Dunwoody Crier - April 13, 2023

DeKalb County names finalist for district’s schools chief

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City approves contract for road safety plan

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council approved a $166,864 contract to enact a local road safety action plan designed to strengthen safety measures for pedestrians, drivers and bicyclists.

The action plan analyzes crash data and gathers public input to create strategies to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on roadways.

Public Works Director Michael Smith said the plan will identi fy the locations that pose the highest safety risk to guide invest ment toward projects and strategies that provide the greatest benefit.

City Manager Eric Linton said the experiences and priori ties of residents will be important factors in the plan as it moves forward.

Councilmembers reserved $1.2 million for street safety improvements over the next three years from funding the city received from the American Rescue Plan Act.

The remainder of the reserved amount will finance other safe street construction projects and the city’s new Safe Streets Program Manager Jonathan Digioia.

Digioia will work with project contractor Toole Design to enact the action plan, as well as improve street safety in the city.

The adoption of the plan will make Dunwoody eli gible for funding from the Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program, which distributes $5 billion over the next five years to communities that have adopted such plans.

Jewish Family and Career Services launches ‘Be Well’ Atlanta initiative

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Jewish Family and Career Services received a $500,000 matching grant from the Zalik Foundation to help address the growing teen mental health needs through a new Jewish Atlanta mental health and wellness program.

The national “Be Well” initiative was developed through a collaboration of the Network of Jewish Human Services Agencies and Jewish Federation of North America. A roadmap was created to develop the program in select cities, and the HorwitzZusman Child & Family Center of Jewish Family and Career Services was selected to lead the initiative in Atlanta.

The funds, secured through the Atlanta Jewish Funder Collaborative led by the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, will be used to support Jewish youth facing mental health challenges as well as those that care for them.

The initiative will focus on the needs of young adults ages 12 to 26, to help them thrive through training, consulting and mobilizing networks of care for positive youth development and overall well-being.

Funding will provide for two professionals and will support connecting the community to services. In addition, strategies will be developed

See INITIATIVE, Page 7

— Shelby Israel

CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED Jonathan Digioia, Dunwoody’s new safe streets program manager, will collaborate with Toole Design to implement the city’s local road safety action plan.

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2022

Each week Appen Media requests police incident reports to inform residents about the safety of their community. Sandy Springs continues to withhold what it calls the "narrative reports." It is the only city Appen Media covers that follows this practice, which goes against guidance from the Attorney General, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Sheriff's Association, Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia and Georgia Press Association. Appen Media will continue pursuing the release of documents that belong to the public in order to inform residents how safe - or unsafe - the city is keeping it.

DeKalb County School District names superintendent finalist

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County School District named Devon Horton as the sole finalist for its superintendent position April 4.

The Board of Education and the Georgia School Boards Association selected Horton as the top candidate out of 29 national applicants. The board can vote on the decision after the two-week window for public comment required by state law.

Four individuals hold the NEDA Walk banner in 2018 at Piedmont Park. This year’s event is scheduled for April 16 at Webb Bridge Park. Registration is at 9 am. The walk begins at 10 a.m.

Group focused on eating disorders schedules walk at Alpharetta park

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Atlanta’s annual NEDA Walk will take place April 16 at Webb Bridge Park.

The event is intended to raise awareness about eating disorders and help fund programs provided by the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), the country’s largest nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders.

The organization offers a number of services, including screenings, a helpline and connecting individuals with treatment. So far, Atlanta has raised more than $8,600 toward a goal of more than $18,500.

“People can come out and have a safe place to either celebrate the fact that they’re in recovery or if they know someone, or if they themselves kind of feel like they might be experiencing symptoms,” said Lyla Mills, a counselor at Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling.

Mills, who has helped coordinate the Atlanta NEDA Walk since 2017, specializes in eating disorders. She also worked at an eating disorder facility before entering private practice.

NEDA Walks are an educational opportunity, Mills said. They often have dieticians and therapists who speak, and this year, Mills said the event will feature more outpatient providers.

Eating disorders are common, she said, and it’s common for them to go undiagnosed.

“Eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes,” Mills said. “It's more so about the patterns and behaviors and thought processes behind the eating than it is about how much you weigh in numbers.”

Check-in is at 9 a.m., and the walk will begin an hour later. Registration is free, but walkers who pay the suggested donation of $25 will receive a T-shirt.

For more information, email nedaatlanta@gmail.com.

The district will host school visits and three town hall meetings April 12-14 for employees, students and residents to meet Horton. Attendees can submit feedback and questions at dekalbschoolsga.org.

“Dr. Horton has an impressive track record of leading districts with diverse student populations and implementing initiatives that promote academic success,” School Board Chair Diijon DaCosta said. “We are confident he will lead our district of 14,000 employees with integrity and excellence and be committed to achieving positive academic outcomes for our 92,000 scholars.”

DaCosta said Interim Superintendent Vasanne Tinsley will remain in her position until June 30 to work with Horton for a smooth transition into the role.

Horton said he is honored by the

HORTON

selection, and he thinks DeKalb County is the best place to teach, learn and lead.

“DeKalb is a place that inspires me, and the conversations that have led to this moment have only increased my excitement,” he said.

Horton serves as superintendent for the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 in Illinois, where he has implemented programs to support academic growth for Black and Latino students. He was selected as superintendent of the year by the National Alliance of Black School Educators in 2022.

He previously served as chief of schools for Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky and deputy superintendent for East St. Louis School District 189 in Illinois.

Horton earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Jackson State University, as well as a master’s and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Chicago State University.

— Shelby Israel

ASHLEY DONAHUE/PROVIDED

International

Festival celebration set for April 29 in Johns Creek

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — For the fifth year, Johns Creek will present a cultural smorgasbord to an anticipated 17,000 visitors at its largest International Festival April 29.

Home to more than 83,000 residents, Johns Creek is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the state and nation. Johns Creek’s Edie Damann, who has taken the lead on planning since the event’s inception, said the city has an international population of more than 51 percent.

“It was important for us to have an event that celebrates all those different cultures, and then bring people in from outside of Johns Creek to hopefully introduce them to things that are new that maybe they didn't know about — different types of foods, dances and music,” Damann said.

The event will feature countries from all continents, except Australia. To name a few, featured countries include Mexico, Canada, Hungary, Ghana, Kenya, France, Korea, Ireland and Turkey.

“If I’m lucky, somebody from Australia will come in and decide to participate,” Damann said.

The city has allocated $45,000 to this year’s festival, which will have more than 105 vendors including retail, food and sponsors.

A Global Marketplace will have arts and crafts from cultural artisans. From international restaurants and food

trucks, visitors might smell the aroma of Asian and Indian spices, sample the savory flavors of the Mediterranean and Europe and indulge in Latin American dishes.

The Global Beer and Wine Garden will feature brews and wines from around the globe. From stouts to chardonnay, festival-goers ages 21 and over can explore different beverages from countries far away and close to home.

There will also be a Kids Corner, hosted by the Johns Creek Arts Center, where the family can enjoy engaging and collaborative activities for the kids as they learn about cultures from around the world. Activities include face painting, cultural storytelling and art stations.

Cultural performances include some returning acts like the Drake School of Irish Dance and the Magic Eastern Ensemble, an instrumental group, as well as new performers.

For the first time, visitors will get the opportunity to see live African storytelling at the festival. Chetter Galloway, with the Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia, will use the Djembe drum and music to enliven African lore.

The rain-or-shine, free event is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the field located across from the Atlanta Athletic Club on Bobby Jones Drive. Visitors can enter the festival from Medlock Bridge Road. There will be ample on-site parking. Handicap parking will also be available. A local Boy Scout troop assisting with parking is asking for a $3 donation, but it’s not required.

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK/PROVIDED

Visitors at the Johns Creek International Festival in 2022 hold flags from different countries.

Leadership Perimeter schedules Better Sandy Springs Impact Day

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Leadership Perimeter will host its 21st annual Volunteer for a Better Sandy Springs Community Impact Day from 9 a.m.-noon April 22.

The free event focuses on providing community service to enhance the city’s public sites and projects, such as nonprofit community gardens, public school playgrounds, parks and trails.

Remaining volunteer sites as of press time include the Abernathy Arts Center, Island Ford, Keep North Fulton Beautiful, Lost Corner Preserve, North Greenway

Park, North Springs High School, Ridgeview Middle School, Ridgeview Park, Sandy Springs Charter Middle School, Sandy Springs Tennis Center, Solidarity Pantry and South Greenway Park.

Leadership Perimeter, a nonprofit that provides leadership development and civic engagement in Metro Atlanta, founded the annual service day in 2003. It is held the Saturday closest to Earth Day.

Volunteers can sign up for a site of their choice at vbss2023.eventbrite.com.

— Shelby Israel

Governor notes budget ‘holes’ after lawmakers pass spending plan

By JILL NOLIN GEORGIA RECORDER

ATLANTA — Lawmakers signed off on a $32.4 billion spending plan for next year as the clock expired on the 2023 legislative session, although Gov. Brian Kemp warned of “significant holes” in the budget.

“I think it’s important for me to say tonight that the recent news from the Federal Reserve and others suggest there may be storm clouds on our nation’s economic horizon,” Kemp told members of the Senate on the final day of the session. “Additionally, there are significant holes in this year’s final budget that my office will need to work closely with you all, the House and the Office of Planning and Budget to address in the coming months.”

Kemp called on lawmakers to assist in making the tough decisions necessary to keep the financial health of this state on sound footing.

As with all bills that pass through the Legislature, the governor has the power of the pen and can veto lines in the budget he finds problematic. The close of the session kicks off the usual 40-day bill signing period, and Kemp has already signed a few bills, including a controversial measure banning most gender-affirming care for minors.

Kemp also pressed senators to sign off on renewing a tax break for big economic development projects, threatening to call lawmakers back for a special session if they didn’t. The current perk is set to end this summer.

The Senate gave the measure final

March.

approval with a 43-to-6 vote shortly before midnight, extending the tax break to 2026.

“There’s only been 18 of them in the history of Georgia. These are used very selectively,” said Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, a Rome Republican who chairs the Senate Finance Committee and who is the bill’s sponsor. “About 75 percent of them are outside the Atlanta metro area that have been done. It’s brought in thousands and thousands of jobs.”

School voucher push fails

Kemp had less luck this year with a push to expand Georgia’s school voucher program. That measure fell short of votes in the House in what proved to be one of the more dramatic votes of the 2023 legislative session.

The governor and the state’s lead budget writers framed the process of

See KEMP, Page 20

JILL. NOLIN/GEORGIA RECORDER Gov. Brian Kemp speaks to reporters after signing the amended fiscal year 2023 budget in early

WW II soldiers welcomed into local homes

When the United States entered World War II and Lawson General Hospital for wounded soldiers opened in nearby Chamblee, Effie McGaughey began thinking of ways to help recovering soldiers. McGaughey’s summer home was on what was Spruill Road and later became Meadow Lane. The home was a social gathering spot to a place for injured soldiers to rest and relax, known as Serviceman’s Shelter.

In “The Story of Dunwoody,” by Ethel Spruill and Elizabeth Davis, the authors describe the McGaughey home.

“Using a rustic building on the McGaughey property and colorful festive lanterns, church groups, community clubs, and Atlanta groups took turns at entertaining the boys and furnishing food and dance partners.”

Mrs. McGaughey also donated money for a new mobile emergency kitchen, capable of feeding 2,000 people. The truck could be driven around to different parts of Atlanta as part of the canteen corps of the Atlanta Red Cross. (Atlanta Constitution, June 7, 1942, “Canteen Corps Given Mobile Kitchen Here”)

Effie McGaughey and other Atlanta women organized a committee to plan parties for recovering soldiers around Atlanta. At the home of Carroll and Effie McGaughey, soldiers were entertained and treated with a barbeque supper and swimming, while listening to music by the Georgia Tech band, and a movie shown on an outdoor screen. (Atlanta Constitution, July 12, 1944, “Many parties are planned for convalescent officers”)

Mr. and Mrs. Ryburn Clay were on the list of homes opened to officers stationed in and around Atlanta. Their summer home was along the Chattahoochee River off Spalding Drive, and it included a swimming pool, tennis court, barn, horses and riding rings.

In August of 1944, the president of the Girls Battalion Club, Mary Parham Woolfolk, announced a swimming party and picnic at the Clay home, known as Lazy River Farm. The party was held for the officers of the armed forces stationed in and around Atlanta. (Atlanta Constitution, August 10, 1944, “Girls’ battalion gives picnic Sunday”)

The Girl’s Battalion Club was a group of 100 young women, usually from the “society” of 1940s Atlanta, who were organized to furnish hospitality

to the armed forces stationed in and around Atlanta. Every Friday, the group sent members to Lawson General Hospital in Chamblee to play Bingo with the patients. (Atlanta Constitution, August 2, 1942, “And now-hospitality for the officers in service”)

Ida Akers and her husband William owned a summer home known as Idalakers along Spalding Drive. She was a member of the Iris Garden Club, named for her favorite flower. In 1942, she was asked by a friend who lived far away to visit a patient at Lawson General Hospital. She gathered 100 gardenia blossoms from Idalakers and delivered them to the hospital for all the patients to enjoy. (Atlanta Constitution, July 1, 1942)

The Anderson family entertained injured soldiers at their home on the

corner of Tilly Mill Road and Mount Vernon Road with Sunday dinner, often following services at the Baptist church. Jane and Carolyn Anderson took their visitors around to see the sights of Dunwoody. Other families who entertained soldiers and patients of Lawson General Hospital were the Burell, Martin, and Kirby families.

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.

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

PHOTO COURTESY OF “THE STORY OF DUNWOODY” During World War II, Effie and Carroll McGaughey entertained injured soldiers from Lawon General Hospital.

Jane Anderson spends the afternoon with a soldier from Lawson General Hospital.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE ANDERSON AUTRY

Rumble Boxing to launch in Alpharetta

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Rumble Boxing will host a grand opening for its first Alpharetta location April 27-30 with exclusive specials.

The studio offers 10-round group workouts that alternate between strength conditioning and boxing using teardropshaped bags filled with water in 45-minute sessions. All classes are open to beginners and are available for single purchase or in package and membership options.

First-time business owner Drew Oliver said he thinks Alpharetta is a perfect fit for the high energy workouts that the studio provides.

Initiative:

Continued from Page 1

to best address wait lists and increase capacity, such as expanding therapeu-

“Our Rumble Boxing Alpharetta studio is family owned,” co-owner Sarah Oliver said. “We love seeing families join Rumble to have fun, strengthen their relationships and get healthy together. This makes us feel like we are a part of something truly special.”

The grand opening will offer a buy-one, get-one-free class special for local members.

The studio will operate from 5:30 a.m.8 p.m. weekdays, from 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays and 9 a.m.-noon Sundays in Suite C at 6110 North Point Parkway in Alpharetta.

More information on offers and classes can be found at rumbleboxinggym.com/ location/alpharetta.

tic models, resiliency-building programs and payment options.

For more information on how to support the “Be Well” initiative, contact Atlanta Jewish Foundation Chief Foundation Officer Jori Mendel at jmendel@ jewishatlanta.org.

PET OF THE WEEK Naveena

Naveena (ID# 51896855)Naveena is a young, pretty lady who likes to have fun. She was found on the street playing with kids and other dogs. Naveena is perky, friendly and wants so badly to be a lap dog. She loves running around with her adorable ears flopping all about. She's an allaround good girl patiently waiting for a family to call her own.

Meet Naveena today at Dekalb County Animal Services located at 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Chamblee, GA 30340. All potential adopters will be screened to ensure Naveena goes to a good home.

Expand your family by four furry little feet; meet Naveena and have a loving friend forever. All adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchip. If you would like more information about Naveena or if you have questions about adopting, fostering, volunteering or making a donation, please email us at adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com or call (404) 294-2165.

Family rescues animals, provides therapy at Joyous Acres

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Sitting on their backyard patio, a family described their surrounding small rescue farm — Joyous Acres, a place seniors frequent to visit with about a dozen of its animals.

Teresita Lim King, who gives warm, hardy hugs upon meeting for the first time, realized her lifelong dream in 2021 when she moved from Boston with her husband Andrew Nakrin and daughter Joy Lim Nakrin. When Joy was young, Andrew promised Teresita that they would have a farm when they retire.

“I didn’t realize when you retire, you’re decrepit,” Teresita said, wearing shorts, a T-shirt and rain jacket for the anticipated rain.

Teresita, 71, had knee surgery, and can’t stand for long periods of time. But she still manages to do much of the work, alongside her family. An early feminist, Teresita is blunt and independently minded.

Betty Lim King, 73, emphasized the condition of her sister’s hands, dirtied from a daily routine that begins at 3 a.m. with exercise. Andrew, who wasn’t feeling well on this particular day, joins Teresita in the barn to greet the horses in song a few hours later.

“My sister is very inspirational,” Betty said. “But she’s a pain in the [butt].”

Over time, the family accumulated 20-plus acres off Brittle Road in Milton to house animals left behind and rejected, using savings from Teresita’s career as a gynecologist and Andrew’s in anesthesiology.

They also rescued historic barns from development in the process, featured in Appen Media columnist Bob Meyers’ book, “Barns of Old Milton County.”

‘Seniors for Seniors’

A retired sociology professor, Betty spoke in broad, philosophical terms. Every so often, she dropped insight into what a fulfilled existence looks like, using Joyous Acres as a touchstone.

“We share a universe of meanings. So [Joyous Acres] will transcend all the human barriers of race, class, gender, politics, religion,” Betty said. “We share our humanity with one another through the power of animals — love, love...”

Wearing a sundress and sun hat, Betty described herself as a “pie in the sky.” She thinks of the ideas, while the rest of the family puts them in motion. It was her idea that the family share the farm with other seniors. The program started up in December.

But Betty said she’s realistic enough to know that humans have a “disorderly soul.”

“We want to get rid of whatever is inconvenient — disposable animals … the

American society has become too materialistic, even in the horse industry,” Betty said. “It’s all about making money.” With heavy consideration, Betty left city life to follow Teresita last July. After 44 years of marriage, Betty’s husband died in

2018, and she fell into a deep depression, struggling to find purpose. First, she looked to her role in the Asian American Commission. But the farm became Betty’s resolve.

“It’s such a happy place. The animals make me happy. I used to be so scared of

the horses. Now, I scold them,” Betty said, gesturing and making noises. “Then, along the way you meet people … gives you purpose, you know.”

Around twice a month, the “Senior for Seniors” program invites residents from the Village Park Alpharetta retirement community to spend time with the animals.

While most of the seniors have significant memory loss, the family described moments when they return and recognize the animals. If some of the seniors are angry upon arrival, the family said the anger dissipates.

Teresita and Betty also meet the seniors where they’re at. They plan to visit again soon with the dogs, and they bought a trailer to transport their horse, Prince.

“[The seniors] become our friends, and we think about them,” Teresita said.

Second chances

The animals at Joyous Acres are well cared for with healthy diets, natural medicine, the freedom to roam and massages.

“What’s good for us — it’s got to be good for them,” Teresita said.

Teresita puts hyaluronic acid in her drink every day — a supplement horses take for their joints. She also swears by

See JOYOUS, Page 10

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Teresita Lim King kisses her rescue horse Onaqui, one of a host of animals she has on the Milton farm she operates with her family.

Joy Lim Nakrin performs tricks with pet pig Humphrey. Humphrey is one of about a dozen animals at Joyous Acres.

Theater loses contract with Roswell, moves operation to Marietta

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — For now, the website for the Roswell Cultural Arts Center says it is “proud to have the Georgia Ensemble Theatre as its resident artist company,” but that relationship is changing.

After more than 30 years of residency in Roswell, the professional mainstage plays at Georgia Ensemble Theatre (GET) will have a new home at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre in Marietta.

Its contract was canceled at a Roswell Recreation Commission meeting in early March with a recommendation that the theater enter the Roswell Cultural Art Center’s Partnership Production contract model.

Since its founding in 1992, the Georgia Ensemble Theatre has operated under a Resident Theatre contract which allowed the company to handle all things related to production.

But in Fiscal Year 2022, the theater presented only three of the five agreedupon productions. There were 47 “dark days” with no programmed activities. The city also cited a high turnover in production managers at GET, four managers in two years.

Production has a high price tag. GET co-founder Anita Allen-Farley said a play is about $60,000 to produce and musicals are well over $100,000.

“It’s expensive, and when you don’t have the money, you have to go … ‘how can we adjust to satisfy our patrons?’” Allen-Farley said. “By moving things around, by postponing different shows.”

Allen-Farley and Mary Saville, GET communications director, sat inside the theater’s studio on Hembree Parkway April 4, discussing the Georgia Theater Ensemble’s big move.

City partnership

The new partnership model would have allowed Roswell to help the Georgia Ensemble Theatre with production and marketing, run its box office and patron services, then collect the revenue. David Crowe, Roswell Cultural Arts coordinator, said the city would have found an “equitable split” once paying technical fees.

Many local arts organizations had been struggling with money post-COVID, Crowe said. The city has fostered successful partnerships using a similar model over the past couple of years,

See THEATRE Page 20

‘TREASURE ISLAND’ AT STAGE DOOR THEATRE

What: This musical is about pirates, treasure maps and mutiny on the high seas.

When: April 14-16, times vary

Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for kids

More info: stagedoortheatrega.org/ treasure-island/

‘AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY’ PRESENTED BY ACT3 PRODUCTIONS

What: A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harboring shady little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after Dad disappears, their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. Mix in Violet, the drugged-up, scathingly acidic matriarch, and you’ve got a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that exposes the dark side of the Midwestern American family.

When: April 14-30; days and times vary

Where: Act3 Productions, 6285 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs

Cost: Adults are $23.71, seniors are $19.40 and students are $19.40

More info: act3prod.org

SANDY SPRINGS FARMERS MARKET

What: Shop for fresh produce and artisan foods every Saturday morning from April 8 to November 18, where more than 30 vendors set up shop around the City Green, many bringing their farm to your table. Other vendors offer artisan foods and many participants offer preorders.

When: Saturday, April 15, 8:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.

Where: City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

More info: citysprings.com/farmersmarket

GOAT YOGA

What: In this 1-hour class, led by certified instructor Young Washington, you’ll be able to practice yoga with miniature goats. Participants will perform breath-

Joyous:

Continued from Page 8

milk thistle. The plant has helped Bella, the herd leader and the family’s first rescued horse, who has Cushing’s disease. It has also helped one 27-year-old dog.

Before Teresita migrated from the Philippines with Betty, she did rural medicine on horseback. That’s when she fell in love with horses. She later instilled that love into Joy, who grew up riding and returned to the sport when she moved to Milton.

There’s six horses — Bella, Prince,

EDITOR’S TOP PICK

LEMONADE DAYS

What: Launched in 1999, the first Lemonade Days was held as a relief effort for those families affected by the 1998 tornado that tragically destroyed entire Dunwoody neighborhoods. It has since grown into a five-day festival with something for everyone that has historically attracted more than 30,000 festival-goers. This year’s Lemonade Days will again feature full-scale carnival rides, food-and-beverage vendors, pony rides, a petting zoo and the Dunwoody Idol contest.

When: April 19-23, times vary

Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody More info: dunwoodyga.gov

ing exercises and various Yoga positions. While doing so, dwarf goats can hop around you, climb your back, sit on top of you, even nap on you or your yoga mats while you let go of all your stress. Call 404-255-5207 to register. Space is limited.

When: Saturday, April 15, 12-1 p.m.

Where: Phoenix and Dragon Bookstore, 5531 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs

Cost: $35

More info: phoenixanddragonevents. com

SANDY SPRINGS LANTERN PARADE

What: The Sandy Springs Lantern Parade, also known as Take it to the River Lantern Parade, is a family-friendly event designed by artist Chantelle Rytter. Parade participants walk along Morgan Falls Road, from Steel Canyon Golf Club to Morgan Falls Overlook Park, carrying LED lanterns that they’ve created themselves. Prior to the parade at 8:15 p.m., visitors can enjoy music, food trucks and children’s activities.

When: Saturday, April 15, 6 p.m.

Where: Morgan Falls Overlook Park, 200 Morgan Falls Rd, Sandy Springs

More info: citysprings.com/lantern

GEORGIA ENSEMBLE THEATRE PRESENTS ‘BRIGHT STAR’

What: An editor in 1940s North Carolina sets out to find the true story of her difficult history in this homey musical that

Geronimo, Onaqui, Johnny and Honor. There’s also a pig named Humphrey, who obliged Joy with tricks, a few small dogs and a couple of cats.

Most of the horses arrived at Joyous Acres with severe post-traumatic stress disorder. Onaqui, named after his suspected mountain home in Utah, had the worst case. He was born in the wild, rounded up then taken to an abusive home where his pasture mates starved to death.

But the family described a total transformation, from a horse with alarming behavioral quirks to one with a more even temperament. Onaqui, the “Lieutenant Stallion,” now acts as

flits between the present and the past in a heartbeat. The emotional and uplifting Appalachian tale is inspired by a true story and features a Tony-nominated bluegrass score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.

When: Up to April 16, time vary

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell Cost: Tickets start at $32 More info: get.org

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL

What: Four women at a lingerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra and memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more. This comedic musical parody is set to classic tunes from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. See what more than 17 million women and fans worldwide have been laughing about for more than 20 years. It's the celebration of Women and The Change.

When: Tuesday & Wednesday, April 18-19, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $50-70

More info: citysprings.com

THE LONE BELLOW TRIO WITH THE WATSON TWINS

What: The Lone Bellow casts an indelible spell with finespun songs of hard truth and unexpected beauty,

shepherd to the other horses. He also knows how to kiss — in the pasture, Teresita demonstrated with a piece of granola between her teeth.

Honor, Joy’s $2,500 rescue, began competing against imported warmbloods in under two years. He was adopted from Blue Bloods Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement, which pulls race industry rejects out of the slaughter pipeline. More than 7,500 former racing thoroughbreds are sent to slaughter from the United States each year, Joy said.

“One of the things I’ve been trying to do is kind of bridge the gap between the show world and the rescue

frequently delivered in hypnotic threepart harmony. For their new album, “Love Songs for Losers,” the trio departed from their previous model of working with top producers such as Aaron Dessner of The National and dreamed up a singular sound encompassing everything from arenaready rock anthems to the gorgeously sprawling Americana tunes the band refers to as "little redneck symphonies." The Watson Twins join the trio on this tour.

When: Thursday, April 20, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $26.95-$144.25

More info: citysprings.com

HERSHEY FELDER AS GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE

What: Hershey Felder’s exploration of George Gershwin’s short but extraordinary life has played to audiences worldwide for more than 3,000 performances from Los Angeles to South Korea, and spotlights Gershwin’s work as a master tunesmith whose work shaped a distinctly American style of music.

When: Saturday, April 22, 8 p.m.

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $48.50-$75.40

More info: citysprings.com

LEMONADE DAYS

What: Launched in 1999, the first Lemonade Days was held as a relief effort for those families affected by the 1998 tornado that tragically destroyed entire Dunwoody neighborhoods. It has since grown into a five-day festival with something for everyone that has historically attracted more than 30,000 festival-goers. This year’s Lemonade Days will again feature full-scale carnival rides, food-and-beverage vendors, pony rides, a petting zoo and the Dunwoody Idol contest.

When: April 19-23, times vary

Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody

More info: dunwoodyga.gov

world,” Joy said.

Last year, Honor won as the overall champion in the Green Hunter division at the Georgia Hunter Jumper Association Finals & Grand Finale.

Geronimo and Prince were hovering around the patio table, Prince sometimes warding off Geronimo — he’s known to be a bully. Prince is the first owner-surrendered horse, given away because he refused jumps and bucked a child off his back.

“They say he’s a very bad boy, but look, is that a bad boy?” Betty asked, pointing to Prince innocently sniffing around in the grass.

Building a Parkinson’s support team

Brought to You by - Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs

This is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Join us on April 22nd as we help sponsor the Parkinson’s Optimism Walk. You’ll feel the hope and support provided for this progressive disease by the Georgia Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association. (Visit their website at apdaparkinson.org/GA for details.)

Recent studies show Parkinson’s affects over 1,000,000 Americans, with over 90,000 new cases diagnosed annually. While there are early onset cases, the main risk factor is age - with over 90% occurring after age 60. It can be hard to diagnose and comes on slowly. When the brain cells that make the chemical dopamine stop working it impacts movement, thinking and behavior. There’s no definitive cause but aging, repeated head injuries and exposure to environmental toxins are factors. Men are twice as likely to be diagnosed, and while there may be some genetic issues it’s rare to run in families.

Tremors are a major symptom but not everyone has this. Slowness of movement, stiffness or tight muscles, balance instability, walking or gait difficulties, a decrease in arm swinging when walking, loss of smell (often months or years earlier), gastrointestinal issues, loss of facial expression,

monotone or decreasing vocal strength, fatigue, insomnia, cognitive changes and depression or anxiety are all symptoms. With two or more of these, it’s time to consult your doctor about a visit to a neurologist with Parkinson’s training or a Movement Disorder Specialist.

With a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, it’s important to build a support system. While there is no cure, there are a number of treatments that can maximize your potential with this disease and not let it overwhelm your life and outlook. This includes highly individualized medications like carbidopa and levodopa, physical, occupational and speech therapy for daily lifestyle changes to maintain fitness, balance and strength building, stress reduction, good sleep habits and maintaining a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables and unprocessed foods. To help manage this you need a team of professionals that includes your Primary Care Physician, Neurologist, a Movement Disorder Specialist, Nutritionist, Therapy providers and Psychologist.

Being a Care Partner for a loved one with Parkinson’s is a critical role. As an advocate, educating yourself, managing the daily care process and coordinating with the care team is crucial. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease and can take years to progress, so it’s just as important to care for yourself. To keep up your stamina you have to take time and get some respite and additional support.

Summer Group Therapy: Helping your child thrive with 4 key benefits Read Local, Shop Local

Brought to you by - Summit Counseling Center

It's no secret that most kids love summer - with its long days, warm weather, and lack of school, summer break provides a welcome pause from the structure and routine of the academic year. For some kids, however, summer break can be a difficult time. Without the support, resources, and social exposure provided by school, they may struggle to maintain their mental health and well-being after the last school bell rings in May. Therapy groups during the summer can benefit all students, no matter where they fall along the spectrum of mental health, by helping provide a safe and supportive environment for children to learn new skills, build healthy relationships, and address any mental health concerns they may be experiencing.

According to a 2019 study, summer programs designed for children and youth with social and emotional difficulties showed moderate evidence of effectiveness in improving social skills, self-esteem, and overall emotional well-being while decreasing anxiety, depression, and unwanted behaviors at home (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. Shaping Summertime Experiences: Opportunities to Promote Healthy Development and Well-Being for Children and Youth. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press). There are several other potential benefits of therapy groups for kids during summer break, including: Social support: Therapy groups can provide a sense of community and social support for children who may feel isolated or disconnected during summer break, proving particularly helpful for kids who struggle with social anxiety, shyness, or other

social difficulties. Therapy groups also allow kids to receive feedback and support from their peers, which can be great for students who may struggle receiving feedback from adults or authority figures.

2. Skill-building: Many therapy groups for kids focus on teaching specific skills, such as social skills, coping strategies, or emotional regulation techniques. Not only are these skills helpful during summer break when kids may have more unstructured time and less support from school-based resources, but they are also invaluable to have once school restarts in the fall.

3. Safe environment: If your student struggles to open up at home, therapy groups can help by providing a safe and supportive space for kids to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Additionally, participating in a therapy group can help reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues, as kids can see that they are not alone in their struggles and that seeking help is a normal and healthy behavior.

4. Continuity of care: By regularly practicing skills throughout the summer, therapy groups can help children maintain the progress they made during the school year and prevent any regression that may occur during summer break.

Summit Counseling Center is offering both individual and group therapy services for Kindergarten through 12th grade students throughout the summer, providing a supportive and structured environment for children to work on their mental health goals and develop new skills and coping strategies. Selection requests for our 6-week groups close on May 12th, so register your student now at tinyurl.com/SCCSummer23!

Allergy season is here

Brought to you by - Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center

As spring comes, so do allergies!

If you have symptoms like congestion or sinus infections, you are not alone. Each year, more than 50 million people in the United States have allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Allergies are your body’s response to the environment. You might react to things in the air like dust or pollen. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, red eyes, itchy eyes and post-nasal drip. These can progress to infec-

tions if not treated.

Wellstar Ear, Nose and Throat knows every symptom and infection can impact your daily life. You can use simple tips to relieve your allergy symptoms and prevent infection.

How to relieve seasonal allergies

• Try over-the-counter medications like antihistamines and medicated nasal spray.

• Rinse your nose. Over the counter saline sprays and sinus irrigations can help clean your nose.

• Check the weather report. Avoid outside activities on days with a high pollen count.

• Don’t invite allergens inside. Keep windows and doors shut.

• Stay on top of spring cleaning. Dust, wipe and vacuum surfaces.

• Don’t forget your four-legged friends. Be sure to wash or brush your pets more often.

Expert care for allergies

When these tips do not work, Wellstar Ear Nose and Throat can help diagnose you. We help treat a full range of adult and pediatric allergy conditions at 1360 Upper Hembree Road in Roswell. Call (770) 475-3361 to make an appointment today.

COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CARE

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Swing into spring with the Dunwoody Garden Club

The first day of spring, or the vernal equinox, fell on Monday, March 20 this year. Until I Googled the date, I’d forgotten that the vernal equinox is one of two days in the year when day and night are of equal length. Thank you Encyclopedia Britannica. Whatever the official meaning, in the South, that also means azaleas will be blooming and the neverending dusting of pollen will be in full swing.

It’s also the time of year when Dunwoody residents most appreciate the work of the Dunwoody Garden Club. Look around our community, and you will see the club’s output. The flowers at the entrance to Brook Run Park and the memorial benches for relaxation are thanks to the DGC. When you visit the Dunwoody Library and enjoy the landscaping at the entrance and the atrium planter, picture DGC members hard at

work

Visit the North Woods Pavilion at Dunwoody Nature Center on Roberts Drive and Windwood Hollow Park on Lakeside Drive for other examples of their work. Do you have business at Dunwoody City Hall? The flagpole, flag and plantings out front are compliments of the DGC.

The Dunwoody Garden Club also contributes to and works with other Dunwoody, Atlanta-area, and Georgia organizations to beautify, maintain and grow our surroundings. Organizing and conducting community outreach projects in support of seniors, veterans, those in need, and the Georgia Regional Hospital – Atlanta keeps them busy, too.

I think of the members of this amazing club as a group of Energizer bunnies with a passion for digging in the dirt and bringing joy to the residents of Dunwoody. But it takes more than unending energy and passion. It takes the support of the community.

Whether you’re like me and sport two brown thumbs, or you’ve got a bit of gardening talent, you can show your

support by attending the club’s annual fundraiser.

You are invited to the Dunwoody Garden Club’s 45th annual card party, luncheon, fashion show, and silent auction on Tuesday, April 25.

It will be held at the same location as in recent years, the spacious Fellowship Hall at Dunwoody United Methodist Church, 1548 Mount Vernon Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 each. Reserve yours now and bring your friends, too. Sit down for a light breakfast with unlimited coffee. Play games and take a break to peruse and bid on the silent auction items. Top that off with a delicious lunch and a Chico’s spring fashion show.

Come at 10 a.m. to play cards, Mah Jong, or another game of your choice. Not into games? Arrive a bit later to socialize, bid on the silent auction items, and enjoy the luncheon and fashion show.

The silent auction items are donated by local merchants and friends, who, year after year, generously

support this event. Among the tempting items, you’ll find restaurant gift certificates, passes to area attractions, fine art and jewelry, gift baskets, beauty, hair, nail & spa packages, a bounty of live plants and flowers, and more. I’m still enjoying the necklace I bid on several years ago.

The DGC invites you to join the party. It’s an opportunity to play games, spend time with friends, and enjoy food, fashion, and shopping. Tickets can be purchased on the DGC website or by calling Bonnie at 770-639-3510. The ticket purchase deadline is Sunday, April 16. Get your tickets early and Swing into Spring with the Garden Club! I hope to see you there.

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries locally at The Enchanted Forest in Dunwoody and Bookmiser in East Cobb or on Amazon. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/KathyManosPennAuthor/.

Concerning springtime, peanuts, and other important things

Driving…in the country…following a mountain road curving this way and that as it climbs from Helen up to Unicoi Gap. The trees are starting to bud, with new leaves peeking out where not too long ago there were only bare gray branches.

How quickly things can come to life! Just that little while ago, it wasn’t this way. But now, this morning, there’s a soft greenness to everything, a dusting of color like somebody airbrushed the hillsides overnight. I adore that color, that particular shade of green, so redolent of life and optimistic possibility, so laden with the promise of great things to come.

“I love this time of year,” she says, and a roadside sign speaks too.

“BOILED PEANUTS,” it proclaims, and helpfully adds, “500 FEET AHEAD.”

“I love boiled peanuts too,” she adds. “Do you?”

Have you ever stopped for boiled peanuts? I have. Lots of times. I like those little roadside places with their

propane stoves and glistening steel pots. There are almost always signs along the road as you approach, clues that you’re getting close to where you need to be. “Hot Boiled Peanuts!” they inform you – or (if you’re not paying attention) “WHOA! You Missed It! TURN AROUND!”

I do in fact miss it, for I am a little distracted. So, I make the U-turn, that fateful change of direction, to see what awaits. There’s strong gravity at work here, and I am helpless in its grip.

And then there we are, pulling up near the requisite propane cooker with its accompanying shining, steaming steel pot. What delicacies might lurk within?

In this enlightened age, svelte steel pots have become de rigeur at roadside peanut stands. But the best boiled peanuts I ever had were cooked in an ancient cast-iron cauldron over a slow-burning wood fire. I found those particular leguminous morsels years ago, out in the middle of nowhere on a country road down in south Georgia somewhere. I believe it was near Tifton. But I forget.

And I digress. For we were about to order boiled peanuts, and that is a ritual of near-religious proportions

and not to be taken lightly.

“Whatcha havin’?”

What indeed? According to the hand-letterd sign, there are multiple flavors to choose from, including Cajun and teriyaki. Imagine that –multiple flavors! It’s like the BaskinRobbins of boiled peanutdom! Frankly, I can’t imagine teriyaki peanuts, though the Cajun possibility tempts me briefly.

I look at her, and she looks at me, and she says, “How about regular?”

And so that is what we get: a brown paper bag (boiled peanuts cannot possibly be served any other way) of warm, succulent, and just-right-salty heaven.

“Cash or card?”

Card, I say.

“Chip card?”

So financial fanciness has come to the roadside peanut business? Well, I guess that’s okay. It was quick, and it even asks if we want to add a tip. Everybody does that these days, even the roadside peanut folks, it seems, and the machine helpfully suggests tip amounts all the way up to 40 percent.

Well, why not? I have never tipped anybody 40 percent, not anywhere, but the peanuts look so good…soooo good! So I do. There has to be a first for

everything.

“Well, thank you!” the Seller of Peanuts says, possibly figuring me for a naïve city type who doesn’t understand the ways of roadside commerce. But what the seller doesn’t know is that for those of us enlightened in the ways of road food, buying boiled peanuts is something akin to spiritual. Forty percent is the least I can do.

I pull back onto the highway, and she fishes out a handful and begins to shell them.

“Here,” she says, placing half the fresh-shelled delicacies into my waiting hand and eating the other half herself.

“Mmmm,” we say, together.

“More?” she asks.

“Yes,” I reply.

And then we are provisioned. We are ready. We are set.

A moment later, driving, moving, my gaze wanders once more toward the trees on the hillsides around me. They seem even greener, even more alive, than they had been just moments before.

She reaches back into the bag and pulls out more peanuts and begins to shell them too, and she leans a little bit toward me, and I do believe her face shows a tiny wisp of a smile.

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

STEVE HUDSON

Columnist

PRESERVING THE PAST

A Centenarian’s story of World War II (Part 1)

Americans owe a great debt to WW ll veterans, especially those very few who reach a major milestone, celebration of their 100th birthday. While the debt can never be repaid, we can recognize those who came home and those who did not by telling their stories to current and future generations. This is the story of one centenarian, Henry Cockerill of Sandy Springs. who will celebrate his 100th birthday in May. His life reads like a book with many chapters, each one worth telling.

Henry (Hank) Cockerill (1923) was born and raised in Detroit. His father worked in a machine shop and then became a superintendent at Kermath Marine Industries, maker of marine engines from the 1910s until the 1950s including engines for Liberty Ships built to carry men and supplies to Europe during WW ll. Hank also worked in the Detroit commercial district at one of the two gas stations his father owned.

In March 1943, Hank joined the Army with a friend. They stayed together until the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion. Hank was inducted into the Army at Fort Custer, Michigan, a facility that dates back to WW l and where 300,000 troops were trained during WW ll. The fort is still used as a training facility by the Michigan National Guard. Hank did his basic training at Camp White, Oregon, a large WW ll training camp that was deactivated in 1946.

Hank was trained in bridge building as well as installation of anti-tank mines and their removal using bayonets as prods. In combat, mines were also dismantled using tanks fitted with flails, rapidly rotating rollers mounted in front of a tank with heavy chains attached. The chains would whip around and strike the ground with such force that the mines would detonate without damage to the tanks.

His first assignment was Normandy, France. On June 11, five days after the D-Day invasion by Allied Forces, Hank landed on Utah Beach, one of five beaches invaded on D-Day. Hank’s group of engineers had to construct floating docks to get the heavy equipment to shore. Tanks, tank destroyers, other artillery and a company of machine gun specialists were all pushed to shore on these floating docks by use of a boat with an outboard motor.

Although D-Day (code named Operation Overlord) had successfully estab-

lished a beachhead at tremendous cost in lives, the Germans still occupied most of Normandy and Western Europe, and American troops continued to suffer significant loses. Allied Forces knew they had to capture major ports and towns to force the Nazi troops to retreat.

Hank spent a few days on Utah Beach and then convoyed for about three days to the port of Cherbourg. The objective was to surround the port so the German soldiers there could not leave. Hanks group, the 990th Combat Engineers Battalion, then moved on toward the town of Saint-Lô.

The fighting was intense in the hedgerows around Saint-Lô in July, 1944. The town was a major transportation hub used by the Germans to carry men and equipment to the French coast. Hedgerows in Normandy date back to Roman times and were used by farmers to surround fields. Each hedge consists of an earth wall up to six feet wide at its base with shrubs and trees on the wall up to 15 feet high and nearly impenetrable by tanks or soldiers. The Germans had dug fortifications within the hedgerows, making forward progress very slow and dangerous for American troops.

Following the capture of Saint-Lô in July 1944, Hank’s group went by convoy to the large German submarine base in the town of Lorient on

the west coast, formerly the site of a French naval base. Prior to converting the French base to a submarine facility, German U-boats had to travel from ports in Germany. Hank’s group attempted to get the Germans to surrender, but they would not, and the fighting continued. Later, after U.S. forces heavily shelled all above-ground structures, the Germans surrendered when they ran out of provisions. After the war, the base reverted to the French Navy until it was converted to civilian use in 1995.

Hank’s group then left Lorient and joined up with the 7th Armored Division in Malmedy, Belgium, for what became known as the Battle of the Bulge.

Battle of the Bulge

One of the most important battles in the war was the Battle of the Bulge in December and January 1944-45

in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium. It represented the last major offensive campaign by Germany in Europe and opened the way for American troops to enter Germany. The U.S. Army Center of Military History quotes Winston Churchill as stating, “This is undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war and will, I believe, be regarded as an ever-famous American victory.” In a future column we will continue the wartime story of Henry Cockerill with details of the Battle of the Bulge as seen through Henry’s eyes, the famous Battle of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, Germany, and his highly successful post-war business career.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns.

BOB MEYERS Columnist

FAMILY/PROVIDED PHOTOS

Henry (Hank) Cockerill joined the Army in March 1943 at age 19. This photo was taken later that same year.

Hank Cockerill and his wife Jean Malmborg ride a carriage on their honeymoon in St Moritz in 1953.

Kemp:

Continued from Page 5

developing next year’s spending plan as an exercise in restraint in anticipation of a potential economic downturn. Revenues will also be needed to fund future priorities, such as the gradual income tax rate reduction plan passed last year that is set to start in 2024.

State revenues have been on an upswing in recent years, but economists predict a slowdown in tax collections and that has caused budget hawks to approach new spending with caution. But rising revenues have also turned up the pressure to boost funding for state services.

“I’d like to note that this is no easy task to balance the revenue at hand with the needs statewide. With more money, we certainly could have done more things, and I would have liked that,” House Appropriations Chairman

Theatre:

Continued from Page 9

he said, like with the Atlanta Balalaika Society, the Atlanta Vocal Project, the Song of Atlanta chorus and the Atlanta Dance Theatre.

“We were trying to find ways to partner with [GET] so that they wouldn’t have to worry about rent anymore,” Crowe said.

The Georgia Ensemble Theatre had been behind on around $30,000 in rent for its space at the Cultural Arts Center. The City of Roswell offered reduced rent to the theater, but Allen-Farley said GET will pay half the cost at the Anderson.

Considering GET’s season isn’t quite over in Roswell, Crowe hasn’t actively sought other theater companies. But he intends to make those connections.

Crowe had been with the city’s Cultural Arts Center since 2015 but has known the founders of Georgia Ensemble Theatre much longer. He said Bob Farley, the late co-founder of the theater, gave him his “first big break” after graduate school to direct at GET. As a young person, Crowe also performed in “Of Mice and Men” in the 2004-2005 season.

“Georgia Ensemble Theatre has been an enormous asset to the city on and

Matt Hatchett said.

When asked about the governor’s comment about “significant holes” in the budget, House Speaker Jon Burns told reporters there are always some funding plans that come up short. Lawmakers typically address the gaps when they return in January when they amend the budget.

“I think we have a very comprehensive budget, but I’m sure there’s some issues that maybe we could have addressed in different ways that may need to be backfilled some in the future,” Burns said.

Teachers will get pay bump

The new budget, which will take effect in July, provides a $6,000 pay raise for some state law enforcement and a $2,000 salary bump for teachers and other state employees, and funds the state’s HOPE scholarship at 100 percent.

The increase for educators is part of a multiyear effort to drive up those

off for many years, and it’s unfortunate that we couldn’t find a way to continue working together,” Crowe said. “But the way that I see this is: everything is an opportunity. I think this is a great opportunity for them and for us to find something different, maybe.”

Community connection

Despite city efforts to retain the theater company, Allen-Farley said she couldn’t afford the partnership.

“The biggest issue was the model has [the city] selling all of the tickets, keeping all of the money until after the show is over,” Allen-Farley said. “And I have people that I have to pay, months before we open the show.”

The agreement would have also cut the theater’s 20-week season in half. Saville said producing two shows, rather than four or five, would generate far less income. The cut also would have meant the theater wouldn’t have been able to produce the same variety of shows, Saville said.

The Georgia Ensemble Theatre struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Allen-Farley said it’s been fun to watch more and more patrons fill the seats. She said around 25 percent of the house was filled for the first two shows, which had gone up to 35 percent.

“And now, we’ve had some really nice houses with ‘Bright Star,’” Allen-

salaries and will put the average teacher salary in Georgia to $61,000, according to Hatchett. The budget also includes a $1,000 supplement for school custodians.

The final spending plan softened some of the cuts made in the Senate, but the reductions remained, including a $1.4 million cut to Georgia Public Broadcasting and $66 million cut to the University System of Georgia.

The top legislative budget writers said the Board of Regents has about $500 million in reserves to help absorb the cut, and Senate Appropriations Chair Blake Tillery told senators GPB’s news competitors have long complained about the state subsidy.

“I think that’s actually a very valid point: Why are we picking winners and losers?” Tillery said this session.

Lawmakers also set aside $9.4 million to pay for 500 people to come off the wait list for services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. That’s short of the 2,400 a

Farley said. For the foreseeable future, “Bright Star” will be GET’s last mainstage production in Roswell.

Many patrons have told Allen-Farley they’ll ride along with her to Marietta and have bought subscriptions, or a package deal. While the move is only 13 miles away, she knows some won’t be able to follow her. The theater sees an older demographic, and many can’t drive at night.

“What I’ll miss most is that connection that we’ve had,” Allen-Farley said. “We’ve had some people that have had the same seats for 30 years.”

But she’s exploring a shuttle option for those who can’t make the drive themselves.

A new space

The Georgia Ensemble Theatre released a statement, saying staff will continue to be in conversation with Roswell officials about the future and are open to return if an opportunity arose. The theatre also said it would continue its investment into Roswell’s growth and well-being, considering its studio will remain on Hembree Parkway.

The studio hosts the theater’s administrative offices, its conservatory and the GET Travel Team, which takes professional productions to schools and senior communities at their locations. The studio also serves as the

Senate panel recommended last year. But this year’s budget process also appeared to become tied up with tensions between the House and Senate. Hatchett received a standing ovation when he kicked off his late-night budget presentation with this declaration: “This House does not play politics with the budget.”

Some Democratic priorities – such as $6.3 million for free breakfast and lunch for school children – were also restored after being stripped out in the Senate.

“Kids aren’t able to learn if they’re hungry,” Hatchett said to cheers from some lawmakers. “This funding will provide more than 17 million meals at no cost to low-income students in Georgia public schools. Seventeen million meals.”

This story comes to Appen Media through a partnership with Georgia Recorder, a nonprofit newsroom covering statewide issues.

rehearsal space for mainstage plays.

The Jennie T. Anderson Theatre has around the same number of seats as the Roswell Cultural Arts Center with 606 seats. It does not include a balcony, but handicap-accessible seating is on the front row.

Saville shared that the Anderson was once home to the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, which recently closed due to a collection of pandemic-related issues, like rising costs, reduced revenue and donations, and audiences’ reluctance to return quickly.

“Being able to regain our footing after our entire industry was closed for over a year has been a very slow process—much slower than anyone anticipated—and we all need patience, understanding and grace while we’re still in the ‘rebuilding’ phase,” Saville said.

While GET is raising prices of premium seating, it has made more “budget-friendly” seats available at the Anderson Theatre. Preview plays will be $15 a ticket, and regular performances will range from $25 to $70. Discounts will be offered to seniors, students, educators, military/veterans and first responders.

The Georgia Ensemble Theatre is set to produce three plays at the Anderson, in October, February and April, though the titles have yet to be announced. GET will also co-produce two musicals in the Overture Series with the Anderson Theatre, “The Light in the Piazza” in December and “Ragtime” in June of 2024.

“I think people will enjoy the experience of watching a play [at the Anderson Theatre]. It is a change. But that doesn’t mean that it’s a bad thing,” Saville said. “Change is just inevitable.”