Not local to Serenbe + Chatt Hills? This is Around Here a subsection of Life at Play, and my way of keeping our local community connected. It goes out at the beginning of every month. If it’s not your thing, you can update your email preferences at the bottom anytime.
Someone posted last month about not really knowing your neighbors and how we should all go meet each other. It confused me. There are more ways to connect around here than anywhere I have ever lived. You almost have to try not to.
Nothing here happens by accident. It starts because somebody goes first.
A friend of mine saw what happens here and took it home with her. She lives in Morningside and doesnt know many of her neighbors. So she threw her own block party a few months ago, and told me the hardest part wasn’t the food or the band. It was the inviting, because there was no one place with everyone’s information in it.
Which is the part I think newcomers miss. So much of what happens here runs quietly through WhatsApp and text groups you cannot see from the outside, and somebody had to start every single one of them.
So if you’re feeling outside of it, ask what people are already on and ask to be added. Or start one.
More soon on the specific ways I've watched people do it.
Quick thing before we get into it: I’m figuring out what the next year of Around Here should be, and Id love to hear from you in this two-minute survey. It would help me a lot.
Around Here is supported this week by Fresh Harvest
Local Georgia organic produce and groceries you can customize, dropped at your door here in Chatt Hills on Fridays. And now you can customize it just 48 hours before delivery. I’m a BIG fan and have been a customer for 8+ years. If you want to give it a try, my link gets you $30 off your first order (+ I’ll get $30 toward mine).
My delivery almost always includes Salsa Verde by The Daily, Angry Cukes by Doux South, Pitas by Classic Pita + the weekly deals.
A Few Things I’d Tell You If We Ran Into Each Other
Highland Cow Snuggles at Good Place Farm. Yes, you read that right. Bookings open, $50/person, in the adorable Snuggle Speakeasy.
Studio13 Pilates has an incredible Labor Day sale 10 group classes for $132 (already bought mine!)
Community Closet Day is September 27, and they need clothes before the 20th. Women’s and teen girls’ clothing, $1 an item, with proceeds going to Community Brickworks and whatever doesn’t sell going to a local women’s shelter. Drop-off is 131 Mado Lane, now through Sept 20. The one rule is nothing stained or torn.
The sweetie new highland cows that joined GoodPlace farm last month. Oh i can’t wait to get a snuggle in.
If You Leave the House, Start Here
Sept 17 | Women & Wolves Circle | 7:00. A women’s circle inspired by the wisdom of the wolves at Soul Barn
Sept 19 | An Afternoon wine tasting with Alfredo Ovalle | The Wine Shop, 4pm, $40, ticket includes a signed book | tickets
Sept 20 | Grange Hamlet Day. A day to shop and celebrate local, and enjoy the businesses and neighbors that make Serenbe so special. Raffles + Prizes.
Sept 24 | Art with the Owls at Bear Creek Nature Center at 6pm
Sept 26 | Art Farm Soiree This year’s soiree is James Bond themed, gaming tables and all, raising money for a new sculpture garden at Deer Hollow in Serenbe. (I wrote more on the Art Farm + the Soiree here last month)
🗓️ Browse the full event calendar →
Question. Help Me Help You.
And if you’ve got 90 seconds, the longer version is here. Six questions, all taps except the last one.
I’m shaping the next year of Around Here and I’d rather build it on what you actually think than on a hunch. I’ll report back what I learn in a future issue.
If You Missed It
Kickball is back Tuesdays, Sept 8 through Oct 27. Games at 5:30 and 6:30 at the Serenbe athletic fields, all skill levels, teams made at the field. Sign up each week in the WhatsApp group.
Harvest & Grace opens at Trilith this fall, from the people behind Blue Eyed Daisy. Farm-to-table, breakfast through dinner.
CPR classes with Acorn to Oak — Sept 10 and Sept 12, $50, signup.
Robotics LEGO League — Mondays 4-6, no robotics experience needed, text Jeff Smith 214-435-6999.
Sept 30 | Serenbe Community Dinner | Halsa, 6pm | They're back now that school's in. $25 for three courses, bar open, neighbors old and new. RSVP to marie@serenbe.com by Sept 23.
A Community roadway safety survey by Terra physics students, 2 min to fill in — form
Sheri Zisk’s Melt Method is back at Serenbe Gym. Functional strength, fascia care, balance enhancement, stability, posture correction. 8 spots per class, $25 drop-in.
Train with Amber has a new space. Amber has landed in a commercial unit at 10961 Serenbe Lane B, next to Jordan’s hair studio. Classes are capped at four now, and she’s adding a 6:30am Strength Express class.
Weekend Wheel Throwing Workshop at Minro on Sept 19 and 20th at 10:00
A neighbor here started a podcast about working motherhood. No Definition, on what it actually takes to hold an ambitious career and a family at the same time. Listen
Currently in Season (Locally)
Muscadines and scuppernongs at peak. This is the September fruit here and most people forget it exists.
North Georgia apples, now through November
Thisildo Farm stand — weekends 9-7, 7755 Atlanta Newnan Rd (includes scrumptious sweets)
Lucky Links
Links to the unknown.
See you around town,
xx gina
P.S. If you know someone who just moved here, or is circling the idea, forward this to them. Word of mouth is how nearly everyone finds Around Here.
Stay in the Know 📅 Browse Full Local Event Calendar •📍Explore the Local Directory
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Gina, thank you again for another Substack article that includes valuable information about our community. I do not know how you do it consistently, but so appreciate you taking the time. Also, it was wonderful to see you at The Daisy this morning.
ALSO, thank you for promoting Kristin's work. I met with her this week for the first time - she is absolutely lovely!