Past Tense: Remembrances of Warnock Farm ► PAGE 5
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Annual book festival adapts to extend reach across U.S. Marcus Center event splits ticket proceeds By CATHY COBBS newsroom@appenmediagroup.com DUNWOODY, Ga. – One of Dunwoody’s most revered annual events, the Marcus Jewish Community Center’s Book Festival, not only survived 2020’s world pandemic, it found a way to help other struggling centers around the country. Going into its 29th year, festival organizers had high expectations for another successful event. In past years, the festival had hosted prominent authors like Hilary Clinton, humorist Dave Berry, former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon. This year, the lineup included actor Michael J. Fox, journalist Joan Lunden, best-selling author David Baldacci and John Grisham. “Little did we know that this year’s festival would be an event unlike any other,” Book Festival Director Pam Morton said. “Once it became clear that an in-person event was not possible, we made some very quick adjustments that turned the festival into an online event.” The event, chaired by Deena Profis and Dr. Artie Gumer, which ended Nov. 22, was rebranded as “JCC Book Fest in Your Living Room.” Instead of flying authors to Atlanta, they were scheduled to appear virtually in hour-long sessions, which included 40 minutes
JEFFREY ALBERTSON/CRIER
Staff and volunteers from I Care Atlanta join with Dunwoody Police to distribute turkeys, greens and other produce to needy families Nov. 20 ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Book festival co-chairs Dr. Artie Gumer and Deena Profis
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of moderated discussion and a 20-minute Q&A. The price of some tickets included the author’s latest book, which was shipped directly to the purchaser by longtime partner A Capella Books. In addition, the sessions were recorded, and ticket holders were given the option to download the event and watch at their leisure. Morton said the unintended benefits of doing the festival online were surprising and philanthropic.
See FESTIVAL, Page 2
Rising from homeless to hero, Dunwoody man helps needy By JEFFREY ALBERTSON newsroom@appenmediagroup.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Long-time Dunwoody resident Anthony Delgado has made it his life’s work to keep the area’s most vulnerable fed, clothed, and in high spirits. The needy are at the center of his consciousness because he knows the struggle first-hand. For Delgado, the Doraville MARTA station marks the junction between two lives, one scarred by drug use, prison and homelessness; the other of salvation and giving.
Delgado heads I Care Atlanta, an area food distribution facility responsible for feeding upwards of 4,000 people per month. Today, Delgado’s organization takes on many roles: hunger relief, GED education, job placement, and financial training. “You can’t describe the feeling knowing that somebody’s going to go to sleep tonight with a full stomach of food, (have a) full stomach when they get up in the
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See GIVING, Page 8