Community
Mad Dworschak-Victory Gardener Extraordinaire, Part of Five Stories to Brighten Our Spirits
The Bright Side of Lockdown in Peachtree Corners
We can all relate to the surreal feeling brought on by the coronavirus as we struggled with being caught in this bizarre new world that was difficult to believe yet impossible to ignore. We couldn’t help but feel shocked as it unfolded — it was unprecedented — although there had been a dreadful buzz in the air heading straight for us from miles away.
As our nation is sieged with controversy, climbing death rates, trepidation and uncertainty, I wanted to find some uplifting, local COVID-19 stories that would serve to brighten our spirits. This is part 4 of 5 stories to be posted.
One of the great perks of living in Peachtree Corners is our proximity to Atlanta and its many trendy hubs like Old Fourth Ward, just 20 miles away. Mad Dworschak hails from Dunwoody/Sandy Springs where her family still lives, but she has been an Atlantan since starting her career as a graphic designer.
Mad on the move on social media and her victory gardening website
Dworschak had been looking forward to a more nine-to-five schedule after having worked around the clock shifts at CNN. Six months into her new job at the Atlanta Department of City Planning, the coronavirus turned the whole world on its ear.
Abiding by stay-at-home orders, she turned to cultivating a hobby she has always found comforting — gardening. Normally, it gave her something to do at the end of the day but working from home with “… everything shutting down right as spring started springing up,” was kismet for the birth of her flower and vegetable garden this year.
A New Year’s Resolution
Dworschak had already committed to a focus on surviving and thriving in 2020, while going through a difficult personal time last winter. She had intended to expand her edible gardening, unaware at the time that she’d be thrust into it on the heels of a global pandemic disrupting our lives so profoundly.
Inspired by the author of “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat,” Dworschak adopted the term. “She said plant a little Victory Garden if you’re nervous about having enough food because nothing dresses up a can of beans like some fresh herbs,” Dworschak recounted.
COVID-19 made it apparent how fragile food security is and how quickly losing a job could cause a family to struggle. “I think people latched on to the concept. They remember the poster of the woman holding a cabbage, “Grow Your Own Garden for Victory!” We all feel helpless right now, but this is at least something we can do,” she said.
Free Seedlings
Initially, Dworschak set out a cardboard sign in front of her 1920s duplex located across from where Dr. King went to school, with the scrawled message ‘Free Seedlings!’ “I put out extra seedlings on the street for people to take as they wished. I later designed and painted a more eye-catching sign,” Dworschak said.
The timing of her project could not have been better. “Seeds have always been about abundance and hope, wishing for a better tomorrow.”
Instagram updates from @madness.design.atl and passersby resulted in a steady stream of seeds and seedlings being shared with neighbors. Building connections with the community has been beneficial.
“This little program I’ve started made me feel better. I love that I can help others too,” Dworschak said.
Sowing the Seeds of Cheer
A firm believer that it’s impossible to spend a few minutes in a garden and not be amazed, Dworschak hoped to spread some much-needed joy. “Anyone who’s even just a little bit of a gardener and going through something knows there is unending poetry from things coming up from the ground, flowers blooming and food coming off of a plant.”
“We may not have the most abundant gardens, and we’re all scared, but we have something in common now,” she said. Neighbors are posting pictures of their own gardens and plants that have blossomed as a result of her giveaways.
Dworschak responds with pointers on how to care for them. She has received some very kind notes and is routinely tagged on Instagram by excited neighbors thanking her for the basil, dill, okra and kohlrabi plants they scored from her little stand.
What’s Growing in the Garden
“This is my private growing area,” Dworschak said, pointing to her front porch covered in baby sprouts waiting to be given away and planted.
The interplanting of vegetables with flowers makes a cheery garden in a walled front yard. This year, she has enjoyed planting what’s easy and fun to grow.
Nasturtium: “One of my favorite things this year is this cool-looking flower. It grows like a bunch of lily pads sticking up out of the ground and has orange flowers. Both the leaves and flowers are edible. It’s great in salads. It’s got a spicy, peppery flavor, like arugula.”
Better Boy Tomatoes: “My grandmother grew these when she lived here in the 1960s. She swears by them. They’re very conventional but how can you say no to grandma?”
Roma and cherry tomatoes
Okra: “I’m excited about my okra. I was captivated by the story: okra was brought to America by slaves who had it braided into their hair as sort of a food insurance policy for when they got to the new land.”
Cherokee Trail of Tears Beans: “They are an heirloom variety brought from Tennessee all the way to Oklahoma by the Cherokee Nation during the Trail of Tears. They were a promise for tomorrow.”
Sunflower: “I grew that monster from a little seed. It’s bigger than I am.”
Cosmos flowers: “They’re wonderful and prolifically self-seeding. If you plant them, expect them to fall on the ground and make new ones next year. Which is great, if that’s what you want.”
Mulberry tree: “You can see the ground is littered with mulberries. They kind of taste like blackberry’s poor cousin came to town. They’re a little milder.”
Mulberry Jam
Families are enticed to bring buckets and pick as many mulberries as they can. Dworschak’s front and back yards are covered in the berries that fall to the ground from two towering trees. When folks wonder if they should collect so many, she assures them there are millions for the taking.
“They taste great if you make an easy jam. I didn’t even use pectin. I just put 6 cups mulberries, ¾ cup of sugar and a little bit of water on the stove. You cook it on low for a long time. It condenses, and you have an amazing jelly. I put it on top of ice cream and Oreos. It’s awesome,” she beamed.
Sourcing
Home Depot or ACE Hardware are where Dworschak buys her seeds when she’s not shopping her favorite online heirloom store, Baker Creek. “Any real gardener knows that the best source of seeds is other gardeners; it’s a networking community,” she chuckled.
Perennials on the property, like cannas and irises, keep dividing. “I’ve been able to thin them out and give them away as well,” Dworschak said. Her neighbors were pleased to give the tropical-looking plants new homes.
Mission Green Thumb
She loves demonstrating how easy it is to grow seeds from home: “Take toilet paper tubes, put them upright in a big salad container and fill with soil. Then soak dry chickpeas and kidney beans from the grocery store for 24 hours, and they sprout. Plant one in each tube, and in 3 to 5 days you should have seedlings! This is a kind of magic!”
Food Resources
Dworschak fosters a sense of unity with her Victory Garden effort, but it’s also about contributing to food security. Whether you need help or would like to contribute during COVID-19, there are great resources for free and reduced-price food, grocery delivery and farmers’ markets. Visit madness.design/COVID19 to learn more.
Follow her on Instagram @madness.design.atl where Dworschak will continue to post updates about new seed and plant drops. She posts in advance, so if there’s something you’d like to pick up, you’ll have notice: “Tomorrow at 8:30am, lots of kale and bell peppers,” for example.
Insider tip:She usually saves one of everything that she puts out for the inevitable person who arrives just a little too late. “It’s nice to be able to make someone’s day,” Dworschak said.
The Graphic Designer
I’ve planted the seed (wink) in Dworschak’s mind about creating a Peachtree Corners Neighborhoods Map. You may have seen her coveted urban chic Atlanta Neighborhoods Maps. We should have one for Peachtree Corners, don’t you agree?
Peachtree Corners resident, Alex Everett traveled to Italy this past September — not as a tourist but as an athlete. The 28-year-old accountant and liver transplant survivor, served as goalkeeper on Team USA as they competed in the first-ever Transplant Football World Cup.
The event — part of the larger World Transplant Games — promoted giving the gift of life through a week of connection and sportsmanship, showcasing how people with organ transplants can live a normal, active life.
“I first heard about the US Transplant World Cup team a few years ago through a social media post,” said Alex. “The first Transplant World Cup was originally going to take place in 2022 but was postponed due to the uncertainty around international travel and COVID. Fast forward to 2024 and Team USA had an interest meeting via Zoom to discuss details about the tournament and fielding the American team.”
Team USA
All together, they had 14 people from around the United States (hailing from Georgia, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, California and Hawaii) join the team, which traveled to Cervia, Italy in September to compete.
“There were 10 other countries that were represented in the World Cup, and we were split into two groups, one of five and one of six,” Alex explained.
“It was an incredible experience representing the US at an international level, competing against other transplant recipients from around the world. We not only were able to share our passion for soccer but also our stories of transplantation and what obstacles we had to overcome to be where we were.”
Coming together to compete
Team USA played well in their matches but placed 9th out of the 11 teams. Because players came from all over the country to join the team, they hadn’t had the opportunity to practice together — or even meet in person — before the tournament started.
“The first time we met face to face and kick a ball as a team was our first game against France,” said Alex. “While that outcome was not what we wanted, we progressively got better as the tournament went on. Eventually ending with a win in a penalty shoot-out against Wales and a normal time win in our final game against Northern Ireland.”
“It was an incredible experience, and I would highly recommend anyone who’s involved with transplantation to reach out and get involved with not only Team USA but also with the Transplant Games of America (TGA), which is an Olympic-style competition for people who have received transplants or living donors,” he added.
Most states in the US have their own TGA team, including one here in Georgia.
World Transplant Games 2025
The next World Transplant Games will be held in Dresden, Germany on August 17-24, 2025.
Over six days, athletes and teams from 60 countries will meet to compete in 17 different sports. The US Team is excited to be part of it again and are currently looking for more players interested in taking part.
Leave a lasting legacy
Alex is also involved with the Peachtree Corners-based organization LifeLink® of Georgia, a division of the LifeLink® Foundation.
Established over 40 years ago, the foundation’s mission is to inspire new organ donor registrations and celebrate those who have decided to save lives as a registered organ, eye or tissue donor. The mission is carried out locally through education programs and community awareness campaigns.
Earlier this year, LifeLink of Georgia launched The Infinity Campaign, a state-wide educational effort aimed at motivating and registering new organ donors. The campaign is represented by the infinity symbol, to demonstrate the lasting impact of organ and tissue donation.
About LifeLink of Georgia
LifeLink of Georgia partners with hospitals to support and guide families as they establish their loved one’s legacy through organ and tissue donation.
They carry out the decisions of registered donors or their families and honor the life of each donor by providing organs and tissue for transplant to as many patients as possible.
In 2023, 457 men, women and children gifted a legacy of life through organ donation with LifeLink of Georgia, yet there are still nearly 3,000 patients in the state awaiting an organ transplant and thousands more that could benefit from tissue transplantation.
“When you become an organ donor, your life story continues through the lives you save, ensuring that your legacy lives on indefinitely,” says Katie Payne, executive director, LifeLink of Georgia. “Life is an invaluable treasure, a lesson we learn anew each day from our donor families. Thanks to their generosity, LifeLink of Georgia saves thousands of lives every year, and we are deeply honored to continue this extraordinary mission.”
The Infinity Campaign
The Infinity Campaign features a series of real stories from registered donors, each telling what inspired them to register and emphasizing the effect this decision has on saving lives. By sharing these stories, LifeLink aims to motivate more people to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and spread the message of hope and life.
“The decision to become a donor was deeply personal. It is an opportunity to give the ultimate gift — the gift of life,” said Adán Bean. “I get to continue to tell the story for others, be a little bit of ink in their pen and help them write what they want to write.”
As part of the launch, LifeLink has created the website mystorycontinues.com, which spotlights stories from donors and recipients and offers innovative tools, including the opportunity to upload a photo to share your support and spread the word on social media about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation.
Become a donor
Being a donor is an incredible way for individuals to make a difference and have an impact on the lives of others. One organ, eye and tissue donor can potentially save or improve the lives of more than 75 people.
The need for organ and tissue donors is greater now than ever, given the growing numbers of people on transplant wait lists and increasing numbers of people with diabetes and kidney disease.
Currently, there are about 3,000 people in Georgia on the organ transplant list and thousands more on the tissue transplant list.
There are several simple ways to register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor:
- Visit mystorycontinues.com and sign up today.
- Register when renewing or receiving a driver’s license or identification card at the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
- Register when obtaining a hunting or fishing license through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
For more about LifeLink of Georgia, visit lifelinkfoundation.org/our-story/#llgeorgia.
New experiences await at this season’s Walk Through Bethlehem
An annual must-see holiday event, Walk Through Bethlehem, presented by Simpsonwood United Methodist Church, will take place over three evenings, December 13–15.
With 1,200 luminaries, Simpsonwood Park is transformed into Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth. After being welcomed by live camels and a census taker, visitors are invited to interact with shopkeepers and witness a live nativity.
Visitors can also enjoy a fire with stories from shepherds, pet live animals and watch as wisemen bring gifts to baby Jesus.
Before your journey ends, enjoy a photo opportunity with a Roman Guard and hot chocolate and cookies.
The details
Walk Through Bethlehem transforms several acres of Simpsonwood Park into Bethlehem Village on the night of Jesus’ birth. After being welcomed by live camels and a census taker, visitors are invited to interact with shopkeepers, witness a live nativity and watch as wisemen bring gifts to baby Jesus.
The special holiday event is presented by Simpsonwood United Methodist Church with the help of more than 300 community volunteers.
What to expect
- 1,200 luminaries welcoming guests to Bethlehem
- Live camels and Roman guards at Bethlehem’s entrance
- Shopkeepers in costume interacting with guests
- Interactive village with more than 12 individual shops
- Animal petting area with donkeys, sheep and more
- Shepherds sharing stories around a fire
- Live nativity with wisemen bringing gifts
- Attendees donating canned goods to Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries
- Attendees enjoying hot chocolate and cookies
Make plans to attend
Dates and hours
- Friday, December 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, December 14, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 15, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Simpsonwood Park, 4511 Jones Bridge Cir NW, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
FREE admission; accepting canned food donations for Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries.
For more information, visit simpsonwoodumc.org/walk-through-bethlehem.
The Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA) awarded a check for $500 to the United Way of Greater Atlanta (Gwinnett County) at their Business After Hours networking event in November.
The local organization was chosen by PCBA’s Outreach Committee because of their commitment to providing assistance and bettering the lives of children within the community.
United Way of Greater Atlanta
The mission of United Way of Greater Atlanta is to engage and bring together people and resources to drive sustainable and equitable improvements in the well-being of children, families and individuals in local communities.
“Greater Atlanta is one of the most vibrant regions in the country, but the region has significant barriers to realizing its potential in the future because of its continued ranking at the bottom of the list of metro areas in income mobility,” stated Vanessa Roussell, United Way senior director of corporate relations.
“Children born in low-income households have only a 4% chance of getting out of poverty in their lifetime,” she continued. “We at United Way of Greater Atlanta don’t like those odds. Our work is about changing them so that children — regardless of where they’re born — have the chance to realize their potential and build lives that sustain themselves, their families and their communities.
Assessing needs within the county
The organization’s goal is to help every child unlock their full potential, by improving education, healthcare, resources and economic mobility in the communities where they live. Their “every child program” includes every child in Gwinnett.
Based on the 2023 census track for Gwinnett County, 94,308 people living in Gwinnett County are at risk, particularly in and around Sugar Hill/Buford, Duluth, Norcross, Lawrenceville, Lilburn and Snellville. The highest-need residents are located in the I-85 corridor, mainly around Duluth, Norcross and Lilburn.
Giving back to support the community
“The PCBA is proud to donate a check for $500 to United Way of Greater Atlanta (Gwinnett County),” said PCBA President, Lisa Proctor. “Our outreach committee and board are committed to supporting our community, and investing in the well-being of the children in our community aligns with our core principles. We know that our dollars will be targeted to help those at highest risk … We are glad to have the local Gwinnett chapter located right in our community.”
Funds for the PCBA Community Outreach Program are raised throughout the year from PCBA membership, sponsorship and an annual charity event. Donations and scholarships are awarded at their monthly events so that members have the opportunity to learn more about the community organizations and their programs.
Over the past 12 years, the PCBA has awarded 19 scholarships to outstanding graduating high school seniors and donated in excess of $165,500 back into the community.
About Peachtree Corners Business Association
“Where businesses come to grow,” the Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA) is a business membership organization that focuses on innovative approaches, programs, shared resources, community outreach and opportunities for member businesses and professionals to connect, develop, grow and prosper.
The PCBA is made up of businesses of all sizes and types who want to expand their reach and grow their business within Peachtree Corners and the greater metro Atlanta area.
For more information visit peachtreecornersba.com.
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