Dunwoody Crier - December 21, 2023

December 21, 2023 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976

Crowd packs Byers Theatre for Berlin’s Christmas classic

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. —

The cast and crew of City Springs Theatre Company’s production of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” put their own twist on the 1954 film starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye.

The film tells the story of Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, a famous song-and-dance duo, who unexpectedly find themselves at their former commanding officer’s Vermont lodge.

Wallace and Davis team up with Betty and Judy

Haynes, a sister act, to put on a Christmas show and save the lodge from bankruptcy.

Set in 1954, the musical film follows two sets of characters as they grapple with romance and the stress of putting on a show.

While the Christmas classic was the highestgrossing film of 1954, the musical did not hit Broadway until 2008.

The musical first premiered in 2000 at the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre.

See IRVING, Page 11

CITY SPRINGS THEATRE COMPANY/PROVIDED

Faux snow falls onto the cast of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” during the final musical number of the second act, “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.” The audience sang along with the cast throughout the matinee Dec. 10.

Dunwoody homeowner appeals for overhaul of stormwater basin

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Joseph Bell has waited five years for a solution to a failed water quality basin near his home at Wallace Lane and Happy Hollow Road in Dunwoody.

One of the main problems with the basin near his property is the lack of an outlet for runoff water, he said.

Bell sent a letter Oct. 31 to Public Works Director Michael Smith with copies to City Manager Eric Linton, Mayor Lynn Deutsch and councilmembers John Heneghan and Tom Lambert.

Bell said he wrote the letter to alert the city of a growing public safety issue affecting the Adams Parc subdivision. The potential risks with the water quality basin affect Bell’s property and the other homes in the subdivision, he said.

According to Bell, the underground water quality basin is the root cause of soil erosion near his property on Wallace Lane.

“I am very concerned about the apparent property erosion above ground, but even more terrified of the unknown damage that lurks underground,” Bell said.

In his letter, Bell included a link to a video showing water exiting the basin through the inlet.

He requested a city employee visit the Adams Parc subdivision, observe the soil erosion and failed water quality basin, and produce a written statement acknowledging the Adams Parc Homeowner Association’s responsibility for stormwater management.

While the City of Dunwoody is only

CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED

Dunwoody resident Joseph Bell speaks to the City Council Nov. 27 about a failed water quality basin near his home in the Adams Parc subdivision. Bell also spoke at the Dec. 11 meeting. responsible for stormwater management facilities located on city property and public right-of-way, Bell’s letter also asked for the city to use its resources to take over stormwater management from the Adams Parc Homeowner’s Association.

“Only the City of Dunwoody has the depth and breadth of skilled contractors and engineers to ensure the water quality basin meets current

See STORMWATER, Page 10

2 | December 21, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

POLICE BLOTTER 770-442-3278 AppenMedia.com 319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 HANS APPEN Publisher DICK WILLIAMS Publisher Emeritus CONTACT NEWS TIPS Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance.

ADVERTISING For information about advertising in the Dunwoody Crier or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

CIRCULATION To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

Judged a newspaper of General Excellence 2023

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.

Officers find fentanyl during traffic stop DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody police found 7.3 grams of fentanyl Dec. 7 during the arrest a 31-year-old Duluth man for failing to appear in Forsyth County.

After receiving a return on the license plate of a blue Dodge Charger, Dunwoody officers conducted a traffic stop at Ashford Dunwoody Road and Ashford Gable Drive.

The registered owner of the vehicle was wanted at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office for traffic offenses, officers said.

After initially refusing to exit the vehicle, the suspect was detained in a police car.

Officers reported smelling the aroma of marijuana emanating from the car and conducted a search of the vehicle. They reported discovering a “dark powdery substance wrapped in plastic.”

After the substance tested positive for fentanyl, it was entered into evidence, officers said.

The suspect’s vehicle and property were turned over to his girlfriend.

A DeKalb County Magistrate judge signed a warrant for possession of a schedule 2 controlled substance Dec. 8.

Jewish lawyer reports antisemitic threats DUNWOODY, Ga. — A criminal defense lawyer for Michael D. Barber & Associates reported receiving a threatening and antisemitic-laden phone call from a former client Dec. 6.

The responding Dunwoody officer was able to listen to a recording of the

The PERFECT Place to Buy Diamonds Repair Services Available. We Buy Diamonds & Gold. Appraisals From $20

PUBLIC SAFETY call when he arrived at the business on Independence Square.

The suspect and former client, a 25-year-old Lilburn man, said he was dissatisfied with services and wanted to make the victim pay for what he did to him.

The lawyer said he believes his former client was mistaken about the services he received.

The Dunwoody officer identified the suspect as Juwan Larkin.

After allegedly threatening the attorney, Larkin changed his tone and said he would pursue legal action.

Larkin then brought up the victim’s religious identity and hurled antisemitic rhetoric at the victim for the remainder of the call, according to police.

The responding officer did not include more information about Larkin’s threatening phone call but did submit the recording into the Dunwoody Police Department’s records.

Police investigate report of sexual assault in store DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody officers are investigating the sexual battery of a 27-year-old Dunwoody woman inside the Target at Perimeter Center around 8 p.m. Dec. 4.

A responding officer met with the victim and a Target employee shortly after the incident.

Security footage from the store shows an unidentified man approaching the victim from behind and grabbing her buttocks with both hands.

When the victim turned around, the suspect sprinted away.

After the incident inside the store, the officer was able to locate a Sandy Springs couple who said they saw the suspect attempt to rob an elderly woman in the parking lot.

All security footage was submitted to the Dunwoody Police Department’s records.

Did this ad catch your eye?

Then imagine the number of other readers that noticed it too!

Advertise your products and services in our newspapers and get noticed by our 262,500 readers every week in North Atlanta.* CONTACT YOUR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE TODAY! 770-442-3278

319 North Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 AppenMedia.com *Based on total circulation of 93,000 homes delivered x 2.5 readers per home (newspaper industry standard).

Stud Earrings

Natural 1cttw $989 2cttw $3600

Lab Grown 2cttw $999 3cttw $2099 4cttw $2799

Haim Haviv Owner

Follow Us Online

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10-6 and Sat. 11-4 • 1820-C Independence Square • Dunwoody, GA • www.hajewelry.com • 770-396-3456

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | December 21, 2023 | 3

Home to the second largest mall in Georgia, Perimeter Mall, Dunwoody is an ideal place for your Holiday shopping. A city with 300 places to shop & 200 places to eat, escape for an unforgettable day this holiday season.

Marta station access, award-winning dining, and fabulous shopping mean Dunwoody is ready to make your Holiday wonderland a reality.

DiscoverDunwoody.com/play/shopping

Info@DiscoverDunwoody.com

4 | December 21, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

CRIER NOTES

Helping You Save for What’s Next—that’s Banking on Purpose.

5

COMMUNITY

Fantasy winners, losers For 20 years, the losers of the Redfield Fantasy Football league stand for an hour at the intersection of Roberts Drive and Chamblee Dunwoody Road with this sign. Over time the event has included different fundraisers.

Pictured is Dwight Plyler of Dunwoody, who collected items for the Toys for Tots program. The Redfield group also maintains the area during the year through the Adopt-a-Spot program.

Tell the Crier The Crier is first and foremost a community newspaper.

Send your notes, awards and photos to newsroom@ appenmedia.com.

12-MONTH CD

.25% * APY

$500 Minimum

SPECIAL TO APPEN MEDIA

PETS OF THE WEEK

Wiggles The Vann Family Members since 2008

*APY=Annual Percentage Yield. 12-month CD offer valid from December 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 and is available on our Savings Certificate Monthly and Savings Certificate Interest Compounded products. Promotional APY assumes interest will remain on deposit until maturity. The minimum opening deposit required to earn the advertised APY is $500. Penalty applies for early withdrawal. Fees may reduce earnings on an account. Offer is not available on business deposits and may be withdrawn without notice.

2 Perimeter Center East | Atlanta, GA 30346

Wiggles certainly lives up to her name.

This adorable gal has black and white cow spots, and a winning smile. Wiggles is easy to handle, loves people and adores playing with toys, especially chasing balls! Calm, friendly and gentle - there’s so much to love about Wiggles. Meet her today and let her wiggle her way into your heart.

Expand your family by four furry little feet; meet Wiggles and have a loving friend forever. All adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchip. If you would like more information about Wiggles or if you have questions about adopting, fostering or volunteering please email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com or call (404) 294-2165; all potential adopters will be screened to ensure Wiggles goes to a good home.

The shelter is full; foster or adopt to save a life and meet your new furry friend, stop

by DeKalb County Animal Services. We are located at 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Chamblee GA 30341 or give us a call at 404-294-2996. No appointment necessary.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | December 21, 2023 | 5

2023 2024

Best Of Perimeter Dunwoody • Sandy Springs Brookhaven Dunwoody • Sandy Springs Brookhaven Presented By

Presented By

NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITES NOW! Through December 31

st

BestOfPerimeter.com

6 | December 21, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier |

COMMUNITY

RELIGIOUS SERVICES • Sponsored Section

CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED

The City of Sandy Springs’ organizational chart in the budget for fiscal year 2024 shows the hierarchy of city staff. The city has not announced whether the Assistant City Manager of Infrastructure and Facilities position has been or will be filled.

Sandy Springs faces scores of staff exits since February Assistant city manager leaves after 3 months

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The City of Sandy Springs finds itself short on a host of staff positions, including a couple of key posts.

However, there is no precise accounting of how many positions are vacant because the city won’t discuss it.

An open records request turned up 45 letters of resignation since February, but there is no way to determine how many employees left without leaving a note.

Assistant City Manager Leonard Housley resigned July 6 after three months on the job.

According to public records, the city agreed to provide Housley with a three-month severance package totaling $47,196.06, or $15,732.03 per month.

Housley’s annual salary was set at $185,000. His severance package exceeds his monthly salary because of a car allowance and insurance benefits.

“Housley has chosen to voluntarily resign from his position in exchange for the city’s agreement to provide severance pay that is above and beyond what the city otherwise provides,” the severance agreement states.

It also prohibits Housley from any legal action against the city or

its employees, barring claims for enforcement of the agreement.

Overall, the severance package leaves all parties in good standing.

The city was unresponsive when asked for more information about Housley’s departure and the severance package.

“It is the city’s long-standing practice not to comment on personnel matters,” interim Communications Director Dan Coffer responded in an email.

Sandy Springs lists two assistant city managers on its organizational chart.

Assistant City Manager Kristin Smith oversees neighborhood services, including Community and Economic Development, Information Technology and Communications, Recreation and Parks and the Municipal Court.

As Assistant City Manager of Infrastructure and Facilities, Housley oversaw Public Works and Facilities & Capital Construction.

The position was posted on the city’s website and various job boards from Aug. 7-Nov. 21, according to Coffer.

“Chris Owens will be the new Assistant City Manager for Infrastructure and Facilities,” Coffer wrote in an email Dec. 15. “Chris is a registered professional civil engineer in three states (Georgia, Ohio and Colorado) with more than 30 years of experience.”

See EXIT, Page 9

NEWS

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | December 21, 2023 | 7

Sandy Springs holds gun safety class as sales rise in Jewish community Antisemitic threats reported around north Metro Atlanta

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Sandy Springs Police Department offered a gun safety class for its Jewish population late last month after more than 200 people expressed interest.

“Since the Israel-Hamas conflict began a couple of months ago, members in our Jewish community have inquired about the class to learn more about gun laws along with weapon safety and handling,” Sandy Springs Public Information Officer Sgt. Leon Millholland wrote in an email to Appen Media.

Millholland said police offer a public handgun safety class for all Sandy Springs citizens every other month.

When requested, Millholland said the department offers the course to specific groups and organizations in the city.

He said there were 18 participants between two classes Nov. 22.

The request for gun safety classes tracks with a rise in gun sales among Jewish people around the country, fearing for their safety amid a rise in antisemitism after the war broke out in Israel and Gaza.

From Oct. 7 to Oct. 23, the AntiDefamation League recorded a total of 312 antisemitic incidents — of those, 190 were “directly linked” to the Israel-Hamas War. The group has also reported a rise in antiMuslim hate, listing a sampling of close to 30 incidents from early October to late November.

Alex Brill, an Alpharetta gun store employee, said he saw an increase in gun sales among his Israeli and Jewish patrons right after Oct. 7.

“I would say that it’s definitely connected to the rise in antisemitism in the United States,” Brill said.

Brill, who said he is pro two-state solution, served in the Israel Defense Forces for more than three years and has an Israeli citizenship. He said he ends up

Entertainment options abound to ring in 2024

BY ADAM DARBY newsroom@appenmedia.com As 2023 comes to a close, Metro Atlanta cities are ringing in the new year with local festivities. Parents can expect to end their children’s holiday break with a final New Year’s celebration before they return to the classroom. And for the parents and adults looking for a night of their own, there are plenty of adult-oriented celebrations for the big night.

Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell, Johns Creek, Cumming, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs are holding celebratory events to kick off 2024. Here are some New Year’s celebrations scheduled throughout the area to mark the final days of 2023.

Dunwoody Night owls can kick off 2024 like it’s 1924 with the Party Like It’s 1920 party on New Year’s Eve at the Brass Tap on Ashford Dunwoody Road from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Come wearing your best 1920s attire and enjoy a free champagne toast when the clock strikes midnight. A live DJ will supply the music while those dressed their best can win a cash prize. Don’t forget to take some fun photos at the photo booth.

For parents wanting to take one last look at the holiday lights with their kids before ringing in the new year, Brook Run Park on North Peachtree Road is keeping

up their holiday lights display through New Year’s Eve before the ball drops. Families can enjoy the free, self-guided walk through 85,000 beautiful lights. Learn more about these free events at www.

DiscoverDunwoody.com.

Alpharetta Residents have several local options to fill their day on Dec. 31. From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Hotel Avalon is hosting Noon Year’s Eve where all ages can enjoy live music, children’s activities, and a countdown to noon with a giant balloon drop welcoming the new year. Tickets are required for admission.

For something a little later in the day, Fogón and Lions is presenting their second annual New Year’s Eve Celebration from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. with live music from Arena Sound, a spirited Latin band, an open bar, a late-night DJ, and a Latin-American holiday-themed buffet curated by Chef Julio and his culinary team. Located on Roswell Street, don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes to dance the year away.

For more information on these events and other local New Year’s happenings, visit www.AwesomeAlpharetta.com.

Milton While the city has no formal events on

See ENTERTAIN, Page 9

speaking Hebrew with his clients.

“I can kind of tell when somebody has Israeli-accented English,” he said.

Several antisemitic incidents have been reported around north Metro Atlanta since area police departments increased patrols at places of worship following Oct. 7.

Most recently, a man in Johns Creek allegedly threatened to blow up Target on State Bridge Road and kill Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to a monthly report in Dunwoody, a man went to the Marcus Jewish Community Center and asked “odd” questions, like how to become a member and if he could speak with someone from Israel who was fluent in Hebrew, then left the location.

Roswell Police were also called to an incident involving antisemitic threats, a joint effort with the FBI. Millholland declined an interview of follow-up questions Appen Media had hoped to share with readers who either own a gun or are considering buying one.

“The men and women of the Sandy

Springs Police Department take great pride [in] engaging and educating our citizens on such important topics,” Millholland said, before he declined any further response.

But, the National Shooting Sports Foundation has the basics covered: • Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

• Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use.

• Don’t rely on your gun’s safety.

• Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.

• Use correct ammunition.

• If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care.

• Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.

• Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting.

• Don’t alter or modify your gun, and have guns serviced regularly.

• Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using.

Support Local News appenmedia.com/join

8 | December 21, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

NEWS

First woman CEO at Emory imparts transformed hospital

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

nonprofit and philanthropic efforts that she’s been a part of,” Bradberry said.

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Marilyn Margolis, who recently retired as CEO of Emory Johns Creek, recalled the steps she took to reshape a hospital where many in the community didn’t want to receive medical care.

Margolis arrived in 2011 as the chief nursing officer and began making strides to improve the hospital’s reputation. She spoke with the Johns Creek mayor at the time and joined various boards within the city. Margolis also posted her phone number on Nextdoor, asking people to call her about the problems they were seeing so she could fix them.

“I got a very good understanding early on, which was what was wrong, and … because I had a lot of experience, I knew how to turn some of those things around,” Margolis said. “I knew how to make the wait time in the ER shorter, I knew how to make people feel like they were part of the family.”

Before turning to Johns Creek, Margolis had been at Emory University Hospital since the early ’80s. She started as a bedside nurse, a role that patients interact with most, for 15 years.

Along the way, she earned her master’s degree in nursing administration.

Margolis spent much of her nursing career in Emory’s Cardiac Care Unit, with patients waiting for heart transplants. It was then that she took part in the inception of a patientcentered approach to health care.

“What we did as a group, and what I learned as a leader, is to sort of put yourself at the door, and know that whoever’s in the bed needs you,” she said. “They need you fully devoted. They need your knowledge. They need your compassion.”

Paving the way When Margolis became the CEO of Emory Johns Creek in 2015, she was the first woman to fill the role in all of Emory’s history. That came with its obstacles.

It was her third day on the job when she said a group of mostly male physicians challenged her. That day, she found herself crying on a bench at Newtown Park — she said the role of CEO felt so large to her in that moment, a position that handles strategy and mapping the future.

“I know women think, ‘I have to be more like a man,’ and I do not think that,” Margolis said. “I think you have to be tough … but you don’t have to be a man.”

She attributes her ability to hold down an executive position, with a high level of tenacity, to her strong mother.

“I learned that you have to understand — I just take what SpiderMan says, ‘With great power comes responsibility,’ and that’s exactly what I think,” Margolis said.

Heather Redrick, who doubles as the COO and CNO at Emory Johns Creek, said Margolis’ mentoring had helped her along her own career path to leadership.

Redrick and Margolis have worked with one another for the past two decades, migrating from Emory University at around the same time.

“I think her charting and leading that path has made it easier for me,” said Redrick, who also started as a bedside nurse. “No one batted an eye, right?

Because she had already done it and had done such a fabulous job leading as a woman…”

Redrick also spoke of the transformation that took place under Margolis’ leadership, from an hierarchical environment to a place of shared decision-making, with staff having a voice at the table.

“Marilyn is a woman of action,” Redrick said. “She’s not going to ask you to do something that she’s not willing to do herself. She’s going to be elbow-toelbow with you, digging the ditch, going through it with you.”

While Margolis soon plans to travel with her husband in a new RV, she began working with Emory Healthcare’s Administrative Fellowship program after stepping out of her CEO role.

She remains on two boards, at the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra and the Rotary Club of Johns Creek. She’ll also soon join the board at Emory Johns Creek.

“I think that’s enough, for now,” Margolis said.

Making changes Margolis carried with her practices from Emory University, such as Structured Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds, that places experts in all facets of a patient’s care plan in front of them.

“A really big problem we had was how do we talk to the patient and their family, so that they’re understanding what’s going on,” Margolis said.

In 2020, Margolis said Emory Johns Creek was designated as a Magnet hospital through a program developed by the American Nurses Association for nursing excellence which was instrumental in maintaining staff level through the COVID-19 pandemic.

That same year, amid the “COVID craziness,” two floors were added to the hospital and three floors were added to the medical office building. Emory

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry presents Marilyn Margolis with a commendation Nov. 14 recognizing her work as CEO of Emory Johns Creek and throughout the community.

Marilyn Margolis, who retired as CEO of Emory Johns Creek Oct. 31, enjoys a cup of tea at Cafe Landmark in Johns Creek.

Johns Creek also got a parking garage, four more beds in the Intensive Care Unit and two more operating rooms.

“If you didn’t have a solid culture and a solid set of leaders and nurses and pharmacists … it takes everybody,” Margolis said. “We were in just a really good spot to do a lot of hard work for a lot of people.”

Without a partnership with the community, Margolis said a hospital like Emory Johns Creek wouldn’t survive. This is why one of the first things she and other hospital leaders did was to get “totally immersed” in their surroundings, joining boards and sponsoring community events.

In November, the Johns Creek Chamber awarded Margolis its inaugural Lifetime Civic Leadership Award for her

work throughout the community. She had served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors for years, including two years as its chair.

“She’s just a powerhouse,” said Robin Buckley, president of the Johns Creek Chamber. “Big things come in small packages, they say.”

Because of Margolis’ position and her belief in the community, Buckley said Johns Creek has seen immense financial benefits.

Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry characterized Margolis as an “institution” in the community at the Nov. 14 City Council meeting where she was awarded a commendation.

“She has done so much, not just as the head of the hospital, but also just through all the many, many different

Exit: Continued from Page 6 Coffer also said the former Alpharetta City councilmember will assume his role in early January.

Housley’s resignation is one of nearly four dozen filed since February.

The fiscal year 2024 budget lists 508 full-time positions. Another 75 are part-time or seasonal workers. Of Sandy Springs’ $65.1 million operating budget, more than 45 percent goes to pay employees’ salaries and benefits.

Appen Media’s open records request for all letters of resignation tendered by city staff in 2023 turned up a total of 45.

It shows at least six clerks in different city departments resigned this year.

Benjamin Yukishige, a records and permits clerk with the Sandy Springs

Entertain: Continued from Page 7 the calendar, Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails on Mayfield Road is hosting their New Year’s Eve celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 31. Guests can expect to pop the champagne while enjoying executive chef Dean Wenzel’s specially curated threecourse prix fixe menu for $85 per person.

Don’t miss out on their exclusive New Year’s menu. To make a reservation or view the menu in its entirety, visit www.

MiltonsCuisine.com.

Roswell Several of Roswell’s best bars and restaurants are hosting fun New Year’s events. For those craving some live music, From the Earth Brewing Company on Holcomb Bridge Road is hosting a live concert on Dec. 31 at 9:30 p.m. featuring the popular local band, the 31’s.

Throughout the night, guests will enjoy specially curated NYE-themed food and drinks.

Meanwhile, Rock ‘N’ Taco is hosting a New Year’s party of their own at the same time on Canton Street. Once midnight strikes, everyone can raise their glass and keep the party going with live music and a variety of specialty drinks and cocktails.

For more information on these events and other nearby New Year’s celebrations, visit www.Roswell365.com.

Johns Creek For parents wanting a date night out, Kidcreate Studio on Old Alabama Road is hosting a Date Night New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 30 at 5:30 p.m. For $28 per child, the studio will watch over your young artist and help them create noisemakers, party poppers, and New Year’s Eve hats while you and your special someone go out to a special celebration of your own. Visit www.

NEWS Police Department, resigned March 16.

Two clerks in the Municipal Court, Vanessa Angulo Santiago and Jhan Martinez, resigned a month later.

Kamryn Johnson, another judicial clerk, resigned in July, followed by Senior Clerk Cassandra Butts Oct. 2.

Assistant City Clerk Karina Reyna resigned Nov. 1.

While the Municipal Court reports to Assistant City Manager Smith, the City Clerk Raquel Gonzales reports to City Manager Eden Freeman.

There are 13 full-time positions on the city’s current openings page, including clerk positions in the Sandy Springs Municipal Court, City Clerk’s Office and the Sandy Springs Police Department.

Eight part-time or seasonal positions are also listed, ranging from ice rink attendant to police officer.

Other resignations include

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | December 21, 2023 | 9

Purchasing Manager Charise Glass, Senior Management Analyst Samantha Dulac and Communications Director Andrew Allison.

“My desire to leave is no reflection of some of the difficulties I have encountered during the past few months,” Allison wrote in his Oct. 2 resignation letter. “Rather, I actually feel like things have improved significantly and our office’s operations have been streamlined substantially since the beginning of the year.”

The position is not listed on the city’s current openings page. Interim Communications Director Coffer received a 10 percent pay increase following Allison’s departure.

Police warrants and records clerk Whitney Washington resigned in September citing “inadequate direct supervisory leadership and added stress” as the reason for her decision.

KidCreate.com for more information.

On New Year’s Eve, Oly’s Tavern on Jones Bridge Road is hosting a New Year’s performance of their own with local band, Reckless. Live music, food, and drinks are always a fun way to ring in the new year. Visit www.OlysTavern.com for more information.

Cumming Forsyth residents hoping to kick off the new year with some live music can check out Rockin’ Around on New Year’s Eve at Music Authority on Merchants Square on Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased at www.

MusicAuthorityInc.com. For those hoping to start their new year’s fitness goals early, Five Star NTP is holding a Half Marathon & 5K Run at North Forsyth Middle School on Jan. 1. The half marathon starts at 8:50 a.m. while those running in the 5K begin at 9 a.m. Admission is $24 with T-shirts available for purchase. The first 250 runners will receive a special Finisher Medal to wear at the finish line. Learn more at www.FiveStarNTP.com.

Sandy Springs Enjoy classical music favorites with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. at Byers Theatre on Galambos Way. The concert program includes the Waltz from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Mendelssohn’s Nocturne from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Rossini’s Overture from La Gazza Ladra, Offenbach’s Can-Can, Strauss waltzes, and more. For those hoping to dance afterwards, check out the Ring in the New Afterparty nearby at the Studio Theatre.

Be ready to enjoy DJ Newk playing all your dancing favorites, a buffet of light bites, coffee and desserts, and a glass of sparkling beverage to toast the new year at midnight. Ticket prices for both events vary and can be purchased at www.

SandySpringsGA.gov.

Remodeling Done Right.

Call to setup a complimentary consultation:

770.670.6022 KITCHENS WHOLE HOUSE

| |

Visit our website to see examples:

MosaicDesignBuild.com BATHS | ADDITIONS PORCHES | NEW HOMES

NEWBUSINESSSPOTLIGHTS

10 | December 21, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED

Public Works Director Michael Smith discusses contract adjustments related to stormwater systems on Vermack Road and Spalding Drive at the Dec. 11 City Council meeting. Smith spoke with resident Joseph Bell about his stormwater management issue after his presentation.

Stormwater: Continued from Page 1 local, state and federal regulations,” Bell said Nov. 27.

When Bell spoke again during public comment at the Dec. 11 City Council meeting, he had still not received a response to his letter.

“The big question is: How should Dunwoody residents communicate with the City of Dunwoody?” Bell asked.

He asked to meet with his District 3 representatives on the City Council to discuss the issue, and he criticized public officials for not responding to his letter.

“In that letter, our main objective was to have Mr. Smith simply visit the problem site,” Bell said. “We know you’re not obligated to reply, but boy would that have gone a long way in raising our hopes that our government is listening to us.”

After public comment, in which the City Council generally listens without responding, Bell spoke with Smith privately about next steps related to stormwater management in the Adams Parc subdivision.

In other business at the Dec. 11 meeting, the council held a public hearing for an ordinance to amend the

sign code regulations for animated signs in Dunwoody.

An animated sign is more commonly called an inflatable, and they are prevalent during the holiday season.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Torres family began the tradition of displaying various inflatables in their front yard, most notably dinosaurs.

In August, an unidentified person lodged a complaint against the Torres’ “Dunwoody Dino House.”

The city’s Code Enforcement team declined to issue a citation until the City Council could clarify regulations and provide standards for front-yard inflatables.

Community Development Deputy Director Paul Leonhardt said the new sign code regulations are a general policy, not only applicable to the Torres’ inflatables.

The new regulation allows animated signs in residential zoning for 60 consecutive days but continues to prohibit them in commercial districts.

There are several restrictions, including maximum dimensions, property line setbacks and safety standards.

The council will consider the amendment at a second hearing in January, Mayor Deutsch said.

Put our proven systems to work for you in 2023!

The McCarty Group MoveWithMcCarty.com 678-298-1664

Name: Alloy Personal Training West Roswell Owner: Jenn Benson Description: Alloy Personal Training offers small group personal training with a specific focus on functional strength in an age group of 40+. We are perfect for clients with injuries and people who prefer customized sessions with 2-6 people.

Opened: August 2023 Address: 24 E. Crossville Rd. Suite #130 Roswell, GA 30075 Phone: 770-629-8853 Web Address: www.alloypersonaltraining.com/location/westroswell-ga/

Name: Crave Cookies Owner: Mike Carey and Kim Fishman Description: Life is uncertain. Our weekly menu change isn’t. At Crave Cookies, every Friday comes with a new lineup of flavors and a fresh excuse to forget your diet. Think of it as self-care with icing on top—because we’re all about that sweet, sweet balance.

Opened: November 11, 2023 Address: 3719 Old Alabama Road, Suite 200-D, Johns Creek, GA 30022 Phone: 678-587-5956 Web Address: ordering.cravecookies.com/crave-cookies-johns-creek/menu/ordersetup

Irving:

NEWS

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | December 21, 2023 | 11

Continued from Page 1 You can sing along to your favorite Christmas songs by Irving Berlin or watch premier tap dancing at the Byers Theatre at the Sandy Springs Arts Center.

Natalie DeLancey, executive director of City Springs Theatre Company, said audiences have been loving the “perfect Holiday production.”

“Based on demand, and after the success of our recent productions of ‘Spamalot,’ ‘Cats’ and ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ we’re extending the run of ‘Irving Berlin’s White Christmas’ to include an additional five performances,” DeLancey said. “Having the gifted Sara Edwards back to both direct and choreograph the show ensures that we’re giving our audiences the Broadway-tier production they’ve come to expect.”

“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” has been City Springs Theatre Company’s highest-selling show to date, DeLancey said.

From Dec. 8 to Dec. 24, the Byers Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center will host one show Wednesday through Friday and two performances Saturday and Sunday.

“We recommend that audiences get those tickets purchased as soon as possible,” DeLancey said. “There won’t be many left.”

The creative team behind City Springs Theatre Company’s production includes Sara Edwards, director and choreographer; Jesse Warkentin, music director; Mike Wood, lighting designer; Anthony Narciso, sound designer; and Shay Holihan, stage manager.

Edwards returned to Sandy Springs after directing a production of “Anything Goes” last season at the Byers Theatre. While she has returned to New York City to work on Broadway’s “Harmony” as an assistant director and choreographer, Edwards

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Guests at the Dec. 10 matinee of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” peruse the Byer Theatre’s selection of concessions, including snacks, cocktails and coffee.

The City Springs Theatre Company’s production of “White Christmas” will run until Dec. 24. will be back in July 2024 for “Jersey Boys.”

Edwards lives in New York City with her husband and two sons. She met Shuler Hensley on Broadway during her work as an assistant choreographer on Broadway’s “The Music Man.” Hensley, artistic director for the City Springs Theatre Company, played Marcellus Washburn in the 2022 production.

“We just became friends during the rehearsal process, and I knew he was a part of a great theater in the upper Atlanta area,” Edwards said.

When Edwards came to direct and choreograph “Anything Goes,” Hensley and the City Springs Theatre Company asked her to come back for “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.”

“When it came to casting, City Springs is very interested in nurturing their theatrical community,” Edwards said.

Kyle Robert Carter, a veteran of the Byers Theatre, worked with Edwards on “Anything Goes” last year. When it came time to find someone to play Bob Wallace, Edwards tapped Carter for Bing Crosby’s legendary role.

Julio Rey, who plays Danny Kaye’s Phil Davis, was the only actor Edwards pulled from New York.

In 2018, after just two performances in the inaugural season, City Springs Theatre Company recognized the need for a conservatory to provide training for young people in the performing arts.

Gigi McClenning plays General Henry Waverly’s granddaughter, Susan Waverly.

Jenna Gamerl, the Conservatory’s education director, said she has been

KBT PHOTOGRAPHY/PROVIDED

Gigi McClenning plays Susan, General Henry Waverly’s granddaughter in “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.” McClenning began training with the City Springs Theatre Conservatory in 2020, before joining the Pre-Professional Company in 2021. involved with the City Springs Theatre Conservatory since she was 9 years old.

McClenning joined the preprofessional company in 2021 and made her City Springs Theatre Company debut on Dec. 8.

At the Dec. 10 matinee, nobody received louder cheers than the 12-year-old McClenning.

“I made a big deal of her in front of the rest of the company,” Edwards said. “It’s not an easy job to be a kid like that in a show full of grownups.”

12 | December 21, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Artists celebrate 20th anniversary of Roswell’s Works in Clay Show

By LUKE GARDNER newsroom@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — The 20th Anniversary Works in Clay Show is being held at Art Center West through Saturday, Dec. 9, and features works from around 50 local artists.

Opening night kicked off Nov. 30, with hundreds of people on hand to celebrate the week-long tradition.

Visitors were greeted by an intimate band outside before heading in the center to enjoy free food and wine while viewing thousands of artworks displayed in a museum-style showcase.

“I didn’t know how big the event was,” visitor Sommer Sparrow said.

“I love experiencing the creativity; It’s nothing you can find in a store.”

Artworks included cups, bowls, mugs, candle holders, flower pots, sculptures, ornaments, abstract pottery and jewelry. A few booths featured knives, axes and metalwork made by blacksmiths at Art Center West.

“It’s been a fabulous night,” artist Jennifer Squires said. “You wouldn’t believe the crowd; it has been over the top, crazy busy. I’m working as a docent and pieces are flying out of

Artist Kathy King chats with customers about her creations. here.”

Every featured pottery artist belongs to the Roswell Clay Collective, a group of local creatives formed in 1991.

“We started in a couple of rooms,” said Art Center West Coordinator AJ Argentina. “Now, we spread to the point of being maxed out, packing in

LUKE GARDNER/APPEN MEDIA

as tight as we can in a 5,000-squarefoot space. The show has diversified and there has been a surge of new interest.”

Argentina began as a resident artist 19 years ago and has gone on to showcase work in 39 various shows, including this year’s Works in Clay.

His work featured a few functional

glasses but mostly included black, grey and cream-colored sculptures comprised of swirling, geometric patterns.

“I love supporting independent artists,” said shopper Ellen Dierkes.

“All the artists did such a good job. I bought some beautiful, unique pieces.”

Squires, who has been creating pottery for almost eight years, also displayed her work at the event.

Her table featured several pieces from her shop, Haven Made Ceramics, including bowls and mugs in every size. Color palettes ranged from more understated earth tones to pieces with bright hues of red, green and blue.

“I get so lost in the art of throwing,” Squires said. “It moves with you as you learn how to do it. The rest of the world goes away. There is so much gratitude in creating something from dirt.”

In a separate room, artist Kathy King stood next to her booth proudly displaying ornaments, serving dishes and decor incorporating natural elements like birds and flowers in shades of blue and green. In her 19year journey with the collective, King

See CLAY, Page 13

S KI N C O N C ER N S ?

KEHINDE RAJI OLUMESI, MD | RADHIKA TRIVEDI, MD | LOLA SODE, MD | BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGISTS

NEW! BROOKHAVEN, GA

4360 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd Ste 280 Atlanta, GA 30341

S C H E D U L E T O D AY:

(470) 903-8886 WWW.EPIPHANYDERMATOLOGY.COM

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Clay: Continued from Page 12 has been at almost every Works in Clay event and has transformed from beginner to teacher.

“I started doing pottery after a break of 29 years,” King said. “I bought a pottery wheel my senior year, put it away, and started over again 30 years later. Now, I love teaching [and] creating any kind of form out of that lump of clay. [At these events,] I enjoy seeing older clients and it’s fun to meet new people.”

Patrons also enjoyed meeting local artists.

“I like seeing stuff people create with their own hands and hearing the artists talking about their work,” Aleah Irvin said.

Artist Jim Neal has been creating work with the Roswell Clay Collective for around 30 years. His booth showcased mugs, vases, bowls, lamps, and several larger otherworldly sculptures. Incorporating ancient imagery of dragons and skulls, Neal enjoys playing on the edge of reality and paying homage to spiritual experiences with his art.

For Neal, the creative process is one of discovery, often finding shapes and inspiration along the way. He pointed

to an ethereal winged-skull creature and proclaimed “This started out as a tail [for something else].

“You sit down and take a piece of clay, put it on the wheel and start throwing it’” Neal said. “Then, your mind goes ‘That could be a dragon or a cat,’ and you go from there. You make a potato shape and start sticking on eyes and arms, and suddenly you’ve got a face with a crown.”

In a room across the building, Neal excitedly displayed sculptures made at local children’s art festivals.

The eclectic pieces started with Neal crafting the base and children making smaller ornamental pieces to adorn it with. The final products are a unique collection of five avant-garde pieces, complete with eyes, seashells, dragon skulls, and creatures beyond human comprehension.

“I’ve been to just about all of the Works in Clay events,” Neal said.

“It’s wonderful; we always have great opening nights. You get to know so many different people and get to watch them grow in their artwork. It’s been really rewarding.”

The show runs from 3-8 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 4 through Thursday, Dec. 7, and from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8. The show runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.

For more information, visit roswellclaycollective.com.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | December 21, 2023 | 13

LUKE GARDNER/APPEN MEDIA

Jim Neal explains the meanings and processes behind his diverse set of artwork.

Tis’

the Season

Lab Grown Jewelry

Jewelry Artisans Special Offer!

$100 off a purchase of $500-$1,499 $250 off a purchase of $1,500-$3,499 $500 off a purchase of $3,500 or more Offer valid now through 12/31/23. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Not Valid on previous purchases or layaways. Some exclusions apply. Must present coupon. See store for details.

"Jewelry Gifts that Dazzle for Every Occasion!”

JEWELRY ARTISANS | 770-393-0321 | 4500 Old Perimeter way, Suite 200, Atlanta, Georgia, 30346

14 | December 21, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

BUSINESS

Business builds community across the board Level Up Games grows through table-top play

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — From competitive players to the more casual dabblers, Level Up Games is the place to find community in table-top gaming.

Keenan Crotty, manager of the Johns Creek location, says about 50 people have become regulars since the store’s opening in February. They attend weekly events for a variety of games found in the store’s well-balanced stock, including your traditional board game, trading card games, role playing games aka RPGs, and miniatures.

Crotty was planning for a weekly event dedicated to “Flesh and Blood,” which he described as a video game turned trading card game.

That early afternoon was slow, save for a first-time visitor from Roswell who had been looking for a decade to play a physical game of BattleTech, a science-fiction tactical wargame. Level Up is much busier in the evening, Crotty said, when

Office Space for Lease Close to Downtown Alpharetta Small private office space (unfurnished) available in Appen Media Office close to Downtown Alpharetta (319 North Main Street, Alpharetta). All utilities included, Internet included (within reason), 24/7 access. Space is upstairs in area of Appen Newsroom. Private, quiet, and open. Approximately 200 sq. ft. (14’ x 14’). $/600 per month, first/ last/security deposit required as well as solid reliable references.

Space would be perfect for a bookkeeper or a self-employed person.

Contact via text or email: Ray Appen at 770-527-4042 or RayAppen@Gmail.com

the business’ primary demographic leaves work and needs respite.

“That’s why we host events and things because we want people to have that third place to go hang out and do their hobby,” Crotty said.

Community focus The Roswell visitor pulled up a chair to one of the tables in the back, as if he’d been going there for years, taking to the cozy, welcoming environment. Crotty told him he had a couple BattleTech guys, including one cop in the area, and connected the customer to the store’s Discord server.

About 3,500 people have joined the business’ Discord, used across all three locations — Johns Creek and Athens as well as the 12,000-squarefoot store in Duluth, the first to open and the biggest of its kind in Georgia.

Crotty said there are dozens of channels for specific games, allowing you to get advice, make a game and build groups.

Andrew Phillips, owner of Level Up, had been in the gaming industry for two decades on the distributor side before opening the Duluth location in 2019.

He took over the space from longtime Atlanta gaming institution Titans Games & Comics — Phillips gave it a new name with a new culture and had to ditch comics at the tail-end of 2020 due COVID-19’s hit to the industry, to focus on table-top games.

“It’s a true passion type thing,” Phillips said. “Nobody ever, unfortunately, gets wealthy doing this, but we enjoy it. It’s about community building. It’s about bringing people together.”

Phillips grew up on traditional board games, and he eventually found himself at the center of “geek culture” that rose in the mid-’90s, the same time when board games began transitioning from Europe. He said board games are a huge deal over there, where supermarkets and shopping malls often use dramatic board game displays and sales to attract shoppers.

“The industry is great,” Phillips said. “It’s full of a lot of creative people. There’s a lot of artistic people.

There’s a lot of people with great imagination. Obviously, Dungeons and Dragons paved the way for all of this originally, and it kind of all bled into each other.”

The best thing about gaming, he said, is that there’s a genre for everyone. It’s not all fantasy.

“If you’re into horror, there’s tons of that stuff. If you’re into film noir,

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Keenan Crotty, manager of Level Up Games in Johns Creek, stands at his desk in front of a collection of trading cards. Owner Andrew Phillips also has two more locations in Duluth, the largest store of its kind in Georgia at 12,000 square feet, and in Athens.

there’s tons of stuff for that,” Phillips said.

Game experts Crotty, who helped open the Johns Creek location, started at the Duluth store last May after moving from Indiana. Like Phillips, Crotty began his gaming journey at a young age with traditional board games, playing with his highly competitive family — he said his dad once accused him of cheating in a game of Risk, and they didn’t talk for a few days.

But, Crotty mostly played with his brother who eventually showed him Dungeons and Dragons, diving into his D&D books as a freshman in high school. He began creating his own campaigns, versus premade adventures, and roped his friends into weekly campaigns that lasted through college.

Crotty described a significant number of games with intermittent history lessons and up-to-date controversy, like pushback on Wizard of the Coast’s restrictive licensing on D&D content creators — which changed the popularity of the game at Level Up, though it still hosts D&D groups every week.

He said “Magic: The Gathering” remains the most popular at Level Up, a trading card game that started in the ’90s, though it’s being rivaled by “Disney Lorcana.” “[Magic: The Gathering has] gotten to the point where people who started playing it when they were teenagers are now parents, and they can teach

it to their kids, so their kids are getting into it,” Crotty said.

He also said the game is updated with new sets every month, it’s highly competitive with complexity and modularity, but it’s also easy to learn.

Next in popularity at Level Up are board games, then come RPGs like D&D, often serving as a gateway, and miniatures.

When he started working at the shop, he became more interested in miniature games, not the well-known “Warhammer” though, but the Star Wars and Marvel versions of it.

“I am a bad hobbyist, because there are a lot of people who get into miniature games, like it for the building and the painting. In fact, some of them never even play the game. They just like the modeling part,” Crotty said. “I like the game.”

Games for everyone Sometimes, Level Up offers demos often led by “paragons,” or volunteers Crotty chooses who have solid teaching and people skills. Demos could be of games that are popular at the time, a game that the store has a large amount of or simply a game the paragon is interested in.

The week before, the store demoed “Queen by Midnight,” a deck-building card game. Others have been what Crotty called “perennial classics” like “Azul,” an easy-to-play game where the objective is to create point-scor ing patterns using colored Spanish, Moorish-era tiles.

Crotty said one popular demo is “Wingspan,” a resource-management game where players collect things and accumulate them in such a way to get the most victory points. He said it’s “the bird game where you do bird things,” and includes the scientific Latin names of birds.

Crotty listed several games which have an explicit educational aspect like “Darwin’s Journey” and “Hegemony,” another resource-management game made in collaboration with professors of political science and economics. In “Hegemony,” he said players choose to be either the working class, the capitalist class or the state, and try to achieve specific goals.

When asked if all presidents should be required to play “Hegemony,” Crotty said the game veers towards certain sociopolitical ideals that might be uncomfortable for some people.

“A lot of games, like Monopoly, you’re just playing, like, ‘My Little Capitalist,’ but some games are doing other things,” he said.

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | December 21, 2023 | 15

Connections keep coming for those who seek them Connections and circles keep on coming when you least expect it. If you put yourself out there, I think it is almost a given that every day can bring something or someone new – if you look.

As I age, I slowly RAY APPEN – much more slowly Publisher Emeritus than most – begin ray@appenmedia.com to learn more. For example, my default as an almost 70-year-old guy is to stick pretty close to myself. I have a miniscule circle of friends and I rarely go out or socialize in any way, and I am OK with that. I read. I write.

I read more. And I try to spend as much time at the beach – reading, writing, and sometimes running – as I can. Oh, almost forgot, I also work on my tennis (against a backboard usually) and spend time with my kids and grandchildren.

All that is fine, except I have repeatedly found in my reading that there appears to be a high correlation between dementia and socialization. That is, it is suggested that the more social one is – the more engagement and interaction a person has – the less likely it is to get dementia. Crap.

Not good.

I also have read that perhaps the variable most tied to dementia is hearing loss. That is, if you want to try to postpone or prevent dementia and you are losing

your hearing, get those hearing aids now!

So, I do have the hearing aids, but I am not sure where they are at the moment. But when I know where they are, I definitely wear them. Hmmmm.

But this is not a column about dementia. It is one about connection.

So, after about 10 years on the West Coast – including several years in Berlin – my daughter Amelia recently moved home from Oakland, Calif., to a “holler” – 5 acres with a large stream down a number of gravel roads deep in the woods in Ellijay.

She and her two dogs – a husky and a mastiff – see bears, turkey and assorted other wildlife almost daily on their morning walk.

Previously she was a dancer – a ballerina with a degree in dance from the University of Oklahoma. Now, she studies soil up there in Ellijay. She is close to completing a multi-year online program on soil. She has always wanted to save the world. She used to pack sandwiches for the homeless people she would encounter on the subway or bus. She tried to create a program for refugees in Oakland. Now she wants to save the world from Round-Up and the other pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers that are killing us and our food supply.

“Compost” is a big part of what she wants to do. It is a major component of her program. Usually, most people think of compost as something that takes place of many months as organic matter breaks

down and finally turns into soil. Amelia now is able to create compost from scratch in about 20 days. The process is fascinating.

Who knew?!

To make her compost, she uses wood chips as one of the core ingredients. She has had a difficult time sourcing them, so I told her I knew someone in Norcross who was in the mulch business and might be able to supply her with the wood chips. Bob Delbridge used to advertise with us off and on since 1990, but I had not had contact with him in years. I wasn’t sure if he was still in the mulch business, so I called him.

He answered. Yes, he is still in the business.

“Sure Ray, just come over and I’ll load up your truck. How have you been?”

Bob and I greeted each other as if it was yesterday that we had last visited instead of a decade or more. We are both entrepreneurs and used to compare notes on marketing, advertising, sales and such.

We think a lot alike. I shared with him that for the past several years all I had read about was related to trees, soil and fungal networks – and that the stimulus for that came from having read a book called “The Overstory,” a Pulitzer Prize work by Richard Powers.

“It’s about the eco-wars back in the ’60s and ’70s on the West Coast,“ I told him.

One of the main characters I told Bob was based on the life of a real person named Julia “Butterfly” Hill, a young environmental activist who lived on a platform in the top of a 1,000-year-old,

200-foot Redwood for a little over two years to protect it from being cut by the Pacific Logging Company. She named her tree “Luna.”

“She is my hero” I told Bob. He looked at me puzzled, with wide eyes.

“Luna…my daughter Jamie was a tree sitter too back then,” he said, “and I think she is friends with Julia Hill. I remember her talking with me about Luna and Julia.”

I was speechless.

We started talking about our daughters and discovering parallel lives. Jamie lived in Oklahoma, too. For over 10 years, Jamie was an organic farmer in Norman, struggling to make a living producing healthy food, just like Amelia. After 10 years, she too moved back “home” to Dahlonega where she went back to school to be a nurse.

“Her heart is still in farming and organics though,” he shared with me. “She still wants me to let her take over my mulch and compost company.”

Amelia and Jamie are planning to meet up as soon as they can. They will share dreams. They will connect. They already have. They will complete something that was waiting to finish I believe. Bob and I will stay connected too I am sure – now more than ever. He would love to figure out how to scale up his compost production. Maybe Amelia can help. Who knows?

The circle will be completed one way or another.

You can make yourself a gift during the season of giving I’ve come to the conclusion that the diverse make up of our little slice of heaven we call North Georgia provides comic relief for others who don’t have enough sense to be Southern.

When out and MIKE TASOS about, I enjoy Columnist listening to others offer (sometimes nonsensical) observations and opinions. It’s remarkable what people say and ask. For instance, I had to bite my tongue when a shopper, in a heavy accent, told the checker: “I remember when these groceries would have cost a dollar.”

Whoa there, my Indian friend. A dollar? I know there are lots of elephants in India and they supposedly have great memories. But your mind must’ve failed you, and you’re probably a few spoonful’s short of a full bowl of curry.

Well, that’s what I wanted to tell him.

Instead, I just smiled and handed over $100 for bread, milk, cheese and mints. I didn’t

get much change back either.

It appears that everyone is affected with a Montezuma-like case of the “scurries,” moving around at a breakneck pace to get that must-have gift that makes experiencing this season with heartburn instead of heartfelt joy and a grin.

I try to be helpful to my family when asked the “What do you want” question.

I don’t want to snarl or do a Chevy Chase and tell them “I’d like Frank Shirley” here wrapped in a bow.” First, I don’t wish any misfortune on Frank Shirley. Hell, I don’t even know a Frank Shirley. But I do know some people who I wouldn’t mind seeing trussed up and receive a boot in the britches.

Adding to the reality that this will never happen is the sad fact that I don’t have a Cousin Eddie to go all Morten Anderson on a tormentor’s backside.

A former staple of a dad’s gift list was a cool necktie. Bah humbug! For years, I railed that a tie is the single most useless piece of clothing ever invented. I warned others having a margarita to not get too close to the blender. It could be a macabre scene right

out of a Tim Dorsey novel. Sadly, Dorsey, another in a diminishing list of Florida novelists, died recently.

Forego a necktie and give a Dorsey novel to someone who is a bit off beat and likes to laugh. The late Papa Kenny Cagle was a devoted fan, and two of his most prized possessions were the two autographed Dorsey novels I presented him. Sometimes, it’s those little things that mean the most.

My Christmas list is diminutive and, from my perch, fairly reasonable.

I’d like to have continued good health reports after every “poke me/prod me” encounter. I’ve got some fantastic doctors, and I’ll do my best to have them continue with our team winning streak.

I’m asking The Big Guy, the One who controls the weather, to deliver some sunny days and mild temperatures on days I have Black Beauty (that’s my Harley Road Glide 3 trike) rides planned for myself and a posse.

I’d just as soon not pack the rain gear.

I want to relax, kick work in the keester and enjoy friends and family. I don’t want any “hustle.” I’m not sure what “bustle” is, except it appears to go with the unwanted

“hustle.”

I’d like a good long snow that paints a gorgeous painting outside, a good warm fire inside and a good long nap or two.

I’d like to hang on to all my good memories and vanquish the bad ones. At 68, it’s a part of life that obituaries are a part of life. I always think: “Just leave me out this.”

The emails you send are a gift beyond compare, even the one from the reader who thinks I should be fired and banished to live in Philadelphia.

Finally, I’m asking you to be aware.

There will be opportunities to make someone smile and make you be a hero. I’m asking you to pay it forward when you can. I can’t stand the thought of a child’s sadness, especially, this time of the year. Seize any opportunity you can to give a gift and to be a gift.

Just no neckties.

Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.

16 | December 21, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

OPINION

PAST TENSE

Society pages of the past give glimpse into daily life

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

In the late part of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, newspaper society pages printed news of engagements and marriages, but they also printed news of birthday parties, family visits, illness and trips to the

hospital.

“Miss Willie Gentry is visiting Chamblee,” is reported in the Sunday, Aug. 5, 1899, Atlanta Journal. There are no additional details, but as a reader of the 1899 Atlanta Journal, you might have been interested in this information.

The front page of this issue of the Journal reports that Taft may run for president in the next election.

In 1905, various Christmas events in the areas surrounding Atlanta are reported in the “Society News and Gossip of Atlanta’s Sister Cities” column of Jan. 1,1905. Under the heading of Dunwoody, a Christmas tree placed at the Methodist church is announced.

Presents were put on the tree by Mr.

Ambrey Carpenter, who played the role of Santa Claus. These announcements always included the individuals’ prefix or title, so I have included those in this article.

At Sandy Springs Methodist Church, a Christmas tree was put up the previous Thursday and the members of Providence Church near Dunwoody placed a tree the previous Tuesday.

Doraville’s social news includes the fact that Miss Susie Chesnut of Due West, South Carolina, is home for the holidays. Belle Grant is spending the holidays with her family before returning to Industrial College in Milledgeville. Mrs. Cora Elliott is spending time with her father, Mr. J. W. F. Tilly before she returns to Commerce, Georgia.

In the Society section of the Dec. 8, 1932, Atlanta Constitution, there are engagement, wedding, luncheon, club meeting and party announcements.

Under a heading titled “Brookhaven News of Interest,” the reader discovers that the Rev. and Mrs. T. W. Jones and their children of Chamblee were guests of Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Smith on Oglethorpe Avenue. Also, the ladies

FAMILY/PROVIDED

From left, Carolyn Anderson holding Spot, with sister Jane Anderson around 1937. The society pages announced Carolyn’s visit to Chamblee in 1936. of the Methodist church met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Belter on Thornwell Drive “in complement of their new pastor,” the Rev. L. Van Landingham.

After Christmas, on Jan. 3, 1932, “Brookhaven News of Interest” announced that Mr. and Mrs. Oscar L. Cowan of Doraville spent Christmas

Day with Mr. and Mrs. Nesbit Cowan on University Drive. Nesbit Cowan was the son of Oscar Cowan, who ran a gristmill near the Doraville train depot.

The column also announced the meeting of the Baptist Church Sunday School class at the home of Mrs. W. J. Wehunt on Fernwood Drive. The Wehunts owned a store in Brookhaven.

On Feb. 13, 1936, the Atlanta Constitution stated that Miss Ruth Dilbeck of Roswell spent the weekend with her Aunt Beatrice Dobbins. Miss Carolyn Anderson of Dunwoody spent the week in Chamblee visiting Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Anderson and Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Anderson. Misses Louise and Lula Adams of Doraville were weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Adams and family.

These announcements, which may seem trivial, give a view of the daily life of people who once lived in our communities.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier.

She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

Access your home’s equity for home improvements, debt consolidation, or any reason!

No Income docs, No Appraisal, Close in 5 days!

Minimum 620 Credit Primary Home or 680 credit for investment property!

Call 706-265-2203 Competitive Loan Options for Purchase/Refi/HELOC! #compare

GA Mortgagee Lic. #2332836 / AL Lic. #23231 / FL Lic. # MBR5724 NC Lic. #B-217128 / SC Broker / NMLS 2332836 Interest may be tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | December 21, 2023 | 17

Dunwoody Crier 12/21/23 Crossword Across

ALPHARETTA-ROSWELL HERALD | FORSYTH HERALD | JOHNS CREEK HERALD MILTON HERALD | DUNWOODY CRIER | SANDY SPRINGS CRIER Serving Metro Atlanta Since 1977 | Hello@AppenMedia.com | 770.442.3278

Delivering Readers Award-Winning Newspapers 2023 Georgia Press Association 1st Place – News Photograph 1st Place – Feature Writing 1st Place – Business Writing 1st Place – Serious Column 1st Place – Food Ad 1st Place – Newspaper Promotion Ad 1st Place – Classifieds Section/page 2nd Place – Page One 2nd Place – Lifestyle Coverage 2nd Place – News Photograph 2nd Place – Local News Coverage 2nd Place – Business Writing 2nd Place – Lifestyle/Feature Column 2nd Place – Food Ad 2nd Place – Newspaper Promotion

2nd Place – Signature Page 2nd Place – General Excellence 3rd Place – Page One 3rd Place – Lifestyle Coverage 3rd Place – Feature Writing 3rd Place – Breaking News Writing 3rd Place – Local News Coverage 3rd Place – Serious Column 3rd Place – Humorous Column 2023 Association of Community Publishers 1st Place – Feature Article Layout 1st Place – Self Promotion Classifieds 2nd Place – Educational Column 2nd Place – Entertaining Column 2nd Place – Self Promotion Own Publication

PuzzleJunction.com

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

15 16 14 1 Tournament favorites 18 19 17 6 Exchange 21 22 23 24 20 10 Kaput 14 Come out of 25 26 denial 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 15 Anthracite 16 Dry stream bed 36 37 35 17 Kind of ray 18 Creole vegetable 38 39 40 41 42 19 Bailiwick 45 46 47 43 44 20 Health org.

21 Gangster’s gun 50 48 49 23 Enduring 51 52 25 Make a sweater 26 Palooka 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 27 Overseas 62 63 64 65 61 30 Life, for one 35 Thinking cap?

67 68 66 36 Kyrgyzstan range 70 71 69 37 Handout Copyright ©2023 PuzzleJunction.com 38 Arctic bird 9 Passionless 66 Townshend of the 40 Tuna type 39 Hot sauce 10 Overshadowed Who 41 Brunch order 42 “___ the land of 67 Regrets 11 Merit 44 Sofas the free ...”

12 Not in port 68 Small pastries 47 Coat part 43 No-win 69 Baby blues 13 Pigeon pea 49 Actress Farrow situations?

22 Assist 70 Proof word 50 Adage 45 Tax 71 Take up space 24 Consume 52 Singing voice 46 Kenyan 25 Colorful carp 53 Make do tribesman 27 Die down 54 Comply with 48 Corps de ballet Down 28 UCLA player 55 Musical mark 50 Unruffled 1 Heroic tale 29 Croupiers’ tools 56 See the sights 51 Spanish aunt 30 Word hard 2 Dutch export 58 Delhi dress 52 Unguent 31 Effortless 59 Liberal pursuits 3 Austen heroine 53 Send an email 32 Hemp necktie 4 Slow-witted 60 Cousin of 57 Astonish 5 Not moving 33 Fresh from the “ahem” 58 Plant production 6 Sir Walter, for one shower 63 Dowel 61 Slender reed 34 Bone-chilling 7 Stir-fry pan 65 Woodwind 62 “My bad” 36 Eve’s son 8 Bern’s river instrument 64 Autocrats of old

See solution Page 22

Navigate the Real Estate Market Confidently Experience the Difference with Our Award-Winning Team.

Solution on next page

Your Home, Our Business.

KarenCannon.com 770-352-9658

18 | December 21, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

GARDEN BUZZ

OPINION

’Tis the Season for Mistletoe, Holly and Other Holiday Plants kiss underneath a sprig.

The Celtic druids supposedly considered the mistletoe plant sacred and hung it above doorways for luck and to ward off evil spirits. In reality, mistletoe is an evergreen that grows high on tree branches and not in a good way. Mistletoe is a semi-parasite.

Its roots penetrate the tree’s wood and suck water and nutrients from the host tree. Heavy mistletoe growths can harm or even eventually kill a tree.

Oak mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) is Georgia’s most common mistletoe species, although it can grow on other tree species. The berries are toxic to humans.

Oh, by gosh, by golly It’s time for mistletoe and holly. ..

There are songs we associate with Christmas, and there are also the PAM RENTZ plants.

Guest Columnist “It’s time for mistletoe and holly . . .” or “I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus, underneath the mistletoe last night...” or “Have a holly jolly Christmas, It’s the best time of the year, I don’t know if there’ll be snow, but have a cup of cheer...” are a few that come to mind.

Those of us who’ve lived in Atlanta for a while are probably not dreaming of a White Christmas (because the chances of having one here are minimal), yet we still enjoy the image along with plants linked with the holidays.

So, as you sit back with your cup of cheer, here are a few good-to-know tips for your holiday plants.

Hollies Hollies have a long tradition of being part of winter festivities that dates back thousands of years to the Druids, who believed the holly’s evergreen nature made it sacred.

The clippings make great holiday arrangements and wreaths, and the holly trees themselves are an excellent landscaping choice.

Hollies are typically lowmaintenance trees and shrubs that perform year-round in the landscape, not only during the holidays. They tolerate well-draining, slightly acidic soil and full sun to partial shade.

They’re (mostly) deer resistant. Holly plants are also primarily either male or female, which means the female plants produce the berries and depend upon the male plants for pollination.

American holly (Ilex opaca) is

UGA EXTENSION/PROVIDED

Top left: American holly/Ilex opaca (PHOTO

BY GARY WADE) Top right: Although mistletoe is generally associated with winter holidays, this parasitic plant grows year-round and can kill trees.

Bottom: A variety of poinsettias. a native broadleaf evergreen tree that produces bright red berries throughout the winter that are eaten by cedar waxwings, cardinals, and other birds. Remember, these berries are considered toxic to humans and pets.

Mistletoe One of the most famous holiday traditions may be kissing under the mistletoe. You’ll come across mistletoe hanging in doorways at many gatherings. Harry Potter even shared a

Poinsettia I don’t know of any good poinsettia songs, but it is an iconic plant we associate with the holidays. When November comes around, grocery stores and big box stores are flooded with these beautiful subtropical plants.

Poinsettias can last for months if you provide bright, indirect light and don’t allow the plant to dry out.

However, overwatering can damage the plant. Check plants daily and when the soil is nearly dry to the touch, water enough that water drains from the bottom of the pot.

Happy Holidays and Happy Gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net.

Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://appenmedia.com/ opinion/columnists/garden_buzz/.

About the author This week’s guest Master Gardener “Garden Buzz” columnist is Roswell resident Pam Rentz. Pam has been a North Fulton Master Gardener since 2010. Along with a background in marketing communications for tech companies, she has a longtime passion for plants and our planet.

Learn more • Care of Holiday and Gift Plants, https:// extension.uga.edu/publications/detail. html?number=C951&title=care-of-holidayand-gift-plants • Holiday Plant Care, https:// site.extension.uga.edu/fanningilmer/2021/12/holiday-plant-care, https://site.extension.uga.edu/lincoln/ holiday-plant-care/ • Poinsettias can thrive for years if properly cared for, https://newswire. caes.uga.edu/story/5669/poinsettiacare.html • Confusion about the Christmas CactusThey aren’t from the desert, https://site. extension.uga.edu/cherokee/2015/12/ confusion-about-the-christmas-cactus-theyarent-from-the-desert/ • Keep your holiday gift plants beautiful all year, https://site.extension.uga.edu/ colquitthomeowners/2021/12/keep-yourholiday-gift-plants-beautiful-all-year-2/ • Holiday Plant Highlight: Paperwhites, https://site.extension.uga.edu/ mgevp/2021/12/holiday-plant-highlightpaperwhites/ • Managing Mistletoe in Trees, https://site.extension.uga.edu/ madison/2021/01/managing-mistletoein-trees/ • Growing Indoor Plants with Success, https://extension.uga.edu/publications/ detail.html?number=B1318&title=growingindoor-plants-with-success

DEATH NOTICES Ernest Bond, 76, of Marietta, passed away on December 7, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

James Gaus, 60, of Roswell, passed away on December 5, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

William Loomis, 44, of Roswell, passed away on December 6, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Imogene Coberly, 98, of Roswell, passed away on December 5, 2023.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Dylan Jarrett, 35, of Woodstock, passed away on December 9, 2023.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Roger Nord, 82, of Alpharetta, passed away on December 6, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Alison Perry, 35, or Woodstock, passed away on December 11, 2023.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | December 21, 2023 | 19

Highlighting Positive Stories This season, we’re joining in the holiday festivities by celebrating positive stories from the community.

The news often feels overwhelming and negative. But there’s so much good news out there too. For every story of conflict, there is a story of joy — and we’re out to find them and share them with you.

We make good news a priority by attending community events, where we hear stories of people making a difference in our community. They’re a spot of joy in an oft-hopeless news cycle.

Hard news and analysis is so important — but so are stories that make us smile, laugh or show the possibilities of change and impact you can create in the world. If you value this kind of story too, consider becoming a supporter today. Your contribution means we can keep shining a light on positive news stories in the year to come.

Join your neighbors in support of local journalism

Join today for $16/month

Scan for more info or to join

Join at AppenMedia.com/join

20 | December 21, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

In Memoriam

Brian David DeChant

Brian David DeChant, 50 years old, went to heaven on December 9, 2023, after a short illness. Brian was born at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee on March 24, 1973, to Karen and Arthur DeChant. At the age of two, Brian was diagnosed with Cockayne Syndrome.

Despite doctors’ prediction of a shortened life span, not past early childhood, he defied all odds. Brian had different plans and with the devoted care of family and friends lived to celebrate his 50th birthday. He was a bright light in this world and especially in his community. Many residents and former residents of Village Mill subdivision in Dunwoody knew Brian. He would ride his bicycle through the neighborhood with a flag on the back and a radio on the front and would stop and play with any kids he could find.

Brian had the cognitive abilities of a three-year-old and was mostly nonverbal, but he had his own way of communicating with others. He attended Heritage and Margaret Harris Elementary Schools and Dunwoody High School.

Brian loved people and his big smile and happy personality drew others to him. Brian loved all kinds of music especially Christmas Music. His feet automatically began to tap when he heard music, and you could see pure joy on his face. He loved to go places in the car, and he especially enjoyed going on any form of mass transit. He played tennis, basketball, went bowling, and competed in the Special Olympics. Brian also enjoyed participating in the Happy Club and going to their monthly events.

Brian was a longtime member of Dunwoody United Methodist Church where he had many friends. He was a person who embodied the love of God

and whose pure, gentle demeanor was an example for others. He is survived by his mother, Karen DeChant, and his sister, Jenee DeChant, and many, many others who loved him. He is preceded in death by his father, Arthur DeChant, and older sister, Michelle DeChant.

Brian will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

The family is grateful for all the caregivers over the years who worked with Brian and the staff of Haven Developmental Care where Brian lived for the last year.

In lieu of the flowers, the family requests donations to the Special Needs Ministry of Dunwoody UMC by going online (https://www.dunwoodyumc. org/) or by mailing a check to the church indicating it is In Memory of Brian DeChant. Donations can also be made to the Happy Club (Happy Club c/o Julia Versteegh, 709 Lismore S, Smyrna GA 30080. Can also send via PayPal, Venmo or cashapp to JuliasHappyClub (no spaces, no punctuation).

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 20, 2023, at 1:00 pm in the Sanctuary of Dunwoody United Methodist Church located at 1548 Mt Vernon Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338. A reception will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. Because Brian loved parties and celebrations of all kinds, we encourage you to wear colorful holiday clothing.

Cards and other expressions of condolences can be addressed to Karen DeChant, c/o Dunwoody UMC, 1548 Mt Vernon Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338.

Cards and other expressions of condolences can be addressed to Karen DeChant, c/o Dunwoody UMC, 1548 Mt Vernon Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338.

In Memoriam

Carolyn Eloise (Curry) Wilson

Our dear mother, Carolyn Eloise (Curry) Wilson passed away on November 4, 2023, at the age of 84.

She was born on September 25, 1939, in Sylacauga, AL, and graduated from Sylacauga High School in 1957.

Carolyn loved music and the arts and played both the saxophone and clarinet. She attended Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL, and met her husband Charles ( John) Wilson while working a summer job in Pensacola, FL. They were married September 26, 1959, and recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. She loved raising and supporting her four children through Catholic school while managing several relocations across various states. Due to her husband’s career, Carolyn moved her family from Pensacola, FL, to San Antonio, TX, Norfolk, VA, Pascagoula, MS, Brunswick, ME, Miami, FL and finally landed in Dunwoody, GA in 1977, where her children eventually graduated from St. Jude the Apostle School and St. Pius X Catholic High School. After years of being a stay-at-home mom, Carolyn eventually returned to work. First, part-time with the Credit department at Macy’s, and eventually retired from Wachovia (formerly First Atlanta, now Wells Fargo). Her retirement allowed more time to be a proud grandmother and she enjoyed spending time with her six grandchildren. She was a member

of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority where she made great friends and enjoyed the Dunwoody-Atlanta community.

Carolyn was an avid reader, and usually had a newspaper, magazine, or book handy.

She liked to sew, play cards, especially Bridge, and was a charitable person who was known to give something to any charity that sent her a request. She volunteered for the PBS telethons, which was a network she thoroughly enjoyed and supported. Always seeking that green thumb, Carolyn loved plants and paid many visits to the local nurseries to bring some plant life into her home. Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents George Nolan Curry (d.

2000), and Mary Lou (Dison) Curry (d. 1993), as well as her brother George Nolan Curry (d. 1960). She is survived by her husband Charles ( John) Wilson (b. 1930), her four children: Shaunda Kay Wilson, Parker Burke Wilson, Shannon Lee (Wilson) Shipley and Shari Lynne (Wilson) Bramlett, and six grandchildren: Parker Wilson, Natalie Wilson, Carolyn Shipley, Elizabeth Shipley, Peyton Bramlett, and Patrick Bramlett. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church at 7171 Glenridge Dr. NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, on January 4th, 2024 at 10:00 AM. In addition, her interment will be at The Barrancas National Cemetery at the US Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | December 21, 2023 | 21

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON TIP YOUR NEWSPAPER DELIVERY PERSON This holiday season, consider giving your newspaper delivery person a tip for their weekly delivery of the free community newspaper to your driveway. These folks work hard to make sure you are informed of all the local happenings, rain or shine, week in and week out.

Importantly, at Appen Media, we have always been intentional about our desire to keep delivery of our newspapers free. That said, it would mean the world to us if you would consider tipping your newspaper delivery person so that they will have a little extra money for the holiday season.

If you can help us help these amazing people, we promise to keep delivering high quality news to your driveway, for free, every week. Free home delivery of 105,000 homes is hard work – and we couldn’t do it without our amazing delivery folks.

How you can give your delivery person a tip: 1 We have created an online portal at www.appenmedia.com/deliverytip.

100% of every dollar you contribute will be spread out evenly between the 24 newspaper delivery people that Appen Media employs. Whether you give $5 or $50, they will greatly appreciate it.

2 If you prefer, you can also mail a check made out to “Appen Media Group C/O Newspaper Delivery Tip” to 319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

22 | December 21, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

ONLINE INCLUDED C a l l t o d a y t o p l a c e y o u r a d 4 7 0 . 2 2 2 . 8 4 6 9 o r e m a i l c l a s s i f i e d s @ a p p e n m e d i a g r o u p . c o m • FA X : 7 7 0 - 4 7 5 - 1 2 1 6

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Part-time

Donor Operations Associate North Fulton Community Charities is in Roswell off of Hwy 9, serving North Fulton area individuals and families 40+ years. Our Mission is “To Ease Hardship and Foster Financial Stability in Our Community”.

28 hours/week. Must be available to work Monday 9-5, Tuesday and Thursday 11-5, and Saturday 9-5.

Key team member who helps in the donation process; greets and removes donations from vehicles and then sorts the merchandise in a designated area; responsible for keeping the merchandise secure, all areas free of debris and the donor door area neat and clean; work with other staff, volunteers and community service.

This position is the face of NFCC so are expected provide excellent customer service and treat each donor with a professional and friendly demeanor. For complete job description: https://nfcchelp.org/work-at-nfcc/ .

Please submit your resume to: Marten Jallad, mjallad@ nfcchelp.org or Suzanne Brown, sbrown@nfcchelp.org.

NFCC participates in EVerify and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NFCC does not discriminate based on race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disabilities, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis protected by the law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

SERVICE DIRECTORY Miscellaneous

Budget Fabrics And Upholstery *DISCOUNT PRICES*

-FREE Design Consultation• Thousands of designer 770-396-6891 fabrics IN STOCK 770-396-6824 Mon-Fri 8-6 • Sat 8-3

Painters

Garage Doors

Quality Without Compromise

Dunwoody Door Lift Co. The ONLY garage door company in Dunwoody!

ROBERT CROAWELL REMODELING

We sell, install and repair garage doors and openers.

Authorized Genie Dealer serving Dunwoody since 1973.

Full Service Contractor

Additions • Kitchens • Basements • Bathrooms Interior/Exterior Paint • Minor Repairs • Licensed Insured

Office: 770-814-0064 Cell: 678-642-8314 Home Improvement

ROT-DOC

Rot Repair Technician

Don’t waste good paint on rotten wood.

Minor repairs make a major difference!

Interior/Exterior Painting Pressure Washing Rotten Wood Deck Repair Free Estimates

Thurman | 770.899.1354 | www.rot-doc.com

Electricians

Belco Electric

“Family Owned Since 1972” Fast Dependable Service by Professional Uniformed Electricians

770-455-4556

Check out our new website: BelcoInc.com and follow us on:

Bargains FREE CHRISTMAS GIFTS! Delia Smith, CHS, Class of 1968.

770-457-9603

Deadline to place a classified ad is Thursdays by 4pm

Roofing ROOF LEAKING? Call us for roof repair or roof replacement. FREE quotes. $200 OFF Leak Repairs or 10% off New Roof. Affordable, quality roofing. Based in Roswell.

Serving North Atlanta since 1983. Call to schedule FREE Quote: 770-284-3123.

Christian Brothers Roofing

KETNER CONTRACTING • Re-roofs •Repairs & Painting • Licensed/Insured • Excellent Referrals • Free Estimate • 25+ Years of Experience Neil Ketner 770-318-7762

Tree Services

770-393-1652

If you can’t lift your door, let Dunwoody Door Lift it!

Office Space for Lease Close to Downtown Alpharetta Small private office space (unfurnished) available in Appen Media Office close to Downtown Alpharetta (319 North Main Street, Alpharetta).

All utilities included, Internet included (within reason), 24/7 access. Space is upstairs in area of Appen Newsroom. Private, quiet, and open.

Approximately 200 sq. ft. (14’ x 14’). $/600 per month, first/last/security deposit required as well as solid reliable references.

Space would be perfect for a bookkeeper or a self-employed person.

Contact via text or email: Ray Appen at 770-527-4042 or RayAppen@Gmail.com

DANGEROUS REMOVALS & TRIMMING FREE ESTIMATES INSURED & REFERENCES CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL 20% OFF WITH THIS AD! griffintreeservices.com

404-234-4810 Neumann’s Landscape & Tree Service Joe Neumann – 770-452-1173 or 404-644-7179

Handyman MATTHEW THE HANDYMAN Carpentry, Painting, Drywall, Plumbing, Electrical and Small Jobs.

404-547-2079

Solution

Your North Atlanta News and Podcast Source AppenMedia.com S E E D S S W A P D E C O A L W A A D M I T O K R A A R G A M M A G A T E T E R N A M A K N I T O A F A B R O A D S E N T E N A L A I D O B R A I N T A B A S C O O A U K L E V Y M A S T I E S S E R E E N S E M B L E T I A B A L M C O N T A C T A W E S O O P S T S A O B O E R U E S T A R P E T E E R G O E X I E Y E S

A S E A

D H A L

C L E A N

E E R I E

A R T S

P S S T

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | December 21, 2023 | 23

ONLINE INCLUDED C a l l t o d a y t o p l a c e y o u r a d 4 7 0 . 2 2 2 . 8 4 6 9 o r e m a i l c l a s s i f i e d s @ a p p e n m e d i a g r o u p . c o m • FA X : 7 7 0 - 4 7 5 - 1 2 1 6

Landscaping

AwArd winning LAndscApes

20 years of Keeping Dunwoody Green

Installation Maintenance Seasonal Color

Ogletree Enterprises

a MALTA Award Winning Firm

Concrete/Asphalt

ALEX FRASER MASONRY INC. • BRICK • CONCRETE Alex Fraser, President www.alexfrasermasonry.com E-Mail: afrasermasonry@aol.com

770.840.8884

FULLY INSURED

Cell: (404) 281-0539 Concrete

Driveways $250 OFF NEW DRIVEWAY!

Ken Ogletree

• BLOCK • STONEWORK

Mention this ad. Concrete driveway specialists. Driveways, Pool Decks, Patios, Walkways, Slabs. A+ BBB rating. FREE ESTIMATE. Call Rachael at 678-250-4546 to schedule a FREE Estimate. 30 years of experience. ARBOR HILLS CONSTRUCTION INC. Please note we do have a minimum charge on accepted jobs of $5,000.

MARTINEZ MASONRY

Retaining Walls • Patios• Repairs

Walkways • Masonry Work

martinezmasonry281@yahoo.com

Licensed • Insured • References Pressure Washing

404-408-4170

Ask for Tony Martinez

Driveways

A1 DRIVEWAY REPLACEMENT CO. Specializing in

CELEBRATING MY 41ST YEAR! THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!

CONCRETE DRIVEWAY REPLACEMENT SIDEWALKS, PATIOS, AND SLABS Since 1974 Insured – Free Estimates www.a1drivewayreplacement.com MY EXPERIENCE ACHIEVES OPTIMAL RESULTS!!!

770-493-6222

24 | December 21, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

Allison & Peter Kloster | Sam DiVito Rachel Provow | Caroline Nalisnick

RACHEL PROVOW Your Dunwoody Real Estate Expert

C: 678.524.1491 | O: 404.383.HOME (4663) Rachel@HOMEgeorgia.com | @rachelprovow

HOMEgeorgia.com | @HOMErealestate.ga