Word nerd’s favorite week
Wednesday, May 27 — It’s Cathy from Rough Draft with my weekly newsletter on Dunwoody. I have been immersed in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, where two representatives from Georgia are tearing their way through the competition. More on that below, but first a few observations.
🤓 First, it’s amazing to see these 10- to 14-year-olds spell seemingly impossible words like “choplogical” and “jurimetrician” after asking about their country of origin, pronunciation, and definition.
🧠 Every once in a while, there’s a word thrown in there for us commoners, like “svelte” or “colitis,” which helps us feel better about ourselves. Finally, the names of these kids seem to predict their future genius. Example: Semi-finalist Zwe Spacetime. I’m rooting for that kid if the Georgians fall to the wayside.
Let’s begin with some newsy happenings around Dunwoody.
🏣 The city is again discussing the possibility of acquiring the long-vilified (not a spelling bee word) Dunwoody Post Office, which has been the subject of many a scorching screed on various social media platforms. Like many, I’ve switched my allegiance to the Chamblee location. Last week, I was surprised to see the legend, Lance, the subject of many wildly divergent opinions, working there. He was crushing it, by the way, with his opening line, “Let’s spend some money here.”
🎭 Stage Door Theatre is partnering with the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta to produce a six-week summer program for children and young adults with Down syndrome, ages 10-22.
🏃🏼♀️Celebrate Global Running Day on June 3 with Big Peach and the City of Dunwoody for a fun run, walk, and social at Brook Run Park.
Have a great Wednesday,
Cathy
Sarv, Sreeya spell their way to Scripps semi-finals
🧠 The two Georgia spelling bee contestants have advanced to the semi-finals, along with 52 others, at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC.
Sarv Dharavane correctly spelled “turco,” a small Chilean bird, and defined “divulge” to reach the next level, while Syreeya Lakkimsetti conquered “tosca,” a limestone deposit, and correctly identified a “pegasus” as a mythical winged horse to advance to the event’s semi-finals, which will be televised tonight on ION Television.
🍯 Read more about their journey thus far.
Amy Sherald: American Sublime
SPONSORED BY THE HIGH MUSEUM
🎨 You’ve seen Amy Sherald’s iconic portrait of Michelle Obama. Now, her largest exhibition to date comes to Atlanta, featuring rarely seen paintings and monumental portraits spanning nearly two decades.
Amy Sherald: American Sublime is now open, bringing one of the leading artists of her generation back to Georgia. Secure your tickets before it’s gone.
Can only make it in the evening? We’ve got you covered. The show stays open after hours every Friday. Grab a drink, snag an exclusive exhibition poster, and explore the galleries at your leisure.
City Council approves North Peachtree path funds
🚧 Dunwoody officials approved an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation on May 26 – a necessary move for the city to receive about $2.5 million for a multi-use path on North Peachtree Road.
While council members unanimously approved the project framework, Mayor Lynn Deutsch asked the public works department to see if the proposed 12-foot-wide path could be narrowed.
“One of the concerns could be that we’re building it where the schools are … but also … people live across the street,” Deutsch said. “I think we ought to focus on crosswalks and safe crossings … I think this is an important project. It is just that I don’t think it needs to be 12 feet wide.”
👎🏼 Not everyone was down with the project. Read more here.
Spruill Studios celebrates opening
🪚 Renovations to the new Spruill Studios facility, housed in the former Chamblee City Hall building, are complete, and a public ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on June 13 at 10 a.m.
“This is an exciting time for Downtown Chamblee and the arts community,” said Chamblee Mayor Brian Mock, in a release from the arts organization. “We’re proud that Spruill Center for the Arts partnered with the City of Chamblee to expand their services in our former City Hall for the creative community to thrive and showcase their talents.”
Sixteen artists, two of whom are Chamblee residents, have been selected through a competitive application process to occupy Spruill Studios.
👩🏿🎨 Here is more information about the big day.
What’s it Worth?
SPONSORED BY ATLANTA FINE HOMES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
🏡 Set on 36± acres in Milton, this estate, once owned by Gary Rossington, guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, features a private lake, two docks, a guest house, barns, and a saltwater pool. The property includes a five-bedroom main house and a separate guest retreat.
❓ Guess the price below!
PICTURE THIS: Scripps fit
I could not resist one more spelling bee aside. Louis Avetis from Orlando, FL, is dressed for success as he heads into the semi-finals of the national contest.
