Atlanta Branch English Speaking Union of the United States

Dear Member:
�The Officers and Directors of The English-Speaking Union, Atlanta Branch
Cordially invite you to the Annual Garden Party
�At the Residence of His Majesty’s Consul General, Rachel Galloway
�1320 Beechwood Hills Court, NW, Atlanta, GA 30327
Saturday, April 18, 2026
4:00-6:00 PM

Cocktail Reception
Guests Welcome
Toast to the King
Toast to the President
$45-Member/$55-Guest
Please register by going to this link:
https://www.esuus.org/atlanta/annual-garden-party-registration/
Or by mailing a check to Adam Ogburn at 2229 Adler Dr. NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319
�Please RSVP promptly to ensure online payment or check received by Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
�Please note: Consul General Rachel Galloway has completed her term in Atlanta, and we would like to thank her for her generous support of our Atlanta branch.

Questions to [email protected].

Dear Member,
�
Thank you to everyone who attended the January 17th SCADFASH tour of the incredible Andre Leon Talley fashion collection. Our excellent docent, and current SCAD fashion student, provided lots of detailed insight to the collection and to Mr. Talley. Following the tour, we had lunch at Cafe Lapin at Peachtree Battle. If you missed going with our group, the exhibition is on view to March 1, 2026.
�February features our annual Shakespeare Competition. Randy and Diane Brannen, chairs of the Shakespeare Competition Committee, come through every year with an enthusiastic group of high school student participants. They joyfully give their time and leadership skills in service to our branch to help these students, teachers, and parents prepare for the competition. Competition day is Saturday, February 21st, beginning at noon. The event is free and held at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, 499 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. Please plan to join us to help give these students a large and receptive audience.
�Upcoming Programs:
�ESU Atlanta Shakespeare Competition
Saturday, February 21 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Join us at the 2026 Atlanta ESU Shakespeare Competition: https://www.esuus.org/atlanta/what-we-do/shakespeare-competition/
�The competition will take place at the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern at 499 Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta, GA 30308.
�All lovers of the Bard are invited to attend this free event.
�Snacks and drinks will be provided at intermission.
�Reluctant Rebels: Georgia in the Revolution
Tuesday, March 10 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Cathedral of St. Philip
2744 Peachtree Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30305
Gould Room
�Carter J. Wood, a member of the Lyman Hall
Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution,
joins us to discuss the Georgia colony
and the beginnings of the American Revolution.
Reception to Follow
Free
�Other events are in the planning stage and will be finalized soon, including our Annual Garden Party. Hooray for Spring!
�If you have not done so, please Renew your ESU Atlanta membership. ESU National continues to refine the join/renewal process and in the meantime provide two renewal/join options. Membership may be renewed online HERE: https://www.esuus.org/get-involved/become-a-member/atlanta-branch/
or if you prefer to pay by check, use the Atlanta Membership FORM attached at the end of this email.
�Complete the form, make your check payable to ESU National noting Atlanta membership on memo line, and mail to English-Speaking Union, Attn: DeAndre Short, 144 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016. A membership in ESU Atlanta would be a great gift to family and friends for any occasion, and one that opens doors to entertaining and educational programs, supports lifelong learning, and features delicious cucumber sandwiches and sparkling wine!
�Find us online at ESU Atlanta: https://www.esuus.org/atlanta/
�Your support and dedication to ESU Atlanta adds great value to all of our activities. We look forward to seeing you and your guests at our upcoming programs.
�Please contact me with suggestions and comments.
�Kind Regards,
�
Johnnie Zarzeka
ESU Atlanta President
706-614-2888

Atlanta Branch The English-Speaking Union’s diverse educational programs are the hallmark of our mission. Our programs highlight the broad base audience we serve—students, educators, English-language learners, new immigrants, and members.

Dear Member,

Expanding minds and strengthening connections to our community serves as a part of the mission of the English-Speaking Union, and the Atlanta branch has been busy these past few months doing just that. We've increased our knowledge of American Revolutionary War history, focused on art and artists and their impact on our world, listened to beautiful music at a historic venue, recognized our Tlab scholars, and celebrated this joyous holiday season. Thank you for being a part of these experiences, and making ESU Atlanta a memorable part of your life.

As we move forward in 2026, we hope you'll join us at our upcoming programs. During January we have a visit to SCAD planned, and February features our annual Shakespeare Competition. Read more about these opportunities below.

ESU Atlanta
Coming Attractions

Saturday, January 17
SCAD Fashion Museum Tour
11 AM-12 PM, Arrive at museum lobby by 10:45 AM
SCAD
1600 Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
Free parking in deck behind main SCAD building

Docent led tour of Andre Leon Talley Exhibition
ESU Atlanta Group Tour Free, Guests welcome
PLEASE RSVP [email protected], text 706-614-2888
If you wish, meet-up for lunch afterward.

Saturday, February 21
Shakespeare Competition
Begins 12 Noon---

Shakespeare Tavern
499 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30808

Come support our participants at this great community educational event.
Details to follow.
Reception

Your support and dedication to ESU Atlanta adds great value to all of our activities. We look forward to seeing you and your guests at our upcoming programs.

Renew your ESU Atlanta membership at

https://www.esuus.org/get-involved/become-a-member/atlanta-branch/

and look for a renewal information email from ESU DeAndre Short. If you do not wish to renew online, please email me for additional information about paying by check.

Find us online at https://www.esuus.org/atlanta/

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events, and don't forget to RSVP me for the SCAD tour.
Please contact me with suggestions and comments.

Kind Regards,

Johnnie Zarzeka
ESU Atlanta President
706-614-2888

Atlanta Branch The English-Speaking Union’s diverse educational programs are the hallmark of our mission. Our programs highlight the broad base audience we serve—students, educators, English-language learners, new immigrants, and members.

Dear Member,

I hope you were able to join on Sunday, November 9, for the Remembrance Day tea hosted by the British Consul General, Rachel Galloway. This moving remembrance honored all fallen soldiers and recognized The Poppy Lady, Moina Michael, a native of Good Hope (near Monroe), Georgia. The Tea was followed on Tuesday, November 11, with a spirited recognition of the role of women in art history presented by Spalding Nix in the Gould Room at St. Philip.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving and this season of gratitude, I want to acknowledge how much your presence enhances our programs and events. Your support and dedication to ESU Atlanta adds great value to all of our activities. I look forward to seeing you and your guests at our upcoming programs.

ESU Atlanta Coming Attractions

Tuesday, December 2 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Spelman College: Taste of Christmas 440 Westview Drive, SW Atlanta, GA 30310

A Taste of Christmas is a one-hour sampling of Spelman favorites from the annual Spelman-Morehouse Christmas Carol Concert presented by the Spelman College Glee Club. Perfect sneak peek opportunity!
Driving directions and a campus map can be found online.

The following are details graciously provided by Aalliyah Deere and Onnesty Peele, managers of the Spelman College Glee Club. I have added some comments specific to our group.

A Taste of Christmas will take place on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, at 11:00 AM EST in Sisters Chapel at Spelman College. The doors will open at 10:30 AM. The concert will conclude at 12:00 PM.

Ticketing & Parking
There are no tickets for A Taste of Christmas. I have reserved seats at no cost for our group. You MUST RSVP to [email protected] by November 26th to confirm your attendance.

Parking will be available in the Spelman College parking deck for $3.00. Please note that school is in session, and parking is limited. It is advised to arrive early, if possible. If you would like to carpool from the Kroger parking lot on Howell Mill Rd via Northside Drive to Spelman, please email me at [email protected].

Lunch/Food Options
There will be a pre- paid lunch in the Suites Cafe, upstairs at Manley Hall. If you would like to participate in this lunch you will need to email spelman@cafebonappetit or call at 404-681-3648. When you call or email, explain that you want to pay for the lunch after A Taste of Christmas. The meal will be $19.00 per person. Other food options are the retail services in Lower Manley (First floor) which include Starbucks, Slutty Vegan, Sushi, and Deli Sandwiches.

Please email Aalliyah Deere and Onnesty Peele (757-377-7337) at [email protected] if you have any further questions.

Tuesday, December 9 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Program: Holiday Gathering
2025 Tlab Scholars
Gould Room, St. Philip Cathedral
2744 Peachtree Road NW
Atlanta, GA 30305
Holiday Reception
Saturday, January 17 11am-12pm Arrive by 10:45
ScadFash Tour
1600 Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
Docent led tour of
Andre Leon Talley Exhibition ESU Atlanta Group Tour Free to Members RSVP [email protected]

Saturday, February 21, 2026 Starts at 12 Noon Atlanta ESU
Shakespeare Competition
Shakespeare Tavern
499 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30808
Come support our participants! Details to follow

Stay in Touch
Find us online at ESU Atlanta.

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events. Please contact me with suggestions and comments.

Kind Regards,
Johnnie Zarzeka
President
ESU Atlanta
706-614-2888

The Officers and Directors of The English-Speaking Union, Atlanta Branch

Cordially invite Members to a Remembrance Day Tea
At the Residence of His Majesty’s Consul General
Rachel Galloway

Sunday, November 9, 2025
3:00 – 5:00 PM (Updated Time Change)

RSVP by November 2, 2025, to 404-355-1945. Address to be provided upon reservation. ☕

Dear Member:

Spalding Nix: Art Historian and Gallerist

November 11 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Gould Room, St. Philip Cathedral
2744 Peachtree Road NW
Atlanta, GA 30305
Reception to Follow

Speaker: Spalding Nix
Topic: Women In Art History: Overcoming Conditions & Customs

That centuries of women artists have created professional, provocative, and appealing work is no longer a well-kept secret. Nonetheless, there are still many discoveries to be made, as Spalding Nix chronicles nearly ten centuries of women artists, from the embroiderers of the Bayeaux Tapestry to the Guerrilla Girls.

Kind regards,

Johnnie Zarzeka
President
ESU Atlanta Branch
706-614-2888

The Officers and Directors of The English-Speaking Union, Atlanta Branch

Cordially invite you to its September General Membership Meeting.

Patrick Allitt, Ph.D., Speaker
Emory University Cahoon Family Professor of American History
The British View of the American Revolution

Ansley Golf Club
196 Montgomery Ferry Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Sunday, September 21, 2025, 11:30 AM

Dr. Patrick Allitt is Cahoon Family Professor of American History. He was an undergraduate at Oxford in England (1974-1977), a graduate student at the University of California Berkeley (Ph.D., 1986), and held postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard Divinity School and Princeton University. At Emory since 1988, he teaches courses on American intellectual, environmental, and religious history, on Victorian Britain, and on the Great Books.

Please RSVP NLT 9/17 by check to ESU for $55/member and $60/guest to Adam Ogburn at 2229 Adler Drive, NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319. Send questions to [email protected].

The Officers and Directors of the
The English-Speaking Union, Atlanta Branch
Cordially invite you to its
General Membership Meeting

Annual General Meeting
Short Program and Reception
Election of 2025-2026 Officers and Directors

Cathedral of St. Philip, Gould Room
2744 Peachtree Rd, NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 5:00-7:00 PM

Join us for a short program and reception at the Atlanta Branch Annual General Meeting, including the election of 2025-2026 Officers and Directors. For further information, please email Johnnie Zarzeka at [email protected].

The Officers and Directors of the English-Speaking Union, Atlanta Branch,
cordially invite you to the Annual Garden Party at the Residence of His Majesty’s Consul General, Rachel Galloway.

1320 Beechwood Hills Court, NW
Atlanta, GA 30327
Saturday, May 3, 2025
3:00-6:00 PM

Questions to [email protected]
Cocktail Reception
Toast to the King
Toast to the President
Guests Welcome
Complimentary Shuttle
$45-Member/$55-Guest

Please register by going to this link: https://lnkd.in/e-bBcR2G or by mailing a check to Adam Ogburn at 2229 Adler Dr. NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319.

The Officers and Directors of The English-Speaking Union, Atlanta Branch cordially invite you to the April General Membership Meeting.

Featuring Bill Fisher, Officer and Founder of Winston Churchill Society of Georgia Background of the Battle of Britain, the Blitz Attacks, and V-1 and V-2 Attacks and Recollections from Fay Selvage and Edna Berkshire

Cathedral of St. Philip, Gould Room
2744 Peachtree Rd, NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 5:00-7:00 PM

Join us for a special presentation from Bill Fisher, Officer and Founder of the Winston Churchill Society of Georgia who will join us with a short introductory presentation to set the stage for a panel discussion with esteemed members, Fay Selvage and Edna Berkshire, as they reflect on the challenges of living in the suburbs of London, England, during World War II. Mr. Fisher will provide a knowledgeable background of the Battle of Britain, the Blitz, and the V-1 and V-2 Attacks. Guests Welcome. For further information, please email Johnnie Zarzeka at [email protected].

The Officers and Directors of the The English-Speaking Union, Atlanta Branch
Cordially invite you to the General Membership Meeting

Featuring John King, President, Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA)
"Jane Austen and You"

Cathedral of St. Philip, Room 316 (Upstairs)
2744 Peachtree Rd, NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 4:00-6:00 PM

The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) is an organization that promotes and appreciates Jane Austen’s works and life. JASNA was founded in 1979 and has members in the United States and Canada. JASNA members receive a newsletter and annual journal, as well as numerous programs for all individuals who enjoy the renowned author. Reception to follow. Guests Welcome. For further information, please email Johnnie Zarzeka at [email protected].

The Officers and Directors of the
The English-Speaking Union, Atlanta Branch

Cordially invite you to the Annual Shakespeare Competition

Shakespeare Tavern Theatre
499 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Saturday, February 22, 2025, 12:00-3:00 PM

High School students read, analyze, perform, and recite Shakespearean monologues and sonnets in three qualifying stages: School, ESU Branch, and National. The Atlanta winner advances to the National competition in New York City, New York, before a distinguished panel of judges, as well as their fellow contestants from across the country. Based on their performances, seven to ten students advance to the final round for an opportunity for cash prizes and attendance in a summer drama program. Guests Welcome. For further information, please email Johnnie Zarzeka at [email protected].