There’s always something happening in the Hostess City. Stay in the know about upcoming events and the latest information with our periodic News & Notes.
Local Updates
The Home Depot Foundation to Update and Upgrade Tiny Home Village Aimed at Combating Homelessness
On Thursday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., The Home Depot Foundation, Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH) and 365 Connect are teaming up to upgrade the CSAH’s Cove at Dundee, Veterans Tiny House community and new Dundee Cottages. More than 300 volunteers will update 68 tiny homes and enhance the entire community, which serves veterans, families and children combatting homelessness.
The Cove at Dundee is recognized as one of the most successful veteran tiny home communities in the nation and is dedicated to breaking the cycle of veteran homelessness. The Tiny House Project provides a ‘housing first” environment that offers additional resources including an onsite clinic, community meeting space, laundry facilities, outdoor garden and walking path and more to support each resident’s journey towards healing, hope, renewed confidence and increased self-sufficiency. Dundee Cottages, adjacent to the Cove, is a 40-unit cottage style community with a resident service center, laundry, computer lab, counseling offices and community meeting space. Once completed, this new neighborhood will provide affordable homes for families and individuals exiting the trauma of their homeless experience.
On May 9, Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, will lead a large team of volunteers as they landscape the property, paint home exteriors, build outdoor furniture for each home, assemble shade structures, create gathering areas, plant fruit trees and install custom raised garden beds. Team Depot will also build a new playground for the community’s children. These projects will help provide valuable property enhancements and create a comfortable space for residents to gather and heal as they put homelessness behind them.
Giving back to veterans is personal to The Home Depot, as more than 35,000 of the company’s associates are veterans or military spouses. Since 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has invested $500 million in veteran causes and helped renovate and enhance more than 60,000 veteran homes and facilities, ensuring more of our nation’s heroes have a safe, comfortable place to call home that fits their individual needs.
Savannah fiction author, Leigh Ebberwein releases, "The Cottage on Mystic Lane” in anticipated book series launch
Exciting announcement surrounding the release of the continuation in “Saints of Savannah” series
The fourth installment in local author Leigh Ebberwein’s Savannah-based romance series, "The Cottage on Mystic Lane," will officially launch on Saturday, May 4. This novel continues the beloved “Saints of Savannah” series, known for its heartfelt narratives deeply rooted in Savannah’s enchanting scenery and rich cultural backdrop.
The story follows main character Agnes, who inherits her Aunt Lottie's charming cottage on Isle of Hope after Lottie's passing. As Agnes delves deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets: a haunted house, a shocking revelation at the family cemetery, and a reunion with a past love who holds the key to her future. But can Agnes forge her own path when her aunt seemed to have foreseen it all?
To celebrate the launch, Ebberwein will be hosting an exclusive book signing event where fans can meet the author and be among the first to experience this captivating new novel.
On Thursday, May 9 from 3–5 p.m., Marsh & Co will host Ebberwein for the signing event. The store is located at 444 Johnny Mercer Blvd R, Savannah, Ga. 31410.
An alumna of St. Vincent’s Academy, Ebberwein weaves in experiences of growing up in Savannah into her novels, which reinforce the unbreakable bond of friends and family. The series examines the cross-generational impact of reckless choices, the redeeming power of love and the importance of having a sisterhood of friends.
For more information, visit Leigh Ebberwein’s website.
SCCPSS hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony for Garden City’s new ESPLOST-funded multicampus
Please join SCCPSS on Friday, May 10 at 12 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new ESPLOST-funded 6-12 Multicampus in Garden City, located at 100 Priscilla Thomas Way. The expansive school will be home to Mercer Middle School and Groves High School students. The new facility is close to 400,000 square feet in three stories and will have a capacity of 2,400 students. The campus includes state-of-the-art technology, a digital media lab, CTAE labs for aviation and logistics as well as business and family consumer sciences. An extensive solar array will produce approximately 30% of the school's power needs.
The school boasts two cafeterias (with a single kitchen), two media centers and two gyms, one each for high school and middle school. In addition, an athletics complex will be built on campus, including a football stadium with a field house and a competitive track & field area, multipurpose soccer fields, a high school baseball field, a high school softball field, a little league field, and more. The campus also features a two-story, 750-seat auditorium with a full-scale performance production stage. Three paved parking lots with a capacity of more than 660 parking spaces will serve the facility.
Bethesda Academy announces Dr. Ronald Crutcher as keynote speaker for Class of 2024 Scholarship Gala
Bethesda Academy, a private day school for young men in grades six through twelve, is proud to announce Dr. Ronald Crutcher, President Emeritus and University Professor of the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia, as the keynote speaker for its tenth annual Scholarship Gala. The gala is a key part of the end-of-semester traditions celebrating the graduating Class of 2024. Dr. Crutcher will be joined by his wife, Dr. Betty Neal Crutcher, Mentor-in-Residence at the University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership Studies.
The Scholarship Gala will take place on Friday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m., at The Palmetto Club, located at One Cottonwood Dr., in The Landings.
Dr. Crutcher is a highly respected figure in higher education with over 35 years of experience. In addition to his current role as President Emeritus and University Professor at the University of Richmond, where he held the prestigious position of tenth President from 2015-2021, he also held the position of President of Wheaton College from 2004-2014. Previously, he served as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Miami University of Ohio and is a recognized classical music professor.
Dr. Crutcher holds an undergraduate degree from Miami University of Ohio and both a Master of Music and Doctor of Music from Yale University. Further recognition of his achievements came in 2021 when he was named a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute, a Washington D.C.-based non-profit organization focused on bringing together influential professionals across various sectors to foster productive dialogue.
“We are honored to have such a distinguished leader in education as our keynote speaker for the Scholarship Gala,” said Bethesda Academy President Dr. Michael Hughes. “Dr. Crutcher exemplifies the kind of leadership we strive to instill in our students, making him a perfect role model for this important occasion.”
The black-tie optional Scholarship Gala, generously sponsored by the Georgia Ports Authority (Platinum Sponsor) and Byrd Cookie Company (Gold Sponsor), is a major fundraiser for the school’s vital Gateway Scholarship Program. The program’s fundraising efforts allow nearly 90% of Bethesda Academy students to receive financial aid. Tickets for the event are $150 each, and sponsorships start at $1,250. Seating is limited.
