Despite being the shortest month of the year, February 2023 is big and busy for our Tucker. First, America sets aside the month of February as Black History Month, a time to celebrate and honor the Black community, its culture and contributions. For the past few years, City of Tucker staff and elected officials have worked closely with the Peters Park community on beautification projects generously funded from former DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester. Through this partnership the neighborhood has received sign toppers for the street signs, street trees along Elmdale Drive, and three gateway signs. Also during this time, the city has renovated Peters Park itself, added brand new playground equipment (one of the very best playgrounds in the city), installed new sidewalks for connectivity to other parts of Tucker, cleared dilapidated buildings, and provided advanced new security measures in and around the community. In conjunction with Black History Month, we will have an official unveiling this month of the new signage and celebrate all the great new additions and improvements to the area.
Valentine’s Day is also a highlight of February, and one of the ways we celebrate here in the City is with our seniors at the annual Valentine’s Day luncheon and dance. This event has already become an annual favorite with our staff at the Tucker Recreation Center and our residents as they enjoy a catered lunch and music on February 14. Tickets are only $10 and are available at Tucker Recreation Center.
And starting on Fat Tuesday, February 21, let the good times roll for Tucker’s third annual Tucker Restaurant Week! The week is longer and the participation is bigger with some really amazing specials. You can read more details later in this issue of InTucker.
Our first segment of the Tucker Trail has been completed and we will celebrate with a Ribbon Cutting on February 27, which coincides with the launch of our healthy follow-up to Tucker Restaurant Week. Last year, my wife Gaye and I ate at every single participating restaurant during Tucker Restaurant Week – 17 restaurants in five days! It was awesome, but there was an obvious price to be paid for so much good eating We only half-jokingly said that the next week would have to be fitness week – and that’s exactly what we’ll do this year! Tucker Fit Week will take place February 27 through March 5. Gaye and I will see you on one of the many trails throughout our beautiful city parks, and visiting the various options made available by the city and by our fitness community for balancing the joy of eating well with the joy of fitness.
February is also my birthday month, and while it is typical that the person is celebrated on their birthday, I want to celebrate and express gratitude to God, my family and my community. I am so grateful to have been born in this time, in this country and to live in this Tucker community with my wife, family and friends. Thank you for what you do to make it a great place to Live, Work, Play and Pray.
