Forsyth Herald - May 11, 2023

Forsyth County clears the way for expansion at Halcyon site

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Commissioners approved a measure with Halcyon developers May 4 that opens the door for new potential rental units and a retail location.

County Attorney Ken Jarrard said the county is not committed to the project as yet, but the memorandum of understanding initiates the process for more formal negotiations in the future.

The 134-acre master planned district was zoned in 2015 to allow for 690 residential units and up to 550,000 square feet of commercial space. Developer RocaPoint said Halcyon is exhausting the limits of the previous zoning and is looking to secure an anonymous, “extremely desirable national retailer.”

Under the proposal, RocaPoint would be responsible for incentivizing the retailer to come to Halcyon, and the county would grant land use entitlements that would allow RocaPoint to develop an additional 265 studio, oneor two-bedroom luxury rental homes in concurrence with the new retailer.

At least 10 units would be reserved for county first responders at a 50 percent discount, and an off-leash dog

See COUNTY, Page 4

Nonprofit opens free health clinic

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County’s roughly 27,000 uninsured residents now have access to free health care with the opening of Forsyth Community Clinic.

The nonprofit opened its first permanent location May 5 in suite 803 at 102 Mary Alice Park Road in Cumming. Forsyth Community Clinic provides nonemergency health care to lowincome residents aged 18-65 who do not have insurance. Staffed by volunteers, the clinic offers prescription

assistance, referrals and basic health screenings.

Previously open Saturdays at The Place, the clinic now has its own space and is scheduled to open for patients May 13.

See CLINIC Page 6

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Forsyth Community Clinic board members launch their first permanent location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 5. The free clinic will provide health care to low-income and uninsured county residents beginning May 13.

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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.

Deputies cite woman for credit card theft

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a suspect in a March transaction card fraud case April 27.

Deputies reported speaking to a man who said he had dropped his wallet at the Ducktown Market on Canton Highway around 9:30 p.m. March 30.

County deputies arrested a couple on drug and weapons charges following a traffic stop April 29.

Sheriff’s deputies reported conducting speed enforcement on southbound Ga. 400 near the Majors and Shiloh roads bridge and observing a Toyota Corolla driving 30 miles over the posted 65 mph speed limit.

Deputies conducted a traffic stop, the report states, and identified the driver as Rontavious Sanders, 29, of Atlanta. Sanders reportedly admitted to smoking marijuana before driving, and deputies determined him to be impaired to the extent that is less than safe to drive.

during the commission of a felony, felon in possession of a firearm and misdemeanor possession of drugrelated objects and an open alcohol container.

Cumming man charged with DUI, hit-and-run

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Cumming man on DUI, hit-and-run and drug possession charges following a traffic stop April 30.

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The man said his wallet contained $80, and one of his credit cards had been used for $40.43, $9.44 and $13.12 purchases at the Marathon gas station on Canton Highway. He said the card was used for a fourth purchase at an antiques store.

The man told deputies Kimberly Sheets, 35, of Blairsville had taken his wallet, and he had retrieved it from her April 1. He said his credit cards were in the wallet, but the cash was gone, the report states.

Deputies reported conducting a non-custodial interview with Sheets, who said her brother had found the wallet and had given it to her husband, who then gave it to her. She said there was no cash in the wallet, the report states, and she knew the man while he was employed at the Marathon and nearby RaceTrac.

Sheets was charged with felony fraudulent use of a transaction card, identity fraud and misdemeanor theft by lost or mislaid property.

She is being held at the Forsyth County Jail with bond set at $3,415.

Couple cited for drugs with intent to distribute

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth

Sanders refused to take a blood test, the report states, and deputies found a loaded, concealed 9 mm Smith & Wesson M&P handgun in a holster in his waistband. Sanders’ passenger, Dayna Diaz, 35, of Norcross, was also determined to be impaired to the extent that is less than safe to drive.

Deputies reported finding a “sizeable baggie” of cocaine in the center console of the vehicle, empty baggies with suspected drug residue inside, a half bottle of Crown Royal whisky and a blue backpack containing marijuana and psylocibin mushrooms.

Beside the blue backpack was a smaller backpack that contained empty baggies and a loaded LifeCard .22LR pistol, the report states. Diaz confirmed the small backpack was hers.

Sanders was charged with felony possession of cocaine, marijuana and a schedule one substance with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and misdemeanor driving under the influence of drugs, driving while license suspended, speeding and possession of drug-related objects and an open alcohol container.

Diaz was charged with felony possession of marijuana, cocaine and a schedule one substance with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm

Deputies reported responding to a possible car accident on southbound Ga. 400 near Martin Road around 2 a.m. At the scene, deputies spoke to Jorge Martinez-Perez, 42, who said he was heading home.

The report states deputies smelled a strong odor of alcohol on MartinezPerez’s breath, and he reportedly said he had had two beers. He said his neck was sore from the accident, and he requested an ambulance come to observe him.

Deputies reported observing Martinez-Perez swaying and shuffling while walking to the patrol vehicle, and his pupils were constricted with no reaction to light. They reported asking if Martinez-Perez had used cocaine due to redness on his right nostril, and he said no.

Martinez-Perez reportedly had a pack of gum, lip balm, a vape, car keys and paper money in his pockets. Deputies also reported finding a $20 bill on the ground with a white powder inside that tested positive for cocaine.

Deputies reported seeing MartinezPerez drive away after having struck another vehicle, but he then stopped because his tire, rim and hub cap were missing.

Martinez-Perez was arrested on charges of felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor DUI and hitand-run.

He is being held at the Forsyth County Jail, and bond is set at $19,400.

Forsyth County students recognized in Government Academy ceremony

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County recognized 20 students who graduated from its second annual Student Government Academy in a ceremony at the Forsyth Conference Center April 26.

The academy provides high school juniors with the opportunity to learn how county government operates and to engage with its leadership.

Assistant County Manager Barry Lucas presented students from North Forsyth, Lambert, East Forsyth, West Forsyth, South Forsyth, Denmark and Forsyth Central high schools and the Alliance Academy for Innovation with certificates of completion at the event.

Students Jaxxon Otteson, Hayden Nicholsen, Justin Wang, Jack Rogers, Madison Malone, Anika Mathur, Taylor Mevers, Ashlyn Hataway, Emily Hanna, Sayna Kaushik, Mehul Patil, Natalie Knight, Addison Denney, Emmalia Dancy, Anish Budida, Dharshine Priya Jayakrishan, Anvita Guttikonda, Dharanija Peram, Christy Eapen and Arnav Pareek were recognized for their participation.

“Our youth in Forsyth County making the effort to be involved in their local government is something to be celebrated,” Lucas said. “This course

Community leaders and government officials recognized 20 Forsyth County high school students for their participation in the second annual Student Government Academy at a ceremony at the Forsyth Conference Center April 26.

has expanded students’ knowledge of Forsyth County government and helped them build strong foundations as leaders in their communities.”

This school year, participating students met with state reps. Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones and toured the county water treatment facility and

Public Safety Complex.

Lucas, who spoke at the ceremony, was joined by Sheriff Ron Freeman, County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bearden and Miss Northwest Georgia Hannah Conway.

The Forsyth County Student Government Academy is the youth equivalent

of the annual Citizens’ Academy, which serves the same mission for residents 18 years and older.

Information on participating in the academies can be found at forsythco. com/ht/Departments-Offices/Communications/Community-Engagement.

— Shelby Israel

FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED

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German & European

Auburn motorcyclist dies in road collision

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — An Auburn motorcyclist died from injuries sustained from a car accident with a pickup truck on Veteran’s Memorial Boulevard and Buford Dam Road around 6 p.m. May 3.

Sheriff’s deputed reported a 2022 Ford F-150 was traveling east on Buford Dam Road and failed to yield to the motorcycle at the intersection of Veteran’s Memorial Boulevard.

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park would be constructed at an undetermined location.

Also at the meeting, the Board of Commissioners recognized elementary school students Neethi Manjunath, Karson Quinones, Olivia Fisher, Baylor Burks, Shreya Bandi and Presley Vance as the winners of the County Fire Department’s 2023 Safety Poster Contest.

The poster contest focused on the topics “Get Low and Go,” “Electrical Safety” and “Outdoor Safety.” The six winning students’ posters were selected out of 200 submissions.

Commissioners also recognized Lambert High School senior Alan Haniel Albert for obtaining the Eagle Scout rank in the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of

The rider of the 2001 Harley Davidson, Michael Ramey, 56, was traveling north on Veteran’s Memorial Boulevard. Ramey was ejected from his bike, and he was pronounced dead at Northside Forsyth Hospital.

The County Sheriff’s Office said the crash is under investigation, but impairment is not considered a factor at this time.

America.

Albert had led over 168 hours of community service and had donated 1,228 household and food items to the Missionaries of Charity Gift of Grace House in Atlanta.

Over a dozen residents also spoke at the meeting, requesting the County Commission update the adult entertainment ordinance to prevent children from attending drag shows.

Speakers cited religious and moral concerns about minors attending drag events, echoing similar sentiments shared at an April 20 Board of Commissioners meeting.

Some opponents of the shows referenced a cancelled family bingo event featuring drag performers that was scheduled at the Sexton Hall Enrichment Center April 23.

Three speakers spoke in favor of drag in the community, saying the shows provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ youths.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and Fire Department recognize elementary school students Karson Quinones, Olivia Fisher, Baylor Burks, Shreya Bandi and Presley Vance for winning the 2023 Safety Poster Contest at a meeting May 4.

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Executive Director Evan Shoemake said the clinic is considering expanding hours from Saturdays to weekday evenings, but more information on hours of operation will be published soon.

Shoemake, whose life was saved by a free clinic in New York City, said the operation is personally important to him, and everyone should have access to care when it is needed.

“There are so many reasons we can all say people don't deserve health care, or they do,” Shoemake said. “The fact that all of you are standing here today proves to me that people do care, and that they do want to help and that there are great things happening in this community.”

Clinic board members joined state Rep. Todd Jones and County Commission Chairman Alfred John for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Qualified

“We are excited to now have a physical home for the clinic, a place that is more than just a representation of

the work of our incredible volunteers and supporters,” Board Chair Kristine Walden said.

Those interested in volunteering or supporting the clinic can visit forsythcommunityclinic.org.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Forsyth County Commission Chairman Alfred John, second from left, joins Forsyth Community Clinic board members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 5. The office is in suite 803 at 102 Mary Alice Park Road in Cumming.

Guests mingle before the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Forsyth Community Clinic May 5. The nonprofit opened the first permanent location of the clinic, which was previously held Saturdays at The Place in Cumming.

Nonprofit hosts community garden tour in Johns Creek

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Dozens of Johns Creek residents toured seven gardens in the city to enjoy sunny weather, art, landscaping and nature at the

Secret Gardens of the Johns Creek Community tour May 6. The tour, hosted by Johns Creek Beautification, featured 31 musicians and artists, six private home gardens and a stop at the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve.

Metalworks sculptor Eric Strauss offers an information table for guests at the Secret Gardens of the Johns Creek Community tour May 6. Strauss was the creator of the “Entwined Strength” horse sculpture at the roundabout at the intersection of Boles and Bell roads.

PHOTOS BY SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

The Miller Garden features a landscaped waterfall, a wooden bridge and a gazebo at the Secret Gardens of the Johns Creek Community tour May 6. Six private home gardens were open to the public for the occasion.

Visual artist Eileen Bodamer , right, paints scenery of the Miller Garden at the Secret Gardens of the Johns Creek Community tour May 6. Bodamer was one of 19 artists who displayed work throughout gardens at the event.

A fleur-de-lis adorns a stone bench among flowers at the Summerour Garden at the Secret Gardens of the Johns Creek Community tour May 6. The Georgian cottage at the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve was one of seven stops on the tour.

Best friends bring bubbly to Roswell

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Al Anderson and Leigh Braglia built their friendship on a shared love of champagne. Now, years after they met, the pair co-own and operate Metro Atlanta’s only champagne bar, Pop Alleigh on Canton Street.

Pop Alleigh opened in December 2022, named after Anderson and Braglia who met in 2008 when Anderson coached Braglia’s son in cheerleading. The champagne bar offers more than 220 bottles of sparkling wine for purchase, as well as over 20 bubbly options by the glass. Customers can choose champagnes a la carte or opt for one of the rotating champagne flights, curated by Anderson and Braglia.

The pair only pours champagne they like to drink, Anderson said. The owners hand-pick the selection to ensure they serve what they enjoy and what they can educate customers about.

“Our approach is to be able to offer a high-end experience,” Anderson said.

Part of their push to open Pop Alleigh was a lack of champagne bars across the country. Leigh joked to Anderson that in Sonoma, California,

there’s a “wine bar on every corner” while champagne destinations are few and far between. Anderson said the lack of shops is due to the perception of champagne.

“Having something where people can discover champagne was really important because the conception of champagne is that its rosy and its sweet,” Anderson said.

The selection of sparkling wines at Pop Alleigh is all brut, or very dry, with a few sweeter options for customers who crave it. Anderson said Pop Alleigh offers about “three wines” for people who want something different, but the focus is on champagne.

Neither of the co-owners have any wine certifications, but Anderson said they bring years of enthusiasm for champagne and travel across major sparkling wine regions like Champagne, France, and Cava, Spain.

A bubbly destination

Leigh Braglia discovered the property that would become Pop Alleigh after dinner with her husband at Little Alley Steak on Canton Street. Braglia said she had always wanted a business, and when she saw the space, she decided on the “spontaneous”

Our approach is to be able to offer a high-end experience.

AL ANDERSON, co-owner, Pop Alleigh

POP ALLEIGH/PROVIDED

Best friends Al Anderson and Leigh Braglia made the “spontaneous” decision to open champagne bar Pop Alleigh on Canton Street in Roswell after bonding over a shared love of drinking bubbly. See BUBBLY, Page 9

Bubbly:

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move. She called up Anderson and the best friends decided to go into business together.

The co-owners wanted to create a business that would stand out in Roswell — something “niche, intentional and specific” that differed from restaurants and wine bars.

Without many champagne bars to pull from, Braglia said the two had the freedom to follow their own vision.

“We were just able to do whatever we wanted to do,” Braglia said.

The pair completely renovated the Canton Street space with a focus on the details. Braglia said she had a vision for everything from the glasses to the architecture. The nine-table space is intimate, which lets Braglia and Anderson have a hands-on experience with every customer.

“We’ve got a great thing, just having something different and not having to think about anything else to by,” Braglia said.

Setting the mood

Pop Alleigh offers private events and champagne tasting classes, but Anderson said the bar isn’t as formal

as a wine school or as casual as a club. It’s somewhere in between, with music and conversation as well as information cards and tasting explanations.

“I feel like we have it all, like we’re curating nightlife in Roswell,” Anderson said.

In the months since Pop Alleigh

opened, Anderson said the business has “elevated” the area, offering customers a place “before dinner, after dinner or instead of dinner.” The bar already has a group of loyal customers from around the town and strong support from the city, according to the co-owner. The business has been successful

enough that Anderson said Pop Alleigh is opening on Mondays and Tuesdays and extending its hours on the weekends. Anderson and Braglia said they feel like they “have it all.”

“In this short of a time to make (Pop Alleigh) what it is, I know I’m really proud for sure,” Braglia said.

Pop Alleigh on Canton Street is a small space, with nine tables and hundreds of bottles of sparkling wine. Anderson and Braglia said the intimate feel helps them create a “hands-on” experience.

Stroke Awareness and Recovery

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

May is National Stroke Awareness month, highlighting the symptoms and recovery challenges posed by the most common cause of disability in our country. Someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, with over 800,000 strokes and 140,000 deaths in the USA each year.

Almost 80% of strokes are caused by lifestyle choices we can address. High blood pressure is a leading cause along with smoking (which quadruples your risk), diabetes, lack of exercise, cardiovascular disease, obesity, being 65 or older and having a family history.

The most common stroke type is Ischemic, when a blood clot blocks a vein or artery in the brain. A Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. It’s important to know the signs and act quickly, as doctors can give clot busting drugs within 4 hours of the onset of a stroke. Early warning signs include face drooping or numbness in the face, arms or legs on one side of the body, arm weakness and motion difficulty, loss of balance, sudden confusion, speech difficulty or words that don’t make sense, sudden severe headache, blurry vision and trouble seeing from one or both eyes. If you suspect a stroke is happening, call 911 immediately.

After a stroke certain physical issues can occur, including weakness or paralysis, walking, speech and coordination difficulties, fatigue, cognitive and memory problems, trouble swallowing, depression and anxiety. Recovery time differs, and almost 10% of stroke victims recover almost

completely. Another 25% recover with minor impairments and 40% will have moderate to severe impairments that require special care. The first 3 to 6 months are the time to make the most strides in recovery, but performance can continue to show improvement 12 to 18 months out. Recovery is likely to start in a rehabilitation center with a team that includes speech and language pathologists and physical therapists. Researchers have found that after discharge, stroke patients who continued rehabilitation and physical therapy at home had a faster recovery and, after three months, performed activities of daily living at higher levels than those who only received traditional rehabilitation.

At Home Helpers we create a unique care plan that can meet your immediate needs and change as recovery progresses. A heart centered, skilled in-home caregiver can assist with daily consistent exercise - helping to follow your occupational and physical therapist’s techniques that are so vital for recovery. Most stroke patients tire easily and will need help with housekeeping, meal preparation or feeding while regaining use of their hand or arm. Many need help with showers and personal grooming. Your loved one may experience vision difficulties that require them to stop driving, or emotional changes that make them anxious or more easily frustrated.

We’re here to help - from six hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 and live-in care. For a free consultation please call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta (770) 681-0323.

“Be Patriotic. Vape.”

Brought to You by - Brent Taylor, MD, Premiere Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

Yes, you read that correctly. Those were the only words written in what must have been size 20 million font on a billboard near Greenville, South Carolina. A beautiful United States flag was proudly portrayed on the billboard behind those words. And, oddly, no company name, logo or other identifying information was present to connect this billboard to a specific business or corporation. From what I could see as I drove by, nothing was on the billboard except an American flag and the words “Be Patriotic. Vape.”

This billboard had me puzzled. Was it a joke? Was it actually trying to convince people that vaping is an act of patriotism? Does it assume that the general population and particularly our young people are so impressionable as to believe this billboard and start vaping because they love our country?

I laughed as I drove by, but the billboard did have me worried. The US military included cigarettes in soldiers’ rations from World War II through 1975, and as a result, nicotine addiction and tobacco use has long been a plight of our veterans. Many adult smokers have attempted to use e-cigarettes and vaping as a way of avoiding regular cigarettes. But the fastest growth of vaping has been among young people. Approximately 20% of those aged 18 to 29 report vaping – the highest for any age group.

Since young people seem to be most strongly prone to vaping, it’s important to spread the word on the negative health effects of vaping to our youth. As a dermatologist, I can attest to negative skin effects of vaping, some of which should grab one’s attention:

1. Black, hairy tongue. Multiple oral problems can occur from vaping. The most newsworthy from a teen’s perspective is probably black hairy tongue. The exact reason vaping can

cause this condition is not known, but it’s well-established that some individuals will develop a black, hairyappearing tongue when they vape. Skin cells on the tongue build up, and certain types of bacteria can overgrow. Go to Google Image and type in “black hairy tongue” to scare any teens you know out of vaping.

2. Genital burns. Many e-cigarettes use lithium batteries that were manufactured poorly and are prone to exploding. Between 2015 and 2017, more than 2000 people went to the emergency room for burn injuries from e-cigarettes. Explosions were often spontaneous while the device was simply in the person’s pocket. Pockets are close to one’s private parts, and genitals were commonly burned. Scare your teen with this one!

3. Acne and aging skin. Nothing seems to motivate a social-media era individual like aesthetics. Cigarettes are known to cause acne, premature aging of skin, enlarged pores and oil glands. Nicotine causes many of these changes, and nicotine is present whether one is using traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes.

Finally, the question of patriotism. In case you were worried that you need to starting vaping to prove that you are a patriot, the answer is that you do not. Patriotism and vaping have NOT been linked. An article in the journal Tobacco Use Insights entitled “The Vaping Teenager” found that teens who identify themselves as “patriotic” are actually less likely to vape than those with other peer crowd identifications. Teens who self-identified as patriotic were more likely to report valuing hard work and enjoying the outdoors. The billboard would have been more accurate had it said “Want to risk burnt genitals, hairy tongue, acne, cardiovascular side effects and a lighter wallet? – Vape.” I guess they ran out of room?

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Neck Carotid Artery Disease: What to know and what to look out for

Brought to you by - By Dr. Benjamin Zussman, neurosurgeon at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center

This Stroke Awareness Month, learn the signs and causes of a stroke so you can take action right away if you or someone else experiences one. The Neuro Care team at Wellstar works with patients to reduce their risk of a stroke and provide lifesaving care in the event of a stroke.

The carotid artery is a major blood vessel that brings blood from your heart to your brain. There are normally two carotid arteries, one on the right side and one on the left. At the point where the carotid artery divides into a branch that feeds the face and a branch that feeds the brain, there is a natural location for the buildup of debris, called atherosclerotic plaque.

As plaque buildup increases, it takes up more space within the vessel and begins to narrow the path for blood flow through the vessel. This narrowing is called stenosis. Because plaque buildup is typically disorganized, bits of plaque can tear off or rupture. When a plaque ruptures, it may cause a stroke.

Patients with plaque buildup who develop stroke-like symptoms, or an actual stroke are referred to as having “symptomatic” disease, because the plaque is believed to have caused their symptoms.

In contrast, patients with plaque buildup who have never had symptoms before are referred to as patients with “asymptomatic” disease. Patients with asymptomatic disease may be identified during a physical examination when a “whooshing” sound or bruit is heard over the carotid artery or when an imaging study of their neck is done for another reason. In general, the worse the carotid stenosis, the higher the chance of a stroke.

If you know that you have carotid artery stenosis, then you should watch out for the signs and symptoms of a stroke. One easy way to remember the classic stroke symptoms is to BE FAST:

• Balance — One sign is a sudden loss of balance or coordination. This can also appear as a sudden, severe headache or dizziness.

• Eyes — Blurred vision, double vision or loss of vision can be symptoms of a stroke. If you think someone else may be having a stroke, ask if they are having trouble seeing out of one or both eyes.

• Face — One side of the face may be drooping or feeling numb. Ask the person to smile and see if it appears lopsided or uneven.

• Arms — Look for sudden arm weakness or numbness. Check if the person can lift both arms without one drifting downward.

• Speech — Check for slurred speech or difficulty speaking. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence to determine if they are having trouble talking.

• Time — The more treatment is delayed, the more the brain is damaged. Don’t wait to seek care. If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

For patients with mild carotid artery disease, there are several effective strategies to reduce the risk of a stroke. High cholesterol contributes to carotid plaque formation, and providers may prescribe medications to lower the body’s cholesterol level. Carotid stenosis narrows the path for blood flow, so other medications are used to keep blood flowing smoothly around the plaque. Finally, quitting cigarette smoking improves the body’s natural repair mechanisms, since smoking limits the body’s ability to heal vessel walls.

For patients with severe carotid disease, there are different procedures to reduce the risk of a stroke. In carotid endarterectomy, the provider will make a two-inch neck incision to expose the carotid artery. First, the artery is temporarily clamped to prevent bleeding. Then, the artery is opened and cleaned to completely remove the plaque. Finally, the artery is sewn, and the incision is closed.

In carotid artery stenting, a small tube or catheter is inserted through the wrist or the leg and steered within the body’s vessels to the carotid artery. First, a protection device is positioned to catch any debris that may become dislodged. Then, a metallic tube called a stent is expanded to push the plaque to the side and widen the artery. Finally, the machinery is removed, and the entry sites are closed.

The neurosurgeons at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center have extensive training and experience in the treatment of carotid artery disorders. The hospital is recognized as a Certified Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center — the highest level of stroke certification available — by The Joint Commission. Our dedicated neurocritical care and vascular neurology teams provide worldclass care for patients before and after they undergo a carotid artery procedure.

To make an appointment with a neurosurgeon on the campus of Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, call (770) 664-9600.

COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CARE

From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship, Wellstar is ensuring the community in this area has access to expert, compassionate cancer care.

The new Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center brings more than 12,000 additional square feet on the medical center campus dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking cancer treatments right here in the North Fulton area. Services include:

• CyberKnife radiation technology

• Physician expertise in many specialties

• Surgery, medical and radiation oncology

Find care at every step of your cancer journey here in North Fulton.

wellstar.org/northfultoncancercare

Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center 4500 Hospital BLVD | ROSWELL (770) 410-4530

CDC reports increasing mental health challenges for U.S. teens

Brought

to

you by - Cathy Murphy, Director of Community Outreach at Summit Counseling Center

According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are continuing to see a trend of declining mental health among our teens. The data showed more than 4 in 10 (42%) students felt persistently sad or hopeless and nearly one-third (29%) experienced poor mental health. The report also showed more than 1 in 5 (22%) students seriously considered suicide and 1 in 10 (10%) had attempted suicide in 2021.

While statistics worsened for all teens during this period, data shows a stark disparity for teenage girls. In 2021, fifty-seven percent of female students experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness and 13% had attempted suicide in the past year.

You can read the full report on the CDC’s website at tinyurl.com/cdcyouth23.

We Want to Hear from You!

On May 18th, United Way of Greater Atlanta will be presenting new data regarding Child Well-Being both in the Atlanta region generally and in North Fulton specifically.

Your feedback is crucial as we open the discussion to Child Well-Being intersectionality with mental health outcomes. Participants are invited to share their impressions and implications of these findings. The discussion will inform a comprehensive perspective and provide momentum toward collec tive action.

Please join us from 10:00 – 11:30 AM in-person on Thursday, May 18th at Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, 69 N. Main Street or via live streaming on Facebook @NFMHC. Reg ister online at tinyurl.com/NFMHC523

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‘Smart’ Declan’s journey: A heartwarming Mulligan

MIKE

Columnist

TASOS

Before you read another word, put down this newspaper and grab a box of tissues. I’m pretty sure you’re going to need them after reading this. But don’t worry, like me, you’ll be unleashing tears of joy.

It’s safe to say, when sitting down to write a column, there is angst that comes from just finding the right words. Then there are occasions, like this week, when the column writes you.

Let’s get to it: In a nutshell, 3-year-old Declan Demory Wetz should probably be a memory. He should be a tragic statistic that reminds us of the societal scourge that is drug addiction. Instead, on February 3, Declan officially became an integral part of Ginger and Mike Wetz’s Cumming family.

Declan was born severely addicted to a plethora of prescription pain medications, the ones you read about. You believe there’s a buffer and no way

anything like this could affect you. Sadly, swallowing pills is small stuff when it takes in all that is involved.

Declan’s birth mother was Ginger’s sister, Jerilyn, a bright vibrant nurse who, in Ginger’s words, “got in with a bad crowd.” As a nurse with all kinds of drugs so readily accessible, the monkey on Jerilyn’s back, coupled with shady friends, just wouldn’t let go. It wasn’t a fair fight. Jerilyn, 26, died last August.

“She would have been a fantastic mom,” Ginger lamented.

For Declan, his first weeks were spent in a Nashville neonatal intensive care unit. He weighed a mere 5 pounds when he turned 6 weeks old. There were no guarantees he would get to go home. And even if he did get released, where was he going to lay his head at night?

And that’s where Ginger and Mike did what can only be termed “the right thing.” There was a fight brewing, with Declan as the prize. They had experience as parents having raised Noah (now 20) and Liam (13). Why not one more?

Going through the courts, attaining

guardianship and eventually custody, Ginger wanted Declan to have a fighting chance. Besides, “he’s the smartest kid I’ve ever seen.”

And she should know. See, here’s another twist to the story: Ginger works for the Forsyth County School District, and to stay home and kickstart Declan’s development she would have had to quit her job. No way to be a working mom when there was such a worthwhile toddler project at home.

Believing that God knows what He’s doing, COVID was unleashed at a most opportune time for the Wetz family. Ginger could stay home and give Declan a ton of the TLC he missed out on in the NICU and the time after that.

Ginger’s faith that Jerilyn would get better was a false hope. Disappointment? Sure. But Ginger firmly believes “God has had a hand in all this,” adding Declan is “way too smart.”

It’s natural that Declan has a few issues. That’s to be expected when you come into the world addicted to that terrible poison. But as far as being adjusted to his family, he’s all-in.

All through this, there have been good days and bad days.

Declan, early in the adoption process when Ginger and Mike were unsure of how things would turn out, sealed the deal for the couple. One day he called Ginger “Lovey.” Mike was “Gunkle,” which is Declan-speak for Grumpy Uncle. Now maybe you can see Ginger knows what she’s talking about with her “smart” assessment.

Through all the evaluations from the Forsyth County Schools, there’s no way Declan will be in Special Education classes. There’s that “too smart” problem again.

Declan’s brothers play soccer. I asked Ginger, who has prepared my taxes for more than 20 years, if she had thought about putting a golf club in Declan’s hands.

So far, his life has been a fantastic Mulligan.

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.

Historical fantasy or romance fantasy?

Two recent reads had me asking myself how best to describe them to my readers. If you google fiction genres, you will find anywhere from five basic genres to hundreds. One list I found included action, comedy, drama, fantasy, horror, mystery, romance and thriller. But those categories aren’t enough for most of us.

Naturally, I turned to Amazon, because they’ve added a gazillion genres to the shorter lists I’m most familiar with. For example, my series falls into the mystery genre at a high level, but there are 12 subgenres beneath it, and my books fit in the cozy mystery subgenre.

The books below are both listed as historical fantasy on Amazon, and the first is ranked as a No. 1 bestseller in three genres: romance, literary fiction, romantic fantasy and historical fantasy. The second is categorized as time travel fiction, science fiction

adventures and historical fantasy. So, they’re the same but different. The first is a more somber tale. The second is an adventure. The good news is I enjoyed them both.

“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by

V.E. Schwab

Wow! Just wow! I couldn’t put this one down, and I can see why it is described as a genre-defying tale. It starts in 1714 in France, where young Adeline LaRue makes a deal with the devil. She will live forever, but no one will remember her.

For over 300 years, she lives a sometimes miserable and at other times thrilling existence. Every year, the devil visits her, asking if she’s ready yet to give up her soul. Like Faustus, that’s what he’s after. And every year, she turns him down, though, in the bleakest times, it’s tempting to say yes.

Does she find romance? Well, yes, but her partners are destined to forget her by the next day. Until, as you can read on the book jacket, she finds someone who doesn’t — in 2014. The story unfolds as she witnesses history, the good and the bad.

Her meetings with Luc, the name she gives her devil, evolve and change through the years. Sometimes he is enchanting and at others threatening.

As Luc would say, “I will tell you no more.” Seriously, the language is a treat. Read it for the history lessons and the romance and the beautiful writing. If that is, you like Historical Fantasy or Romantic Fantasy.

“Lies, Damned Lies, and History”

by Jodi Taylor

This is book seven in the Chronicles of St. Mary’s series and is as entertaining as the first six. I’m happy to report there are 13 books in the series with a 14th coming out this year. Since I’m not a binge reader, they should keep me entertained for at least a few years.

One reviewer describes the series as “a wild mix of history, adventure, comedy, romance, tragedy, and anything else the author could think of.” No wonder it falls into historical fantasy and science fiction genres. Science fiction lovers will get a kick from the pods that travel

through history landing in places like Thermopylae and Troy and Merlin’s cave.

The job of the characters manning the pods is to investigate and document history — to get the real story. As in any good series, the relationships among the characters are half the fun. Maybe more than half. And, yes, there’s a bit of romance thrown in too. There’s history, danger, conflict, and humor — lots of humor—mixed with pure farce. I am always delighted by witty dialogue, and this series is filled with it. Maybe one of these days, I’ll count the number of double entendres. Rollicking seems to be one of my favorite words as of late, and it aptly describes this book. It’s rollicking good fun!

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

KATHY MANOS PENN

Columnist

Group of Milton volunteers honor deceased veterans

No doubt being a Seabee in Vietnam taught Bill Lusk many things, but what set him apart was his family background. His father and his four brothers were in the construction business. All served in the military during WW ll. His grandfather was a master carpenter with whom Bill worked as a youth.

One of the lasting impacts of his ancestry and wartime experience was his creation of the Milton Veterans Memorial Markers program after the City of Milton was formed. Today’s column tells the story of that journey.

After graduating from high school in the Finger Lakes region of New York State where his ancestors have lived for 500 years, Bill graduated from a two-year program at a technical school and worked for the Ridge Construction Company, a division of Eastman Kodak Company. While there, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Seabees reserve in 1964. His unit was activated the following year and Bill underwent advanced training at the Naval Construction Battalion Center at Port Hueneme, California. When he arrived in Vietnam in 1966 things were getting very hot. The Viet Cong appeared to be winning the war, and the U.S. was rapidly increasing its forces. The Seabees were destined to play a vital and historic role as the conflict grew, and the need to construct military support facilities increased.

The U.S. Naval Construction Battalions, widely known as the Seabees, is responsible for building much of the infrastructure at U.S. military operations abroad, particularly in combat zones. If you pronounce the first letters of Construction Battalion, it sounds like Seabee, hence the nickname. The Seabees were established in 1941 to meet the growing need for airfields, docks, bridges and other support facilities during WW ll. They primarily serve the Navy and Marine Corps because the Army has its own Corps of Engineers. Seabees are trained for combat as well as construction and frequently saw action in Vietnam when their construction projects were attacked. Their motto is “we build, we fight” and their logo is a bee holding a wrench, hammer and machine gun.

Bill was initially stationed around the Chu Lai combat base in central Vietnam. During his second tour, he was assigned to Khe Sanh, one of the more remote mountain outposts in Vietnam a few miles from the Ho Chi Minh Trail near the Laotian border and later the scene of a bloody battle. He also served near the Da Nang airbase on the coast where his battalion

built airfields, roads, bunkers, barracks and revetments to protect the aircraft. In short, the Seabees built anything that needed to be built quickly and well.

On April 29, 2023, the Seabees were honored with a special monument at the Georgia National Military Cemetery in Canton.

When he returned home in 1967, Bill attended Tri State College in Indiana on the GI Bill where he obtained a degree in civil engineering. His first job after college was as an engineering project manager for the Detroit Water Department. A job offer took him to Atlanta in 1973. Thirteen years later he started Lusk and Company, a firm that continues to build churches, schools and assisted living facilities and numerous projects for Georgia Tech. He sold his company to its employees in 2018. Now in its 37th year, the company is known as Lusk Commercial Contractors. His favorite project is the Lyndon House Arts Center in Athens.

When the City of Milton was formed in 2006 from portions of unincorporated north Fulton County, Bill was elected to the city’s first City Council. He felt that as a new city, Milton lacked an identity and thought that one way to create identity would be to honor our city’s fallen soldiers. He was inspired by the City of Duluth’s veterans’ marker program and was determined to institute something similar in Milton that would help create a sense of place and inspire patriotism.

The program launched in 2007 with about 50 markers which Bill hand built in his home workshop. The City of Milton supported the effort by placing ads in the Milton Herald. The program grew rapidly, and soon Bill and a few volunteers were making 50 markers in his workshop. In 2016 a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization called the Milton Veterans Memorial Markers, Inc. was established. Today more than 800 markers are placed along Highway 9 and in Crabapple for two weeks over Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Bill and vol-

unteers such as Justin de Couto and David Garmon help make the markers. More than than 50 volunteers place the markers carried by large trailers, two of which were purchased from donations, while one was presented to the organization by local businessman and veteran Ron Wallace.

For further information on the program or to apply for a marker send an email to info@miltonveterans.org or to luskwc@ gmail.com.

I believe that there is a clear link between the background and wartime experiences of one committed citizen and a program that brings recognition to the City of Milton and honors those deceased veterans who served our country.

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 the history of North Fulton.

FAMILY PROVIDED

Eight hundred memorial markers are set out in about two hours by more than 50 volunteers. The markers remain in place for two weeks over Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

BOB MEYERS

Columnist

Glenn Greer Austin, farmer, carpenter, justice of the peace

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF

Glenn Greer Austin was born in 1885 to Elizabeth and John Thomas Austin. Their home was in the Grogan’s District of Milton County, which was along what is now Roberts Drive and Spalding Drive in Sandy Springs.

In 1906, he married Nettie Southern. Her family’s property and home were along what is now Mount Vernon Road near Dunwoody United Methodist Church. Their wedding was the first to take place at the church, a small wooden building across the road from today’s church. The couple stayed active at the church throughout their lives, serving as Sunday School Superintendent and on the Board of Stewards. (The Story of Dunwoody, Elizabeth L. Davis, Ethel W. Spruill)

The history of Nettie Southern Austin, who taught at the Dunwoody School for many years and is the namesake of Austin Elementary, has been told previously in this column. Glenn Austin was also an important part of the community.

Glenn Greer was a carpenter, farmer and justice of the peace for Dunwoody. His work as justice of the peace was done in Nash’s Store and the post office, which were at the northwest corner of Chamblee Dunwoody Road and Mount Vernon Road. The justice of the peace in a community held court to try minor civil cases. They also performed marriages.

Austin’s son, Glenn Thomas Austin remembered his father doing all these jobs. He also recalled working construction alongside his father when Dunwoody Methodist Chapel was built. (DeKalb History Center oral histories, “Dunwoody, I Remember Hour,” 1994)

Dunwoody School students of the 1940s remember fondly the small wood house he constructed, known as the Dutch House. The students were studying Holland at the time, so Austin built the house and a small windmill that stood next to the house.

He used his carpenter skills in many ways to help the school and his wife Nettie. He built a sand table for the playground. Inside the school, there was an area filled with his wood toys and identified with a sign that read “Toyland.” He built rocking horses, doll cradles and strollers, tables, a tall giraffe, and an assortment of other wooden animals.

Glenn Greer Austin and Nettie Southern Austin had six children. He

died in 1948 and Nettie died in 1956. They are buried at the Sandy Springs Methodist Cemetery.

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

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

Columnist

The children of Dunwoody School enjoy a sand table built by Glenn Austin.

FAMILY PHOTOS

Glenn Austin built the Dutch House in the 1940s for the children of Dunwoody School.

Garden hints for growing lavender in Georgia

I have enjoyed growing lavender in my personal garden for many years. As a second-year Master Gardener in 2009, the North Fulton County Extension Agent requested volunteers to open a booth at the new Roswell Farmer’s Market. I agreed to open a booth named “The Lavender Lady” where I sold cut lavender bundles, lavender crafts and garden flowers.

Garden Lavender is a spiky, shrubby plant prized for its wonderful color, scent and appearance. The plant comes in colors of deep purple, lavender, pink, white and several shades in between. There are over 450 varieties of lavender that exist with more currently being identified.

Our Georgia climate is different from the dry, chalky Mediterranean climate where lavender originated. In recent years, growers have developed a species that is more tolerant of our Southern heat and humidity. It is an English lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) named ‘Phenomenal’ that has been field tested from Texas to Georgia and has even been grown in Florida’s hot climate.

Other types of lavender, such as Spanish lavender (Lavendula stoechas), including the varieties “Otto Quast,” “Silver Anouk” and “Anouk” have been successfully grown in Georgia. The main difference between English lavender and Spanish lavender is their size. English lavender is taller than Spanish lavender and typically has longer leaves. Other differences between the two varieties include their color, the appearance of their flowers and their tolerance of cold weather.

An additional type of lavender that may be successfully grown in Georgia is the Lavendula x intermedia. The “Grosso” variety is considered to have the best scent of all the grown lavenders and is a good cut flower. It is a hybrid of English lavender and broadleaved lavender (Lavandua latifolia). Other lavender varieties that have been successfully grown in Georgia are “Dutch,” “Hidcote,’’ ‘‘Munstead’’ and ‘’Provence.’’

Lavender is best planted as young

About the Author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Sandy Springs resident Rebecca Pinckney. Rebecca, a Master Gardener since 2008, has grown several types of lavender. She is a native Floridian who has lived in Atlanta all her adult life. Gardening, writing, drawing, painting, and reading are her interests. She and her husband are grandparents to six children.

cuttings in the spring after the threat of frost has passed.

If planted in the fall, choose larger, more established plants to ensure survival through the winter. The plants are hardy in growing zones 5 to 9, which encompasses all of the state of Georgia. Lavender can be planted year-round unless the weather is freezing. October is the best time for planting so their roots will develop by springtime.

Before planting, get a soil test to determine the soil pH, and if needed work lime into the soil. Every two to three years add a maintenance dose of lime. However, Lavendula stoechas and hybrids do not want lime.

Prune young lavender plants after the cuttings have achieved a height of 24 to 36 inches. Pruning them in autumn after

they have matured will help them retain their rounded form. However, prune Lavender x intermedia less severely because it is much less hardy than the English lavender. Lavender stoechas are best pruned in the summer after flowering.

Further reading on the topic of growing lavender includes: “The Lavender Lover’s Handbook” by Sarah Berringer Bader (Timber Press), “Lavender” by Tess Evelegh (Lorenz Books), and “Lavender: A Grower’s Guide” by Virginia McNaughton (Timber Press).

If you are interested in learning more about growing lavender in the south and which species do best, the soil type, and weather conditions best suited for optimum growth, please check out my virtual talk, “Growing Lavender,” on the NFMG YouTube channel at https:// youtu.be/8IA-K-u8VKo.

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.

REBECCA B. PINCKNEY Guest Columnist

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