Turtle Eggs and More Druid Hills in the Civil War

From DHCA email June 1 at press time

To receive email updates, email [email protected] to be added to

Deny Clifton Ridge email distribution list

Neighbors,After days of tree destruction at Clifton Ridge, we

just got some excellent news: As you may know, ourCommissioners Jeff Rader and Kathie Gannon have hada separate lawsuit against DeKalb County, which challenges the Zoning Board’s approval ofthe Land Disturbance Permit.

As of Friday (May 31) around 11 a.m., Judge Courtney Johnson issued a TemporaryRestraining Order, which will stop all work at Clifton Ridge until June 13, when a hearing isscheduled before Judge Asha Jackson. We owe a great deal of thanks to Jeff, Kathie and theirlawyer, Scott Bennett!

And don’t forget: our own two lawsuits and appeals are still underway. We just filed a30-page appeal brief, including 1500 pages of supporting documents, with the Georgia Courtof Appeals. We’re doing everything we can to stop the destruction.

Also, we must remember this fight is not just about Clifton Ridge — it’s a fight for ALLof Druid Hills, DeKalb County and the entire state. We’re fighting to ensure no developercan destroy the protections offered by 138 Georgia Historic Preservation Districts.

Hang in there with us — and enjoy the sounds of silence at Clifton Ridge.Steering Committee, Deny Clifton Ridge/Preserve Druid Hills

SUMMER, 2013Volume 27, Number 2

CONTENTS

PRE-SORTSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

Permit No. 515Athens, GA

THE DRUID HILLS NEWSNewsletter of the

Druid Hills Civic Association

P.O. Box 363Decatur, GA 30031-0363

JULY 4TH PARADE IN DRUID HILLSDon’t miss the 35th annual Druid Hills Fourth of July Parade! Join a few hundred of your friends and neighbors as we march upSpringdale and back down Oakdale in a display of patriotism andcommunity. If you’ve never participated in the parade, you’vemissed out on a truly unique tradition in our neighborhood. Besure to dress up your bikes and strollers, your pets, your kids andyourselves … and if you have any musical ability whatsoever, feelfree to join our ad-hoc marching band! Festivities kick off at11:00 a.m. Parade begins and ends at the corner of OakdaleRoad and The By Way. Refreshments following.

Turtle Eggs and Moreby Suzanne Ledoux

Cloudy skies andthe threat of rain did notdiscourage these parklovers! Neighborhoodfamilies gathered atRutledge Park onSaturday, April 27, forthe first annual TurtleEgg Hunt, hosted by theRutledge ParkCommunity OutreachGroup. Committeemembers stuffed and hidmore than 700 “turtleeggs,” colorful toy eggsfilled with candy andprizes. The upper tier ofthe park grounds was completely strewn in color by the time the hiding was done.And when it came time for the finding, kids were gathering them by the grocery bagfull! There were also refreshments and rice crispy treats to share, as well as educationalhandouts on an indigenous reptile park resident, the eastern box turtle. The handouton the eastern box turtle can be downloaded at: www.RutledgePark.org

The Rutledge Park Community Outreach Group was recently formed to promotepark awareness and plan fun, free family activities. Future events will include abackyard birding expedition, a morning of tree identification, birdhouse building anddecorating, instructions on installing a bat house, and a neighborhood potluck. Datesto be announced.

Excitement is growing among Rutledge Park enthusiasts since the design phase forthe park has begun. Dekalb County has selected the local firm AMEC to providehardscape, and a preliminary design for the park entrance, playground, and upperterrace trail will be submitted in mid-spring. A public meeting will be held in mid-summer to seek community input. A clean-up day will be held in June, focused oninvasive plant removal and native plant protection. Actual construction is expected tobegin by late summer and to be completed by autumn, just in time for tree and shrubplanting.

For more information about Rutledge Park, to make a donation, or to submitideas for future park events, please visit: www.RutledgePark.org.

EAST LAKE ROAD FREE LIBRARYfor Middle School

and Young Adult Readers We have recently installed a free library box

near the sidewalk at our home at 2252 East LakeRd.(Beckwith House). We hope to fill it with booksfor Middle School and Young Adult readers. Pleasefeel free to come by and swap your books for any ofthe books in the box.

I will be emailing a list of available titles on aweekly basis. If you are interested in receiving thisemail update please forward your address [email protected].

HAPPY READING!

Druid Hills in the Civil Warby Richard H. Sams, PhD

As Atlanta commemorates its Sesquicentennial of the Civil War in 2014, let us in DruidHills recall that on July 19, 1864, the land that was later to become our community wasoccupied by an invading army. Led by General William Tecumseh Sherman, the army’s intentwas to capture the most critical rail and transportation center supplying the forces of theSouthern Confederacy: Atlanta. The four ensuing battles of the Atlanta Campaign have alwaysreceived and will in 2014 receive much attention, particularly the one at Peachtree Creek. Butshouldn’t Druid Hills’ role in that same history also be recognized? Besides the Army of theCumberland approaching from Peachtree Creek, Sherman’s two other massive armies advancedon Atlanta through Decatur and through North Decatur, or what we now call the Druid Hills-Emory University area.

This national history has never been commemorated by Decatur or Emory University tomy knowledge, though Emory has a remarkable Special Collection of Civil War documents anda marker denotes the site of Judge James Paden’s plantation on which Emory lies. Shermanhimself headquartered just outside what is now Emory’s East Campus gate on the above dateand just outside of Emory’s Briarcliff Campus on July 20 and 21 that year. But little has beenpublicized about the former owners of Druid Hills’ lands or their historical role, except in a fewmarkers appropriately placed around our neighborhood by the Georgia Historical Commissionin 1964. Even few Atlantans know about Cox’s Division of General Schofield’s 23rd ArmyCorps with whom Sherman traveled or how they occupied what was then the judge’s plantation,now Emory village, the Druid Hills Golf Course, and the main campus area on that hot day ofJuly 19. To my knowledge, no efforts have ever been made to commemorate any of thesenationally historic events, yet we designate ourselves a “Historic District.”

The present historical emphasis, of course, has been based upon Druid Hills’ landscapingdesigns by Frederick Law Olmsted, which came much later and deals solely with thearchitectural integrity of our beautiful homes and landscape. But let us remember historicallythat Druid Hills’ early settlers endured the Civil War’s devastation and collapsed economy, anevent that few in this nation had to suffer. And after that war, they were abandoned, left withthe task of picking up the pieces of that wrecked economy and rebuilding what we enjoy today.

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN PG 3

DH PARKS SHOW THEIR STUFF PG 3

2103 TOUR RECAP PG 4

HISTORY OF TELEPHONES IN DH PG 5

GARDENING WITH CHICKENS PG 5

PERENNIALS PROLONG THE SEASON PG 6

FERNBANK SCHOOL IS MOVING PG 6

HISTORIAL PRESERVATION PG 7

HELP WANTEDTwo Druid Hills Civic AssociationCommittees need volunteers!

Community and Lifestyle • Plan neighborhood events• Assist with fundraising for

neighborhood parks andcommon areas

• Create an increased sense ofcommunity in Druid Hills

To volunteer, please [email protected].

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Membership

• Welcome new DH residents• Assist with administrative tasks• Create new opportunities for

residents to join DHCATo volunteer, please contactClaudia Keenan [email protected].

The DHCA is also looking for aCoordinator. To volunteer, pleasecontact Mike Hellerstein at 212-1855or email [email protected].

2 THE DRUID HILLS NEWS Summer 2013

CIVIC ASSOCIATION OFFICIALSOfficers

President . . . . . . . . . . . .Justin Critz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Vice President . . . .Christopher Hamilton . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]. Vice-President . .Cathy Vandenberg . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]. Vice-President . .OPEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ken Gibson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] . . . . . . . . . . . .Mike Hellerstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Division ChairsDivision 1 (City of Atlanta) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Barbara Vogel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-377-1667Patricia Elam

Division 2 (Ponce Corridor in DeKalb) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] WallaceJeremy Turner

Division 3 (W. of Briarcliff & S. of University in DeKalb) . . . [email protected] Vicevich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-249-9215

Division 4 (b/w Briarcliff, N. Decatur & Lullwater Ck.) . . . . [email protected] St. Louis

Division 5 (Between Peavine Ck., N. Decatur, & RR Lines) . [email protected]

Division 6 Karen Rushing

Division 7 (“University” Streets west of Emory University) [email protected]

Division 8 (Emory U., N. Decatur Rd. to S. Peachtree Ck.) [email protected] Foust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-633-9932

Division 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected](D.H. Golf Course, Decatur fork of Peavine Ck. & RR Lines)Steven Misner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-373-1523

DHCA BOARD OF DIRECTORSPast Presidents

Div. Name Phone Email9 Cathy Vandenberg 404-377-4817 [email protected] Dick Shuey 404-874-0643 [email protected] Jim Morawetz 404-378-3784 [email protected]

5 Bruce MacGregor 404-378-6040 [email protected]

Ex OfficioCivic Association Network (CAN) rep4 Judy YatesFreedom Park 1 Allen Bradley 404-373-3711 [email protected] Civic Coalition (DCC)4 Judy Yates 404-373-2112 [email protected] Planning Unit1 Jim Heerin 404-373-3626 [email protected] and Lifestyle4 [email protected] Use 5 Jim Morawetz [email protected] HP Liaison Atlanta Landmark District1 Steve Cappell [email protected] Liaison DeKalb Co9 Chris Leeth [email protected] Greenspace Initiatives/ Peavine Watershed Alliance1 Becky Bracewell 404-378-2749 [email protected] Nathan Hartman [email protected] Network Co-Chairs

Elizabeth Semancik White [email protected] Riley [email protected]

Public Safety 2 Jeremy Turner2013 Tour of Homes & Gardens Co-Chairs4 Homes & Gardens Chair, Barbara Vogel4 Operations Chair, Leslie Fight4 Revenue Chair, Kim Storbeck4 DHCA Board Liaison, Thomas WinnTransportation

OPENDruid Hills News Editor 5 Mary Angela Whyte 404-387-0595 [email protected] Hills News Managing Editor9 Jennie Richardson 404-373-1837 [email protected]

Class of 2015Becky EvansJason JoffeSusan Anne McKennaSally MontgomeryElise RileyScott StorbeckJoanna StroudCynthia WaterburyTBD

Class of 20145 Jeffery Baer9 Vivian Bencich1 Steven Cappel7 Hugh Gallagher5 Tommy Greene1 Miles Hall2 Carolyn Riordan7 Tysie Whitman

Class of 20134 Chad Henderson4 David Winston4 Claudia Keenan3 Kathleen Mathers5 Amy Power4 Thomas Winn9 John Zedd

TBD

THE DRUID HILLS NEWSNewsletter of the Druid Hills Civic Association

P.O. Box 363, Decatur, GA 30031-0363, Voicemail 404-523-DHCA

Published by Volunteers

NEWSLETTER EDITOR Mary Angela Whyte

MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Richardson

TYPESETTING & DESIGN Julie EdwardsNEWSLETTER COMMITTEE

Justin Critz, Claudia Keenan, Judy Keenan, Suzanne Ledoux, Paula Refi, Jennie Richardson, Richard Sams,Alida Silverman, Kim Storbeck

Your Letters Are Welcome

Get the MostOut of Your

Advertising DollarsThe Druid Hills News is published inMarch, June, September, and December.It reaches thousands of people who live,shop, and work in Druid Hills. Withthousands of copies of each issuedistributed in the area, the publication’sadvertising rates are a bargain forbusinesses that want to reach Druid Hillscustomers. For information on ad sizesand pricing:

404-523-3422 (DHCA) www.druidhills.org/news/advertise.htm

email: [email protected]

The deadlines for the fall issue of the

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Advertising — August 10 Copy — August 17Publication will be in

mid-September

Subscribing to the Druid Hills NewsResidents of Druid Hills receive the quarterly Druid Hills News

by bulk mail. Former residents may still receive the News bysubscribing. Here’s how:• Fill out the membership form in this issue.• Under Membership Involvement and Interests, check “Other”

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2. Click the "sign up today" button& complete the form.

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Important NumbersAmbulance/Fire/Emergency Medical Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . .911Police – Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .911

Administrative/General Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-294-2605Criminal Investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-294-2550Police – General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-294-2000Center Precinct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-294-2580East Precinct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-482-0300South Precinct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-286-7911

Animal Services—Stray Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-294-2996After Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-294-2519

Atlanta Legal Aid—DeKalb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-377-0701Board of Education—DeKalb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .678-676-1200Board of Health—DeKalb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-294-3700Business License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-371-2462Chamber of Commerce—DeKalb . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-378-8000Citizen’s Drainage Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-297-3840Conventions & Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-492-5000Code Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-724-7940Deaf Teletype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-294-2677DeKalb Community Relations (Police) . . . . . . . . . . .404-286-7955DeKalb Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-501-1000DeKalb Medical Center – Hillandale . . . . . . . . . . . .404-501-8000DeKalb Rape Crisis Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-377-1428Drainage Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-297-3840Driver’s License (State) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .678-413-8400Drug Hotline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-322-2540Economic Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-687-2730Elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-298-4020Family & Children Service (DFACS) . . . . . . . . . . . .404-370-5000Gov. Office Of Consumer Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-656-3790Homeland Security/Gangs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-216-4926Human & Community Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-322-2950Keep DeKalb Beautiful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-371-2654Law Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-371-3011Marriage License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-371-2262MARTA-Complaint Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-848-4800Mental Health Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-892-4646Mobile Crisis Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-294-0499Motor Vehicle (TAGS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-298-4000Neighborhood Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-286-7955Planning & Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-371-2155Pot Holes—DeKalb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-297-3840Recorder’s Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-508-0368

Automated Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-371-3272Records (Police Information) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-294-2512Recreation, Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-371-2631Roads & Drainage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-297-3840

After Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-294-2523Sanitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-294-2900Sight Obstructions (Roads) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-294-2041Sheriff ’s Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-298-8000

Courthouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-371-2391Speed Humps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-492-5200Street Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-492-5200Storm Water Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-297-2570Tax Assessor’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-371-2509Tax Commissioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-298-4000

Property Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-298-4000Traffic Signal Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-297-3929Trees Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-297-3840Voter Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-298-4020Water—Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-378-4475

Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770-270-6243Women’s Resource Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-688-9436Zoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-371-4915

Another Successful Plant Sale!Each year, the Lullwater Garden Club participates in

the Druid Hills Tour of Homes by hosting a native plantsale. This year the plant sale was held in the LullwaterConservation Garden. All proceeds from the sale are usedto continue restoration efforts in the Conservation

Garden. Some of the plants are purchased fromlocal wholesalers and some of the plants arecultivated by garden club members. This year theplants included succulents, herbs, heirloomtomatoes, and hundreds of native species. The Clubsold three different species of native azaleas as well asshade loving and drought tolerant plants. GardenClub members created beautiful container gardensand sold those as well. Garden Club husbands IvanFaulkenberry and Scott Storbeck crafted cedarplanting boxes in two styles that quickly sold out.Many thanks to all of you who support this effortevery year. This year, $2,000 was raised for thegarden.

Summer 2013 THE DRUID HILLS NEWS 3

President’s Column by Justin Critz

Greetings to all of my Druid Hills neighbors. Myname is Justin A. Critz, and I am the new president ofyour Druid Hills Civic Association.

Before I address the current neighborhood news andwhat I would like to see happen in the coming year, letme tell you a little bit about myself. I was born and raisedin the Druid Hills neighborhood. I attended the Out OfDoors School on Oakdale as a child and swam as a DruidHills Dolphin. My mother still lives on Springdale andmy brother lives on Lullwater. After finishing numerousyears at various institutions studying the Classics, I woundup back at Emory Law. This was fortuitous, as my wifeRobin and I were expecting our first child, and I knewthat I wanted to raise my family in the Druid Hillsneighborhood. Since then, we moved onto FairviewRoad, into the old Quaker meeting house, and we haverounded out the family to four daughters, six hens, and ablack lab puppy (a girl, of course). Needless to say, life isbusy and full, but I am honored to have been selected forthe job of president of the Civic Association, and I lookforward to guiding the organization in the coming year.

As many of you know, a major issue is coming veryfast down the pipe, one that will have a profound andfundamental effect on the neighborhood: Cityhood. Inthe wake of the incorporation of the City of Brookhaven,the Lakeside City Alliance formed in order to advocate forthe incorporation of those areas of unincorporatedDeKalb County to the north of us. The map they havefinalized does not include Druid Hills or Emory, but itdoes include Toco Hill. If the City of Lakeside doesincorporate, unincorporated DeKalb County wouldshrink to include Druid Hills and the neighborhoods tothe east of us in central DeKalb and the two districts ofsouthern DeKalb.

In response to the Lakeside proposal, an alternate mapis being explored, which would encompass Druid Hills tothe south and go north to I-85 and northeast to I-285.Some people feel this to be a more organic configurationfor a new city. Because of the timelines involved, theCivic Association has taken a lead in exploring this optionand has already designated a significant amount towardthe $30,000 required to perform the necessary feasibilitystudy by the UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute.

At the same time, members of the Civic Associationand other concerned neighbors are meeting withrepresentatives of the City of Atlanta to explore thepossibility of annexing into the city. There has also beentalk of annexation into Decatur and the formation of asmall city comprising only the Druid Hills neighborhood,although these two latter options seem less feasible.

At this point, it is important to stress that the CivicAssociation is not advocating for any one option. We arestill trying to gather information on what each optionwould look like for our neighborhood and what effects itwould have in the decades to come. That said, if any ofyou are interested in helping with this issue, please contactthe Civic Association or email me directly [email protected]. We hope to have aninformational meeting in early summer to more properlyunderstand in what direction the neighborhood as a wholewishes to go.

Turning to other matters, as we all know, we live in ahistoric district, and one of the principal functions of theCivic Association is to protect our neighborhood fromintrusive development that is out of character with the restof the neighborhood. Historically, the Civic Associationhas a positive record in this regard, and I thank everyonewho has worked and continues to work so hard topreserve the beauty and integrity of Druid Hills.However, preservation is not the Association’s onlyfunction. Another goal laid out in the by-laws is topromote the general welfare of the community. The CivicAssociation has also performed this function admirably,for example, by advocating for the acquisition of greenspace and contributing to neighborhood projects like theOakdale street lights, OLPA and AIEV. Nevertheless, Iwould like for the Association to do even more in the wayof community improvement projects. In particular, I havein mind a long-term project to repair our crumblingsidewalks. If this or another project interests you, and youare not a member of the Association, I urge you to signup, come to meetings, and get involved. Of course, if youare already a member, I thank you and urge you, too, tocome to meetings and participate. This is ourneighborhood. It is important that the Civic Associationtake the lead in making it the type of place we all want tolive in.

I wish everyone a healthy, happy summer, and I lookforward to seeing you around the neighborhood.

Azalea Park in Bloomby Alida Silverman

Azalea Park looked good on Tour Weekend!The redbud, oak and (lone) gingko trees aregrowing. The native azaleas, mostly pinks butorange ones, too, were blooming, with the red onesin the wings. Care provided by the Azalea Parkgardeners Becky and Bob Lough shows. DeKalbCounty Parks mowed the grass just before the Tour,thanks to our Commissioner Jeff Rader.

FB General Services Inc.Residential & Commercial

Cleaning ServicesDruid Hills, VaHi, Decatur

New Construction Clean Up• Move-In or Out CleaningOne Time, Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly

Contact Flor Bernal at 678-768-0744 or [email protected], [email protected]

Writers Needed!The Druid Hills News is in dire need of a School Newsand a Book Clubs columnist. Contacts will be given.All the writer has to do is pull it together. The editorwill review and redo wherever needed, and it's just

four times a year. Plus, you get a by line!

Join the merry band by signing up now. Email [email protected].

Azalea Park Gardeners Becky and Bob Lough in the parkon a late May morning pick-up. Ponce and Deepdene arein the background.

Olmsted Linear Park in PBS Film

by Jennifer J. Richardson

The Olmsted Linear Park will have a small part in anew documentary about Frederick Law Olmsted. Thefilm, titled Frederick Law Olmsted—Designing America,will be shown nationwide in the near future on PublicBroadcasting Channels. Larry Hott of Florentine Filmsand Hott Productions is the director of the film. TheOlmsted Linear Park was chosen over hundreds of otherOlmsted designs in part because of the recentrehabilitation work, and in part because it was saved frombeing paved over by a proposed expressway. OtherOlmsted works include a park in Buffalo, New York;Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina; and CentralPark in New York City.

After a premier of the documentary in Buffalo, NewYork, another premier will take place in Atlanta. Watchyour Druid Hills Civic Association News for informationon events being planned surrounding the premier by theOlmsted Linear Park Alliance, or go to the Alliance’s webpage at www.AtlantaOlmstedPark.org.

Tour RecapBy Claudia Keenan

Hundreds of visitors flocked to the 46th annualDruid Hills Home & Garden Tour, which startedinauspiciously in cold rain on Friday, April 19, butrevived with bright sunshine through the weekend.The tour featured five homes, the LullwaterConservation Garden, and Parkwood Park.

“If the tour had a theme this year, it would be‘adaptive use,’” noted Home Selection Committeechair Barbara Vogel. “We were particularly interestedin the ways that the homes were reconfigured to meetcontemporary needs. Yet each reflects the history of Druid Hills.”

The oldest home on the tour, 1386 Ponce de Leon Avenue, started life as a mansion built for Clyde King and his wife Clara Bellein 1910. Having made his fortune as a farm equipment manufacturer, King enjoyed the mansion with his family (including hisdaughter’s wedding to George Woodruff ) for nearly three decades. In 1954, the sorority Alpha Delta Pi purchased the mansion forits international headquarters and added office and meeting space behind it in 2004.

In the dining room, china and sterling sparkled in the light of an Art Deco chandelier. Across the bridge leading to the addition,visitors could glimpse vestiges of Mrs. King’s three-tiered garden restored by the sorority. Throughout the weekend, Alpha Delta Picollegians helped staff the house as docents, while Executive Director Linda Ablard chatted with tour goers.

Across the linear park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, two homes on West Parkwood Road represented the best of post-World War II design. At number 471, the home of Frances Finegan and Mike Galifianakis, the reconfiguration of the interior andexterior has enabled complete wheelchair accessibility. The house’s “hidden functionality,” Ms. Finegan noted, lies in its widedoorways and adaptable furnishings. The house features mid-century décor while suchtouches as exposed beams and an intercom system date to the 1960s and 70s. DonaCucich of Atlanta, who grew up in the house during the early 1950s and once rode herpony along the railroad embankment, happily returned to serve as house manager for theweekend. Her cousin and three friends drove from Birmingham to Decatur to volunteeras docents.

Next door at number 498, Chad and Christina Carter presented contemporaryfurnishings in their Southern Colonial home. The house -- built during the late 1940s byBill McKinney, who established McKinney’s Apothecary in Decatur in 1952 -- wasfurther enlivened by the screening of original footage of its construction, including scenesof mules plowing the yard. The Carters were surprised to discover that a first floor officewas originally a porte cochere. And they loved one visitor’s comment overheard by adocent: “Someone likes martinis; that’s a good sign!”

At the Arts and Crafts-style home at 2249 East Lake Road, owner Richard Burgess’sabundant talents as an architect, restorer, designer, and decorator delighted visitors. Witha particular passion for Empire and mid-century decor, Mr. Burgess has combinedtraditional furnishings with astonishing colors and materials during his 15-yearrestoration and redecoration of the home. Unlike some other homeowners, Mr. Burgessstayed for the weekend. Smilingly, he recounted one visitor’s remark: “You don’t have avintage refrigerator? What’s with this plain white refrigerator? Even I have one of those!”

The hilltop home at 886 Lullwater Road replaced a ranch house that ownersAndrew and Diana Farley purchased in 2006. The gray shingled home with itsVictorian-style turret looks like it has always perched among the trees. Visitors walked orrode in golf carts up the driveway to discover the serenity of the “tree house” room withwraparound windows and the secluded saltwater pool. In the kitchen, house managerLinda Pittam fielded questions about the marine finish on the walnut island and thebacksplash composed of subway tiles.

“The Druid Hills Tour is much more than a display of the fine homes of ourneighborhood,” said Justin Critz, president of the Druid Hills Civic Association. “Through it, people see the beautiful spaces inwhich we live, meet the wonderful people who reside here, and, hopefully, learn more of the history that makes this corner of Atlantaso special.”

For the first time, the tour offered a Speaker Series of five presentations, including Walter Reeves speaking on vegetable gardens,Ryan Gainey on landscape architecture, Jim Wilson on the birds of Georgia, and Richard Sams on the history of Druid Hills. Apanel discussion about restoring homes in Druid Hills, moderated by Steve Cappel, featured Chris Hamilton of Dovetail Craftsman,Bill Bartlett of HomeRebuilders, Steven Goff of Intown Revival Construction/Georgia Wood Windows, Robert Soens, Jr., of PinnacleCustom Builders, and Wright Marshall of Revival Construction.

At St. John’s Lutheran Church, long a center of activity during the tour, a classic car show sponsored by the Dogwood Chapter ofthe Lambda Club International featured such beauties as the 1949 Cadillac Sedanet used in “Driving Miss Daisy,” a 1955 CadillacFleetwood, a 1957 DeSoto Shopper Wagon, a 1965 Cadillac convertible, and a 1976 Pontiac Grand Prix.

More than 250 people volunteered to be docents and 1,050 tickets were sold. The event, which involved – as always –nine months of intensive planning by the Tour Committee, was led by co-chairs Leslie Fight (Operations), Kim Storbeck(Revenue), and Barbara Vogel (Home Selection) with Thomas Winn, who served as liaison to the board of the Druid HillsCivic Association for which the tour is the sole fundraiser. Scott Storbeck served as treasurer during the planning phase.

Within Operations, Lynn Alexander (Logistics), Ryan Graham (House Management), Jenny McGuigan (Staffing),Bonnie Wolf (Recruitment), and Cynthia Waterbury (Thank You Party) exemplified support and teamwork. Within Revenue,Lisa Harper managed Publicity and Public Relations, Carolyn Riordan produced the Gala, Phil Brane volunteered websitesupport, Kelli Taylor oversaw Tickets, Becky Evans courted Friends & Patrons while Kim Storbeck recruited Sponsors, andMary Angela Whyte and Claudia Keenan edited and wrote promotional material.

Platinum sponsors were Decatur Package Store, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Masterpiece Events, Lisa Hill Photography,and Rod Pittam. Gold sponsors were Fight’s Feast, Fernbank Museum, Home Rebuilders, Sharian Rug Cleaning & Sales,Decatur Living, Atlanta Intown, Paris & Associates, and Points North. Silver sponsors were Peggy Hibbert/Atlanta FineHomes, Carter Family Real Estate, Personal Care, Inc., Burnt Fork BBQ, and Harry Norman Realtors. Bronze sponsors wereIntown Revival Construction, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, and Rich Printing, Inc. Benefactors were Arborguard TreeSpecialists, Sherlock’s Wine Merchants/Cook’s Warehouse, Briarcliff Frames, Intown Ace Hardware, Moon Bros, Inc.,Pinnacle Custom Builders, Haydenscape, and Dovetail Craftsman.

As usual, the tour took a few twists and turns. A trolley lost its way, two car accidents occurred at the corner of OakdaleRoad and Ponce de Leon Avenue, and when I-85 South was shut down because of a bomb scare, the traffic diverted throughDruid Hills slowed down visitors, docents, and transportation. But it all came together. “From beginning to end, months inadvance,” noted Leslie Fight, “a dedicated army of volunteers worked countless hours to create a welcoming, interesting,diverse, and enjoyable Tour.”


Tour of Homes PatronsPinckard & Morgan Cleaner

Visit www.pinckardandmorgancleaners.com

Debbie & John Campbell

Katherine Fritts & Steven Cappel

Nancy Cox & Evan Lindsay

Ann D Critz

Robin & Justin Critz

Jari & Doug Grimm

Lisa & Mark Harper

Tina Price & Jon Hart

Linda & Dick Hubert

Claudia & Jeffrey Keenan

Lorraine Loftis - Karafotias RealtyAllison & Warner McConaughey

HammerSmith, Inc.

Marilyn & John McMullen

Debbie Sinex & Claus Kroeger

Patricia Skousen

Karen Soorikian Visit www.soorikianarchitecture.com

Claire Sterk & Kirk Elifson

Tour of Homes FriendsTara & Matt Bartelt

Donna & Mark BergesonMary and David BowerCarol & Aubrey Bush

Dalia Jodovitz & Hamish CaldwellJane & William Carney

Dorothy & Charlie ChitwoodKelly Clonts

Dee & Don DeBraBecky & David EvansJoyce & Arnold Evans

Kathleen & Ron EverettJill & Paul FerdinandsSusan & Stephen Forte

Tommy GambrellJean & Robert GerwigStacy & Bill GryboskiCarolyn & Billy Hall

Sally & Norman HarbaughWendy Weeks & Steven HarrisDr. & Mrs. Charles Hatcher, Jr.

Linda & Preston HerrenMarguerite Ingram

Nancy JamesEmily Katt

Mary Banks and Stuart KnechtleJo Koch

Sandra Steward KrugerMary & Elliott KyleCloe & Chris Larsen

Susan Gantt & Kirk LarsonMelanie & Chris LeethFaith & Howard Levy

Beth Mullican & Ken LovicDell & Bruce MacGregor

Mary Emma & Dan McConaugheyEmily and Alan Miller

Jean & Joe MooreKathy & Jim MorawetzMary Margaret Oliver

Helen & Donald O’SheaMary Osler

The Honorable Johnny PanosKelley B PeaceAlex Pearson

Susan & David PetersenCarolyn & Bob RiordanGayle and Richard Shuey

Alida and Stuart SilvermanCarol Sleeth & Don KenagyDonna & Michael St. Louis

Dr. Sandra J. StillKim & Scott Storbeck

Jim & Mary C SutherlandCatherine Tolbert

Cathy & Arthur VandenbergBarbara Vogel

Fentress & Jim WaitsCynthia Waterbury

Tory & Thomas WinnEllen & John Yates

Jennifer Howard & Jonathan Zimring

Revival Construction t: 404.888.9886 www.revivalconstruction.com

Dearborn, Crescent, or Evergreen?by Jennifer J. Richardson

Primitive phone service came to Atlanta in 1877 with one line, and was expandedin 1879 using names only. The operator connected you to the person you requestedrather than a number, and the Atlanta telephone directory had names only. By 1884,there were 370 people in Atlanta with telephones and a call from Atlanta to Decaturwas long distance, costing fifteen cents for five minutes.

In 1899, there were two competing telephone companies: Southern Bell Systemand the Atlanta Standard Telephone Company (Later Atlanta Telephone Company).Atlanta Telephone advertised that it offered lower rates and better service thanSouthern Bell. People with Atlanta Telephone could not call patrons of Southern Belland vice versa. Southern had some long distance service; Atlanta did not. Therefore, most wealthy citizens in Atlantahad service from Southern Bell. Bell bought out Atlanta Telephone in 1919.

Four-digit numbers were given out from the Decatur Bell office on East Lake Drive. [The telephone company stillhas offices on East Lake]. If people wanted to place a call, they picked up the phone to reach an operator who oftensaid, “Number, Please” and they asked the operator for the four-digit number in Decatur—which was the nearest Belloffice. Other Bell offices throughout Atlanta were called Hemlock, Main, Ivy, Walnut and West. Dialing without anoperator first came to some areas in 1923, but operator assisted calls continued to exist in Atlanta for years to come. Inthe 1930s, the Decatur office was re-named “Dearborn.” Thus, to reach a number, one called or asked for DEarborn andthe four numbers. Note that the first two letters of “Dearborn” are capitalized so that the patron knew to dial only theDE and not the “arborn.”

Using the exchange prefixes explains numbers used in popular culture such as the Big Band piece “Pennsylvania 6-5000,”the rock/rhythm and blues song “Beachwood 4-5789,” and the number to reach the character played by ElizabethTaylor in Butterfield-8.

Between 1933 and 1944, the exchange “Crescent” was added to the Decatur office, which now had Dearborn andCrescent exchanges. Other new exchange names were added to other offices in Atlanta as well, including Melrose, Butler,Hickory, Jackson, Trinity, Walnut, Murray, Sycamore, and Plaza. (Sycamore presented a problem because many patronsdidn’t know how to spell it—often starting it with Ci—and ended up with wrong numbers.) In 1950, the Decatur officeadded the exchange “Evergreen.”

In 1956, all the exchanges at the Decatur office were re-named “Drake” and a fifth number was added. Dearbornbecame Drake 3; Crescent became Drake 7; and Evergreen became Drake 8. Some phone numbers in the Decatur areawere also changed to “Melrose” 4 or 6. By 1958, my family’s telephone number in Druid Hills was “Drake-3-7017.”My girlfriend on Willivee Drive’s number was “Melrose 4-0095.” A high school classmate’s number in Decatur was“Drake 3-4580.” The time and temperature from a local bank started with Jackson 2 and I believe the other fournumbers were 8550. This was in area code 404 because there were no other area codes!

In 1960, in the Decatur office, exchange names such as “Drake” were dropped but the “DR” continued to be used.So a phone number became “DR-and five digits.” Not much time elapsed before the “DR” was dropped in favor of“373, 377, and 378.”

As Atlanta grew, new area codes were added. Code 912 was first, followed by 770, 706, and 678. So, to dial anumber in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2013, you’d have to dial the area code and seven numbers—a far cry from Dearborn andfour numbers. Now, with fax numbers and cell phone numbers, the area codes, prefixes and four or five numbers are toomuch for this writer to handle. I long for the days of quaint names like Dearborn, Crescent and Evergreen.

If you wish further information about your land line phone number’s original prefix or other information about phoneservice in Atlanta in the early days, contact Jennie Richardson at [email protected] or Drake 3-1837 in historic 404.


Paideia Senior Awarded Princeton Prize in Race RelationsBerenice Rodriguez, a senior at Paideia, has been awarded the 2013 Princeton Prize

in Race Relations for the Atlanta Region. The award is given to honor students whowork to improve race relations, and Rodriguez has worked hard to do just this.

She is the co-founder and president of the Student Dreamers and Allies, a PaideiaHigh School club that raises funds for supplies for farm worker families.

As a regional winner of the Princeton Prize, she was invited to attend a symposiumon race relations at Princeton University April 25-27. She will receive her award at aceremony in Atlanta along with other students receiving honorable mention for theirwork to improve race relations.

For more information, contact: Jennifer Hill, e-mail, [email protected] 404-270-2339

Paideia is a nonsectarian school located at 1509 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, Ga.30307, serving students ages three to 12th grade.

Gardening with Chickensby Judy Keenan

We recently brought home five baby chicks. Sowhy, you may ask, am I telling you about chickenswhen I’m supposed to be writing an article related togardening and the environment? First, chickens arefarm animals and farming is about gardening, right?Second, what could be more environmentally friendlythan the prospects of fresh eggs from happy, free-range hens? What I have learned in my research onchickens actually has quite a bit to do with gardeningand the symbiotic relationship animals have with theearth, when permitted a certain amount of freedom.

Chickens love Japanese Beetle grubs. When Ifind some, which happens all too frequently, I tossthem to the chicks and they go at it like children to abroken piñata. They will scratch and turn the soillooking for anything and, apparently, everything toeat. Another favorite treat for chickens—ticks. So itturns out my chickens will not only give me eggs, butalso will help prevent Lyme disease and save my roses.

But that’s not all. Chickens poop. In the past, Ihave actually paid good money for chicken poop.Not just any chicken poop, but chicken poopwrapped in a big plastic bag and shipped in gas-guzzling trucks from far away to the local HomeDepot. Poop with a carbon footprint. By having myown chickens, I now will have free poop. What couldbe better? Chicken poop is one of the best fertilizersknown to vegetables. It is very high in nitrogen andhas good phosphorus and potassium levels, too. Itmust be well composted, however, in order to mellowthe naturally high nitrogen levels so that they will notburn your plants. Many chicken gardeners let theirchickens range on their vegetable beds during the offseason. The chickens naturally turn the soil and eatpotential pests while directly composting the field.They serve as pest control, fertilizer and rototiller allin one.

Finally, chickens are really cute and they give youeggs. Not just any eggs, but organic eggs that aremuch higher in good stuff, like omega 3 fatty acidsand other nutrients, such as beta-carotene andvitamins A, D and E. Meanwhile, they have less ofthe bad stuff, such as cholesterol and saturated fat.And as we gardeners know, fresh always tastes better.


We are still looking for a SchoolNews columnist. For now, we listthe school websites only.

Briar Vista Elementary School:www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/briarvista

Mary Lin Elementary School:www.srt3.atlantapublicschools.us/lin

The Paideia School: www.paideiaschool.org

Ben Franklin Academy: www.benfranklinacademy.org

Druid Hills High School:www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/druidhills

Fernbank Elementary School:www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/fernbank and www.fernbankelementary.com

Druid Hills Middle School:www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/shamrock

Springdale Park Elementary School:www.srt3.atlantapublicschools.us/springdale

School News

MOON BROS. INC.

(404) 377-6006

www.moonbros.com

Celebrating 40 years

SEE THE POSSIBILITIES

WHEN CREATIVITY

MEETS EXPERTISE

MOON BROS. INC.Architects/Craftsman

Perennials to Prolong the Seasonby Paula Refi

Come autumn, I’m more of a menace behind the wheel than usual. I like tokeep one eye trained on sunny fields and another on roadside ditches, looking forfall wildflowers. As the days shorten, Mother Nature shoves her pastel crayons tothe back of the box, and she draws her flowers with primary colors—yellow,purple, and blue. These beauties consort with ripening grasses, now tinted wine-red and amber. It’s a look that’s easy to mimic in the garden, using both native and non-native perennial plants.

The so-called “short day” plants of autumn are genetically programmed to set flower buds when there are fewerdaylight hours. Chrysanthemums are familiar examples. Beginning in September, they bloom in a range of hues.Garden-type mums (“mum” being a term of endearment) grow into soft mounds that sprawl a bit, and they makegood cut flowers as well. Chrysanthemum ‘Ryan’s Yellow,’ named for Decatur garden luminary Ryan Gainey, islemony. ‘Ryans’s Pink’ mum has probably been cultivated in local gardens for generations.

More than 40 asters inhabit Georgia’s sun-drenched natural areas. They blossom abundantly in blue, purple, andpink. But they can be lanky and are susceptible to foliage diseases. Look for more-tidy, disease-resistant selections—those with descriptive names. Asters ‘Wood’s Pink’ and ‘Wood’s Purple’ stay under two feet. The lovely lavender-blueaster ‘English Countryside’ isn’t English at all. It’s a selection of a reliable Georgia species named for Ann English ofAthens. Druid Hills gardener Susan Muller grows a non-native, but dependable, fall aster—the Tatarian aster. In herSpringdale Road garden, it reliably displays erect four-foot stems and lavender flowers.

With their bright yellow centers, asters are stunning planted with goldenrod. It’s best to avoid the aggressiveroadside goldenrods. A selection of the better-behaved native rough goldenrod, Solidago ‘Fireworks,’ is less assertiveand shorter at about 30 inches. Arching stems produces sprays of yellow that are perfect with fall asters and look greatin a vase.

Perennial sunflowers (Helianthus) are native to Georgia, and their warm yellow daisies invariably make me smilein fall. Swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) is adapted to wet ditches, but it also flourishes with averagemoisture. This statuesque perennial (expect six feet) produces hundreds of two-inch flowers in September andOctober. An introduction from the legendary nursery Goodness Grows in Athens, ‘Marc’s Apollo,’ is equally tall withlemon yellow flowers. Another native sunflower, Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosa) produces spritely yellowdaisies and a potato-like edible root. Clara Redmond always grew it (and enjoyed the tubers) around the bend fromme in her Emory Circle garden. Today, people pay real money for Jerusalem artichokes at Your DeKalb Farmer’sMarket. Go figure!

Native grasses really hit their stride in fall. Their slender blades and billowing foliage complement just about anybloomer. Grasses undergo an amazing transformation in autumn. Their blossoms—feathery, fan-shaped, orbottlebrush—command our attention. Muhly grass makes a 30-inch mound of slender greens blades. In late August,it blooms with reddish plumes. In winter, the entire plant looks like spun straw. American switch grass (Panicum) is aslender, upright species that’s easy to tuck into any sunny garden border. ‘Shendandoah’ switch grass displays tinges ofred in summer and turns purple in fall.

With all summer to grow, fall-blooming perennials tend toward the tall side. Cut them back early in the seasonto produce shorter plants and to encourage branching. Make the last pruning by August 1, so they bloom on scheduleon your Druid Hills homemade meadow.

Fernbank Science Center Hosts Video Conference

with International Space StationOn Wednesday, April 17, DCSD students saw a live

video downlink between the International Space Stationand Fernbank Science Center’s Jim Cherry Planetarium. Inthe live audience were STT students from nine highschools, plus JROTC students from Cross Keys, Towersand Chamblee High Schools. The students spent 20minutes with the astronauts, asking them 16 questions onsubjects ranging from the effects on the body of long-termweightlessness, to how crew members deal with separationfrom family. Commander Chris Hadfield and FlightEngineers Tom Marshburn and Chris Cassidy gaveenlightening answers that were thoughtful and oftenhumorous.

The event went live over the NASA’s web tv channel,so the DCSD students were broadcast live around theworld.

Blasting at Emory Hospitaladapted from Druid Hills eNews

The crew working on the Emory University Hospitalconstruction conducted the first “Test Blast” at noon onJune 1 to allow for everyone to become familiar with the“feel” etc. They will then be collecting all feedback,questions or concerns to help modify the blast plan asneeded.

By Monday, June 10, blasting will occur on a DAILYbasis at 6:00PM or 6:30PM. Each blast is only 42ms(Millisecond); the second time slot is only a backup butshould be planned on in case there is any issue with thefirst blast. The blasting will continue for 3 months,including June and July, and completed during August.Vibration monitoring equipment has been set-up aroundthe site, but little or no effect should be felt outside of theconstruction site. It is not anticipated that Clifton Roadwill need to be closed during the blast.

Fernbank Elementary Move andNew School Construction

It's official . . . we're moving! Our school willtransition to Avondale Middle School over the next fewmonths. May 31, 2013, was the last day the Fernbankbuilding was open to staff, students and parents.Construction on the new Fernbank Elementary buildingis scheduled to begin later in 2013 and we anticipatebeing in our temporary home of Avondale Middle Schoolfor 18-24 months. While as a school community we aresaddened to leave this beloved building where we all haveshared so many wonderful memories, the building itselfhas reached the end of its cycle. The Fernbank building,when it is decommissioned this year, will have served thiscommunity for nearly 60 years. Fernbank's culture, itshistory, and the way that we nurture and support ourchildren will follow us today and always.

Please note our new school address: 3131 Old Rockbridge Rd., Avondale Estates, GA 30002.


HISTORIC PRESERVATIONFAST FACTS

A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is neededfor exterior changes to houses/properties. Why? Tomaintain the 'look' of Druid Hills. It's self-protection.

DeKalb County Druid Hills Historic DistrictThe Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) hearsapplications for COAs and approves or denies basedon the Druid Hills Historic District Guidelines.There are General Guidelines and there are CharacterArea Guidelines (certain specific areas). For moreinformation, go to the Civic Association website'slinks to downloadable application forms.www.druidhills.org

Note: A committee of neighbors reviews applicationsand comments to the HPC. Committee members arewell versed in the Historic Preservation guidelines andare a helpful resource to help the uninitiated movethrough the process. [email protected]

City of Atlanta Druid Hills Landmark DistrictThe Urban Design Commission (UDC) hearsapplications for COAs and approves or denies basedon the Druid Hills Landmark District regulations(Chapter 20B of the City zoning code). Moreinformation about the process is available on theUDC section of the City website (www.atlantaga.gov),including downloadable application forms. This linkmay be found on the Civic Association website.

Note: The Landmark District PreservationCommittee (LDPC) is a committee of neighbors thatcomments on applications to the UDC after on-sitemeetings. Consider them a helpful [email protected]

DRUID HILLS CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP FORM

Please [ ] enroll me. Please [ ] renew my membership in the DHCA.

Name ____________________________________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________________________

City ________________________ State _____ Zip __________ Phone _______________________________

Email address ______________________________________________________________________________

Annual Dues

___ Basic Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25.00 or higher

___ Sustaining Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50.00 or higher

___ Druid Hills Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 or higher

___ Second Century Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$250.00 or higher

Amount Contributed $_________

Please make checks payable to: “Druid Hills Civic Association.” Please mail to: Druid Hills Civic Association, P.O. Box 363, Decatur, GA 30031.

All households that join or renew at $50 or higher will have their names printed in an honor roll in The Druid Hills News.Please indicate on the line below how you would prefer to be listed, if you wish to be listed anonymously or if you would prefer notto be listed at all.__________________________________________________________________________________________

HOW ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN THE DRUID HILLS CIVIC ASSOCIATION?Please indicate your area of interest.

___ Communications ___ Membership ___ Flyer distribution ___ Historic Preservation ___ Traffic ___ Other _______________________________

___ Tour of Homes & Gardens ___ Land use/Zoning

___ Newsletter ___ Peavine Watershed ________________________________________

Druid Hills Civic AssociationNot yet a member of DHCA? Use the form below and join today!

Join online at http://druidhills.org/join-the-dhca/

Dear Editor,On April 15, I had my fifth meeting with the Historic

Preservation Commission (HPC) at the MaloofAuditorium in regards to my home renovation project.

My case had been approved with the exception of asmall metal roof over a non-historic bay window. I hadfiled an appeal with the Board of Commissioners and theysent me back to the HPC.

The motion denying the approval of my small metalroof over the bay window cited “Substantial adverse impacton the historic district and area of influence,” with theconsequence of withholding the Certificate of Occupancythat would allow me to “legally” occupy my house.

As part of the documentation I submitted to thecommission for review, I included pictures of at least 10different metal roofs and bay window roofs in my area ofinfluence, which to me clearly showed it was not asignificant architectural detail in Emory Grove. I alsoincluded signatures and comments of 46 families in my areaof influence who did not feel my small metal roof, in sizeand shape similar to the existing roof (with the exception offour standing seams) posted a substantial adverse impact ontheir properties and neighborhood in general.

During the meeting, one of the volunteers appointedas Historic Preservation Commissioner scolded andreprimanded me in front of more than 30 attendees forgathering my neighbors to support my application. I wastold that my approach to “rally the neighbors againstthem” was negative and inappropriate, that neither I normy neighbors get to vote on these matters, and that theywould review my application in spite of my actions.

I was not allowed to reply. If I had been, I wouldhave said that if the volunteers at the Historic PreservationCommission feel that a detail on my property poses asubstantial adverse impact on my neighborhood, I believe Iand my neighbors should have the same opportunity to saywhy we do not agree. After all, our property values and ourlives are the ones affected.

I would have also liked to add that even though I donot vote on the appointment of the volunteers to theHistoric Preservation Commission, I DO vote on theCommissioners appointed as public servants (and I intendto continue doing so) representing me and my neighbors’interests.

If the HPC’s role, which I wholeheartedly support, isto maintain the integrity of the historic district and the

promotion of health, prosperity, and general welfare of theresidents, some of its members failed to do so yesterday bylimiting the voices of those they are supposed to represent.

Finally, I felt mistreated, and I find the approach of afew members of the commission was arbitrary anddisrespectful to me and the neighbors who took the timeto review the application, fill out comments, and sign thepetition.

As a long time volunteer for a diverse number oforganizations, I know it takes time and commitment tomaintain an active, relevant role like that of the volunteersat the Historic Preservation Commission. I am grateful tothose who made an effort to listen to me and tried to finda middle ground and a resolution to the issue. However,being scolded in front a group of neighbors for doingnothing illegal, wrong, or disrespectful, simply dissentingwith the motion, does not elevate the discussion or openthe door to collaboration.

I have only good things to say about Chris Leeth andWalter Saunders from the Druid Hills Civic Association.They provided me and my architect with assistance andguidance from the beginning of this process in 2012, goingthrough many revisions of my plans. I am grateful fortheir time and patience.

Gigi Pedraza508 Princeton Way, NE

Letter to the Editor:


Documents

Turtle Eggs and More Druid Hills in the Civil War