Dunwoody Crier — August 19, 2021

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August 19, 2021 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication

2021 HIGH SCHOOL

Football Preview

2 | August 19, 2021 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Seven new head coaches to debut in ’21

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com NORTH METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — Several local teams will enter new coaching eras in 2021, with most either familiar faces among their programs or in the local football landscape.

Longtime South Forsyth coach Troy Morris will lead the War Eagles in 2021 following the retirement of Jeff Arnette, who was the longest-tenured head coach among North Fulton/Forsyth County teams last year.

Morris has held several positions with South’s program, including quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator and assistant head coach, all under Arnette. Leading the War Eagles will be his second stint as a head coach after he led

Social Circle for three seasons beginning in 2007.

Forsyth Central will also be under new direction and from a familiar face.

David Rooney will man the helm for the Bulldogs.

Rooney has been Central’s defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach since 2018. Prior to joining the program, he coached for 11 seasons at West Forsyth.

Rooney replaces Forsyth County’s winningest coach, Frank Hepler, who left the program to return to coaching in Florida.

Tom Hall will lead Blessed Trinity for his first year as head coach and his second stretch with the program. Hall served as a coach/teacher at the school from 2007 to 2018, including as offensive coordinator during the program’s

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COACH SCHOOL SEASONS

COACH SCHOOL SEASONS

Craig Bennett Mike Nash Robert Craft Matt Helmerich Adam Clack Frank Barden Mike Malone Sean O’Sullivan Jason Kervin Chris Prewett Dave Svehla

Tommy Watson Shawn Coury Mike Palmieri Terry Crowder Troy Morris Brian Allison Ryan Livezey David Rooney Northview Tom Hall Tim McFarlin

Cambridge Dunwoody North Forsyth Johns Creek Milton St. Francis Chattahoochee Centennial Alpharetta Roswell West Forsyth

10 7 6 5 5 4 3 2 2 2 2

first state championship appearance in 2015 and its first state title in 2017.

Hall replaces Tim McFarlin, who left the program last season and accepted the head coach position at neighboring Fellowship Christian.

McFarlin is the most seasoned coach in the area. He won over 80 games as Roswell’s head coach beginning in 1998, helped get the King’s Ridge football program started and led Blessed Trinity to seven region championships, 112 wins and three straight state titles from 2017-19.

McFarlin takes over the role from Al Morrell, Fellowship’s winningest coach.

Ahead of his retirement following the 2020 season, Morrell led the Paladins to a 6626 record with three region titles and a state runner-up finish in eight seasons.

Mount Pisgah will also have a familiar man leading its program this year.

Ryan Livezey has stepped into the head coach role after serving as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator and later athletic director for the school.

Livezey, who led Holy Innocents’ to a 67-56 record as head coach for 11 seasons, takes over for Mike Forrester, who has remained on staff as defensive coordinator.

Two other new head coaches will be introduced to the area.

Northview’s Scott Schwarzer will make his local head coaching debut this season for the Titans.

Schwarzer is the former head coach of the Windsor Forest and Chamblee

Lambert Pinecrest Academy Denmark King’s Ridge South Forsyth East Forsyth Mount Pisgah Forsyth Central Scott Schwarzer Blessed Trinity Fellowship Christian

2 2 2 2 First year First year First year First year First year First year First year

programs. He most recently led Chamblee to a 5-1 record in 2020, its first winning season since 2013.

The final new coach in the fray this year will lead an all-new program. Brian Allison has been tapped to lead East Forsyth in the program’s debut campaign.

Though new to the area, Allison brings extensive experience.

He began his head coaching career at his alma mater, Union County, in 1996 and spent a total of 19 seasons leading the program from 1996 to 2001 and then from 2008 to 2020. He compiled a 121-77 record at the school.

Allison was also Winder-Barrow’s head coach for six seasons from 2002 to 2007, in which the team went 25-36.

The 2020 season saw the highest number of new coaches, eight, take over programs in recent years. All those coaches have returned to their roles.

With the retirement of South Forsyth’s Jeff Arnette and Tim McFarlin stepping down from Blessed Trinity, Cambridge’s Craig Bennett is now the longest-tenured coach in North Fulton/ Forsyth County.

Bennett has led the Bears since the program’s creation in 2012.

Dunwoody’s Mike Nash will enter his seventh season with the Wildcats this year, with Robert Craft leading North Forsyth for his sixth season, making him the longest-tenured coach in Forsyth County. All other Forsyth County coaches are entering their first or second year leading their programs.

On the cover Dunwoody will operate a new, tripleoption offense this season and a more aggressive defensive scheme as the Wildcats enter year two of playing in Class 7A. KEN LANGLEY

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | August 19, 2021 | 3

Dunwoody to debut new-look offense, defense in 2021 Triple-option run game, 3-3-5 defense instilled

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody is set to roll out new offensive and defensive schemes in 2021, and head coach Mike Nash said the team has enjoyed its best offseason in his seven years at the helm to establish excitement around the Wildcat program.

While some similarities will remain from last year’s offense, Nash said a triple-option run game is better suited for this year’s squad.

“We’ve always been pretty wide open, we throw it around a good bit, but I feel like this year our personnel fits better with a more traditional, triple option,” he said. “We’ll still be spread and throw it

around a little bit, but our run game will be triple option.”

Defensively, the Wildcats will line up in a 3-3-5. Nash said the Wildcats are always down on size compared to the competition, so the new defense will be “high risk, high reward.”

“We’ll be a blitz heavy defense,” he said. “We are going to take some chances to create some turnovers.”

While the team adjusts to its new schemes, it will line up against a slate of relatively new opponents in Region 7-7A. The Wildcats made their debut in the new grouping last season, up from Class 6A, and went 1-5 in region play. However, Nash considers 2020 essentially a wash given the circumstances surrounding COVID-19.

“We’re not taking a lot out of last year because it was so messed up,” he said. “We started five weeks late, and when we finally did play, we opened the

season with Norcross who reached the semifinals, and then Archer, another top-5 team. After those two games we were down 13 starters. Last year we just concentrated on just trying to get these kids a season. This year we’re going to concentrate on getting us competitive.”

Nash likes his team’s chances in the region in year two.

“We’re in 7A, and that’s tough for us because we are not a typical 7A school,” he said. “But I like the region we are in, and I feel like we can be competitive in it.”

Nash laid out what he believes will be the keys to Dunwoody’s fortunes.

“We have to take care of the football, slow the game down, keep the defense off the field as much as possible by sustaining drives and getting the ball in the endzone,” he said. “And even more, just make sure we possess the football.

Defensively, we just have to be better tacklers.”

Nash said the team has a “a whole bunch” of players he expects to make a significant impact, including senior AllCounty tight end Sam Cole, Carrington Tate on the offensive line and three-year starting defensive back J Norris Neel.

A question mark remains on who will lead at quarterback, though. Nash said senior Colin Couch and junior Porter LeDoyan, brother of 2020 starter Davis LeDoyan who is now playing for Elon University, have been battling for the role.

With its new schemes and a mix of returning starters and newcomers, Nash will look to his senior class to lead Dunwoody’s push for its first winning season since 2011.

“We have a strong group of seniors who are a great group of kids who have worked hard, and we are looking for them to get this thing turned around a bit,” he said.

* denotes region game

2021 ER ARCH Y BLES S E D TRINIT NIAL CENT EN OCHEE CHATT AHO UTH

@ Alpharetta vs. Gainesville @ Northview @ River Ridge* @ Centennial* vs. Johns Creek @ Sequoyah* vs. Creekview* @ Cambridge* vs. Riverwood*

vs. Stone Mountain @ Lambert vs. Meadowcreek* vs. Berkmar* vs. Discovery*

9-3 9-10 9-17 9-24 10-1

@Lambert vs. Roswell vs. Peachtree Ridge @Riverwood* vs. Chattahoochee* @Cambridge* vs. River Ridge* @Johns Creek* @Creekview* vs. Sequoyah*

8-20 8-27 9-10 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

vs. Woodland (Stockbridge) vs. Marist @ St. Pius X @ Charlotte Catholic (SC) @ Eagle’s Landing Christian @ Woodland (Cartersville)* vs. Calhoun* vs. Cartersville* @ Hiram* @Cass*

vs. Westlake vs. Warner Robins @ Grayson vs. North Gwinnett @ Dunwoody* vs. Meadowcreek* @ Berkmar* vs. Discovery* @ Duluth* vs. Norcross*

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-10 9-17 10-1 10-8 10-15 10-22 10-29

8-19 8-27 9-10 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

AR BERKM

IDGE CAMB R LEE CHAM B VERY DISCO OODY

FOO TB AL L SCHED UL E S

vs. North Springs @ Lumpkin County @ KIPP Atlanta @ Druid Hills* vs. Woodland (Cartersville)* vs. Dunwoody* @ North Georgia @ East Forsyth* @ Clarkston* vs. Lakeside (Atlanta)* vs. Berkmar*

vs. Central Gwinnett @ Kennesaw Mountain @ Peachtree Ridge vs. Lakeside (Atlanta) vs. Berkmar* @ Duluth* vs. Norcross* @ Archer* vs. Dunwoody* @ Meadowcreek*

vs. Decatur vs. North Springs @ North Atlanta @ Norcross* vs. Archer*

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-10 9-17 10-1 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

8-20 8-27 9-10 9-17 9-24

@South Forsyth vs. North Oconee vs. Forsyth Central @Creekview* vs. Centennial* vs. Sequoyah* @Johns Creek* @Riverwood* vs. Chattahoochee* vs. River Ridge*

8-27 9-3 9-10 9-17 10-1 10-8 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

8-19 8-27 9-2 9-10 9-17 10-1 10-8 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

vs. Lakeside (Atlanta) vs. Clarkston vs. Campbell @ Discovery* @ Duluth* @ Norcross* vs. Archer* @ Dunwoody* vs. Meadowcreek* @ Chamblee*

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

4 | August 19, 2021 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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August 19, 2021 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976

Council hopefuls list priorities to Homeowners Association

BY CATHY COBBS newsroom@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. – Dunwoody Homeowners Association members learned more about the two candidates running for the District 1 City Council seat recently vacated by Pam Tallmadge.

At the Aug. 8 meeting, Terry Nall and Catherine Lautenbacher outlined the agendas they would pursue if elected on Nov. 2. Both listed developing Dunwoody’s new parks as at the top of their priority lists.

“We need to create a sustainable master plan for parks,” Nall, who served two terms on the council, said. “We also need a financial plan for upgrades at the North DeKalb Cultural Arts Center (which houses the Dunwoody Library, the Spruill Center for the Arts and Stage Door Theatre).”

Nall also listed increasing sidewalk connectivity on Dunwoody Club Drive and around Austin Elementary School as on his priority list.

Lautenbacher, who has lived in Mill Glen subdivision for more than 20 years, listed as her top priorities turning the former Austin Elementary School site “into something other than just a grassy area.”

“We also need to bring Dunwoody Village into the 21st century and continue to work in the business district to bring folks into the hotels to continue to bring tax dollars into the city,” Lautenbacher said.

The mother of two, who works at Leadership Sandy Springs, said she has been a member of the DHA since 2006

and admires the work the organization has done over the years.

In other business at the meeting, the DHA heard from State Rep. Mike Wilensky (R-79th District), who reported on legislation in the General Assembly that will affect his district, which includes Dunwoody, Doraville and Chamblee.

He pointed out the passage of several bills that allowed courts and businesses throughout the state to continue operations during COVID-19, such as electronic signatures for documents and teleconferenced hearings for minor court cases, while in-person contact is limited.

Wilensky cited other legislation, such as abolishment of citizens’ arrest rights, in response to the February 2020 shooting death of Brunswick’s Ahmaud Arbery, increased penalties for street racing and the elevation of porch piracy charges from a misdemeanor to a felony.

DHA members also briefly discussed the latest buffer compromise being considered by neighbors in the Dunwoody West subdivision and Dunwoody’s proposed Master Plan. The measure was to go before the Dunwoody Planning Commission on August 10.

The compromise calls for a 35-foot buffer with 115 feet of “open area,” DHA Board Member Bill Grossman said. “The neighbors were not in support of this.”

The DHA retired to executive session without discussing the matter further.

The next DHA meeting will be held Sept. 5 at the North Shallowford Annex Building at 7:30 p.m.

ROBINBLASS BLASS ROBIN

Dunwoody sets mask mandates for entrance to public buildings

BY CATHY COBBS newsroom@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. – The City of Dunwoody enacted a mask requirement in its government buildings for employees and visitors that went into effect Aug. 9.

The requirement does not extend to private businesses within Dunwoody.

City offices and court hours will remain the same (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) daily.

“Because of increasing concerns about the (COVID-19) Delta variant, we are adding requirements for masks within our buildings,” Dunwoody Communications Director Jennifer Boettch-

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er said. “This will not change any other operations within the city. We will still hold in-person meetings, but masks will be required.”

The recent spike in COVID-19 cases has caused several organizations, including Fulton County Schools, to alter their mask requirements. According to a report by the DeKalb County Board of Health published Aug. 4, nearly every ZIP code, including 30338, is reporting a 5 percent or more change in the number of reported COVID cases.

The order, according to Boettcher, is open-ended at this time, but could be rescinded or altered if cases subside.

2 | August 19, 2021 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

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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.

Intruder answers door to residents of apartment DUNWOODY, Ga. — A couple went for a walk Aug. 4, and when they returned to their Madison Drive home, a man they didn’t know answered the door.

Police were dispatched to the reported break-in. The victims said they took a stroll around their apartment complex, leaving their daughters at home. When they returned about 20 minutes later, a man peeked through the blinds and opened their front door while playing a toy guitar.

He tried to hug one of the victims and told them both he’d just been released from prison where “we rape people,” police said. The husband pushed the suspect outside the house and shut the front door. He walked away from the doorstep. It was not clear how the suspect got inside the residence.

The victims said their daughters were on the third floor and had no idea the

PUBLIC SAFETY strange man was inside the house. Police said he was in the kitchen and bathroom. Nothing was reported missing.

Hotel visitor allegedly scuffles with police DUNWOODY, Ga. — An Alabama man confronted a police officer at the Crowne Plaza Hotel along Ashford Dunwoody Road on Aug. 5.

Matthew Joshua Foster, 34, was charged with disorderly under the influence, obstruction and battery on a police officer. Police said he bit an officer while being taken into custody.

According to the arrest report, an officer responded to the hotel after Foster reportedly punched one of his co-workers in the face.

The report says Foster got right in the face of the first officer who arrived and became unruly when backup police tried to handcuff him. It took three officers to subdue Foster. Police used mace, punched him in the face and kneed him in the leg. He continued to struggle as police escorted him out of the hotel. He allegedly bit one of the officers in the upper thigh.

Drug & DUI arrests Ciarra Jazshae Carroll, 25, of Sandston, Virginia, was arrested Aug. 6 on Perimeter Center Parkway for DUI, possession of marijuana and reckless driving.

Jaime Juarez Hernandez, 22, of McWilliams Road SE, Atlanta, was arrested Aug. 7 on Ashford Dunwoody Road for DUI, open container violation while operating motor vehicle and stopping/standing/parking prohibited in specified spaces.

Pablo Esteves Hernandez, 39, of Valley Bluff Drive, Atlanta, was arrested Aug. 2 on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard for disorderly under the influence.

Junior Gonzalo Paz Lopez, 31, of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Dunwoody, was arrested Aug. 2 on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard for disorderly under the influence and disorderly conduct.

Matthew Joshua Foster, 34, of Cusseta, Alabama, was arrested Aug. 5 on Ashford Dunwoody Road for disorderly under the influence, obstruction and battery on a police officer.

See BLOTTER, Page 3

Police continue search for son accused of fatally stabbing his parents

By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Police are actively searching for the suspect of a double homicide.

Duane Hall, 30, is charged with two counts of murder for allegedly stabbing his parents at their home. The Roswell Police Department has HALL secured warrants for his arrest.

Officers were dispatched to the residence in the 1000 block of Barrington Landing Ct. around 11 a.m. Aug. 2. Public

Information Officer Tim Lupo said a family member of the victims went to the home to check on the couple when they found an unresponsive adult and called 911.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found Delroy Hall, 70, and Murline Gregory Hall, 63, deceased. Lupo said the exact time of their deaths is still under investigation and that the police department cannot speculate on the motive at this time.

Duane Hall is described as a Black male 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 165 pounds. Fulton County jail records show he’s had prior dealings with Roswell police.

He is believed to be driving a dark silver 2019 Toyota Camry bearing Georgia

tag RSC5623, which was taken from the scene of the murders. Lupo confirmed Duane Hall had also been living with his parents prior to the incident.

“The Toyota Camry did belong to the victims, and I am unaware of anything else of note that was taken from the home,” Lupo said. “We do not have any other public updates at this time. Our investigators are actively pursuing all leads as we work to apprehend Duane Hall, but he is not yet in custody.”

Officers ask that anyone who sees Hall or knows of his whereabouts contact the Roswell Police Department at 770-6404100. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 404-577-8477.

NEWS

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | August 19, 2021 | 3

Former teacher undaunted by paralysis spreads warmth with acts of service

By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Army veteran Ron Clyne has dedicated more than 31 years to teaching. Even after he suffered an accident six years ago that left him a quadriplegic, Clyne’s grandchildren still believe he can do anything.

When he’s not building birdhouses or repairing lawnmowers for his friends and neighbors, Ron is usually riding his wheelchair down Dellrose Road picking up trash off the road to keep his street looking nice. He said he learned early on after his accident he needed to stay active to keep from getting depressed.

“I just decided this is my lot in life,” Clyne said. “I was going to have to deal with it, so I try to make the best of it by helping people. I’m willing to teach anybody anything.”

In 2015, Clyne passed out on his way to the kitchen and fell on his face, breaking his neck and both eye sockets and knocking out four front teeth.

Previously, in 1993, he had also been in a car wreck that left him in the hospital for two months, limiting his ability to continue with activities such as being a Scoutmaster.

But even after the car wreck, Clyne dealt with the aftermath with positivity.

He volunteered to be on the emergency response team at his church. His wife, Violet Clyne, said she believes the wreck helped prepare him for what was to come.

“So when he fell and broke his neck, he was positive and so was I — positive that he was going to get over it, positive that he was going to walk,” Violet said.

“And slowly, as we went through this journey between the Shepherd’s Center and the Charlie Norwood Veterans [Affairs Medical] Center, he became comfortable because he was around other people, and he’s always said he’s not the one who is worse off.”

The couple will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary in December. Two weeks after they met at Sunday School in Enterprise, Alabama, Ron asked Vio-

Blotter: Continued from Page 2

Man robbed at gunpoint during recording session DUNWOODY, Ga. — An Ohio man was reportedly robbed outside a music studio along Dunwoody Crossing late Aug. 2.

Residents in the neighborhood reported hearing several gunshots. When officers arrived, they found the victim outside one of the buildings bleeding heavily from a deep cut over his eyebrow.

RON CLYNE/SPECIAL

Ron Clyne served in the U.S. Army for three years. While he was stationed in South Korea, he worked as a helicopter mechanic and company clerk.

let to marry him. They wed three months later and have been inseparable since.

Ron said it was love at first sight.

“I’ve stayed with her all these years, and she’s stayed with me during all this hardship,” Ron said.

“It’s what you do,” Violet responded later.

In the Army, Ron was among the last troops sent to Korea before the U.S. began deploying to Vietnam. He worked as a helicopter mechanic and company clerk.

Ron also worked in an air ambulance unit near the demilitarized zone, where his job was to protect the border if the North Korean army crossed into South Korea. He spent three years in the Army, reaching the rank of sergeant, and returned to school afterward for a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees in education.

He taught high school biology and health science for more than 11 years.

Ron spent the remainder of his career as a school administrator in DeKalb County. He continues to teach Sunday School at Chamblee First United Methodist Church.

Ron often finds himself in trouble He said he’d just stepped out of a recording studio in the building when two gunmen confronted him. He grabbed the gun out of instinct and said the gunmen struck him with the pistol about 20 times. The victim said he did not hear any gunshots.

The man told officers he had about $9,500 in cash on him before the robbery. When he came to, he only had $500.

Paramedics rushed the man to the Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville for treatment.

An acquaintance who was making music with the victim said he’d been flashing cash on social media constantly.

CHAMIAN CRUZ/APPEN MEDIA

Ron Clyne enjoys building and repairing birdhouses for his neighbors. At left, are some of the birdhouses he’s built for bluebirds, wrens and a redheaded woodpecker. with his neighbors these days who say he is both “unstoppable” and “reckless,” as being in a wheelchair has not kept him inside. But Ron knows he can call any of them if he tips over and falls while working in his yard. What he needs, he said, is an all-terrain wheelchair, but those can cost up to $20,000.

The Brocks, who live across the street, are longtime friends. John Brock and Ron’s favorite pastime used to be going to yard sales. After Ron’s accident, John continued to visit him at his house. Then, one day, John lost his eyesight to an aneurism of the optic nerve. Now, it’s Ron who visits John at his house.

“If somebody’s had a traumatic episode in their life, I don’t mind listen-

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ing,” Ron said. “You don’t have to say much. All you have to do is be willing to listen, and they thank you for it because they feel like you’ve really helped them.

I know that’s what I would want somebody to do — just listen.”

Ron said he would like to be remembered as a man who was never negative and was always willing to work to help somebody. Violet attributes his motivation to his personality, faith and kindness toward others.

“He’s been one of the most positive people I’ve ever met, and that made the 55 years of marriage go so fast,” Violet said. “Our grandchildren, including our step-grandchildren, love him. He’s Papa to them, and they think he can do anything.”

4 | August 19, 2021 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

COMMUNITY

Announcement:

Sam and Heidi Alatar of Alpharetta, Georgia announce the promotion of their son, Gavin J. Alatar, to Gunner’s Mate Petty Officer 2nd Class in the United States Coast Guard.

GM2 Alatar, a graduate of Alpharetta High School, serves aboard the USCGC Bear, a medium endurance cutter based in Portsmouth, Virginia. The USCGC Bear serves our country in operations around the globe.

Fair winds and following seas, GM2 Alatar.

Bravo Zulu! Semper Paratus.

Dunwoody Perimeter Chamber announces student art contest The Dunwoody Perimeter Chamber is calling all local artists to participate in a contest for their 2022 Dunwoody Community Guide. The contest is open to all residents and students in grades K-12.

Produced by the Dunwoody Perimeter Chamber, the DCG is an annual publication that provides 12 months of exposure for DPC members and community members in both print and digital formats.

“This collaboration is a wonderful way to engage residents and students alike and showcase the talents of our creative community,” Chamber President and CEO Stephanie Freeman said.

Participants are encouraged to reflect on places, events and people that reflect Dunwoody, Georgia. Winning artwork will be featured with credit given to the

artist in the 2022 Dunwoody Community Guide, which will be distributed in January.

Artwork should be paintings or drawings and submitted without framing.

Entries should reflect the contest theme of, “Get to know Dunwoody.”

All artworks must be submitted digitally and include the name of the artist and school/grade level (if a student) as well as mailing address, email address and phone number. There is no charge to enter the competition.

The deadline for receipt of all entries is Monday, Sept. 20. Judges will finalize and announce the winners by Sept.

27. For more information and to submit entries, contact Paula Shiver at 404.610.7521 or by email at paula@ perimeterchamber.com

BARBARA BUSH/NORTH ATLANTA ROTARY CLUB

Rotarians collect equipment for reuse DUNWOODY, Ga. - Dunwoody Rotarians joined with other clubs from the DeKalb Rotary Council July 31 to collect used medical equipment for Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC). After a quick breakfast, the group split into teams to pick up and organize equipment. Over the several years that the Dunwoody Rotary has been involved with this project about $1,000,000 worth of durable medical equipment has been collected from local residents and businesses in the metro Atlanta area. That equipment is then refurbished and redistributed to those in need.

Dunwoody Crier 8/19/21 Crossword

COMMUNITY

Pet of the Week: Hagen Hagen (ID# 48275246) is a very sweet puppy-faced boy. He may be blind but that doesn’t stop him from exploring his world via sound and smells. He was wonderful during his photo shoot, affectionate and sweet. He loved going around our yard and checking everything out. He was easy to walk, calm and low energy. We are sure that he will gain all the confidence of a regular dog once he is in a loving home where he can find his way around. His resilience will astonish you. Come meet this adorable boy and you’ll see - even if he can’t.

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How to Adopt your new best friend.

1. Browse our pets. Use the filter options to narrow your search.

2. Click the pet’s profile.

3. Click on the “Adopt Me” button to submit an adoption inquiry.

To help us maintain a safe environment, we ask that you follow the directions above to submit an adoption inquiry prior to visiting our shelter. We are following COVID-19 CDC guidelines by requiring masks and limiting the number of guests in our shelters at a time. We appreciate your patience with this new process and your commitment to saving our homeless animals.

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PAST TENSE

OPINION

SPECIAL

This photograph of the 4H club in front of Dunwoody Elementary School shows the old school building on the right still in use.

Residents remember fire that leveled old building at Dunwoody Elementary The first school in Dunwoody built in the late 1800s was a one-room wood building. The community built another school in the 1920s, a wood building, painted white. In the 1930s, a brick VALERIE school was built, BIGGERSTAFF and with the 1960s came additions to the old school. Students and neighbors of Dunwoody Elementary School remember when the old school was destroyed by fire in 1966.

Steve Griffeth recalls coming home from a Braves game with his brother and parents to find fire trucks in front of his school. The older portion of Dunwoody Elementary School, which sat where the Dunwoody Library is today, was on fire. Griffeth grew up nearby on Chamblee Dunwoody Road and attended Dunwoody Elementary from the fall of 1964 until spring 1972.

After the fire destroyed the older part of the school, Griffeth remembers that fifth graders met in the library. All students had to bring their lunch from home, because the cafeteria was in the old school.

He also remembers the remains of the burned building pushed out onto the physical education field and buried. Then the children played on the field over the old building. This is where the library parking lot is today.

In “The Story of Dunwoody” by Elizabeth L. Davis and Ethel W. Spruill, Jean Eidson shared her memories of the fire, including people watching,

and some crying, on the hill of the J. W. Spruill home. She recalled that the floors of the old school had been oiled for many years. Jean and Lamar Eidson were living nearby on Mount Vernon Road.

Harold Wells was the principal of Dunwoody School at the time. The former principal, Elizabeth Davis, had retired in 1962 and lived just down Chamblee Dunwoody Road. She and her husband Manget Davis had an older home they purchased in the 1930s from Calhoun Spruill.

Davis saw the fire and told the story years later. “One event, after my retirement, that truly stands out in my memory is the fire that burned down the old part of the school completely, the kitchen, the auditorium, and the original classrooms.”

One of her neighbors asked if it made her feel like crying, to which Davis responded, “No, because now we can have a totally new building from A to Z.” Bonnie Smith Nichols attended Dunwoody School and recalls the day the old school burned. The Smith family lived in the home now known as Donaldson-Bannister Farm.

“The fire was a defining moment for Dunwoody. As soon as the news was shared, people started coming. They stood in small groups; many were in tears. The thing I remember most was the silence. The school was more than a building — it had been the center of the community as long as many could remember.”

You can email Valerie at pasttensega@ gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

THE INVESTMENT COACH

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | August 19, 2021 | 7

Elon Musk, the reluctant CEO Are you working in a job you don’t enjoy? Are you in a role that doesn’t suit your interests and talents and ignite your passion? If so, you have something in common with Elon Musk, the celebrated CEO of Tesla, Inc. Mr. Musk is embroiled in a court proceeding alleging that LEWIS J. WALKER, CFP he acted improperly relative to the electric car maker’s purchase of SolarCity Corporation in 2016. According to a Wall Street Journal story dated 7/13/2021, the plaintiffs, which include pension funds holding Tesla stock, assert that Musk acted “to benefit himself and bail out a home-solar company on the verge of bankruptcy,” thereby damaging stockholders. Musk stated that the purchase supported his goal “of creating a vertically integrated sustainable-energy company.”

The case is curious in that Tesla stockholders were not harmed. Tesla (TSLA) was trading around $44 a share in 2016 when Musk proposed the acquisition. On July 26, 2021, TSLA traded in the neighborhood of $643 a share. The stock is down considerably from its 52-week high of $900.40 a share earlier this year. At the peak of Tesla’s value, Musk ranked as the world’s second richest person.

No longer no. 2, he still has ample funds to pour into SpaceX, his 20-year-old privately held rocket and space exploration company.

His fascination with space and concomitant engineering challenges gives insight into a startling comment Musk made during his testimony regarding Tesla and SolarCity. Musk confessed that he “didn’t even enjoy being the boss of Tesla.” He said, “I rather hate it, and I would much prefer to spend my time on design and engineering, which is what intrinsically I like doing.”

Here’s a mega-billionaire, a man lionized as a tremendous success story, admitting that he’s in the wrong role at Tesla, frustrated with “CEO stuff.”

Thinking about what you do at work, does the voice in your head say, “Hey, that’s me. I’d rather be doing something else!” Welcome to the “gerbil-on-awheel” world of “role misalignment.”

You may be a student thinking you’re pursuing the wrong major and academic focus. A stayat-home parent thinking your talents are going to waste. You may be bored with your job. You may be a key executive in a large operation, or the owner or CEO of a smaller closely held company, and you share Musk’s frustrations. If an entrepreneur, you started your firm because you hated bureaucracy and now you’re running a mini-bureaucracy and you’re no longer concentrating on your core passion.

Ever since childhood, there are interests that instinctively draw you in. They are activities that you often get lost in as time races by. When you stop or are interrupted, you can’t wait to get back to it. Those focused activities and interests that come naturally are indicative of inherent talents, your internal modalities or MO. Your internal modalities, which can be measured using certain assessments, reflect how you were hardwired at birth to respond in very specific ways to challenges and tasks. When you’re pushed into job roles that don’t reflect your talents and strengths, you may accommodate what you’ve been tasked with. You may do okay, but “okay” is boring. Ultimately, you will likely leave the job. If you’re a supervisor, boss, CEO, owner, etc., of a business or enterprise and you’re experiencing excessive employee turnover, clearly you have people in the wrong roles.

According to Maria C. Forbes, CEO (Chief Engagement Officer) of Atlanta-based firepowerteams. com, there’s a vast difference between a “job description” and a “role description.” Job descriptions list the hard skills, technical and industry specific, and

the soft skills, interpersonal or relational, deemed important to the position. A “role description” goes beyond knowledge, skills, and relational aspects, focusing on innate talents and strengths which underpin success in the role. Credentialed consultants like Maria use assessments and coaching to gauge and enhance the likelihood of a person’s success in meeting company objectives in the envisioned role.

The Kolbe Indexes and Gallup Clifton StrengthsFinder assessments provide added insight into whether a candidate is the right fit for a position.

Such assessments are valuable to you as a job seeker or as one striving to move ahead in a chosen career path. By matching career options with inherent talents, strengths, passion, and purpose, they are extremely useful for those starting out, whether deciding on college majors or pursuing first jobs.

Donald O. Clifton, developer of the Gallup program, said, “While your spontaneous reactions provide the clearest trace of your talents, here are three more clues to keep in mind: yearnings, rapid learning, and satisfactions. Yearnings reveal the presence of a talent, particularly when they are felt early in life.”

You won’t turn “yearnings into earnings” if you’re not in the right role. Take a tip from Elon Musk, the bored CEO. Learning how to clearly understand your innate talents and how best to apply and strengthen them could propel you as you “rocket to success!”

Lewis Walker, CFP®, is a life centered financial planning strategist with Capital Insight Group; 770-4413553; lewis@lewwalker.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.

Read The Crier online: thecrier.net

Where in the World?

8 | August 19, 2021 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

LEFT LANE

OPINION

Send us your travel photos with The Crier: crier@appenmedia.com

2021 LEXUS NX

More SUV-centric Lexus NX lacks verve of competitors

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In the automotive world, the term “sport” often gets thrown around with abandon. There is nothing inherently “sporty” about the Rogue Sport, Nissan just used the term to denote it was smaller JOE PARKER than the standard Editor joe@appenmedia.com Rogue.

The sport designation implies that the car in question could handle corners fairly well, but the Isuzu Rodeo Sport could fall over turning into a parking space.

Then you have Lexus’ approach, which is to throw the “F Sport” label on its models that have been tuned for better handling over its stablemates when driven with fervor.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t always relate to a what most of us deem truly “sporty” — generous speed, or at least a general peppiness, and notable handling and overall performance with sharp looks.

Now, the NX 300 F Sport certainly has good looks. It’s chiseled and aggressive from all angles with a unique grille, lowered bumpers and taillamps, a larger exhaust opening and 18-inch alloy wheels that fit the “sporty” bill.

But compared to some its competitors — the BMW X1/X2 and MercedesBenz GLA/GLB— the Lexus lacks verve when driven with gusto.

Its 2-liter, turbocharged inline-four engine has a enough power with 235hp available, but it lacks some initial punch accelerating through corners, and 0-60 times are well behind those of the Germans. Those bendy bits also reveal significant understeer despite the F Sport’s adaptive suspension and available all-wheel drive.

The 6-speed automatic is mostly smooth on the daily trek, but again, it’s a bit of a letdown in sporty driving situations with its reluctance to shift down.

The NX drives more like an SUV than its counterparts, which are more like hatchbacks wearing high heels. While that negatively impacts the 300’s handling prowess, it is a boon for those who put a premium on a taller ride height and seating position.

So, the F Sport designation may be of a bit misnomer on the NX 300, and it’s not its only downfall.

When shopping around, the NX’s tiered center stack is beginning to look outdated. With its more SUV-focused designed, the Lexus provides more legroom and headroom than its rivals, but its rear cargo area isn’t quite as commodious, and hip/shoulder room can be a bit tight. Also, the available power-folding rear seats do not fold flat.

And, of course, there is Lexus’ touchpad infotainment controls. The automaker has continued to use the control system, which is frustrating to use and

See LEXUS, Page 12

THE INK PENN

OPINION

Summer shopping at Lemonade Days The Country Store at Lemonade Days is back! While the kids may be there for the rides and sinful food and desserts, many of us visit for the shopping. I much prefer to shop at festivals KATHY and smaller local MANOS PENN shops than at big box stores. Prepandemic, I also shopped while on vacation in different locales. Needless to say, that hasn’t happened much lately, though I did manage to support the economies of both Amelia Island and Saint Simons in the spring.

The festival runs Aug. 18-22 at Brook Run Park with the Country Store vendors available Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 21-22. The booths will cover the shopping spectrum from cookies, cakes and mac n’ cheese to jewelry, jam, T -shirts, candles, wreaths, and more.

Check out just a few of the local vendors you can expect to see at the park along with a bit of commentary from me.

Big Frog and Georgia Dawgs Company: T -shirts Gemstones by Nora: Handmade Gemstone jewelry made with the finest 925 Sterling Silver.

Jilli Peacepots: Pottery Deb-Bee’s Honey: Wildflower Honey made by “local” honeybees kept in Cobb, Cherokee, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Gwinnett & Hall Counties plus Sourwood Honey made by bees in Pine Mountain, Georgia, near Clayton.

I’ve picked up Deb’s honey in previous years and can attest to how good it is.

Chad’s Nuts: Delicious Artisanal Candied Nuts. Candied pecans, walnuts and almonds made with care in small batches. Featuring flavorful Penzeys spices. I make sugared peanuts to give to friends at Christmas

but can’t wait to try Chad’s pecans, walnuts, and almonds.

Pastry Shells: Decorated sugar cookies. Oh my goodness, my mouth watered when I found their pics online.

TruBlue Pound Cakes: Freshbaked 10-inch pound cakes in a variety of flavors—apple, strawberry, vanilla butternut, banana and even piña colada. I’m partial to my sister’s pound cakes, but with all these different flavors, I may have to get one of these.

Regina’s Farm House Kitchens: Small-batch artisan fruit jams made the old-fashioned way with only real fruit, no preservatives, artificial sweeteners or thickeners. Peach Bundle, Blueberry Lemon and Cranberry Orange Meyer Lemon are just a few of the creative flavors they offer.

Pet Wants: Now, we wouldn’t want to leave the four-legged kids out of the fun, so this booth is a must for me.

Pet Wants is a regular at the Dunwoody Farmers Market and will bring their dog treats to Lemonade Days, including their peanutty cookies and a variety of jerky.

Also on hand will be Scentsy Wickless Candles and Forever Homecoming with items for home décor.

Are you ready to shop? I plan to be there wearing a big-brimmed straw hat and plenty of sunscreen, and I hope to see many of the familiar faces I’ve missed over the last year. Here’s hoping this is the first of many such opportunities. With any luck, the Friends of the Dunwoody Library will hold a sale later this year, and the Garden Club will get to have their annual card party in February. Fingers crossed.

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident.

Find her cozy mysteries locally at The Enchanted Forest and on Amazon.

Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/KathyManosPennAuthor/.

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OPINION

10 | August 19, 2021 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

The DUNWOODY PRESERVATION TRUST — in partnership with Peachtree Rides and the City of Dunwoody —

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Leashes, tails, and dogs on trails The other day I was hiking in northwest Georgia on a great trail that I’ll tell you about one of these days. It was a spectacularly scenic hike, and I look forward to sharing it with you.

But one thing STEVE HUDSON happened on my hike Get Outside Georgia, aa4bw@comcast.net that made me a little nervous. That thing was an encounter with a family and their unleashed dog.

There’s a prominent sign right at the trailhead which says that dogs are welcome as long as they’re on a 6-foot leash.

But the group coming toward me on the trail (a dad, a mom, three kids and a very large dog – but no leash) apparently wasn’t too concerned about that.

I’m kind of naturally cautious around unleashed dogs that I do not know, and I didn’t know this one. It was running far ahead of its people, charging down the trail toward me at full speed. It stopped about 10 feet in front of me and lowered its head and pulled back its lips just a little bit. I heard it growl softly.

Uh-oh.

“Good afternoon!” I called to the family as they approached. “Think you might be able to leash your dog?”

“Oh, he won’t hurt you,” said the mom, and I heard the dad tell the oldest of the kids (who was maybe 10 years old?) to “go grab his collar.”

The youngster ran ahead and, as instructed, grabbed the collar of the dog.

But the dog didn’t like that too much and tried to pull ahead again, almost pulling the child over.

“Don’t worry,” the mother repeated.

“He won’t hurt you.” And at that exact moment the dog growled softly again.

I stood still. The child, meanwhile, held onto the dog until the family caught up. Then the dad grabbed the collar somewhat more forcefully, and the family squeezed by me on the trail.

As they passed, the mother said, just loud enough for me to hear: “Only a real jerk would worry about our dog. He’s friendly.”

I couldn’t resist replying.

“Well, you may know he’s friendly,” I said. “But I do not.”

That earned me another comment, which (since this is a family publication) I will not repeat here.

And that was the end of that.

But I found myself reflecting on the encounter as I continued my hike. Pretty soon, I started to wonder what an actual dog might think about such things, so when I got home, I sat down on the sofa and invited our resident expert on All Things Dog to join me for some conversation. That, of course, is Ellie the Mini

Schnauzer. I didn’t have to ask twice.

She loves to hop up on the sofa and talk about things, and if a dog treat happens to be involved then so much the better.

“So,” I said. “Ellie. What do you think about leashes? Are leash-related matters secret in the World of Dogs, or can you speak of them openly?”

You talk with your dog, too, don’t you?

Anyway, she was silent for a moment as she considered. Then she said: “Well, secret they are [doesn’t Yoda talk that way?] but you are trustworthy and so I can tell you a few things.”

She paused again and then added, “If there are squirrels nearby, then the leash is definitely a hindrance. After all, it is difficult to a pursue a fast-moving squirrel while tethered to a slow-moving human,” she added, “though we Dogs do our best with what we’ve got.”

“I grant that squirrel chasing would seem difficult when leashed,” I agree, “though I have little personal experience in that area. But what I am really curious about is how you feel about being leashed when we’re out hiking on a trail somewhere. Care to comment?”

“On the trail, eh?” she says. “Don’t trails often have signs that say leashes are required?”

“Yes, many of them do,” I say.

“Well, that seems reasonable,” Ellie said, “and that should be that. In fact, the Dog High Council encourages all People to use leashes whenever they take us for a hike or a walk.”

“Really?” I say. “I’d think you’d want to run free and feel the wind in your ears and all.”

“Oh, wind in the ears is exquisite,” Ellie says. “But here’s the deal. We Dogs don’t want you People to be worried when we encounter one another on the trail. Me, I’m a cute and adorable little thing, as you know, and I wouldn’t hurt a fly. But the people we meet while hiking might not know that. They might be concerned that I might not be cute and adorable but might, instead, be aggressive and fierce and prone to do scary things like growl or bite.”

“In other words,” she adds, “it’s the old ‘you-may-know-she’s-friendly-but-Ican’t-be-sure’ thing.”

I pause to write that down and then realize that it’s essentially what I said to the folks I met on the trail.

“So,” Ellie continues, “the bottom line is that walking your Dog on the leash makes everybody feel better. You don’t have to worry about me taking off after some squirrel, and other folks using the trail don’t have to worry about me at all.

It’s a win-win for all concerned.”

So, there you have it, folks, straight from the World of Dogs.

Use the leash. It’s the courteous thing to do.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | August 19, 2021 | 11

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Lexus: Continued from Page 8 takes attention away from the road ahead, despite it being about as enjoyable as wearing wet socks.

However, not all is bad.

What the 300 lacks in athleticism, it subjectively makes up that shortfall with a helping of standard features, good noise cancellation, supportive seats and, of course, the dependability of Lexus.

Like much of the Lexus stable, the NX delivers a supremely quiet ride that shelters passengers from the outside world, and ride quality is supple.

There are a few bits of cheaper materials here and there, but more heavily touched surfaces are soft with a quality feel.

The NX has been slightly updated for 2021 and now offers blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as standard, along with power-folding, auto-dimming mirrors.

Lexus’ Safety System+ 2.0, which includes smart cruise control, lane departure warning and other driver’s aids, is standard, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot, 8-inch infotainment display (a 10.3-inch display comes with the Navigation Package) and a suite of connected apps.

Three gas-only and two hybrid trims are available. For non-hybrid buyers, the F Sport is an attractive choice with its, dare I say it, sportier looks and extremely comfortable and well-bolstered front seats.

The NX has its strong attributes, but when viewed against its coun-

OPINION

Pros and cons Pros: Stylish looks, generous rear passenger space, numerous standard driver’s aids, comfortable seats Cons: Lackluster performance, frustrating infotainment controls, middle-of-the-pack mpg figures in non-hybrid models Overall: The Lexus NX provides a mostly serene driving experience on the daily trek, but when shopping around, it falls short on sportiness, some practicality and a modern cabin.

Starting prices: Non-hybrid NX300: $38,635 NX300 F SPORT: $40,735 NX300 LUXURY: $45,085 Hybrids NX300h: $41,185 NX300h LUXURY: $47,635 MPG figures (city, highway, combined): Non-hybrid FWD: 22/28/25 Non-hybrid AWD: 22/28/24 F SPORT AWD: 22/27/24 Hybrid: 33/30/31 terparts, it loses some of its appeal.

Its rivals are more fun to drive, more practical in certain ways, have more modern interior styling and easier-touse controls.

But for those who value a more SUVlike driving experience with a comfortable and quiet ride, the NX is worth a look. But for a complete package in the segment, shopping around is advisable.

Once upon a time Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there were three little children who were starting to grow up.

They took swim lessons, learned to walk, then skate and ride bikes. They learned how to read and color RAY APPEN with crayons and stay Publisher Emeritus inside the lines — ray@appenmedia.com more or less. And they loved to play on playgrounds.

One day, it was time to start school — the “big school” — which back then meant a small brick one story school nestled in the middle of old neighborhoods. The school was close to their home and, truth be known, they could have walked to school or rode their bikes, like their mom and dad when they were little children, but they didn’t because, well, times had changed, and little children walking to school was maybe not as safe as it used to be “a long time ago.”

So, instead of walking to school, their dad usually drove them in the family’s old blue Volvo station wagon the parents had bought brand new when the first child was born in a far away place called Miami.

That blue Volvo was sort of a “home” for everyone for many years — like almost 30 — and it also turned out to be the only “brand new” car that the parents would purchase for another 35 years or so.

The old Volvo took the family on vacations, usually to the beach. It transported them to Ohio and back lots of times to visit grandparents and cousins, and it took everyone at least once to Disney World and Washington D.C. It never failed the family; it just kept on rolling and the CD player (a small metal box that people used to put these round metal discs into that played music) played music for the children while they waited in the drop-off line early in the mornings at school “Sam Stone came home to his wifeSolution and family…”

Looking back, it was probably safe to H A L L

A L O E

M E S A

S E E D L S M I S T A N H A N G O B I A L A C T E C H A P O L L E R I E N E S T

S O L D R A S P

A B A T B O L A S I T I S O L P E E E F P A S T H O R E A D R T E W A C H E P L E A S A L V E M M E

E S N E M A F U I L N G E E R R A S D O T

F A I N T S

E L L S I A T E M

T I R P A O D R E P O L I O S O E N

A V O W E D

R E E L S

O T T O

S A S S

guess that the children at one time must have believed that was the only music that existed or that their father simply just loved listening to this sad sounding storyteller singer called John Prine.

It’s also a strong probability that all three kids still to this day are transported back to the Volvo and that waiting line in the mornings when they hear one of those songs. Life’s like that; we remember certain events, certain smells, and for sure, special songs, and we never forget the people who go with them. The memories sometimes feel to me like little Christmas presents or silver dollars found in an old chest.

And now that old elementary school is starting yet another year. The children have new lunch boxes. Some have new book bags, pencils and a brand-new notebook. Their hair is combed, teeth brushed, and anxiety and anticipation color their countenance.

“I got a brand-new pair of roller skates.

You got a brand-new key.”

The school is still small — and still sort of reminds me of a bird’s nest way up within the arms of an ancient oak tree.

And as I ponder the day, questions flow through my mind.

“Will we still get that call from the bus driver saying that our son fell asleep and forgot to get off the bus, and do we want to meet her at the corner of …. to get him?

Will there be another Mr. Whitt who made school fun and feel safe? And how about Debbie Pitts? Tell me there will be another Debbie who read stories to those children, who taught them to write stories that made the parents weep that night while the kids read them aloud.

“But most of all — and it still makes me cry to even think of her — tell me, please tell me, that this old elementary school will have another Jackie Littlefield — principal Jackie Littlefield who managed, protected, led and nurtured her minions in no less a manner than George C. Scott did with his soldiers or Mother Teresa did for the poor. Tell me so. Tell me this school in which my granddaughter Phoebe started this week —possibly in the same classroom that her dad sat in so long ago, or her Aunt Amelia or Uncle Carl — will nurture her like Jackie did my kids and all the other children. No political correctness. No tap dancing. No protocol that doesn’t make sense. No parents trying to tell the school how to teach. Just Jackie and what was right for “her kids” always, no matter what. No kid left behind. No kid picked on. Yes, you can. No bureaucracy mucking things up. Not on her watch.

Happy, yet another first day of school Alpharetta Elementary. Happy first day of elementary school Phoebe. Be fierce. Be kind. Learn. Play. Enjoy this precious time you are beginning.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | August 19, 2021 | 13

14 | August 19, 2021 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

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AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | August 19, 2021 | 15

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16 | August 19, 2021 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

DU K JO H N S CREE REEK MEAD OWC SS NORC RO EST PINEC R CIS ST. F RAN

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-8 10-22 10-29 11-5

vs. North Cobb Christian @ Athens Christian vs. Darlington @ Lumpkin County @ Fellowship Christian* vs. Walker vs. Cherokee Christian @ King’s Ridge* vs. Lakeview Academy* @ Mount Pisgah*

@ Towns County (GHSA) vs. Lake Oconee Academy @ Cherokee Christian* vs. Lafayette Christian vs. Rock Springs Christian @ Harvester Christian @ Notre Dame Academy vs. North Georgia Christian @ King’s Academy* vs. Calvary Christian*

vs. Hillgrove @ Mill Creek @ East Coweta vs. South Gwinnett vs. Dunwoody* @ Meadowcreek* vs. Berkmar* @ Discovery* vs. Duluth* @ Archer*

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-10 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-15 10-22 11-5

8-20 8-27 9-10 9-17 10-1 10-8 10-16 10-22 10-29 11-5

@ Eagle’s Landing @ Heritage-Conyers vs. Lambert @ East Coweta @ Duluth* vs. Norcross* @ Archer* vs. Dunwoody* @ Berkmar* vs. Discovery*

@ Gainesville @ Traveler’s Rest (SC) vs. Heritage (Conyers) @ Sequoyah* vs. Riverwood* @ Chattahoochee* vs. Cambridge* vs. Centennial* @ River Ridge* vs. Creekview*

vs. North Clayton vs. Lakeside (Atlanta) @ Norcross* vs. Archer* @ Dunwoody*

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-10 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-15 10-29 11-5

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

10-7 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

DUN ST MARI N M I LT O VIEW NORT H LL ROSW E ST. PI US X

vs. Flowery Branch @ Westminster* vs. Blessed Trinity @ Cedar Shoals* @ Northview* vs. Southwest Dekalb* vs. Lithonia* vs. M.L. King* @ Stone Mountain* @ Decatur*

vs. South Forsyth @ Centennial vs. North Paulding vs. Campbell @ Walton vs. Etowah* @ Cherokee* vs. Milton* @ Alpharetta* @ Woodstock*

8-20 8-27 9-10 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-8 10-22 10-29 11-5

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-10 9-24 10-1 10-8 10-22 10-29 11-5

@ Forsyth Central vs. Chattahoochee @ Dawson County @ Midtown (formerly Grady High) vs. St. Pius X* vs. Stone Mountain* @ Lithonia* vs. Decatur* @ M.L. King* @ Southwest Dekalb*

vs. Hapeville Charter @ North Cobb vs. Life Christian Academy (VA) @ St. Joseph’s Prep (PA) @ McEachern vs. Alpharetta* @ Etowah* @ Roswell* vs. Woodstock* vs. Cherokee*

8-20 8-27 9-2 9-11 9-24 10-1 10-8 10-22 10-29 11-5

8-20 9-3 9-10 9-17 9-24 10-8 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

vs. Blessed Trinity vs. Woodward Academy @ Hampton vs. Harrison* @ Hapeville Charter* vs. Bolles (FL) vs. Arabia Mountian* @ Stephenson* @ Miller Grove* vs. Mays

vs. Chamblee @ Meadowcreek* vs. Berkmar* @ Discovery* vs. Duluth*

8-27 9-3 9-10 9-24 9-30 10-8 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

10-1 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | August 19, 2021 | 5

6 | August 19, 2021 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Team history Dunwoody’s program began in 1972 with the Wildcats fielding their first full varsity schedule in 1974 under head coach Will Jackson.

Dunwoody had early success, compiling a 37-24 record in the program’s first six seasons, including a playoff berth in 1978.

Roy Sparks led the program from 1976-80, compiling a 26-25 record. Ken Pettus took over as head coach in 1981 and led the Wildcats to an 8-2 overall record in 1983.

David Kelly, the program’s winningest coach (77-38-1) took over as head coach in 1984, the first year of his 10-year tenure.

The Wildcats earned playoff berths in four of Kelly’s first six seasons ahead of the program’s surge to the top of Class 4A. Dunwoody won its first region title in 1991 and repeated as 7-AAAA champs the next two seasons. In 1993, the Wildcats compiled an undefeated, 15-0, record and won the Class 4A state championship, the program’s only state title.

After their state title run, Kenny Reese took over as head coach and compiled a 24-12 record with three playoff berths in three seasons.

The Wildcats had just one winning season under Don Savage, an 8-3 record

Rivalries DUNWOODY VS. CHAMBLEE Years series has been played: 1974-77, 1984-85, 2002-07, 2010-current Series record: Dunwoody 13-10 Number of region games in series: 6 Last meeting: Oct. 16, 2020 (Chamblee 21, Dunwoody 10) Longest winning streak: Dunwoody (2014-2019) Largest margin of victory: Dunwoody 43, Chamblee 6 (2016) Closest margin of victory: Chamblee 19, Dunwoody 18 (2003)

in 1998, before James Teter took over the program in 2002.

Teter’s tenure began inauspiciously with a forfeited 2002 season followed by two straight losing years, but the Wildcats began an upswing in 2006 with six straight winning seasons, including a region title in 2008, Teter’s final year at the school.

The Wildcats have since struggled since, with nine straight losing seasons and no appearances in the state playoffs.

The 2021 season will mark Dunwoody’s second in Class 7A.

Coach’s Bio HEAD COACH: Michael Nash Michael Nash will lead Dunwoody for his seventh season as head coach this year.

Nash joined Shiloh High School’s coaching staff in 1995 and remained with the team for six years. After a long stint away from coaching, Nash returned to coaching at North Gwinnett before returning to Shiloh, his alma mater.

In 2015, he took over the Dunwoody program, his first head coaching job. The Wildcats have compiled a 14-44 record under Nash.

OVERALL RECORD: 262-244-3 (1972-2020) 2018: 2-8 (1-7) 2019: 3-7 (2-6) 2020: 1-7 (1-5) REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1991, 1992, 1993, 2008 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1993

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Marquee events, out-of-state games highlight local 2021 slate

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com NORTH FULTON/FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Several local programs will compete in prolific events representing Georgia against out-of-state opponents during the 2021 football schedule.

To kick off the season, West Forsyth will host Corky Kell Classic contests for the second straight year.

West will host the first GHSA game of the season Aug. 18, a matchup of Cherokee vs. Mays. Following that afternoon game, the Wolverines will hit their home turf to take on Carver Atlanta.

Last year marked the first time since 2015 a North Fulton program did not compete in the season kickoff event, but this year, the area will be well represented. Johns Creek will make its Corky Kell debut Aug. 20 when the Gladiators face Gainesville at Dacula High School.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Creek’s new tradition under head coach Matt Helmerich of playing an outof-state opponent was put on hold, but the practice is set to resume for the this year.

After making their Corky Kell debut, the Gladiators will take a road trip to play Traveler’s Rest in South Carolina Aug. 27.

Milton is set to host the Freedom Bowl for its fourth rendition this year on Labor Day weekend. The event, which pits strong programs from around the country against one another and celebrates veterans will feature several local teams in action.

Host Milton will take on Life Christian Academy, a private school program from Chester, Virginia, on Sept. 2. The next day, Alpharetta returns to the Freedom Bowl to take on Greenville Christian from Greenville, Mississippi.

Greenville is the defending Mississippi

Association of Independent Schools 3A state champion.

Another highlight of the Raiders’ 2021 schedule is their Aug. 27 road matchup with Alabama juggernaut Hoover. Alpharetta head coach Jason Kervin spent 12 years with Hoover, including five seasons as the program’s offensive coordinator, before taking over the Raiders’ program.

Milton is also set to resume its fairly recent trend of playing out-of-state opponents and will travel to Philadelphia to take on St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Sept. 11. St. Joseph’s captured its third straight state title in 2020 and was ranked in the top-10 nationally by MaxPreps.

Milton will be the second Georgia team to face the program in the last three years. Marietta hosted St. Joseph’s in 2019.

Under the direction of new head coach Tom Hall, Blessed Trinity will take on Charlotte Catholic of Charlotte, North Carolina. The tilt will feature two teams that have won six state championships in their respective classifications over the past four years.

The Sept. 10 matchup will be the annual Patriotism Bowl game organized by the Carolinas Freedom Foundation.

Region schedules for local teams have remained unchanged for 2021, the second year in the current cycle of reclassification and region realignments.

However, one new team will join the fray. East Forsyth enters its inaugural season.

The Broncos will play a 10-game, non-region schedule in its first season beginning Aug. 20 against Ridgeland.

East Forsyth is also slated to play two North Fulton Schools. The team will host Mount Pisgah Oct. 1 and travel to Milton to play King’s Ridge Nov. 5 to close out the regular season.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | August 19, 2021 | 7

8 | August 19, 2021 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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