Forsyth Herald - March 7, 2024

County schedules public hearing on changes to extended stay code

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Commission has scheduled a March 7 public hearing and possible vote on code changes that would tighten definitions for extended stay hotels. The action comes despite a lack of recommendation from the County Planning Commission.

At its Feb. 27 formal meeting, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to postpone a recommendation on the matter,

preferring more time to weigh the proposal and its ramifications.

The proposed changes would outline the differences between a hotel and an extended stay hotel or motel. It would also help county staff identify extended stay components in dual-branded hotels.

The County Unified Development Code defines extended stay hotels as those that advertise weekly or monthly occupancy; offer self-service laundry; and have food prep and storage amenities such as cooktops, large refrigerators and ovens in at least 30

percent of their rooms.

The county defines dual-branded hotels as establishments that house two separate hotels in one building. Staff said the definition allows each hotel to “cater to the needs of specific demographics but reduces costs by sharing resources and expenses.”

Currently, hotels and motels can have features such as cooktops, refrigerators larger than 5.5 cubic feet and ovens in up to 30 percent of rooms without being

SCREENSHOT

Planning and Community Development Director Tom Brown fields questions about proposed code changes for extended stay hotels at a Forsyth County Planning Commission meeting Feb. 27. Planning commissioners postponed action on the matter while they study elements that distinguish extended stay hotels from other operations offering similar amenities.

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DOJ busts Roswell lab owner for kickbacks

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Department of Justice announced Feb. 28 that Andrew “Drew” Maloney, a 57-year-old Roswell resident, pleaded guilty to criminal information charging him with conspiracy to pay health care kickbacks.

Maloney and the clinical laboratory he owned, Atlanta-based Capstone Diagnostics, have agreed to pay around $14.3 million to resolve allegations that they violated the Anti-Kickback Statute by paying volume-based commissions to independent contractor sales representa-

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POLICE BLOTTER

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.

Woman cited for DUI on northbound Ga. 400

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a 26-yearold Cumming woman Feb. 23 for allegedly speeding and driving under the influence on Ga. 400.

Deputies reported clocking the suspect driving 88 mph in a 65-mph speed zone and failing to maintain her lane on northbound Ga. 400. The suspect allegedly accelerated to nearly 100 mph before deputies pulled her over.

During the traffic stop, the suspect reportedly fumbled to get her driver’s license and stammered while speaking with deputies.

Deputies reported smelling alcohol and finding an open bottle of Corona that was nearly full and still cold next to the center console.

The suspect was charged with misdemeanor DUI alcohol, possession of an open alcohol container, failure to maintain lane and speeding.

tives to arrange for or recommend medically unnecessary urine drug tests and respiratory pathogen panels.

Maloney and Capstone have also agreed to cooperate with the Department of Justice’s investigations of other participants in the alleged schemes.

According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, between August 2017 and December 2018, Capstone entered into an arrangement with a program operating as Do It 4 the Hood (D4H), which held itself out as providing after-school mentoring

Dawsonville man charged with drugs, gun possession

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a 47-year-old Dawsonville man Feb. 21 for alleged possession of methamphetamine and a firearm during a traffic stop.

Deputies reported stopping the suspect’s vehicle because of a defective brake light on Dahlonega Highway near Bannister Road.

A bag of marijuana was visible on the passenger seat, and the suspect allowed deputies to search him, the report states.

During the search, deputies reported finding a glass methamphetamine pipe with residue and a 9 mm Ruger handgun was found on the floorboard under the center console.

The suspect was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, as well as misdemeanor defective brake lights and possession of marijuana under 1 ounce.

Driver arrested on Ga. 400 traveling in wrong direction

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a 29-yearold Florida man Feb. 21 for allegedly

services to at-risk teenagers in Georgia. Once enrolled, participants were required to submit to frequent urine specimen collections for drug testing without regard to medical need or the history of the participant.

Maloney was aware that the participants needed the tests to participate in the program and that many of these participants were covered by Medicaid. Capstone, with Maloney’s knowledge and

See DOJ, Page 20

driving on the wrong side of Ga. 400 while under the influence and resisting arrest.

Deputies reported receiving a 911 call about an erratic driver on the wrong side of the highway near Bald Ridge Marina Road.

The suspect was located on southbound Ga. 400 around 3 p.m., and he was reportedly driving northbound on the right shoulder.

Deputies reported stopping the vehicle, and the suspect parked and turned off his vehicle when asked.

When asked for his keys, the suspect reportedly became agitated and refused to obey. He reportedly said the “highways are messed up” and that he was just trying to get home.

The suspect continued refusing commands to give up his keys and to exit the vehicle. He allegedly resisted arrest by tensing his arms and pulling them away from deputies, the report states.

He also reportedly swung his right hand at a deputy, and he pulled his hand out of handcuffs while in the patrol vehicle.

The suspect was charged with felony obstruction of law enforcement officers and misdemeanor DUI drugs, reckless driving, driving on wrong side of roadway and driving in an emergency lane.

He is being held at the Forsyth County Jail on a $21,825 bond.

Schools

Foundation launches fundraising for March Duck Dive

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Education Foundation is hosting its fifth annual Duck Dive for Education through March 29.

Residents and Forsyth County Schools students and employees can adopt a rubber duck for the chance to win $10,000 and support the school district through grants.

The fundraiser will culminate with a Duck Dive drawing at 1 p.m. March 29 at the Cumming Aquatic Center.

Since 2016, the Duck Dive has provided more than $590,000 in grants for Forsyth County students and teachers. The 2023 fundraiser distributed 26 grants totaling $109,000 to schools and programs across the district.

Participants pay $10 to be assigned a duck number, and the participant who purchases the winning rubber duck will win $10,000 at the raffle. The middle or high school that adopts the most ducks will win ice cream, and the elementary school homeroom that adopts the most will win a pizza party.

The deadline to register is 10 a.m. March 29. The list of duck numbers will be available by midnight March 22.

Those interested can adopt a duck at forsyth.k12.ga.us/duck.

— Shelby Israel

Members of the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce as well as board members and friends of the Johns Creek Arts Center participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 22 to commemorate renovations to the Arts Center’s 5,000-squarefoot building on Abbotts Bridge Road.

Johns Creek Arts Center marks building upgrades

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce commemorated the newly completed renovation of the Johns Creek Arts Center on Abbotts Bridge Road Feb. 22. The facelift included repairing and finishing concrete floors throughout the entire 5,000-squarefoot facility, and after nearly two decades, the interior walls were

repaired and painted.

The renovation was entirely funded through a $96,000 grant from The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, which supports local non-profit organizations. The grant also funded a new press, allowing the Arts Center to offer printmaking classes.

Rich Lockhart, the Chamber’s vice president of community devel -

opment, spoke at the ceremony’s reception. Friends of the arts center, members from the Chamber and board members of the Arts Center also were on hand.

“Without the tremendous support from The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, this renovation would not have been possible,” said Stephanie Donaldson, executive director of the Arts Center.

JOHNS CREEK ARTS CENTER/PROVIDED

Students invent device to remove harmful gas in homes

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. —By a show of hands, most guests at the Chattahoochee Inventeam’s presentation Feb. 27 use gas stoves, the source of methane and nitrogen dioxide.

An invention is underway to address that.

Not only do the constant leaks increase the risk of developing respiratory diseases, but Sophie Lin, the team’s administration student lead, said two decades of gas stove emissions equates to 20 million cars on the highway emitting methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

“Virtually, no solution actually exists to address these interior leaks inside of our homes, and thus, with our problem defined, we stepped aside to find a solution,” Lin said.

Members of the Chattahoochee InvenTeam, aka the “GasBusters,” is composed of about a dozen mostly 11th graders. They were the only group in the Southeast this school year to receive a $7,500 grant through the Lemelson-MIT program — an annual research initiative out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology geared toward high schoolers to invent technological solutions to real-world problems.

The group is making progress since they “jumped on the train” a year ago, having drafted one invention concept on physics homework, sourced materials and developed an innovative way to test the device. The prototype is currently being finalized.

But, beware of scammers, the Inventeam said those details are “top secret,” privy to the eyes and ears of the small crowd who attended their presentation in Chattahoochee High School’s media center.

For their presentation, the group broke down what it took to get the ball rolling, how they keep it going. The project is multifaceted, each student playing a specific role.

Some students work to get the word out as part of a communications team, others search for ways to finance the project, and some are more hands-on in building the device with technical skills or through sustainability research and practices to test it.

The project is unaffiliated with Chattahoochee High School, meaning students are carving out time outside of school and extracurriculars to do the work. Lin Lee, their sponsor and the school’s media specialist, did the recruitment — this is her second go-around leading a team that made it to the final round of applications.

Johns Creek City Councilman Dilip Tunki , center, stands with members of the Chattahoochee Inventeam after awarding certificates of recognition for their work on a device to remove harmful gases in homes.

More Online

To find out more information about the Chattahoochee Inventeam or to donate to their project, visit their Linktree webpage at https://linktr.ee/GasBusters.

After each smaller team explained their part in the project, the audience asked questions and provided suggestions, mostly on how to close funding gaps. The young entrepreneurs described the difficulty in finding funds outside of the grant, which has restrictions, but they said they are determined to present the project on a national scale.

In June, the team will fly out to MIT for the presentation during Lemelson-MIT’s EurekaFest and afterward, work on obtaining a patent. The event Feb. 27 was more-or-less a rehearsal.

Johns Creek City Councilman/ Mayor Pro Tem Dilip Tunki attended, carrying certificates of recognition for each of the 11 students. He also described the oncoming makerspace at Cauley Creek Park which will have a robotics platform. He said the city will likely seek a request for proposal in the summer, once engineering and construction documents are completed.

“I’m really proud of the team and the project you did, the innovation,” Tunki said. “One of eight schools in the U.S. is a really great accomplishment.”

Chattahoochee High School students, members of the Chattahoochee Inventeam, speak with guests after its presentation on their MIT-grant funded invention to remove methane and nitrogen dioxide caused by household gas stoves at the school’s media center Feb. 27.

Chattahoochee Inventeam

• Lin Lee - Sponsor and media specialist at Chattahoochee High School

• Sophie Lin - Administrative student lead

• Keefer Lin - Technical lead

• Riley Jocham - Technical team

• Shiven Gupta - Technical team

• Srinidhi Chebrolu - Sustainability lead

• David Xibille - Sustainability team

• Paola Leal - Financial lead

• Sophia Knudsen - Financial team

• Moukthika Rajala - Communications lead

• Kennedy Bailey - Communications team

• Kristen Lee - Communications team

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Alpharetta drops plans to prioritize parks bond

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta officials have backed down from plans to discuss reprioritizing the projects approved in the 2021 parks bond referendum.

The City Council raised the idea at its annual planning retreat Jan. 21-22 after Parks and Recreation Director Morgan Rodgers said the $29.5 million bond budget fell some $5 million short from completing the work outlined in the original projects list.

At the retreat, City Councilman Dan Merkel and Councilman Brian Will supported an agenda item to consider prioritizing the bond projects. City staff tentatively scheduled the item for discussion Feb. 26, but the topic did not appear on the City Council’s agenda at that meeting.

In a phone interview with Appen Media Feb. 29, City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom said since the retreat, councilmembers have grown satisfied with the Parks and Recreation Department’s plans to use the bond account interest money, and there are no plans to discuss any changes to the parks bond.

“With all the members of council saying they’re satisfied, there’s really no reason to have a discussion because we’re not going to be moving any money around,” Lagerbloom said. “And I don’t want the public to think that we’re trying to shuffle money from one project to the next. Right now, we’re just maintaining the status quo.”

Plans for funding

Rodgers said the parks bond budget discussion at the retreat accounted for inflation and the cost of business, labor and materials. The $5-6 million shortfall estimate included all bond projects.

Not factoring in Farmhouse Park, the Alpha Loop and the Wills Park Equestrian

Alpharetta has spent around $5 million of the $29.5 million parks bond voters passed in 2021. The bond account has accrued $2 million in interest, and city staff anticipates an additional $1.4 million this fiscal year.

Center, Rodgers said the city needs $3.5 million to complete work on Old Rucker, Union Hill and Wills parks, as well as the artificial turf at Webb Bridge Park.

“When we drill down to the numbers, what we really need is just a little over $3 million to complete those projects, above what’s funded right now,” Rodgers said.

As of Feb. 29, Lagerbloom said the parks bond account has accrued some $2 million in interest, and staff anticipates another $1.4 million in investment earnings in the 2024 fiscal year.

Rodgers said it is hard to say whether Farmhouse Park and the Alpha Loop will need more funding in the future. The Alpha Loop and Farmhouse projects have not been started, and the Equestrian Center improvements are a partnership between the city and the Wills Park Equestrian Foundation.

“We don’t know yet for the Farmhouse and the Alpha Loop exactly what we’re going to build, so we don’t know if it’s going to be over or under because we’re still trying to figure out all the details,” Rodgers said.

Conceptual plans for the Farmhouse Park trail, a staircase and path that will lead to the site, were presented in January 2023 at the City Council’s previous retreat.

The city has an agreement with the developers of the lot immediately to the east of Farmhouse that would create access down to the site and shared parking, pending buildout of the lot.

At its March 4 meeting, the City Council was slated to discuss the $7.5 million that was approved for the Alpha Loop in the 2021 parks bond.

The council’s authority

At the latest planning retreat, councilmembers floated using the anticipated $3 million in interest to wrap up work on the parks projects closest to completion. That would have left out Farmhouse, Wills Park and barns at the Equestrian Center.

At that time, councilmen Will and Doug DeRito supported using the money dedicated for Farmhouse on the other projects facing funding deficits.

See BOND, Page 20

CARL APPEN/APPEN MEDIA

Campus 244 highlights growth and Phase Two rollout

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The developers of Campus 244 have announced updates Feb. 26 on welcoming tenants and expanding into the second phase of the mixed-use development.

With leasing success during the first phase, developers The Georgetown Company and RocaPoint Partners are announcing Phase Two – The Stacks building – designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which will feature 300,000-square-feet of Class-AA office space, with an outdoor space on each of its six floors.

The 1.3 million-square-foot campus at Perimeter Center is adjacent to the Dunwoody MARTA station, State Farm’s Perimeter campus, I-285 and Ga. 400.

The location at 244 Perimeter Center Parkway is a 3-minute walk to the MARTA rail network and a 5-minute walk to Perimeter Mall.

This spring, the first phase of the office campus – the Palladium building – will welcome Insight Global, Beon and their employees. So far, the first four floors are fully leased, with 64,085 square feet of rentable office space available on the fifth floor.

Cushman & Wakefield’s Aileen Almassy, Will Porter, and Rob Kuppersmith spearhead office leasing efforts. Steve Yenser manages retail leasing, all on behalf of The Georgetown Company.

The first phase features the reimagining of the former Gold Kist office building into five stories of Class A space with 15-foot ceilings and a timber overbuild.

A 145-key hotel, Element by Westin, topped out in February 2024 and is expected to open this fall along with The

Spruce Social House, a new food-andbeverage concept, and Stäge Kitchen & Bar, a new-to-market restaurant.

The buildout of CT Cantina & Taqueria is underway, with an opening planned for this summer.

“We’re not even talking about the office of the future; we’re talking about the office that employees want today, and that’s a walkable environment with plenty of options to work, dine, stay, and have fun around the campus,” Georgetown Managing Principal Jonathan Schmerin said. “With the creative office space, hotel and accompanying dining options on-site, we’re bringing a new community gathering spot for the area to reenergize a previously overlooked pocket of the submarket.”

The Spruce Social House, located at the base of the Element Hotel, codeveloped by Vision Hospitality Group and Georgetown, will offer a selection of craft beers and non-alcoholic options, alongside a shareable menu of small plates, flatbreads, charcuterie and cheeseboards.

The beverage-focused venue will feature a four-sided indoor and outdoor bar.

RocaPoint Principal Phil Mays said the addition of another office building brings energy to the next phase of the mixed-use development.

“Campus 244 is a testament to the demand still out there for high-quality, well-located office space that energizes employees,” Mays said. “We’ve taken the existing building with an interesting history and beautiful, natural-light-filled floorplates that allow for collaboration and created a home for innovative companies to continue to do what they do best.”

– Hayden Sumlin

THE

A rendering of Campus 244 shows the planned buildout of Phase One and Two of the mixed-use development at 244 Perimeter Center Parkway in Dunwoody. Developers Georgetown Company and RocaPoint Partners announced Phase Two Feb. 26 which includes a six-story building, The Stacks, to complement the completed, five-story Palladium building. THE

A blueprint of Campus 244’s 12-acre campus shows the soon-to-be-completed Phase One of the mixed-use development, with a hotel, parking area, greenspace, retail and restaurants, and five-story office building. Campus 244 developers announced Phase Two Feb. 26, which includes a six-story building with 300,000 square feet of office space.

Name of Business: Perrine’s Wine

Shop

Owner: Perrine Prieur Gallardo

Description: Perrine’s Wine offers a diverse selection of wines from all over the world. We love to highlight smaller, artisanal producers making delicious and honest wine. We also have a private tasting room in which our

team of passionate wine professionals host weekly educational tastings, winemaker tastings, and private events.

Opened: November 2023

Address: 5920 Roswell Road, Suite B108, Sandy Springs, GA, 30328

Phone: 404-254-5077 x3

Web Address: www.perrineswine.com

Name: Chelo

Owner: Matt Iyibas

Description: Discover the essence of authentic Persian and Middle Eastern cuisine at Chelo. Indulge in savory charcoal-grilled kabobs, succulent seafood, and fragrant rice dishes. Elevate your experience with

our specially created craft cocktail list and wine selections. Located in the heart of downtown Roswell.

Opened: December 2023

Phone: 470-294-1167

Address: 964 Alpharetta St., Roswell, GA 30075

Website: cheloroswell.com

Theatre offers belonging, kinship to actors with special needs

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — When Kim Goodfriend founded Jerry’s Habima Theatre more than 30 years ago, it was an uphill battle getting others to believe in the project.

The theater, housed in the Marcus Jewish Community Center, stands as the only professional company in Georgia that features actors with special needs.

“This really was like an idea and the kind of thing that you say ‘yes’ to when you’re young and foolish and 20-something,” Goodfriend said, who partners with the Blonder Family Department for Special Needs. “You just say ‘yes.’”

Goodfriend recalled one of the first shows, where someone with a group home accused her of exploiting the actors, then walked out, taking about half of the cast on the stage with them.

At that time, staff would coach actors backstage, reminding them of where to go, and with upgrades in technology, the theater began to use prompters as well as pulling in actors to anchor scenes and act as a guide. In the last two years, though, actors have mostly performed on their own.

“Our actors are carrying all the scenes and are doing just fine, and when they go up a little bit, they rescue each other,” Goodfriend said.

The ability to adapt is key to the success of Habima.

“...It’s about what you can do, not what you can’t, and as cliché as that sounds, every voice, every soul has something to say,” she said. “When they come here as volunteers and they want to be in a show and be showcased, we’re going to figure out a way for that showcase to happen.”

Two actors in the cast for the upcoming “Into the Woods, Jr.” musical sat alongside Goodfriend, soon to get mic’d up and go through one of their last rehearsals, closing out three months of practice.

The production, led by a 35-member cast with special needs and one paid neurotypical actor, is a mix and match of classic fairytales, like “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Cinderella.”

Jonathan Roytenberg, in his first season with Habima, is playing a mysterious old man, and Amy Kahn, who has been involved since the theater’s founding, will act as Jack’s mother, a character angry over her son’s near-obsession with his pet cow.

Usually wearing a smile, Kahn said anger does not come naturally to her.

“When you’re in it, it changes you and you learn to be someone else,” Kahn said. “We have a great director. That really helped.”

Mary Nye Bennett, director for “Into the Woods, Jr.,” is assisted by stage managers Amy Schwartz and Bekah Medford, who led a warm-up of vocal and movement ex-

ercises. A total of 17 have helped produce the musical.

Kahn, who has an intellectual disability, described how working with Habima has built her self-esteem.

“You’re accepted, and no one looks at

you,” Kahn said. “I have a disability, and no one treats me any different. It is hard work — when I get really frustrated, it is sometimes hard for me, but I have worked through some things.”

“Yes, you have,” Goodfriend chimed in.

Agreeing with Kahn, Roytenberg, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, raised the importance of the camaraderie

“It’s inevitable that you’re going to be able to bond with people,” he said.

found at Habima.

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Actors with Jerry’s Habima Theatre rehearse for the upcoming production of “Into the Woods, Jr.,” a musical composed of various classic fairy tales opening March 7. The theater, housed in the Marcus Jewish Community Center, stands as the only professional company in Georgia that features actors with special needs.

Kim Goodfriend, center, is the founding artistic director of Jerry’s Habima Theatre. Amy Kahn, left, and Jonathan Roytenberg, right, have roles in the upcoming production “Into the Woods, Jr.” which runs from March 7 to March 17.

The cast of the Jerry’s Habima Theatre production of “Into the Woods, Jr.” rehearses in their last week before the March 7 opening show. The cast consists of 35 members with special needs and one paid neurotypical actor.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

What: Step into the enchanted world of this modern classic, based on the Academy Award-winning animated film of the same name.

When: March 8-24, times vary

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: Tickets starting at $44

More info: cityspringstheatre.com

THE RUBY SUNRISE

What: Presented by Act1 Community Theatre, “The Ruby Sunrise” charts the course of the phenomenon of television through a girl named Ruby.

When: March 8-24, times vary

Where: Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy Street, Alpharetta

ROSWELL DANCE STARZ PRESENTS:

CHARLIE AND THE DANCE FACTORY

What: Step inside your favorite candy factory and into the wacky world of candy and sweets, with this production featuring a diverse range of dance styles including jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, and hip hop.

When: Saturday, March 9, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell

Cost: $16.50

More info: roswell365.com

A NIGHT WITH DADS 2: THE DADDENING

What: Comedians from improv comedy theater Dad’s Garage will perform.

When: Saturday, March 9, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody

Cost: $15-28

More info: stagedoortheatrega.org

THE ART OF MOVEMENT GALLERY EXHIBIT

What: Focusing on the theme of movement, this exhibition presents artworks that depict dynamic motion, capturing the energy and fluidity of the human body, animals, or inanimate objects. The opening reception is March 16 from 5 to 7 p.m.

When: March 13-May 4, business hours

Where: Alpharetta Arts Center, 238

Canton Street, Alpharetta

More info: artsalpharetta.org

POP-UP PERFORMANCE SERIES: MARLA FEENEY BAND

What: Marla Feeney, an Atlanta-based vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, will perform. With a love for jazz and classical performance as well as country, blues, bluegrass, folk, and special ethnic music, she plays violin, clarinet, saxophone and flute.

When: Thursday, March 14, 7 p.m.

Where: Mimosa Hall and Gardens, 127 Bulloch Avenue, Roswell

Cost: $35

More info: roswellartsfund.org/popup

THE SLAVE DWELLING PROJECT: LECTURE AND AUTHOR DISCUSSION

What: Joseph McGill, Jr. and Herb Frazier will discuss their book “Sleeping with the Ancestors: How I

Followed the Footprints of Slavery,” a personal account of one man’s groundbreaking project to sleep overnight in the countless, oftoverlooked, former slave dwellings that still stand across the country, the fascinating history behind those sites, and how he has used the experiences to shed light on larger issues of race in America. The event is free.

When: Friday, March 15, 6 p.m.

Where: Mimosa Hall and Gardens, 127 Bulloch Avenue, Roswell

More info: roswell365.com

JOHNS CREEK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS BRILLIANT BEETHOVEN

What: Join the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra as they commemorate Ludwig van Beethoven in this 200th anniversary concert celebrating the debut of his monumental Symphony No. 9,

featuring soloists and the Johns Creek Chorale.

When: Saturday, March 16, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek Cost: $20-50

More info: johnscreeksymphony.org

INTO THE WOODS JR.

What: A production of Jerry’s Habima Theatre, “Into the Woods Jr.” weaves together the stories of some of your favorite storybook characters including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, a cunning wolf, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and a baker and his wife who have been cursed by a witch.

When: March 7-17, times vary

Where: Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Road, Dunwoody Cost: $10-36

More info: atlantajcc.org

11 |

Herald | March

Five tips for incorporating spring trends into home decor

With new beginnings on the horizon, there's no better opportunity to breathe life into your home decor. Whether you're looking to revamp your interiors in preparation to sell or simply add a touch of seasonal flair, following nature’s lead can instantly uplift your space and rejuvenate your surroundings.

Here are a few ways to welcome spring into your home with style and elegance:

1. Lighten up with pastel colors.

For a simple, versatile facelift, embrace a soft ambiance reminiscent of fresh buds and newborn lambs by incorporating blush, sky blue, lavender or other pastel colors into your home decor palette. Contemplating a sale? Utilizing accent pillows, throws, wall art or even furniture pieces can introduce new hues without imposing a color scheme on prospective buyers that doesn't suit their taste.

2. Bring in natural elements.

Nature is a foundational element of spring-inspired décor. Infuse your home with rejuvenating beauty by introducing elements such as potted plants, fresh flowers and botanical prints. Incorporating wooden furniture, woven baskets and stone accents can further enhance the organic feel and create a harmonious connection with the outdoors.

3. Update textiles and fabrics.

Spring signifies a transition from heavier to lighter, especially when it comes to fabrics and textiles. Revitalize your home decor by swapping out winter throws and blankets for breezier options in linen, cotton or lightweight wool blends, and introduce floral patterns, airy curtains and textured rugs for a fresh vibe.

4. Embrace organic shapes and patterns.

Build complexity into your home’s aesthetic through shapes and patterns inspired by nature. Opt for furniture pieces with fluid lines, curved edges and natural contours to evoke a sense of movement and harmony. Introduce leaf motifs or abstract patterns for a touch of whimsy and vitality, bringing the beauty of the outdoors inside.

5. Introduce lighter furniture and accents. Lighter furniture and accents reflect the essence of spring. Consider swapping out heavier furniture pieces for sleeker, more streamlined options and pieces made from rattan, wicker or light-colored wood to open up the visual flow of your space and invite the warmth of natural light to permeate throughout.

Whether you're seeking subtle enhancements or bold transformations, now is the time to embrace rejuvenation and renewal. Let your home blossom into a sanctuary of warmth, comfort and style. If you need assistance renovating your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you!

Compiled and edited by Angela Valente, Marketing Copywriter/Copyeditor

Brought to you by – Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty

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Recognized with a Phillip Trammell Shutze Award

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

Patrick Malloy Communities proudly announces that their new home community, Upper East River in Savannah, has been honored with the prestigious Phillip Trammell Shutze Award in the Multifamily Architecture category. The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art Southeast Chapter revealed the winners during the 17th annual Shutze Awards ceremony and dinner on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

Named after Atlanta’s renowned classical architect, Phillip Trammell Shutze, the awards celebrate excellence in residential and institutional architecture, interior design, landscape architecture restoration, and artisanship. Patrick Malloy Communities is thrilled to be acknowledged for their commitment to exceptional design and innovation in

the creation of Upper East River.

Upper East River, situated along the river in Historic Savannah, Georgia, offers a distinctive living experience with four unique environments seamlessly integrated into an elegant and modern neighborhood. The community reflects Patrick Malloy Communities’ dedication to creating spaces that not only enhance the natural surroundings but also provide residents with a harmonious blend of modern amenities and timeless architectural design.

The Shutze Awards play a pivotal role in recognizing and promoting excellence in classical design and craftsmanship. The judging panel, comprised of professionals from across the country, evaluated this year’s award submissions and recognized Upper East River in the Multifamily Architecture category. The community stood out for its architectural prowess, innovative design, and commitment to preserving the historical charm of the region.

Patrick Malloy, President and

CEO of Patrick Malloy Communities, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Receiving the Phillip Trammell Shutze Award is a tremendous honor. It reflects an unwavering commitment to creating exceptional living spaces that not only exceed the expectations of our residents but also contributes to the rich architectural tapestry of Historic Savannah. Upper East River is a testament to our dedication to excellence, and we are pleased to be acknowledged by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.”

In the ever-expanding landscape of Georgia’s real estate market, Patrick Malloy Communities (PMC) stands out as a beacon of excellence and stability. With a legacy of crafting exceptional homes, the PMC name has become synonymous with quality and innovation. From the streets of North Atlanta to West Cobb and Gwinnett, and the historic allure of Savannah, PMC’s footprint in the state of Georgia is a testament to their dedication to

providing exceptional living experiences.

Patrick Malloy Communities, founded in 1994 by Patrick Malloy, boasts a remarkable track record.

Over the past 27 years, the company has developed over 11,000 homesites and built more than 7,000 homes in Metro Atlanta, generating a total of $4 billion in sales. PMC has consistently earned a place on the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 20 Homebuilder list and has won numerous professionalism awards, including several Community of the Year honors.

For more information on these exciting new home communities by Patrick Malloy Communities, visit www.bhhsganewhomes.com. These communities are represented by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division. An Equal Housing Opportunity. For more information about Upper East River and other Patrick Malloy Communities, please visit www. patrickmalloycommunities.com.

Remarrying and Wills

Brought

to

you by – Geerdes & Associates

If you remarry, you’ll often want to adopt your partner’s children, or you may have children from previous relationships. When that’s the case, you want to make sure you review your estate plan, so your new family isn’t shut out of an inheritance and that your assets are ultimately distributed according to your wishes.

Some people neglect these updatesthey keep the will from their first marriage that still has their ex-spouse as the beneficiary or Executor, or they may leave all their assets to their new spouse, which could result in them unintentionally shutting the children from a prior marriage out of an inheritance. Here are some costly mistakes that some people make after they remarry:

They do not change beneficiaries. Some people forget to remove their previous spouse as the beneficiary of their retirement accounts, life insurance, and bank accounts. Make sure you avoid this mistake by updating all the beneficiaries to your accounts in the event of a remarriage.

They do not update their Will. Update your will to reflect your current family situation so your ex-spouse does

not end up inheriting your home and assets.

They do not consider the change in heirs. Who your heirs are will change upon a remarriage. If you want your children, rather than your new spouse or their children, to receive your assets, you’ll want to make sure you specify this in your estate planning documents and accounts. Alternatively, if you want your assets to be distributed among your children and your spouse’s children equally, you’ll also want to clarify this so your assets do not end up going to just one party or all to your new spouse, who may not distribute the assets according to your wishes.

With a new family comes a new responsibility to make sure everyone inherits exactly what you want them to inherit. Avoid conflict by appointing the right family member to make decisions in the case you become incapacitated and do careful advance planning to make sure no one is accidentally disinherited creating conflict and possible litigation. Update your estate plan to match your new family situation. Remember - advance planning and clear communication set forth in your estate planning documents is always key to minimizing the risk of conflict and accidental disinheritance after you pass away.

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A walk in the woods en route to lifelong memories

RAY APPEN

Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com

My daughter Amelia is usually very creative in coming up with birthday and Christmas presents. Instead of going out and just spending money, often she creates her presents. Those, almost without fail, are treasured.

For Christmas last year, she knocked one out of the ballpark; I got a hike. This was not just any hike. It was a hike with her for two days and a night up to the hike-in/hike-out Len Foote Hike Inn at Amicalola Falls State Park.

For those of you who are not familiar with Len Foote – and I was not – it is literally a shining diamond in the rough less than an hour north of Alpharetta. From where we parked at the welcome center, we hiked along a path, a moderate 4.9 miles through mountain laurel thickets and stands of oak, pine, sweet gum, and ash. We crossed small creeks; bathed in the silence of the forest; and talked and talked – about everything and nothing.

Amelia stopped frequently to admire native flora – bright green patches of moss, mushrooms, lichen, St. John’s wort, and medicinal understory plants like yellow root and witch hazel. She is studying soil ecology as well as native flora these days, so the walk was like

traveling through a living classroom/ museum for both of us. We stayed in a continual state of excitement and wonder as we hiked slowly toward the Len Foote.

It seemed like we couldn’t go more than 50 paces without stopping to admire something – usually green, growing along our path – or something else – usually some shade of brown, in a state of decomposition – that is, in the process of becoming soil again. Fallen trees in differing states of decay covered the forest floor – rich loam-filled musty cavities now that once had been vital hardwood trees – giant vertical aqueducts transporting gallons of water by the hour up through branches and out to leaves which, in-turn, converted light into sugars, carbon and oxygen while at the same time – below – filled the soil with literally miles of earth-nourishing, carbon-sequestering mycorrhizal fungal networks (basically root systems) which form the “circulatory system of the entire planet.”

With each step Amelia and I took, we were both literally and figuratively at “ground zero” for the entire planet. We were certainly, as we hiked on, “not in Kansas” – or Alpharetta – anymore – and we knew it and savored every minute.

We did not hurry. It took us almost four hours to arrive at Len Foote. Had we not stopped so often – and we both were glad that we did – I am sure that the hike would have been closer to a little over two hours.

Len Foote, named after a politically savvy Georgia ecologist, was a breathtaking surprise – very reasonably priced, small, super clean, organized, impeccably maintained, and run by welcoming knowledgeable staff who obviously appreciated us, as well as those rotting trees, the mycorrhizal fungal networks, and the “story” of the forest and its role in our lives.

Physically the inn is four or five connected wooden buildings – the lobby, the bedrooms (very small/sleeps 2 –bunks), the kitchen / dining hall, the bath and shower area, and the game and reading areas. All told, I think there may have been close to 40 folks staying at the Inn when we were there, probably close to capacity. Our stay included dinner and breakfast. The food, served family style in the dining room, far exceeded expectations. Staff offered bag lunches for those who wanted to hike out with food!

The guests at Len Foote were one of the highlights; they were a big part of what made our visit special. Perhaps half – maybe more – of our fellow hikers was a dad or a mom accompanied by a son or daughter. Everyone enjoyed the meals together. We conversed. We laughed. We compared notes. I didn’t see a single cell phone used in the dining room, and in general, cell phones were rarely seen.

We sat at one of the smaller tables for dinner – large enough for six. There was Amelia and me, a dad with his (my

guess) 9-year-old son from Marietta, and a dad with his (my guess) 12-year-old daughter from Duluth. There were a lot of dads there. I suppose it was another part of why we enjoyed our stay as much as we did – being around groups of people – especially a parent and a kid – whose obvious intention was to spend meaningful quality time with each other, something I would have to call both nurturing and, in a way, healing.

After dinner, most folks retreated to the game room for reading, board games, puzzles, or a pass with one of the acoustic guitars provided. Some sat out on the porch in rocking chairs. Others wandered down to the lookout over the valley while others attended a lecture by a park ranger about the national parks –slide show included!

The next morning, Amelia and I hiked back to my truck – all smiles. That feeling lasted a long time; the memories will last longer.

Thank you, Amelia, for such a wonderful present. Thank you, Len Foote staff, for who you are and what you do. Readers, thank you for reading and supporting our newspapers; your support truly makes a critical difference to us and helps us stay in the game for you. Please consider joining The Appen Press Club if you have not already joined.

Slow down. Take a hike – maybe with your spouse, maybe with your son or daughter. Len Foote is a great goal.

Don’t be in a hurry.

Home Demonstration Clubs were vital to past farm life

Home Demonstration Clubs for Georgia women began in 1918 and continued through the 1950s. They were important to the farming family, especially during the Great Depression and World War II.

Many counties in Georgia, including DeKalb and Fulton counties, had a Home Demonstration agent, as part of the County Extension Service. The agents traveled around demonstrating methods of preserving food, such as canning or freezing. They sometimes shared other skills including sewing.

In early years, Home Demonstration agents often traveled by horse and buggy. If the visit involved a lesson in canning and the group had no canning equipment, the agent brought a canner. (Atlanta Journal, May 10, 1959, “Canning was main topic in

buggy days, she recalls”)

After Ethel Warren came to Dunwoody and married Stephen Spruill in 1933, she became involved with the Dunwoody Home Demonstration Club. She recalled Katherine Strong Rudeseal was the agent for DeKalb County. (“Story of Dunwoody,” by Elizabeth L. Davis and Ethel W. Spruill)

Spruill participated in contests at the annual Harvest Festival, a DeKalb County fair held in Panthersville. Ethel Spruill won contests for cooking with chicken, eggs and for her canning skills. She won the Sears Roebuck’s canning contest and a baking contest sponsored by Fleishman Yeast in 1949.

Young people participating in 4-H were able to learn the same skills. At the time, the focus was farming for boys and food preservation and other home skills for girls. Opal Ward was the Fulton County Home Demonstration agent and Rubye Nance was assistant agent in 1936. The two women gave a demonstration to the Roswell 4-H Club girls. (Atlanta Constitution, June 4,

1936, “Roswell 4-H Club”)

Lois Coogle recalls the Sandy Springs Home Demonstration Club in her book, “Sandy Springs Past Tense.” Coogle says Nell Glass shared her knowledge of cooking and canning, much of which she learned from the Home Demonstration Club. Glass managed her vegetable garden and fruit trees on her own after her husband died. She also kept a cow and chickens, sharing the eggs with her neighbors.

Octie Nance was president of the Sandy Springs Home Demonstration Club in 1935. The March meeting included a program called, “Personality as applied to clothing,” and a committee was formed to beautify the corner of Dunwoody Road and Roswell Road. County agent Opal Ward also attended the meeting. (Atlanta Constitution, April 1, 1935, “Sandy Springs Club”)

The Brookhaven September 1953 Home Demonstration Club meeting featured the topic of storage space. The meeting was held at the home of Mary Robinson on Os-

borne Road and featured a demonstration on storage space solutions. (Atlanta Constitution, Sep. 23, 1953, “Storage is topic”) Elsie Barrow’s story demonstrates how the Home Demonstration Club was a place not only to learn but for women to visit with neighbors and become part of a community. When H.B. and Elsie Barrow moved to a home on Tilly Mill Road in Dunwoody in 1947, Elsie felt like “it was the end of the world.” However, soon the Methodist minister rode over on his bike. Then, Ethel Spruill and Arva Floyd came to visit and soon Elsie “… began to love the people and loved the Home Demonstration Club.” (City of Dunwoody Remembers, 1994 oral history, DeKalb History Center archives, available on YouTube)

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.

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

PAST TENSE

My Uncle Jim is mine, all mine

MIKE TASOS

If you’re lucky like me, you have been blessed enough to have an Uncle Jim be a part of your life.

My Uncle Jim is a regular guy. He’s not a legend who you might see staring back at you from a box of Wheaties. He’d be more apt to be sitting next to you eating a bowl of his favorites (Cheerios) looking at the comics before going to work.

My Uncle Jim is about to turn 85 next month. Back in the 1950s, after he graduated from the same high school I would attend in the 1970s, I was graced with having an uncle/playmate rolled into one. Best of all, he could drive and take me wherever we wanted to go.

It was devastating when he went to work for Bekins. The Teamsters got him, and all that work got in the way of what we were really supposed to be doing – having fun. I made great sport of him, finding it hilarious that my Uncle Jim had a girlfriend. Her name was Anne and he actually got married to her. I was at the wedding. A neighbor and I giggled the whole time during the ceremony. That was some 60 years ago and today,

Anne is still my all-time favorite aunt. Her brother is Father Barney Gatlin, who has been a priest since 1967. My Uncle Jim got me a paying gig as an altar boy at Father Barney’s first Mass. I don’t remember much about it other than the crucifix I had to carry was heavy and I dropped it, making a horrible clang throughout the sanctuary. My Uncle Jim still laughs about it.

My Uncle Jim joined the Army when his classmates were getting drafted. He served Uncle Sam for three years. While others were dodging bullets in Vietnam, my Uncle Jim outsmarted the lot of them. He made the world safe by serving in, get this, Thule, Greenland. I used to ask him about his time and Greenland and he would answer: “There was a pretty girl behind every tree… There just weren’t any trees.” A braying laugh and guffaw would follow,

As a fledgling sportswriter, I read the Los Angeles Times. My first foray into the world of journalism was delivering the paper, making sure it was on my customers’ porch before the 6:30 am deadline. I had already gotten out of bed, folded the papers and then been on my bike in plenty of time to complete my duties.

Some customers were deadbeats and when I tried to collect for their subscrip-

tions, the litany of excuses for not paying the paperboy were astonishing. I was the one responsible for collecting and paying the bill for all those papers.

My Uncle Jim went to collect with me and when we went to see a deadbeat, he always told me to wait in the car. I don’t know what he said, but my Uncle Jim straightened things out and I remember not only having the bill for the current month paid, but the slow payer would be months ahead and never again delinquent.

Friends with paper routes heard about my collecting prowess and wanted to borrow my uncle. Sorry guys, that’s my Uncle Jim.

He has supplemented his role as my Uncle Jim. He’s an uncle to a pair of his nephews currently in prison My Uncle Jim can spread it around. He sends some money regularly to his late brother’s incarcerated sons.

There used to be a ramshackle amusement park in Long Beach that attracted drunken sailors and riffraff. It also attracted my Uncle Jim and me because The Pike was home to the scariest roller coaster I’d ever seen and was forbidden to even think about riding. Wait, there’s my Uncle Jim in line buying us tickets for The Cyclone, as well as ducats for the hair-raising double Ferris Wheel.

We had a recent visit on FaceTime, thanks to the technical skills of his grandson Jacob. I could still make him laugh through the wrinkles. The miniscule memory loss didn’t matter. After all, he’s my Uncle Jim and at 68, I now realize I love him so much.

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.

Across

1 Renown

5 Golden rule word

9 Con game

13 Log home

14 Page

15 Cherish

16 Teenager

18 Domain

19 Benefit

20 Kennedy and Turner

21 Tangle

22 Time zone

23 Breakers

24 Beer barrel

25 Kipling’s Gunga ___

26 Condo, e.g.

28 Hubbub

31 Discover

34 Current

35 Sluggish

36 Criminal

38 Wildcatter’s concern

40 Deli side dish

41 Legume

43 Kilns

44 French possessive

45 Toe holders

46 Bunk

47 Bounder

48 Not this

50 Amigo

53 Music group, at time

56 Old autos

57 East of Eden director Kazan

58 Golf club

59 Carnival attraction

61 Bunsen burner

62 Ready for picking

63 Zodiac sign

64 Clairvoyant

65 Social insects

66 Grubstake

Down

1 Withers

2 Cancel

3 Cow juice

4 Compass pt.

5 Gastric woe

6 Stephen King’s

___ Things

7 Sunburns

8 Frequently, in verse

9 Language type

10 Actress Witherspoon

11 Profess

12 Repast

13 Fear or Horn

17 Bowl over

21 Arrange

23 Harmonize

24 Fuzzy fruit

25 Sketched

27 Midday

28 Brews

29 Buffoon

30 Night fliers

31 Enumerate

32 Vogue rival

33 Wistful word

See solution Page 22

34 Take to the hills

35 Kill a fly

37 Retired

39 Booty

42 Try

45 Blubber

46 Beer buy

47 Fragrant storage material

49 Aspirations

50 Garden-variety

51 Broadcast

52 Colleen

53 Has debts

54 Pigeon’s home

55 Sound quality

56 Destroy

57 Beige

59 Lingerie item

60 Brit. fliers

Columnist

Fulton County Extension offers growth opportunities

Have you ever looked at a plant in your yard and wondered why some branches and leaves seem to be dying? Have you noticed that your Bermuda grass lawn isn’t growing as well as you want it to? Has your water started smelling or tasting unusual? These are all questions that the extension office is here to help answer! We offer different services to determine the causes of these issues.

Soil testing

All plants (like people) have nutrient requirements, and these needs must be met for successful growth. We may notice that plant growth has remained static for an extended period of time, or that a plant that was green and full is now brown and patchy. These plants are trying to tell us that they need something to continue to grow, and it’s up to us to figure out what they need.

Our most popular service that we offer is soil testing. These tests are personalized for what’s being grown (lawns, vegetables, ornamental plants, trees, etc.) and look at their required nutrients and compare that to what’s present in the soil. The tests look at the pH of the soil, as well as the macronutrients that are present. Macronutrients are those that are required in larger amounts such as: nitrogen(N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn). If any of these nutrients are low or high, the test also gives fertilization and liming recommendations to bring them to the appropriate levels.

The best time to get your soil tested is about 8-10 weeks before you start a new landscaping project. This gives you time to get your results back and apply the recommendations, so your soil is sufficiently prepared for the new plantings. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t test the soil for your established plants, lawn and trees, especially if something isn’t growing well. Once you get your soil tested and you follow the recommendations given, you shouldn’t need to get it tested again for 1-2 more years. If you’re growing a vegetable garden, we do recommend more frequent testing. Vegetable plants need a lot of nutrients to produce, and therefore may need more supplementation from season to season.

Plant disease testing

When you ask us why your plant or lawn is struggling, the first two questions

we may ask are: When was the last time your soil was tested? and What is the current growing environment for the plant and has anything in that environment changed recently? Sometimes the nutrients are at the appropriate levels, and the plant is in its ideal environment, but it is still showing signs of struggling. Plants and grasses can get diseases from the environment and insects, and it’s important to identify the proper cause before determining a control strategy. We try to identify the disease in the office, but sometimes we send a plant sample to the lab for additional testing. The results that you get back are similar to the soil testing results. They identify the disease or problem and give recommendations to combat the problem. If you have any questions on how to submit a plant sample, please do not hesitate to contact the Fulton County Extension Office.

Water testing

We not only offer services centered around landscaping, but water as well. Municipal water is heavily regulated and must meet standards that have been put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a result, water is tested regularly to ensure that it meets those standards. The most common cause of problems that residents may see are caused by issues that occur after the water has entered the home. This may be due to corrosion of the plumbing in the house, or even materials used in the plumbing lines. You may notice that your water is suddenly tasting weird,

your fixtures have buildup, or there is discoloration in your sink, tub or toilets. Testing your water lets you know if you need to install filtration systems or softeners in your water system.

Private well water is neither monitored nor regulated by any governmental agency, therefore homeowners are responsible for any testing to make sure that it is safe for consumption. It is recommended that you get your well water tested on a regular basis to make sure that it is being properly contained and contaminants aren’t being introduced from an outside source. Additional testing is recommended if there are any significant environmental changes around your wellhead such as flooding, significant construction nearby, the installation of a new treatment system, as well as many other reasons. For more information on water testing recommendations, please check out the resources we have provided.

For questions regarding any of our testing services, please contact our North Fulton Office at 404-613-7670 or by email at northfulton.extension@uga. edu. To drop off samples, please visit our office at the North Fulton Service Center (7741 Roswell Road, Ste 248, Atlanta, GA, 30350). You can also reach us at 404-613-4920 to schedule a time to drop off samples at our South Office (1757 E. Washington Road, East Point, GA 30344).

Happy gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization

About the Author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Norlethia Harris, the Agriculture & Natural Resources educator in Fulton County Extension. Norlethia loves animals (both large and small) and after graduating with a degree in animal sciences, she discovered a love for gardening after starting her own vegetable garden.

In addition to helping coordinate the Fulton County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program, Norlethia answers client questions about gardening, delivers educational programming to Fulton County residents and provides additional support to the two Agricultural & Natural Resources agents.

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/.

Save the Date! Garden Faire 2024 will be held on April 20, 2024, at The Grove at Wills Park. https://www.nfmg. net/garden-faire.html

NORLETHIA HARRIS Guest Columnist

PHOTO PROVIDED BY UGA EXTENSION

For questions about soil testing contact the Fulton County Extension Office at 4046137670 or email northfulton.extension@uga.edu.

A remarkable house born of two centuries

The 1832 Georgia land lottery offered Cherokee lands in North Fulton and elsewhere to Georgia citizens. Two kinds of lottery drawings were held that year, one for 160-acre land lots and one for 40-acre gold lots. Gold lots were where it was thought gold might exist.

Gold lot 678, in today’s city of Milton, was drawn by William Flanders of Emanuel County. The state granted the property to him on May 10, 1839. Flanders probably flipped the property by selling it to another person whose name is not known because some of the early deed books are missing. The next known record of the lot was in a Milton County property tax digest of 1868. It showed that lot 678, along with lot 619, also 40 acres, was processed by Madison Jameson, administrator of the estate of Ambrose Phillips, deceased. The Phillips family owned the property from sometime before 1860 until 1932.

We know this thanks to the efforts of Austin Stephens, a researcher of historic properties who was engaged in 2015 by the owners of the property, Robert and Joan Rushton, to research its history.

The Rushton family purchased the property in December 1990 and extensively renovated the house and its outbuildings and yard. They kept detailed records of their renovations.

The original house was built prior to 1860 in the hall and parlor style which was popular in Colonial and postColonial periods. Hall and parlor houses were simple side-gabled structures, two rooms wide and one room deep with two front doors opening into the hall and parlor from a front porch. The house had oak log joists supporting the floor with some of the original bark remaining today. Wall and ceiling boards were planed by hand with boards of random width, some as wide as 23 inches.

One of the highlights of the house is a rare dining room ceiling painted in the 1850s by an itinerant German painter. He used two colors and smudged the ceiling with smoke from a candle or lantern to create the impression of marble. The technique was developed in the 1830s by German Moravian school teachers to teach geometry. Two- or three-dimensional Moravian stars with anywhere from six to more than 100 points were used by teachers.

Moravians sometimes painted stars or other designs on ceilings. The Thomas Byrd House in Milton, now serving as

SCHULZ FAMILY/PROVIDED

Cindy and Troy Schulz purchased the farmhouse in 2020 and have continued to enhance the home and property. Here, they are shown in front of an arbor in the front yard. They live there with their daughters, Sadie and Savannah, several dogs and two donkeys.

the Milton Senior Center, has a beautiful Moravian star painted on one ceiling.

It is the only other example of this technique in the area. The Rushton ceiling has a geometric design rather than a star.

The Rushtons purchased the house from the family of farmer Claude W. and Etta Tatum who had bought the house in 1944. Claude was noted for his peach orchard. The property was originally 80 acres, but pieces have been sold over the years so that today it occupies 3 acres.

Soon after moving in the Rushtons sought a building permit to begin rehabilitation of the house. They were told that the house was too close to the road, so they moved it back and put in a basement. They did extensive work on the house in 1991 and 1992, including extending the kitchen and a porch. They had plans to add bedrooms and bathrooms – then fate stepped in.

The Champions View golf course was under construction near the property. A Sears Roebuck manufactured kit home was in the way of the golf course. The Rushton’s acquired the house, moved it to their property and joined their two houses together. Renovations of the new house continued throughout 1993, including installation of reclaimed antique heart pine flooring. Several outbuildings, including a barn built in the late 1800s, needed work. Beginning circa 2000 new structures were added including a garage and garden house modeled after antique farm buildings.

In June 2020 Cindy and Troy Schulz purchased the house. Originally from

RUSHTON FAMILY/PROVIDED

The oldest part of this house was built before 1860 by Ambrose Phillips, a Confederate soldier whose family owned the it until 1932. It was built in the hall and parlor style popular in the Colonial and post-Colonial periods. These were simple, side-gabled houses, two rooms wide and one room deep. This photo shows the house in 1923. Obviously, it had been modified over the years.

The barn dates back to the early 1900s. It is in the style of English gable roof barns popular at that time. They were easily built by farmers on stacks of field stones. Hay was tossed, or “bucked” up, to the second level from a wagon for storage. At some point, side sheds were added to the structure.

Wisconsin and more recently from Canton where they lived for 13 years, the Schulz’s wanted to live on a “hobby farm” with animals. They also wanted to be nearer to Troy’s work as facilities manager at Kings Ridge School where he was also coach of girls’ basketball for many years. Cindy does clinical research supporting pharmaceutical companies.

Cindy says “I have been drawn to historic homes since I was a little girl visiting my cousin every summer. She lived on historic properties with barns and animals.”

To make the point, the Schulzes have recently adopted two donkeys from Jack of Trades Donkey Rescue in Alpharetta.

Jackie Mannaert, the owner, says

‘We rescue, rehab and rehome donkeys.” Over the past 3½ years, Jackie has rescued about 130 donkeys from unfortunate situations.

The Schulzes have been busy sprucing up their yard to prepare for their daughter Sadie’s wedding in May under the large black walnut tree next to the house. Their other daughter, Savannah, will be maid of honor.

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

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

Bond:

Continued from Page 5

While Alpharetta’s 2021 parks bond drew overwhelming voter support, passing by a 3-1 margin, city councils do have authority to change projects named in a bond.

Georgia code allows local government commissions or councils to deem a bond project unnecessary and remove it from funding. Such a decision would require a two-thirds vote of the governing board.

City Attorney Molly Esswein said a city council could bring forth a resolution related to park bond expenditures if a purpose in the original notice is no longer necessary, or if circumstances have changed since the bond was adopted and an expenditure is no longer practical or feasible.

If the city adopted such a resolution, the bond money and interest could be

DOJ:

Continued from Page 2

approval, paid the operators of D4H a percentage of Medicaid reimbursements for samples submitted by the program, in violation of federal law.

While the scheme was ongoing, Capstone submitted over $1 million in claims, causing Georgia Medicaid to pay out at least $400,000 in claims related to the fraudulent drug testing.

In addition to Maloney’s guilty plea, four others have pleaded guilty in connection with this fraudulent drug testing scheme including 45-year-old Duriel Gray of Cartersville, 32-year-old Bree’Anna Harris of Phoenix, Arizona, 36-year-old Glenn Pair of Stonecrest, and 48-year-old Rachel Sheats of Woodstock.

DEATH NOTICES

William Arrington, 67, of Alpharetta, passed away on February 19, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Georgene Beelitz, 78, of Alpharetta, passed away on February 20, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Bonnie Cagle, 80, of Milton, passed away on February 18, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

used on something substantially similar or to pay off debt on the bond.

Esswein emphasized councilmembers cannot arbitrarily make changes. The City Council would have to define its reasoning for the change in a public presentation.

A defense of Farmhouse

Alpharetta Natural Resources Commissioner Michael Buchanan, who is also a local filmmaker and author, wrote and codirected “Saving Farm House,” a documentary detailing the history of the Farmhouse site as a social and trading hub.

Buchanan said he was unaware of the site until some six months before releasing the documentary. For him, supporting the Farmhouse Park is about raising awareness of where Alpharetta began.

Buchanan said visiting the site for the first time and seeing people’s names and the date “1912” carved into the stone of the rebuilt dam made him realize the site’s significance.

With rapid growth and development

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defined as extended stay.

Under the proposed changes, hotels or motels with any rooms that include cooking facilities and refrigerators larger than 3.5 cubic feet would be considered extended stay. Hotels with common areas for cooking would also fall into the category.

Refrigerators larger than 3.5 cubic feet, ovens and cooktops would not be allowed in hotels. The proposed changes do not affect motels.

The code changes also outline a separate definition for an amenity-rich hotel, which offers “a wide variety of premium amenities and exceptional services” including spas, ballrooms, 24-hour room service and high-end furnishings.

Amenity-rich hotels would be excluded from the extended stay definition, and

Pauline Kephart, 96, of Roswell, passed away on February 22, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Richard Korteling, 87, of Roswell, passed away on February 11, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Jacqueline Lyons, 96, of Roswell, passed away on February 9, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

abound in Alpharetta, he said it is comforting to know there are a couple of acres nestled away that have remained unchanged since the 1850s.

“And it’s one of those things where, once it’s gone, it’s gone,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan spoke at a Feb. 26 City Council meeting, frustrated that plans for the park have not moved forward. He also criticized the previous discussions of prioritizing other bond projects over Farmhouse.

“To do so would bring into question whether or not voters could trust the council in some of these future referendums,” Buchanan told the council. “I would think that’s not a road elected officials would travel.”

A council perspective

Alpharetta City Councilman Donald Mitchell is a longtime supporter of the Farmhouse project. Mitchell and former Councilman Ben Burnett championed the addition of the Farmhouse project in the

restrictions would be determined by the property’s specific zoning conditions.

Planning Commissioner Adrian Flack said he was dissatisfied with the proposal.

“I’m not opposed to the amenity-rich classification that we have coming in, but I’m still not satisfied with this 3.5-[cubic]foot fridge part on the hotel,” Flack said. “That part just seems heavy-handed to try to do what we’re trying to do.”

Rather than stripping hotels of amenities, Planning Commissioner Nedal Shawkat said he thinks the county should equip Code Compliance with the ability to address problem businesses through an ordinance.

He said he thinks the county is trying to avoid criminal activity at extended stay hotels, but restricting amenities may not be the solution.

“And we have other ways of addressing that without hurting this category of business in the county and taking away this amenity from not only our residents,

Thi Si Nguyen, 92, of Alpharetta, passed away on February 19,2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Antonio Ricci, 90, of Roswell, passed away on February 24, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Rebecca Stiles, 82, of Alpharetta, passed away on February 7, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

months leading up to the November 2021 bond.

When discussions at the retreat turned to Farmhouse, Mitchell blasted any suggestion of shifting money from the project.

“So much of Alpharetta has been changed, and I think in many ways made better, but it’s a way to honor our predecessors,” Mitchell said in an interview Feb. 28. “And it would be the first heritage park that the city has. And there’s an authenticity about it that other parks will never be able to have because it’s our original settlement.”

Mitchell also emphasized the importance of honoring what Alpharetta residents voted for in the bond referendum.

“Especially, when 75 percent of our citizens have voted for a project, it’s important for us to get it done and to do it like we’ve promised and committed to,” he said. “And if we can’t do that, we shouldn’t be in office. If we can’t be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, we shouldn’t be in office.”

but the folks who come here to do business or come to tournaments or whatever,” Shawkat said.

The UDC changes were scheduled for a Board of Commissioners public hearing at 5 p.m. March 7.

Dennis Turner, 77, of Alpharetta, passed away on February 21, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

George Venti, 89, of Alpharetta, passed away on February 24, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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