Haters are motivators
Dec. 4 — Welcome to the second edition of our weekly Dunwoody newsletter. Thanks to all who emailed, texted and called to say, “Keep it up.” And that one person who said, “You’re the worst,” thanks, but that’s not news.
📧This week we’ll go deep with a woman known around town as “Sustainability Pattie” who has written a book about her cross-country biking adventure, talk about the opening of a new Dunwoody facility for mental health recovery, recap Holiday Lights at Brook Run, and let you know about some upcoming events in Dunwoody and surrounding areas.
🧹 “You’re the one that the Wizard has been waiting for,”
Cathy
WWOOFing across the country
🚵 + 📘 You might have seen bicyclist Pattie Baker tooling around Dunwoody with a rainbow-colored duck on her handlebar and a pool noodle on the back of her rig to ensure a safe distance for oncoming and passing vehicles.
But there’s a lot more to her story. Her latest book, “Round America with a Duck” chronicles her five-month, 10,000-mile trip across the United States while WWOOFing (exchanging work at organic farms for food and lodging).
“There’s a lot of ways to live a life,” Baker said. “Getting ready to turn 60 and become an empty nester, I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines for the rest of my life.”
On her journey, Baker wanted to find hope during a time when she felt it was in low supply, and discovered it in the most unexpected places.
🛎️ Read all about WWOOFing works and how it was an integral part of Baker’s journey.
A guide to holiday traditions at Lake Oconee
SPONSORED BY VISIT LAKE OCONEE
🎄 As the holiday season approaches, Lake Oconee transforms into a magical winter wonderland filled with festive traditions, cozy experiences, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re seeking Christmas nostalgia at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee; shopping for unique gifts at local boutiques; or indulging in seasonal dining, Lake Oconee offers the perfect holiday retreat. From community events and tree lightings to lakeside s’mores and cozy cups of hot chocolate, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
❄️ Find your reason to linger longer this holiday season at Lake Oconee.
A clubhouse to help recovery
⛑️ Clubhouse Atlanta, a non-profit dedicated to providing a restorative environment for people who have experienced life-changing mental illness, has opened its first stand-alone facility in Dunwoody.
The 3,100 square-foot space, located at 4386 Barclay Drive, will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 9 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. The operation moves from shared space at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, less than a mile away.
Executive Director Denise Brodsky said Clubhouse Atlanta is one of more than 300 such facilities worldwide, offering job and life skills services for people from 18 and up who have been diagnosed with a mental illness.
➡️ Read more about it here.
Finally, we might be fully ‘lit”
💡 We had the Dunwoody Homeowners Association “Light Up Dunwoody” at the Shops of Dunwoody and “Light Up the Village” at Funwoody in November, followed by “Holiday Lights” at Brook Run Park on Dec. 1.
I’m not sure there’s a dark spot left in the city, but you never know.
An estimated 1,300 people attended Sunday’s Arctic Safari-inspired event, even though temperatures had fallen into the 40s around the time the Dunwoody City Council hit the switch to, you guessed it, light it up.
Along with the pageantry, there were some other initiatives going on, including the opportunity to send letters to seniors, and for kids, letters to Santa that will be answered by the big guy himself. If you missed either letter-writing chance, there’s still time.
🧑🎄 Read the recap here.
Cookies for a cause
🍪 Here’s a three-for-one event where you can continue with your holiday weight-gain program, find out where you stand with Santa, and help raise awareness for organ donation.
On Dec. 7 from 1:00-4:00 p.m., the public can join Team Georgia TGA, at Stage Door Theater, 5330 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Cookies with Santa. There will be craft-making and you can learn a little more about organ donation. It’s just $5. Reserve your place in advance by contacting Janice Sedgwick at [email protected]
Team TGA, according to its website, “promotes organ and tissue donation awareness throughout the state of Georgia and encourages taking action on the Georgia State donor registry. We also share discussions at health fairs, we share personal stories at churches, schools, civic clubs and hospitals.”
👁️ If you can’t make it, but still want to promote the cause, start with yourself by registering as an organ donor. I just did it and it took about one minute.
Dunwoody is not an island
🌟+ ⛸️ + 🦮 For those who think this city has it all holiday-wise, that’s not true. Go sparkle in Sandy Springs, strap on your ice skates in Brookhaven, or bring your pet to meet the Grinch in Chamblee.
And one final thought…
🫣 “Heretic” is NOT a Christmas movie.
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