Forsyth Herald - April 5, 2018

A p r i l 5 , 2 0 1 8 | Fo r s y t h H e r a l d . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 1 , N o . 1 4

Potential SPLOST 8 projects discussed ►►PAGE 4

Local firefighter heroes honored ►►PAGE 7

Taste of Forsyth brings food, families together ►►PAGE 10

KATHLEEN STURGEON/HERALD

Creative Enterprises gives special needs adults a sense of purpose Creative Enterprises Forsyth gives local adults with disabilities a chance to meet friends, have a job and have a purpose in life. Story page 11.

Northpoint Mall sells for $15 billion ►►PAGE 12

LISTEN TO THE LATEST PODCAST Black Box and Appen Media Group are thrilled to announce the launch of “Inside the Box” podcast.

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2 | April 5, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

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Man arrested for allegedly bringing weapon to school 770-442-3278 | ForsythHerald.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A man was arrested March 13 for reportedly bringing a weapon to a local school.

Deputies were dispatched to the Montessori Academy on Old Atlanta Road for a suspicious person call.

When they arrived, they confronted Lucky Benhur Huynh, 22, of Coving-

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Officials arrest clerk for alleged lottery fraud FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A clerk at a local gas station on Browns Bridge Road was arrested after reportedly keeping a winning lottery ticket.

An investigator with the Georgia Lottery Corporation said they were conducting undercover customer compliance checks. At this location, he gave the 54-year-old clerk two scratch off tickets to be checked to see if they were winners.

The investigator already knew one didn’t win anything and the other had a payout of $1,000, and the clerk should have directed him to go to the Georgia Lottery Headquarters to get it cashed and get the ticket back.

Instead, the clerk told him the winning ticket was for $5 and gave him the money while keeping the winning $1,000 ticket.

After the investigator confronted her, the clerk said she was confused and scared of him and that’s why she gave him $5.

She added that the “machine told her to give him the $5,” according to a report.

ton, Georgia, who told deputies he went to the school to ask for some water. He said he was part of a landscaping crew hired next door when he felt ill and had no water.

Deputies asked if he had any weapons or knives and he consented to a search.

The deputy found a set of brass knuckles on Huynh.

An employee at the school said

Huynh entered the building and refused to leave after being asked to step outside.

According to the report, the employee said the man placed his foot in between the door to keep it from closing.

He was arrested for criminal trespass, carrying a weapon without a license and carrying a weapon without a license in a school safety zone.

The investigator will be taking out felony warrant for making, altering, forging or counterfeiting lottery tickets.

19 to report that the woman had been scammed out of $90,000 since February.

The woman had been called on her house phone in late February by someone claiming to be her granddaughter.

The caller claimed that she was in trouble and needed the woman to help her.

The woman said she believed the caller because they said they were in a North Carolina city, where her granddaughter works.

Over the course of the next few weeks, the woman sent the caller $90,000 by purchasing gift cards, sending wire transfers and setting aside cash for someone to pick up.

The caller also convinced the woman to change her home phone number.

The victim provided receipts from all of the wire transfers and purchases to police and said her actual granddaughter would be available to speak.

Two people arrested for attempted break-ins FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Two unknown people were caught trying to break into parked cars at the Walmart on Browns Bridge Road recently.

A woman called the Sheriff’s Office saying she was in her car parked toward the back of the lot when a white female attempted to open her car door.

A white man was with the woman. The caller said she was sleeping in her car during her break when the incident occurred.

She woke up when the handle was touched and the two suspects retreated to their car and drove to the other side of the lot.

She watched them carry out the same actions multiple times on other cars, then went into the store to check security cameras. She watched the vehicle go around the lot repeating the same action then called 911.

Local business reports vandals damaged windows FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A local business reported that an unknown person shot out the windows on the building over the past two weeks.

The owner said when he and his employees would come to work on Spot Road, there would be damage to the windows from some sort of firearm or BB gun.

A deputy found a small metal sphere that appeared larger than a bird shot, the smallest size of shot for a firearm, but smaller than a BB gun.

The damage totaled at least $2,000 to replace the windows, the owner said.

Woman conned out of $90,000 JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A woman and her daughter met with police March

Thief steals iPad delivered to apartment JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A man reported March 20 that an iPad he had ordered online had been delivered to his apartment door but someone had taken it before he could retrieve it.

UPS showed the packaged as delivered that day, but the iPad was not at the man’s door. When he checked the nearby garbage bins, he found an empty shipping box for his iPad with the matching serial number for his order.

The man also found a student ID for a student who attends Johns Creek High School in the garbage. He took the ID to the leasing office to ask about the student.

The office said they would not return the ID to the man because the student is a minor.

After police left the apartment, officers received a call from the man’s neighbor.

The neighbor said that earlier that day he had heard a bang on his door, and when he looked outside, he saw a “young man” walking off. When the neighbor opened the door, he found an empty box by his door. He threw it out.

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018 | 3

4 | April 5, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

NEWS

Commission considers potential sales tax projects

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County is drawing up a list of projects it wants to tackle if residents approve a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax this November.

The tax would generate millions in revenue for the county, with a share going to the City of Cumming.

Right now, a preliminary list includes road widening projects, a completed Greenway trail, an updated senior center, new water lines and a new library.

Beginning in 1987, a five-year referendum was approved by voters for a special 1 percent sales and use tax in Forsyth County. Since then, residents have voted to renew the tax seven times, most recently in 2011, for six years beginning in July 2013, and ending June 2019.

Half of the dollars for SPLOST 7 went toward the new Forsyth County Courthouse and Forsyth County Jail.

Other portions of the proceeds went to transportation projects and facilities, and a share went to the City of Cumming.

Now, the county is in the process of making and finalizing a list of projects for SPLOST 8, if it passes in a referendum in November.

At a March 28 special called meeting, the commission went through data for the project lists from county departments to learn more.

The county will dive deeper into the information, meet with city officials and work on finalizing the list before the November vote. A town hall meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 12 at the

Administration Building, 110 East Main Street. After that, the board will present a more accurate list of projects in an effort to have it finalized this summer.

County Manager Eric Johnson said this timeline should give the public ample opportunity to have their voices heard and some wiggle room should anything go awry before November.

“We want to make sure everything goes according to plan,” Johnson said.

“If this expires in 2019, we’d have to dig to find funding for the projects. We’re not asking for a new tax, but a continuation for something that’s been in place for decades. It’s important to not have a gap so we don’t have to deal with programs that have counted on this.”

The current, preliminary list was drawn from 10 public input meetings held over the past couple of months.

A summary of those meetings showed residents preferred allocating the largest portion of the revenue – 33 percent – to transportation projects, followed by parks and recreation with 13 percent, the Sheriff’s Office at 10 percent, Fire Department at 9 percent, senior services at 7 percent, water and sewer with 6 percent, recycling and solid waste at 5 percent, libraries at 5 percent, facilities at 5 percent and animal services at 3 percent.

Major projects identified for the next SPLOST include: • Transportation: bike/pedestrian paths, widening Bagley Road, improving intersections, widening James Burgess Road, widening McFarland Parkway, widening Old Alpharetta Road, resurfacing pavements including subdivision streets.

• Parks and Recreation: Com-

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A town hall meeting is scheduled to discuss the proposed projects: • 6 p.m. April 12 • Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Suite 220, in the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 East Main Street • During this town hall, public comment will be allowed. The normal Board of Commissioners public comment rules will receive adherence.

• Citizens wishing to speak during the town hall will be required to sign in on forms provided.

• Citizens may have up to three minutes to speak depending on the number of speakers.

• The Board of Commissioners reserves the right to modify the public comment format at this town hall to ensure an orderly and productive assembly.

• •

pleting Big Creek Greenway, Bennett Park renovation, Coal Mountain Park improvements, greenspace acquisition, Matt Community Park Phase 2, improvements at Midway Park, new Aquatic Center in South Forsyth, new parks in east and southwest Forsyth, Sawnee Mountain Preserve improvements, Sharon Springs Park renovation Sheriff’s Office: body worn camera, vehicle replacement, creating a West Precinct Fire Department: land purchase for a training center, fire station alerting system, hazardous material unit, heavy rescue unit, burn building training center, mobile command unit, training tower, emergency vehicle operations course, fire/rescue vessel, moto maintenance, logistics and supply, classrooms/auditorium,

hook and ladder aerial, offices/ storage, pump test facility, safety village, pressurized container, liquid fuel fire simulator, storage yard • Senior Services: senior wing at Matt Park Rec Center, new Charles Place Senior Center • Water and Sewer: new water lines • Facilities: construct, renovate and/or replace facilities including The Lodge, Courthouse Annex and the Public Safety Complex • Libraries: Fowler Road Library in southwest Forsyth, Matt Park Library in northwest Forsyth • Recycling and solid waste: new recycling convenience center • Animal Services: animal shelter dog runs, mobile adoption unit and veterinary clinic To learn more, visit forsythco.com/ Departments-Offices/Finance/SPLOST.

City changes trash, recycling services

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — Cumming has changed its trash pickup and recycling services available to residents.

After a City Council vote in March, Red Oak Sanitation has been selected to provide trash pickup to those living within the city limits beginning the first week of April. Customers will receive a 95-gallon trash cart prior to the service start-up.

This will save the city roughly $160,000 a year, but will not increase customer prices.

“Those savings go a long way in sending out our three big trucks we

use, six employees and dump fees,” Mayor Troy Brumbalow said. “It’s helping us absorb the cost.”

Residents can add recycling services at an extra cost by contacting Red Oak. That service will be available beginning the week of May 1. It will not include glass recycling.

Contact Red Oak at 678-455-7819 or info@redoaksanitation.com. For more information on the new programs, visit cityofcumming.net.

Weekly curbside recycling services has been a constant debate for the city for months.

In November, the council voted to

See RECYCLING, Page 25

NEWS

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018 | 5

County looks into updating residential design standards

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County is calling on the public to help formulate residential design standards.

The county is looking to establish parameters for the county’s three types of single-family zoning districts including for subdivisions and neighborhoods, along with age-restricted housing for those over the age of 55.

Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development Vanessa Bernstein-Goldman said development of new design and performance standards for the zoning districts, called Res2, Res3 and Res4, was an identified task within the Comprehensive Plan’s Community Work Program, adopted by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners in 2017.

Next, the consultant team will analyze the public input and draft a working document which will be discussed and open for further public input at an open house at 6 p.m. April 18 at the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main Street.

“Any project in the community work program was seen as an avenue to pursue the Comprehensive Plan vision,” Bernstein-Goldman said. “It was the Comprehensive Plan process that indicated that design for these districts was important to the community.”

The county is beginning the process of creating new design standards for those zoning districts and wants public

input to assist in formulating a vision for future residential development in the county.

“That work program identifies discreet projects that will assist with the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan,” Bernstein-Goldman said. “We received direction from our Board of Commissioners to review this particular project.”

Bernstein-Goldman and her staff reached out and created a contract with TSW consulting team. Design standards under consideration include exterior materials, windows, building orientation to street, building scale and disposition on lot, parking configuration, site design, connectivity and walkability, landscaping, open space, lighting and accessory structures.

“Part of what actually is going to be part of the standards will be determined during the engagement process,” she said. “The actual standards may not include everything suggested.”

Two meetings were held in the past few weeks to get an idea of what the public is looking for in terms of standards.

“We wanted to see what community concerns are out there,” BernsteinGoldman said. “We’re still in assessment phase of the scope of what would potentially be included. We felt these would be likely standards that we’d look at. The public engagement process is to confirm the types of residential design components that are of concern to the community.”

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Forsyth County honors firefighters, citizens

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — For Amy Dykes, the mother of 4-year-old Carter, some of her heroes are her neighbors in Forsyth County.

Last May, Carter was found at the bottom of a neighborhood swimming pool. Thanks to Lt. Todd Sliger, Sgt. Billy Bean, firefighter Kevin M. Woodall, along with 14-year-old bystanders Meagan Byrne and Emily York, Carter is alive today and doing well.

Carter often has playdates with Byrne and York, but Dykes said the family hadn’t met the first responders yet.

“It was nice to meet them and thank them,” Dykes said. “We weren’t there when it happened. It’s a huge blessing we have such an amazing group of individuals who are willing to spend their time and talents with others. They’ve been trained and have the knowledge of what’s needed. It’s wonderful to make a phone call and they’ll be there within minutes, and that’s definitely what he needed. We couldn’t be more blessed to have them help. It’s a major part of him being alive today.”

That group and other local heroes

KATHLEEN STURGEON/HERALD

Carter, 4, hugs one of the first responders who saved his life last summer after he nearly drowned in a pool.

were honored March 29 at the annual awards and promotional ceremony by the Forsyth County Fire Department at the Central Park Recreation Center.

Division Chief Jason Shivers led the

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“Annually, the Forsyth County Fire Department reviews incidents of significance that have been nominated for particular acts of heroism or actions that result in a life saved,” Shivers said. “Additionally, teamwork being the hallmark of the American fire service, specific incidents that result in decisive and extraordinary efforts by a company are reviewed for unit citation awards.”

At this year’s event, four life saved awards and four unit citation awards were given out.

Other awards included: • Unit Citation: Lt. Josh Brown, Sgt. Robert Kaley, firefighter Christopher Estrada, firefighter Mathew Johnson, firefighter Randy Wright, firefighter Anthony DiMercurio • Unit Citation: Lt. Kevin O’Connell, Sgt. Stanley Moore, firefighter Neil Jurceka, Lt. Josh Brown, Sgt. Clint Lively, firefighter Christopher Estrada, firefighter Mathew Johnson, firefighter Randy Wright, firefighter Anthony DiMercurio, Lt. Jarrett Jenkins, Lt. Greg Chapman • Unit Citation: Lt. Jeremy Hamilton, Sgt. David M. Cody, firefighter Dillian Stow, Battalion Chief Justin Suggs, Chief Mechanic Mathew Suggs • Unit Citation: Lt. Jarrett Jenkins, Lt. John Weisgerber II, Sgt. Glen Everett, Sgt. Jeff Weaver • Life saved: Lt. Amanda Gardner, firefighter Christopher Smith, firefighter Patrick Browne • Life saved: Sgt. Billy Bean, firefighter Helmut Fisher, firefighter James Kimbrough • Life saved: Lt. Todd Sliger, Sgt. Billy Bean, firefighter Kevin M.

Woodall • Life saved: Sgt. Lance Leuliette, firefighter Hanna Coleman, firefighter Robert Still • Citizen Life Saved Award: Meagan Bryne, Emily York and Erin Jackson Additionally, four promotions were given to: • Deputy Fire Marshall Steve Melton Baker was promoted to the rank of division chief, fire marshal.

• Fire Inspector, Sr. Edward Walter Siggelkow was promoted to the rank of deputy fire marshal.

• Fire Inspector Tony Lynn Holbrook was promoted to the rank of fire inspector, sr.

• Sergeant Kenneth Darrell Phillips was promoted to the rank of fire lieutenant.

Four probationary firefighters officially became Forsyth County firefighters. The four came to the county already holding their firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician or paramedic certification, and have completed the department’s four-week orientation and overview.

Those new Forsyth County firefighters are: • Daniel Lee Clausen • Miguel Garcia-Carreras • Zakary Kyle Holbrook • Mark Alan Watson “Being a department that has always focused more on quality over quantity these four ‘probies’ (probationary firefighters) are the result of an intensive and competitive hiring process that began with nearly 100 applicants,” Shivers said. “While the class size is small, the quality of new department members that we are gaining is huge.”

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Johns Creek Herald Delivers to 20,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30022, 30097. Johns Creek’s primary news source. Est. 1997. Johns Creek’s paper of record.

Northside Woman 18,000 copies distributed monthly to subdivisions and business in North Fulton and South Forsyth with home delivery to 40+ of the most exclusive gated and estate communities in North Atlanta.

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SCHOOLS

Liberty assistant principal ‘can’t imagine another job’

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — After joining the education field 30 years ago, Liberty Middle School Assistant Principal Ronnie McNeese has never looked back.

“Middle school is my fit,” he said.

“I like the kids and they seem to react to me. I’ve been in middle school for 30 years and never looked back, but always forward.”

Prior to coming to Liberty, McNeese was at Otwell Middle School teaching sixth grade math. Before that he was in Whitfield County for 13 years teaching a multitude of subjects.

Although well versed in the field of education, while in college McNeese didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life.

“I wasn’t mature enough to decide,” he said. “My mom was a teacher and is now retired. I always loved kids.”

It wasn’t until he decided on education and began student teaching that he knew it was for him.

His experience in various schools and classes has helped him as assistant principal where he has to wear many hats, from being a nurse or a nanny, to keeping up with the facilities and safety of the students.

KATHLEEN STURGEON/HERALD

Liberty Middle School Assistant Principal Ronnie McNeese has been in education for more than 30 years and can’t imagine doing any other job.

“I try to make sure everything is safe and secure if things break,” McNeese said. “I try to stay on top of everything and make sure it gets fixed. We look at the needs of the kids, total enrollment and figure out what we’ll need. I’m also the safety coordinator, so I do training and talk to staff about the responsibilities for different drills or scenarios. I go wherever I’m needed to put out or light

a fire.”

Discipline is another area McNeese knows all about when working with the middle school students.

“We have the best kids in the world,” he said. “We have issues because they’re middle school kids and they’re learning.”

Managing the various responsibilities comes easy to McNeese now.

“It takes several years to understand,” he said. “I was always active in school or part of leadership teams. So I thought I knew what was going on in a school when I took this job as assistant principal. But I didn’t. I didn’t realize all the background work and behindthe-scenes that goes on. That’s what I do now. It’s like any job that the more experience you have the better you’ll be.”

He enjoys being with the kids and helping them throughout his day.

“When I’m dealing with some issues and I get really stressed, I go to a classroom,” McNeese said. “Giving the kids high fives when they come in or interacting with them relieves my stress.

I can’t imagine doing any other job as long as I’ve done this and being this happy. I like building relationships and talking, even about non-school related things.”

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COMMUNITY

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018 | 9

Senior Services accepting handbag donations for benefit auction FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Senior Services is seeking donations of gently used handbags, purses and wallets for their upcoming handbag auction that will benefit older adults in need. The auction will be held at Sexton Hall Enrichment Center 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 28.

“With the ‘spring cleaning’ season upon us, this is a great opportunity for anyone to declutter their closet while also being a part of a great cause,” said Senior Services Director Ruthie Brew.

Funds raised during the auction will help provide meals, transportation and life enrichment for residents through Senior Services programs such as Meals on Wheels, the Congregate Meal

& Activity Program at Charles Place and Sexton Hall, and Respite Care.

Handbag donations for the auction are being accepted now through Friday, April 6 at any of the following Forsyth County Senior Services locations: Hearthstone Lodge, 7305 Lanier Drive, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Center at Charles Place, 595 Dahlonega Street, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sexton Hall Enrichment Center, 2115 Chloe Road, adjacent to Sharon Springs Park Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information on the auction and Forsyth County Senior Services, call Apryl Milam at 770-781-2178.

Vietnam Veterans high school scholarship deadline approaching CUMMING, Ga. — With a deadline rapidly approaching, the Cumming Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America is reminding all Forsyth County high school seniors that applications for the 2018 scholarship program must be postmarked no later than April 15 to be considered.

This is the third annual scholarship program for children, grandchildren

and great grandchildren of U.S. military Veterans.

Applications can be obtained from public and private high schools in the county.

Students unable to access an application at school can contact scholarship committee Chairman Marty Farrell at 770-500-7234 or martysyracuse@ yahoo.com.

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Forsyth Senior Expo scheduled for April 14 FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Senior Services is hosting their 16th annual Forsyth Senior Expo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 14 at the Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd.

The Forsyth Senior Expo includes free admission for attendees and is a popular event for seniors, their families, friends and caregivers.

The event hosts vendors from home care, senior living, legal services and more. Attendees also have access to free health screenings, refreshments and multiple opportunities to win door prizes.

For more information about the

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10 | April 5, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

COMMUNITY

EMILY WILBUR/HERALD

EMILY WILBUR/HERALD

Community comes together for Taste of Forsyth

By EMILY WILBUR news@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. - More than 25,000 eggs were scattered across the grass Saturday during the Taste of Forsyth held at the Cumming Fairgrounds.

Attendees sampled food from 20 local and other area restaurants, enjoying fun and games for the whole family, including Easter egg hunts.

“You have some of the best local

restaurants here,” said Tracy Helms, the fairgrounds administrator for the City of Cumming. “It’s a great way to get a feel for what each restaurant has to offer without actually having to be at the restaurant.”

Awards were given out during the event with Rosati’s Pizza and Sports Pub winning Best Entre for their deep-dish pizza. Dawsonville Tavern won the Best Appetizer for their handmade mozzarella bites. Thai Basil Kitchen won Best

Desert with its coconut cake. Pita Mediterranean Street Food won Best Food Presentation with its traditional gyro Cumming Utilities won Best Decorated Tent.

“It was everything we expected. In addition to the great weather, it was just a good family day,” Helms said. “A big aspect of the event is the kids. With the three Easter egg hunts and the sponsorship from Highlands Church and Automation Direct, I’d say everyone was

pleased with the turnout.”

The biggest hits of the event were the three Easter egg hunts with over 10,000 eggs spread out for each hunt.

Other activities for youngsters included a kid’s zone with inflatable bouncy houses, balloon animals, “touch-atruck” and performances by Lew-E’s Comedy Circus.

“I could see it in their faces. Everyone was just having a great time,” Helms said.

COMMUNITY

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018 | 11

Creative Enterprises gives disabled adults a purpose

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.con FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A couple of years ago, Creative Enterprises Director Lisa Bennett was battling cancer.

Growing up, Bennett enjoyed volunteering with people with disabilities and knew her calling in life would end up helping them. For 35 years she worked in the school system before her diagnosis. Then, her life took a turn and she decided to take a leap and open Creative Enterprises, which assists individuals with disabilities in gaining employment after they graduate high school.

“I’ve seen the kids who go home after school and become complacent, have no purpose,” Bennett said. “They get up every day, eat and watch TV. That becomes their routine and they wonder what their purpose is. Some enjoy and like that. But we as a society, as parents and as a community, need to offer them more.”

So after fighting for her life through Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, she came to a realization in 2016 that starting the Forsyth Campus of Creative Enterprises, which has been open for 36 years in Lawrenceville, was her mission.

“I felt like my purpose to remain on this earth was to open this because a lot of people I knew would talk about opening Creative, but nobody did,” she said. “I felt like that’s why I’m here.

When God tells you to do something, you don’t really say no. I’m dedicated so making sure this place gets everything it needs.”

Since opening a year and a half ago, the program has flourished from six clients to 37 now. Last summer a greenhouse was opened on the site and

To learn more or donate, visit creativeenterprises.org/forsyth and leave a note in the donation box specifying the money for the Forsyth Campus. You can also contact Director Lisa Bennett at 678-894-8960 or lisab@ceisite. com.

KATHLEEN STURGEON/HERALD

Kayla Evans, Leland Baker, Melissa Koch and Aaron Stewart work on cutting out photos for their project. a walking trail is in the works.

The program is open to anyone, not just Forsyth County residents, however parents have to provide their own transportation. Bennett said they’re working to establish ways to provide parents free rides to the location.

Primary funding comes from the New Options Waiver, or NOW, and the Comprehensive Supports Waiver, or COMP, through Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

However, donations are needed and provide a main source of revenue for things like offering transportation services the program desperately needs.

Clients come every day and decide what they’d like to do or work on based on their needs and interests. Their options range from shopping, eating out, seeing movies or bowling. This is a change for many who, after graduating high school at age 22, will sit at home and watch TV and become depressed because they have no purpose in their lives, Bennett said.

“Depression starts sinking in because some of them don’t understand why they can’t go to school anymore since they’ve done that since they were 3,” Bennett said. “Now suddenly they can’t go back to school, the bus isn’t coming, what are they going to do? The parents feel that sense of urgency and panic because some are trying to work and don’t have anywhere for their child to go.

“The whole philosophy is they get a choice in what they do. They’re an adult now. Even if we can’t give them everything they want, they get a say in it. No one is made to do anything.”

These young adults also have a need for socialization, she said. The school system helps develop a lot of skills in these clients, she said, but a lack of socialization leads to depression.

“I want them to maintain friendships, learn to be more socially appropriate and gain the skills they need to live independently,” Bennett said. “That goes with the job skills, too. I wanted our program to become a commu-

nity and for these guys to feel safe, have friends here and [whome] they can invite to outside activities and to maintain that so they have a purpose.

All the clients here are very happy and have made progress since coming here.”

Next up, the group will be opening Creative Cafe at the Forsyth County Courthouse in April. Many of the clients already have jobs in the community, but Bennett said this will give a chance for the others to get involved. They’ll learn what’s expected in the job, how to talk to the public and how to work with others.

“It’ll be a big deal for us,” she said.

“We’re doing it for the experience and for the community to see what we’re capable of doing. I hope it opens more opportunities for everybody to get a job.

I want them to know, we all have jobs, but we can have fun, too. We make of life what we can. We all have a purpose.

We have the best employees, parents and clients. I’ll fight for what they need every day.”

Even with parental donations and the state funding, Creative Enterprises still relies on outside donations. To learn more or donate, visit creativeenterprises.org/forsyth and leave a note in the donation box specifying the money for the Forsyth Campus. You can also contact Bennett at 678-8948960 or lisab@ceisite.com.

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We’ve got to start to think about in the next generation, where retail is challenged, how do you integrate other uses that strengthen the retail and make it more viable?

ERIC BOSMAN, designer and planner with Kimley-Horn consultants

12 | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018

Firm buys North Point Mall parent

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Brookfield Property Partners announced last week that it has reached an agreement to buy the remaining stake in General Growth Properties, which owns North Point Mall, in a deal that has an estimated total of $15 billion.

GGP is the second largest mall landlord in the country whose retail properties line Fifth Avenue in New York and extend to Las Vegas’s Grand Canal Shoppes and Tysons Galleria in McLean, Virginia.

Brookfield had been courting GGP since last fall when it offered a cashand-stock deal totaling $14.8 billion.

That bid was rejected, and the two sides returned to negotiations.

North Point Mall has been Alpharetta’s retail jewel since it was built 25 years ago. It features more than 150 stores and services, including Champs Sports, AMC Theatres, Dillard’s and JC Penny.

In addition to its retail offerings, the mall sits within minutes of close to 17 million square feet of Class A office space.

The City of Alpharetta has been in the middle of developing a Livable Cities Initiative for the North Point area, and the mall has been at the center of early design plans.

Mayor Donald Mitchell said the mall has been heavily vested in the revitalization discussions, and he hopes to see the process continue.

“We’ll see how the new leadership supports that,” he said.

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Brookfield Property Partners has announced plans to buy the remaining stake in General Growth Properties, which owns North Point Mall, an Alpharetta fixture for the past 25 years.

North Point Mall has faced added competition for high-end market share with the opening of Avalon three years ago. Another retail focal point in the city’s downtown, City Center, is set to go online within the year and will feature about a dozen restaurants, eight ladies’ apparel stores and a men’s clothing store.

City officials and residents have shown no sign of giving up on North Point, despite nearby retail challenges, such as the anticipated loss of Toys R Us or the difficulties of Sears and strip malls.

Community involvement in drawing up plans for the LCI has been brisk, and the city’s consultant on the project has already submitted sketches of how the area might look with redevelopment initiatives.

Eric Bosman, designer and planner with Kimley-Horn consultants, said the North Point area likely cannot compete with the likes of Avalon for high-end retail. He said North Point will have to reinvent itself to include a mix of retail at all levels and take advantage of the wildly popular Big Creek Greenway nearby to expand its greenspace

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“We’ve got to start to think about in the next generation, where retail is challenged, how do you integrate other uses that strengthen the retail and make it more viable?” Bosman said at a recent workshop before the City Council.

City leaders have also suggested the North Point Mall area would be the best bet for some sort of transit hub for express bus service along Ga. 400 if they can secure funding and ensure it wouldn’t create a traffic nightmare for the area.

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ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018 | 13

Don’t forget funny

Using the best sales strategy

I’ve put a lot of very serious thought on this subject, poured over numerous data-sets, and I’ve found out something to be true: a lot of good comes out of funny.

GEOFF SMITH As many of you Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com know, I’m on the board of directors at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, a fact that I understand isn’t all that funny. But recently we’ve been fortunate to have North Fulton’s own Jamie Bendall, an owner of the Punchline Comedy Club, emcee at a couple of our recent events. We’ve always worked in a little humor at the chamber over the years, but not like what a pro like Bendall does. Folks are still talking about his 10-minute roast of outgoing president, and state Senator, Brandon Beach.

Our table had been very cordial up until he took over the mic. After laughing for 10 minutes, we were all downright excited to be friendly.

Laughter drops our guards and opens us up.

In business, laughter is a useful tool. When I’m taking an agent out to lunch, I notice the other folks with their clients and prospects. You know things are going well when they are laughing. It’s probably safe to say that sales people who are funny have an advantage over those who are not.

For some people, being funny comes natural. For others, it is a learned art. And for a few, it’s both.

My friend Carlos Giron was both.

Since anyone cared to remember, he was making people laugh. He was probably the guy in first grade who made up the nicknames for the teachers that made everyone laugh.

For him, it was personal. He enjoyed talking to you, making you laugh and making you happy. He always used to say, “I know more useless information than anyone else on topics that will in no way, shape or form make me any money.”

Then one day, he proved that theory wrong.

“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” had a week-long group of episodes where they asked questions that pertained only to movies. This was Carlos’ wheelhouse. He applied, went through the process and made it on the show. Our Carlos, who we all knew to be the funniest guy around, was taking his act to a nationwide audience. Folks, the story does not disappoint.

What sales strategies are you using to win new business?

Are your strategies successful in beating your competition?

Is your sales team equipped with a portfolio of strategies they can use? Using the DICK JONES right sales strategy Founder & President Jones Simply Sales can help improve your win rates and allow you to close more business.

In order to select the best sales strategy, you have to assess the specific opportunity you are trying to win. This assessment will guide you to utilizing the best strategy for each specific opportunity you are pursuing. Your assessment needs to take into account the relationships you have, the competition, the uniqueness of your product or service and the price you will charge.

When getting ready for the show, the producers coached him on what to do to keep things moving.

“Whatever Meredith (Vieira) says, go with it. Keep things rolling,” they told him.

He didn’t care, he’d do anything.

He was focused on winning $1 million.

So when Meredith asked him about coming over from Mexico into this country when he was younger, even though he was born here after his parents came here from Guatemala, he went with it. And went with it. And went with it. He told Meredith how after coming over from Mexico, he learned English by watching movies which is how come he knows so much about movies.

You could tell by watching that Vieira and he had a great rapport.

In fact, she kept in touch with him after the show sometimes texting to see how he was doing. You can see on clips from the show that she really liked him - in the same way that we all liked him here at home. It was great.

But it didn’t stop there. During the break the producers told him they wanted to expand on his unique way of learning English. So he did.

“Yes Meredith, when I was younger, Star Wars was my favorite movie. And Yoda was my favorite character. So I thought all smart Americans talked like Yoda. So when the teacher would ask ‘Carlos, are you present?,’” he said. “I would say ‘present, I am.’”

He said that. On national television.Carolos went on to win $250,000.

He came home and had articles written on him and his ‘unique’ childhood.

He bought the auto body shop his father worked at. He bought a house.

And he paid for acting lessons and became one of the main players at the Whole World Theater.

Up until his untimely death two weeks ago, Carlos had taken what we all knew to be true and taken it to the stage. He was my funny thermometer.

If my joke could make him laugh, I knew it was ready for the Chamber of Commerce.

He’ll always remind me to never be too good for funny. It just might make you a couple bucks – or make someone happy.

Geoff Smith is a mortgage banker with Assurance Financial focusing on residential home loans for refinances and home purchases.

Geoff Smith, gsmith@lendtheway.com 770-674-1433 Personal: NMLS#104587 Business: NMLS#70876 *The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of Assurance Financial Group

A direct approach is best when you have strong relationships, limited competition, and a unique product or service. If a potential customer needs what you have, has a strong relationship with you and not with your competitors, you’re pretty much in the driver’s seat to win their business.

Conversely, if your relationship with the customer is no better than your competitors, and you are both offering something similar, you need to change the buying criteria to reflect other factors of the decision-making process.

Out-flanking your competitor will help you to win in these scenarios.

And finally, if you just want a “foot in the door” to establish your potential as a long-term product or service provider, going after just a “piece of the business” may be the best choice. Selecting the best sales strategy for each opportunity will increase the odds that you will win.

NEWBUSINESSSPOTLIGHT

Milton welcomes NexSeason Transitions MILTON, Ga. — NexSeason Transitions held their ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, March 27th at the Phoenix at Milton. Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood along with co-founders Sherri Selman and Lisa Wilson cut the ribbon with friends and family.

NexSeason Transitions helps seniors and their families through all aspects of senior transition periods at a concierge-level. NexSeason offers turn-

key solutions to home transitions providing all the best resources together in one place with their exclusive network of partners with an a-la-carte approach, picking only the services needed. NexSeason can manage the whole transition process through their Concierge Level Service Coordination and can guide interested parties through the transition process step-by-step with a personal Transition Advocate.

14 | April 5, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

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ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018 | 15

SEMENT

cummingforsythchamber.org

Meet Your New Commissioner Commissioner Dennis T. Brown was elected in 2017 to serve as the District 2 commissioner, taking office in November to serve the remainder of the 2017-2020 term. Brown filled the unexpired term of Rick Swope, who resigned from the post in August. District 2 covers much of the southern portion of the county.

“Forsyth County is such an amazing community and I’m honored to be able to serve on the county commission,” said Brown. “With the growth our county has experienced and will continue to see, it is important that we remain focused on maintaining

Dennis Brown Forsyth County Commissioner

and enhancing our infrastructure, attracting quality businesses and preserving the high quality of life for which Forsyth County is known.”

Commissioner Brown retired as a colonel from the Georgia National Guard/U.S. Army in 2010 following a 30-year military career. His experience includes diverse fields of infantry; aviation; tactical operations; intelligence; anti-terrorism; homeland security; safety management; sales, marketing and recruitment; public affairs; chemical; joint operations center operations; human resource management; and civil-military operations.

the National Defense University Joint Professional Military Education II; and the U.S. Army Flight School, Helicopter and Fixed-Wing Qualifications.

Commissioner Brown’s military education includes completion of the U.S. Air Force War College; the Department of Defense Information School, Public Affairs Qualification Course; the Combined Arms Staff College; the Command and General Staff College;

Dennis and his wife Suzy live in Cumming and attend the First Redeemer Church. They have two children and three grandchildren.

In addition to his extensive military education, Brown holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa and a Master of Business Administration in International Business from Kennesaw State University. He also completed a course in Regional Economic and Leadership Development from the State of Georgia Academy for Economic Development.

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New Economic Development Site Launches Last summer the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce’s public private partnership with the local development authority, local school system, Lanier Technical College and the University of North Georgia took a large step in expanding the capabilities of the Chamber’s economic development initiatives with the creation of a two-track economic development plan. A piece of the short-term plan included a new, independent economic development website focused on primary target business segments.

The Chamber recently launched ChooseForsyth. org. This site allows corporate executives, site selection consultants and local businesses to access information about the county’s economic climate, incentives and available resources.

“The Chamber of Commerce is committed to diversifying Forsyth County’s tax digest by enhancing our economy through business attraction and retention. ChooseForsyth.org was developed to be a key resource for companies to learn more about the advantages of doing business in the area,” said Robert

Long, Vice President of Economic Development for the Chamber of Commerce.

possible to attract new investments and jobs to our community.”

Featuring a compelling design with easy navigation, the new website will offer GIS planning software to peruse real estate options, economic data, a blog, testimonials and resources for local businesses.

The website will be managed by the Economic Development Department at the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. This department serves as the first point of contact for companies interested in relocating or expanding their business in the area.

“Forsyth County is the fastest-growing county in Georgia. It’s excellent school system and superior quality of life have fueled residents’ choice to raise their families here. Through ChooseForsyth.org we can provide people with the necessary information to choose Forsyth County for their business endeavors as well,” said Robert Long.

“Expanding Forsyth County’s web footprint is one of several pro-active economic development initiatives the business community is collaborating on with the Board of Commissioners,” commented Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Chairman, Todd Levent. “Georgia 400 is a major growth area for companies. Our goal is to provide as many resources as

16 | April 5, 2018 | Forsyth 20 Johns Creek Herald Herald | ForsythHerald.com | NorthFulton.com

CALENDAR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN ALPHARETTA

ROSWELL AZALEA FESTIVAL

Enjoy numerous activities throughout April 30. Events will take place all across Roswell as organizers pay tribute to the beauty of Roswell during the springtime and to the abundant azaleas, a native Georgian flower.

Activities include plant sales, art exhibits, bicycle races, ghost tours, comedy night and more. For more information and a full calendar of events, visit roswellazaleafestival.com.

Looking to get the word out about your event?

Submit it to our online calendar at NorthFulton. com/Calendar.

EVENTS: SPRING NATIVE PLANT SALE

SERENE SPACES DISCUSSION: WALL POWER

What: Shop through over 120 species of native plants, including herbs and veggies. Horticulturists will be on site.

When: March 30-31 and April 6-7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell More info: chattnaturecenter.org/trailshorticulture/

What: Diane Berntson a certified interior decorator and Feng Shui consultant, will lead a discussion to help inspire ideas for decoration in our homes.

When: Monday, April 9, 7:15-8:15 p.m.

Where: Grey Owl Mind-Body Studio, 6250 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: greyowlmb.com

FREE FITNESS IN THE PARK: ZUMBA

YOUNG ADULT BOCCE BALL

What: Join for free group exercise classes with Fitness in the Park. All classes are weather-permitting and open to the public.

When: Saturday, April 7, 9-10 a.m.

Where: Roswell Town Square, 610 Atlanta St., Roswell More info: roswellgov.com

VEGETABLE GARDENING WORKSHOP What: Learn smart, low-cost, environmentally sound practices for growing nutrient-dense vegetables.

When: Saturday, April 7, 9-10:30 a.m.

Where: Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: alpharetta.ga.us

RUMC MINI JOB FAIR

What: Anyone with a developmental disability looking to play bocce ball and socialize with peers is invited.

When: Tuesday, April 10, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekga.gov

BETTER TOGETHER

What: Leslie Graham, Owner of 3:8 Juice & Eatery, will be the speaker. She will explain all about the healthy and nutritious offerings available at this locally owned juice bar.

When: Tuesday, April 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Milton City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton More info: cityofmiltonga.us

What: Employers from throughout greater Atlanta will meet in person with possible candidates for their job openings. The mini job fair will be held in the evening with workshops throughout the day.

When: Monday, April 9, 12:30 p.m.

Where: Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell More info: rumcjobnetworking.com

ROSWELL HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S THEATER NIGHT

TAKE A PEEK TUESDAYS

What: Bring a yoga mat or towel and wear loose comfortable clothes. Open to mothers and preschool patrons. No registration required.

When: Wednesday, April 11, 11:30 a.m.

Where: Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: afpls.org or 770-360-8897

What: Take a quick peek at our building collections and hear about our preservation and research efforts.

When: Tuesday, April 10, noon Where: Autrey Mill Nature Preserve, 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek More info: autreymill.org

What: Annual theater night fundraiser.

When: Tuesday, April 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell More info and tickets: roswellhistoricalsociety.org

MOMMY AND ME YOGA

What: Learn about the latest public projects, like the Alpha Loop, and what private developers are building around town. The Director of Community Development will be available to answer questions.

When: Wednesday, April 11, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: alpharetta.ga.us

COOKING AND CRAFTS

What: This creative program is a fun way to experience history through simple recipes and heritage crafts enjoyed in the past. This class focuses on rock candy. Ages 6-11.

When: Thursday, April 12, 4:30 p.m.

Where: Autrey Mill Nature Preserve, 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek Cost: $7 for members, $10 for nonmembers More info: autreymill.org

GARDEN TOUR MONDAYS

What: Enjoy a free 30-minute tour of the gardens and historic plants on the grounds of Barrington Hall.

When: Every Monday, through Sept.

24, 9:30 a.m.

Where: Barrington Hall, 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell More info: roswellgov.comp

MUSIC, ARTS & THEATER: ATLANTA FLUTE ENSEMBLE CONCERT

What: Enjoy a free concert by the Atlanta Flute Ensemble.

When: Wednesday, April 11, 11 a.m.noon Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org

“BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY”

What: “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” tells the true story of Buddy’s meteoric rise to fame, from the moment in 1957 when “That’ll Be The Day” hit the airwaves until his tragic death less than two years later on the “The Day The Music died.”

When: Shows April 12-29 Where: Georgia Ensemble Theatre, 950 Forrest St., Roswell More info and tickets: get.org

SPOTLIGHT ART: ROSWELL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

What: The society, with over 400 members, will participate in the annual Heritage Days, celebrating everyday life experiences in Roswell.

When: April 2-May 31, all day Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell More info: roswellphotosociety.orgp

LIBRARY EVENTS: THE ZOO LIBRARY

What: The Zoo Library provides handson experience with Paul Suarez and his exotic animals. Ages 5 and up.

Registration required.

When: Friday, April 6, 10-11 a.m.

Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 404-613-4402

FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER’S WORKSHOP

What: Local licensed real estate consultants will introduce the steps involved in purchasing your home. Refreshments will be served.

Registration required.

When: Saturday, April 7, 3:30-5 p.m.

Where: East Roswell Library, 2301 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell More info: afpls.org

FILM SHOWING: “SELMA”

What: Join for a showing of “Selma” in remembrance of the day of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s funeral.

When: Monday, April 9, 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 5:30-7:45 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 404-613-6735

DESTRESS WITH THERAPY DOGS

What: Come and meet some friendly therapy dogs to destress. For teenagers only.

When: Monday, April 9, 4-5 p.m.

Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org

SPANISH STORY TIME

What: Join for monthly Spanish storytime, which will include music and cultural activities led by the instructors of Lingual Kids.

When: Tuesday, April 10, 10:30-11 a.m.

Where: Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell More info: afpls.org or 770-640-3075

BIRDING SCAVENGER HUNT

What: Children will learn how to use binoculars and how to identify and find Atlanta’s most common birds. ages 5-11. Email to RSVP. When: Wednesday, April 11, 4-5 p.m.

Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info and registration: afpls.org or liane.wagner@fultoncountyga.gov

DROP EVERYTHING AND READ DAY

What: Join the library all day long to read. The program is free, and the library will provide the books.

When: Tuesday, April 12, 10:30 a.m.5:30 p.m.

Where: Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell More info: afpls.org

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018 | 17

18 | April 5, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

18 | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018

Sponsored Section

Shopping for yard equipment: Things to know (NAPSI)—If you’re like most people, when spring comes, you’re ready to get outside and make your yard both beautiful and functional. Maybe you’re aiming to have the best yard on the block, want to install an outdoor family room, or want to expand your space for entertaining. Perhaps your kids or pets could use a better space for play.

Regardless of need, now is the time to get “backyard ready.”

The Tools You’ll Need “Completing big outdoor jobs is always easier with help from outdoor power equipment,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).

“The right outdoor power equipment can help you get the work done faster and can help you safely maintain your yard.”

These tips from Kiser can help you select the machinery you need to get the job done.

• Plan your needs. Draw a sketch

of your yard. Include any major features such as trees, bushes, an herb or vegetable garden, flower beds, lawn furniture, play or sports equipment, an outdoor patio, or birdbath.

Note where maintenance may be required. Will bushes need to be trimmed back from your home or garage?

Do you want to put in some flowering bushes or a tree? Are you planning to install a fence and more grass because of your pet?

Now list the tools and equipment needed to take care of your yard and what will make the job easier.

• Consider equipment needed. Visit your garage or shed and find all your lawn and garden tools. Wheel out your mower and get out other equipment.

Look it over and make a list of what’s needed or could be upgraded. Repair anything that needs attention or identify where a newer or other machine is required.

If you have a large vegetable gar-

den, you need a cultivator or tiller. If you have a large lawn, an upgrade to a riding lawn mower might make mowing easier.

A string trimmer might make caring for bushes or trimming grass near a fence line easier.

A pole pruner can help trim back limbs that are too high to reach safely with a saw and a leaf blower can clear leaves faster than a rake.

• Research equipment online before you buy. Think about efficiencies of scale. The right equipment can mean more time for other activities and make doing yard work more enjoyable, too.

Doing online research in advance can help you pick the right equipment for the job.

Outdoor power equipment can be gas, electric or battery powered and technology is rapidly affecting product design.

There are even robotic lawn mowers available today. Equipment may

We provide a simple and pleasurable luxury experience.

be sized to handle a smaller job or a massive one.

Ultimately, your decision should be based on your needs.

• Ask questions. Talk with the staff at the store or ask online about the equipment. In the store, ask to pick up and hold equipment to determine its “fit” for you.

Discuss safety features and ask about fueling and care instructions.

Find out how often equipment may need to be serviced.

• Make a plan for storage and maintenance. Store your equipment in a cool and dry place.

It should typically be serviced at the end of the fall and the beginning of the spring. Put service dates on your calendar with a reminder.

Learn More For safety information and to find out which manufacturers make various outdoor power equipment products, go to www.opei.org.

Congratulations to the Forsyth-Lake Lanier Million Dollar Agents Christina Abunassar

Kathleen Hernandez

Ken Klosinski

Pete Clay

Michelle Johnson

The Stocks Team

Phone: (770) 883-7792 5 Million+

Phone: (678) 283-9570 4 Million+ per Member (13 Million+ Team)

Stacy Easley

Garel Curry

Phone: (919) 389-8317 7 Million+

Phone: (678) 300-2863 6 Million+

Phone: (770) 406-0508 5 Million+

6315 STERLING SHORES DR., CUMMING

7050 GROSVENOR PL., CUMMING

3178 CLARKS BRIDGE RD., GAINESVILLE

106 TOWNSEND PASS, ALPHARETTA

Better than new home is in showroom condition with 3 car garage, finished terrace level, huge wrap around deck addition & level, fenced .59 acres lot.

Fantastic 4 Side Brick Home with Finished Terrace Level on Private Cul de sac lot Overlooking Nature Preserve. New roof, All 3 HVAC’s less than 4 yrs old.

1.26 acre lot. Level walk, grass to the water!

Driveway to the dock. 200’ of water frontage!

80 year roof, all copper gutters, level driveway to the Dock.

Better than new home is in showroom condition with Brand New Roof. 3 car garage, full theatre, workout room & Kitchen on Terrace level with 2 plus acres fenced lot.

$639,900 TOM STOCKS (678) 283-9570

$539,900 TOM STOCKS (678) 283-9570

$1,999,800 TOM STOCKS (678) 283-9570

$959,000 GAREL CURRY (404) 863-0835

Phone: (678) 492-3559 5 Million+

Phone: (770) 403-3577 4 Million+

4025 SKYLINE DRIVE, GAINESVILLE

Lake Property!! Located in East Hall-close access to 985/369 on Lake Sydney Laniernear rowing venue & aquatic center. Quick entry into deep water with party boat dock.

$488,900 CARROLL CUNNINGHAM (706) 429-6437

5530 MCINTOSH DRIVE, CUMMING

2430 MANOR CREEK CT., CUMMING

$374,900 CHRISTINA ABUNASSAR (919) 389-8317

$1,050,000 CHRISTINA ABUNASSAR (919) 389-8317

Move-in ready in Castlebrooke. Newly updated A beautiful circular drive welcomes you home. kitchen w/upgraded cabinetry, granite & tile Luxurious upgrades in this 1.2 acre executive opens to 2-story family room w/wall of windows style home w/prvt lot featuring a pebble tec overlooking HUGE picturesque backyard POOL & SPA. Open floor plan w/chefs kitchen.

3625 BRIDLE CREEK DRIVE, SUWANEE

Beautiful, light filled home features a level, fenced backyard overlooking a tree lined creek.

Full basement with abundant space for office, family game night, movies, and tons of storage.

$499,900 KATHLEEN HERNANDEZ (678) 300-2863

FORSYTH/LAKE LANIER OFFICE 1664 MARKET PLACE BLVD., CUMMING, GA 30041 770-497-2000 The above information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted. Offer subject to errors, changes, omissions, prior sales and withdrawals without notice. HarryNorman.com

Phone: (404) 863-0835 3 Million+

The Kemp Team

Jill Buysman

Phone: (770) 380-4100 2 Million+

Phone: (678) 488-6655 2 Million+

Sean Farrelly

Phone: (770) 710-5360 2 Million+

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018 | 19

New Homes from the mid $600’s

Luxury living at Wescott Located in the highly sought-after Lambert High School District, Wescott is the latest luxury home community offered by award-winning builder, Patrick Malloy Luxury Communities.

This luxurious enclave includes 61 homesites and top-notch amenities.

Once finished, this exclusive lifestyle will include a gated entry, tennis courts, playground, swimming pool with water feature, gazebo, spa and many more activities throughout the green spaces inside the community.

The community clubhouse will serve as a gathering place for friends and neighbors to enjoy summer evenings while listening to children playing outdoors.

Located in affluent South Forsyth, Wescott’s location is idyllic for any family looking to live in award-winning Lambert High School. Rated one of the top high schools in the United States, it is located within walking distance and affords students a top-notch education along with Sharon Elementary and Riverwatch Middle Schools.

Nearby is a bevy of high-end shop-

ping and dining options. Centrally located to Avalon, The Collection at Forsyth and North Point Mall, Wescott homeowners can enjoy the finer things in life inside and outside their community.

While being away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Atlanta, it is still conveniently located to commuter routes and major businesses across North Atlanta.

For the avid golfer, some of Atlanta’s best courses are within a 20 mile radius.

If golfing is not your weekend activity of choice, there are parks weaving in and around the neighborhood next to the Chattahoochee River that are great for some fresh air activities.

Wescott offers 4 floorplans starting at 4,100 square feet on homesites from one third to one half acres with slab and basement options. These homes can be built with up to 6 bedrooms for large families. The model home is located at 690 Nichols Road, Suwanee and is a must-see.

G ction N I L stru

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W Und O N mes

Ho w Ne

Across the Street from Lambert High School Community Clubhouse | Swimming Pool Tennis Courts | Fire Pit Lounge

770.254.5358

PMCommunities.com Decorated Model Open: Mon-Sat 11-5, Sunday 1-5 690 Nichols Road • Suwanee, GA 30024 Take GA 400 north to exit 13 (Hwy. 141) and turn right. Go approximately 3.5 miles and turn left onto Sharon Springs Road which will turn into Old Atlanta Road. Cross over Windermere Parkway/Mathis Airport Road. Turn left on Nichols (just before Lambert High School). Community is on the left.

20 | April 5, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Kitchen & Bathroom Specialists The truth about downsizing Why it works for some and not others

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Discount applies to full renovation projects only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. One per customer.

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Hooray! You made your last tuition payment or maybe paid for the last wedding. And now it’s you and your spouse in a great big house. So it’s time to set in motion your grand plan, which goes something like this… 1. Sell the big house and move to a smaller house that’s easier to maintain, 2. Pocket the $100k or more from this transaction, 3. Take an extended European vacation this summer with some of the proceeds from the sale of the house.

The Unwelcomed Cold Shower.

As it turns out the grand plan may not happen just like you planned. You learn this when you call your favorite realtor and spend a day with them. It’s at this time that you realize that a new, smaller house costs more than you ever could have imaged. It’s at this moment that you truly feel the impact of new home prices rising faster than older home prices.

The Punch to The Gut. Just as your realtor has done their best to explain the prices of smaller homes, it’s time to assess the listing price of your present home. Because you sent your kids to private schools, the very best colleges, bought cars for them and paid for weddings…..well, you never quite kept up with the whole remodeling thing. Your house was built in the 80’s or 90’s and it looks like the day it was built.

Formica or Corian in the kitchen, a garbage compactor and desk in the kitchen. In the bathroom: gold framed

See DOWNSIZING, Page 21

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018 | 21

Crye-Leike® Realtors continues to grow in the Atlanta area!

Actively seeking new agents and brokers to join their team Crye-Leike is a full service real estate company founded in Memphis, TN in1977 offering one-stop shopping services in real estate including: residential, relocation, commercial, business brokerage, property management, REO management, mortgage lending, insurance, title & closing, home vendor referrals, auctions, rentals, franchise sales, and home builder services. As one of the nation’s largest, full service real estate companies, Crye-Leike has a network of more than 3,100 sales associates and over 125 offices located throughout a nine-state region. For forty years, Crye-Leike has delivered a passionate commitment to unsurpassed service in its communities.

Crye-Leike’s commitment inspires our agents to exceed expectations by constantly improving their relationships with clients and responding quickly to

Downsizing: Continued from Page 20 small shower, cultured marble counters and huge mirrors glued to the walls.

Every home in North Atlanta has the same finishes and they’re all “out of style” which makes your home NOT “Move in Ready” to the prospective buyer. So your realtor suggests a listing price far below your expectations. Don’t shoot your realtor they’re pretty familiar with this situation.

Is it all Bad News? “No, for those homeowners who have remodeled their Kitchens and Bathrooms, they are getting top dollar when selling their homes” says John Hogan, owner of Roswell’s Remodeling Expo Center, “families are fleeing the City of Atlanta and paying top dollar for move-in ready homes in North Atlanta. It’s all about the schools. Remodeling Expo Center has been assisting homeowners for 16 years with exactly this issue.

The Rule of 1.5. When a prospective buyer assesses the value of your home they will apply the Rule of 1.5 to any room that requires remodeling, that is if they don’t just pass on your home.

their customer needs while conducting business with integrity and trust.

Today Crye-Leike is the 5th largest real estate company in the nation and boasts a record year in 2016 with sales exceeding $6.3 billion.

Crye-Leike Realtors continues to grow in the Atlanta market and is actively seeking new agents and brokers to join their team! Crye-Leike’s 10 branch offices include: Cumming, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Norcross, Gainesville, Woodstock, Cartersville, Smyrna, Douglasville, and McDonough.

Crye-Leike has accelerated expansion plans that aim to further its footprint in the greater Atlanta market with offices in Dawsonville, Marietta, Lawrenceville, Newnan and Kennesaw.

Crye-Leike offers new competitive commission splits, cutting edge technology and marketing tools, in house and online training, referral opportunities and the tools you need to take your business to the next level. We sell more homes in the South than any other company. Please call one of our local offices today for an interview.

For example, if they believe a new kitchen will be $40k, they will discount your home by $40k times 1.5 or $60K. Same goes with the master bathroom.

So you can see how brutal the Rule of 1.5 can be for the homeowner. This really hits home when offers come in very low or the realtor suggests successive listing price drops.

So what’s the answer? First and foremost, don’t postpone remodeling to when you’re about to sell, because you won’t get to live and enjoy it. Secondly, remodel the rooms that will show the strongest return on your investment and thirdly, do it in a style that most people would enjoy.

Remodeling Expo Center has been partnering with homeowners and realtors for decades to make “the home” not only functional, but a performing investment vehicle. “That house sold in 24 hours and for over the asking price”.

This isn’t neighborhood folklore; it really happens. Homeowners who have the attitude of “I’ll let the next owner remodel” are doing themselves a great disservice.

To learn more contact The Remodeling Expo Center at 404 910-3969 or stop in at 48 King Street, Roswell, GA 30075. RemodelingExp.o.com

twitter.com/forsythherald

February Sales Leaders

Grace Yoon Norcross 404-514-1000

Cindy Zhao Johns Creek 770-380-5708

Judy Chin Norcross 770-864-4362

Randy Crowe Amber Jones McDonough 678-776-1890

Dr. Garmon West McDonough 678-584-3211

Ellen Yi Norcross 404-281-9226

Crissy Irvin McDonough 404-988-0460

Alpharetta - Crabapple/Roswell/Milton 282 Rucker Road, Suite 110 • Alpharetta, GA 30004 | Office: (678) 240-2201 Atlanta NE - Norcross 4870 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. • Norcross, GA 30071 | Office: (770) 255-3380 Cartersville 477 East Main Street • Cartersville, GA 30121 | Office: (770) 607-2801 Cumming 5940 Bethelview Road • Cumming, GA 30040 | Office: (678) 845-1200 Dawsonville 391 Quill Lane, Suite 150 • Dawsonville, GA 30534 | Office: (706) 265-3273 Douglasville 2092 Fairburn Road • Douglasville, GA 30135 | Office: (770) 947-2400 Gainesville 956 B Dawsonville Hwy, Suite 301 • Gainesville, GA 30501 | Office: (770) 535-8301 Johns Creek/Alpharetta/Duluth 9945 Jones Bridge Rd, Suite 201 • Johns Creek, GA 30022 | Office: (678) 867-2345 McDonough/Southern Crescent 2124 Jodeco Road • McDonough, GA 30253 | Office: (678) 583-9995 Smyrna 1322 Concord Rd SE • Smyrna, GA 30080 | Office: (770) 805-9652 Woodstock - Cobb Cherokee 13190 Highway 92, Suite 100-110 • Woodstock, GA 30188 | Office: (770) 517-2272 Commercial Division 5940 Bethelview Road • Cumming, GA 30040 | Office: (678) 845-1233

View ALL area homes at CRYE-LEIKE.com

22 | April 5, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Tips to bring spring into your home

By BILL RAWLINGS Senior Vice President & Managing Broker, North Atlanta Office. Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Spring time is officially here, and it is the perfect time to update the rooms throughout your home to reflect this wonderful time of the year. Before you begin redecorating, now is the time for your annual “spring cleaning.” Grab your thick winter blankets and dark colors and store them away. The best way to embrace the season is with new color schemes and prints that give your home a fresh makeover.

One of the best characteristics of

spring is the warmer weather, which invites our flowers to bloom.

Nothing says spring like a fresh vase of tulips! Flowers also provide an instant facelift to any room in your home. Another festive tip is wallpaper. Install RAWLINGS wallpaper throughout various rooms of your home to brighten the space while also adding texture and interest. Removable wallpaper is an easy alternative, as it can be updated with the seasons. Don’t forget how easy it is to maintain! Statement ceilings

is one of the biggest paint trends this year. They can take any traditional space and elevate it to the next level.

Start by selecting the room’s accent color and run with it. Once complete, the contrast between the ceiling and room’s accessories is eye-catching and inspiring!

Another tip: try to lighten your entry way. Entry ways are typically smaller and easier to accentuate throughout the year. Versatile lamp shades, bright accessories and artwork are the best ways to embrace the space and welcome spring with your guests.

At Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, we are dedicated

to providing you with an exceptional experience throughout the buying and selling process. Our agents are experts in the field and their familiarity with all the neighborhoods in the area can help guide you in making the right decision.

For more tips and additional information, or to discuss the Atlanta real estate market, connect with us! Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty agents deliver results. Allow one of our dedicated professionals to assist you by visiting atlantafinehomes.com or calling our office at 770.442.7300.

Article adapted from Elle Décor https:// www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/ g9230907/spring-home-makeover/?slide=4

When it’s time to replace your water heater (NAPSI)—The next time you find you have a too old or already broken water heater, these tools and advice from the U.S. EPA can help.

Water heaters typically last about 10 years. If your water heater is older than that, you could avoid a potentially costly and complicated emergency replacement by taking action now. In

Cumming. $275,000 6175 Weddington Drive 3BR/2.5BA FMLS: 5982662 Donna Murphy 770.312.5776 Ann Sander 678.234.9855

Cumming. $382,900 1510 Nightfall Court 4BR/3.5BA FMLS: 5977596 Zina Cohen 770.442.7300 Scott Payne 404.326.0370

many places, utilities offer rebates on ENERGY STAR certified water heaters, up to as much as $600. With or without a rebate, choosing a model that’s earned the government’s ENERGY STAR label can pay you back in energy bill savings.

Water heaters are the second highest energy user in the home, costing

Cumming. $374,900 1385 Rainfall Court 4BR/3.5BA FMLS: 5969146 Zina Cohen 770.442.7300 Scott Payne 404.326.0370

Cumming. $435,000 1210 Summerfield Drive 5BR/5BA FMLS: 5982963 Rhonda Haran 404.556.5600

Cumming. $374,900 1390 Rainfall Court 5BR/4BA FMLS: 5977597 Zina Cohen 770.442.7300 Scott Payne 404.326.0370

Cumming. $489,900 1740 Rising Mist Lane 4BR/3BA/2HBA FMLS: 5980287 Elisa Picard 404.597.1702

ATLANTAFINEHOMES.COM | 770.442.7300 ©MMXVIII Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Artwork by Isabelle Gautier, used with permission.

a household of four up to $620 every year to run. Replacing your old, electric water heater with a heat pump water heater could put a significant dent in your energy costs. In fact, a family of four can save up to $3,500 in energy costs over the water heater’s lifetime.

Pointers On Heat Pumps There are some installation considerations to keep in mind with heat pump water heaters, but if you already have an electric water heater, it could be an easy switch.

Will a Heat Pump Water Heater Work in My Home?

In many homes, a heat pump water heater can be installed right where your current water heater sits. Heat pump water heaters need: Access To Air: They pull in air from the surroundings to heat water and release cold air, so they need access to plenty of air.

The water heater location should have a room air temperature greater than 40° F year-round and space that’s at least 100 square ft. (10 ft. x 10 ft.) or a smaller space that can be fitted with louvered doors or ducted.

Head Room: Heat pump water heaters are a few inches to a foot taller than conventional electric water heaters and require a certain ceiling height based on the size of the water heater— which is dependent on household size.

The water heater location should have at least a 6-ft.-high ceiling for a household of fewer than six or at least a 7-ft.-high ceiling for a household of six or more.

Water Drainage: Heat pump water heaters require proper drainage, since—like air conditioners—they dehumidify air and produce condensate that must be removed via a nearby floor drain, or another outlet using a small

condensate pump.

The heater location should have access to one of the following: • Floor drain • Utility sink • Sump pump • Existing drain pipe • Outside (only for locations that are above freezing all year round).

Learn More For further facts about ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters, visit www.energystar.gov/waterheaters.

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ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018 | 23

24 | April 5, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Exterior Shutter Trends for 2018

Exterior Shutters

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Exterior Shutters plays an important part in the overall look and feel of your home. Let’s explore some of the popular trends we see for 2018.

Simplicity: Try using simple shutters for a pure, uncluttered effect to allow other beautiful features on the outside of your home to shine. It is in line with minimalism, where you incorporate clean, refreshing looks, while adding a nice touch to your decor.

To follow this trend, use shutters with sharp lines, minimal details and neutral colors Lighten up: Color plays a big role in the overall appearance of your home, and while exterior shutters are typically dark colored, we’ve seen an uptick in lighter colored shutters. This works especially well when trying to modernize the look of an older building. Light colored walls, combined with shutters in a slightly darker hue seems to be the norm. Whites and greys works very well and is a trend that will be with us for a while.

Stick with the basics: Exterior shutters should never overpower the look of your house and not all homes lend itself to the exotic. There’s nothing wrong with some traditional Raised Panel style shutters or even Louvered shutters to give a traditional, formal house a neat and tidy look.

Add flair and personality: Another subtle way of giving you home a one-of-a-kind appearance is to add custom cutouts to your shutters.

Let your home’s personality shine with just about any shape you can imagine, from stars and crescent moons to palm trees and hearts. Go bold and tradi-

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tional with a full cutout, or subtle and interesting with only a small relief cut on the outside corner. This obviously only works on paneled or Board and Batten style shutters.

The exterior of your home is the first impression for people coming up to your house. Shutters play a crucial role in making or breaking that first impression. It makes sense to ensure you incorporate the shutters to form a pleasant and unified appearance.

Dupbel Millworks Inc. manufactures exteriors shutters using only weather resistant materials. Our core business is shutters made from a composite wood material that is rot, insect and weather resistant. We manufacture a series of shutters styles and are fully equipped to help you design the specific look you desire, and every shutter is custom made based on your house, windows and design.

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SPORTS

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018 | 25

Tennis region champions crowned

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. — Tennis region champions were crowned last week in Class 6A and 7A, with four local teams lifting title trophies. The boys teams of Johns Creek and Milton and the Lambert and Northview girls teams captured their respective region championships.

In the highly-competitive Region 7-AAAAAA, the Johns Creek boys downed two-time defending state champions Northview, 3-0.

Johns Creek senior Cole Gromley and Ethan Howie won in singles, and freshman brothers Britt and Jack Lee won in doubles to capture the region championship and the No. 1 seed for the state tournament.

In the girls tournament, another defending state champion was denied a region crown.

Northview took down previously undefeated and defending region champs Cambridge to secure the 7-6A title and gain the No. 1 seed in the state tournament.

The Class 6A state tournament be-

Recycling: Continued from Page 4 wait a year until deciding on curbside recycling.

In previous attempts, curbside

@JCGLADIATORS/TWITTER

Johns Creek’s boys team captured the Region 7-AAAAAA title over two-time defending state champions Northview. gins April 20. All four Region 7-AAAAAA boys and girls teams reached the semifinals in 2017.

In Class 7A, the Lambert girls rallied to defeat Milton, 3-1, for the Region 5-AAAAAAA championship. South Forsyth secured the No. 3 seed over West Forsyth.

The Longhorns and Eagles also

faced off for the boys region title, and Milton ended its long dry spell of region championships. Milton claimed its first region title in 15 years over Lambert, the defending region champs. South Forsyth beat West Forsyth to earn the No. 3 seed for the state tournament which begins April 20.

Blessed Trinity’s boys and girls

recycling failed because a lot of the materials collected by the city had to be shipped out of state due to space limitations.

A survey of residents showed 77 percent opposed a recycling initiative if it amounted to a $7 hike in their monthly collection bills.

Instituting a curbside recycling program is part of the city’s comprehensive plan.

It was slated to start in 2018 through a private contractor and will be the administration’s responsibility.

The plan said it will be paid through the city’s general fund.

team will compete in the Region 7-AAAA tournament beginning April 11 at West Hall. The region tournament for Area 4, which includes Fellowship Christian, Pinecrest Academy, King’s Ridge, St. Francis and Mount Pisgah, will begin April 16. The top four teams from the area will advance to the state tournament which begins April 26.

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26 | April 5, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

North Fulton Community Charities

Now Hiring

Fulltime Bilingual Intake Specialist (English/Spanish). Manage Reception Area and Intake Desk at NFCC, a locally supported, volunteer based nonprofit serving a diverse population in North Fulton with emergency needs. NFCC requires background check, drug screen and e-verify.

Pick up application & job description at NFCC, 11270 Elkins Rd, Roswell 30076 or cfonseca@nfcchelp.org

North Fulton Community Charities

Now Hiring Full Time

Facilities Technician $16.92/hr (negot w/exp), full benefits. Primarily technical responsible for the maintenance, repair, alteration and construction, supervision of City buildings, facilities & fixtures incl electrical, HVAC & plumbing. Also supervises in-house custodial services, & coordinates/oversees contracted ser vice providers. Details w w w.suwanee.com.

Application/resume: City of Suwanee HR, 330 Town Center Ave, Suwanee, GA 30024 or Fax 678-546-2120.

E/O/E; DFW

Donation Door Supervisor: Supervise Thrift Shop donation intake and back door volunteers. Requires heavy lifting. NFCC is a locally supported nonprofit organization serving the community of North Fulton. NFCC does require a background check, drug screen and e-Verify. Job description and application available at 11270 Elkins Road, Roswell 30076 or submit resume to Tina Adams tadams@nfcchelp.org.

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | April 5, 2018 | 27

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28 | April 5, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

HOW DO YOU LISTEN? Appen Media Group is proud to unveil our new lineup of podcasts; Inside the Box, Lunch Break and Overtime with Joe Parker.

Podcasts are recorded radio shows you can listen to via an app or online, for free.

But instead of music, you listen to news, stories and interviews. People enjoy podcasts because they are a free flowing, easy to use and affordable outlet for entertainment and news.

How to download our podcasts 1. Go to northfulton.com/podcasts 2. You will see a media player that broadcasts the most recent episode.

This will allow you to listen directly from your laptop, computer or phone.

3. If you prefer to listen via an app on your phone, there is a link below each media player to access them, if you have an iPhone (Apple), Android phone or another popular podcast app Stitcher.

VISIT NORTHFULTON.COM/PODCASTS AND LISTEN TODAY