Alpharetta-Roswell Herald – December 29, 2016

D e c e m b e r 2 9 , 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 . 5 2

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Historic preservation

Attorney maintains Roswell heritage in restoration of Dolvin House ►►Page 4

Drake House benefit

Avalon, Northside Hospital team up to help charity that supports single mothers and their children ►►Page 11

Major acquisition

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Fiserv to acquire Atlanta-based fintech company to boost its online banking offerings ►►Page 15

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A look back on 2016 Each year, our editors comb through the year’s archives of stories to select the most talked about and impactful articles. This year’s selections look at stories that made headlines and touched the lives of Roswell and Alpharetta residents.

Read more, Pages 12 – 14.

Cold Warriors

1. Alpharetta approves funding for a 65,000 square-foot conference center near Avalon. 2. Jefferey A. Hazelwood was arrested in connection to a double-murder in Roswell. 3. St. Francis’ Malik Beasley was drafted 19th overall by the Denver Nuggets. 4. Construction of Liberty Hall is planned for downtown Alpharetta.

North Fulton residents learn they both served at the top of the world during the 1950s ►►Page 26

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2 | December 29, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

770-442-3278 | NorthFulton.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 PUBLISHER Ray Appen EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: 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

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Wary bank manager catches fraud attempt MILTON, Ga. — A bank reported a case of fraud in progress Dec. 13 when two women attempted to cash a fake $1,280 check.

The manager at the Navy Federal Credit Union on Windward Parkway, however, stopped the two women. They were using the name, driver’s license and debit card of a customer the manager was familiar with.

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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.

Car broken into during morning walk JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A woman reported that her car was broken into Dec. 14 when she found that the window had been smashed.

The woman had parked her red 2008 BMW at Ocee Park early that morning while she took a walk. Before leaving the car, she placed a coat over her purse and locked the vehicle.

When the woman returned an hour later, the passenger side window was broken and her purse was missing.

According to police, the suspect gained entry by using a pry bar.

There were no prints or other evidence left behind due to the weather.

The woman was told to contact her creditors and place a fraud alert on her information.

Wanted man found sleeping in car Visit AppenMediaGroup.com for more information.

The Herald Newspapers are published by Appen Media Group, 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta Ga. 30009.

Public Safety

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A wanted person was found and arrested Dec. 13 during a routine patrol.

Alpharetta police were patrolling shortly after midnight at the Planters Ridge Neighborhood, when they found a car matching the description in several

The card holder had also recently cancelled her card and placed a fraud alert on the account.

The manager kept the cards to give to police along with surveillance footage of the incident.

Police contacted the customer whose identity had been stolen, and she said that her car had been broken into and her purse stolen two days before.

complaints submitted by residents.

The neighbors had told police that the driver was not a resident and was seen sleeping several times in the parked car, a blue 2003 Jaguar X-Type.

The driver, 41-year-old Malik Dixon of Alpharetta was found in the car along with another man. Dixon was found to have a full nationwide extradition warrant for his arrest on robbery and probation violation charges from the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office.

Dixon was arrested, and the other man was released.

Unlocked car stolen from driveway MILTON, Ga. — A woman reported that her car was stolen overnight Dec. 19.

The woman normally kept her white 2016 Range Rover Evoque in her driveway every night, but on the morning of Dec. 19, it was gone. She said that she also leaves the key fob in the car with the doors unlocked “at all times.”

Police contacted the bank the woman was leasing the car through, but a representative said that they had not repossessed it.

The woman gave police the car’s VIN number and other information to aid in the investigation.

Employee nailed for $1.8K theft MILTON, Ga. — A store employee was arrested Dec. 18 for stealing $1,800 worth of merchandise through decep-

tive transactions.

The 18-year-old employee was allegedly caught on camera several times Dec. 7-18 falsely voiding items during transactions or altering their prices.

The merchandise included mostly food, toys and clothes.

The employee was arrested without incident for felony theft by deception.

Woman hit with $2,4K fraud JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A woman reported a case of identity fraud Dec. 15 when she found two transactions on her Best Buy account that she did not make.

The woman was first alerted to the incident when she received an email from Best Buy confirming two transactions made with her credit card. They were for a $1,000 drone and a $1,400 laptop that she had not purchased.

The woman was able to confirm that the transactions were first attempted using her Best Buy credit card, but after it was declined, they were completed using her credit card. She said that she does not know how the account was breached, but has cancelled all of her cards.

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

“Eyedentify” Diabetes Complications (part one) Diabetic patients, particularly older ones, may present with several diabetes-related ocular complications on a daily basis. As eyecare providers, we are uniquely qualified to not only manage the disease’s ocular complications, but to also educate patients on how best to take care of themselves. Here, I discuss diabetes in the eye, the most up-todate treatment.

Ocular adnexa Uncontrolled diabetic patients (those who do not check their blood sugar often enough and/or do not follow a strict regimen of diet and exercise) are at high risk for developing infections, such as preseptal and orbital cellulitis, vs. their controlled counterparts due to a weakened immune system.

Preseptal cellulitis presents as acute lid erythema and edema restricted to the soft tissues preceding the orbital septum. The bacterial infection is usually due to the local spread of dacryocystitis (nasolacrimal sac swelling), a neighboring sinusitis, from eyelid trauma, hordeolum or an external ocular infection. The most efficacious treatment is oral antibiotics.

Orbital cellulitis is characterized by a severely edematous painful upper eyelid, often accompanied by ophthalmoplegia, lid erythema and fever. An afferent pupillary defect may be present depending on the amount of optic nerve involvement. This condition places patients at risk for meningitis and can lead to death. The management protocol for orbital cellulitis is immediate referral to the nearest ER for stat CT, blood cultures and iv antibiotics.

Happy Holidays from the Milan Eye Center team.

Ocular musculature Uncontrolled diabetes, which is a microvascular disease, may cause poor circulation of the microvasculature that feeds the extra-ocular muscles. This can elicit ptosis secondary to levator weakening, as well as strabismus secondary to cranial nerve (CN) III, IV or VI paresis. Generally, CN VI tends to be more commonly affected at 50%, with CN III a close second at 43%. Cranial nerve IV is rarely affected at 7%, says a study in Ophthalmology.

When a diabetic patient presents with strabismus, consider the “whole” patient. If the patient is age 55 or older, the pathology is most likely microvascular. If the patient is younger than age 55,we need to rule out compressive lesions affecting the cranial nerves by having the patient perform a visual field test and referring him/her for a neurological evaluation.

The ocular surface Peripheral neuropathy, which is diabetes-induced nerve damage that causes loss of sensation, numbness and occasionally feet, leg or hand pain, can affect corneal sensitivity, interrupting the neurotransmission feedback loop. This, in turn, causes an increase in ocular surface inflammation and an elevated risk of dysfunctional tear syndrome. So, diabetic patients tend to have dry eye disease.

Treatment for these patients involves the aggressive use of preservative-free tears, as well as anti-inflammatory therapy (when inflammation is present) to alleviate any epithelial defects, which can place these patients at risk for keratitis. The tears can be used as much as necessary. Steroids are typically prescribed q.i.d., and cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (Restasis, Allergan) or Lifitegrast 5% (Xiidra, Shire) is usually prescribed b.i.d.

Research reveals diabetic patients also exhibit a growing incidence of corneal epithelial pathology, such as punctate epithelial erosions, recurrent corneal erosions and corneal ulcers. The reason: Type 2 diabetics have an increase in sorbitol (a sugar alcohol the body slowly metabolizes), which can, in turn, damage the corneal epithelium. Specifically, increasing levels of glucose in the blood cause an increase in sorbitol, which induces a decrease in hemidesmosomes in the corneal epithelium. This reduction causes a weakened adhesion of the epithelium to the underlying stroma, leading to an increase in the breakdown of the epithelium.

For this reason, when selecting contact lenses for diabetic patients, prescribe strict daily wear, explain the importance of compliance on lens disposal, and educate on the significance of using efficacious cleaning and storage solutions. Also, direct these patients to immediately remove lenses if redness, discomfort, foreign body sensation or decreased vision occurs, as this may signal a serious infection.

Check back next week as we cover more on this topic.

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NEWS

Attorney adds to preservation efforts with Renovated home once called Roswell’s ‘White House’

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – Amid the swirl of recent attention focused on Roswell’s Historic District, Rachel Platt sits behind a desk in her new law office with satisfaction.

The Roswell attorney is basking in her new digs at 138 Bulloch Ave., right in the heart of the Historic District.

The new law office sits across the street from Mimosa Hall, the site of recent controversy over its recent sale to Hedgewood Homes. Hedgewood is proposing to build some 50 cottages on the 9-acre property while preserving the 6,000-square-foot antebellum mansion.

(See December 22 article).

Platt feels comfortable that her restoration of the nearby Dolvin House fits the profile the city would like to see in the area.

Once referred to as the “Roswell White House,” the Dolvin House was home to Jimmy Carter’s “Aunt Sissy,” Emily Frances Gordy Dolvin, who was among the future president’s first and

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Rachel Platt at her desk, seated beneath the restored wooden ceiling.

most fervent supporters in his early political career.

There is certainly a “coolness factor” in operating a law office in a place where Jimmy Carter conducted some of his political strategy sessions.

“My husband and I were looking to buy a property in the downtown Roswell area where I would operate my law firm,” Platt said. “I looked at a bunch of different houses, but this house – the history and the old antebellum feel, the old porch – is just exactly what I pictured. You know, that kind of ‘old school’ law firm feel.”

The ties to Jimmy Carter only added to her interest, she said.

“Roswell has such a rich history,” Platt said. “Being a part of that is so neat, so fascinating. We really enjoy it.”

Platt grew up in Roswell after her parents moved to the area when she was 8. She attended Roswell High School. After earning her law degree at UGA, she moved back to the area and set up practice in Sandy Springs.

Six years ago, she and her husband, Ryan Goodman, moved back to Roswell but she maintained the Sandy Springs office which was in a three-story office building.

In recent years, though, she was looking for a place to hang her shingle in the city of her youth.

The Dolvin House went on the market in January, listing for $775,000.

The Platts closed on the property in June. They spent the rest of the summer renovating.

“It had a really good structure and it didn’t need a ton of work,” she said.

“Most of the renovation involved cosmetic improvements and restorations.”

Platt said she was in contact with the Roswell Historical Preservation Commission from the get-go.

“Once they realized we were going to keep the character of the property – we changed very little on the outside – they were very easy to work with,” she said.

The Platts removed the old carpeting and had new wood floors installed, modernized the kitchen and an upstairs kitchenette and eliminated some of the bathrooms.

“There were a lot of bathrooms, and you don’t need a lot of bathrooms, showers and tubs in an office,” she said.

Throughout the process, Platt was careful to not overdo the remodeling.

“We wanted to certainly keep the feeling of the house, and kind of decorate that,” she said. “We put in wood floors and gave it a paint job, just a facelift.”

She also ensured the home was

Dolvin House restoration

NEWS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 29, 2016 | 5

The Tuxford subdivision and friends help the homeless in Atlanta for the holidays.

decorated suitably for an office. She opened for business Oct. 15. Her firm consists of one other attorney and a paralegal. The home also provides offices for three other lawyers.

In the two months since opening, Platt said she’s getting used to the feel.

“It’s awesome,” she said. “I have really loved it more than I ever thought I could. I love being in Roswell more than I thought I would when I moved

over the river.”

Part of the professional homecoming has involved getting acquainted with the local business community.

“There’s a thriving business community in Roswell, other lawyers, other businesses, and I love operating out of the house,” she said. “And I love just being in the house and having it be my house. It feels more homey, more comfortable.”

Tuxford subdivision delivers food and clothing to homeless ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Tuxford subdivision and friends of North Fulton County recently received donations of clothing, dental hygiene items, sleeping bags and blue tarps from friends and companies to donate to those in need in downtown Atlanta.

On Dec. 10, fifteen volunteers deliv-

ered these items and food to over 140 men and women.

Volunteers met the recipients near parks near Centennial Park and at Hurt Park downtown. The women and men that they served were gracious and appreciative of the items they received during this holiday season.

NEWS

6 | December 29, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Moving to Technology Park:

Johns Creek buys new City Hall for $9.4M City government, police, fire go under one 75,000 square-foot roof

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Johns Creek City Council unanimously voted Dec. 20 to put all of the city’s departments under one roof and buy a 75,000-square-foot office building in Technology Park to serve as the new City Hall. The cost is $9.4 million.

The move will allow the city to consolidate all City Hall functions along with the headquarters for Fire and Police departments and the city’s Municipal Court. But no timeline has been created yet for moving in.

Council members say the move will save the city $400,000 annually versus signing another long-term lease on the current city headquarters on Findley Road. The city leases 36,000 square feet for City Hall offices and the Fire Department’s administration. It will also end the need for the 20,000 square feet the city now leases on Johns Creek Parkway for the Police Department and Municipal Court and fill the need for an

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8 | December 29, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

OPINION

Smoltz preaches message: Dare to dream I had the opportunity to attend one of the weekly Rotary Club of Alpharetta meetings a couple of weeks ago at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. Now it could have been just because they serve HATCHER HURD the best breakfast in Executive Editor hatcher@appenmediagroup.com town, but knowing John Smoltz was the speaker made it a no-brainer.

Smoltz will forever be associated with the Atlanta Braves’ glory years.

You know the drill: 14 consecutive division championships, World Series appearances, one glorious World Championship, Cy Young Award.

But the Smoltz I have gotten to know is much more than that. He is a passionate man. And by that I mean when he decides to get fixed on a project, he follows it right down to the ground.

When he spoke to the Rotarians, it was mostly on how to stay focused on your dreams and your goals. It is something he has done all his life since he was 7 years old.

“That was when my life changed,” he said.

That is when he decided he wanted to be a Major League pitcher. That is when he drew a plate and batter’s box on the wall by the kitchen door and began to pitch to it. What he did, though, was create in his mind that that he was pitching in the World Series and it was the seventh game.

“I did all the voices in my head. I

was the announcer, I was in the crowd cheering, and I was the guy with the ball. I played that game over and over in my head while I pitched. By the time I got the chance to pitch in a real Game 7, I wasn’t afraid because I had practiced for that my whole life,” he said.

What he practiced was visualization, although he did not use that word. He did more than that though. He was always throwing a pitch while he did it.

There were no athletes in the Smoltz family. But they supported his quest anyway. His Italian mother told him to pursue any good goal – just have a back-up plan. Moms like back-up plans.

He did not say if he had a back-up plan. I don’t think he did. It’s not in his DNA. His next plan is to make it onto the Senior Tour. That is where golf pros go when they retire to keep making dough playing the game we mortals pay to play when we retire.

But Smoltz is serious. He has always been a scratch golfer, and despite a second career now as a sports broadcaster, he wants to be a pro golfer on the senior circuit. I understand he has always been a good golfer but to go out and play at 50-plus with the guys who have done it professionally is what they call in my favorite game – a sucker bet.

But I’m not betting against John Smoltz. I have seen his passion and his zeal too often in other areas. He and some like-minded stars in their own fields had an idea to build a Christian school in North Fulton. They had a good plan, good backing but everywhere they tried to build it, the area residents raised a ruckus.

HATCHER HURD/Herald

Johns Smoltz makes a point addressing the Alpharetta Rotary Club this month.

Despite repeated OKs from the Fulton Board of Commissioners, homeowners would file lawsuits to block it.

A private Christian school would “ruin” their communities. Rather than fight, they moved on.

If you ever get the chance to visit the campus of Kings Ridge Christian School, you will get the chance to see what faith and determination will do.

It is a gorgeous campus with beautiful

buildings, and young people K-12 are getting a great education.

John Smoltz is chairman of the board.

I watched all of those zoning battles and have followed the progress of the school. I have also seen John Smoltz get involved in other local organizations such as the Alpharetta Police Athletic League. I can’t list all his community involvement here, but he does not believe in half measures.

He does believe in preparation.

When he went in to pitch in the World Series, he expected good things happen because he had prepared for it. In the case of baseball, it was that wall in his backyard. His “cathedral,” his “refuge” he called it. He would put himself in all situations and then pitch out of it.

“I’m not afraid to fail,” he said.

“When it is the last inning of the seventh game of the World Series, there are not many pitchers on any Major League team who want the ball in that situation. I want the ball. I’ve already pitched in more game sevens that anyone – there in my backyard.”

“Embrace change,” he said.

As a 15-year-old he was pitching in an all-star tournament with 19-yearolds. He didn’t care. And they shellacked him – four 2-run home runs in one inning. He didn’t make excuses. He made a lesson to get better.

“If you want to satisfy your dreams, you need to get out of your comfort zone,” he said.

How many of us take even a baby step out of our comfort zones? As for Smoltz making golf’s Senior Tour? I’m giving odds he does.

Positively looking forward to 2017 If the year 2016 were a type of candy, it’d be black licorice. At times it had a similar feel to realizing the sock in your shoe is wet.

Or seeing a car just barely parked over the line in the parking lot of a busy store, taking up two spaces and leaving you nowhere to park your own car.

I think you get my point.

Kathleen Sturgeon This year has not been our Editor kathleen@appenmediagroup.com best. And because of that, it seems like everyone I know is ready for 2016 to be over. Honestly, with some of the events that took place, I really can’t blame them.

We saw devastation, destruction, death and despair. The year seemed longer than 366 days and felt like it would never end. Bad thing after bad thing kept occurring.

And being in the news business, we had our fair

share of unpleasantness and therefore had to pass on the “bad news.” Sometimes we were blamed for the bad news we shared, as if we caused it.

With the final few days of 2016 upon us, it’s made me reflect on the year that will most likely be infamous.

But like rain on your wedding day, thought by some to be lucky, or the Chicago Cubs’ losing streak, which ended this year, there is always a silver lining and curses usually come to an end.

Yes, 2016 had its bad moments, probably more than many other years. But we are forgetting all the beauty, love, joy and positivity that come after tragedy.

Mr. Rodgers once said his mother would tell him, after seeing scary things on the news, “look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

If we can learn anything positive from 2016, I think that’s it.

When there were shootings or bombings or fires, the heroes and helpers were there.

Donations poured in and resources were readily

available for those in need. People opened their hearts and wallets to total strangers, in a generous effort to help.

As a human race, we can mark this year as a growing pain and do what we do best, learn from it, grow and move on.

There were so many positive things that happened this year. We can’t let the bad times create dark clouds over the bright spots.

If anything, this year should push us to be better in all that we do, so we don’t repeat our mistakes.

I’m using the lessons I’ve learned from this year for my New Year’s resolutions.

I will try to be kinder, more patient, lend an ear when needed and love my fellow people.

T.S. Elliot once said, “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice.”

So, here’s to you, 2017. May your voice be one of hope, happiness and love.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 29, 2016 | 9

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10 | December 29, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

City Hall: Continued from Page 6 help us create a better backdrop for the city in that people will have great recreation opportunities in accessible locations.

“The third is the update of the comprehensive plan that will bring [the needs] of the city into sharper focus.”

The new City Hall will be more cost-efficient and operationally efficient having all departments under one roof.

That proximity will help inter-department communication and planning.

Bodker also expects it to be the spark Technology Park needs in a transformation from a 1980s suburban business park.

Councilman Lenny Zaprowski said it was a great deal for the city.

“It just made economic sense first…

This is not a Taj Mahal, but it is Class A space that combines all our offices in one space,” Zaprowski said.

“And we can do it right now. It’s not new construction – which costs double to build – Bodker and it is not a building that already has tenants with leases that would have to expire. It just makes sense.”

It is also a building that has visibility in the community. It gives the city “a real identity,” he said.

Councilman Steve Broadbent called it a “great purchase for the city.”

“It will save us some money and consolidate our office space. It looks like a typical office building but there are things we can do with the façade.

It’s a great purchase for the city,”

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Councilman Bob Gray was all for the purchase as well. The Council was unanimous in agreeing to the purchase.

“Everyone agrees it’s a great deal for the city. It’s a good idea Zaprowski to put all the departments under one roof. We are going to build an annex for the Municipal Court.

It is going to be a great facility for the city on a number of levels,” Gray said.

A major reason to move forward is the city’s lease was expiring. To have waited would have meant the status quo would continue or pay the costs of breaking leases both at the current City Hall and Police Department facility.

“This was the best option for us.

Other options involved buildings with multi-tenants. We want to configure the building to our unique needs, and this will allow us to do that,” Gray said.

The City Council also wanted the predictable debt service schedule and the financial certainty ownership provides compared to short-term lease agreements that sometimes feature rent increases.

Other advantages of the consolidation of staff include the opportunity to create a centralized Emergency Operations Center that is co-located with the

It just made economic sense first… This is not a Taj Mahal, but it is Class A space that combines all our offices in one space.”

Lenny Zaprowski Johns Creek councilman

city’s high tech Traffic Control Center.

The building is at 11360 Lakefield Drive in Technology Park near LifeTime Fitness and occupies seven acres.

Today, City Hall and the Fire Department headquarters’ staffs are divided among two floors in approximately 36,000 sq. ft. of office space, while the Police Department and Municipal Court are located in a separate 20,000-square-foot facility with an identified immediate need for an additional 10,000 square feet of space.

With the purchase, the city will also control 340 parking spaces adjacent to recently acquired land for a linear park.

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Families of The Drake House joined guests for a skate night at Avalon on Ice this week. Part of the proceeds from sales at the venue are going to benefit the charity which offers short-term shelter and education to single mothers and their children.

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Local organizations join together to raise awareness in North Fulton this holiday season ALPHARETTA, Ga. − This holiday season, Avalon in Alpharetta has partnered with Northside Hospital for a special giveback benefitting The Drake House.

Avalon invites guests to show their support during the holidays by bringing gifts to the mixed-use community that will be donated to The Drake House.

Gifts can be dropped off at Avalon’s Concierge in exchange for a $3 discount on Avalon on Ice tickets for that day.

Throughout the holidays, Avalon will provide guests several other opportunities to give back to The Drake House during festive events.

Avalon on Ice: Families of The Drake House joined guests for a skate night at Avalon on Ice this week. A percentage of the sales were donated to the organization.

Throughout the holidays, people can donate a gift to The Drake House and receive $3 off a ticket to Avalon on Ice to be used same day.

Santa House: Guests will have the option to give back by donating to The Drake House at Avalon’s high-tech Santa House experience throughout the season.

“Through Avalon’s giveback initiative, we can give extra support and comfort during this holiday season to

the mothers and their children at The Drake House,” said Freda Hardage, Northside Hospital Foundation director.

“It’s a wonderful program and we are excited to be working with both of these great community partners and bringing some holiday cheer to Avalon and North Fulton.”

For the gift giveback, toys, books, games, craft supplies, clothing and household items are greatly appreciated. Additionally, all of Avalon’s fountain change collected during the month of December will be donated to The Drake House.

“We are thrilled to partner with Northside Hospital to give back to The Drake House and assist families during this special time of year,” said Carla Toro, director of marketing at Avalon.

“The Drake House is an amazing organization in our local community that supports families during their time of need, and we are thankful to be a part of the gift giveback program and give our guests a chance to give back this holiday season.”

The holiday giveback benefitting The Drake House runs through Dec. 31. For a complete wish list of items and more information, visit experienceavalon. com.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

We look back on Alpharetta, Roswell’s 2016 The year’s top story has to be the trending economic recovery in north Fulton County. While there remain pockets of unemployed workers, the unemployment rate in Roswell dipped to 3.8 percent through the first three quarters of the year. The city added 2,211 workers in the past year. At the same time, Alpharetta added 1,200 jobs over the year and its unemployment rate fell to 4.1 by October.

Alpharetta was home to the “Big Deal” in 2016 with major corporate sales, including Prudential’s purchase of Avalon, a sale unofficially valued at more than $500 million.

Other big deals included Boston Scientific’s purchase of Endo Choice for $210 million, the sale of Sanctuary Park office complex to Rubenstein Partners for $265 million and LCN Capital Partners purchase of Fiserv’s Alpharetta campus for $93 million.

In addition, Gwinnett Tech opened a new campus, Deputy, a cloud-based tech firm, and MagicJack for Business opened headquarters in the city.

Individually, there were other items of note in the two cities:

New council members change face of Roswell leadership

Two new members of the Roswell City Council, Mike Palermo and Marcelo Zapata, followed up on campaign pledges to curb high-density residential development in the city.

Often teaming with veteran City Councilman Kent Igleheart and fellow newcomer Donald Horton, the new majority set out to revise the city’s Unified Development Code to restrict high-density developments to along or near major commercial corridors. Ultimately, the City Council passed updates to the UDC prohibiting cottage courts and townhomes in established residential neighborhoods.

At one point during the year, there were more than 100 UDC items dealing with density up for revision.

Councilwoman Nancy Diamond, who had fought the restrictions from the beginning, said the City Council is moving too fast, and it’s liable to lead to mistakes.

Longtime Roswell Councilman Kent Igleheart was arrested in Oct. on child sex charges.

Conference Center funding approved

On March 28, The Alpharetta City Council approved issuance of $26 million in revenue bonds to fund construction of a 65,000-square-foot conference center near the Avalon development on Old Milton Parkway at Ga. 400. The 7-0 vote by the City Council included a partnership with North American Properties, owners of Avalon, to operate the center which is expected to include 65,000 square feet of space.

In conjunction with the project, North American Properties will construct a 325-room hotel abutting the center.

The Marriott Autograph hotel is part of Avalon’s second phase and will be constructed so that it can share some facilities with the center.

The city plans to make payments on the 25year bond through its hotel/ motel tax, which city officials increased by two cents in October 2015.

Voters pass Alpharetta bond

On May 24, Alpharetta voters overwhelmingly gave approval to a $52 million bond for transportation and parks projects. The referendum drew 10 percent of the registered voters, and the measure passed with 80 percent in favor.

Money from the bond has been ear-

marked for 10 projects, including $1.5 million for extensive renovations of the old library to create an arts center; $2.5 million for an indoor recreation facility at Eastside Community Center; $2.7 million for Wills Park pool renovation; $5.4 million for parkland acquisition, parks development and cultural facilities; $6 million for sidewalk improvements; $6.5 million for a Greenway extension that will extend the path to Forsyth County; $1.5 million for Lily Garden Terrace extension, a plan to improve the street grid network to reduce traffic congestion; $2 million for Windward Parkway Corridor improvements; $9 million for Kimball Bridge Road congestion mitigation; and $14.85 million for Rucker Road Corridor improvements.

The bond issue will not require an increase in the city’s property tax rate of 5.75 mills.

Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard said that payments on the 30-year bond would be made through a combination of the debt service portion of the city’s current millage rate on property taxes and through increased revenues from the growth in property values.

Liberty Hall planned for downtown

While Alpharetta’s City Center continued to take shape, plans were announced in June for a four-story mixed-use building across the street whose owner says will be “a bookend to City Hall.”

John Adams, a direct descendant of the nation’s second president and a devotee of history, said Liberty Hall will present a stately accent to the west side of Main Street and give residents something to be proud of. Adams is a partner in 33 South Main LLC, the corporation behind the project which will be located on about one-third of an acre at the site of an abandoned gas station.

“I grew up in Atlanta, particularly in the Alpharetta-Milton area,” Adams said. “It’s an area I’m familiar with, and I’m familiar with the growth patterns.”

Plans call for an upscale restaurant, “The Republic,” on the first floor. The Liberty Cigar Company, featuring handcrafted cigars made from tobacco from the Dominican Republic, will share space on the first floor.

Well-appointed office suites will occupy about 12,000 square feet of space on the middle two floors. Crowning the building’s top floor will be “The Founders Club,” an opulent private social club designed to bring people in the community together.

The Roswell City Council is divided over how to Double-murder shocks Roswell Two teens were discovered shot to death behind a grocery store on Woodstock Road in Roswell Aug. 1.

Both Natalie Anne Henderson and Carter Davis, were 17 and were days away from attending their senior years in high school. Two days later, Roswell police detectives arrested Jeffrey A. Hazelwood, 20, of Roswell. The crime resounded through the city.

The Roswell Police Department received statewide commendations for its investigation.

“This is, without a doubt, the most horrific and tragic and shocking crime ever committed in the City of Roswell,” Mayor Jere Wood said at an Oct. 10 meeting of the City Council. “To have that resolved in two days gave closure and has restored this town’s sense of community.”

Police reach out to black community

In August, police departments in Roswell and Alpharetta took steps to broaden interaction with the black community. The measures were in response to heightened tension between minorities and law enforcement after several police-involved shootings across the country made national headlines.

Roswell Police Chief Rusty Grant spoke

YEAR IN REVIEW

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 29, 2016 | 13

Construction of Liberty Hall is planned for downtown Alpharetta. group bow out until city leaders settled their differences over downtown development.

Roswell councilman arrested on sex charges

proceed with the old Southern Skillet property it purchased in January for $4.8 million. at a number of predominantly black churches. Later in the month, Roswell Police Sgt. Silvia Cotriss was dismissed for displaying a Confederate flag at her residence in Woodstock. Cotriss has since filed suit against the city.

Meanwhile, Alpharetta Public Safety Director Gary George participated in a community forum held at St. James United Methodist Church which drew close to 200 participants.

“I know that we are one bad arrest, one bad shooting away from having 20,000 in downtown Alpharetta marching,” George said. “Every city in the nation is there. But, I don’t want that to be Alpharetta.”

Alpharetta weighs site for new parking deck

On Aug. 22, the Alpharetta City Council approved a site on Old Roswell Street to develop a four-story deck with 390 spaces. But the council reversed its decision two weeks later when residents flocked to the next City Council meeting requesting more thought be given to a location. They said the Old Roswell Street site was a gathering spot for pedestrians attending downtown events. City leaders have since narrowed the search to two sites, the Old Roswell Street location which is favored by many downtown business owners,

and another site on Milton Avenue. The council is not expected to vote on the matter until early in 2017 when studies on the costs associated with each site have been completed.

City Center already has a five-story parking deck with about 390 spaces on the east side of Main.

On Oct. 20, DeKalb County authorities arrested longtime Roswell City Councilman Kent Igleheart on child sex charges. Igleheart was accused of carrying on a relationship with a 17-yearold that began when the girl was 13.

Investigators said Igleheart allegedly arranged to meet the female at Northlake Mall and he was arrested when he arrived at the shopping center.

Igleheart was first elected to the City Council in 2001.

He resigned his seat on the City

Council a week following his arrest, and a special election to fill the Post 4 seat has been scheduled for March 21.

Voters approve transportation sales tax

Fulton County voters approved a .75-cent sales tax Nov. 8 that will mean tens of millions of transportation dollars to cities. Roswell is anticipating at least $79 million in funding, with the lions share, $58 million, committed to alignment of Big Creek Parkway.

Alpharetta, which expects to receive at least $53 million from the tax, has a slew of projects on tap, including widening of Haynes Bridge Road, McGinnis Ferry Road and Windward Parkway.

Showdown with the DDA

On Sept. 13, divisions among Roswell City Council members came to a head when the Downtown Development Authority presented a plan to market the old Southern Skillet restaurant property on Alpharetta Street. During a marathon 90-minute debate, the City Council argued over how much autonomy the volunteer organization should have in seeking developers for the fouracre site.

One faction, consisting of councilmembers Mike Palermo, Marcelo Zapata and Kent Igleheart insisted elected officials be involved throughout the process. The remaining three council members favored allowing the DDA to market the property until it came time for the City Council to approve a final project plan. Mayor Jere Wood broke the tie, giving the DDA the go-ahead to proceed.

Even with the vote, DDA representative David Schmit recommended his

Alpharetta approves funding for a 65,000 square-foot conference center near Avalon.

14 | December 29, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

YEAR IN REVIEW

Alpharetta, Roswell sports year in review

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com Blessed Trinity volleyball wins another state title – BT volleyball won its third straight state championship in October with a 3-0 win over Woodward Academy after moving up from Class 3A to 4A this year. The state title was BT’s fourth in five years.

Kobi Simmons named McDonald’s All-American – St. Francis’ Kobi Simmons, a 2016 graduate, was named a McDonald’s All-American for basketball. Simmons played in the All-American game in Chicago before starting his collegiate career at the University of Arizona this fall.

Roswell football falls short in state championship – Roswell entered the Class 7A state championship game with a 14-0 record but would fall to Grayson in overtime, 23-20, in a battle of two nationally ranked teams. The Hornets forced overtime with a touchdown on the final play of regulation. It was the Hornets’ second consecutive year of losing in the state championship game.

FCS girls soccer wins state title, boys finish as runner up – Fellowship Christian’s girls soccer team captured its first state title, the first ever for the school in a team sport, by winning the Class A-Private state championship.

The Lady Paladins recorded a 17-1 record and outscored opponents 107-13 in the championship run.

The Fellowship boys team also made the finals but fell to Paideia.

Maya Dodson named to USA U-17 team – St. Francis basketball player Maya Dodson was named to the USA Women’s U17 World Championship Team and competed at the FIBA Women’s World Championships in Spain this summer. Team USA finished second in the event.

Alpharetta volleyball has best season in program history, falls in state championship – After a remarkable season in which the Lady Raiders posted a 44-3 record and captured the Region 7-AAAAAA title, Alpharetta fell in the state championship 3-1 to

St. Francis’ Kobi Simmons was named a McDonald’s All-American for basketball The Roswell Hornets made a second consecutive trip to the state championship, but would ultimately lose in overtime to Grayson.

Harrison.

Malik Beasley 19th overall in NBA draft – Malik Beasley, a graduate of St. Francis in 2015, was selected 19th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft in June by the Denver Nuggets. Beasley entered the draft after completing his freshman season at Florida State University where he was named an All Freshman All-American.

As of Dec. 13, Beasley had appeared in nine games for the Nuggets in his rookie campaign.

The Centennial Knights captured its first playoff berth since 2011 after finishing second in Region 7-AAAAAA with a 7-1 record. The Knights posted an 8-3 overall record after falling to Northgate late in the Knights’ opening round playoff game against Northgate.

St. Francis girls basketball wins state championship, boys fall in title game – The St. Francis Lady Knights basketball team won its third state championship in four years with a 63-37 win over Greenforst in the Class A-Private state championship game.

The St. Francis boys team also made the finals and was seeking its third straight state title, however, the boys lost to Greenforest 78-66.

BT baseball wins 49 straight games, falls in state championship – Continuing a winning streak that began in the 2014-15 season, Blessed Trinity won 49 consecutive games, at the time, the second longest high school baseball winning streak in the country. The loss came to the No. 2 ranked team in the state of Louisiana. BT was seeking its third consecutive state championship but fell to region rivals Westminster, whom they had beaten handily twice in the regular season.

FCS football completes best season in school history – The Fellowship Paladin football team had its best season in program history, winning 13 games, capturing its first region title since 2007, and making its first appearance in the state championship game. The Paladins fell to defending state champion Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy, 34-27, in double overtime.

Centennial football makes first playoff appearance in five years –

Blessed Trinity baseball won 49 straight regular season games on their way to a state championship appearance.

Financial institutions are increasingly focused on deepening relationships with commercial customers.

Jeffery Yabuki, President and chief executive officer of Fiserv 15 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 29, 2016

Fiserv to acquire Atlanta fintech company Transaction continues list of high-dollar deals affecting Alpharetta

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Corporate acquisitions continue to make headlines in the North Fulton-Forsyth area.

Less than a month after Siemens announced it will acquire Oregon-based Mentor Graphics for $4.5 billion, news surfaced last week that Wisconsin-based Fisserv has entered into an agreement to acquire Atlanta’s Online Banking Solutions (OBS).

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Online Banking Solutions, a private fintech company founded in 1992, provides a secure, modern cash management system designed for digital channels, such as smartphones tablets and wearable devices.

It offers a secure browser that provides a gateway to applications offered by financial institutions to their commercial customers.

Fiserv, with regional headquarters in Alpharetta, expects to gain additional cash management and digital business banking capabilities to complement its existing solutions.

“Financial institutions are increasingly focused on deepening relationships with commercial customers,” said Jeffery Yabuki, president and chief

executive officer of Fiserv. “The addition of Online Banking Solutions’ technologies further enables Fiserv clients to provide greater value to their commercial customers through sophisticated cash management solutions when and where they need them.”

OBS received the “Up-And-Comer Award” in the Aite Group U.S. Cash Management Vendor Evaluation 2016.

OBS products are already integrated across a number of Fiserv systems and with other core processing platforms.

OBS product integration is available across Fiserv core account processing platforms such as Signature, Premier and Cleartouch, and post-closing will include DNA. “Our relationship with Fiserv is already established through our activities with several mutual clients,” said Dan Myers, CEO of Online Banking Solutions. “Joining Fiserv allows us to create new opportunities for our associates and to broaden the reach of our leading solutions to more banks and credit unions, ultimately enabling them to better serve their commercial customers.”

The transaction is the latest in a recent succession of major corporate announcements touching Alpharetta.

Fiserv regional headquarters in Alpharetta.

EndoChoice bought by Boston Scientific In October, medical-devices company Boston Scientific announced plans to buy Alpharetta-based EndoChoice Holdings for roughly $210 million. And, earlier in September, the 152-acre Sanctuary Park office park on Ga. 400, was sold for $265 million to Rubenstein Partners.

MagicJack opens HQ in Alpharetta In August, MagicJack for Business opened its headquarters in Alpharetta, hiring more than 100 employees. And, a month earlier, Dutch conglomerate Philips announced the purchase of Alpharetta startup Wellcentive.

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BUSINESSPOSTS

A huge year for huge projects in the metro area Seminars can Commercial development was in full swing this year with the addition of two major stadiums and either the ground-breaking or proposal of several high-rise Geoff smith developments.

Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com The following projects are really only the highlights as many more were proposed, broke ground or are on the way.

Mixed-use tech projects for Alpharetta: Two major projects were announced this year in Alpharetta that will cater to the city’s booming tech market. Fuqua Development LLC is working on a 62-acre, mixed-use project at the southwestern corner of Ga. 400 and Haynes Bridge Road. It would include 430 apartments, 70 townhomes, 78,800 square feet of retail, 36,000 square feet of restaurants, 500,500 square feet of office and 17 acres of greenspace. Initial renderings show 10-story office buildings, and five-story buildings with streetlevel retail. The other project is a 220,000-square-foot building on 24 acres just south of Windward Parkway. It will be broken into two buildings connected by a 5,000-square foot clubhouse housing a conference center, coffee bar and gym.

Avalon Phase II: This project is well underway with delivery of product scheduled for next year.

It will include 550,000 square feet of office space with Microsoft as a tenant, multifamily units, a hotel and a 74,000-square-foot conference center.

Five-tower Sandy Springs MARTA Project: Initial plans were submitted, and from what I’ve heard, this project is close to be-

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coming a reality. While I hear the allowable height of this project has been lowered by some degree, plans initially called for five, 50-story buildings surrounding an existing pentagon-shaped office building on 13 acres next to the Sandy Springs MARTA station. Plans are also in the works to build a tunnel from the development directly underground to the MARTA station.

Four-tower mixed use at Dunwoody MARTA Station: Plans were released for a project being called Dunwoody Crown Towers that would include two 24-story office towers, a 28-story hotel, two 30-story condo towers and a 13-story building with a mix of condos and a hotel. The project would sit north of I-285 and south of the Best Buy shopping center along Hammond Drive, near the Dunwoody MARTA station. A large-scale project had been in the works for years on this site. I have not heard anything lately about it, but 2017 is right around the corner.

16-story tower proposed at Dunwoody MARTA Station: A Texas developer released plans to build a high-rise on the north side of Hammond Drive next to the Dunwoody MARTA station and Perimeter Mall. $95-million mixed-use around Avondale MARTA Station: This project broke ground in November and will include 378 apartments, 92 affordable senior living units, a new plaza and 21,000 square feet of commercial space.

Brookhaven’s new City Center around MARTA: A company has been working with the City of Brookhaven and its residents to develop a large, mixed-use development centered around the Brookhaven-Oglethorpe MARTA Station.

It would include an eight-story office building, a 125-room hotel, 340 apartments, 107 condo units, 100 senior living units and almost

56,000 square feet of restaurants and retail.

Norcross creating new urban center: Norcross put out requestfor-proposals for development of 6.8 acres located at two key corners of its Lillian Webb Park. Initial concepts include two new parking decks, and three- and four-story, multi-use buildings housing retail, commercial and residential components.

Sandy Springs building its downtown: Sandy Springs broke ground on a development that will include a new city hall, a studio theater with meeting space, and a performing arts center, all centered around a four-acre park with large water fountains.

Atlanta, Buckhead serious about capping highways: Leaders in Atlanta and Buckhead have proposed building caps over I-75/I-85 and Ga. 400 in order to create more developable real-estate, which would go a long way in bringing more eastwest connectivity to those areas. The Buckhead ‘cap,’ or bridge, would be a nine-acre park over Ga. 400 and MARTA’s Buckhead Station. The intown cap is a little more vague, but renderings show parks and highrises. $700-million mixed-use project on man-made river in Hall County: The project would sit on 508 acres and include 265-single-family homes, 215 townhomes, 600 multifamily units, 242,000 square feet of retail space and 424,000 square feet of office space. And yes, all would sit along a man-made river.

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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2016: A Year in Review:

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 29, 2016 | 17

U.S. election ‘Trumps’ 2016’s most notable events Dollar stronger since Trump’s election; Vehicle sales, home sales up also ATLANTA – Clearly, the most notable news item to happen this year was the election of Donald J. Trump as president. The leadup to the election was wrought with anemic investment RAJEEV Dhawan which brought down Director Economic Forecasting Center overall GDP growth.

We hope that going forward, the uncertainty of the election rhetoric will get out of our systems and result in better investment, but only time will tell in that regard.

However, looking at our financial markets, there really was no uncer-

tainty there. After it was determined that Mr. Trump was projected to win on Nov. 8, there was a brief “blip” in financial markets. But since his “soothing words” at his gracious victory speech markets have been on the up-and-up!

Financial markets were more disrupted

by Britain’s decision to leave the European Union in June. There, markets fell over 5 percent in the following days, while here, the election of Mr. Trump pushed markets higher by 1 percent!

Furthermore, the pound has yet to recover from the Brexit fallout and remains down 15 percent. The dollar, meanwhile, continues to appreciate. By broad measures, the dollar is up 3.4 percent for the year, but up more than 4.5 percent since the Brexit vote.

Atlanta Accounting & Taxation Group celebrates 10 years ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Atlanta Accounting & Taxation Group, under managing partner Adrian Mulko, recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary.

The group has been providing customers with professional accounting, consulting and taxation services in the metro Atlanta area since 2006. They cater primarily to small and medium-sized businesses to help them control costs, pay fewer taxes and improve profits.

Atlanta Accounting & Taxation Group is located at 4080 McGinnis Ferry Road, Suite 1006 in Alpharetta. For more information, contact them at 678-557-2458 or csr1@atlgroup.biz.

Bill Rawlings named to LLS Board of Trustees ATLANTA — Bill Rawlings, vice president and managing broker of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, has been named to the Leuke-

Global market uncertainty stems from anemic economic growth in Europe as well as in China and its suppliers. Thus, here at home, economic growth had to come from within – in other words, from domestic oriented sectors.

For one, consumers seemed insatiable to vehicle purchasing and bought 17.5 million cars on an annualized basis thus far this year – surpassing the strong 17.4 million units last year.

Light trucks were the purchase of choice due to low gasoline prices driven by persistent low oil prices (another result of the weakened global economy).

The housing market also made headway this year. Overall, existing home sales were up 2.9 percent while

new homes sales jumped 12 percent.

Thus, consumption in the economy clipped along at a fairly decent 2.8 percent in the third quarter GDP growth figures. Consumption growth was helped by a healthy labor market in 2016.

The economy averaged 180,200 monthly job gains in the first 11 months but was a bit off the monthly average of 229,400 new jobs witnessed last year. That is an indication of anemic investment.

Sectors affected mostly this year were those facing global headwinds such as manufacturing, transportation, and the corporate sector.

Meanwhile, sectors such as retail trade, hospitality and financial activities – those sectors that are influenced by domestic demand – did not decelerate in their job creation pace in 2016.

BUSINESSBriefs mia & Lymphoma Society Georgia Chapter Board of Trustees.

Rawlings joins a group of 18 fellow trustees to provide strategic guidance, financial oversight and fundraising assistance for the organization.

The Georgia Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in Atlanta, helps Rawlings those diagnosed with blood cancers throughout the state with financial and emotional support.

The north Atlanta office of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty opened in 2009 and is based in Sanctuary Park, specializing in northern suburban areas such as Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming and Milton.

Rawlings has been in the real estate industry for more than a decade in roles including sales associate, career development vice president, chief operating officer and managing broker.

In 2016, Bill was named one of the 100 Most Influential Atlantans in real estate by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Medicine and Emory Healthcare.

Dr. Aaron Weiss, assistant professor in the department of urology at Emory University School of Medicine, is leading the Emory Urology Team at Johns Creek. He said a key goal of the new urology practice is to offer greater convenience for patients in the Johns Creek area.

Eunice Goetz, PA-C, says the practice hopes to work closely with Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University doctors and staff at EJCH to treat patients with bladder, kidney and prostate cancer.

Emory Clinic’s Johns Creek urology office includes seven exam rooms. The practice is located at 6300 Hospital Parkway in Suite 145.

For information about urology services at Emory Healthcare, visit urology.emory.edu or call 404-7784898 to make an appointment.

Emory Healthcare expands urology services ATLANTA – A new Emory Clinic urology practice is now open to patients at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

The practice provides diagnosis and treatments for patients with urologic conditions such as urologic cancers, kidney stones, male infertility and elevated PSA. “We’re excited to expand Emory Clinic Urology services to treat patients in Johns Creek and surrounding communities,” said Dr. Martin Sanda, chairman and chief of urology at Emory School of

Aaron Weiss, left, and Eunice Goetz will be helping treat urologic conditions at Emory Johns Creek.

18 | December 29, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

CALENDAR 870 Woodstock Road, Roswell More info: roswellgov.com

ALPHARETTA GREETINGS FRIEND YOUR KIND ASSISTANCE IS REQUIREDWhen retired schoolteacher Rhonda Charles opens an email in her spam folder, the journey of a lifetime begins. This is the world premiere comedy from Atlanta playwright Topher Payne. Shows will take place Jan. 5-Jan. 22, times vary, at the Georgia Ensemble Theatre. The theatre is located at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center on 950 Forrest St. in Roswell. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at get.org.

Looking to get the word out about your event?

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

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS: CHRISTMAS AT SMITH PLANTATION HOME

What: Enjoy images of Christmas, including reminders of traditions from years-gone-by. Decorations are set up in all 10 rooms, plus an outdoor cook house and exteriors.

When: Through Jan. 2, 2017 Where: Smith Plantation House, 935 Alpharetta St., Roswell More info: visitroswellga.com/ christmas-2016

CHRISTMAS AT THE ROSWELL VISITORS CENTER

What: Santa is holding court as the Visitors Center salutes the North Pole with an old-fashioned tree featuring bubble lights, tinsel, icicles and many vintage Santas from days gone by. Stop by for a family photo.

When: Through Dec. 31, times vary Where: Roswell Visitors Center, 617 Atlanta St., Roswell More info: visitroswellga.com/ christmas-2016

SANTA’S VILLAGE LIGHT DISPLAY

What: Come see this holiday light display made up of about 14000 lights, including several additional displays and an animated singing Santa Band.

Train rides are available.

When: Through Dec. 31, 6-9 p.m.

Where: 405 Waverly Hall Drive, Roswell More info: bit.ly/2fKmTbB

AVALON ON ICE

What: Ice skate on the Rockefeller Center-sized ice skating rink in the plaza. Watch for theme nights and enjoy warm, tasty treats rink side.

Enjoy special events throughout the season and sign up for ice skating lessons.

When: Through Jan. 22, 2017, times vary Where: Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta

Cost: general admission starts at $18 More info: experienceavalon.com

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING: JOHNS CREEK

What: Recycle trees, fluorescent bulbs, fats, oils and grease for free. Remove any electric lights, tinsel, ornaments or other decorations. Mulch will be available for free upon request.

When: Saturday, Jan. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: The Home Depot parking lot, 5950 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekga.gov

MILTON

What: Milton Grows Green, with Casey Tree Experts and the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, are hosting a Christmas tree recycling event. Or, for a $15 fee, Boy Scout Troop 841 will pick up your tree.

When: Dec. 26-Jan. 7 Where: Scottsdale Farms, Milton High School and Home Depot, Milton More info: facebook.com/ events/1826737317602568

FORSYTH COUNTY

What: Keep Forsyth County Beautiful invites residents to recycle their Christmas trees during the annual ‘Bring One for the Chipper’ event. Wood chips from recycled trees are available first-come, first served.

When: Dec. 26-Jan. 7 Where: Six locations across Forsyth County More info: keepforsythcountybeautiful. com

ROSWELL

What: Residents dropping off trees to recycle can also get free seed packets, while supplies last. The trees will be chipped into mulch, which will be available at no charge.

When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: The Home Depot parking lot,

What: Drop off a Christmas tree to recycle and get free garden seeds in exchange, while supplies last. Free mulch is also available with a filled out request form, available online.

When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: The Home Depot parking lot, 5300 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta More info and request form: alpharetta. ga.us

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: Through Dec. 30 Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forest St., Roswell More info: thebrushworksociety.com

registration is required.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Where: Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Alpharetta More info and registration: johncreekarts.org or 770-623-8448

EVENING ESL CLASS

What: Sharpen your English as a Second Language skills with this free class. Join your peers in conversational English. All levels are welcome and no registration is required.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 6-7:30 p.m.

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

BEGINNER DAHN YOGA

What: Join for a free introduction to Dahn Yoga, with a combination of stretching, breathing and meditation.

Classes are limited to first 25 participants. Bring a yoga mat or towel and wear loose clothes.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 6:30-7:45 p.m.

Where: Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org

DECKER BABCOCK

What: See a live performance of jazz trombonist Decker Babcock for one show only. Babcock has taught at multiple colleges, has performed with artists like Lady Gaga and has played for several commercials.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 7:30 p.m.

Where: The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta Cost: $10 More info and tickets: thevelvetnote. com

HOLIDAY SHOW

What: Get into the holiday spirit with great local artwork at this annual Holiday Show. View works in a variety of mediums, including acrylic, oil, watercolor, clay and more.

When: Through Jan. 13, times vary Where: Roswell Visual Arts Center, 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell More info: roswellgov.com

SPOTLIGHT ARTIST: GEORGE GRAY

What: Come see the works of lifetime artist and Johns Creek resident George Gray. Gray has spent over 40 years of photo retouching by hand.

When: Jan. 2-30, times vary Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forest St., Roswell More info: behance.net/georgegray

LIBRARY EVENTS: SMALL, SMALL WORLD

What: Children ages 2-4 can take a sensory journey to learn about children around the world through music, movement art and literatures.

The program is free, but advanced

OCEE YOUTH CHESS CLUB

What: Children ages 5-13 can join this free chess club to learn strategies and game variations, and possibly participate in a tournament.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 6-7:30 p.m.

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

DROUGHT INFORMATION MEETING

What: The Department of Public Works will hold an informational meeting with the public to explain and answer any questions about what is and is not allowed in a Level II drought.

When: Thursday, Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-noon Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: 404-612-7400 or jennifer. mclaurin@fultoncountyga.gov

ZUMBA

What: Zumba instructor Nicole Gordon will be offering a free class. Program is limited to first 25 participants. Wear comfortable clothes.

When: Thursday, Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-noon Where: Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell More info: 770-640-3075 or afpls.org

PET ADOPTIONS:

CALENDAR

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 29, 2016 | 19

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: GILLIAN WELCH

What: See singer-songwriter Gillian Welch live with guitarist David Rawlings in a show featuring a combination of Appalachian, bluegrass and Americana music.

When: Thursday, Dec. 29, 7-8 p.m.

Where: Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta Cost: $34 in advance, $37 day of the show More info and tickets: varietyplayhouse.com

FESTIVAL OF THE SEASON

What: Get ready to experience an underwater winter wonderland at Georgia Aquarium’s Festival of the SEAson, including family favorites like Wake Up Santa, Scuba Claus and the Holidazzle light show.

When: Through Jan. 1, times vary Where: Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St. NW, Atlanta Cost: Tickets start at $30 More info and tickets: georgiaaquarium.org

DANCING WITH THE STARS LIVE

What: See a live performance of ABC’s hit show “Dancing with the Stars,” showcasing every type of ballroom and modern dance.

When: Saturday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m.

Where: The Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta Cost: Tickets start at $60 More info and tickets: foxtheatre.org

2017 PEACH DROP

What: Ring in the New Year with the 2017 Peach Drop. The celebration will include family-fun entertainment, food, street performers and more. Ne-Yo will headline the event.

When: Saturday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m.

Where: Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St. SW, Atlanta More info: peachdrop.com

GET OUTSIDE GEORGIA:

Gearing up for Delayed Harvest trout Last week’s volunteer-assisted “bucket brigade” stocking of the Chattahoochee Delayed Harvest (DH) water at the Whitewater access was by all accounts a great success! I’d hoped STEVE HUDSON to get out there and Get Outside Georgia, Chattahoochee Media Group fish some in the days that followed, but I confess: I stayed home and had fun with the grandkids instead. It takes a lot to supersede anything fishing related, but one thing that’ll do it every time is grandkids!

Anyway, while I was playing with electric trains and toy pots and pans, quite a few volunteers were putting trout into the river -- a job well done.

It means that there are now plenty of eager trout.

I hear that other stocking efforts put fish into other parts of the Hooch DH water as well as in Georgia’s other Delayed Harvest streams too. That just might make for some great holiday fishing these next couple of weeks on just about any of our Delayed Harvest streams.

But here’s the big question: what does it take, gear- and lure-wise, to catch some of those trout?

Delayed Harvest fishing, you’ll recall from last week’s column, is catch-andrelease fishing (either fly fishing or spin fishing) with artificial single-hook lures. Hereabouts, the closest DH water is that section of the Chattahoochee starting at the mouth of Sope Creek (above Cochran Shoals) and extending downstream to the US 41 bridge.

If you’re spin fishing (and that’s a great way to introduce young anglers to the sport) try a light to medium light action rod with 4- or 6-lb. test line.

For lures, use in-line spinners such as Roostertails or Mepps spinners in bright, flashy colors. You can also do well with a simple white lead-headed jig fitted with a white or yellow curly-tail

grubtail about two inches long. Cast across the current, allow the lure to sink for a second or so, and then reel it back to you. If fish are present in the water you’re fishing, that may well be all it takes.

When spin fishing on waters which have been designated as Delayed Harvest waters, remember that only single-hook lures are permitted. It’s possible to purchase single-hook in-line spinning lures at many fishing shops; however, if all you have is lures with a treble hook, you’ll need to either remove the treble and replace it with a single hook or use your heavy-duty wire cutters to cut off two of the treble’s three hooks. Don’t forget!

For fly fishing, the rod of choice on the Chattahoochee DH water is usually an 8- to 9-foot, 4- to 6-weight rod. I use a 9-foot 6-weight, and it provides plenty of versatility to let me fish a variety of flies, even if it’s windy.

What about the flies themselves?

Most DH trout will be caught on subsurface flies. One good bet is to try egg imitations (favorites are Pink Sucker Spawn or orange and yellow Y2Ks in size 12 or 14) fished with enough weight to get ‘em down deep. San Juan Worms in red or chartreuse (size 12 or 14) also work well. Also try small (size 14 or 16) subsurface insect imitations such as Pheasant Tails or Soft-Hackle Emergers, again with enough weight.

Very small “midge” emergers (flies such as the Zebra Midge or the Blue Assassin) in sizes 18 or 20 can also work well during this part of the season. They’re tiny (in fact, I find myself wondering how the fish even see ‘em!) but the can be very effective.

Another favorite of many DH fly fishers is some sort of minnow imitation. For DH trout, I like size 8 versions of the Rolex, beadhead Woolly Buggers (maybe even in oddball colors such as pink!), and a fly called the Hudson Streamer. These should be cast across the current, allowed to sink for a few seconds, and then retrieved on a tight line using 6- to 12-inch strips. The idea

is to imitate a minnow, and such a retrieve style animates the fly and makes it swim. Remember to hold your rod tip low and close to the water, since that helps you keep a “tight line” between you and the fly and will help you hook more fish.

One challenge that you’ll encounter on Delayed Harvest waters (and not just on the Chattahoochee but on Georgia’s other DH streams as well) is what I call the “DH Conundrum.” A conundrum is defined as a challenging question of some sort, and on DH water that question is, “Do I target freshly-stocked fish (like the ones stocked last week) or more experienced fish (like the ones that were stocked a month or so ago)?

Why the difference? Well, the fresh stockers will be more likely to hit egg imitations and very flashy streamers or spinners, while the more experienced fish may favor more natural or more subdued looking flies. You can have both classes of fish in any given stretch of the river, so the well-prepared DH angler will carry a variety of flies or lures and will be willing to swap ‘em out to find the one that works on those fish on that particular day.

But figuring it out is part of the fun!

The kids and grandkids are here for a little while yet, so for the next few days I’ll be spending more time sitting on the floor and playing with the trains. But in a few more days I’ll be back on the water. If you see me fishing at Paces Mill or at Whitewater on the Chattahoochee, be sure to say hello!

Learn more about Delayed Harvest trout fishing, and find detailed profiles of each of Georgia’s Delayed Harvest streams, in Steve Hudson’s book GEORGIA DELAYED HARVEST TROUT GUIDE.. It’s available from local outfitters, on Amazon, or direct from the author at chattahoocheemedia.com.

20 | December 29, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

Baby Raven’s heart surgery goes well

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com BOSTON – A community holding its breath as 1-year-old Baby Raven Raines underwent complicated heart surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital can breathe easier now. The surgery has given the child born with multiple heart defects a heart to match her smile – perfect.

Calling from Boston, her maternal grandmother Nell Estes said doctors told her Raven has a fully repaired heart now and is doing beautifully.

“She should have a full recovery from her heart problems. We are just so thankful. She went into her surgery at 7 a.m. and came out at 4:30 p.m. Dr. Chris Baird was just wonderful,” Estes said.

One of the biggest problems for Raven was one of her heart ventricles was just not functioning. Now it works fine, she said.

“We still need prayers for a good recovery. But now it looks like it will be weeks instead of months,” she said.

Baby Raven has spent almost her entire short life in hospitals battling not only her heart defects but a damaged spine. The heart problems have always been the first priority for her care.

“She still has a long way to go, but the biggest mountain is behind us now.

Her spinal problem is not so severe,” Estes said.

The child has been through so much but has a happy but thoughtful disposition that immediately melts the hearts of all who meet her.

Despite her problems, she loves to interact with people. Estes said she was smiling on her way to surgery.

Raven Nell Raines was born Dec. 10, 2015, with critical heart defects at

SPECIAL

Baby Raven gives a wave from her hospital bed at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Northside-Forsyth Hospital. She was quickly transported to the Sibley Heart Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.

There she had three open-heart surgeries in the first four months of her life. More complications have followed, but she has come through them all. By the time she was 8 months old, Baby Raven had spent all but three weeks of her life in the hospital.

In August, Egleston doctors discovered she had another problem inside her heart. This time it would require highly specialized surgery for Baby Raven – something doctors here had never attempted. So in December she flew to Boston Children’s Hospital for yet another open-heart surgery with her parents Ruthie and Mike Raines.

Estes also made the trip, but she will be returning to Alpharetta now.

“We have had so much help from so many people. Stonecreek Church was simply amazing. It has been a real outpouring of love from so many people,” she said.

“We have every reason to be optimistic now.”

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 29, 2016 | 21

New nonprofit aims to address student reading gaps

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Kendore Cares, a new nonprofit organization, was recently launched to address gaps in local students’ reading proficiencies.

Currently, 66 percent of Georgia’s fourth graders cannot read at a proficient level, as measured by the National Assessment of Education Progress. For those students, the future outcomes are often bleak – according to a study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, students who cannot read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times as likely to drop out of school.

Kendore Cares saw the need to approach reading instruction in an innovative way.

“This foundation has been a dream of mine for many years, to see its launch is truly exhilarating. As an educator who started teaching without an understanding of how to

reach my students in desperate need, I am excited to be able to offer the tools teachers need to successfully help their students to read,” said founder Jennifer Hasser.

Kendore Cares was founded on the belief that every child should have access to effective reading instruction.

The organization will apply proven solutions to the problem through teacher training, accompanying curriculum and support for student intervention programs. They will work with the state’s most vulnerable students at Title I schools who might lack access to these resources.

Kendore Cares is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. To learn more about Kendore Cares and their upcoming events, visit the website at KendoreCares.org or call 404-2010933.

GCS and Northside Hospital collect suitcases for foster children ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Georgia Cancer Specialists and Northside Hospital are hosting the annual Totes 2 Tots drive to collect backpacks and suitcases for foster children in Georgia. Donations of new or nearly new backpacks, duffel bags and suitcases will be accepted at locations across the state. Since Totes 2 Tots launched in 2003, the annual volunteer event has collected and distributed more than 48,000 bags.

“Dr. Martin Luther King said, ‘Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.’ That is why the [GCS]

physicians and staff take pride in celebrating his memory by participating in Totes 2 Tots for the fifteenth consecutive year,” said Dr. Cheryl Jones, vice president and chief medical officer at GCS. On Friday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the GCS location at 3330 Preston Ridge Road will be accepting donations.

For information about Totes 2 Tots and a list of drop-off locations, visit fb.com/totes2tots. To make a secure online donation, visit give.northside. com/totes2tots.

SCHOOLS

22 | December 29, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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ROSWELL, Ga. — The Centennial High School Model United Nations team participated in a weekend of debate and diplomacy at the Vanderbilt University Model UN Conference from Nov. 4-6.

“We had a successful conference, especially given that it was our first time attending it and we did not know what to expect,” senior and student teacher Mason Gay said. “We brought students with a variety of experience in Model UN to this event, including nine

students from our new International Affairs class which is taught by four senior members of the team.”

Chad Hoge, Model UN Coach and AP History and International Relations teacher at Centennial chose this conference because he knew some other tough schools would be in attendance.

“The event was great and definitely presented some real challenges for our kids,” said Hoge. “This is one we will plan to attend again in the future.”

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SCHOOLS

Centennial High School students Max Wall, Reese Crawford, Lindsy Saranko, Anna Hansil and Caroline Riordan assist in the Horseshoe Bend Food Drive, benefitting North Fulton Community Charities.

CHS juniors volunteer at NFCC food drive ROSWELL, Ga. — Multiple families from Horseshoe Bend donated to the annual Horseshoe Bend Food Drive.

Five juniors at Centennial High School collected more than 16,000 items as

well as some checks. All donations have been given to North Fulton Community Charities and are helping to feed the less fortunate right here in North Fulton during this holiday season.

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NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 29, 2016 | 23

24 | December 29, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

SPORTS

Milton graduate Carl Lawson named All-SEC at Auburn Junior has recorded 9.5 sacks this season with Tigers

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga. – Carl Lawson, a 2012 graduate of Milton currently in his junior year at Auburn University, has been named to the 2016 All-SEC team after a stellar regular season. Lawson, a defensive end, has 28 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in 11 games this season for the Tigers. Lawson’s accomplishment is made more impressive by the fact that he plays for Auburn in the SEC, known for stout defenses and loads of talent.

After compiling 20 tackles and 7.5 sacks in his freshman season in 2013, Lawson missed most of the 2014 season with a torn ACL. He was redshirted in 2015 but has returned with a breakout season this year. Lawson’s 9.5 sacks has him just two sacks away from the Auburn school record for sacks in a season.

Howie DeCristofaro, Milton’s head football coach who Lawson played for in his junior and senior season, said that Lawson is truly a special player and an amazing person.

“I have been coaching football for 34 years and Carl is the best kid I have ever been around in my life character-wise,” said DeCristofaro. “His integrity is beyond reproach and he is a great, great young man.”

DeCristofaro shared a special relationship with Lawson as the two rode to school together every morning. Lawson’s father was undergoing treatment for a kidney transplant and was unable to bring Lawson to school. DeCristofaro would pick Lawson up every morning, solidifying the special bond between player and coach.

“We had some of the greatest conversations on the way to school every morning, talking about football, life, politics, you name it, and that’s where I got to know him,” said DeCristofaro.

“He was a leader in school, did great in his classes, always helped his teammates out and he never really wanted to take a lot of credit for things.

The two years he played here we had a lot of talent and he always wanted everyone else to get the credit.

He was happy with whatever he got and the praise didn’t really matter to him.”

On the football field, DeCristofaro said that Law-

Twitter

Milton graduate Carl Lawson was named to the 2016 All-SEC team. son’s had a passionate work ethic.

“From a football perspective he is one of those kids that is obsessed with being as good as he possibly could. In the two years that he played [at Milton], he never missed school or a workout session, ever. He did whatever it took. He would go down on the football field this time of year when it’s cold and football season is over working on drills with whoever he could find to work with him. He and I would do drills, he would do drills with other kids, he was just that obsessed with getting what he wanted, and he wanted to be good, so he did whatever it took,” DeCristofaro said.

Milton Athletic Director Gary Sylvestri said this season Lawson came back to the school over a long weekend, and instead of taking the time off, he was out with the Milton football team working with the

younger players to improve their respective games.

DeCristofaro said the special bond he and Lawson share has continued into Lawson’s collegiate career.

“He would always let me know he had tickets for me but obviously being a football coach we work on the weekends,” he said. “But this past season after our loss in the playoffs, I didn’t have a reason not to go. That was the first big-time college football game I had been to in about 20 years and it was just great to see him.”

DeCristofaro added he hopes to see Lawson join his fellow Milton graduate Peyton Barber, who Lawson played with at Milton, in the NFL ranks.

“He deserves whatever accolades he receives and to play in the next level, which I believe he will.”

Lawson will finish his junior season as Auburn plays Oklahoma in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2.

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SCHOOLS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 29, 2016 | 25

Roswell boys basketball off to a hot start Hornets beat Milton, start season 10-2

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. − Roswell boys basketball head coach Ty Phillips said his player’s experience entering the season would likely pay dividends for the Hornets. If the first 11 games of the season are any indication, it has.

Roswell improved to 9-2 overall with a 58-50 win over rival Milton last Friday. Roswell’s win was the first over the Eagles since December of the 2012-13 season. Roswell opened a sizeable lead in the first half before a surge by the Eagles in the second quarter put Milton down just three at halftime. In the second half, Roswell’s defense clamped down, allowing the Eagles’ just four points in the third quarter.

“We didn’t want to show our hand too much in the first half, so they weren’t ready for what we brought in the second half,” said Phillips. “We thought they wouldn’t be able to make those adjustments and I think it played out well. We really dominated defensively in the second half and shut down

a great club.”

“We have played that well all year.

We are getting better.”

Roswell also contained Milton standout Alex O’Connell, a Duke-commit. “[Milton] has a great player (O’Connell), but we felt like if we played team basketball that we would prevail with our system,” Phillips said.

Roswell led by 14 in the fourth quarter, but Milton would eat away at the Hornets’ lead, cutting the lead to six points with a minute remaining.

“We need to finish better,” Phillips said. “I feel it shouldn’t have been that close, but give [Milton] credit, they didn’t give up. We could have hit some free-throws and things like that, but overall I’m happy with where we are going.”

Though the first win over a rival in four years pleased Phillips, he said his team’s focus will remain on the region games.

“Region games are what it’s all about,” he said. “The biggest win we have had is Cherokee. We have so much respect for coach (Roger) Kvam, and that was a region road win,” Phillips said, referring to Roswell’s 35-33 win over region opponent Cherokee on

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The Hornets also beat Lassiter 5842, and currently sit with a 2-0 record in Region 4-AAAAAAA. After beating Milton Friday, the Hornets downed South Forsyth Saturday,

51-49, to improve to 10-2 overall.

Roswell will travel to Brooksville, Fla. to play in the Nature Coast Holiday Classic before resuming its region schedule at home against Walton on Jan. 6.

26 | December 29, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

Book brings Cold Warriors together 60 years after serving in Alaska, 2 vets named Evans discover they almost met each other

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga. – More than 60 years ago two men almost shared the same experiences serving their country at the top of the world to stave off the Soviet menace. They also shared the same name, Evans, but they missed each other by four years.

No, Sam Evans and Wayne Evans had never met, although they live today not eight miles apart. Sam is in Roswell and Wayne in Milton. Then Wayne Evans wrote a book about his experiences about serving in Alaska during the height of the United States’ cold war with the Soviet Union.

The base there had one purpose: To give early warning should Soviet bombers attack from over the North Pole, which was the shortest distance from the USSR to America. The base was a link in the DEW (Distant Early Warning) Line, America’s radar defense system. In the Cold War days, the threat was believed to be real and the arms race was full steam ahead.

“Searching for the Good War,” is a fictionalized account of Wayne Evans’ experiences working for the government above the Arctic Circle at Cape Lisburne Air Force Base, Alaska. He served from 1959 to 1960 in that frigid post, and it was a defining point in his life.

An article in the Milton Herald about the book and its author fell into the hands of longtime Roswell professional engineer Sam Evans. Sam also did a tour at the same frozen Alaskan base, only it was from 1954 to ’55.

Sam Evans’ son tracked down the author of the same last name (but no relation) and arranged a “non-reunion” at the Milton Library last week to compare notes about serving their country at the Top of the World.

Both octogenarians now, Sam and Wayne sat down and reminisced about those days. They had an immediate bond that reached out through the mist of time so that they fell to talking as if they were old comrades instead of new acquaintances.

The armistice for the Korean War was barely a year old when Sam was stationed there and relations with the Soviet Union were tense. Cape Lisburne was the early warning base to relay the word if a Russian sneak attack was ever launched.

It also would likely be the first target eliminated should such an attack come.

Sam was 22, a fresh-faced second lieutenant just out of The Citadel when he was posted to Cape Lisburne. He was the “ranking second lieutenant” among the five lieutenants and 120 soldiers on the base.

“I understood the Army a little better than these other guys because The Citadel is a military academy. These other guys were pretty much lost up there,” Sam said. “But the commander was a major who found reasons to be in Anchorage most of the time.

“If you are a major and they send you to be in command of Cape Lisburne, it means you did something pretty bad to get sent there.”

Four years later, Wayne, an ex-GI himself, was there as a civilian electronics expert working for the government. But both had to learn to live by the 30-30 rule that influenced most of life at the base.

“That meant if you’re outside for 30 seconds in a wind of 30 miles per hour, any skin exposed would be frozen,” Wayne said.

“That’s when we would put a T-shirt on,” said Sam with more than little bravado.

So it was a harsh climate with a hard job to do. The radar station was at the top of a mountain with the base some miles below. Sam and the soldiers used a cable car to get up the 2,400foot mountain.

The trick was when it was windy – which was most of the time – they had to time their jump getting out of the cable car as it swung in the wind.

“That’s why you had to time it just right,” said Sam. “And that’s why we civilians drove up in the truck,” said Wayne. “We left those cable cars to those crazy GIs.” That seemed a lot saner, except that road was buried under varying feet of snow packed tight until it began to melt during the thaw. If you hit a soft patch, over the side you could go.

It was the land of the midnight sun when the axis of the earth tilted toward the sun. For several months the sun never set. Then in winter, it tilted in the other direction and the sun never quite rose.

“You had to use a blackout curtain to get some decent sleep. I remember

See WARRIORS, Page 27

HATCHER HURD/Herald

Two brothers-in-arms having served above the Arctic Circle meet for the first time. Wayne Evans, left, and Sam Evans shake hands as Wayne presents a copy of the book he wrote about his arctic experiences to Sam.

WAYNE EVANS/Special

Wayne Evans stands in front part of the installation during the long winter.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 29, 2016 | 27

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WAYNE EVANS/Special

The towers leading up the mountain support the tram that carried soldiers to the top.

Warriors: Continued from Page 26 being sleepy all the time,” said Sam. In winter with little or no sunlight, it could get down to minus 70 degrees with winds up to 159 knots. The wind chill factor was off the chart. Sam said the joke was if the Russians invaded during the winter, they would just invite them in for tea until spring. Then they could begin fighting.

“It was something we thought about a lot. We’re up there preparing for war and there is nobody to help you and nowhere to go,” Sam said. “And the Russians liked to play their mind games on us.”

On off-duty time, one of the few diversions was listening to music on the radio. Reception was sketchy most of the time except for Moscow Molly – the Russian version of Tokyo Rose. Molly would intersperse depressing propaganda in between the Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett records.

“Around Christmas, Molly said she felt particularly sorry for the guys stationed at Cape Lisburne for the holidays. Then she proceeded to name each officer and soldier on the base and gave their serial number,” Sam said. “That

was quite a shock.”

Life is rugged there, the troops only serve 12-month tours because it is considered psychologically demanding with the weather, the isolation and no leave possible.

“They had to get you out after a year, otherwise you would just go crazy,” Sam said.

“Some did anyway,” said Wayne.

Wayne said the duty there left him with delayed post-traumatic stress syndrome that didn’t surface until an event triggered it many years later. Sam said service their affected him too.

“Everything was on you if it broke down. And things often did,” said Wayne. “There were power outages all the time. The roads were just packed ice and treacherous.”

Even little things like flushing toilets were a chore because they had to melt ice for water to flush. It took seven buckets of melted ice to flush one toilet, Sam said.

Still it was an experience that each say they are glad to have had.

Sam thanked Wayne warmly for having written his book. It took Sam back to a younger time if not necessarily a happier one.

“It brought back memories I thought were gone. I’m glad to get them back,” Sam said.

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28 | December 29, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

CITY OF ROSWELL NOTICE OF OPENING AND CLOSING DATES FOR CANDIDATES TO QUALIFY FOR SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD MARCH 21, 2017 Any qualified elector desiring to run for the remaining term of office of City Councilmember for Post 4 in the City of Roswell in the special election to be held on March 21, 2017, must file for candidacy for the position at Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., January 23 through January 27, 2017. Qualifying fee for candidacy is as follows:

Johns Creek boys prevail in nail-biter over Titans

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com

Councilmember - $540.00 Kay G. Love City Administrator

Northview girls dominate Johns Creek, 63-42

Jere Wood Mayor CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Thursday, January 5, 2017 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

Items forwarded by the Planning Commission will be considered by the City Council on Monday, January 23, 2017 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia. a. MP-17-02/CU-17-04 Milton Park Promenade II Consideration of a master plan amendment request to change previous conditions of the Milton Park Master Plan in order to allow an ice cream store within a space designated for office use in the Milton Park Promenade II center. A conditional use is requested to allow an ice cream shop, which is classified as a restaurant use. The property is located at 5950 North Point Parkway at the southwest corner of Mill Creek Avenue and North Point Parkway and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 796, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. - In a game that would decide who would take an outright lead in Region 7-AAAAAA, the Northview Lady Titans were all over Johns Creek, taking a decisive 63-42 victory.

Northview (10-1, 6-0) held Johns Creek (7-5, 4-2) to just 10 points in the first half, and cruised to the win behind three players in double figures.

Ashlee Austin led Northview in scoring with 16 points, followed by Maya Richards with 14 and freshman Asjah Innis with 12. Northview was 17-23 on free throws.

The Titans’ win was its eighth in a row, and the second most points scored in a game by Northview this season.

Through 11 games, Austin and Titus lead the Lady Titans in scoring and rebounds, Austin with 136 and

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-16-AB-32 PLACE City Hall Two Park Plaza Council Chambers January 5, 2017 3:00 P.M. PURPOSE Convenience Store Beer & Wine – Sunday Sales APPLICANT Abrk Mansell, LLC d/b/a B.P. Mansell 1630 Mansell Rd. Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 Owner Abrk Mansell, LLC Registered Agent Makhtor Kamara

Titus with 132 points and each over 70 rebounds. Maya Richards has scored 101 points on the season and freshman Innis has 70.

The Titans face non-region opponent South Forsyth before traveling to South Carolina this week for the Carolina Invitational at Goose Creek High School. The Lady Titans will resume region play when they host Alpharetta on Jan. 5.

The boys matchup featured two teams struggling in the early going of their respective region schedules.

Northview (2-9, 1-5) and Johns Creek (4-8, 2-4) entered Saturday’s game having lost three straight region matchups.

Johns Creek would pull out a nailbiter, defeating the rival Titans 77-75, to improve to 2-4 in Region 7-AAAAAA. Johns Creek and Northview are currently seventh and eighth respectively in the region standings.

Northview is back to action next week in the Discovery High School Christmas Tournament. Johns Creek will play in the Commerce Christmas Classic Dec. 27-29.

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NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 29, 2016 | 29

Sugar Mill Tennis named Junior Academy of the Year Na’im Azhar built program three years ago

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Johns Creek’s Silvia Tennis Academy, located in Sugar Mill, has been named the Junior Academy of the Year by the Georgia Professional Tennis Association.

The program, begun just three years ago and, headed by Na’im Aazhar, has become one of the most prolific and proficient academies in the state for junior players. Beginning with just 14 players, the program has expanded to over 80 players, five of whom are ranked in the top 150 in the South as well as one player who is ranked in the top 100 nationally.

Coach Azhar, 25, is a graduate of Cumberland University with a degree in exercise science. Azhar represented the United States twice in the Davis Cup, dubbed the World Cup of tennis. Azhar began playing tennis at the age of 14 and considers it to be the most important decision he ever made.

He joined Sugar Mill in Jan. 2015, starting with just two players. Since then, his “high performance” program has continued to grow. With its success, the academy has drawn players from many areas of the Southeast.

“We take the title of coach very seriously and know our role, whether it be a mentor, a trainer or a coach,” said Azhar. “Building the kids, and the time spent on court, was and continues to be the most rewarding [aspect] as we plan to continue growth both in quantity, and more importantly, quality. We are huge believers in personal development and in instilling a successful frame of mind for the kids’ success throughout their athletic careers, professional careers and personal endeavors.”

“Tennis has given me an education,

DEATH NOTICES Donald Michael Blanck, 89, of Cumming, passed away December 19, 2016. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.

Thomas Bower, of Roswell, passed away December 19, 2016. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Azhar and STA coaches over 80 junior players, five of whom are ranked in the top 150 in the south. the tools for success, the chance to travel the world and so much more,” said Azhar. “Tennis can truly change lives, and the possibility of playing a role in another individual’s journey through life on and off the court is what motivates me to give 100 percent each and every day. Whether creating a world-class player or a world-class citizen, promoting health or providing the therapeutic edge needed to survive life’s tough moments, tennis is a lifetime sport that provides countless benefits.”

Gene Burgess, of Cumming, passed away December 19, 2016. Arrangements

by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Frances Dishroom, 84, of Cumming, passed away December 17, 2016.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Anita Vivian Guffin, 66, of Alpharetta, passed away December 19, 2016.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Silvia Tennis Academy’s Na’im Azhar began the Silvia Tennis Academy three years ago. The program was named the top junior tennis academy in the state.

Eljoria Aline Hudson, of Cumming, passed away December 13, 2016.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Li Jun Li, 82, of Alpharetta, passed away December 16, 2016. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Bill Jarmon, 71, of Cumming, passed away December 15, 2016. Arrangements

by Ingram Funeral Home.

Cary Mustaki, 73, of Cumming, passed away December 16, 2016. Arrangements

by Ingram Funeral Home.

Ada Jeffery, of Milton, passed away December 14, 2016. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Doris Ann Palmer, 72, of Cumming, passed away December 15, 2016.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Edgar E. Ward, Jr., 96, of Roswell, passed away December 18, 2016. Arrangements

by Roswell Funeral Home.

30 | December 22, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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32 | December 29, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com