Forsyth Herald - October 5, 2023

Matt Community Park set for upgrade

Master plan remains in search of funding

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County officials approved a new master plan that includes a recreation center and library at Matt Community Park. But, the plans have yet to secure funding.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the park’s updated master plan Sept. 26 at a work session. Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills was absent from the meeting.

Drafted by consulting firm LDDBlueline, the master plan would add a future library; a recreation center with space for potential expansion, including basketball, pickleball and volleyball courts, a playground and additional parking.

Matt Community Park opened in 2016 with funding from the Parks, Recreation and Green Space Bond approved by Forsyth County voters in 2008 and from impact fees. The park is off Ga. 369 and Wallace Tatum Road in Commissioner Kerry Hill’s District 1.

“Matt Community Park has added many new amenities since opening in 2016 including tennis courts, a playground and trail system to go along with ballfields and pavilions,” Hill said in an email to Appen Media. “Looking to the future, I am excited to see how the Matt Community Park further develops to provide new ways for residents to explore nature and stay active.”

County

fills post

for new director of Fleet Services

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County announced its new Fleet Services Director Marcus Hawk Sept. 26, replacing Avery Gravitt, who recently retired after 17 years in the role.

Hawk started his career in motor maintenance and operations as a wheeled vehicle mechanic for the U.S. Army. He attended Lumpkin County High School and Gainesville State College.

He previously served as branch manager and regional director of maintenance for Aim Transportation Services in Gainesville. He also worked as transportation supervisor for Accent Controls Inc.

“Marcus is bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to our Fleet Services team that plays such a crucial role in our county’s operations,” Assistant County Manager Barry Lucas said.

Hawk formally started his role with the county Sept. 25.

The Fleet Services Department manages the maintenance and repair of county vehicles and equipment. It also maintains the county’s 10 fueling sites and records official repair, fuel, equipment and vehicle costs.

— Shelby Israel

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Florida man charged for vehicle break-in

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a 24-year-old Florida man Sept. 22 for allegedly stealing a woman’s purse, jewelry and car keys from her vehicle in January.

The victim reported Jan. 27 she had parked in front of a preschool on Johns Creek Parkway to pick up her child from daycare. While she was inside, a suspect in a gray sedan opened the driver’s side doors on her vehicle before fleeing southbound on Johns Creek Parkway.

The victim reported her purse, driver’s license, credit and debit cards, insurance, car keys, makeup and jewelry were stolen. She further reported fraudulent charges on her American Express card at Walmart on Peachtree Parkway and at a Target in Atlanta.

The suspect was later identified and charged with felony entering automobile theft, transaction card theft, forgery in the first degree and identity fraud.

He is being held at the Forsyth County Jail on a $24,621 bond.

Alpharetta man cited for credit card fraud

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a 31-year-old Alpharetta man Sept. 22 who allegedly used a woman’s credit card for unauthorized transactions in July.

The victim reported around 8 p.m. July 5 a suspect had used her card for the unauthorized purchases between July 4 and 5. She said the card was mailed to her former address on Union Hill Road.

She reported 11 unauthorized transactions for a total of $882.67.

The suspect was charged with felony transaction card theft, fraudulent use of a transaction card and identity fraud.

Cumming pair charged with criminal damage

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested two Cumming men Sept. 19 who allegedly destroyed the windows on a man’s vehicle following a domestic dispute.

Deputies reported responding to a domestic dispute call around 7:30 a.m. Sept. 17 at a home on Wood Valley Road.

The victim and a woman at the scene reported the woman’s ex-boyfriend, 25, and a second suspect, 36, had broken into the home through a balcony door and began verbally assaulting the victim, who was in her bed.

The man whose car was damaged reported the suspects told him to leave, and they also attempted to fight him. He said he was trying to leave in his vehicle when the suspects began breaking his windows with a hammer, the report states.

The victim reportedly crashed into a drainage ditch, and the suspects continued to damage the vehicle. The first suspect allegedly attempted to enter the vehicle through the window, and the victim fled on foot.

The suspects reportedly followed him down Buford Dam Road in a pickup truck and tried to confront him again. He refused to engage with them, and the suspects fled the area, the report states.

Deputies reported learning the woman and the first suspect have a child and had lived together until two weeks before, when he moved out due to bond conditions from a previous domestic incident.

The 25-year-old suspect was charged with felony aggravated assault and criminal damage to property in the second degree.

The 36-year-old was charged with felony criminal damage to property in the second degree and with being party to a crime.

Woman falls victim to credit card scam

MILTON, Ga. — A Milton woman reported to police Sept. 19 that a man claiming to be with a fraud department called her about charges on her credit card.

After confirming her identity, the caller told the victim she had more than $1,000 in charges that the victim could not see on her account because they were flagged, the police report said.

The victim said the caller walked her through steps to get her money back from the alleged fraudulent $830 Cash App transfer, which included sending $830 to the “Refund System.” After becoming aware she was being scammed, the victim tried to reverse the payment but was unsuccessful.

Worker says employer reneged on contract

MILTON, Ga. — A Milton woman reported to police Sept. 21 that she had completed $1,600 of work for a man but had not been paid.

The woman said her job was to post house listings on Facebook Marketplace over five days. There was a typed agreement on Facebook Messenger regarding the payment details, the police report said, but the man never paid her.

Police attempted to call the phone number provided, but the man hung up after police asked him about the incident.

Fraud victim loses $7,000 on new credit account

MILTON, Ga. — A Milton woman reported to police Sept. 21 that someone had opened a credit card in her name and charged $7,000.

The victim told police she received an email in May stating she was qualified for a Firestone Mastercard credit card, preapproved for $7,000. The victim said she never responded or applied for the credit card, the police report said, but that she received an email from Credit Karma stating there had been a new account added under her name.

The victim said someone had used her personal information to open the Firestone Mastercard account and charged $7,000, the police report said. A bank informed her she owes around $7,300, the report said, but would not provide any more detail about the fraudulent credit account.

678-208-0774

3034 Old Atlanta Road

Cumming, GA 30041

info@montessoricumming.com www.montessoricumming.com

Metro Atlanta planning agency backs S. Forsyth development

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Atlanta Regional Commission has signed off on The Gathering at South Forsyth, a $2 billion development on 84 acres along Union Hill Road and Ga. 400.

Plans call for an NHL hockey arena and entertainment district that includes housing.

Final approval for the project now goes before the Forsyth County Commission for formal action.

The Atlanta Regional Commission, or ARC, is a collaborative planning agency representing most Metro Atlanta governments. Forsyth County is the 11th and the newest member county.

The Gathering staff announced Sept. 26 the ARC supported the project’s density and its associated infrastructure projects by the Georgia Department of Transportation in a recent report.

Due to its size and land use type, The Gathering is considered a development of regional impact by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and it must pass a number of hurdles.

If a development of regional impact is within the 13-county Metro Atlanta jurisdiction of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority like Forsyth, state law requires the development to be reviewed to assess its impact on infrastructure and offer recommendations to address potential mobility challenges.

ARC staff collaborated with the regional transportation authority, partner agencies and local governments during its review process.

The ARC report determined The Gathering aligns with area employment goals

and includes a mix of uses on the site, which follows regional multi-modal transportation policies.

The Gathering also supports Metro Atlanta parking policies by proposing to build fewer parking spaces than is allowed; connectivity through an internal sidewalk network and connection to the Big Creek Greenway; and preservation of stream buffers.

“The development team has carefully reviewed the report findings and is taking all recommendations into consideration as plans are refined,” The Gathering Senior Project Executive Frank Ferrara said.

The Gathering at South Forsyth is expected to be a huge economic draw for the county.

At a Board of Commissioners work session in April, project staff estimated The Gathering could produce more than 12,000 long-term employment opportunities, as well as 20,000 construction jobs during its 10-year development.

Forsyth County Commissioner Laura Semanson, whose district encompasses The Gathering, said the project is moving forward positively, and residents can expect to see formal votes from the county by the end of the year.

“It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the county,” she said. “… I think it'll help us from a branding perspective in South Forsyth to try to really show what a world class community this is, and we'll be able to bring entertainment and activities here to the community that we've wanted for a very long time.”

— Shelby Israel

MISSION MARKET

Saturday Oct. 7 | 9am – 1pm

Treasures, Treasures, Treasures!

Come help support the mission and ministries of the church by shopping at Mission Market. Many gently used and donated items including household goods, toys, and tools.

Items too numerous to list!

180 Academy Street (one block east off Alpharetta square)

THE GATHERING AT SOUTH FORSYTH/PROVIDED

This rendering shows The Gathering at South Forsyth, a proposed mixed-use development at the intersection of Union Hill Road and Ronald Reagan Boulevard. The ARC reviewed and supported the project, which now awaits the Forsyth County Commission for formal action.

Mike

Cumming Optimist Club honors sheriff’s deputies

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The SawneeCumming Optimist Club recognized three Forsyth County Sheriff’s deputies for their service at its 2023 Respect for Law program in September.

The club presented Deputy First Class Joshua Thomas, Deputy Taylor Swofford and Deputy Michael Jones with plaques, “For distinguished and dedicated service advancing the respect for law objective of Optimist International.”

Club President Carolynn Martin said honoring law enforcement is one of the Optimist Club’s tenants, and its goal is to inspire respect and educate young people on the importance of law enforcement officers.

“I’m so proud of the men and women of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Ron Freeman said. “Being recognized as Deputies of the Year by the Sawnee-Cumming Optimist Club is a great honor, and these three deputies serve this community with distinction and honor.”

Club Vice President and Respect for Law Committee Chairperson Robyn Ulatowski said the awards are a small token of the gratitude the club has for Thomas, Swofford and Jones’ sacrifice and motivation to make Forsyth County a great community.

— Shelby Israel

Capital City Trust Company welcomes Mike O’Connor to our team serving Forsyth, Fulton, Cobb and Gwinnett counties.

Mike O’Connor, our newest Wealth Advisor, connects high-networth individuals with the wealth professionals and resources needed to handle complex trust and investment decisions. Contact Mike to discuss how our wealth management services can address your unique needs and goals.

This is Stella!

Facts About Me

Breed: Lab mix

Color: Blonde/Tan

Age: 5 months

Size: (When Grown) Medium 60 Lbs

Weight: (Current) 28 Lbs.

Sex: Female

My Info

Good with dogs and kids Shots current Healthy Chipped & spayed

My Story

I’m searching for you, are you coming to adopt me?

Stella was found wandering around a busy road and rescued by a wonderful lady and brought to BCAR. She is full of personality, affection and loves to play. Stella has only been with us two weeks and has won the hearts of many of the volunteers. She is the happiest when around people and treats!

All BCAR dogs are placed as indoor family pets. No electric fences, please. Visit pets every Saturday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (706-268-1346) or visit our website for adoption information at www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org.

Nonprofit assists school construction program

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Zach Fields, vice president of the non-profit Construction Ready’s K12 program, prepped a class of about 20 students at Roswell High School recently to construct headers – boards placed above doorways and windows.

“You do not want them to fall on your grandma, first of all,” Fields, sporting a measuring tape on his front pocket, told the class. “We got to make sure that doesn’t happen. We got to build things the right way.”

When a teacher resigned at the beginning of the school year, the program’s 100 students were left to a rotating roster of substitute teachers assigning book work, rather than handson projects.

Fields stepped in during the second week of classes, leading sessions almost every day to fill the role. He’s with the nonprofit Construction Ready, whose mission is to provide statewide support to educational programs in the architecture and construction career sector.

Support could mean teacher training, connecting programs to industry partners and providing

materials, and in rare cases, providing a teacher. Construction Ready serves 20,000 students across 200 workforce development programs.

Construction education support extends to the elementary school level. Fields said there are 600 students a year taking construction at Mountain Park

Elementary School, and some of those kids go on to participate in the program at Roswell High.

“There’s just so much joy in building and creating something,” Fields said.

That day, Fields broke students into groups to begin their work constructing headers. Students measured and cut

wood, using an industrial saw, in the school’s construction lab – a recent addition to the campus. In the past, students worked from trailers outside.

Jeric Rogers, 15, is in his second year in the construction education program.

“I just like working with my hands,” Rogers said. “It’s fun.”

His favorite project so far is a shed his class built last year. It took about a month to make.

Rogers’ classmate, 16-year-old Nicky Scedon, said the same. Scedon is not a resident of Roswell, but he attends Roswell High to participate in the construction program.

Fields said industry problems benefit young people, like Rogers and Scedon. Construction Ready was founded in 1993, when industry leaders around the state saw an imminent workforce shortage. The shortage hurts other sectors, like hospitals and schools, Fields said, and it increases the cost and timeline of development projects.

Skilled trade workers are aging out, Fields said, with around 40 percent retiring within 10 years.

“We’re doing everything we can to fix that issue, to tackle that issue,” Fields said.

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

At left, Zach Fields with the nonprofit Construction Ready, guides a student in Roswell High School’s construction program to operate a saw. That day, students were learning how to construct headers.

FALL FLOOR SAMPLE SALE

Eatery transports guests on journey to Middle East

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — When Fares Kargar opened Delbar on Old Milton Parkway, he envisioned a resort that would transport diners from the fares of Metro Atlanta to a world of Middle Eastern flavors.

Hailing from Iran, Kargar said he grew up loving food and began cooking out of necessity for his family. Now a Sandy Springs resident, Kargar relocated to the United States around 2007, but he never imagined himself in the restaurant business until his time as a student at Georgia State University.

“It was always a hobby, something I enjoyed doing a lot, but I never looked at it as a career until I came to the U.S.,” he said. “… my plan was always to go to architecture school and become a architect and build homes and businesses and that kind of thing. That’s kind of what my family did, and my dad did.”

His first foray into the industry was a job as a busboy at Luciano’s on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. There, he worked his way up to assistant general manager, which inspired him to open his own restaurant.

The perfect location

In May 2020, Kargar opened his first Delbar location in Inman Park. The restaurant was successful, cementing a loyal clientele who would

drive south to Atlanta from Alpharetta to dine there.

Recognizing the large demographic of Middle Easterners in Alpharetta, Kargar began pursuing his second location. He had seen the building on Old Milton Parkway while driving, a former Indian fusion restaurant, and identified it as the perfect location for Delbar.

“It is a huge building, standalone, very modern look, you know, the fountains up front,” he said. “There is a lot going on with the building, kind of gives me that kind of a resort vibe and resort feeling, rather than just a typical restaurant … and I wanted Delbar to have more of identity.”

Delbar celebrated its Alpharetta launch in May, and it now serves its North Fulton fans closer to home. Guests are welcomed to the restaurant by a complimentary valet service. Its outdoor entryway is adorned with arches of flowers, followed inside by an airy open floor plan, plentiful windows and subtle décor.

“The goal is for them to be transported,” Kargar said. “My goal is always at Delbar would be to transport people, to make them feel that they’re not in the city. They’re on a leisure vacation, away from Atlanta.”

A taste of nostalgia

Kargar said he wanted Delbar to be unique among Persian restaurants.

My goal is always at Delbar would be to transport people, to make them feel that they’re not in the city. They’re on a leisure vacation, away from Atlanta.

FARES KARGAR, owner, Delbar

PHOTOS BY SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Owner Fares Kargar greets guests behind the bar Sept. 22 at Delbar at 4120 Old Milton Parkway. The restaurant offers a cocktail menu inspired by Persian flavors, incorporating saffron, cardamom, sumac and barberries.

Delbar at 4120 Old Milton Parkway welcomes guests with a complimentary valet service and an archway of flowers Sept. 22. Owner Fares Kargar hoped to make guests feel like they are on vacation at a resort when he opened the Alpharetta location in May. See JOURNEY, Page 9

Journey: If you go…

Continued from Page 8

The menu is inspired by his native northern Iran, but also southeastern parts of the country, where he spent summers in his grandmother’s village.

“Each region of Iran has different foods,” he said. “And there was so much food that gets neglected because everyone just is used to same idea of kabob and rice kind of scenario.”

Delbar has dinner, weekend lunch and brunch, dessert and weekday lunch menus. Its weekday lunch offerings include mazze, or small bites, and a list of spreads served with fresh taftoun bread.

Guests can also choose from greens and grains, which include a variety of polo, a rice dish, salads, fries and beet carpaccio, or meats served a la carte.

The lunch menu also boasts a list of sandwiches, each served on homemade turmeric barbari bread.

“So, one of our staples is, the chinjeh is one that we can never take off the menu,” Kargar said. “That always stays on the menu.”

Each menu is crafted based on the demographics of the Delbar location. Guests at the Inman Park

NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

Delbar is open seven days a week at 4120 Old Milton Parkway, with varying hours for brunch, lunch and dinner. For menus and reservations, visit delbaratl.com/ home-old-milton.

location preferred a Turkish-inspired breakfast, but he found Alpharetta clientele prefer staples such as kabobs and rice.

Kargar said sourcing quality ingredients is also a priority. Some of its cocktails are related to the season, and others are aimed at incorporating elements of Persian cuisine, such as barberries, sumac, cardamom and saffron.

“When it comes to food, it’s more of a story of my life, right,” he said. “The dishes you see on the menu are my favorite items that I’ve eaten, either back home, or when I lived in Turkey, or kind of moved across the U.S.”

Many of the dishes are those Kargar had cooked with his grandmother or meals his mother used to make.

But no matter the inspiration, the food at Delbar is crafted to create a feeling of nostalgia, aimed at giving a sense of feeling in each bite.

Name: Sweet & Sassy Alpharetta

Owners: Lisa & Zach Clark

Description: Want to give your child a day they’ll never forget? At Sweet & Sassy of Alpharetta, we deliver more than just awesome pedicures, haircuts, and birthday parties. We create experiences that make kids feel like the royalty

they are. We offer a wide variety of services that will be truly unforgettable for your kid.

Opened: March 2023

Address: 12315 Crabapple Rd Suite 102, Alpharetta, Ga 30004

Phone: 678-404-7333

Website: sweetandsassy.com/alpharetta/

Business: CulVita Consulting LLC

Owner: Kavita Patel, MD

Description: CulVita Consulting is a virtual service helping individuals and families prevent and/or manage diet-related diseases and ultimately reduce their risk of heart disease. The service empowers people to utilize food as medicine and make healthful eating simple, affordable and accessible.

Opened: June 2023

Address: Atlanta

Website: culvitaconsulting.com

RESULTS FROM HERALD ADVERTISING ARE AMAZING

Advertising in the Herald newspapers has given our law firm great exposure in the community regarding our legal and professional services. There is no other paper or advertisement that compares with the rate of return on our investment in the Herald. I recommend any business or professional services to use the Herald to not only learn about the community but to also advertise your services and products. The Herald is the primary paper or advertisement that the community relies upon and reads every day for up to date information about the community and reliable source for services and products in the community.

Regards,

Holly Geerdes, Esq. Estate Law Center

For more information on advertising contact Mike Dorman at mike@appenmedia.com or call 770.442.3278.

HEALTH, WELLNESS & INNOVATION 5K

What: Lace up your sneakers for the Johns Creek Health, Wellness & Innovation 5K and Wellness Fair, presented by Emory Johns Creek Hospital, at the newly opened Cauley Creek Park. Prizes and medals will be awarded.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 7-10 a.m.

Where: Cauley Creek Park, 7255 Bell Road, Johns Creek

More info: johnscreekga.gov

DUNWOODY FARMERS MARKET

What: Shop for fresh seasonal produce, honey, jams, desserts and other goods every Saturday through October.

There are also kids’ activities, wellness seminars, with tips for composting and gardening at the farmers market.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody

More info: dhafarmersmarket.com

4TH ANNUAL ROSWELL MOTORING FESTIVAL

What: Benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and free to the public, this event will feature rare cars, boats, bikes and more with vendors both automotive and art themed. There will also be Coffee Barista, snow cones, a photo booth and face painting.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill Street, Roswell

More info: atlmotoringfest.org

CRABAPPLE FEST

What: Milton’s annual festival transforms Crabapple Road into a bustling market featuring more than 100 antique and art vendors, fair rides and food.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Crabapple Road, Milton

More info: miltonga.gov

‘THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE’

What: Based on Kate DiCamillo’s awardwinning novel, and adapted by Dwayne Hartford, the play takes the audience on an unexpected magical journey to discover the transformative powers of love, featuring a china rabbit named Edward Tulane.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m.

HEALTH, WELLNESS & INNOVATION 5K

What: Lace up your sneakers for the Johns Creek Health, Wellness & Innovation 5K and Wellness Fair, presented by Emory Johns Creek Hospital, at the newly opened Cauley Creek Park. Prizes and medals will be awarded.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 7-10 a.m.

Where: Cauley Creek Park, 7255 Bell Road, Johns Creek

More info: johnscreekga.gov

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

Cost: $12

More info: roswell365.com

‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’

What: Winner of nine Tony Awards when it debuted in 1964, “Fiddler on the Roof” is set in the little village of Anatevka and centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing antiSemitism of Czarist Russia.

When: Oct. 6-22, times vary

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $42 to $130

More info: cityspringstheatre.com

THE PUNCHLINE COMEDY NIGHT

What: In this free recurring series, there will be family-friendly live comedy acts,

FEATURE YOUR EVENT ONLINE AND IN PRINT!

It’s even easier now than ever to promote your event to hundreds of thousands of people, whether online, through our newsletters or in the Crier and Herald newspapers.

appropriate for ages 13 and older. Bring chairs and blankets. No outside alcohol permitted.

When: Monday, Oct. 9, 7:30-9 p.m.

Where: The Green at Crabapple Market, 12650 Crabapple Road, Milton More info: crabapplemarketga.com

WIRE & WOOD

What: Enjoy live music from more than 30 performers at six outdoor stages through the streets of Downtown Alpharetta as local, regional and national artists perform original songs while interacting with the audience. Listeners will learn about the music, as artists share the stories behind their tunes at this free event.

When: Friday & Saturday, Oct. 13-14, 5-11 p.m.

Where: Downtown Alpharetta

More info: wireandwoodalpharetta.com

CUMMING COUNTRY FAIR & FESTIVAL

What: Fair food, amusement rides, concerts and ground acts are at the

Cumming Fairgrounds. No pets, coolers or alcohol allowed.

When: Until Oct. 15, times vary

Where: Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming Cost: $10 admission for ages 11 and older; free for ages 10 and under More info: cummingfair.squarespace. com

‘TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE’

What: Based on the book, this play is about Mitch, who catches Morrie’s appearance on a television show 16 years after graduation. He learns that his old professor is battling Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Mitch is reunited with Morrie, and what starts as a simple visit turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a last class in the meaning of life.

When: Until Oct. 15, times vary

Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody Cost: Adults are $28; students are $20; kids are $15

More info: stagedoortheatrega.org

Sponsored Section

October 5, 2023 | Forsyth Herald | 11

Five ways to improve fall curb appeal

Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad, Atlanta Fine

Homes Sotheby’s International Realty

As autumn paints the world in warm hues and crisp breezes beckon us outdoors, your curb appeal shines when it reflects the enchantment of the season. Not sure how or where to start? Not to worry—the following creative and practical strategies will help to infuse your home’s exterior with the irresistible charm of fall!

1. Engage a professional arborist. Bare branches and piles of wet, fallen leaves don’t make the best first impression, and sick or overgrown trees pose a bigger challenge than smaller bushes and shrubs. Experts with comprehensive knowledge and equipment can not only ensure the health and safety of your trees but also help create a visually appealing environment, manage seasonal cleanup, and contribute to increased property value.

2. Embrace a subtle approach to Halloween decorations.

Understand that not everyone shares the same enthusiasm for Halloween. By limiting decorations, you avoid overwhelming potential buyers, preventing your home from feeling claustrophobic or excessively kitschy. Remember, when it comes to seasonal décor, less is often more, ensuring your property remains appealing to a wider range of prospective purchasers.

3. Transition to cold-resistant plant varieties.

Hardy varieties offer unique textures, colors and shapes, adding visual interest even during colder months. Their resilience ensures the long-term health of your landscaping and demands less maintenance, making it easier to keep and attractive yard. Consider plants like ornamental cabbages or kale and use showy fall mums as quick fillers for pops of color among the leafy plants.

4. Winterize outdoor furniture. A thoughtfully designed and furnished outdoor area reflects attention to detail and care for your property, leaving a lasting positive impression on visitors and potential buyers. By incorporating cozy accessories, investing in outdoor heaters and choosing cold-resistant materials, you create an inviting outdoor space that enjoys extended usability, thus increasing the perceived living space of your home.

5. Power wash your exterior. Removing dirt, grime, mold and stains from exterior surfaces restores their appearance, instantly improving the overall look of your property. It also prevents the accumulation of dirt and pollutants that can cause long-term damage and helps preserve property value.

Autumn offers amazing inspiration for upgrading your curb appeal. If you need assistance renovating your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you!

Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad

GRAND MARINA CIRCLE

611 NOTTAWAY LANE ALPHARETTA, GA 30009 | $990,000 Karen Neibert | 770.653.6601

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526 TENSAS TRACE MILTON, GA 30004 | $1,150,000 Allison Katula | 262.442.0474 0 HUNTER RIDGE - 66 ACRES CLAYON, GA 30525 | $1,313,800 Dan Woodley | 404.456.8313

3263 BALLEY FORREST DRIVE MILTON, GA 30004 | $4,290,000 Susan Feddersen | 773.710.4709

PROVIDED

Resort-style amenities are right outside your door

Brought to you by - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties

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For those 55 plus and seeking a fun filled lifestyle, PMC offers Soleil at Belmont Park in Canton. This extraordinary new neighborhood was expertly designed with active adults in mind and features a model home park showcasing five stunning designer model homes. Located in Snellville, Soleil Summit Chase is the newest community for PMC. Both 55 plus neighborhoods offer an exciting array of resort-style amenities. These amenities include a community clubhouse

with a coffee and cocktail bar, health and fitness center, catering kitchen, arts and crafts studio, club/card room, and even a community post office. Homeowners can take advantage of a country club-style pool with cabanas, pickleball courts, event lawn, a community garden, dog park, and nature walking trails.

Hillandale, a charming Charlestoninspired neighborhood just minutes from Historic Roswell, offers elegant interior finishes and unique designs. It features sophisticated four- and five-bedroom homes with an abundance of entertaining spaces both indoors and out. Luxury features at Hillandale may include a unique moving wall of glass doors leading to outdoor living areas, primary suites, hardwoods on the main level, high-end stainless-steel appliances and front and rear lawn maintenance which are included in the HOA. There are several homes currently under construction at Hillandale, and homeowners will enjoy a convenient and central location within the highly acclaimed Roswell school system.

PMC extends its portfolio to West

Cobb with the award-winning Community of the Year, Kyle Farm, with several homes currently under construction. Priced from the $700s to $1 million, Kyle Farm offers the ultimate resort destination with its outdoor entertainment pavilion and event lawn, clubhouse, jr. Olympic swimming pool, children’s splash pad, tennis courts, fitness center, playground, bocce ball, sand volleyball court, fire pit gathering area, and walking access to Lost Mtn Park. The neighborhood is located in the acclaimed Hillgrove HS district and offers a variety of home designs and design options.

Horizon at Laurel Canyon, located in Canton, offers striking views of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains foothills. This popular new home community is more than just a neighborhood; it's a lifestyle. Horizon features a range of amenities and stunning home designs that blend seamlessly with the breathtaking natural surroundings. Several stunning mountain view homesites are available for those who dream of building their mountain home near Atlanta. Currently there are also several new

homes available for immediate movein, priced from the $700s to $1 million. Homeowners at Horizon enjoy a clubhouse, swimming pool, gazebos, tennis courts, and a playground. Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the nearby Laurel Canyon Golf and Country Club, just a short golf cart ride away.

Patrick Malloy Communities, founded in 1994 by Patrick Malloy, boasts a remarkable track record. Over the past 27 years, the company has developed over 11,000 homesites and built more than 7,000 homes in Metro Atlanta, generating a total of $4 billion in sales. PMC has consistently earned a place on the Atlanta Business Chronicle's Top 20 Homebuilder list and has won numerous professionalism awards, including several Community of the Year honors.

For more information on these exciting new home communities by Patrick Malloy Communities, visit www.bhhsganewhomes.com. These communities are represented by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties' New Homes Division. An Equal Housing Opportunity.

All this angst for 5.9 percent?

The day after I hit the “send” button and this week’s column heads off into cyberspace, I’m getting on a Delta jet that will carry me as far west as it can without heading over the ocean.

TASOS

Ah, California.

Often called the “Land of Fruits and Nuts,” that moniker does a disservice to the state, not to mention being terribly insulting to apples and cashews. There are lots of nice things about California – beaches, mountains, deserts, to name a few. On the other side of the spectrum, there are unpleasant aspects of southern California that can turn a trip (pre-flight) into a veritable nightmare – horrible air to breathe, traffic that’s way worse than Atlanta, the Dodgers and their obnoxious fans. That’s naming a few, and I could go on if I wanted to get frisky, but then I would run out of time to let you in on why I’m driving north of LA to Bakersfield.

It’s a heckuva place to go for a vacation. It would be better if Merle and Buck were alive. At least I’d be able to listen to them crooning tunes known as the “Bakersfield Sound.” If you’re not familiar with that musical genre, think of the first time you ate okra. You probably found it unaesthetically detrimental to what looked and tasted good. After a while, you decided you wanted seconds. Then it seemed you’d order fried okra wherever it was offered.

That’s the way it was for me when it came to Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. It was no big deal to see both around town and it wasn’t until much later I appreciated what a privilege it was to have them both live where I was raised.

As I write this, I find solace that the end of my trip is a day closer.

I’m going back to school, high school to be specific, 50 years after I left. I’ve broken out in a cold sweat in the days before the North High Class of 1973’s 50-year reunion. Now that this event is firmly in my sights, I’m secretly hoping I’ll get served some bad food that will render me and my finicky GI tract, unable to attend.

When the boys were in school, it was seemingly all of a sudden someone altered the way math problems were done. Like a sales manager was fond of saying: “Numbers is numbers.” His grammar was atrocious but the premise was spot on.

As a 68-year-old senior citizen who forgets to ask for discounts and can’t remember his dog’s name when it’s pointed out by my sons that we no longer have a dog, I did the math. Four years of high school accounts for a meager 5.9 percent of my time on earth. Having been married for 43 years this month, that accounts for 63.2 percent of my life. All told, high school is a mere drop in the bucket.

But you probably couldn’t make that argument stick to most of the females who are undoubtedly fretting over what to wear and the best way to accessorize. It’s probably a safe bet that most of the guys will show up in khakis and comfortable shoes.

Accessorizing for me will be which obnoxiously loud Hawaiian shirt will I pull out of my hotel-room closet. I hope it’s not too wrinkled from the trip. There’s no way I’m breaking out the iron.

To be fair, I’m excited about sharing a meal with two ex-fighters I managed some 40 years ago. I can’t wait to buy breakfast for the ex-newspaper publisher, Tony Reed, who printed my first story. He’s to blame for the havoc I have wreaked as a columnist.

I’ll get a chance to visit with my cousin Doug Tudor. Maybe we can dust off the Daisy’s and reprise another BB gun war. I hope to have coffee with a few friends and maybe be amused by some nonsense from Uncle Jim. I’m attending the livestock auction at the Kern County Fair and will be buying a lamb for Michele McCreary, who despite being ensconced in the North Carolina furniture business, still is passionate about rewarding youngsters who worked hard raising their 4-H project.

I’m just not sure if the lamb will fit in my carry-on.

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.

Time to give credit where credit’s due

I believe in giving credit where its due.

A new reporter joined Appen last week. As part of his training I walked Hayden Sumlin through our local police dashboards.

“This is where you go to find out what is going on.” I pointed out how all cities use the same software, but only Roswell makes the report available on demand.

Every other city makes you jump through hoops to find out what happened next door. Some cities, like Sandy Springs, will even try to hide it all together.

Roswell makes it all available to the public, 24/7, without having to file any requests. You just type in the address and it will tell you what happened. I reiterate

– this is the same software used by Sandy Springs, Johns Creek and Alpharetta. Roswell, and likely Chief Conroy, are just the only ones who turned on the “make it easy for the public” button. They are aware that when it comes to physical safety, most folks don’t want to wait a week (or longer) for an answer.

There are times when a situation is particularly sensitive, though, and you have to ask the agency for more information. Enter Tim Lupo.

When I introduced Hayden to Officer Tim Lupo, I said he was a fantastic Police Information Officer and Hayden could go to him for anything related to public safety. I stand by it so much I think it’s worth publishing in this column.

Today Appen and Roswell Police have the relationship all cities should have with their local newsrooms.

Officer Lupo and his team are always fast to respond with information we need to

go cover a story.

They also bring our reporters in, enabling us to tell the real stories behind the badge.

In 2021 when a longtime murderer was brought to justice, Reporter Chamian Cruz dove deeper, interviewing the detectives who made it happen. She told the full story, one I argue is important for the public to know. Not just the arrest and mugshot, but the faces of the police personnel who had pursued the case for decades.

The relationship goes both ways. Last year when Roswell police were looking for a fugitive, they asked us to spread the word with our media partners up the East Coast. You better believe I sent it along to my whole contact list.

Last year, reporter Delaney Tarr noticed a string of suspicious arrests going on at area spas and asked Roswell police officials about it. We’re working on a big investigation, they said. Why don’t you come in,

hear all about it and then we’ll keep you updated with our progress. It’s something most agencies say, but Roswell actually meant it. Fast forward to last week and Hayden brought it home, reporting a massive labor and sex trafficking bust spearheaded by Roswell police.

I don’t know Chief Conroy well. But I work with his staff and I see how the department operates.

So last week when Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said that Chief Conroy was one of the best police leaders in the state, I thought to myself, you know what, she might be right.

I am not writing this column because the Roswell Police Department just took down, in the chief’s words, “an extensive human trafficking and prostitution network,” executing 10 raids with 70 law enforcement personnel to cap a year-long investigation. But I want to give credit where credit is due.

MIKE

Columnist

What our kids don’t – but should – know

It is sometimes hard to keep time – or history – in perspective.

impotent politicians whose only priority is to stay in office no matter what is the only world they know.

Why would they?

So, what is it that they do know?

Really?

RAY APPEN

Publisher Emeritus

Think about someone born after say, 1995 – anyone today 27 years old or younger – recently out of college, or in high school, junior high or elementary school. What have they not seen, not experienced, not witnessed that we have?

So, I am a boomer, born in 1954, which makes me 69, and that puts me in the boomer years but not by much. What does that mean, relative to those born in 1995 or later? What did they not have the benefit of experiencing that would have influenced their world view, their values, their priorities, their sensibilities?

Well, let’s start with the 900-pound elephant in the room today! These kids – that’s what I will call them –have never known a political system that worked. All they know is this polarized, zero sum, no compromise, no “let’s think of the country first” political landscape. They would have no idea what was meant if they heard “It’s not what your country can do for you; it’s what you can do for your country.” They would probably laugh. Who would blame them? They would be clueless. Chaos, polarization and

THE

They don’t know war, not really, even though our country has been at war continuously for the last 80 years – and generally not very successfully I am sorry to note. They certainly don’t know WW II, or Korea, or Vietnam –the close-to-home wars where everyone knew someone who died or was wounded. Of course, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and ISIS are probably on their radar, but for most, those places and situations are so distant – like not in their backyard.

They don’t know a country in chaos in the street opposing the war in Vietnam. They don’t know Mai Lai. They don’t know Kent State, the Weather Underground, the SDS, or who J. Edger Hoover or H. Rap Brown was. And they only vaguely know – if at all – the events of 1968: the assassinations, the long hot summer of riots, the rage, the madness, the sadness. It’s not there in their memory. It just isn’t.

They don’t know of a time or events that were worth fighting for – or dying for, or sacrificing for. They haven’t lost anything important and had to fight to get back. It’s hard to imagine that they appreciate – really understand and appreciate a “normal” status quo – the absence of really bad stuff going on.

And today, we expect them to vote?

They know so much about bad cops and they know more about race and all the baggage of race that permeates the world today. Race and law enforcement is top of their mind today. That’s just the way it has played out. And what are they supposed to think? All cops are bad or just a few rotten ones? All people who end up being killed or beaten by the cops deserve it or don’t?

And then there is rule of law. We who were born before 1995 know that the rule of law generally works – not all the time but most of the time –equal protection under the law. We know that the law is the law, and if you break the law and are caught, you will be punished. Yes, the rich and well connected all too often have a different set of laws, and so do the poor but for most of us in the middle, rule of law works relatively well.

For more than six years, all the kids hear from an ex-president and much of his party is that the entire system that is the core, the foundation for our society and our Democracy is corrupt, wrong and rigged. They hear this over and over and over. The Supreme Court is bad, the Justice Department and the FBI are all corrupt. The voting system is bogus. All the generals are incompetent. NATO is a failure. The CDC has no idea what they are talking about, and on and on.

And about a third of the country supports those ludicrous ideas. Can we have done a greater disservice to our kids or our collective future?

So, what exactly are our kids supposed to think? Upon what “history” are they going to base their decisions about the veracity of our core institutions? Facebook? Instagram? TikTok? Heaven help us.

I think if we could change anything surely it would be that politicians stop attacking all the institutions that hold our Democracy and our society together. Isn’t that doable? That would give our kids at least a chance to have confidence in who we are and where we can go as a country. It could give them the motivation and confidence to believe that their voice can be important and that it is heard, and that they have standing.

If you had asked me even 30 years ago if I could ever envision a time when the entire future of our country has been mortgaged by self-serving politicians without shame, honor or integrity, I would have thought you mad. But that is exactly where we find ourselves today.

What are our kids supposed to think? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller, Bueller?

Ray Appen is Publisher Emeritus of Appen Media. Email him at ray@appenmedia.com.

Two books for a trip across the pond to find mystery

KATHY MANOS PENN

If you follow my columns, you know that I’m an Anglophile through and through, and that I have numerous British authors whose mystery series I follow. This week’s reviews cover a new-to-me author and an old favorite.

before my flight. The characters drew me in. What would prompt a youngish and successful Oxford professor to give up the scholarly life and move to the remote Lake District?

with his dog, the visits from his daughter and granddaughter, and his friendship with Siobhan Clarke, who was once his partner on the force.

Typical of his restless nature, though, he can’t resist when he’s summoned by his nemesis, Gerry Cafferty. And so begins the tale that will see Rebus behind bars and on trial. That’s not a spoiler —it’s in the blurb for the book and it’s the opening scene.

Forest in Dunwoody and Bookmiser in East Cobb or on Amazon. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/KathyManosPennAuthor/

Columnist

I discovered Martin Edwards as I was searching for books set in the Lake District in England. Whenever I travel, it’s my habit to prepare for my trip by reading books set in my destination, and Edwards’s Lake District mysteries fit the bill for the trip I took in July.

“The Coffin Trail” by Martin Edwards I began with the very first in the series. Edwards’s descriptions of the area quickly transported me across the pond even

The author reveals the backstory along the way rather than all at once, and I enjoyed the book as much for the evolving relationships and revelations as for the murder mystery at its heart. It was so intriguing that I’ve gone on to read the next two in the in the eight-book series — “The Cipher Garden” and “The Arsenic Labyrinth.”

I plan to space out the rest to make the enjoyment last.

“A Heart Full of Headstones”

by Ian Rankin

I’ve been reading Ian Rankins’s John Rebus series ever since I discovered it many years ago. This most recent installment finds Rebus retired from the police force in Edinburgh. He’s somewhat content

It is a character arc that we fans could have perhaps anticipated, and it’s fitting that Rebus reflects on his life throughout the story, the lines he’s crossed, the deserving criminals he’s put behind bars, and whether he’s followed the best path.

That makes two engrossing series with male leads — one relatively young, and the other older and world-weary. Of the two, the Rebus series is the darker one, but both are enjoyable.

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries locally at The Enchanted

Americans honor military heroes with wreaths

Americans honor their military heroes, both fallen and living, in many ways. Today we will focus on one program Wreaths Across America, but first we will highlight some of the most meaningful ways Americans pay their respects.

Memorial Day is a time when we mourn and honor the military heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. The holiday began in a few communities soon after the Civil War. Parades, patriotic ceremonies and the installation of markers recognizing individual military personnel who fell in the line of duty are held in towns and cities throughout the United States. From 1868 to 1970 it was observed on May 30. Since 1971, it is observed on the last Monday in May, making it a three-day weekend when thousands of travelers visit with friends and relatives.

Veterans Day commemorates all Americans who have served in the military, living or deceased and whether they served in wartime or peacetime. Veterans Day originated after World War l ended with the signing of an armistice on Nov. 11, 1918. President Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919. Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 by President Eisenhower at the urging of. veterans’ organization so it would honor all veterans rather than mark the end of a single war. Veterans Day is always celebrated on November 11.

On Memorial Day and Veterans Day the President or his designee lays a memorial wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The first military burial at Arlington Cemetery took place on May 13, 1864. Approximately 30 funeral services are held each weekday at the cemetery. More than 250,000 wreaths will be placed in Arlington National Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 16, 2023.

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor was first awarded in 1863. It is our military's highest honor, recognizing acts of valor that have saved the lives of American troops in combat. Of the more than 3,500 recipients, only 65 are living today. Since 1941, more than half of the Medals of Honor have been awarded posthumously.

Truckers donate vacation time and cost of transportation of wreaths from Maine to locations throughout the country. Here a trucker with Tribe Transportation company

Wreaths Across America

A wide range of private organizations such as churches, schools and community service groups have programs honoring fallen veterans. One of the largest private programs is Wreaths Across America which places fresh evergreen wreaths on the graves of veterans every December.

From its humble beginning in 1992 in Maine, this December some 2 million volunteers will place more than 2

million wreaths at 3,700 participating local, church and military cemeteries throughout the United States and abroad. This year's Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16.

In Georgia, family members and other volunteers will lay wreaths at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton which has more than 35,000 gravesites.

One of the most important Georgia

activities will be organized by the Patriots of Liberty chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Chapter in Alpharetta. This chapter is only 8 years old, and has more than 90 members. In addition to its annual wreath-laying program, the chapter tries to locate and make contact with as many living World War ll, Viet Nam and Korean War veterans as possible, most of whom live in assisted living facilities. They also participate once a year in a drive-thru baby shower for pregnant female veterans, many in financial need. They sponsor a student essay contest, and volunteers take part in stream and park cleanup programs.

According to the chapter’s Committee Chairman Jennifer Boren “Our current focus is this year’s Wreaths Across America program. It is an important opportunity to show our respect for deceased veterans while raising funds to support our programs.”

The chapter sells wreaths for $17 each. Volunteers will place the wreaths on veterans’ graves in eight cemeteries in the Alpharetta, Milton and Johns Creek area Dec. 16. For each wreath sold, the chapter will receive $5 to support their activities throughout the year.

Readers who would like to purchase a wreath from the DAR or to volunteer can contact Jennifer Boren at 770-653-0960 or patriotsoflibertychapter@gmail.com.

The Roswell Historical Society and community volunteers will lay wreaths on 270 veterans’ graves in three local cemeteries. To volunteer for wreath laying contact Roswell Historical Society cemetery coordinator Janet Johnson at rhs.cemetery@gmail.com. To sponsor wreaths in Roswell go to wreathsacrossamerica.org/ga0090p. The Roswell Presbyterian Church also sponsors wreath laying at two Roswell cemeteries.

BOB MEYERS

Columnist

JANET JOHNSON

and his dog deliver wreaths to Roswell in 2018.

ROSWELL HISTORICAL SOCIETY Vietnam veteran Sgt. Tony Lay, U.S. Army, reverently lays a wreath at Old Roswell Cemetery in 2020.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

More than 250,000 wreaths will be placed in Arlington National Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day on December 16, 2023. Tens of thousands of volunteers will lay the wreaths.

JANET JOHNSON

Members of Roswell Woman's Club place wreaths at Old Roswell Cemetery.

Celebrating 30 years for Spruill Gallery in historic home

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

Thirty years have passed since the Spruill home place on Ashford Dunwoody Road became home to Spruill Gallery. The Sept. 30, 1993, Dunwoody Crier shared the exciting news with the community and featured a photograph of five generations of Spruill women on the front porch of the historic home. The home dates to 1905 while some of the outbuildings date to 1867.

The history of Spruill Gallery begins with the North DeKalb Arts Center. A group of women began holding art classes in the basement of Dunwoody United Methodist Church. Church Board of Trustee member Gerry Spruill was instrumental in helping this happen.

Eileen Palestrini volunteered to serve as the first director of North DeKalb Arts Center, until permanent director Edwina P. Laughlin was hired. Two classes were offered with a total of 11 students.

The Center moved in 1978 to a larger space at Dunwoody Park on Roberts Drive. The former Dunwoody Park is now Dunwoody Nature Center. (“The Story of Dunwoody 1821-2001, by Ethel W. Spruill, Elizabeth L. Davis, Lynne Byrd, Joyce Amacher)

When Dunwoody Elementary School on Chamblee Dunwoody Road closed in 1985, DeKalb County Board of Education, DeKalb County Commissioners, and the community came together to purchase the historic school site. The North DeKalb Cultural Center was created, and a ribbon cutting was held Jan. 6, 1989.

There was a need for gallery space, which was first made possible when Taylor & Mathis and Metropolitan Life provided 1,800 square feet of retail space at Park Place. The next move was to South Terraces at Perimeter Center.

In 1991, the Spruill homeplace was donated to the North Arts Center by Ethel Warren Spruill, widow of Stephen T. Spruill and by Onnie Mae Spruill, Stephen Spruill’s daughter from his first marriage to Mollie Carter Spruill. The donation included 5.4 acres of land, a house, and outbuildings. Kathleen Spruill Meiers shared with me that the house was moved about 100 yards south from its original location.

The former North DeKalb Arts Center was named Spruill Center for the Arts and the gallery named Spruill Arts Gallery in honor of the Spruill family gift. The historic home offered 1,900 square feet of gallery space, a history room, and a gift shop. The smokehouse and wheat house on the property were kept as part of the historic site.

A grand opening was held Sunday, Oct. 3, 1993, complete with art exhibits, craft demonstrations, entertainment and refreshments. A puppet show was presented based on history from “The Story of Dunwoody.”

The Spruill Art Gallery offers four to six exhibits each year. The current exhibit is “Facing Ya’ll, Inclusion Through the Lens.” The exhibit “celebrates the faces that frame the diversity of today’s South through the lens of its photographer,” and continues through Oct. 29, 2023.

The Spruill Gallery Gift Shop features crafted gifts, fine art and décor by over 100 local artists.

Spruill Center for the Arts CEO Alan Mothner looks forward to the future of the Gallery.

“We’ve seen a lot of changes in the area over the last 30 years, but the one constant has been the Spruill Gallery sitting atop its overlook on Ashford Dunwoody Road,” he said. “With our recently hired Gallery Director, Shannon

Morris, in place and an updated strategic plan on the horizon, we are eager to welcome in even more changes in the next 30 years and to continue to be an inclusive gathering spot for all of Dunwoody and the Perimeter’s art lovers.”

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.

Spruill women from multiple generations were captured in this 1993 photograph on the front porch of Spruill Gallery. Seated from left are: Florence Spruill, wife of Carey Spruill, who was the son of Stephen Spruill and first wife Mollie Carter Spruill; Ethel W. Spruill, second wife of Stephen Spruill. Standing, from left are: Gerry Spruill, wife of Hugh Spruill, who was the son of Florence and Carey Spruill; Beth Saxe, daughter of Hugh and Gerry Spruill; and 3 ½-year-old Catherine Saxe, daughter of Beth Saxe in the middle.

GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!

Finding Trahlyta’s legacy on a North Georgia roadside

Well, I walked out the door the other day, and what should greet me but a fluttering golden leaf drifting down out of the sky.

Us writer types can get prosaic and eloquent about such things. That’s fun sometimes. But what it mostly means is that it’s time to dig out the yard rake.

You do remember yard rakes, don’t you? Is that what they’re called these days? When I was young, they had springy metal tines, and I’d get it from the basement and then go out and rake the yard. I’d pile up all the leaves in a giant golden pyramid of fluffy fall goodness. I’d pile it higher and higher and higher and higher still until it seemed like it would reach all the way to the sun, or at least as far as the top of those pine trees over yonder. I’d back up a few paces and admire my handiwork. And then I’d get a running start and launch myself skyward, and I would crash-land into the pile, sending golden streamers flying everywhere. And I’d laugh as I landed, and then I’d wiggle in the leaves for a while until they swallowed me whole.

Then I’d extract myself and hunt down the yard rake and resweep the yard, and I’d do it all again and again until it was time for supper.

Youth was wonderful, wasn’t it? So were yard rakes. Mulching mowers are no doubt a lot more efficient, but yard rakes and piles of leaves are a lot more fun.

And that makes me wonder: do we humans have an innate predisposition to put things in piles?

Maybe so, and all sorts of things: unopened bills, dirty socks, brightly wrapped presents beneath an ornate December tree.

Piles of things.

Piles of stones.

Stones? Well, yes, for another thing that fall means is trips to the mountains to see leaves. And every time I go leaf-looking I seem to pass by this one certain place, a little spot at the intersection of U.S. Highway 19 and Georgia 60. It’s the time-honored site of a pile of stones, an ever-growing pyramid of rocks and cobbles that is certainly the stuff of legends…hopelessly romantic legends…in particular, the Legend of Stonepile Gap.

According to the historic marker at the site, the stonepile marks the grave of a Cherokee princess named Trahlyta. Her tribe, it is said, lived on nearby Cedar Mountain.

Anyway, it seems that Trahlyta’s tribe somehow knew the secret of a magic spring of eternal youth, a spring which burbled to the surface somewhere up on Cedar Mountain. They had learned this delightful tidbit from the Witch of Cedar Mountain, and they guarded it closely.

Trahlyta was exceptionally beautiful (that’s often the case with legendary princesses) and drew the attention of a Cherokee warrior named Wahsega. But she wasn’t impressed and rejected his romantic overtures. That kind of thing happens a lot in legends, too.

Poor Wahsega wasn’t too happy about getting the cold shoulder, however, so he kidnapped Trahlyta and took her to (you guessed it) a “place far away.”

But uh-oh. Now relocated to a land far from home, Trahlyta was cut off from the spring of eternal youth So she began to age, just like all the rest of us.

Years passed. Trahlyta grew old. And one day, on the day she lay dying, she got Wahsega to promise to bury her near her home on Cedar Mountain, near the magical spring of her youth.

Wahsega was true to his word, and the pile of stones you see there today is said to mark her final resting place.

In the years after Trahlyta’s death, a custom developed in the land. People passing near the grave began to drop stones on the site – one stone for each person who passed that way. To do so, it was said, would bring good luck, presumably in all things but especially (some say) in love.

Now you know.

How has the stonepile survived for so long? You’d think no one in his right mind would mess with anything that promised luck in life and in love. But over the years, it’s said, there were indeed efforts to move the pile of stones. However, those efforts came to a bad end every time (that happens a lot in legends too), and folks eventually got the message. And so the pile of stones remains right there, right where the two roads meet.

And now I’m back, standing in a creek, a fly rod in one hand and a small stone in the other. I picked up the stone from the creek bed, and on my way home I’ll stop and add it to the pile.

When I return later on, I know that she will be interested in this, so I will tell her the story over supper at the Waffle House or somewhere. And then:

“Did you drop a stone on the pile?” she will ask. I know that she will. And she will add, “Are you lucky in all things?”

“Yes, I did,” I will say. “I did place a stone on the pile. And yes I am.”

But that’ll come later. Right now, I imagine that maybe the very creek I am standing in is fed by the magical spring, the one that gives eternal youth, the one near the stonepile that makes one lucky in life and in love, the one that makes everything perpetually brand new.

So…should I?

I like the notion that some of the spring’s water has flowed down the mountain and made its way into the very stream where I am fishing. I like that.

So why not?

It couldn’t hurt anything, and nobody is looking.

I dip my hand into the cool, cool stream and lift it to my lips.

Just a sip. Just one.

STEVE HUDSON

Columnist

STEVE HUDSON/ PROVIDED

Park:

Continued from Page 1

The park’s first phase of construction included four synthetic-turf rectangular fields, a walking trail, a playground, a concession area, restrooms and a parks maintenance facility. Three miles of natural-surface walking trails were added in 2018.

The original master plan proposed the library and a senior center in the undeveloped north portion of the park and four baseball diamonds to the south. In the new plans, the proposed senior center has been removed in favor of the recreation center, and the baseball fields have been scrapped.

At the Sept. 26 meeting, LDDBlueline consultant Dave McCauley said the plans were revised based on community feedback.

“It was going to be a lot of site work costs to get to that location,” he said. “It’s a very beautiful natural setting, and so we felt like it made sense, and based on the public feedback to locate it more near the front of the park, be more cost effective, which means more money could be directed towards the buildings themselves, facilities themselves, than just on the infrastructure.”

McCauley said project staff conducted two meetings and an online survey to gain public feedback, which earned some 1,200 responses.

Respondents ranked walking trails as their top amenity in the new master plan, with a disc golf course, a dog park, mountain bike trails and a playground also drawing votes.

“… regardless of which jurisdiction we

DEATH NOTICES

Joanna Addison, 64, of Milton, passed away on Sept. 22, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Elizabeth Boyd, 77, of Roswell, passed away on Sept. 15, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

George Brink, 70, of Roswell, passed away on Sept. 10, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Otis Burger, 85, of Woodstock, passed away on Sept. 11, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

are in, which state you’re in, the number one item is always going to be trails,” McCauley said.

The county identified the recreation center in its 2022-26 five-year capital improvement program, but it was scrapped in the following year’s update due to a lack

Michelle Campbell, 51, of Milton, passed away on Sept. 17, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Albert Cunningham, 68, of Roswell, passed away on Sept. 13, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

James Dwiggins, 88, of Roswell, passed away on Sept. 16, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Debra Eikey, 67, of Roswell, passed away on Sept. 24, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED

This site plan shows a detailed view of the proposed Matt Park recreation center and library master plan. If funded, the plan would add a future library; a recreation center with space for potential expansion; basketball, pickleball and volleyball courts; a playground; and additional parking.

of funding.

While commissioners approved the updated master plan as a possible blueprint for future development, it is not set in stone. McCauley said the design may change again if community sentiment shifts by the time the project is funded.

Burton Hammond, 94, of Alpharetta, passed away on Sept. 8, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Irene Hopper, 93, of Marietta, passed away on Sept. 18, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Richard Mumford, 62, of Cumming, passed away on Sept. 12, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Karen Owen, 64, of Milton, passed away on Sept. 14, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

District 3 Commissioner Todd Levent said the park could see SPLOST funding in the future.

County Parks and Recreation Director Kirk Franz said the Matt Park recreation center is a priority, but like all capital projects, it is subject to available funding.

Holly Persyn, 92, of Cumming, passed away on Sept. 7, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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