Welcome to the November issue of Stroll Historic Brookhaven! This month marks the beginning of the holiday season, with Thanksgiving on the 27th and December holidays close behind. It’s also National Gratitude Month, a time to be thankful and count your blessings.

 

Our cover family is the Rhodes. Cathy and Scott have lived in Historic Brookhaven in a 1928 home for 26 years. They raised their three adult children there, and now enjoy life as empty nesters on West Brookhaven Drive. They are both involved in the community and are looking forward to their themed Thanksgiving celebration later this month with friends and family. Last year’s theme was famous movie duos (think Mia and Vincent from Pulp Fiction). Read on to learn more.

 

Cathy is the owner of Cathy Rhodes Interiors, a well-known interior design firm that was chosen to do a room in the Home for the Holidays Showhouse on West Club Lane. The home is hosted by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine and includes the talents of four other residents: architect Linda MacArthur, designer June Chamberlain, realtor and sponsor Cathy Boston, and developer Ferzana Khaleel. Turn to our feature on the house, which includes special details and information from the architect and designers.

 

Club Forest resident Charlie McDaniel was so thankful for his friend John Campbell that he committed to a 100-day challenge in which he would train for an AquaBike race (1.2-mile swim and 48.4-mile bike ride) and solicit $100,000 in donations in John’s honor. John had ALS and the funds go to FACT Relief, a charity that financially assists ALS patients and their families. Learn more in our nonprofit section.

 

This month’s pets are Birdie and Bogey, the Lanes’ Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Wheaten Terrier, respectively. Birdie loves a belly rub and will roll over anywhere to ask for one, including on Historic Brookhaven streets while walking with Colleen and Brent. Bogey is the alpha dog of the house and helps to keep Birdie in line. Look at our Precious Pets feature to learn about their favorite treats, why they both have golf-related names, and their other endearing qualities.

 

Our Landmarks with Lisa feature this month covers the PATH 400 expansion at Loridans Park and the Lowery-Stevens cemetery. The path’s most recently opened section includes an 80-foot-high bridge. As you enter from Loridans Drive, you can see the cemetery on your left bordered by rope. It dates to 1852 and is one of the oldest family cemeteries in Atlanta. From 1956 to 1973, it sat next to D.F. McLatchey Elementary School. Residents who grew up in Historic Brookhaven and walked to McLatchey remember running past the cemetery to avoid too much time near the graves.

 

This month’s issue also includes tips on preparing for a stress-free Thanksgiving from our guest columnist and organizational consultant Carrie Peeples. Carrie suggests getting haircuts shortly before Thanksgiving Day so everyone is ready for photo ops, decorating the dining table early, and trying new recipes a week or two before the big day. Turn to her column for more tips.

 

It’s been a busy fall in Historic Brookhaven. In this issue, we bring you coverage of the Annual Street Party, Krewe du Foret’s band party, and the new Bloom Brigade initiative, a Club Estates Garden Club venture to help the Historic Brookhaven Neighborhood Association with green spaces.

 

Don’t forget to order your mailbox decorations! And to volunteer to decorate. The Mailbox Brigade is a 100% volunteer-led effort that benefits Children’s Health Care of Atlanta. Read the article, which includes a link to sign up to volunteer and another to purchase mailbox decorations.

 

This November, I am thankful for all of you, our Historic Brookhaven residents and Stroll readers. You make our magazine and our neighborhood great! I am especially thankful for my faith, good health, family, the Stroll Historic Brookhaven team, and my many friends, including the dear women of the Historic Brookhaven Women’s Bible study.

 

What are you thankful for? Send me an email at lgwargo@aol.com and tell me – or share photos and tales from your Thanksgiving, trips, school events, volunteer efforts, and more. 

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

Best,
Lisa Wargo