Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - November 3, 2016 by Appen Media Group

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N ov e m b e r 3 , 2 0 1 6 | N o r t h F u l t o n . 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 3 4 , N o . 4 4

Performing arts center Alpharetta mayor initiates discussion on new venue for downtown ►►PAGE 4

More greenspace

Johns Creek residents to consider $40 million bond to fund more park development ►►PAGE 6

Real Estate Report Sponsored section ►►PAGE 22

Honors for retiring director

Alpharetta gathering objects for history museum HATCHER HURD/HERALD

Connie Mashburn of the Alpharetta Historical Society, left, and Alpharetta City Councilman Donald Mitchell hold up the plans for the History Room in City Hall. The room will feature a timeline and museum that will display relics, documents and tools from the city’s past. A drive is underway to find local residents who are willing to donate or lend items for the exhibition. For more, see the article on PAGE 10.

Roswell Child Development Center praised for lifting program to new heights ►►PAGE 32

State softball champs Cambridge ends near-perfect season with title win over Creekview ►►PAGE 34

The fight of her life

There’s no quit to toddler born with life-threatening heart defects ►►PAGE 36

2 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 PUBLISHER Ray Appen Alpharetta-Roswell: ex. 118 Forsyth Herald: ex. 143 Johns Creek Herald: ex. 121 Milton Herald: ex. 143 Business Post: ex. 116 Northside Woman: ex. 102 TO SUBMIT EDITORIAL: News: news@appenmediagroup.com Press Releases: NewsLink.NorthFulton.com Calendar/Events: NorthFulton.com/Calendar ADVERTISING QUESTIONS: General Advertising: ex. 101 advertising@appenmediagroup.com Classified Advertising: ex. 119 classifieds@appenmediagroup.com Circulation/Subscriptions/Delivery: ex. 100 circulation@appenmediagroup.com Our Weekly Publications

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Man charged with 6 armed robberies By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com

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ATLANTA — A man wanted by the FBI for serial bank robbery in Johns Creek and Marietta has been caught. On Wednesday, Oct. 26, a team of FBI agents and Task Force Officers, along with Cobb County police found and arrested 51-year-old Kevin Ray Williamson in his East Cobb home, according to an FBI spokesperson. The arrest came almost two months after the last robbery, a Renasant Bank in Johns Creek. “The arrest and indictment in this case put an end to an active, eightmonth crime spree, and hopefully returned a sense of safety to the community in Marietta, where most of the

POLICE BLOTTER All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Man allegedly assaults employee with nunchuck JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A man reported an aggravated assault Oct. 18 after he was allegedly struck by his boss with a nunchuck. The employee was working on moving a light fixture on a house at the owner’s request, when his boss, 47-year-old Gerald Overholt, showed up and began yelling at him. Overholt was allegedly angry about how much money it would cost to move the fixture. The employee went inside the building momentarily to fetch his supplies. Overholt challenged the employee to

robberies occurred,” U.S. Attorney John Horn said. Williamson was indicted by a federal grand jury and arraigned on federal armed bank robbery charges for a total of six robberies spanning from Feb. 4-Oct. Sept. 8. The first four robberies were confined to Marietta, but the last two branched out to Atlanta on Aug. 22 and Johns Creek on Sept. 8. In each of these robberies, Williamson allegedly demanded cash from the teller while brandishing a gun. He would frequently apologize for the inconvenience after placing the money in a dark brief case or messenger bag. “The FBI is proud of the outstanding work of its many agents, task force officers, and analytical personnel in getting the person believed to be responsible for these armed serial bank robberies identified and safely apprehended,” said George Crouch, Acting Special Agent in a fight when he came back outside, because Overholt thought the employee was speaking badly of him, according to the police report. Overholt then went to his car and pulled out a nunchuck and swung it at the employee. The nunchuck left a visible red mark on the back of the employee’s neck, according to the report. A witness stepped between the two men to keep the incident from escalating further. Overholt drove off before police could arrive, but a witness wrote down the plate number to his car. Police attempted to contact Overholt’s last known address, but he has since moved.

Guns stolen, dead chickens left in yard MILTON, Ga. — A couple reported a

See BLOTTER, Page 45

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Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office. “These robberies were particularly egregious in that many of the victim tellers had to endure having a handgun pointed directly at them. The FBI will continue to make those who bring this type of violent crime into our communities a priority matter.”

DUIS & DRUGS All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

DUI arrests ►► Brian David Douglas, 51, of Yukon

Drive, Johns Creek, was arrested Oct. 20 on Jones Bridge Road in Johns Creek for DUI. ►► Latarsha Anita Daniel, 40, of Cummings Drive, Atlanta, was arrested Oct. 23 on Hopewell Road in Milton for DUI and disorderly conduct.

DRUG arrests ►► Duane Tyrone Hall, 26, of

Barrington Landing Court, Roswell, was arrested Oct. 23 on Soneley Court in Milton for possession of marijuana and possession of drug-related items.

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4 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Alpharetta opens talks on performing arts center City raises subject as first step in pursuing private partnership By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Barely six months after dirt was turned for a $112 million hotel/conference center, Mayor David Belle Isle has floated a plan before the City Council to explore development of a performing arts center. The announcement continues a stream of cultural and commercial ventures the city has engineered over the past five years, reshaping its image beyond an affluent residential suburb to a mecca for high-tech businesses and their workforce. In addition to the conference center, the city recently adopted architectural designs on a $2.8 million arts center in the former Fulton County Library branch on Canton Street. “We know we need different blocks, different pieces to come together to make a successful downtown,” Belle Isle said at the Oct. 24 City Council meeting. “One of the blocks that I think we need to figure out at some point in the future is the cultural arts piece of it.” The city already has a feasibility study which details some of the costs and funding mechanisms it could pursue to bring a performing arts center to the city. That study carried a price tag of $51,000 and was co-funded evenly by the city and the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau. The project, as detailed in the agenda item, calls for a 1,400-seat fully equipped theater with stage, proscenium (stage area in front of the curtain), fly loft and orchestra pit. It is envisioned the performing arts center would be owned by a nonprofit and would be in a walkable, pedestrian-friendly area of the city with adequate parking nearby.

See ART CENTER, Page 12

Decision on parking deck still on hold Alpharetta continues to gather data on sites By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. - Residents and businesses tuned in to the city’s deliberations on where to put a parking deck west of Main Street will have to wait. City officials report the new consultant for the project is still in the process of collecting information on the proposed sites and they don’t expect to see those results for at least another two weeks. The city has brought on a new consulting firm, Pond & Co., to finalize plans that will allow it to evaluate sites. The switch was made after consultants Kimley Horn presented an outline of the proposed sites at a public workshop attended by close to 80 people. But one element involving a site on Milton Avenue was found to be in error because it included a 12-foot strip the city does not own. As a result, the calculation on the number of spaces in the deck was incorrect. “It allows us to take a breather and just make sure all the facts are calculated and correct,” said Councilman Jason Binder. Binder has led the campaign to bring the decision before the public. The city is considering two sites for the new deck, both on the west side of Main Street. The first, Site A, won early City Council support and is closest to Main Street’s downtown district. It lies within that triangle between Roswell Street and Old Roswell Street. Site A also has the support of the downtown business community, according to an informal poll conducted by city staff last month. The other proposed location, labeled Site D, sits on 1 acre on Milton Avenue, just east of Rest Haven cemetery. It is about two blocks from the Main Street district and has garnered the most support among those residents speaking out on the issue.

GARAGE SALES See more garage sales in the classifieds

WOODSTOCK: Multi family. 1905 Hendon Road 30188. Friday and Saturday 11/4 and 11/5, 8am-6pm, Sunday 11/6, 12pm-4pm. Holiday decorations, designer clothing, kitchen and bath items, etc MILTON: AUCTION! The Estate of Ruth Kirby: 13675 Cogburn Road. Preview Friday 11/4, 10am-5pm. Saturday 10am start. Antiques, furniture, household items, tools and more! License #GAL3752. 770-710-1692 www. auctionzip.com ALPHARETTA: Glen Abbey Subdivision fall community -wide sale! 3600 Grey Abbey Drive 30005. Maps at entrance and balloons at participating homes. Friday 11/4 and Saturday 11/5, 9am-2pm. SOUTH FORSYTH: Entire Olde Atlanta Club neighborhood! 5750 Olde Atlanta Parkway. Saturday 11/5, 8am-2pm. Furniture, childrens’ clothes and toys, collectibles, sports

equipment, antiques, household items; something for everyone! ALPHARETTA: Tuxford Subdivision Multi family 25+ homes; 10800 Windham Way 30022; Friday 11/4, Saturday 11/5, 8am-2pm. Pool furniture, furniture, home decor, etc. Maps near front entrance. ALPHARETTA: Echelon Subdivision; 217 Traditions Drive 30004. Saturday 11/5, 9am-2pm. Estate sale. Bed sets, piano, air hockey table, couches, desks, vintage dolls. Cash or credit cards. CUMMING: Moving/estate sale. Windermere; 1470 Edenham Lane 30041. Saturday 11/5, 9am-3pm. Cash & Carry. Outdoor furniture, office furniture, dining room set, kitchen table & chairs, queen mattress/rails, night stand, sectional sofa, entertainment ctr., tools, oriental rugs, decorative items, other household items

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NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016 | 5

NEWS

6 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

$40M parks bond big step for city Funds would turn land into recreation By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – In addition to choosing a new president and a transportation SPLOST Nov. 8, Johns Creek voters will have their first-ever parks bond referendum that has – if passed – earmarked $40 million for the city’s recreation and parks. Johns Creek City Manager Warren Hutmacher said the money goes into three areas: build out of the five new parks and pocket parks, improve existing parks and land acquisition. The bulk of the bond money – about

$29 million – will go to bring online the city’s new parkland at: • Cauley Creek Park on Bell Road • Technology Park on Medlock • Morton Road Pocket Park • Bell Boles Pocket Park • Rogers Bridge Trail

HUTMACHER

All of the improvements will be done in accordance with the Johns Creek Parks Master Plan, Hutmacher said. “The reason for the bond is to give residents the chance to decide if they want an accelerated development of Parks Master Plan that would get the

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work done over the next five years or allow the work to compete with other projects in the annual budget,” he said. “It is strictly up to the voters to decide.” Obviously it will take the city much longer to complete the work that has been presented in the bond plan. What the additional annual cost (estimated at half a mill) will be to the taxpayer will show up in the annual millage rate to fund the bond repayment schedule based on the value of the individual home. The additional estimate property tax will be: • For homes valued at $350,000: $5.20 monthly or $62.50 annually. • For homes valued at $450,000: $6.87 monthly or $82.50 annually. • For homes valued at $550,000: $8.54 monthly or $102.50 annually. “The city has 180 new acres of parkland. That more than doubles the amount of acreage the city previously owned,” Hutmacher said. Those are the existing parks of Newtown, Ocee, Shakerag and Autrey Mill. The city is geographically challenged – it is bound on the west by the Chattahoochee River and Gwinnett County, the south by Gwinnett and Peachtree Corners, the east by Roswell and Alpharetta and the north by Forsyth County. That means the city could use the flexibility that the bond dollars would provide — $4 million would be set aside for the acquisition of new land. “When and if possible parkland does become available, that liquidity would provide the city the ability to react quickly if a particularly choice piece of property comes on the market. The city had the reserves to buy the land that makes up Cauley Creek Park and Technology Park,” Hutmacher said. “This would replenish those surplus funds to some degree.” Also as bond money, those funds can only be used for completion of the city Parks Master Plan. Cauley Creek is the largest of the new parkland. The city envisions partitioning it into three areas of general activities. The entrance area of the park would be low intensity use such as free-play basketball courts. The area along the Chattahoochee River would be for passive use including hiking trails and picnic tables. The center portion of the park would have eight rectangular fields for organized sports that would include soccer, baseball, lacrosse and cricket. “This will give the city some geographic balance in that most of de-

The FAQs about the bond referendum What is a Bond Referendum? A bond referendum is a voting process that gives voters the power to decide if a municipality should be authorized to raise funds through the sale of bonds. A general obligation (G.O.) bond is a long-term borrowing option that pledges the city’s full faith and credit (taxing power) to repay the debt over a specific term. How much would the city issue in bonds? If citizens vote in favor of the bond financing question on the Nov. 8 ballot, the city will have the authority to issue up to $40 million in general obligation (G.O.) bonds. If approved, how quickly can the projects start? If the bond is approved by Johns Creek residents, the city would accelerate the construction schedule. Construction could begin on selected projects as early as mid-2017 with completion of all the identified projects expected within five years. What happens if the bond referendum does not pass? If the Parks Bond Referendum does not pass, the projects identified on the list and others in the Recreation and Parks Strategic Master Plan will still be addressed, but projects will be funded through the city’s General Fund and will compete with other city priorities including public safety and transportation. veloped parkland for baseball is in the east at Ocee Park and Newtown,” Hutmacher said. An indoor recreation center is also contemplated that would meet the demand for meeting space and a multi-purpose gym – about 10,000 square feet in all. Real design has been done pending the outcome of the vote. The recreation’s annual budget would go up accordingly as well. But Hutmacher said much of the expense of organized sports would be diluted with the use of partner/user volunteer associations as they exist in the city’s baseball leagues. The Technology Park would have a dynamic plan, Hutmacher said. “It would be a linear park that would incorporate the existing water features. It would create open spaces and open fields and remain largely a passive park. Residents would have walking and biking paths,” he said. It will all be up to the voters. A lively turnout is expected with a presidential election and the city’s first parks bond referendum.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016 | 7

Est. 1977

HISTORIC ROSWELL

Wall-to-wall retirement sale! Everything discounted… 30% oﬀ Fall Items

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Chandlery has been a retail pillar to Roswell. Come join us! The Chandlery is announcing a retiring sale that starts on October 27th at 9:30am. Mary Anne and Jim Johnson are celebrating their retirement after almost 40 years. Their daughter, Sally, who has been with the business for 20 years, will move on to a different endeavor. The retirement sale will begin at 9:30am on Thursday, October 27th. The Sale will progress through the end of the year including all merchandise and fixtures. Mary Anne and Jim Johnson opened The Chandlery in 1977 in a 400 sq ft clapboard building at the Roswell Square on S. Atlanta Street. The name Chandlery came from the French word for candle and also means a shop of small things. Now, for almost 40 years, The Chandlery has been exactly that to the City of Roswell. The Chandlery started with burlap covered walls, doll houses, jelly bellys, and macramé plant holders. In 1990 The Chandlery moved to Canton Street and provided collectible houses, French linens, Christmas decor, fine china, tabletop, children’s gifts, local artists and much more, The Chandlery has been a retail pillar to Roswell. The Johnson Family is so thankful for the community of Roswell and all customers near and far that have supported us. We are also grateful that we have been able to give to hundreds of charities and non-profits along the way as that is what makes a community such as Roswell special. We can’t even count the number of friends we have made, the number of children and grandchildren we have met. The Johnson Family thanks Roswell to have had such a great town to have our business and live in. We hope to see you during our Retiring from Retail celebration!

950 Canton Street, Roswell • Mon-Sat 9:30-6:00, Sunday 12:00-5:00 • 770-993-5962

8 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

OPINION

Georgia presidential election safe as houses There has been a lot of pot-stirring about whether there might be some nefarious plot afoot to “steal” the presidential election. HATCHER HURD In Georgia, let Executive Editor Merle King put hatcher@appenmediagroup.com those fears to rest. King is the man in charge at Kennesaw State University Center for Elections Systems. It is his job and that of his staff to ensure there is neither hanky nor panky going on in the 2016 Georgia elections. King says Georgia’s elections are about as tamper-proof as can be done. His background is information systems and computer science, and he was chair of the Computer Science Department at KSU. He said it actually makes sense for someone with his background rather than, say, political science. That is because virtually every aspect of government and especially elections is now a field of information technology. “We are decidedly apolitical at the university,” he said. “We’re focused on optimizing the technology and maintaining it.” First, he gave me some history. Prior to the 2002 elections in Georgia, each county was responsible for the handling and counting of its votes. If you are old enough to remember what a “hanging chad” was, then you remember how in 2000 the George W. Bush-Al Gore presidential election came down to the recount-by-hand of votes in a few Florida precincts. Counting some of the paper ballots came down to a human eye decision of whether a voting ballot was sufficiently perforated to indicate an actual vote was cast – is that a hanging chad or were you trying to vote? It took a Supreme Court ruling to end the recount, giving the Florida electoral votes – and the election – to Bush.That sobering ordeal caused many states including Georgia to take a hard look at the election process. In most Georgia counties votes were still counted by hand. “In the 2000 election, it was

found Georgia had more votes that were indeterminable than in Florida,” King said. “That was the wakeup call in Georgia.” The first step KING was to install a uniform voting system in all counties and to be sure the equipment was state-of-the art. That was done in 2002. So while the Secretary of State’s office may be subject to the whims and tides of political elections, the Center for Elections has been able to build the institutional infrastructure to make sure the integrity of elections is maintained. King also noted that in any statewide Georgia election, as a practical matter, it is really 159 separate elections held in each county. That means the Center for Elections has overseen some 8,000 elections over the last 14 years. “So you get experience real fast,” King said. Should the issue of voter fraud arise, you have the right kind of people minding the store. They are so obsessive about detail, process and data. King noted a study done by Loyola University in an analysis of almost 1 billion ballots cast. A total of 31 cases of in-person voter fraud occurred. “Those 31 cases are important, but statistically they tell us that [fraud] is a rarity,” he said. So King’s people, in guarding the integrity of elections, focus on the “completeness of process.” By that, he meant accounting for all of the ballots, all the memory cards, determining that ballots can be properly scanned and tabulated. Thus, if you have captured all the votes and have counted them correctly, the election’s integrity has been maintained. So King and his people don’t concern themselves much with theoretical threats – say Russians hacking the system. Instead they stick to the realm of the possible. Hacking is not a threat because the Elections Center is a closed system. Neither it nor the polls is connected to the internet. So the system is safe from attacks via the internet. The system security is com-

pounded by 50 states with 50 different systems. Each processes data differently and none are linked to another. All of these systems have overlapping layers of cyber and physical and procedural security, King said. “It combines to make any undetectable hack virtually impossible,” he said. A conspiracy at the polling level would demand a huge number of people to affect enough polling places to alter the outcome. “I have always held that a conspiracy to defraud an election would have to be so large, that if they just voted they would win the election,” King said. Donald Trump’s continued harping that the election will be stolen from him only points out his lack of understanding of the process, King said. Trump’s call for self-appointed vigilantes to “watch” polling places is ingenuous at best on the face of it. King said election observation is not “an activity of passion.” Rather it takes trained observers to know what artifices to look for. Nor are voting areas places where people are allowed to loiter. Laws are strict on who may be in a voting area other than a voter and a pollster. “The notion of creating expectations that you as a citizen can simply enter and watch with no real idea about laws governing polling, is both naïve and dangerous,” King said. Indeed it is dangerous. I believe it attacks the notion that we have free elections in this nation. If there is widespread disruption of polling places, the disruption may take more than one election cycle to repair. What possible positive outcome could come from uninvited poll watchers who descend on a precinct to “oversee” a full and fair election? It is irresponsible. I think it goes more to the psyche of Donald Trump. He must prepare an excuse for losing the election in advance. That he would try to cast a slur on America’s greatest institution – fair and free elections – is the lowest blow yet in what has been a nasty election from the start. The shame is on him.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Vote YES Nov. 8 for Amendment 2 to help sexually abused children There is an issue on this year’s ballot that is getting far too little attention. Amendment 2, which would create the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund, will create up to $2 million dedicating much needed funding for victim services and allow the young victims of trafficking to have a chance at a normal life. Incidents of child trafficking have been reported in over 100 Georgia counties. These children as young as 9 are physically and mentally abused, coerced into unspeakable actions and robbed of their innocence and their chance for a successful future. There is no question that these children deserve our help. Amendment 2 will help us make sure they get the care they need. Children across Georgia are being exploited and trafficked every day. Those who are lucky enough to be rescued from these horrible circumstances need medical and psychological care, safe housing and help getting back on track with their education. Amendment 2 provides that chance to provide these services and allow these young victims to have the chance at a better life. Amendment 2 will generate up to $2 million annually to fund that dedicated assistance to young victims of trafficking. Because it is dedicated, we can be sure it will go directly to the entities that are providing the assistance these children need and not be subject to a political appropriations process. The funding mechanism, developed by the General Assembly, specifies additional fines for convicted traffickers and a fee on the adult entertainment industry. So the question before us is not how we will generate the funding to help young victims. Rather it is will we say “yes” to providing the services they need to move forward from a tragic young beginning to a brighter, successful future? These children did not ask for this fate, nor do they deserve it. Child trafficking victims have an average age between 12 to 14 years old. They are both genders, all races and from all socioeconomic and family situations. They have been tricked or coerced into the sex trade, often by people they believed cared about them and their future. They have been mentally and physically abused and their innocence has been lost forever. As Georgians, can we look away? Especially when simply by voting “yes” we have the chance to ensure the restorative services they need will be there for them if they are rescued. For us, it’s just a vote. For them, it is their future. DAVE McCLEARY Founder of End Human Trafficking Now

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016 | 9

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10 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

“BE A PART OF HISTORY”

COMMUNITY

Alpharetta gathering objects for history museum Group seeks artifacts for post1970s to put in City Hall’s new History Room

Members of the Alpharetta History Room Committee

To donate or loan a relic

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com

Donald Mitchell Connie Mashburn Mary Lea Ben Hollingsworth Stephanie Anderson Kim Dodson

Connie Mashburn 770-265-3862 Donald Mitchell 770-712-2290 City Clerk Coty Thigpen 678-297-6003

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Many of the some 62,000 residents who live in Alpharetta today know little of the town before it became a thriving tech city. Fewer still know about the area before March, 23, 1858, when Alpharetta became incorporated and made the county seat of Milton County. That is going to change with the help of some dedicated people who want people to know the history of the city and the county that spawned the metropolis we know today. Alpharetta Councilman Donald Mitchell and local historian Connie Mashburn both have an abiding interest in exploring and preserving Alpharetta’s history. They are part of a committee of equally concerned residents who are working to ensure the people who have come to Alpharetta and those yet to come will have an understanding of its past and its roots. Mashburn and Mitchell met at City Hall to explain their plans and to make a request of area residents.

“Alpharetta has a rich history going back hundreds of years with the Cherokee Nation,” Mitchell said. “We are collecting artifacts for the Alpharetta History Room which will be located in City Hall.” The room of about 200 square feet will contain a timeline beginning with the Cherokee Era and present six eras in all. It will be known as the Alpharetta & Old Milton County Museum. The museum committee has been collecting artifacts for the museum for months and has a number of them, such as a spinning wheel, ox yoke and a replica page of the Cherokee language newspaper printed in Cherokee as devised by Sequoya and English on the facing page. Until the expulsion of the Cherokee by President Andrew Jackson in the death march known as The

Call the museum committee:

Trail of Tears, Cherokees and settlers lived amicably and intermarried. Many are remembered by name including Foe Killer (Four Killer?) who lived near today’s East Creek Circle, Spanish Pete, who fought with the British in Spanish Florida and Kitowakee who lived near upper Hembree Road. Among the artifacts already gathered are diaries, letters and business records. Tools and even an authentic still have been donated or loaned by longtime residents. But as the committee gathers material for the museum, they are making an appeal to the public. “But what we really are short of are artifacts from the sixth era – artifacts from the 1970s going forward,” said Mitchell. “It is important we document

See MUSEUM, Page 29

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12 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com UN DERSTA N D IN G A L ZHEI M ER ’S & D E M E N TI A

Roswell City Council scrambles to rearrange meeting schedule Horton new mayor pro tem ROSWELL, Ga. – Things have been in a bit of flux for the City Council lately. City leaders called a special meeting for Oct. 26 to rearrange schedules and elect a new mayor pro tem. That was after the city canceled its regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 24 due to a lack of a quorum. The scramble follows the arrest Oct. 20 of City Councilman Kent Igleheart on charges of sexual exploitation of a

Art Center: Continued from Page 4

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Belle Isle told the council he would like to merely introduce the idea as a workshop item just to get a discussion going and to gauge interest. The agenda item proposed that the city issue an indication of interest (IOI), inviting businesses and other parties to contact the city if they would be willing to discuss a partnership in developing a performing arts center. “This is the kind of thing this council does not have the resources nor the authority to do by itself,” Belle Isle said. “If we decide to do Mayor Belle Isle it, it’s going to take a partnership of different entities.” The city does have access to some money for its portion of the project, thanks to a $52.5 million bond referendum residents passed in May. The bond included $1.45 million for Cultural Arts/ Parkland Acquisition. In addition, the bond included $4 million, plus another $1 million contribution from Avalon, for general parkland acquisition. Alpharetta Finance Director Tom Harris said the indication of interest follows the same process the city undertook in bringing about the convention center. But, the proposal drew some pushback from Councilman Jim Gilvin who said he was shocked to see the item come up. “I’m not prepared to go forward with an IOI at this point,” Gilvin said. “I was

child. Igleheart was released from the DeKalb County Jail Monday after posting a $30,000 bond. The City Council voted Oct. 26 to name Donald Horton the new mayor pro tem to replace Igleheart. It also voted to cancel its regularly scheduled “Fifth Monday” Open Forum Oct. 31 and move it to Nov. 1. In addition to the open microphone for residents, the council was also scheduled to take on regular business items at the Nov. 1 session. —Patrick Fox shocked to see this on the agenda and to see this without having a workshop or at least some discussion.” He said he was particularly surprised by the level of detail – the number of seats and amenities -- in a plan the council had never discussed. “I don’t remember us as a council ever deciding to do that,” he said. Gilvin said the city really hasn’t identified any revenue source. “Clearly, there’s something in mind here that’s going to cost millions of dollars,” he said. Gilvin also warned that the city runs the risk of overspending for large projects through bond initiatives that obligate taxpayers for decades into the future. “Since I’ve been on this council (first elected in 2011), by the end of this year, we will have bonded $104 million,” Gilvin said. “That’s a lot of money, and there’s only so many times we can go to that well.” But Councilman Donald Mitchell said research into funding mechanisms is a normal part of the IOI process. “I do think that successful cities in the past have always paid close attention to not only the visual arts, which we’re already well underway with doing, but also the performing arts,” Mitchell said. “My hope is we could get it 80 or 90 percent privately funded, but we’ll see once we issue this.” Rather than draw out the discussion, Mayor Belle Isle moved to table the measure until councilmembers were satisfied enough preliminary work had been performed to raise the issue again.

This is the kind of thing this council does not have the resources nor the authority to do by itself.”

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016 | 13

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14 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Alpharetta, Roswell police warn about counterfeit $100 bills

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NORTH FULTON, Ga. — Alpharetta and Roswell police have received multiple reports since mid-October about local businesses receiving fake $100 bills. One or two men have been allegedly using the counterfeit $100 notes to make purchases the past two weeks. Police have not yet been able to identify the suspects. The men are probably new to the area and are testing out the bills before using them more widely, said Alpharetta Police Public Information Officer CREDIT: U.S. TREASURY/ALPHARETTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY George Gordon. A few locations have been affected, mostly smaller chain restaurants, including Pizza Hut, Jimmy Johns and Moe’s. The suspects order around $10-$15 worth of food and pay with the fake bill to get real cash as the change, according to a Facebook post by the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety. Detection pens may not work on these fake bills. “Several employees have stated they checked the note with a detection pen and it showed it as being legitimate,” the post said. “Do not depend solely on pen detection.” Legitimate bills will have an embedded magnetic strip with the currency denomination printed on it. Any businesses who encounter counterfeit currency are urged to contact their local police.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016 | 15

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Forsyth County real estate on the rise Market has 12 percent higher sales than last year By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Real estate sales in Forsyth County are on the rise. Tim Hopkins of Hopkins Home Sales spoke Oct. 26 at the quarterly Real Estate Roundtable hosted by the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce. So far for 2016, real estate sales are 12.1 percent higher than in the same period in 2015 and 25.4 percent higher than in 2014, he said. In fact, sales were up each month so far in 2016. “Sales showed an overall downward

trend from January 2007 through 2009, illustrating normal seasonal variations,” Hopkins said. “It also showed the distortion in that pattern caused by government purchase incentives in late 2009 and into the first half of 2010. Since then the pattern has shifted into a general upturn in sales since 2010. Sales could be higher in 2016 after lagged closings are processed.” And while sales increased, so did prices. The median sales price is $321,000 which is up 5.8 percent compared to this time last year. The $300,000$499,000 price range continues to see the most sales, followed by $200,000 to $299,000. Additionally, homes are on the market about 40 days on average and there is a somewhat lower supply of homes available. “Sales of resale properties grew in the $200,000 to $749,000 price range during the quarter, offsetting a decrease in two other segments to result in an overall increase of 4 percent,” Hopkins said. Other notable trends include that homebuyers are starting to downsize. The 55 and up communities are gradually increasing and millennials are not ready to buy homes yet.

Sales of resale properties grew in the middle group of resale segments between $200K and $749K during the quarter, offsetting the decrease in two segments to result in an overall increase of 4 percent.

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Sandy Springs downtown well under way I’m going to goahead and guess that most of you have not driven down Roswell Road through Sandy Springs lately—unless you had to. It’s a tough stretch GEOFF SMITH of road to get Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com through. In fact, I might even go as far as to say that the couple of miles of Roswell Road from Abernathy Road to I-285 may be the slowest section of road to travel in all of the metro area. I could certainly be wrong, but it’s a tough stretch. And it is tough because usually when you drive through there, you just want to get to the other side. Well that may not be the case for much longer. We had our branch’s annual company dinner last week at Rumi’s Kitchen - which is an incredible Persian restaurant in an old garage attached to an IHOP in the center of that Sandy Springs area. Go there, it’s fantastic. But in our drive to Rumi’s, Brenda and I were amazed at the amount of construction going on in that area. A couple years ago I wrote about the City of Sandy Springs planning a new downtown city-center they were calling City Springs. Well, they are done planning. It’s getting built. There are a number of components to the master plan created by Sandy Springs’ city leaders. To drive through the area now you will see several high-rise, high-quality residential buildings going up. And that may not be happening if the city had not been able to purchase several lots in the densely populated area where it is currently building several large projects of its own.

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At the intersection of Johnsons Ferry and Roswell Road, the city is deep into construction of a $180-million project that will include a new city hall, a studio theater with meeting space, and a performing arts center, all centered around a 4-acre park with large water fountains. The city hall looks to be about five stories tall and resembles more a modern office building than a typical city hall – which fits Sandy Springs. A very interesting feature of the city hall will be its rooftop garden where visitors can go and enjoy nature on top of an office building overlooking the City Green plaza – which is what the city is calling the 4-acre park with water features. The performing arts center will be 50,000 square feet and will be able to seat 1,000 people. It looks to be a very nice venue with one balcony and a 6,100 square-foot, glass-enclosed lobby. The last section of this property to be developed will actually be privately built. It will be a multi-story development with more than 300 residences in units sitting above a first story of shops and restaurants. The area needed this big shot in the arm. The new development will be a stark contrast to the aging strip

centers that for years stood there. This public project has already sparked several new projects up and down the corridor and is likely to spark several more. The Sandy Springs-Dunwoody area has seen a huge influx of new office developments and corporate relocations. Mercedes-Benz’ new North American Headquarters is under construction and, based on the renderings I’ve seen, it will be stunning. It is going up on Abernathy Road just west of GA400. State Farm is nearly finished with one of the four high-rises for its massive campus off Hammond Drive overlooking the Dunwoody MARTA station. When finished, the project will be more than 2 million square feet and house more than 10,000 employees. And there are other projects either under construction or in the planning stages that will bring even more workers to the area. Sandy Springs is about to get inundated with employees looking for places to live close to their work. And they are about to see their tax-base rise with the buildings. Hopefully, they can use those extra funds to keep improving the infrastructure the way they are building their new City Springs. Because it’s an awesome project. 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

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18 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Local banker elected chairman of Bankers association ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta bank executive Brad Serff, CEO and president of Providence Bank, was recently elected chairman of the Community Bankers Association of Georgia. The Community Bankers Association of Georgia represents 165 Georgia community banks and nearly 200 associate member SERFF companies. “Community banks represent an important share of the banking community and I’m pleased to help represent the important work community banks accomplish in Georgia,” said Serff. “Community banks provide a different experience than the big banks. Most of us offer the same types of products as the large national banks but we have a better understanding of what’s happening in the local community. And we can better serve our customers with their banking needs.” The Community Bankers Association of Georgia is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving community banks throughout Georgia for over 45 years to enhance their profitability and growth. Founded in 1969 by a group of Georgia community bankers, the CBA is the state’s only advocate working solely for the interests of community banks and their customers, Serf said. Providence Bank is the only community bank locally chartered in the Alpharetta/Milton community.

BUSINESSBRIEFS

Bekel Home + Design opens in Alpharetta

Business name: Bekel Home + Design Owners: Beth Johnson and Kelly Klafter About: Bekel Home + Design is an interior design and home furnishings retail boutique in downtown Alpharetta. Named for the combined names of Beth Johnson and Kelly Klafter, Bekel Home + Design offers clients over three decades of experience in the design industry and a passion for helping clients create unique spaces designed around their lifestyle. Opened: Sept. 15, 2016 Address: 30 North Main St., Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 Phone: 770-857-3990 Website: www.bekelhome.com

Broadwell House Luxury Condominiums opens in Milton Business name: Broadwell House Luxury Residential Condominiums Owners: Developers – Will Stolz and Jeff Freeman, SF Capital About: Sixewly constructed luxury condo flats in the heart of Crabapple in Alpharetta. Offers elevator access, private underground parking, 2-3 bedroom /2.5 baths , high end finishes and appliances, fireplace on private balconies, climate control storage units, walking community to shops and restaurants. Priced in 600-700’s. Available now. Opened: Summer 2016 Address: 12600 Marstrow Drive, Milton, Ga. 30004 Phone: 404-432-5859 Website: www.crabapplecondos.com

Brown and Caldwell partners with ’Hooch Nature Center ATLANTA, Ga. — The Chattahoochee Nature Center recently announced that Brown and Caldwell, an environmental engineering and construction firm, will be a major sponsor of CNC to help further its mission of connecting people with nature. Brown and Caldwell’s Atlanta Design Center is the company’s regional headquarters for providing detailed design for projects throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Its design team includes engineers, designers, and construction professionals who provide environmental solutions. In addition, Brown and Caldwell’s Atlanta staff are dedicated to supporting the communities in Fulton County, having participated in numerous fundraising and community events, such as the Water Drop Dash and the Eco Challenge at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. For more about Brown and Caldwell, their mission and services, visit brownandcaldwell.com. For more about the Chattahoochee Nature Center, visit chattnaturecenter.org.

The Crevalle Group opens in Milton Business name: The Crevalle Group Owners: Will and Jen Drescher About: The Crevalle Group, a national IT staffing firm in the heart of Crabapple, specializes in placing consultants in cloud technologies with a focus on salesforce.com. Their initial team of five employees has over 80 years combined staffing and consulting experience. Opened: September 2016 Address: 765 Mid Broadwell Road, Milton, Ga. 30004 Phone: 888-787-9858 Website: www.thecrevallegroup.com

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016 | 19

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20 Herald | NorthFulton.com 22 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

CALENDAR HOLIDAY BAZAAR

JOHNS CREEK ANNIVERSARY

Enjoy the city of Johns Creeks’ 10 Year Anniversary Celebration with performances by School of Rock, the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, and Johns Creek and Centennial High School bands. There will also be food trucks, inflatables and a guest appearance by Miss Georgia 2016 Patricia Ford. The celebration will be Saturday, Nov. 5 from 5-8 p.m. at Johns Creek High School, 5575 State Bridge Road. For more information and a full list of activities, visit johnscreekga.gov/10-year-celebration. Looking to get the word out about your event? Submit it to our online calendar at NorthFulton.com/Calednar.

EVENTS: REVEAL THE PATH

What: Enjoy a screening of “Reveal the Path,” an adventure film that contemplates what it means to live an inspired life, using the bicycle as a mechanism to explore, dream and discover. Ages 16 and up. When: Friday, Nov. 4, 6-8 p.m. Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell Cost: $10 per ticket More info and tickets: chattnaturecenter.org

CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECKS

What: To help children remain safe, a certified car seat technician from Milton Police Department will be checking car seats for free. When: Saturday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107F, Milton More info and registration: 678-2422527 or pdinfo@cityofmiltonga.us

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY VOLUNTEERING

What: Find out how to volunteer at and support Habitat for Humanity during this 30-minute volunteer information session. When: Saturday, Nov. 5, 10:30-11 a.m. Where: Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 11060 Alpharetta Highway, Roswell More info and registration: vgibson@ habitat.org or 770-415-1650

FALL COLORS RIVER TOUR

What: Quietly paddle along the Chattahoochee River, taking in the sounds of the river and its wildlife and enjoying the fall colors, cool breeze and warm sunshine. Ages 16 and up. When: Nov. 5, 4-7 p.m. and Nov. 6, 3-6 p.m. Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell Cost: $30 for general public and $25 for members. More info and tickets: chattnaturecenter.org

CAN DO BUILD

What: Join the tour through the Autrey Mill Heritage Village and learn about what life would have been like for the farm families at the turn of the 18th century in Johns Creek. When: Saturday, Nov. 5, 2 p.m. Where: Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center, 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek More Info: autreymill.org or 678-3663511

GROWING FRUIT IN GEORGIA

What: Learn all about growing fruit trees and shrubs for the winter. This free class by the North Fulton Master Gardeners will talk about selection, planting, pruning, disease and pest control, and harvesting. When: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7-8:30 p.m. Where: Alpharetta Public Works Department, 1790 Hembree Road, Alpharetta More info and registration: nfmg.net or 678-297-6200

LIBRARY EVENTS: ALPHARETTA LIBRARY BOOK SALE

What: The Alpharetta Library will be hosting a book sale. All proceeds will go toward supporting the library and its programs. When: Saturday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org

MUSIC, ARTS & THEATER: SYNERGY

What: Thirteen artists from the Brushwork Society of Atlanta will present their artwork in the 2016 exhibition. Enjoy a variety of paintings, including landscape, still life and figurative work. All are for sale. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 30 Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forest St., Roswell More info: thebrushworksociety.com

GENESIS XXII ART SHOW

What: The Roswell Fine Arts Alliance presents “Genesis XXII,” an art show highlighting original fine art by their members. All art work will be available for sale during the show. When: Sept. 16-Nov. 5, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon Where: Bank of North Georgia, 10445 Alpharetta St., Roswell More info: roswellgov.com

GLASS BLOWING DEMONSTRATION

What: Expert glass blowers from Janke Studios will demonstrate the art of glass-blowing in their mobile studio and answer questions from the audience. When: Saturday, Nov. 5, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Where: Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Road, Roswell More info: artaroundroswell.com

JUNIE B. JONES THE MUSICAL

What: Nine local schools will collect canned food and create live builds that will be donated to local food banks after the competition. When: Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m.-noon Where: North Point Mall, 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta More info: facebook.com/ candogoodfultonga

AUTREY MILL TOURS

What: Come support Medlock Bridge Elementary and local artists. Get holiday shopping done early and find unique and hand-crafted items. All community members welcome. Enter the raffle for a chance to win lots of prizes donated by local vendors. When: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-2p.m. Where: Medlock Bridge Clubhouse, 10150 Groomsbridge Road, Johns Creek More info: sarahawk.skerl@gmail.com.

What: The Georgia Ensemble Theatre for Youth will present the story of Junie B. Jones’ first day of first grade. Mr. Scary thinks she may need glasses, and all of Junie’s friends are changing. When: Saturday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell Cost: $10 More info and tickets: get.org

ON THE VERGE, OR THE GEOGRAPHY OF YEARNING

What: Georgia Ensemble Theatre presents On The Verge, or the Geography of Yearning. Part “Twilight Zone”, part “Back to the Future,” don’t miss this witty and whimsical safari through place and time. When: Nov. 5, 8 p.m.; Nov. 6, 2:30 p.m.; Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 10, 8 p.m. Where: Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forest Street, Roswell More info: For tickets, visit get.org

WRITER’S WORKSHOP: “PLOTTING A COZY MYSTERY”

What: Enjoy a free writing class by author Deborah Malone. Malone will describe components of a cozy mystery: plotting, dialogue and point of view, choosing a setting, creating characters and editing. When: Saturday, Nov. 5, 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Where: Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek More info and registration: karen. swenson@fultoncountyga.gov

CAST MATH TUTORING

What: Tutors will provide math instruction for children in grades K-12. Participants are encouraged to bring an assignment or a topic they are struggling with. No registration required. When: Sunday, Nov. 6, 2-4 p.m. Where: Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: afpls.org

FOLKTALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

What: Explore stories from around the world, and stay for some crafts. Ages 5-8. Free and open to the public. When: Monday, Nov. 7, 4:15-5 p.m. Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org

FAMILY STORYTIME: STORIES FOR SHORTIES

What: Enjoy a participatory story time to include stories, finger plays and songs. Features an art project with My Clayground. Birth through age 5. Free. When: Tuesday, Nov. 8, 10:30-11 a.m. Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: milton.branch@ fultoncountyga.gov or 404-613-4402

CHESS CLUB

What: Club members will learn strategies, game variations and have the opportunity to participate in a tournament. Ages 5-13. Registration is not required. When: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: afpls.org

SMALL, SMALL WORLD

What: Kids will journey to far-off locales where they learn about children around the world through music, movement, art and literature. Ages 2-4. Free. When: Thursday, Nov. 10, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Where: Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek More info: laura.hoefener@ fultoncountyga.gov

PET ADOPTIONS: FORSYTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER What: Pet adoptions When: Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: The Forsyth County Animal Shelter, 4065 County Way, Forsyth County More info: 678-965-7185

FULTON COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES What: Pet adoptions When: Every Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Where: PetSmart, 6370 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta Additional adoptions: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Fulton County Animal Services, 860 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta More info: 404-613-4958

OF INTEREST ELSEWHERE: ELEGANT ELF MARKETPLACE

What: The 6th annual Elegant Elf Marketplace returns with over 85 carefully selected local and regional vendors, student performances from local schools, authors and a fashion show. When: Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Lake Forest Elementary School, 5920 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs More info: sandyspringssociety.org

CALENDAR CALENDAR

NorthFulton.com ForsythHerald.com | Alpharetta-Roswell | ForsythHerald Herald||November November3, 3,2016 2016||21 23

GET OUTSIDE GEORGIA:

Delayed Harvest Trout Season begins There’s great news for Georgia’s trout fishing enthusiasts this week – the state’s Delayed Harvest trout season is now open. Running Nov. STEVE HUDSON 1-May 14 on Get Outside Georgia, sections of five Chattahoochee Media Group Georgia streams, the Delayed Harvest season gives trout fishing enthusiasts a unique opportunity to enjoy fishing for trout during the colder months of late fall, winter and early spring. “Delayed Harvest” is a special fisheries program under which selected part of five Georgia streams are managed under a special set of regulations. “DH” waters, as they’re known, are too warm for trout in the summertime. But from Nov. 1 through May 14, those same waters become cool enough to provide good trout habitat. During those months, they’re managed under a set of special regulations designed to provide good trout fishing through winter and early spring. Georgia’s Delayed Harvest program currently includes portions of five streams: • Amicalola Creek, from Steele Bridge Road (County Road 192) downstream to the Georgia Highway 53 bridge • Chattahoochee River, from the mouth of Sope Creek downstream to U.S. 41 • Chattooga River, (Rabun County) from the mouth of Reed Creek downstream to the Georgia 28 bridge • Smith Creek, in Unicoi State Park from below the Unicoi Lake dam downstream to the park boundary • Toccoa River, from 0.4 miles above Shallowford Bridge upstream to a point 450 feet upstream of the Sandy Bottom Canoe Access. To help maintain the quality of the fishing in these streams, a set of special regulations applies to Delayed Harvest waters during the “DH” season. You can find complete info at georgiawildlife.com, but here’s a summary of what the DH regulations require: • Artificials only baits. That means no worms, crickets, Powerbait-type bait, or other natural “digestible” baits. • Strict catch-and-release. All fish caught must be immediately re-

The Delayed Harvest trout season is now open at Amicalola Creek as well as other places around Georgia. turned to the water. • Only single-hook lures can be used. In other words, lures with treble hooks are not permitted. However, it’s okay to use “dropper” rigs when fly fishing as long as each individual lure has only a single hook. Delayed Harvest water is open to spin fishing as well as fly fishing as long as each lure has only a single hook. If you’re using a spinning rod, try a Roostertail, a Mepps Spinner, or a white curly-tailed grub-and-jig. Fly fishers should do well with egg imitations such as Y2Ks or pink Sucker Spawn flies, with San Juan Worms, or with bright and flashy streamers (minnow imitations) such as Woolly Buggers, the Rolex fly or the Hudson Streamer. DH waters offer a great opportunity to hone your trout fishing skills. They’re also excellent places to take young anglers and introduce them to trout fishing.

And, as in years past, there will be opportunities to personally get involved in the DH program too. These come in the form of several volunteer-assisted stocking days where volunteers help DNR fisheries personnel stock trout in some of the less-accessible parts of several DH streams. I’ll be letting you know as these come up on the calendar. They’re a ton of fun! Learn more about each of Georgia’s great Delayed Harvest trout streams in Steve Hudson’s comprehensive 84-page book entitled “Georgia Delayed Harvest Trout Guide.” Packed with info on access and tactics for each of Georgia’s DH streams, it’s available from local outfitters, on Amazon, or direct from the author at chattahoocheemedia.com

22 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

22 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016

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Winterizing your home By Kathy Weeks Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Alpharetta Since summer is over, now is the time to winterize. In fact, whatever the season, it pays to take steps to make your home as energy efficient as possible. The following tips can help subdue the lion of winter energy costs and make your home safer too: Check for leaks: Replacing worn weather stripping and caulking are probably the least expensive, simplest, most effective ways to combat high electric bills. Improperly sealed homes cost homeowners 10-15% on the dollar. Make sure doors and windows are properly sealed. If windows leak, consider replacing them with new, more energy efficient models. Though costly, new windows pay for themselves in energy savings within months. What’s more, new windows are more attrac-

tive than older models, improving your home’s value as well. Don’t forget about attic and basement windows! If windows leak and replacement is out of the question, consider installing inexpensive heavy-duty, clear plastic to provide temporary relief from bitter wind and cold. Weather stripping can also be applied around drafty doors. Inexpensive plastic, metal, or wooden draft stoppers can also be screwed or glued to the bottoms of doors. If these methods fail to prevent air leaks, consider replacing the door. Why pay to heat or cool air only to have it escape? If you can fit it into your budget, hire a contractor to perform a blower door test on your home. This test pinpoints the location and severity of air leaks. Another way that air escapes is through electric wall plugs and switch plates. If air is escaping, purchase simple-to-install pre-cut foam gaskets that fit behind the switch plate.

Check your heating and air conditioning systems: Perform regular maintenance inspections on heatWEEKS ing and a/c units. Regular service on such devices is akin to oil changes for vehicles. If you don’t service it regularly, don’t be surprised if it breaks. Remember, it’s more cost effective to maintain than it is to repair. Professional service should include cleaning, checking, and lubricating the system, as well as changing dirty, clogged filters. Replace your heater’s air filter monthly. If the filter is clean, the system will have to work less. In winter, reverse the switch on your ceiling fans so they blow upward, toward the ceiling. In the summer, ceiling fans are ideal because they direct air downward, making the room’s temperature up to four degrees cooler. However,

in the winter, the blades should move air upward to circulate heat without chilling you with a breeze. Check outside: Trim trees and remove dead branches to prevent weather-related accidents. Clean your gutters and check your chimney. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Alpharetta office has affiliated sales associates who are experts in Atlanta’s communities and can help you quickly turn your dream into reality. If you’ve been thinking of putting your house on the market, now is a great time. We have buyers searching for properties right now– we’d love to sell them your home! Contact our office today by calling 770-642-0399.

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*Available only when you close on a to-be-built home in the Atlanta Division pursuant to a contract you sign on or between 11/1/16-11/30/16. Seller provided “Use How You Choose” credits may be applied to upgrades or options. Upgrades and options available solely through Seller’s Design Center. Availability of items may vary by community. Offer does not have any cash value. Receipt of closing cost credit is subject to limits and is contingent upon buyer closing a loan with our affiliated lender, CalAtlantic Mortgage or, where permitted by seller, another seller preferred lender, and obtaining title insurance and closing services from our affiliated title agent, CalAtlantic Title of Atlanta, LLC. The offer to pay closing costs does not include payment of prepaid taxes, property or mortgage insurance, or mortgage installments. Pre-payments of HOA assessments are typically subject to lender limits. The combined value of seller incentives, credits and other seller contributions may exceed lender limits established for the loan program for which buyer qualifies. Buyer should ask his or her lender about the impact of such limits. Seller does not represent/guarantee that the project will be serviced by any particular public school/school district or, once serviced by a particular school/ school district, that the same school/school district will service the project for any particular period of time. Eligibility requirements (including geographical) may change over time. You should independently confirm which schools/districts serve the project and learn more information about the school district’s boundary change process prior to executing a purchase contract. Prices, plans and terms are effective on the date of publication and subject to change without notice. Depictions of homes or other features are artist conceptions. Hardscape, landscape and other items shown may be decorator suggestions that are not included in the purchase price and availability may vary. CalAtlantic Mortgage, Inc., NMLS# 203897, Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee License #24225, 8660 E Hartford Drive, Suite 200A, Scottsdale, AZ; 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 210, Alpharetta, GA License #68278. CAATL012

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016 | 23

ColdwellBankerHomes.com 85,000 Agents | 3,000 Ofﬁces on 6 Continents | 110-Year Legacy

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Alpharetta / 5BR/3.5BA / $410,000 Judy Linderman / 678-592-5607 6349 Kristensen Court FMLS# 5756118 on CBHomes.com

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Marietta / 6BR/4BA / $425,000 Sue Forsythe / 770-630-4901 3934 Summer Breeze Court FMLS# 5740390 on CBHomes.com

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Interested in a career in real estate? Contact me today! Alpharetta / 5BR/3.5BA / $625,000 Jill Bernard / 404-867-2760 4305 Courageous Wake Search FMLS# 5766595 on CBHomes.com

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Kathy Weeks, Managing Broker 704-491-1113

Alpharetta/North Point 3800 Mansell Rd., Suite 100 | Alpharetta, GA 30022 | 770.642.0399

The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal veriﬁcation. Real estate agents afﬁliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 12132ATL_4/16

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24 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Impress holiday guests with a stylish home refresh (NAPSI)—If you have guests coming for the holidays, there’s still time to whip your home into shape with smart buys and DIY projects that can instantly turn routine guest areas into stylish, inviting spaces. Bath Savvy Refresh your vanity: In small spaces like guest bathrooms, simple changes can make a big impact. Easy swaps of hardware and fixtures may be all you need to set the stage for an eye-popping makeover. Swap out your faucet, fixtures and hardware with champagne bronze or aged brass materials for a timeless look, and then contrast with a fresh coat of paint. If you’re unsure about trying new colors, form a neutral backdrop with creamy wall paint like Valspar Signature Irish Cream along with porcelain tile and a quartz countertop, allowing your fixtures to pop. Don’t be intimidated if you’re doing it yourself. Countertops, like allen + roth’s quartz vanity top, come ready to install with predrilled faucet holes and attached undermount sinks. Squeaky clean: Showers and toilets impact more than just the functionality of your bathroom—they can also add an element of sophistication. To add privacy and style, look first at the shower enclosure. A coated glass panel door will obscure views without blocking light. Got a tub? A new shower curtain and matching accessories will do the trick. For a time-saving upgrade that guests will love, install American Standard’s new ActiClean self-cleaning toilet, available at Lowe’s. This new toilet takes the stress out of hosting guests by removing stains from inside the bowl while cleaning more than twice the amount of dirt than conventional toilets. Finishing touches: Did you know you can install a dimmer switch in less than an hour? Give your bath a warm

glow while helping overnight guests easily locate the bathroom during their stay. Finally, help guests find everything they need, and keep them out of your cabinets, with a basket packed with soaps, shampoos, scrubs and more. New Life For Your Living Room Color your mood: Warm spaces and soft textures beckon guests to relax during the holidays. To make your living room inviting, try a winter-inspired paint color like dusty rose, deep purples or frosty gray that draw inspiration from powdery snow and cashmere sweaters. Complement paint with soft lighting by adding a pair of wall-mount arm sconces that can easily be installed with a cordless drill and basic hand tools. Fresh flooring: Give your space a face-lift with floating laminate floors. These floors have the same great look as hardwood and are easy to install (see step-by-step instructions at Lowes. com). You won’t even need adhesive, nails or staples. For an instant new look, select an area rug by playing with shapes, colors and pattern to pull your room together. To determine which size rug is best for your living room, lay a bedsheet folded to that size on the floor, so you can get an idea of the area it will cover. Spread holiday cheer: Find the focal point in your living room and decorate around it, like framing a fireplace with pre-lit Christmas trees or draping the mantel with garland. Add soft lighting by placing LED candles around the room—you don’t have to light them, blow them out or worry about dripping wax. Complete the look by adding minitrees and a sparkling wreath to create a festive feel. For more ideas for getting your home ready for the holidays, visit www. Lowes.com.

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Crye-Leike continues to grow in the Atlanta market Now open in Gainesville It’s been eleven years since Harold Crye, CEO of Crye-Leike Real Estate, expanded the company’s footprint into the Atlanta metro area. The fourth largest privately owned real estate company in the nation recently opened its eleventh office in the Atlanta Metro area at 956A Dawsonville Highway, Suite 301 in Gainesville. Crye-Leike is pleased to welcome Christy Crumbley as the new Managing Broker. Crye-Leike’s Gainesville office is currently open for business and ready to assist clients with all of their real estate buying and selling needs in Hall, Lumpkin, Dawson and surrounding counties. The office will host a grand opening ceremony this fall. “The Atlanta real estate market is strong and greatly improving like many of the markets Crye-Leike serves,” said Cofounder and CEO Harold Crye. “We see a lot of potential for the local market and are very happy to be expanding in and around the Atlanta area with additional offices opening soon in Lawrenceville, Dahlonega and Marietta.” “Being a full-service real estate brokerage firm, our goal is to make it convenient for our customers and sales

associates to utilize all of our services before, during and after a home purchase by offering reliable, efficient and convenient services for today’s busy lifestyles,” said Steve Brown, president of Crye-Leike Residential Sales. Crye-Leike Real Estate Services had a great year in 2015 achieving $5.7 billion in sales volume. Over a nine-state region, 3000 highly skilled Crye-Leike agents sold 31,400 properties. CryeLeike’s sales outperformed the national average in the real estate market. Crye-Leike Atlanta has sales offices in Alpharetta/Roswell, Norcross, Cartersville, Cumming, McDonough, Riverdale, Smyrna/Vinings, Johns Creek and Woodstock in addition to a Residential Property Management, Commercial and Relocation division. As a full service real estate company, Crye-Leike offers real estate and related services, including: relocation services; commercial business and investment real estate services; property leasing and management services; insurance services; title & closing services; mortgage services; home warranty services; home services; auction services; business brokerage services; REO services for bank-owned & foreclosed properties and real estate schools.

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26 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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4 tips for selling your home in 2017 Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings Vice President/Managing Broker, North Atlanta Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty If you are considering selling your home in 2017, the following steps are great to keep in mind before jumping into selling your home. These are the best ways to position your home for a quick and profitable sale in 2017. 1. Make your home appeal to mobile buyers. Nearly all home searches now begin on a mobile device through a leading web marketplaces such as Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com. However, digital and print marketing

also great advertising tools as well. Projecting your listing through beautiful photos, videos and marketing materials on mobile devices can lead to home buying success in today’s market. RAWLINGS 2. Only list your home once you are serious about selling. Selling your home is an emotional process and something that takes time and the proper preparations. Here is a list of things to consider before putting your home on the market: where you will go if your home sells

before you have found a new home? Do you need to fully clean and de-clutter your home? Does your home need to be staged during the process? Have you taken your agent’s advice on pricing and listing your home? These are necessary steps that guarantee that you present your home in its best possible light in the market. 3. Hire the best agent for the job. Research different agents and shop around, this is very important as you are choosing the person you trust to sell your home. This is a person that you will work very closely with and need to trust in the event of any complications of selling your home. If

you have any doubt about an agent’s abilities, continue to look for the perfect agent to go through the home selling process with you. 4. Make the best impression online. Today, homebuyers first impressions are often on the internet. Listing your home without complete information can lead to a drawn out selling process. The key to having a strong impression online lies in the hands of the home’s marketing materials. Descriptions are key; they give a deeper meaning to the home beyond the photos. Photos, videos and 3D tours tours also capture a homebuyer’s attention, bringing them one step closer to purchasing your home.

Baby Boomers - Could an active adult community be right for you? By Ann Jensen Ann.Jensen@HarryNorman.com You’ve probably seen more and more advertising for Active Adult Communities over the past few years and wondered if this could be the right “next step” for

you. I’d like to share my experiences as a Realtor working in this market segment AND as a homeowner in Brookhaven at Johns Creek (BJC) - the Active Adult Community located just off Medlock Bridge Road and Johns Creek Parkway. My husband and I lived in Horseshoe

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Bend for over 30 years and raised our family there. While we loved our home, the regular exterior and the interior maintenance required for the upkeep of the property became burdensome. Did we really retire to spend our time doing home maintenance? Our retirement “vision” included golf, travel to great places, and spontaneous day adventures – not mowing, edging, weeding, caulking, painting and waiting for workmen. In 2010, I sold a home to a client in Brookhaven at Johns Creek. The floor plans in BJC were designed with the 55+ group in mind: master suites on the main level; step-less entry from the garage; wider doorways; and vanities and commodes at adult height. New materials in windows, doors and insulation keep energy costs low. But, for us, this move was about more than “bricks and mortar.” Community is an important ingredient at this stage of life, and that is what we’ve found at BJC. Residents have common backgrounds – most are retired (or almost retired) professionals: doctors, lawyers, corporate business, small business, entrepreneurs, professors, teachers, etc. And, people are home during the day. The neighborhood does not empty out at 8 am. If a neighbor needs a helping hand, others are home and happy to help. Getting a group together for lunch or an outing is easy – people are home. There are also planned activities – like our monthly community dinner. This is hosted at our gorgeous clubhouse and a great forum to meet new people. There are smaller interest groups for dinner clubs, book clubs, poker, watercolor, Bible study, etc. Join or don’t join – it is up to you. The neighborhood is gated and

completely fenced around the perimeter, the ultimate in “lock and go” living. The HOA maintains all yards (front and back). Pruning, pine straw, mowing, edging, sidewalks, common areas and the exteriJENSEN ors of the Villa homes are managed by the HOA/COA. Our amenities at BJC are unparalleled. We have a gorgeous pool, two lighted tennis courts that are also lined for pickle ball, a nature trail, and a community garden for those “farm to table” veggies. The Clubhouse hosts many of our parties. It is available for private rental and has an exercise facility. Brookhaven at Johns Creek is well located near Emory/Johns Creek Hospital, medical offices, shopping, movies and restaurants. There are 10 golf/country clubs within 4 miles. Lastly, many residents have moved here to be closer to grandchildren and that’s great. But remember, that as the grandkids get older and into their own activities, friends, school and schedules, you’ll want to have your own network of friends for activities and outings. I wish there had been a community like this for my own parents when they moved to Atlanta 35 years ago to be closer to their grandchildren. My parents moved ¼ mile from me and for the next 35 years, I was their primary interface for social interaction. Being close to grandkids is wonderful, but nurturing your own life is just as important – you’ve EARNED it! Come check us out on Sunday, November 6th from 2pm – 4 pm at our OPEN HOUSE.

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28 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Homes for Sale at

Brookhaven at Johns Creek Stunning Ranch Villa Homes For Sale in

Award Winning Active Adult Community OPEN HOUSE: SUNDAY, NOV. 6th • 2 - 4 pm RESORT-LIKE AMENITIES

NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITIES

• Clubhouse • Exercise Facility • Gorgeous Pool • Walking Trail • Community Vegetable Garden • Gated/Secure

• Monthly Dinners • Book Clubs • Classes • Card Groups • Game Groups • Seasonal Activities and More!

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Excellent Medical Facilities Nearby Ten Golf Courses within Five Miles Entertainment, Shopping, Restaurants DIRECTIONS: North on Hwy 141/Medlock Bridge Rd; RIGHT on Johns Creek Parkway; RIGHT on Technology Circle; RIGHT into Brookhaven at Johns Creek subdivision. See the gate instructions posted on the call box and follow the signs.

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Museum: Continued from Page 10 how the city changed and grew.” The communities of Windward and Park Brook are of great historic interest as well, even though they are not considered “old.” “We want people to go look in their attics and see what they can find. It might be photos or souvenirs of events,” Mitchell said. “Maybe somebody has a first ticket from the amphitheater or a program from the opening of North Point Mall.” The committee has a team that curates items and authenticates them. The committee members would be glad to look at items and tell people just what their significance may be. Of course they would happily accept the loan of items that would be appropriate for the museum. Most of the artifacts are being stored at a secure location off Windward Parkway. “We need artifacts from the computer age. Many people might see it as just obsolete junk, but we would like to see it. We will have a section in the museum for the computer age,” Mitchell said. “What we prize most are artifacts from the Old Milton-Alpharetta area, things that were used or made here.”

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016 | 29

Mashburn said the Alpharetta-Old Milton Historical Society has a great deal of artifacts but has never had a permanent place to display them. Now they will. “The museum will also help us in our genealogical research. We will be setting up appointments for people wanting to research their ancestors,” Mashburn said. Another goal of the museum is to give residents a sense of place and history. It will be another attraction to bring visitors to the downtown which also strengthens the sense of community. “Even new residents want to be grounded to their hometown. We want to tell Alpharetta’s story in a chronological way. So when they enter the History Room, they can walk through the Cherokee times, Old Milton’s times right up to the present,” Mitchell said. Mashburn agreed. “There are historic places in the area you can still see. There are old traditions people can still take part in – like the June Singing,” Mashburn said. The June Sing is the oldest continuing event in Alpharetta-Old Milton. It is the annual Sacred Heart or shape-note songs sung in City Hall. The tradition goes back to the 1830s. “We have a lot of history to tell,” said Mashburn. “And we would like the people here now to know it.”

HATCHER HURD/HERALD

Donald Mitchell, left, and Connie Mashburn display two of the artifacts that will be featured at the Alpharetta History Room. Mitchell holds parts of a moonshine still, and Mashburn holds a sample of locally made stoneware.

30 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

CDA celebrates volunteer partners ‘Buds to Blooms’ luncheon thanks volunteers, sponsors By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – The Roswell Child Development Association gathered its closest friends and volunteers Oct. 19 for its “Buds to Blooms” appreciation luncheon to thank them for the support shown the CDA over the past year. “This has always been one of my favorite events of the year. It is an opportunity for us to celebrate and recognize the people that help us fulfill our mission to nurture and educate young children,” said CDA Executive Director Donna Smythe. “Literally everywhere I look I see a story, a special relationship that has built and sustained the CDA.” But this day the CDA singled out five persons or groups for special recognition. 2016 Individual Partner of the Year: This award was presented to occupational therapist Debi Hinerfeld who works so well helping pre-K students master the finer motor skills and

language. One of her innovations was “Handwriting without Tears” which she launched in all three Pre-K classrooms. “She also introduced yoga to our children to teach breathing techniques that will allow them to be mindful of their surroundings and help them exercise self-control,” Smythe said. Faith Partner of the Year: North Point Community Church was singled out for its continued financial support augmented by leaders who contribute their leadership on the CDA Board. The church’s consistent financial support aid in among many other things the tuition scholarships for children – providing roughly 1,250 weeks of early education and child care for the neediest families. School Partner of the Year: Marist School was recognized for its unstinting support, especially for its many student volunteers – taking on the roles of big brothers and big sisters. Their continued presence and participation on the playground with the children is greatly valued as quality time for the children. Corporate Partner of the Year: Cox Automotive has embraced the CDA, bringing more than 30 employees to read to children in classroom, orga-

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CDA Individual Volunteer of the Year Debi Hinfeld receives her award from 2 grateful students. nize closets and assist in both Literacy Night and the Spring Book Fair. Cox also mounted a major “transformation” of the playground some while back and has made the commitment to return for a second round of refurbishment. Community Partners of the Year: Health IT Leaders and its Christmas Tree Partners. “Since 2011, these folks bring beautiful, live trees and set up a Christmas

CDA Board Chairman Doug Higgins congratulates Donna Smythe for the work she has done to take the CDA to new heights in the quality of education afforded the CDA’s young students. tree operation in the CDA parking lot,” Smythe said. “They come decked in Santa hats and usually bring their wives and kids and give each CDA family a tree.” The project has become so popular it has been exported to six states. They expect to give away their 4,500th tree in this their sixth year. “They spread hope and happiness by giving Christmas trees to families who otherwise would not be able to afford one,” she said.

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32 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

Donna Smythe bowing out as CDA chief Director led effort for national accreditation for early childhood education school By HATCHER HURD hatcher@apenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – For 11 years Donna Smythe has led the Roswell Child Development Center helping poor working families get quality early childhood education with a passion and compassion. She announced earlier this year she would be stepping down from her post as executive director later this year. A search for her successor has been completed but no official announcement has been made. Smythe’s a woman with a servant’s heart. As the daughter of two youth group leaders, she naturally has gravitated toward helping others from an early age. The CDA is a nearly 50-year-old organization dedicated to helping the working poor get quality early childhood education opportunities. The idea is water the seedlings well and watch

HATCHER HURD/HERALD

The children say goodbye to outgoing CDA Executive Director Donna Smythe. the garden bloom. When she took the reins of the organization more than a decade ago, she came with ideas to make the CDA even better and more relevant. When Smythe talks about pre-

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school for the working poor her eyes sparkle with delight. She sees every day how some 240 bright little minds are awakened given the gift of learning – not just knowledge, but the tools with which one obtains knowledge. “The research is really clear that it is the early investment in education that pays off big,” she said. “Ninety percent of brain development occurs before the age of five. We are building the architecture of the brain upon which all future learning will occur.” So it is especially necessary to make sure small children who are “under resourced” have those opportunities to develop their brain power, she said. “They need to be stimulated and enriched. They are exploring and engaged and learning to be curious. They need to learn to enjoy learning.” What those little minds get are dividends that pay the rest of their lives. And for that, there is no better investment for everyone’s future, she said. “People should remember the parents of CDA students pay to have their children enrolled here,” Smythe said. “It is a sacrifice for them, but it is one they cheerfully make.” She says the personal satisfaction from the work has been immense.

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Smythe says it is fun to nurture and educate children. “You can’t help but enjoy watching little minds growing,” she said. That is why Smythe is so proud of the CDA’s Three-Star rating from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. That is the highest rating NAEYC can bestow. The CDA is a 45-year old organization that, in Smythe’s tenure, has blossomed from a basic childcare center to an outstanding NAEYC accredited early learning center, indicating that the organization has met the highest national standards for exceptional quality in early childhood education. In stepping down, Smythe will be sorely missed, said CDA Board Chairman Doug Higgins. “Donna has provided such a crystal clear vision of what the CDA needed to be. And that was to provide the very best early childhood education possible,” Higgins said. Over the last 11 years, Smythe has expanded the CDA, adding two satellite offices of the Children’s Express at the North Fulton County Government Annex in Sandy Springs and at the Adamsville Regional Health Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The main mission of Children’s Express is to provide more than just childcare while their parents are paying their taxes or getting a checkup. Children’s Express opens up if only for a morning or an afternoon what the possibilities of early education might bring. “Few early childhood education centers receive NAEYC’s Three-Star rating and fewer still nonprofits do,” Higgins said. “Donna challenged us to do this. There is no question she has raised the bar for quality of education for our students.” Smythe’s tenure at the CDA has certainly been one that will leave her stamp for a long time, he said. However, the best thing most people will remember Smythe for just may the CDA fundraiser she helped found – The Down Home Derby. That is the fundraiser that is always on the day of the Kentucky Derby and held at one of the many horse arenas in North Fulton. “They are a lot of fun. Sean O’Keefe helped me design the event, and today he is one of the best event designers around,” Smythe said. Meanwhile Smythe has been an event planner of her own. She and her mother are going to take Viking Cruise down central Europe. She plans to continue working as a nonprofit organization management consultant. But first she says she will take on a bigger job. She is entertaining the entire family for Thanksgiving.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016 | 33

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34 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Cambridge softball captures first state championship Bears’ defense stifles Alexander bats By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com COLUMBUS, Ga. — Cambridge softball ended a near-perfect season by capturing its first state championship against Creekview in last Saturday’s 6A state championship in Columbus. The state championship title comes in just the fifth year of the school’s program and its first year in Class 6A. “For us it has been a dream come

SPORTS

true,” said coach Anna McDaniel. The Bears’ dominant defense, which allowed just 37 runs in 36 games, proved to be the deciding factor for the Bears in the state championship game as Cambridge shut out Creekview 4-0 to capture the state title. The shutout was the Bears’ sixth of the playoffs and 20th of the season. “It was the defense that got us through all those wins throughout the season,” said McDaniel. “Keara [Napoli] pitched phenomenally from game one through the end.” Napoli pitched a full game for the Bears in the state championship game, allowing just four hits with four strike-

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Cambridge softball won the Class 6A state championship last Saturday with a 4-0 win over Creekview. outs. Napoli also hit a home run in the win, while Lindsay Smith went 2-3 with two RBIs. Smith got the scoring started for the Bears in the second inning when she hit a single to drive in Gabby Givers. Cambridge then extended the lead to 2-0 when Becca Claypool hit into a fielder’s choice, allowing Abigail Wilson, who singled earlier in the inning, to score from third. Napoli continued to shut down Creekview’s bats before the Bears’ added insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning. Napoli opened the inning with her home run, followed by Smith’s second RBI to score Chooch Carroll. Napoli got three up and three down in the bottom of the sixth, and after the Bears stranded two runners in the top of the seventh, it was up to Napoli and the Bears’ defense to secure the state championship. Creekview would put a runner on base with a single, but with two outs, Napoli pitched her fourth strikeout, a fitting way to secure the state championship. “It was a very intense game,” McDaniel said, “but I think we beat them at their own specialties. We played them very well defensively, and

our bats came alive which made it a bit easier.” McDaniel said of the win, “It was very emotional. I was there when we were the state runner-ups (in 2014) when we had two outs and ended up losing. For them to finish and win that title was super emotional because I knew that this would be the last time that most of our girls would ever play softball.” The win was the 17th consecutive for Cambridge. Its only loss of the season came against Pope on Sept. 15. At the conclusion of the Bears’ memorable season, they averaged eight runs per game while allowing opponents just one per game. “It was a huge accomplishment for the school. With us being in a different region and different classification and being as competitive as we were was just incredible,” said McDaniel. The Bears six seniors, Napoli, Becca Cleypool, Heather Kipniss, Abigail Wilson, Courtney Campbell and Mariah Kubik, end their Cambridge careers as state champions. With their departures, Cambridge will look to replenish much of the talent of this season’s team. Cambridge will return Taylor Green, Cooch Carrol, Lindsey Smith and Anna Allen next year.

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36 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

Family, doctors marvel at strength of Baby Raven Just no quit in this beautiful child born with life-threatening heart defects By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com

HATCHER HURD/HERALD

It is an enthusiastic bunch of pirates who are enjoying being in a parade.

READING FOR LIFE:

Georgia’s First Lady leads KRCS readers’ parade Sandra Deal spreads message readers are good learners By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Georgia’s First Lady Sandra Deal made a special trip Oct. 18 to Kings Ridge Christian School in Alpharetta as part of her Read Across Georgia program to promote literacy. She could not have picked a better time, because it was the kick-off of Kings Ridge’s Scholastic Book Fair designed to promote reading among the students and act as a fundraiser for the school’s media center as well, said the school’s Community Network Specialist Shuntel Beach. The First Lady spoke to all the lower elementary school classes in the school gym to encourage reading. “It is so important to develop reading skills at an early age,” said Deal. “I’m doing all I can all over Georgia to encourage students to be good readers because it is vital. To develop the skills you need in life as an adult, you have to be able to read. “Once they catch on to reading, they catch the love of reading, too,” she said. “But they have to do their part.” As a reading advocate Deal has been to more than 600 Georgia public schools and in all 159 Georgia counties to encourage reading in the earliest grades. Deal was there to help kick off Kings Ridge’s Scholastic Books Fair,

HATCHER HURD/HERALD

Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal waves to the students and faculty at Kings Ridge Christian School’s kick off for the Scholastic Book Fair.

where students are allowed to browse and buy Scholastic Books which, in turn, gives part of the proceeds to the school, in this case to raise money for the media center. It was the Book Fair Parade day, and Deal was invited to lead the parade of students all dressed as characters from their favorite books. She led them not once, but twice, around the parking lot, much to the enjoyment of parents and students alike.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – “Baby Raven,” the 10-month-old daughter of Mike and Ruthie Raines, will be facing her fourth heart surgery before her first birthday, but the little fighter with the bright smile has one thing going for her – she has hundreds of friends working and praying for her. The Alpharetta parents have had to completely reorder their lives around the care of their younger daughter. They had to move in with Ruthie Raines’ parents, Joe and Nell Estes, to save money and have four more hands in the round-the-clock care Baby Raven needs. Yet through it all, Baby Raven has suffered all with an equanimity that can only come from her having known no other life but doctors, nurses and hospitals. In what has become a rare stay at home, she appears happy and flashes a haunting smile at anything or anybody that captures her attention. Yet she has endured much. Raven Nell Raines was born Dec. 10, 2015, with critical heart defects at Northside-Forsyth Hospital. She was quickly transported to the Sibley Heart Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. There she had to endure three openheart surgeries in the first four months of her life. Her grandmother Nell Estes said the first operation lasted seven hours. Complications set in requiring a second operation in March and a third the following day. Other problems have cropped up – digestive issues and an infection were a setback. She also has spinal issues that will have to be corrected. But after five months in the hospital, Baby Raven finally was able to come home. But intermittent flare-ups have meant she has had to go back into Egleston about a half-dozen times already. “By the time she was 8 months old, Baby Raven had spent all of her life but three weeks in the hospital,” said Grandmother Nell Estes. Now back at home, Baby Raven still has had round-the-clock care with medicines, her lungs have to be “stirred” periodically so that they remain clear. An external device is

Baby Raven and mother Ruthie Raines share a happy moment.

You can help...

• Contributions can be made online through YouCaring.org at https://www. youcaring.com/raven-nell-raines-502835. • Additionally there is the non-profit organization for tax deductible giving on Facebook at Intentional Legacy, LLC. The entire amount given (marked Raven in the memo line) is sent directly to Ruthie and Mike Raines. • There is a PayPal link on Facebook. • Checks can be mailed payable to Intentional Legacy, Inc, and mailed in care of Elizabeth Pease, 205 Nacoochee Dr., Woodstock, GA 30188. Her email contact is ElizabethPease@gmail. com. Giving is anonymous unless the contributors choose to share. • Gift cards such as Visa and store cards help with the significant gas and other expenses. • Raven’s story is updated regularly onCaringBridge.org.Visit www. caringbridge.org/visit/PrayForBabyRaven

attached to her chest that gently keeps her lungs deflating enough to keep the air passages clear. It was in August that Egleston doctors discovered she has another problem inside her heart. It was a blow when the family got the word there would be need for another heart operation. This time it would require highly specialized surgery for Baby Raven – something doctors here had never attempted. So in December she will be flown to Boston Children’s Hospital for yet another open-heart surgery. Her parents will make the trip to Boston while 2-year-old sister Piper stays with her grandparents in Alpharetta.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016 | 37

38 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

SPORTS

Roswell crushes Woodstock for second straight year Hornets win 59-7, still unbeaten By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Not many Woodstock fans made the visit to Ray Manus stadium last Friday to watch the Wolverines take on Roswell. Perhaps they feared another repeat of last year’s thrashing, where Roswell set school records for points in a game and margin of victory as Roswell won 69-7. For the Woodstock fans who chose to stay home, perhaps they made the right decision. Roswell (9-0, 4-0) crushed the Wolverines (5-4, 2-2) for a second straight year, starting fast and cruising to a 59-7 win to set up a region championship deciding game against Cherokee this Friday. Roswell accumulated 526 total yards in the win, 450 of them coming in the first half. Quarterback Malik Willis was 10-14 passing for 189 yards and rushed for 113 yard with five total touchdowns in just two quarters played. Sheldon Evans, who also sat out the second half due to Roswell’s 52-0 lead at halftime, averaged 18.4 yards per rush on his way to 129 yards and a touchdown. Roswell completed passes to eight different receivers for 244 yards. Meanwhile, Roswell’s defense shut out Woodstock’s fast, high-scoring offense until late in the game with Roswell’s defensive second-team on the field. Woodstock entered the game averaging over 400 yards per game but was held to just 204 total yards on 61 plays. “Woodstock plays as fast as anyone we play, including the non-region opponents, and the defense

Roswell safety Xavier McKinney returns a fumble recovery for the Hornets.

did a great job,” said Roswell head coach John Ford. “They put up a bunch of points, they throw the ball all over the place, they get a lot of people involved in the offense but Coach Gilstrap (Roswell’s defensive coordinator) did a great job with the game plan, and the kids came out and played very well.”

Roswell quarterback Walt Warren (12) fakes a handoff to Jajuan White.

-JOE PARKER/HERALD

Ford said a focus for his team heading into the game was to start fast, and his team did just that. The Hornets scored three touchdowns on their first four offensive possessions while forcing three threeand-outs and a fumble on Woodstock’s opening four possessions. Malik Willis opened the scoring for Roswell with a 64-yard touchdown rush to put Roswell ahead 7-0 less than 30 seconds into the game. Willis then found Jayden Comma for a 64 yard passing touchdown on Roswell’s next offensive play. A Woodstock punt pinned the Hornets on their own 2-yard line, but Sheldon Evans broke out to find a seam down the sideline on the ensuing play, rushing 98 yards for a touchdown to put Roswell up 21-0 just two minutes into the game. Willis was responsible for the next three Hornet touchdowns, rushing for scores of 7 and 39 yards, then hitting Kentrell Barber for a 25-yard passing touchdown. Midway through the second quarter, Roswell found the end zone for the seventh time as Christian Ford scored a rushing touchdown on a reverse. Turner Barckhoff then made a 43-yard field goal, and Jajuan White rushed for a two-yard score to put Roswell up 59-0. Roswell’s win, as well as Cherokee’s comeback victory over Lassiter last Friday, sets up a winner-takeall game for the Region 4-AAAAAAA championship this Friday at Ray Manus Stadium. Cherokee (6-3, 4-0) is averaging over 400 yards of offensive per game, but its defense has surrendered an average of 30 points per game. Ford said his team will need a good week of practice entering the game that could earn Roswell its second consecutive region title. “Cherokee does an outstanding job. Coach Shaw and all those guys are good ball coaches,” said Ford. “We have our work cut out for us.”

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016 | 39

Part Twilight Zone – Part Back to the Future!

“Hold on to your hats!” Brave, willing and yearning to see it all, three American women explorers begin their trek to Terra Incognita in 1888, taking them through darkest Africa, across highest Himalaya, only to discover they are adrift in time...

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40 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEW CLASSIFICATION, SAME RESULT:

SPORTS

BT volleyball wins state championship Titans capture third straight state championship By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com MARIETTA, Ga. — Blessed Trinity head volleyball coach Paul Stevens said the realization that his Titans are state champions for the third year in a row has yet to hit him. “It’s still a bit surreal,” said Stevens. Blessed Trinity won its third consecutive state championship, and fourth in five years, last Saturday over Woodward Academy in three sets (25-22, 29-27, 25-22) at Marietta High School. Though the Titans contended with playing in a new classification (4A) as well as a new region, BT showed no signs of trouble playing up in class, finishing a memorable year with a 55-9 record. It took just three sets against Woodward for the Titans to earn the state championship, though all sets were close, as Woodward continually fought back late in each set.

After taking the first set, BT appeared to have won the second set when the Titans were called for a fourth contact. That is when Stevens said his team’s experience and ability to respond showed.

“That was a tough one,” said Steschool sports that are able to go out on vens, who was already heading for the top,” said Stevens. “When you put in that locker room when he was informed of kind of work and that kind of effort, to the call. be able to go out on top is indescribable. “We teach the girls that sometimes These two seniors in particular were calls aren’t going to go your way and very special to me. Absolutely class-act you can’t control that, you just have individuals. You won’t find two nicer, to respond. How to respond late in harder-working, genuine or nicer people, sets with your season on so I’m thrilled for them.” the line is something we Stevens said this practice, and of course a year’s team came lot of these girls were on together in a special last year’s team when we way. went to five sets against “The chemistry this Westminster in the state year was fabulous. championship game. The girls really love There’s no substitute for one another, and they championship experience really gelled as a unit. and the practice we had It took us a few weeks put in. After that call, it to find out who we are took us a while as Woodand to get our lineup ward continued to fight, and offensive scheme but we stepped up and together, but sometime responded to get the win.” in September things After a close start to just clicked. Our first PAUL STEVENS the third set, BT went on 32 matches we were Blessed Trinity head volleyball coach a run and a Vanessa Aehl 24-8 — which is good ace pushed the lead to — but in our last 32 20-15. Once again, Woodward fought we went 31-1.” back, going on a 7-2 run to tie the set Stevens said in a season with 64 at 22-22. matches, there were so many memoPut in another situation with rable moments, but what he will take their backs to the wall, BT once again away most from this season is the focused and responded with three special group of athletes he was able to straight points to capture the state lead this season. championship. “This was just such a fun group. With the win, the Titans’ memorable There was not a day this entire season season came to an end, and for the two where I did not look forward to going to seniors on the team, Morgan Stalcup practice or a match. It was such a great and Kristen Glowacki, the end to their group of girls in regards to effort, attiplaying days with another state title. tude and spirit and it was an absolute “There are so few athletes in high joy to coach this team.”

The chemistry this year was fabulous. The girls really love one another, and they really gelled as a unit...”

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016 | 41

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42 | November 3, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Monday, November 14th, 2016 Crooked Creek Club Foursome - $800: Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided, $100 discount. Individual Golfer - $225: Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided, Player Gift, round of golf at one of metro Atlanta’s premiere golf courses.

To register contact Hans Appen - 770-527-4118 hans@alpharettachamber.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- St. Francis senior Maya Dodson, the No. 11 girls basketball recruit in the country according to ESPN, had plenty of choices as to where she would continue her basketball career at the collegiate level. Her top three choices were the powerhouses of Stanford, Notre Dame and Tennessee, three of the best programs in the nation who have a combined 11 national championships. In the end, Dodson chose the west coast, committing to Stanford through a video posted to social media outlets last week. On her decision, Dodson said academics played a crucial role in her selection. “My top three were all great basketball schools but the thing that put Stanford on the top was academics. Academics is number one” she said. “My parents have always told me that so I believed that Stanford would be the best fit for me academically and I thought I would be happiest there.” “I remember watching Stanford when I was younger and I always thought it would be an awesome school to go to.” When asked of her goals at Stanford, the seemingly obvious answer of

winning a national championship was not uttered. Rather, Dodson said she hopes to take the experience and opportunity to “grow as a person.” “I hope to learn new things, be open to anything, and to set goals to be successful.” Before she joins one of the top women’s NCAA programs, Dodson still has a year left with one of the top teams in Georgia at St. Francis. A 6-foot-3 winger, Dodson has led the Lady Knights to two state championships and was selected to play for USA Basketball’s U17 team this summer for the FIBA Women’s World Championships. Dodson and the Lady Knights will be seeking a third consecutive state championship in Class A and fourth straight appearance in the state championship game. Dodson said the goal for this season will not only be a state championship, but an undefeated season. “We want to try to improve, we are hoping to maybe go undefeated. If we work hard I think we can go back [to the state championship] and hopefully win it again.” Dodson said she expects to continue be viewed as a leader on the team in the coming season. “I’ve been with coach Kennedy for three years now and I know what she expects and she wants us to do. So, I’m just helping my teammates get into the process so we are all on the same page.” Dodson and St. Francis will begin the regular season Nov. 18.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | November 3, 2016 | 43

Announcing

The 4th Annual Appen Media Group, Best of the Best

Red Carpet Awards Gala November 10th 2016 • 5:30 - 9:30 • The Metropolitan Club

Does dinner provided by some of the best restaurants in North Atlanta, custom cocktails, live music, dancing and rubbing elbows with dignitaries and some of the top business owners in our market sound like fun to you?

Join us as we celebrate the winners of Appen Media Group’s 2016 Best of the Best contest. Table for 10 - $500 • Tickets - $65 each • Email Wendy@AppenMediaGroup.com for tickets or sponsorship information Cocktail Attire - Black Tie Optional