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Roswell: Pages 16
viduals who could take up [and continue] the work,” said Rickett. “I was privileged to meet men and women leaders during a truly defining time in my life.”
But there was a darker side to the society where she was immersed.
Rickett soon realized the young girls in the neighborhood who had been brought in to do the cooking, cleaning and babysitting were, in fact, slaves -- and often not there of their own free will.
“Getting to know African women and girls opened my eyes to the heartbreaking abuse and sale of girls and women,” said Rickett. “What I learned [in Kenya] became the seed of what is now She Is Safe.”
Her life of missionary work may have started in Kenya, but her connection to these young girls and women was rooted much deeper.
As a teenager, Rickett was rescued from a violent home life of abuse after a friend’s mother intervened and reported the situation to authorities. The Department of Family and Children Services stepped in, and Rickett was placed with a “loving Christian family.”
Years later, in Kenya, those memories of her early years of abuse came rushing back; and became a rallying point for Rickett to be the one who intervened.
“I had no idea that my difficult childhood was preparing me for the mission God was opening before me,” said Rickett, who grew up in Cobb County. “It was as though God was reminding me that when I needed rescue, someone came for me.”
As Rickett looked for direction, she felt God asking her, “What will you do for these children of mine?”
She began by bringing her concerns and questions to trusted African women friends, knowing that they would have the best insights for helping to combat the problem of selling girls.
“Many of them had transcended these same abuses, understood the language and culture and were willing to collaborate on solutions,” said Rickett. “We have utilized this ‘partnership’ model ever since.”
Several years later, in 1989, the Rickett family, which now included two daughters, moved to Alpharetta, where Daniel had been tapped to launch a program for Illinois-based Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Michele was taking a much needed break from direct missionary work to raise her two daughters, but became a frequent guest speaker at women’s groups interested in her experiences in Africa.
“I began raising awareness about the plight of women and girls around the world, [and] forging deep relationships with like-minded women who believed that God wanted those of us who are free to advocate for abused and enslaved women and girls,” said Rickett.
By 2002, the organization had a network of women (and a few men) ready to band together to create an international nonprofit corporation dedicated to freeing women and girls from abuse and slavery.
To advance the message to a broader audience, Rickett wrote two books, “Daughters of Hope” (2002) and “Forgotten Girls – Stories of Hope and Courage” (2014), which both became best sellers.
“Both of the books help readers walk into the lives of victims to gain insights for prayer and responsible action, and opened doors for us to mobilize more resources and people to join [our mission],” said Rickett.
Over the years, the impact of the organization grew, along with the lives saved and redirected. Rickett said in the last five years alone, She Is Safe has supported between 15,000 and 18,000 individuals each year in one of the programs of prevention, rescue or restoration.
Last year, an additional 68,000 at-risk children overseas received abuse prevention training through public schools.
Rickett knows the impact of She Is Safe resonates through each girl helped, saying that for “every girl or woman you help to lift, she will impact 26 others.” She also knows her work will never end.
“There will always be criminals who will do anything for money, but we can work to make our communities far less hospitable to these criminals,” said Rickett. “And we won’t stop working and inviting others to join us — until every girl is safe, free and equipped to become the woman God created her to be.”
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SheIsSafe.org
In rural Nepal, there are villages with no girls over the age of 12. The missing girls have been sold into India’s massive brothels.
Our new face on Main St. in downtown Alpharetta. (Kelly Holtz Photography)
Alpharetta Methodist has a history of worship, service and leadership that stretches back 158 years. We’ve grown along the way, and we’ve recently expanded again to meet the needs of our growing North Fulton area. We have new spaces for all ages, which gives us lots of room to grow, worship and learn together!
Our Mission is winning men and women, boys and girls to Jesus Christ.
Our Vision is to be a diverse community that invites and welcomes all people to experience a loving relationship with Jesus Christ that will transform lives.
Alpharetta First United Methodist Church
69 N Main St, Alpharetta, Ga 770.475.5576 afumc.org
alpharetta.methodist alpharetta.methodist alpharettafumc
Community makes Johns Creek exceptional
Johns Creek is consistently ranked in the top five of numerous municipal “best city” listings and there is little doubt why our exceptional city receives such beneficial accolades. With premier municipal services, top-performing schools, first-rate hospitals and medical facilities, executive homes, award-winning parks, and outstanding events and celebrations, Johns Creek continues to stand out as the most preferred place to reside in north Georgia.
Johns Creek has been recognized consistently over the past couple of years as one of the safest cities in the region and a highly sought-out community in which to live, work, educate and play.
It is important to point out that these key attributes did not happen on their own. As a community, our residents worked together to make it happen. We carved out our own piece of Fulton County 12 years ago and decided to chart our own course as an incorporated city.
By building our own police and fire departments with a focused effort on staffing each with the best leadership, personnel and equipment and by hiring some of the country’s most experienced and dedicated professionals, our city hall is teaming with talent and innovation.
We have more than doubled our available greenspace to expand our parks and recreational opportunities and have upgraded our infrastructure to accommodate a balance of live-work-play admired by many.
Our success motivates us and continues to draw in like-minded residents from around the nation and the world — residents who desire a safe and welcoming community, strong education for their children, active living and the opportunity for professional achievement.
From our cultural arts scene, to a plethora of dining and recreation options, along with our highly acclaimed medical facilities, there is no questions as to why we are exceptional and celebrated.
We welcome you to join our community and experience what it means to be a part of a lifestyle that we believe defines our tagline, and “be the exception.” – Mike Bodker, Johns Creek mayor
OLD MILTON PKWY
ABBOTTS BRIDGE RDJOHNS CREEK
WATERS RD.
3
JONES RD.
BRIDGE
OLD ALABAMA RD
1
PARSONS RD
STATE BRIDGE RD MEDL OCK BRID GE RD
BARNWELL RD.
McGINNIS FERRY RD OLD AT LANT A RD
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Legend
Baseball Fields
Basketball Courts
Docks/Decks
Dog Park
Meeting Rooms
Multi-purpose Courts
Picnic Pavilion/Tables
Playground
Softball Fields
Tennis Courts
Walking Trails/Paths
1. Autrey Mill Nature Preserve (46 acre) 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek 2. Newtown Park (46 acres) 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek
Bodker Zaprowski Lin Bradberry Coughlin Endres Broadbent
Mike Bodker, Mayor 678-512-3313 mike.bodker@johnscreekga.gov
City Council members
Lenny Zaprowski, Post 1 678-512-3200 lenny.zaprowski@johnscreekga.gov
Jay Lin, Post 2 678-512-3200 jay.lin@johnscreekga.gov John Bradberry, Post 3 678-512-3200 john.bradberry@johnscreekga.gov
Chris Coughlin, Post 3 770-557-5702 Chris.coughlin@johnscreekga.gov
Stephanie Endres, Post 5 678-512-3200 Stephanie.endres@johnscreekga. gov Steve Broadbent, Post 6 Mayor Pro Tem 678-512-3200 steve.broadbent@johnscreekga.gov
Johns Creek City Hall
11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30097 678-512-3200 info@johnscreekga.gov www.johnscreekga.gov
Historical Society looks back at the history of Newtown
By CARSON COOK
It’s no secret that many roads in Johns Creek are named after historic bridges: Holcomb Bridge Road, Jones Bridge Road.
But how many residents can actually tell you the history behind those names?
The story behind these bridges, and the roads they named, were among the things members of the Johns Creek Historical Society learned Jan. 16. For its January meeting, the society presented “Memories of Newtown” with guest speaker Larry Garrard.
Garrard grew up on the Chattahoochee River, near where Deer Valley Golf Range and the Johns Creek Environmental Campus lie today.
“I grew up on a red dirt road [Holcomb Bridge Road],” he said. “We didn’t have crush-and-run gravel; it was red mud. In fact, if it rained enough we barely could get through it, it was that bad … now it’s a four-lane state highway with 50,000 cars a day on it, and I hate it.”
Garrard spoke about the history of the Chattahoochee River dating back to the Cheek and Cherokee tribes. “That area is where I grew up,” he said. “In the beginning there were no bridges.”
In the early 1800s, different families ran ferries to cross the Chattahoochee River, Garrard explained. Some roads, like Nesbit Ferry, are named after those families.
In 1834, the McAfee family built a toll bridge that became Holcomb Bridge. Its position would change slightly, and it would be rebuilt several times, including after it was burned down in the Civil War.
McAfee’s son-in-law, Jackson Gregory, built the twostory, log cabin home that Garrard grew up in.
“No insulation,” he described it. “In the winter, air blew from the living room into the dining room. Everywhere had air conditioning in the winter.”
Garrard also talked about attending Newtown School, today the home of Park Place. The school was built in 1929 and was added to the National Historic Registry in 2006.
He showed the attendees a gradebook from 1930, belonging to Myrtle Alexander who taught at the school for decades, including Garrard in 1961. Several of the attendees either attended the school or had relatives who did, and they shared their memories of the teachers, staff and social clubs.
“It’s just always amazing to me that 40 years ago things were so different: all dirt roads and no traffic,” said Historical Society President Joan Compton.
The Johns Creek Historical Society meets monthly. Meetings often involve speakers sharing a different part of Johns Creek history. To learn more about the group or to become a member, visit johnscreekhistory.com.
The Johns Creek Arts Festival • Oct. Atlanta Athletic Club Fields
The Johns Creek Arts Festival has quickly become one of the great outdoor events in Johns Creek and North Fulton. The area comes alive with more than 100 whimsical and fun artisans from around the country. This is the perfect venue to showcase the talented artisans who exhibit their paintings, pottery, metalwork, folk art, glass, jewelry, yard art and many more goodies. The annual fall celebration of the arts is a shoppers’ paradise, and there is local musical and dancing talent to add color to the event. Come to see and be seen.
The Fall Family Festival
• Oct. Newtown Park
Fall Family Festival & Public Works ‘Touch-A-Truck’ features music, games, activities, art & crafts, moonwalks, giant slides, obstacle course and much more. It is also the last chance to visit the city’s Farmers Market, and it all happens at fun-filled Newtown Park. It is a celebration of the last beautiful days of fall with lots to eat and fun for the family.
The city’s Public Works ‘Touch-ATruck’ is always a treat for the little ones. The city provides an up-close view of bulldozers, backhoes, public safety vehicles and other cool machines, such as those for road improvements and traffic signal operations.
Founders Day Parade
• Dec. State Bridge Road
The annual Founders Day Parade is a special celebration of the city’s incorporation simply because the founding of the city was in their lifetimes.
Most of the residents who take part in the parade were here in 2006, so they are the founding fathers, mothers and children of Johns Creek.
So expect the brass bands to blare from all the high schools as they march by and hear the people cheer as the floats go past. Some of the parade highlights include local neighborhoods with proud banners, schools, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, community organizations, civic clubs and businesses.
Cultural and outdoor activities
Autrey Mill Nature Preserve
• 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek
The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Cultural Heritage Center is on 46 acres of ravine forest and a scenic creek. It has two miles of walking trails winding past the creek and forest filled with mature trees, wildflowers, native plants, and a variety of animal life.
It is also home to the Heritage Village composed of four buildings original to the site and four landmark structures moved from nearby properties.
Johns Creek Arts Center • 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road
Building 700, Johns Creek
Throughout the year, the center offers more than 75 unique classes and workshops for youth, adults and seniors. In addition, the center hosts the largest summer arts camp in Fulton County and delivers community outreach programs and Girl Scout badge and try-it programs.
Newtown Park Amphitheater
• 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek www.johnscreekga.gov
The Newtown Park Amphitheater provides a venue for city-sponsored events, such as its summer concerts. Naturally designed with stacked stone and arches of Southern pine, the 10,600-square-foot open-air amphitheater offers up to 400 seats under cover, and another 1,000 seats on its terraced grass surroundings.
It is also home to the Johns Creek Farmers Market each Saturday morning from April through October.
The Amphitheater is home to the Summer Concert series.
Photo by Carson Cook
Autrey Mill Heritage Instructor Allison Kane, right, shows Payton Landeck an old knife sharpener. Autrey Mill expands heritage offerings
By CARSON COOK
Autrey Mill Nature Preserve has expanded its programs for history lovers with the acquisition of a historic smoke house and the expansion of Sneak-aPeak days.
The smoke house, estimated to date back to the late 1800s or early 1900s, was located on land that Johns Creek bought to create Cauley Creek Park.
The structure had fallen into disrepair and suffered vandalism, Autrey Mill Board President Pam Sutton said.
The city relocated the smoke house to the nature preserve and restored it so visitors can see another element of local history.
“We want it so kids can just walk into it, and it will inspire their imagination, “Sutton said.
The smoke house is located by the new porous parking lot and bus turn lane, which the city council approved in October 2018.
“This is pretty much a park manager’s dream, getting to preserve a piece of our history and do something environmentally green as well,” Parks Manager Robby Newton said.
“This is another win for the city, and another attraction for Autrey Mill, which I think of as our little hidden gem,” City Councilman Lenny Zaprowski said.
Like the new smoke house, the Summerour House, Tenant Farmhouse, Green Store and Warsaw Church are historic structures located at Autrey Mill. Each contains artifacts, mostly from the 19th century, that tell a story about the lives of the people who lived in the area more than 100 years ago.
“We are really fortunate to have these buildings and things to teach the kids about history and help their imagination,” Heritage instructor Alison Kane said.
Previously, visitors could only go into these buildings on select Tuesdays and Sundays, but earlier this year, Autrey Mill began offering Sneak-a-Peak Saturdays on the first and third Saturday each month.
From noon to 2 p.m., visitors can tour the Heritage Village buildings with a docent and learn about local history.
“We’re always getting people asking ‘Are the buildings open?’” Executive Director Mary Winder said. “So creating the opportunity to say ‘yes’ is so important. We’re so happy to open them up on Saturdays.”
“We’ve had Take-a-Peak Tuesday,” Kane said. “But it’s usually for retired folks, or people on vacation, but now we can catch more people, even if they’re just here to hike the trails.”
Tina Landeck and her family were among the first to take advantage of Sneak-a-Peak Saturdays as they toured the tenant farm house.
“It’s great,” she said. “I’ve never been inside, so it’s better than having to peak through the windows.”
Autrey Mill is at 9770 Autrey Mill Road.
This is more than just health care. This is Gwinnett Medical Center
Gwinnett Medical Center traces its roots to a single community hospital, which for decades stood as the only hospital serving the Johns Creek community. And while we’re known for our legacy of care and compassion, today, we’re making expert health care even more convenient for you and your family.
Whether it’s the skilled providers of the Johns Creek Orthopedic Surgery Center, the extensive resources of GMC-Duluth or the convenient services offered at ChoiceOne Urgent Care-Sugar Hill, we are continually striving to meet the health care needs of your community.
Here are just a few of the ways that we’re making our advanced health care readily available:
GMC-Duluth
From the customized care offered at the Center for Weight Management and the groundbreaking Concussion Institute, to the experienced team at Glancy Rehabilitation Center, GMC-Duluth serves as a gateway to connect you and your family with an extensive array of trusted experts, comprehensive services and resources.
GMC Primary Care & Specialty Center-Suwanee
Conveniently located at the corner of McGinnis Ferry and Peachtree Industrial, in The Shoppes at Suwanee, this advanced center pairs high quality health care provided by experienced specialists with a relaxing, spa-like environment to deliver an exceptional health care experience.
You and your family can enjoy one-stop access to a wide range of comprehensive services under one roof, including:
• Primary Care • OB/GYN • Gastroenterology • Cardiology • Rheumatology
To learn more about how we’re transforming health care in the Johns Creek community, visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org.
Photo by Carson Cook
Chinese Waist Drum Dancers perform for the local Chinese-American community to celebrate the Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival at the Johns Creek Event Center Feb. 16. Chinese community celebrates lunar new year
By CARSON COOK
Nearly 200 Chinese-Americans gathered at the Johns Creek Event Center Feb. 16 to celebrate the Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival.
Chinese New Year is the beginning of the traditional Chinese calendar, which is based on lunar cycles. Though the New Year was Feb. 5, celebrations can go on for weeks. The entire season is known as the Spring Festival.
The Lantern Festival, Jan. 19 this year, traditionally marks the end of the celebrations. In China, the festival is celebrated by creating lanterns, writing riddles and eating rice balls.
Falling on the Saturday before the Lantern Festival, the Johns Creek Chinese community organized an event abounding in Spring Festival traditions, including plenty of food, live performances and raffle prizes.
“In China they celebrate with food, performances and giving gifts to wish good luck for the new year,” said Roy Zou, one of the event’s organizers. “It’s a time for the family and the community to come together.”
The population of Johns Creek is 26.7 percent Asian, compared to 5.8 percent nationwide, according to U.S. Census data. There are more than 4,000 residents of Chinese descent in the city.
These expatriates come from all across the large and diverse country of China, and so the Johns Creek event showcased many customs from different regions of China. The waist drum dance, for example, originated in northwest China more than 1,000 years ago.
The décor and the attire of many attendees was red, which symbolize joy and good fortune in Chinese culture. About two dozen performers, such as singers, musicians and dancers, kept attendees entertained.
The event was organized by the Atlanta Shaanxi-Ren Society. State Rep. Angelika Kausche was among the attendees. This year, 2019, is the year of the pig in the Chinese Zodiac. The last year of the pig was 2007, and there will not be another until 2031.
Because in China pigs are symbols of wealth, some believe the year of the pig will bring prosperity and good fortune. Those born during the year of the pig, such as 1959, 1971, 1983 or 1995, are believed to be pragmatic, materialistic, hard-working and enthusiastic.
