Plenty of developments in the lifestyle arena in 2025
A mixed bag of developments took place in 2025 in the lifestyles of DeKalb residents. Individuals, groups, and nonprofit organizations offered something new or adjusted their efforts to enrich the community in a variety of ways. Residents’ lives were also affected by economic and national trends and sought ways to adapt to the changing environment.
Egg prices/shortages not going over easy
Breakfast lovers, bakers, and fans of quick-throw together meals are likely in a panic about the shortage of eggs and dramatic spike in egg prices. Many store coolers are bare and when cartons of eggs are found, the prices are often shocking.
The bird flu that resulted in the slaughter of 145 million chickens, turkeys and other birds since the outbreak began is to blame, and the cost of eggs has nearly doubled in some places, according to various news sources.
Some grocery stores are now limiting how many cartons of eggs can be purchased at one time.
Waffle House’s 50 cents per egg surcharge made news in early February due to the uptick in egg prices. One can only wonder if other restaurants will follow suit.
Soul singers compete to be a star
Singing competitions shows are a popular genre, but a new one making its debut focuses exclusively on soul music.
Auditions and the five rounds of competition for “American Soul Star” have been taking place in Stonecrest and Atlanta since January. One hundred vocalists from around the country started singing for the judges with 10 making it to the finale held at New Black Wall Street Market in Stonecrest on March 1 and one being named the debut show’s star.
“Showcasing soul singers from across the country, it stands apart from mainstream talent competitions by celebrating artists who truly embody the essence of soul music,” states a press release about the show.
Indoor farm producing vegetables year-round to fight hunger
A new kind of farm has come to DeKalb County that’s not dependent on sunshine and rain and is not subject to weather’s dramatic changes. This farm is located indoors with ideal growing conditions. A ribbon cutting was held May 20 for Growings!, a hydroponics farm, located in a former warehouse at NETWorks Cooperative Ministry facility in Tucker.
The building houses a food pantry where clients choose their groceries, and that now will be enhanced with herbs and vegetables grown at the farm.
Lettuce, cucumbers, arugula, Swiss chard, cilantro, tomatoes, and basil were among the plants growing in the indoor farm on its opening day.
Clarkston showroom displays women’s international talents
Vibrant colored cloths, beads, and patterns dominate in a small showroom in Clarkston, where the handiwork of women who once fled their homelands are now on display. Dresses, wine tote bags, napkins, table runners, necklaces, earrings, pillows, and other crafts are among the items available for sale at Johari Clarkston on Church Street. Most of the work are those of local refugee and immigrant women who have gained sewing skills through the Amani Sewing Academy.
Many of the women-turned-entrepreneurs hail from Eritrea, Congo, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Burma, Syria, and other countries.
The showroom is located in the Amani Women’s Center, whose mission is to provide “culturally tailored programs and services that empower and contribute to the economic security, spiritual, mental, and physical well-being of refugees and immigrant women.”
It offers sewing, health and leadership programs as well as an English as a second language buddy program, translation and interpretation, and other services.
Book club puts emphasis on silence
Book clubs are often perceived as a bustle of book lovers sharing their opinions passionately and loudly.
However, lately a different type of book club has emerged at which mum’s the word.
At Silent Book Clubs, bookworms gather at a venue to read their books in silence surrounded by other readers. The concept has grown so popular that chapters have been established worldwide. The original Silent Book Club was founded by two friends in San Francisco in 2012, according to their Silent Book Club website.
“Silent Book Club (SBC) is a global community of readers, with more than 1500 chapters in 54 countries around the world led by local volunteers,” states the website. “SBC members gather in public at bars, cafes, bookstores, libraries, and online to read together in quiet camaraderie.”
In metro Atlanta, there are chapters in Brookhaven, Buckhead, Snellville, Stockbridge and several other cities. The Decatur Silent Book Club started in 2022 by Doe Times with about 10 to 15 people, according to Jennifer Trent, who currently is one of the club’s co-hosts. Now the meetings average 30 readers although 50 to 60 people are members. “People pop in and out,” said Trent.
New learning lab coming to Dunwoody Nature Center
For years, visitors to Dunwoody Nature Center (DNC) have praised its rambling outdoor environment but complained that its indoor spaces are too few and too crowded. Officials are hoping to put an end to those complaints with the addition of a new learning lab.
A groundbreaking was held July 16 for the new Wildcat Creek Learning Lab with city of Dunwoody and DNC officials promising that the new space will increase capacity for existing programs and allow for the addition of new programs.
“Wildcat Creek Learning Lab will be transformative, allowing us to serve more program participants and park visitors throughout the year,” said Dunwoody Nature Center Executive Director Nancy Longacre. “Our current facilities are no longer sufficient to meet the growing demand for outdoor nature camps, field trips and community programs. This new space will help us expand our reach and deepen our impact.”
The Bite of Korea serves up more than food
Almost every table is full at The Bite of Korea and there’s plenty of chatter and apparent excitement. It’s not the food that has this crowd so engaged; it’s the opportunity to learn a new language—Korean.
Geonwood Lee, who goes by Gavin, is the owner of this Tucker eatery, but on this Saturday he’s the teacher and somewhat of a strict one, admonishing the class to arrive for the next meeting at least 10 minutes before the start time.
This early August morning, some 50 people are packed into the restaurant for the hour-long class that ends when The Bite of Korea opens for customers.
Lee has been teaching Korean here for three years and this class is his biggest one yet. He said 60 people signed up for it this summer.
The free classes draw people from Stone Mountain, Lithonia, Snellville, and Duluth, said Lee. Some are interested in traveling to Korea, some have Korean relatives, others are fans of Korean music and drama.
Coping with grief
Eventually just about everyone experiences losing friends, relatives, colleagues, and loved ones.
Dealing with death and the grief that follows is complex and multifaceted. According to grief counseling experts, coping with death and grief is as individual as people themselves and there is no one path for grieving.
“It’s a deeply personal experience,” said Denisa Millette, Ph.D., a certified clinical trauma specialist and psychotherapist who practices in Tucker.
“There’s this idea that grief follows a linear course,” Millette said. “Grief is more like a rollercoaster than a straight line.”
“It’s difficult to say somebody is moving through grief in the way that they should. There isn’t a right way to grieve.”
New house to increase home-away-from-home opportunities for families of sick children
Parents of critically ill children have a multitude of issues to contend with and not having to worry about housing, transportation, and meals can be a major relief.
Soon the opening of a new Ronald McDonald House will help relieve those concerns for some parents whose children are receiving treatment at the Arthur M. Blank Hospital of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
“We could not be more excited about it,” said Tracey Atwater, president and CEO of Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities (ARMHC).
Located on N. Druid Hills Road on the Arthur M. Blank Hospital campus, the new 110-room house includes 92 guest rooms, 18 transplant suites, a fivestory playscape, family kitchen, chef kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining room, garden, and more.
Callanwolde growing to meet community demand
The waiting may be coming to an end.
For years, many of those hoping to secure a place in one of Callanwolde Fine Art Center’s most sought-after classes have had to settle for being added to a waiting list.
With the anticipated purchase of a church across the street from the center and the final push to close out a multi-million-dollar capital campaign, Callanwolde is on the verge of a major expansion that’s expected to double the center’s capacity for classes and other programs. “This is the biggest thing since the inception of Callanwolde as a fine arts center,” said Andrew Keenan, executive director of Callanwolde, adding that the new structure will result in doubling the center’s capacity for classes and program.
“It’s remarkable what’s happening right now,” he said
