ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Community members ushered in the start of the holidays with the glow of a 50-foot tree in downtown Alpharetta.
About 3,000 people enjoyed live music, roasted marshmallows, a visit from Santa Claus and other festivities at the tree lighting and 46th annual Season of Celebration Nov. 23.
They also spread kindness through a holiday food drive that gathered nonperishable goods for local families in need.
At the stroke of 6:30 p.m., the giant, ornament-adorned Christmas
tree and its thousands of twinkling lights cast a warm glow throughout Alpharetta’s Town Green.
Hilary Lew, special events supervisor for the city, had one word for the spectacle.
“Majestic,” she said. “No matter where someone was standing at the event, they were guaranteed to have a wonderful view.”
Attendees were encouraged to bring portable chairs to settle in for live music from the Alpharetta City Band’s Jazz Ensemble. They also enjoyed a sneak peek of the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre’s annual holiday show, “The Nutcracker,”
LIGHTING, Page 18
New Roswell study maps future of city’s paid parking enterprise
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — A new parking study, not yet publicly discussed or approved by the Roswell City Council, shows a multi-phased approach to advance the city in its nascent business venture.
Roswell’s economic development
consultant Seer World is responsible for the 223-page document, obtained by Appen Media in an open records request. The $143,000 study is among several scopes of work approved under a five-year contract with the firm.
Seer’s draft plan, developed three years after the Downtown Development Authority published its own parking assessment, builds
off the inherited fee schedule for downtown parking passed in 2019. It suggests adding identified city-controlled parking to existing inventory over a 90-day period, as part of an “Initial Downtown Parking Management Plan.” The rollout uses the ParkMobile platform, in which
CITY OF ALPHARETTA/PROVIDED
A 50-foot tall Christmas tree illuminates Alpharetta’s Town Green during the city’s annual holiday kick-off celebration Nov. 23.
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POLICE BLOTTER
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Woman sought for fraud in phone contract switch
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A fraud was reported at a North Point Parkway cellular store Nov. 21.
A 40-year-old Norcross man told officers his ex-girlfriend had fraudulently transferred a cell phone from AT&T to another provider, according to an Alpharetta police report.
The woman provided a PIN for the AT&T account and accessed his account, the man said.
An AT&T employee said the woman provided a driver’s license that matched his appearance.
The man was charged $657.93 for the transfer.
The alleged crime was classified as a felony identity fraud of a person.
Jon Wilcox
Pedestrian struck, killed crossing Ga. 9 in evening
ROSWELL, Ga. — Police are investigating the death of a 38-yearold Avondale Estates woman after she was struck by multiple vehicles while crossing Alpharetta Highway (Ga. 9) near Houze Way Nov. 30.
An officer said he received word around 7:40 p.m. informing him of a pedestrian who was hit and killed by a vehicle. The victim was later identified as Amber D. Evans.
The officer said the initial collision occurred 200 feet south of the intersection in the shared center-turn lane.
According to an analysis of the crash, a northbound Ford F-150 on
Ga. 9 entered the center lane to turn left onto Houze Way, striking the woman. The collision threw her into the southbound lanes.
After that, officers said the victim was struck by two SUVs.
Officers said all three drivers involved in the incident checked on the victim afterward and were on scene when they arrived. There were two other witnesses who completed voluntary statements.
While no blame was assigned in the report, officers included a charge for “jaywalking,” or a pedestrian traversing a roadway outside of a crosswalk.
The report says the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene and took possession of the deceased.
Writing later in a shift report, a Roswell officer said Alpharetta Highway (Ga. 9) was shut down for around three hours. The department’s Traffic Enforcement Division responded and continued the on-scene investigation.
Hayden Sumlin
Driver finds bullet hole in truck after incident
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Officers investigated a report of aggravated assault stemming from an alleged road rage incident Nov. 21.
Officers met with a 55-year-old man at a Cumming gas station on McFarland Parkway, according to an Alpharetta police report. The man, whose address and city were not included in the report, showed officers a bullet hole on the side of his truck.
Police suspect the hole was caused by a 9mm bullet.
The man said he heard a noise and something impact his vehicle after a white or silver Chevrolet Cruze prevented him from merging into a lane on Morrison Parkway.
The man said he saw no gun and could not identify a driver or license plate.
The man estimated the damage at $3,000.
Jon Wilcox Police search for driver in alleged hit-and-run
ROSWELL, Ga. — Police secured arrest warrants for a 27-year-old Roswell man after he crashed into two vehicles off Terramont Drive Dec. 1, then allegedly fled the scene.
Police found the green Chevrolet Sonic partially underneath the back bumper of a blue GMC Sierra near 210 Parkmont Court.
The impact knocked the back left tire off the axel of the GMC and pushed it into a green Ford F-150 parked behind it.
A Roswell woman told officers that her boyfriend owns the GMC Sierra.
Shortly after, officers said a 32-yearold Roswell man arrived and claimed the F-150.
Police found a nearby resident with security footage of the incident.
Officers said the video showed the car hitting both vehicles and one male fleeing toward a cul-de-sac within the neighborhood.
The registered owner of the Sonic told officers that he had allowed a coworker use of the vehicle earlier that day.
Officers said the owner provided the name of the person driving the vehicle and his contact information.
When officers called the coworker, a cell phone in the Sonic began ringing.
Later, officers spoke with a man who claimed he was a passenger of the vehicle and said the same 27-year-old male suspect was driving when the crash occurred.
The passenger also said he and the driver drank three margaritas before getting into the vehicle.
Officers determined they had probable cause to obtain warrants for the driver’s arrest.
A Fulton County judged signed off three warrants, two for hit-and-run and one for reckless driving.
— Hayden Sumlin
Short-term rental owners push for accommodation in grandfathering process
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Owners of short-term rentals in Alpharetta are concerned with how the city will handle grandfathered properties in the wake of proposed updates to the local ordinance.
Council members unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals at a Dec. 2 meeting.
The action comes after residents raised concerns about the properties’ potential to change the character of neighborhoods. Owners of the properties said their rentals are clean, safe and provide an essential lodging service for visitors and residents.
Short-term rentals include residential properties offered for fewer than 30 days. They are often advertised through online platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, and they often offer rates below traditional hotels.
The proposed ordinance would limit the number of rentals at 5 percent of subdivision’s homes, require them to license with the city and prevent them from being located next door or on the same street. The ordinance also would prohibit rentals where homeowners association agreements forbid them.
Several residents appeared at the meeting to say they supported the ordinance. Others complained it might lack the teeth to effectively crack down on the rentals.
City Attorney Molly Esswein said grandfathering — or exempting existing rentals from the update — would be a complicated process operating on a
case-by-case basis. Rental properties that have paid taxes could be eligible, Alpharetta Community Development Director Kathi Cook said.
City staff estimates there are 89 short-term rentals operating in the city, comprising more than 5 percent of the homes in at least six neighborhoods. In the Village Green subdivision, east of the downtown off Academy Street, 13.5 percent of the homes are rentals.
Council members asked staff to work out details of the ordinance before a second reading, saying they aimed to strike a balance between residents and owners of the rentals.
“What we're doing now is doing something as reasonable as we possibly can to make both of these parties reasonably happy and reasonably unhappy,” Mayor Jim Gilvin said. “Because there's no way to make both of you happy.”
David Horst, an Alpharetta resident and owner of several rentals in Village Green, said his properties are an important revenue stream for his family. Horst said he hopes to one day retire with the income he receives from rentals.
Horst said he wants more clarity from staff on how grandfathering will work and what parts of the ordinance it might exclude. He said he has forgone the purchase of additional properties in Village Green because he is uncertain whether he would be allowed to rent them.
Two other rental owners spoke at the meeting, urging the council to strike a
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Alpharetta Community Development Director Kathi Cook speaks on a proposed shortterm rental ordinance at the Dec. 2 City Council meeting. The ordinance would require rentals to obtain permits and limit their number within neighborhoods.
Milton second grade team wins gridiron championship
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga — After their Super Bowl win over Cartersville Nov. 16, the Milton Eagles second grade team posted an undefeated season, becoming the only team at any grade level competing with the North Atlanta Football League to achieve the feat.
The Eagles outscored opponents 173-20 on the year, allowing 198 yards while gaining 1,888. It was a remarkable stat for the only team in the league that had not competed in tackle football the sea-son before.
All but one of the Eagles’ 21 players had ever played tackle football before. The runner-up in points in the league this year tallied 88.
Head coach Greg Powers, a Milton graduate, said he is proud of the team’s accomplishments.
“We had three goals as coaches
this season,” he said. “For everyone to want to come back next year, learn the fundamentals of football and have fun. We were very safe, we had no injuries and overall it was a very good experience for the kids.”
Powers praised the “growth, friendship and teamwork” gained this season, and detailed some stories and favorite memories about teaching the game he loves.
“At the beginning of the season, the kids didn’t know what a stance was,” he said. “Going from teaching the concepts of containment for the first time to a kid, then watching them make a fourthdown tackle with the game on the line, using the concepts you’ve just taught, is so meaningful to watch. The kids loved it, they bought in, and they had success.”
That bodes well for the class of 2035, a group that has proven how much it can learn in a short period of time.
MILTON EAGLES/PROVIDED
The Milton Eagles second grade football team celebrates its Super Bowl win by taking the field during halftime of the high school Eagles’ game against Dutchtown Nov. 22.
COMMUNITY
Northern Ridge announces new group of Eagle Scouts
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Northern Ridge Boy Scout District (Cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, John’s Creek, Milton) is proud to announce a new round Eagle Scouts, who completed their Eagle Board of Review Oct. 24 at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.
Top row, from left;
Noah Diamond, of Troop 1818 North Metro office of the Marcus Jewish Community Center, whose project was refurbishment and transformation of an old pergola into a transformable Sukkah (a shelter set up during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot), for Berman Commons.
Dylan Craig, of Troop 370, sponsored by St. James United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of a gaga pit and tetherball game pole for Holy Spirit Preparatory School, in Atlanta.
Luke Craig, of Troop 370, sponsored by St. James United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of 14 wooden benches for Holy Spirit Preparatory School in Atlanta.
Middle row, from left:
Alex Grigorian, of Troop 143, sponsored by Greenleaf Capital Partners, whose project was the design and construction of three wooden housing units for AEDs and posted on the school property, at Lambert High
School. Alex also led a training session for the coaches.
Will Brennan, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta Methodist Church, whose project was the collection of over 2,300 food items for North Fulton Community Charities.
Benjamin Beck, of Troop 1818 North Metro office of the Marcus Jewish Community Center, whose project was the design and construction of two garden beds and the collection and creating 31 personal toilet kits for the residents of Balser Tower, a center for seniors.
Camilo Forcucci, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construc-
tion of three wooden park benches for Ocee Park.
Jaxton Barnard, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of an arbor swing at Old Rucker Farm.
Alexander Brill, of Troop 3000, sponsored by Birmingham United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of two planter boxes, a bench, and a deck for the Alpharetta Senior Services Center.
Bottom row, from left:
Sri Dhanabalan, of Troop 143, sponsored by Greenleaf Capital Partners, whose project was the design and construction of
a Turfstone concrete paver path connecting the garden to the storage shed at the Special Needs School of Gwinnett.
Hunter Birdwell, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of two high top tables and a ladder golf set for the youth center at Alpharetta Methodist Church
Ja'Far Mujahid-Alexander, of Troop 12, sponsored by Muslim American Society Youth Center, whose project was the design and construction of five wooden park benches using the Aldo Leopold design for the American Legion/VFW Post 12002.
Karthik Mahakala, of Troop 2143, sponsored by The American Legion Post 25, whose project was the design and construction of two separate compost wooden bins with a latch, two trellises for the raised garden beds and two shoe racks for use within classrooms for the Chinmaya Mission.
Avignesh Jagavkar, of Troop 2143, sponsored by The American Legion Post 25, whose project was the collection of over 1,200 school items for the North Fulton Charities.
Camille Ceniza, of Troop 1857G, sponsored by Christ the Shepard Lutheran Church, whose project was the design and construction of a new three-bin, wooden compost container for the community garden at Newtown Park. PROVIDED
Name: Sutton Total
Tennis
Owner: Alex Sutton
Description: Sutton
Total Tennis is a specialty tennis and pickleball retail shop that offers a wide range of equipment and services. Alex holds certifications with the USPTA and USRSA for instruction and racquet services. The shop carries racquets, paddles, shoes and apparel as well as restringing and regripping services.
Opened: July 2024
Address: 12050 Etris Road, Roswell, GA
Phone: 470-550-1264
Web Address: suttontotaltennis.com
Christmas at Midway
December 8th
Lessons & Carols
9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Come worship with us as we retell the story of Jesus’ birth through scripture readings and carols.
December 24th
Christmas Eve
3:00 p.m. Children’s Pop-up Christmas Pageant
This family-friendly service invites children to help tell the story of the very first Christmas! Wear a costume or borrow one from the church.
5:00 p.m. Modern – Sanctuary
7:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m. Traditional – Chapel
Join us for one of these candlelight and communion services as we celebrate the birth of Christ.
5025 Atlanta Hwy. | Alpharetta, GA 30004
770.475.5230 | www.MidwayUMC.org
Name: Made in the Shade Alpharetta
Owner: Jason and Mindy Roaderick
Description: Made in the Shade Alpharetta offers a full line of custom window coverings throughout the north metro area. We bring the showroom to you including shutters, rollers, Romans, natural wovens, draperies and motorization. Call today and let’s add that next layer of design to your home!
Opened: April 2024
Address: 2605 Milford Ln., Alpharetta, GA 30009
Phone: 770-588-1611
Web Address: mitsalpharetta.com/
Name: Chewy Vet Care
Owner: Chewy, Inc
Description: Chewy Vet Care is a veterinary practice that offers a wide array of services, from routine wellness care to urgent care and surgeries. Our passionate, friendly care team provides the highest-quality medical care, backed by Chewy’s award-winning customer service designed to help you and your pet feel at ease.
Opened: May 2024
Address: 4531 Olde Perimeter Way, Suite 150, Atlanta, GA 30346
Phone: 404-205-8001
Web address: chewy.com/vet-care/clinics/dunwoody-ga/perimeter
Make plans to check out December author events
By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com
Holiday book shoppers take note: The trio of New York Times bestselling authors collectively known as Team W — Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Milton’s own Karen White — have published a new novel, “The Author’s Guide to Murder.”
Fittingly, a trio of nearby signing events will be held in December, two on the same day. Thursday, festive affairs in Dahlonega and Milton will spotlight the troika’s saucy new mystery as well as the authors’ extensive backlists.
Specifics about those and other December book signings are below.
PROVIDED
Coauthors, from left, Lauren Willig, Beatriz Williams and Milton’s own Karen White have a new novel out, “The Author’s Guide to Murder.”
Thursday, Dec. 5, Karen White and Beatriz Williams. Local signing stops featuring two-thirds of Team W — minus coauthor Lauren Willig — include two events Dec. 5. White and Williams will appear at a jolly Bookmiser-supported 10 a.m. celebration at the Lumpkin County Library, 56 Mechanicsville Road, Dahlonega. Free. bookmiser.net/events.html. Then, that night at 5 p.m., they will be feted at a ticketed “Merry Murder” party hosted by Poe & Company Bookstore at The RoofTop Event Venue, 12630 Crabapple Road, Suite 340, Milton. poeandcompanybookstore.com/our-events
Saturdays, Dec. 7 and 14, and Wednesday, Dec. 11, George Weinstein and Kim Conrey. Meet the inspiring, oft-published Atlanta Writers Club couple Dec. 7 and 14 from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Posman Books, 4105 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. On Dec. 11, they will participate in Poe & Company’s Christmas Book Sale at Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub. Free. 4 p.m. 12650 Crabapple Road, No. 100, Milton. poeandcompanybookstore.com
Saturday, Dec. 7, Brianna O. Osaseri, local Illustrator, signing her middle-grade “Gome Fable” series. Free. Noon. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree
Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-2329331. read-it-again.com
Saturday, Dec. 7, Andy Runton’s graphic novel workshop. The author and awardwinning illustrator of the “Olwy” graphic novels will lead an interactive workshop. Free, with book purchases encouraged. 2 p.m. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-232-9331. read-it-again.com
Wednesday, Dec. 11, Poe & Company Christmas Book Sale featuring, among many others, Rosalind and Maggie Bunn. The mother-daughter children’s authors of, most recently, “All Aboard, Florida!,” will be just two of the authors whose sales will help benefit hurricane relief efforts. Free. 4 p.m. Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub. 12650 Crabapple Road, No. 100, Milton. poeandcompanybookstore.com
Thursday, Dec. 12, Nancy Naigle and Tracy Solheim. The USA Today bestselling authors will detail five of Naigle’s books that have been adapted into Hallmark movies. Light refreshments will be served. Free. 6:30 p.m. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-232-9331. read-it-again.com
Saturday, Dec. 15, Boozy Book Fair and
Messiah at the Pub: A Singalong, at Distillery of Modern Art. Join the Johns Creek Chorale for a singalong of Handel's "Messiah" and shop a selection of books curated by Read It Again Bookstore. Free. 4 p.m. Distillery of Modern Art, 2197 Irvindale Way, Chamblee, 30341. 404482-2663. read-it-again.com
Friday, Dec. 20, Alex White’s book and video game launch. The award-winning sci-fi author will discuss his newest title and VR game. Free. 7 p.m. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Pkwy., Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-232-9331. read-itagain.com
Saturday, Dec. 21, Terri Parlato release party for “Watch Your Back.” Free. Noon. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-232-9331. read-it-again.com
Monday, Dec. 30, teen author Isabella Gerborg with her debut novel, “Discover.” Free. 6:30 p.m. Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming. forsythpl. org/event/11919748
To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@gmail.com by the 15th.
LANCE MCRORIE, co-owner, FlameTree Glass, Inc.
8 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 5, 2024
FlameTree Glass teaches craft with care
Key element of class is to overcome fear
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — Maureen Buckley McRorie and her husband Lance McRorie take great care in their craft and dedicate much of their business to sharing it with others.
They specialize in glass blowing at the torch, rather than the older technique of the furnace, and have built their lives around it for more than two decades.
The McRories’ shop FlameTree Glass, Inc. off Warsaw Road in Roswell is part gallery and part workshop space. They also sell glass supplies, but on a small scale, for mostly locals. Competition became nearly impossible when glass supply warehouses, equipped with forklifts, entered the scene.
Maureen said glass blowing is a meditative and therapeutic process. Working with a hot flame requires a certain level of attention.
“It puts you in the moment, and you just start melting, and then two hours have gone by like that,” she said, snapping her fingers. “So that's why people get real addicted to it.”
Lance called the process a “Zen space,” so long as everything is going to plan.
“Glass is moving, right, and it keeps you present because you have to move with it,” he said. “And, when you're in that state, time is not linear anymore. All the problems of the world are gone. You're relaxed, and you're immersed in this.”
They took up the craft in 1999.
Maureen was into beading, buying her supplies from Beads by Design in Marietta, and found out she could make her own. So, she and Lance signed up for a beadclass, and from there, their beads started selling, and people began asking to take classes.
“We were like, ‘No way,’” Maureen said.
They made a couple of moves since then, from Orlando, Florida, to a shopping center off South Atlanta Street. Maureen and Lance found the current location in 2017, opening two years later but closed soon afterward when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
Impact of pandemic
The business hasn’t totally recovered from the pandemic, with only a couple of people stopping by that day. Maureen and Lance also used to hold master classes, but student interest has waned.
“The whole industry after COVID has just really gone down,” Maureen said.
The signatures of all the expert glass craftspeople who led master classes at FlameTree are spread out along the
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
FlameTree Glass owners Maureen Buckley McRorie and husband Lance McRorie, specialize in glass blowing at the torch. They sell finished pieces, do commissions within any budget, and offer a variety of classes at all levels.
See GLASS, Page 9
Glass:
from Page 8
metal hood over the studio table.
Lance said he has always participated in the master classes held at the shop, working to build his skill.
“They're just at such a high level,” he said. “Every time they come back in front of me, I feel like an infant.”
Meanwhile, he said Maureen has only taken two to three official classes but manages to pick up the skill nearinstantly.
She loves sculpting and works mostly in soft glass, as it’s less fussy and stubborn than hard glass, which has a slower heating process and quicker cooling process, forcing you to work, or blow, fast.
Intricate lamps are one of her specialties, building a metal armature frame then attaching glass, made on the wire.
“A lot of this is recycled out of the trash bucket,” she said.
Some can be seen on the walls in the gift shop, along with her watercolor paintings and fabric work, also an abundance of glass jewelry pieces. There’s finished pieces, but they offer commissioned work for any budget.
Hard glass is a medium Lance uses often because of his knack for goblets, forging whimsical stems of different animals and other shapes. Dozens are on display in the shop.
He takes influence from Asian culture, at one point flipping through a book showcasing Chinese folk art. Loren Stump, a master, captivated Lance with his own interest and experiences teaching in Japan.
Joy in teaching
While business isn’t what it used to be, they do have a busy schedule this time of year, teaching students how to blow their own holiday decorations.
In the studio downstairs, Lance was preparing icicles at his workstation, an organized mess of tools in all shapes and sizes and with different uses at the end of a long table where students approach a series of small torches. Kilns of all sizes are tucked in different places.
Icicle-making was the main event the next day.
Lance demonstrated how traditional ball ornaments are made, another class, focusing the flame on a hard glass stem that he prepared in advance. After a few minutes of even rotations in the flame, the bulbous end softened and was malleable enough to blow out into the spherical shape often seen on Christmas trees.
The stem is then cut, leaving an opening to be topped with a metal ornament cap.
Lance said students have to start with the basics and foundation — there’s a lot
Buckley
,
of FlameTree
Lance McRorie, co-owner of FlameTree Glass, Inc., prepares an icicle project for students the following day.
For more information about FlameTree Glass, Inc., visit https:// flametreeglass.com.
to it. He and Maureen mapped out the different styles of glass making on the studio chalkboard, accompanied by a history lesson in the craft.
Lance said it’s a difficult medium to teach.
“Well, most people don’t get it,” Maureen added. “...They're terrified … but then they realize, if you just listen and follow safety instructions, it's fine … As seasoned veterans, we still have to pay attention because we can still get hurt.”
Maureen and Lance, collectively, have a lot of cuts and burns.
“Sometimes you get a cut, and then you cauterize it with the burn on top,” she said, laughing.
Maureen said she enjoys getting students over the fear but also frustration, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
“They get into that space, and it's healing,” Lance added. “Because in this frenetic world that we live in, right — fast, frenetic, flashing pictures on an iPad, cars driving — they learn how to be calm…”
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
Children’s Development Academy Toy Drive Free Bundtlets for a Year!
Donations should be dropped off at: CDA, 89 Grove Way, Roswell. Please contact us to schedule your drop-off! Email: rhampson@cdakids.org or call 770-992-4339.
Toy Selection Tips: Toys included on this list have educational value. We recommend toys that are attractive, provide the challenge to explore, and the opportunity to practice new skills. We cannot accept action figures and war-themed toys, such as guns, soldiers, tanks, etc.
Scan for Wish List.
PHOTOS BY: AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Maureen
McRorie
co-owner
Glass, Inc., showcases glass fish she made, standing next to her workstation in the studio.
liqueur
“One of ___” (Willa Cather novel) 38 Stop, for one
Formal orders
Jellied delicacy 45 Move furtively
46 Half an ellipse 49 Fortuneteller
50 Like the Kalahari 51 Spreads grass for drying to make hay 53 Classic car
“The Lord of the Rings” figure
Well known,
Lewis and Clark 72 Winter Olympian
Speaker of baseball
Buffalo’s lake
Puts in stitches
Peccadilloes 77 Enormous birds of myth
1 London district
Half of an old radio duo
“Peter Pan” pooch
Grounds 5 Lobbying grp.
Hardly wimpy
“You betcha!”
31 At first sight, legally
33 Straight up
35 Daughter of Geb
37 Cookbook direction
39 Actress Barkin of “The Fan”
See solution Page 21
AMERICAN LEGION POST 201 EVENTS
King’s Ridge Christian School announces new academic head
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — At the end of October, King’s Ridge Christian announced the hiring of a new head of school, Tony Fajardo, who will begin July 1.
King’s Ridge, abutting North Park in Alpharetta, provides a Christian college-preparatory program for students grades Pre K-12.
Fajardo, who currently serves as Head of Ben Lipton School in Colombia, South Carolina, has more than 20 years of experience in school administration.
“Having been at Ben Lippen for the last eight years, it has been a privilege to be part of a school community that was recognized in the top 15 percent of all schools in the state of South Carolina in terms of academic performance in reading and math,” Fajardo wrote in a letter to the school community. “During my tenure, we increased student enrollment from 730 to 1,220; built two new state-of-the-art facilities; saw the Fine Arts program grow into a dynamic, multi-tiered academy; completely renovated the athletic facilities; and committed more than $200,000 annually to spiritual life programs.”
He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Barry University, master’s degree in management and administration of education programs from Nova Southeastern University and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Columbia International University.
“Together with the faculty, staff, students and families, I look forward to advancing the strategic vision of King’s Ridge by providing an environment where students can thrive spiritually, academically and personally,” Fajardo said. “I am especially excited to lead the efforts to expand and enhance our campus facilities, creating spaces
where future generations will grow in faith and knowledge.”
King’s Ridge Christian says Fajardo’s leadership is expected to further inspire the school’s commitment to nurturing character, purpose and calling in each student.
He replaces interim head of school Brian Simmons, who was selected for the 2024-25 school year over the summer.
Ben Ackerman, chair of the school’s Board of Trustees, said the King’s Ridge family is thrilled to welcome Fajardo’s wife, Becky, and their three sons, Corey (19), Tyler (17), and Connor (5).
“Please join us in welcoming Dr. Fajardo and his family to King's Ridge,” Ackerman wrote. “We are excited to see all that God has in store for our community under his leadership.”
— Hayden Sumlin
KING’S RIDGE CHRISTAIN SCHOOL/PROVIDED Tony Fajardo, Ph.D., is the new Head of King’s Ridge Christian School in Alpharetta. He begins his role July 1.
Find your dream home just in time for the holidays
Brought to you by – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division
The holiday season is the perfect time to settle into your dream home, and Metro Atlanta offers a variety of new home communities with homes ready to move in just in time for the holidays. Whether you're looking for a charming neighborhood in Roswell, a peaceful retreat in Milton, a lakeside escape in Gainesville, or a welcoming active adult community in Acworth, there are plenty of move-in ready options waiting for you. Imagine celebrating the holidays in a brand-new home, complete with all the modern features and finishes you've been dreaming of. Make this holiday season extra special by moving into one of these beautiful, newly built homes.
Nestled in the historic charm of Roswell, Hillandale is an intimate community inspired by the timeless streetscapes of Charleston, South Carolina. Perched high on a hill above the town, this enclave of luxury homes is built by the awardwinning Patrick Malloy Communities, offering a range of elegant details in every home. Currently available, the Rocklyn on Homesite 14 is a stunning 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath home with a guest suite on the main level, offering 3,800 sq ft of living space, priced at $1,253,055. The Grafton on Homesite 15 is a spacious 4-bedroom, 4-bath home with a main-level guest suite, priced at $1,117,835. Both homes feature upscale designer finishes and are ready for closing this year. Just minutes from the shopping and dining of historic Roswell, these homes offer exquisite interior features and architectural details, making them a true standout in the area.
David Patterson Homes is offering two beautiful move-in ready homes at their Long Hollow Landing community in Gainesville/Forsyth County. The community also boasts a neighborhood boat dock and a gathering place for residents to enjoy. Lot 1 features a spacious 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home priced at $730,000. For those desiring lakeside access, Lot 25 provides a stunning 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath home with a 3-car garage, a 2,400 sq ft unfinished daylight basement, and a deeded boat slip at the community boat dock. Conveniently located off Hwy 306 and Hwy 53, Long Hollow
Landing is close to shopping, dining, GA 400, and Gainesville, with access to top-rated Forsyth County schools. Crossroads at Birmingham, a charming new community by Southwyck Homes, offers five exceptional homes with the opportunity to close by the end of the year. Nestled in the sought-after Milton area, this community features farmhouse-inspired 2and 3-story village homes, as well as luxurious estate homes, all set along established, tree-lined streets. Located near the intersection of Birmingham Road and Birmingham Highway, Crossroads at Birmingham blends seamlessly into the picturesque Milton neighborhood, offering easy access to local shops, renowned restaurants, and expansive green spaces. Currently, there are three move-in ready village homes, ranging in price from
$849,000 to $1,120,000. Additionally, two stunning estate homes are available, starting at $1,799,000, offering an elevated level of luxury and sophistication.
Lakeside at River Green by the JW Collection, is a gated age qualified neighborhood that puts you at the center of it all. Connected to the flourishing master-planned community of River Green alongside beautiful Legacy Lake, this new 55+ neighborhood features luxury single-family homes in a setting of total serenity with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Currently, there are two-, three- and four-bedroom homes available all with finished terrace levels ranging in price from $754,900 - $799,900.
As part of the master-planned River Green community, you’ll enjoy
a country-club atmosphere rich with resort-style activities and amenities. Evermore, Lakeside’s brand-new 10,000+ sq. ft. clubhouse features an elegant club room, veranda, fitness center, yoga room, lounge, meeting rooms and boardroom, covered outdoor terrace, pickleball courts, fire pit and lake pier. Other amenities in River Green include resort/lap pools, a waterpark, tennis courts, playground, nature trails, and over 200 acres of green space.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division is proud to represent the sales and marketing for each of these exceptional new home communities. For more information on these neighborhoods and many others, please visit www.BHHSGaNewHomes.com. An equal housing opportunity.
LAKE
HOME Real Estate is opening a new office
Brought to you by – Allison Kloster, Associate
Broker, Home Real Estate
We are excited to introduce the expansion of HOME Real Estate with a new North Atlanta office in January 2025. HOME is a growing player in North Atlanta’s Luxury Real Estate market. HOME Real Estate is dedicated to bringing exceptional service and the full luxury experience to North Atlanta across all price points.
At HOME Real Estate , we believe that luxury is not defined by a price point — it's about providing unparalleled service , attention to detail , and a commitment to excellence with every transaction and with every client. Whether our clients are buying their first home or their dream estate, they will experience a level of care and expertise typically reserved for the luxury market.
Why We Are Different:
• Luxury Service for Every Client: From the first consultation to the closing table, we offer bespoke service to every client, no matter the price range. We treat every client with the same level of dedication, sophistication, and professionalism.
• A Unique Team Culture: At HOME Real Estate, we are more than a team — we’re a family. Our agents and leaders work together to support each other, share best practices, and elevate the experience for both clients and colleagues.
• Exceptional Leadership & Resources: With experienced leadership at the helm, we provide agents with the tools, training, and mentorship to succeed in today’s competitive market, while maintaining the highest standards of luxury service.
• Setting our clients up for success: For buyers and sellers, the big
difference is collaboration and custom, cutting-edge marketing. Comprised of the highest caliber of knowledgeable Realtors, HOME agents have close relationships with each other and long-standing relationships throughout the industry. This means our agents function more effectively as a cohesive unit. We recognized that the market was changing and getting our buyers into homes first was all about being in the know and community relationships.
• Exclusive Resources and Tools: From cutting-edge marketing tools to personalized business strategies, we provide everything for our agents to elevate their careers. Our office offers a modern, collaborative environment designed for top performers who want to make an impact.
• A Focus on Relationships: We believe in building lasting relationships with clients and within our team. Our
culture is rooted in respect, support, and a commitment to excellence. We have the freedom and resources to build our brand, expand our network, and work alongside some of the best in the business. We are passionate about helping our clients achieve their real estate goals.
The owners, Allison Kloster and Travis Reed, truly believe that HOME represents a new standard for both agents and clients that will revitalize the traditional business model with their vision to raise the expectations for both client and agent side.
HOME Real Estate – Offering the luxury experience at every price point. For more information, reach out to Allison Kloster. Allison@HOMEgeorgia.com 404-784-5287
North Atlanta’s best gets a new address
Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad
Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty
Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty is transforming the ‘live-workplay’ dynamic into something truly innovative for agents and clients with its upcoming move to Avalon. Set to open in January 2025, the new North Atlanta office will offer an unparalleled location in the heart of Alpharetta’s premier destination for luxury, innovation and connection.
With a cutting-edge design, a multimillion-dollar renovation and a collaborative workspace concept, this state-of-the-art experience center is poised to set a new standard for excellence and usher in a bold new chapter.
Here's what you can expect:
1. A prime location in Alpharetta’s hottest hub.
Avalon’s emphasis on lifestyle dovetails effortlessly with our company’s goal to support our clients in the pursuit of exceptional homes and lives. Nestled in Alpharetta, our new space embodies the area’s reputation for being at the heart of progress and connectivity, with unrivaled access right off GA-400.
2. An innovative design for a collaborative future.
Our multimillion-dollar renovation transforms the prime spot directly above Apple into a cutting-edge experience
center. Designed with a modern industrial aesthetic, the office breaks away from traditional layouts, featuring open clusters and collaborative workspaces tailored for creativity and client engagement. This forward-thinking approach mirrors the trends in commercial spaces, creating an environment that feels as welcoming and functional as home.
3. A new year with a bold new chapter.
Leading the market with recordsetting momentum heading into 2025, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty saw its highest closing sales volume to date in 2024. The new Avalon location represents the pinnacle of luxury and innovation in real estate while paving the way for one-of-a-kind opportunities in the year ahead.
The move to Avalon marks more than just a new address for Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty; it’s a bold step forward into the future of luxury real estate, connecting our new beginning to yours. For nine consecutive years, Appen Papers readers have recognized our company as the best residential real estate brokerage in North Atlanta. This state-of-the-art headquarters reinforces our company’s commitment to excellence as a leader in the North Atlanta market. We can’t wait to provide a warm welcome in a place where location, luxury and innovation converge to create one-ofa-kind experiences and lasting memories for agents and clients alike. Reach out to Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300 for all your real estate needs. We would be happy to assist you!
Compiled and edited by Angela Valente, Marketing Copywriter/Copyeditor
What truly defines a legacy?
Brought to you by - Estates Law Center USA
While many of us focus on passing down tangible assets, there’s a profound yet often overlooked aspect of estate planning: the ethical will. Unlike a traditional will that outlines the distribution of your possessions, an ethical will is a heartfelt document that conveys your values, life lessons, and personal reflections to your loved ones. Imagine crafting a letter filled with your hopes, dreams, and the wisdom you’ve gained throughout your life—an opportunity to share stories that shaped you, the values you hold dear, and the advice you wish to pass down. It’s not just about what you leave behind, but how you want to be remembered. In a world where material possessions can easily fade, the messages of love, resilience, and purpose carry lasting
weight. An ethical will invites your family and friends to connect with the essence of who you are, offering guidance and inspiration long after you're gone. Whether it’s sharing your triumphs, acknowledging challenges, or imparting lessons learned from mistakes, this document allows you to weave a narrative that transcends generations. So, why not take the time to explore this meaningful practice? Your legacy could be richer than you ever imagined. What stories or lessons would you want to share with your loved ones? Interested in learning more about wills and estate planning?
For A FREE Estate Planning Workshop
• Does my Will protect my “stuff”? (It does not.)
• Should I upgrade my Will to a Trust?
• What do I need to know about Revocable Living Trusts?
• How do I protect my assets for my family and legacy?
• How do I remain in control?
• How do I avoid losing everything to nursing home costs?
• How can my family avoid probate? December Workshops: Thurs., Dec 19 – 11 am Mon., Dec 23 – 12 pm (Lunch and Learn) Mon., Dec 30 – 4 pm
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At Newtown Hearing Center, we provide personalized service for all your hearing healthcare needs including hearing evaluations, tinnitus management (ringing in the ears), cognition screenings and more.
Schedule your appointment to receive a personal hearing evaluation and consultation.*
During your visit, you will also receive a live demonstration of the new Widex SmartRIC!
Holiday Better Hearing Event Now through December 20th. Schedule your appointment today!
HOLLY GEERDES
Elisa Bobbitt, AuD
Parking:
Continued from Page 1
drivers can pay for parking through an app.
The study also explores the structure of the Roswell Public Facilities Authority; estimates costs associated with the new paid parking structure; and in an attachment, offers a phased revenue model. City Councilman Allen Sells chairs the Public Facilities Authority.
There are 847 “city-controlled” parking spaces, according to the study. That includes more than 400 spaces in the City Hall lot, which is used by city staff.
In order to bring in $2.2 million in revenue from parking charges, which is assumed in the proposed $197 million fiscal year 2025 budget, the city would have to earn nearly $6.50 for all its controlled spots 365 days a year.
That’s if collections began Jan. 1, the first day the 2025 budget goes into effect. However, the city would likely need to install the technology and signage first, as well as hire the personnel to enforce paid parking.
The fiscal year 2025 budget will go before the council for adoption at its Dec. 9 regular meeting as well as adjustments to fiscal year 2025 fee programs.
The item was initially scheduled for a Nov. 26 special called meeting, but it was canceled to give the city’s new chief financial officer time to review the document and provide feedback.
The Nov. 26 meeting agenda included proposed fiscal year 2025 fees for community development, fire, water and transfer stations, but not parking.
Right now, the city has 26 paid parking spaces on Canton Street; 23 spaces on Elizabeth Street; 15 spaces in the East Alley lot; and seven spaces of East Alley on-street parking.
The first stage of the Initial Downtown Parking Management Plan, which suggests staggered implementation of enforcement, involves adding 205 on-street parking spaces to the downtown inventory, which includes on-street parking at City Hall; Mimosa Boulevard, north and south of Magnolia Street; Park Square Court; Forrest Street; and Ellis Street.
The second stage seeks to add 649 off-street parking spaces, including the Green Street gravel lot; West Alley; the City Hall lot; and the Visual Arts Center. The study says this stage requires a decision to choose among three management models — selfoperation, outsourcing to a vendor or a joint-venture model.
The third stage looks to the future, in consideration of additional paid parking at the Green Street deck; Hill Street and West Alley developments; the West Alley North Lot; as well as the Woodstock Soccer Complex at the Water Tower and Field lots.
The study concludes the Initial Downtown Parking Management Plan by noting the city’s need to make “sizable” investments in enforcement and technology, if its goal is to produce the “most significant and reliable revenue stream.”
Nov.
Lighting:
Continued from Page 1
which will run Dec. 13-15 at Innovation Academy.
Families were welcome to visit and get photos with an ensemble of holiday characters and performers. Artificial snow flurries, roaring fire pits and hot beverages offered at downtown cafes added to the seasonal atmosphere.
Lew said it was heartwarming to see the community gather in one place and a reminder of how connected the city is.
“Walking through the crowd,
Food donations
I saw families spanning multiple generations sitting together, overheard people running into friends and neighbors and kids playing together in the snow,” she said.
In coordination with North Fulton Community Charities, the city encouraged residents to give through donation bins and shelves. Through Dec. 15, you can drop off donations to the sites, which are located throughout the downtown.
“The tree lighting is one of Alpharetta’s most cherished traditions,” Mayor Jim Gilvin said. “It brings me great joy to see our community come together, sharing the spirit of peace, hope and love at the heart of the holiday season.”
You can donate to local families in need at 11 drop-off sites in Alpharetta. This year’s most needed items include peanut butter, pasta, canned soups, mac and cheese, canned fruit, oatmeal and toiletries. For more information on top pantry needs, please visit the North Fulton Community Charities website at nfcchelp.org. Monetary donations also can be made through the website.
• Alpharetta Adult Activity Center, 13450 Cogburn Road
• Preston Ridge Community Center, 3655 Preston Ridge Road
• Wills Park Recreation Center, 11925 Wills Road
• Corner of South Broad Street and Ga. 9
• Corner of South Broad Street and Market Street
• Corner of Milton Avenue and Canton Street
Indoor donation bins
Outdoor collection shelves
CITY OF ALPHARETTA/PROVIDED
Santa Claus visits with children at the 46th annual Season of Celebration
23 in downtown Alpharetta.
Rental:
from Page 3
balance with the ordinance. Horst said he rents his property to mainly visitors in town for family gatherings or work.
He also said he has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to improve the properties.
Rentals also can be used by residents during emergencies such as burst pipes and storms that leave their homes uninhabitable, he said.
“I think regulation will create unintended consequences costing the city residents money for monitoring/ enforcement, reducing tax revenues and negatively impacting local businesses as a result of its implementation,” he said in a letter to the city.
Alpharetta residents Meredith and Josh Avren, who operate rentals, agreed.
“We depend on the income from our two properties to help support our family and contribute to the local economy,” they said in a letter. “Like many in our position, we responsibly pay taxes on this income and work diligently to maintain our properties to earn five-star reviews and ensure a safe, welcoming environment for our guests.”
The couple pushed back on criticism that rentals sometimes host disruptive parties, saying those incidents were rare and can occur at any home.
“Current ordinances already address concerns about disturbances, and we — like other responsible hosts — have a vested interest in keeping our neighborhood safe and clean,” they said.
Council members said the ordinance is addressing real, long-standing concerns from residents, but they added they understand the importance of balancing the needs of renters and residents.
Councilman Donald Mitchell said it was important for council members to find a wholistic solution that allowed properties to be grandfathered.
“We're also setting something in place for the future that will respect our neighborhoods and respect HOAs and their desires for their community,” Mitchell said.
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100 most influential people #41 - #50
People and things that have impacted our world
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
Here’s another batch of names in my continuing series exploring the most influential people and topics in history
No. 41 Money
The pursuit of money as the end goal is toxic, and it makes the list. Pure capitalism without intervention can be just as destructive as it can be productive. There needs to be balance. Of course, much of the struggle between the two political parties centers upon the responsibility of society to provide for its citizens – who, how much, why, when. Observation: When the primary common denominator in a system, society, or organization becomes money, it will inevitably fail and implode upon itself. We are way down that road already.
No. 42: The “New Coke” (April 1985 to July 2002) Loyalty to the “old Coke” – the emotional attachment – was generally given as one of the primary reasons for the failure of “New Coke.” That is, Coke underestimated the brand loyalty to the “old” Coke. Points go to then Coke CEO Roberto Goizueta who had the guts to change the formula for Coke after 99 years of use. You don’t get to be CEO if you are afraid to roll the dice.
No. 43: Brands (see #42)
What do all these products have in common: Crest, Cascade, Comet, Zest, Pampers, Gillette, Tide, Febreze, Vicks, Charmin, Tampax, Head & Shoulders, Old Spice, Bounty, Scope, Pantene, Dawn, Ivory, Gain, Pepto Bismol, Mr. Clean? If you guessed that they are all Procter & Gamble brands you would be correct. Procter & Gamble has historically spent more money “brand advertising” than any other retailer worldwide. Brand advertising/consistency is a massively wise investment.
Ask someone to sit with you and write down the first thing that comes to mind as you read this list to them: “a toothpaste, a dishwasher detergent, a laundry detergent, a brand of toilet paper, a tampon brand, a brand of razor, a shampoo, something for upset stomach, a general-purpose cleaner.” See if 80 percent (or more) of the products they name are these - after decades and decades!
No. 44: “Apocalypse Now”
Francis Fords Coppola’s movie makes the list. It is arguably the “greatest” war movie of all time. What script writers come up with lines like these: “You’re an errand boy sent by grocery clerks to collect a bill”, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning,” “Who is the commanding officer here?” Soldier: “Ain’t you?” and my favorite, “Charlie don’t surf.”
The scene, complete with go-go dancers and CCR’s Susie Q blasting in the background – about “75 klicks above the Do Luong bridge” – Coppola’s rendition of Dante’s hell – is just one of many scenes that allowed “Apocalypse Now” to check more boxes than almost all other contemporary movies. Incidentally, while the movie
was inspired by Joseph Conrad’s 1899 novella “Heart of Darkness,” it is safe to say that the bulk of the script for Apocalypse Now was “borrowed” from Michael Herr’s seminal journal/book on Vietnam, “Dispatches.”
No. 45: Cast of “Apocalypse Now”
What can you say. I just want to see more movies with casts composed of acting gods. Coppola’s cast: Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Dennis Hopper, Laurence Fishburne, Harrison Ford, Robert Duval, Charlie Sheen and more.
No. 46: The Odds Online gambling is now legal. It is reported that one online betting platform has
already – one week prior to November 5 –taken in over $100 million in election bets. Another platform reports taking in $2.5 billion so far. From casinos to government lotteries, to now online betting, we seem to be increasingly allowing something that is inherently toxic into our humanity. Surely this won’t end well. All for the almighty buck.
No. 47: Pop-tops
The pull-top can, also called “ring-top,” was invented by Ermal Fraze in the early 1960s and discontinued in 1975 because too many people swallowed them or cut their fingers on them. Someone else figured out how to modify the tab so that it stayed on the can. So, it makes the list because it represents the good ole American “can-do” attitude.
No. 48: Bill Gates
I have mixed emotions adding Bill to the list. He now has some questionable history, it seems. On the other hand, he has channeled much of his wealth toward worthy outreaches, from poverty, health, agriculture, education, and more, to the benefit of millions, if not billions, of people worldwide. Another aspect of his impact on our world has been his efforts, along with Warren Buffet, to encourage other billionaires to commit to using their wealth to better the world at large. And no, Gates has not implanted chips in anyone, nor did he fund, plan, or initiate COVID 19. Come on people.
No. 49: Glenn Campbell, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Barbra Streisand, MJ Art, including especially music, surely is the counterbalance to the pursuit of money. Yes, money often ends up ruining those who create the art, but that art is the magic that reminds us who we are, grounds us, makes us remember what is important, and tempers so many of our default responses to the world in which we live. Art/music is our healing magic.
No. 50: COVID 19
What is there to say that we don’t already know? It changed everything. It killed millions. It came close to destroying the world’s economy. But how will we deal with the next pandemic? Vaccines work. Distancing helps stop the spread. But the pandemic became the epicenter of disinformation that is still out there. Perhaps the greatest victim of COVID 19 was the public’s trust in the federal government and especially the CDC. That can’t be, or we won’t survive the next pandemic.
OPINION
Sgt. Maj. Paul Hershey – a U.S. Marine, Part 1
BOB MEYERS
Sgt. Maj. Paul Hershey served in the Marine Corps for 29 years in a variety of hot spots throughout the world before retiring in 1994. His father served in the Army in World War II, and his brother flew the A-10 Thunderbolt (commonly known as the Warthog) and the F-15 fighter during wars in Vietnam and The Middle East. So, in a sense Paul Hershey was destined to serve his country.
He was a student at East Carolina University where he played football and baseball when his student deferment was due to expire in 1965. Rather than be drafted, he chose to enlist in the Marine Corps in Hampton, Virginia, where he grew up. Paul now lives in Milton and is a sought-after public speaker. In May 2023 he was the keynote speaker at Milton’s Memorial Day ceremony.
Before describing Hershey’s amazing military career, a few words are in order about the important rank of sergeant major in the Marine Corps where it is the ninth and highest rank for enlisted personnel. Some other military services also have sergeant majors, with slightly different names and different responsibilities.
In the Marine Corps, the rank is part of the command structure, meaning the sergeant major reports to the commanding officer (CO) of a unit such as a battalion, division or military base. The SgtMajMC advises the CO on matters concerning enlisted personnel from training to discipline to morale. He accompanies the CO when he goes to the battle front. Sergeant majors are senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) who are highly respected and who help guide and mentor younger members of the military whether male or female.
Upon enlistment, Hershey underwent
NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Marines riding on top of an M-48 tank cover their ears as the tank’s 90mm gun fires near Phu Bai, Vietnam.
States.
“They were very grateful and patriotic about their adopted country,” says Hershey.
When it was time to leave Vietnam, Hershey boarded a Navy ship to return to Okinawa when the ships received word to turn around and go to Cambodia.
In May 1975, Hershey participated in the U.S. response to the so-called Mayaguez incident when the American freighter Mayaguez and its 39-man crew were captured by gunboats of the Cambodian navy. Cambodia had fallen to the Khmer Rouge communist insurgents in the previous month. The American crew was imprisoned. President Ford sent Marines to attack the island of Koh Tang, where the prisoners were being held and ordered the bombing of the Cambodian port where the gunboats had come from. The crew was released.
rigorous basic training at Parris Island in South Carolina, where Marine recruits have been trained since 1915. Today, some 17,000 recruits are trained there every year.
Following basic training, Hershey was deployed to Vietnam. He says “Vietnam was just as bad as everyone says it was.”
During his tour he participated in numerous enemy encounters, including Operation Dewey Canyon, Operation Hastings and Helicopter Valley, Battles of Que Son Valley, Battle of A Shau Valley, Battle of Hue during the Tet Offensive, and other fierce battles.
It is probably safe to say that Marines were shot at almost every day of their Vietnam tours of duty. Unlike other wars, only teachers were given occupational deferments during the Vietnam War. Sadly, returning troops were often ostracized when they came home.
Hershey was wounded four times and spent a total of 11 months in the Dallas,
DEATH NOTICES
Mary Clark, 84, of Roswell, passed away on November 16, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Sharon Danville, 69, of Milton, passed away on November 23, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Texas, VA Medical Center and the Balboa Medical Complex in San Diego, which during the Vietnam War, was the largest military hospital in the world. Following his last hospital stay, he became a drill instructor on Paris Island. He arrived on Paris Island as a staff sergeant and while there was meritoriously promoted to gunnery sergeant, which advanced his career by six or seven years.
In late 1974 as Saigon was falling, Hershey went to Okinawa to link up with the 3rd Marine Division and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing for the Saigon “pullout” of American embassy employees, some South Vietnamese soldiers who had fought with the Americans and some civilians.
“We got everybody out in and did the closure of the embassy in April 1975,” Hershey says, “but it was mayhem. We even brought back a C-130 full of babies.”
Refugees were taken to Camp Pendleton for six months where they attended classes on American life and were then released into the United
Dwayne Hall, 62, of Roswell, passed away on November 19, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Stephen Ketterer, 94, of Alpharetta, passed away on November 18, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Before leaving the Far East, Hershey spent 18 months training Marines in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and the Japanese Defense Force at Marine Base Camp Fuji in Japan. Training consisted of low intensity combat (guerilla warfare, small unit tactics, suppressive fire, coordination between air and combat troops, etc).
During the Vietnam War, a division consisted of between 25,000 and 40,000 men. a regiment consisted of 11,000 to 18,000 men, and a battalion about 1,900 to 2,500 men.
Hershey left Vietnam in 1976. He was promoted to sergeant major in 1979.
In a future column I will outline some of Paul Hershey’s post-Vietnam assignments.
Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
Aubrey Lee, 76, of Roswell, passed away on November 16, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Stefan Weis, 77, of Milton, passed away on November 22, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Columnist
SGTMAJ HERSHEY
This portrait of Sergeant Major Paul Hershey was taken in 1992 following his tour in Vietnam when he was serving in Hawaii.
CITY OF ALPHARETTA
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The following items will be considered by the City Council on Monday, January 6, 2025 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
a. E-25-03 Reece/120 North Trace Driveway Exception
Consideration of an exception to allow a circular driveway with a reduced separation between driveways. An exception is requested from Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 2.5.6(B) Public Street Access, Driveways and Curb Cuts to allow 2 curb cuts on the same lot less than 300’ from each other. The property is located at 120 North Trace and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1125, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
b. E-25-02 The Maxwell Blade Sign Exception
Consideration of a sign exception to replace the monument sign allowance with a perpendicular sign. Exceptions are requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 2.6.3 Definitions to vary from the definition of a monument sign, UDC Subsection 2.6.11 (D) Standards for Monument Signs to allow a monument sign without a base, UDC Subsection 2.6.12 Requirements for NonResidential Zoning Districts to reduce the sign setback and increase the sign height. The property is located at 210 South Main Street and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 693, 694, 695 & 696, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
c. PH-25-01 Continuum Change of Condition
Consideration of a change to conditions of zoning related to the Continuum mixed-use development. The property is located at 5555 Windward Parkway and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 1186, 1187, 1190 & 1191, 2nd 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.
OPINION
Please tip your delivery person during holiday season of giving
HANS APPEN Publisher
The holiday season is a time for giving, gratitude and spreading cheer. As we gather with loved ones and reflect on the year gone by, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to recognize the hard work of those who make our everyday lives a little brighter. Among them are the dedicated individuals who deliver your free community newspaper each week.
Our newspaper delivery people work tirelessly to ensure you receive your paper promptly, no matter the weather. Whether it’s a crisp autumn morning, a snowy winter dawn or a rainy day, they are up early, making sure you have the latest news and stories delivered right to your driveway. Their efforts keep our community connected, informed and engaged.
Given their dedication and the extra challenges they often face — especially during the colder months — now is the perfect time to show your appreciation with a holiday tip. A small gesture of thanks can go a long way in making their season a little brighter.
Ways to tip your carrier
If you’d like to express your gratitude this holiday season, there are two simple ways you can do so:
To tip your newspaper delivery driver, go to appenmedia.com/deliverytip now through the end of the year.
1. Give online Visit appenmedia.com/deliverytip to give any amount. Many people choose to give anywhere from $10 to $50. Any amount is appreciated.
2. Mail a check
You can also mail a check made out to Appen Media Group and mail it to: Newspaper Delivery Tip C/O Appen Media Group 319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009
For many delivery people, this work is more than just a job, it’s a commitment to serving their community. Many of them work long hours and face challenging weather conditions, especially during the winter months. Your tip is not only a way to say "thank you" but also an acknowledgment of their consistent effort to keep you informed and connected to your community.
This holiday season, let's come together as a community to show our appreciation for those who make our lives a little easier. A small gesture can have a big impact, reminding us all of the joy and kindness that the holidays are all about.
Christ the Shepherd Church, 4655 Webb Bridge Road 30005. Saturday 12/7, 8am-12pm. HUGE! Used electronics: Computers, laptops, monitors, PS4, game systems, speakers, household appliances, power tools, etc.
Bilingual Food Pantry Supervisor
Bilingual Food Pantry Supervisor
Alpharetta law firm looking for part-time witnesses and notary. Must be available in person Mondays, Thursdays,
Alpharetta real estate attorney seeking part-time administrative assistant or paralegal. 2-3 days per week. Flexible schedule. $25 per hour. No experience necessary. Office located on Windward Parkway. Can start immediately. Email resume to jwbell30004@bellsouth.net.
Miscellaneous
The Food Pantry Supervisor supports all aspects of the Food Pantry including inventory control, receiving products, client orders, supervising and managing volunteers, entering data and creating reports and supporting client intake. The Supervisor is the primary backup support to the Food Pantry Manager.
The Food Pantry Supervisor supports all aspects of the Food Pantry including inventory control, receiving products, client orders, supervising and managing volunteers, entering data and creating reports and supporting client intake. The Supervisor is the primary backup support to the Food Pantry Manager.
The Supervisor must be proficient in Spanish and have the ability to work with a team in a professional manner within a fast paced environment. Good interpersonal communications skills are required and MS Office (Excel) experience is a plus. Must have the ability to work evenings & weekends, lift up to 42lbs, use a pallet jack, push and pull items, and be on your feet for several hours.
The Supervisor must be proficient in Spanish and have the ability to work with a team in a professional manner within a fast paced environment. Good interpersonal communications skills are required and MS Office (Excel) experience is a plus. Must have the ability to work evenings & weekends, lift up to 42lbs, use a pallet jack, push and pull items, and be on your feet for several hours.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
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