Bad news and good news
Mar. 6 — It’s Cathy, Katie, and Stephanie with ourweekly newsletter. You may notice that we have an addition to the team, but hold your celebration for a minute. Stephanie Toone, who has been doing excellent reporting for the past several months, is pivoting to a new role away from Rough Draft.
It’s sad news for us, but we are so happy for her as she moves on to new adventures. She will be continuing on a part-time basis for the next few weeks while our equally talented staff writer Katie Burkholder gears up to take over the Tucker beat. Whew, that’s a lot. Let’s get on with this week’s news with a few items for your calendar.
Ω Omega Support Center is holding another fellowship community dinner on March 8 at Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church. There is no cost, but donations are encouraged.
🍷 Tucker Parks & Recreation’s Sip and Stroll will be held at Tucker Nature Preserve on April 18 from 3-5 p.m. Here’s an opportunity to do two things I love: walk and drink wine at the same time. Bring your ID and get ready to learn about beekeeping.
🌶️ The Tucker Chili Cookoff is scheduled for March 28 from 1-5 p.m. A $10 ticket allows attendees to taste all the chili entries and vote for the People’s Choice award. Soft drinks, water, and adult beverages (courtesy of The Local 7 and Ford’s BBQ) will be available for purchase. There’s still time to register a team.
🍾 Don’t forget that Mamma Debbie’s emporium is having its grand opening tomorrow from 6-10 p.m.
😎 Have a great weekend,
Cathy, Stephanie, AND Katie
🌳 You’re invited to a festive fundraiser for Trees Atlanta! Discounted Early Bird tickets available through Mon., Mar. 16. Join us at Root Ball 2026 on Thurs., May 14, at The Foundry at Puritan Mill for music, food, and celebration. SPONSOR MESSAGE
A legend leaves Tucker High School
🐐 Only an elite list of teams makes it beyond Valentine’s Day in high school basketball. Tucker High School Coach James Hartry and his team have dribbled and scored their way past that date for the last two decades.
As head basketball coach, Hartry, 67, took Tucker High’s varsity boys team to 21 consecutive state playoffs, ending nine in the final four, five in the finals, and winning one state title in 2007. Hartry coached his last Tucker High School game on Feb. 28 in a nail-biting playoff against Milton’s Cambridge High, with the Tucker Tigers falling short by just two points.
🗑️ Read Stephanie’s story about his accomplished career here.
Don’t miss THE event of the spring – Move For Grady!
SPONSORED BY GRADY HEALTH FOUNDATION
🏃 It’s time to register for Move For Grady on April 25, Atlanta’s best ride/run/walk event supporting Grady! Choose one of three fully supported cycling routes or 5K or 10K run/walk courses that will show you Atlanta from a new point of view. Then stay to celebrate with great food, drinks and music at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium.
❤️ Move For Grady raises funds to support Grady’s mission to build a healthier Atlanta. Register today, start training and join the party on April 25!
ARTucker application deadline extended
🗓️ Applications for artists at ARTucker, a festival showcasing Georgia artists and makers, have been extended to midnight on March 7.
The 11th annual event returns on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. While the festival has been held at Tucker Church Street Green Space, it will relocate to Tucker Town Green this year. The family-friendly event will include 50 local artist booths, with work spanning media that includes clay, fiber, jewelry, glass, and photography.
Founded by Patty Young in 2015, the non-profit has fostered Tucker’s arts community by providing local artists a space to present and sell their work while raising money for organizations like the Tucker Recreation Center, the Tucker Art Guild, and Tucker High School’s art program.
👨🏼🎨 Katie has more on the festival here.
🌳 You’re invited to a festive fundraiser for Trees Atlanta! Discounted Early Bird tickets available through Mon., Mar. 16. Join us at Root Ball 2026 on Thurs., May 14, at The Foundry at Puritan Mill for music, food, and celebration. SPONSOR MESSAGE
The name ‘Rip Robertson’ exudes greatness
🦸🏻♂️ After 30 years of service in municipalities across Metro Atlanta, Tucker Parks and Recreation Director Rip Robertson will be retiring later this month.
Following 12 years of Army service, starting in 1996, Robertson worked in parks and recreation and similar departments in Hapeville, Norcross, and Doraville. He joined Tucker’s parks and rec department at the end of 2017, shortly after the city’s incorporation.
During his nine years in Tucker, Robertson says he accomplished “quite a bit” about which he is proud. He and other members of the department built out recreation programming for seniors, renovated the Tucker Recreation Center, built a youth basketball program, replaced outdated playgrounds at all the city’s parks, added a new sports complex to Fitzgerald Park and a second municipal pool, and improved the city’s hugely popular youth summer camp.
🛝 Katie caught up with Robertson, who reminisced about his long career.
🏡 For the first time ever, Sotheby’s International Realty® is hosting a global Open House Showcase on May 17 and 18. Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to participate, featuring listings like this Downtown Alpharetta end-unit townhome offering luxury finishes, private outdoor living, and elevator access. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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