Forsyth Herald – December 27, 2018

D e c e m b e r 2 7 , 2 0 1 8 | Fo r s y t h H e r a l d . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 1 , N o . 5 2

Senator Williams indicted for fraud

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County stops water treatment facility

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Legislators talk local issues

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A look back at 2018 It’s that time of year again. The Herald hits the rewind button and looks back at most talked about and impactful stories of 2018 with our annual “Year in Review.” Read more, Pages 12-16.

1. Forsyth residents pack South Forsyth High School April 26 for a town hall to discuss the proposed second city of Sharon Springs.

2. Denmark High School, which offers classes in veterinary sciences, of-

ficially opens July 28.

3. Fire Chief Danny Bowman is honored by his colleagues Oct. 16 at his retirement party at Tam’s Backstage.

4. The new Cumming City Council is

sworn in Jan. 2. They are, from left Christopher Light, Lewis Ledbetter, Mayor Troy Brumbalow, Linda Ledbetter, Chad Crane and Jason Evans.

Parsons to close doors in 2019

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2 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

Public Safety

Local state senator indicted for insurance fraud 770-442-3278 | ForsythHerald.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 PUBLISHER Ray Appen

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Republican and state Sen. Michael Williams was indicted Dec. 18 on three charges for insurance fraud, false reporting of a crime and making a false statement.

In May, Williams reported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation a theft of computer equipment, totaling about $300,000, from his campaign office in Gainesville. The servers were used in mining cryptocurrency for Williams’ business.

The servers were housed in his campaign office, but not used

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Police Blotter All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Gainesville man cited for damage to gas station FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 30-year-old man from Gainesville was cited recently after he admitted he damaged property at the Citgo gas station on Browns Bridge Road, then left the scene.

The gas station owner said a witness told him he had seen a car back into the overhang then leave.

The damage was to a carport-style structure built to shelter the picnic tables. The structure was so damaged, the owner said he was afraid to touch it for fear it would fall.

Video footage shows the man leaving the store, getting into his car, backing into the overhang and then leaving. The camera had a clear view of his face, and deputies determined he was the owner of the car.

The station owner was able to get the license plate of that car, so deputies went to the man’s house where they found a few scratches on the car, but deputies could not say with certainty that they came from the accident.

The man admitted to backing into

for the campaign.

Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh has confirmed the indictment and said Williams is working on turning himself in.

Williams’ spokesman said in May he believed the theft could have been politically motivated.

Williams has been the District 27 state Senator since 2014 and ran for governor this year.

He will vacate his seat in January to Greg Dolezal.

the pole, but said he did not see any damage. He was cited for failure to notify upon striking a fixed object.

Owner reports tire slashed on vehicle parked in drive FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A woman discovered someone had slashed a tire on her van as it sat in the driveway at her home of Forest path Drive overnight.

The deputy reported the tire had three slash marks on it.

Two cuts were knife shaped and one was larger.

The homeowners said they had not seen anyone around the house recently.

Thieves remove 5 cars from auto dealership FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — An auto dealership reported five cars and a license plate were taken from their business off Jake Drive recently.

The owner of United Global Imports off Jake Drive told deputies two different areas on the building wall were used to gain entry to the business. One area was near the office where the keys to the cars were kept and the other was in the garage.

Five vehicles were taken, including a Lexus, Audi, Honda, BMW and Porsche, totaling about $110,000 in value. A tag

Williams

was removed from a Mercedes in the parking lot.

Two sets of keys were found in the parking lot on the ground. Deputies discovered the thieves took 60 other sets of keys from a key box along with six titles to other cars taken from the shop.

The owner said he would review surveillance footage and report back to authorities.

House guest suspected in theft of guns, other items FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Upon his return from a trip, a man notified authorities he suspected his house guest had stolen items from his home.

The man returned to his house on Forest Knoll Court recently and discovered five guns, a backpack leaf blower, two Yeti coolers and a small work bench were missing.

He said he has allowed a 43-year-old woman he knew to stay at the house for the past few months. The woman, he said, had a friend who would visit, and he had purchased one of the guns from the visitor.

The owner said he had been trying to get the woman to move out. He asked the woman and her friend to come over to confront them about the thefts, but they both said they did not steal the items.

The woman moved out after the accusations were leveled, and the homeowner does not know where she is living.

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Two men were arrested recently after they were suspected of trafficking in methamphetamines and heroin.

Deputies stopped a car on Keith Bridge Road and found eight knives in the backseat within reach of all three occupants.

The 29-year-old driver said they

See BLOTTER, Page 8

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4 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

NEWS

County halts plans for new water reclamation facility

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Plans for a hotly contested water reclamation facility in northeast Forsyth County have been halted after the County Commission voted Dec. 20 more information was needed before proceeding.

The commission voted to back out of an agreement to buy 99 acres on which to build the facility. The commission’s decision drew cheers from the crowd in attendance at the meeting.

The county currently manages one drinking water facility and seven water reclamation facilities. It also manages a water distribution system of 1,066 miles and a wastewater collection system of 590 miles, with 57 pump stations.

The county had reached an agreement back in September to purchase the property from Andrew and Lisa Tallant for $3 million. Funding for the purchase was to come from Water and Sewer capital improvement funds generated by connection fees paid by new sanitary sewer customers.

County Attorney Ken Jarrard said after the contract was approved, county staff asked for an extension until May of 2019 because the due diligence period would expire in mid-January.

Commission Chairman Todd Levent said that after the county held a town hall and heard from citizens opposed to the project, he wanted more time to get the facility correct before moving forward.

“I’ve heard some things during public comment but the most interesting one

Forsyth County Government/Special

The proposed water reclamation facility is designed to collect wastewater from homes and businesses within a drainage basin to a central location for advanced treatment approved by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. was a rumor,” he said. “When something comes up and someone is adamantly against something, we hear it all the time of people coming up with the most insane worst case scenarios to scare everybody.”

One of the biggest issues opponents cite is the proposed facility’s proximity to a high school planned to be built nearby.

County officials said while the high school will use the facility, the location was selected for other reasons.

They stress the facility will include buffers, and the property will be secured and gated. Chemicals necessary for the treatment processes are stored and managed according to federal safety

regulations and would remain within the facility’s buildings or treatment areas.

The high school property is owned by the Forsyth County Board of Education, but the exact location of the facility and any access roads have not been finalized.

“This is not some kind of smoke and mirror thing for the schools to say, ‘yeah we’ll build schools to deceive our public so we can have a sewer plant there,” Levent said. “That’s just ludicrous. I’m not an expert in that field. You are the citizens in that area. You have every right to say if you want it or not. I implore you to really look at it hard and don’t let somebody lead you with scare

tactics.”

The treatment plant footprint is planned to occupy 25 acres. Original proposals called for using the remaining acreage for buffers and other potential developments such as a park.

“I don’t know if I’d like to extend this thing at all,” Levent said. “As far as I’m concerned, I’d like to walk away while staff looks at other options and bring them to us. We can always enter back into a contract with this land owner if they wish to or not. We are not here to ruin your lives. Our job is to serve the citizens of this county and try to make your lives better.”

As early as 2002, Forsyth County has been planning for a water reclamation facility in the area that would use advanced wastewater treatment processes.

The purpose of this facility is to allow development of public sewer, reducing the number of septic systems and private wastewater treatment facilities. Back in 2000, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division told the county it needs to reclaim and treat wastewater so it can be returned to streams and lakes.

While no plans are finalized, the county expects the facility to be constructed in phases beginning in 2020, with an initial capacity of 2.5 million gallons per day. The plant would then be expanded to treat 5 million gallons per day and then to 10. The highly treated wastewater would be released into Lake Lanier, somewhere in the Chestatee Bay area, off Waldrip Road.

To learn more and find answers to commonly asked questions, visit https://bit.ly/2AcnNFN.

Used car shop approved on former Mr. Swiss site

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — The former Mr. Swiss restaurant site has sat vacant for years, but that’s about to change.

At its Dec. 18 meeting, the Cumming City Council approved a conditional use permit for a used automobile sales business at 409 Atlanta Highway operated by Terry Phillips. The vote passed 4-1 with Jason Evans opposed.

The conditions include: • In the event of any violation of any local ordinance, regulation or state code in connection with the property and business, the permit will be revoked.

• The permit is specific to Phillips and the business he currently holds a license for.

• Various setback limits have been

established.

• No more than 20 cars are allowed on the premises at any one time which are for sale, being evaluated, and repaired or for any commercial purpose.

This does not include customer cars.

Phillips agreed to provide the council a copy of his site plan including a layout of the proposed parking spaces. He is required to provide three to four parking spaces for customers and employees, Cumming Director of Planning and Zoning Scott Morgan said.

The approval comes after the Cumming Planning Commission unanimously recommended denial for the permit in 2016.

A staff report presented to the Planning Commission described numerous code and regulatory violations spanning several years, including a concentration

The location has been vacant for several years after a fire started in the kitchen of the Mr. Swiss restaurant in 2013. Mr. Swiss has been open since 1971, and moved to its current location at 230 Elm Street in the Central Plaza shopping center, suite 800, in 2015. of violations in 2018.

Councilman Louis Ledbetter said the city will be controlling every car lot in the city the same way in the future.

Morgan said the city has a similar case coming up at a future Planning Commission meeting and the city has already added a number of requirements

including setback limits.

The location has been vacant for several years after a fire started in the kitchen of the Mr. Swiss restaurant in 2013. Mr. Swiss has been open since 1971, and moved to its current location at 230 Elm Street in the Central Plaza shopping center, suite 800, in 2015.

OPINION

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018 | 5

A Christmas story 2018 My Christmas column arrived in the mail yesterday in the form of a Christmas card and note from a woman from Massachusetts who I met on my Appalachian Trail hike — Jacey Shumaker.

Ray appen She was hiking with Publisher ray@appenmediagroup.com her two daughters, ages approximately 7 and 10, and a great big golden lab.

We met because a giant storm rolled in just before dusk and she quickly struck down her tent and, along with her girls and Rufus (the pup), relocated into the shelter where I had already set up.

So it was me, my hiking bud Stan, Jacey and her two daughters and the pup hunkered down in that shelter while the heavens poured down into the night.

My Christmas story is about simple things.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Dinner was, as it always is, wonderful. She cooked salmon briquettes, pasta, broccoli and served something sweet for desert. Dining with them is something my wife and I treasure when we are on Dog Island. They are in their 80s and have been living on the island for about 30 years now. I think of him as the “patriarch,” the only one I have known outside of my grandfather, H.V. Appen.

My island patriarch is a retired physician who has operated on his kitchen counter countless times. He has saved people from dying and he has pronounced others dead on the island. They are the couple who people turn to when they need to know something, when they need advice, when they need help of any kind. They lead a life that Christina

and I watch closely because it is how we want to live. There is a “giving” in their house — a caring, and a curiosity that for decades has been the mother of knowledge, of learning and of continuous renewal of their wonder of who we are and why.

After dinner we move over to the living room, to the comfortable leather couches worn well by so many who have passed time in their island home.

He tells me stories and begins with the story about his entering the University of Chicago at 16 or 17, about the great Nobel laureates who were doing research as well as teaching there at the time. He talks about the “great books” — Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles — that formed the core of his and his classmates’ pre-med education and their path toward mastery of medicine.

His grasp for the detail is stunning and his recall near total. He remembers all the names, the years, the dates, the course syllabi, and the conversation reaches long strides and the hours flow as I listen with acute focus even though I’ve heard some of it before.

I listen because I want to hear his story. His life has been a long one.

Sharing it with me is part of his story and I will be part of his story because I have heard it.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The HVAC guy is a stranger. He is relatively young — I say in his early 30s.

I bring him out to the island in my boat.

Mine is not a regular service call. He has to drive. He has to get on a boat and go out into the Gulf almost five miles. He has heard things about this place. He doesn’t know me from Adam. We arrive and he fixes the system. It was the best small, broken thing outcome. Hallelujah, I think. Finally, in this time when everything seems to be going to heck I

get a break.

The return boat ride back is slow.

The wind is strong and cold. Waves punish the boat and the people inside — us.

He talks. I listen.

His wife is an addict. Actually it is his ex-wife. His two kids are doing so well. He has raised them by himself. She never sees them, has never shown any interest. Grandmother keeps them when he is in Alaska doing contract refrigeration work for three months each year.

One year, his oldest daughter told him for her birthday she only wanted one thing — to talk to her mom on the phone. “I just want to hear her voice.” He tells me, “she calls her mom and finally, finally she actually answers her phone and she recognizes who she is talking to — her daughter. “Let me call you right back, I‘m in the middle of something she says.”

His face is still. His eyes do not focus for an instant. The boat crashes hard after an unusually large swell.

Then he starts talking about his father. I remember quickly that I heard the doctor — for the first time ever — also talk about his father, briefly. And I think that all fathers are alike — like bridges that tower high over our heads, spanning terrifying currents below, currents of threatening water covered with whitecaps blown by bitter north winds.

They are bridges over fear, offering safety and strength.

Fathers are always like that aren’t they? When everything is said and done,

their shadow is what lingers on, never fading, never absent, filling all the space around us.

The boat finally pulls along the pier and Justin my HVAC guy gets out. I thank him and tell him that he is family now. Out on the island, he is family.

Later the next day he texts me simply, “Thank you Ray.” –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– On the front of Jacey’s Christmas card are pictures of her family in Iceland, out hiking, soaking in hot springs and sharing time. On the back of the card (and I am sure Jacey would not mind if I share) she wrote: “Wishing you and your family the happiest of holidays. May you continue to find new and marvelous traditions to celebrate throughout the year. Look… listen… and be present, build something with your own hands, sing a song out loud, try something new, watch the sunset and take a picture with your mind, tell someone you love them every day, persist, put your feet in the river remember everyone has a story, be thankful all year, cook an old family recipe, and be sure to find time in the daily routine to remember what is most important.

“May the holiday spirit follow you and your families through the upcoming year. Love, The Shumakers.”

I will try my best Jacey. I promise. I will listen with all my heart and I will try to remember what is important. Merry, Happy, Jolly 2019, and please listen.

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OPINION

6 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

Just the facts, please!

With a new year on the horizon, people automatically assume that I’m going to climb a bell tower while firmly gripping my sanctimonious staff, dressed in jeans and a graphic tee that displays Kimberly Tyson what appears to be a Advertising Assistant kimberly@appenmediagroup.com dismal cow coddling its youngin’ and all while ceremoniously ranting, “Go vegan in 2019!”

They predict that I’ll be preaching the health benefits of an exclusive plantbased diet along with the promise that it’s the answer to your weight loss woes, the perfect alternative to modern medicine, and the cure-all for any and all of your ailments.

If you haven’t already guessed, I’m vegan and have been for nearly five years. Although eliminating meat and meat byproducts from my diet has blessed me with an immeasurable amount of health benefits, I know that this way of life is not for everyone, so I try not to shovel my theory about being vegan into anyone’s yard. Instead of preaching, I resort to using a good oldfashioned approach when I’m questioned about my reasons for becoming vegan. I like to call my approach — just the facts.

I adopted this approach when I had children. Unlike my generation, I discovered that my kids seek evidence over wisdom.

They can’t just be told anything. In many circumstances where a lesson is being taught, I like to give them just the facts and allow those facts to marinate in their heads. So when I tell my middle schooler that smoking is bad, it doesn’t

Eat Plants 4 Life Aside from working at Appen Media Group, Kimberly Tyson is a freelance writer and vegan blogger. Read more from Kimberly at EatPlants4Life.com resonate. But when I explain that her Popi lost his larynx and uses a voice prosthesis because he developed throat cancer caused by chain smoking in the ’60s and ’70s, she mulls over the facts and decides (supposedly on her own) that smoking is probably not a good habit to start.

I do the same when sharing my theories about a vegan diet. Despite the fact that I am often judged by nonvegans about my “unhealthy” dietary ways, I try not to do the same. The world is already flooded with finger pointers.

But it doesn’t stop me from rolling my eyes when I hear that dreadful question, “What do you have against meat?”

Instead of rattling off statistics about an animal–based diet versus a plantbased diet (you can read The China Study by T. Colin Campbell for that), I give them just the facts — my facts. And here they are.

I’m a 40+ year-old woman predisposed to have diabetes and high blood pressure by this age based on family history. But because of my diet, those three important numbers are in the good range.

I’m not referring to the three numbers our society typically obsesses over on the beacon of a New Year. It’s not about the three digits on the scale.

These are not the numbers we should be totally focused on to determine our overall health. It’s the “real” numbers

Kimberly is a vegan blogger for EatPlants4life.com. She creates plant-based recipes with her daughters and encourages others to cook as a family and to teach their kids to embrace the power of plants. that are a factor. It’s my cholesterol (168 mg/dL), glucose (87 mg/dL), and bloodpressure (110/79). In my case, these numbers have been pretty good for the past five years. I’d like to think that my vegan diet, accompanied with regular exercise and getting enough sleep, have contributed to those numbers.

These are just the facts.

Another fact?

Recently, after having my blood

drawn for health insurance purposes, my insurance company gave me a health score of 97 and a health age of 22. Did I mention that I was in my 40s?

No preaching, no food shaming, no sad cows, no climbing of any bell towers.

But the next time I’m asked, “What do you have against meat?” I’ll be sure to share those facts. May 2019 bring you good health, no matter how you choose to go about it.

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ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018 | 7

8 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

OPINION

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Start a trend; Be nice

Good afternoon good people of North Fulton. In the midst of the holiday season and with the recent passing of former President George Bush, I would like to remind all of us for his call for a kinder and gentler nation.

This has to start locally. Too many elected officials at the national and state levels are too caught up in an “us versus them” mentality to set an example of civility for anyone.

So be kind to your neighbors, (not just the people living next door), donate your time and/or money to charity and help someone less fortunate than yourself. Be kind to the store clerks, generous to your servers and grateful to all of the civil servants and others who contribute to the quality of life here.

And take a few deep breaths, slow down and appreciate all of the blessings that you have. So enjoy the holidays however you choose to celebrate them.

And to paraphrase a well-known slogan, “just do nice.”

— Ms. Rogers

Blotter: Continued from Page 2 had traveled to Atlanta to visit a friend from prison. He said they stayed only 20 minutes.

One of the passengers emptied his pockets for deputies and was found in possession of a small bag of marijuana.

He said they were coming from a “rescue mission” for a friend just across the road in Cumming.

Deputies found both stories suspicious and believed more criminal activity was afoot.

The third passenger had a baggie of methamphetamine in his pocket.

Deputies searched the car and found heroin, marijuana in the hood of the car and methamphetamine in the backseat.

The driver and passenger with the meth were charged with trafficking heroin, methamphetamine and having marijuana with the intent to sell. The driver received an additional charge for failure to maintain lane.

SCHOOLS

Forsyth Schools devises Workforce 2.0 plan

By JILLIAN DIMARCO interns@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth Board of Education recently discussed the next initiatives of its Workforce program which focuses on developing strategies to support career, technical and agricultural education in the county.

Dubbed Workforce 2.0, the project will build on the initial plan created in 2014 and create education efforts, expand classroom participation and develop curricula for Forsyth County schools over the next three years.

Workforce 2.0 has set the goals of fulfilling the expectations of the leader profile, ensuring a highly effective workforce, providing safe and secure facilities for students, staff and programs, and deliver high quality services that maximize available resources.

A committee is currently organizing the priorities and goals for The Forsyth County Schools Career, Technical and Agricultural Education.

According to their plan, the best opportunities include a variety of career paths available beyond a four-year degree, expanded experiential learning, potential for continued growth of business partnerships, soft-skill development and the advantage of beginning career development and skill development at an earlier age.

In the long term, the committee of officials and educators said their program is best achieved when each school offers at least one leadership program, one career and technical organization, one leadership institute or any other leadership development opportunity.

Those priorities and goals are being reviewed by the steering committee, district advisory and teachers to determine future goals. To read the rest of the plans, visit bit.ly/2DR9xVI.

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10 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

SCHOOLS

Head custodian positive, humble about job

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — For Jason Cook, coming to work every day at Brookwood Elementary School is a joy.

The head custodian has been at the school since it opened in 2009. He joined the school system in 2004 as a custodian at Mashburn Elementary School.

“I’ve always done cleaning and I like to see the end results of it,” he said. “I like seeing how everything falls together.”

Prior to his positions with the school district, he worked for a carpet cleaning company.

“I’ve always been interested in working with the schools,” Cook said. “It’s a great place to work and be around the kids. It’s a steady job because there’s work year round.”

Some of the most memorable times include a fire alarm going off before the school opened and removing a snake from the playground.

“We’re part of the safety team, do the fire drills and lockdowns,” Cook said.

“We’re a little bit of everything. People think we don’t work in the summer, but it’s our busiest time. All the furniture comes out of the rooms and we wax and

KATHLEEN STURGEON/Herald

Since 2009, Jason Cook has been the head custodian at Brookwood Elementary School. get it back in.”

Although Cook has no children of

his own, he enjoys coming to school and seeing the students every day.

He’s typically the first person to arrive at 5 a.m.

“I come in and unlock the gates and school,” he said. “I first clean the hallways then start cleaning the classrooms. I like being the first person people see every morning. It’s nice to come in and get your day started and ready to go.”

He enjoys his coworkers.

“I love what I do,” Cook said. “I would not change anything about my job. It’s like family here and they’re my second family. This is what I like to do.”

He was recognized at the Dec. 11 Board of Education meeting as the county employee of the month.

“I don’t like toot my own horn,” he said. “I come in, do what I’m supposed to do. I try to keep everybody happy and do my job. It’s what I’m here for. I need to make sure everything goes well.”

A perk to working at Brookwood Elementary is that everyone helps each other out, Cook said.

“Everybody helps one another,” he said. “No one says they can’t help because it’s not their job. We all like to help each other. If one person is down, everyone comes and helps. The principal is the same way and we follow after her attitude.”

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ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018 | 11

Legislators talk transit, education and business

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Before 2019 General Assembly convenes next month, six local legislators gathered Dec. 18 for the annual Pre-Legislative Session breakfast.

The event was hosted by the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce and held at the Forsyth Conference Center.

The panel included Senator Elect Greg Dolezal, Rep. Marc Morris, Rep. Kevin Tanner, Rep. Todd Jones, Rep. Sheri Gilligan and Sen. Steve Gooch.

Transit, a hot topic for the community, had many in attendance wondering about The ATL, the region’s new transit governing body. Tanner was one of two legislators who crafted the bill.

Created by the Georgia Legislature this year, The ATL will serve as an umbrella agency to guide funding, planning and expansion of transit in 13 counties in and around Atlanta. It works in conjunction with existing transit systems.

“A lot of folks would like to expand the rail from Sandy Springs up to Windward, but that cost is estimated around $3 billion,” Tanner said. “The chances of that are slim. You all have a seat at

the table in the future of this corridor for transit. The ATL is coordinating transit services all across the region. Part of that is having a conversation on whether or not we want to extend that bus rapid transit to South Forsyth. It’s up to the county. There are some real opportunities there and we are going to see them come to fruition very quickly.”

Forsyth County Schools is home to some of the best performing schools in the state, so it is no surprise the public wants to know how it will be improved and continue to get better.

Gilligan praised the Forsyth Board of Education and wants to duplicate the members for other counties.

“Years ago, Forsyth County Board of Education was forward thinking and partnered with the community to make sure everybody had mentors and had people working within the school,” she said. “With the innovation done here, I wish we could clone it for the other counties. We need to make sure we have broadband access since so much education access is online. We need to make sure the person in the mountains of Georgia absolutely can get the homework online. We’ve done so many things to help our students succeed. But we need to look how to take the successes

KATHLEEN STURGEON/Herald

Legislators talk about the current trends and topics they will face in the next year.

The panel included, from left, Senator Elect Greg Dolezal, Rep. Marc Morris, Rep. Kevin Tanner, Rep. Todd Jones, Rep. Sheri Gilligan and Sen. Steve Gooch. in Forsyth County and replicate that.”

Many businesses are attracted to Forsyth County, and Dolezal said he is hoping to help that improve when he takes his seat in January. He also hopes to give the next generation a good place to live, work and play.

“The big piece of this is that it’s something we do working with the chamber, community, local businesses and government,” he said.

A big factor in that is planning around Ga. 400. He said if you look at what’s happening in the north 400 corridor, Exit 2 to 11 is built out. Windward

Parkway is a tech hub for the Southeast.

Then Exits 13, 14 and 15 are pretty much full leaving McFarland Parkway on Exit 12, and it’s not full.

“We need to work with our local leaders to continue to monitor inventory and preserve our commercial corridors,” Dolezal said. “We need to tell our story to other business leaders. We have a fantastic story to tell. This is a great place to own a business and I can speak to that personally. We need some coordination so when companies call for Forsyth County they know we’re open for business.”

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YEAR IN REVIEW

12 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

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Forsyth County embraces its uniqueness in 2018 Looking back over the past year, I am reminded of just how special Forsyth County is.

I’ve been covering the county and the City of Cumming for four years now, Kathleen Sturgeon and with every year I learn more about Editor kathleen@appenmediagroup.com what makes the community tick.

This year seemed a bit different, however. For the first time in more than 50 years, the city elected a new mayor who took office in January. That was such a huge event that ultimately shaped the rest of 2018. Mayor Brumbalow has taken it upon himself to transform the city into something residents can be proud of, rather than a smelly chicken factory and massive jail.

Personally, I’m excited to see how the proposed City Center will shape up in 2019 and hear about all the details that will be finalized.

Since I took over reporting for the Forsyth Herald, I’ve heard nonstop about Sharon Springs. It still blows my mind that one of the fastest growing counties in America has one city. So this summer when voters took to the polls to finally

have their voice heard about a potential second city, I was probably one of the most anxious people waiting for results.

I went to the election night party for Sharon Springs supporters and although the vote did not turn out how they wanted, it was a fascinating time nonetheless. I attended numerous town halls and debates and heard from the public when they got passionate about the issue.

This year seemed like the year that Forsyth County and Cumming fully owned and embraced everything that makes it unique. Every time I go out and witness a groundbreaking, commissioner meeting or yet another check being donated to a local nonprofit, I am always proud to play a small part in this great community.

I read somewhere online that some people call Forsyth County “foresight” county and I think that fits the area perfectly.

In so many ways, the community is thriving and at the top of its game. I can only imagine how many incredible things 2019 has in store.

It truly is an honor and a joy to represent the Forsyth Herald and to give a voice to all the citizens within the county limits.

Happy New Year, Forsyth.

YEAR IN REVIEW

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018 | 13

Joe Parker/Herald

Lambert boys lacrosse completed an undefeated season (22-0) in 2018 and won the program’s fourth state title on May 19 against Lassiter at Kennesaw State University.

SPORTS YEAR IN REVIEW:

Lambert leads state for overall athletics; Denmark programs begin

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com The 2018 Class 7A boys soccer state championship was an all Forsyth County affair with Lambert and South Forsyth squaring off in the state finals.

The Longhorns, who have compiled a winning season every year in the program’s existence, entered the finals with a 17-4-1 overall record. Their run to the title included the Region 5-AAAAAAA title despite a 4-3 loss to South Forsyth in PK’s.

South entered the finals with an 18-3-1 record, including a 1-0 loss to Lambert in region play.

When the two teams squared off for the third time in 2018, Lambert took a 3-1 lead late in the second half. Though South had a flurry of scoring chances late, and a goal in the final minute, the Longhorns held on for the program’s second state championship.

Lambert lacrosse completes perfect season Lambert boys lacrosse showed they are making a habit out of compiling unbeaten seasons and capturing state

titles in 2018.

The Longhorns posted their third undefeated record in program history with a 22-0 mark this year.

Lambert reached the state finals with a thrilling, 15-14 win over a strong Centennial team to set up their third straight meeting with Lassiter in the finals.

The Longhorns went on a 7-0 run at the May 19 finals and secured their title with 12-6 win over the Trojans.

Lambert athletics tops state again Each athletic year, all GHSA schools compete for the Director’s Cup, decided through a points system based on the success of each school’s athletic programs. For the fourth straight year, Lambert topped the state’s highest classification to win the 7A overall Director’s Cup for the 2017-18 athletic year.

The Longhorns captured state titles in boys soccer and boys lacrosse and earned four state runner-up finishes to lead Class 7A’s 48 schools. The boys programs topped all schools in the classification, and the girls placed second.

Denmark competes in inaugural seasons Denmark athletics hit the ground running in the first year with the Danes competing in all GHSA fall and winter sports.

None of the school’s teams fielded seniors this season.

While the Danes’ volleyball and softball teams had first-season woes, Denmark had impressive runs in other sports.

The football team won four of their first five games, including a win over Forsyth Central, and compiled a 5-5 season record.

Denmark’s cheer team completed an extraordinary first season, winning a region championship and placing second at the state cheer competition.

As of mid-December, the boys basketball team was 8-3 overall, while the

girls had a 1-10 record.

South Forsyth captures cross-country state title

The South Forsyth boys crosscountry team stood atop the state championship podium for the first time in program history Nov. 3.

The War Eagles placed their five scoring runners in the top-30, led by Michael Patterson who finished 11th overall. South placed 75 points ahead of second place Lambert.

The South girls also had a notable performance, finishing as state runner-up for Class 7A. The War Eagles placed five runners in the top 28 but were 32 points behind state champs Marietta.

Madelynne Cadeau led the War Eagles by placing 3rd overall, just three seconds off state title pace.

14 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

YEAR IN REVIEW

Story of the year: Cumming elects first new mayor in 50 years CUMMING, Ga. — For the first time since 1971, the City of Cumming elected a new mayor.

In January, Troy Brumbalow was sworn into office as the mayor of Cumming.

Brumbalow was joined by two other new councilmembers, Chad Crane and Jason Evans.

Each beat out the three incumbents for their seats. Brumbalow took nearly 60 percent of the votes over longtime Mayor H. Ford Gravitt who had held the gavel for nearly 50 years.

“We all look forward to the challenges ahead and we’re excited,” Brumbalow said.

“We want to do great things for the city and will be held accountable. We will do what you elected us to do, and I don’t think it’ll be an issue.”

Brumbalow said his short-term goals are addressing the city’s noise ordinance, implementing curbside recycling and dissolving the Fair Authority, all of which he’s been successful at completing.

Forsyth tops fastestgrowing county list FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County is still among the top growing counties in the United States, this time coming in at 11th place.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau released in April, Forsyth County sits just outside the top 10 counties for the largest percentage of population growth over a seven-year period from April 2010 to July 2017.

The county saw a 29.9 percent increase, from 175,000 residents in 2010 to 227,000 in 2017, or roughly 52,000 people.

In July 2015, the population was estimated at just over 212,000, an increase of 21 percent from April 2010.

Forsyth County is one of the largest counties in the top 11. Only No. 9, Fort Bend County, Texas and No. 8 Osceola County, Florida, have larger populations of more than 760,000 and 352,000, respectively.

According to the data, Long County, Georgia is the fastest growing county in the state with an increase of 31 percent from 14,000 to 19,000, which makes it No. 7 on the list.

Representatives from the Sharon Springs Alliance said some legislators wanted the vote to require a 66 percent majority, but compromised at 57.5 percent.

The super majority requirement made all the difference.

Only registered voters within the proposed city limits, which represent about 30 percent of the Forsyth County population, were able to vote on the referendum. Nearly 14,000 people cast ballots.

District 25 State Rep. Todd Jones, whose district encompasses south Forsyth County, introduced House Bill 626 in March 2017 to the Georgia House of Representatives. “[The vote is] a call to the elected leaders and community, no matter if you were a pro or a con on the creation of a new city in Forsyth County,” Jones said. “The first order of business must be to bring the county back together. Next, I hope the state delegation, county leaders and community rally together to address the issues that both sides acknowledge exist in the southern end of Forsyth.”

Grant allotted to fund Ga. City of Sharon Springs 400 express lane project falls just short of approval FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — After years of debate, information sessions and town halls, voters within the boundaries of the proposed city of Sharon Springs voted down the incorporation in May. While 54.53 percent of voters said “yes” to incorporation of the city, the May 22 referendum required at least 57.5 percent approval — a super majority — to pass.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao visited Forsyth County in June to award a $184 million grant to fund the Ga. 400 express lane project.

While many parts of the project are still in the works, drivers could see construction of express lanes on Ga. 400 in early 2021. Beginning at I-285, two express lanes in each direction will run along Ga. 400 north to McGinnis Ferry

KATHLEEN STURGEON/Herald

Cumming Mayor Troy Brumbalow takes the oath of office Jan. 2, 2018 from City Court Judge John Richard Neville.

Road. Continuing north, single express lanes in each direction will run to McFarland Parkway.

Roughly 230,000 vehicles travel the stretch daily. The project will add 65 lane miles to the Ga. 400 corridor and should reduce 18 percent in delays, planners say.

Final design work will start in 2020 with construction estimated to begin in 2021 and end in 2024.

Currently, GDOT is conducting studies to determine alignments, express lanes configurations and access points.

The preliminary cost estimate is $1.8 billion.

Denmark High School, Alliance Academy open FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Students in Forsyth County ventured into two new schools this year, when Denmark High School and the Alliance Academy for Innovation opened in July.

Denmark High was named after Dr. Leila Denmark, and the school is located at 645 Mullinax Road where she operated her last medical office. The school officially opened its doors July 28, just a few days before the school year began.

The school, which opened with freshmen, sophomores and juniors, was built to relieve overcrowding at other schools in south and west Forsyth. Eventually, the school will have more than 2,600 students. It will offer the same classes as the other schools, but will have the county’s first veterinary science course offerings.

The Alliance Academy of Innovation officially opened its doors on July 21 welcoming the community to Forsyth County’s first college and career development high school.

The unique school, located at 1100 Lanier 400 Parkway in Cumming, offers five themed pathways for students not offered at any other Forsyth County school, including: • School of Aerospace & Logistics • School of Criminal Justice & Law

• School of Healthcare & First Responders • School of Hospitality & Graphic Design • School of Mechatronics & Energy Alliance will have capacity for 1,200 students, but enrollment for the first year will be about 600 from throughout the county.

Initially, the school will open with ninth and 10th grade students.

Fire Chief Bowman retires after 50 years FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Exactly 50 years to the day Forsyth County Fire Chief Danny Bowman began his career in the fire service, he officially hung up his helmet and retired in October.

“It’s been an honor,” Bowman he said. “Everything is going well and no one wants to retire in the negative manner. Fifty years, a half of a century was a round number.”

On Oct. 16 1968, Bowman began working with the Atlanta Fire Department, transferred to the Fulton County Fire Department in 1977 and came to the Forsyth County Fire Department in 2001 as division chief.

The next year he was given the additional assignment of director of emergency management.

In 2003, Bowman was promoted to fire chief/director of emergency management and held the position for 15 years.

Bowman served as president of the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs in 1992, was named Georgia’s Fire Chief of the Year in 2010, appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal in 2011 to the Board of Public Safety and received the Governor’s Public Safety Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Fire Service profession in 2013.

YEAR IN REVIEW

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018 | 15

Mayor Troy Brumbalow revealed tentative plans for Cumming’s City Center this November. The project will be located off Canton Highway near Forsyth Central High School. Features include miniature golf, an amphitheater, multiple walking trails, a park, a new veterans memorial and retail.

County, school district OKs drug intervention C counselor U M

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A funding agreement between the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, the school district and United Way of Forsyth County was approved in October which laid the groundwork for hiring a drug counselor for area youth.

The agreement solidified creation of an “Academy of Creative Education Drug Counselor” to provide drug intervention and counseling at the Gateway Academy. The counselor will serve 6th through 12th grades.

The Forsyth County government and the school district entered into a Social Services Funding Agreement following a recommendation from the county Social Services Committee. The committee suggested allocating $35,000 of its 2018 budget to fund the position.

The Board of Education will be responsible for hiring, funding and commencing the position.

The funding is contingent on the Sheriff’s Office allocating $10,000 of its drug seizure funds for the position via United Way, making the total allocation $45,000, for a three-year trial that is renewable each year.

Mayor unveils plans for City Center FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Cumming Mayor Troy Brumbalow is working to fulfill his campaign promises, and he committed to the biggest one yet in November — a new City Center near downtown Cumming.

The project will be located off Canton Highway near Forsyth Central High School and is planned on 90 acres. Features include miniature golf, an amphitheater, multiple walking trails, a park, a

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KATHLEEN STURGEON/Herald

After being open for 142 years, Parsons Gifts announced in December that they will be closing their doors come Feb. of 2019. new veterans memorial and retail.

There will be at least one more phase after the initial project and the potential for a third. Plans for the future include a new Cumming Police Department building and city municipal court.

Renderings have been released for the initial phase, but the plans could change, Brumbalow said. Right now, no cost estimate has been set, but that should change after the design is completed and approved.

At a council meeting in December, the City Council allocated $48,000 for the Phase I environmental assessment which includes identification and delineation of the flood plain and any wetlands on the site, and a stream bank assessment/study to determine the feasibility of a potential stream bank mitigation project.

Short-term rental concerns aired FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — After a year of discussion and public hearings on the

matter, the Forsyth County Commission is still struggling to nail down a comprehensive policy to govern short-term rentals.

At a meeting in December, County Attorney Ken Jarrard said short-term rentals present a unique enforcement challenge. The commission is working to find a company to help maintain records on the properties and to issue citations when violations occur.

County officials say they expect the company to report regularly on enforcement efforts.

After months of hearings and hours of public comments, the commission decided in August to enforce its current short-term rental ordinance.

Also in August, the commission voted to direct planning staff and legal counsel to create a proposal for a conditional use permit that would define if and where short-term rentals could operate. It would include some or all of the elements of the short term ordinance as performance standards.

The county also is working on a modification to the county’s Unified Develop-

ment Code that authorizes short-term rentals in residentially zoned properties for periods of less than 30 days only upon applying for and receiving a conditional use permit.

The changes will be discussed by March 1, 2019.

All other short-term rentals in residential zones, or any rentals for periods of less than 30 days, shall be prohibited completely according to the proposed UDC revision.

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Parsons Gifts to shutter doors in 2019 FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — In December, longtime customer favorite Parsons Gifts announced it will be closing come February of 2019.

For the past 142 years, Parsons Gifts has been a staple in the local community but come next year, it will shutter its doors.

The business is made up of a main store, Christmas Shoppe, and adjoining Thomas Kinkade Gallery all located at 525 Lakeland Plaza in Cumming.

The stores are family owned and operated by Gary Willis and his wife Cris who own the main store and Christmas Shoppe. His sister Kay Montgomery and her husband Mike own the gallery.

The business announced it will be closing in early February.

“Everybody wants to come in and speak to us and tell us how sorry they are,” Kay said. “Some customers have cried and are really upset. They’re asking us what they’ll do now. We’ve been very touched with the way people have felt about us closing. It’s been very encouraging and nice to understand they loved us that much. A lot of these customers are just like friends and our employees are like family. We certainly will miss them.”

YEAR IN REVIEW

16 | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018

Emory Johns Creek Hospital sets sights on expansion

By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com

Business story of the year:

City Center rollout ushers in new downtown Alpharetta

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — After eight years in the making, Alpharetta’s City Center began rolling out its attractions in 2018.

For close to a year, the six-block area along Main Street remained mostly hidden behind a blue tarp while construction on the $85 million private phase went on. The public portion, which included a new City Hall, a fourlevel parking deck and a new library branch, was completed in 2014 and was part of a $29 million bond project passed by local voters in 2011.

Through late November, 13 shops and three restaurants were open with more to follow in the weeks ahead.

The six blocks now contain 10 freestanding restaurant buildings in 2.5 acres of parks and greenspace along Main Street, a 36,000 foot office building, now the headquarters of DataScan, 45,000 square feet of ground floor retail shops, 168 luxury apartments by a partnership of South City Partners and Morris & Fellows and 40 single family homes by Hedgewood Homes.

Halcyon sets opening date for March 2019 FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — In May, it was announced that by the spring of 2019, Forsyth County will be home to one of the most anticipated mixed-use villages in its history.

Halcyon, a $370 million development, sits on 135 acres along McFarland Parkway off exit 12 on Ga. 400 and is planned to open March 23, 2019.

There is a growing list of restaurants and retailers that will be at Halcyon, including three distinct eateries from renowned chef Marc Taft: CO-OP Community Table + Bar, FEED Fried Chicken + Such and a burger restaurant. In

The project was named recipient of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Development of Excellence Award for Context-Sensitive Town Center Development. The award, announced in November, recognizes the project for its attention to historic detail in its design.

Cheri Morris, president of Morris & Fellows, which headed the retail portion of the development, said City Center has had a huge and immediate impact on the development patterns of the entire area. Up until now, she said, area development has followed along Ga. 400, observing the usual pattern of classic urban sprawl.

Two-thirds of all the homes being built in Alpharetta are within a halfmile walk of downtown, she added.

“There were no development or redevelopment projects in downtown [Alpharetta] in the two decades before City Center,” Morris said. “There are now 31 active downtown projects. The sprawl projects that might have happened along a highway are now happening in the urban core. It’s a much healthier, much more human-centric way to live.” addition, Hog Island, MidiCi Neapolitan Pizza, Cocina & Taqueria, Butcher & Brew, Never Enough Thyme and Cherry Street Brewpub have all announced they will be part of the development.

A Market Hall concept similar to Ponce City and Krog Street markets, will feature Kilwins ice cream, TOCAYO, Sweet Tuna, Gu’s Dumplings, Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee and Pita Mediterranean Street Food. All tenants have been secured.

CMX Theater will open a 10-screen, 38,000-square-foot cinema. Two hotels will open, including an Embassy Suites

by Hilton at Halcyon with 152-rooms and a conference room.

The development will also include

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Emory Johns Creek Hospital made improvements to its emergency care and announced plans for a two-story expansion in 2018.

The hospital is planning an estimated $61 million expansion that would add two stories to the main hospital building. The expansion will be 84,000 square feet and add a fifth and sixth floor to the facility.

The sixth floor will provide additional clinical space, including 21 inpatient medical beds and 19 observation beds.

The fifth floor will primarily provide nonclinical space, such as offices, conference rooms, physician sleep rooms and storage space.

A two-chair inpatient dialysis room will also be constructed on the fifth floor to treat patients with kidney disease.

Emory Johns Creek has received state approval for expansion of the hospital, including adding two new floors, and gone through the rezoning process in Johns Creek to allow for additional patient beds.

Since it opened more than 10 years ago, Emory Johns Creek Hospital has seen significant growth. In 2007, it saw 2,793 patients, this year the number was 7,945. When it opened Emory Johns Creek hosted 13,000 emergency visits; now, it sees 29,000 per year.

“We are greater than 92 percent full,” Emory Johns Creek CEO Marilyn Margolis said in a Nov. 26 Johns Creek City Council meeting. “We have deployed ev690 residential units.

Halcyon is also developing an extension to the Big Creek Greenway with a paved and lit parking lot, restrooms and a trailhead.

Parking woes persist in downtown Roswell ROSWELL, Ga. — Canton Street parking, an issue plaguing the city for decades, has seen some headway under Roswell’s new mayor and city council.

Several businesses have met with the city over the past year to ask for help, stating that lack of parking has been driving customers away from downtown Roswell.

ery bit of space in each of our 110 beds and these are not enough to accommodate our growth.”

To meet this increased demand for care, Margolis has announced several upcoming improvements Margolis beyond the facility expansion. The hospital will hire new specialists and other physicians, expand labor and delivery care, purchase a third surgical robot and other technology, renovate the pharmacy and build a parking garage.

“Now, in order to really bring the total picture into the hospital, we need to add 40 beds within the next two years to match the services of the patients that we’re seeing,” Margolis said in a city zoning meeting. “These 40 beds are mostly oncology patients, cardiology patients and pulmonary patients. That’s what the City of Johns Creek is showing us is their need, and that’s what we want to add on the sixth and fifth floor.”

To improve care in the meantime, in September the hospital opened a new fast track program in its emergency department to reduce waiting room times.

The seven fast track beds are staffed by a mid-level practitioner and nurse at all times. The area provides medical care for patients with minor illnesses and injuries such as ear aches, cough symptoms, sore throat, back pain, minor lacerations, bites, stings and allergic reactions, rashes and prescription refills.

Parking ultimately was cited as one of the main reasons for one of Canton Street’s oldest residents, Ann Jackson Gallery, pulling up stakes and relocating to Alpharetta Street after 47 years at its old location.

The city is in the process of exploring long-term options. In the meantime, several lots have been opened. The Hagan Property lot, in the heart of Canton Street, agreed to open 84 of its parking spots for public use outside of business hours. And the new East Alley, opened this spring, brought 18 new spots.

The city has also floated several ideas to open up more parking, including linking the parking lot at City hall with a bridge or underpass.

BUSINESSPOSTS

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018 | 17

People are better than ideas “People are better than thoughts, they are just harder to control.”

I heard someone say something like that about 15 years ago. I didn’t really know what he meant. I was a Geoff smith contractor rebuilding Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com a bay window that had decayed from years of wood-rot. We found that the rot had spread into the interior walls in his dining room and I was trying to explain how if we didn’t replace it while we were working on the bay window, it was just going to keep getting worse.

I wasn’t very good at reading people back then. In my mind it all made perfect sense that he should have us pull off sheetrock in the dining room, build a temporary support for the second story, and start replacing studs until we got past the rot.

But he kept telling me different reasons why he didn’t want me to do it.

It would take too long and they had family coming in town the following week.

And besides, they might only stay in the house another year or so. In my mind, there was no good reason to not do the work. But we fixed the bay window and I left there stupefied.

Looking back on that deal, I think the issue actually was that he didn’t have the money to pay for it – which I think he was trying to indirectly tell me in the way that he expressed his other excuses. But I didn’t notice it because I was focused on what he said, not how he said it.

When settling up with him after fixing the bay window, I took one last run at defending my thoughts about the dining room wall. I went through the whole diatribe. When I was done, he handed me a check and before shutting the door said, “Yeah, well I like people better than thoughts.”

NSW NORTHSIDE WOMAN

As a businessman, it’s too easy to fall into the trap of looking at my clients merely as next month’s paychecks.

I remember thinking that it was such an odd thing to say. It stuck with me. And as I am now 15 years wiser, operating in the world we live in and welling with excitement about Christmas with my wonderful wife and two boys, I look out at my brothers and sisters in this world and that man’s comments ring true.

As a businessman, it’s too easy to fall into the trap of looking at my clients merely as next month’s paychecks. I need to constantly remind myself to look at each one on a personal level and really try to find them the mortgage that makes the most sense for them. Or tell them that maybe it’s best to wait if that’s the best course.

As someone with political leanings, it’s too easy to see everyone as simply a Republican or Democrat. It’s too easy to stick them in a category and assume they are nothing more than a list of political philosophies instead of a mother, a father, a husband or a wife.

Or what about those people born sometime between 1980 and the mid1990s? You know, the ones who want everything done for them, while sitting on their pillows in their tiny homes getting fanned while staring into their smartphones? Those millennials get a bad rap. I do a lot of mortgages for them and really, I’ve found the ones I’ve worked with to be relatively frugal.

And despite experts constantly telling me they want to do everything online, I’ve found that more than any other age group, millennials prefer to come into the office to meet with me

personally.

It’s too easy to categorize every person you meet. But I will tell you, it is liberating to talk to someone without caring about their opinion regarding the wall. Or talk to them without the responsibility of trying to craft an argument as to why I feel that Kavanaugh should or should not have been put on the Supreme Court.

I’m reminded of another phrase my father used to say to me when I was young: “Smarty, smarty had a party and no one came but smarty.” Well I will tell you folks, especially this time of year, I’m looking for the parties. If we can’t celebrate with one another and enjoy each other, then what are we really working toward? If you don’t know how to enjoy the things that make life wonderful, then I’m not trusting that you know where to lead me.

So please have the happiest of holidays everyone. Let’s look for each other around town and let’s be together in 2019. Cheers!

Geoff Smith is a mortgage banker with Assurance Financial focusing on residential home loans for refinances and home purchases.

Geoff Smith gsmith@lendtheway.com 770-674-1433 Personal: NMLS#104587 Business: NMLS#70876 *The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of Assurance Financial Group

Identify your strengths and weaknesses Have you taken some time to consider what you do best in running your small business? How about things that you know aren’t your strengths?

Small business owners have to manage a lot of different things dick jones when running their Founder & President Jones Simply Sales small business, and with so many things to do, you can’t always do them yourself.

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you focus on things you know how to do, while at the same time rely on others to do the things you don’t know.

Many small businesses start with the business owner coming up with an idea for a new product or service. Maybe you’re good at developing new products, but aren’t that good in figuring out how to sell them. Knowing this will help you develop plans to either hire sales resources, or figure out how to outsource your marketing and sales function.

No one, including me, has said that you can’t learn new things, but anyone knows that you can’t know everything.

Creating a list of your strengths and weaknesses is a starting point for accessing what you can do and also where you might need help. There are a long list of companies that cater to this reality, providing services such as payroll, accounting, information technology, logistics and other services.

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you to make better decisions on what you should focus on, and what you should allow other internal or external resources to do. Doing this will help you to better run your small business.

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BUSINESSPOSTS

18 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

Parsons to close doors after 142 years

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — For the past 142 years, Parsons Gifts has been a staple in the local community, but come next year, it will shutter its doors.

The business is made up of a main store, Christmas Shoppe and adjoining Thomas Kinkade Gallery, all located at 525 Lakeland Plaza in Cumming.

The stores are family owned and operated by Gary Willis and his wife Cris who own the main store and Christmas Shoppe. His sister Kay Montgomery and her husband Mike own the gallery.

On Dec. 11, the business announced it will be closing in early February. A going out of business sale began last week and will include the liquidation of every item in the store, including clothes, jewelry, home decor, candles, fixtures, furniture and equipment.

Kay started working at Parsons the day after she graduated from college and never left. She is now one of the fourth generation owners.

“I’m part of the family,” she said. “We’ve worked it together throughout the years. The challenge of online retail has made it harder for us to be successful. Through the years, it’s gotten harder and harder.

Our children didn’t want to come into this. They’re doing their own thing in professional occupations. They saw how hard we were working and I’m not sure they wanted to do all this.”

When Gary and Cris moved to Cumming in the early 1990s, they realized the store may have to go out of business or computerize everything. They joined on to help the business connect to the future, and stayed working.

“Unfortunately, the numbers are not there anymore,” Cris said. “We had to make that gut-wrenching decision that wasn’t our plan. We planned to hold on longer. The sad part was there was no next generation that’s coming into the business. We were already facing the sad conclusion that this would be the last generation, but we weren’t planning on it being now.”

Originally, Parsons opened in Lawrenceville as a trading post. It moved to Duluth in 1925 and the Cumming store opened in 1948.

The business has moved around the city and burned to the ground in 1982. In 1991, the current location on Lakeland Plaza opened.

“We have been, at one time or another, the only big place to shop until the big stores came in,” Kay said.

“We were the community department store. The one thing we’ve done through the years is change. When we needed to create a new retail environment, we’d bring new things in. We had a full grocery store at one time.”

With its closure pending, the business has seen a massive influx of people wishing the employees well, recalling fond memories and trying to get the store to stay open.

“Everybody wants to come in and speak to us and tell us how sorry they are,” Kay said. “Some customers have cried and are really upset. They’re asking us what they’ll do now. We’ve been very touched with the way people have felt about us closing. It’s been very encouraging and nice to understand they loved us that much.

A lot of these customers are just like friends and our employees are like family. We certainly will miss them.”

Kay and Mike plan to retire, and haven’t made any solid plans for their free time.

“We have a lot of energy and ambition, so I’m sure

KATHLEEN STURGEON/Herald

Cris Willis, left, and Kay Montgomery are sisters-inlaw but also run the Parsons main store, Christmas Shoppe and adjoining Thomas Kinkade Gallery.

we’ll get into something, but I’m not too sure what that is yet,” Kay said.

While the closure has been emotional for Cris, she said it has given the staff a chance to realize what an impact they have made in the community.

“The customers have poured in sharing their love and memories,” she said. “My passion is bringing people together and I’ll be doing something. I don’t know what yet, but we will keep raising funds and awareness.”

BUSINESSBRIEFS McKesson move to bring over 500 jobs to Roswell ROSWELL, Ga. — McKesson Corporation, a global supplier of healthcare management solutions, retail pharmacy and healthcare information technology, plans to move to Roswell in 2019.

This move will relocate existing employees from the company’s current office in Alpharetta, bringing more than 500 high-quality jobs to the city. The anticipated move-in date is scheduled for summer of 2019.

ANNOUNCING

With the move, McKesson will become a Top 5 company in Roswell based on the number of employees. The company has signed a 10-year lease for 104,000 square feet in the Stonebridge I building of Sanctuary Park, 1110 Sanctuary Parkway, which is the portion of the office park within Roswell city limits.

The company said major factors in the decision to relocate include location, availability of space and quality of life. The new location is also in Roswell’s opportunity zone, an area of the city designated as part of the state incentive

TWO

NEW

program that provides tax credits for net new jobs created within the state.

Dr. Tamakuwala joins Emory Women’s Center JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Emory Women’s Center at Emory Johns Creek Hospital recently announced that Dr. Sejal Tamakuwala has joined their team.

She sees patients throughout most of their adolescent and adult lives, beginning with the start of menstruation to contra-

PODCASTS

The Herald Daily Update podcast is Appen Media’s news podcast for all of the latest news and happenings for Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Milton, and Fulton and Forsyth counties. Subscribe for daily (Monday-Friday) updates to stay in the know.

FROM

APPEN

ception counseling, pregnancy and delivery, and menopause and beyond.

Tamakuwala also specializes in providing OB/ GYN care for those who have a history of anxiety or sexual trauma.

She provides minimally invasive surgery, Tamakuwala which uses special technologies to limit the size of surgical incisions and reduce the need for opioid pain medications.

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To download and subscribe, visit the iTunes store, Google Play store or Stitcher and search “Herald Daily Update” or “Myth Roast”

GROUP

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018 | 19

20 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

CALENDAR NATIVITIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

NOON YEAR’S EVE

Kick off the New Year’s celebration early with the inaugural Noon Year’s Eve Party on Monday, Dec. 31 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hotel at Avalon. Ring in 2019 with family-friendly live music, face painting, crafts and a countdown to a giant balloon drop. Join the fun at the Hotel at Avalon, 9000 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta.

Admission is $15 each. Children under two years old get in free.

For more information and tickets, visit awesomealpharetta.com.

feature YOUR EVENT online and in print!

It’s even easier now than ever to promote your event to hundreds of thousands of people both online and in the Herald Newspapers.

To promote your event, follow these easy steps: 1. Visit NorthFulton.com/Calendar; 2. Click the red button that reads “Go to Form” under the submit an event header; 3. Provide the details for your event including title, description, location and date; 4. Click the red button that reads “Create event” 5. Select to either feature your event online only for $25 or online and in print for $40 (print submissions must be submitted at least two weeks prior to event.)

FEATURED:

HOLIDAY EVENTS:

RACE RELATIONS DIALOGUE

What: The forum helps generate constructive analysis of issues, develop positive positions and implement programs that would result in more inclusive and peace-loving neighborhoods.

When: Thursday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: 770-545-9675

VOLLEYBALL ACADEMY JOHNS CREEK

What: Winter and spring volleyball academy for ages 8-15.

The sessions are very fundamentals focused and the session will be divided up by age and skill level.

When: Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan.7-30; Elementaryaged players practice 6:30-7:30 p.m., 11-15 year olds practice 7:30-8:45 p.m.

Where: Endurance Center, 7340 McGinnis Ferry Road, Suite 200, Johns Creek Cost: $150 More info and registration: intensityvolleyball.com

What: Sawnee Association of the Arts is displaying Nativities from Around the World at its new Art Center in downtown Cumming.

Admission and parking is free.

When: Through Jan. 6, 2019, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Sawnee Association of the Arts, 111 Pilgrim Mill Road, Cumming More info: sawneeart.org

AVALON ON ICE

What: Ice skate at Avalon on the Rockefeller Center-sized ice skating rink in the plaza.

Enjoy special events and themed nights throughout the season.

Lessons available.

When: Nov. 19- Jan. 21, 2018; times vary Where: Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta Cost: General Admission starts at $18 More info: experienceavalon.com

EVENTS: WARM WINTER STORIES

What: Head to a toasty theater and catch a story reading. New story each day. For ages 3-5. Included with general admission.

When: Friday, Dec. 28, 11 a.m.1 p.m.

Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell More info: chattnaturecenter.org

ENCHANTED WOODLAND TRAIL ATLANTA POPS NEW YEARS

What: Usher in the new Year with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, established in 1945 by French immigrant Albert Coleman.

When: Monday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.

Where: Playhouse Cumming, 101 School St., Cumming Cost: Tickets start at $30 More info and tickets: playhousecumming.com

SANTA’S VILLAGE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

What: A collection of lights, animated characters, trains and Christmas characters for parents and children to enjoy.

Train rides also offered.

When: Fridays-Sundays, 6-9 p.m. weather permitting, through New Year’s Eve Where: 405 Waverly Hall Drive, Roswell More info: northfulton.com

What: Fairies and gnomes have been busy building all new homes for the Enchanted Woodland Trail opening this winter.

Included with general admission.

When: Through Feb. 28, all day Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell More info: chattnaturecenter.org

JOHNS CREEK TOASTMASTERS

What: Join the weekly meeting to learn how to become a better speaker and better leader.

When: Saturdays, 9:45 a.m.

Where: Johns Creek Christian Church, 10800 Bell Road, Johns Creek More info: johnscreek.toastmastersclubs.org or 404-513-3188

SMART RECOVERY FAMILY AND FRIENDS

What: This program uses science based tools to provide support for those who are affected by the addictive behavior of someone close to them. Not a twelve step program.

When: Mondays, 7-8 p.m.

Where: DecisionPoint Wellness Center, 1070 State Bridge Road, Suite 6, Johns Creek More info: smartrecovery.org

NAVIGATORS TOASTMASTERS PATHWAYS What: Reach your personal and professional goals through Pathways, Toastmasters’ new education program.

When: Tuesdays, 7 p.m.

Where: Club House, 6300 Polo Club Drive, Cumming More info: navigators.toastmastersclubs.org

ALL RECOVERY MEETING

What: Join an open discussion for those in recovery from addiction or those affected by people with addiction. Not a twelve step program.

When: Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Emory Johns Creek Hospital, 6325 Hospital Parkway, Johns Creek More info: navigaterecoverygwinnett.org or 678-743-1808 x101

WEDNESDAY MORNING NETWORKING

What: Join for networking every Wednesday morning.

When: Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Where: Perimeter Church, 9500 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek Cost: $5 for members, $10 for guests More info: johnscreekga.gov or 770-495-0545

HEALTH AND FITNESS: NEW YEARS DAY 5K

What: Start the New Year with a race. The race is along a flat course and will include music.

Awards will be given to top overall, top masters, top grand master and top senior grand master.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 9-11 a.m.

Where: North Forsyth Middle School, 3645 Coal Mountain Drive, Cumming Cost: registration is $20 More info and registration: fivestarntp.com

GIRLS NIGHT OUT: YOGA

What: Bring peace to the mind and body through yoga and get a great stretch as well. Neniffer Gruher is the yoga instructor.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 7 p.m.

Where: Congregation Dor Tamid, 11165 Parsons Road, Johns Creek Cost: $10 More info: congregationdortamid. com

ZUMBA GOLD (FLEX)

What: Combines the international rhythms of the Zumba Gold program with the strength training techniques, creating an easy-tofollow dance fitness program.

When: Fridays, 10:30 a.m.

Where: Park Place at Newtown School, 3125 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekga.gov/ parkplace

ENERGY YOGA

What: Physical exercises to open and clear energy. Utilizes Qi Gong and meditation techniques.

When: Sundays, 10:15 a.m.

Where: Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: afpls.org

RELIGIOUS EVENTS: MEN’S MINISTRY: FRIDAY MORNINGS

What: The First Baptist Roswell men’s group meets every Friday morning for friendship and to help each other grow spiritually.

All are welcome to attend.

When: Fridays, 7 a.m.

Where: Panera Bread, 1195 Woodstock Road, Roswell More info: fbroswell.org

THERAPEUTIC YOGA

What: Gain health benefits from relaxing yoga that emphasizes strength and flexibility. No experience necessary. Taught by an advanced certified yoga instructor.

When: Wednesdays, 9:45-11 a.m.

Where: Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell More info: rumc.com or 770261-1705

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS OUT

What: Join for weekly dinner and fellowship. Volunteers needed for serving and cleaning.

When: Wednesday nights, 4:456:30 p.m.

Where: Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell Cost: $7 per adult More info: rumc.com/wno

CALENDAR

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPERS

What: Make and grow faith-based friendships for all ages. Enjoy a hot meal and/or volunteer.

When: Wednesdays, 5:15-6:45 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, 69 North Main St., Alpharetta More info: afumc.org

ACTING UP AUDITIONS

What: RUMC’s adult drama ministry will be holding open group auditions for the murder mystery comedy, “Arsenic and Old Lace.”

When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 7 p.m.

Where: Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell More info: rumc.com

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CIRCLES

What: The four different circles offer women opportunities to spend time together, support each other in happy and sad times, learn from each other and grow in faith. Child care options available.

When: Esther Circle, each first Tuesday, 7-9 p.m.; Ruth Circle, each first Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Lydia Circle, each first Thursday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; Martha Circle, each first Thursday, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy St., Alpharetta More info: alpharettapres.com/ adults/small-groups/

CHARIS GALLERY

What: Enjoy the variety of interpretations of the new exhibit theme, “Gratitude.” There will be a silent auction to benefit RUMC’s mission partners.

When: Through Sunday, Jan. 13 Where: Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell More info: rumc.com

MUSIC, ARTS & THEATER: “MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET”

What: See the Tony Awardwinning musical inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.

When: Dec. 14-Jan. 12, 2019, 8 p.m.

Where: Conant Performing Arts Center, 4484 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta Cost: Tickets start at $40 More info and tickets: get.org

CHIELI MINUCCI & SPECIAL EFX

What: See the Grammy-nominated Chieli Minucci perform live with ensemble Special EFX. When: Friday, Dec. 28, 7:30-9 p.m.

Where: The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta Cost: Individual tickets start at $129 per person More info and tickets: thevelvetnote.com

VELVET NOTE NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA

What: Go all out for New Year’s Eve with live music by The Toni Byrd Quintet, all-you-can-eat cuisine, Champaign toast and festive spirits.

When: Monday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m.

Where: The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta Cost: $49 More info and tickets: thevelvetnote.com

BLACK HERITAGE: THE UNSUNG HEROES OF ROSWELL

What: This exhibit focuses on the story of the everyday heroes of the black community and their labors from the days of slavery and Reconstruction and through the trials of segregation.

When: Mondays-Fridays, Jan. 2-Feb. 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell More info: roswellgov.com

“STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD”

What: Emmy-nominated Atlanta puppeteer Lee Bryan will put on two special holiday productions, with demonstrations after each show.

When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 11:15 a.m.-noon and 1:15-2 p.m.

Where: Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming More info: forsythpl.org

JAZZ AT FIREFLY

What: Free, live music each week.

When: Saturdays, 8:30-11 p.m.

Where: Firefly Restaurant & Bar, 3070 Windward Plaza, Alpharetta More info: fireflyalpharetta.com

LIVE MUSIC SUNDAYS

What: Join every Sunday afternoon for live music on the patio along with food trucks and cold beer.

When: Saturdays, 4-7 p.m.

Where: Truck & Tap, 30 Milton Ave., Alpharetta More info: awesomealpharetta. com

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018 | 21

SPOTLIGHT ARTIST: JANE TURNER HASSELER

What: Jane Turner Haesller returns with her “People on Canton” exhibit. Her acrylic and ink renderings depict the people and businesses on Roswell’s Canton Street.

When: Nov.1- Dec. 29, all day Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell More info: roswellgov.com

AVALON NIGHTS LIVE

What: Unwind after a long week with live music in The Plaza.

When: Fridays, 6-8 p.m.

Where: Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta More info: awesomealpharettta. com

LIBRARY EVENTS: “RISE OF THE GUARDIANS”

What: Bring sleeping bags, pillows and a picnic lunch or popcorn and watch “Rise of the Guardians” on the big screen.

All ages.

When: Friday, Dec. 28, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming More info: forsythpl.org

MAH JONG MEET UP

What: Drop in and meet other Mah Jong players. If you have a set, bring one in case the group needs another.

When: Friday, Dec. 28, 1-3 p.m.

Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: apfls.org or 404-6134402

FREE ENGLISH CLASS

What: This class does not require registration or a textbook and is taught by a trained ESL instructor. High beginner to advanced levels.

When: Monday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org

DANCE THROUGH THE DECADES COUNTDOWN

What: Celebrate the end of 2018 in style and listen to hits from the past decades. After dancing, join the balloon drop at noon.

Decade costumes encouraged.

When: Monday, Dec. 31, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Where: Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming More info: forsythpl.org

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: SPECIAL EVENT

KID CHESS

What: Club members will learn strategies, game variations and can participate in a tournament. No registration required.

Ages 5 and above.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 6-7:30 p.m.

Where: Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 770-3608897

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

What: Help save others by donating blood. The need is constanat.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2-7 p.m.

Where: Sharon Forks Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming More info: forsythpl.org

GETTING A’S IN COLLEGE

What: Author Bob Raus will cover tips, tools and habits to achieve the most in college. This program is for college students, high schoolers thinking about college, and their parents.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Sharon Forks Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming More info: forsythpl.org

MAKERSPACE THURSDAY

What: Students may bring components or items that they would like to include in their design.

Ages 5-10 years old with parent.

When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 10:30 a.m.-noon Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 404-6134402

THURSDAY MORNING ESL CLASS

What: Conversation class, high beginner through advanced levels. Classes are free, don’t require registration, don’t use a textbook and accept students at all times.

When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 404-6136735

What: Come join new allies in traveling the world and exploring unknown dangers. Premade characters are available. Ages 10 and up. At least one prior attendance is required.

When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 1:305:30 p.m.

Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 404-6134402

NEEDLECRAFTS GROUP

What: Join a community of needlecraft artists once a week to practice skills, and learn or teach new techniques. Adult.

Registration is not required.

When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 1-3 p.m.

Where: East Roswell Library, 2301 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell More info: afpls.org or 404-6134050

PET ADOPTIONS: FORSYTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER

What: Pet adoptions When: Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: The Forsyth County Animal Shelter, 4065 County Way, Forsyth County More info: 678-965-7185

FULTON COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES

What: Pet adoptions When: Every Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Where: PetSmart, 6370 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta Additional adoptions: MondayFriday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Fulton County Animal Services, 860 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta More info: 404-613-4958

OF INTEREST ELSEWHERE: CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

What: The Latin American Association and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta will provide qualified legal representatives to aid in filling out the U.S. Citizenship Application Form N-400.

When: Friday, Jan. 4, 10 a.m.1 p.m.

Where: Gwinnett County Public Library, 4817 Church St., Lilburn More info: gwinnettpl.org/n400 or 770-978-5154

22 | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018

Sponsored Section

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Empty Nest • Sponsored Section

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018 | 23

Warning signs your aging parents need more help (NAPSI)—Home care agencies often see a surge in calls in late December and early January. Why? Many grown children head home for the holidays and notice their aging parents need some help.

“We usually see a surge in demand for care around the holidays as families get together and adult children notice changes in their parents’ well-being and realize they need more support to remain safe and independent in their homes,” said Austin Harkness, head of care for Honor, one of the fastest-growing home care companies in the country.

Here are ways to tell: Take The Sniff Test Breathe in that holiday hug. If you notice unclean clothes or an uncharacteristic body odor, that could signal that a parent is having trouble bathing, maintaining personal hygiene or keeping up with household chores such as laundry.

Next, follow your nose to the kitchen. Open the fridge. You’ll notice pretty quickly if there’s spoiled food—but your parents may not. The sense of smell diminishes with age, expecially after 70. Many seniors can’t detect unpleasant odors that would normally tell them it’s time to toss last week’s meat loaf.

If the sniff test reveals some olfactory oddities, it might not just be “normal aging.” Diminished sense of smell can be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

If you sense something isn’t quite right, help Mom or Dad to set up a doctor’s visit to see if there’s something else going on.

Have A Look Around Your childhood home may look the same as ever— but it may not work as well for older adults. As people age, their environment typically needs simple upgrades to keep them safe. You can significantly reduce fall risks by taping down throw rugs, removing extra furniture, securing electrical cords out of pathways and adding grab bars in the bathroom.

Pay attention to clutter as well. Stacks of unopened mail, broken appliances or drooping houseplants may also signal a need for help. Being unable to manage everyday activities can be a symptom of depression or of cognitive impairment, which often presents like depression.

If you see any of the above warning signs, you may want to arrange for your parent to see a doctor and for family members or professional caregivers to stop by and help with projects and chores. Just knowing your parents have help and resources can relieve worry, both yours and theirs.

Listen Up Is the TV or radio volume blaring? Are conversations repeated? Does Mom keep asking “what?” or just smiling and nodding instead of participating? Don’t brush it off. Difficulty following conversations may be a sign of hearing loss, cognitive impairment or both.

Seniors who begin losing their hearing are at greater risk of developing dementia over time since hearing is a brain function. Sometimes, hearing aids stimulate the sounds needed for the brain to restore organization and correctly process sounds.

Making Sense Of Your Senses Talking to parents about warning signs you’ve noticed isn’t fun. But do it anyway. Let them know you want to be involved to help them stay independent for as long as possible. Even if you live far away there’s a lot you can do, such as scheduling appointments and finding help with transportation, chores and projects.

Talk to nearby family members about how they can help out or set up a visit with a home care agency that can provide ongoing support.

Fear of losing independence keeps a lot of seniors tight lipped. If your parents are open and honest about their changing needs, consider it a generous holiday gift. They trust you’ll know what to do with it.

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24 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

Empty Nest • Sponsored Section

How doctors think – insights into differential diagnosis

By Dr. Brent Taylor Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta How does a doctor make a diagnosis?

How does he or she choose which information is important?

On television, it often seems likes the right diagnosis almost magically comes to a doctor. On the tv show House, the main character watches as the less experienced physicians struggle and make missteps. Then, like Sherlock Holmes, the gifted doctor notices a key point or seems to summon up a brilliant insight out of thin air.

For me, one of the more interesting topics in medicine is the process by which physicians arrive at a diagnosis.

Surprisingly, multiple approaches to making a diagnosis exist, and there is considerable variation across specialties within medicine. Each approach has its pros and cons, and most physicians are likely using a hybrid approach that takes the best from each model. And thank goodness, arriving at the right diagnosis doesn’t require magic.

When I was a medical student, I remember being quite impressed at one emergency medicine doctor’s emphatic insistence that all physicians should memorize the emergencies and “can’t miss” diseases that would match up with any complaint that they see. His name is Dr. Corey Slovis. He is a phenomenal teacher, and he shared with his students that there are approximately five “can’t miss” diagnoses for every “chief complaint.” For example, if a patient presents with chest pain, Dr. Slovis said that every doctor should immediately think of heart attacks, cardiac tamponade, aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, tension pneumothorax and Boerhaave syndrome (sometimes five adds up to six). He had five emergencies or can’t miss diagnoses for almost every complaint a patient could have. He said that you couldn’t rely on consults or reading textbooks to make these diagnoses. Time was of the essence. Dr. Slovis’s approach to differential diagnosis seemed to be to rule out the emergencies, which you had to memorize in advance, then move on to the less time-sensitive diagnoses.

On another rotation, a fantastic internal medicine resident shared with me his approach to differential diagnosis, summed up by the mnemonic “VINDICATE,” which stands for vascular disease, infections, neoplasms, drugs, iatrogenic, congenital, autoimmune, trauma and endocrine disease. This resident told me that when making a diagnosis, I should consider all the options and try

to run through possibilities. For example, for the smoker with a cough, could the cough be from a vascular disease such as heart attacks leading to heart failure, or an infection like pneumonia, or a neoplasm such as lung Dr. Taylor cancer, or a reaction to a drug such as an ace inhibitor, etc.,?

My resident friend suggested running through the possibilities systematically and thinking of every category of disease first so as to avoid missing something important, such as lung cancer presenting as a cough. Another physician suggested thinking through each organ system (cardiovascular, pulmonary, etc.,) instead of thinking through VINDICATE when creating a list of diagnoses.

Finally, a family medicine physician advised me that I should be patient and let my list of possible diseases build with time and experience. He said that the common diseases are almost always the correct ones and that with time the number of diseases that I could think of would grow.

I believe that all these approaches have their merit. And each approach seemed to fit the field of the physician who espoused it. In medical school, my synthesis was that I should first try to memorize the emergencies and “can’t miss” diagnoses for as many complaints as possible. In dermatology, a “can’t miss” list for someone with a scaly rash might include cutaneous t-cell lymphoma and syphilis, for example. Second, I should let my list of common diagnoses grow with experience, and if a presentation matches perfectly, there’s rarely reason to go further. However, if someone’s presentation is atypical or doesn’t seem to add up to one of the diseases on the “can’t miss’ list or the common list, then it’s useful to think of VINDICATE or organ systems systematically and generate a list of diseases to work through before turning to textbooks, consultations or medical journals.

Obviously, there is a lot more to say on this subject, but I hope that this brief synopsis of methods of differential diagnosis is interesting and thoughprovoking.

If you or a loved one has a history of skin cancer, vein disease or any cosmetic or dermatologic complaint, please consider entrusting your skin care to board-certified and fellowship-trained Dr. Brent Taylor of Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta.

Empty Nest • Sponsored Section

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018 | 25

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26 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

Empty Nest • Sponsored Section

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Get Outside Georgia:

OPINION

Why not?

As I write this, the calendar says tomorrow is Dec. 21 — the shortest day of the year. Outside, it’s gray and cold and rainy, and we just ran out of hot chocolate. Yuck.

I used to really STEVE HUDSON enjoy wintertime, but Get Outside Georgia, aa4bw@comcast.net these days I’m more of a “spring” kind of person. About this time every year I start counting the days till warm weather returns and things turn green again and the fish start to rise again and the jonquils poke their heads out to bring that first splash of color to a landscape that for too long sat locked in shades of gray.

But that’s not till spring. Now, it’s winter, and my options are thus: I can sit here and stew about it, or I can get outside and see what kind of wintertime adventures can be found.

Yeah, that’s what I’ll do. I’ll go fishing.

“In the middle of winter?” my wife says. “You’re nuts.”

Sure, but why not? Life is short. One must grab gusto when one can, even if it’s 35 degrees and snow’s waiting in the wings. Yeah, I’ll probably freeze. But anything beats sitting here imprisoned behind a window on this cold and rainy next-to-shortest-day-of-the-year.

So I grab fly rod and waders and sweatshirt and rain jacket, and off I go. I’ll have fun once I get out there. I always do.

One of my favorite places for wintertime fishing is a little stream I’ll call Big Bubba Creek. It’s usually kind to me, even in winter. Rare is the day that I won’t tie into at least a few trout there, and that’s the perfect antidote to the grayness of winter. Fool one of those winter trout, and you’ve accomplished something. And then you bring it to the net and admire its electric colors and then ease it back into the flow. Suddenly that gray day is not so gray after all.

Truth be told, I fished Big Bubba Creek just the other day with a friend of mine. We both needed a day off.

I needed one because I was tired from battling deadlines and decorations and all the decorum of the holidays.

Poor, pitiful, whiny me.

He needed one because he was tired from trying to find a job so he could keep his power turned on and a roof over his family’s head.

We agreed, kind of without saying so, to avoid talking about work.

Flyfishing 101 Steve Hudson has written numerous books on travel and outdoor recreation, including FLYFISHING 101, the perfect guide to help you get started in the world of fly fishing. It’s available on Amazon and from many outfitters and book shops. Autographed copies are available direct from the author at www.chattahoocheemedia.com For a winter day, the fishing was pretty good. I landed one or two. But my friend was batting zero.

About 11:30 we stopped to sit on a log and eat sardines and crackers for lunch before calling it a day and heading back to the truck.

That’s when my buddy looked upstream and said, in a voice barely loud enough to hear, “Man, I sure did need to get a fish today.”

He saw I was listening and went on a little louder: “Heck, I can’t get any work either. But I sure was hoping to get a fish.”

We were quiet on the walk back to the truck, not fishing but just walking. We passed pools that should have held fish earlier but that has left us unrewarded.

Then we came to a tiny riffle with a little rock at its downstream end. We’d bypassed it before. Now, for some reason, it caught my eye.

Why not?

“Why don’t you try there,” I said.

“There by the rock.”

“No point,” he said. “Just isn’t my day.”

“Aw, give it a try.”

“Well…”

He hesitated. But then his shoulders lifted.

“Why not?” he said.

He eased up to the water. He made the cast. The fly floated through the air and settled light as snow on the graysteel surface of the pool.

Somewhere in the depths of that pool, down where the water is dark and uncertain, something moved. A shape materialized. It rose to the fly…

Later, after measuring the fish and taking its picture, my friend slipped the trout back into the creek. Then we turned to the trail and the hike back to the truck. He seemed to have a little more spring in his step.

We didn’t talk on the way out, but at one point I think I heard him whisper as if to himself:.

“Why not? I caught a trout. Maybe it’s going to be a good new year.”

Nothing else needed to be said.

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018 | 27

28 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

COMMUNITY

Two veterans selected for the ‘Veteran of the Year’ Honor

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Cumming Chapter 1030 of the Vietnam Veterans of America has recently honored two members as “Veteran of the Year.”

The members chosen were Tom Kirby and Steve Masak.

Kirby, of Forsyth County, served from 1967-68 as a Navy Corpsman at the Naval Air Station in Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam.

Masak, of Gainesville, was stationed from June 1969-June 1970 where he served as an Army helicopter pilot with the 119th Assault Helicopter Company that was based in the Central Highlands.

“These men are truly dedicated to both our organization and its focus on assisting homeless veterans in the Atlanta area and North Georgia,” Cumming Chapter 1030 President Gary Goyette said.

The Cumming Chapter 1030 President Gary Goyette presented the honor to Steve Masak and Tom Kirby.

Forsyth County library changes weekday hours

Cub Scouts lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem at the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Cub Scouts lead Pledge of Allegiance at Board of commissioners meeting FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Cub Scouts Pack 109 Dens 12 and 15 of the Boy Scouts of America lead the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem during the Dec. 6 Forsyth County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Commissioners receive recognition FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Three Forsyth County Commissioners were recognized on Nov. 15 for their participation in the Advancing Georgia’s Counties Lifelong Learning Academy.

The three Forsyth County Commissioners were Dennis Brown, Cindy Jones Mills and Laura Semanson and they were recognized for the completion of their continuing education requirements within the academy.

According to the commissioners recognized, the information attained in the Lifelong Learning Academy has played a key role in the decisions they make as county officials and provides them knowledge of the various ways to effectively address issues impacting Forsyth County.

Commissioners, from left, Pete Amos, Laura Semanson and Dennis Brown were recognized by Chairman Todd Levent.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Public Library has changed their weekday hours to be open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. from Mon-Thurs, beginning Jan.7.

The hours were changed because increased funding in the 2019 budget was approved by Forsyth County Board of Commissioners.

Library branches will continue to be open from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Fri. and Sat. and 1:30-5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

“We’ve had frequent requests to open the libraries earlier and to keep them open later, especially from adult patrons who use the public computers and from students who are doing homework, researching papers, or working on group projects,” Library Director Anna Lyle said.

For full details on the new hours, call Lyle at 678-513-9367.

Paladin football team wins travel tournament FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The sixth grade Forsyth Paladin football team won yet another championship on Nov.17 at Wade-Walker Park. They have won the 20th consecutive victory being named Youth Football Alliance (Select) Champions.

The team defeated the College Park Rams 20-12 for the victory.

The team is comprised of Karson McBrayer, Grayton Costello, Luke Nickel, Max McWhorter, Ty Womack, Hudson Roach, Osborn Murray, Jackson DeLoach, Jacob Anders, Tyler Pepin, Hayden Tumminia, Ethan Nyandoro, Jax Pope, Brady Holbrook, Cam Bland, Adolfo Mier, Ryan Ghea, Grant Hughes, Brendan Hester, Abhram Ivie, Steele Smithson, Brady Goninan and Colin Kelley.

“While I’ve cherished all four years leading this team, this season was particularly special,” Head Coach Frank Tumminia said. “It takes dedi-

cation, trust and support from parents, coaches and players to be able to win a championship at this level. The strong culture we built early in the season allowed us to win in dominant style.”

To learn more about the team, visit forsythpaladins.com.

Age Well Forsyth creates new grant program FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. —Age Well Forsyth has recently created a new grant program that helps senior in Forsyth County.

The program offers awards between $500-1000 per grant per quarter.

If you know a senior who is in need of a repair or service, a group of people can do that service for them.

Examples are repairs to doors or windows, putting in support rails in the bathroom, clearing trees, etc.

The first grant goes out Jan. 20, 2019.

For more information, visit agewellforsyth.com.

Annual drive collects bags for foster children ATLANTA — Georgia Cancer Specialists and Northside Hospital are hosting the 17th annual Totes 2 Tots drive to collect backpacks and suitcases for foster children in Georgia. Donations of new or nearly new backpacks, duffel bags and suitcases be accepted on Friday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Georgia Cancer Specialist locations including: • 3330 Preston Ridge Road Suite 110 Alpharetta, Ga 30005 • 1505 Northside Boulevard Suite 4300 Cumming, Ga 30041 • 6300 Hospital Parkway Suite 300 Johns Creek, Ga 30097 For a full list of Totes 2 Tots drop-off locations, visit gacancer.com/locations.

COMMUNITY

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018 | 29

WANT MORE? FOLLOW US!

• Exclusive Content • Photos / Videos • Message the Publisher Santa Claus interacts with the children and families at the Mentor Me North Georgia annual Christmas party.

Santa visits the Mentor Me Party FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Mentor Me North Georgia’s annual Christmas party on Dec. 10 at Otwell Middle School had a special visit by Santa.

The annual Christmas party is sponsored by the Forsyth County Optimist Clubs.

The party featured Christmas festivities for the children and adult mentors who volunteer with the Forsyth County non-profit organization. The attendees played games, ate pizza and were visited

by Santa.

Santa handed out presents and had his picture taken with every child. More than 100 children attended this year’s

facebook.com/NorthsideWoman

party, held at Otwell Middle School.

Mentor Me North Georgia provides one-on-one mentoring relationships between volunteer adults and children, along with other mentoring programs.

“Supporting Mentor Me demonstrates the core principle and slogan of Optimist Clubs – Bringing out the Best in Kids,” President of the Sawnee-Cumming club Brenda Basey said. “The Mentor Me Christmas party is just one of several Optimist community service projects that touch the lives of children throughout the year.”

To volunteer or make a donation, visit their website mentorGA.org.

DEATH NOTICES Lewis Paul Brock, Jr., 74, of Cumming, passed away December 16, 2018. .

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Crematory.

Johnny Bryson, 77, of Cumming, passed away December 17, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors &

William Samuel Guffin, Jr. 85, of Cumming, passed away December 17, 2018.

Arrangements by McDonald & Son Funeral Home & Crematory.

Herman A. Hampel , 88 of Alpharetta, passed away December 14, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Richard Burkard, 84, of Suwanee, passed away December 11, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Reagan Ferguson, 30, of Alpharetta, passed away December 13, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Crematory.

William Fralic, 56, of Roswell, passed away December 13, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors &

Crematory.

Dora Hardeman, 90, of Roswell, passed away December 16, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors &

John Lindsey Jordan, Jr., 81, passed away December 12, 2018. Arrangements

by McDonald & Son Funeral Home & Crematory.

Randall Robert Kintz, 27 of Cumming, passed away December 14, 2018.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Sarah Wilson McGaha, 87, of Cumming, passed away December 10, 2018.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Lavern H. Smith, 50, of Cumming, passed away December 15, 2018.

Arrangements by Byars Funeral & Cremation Services.

Susan F. McMillan, 76, of Roswell, passed away December 13, 2018.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

James C. Warren, 89, of Roswell, passed away December 15, 2018. Arrangements

by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

Greg Pittman, 53, of Johns Creek, passed away December 12, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Marcus Redd, 76, of Roswell, passed away December 14, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

David Roth, 70, of Milton, passed away December 14, 2018. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Mona Wright, 65, of Alpharetta, passed away December 11, 2018.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Ronald L. Zimmermann, 83, of Cumming, passed away December 17, 2018. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

30 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

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ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 27, 2018 | 31

CADNET ADS

Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the following classifieds. Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home.

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32 | December 27, 2018 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

LOCAL HOME SERVICES GUIDE TREE SERVICE

678.506.0006

Call Us For A FREE Quote

99 • Highest rated by • We save trees too customers • Certified arborist • Tree removal and • Licensed/insured tree trimming

CONCRETE

How to identify a sick tree It’s easy to miss when a tree is growing sick. Most tree health problems grow slowly, with little visible difference from one day to the next, until leaves change colors or the canopy begins to thin. The longer it takes to spot problems, the more likely the tree’s illness will become serious enough that it needs to be

TREE SERVICE

removed. However, if you can catch the signs early and call for an arborist, it may be possible to treat the sickness or damage and save the tree. Keep an eye out for these common signs of trouble: • Look for wilting or oddly-colored leaves, either along one or two limbs or all over the tree.

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• Examine dead branches, which may simply need pruning, but which can also indicate that a tree is in poor health.

• Watch for decaying or hollow spots, especially along the trunk and around the joints of the limbs.

• Look for insect damage, such as chewed leaves, holes made by burrowing bugs, silk webs and nests, and dripping sap or honeydew.

Bob Delbridge, President 404-CUT-TREE and finestmulch.com

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Let Us Connect You Alpharetta-Roswell Herald Delivers to 28,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30005, 30009, 30022, 30075, 30076. Alpharetta & Roswell’s primary news source. Est. 1983.

Alpharetta’s paper of record.

Johns Creek Herald Delivers to 20,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30022, 30097. Johns Creek’s primary news source. Est. 1997. Johns Creek’s paper of record.

Northside Woman 18,000 copies distributed monthly to subdivisions and business in North Fulton and South Forsyth with home delivery to 40+ of the most exclusive gated and estate communities in North Atlanta.

Forsyth Herald Delivers to 17,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30040, 30041.

Forsyth County’s largest circulation newspaper. Est. 1998

Milton Herald Delivers to 10,000 households every Thursday Zip Code: 30004. Community news for and about the City of Milton. Est. 2006.

Milton’s paper of record.

Answer Books 40,000 copies distributed quarterly to local real estate agents, doctors, chambers of commerce, visitor’s bureaus as well as personal homes. Each quarter has a different focus including education, relocation, medical and seniors

p: 770-442-3278 | f: 770-475-1216 | e: advertising@appenmediagroup.com | 319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009