Supporting the Future of Farming in Chattahoochee Hills
I recently attended the South Fulton Farm Bureau Legislative Luncheon in Palmetto, and one of the strongest themes throughout the discussion was the growing importance of local land use planning and farmland preservation. Across Georgia, communities are facing increasing development pressure, and once farmland is lost, it is rarely recovered.
Farming across Georgia is changing. The reality is that agriculture has become increasingly difficult, especially for small and mid-sized family farms. Many farmers today rely on diversification, agritourism, direct-to-consumer sales, CSA programs, events, or specialty products just to make their operations sustainable.
At the same time, farms are disappearing. According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, Fulton County saw a 14% decline in the number of farms since 2017, a 25% reduction in land in farms, and a 13% decrease in average farm size.
Chatt Hills is one of the few areas in the metro Atlanta region that still retains a substantial agricultural landscape with working farmland. As a city, we have an opportunity to think intentionally about how we support working farms for generations to come. That means continuing conversations about how land use, infrastructure, economic development, and local planning can help support local farms while preserving the rural character and conservation values that are important to Chatt Hills.
We have talked about this over the past few months, and we are already beginning to take meaningful steps forward. Chatt Hills and Palmetto were recently selected to participate in a regional initiative supported through the Atlanta Regional Commission and Food Well Alliance focused on strengthening the local food system and identifying practical next steps to support local growers and improve access to healthy, locally grown food.
Organizations like our local Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy, the Chatt Hills Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as The Conservation Fund are also doing important work.
The Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy (CHCC) is helping facilitate community conversations around farmland preservation, food system activation, and farmer support based on feedback from farmers, landowners, and residents. That includes practical ideas like farm signage, farmstand support, agritourism promotion, local food access, and clearer guidance that helps farms operate successfully. The CHCC is also working to secure grant funding and other financial support to help move these ideas from planning into action.
The Conservation Fund is helping preserve farmland in Chatt Hills and keep it in agricultural production. Their Working Farms Fund model helps support working farms, preserve agricultural land, and create long-term opportunities for farmers to continue working the land for future generations.
As part of our Comprehensive Plan process, working farms have become an important part of the discussion, and I deeply appreciate the participation of our farming community, especially knowing that leaving the farm, even for an evening meeting, is no small commitment.
Many residents already support local agriculture through CSA programs and direct farm purchases. These kinds of local connections matter. They help create a stronger local food economy while also strengthening relationships between neighbors and farmers.
Looking ahead, there are exciting possibilities. Residents have even talked about the idea of one day hosting a “tour of farms” similar to the way many communities host tours of homes.
Farms are not simply part of our past, they are part of our future. If we want to preserve the character of Chatt Hills, I believe supporting working farms must remain part of that vision.
Mayor Camille Lowe
OUR COMMUNITY
South Fulton Fire Rescue Department Headquarters and Public Safety Training Complex Groundbreaking
The City of South Fulton proudly celebrated the commencement of construction of the South Fulton Fire Rescue Department Headquarters and Public Safety Training Complex with a groundbreaking ceremony. This historic, $58 million state-of-the-art facility will be located along Cascade Palmetto Highway and is part of a larger public safety investment totaling roughly $113 million. It is the first building of its kind in the City of South Fulton and surrounding area.
Features include a 50,000-square-foot administrative headquarters, an advanced Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and a 911 call center. Additional components such as logistics buildings, a vehicle extraction training area, a multi-use burn building, and an auditorium will support comprehensive, hands-on training.
The complex will also house a large concrete driving pad and an outdoor classroom to support immersive, hands-on training for both fire and law enforcement personnel. In alignment with the City's commitment to interagency collaboration, the facility will accommodate specialized training operations for the City of South Fulton Police Department.
Beyond its public safety mission, the development incorporates community-focused elements, including a public walking trail and a pavilion, further enhancing the site’s value as a civic asset.
This transformative project reinforces the City’s commitment to innovation, regional collaboration, and excellence in public safety.
Visit https://www.cityofsouthfultonga.gov/.../Home/Detail/781 to learn more about the South Fulton Fire Rescue Department Headquarters and Public Safety Training Complex. Together, we are building a stronger, safer City of South Fulton.
OUR COMMUNITY
CERES a Culinary-Centric Community That Aligns with Chatt Hills’ Conservation Vision
Chattahoochee Hills, GA — A new model for community living is taking shape in Chattahoochee Hills with the introduction of CERES Chatt Hills, a 94-acre mixed-use development designed to place food, agriculture, and community connection at the center of everyday life.
A New Approach to Development
Officially announced in April 2026, CERES Chatt Hills is being positioned as the first “culinary-centric” community of its kind in the United States. Led by Columbia Ventures, the project builds on the region’s established commitment to thoughtful growth, land stewardship, and conservation-focused planning—principles that have long guided development in Chattahoochee Hills.
Located near Serenbe, CERES complements a growing cluster of projects that emphasize walkability, preservation of green space, and integration with the natural landscape.
The project officially broke ground on April 17, marking a major milestone more than four years after the property was first acquired. Dominique Love, founder and visionary behind CERES Chatt Hills, reflected on the journey during the groundbreaking celebration.
“‘A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality,’” Love shared, quoting John Lennon. “My dream of creating a new model in residential living where food is the foundation for healthy, sustainable, and connected living is one step closer to reality.”
Love also credited the project’s partners, consultants, and supporters for helping move the ambitious vision from concept to construction.
Food as a Community Framework
At the heart of CERES is the concept that food can serve as a unifying force—both socially and economically. According to the project’s official announcement, the development is designed around the idea that food can function as “a daily ritual, a social connector, and an economic engine.”
Plans for the site include approximately 80 single-family homes and townhouses, 40 lofts, flats, and penthouses, a 70-key inn, and nearly 50,000 square feet of commercial space focused on culinary and hospitality experiences. Additional amenities are expected to include:
• A chef incubator and culinary entrepreneurship space
• Chef-driven restaurants and gathering spaces
• A cookery school and private members club
• Edible landscaping integrated throughout the community
• Orchards, gardens, greenhouses, and living walls
“CERES is envisioned as a place where food shapes how people gather, connect, and experience community,” the development team noted in its release.
OUR COMMUNITY
Grounded in Conservation Principles
Chattahoochee Hills has long prioritized conservation design through its zoning and land-use framework, encouraging clustered development, protection of natural resources, and preservation of rural character. CERES reflects these priorities by incorporating walkable design, shared community spaces, and a focus on local sourcing and agricultural integration.
The project aligns with the City’s broader goals of balancing growth with environmental stewardship—ensuring that new development contributes to the long-term sustainability of the region.
“Projects like CERES demonstrate how innovation in land use can coexist with conservation values,” the release states, highlighting a model that integrates residential life with agriculture and culinary arts.
Looking Ahead
As construction begins, CERES Chatt Hills is expected to attract residents, culinary professionals, entrepreneurs, and visitors seeking an immersive lifestyle rooted in wellness, sustainability, and food culture.
CERES further reinforces Chattahoochee Hills’ growing reputation as a destination for forward-thinking development—where conservation, creativity, agriculture, and community intersect.
For more information, visit cereschatthills.com Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to hear about updates. https://www.cereschatthills.com/home#subscribe
Update After Ground Breaking
Here are more articles on CERES:
CERES Chatt Hills - First Culinary-Centric Community in the US
Atlanta Business Chronicle - Food- focused Community Rising in Chattahoochee Hills
Food & Beverage Magazine - Revolutionizing culinary living in Georgia
OUR COMMUNITY
Sundance Episodic Lab Finds Permanent Home at Dunaway Gardens in Newnan
The Sundance Institute’s acclaimed Episodic Program Lab officially relocates to Dunaway Gardens beginning in May 2026, marking a major cultural milestone for Georgia’s growing film and television industry and establishing the historic site as a new creative destination for storytellers from around the world.
The immersive five-day program, which supports emerging television writers developing scripted episodic pilots, takes place May 15–20 at the historic property south of Atlanta. The 2026 lab welcomes 10 fellows representing eight original projects selected by the Sundance Institute, including Wonderboom, Cupidity, Male Loneliness Epidemic, The Runaways, The Circuit, On Death’s Precipice, Loupe, and borderline_.
The selected fellows are Carmiel Banasky, Jeremy Dauber and Olivia Krebs, Celine Foster, DeZell Lathon and Simone Williams, Michael Mount, Larry V. Santana, Liba Vaynberg, and Natacha Yazbeck.
Created in 2014, the Sundance Episodic Lab is designed to nurture emerging writers through mentorship from established showrunners, producers, and development executives. Fellows workshop pilot scripts, develop series pitches, participate in writers’ rooms and one-onone story meetings, and receive yearlong creative support through Sundance Institute programming.
Among the 2026 creative advisors are industry leaders including Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights), James Wong (American Horror Story), Graham Yost (Silo), Liz Flahive (GLOW), and Vera Santamaria (PEN15), along with executives and mentors from Netflix, AMC+, Fremantle, Hello Sunshine, and 3 Arts Entertainment.
The relocation represents a significant step in the ongoing transformation of Dunaway Gardens under the leadership of music producer and entrepreneur Tena Clark, who purchases the historic property following years of restoration efforts by previous owners Roger and Jennifer Bigham.
Originally conceived in the early 20th century by actress, producer, and writer Hetty Jane Dunaway, the property is designed as a “theater-garden” — a rare fusion of performance space and natural environment. Over an 18-year period, Dunaway transforms rural land into an
elaborate artistic campus featuring terraced gardens, waterfalls, rehearsal spaces, and performance venues integrated into a landscape shaped by spring-fed pools and hand-built stonework.
When the gardens open in 1934, they quickly become a cultural retreat for artists and notable figures of the era, including Walt Disney, Roy Disney, Tallulah Bankhead, Esther Williams, and Minnie Pearl — reinforcing the site’s identity as a destination where creativity and environment are inseparable.
Following its closure in the 1960s, the property falls into decades of neglect before being rediscovered and restored beginning in 2000. The site reopens to the public in 2003 and is now preserved as part of the Roscoe–Dunaway Gardens Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, Dunaway Gardens is being reimagined as a large-scale creative campus — returning to its original artistic mission while expanding its national reach. In recent months, the property hosts a nationally recognized playwrights lab led by Philip Himberg, former longtime head of the theater program at the Sundance Institute, bringing together emerging and established playwrights for an intensive residency focused on mentorship and collaboration.
Creative contributors associated with the expanded vision include industry professionals Keith Robinson and Scott Morris, who help shape workshop-based programming tied to national theater networks.
According to prior comments from Sundance leadership, the Episodic Lab is expected to continue at Dunaway Gardens for years to come — underscoring a long-term
Photo by Margaret Knox
partnership between the organization and the site.
“This is not a one-off,” Clark says of the partnership. “This is a permanent home.”
Under Clark’s long-range vision, the Dunaway campus is expected to expand significantly in the coming years, with plans including a lodge, event center, screening room, restaurants, expanded artist residency facilities, educational programming, wellness initiatives, and a 700-seat amphitheater anticipated by 2028. The property is also expected to host concerts and future programming connected to the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.
Located approximately 30 minutes south of Atlanta’s airport, Dunaway Gardens is increasingly becoming a
destination for artists, filmmakers, and cultural organizations seeking a retreat-like environment for creative development.
For Georgia’s film community, the arrival of Sundance’s Episodic Lab further solidifies the region’s growing reputation as a center for both production and artistic development — bringing internationally recognized storytellers, mentors, and emerging voices to Coweta County while honoring the creative legacy that defines Dunaway Gardens for more than a century.
One of our hidden treasures in Chatt Hills the Bear Creek Nature Center hosted Nature Echos with their birds of prey. A great horned owl named Athena, barred owl named Milo and red shouldered hawk named Willie can be seen at Bear Creek Nature Center - Environmental Education.
Horse Events Will Remain ‘At Least’ Through 2028 After Rezoning Of Major Equestrian Venue
By Christina Keim from The Chronicle of the Horse
In 1988, horseman Carl Bouckaert purchased his first piece of property in what was then unincorporated Fulton County, Georgia; in the years to follow, he continued to acquire contiguous parcels extending all the way down to the Chattahoochee River, eventually ending up with holdings just shy of 8,000 acres. In the ensuing decades, the idyllic property has been host to weddings, film crews, athletic events and more, but Bouckaert Farm is perhaps best known to equestrians as the beloved home to dozens of competitions across the disciplines, from grassroots level to FEI.
So when news broke last August that the property, which now sits within the city limits of Chattahoochee Hills, had recently been rezoned from “agricultural” to “mixeduse” and was being assessed for future development, equestrians were concerned. Even a statement released in early January 2026 by Bouckaert and his wife, Suzanne Sitherwood, which reaffirmed their commitment to hosting equestrian events on the property through 2027—the couple more recently committed to maintaining the equine “status quo” through 2028, at least—did little to quell the fear of local users.
“The horse community is only worried about one thing, and that is making sure we continue to have the competitions here,” Bouckaert, 72, said with a laugh. “Believe me, I love our horse competitions. They are a lot of fun. For the eventers, we have three big FEI shows, four U.S. Eventing Association shows, and typically six to seven schooling shows—and we do all of those ourselves. People love them, especially the schooling shows, because you can come, and if you don’t like your round, you can ride it again. It is ‘maximum flexibility,’ with no restrictions.”
But Bouckaert, who represented Belgium in eventing at the 2000 and 2012 Olympics, is up front that he has always considered his purchase of these lands to be an investment. He knew there would come a time when he would sell parcels of the property—and initially intended to begin doing so nearly two decades ago, until the 2008 recession ground the real estate market to a halt. With local real estate sales finally rebounding, Bouckaert has decided that time is now.
“You have to go with the market when it’s there, because in real estate, you never know,” Bouckaert said. “If you miss a cycle, you can lose 10 or 15 years, like we did.”
nine decades is an incredible milestone, but it’s the way you’ve lived those years that matters most. You have been the steady heart of our family for as long as I can remember, showing us all what it means to lead with a quiet, honest strength. We are so lucky to have you.
Dr. Miles Yarbrough Now at Dental Wellness at Serenbe
Originally from Savannah, Dr. Yarbrough brings a strong educational background, having graduated from Benedictine Military School, the University of Georgia, and the Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Dental Medicine. He also completed his Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the Dental College of Georgia, where he received extensive training with a focus on dental implants, oral surgery, and IV sedation.
Dr. Yarbrough is passionate about creating a comfortable, stress-free experience for every patient. He understands that visiting the dentist isn’t always easy, and he’s committed to building trust and long-lasting relationships through compassionate, personalized care.
He has been practicing in Savannah since 2017 and is excited to now serve the Newnan community—a place that already feels like home, as his wife was born and raised here. Outside the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, being on the water, playing golf and soccer, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves.
Please join us in giving Dr. Yarbrough a warm welcome! We’re thrilled to have him as part of our team.
11090 Serenbe Lane, Suite 300, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 678.800.0910, info@serenbedental.com, www.serenbedental.com
Rodney Peek: Happy 90th Birthday, Dad! Reaching
The General Store in Serenbe is now offering Scoops, thanks to the genius of Nadine Kzirian!
OUR COMMUNITY
We’re excited to share some wonderful news with our Chatt Hills and Serenbe community!
Nacci Hearing Specialists is growing, and we are proud to announce the grand opening of our new Peachtree City clinic on Friday, June 19th, 2026!
What began here in Chatt Hills has continued to grow thanks to the incredible support of our patients, families, and neighbors. We are honored to expand our concierge-style hearing care to serve even more of our surrounding communities while continuing to provide the same personalized care we’re known for.
Join us for our Grand Opening Celebration: 3035 State Street, Peachtree City, GA 30269, Friday, June 19th 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Come meet our team, tour our new clinic, and discover the full range of services we provide, including:
• Ear cleanings
• Custom ear molds & hearing protection
• Hearing evaluations
• Cognitive screening
• Latest hearing technology
• Concierge hearing care services and more Enjoy:
• Cupcakes & cookies
• Raffles & prizes
• Gift cards, giveaways, and exclusive grand opening specials worth hundreds!
Whether you’re curious about your hearing, want to learn more about prevention and brain health, or simply want to celebrate with us, we’d love to welcome you!
Thank you, Chatt Hills, for being such an important part of our journey. We’re proud to continue serving Serenbe, Chatt Hills, Peachtree City, Senoia, and beyond.
OUR COMMUNITY
Rethinking how we treat skin. The Skin Real at Serenbe.
At any given time, Dr. Mary Alice Mina’s mind is working. When you speak with her, she listens closely, often returning to something you mentioned in passing and connecting it to a pattern you hadn’t considered. Her Harvard training gave her the rigor, but the instinct was always there, a resistance to surface-level answers and a need to understand what sits underneath them.
Skin, she will tell you, is not isolated. It reflects stress, environment, habits, and time. Treating it well means seeing the whole picture.
That thinking carries beyond the exam room. Later that evening, she may be reading a newly published study, reconsidering what she thought she understood just weeks before. By morning, that reflection shapes how she explains something, adjusting not just the treatment, but how a patient understands it. Over time, those insights extend further, into her talks and her podcast, where she translates clinical knowledge into something people can actually use.
In practice, this changes the conversation. A patient may arrive asking for a treatment they saw online. Instead of starting there, she asks them to walk her through what they’re seeing and when it began. What emerges is often different from the original request. Breakouts that follow periods of stress. Irritation tied to layering too many products. Pigmentation that has been developing gradually over years. What seemed isolated starts to take shape as part of something ongoing.
The plan that follows is not always more complex. Often, it is simpler, but more exact. That approach depends on continuity. Visits are not treated as one-offs, but as part of a longer thread, where small changes are tracked and understood over time. The goal is not to respond to each issue as it appears, but to recognize the pattern it belongs to.
That shift is what led her to create The Skin Real. After years in traditional dermatology, she found that the structure left little room for this kind of work. Appointments were brief, conversations narrowed to immediate concerns, and care became necessarily reactive. Patients left with answers, but not always with a clear understanding of why something was happening or how to manage it over time. The Skin Real was designed to make space for that
understanding. Appointments are paced differently. There is time to follow a thought, revisit a detail, and connect what is happening now to what has been building over time. A patient may come in for one concern and leave with a clearer understanding of several, not because more was added, but because more was seen.
Chatt Hills supports that model in a practical way. It is a community organized around well-being, where daily life already prioritizes health, environment, and a more intentional pace. Within that context, this kind of care does not feel like an exception. It fits.
Over time, the result is less about individual treatments and more about direction. Patients begin to understand their own patterns, how their skin responds, and how to adjust with it rather than against it. The premise is straightforward: skin changes over time, and caring for it requires attention over time.
Georgia Aquarium and Foxhall Resort Make Plans for an Education and Conservation Facility in Douglas County
As Georgia Aquarium approaches its 20th anniversary, it’s making a bold commitment to the future of education, conservation research and animal care.
The Aquarium is partnering with the Merrill Trust on the acquisition of approximately 50 acres at Foxhall Resort in Douglas County. It is the proposed site of a future education and conservation campus that would expand opportunities for students and communities outside of Atlanta.
The Aquarium is working on plans to develop a purpose-built campus that would host nature-based programming for schools and community groups, expand hands-on conservation science initiatives, such as work rescuing and protecting corals, manatees, sea turtles and other species, and leaning into opportunities to educate about and protect Georgia’s native wildlife and freshwater habitats.
“Our goal is to deepen opportunities for science learning and broaden the Aquarium’s positive impact across the state. We can think of no better place, or partner, than the Merrill family, whose more than 1,000 acres of land at Foxhall Resort includes forests and lakes, alongside the Chattahoochee River,” said Travis Burke, President and CEO of Georgia Aquarium.
“This partnership with Georgia Aquarium represents a shared vision to create a meaningful, lasting impact on education and conservation in Georgia,” said Harrison Merrill Jr., president of the Merrill Trust, “Foxhall Resort’s expansive grounds and natural resources provide the perfect backdrop for a campus that will inspire the next generation
of environmental stewards while offering hands-on learning experiences in a breathtaking setting.”
Plans for the campus are currently in development. Additional details will be shared as they become available. https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/resource-center/ stories/20-20-vision/
Bright and Creamy Fennel Gratin
By Mary Collins-Shepard
Fresh fennel deserves far more attention than it gets. Crisp, fragrant, and subtly sweet, it brings a delicate hint of anise that feels both comforting and unexpectedly elegant. While it’s available year-round in most grocery stores, fennel truly shines when sourced fresh from the farmers market at the peak of the season.
In this recipe, the fennel softens into silky tenderness as its gentle licorice notes mingle with rich cream and a splash of bright lemon. A crunchy, herb-studded topping adds the perfect contrast, bringing texture and savory depth to every bite.
Preheat the oven to 400°F with an oven rack to the middle position. In large skillet combine fennel, cream, and water. Season with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, cheese, herbs, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring the fennel mixture to a simmer
Cooking for Community
There are still a limited number of copies of Cooking for Community, a collection of 120 recipes from amazing Chatt Hills home cooks. Copies are $35 and all proceeds will be donated to Community Brickworks. Pick up location is: The City Hall Library. (470) 4880330, Tues.-Sun. 11am – 5pm. Venmo @ CommunityBrickworks
over high heat, stirring frequently. When the fennel has softened, transfer to a 2-quart oval casserole dish. Top the fennel with the breadcrumb mixture and place on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the topping is golden and crisp, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately. Serves 6
Tues. 4-6pm | Serenbe Farm Stand 10625 Serenbe Ln, Chatt Hills, 30268
Tues. - Fri. 4-6pm The Hill Happy Hour 9110
Selborne Lane Featuring $5 Eats, $3 Beers, $10 Cocktails, and half-off Select Glasses of Wine
Wed. Farm Volunteer Day at Serenbe Farms
Wed & Thurs. 3:30-4:30 pm Spring Kids Program at Serenbe Farms Students will be taught gardening skills including but not limited to garden planning and prep, seeding, transplanting, compost making, wildlife identification and observation.
Thurs. 4:45 pm BioCharger Happy Hour at Creek Retreat 11134 Serenbe Lane, Suite 100 Chatt Hills includes Kava Seltzer (15 min / $22)
Tues.-Thurs. 5-10pm & Fri. & Sat. 5-11pm
Austin's Cocktailery & Kitchen 9110 Selborne Lane, Chatt Hills, 30268
Mon. 5-8pm Blue Eyed Daisy Burger Night & Dinner 9065 Selborne Ln, Chatt Hills, 30268
Open daily 8am - 3pm, Mon. Burger Night 5pm - 8pm, Fri. & Sat. Dinner Service 5pm-8pm. Call ahead for takeout: 770.463.8379
Fri. 6-8:30pm Farmhouse Music on the Porch 10950 Hutchesons Ferry Rd, Chatt Hills, 30268
Live on the Farmhouse porch from 5:30pm-8:30pm. Reserve a table HERE
Fri. 1:00 pm at Creek Retreat
Elevated BioCharger Stacked Session
(25 min / $20 per person) More information available at CreekRetreat.com | 404-907-1914
Sat. 11:11am
Community BioCharger Session (Free)
Sat. 9am - 1pm
Bread Mobile, Next to the General Store at Serenbe Pre-order here: https://www.biancacavandi.com/bianca-cavandi-products. We recommend placing your order by Thursday.
Sat. 9am-Noon Farmers Market
Grange Green 10640 Serenbe Lane, Chatt Hills, 30268
Sat. 1:30pm & 3:30 Wine Flights at the Wineshop, 9135 Selborne Lane, Chatt Hills, 30268
Each week new wines will be featured and paired with light snacks. $40 per person, reserve a seat today for our Sat. 1:30pm or 3:30pm seating. https://serenbewineshop.com/
Sat. 2:00pm Farm Tour at Serenbe Farms
Sat. 4:00pm Wine Tastings - General Store
10642 Serenbe Lane, Chatt Hills, 30268
Join Nadine to taste wines from around the globe every Saturday; $35/person with tasting notes and small bites. https://www.generalstoreatserenbe.com
Sat. 9-11pm Austin's Jazz Nights 9110 Selborne Lane Suite 120, Chatt Hills, 30268 Contact for more information and reservations: https://www.austinsatserenbe.com
Sat. 10:00am Goat Yoga
The Inn 10950 Hutchesons Ferry Rd
Anytime Anywhere Meditation
Led by Kim Ferrari
Every Wednesday 1:00 to 1:45 PM Every Sunday 10:00 to 10:45 AM Discover genuine well-being through simple meditation practices for everyday life. Free, no experience or registration required(donations to Soul Barn appreciated!). Open to all backgrounds and faiths.
Soul Barn loft at Serenbe Stables Text 404-664-9575 with any questions.
Camp Serenbe
June 8-12 | June 15-19 | June 22-26, 9am-3pm
July 6-10 | July 13-17 | July 20-24, 9am-3pm Blue Group (Ages 3-4), $400 per week; Green Group (Ages 5-6), $400 per week; Orange Group (Ages 7-10),$400 per week; Enrichment Camps - Yellow Group (Ages 5-6 & 7-10) $500 per week. Horseback Riding Camp, Ages 8-10, Every Week, Cooking & Farming Camp, Ages 5-6 & 7-10, Art Camp, Ages 5-6 & 7-10. For more infomation, visit https:// www.campserenbe.com/programs
Kids Crafts on the Farm: Natural Tie Dye Party
June 27, 10–11:30 AM - Ages 3–10, $35 per child Register: https://square.link/u/petw2vxt
Celebrate the season with a little red, white, and blue creativity! Join us at Serenbe Farms for a fun, hands-on tie dye party where kids will create their own bandanas using natural, plant-based dyes.
Participants have the option to showcase their bandana and walk in the Fourth of July parade with the Serenbe Farms float!
Spots are limited—come play, create, and celebrate on the farm.
Farm Tours Every Sat 2pm
Drop-ins welcome at Serenbe Wed & Thurs 3:30–4:30pm 8715 Atlanta Newnan Rd, Chatt Hills, 30268
June 13, 4:00 - 5:30pm
Sunlit Shores Wine Tasting
General Store, 10642 Serenbe Ln, Chatt Hills
July 11, 7:00pm
The Sound of Freedom: The Story of Jazz
Gainey Hall, 10640 Serenbe Ln, Chatt Hills
RiverLands Park Master Plan Community Event June 6th
The City of Chattahoochee Hills is taking the next step to elevate New RiverLands Park as part of a regional vision for the Chattahoochee River. The RiverLands, an initiative of Trust for Public Lands, is a 100-mile-long public greenway and blueway plan from Buford Dam to Chattahoochee Bend State Park. The City, in collaboration with Chattahoochee Now and Trust for Public Land, is poised to lead the way in its implementation by advancing the plans for this park's design. This summer we will be kicking off the master planning effort to guide future development. While the pavilion, kayak launch, and campgrounds are open and available to the public, the bulk of the 290+ acre property remains inaccessible. This master plan will define the future uses of the rest of this land and catalyze opportunities for greater regional connectivity.
Chattahoochee Now has engaged with HGOR, an Atlanta design firm, to develop the master plan. The team has already begun studying the site and will be looking to engage with Chattahoochee Hills residents this summer to understand what you want to see in your park.
The first of two community meetings will be held at the New RiverLands Park Pavilion on Saturday, June 6th from 10am-12pm. The design team will present the
project's goals and research to date and invite you to share your ideas. All are welcome to participate. The pavilion is ADA accessible with dedicated parking for those who need it. Children are welcome, and activities will be provided for their participation. Please come out and enjoy the day with us!
You can visit the project's webpage here: https://www. chatthillsga.us/visitors/riverlands.php
Read more about the RiverLands at Trust for Public Land's website: https://www.chattahoocheeriverlands.com/.
You can also explore HGOR's portfolio of work here: https://www.hgor.com/. See you there!
New Support Group Started
By Julia Reyburn
A much needed support group was started in April, the first of what will be monthly meetings. Our goal is to take Alzheimer's and related dementias out of the shadows and prove to those afflicted and to caregivers that there is more hope than ever before with the diseases of the brain. We will provide education, conversation, socialization, and support with the latest clinical information. We hope to achieve the realization that those with brain change can still live well.
If you or anyone you know would like to join this group, please send a confidential email to fontaine47@yahoo.com All inquiries are held in strict confidence.
June 1-4, 9:00am
Kids Pottery Summer Workshop Wk.1
Minro Studio, 11135 Serenbe Ln, Chatt Hills
June 29 - July 2
Kids Pottery Summer Workshop Wk.2
Minro Studio, 11135 Serenbe Ln, Chatt Hills
June 4, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Open Mic Night at Halsa
11090 Serenbe Ln, Chatt Hills
June 6, 6:00pm
Bread Mobile ~ Every Sat. 9am - 1pm Next to the General Store at Serenbe
Pre-order here: https://www.biancacavandi.com/bianca-cavandi-products. We recommend placing your order by Thursday.
Thank you for helping us to plan ahead. It truly supports our artisan bakery and ensures you get exactly what you're craving!
Art Farm Film Showcase Viva Verdi!
Gainey Hall, 10640 Serenbe Ln, Chatt Hills
June 27, 12:15p-1:30pm
Sound Healing at the Soul Barn
9237 Selborne Lane Chatt Hills, GA
Art Farm at Serenbe Announces 2026 Music Season — Part II
Gary Cassis – Chair, Art Farm Music Council
The Art Farm at Serenbe is proud to announce Part II of its 2026 Music Season—an inspiring continuation of performances celebrating jazz, classical music, innovation, and artistic exploration set against the natural beauty of Chatt Hills.
The 2026 season opened on Valentine’s Day with an intimate and memorable performance by Julie and David Coucheron, followed in March by Omnimodal, an innovative presentation produced in collaboration with Georgia Tech’s Music Technology Department and SCAD. In keeping with the Art Farm’s mission to present engaging performances for audiences of all ages, Part II promises to be equally inspiring and artistically ambitious.
From top-shelf jazz productions and Afro-Cuban rhythms to intimate summer classical performances beneath the evening sky, the upcoming season reflects the Art Farm’s continuing commitment to artistic excellence, education, and community engagement.
2026 Art Farm Jazz Series
The 2026 Jazz Series brings three extraordinary performances to the stage, each exploring jazz as both history and living art.
July 11, The Sound of Freedom: The Story of Jazz
The season opens with a dynamic musical journey tracing the roots and spirit of America’s greatest musical art form. Under the direction of pianist Louis Heriveaux and his ASAP Live All-Stars, this powerful production blends narration and live performance—traveling through gospel, blues, New Orleans traditions, swing, bebop, post-bop, the Civil Rights era, and today’s contemporary sounds.
September 19, Mambo, Latin Jazz & Beyond
Experience an electrifying evening of Afro-Cuban rhythms and Latin jazz mastery featuring Bobby Sanabria & Sexteto Ibiano. Three-time Grammy-nominated drummer, educator, and bandleader Bobby Sanabria brings infectious clavé-driven rhythms and sophisticated New York jazz harmonies together in a performance tracing the evolution of Afro-Cuban music to modern salsa.
From the streets of the South Bronx to the great mambo halls, this promises to be one of the season’s most energetic and dance-inspired evenings. This performance will be held at The Pavilion at Serenbe.
October 2, Modern Masters of Jazz
The series concludes with the Jason Marsalis Quartet featuring Vanisha Gould. This evening of world-class straightahead jazz showcases the enduring brilliance of modern bebop infused with the spirit of New Orleans. A recipient of honors from the National Endowment for the Arts, Jason Marsalis leads an exceptional ensemble complemented by Gould’s expressive vocal styling reminiscent of Billie Holiday and Joni Mitchell.
Three powerful productions. Three unique musical journeys. One unforgettable season at the Art Farm. Tickets for the Jazz Series can be purchased online: Art Farm Jazz Series Tickets: https://shorturl.at/n892G
FREE Summer Classical Music Series
The Art Farm’s beloved Summer Classical Music Series returns beginning Sunday, August 2, continuing for five consecutive Sundays through August 30 at the Mado Amphitheatre from 7:00–8:30 PM.
Set beneath the open sky in one of Serenbe’s most beautiful outdoor settings, the series will feature acclaimed musicians performing intimate classical programs designed to bring audiences closer to the beauty, emotion, and accessibility of live classical music.
Special Closing Performance — August 30
The season concludes with a special indoor presentation in Gainey Hall featuring an evening of Romantic Opera Arias. This intimate performance will showcase beloved selections from the world of opera, celebrating the passion, elegance, and timeless beauty of the classical vocal tradition.
Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, enjoy the sunset, and experience unforgettable evenings where music and nature come together in harmony.
The Art Farm at Serenbe continues to build a destination for world-class artistic experiences in Chatt Hills— bringing together music, community, nature, and culture in ways that inspire connection and discovery, so join us!
Arts Section
Featured Artist ~ Patrick Johnson
Patrick Johnson, is a process based artist with his roots deeply set in Abstract Expressionism. He divides his time between creating art and creating architecture. His work can best be described as “situational storytelling”. Johnson’s work, at its core, is an exploration of raw emotion, past experiences, and all the while… interlaced with a collection of current and past dreams and memories. Much of his work attempts to explore his early childhood years and trying to document those illusive, but significant, events along the way that seem so formative now. As he has progressed his storytelling in recent work, he has now begun to explore our connection to the equine world and other animals. The horse, the deer, the bovine, and others have significance in our physical and spiritual world.
“I believe that art creates art. While I do paint for myself, I do hope that somehow it inspires something in others to create for themselves and along the way in this journey of life…we are all connected.”
For more information visit https://www.patrickbrianjohnson.com/mystic-collection
Arts Section
The Art Farm at Serenbe Call for Artists
Local Artist Rotating Exhibition On the Corner of Selborne Lane & Selborne Way
The Art Farm at Serenbe invites local Chattahoochee Hills artists to submit work for consideration in our annual rotating exhibit, displayed prominently beneath The Hill restaurant. This is an opportunity to share your work with residents, visitors and the broader Atlanta arts community in a setting where art is woven into everyday life.
Chatt Hills artists working in painting, photography, illustration or mixed media are invited to participate. Your art will be enlarged to sizes listed below and printed on canvas for installation.
To submit send to info@theartfarm.org:
• 1-3 images of your horizontal art
• A brief artist statement with a max. 150 words
• Your name, address and contact info
• Info about the works submitted, medium, dimensions, title, and year
Timeline
• June 30, 2026, Submission deadline
• Week of July 1, Artists notified
• Early July Installation
• June 2027, Exhibit rotates
Final size for Selborne Way art: 9' 2" wide x 6' high
Final size for Selborne Lane art: 8' 3.5" wide x 6' 11.5"
For more information email the Art Farm at: info@theartfarm.org
Arts Section
Warrior Ready Series
By Ruby Foster
Visionary founder of Warrior Ready Prayer, Ruby Foster is the visionary founder of an empowering faith-based prayer movement reaching hearts through daily inspiration, spiritual encouragement, and life-changing prayer.
Known for her bold yet compassionate approach to prayer, Ruby has inspired countless individuals to move from fear to faith, from worry to peace, and from discouragement to spiritual confidence. Her prayers have become a refuge for those navigating life’s hardest battles—offering strength, clarity, healing, and unwavering hope rooted in God’s promises.
With a deep belief that prayer is both a covering and a weapon, Ruby writes to equip everyday believers with practical spiritual tools they can use in real life. Her books are intentionally created to help readers develop consistency in prayer, strengthen their trust in God, and release powerful declarations over every area of life.
The Warrior Ready Prayer brand was born out of one simple truth: when faith rises, fear falls.
Today, through her books, devotionals, and online prayer ministry, Ruby continues her mission to empower people around the world to: Pray Bold. Stand Strong. Live Victorious.
Connect with Ruby Foster and Warrior Ready Prayer online for more daily encouragement, powerful prayers, and faith-filled inspiration.
Last month, we celebrated our friend and neighbor, Amy Mass, who released her first novel, Reality Bites! Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us.
We began the evening with a book-signing with Amy, where attendees could purchase a copy of Reality Bites, have it personally signed, mingle, and enjoy good food and wine. Then we gathered in Gainey Hall to watch Amy host The Newlywed Game with a few of our neighbors, who volunteered to be the contestants on the “show.” We wrapped up the night back outside with more book-signings and mingling with friends.
We want to thank each and every one of you who helped make this event possible. So many of you brought items and donated your time and energy to make it special, and we are incredibly grateful.
Thank you to all who attended. We truly appreciate your ongoing support, which made the evening absolutely incredible.
Reality Bites, the story of a research scientist who reluctantly goes onto a reality TV dating show to save her lab and unexpectedly finds connections along the way, is available at Hills & Hamlets Bookshop (signed and unsigned copies available), as well as Bookshop.org and Libro.fm.
Thank you, again, and happy reading.
Hills & Hamlets Bookshop is now open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm every week, and we’re open 24/7 online at Bookshop.org/shop/ HillsAndHamlets. All books will be available at Hills & Hamlets, Bookshop.org, or Libro.fm. Website: http://hillsandhamletsbookshop.com/ Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/hillsandhamlets Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/hillsandhamlets
Community OUR CHURCHES
Borrowed Time By Campus Pastor Jeff Peek
Time, something we all have the same amount of, until we don’t. As a boy growing up out in the country, I enjoyed playing outside, from daylight to dark, exploring the woods, and playing in the dirt.
Time seemed to move so slow, life was at a slower pace, especially waiting on my birthday, end of school year and Christmas to roll around. It seemed to take forever to turn sixteen and gain my driver’s license.
Once I hit twenty years of age, I married the Love of my life and time, somehow started to speed up. It’s almost like time sped up organically. Once children came along, time moved forward into another gear. Where did the time go?
I have been told there are two things not being made any more, land and time. How true that is. We make all these plans and dream big, and sometimes, time just catches up with you.
This past week this idea of time, this notion or thought we have plenty of it hit me in the face. Attending a funeral of someone close to your age will do that. You see no matter how much planning we do, how nice you are, whatever status you have in society, time catches up with all of us sooner or later.
So, what happens now, what happens when my time runs out? When the day comes, I take my last breath, what then? Many believe that’s the end, they put you in a box, lower you in a hole and it’s all over.
Others believe if you’re a good person, treat others right, don’t beat your dog, you will go to a better place, wherever that is.
I go to scripture, God’s word, the Holy Bible for answers on time, and when time runs out for us on this planet.
James chapter 4 verse 14 says this, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
John chapter 14 verse 6 says this “Jesus said to them, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.”
I would like to personally invite you to Crossroads Church Chattahoochee Hills and hear more about this borrowed time we are living on and how to make the most of it. Come as you are, see you soon!
Crossroads Church Chattahoochee Hills
8400 Sardis Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268 jpeek@crossroadsnewnan.org www.crossroadsonline.org
Campbellton Baptist Church, 8660 Church Street, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Friendship Baptist Church, 6090 Cochran Mill Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268 https://www. friendshipbaptistchatthills.com
New Hope United Methodist Church, 7875 Atlanta Newnan Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Providence Baptist Church 6402 Campbellton Redwine Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268 www.pbcrico.org
Rico United Methodist Church 6475 Rico Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Rivertown United Methodist Church, 9325 Rivertown Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Crossroads Church at Chattahoochee Hills, 8400 Sardis Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268 crossroadsonline.org
Southside at Serenbe, 9:15 & 11:00am, 10640 Serenbe Ln., Chatt Hills | Southside Church
Vernon Grove Baptist Church, 8440 Vernon Grove Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Dennis Joe Perry
April 3, 1951 ~ May 22, 2026
He was a man who answered to many names. To the world, he was Dennis. To his family, he was our beloved Sammy. And to so many friends, he was simply “Smiley” — a name that told you everything you needed to know about his outgoing spirit, sharp mind, and courageous heart.
Dennis was a man of immense talent and drive. He built and ran a thriving business, pouring his hard work into everything he did. But when the workday was over, his true passions came alive.
He was a gifted musician, a man who could make a guitar speak and a song touch your soul, no matter the genre. He loved all kinds of music, and through his singing and playing, he gave us the soundtrack to so many of our happiest memories.
He was also a man who loved a good game and a little friendly competition. If you ever saw him around a pool table, you knew you were watching a player who rarely missed his mark. And if you sat across from him at a poker table, you quickly learned he was a pretty darn good player who kept everyone on their toes.
But if you asked him what his greatest achievement was, it wouldn’t have been the business, the music, or the winning hands. It was his family.
For 35 wonderful years, I had the absolute privilege of being his wife. To me, and to everyone who truly knew him, he was simply the best of the best. He loved fiercely, protected deeply, and lived life to the fullest.
He leaves behind a beautiful and lasting legacy in our children. He was so incredibly proud of his sons, Joey and his wife Khalilah, and Shane and his wife Jennifer. He cherished his daughters, Amber and her husband Cole, and Sorena and her husband Matt, along with his eight grandchildren and one great-grandson. He also leaves behind
to cherish his memory, his sister and brother-in-law, Royce Ann and Andy Evans. The love he poured into our family will continue to guide us and live through us every single day. Dennis. Sammy. Smiley.
You played a beautiful song with your life, and though the music has quieted here on Earth, the melody will live in our hearts forever. We love you. We miss you. And we will honor you by keeping your smile alive.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2026
"Illumination Station" - Theme
PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH 6402 Campbellton-Redwine Rd., Chatt Hills, pbcrico.org
VBS DATES & TIME - Mon-Fri, June 15-19 TIME: Supper 5:00-5:30 pm. VBS 5:30-8:30 pm
AGES: 4 years old through 5th grade. Registration is open at pbcrico.org.
Gary Michael Ramstein “RAM”
On May 11, 2026 Gary completed his journey on this earth and is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior. It is a day to be celebrated. Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and June Ramstein and his baby sister, Gay Ann Ramstein. Gary is survived by his wife Susie of 43 blissful years and by his sister Dawn Kesler, his nieces Shyla Kesler and Serena Kesler, his nephew Maurice Kesler (Ashley), his great niece Emry, and his great nephews Griffin, Sam, and Chance. And lots of Gardner cousins whom he loved dearly. He is also survived by his Mother-In-Law Barbara Prater, his brother-in-law and sister-in law Mark & Helen Prater and nephew, PFC Tony Prater.
Gary worked for Delta Air Lines for almost 31 years, as well as, Habitat for Humanity, Harley Davidson of Newnan, and as a bouncer at several locations in Atlanta and Newnan. He was the oldest in his class with the best grades when he became a Hospice CNA.
He enjoyed his motorcycles and had many good rides to clear his head as a major release for him. At one point riding a bicycle was his thing. In 1991 he rode BRAG which is a bike ride from Jonesboro to Savannah. He put over 1200 miles on his bike that year. Being from Detroit, Michigan Motown music was in his blood. Although he liked all types of music he especially enjoyed Big Band and Head Banger music.
He was so proud of his customized walker and then his wheelchairs, including his “souped-up” motorized one, and he would say they were “sweet looking rides.”
The best part of Gary is the effect that he had on our lives and the memories we will hold in our hearts forever. He was a big presence with a loud voice to match, but at heart he was a Big Teddy Bear. His love for life was evident, never giving up when things were hard.
Gary knew where his strength came from – He thanked God for all his strength, mercy, and blessings and for all that people that were a part of his life. Our home is in Heaven not here on Earth where we will live with our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gary, Susie’s greatest Love, we will see you again someday.
As “RAM” would say, “Celebrate and Party On!”
Thelma Thurman Jackson
Thelma Thurman Jackson, born January 15, 1928, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2026, at the age of 98. She lived a life defined by love, kindness, faith, and devotion to family and community.
Known for both her strength and gentle spirit, Thelma was deeply loved by all who knew her, including the residents and staff of Wesley Woods of Newnan. A graduate of Campbell High School and Georgia State Business College, she worked as an office manager at Southern Saw Service before dedicating her retirement years to volunteering as a “Pink Lady” at South Fulton Hospital.
A faithful member and oldest member of New Hope United Methodist Church, Thelma shared 58 years of marriage with her late husband, Charles Stephen Jackson, affectionately known as the “mayor” of the Goodes community, while she was lovingly called “Mrs. Goodes.”
She is survived by her children, Karlton Jackson (Mary Ann) and Karol Allen (Jim); her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, sisters, nieces, and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.
Thelma’s life was a lasting example of compassion, service, and unwavering love for family. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
Proposed Pump Station
By Laurie Searle
Several residents have recently asked about the proposed Fulton County Friendship Pump Station project near South Fulton Parkway and Rivertown Road, including questions about the location of the planned sewer lines and related infrastructure.
Publicly available planning and environmental documents describe the project as a future sanitary sewer expansion intended to serve projected growth in portions of Chattahoochee Hills and South Fulton. The proposal includes:
• A new Friendship Pump Station near Rivertown Road
• A force main running generally along South Fulton Parkway
• A gravity sewer connection tying into the existing Fulton County sanitary sewer system
the approximate route of the proposed force main and gravity sewer connection.
Public documents reviewed:
According to the project documents, the sewer infrastructure would support projected population and commercial growth through 2050. The documents reference an anticipated construction timeframe of late 2025 through 2028, although no official notice confirming active construction has been located.
• Fulton County Friendship Pump Station Project Workplan / Preliminary Design Information A_Workplan.Fulton.County.DPW 07.26.24pdf
Community BRICKWORKS UPDATE
Free Summer Meals Help Families Save Money.
Kids look forward to summer break as a time for fun! But for parents, the break can be a burden on the family food budget. For families with children, summer spending increases an average of $300 per month at the grocery store. Free Summer Meals can help reduce this burden.
Global Learning Initiative will be returning to Chatt Hills in June with Grab & Go Meals. You’ll find their volunteers every Friday from 10:30-11:30 at the Brickworks Food Pantry curbside pick-up area at city hall.
Each child’s bag will include up to five breakfasts and five lunches for the week. The program is open to all children 18 and younger, and kids must be present at the time of the family’s first pick-up.
While you’re picking up meals, take a minute to let the kids select a summer read from the Little Free Library, stocked with plenty of choices for young readers.
In April, the Food Pantry served 62 families (112 adults and 89 children.) Four families received emergency assistance funding.
Library Update
Are you interested in books, learning and community service? If you are looking for ways to engage with the community, you’ve come to the right place! Our little rural library has more to offer than just books. It offers a space to bring people together to play, create, relax and get to know one another.
In May, Richard Hall led his semi-annual Caning Class. Participants learned about the history of caning, traditional materials and processes, and some interesting local history as well. Of course, they also learned how to cane, and each walked away with a completed, herringbone seated stool. It was harder than it looked, and more fun as well! In June, we are calling all artists to stop by the library to learn about our First Annual Tiny Art Show! This exhibition is open to all artists, young and old. All mediums are welcome. Tiny art kits are available at the library, or you can use your own materials. Visit the library or our website for
guidelines. Submissions are due between Monday, August 10 and Friday, August 14, and work will be on display beginning on Saturday, August 22.
Up and Coming
Canasta! Meets each Monday at 4pm This is a spirited group that welcomes players of all skills levels.
Toddler Tuesday - Meets each Tuesday at 10am for stories, crafts, and time for parents to relax and socialize. We welcome older children as well, and love to meet new friends!
Mahjong Meetup - Come to play on Wednesdays at 10:30 or Thursdays at 1:30 Newbies are always welcome but it’s helpful if you are familiar with the tiles and/or have had a lesson.
*Please check out our Events page for more information and to sign up: communitybrickworks.org/calendar/.
Codgers Book Group - Meets each Friday at 2pm Join us to discuss fiction and non-fiction books that inspire exploration of related world topics.
If you are one who meditates and want to deepen your practice, or you are curious about meditation, join us for Anytime Anywhere Meditation guided by Kim Ferrari. Anytime Anywhere Meditation teaches you how to approach meditation with curiosity and confidence. Kim offers a welcoming way to begin or renew your meditation journey in a way that busy people can commit to. Moms are invited to come to the Library for Mothers’ Monday Morning Meditation from 10am -10:30am. Kids are welcome, too! Everyone is welcome to join on Saturday mornings from 10am - 10:30am. We will meet each week beginning on Monday, June 22nd. Anytime Anywhere Meditation is free and open to everyone, with no registration necessary.
Mothers’ Monday Morning Meditation - Monday, June 22 & June 29 at 10am Open to moms with kids of all ages. Kids are welcome to join! Free to everyone, no registration necessary. Anytime Anywhere Meditation - Saturday, June 27 at 10am All are welcome. Free, no registration necessary.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram Neighbors Helping Neighbors! Food Pantry Update https://communitybrickworks.org
Community Brickworks Fifth Annual Backyard Bash for Our 20th Anniversary!
Chatt Hills came out to honor the volunteers and supporters who make Community Brickworks’ food pantry, emergency assistance and library possible at this year’s fifth annual Backyard Bash. More than 400 neighbors celebrated the dedicated volunteers and generous neighbors who have shown up for this community over two decades since its founding by the beloved Judy Henderson in 2006. This years’ “Bash” was a true reflection of what’s possible when we come together around a common purpose. Many thanks to all of those involved with making this year’s event so special.
Here is how you can become involved and help your community: https://communitybrickworks.org/get-involved/
All photos by Chip Denton unless noted.
Photo by Michael Specht
Photo by Michael Specht
Photo by Michael Specht
CHATTAHOOCHEE HILLS & PALMETTO LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM PLAN
Community Engagement Overview & Emerging Themes
What is a Local Food System Plan?
The Chattahoochee Hills & Palmetto Local Food System Plan will be a set of policy and program recommendations to help strengthen the local food system in both cities over the next 3 to 5 years. The Plan will be developed by a Steering Committee with city and community representatives from both cities, Food Well Alliance, and the Atlanta Regional Commission.
During the Spring 2026 Community Engagement Phase, residents and local stakeholders identified top challenges, future visioning, and ways integrate these priorities into existing city planning processes, goals, and programs. This community feedback will directly inform Plan recommendations.
The Community Engagement phase included:
● Community survey with 205 responses
● 5 focus groups including open community groups and targeted groups of farmers & food pantry volunteers
● 10+ partner interviews and conversations
● Tabling at 2 public city events with 100+ attendees
SURVEY DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
● Majority of respondents identified as residents, parents, and business owners
● Over half identified as growers in some capacity
● Majority of respondents were between 35-59 years old with a strong 60+ representation (30%)
● Majority of respondents were White (62.4%), with Black or African American, and 7% Hispanic/Latino
● 33.5% of respondents experienced some level of insecurity
EMERGING THEMES
Invest in Local Food Access Programming & Infrastructure
Expand Homegrower Education & Community Garden Programming
Increase Support & Coordination Among Farmers
Streamline Policies through Coordination, Governance & Partnership
Promote Intergenerational Engagement, Youth & Community Connectedness
To learn more about community engagement in Chattahoochee Hills & Palmetto, please visit https://www.foodwellalliance.org/local-food-system-planning or contact Emma Hugonnet at emma@foodwellalliance.org
CHATTAHOOCHEE HILLS & PALMETTO LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM PLAN
CHATTAHOOCHEE HILLS & PALMETTO LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM PLAN
● Increased opportunities to connect with other growers (62%)
● Year-round growing infrastructure (59%)
Community Focus Groups
Community Focus Groups
● Unsure of where to find fresh or locally grown food ( 30.5%)
● Unsure of where to find fresh or locally grown food ( 30.5%)
● Fresh/Locally grown food is too expensive (26%)
● Fresh/Locally grown food is too expensive (26%)
● Strengthen community relationships across organizations and city limits through food, farming, and cooking
● Decrease barriers to accessing local including transportation, cost of living, and limited infrastructure
● Strengthen community relationships across organizations and city limits through food, farming, and cooking
● Decrease barriers to accessing local including transportation, cost of living, and limited infrastructure
● Increase shared growing-centered spaces such as community gardens and food hubs
● Increase shared growing-centered spaces such as community gardens and food hubs
● Support intergenerational engagement through food, farming, and wellness programs
● Support intergenerational engagement through food, farming, and wellness programs
● Preserve rural culture and identity while supporting intentional local economic and agricultural growth
● Update zoning, support land affordability, and expand agritourism opportunities to support farmers
● Preserve rural culture and identity while supporting intentional local economic and agricultural growth
● Update zoning, support land affordability, and expand agritourism opportunities to support farmers
Farmer Focus Group
Farmer Focus Group
● Define agriculture as a regional legacy and identity alongside parks and nature preservation
● Define agriculture as a regional legacy and identity alongside parks and nature preservation
● Streamline permitting and policies and improve city support for on-site farm sales and agritourism development to increase market opportunities and showcase the region
● Strengthen farmer networks for training, resource sharing, and coordinated crop planning
● Streamline permitting and policies and improve city support for on-site farm sales and agritourism development to increase market opportunities and showcase the region
● Strengthen farmer networks for training, resource sharing, and coordinated crop planning
● Address perceived barriers to local food sales including cost and limited resident motivation to purchase locally grown food
● Expand infrastructure and economic support for farmers, including markets, kitchens, and processing spaces
● Address perceived barriers to local food sales including cost and limited resident motivation to purchase locally grown food
● Expand infrastructure and economic support for farmers, including markets, kitchens, and processing spaces
● Increase youth engagement and career pathways in agriculture
● Increase youth engagement and career pathways in agriculture
Community Brickworks Focus Group
Community Brickworks Focus Group
● Strengthen local food partnerships with regional farmers, while addressing financial barriers to formal collaboration
● Invest in infrastructure such as cold storage expansion and weather-protection improvements
● Strengthen local food partnerships with regional farmers, while addressing financial barriers to formal collaboration
● Invest in infrastructure such as cold storage expansion and weather-protection improvements
● Expand programming including mobile markets, offsite pantries, and summer meal programs for students
● Leverage strong community relationships to connect residents with emergency food and financial resources
● Expand programming including mobile markets, offsite pantries, and summer meal programs for students
● Leverage strong community relationships to connect residents with emergency food and financial resources
Project Update: Chattahoochee Hills/Palmetto Local Food System Plan
In 2026, Food Well Alliance and the Atlanta Regional Commission selected the cities of Chattahoochee Hills and Palmetto to develop a Local Food System Plan. This plan serves as a roadmap of policy and program recommendations designed to strengthen the cities’ local food systems
over the next 3-5 years.
Since February, Food Well Alliance has led an inclusive community engagement phase to gather residents’ input. The following one-page document highlights the feedback we heard from residents like you. Using that feedback, the Atlanta Regional Commission and Steering Committee are now developing a strategic plan to increase opportunities to access and grow local food in your community.
City Government
Budget for the City of Chattahoochee Hills
The FY2027 Proposed Budget for the City of Chattahoochee Hills reflects a balanced and strategic financial plan focused on maintaining core municipal services, investing in infrastructure, supporting economic development, and preserving the City’s unique rural character. The proposed budget totals approximately $13.49 million across all governmental and special revenue funds and continues the City’s long-standing commitment to conservative budgeting practices and strong fiscal stewardship.
The General Fund remains the City’s primary operating fund with projected FY2027 revenues of approximately $6.14 million, representing nearly 45% of the total budget. Property taxes continue to serve as the City’s largest and most stable revenue source at $3.7 million, followed by sales and use taxes totaling approximately $1.015 million. Additional General Fund revenues include licenses and permits, charges for services, fines and forfeitures, investment earnings, and miscellaneous revenues. The City also continues to benefit from hotel/motel tax revenues, grants, TSPLOST proceeds, and capital project funding that support specialized operations and long-term infrastructure initiatives.
Public safety remains the City’s highest operational priority in FY2027. Combined Police and Fire expenditures total approximately $3.88 million, accounting for the largest share of General Fund expenditures. The Police Department budget of approximately $2.02 million supports patrol operations, emergency response readiness, technology, equipment, and community policing initiatives. Fire services are budgeted at approximately $1.87 million and provide funding for fire suppression, emergency medical response, apparatus maintenance, and personnel readiness. These investments reflect the City’s continued emphasis on maintaining high-quality emergency services and strengthening public trust and community engagement.
The FY2027 budget also includes substantial investment in infrastructure and capital improvements. More than $5 million is dedicated to Capital Projects and Capital Equipment funds, supporting transportation improvements, road maintenance, equipment replacement, and long-term infrastructure preservation. Public Works operations alone account for approximately $3.9 million across multiple funding sources,
Robert T. Rokovitz, MPA, ICMA-CM
demonstrating the City’s commitment to maintaining roads, facilities, and essential public infrastructure.
Community and economic development remain important priorities within the proposed budget. Approximately $614,000 is allocated to Community Development activities, while Economic Development expenditures total approximately $599,000. These investments support planning initiatives, tourism promotion, business recruitment, preservation-focused development strategies, and implementation of the City’s long-term vision. Parks and Recreation funding also continues to support maintenance and enhancement of recreational amenities and public spaces that contribute to the community’s quality of life.
Operational and administrative services remain essential components of the FY2027 budget. Funding is included for Information Technology, Municipal Court operations, Finance, Risk Management, and administrative functions to ensure efficient, transparent, and responsive municipal operations.
The City continues to maintain a strong financial position with projected reserves totaling approximately $1.76 million, representing approximately 29% of General Fund expenditures and exceeding the City’s minimum reserve target of 17%. Maintaining healthy reserves enhances financial stability, provides flexibility during economic uncertainty, supports emergency preparedness, and reinforces long-term fiscal sustainability.
The FY2027 budget also reflects positive long-term financial trends. Since FY2021, the General Fund has grown from approximately $3.24 million to more than $6.13 million in FY2027, demonstrating steady financial growth, an expanding tax base, and disciplined financial management.
Overall, the FY2027 Proposed Budget positions the City of Chattahoochee Hills to continue delivering high-quality public services, investing in critical infrastructure, supporting responsible growth, and maintaining strong financial stewardship while preserving the character and values that define the community.
Yours in Service,
Robbie Rokovitz, City Manager
City Government
Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Lowe at 7:13pm.
ROLL CALL: A quorum was established.
Review and Approval of Agenda: It was moved by Councilmember Lightsey and seconded by Councilmember Peek to approve the meeting agenda as printed. Motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting Minutes of April 9, 2026. It was moved by Councilmember Foster and seconded by Councilmember Southard to approve the April 9, 2026, meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
Presentations and Proclamations: Chatt Hills Country Conservancy / Foodwell Alliance Local Food System Planning Grant
Staff Reports
Financial Update: Robbie Rokovitz, City Manager Fire Department Report: Greg Brett, Fire Chief Police Department Report: Kevin Digou, Police Chief Public Works/Parks Report: Darold Wendlandt, Director Community Development Report: Mike Morton, Director Economic Development Report: Chris Montesinos, Director
Public Comments: There were six (6) public comment speakers.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
PUBLIC HEARING(S):
1. Item 26-028 – Council Consideration for Granting an Alcohol License for HM One LLC dba Blue Eyed Daisy LLC (City Clerk). It was moved by Councilmember Peek and seconded by Councilmember Southard to approve Item 26-028. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Item 26-027 –Council Consideration to approve a Variance 26V-001 Crossroads Church to the Front Setback Requirements in the RL (Rural) District (Community Development). It was moved by Councilmember Peek and seconded by Councilmembers Lightsey and Addison to approve Item 26-027 with staff recommended conditions. Motion passed unanimously.
Action Minutes ~ Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council City of Chatt Hills Tuesday, May 5, 2026 ~ 6:00pm
3. Item 26-025 – Council Consideration to approve a Special Use Permit 26U-001 Hali for a Country Inn or Farm Stay in the RL (Rural) District (Community Development). It was moved by Councilmember Addison and seconded by Councilmember Peek to table Item 26-025 to the June 2, 2026, Regular Meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
4. Item 26-026 – Council Consideration to approve a Special Use Permit 26U-002 Clowdus for a Bed and Breakfast in the RL (Rural) District (Community Development). It was moved by Councilmember Lightsey and seconded by Councilmember Peek to table Item 26-026 to the June 2, 2026, Regular Meeting. Motion passed with a 4-2 vote; Councilmember Foster voted “Nay.”
NEW BUSINESS:
5. Item 26-029 - Council Consideration to Allocate $35,000 from the Hotel/Motel Fund to Chattahoochee NOW to Support Concept and Schematic Design Services and a Preliminary Budget for the Proposed Chattahoochee Hills New Riverland Park (CM Southard & City Manager). It was moved by Councilmember Peek and seconded by Councilmember Southard to approve Item 26-029. Motion passed with a 4-2 vote; Councilmember Lightsey voted “Nay”.
6. Item 26-030 – Council Consideration to Approve an Agreement with EPIC iO for the Installation and service of two PTZ cameras at New Riverlands and Campbellton Parks in the amount of $13,200 (City Manager). It was moved by Councilmember Southard and seconded by Councilmember Addison and Peek to approve Item 26-030. Motion passed unanimously.
7. Item 26-031 – Council Consideration to Authorize City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Toole Design Group for the Chattahoochee Hills Safe Streets & Roads for all (SS4A) Transportation Safety Action Plan. (Economic Development). It was moved by moved by Councilmember Lightsey and seconded by Councilmember Southard to approve Item 26-031. Motion passed unanimously.
City Government
City Government
8. Item 26-032 – Council Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City Attorney to Join in an Amicus Curiae (“friend of the court’) Effort in the Pending Appellate Case City of Milton v. Chang (City Attorney). It was moved by Councilmember Peek and seconded by Councilmember Foster to approve Item 26-032. Motion passed unanimously.
9. Item 26-033 – 1ST READ ONLY – Council Consideration of Proposed Text Amendment to the UDC – Water Main Requirements and Bed and Breakfast Definition (Community Development) This was a 1st Read Only.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS: There were no Council comments
EXECUTIVE SESSION: (When an Executive Session is needed, one will be called for the following issues: Personnel, Litigation or Real Estate)
ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Councilmember Foster and seconded by Councilmember Lightsey to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 11:25pm. Motion passed unanimously.
Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. in Chatt Hills
Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. who is running for Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners hosted a community update in May at the newly renovated Cedar Grove Community Center, sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Ruby Foster. He listened to South Fulton
residents’ concerns about fire and police services, medical care, and education, and answered questions about the needs in the south end of the county.
As Chairman Robb Pitts has noted in a recent Chatt Hills council meeting, there is a gap in services between
Riding the RiverLands
North and South Fulton. One example Councilman Arrington mentioned that residents north of I-20 live, on average, 6–10 years longer than those in South Fulton, driven in part by differences in access to quality medical care and emergency services.
Chris Montesinos video was picked up by the State Department of Tourism and showcased on their social media. You can view that here: https://www. youtube.com/ watch?v=r2mYbSzxVL4&t=5s
Officer Dakota Hammock Receives Certification
By Chief of Police Kevin Digou, Chattahoochee Hills
Officer Dakota Hammock recently completed specialized Law Enforcement Phlebotomy training through West Georgia Technical College, marking a significant professional achievement and a valuable addition to our department’s capabilities. This certification equips Officer Hammock with the skills necessary to safely and effectively obtain blood samples in impaired driving investigations, ensuring timely and accurate evidence collection in situations where it is critical to public safety.
This advanced training enhances our ability to investigate DUI and drug-impaired driving cases with greater efficiency and precision. Having an in-house, certified phlebotomist reduces delays in obtaining evidentiary samples and strengthens the overall quality of our cases. Ultimately, this capability supports our ongoing commitment to holding impaired drivers accountable and protecting the community we serve.
Officer Hammock’s initiative to pursue this certification reflects a strong commitment to professionalism, continuous improvement, and service. Her willingness to take on additional responsibility and expand her skill set directly benefits both the department and the citizens of Chattahoochee Hills. We commend her dedication and congratulate her on this important milestone.
This photo is from one of the Planning and Zoning Training by the Carl Vinson Institute of UGA, at City Hall. That class packed in an enormous amount of material and extremely useful information.
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/ Community Brickworks: www.communitybrickworks.org
Serenbe Community: www.serenbe.com
Terra School at Serenbe: https://www.terraatserenbe.org
City Council Work Session - Tues. June 2, 5:00 pm
City Council Meeting - Tues. June 2, 6:30 pm
Historic Commission - Mon. June 8, 6:30 pm
Parks Commission - Mon. June 9, 4:00 pm
Planning Commission Work SessionThurs. June 11, 6:00 pm
Planning Commission Regular MeetingThurs. June 11, 7:00 pm
Joint City Commission Work SessionMon. June 22, 4:00 pm
Comprehensive Plan Community Workshop #3Tues. July 21, 6pm
Meetings will be held at City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268. These will be virtual and open to the public. Meetings will be streamed live. Check details on the City’s website.
Chatt Hills News Article / Event Submissions:
If you have a story, event, or suggestion, please submit your info by the 15th of every month for publication on the 1st of the month to: Judy Walker, heyjwalker@gmail.com.
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: www. chatthillsga.us, Or subscribe directly at this link: https:// lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/ADvMLs9
About Chatt Hills News Print Copies:
Residents of Chatt Hills who do not have internet may request mailed copies by calling City Hall: (770) 463-8881.
Station 51 got a touch up this week with the installation of new bay doors on the front and back of the station. The old doors were installed 43 years ago!
2026 PARKING PASSES AVAILABLE
The parking passes for Cochran Mill Park are: Residents – free with an annual parking pass sticker they may pick up at city hall. Parking Pass rate from $5 to $10 per vehicle daily and from $50 to $70 annually.
