Forsyth County signs off on Raskarity Road homes
By JAKE DRUKMAN newsroom@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Raskarity Road will soon be the site of a few new Forsyth County homes.
The County Board of Commissioners approved a sketch plat June 20 for a subdivision of six lots on a plot of over 23 acres along Raskarity. Each of the six lots will be more than 1.5 acres.
Johns Creek-based construction company bSide Partners will construct the new subdivision, The Estates at Raskarity.
Sean Courtney, a representative for bSide Partners, said the company had initially planned to construct 12 lots but downsized to six after discussions with members of the surrounding community. He also said the developer will install utilities and a new road as part of the construction at a cost of over $1 million.
The approval included front and exterior setback reductions for the lots, with the developers citing topography challenges in the area surrounding Vaughn Lake as limiting the buildable area in each lot.
a question from a visitor at the newsroom’s
stop at July Moon
and Café June 20.
Appen Media sponsors Alpharetta open forum
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Appen Media Group’s penultimate Listening Tour stop June 20 at July Moon Bakery and Café drew about a dozen attendees equipped with story ideas and questions for newsroom staff.
The series, with monthly stops in each of the company’s seven coverage areas, allows the public to provide tips and suggestions on how to strengthen reporting. So far, staff have made rounds in Dunwoody, Roswell, Johns Creek, Forsyth County and Milton to gain valuable insight from residents.
Publisher Hans Appen kicked off the event with news from the Georgia Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest where staff took home 17 awards, including first place in General Excellence, and 10 more in advertising.
HANS APPEN/APPEN MEDIA Appen Media staff reporter Amber Perry , center back, fields
Listening Tour
Bakery
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Milton taps GBI to review officer-involved shooting
MILTON, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is reviewing an officerinvolved shooting around noon June 14 at the request of the Milton Police Department.
One woman, identified as 31-yearold Atlanta resident Shantidra Harris, died at the hospital after the incident.
An officer fired his weapon at Harris after she carjacked a white Toyota Corolla and accelerated with the officer directly in front of the bumper, a statement from the GBI says.
The incident began with Milton Police receiving a call about three
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.
Hotel security employee discovers 8 car break-ins
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police are looking for suspects involved in eight car break-ins June 11 at the Hampton Inn & Suites on Ashford Dunwoody Road.
A security guard said he discovered a GMC Denali with shattered windows while conducting a perimeter check. He soon found more damaged cars.
Officers said the security guard found rear window damage to eight vehicles throughout the property.
The hotel does not have security cameras on the exterior of the building.
One victim, a 54-year-old California man, told officers he discovered someone else’s blood on his dashboard. A crime analyst retrieved a sample of the blood for evidence.
The victim said thieves took a $200 cooler and a $300 soccer bag. He also said he would send officers footage from his dashboard camera.
individuals involved in a shoplifting incident at Kohl’s on Ga. 9.
When officers attempted to stop the suspects’ vehicle, a red Dodge Journey, the car continued into the Walmart parking lot off Winward Parkway.
Officers said the suspects’ vehicle stuck multiple cars before two people eventually fled the vehicle.
Officers took the female driver into custody but were unable to catch the male suspect, who remains at large.
The second female suspect, Harris, attempted to flee the Walmart parking
Another victim reported nothing missing from their vehicle.
Officers did not identify a suspect. They estimate around $2,000 in damages and stolen belongings.
Officers seeking driver in hit-and-run incident
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police are looking for the driver of a black Audi Q7 after the vehicle struck another car June 11 on I-285 at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.
A 36-year-old Norcross woman said she was driving her white Mazda CX-30 when the Audi attempted to enter her lane.
She said the vehicle hit her Mazda on the driver’s side wheel well and did not pull over. She said she honked to get the driver’s attention.
Officers said the victim recorded video, capturing the Audi’s license plate and a brief visual of the driver. Through a license plate check, officers identified a 40-year-old Athens woman as the Audi’s owner. Officers said the owner had a suspended license for failure to appear.
When contacted by police, the owner said her car should be at her Athens residence because she was in Indianapo-
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lot in a stolen Toyota.
The officer fired his weapon while Harris struck him with the vehicle.
Harris was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The officer, who sustained injuries, has been treated and released.
Milton Communications Director Greg Botelho said the GBI is handling all aspects of the independent investigation.
A statement from the GBI says once the investigation is complete, it will be given to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for review.
lis working as a travel nurse. She said one of her children may have used the vehicle.
Officers said they would remain in contact with the owner.
Woman reports theft of jewelry, $300 in cash
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police are investigating a non-forced burglary at an apartment on Hemingway Lane June 6 after a woman reported stolen jewelry and cash.
Officers said the victim, a 38-year-old female, said she last saw the items June 3 and didn’t notice them missing until that day. She said she suspects someone took her key, which she accidentally left in the lock when she returned from vacation May 30.
The officer said there were no signs of forced entry or damage to the residence.
The victim’s stolen jewelry includes six rings, five chains, six bracelets and eight watches, valued around $15,000. The stolen cash totals $300.
The victim said most items are 18 karat gold.
Officers said there are no security cameras near the woman’s apartment.
Officers did not identify a suspect.
Extension stretch opens on Ronald Reagan Blvd.
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. —The Ronald Reagan Boulevard Extension is now open, providing motorists a parallel artery along Ga. 400 from the south end of Forsyth County to Bald Ridge Marina Road.
Fully funded by the county’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), the project added approximately 3.6 miles on the south end of Ronald Reagan Boulevard between Majors Road and McFarland Parkway. In the latest On the Move episode on the county’s website, Capital Projects Director John Jefferson discusses the features of the new extension.
The extension includes a four-lane road with a grass median, shoulders, curb, gutter, a 5-foot sidewalk on one side and, on the other, a 10-foot multiuse path that will eventually connect to the Big Creek Greenway south of Shiloh Road.
With the extension opening, the road formerly named Bluegrass Valley Parkway (located on the south end of the extension) will be renamed Ronald Reagan Boulevard.
“The Ronald Reagan Boulevard extension is a great example of SPLOST pennies hard at work providing another important investment in our county’s in-
frastructure that enhances the quality of life for Forsyth County citizens now and for years to come,” District 5 Commissioner Laura Semanson said. “Thanks to our voters continuing the penny sales tax, we can enhance our transportation infrastructure with projects such as this one.”
Motorists are advised to slow down and travel with care on the new roadway as the final elements of the project are completed in the coming weeks. All four lanes of the roadway are open between McFarland Parkway and Wildbrooke Parkway. Temporarily, two of the four lanes are open between Wildbrooke Parkway and Majors Road as work continues to replace the current four-way stop at Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Ivy Summit Court/ Summit Overlook into a signalized intersection.
Signal detection loops will soon be added at three other intersections on Ronald Reagan Boulevard where signals are currently operating on timers: at McFarland Parkway; at Technology Drive; and at Majors Road.
To learn more about other projects funded by SPLOST and the upcoming SPLOST IX referendum, visit www.forsythco.com/SPLOST.
Cumming Independence Day parade expected to adorn streets for 2 hours
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade, the City of Cumming’s annual Fourth of July tradition, will kick off the day’s celebrations with thousands of people lining the streets.
The parade at 10 a.m. will travel south on Tribble Gap Road, starting at Forsyth Central High School and ending at the Cumming Fairgrounds
on Castleberry Road after around two hours.
That evening, the fairgrounds will host a celebration with live music, alcohol, food, a kids zone and vendors from 4 to 10 p.m. The firework show is scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
Admission and parking are free, though parking is not allowed inside the fairgrounds.
Alpharetta American Legion presents student scholarships
ALPHARETTA , Ga. — Four area high school graduates received $1,500 scholarships from Alpharetta American Legion Post 201.
Scholarships were awarded based on a student’s academic performance and a themed essay on “Patriotism and Citizenship – What America means to me.”
This year’s winners also received a certificate recognizing their accomplishments.
The recipients are:
• Alexa Boada, Denmark High School, who will be majoring in business management and marketing at Georgia State University.
• Her brother Sergei Boada, Denmark High School, who is preparing for a career in veterinary medicine at Berry College.
• Madison Elizabeth Ashe, Alpharetta High School, who will be majoring in psychology pre-med track at the University of North Carolina.
• John Cody Watkins, Cambridge High School, who will be majoring in industrial engineering at Mississippi State University.
The Alpharetta American Legion Post 201 was formed over 75 years ago to honor the contributions of our Nation’s veterans, their families and the local community.
— Hannah Frazier
Georgia Press Association recognizes Appen Media
JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. — The Georgia Press Association honored winners of the 2024 Freedom of Information Award and Better Newspaper Contest June 7 for outstanding achievements in journalism.
The association also recognized winners of the Better Newspaper Advertising Contest during its 137th annual convention at Jekyll Island Club.
Competing in Division F, Appen Media received first place in the General Excellence category, coming out ahead of Big Canoe’s Smoke Signals and the Augusta Press.
Appen Media unseated Smoke Signals, which had won the award each of the last nine years.
In total, Appen Media brought home 10 awards for advertising and 17 honors in the Better Newspaper Contest.
Entries are judged in six divisions based on circulation:
• Division A: daily circulation of more than 8,000
• Division B: daily circulation of less than 8,000
• Division C: weekly circulation of 3,800
to 15,000
• Division D: weekly circulation of 2,000 to 3,799
• Division E: weekly circulation of less than 2,000
• Division F: weekly circulation of more than 15,000 and all associate media members of GPA .
Members of the Texas Press Association judge both contests in February and March.
For the 2,293 entries to the editorial contest, the GPA presented 509 awards in 42 categories to 78 newspapers.
For the 449 entries in the advertising contest, the GPA presented 120 awards in 17 categories to 30 newspapers.
Appen Media won first place in Special Issues/Sections for the October 12 Sandy Springs Crier, an edition dedicated to walking readers through the ongoing public records conflict between the newsroom and the City of Sandy Springs.
Appen also took home the top prize for Best Investigative Reporting. The award honored the newsroom for its enterprise and data-supported work, including coverage from Amber Perry, Delaney Tarr and Carl Appen on Milton
elections and Open Records practices in the City of Roswell.
“Staff uncovered irregularities, including omitted provisions, in a feasibility report on a change to cityrun elections,” a judge said as part of their remarks. “Open records requests produced the complete version versus the changed one, which the paper published so voters could see what was left out of the public presentation.”
Rounding out the group awards, newsroom staff also secured second and third place in the Page One category.
Appen Media’s pagination team, led by Dionna Williams and Jacob Tomberlin, took home second and third place for layout and design.
Appen Media’s Perry took top honors in the Feature Photograph category, as well as second place in Business Writing and third place in Education Writing.
Former Appen Media reporter Shelby Israel won first place in Education Writing for her work covering elementary redistricting in Forsyth County.
Carl Appen, director of content and development, edged out Pat Fox, managing editor, to win first place in
the Serious Column category.
A judge commended Appen for clever yet serious public service writing and said Fox stood out in the crowded category with strong, clear writing.
Appen Media’s Hayden Sumlin won second place in the Breaking News Writing category.
Appen Media’s advertising team, led by senior designer David Brown, swept the Food category of the Better Newspaper Advertising Contest.
The team also won awards in the Real Estate, Home Furnishings, Newspaper Promotion and Service categories.
The True Citizen of Waynesboro won the 2024 Freedom of Information Award for its work getting the City of Keysville to provide information to the public regarding construction and funding of a water well.
The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication judges the annual award.
“Public institutions must know that if they keep secrets, the local newspaper will battle them, in court,” a judge said. “And that they won’t back down.”
From left, Legion Post Commander Bob Byrd stands with Denmark High School graduates Alexa Boada and brother Sergei Boada at a scholarship award ceremony. At right is Immediate Past Post Commander Tom Billings
PHOTOS PROVIDED
Cambridge High School graduate John Coady Watkins and Alpharetta High School graduate Madison Elizabeth Ashe receive their scholarship certificates from Immediate Past Post Commander Tom Billings
Appen Media Wins 2024 Georgia Press Association General Excellence
Home Furnishings Ad – David Brown Bringing Journalistic Excellence to North Atlanta
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1st Place
Special Issues/Special Sections – Staff
Investigative Reporting – Staff
Feature Photograph – Amber Perry
Serious Column – Carl Appen
Education Writing – Shelby Israel
2nd Place
Business Writing – Amber Perry Page 1 – Staff
Breaking News Writing – Hayden Sumlin
Serious Column – Pat Fox
Local News Coverage – Staff
Lifestyle Coverage – Staff
Layout & Design – Staff
3rd Place
Page 1 – Staff
Education Writing – Amber Perry
Lifestyle Coverage – Staff
Layout & Design – Staff
ADVERTISING
1st Place
Real Estate Ad – David Brown
Food Ad – David Brown
Home Furnishings Ad – David Brown
Newspaper Promotion – David Brown
2nd Place
Newspaper Promotion – David Brown
Food Ad – David Brown
Service/Institutional – David Brown
3rd Place
Food Ad – David Brown
Service/Institutional Ad – David Brown
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Author engagements promise sizzling talks through early summer
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By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com
Whether your preferred reading spot is on a beach or the closest couch, these nearby book events in July will make passing the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer a breeze.
Tuesday, July 2, Lo Patrick, celebrates her new release, “The Night the River Wept.” 7 p.m. Free. Johns Creek Books, 6000 Medlock Bridge Road. 770-696-9999. johnscreekbooks.com
Tuesday, July 9, Bookfair for Grownups., Read It Again Bookstore will partner with Stillfire Brewing for a book fair. 4 p.m. Free. 343 US-23, Suwanee. 770-927-8989. Stillfirebrewing.com
Saturday, July 13, Cicely Lewis., The award-winning local media specialist and author will promote her six-book “Hair Magic” series. 10 a.m. Free. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-232-9331. read-itagain.com
Saturday, July 13, Jenn Lyons, with the first book in her newest romantasy series, “The Sky on Fire.” Noon. Free. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-232-9331. read-itagain.com
Saturday, July 20, Allie Millington, discusses her bestselling novel,
Tour:
Continued from Page 1
The floor was turned over to visitors who advised staff to explore the impact of the Georgia Department of Transportation’s project along Ga. 9 amid a fraud investigation. Appen Media
Lo Patrick will discuss her new release, “The Night the River Wept,” in Johns Creek July 2
“Olivetti.” Noon. Free. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-232-9331. read-it-again.com
Saturday, July 20, Jenny Studenroth, signing and speaking about “Let Me Let You.” 3 p.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-7975566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
Tuesday, July 23, Sarah Metts, author of “Between Brothers.” 5 p.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
Thursday, July 25, Crabapple Summer Stroll, featuring Nandita Godbole with spices, cookbooks and handmade pottery. 5 p.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@ gmail.com by the 15th.
reported the probe involves a now-former Georgia Department of Transportation official associated with the Ga. 9 widening project.
The last stop on the Listening Tour is in Sandy Springs at Pontoon Brewing Company on July 18 at 4 p.m. The event is free to attend and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at www. appenmedia.com/join.
Name of Business: Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming
Owner: Peter Molloy, Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming Dunwoody franchise owner
Description: Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming is a neighborhood pet store, offering full-service grooming and a wide selection of nutritious pet treats and food.
It also offers stylish essentials, fashionable accessories, a variety of toys, and a wide range of dog spa products.
Opened: February 2024
Address: 4511 Olde Perimeter Way Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30346
Phone: 678-894-9850
Web Address: https://woofgangbakery. com/pages/locations/dunwoody
Just opened?
Name of Business: The Slime Factory
Owners: Ryan Scott, Priscila Diep
Business description:
The Slime Factory is a 5,000-square-foot. colorful and fun laboratory where you learn how to make different types of slimes and decorate them with a wide variety of toppings and scents. You get a sensory experience at their gooey slime pool, take awesome pictures in their Slime Wall and Photo Booth and go home with your slime creations and an official Slime Factory certificate proving your expertise as a “Master Slime Maker!”
Opened: April 2024
Address: 1000 North Point Drive, Alpharetta, Ga. 30022
Phone: 786-757-7090
Web: Theslimefactory.com
Appen Media publishes New Business Spotlights to highlight local businesses as they get started. Submit yours for free at appenmedia.com/newbusiness
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Wilson
//Wilson-legal.com/events 407 East Maple St., #105 • Cumming, GA 30040 • (770) 205-7861
The trouble with Certificates of Deposit
Bank interest rates have been very high these past several months. Lots of people have flocked to banks to invest our cash in the Certificates of Deposit (CDs) with the highest interest rates. They open the account, hand over the cash or write the check and leave feeling like they have accomplished something really wonderful for themselves and their loved ones. And they have… unless something unexpected happens. What if you die before the CD matures? Did you remember to assign a beneficiary?
Wilson Legal is in the business of taking care of people and that means that, when a client plans with us, we want their plan to work! If someone creates a will, we want individual beneficiaries to be named on all of their accounts so that their accounts can avoid the expensive and time-consuming probate process. When someone creates a trust, we encourage them to name their
trust as beneficiary of each account because we want them to experience the benefit of having a trust which allows someone to avoid probate completely.
Here’s the problem with CDs. Bankers haven’t been asking customers like you if you want to add a beneficiary to your new CD account. Without a beneficiary, your loved ones will be required to go through the probate process before funds in that CD can benefit anyone. A relationship with an estate planning firm is not a once-and-done kind of thing. It’s ongoing. You buy the plan, then come in every few years for a tune-up.
Avoid probate. If it’s been 2+ years since your plan and financial accounts have been reviewed, check in with your estate planning attorney right away. Our funding accountability concierge would love to meet you at the bank to help you add a beneficiary to that brand-new CD.
Benzoyl Peroxide danger – fact or fiction?
Benzoyl peroxide or “BPO” is a dermatologist’s old standby. It is a triedand-true effective ingredient to treat acne including pimples and clogged pores and is found in both over the counter acne washes as well as prescription acne products. Given its extensive use and presence in so many over-the-counter products, it came as a shock to the world and the medical community when a company named Valisure recently argued that BPO too easily breaks down into benzene, a cancer-causing chemical known to cause leukemia and other types of cancer. Valisure advocated for the recall of over-the-counter acne products containing BPO.
Is Valisure right? What is the truth? The answer is complicated and interesting.
BPO’s potential to cause cancer was suggested in the 1980s when animal studies suggested that it might make skin tumors grow. BPO is a very reactive molecule and works at least in part by reacting with proteins of skin bacteria and killing the bacteria that cause acne. BPO has long been known to be destructive. The question is whether it is only destructive to bacteria or also to humans.
In 1991 new concerning animal data caused the FDA to formally declare that additional studies were necessary on BPO safety, but the data was weak, and sales of BPO products continued to be permitted. During the ensuing years, a concerted effort was made through multiple studies to verify BPO’s safety. In 2010, the FDA reviewed available data and voted to label BPO as GRASE (Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective). Recent data had been reassuring.
Fast forward to the present day and we have a curveball. A company named Valisure studied the potential of BPO to form benzene at elevated temperatures. Valisure tested benzene levels after exposing BPO products to 98.6, 122, and 158-degrees Fahrenheit for two weeks or more. As the temperature went up, so did the level of benzene. These are temperatures that BPO may be exposed to in real life situations such as being left in a hot car or during shipment from manufacturing sites.
Valisure appears to have proven that BPO has the potential to form benzene, particularly if exposed to high temperatures. How often this happens and how frequently this has caused
cancer remains unknown. Even if someone could guarantee that their BPO had never been exposed to heat, BPO left on someone’s shelf for long periods might eventually form significant levels of benzene over time.
Is Valisure a white knight rescuing the public from a serious threat?
One concerning conflict of interest is that Valisure’s president, David Light, filed a patent in 2023 for a method to prevent BPO from breaking down into benzene.
Timelines matter. Did Valisure know of BPO’s potential risks but wait to disclose them and request a recall until after they had filed for a patent for the fix? Valisure’s homepage states that they are a company focused on “transparency,” but Valisure’s mention of its patent application was buried on page 26 of a 34 page “Citizen Petition.” Acknowledgment of this patent application as a conflict of interest was nowhere to be found in that Citizen Petition. Valisure states that their goal is to provide “independent certification” of product safety, but when they stand to profit from finding dangers, then they are not as independent as they should be.
No recall has been issued. At least one manufacturer, Clearasil™, has responded by claiming that its products are safe when stored correctly and stated “The findings presented by an independent lab reflect unrealistic scenarios rather than real-world conditions” according to an article in Chemistry World.
And of course, class action lawsuits have already arisen.
One can argue about whether Valisure’s citizen petition for a recall was premature or whether it is motivated by its patent and a desire to force companies to use Valisure’s BPO stabilizer in BPO products to Valisure’s financial gain. The only thing that is certain is that with the filing of a patent, Valisure ceased to be the independent company that we wish it were.
What are doctors and patients to do? At the least, throw away expired BPO. Throw away BPO that has been exposed to high temperatures. Talk with your doctor about alternatives to BPO. We are in the fortunate position of having many alternatives to BPO available while the true safety of BPO and potential for benzene formation gets sorted out. Two over the counter alternatives to consider are adapalene or salicylic acid. For more stubborn acne including acne that is causing scarring, see a specialist in dermatology. And stay tuned for future updates on BPO.
Insist
Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.
He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.
Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 18 years experience as a Dermatology PA. We are excited to welcome her, as she brings with her experience in general dermatology and cosmetic dermatology.
Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
Brought to you by – Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta
New home, new Medicare plan
Brought to you by – Jay Looft, Senior Source Medicare
If you are moving across the street, chances are you won’t need to change your Medicare plan; however, if you are moving to a different county, across town, or to another state you’ll need to get in touch with your Medicare insurance agent to make a change.
When you move outside of your Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan’s service area, you’ll have new plan options and possibly different insurance carriers offered in your new county of residence. It is important to update your Medicare insurance plan to receive full plan benefits, have access to doctors and to avoid being disenrolled from your plan.
Even if it’s not within the Annual Enrollment Period, Medicare will grant you a Special Enrollment Period to make a change when moving outside of the plan’s service area. The Special Enrollment Period begins the month you notify the insurance company of your move and remains available for two months.
Are you moving into this area to be closer to your children and
grandchildren, or maybe you’re moving to the North Georgia mountains or the Florida coast for retirement?
Whether it’s Atlanta, North Georgia, or another state we can help! SeniorSource Medicare Solutions is currently licensed in more than a dozen states and can help with your Medicare plan transition, whether you are new to Georgia or relocating to another state.
If you have questions about moving and how it may affect your Medicare insurance coverage, give us a call today! Call us at (770) 315-8145 or visit our website at www.SeniorSourceMedicare. com.
Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs
6 perks of becoming empty nesters
Brought to you by – Summit Counseling Center
1. Date nights. No more kidfriendly environment needed. You and your spouse can go to any restaurant, venue, concert or event and not have to worry about whether it’s appropriate for the kids, will they like the food, or will they have fun. Take the time to catch up with your spouse and hear about their day.
2. Travel. You no longer have to plan your vacations around summer, spring break, and winter holidays. Now you and your spouse can take the vacation you have been waiting for without working around the kid’s school schedule. Travel abroad, go see an old friend.
3. Volunteer. No reason to not give back. “Now, what am I going to do with all my spare time?” Giving back is rewarding for both you, your spouse, and the community you are helping.
4. Reconnect with spouse. No more excuses. Take this time to focus on your spouse and rekindle your relationship. Start flirting again, making time for one another
and planning things together. Go on a spontaneous walk through your neighborhood. Go out to dinner or see a movie. Relearn how to interact together.
5. Establish new hobbies. No more having to drive the kids around, attend sport events, and revolve your schedule around theirs. It is all about you and your spouse again. Take this time to focus on yourself and what you enjoy. Take a cooking class or a yoga class together. Establish what things you both like to do together and on your own.
6. Regain independence. No more excuses about not having time for yourself or your spouse. Start taking care of yourself, doing things for yourself and focusing on what you want in life. There is no excuse to not do what you want to do.
If you and/or your spouse need someone to talk to during this transition, The Summit Counseling Center has couples’ therapists at all locations. To schedule an appointment or for more information call 678-893-5300 or visit us at www. summitcounseling.org.
Paige Gorman Agent
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Notes on progress in the age of getting nothing done
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
When my phone died and I restored my data to my new phone, a lot of the data did not restore. I am not sure why. It’s gone, never to be found again. And I am semi-OK with that. I won’t miss much of the data – never revisited 99 percent of it anyway, but there were a few files that I do wish were still within my reach, especially my “column ideas” file which had perhaps several hundred ideas, thoughts, quotes and sometimes even images that I had squirreled away over the years for a rainy day.
A lot of those ideas also used to be posted on my Facebook page, especially the quotes. So, for a very long time, that was my backup reservoir. Same deal later when I opened an Instagram account. However, I deliberately deleted my Facebook account a couple years ago because I didn’t seem to have the discipline to not allow Facebook to chew up way too many hours of my time. And when my phone died, I deliberately did not restore the Instagram account, although it is still there in cyber space; I just don’t go
there anymore, again, for the same reason – time.
Yes, I regret losing contact with many old friends who I had reconnected with through social media. I miss being able to at least occasionally see updates about their lives. I still miss that, but my reward has been more time, surely one of life’s most precious and limited commodities. And, yes, I consciously periodically ask myself if I am making “good use” of that extra time.
I am envious of those people who seem to be able to crank out articles, columns, blog-material as easy as breathing. Jon Katz comes to mind with his Bedlam Farm blog. Google it! He seems to post non-stop, every day, sometimes three or four and more blog posts that are usually engaging, fun, and generally, worth my time.
Jon reads a lot, which I think helps him write a lot. I suspect that he may read almost a book a day on his farm in upstate New York. I guess we all should have that luxury of time to be able to do that but, it’s not like that is all Jon does. He does a lot. He has a small but active farm that he tends. He is a talented photographer and is out shooting images almost daily, a fact that becomes obvious when one sees all those flower, dog and farm animal photos in his blog posts.
He often writes about helping his
neighbors on their farms – his Amish neighbors. He writes a lot about the Amish. I think he deeply respects their values; I must say that I tend to admire them as well. I bet Jon does not have social media accounts; surely not. He just gets too much stuff done to be spending time there.
I don’t know how our world is going to evolve, where we collectively are going to end up. I don’t like the trends – the long-term trends I think I see. We have less connectivity. We are less engaged. We help each other less. We take more and give less. We have more; we share less. Self-interest seems to have displaced collective/ universal needs and welfare.
“I got mine; you get yours.” This seems to be the marching orders now, a mandate that is toxic and ultimately fatal. Prosperity, peace, and health most likely will be the victims of these trends – trends that are a clear and present danger – if we just open our eyes and ears to the world around us.
In a recent interview Richard Powers, who wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning book “The Overstory,” describes our current situation far more succinctly than I ever could. He said the following: “We are now engaged in a massive, communal, consensual sleepwalk, a trance that we can’t even see, under the spell of individualist humanism and commodity culture that we call
inevitable progress. The fact that the blessings of contemporary life have been won at the expense of a disastrous depletion of natural capital remains almost invisible to most of us. “
What are we thinking? Or is that the point - that we are not thinking at all?
Of note, for those of you who enjoy reading about history, especially as it is a window to the future, you will probably enjoy the book, “The Accidental Super Power – 10 Years On,” by Peter Zeihan. It is well worth a read and if only 10 percent of what he projects comes true, we are in for a very bumpy next 3-20 years-ish. But the good news is that the USA, according to Zeihan, will fare far better than the rest of the world.
Appen Media, with our six local newspapers and online products, works every day 365 to protect your rights and keep you safe. If you want us to be able to continue to do this and to continue to be able to report your local news for you, then support us please. Your support is critical. Join The Appen Press Club today. Just go to AppenMedia.com and in the top upper right side of our home page click on the red oval that says “Join the Club.” Take the time. It’s important, really important.
Lake Lanier belches, and “Slats’ places blame
“Well, I hope you are satisfied! You couldn’t leave well enough alone until you brought some of nasty California back here among us good folks.”
Normally, that would be a headscratching start of a phone call. But in this case, Willford “Slats” McElroy was an 11 on a 10-point Richter/anger scale.
Any time I speak with Slats, confusion reigns supreme. As often happens I had no idea what he was yammering on about, deducing he was either full of corn liquor or had gotten ahold of some high nitro gummies.
I was about to tell him to sleep it off when he headed me off at the past, saying: “And before you fall off your high horse, I ain’t drunk neither.”
This could be interesting, so against my better judgement, curiosity prompted me to find out what had Slats so stirred up.
“You brought them earthquakes with you from California. And worse yet, one wasn’t enough, you had to bring two.
I thanked Slats for giving me credit for natural disasters, but I assured him I was as startled as he was by the recent temblors.
Speaking about his wife Beulah Jean, whose love for his spouse is as immense as her ample backside, Slats was relieved, offering: “When that big boom happened late that night, I figured Beulah had fallen off the porch again. Then Old Man Finster started running through the trailer park yelling “It’s ‘pandalerium’ and the end of the world.”
To make matters worse, the second earthquake on a Sunday night, unnerved Slats, as well as a lot of other
folks.
As a native of California, I can still recall 1971 when a big quake hit the Los Angeles area, some two hours south of Bakersfield. I was contemplating how I could get out of going to class, figuring as a high school sophomore that I didn’t really want to wake up and besides, I might have “forgotten” to do my biology homework.
So, I smacked the “snooze” alarm on my clock radio and went back to dreaming how I could further customize my Volkswagen Super Beetle.
My dreams were interrupted by me finding myself on the bedroom floor, the house shaking a bit. Later that day, we found that the quake had wreaked havoc on the San Fernando Valley. We felt lucky to have dodged that bullet as we watched TV reports of the devastation that befell those Californians.
That’s the thing about earthquakes: One moment calm, the next
you might have a house doing the Watusi.
The two recent quakes struck somewhere in the depths of Lake Lanier. Scary. Yes. But as far as I’ve heard, no damage, but for lots of social media fodder and angst about the integrity of Buford Dam. Here’s hoping there’s nothing to worry about there.
I shared my earthquake experiences with Slats and that seemed to calm him. After all there’s nothing we two could do if another earthquake hits. Worse yet, it’s a safe bet there will be no warning. Instead, we can all hope that the effect is slightly less than when Beulah takes another tumble off the front stoop.
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.
MIKE TASOS Columnist
OPINION
Remarkable stories of the Ann Jackson Gallery, Part 2
BOB MEYERS Columnist
“The Ann Jackson Gallery was a mainstay of downtown Roswell for more than 50 years. In a previous column I discussed the early history of the famous art gallery by highlighing the life story of Ann Marie Moir Jackson (1932-2012), the exploits of her husband Basil (1923-2013) as a World War ll bomber pilot and the transfer of ownership of the gallery to their daughter Valerie in 1986.
This week’s column will complete the story.
The Farm, a sad tale
In 1971 Ann and Basil purchased a 12-acre parcel on Freemanville Road that contained a small milking barn that Ann used to house several horses while she built a larger barn. The couple built a beautiful house on the top of a hill that resembled a southern plantation. They affectionally called the property The Farm and kept it for about 15 years before selling it to pursue their dream of buying a boat where they would live for fi ve years before returning to Georgia.
The buyer gave Ann and Basil enough money to buy their 42-foot sailboat but never paid the rest of the agreed price for the property despite legal action by the Jacksons. The sad result was that the couple never got their money and had to live on their boat for 12 years, their dream of paradise crushed.
Life in the Caribbean was not always idyllic. The couple was lost at sea twice.
Life had its good aspects as well. When the boat docked in Caribbean ports, Ann painted local scenes and sold her paintings in galleries in Nassau, Marsh Harbor, a town in the Bahamas and in other ports. The purchaser eventually abandoned the Freemanville Road property, and the beautiful house deteriorated until a new owner restored it.
Today the property is owned by the City of Milton which has plans to convert it into a nature preserve. The house has been torn down. The city recognizes the historic nature of the small barn and intends to preserve it. According to Milton Communications Director Greg Botelho, residents in the coming months will have input into plans for the preserve as part of the Greenprint intitive to develop a vision for Milton’s greenspaces.
The Jackson story has a happy ending after all. In 1998 Ann and Basil bought a house on Tybee Island where they lived for the rest of their lives. Ann painted almost every day, and Basil retired from his job as an engineer at Lockheed
Once when asked by an Atlanta Constitution reporter when she started to paint, Ann replied “My fi rst recollection of art is I would always ask Santa Claus for paint.”
Dr. Seuss postscript
Valerie Jackson has assembled a large collections of reproductions of Dr Seuss drawings and paintings for the gallery. After the death of the author/cartoonist (1904–1991), his wife Audrey Stone Dimond (1921–2018) chose a company to promote his work. Valerie had worked with
FAMILY PROVIDED
Ann Jackson Gallery owner Valerie Jackson stands in front of a painting done by her mother Ann Jackson in 1995 while she was in France. Valerie, the oldest of their eight children, eventually took over the gallery from her mother. Today she operates the gallery at her home on Bowen Road in Roswell. Call her at 770 6865613 to make an appointment to visit the gallery.
the promotion company in the past, and the company provided her with some reproductions of Dr Seuss art encompassing 70 years of his work. The collection has grown from 10 pieces to approximately 150 today. Valerie treasures her collection and sells some occasionally out of her home which now houses the Jackson gallery. Clients can contact Valerie at 770 993-4783. Be sure to call for an appointment to see her beautiful collection.
Dr. Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, is best known for his more than 40 children’s books, but he was much more than Cat in the Hat, the Lorax or the Grinch. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1925 from Dartmouth College and published his fi rst book, “And to Think That I saw it on Mulberry Steet” in 1937. He used his mother’s middle name Seuss as his pen name. Some of his books sold more than 200 million copies. Many have been adapted for television and fi lms.
During the early days of World War ll Geisel joined the New York magazine PM as a political
ATLANTA CONSTITUTION/PROVIDED
The Ann Jackson Gallery was largely responsible for the growth of the Roswell Art District. In 2006 they hosted an exhibit titled “The Secret Art of Dr Seuss” consisting of reproductions of sculptures and serigraphs (silk-screens) on canvas, most of which were never published in his children’s books.
cartoonist. He drew more than 400 political cartoons for the publication between 1940 and 1942. In 1943 he joined the Army and was deployed to Fox Studios in Hollywood where he worked with top fi lmmakers, screenwriters and journalists as part of Frank Capra’s Signal Corps unit. He produced hundreds of political cartoons and cartoon shorts, such as a series featuring Private Snafu about the misadventures of an inept soldier. Geisel told his wife that after his death she would have to guard his legacy by taking charge of all the creatures he had created. That became her mission in life. In 1993 she founded Dr. Seuss Enterprises and became active in many charities. She gave $20 million and thousands of her husband’s drawings and manuscripts to the University of California, San Diego, for example.”
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.
REED SAXON, ASSOCIATED PRESS/PROVIDED Dr Seuss received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in 2004. Here his widow Audrey Geisel is shown with the Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 at the dedication of the Dr Seuss star.
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Midway Preschool is hiring lead and assistant teachers for the 2024-2025 school year. Please call Beth @ 770-752-0440 or email beth@midwayumc.org
Forsyth:
Continued from Page 1
While the concept plan for building footprints was not available on the county’s website, bSide Partners representative Jason Mendel displayed a conceptual plan featuring large houses, all but one including a private pool. Mendel said the homes will be built using a variety of materials to make each one unique and avoid a “cookie-cutter” subdivision feeling.
In other matters at the June 20 meeting, commissioners voted to
delay a budget item that would grant an additional $609,000 to the Forsyth County Public Library system for the remainder of the year. The lion’s share of the proposed funding — about $527,000 — would go to Denmark Library, which is currently planned to open in early November. The other $82,000 would cover health benefit premiums for library employees.
Commission Chairman Alfred John requested the funding item be removed from the consent agenda because he had “some questions about the budget amount” for county staff, though when asked by other commissioners, he would not elaborate. He
noted, however, that the postponement should not delay the library’s opening.
When the request was discussed at the board’s June 11 work session, County Library Director Anna Lyle said the increased funding was so the new library location could hire and train staff before its opening. She said that the request’s hefty price tag was only indicative of the start-up costs, and that the new branch is only expected to require $1.16 million in funding for a full year of operation. The library funding is now slated to be discussed once again at the board’s July 9 work session.
Best Of North Atlanta 2024
