Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - January 19, 2023

Alpharetta market buoys downtown

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Michelle Walters never intended to expand LNB Candles beyond the immediate orbit of her daughter and her friends, but its success outgrew expectations.

Her small business has grown out of her home and into its own physical

location, onto the shelves at Walmart and a booth at Alpharetta farmers markets.

Walters was one of the vendors at the Jan. 11 North Main Street Market at Alpharetta, a new winter farmers market that began in November. The various vendors, ranging from hot sauce shops to gluten-free tamales, set up at Henderson Commons.

Walters’ business began with a personal goal in mind. Her daughter was diagnosed with a health condition.

“We noticed she was starting to break out and get cystic acne, get very tired at night, get sleepy, and say, ‘I have headaches,’” Walters said. “And

See MARKET, Page 6

Roswell City Council hears alternate voice from latest member

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Newly elected Councilwoman Sarah Beeson set the tone for her tenure, casting dissenting votes on a host of proposed amendments to the City of Roswell’s Development Code.

At the council’s Jan. 10 meeting, Beeson repeatedly challenged her colleague’s efforts to tighten restrictions on residential and commercial development.

Beeson, who won a runoff election for the Post 1 City Council seat Dec.6, spent most of the night offering different perspectives on how the City Council proposes to modify requirements for open space percentages in landscaping, townhome density limits and permitted uses in districts designated Industrial Light.

Community Development Director Jason Gaines presented an amendment that would increase the required minimum percentage of landscape open space by 20 percent for homes, mixeduse development, commercial developments and general buildings.

After lengthy discussion, most of the council supported the change.

“I believe it supports what most residents in Roswell move here for, feeling like there’s going to be space,” Councilwoman Lee Hills said.

She argued the change will ensure Roswell residents the city is community-

BEESON, Page 24

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Noemi’s Tamales owner Noemi Espinoza holds up a package of frozen chicken tamales Jan. 11 at the North Main Street Market. Espinoza makes organic and gluten-free tamales, sauces and salsas.

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Woman claims Alpharetta hotel was complicit in sex trafficking

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTTA, Ga. — A purported victim of sex trafficking filed a complaint in U.S. District Court Jan. 10 against the Alpharetta location of Ramada Worldwide Inc. for allegedly allowing her to be trafficked there as a minor.

The victim, an Alpharetta resident who is referred to as “J.K.” in the complaint, alleges that she was trafficked by a man identified in the filing as “Kelvin” at the Ramada Limited Suites at 3020 Mansell Road from 2013-2014.

The complaint alleges that Kelvin threatened J.K. with violence and distributed video footage of her performing sex acts to individuals she knew as a form of punishment when

POLICE BLOTTER

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

Man appears at store with gunshot wounds

ROSWELL, Ga. — A Roswell detective is investigating the case after a man who entered the Holcomb Bridge Home Depot and declared he had been shot on Jan. 12.

The man, a Cumming resident, appeared to have a gunshot wound on the lower jaw, but refused to remove a black cloth mask he was wearing with holes that matched the jaw wounds.

The injured man refused to sit down or tell police who shot him, only stating that he needed an ambulance. Eventually, police were able to determine the man was likely shot somewhere in Martin’s Landing, a nearby residential subdivision.

Officers took the man’s mask and phone

she threatening to quit.

The complaint filed by attorneys Matthew B. Stoddard and M. Janine Bell of The Stoddard Firm, who represent J.K., stated that Kelvin would pay for rooms one night at a time in cash and that the hotel had knowledge of online reviews by individuals claiming they were solicited for or mentioning evidence of prostitution during their stay.

The complaint stated that J.K. is entitled to a claim against the hotel under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which states that “whoever knowingly benefits, financially or by receiving anything of value from participation in a venture which that person knew or should have known” is in violation of the act.

By allowing Kelvin to rent rooms at the hotel, profit off these rooms

for evidence and an ambulance transported him to North Fulton Hospital. The case is still open and there is no listed suspect.

Police respond to call of fraudulent prescription

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta police officers responded to a CVS on North Point Parkway Jan. 7 after receiving reports someone had attempted to obtain drugs with a forged prescription.

Police said a man brought in a prescription from a Stone Mountain doctor, but when it was entered into the pharmacy’s system, it was flagged as fraudulent.

Contacted by phone, the doctor confirmed she hadn’t written the prescription and the patient’s name wasn’t someone she treats.

Police were unable to locate the suspect, but they were able to positively identify him as a suspect for a similar crime in Dunwoody.

The suspect was identified on the CVS store security camera footage, the report said.

and Kelvin’s use of the hotel Wi-Fi network to advertise J.K. for sex, the Ramada knowingly benefited from the trafficking, the complaint alleges.

Stoddard wrote in an email that the firm has faith in the courts to “interpret the TVPRA such that franchisor entities cannot escape justice.” Stoddard also wrote that the case would pursue theories that were not pursued in in Doe v. Red Roof Inn, a previous TVPRA sex trafficking case in which the plaintiffs failed to prove their claims.

“Our firm remains committed to helping survivors of sexual assault,” Stoddard wrote.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has not provided a comment as of publication.

The case, number 1:23-cv-00108, will be presented before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Teen party turns foul with reported battery

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police responded to a disturbance Jan. 7 on Bowen Road. A man reported there were about 57 teenagers being disorderly at his house.

The man said he threw a birthday party for his 16-year-old daughter with about 70 high schoolers in attendance. When he told the kids to leave, a group of the boys began to break glass, shattering two glass planters valued at $60 each.

The kids exited the property in cars, and the man said that as one drove past, someone threw a half-full Bud Light can that hit him in the face. The man had no visible signs of injury at the time and said he didn’t know who threw the can.

The man’s daughter said she did not know some of the boys at the party and is not sure how people found out about it. She told police some of them may be upperclassmen at a neighboring high school.

At this time, the father said he does not wish to press charges.

UGA alumna Shelby Israel joins Appen Media staff

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Appen Media Group announced Jan. 19 that Shelby Israel will join its staff as a reporter. Israel will cover local government and public safety in Forsyth County and the City of Alpharetta. She will report to Carl Appen, director of content and development, and be based in Alpharetta.

“Shelby is a magnificent addition to our newsroom,” Appen said in a statement. “She has sharp news judgement and experience leading a quick-moving staff. She’ll bring a lot of fuel for the fire of our developing team.”

Israel graduated from the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication in Dececember 2022 with a minor area

of study in English. During her time at UGA, Israel served as a contributor, campus news editor and editor-inchief at The Red & Black, as well as news intern at Flagpole Magazine.

“I have always wanted to write,” Israel said. “Before, it was a creative pursuit, but through experimentation with my major at UGA, I found that I could still write while contributing to something important. I love local news and community-driven stories, and I am excited to cover the news scenes of Forsyth and Alpharetta.”

Israel takes the position as Appen reporter Alex Popp moves to cover the Perimeter.

To contact Israel with news tips or story ideas, email shelby@ appenmedia.com.

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Alpharetta Parks officials update projects for 2023

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Representatives from the Alpharetta Recreation, Parks & Cultural Services Department highlighted a host of upcoming art events, park improvements and 2022 achievements at the Jan. 10 Recreation Commission meeting.

The meeting featured a timeline for reopening the Wills Park yellow playground and baseball turf, youth sports participation and a documentary about the Bailey Johnson community.

Projects Manager Kurt Kirby said the department intends to have the Wills Park baseball turf ready for public use by Jan. 31.

He also said the Wills Park playground is being reconfigured as part of a reforestation project with Public Works. Kirby said he expects the playground to be accessible within the next few weeks.

Kirby updated the commission that the Wacky World Leadership Committee has been formed. Wacky World, a wood playground in Wills Park, was originally built in the 1990s.

“The committee for Wacky World is really mirroring the first generation of Wacky World where we had a community-led committee that helped with the efforts of raising funds and raising interest in the park,” Kirby said. “Wacky World 2.0 is modeling the original Wacky World.”

He said the updated Wacky World will connect the next generation of Alpharetta children with a part of the city’s past.

Cultural Services Manager Kim Manning presented the master plan for her division, which was created in 2018 when the department was still new. The plan was postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic and will be part of the division’s upcoming mid-year request.

“We were very young, and there wasn’t a lot of input we could give at that point,” Manning said. “We just didn’t have the consensus of the community, we didn’t know what our resources were. So, we’ve learned a lot since then.”

The Cultural Services Division will present an art exhibit called “Down Home on the Farm” from Feb. 1-March 18 and a play by the City Center Players on March 10-12 and 18-19, both at the Alpharetta Arts Center.

Manning also presented to the commission details of the division’s

1-12.

upcoming stories project, which will feature a documentary on the Bailey Johnson community.

“It’s a really good story for Alpharetta to tell,” Manning said. “We had the one school in North Fulton that all of our Black residents went to school there, and until then they had to drive downtown to Atlanta and spend probably about three hours every day going downtown to go to school.”

Recreation Services Manager Christine Young presented the results of the division’s holiday events and the results of the youth basketball games and youth athletic association. In 2022, Young said, the program saw an 11 percent increase in participation from 2021.

The Recreation Services Division will host a “polar plunge” event with the Rotary Club on Feb. 4 and an enchanted forest-themed Valentine’s dance on Feb. 11.

Upcoming events from the Community Services Division include a Beekeeping 101 workshop on Jan. 21, a workshop on making gourd birdhouses on Jan. 25 and a book club that will meet at the Alpharetta Library on Jan. 31.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

The Alpharetta Parks Cultural Services Division plans to make its next stories project on the Bailey Johnson community. The Bailey Johnson School opened in 1950 and was the first Fulton County school that served Black students from grades

Roswell Police Department reaches full staffing level

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. —For the first time in 20 years, the Roswell Police Department is fully staffed.

The department announced there were 160 officers employed at the start of 2023, leaving no vacancies.

“Staffing for law enforcement and retention is a challenge, it’s not a Roswell, North Fulton, Georgia issue, it’s worldwide,” Police Chief James Conroy said.

When Conroy was appointed chief in 2019, he said the department had many vacancies. Hiring new officers and keeping them was his top priority.

He said the department worked with the city to take steps to encourage applications. The first was salary. Historically, Conroy said Roswell has played “catch up” with the salaries in neighboring cities.

“Salary is just one component, but it is the big headline grabber,” Conroy said.

He met with Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson and the City Council to address police pay, and in July 2022 the council agreed on a “Best in Class” salary template.

The policy raised existing officer salaries by 20 percent and boosted starting salaries by 20 percent across the board. Brand new officer’s salaries start at $58,553, and officers with experience and a college degree can make up to $71,635.

Conroy said the salary increase worked— in 2022, the department hired 36 new police officers, 23 of them with experience at other agencies.

The mix of new and experienced officers was intentional. Conroy said the

department received 737 applications in 2022 alone, but they wanted some officers with experience who could start the job faster.

Still, Conroy wanted to put some officers through the academy so they could learn about Roswell from the ground up.

“This is where they develop their policing skills, many of them grew up here, then became officers,” Conroy said. “They work where they grew up, which is important.”

Salary increases aren’t the only measure the city is taking to bolster its police department. In November, Roswell residents approved a $52 million public safety bond, almost half of it committed to a new public safety headquarters for police, fire and the 911 call center.

The Roswell Police Department has been in the same building on Hill Street since 1991. Back then, there were 88 officers serving 49,000 residents. Since then, the population has nearly doubled to 93,000.

With a nearly doubled officer size, Conroy said the department has “outgrown” its existing headquarters.

Mayor Wilson said the decision to support the department financially was an easy one, even if it went against some people’s wishes.

“For the last couple of years, there’s this narrative out there about defunding the police,” Wilson said. “We’re going to do the opposite; we’re going to fund the police.”

The “defund the police” movement gained some popularity in 2020 in the wake of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis, Minn., police.

The Defund the Police website calls for channeling money away from police and investing in community initiatives.

Locally in Metro Atlanta, and more specifically in North Fulton County, police funding was never threatened, and a host of cities have raised salaries to retain and recruit police.

Roswell Councilwoman Lee Hills, who serves as liaison to Public Safety, supports the initiative to reward good policing.

“Our residents don’t know all that most officers do, but I would say in the top three items if you ask any of our residents, brand new or been here forever, why do you love it here?” Hills said. “It feels good, it’s safe.”

Conroy emphasized the department takes a less traditional approach to some aspects of policing.

The department abides by a 21stcentury policing, a six-pillar framework focused on reducing crime and building

trust with the public. It also has an active policy of de-escalation, an alternative police tactic focused on decreasing the intensity of confrontations.

A 2022 University of Cincinnati study showed that training officers in de-escalation techniques resulted in 28 percent fewer use-of-force incidents, 26 percent fewer injuries to community members and 36 percent fewer injuries to police officers.

Conroy said teaching officers the policy was hard, but the department is “being smart” about interactions, and there is still work to do. In the coming weeks he expects a few vacancies, but he already has a list of candidates lined up.

Mayor Wilson and Councilwoman Hills said they plan to continue their support for sound policing through 2023.

Wilson said city support needs to be more than financial.

“They look at more than salary, they look at support,” Wilson said. “Are we supported by our elected officials, are we supported by our community?”

He also lauded the standards the department has set.

“The department has a 5 percent acceptance rate, which is pretty impressive for a job that doesn’t pay out and doesn’t give you a lot of glamour,” Wilson said.

Strength. This is Y.

Market:

Continued from Page 1

we figured out it was the candles she was burning.”

Walters said through research she discovered that some candles contain dangerous chemicals, which led her to make her own candles out of simple ingredients.

LNB has expanded beyond candles to room sprays and car fresheners. Walters said she has recently started expanding into body lotions and body sprays.

LNB Candles can be found at 6778 Jamestown Dr. in south Forsyth County, at the Halcyon Farmers Market, on Amazon and at some Walmart locations.

Noemi Espinoza, owner of Noemi’s Tamales, also started her business through a love for family. Espinoza — who makes tamales that are organic and gluten-free, sauces and salsas — said her mother and tradition are what inspired her to the business.

Espinoza founded Noemi’s Tamales in 2009 but eventually left the business behind after the birth of her grandson in 2017. However, Espinoza said, she wasn’t able to stay away for long, and she resumed tamale sales after a five-year recess.

“I would make my kids, I would make them make tamales,” Espinoza said. “Like, you just don’t have life without making tamales for Christmas.”

Other vendors at the event included Boarding Pass Coffee, Mighty Greens GA, Southern Local Nuts and B&A Bees.

Businesses like Gone Bananas, owned by Eric Luidens and his wife, began because of COVID-19, and has hung around since.

Luidens’ booth featured Caribbean banana bread, which Luidens said differs from typical Georgia banana bread in ingredients, spices and flavors. Luidens, who travels to markets as far as Macon, also sells his bread on Instagram.

“Everything is natural,” Luidens said. “We source everything as local as possible, so we know what we’re putting in it.”

For those without the taste for banana, another vendor, Phil Patisserie, boasted various pastries, both sweet and savory, with a croissant base, as well as macarons. Owner Philippe Monnerie said he has baked for 20 years and finally decided to share the treats last year.

A stone’s throw away, Point Blank Pepper Co. founder Rich Newton said he launched his business four years ago as a sideline. But, when he was furloughed from his job in 2020 due to COVID, he committed fully to selling his table sauces and peppers in brine.

Newton said Point Blank has been nominated for awards, including a 2021 Flavor of Georgia finalist and the winner of the 2022 International Fiery Flave Awards.

Joern Seigies, who manages the North Main Street Market, got into the act, too.

His Bramberi Farm booth offered berries and lamb for sale.

Seigies, who frequents farmers markets to sell his berries, said he wanted to start the North Main Street event to fill the traditional off-season.

“If it picks up and it’s a good winter market, we will keep it all year-round, maybe, if we get all the approvals for it, even into the summer,” Seigies said.

The market runs through March on Wednesdays 3:30-6:30 p.m. and is located at 735 N. Main St.

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Alpharetta to consider array of zoning cases

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta developers presented plans for a Mexican restaurant on Main Street; three single-family homes between Cricket Lane and Cumming Street; and a multi-use development off Haynes Bridge Road in a Jan. 11 Community Zoning Information Meeting.

The single-family home development at 133 Cumming St. attracted the most public comments, with concerns citing parking and preserving the stream that runs through the area.

Alpharetta residents Jennifer Finley and Wendy Karabin said they are concerned about the additional parking the development would bring to Cricket Lane. According to the location map of the property, additional parking spaces would be added on the side of Cricket Lane nearest the homes.

Jenn Thomas of Madewell Homes said the parking spots would not take up the current area of the road, but would rather decrease the amount of land Madewell would have for the project.

Thomas said the most resistance the project has received is surrounding the stream that cuts through the property. The case requests a variance to reduce stream buffers on the property.

Both Andrej Killer and Charles Pellisier, residents in the area, said they were concerned about reducing the stream buffer. Karabin also wrote that she was concerned about keeping the natural foliage surrounding the water.

Linda Lopez presented her plans for Mamita’s Tacos and Cantina, a Mexican restaurant planned at 312 N. Main St. Currently, Lopez said, a vacant house stands on the lot. Lopez said the house would be demolished to make room for the restaurant.

“It’s too old,” Lopez said. “It’ll be pricier to try to make it, you know, conform for the size of restaurant we’re trying to do.”

Both zoning cases are scheduled for presentation at the Feb. 2 meeting of the Alpharetta Planning Commission.

Brock Built Homes’ The Gathering has already passed through the Planning Commission. The Gathering is a multi-use development including single-family homes, different models of townhomes and a commercial area with various shops and businesses.

The property has been cleared and was zoned last year, according to Brock Built Executive Director Matt Brock. The case will go before the City Council, which will review a change of conditions to add more single-family homes in the development, as well as increase the lot size for commercial businesses.

Brock said walkability, one of the reasons Brock Built chose to have the Alpha Loop cross through the property, is an important part of the project.

“You can go get a nice meal, have a couple glasses of wine, or whatever it is, and walk home,” Brock said.

“Whether that’s on Alpha Loop to downtown, you’ve really got a walking distance to one of our units here.”

All three cases will be discussed at the Feb. 27 City Council meeting.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Alpharetta residents gather at City Hall Jan. 11 to comment on projects under review at the monthly Community Zoning Information Meeting. The meetings allow residents to ask questions and offer feedback on upcoming and current private projects.

Golf cart dealer keys in on Milton’s slow, simple lifestyle

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — If you’ve ever been out on the road in any of the dozens of golf cart friendly cities, you might have asked, “Why would anyone chose to drive around in one on the street?”

They’re slower than a car and are almost always open to the breeze. Worse, your range while using one is about 50 miles before they’ll need another charge or fill up.

But according to Robert Copenhaver, a partner with Low Speed Vehicles of Alpharetta, those are all the reasons you should consider a leisurely open-air ride in the Milton community.

Copenhaver opened LSV of Alpharetta as a licensed golf cart dealership with three partners in May 2022, out of a building off Mayfield Road in downtown Milton.

The 24-year-old entrepreneur recalls that the idea goes back to his parents’ garage and a side hustle during college.

Growing up in Roswell, Copenhaver started and ran a successful landscaping company for several years until his business was acquired by a larger company in 2019.

“But while I was doing that, I was kind of hustling on the side and selling golf carts out of my parents’ garage,” he said. “It was like super random, I would buy one and then fix it up, make it look nice and then sell it.”

Copenhaver graduated from Kennesaw State University at about the same time his landscaping company sold, and he was left with a big question, ‘What would he do next?’

For about a year and a half he

worked for a developer in Florida, and while there he made a connection with his initial partner, John Gaston, who owned a building in downtown Milton. Before long, he was introduced to two other partners with existing connections to the golf cart manufacturer EZ-GO, who saw a viable business in him that could thrive in Milton.

“It was three local partners in the Milton area,” he said. “They said, ‘We’ve got a connection to EZ-GO, you know how to sell the carts … and here we are today.”

With those opportunities and connections, they quickly set up shop in Gaston’s Milton building. Copenhaver said Milton is one of the most golf cart friendly cities they could

have picked for the business.

When they opened, Copenhaver said it was like the floodgates had opened and demand went off the charts. He thinks that’s due mostly to the golf cart ordinance Milton city officials passed in 2020 and the fact that there really isn’t another golf cart dealer nearby.

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Robert Copenhaver, a partner with Low Speed Vehicles of Alpharetta, sits at the wheel of a brand-new golf cart at the company headquarters in downtown Milton Dec. 9. Copenhaver started the business with a group of partners in May 2022.

“It sounds super cheesy, but you’re selling a lifestyle,”

ROBERT COPENHAVER, co-founder of Low Speed Vehicles of Alpharetta

Cart:

“It just made sense to kind of make our home base here,” he said. “Milton’s golf cart friendly, they passed the ordinance about a year before we got here. So, we jumped into that.”

Word has spread about LSV mostly through word of mouth and social media, he said. But it also doesn’t hurt that they’re located on Mayfield Road where traffic backs up near the roundabout at Heritage Walk in the afternoon, providing them a valuable place to advertise their vehicles.

“We put golf carts out front, and everybody sees them,” he said. “It’s funny because when they come out of the roundabout, they’re going like 5 miles an hour, so everybody slows down and they’ll look at our carts.”

To handle local demand for carts and the price of real estate space in the community, he said they opened with a “Tesla model” — putting their show room at a prominent location in Milton and opening a 5,000 square foot offsite service department on McFarland Parkway in Alpharetta.

Copenhaver said that if you asked him 10 years ago, he would have never expected to go into this line of business, but he has been

At Low Speed Vehicles of Alpharetta, located off Mayfield Road, people can buy a method of transportation that’s simple, flexible and perfect for trips in the community, business co-founder Robert Copenhaver says.

continuously surprised at how fun and interesting the golf cart business has been.

“It sounds super cheesy, but you’re selling a lifestyle,” he said. “It’s a high-ticket item, but there’s so much you can do with it, and you can go anywhere.”

That lifestyle is one of LSV’s main selling points to those interested in

buying a golf cart, but for Copenhaver, the draw of low-speed vehicles boils down to having a simple, convenient method of getting around town that doesn’t require maintenance or attention.

“Our whole society, I feel like, is moving towards the live-work-play model,” he said. “Everybody wants to live where they work and play … a

lot of people don’t want to take their cars out, they don’t want to struggle with parking, they don’t want to drive around a parking deck at Avalon, they don’t want to fight traffic.”

To see LSV of Alpharetta’s inventory and learn more about street-legal golf carts, visit them at their headquarters in Milton at 850 Mayfield Road or online at lsvofalpharetta.com.

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

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So, what is an estate plan and why should you create one? To answer the second question first, Georgia is a state in which the right of survivorship is not automaticmeaning that you could lose control of your house if your spouse passes away while owning the property jointly. Not to mention, if you don’t prepare an estate plan that avoids probate court, you could lose a significant amount of your assets, as probate court is the only way to reclaim an estate - even if you have a will. In probate court,

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The last thing anyone wants to do is to have to fight for the assets of their loved ones right after losing someone precious. That’s why an estate plan is essential if you want to leave your family with a peace of mind. An estate plan is an asset protection plan that focuses specifically on ensuring that what you own goes to the people you want it to go to. Simple estate plans generally include establishing a trust, which is one of the few ways to avoid probate court. More advanced plans will include not just a trust, but also a healthcare directive, Power of Attorney, will, and many more documents to prepare for every scenario.

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There is no place like High Meadows School. Since 1973, High Meadows students in Pre-K through 8th grade have learned through experiential, immersive educational opportunities offered both in the school’s spacious, lightfilled classrooms and across 42 acres of grassy fields and scenic woodlands. High Meadows School’s progressive curriculum is focused on developing future global citizens and innovative leaders who embrace challenge and think for themselves.

High Meadows lower years classrooms offer low student-teacher ratios in which instruction emphasizes academic excellence, love of learning, critical thinking, and environmental and social responsibility. As a nationally recognized and award-winning leader in progressive education, High Meadows is an

accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering its renowned Primary Years Program for students in preschool through fifth grade.

High Meadows School’s accomplished and experienced faculty lead each student on this journey. Through interactive, inquiry-based instruction, supported by of-the-moment technology and our nature-based campus, High Meadows teachers are unequaled in their intellect, passion, and compassion for these kids. Every day they inspire authentic learning opportunities that are engaging and sticky (literally and figuratively!).

When children graduate from High Meadows, they are empowered with a deep respect for international perspectives, an intuitive understanding of life’s interconnectedness, and an exceedingly strong sense of self. Education is an expedition that starts from the moment we are born. When we teach children to be curious and inquiring at an early age,

we create within them a love of learning that lasts an entire lifetime. What is more important than that?

Come see how all this comes to life. Join us for our Winter Open House,

Sunday, January 22nd from 2:004:00pm. Please visit our website at highmeadows.org or call 770-993-2940 to learn more about High Meadows School.

A letter to students

Brought to you by - Woodward Academy

1. You are awesome. Be confident in who you are. I promise you’ll meet peoplewho are smarter than you, and that’s OK. You don’t have to be the smartestperson—oddly enough, sometimes being the smartest person is difficult. I alsopromise that you will be smarter than most. Enjoy that; while being smart isn’teverything, it is definitely something. Be confident in your intelligence, but notarrogant. I’ve found that, most of the time, being arrogant backfires on you. That leads into point two…

2. Sometimes it takes more courage and intelligence to be silent than to speak. It took me a long time to understand and respect silence. I’m still learning that it’s a mark of maturity and, most of the time, intelligence. Also, respect everyone’s differences and challenge yourself to learn about them.

3. Never stop learning. I don’t mean that in a teacher way, I mean it in a learning life sort of way. You are constantly growing, maturing, and developing, so enjoy it. Life is a condition to which no one is immune. We learn something every day. Our taste in music, food, TV, and the people we surround ourselves with evolves. It’s natural for these preferences to change. I wasted a lot of time trying to be someone I wasn’t because I thought I was supposed to be someone else. To complete number three, you need to invest in number four…

4. Spend time with yourself. Since you’ve been in my class, I’ve learned how amazing you are each in your own way. If you sit and spend time with you, I think you’ll feel the same way. I’m such a people person, but sometimes the best thing is time alone with great music, a book, TV, or whatever. As cheesy as this sounds, be your own best friend. The sooner you learn that all of your faults and idiosyncrasies are what make you awesome, the sooner you will be a better person and enjoy life so much more. That leads to number five…

5. Everyone has faults. With the advent of social media, I sometimes find myself comparing my faults with everyone else’s highlights. Scrolling through

your Twitter feed (or Snapchat or TikTok), you see people lauding their accomplishments, great times, and great friends. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this, as long as you understand that what you see on social media is an incomplete picture. If you compare all of your faults to those highlights, you may feel a bit inadequate. Everyone has faults, so embrace yours. Grow from them and know that they add to what makes you, you. And remember, you’re awesome.

6. Surround yourself with people who love you and think you’re great (but also who know and accept your faults). You need this. If someone won’t accept you for who you are, ask yourself if you really need that relationship (be it friends or more).

7. Smile. Every day. I’m not getting into the psychology of it all, but it could possibly make you happier and healthier. It works. Trust me.

8. Don’t trust people just because they say, “trust me.” Still...

9. Trust people. It’s endearing. I know this is very contradictory, but it’s true. Even though “trust me” should raise flags, trusting people means you are human and we all need people we can trust.

10. I’ve saved one of the most important tips for last: Be happy. Genuinely happy. Choose a profession that pays the bills and makes you want to go to work most days. You won’t be happy every day. You will have bad days, weeks and maybe even months, but you’ll be generally happy. Money will not, in the end, make you happy.

One of the greatest pieces of advice my dad ever gave me was to make great memories. Good and bad, and all kinds in between, they are all part of our life.

So, make them good ones and remember that you are part of other’s memories so make sure they are positive, too.

I have to end this the way my mother ended most of our conversations when I was in high school and college. Make good choices. (I repeat this often to my own kids.)

Lori Fenzl, Upper School social studies teacher

Great minds think differently

The Cottage School

Since 1985, The Cottage School (TCS) has provided a comprehensive program for students with learning differences grades 3-12. TCS offers a business-based model that promotes self-advocacy and fosters self-confidence, preparing them for life after graduation to pursue post-secondary educational paths or vocational opportunities. Our accredited college preparatory curriculum meets Georgia graduation standards and HOPE scholarship requirements to take students to graduation and beyond.

Our students, in all grades, enjoy unique experiential learning with electives based on their interests and clubs including archery, drama, forensics, robotics, horticulture and amazing off-campus experiences throughout the year.

The school’s beautiful 23-acre Roswell campus is a hidden gem in North Fulton, with small class sizes our students develop meaningful connections to our teaching staff. Our cottages are unique and warm learning environments that include computer and science labs, art studios, a multi-purpose athletic and performing arts facility, indoor and outdoor classrooms, and trails for mountain biking and cross-country. TCS encourages students of all abilities to participate in athletics by

PROVIDED

offering sports such as soccer, basketball, baseball, cross-country, tennis, and golf.

The Cottage School has built a one-ofa-kind learning environment perfect for students who learn differently. TCS offers 12-month rolling admissions for all grade levels. Visit our website or call for a campus tour today.

The Cottage School

700 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell, Georgia 30075 770-641-8688 www.cottageschool.org

Brought to you by - Mill Springs Academy

Those are the words of Mill Springs Academy’s founder, Tweetie L. Moore, and the words that Mill Springs administration, faculty, and staff continue to live by today. Founded in 1981, Mill Springs provides a values-based college preparatory program for students with ADHD and learning differences. Mill Springs’ school-wide Community Structure encourages students to participate in their own education by teaching self-advocacy, social problem-solving skills, and how to forge their own path. Our small class sizes allow teachers to provide each student with individualized instruction. Our highly skilled faculty and counselors provide academic rigor on all levels, from kindergarten through 12, in a supportive, nurturing environment.

Mill Springs Academy also offers students a wide variety of opportunities outside the core curriculum. Mill Springs’ fine arts program encourages students to explore their creativity through painting, sculpture, set design, music, performance, and more. Our robust athletic programs allow students to play at a competitive level while building teamwork and confidence.

performing arts facilities. We serve students from over 50 different zip codes in the Metro Atlanta area and provide four bus routes with ten stops in the morning and afternoon. To learn more about Mill Springs Academy, visit us at www. millsprings.org/visit.

Brought to you by -

Mill Springs’ 85-acre Alpharetta campus includes indoor and outdoor classroom space, athletic facilities, and visual and

“If a student can’t learn the way we teach… we should teach the way a student can learn.”

Upper school counseling services – an intentional balancing act

At times students can become singleminded, focusing only on academics. While good grades are certainly an important goal for every student and a key to college admissions, grade point averages should not define students nor consume every waking hour. A life filled only with textbooks, essays, and standardized tests is not spiritually meaningful, socially purposeful, or physically healthy. As a college preparatory school, King’s Ridge Christian School strives to provide students with rigorous academic preparation as well as social, spiritual, and physical fulfillment, which are all necessary for college and life beyond.

Research supports this call for students to live a balanced life. According to the Johns Hopkins Student Assistance Program, “Students often prioritize academics at the expense of personal factors, including relationships and exercise. This can lead to a decline in academic performance, as general health and well-being are critical to optimal academic functioning.” (2020). Perhaps most surprising is that college admissions departments tell counsel-

ors that a high school resume filled only with academic accolades is not what they seek in applicants.

The Upper School counseling department at KRCS intentionally focuses on developing the whole child; one who successfully balances academics, extra-curricular interests, the arts, athletic pursuits, and a spiritual relationship with Christ. Through one-on-one meetings, small group advisement lessons, large group presentations, family conferences, and daily informal settings, counselors seek to know each of the students as individuals through their unique talents, aspirations, struggles, and strengths. Counselors act as guides, encouraging students to build resiliency, self-confidence, and independencequalities that are crucial for success in college and beyond.

The KRCS counseling team truly believes that the well-balanced student is best prepared to live out the King’s Ridge mission: “equipping students to know, to serve, and to believe”.

Brought to you by - King’s Ridge Christian School

SPURKA

Sowing the seeds of

Maria Montessori, Italy’s first woman doctor, invented a system of early childhood education based on her scientific observations of how the child constructs himself through interaction with his environment.

Her emphasis on the importance of the “prepared” environment created by the teacher offers the child the freedom to choose his work. This freedom - which is given when the child demonstrates the responsibility to use it wisely - allows him to remain with an activity until its purpose is accomplished. Working without artificial timelines allows him to engage in the spontaneous repetition of a skill so that it is refined; this freedom also creates in him the ability to concentrate for long periods of time and to feel the satisfaction of mastery.

In a Montessori environment, the teacher serves as a guide rather than as a traditional instructor. She continually observes the child, using these observations to give the next lesson so that he steadily progresses.

The multi-aged classroom gives every child regular opportunities to be the learner as well as the leader in the security of a home-like environment which is cared

for by everyone in it, teacher and student alike. The Montessori classroom is ordered and beautiful, filled with materials that are aesthetically pleasing, materials which capture the imagination and assist in physical, academic and social development.

Montessori develops children who are responsible, creative, innovative, respectful and kind. Montessori children are truly the citizens of the future, equipped to face challenges with confidence and competence.

Located near the intersection of 141 and McGinnis Ferry Road in Johns Creek, Johns Creek Montessori School of Georgia provides excellence in Montessori education for infants, toddlers and children to six years old. JCMSOG provides an authentic Montessori environment, where each individual’s needs are respected, and everyone works together for the good of the community. The focus is always on helping the children to develop themselves in a caring, peaceful environment. By helping children to develop independence, we assist them in their physical and emotional development. As their sense of security in their ability to care for themselves and their environment grows, their brains have more energy or “bandwidth” for increased academic learning. Additionally, this focus

Brought to you by – Johns Creek Montessori School of Georgia

on development of muscular control is a first step in developing self-discipline. The JCMSOG Difference is best experienced in

person. Please schedule a visit with your child to observe our “Montessori Magic”www.JCMSOG.org 770-814-8001

Education solutions for every mind, every age

Eaton Academy offers multiple programs, both in person and online, since a “one size fits all” approach to education is not effective in today’s world.

Academic Programs

The full-day K-12 school, with its 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, allows instructors to address students’ individual learning styles, while maintaining social distancing. Students achieve significant academic and personal success resulting from STEAMrelated activities and multisensory instruction. The challenging collegeprep curriculum is delivered in a safe, nurturing environment.

For students with more significant academic and social needs, the Pace Program helps students develop life skills and independent living strategies. Pace students follow the traditional school day and work to develop greater self-sufficiency and independence, on their way to earning a high school diploma.

The Independent Study Program (ISP), tailored to students’ schedules and academic needs, permits individuals to work at their own pace. The tutorial setting enables aspiring athletes and

performers to work toward graduation while following their dreams. Some students enroll in ISP to accelerate their scholastic work; others seek academic remediation. ISP arranges the oneto-one sessions on a schedule that accommodates the students’ needs for flexibility.

Post-Graduate Programs

LEAP is designed to help individuals strengthen their life skills in order to achieve greater independence. Participants benefit from job readiness training, life skill development, and scholastic support.

The LIFE program places young adults into their own apartments.

Participants meet with a LIFE coach several times each week for support with topics such as budgeting, hygiene, roommate relations, and housekeeping.

Supported Employment prepares young adults for the workplace.

Assistance is given with resume writing, applying for positions, and keeping a job.

College Exploratory offers individuals college level, non-credit courses so they can gauge their readiness for university life.

Eaton Academy is the ideal place for families to discover education options and independent living solutions.

EATON ACADEMY NOW ENROLLING

Brought to you by - Eaton Academy

Change lives, change the world

School

Wesleyan School believes faith and intellect are great partners with each other. At Wesleyan, it’s not a matter of choosing faith or intellect, but rather using both to create the best possible education for your child. Our leadership and faculty work to provide students with an atmosphere that is challenging, reinforces the value of hard work, and emphasizes character and integrity above accomplishment. Wesleyan prepares students for each stage of life and provides them the opportunity to see all the possibilities that lie before them. Wesleyan’s school motto is JOY-Jesus, Others, Yourself, and every aspect of school life is oriented to reinforce this philosophy of putting Jesus first and others ahead of ourselves.

A college preparatory environment,

students have access to a wide range of academic opportunities along with athletics, arts, service and other extracurricular activities. Wesleyan’s 85-acre campus provides state-of-the-art academic facilities along with on-campus practice space for athletics and arts.

Located just outside of I-285 in Peachtree Corners, Wesleyan enrolled 1,207 students in grades K-12 for the 2022-2023 school year. Wesleyan offers bus routes throughout the metro Atlanta area. Supervised care before school is included in the cost of tuition and after care is available (K-8) until 6 p.m. at an affordable rate.

Wesleyan School

5405 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-448-7640 https://www.wesleyanschool.org/

Brought to you by - Wesleyan

Be amazed.

From Kindergarten PrepEighth Grade, The Davis Academy teaches to the whole child, creating compassionate leaders and equipping them with skills they will use for the entirety of their academic careers and beyond. Davis graduates attend the most prestigious public and private high schools in Atlanta, they know who they are and continuously make a difference in their communities and the world.

Students learn amongst a warm and supportive community that shares common values and visions. We teach life skills, instill Jewish values, and provide diverse experiences so that our students become well-rounded and self-confident individuals. We celebrate both the ways our diversity makes our school vibrant and the

individual differences that make our school community so unique. With a retention rate of 97%, The Davis Academy community is comprised of families from across the globe, nation, and 31 metro Atlanta zip codes.

The school offers many options for prospective families to learn about the school and community. Parents can schedule a personal tour. In addition, families can engage in wonderful Nurture events that are free and open to the community.

To learn more or schedule a tour go to www.davisacademy.org/ admissions/visit or call 678-5273300.

The Alfred & Adele Davis Academy

8105 Roberts Drive, Atlanta, GA 30350 770-671-0085 www.davisacademy.org

Brought to you by - The Davis Academy

Mount Pisgah Christian School is educating with intention

School

Mount Pisgah Christian School is a top-rated independent Preschool-12th grade school located in north Atlanta. Known for providing an outstanding college preparatory education grounded in Christian faith and values, 100% of students are accepted into a four-year college or university.

MPCS is educating with intention through personalized, studentcentered learning with small class sizes brought to life in academics, athletics and spiritual life. A purposeful education prepares students to be critical thinkers, ready to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.

Mount Pisgah fosters innovation by valuing the opportunities students have to create, explore, and ask questions.

MPCS is a place where students encounter foundational truth in the Word of God and experience God’s love and grace in the classroom, on the field, and beyond.

Extracurricular offerings include 46 competitive athletic programs, music and visual arts programs,

as well as the Mount Pisgah Arts Academy. The after-school Arts Academy classes and lessons including drama, art, music and dance are available to all students in the community.

New Preschool Facility

The new, state-of-the-art Stuart

and Eulene Murray Academy is set to open at the start of the 2023 school year. The Academy will be home to the Mount Pisgah Christian School Preschool program for PK3 and PK4 students, and will be located on South Campus in the same building as the Lower School.

The new facility includes many

wonderful and exciting educational opportunities, including new classrooms, theatre, innovation center, interactive play spaces, and an outdoor nature-inspired playscape unlike anything offered by schools in our area.

To learn more, visit mountpisgahschool.org

Brought to you by - Mount Pisgah Christian

Beeson:

based, not a concrete jungle.

But Beeson spoke out in opposition to the amendment, citing concerns of “greenwashing.”

“It’s just saying oh it’s green, therefore its great, and that is not necessarily the case,” Beeson said.

She proposed a point-based system, in which developers could accrue points for environmentally friendly steps, like solar panels or native plant species. Under those parameters, Beeson said, the development would be truly environmentally friendly.

Councilman Mike Palermo, the council’s liaison to Community Development, said he understands the concern, but the change will “create a better character for Roswell.”

Ultimately, the council approved the amendment, with Beeson casting the lone vote in opposition.

The pattern continued into a decision amending townhome requirements.

The amendment to the development code would change the standard for the number of units permitted in a row. Currently, the minimum number of townhome units allowed without a common space separation is three, and the maximum is eight.

The proposed change called for lowering the maximum number of units to four. Councilmembers stressed that the amendment included language providing exceptions if applicants could justify a higher density.

Again, Beeson objected, asking whether there was any data to support reducing the townhome limit, which she called arbitrary.

Community development director Gaines had no answer to the inquiry, but said it was “something we can research.”

Councilman Peter Vanstrom said the

decision is not arbitrary, because driving through the city he visually loves four units in a row.

Mayor Kurt Wilson interjected during discussion to say he feels “it’s a valid approach for the council to say ‘I like four,’” and it is not about what the source of the information is.

Beeson said she is less concerned with aesthetics than the accessibility of townhomes as a lower-cost option for homeowners in Roswell. She said she worries a decrease in the number of units would limit options for buyers.

Despite Beeson’s objections, the amendment passed with all in favor except Beeson and Vanstrom, who opposed an additional measure banning front-loaded parking for townhomes.

Beeson and Vanstrom also opposed an amendment to the development code regarding defined uses in the Industrial Light district.

Discussion centered around the definition of a CBD shop. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound in cannabis that does not cause a high. It differs from THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.

The amendment originally defined a CBD shop as an establishment for which “more than 50 percent of sales are based on the retail sale of products related to or derived from CBD oil (cannabidiol) or hemp.”

Mayor Wilson cited concern with vape shops that sell CBD that keep popping up around Roswell, something he said residents have complained about.

Other council members questioned the importance of clarifying definitions and differences between vape shops and CBD shops because both are permitted in Roswell, but Wilson said the distinction was important, as it could impact the way restrictions are navigated.

Wilson said he personally is not a fan of CBD but knows not everyone shares his view.

Both Beeson and Vanstrom expressed concern with the narratives around CBD and medical marijuana, stating they knew people who had used marijuana for medical purposes.

“I understand the hesitancy to have a CBD shop on every single corner,” Beeson said. “My concern is if we’re opening up Pandora’s box of if there is a cupcake store and they also have a shelf with CBD oil, if we’re trying to limit that as well.”

Ultimately, the council, with Beeson and Vanstrom opposed, passed the amendment with a small alteration in the definition of “CBD shop,” removing “garments” from the list of products related to or derived from CBD oil or hemp that would make an establishment a CBD shop.

The Jan. 10 meeting was Beeson’s introduction to the dais, filling out the term of Post 1 Councilman Marcelo Zapata, who stepped down in June due to a medical condition. Beeson will serve one year before facing re-election.

After having taken the oath of office at the beginning of the meeting, Beeson called for unity among Roswell leaders.

“Thank you for having faith in the City Council, faith in the future, in what we can achieve together and having a belief in unity,” Beeson said during the ceremony. “We can have disagreement, we can have diversity, but at the end of the day we’re all Roswellian and we all hope for a better path forward.”

Also at the meeting, Councilwoman Christine Hall was unanimously elected mayor pro tempore for 2023.

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

Councilwoman Sarah Beeson takes the oath of office administered by her husband, Tommy, with her children and parents by her side at the Jan. 10 Roswell City Council meeting.

In Memoriam

Loren Marc Schmerler

Loren Marc Schmerler, age 74 of Alpharetta, Georgia died on January 10, 2023. He is survived by his sisters, Barbara Schmerler of Montrose Colorado; Sister Beth Caldwell and her husband Rick Caldwell of Roswell, Georgia, and their three children. Niece, Alexis Halkyard and her husband Dan of Canton, Georgia, Nephew, Stephen Caldwell and his wife Shiloh of Kennesaw, Niece Megan Caldwell of Atlanta Georgia, and Cousin Karen Schmerler of Orlando Florida. Loren graduated Suma Cum Laude in finance from Boston University and was the recipient of the

Harold C Case scholarship for academic excellence. He held an MBA with honors from Georgia State University. He was a respected business broker and active member of GABA. Loren was a brilliant public speaker and was published many times for his insightful ideas in business. In his younger years he enjoyed bowling and was captain of his team. Per Loren’s request there will be no memorial service, but donations may be made in his memory to: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) 199 Water Street, 11th floor New York, NY 10038

Harriette Cloaninger Bowen In Memoriam

Harriette Cloaninger Bowen passed away peacefully on New Years Eve, December 31, 2022. She lived a joyful and fulfilling 84 years surrounded by friends and family. She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Dr. Joseph Brown Bowen; her sister, Brucie Harry (Lowrance); her children, Lucy Scott (Randy) and Bruce Bowen (Silvia); her grandchildren, of whom she was exceptionally proud, Courtney Rowe, Rebecca Mackey, Emily Frericks, Sarah Lynn Jones, Luis Bowen, and Carli Bowen; and her great-grandchildren who never failed to bring a smile to her face, Charlie and Catherine Rowe, and Ella Mackey. Harriette lived the last 25 years of her life in Alpharetta where she regularly attended Alpharetta United Methodist Church. She grew up in Clemson, SC and was one the first coeds to attend Clemson University and has remained a loyal Tigers fan all her life. She graduated from Emory University where she met and fell in love with Joe Bowen while he was in seminary to become a minister. Once married, they went on to build a beautiful life together that was rooted in family and kindness.

As a Methodist minister’s wife, the family was regularly on the move, and Harriette made each parsonage home. She raised two kids, ran the house, stretched a penny, taught sewing, played piano, and was a wonderful cook. She and Joe served eight churches— Athens, Snellville, Peachtree Road, Kingswood (Dunwoody),

LaGrange, the Augusta district, Trinity on the Hill (Augusta], and Alpharetta. She was an exceptional hostess who went above and beyond to ensure the comfort and happiness of others before herself. She would find any excuse to gather as a family and taught everyone around her that life is worth celebrating. As an accomplished pianist herself, she loved listening to the piano. She regularly attended her grandchildren’s recitals, ice skating competitions, sporting events or theatrical performances. While her presence at these momentous occasions was always appreciated, Harriette also knew that life was about the little things. Her family fondly recalls the small gestures of grace that made a big difference. No matter where her grandchildren were scattered about the country, Harriette never forgot a birthday card and frequently called just to say hello. Harriette’s friends and family will gather together to remember a life well lived on January 28th at 2:00 at Alpharetta United Methodist Church. There will be a reception following. She will be laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery at Clemson, South Carolina, a place she so dearly loved. In Lieu of Flowers those wishing may make donations to North Fulton Charity, Wellroot Family Services (previously UMC Childrens home), or the Clemson University Foundation, 110 Daniel Dr., Clemson, SC 29631. Please note Joe & Harriette Bowen Scholarship on the memo line.