of life. These are great reasons for the plan that we’re following all on their own. But beyond the quality-of-life benefits, there are very important financial reasons for limiting the spread of suburban development, and for concentrating the development that we do have into walkable mixed-use
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nodes. It’s because that sort of development costs less to service—and generates more revenue as well. Think about it: a tight, walkable “town” (whether it’s a “real” town like Fairburn, or a “new town” like Serenbe) has fewer miles of road and fewer miles of sewer lines; in fact, less of practically all infrastructure than are required in a typical sprawling subdivision. If you start looking at this analytically, you have to define some measure of relative value, and one of the best I’ve found is tax revenue vs. cost per acre. For example, a 400-acre hamlet in our model will have 400 homes on less than 120 acres, and those homes will be closer together, and so will need roads, water lines, etc. that are less than 1/3 as long, and are easier to serve with public safety as well (less distance to patrol, for example). The remining land (like farmland), requires almost no services at all. Studies show that this sort of development creates more than five times the tax value per acre, while using less than half the services, creating value for the city’s coffers that is at least ten times per acre (10x!) more than suburban sprawl. Because the quality of life also tends to be higher in those communities, values are higher as well, making the real differential even greater. That’s why Serenbe is producing half of our property taxes on about 0.5% of our land right now. In contrast, 400 homes in a traditional sprawl model would cost more to serve and bring in far less revenue (and gobble up all of our rural land). Similarly, sparsely populated farmland also has low service needs, so while it doesn’t create high revenues, it’s still “tax-positive,” and it has great quality of life—and it’s beautiful! We’re keeping as much of that as we can. Some might argue that traditional commercial or industrial is also high
value, but in actuality that’s rarely the case. A typical Wal-Mart, for example, covers 80 acres of land, with cheap, low-revenue buildings, and unfortunately requires almost constant police presence. By contrast, a traditional downtown full of locally owned shops has far more variety—and employs far more people (and those people tend to live and spend their money in the community). In every case, studies have shown that the small downtowns dotting rural communities across the country created far more in tax revenues than the Wal-Marts that killed them. The same is true of the warehouses that some cities seem to love for the small bite of “easy” tax revenue they bring. A mixed-use development in that same space (like the ones that were planned for South Fulton Parkway) would bring far more revenue per acre, add far more to quality of life, and are not an eyesore to live near. Quality of life is an asset to the community. I’ve heard mayors from nearby communities talk about the benefits of the “tipping” or dump fees they get from the landfills in their towns, but who wants to live by the dump? A few thousands of dollars in tipping fees can’t possibly be worth the damage the dump does to the quality of life for miles and miles around. It’s unfortunate that many cities around us seem not to have done the math needed to focus on higher-value, higher quality of life development. But we have, and I promise you, we will continue to fight to make sure that’s what we get in Chattahoochee Hills! Hope to see you at the upcoming city events, and that you’re enjoying the lovely spring weather—and as always, be well!
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Mayor Tom Reed
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OUR COMMUNITY Ukrainian Refugee Relief Efforts and the Rippling Effects of Support By: Dominique Love
Serenbe neighbor Dominique Love is a long-time member of “Entrepreneurs Organization” (EO), a global network of entrepreneurs that includes 211 chapters in 62 countries and more than 15,000 members. In February, she learned of the Ukrainian Refugee Relief Efforts led by the EO Poland Chapter. After being moved to tears over the stories of need – and the EO response – Dominique launched a fundraising campaign to purchase Lodging Kits and Living Kits for the refugees. We asked Dominique to share her story, which illustrates how the power of one – and a network of thousands – can generate a rippling effect of support to make a difference. Dominique’s Story More than 3 million refugees have fled the Ukraine with the majority arriving in Poland. For perspective, Warsaw, the largest city in Poland, has a population of 1.8 million people. Within a week of the war starting, Poland had received 1.2 million refugees. In total Poland’s population has increased 10% with the arrival of refugees. Of the refugees, 95% of them are women and children. They arrive exhausted and traumatized. They have left their husbands, fathers, brothers, uncles, and sons to fight. They may never see them again. Many of the women are educated professionals who were gainfully employed and who have now lost everything and are living in shelters. When the war in Ukraine began, the EO Poland chapter moved quickly into gear addressing the most pressing needs as entrepreneurs do with great determination and hustle. Their chapter set up a communications channel to help transport refugees across the border and to provide temporary lodging in members’ homes (it took the government almost a full week to get the large shelters of 15,000+ people fully set). One EO member housed 40 people in his home when the refugees started arriving. I got connected to the chat group, and the message exchange between an EO Paris member and an EO Poland member inspired me to action. The EO Paris member is the CEO of a fashion business and posted to the chat that her family (two women and a 14-year-old boy) were crossing at a particular border and needed help. Within two minutes, an
Refugee Shelter EO Poland member responded, “I’m on my way.” I followed several interactions like this between EO members, and I was overwhelmed by the power of the individual. One small act could have a tremendous ripple effect. The way people were stepping up to help perfect strangers in a desperate time motivated me to assemble what I called “Lodging Kits” – mattress, sheet, blanket, pillow, bath towel, and wash cloths – and ask friends to help underwrite them. Within hours I had received enough money to supply 60 kits, and within days we were closing in on 200 kits – that’s over $30,000! I collected the money and then worked with the EO Poland president to order the supplies online and have them delivered to a central location so volunteers could them deploy them to local shelters. My little Lodging Kits text message to 30 girlfriends took off, and I shared how easy it was to generate support with EO members in other chapters who then started their own drives. As the government was able to get shelters up and
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OUR COMMUNITY running, the need for lodging supplies dwindled, and we started focusing on providing Living Kits – toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, personal hygiene products, vitamin D, water, and food rations. EO Poland has now deployed more than 10,000 of these kits. And, that little text message to 30 girlfriends is now a global campaign that I’ve been tasked to lead and has generated more than $400,000 in donations from EO members in 110 chapters around the globe and from non-EO members who want to do their part to help too. As a former fundraiser and corporate philanthropy professional, I know the chaos of emergency aid and wondered if the dollars raised were being used as intended. With EO Poland, I am receiving regular updates on deliveries, copies of receipts for product orders and more. The EO Poland board is providing oversight, and I am so proud to see every dollar being put to great use. We are still providing Living Kits supplies and are also setting up learning centers in the shelters. The goal is to keep the children learning and in set routines. In addition to Lodging Kits, Living Kits, setting up learning centers, EO Poland has also been working with other chapters throughout Europe to create a virtual jobs board so the refugee women can get back to work without leaving their children in the shelters. My gratitude runs so very deep. As of March 7, 143 of my Facebook friends and neighbors have collectively
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Dominique originally had the lodging kits sent to her home, before changing arrangements to have IKEA ship directly to the EO Chapter in Poland. donated $40,000 to purchase Lodging Kits for Ukrainian Refugees! Every dollar matters and generates much-needed supplies. I recently learned that one shelter was expecting 500 refugees but currently has 3,000!!! We can't deploy these kits fast enough. Dawid Adach and his fellow EO Poland members have walked away from their businesses to provide unimaginable support for the refugees coming into Warsaw. They have been working nonstop for a week to help the refugees. They are proof that entrepreneurs know how to turn impossible into possible! To donate to the Ukrainian Refugee Relief, visit the EO Poland Chapter at: https://ukraine.eopoland.org/timeline. html
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The (USEA) Intercollegiate Eventing Championships is OPEN for entries! Here's a brief on what you need to know: • Enter the May 21-22 Chattahoochee Hills Eventing Horse Trials as an individual competitor. • One representative from each school should email ME the tentative team rosters at leslie.a.threlkeld@gmail.com • Check the Championship section of the Intercollegiate Eventing Handbook for information about roster deadlines and naming alternates! • There is a LIMIT of 240 entries for this event, and UK Eventing will probably take half of them, so enter ASAP! Chatt Hills Omnibus Listing: https://useventing.com/ events-competitions/calendar/event...
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Three Silos Farm Barn Quilt Story By Laurie Searle
Announcing the newest addition to the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail featuring “Silo Sampler” hosted on Three Silos Farm, 12575 Hutcheson Ferry Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268. THE JOY OF SMALL TOWN LIVING Heather and Keith Ruth rekindled their small town spirit in 2017 when they moved to Serenbe in Chattahoochee Hills. She enjoys connecting with neighbors and nature through her Serenbe Yoga + Bodyworks studio and has added Goat Yoga to her boutique of classes. He enjoys working on projects, enhancing and repurposing properties he has acquired in Chatt Hill's countryside. When we asked Keith if we could place barn quilts on his Three Silos Farm, he invited us to pick the pattern. We selected a barn quilt triptych and called it "Silo Sampler." Each of the three barn quilts measures 8x8 ft and features a farm-life pattern: Duck & Ducklings, Dresden Plate, and Corn & Beans.
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Couple Transitions from City to Country Life Heather & Keith Ruth looked forward to the next chapter in their lives when Keith retired from his public accounting career in 2013. With their kids grown and in college, they moved to Virginia Highlands, an intown neighborhood in Atlanta known for its walkability and many amenities. While Heather continued her career working for Delta Airlines, Keith looked for his next project to feed his self-proclaimed type-A personality. In 2015, he saw a post for a mixed-use property for sale in the Serenbe Hamlet 30 miles south of their home. After visiting the property, he made an offer and closed the deal. When Heather came home from work that weekend and he told her about the property, she joked, "Some people buy a new book; my husband buys a new property." As it turned out, the new property was a blessing in disguise. When the top unit was not rented, the couple visited Serenbe and sampled a taste of what it might be like to live there. They enjoyed the nature trails and the wellness offerings, as well as the shops, restaurants, and galleries similar to those amenities in Virginia Highlands. Over time they met and befriended many of the neighbors,
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South Fulton Institute Partners in 2022 and soon Heather felt more at home there than in their intown neighborhood. In 2017, fate brought the couple to Serenbe for good. One of the homes in Serenbe they had long admired came on the market and they purchased it, making Serenbe and Chatt Hills home. Heather said, "We both grew up in small towns. He was from two hours north; I was from three hours south. After living our adult lives in urban neighborhoods, we didn't realize how much we missed our small town roots until we started coming to Serenbe. This community seemed to have all that we loved about the country as kids, with the amenities we've come to love as adults." Keith said, "Since living here, we've become encapsulated in the community. Heather changed careers, and after receiving her yoga certifications, opened her Serenbe Yoga + Bodyworks studio. I've found several projects I've enjoyed working on in the Chatt Hills countryside, including the Three Silos Farm.” Heather said, "Living here has changed us both. Before, we had the stress of our jobs and living in urban communities. Now we take the time and space to slow down, connect with nature, enjoy our neighbors, and embrace the peace and happiness of our small town living." For more photos, and to read more about the hosts and the barn quilt on Three Silos Farm, visit: https://www.chatthillsbarnquilttrail.com/three-silos-farm. html For a map of the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail, visit: https://www.chatthillsbarnquilttrail.com/tour-the-trail.html
This year was the first time that we had an open application process. We were overwhelmed by the number of applications and the incredible projects that are about to happen in service to the South Fulton County Community. Our job as the South Fulton Institute is to partner and produce these programs. We are committed to serve those areas that have been historically excluded by connecting and engaging the community through free programming. While we were not able to support every application through functional and financial resources, we are pleased to announce the following new partners for 2022: Fraser Jones, Ethan • Amarios Art Academy Payne, and Ebony • Atlanta Ballet Centre for Blanding Dance Education • Gladius – Musician • Atlanta Music Project • Green Youth Founda• Atlanta Quilt Festival tion • Challenge the Stats, • GrowLink United Inc. • Jonathan Banks – • Chatt Hills Art Gallery Photographer • City of East Point • Curtis Patterson - Artist • Joseph Steward – Designer • Dramatic Fanatics • Lifecycle Building • EuGene Byrd – Painter Center • Feeding GA Families • Soul Food Cypher • Filmmakers – Dr. Arsh• Tiny Theatre Company ley Emile, Crystal Jin • Trees Atlanta Kim, Kristian Melom, These incredible individuals and organizations join our current partners for 2022, resulting in a total of 40 projects! We are excited to partner with these organizations, school, artists, and environmentalists to produce programming that will positively impact South Fulton County’s Community. We will feature our partners in our upcoming newsletters, on social media, and our website!
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OUR COMMUNITY Christy Hall of Mad Tree Woodcrafts & Engraving accepted into Forbes Business Council
Forbes Business Council Is an Invitation-Only Community for Successful Business Owners and Leaders
Christy Hall, local Chattahoochee Hills resident, is Co-Owner of Mad Tree Woodcrafts, a woodworking company that creates and engraves keepsake boxes, with locations in Columbus, Ohio, and Atlanta, Georgia, has been accepted into the Forbes Business Council, the foremost growth and networking organization for successful business owners and leaders worldwide. Christy was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of her experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors. “We are honored to welcome Christy into the community,” said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes the Forbes Business Council. 8
“Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world.” As an accepted member of the Council, Christy has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help her to reach peak professional influence. She will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum and at members-only events. Christy will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share her expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts. Finally, Christy will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team. “I am so excited about joining the Forbes Business Council community, and I am certain that my participation will help me and my organization further cement a leading edge in our industry,” said Christy. Mad Tree Woodcrafts https://madtreewoodcrafts.com/
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The intersection of Cochran Mill Rd and Rivertown Rd in Chattahoochee Hills is known as Cackle Corner, so named for the Cackle Corner Farms operated by the Goode family from 1952-1992. (Note: This family is of no relation to the Goodes Community and its “Uncle” Billy Goodes.)
CACKLE CORNER FARMS – MEMORIES OF THE “GOODE” LIFE BACK IN THE DAY By: Laurie Searle
Two rural buildings serve as landmarks at the intersection of Cochran Mill and Rivertown Roads in the Friendship Community. Old and gray and full of character, these icons of our rural past pique the curiosity and beg an answer to the question, “What was life like there, back in the day?” Across the street and well hidden by lush landscaping, a historic home may hold some answers. Built in the 1860s and first occupied by two heritage families, the home is better known for its time spent as Cackle Corner Farms – a chicken farm owned and operated by the Goode family from 1952-1992. While the chickens have long since flown the coop, several family members are still in Chatt Hills and happy to share their memories of the “Goode” life, back in the day.
Establishing Cackle Corners Farms Harry Kenneth (“H.K.”) Goode was some farmer, back in the day. The son of a farmer, he had established his own farm as a young adult, first in East Point, Georgia, then in nearby Ben Hill. He met Mary “Frances” Waldrop, a city girl from East Point, and they married in 1941. He worked the farm, raising over 200 heads of hogs, thousands of chickens, and vegetables enough to feed their household. She worked from home, tending their family of five. The year was 1952 when H.K.’s search for new farmland brought him to the Friendship Community in what is now Chattahoochee Hills. Miles of pastureland bordered the long stretches of gravel roads, with working farms and country homes dotting the landscape. A 75-acre parcel that included a modest home was just what H.K was looking for, so he closed the deal and started plans to make the house a home with his wife, Frances, and four children: David (10), Virginia (8), Harry (6), and John (1). (Children
Harry “H.K.” and Frances Goode established Cackle Corner Farms soon after moving to the Friendship Community. CHATT HILLS NEWS - MAY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS
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OUR COMMUNITY Susan and Allen were born years after moving to the farm.) H.K. spent the next year or so preparing the new farm for his family – adding an indoor bathroom, tidying up the small home, and building his farm outbuildings. Once the family moved, they eased into the business of family farming, each doing their own part to help as they could. Memories of Cackle Corner Farms — As told by Susan Goode Chafin The Farm My father had chickens and sold eggs. He built the chicken houses and would buy 1,000 chicks at a time. They were delivered by the mail man in cardboard boxes when they were just a day or so old. He would raise them and feed them and inoculate them, etc. until they were old enough to lay farm fresh eggs. He named the farm “Cackle Corner Farms.” He did most of the work, but the children did help with the chores along with our mother, who stayed home and raised six children and supported the church and schools with her volunteer work. Our father sold eggs and delivered to homes in East Point and also sold to several grocery stores and restaurants including Wingo's, Cruise Inn, Happy Homes Grocery, Melear’s Barbecue in Union City, and Hardy's Super Market in Southwest Atlanta. People would also come to the house and purchase eggs. Two of his brothers were also in the poultry business and are referenced in Truett Cathy's books about Chick-fil-A as “Goode Bros. Poultry.” They sold Chick-fil-A their chicken filets at the first restaurant in Hapeville known as the Dwarf House. The House Ed Milton wrote a historical book titled, "Growin' Up in Hapeville (And South Fulton).” He said his family moved to the (Cackle Corner) house in 1928 when he was 10 years old. He remembers the house as “a large, two-story log house with large rooms and high ceilings, with a tremendous fireplace that burned logs, not coal. (The house was later covered with asbestos siding.) It had a well, a path, and an outhouse.” When I lived in the house almost 30 years later, not much had changed. It had a metal roof and was unfinished upstairs except for two bedrooms at one end of the house. The rafters were in place, but the other rooms were never finished as long as I lived there. There was a large bedroom 10
The house at Cackle Corner Farms, 6250 Cochran Mill Rd, as it looked, back in the day. Today, lush landscaping hides the house from view. downstairs with a living room, and a kitchen with a fireplace in it. A bathroom and “tv” room were added at some point before I was born. Virginia remembers an “outhouse” when she first moved in. Building the Chicken Houses John remembers helping our daddy (he was known by his children and grandchildren as “Pop”) build some of the chicken houses. Since there were many large cedar trees on the property, they were cut to make the corner posts of the chicken house. John remembers “skinning” the bark off the cedar trees and Pop would dip them in a vat of
This ariel view of Cackle Corner Farms shows the white farm house and one of the chicken houses H.K. built with the help of his sons. Across the street on neighbors’ property is a barn and Caldwell's Store, which still stand today.
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Susie's Ceramics were sold at the Palmetto Festival. creosote to preserve the wood. After the wood was cured, holes would be dug by hand, using post hole diggers. John, David, and Harry would take turns digging the holes. Additional cedar poles were used on the roof and then covered with sheets of tin. Boards were nailed onto side of the frame about 3 feet up and then chicken wire was nailed on the remaining top half of the house to allow for air to flow through to the hens. In the winter, plastic sheeting was nailed over the chicken wire to keep out the cold wind and protect the hens. Digging a Well Water was critical to the health of the hens. They came first when water was concerned. With only a hand-dug well to provide water for the chickens and a house full of folks, baths were spare. There would be just enough water to cover the bottom of the tub for the bath. No bubble baths allowed! One year, the well dried up and there was no water. With the family’s livelihood in danger, a new well had to be dug quickly! The boys all pitched in and began digging the hole for the new well. Virginia married Jimmy Turner in 1962, so Jimmy was like another brother. He always helped out when it was needed. Jimmy, David, Harry, John, and Allen began digging with shovels. The digging went on into the night. I can remember helping hold the lantern over the hole so that whoever was down there could see to dig. A rope was tied to the handle of a bucket and lowered into the hole with whoever was digging so that they could fill it with dirt. When it was full, the bucket was raised and emptied and lowered into the hole again. Since Allen was the youngest and smallest, it was
From a newspaper clipping of the time: Gov. Lester Maddox spoke to Cedar Grove PTA Tuesday night. In the picture with him are, Jimmy J. Lankford, principal (second left), Mrs. Vaughn Watts, program chairman (second right), and Mrs. Frances Goode, President (far right). decided that he would go down into the hole to dig as the hole got deeper and deeper. I remember him saying how scared he was but didn’t want to let on so that he could feel brave and grown like his older brothers. I can still remember the shouts of joy when they struck water and could stop digging! Susie’s Ceramics At the age of 14, my sister-in-law Shirley (Harry’s wife) introduced me to ceramics by taking me with her to a ceramic shop at the home of Tommie Webb on Hwy. 92 in Douglasville. I fell in love with it. Tommie had a small building in her back yard where she poured the slip into the molds and then put the greenware on the shelves for people to choose what they would like to make. Tommie would open her shop in the evenings 2 or 3 days a week, and I went every chance I got, asking a million questions and learning all that I could. After I graduated high school and began working at the Federal Aviation Administration in East Point, I began saving my paycheck. First to buy a car since the family only had one car and one truck, and I had been carpooling to work for a while. Next came the purchase of my own ceramic kiln. We put the kiln in Pop’s “egg room” where he worked in the evenings to candle the eggs and put them in cartons and cases to deliver. As I began to buy molds and slip to pour, it got crowded, so Pop offered to let me use one of his empty chicken houses. Together, we boarded up the house, shoveled buckets of gravel onto the floor
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Goode Family Reunion at Friendship Baptist Church in 2019.
David, his daughter Melea, and niece Nancy still live in Chatt Hills and visit often with their Goode family members. They are shown here at Melea’s home in the Rico Community, holding Melea’s baby chicks. of the house, put in a wood burning stove and found old tables and chairs to set up shop. Pop even installed a sink and shelves! Mama loved pouring the molds, and while I worked at the FAA during the day, she filled the shelves and fired the greenware so that it could be stained or glazed. Together, we opened “Susie’s Ceramics” a couple of evenings each week! We were able to keep the shop open for about eight years, and many friends and neighbors came and enjoyed creating their own pieces. Devoted to Cedar Grove Elementary Although Mama (also known by her children and grandchildren as “Memaw”) did not have a “job,” she had many titles. One of her beloved ones was PTA President at Cedar Grove Elementary. Having six children attend from 1st grade through 7th gave her many opportunities to serve in every capacity. She was chief fundraiser (paper drives, Krispy Kreme doughnut sales, Carnival, Country Store and Spaghetti Supper with a Variety show afterward) were just a few. Many fondly remember the “Womanless Weddings” performed on stage at Cedar Grove. Her lifetime membership and PTA pin are still treasured items that she left. More Farm Fresh Memories — As told by David Goode, Melea Goode Brett, and Nancy Turner Richardson David, who was the oldest child, was 10 years old when his father bought the farm. Early on, he helped feed the chickens, clean the coops, and collect the eggs, learning all aspects of farming. By the time he graduated from high 12
school and bought into the business, the farm had 20,000 chickens and five chicken houses. After he married Bonnie Melear, he left the business for a career at Georgia Power. David’s childhood memories on the farm include sleeping upstairs in one of the two rooms his father built. He said, “In the winter, it would be so cold up there, we’d have to warm a brick in the fireplace and slip it between our sheets to keep warn. In the summertime, it would get so hot the metal roof would make popping noises.” One of David’s favorite pastimes as a kid was riding his horse, Prince. “We’d ride up to ‘flat rock’ behind Friendship Baptist Church, and also sometimes ride though the woods where there would be (moonshine) stills.” He also remembers going up to Bear Creek with his father and brothers. “Daddy would take a hoe, and we’d carry five-gallon buckets. We’d go up above the waterfall, and Pop would take that hoe and shake it up under the bank, and we’d catch brim and bass, then bring them back to stock the lake. With what we had left over, we’d have a fish fry.” Melea remembers visiting the farm often as a child. “There were cousins there all the time,” she said, “and it was nothing to just spend the night there or at Susie’s house across the street. One big difference between back then and today was there wasn’t this problem of everybody checking their schedule to see when they could get together. We all just knew when it was Sunday, we headed up to the farm for Sunday lunch. When it was Easter, we went there to color eggs and have an egg hunt. And when it was Christmas, that tiny farmhouse was packed full of family and love.” Nancy remembers going to the farm to help gather eggs. “We lived two doors down from Friendship Church, so after school I’d go to the farm to gather eggs in my bare
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Nate and Gigi Haskell, new owners at Cackle Corner Farms. feet. Or I’d ride my minibike.” The Goode Family Reunion in 2019 at Friendship Baptist Church was a joyful occasion. Family came from far and wide and a few still live in Chatt Hills: David and Bonnie; Virginia and Jimmy; and Susan and Bud. Two granddaughters also still live here. John lives in Villa Rica. Deceased are H.K., Frances, Harry, and Allen.
For more information: See the Cackle Corner Farms Exhibit at Chatt Hills City Hall, 6505 Rico Rd., on display May through June. Visit the Chatt Hills History Website: www.chatthillshistory.com
More Good Memories to Come After H.K. and Frances passed away, Cackle Corner Farms sold in 2009 and had four different owners over the next 10 years. Each owner loved the property and made slight – and also major – improvements. By the time the property came on the market again in 2021, it seemed to be waiting for just the right owner. Nate and Gigi Haskell were ready to get back to their country roots after 30 years of living in the city. Having visited Chatt Hills many times before, they found a farmette in Serenbe they liked, but someone else beat them to it. Then they started looking out in the rural part of Chatt Hills and were shown the Cackle Corner Farms, but there was already an offer on the property. However, the house must have worked its magic because the offer was pulled, and Nate and Gigi jumped on the opportunity. One year later, Nate and Gigi love their new-old home and the many neighbors who have welcomed them to the Friendship Community. They look forward to becoming the caretakers of this special property and plan on carrying on the tradition of making good memories at Cackle Corner Farms. CHATT HILLS NEWS - MAY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS
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The Last Full Measure By Kenyon Langley May 2010
Distinguished Service Cross Award citation found on the internet:
Memorial Day is the day our country has set aside to remember and honor members of our armed forces who lost their lives as a result of their service in combat. This presentation is intended to do just that, to remember and honor those who went to war and never returned home, home to the area now known as Chattahoochee Hills. Only two have been identified: Marvin Gullatt and Clyde Bearden. Both were killed in World War II. However, three others will also be remembered: Richard Long, James Cotton, and Winston Shell. Although they never lived here, Richard’s and Jims’s families moved to the area shortly after World War II and still have an active presence in the community. Winston and his family lived in Palmetto and were active members of New Hope Methodist Church. The unfortunate fact is that very little information is now available. World War II ended sixty-five years ago and personal remembrances have faded. It should be viewed as a blessing that such time has passed without others being added to the list. I shall try to present the information in a short, factual manor. In an absence of knowledge about the person, I have tried to gather as much information as possible about their families.
GULLATT, MARVIN B. (KIA) Synopsis: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Marvin B. Gullatt (34025651), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 6th Armored Infantry Battalion, 1st Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 30 May 1944. Staff Sergeant Gullatt's intrepid actions, personal bravery, and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Armored Division, and the United States Army. Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 153 (1944) Home Town: Fulton County, Georgia
Marvin Gullatt Marvin B. Gullatt, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Son of Dow and Mamie Barnes Gullatt. The Gullatt home-place is at the intersection of Barnes Rd. and Jones Fy. Rd. Story as related by James Gullatt, Marvin’s nephew: Marvin was a tank driver with Gen. Patton. He was injured (burned) when his tank was destroyed by enemy fire. (This may have been in Sicily or N. Africa.) After recovery from his injuries he was assigned to a machine gun unit. During the invasion of Italy at Anzio his unit came under heavy enemy fire and was about to be overrun. Marvin was the only single man in the unit. All the others were married. Marvin volunteered to man the machine gun to hold off the Germans while the other men escaped. He continued firing his machine gun until ammunition ran out and was then overrun and killed. In essence, Marvin volunteered to die to save the rest of his unit. For his bravery, Marvin was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second highest award for heroism. 14
He is buried in the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery. A memorial marker remembering Marvin was placed in Sardis Church Cemetery by his parents. The inscription reads: U.S.A. Marvin B. Gullatt Staff Sergeant, Company H, 6th Armored Infantry Born June 27, 1917 Killed in Action Anzio Beachhead Italy May 30, 1944 John: 16-32 The passage, John: 16-32, is most fitting considering the circumstances resulting in Marvin’s death: Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. Atlanta Journal-Constitution obituary for Marvin Gullatt:
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Clyde Bearden Willian Clyde Bearden, Private., U.S. Army Son of Dailey and Lizzie Bearden. Husband of Louise Barnes Bearden. Information provided by Jackie Croker, Henly Phillips, Helen Barnes Nixon, and Ruth Barnes. Clyde is buried in Rico Cemetery. Information on his tombstone reads: Born Oct 19, 1913 Died Feb. 28 1945 Private, 164 Infantry Americal Infantry Division Clyde was killed in action in the Philippines, probably on the island of Leyte or Samar. This was remembered by a couple of people and verified from online information concerning his unit. It is not known when Clyde joined the army or for how long he was a member of the 164th Inf. Reg. The following online information details the history of the Americal Inf. Div. at the time of Clyde’s death: First saw action on Guadalcanal on 13 October 1942 alongside the 1st Marine Division as the first United States Army unit to conduct an offensive operation against the enemy in either the Pacific or European Theater of Operations. During the period 25 December 1943 to 12 January 1944, the Americal Division landed on Bougainville, relieving the 3rd Marine Division. On 8 January 1945, the Division began movement to Leyte and Samar, to take part in cleaning out remaining Japanese forces on those islands, and to invade Biri, Capul, Ticao, and Burias. Relieved, 13 March 1945, on Leyte, the Division landed on Cebu, 26 March. Clyde was married to Louise Barnes. It is not known when they married, but a picture of Rico women homemakers from about 1936 includes Louise, so it can be assumed they were married by that time. The Bearden family lived in the Goodes area between Rico Rd., Old Rico Rd., and Old Phillips Rd. Dailey and Lizzie Bearden are buried in New Hope Cemetery. Jackie Croker remembered Clyde as having red hair and that his mother operated a small store in the general area of the intersection of Old Rico Rd. and Hopkins Rd. This area coincides with where the Beardens lived. Jackie said she was always referred to as “Widow Bearden,” and this would seem accurate as her husband, Dailey, died in 1937.
Winston Shell James Winston Shell was not a resident of Chattahoochee Hills, but he had strong ties to our city. Winston was born and raised in Palmetto, but he and his family were members of New Hope Methodist Church. A history of New Hope Church on the Chattahoochee Hills Civic Associations web site states, “…in 1948 new pulpit furniture was dedicated to the memory of Clyde Bearden and Winston Shell, members who lost their lives in World War II.” Winston was born on Dec. 11, 1921, the son of Homer R. and Francis Gertrude (Price) Shell and as stated previously, they lived in Palmetto. According to his brother, Billy Shell, when Winston joined the Army his mother had to sign for him. This would tend to indicate that he enlisted sometime in 1938. Billy also recounted that Winston joined to be a mechanic. At the time of his death he was serving as a tail gunner on a B-24 “Liberator” with the 819th Bomber Squadron, 30th Bomber Group, Heavy. An on-line history of the 30th Bomber Group states: Following the hard-fought victory in the Gilberts, American amphibious forces under a blanket air cover from bombers and fighters advanced into the Marshall Islands in January 1944. Staging through the recently captured Tarawa and Mankin Islands, bombers of the 30th Group attacked several atolls in the Marshalls, including Kwajalein. As remembered by Billy Shell, Winston was killed in Feb. 1944 when his bomber crashed on take-off from Tarawa. As stated above, the 30th Bomber Group was then using Tarawa as a staging point for attacks with their B-24’s. Also as remembered by Billy, Winston was buried on Tarawa. I couldn’t find any information on military cemeteries on Tarawa, but online searching resulted in some more information James W. Shell Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces Service # 14047616 819th Bomber Squadron, 30th Bomber Group, Heavy Entered the Service from: Georgia Died: 21-Jan-44 Missing in Action or Buried at Sea Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart At the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (the “Punchbowl”) in Honolulu, Hawaii, there is a monument
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known as the Honolulu Memorial. Part of this Memorial is the Tablets of the Missing for those missing in action or buried at sea. Listed here is the name James W. Shell. Winston’s B-24 crashed into the Pacific and was evidently unrecoverable. In addition to the listing on the Honolulu Memorial, Winston’s parents placed a memorial marker in Holly Hills Cemetery in Fairburn, where they are also buried. An interesting bit of information found online about the B-24 states, “…its high fuselage-mounted "Davis wing" also meant it was dangerous to ditch or belly land, since the fuselage tended to break apart.” One of the characteristics that made the B-24 such an effective bomber also made it an extremely dangerous machine for its aircrew. Richard Long Richard was the son of Clyde and Marian Long and the brother of Bill Long who married Lucy Smith. Lucy was raised in the Rico Community and still lives here. This information provided by Lucy Long. Richard served in the Army Air Corps and was a bomber tail-gunner. He died when his plane was shot down over Germany. His parents, Clyde and Marian, moved to the area (Rivertown Rd., about 3/4 mile from Campbellton-Redwine) shortly after WW2. Marian was an active member of the Rico Civic Club. Through online searches I was recently able to find more information. The National Archives record of WWII dead lists Richard as: Long, Clyde R., 14141986, SSgt., and shows cause of death as FOD (Finding of Death, that is, missing and presumed dead). He is listed as being from Fulton County, Ga. Additionally, The 447th Bomb Group Association Roll of Honor lists Richard (Long, Clyde R.) as a tail gunner lost on Feb. 25, 1944. The 447th flew the B17 bomber. After finding this additional information, I spoke with Pat Long, Bill Long’s son. He said that Richard had been killed instantly in his tail gunner position, and the plane was severely damaged. All the other crew members were able to parachute away from the plane and were captured. They spent the rest of the war in a German prisoner-of-war camp. After the war, Pat said the pilot of the plane wrote the Long family telling what had happened. That’s why the National Archives listed Richard’s death as FOD. He went down with the plane and his body was not recovered. As the other crewmembers were in a POW camp, they were unable to verify Richard’s death.
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James Cotton Jim Cotton was the son of James and Albia Cotton, brother of Gene Cotton, Barbara Cotton Redic, Beverly Cotton Tyler and Sarah Cotton Gray. This information was provided by Gene Cotton. Jim Cotton, twenty years old, was a sailor (radio operator) in the Merchant Marine. His ship was torpedoed and sunk off New Smyrna Beach, Florida early in 1942 by a German submarine. He was scheduled to be discharged from the Merchant Marine had his ship arrived safely. His parents, James and Albia, were in the process of buying a farm on Garrett’s Fy. Rd. in the Rico Community at the time of Jim’s death. They completed the purchase and moved there in 1945. James died in 1965, and Albia continued to live there until 1978. Gene Cotton remains an active member of Rico United Methodist Church. Postscript, J. Kenyon Langley, April 2022 This article was originally written in May, 2010, for publication in the Memorial Day issue of the monthly newsletter for the City of Chattahoochee Hills produced by the City’s Civic Association. In June, 2012, I wrote an addendum documenting the story of Winston Shell whom I unfortunately missed when researching the original article. This addendum was also published in the newsletter. This edit of the article is intended to combine both articles and format the information in a fashion which would facilitate its future publication in pieces each Memorial Day in the current City Newsletter on a continuing yearly basis. I intend to submit the article to the Chatt Hills History website (chatthillshistory.com) where hopefully it will remain available for any and all to read. I was also able to find some new information through lucky internet searches and from talking with people I didn’t think to interview originally. The sad fact is that this article could probably not be written today. I imagine that eighty percent of the material presented here has passed along with those who recounted it. In the absence of diminishing memories of people who knew the men listed here, maybe this article will preserve the memory of their ultimate sacrifice, in the words of Lincoln at Gettysburg, those who “…gave the last full measure of devotion…”
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Chatt Hills Community Outreach Special Events Sponsorship The City of Chattahoochee Hills hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, coordinated by the Chatt Hills Community Outreach (CHCO) initiative. The City shares a common goal with CHCO to offer events that foster camaraderie and help build a strong community by connecting residents with each other, city services, and local businesses. Our FREE special events would not be possible without the support and partnership of volunteers, local community businesses, and organizations.
We invite you to join us in supporting our 2022 line-up of special events. As a sponsor of our special events, we will acknowledge you in our promotional material and offer a half-page ad in our municipal monthly newsletter. You will receive a letter to share with your accountant as a qualified deduction for 2022 tax return to the Internal Renenue Service.
Sponsorship Opportunities Picnic at the Town Green May 28 at Town Green
Harvest Festival October 15 at Town Green
Christmas in Chatt Hills December 3 at City Hall For more information contact: Robert Rokovitz, City Manager, robbie.rokovitz@chatthillsga.us 770.463.8881 or Ruby Foster, ruby.foster@chatthillsga.us - Chatt Hills Community Outreach
Thanks to our Community Outreach Sponsor!
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JOIN THE MOVEMENT
RIDE. RUN. WALK. BENEFITING
Atlanta can’t live without Grady, and Grady can’t thrive without you! Every day, Grady is working around the clock to keep our community healthy. VeloCity is a great way to say thank you and provide critical support for our health system — and there’s something for everyone. Take to the roads on one of our four cycling routes from 10 to 65 miles Hit the trails by choosing to run or walk our 5K or 9-mile course
SCAN TO REGISTER TODAY! SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022 BOUCKAERT FARM
What you can expect on event day: Breakfast and refreshments to start your day A finish line celebration, including lunch, drinks, live music, and lawn games Adventure zone for families including a kids’ dash, rock climbing wall, and pump track
Can’t make it on May 7? We’ve got you covered! You can still be part of the fun from wherever you choose by registering to participate virtually and using our event app to track your miles.
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Visit Our Website www.velocityatlanta.com
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EVENTS
Saturdays in May, 2022 | 9:00am - 1:00pm Farmers Market
March 5 - October 29, 2022 Saturdays, 9am-1pm, Selborne Green in Serenbe Serenbe Farmers Market is proud to bring Chatt Hills residents and visitors the best local produce, meats, prepared foods, and artisans. The mission of the Serenbe Farmers Market is to support the development of the local agricultural economy and to provide a platform in which to support small businesses to sell their products. Serenbe Farmers Market offers a variety of healthy food and artisan goods on a large green space surrounded by magnificent tall trees, giving you an immunity boost that you just won’t find in an asphalt parking lot. If you’re interested in becoming a Serenbe Farmers Market vendor, CLICK HERE to read the guidelines and apply.
PLAY BALL!
Come cheer on the teams for the next three weeks! The trophy presentations will be Saturday, May 21 at the conclusion of each game.
Saturday, May 7 – Saturday, May 21 12:00 p.m. Practice, 12:30 p.m. Game 2022 Chattahoochee Hills T- Ball Schedule Game Time 9:30 a.m. Practice Time 9:00 a.m. All practices begin 30 minutes prior to game time. May 7 Home Visitor, 9:30 a.m. Owls vs. Robins May 14 Home Visitor, 9:30 a.m. Robins vs. Owls * May 21 Home Visitor, 9:30 a.m. Owls vs. Robins * Trophy presentations following game
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bearcreeknaturecenter.org @bearcreekATL
Saturday, May 14 from 11 am – 4 pm
Pollinator Party!
May 13 | 8:00pm Kevn Kinney COCHRAN MILL BREWING COMPANY 27 Word Street, Fairburn, GA 30213 $25 Tickets: https://bit.ly/3KOB2ia Kevn Kinney is an acclaimed Rock and Folk singer, songwriter and musician most widely known as the founder and frontman of the Atlanta-based rock band Drivin N Cryin. An accomplished musician, poet, and painter, Kinney has released multiple critically-acclaimed recordings over his 30+ year professional career including the gold-certified album Fly Me Courageous. He is well-known for his collaborations with the Allman Brothers’ Warren Haynes, REM, and Grammy Award-winning producer Paul Ebersold, among others.
Come enjoy some fun in the sun at Bear Creek Nature Center! Admission: $5 for non-members FREE for members! Photography Hike at 10 am Hiking and Canoeing Animal Encounters Fun Activities and Crafts
6300 Cochran Mill Rd. Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268
May 14 | 11am-4pm POLLINATOR PARTY Bear Creek Nature Center 6300 Cochran Mill Rd. Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268 (10am begins the nature photography hike hosted by Fulton County Arts & Culture) Admission: $5 for non-members, FREE for members To learn more about becoming a member, visit bearcreeknaturecenter.org Join us at Bear Creek Nature Center in Chattahoochee Hills, GA for a day of learning about the plants and animals that help in the process of pollinating. We will be joined by DNR Wildlife Division, Serenbe Art Farm, and many more community members to have a day full of outdoor activities and animal encounters. For those interested in a photography nature hike, join us earlier at 10am with your favorite picture-taking device to practice nature photography with Fulton County Arts & Culture.
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EVENTS
Friday, May 20th, at 6:00 pm VIP Meet the Artists
10950 Hutchesons Ferry Rd Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268 Tickets: $175 https://bit.ly/3LT58l3
The Lodger VIP Meet the Artists Enjoy drinks and appetizers while meeting the composer and artists who will be performing the music for Alfred Hitchcock‘s masterpiece The Lodger on Saturday, May 21. The artists includes Austin Classical Guitar Artistic Director & Composer in Residence Joseph P Williams, Cellist Bion Tsang, Professor of guitar at Columbus State University, Andrew Zohn, as well as The Great Necks Guitar Trio (Adam Levin, Matthew Rohde, and Scott Borg). The Great Necks will perform selections from their newly released album, Impressions of Spain, on Navona Records. Together with Bion Tsang and Andrew Zohn, they will also give a preview of The Lodger.
Saturday, May 21st, at 7:30 pm The Lodger
10950 Hutchesons Ferry Rd Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268 Ticket: https://bit.ly/35PG9Qb General Admission: $65 Preferred Seating + 1 Drink + Great Necks CD: $100 The Lodger VIP Meet the Artists "The Lodger" film screening with cello and guitar quartet Superstar cellist Bion Tsang will join The Great Necks Guitar Trio (Adam Levin, Matthew Rohde, Scott Borg) and Professor of Guitar at Columbus State University, Andrew Zohn, to perform live an original silent film score by Austin Classical Guitar Composer in Residence Joseph V. Williams II, created to accompany cinematic giant Alfred Hitchock’s early silent masterpiece, The Lodger.
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May 21 | 7:30pm Julie Dexter BOUCKAERT FARM 10045 Cedar Grove Rd, FAIRBURN, GA, 30213 Use address for GPS. Bouckaert Farm is located in Chattahoochee Hills $30 Tickets: https://bit.ly/3rsSMbc Meet Julie Dexter, a world renowned, award winning, British singer, songwriter, and producer considered by many to be one of the most influential female vocalists of our generation. Having shared the spotlight with a host of cutting-edge artists, including Mint Condition, Caron Wheeler, Jill Scott, Lalah Hathaway, Omar, Ledisi, Doug Carn, Third World, and Maxi Priest to name a few, Julie not only holds up her own with them but has been praised and respected by them too. Influenced by legends such as Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln, and Bob Marley, as well as popular icons Omar and Sade, Julie takes classic soul to the heart of Artistry. Fans and critics across the globe have followed her journey through the circles of Jazz, Broken-Beat, Bossa-Nova, Reggae, Afro-Beat, and Soul and she was recently honored at the Black Women in Jazz Awards with the Afro Caribbean Soul of Jazz Award. Julie’s single "Ketch A Vibe" was featured in national radio ads for Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama. Julie's latest album Deja Vu takes us on a journey from Bossa to reggae. From Jazz to World Music, Soul and beyond, Julie Dexter is one of an elite few whose talent can transcend genres.
May 26-30 | 11am-4pm ROUGH RIDERS RENDEZVOUS (Country Music Benefit Concert on Saturday, May 28th!) Indian Mountain ATV Park 11620 County Road 8, Piedmont, Alabama 36272 Visit indianmountainatvpark.com to register for the event! Join us at Indian Mountain ATV park for a fun-filled weekend of riding and country music! Featuring mud bogging and one of country music's hottest stars, Jordan Davis! The proceeds from this event benefit nature experiences for veterans, first responders, and underserved youth and their families through The Barn Group's conservation outreach efforts. To learn more about The Barn Group's work in conserving lands across the country and how we give back to our local community, visit thebarngroup.org.
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Arts Section May Selections from Hills & Hamlets Bookshop and Underground Books: Hills & Hamlets Bookshop is a charming neighborhood bookstore in the Serenbe development of Chattahoochee Hills and was founded by the couple behind Underground Books in Carrollton. Hills & Hamlets Bookshop is open Thursdays through Sundays from 11am to 5pm, and we’re open 24/7 online at www.bookshop.org/shop/undergroundbooks and www. bookshop.org/shop/undergroundbooks and info@hillsandhamlets.com.
New in Fiction: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt For fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus. Tova Sullivan works the night shift at the aquarium. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her son mysteriously vanished on a boat over 30 years ago. Tova befriends the curmudgeonly Marcellus, an octopus who knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until Tova. Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late. Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9780063204157 New in Fantasy: Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher This isn't a fairytale where the princess marries a prince. It's one where she kills him. After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra—the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter—has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince—if she can complete three impossible tasks. On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, they intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last. A limited number of signed copies will be available in-store only! Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9781250244048 New in Young Adult: I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston From the bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue comes a romantic comedy about chasing down what you want, only to find what you need...Chloe Green is so close to winning valedictorian. Her only rival: prom queen Shara Wheeler, who kisses Chloe and vanishes. On a furious hunt for answers, Chloe is thrown into an unlikely alliance, chasing a ghost through parties, break-ins, puzzles, and secrets revealed on monogrammed stationery. A limited number of signed copies will be available in-store only! Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9781250244451
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Arts Section MHJ Studio at Serenbe Mary Holman Johnson says creating body ornament is a passion. She loves to find rare and unusual materials, shapes, and colors and then fashion these elements into designs that are wearable. She draws inspiration not only from the natural environment of Serenbe, but also from the uniqueness and beauty of each material. Her desire is to create jewelry that has value because it is made of elements that are visually rich, the composition unique and the workmanship skilled. Also, to create personal ornament that is personal and not mass produced. She also loves to juxtapose precious and common materials like leather and pearls, natural elements with gemstones, recycled glass, and bone with Ethiopian silver. As an artist, she feels the creation process is like meditation. She can become lost in the moment of discovering what each piece “wants to be.” Time stands still and awakens at the “Aha” moment of the developed composition. Each piece is an original creation. Her work is assembled into collections and changes from year to year based on her inspiration and journey in element collection. Current collections were inspired by Garden Parties, Equestrian Style, the mineral Mica, Tassels, and exotic natural materials. To contact Mary: http://mhjjewelry.zenfolio.com/ (703) 963-3588 mhjstudio1@gmail.com
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Arts Section Adrienne Anbinder
Robert Lederman
Julie McKinney Gail Foster Vinayak Godbole
Judy Walker Brandon Murphy
Ken Shepard
Tom Swanston
Eileen Wilson
Karin Slaton Renae Walker Adrienne Anbinder, Malinda Lively-Arnold, Greg Blount, Morgan Boszilkov, Logynn B Ferrall, Gail Foster, Vinayak Godbole, GW Harper, Wanda Hughes, Ann Jackson, Mary H Johnson, Robert Lederman, Julie McKinney, Brandon Murphy, Ken Shepard, Karin Slaton, Tom Swanston, Judy Walker, Renae Walker, and Eileen Wilson 9057 Selborne Lane & Paint Space, 10625 Serenbe Lane Unit A.
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Community
OUR CHURCHES Campbellton Baptist Church 8660 Campbellton Fairburn Rd Friendship Baptist Church 6090 Cochran Mill Rd www.friendshipbaptistchatthills. com
Rivertown United Methodist Church 9325 Rivertown Rd Sardis Baptist Church 8400 Sardis Rd www.sardisbaptistch.com
Interfaith Fellowship at Serenbe www.facebook.com/ groups/1964824926878340/ New Hope United Methodist Church 7875 Atlanta Newnan Rd Providence Baptist Church 6402 Campbellton Redwine Rd www.pbcrico.org Rico United Methodist Church 6475 Rico Rd
Southside at Serenbe 915AM & 11AM at One Mado We'd love for you to join us and invite your friends and family! If you have questions contact Cathy Gailey at cgailey@remax. net or 404-456-6347. Southern Crescent Unitarian Universalist Fellowship www.facebook.com/SouthernCrescentUUFellowship/ Vernon Grove Baptist Church 8440 Vernon Grove Rd
Memorials Sara Ann Alford Mrs. Sara Ann Alford, age 85, of Chattahoochee Hills, GA passed away Monday, April 25, 2022. She is preceded in death by her siblings, Harriet Williams, Pell Robinson, and Molcie Trimble. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Paul Alford; daughter, Paula Roth of Chattahoochee Hills, GA; sons, Robert Alford and his wife, Kathy, of Chattahoochee Hills, GA, Daniel Alford of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Nicole Chestnutt (Cole), Sunnie McWalters (Sean), Katie Quick (Scott); great-grandchildren, Jase, Sullivan, Hunter, Michael, Nash, Van, Shay, Dawson and Russ.
Art Room Renovation at City Hall Update HVAC system is on the way donated by Ken McNeese, Ken Hose - Electrician, Scott Grey Chatt Hills Heating & Air and Peter $50,000 Clemens will be coordinating with the 45,000 City the week of May 1. Consider 40,000 making a tax-deductible financial contri- 35,000 bution to renovate and equip one room 30,000 in the Chattahoochee Hills City Hall 25,000 building. The completed renovation will 20,000 provide an artistic space that will offer a variety of art classes and workshops for 15,000 10,000 Chattahoochee Hills residents. 5,000 Just $14,000 to go! We can do 0 it! https://donorbox.org/chattahoochee-hills-city-art-room-renovation
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City Government
Robert T. Rokovitz, MPA, ICMA-CM
FY2023 Capital Budget Is Under Review This time of year, every year, the City is engaged in drafting the next fiscal year budget. For Chattahoochee Hills, that fiscal year begins July 1 and runs through June 30th of the following year. The process actually starts in February with a Council Planning retreat; but the more formalized and public process begins in May and June. Instead of providing a full budget review for FY2023, which will be next month’s article, I thought I would give the citizens a snapshot of the Capital Budget. In other words, what the Department Directors have requested from the Mayor and Council for the FY2023 Budget in order to provide their specialized services. It should be known that even though these capital projects and equipment are part of the FY2023 Budget, our financial policies are in effect for getting quotes and/or proposals which require approval by the Mayor and Council. These financial policies can be found in the appendices of our budget documents which are on the City’s website and also at the following link (Budget Documents). This year, the Police Department was able to secure some donated police vehicles from another metro Atlanta agency. This has allowed us to only have the need to purchase one police vehicle and also replace some high-mileage vehicles. Those high-mileage vehicles will be surplused which will help offset the purchase and upfitting of a vehicle. We have also allocated $5,000 for general capital needs and $5,000 to replace older radar units. The Fire Department has some firefighting gear and some firehouse maintenance needs in their capital budget requests. Firefighters must replace their gear based on a serviceability schedule in order for this gear to be effective in fighting fires and keeping them safe. The HVAC replacement is overdue and much needed for obvious reasons. The exhaust elimination system is something common to firehouses which we do not have. These are portable units that are affixed to the exhaust of these large diesel-fueled apparatuses to remove harmful exhaust when these vehicles are deployed into service. What is not seen in the capital budget but remains a request is a fire engine. This request is $300,000. However, the strategy is to do a lease through the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) later in the year which will trigger financing. The payments on this
debt service will not start coming due until after July of 2023, which falls into the FY2024 fiscal year budget. The Public Works capital is the largest portion of capital and for good reason. Every part of our very large City is touched and maintained by our Public Works Department. Road maintenance is and has always been a priority. This is why we make sure to program some funds to add to the TSPLOST funds that we need to repair and pave roadways. The grant match is for the Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) we apply for every year through the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). We have to provide a 30% match as well as submit a thorough application with follow-up reports to be eligible for this grant. This year, we have allocated some funds for some needed structures for Public Works to provide shelter for the heavy equipment and a structure for maintenance and storage of other Public Works-related items and equipment. One structure will be fully enclosed with HVAC and a restroom facility, and the other structure will be an open air pole barn style structure. We are seeking some quotes to get a better idea what these two structures will cost. Lastly, we always allocate some funds to the parks to help supplement what is already programmed in the operational budget. This year, we are allocating $10,000 for park improvements that are not eligible for Hotel/Motel Funds. Additionally, we are allocating $10,000 as a match that may be needed by the Trust for Public Land, which is helping us develop Campbellton Park on the north side of the City and RiverLands Park on the south side to better connect the water trail. The vision includes campsites, restroom facilities, improved public accessibility, and a boat ramp in the RiverLands Park. It is important to note that this vision is still in the preliminary planning stages.
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City Government FULTON V TES 2022 KEY DATES General Primary Election Registration Deadline April 25, 2022 Election Date May 24, 2022 General Primary Election Runoff Registration Deadline April 25, 2022 Election Date June 21, 2022 General Primary Election Runoff for Federal Offices Registration Deadline May 23, 2022 Election Date June 21, 2022 Community
BRICKWORKS REPORT
General Election Registration Deadline October 11, 2022 Election Date November 8, 2022 General Election Runoff Registration Deadline October 11, 2022 Election Date December 6, 2022 General Election Runoff for Federal Offices Registration Deadline November 7, 2022 Election Date December 6, 2022
www.fultonelections.com
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It’s a busy Spring at Brickworks!
We have begun construction to repair and replace our food bank ramp. During the construction, library patrons may enter the library through the front doors of City Hall. Wednesday food bank clients will be routed to the rear of the building for grocery pickup. Brickworks will be serving the children in our area this summer by providing extra groceries for clients with children. Included will be pantry staple lunch items for kids to prepare themselves while parents are at work. Look for more information close to the end of school. The food bank client numbers are starting to increase again, with over 20 families served this past week. Many thanks to those who donate to help neighbors in need. Community Brickworks 6505 Rico Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268, 770-463-6600
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City Government Call to Order Members present: Reed, Foster, Searle, Lowe, Bettis Member(s) absent: Schmidt Review and Approval of Agenda Amended to postpone the Recognition of Kay Long for her service on the Parks Commission. Passed 4-0 Approval of Minutes 1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 1, 2022 2. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 1, 2022 Passed 4-0 Presentations / Proclamations None 1. Recognition of Kay Long for her service on the Parks Commission Removed 2. Proclamation for Fire Captain David Weems
Action Minutes ~ Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council City of Chatt Hills April 5, 2022 / 6:00 p.m. 1.
4.
Item 22-013: Approval of a Transportation Improvement Agreement with Coweta County, Boylen Land Co., LLC, and Serenbe Lane Co., LLC. Passed 4-0 Item 22-014: Resolution accepting a donation from Joey Storey for the purchase of Fire Department equipment totaling up to $5,000. Passed 4-0
Mayor and Council Comments Executive Session 1. To discuss real estate matters. Adjourn Meeting: The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Town Hall Session (None)
Staff Reports Financial Update: Robbie Rokovitz Fire Department Report: Greg Brett Police Department Report: Jim Little Public Works/Parks Report: Darold Wendlandt Community Development Report: Mike Morton Public Hearing (None) Unfinished Business (None) New Business 1. Item 22-010: Approval of the Deer Hollow Concept Plan Revision – the proposal is to increase the number of residential lots from four to five. Passed 4-0 2. Item 22-011: Consideration to enter into a five year contract with Intellisite for the purpose of providing two cameras with artificial intelligence for people counting with a dashboard for video management at Cochran Mill Park at an annual cost of $9,072. Revised to add third camera for a total of $11,519.76. Passed 4-0 3. Item 22-012: Resolution denying request to annex property located in Douglas County. Passed 4-0
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Trending Topic
Community & City
City of Chattahoochee Hills, City Hall, 6505 Rico Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268, Phone: (770) 463-8881, www.chatthillsga.us
City of Chatt Hills: www.chatthillsga.us Chatt Hills Charter School: http://www.chatthillscharter.org/calendar Community Brickworks: www.communitybrickworks.org Serenbe Community: www.serenbe.com Acton Academy at Serenbe: http://actonacademyatserenbe.com/#ourstory
Event We will be scheduling Special Called City Council meetings as dictated by circumstances. These will be virtual and open to the public. The City will take the following safety precautions: • The City Council room will be set up so that the council and staff are all at least 6’ apart. • Any citizen attendees that want to attend in person will also be separated by at least 6’; capacity will be limited to the number of seats that can fit in the room under those conditions. • The meeting will be streamed live. Check details on the City’s website.
About Chatt Hills News The official newsletter of the City of Chattahoochee Hills, Chatt Hills News, is published monthly. This publication is compiled from submissions from the community and is available in public locations around the City, at City Hall, or via email subscriptions. Email Subscriptions: To subscribe via email, visit the City’s Website: www.chatthillsga.us Or subscribe directly at this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/w9cGwxA Print Copies: Residents of Chatt Hills who do not have Internet may request mailed copies by calling City Hall (770) 463-8881.
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City Council Meeting - Tues., May 3, 6:00 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 Historic Commission Meeting - Mon., May 9, 6:30 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 Parks Commission Meeting - Tues., May 10, 6:00 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 Planning Comission Meeting - Thurs., May 12, 6:30 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Article / Event Submissions: If you have a story, event, or suggestion for future articles, we’d like to hear from you. Please submit your information by the 15th of every month for publication on the 1st of the month to: chatthillsnews@chatthillsga.us
2022 PARKING PASSES NOW AVAILABLE The parking passes for Cochran Mill Park are now available. Visit City Hall for your application. The fees are as follows: • Residents – free • Annual car/truck - $25 • Annual 3+ Axels - $35
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