Dunwoody Crier - April 3, 2025 by Appen Media Group

Author, exonerated of murder conviction shares her life story

► PAGE 5

City opens new Waterford Park playground

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody officially opened the new playground at Waterford Park off Dellrose Drive.

The playground includes swings, slides, vertical ladders, a fireman’s pole and a tunnel with play areas for children ages 2 to 12. The public space also includes two tennis courts, a pavilion and restrooms.

Waterford Park opened in 2021 after former DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester set aside around $125,000 in park bond money to purchase the space from the Waterford Swim and Racquet Club in 2019. The city removed the on-site pool and replaced it with a sod meadow.

Future plans include trails connecting to surrounding neighborhoods.

Students draft designs for Lemonade Days

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody Preservation Trust congratulated three Peachtree Middle School students March 25 for their winning T-shirt designs for the 25th annual Lemonade Days Festival.

The local nonprofit selected hand-drawn T-shirt designs from Tess Derschad, Elizabeth Townsend and Henry Goertermiller out of 346 contest entries.

Tess drew three cups of lemonade for her design, referencing the festival creators with a “Dunwoody Preservation Trust” bunting across the top.

Elizabeth’s design focuses on the nature within Brook Run Park, referencing the

petting zoo and including the quote “This Lemonade Days is a squeeze of Heaven!”

Henry’s T-shirt design is more abstract with an emphasis on 2025, the festival’s 25th anniversary, including the motto “Stay Cool” and a Ferris wheel.

The Dunwoody Preservation Trust launched Lemonade Days in 1999 with help from the Nature Center and Dunwoody Homeowners Association to raise money in the wake of an April 1998 tornado that caused more than $150 million in property damages across the city.

See SHIRTS, Page 18

Former Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Director Brent Walker said his team identified the northeast portion of the city as in need of greenspace and more recreational opportunities.

Last year, the City Council approved a $164,460 contract with Bliss Products and Services to purchase and install the playground.

See PARK, Page 18

DUNWOODY PRESERVATION TRUST/PROVIDED

From left, Peachtree Middle School students Tessa Derschad, Elizabeth Townsend and Henry Goertermiller display their winning T-shirt designs for the Dunwoody Preservation Trust 25th annual Lemonade Days Festival April 23-27 at Brook Run Park.

Spring Plant Sale!

Dunwoody amends green building rules to simplify pathway toward certification

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council amended its green building policy March 24 during a quick meeting capped off with a transportation update from Mayor Lynn Deutsch.

The green building policy ensures the city’s facilities and buildings are designed, constructed and renovated in a sustainable manner. It’s the first revision in 15 years.

Dunwoody is in the process of designing two buildings at Brook Run Park, a warehouse and offices for the Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments. It has just under $1.37 million available in its budget within the capital projects fund.

At a February meeting, Public Works Director Michael Smith discussed a contract with Muller Purcell to serve as a manager during the final design process, advise on the project’s feasibility and prepare a construction cost estimate. He said construction is slated for later this spring or summer.

See POLICY, Page 18

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Shops pass canvass for underage alcohol violations

DUNWOODY, Ga. —

Dunwoody Police Sgt. Michael Cheek announced the department conducted an undercover operation March 18 across 20 local businesses to reduce underage drinking.

The Dunwoody Police Department worked with agents from the state Revenue Department to check convenience and grocery stores, gas stations and breweries for compliance.

None of the businesses sold alcohol to a minor, the department said in a March 24 statement.

Police Chief Mike Carlson said his department commends businesses and employees who followed the law and refused to sell alcohol to minors during the recent

POLICE BLOTTER

operation.

“Their commitment to responsible sales helps keep our community safe and prevents underage drinking,” Carlson said. “We appreciate their cooperation and dedication to public safety.”

The press release says the Dunwoody Police Department regularly uses compliance checks as a tool in its efforts to reduce underage drinking and the many issues that stem from it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive drinking contributes to about 4,000 deaths of people below the age of 21 in the United States each year.

Hayden Sumlin

Dunwoody businesses checked during the undercover operation include:

1. Publix, 500 Ashwood Parkway

2. Quick Trip, 100 Ashwood Parkway

3. Perimeter Bottle Shop, 4719 Ashford Dunwoody Road

4. Target, 100 Perimeter Center Place

5. Total Wine, 124 Perimeter Center West

6. Exxon, 77 Perimeter Center East

7. Agave Bandido, 120 High Street

8. Iron Hill Brewery, 1224 Hammond Drive

9. Chevron, 4369 North Peachtree Road

10. BP, 4368 North Peachtree Road

11. Dunwoody Beverage, 1418 Dunwoody Village Parkway

12. E. 48th Street Market, 2462 Jett Ferry Road

13. Royal Food Mart, 4479 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

14. BP, 4485 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

15. Kroger, 4498 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

16. Chevron, 5464 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

17. Wine Store, 5484 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

18. Walgreens, 5511 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

19. The Fresh Market, 5515 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

20. Publix, 5550 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Later, officers learned all the parties involved were living together in the unit.

Public Notice

The American Liver Foundation’s Liver Life Walk Atlanta will take place at Brook Run Park on April 12, 2025. The walk takes place within the park from 9am-12pm. There may be increased traffic on North Peachtree Road, Peeler Road and Barclay Drive. There will be minimal interruption.

For more information or any questions please visit liverlifewalk.org/atlanta

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.

Police apprehend suspect for making armed threat

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police arrested a 49-year-old Dunwoody man for terroristic threats March 16 after officers responded to a domestic dispute at the Lacota Apartments off Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

Dispatch told officers that the suspect was armed with a knife and attempted to stab another man within the apartment unit.

The reporting party, a 38-year-old Dunwoody woman, said a man tried to stab her husband.

Officers said they arrived with firearms unholstered because of the call’s nature and went straight to the suspect who was sitting on the balcony.

After instructing all other occupants to leave the apartment and detaining the man, officers said they spoke with the suspect and witnesses.

The suspect said the incident started when he noticed the other man staring at him and took offense.

Officers said the suspect had slurred speech, appeared visibly impaired and admitted to threatening the victim with a knife.

The suspect’s testimony matched accounts from witnesses, officers said.

One witness, a 29-year-old Dunwoody man, said he did not witness the threats but saw the suspect holding the knife

Police transported the suspect to DeKalb County Jail on a terroristic threats charge.

— Hayden Sumlin

Smyrna woman arrested on charge of shoplifting

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police arrested a 24-year-old Smyrna woman March 23 after she gave a false name to officers while being questioned for skip-scanning at the Target off Perimeter Center Place.

Skip-scanning refers to a type of shoplifting where a patron deliberately chooses not to or pretends to ring up items at self-checkout.

Officers said the woman had already been detained when they arrived, and they reviewed security footage with the Target loss prevention team.

Security footage showed the woman scanning some of the merchandise in her cart at self-checkout alongside her mother, a 47-year-old Mableton woman, officers said.

Police said the footage did not indicate the suspect’s mother assisted with the shoplifting.

During the investigation, an officer said the woman gave him a false name and birth date.

The suspect was transported to DeKalb County Jail for misdemeanor shoplifting and false representations to police.

Jail records show she was bonded out later that evening.

— Hayden Sumlin

Suspect faces charges for wrecking restroom

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police arrested a 21-year-old Stone Mountain man March 20 after he allegedly broke a toilet paper dispenser in the women’s restroom at the Michael’s off Perimeter Center Place.

An officer said an Ashford Lane security guard had already detained the suspect when he arrived.

The security guard said the man tore one of the dispensers off the wall, shattered a glass bottle and threw toilet paper all over the women’s restroom. When officers attempted to speak with the man, they said he admitted to being inside the restroom but then began to talk to himself.

An officer said he checked the restroom and confirmed the security guard’s account.

A Michael’s employee said the man entered the store about half an hour before staff contacted law enforcement. When the employee went into the restroom, he said the man began to scream and to intimidate other employees.

Officers said they trespassed him from the store and transported him to DeKalb County Jail for disorderly conduct.

Jail records show the man was released March 22 with an agreement to appear in court.

— Hayden Sumlin

City touts awards for excellence in financial reporting

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody announced March 24 it earned awards from the Government Finance Officers Association for excellence in financial reporting.

City staff said Dunwoody has received a certificate of achievement every year since its 2008 incorporation.

In a press release, Dunwoody says an excellence designation for its annual comprehensive financial report is considered the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

According to Government Finance Officers Association, an impartial panel judged the report to meet the high standards of the program, which includes “demonstrating a constructive ‘spirit of full disclosure’ to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.”

This year’s certificate was for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2023.

The association was founded in 1908 and includes 20,000 members across North America with a mission to foster excellence in public finance.

This year, the city’s Financial Department also received a 2025 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and special recognitions for the presentation of its strategic goals and strategies, as well as its Capital Improvement Program.

City Manager Eric Linton touted the efforts of Communications Director Jennifer Boettcher and Finance Director Richard Platto and their teams earlier

PALS

PERIMETER ADULT LEARNING

2025 Spring Session

Mondays from March 31

- May 19, 2025 (no

class April 14)

United Methodist Church

10:00 – 11:00

THE GOTHIC IN AMERICAN LITERATURE (AND FILM) –Gautam Kundu will discuss how American Gothic (often characterized by darkness, claustrophobia, madness, monstrosity and haunting) entered the American literature mainstream and the tensions that were created. Among the questions we will explore include: What is the relationship between the distinctly interior notion of America as an idea (a dream) and the psychological nightmares expressed in many of these texts? Authors to be examined include Edgar Allem Poe, William Faulkner, Henry James and Shirley Jackson.

this year for putting together the 2025 report, which is easy to follow.

“These are significant accomplishments and extremely prestigious awards for our finance team,” Linton said. “These awards are reflective of the commitment by the Dunwoody City Council and staff to meet the highest principles of government budgeting and reporting.”

To view the 2025 budget report, visit the Dunwoody Finance Department’s webpage.

The city also has an “open checkbook” through ClearGov, a budgeting software showing city expenditures, available on

the same webpage.

“Our goal is to produce financial and budget reports that are accessible, understandable, and transparent,” Platto said. “We hold ourselves to the highest standards, and these awards reflect our team’s dedication and hard work.”

While Dunwoody continues to receive accolades for its financial reporting, some residents are concerned with stalled projects in the city’s Capital Improvement Plan, the looming shortfall in operational funds and a proposed tax hike.

Trump taps Alpharettan Beach as U.S. Treasurer

By DAVE WILLIAMS Capitol Beat

ATLANTA — President Donald Trump has nominated another Georgian to join his administration, selecting state Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, for U.S. Treasurer.

The role is a senior leadership position within the U.S. Treasury Department, led by Secretary Scott Bessent. The Treasurer oversees the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the United States Mint.

Beach has been a steadfast Trump supporter, questioning the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia and the conduct of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in her criminal case against Trump and his allies.

Beach chairs the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee, and he works as executive director

of True North 400, previously known as the North Fulton Community Improvement District.

He is a former president of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and served as a board member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Beach’s background makes him uniquely qualified for the Treasury post, said Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark, who called Beach an expert on monetary and economic policy.

“Senator Beach will bring his strong business mindset to the Treasury Department, ensuring it remains an efficient government agency,” Clark said.

Beach was among a group of Republican state lawmakers who called for a special session of the General Assembly to consider changes to Georgia’s voter ID laws after Joe Biden’s presidential win in 2020.

He also backed a Senate GOP push to investigate Willis and her conduct of the investigation into Trump and his supporters amid allegations that Willis had improper involvement with the special prosecutor on the case.

Trump has often turned to Georgia for leaders. Former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins was recently sworn in as Secretary of Veterans Affairs and former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler was sworn in to lead the Small Business Administration.

In Trump’s first term, he picked former Gov. Sonny Perdue, now chancellor of the University System of Georgia, to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Rep. Tom Price to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.

10:00 – 11:00

THE FOLK ROCK REVIVAL [WB1] – Tom Dell will guide us through this cultural resurgence that brought traditional music back into the limelight. Spanning the late 1940s to the mid1960s, this revival was characterized by a renewed interest in the songs, stories and sounds of America’s rural and working-class communities, celebrating the raw and authentic expressions of human experience. We will hear about Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan.

10:00 – 3:00

OPEN MAH JONGG – Bring your own Mah Jongg card and come play. There is no instructor for this weekly session. This is for experienced players.

10:00 – 12:30

BEGINNER MAH JONGG – Rhea Berger will teach beginners Mah Jongg. This class will be based on the National Mah Jongg league rules. Seating is limited to 12.

11:30 – 12:30

BRITAIN 101 – Clive Gillon will cover the chronological history of the British Isles from approximately 500 BC to 1200 AD; from the Celts to the Normans. Discussion will focus on Britain’s many invaders from mainland Europe including the Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings.

11:30 – 12:30

ART OF THE 1500s -- Marilyn Morton will discuss how this was a century of challenges and responses. The Protestant Reformation begun by Martin Luther in 1517, presented new spiritual options and issues to European Christians, especially in the north which resulted in violence and hatred between Catholics and Protestants. The differences between their arts are easily identifiable as Protestants did not use religious art in their churches, thereby eliminating a major source of income for artists and causing a steep decline in art patronage.

— Hayden Sumlin

CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED

From front left, Dunwoody Finance Department members Sima Hojjaty, Dawn White, Cassandra McDonald, Susan Austin, Delisha Robinson; back row from left, City Manager Eric Linton, John Gates, Chris Murphy, Michelle Broadbelt, Finance Director Richard Platto and Damien Johnson celebrate awards from the Government Finance Officers Association.

Japan!

Dunwoody resident Jackie Hursh took a vacation to Japan and was good enough to bring the Crier along for the ride. Here is the pair spotted at Yokohama Bay. Thanks for the trip, Jackie!

Where in the world is the Crier?

If you’re headed on a trip, the Crier wants to sightsee, too. Take a copy with you and share the moment with folks back home.

Send your travel photos with the Crier to newsroom@appenmedia.com

Adult Children of Aging Parents to discuss navigating hospital trips

DUNWOODY, Ga. — A local nonprofit, Adult Children of Aging Parents, is hosting a free educational program, “The Secrets to a Smooth Hospital Discharge for Your Aging Loved One,” April 8 at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.

The discussion is from 5:306:30 p.m. in the Asbury Room at Dunwoody United Methodist Church off Mount Vernon Road. ACAP North Atlanta holds programs on the second Tuesday of each month.

The nonprofit says the information will help families navigate the complex hospital discharge process, which can be one of the most critical and challenging moments in an aging loved one’s healthcare journey.

ACAP North Atlanta says attendees will learn how to prepare for a safe and seamless hospital discharge, key differences between housing options for healthcare and strategies to make transitions easier for the patient and family caregivers.

Northside Hospital Care Coordinator Rhonda Perling is set to be the featured speaker and share

insider knowledge and expert strategies to help families feel empowered when managing posthospital care.

The nonprofit says if you are caring for an aging loved one, anticipating an upcoming hospital stay or simply want to be prepared for future healthcare transitions, the April 8 session is a must-attend event.

For more information or to register for this program, visit www. acapcommunity.org/atlanta or contact Mary Remmes at atlanta@ acapcommunity.org.

HELP IS HERE

If you live in Georgia, you can still get help with recovery from Helene or Debby through housing assistance, loans, resources and more. Stay in touch and check your application for updates.

Ways FEMA Can Help

Housing: FEMA may call for more information from an unfamiliar number. Be sure to answer, as FEMA may be able to help with immediate housing, additional support and information on housing opportunities.

Home Inspection: Inspectors will make an appointment before they visit and will show your application number and their photo ID.

SBA Centers: FEMA staff is available to assist at Small Business Administration centers in Coffee, Jeff Davis, Lowndes, Richmond, Screven, Telfair and Toombs counties.

Center for Rural Entrepreneurship:

208 E. 1st St., Vidalia, GA 30474

Jeff Davis Rec Dept: 83 Buford Rd., Hazlehurst, GA 31539

McDuffie Woods CC: 3431 Old McDuffie Rd., Augusta, GA 30906

Satilla Library:

200 S. Madison Ave., Douglas, GA 31533

Screven County Library: 106 South Community Dr., Sylvania, GA 30467

Telfair CSC: 91 Telfair Ave., #D, McRae-Helena, GA 31055

VSU Foundation: 901 N. Patterson St., Valdosta, GA 31601

Keep Your Recovery On Track

Read your FEMA letter carefully. If you’ve applied for FEMA disaster assistance and were not approved, you may need to send additional documentation.

Scan the QR code or go to fema.gov/HelpIsHere and select “check your status” to upload documents, track your application, update contact information, get directions or get help.

fema.gov/HelpIsHere

Stay in Touch

ONLINE: fema.gov/HelpIsHere

DOWNLOAD: The FEMA App

DOWNLOAD: The FEMA App CALL: 1-800-621-FEMA

SPECIAL TO THE CRIER

Vindicated prisoner relives life journey

Author relates false murder conviction

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Amanda Knox told the crowd at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta that she wants to keep visiting Italy during an author’s talk about her new book, “Free: My Search for Meaning.”

More than a decade after her life changed forever, Knox spends her time advocating for criminal justice reform, cohosting the podcast “Labyrinths” with her husband Chris Robinson and raising her two children.

Knox gained world attention in 2007 after her roommate, 21-year-old English exchange student Meredith Kercher, was found dead in their shared cottage overlooking the Italian city of Perugia.

Despite shaky evidence linking Knox and her boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito to the murder, she was convicted twice, spent four years in prison and a total of eight on trial.

Her 2013 memoir, “Waiting to be Heard,” recounted her experiences during her interrogation, detailing her wrongful conviction and imprisonment while setting the record straight in her own words.

“In a way, it was a very reactionary memoir,” Knox said. “There was already a story out there, and I was trying to correct some misconceptions.”

Her second memoir, “Free: My Search for Meaning,” reflects on her return to American life after spending four years in an Italian prison for a murder she didn’t commit.

“This book is a very different book because it’s not the story of the worst experience of my life,” Knox said. “I’ve had the worst experience of my life, now what?”

Knox described her return to Italy, meeting the judge who sent her to prison and what her life is like with a husband and two kids.

The 2025 follow-up is about her journey through the challenges and complexities of everyday life with an emphasis on her personal search for meaning, inspired by her reading of Victor Frankl in Italian prison.

“It’s not like we have the worst experiences of our lives and then they just stop becoming a part of our lives,” she said. “We carry with us that trauma for the rest of our lives, and how we encounter life is always going to be framed through that.”

One of the more remarkable parts of “Free” tells the story of the relationship between Knox and Italian prosecutor Giuliano Mignini, who portrayed her as a murderer.

While Knox says Mignini refuses to ex-

Amanda Knox chats with guests while signing copies of her new memoir “Free: My Search for Meaning” March 25 at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. People waited in line for chance to meet Knox, one of their personal heroes, after a Q&A session focused on how she overcame trauma and found meaning in her life.

plicitly apologize, she said he has a funny way of expressing regret over his handling of the case.

For example, instead of saying how he felt about the case, Knox said the prosecutor had her watch a movie about a detective who realized he put an innocent person in prison.

“We would have these moments where I was like “what are you trying to say?”

Knox said. “I thought my well-being was sort of in his hands, [but] I walked away with his beating heart in my hand, and all of a sudden I was carrying all of this responsibility of absolving him, which I was not expecting.”

Pam Morton, director of arts and

Sometimes jokes are funny, but poorly constructed ones are cheap and often hurtful.

Knox said one of her favorites was from the TV show “Veep,” where a character remarks that anyone can be famous because she is for “not” murdering someone.

One guest at the lecture drew a comparison of Knox’s situation to the infamous Steve Bartman incident, where a Chicago Cubs fan tried to catch a fly ball down the foul line, interfering with a player and received blame from the media.

While the media’s treatment of Knox and Bartman is comparable, there’s one significant difference.

Bartman deflected the foul ball, leading Cubs outfielder Moisés Alou to miss it with his glove. Knox simply didn’t kill her roommate.

While some Cubs players stuck up for Bartman, Knox is still missing her complete vindication.

The Italian Supreme Court upheld her slander conviction Jan. 23, 2025.

“The irony is that while being wrongly convicted of slander, I’m the most slandered person in this whole saga,” Knox said in a post on X. “The police, prosecutor, media, courts and the killer Rudy Guede have all slandered me to no end.”

Rick Goldstein, a high school teacher at the Paideia School in Atlanta, said he’s known Knox for a few years and regularly takes a group of his students to Innocence Project conferences.

Goldstein said Knox is a wonderful human being who forges connections with students and takes an interest in their journeys.

Dunwoody resident Essie Lazarus said she was a huge Amanda Knox fan as a high schooler and enjoyed the intimate environment for the author’s talk and book signing. It was an interesting and enlightening discussion, Lazarus said.

Knox’s husband, Christopher Robinson, said he thinks the media’s coverage of Amanda may be different today.

authors at the MJCCA, said bringing the thought-provoking discussions to the community exemplifies the mission of the nonprofit’s Arts & Authors series.

“These events exemplify the mission of our Arts & Authors series, bringing powerful and relevant discussions to our community,” said. “Each author brings a unique perspective on justice, history and contemporary global challenges, providing audiences with an incredible opportunity to learn and engage.”

While she is twice exonerated, happily married with children and committed to her work on the board of directors of the Innocence Project, Knox said she still sees chatter about her in the media.

“I’ll tell you what Amanda would say, the media is not one thing, there’s good actors and bad ones,” Robinson said. “Even today right now, there are tabloids in the United Kingdom vilifying her for having written this book.”

Robinson and Knox’s “Labyrinths” podcast delves into topics like resilience and personal growth, philosophy, true crime and today’s media.

“It’s sort of been steadily getting better. That isn’t to say misogyny disappeared from the world, it hasn’t,” he said. “On the whole, it’s better.”

Amanda Knox’ new memoir “Free: My Search for Meaning” is available for purchase on Amazon and local bookstores throughout Metro Atlanta.

PHOTOS BY: HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

From left, author and activist Amanda Knox discusses her new book, “Free: My Search for Meaning,” with Scripps News anchor Holly Firfer March 25 at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta.

Doraville-based banks sign merger agreement

DORAVILLE, Ga. — The holding company for Metro City Bank announced the acquisition of First IC Bank and its parent company March 17 with the signing of a definitive merger agreement.

The merger, expected close in the fourth quarter of 2025, brings together two Doraville-based banks and former competitors.

Metro City Bank operates 20 banking offices across seven states, including Alabama, Georgia, New York and Texas, finishing last year with $3.6 billion in assets. Its holding company, MetroCity Bankshares Inc., is publicly traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

First IC Bank maintains 10 banking locations and two loan production offices across six states, including California, Georgia, Texas and Washington, with $1.2 billion in assets at the end of last year. Its holding company, First IC

Corporation, is also publicly traded.

Under the terms of the agreement, First IC shareholders will receive more than 3.38 million shares of MetroCity common stock and just under $112 million in cash, subject to adjustment.

Based on price of the stock at the time of the deal, MetroCity is paying $22.17 for each share of First IC, bringing the cost of the deal to around $206 million.

First IC Corporation Chairman Chong Chun said the bank is thrilled to announce the merger with MetroCity.

“I am proud of our strong team, the bank and legacy we have built together, and the positive impact we’ve made in our communities,” Chun said. “By combining with MetroCity, we ensure our shared values to create a better bank, offering enhanced services and opportunities for our employees,

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customers, key partnerships and the communities we serve will be our legacy.”

The deal isn’t fully locked in yet.

The announcement says it is “subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of First IC.”

The combined company is expected to have around $4.8 billion in assets, $3.7 billion in deposits and $4.1 billion in loans.

In a pitch to prospective investors, the announcement says the merger will

temporarily lower MetroCity’s “real” value per share, but thanks to the extra profits it brings, they expect to recover that loss in about two and half years.

MetroCity also expects its profit per share to jump by around 25 percent in the first year after the merger because combining companies will drive down costs.

Chairman and CEO Nack Peck said his team has long competed with and admired the First IC franchise and are excited about combining the two organizations.

“The combined bank will have the capacity to service our customers better, offer enhanced opportunities for our employees and continue offering excellent returns to our shareholders,” Peck said.

— Hayden Sumlin

Georgia native Jim Bass joins Appen Media newsroom

DECATUR, Ga. — Decaturish founder Dan Whisenhunt announced Feb. 13 that Jim Bass will join the Decatur-based news publication as a full-time reporter.

Appen Media publishes Decaturish, along with seven weekly newspapers, from a central Metro Atlanta newsroom. Bass will cover DeKalb County and Decatur schools and the city of Avondale Estates.

Bass was born and raised in

Newnan, Georgia, and has lived in the Peach State his entire life. While attending college at the University of Georgia, Bass worked at The Red & Black in several positions, including editor-in-chief and Digital Managing Editor. Bass also took multiple photojournalism courses and completed his capstone as an education reporter for The Oglethorpe Echo. He graduated with a B.A. in Journalism on May 10, 2024.

After leaving Athens, Bass moved to Decatur to continue pursuing his journalism career. He was ecstatic about joining the Decaturish team.

Appen Media launched March 20 a

print edition of Decaturish, Decaturish Ink, prompting Whisenhunt to seek out another full-time reporter. The editor said he was impressed by Bass’s intelligence, work ethic and attention to detail.

“We had so many applicants for this position, and it was a very competitive process, with many talented candidates,” Whisenhunt said. “What stood out for me was Jim’s experience as a journalist and a leader in his college newsroom. His clips were good, but they don’t tell you everything. During the interview process, Jim demonstrated his ability to solve problems, ask insightful questions and

keep up with the busy pace we’ve set as a company.”

Bass was visiting New York City when Whisenhunt called and offered him the job. Bass was seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time when he got the call, making the moment even more memorable.

“It is an honor to write for such a beloved local publication like Decaturish,” Bass said. “Being able to work alongside this talented team and continue to grow under their wing while informing the community is something I’m grateful for.”

To contact Bass for potential tips or story ideas, email jim@appenmedia.com.

BASS

Connect-It

Good luck!

1 Oration station. It hosts other computers. Stick together

COMPUTERS

1. Oration station. It hosts other computers. Stick together.

2. Arm or leg. It gets you around the monitor. Art supporter.

3. Command to Fido. Stand-offish. They hold data.

4. It’s a computer bane. Like a tortoise. Fishing spot.

5. Boredom. They are clickable. Citrus fruit.

6. In-box contents. It’s active in Sicily. Pigeon’s perch.

7. Wine label designation. One of its jobs is data storage. Chowder morsel.

How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!

2. Arm or leg. It gets you around the monitor. Art supporter

3. Command to Fido. Stand-offish. They hold data

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OPINION

Village Mill established in 1968 amid pastoral setting

The Village Mill neighborhood was developed in 1968 by Jim Cowart and Malcolm Powell. Homes advertised for sale in Atlanta newspapers in 1969 included colonial two-stories, Spanish style and split-level homes in the new subdivision along Peeler Road.

Nancy and Gary Huey bought their Village Mill home, built by Vernon Marchman, in 1969. Nancy remembers Carey Spruill plowing his field at the corner of Chamblee Dunwoody Road and Mt. Vernon Road in 1969. When he turned his mule Shorty around on Mt. Vernon Road, cars came to a stop. Nancy also bought delicious tomatoes from Carey Spruill at the old house, now known as the Cheek-Spruill House.

The Hueys joined Dunwoody Methodist Church, where services were held in what is now the chapel. The post office was in a small brick building on Chamblee Dunwoody Road, behind where a BP gas station is today. The family bought groceries at Ogletree’s in Dunwoody Village.

Sue Jones and husband Leon moved into their house in 1970, when Leon was transferred to Atlanta with Delta Airlines. They picked out their building lot and floor plan with the help of builder John Cowart.

At the time, Sue felt they had moved to the country. She recalls Vermack and Womack Roads were dirt roads. When Dunwoody High School opened in 1971, the roads leading to the school were still unpaved. (Atlanta Journal, July 26, 1972, “School area roads hit”)

Shallowford Elementary was the closest elementary school for Village Mill children once it opened in 1968.

When a tornado struck Dunwoody in April of 1998, most homes in Village Mill were not damaged, but the roof was blown off the Huey home. The family had to move out for a while. To make matters worse, they had a fire in 1999 and had to move out again for six months.

The Jones home was not damaged by the tornado, but Sue remembers the street was covered with trees and impassable following the storm.

Gene and Leon Schuh moved into a 1968 Village Mill home in 1975. Gene explained that Village Mill consists of Village Mill I and Village Mill II which have separate entrances off Peeler Road as well as Village Mill III which includes Mill Stream Court.

She recalls homes that were built between 1968 and 1972. Gene and Leon moved from an apartment on Johnson Ferry Road to Village Mill. They had no phone in their apartment for the first few months, having to find a pay phone when needed.

The Schuhs enjoyed their new neighborhood, which Gene says, “continues to be a great neighborhood and attracts people who like to be active in their neighborhood.”

There are long-standing holiday traditions in Village Mill. The neighborhood has its own Fourth of July parade each year before the Dunwoody parade. They also have a luminary display on Christmas Eve, a tradition which began in 1971.

Adults and children have enjoyed these traditions through the years. They also enjoy the neighborhood swim and tennis club. Some newer residents of Village Mill grew up there and returned years later to buy a home.

Carl Pahl, an early resident of Village Mill, wrote “Village Mill: The Early Years (1969-1974) and Other Beginnings.” He remembered how Peeler Road looked at the time. There was an old country store

still standing, with the name Adams Grocery on the sign. Across the road was a small horse farm. At the northeast corner where Chamblee Dunwoody Road, North Shallowford Road and Peeler Road come together, there were cornfields. Today, this is the location of Independence Square office park.

Village Mill was named by Malcolm Powell who grew up in Trion, Georgia, where a village of homes and a store were built around the town’s textile mills.

Many residents of Village Mill took active roles before and during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. That will be a subject for another day.

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.

NANCY HUEY/PROVIDED

One of Village Mill’s traditions is a neighborhood Fourth of July parade and a commemorative T-shirt.

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

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Owner John Hogan & Designer Bobbie Kohm

Dunwoody Crier | April 3, 2025

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Find your homestead in the hills of Milton

Brought to you by - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division

Nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of Milton, Georgia, The Homestead at Milton represents the pinnacle of luxury living. Situated on what was formerly a meticulously maintained 180-acre golf course, The Homestead at Milton is a community rich in history and natural beauty. This luxurious neighborhood is perfect for buyers looking for a substantial homesite in one of the most sought-after areas

north of Atlanta. The pristine landscape and serene environment provide a perfect backdrop for these magnificent homes.

The Homestead at Milton offers 3 to10- acre homesites within a gated community, providing residents with privacy and tranquility. The opportunity to own a home in this rare collection is limited, with only 9 opportunities remaining. These prime homesites range in price from the $900s to over $1 million, while custom homes are available from $4 million to $11 million. Each home is a blend of inspiration and

tradition and defines the new southern lifestyle.

Located just a short distance from downtown Crabapple and only three miles from Historic Downtown Alpharetta, The Homestead at Milton combines rural charm with urban convenience. Homeowners enjoy easy access to a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. The Avalon and GA 400 are also within close reach, making commuting and travel convenient. The community is part of a top-rated school district, and children will attend Cambridge High

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Newspaper Delivery Route Openings with Appen Media Group

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What NOT to include in your estate plan

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Milton bookstore tailors itself to suit those who love to read

By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — To Poe and Company, the creation of relationships within the community is more important than the sales.

The independent bookstore began its journey in late Nov. 2022 and has garnered a devoted community of customers.

As an author, Kate Seng always wanted to open her own bookstore, but it was never the right time with her focus on her three children. Seng still wrote the whole time, something she’s been doing for a “long time.”

Seng has written three children’s books, one scheduled to come out this spring along with a mystery novel later this year.

In 2022, her dream of opening her own bookstore came true.

“Some doors started opening, and this new space and this Milton community opened up,” Seng said. “I just love this community and thought this would be a great place for a bookstore.”

When all the pieces fell into place, she knew she wanted to get in touch with her community.

“I really feel like, whereas a big store is great, the independent bookseller really gets in touch with their community,” Seng said.

On theme with her family and community-oriented store, Seng chose

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to name her business after her late father’s favorite author, Edgar Allen Poe.

In contrast to Poe’s dark stories, the store offers a warm, comforting space for guests to pick out their new favorite book, with the occasional raven watching over.

Sun pours through the windows of the bright new area featuring cozy couches, tables and of course a slew of more books.

Paintings and stuffed animals of one of Seng’s main characters from her book, “Doodle Noodle,” Noodle the dog, invites visitors to find their next read.

“Book tok,” the newest trend hitting TikTok, has been getting more and more readers back into the hobby and serves as a “big driver.” Every third Monday of the month, the store hosts the Shadows & Starlight Readers’ Society which features fantasy and romance books that have gone viral through the trend.

The store hosts a number of book clubs, including the Poe & Company Book Club for women on the first Thursdays of each month and a middle grade kids club during the summer. Bible studies, author meet-and-greets and even crotchet groups also can use the store as a meeting space. Parents can get out of the house and bring their little ones to story time every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

“We just want to be a space where people can come together,” Seng said.

Poe and Company will expand its space April 1, after knocking down a wall into a neighboring unit. Seng said she hopes the added space will allow for more community involvement through a selection of more book genres and meeting spaces.

“The thought behind the space was we were really just bursting over there. It’s a small space,” Seng said. “We have a lot of shelves, and when authors were coming in, we just didn’t have anywhere to put people.”

Shelves are full of books handpicked by Seng, which she gets from “a lot of different channels of information.” She chooses books from recommendations on the New York Times Bestseller list and book club recommendations from celebrities like Jenna Bush Hager, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon.

“I belong to the Southern Independent Booksellers Association and the American Booksellers Association,” Seng said. “They are constantly sending us information about new releases.” Seng said.

Her current recommendation is “The Kite Runner.”

“There’s a lot of depth to it, and sort of eye-opening information just about how things happen,” Seng said.

In the digital age, Seng stresses the importance of books, having the physical copy in your hand.

“I think that we are exposed to so much, a whole new world when you get into books,” Seng said.

The passion for reading runs through store employees, who provide a hometown feel by guiding guests to their next favorite book.

“I’d like it to be a place where people are exposed to things that they haven’t been exposed to before, be that through an author or through a book, or even through one of the events,” Seng said.

Poe & Company is at 1890 Heritage Walk Suite P101, Milton, Ga., 30004.

Poe and Company hosts story times for children in their reading space every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

PHOTOS BY: SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA

Owner Kate Seng holds a cookbook against a bookshelf at Poe & Company in Milton.

Bill banning personal devices in K-8 schools heads to governor

By MEIMEI XU WABE

ATLANTA — A Georgia bill headed to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk for final approval would ban personal devices during the day for kindergarten, elementary and middle school students.

The Georgia Senate passed House Bill 340 by a vote of 54-2 on Tuesday. It would require public schools and school systems to establish protocols for restricting access to and storing devices like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, e-readers, Bluetooth headphones and more. Schools would also create their own policies for device usage during extracurricular and off-campus activities. Schools would need to adopt policies by Jan. 1, 2026, and implement the ban by July 1, 2026.

The bill does not apply to schoolissued devices. HB 340 also has carveouts for students who need to access personal devices for official medical or educational reasons.

Schools in Georgia and metro Atlanta have already implemented some form of a personal device ban to reduce distractions in the classroom.

State Rep. Scott Hilton, R-Peachtree Corners, the lead sponsor of the Distraction-Free Schools Act, praised its passage in the Senate.

“With cell phone use among children at an all-time high, we must take action to protect the integrity of our classrooms,” he said in a press release after the vote. “Studies overwhelmingly show that limiting phone access significantly increases students’ focus, reduces distractions and fosters a more effective learning environment.”

Republican state Sen. Jason Anavitarte, the bill’s sponsor in the Senate, said it will also help students’ mental health. Last year, former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for warning labels on social media

platforms that emphasize the link between social media use and poor adolescent mental health.

“This bill isn’t just about academics, it’s about students’ well-being. Studies link excessive phone use to mental health issues, decrease in social skills, and increase in bullying,” he said Tuesday. “We want students engaged in school, socializing with friends during lunch and focusing in the classroom.”

Margaret Ciccarelli, director of legislative services of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, GeorgiaCAN executive director Michael O’Sullivan and Southeast legislative director for ExcelinEd in Action Miranda Williams spoke in support of the bill last week in committee.

Though the Republican-sponsored bill has enjoyed broad support from lawmakers of both parties and education advocates, it did not pass without some discussion.

Midtown High School student support program specialist Cheryl

Nahmias watches a student unlock their device pouch at the end of the school day. Some Georgia schools have already implemented personal device bans. (Juma Sei/WABE)

Republican state Sen. Randy Robertson responded to concerns that students wouldn’t be able to contact their parents in the event of an emergency, saying that students should be focused on safety instructions given by the school if something happens.

“From a public safety standpoint, I don’t think anybody really appreciates the chaos around an incident that happens at a school,” he said. “If you’re looking at a large school, you’ve got about 600 children texting 911 or calling their parents. You have about 1,200 parents calling 911 or calling the school during these incidents, and you have people texting rumors galore about where the bad guy is or where the storm hit, and you have first responders trying to get there and they’re being fed a lot of

misinformation because it’s coming from all different directions.”

“This is a huge first step in clearing up the communication lines,” he added.

Democratic state Sen. RaShaun Kemp, who voted in favor of the bill, said he understands parents feeling worried about not being able to contact their children, especially in the case of a school shooting like the one that occurred last September at Apalachee High School in Georgia.

“I implore, I beg my colleagues for the sake of our children and educators to do something about guns,” he said. “Do something so that we no longer put ourselves in this position where we make sound policy decisions but neglect what our students are really asking for: to be safe in their classrooms.”

Kemp added that he believed the ban should also apply to high schoolers. Similarly, Democratic state Sen. Jason Esteves also discussed the detrimental effects of excessive social media use on high school students and called upon local schools to implement a cell phone ban now, even without a statewide mandate yet.

Democratic state Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes filed a minority report arguing that individual schools and teachers should have the power to dictate device use. She ultimately voted to pass the bill.

Islam Parkes said in a statement, “I supported an amendment on HB 340 that would have expanded the education friendly technology that students can access in the classroom. While that amendment was voted down, I ultimately supported HB 340 and believe this legislation will help our students focus and thrive in Georgia’s classrooms.”

WABE’s Rahul Bali contributed reporting to this story.

This story was provided by Appen Media media partner WABE.

Registration now open for summer day camps through metro

METRO ATLANTA — Summer day camp registration for YMCA of Metro Atlanta is now open for children ages 5 through 15 across 19 locations.

YMCA’s summer day camps provide a safe and engaging environment through a variety of programs tailored to give campers confidence while they stay active.

Families can sign their children up for either tradition or specialty

camps. Traditional camps include games, outdoor exploration and indoor learning experiences, while specialty camps provide cooking, basketball, drama and science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) classes.

“Our summer day camp programs are designed to keep youth engaged while fostering friendships, curiosity and a love for learning,” said Lauren

Koontz, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. “We take pride in offering programs that build confidence, independence and personal growth, empowering kids to reach their full potential.”

For the first time, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta will offer reduced weekly rates for campers who currently qualify for free and reduced lunch. Parents are encouraged to contact their local

branch to sign up due to limited spots. Camps will run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pre-camp and post-camp options for families looking for extra care will also be available.

For more information on financial assistance and camp sign-ups visit: ymcaatlanta.org/camp/day-camp.

— Sarah Coyne

JUMA SEI/WABE

Midtown High School student support program specialist Cheryl Nahmias watches a student unlock their device pouch at the end of the school day. Some Georgia schools have already implemented personal device bans.

Park:

Continued from Page 1

Dunwoody City Councilman Tom Lambert said it’s hard to believe what the area looked like just a few years ago.

“It really stands as a true testament of what can happen when a neighborhood and the city work together,” Lambert said. “This was a true collaboration between the community and the city, and it’s turned into a true gem.”

Parks and Recreation Director Rachel Waldron said children in the community chose the colors for some of the playground’s features.

“Our wonderful Dunwoody Garden Club assisted with the plantings,” Waldron said. “It’s just a great way to have everyone come together for a great space.”

Policy:

Continued from Page 1

Smith asked elected officials to consider going with EarthCraft certification. He said it would save the city around $60,000 while achieving its sustainability goals with a focus on water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources.

Council members indicated they preferred a less expensive sustainability certification and directed staff to explore a policy amendment after hearing about potential cost savings.

Community Development Director Richard McLeod said the Sustainability Committee met to discuss the policy changes March 13, making some slight adjustments.

Under the old policy, city buildings more than 5,000 square feet are required to get Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, which can be a detailed and expensive process. The approved amendment allows for substitute certifications, like EarthCraft and Energy Star, and removes the square-footage requirement.

McLeod said committee members opted to allow exemptions to the policy if certification would increase the project’s cost to a point where it may no longer be financially feasible.

“In essence, it simplifies the

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SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Elected officials celebrate members of the Dunwoody High School Youth City Council March 24 after touring the new Real-Time Crime Center at City Hall.

ordinance,” McLeod said. “We don’t have to measure the size [of a building, and] it applies with a LEED, EarthCraft or Energy Star on any city buildings.”

If project costs increase to a point where no certification is feasible, McLeod said he would then bring the proposed exemption to the City Council.

McLeod said he agreed with the changes from the Sustainability Committee. Elected officials approved the amendment unanimously.

In other business, Mayor Lynn Deutsch discussed an update on the Georgia Department of Transportation’s working plan to begin phased construction of the 33.5-mile I-285 Top End Express Lanes project.

GDOT is using a privately funded delivery model for the project, which

The following year, organizers chose the name Lemonade Days, evolving from the phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

This year’s five-day festival returns to Brook Run Park April 23-27. The hours of operation are 4-10 p.m. WednesdayFriday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

includes two express lanes in each direction, elevated 50 to 60 feet above the general-purpose lanes, across the entire northern half of I-285.

“Five or six years ago … the mayors of the cities along I-285 got together to advocate for … bus rapid transit along the managed lanes,” Deutsch said. “The Top End project is significantly delayed … they haven’t started.”

According to a project webpage, GDOT has requested feedback from privatesector entities that may be interested in participating in the I-285 East Express Lanes, which runs from Northside Drive in Sandy Springs to I-20 in DeKalb County.

Deutsch said the new plan is to build the elevated express lanes going west before beginning construction on eastbound segments. Without plans for

Lemonade Days features full-scale carnival rides with food and beverage options and the return of the 5K Fun Run at 8 a.m. April 26. Organizers say children and their parents, who grew up with the festival, are legacies and can receive a commemo-

Pictured center, Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Director Rachel Waldron cuts the ribbon at the new Waterford Park playground at 4565 Dellrose Drive. The playground’s swings, slides and play areas tack on another amenity to one of the city’s newest neighborhood parks.

express lanes in both directions, she said GDOT has not given a clear answer on how public transportation will work, but future meetings are scheduled.

“They’ve kind of thrown a big wrench in it because ‘Can you be viable if you only go one direction?’” Deutsch said. “I think it’s a real shame because from my perspective, the best part of the managed lanes was the potential for bus rapid transit.”

She also said there are plans for a stop near Perimeter Mall, but not for one at North Shallowford Road.

The March 24 meeting also included a visit from members of the Dunwoody High School Youth City Council who dined with and asked questions of elected officials. The students were also treated to a tour of the Real Time Crime Center.

Mike Berry, social studies teacher and faculty sponsor, said the Youth City Council heard from city department heads and elected officials throughout the academic year.

“I cannot thank leadership of the city enough for all the support you have given for the students to be able to stay connected with their city government,” Berry said.

Maia Popa, Dunwoody senior and president of the Youth City Council, said the club helps encourage students to get involved. As a three-year member approaching graduation, she expressed gratitude to Berry and the Dunwoody City Council for their support and encouragement.

rative legacy lanyard after stopping by the information booth along Georgia Way. For more information about the festival’s layout, scheduling and sponsorships, visit dunwoodypreservationtrust.org — Hayden Sumlin

HAYDEN

CITY OF DUNWOODY/ PROVIDED

Foxhunting in Georgia: for the love of hounds, horses

Americans have been participating in foxhunting on horseback since colonial days. George Washington was an avid foxhunter. He raised a pack of Penn-Marydel hounds. The breed is a variety of the American Foxhound, developed in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware for hunting foxes and coyotes which explains the name “Penn-Marydel.”

Washington hunted on a horse named Nelson, which he received as a gift in 1778 from his friend Thomas Nelson, a Revolutionary War general, signer of the Declaration of Independence and fourth Governor of Virginia.

England is the home of foxhunting dating back to the 16th century. Ireland, where foxes are a prevalent native species, also helped spread foxhunting abroad. Today, there are more than 100 foxhunting clubs in North America.

Originally in England riders used trained Fox Terriers to hunt and kill foxes who raided farmers’ hen houses and killed sheep. Today, the emphasis is on the thrill of the chase and the social aspects of hunting, where the fox is not killed. History, comradery, horsemanship and enjoyment of nature are the attractions. The American hunt, according to one participant is “more like a game of hide and seek.”

The tradition involves riders on horseback following a pack of wellloved hounds trained to track the scent of a fox. A traditional hunt involves chasing a fox or coyote until it leaves the hunt territory thus helping to keep the fox and coyote population at bay. This helps prevent overpopulation, which is one reason landowners agree to have hunts on their land.

The oldest hunt club in the United States is the Piedmont Hunt, founded in 1840 in the small village of Upperville, Virginia.

People involved with hunting have specified roles. Masters are responsible for the overall management of the hunt and for relations with local landowners who must give their approval for a hunt. The huntsman is responsible for the care, feeding and training of the hounds and leads the pack during a hunt. The whipper-in is responsible for keeping the hounds together,

George Washington was an avid foxhunter as shown in this illustration by an unknown artist of a 1909 oil painting “The First Gentleman of Virginia” by John Ward

FAMILY PHOTO/PROVIDED

Sandy Springs residents Nancy and Michael Amato have been members of Shakerag Hunt for more than 40 years. Nancy grew up with horses in Indiana. When the couple moved to Georgia, they joined Shakerag Hunt where Nancy was treasurer for seven years. In this photo the couple is participating in a hunt.

preventing stragglers or runaways. The term whipper-in originated in England centuries ago.

Hunt clubs are referred to as “hunts” and traditional proper attire is important. Members who have “earned their colors” wear scarlet coats with white breeches or black hunting jackets with their hunt’s colors on the

circa 1948 due to the need for better hunting grounds. Shakerag was horse country.

Atlanta was growing and becoming more urban at the cost of the open spaces needed for foxhunting. Shakerag offered a 40-acre site for the club as well as more than 5,000 acres of surrounding woods and gently rolling pastureland. Several years later the club again moved, this time to Hull, Georgia, as Shakerag experienced the kind of urbanization that had caused the club to move from Atlanta.

Today the club boasts about 80 members with a mixed pack of PennMarydel and Crossbred Foxhounds. Members bring their own horses to a hunt.

In Georgia the hunting season is from October to March. The Shakerag hunts take place on Tuesday and Saturday.

Hunt clubs suffer from a snooty image, but in fact foxhunting is a family sport, enjoyed by riders from ages 6 to 80. Shakerag Hounds has four hunt fields that accommodate different riding abilities which allows young riders and young horses to develop their skills. Because a hunt will last between two and four hours, a reasonable level of horsemanship is necessary. Following an active day of riding, members and guests enjoy a breakfast together at the clubhouse.

The club welcomes inquiries and visitors. Information can be found on their website Shakeraghounds.com.

Sandy Springs residents Nancy and Michael Amato have been members of Shakerag Hunt for more than 40 years.

“Foxhunting is an amazing world unto itself with its well-trained horses, lovely hounds and friendly, committed riders,” Nancy says.

She has had several horses over the years but her favorite was Coletrap.

There are three other hunts in Georgia, Belle Meade Hunt in Thompson, Bear Creek Hounds in Moreland and Midland Fox Hounds in Columbus. Each has its own personality.

collar. Earning colors is a significant honor.

Georgia’s oldest recognized hunt, the Shakerag Hounds was established in 1943 when a group of avid horsemen established the Atlanta Hunt Club in Chastain Park in Atlanta. The club moved to the town of Shakerag, today part of Johns Creek,

Thanks to Joan Compton, president of the Johns Creek Historical Society and Masters of Foxhounds at Shakerag Hounds for their assistance with this column.

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

BOB MEYERS Columnist

FRAUNCES TAVERN MUSEUM

Dinsmore. The illustration is in the Fraunces Tavern Museum in New York City.

OPINION

Everything you need to know about Garden Faire 2025

Spring is here, and if you are a gardening enthusiast you will not want to miss the 24th annual Garden Faire, presented by the North Fulton Master Gardeners. This free event will be at The Grove at Wills Park Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We are thrilled to once again be partnering with Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program, the Georgia Native Plant Society-North Metro Atlanta chapter and the City of Alpharetta. We anticipate this year’s Garden Faire to be the best one yet.

Garden Faire 2025 will provide one-stop shopping for gardeners with a huge selection of annuals and perennials, native plants and culinary plants, as well as education and children’s activities.

Plant selections for sale include ornamental annuals grown by Master Gardeners at the Fulton County Schools Teaching Museum greenhouse. You can find many colors of coleus, hanging ferns, geraniums, begonias, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and a large variety of other annuals. Our big sellers are our passalong plants from the Master Gardeners’ own personal gardens. Passalong plants typically include a variety of ground covers, perennials, hostas, irises and daylilies, along with some select shrubs and trees. Make sure you look for the Master Gardeners wearing UGA Extension aprons or name tags. They will be on hand to

DEATH NOTICES

Frances Benoit, age 95, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 24, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Franklyn Dailey, Jr., age 104, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 19, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

answer your gardening questions and provide advice on which plants will meet your needs.

New this year

• A special booth featuring information on native plants and pollinator plants

• More garden-related vendors offering rare plants, tropical indoor plants, succulents, pottery, gardening gifts, birdhouses and more

• Seed giveaways

• Live bluegrass from the Cedar Hill Band

• Fantastic talks on topical gardening issues

• Unique container gardens

• Food vendors to help satisfy your hunger or thirst

• More plants than you can imagine

The North Fulton Master Gardener volunteers also collect vintage treasures for the ever-popular Fleatique market, where you can spot that interesting pot, gadget or garden tool or other unique item for your home or garden at bargain prices.

If you bring young ones to the Faire, look for the Children’s Corner at the back by the new dinosaur playground. Children will be doing a gardening craft activity and learning about worm composting from one of our partners. These free activities are available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year’s Garden Faire will have educational garden talks and demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., including some well-known gardening experts.

These talks include

• 10 a.m.–10:45 a.m. “Composting 101” Speaker: Chloe Weathington, Urban Agriculture project manager with Food Well Alliance

• 11 a.m.– 11:45 a.m. “DeMystifying Hydrangeas” Speaker: Jennifer Petritz, horticulturist and

Margaret Dimsdale, age 97, of Milton, GA passed away on March 13, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Katherine Frye, age 78, of Roswell, GA passed away on March 15, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

About the authors

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnists are Donna Heldman and Christine Williams, co-chairs of the 2025 Garden Faire.

A Master Gardener since 2007, Donna grew up in New Jersey, “the Garden State,” but spent most of her life in Ohio before recently moving to Roswell to be closer to family. Donna worked in health care before following her passion for plants. She has experience working with plants in garden centers, in addition to having her own landscaping business.

A lifelong nature lover, Christine relishes getting dirty. From a young age she loved exploring in any nearby woods, meadows or open fields she could find near Chamblee where she was born and grew up. Christine has been a Master Gardener Extension volunteer with Fulton County since 2011 and received her Certificate of Native Plants from the UGA/State Botanical Garden of Georgia in February 2024.

president of the American Hydrangea Society

• 1 p.m.–1:45 p.m. “What we plant matters” Speaker: Connie Gray, president of Athens-East Piedmont Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society

• 2 p.m.- 2:45 p.m. “How to Create a Garden in Containers of all Shapes and Sizes” Speaker: Judy Peacock, North Fulton Extension Volunteer and Master Gardener

The Grove at Wills Park is located at 175 Roswell Street, Alpharetta. We recommend that you either park at the parking lot at the Alpharetta Community Center at The Grove or follow the signs from the Community Center to the overflow parking lot at Amana Academy, 285 S Main St,

Barbara Jagrowski, age 91, of Roswell, GA passed away on March 23, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Carolyn Palmer, age 87, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 23, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Alpharetta. There, you can hop on the free shuttle to take attendees to and from Garden Faire, running continuously from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a short lunch break from noon to 12:30 p.m.

Bring your wagons to assist in shopping for and carrying away all the great plants and garden goodies you will find. There will be some carts and wagons available in case you forget. If you park in the overflow lot, we will hold your purchases in a secure spot in the Alpharetta Community Center parking lot while you go get your car. This event is a major fundraiser for all the participating partners. Proceeds from Garden Faire support educational activities for children and adults, as well as community outreach.

Garden Faire supports North Fulton Master Gardeners’ mission of educating the community by sharing our gardening knowledge with you and answering your gardening questions. This is your opportunity to pick our brains, and we look forward to it!

For more details on Garden Faire, check out the Garden Faire Website nfmg.net/wp/publicevents/ and the Garden Faire Facebook page facebook. com/northfultonmastergardeners.

See you on Saturday, April 12 at Garden Faire at The Grove in Wills Park, Alpharetta!

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.

Save the dates for NFMG’s other 2025 signature event: Garden Tour on June 7. Learn more at nfmg.net/wp/ publicevents/

Margaret Pierce, age 84, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 19, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

DONNA HELDMAN Guest Columnist

CHRISTINE WILLIAMS Guest Columnist

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