Forsyth Herald - August 3, 2023

Regional bureau eyes road funding in Forsyth County

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Atlanta Regional Commission is eyeing Forsyth County, one of the state’s most populous and fastest-growing counties, for transportation investments in the coming decades.

Atlanta Regional Commission CEO and Executive Director Anna Roach updated county commissioners at a work session July 25 on the ARC metropolitan transportation plan, a blueprint for transportation investments in Metro Atlanta through 2050.

Forsyth County is the 11th and the newest member county of the ARC, a collaborative planning effort representing most Metro Atlanta governments.

“Principally, we work to address the biggest traffic bottlenecks across our region,” Roach said. “Anybody that commutes to Metro Atlanta or to central Atlanta from Forsyth [County] feels that pain."

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Ground breaking

Forsyth County leaders and library system officials break ground for construction of Denmark Library July 27 at a site on Fowler Road near Denmark High School. Leaders said construction will be finished in late 2024 or early 2025.

County begins construction on long-anticipated Denmark Library

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Library staff and local and state officials gathered on a humid morning July 27 to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Denmark Library, a $15 million facility in southwest Forsyth County.

Most of the bill, $9.7 million, is covered by SPLOST VIII revenue. Some $4.4 million is funded through state grants and county impact fees. In June, the Forsyth

County Commission granted the library $280,000 to cover construction costs.

The 9.5-acre site, the second library in County Commissioner Todd Levent’s District 3 and the first in the southwestern corner of the county, was purchased in 2018. The 22,504-square-foot facility will feature 75,000 books and materials; a quiet room for studying and reading; and personal study rooms tailored for remote working.

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“There really is no greater gift that you can give to the children and families of your communities.”

JULIE WALKER

Georgia Public Library Service State Librarian

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Gainesville man cited for stalking on Facebook

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a 43-yearold Gainesville man July 17 on aggravated stalking charges after he allegedly commented “lol” on his exgirlfriend’s Facebook post.

The woman reported June 17 her ex-boyfriend had commented “lol” under her Facebook post using a fake account.

Deputies reported the suspect had been served with a temporary protective order that required him to have no contact with the woman. The Facebook account that left the comment had no profile picture or account information, the report states. The man was charged with felony aggravated stalking.

Cumming man charged in bear-shooting case

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a Cumming man July 19 who allegedly shot a bear in his front yard.

A woman told deputies around 8 p.m. she had heard three loud gunshots and saw a bear running down a hill and into the woods on Marsha Circle. She said the bear continued to run, but then there was another gunshot, and the bear fell, curled up and stopped moving.

A second neighbor said she was in her backyard and also saw the bear get shot, the report states. Deputies found the bear, which was not moving and was covered in flies.

Deputies and a representative from the Forsyth County district of the Department of Natural Resources met with a 50-year-old suspect, who said the bear was in his front yard when he was tending his chickens.

The suspect said he ran inside because he felt threatened, and the bear ran behind his house and toward the woods, the report states. He said he then got his rifle, returned outside and shot the bear.

Deputies reported observing the suspect was slurring his words, and his face was sluggish. The suspect said he “may have had a beer” while cutting the grass earlier.

He was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm while under the influence and reckless conduct.

Decatur driver charged for having no license

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a 29-yearold Decatur man July 15 for speeding, driving without a license and having no form of identification.

Deputies reported observing an orange Jeep speeding 60 mph in a 45mph zone on Buford Highway around 3 a.m. The Jeep then drove over the gore and sped past another vehicle while merging onto northbound Ga. 400, the report states.

Deputies clocked the Jeep speeding 20 mph over the speed limit on the highway. When deputies activated their blue lights to stop the vehicle, the driver turned on his flashing lights but continued driving 70 mph.

The Jeep left Ga. 400 at exit 17 and stopped abruptly in the middle of an intersection. Deputies reported approaching the vehicle and finding a female driver who was shaky and breathless and a man who was laying in the backseat.

The woman told deputies she had

switched seats with her boyfriend, who feared the police because of previous encounters, the report states. The man told deputies the woman was lying, and he had been sleeping in the backseat because he had just gotten off work.

Deputies reported the man provided a name that returned no results in the Georgia Crime Information Center. Deputies then fingerprinted the man, which showed his driver’s license had been suspended, and he had an active arrest warrant from Clayton County.

The man admitted to switching seats with his girlfriend because his license had been suspended, the report states.

He was charged with driving with a suspended license, speeding, failure to maintain lane, driving through the gore, failure to yield for emergency vehicles and not having identification on his person.

Deputies arrest suspect linked to vehicle burglary

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a Peachtree Corners man July 13 on theft and fraud charges in connection with a 2022 vehicle burglary.

A woman told deputies Sept. 17, 2022, her driver’s license, cash, debit card and her personal and business credit cards had been stolen from her wallet, which she had left in her unlocked vehicle during a Girl Scout event at Matt Community Park.

She reported one of her cards had been used for two $504 purchases at the Walmart on Marketplace Boulevard. Her business charge card was also used for a $1,500 purchase at the store.

The suspect, 45, was charged with two counts of felony transaction card theft, two counts of fraudulent use of transaction card and one count of identity fraud.

678-208-0774

3034 Old Atlanta Road

Cumming, GA 30041

info@montessoricumming.com www.montessoricumming.com

Felony suspect arrested with self-inflicted wound

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and SWAT Team served a felony aggravated assault warrant July 30 at a home on Kelly Drive.

Sheriff’s officials said the arrest and search warrant stemmed from a domestic dispute that morning in which a male suspect allegedly attempted to strangle a female victim. A county magistrate judge issued the warrant.

Deputies reported the suspect was a previously convicted felon who was thought to be illegally in possession of one or more firearms. The SWAT and negotiations teams were unsuccessful in attempts to convince the suspect to surrender.

After potentially hearing muffled

gunshots within the residence, deputies deployed a robot inside, followed by a K9 deputy and his partner. Officials said the suspect was found alive with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The County Fire Department, EMS and deputies treated the suspect, who was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Officials said no deputies discharged their weapons during the incident.

The Major Crimes Unit is investigating the aggravated assault charge and the warrant service. The Sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards is also launching an internal investigation because of the suspect’s self-inflicted injury.

— Shelby Israel

Longtime married couple dies in single-car crash

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office reported an elderly couple died July 27 from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle crash on Flowery Branch Road. The accident occurred just a quarter-mile from their home in Cumming.

Officials said the County 911 Center received reports of the crash around 1:30 p.m. The two occupants, Alice and Jimmy Jackson, both 91, were pronounced dead at the scene. Theyhad been married nearly 70 years.

Their son, Gregg Jackson, said his

parents were devoted to each other and neither could have survived without the other.

Preliminary investigation indicates the driver, Alice Jackson, was traveling west on Flowery Branch Road and drifted out of the lane near Shadow Lane. She then over-corrected, and the vehicle left the roadway, overturned and came to a stop on an embankment.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

— Shelby Israel

Deputies investigate drowning near Lake Lanier family dock

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 24-year-old man who drowned in Lake Lanier July 27.

Deputies reported responding to 3100 Dove Trail, which borders the southwest corner of the lake, around 5:30 p.m. The victim, Thomas Milner, had entered the water from his family’s dock and screamed for help.

Officials said a family friend had tried unsuccessfully to rescue Milner with a ladder. Neighbors also tried to help Milner in a boat. One passenger

reported he jumped into the water and felt “a burning sensation” he recognized as electric shock.

The neighbor swam ashore to turn off the power box, entered the water again and pulled Milner onto the dock. Officials said Milner’s uncle began CPR until county EMS arrived.

Milner was transported to a hospital but died the following day.

Further details are pending as the investigation remains ongoing.

— Shelby Israel

Arts group awards grants to area theater operations

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Arts Alliance has awarded more than $42,000 in grant funding this year to encourage artistic endeavors in the community.

The arts alliance presented awards between $1,500 and $5,000 to the Bellissimo Theatre Company, the East Forsyth Youth and Community Orchestra, the Forsyth County Arts and Learning Center, Forsyth Central Stage and the Forsyth County Public Library system.

Other recipients included the Sawnee Association of the Arts and Cumming Arts Center, the Sawnee Ballet Theatre, the Soorya Foundation for Performing Arts, South Forsyth Middle School, the Symphony Orchestra of North Georgia and West Forsyth High School.

The County Arts Alliance is an endowment administered by the North Georgia Community Foundation, a Gainesville-based charity group that promotes local organizations. The alliance was formed from the sale of the Sawnee Cultural Arts Center in 2005.

To date, the group has awarded more than $720,000 in grants to local art initiatives and scholarships.

“As the county grows, FCAA does its best to fund projects where we believe we’re making a significant impact on the arts, whether through organi -

zations with a year-round presence like the Cumming Arts Center or in individual school initiatives that might not happen if it weren’t for our sup -

port,” Arts Alliance Executive Director Ahna Phillips said.

Forsyth County Animal Shelter issues plea for more adoptions

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Animal Shelter has reached capacity, and operators are encouraging residents to adopt animals.

Shelter officials said the adoption rate has decreased 10 percent from last year, with only 312 adoptions since January. The shelter currently houses 180 cats and more than 50 dogs available for adoption.

The shelter is waiving all adoption fees through Sept. 7 for its annual “Summer of Love” event. All adoptions include microchipping, vaccinations, spaying and neutering.

The shelter provides adoptions 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays.

“When shelters reach capacity and adoptions slow, it is even more challenging to provide the quality care that each animal deserves,” Shelter Manager Cindy Iacopella said.

The shelter also offers a fostering program for kittens and adult dogs and cats. Foster families receive food, medication, kennels, toys and care instructions.

The shelter is off Ga. 400 at 4065 County Way. A list of adoptable animals is available at forsythco.com/ Departments-Offices/Animal-Shelter/ Adoptions.

— Shelby Israel

FORSYTH COUNTY ARTS ALLIANCE/PROVIDED Forsyth Central High School students perform “The Wizard of Oz” in February. The performance was partially funded through a 2022 Forsyth County Arts Alliance grant.

— Shelby Israel

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‘Schoolhouse Rock Live!’ sends audience back decades

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — At Milton Arts Council’s fifth annual Community Theatre production, President Bill Purdie stepped out of a giant Magnavox television and welcomed an audience of about two dozen to a show filled with nostalgia and fun.

The musical “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” sent the audience back to 1973, the same year the animated educational TV series began. Held at Mill Springs Academy from July 21 to July 23, the show featured around 20 songs, performed by five voice-trained actors under the direction of Glenda Gray.

The musical is about a teacher named Tom, wet behind the ears and nervous about his first day of school. One Saturday morning, he turns on the television, and figments of his imagination appear, who help him prepare for the big day through engaging songs about grammar, history, math and science.

“I usually enjoy a good morning hallucination …” said Tom, played by Marshall Cain.

In an interview with Appen Media, Gray voiced her excitement about the show and recalled watching “Schoolhouse Rock!” as a young girl.

“The nostalgia, for at least my generation, is huge,” Gray said. “We’re all like, ‘Oh, I remember that one!’ You know, just automatically jump back to your childhood, and sit in front of the Saturday morning cartoons.”

Gray also commented on the musical’s fun, interactive aspect. Tom and his hallucinations walked between the rows of audience members, sat beside them, talked to them. By the end of the show, balloons covered the floor.

The Community Theatre is one of many services the Milton Arts Council (MAC) offers. The nonprofit also has children’s programs, like summer camps and the Children’s Theatre, a creative writing contest and Milton’s Got Talent. It also takes performances to assisted living facilities and provides scholarships.

Last year, Purdie said MAC saw involvement from about 1,800 people.

“What I have learned is that the city, like others, has a great deal of talent, particularly in our youth,” Purdie said.

The nonprofit is a spin-off of the Milton Cultural Arts Committee, which was dissolved by the city in 2018 to provide more funding opportunities. Purdie said Milton is one of the only North Fulton cities that doesn’t fund the arts.

More Information

For its first Children’s Theatre production, the Milton Arts Council will present “We Are Monsters” Oct. 14-15. Kids, grades 3-8, can register and audition by Aug. 20. Rehearsals will be Tuesdays and Sundays, from Aug. 27 to Oct. 8.

“When the city charter was adopted in 2006, and the city was born, there was no provision made for [the arts],” Purdie said. “So, we're kind of on our own, which is a bit difficult.”

The nonprofit relies on donations and government grants from Fulton County and the state.

“We've proven to the City Council that we can do this, and that we're serving a lot of people,” Purdie said. “We've been creative.”

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

In the Milton Arts Council’s fifth annual Community Theatre production, actors perform in “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” July 23 at Mill Springs Academy. Standing from left are: Emily Estrada , Lauren Quesnel, Eddie Estrada and Marshall Cain Christie Lee Fisher sits on the stage.

Director Glenda Gray and Milton Arts Council President Bill Purdie stand on stage before the “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” performance July 23.

Drug enforcement seizures aid Alpharetta police funding

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Every year, the Alpharetta Public Safety Department receives funding from the city for operational costs. But, some of the department’s expenses are also covered through local drug enforcement.

These funds are generated through the Equitable Sharing Program, an asset forfeiture program run by the U.S. Department of Justice that allows assets or proceeds from federal crimes to be liquidated. Assets that are seized from illegal drug activity are managed by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Once these assets are liquidated, Alpharetta Police Lt. Andrew Splawn said the funds can be used for anything besides salaries, benefits and recurring expenses. This can include weapon accessories, accommodations and supplies — even Yeti cups.

In 2022, the department used $102,525 in confiscated asset funding for a range of expenses, including equipment and machinery; employee training and travel; and general supplies and materials.

For example, some $21,579 was used for firearms. Of the $15,425 used

for supplies, the department purchased $13,953 in Yeti cups for all Public Safety employees, with the remainder funding miscellaneous items such as magnets, weapon lights and phone chargers.

But, before an asset can be converted

into real dollars, it must undergo a process of oversight.

Splawn said two Alpharetta police detectives are assigned to DEA task forces. One is assigned to the high-density drug trafficking area, or HIDTA, task force, and the other is assigned to the financial investigation team, or FIT.

The HIDTA task force is responsible for drug enforcement, while the FIT task force investigates money laundering. FIT investigations are not always drug-related but oftentimes are, Splawn said.

“Throughout the course of their investigations, if there's any money or property that is either helping facilitate the illegal activity, or it's a proceed or benefit from the illegal activity, those funds are seized,” Splawn said.

The department also has a Special Investigations Unit, which focuses on narcotics, vice and human trafficking offenses. While this is not one of the DEA task forces, Splawn said assets seized by the unit are still counted in the department’s confiscated assets fund.

“There's no difference in how we spend the money, whether it comes federally or locally,” he said. “But once we have the money, it can be spent on things like training, equipment, initiatives. In fact, much of our second floor is

paid for with asset forfeiture money. We got a SWAT bus and some other highdollar items that are typically hard to budget for.”

Once an asset is seized, a judge determines if it had aided a crime or was the benefit of a crime. If the judge rules that it was not, the asset is returned to its owner. If it was, the Department of Justice uses a formula to determine how much an agency receives from the forfeiture.

“That's kind of the key thing that sometimes gets missed is that whenever assets are seized, assets or money is seized, whoever the property is taken from has a right to a hearing,” Splawn said.

Such assets can include land, homes and, most often, vehicles.

To liquidate the assets, the Alpharetta Police Department submits the funds to GovDeals, an online auctionbased marketplace for governments and educational agencies. After the assets are awarded to the department, the rest of the process is conducted through the state, Splawn said.

He said to provide a layer of oversight and prevent abuse, all expenses covered by asset forfeiture must be approved by the chief of public safety.

ALPHARETTA POLICE DEPARTMENT/PROVIDED

The Alpharetta Police Department displays four customized Yeti cups July 27 for Public Safety Department employees. The department said the cups, which were purchased in 2022 with confiscated asset funds, are part of a recruitment and retention initiative.

Sandy Springs wine shop shares craft with patrons

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Tucked away in a small plaza on Hilderbrand Drive in Sandy Springs, Beer and Wine Craft invites guests to step away from the traditional retail and tasting rooms and into the world of winemaking.

The shop, which also includes the Sandy Springs Boutique Winery and Tasting Room, first opened in 1969 as Wine Art. Following decades of relocation around the Atlanta perimeter, head winemaker Joe Keenan bought the business in October 2012. From there, he dedicated it to teaching customers the art of vinification.

Keenan sold the shop in June to his wife Shanie Mattox, a graphic designer who makes most of the labels for the store. Together, the couple sell signature wines by the bottle and offer tastings, events and beer and winemaking classes.

Although Keenan’s interest in wine was sparked by a winemaking kit Mattox had gifted him, he is well-versed in millennia of wine history, which he warmly shares with customers at the beginning of his classes.

To Keenan, winemaking is a craft he has enjoyed for 16 years, and through the shop, he shares that craft with the community.

“This is unique to Atlanta,” Keenan said. “This store here, there’s nothing like it.”

An artistic process

Beer and Wine Craft buys concentrated grape juice from a distributor. Customers can choose from more than 100 grape varieties, some grown in the Napa Valley in California; Tuscany, Italy; Bordeaux, France; the Barossa Valley in Australia; and the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

“We don’t bring in the grapes,” Keenan said. “I don’t ever want to bring in the grapes. Once you pick that grape, it is on its way downhill faster than you know. It’s got bad microbes in it that [causes it to spoil] real easy. It oxidizes real easy. Everything goes wrong with it.”

The juice is treated with sulfites, which are naturally occurring in grapes. It is then placed into a primary fermenter, where it stays for 15 days.

Keenan also ferments wine in his beloved Hungarian oak barrels, a process that lasts between two and three months.

While French, American and Hungarian oak barrels come from subspecies of the white oak tree, he said the Hungarian barrels leave a perfect finish because of the size of the cellulose cells.

“This is an art, not a science,” he said. “You have to taste it on a regular basis.”

After the wine rests for the allotted

time, it is fined and cleared, which involves stopping the fermentation process and adding sulfites and clearing agents. The wine is then transferred into a carboy, a large, clear jug.

The wine remains in the carboy for roughly two weeks before it is transferred to another carboy to remove unwanted sediment. The beverage is refined for two

See WINE, Page 9

PHOTOS BY SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Owner Shanie Mattox and head winemaker Joe Keenan operate Beer and Wine Craft at 203 Hilderbrand Drive in Sandy Springs. Keenan bought the business in 2012 before transferring ownership to Mattox, his wife, in June.

This is unique to Atlanta. This store here, there’s nothing like it.

JOE KEENAN, head winemaker, Beer and Wine Craft

Wine:

Continued from Page 8

more weeks until it is siphoned into a third carboy. Then, it is ready to be bottled.

From start to finish, the process takes between six and eight weeks. Keenan said every 6 gallons of wine yields 30 bottles.

In the back of the shop, customers can also buy supplies to make their own beer. Here, there are kits complete with instructions, hops, spices, yeast and malt extract to create a variety of ales.

However, because the shop does not have a license for beer tasting, it only offers classes and sells supplies.

Beer and Wine Craft will host winemaking classes from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 16, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2. Each class is $75 per person.

Beer making classes are set at the same time on Sept. 23, Nov. 11 and on an undetermined date in December. Beer classes are $55 per person.

Fruits of labor

After a decade of leading its wine production, Keenan has cemented Beer and Wine Craft as a Sandy Springs staple where customers can enjoy wines that cannot be found anywhere else.

“It’s just a really, really nice craft, and people enjoy it,” he said. “It takes less

NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Beer and Wine Craft, 203 Hilderbrand Drive in Sandy Springs, includes a tasting room where guests can sample a variety of house-made wines. The American Wine Society awarded the shop’s private reserve a silver medal in 2022.

than two hours to make 30 bottles of it. It takes about half an hour to start it, half an hour to fine and clear it and about 45 minutes to bottle it.”

In addition to offering guests the opportunity to make their own batch, the shop keeps red, white and dessert wines stocked by the bottle and for tasting. Its standout selection is its private reserve, a Chianti-style blend that won Keenan a silver medal at the American Wine Society’s Commercial Wine Competition in 2022.

Beer and Wine Craft is open every day, with hours varying from late morning or noon to early evening. More information on tastings and classes can be found at beerandwinecraft.com.

The Market Place at North Point

Owners: Lisa Williams and Gregory Patterson

Description: The Market Place at North Point is an 8,000-square-foot store in North Point Mall dedicated to providing opportunities to Georgia small business owners and entrepreneurs to sell their products, merchandise and services. Additionally, we offer fun and exciting events e.g., arts

Spotlights: Appen Media aims to help promote members of the business community. Publishing New Business Spotlights is a way to help pursue

and crafts, soap making, and small event opportunities. The Market Place at North Point is more than a store; we are a destination shop for all mall shoppers.

Opened: May 2023

Address: 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta, GA

Phone: 770-595-8086

Website: Instagram @The_Market_Place_ GA

that goal and inform readers about the new services opening nearby. Submit your opening for free at appenmedia.com/newbusiness

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Leader Tara Tucker

7 Timeless kitchen trends that will never look outdated

Brought to you by - Remodeling Expo Center

Between expensive appliances, custom cabinets, and costly countertops, we spend a lot of money on our kitchens. In fact, according to John Hogan, Owner of Remodeling Expo Center in Roswell GA, the median spend on a kitchen remodel was $32,000. To make sure that all of this money isn’t creating a kitchen we’ll want to update again in five years, the trick is to incorporate timeless design elements that won’t soon go out of style. By choosing kitchen features that can stand the test of time, you’ll save yourself money (and the work of remodeling) down the line.

So, what are the kitchen trends that won’t make you cringe a few years from now? Skip the trendy color of the year and follow these timeless kitchen ideas that have been loved for decades.

Neutral Paint Colors

The classic white kitchen is sometimes critiqued for being a little boring—but there’s one solid reason to opt for this color in the kitchen: It will never go out of style. According to Remodeling Expo Center, a whopping 43 percent of renovating homeowners opted for white cabinets. Not sure which shade of white to go for? Don’t worry, soft greys are also just as popular and combining the two work well also.

Shaker-Style Cabinets

Known for their simple design and recessed-panel doors, Shaker cabinets have been in-style for more than 100 years. Shaker cabinets are popular in farmhouse kitchens, transitional kitchens and are the perfect element to update an otherwise traditional house.

Drawer and Cabinet Organizers

I’m calling it: Organization will never go out of style. And while features like built-in baking sheet dividers and pull-out cabinet drawers haven’t been around for that long, when hidden behind unfussy, timeless cabinet fronts, these functional features will never be outdated.

Built in Appliances

Nothing finishes off the look of a kitchen like the smooth finished look of a built-in appliance. Especially the refrigerator and the microwave. And conversely,

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Natural Materials

Adding in natural materials like wood and stone will ground the space and keep it classic. If you want a timeless look, resist the urge to create an ultra-modern kitchen full of shiny stainless steel and engineered materials. Resist the feeling that “natural” equals “old”

White Marble “Look” or Butcher Block Countertops

The white marble look will always be an elegant choice for kitchen countertops, but if the maintenance and potential for staining has you worrying about its longevity, consider using quartz. For a more classic look consider butcher block. The go-to choice for farmhouse kitchens, butcher block will wear beautifully over the years and you can prepare food directly on it.

Subway Tile

Subway tile is not only versatile enough to work with many different decor styles, but you probably won’t get sick of it in five years (after all, the look’s been around for over 100 years). While it may be tempting to go with a trendy backsplash, like metallic tiles, sea glass, or bright geometric tiles, opt for something a little simpler if you want a backsplash with staying power.

To learn more, contact The Remodeling Expo Center at 404 910-3969 or stop in at 48 King Street, Roswell, GA 30075. www. RemodelingExpo.com

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To advertise your business in the next section, call 770-442-3278 or email: mike@appenmedia.com

Top tips for planning a kitchen remodel

change them. Your budget will thank you.

3. Enlist professional help.

Even with less-than-ideal function and a cringy design, it’s easy to put off a kitchen remodel because, well, the disruption. However, fear of change or logistics doesn’t need to hold you back from making room for a fresh look and layout. Here are a few pro tips to help you get ahead of the decision-making, so you can stop settling for the devil you know and get ready for a stunning dream kitchen that adds value to your lifestyle as well as your resale price.

1. Figure out your motivation for renovating.

Do you need to improve an inefficient design? Want to customize and personalize your space? Lower energy costs? Accommodate multigenerational living? Increase property value or repair damage? Identifying the ‘why’ gives the ‘how’ clarity and direction, making the rest of your decisions much more apparent.

2. Identify what you love about your existing kitchen…

…and don’t fix things that aren’t broken. If you can work with the existing plumbing locations, retain the current square footage or preserve windows and walls, there is no need to

Unless you’re a builder, save the DIY for projects that don’t involve building codes or plumbing and electrical. Even then, partnering with professionals not only alleviates a significant amount of stress throughout the remodel but also often protects you against potential issues after completion in the form of warranties or quality guarantees.

4. Prioritize function.

More than any other room in a house, the kitchen relies on an efficient layout and workflow, so take your time with planning for things like the work triangle (the relationship between the sink, stove and refrigerator), ample storage, task lighting and practical countertops. Focus on making it work before you make it pretty.

5. Choose appliances early.

Representing a large chunk of your overall budget, appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens and cooktops also influence your overall layout. Making these choices early allows you to plan the rest of the design effectively.

With the right help, remodeling can be a successful endeavor that enhances your life instead of something you dread and postpone indefinitely. If you need assistance staging your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you!

Compiled

and edited by Angela Valente, Marketing Copywriter/ Copyeditor

Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad

Luxury resort living at The Manor Golf & Country Club

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you by- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties

The last few remaining lots in an exclusive gated community with awardwinning schools are selling out quickly, and this is the final chance to live in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in metro Atlanta.

Just north of Atlanta, The Manor Golf & Country Club offers an unparalleled lifestyle with Georgia’s only Tom Watson-designed championship golf course, country club amenities including tennis and indoor/outdoor swimming, private lessons with a pro, dining, spa treatments, and a year-round calendar of activities to keep little ones engaged and bring adults together to create memories.

With a 32,000-square-foot European inspired clubhouse overlooking Manor

Lake, The Manor Golf & Country Club is part of Invited Clubs, a network of several Atlanta clubs and a national network of 200 clubs where members can find a home away from home and make new friendships when they travel.

The Manor Golf & Country Club has a few exclusive remaining readyto-build homesites offered by renowned custom luxury design and construction firm Loudermilk Homes. This stunning 2.2-acre double lot that overlooks picturesque Manor Lake at 605 Stilwell Court is a tree-lined gem that’s easily walkable to the clubhouse, with unobstructed natural preserve views across the street. A handful of other private estate-sized lots and double lots are also available and are selling quickly.

The Manor Golf & Country Club also offers luxury homes that are almost complete and ready for move-

in soon, including this 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom home at 1069 Kent Court, which overlooks the 7th and 8th holes of the golf course. Nestled on a 1-acre homesite in a quiet and private culde-sac, this home features a modern design, breathtaking views of the golf course, exquisite architectural details, custom millwork, and quality craftsmanship with bespoke professional designer selections. The open floor plan includes a gourmet chef’s kitchen with custom cabinets and professional grade appliances, a second catering prep kitchen, a spacious owner’s suite on the main level with a spa-inspired bathroom, and four additional large bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. The current list price for the home is $2,895,900, and it is drawing intense interest.

Located in the highly rated Milton school district, The Manor Golf &

Country Club is just minutes from historic downtown Alpharetta and the Avalon luxury shopping and restaurant district, as well as charming historic downtown Roswell, Crabapple and other communities. The local equestrian community is a big draw for families, and there are numerous stables and riding trails nearby. Homes in The Manor are priced from the $2 million range up to $8 million or more for a truly bespoke private estate mansion custom designed and built by awardwinning Loudermilk Homes.

For additional information about The Manor Golf & Country Club, please call 678.578.6766 or visit www.themanorhomes.com. Sales and marketing by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division. Equal Housing Opportunity.

New friends, falling in love with a Dragon

As I sit here cursing this infernal North Carolina deluge that is wreaking havoc with my well-laid plans to ride freely through these difficult to describe mountain roads, I’m thankful for the two perfect days of partnering for adventures with The Black Beauty.

in a motel parking lot.

The mangled, crinkled parts in this case are the lucky parties in this case.

I consider myself extremely fortunate on this trip to have made two solid experienced rider friends and for having fallen in love with a Dragon.

MIKE TASOS

Regular readers know that’s the moniker I’ve bestowed upon my Harley Road Glide 3 trike. On our maiden voyage to these “ride-like-you-know-whatyou’re-doing” highways and byways, by all accounts from veteran bikers, we have both performed at an “A-plus” level.

That’s the consensus because we didn’t find ourselves in a ditch, off a mountain, or like so many others before us, contributors to the Deals Gap “Tree of Shame,” where metal carnage from motorcycle wrecks that run the gamut of seriousness have been laid to rest as their final resting place fastened to a tree

PAST TENSE

Highway 129, also known as Tail of The Dragon, is like being on a paved roller coaster consisting of 318 turns for an 11-mile jaunt through the North Carolina-Tennessee mountains. A twisted soul must have designed the road. Imagine being at an amusement park with a ride operator who had stopped off at their favorite watering hole for five too many, pulling the lever that sent you on this insidious road.

Anyone with a wrecker service would be in a perfect spot to clean up both monetarily and in terms of contributing the local junkyard.

Good friend Jerry Nix introduced me to Rick Robins and Biff Kinney, who know the area as if they were professors at the mountain college of “no hard knocks” in terms getting a nasty case of road rash.

Two characters who kept me safe and

in stitches the whole time, Rick is the more cerebral of the two, meticulously planning the days down to the precise routes we would be taking. He has vast encyclopedic knowledge of the whole area. Along with the Dragon, I was blessed to experience rides on “Moonshiner 28,” “Cherohala Skyway,” and “The Foothills Parkway.”

The latter was my favorite, a meandering long ride through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Then there was Biff, who had me on the floor with tales of family gatherings and relatives of all shapes and sizes.

I found it hilarious that these two macho bikers are roller skaters or “jam skaters,” who are the scourge of a Gwinnett rink, where their exploits are available online.

I’ve never met anyone named “Biff,” and the name was foreign to me except for familiarity with the ruffian from “Back To The Future” films.

I mentioned Biff making me almost choke on my lunch talking of Thanksgiving and certain members’ prowess with cleaning their plates.

I’m going to keep his name in my contacts. His cousin is Freddie Freeman, and maybe there’s a chance I can write about him.

Our headquarters for the trip was The Iron Horse Motorcycle Resort, nestled in a lush, green site near Robbinsville, N.C. There are accommodations for everyone, ranging the gamut from huge rooms to – get this – covered wagons just like you saw in all those cowboy movies.

The entire property embodies all the good elements that goes with “rustic.” I loved it and hope I didn’t gum things up too badly for Rick and Biff. Jerry has become somewhat of a mentor who has so many admirable traits, and his calm demeanor is settling.

So, with the first big motorcycle trip under my belt, I’m in love with The Dragon but figured two unscathed rides with no Black Beauty entrails on the Tree of Shame was sufficient.

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.

Moonshine stories abound from the Great Depression

The name “moonshiners” evolved because the people who produced alcohol operated their stills at night. The necessity of keeping stills and the production of alcohol secret was due to Prohibition, and later, taxes that would be due if discovered. (georgiaencylcopedia.org)

Richard Adams recalled that his father and two of his father’s brothers made and sold moonshine. One of the Adams brothers lived along what is now Hewlett Road in Sandy Springs. A large amount of glass was discovered behind the house by the homeowner.

Adams grew up along what is now Dunwoody Club Drive and shared the story of the night there was a raid on the family home.

“We had considerable bottles of white lightning. Knowing the cost issues if found, my mother placed the filled bottles under the mattress and got in bed pretending to be sick.”

The marshals asked a young Richard Adams if he knew where his daddy’s liquor was hidden, but Adams knew to say he knew nothing about his dad’s business.

(Memoirs of Richard Adams)

When Ralph Glaze was a boy growing up along Winters Chapel and Peeler Road, he remembers the rumor of moonshine production between Happy Hollow and Winters Chapel Road along what is now Dunwoody Club Drive. Adults used to say, “Don’t go down there,” sometimes using the story of a monster to keep children away. The monster was a moonshine-producing still. (Ralph Glaze oral history for Dunwoody Preservation

Trust, 2017)

J. W. Wilborn and Frank Self of Sandy Springs shared the story of Tubby Sewell and his multiple stills. They recall him as a local bootlegger who kept residents in whiskey. Sewell drove a 1944 coupe that “could go down the road 90 miles an hour and turn around and meet the police coming back, turn that thing around at ninety miles an hour right in the middle of the road.” (Sandy Springs Gazette Volume 1, 2017)

In the 1930s, Tubby Sewell was the main supplier of whiskey for Sandy Springs.

“If you needed a pint of whiskey, why you called this number, and he said put two dollars in the mailbox. When you went back by you picked up your whiskey.”

The Ware family once lived on land where Life Center Ministries is today on Mount Vernon Road. The cottage that still stands on the property was built by Bill Ware’s great grandfather John Ware. Farmers sometimes tried the moonshine business during the Great Depression to help their families survive, but Bill Ware says the Wares’ difficulties started before the Depression. (From Bill Ware oral history for DPT, 2017)

When farming was not enough, his grandfather William Ware opened a store in Roswell and tried moonshining. Rather than keep a still on Ware land, it was built across the road where Brooke Farm is today. The family eventually sold their land and moved in with a relative who had a home in Kirkwood.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

Columnist

PROVIDED

The Ware family home, built in the late 1800s, is now on the property of Life Christian Ministries. William Ware operated a still across the road in what is now Brooke Farm subdivision.

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF

Columnist

PRESERVING THE PAST

Buried history: Bethlehem Methodist Cemetery and Church

done near the cemetery because he knew that slaves and Indians were buried there in unmarked graves.

BOB MEYERS

Bethlehem Cemetery on Clubhouse Drive in Alpharetta’s Windward community of Alpharetta is an example of how a cemetery can become largely forgotten despite its significant historic value. With burials as early as 1828 and records dating back to 1838, according to attorney and local historian Tim Spruell, the cemetery is the final resting place of some of the area’s earliest settlers, some with familiar last names such as Cunningham, McGinnis, Dodd, Nesbitt, Douglas, Pace, Shirley and Tribble. There are at least 74 markers, most of them illegible, and numerous other fieldstone markers without names, and some graves without markers, possibly the graves of slaves. Twentysix marked graves are those of babies less than 1 year old, and many graves are young children, a testament to the hard life and diseases of the time.

According to Spruell, in 1890 the Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Church, South (the church’s complete name) reported on their deed. The value of the church and property was estimated at $250, but the deed was “conditional” on remaining a church property. The membership, which had been declining, moved from Bethlehem Church to the newer Ocee Methodist Church in 1920 and was completely dissolved in 1932 meaning that according to the terms of the deed the property would revert to the original owner. Spruell believes the original owner was Cornelius Cauley who had two daughters. One was Judah Ann Cauley Rogers and the other married a Shirley. Since the Ocee Methodist Church was the last to exercise any church function ownership of the property, ownership may be an open question today.

The church, according to research done by Windward resident Betty Cruickshank, now deceased, was one of the oldest in old Milton County. It was one of six churches on the Alpharetta Methodist Church circuit. Some congregations could only afford a preacher once a month, and members rotated between circuit churches on Sundays. Methodist churches of the time were often served by itinerant circuit preachers not only for economic reasons but also because John Wesley (1703-1791), founder of the Methodist church, believed that

itinerant preachers were more effective at spreading religion than those who remained with one church.

In 1736, Wesley traveled to Georgia with James Oglethorpe and preached in the Savannah area for almost two years before returning to England.

The cemetery is on land encircled

by the 1,500 acres once owned by James Wright Shirley, which is now part of the Windward Community. According to Billy Bates (1926-2021), who spearheaded efforts to preserve North Fulton County cemeteries, James Wright Shirley always insisted on being present when plowing was

Mobil Land Development purchased the land in 1978. Don Rifenberg, who was vice president of Development Operations for Mobil, managed the construction of the Windward Community. He recalls discovering the cemetery that was unknown and completely overgrown when he was scouting locations for a new road. Fortunately, Don, who has ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War and Civil War, has a keen sense of history and was determined to save the cemetery. Well, the cemetery was almost unknown. Tim Spruell recalls Halloween hayrides to the cemetery in the mid-1970s for Ocee Methodist Church Sunday School children organized by his great uncle Billy Brooks, a school bus driver and owner of a pick-your-own-crops farm.

After the cemetery closed and families died or moved away due to development, the cemetery was abandoned until Don rediscovered it. From time to time, Boy Scout troops or volunteer groups have had cleanups and performed repairs, but the cemetery currently is basically not cared for like scores of other cemeteries in Georgia.

Betty Cruikshank did extensive research on the Bethlehem Church “which sat on the northeast side of the cemetery.” She described the church: “The parishioners came from the surrounding farmland by buggy, surrey and wagon, tying their horses to the trees. The front door led to a center aisle flanked on each side with rows of handmade wooden benches with slat backs….In one pulpit was the ‘Amen Corner,’ two or three benches placed lengthwise, reserved for the elderly whose sight and hearing might be somewhat impaired.”

Betty reported that during the Great Depression, several families took up residence in the rotting church building before it eventually collapsed and was burned. She believed that it was likely that an earlier church, probably made of logs, sat on the site.

The cemetery is worth a visit by those with a love of history, especially out of the way places with interesting stories to tell.

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.

PHOROS BY BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

At least two Confederate soldiers are buried in the cemetery. This marker is for Stephen Decatur Tribble, one of four Tribble family members in the cemetery.

Some of the headstones in Bethlehem Cemetery are in good condition, but due to erosion are difficult or impossible to read.

Columnist

Walk in the woods, exploring the agents of decay

In July of 2020, my next-door neighbor found a fungus extraordinaire in the woods behind our homes, and she graciously shared this photo and the location with me. I am amazed at what can be found when we take a walk in the woods! Look at this beautiful creation of nature! To track down the name of this exquisite fungus, my neighbor consulted a fungi expert. It is commonly known as Chicken of the Woods, since it is edible. It is classified in the genus Laetiporus.

What a unique and beautiful architectural design! The fungi looks like it was constructed of concentric, half circles of orange with white margins piled in decreasingly smaller sizes to create a knockout, look-at-me fungus extraordinaire! Note its size by comparing my neighbor’s feet with the Chicken of the Woods growing on the ground in front of her.

This year, I searched for Chicken of the Woods early. I was amazed to find two Chicken of the Woods in the same location as in 2020 but three months earlier. In April 2023, I was again attracted to the size and design of this unique fungus. But this year, the design was off. The 2023 architectural playbook was different from 2020. Instead of a symmetrical, cylindrical form, the form was chaotic. Small, orange, half-sized and quarter-sized, circular sections were haphazardly piled on top of each other, along with white and orange blobs. Possibly the fungus’s growth was interrupted by the four days of March frost, and when the warm weather returned, the growth continued.

Fungi, though plant-like, are not plants. Fungi do not produce the green pigment chlorophyll, do not carry on photosynthesis, and create spores instead of seeds. When the soil temperature, soil moisture content and air temperatures have reached the proper balance, the reproductive cycle ramps up! Spores begin to germinate underground and send out a network of hyphae. These hyphae in turn form an underground, lace-like network of mycelium. The above-ground hyphae then coalesce to produce the fruiting body or mushroom you see in the pictured illustration.

Like all fungi, the Chicken of the Woods is doing its job – finding organic matter to decompose, which in turn provides nourishment for growth and reproduction. This massive fungus can usually be found inhabiting woodland

areas where once a mighty oak tree resided. On close examination of the Chicken of Woods growing in the North Fulton County woods behind my house, it was feasting on the remains of and aiding in the decay of a fallen oak tree! If you turned this fungus or any mushroom upside down, you will find its gills which radiate out like the spokes of a wheel. Lining every surface of these gills are thousands of spores ready to be released to create more of its own type and kind!

I hope I have piqued your interest in fungi. I challenge you to visit your yard and woods to observe the beauty of fungi.

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.

Learn more

• Fungi are adapted for Nutrition by absorption - https://bodell.mtchs.org/ OnlineBio/BIOCD/text/chapter18/concept18.1.html

About the author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Carole MacMullan, a Milton resident and master gardener since 2012. Carole describes herself as a born biologist. Since childhood, she loved to explore the out-of-doors and garden with her mother. When she entered college, she selected biology as her major and made teaching high school biology her career for 35 years. After retirement in 2008, she had three goals: to move from Pittsburgh to Atlanta to be near her daughter and granddaughter; to volunteer; and to become a Master Gardener. Shortly after moving, she became involved with the philanthropic mission of the Assistance League of Atlanta (ALA) and in 2012, completed the Master Gardener program and joined the North Fulton Master Gardeners (NFMG) and the Milton Garden Club. Carole uses her teaching skills to create a variety of presentations on gardening topics for the NFMG Lecture Series and Speakers Bureau. She also volunteers weekly at the ALA thrift store and acts as chair of their Links to Education scholarship program. Her favorite hobbies are gardening, hiking, biking and reading.

CAROLE MACMULLAN/PROVIDED Chicken of the Woods Fungi found in Milton, GA in April of 2023

CAROLE MACMULLAN Guest Columnist

MR. BLACK’S ARMY/WEEBLY Parts of a fungus

CAROL WAHL/PROVIDED

Chicken of the Woods found in 2020

Library:

Continued from Page 1

Further plans include adult, children and teen sections, as well as a bookstore. Denmark Library will also be the first to have a drive-up window for retrieving books on hold.

McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture is charged with the design of the facility, and construction will be completed by Albion General Contractors.

Staff estimate construction will be finished in late 2024 or early 2025.

Denmark Library is the county library system’s fifth branch. It follows the 2013 opening of the $7 million Post Road Library, also in District 3, and the 2018 expansion of Sharon Forks Library, which originally opened in 2000.

“Post Road Library is at max capacity, could even be seen that tables and chairs are always full,” Levent said. “So, making today a reality is a must.”

The facility neighbors Denmark High School on Fowler Road and the future site of the new Midway Elementary School on Mullinax Road. Officials at the groundbreaking emphasized the library will be an invaluable resource for all county residents, including students.

“There really is no greater gift that you can give to the children and families of your communities,” Georgia Public Library Service State Librarian Julie Walker said. “We've never needed libraries more than we do today.”

PHOTOS BY ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Forsyth County Library Director Anna Lyle speaks to a crowd July 27 during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Denmark Library on Fowler Road.

Forsyth County Library Board Chair Kristin Morrissey, right, speaks to Forsyth County Commission Chair Alfred John, left, and state Rep. Rick Jasperse, middle, at a groundbreaking ceremony held July 27.

Above, District 3 Commissioner Todd Levent addresses a crowd attending the July 27 groundbreaking ceremony for the new Denmark Library. At left, State Sen. Greg Dolezal , who represents all of Forsyth County, speaks on the significance of adding the county’s fifth library branch.

Roads:

Continued from Page 1

Roach said the metropolitan transportation plan aims to invest $900 million in 27 Forsyth County projects by 2050. Projects include widening Ga. 20 and Ga. 369 and a multi-use trail for walking and biking along Pilgrim Mill Road.

The ARC metropolitan transportation plan allocates some $173 billion to ease congestion, expand transit options, add safety improvements, provide alternative transportation, maintain infrastructure and enhance accessibility for travel on foot and on bicycle.

Roach said the plan is revisited every four years to consider how transit has changed in its coverage areas. Each year, the ARC disperses federal funding for transportation projects through its transportation improvement plan.

“We do long-range planning,” she said. “Then, we take a look at the plan every four years, and then we annualize those investments with implementation dollars each year.”

The county joined the ARC in 2021 after nearly 60 years with the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, which encompasses 12 counties in North Georgia.

Roach said the ARC has allocated more than $300 million for Forsyth County between the 2022 and 2025 fiscal years in transportation funds, which includes realignment improvements on Ga. 9 and Jewell Bennett Road.

The ARC has also funded a bus rapid transit feasibility study for the Ga. 400 corridor from Windward to McFarland parkways. Currently, the county has no major mass transit net -

work of its own, and MARTA does not operate in Forsyth County.

The county has two public transit options: Common Courtesy, a thirdparty ride sharing service, and Access Forsyth, a demand-based bus system that allows residents to schedule rides in advance.

Both systems are the product of Link Forsyth, the county’s first public transportation master plan in 2021.

“Our population forecast at the Atlanta Regional Commission predicts that … the Metro Atlanta area will add 1.8 million people by 2050,” Roach said. “Our latest forecast shows that [Forsyth County] will add over 159,000 residents by 2050.”

Forsyth County commissioners requested the ARC consider ways to address congestion on Ga. 306, which becomes packed within 1 mile of the Browns Bridge Road exit off of Ga. 400. Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills said the highway is not due for state improvements for 25 years.

Forsyth County residents are

encouraged to provide feedback and thoughts on transportation in the county with the ARC at transportation@atlantaregional.org.

The county will distribute a QR code for the transportation plan survey in the coming weeks.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Atlanta Regional Commission CEO and Executive Director Anna Roach updates the Forsyth County Commission on the ARC Metropolitan Transportation Plan July 25 at a work session. She said the ARC intends to invest $900 million in Forsyth County projects through 2050.

Hi, I’m Shelby Israel and I report on all things in and around Forsyth County. If you have any story tips or ideas please contact me at shelby@appenmedia.com

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