2023 Hometown Heroes
The Decatur City Commission gave out 17 individual Hometown Hero awards at the December DBA Holiday party. The recipients were Marjorie Cooper, Nancy Eilen, Peter Helfrich, Peter Morich, Colleen Morich, Neil Norton, Dan Peterson, Eric Canosa, Shell Ramirez, Emily Saliers, Amy Ray, Pete Schwartz, Rachel Schwartz, Shawn Vinson, Joyce Washington, Ivie Wildman and Amy Wilson.
Marjorie Cooper
Nominated by Matilda (Tillie) Young
Marjorie Cooper has taught science for 10 years at the Global Village Project (GVP), a school for refugee girls. GVP’s mission is to fill in gaps in education for about 40 girls of middle school age from many different countries to prepare them for high school and beyond. Marjorie retired from teaching in DeKalb County public schools after 25 years and now employs her experience at GVP. She is a dynamic instructor who gets her students to participate in class as they learn about plants, animals, the solar system, the human body and other science subjects, while having fun and increasing their English vocabularies. Miss Marjorie, as the students call her, is well-liked and respected by her colleagues and the volunteers at GVP. We are lucky to have her here in Decatur.
Nancy Eilen
Nominated by Laura Hunt
In 2021, Nancy Eilen formed Wild Nest Bird Rehab, Inc., the only nonprofit songbird rehabilitation facility in the state of Georgia. Currently located in Decatur’s Legacy Park, the center began in the home of licensed rehabilitator Nancy Eilen. Nancy dedicated all of her free time to caring for injured and orphaned songbirds. The volume of birds needing treatment surpassed her ability to continue her work alone. She entered into partnerships with other like-minded bird lovers and environmental activists, establishing networks of rehabbers and volunteers across the Atlanta area. A dedicated volunteer workforce cares for the birds, orders supplies, cleans and maintains the property, builds the necessary aviaries, manages the finances, and coordinates with other rehabbers throughout the state. What began as the work of a single, compassionate individual has grown into a facility that enables others to further Nancy’s mission to preserve and protect Georgia’s birds.
Peter Helfrich
Nominated by Claudia McDavid, Steve Rose, Vicki Lloyd
Peter is the backbone of Decatur’s Bee City USA. He has chaired the Beecatur committee since 2017 and works in a volunteer capacity doing an incredible job of teaching Decatur residents about the importance of bees and other pollinators. Peter created the Beecatur website and promotional materials where he shares a wealth of information. He conducts engaging, popular programs for groups of children or adults. For three years, Peter has coordinated a community festival during National Pollinator Week which in 2023 brought 29 like-minded participant exhibitors to interact with and educate festival-goers about the importance of protecting pollinators. Peter, along with fellow committee members, developed the Pollinator Pledge program that gives the community some simple steps to ensure they are providing a good urban habitat for pollinators. Peter helps maintain (and helped start) two pollinator gardens in the city where people can meet other pollinators and get ideas for their own yards.
Peter and Colleen Morich
Nominated by Gary Garrett, Kristin Allin, Billy Allin and Terry Koval
Peter and Colleen Morich are founding members and have been active leaders of the Atlanta Slow Foods movement in Decatur for over 20 years. They have curated a number of local showings of The Lexicon of Sustainability at Earth Day celebrations, local faith communities, the Decatur Library, Agnes Scott College, and area restaurants that support Slow Food. Peter and Colleen are dedicated leaders and advocates in the local food movement, championing Slow Food Atlanta, sustainable farmers, and building community through the power of food, according to Alice Rolls, Executive Director, Georgia Organics. They have supported Decatur chef Terry Koval and staff at the Deer and the Dove and B-Side coffee shop in a variety of ways including pressure washing, painting, planting, watering and getting the word out. Peter and Colleen offered enthusiastic support of Kristin and Billy Allin’s restaurant and Café at Cakes & Ale and they supported Duck’s Cosmic Kitchen. Peter and Colleen are representative of what makes Decatur a unique and special place: a couple supporting local businesses on many levels – patronage, engagement, and education. They lead by example and have shown a keen interest in making Decatur a better community.
Neil Norton
Nominated by Annie Archbold and Paul Wrights
Neil Norton is known as the “Mayor of Glenn Creek Nature Preserve” because he was and continues to be the catalyst for saving this critical watershed from development. Now part of Decatur’s Parks and Recreation property, the Preserve is a community-maintained area led by Neil’s commitment and leadership. Neil is a professional arborist who uses his skills to teach our youth about the value of the Preserve. He organizes Saturday workdays during the year gathering adults and youth to clear the area of invasive species and then pays for a pizza party afterward. This past year Neil organized the surrounding neighborhoods to hold a fundraiser – raising over $11,000 from the neighbors to pay for much needed improvements to the Preserve. These improvements include the replacement of a walkway bridge, improving the gateway entrance, coordinating with stream experts to pinpoint future maintenance needs. Without Neil Norton, the community of Glennwood Estates, Decatur Heights, Sycamore Station and Sycamore Ridge would not have this recreational sanctuary that provides walking paths, native vegetation and trees.
Dan Peterson and Eric Canosa
Nominated by Jill Joplin and Mia Manekofsky
Dan Peterson and Eric Canosa are the founders of Mind Bubble, a tutoring program. Because of their expertise and generosity, DeKalb County Public Library has been able to offer free tutoring for its patrons through Mind Bubble. Mind Bubble fosters a love of learning by connecting students with community members through free tutoring, workshops, and games. Students who attend the tutoring sessions are paired with adults who can guide them through their schoolwork and other academic challenges from math problem sets to English essays. Dan and Eric began coordinating tutoring sessions for students at the Decatur Library in 2019. Sessions were held each Sunday afternoon and were free to anyone needing assistance. Tutors also build in games when they can to make sessions engaging, educational and fun. When Dan and Eric decided to step back from their roles at Mind Bubble, they gifted the DeKalb Library Foundation Mind Bubble’s remaining assets and began working with Mia Maneskofsky at the Decatur Library to transition Mind Bubble’s tutoring volunteers and expertise to DeKalb County Public Library. Dan and Eric have connected Mia with student outreach reps at both Emory and Georgia State University to help recruit new tutors. The people Mia has been connected with have special connections to Mind Bubble and talk about its positive impact. Every other week Dan and Eric have trained tutors so Mia can begin building a cadre of volunteers.
Shell Ramirez
Nominated by Beate Sass
Shell Ramirez has been instrumental in caring for the Oakhurst Dog Park, an essential place for those of us who have active dogs. While the City of Decatur owns the park and provides sanitation collection, it is primarily up to the individuals who use the park to care for it. Shell is there every morning by 6:15 a.m. The first thing she does is wash all the water bowls and fill them up with clean water. During the warmer season, she does the same with the small doggie swimming pool. She then goes around the property and picks up poop that owners have not collected as well as bags filled with poop that dog owners have left scattered around the property. Shell is also the first to address a new owner and dog when they enter the park, making them feel welcome. If there are altercations between dogs, she will step in to ensure that dogs and owners stay safe. She always has dog treats on her which she shares with the other pups if they are willing to sit patiently to receive one. If a hose needs repair, holes need to be filled in, or trees need to be trimmed, Shell jumps in to do the maintenance. And finally, Shell has created and maintains a memorial garden for dogs who are no longer with us. She has appointed this special place with chimes, decorations and rocks that bear the names of the dogs who have died.
Emily Saliers and Amy Ray
Nominated Julie Rhame
Emily Saliers and Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls, one of the most iconic folk-rock bands in America, have transformed an entire generation through their insightful songwriting and storytelling. Emily and Amy have been ambassadors for the City of Decatur for over 40 years. From their modest beginnings playing at Decatur’s Trackside Tavern and the Decatur Square in the 1980s, they have appeared at countless festivals and concert venues and have always given their time and talents to causes of justice and worthwhile causes throughout the community and beyond. Recently the Indigo Girls performed a benefit concert for Decatur United Methodist’s 200th anniversary, helped to raise $50K to combat homelessness at Decatur’s Amplify Music Festival, have appeared individually and as a duo at countless Decatur schools’ PTA events, and other local charities. Last spring they raised $10K for Talley Street Upper Elementary School by doing two private backyard concerts. Both Emily and Amy have helped make Decatur a foodie and music destination. In the early 90’s they provided seed money for Decatur’s legendary listening room, Eddie’s Attic. Emily opened Watershed restaurant in 1998, which became one of Decatur’s first “destination restaurants” and helped put Decatur on the map as a foodie destination.
Pete and Rachel Schwartz
Nominated by Carol Morgan
Pete and Rachel Schwartz moved to their home on Harold Byrd Drive (part of the Westchester neighborhood) about 6 years ago with their two young children. In 2019, they conceived of and organized “Byrdfest,” a fall festival on Harold Byrd Drive featuring multiple bands, chili cook-off, hot dog grilling, cookie tasting, games, face painting, college football on an outdoor screen, and more. They arranged with the City of Decatur to block off Harold Byrd Drive during the event and to have the City of Decatur fire truck come to entertain the kids. They recruited and coordinated volunteers and to help fund the event, they designed and ordered t-shirts for neighbors to purchase and wear year-round. They produced two more Byrdfests in 2021 and 2022 (with a pandemic hiatus in 2020) and plans are underway for Byrdfest 2023. The event has grown each year with hundreds of people of all ages – from inside and outside the Westchester neighborhood – attending. With boundless energy and enthusiasm, Pete and Rachel have generously and graciously devoted their time, talents and resources. Their home is “headquarters” for the event, and their front porch serves as the stage for the bands. Due to their efforts, Byrdfest has promoted good will and helped neighbors build relationships in a friendly, casual setting.
Shawn Vinson
Nominated Gary Garrett and Angie Macon
Shawn Vinson has been a significant part of the arts community in Decatur and around the region for many years. Shawn served on the Board of the Decatur Arts Alliance for many years and has been instrumental in producing multiple pop up art shows as far back as the Olympics in 1996. He has served on art juries and been a volunteer for the Arts Alliance annual Arts Festival. Shawn introduced the city to the Gathering 4 Gardner (G4G) festival, which stimulates curiosity and the playful exchange of ideas and critical thinking in math, science, literature and art. He was instrumental in starting the Decatur Artwalk for the annual Arts Festival. Shawn hosted many art shows in his gallery on the Old Courthouse Square (1998-2008), Decatur’s first contemporary art gallery called Vinson’s Art Gallery and then he co-founded Different Trains Gallery on E. Howard Avenue in 2017. He has been a supporter and provided a great deal of volunteer support for the art events that are a part of the Old Decatur District (ODD) celebrations.
Joyce Washington
Nominated by Tammy Washington
Joyce Washington has worked as a crossing guard with the city almost 18 years, serving Glennwood Elementary. The students know her as Ms. Joyce. The parents, staff and students love to see her during the school year. She gives the students at Glennwood, Beacon Hill Middle School, and Decatur High words of encouragement (with a smile) as they go to and from school – all while making sure they are safe. She’s an active volunteer at various city events such as the Decatur Arts Festival, Decatur Wine Festival, Decatur Craft Beer Festival, Terrific Thursdays, Beacon Hill Concert Series, Pan African Festival and Decatur Tree Lighting. During the 2022 holiday season, she served as Santa & Mrs. Claus’ personal “administrative assistant.” She helped the kids with writing letters and receiving their personalized postcards from them. She helped the kids complete their letter and place it in the mailboxes at various holiday events. She is an active walker and loves to walk in various city marathons. You may see her around town walking after her morning crossing guard shift or around Oakhurst with our family dog. I thank my mom for her hard work toward a community she loves and has lived in for over 35 years.
Ivie Wildman
Nominated by Jill Joplin, and Decatur Library Youth Services staff Mia Manekofsky, Lauren Tennyson, and Colleen Ferketish
Ivie Wildman started coming to the Decatur Library’s Book Bunch Book Club as an elementary student and continued to attend book club until they graduated from high school. Ivie came to the library on a field trip in elementary school and would come to the library several times a week. She then began helping out with their craft projects prep. As a teenager, Ivie volunteered their time to serve as a member of the DeKalb County Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB). As a TAB member, Ivie helped plan, organize and implement many projects to help increase teen engagement with the library. Ivie was a dedicated member of TAB and consistently attended meetings, assisted with library outreach events to teens and families, and helped host special events such as summer reading kickoffs and author talks. Eventually, Decatur Library hired Ivie as a part-time Library Page. As a Page, Ivie assists with library tasks and creates elements for library programs including a narwhal ring toss which is on display in the Children’s area. Ivie now attends college but still works at the Decatur Library during school breaks. Ivie served on the Decatur Youth Council while in high school and this summer they were an alumni representative for the Decatur Youth Council when the team participated and won the National League’s All America City Award.
Amy Wilson
Nominated by Cynthia Varkey, Leah Manley and Marc Sanders
Amy Wilson exemplifies the definition of a hero. Since moving here in 2001 with her husband, Jay Wilson, Amy has been a beloved friend, neighbor and teacher to many. She has been a long-time member of the Community Center of South Decatur (CCSD) and has served many roles on the CCSD board including past president. In the early days of CCSD and the Solarium as an event space, Amy applied her event planning expertise to help forage a path. She has volunteered endless hours of her time and energy to ensure that the Solarium remains a community resource. She has been the longest-serving member of the CCSD board and has archived many of the past photos, mementos, and memories of his historic building in Oakhurst, organized Solarium events like the Jazz Nights, Patio Party, Breakfast With Santa, Sips and Small Plates, and more. She has also been a volunteer for the Decatur Bulldog Boosters, Season of Giving and at several of the City of Decatur schools attended by her three sons. She has been a teacher to many Decatur tots as a teacher at Decatur Presbyterian Community Center since 2011 and we are thankful for all the work and hours she has given to our community.
