City launches community survey
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ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Green Cell, the Alpharetta-based nonprofit, is endearingly scrappy, but it packs a punch with more than 100 volunteers.
The group leads a number of ecoconscious projects that service other cities in Fulton County, like Johns Creek, as well as Forsyth and Gwinnett counties.
Green Cell is also looking to engage communities outside of the state by setting up utensil banks in Charlotte and one in Texas. The project loans coolers and utensils for lowwaste gatherings. By loaning utensils in 2022, Pankaj Rajankar said more than 100,000 single-use utensils were eliminated.
Rajankar, who co-founded Green Cell in 2018 with Sandesh Shinde, said the idea for Green Cell started with a well-liked Facebook post spreading environmental awareness.
“My comment on that was, ‘These likes don’t matter,’” Rajankar said.
He said everybody points a finger and asks others to change their habits, yet they hold a plastic bottle or
See COMMUNITY, Page 6
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The City of Dunwoody will partner with multiple Metro Atlanta business organizations this month to host a comprehensive career expo for hundreds of job seekers at Perimeter Mall.
The HIREDunwoody career expo will be held Thursday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Dillard’s wing of Perimeter Mall and will feature a wide range of industries and companies from Dunwoody and the surrounding area, including the Dunwoody Police Department, Northside Hospital, IHG, Hapag-Lloyd, UPS and State Farm.
“We’re grateful for our partners and our common goal of helping job seekers discover new opportunities with room to grow,” Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said. “Easy access from MARTA, I-285 and Ga. 400 make Dunwoody a great fit for so many job seekers and employers.”
The event will begin at 10 a.m. with an hour-long career workshop presented by WorkSource DeKalb, Corners Outreach and IN THE DOOR, a workforce development strategy and training firm. The workshop will focus on polishing resumes and will provide job seekers with tips and tricks for navigating career fairs.
WorkSource DeKalb will also be on site
See CAREER, Page 10
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DUNWOODY, Ga. — Police have arrested a 25-year-old Decatur man who allegedly shot and seriously injured a security guard at the Sage Woodfire Tavern in Dunwoody last month.
Anthony Bernard Jones was arrested March 5 after a month-long hunt by DeKalb County authorities for a pair of suspects who allegedly left the restaurant near Perimeter Mall without paying for their meal and then shot a security guard when he attempted to prevent them from leaving.
All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody police have arrested a Jonesboro woman allegedly found driving a stolen car last week.
Police reports said officers were contacted at about 3 p.m., March 6, by a person who was tracking his stolen car on GPS as it traveled through Dunwoody. With the victim’s help, officers located the car at a maintenance shop on Chamblee Dunwoody Road, being looked at by a mechanic.
Police arrested the vehicle’s driver, identified as a 43-year-old Jonesboro woman. The suspect first told police she had taken the car from her father, but she later admitted she stole the vehicle from a truck lot in Forest Park that morning.
The woman was charged with theft
A police report from the incident said the 29-year-old guard suffered three wounds from the attack, one in the hand, forearm and shoulder, by a man and woman who fled in a black sedan.
The security guard was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition. There has since been no update on his condition.
Jones was later identified as the shooter by witnesses at the scene and was arrested by the DeKalb County Police Department when his license plate triggered an alert on a FLOCK license plate camera.
by receiving and was transported to the DeKalb County Jail.
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Police said a woman was threatened with a gun by another driver during a road rage incident on Perimeter Center in Dunwoody March 3.
The woman told police the incident occurred after she made a U-turn from Ashford Dunwoody Road into the parking lot of an Exxon station at about 9 a.m. and she was approached by a man driving a white BMW.
The BMW driver allegedly followed the victim as she left the gas station and continued down Ashford Dunwoody Road. When they pulled up to a stoplight, the BMW pulled alongside her, and the driver allegedly pointed a gun at her while calling her names.
After an investigation of FLOCK traffic cameras in the area, police were able to identify the vehicle, but noted that the registered owner did not match the victim’s description of the suspect.
No suspect was identified at the time of the report.
DeKalb County Jail records show that he was charged with aggravated assault with a weapon, aggravated battery disfigurement, reckless conduct, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, discharging a firearm near a public highway and theft of services.
He was released from DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office custody on bond March 8, records said.
Another individual, Jailyn Reese, 22, of Atlanta was also charged with theft of services in connection with the incident and has also been released from DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office custody.
DUNWOODY, Ga. — A man wanted for carjacking, burglary and armed robbery in Johns Creek has been arrested in Dunwoody.
Dunwoody police said the 20-yearold McDonough man was arrested March 3 after officers were alerted he had been seen in the city driving a white Chevrolet Silverado.
Officers located the suspect near Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Tilly Mill Road and began following him, waiting for backup. When the suspect turned into the Carter Hills apartments near Peachtree Industrial Road, he fled at high speeds and officers began pursuit.
The suspect was taken into custody after his vehicle rolled into a ditch in the apartment complex.
Police said the suspect was found carrying a handgun reported stolen to Atlanta police and was charged with attempting to elude a law enforcement officer. He was transported to the DeKalb County Jail but will also face multiple felony charges in Fulton County.
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — City officials plan to have a fully completed park honoring local veterans in downtown Sandy Springs by Veterans Day this November,.
The Sandy Springs City Council gave final approval March 8 to a $5.7 million construction contract with Reeves Young to build Veterans Memorial Park on a triangle-shaped property between Roswell Road, Johnson Ferry Road and Mt. Vernon Highway, directly adjacent to City Hall. Plans call for the park to include a series of large fountains that mirror the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center fountains on Roswell Road, a memorial area commemorating local veterans and wide multi-use sidewalks connecting the park to City Springs and the rest of the city.
The park project, which has been under consideration for more than 10 years, was approved by a split 3-2 vote, with District 6 Councilman Andy Bauman and District 4 Councilwoman Jody Reichel casting dissenting votes.
Bauman and Reichel each said that while they support the idea of having a veterans memorial in the city, they were concerned with the high costs associated
with the park’s fountain.
“I'm thrilled we're supporting a salute to our veterans,” Bauman said. “Ultimately, you know, this is a town also founded on fiscal responsibility. To quote one of my colleagues in a different context, but the same project, ‘Have we lost our minds? This has gotten out of hand.’”
Architects initially estimated the park would cost $4.7 million to build, but the price tag has since grown by $1 million due to site logistics and utilities, said Mike Iezzi, a Reeves Young project executive.
Sandy Springs currently has $3.1 million in funding available for the project, Iezzi said, but they have funding sources lined up for the additional $2.6 million that
will be needed.
This rendering shows the future Sandy Springs Veteran’s Memorial Park, which will be built at Roswell Road, Johnson Ferry Road and Mt. Vernon Highway, adjacent to City Hall. A $5.7 million construction contract for the park was approved at a City Council meeting March 8.
The park was also designed with an alternate no-fountain option, which would instead feature large planters with trees, shrubs and flowers along Roswell Road, he said. This option would knock nearly $700,000 off the cost.
However, officials said that without the fountains, the park will be much less shielded from road noise.
Reichel said she couldn’t support either option, because the proposed cost was too expensive to justify, especially when other city parks have financial needs for active uses, like baseball and soccer.
Going back to the drawing board and figuring out a different way to memorialize
veterans would be the better option, she said.
“I don't think that me not supporting spending millions of dollars on either flowers or a fountain, takes away from my support for the veterans,” she said.
Councilmembers also heard from several local veterans at the meeting, who said they believed the fountain was an integral part of the project.
“A commitment has been made to the citizens of Sandy Springs for a veterans fountain,” resident Drew Early said. “This is about you, the elected representatives, having made commitments to your constituency. You may not have wanted to, you may not have decided to, you may not have thought that’s what you were doing, but it’s what you did.”
Following public comments, District 1 Councilman John Paulson, a Vietnam War veteran, said the city needed to listen to what local residents wanted for the project, stop taking it back to the drawing board and just get the park project finished.
“I hear people talk about how they support the veterans all the time … And I think that's fantastic,” Paulson said. “To me, this is also an indication of support for the veterans … and I'd like to see that true
See PARK, Page 7
DUNWOODY, Ga. — If you receive a call, letter or email in the coming weeks asking for feedback on services provided by the City of Dunwoody, it’s not a scam or sales call.
City officials have contracted the national research firm, Probolsky Research, to conduct a community survey on a wide range of city services and programs from a “representative statistical sampling” of local residents.
“We conduct a community survey every few years as a way of measuring satisfaction levels with city services, amenities, and quality of life,” Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton said. “We look forward to comparing 2023 to prior surveys to see where we’re hit -
ting the mark and identify areas for improvement. This will be a valuable tool to plan for the future.”
Probolsky Research will contact a random sample of select residents by mail, phone, email and text over the next several weeks, city officials said.
Residents will be asked about their priorities for the city and their satisfaction level with current city services, programs, management and many other topics.
The survey will take less than 30 minutes to complete, and responses will be confidential. The results of the survey will be presented to the City Council and will be available to the public when complete.
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The City of Sandy Springs will break ground on its newest fire station at a ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at 7800 Mount Vernon Highway.
Sandy Springs Fire Station 5 will be built as a state-of-the-art, 10,000-squarefoot firehouse and will serve the city’s northeastern “panhandle area.”
“The city’s “panhandle area” is currently served by Fire Station No. 51, located on Spalding Drive at Roberts
Road,” officials said. “Response time to reach some areas within this district can take from 10 to 15 minutes. The new station is designed to blend in with the residential character of the neighborhood and will significantly reduce response times by as much as seven minutes.”
Last September, the City Council approved an $8.4 million construction contract with Reeves and Yong to build the new fire station.
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don’t own reusable grocery bags.
“Unless all human beings change and ask for this change, the change is not going to happen,” Rajankar said.
He along with board member Vijay Desai and youth coordinator Ramya Shivkumar sat inside the Dunkin’ Donuts off North Main Street in Alpharetta sharing Green Cell milestones. Shivkumar’s young but forward-thinking daughter was there, too, and said she wants to move to California because the state is banning plastic bags.
Desai pointed out the window to call out the harmful transportation of pine straw used to beautify the parking lot’s medians. The area already has a lot of pine trees, but Desai said the needles are mostly transported from Florida.
“It's crazy that they are actually spending carbon to bring [those] pine needles and spread it here when we could just simply leave the leaves alone,” Desai said impassioned, with comments on an alternative like spreading composted soil.
Composting was one focus of the Feb. 9 discussion. But Shivkumar
also brought news about an upcoming youth sustainability conference hosted by Green Cell in September, the first of its kind in the state in a decade.
For the conference, Shivkumar is working with the Wild Center based in New York, which has a youth climate program. Shivkumar reached out to Atlanta’s chief sustainability officer for support.
Shivkumar foresees the conference attracting at least 400 middle and high school students. Details, like venue and keynote speakers, are still being decided.
But Shivkumar said the conference will involve students in a climate change workshop where they will create actionable plans to address climate change and sustainability in their local communities. There will also be mini workshops.
The summit will provide a platform to share success stories, Shivkumar said, and continue to build a platform for students to continue discussion post-conference.
While plans are in the works for the larger conference in September, Green Cell’s youth program has regularly hosted virtual summer camps, where students are asked to study an environmental issue and perform a related action, like three-minute showers or glass recycling. Green Cell also has an orientation program for kids that teaches about environmental issues and why action is important.
Shivkumar said the program, which now has more than 40 volunteers, came into the picture once she saw a void in the education system.
Students aren’t taught how their everyday actions impact the environment, she said, and many don’t have the resources or guidance to actively participate in discussions.
“We wanted to bridge that gap by providing that education on what you can do in your everyday life,” Shivkumar said. “You don't have the money, you don't have the resources, but you have a voice and you have certain things that are in your control that you can do.”
In February, Green Cell volunteers including Rajankar, Shinde and Desai, constructed a community composter in Shinde’s backyard.
The 475-gallon, enclosed composter is made of pressure-treated
plywood and uses a pump air system which speeds up composting from 8 weeks in summer and 16-20 weeks in winter to about a month.
Once the organic material, made of “greens and browns,” is composted, the soil will set out to dry for a few weeks and is then picked up for personal use. “Browns” are the dead leaves that are necessary to dry out the moisture from organic matter, or the “greens.” Finding the balance between the two is the number one issue people face when they compost, Rajankar said.
Composting has two benefits, he said. When people compost, they aren’t throwing organic matter in trash, which prevents methane gas. Rajankar said methane is 25 times more potent in warming the planet than carbon dioxide.
The second benefit is that the carbon is captured in the soil, he said, rather than the atmosphere.
Because people understand the need for composting, but are not able to compost, Green Cell started a mentoring program called, “Compost with a buddy.” The program assigns volunteers to residents to help them until they are successful with their first batch of compost.
The grant for Green Cell’s new composting learning center at Autry Mill in Johns Creek was recently funded. Visitors will be able to see the benefits of composting through different types in a walking tour.
Johns Creek saw Green Cell efforts in other ways, too. Youth volunteers helped implement glass recycling at Ocee Park last year.
Green Cell has hands on several other projects. The nonprofit rescues discarded food with the help of Bagel Rescue. This past year, volunteers have rescued more than 40,000 pounds of food. Much of it was bagels, which Desai stockpiles in his personal freezer before donation.
“Composting — the food is gone to waste,” Desai said. “But with food rescue, you’re actually feeding people, right?”
“You don't have the money, you don't have the resources, but you have a voice and you have certain things that are in your control that you can do.”
PANKAJ RAJANKAR co-founder Green Cell
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Investigators in Sandy Springs have charged an alleged Cherokee County drug dealer with murder in connection with a fatal 2022 overdose.
Sandy Springs police arrested Jacob Cain Anglin of Woodstock Feb. 26. He is charged with murder, making false statements to police, and possession of cocaine, arrest reports and Fulton County Jail records show.
In an email to Appen Media, Sandy Springs Public Information Officer Matthew McGinnis said they believe Anglin is responsible for supplying fentanyllaced pills that killed, James Travis
Edenfield, a 26-year-old Thomaston, Ga. man Oct. 3, 2022.
Sandy Springs police have refused to release additional information about this case, including Appen Media’s open records requests for warrants filed. Documents obtained from the Fulton County Superior Court allege that Anglin “frequently” sold pills to multiple individuals at the Comfort Inn on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs, that he knew were laced with fentanyl.
Arrest warrants alleged that “irrespective of malice” Anglin committed murder by knowingly selling laced pills that killed Edenfield.
Anglin was taken to the Fulton County Jail and is being held without bond.
DUNWOODY, Ga. — All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody, in partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, will host the annual “Hope for the Hungry” food drive from March 18 to March 19.
During the event, local residents can make donations to help neighbors in the community by replenishing the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry’s stores for the coming months.
Food pantry officials said that all food items are needed and welcome, but the need is greatest for canned meat, peanut butter and diapers. A
full list of recommended foods and household items can be found by visiting allsaintsdunwoody.org and clicking on St. Vincent de Paul on the ministries page.
St. Vincent de Paul is also accepting monetary donations made payable to SVdP GA Food Pantry, officials said.
Dropoff for the food donation event will be held from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, and from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 19.
All Saints Catholic Church is at 2443 Mount Vernon Road in Dunwoody.
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police made two arrests for prostitution-related charges on March 2 at a location on Alpharetta Street.
One individual was arrested for prostitution and related sex acts for hire. Both people were arrested on a misdemeanor charge of “keeping a place of prostitution,” and for giving massages in a place used for lewdness, prostitution and other acts for
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support for the veterans is what we hold up tonight.”
After council discussion, Bauman attempted to separate the project by calling
hire.
Fulton County Jail records show both people were released on cash bonds the same day they entered the facility.
The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation, and the Roswell Police Department says more information will be made available as the case progresses through the prosecution stage.
for separate votes on the veterans memorial funding and the overall park project, but his motion was voted down and the complete project was approved.
With final approval from the City Council, Iezzi said they expect to break ground on the project during the week of March 20, with final completion of the project coming by Nov. 1.
After experiencing sudden cardiac arrest at Roswell Area Park on Feb. 4, Nick Bogle was revived with the help of people around him and an automated external defibrillator, or AED.
ROSWELL, Ga. —The last thing Nick Bogle saw before his heart stopped beating at Roswell Area Park was two people inspecting the park’s automated external defibrillator, or AED.
The 63-year-old Milton resident was walking past the park bathrooms toward his soccer practice Feb. 4 when he experienced sudden cardiac arrest. Within moments, a fellow soccer player and retired fire chief started CPR on him.
When CPR proved ineffective, the pair inspecting the AED acted. Jeff Freemyer, a board member of elder-focused soccer club FC Georgia United, called 911. Alina Waring, an emergency physician administered the AED.
After only a few minutes and a single shock from the defibrillator, Bogle was revived and taken to the hospital by emergency medical services. Bogle spent four days in the hospital where he had an internal cardio defibrillator placed in his heart. If his heart stops again the device will
restart it.
Weeks later Bogle is back on his feet, preparing to return to his athletic lifestyle.
“My recovery really is going to be complete because they got to me so quickly,” Bogle said.
The soccer player called the lifesaving measures a “miracle.” Bogle said he was lucky to be right by the AED, and he was lucky the device they inspected was charged and ready for use.
Bogle ran through everything that could have gone differently, that could have kept the three individuals from saving his life. The American Heart Association says 436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest every year.
Somebody could have been in the bathroom where the AED is stored, Bogle said. The device could have been dead. He could have been alone.
Thankful for his recovery, Bogle said he wants to raise awareness about the lifesaving measures around Roswell parks. He credits the city for keeping AEDs at all the fields.
Recreation and Parks Department
See LIFE. Page 10
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Get your clubs ready and your best golf outfit pressed because the Rotary Club of Dunwoody will host the 2nd annual charity golf tournament this spring.
The tournament will be May 15 at the St. Marlo Country Club, 7755 St. Marlo Country Club Pkwy in Duluth and will benefit a variety of local groups the Rotary Club of Dunwoody supports, including the Alzheimer's Association, which is the event’s headlining charity.
"We are thrilled to host our 2nd
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Director Jeffrey Leatherman said the city has 31 AEDs spread across the parks, recreation centers and art centers.
“We want people to be as safe as they can be in our parks and facilities,” Leatherman said.
The devices are stored in women’s restrooms, usually around active areas like the sports fields. While the devices are readily available, Leatherman knows they can blend into the background.
“When you notice them all the time, you forget they’re even there,” Leatherman said.
Leatherman encourages people to “be conscious” and take mental notes of where the devices are in the parks. He said staff are also available to help in emergency situations.
“It’s just a way we can all help take care of the community and take care of our neighbors,” Leatherman said.
Bogle said the other part of community safety falls on “individual responsibilities,” and everyone should take the time to learn CPR. If performed immediately, the American Heart Association said CPR can double or triple survival chances for cardiac
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with its Mobile Career Resource Center, a 13-station, state-of-the-art computer lab, that can be used by participants to update and print resumes for prospective employers.
“HIREDunwoody is designed to be a one-stop shop, where you can learn about job openings, meet with hiring managers
Annual ‘Fore! The Memories’ and to support the Alzheimer’s Association, once again," Jennifer Shumway, Dunwoody Rotary Club president said. "Our players are some of the most prominent business leaders in the area, and their participation and support will help us make a real difference in the lives of those affected by Alzheimer's disease."
For more information on the tournament, including registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit the tournament website at rcdgolftournament.com.
arrest.
He also said people should learn how to use the AED devices, because they can be “intuitive, but intimidating.”
The devices all have directions printed on the outside, as well as audible commands and photo instructions. The defibrillator only activates when all the systems are hooked up correctly.
Leatherman said the device manufacturers also have how-to videos online.
Bogle and his soccer club have helped fund some of the devices because, as an older group, they must prepare for heart attacks.
Bogle emphasized that cardiac arrest could happen to anyone, no matter their age or fitness level. He named Damar Hamlin, a 24-yearold professional football player who experienced sudden cardiac arrest on the field as an example.
“I didn’t think this could ever happen to myself, and I was a little bit arrogant about it,” Bogle said. “It shows it can happen to anyone really.”
As he prepares to resume sports again, Bogle said he’s grateful for the community who came together, from his family and teammates to the doctors and nurses at the hospital.
“This story has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with everybody else around,” Bogle said.
and explore a new career path,” George Northrop, Career Center director at the Community Assistance Center said. “Career expos like this help companies connect with job seekers who might not make it through the usual resume screening but have the skills or experience that make a great employee.”
This event is free and all job seekers are welcome to attend. To register for this event in advance and learn more information, visit http://hiredunwoody.com/.
Oaklynn (ID# 50734815) - Oaklynn is 2 years old and quite playful. He does well with people and other pets, but he's especially fond of toys. A little shy at first, he becomes very affectionate once he gets to know you. Bring a toy and come meet your new best friend today. To foster or adopt Oaklynn drop by DeKalb County Animal Services, 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Chamblee, GA 30341 or email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com.
"Free Adoptions in February" –Expand your family by four furry little feet; meet Oaklynn and have a loving friend forever. All adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchip. If you would like more information about Oaklynn please email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com or call (404) 294-2165; all potential adopters will be screened to ensure Oaklynn goes to a good home.
Our shelter is full of incredible pets waiting for homes. We must find 500 homes; will yours be one of them? To foster, adopt or meet your new furry friend, stop by DeKalb County Animal Services at 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road., Chamblee, GA 30341.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — When DutchCrafters CEO Jim Miller and his partner Miao Xue first went into business in 2003, they didn’t really know what they wanted to sell.
Normally, that doesn’t bode well for the survival of a business. But Miller and Xue, both former grad students at the University of South Florida, knew that an invention called the internet was starting to show a lot of potential for matching customers with niche products that were hard to find.
DutchCrafters will celebrate its 20th anniversary later this month, marking years of hard work through recessions, a global pandemic and countless other challenges that led them to become an industry leader in selling hand-crafted furniture to customers around the world.
“It’s been a great success story,” Miller said. “But wow, there were challenges along the way. It took a lot of work.”
Today DutchCrafters is known for selling high-end custom furniture made
See CELEBRATE, Page 13
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by Amish craftsmen from communities in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. But initially, Miller didn’t even think it would be possible to sell such an expensive product on the internet, which was seen as “shady” during its infancy.
“People didn’t trust it,” he said. “Consumers weren’t there yet. In 2003, total U.S. sales of eCommerce were something like 1.25 percent.”
Instead, they began selling nifty, but less expensive, Amish-made craft items like decorative wooden lighthouses and outdoor furniture, which weren’t really being sold anywhere else online.
All that changed when Miller and his wife, Linse, took a trip to Pennsylvania to scout for vendors, and she convinced him they’d be crazy not to try selling the beautifully crafted furniture they kept seeing.
“I said, that’s never going to work. There’s too many problems,” he said. “The next year we did about half a million dollars in revenues … So, it was a great time to be wrong.”
Like the trust they had to build with customers, Miller said they also had to slowly build relationships in the closeknit Amish craftsman community by convincing suppliers they could sell their
products faster, more consistently and for higher prices than traditional brickand-mortar stores.
“It was almost more difficult to break into the vendor community than it was with customers,” he said.
In October 2022 DutchCrafters cut the ribbon on their third location outside of their headquarters in Sarasota,
Florida, and quality control warehouse in Indiana, a state-of-the-art product showroom in downtown Alpharetta.
Miller said DutchCrafters has been serving the North Fulton area for years, and he thinks that with the new location, they can boost their business in the region, while also charting a course for showrooms to open in other
cities.
“We’re really thrilled with the reception that we have had here from the business community and customers in Alpharetta,” he said. “We’ve felt really welcomed by it. We want to engage in the community and be part of it.”
But customers at the showroom aren’t going to take anything home with them, like they would from an Ikea, Rooms To Go, or other furniture stores. Instead, the showroom allows customers to learn about DutchCrafter’s products and options before their furniture is custom-made by Amish craftsmen.
A custom-made piece of furniture takes much longer to arrive at its final destination, months rather than weeks, but the end product is totally unique for each customer, Miller said.
“I call it slow furniture, like slow food,” he said. “Slow Food takes a little longer, yeah. But it usually tastes pretty good, you experience it in a different way. You sit down and enjoy it together with friends.”
Beyond that uniqueness, Miller said his customers are really buying a story.
“It’s an American story,” he said. “It’s a story that engages a high degree of authenticity. Real hands, real people working in small wood shops.”
For more information about DutchCrafter’s products and story, visit www.dutchcrafters.com.
Tara Tucker Paras Depot Installation Services Team LeaderWhat: Zoe is a young Black student at a liberal arts college. What begins as a polite clash in perspectives of the founding fathers between her and her liberal, tenured professor explodes into a tightrope of what it means to hear and what it means to listen.
When: March 17-April 2, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Join Appen Media Group, the largest local print and online publisher covering Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Forsyth County.
The position can be a fit for an experienced Ad Account Executive, or other B to B sales experience.
Full benefits, base salary and an aggressive uncapped commission package and fun team environment!
Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody
Cost: $35 for adults, $20 for students, $15 for children
More info: stagedoortheatrega.org/theniceties/
What: The Dunwoody Farmers Market brings together a variety of vendors selling local and organic fruits, veggies and produce, coffee, breakfast, baked goods, prepared meals, frozen treats, eggs, grassfed meat and fresh seafood.
When: Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody
More info: dunwoodyga.gov
What: All food items are essential and appreciated, however the greatest need is canned meat, peanut butter and diapers. Please no glass containers which can break in transport.
When: Saturday, March 18, 2-6:30 p.m. & Sunday, March 19, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Where: All Saints Catholic Church, 2443 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody
More info: allsaintsdunwoody.org/ministries/st-vincent-de-paul/
What: The inaugural Northside St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival will commence with the parade honoring St. Patrick and the Irish community in Georgia and will include Irish Societies, businesses and social groups, local school units, bands, families, and some pipes and drums. The parade will complete its route at the City Green where the festival will be in full swing. Local and Celtic vendors will be selling wares, and there will be Irish sports demonstrations, music, Irish dancing and more. The evening will culminate with a concert, ages 21 and over, by Kate Curran at nearby Thos. O’Reilly’s Public House.
When: Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m.
Where: City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs
More info: visitsandysprings.org
Qualified candidates send resume to: mike@appenmedia.com
What: Busting up moonshine operations was not unheard of in Sandy Springs during the 1940s, and rumor has it that one remains hidden under Lost Corners trails. Join Melissa Swindell, director of Historic Resources and Education Programs at
What: All food items are essential and appreciated, however the greatest need is canned meat, peanut butter and diapers. Please no glass containers which can break in transport.
When: Saturday, March 18, 2-6:30 p.m. & Sunday, March 19, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Where: All Saints Catholic Church, 2443 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody More info: allsaintsdunwoody.org/ministries/st-vincent-de-paul/
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Heritage Sandy Springs, to learn more about the fascinating and scandalous history of moonshine and prohibition in Sandy Springs. The event is free, but registration is required. Donations are welcome.
When: Tuesday, March 21, 7 p.m.
Where: Lost Corner Preserve, 7300 Brandon Mill Road, Sandy Springs
More info: sandyspringsga.gov
What: Closing the Studio Series, songwriter and modern-day guitar hero Michelle Malone brings her unique mix of roadhouse rock ’n roll, blues, gospel, country-soul and folk to the stage.
When: Thursday, March 23, 8 p.m.
Where: Studio Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs
Cost: $20-30
More info: sandyspringsga.gov
What: If we understand the soil of today, then we can better understand the forest of tomorrow.This program will cover seed bank, soil science, soil horizon, soil testing, limiting factors, mycorrhizae, richness,
biodiversity, urban forestry, fungal network (mycelium), nutrient uptake, nutrient fixing and root grafts. Participants can submit soil samples to the University of Georgia and begin a soil composition index.
When: Friday, March 24, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Lost Corner Preserve, 7300 Brandon Mill Road, Sandy Springs
More info: sandyspringsga.gov
What: Building off the success of last year’s groundbreaking fundraising event, Spruill Center for the Arts presents “Artistic Affair: An Arts Experience” at Factory Atlanta. The fundraiser and auction will include a DJ, magician and fortune tellers, live art painting, open bar, hors d’oeuvres and more.
When: Friday, March 24, 7-10 p.m.
Where: Factory Atlanta, 5616 Peachtree Road, Chamblee Cost: $75
More info: spruillarts.org/artistic-affair
What: Spring has sprung at the Dunwoody Community Garden. Visit the event for an afternoon of Instagram-worthy selfies, free popcorn and garden-themed goodies for kids. Moondog Growlers will be on site with beverages available for purchase. Exhibit runs until April 1.
Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody
When: Saturday, March 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
More info: dunwoodyga.gov
What: Join King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table and the glamorous Lady of the Lake as they turn the Arthurian legend on its ear in their quest for the Holy Grail. Along the way they encounter dancing showgirls, flying cows, killer rabbits and assorted French people. The production is the winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical.
When: Up to March 26, times vary
Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs
Cost: $37-100
More info: sandyspringsga.gov
Dunwoody Preservation Trust will unveil a stunning piece of public art this spring which will tell the community’s history, the Dunwoody Diorama.
The Diorama is a 19-foot-long wood sculpture carved in relief from the trunk of a red oak tree. Jim and Melanie Williams, past presidents of DPT and long-time residents of Dunwoody, have led the concept and funding of the project.
The 100-year-old tree was once part of the landscape of DonaldsonBannister Farm, located in front of the circa 1870 home at 4831 Chamblee Dunwoody Road. When the city determined the tree was dead and needed to be cut down, Melanie Williams had the idea to have the base of the tree carved where it was. However, an arborist determined the oak tree was not stable and had to be removed.
Chamblee sculptor Tom Williams suggested the tree be cut into thick slabs which could be cured and used to create a linear carving. In January 2020, the process began with the slabs drying outside and then in a kiln. The COVID pandemic slowed the progress of the project but planning continued.
Members of Dunwoody Preservation Trust along with Tom Williams met to discuss the details of the carving, working to incorporate as many aspects of the history as possible. Williams sketched several versions of the planned carving, working with local historians, non-profit organizations, the City of Dunwoody and other experts. He began carving soon after the final sketch was approved in early
2022.
The Diorama begins with the indigenous people who lived in the area 8,000 years ago and continues through every stage of the community’s growth, including Dunwoody today. The carving includes iconic Dunwoody history. Images of the Roswell Railroad engine Buck, Carey Spruill and his mule Shorty, the early
Dunwoody school, Thompson’s store, Cheek-Spruill House and DonaldsonBannister Farm are included, just to name a few.
The Dunwoody Diorama will be completed, mounted and secured under the roof of the new barn, on the Chamblee Dunwoody Road-side of Donaldson-Bannister Farm. It will be available for viewing whenever the city park and farm is open, 7 a.m. until sundown each day.
DPT is planning guided tours, brochures and a series of children’s books to tell the stories of the Dunwoody Diorama. They also plan to incorporate QR codes for self-guided tours and the use of augmented reality software to bring elements of the Diorama to life. DPT is planning a
regional history museum, and the Diorama is an important component of the plan.
Jim and Melanie Williams have dedicated countless hours to their vision of the Dunwoody Diorama. “This extraordinary and unique work of art will be an important educational tool and will be enjoyed by all for generations.”
The craftsmanship of wood sculptor Tom Williams has made that vision come to life.
Private donations from members of the community and local nonprofits have funded the Dunwoody Diorama project. Contact Noelle Ross, executive director DPT to contribute to this project at noelle@ dunwoodypt.org or 770-668-0401 or visit the website, dunwoodypreservationtrust.org/dunwoody-diorama/.
Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Sandy Springs. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail. com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.
There’s a hot new company advertising on television, The RealReal. Based in San Francisco, TheRealReal is an online resale marketplace for staff-authenticated luxury goods. If you are going to buy used Prada, Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton or other upscale item, you want certainty it’s the genuine article. Anyone who has traveled and seen the guys selling “luxury handbags” on European or Asian streets, aggressive salesmen who run like rabbits at the first sign of the police, has cause to be suspicious of deals and illusions that too often are too good to be true. Illusions portraying a happy and perpetually idyllic retirement are peddled constantly. We know that the process of growing older is not one long day at the beach, so to speak. Money worries, physical aches and pains, responsibilities in caring for oneself and others and myriad other challenges can upset the best of
plans. Have you thought about your game plan?
In reality, your plan for a happy and well-adjusted life should be crafted long before retirement, ideally when you are young and just starting out. But since life is a process of learning that should not end until the day you die, you will think differently at age 22 than you will at 32, and so on at ages 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, and 92. Why count in multiples of 10? Longrange planning is always wise, but if you think too far out, the “fog of the future” can cloud your thinking. Just focus on the next 10 years. Why 10 years?
Anyone beyond age 70 will tell you that 10 years will slide past you faster than you think. You don’t want 2023 to 2033 to be your lost decade. It will be if you just drift through it. Craft a plan. Then monitor your plan and modify it as you go. Change it as you learn and life lessons force growth in wisdom and understanding. A financial plan is best couched within an overall life plan.
Ask yourself, “Who am I and why am I here?”
People have a wide range of religious and non-religious beliefs as to why they are on this planet and of what is expected of them in terms of how one relates to
others. Those who are not anchored by strong beliefs encompassing responsibility to self and others often are adrift, lacking purpose. That does not make for a happy life at any age. Answering key questions, knowing who you are and where you are going, can be the path to an energizing, purposeful, and happy existence, regardless of where you are in “the circle of life.”
From your early 20s up until you retire from your primary work life, you are busy. You’re often tired, and a two-week vacation, if you can afford the time and expense, is welcome. Spousal responsibilities, raising children, maintaining a home, managing your career or running your own business, continuing education, caring for elderly loved ones, can be energy draining and time consuming. But what happens when you’ve made it to retirement?
Once you retire, every day is a weekend day. You’re not even working from home. You are home, 24 hours a day, 168 hours a week, 8,760 hours a year. Suppose you sleep 8 hours a day and spend two hours daily on personal grooming and other necessities of life. That leaves you with another 5,110 hours to fill over the course of a year. Now what, pilgrim? What does your major life transition called retirement look like?
If you can answer the question as to why you are on this planet, that helps to bring meaning and purpose to your retirement journey. Megachurch pastor Rick Warren in 2002 wrote “The Purpose Driven Life” to help you answer the quintessential question, “What on earth am I here for?” Whether you are a religious person, a religious humanist, spiritual but not religious, a secular humanist, agnostic, an atheist, many retirees find energy and mental- and physical-health bolstering purpose in helping and serving others.
Writer Mitch Anthony, author of “The New Retirementality,” now in its fifth edition, asserts that in retirement you have
to have enough money to sleep soundly at night, but you need a purpose to wake up to in the morning. Many retirees who are financially secure have a fear of being bored in retirement.
That bromide may help you answer the question, “Where am I going?” Aging is not one long vacation. There are everyday aches and pains, health challenges, losses of loved ones and friends, caregiving and other responsibilities. But a purpose-driven life stems from the satisfaction of knowing that you loved others, you met their needs and did the right thing no matter the challenges. You ran a good race, fought a good fight. Remorse is a sad thing. It’s comforting to know that when your soul shuffles off this mortal coil, to paraphrase Shakespeare, an eternal reward awaits.
A sense of hope, of purpose, of meaning right up until the day you die, is the foundation for a happy life and rewarding retirement. It’s not the “secret to life” because it’s not a secret. Read the teachings of the Old Testament prophets contained in the books of Sirach and Wisdom. Authored thousands of years ago, some advice is timeless.
Happy and fulfilling retirement is far, far away from anything that the RealReal or more spurious sellers promise. In fact, most retirees quickly realize that they have too much stuff. Garage sale, anyone?
Lewis Walker, CFP®, is a life centered financial planning strategist with Capital Insight Group; 770-441-3553; lewis@capitalinsightgrp.com. Securities & advisory services offered through The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA). Lewis is a registered representative and investment adviser representative of SFA, otherwise unaffiliated with Capital Insight Group. He’s a Gallup Certified Clifton Strengths Coach and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA).
Each week, our newsroom will hide this shopping cart image in the newspaper. Once you find it, visit appenmedia.com/shoppingspree and enter
1) Your name
2) Your email
3) The page number you found the image That’s it!
The contest will run for 13 consecutive weeks, so submit an entry each week to maximize your chances of winning.
The winner will be randomly drawn, notified on Monday, April 3rd and announced in the April 13th Crier publications. HAPPY SHOPPING …and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Spring’s here. I know that for sure.
The pear trees are starting to bloom, and the nose is starting to itch. Pear trees and pollen are the sure harbingers of spring.
Trout are a sure harbinger of spring too. It’s fun to fish for them, and it’s fun to just go see them too.
There are some neat places to see trout in northern Georgia, too, and one that’s near and dear to my heart is Rolater Park in the town of Cave Spring. You may remember Cave Spring as the site of Southern Flavor, that wonderful restaurant with the all-you-can-eat catfish. We’ve talked about that before, and thinking about it is making me hungry again. How long till lunchtime?
The cave part of Cave Spring, which is the centerpiece of Rolater Park, is not large as caves go. You can explore it in just a few minutes. But the spring part makes up for it. A flowing spring yields about 2 million gallons of cold, cold water a day. It’s been described as “the purest, best-tasting water you’re likely to find anywhere,” and folks come from far and wide with plastic milk
jugs and even big glass mayonnaise jars to take some of that water home. The water eventually flows into the park’s swimming lake, an understandably popular spot, especially as the days grow warmer. The temperatures are not there yet, but it won’t be long.
But today we’re looking at what happens between the cave and the swimming lake. After exiting the cave, the water flows into a nice little reflecting pond.
And said pond is usually the home to trout.
“Do people catch them?” she asked. We were waiting to go across the street to lunch, so we had a little time.
“No,” I said, “but we can feed them. Would you like to?”
“Yes,” she said. “That sounds like fun!”
I moseyed over to the cave entrance, where trout chow is for sale. For the cost of a cup of coffee, I bought three or four little plastic bags of food-for-trout – enough, I figured, to keep us and the trout entertained for a while.
I walked back to where she waited for me, there on the little walkway by the pond. The trout seemed to know that something good was about to happen. It was like the word had gone out, and just like that they all somehow congregated in the water near
where we stood.
“Watch this,” I said, and tossed a half dozen of the trout chow pellets into the water. The fish were on ‘em in a flash.
“Well!” she said.
“Now it’s your turn!” I said.
I poured some of the trout chow into her hand, and she tossed it into the water, and the trout were all over it, and water was flying everywhere, and she laughed out loud.
“This is neat!” she said.
The feeding continued, and the splashing and the laughter did too. We used up one bag of food, and then started on a second, stopping to show two young children how to feed the fish too.
“I think I need more trout food,” she said, laughing, and again I poured some into her hand.
More laughter. More splashes. Smiles all around.
She was having fun. I was too. And then…
You know that feeling you get sometimes when someone is looking at you? I got it then.
For some reason I turned around, and looked, and I saw a lady standing there near the two of us. I remember how in that instant something funny happened to the
light and how it was all bright and clear and crystalline blue all of a sudden. And then the lady looked at us – at her, at me –and then pointed at the two of us –
-- and said, “You two are perfect together” –
-- and then turned and walked away.
And then everything kind of stopped. It does that, sometimes, when something really significant is happening.
In that instant out-of-time moment, in that moment by the cool, clear water with the trout and the sky, there we were. Just the two of us, it seemed, there on the little walkway near the pond at Rolater Park in Cave Spring, Ga., zip code 30124. Nearby, the children were still feeding trout. But the scene had refocused. The center of the image had changed.
There was silence, hushed, expectant.
“Did you hear that?” she asked, her voice a little low.
“I did,” replied.
We stood there for a moment. She leaned on the railing. I looked at her, and she looked at me.
Time out of time -
And then time returned to normal. And we went and had catfish for lunch.
You never know where trout are going to take you.
NFCC is looking for a full-time executive assistant to support the Executive Director and leadership team. This person will play a vital role in help keep the NFCC leadership team organized and productive and will interact with the board of directors and other important stakeholder groups. Sensitivity, discretion and attention to detail are a must. Candidate must have a two-year degree, bachelor’s degree preferred and should have at least 2-3 years of relevant experience. For a complete job description visit https://nfcchelp.org/work-at-nfcc/
The full-time Client Services Specialist greets visitors to NFCC and assists them with obtaining services. In addition, this person conducts followup interviews, enters data and may participate in additional follow-up activities. A high school degree or equivalent is required along with at least one year in customer service or other relevant experience. Discretion and strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish are also required. For a complete job description, please visit https://nfcchelp.org/work-at-nfcc/
Supportive Service Coordinator:
The Supportive Service Coordinator (“SSC”) will be responsible for managing the social/supportive services for a portfolio of properties, under the supervision of the Company Asset Manager. This position will serve as a liaison between the Asset Manager and the property management company. This individual will primarily be responsible for managing compliance and reporting for supportive services and, secondarily, procuring grant funding to supplement the property service budget, and identifying local service providers to augment property offerings.
Full time hours. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in social work or education and a minimum of 5 years’ experience.
For a full job description and to submit a resume, please reach out to:
Samit Patel, spatel@rhgroup.org
Resource Housing Group, Inc.
Workforce Development Coordinator
Develop programs and services for clients and students who are seeking employment, post-secondary education, or other career options. The coordinator collaborates with employers in the community who are hiring. The role also includes working one-on-one on job applications, resumes, interview preparations and offers tips for successfully securing and improving employment. Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field required.
For full job description see: https://nfcchelp.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/02/Workforce-DevelopmentCoordinator-2023.pdf. To apply, send resume to cswan@nfcchelp.org.
Accounting Specialist – PART TIME
Responsible for the day-to-day transactions within the accounting department. The specialist is accountable for preparing financial transactions, processing invoices, and entering general ledger data which will assist in balancing the income statement, managing budgets, and preparing financial reports. Role works closely with the Finance Manager and Director of Finance and Administration. Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or related field required.
For full job description see: https://nfcchelp. org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AccountingSpecialist-02.21.23-1.pdf. To apply, send resume to jrice@nfcchelp.org.
Now Hiring: Office Coordinator
Local commercial real estate company is hiring an Office Coordinator. The role includes coordinating administrative tasks between our property management, leasing and accounting departments. The position requires exceptional communication and organizational skills, knowledge of MS Office, a strong work ethic, internal drive, and a positive attitude. This is an office only (not remote work) position. Please contact us Employment@ mpshoppingcenters.com for more information.
JAGUAR XK-8 CONVERTIBLE 2002, triple black, with superb lines, garners attention wherever you go! Wife’s garaged beauty, excellent condition! 103,000 miles. Second owner. Clean title. $7750. iaofga@gmail.com, 678-667-0391
Garage
SCAVENGER HUNT still lives!
MATTHEW THE HANDYMAN
Carpentry, Painting, Drywall, Plumbing, Electrical and Small Jobs. 404-547-2079
HANDYMAN: LET ME FIX what your contractor didn’t! Or add a new kitchen or bathroom. Insured. 20 years experience. 770-292-0576
Haulers
Bush Hogging, Clearing, Grading, Hauling, Etc.
Many local referencesCall Ralph Rucker 678-898-7237