Happy Holidays from Serenbe

No matter the season, Serenbe is a place where community is of the utmost importance.  We think Atlanta writer Jonathan Lerner got it quite right in the current story on Serenbe in Atlanta Peach (www.atlantapeach.com):  “Everybody strolls down to the bakeshop every day—that’s where the mailboxes are—and there’s already a palpable, and enviable, sense of community.”  That said, the holidays inspire an even greater bond among residents—from sharing Thanksgiving together, to toasting friendships at the recent black tie dinner, to having impromptu s’mores roastings by an outdoor fireplace, those of us who live here know that we’re experiencing something special.  We hope you’ll join us for some of the upcoming holiday festivities and learn why we say, “the best reason to live here is the life here.” 

The Serenbe Institute Celebrates the
Arts with Spectacular Events

Recently, the Serenbe Institute has sponsored several culturally rich events—the New River Dramatists Playwright Residency was a tribute to the performing arts, while the Christmas Bazaar showcased the visual arts, and Serenball celebrated the culinary arts.  See photos and more information about each of these events below…

Serenball 2006

The Serenbe residents celebrated the holiday season with a black tie dinner.  The evening started at Mary Warren’s home for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, then moved to Gwen & Pepper Bullock’s for the main course (catered by the fabulous Keith Robinson of Gloriosa), and ended at Marie & Steve Nygren’s with dessert and after dinner drinks.  The evening has been affectionately dubbed “Serenball,” and will become an annual event. 

New River Dramatists Playwright Residency

The Mary E. Haverty Foundation & The Serenbe Institute hosted the highly acclaimed and talented New River Dramatists group for a weeklong residency.  The group of playwrights and actors spent the week immersed in daily writing sessions, which were open to the public.  On three evenings, the group presented dramatic readings of new works to residents and visitors.  We are keeping in touch with the group, who has high expectations for the work created during their Serenbe residency, and we’ll keep you posted on their progress.  For more information, visit www.newriverdramatists.org. 

On three evenings, the group hosted dramatic readings of new works to Serenbe residents and guests.

The NRD group was inspired by the creative energy at Serenbe - by the end of the week, new works filled up the entire table.

During the day, the New River Dramatists playwrights and actors worked together during creative writing sessions to produce new works.

Serenbe Christmas Bazaar

The residents of Serenbe welcomed nearly 300 guests to this grand shopping event, which featured over 30 fine artisans and craftspeople.  Shoppers visited eight residences within the Selborne community, and found unique gifts (from pajamas made from vintage sheets to gourmet food items), and arts and crafts (from the early works of StudioSwan owners/artists Gail Foster and Tom Swanston to custom jewelry to soy candles). 

You’re Invited…

StudioSwan presents “Holiday Treasures” Exhibition
December 2 – January 12

Opening Reception:  December 9, 1 – 8 p.m. (refreshments, 6 – 8 p.m.)

The gallery is filled with spectacular treasures available for purchase, including prints by Tom Swanston and Gail Foster, 18th and 19th Century drawings from Europe, handmade fabrics from South America, unique hand-blown glass ornaments and bowls, paintings, sculpture and photography by StudioSwan artists.
 
Palmetto Tour of Homes
Sunday, December 10; 2 – 5 p.m.

The Palmetto Community Association & The Chattahoochee Hill Country are sponsoring a tour of homes, with all proceeds benefiting the Palmetto Senior Center.  The tour will end at Serenbe, where a Selborne townhome and new homes in The Crossroads community will be featured.  Maps and tickets ($8) are available for pre-sale at various businesses in Palmetto including Hullabaloo and My Favorite Things, and will be available at the Blue Eyed Daisy on the day of the event.

New Year’s Eve at The Farmhouse Restaurant
Sunday, December 31, 2 seatings:  6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Farmhouse, located in the Inn at Serenbe.  Known for its artfully prepared, farm-fresh cuisine, The Farmhouse will serve a four-course dinner with a champagne toast for $48/person.  Reservations required; call 770.463.2622.  There are a few rooms still available at the Inn—call 770.463.2610 to make reservations!”  

Serenbe Welcomes Synergy Fitness

Synergy Fitness personal training studio recently opened in the Selborne community (located behind the Blue Eyed Daisy)—Sandra Holt, a respected and well known personal trainer from Newnan, teaches group circuit training classes featuring cardio, strength training and flexibility exercises, yoga and Pilates classes, and personal training sessions featuring state-of-the-art Gravity machines.  Visit synergyfitness.biz or email Sandra@synergyfitness.biz for more information. 

Change of Address:  The Serenbe Sales
Center Moves to The Crossroads

The Serenbe Sales Center has moved to The Crossroads, the newest community within Serenbe.  The new address is 9226 Selborne Lane, and the phone number remains the same (770.463.9997).  Winter hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon – 5 p.m. 

Serenbe Gift Ideas

Gift of Art:  A “Holiday Treasure” from StudioSwan’s current exhibition

Gift of Food:  A custom cake from the Blue Eyed Daisy or a gift certificate for dinner at The Farmhouse

Gift of Serenity:  A weekend at the Inn at Serenbe

Gift of Serenbe:

Men’s & Women’s Fleeces:  $42/pullover, $52/full zip

Hats:  $20

The Inn at Serenbe T-shirts:  Men’s & Women’s Short Sleeve/$18; Men’s & Women’s Long Sleeve/$20

The Farmhouse Restaurant T-shirts:  Men’s & Women’s short sleeve/$18; Men’s & Women’s long sleeve/$20

Serenbe T-shirts:  Men’s & Women’s short sleeve/$18; Men’s & Women’s long sleeve/$20

Call 770.463.2609 or email Jennifer@serenbe.com to make purchases.  We’ll happily ship your gifts for you!

More Scenes from Serenbe…

Third Sundays presents Diane Durrett

The Serenbe Institute hosted local folk singer Diane Durrett at the most recent Third Sundays event.  The Blue Eyed Daisy was packed with folks who came to enjoy Diane’s bluesy tunes. 

The Pine Hill Haints at the Blue Eyed Daisy

Self-described (appropriately) as “Alabama Ghost Music,” the Pine Hill Haints brought their haunting, eclectic style to the Daisy on a Sunday evening. Guests were treated to a high energy show, followed by dessert with the band.