The Farmers Market’s Back—And So Am I
A reminder of why I came, opening day of the Serenbe Farmers Market, and everything happening around Serenbe & Chatt Hills (April 4–13)
Earlier this week, I ran into a neighbor—the kind of passing hello that turns into one of those meaningful Serenbe chats.
He mentioned that Sam Harrison, a longtime neighbor who’s been writing Town Talk, a monthly Serenbe newsletter since the early days, is moving away. Then he looked at me and said:
“Wow, you’ve got big shoes to fill. Now it’s on you to keep the old Serenbe alive.”
We laughed—but there was truth in it.
I wasn’t here from the very beginning. I’ve been here just over four years. But I’ve heard the stories, and I get the nostalgia. The early days held something magical. And here’s the thing: so does right now.
Yes, it’s worth remembering the values Serenbe and Chatt Hills were built on—the nature, the arts, the connection, the slower, simpler way of life. But I don’t believe we need to live in the past to preserve what matters. I love this season of Serenbe and Chatt Hills. And I’m excited about where we’re going next.
Because today is someone’s “good old days.”
And I think the best way to honor the past is to live fully in the present—and shape the future with intention.
I’m not here to replace Sam’s newsletter. What he created was beautiful and important.
What I’m doing is something different—my own little offering. A way to help us stay rooted in what brought us here in the first place. And maybe, to help those who don’t live here carry a little piece of this magic with them—whether they’re in the city, the suburbs, or somewhere in between.
To slow down.
To reconnect.
To remember what it means to live intentionally.
In today’s issue:
🌳 Why I Moved Here (And What I Forgot)
🥬 Serenbe Farmers Market is back! A few insider tips
📍 For the Locals – Events this week + “In Case You Missed It”
Why I Moved Here (And What I Forgot)
When I first landed in Serenbe, it wasn’t for the events or the amenities… or even the people (I didn’t know a soul). It was for the trees and the trails. The idea of raising kids in a place that felt a little more wild and a lot more free.
I moved here to be in nature.
To raise my kids a little differently.
To hike trails that start at my back door.
To see them barefoot and muddy (me too!).
To breathe slower.
To build something simpler.
But you know how it goes… life happens. Especially in a season of pregnancy and a new baby. Hobbies shift. Priorities change. What used to be yoga classes and solo trail walks turns into… kids, snacks, nursing, managing emotions, some bubbles and magna-tiles…
I tend to say I’m “hibernating” in seasons like this—but really, it’s the opposite.
I’m chasing kids around like crazy, with barely a moment to myself.
Everything revolves around tiny people and the things they need.
Maybe you know the feeling?
But lately, I’ve felt the pull to return. To come back to ME and the slower life I imagined when I chose this place. To stop rushing through it—and to slow down and start living in it again.
So I’m doing just that.
This Spring, Let’s Return to the Good Stuff
Whether you live in beautiful Chatt Hills or somewhere else entirely—this is your nudge.
Get outside.
Slow down.
Make space for the little joys that brought you here in the first place.
It doesn’t have to be big.
For me, it looks like:
Opening the windows and doors
Signing up for a shaman workshop and yoga class
Making a walk to school a few times a week our new morning rhythm
Going to the Farmers market every Saturday
Eating meals on the porch
Organizing some casual neighbor hangs—just for fun, just to connect
Let’s crawl out of the busy.
Let’s shake off winter.
Let’s remember why we came—and then choose it again.
🥬 A Farmers Market Morning Is a Magical Morning
The Serenbe Farmers Market kicks off its season this Saturday, April 5 from 9am–1pm on Grange Green, right across from the General Store.
And I’m blocking off my morning like my parents used to block off Sundays for church. Because for me? It kind of is.
It’s where I reconnect.
Where I remember what matters.
Where I pause long enough to notice the magic.
Yes, my kids might throw tantrums in the stroller. But most days, they’re dancing to Mr. Jeff and Casey, spinning barefoot across the green.
A few vendors I’m especially excited about:
Jen Chan’s – Always delicious, packed with flavor, and made with real ingredients. I’ve truly never had a bad meal there.
Dream Soup Farm – Gorgeous, locally grown blooms that brighten any corner of your home (or your mood).
NEW! Mash Bakes – My friend Ashleigh Smith is launching her cupcake biz this weekend, and I cannot wait. Come support her sweet debut!
And of course, I’m excited to see who else is back this year. That’s half the fun—wandering the stalls and discovering something new.
Local farmers market tips:
Park behind the General store there is a great parking lot with lots of spots.
Bianca’s Bread mobile is not by the main stands—it’s in front of the General Store. Her artisan sourdoughs are worth the detour.
Shop the side gems: Hill & Hamlet Bookshop, Birdhouse Coffee, Rachel Garceau Ceramics, Amplify Your Ride.
Come say hi. I’ll be the one chasing around a toddler and celebrating my baby, Dottie’s 1st birthday with some Mash Bakes cupcakes, party hats and lots of bubbles.
📍 For the Locals: Events This Week
April 4–13 | Serenbe + Chatt Hills
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
Precision Run Club | 7:40am | 2–3 miles, meet at Mado 1
Serenbe Residents April Coffee Talk - Landscaping | 9am | Gainey Hall
Blood Drive | 10am–4pm | Palmetto Community Center
Vase Hand-Building Workshop | 11am–1pm | CENTER StudioSwan
Spring Awakening Wine Tasting | 4pm | General Store
Farmhouse Fridays | 5:30–8:30pm | Live music on the Farmhouse back porch
SATURDAY, APRIL 5
Serenbe Farmers Market Opening Day | 9am–1pm | Grange Green
Serenbe Goat Yoga | 10am | The Inn
Story time with Hills & Hamlet | 9:30am | Birdhouse Market
Reiki & Sound Healing Journey | 3:15–5:00pm | Meagan Myrick & Alex Bravo at Serenbe Yoga
Jazz Night | 9pm | Live music at Austin’s
Gather Round | 6–7pm | Live music, community, and sweet treats at Birdhouse Market
SUNDAY, APRIL 6
Meet Your Spirit Guides (Virtual) | 11am–1pm | Live small-group psychic readings, intuition tuning with Christina Trifero. Donation-based.
MONDAY, APRIL 7
Ceramics for Children (5+) | Weekly, now - 5.1 | at Minro
Cosmic Conversations | 6:30–8:00pm | Astrology talk with Dr. Laura Tadd at Soul Barn
TUESDAY, APRIL 8
Caring for Aging Loved Ones: Estate Talk | 4pm | Trusts, wills, and more at Serenbe Textile Lofts #107 RSVP to Tamara
Serenbe Softball | 5:30pm | Serenbe Athletic Fields
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9
Chatt Hills AI Meetup | 9:30am | Jeff Smith’s home
THURSDAY, APRIL 10
Pose and Compose: Figure Drawing | 6pm | CENTER at Studio Swan
Awareness Meditation Series | 7pm | Serenbe home
FRIDAY, APRIL 11
Farmhouse Fridays | 5:30–8:30pm | Live music on the Farmhouse back porch
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
Chatt Hills Community Yard Sale | 9am–1pm | at 6505 Rico Road (Cookout included)
SUNDAY, APRIL 13
Yoga for the Horses | 2pm | with instructor Misty Caples at Zorro’s Crossing
📍 In Case You Missed It
Serenbe Egg Hunt Returns! | Saturday, April 19 at 10am | The Social Committee is hosting a free Easter Egg Hunt for kids under 12 at the Selborne fields. Bring 24 pre-filled eggs per child to 272 Mado Lane, and RSVP here. Volunteers needed too!
Tough Mudder at Bouckaert Farms | April 26–27 | Mud, obstacles, and team spirit just minutes from Serenbe. Learn More.
Brickworks Backyard Bash Returns May 17 | Save the date for the 4th Annual Bash at Four Sevens Farmette—family fun, great food, drinks, and live music from 4–7PM. Learn More. (such a fun event!!)
April Glow-Up at The Skin Addikt | This month’s special includes a HydroGlow Facial, dermaplaning, and a no-downtime BioRePeel—leaving your skin fresh, smooth, and glowing for spring. Book here.
Woodsong Farm Spring Subscriptions | Happy cows, pasture-raised eggs, and raw milk in glass bottles? Yes, please. Woodsong Farm just opened a few more spring spots for their egg and milk subscriptions—available now through the end of May. Subscribers save $1 per item.
Free Consults at Precision Performance | Not sure if PT is right for you? Dr. Noelle is offering free 20-minute consultations to talk through injuries or concerns. Email Noelle to book.
Private Chef Fabrizio Flammini | New to Serenbe, Chef Fabrizio (from Rome!) is offering in-home private cheffing with a focus on Mediterranean cuisine—fresh pasta, steak, fish, and even truffles from his family’s farm in Umbria (if in season).
Fresh Flowers at Minro | Sad to see bloomroom go, but Minro will now keep fresh blooms in stock from local grower Dream Soup Farm.
Weekly Wine Tasting at The Wine Shop | Join the complimentary resident wine tasting every Wednesday from 5–7 PM at The Wine Shop at Serenbe. Enjoy 10% off all wine purchases and discover 2–3 new wines each week.
Exciting News at Terra School | Marika Van Brocklin is stepping into a new role as Outdoor & Environmental Education Teacher for Primary-8th grade! She’ll expand outdoor education and launch an adventure-based after-school program. (Im personally very excited about this!)
New Serenbe Stories Episode | Jack Kidd chats with HR Director Stephanie Coyne about all things Serenbe—real estate, favorite things to do, and summers in the neighborhood. Listen here.
What’s something you’re coming back to this spring? Hit reply—I’d love to hear.
See you at the market, in the comments, or out on the trails.
—Gina xx
Know someone who loves Chatt Hills, Serenbe, or slowing down? Forward this their way.
Thank you for doing this Gina! What a gift.