Chamblee, GA May 2026

For the Ladies

M AY 2 02 6

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

To the Ladies Making a Mark on Chamblee

May 2026 PUBLISHER

Kevin Parker | kevin.parker@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Tana Poncsak | tana.poncsak@citylifestyle.com

Being part of a community magazine, I think about the word community a lot and what it means. It's more than just where you live or a home where you lay your head at night and spend most of your time. It's also where you make your mark.

Our May issue of Chamblee City Lifestyle is dedicated to the ladies. In this issue, you'll find stories about just a few of the many, many ladies who are making a mark on the city of Chamblee.

I'm excited that we get the opportunity to tell you about Pam Kachmar, owner of The Frosty Caboose. Pam is a longtime resident and entrepreneur known for the delicious ice cream she serves from a red caboose. Pam has created an iconic Chamblee gathering place. And there's nothing like a cold treat on a warm day! Then there's Katie Vigilante. Katie is the artist and creator of the sculpture, The Tree of Kovel, recently installed and on display in Chamblee City Hall. Learn more about her and the idea behind the sculpture she created for the community. And Kristen Gorham, city manager of the city of Chamblee, who is at the center of the city's day-to-day operations. Kristen, along with city staff and city officials, are shaping the city of Chamblee by carrying out a plan and a vision that determines Chamblee's present and future.

And this barely scratches the surface of what the ladies in Chamblee are doing in the community on a daily basis. There are so many others making a mark in their own unique way. Whether you're a business owner, a young professional, a mother raising the next generation of leaders, a volunteer for a local cause, or enjoying your retirement years in Chamblee, you're all making a mark on the community.

So this month, we celebrate the ladies and all that you do to make your mark on the city and in the community! We thank you for making the city of Chamblee what it is today and what it'll become in the future.

STAF F P H OTO G R AP H E R

Janet Howard | janet.howard@citylifestyle.com STAF F W R I T E R

Natalie Fox | nataliefoxcreative@gmail.com S O C I AL M E D I A C O O R D I N ATO R

Alyssa Kreplin | alyssakreplin@kw.com

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry COO David Stetler CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

And wishing all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day!

TA N A P O N C S A K , E D I T O R @CHAMBLEECITYLIFESTYLE

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Chamblee City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Chamblee area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

Visit our Instagram CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/CHAMBLEE

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Chamblee City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue MAY 2 0 2 6 | L A DI ES

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Featured

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The Power of Public Art

The Tree of Kovel encapsulates strength and honor in the face of war

Chamblee’s Sweetest Treat

Pam Kachmar of The Frosty Caboose shares the story of Chamblee’s most beloved treats

Meet Kristen Gorham

Chamblee City Manager builds a strong sense of place in Chamblee

On the Cover

Departments

On the cover is The Frosty Caboose iconic to Chamblee and its rich history built along the railroad tracks. Today, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a sweet treat while watching trains pass by.

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Lifestyle Letter

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City Scene

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Business Monthly

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Artist’s Palette ARTS + CULTURE

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Local Limelight FOOD + BEVERAGE

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Inspired By LIFE + CULTURE

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Realty Report REAL ESTATE

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Our Town LOCAL SERVICES

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Events

Photography: Janet Howard

New Season. New Home.

New Mortgage Options.

Whether you are downsizing, refinancing, building or buying, Debi Campbell and the Ameris Mortgage team have the tools and experience to get you there.

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All loans subject to credit approval.

M AY 2 0 2 6

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

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1: On your mark...get set...go! The Bulldog Dash 5K runners take off from the starting point. 2: Runners of all ages take part in the recent Bulldog Dash 5K. 3: Did you participate in the 2026 Bulldog Dash 5K? 4: The Bulldog Dash 5K is an Atlanta Journal-Constitution qualifying race. 5: The Bulldog Dash 5K is a fundraiser for Chamblee Middle School and Chamblee High School. 6: See your friends and neighbors at the next year’s Bulldog Dash 5K. 7: Runners stretch to get ready for the Bulldog Dash 5K. Photography by Janet Howard

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C I T Y SC E N E

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CITY OF CHAMBLEE

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SPRUILL CENTER FOR THE ARTS

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TANA PONCSAK

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TANA PONCSAK

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CITY OF CHAMBLEE

TANA PONCSAK

TANA PONCSAK

8: Lace up, skaters! SkateATL holds an official ribbon cutting ceremony. 9: Chamblee officials receive the Bob Kinsey award from the Spruill Center for the Arts. 10: Brookhaven city officials take the stage at the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival. 11: Natasha Bedingfield performs for the crowd at the recent Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival. 12: Brews & Hops Taproom holds an official ribbon cutting ceremony. 13: Great weather and big crowds fill the park for the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival. 14: Max McNown closes out Brookhaven’s Cherry Blossom Festival for 2026. Until next year...

MAY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / C HA M BL E E

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M AY 2 0 2 6

business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

Welcome Baby Blue!

It's Blue...Baby Blue! Bluetop's new Baby Blue Pizza Kitchen recently held an official ribbon cutting. Located in downtown Chamblee next to BlueTop, the pizza kitchen was inspired by Greg Buffalo, the owner, his Italian family, and their passion for pizza. So stop by and taste the passion in a slice or two for yourself. Visit babybluechamblee.com for more information.

Scan to read more Photography by City of Chamblee

Feel Your Best with RefreshMD by Robb Facial Plastics Congratulations to RefreshMD by Robb Facial Plastics on the opening of a second med spa location in Chamblee! RefreshMD is a plastic surgeon-led and physician directed medical spa that provides ethical, precision-driven aesthetic and wellness care with a goal to help you look and feel energized and confident.

Visit robbfacialplastics.com to learn more.

Scan to read more Photography by City of Chamblee

The City of Chamblee Receives Financial Accountability Award For the 11th consecutive year the city of Chamblee has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. You can find the annual financial reports on the city's website, at chambleega.com. Pictured here is Chamblee Finance Director Julie Pero. Congratulations to the city of Chamblee for a job well done!

Photography by City of Chamblee

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THE POWER OF

Public A rt ‘The Tree of Kovel’ encapsulates strength and honor in the face of war

ARTICLE BY NATALIE FOX | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET HOWARD

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A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CU LT U RE

This sculpture emphasizes our shared humanity on an international level.

Katie Vigilante discovered the concept for her Chamblee City Hall sculptural tree in a synchronic fashion. Commissioned by the Balance Design Team, she invited her son’s girlfriend on a whim to a meeting, when a casual conversation led to the piece’s entire mission.

Previously a political scientist, Katie was excited to hear that Chamblee took part in the Sister Cities International program, an initiative started by Eisenhower after World War II to foster overseas connections. Learning that Kovel, Ukraine, is Chamblee’s counterpart stopped Katie in her tracks. “Isn’t that where you’re from?” Katie asked her son’s girlfriend, Liza. Kovel is a tiny town that has been under siege by Russia. The coincidence felt fated, and thus, the concept of The Tree of Kovel began its journey.

A banquette sat in the lobby of Chamblee’s City Hall with a large space in the center. This area became a magnet for children playing and even social media dances, and it needed to be filled. The original idea of installing a live tree was deemed too high maintenance, leading to Katie’s inclusion, as she’s widely regarded for her floral sculptures. The Tree of Kovel would be her largest piece to date.

One of the most exhilarating aspects of its creation came early, when Katie sourced a boxwood elm tree trunk from her colleague's yard, which was set to be thrown in a nearby creek. The trunk was a mess, and many creatures had made it their temporary home, so preparing it for painting was a physically demanding process. The power of transformation began to seep through as Katie removed every piece of bark and sanded the trunk down to a smooth surface, revealing a large base that almost resembles a human body.

Initially, her commissioners weren’t on board when they saw photos. But her vision was strong, and she knew that if they saw it in person, they would see its potential. Fortunately they did, and the next step was convincing the city of Chamblee of the structure’s concept and its attached meaning. “I knew that if I could get this idea in front of the city, they would buy in," she says. And she was right.

CONTINUED >

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Painted pebbles and golden leaves line the bottom of the 'Tree of Kovel.'

A plaque shares the meaning behind the 'Tree of Kovel.'

The Tree of Kovel and all its accompanying reverberations became Katie’s passion project. She crafted branches and leaves in her signature style, as if they grew out of the repurposed tree trunk.

Painted pebbles line the bottom, and golden leaves based on Liza’s doodles lie across them, symbolizing the fallen people of Kovel. A level of logistical problem-solving was added to the project in a way Katie hadn’t yet encountered. There were various considerations to enhance safety, movement, and preservation of its sculptural integrity.

Behind all this effort burned a dedication to honoring the people of Kovel as they suffered. The responsibility was never lost on Katie and the entire team. “I would love to take the passion of those people and say, ‘here's something tangible and a symbol of hope,’” Katie says.

The community has faced significant hardships, including severe 16-hour rolling blackouts that disrupted daily life. "We were on a Zoom call as a family, and Liza was translating for her parents, and they had to flee," Katie says. These ongoing challenges have impacted the city's economy, the ability to work, go to school, cook food, and stay warm.

Katie was jarred by their resilience and galvanized to implement fundraising efforts, and met virtually with the Mayor of Kovel to offer support. Public art is a powerful way to turn advocacy into direct action. Now, at the heart of Chamblee’s City Hall, the Tree of Kovel symbolizes true resilience while honoring the fallen.

D O N AT E H E R E : U K R A I N I A N AT L A N TA . O R G / D O N AT I O N Kovel, Chamblee’s sister city, needs funds for veterans. The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America in Georgia directly sends donations to the “Steel Legion” of Ukraine for distribution. Gifts go toward Adaptive Sports and Rehabilitation Equipment, Accessibility Infrastructure, Medical Rehabilitation and Sanatorium Treatment, or Individual Mobility Support.

A tiny ripple can mean a tremendous amount.

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A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CU LT U RE

“A r t i s t o be shared, K a t i e s ay s p a s s i o n a t e l y, A n d i t ’s a b o u t c o m m u n i t y.

It’s symbolic o f h u m a n i t y .”

Katie Vigilante stands next to the 'Tree of Kovel' on display in Chamblee City Hall.

Visit Katie’s website, at fiorevigilante.com.

The Tree of Kovel isn’t just another commission for Katie; it serves as a tangible symbol of hope while permanently connecting the two communities. Furthermore, by living in an open public space like Chamblee City Hall, this extremely skillful piece with such nuanced meaning is accessible to all. “Art is to be shared”, Katie says passionately, “And it's about community.

It's symbolic of humanity."

For centuries, the power of public art has defined eras and influenced societies. Now, in our little corner of the world, Chamblee holds a piece of public art on a true mission. By representing its sister city, Kovel, this sculpture emphasizes our shared humanity on an international level. We all need a warm home with the lights on while living alongside our neighbors in safety.

The people of Kovel have held onto hope while demonstrating unimaginable strength in the face of adversity.

Katie Vigilante, Balance Design Team, and the City of Chamblee have come together to honor them while encouraging practical support. This is one piece of art making an international impact. “When you've got a great story,” Katie says in awe, “Sometimes you get really magnificent outcomes.”

MAY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / C HA M BL E E

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Families • headshots • weddings • brands • events JanetHowardStudio.com

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CHAMBLEE’S SWEETEST TREAT

Pam Kachmar of The Frost y Caboose shares the stor y of Chamblee’s most beloved treats ARTICLE BY NATALIE FOX PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET HOWARD

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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | FO OD + BE VE RAGE

A bright red caboose sits at the center of Chamblee’s downtown, serving a rotating selection of delicious ice cream.

Pam Kachmar left 20-years in human resources and sales to open and run this Chamblee landmark. The resulting ice cream shop, The Frosty Caboose, has been a mainstay since its opening in 2009.

It's a fun and whimsy pleasure to get a sweet treat at The Frosty Caboose.

“A lot of kids have grown up with us.

The community has totally supported us.”

Over the past 17 years, Pam and her family have watched the Chamblee business scene transform around them, and their shop has been witness to it all.

First, Vintage Pizza and a few antique shops were their only neighbors. Now, new and fabulous businesses keep cropping up, and others become fellow staples of the city. The foot traffic has increased tenfold, and even as people grow up and move away, they’ll still drive in for a scoop of their favorite nostalgic ice cream.

There’s something inherently special about those local neighborhood spots you can count on. Especially a place that’s truly wholesome, family-friendly, and

staffed with local students. The Frosty Caboose is somewhere residents visit again and again. It’s a comfort treat and a tradition for so many in Chamblee. And at its heart, it’s a family business through and through.

Pam was inspired by her brother, whose building business at the time of The Frosty Caboose's opening primed him to see Chamblee's potential. It was Pam's brother and her brother-in-law who installed the caboose and laid down the tracks themselves.

Pam’s children work as shift supervisors when they’re in town and available, and her husband even helped with the logo and website design!

CONTINUED >

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Chamblee, known as a “city on the right track,” gave them the idea for the train theme, especially as its location faces the local tracks. Its eye-catching building, a Missouri Pacific caboose brought in all the way from Iowa, makes it an ideal place to bring along visitors and tourists alike. Greenwood Ice Cream, a local staple for over 70 years, has provided products, and they now source from vendors that aren't available in grocery stores.

This community spirit isn’t an exception; it’s the rule. The Frosty Caboose hosts several fundraisers, spirit nights for Chamblee City Schools, and contributes to the beloved “Taste of Chamblee.” They also provide auction items, donations, and offer their land for the kids' zone when needed. Girl Scout troops set up their cookie tables, providing the perfect pairing in the spring. This commitment to community involvement and contribution provides a deep level of satisfaction. "A lot of kids have grown up with us,” Pam says with gratitude. “The community has totally supported us."

Before Pam’s corporate tenure, she received her degree in Industrial Psychology from Moravian College. Then two decades in human resources and later sales, gave her excellent preparation for the life of an entrepreneur. Managing staff, especially in a retail setting with seasonal variability, is a vital skill. "You're basically married to the business if it's your own,” she shares. “Anything goes wrong, you're there. Staff doesn't show up, or they're out sick, you're there." This dedication reaps its own rewards.

Building something from scratch that becomes a constant in a community is no small feat.

The Frosty Caboose is one of the few businesses that thrived during the pandemic. As customers ordered from the window, people were able to enjoy their favorite ice cream and mill about in a time when any type of gathering fed everyone’s soul on a deep level. It became many people’s “happy place” in a stressful and unprecedented period of time.

Ice cream is the treat people reach for in good times and bad. Aced your test? That calls for a cone.

Bad breakup? Grab a pint and wallow. The Frosty Caboose’s options cater to a variety of dietary restrictions, ensuring there’s a flavor for everyone.

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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | FO OD + BE VE RAGE

“The Frosty Caboose is somewhere residents visit again and again.

It’s a comfort treat and a tradition for so many in Chamblee. And at its heart, it’s a family business through and through.”

Top, Left: A sweet treat while watching the trains pass.

Far, Right: Owner Pam Kachmar stands in front of the iconic caboose in downtown Chamblee. Visit frostycaboose.com.

Non-dairy, low-fat, and no-sugar specifications are all available. Their website even includes an astrological guide to choosing your order based on your sign! Pam’s personal favorite is the always classic mint chocolate chip, and they work to ensure they bring in new, exciting flavors that cater to the seasons, while keeping their mainstays available.

While entrepreneurship carries certain responsibilities and pressures, Pam emphasizes the creative freedom she’s been afforded since opening The Frosty Caboose.

It’s empowering to make major decisions that

impact the entire business and to contribute to the community as much as desired. They take their role in Chamblee seriously. The city has exploded in growth since its opening in 2009, and they’ve watched with delight as the community has expanded, with no end in sight. “We wanted something fun for the city,” Pam states simply. Kids and adults alike find joy in ordering their favorite ice cream out of a real-life caboose. Whimsy and life’s simple pleasures collide at The Frosty Caboose. Make it a staple of your family’s summer - you won’t regret this delicious tradition!

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ARTICLE BY KALI KASORZYK

BECKY HILLYARD

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

From Side Hustle to Style Empire The power of taste, trust, and the courage to “just start.”

She didn’t have a business plan, a media budget, or even a name anyone could pronounce. What Becky Hillyard had was taste, a young family, and the instinct to just start. Today, her lifestyle brand Cella Jane commands an audience the size of Vogue’s, she’s nine collections strong with Splendid, and she’s built it all while raising three kids — refusing to sacrifice one for the other. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Becky shares what it really takes to build a brand, a career, and a life you love. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full conversation.

Q: WHEN DID YOU KNOW CELLA JANE WAS MORE THAN A HOBBY? A: Two moments. Women started emailing me saying they bought something I recommended and felt amazing — asking me to help them find a dress for a wedding. That felt incredible. Then I looked at my affiliate numbers for one month and realized I could cover our mortgage. I thought, I can actually do this. I never set out to build a business. I started it because I genuinely loved it.

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I NSP IR E D BY | L I FE + C ULT U RE

Becky in Splendid x @CellaJaneBlog Spring 2026 Collection

Becky in Splendid x @CellaJaneBlog Spring 2026 Collection

Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK WITH THE BRAND? A: Designing my own collection. It’s easy to point at items on a

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN BUT KEEPS WAITING? A: Don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect camera, the right strat-

website and say I love these. But to create something from scratch, put your name on it, and wait to see if people connect with it — that’s terrifying. I had an incredible partner in Splendid, and women loved the pieces. It was the biggest risk and the biggest accomplishment.

egy, or enough followers. We find every excuse to stay comfortable. Just start, be consistent, and be authentically yourself. The right people will find you — and they’ll stay.

Q: HOW HAS INFLUENCER MARKETING CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED? A: When I started, brands didn’t know whether to take it seriously. Now it’s a legitimate line item in their marketing budgets — sometimes bigger than TV. Because what we’ve built is trust.

People trust a real recommendation from someone they follow far more than a commercial. There’s no question about it now.

Q: YOU’RE A MOM OF THREE RUNNING A FULL BRAND. WHAT DOES YOUR DAY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE? A: I try to get up at five and not hit snooze — that first hour before the house wakes up is the most productive, most peaceful hour of my day. Then it’s all hands on deck with the kids and school drop-off.

After that I work — planning content, connecting with my team, editing. After pickup, the day shifts completely and it’s all about them.

I’ve learned to protect both halves fiercely, because both matter.

This conversation is just the beginning. Becky goes deeper on the risks that almost stopped her, the design process behind her latest Splendid collection, and what she’d tell her 2012 self today.

Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.

“Trust is the only metric that actually compounds.”

— Becky Hillyard

F E AT U R I N G B E C K Y H I L LYA R D The brand millions follow. Hear how it really star ted. Scan for the full conversation.

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realty report A S A M P L E O F R E C E N T LY S O L D P R O P E R T I E S I N C H A M B L E E .

N E I G HBO RH O O D

ORIGIN AL PRICE

SO L D P RIC E

%SO L D/ O RIG

DO M

B DRM S

B AT H S

Huntley Hills

$600,000

$654,500

109%

4

4

3

Repose

$990,000

$1,058,320

107%

5

4

4.5

Ashford Park

$1,550,000

$1,585,950

102%

5

5

4 2.5

Westover Woods

$795,000

$810,000

102%

4

5

Embry Hills

$599,000

$602,500

101%

5

4

3

Sexton Woods

$2,100,000

$2,100,000

100%

3

5

4.5

Sexton Woods

$2,100,000

$2,100,000

100%

4

5

4.5

Sexton Woods

$1,885,000

$1,885,000

100%

3

6

5.5

Ashford Park

$1,750,000

$1,750,000

100%

3

6

5

Huntley Estates

$1,175,000

$1,175,000

100%

0

4

4.5

Henderson Hills

$850,000

$850,000

100%

1

5

4.5

Gainsborough

$700,000

$700,000

100%

4

4

3

Embry Hills

$625,000

$625,000

100%

3

5

3

Gainsborough

$925,000

$923,500

100%

4

3

2

Huntley Hills

$529,000

$529,000

100%

2

3

2

Embry Hills

$550,000

$550,000

100%

2

4

3

Ashford Park

$685,000

$685,000

100%

4

3

2

Nottaway

$540,000

$540,000

100%

5

4

2.5 2.5

Embry Hills

$520,000

$520,000

100%

1

3

Nottaway

$650,000

$650,000

100%

3

5

3

Sexton Woods

$1,695,000

$1,695,000

100%

6

5

5.5

Harts Mill

$845,000

$845,000

100%

3

4

2.5

Huntley Hills

$559,000

$559,000

100%

2

3

2

Embry Hills

$549,000

$549,000

100%

1

4

2.5

Sexton Woods

$710,000

$710,000

100%

1

3

2

This data is a sampling of sold properties from July-December 2025. Source: IRES MLS system.

28

R EA LT Y R E P ORT | REAL ESTAT E

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29

Chamblee City Manager Kristen Gorham addresses a crowd at Chamblee City Hall.

ME E T

K R I S T E N GOR H A M CHAMBLEE CITY MANAGER BUILDS A STRONG SENSE OF PLACE IN CHAMBLEE

ARTICLE BY TANA PONCSAK PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY CITY OF CHAMBLEE

30

O UR TOWN | LO CAL SERV ICE S

Kristen Gorham is the city manager of Chamblee.

Chamblee City Manager Kristen Gorham is helping to build a strong sense of place and a sense of identity through the day-today operations at the city of Chamblee.

After Kristen received her master’s in Public Administration at the University of Georgia, she says she left Georgia for a couple of years and was looking to move back to the metro Atlanta area. Seeking a job in local government, there was an opportunity at the city of Chamblee, and she says she was impressed with how quickly the city was growing. “I thought it would be a great landing spot from a local government standpoint,” Kristen says.

“I have a lot of great subject matter experts that I get to work with...”

CONTINUED >

MAY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / C HA M BL E E

31

Chamblee City Manager Kristen Gorham (far left) speaks with residents at a recent Coffee with the City Manager event.

Kristen joined the city of Chamblee in 2019 as the city’s senior management analyst. In 2020, she was promoted to assistant city manager and then appointed to deputy city manager shortly thereafter.

In July 2024, Kristen was appointed to the city manager position where she now oversees the day-to-day operations of Chamblee’s city government via the city’s various departments and staff members.

In the city manager role, Kristen has six bosses – Chamblee City Council members and the Mayor. “City council appoints me to oversee all the implementations of

32

O UR TOWN | LO CAL SERV ICE S

policies and their vision for the city,” she says. “I take their direction and make sure that everything that we’re doing from an operational standpoint is in alignment with that.”

Kristen says she doesn’t have to worry on a daily basis if the organization is going to function. She’s supported by what she calls an incredible staff. “I think a lot of the things that we’re able to do is because we have such a fantastic team of people,” she says. “I have a lot of great subject matter experts that I get to work with, who are part of the city’s team and

that helps me be successful because I can rely on them to be effective at their jobs.” This gives her the ability to focus on the things at hand at both the city and state levels. For Kristen, she says city government has a strong sense of community and city of Chamblee staff members genuinely care about their jobs and the impact they have on the city as a community. “I think when you go to work in this environment, everybody’s all in the same boat rowing in the same direction, and it’s a very supportive environment to work in,” she says.

“I think women in general strive to look for career opportunities where they can give back and invest, and they want to see good things happen from that,” Kristen says.

Another part of her role is community input and feedback. The city of Chamblee provides a number of opportunities for resident feedback, both formal, such as city council meetings, town hall meetings and public hearings, and informal.

“Ultimately, it’s a representative form of government, so it’s the city council who ultimately decides what we do through policy,” Kristen explains. But through a number of programs and initiatives, the city asks for input and feedback that is then shared with city council members, and through this process Kristen says they create a product, whether it’s a park or a program or an initiative that community members are looking for.

According to a Google search, a Georgia Southern University study indicates that only about 12% of city managers in the state of Georgia are female, while national surveys show that about 30% of city managers are female nationally. Kristen says that while these statistics are true, they are changing. “I’m seeing that change across the board,” she says, adding that she used to attend conferences in rooms of mostly men.

Now she says more and more women are

in the room. “It’s a shift that’s happening,” she says. “It hasn’t happened yet, but it’s definitely happening.”

For Kristen, it was seeing her father in city management that caught her interest in the profession. “It was modeled to me as a career path that I found to be very challenging and rewarding because I watched him do it in a community that was one of the fastest growing communities in the country at the time,” she says, adding that it’s exciting to see more and more women lean into local government and city management. “I think women in general strive to look for career opportunities where they can give back and invest, and they want to see good things happen from that,” she says.

Kristen and the city of Chamblee hold events called Coffee with the City Manager, so community members can speak with Kristen and ask questions in order to have a better understanding of what’s going on in Chamblee city government and throughout the community. The next event is being planned for late summer or early fall, so watch for the announcement in the near future and get to know Kristen and learn more about Chamblee.

Learn more about Kristen and the city of Chamblee at chambleega.com.

MAY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / C HA M BL E E

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M AY 2 0 2 6

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S

M AY 6T H

'ChamBlee to B' Business Networking Event Distillery of Modern Art | 4:00 PM Professionals and entrepreneurs in Chamblee looking to connect with others - A "ChamBlee to B" Business Networking event is planned for 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on May 6, at the Distillery of Modern Art. The event is free. Registration is required. Find more information and links to the registration page on the city of Chamblee's social media pages.

M AY 8T H

Callanwolde Spring Concert Series Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road, NE, Atlanta 30306 | 7:30 PM Callanwolde holds its Spring Concert Series once again, and at 7:30 p.m. on May 8 True Blossom and Slow Parade will take the Callanwolde stage. It's a nice night for live music, good food and great company. For more information about the venue, event, and to purchase tickets, visit callanwolde.org.

M AY 9 T H

Dunwoody Arts Festival Dunwoody Village Parkway | 10:00 AM The Dunwoody Arts Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 9 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 10 at the Dunwoody Village Parkway. It's fun for all ages! The festival includes a food court, artists, vendors, and more. For more information, visit splashfestivals.com/events-festivals/dunwoody-art-festival/.

M AY 1 6T H

Brookhaven Bolt Ashford Park | 8:00 AM Looking for a fun run close to home and for a good cause? The Brookhaven Bolt will take place at 8 a.m. on May 16 at Ashford Park. Proceeds from the race benefit Ashford Park Elementary School. The race is an Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race qualifying race. For more registration and information, visit brookhavenbolt.com.

M AY 1 6T H

Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival Downtown Dahlonega on the Square | 10:00 AM Just a short drive north, the Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival is planned for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 16 from and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 17. Enjoy art, wine and jazz while strolling along Dahlonega Square. The event is family-friendly, pet-friendly and free to the public. For more information, visit chestateeartists.org.

M AY 2 3 RD

Atlanta Jazz Festival Piedmont Park | 1:00 PM The 49th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is set for Memorial Day weekend. The music starts Saturday, May 23 and runs daily from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Monday, May 25. The event is free and open to the public. For more information and the lineup of performers, visit atljazzfest.com.

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