Not local to Serenbe + Chatt Hills? This is Around Here, a subsection of Life at Play, my way of keeping our local community connected. It goes out once a month. If it’s not your thing, you can update your email preferences at the bottom anytime.
There are 11 Saturdays in our summer… and I keep wanting two opposite things at once. Half of me wants to do everything: the camps, the trips, the potluck dinners, the parties. The other half wants an open calendar and a cold drink. Space to be bored.
Right now I’m running about 70% nothing, and 30% planned things, and trying not to let the doing crowd out the space. But it’s hard… and even typing that makes me question if I’m fudging those numbers (gah I think I am).
What’s a summer ritual you actually protect every year?
One thing before we get into it: scroll to the bottom of this email. There’s a whole row of ways to get involved, submit events, get listed in the directory, or send me something worth sharing.
Around Here is supported this week by Cathleen Miller, Intuitive Lifestyle Success.
Cathleen moved to the area few months ago, so you may not know her yet. She’s an intuitive guide, energy healer, and medium who’s done thousands of sessions all over the world. Think of her when you’re worn thin and need a reset, when something hard has knocked you off center, or when you’re curious about the intuitive side of things and want a guide. She also puts out a monthly energy forecast if you want an easy place to start. Have a look →
You Should Know
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No fireworks in Serenbe this year. Below is an image with details on Peachtree Cities fireworks
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Bicicletta is open. The Enzo team’s new Italian spot landed in Peachtree City on June 23. House-made pasta, 72-hour dough, gelato, bocce, a dog-friendly patio. Check them out and report back! @bicicletta_atl
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The Empathy Farm Food Club. A fall CSA, 8 weeks, $300 a share, only 10 shares. Late August through October. theempathyfarm@gmail.com
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Tommy Lee Cook Road is closed. Starting June 22, for up to 60 days at Cedar Ridge, while crews lower the road for sight-distance and safety. The detour runs Hutcheson Ferry over to Selborne.
On the Calendar
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July 3 (Fri) | Red, White & Blueberry Night Market | 5-9pm, Serenbe Farms
A blueberry bake-off, live music, and all your favorite vendors, in place of the regular Saturday market. Sign up here to bring a blueberry-forward creation if you want to compete. -
July 4 (Sat) | 4th of July Parade | 10am, Selborne Lane
Decorate the cart, the bike, the classic car, whatever you’ve got. Sign up here. -
July 4 (Sat) | Community BBQ | 4-7pm, Grange Green
Catered spread from Chef Sidney Corum, open bar, cornhole, photo booth. Food orders close July 1, so grab a ticket if you want a plate. RSVP here -
Trail Group Bike Ride, Wednesdays 6pm at Halsa, and Ultimate Frisbee, Wednesdays 6:30pm at the Athletic Fields.
🗓️ Browse the full event calendar →
Fun fact.
The synchronous fireflies are back.
If you’ve never seen them, this is the year. The kind that blink in unison instead of at random, the ones that only put on this show in a handful of places, most of them tucked in the southern Appalachians. And we have them right here. Thousands of them, going off at the same time, in the woods off Mado.
The best spot I’m aware of is the far right corner of Mado before you get to Spella, like you’re walking toward the big waterfall. Come at dusk, they seem to peak around 10. They only do this for a few weeks. You can’t really catch it on film. You just have to go stand in the dark and let it happen.
One thing, so they keep coming back: bring a red flashlight if you have one, keep any light pointed at the ground, and turn it off once you’re settled in. Their flashing is how they find each other, and ours gets in the way. Here’s a video of what makes them different, though the magic only really lands in person. Take the kids.
Have a fun fact or something the community would enjoy? Send it my way.
If You Missed It
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Southern Hands Artist Studio Tour applications are open. Coweta and Fayette artists, November tour. shastour.com
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Our neighbor, Amanda Malko is launching a podcast and Substack, No Definition. It’s for ambitious women with big careers and full families who refuse to pick one, the real behind-the-scenes of how they actually make it work. Give her some love. Subscribe here
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Property tax assessments are arriving. If yours looks too high, you can appeal. Buzz Wehunt, an attorney and realtor here, has handled appeals for a few neighbors and is opening it up. buzz@wehunttriallaw.com
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FYI Labcorp does in-home blood draws for $79 through Getlabs. They come to your house and do it on the couch. getlabs.com
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Fast Bananas Trail Race early bird. Race is Nov 14, pricing jumps after July 31.
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La Bolla’s artisan breads just hit the shelf + its Lobster roll season at the General Store.
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Allchemy is now open 7 days. Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat-Sun 10-5.
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Community Brickworks back-to-school drive. They’re aiming to supply 125 local students. Shop the Amazon list or drop supplies at 18 Swann Ridge.
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Serenbe Farms wants volunteers. Shifts all week for harvesting, weeding, and more. A few hours on the farm, no experience needed. more details.
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VO2 Max testing interest. Monika P. is gauging who’s in, tentatively August. Message her.
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The Around Here directory just crossed 150 local businesses. Refreshed categories, real neighbors using it to find local spots. Free to get listed if you run, create or do something around here. Browse the directory →
Lucky Links
Links to the unknown.
Enjoy.
That’s it. Now go stand outside in the dark, in silence for 5 minutes this week (ideally with the fireflies).
See you on the trails, and hopefully on a porch doing nothing.
xx, Gina
ICYDK I host a free monthly walk here in Serenbe. I call them Playdates (for grown ass women). The first friday of the month (note: we are skipping July). Join the club
Stay in the Know 📅 Browse Full Local Event Calendar •📍Explore the Local Directory
Want in? ➕Add an event • 🗞 Send a Scoop or Update • 🧾 Get Listed • 🤝 Partner
