Alpharetta-Roswell Herald – December 27, 2018

D e c e m b e r 2 7 , 2 0 1 8 | N o r t h F u l t o n . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 3 6 , N o . 5 2

Local state senator faces fraud charge

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2 City weighs aid to tech nonprofit

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Judge steps down from ‘dream job’

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A look back at 2018 It’s that time of year again. The Herald hits the rewind button and looks back at most talked about and impactful stories of 2018 with our annual “Year in Review.” Read more, Pages 10-16.

1. City of Roswell, county and state officials celebrate the opening of Sun Valley Extension Drive in May. 2. Parks workers tend to one of the many trails within Alpharetta’s Wills Park. The city adopted a master

plan in October for future improvements to the downtown park.

3. Blessed Trinity completed an undefeated season and defended their status as state champions with the program’s second straight

Class 4A state title on Dec. 12.

4. Close to 300 people were on hand Oct. 4 for the grand opening of the Alpharetta Arts Center at the corner of Mayfield Road and Canton Street.

Ray Appen: Listen and learn a lot

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Public Safety

2 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Local state senator indicted for insurance fraud 770-442-3278 | NorthFulton.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 PUBLISHER Ray Appen

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com HALL COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Republican and state Sen. Michael Williams was indicted Dec. 18 on three charges for insurance fraud, false reporting of a crime and making a false statement.

In May, Williams reported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation a theft of computer equipment, totaling about $300,000, from his campaign office in Gainesville. The servers were used in mining cryptocurrency for Williams’ business.

The servers were housed in his campaign office, but not used

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Company loses $2,300 to utility bill scam

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police are investigating a Dec. 13 incident in which the Amy’s Natural Foods Warehouse on Old Alabama Connector Road was conned out of $2,300.

The manager said the previous day he received a call from someone claiming to represent Georgia Power. The caller said the company’s power would be cut off by noon if the store did not pay $2,300.

The manager was told to go to the nearby Valero Gas Station and pay the bill with a Bitcoin machine, which he did.

The next day, the manager called Georgia Power to ask about the bill and was told the transaction had been a scam.

Thief steals package weighing 200 pounds ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta man called police Dec. 15 after he realized a

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for the campaign.

Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh has confirmed the indictment and said Williams is working on turning himself in.

Williams’ spokesman said in May he believed the theft could have been politically motivated.

Williams has been the District 27 state Senator since 2014 and ran for governor this year.

He will vacate his seat in January to Greg Dolezal.

package that had been delivered to his front porch on Lantern Ridge Court was missing.

The man said the package was delivered between Dec. 11-12 while he was out of town. His wife was home during that time, but because the package waeighed 200 pounds, she was unable to move it into the house.

The last time the package was seen was at 6 p.m. on Dec. 14. It contained an entertainment center with a built-in fireplace and TV stand.

No surveillance footage was available.

Williams

Man sustains leg injury while unholstering gun ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta man was hospitalized Dec. 11 after accidentally shooting himself in the leg while removing his gun from its holster.

The man said that while he was at home he, as usual, took his gun out of the holster on his right hip. As he was moving it, the gun discharged.

A nearby woman heard the shott and called police. The man was taken to North Fulton Hospital.

No one else was injured.

Thief takes laptop, gun from parked vehicle

Knobs, handles stolen from construction site

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police are investigating a Dec. 13 incident in which several items were stolen from a man’s car parked at Pappadeaux on Davis Drive.

The man had parked at the restaurant at 6 p.m. and returned three hours later, only to see that his rear passenger side window had been smashed.

A leather backpack stored behind the front passenger seat was missing. The backpack contained a $1,500 laptop, a gun valued at $500, $300 in cash and a bottle of cologne valued at $120.

The glove box was also opened, but nothing was missing.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The construction manager for a homebuilding project on Canton Street called police Dec. 14 after employees noticed several knobs and handles had been stolen overnight.

The building had been secured and locked at 5 p.m. the previous night.

When workers arrived the next morning, they noticed $500 in handles and knobs were missing.

The door was still locked, but the construction manager said that because the door did not have a bolt lock, it could have easily been bypassed.

There were no cameras in the area.

See BLOTTER, Page 6

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4 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

City seeks clarity on its investment in Tech Alpharetta

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — City leaders are calling on Tech Alpharetta to deliver a clearer picture of its goals and an accounting of its return on investment as the government-supported nonprofit heads into a new year of operation.

The request came Dec. 17 as the Alpharetta City Council appropriated $18,700 in additional funding for the enterprise to cover administrative costs through June 2019.

For the past three years, the city has appropriated $125,000 annually to Tech Alpharetta through the Alpharetta Development Authority. In addition, this year, the city contributed $25,000 in sponsorship for the organization’s Ag Tech Conference of the South held in July. The city stepped in again to cover shortfalls when the Ag Tech Conference proceeds fell short of expectations.

This latest funding from the city comes with the caveat that the nonprofit report back with a roadmap to how it defines success and how it provides a return on the investment of taxpayer dollars.

“I’d like to see some understanding of what the deliverables are, and they send them to us so we can have this discussion of what the future of Tech Alpharetta is,” Councilman Jason Binder said. “I think it’s been a great story. I

I’d like to see some understanding of what the deliverables are, and they send them to us so we can have this discussion of what the future of Tech Alpharetta is.”

Jason Binder Alpharetta councilman think probably all of us are in support of it… But we need to come together on a discussion of what Tech Alpharetta’s going to grow to be.”

Tech Alpharetta’s funding had been scheduled to end in February. The additional funding will carry it through to June, when the city considers its fiscal year budget.

City Councilman Ben Burnett said this stop-gap fix will align the funding requests with other requests the city weighs during the budget process.

Tech Alpharetta sprang from the city’s creation of the Alpharetta Technology Commission in 2012. The commission consisted of a strategic advisory

board of local tech executives charged with identifying and promoting key investment opportunities for the local technology sector. The commission was granted nonprofit status in 2015 and changed its name to Tech Alpharetta in 2017.

In addition to its work promoting the tech industry and advising the city on tech-enhancing policies, Tech Alpharetta operates the Innovation Center where it provides guidance and assistance for startups.

It occupies space in the city’s former Fire Department headquarters on Academy Street. The city pays costs of building maintenance and utilities.

City Councilman Donald Mitchell said he’s worried Tech Alpharetta has fallen short of its understanding with the city that it develops into a self-sustaining operation that comes up with its own funding sources.

“I was on council when we started this,” Mitchell said. “We had every expectation that it would be up to par and that you all would be doing private funding as well. That really hasn’t happened.”

Tech Alpharetta CEO Karen Cashion told council members that the original agreement for funding with the city had been for three years with the hope that at that time the organization would have reached a point of raising its own funding base.

She said shortly after she joined as CEO in early 2017, ongoing conversations she and her board had with city officials indicated that self-sustainability was not attainable as long as the nonprofit ran an incubator operation.

“There isn’t actually a tech startup incubator in the metro area or in the Southeast that I’ve found that’s been able to operate, become financially self-sustainable without investor, corporate or municipal funding,” she said. “We’re subsidizing real estate for our tech startups in order to help them to grow and ideally succeed and move out into this community and grow their companies and their headquarters here.”

Cashion acknowledged that the conversations regarding self-sustainability were conducted with a city which now has a new mayor and at least three new council members.

She said when she first took the position, no fundraising had been done.

Within the first eight months, she managed to raise $45,000. This year, a combination of sponsorships for the Ag Tech conference and other fundraising initiatives combined to bring in $103,000.

“It is a primary focus of what I do on a day-to-day basis is reach out and try and cultivate sponsorships,” Cashion said. “I continue to see that as obviously a critical and essential role to being able to continue the organization.”

Alpharetta Lions Club gifts bullet-proof vests to police K-9s

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmeidagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta Police’s K-9 Unit is now better protected on the job, thanks to a donation by the local Lions Club.

The service organization chapter, now in its 65th year, presented two bullet-proof vests to the department on Dec. 20 at the Crooked Creek Golf Club.

The idea for the donation came from Lions Club member Joy Free, who now works as a 911 dispatcher in Alpharetta.

Two years ago, before Free’s current position, the City of Alpharetta presented the Officer of the Year award to Officer Mark Tappan, the K-9 unit trainer, Free said.

When she asked Tappan about what people could do to help the unit, he talked about the vests and how crucial they are for the K-9s.

The issue hit close to home for Tappan and his team on Dec. 16 when a K-9 in DeKalb County was shot in the head while pursuing a suspect accused of shooting and killing an officer during a traffic stop. The K-9, Indi, survived and the suspect was arrested, but the dog is now blind in one eye.

“He got shot doing what he did,” Free said. “The dog never gave up. The dog still held that person even after

being shot in the face. These dogs are loyal to the absolute T. They will do anything they can to protect.”

Originally, the group sought to raise $2,800 for one vest. But after fundraising efforts began in earnest this July, Tappan informed them he had found a newer, alternative vest that works better for the unit’s needs at almost half the cost.

The new vests are lighter and cooler, meaning the K-9s can wear them all the time instead of for only a few hours at a time, said Alpharetta Lion’s Club President Tony Pickens.

Tappan added that the new vests are also slash resistant and can absorb blunt force trauma.

The Lions Club was able to donate two of the new vests to Officer Brandon O’Donnell’s K-9 Drax and Officer Phil Ritchey’s K-9 Raider. Tappan won the same kind of vest for his K-9 Mattis earlier this year at a conference raffle.

The vests can be life saving for all of their dogs, Tappan said, even Raider, who is a single-purpose dog used for narcotics tracking.

Tappan said he was determined to get a vest for Raider after a recent incident in Virginia where a K-9 like Raider was shot and killed during a narcotics search.

“I’m always blown away by people who get together like this just to do good,” Tappan said. “Some people

Special

From left stand Alpharetta Lions Club President Tony Pickens, Alpharetta K-9 Mattis, Officer Phil Ritchey and his K-9 Raider, and Officer Brandon O’Donnell and his K-9 Drax.

think that the dogs are just another tool, but if you ask us, they’re so much more than just another tool. This is my best friend in the world. I spend more time with this dog than with any other person. And I think we need to protect him better, because he deserves that for what he does… This is an amazing thing, and this is going to make a huge difference.”

NEWS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 5

Visit Roswell names new executive director

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmeidagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Visit Roswell has announced a new executive director to take the place of long-time head Dotty Etris, who retires at the end of the month.

Atlanta-based Andy Williams has been selected from a pool of Williams almost 40 applicants across the United States and Canada.

He is expected to start his new role Jan. 1, 2019.

“I am very excited to begin meeting with community stakeholders to learn about everyone’s respective vision for Roswell — whether it is through the lens of a company, organization, attraction, or even on a local level with Roswell residents,” Williams said. “For me, it is not about tackling a particular issue, it is about building on the foundations that have already been established and continuing forward with great momentum.”

Williams is currently the director of Sales for Destination South Meetings + Events in Atlanta. He is a certified meeting professional through the Events

Industry Council as well as a travel meeting professional through the Southeast Tourism Society.

Williams has experience working in the Madison-Morgan Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as the Dunwoody Convention and Visitors Bureau.

He graduated from Young Harris College with an Associate of Science degree and from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in tourism and commercial relations.

Williams lives in Cumming with his wife and two children and plans to move into the Roswell area next year. He said he was drawn to the city by its nationally recognized dining scene, boutique shopping options and recreational opportunities.

“It was the obvious cohesiveness of the community that drew me to apply for the executive director position,” Williams said. “When you couple those with the development projects that are scheduled for the near future, there is really no better time to carry the responsibility of telling the Roswell story and doing it through channels that take Visit Roswell to the next level.”

He added that he hopes to bring new ideas and a fresh perspective to an industry that is always changing.

His understanding of the industry will be an asset as he leads the growth of Roswell’s tourism program. Andy’s blend of knowledge, professionalism and integrity will guide him to achieve great things, and I will be applauding his every accomplishment.”

Dotty Etris Retiring Visit Roswell executive director Williams will replace Etris, Visit Roswell’s first and only executive director since the organization’s inception in 1992.

“I am absolutely delighted with the selection of Andy Williams as my successor,” Etris said. “His understanding of the industry will be an asset as he leads the growth of Roswell’s tourism program. Andy’s blend of knowledge, professionalism and integrity will guide him to achieve great things, and I will be applauding his every accomplishment.”

The search for the new executive director was conducted by The Chason Group, a firm chosen by the Visit Roswell Search Committee. The committee

was comprised of several local business and community leaders, including Jim Harner, director of Human Resources for the City of Roswell; Lonnie Mimms, CEO of Mimms Enterprises; and Nancy Yilmaz, owner of the Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance.

“Andy has the technical skillset, creativity, and energy to move us forward in our effort to bring more visitors to Roswell,” said Ken Davis, chair of the Visit Roswell Search Committee and president of the North Georgia Region for Renasant Bank. “Coupled with his career experience in destination marketing, we are excited to have him lead our team.”

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6 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Blotter: Continued from Page 2

Police investigate theft of necklace from home ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police are investigating a Dec. 14 incident in which a woman reported a missing $400 necklace after an acquaintance visited her home on Cotton Patch Lane.

The acquaintance visited the house on Dec. 10 and eventually took a nap around noon. The woman said at this point, she went to the nearby grocery store to grab some food.

When the woman returned, the acquaintance was on his way out.

The woman was unable to find the necklace after the acquaintance left.

Woman receives citations for wrong vehicle tag ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police gave a woman three citations Dec. 9 after officers noticed the tag on her car was registered to another vehicle.

Officer were patrolling on North Point Parkway, south of Haynes Bridge Road, when they ran a tag check on the woman’s car. After the results came in, the woman was pulled over.

While talking to the woman, police noticed the smell of marijuana and found a partially smoked blunt on the floor.

A further check showed the woman’s car no longer had valid insurance.

The woman was cited for affixing a license plate with intent to conceal the identity of a vehicle, no valid insurance and operation of an unregistered vehicle.

Thieves remove 5 cars from auto dealership FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — An auto dealership reported five cars and a license plate were taken from their business off Jake Drive recently.

The owner of United Global Imports off Jake Drive told deputies two different areas on the building wall were used to gain entry to the business. One area was near the office where the keys to the cars were kept and the other was in the garage.

Five vehicles were taken, including a Lexus, Audi, Honda, BMW and Porsche, totaling about $110,000 in value. A tag was removed from a Mercedes in the parking lot.

Two sets of keys were found in the parking lot on the ground. Deputies discovered the thieves took 60 other sets of keys from a key box along with six titles to other cars taken from the shop.

The owner said he would review surveillance footage and report back to authorities.

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8 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

After 14 years, judge steps down from ‘dream job’ Campbell to end tenure in Fulton Superior Court

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — It took two quick decisions and a political miracle for Thomas Campbell to achieve his longtime goal of serving on the superior court bench.

The first quick decision happened while a junior at the University of Georgia in the early 1960s.He was summoned to the administrative office and told he had completed all his core classes and electives, and it was time to declare a major.

“I went to the university catalog, and there was everything from agriculture to zoology,” he said. “Nothing appealed to me except for the law and law school.”

Within a day, Campbell made his choice to pursue a career that would span more than 50 years and lead him to three judgeships and a seat in the Georgia House.

Campbell retires Dec. 31 as judge of Fulton County Superior Court, a seat he has held for 14 years.

Reflecting back from his home in Alpharetta, Campbell recalled one incident that changed his life.

While at UGA Law School, he attended a lecture given by Griffin Bell, a Georgia attorney and future U.S. Attorney General.

“I can’t remember what he said in his remarks, but from that day forward, I always thought that to be a superior court judge would be my dream — not an appellate court judge,” Campbell recalled.

“I wanted to be there, face to face with the people who were involved.”

Campbell, an Atlanta native, began his practice in 1965, setting up in Atlanta’s Five Points.

“I did something most law graduates won’t try today, which is to hang up your shingle,” he said. “What I wanted to do was have a small-town private law practice where I would identify with representing individuals, small businesses.”

That yearning spurred him to relocate to Roswell six years later where he opened an office on Canton Street.

“There were only five or six lawyers in town at that time,” he said.

Then something strange happened.

He saw an ad in the local paper advertising for a municipal judge in the tiny town of Mountain Park, just west of Roswell. Campbell talked it over with his wife, Martha, and applied.

Setting up his first court After an interview with the mayor and a city council member, he was of-

fered the post.

He recalled turning to the city leaders and asking, “By the way, where is your courtroom? They said, ‘That’s why we have you — to start a courtroom.’”

Campbell spent the first few weeks assembling a court. He used the community building for the space and commissioned the city clerk as clerk of the court and the city attorney as solicitor.

He even found a local volunteer to serve as bailiff. Neighbors in the community built him a bench, and all was set.

“We had a real court. It was a lot of fun,” Campbell recalled. “We met once a month on a Saturday. One of the first cases was a water meter violation, someone had messed with their water meter to get free service.”

Word got out about the new Mountain Park court, and a few years later, the small town of Ball Ground in Cherokee County tapped Campbell to work his magic there.

He jumped at the chance.

“It occurred to me when I was forming these municipal courts, this is ground zero, and I have an opportunity to be exposed to citizens and be able to explain to them every little thing that goes on in that courtroom,” he said.

“That was a real opportunity for me, being in that small setting.”

Tragedy prompts another quick decision In 1989, Roswell’s area representative to the Georgia House, Luther Colbert, died tragically in an auto accident.

Two days before the qualifying deadline to elect a replacement, several members of the Roswell Rotary Club, of which Campbell was a member, suggested he run.

“It wasn’t something I had aspired to do,” he said. “I’d never even thought about it, but I was encouraged by a lot of people in the community.”

There were eight contestants — seven who identified as Republican and one Democrat — in the non-partisan election. Campbell and the Democrat challenger finished at the top, forcing a runoff.

After a tough campaign, Campbell came out on top and took a seat under the Gold Dome later in the year. By law, he was forced to resign his seats as municipal court judge.

“After winning, I wondered “Now what am I going to do?’” he said.

A good question, because in 1989 state government was dominated by Democrats. There was little a freshman Republican House member could hope to accomplish.

Nevertheless, within the first few years, Campbell had authored and sponsored a crime victims’ bill that was signed into law. It called for victims of crimes to

PATRICK FOX/Herald

Superior Court Judge Tom Campbell reflects on a career that took him from private practice to the Legislature and to the courtroom. be notified when the person convicted is released or is granted parole.

Campbell said he proposed the legislation after hearing horror stories from crime victims.

An unexpected turn of events After 15 years in the Legislature, a political miracle happened that would define Campbell’s later career.

In 2002, Georgia elected its first Republican governor since Reconstruction.

That same year, the Georgia Senate went Republican, and the House followed two years later.

Campbell retired from the House before the 2004 election.

That same year, though, a door opened that Campbell never anticipated.

Elizabeth Long, who had served as judge for Fulton County Superior Court, retired after 10 years on the bench.

There are two ways to get on to the superior court bench. One is to run for election. The other is to be appointed by the governor in cases where a judge retires mid-term.

“About the time I was thinking about retiring, bingo the first Republican governor in over 100 years is elected,” Campbell said. “Then, Judge Elizabeth Long announced she was retiring early.

I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, the stars are lining up,’ so I put in my name for consideration.”

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue named Campbell to the seat, fulfilling a dream he says he never thought would happen.

He took his seat in May 2004.

“It was everything I’d hoped it would be,” he said. “To serve in that way was my lifetime dream.”

Campbell said he valued the fact that, in this country, judges have enormous powers — the power to take life, the power to take property, the power to grant custody of children. Being able to exercise that power with fairness and consideration to the people involved, he said, was the greatest reward.

Now, on the cusp of retirement, Campbell reflected on what he left behind.

“The lawyers who practiced before me and the members of the staff at the courthouse — I’ve been approached by them lately — and they say they were most impressed by the fact I was always fair to both sides,” he said.

As for the future, Campbell said he has no big plans.

“I want to continue with public service, possibly volunteer work,” he said.

“The next phase in my life is a story yet to be told. I look forward to it.”

COMMUNITY

Local theater presents ‘Moonlight and Magnolias’ ROSWELL, Ga. — Georgia Ensemble Theatre, the professional North Fulton theatre company, will bring in the new year with its third mainstage show, the comedy “Moonlight and Magnolias.”

Directed by Associate Artistic Director James Donadio, the production is sponsored by Macy’s and will run Jan. 10-27, 2019 at the company’s home in the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St. “Moonlight and Magnolias,” is written

by Ron Hutchison.

The show takes place in 1939, when Hollywood producer David O. Selznick is trying to make the over-sized movie that is “Gone With The Wind.”

It’s been cast with stars, and the cameras need to start rolling, but there’s one major hiccup — he has no script.

Selznick decides to lock himself, director Victor Fleming (who he pulls off of “The Wizard of Oz”), and screenwriter Ben Hecht, who hasn’t even read the book, in his office with nothing but bananas and peanuts and a typewriter.

Loosely based on a true story, the show is an homage to the men behind the American movie classic.

The show does have some mature language and content.

Tickets start at $29 and are on sale now at get.org or 770-641-1260.

Realtor breakfast set for Jan. 18 ROSWELL, Ga. — The City of Roswell’s Environmental/Public Works and Community Development Departments will host a Realtor and Property Manager Workshop and Breakfast on Jan. 18.

Realtors and property managers working in Roswell are encouraged to attend to learn more about ordinances and resources that affect residential real estate.

The workshop will take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in Room 220 at Roswell City Hall, located at 38 Hill Street in Roswell. A continental breakfast will be served to attendees.

Some topics to be discussed include: • When permitting is required from the Community Development Department • Ordinances that realtors, managers and potential buyers should be aware of • How to set up city services, billing, and extent of services • Resources and beneficial programs available to homeowners To RSVP, contact Vicki Culbreth at vculbreth@roswellgov.com or 770-6413742.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 9

10 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

YEAR IN REVIEW

Roswell citizens let their voices be heard in 2018 During one of the many City Council and work session meetings I’ve covered this past year, a consultant told the City Council that Roswell has one of the most engaged citizenry Julia Grochowski they’d ever seen.

And this year, RoReporter julia@appenmediagroup.com swell residents made it abundantly clear that they’re not afraid of taking matters into their own hands.

Anyone reading this is probably thinking by now about the infamous tennis center — a massive project that would have taken a 60-acre chunk out of the much-beloved Big Creek Park.

The outpouring of protests, both online and in person, did more than shut down the project faster than any before it.

Its specter is still felt months later and has been used as a rallying cry to unite citizens.

The tennis center may have come and gone, but I see Roswell’s active and engaged residents at almost every meeting and event I go to — from the red shirt protests to the open mic nights and town halls.

Canton Street parking, one of Roswell’s biggest issues, has finally gotten some improvement — small, but still some — after decades of discussion. But the dozens of new parking spots available, some at odd hours, would not have been possible without all of the work from local business owners and community members working to make this a top priority at City Hall.

And I doubt they’re finished.

Roswell residents may not have the time to attend every City Council meeting. But when an issue cuts into the heart of what they hold dear, they move.

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12 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

YEAR IN REVIEW

Election 2018: Blue wave crosses North Fulton shores

By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. — In November’s midterm elections, Democrats claimed Georgia’s 6th U.S. Congressional District and made gains in the Legislature in the once staunchly Republican North Atlanta suburbs.

From 2000 to 2016, Republicans won every race for the 6th district by double digits, but this year Democrat Lucy McBath narrowly edged out incumbent Republican Karen Handel.

Several races were too close to call on election night, and the Secretary of State race was sent into an early December runoff.

The Republican Brad Raffensperger

Carson Cook/Herald

Election signs for candidates line the sidewalk near Messiah Lutheran Church in Johns Creek Nov. 6. won the runoff, but his open seat in the state House was claimed by a Democrat when Angelika Kausche edged out Republican Kelly Stewart. Kausche said

her victory is a sign the district has become more moderate and that voters want compromise.

“The times where Republicans could

rely on 60, 70, 80 percent wins are really, really over, and so that means that there is a mandate from the Georgia people to say ‘You know what? We want you to work together,’” she said.

In other open races, Democrat Zahra Karinshak won Georgia Senate District 47, and Democrat Josh McLaurin captured State House District 51. Incumbent Republicans state Sen. Brandon Beach (District 21), Sen. John Albers (District 56) and Rep. Chuck Martin (District 49) held on to their seats.

Democrats Mary Robichaux in House District 48 and Beth Moore in House District 95 managed upsets of Republican incumbents. In Roswell’s District 48, Robichaux’s race against Betty Price was decided by fewer than 200 votes.

Alpharetta 2018: City ushers in new leadership with new direction

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — It was a whirlwind year for Alpharetta government.

The city had three mayors in a four-month period, and the City Council welcomed two new members.

Longtime City Councilman Jim Gilvin defeated fellow council member Chris Owens in a special election May 22 to fill the seat vacated by Mayor David Belle

City revises parking plan for downtown businesses The prospect of downtown business growth moved forward in March, when the four-member Alpharetta City Council adopted a final management plan for parking within the district.

The new plan expanded the number of city-owned spaces that impose time limits, and it set a fee for new and expanding businesses who fail to provide adequate parking on their own property.

The revised code sets a paymentin-lieu fee commercial property owners must pay for each space they do not provide on their own property. The fees are set up on a graduating scale whereby the city charges $4,500 for the first five spaces. Fees increase to $8,000 each for the next 15 spaces, and so on.

The plan had been in the works for months and had delayed consideration of at least one major project planned in the Downtown District.

Within a month of its passage, the City Council approved variances to allow for a 3-story, mixed-use building on property at 55 and 61 Roswell Street in Downtown Alpharetta.

The building will include office, retail and restaurant uses. Plans also call for

Isle, who resigned to run for state office.

The mayor’s race featured two candidates locking horns over how the city would proceed with development and transportation issues in the coming years.

Gilvin posted a 460-vote advantage over Owens, winning 54 percent of the vote, compared to Owens’ 46 percent.

Both candidates had resigned their seats on the council, leaving the city with four elected officials.

During those months from late February to late May,

restoration of the historic Skelton-Teasley House located on the property. The developer also agreed to make a onetime contribution to the city’s Downtown Parking Fund to offset required parking that is not being accommodated onsite.

Council tightens reins on new developments Alpharetta began applying more pressure on new development this year, beginning in May, when the four-member City Council conditioned to death a high-density residential development planned at North Point Parkway and Kimball Bridge Road.

The applicant, 1699 Land Company, pulled their request after more than 90 minutes of deliberation when Alpharetta officials tacked on conditions that backers found untenable.

The developer had sought approval to change the site’s land use from “corporate-office” to “high-density residential” in order to build 56 single-family homes on the property.

And, in October, the City Council tabled a rezoning request that included a height exception on two large office buildings planned for Old Milton Park-

Councilman Donald Mitchell filled in as mayor pro tem.

The May election also drew candidates for the two open seats on the City Council.

Former Alpharetta Planning Commission member Karen Richard outpaced North Fulton Chamber executive Katie Harding for the Post 3 Council seat, garnering 59 percent of the votes.

In the Post 4 Council race, former Planning Commission member John Hipes took 55 percent of the vote over retired executive Clifford Martin.

way near downtown. The applicant, Kairos Development returned a week later with revised plans conceding another 4 feet in height from 48 feet originally requested. That plan was approved.

New facilities recognize arts, cultural community After more than four years in the making, doors opened April 26 on the new Alpharetta and Old Milton County History Museum in City Hall.

The museum is the combined work of the City of Alpharetta and the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society and features displays tracking the area’s history from its earliest days up to the present. The history room will occupy space in the first floor of City Hall, and was marked for that purpose in the building’s original plans.

On Oct. 4, more than 300 people passed a freshly cut ribbon to get their first look at the new $3.3 million Alpharetta Arts Center.

Local, county and state dignitaries hailed the event, commenting that the transformed building, which once served as a Fulton County Library branch, will now transform the community.

City officials pass plan for Wills Park upgrades The community spent much of the summer and fall coordinating with city consultants on future plans for Wills Park.

In October, city officials adopted a master plan for the main park, an extensive redesign that includes redesign of the layout and expansion of some of the park’s amenities. The upgrades will take place over the course of the next decade and beyond.

Some of the major changes called for in the plan include: a dominant east-west walkway through the park that touches nearly all the amenities; a renovation and expansion of the community center on the east side of the park; new outdoor basketball courts to the south of the community center, replacing those existing farther to the west; and expanding the size of the dog park at its current location.

Then, in December, the City Council adopted a separate master plan for the 50-acre Wills Park Equestrian Center.

The plan actually includes two separate courses for future upgrades, but both call for an additional arena with additional covered seating between it and an expanded existing arena. It further calls for renovating the existing covered arena and adding shade pavilions.

YEAR IN REVIEW

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 13

JULIA GROCHOWSKI/Herald

Hundreds of local residents packed Roswell City Hall in August to protest plans for a 60-acre tennis facility at Big Creek Park. The item was removed from the agenda before the meeting, so members of the public had no opportunity to speak on the issue.

Roswell 2018: Residents mount campaign to oppose tennis center ROSWELL, Ga. — Plans for a 60-acre tennis center in Big Creek Park were cancelled in August after the proposal set off waves of protest.

The proposal was announced Aug. 9, and over that weekend, residents organized at least two protests and a change.

org petition with more than 26,000 signatures against the concept.

That Sunday, the proposal was taken off of the Monday night City Council meeting agenda, meaning people were unable to discuss it at the meeting.

The city held a town hall inviting

Police Department faces investigation This summer saw major upheaval in the Roswell Police Department, culminating in the retirement of Police Chief Rusty Grant in December.

Grant’s announcement follows several controversies that hit the department earlier in the year. Videos surfaced showing incidents involving on-duty officers violating or stretching standard practices.

The first incident — and by far the most widely circulated — involved a video showing two officers using a coin flip app to decide the fate of a woman pulled over for speeding.

A few days after the video was released in July, the two officers were placed on leave and eventually fired.

The incident led Grant to call for an independent analysis of his department.

A few days later, more videos surfaced, one showing a K-9 ignoring his handler and repeatedly biting a teenager.

Another showed a 13-year-old boy intentionally being kept in an open car during a biting cold evening, and muted body camera footage showing an off-duty officer pulled over for DUI but eventually released.

The City of Roswell hired the Center for Public Safety Management in September to provide a comprehensive, top-down gap analysis of the department.

Sun Valley Drive Extension opens A new roadway opened May 3, connecting the busy Mansell Road and Ga. 9 corridors.

Known as the Sun Valley Extension, the project

public comment on the issue nearly two months after the plans were shot down.

The 135-court project, would have been developed by

helps alleviate traffic challenges by extending Ga. 9 east to Warsaw Road with a new, single-lane roundabout located at the entrance to the Creekside at Mansell and Regency at Mansell neighborhoods.

The Sun Valley Drive Extension is a complete street that can accommodate bikes, cars and pedestrians. It has 11-foot-wide travel lanes, four-foot-wide bicycle lanes, five-foot-wide sidewalks on the southern side and an eight-foot-wide multi-use path on the northern side.

The project was constructed by Vertical Earth, Inc., with construction starting November 2015. The total cost was approximately $4.33 million.

This is Phase I of a larger Sun Valley project. Phase II will connect Old Ellis Drive with Old Roswell Road to improve east-west access in the area. Phase III will continue Phase I across Ga. 9 to reconnect with Houze Road.

Visit Roswell selects new director Visit Roswell announced Dec. 12 it has hired a new executive director to replace long-time head Dotty Etris, who retired at the end of December.

Andy Williams of Cumming was selected from a pool of almost 40 applicants from across the United States and Canada. He is expected to start his new role Jan. 1, 2019.

Williams is replacing Etris, Visit Roswell’s first and only executive director since the organization’s incep-

Roswell residents Vernon and Marie Krause in honor of their daughter Angela Krause, who passed away at age 29 from a rare form of non-smokers lung cancer. Angela was an avid tennis player and member of the UGA club tennis team.

tion in 1992.

Etris, along with Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO and President Janet Rodgers, is well known for co-founding the Hospitality Highway initiative for Ga. 400, which has earned several state and regional awards over the years.

Etris said she is looking forward to spending more time with her family, including her son, daughter and three grandchildren.

East Alley enhances Canton Street After almost seven months of construction, the new East Alley on the west side of Canton Street was opened on April 19, just in time for the first Alive in Roswell of 2018.

Located behind Ceviche and Zest, East Alley is the “L” shaped alley intersecting the west side of Canton Street and the south side of Norcross Street in Roswell.

The new improvements added new business entrances, enhanced landscape features, new lighting and a walkable pathway. It also provided new dining courtyards and plaza.

The space opened up a new venue, Gallery Alley, for the city’s monthly street festival Alive in Roswell.

East Alley brought 18 new parking spots to the area, with a parking fee schedule, right along Canton Street. The City Council voted at its April 9 meeting to install a solar-powered kiosk to register vehicles for parking.

14 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

sports year in review :

YEAR IN REVIEW

State titles, deep runs highlight 2018 area sports

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com

all record in two seasons, including two playoff berths and the program’s first playoff win in 15 years. Perry has the highest winning percentage (65 percent) of the Knights’ six head coaches.

Blessed Trinity football defends state title Blessed Trinity completed an undefeated season and captured its second straight Class 4A state football championship in December.

The Titans downed eight teams ranked in the top-10 of their respective classes and captured their fifth region championship in six years in 2018.

BT earned the title Dec. 12 by downing previously unbeaten Cartersville, 23-9, in the state finals.

The team’s seniors compiled a 52-5-1 overall record in their four seasons which included three state finals appearances.

Alpharetta sports program wins state Director’s Cup

Alpharetta girls soccer captured the program’s first state championship in May with an incredible playoff run as the No. 4 seed from Region 7-AAAAAA.

Roswell football wins region championship Roswell football completed an impressive turnaround season from its 3-8 mark in 2017, winning the Region 4-AAAAAAA championship and compiling a 9-2 overall record.

The Hornets opened the season with four wins, including a thrilling win over rivals Milton with a touchdown in the final seconds. After dropping their final non-region contest against Wheeler, Roswell went undefeated in region play, including a 32-31 win over top-5 ranked Walton on Oct. 19.

Alpharetta girls soccer wins 6A state title Alpharetta girls soccer won the program’s first state championship in May behind a remarkable playoff run.

The Raiders’ title run almost never happened. The team earned the No. 4 seed from Region 7-AAAAAA on a tiebreaker. In the playoffs, the Raiders went on the road in each contest and knocked off three of the top teams in the state, including Harrison, Grovetown and Johns Creek. Alpharetta then beat previously undefeated Glynn Academy, 3-2, in the Class 6A finals to complete its championship run.

Titans lacrosse sweeps state championships Blessed Trinity girls and boys lacrosse swept the Class A-5A state championships in May. The girls won their third

Blessed Trinity completed an undefeated season and defended their status as state champions with the program’s second straight Class 4A state title on Dec. 12. straight title, while the boys hoisted their program’s first state championship trophy. The girls went 20-2 in 2018 and defeated Starr’s Mill, 15-7, in the state finals at Kennesaw State University.

The boys earned their title with a dramatic, comeback win over Greater Atlanta Christian. The Titans trailed 4-3 in the fourth period before scoring three unanswered goals and holding off GAC in the final minutes.

Blessed Trinity’s Harlin named to Hall of Fame Blessed Trinity head baseball coach Andy Harlin was named to the Georgia

Dugout Club Hall of Fame in January.

Harlin has been a head coach for St. Pius X and Blessed Trinity for 29 years and he ranked 13th in the state for most career wins (568).

Harlin has led Blessed Trinity to eight region championships, two state runner up finishes and three state championships since he took over the program in 2003.

After playing for Harlin at BT, more than 60 players have gone on to play at the collegiate level, and multiple graduates, including Tyler Flowers, Cody Roberts, Nathaniel Maggio, Bret Marks, Jake Skole, Drew O’Neil and Matt Skole, have signed contracts with MLB teams.

Centennial announces major coaching changes Two major head coaching positions at Centennial changed hands this year.

For the boys basketball team, Centennial graduate and former Knights’ player Matt Barksdale returned to the school over the summer to take over the program. Barksdale, a 2005 graduate, spent five years with LEAD Academy in Tennessee prior to accepting his position with the Knights.

Following an 8-3 season in 2018, football head coach Michael Perry announced his resignation to join the East Hall program.

Perry led the Knights to a 15-8 over-

Alpharetta earned the top prize for its successes in all sports this summer by winning the school’s first Director’s Cup. The award goes to the school that earns the most points from its eight most successful sports throughout the athletic year.

Alpharetta earned recognition for being the top overall program for boys and girls sports.

Alpharetta captured the girls soccer state title and finished as state runner up in volleyball and boys track and field. The Raiders were also boosted by deep playoff runs in baseball, boys soccer, football and top-10 finishes in boys and girls swimming in the 2017-18 academic year.

Roswell boys basketball ends playoff win drought Roswell boys basketball ended its seven-year playoff win drought in February to cap a successful 2017-18 season for the Hornets.

Roswell compiled a 17-12 overall record and finished second in the Region 4-AAAAAAA tournament.

The Hornets won their first playoff game since 2011 on Feb. 17 with a 6249 win over Hillgrove at home.

Raiders baseball completes memorable playoff run Alpharetta baseball made history in May, reaching the state semifinals for the first time in program history.

The Raiders earned the No. 2 seed from Region 7-AAAAAA entering the playoffs.

After dispatching Lanier in the first round, the Raiders advanced to the quarterfinals with a dramatic, walk-off win the ninth inning of Game 3 against Alexander.

Alpharetta secured its first trip to the semifinals by downing Greenbrier in its three-game series.

The Raiders dropped their semifinals matchup to Allatoona to end their historic run.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 15

THE HILARIOUS STORY BEHIND HOLLYWOOD’S MAKING OF

BY RON HUTCHINSON

“Frankly my dear… this is one funny play!”

Photo Credit: Daniel Parvis Pictured L-R: Bart Hansard, William S. Murphey, Googie Uterhardt

NY DAILY NEWS

JANUARY 10 - 27, 2019

At the Roswell Cultural Arts Center - 950 Forrest St., Roswell, 30075

YEAR IN REVIEW

16 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018

Emory Johns Creek Hospital sets sights on expansion

By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com

Business story of the year:

City Center rollout ushers in new downtown Alpharetta

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — After eight years in the making, Alpharetta’s City Center began rolling out its attractions in 2018.

For close to a year, the six-block area along Main Street remained mostly hidden behind a blue tarp while construction on the $85 million private phase went on. The public portion, which included a new City Hall, a fourlevel parking deck and a new library branch, was completed in 2014 and was part of a $29 million bond project passed by local voters in 2011.

Through late November, 13 shops and three restaurants were open with more to follow in the weeks ahead.

The six blocks now contain 10 freestanding restaurant buildings in 2.5 acres of parks and greenspace along Main Street, a 36,000 foot office building, now the headquarters of DataScan, 45,000 square feet of ground floor retail shops, 168 luxury apartments by a partnership of South City Partners and Morris & Fellows and 40 single family homes by Hedgewood Homes.

Halcyon sets opening date for March 2019 FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — In May, it was announced that by the spring of 2019, Forsyth County will be home to one of the most anticipated mixed-use villages in its history.

Halcyon, a $370 million development, sits on 135 acres along McFarland Parkway off exit 12 on Ga. 400 and is planned to open March 23, 2019.

There is a growing list of restaurants and retailers that will be at Halcyon, including three distinct eateries from renowned chef Marc Taft: CO-OP Community Table + Bar, FEED Fried Chicken + Such and a burger restaurant. In

The project was named recipient of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Development of Excellence Award for Context-Sensitive Town Center Development. The award, announced in November, recognizes the project for its attention to historic detail in its design.

Cheri Morris, president of Morris & Fellows, which headed the retail portion of the development, said City Center has had a huge and immediate impact on the development patterns of the entire area. Up until now, she said, area development has followed along Ga. 400, observing the usual pattern of classic urban sprawl.

Two-thirds of all the homes being built in Alpharetta are within a halfmile walk of downtown, she added.

“There were no development or redevelopment projects in downtown [Alpharetta] in the two decades before City Center,” Morris said. “There are now 31 active downtown projects. The sprawl projects that might have happened along a highway are now happening in the urban core. It’s a much healthier, much more human-centric way to live.” addition, Hog Island, MidiCi Neapolitan Pizza, Cocina & Taqueria, Butcher & Brew, Never Enough Thyme and Cherry Street Brewpub have all announced they will be part of the development.

A Market Hall concept similar to Ponce City and Krog Street markets, will feature Kilwins ice cream, TOCAYO, Sweet Tuna, Gu’s Dumplings, Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee and Pita Mediterranean Street Food. All tenants have been secured.

CMX Theater will open a 10-screen, 38,000-square-foot cinema. Two hotels will open, including an Embassy Suites

by Hilton at Halcyon with 152-rooms and a conference room.

The development will also include

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Emory Johns Creek Hospital made improvements to its emergency care and announced plans for a two-story expansion in 2018.

The hospital is planning an estimated $61 million expansion that would add two stories to the main hospital building. The expansion will be 84,000 square feet and add a fifth and sixth floor to the facility.

The sixth floor will provide additional clinical space, including 21 inpatient medical beds and 19 observation beds.

The fifth floor will primarily provide nonclinical space, such as offices, conference rooms, physician sleep rooms and storage space.

A two-chair inpatient dialysis room will also be constructed on the fifth floor to treat patients with kidney disease.

Emory Johns Creek has received state approval for expansion of the hospital, including adding two new floors, and gone through the rezoning process in Johns Creek to allow for additional patient beds.

Since it opened more than 10 years ago, Emory Johns Creek Hospital has seen significant growth. In 2007, it saw 2,793 patients, this year the number was 7,945. When it opened Emory Johns Creek hosted 13,000 emergency visits; now, it sees 29,000 per year.

“We are greater than 92 percent full,” Emory Johns Creek CEO Marilyn Margolis said in a Nov. 26 Johns Creek City Council meeting. “We have deployed ev690 residential units.

Halcyon is also developing an extension to the Big Creek Greenway with a paved and lit parking lot, restrooms and a trailhead.

Parking woes persist in downtown Roswell ROSWELL, Ga. — Canton Street parking, an issue plaguing the city for decades, has seen some headway under Roswell’s new mayor and city council.

Several businesses have met with the city over the past year to ask for help, stating that lack of parking has been driving customers away from downtown Roswell.

ery bit of space in each of our 110 beds and these are not enough to accommodate our growth.”

To meet this increased demand for care, Margolis has announced several upcoming improvements Margolis beyond the facility expansion. The hospital will hire new specialists and other physicians, expand labor and delivery care, purchase a third surgical robot and other technology, renovate the pharmacy and build a parking garage.

“Now, in order to really bring the total picture into the hospital, we need to add 40 beds within the next two years to match the services of the patients that we’re seeing,” Margolis said in a city zoning meeting. “These 40 beds are mostly oncology patients, cardiology patients and pulmonary patients. That’s what the City of Johns Creek is showing us is their need, and that’s what we want to add on the sixth and fifth floor.”

To improve care in the meantime, in September the hospital opened a new fast track program in its emergency department to reduce waiting room times.

The seven fast track beds are staffed by a mid-level practitioner and nurse at all times. The area provides medical care for patients with minor illnesses and injuries such as ear aches, cough symptoms, sore throat, back pain, minor lacerations, bites, stings and allergic reactions, rashes and prescription refills.

Parking ultimately was cited as one of the main reasons for one of Canton Street’s oldest residents, Ann Jackson Gallery, pulling up stakes and relocating to Alpharetta Street after 47 years at its old location.

The city is in the process of exploring long-term options. In the meantime, several lots have been opened. The Hagan Property lot, in the heart of Canton Street, agreed to open 84 of its parking spots for public use outside of business hours. And the new East Alley, opened this spring, brought 18 new spots.

The city has also floated several ideas to open up more parking, including linking the parking lot at City hall with a bridge or underpass.

BUSINESSPOSTS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 17

People are better than ideas “People are better than thoughts, they are just harder to control.”

I heard someone say something like that about 15 years ago. I didn’t really know what he meant. I was a Geoff smith contractor rebuilding Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com a bay window that had decayed from years of wood-rot. We found that the rot had spread into the interior walls in his dining room and I was trying to explain how if we didn’t replace it while we were working on the bay window, it was just going to keep getting worse.

I wasn’t very good at reading people back then. In my mind it all made perfect sense that he should have us pull off sheetrock in the dining room, build a temporary support for the second story, and start replacing studs until we got past the rot.

But he kept telling me different reasons why he didn’t want me to do it.

It would take too long and they had family coming in town the following week.

And besides, they might only stay in the house another year or so. In my mind, there was no good reason to not do the work. But we fixed the bay window and I left there stupefied.

Looking back on that deal, I think the issue actually was that he didn’t have the money to pay for it – which I think he was trying to indirectly tell me in the way that he expressed his other excuses. But I didn’t notice it because I was focused on what he said, not how he said it.

When settling up with him after fixing the bay window, I took one last run at defending my thoughts about the dining room wall. I went through the whole diatribe. When I was done, he handed me a check and before shutting the door said, “Yeah, well I like people better than thoughts.”

NSW NORTHSIDE WOMAN

As a businessman, it’s too easy to fall into the trap of looking at my clients merely as next month’s paychecks.

I remember thinking that it was such an odd thing to say. It stuck with me. And as I am now 15 years wiser, operating in the world we live in and welling with excitement about Christmas with my wonderful wife and two boys, I look out at my brothers and sisters in this world and that man’s comments ring true.

As a businessman, it’s too easy to fall into the trap of looking at my clients merely as next month’s paychecks. I need to constantly remind myself to look at each one on a personal level and really try to find them the mortgage that makes the most sense for them. Or tell them that maybe it’s best to wait if that’s the best course.

As someone with political leanings, it’s too easy to see everyone as simply a Republican or Democrat. It’s too easy to stick them in a category and assume they are nothing more than a list of political philosophies instead of a mother, a father, a husband or a wife.

Or what about those people born sometime between 1980 and the mid1990s? You know, the ones who want everything done for them, while sitting on their pillows in their tiny homes getting fanned while staring into their smartphones? Those millennials get a bad rap. I do a lot of mortgages for them and really, I’ve found the ones I’ve worked with to be relatively frugal.

And despite experts constantly telling me they want to do everything online, I’ve found that more than any other age group, millennials prefer to come into the office to meet with me

personally.

It’s too easy to categorize every person you meet. But I will tell you, it is liberating to talk to someone without caring about their opinion regarding the wall. Or talk to them without the responsibility of trying to craft an argument as to why I feel that Kavanaugh should or should not have been put on the Supreme Court.

I’m reminded of another phrase my father used to say to me when I was young: “Smarty, smarty had a party and no one came but smarty.” Well I will tell you folks, especially this time of year, I’m looking for the parties. If we can’t celebrate with one another and enjoy each other, then what are we really working toward? If you don’t know how to enjoy the things that make life wonderful, then I’m not trusting that you know where to lead me.

So please have the happiest of holidays everyone. Let’s look for each other around town and let’s be together in 2019. Cheers!

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

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

Identify your strengths and weaknesses Have you taken some time to consider what you do best in running your small business? How about things that you know aren’t your strengths?

Small business owners have to manage a lot of different things dick jones when running their Founder & President Jones Simply Sales small business, and with so many things to do, you can’t always do them yourself.

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you focus on things you know how to do, while at the same time rely on others to do the things you don’t know.

Many small businesses start with the business owner coming up with an idea for a new product or service. Maybe you’re good at developing new products, but aren’t that good in figuring out how to sell them. Knowing this will help you develop plans to either hire sales resources, or figure out how to outsource your marketing and sales function.

No one, including me, has said that you can’t learn new things, but anyone knows that you can’t know everything.

Creating a list of your strengths and weaknesses is a starting point for accessing what you can do and also where you might need help. There are a long list of companies that cater to this reality, providing services such as payroll, accounting, information technology, logistics and other services.

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you to make better decisions on what you should focus on, and what you should allow other internal or external resources to do. Doing this will help you to better run your small business.

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18 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

BUSINESSPOSTS

Parsons to close doors after 142 years

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — For the past 142 years, Parsons Gifts has been a staple in the local community, but come next year, it will shutter its doors.

The business is made up of a main store, Christmas Shoppe and adjoining Thomas Kinkade Gallery, all located at 525 Lakeland Plaza in Cumming.

The stores are family owned and operated by Gary Willis and his wife Cris who own the main store and Christmas Shoppe. His sister Kay Montgomery and her husband Mike own the gallery.

On Dec. 11, the business announced it will be closing in early February. A going out of business sale began last week and will include the liquidation of every item in the store, including clothes, jewelry, home decor, candles, fixtures, furniture and equipment.

Kay started working at Parsons the day after she graduated from college and never left. She is now one of the fourth generation owners.

“I’m part of the family,” she said. “We’ve worked it together throughout the years. The challenge of online retail has made it harder for us to be successful. Through the years, it’s gotten harder and harder.

Our children didn’t want to come into this. They’re doing their own thing in professional occupations. They saw how hard we were working and I’m not sure they wanted to do all this.”

When Gary and Cris moved to Cumming in the early 1990s, they realized the store may have to go out of business or computerize everything. They joined on to help the business connect to the future, and stayed working.

“Unfortunately, the numbers are not there anymore,” Cris said. “We had to make that gut-wrenching decision that wasn’t our plan. We planned to hold on longer. The sad part was there was no next generation that’s coming into the business. We were already facing the sad conclusion that this would be the last generation, but we weren’t planning on it being now.”

Originally, Parsons opened in Lawrenceville as a trading post. It moved to Duluth in 1925 and the Cumming store opened in 1948.

The business has moved around the city and burned to the ground in 1982. In 1991, the current location on Lakeland Plaza opened.

“We have been, at one time or another, the only big place to shop until the big stores came in,” Kay said.

“We were the community department store. The one thing we’ve done through the years is change. When we needed to create a new retail environment, we’d bring new things in. We had a full grocery store at one time.”

With its closure pending, the business has seen a massive influx of people wishing the employees well, recalling fond memories and trying to get the store to stay open.

“Everybody wants to come in and speak to us and tell us how sorry they are,” Kay said. “Some customers have cried and are really upset. They’re asking us what they’ll do now. We’ve been very touched with the way people have felt about us closing. It’s been very encouraging and nice to understand they loved us that much.

A lot of these customers are just like friends and our employees are like family. We certainly will miss them.”

Kay and Mike plan to retire, and haven’t made any solid plans for their free time.

“We have a lot of energy and ambition, so I’m sure

KATHLEEN STURGEON/Herald

Cris Willis, left, and Kay Montgomery are sisters-inlaw but also run the Parsons main store, Christmas Shoppe and adjoining Thomas Kinkade Gallery.

we’ll get into something, but I’m not too sure what that is yet,” Kay said.

While the closure has been emotional for Cris, she said it has given the staff a chance to realize what an impact they have made in the community.

“The customers have poured in sharing their love and memories,” she said. “My passion is bringing people together and I’ll be doing something. I don’t know what yet, but we will keep raising funds and awareness.”

BUSINESSBRIEFS McKesson move to bring over 500 jobs to Roswell ROSWELL, Ga. — McKesson Corporation, a global supplier of healthcare management solutions, retail pharmacy and healthcare information technology, plans to move to Roswell in 2019.

This move will relocate existing employees from the company’s current office in Alpharetta, bringing more than 500 high-quality jobs to the city. The anticipated move-in date is scheduled for summer of 2019.

With the move, McKesson will become a Top 5 company in Roswell based on the number of employees. The company has signed a 10-year lease for 104,000 square feet in the Stonebridge I building of Sanctuary Park, 1110 Sanctuary Parkway, which is the portion of the office park within Roswell city limits.

The company said major factors in the decision to relocate include location, availability of space and quality of life. The new location is also in Roswell’s opportunity zone, an area of the city designated as part of the state incentive

program that provides tax credits for net new jobs created within the state.

Dr. Tamakuwala joins Emory Women’s Center JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Emory Women’s Center at Emory Johns Creek Hospital recently announced that Dr. Sejal Tamakuwala has joined their team.

She sees patients throughout most of their adolescent and adult lives, beginning with the start of menstruation to contra-

ception counseling, pregnancy and delivery, and menopause and beyond.

Tamakuwala also specializes in providing OB/ GYN care for those who have a history of anxiety or sexual trauma.

She provides minimally invasive surgery, Tamakuwala which uses special technologies to limit the size of surgical incisions and reduce the need for opioid pain medications.

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20 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

CALENDAR NATIVITIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

NOON YEAR’S EVE

Kick off the New Year’s celebration early with the inaugural Noon Year’s Eve Party on Monday, Dec. 31 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hotel at Avalon. Ring in 2019 with family-friendly live music, face painting, crafts and a countdown to a giant balloon drop. Join the fun at the Hotel at Avalon, 9000 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta.

Admission is $15 each. Children under two years old get in free.

For more information and tickets, visit awesomealpharetta.com.

feature YOUR EVENT online and in print!

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FEATURED:

HOLIDAY EVENTS:

RACE RELATIONS DIALOGUE

What: The forum helps generate constructive analysis of issues, develop positive positions and implement programs that would result in more inclusive and peace-loving neighborhoods.

When: Thursday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: 770-545-9675

VOLLEYBALL ACADEMY JOHNS CREEK

What: Winter and spring volleyball academy for ages 8-15.

The sessions are very fundamentals focused and the session will be divided up by age and skill level.

When: Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan.7-30; Elementaryaged players practice 6:30-7:30 p.m., 11-15 year olds practice 7:30-8:45 p.m.

Where: Endurance Center, 7340 McGinnis Ferry Road, Suite 200, Johns Creek Cost: $150 More info and registration: intensityvolleyball.com

What: Sawnee Association of the Arts is displaying Nativities from Around the World at its new Art Center in downtown Cumming.

Admission and parking is free.

When: Through Jan. 6, 2019, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Sawnee Association of the Arts, 111 Pilgrim Mill Road, Cumming More info: sawneeart.org

AVALON ON ICE

What: Ice skate at Avalon on the Rockefeller Center-sized ice skating rink in the plaza.

Enjoy special events and themed nights throughout the season.

Lessons available.

When: Nov. 19- Jan. 21, 2018; times vary Where: Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta Cost: General Admission starts at $18 More info: experienceavalon.com

EVENTS: WARM WINTER STORIES

What: Head to a toasty theater and catch a story reading. New story each day. For ages 3-5. Included with general admission.

When: Friday, Dec. 28, 11 a.m.1 p.m.

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

ENCHANTED WOODLAND TRAIL ATLANTA POPS NEW YEARS

What: Usher in the new Year with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, established in 1945 by French immigrant Albert Coleman.

When: Monday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.

Where: Playhouse Cumming, 101 School St., Cumming Cost: Tickets start at $30 More info and tickets: playhousecumming.com

SANTA’S VILLAGE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

What: A collection of lights, animated characters, trains and Christmas characters for parents and children to enjoy.

Train rides also offered.

When: Fridays-Sundays, 6-9 p.m. weather permitting, through New Year’s Eve Where: 405 Waverly Hall Drive, Roswell More info: northfulton.com

What: Fairies and gnomes have been busy building all new homes for the Enchanted Woodland Trail opening this winter.

Included with general admission.

When: Through Feb. 28, all day Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell More info: chattnaturecenter.org

JOHNS CREEK TOASTMASTERS

What: Join the weekly meeting to learn how to become a better speaker and better leader.

When: Saturdays, 9:45 a.m.

Where: Johns Creek Christian Church, 10800 Bell Road, Johns Creek More info: johnscreek.toastmastersclubs.org or 404-513-3188

SMART RECOVERY FAMILY AND FRIENDS

What: This program uses science based tools to provide support for those who are affected by the addictive behavior of someone close to them. Not a twelve step program.

When: Mondays, 7-8 p.m.

Where: DecisionPoint Wellness Center, 1070 State Bridge Road, Suite 6, Johns Creek More info: smartrecovery.org

NAVIGATORS TOASTMASTERS PATHWAYS What: Reach your personal and professional goals through Pathways, Toastmasters’ new education program.

When: Tuesdays, 7 p.m.

Where: Club House, 6300 Polo Club Drive, Cumming More info: navigators.toastmastersclubs.org

ALL RECOVERY MEETING

What: Join an open discussion for those in recovery from addiction or those affected by people with addiction. Not a twelve step program.

When: Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Emory Johns Creek Hospital, 6325 Hospital Parkway, Johns Creek More info: navigaterecoverygwinnett.org or 678-743-1808 x101

WEDNESDAY MORNING NETWORKING

What: Join for networking every Wednesday morning.

When: Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Where: Perimeter Church, 9500 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek Cost: $5 for members, $10 for guests More info: johnscreekga.gov or 770-495-0545

HEALTH AND FITNESS: NEW YEARS DAY 5K

What: Start the New Year with a race. The race is along a flat course and will include music.

Awards will be given to top overall, top masters, top grand master and top senior grand master.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 9-11 a.m.

Where: North Forsyth Middle School, 3645 Coal Mountain Drive, Cumming Cost: registration is $20 More info and registration: fivestarntp.com

GIRLS NIGHT OUT: YOGA

What: Bring peace to the mind and body through yoga and get a great stretch as well. Neniffer Gruher is the yoga instructor.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 7 p.m.

Where: Congregation Dor Tamid, 11165 Parsons Road, Johns Creek Cost: $10 More info: congregationdortamid. com

ZUMBA GOLD (FLEX)

What: Combines the international rhythms of the Zumba Gold program with the strength training techniques, creating an easy-tofollow dance fitness program.

When: Fridays, 10:30 a.m.

Where: Park Place at Newtown School, 3125 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekga.gov/ parkplace

ENERGY YOGA

What: Physical exercises to open and clear energy. Utilizes Qi Gong and meditation techniques.

When: Sundays, 10:15 a.m.

Where: Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: afpls.org

RELIGIOUS EVENTS: MEN’S MINISTRY: FRIDAY MORNINGS

What: The First Baptist Roswell men’s group meets every Friday morning for friendship and to help each other grow spiritually.

All are welcome to attend.

When: Fridays, 7 a.m.

Where: Panera Bread, 1195 Woodstock Road, Roswell More info: fbroswell.org

THERAPEUTIC YOGA

What: Gain health benefits from relaxing yoga that emphasizes strength and flexibility. No experience necessary. Taught by an advanced certified yoga instructor.

When: Wednesdays, 9:45-11 a.m.

Where: Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell More info: rumc.com or 770261-1705

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS OUT

What: Join for weekly dinner and fellowship. Volunteers needed for serving and cleaning.

When: Wednesday nights, 4:456:30 p.m.

Where: Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell Cost: $7 per adult More info: rumc.com/wno

CALENDAR

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPERS

What: Make and grow faith-based friendships for all ages. Enjoy a hot meal and/or volunteer.

When: Wednesdays, 5:15-6:45 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, 69 North Main St., Alpharetta More info: afumc.org

ACTING UP AUDITIONS

What: RUMC’s adult drama ministry will be holding open group auditions for the murder mystery comedy, “Arsenic and Old Lace.”

When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 7 p.m.

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

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CIRCLES

What: The four different circles offer women opportunities to spend time together, support each other in happy and sad times, learn from each other and grow in faith. Child care options available.

When: Esther Circle, each first Tuesday, 7-9 p.m.; Ruth Circle, each first Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Lydia Circle, each first Thursday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; Martha Circle, each first Thursday, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy St., Alpharetta More info: alpharettapres.com/ adults/small-groups/

CHARIS GALLERY

What: Enjoy the variety of interpretations of the new exhibit theme, “Gratitude.” There will be a silent auction to benefit RUMC’s mission partners.

When: Through Sunday, Jan. 13 Where: Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell More info: rumc.com

MUSIC, ARTS & THEATER: “MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET”

What: See the Tony Awardwinning musical inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.

When: Dec. 14-Jan. 12, 2019, 8 p.m.

Where: Conant Performing Arts Center, 4484 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta Cost: Tickets start at $40 More info and tickets: get.org

CHIELI MINUCCI & SPECIAL EFX

What: See the Grammy-nominated Chieli Minucci perform live with ensemble Special EFX. When: Friday, Dec. 28, 7:30-9 p.m.

Where: The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta Cost: Individual tickets start at $129 per person More info and tickets: thevelvetnote.com

VELVET NOTE NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA

What: Go all out for New Year’s Eve with live music by The Toni Byrd Quintet, all-you-can-eat cuisine, Champaign toast and festive spirits.

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

Where: The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta Cost: $49 More info and tickets: thevelvetnote.com

BLACK HERITAGE: THE UNSUNG HEROES OF ROSWELL

What: This exhibit focuses on the story of the everyday heroes of the black community and their labors from the days of slavery and Reconstruction and through the trials of segregation.

When: Mondays-Fridays, Jan. 2-Feb. 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell More info: roswellgov.com

“STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD”

What: Emmy-nominated Atlanta puppeteer Lee Bryan will put on two special holiday productions, with demonstrations after each show.

When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 11:15 a.m.-noon and 1:15-2 p.m.

Where: Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming More info: forsythpl.org

JAZZ AT FIREFLY

What: Free, live music each week.

When: Saturdays, 8:30-11 p.m.

Where: Firefly Restaurant & Bar, 3070 Windward Plaza, Alpharetta More info: fireflyalpharetta.com

LIVE MUSIC SUNDAYS

What: Join every Sunday afternoon for live music on the patio along with food trucks and cold beer.

When: Saturdays, 4-7 p.m.

Where: Truck & Tap, 30 Milton Ave., Alpharetta More info: awesomealpharetta. com

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 21

SPOTLIGHT ARTIST: JANE TURNER HASSELER

What: Jane Turner Haesller returns with her “People on Canton” exhibit. Her acrylic and ink renderings depict the people and businesses on Roswell’s Canton Street.

When: Nov.1- Dec. 29, all day Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell More info: roswellgov.com

AVALON NIGHTS LIVE

What: Unwind after a long week with live music in The Plaza.

When: Fridays, 6-8 p.m.

Where: Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta More info: awesomealpharettta. com

LIBRARY EVENTS: “RISE OF THE GUARDIANS”

What: Bring sleeping bags, pillows and a picnic lunch or popcorn and watch “Rise of the Guardians” on the big screen.

All ages.

When: Friday, Dec. 28, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming More info: forsythpl.org

MAH JONG MEET UP

What: Drop in and meet other Mah Jong players. If you have a set, bring one in case the group needs another.

When: Friday, Dec. 28, 1-3 p.m.

Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: apfls.org or 404-6134402

FREE ENGLISH CLASS

What: This class does not require registration or a textbook and is taught by a trained ESL instructor. High beginner to advanced levels.

When: Monday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org

DANCE THROUGH THE DECADES COUNTDOWN

What: Celebrate the end of 2018 in style and listen to hits from the past decades. After dancing, join the balloon drop at noon.

Decade costumes encouraged.

When: Monday, Dec. 31, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Where: Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming More info: forsythpl.org

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: SPECIAL EVENT

KID CHESS

What: Club members will learn strategies, game variations and can participate in a tournament. No registration required.

Ages 5 and above.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 6-7:30 p.m.

Where: Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 770-3608897

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

What: Help save others by donating blood. The need is constanat.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2-7 p.m.

Where: Sharon Forks Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming More info: forsythpl.org

GETTING A’S IN COLLEGE

What: Author Bob Raus will cover tips, tools and habits to achieve the most in college. This program is for college students, high schoolers thinking about college, and their parents.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Sharon Forks Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming More info: forsythpl.org

MAKERSPACE THURSDAY

What: Students may bring components or items that they would like to include in their design.

Ages 5-10 years old with parent.

When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 10:30 a.m.-noon Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 404-6134402

THURSDAY MORNING ESL CLASS

What: Conversation class, high beginner through advanced levels. Classes are free, don’t require registration, don’t use a textbook and accept students at all times.

When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 404-6136735

What: Come join new allies in traveling the world and exploring unknown dangers. Premade characters are available. Ages 10 and up. At least one prior attendance is required.

When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 1:305:30 p.m.

Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 404-6134402

NEEDLECRAFTS GROUP

What: Join a community of needlecraft artists once a week to practice skills, and learn or teach new techniques. Adult.

Registration is not required.

When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 1-3 p.m.

Where: East Roswell Library, 2301 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell More info: afpls.org or 404-6134050

PET ADOPTIONS: FORSYTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER

What: Pet adoptions When: Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: The Forsyth County Animal Shelter, 4065 County Way, Forsyth County More info: 678-965-7185

FULTON COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES

What: Pet adoptions When: Every Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Where: PetSmart, 6370 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta Additional adoptions: MondayFriday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Fulton County Animal Services, 860 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta More info: 404-613-4958

OF INTEREST ELSEWHERE: CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

What: The Latin American Association and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta will provide qualified legal representatives to aid in filling out the U.S. Citizenship Application Form N-400.

When: Friday, Jan. 4, 10 a.m.1 p.m.

Where: Gwinnett County Public Library, 4817 Church St., Lilburn More info: gwinnettpl.org/n400 or 770-978-5154

22 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018

Sponsored Section

Soleil Laurel Canyon named Best 50 Master-Planned Communities Tucked away in the North Georgia foothills of Canton and just a short drive from exciting Atlanta, Soleil Laurel Canyon is more than a beautiful community of maintenance-free, ranch-style homes and breathtaking views. It’s the lifestyle you’ve worked your whole life to enjoy.

If you are 55+, we invite you to come experience Soleil’s incomparable array of recreation, culture, and entertainment for yourself. You’ll have no doubt why it was named among the Best 50 MasterPlanned Communities in the U.S. by Where to Retire Magazine in 2015.

“Clubhouses, fitness centers, social clubs and education classes mean residents get much more than a house at a planned community,” said Karen Northridge, publisher of “Where to Retire.”

One of the great pleasures of living at Soleil is that a low-maintenance home gives you the free time to take advantage

of all that the community offers or take a trip without concern. The landscaped grounds of Soleil Laurel Canyon are always impeccably maintained, while your HOA dues cover complete lawn maintenance and an irrigation system, in-home security monitoring and maintenance, and even Comcast cable TV. Soleil Laurel Canyon offers a selection of Cottage, Traditional and Craftsman-style single-family homes from the mid $200,000s to $400,000s for adults 55+.

Residents live independently in homes that range from 1,500 square feet to almost 3,000 square feet. All of Soleil’s new floor plans include elegant details and are designed for aging-inplace with stepless-entry access and wide doorways. These homes are energy efficient with HERS ratings above standard.

Soleil residents have membership in a 28,000-square-foot clubhouse complete with an arts and crafts room, billiards room, fitness center, gourmet teaching kitchen, indoor heated saline lap pool, and library.

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Empty Nest • Sponsored Section

Vickery Rose Retirement Resort Imagine coming home to a warm, friendly community that’s luxurious, safe and comfortable. Maintenance and housekeeping included, and every meal of the day is expertly prepared and pleasing to the palette. With all the work done, you have time for family, friends and the important things in life. That can be your life at Vickery Rose Retirement Resort.

Designed for your comfort, our community will feature studios, to 3-bedroom apartments with a variety of floor plans and smart details. Each apartment will feature window coverings, climate-controlled thermostat, ceiling fans, and ample closet space.

Our kitchens will be fully equipped with a dishwasher, range, microwave, refrigerator and a garbage disposal. Washer/dryer hook-ups are located in a separate laundry closet within the apartment. Our professional staff will provide as-needed maintenance repairs and light housekeeping on a weekly basis.

Vickery Rose’s stunning main dining room is the perfect setting to savor meals prepared fresh daily by the chefs in our state-of-the-art commercial kitchen. Experience our signature Freedom Dining program, which includes flexible dining hours throughout the day, plus these dining experience options: • Fine dining • Casual buffet • Chef’s Pantry on-the-go snacks • Room service Residents can access to on-site banking, salon, general store, and pharmacy services. Through our 24/7 concierge services, everything you need will be available at the touch of a button, even scheduled transportation on our shuttle.

Relax by the fireplace in our community lounges, or a night of movies or live entertainment in the 150-seat theater. At Vickery Rose, there will be no shortage of social activities. Our community Lifestyle Directors consistently schedule unique activities designed to meet the resident’s requests. Ultimately, companionship and interaction with others are powerful tools to enjoy retirement and with so many entertaining options and the caring community staff on hand, Vickery Rose brings residents together.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 23

24 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Empty Nest • Sponsored Section

It is fall and time for falls prevention Falls can be a leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in persons over the age of 65 years.

That is why it is recommend that all adults older than 65 years of age be screened annually for a history of falls or balance impairment. Fall injuries result in millions of emergency department visits annually.

Approximately 25% of all falls can cause serious injuries, such as fractures or traumatic brain injury. The risk of falls that can result in serious injury increases with age. Injuries, such as hip fracture, and falls are can be risk factors for placement in a nursing home, where the fall risk is nearly three times that of persons living at home.

Assessment: All persons older than 65 years should be assessed by their physician annually about whether they have fallen. Documenting the number of falls they have had and if they caused injury, and whether they have difficulty with walking or balance. Non-injury falls are an indication of potentially life-threaten-

ing events and are an opportunity for your physician to intervene.

Potential Risk Factors for Falls: • Balance impairment • Gait impairment • Muscle weakness • Medication use Interventions to Help Eliminate Falls: • Exercise or Physical Therapy • Vitamin D • Medication Review • Home Safety Evaluation • Vision Correction • Foot Care With early intervention listed above you and your doctor can effectively decrease the potential for falls. Fall prevention is reimbursed as part of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.

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Empty Nest • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 25

Warning signs your aging parents need more help (NAPSI)—Home care agencies often see a surge in calls in late December and early January. Why? Many grown children head home for the holidays and notice their aging parents need some help.

“We usually see a surge in demand for care around the holidays as families get together and adult children notice changes in their parents’ well-being and realize they need more support to remain safe and independent in their homes,” said Austin Harkness, head of care for Honor, one of the fastest-growing home care companies in the country.

Here are ways to tell: Take The Sniff Test Breathe in that holiday hug. If you notice unclean clothes or an uncharacteristic body odor, that could signal that a parent is having trouble bathing, maintaining personal hygiene or keeping up with household chores such as laundry.

Next, follow your nose to the kitchen. Open the fridge. You’ll notice pretty quickly if there’s spoiled food—but your parents may not. The sense of smell diminishes with age, expecially after 70. Many seniors can’t detect unpleasant odors that would normally tell them it’s time to toss last week’s meat loaf.

If the sniff test reveals some olfactory oddities, it might not just be “normal aging.” Diminished sense of smell can be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

If you sense something isn’t quite right, help Mom or Dad to set up a doctor’s visit to see if there’s something else going on.

Have A Look Around Your childhood home may look the same as ever— but it may not work as well for older adults. As people age, their environment typically needs simple upgrades to keep them safe. You can significantly reduce fall risks by taping down throw rugs, removing extra furniture, securing electrical cords out of pathways and adding grab bars in the bathroom.

Pay attention to clutter as well. Stacks of unopened mail, broken appliances or drooping houseplants may also signal a need for help. Being unable to manage everyday activities can be a symptom of depression or of cognitive impairment, which often presents like depression.

If you see any of the above warning signs, you may want to arrange for your parent to see a doctor and for family members or professional caregivers to stop by and help with projects and chores. Just knowing your parents have help and resources can relieve worry, both yours and theirs.

Listen Up Is the TV or radio volume blaring? Are conversations repeated? Does Mom keep asking “what?” or just smiling and nodding instead of participating? Don’t brush it off. Difficulty following conversations may be a sign of hearing loss, cognitive impairment or both.

Seniors who begin losing their hearing are at greater risk of developing dementia over time since hearing is a brain function. Sometimes, hearing aids stimulate the sounds needed for the brain to restore organization and correctly process sounds.

Making Sense Of Your Senses Talking to parents about warning signs you’ve noticed isn’t fun. But do it anyway. Let them know you want to be involved to help them stay independent for as long as possible. Even if you live far away there’s a lot you can do, such as scheduling appointments and finding help with transportation, chores and projects.

Talk to nearby family members about how they can help out or set up a visit with a home care agency that can provide ongoing support.

Fear of losing independence keeps a lot of seniors tight lipped. If your parents are open and honest about their changing needs, consider it a generous holiday gift. They trust you’ll know what to do with it.

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26 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Empty Nest • Sponsored Section

How doctors think – insights into differential diagnosis

By Dr. Brent Taylor Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta How does a doctor make a diagnosis?

How does he or she choose which information is important?

On television, it often seems likes the right diagnosis almost magically comes to a doctor. On the tv show House, the main character watches as the less experienced physicians struggle and make missteps. Then, like Sherlock Holmes, the gifted doctor notices a key point or seems to summon up a brilliant insight out of thin air.

For me, one of the more interesting topics in medicine is the process by which physicians arrive at a diagnosis.

Surprisingly, multiple approaches to making a diagnosis exist, and there is considerable variation across specialties within medicine. Each approach has its pros and cons, and most physicians are likely using a hybrid approach that takes the best from each model. And thank goodness, arriving at the right diagnosis doesn’t require magic.

When I was a medical student, I remember being quite impressed at one emergency medicine doctor’s emphatic insistence that all physicians should memorize the emergencies and “can’t miss” diseases that would match up with any complaint that they see. His name is Dr. Corey Slovis. He is a phenomenal teacher, and he shared with his students that there are approximately five “can’t miss” diagnoses for every “chief complaint.” For example, if a patient presents with chest pain, Dr. Slovis said that every doctor should immediately think of heart attacks, cardiac tamponade, aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, tension pneumothorax and Boerhaave syndrome (sometimes five adds up to six). He had five emergencies or can’t miss diagnoses for almost every complaint a patient could have. He said that you couldn’t rely on consults or reading textbooks to make these diagnoses. Time was of the essence. Dr. Slovis’s approach to differential diagnosis seemed to be to rule out the emergencies, which you had to memorize in advance, then move on to the less time-sensitive diagnoses.

On another rotation, a fantastic internal medicine resident shared with me his approach to differential diagnosis, summed up by the mnemonic “VINDICATE,” which stands for vascular disease, infections, neoplasms, drugs, iatrogenic, congenital, autoimmune, trauma and endocrine disease. This resident told me that when making a diagnosis, I should consider all the options and try

to run through possibilities. For example, for the smoker with a cough, could the cough be from a vascular disease such as heart attacks leading to heart failure, or an infection like pneumonia, or a neoplasm such as lung Dr. Taylor cancer, or a reaction to a drug such as an ace inhibitor, etc.,?

My resident friend suggested running through the possibilities systematically and thinking of every category of disease first so as to avoid missing something important, such as lung cancer presenting as a cough. Another physician suggested thinking through each organ system (cardiovascular, pulmonary, etc.,) instead of thinking through VINDICATE when creating a list of diagnoses.

Finally, a family medicine physician advised me that I should be patient and let my list of possible diseases build with time and experience. He said that the common diseases are almost always the correct ones and that with time the number of diseases that I could think of would grow.

I believe that all these approaches have their merit. And each approach seemed to fit the field of the physician who espoused it. In medical school, my synthesis was that I should first try to memorize the emergencies and “can’t miss” diagnoses for as many complaints as possible. In dermatology, a “can’t miss” list for someone with a scaly rash might include cutaneous t-cell lymphoma and syphilis, for example. Second, I should let my list of common diagnoses grow with experience, and if a presentation matches perfectly, there’s rarely reason to go further. However, if someone’s presentation is atypical or doesn’t seem to add up to one of the diseases on the “can’t miss’ list or the common list, then it’s useful to think of VINDICATE or organ systems systematically and generate a list of diseases to work through before turning to textbooks, consultations or medical journals.

Obviously, there is a lot more to say on this subject, but I hope that this brief synopsis of methods of differential diagnosis is interesting and thoughprovoking.

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OPINION

28 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

A Christmas story 2018

My Christmas column arrived in the mail yesterday in the form of a Christmas card and note from a woman from Massachusetts who I met on my Appalachian Trail hike Ray appen — Jacey Shumaker.

Publisher She was hiking with ray@appenmediagroup.com her two daughters, ages approximately 7 and 10, and a great big golden lab.

We met because a giant storm rolled in just before dusk and she quickly struck down her tent and, along with her girls and Rufus (the pup), relocated into the shelter where I had already set up.

So it was me, my hiking bud Stan, Jacey and her two daughters and the pup hunkered down in that shelter while the heavens poured down into the night.

My Christmas story is about simple things.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Dinner was, as it always is, wonderful. She cooked salmon briquettes, pasta, broccoli and served something sweet for desert. Dining with them is something my wife and I treasure when we are on Dog Island. They are in their

80s and have been living on the island for about 30 years now. I think of him as the “patriarch,” the only one I have known outside of my grandfather, H.V. Appen.

My island patriarch is a retired physician who has operated on his kitchen counter countless times. He has saved people from dying and he has pronounced others dead on the island. They are the couple who people turn to when they need to know something, when they need advice, when they need help of any kind. They lead a life that Christina and I watch closely because it is how we want to live. There is a “giving” in their house — a caring, and a curiosity that for decades has been the mother of knowledge, of learning and of continuous renewal of their wonder of who we are and why.

After dinner we move over to the living room, to the comfortable leather couches worn well by so many who have passed time in their island home.

He tells me stories and begins with the story about his entering the University of Chicago at 16 or 17, about the great Nobel laureates who were doing research as well as teaching there at the time. He talks about the “great books” — Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles — that formed the

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core of his and his classmates’ pre-med education and their path toward mastery of medicine.

His grasp for the detail is stunning and his recall near total. He remembers all the names, the years, the dates, the course syllabi, and the conversation reaches long strides and the hours flow as I listen with acute focus even though I’ve heard some of it before.

I listen because I want to hear his story. His life has been a long one.

Sharing it with me is part of his story and I will be part of his story because I have heard it.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The HVAC guy is a stranger. He is relatively young — I say in his early 30s.

I bring him out to the island in my boat.

Mine is not a regular service call. He has to drive. He has to get on a boat and go out into the Gulf almost five miles. He has heard things about this place. He doesn’t know me from Adam. We arrive and he fixes the system. It was the best small, broken thing outcome. Hallelujah, I think. Finally, in this time when everything seems to be going to heck I get a break.

The return boat ride back is slow.

The wind is strong and cold. Waves punish the boat and the people inside — us.

He talks. I listen.

His wife is an addict. Actually it is his ex-wife. His two kids are doing so well. He has raised them by himself. She never sees them, has never shown any interest. Grandmother keeps them when he is in Alaska doing contract refrigeration work for three months each year.

One year, his oldest daughter told him for her birthday she only wanted one thing — to talk to her mom on the phone. “I just want to hear her voice.”

He tells me, “she calls her mom and finally, finally she actually answers her phone and she recognizes who she is talking to — her daughter. “Let me call you right back, I‘m in the middle of something she says.”

His face is still. His eyes do not focus for an instant. The boat crashes hard

after an unusually large swell.

Then he starts talking about his father. I remember quickly that I heard the doctor — for the first time ever — also talk about his father, briefly. And I think that all fathers are alike — like bridges that tower high over our heads, spanning terrifying currents below, currents of threatening water covered with whitecaps blown by bitter north winds.

They are bridges over fear, offering safety and strength.

Fathers are always like that aren’t they? When everything is said and done, their shadow is what lingers on, never fading, never absent, filling all the space around us.

The boat finally pulls along the pier and Justin my HVAC guy gets out. I thank him and tell him that he is family now. Out on the island, he is family.

Later the next day he texts me simply, “Thank you Ray.” –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– On the front of Jacey’s Christmas card are pictures of her family in Iceland, out hiking, soaking in hot springs and sharing time. On the back of the card (and I am sure Jacey would not mind if I share) she wrote: “Wishing you and your family the happiest of holidays. May you continue to find new and marvelous traditions to celebrate throughout the year. Look… listen… and be present, build something with your own hands, sing a song out loud, try something new, watch the sunset and take a picture with your mind, tell someone you love them every day, persist, put your feet in the river remember everyone has a story, be thankful all year, cook an old family recipe, and be sure to find time in the daily routine to remember what is most important.

“May the holiday spirit follow you and your families through the upcoming year. Love, The Shumakers.”

I will try my best Jacey. I promise. I will listen with all my heart and I will try to remember what is important. Merry, Happy, Jolly 2019, and please listen.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 29

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30 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

OPINION

Just the facts, please!

With a new year on the horizon, people automatically assume that I’m going to climb a bell tower while firmly gripping my sanctimonious staff, dressed in jeans and a graphic tee that displays Kimberly Tyson what appears to be Advertising Assistant kimberly@appenmediagroup.com a dismal cow coddling its youngin’ and all while ceremoniously ranting, “Go vegan in 2019!” They predict that I’ll be preaching the health benefits of an exclusive plant-based diet along with the promise that it’s the answer to your weight loss woes, the perfect alternative to modern medicine, and the cure-all for any and all of your ailments.

If you haven’t already guessed, I’m vegan and have been for nearly five years. Although eliminating meat and meat byproducts from my diet has blessed me with an immeasurable amount of health benefits, I know that this way of life is not for everyone, so I try not to shovel my theory about being vegan into anyone’s yard. Instead of preaching, I resort to using a good oldfashioned approach when I’m questioned

about my reasons for becoming vegan. I like to call my approach — just the facts.

I adopted this approach when I had children. Unlike my generation, I discovered that my kids seek evidence over wisdom. They can’t just be told anything. In many circumstances where a lesson is being taught, I like to give them just the facts and allow those facts to marinate in their heads. So when I tell my middle schooler that smoking is bad, it doesn’t resonate. But when I explain that her Popi lost his larynx and uses a voice prosthesis because he developed throat cancer caused by chain smoking in the ’60s and ’70s, she mulls over the facts and decides (supposedly on her own) that smoking is probably not a good habit to start.

I do the same when sharing my theories about a vegan diet. Despite the fact that I am often judged by nonvegans about my “unhealthy” dietary ways, I try not to do the same. The world is already flooded with finger pointers.

But it doesn’t stop me from rolling my eyes when I hear that dreadful question, “What do you have against meat?”

Instead of rattling off statistics about an animal–based diet versus a plantbased diet (you can read The China Study by T. Colin Campbell for that), I

Eat Plants 4 Life Aside from working at Appen Media Group, Kimberly Tyson is a freelance writer and vegan blogger. Read more from Kimberly at EatPlants4Life.com

Kimberly is a vegan blogger for EatPlants4life.com. She creates plantbased recipes with her daughters and encourages others to cook as a family and to teach their kids to embrace the power of plants. give them just the facts — my facts. And here they are.

I’m a 40+ year-old woman predisposed to have diabetes and high blood pressure by this age based on family history. But because of my diet, those three important numbers are in the good range. I’m not referring to the three numbers our society typically obsesses

over on the beacon of a New Year.

It’s not about the three digits on the scale. These are not the numbers we should be totally focused on to determine our overall health. It’s the “real” numbers that are a factor. It’s my cholesterol (168 mg/dL), glucose (87 mg/ dL), and blood-pressure (110/79). In my case, these numbers have been pretty good for the past five years. I’d like to think that my vegan diet, accompanied with regular exercise and getting enough sleep, have contributed to those numbers. These are just the facts. Another fact?

Recently, after having my blood drawn for health insurance purposes, my insurance company gave me a health score of 97 and a health age of 22.

Did I mention that I was in my 40s?

No preaching, no food shaming, no sad cows, no climbing of any bell towers. But the next time I’m asked, “What do you have against meat?” I’ll be sure to share those facts. May 2019 bring you good health, no matter how you choose to go about it.

Get Outside Georgia:

OPINION

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 31

Why not?

As I write this, the calendar says tomorrow is Dec. 21 — the shortest day of the year. Outside, it’s gray and cold and rainy, and we just ran out of hot chocolate. Yuck.

I used to really STEVE HUDSON enjoy wintertime, but Get Outside Georgia, aa4bw@comcast.net these days I’m more of a “spring” kind of person. About this time every year I start counting the days till warm weather returns and things turn green again and the fish start to rise again and the jonquils poke their heads out to bring that first splash of color to a landscape that for too long sat locked in shades of gray.

But that’s not till spring. Now, it’s winter, and my options are thus: I can sit here and stew about it, or I can get outside and see what kind of wintertime adventures can be found.

Yeah, that’s what I’ll do. I’ll go fishing.

“In the middle of winter?” my wife says. “You’re nuts.”

Sure, but why not? Life is short. One must grab gusto when one can, even if it’s 35 degrees and snow’s waiting in the wings. Yeah, I’ll probably freeze. But anything beats sitting here imprisoned behind a window on this cold and rainy next-to-shortest-day-of-the-year.

So I grab fly rod and waders and sweatshirt and rain jacket, and off I go. I’ll have fun once I get out there. I always do.

One of my favorite places for wintertime fishing is a little stream I’ll call Big Bubba Creek. It’s usually kind to me, even in winter. Rare is the day that I won’t tie into at least a few trout there, and that’s the perfect antidote to the grayness of winter. Fool one of those winter trout, and you’ve accomplished something. And then you bring it to the net and admire its electric colors and then ease it back into the flow. Suddenly that gray day is not so gray after all.

Truth be told, I fished Big Bubba Creek just the other day with a friend of mine. We both needed a day off.

I needed one because I was tired from battling deadlines and decorations and all the decorum of the holidays.

Poor, pitiful, whiny me.

He needed one because he was tired from trying to find a job so he could keep his power turned on and a roof over his family’s head.

We agreed, kind of without saying so, to avoid talking about work.

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Flyfishing 101 Steve Hudson has written numerous books on travel and outdoor recreation, including FLYFISHING 101, the perfect guide to help you get started in the world of fly fishing. It’s available on Amazon and from many outfitters and book shops. Autographed copies are available direct from the author at www.chattahoocheemedia.com For a winter day, the fishing was pretty good. I landed one or two. But my friend was batting zero.

About 11:30 we stopped to sit on a log and eat sardines and crackers for lunch before calling it a day and heading back to the truck.

That’s when my buddy looked upstream and said, in a voice barely loud enough to hear, “Man, I sure did need to get a fish today.”

He saw I was listening and went on a little louder: “Heck, I can’t get any work either. But I sure was hoping to get a fish.”

We were quiet on the walk back to the truck, not fishing but just walking. We passed pools that should have held fish earlier but that has left us unrewarded.

Then we came to a tiny riffle with a little rock at its downstream end. We’d bypassed it before. Now, for some reason, it caught my eye.

Why not?

“Why don’t you try there,” I said.

“There by the rock.”

“No point,” he said. “Just isn’t my day.”

“Aw, give it a try.”

“Well…”

He hesitated. But then his shoulders lifted.

“Why not?” he said.

He eased up to the water. He made the cast. The fly floated through the air and settled light as snow on the graysteel surface of the pool.

Somewhere in the depths of that pool, down where the water is dark and uncertain, something moved. A shape materialized. It rose to the fly…

Later, after measuring the fish and taking its picture, my friend slipped the trout back into the creek. Then we turned to the trail and the hike back to the truck. He seemed to have a little more spring in his step.

We didn’t talk on the way out, but at one point I think I heard him whisper as if to himself:.

“Why not? I caught a trout. Maybe it’s going to be a good new year.”

Nothing else needed to be said.

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32 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

Ann Jackson Gallery celebrates new location opening

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Ann Jackson Gallery, one of the oldest art galleries in Roswell, has recently opened its new location, and the future looks bright, according to owner Valerie Jackson.

“This is a fresh start, even though we’ve had our gallery for 47 years,” Jackson said. “We’re reinventing ourselves… We were so lucky to find this place, because I didn’t want to leave Roswell. It’s my heart and soul.”

Ann Jackson Gallery is one of only 30 galleries worldwide licensed to represent The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection, and it displays works from local, national and international artists. The gallery’s services include art consultations, art restoration and custom framing.

Ann Jackson Gallery resided in downtown Roswell for 47 years, before parking issues and a changing downtown scene spurred it to relocate to 1101 Alpharetta Street.

“The move has gone beautifully,” Jackson said. “Our new space is better than we ever thought it was going to be. It provides a lot more opportunity to bring in more local artists.”

The new space is also bigger, which will allow customers to rent out the gallery for private parties or events.

While most of the services will stay the same, Jackson envisions several new additions to the gallery. One of the major changes already in place is a partnership with the flower shop Atlanta Flower Market, which is located in the same building.

“We just like the ideas of flowers and art together,” Jackson said. “And [Atlanta Flower Market owner] Chauncey Mecca is bringing in tons of new ideas.”

Mecca’s flower shop offers a flower bar, classes, parties and European-style arrangements along with a full range of typical flower show services. Some of these parties include wine and other drinks to compliment the experience.

People can also come in to make their own arrangements individually or in a

ANNOUNCING

Our new space is better than we ever thought it was going to be. It provides a lot more opportunity to bring in more local artists.”

Valerie Jackson Ann Jackson Gallery owner class or watch a florist arrange their order.

“It’s about making flowers more of an art form again, instead of your typical shop online and have them shipped to you experience,” Mecca said. “It means more and is enjoyable to do. It’s an experience.”

Both Jackson and Mecca said they envision the building as a place to find peace, relaxation and education while being surrounded by art.

Jackson was one of the original developers of the art district in Roswell and a guiding hand behind several charity events in her gallery. She has been behind festivals such as Alive in Roswell and the First Friday Art Walks.

She said she’s excited to bring some of that life to the gallery’s new neighborhood.

“We want to reinvent this area,” Jackson said. “It’s got so much potential. There’s new shops and restaurants here. There’s walkability from the square to Canton Street to here. We kind of want to rebrand it as uptown Roswell instead of downtown Roswell.”

She added that she’s been meeting with several of the neighboring businesses to plan events similar to those she created on Canton Street.

Ann Jackson Gallery will host its grand opening for the public on Saturday, Jan. 19 with coffee and refreshments. To sign up for an invitation, visit annjacksongallery.com.

TWO

NEW

photos by JULIA GROCHOWSKI/Herald

Atlanta Flower Market owner Chauncey Mecca, left, and Ann Jackson Gallery owner Valerie Jackson.

Ann Jackson Gallery is now open at 1101 Alpharetta Street.

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A comedy podcast about everything myth, or myth adjacent. Co-hosts Julia Grochowski and Lauren Telschow give not-so-serious retellings of their favorite myths, because those who don’t know their myths are doomed to repeat them.

To download and subscribe, visit the iTunes store, Google Play store or Stitcher and search “Herald Daily Update” or “Myth Roast”

GROUP

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 33

34 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

Northern Ridge District announces November Eagle Scouts NORTH FULTON, Ga. — The Northern Ridge Boy Scout District — which includes the cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Milton — recently its newest Eagle Scouts, who passed their Board of Review on Nov. 29 at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. The new Eagle Scouts are: • Richard Aidan Piper, of Troop 1134, who was sponsored by St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church. His project was constructing and weaving 30 sleeping mats for the homeless using plastic grocery bags. These mats were given to Central Night Shelter.

• Eugene Kim, of Troop 143, sponsored

by Johns Creek United Methodist Church, who designed and constructed a GaGa pit at Johns Creek United Methodist Church.

• James Barker III, of Troop 2143, sponsored by Johns Creek United Methodist Church, who cleared and beautified Silver Springs Church’s cemetery (a pre-Civil War cemetery).

Part of this beautification/revitalization included building two benches.

• Vibhu Mocherla, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church, whose project was the design and construction of a puppet theater for Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center.

• Kevin McGregor, of Troop 1134, sponsored by St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, whose project was the design and construction of permanent shelving and storage at Young Life North Fulton (a Christian Club for high schoolers).

• Wesley Lucciola, of Troop 985, sponsored by Northbrook United Methodist Church, whose project was the restoration of the sitting area at Roswell United Methodist Church.

This included cleaning up the area, adding a paver walkway, planting trees and bushes, and constructing two benches.

• Foster Michaelis, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church, whose project was the design and construction of improvements for the St. Benedict’s Catholic Church preschool indoor paly area by installing several modular activities and an outdoor art wall on a fence covering the AC unit.

• Zachary Pedowitz of Troop 3000, sponsored by Birmingham United Methodist Church, whose project was the design, construction and installation of wooden trail signs at Providence Park.

• Spencer Kelly, of Troop 3000, sponsored by Birmingham United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of four wooden benches at Birmingham

NORTHERN RIDGE DISTRICT/Special

In the top row, from left, stand new Eagle Scouts Richard Aidan Piper, Eugene Kim and James Barker III. In the bottom row are Vibhu Mocherla, Kevin McGregor, Wesley Lucciola and Foster Michaelis.

NORTHERN RIDGE DISTRICT/Special

In the top row, from left, stand new Eagle Scouts Zachary Pedowitz, Spencer Kelly and William Holt. In the bottom row are Jackson Webb, Brayden Moraes, Mario Machado and Steven Gould.

Park. He also cleaned up debris for the trails.

• William Holt, of Troop 226, sponsored by Bridge to Grace Church, whose project was the design and construction of a play structure for Bridge to Grace Church’s playground. This structure included a slide, rock wall, rope ladder and ladder.

• Jackson Webb, of Troop 87, sponsored by Roswell Presbyterian

Church, whose project was the cleaning up and revitalization of the Cambridge High School Wildlife Area.

This elevated it to a National Wildlife Habitat.

• Brayden Moraes, of Troop 3000, sponsored by Birmingham United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of two picnic tables for St. Andrews Catholic Church Rowing Club Area.

• Mario Machado, of Troop 1717,

sponsored by Cross of Life Lutheran Church, whose project was the design and construction a new storage shelving for the storage shed at Cross of Life Lutheran Church.

• Steven Gould, of Troop 226, sponsored by Bridge to Grace Church, whose project was the design and construction of an outdoor goat exercise play area for the goats of High Meadows, a non-profit school and camp.

OPINION

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Start a trend; Be nice

Good afternoon good people of North Fulton. In the midst of the holiday season and with the recent passing of former President George Bush, I would like to remind all of us for his call for a kinder and gentler nation.

This has to start locally. Too many elected officials at the national and state levels are too caught up in an “us versus them” mentality to set an example of civility for anyone.

So be kind to your neighbors, (not just the people living next door), donate your time and/or money to charity and help someone less fortunate than yourself. Be kind to the store clerks, generous to your servers and grateful to all of the civil servants and others who contribute to the quality of life here.

And take a few deep breaths, slow down and appreciate all of the blessings that you have. So enjoy the holidays however you choose to celebrate them.

And to paraphrase a well-known slogan, “just do nice.”

— Ms. Rogers

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-18-AB-63 PLACE City Hall Two Park Plaza Council Chambers December 27, 2018 3:00 P.M.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 35

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-18-AB-64 PLACE City Hall Two Park Plaza Council Chambers January 3, 2019 3:00 P.M. PURPOSE Specialty Shop Retail Package Sales Consumption on Premises Beer, Wine, Liquor Sunday Sales APPLICANT Hotel Equities Group, LLC d/b/a Courtyard by Marriott Avalon 11700 Amber Park Drive Alpharetta GA 30009 Owner Fred Cerrone Registered Agent Allen O’Brien

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-18-AB-62 PLACE City Hall Two Park Plaza Council Chambers December 27, 2018 3:00 P.M.

PURPOSE Beer, Wine, Sunday Sales

PURPOSE Consumption on Premises Beer, Wine, Liquor Sunday Sales Wine by the Bottle

APPLICANT Hill Top Food Mart d/b/a Hill Top Food Mart 280 S. Main St. Alpharetta, GA 30004

APPLICANT LaPeer d/b/a LaPeer 12 North Broad St. Alpharetta GA 30009

Owner Mehulkumar Patel

Owner Louis Soon

Registered Agent Mehulkumar Patel

Registered Agent Scott Florence

36 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

SCHOOLS

Local student receives $60,000 scholarship to pursue medicine

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta student has drawn some impressive international attention for her schoolwork.

Divya Vaithiswaran, who calls Alpharetta home, was awarded a $60,000 “Legacy of Excellence” scholarship this fall to attend St. George’s University School of Medicine on the Caribbean island of Grenada. The scholarship is awarded annually to incoming freshmen who have demonstrated academic excellence and achievement to use toward medical education.

“International students like Divya are critical to Georgia’s doctor workforce,” said university spokeswoman Madeline Auerbach. “They’re more likely than U.S. grads to practice in primary care and underserved areas, where Georgia is suffering a severe shortage. In fact, international medical graduates already

compose nearly a quarter of Georgia’s doctor workforce.”

Vaithiswaran said she felt honored and grateful to receive such a prestigious scholarship, and she added she is using it to further motivate herself to do well in the upcoming semesters.

Vaithiswaran was inspired to join the medical field by her experiences in high school overseas. She has lived with her family in Alpharetta since 2000, but for high school, she traveled overseas to Bangalore, India to attend Sri Kumarans Children’s Home.

While there, she fell ill with dengue fever. And it was during that episode she saw first-hand some of the challenges within the medical system.

“When I was ill, I was fortunate enough to have opportunities to receive adequate care,” Vaithiswaran said.

“Unfortunately, one of our family friend’s children also got dengue and could not afford to go to a hospital. Witnessing

After talking with my physician about all the details of my condition, I began to tap into his breadth of knowledge and experiences.

It was almost like having my own library of biological knowledge.”

Divya Vaithiswaran “Legacy of Excellence” scholarship recipient this disparity in healthcare made me want to do something about it. I longed for the medical expertise to treat people like them who could not afford to go to a hospital.”

Vaithiswaran became curious about her treatment and asked doctors for more information about her condition.

Her passion for medicine was born through the interactions.

“I began to relate what I learned in school about dengue fever to what I was experiencing,” she said. “After talking with my physician about all the details of my condition, I began to tap into his breadth of knowledge and experiences. It was almost like having my own library of biological knowledge.”

Maternal health has also become a major topic of interest for Vaithiswaran.

It’s a field she’s currently pursuing at her university.

“Maternal health in many countries is not focused on or even discussed,”

Vaithiswaran said. “Currently, there is an overwhelming need for OB/GYNs in America and in other countries as well.

In the future I plan on pursuing a MPH to better serve those in need.”

Vaithiswaran has since completed her first semester at St. George’s University, and she is not slowing down.

For her winter break, she is partaking in India Selective, a medical hands-on learning program.

It just one of many opportunities she hopes to take advantage of at school to learn everything she can, she said.

“More than anything, I hope to establish a strong understanding of medicine and its intricacies by learning material and participating in as many programs as possible to expand my skillset and knowledge,” Vaithiswaran said. “Medicine is so vast with developments being made daily… My goal is to always be intrigued and curious.”

In Memoriam

Sue Boutwell Early on the morning of December 8, 2018, the Angels came and took Sue Boutwell to live with Jesus in heaven. She passed away peacefully at home with her family close by.

Sue was born in Crenshaw County Alabama to Frazier and Lena Grace Killough, was educated at Greenville High School and Georgia State University, and worked at The American Heart Association in New York City and Eastman Kodak Company in Atlanta, Georgia. After her career with Kodak she retired to rear her family and help her husband Jack establish his C.P.A. practice in Roswell, GA. Sue worked “mommy hours” with

husband so as to spend as much time as possible with her children.

She is survived by her husband Jack Boutwell of Alpharetta, GA, daughter Jessica Dobracki, Ann Arbor Michigan, daughter Blair Hill of Montgomery, Alabama, granddaughter Reece Dobracki, Ann Arbor and step granddaughter Elizabeth (Izzy) Hill of Clover, S.C., brother Wayne Killough and sisters Carolyn Black and Bonnie Poole of Greenville.

Memorials and contributions may be sent to Southside Baptist Church, Greenville, AL, 36037.

COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 37

In Memoriam

FaithBridge achieves national accreditation ALPHARETTA, Ga. — FaithBridge Foster Care has recently been awarded national accreditation as certified by the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA), an independent accreditor of community-based social service organizations in the United States and Canada.

FaithBridge Foster Care is Georgia’s largest Christ-centered child placement agency. Since 2007, they have served more than 1,200 children in foster care through partnering with 73 different churches.

Of 178 licensed private child welfare providers in Georgia, FaithBridge be-

comes only the 16th such organization to earn the prestigious accreditation, a year-long process.

“This is a great milestone for FaithBridge,” FaithBridge Foster Care President and CEO Bob Bruder-Mattson said.

“We could not have done this without the combined efforts of our staff, board, church partners, and foster families. We chose to pursue the rigorous COA Accreditation to have an objective, independent organization closely examine us so that we strive for the highest standards possible.”

For more information, visit faithbridgefostercare.org

Herman A. Hampel Herman A. Hampel age 88 of Milton, GA. passed away on December 14, 2018. Mr. Hampel was born on December 21, 1929 in St. Louis MO and served in the Marine Corps. during the Korean War. He attended Washington University in St. Louis and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Engineering in 1957. He had a successful career in Structural Engineering with several large firms until his retirement in 1991 from Equitable Real Estate in their Development and Construction Dept. with the title of Regional Manager Construction.

Herman was an active member of the Alpharetta First United Methodist Church in recent years,

serving on the Board of Trustees and as a member of the Retired Men’s Group who worked on projects within the church. He along with his wife, Joyce were members of the Open Door Sunday School Class for many years. Herman is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Joyce E. Hampel; sons and daughters-inlaw, James A. and Debra Hampel, John E. and Martha Hampel and Robert C. and Patricia Hampel and eight grandchildren. A reception will be held on Friday, December 21, 2018 at 10:00am at The Alpharetta First United Methodist Church with a memorial service to follow at 11:00am. Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, Roswell, 770-645-1414. www.northsidechapel.com

DEATH NOTICES Lewis Paul Brock, Jr., 74, of Cumming, passed away December 16, 2018. .

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Crematory.

Johnny Bryson, 77, of Cumming, passed away December 17, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors &

William Samuel Guffin, Jr. 85, of Cumming, passed away December 17, 2018.

Arrangements by McDonald & Son Funeral Home & Crematory.

Herman A. Hampel , 88 of Alpharetta, passed away December 14, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Richard Burkard, 84, of Suwanee, passed away December 11, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Reagan Ferguson, 30, of Alpharetta, passed away December 13, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Crematory.

William Fralic, 56, of Roswell, passed away December 13, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors &

Crematory.

Dora Hardeman, 90, of Roswell, passed away December 16, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors &

John Lindsey Jordan, Jr., 81, passed away December 12, 2018. Arrangements

by McDonald & Son Funeral Home & Crematory.

Randall Robert Kintz, 27 of Cumming, passed away December 14, 2018.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Sarah Wilson McGaha, 87, of Cumming, passed away December 10, 2018.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Lavern H. Smith, 50, of Cumming, passed away December 15, 2018.

Arrangements by Byars Funeral & Cremation Services.

Susan F. McMillan, 76, of Roswell, passed away December 13, 2018.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

James C. Warren, 89, of Roswell, passed away December 15, 2018. Arrangements

by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

Greg Pittman, 53, of Johns Creek, passed away December 12, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Marcus Redd, 76, of Roswell, passed away December 14, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

David Roth, 70, of Milton, passed away December 14, 2018. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Mona Wright, 65, of Alpharetta, passed away December 11, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Ronald L. Zimmermann, 83, of Cumming, passed away December 17, 2018. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

38 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 27, 2018 | 39

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Wanted to Buy ADVERTISE to 10 Million Homes across the USA! Place your ad in over 140 community newspapers, with circulation totaling over 10 million homes.

Contact Independent Free Papers of America IFPA at danielleburnett-ifpa@live.com or visit our website cadnetads. com for more information Wants to purchase minerals and other oil and gas interests.

Send details to P.O. Box 13557 Denver, Co. 80201 TOP CASH FOR CARS, Any Car/Truck, Running or Not. Call for INSTANT offer: 1-888417-9150

40 | December 27, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Please call us at 678-461-8700 | Harry Norman North Fulton Office Harry Norman, REALTORS® | North Fulton Office | 7855 North Point Pkwy, Suite 1090 | Alpharetta, GA 30305 | HarryNorman.com