SUMMER, 2013 Volume 27, Number 2 CONTENTS

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

From DHCA email June 1 JULY 4TH PARADE IN DRUID HILLS at press time Don’t miss the 35th annual Druid Hills Fourth of July Parade! To receive email updates, Join a few hundred of your friends and neighbors as we march up email [email protected] to be added to Deny Clifton Ridge email distribution list Springdale and back down Oakdale in a display of patriotism and community. If you’ve never participated in the parade, you’ve Neighbors, After days of tree destruction at Clifton Ridge, we missed out on a truly unique tradition in our neighborhood. Be just got some excellent news: As you may know, our sure to dress up your bikes and strollers, your pets, your kids and Commissioners Jeff Rader and Kathie Gannon have had yourselves … and if you have any musical ability whatsoever, feel a separate lawsuit against DeKalb County, which challenges the Zoning Board’s approval of free to join our ad-hoc marching band! Festivities kick off at the Land Disturbance Permit. 11:00 a.m. Parade begins and ends at the corner of Oakdale As of Friday (May 31) around 11 a.m., Judge Courtney Johnson issued a Temporary Road and The By Way. Refreshments following. Restraining Order, which will stop all work at Clifton Ridge until June 13, when a hearing is scheduled before Judge Asha Jackson. We owe a great deal of thanks to Jeff, Kathie and their lawyer, Scott Bennett! And don’t forget: our own two lawsuits and appeals are still underway. We just filed a 30-page appeal brief, including 1500 pages of supporting documents, with the Court Turtle Eggs and More of Appeals. We’re doing everything we can to stop the destruction. by Suzanne Ledoux Also, we must remember this fight is not just about Clifton Ridge — it’s a fight for ALL of Druid Hills, DeKalb County and the entire state. We’re fighting to ensure no developer Cloudy skies and can destroy the protections offered by 138 Georgia Historic Preservation Districts. the threat of rain did not Hang in there with us — and enjoy the sounds of silence at Clifton Ridge. discourage these park Steering Committee, Deny Clifton Ridge/Preserve Druid Hills lovers! Neighborhood families gathered at Rutledge Park on EAST LAKE ROAD FREE LIBRARY Saturday, April 27, for for Middle School the first annual Turtle Egg Hunt, hosted by the and Young Adult Readers Rutledge Park We have recently installed a free library box Community Outreach near the sidewalk at our home at 2252 East Lake Group. Committee Rd.(Beckwith House). We hope to fill it with books members stuffed and hid for Middle School and Young Adult readers. Please more than 700 “turtle feel free to come by and swap your books for any of eggs,” colorful toy eggs the books in the box. filled with candy and I will be emailing a list of available titles on a prizes. The upper tier of weekly basis. If you are interested in receiving this the park grounds was completely strewn in color by the time the hiding was done. email update please forward your address to And when it came time for the finding, kids were gathering them by the grocery bag [email protected]. full! There were also refreshments and rice crispy treats to share, as well as educational HAPPY READING! handouts on an indigenous reptile park resident, the eastern box turtle. The handout on the eastern box turtle can be downloaded at: www.RutledgePark.org The Rutledge Park Community Outreach Group was recently formed to promote park awareness and plan fun, free family activities. Future events will include a Druid Hills in the Civil War backyard birding expedition, a morning of tree identification, birdhouse building and by Richard H. Sams, PhD decorating, instructions on installing a bat house, and a neighborhood potluck. Dates to be announced. As commemorates its Sesquicentennial of the Civil War in 2014, let us in Druid Excitement is growing among Rutledge Park enthusiasts since the design phase for Hills recall that on July 19, 1864, the land that was later to become our community was occupied by an invading army. Led by General William Tecumseh Sherman, the army’s intent the park has begun. Dekalb County has selected the local firm AMEC to provide was to capture the most critical rail and transportation center supplying the forces of the hardscape, and a preliminary design for the park entrance, playground, and upper Southern Confederacy: Atlanta. The four ensuing battles of the Atlanta Campaign have always terrace trail will be submitted in mid-spring. A public meeting will be held in mid- received and will in 2014 receive much attention, particularly the one at Peachtree Creek. But summer to seek community input. A clean-up day will be held in June, focused on shouldn’t Druid Hills’ role in that same history also be recognized? Besides the Army of the invasive plant removal and native plant protection. Actual construction is expected to Cumberland approaching from Peachtree Creek, Sherman’s two other massive armies advanced begin by late summer and to be completed by autumn, just in time for tree and shrub on Atlanta through Decatur and through North Decatur, or what we now call the Druid Hills- planting. Emory University area. For more information about Rutledge Park, to make a donation, or to submit This national history has never been commemorated by Decatur or Emory University to ideas for future park events, please visit: www.RutledgePark.org. my knowledge, though Emory has a remarkable Special Collection of Civil War documents and a marker denotes the site of Judge James Paden’s plantation on which Emory lies. Sherman himself headquartered just outside what is now Emory’s East Campus gate on the above date THE DRUID HILLS NEWS PRE-SORT and just outside of Emory’s Briarcliff Campus on July 20 and 21 that year. But little has been Newsletter of the publicized about the former owners of Druid Hills’ lands or their historical role, except in a few Druid Hills Civic Association STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE markers appropriately placed around our neighborhood by the Georgia Historical Commission P.O. Box 363 in 1964. Even few Atlantans know about Cox’s Division of General Schofield’s 23rd Army Decatur, GA 30031-0363 PAID Permit No. 515 Corps with whom Sherman traveled or how they occupied what was then the judge’s plantation, Athens, GA now Emory village, the Druid Hills Golf Course, and the main campus area on that hot day of July 19. To my knowledge, no efforts have ever been made to commemorate any of these nationally historic events, yet we designate ourselves a “Historic District.” The present historical emphasis, of course, has been based upon Druid Hills’ landscaping designs by Frederick Law Olmsted, which came much later and deals solely with the architectural integrity of our beautiful homes and landscape. But let us remember historically that Druid Hills’ early settlers endured the Civil War’s devastation and collapsed economy, an event that few in this nation had to suffer. And after that war, they were abandoned, left with the task of picking up the pieces of that wrecked economy and rebuilding what we enjoy today. 2 THE DRUID HILLS NEWS Summer 2013

CIVIC ASSOCIATION OFFICIALS Important Numbers The deadlines Officers Ambulance/Fire/Emergency Medical Service ...... 911 for the fall issue of the President ...... Justin Critz ...... [email protected] Police – Emergency ...... 911 First Vice President . . . .Christopher Hamilton ...... [email protected] Druid Hills News are: Admin. Vice-President . .Cathy Vandenberg ...... [email protected] Administrative/General Info ...... 404-294-2605 Comm. Vice-President . .OPEN ...... Criminal Investigations ...... 404-294-2550 Advertising — August 10 Secretary ...... Ken Gibson ...... [email protected] Police – General Information ...... 404-294-2000 Copy — August 17 Treasurer ...... Mike Hellerstein ...... [email protected] Center Precinct ...... 404-294-2580 East Precinct ...... 770-482-0300 Publication will be in Division Chairs mid-September Division 1 (City of Atlanta) ...... [email protected] South Precinct ...... 404-286-7911 Barbara Vogel ...... 404-377-1667 Animal Services—Stray Animals ...... 404-294-2996 Patricia Elam After Hours ...... 404-294-2519 Division 2 (Ponce Corridor in DeKalb) ...... [email protected] Atlanta Legal Aid—DeKalb ...... 404-377-0701 Sign up for Ann Wallace Board of Education—DeKalb ...... 678-676-1200 complimentary E-Alerts Jeremy Turner Division 3 (W. of Briarcliff & S. of University in DeKalb) . . . [email protected] Board of Health—DeKalb ...... 404-294-3700 for news, events, Robert Vicevich ...... 404-249-9215 Business License ...... 404-371-2462 neighborhood updates, and Division 4 (b/w Briarcliff, N. Decatur & Lullwater Ck.) . . . . [email protected] Chamber of Commerce—DeKalb ...... 404-378-8000 more, at [email protected]. Mike St. Louis Citizen’s Drainage Program ...... 404-297-3840 Division 5 (Between Peavine Ck., N. Decatur, & RR Lines) . [email protected] Conventions & Visitors Bureau ...... 770-492-5000 Stay up to date in Druid Hills OPEN Code Enforcement ...... 770-724-7940 by signing up for computer E-lerts. Division 6 Deaf Teletype ...... 404-294-2677 Karen Rushing 1. Go to our website, Division 7 (“University” Streets west of Emory University) [email protected] DeKalb Community Relations (Police) ...... 404-286-7955 OPEN DeKalb Medical Center ...... 404-501-1000 www.druidhills.org Division 8 (Emory U., N. Decatur Rd. to S. Peachtree Ck.) [email protected] DeKalb Medical Center – Hillandale ...... 404-501-8000 2. Click the "sign up today" button Ron Foust ...... 404-633-9932 DeKalb Rape Crisis Center ...... 404-377-1428 Division 9 ...... [email protected] & complete the form. (D.H. Golf Course, Decatur fork of Peavine Ck. & RR Lines) Drainage Problems ...... 404-297-3840 Steven Misner ...... 404-373-1523 Driver’s License (State) ...... 678-413-8400 3. Click "subscribe" button. Drug Hotline ...... 770-322-2540 Economic Development ...... 404-687-2730 DHCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elections ...... 404-298-4020 Family & Children Service (DFACS) ...... 404-370-5000 HELP WANTED Past Presidents Gov. Office Of Consumer Affairs ...... 404-656-3790 Two Druid Hills Civic Association Div. Name Phone Email Homeland Security/Gangs ...... 770-216-4926 9 Cathy Vandenberg 404-377-4817 [email protected] Human & Community Affairs ...... 770-322-2950 Committees need volunteers! 6 Dick Shuey 404-874-0643 [email protected] Keep DeKalb Beautiful ...... 404-371-2654 Community and Lifestyle 5 Jim Morawetz 404-378-3784 [email protected] Law Department ...... 404-371-3011 5 Bruce MacGregor 404-378-6040 [email protected] • Plan neighborhood events Marriage License ...... 404-371-2262 • Assist with fundraising for Ex Officio MARTA-Complaint Line ...... 404-848-4800 neighborhood parks and Civic Association Network (CAN) rep Mental Health Emergencies ...... 404-892-4646 4 Judy Yates Mobile Crisis Unit ...... 404-294-0499 common areas Freedom Park Motor Vehicle (TAGS) ...... 404-298-4000 • Create an increased sense of 1 Allen Bradley 404-373-3711 [email protected] Neighborhood Watch ...... 404-286-7955 community in Druid Hills DeKalb Civic Coalition (DCC) Planning & Development ...... 404-371-2155 4 Judy Yates 404-373-2112 [email protected] To volunteer, please contact Pot Holes—DeKalb ...... 404-297-3840 Neighborhood Planning Unit [email protected]. 1 Jim Heerin 404-373-3626 [email protected] Recorder’s Court ...... 404-508-0368 Automated Assistance ...... 404-371-3272 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Communication and Lifestyle Membership 4 [email protected] Records (Police Information) ...... 404-294-2512 Land Use Recreation, Parks ...... 404-371-2631 • Welcome new DH residents 5 Jim Morawetz [email protected] Roads & Drainage ...... 404-297-3840 • Assist with administrative tasks HP Liaison Atlanta Landmark District After Hours ...... 404-294-2523 • Create new opportunities for 1 Steve Cappell [email protected] Sanitation ...... 404-294-2900 residents to join DHCA HP Liaison DeKalb Co Sight Obstructions (Roads) ...... 404-294-2041 To volunteer, please contact 9 Chris Leeth [email protected] Sheriff’s Department ...... 404-298-8000 Greenspace Initiatives/ Peavine Watershed Alliance Courthouse ...... 404-371-2391 Claudia Keenan at 1 Becky Bracewell 404-378-2749 [email protected] Speed Humps ...... 770-492-5200 [email protected]. Membership 4 Nathan Hartman [email protected] Street Lights ...... 770-492-5200 The DHCA is also looking for a Parents Network Co-Chairs Storm Water Management ...... 404-297-2570 Coordinator. To volunteer, please Tax Assessor’s Office ...... 404-371-2509 Elizabeth Semancik White [email protected] contact Mike Hellerstein at 212-1855 Tax Commissioner ...... 404-298-4000 Elise Riley [email protected] or email [email protected]. Public Safety Property Tax ...... 404-298-4000 2 Jeremy Turner Traffic Signal Malfunction ...... 404-297-3929 2013 Tour of Homes & Gardens Co-Chairs Trees Down ...... 404-297-3840 4 Homes & Gardens Chair, Barbara Vogel Voter Registration ...... 404-298-4020 4 Operations Chair, Leslie Fight Water—Billing ...... 404-378-4475 Get the Most 4 Revenue Chair, Kim Storbeck Emergency ...... 770-270-6243 Out of Your 4 DHCA Board Liaison, Thomas Winn Women’s Resource Center ...... 404-688-9436 Transportation Advertising Dollars OPEN Zoning ...... 404-371-4915 Druid Hills News Editor The Druid Hills News is published in 5 Mary Angela Whyte 404-387-0595 [email protected] March, June, September, and December. Druid Hills News Managing Editor It reaches thousands of people who live, 9 Jennie Richardson 404-373-1837 JJRichar@.net Subscribing to the Druid Hills News shop, and work in Druid Hills. With thousands of copies of each issue Class of 2015 Residents of Druid Hills receive the quarterly Druid Hills News distributed in the area, the publication’s Becky Evans by bulk mail. Former residents may still receive the News by advertising rates are a bargain for Jason Joffe subscribing. Here’s how: businesses that want to reach Druid Hills Susan Anne McKenna • Fill out the membership form in this issue. customers. For information on ad sizes Sally Montgomery • Under Membership Involvement and Interests, check “Other” Elise Riley and pricing: Scott Storbeck and specify “DHN subscription.” 404-523-3422 (DHCA) Joanna Stroud • Choose a membership level. Send form and check to DHCA at www.druidhills.org/news/advertise.htm Cynthia Waterbury address given. email: [email protected] TBD Class of 2014 5 Jeffery Baer 9 Vivian Bencich THE DRUID HILLS NEWS 1 Steven Cappel 7 Hugh Gallagher Newsletter of the Druid Hills Civic Association 5 Tommy Greene P.O. Box 363, Decatur, GA 30031-0363, Voicemail 404-523-DHCA 1 Miles Hall 2 Carolyn Riordan Published by Volunteers 7 Tysie Whitman NEWSLETTER EDITOR Mary Angela Whyte Class of 2013 4 Chad Henderson MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Richardson 4 David Winston TYPESETTING & DESIGN Julie Edwards 4 Claudia Keenan 3 Kathleen Mathers NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE 5 Amy Power Justin Critz, Claudia Keenan, Judy Keenan, Suzanne Ledoux, Paula Refi, Jennie Richardson, Richard Sams, 4 Thomas Winn Alida Silverman, Kim Storbeck 9 John Zedd TBD Your Letters Are Welcome Summer 2013 THE DRUID HILLS NEWS 3 President’s Column by Justin Critz

Olmsted Linear Park Greetings to all of my Druid Hills neighbors. My name is Justin A. Critz, and I am the new president of in PBS Film your Druid Hills Civic Association. by Jennifer J. Richardson Before I address the current neighborhood news and what I would like to see happen in the coming year, let The Olmsted Linear Park will have a small part in a me tell you a little bit about myself. I was born and raised new documentary about Frederick Law Olmsted. The in the Druid Hills neighborhood. I attended the Out Of film, titled Frederick Law Olmsted—Designing America, Doors School on Oakdale as a child and swam as a Druid will be shown nationwide in the near future on Public Hills Dolphin. My mother still lives on Springdale and Broadcasting Channels. Larry Hott of Florentine Films my brother lives on Lullwater. After finishing numerous Azalea Park Gardeners Becky and Bob Lough in the park and Hott Productions is the director of the film. The years at various institutions studying the Classics, I wound on a late May morning pick-up. Ponce and Deepdene are Olmsted Linear Park was chosen over hundreds of other up back at Emory Law. This was fortuitous, as my wife in the background. Olmsted designs in part because of the recent Robin and I were expecting our first child, and I knew rehabilitation work, and in part because it was saved from that I wanted to raise my family in the Druid Hills being paved over by a proposed expressway. Other neighborhood. Since then, we moved onto Fairview Azalea Park in Bloom Olmsted works include a park in Buffalo, New York; Road, into the old Quaker meeting house, and we have by Alida Silverman Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina; and Central rounded out the family to four daughters, six hens, and a Azalea Park looked good on Tour Weekend! Park in New York City. black lab puppy (a girl, of course). Needless to say, life is The redbud, oak and (lone) gingko trees are After a premier of the documentary in Buffalo, New busy and full, but I am honored to have been selected for growing. The native azaleas, mostly pinks but York, another premier will take place in Atlanta. Watch the job of president of the Civic Association, and I look orange ones, too, were blooming, with the red ones your Druid Hills Civic Association News for information forward to guiding the organization in the coming year. in the wings. Care provided by the Azalea Park on events being planned surrounding the premier by the As many of you know, a major issue is coming very gardeners Becky and Bob Lough shows. DeKalb Olmsted Linear Park Alliance, or go to the Alliance’s web fast down the pipe, one that will have a profound and County Parks mowed the grass just before the Tour, page at www.AtlantaOlmstedPark.org. fundamental effect on the neighborhood: Cityhood. In thanks to our Commissioner Jeff Rader. the wake of the incorporation of the City of Brookhaven, the Lakeside City Alliance formed in order to advocate for the incorporation of those areas of unincorporated DeKalb County to the north of us. The map they have finalized does not include Druid Hills or Emory, but it does include Toco Hill. If the City of Lakeside does incorporate, unincorporated DeKalb County would shrink to include Druid Hills and the neighborhoods to the east of us in central DeKalb and the two districts of southern DeKalb. In response to the Lakeside proposal, an alternate map is being explored, which would encompass Druid Hills to the south and go north to I-85 and northeast to I-285. Some people feel this to be a more organic configuration for a new city. Because of the timelines involved, the Civic Association has taken a lead in exploring this option and has already designated a significant amount toward Writers Needed! the $30,000 required to perform the necessary feasibility The Druid Hills News is in dire need of a School News study by the UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute. and a Book Clubs columnist. Contacts will be given. Another Successful Plant Sale! At the same time, members of the Civic Association All the writer has to do is pull it together. The editor Each year, the Lullwater Garden Club participates in and other concerned neighbors are meeting with will review and redo wherever needed, and it's just the Druid Hills Tour of Homes by hosting a native plant representatives of the City of Atlanta to explore the four times a year. Plus, you get a by line! sale. This year the plant sale was held in the Lullwater possibility of annexing into the city. There has also been talk of annexation into Decatur and the formation of a Conservation Garden. All proceeds from the sale are used Join the merry band by signing up now. small city comprising only the Druid Hills neighborhood, to continue restoration efforts in the Conservation Email [email protected]. although these two latter options seem less feasible. Garden. Some of the plants are purchased from At this point, it is important to stress that the Civic local wholesalers and some of the plants are Association is not advocating for any one option. We are cultivated by garden club members. This year the still trying to gather information on what each option plants included succulents, herbs, heirloom FB General Services Inc. would look like for our neighborhood and what effects it tomatoes, and hundreds of native species. The Club would have in the decades to come. That said, if any of Residential & Commercial sold three different species of native azaleas as well as you are interested in helping with this issue, please contact shade loving and drought tolerant plants. Garden Cleaning Services the Civic Association or email me directly at Druid Hills, VaHi, Decatur Club members created beautiful container gardens [email protected]. We hope to have an New Construction Clean Up• Move-In or Out Cleaning and sold those as well. Garden Club husbands Ivan informational meeting in early summer to more properly One Time, Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly Faulkenberry and Scott Storbeck crafted cedar understand in what direction the neighborhood as a whole planting boxes in two styles that quickly sold out. wishes to go. Contact Flor Bernal at 678-768-0744 or 404-537-7346 Many thanks to all of you who support this effort Turning to other matters, as we all know, we live in a [email protected], [email protected] every year. This year, $2,000 was raised for the historic district, and one of the principal functions of the garden. Civic Association is to protect our neighborhood from intrusive development that is out of character with the rest of the neighborhood. Historically, the Civic Association has a positive record in this regard, and I thank everyone who has worked and continues to work so hard to preserve the beauty and integrity of Druid Hills. However, preservation is not the Association’s only function. Another goal laid out in the by-laws is to promote the general welfare of the community. The Civic Association has also performed this function admirably, for example, by advocating for the acquisition of green space and contributing to neighborhood projects like the Oakdale street lights, OLPA and AIEV. Nevertheless, I would like for the Association to do even more in the way of community improvement projects. In particular, I have in mind a long-term project to repair our crumbling sidewalks. If this or another project interests you, and you are not a member of the Association, I urge you to sign up, come to meetings, and get involved. Of course, if you are already a member, I thank you and urge you, too, to come to meetings and participate. This is our neighborhood. It is important that the Civic Association take the lead in making it the type of place we all want to live in. I wish everyone a healthy, happy summer, and I look forward to seeing you around the neighborhood. 4 THE DRUID HILLS NEWS Summer 2013

Tour Recap Tour of Homes Friends By Claudia Keenan Tara & Matt Bartelt Donna & Mark Bergeson Hundreds of visitors flocked to the 46th annual Mary and David Bower Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour, which started Carol & Aubrey Bush inauspiciously in cold rain on Friday, April 19, but Dalia Jodovitz & Hamish Caldwell revived with bright sunshine through the weekend. Jane & William Carney The tour featured five homes, the Lullwater Dorothy & Charlie Chitwood Conservation Garden, and Parkwood Park. Kelly Clonts “If the tour had a theme this year, it would be Dee & Don DeBra ‘adaptive use,’” noted Home Selection Committee Becky & David Evans chair Barbara Vogel. “We were particularly interested Joyce & Arnold Evans in the ways that the homes were reconfigured to meet Kathleen & Ron Everett contemporary needs. Yet each reflects the history of Druid Hills.” Jill & Paul Ferdinands The oldest home on the tour, 1386 Ponce de Leon Avenue, started life as a mansion built for Clyde King and his wife Clara Belle Susan & Stephen Forte in 1910. Having made his fortune as a farm equipment manufacturer, King enjoyed the mansion with his family (including his Tommy Gambrell daughter’s wedding to George Woodruff) for nearly three decades. In 1954, the sorority Alpha Delta Pi purchased the mansion for Jean & Robert Gerwig its international headquarters and added office and meeting space behind it in 2004. Stacy & Bill Gryboski In the dining room, china and sterling sparkled in the light of an Art Deco chandelier. Across the bridge leading to the addition, Carolyn & Billy Hall Sally & Norman Harbaugh visitors could glimpse vestiges of Mrs. King’s three-tiered garden restored by the sorority. Throughout the weekend, Alpha Delta Pi Wendy Weeks & Steven Harris collegians helped staff the house as docents, while Executive Director Linda Ablard chatted with tour goers. Dr. & Mrs. Charles Hatcher, Jr. Across the linear park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, two homes on West Parkwood Road represented the best of post- Linda & Preston Herren World War II design. At number 471, the home of Frances Finegan and Mike Galifianakis, the reconfiguration of the interior and Marguerite Ingram exterior has enabled complete wheelchair accessibility. The house’s “hidden functionality,” Ms. Finegan noted, lies in its wide Nancy James doorways and adaptable furnishings. The house features mid-century décor while such Emily Katt touches as exposed beams and an intercom system date to the 1960s and 70s. Dona Tour of Homes Patrons Mary Banks and Stuart Knechtle Cucich of Atlanta, who grew up in the house during the early 1950s and once rode her Jo Koch pony along the railroad embankment, happily returned to serve as house manager for the Pinckard & Morgan Cleaner Sandra Steward Kruger Visit www.pinckardandmorgancleaners.com weekend. Her cousin and three friends drove from Birmingham to Decatur to volunteer Mary & Elliott Kyle as docents. Debbie & John Campbell Cloe & Chris Larsen Next door at number 498, Chad and Christina Carter presented contemporary Katherine Fritts & Steven Cappel Susan Gantt & Kirk Larson furnishings in their Southern Colonial home. The house -- built during the late 1940s by Nancy Cox & Evan Lindsay Melanie & Chris Leeth Bill McKinney, who established McKinney’s Apothecary in Decatur in 1952 -- was Faith & Howard Levy Ann D Critz further enlivened by the screening of original footage of its construction, including scenes Beth Mullican & Ken Lovic of mules plowing the yard. The Carters were surprised to discover that a first floor office Robin & Justin Critz Dell & Bruce MacGregor was originally a porte cochere. And they loved one visitor’s comment overheard by a Jari & Doug Grimm Mary Emma & Dan McConaughey docent: “Someone likes martinis; that’s a good sign!” Lisa & Mark Harper Emily and Alan Miller At the Arts and Crafts-style home at 2249 East Lake Road, owner Richard Burgess’s Tina Price & Jon Hart Jean & Joe Moore Kathy & Jim Morawetz abundant talents as an architect, restorer, designer, and decorator delighted visitors. With Linda & Dick Hubert a particular passion for Empire and mid-century decor, Mr. Burgess has combined Mary Margaret Oliver Claudia & Jeffrey Keenan traditional furnishings with astonishing colors and materials during his 15-year Helen & Donald O’Shea restoration and redecoration of the home. Unlike some other homeowners, Mr. Burgess Lorraine Loftis - Karafotias Realty Mary Osler stayed for the weekend. Smilingly, he recounted one visitor’s remark: “You don’t have a Allison & Warner McConaughey The Honorable Johnny Panos HammerSmith, Inc. vintage refrigerator? What’s with this plain white refrigerator? Even I have one of those!” Kelley B Peace Alex Pearson The hilltop home at 886 Lullwater Road replaced a ranch house that owners Marilyn & John McMullen Susan & David Petersen Andrew and Diana Farley purchased in 2006. The gray shingled home with its Debbie Sinex & Claus Kroeger Carolyn & Bob Riordan Victorian-style turret looks like it has always perched among the trees. Visitors walked or Patricia Skousen Gayle and Richard Shuey rode in golf carts up the driveway to discover the serenity of the “tree house” room with Karen Soorikian Alida and Stuart Silverman wraparound windows and the secluded saltwater pool. In the kitchen, house manager Visit www.soorikianarchitecture.com Carol Sleeth & Don Kenagy Linda Pittam fielded questions about the marine finish on the walnut island and the Claire Sterk & Kirk Elifson Donna & Michael St. Louis backsplash composed of subway tiles. Dr. Sandra J. Still “The Druid Hills Tour is much more than a display of the fine homes of our Kim & Scott Storbeck neighborhood,” said Justin Critz, president of the Druid Hills Civic Association. “Through it, people see the beautiful spaces in Jim & Mary C Sutherland which we live, meet the wonderful people who reside here, and, hopefully, learn more of the history that makes this corner of Atlanta Catherine Tolbert so special.” Cathy & Arthur Vandenberg For the first time, the tour offered a Speaker Series of five presentations, including Walter Reeves speaking on vegetable gardens, Barbara Vogel Ryan Gainey on landscape architecture, Jim Wilson on the birds of Georgia, and Richard Sams on the history of Druid Hills. A Fentress & Jim Waits panel discussion about restoring homes in Druid Hills, moderated by Steve Cappel, featured Chris Hamilton of Dovetail Craftsman, Cynthia Waterbury Bill Bartlett of HomeRebuilders, Steven Goff of Intown Revival Construction/Georgia Wood Windows, Robert Soens, Jr., of Pinnacle Tory & Thomas Winn Custom Builders, and Wright Marshall of Revival Construction. Ellen & John Yates At St. John’s Lutheran Church, long a center of activity during the tour, a classic car show sponsored by the Dogwood Chapter of Jennifer Howard & Jonathan Zimring the Lambda Club International featured such beauties as the 1949 Cadillac Sedanet used in “Driving Miss Daisy,” a 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood, 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 Hills Civic 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 website support, Kelli Taylor oversaw Tickets, Becky Evans courted Friends & Patrons while Kim Storbeck recruited Sponsors, and Mary 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 Fine Homes, Carter Family Real Estate, Personal Care, Inc., Burnt Fork BBQ, and Harry Norman Realtors. Bronze sponsors were Intown Revival Construction, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, and Rich Printing, Inc. Benefactors were Arborguard Tree Specialists, 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 Oakdale Road and Ponce de Leon Avenue, and when I-85 South was shut down because of a bomb scare, the traffic diverted through Druid Hills slowed down visitors, docents, and transportation. But it all came together. “From beginning to end, months in advance,” noted Leslie Fight, “a dedicated army of volunteers worked countless hours to create a welcoming, interesting, diverse, and enjoyable Tour.” Revival Construction t: 404.888.9886 www.revivalconstruction.com Summer 2013 THE DRUID HILLS NEWS 5 Dearborn, Crescent, or Evergreen? Gardening with Chickens by Jennifer J. Richardson by Judy Keenan Primitive phone service came to Atlanta in 1877 with one line, and was expanded We recently brought home five baby chicks. So in 1879 using names only. The operator connected you to the person you requested why, you may ask, am I telling you about chickens rather than a number, and the Atlanta telephone directory had names only. By 1884, when I’m supposed to be writing an article related to there were 370 people in Atlanta with telephones and a call from Atlanta to Decatur gardening and the environment? First, chickens are was long distance, costing fifteen cents for five minutes. farm animals and farming is about gardening, right? In 1899, there were two competing telephone companies: System Second, what could be more environmentally friendly and the Atlanta Standard Telephone Company (Later Atlanta Telephone Company). than the prospects of fresh eggs from happy, free- range hens? What I have learned in my research on Atlanta Telephone advertised that it offered lower rates and better service than chickens actually has quite a bit to do with gardening Southern Bell. People with Atlanta Telephone could not call patrons of Southern Bell and the symbiotic relationship animals have with the and vice versa. Southern had some long distance service; Atlanta did not. Therefore, most wealthy citizens in Atlanta earth, when permitted a certain amount of freedom. had service from Southern Bell. Bell bought out Atlanta Telephone in 1919. Chickens love Japanese Beetle grubs. When I Four-digit numbers were given out from the Decatur Bell office on East Lake Drive. [The telephone company still find some, which happens all too frequently, I toss has offices on East Lake]. If people wanted to place a call, they picked up the phone to reach an operator who often them to the chicks and they go at it like children to a said, “Number, Please” and they asked the operator for the four-digit number in Decatur—which was the nearest Bell broken piñata. They will scratch and turn the soil office. Other Bell offices throughout Atlanta were called Hemlock, Main, Ivy, Walnut and West. Dialing without an looking for anything and, apparently, everything to operator first came to some areas in 1923, but operator assisted calls continued to exist in Atlanta for years to come. In eat. Another favorite treat for chickens—ticks. So it the 1930s, the Decatur office was re-named “Dearborn.” Thus, to reach a number, one called or asked for DEarborn and turns out my chickens will not only give me eggs, but the four numbers. Note that the first two letters of “Dearborn” are capitalized so that the patron knew to dial only the also will help prevent Lyme disease and save my roses. DE and not the “arborn.” But that’s not all. Chickens poop. In the past, I Using the exchange prefixes explains numbers used in popular culture such as the Big Band piece “Pennsylvania 6- have actually paid good money for chicken poop. 5000,”the rock/rhythm and blues song “Beachwood 4-5789,” and the number to reach the character played by Elizabeth Not just any chicken poop, but chicken poop Taylor in Butterfield-8. wrapped in a big plastic bag and shipped in gas- Between 1933 and 1944, the exchange “Crescent” was added to the Decatur office, which now had Dearborn and guzzling trucks from far away to the local Home Crescent exchanges. Other new exchange names were added to other offices in Atlanta as well, including Melrose, Butler, Depot. Poop with a carbon footprint. By having my own chickens, I now will have free poop. What could Hickory, Jackson, Trinity, Walnut, Murray, Sycamore, and Plaza. (Sycamore presented a problem because many patrons be better? Chicken poop is one of the best fertilizers didn’t know how to spell it—often starting it with Ci—and ended up with wrong numbers.) In 1950, the Decatur office known to vegetables. It is very high in nitrogen and added the exchange “Evergreen.” has good phosphorus and potassium levels, too. It In 1956, all the exchanges at the Decatur office were re-named “Drake” and a fifth number was added. Dearborn must be well composted, however, in order to mellow became Drake 3; Crescent became Drake 7; and Evergreen became Drake 8. Some phone numbers in the Decatur area the naturally high nitrogen levels so that they will not were also changed to “Melrose” 4 or 6. By 1958, my family’s in Druid Hills was “Drake-3-7017.” burn your plants. Many chicken gardeners let their My girlfriend on Willivee Drive’s number was “Melrose 4-0095.” A high school classmate’s number in Decatur was chickens range on their vegetable beds during the off “Drake 3-4580.” The time and temperature from a local bank started with Jackson 2 and I believe the other four season. The chickens naturally turn the soil and eat numbers were 8550. This was in area code 404 because there were no other area codes! potential pests while directly composting the field. In 1960, in the Decatur office, exchange names such as “Drake” were dropped but the “DR” continued to be used. They serve as pest control, fertilizer and rototiller all So a phone number became “DR-and five digits.” Not much time elapsed before the “DR” was dropped in favor of in one. “373, 377, and 378.” Finally, chickens are really cute and they give you As Atlanta grew, new area codes were added. Code 912 was first, followed by 770, 706, and 678. So, to dial a eggs. Not just any eggs, but organic eggs that are number in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2013, you’d have to dial the area code and seven numbers—a far cry from Dearborn and much higher in good stuff, like omega 3 fatty acids four numbers. Now, with fax numbers and cell phone numbers, the area codes, prefixes and four or five numbers are too and other nutrients, such as beta-carotene and much for this writer to handle. I long for the days of quaint names like Dearborn, Crescent and Evergreen. vitamins A, D and E. Meanwhile, they have less of If you wish further information about your land line phone number’s original prefix or other information about phone the bad stuff, such as cholesterol and saturated fat. And as we gardeners know, fresh always tastes better. service 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 Relations Berenice 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 who work 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 Paideia High 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 symposium on race relations at Princeton University April 25-27. She will receive her award at a ceremony in Atlanta along with other students receiving honorable mention for their work to improve race relations. For more information, contact: Jennifer Hill, e-mail, [email protected] and 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. 6 THE DRUID HILLS NEWS Summer 2013 Fernbank Science Center Perennials to Prolong the Season Hosts Video Conference with International Space Station by Paula Refi Come autumn, I’m more of a menace behind the wheel than usual. I like to On Wednesday, April 17, DCSD students saw a live keep one eye trained on sunny fields and another on roadside ditches, looking for video downlink between the International Space Station fall wildflowers. As the days shorten, Mother Nature shoves her pastel crayons to and Fernbank Science Center’s Jim Cherry Planetarium. In the back of the box, and she draws her flowers with primary colors—yellow, the live audience were STT students from nine high purple, and blue. These beauties consort with ripening grasses, now tinted wine- schools, plus JROTC students from Cross Keys, Towers red and amber. It’s a look that’s easy to mimic in the garden, using both native and non-native perennial plants. and Chamblee High Schools. The students spent 20 The so-called “short day” plants of autumn are genetically programmed to set flower buds when there are fewer minutes with the astronauts, asking them 16 questions on daylight hours. Chrysanthemums are familiar examples. Beginning in September, they bloom in a range of hues. subjects ranging from the effects on the body of long-term Garden-type mums (“mum” being a term of endearment) grow into soft mounds that sprawl a bit, and they make weightlessness, to how crew members deal with separation good cut flowers as well. Chrysanthemum ‘Ryan’s Yellow,’ named for Decatur garden luminary Ryan Gainey, is from family. Commander Chris Hadfield and Flight lemony. ‘Ryans’s Pink’ mum has probably been cultivated in local gardens for generations. Engineers Tom Marshburn and Chris Cassidy gave More than 40 asters inhabit Georgia’s sun-drenched natural areas. They blossom abundantly in blue, purple, and enlightening answers that were thoughtful and often pink. But they can be lanky and are susceptible to foliage diseases. Look for more-tidy, disease-resistant selections— humorous. those with descriptive names. Asters ‘Wood’s Pink’ and ‘Wood’s Purple’ stay under two feet. The lovely lavender-blue The event went live over the NASA’s web tv channel, aster ‘English Countryside’ isn’t English at all. It’s a selection of a reliable Georgia species named for Ann English of so the DCSD students were broadcast live around the Athens. Druid Hills gardener Susan Muller grows a non-native, but dependable, fall aster—the Tatarian aster. In her world. Springdale 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 aggressive Blasting at Emory Hospital roadside goldenrods. A selection of the better-behaved native rough goldenrod, Solidago ‘Fireworks,’ is less assertive and shorter at about 30 inches. Arching stems produces sprays of yellow that are perfect with fall asters and look great adapted from Druid Hills eNews in a vase. The crew working on the Emory University Hospital Perennial sunflowers (Helianthus) are native to Georgia, and their warm yellow daisies invariably make me smile construction conducted the first “Test Blast” at noon on in fall. Swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) is adapted to wet ditches, but it also flourishes with average moisture. This statuesque perennial (expect six feet) produces hundreds of two-inch flowers in September and June 1 to allow for everyone to become familiar with the October. An introduction from the legendary nursery Goodness Grows in Athens, ‘Marc’s Apollo,’ is equally tall with “feel” etc. They will then be collecting all feedback, lemon yellow flowers. Another native sunflower, Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosa) produces spritely yellow questions or concerns to help modify the blast plan as daisies and a potato-like edible root. Clara Redmond always grew it (and enjoyed the tubers) around the bend from needed. me in her Emory Circle garden. Today, people pay real money for Jerusalem artichokes at Your DeKalb Farmer’s By Monday, June 10, blasting will occur on a DAILY Market. Go figure! basis at 6:00PM or 6:30PM. Each blast is only 42ms Native grasses really hit their stride in fall. Their slender blades and billowing foliage complement just about any (Millisecond); the second time slot is only a backup but bloomer. Grasses undergo an amazing transformation in autumn. Their blossoms—feathery, fan-shaped, or should be planned on in case there is any issue with the bottlebrush—command our attention. Muhly grass makes a 30-inch mound of slender greens blades. In late August, first blast. The blasting will continue for 3 months, it blooms with reddish plumes. In winter, the entire plant looks like spun straw. American switch grass (Panicum) is a including June and July, and completed during August. slender, upright species that’s easy to tuck into any sunny garden border. ‘Shendandoah’ switch grass displays tinges of Vibration monitoring equipment has been set-up around red in summer and turns purple in fall. the site, but little or no effect should be felt outside of the With all summer to grow, fall-blooming perennials tend toward the tall side. Cut them back early in the season construction site. It is not anticipated that Clifton Road to produce shorter plants and to encourage branching. Make the last pruning by August 1, so they bloom on schedule will need to be closed during the blast. on your Druid Hills homemade meadow. Fernbank Elementary Move and New School Construction It's official . . . we're moving! Our school will transition to Avondale Middle School over the next few months. May 31, 2013, was the last day the Fernbank SEE THE POSSIBILITIES building was open to staff, students and parents. Construction on the new Fernbank Elementary building WHEN CREATIVITY is scheduled to begin later in 2013 and we anticipate being in our temporary home of Avondale Middle School MEETS EXPERTISE for 18-24 months. While as a school community we are saddened to leave this beloved building where we all have shared so many wonderful memories, the building itself has reached the end of its cycle. The Fernbank building, when it is decommissioned this year, will have served this community for nearly 60 years. Fernbank's culture, its (404) 377-6006 history, and the way that we nurture and support our children will follow us today and always. www.moonbros.com Please note our new school address: Celebrating 40 years 3131 Old Rockbridge Rd., Avondale Estates, GA 30002.

MOONMOON BROS.BROS. INC. INC. Architects/Craftsman School News We are still looking for a School News columnist. For now, we list the 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 Summer 2013 THE DRUID HILLS NEWS 7

Letter to the Editor: Dear Editor, During the meeting, one of the volunteers appointed promotion of health, prosperity, and general welfare of the On April 15, I had my fifth meeting with the Historic as Historic Preservation Commissioner scolded and residents, some of its members failed to do so yesterday by Preservation Commission (HPC) at the Maloof reprimanded me in front of more than 30 attendees for limiting the voices of those they are supposed to represent. Auditorium in regards to my home renovation project. gathering my neighbors to support my application. I was Finally, I felt mistreated, and I find the approach of a My case had been approved with the exception of a told that my approach to “rally the neighbors against few members of the commission was arbitrary and small metal roof over a non-historic bay window. I had them” was negative and inappropriate, that neither I nor disrespectful to me and the neighbors who took the time filed an appeal with the Board of Commissioners and they my neighbors get to vote on these matters, and that they to review the application, fill out comments, and sign the sent me back to the HPC. would review my application in spite of my actions. petition. The motion denying the approval of my small metal I was not allowed to reply. If I had been, I would As a long time volunteer for a diverse number of roof over the bay window cited “Substantial adverse impact have said that if the volunteers at the Historic Preservation organizations, I know it takes time and commitment to on the historic district and area of influence,” with the Commission feel that a detail on my property poses a maintain an active, relevant role like that of the volunteers consequence of withholding the Certificate of Occupancy substantial adverse impact on my neighborhood, I believe I at the Historic Preservation Commission. I am grateful to that would allow me to “legally” occupy my house. and my neighbors should have the same opportunity to say those who made an effort to listen to me and tried to find As part of the documentation I submitted to the why we do not agree. After all, our property values and our a middle ground and a resolution to the issue. However, commission for review, I included pictures of at least 10 lives are the ones affected. being scolded in front a group of neighbors for doing different metal roofs and bay window roofs in my area of I would have also liked to add that even though I do nothing illegal, wrong, or disrespectful, simply dissenting influence, which to me clearly showed it was not a not vote on the appointment of the volunteers to the with the motion, does not elevate the discussion or open significant architectural detail in Emory Grove. I also Historic Preservation Commission, I DO vote on the the door to collaboration. included signatures and comments of 46 families in my area Commissioners appointed as public servants (and I intend I have only good things to say about Chris Leeth and of influence who did not feel my small metal roof, in size to continue doing so) representing me and my neighbors’ Walter Saunders from the Druid Hills Civic Association. and shape similar to the existing roof (with the exception of interests. They provided me and my architect with assistance and four standing seams) posted a substantial adverse impact on If the HPC’s role, which I wholeheartedly support, is guidance from the beginning of this process in 2012, going their properties and neighborhood in general. to maintain the integrity of the historic district and the through many revisions of my plans. I am grateful for their time and patience. Gigi Pedraza Druid Hills Civic Association 508 Princeton Way, NE Not yet a member of DHCA? Use the form below and join today! Join online at http://druidhills.org/join-the-dhca/ HISTORIC PRESERVATION

DRUID HILLS CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP FORM FAST FACTS A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is needed Please [ ] enroll me. Please [ ] renew my membership in the DHCA. for exterior changes to houses/properties. Why? To Name ______maintain the 'look' of Druid Hills. It's self-protection.

Address ______DeKalb County Druid Hills Historic District The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) hears City ______State _____ Zip ______Phone ______applications for COAs and approves or denies based on the Druid Hills Historic District Guidelines. Email address ______There are General Guidelines and there are Character Annual Dues Area Guidelines (certain specific areas). For more information, go to the Civic Association website's ___ Basic Member ...... $25.00 or higher links to downloadable application forms. www.druidhills.org ___ Sustaining Member ...... $50.00 or higher Note: A committee of neighbors reviews applications ___ Druid Hills Member ...... $100.00 or higher and comments to the HPC. Committee members are well versed in the Historic Preservation guidelines and ___ Second Century Member ...... $250.00 or higher are a helpful resource to help the uninitiated move Amount Contributed $______through the process. [email protected] City of Atlanta Druid Hills Landmark District Please make checks payable to: “Druid Hills Civic Association.” The Urban Design Commission (UDC) hears Please mail to: Druid Hills Civic Association, P.O. Box 363, Decatur, GA 30031. applications for COAs and approves or denies based All households that join or renew at $50 or higher will have their names printed in an honor roll in The Druid Hills News. on the Druid Hills Landmark District regulations 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 not (Chapter 20B of the City zoning code). More to be listed at all. information about the process is available on the ______UDC section of the City website (www.atlantaga.gov), including downloadable application forms. This link HOW ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN THE DRUID HILLS CIVIC ASSOCIATION? may be found on the Civic Association website. Please indicate your area of interest. Note: The Landmark District Preservation ___ Communications ___ Membership ___ Flyer distribution Committee (LDPC) is a committee of neighbors that ___ Historic Preservation ___ Traffic ___ Other ______comments on applications to the UDC after on-site ___ Tour of Homes & Gardens ___ Land use/Zoning meetings. Consider them a helpful resource. ___ Newsletter ___ Peavine Watershed [email protected] 8 THE DRUID HILLS NEWS Summer 2013