April 21-23, 2017 Volume 32 | Number 1 Tour Edition, page 16 Voices from the Past: A History of the DHCA News, Part One By Jennifer J. Richardson The Druid Hills Civic Association News is celebrating its 30th birth- visionary statement still rings true, thirty years and many issues later. day! Volume 1, Number 1, issued in the fall of 1987, consisted of six A quick scan of the first issue covered many topics that continue to pages printed in green ink on buff colored paper. The editor of the inau- be of interest to Druid Hills residents today. One article reported that gural issue was Mary G. Dabbs, and her committee included Katie Baer, the Briarcliff mansion, former home of Asa “Buddie” Candler Jr., was Allan Ballard, John Bugge, Ellen Nemhauser, Alida Silverman, and Jim being restored by the DeKalb County Health Department for use as an White. An introduction in that first issue read, “This is the inaugural is- out-patient treatment facility for substance abusers. This is particularly sue of a newspaper for all of Druid Hills. We hope this new venture will interesting because, after the Candlers sold the estate, the home for sev- promote the kind of communication among the residents of Druid Hills eral years had been known as the Georgian Clinic, the first residential that will result in our being better informed and more effective. We want treatment center in the state for alcoholics. Another article introduced a to tap that vein of extraordinary talent and resources that exists in Druid newly organized group called the Village Committee chaired by the late Hills and use it to protect all that is good in our neighborhood.” That Continued on page 7 Walk Druid Hills: The Most Active Way to Learn about Our Neighborhood By Pam Woodley How many of us have a habit of zipping through our lovely neigh- a resident of that walk’s portion of Druid Hills, who provides intro- borhood in our cars on the same streets day after day? I’ll even bet ductory remarks and a bit of commentary along the way. The walks most of you who frequently walk through the ’hood are often tread- usually consist of a 1-mile loop followed by a 2-mile loop, so you can ing the same routes. I thought I knew the neighborhood very well— choose to walk just the first mile or the full 3 miles. until I started showing up on Saturday mornings for the Walk Druid The walks are held on the second Saturday of each month at 9 Hills gatherings. That’s when I was introduced to many fascinating a.m. Meeting places are announced on the DHCA website and the stories and features of Druid Hills. I didn’t know Princeton Way DHCA e-news. Park even existed. I didn’t know there was a community garden in Please join us, get some exercise, expand your knowledge about Emory Grove Park. I didn’t know Lullwater Estate owned sheep to the rich history of our wonderful neighborhood, and meet interest- help manage invasives and overgrowth. And while learning all of ing neighbors! For more information or to offer to lead a walk, this, I reaped another welcome bonus: I met a lot of great neighbors! contact Van Biesel at [email protected]. Walk Druid Hills is the brainchild of Van Biesel, a DHCA board member. Under the aegis of the Transportation Committee, Walk Druid Hills’ goal is to encourage a sense of community, explora- tion, and active living. Monthly walks began in August of last year and have attracted up to 30 people. Typically, each walk is led by Neighbors enjoying a walk through DeepDene Park April 2017 THE DRUID HILLS NEWS 3 Greetings from the President Druid Hills Civic Association By Anne H. Wallace President: Communications Vice President: Anne Wallace Fran Putney History Happens Here! The weekend of on the lawn in front of the pool house with ([email protected]) ([email protected]) April 21-23, 2017, you are invited to take salads, fresh fruits, and vegetables straight First Vice President: Treasurer: Leon Van Gelderen Tom McGuigan part in the 49th Druid Hills Tour of Homes from the greenhouses and soft melodies float- (fi [email protected]) ([email protected]) & Gardens. The weekend is a neighborhood ing on the breeze from the mansion’s glorious Admin. Vice President: Secretary: Honora Handley Ken Gibson celebration for residents, families, and friends. music room. ([email protected]) ([email protected]) We will be inviting local firefighters to enjoy One for the History books: DHCA and the Tour this spring free of charge as part a few neighbors fought the development DHCA Board of Directors Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 of saying “thank you for your service.” The of the Clifton Ridge, subdivision for over Bill Aitkenhead Becky Evans Rocky Atkins Handley home on Lullwater Road has been 13 years. The legal battle went all the way Robert Benfi eld Wendy Heaps Emily Franze Kit Eisterhold Robert Hughes Harriet Lane rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in 2013. to the Supreme Court of Georgia, where Christopher Liggett Andrew Keenan Phil Moise Perry Mitchell Haley Maitre Elise Riley Firefighters were on the scene for many hours unfortunately review of the case was denied. Jim Morawetz Larissa Teunis Alida Silverman that fateful night, fighting the devastating fire. This closes the door to any further litigation Clinton Tankersley Mike Walters Kelli Taylor Cynthia Waterbury David Winston Seldom do our firefighters get to witness the regarding the validity of seven lots at Clifton rebirth of a beautiful home after such com- Ridge. DHCA Standing Committees plete destruction. Preserving History for posterity: DHCA Communications Committee: Liaison, Atlanta NPU: Fran Putney Jim Heerin As we prepare to welcome visitors this is contemplating the filming of Druid Hills ([email protected]) ([email protected]) year, we are already looking ahead to 2018— History and Memories, a documentary of Finance Committee: Membership & Community Tom McGuigan Committee: the 50th Anniversary of the Tour and the local residents and historians sharing their ([email protected]) Steven Mathias & Larissa Teunis ([email protected]) 80th Anniversary of the Druid Hills Civic stories about our neighborhood. Our hope Governance Committee: OPEN Tour of Homes & Gardens Association. Please don’t miss an opportunity is to premier the film during the Tour in ([email protected]) Committee: Ryan Graham to participate, volunteer, and celebrate! 2018. Do you have a poignant memory, DeKalb Land Use & Historic ([email protected]) Preservation Committee: Saving a bit of History: After many years historic photo, or any documents you wish Kit Eisterhold Transportation Committee: ([email protected]) Van Biesel of watching the decline of the former Candler to share? Would you be willing to write, edit, ([email protected]) Landmark District Mansion on the grounds of Emory’s Briarcliff or contribute in some other way? If so, please Preservation Committee: OPEN Campus, the restoration by the Republic contact me at [email protected]. ([email protected]) Property team of Jerry and Ralston Daws is Historic resources: If you are interested in DHCA Special Committees & Task Forces imminent. The facility will be a premier loca- learning more about the Druid Hills Local Annexation Study Group: National Wildlife Community Christopher Liggett Certifi cation: tion for hosting neighborhood events and visi- Historic District, you can find our Design & Renee Nelson (email TBD) Pam Woodley ([email protected]) tors by 2018. I look forward to a Tour Gala Schools: OPEN State, County, & Local Continued on page 4 ([email protected]) Government: Becky Evans Parents’ Network: ([email protected]) Elise Riley HE RUID ILLS EWS ([email protected]) Druid Hills News Editor: T D H N - Newspaper of the Druid Hills Civic Association Jennifer J. Richardson Public Safety: ([email protected]) P. O. Box 363, Decatur, GA 30031-0363 Bill Aitkenhead ([email protected]) Published by Volunteers DHCA Divisions Division 1 (City of Atlanta): Division 6 (W. of Briarcliff , N. of Editor: Jennifer J. Richardson, Managing Editor: Susan Baker Justin Critz & Sharon Day University & ([email protected]) S. of Peachtree Creek): Writers: Sandra Kruger, Betsy Marvin, Paula Refi , Alida Silverman, Jennifer Waddy Division 2 (Ponce corridor in ([email protected]) Kim Storbeck, Anne Wallace, and Pam Woodley DeKalb): Yvette Weatherly Division 7 (“University” Streets ([email protected]) west of Emory University): Share your thoughts and write for the DHCA news! Your articles and letters are welcome! Submit to [email protected] Sandra Th ornton Division 3 (W. of Briarcliff & S. & Steven Mathias of University in DeKalb): ([email protected]) Robert Vicevich ([email protected]) Division 8 (Emory University, N. The Druid Hills News is a publication of KDA Communications. Subject matter published is the opinion of the author Decatur Rd to and does not necessarily re ect the opinion of the publisher of this newsletter. Professional advice should be obtained Division 4 (Between Briarcliff , N S. Peachtree Creek): Decatur & Lullwater Creek): Ron Foust & Van Biesel before making any decision in which a professional is readily available. Advertisers assume responsibility for the content Mike St. Louis ([email protected]) of the ads placed in this publication. Material published may not be reproduced without the written permission of KDA ([email protected]) Division 9 (DH Golf Course, Communications. Division 5 (Between Peavine Decatur fork of The information and advertisements contained in this Newsletter are provided for the residents of Druid Hills News as a Creek N. Decatur & RR Lines): Peavine Creek & RR Lines): Phillip Lee & Renee Nelson Steven Misner & Ian Bogost courtesy only. No representations are made as to information presented, the quality of the goods or services advertised, ([email protected]) ([email protected]) or the veracity of the statements relating to the goods and services.