Rode hard, hung up wet
🥱 Nov. 5 — It’s Cathy from Rough Draft with my weekly newsletter on Dunwoody. I’m not a late-night person. Never have been. So staying up really late to post election results is not really my jam, but it’s part of the job.
🗳 So with one eye half-open, here is this week’s newsletter, which leads, of course, with election news, talks about the GOAT of goats, discusses a new book that explores Ireland and the author’s roots, and reminds you of upcoming activities of interest this weekend.
🛌 Have a great Wednesday,
Cathy
🎄 Community Tradition. New Home. Enjoy Light Up Dunwoody at the historic Donaldson-Bannister Farm! Enjoy festive performances, Santa photos, reindeer, crafts, food, and fun! Gather with neighbors and friends to light the tree and menorah and welcome the holiday season. SPONSOR MESSAGE
An expected outcome
🤔 I think Dunwoody citizens were getting ready to gear up for a real battle with this year’s District 1, 2, and 3 elections, with some new, well-qualified candidates going against veteran incumbents.
We had a lively debate on Oct. 26 that showed that all five people on the ballot had a great grasp of local government, the politics surrounding the city, and their willingness to serve. Yes, there were some untruths spoken, but it was pretty mild compared to what’s going on nationally.
In the end, Council Members Tom Lambert and Rob Price prevailed over their rivals. Catherine Lautenbacher, who was running unopposed, managed by the thinnest of margins to retain her District 1 seat. 😉
Price’s opponent, David Ziskind, had a lovely concession statement, and honestly, I don’t think we are done hearing from him. Wendi Taylor, who lost to Lambert by a 55-45 split, said late last night that she’s still waiting for early voting ballots to be tabulated before making a statement. We can wait.
🙋🏽♂️ Here’s a story about the city council results. And if you are looking for information about the hot races around the state, check out our editorial team’s comprehensive wrap-up of election night.
Fashion meets art at the High Museum!
SPONSORED BY THE HIGH MUSEUM
👗 Experience Viktor&Rolf: Fashion Statements – a bold, breathtaking exhibition celebrating avant-garde fashion visionaries who blurred the line between haute couture and art. Only at the High, the exhibition’s sole U.S. stop.
➞ On view through Feb. 8, 2026.
Round Ireland with what else? A duck
🚴 Author, bicyclist, gardener, and overall nice person, Pattie Baker, known to many Dunwoodians as “Sustainable Pattie,” has written a new book about her travels to Ireland as she explores the country and her ancestors’ legacy.
The thing that I really like about Baker is that she never skims the surface. She manages to draw a beautiful picture of her surroundings, new adventures, failed efforts, successes, and insights, while simultaneously immersing the reader in Irish history.
🦆 Here is a story about her latest adventures in “Round Ireland with a Duck,” as well as a story I wrote about her first book, “‘Round America with a Duck.”
📊 From morning commutes to lunchtime strolls, Perimeter’s got a new energy. Discover insights from the 2025 Perimeter District-Wide Survey on daily activity and what’s shaping how people get around. See the data.
SPONSOR MESSAGE
Sorry, not sorry. Animal stories are the best
🐐🐐🐐 Three competitors stepped it up at Brook Run Park on North Peachtree Road, but Paddy was head and horns over the competition, winning Dunwoody Parks & Recreation’s first pumpkin-eating contest on Nov. 2.
About 100 people showed up on the lawn to take pictures with Paddy, a pregnant nanny named Snowflake, and Tugboat (who also goes by Chocolate or Coco, depending on who you ask) before the trio dug into a meal of pumpkin seeds and other goodies.
A quick look at the size difference, and it was clear that Paddy was going to take the top prize, even though Snowflake eating for two. I think he finished off his competitors’ food, too.
🏆 Here’s my breathless account of the contest.
Veterans Day in Dunwoody and beyond
🇺🇸 This year’s celebration in the city is going to be special with a ceremony and the dedication of the city’s new Veterans Memorial at Brook Run Park on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m., at 4770 N. Peachtree Rd. All are welcome to attend the event, which will be held rain or shine.
The memorial features marble plaques, service flags, an eternal flame, and a Soldier’s Cross – a symbolic tribute with a rifle, helmet, and boots representing the fallen. A small path connects the Veterans Memorial with the Vietnam War Memorial, which was dedicated last year.
I’ve been tracking the work going on over there, and it’s coming along nicely. The city swears it will be done before next Tuesday. I’d bet on it.
The ceremony’s featured speaker will be Captain Wayne Radloff, USN (Ret), a longtime Dunwoody resident who served more than 30 years of active duty as a Naval flight officer.
🎤 If you want to know what else is happening around Atlanta, including in Dunwoody, check out this story. One of my favorite tenors, the Atlanta Braves’ Timothy Miller – the man who made the seventh inning stretch a must-see event – is performing Nov. 8 at the Atlanta History Center.
