Not local to Serenbe + Chatt Hills? This is the Around Here a subsection of Life at Play, my way of keeping our local community connected. It goes out twice a month. If it’s not your thing, you can update your email preferences at the bottom anytime.
I’m finally reading (err listening to) Braiding Sweetgrass. Lots about being in relationship with the land… not just taking from it. Paying attention. Giving something back.
It’s a lovely book. You should read it.
And last week I heard about a group of friends volunteering at Serenbe Farms. Like actually going regularly. Hands in the dirt, having a good ol’ time, being part of it. She was alive talking about it
Feels like something you don’t see often anymore… people not just living in a place, but participating in it. Those people always inspire me. They’re at the center of what makes this area feel so special. Feels like something’s shifting out at the farm lately.
Brandi… you can feel it.
What even is a CSA?
Brandi Whitney is the Farm manager at Serenbe farms. And for those of us who are new to this small town life and have zero idea what a CSA is (me 5 years ago).
Here is the scoop:
It stands for Community Supported Agriculture. basically… you’re buying a “share” of a farm. Like instead of going to the store and picking out random produce each week, you’re saying: “hey, I trust you. grow what you grow. I’m in.”
And then every week, you get a box of whatever is in season, freshly picked that morning. Think tomatoes, bok choy, flowers, herbs etc. Sometimes it’s like: …ok what is this? Or what am I supposed to do with this much kale.
But that’s kind of the point. You eat more seasonally. You try new things. You share extras with neighbors. You get closer to where your food actually comes from. And you’re supporting a local farm before they even grow the food, which helps them plan and stay in business.
Every week too much? Go halfsies with a neighbor.
Serenbe Farms has one – learn more. Do you know of any other CSAs in the local community? Would love to share em.
Around Here is supported this week by Alex Bravo of Bravo Conscious Health
Reiki Master, Harvard researcher, AI/data tech background + local neighbor.
Alex has been offering integrative energy medicine work (Reiki, frequency + stress regulation) a bit under the radar, and is now opening up private sessions, small groups, and classes at Soul Barn and Serenbe Yoga. Her work is about helping people feel more regulated, clear, and back in their bodies.
+ she just launched a Substack breaking down what’s actually credible in this space (so give her some <3).
A Few Things I’d Tell You If We Ran Into Each Other
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Two incredible art shows the next 2 weekends, at two ridiculously cool homes. Like seriously go just to poke around the spaces
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4.19 3-5pm | Patrick Johnson at Serenbe home | Equines and Mystics
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4.25 5-8pm | Chris Artabasy at SARDIS | A Continuous Becoming
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Terra Middle School “Play Stations” popping up around town you’ll see little QR codes on trails, at coffee spots, parks, etc. The students are studying how different ages actually connect (not just exist near each other). If you see one do them a solid it takes like a minute to answer.
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Terminus Ballet is here the next two weekends. It’s outside at sunset in the wildflower meadows. So yes, you will be sitting under the stars by the end.
I was delighted to find Typo Market is now selling the sweetest ceramics hand made by locals at Minro studio. I snagged this one by Paige Crutcher.
If You Leave the House, Start Here
A few things that caught my eye:
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4.18 | Reverdie at the Music Barn Local bands. Blankets. BYOB everything. Big views. Ft: Paper Lantern Parade and Prairies, with headliner Grateful to Be!
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4.19 | Free kids community clothing swap for gently used kids + teen clothes. Bring what you can, take what you need. (thank you for organizing Dr Escalante <3)
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4.23 | 3rd Annual Terra School Fete A fun night out for a good cause… dinner, dancing, auction, all supporting Terra School
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Monday Night Softball (weekly) All are welcome. Teams reset every week, no chirping, no arguing calls, easy to jump in even if you’ve never played. RSVP by Sunday at noon
Tiny, slightly invasive question:
How are you shopping for art? Who is your favorite local artist(s) and why? Comment or DM me and let me know.
Goal: I’d like to get all the local artists in the new local Directory by the end of May so send them my way, or straight to create their free listing here. That way we can see and learn about all our local artists in one simple spot.
And next is the local farmers.
If You Missed It
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Trail Group Bike Ride (Wednesdays) 6pm at Halsa | An easy, social trail ride. About an hour, with plenty of bailout points. Mountain bikes preferred.
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New Alzheimer’s / Dementia support group For patients + caregivers in Chatt Hills / Palmetto email for details
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Young musicians from the community are playing at the Serenbe farmers market this Sat 10-11
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HoneyComb is now The Consignment Shop (new chapter) Dawn officially took over after 9 years managing it. (in my opinion the best consignment shop ever)
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Dump the Week (new class, Saturdays 11:15) Somatic movement + breathwork + nervous system reset with Alex Bravo at Serenbe yoga. Basically: shake off the week so you can feel like a human again
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I wrote about my experience working with local psychic medium and energy healer, Christina Trifero, this last year. It’s juicy.
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New to Substack: Photographer Raymond McCrea Jones. Give him a follow and some love.
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New Private Ceramics at Minro Studio Good date night / friend thing You make 2–3 pieces, pick your glaze, come back later to get them
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Chatt Hills News April issue dropped
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Serenbe Stories Podcast is back for a 13th season.
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My little Serenbe walking club (for the girlies), is now a monthly thing for all of 2026. First Friday. 8:30am. Sign up
“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.”
Patrick Johnson, local artist + architect
Lucky Links
Links to the unknown.
Enjoy!
Be kind out there. Get in nature.
xx, Gina
P.S. I’m starting to think about the future of this whole local project, Around Here. If you feel pulled to it and want to be involved, reach out.
A quick behind the scenes thing since someone asked me this week, “who’s funding this”… I’m bootstrapping all of this. No funding, no big team, just me figuring it out as I go.
Everything you see (newsletter, event calendar, directory) is free and will stay that way. If you’re a paid subscriber, you don’t get extra “stuff” today, it’s more of a nod to keep this going. Also, full transparency… Substack 1 year renewals just hit and it went from $6k → $5k overnight. Goal is $10k by the end of the year so I can bring on some help and keep building this. My belief: all tides rise as this thing grows.
No pressure at all. Just sharing how it works.
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Send this to the friend who always asks ‘what should we do this weekend?
