Johns Creek Herald - January 2, 2025 by Appen Media Group

YEAR IN REVIEW

Town Center plans begin to take shape ► PAGE 4 J a n u a r y 2 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . 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 9 , N o . 1

2024 ADAM DARBY/APPEN MEDIA

A YEAR IN REVIEW Here’s a pictorial taste of some of the big events in Johns Creek in 2024.

Clockwise from top left: Crowds flooded Heisman Field Feb. 10 for the second annual Lunar New Year Celebration in Johns Creek. The festival included performances from the Atlanta Korean Cultural Center, above, and close to half a dozen other dance companies, music, food and other cultural activities marking the Year of the Dragon. Guests at the groundbreaking ceremony for Creekside Park

ROI

Aug. 23 exit under an event banner attached to construction equipment. Monika Mittal, president of the Johns Creek Arts Center’s Artist Guild, speaks about her artwork hanging in the “Women of Color” exhibition at Emory Johns Creek Hospital Feb. 28. The exhibition, located in two corridors at the hospital, was a joint effort with Decatur-based photography collective Sistagraphy. Patty Pun, owner of the Original Jute Sculptures, sells sculptures at the Johns Creek Art Festival on Oct. 20.

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2 | January 2, 2025 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

PUBLIC SAFETY

Police stop Roswell suspect with controversial maneuver By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

770-442-3278 AppenMedia.com 319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 HANS APPEN Publisher RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus CONTACT NEWS TIPS Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com. LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com. See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance. ADVERTISING For information about advertising in the Johns Creek Herald or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278. CIRCULATION To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs Police arrested a 40-year-old Atlanta man Dec. 16 after a high-speed chase on Ga. 400 and I-285, ending with a road intervention known as a PIT maneuver. A PIT, or precision immobilization technique, is a method used by law enforcement to stop a vehicle by forcing it to abruptly turn 180 degrees and stall. It’s a police procedure with a controversial reputation. Sandy Springs Police allows officers with the right training to use it under certain circumstances. The department has not said how they came to the decision to pursue the suspect coming out of Roswell or execute the PIT maneuver to immobilize the suspect’s vehicle. Appen Media first found out about the Dec. 16 incident through a Sandy Springs Police Department Facebook post. Early Monday morning on Dec. 16, Roswell police attempted to pull over a vehicle for failing to use a turn signal, according to the agency. When the driver instead accelerated and began weaving through traffic on Holcomb Bridge Road, the officer turned off their blue lights. A second Roswell Police officer saw the vehicle shortly after and tried to pull it over. The driver allegedly chose to speed up and flee from law enforcement once more. At this point police dispatch gave the vehicle’s description to neighboring agencies. The suspect then headed southbound on Ga. 400 towards Sandy Springs. Hearing the exchange from dispatch, Sandy Springs Police officers responded to Ga. 400, according to the agency’s social media post and spokesperson. After spotting and attempting to pull the vehicle over, officers pursued it onto I-285. It was on that highway that officers “were able to perform a PIT maneuver” on the car and take the driver into custody. As of Dec. 19, the Sandy Springs Police post has more than 850 likes and 120 comments.

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A look at the aftermath of an interjurisdictional police pursuit along Ga. 400 and I-285 Dec. 16 shows a Sandy Springs Police Department patrol car pinning a suspect’s Volkswagen against the median barrier. The suspect, a 40-year-old Atlanta man, was booked at Fulton County Jail after a high-speed pursuit along Ga. 400 and I-285. Most commenters expressed appreciation to local law enforcement, with one person writing they witnessed the vehicle “flying” in the emergency lane said were thankful after the “wild and pretty scary” incident. Another person said the department should leave PIT maneuvering to the Georgia State Patrol. Law enforcement agencies around the county have different policies for when vehicle pursuits and intervention maneuvers can be performed. Typically, those directives weigh the potential danger of the action compared to the possible harm of not interfering. In a 2023 report, the U.S. Department of Justice recommended pursuits, “should take place only when two very specific standards are met: (1) A violent crime has been committed and (2) the suspect poses an imminent threat to commit another violent crime.” It says that the potential danger caused by fleeing from police is not reason enough to pursue. The example offered in the report is, “if a suspect begins driving more recklessly after police intervention, it is important to discontinue the pursuit.”

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Sandy Springs Police Department's chase policy says officers must "continually balance the need to pursue against all known or apparent risk" to public safety. The directive states that officers should not assume a driver is involved in something more serious, “just because he or she is fleeing,” and must instead rely on the other factors such as the nature of the offense committed, the immediate danger to the public if they are not apprehended and traffic conditions. It adds that termination actions, such as the PIT maneuver, “are authorized only when the initial pursuit is justified.” Records provided by the agency do not identify the suspect or any charges other than fleeing from police. The incident report, meant to be a record of everything the responding officer observes while responding to a scene, is one sentence, that the officer “was involved in a vehicle pursuit on Ga. 400.” Later, the first Roswell Police officer would find out the driver’s identity. Through that agency’s incident report and documents obtained from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Appen Media learned that the suspect is a 40-year-old Atlanta man. He is charged with misdemeanor counts of traffic violations and fleeing from police, along with felony counts of possession of a controlled substance and fleeing from police. Sandy Springs charged fleeing from police with the higher felony degree, while Roswell cited it as a misdemeanor. The subject is a convicted felon. He is currently booked at Fulton County Jail with bonds totaling $38,750. Sandy Springs’ policy mandates certain reporting obligations after pursuit and intervention incidents. It lays out a number of reports and reviews the department must make, including recording all involved subjects’ actions and observations during the events, ending with a final justification determination from the police chief. Appen Media has requested those documents from the city.

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | January 2, 2025 | 3

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4 | January 2, 2025 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

JOHNS CREEK IN 2024

NEWS In no particular order, here are the top 10 stories that drew the most interest from readers this year in Johns Creek, according to online traffic:

• Johns Creek weighs proposal for McGinnis Ferry mixed-use complex. In January, the Planning Commission approved a 70,000-square-foot commercial complex on a 4.7-acre tract on McGinnis Ferry Road, in the Town Center area. • Clubhouse closed, course open after Rivermont Golf Club fire. The Rivermont Golf Club clubhouse saw fire damage in March. • Mount Pisgah Christian School seeks to double campus size. Mount Pisgah Christian School, along Nesbit Ferry Road, plans to add more than 20 acres to its existing campus. • Johns Creek revamps Medlock, State Bridge intersection. The Johns Creek City Council approved a plan in April that reimagines the Medlock Crossing Shopping Center to feature more entertainment options and gathering spots. AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

The Johns Creek City Council, city staff and other community partners throw dirt into the air during a groundbreaking ceremony for Creekside Park behind City Hall Aug. 23.

Town Center plans begin to take shape By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Riding the momentum of last year, Johns Creek city leaders continued to make major moves to its parks system in 2024. The August groundbreaking for what has been referred to as “Creekside Park” is one top story from the past 12 months. It is the city’s largest individual construction project to-date at $36 million. The 21-acre area, anchored by the pond behind City Hall, will serve as a centerpiece for the city’s Town Center. It will include an amphitheater, small playground and elevated boardwalk over constructed wetlands, a strategic stormwater project. Park space has gained momentum since the city opened its largest recreational space, the 203-acre Cauley Creek Park, in 2023. Town Center, envisioned as a walkable downtown area, will be filled out with the anticipated 42-acre, $560 million mixed-use development Medley, headed by Avalon developer Mark Toro. Toro Development Company’s announcement of additional retailers sparked reader interest this year, according to online traffic. But, Appen Media also shared news about Toro’s change to the plan itself, replacing an entertainment center with a 175-room boutique hotel, intended to attract travelers and bolster the city’s economy. The brand remains undecided. Another top story, coming at the tail end of 2024, is the city’s move away from contracted services to bring its Public Works Department in house. The city did the same for its

Recreation and Parks Department last year. The decision to create more infrastructure within City Hall shows a continued tradition for Johns Creek, a relatively new city that formed in 2006 out of a desire to acquire more local control. In 2024, there were also more than a few transportation projects that either got started or were completed. By a count of online traffic, readers were especially interested in the $34.6 million update to Abbotts Bridge Road and a new pedestrian tunnel under Medlock Bridge Road in the Town Center area. The latest piece of big news is the start of construction for the replacement of Fire Station 63, the city’s oldest fire station. It’s a $7.8 million project. The new 14,675-square-foot facility, to house the Police Substation, will be located at 9880 Brumbelow Road, a halfmile from the existing Station 63 on Old Alabama Road. Moving away from major projects, another important update at Johns Creek City Hall is the city’s Expenditure Policy. After a number of hours, across multiple council work sessions, guardrails were added around how individual council members could spend city dollars. Using open records, Appen Media reported on the transactions that sparked the discussion. Looking forward to 2025, residents should keep an eye on how the city plans to conduct its municipal election. The mayor’s seat and three council posts will be on the ballot. Appen Media has reported Johns Creek’s desire to run its own election, rather than pay Fulton County for the service, following the same path Milton took in 2023. The status of Johns Creek’s 2025 election plans remains unclear.

• Johns Creek breaks ground on $34.6 million Abbotts Bridge project. In April, elected officials marked the start of a $34.6 million construction project along Abbotts Bridge Road, between Parsons and Medlock Bridge roads. • Johns Creek Town Center’s Medley adds retail, restaurants to roster. Toro Development Company announced another wave of tenants at Medley. • Johns Creek: Neighbors say subdivision will make taxes unaffordable. Plans to construct three $1.2 million homes along State Bridge Road have been the source of distress for neighboring residents. • Johns Creek OKs 60 townhomes for Emory workforce. A new set of $800,000 townhomes will be constructed near Emory Johns Creek Hospital, intended to house those who work there. • Johns Creek breaks ground on pedestrian tunnel. Johns Creek city leaders broke ground on the Town Center pedestrian tunnel in November, a $6.5 million project that will provide a crossing under Medlock Bridge Road to the new park behind City Hall. • Johns Creek police chief cites uptick in burglaries, need for more officers. As part of a multi-year plan, Johns Creek Police Chief Mark Mitchell estimated a 30-percent increase in burglaries from 2023 and argued the need for more officers.

A LOOK AHEAD

OPINION

Johns Creek marks inroads for improved quality of life 2024 was another great year for our community, and it’s not just us who feel this way. Others are taking notice as well. Travel and Leisure magazine named us the number one best JOHN BRADBERRY Johns Creek Mayor suburb to live in the country. According to safewise.com, Johns Creek was the second safest city in the United States. The Newtown Dog Park was named the second best in the country by USA Today Readers’ Choice. To put that one in perspective, however, please note that the number one dog park is its own island off the coast of California, so I consider Newtown the best NON-ISLAND dog park. These accolades are due to you, our residents, our businesses, and because of the efforts of our city staff. I hope these superlatives mean that we are making noticeable, positive impacts on the quality of life in our community. We are one of the best communities anywhere in America, but we are not resting on our laurels. We continued to make progress on many projects. Some projects anticipated to be completed in 2025: • Rogers Bridge/Bell Road trail • Buice Road trail to Johns Creek • Pedestrian tunnel under Ga. 141/ Medlock Bridge Road connecting to the Town Center • Jones Bridge Road (Waters to State), summer 2025 • Current segment of Abbott’s Bridge Road 2026. Projects anticipated to start in 2025: • McGinnis Ferry Road from Sargent Road to Douglas Road • Two intersection improvements in the Town Center area • Buice Road bridge replacement • Barnwell Road trail, assuming preconstruction preparations remain on track The three main parts of the Town Center continue to move along nicely. The Innovation Hub, aka our concentration of larger tech businesses, is growing with the expansion of existing businesses and the expected completion of the new Boston Scientific campus sometime mid-year. Creekside

Park behind City Hall is now under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2026. Medley has also begun construction, with an official groundbreaking set for mid-January. The grand opening of Medley is tentatively in late 2026 and is likely to feature a popular boutique grocer. We continue to seek ways to add additional value, build a greater community, and to further support quality of life. In front of us are three important opportunities and challenges. Stormwater management is a challenging issue that the city has been actively addressing. While it remains a complex problem, it is one that the City Council takes very seriously. We are committed to exploring additional strategies to mitigate its destructive effects and protect our community. Permitting and government requirements of homeowners and businesses need to be seriously reviewed for possible reforms. The city needs to examine our processes and fees to ensure we are being as fair and evenhanded as possible. Our parks are a tremendous source of pride for our community. Despite the exciting new additions, like Cauley Creek, I believe we are still falling short in fully meeting the needs of our residents, particularly in youth programming. While there are many recreational programs available for our youngest residents, there remain notable gaps. My goal is to bring together our community — partnering with non-profits, schools, private businesses and the City of Johns Creek — to provide meaningful opportunities for our youth from little league through high school for more unified, comprehensive access to programs that eventually culminate in our high schools. This represents a significant shift from the current scope of recreation programs that have been offered in the past. Alongside the goal of establishing a performing arts center, I believe this is another critical step we must take to make Johns Creek the best community it can be. Together, we will continue to move Johns Creek forward. Happy holidays and happy new year to you and yours. For additional information and to sign up for email updates, visit JohnsCreekGa.gov

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | January 2, 2025 | 5

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6 | January 2, 2025 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

NEWS

Spruill Center for the Arts enters 50th year Dunwoody backs goal to create artistic hub By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — After a city-backed expansion of its educational facilities, the Spruill Center for the Arts is bringing more people through Dunwoody than ever. Spruill is on the short list of major art centers in Metro Atlanta, joining Gwinnett County’s Hudgens Center for Art & Learning and Callanwolde Fine Arts Center just inside Atlanta. CEO Alan Mothner said the Spruill Center for the Arts has been “out of space” since about 2018, with demand outpacing its space within the old North DeKalb Cultural Center off Chamblee Dunwoody Road. In 2020, the Spruill Center rolled out its first strategic plan to manage operations during and after the pandemic with the expansion still in mind. “That post-COVID era was also contingent upon this expanded space,” Mothner said. “The goal was to begin this expansion in 2023, which is exactly what we did.” In March, Dunwoody’s elected officials joined with the city’s Art Commission at the Spruill Center to cut the ribbon for the new 8,300-square-foot expansion, including seven new art studios, a community room and revamped courtyard. The city pitched in $1 million for the project’s $3.4 million cost, with the remaining funds generated through Spruill’s fundraising, activities and workshops. After breaking ground in March 2023, Mothner and his team were ready for another strategic plan with a focus on operating its new facilities. “We had, before we expanded, hun-

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Students work on their holiday creations at a printmaking workshop Dec. 14 at the Spruill Center for the Arts. Instructor Tatiana Craig, right, coaches a student through their etching and engraving. Craig, a first-time instructor at Spruill, said her students at the Chastain Art Center in north Atlanta recommended she teach at the Dunwoody-based community hub. dreds of students on the waitlist each semester that we offer classes,” Mothner said. “Once we’re able to accommodate that demand, how do we reach out to the broader community to get everybody engaged and involved in the arts?” Free community workshops offer a “Taste of Spruill” and are a part of a larger effort to grow the nonprofit’s programing after its expansion. The roadmap is laid out in the Spruill Center’s 2024-26 Strategic Plan with the nonprofit’s 50th anniversary celebration smack dab in the middle. “The free workshops are one of several programs that are designed to enhance our focus on being a community center based on the arts,” Mothner said. “We have really

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seen a need for these social connections in the community.” Workshops draw diverse talent The Spruill Center for the Arts schedules its classes quarterly, offering youth and teen programs, camps and adult courses nearly year-round. Instructors, often professional artists, teachers or college professors, cater to students of all skill levels. “Taste of Spruill” classes give Metro Atlantans an opportunity to try out a new art form, sample Dunwoody culture and, maybe, make a holiday gift. Tatiana Craig, who taught her first printmaking class at Spruill Dec. 14, said

her students at Atlanta’s Chastain Arts Center recommended she teach at Spruill after a untimely renovation shut down the facility for a few weeks. Craig, an Atlanta native, graduated from Georgia State University a couple of years ago with an art education degree. “The art community is all about this, the community,” she said. “It wasn’t until my second year of college when I took a printmaking class that I was like ‘woah, I really love it.’” Craig’s students, an eclectic group of longtime students and first-time patrons, advised each other while she spent some on-on-one time. Upstairs in one of the new classrooms, California native Carolina Cuevas was also teaching her first indigo dyeing class at Spruill. Cuevas specialized in sculpture and textiles at the California College of the Arts. She said she chose to teach the traditional Japanese method — shibori — to give students a more authentic experience than with more commonplace Western tie-dyeing. Kimm Martin, one of Cuevas’ students who serves on the Smyrna Arts Council, said she’ll make the trip east along I-285 anytime there’s a new and interesting course. When Spruill gets feedback, patrons often say socializing, getting out of the house and meeting new people is as valuable as what they’re learning in class. The free community workshops kicked off in September with typically four options Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Mothner said there are 48 classes on the books for 2025. “The whole idea behind them is to get people out, engaged and more involved in

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | January 2, 2025 | 7

A LOOK AHEAD

Affordable home deficit requires concerted effort By KATHY SWAHN, NANCY DIAMOND, JACK MURPHY

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Dunwoodians play corn hole at the Spruill Art Center for the Arts’ new turfed courtyard next to its expanded classroom and community building Dec. 14. As the city’s community art center moves into its 50th year, the focus is on expanding programming and removing barriers.

Spruill: Continued from Page 6 their community,” he said. “That’s us serving as a community center where we can get people to gather.” Planning for the future The “Taste of Spruill” workshops aren’t going anywhere. On the second Saturday and Sunday of each month, there are typically a couple of options for free two-hour sessions with local artists. Because of the diversity of artistic mediums and Spruill’s reputation in Metro Atlanta’s art community, prospective students will rarely see classes repeat. The second weekend of January, options include introductions to crochet, drawing, iPhone photography and polymer clay techniques. In fall 2024, around 2,300 people enrolled in classes. Enrollment throughout the year totaled more than 8,300. Spruill is now serving 40 percent more people than it was pre-pandemic, and enrollment is expected to climb furtrher in 2025. “We derive more than 50 percent of our students from outside the greater Dunwoody area … Sandy Springs, Doraville, Chamblee and Brookhaven,” Mothner said. “We draw regionally from throughout the area … students come from all over the place.” A half-century of serving In 1975, the community art center operated out of the basement of the Dunwoody United Methodist Church. A group of local women would meet weekly for painting classes decades before the nonprofit moved to its second home off Roberts Drive. The Spruill Center for the Arts has been in the same spot since 1993 at the multi-

arts complex, now known as the Dunwoody Cultural Arts Center. The addition of seven classrooms brings Spruill to a total of 17 state-of-the-art studios, including specialized spaces for jewelry making, ceramics and kiln-fused glass, blacksmithing and painting. Mothner said anyone who signs up for a paid class has the ability to register for open studio classes. “If you take a wheel class and you work on your projects from 7-9 p.m., you may want to get some extra time on the wheel or glaze a piece,” he said. “Because if you’re a student, you probably don’t have a wheel, kiln and all the glazes that we have.” The new ceramics classrooms have more than doubled the open studio time Spruill can offer students. A block of clay weighs around 20 pounds, and Mothner reported Spruill went through 31.35 tons of it in 2024. Expansion plans at the Spruill Center for the Arts date back to 2008. During the Great Recession, building additional classrooms and expanding programs took a back seat along with many other things. “We could not exist without the publicprivate partnership that we have with the City of Dunwoody,” Mothner said. “It allows us to grow and serve our community.” Mothner is excited about the Spruill Center for the Arts’ upcoming 50th anniversary March 29, but he’s not ready to dive into details yet. He said people can expect a celebration of the arts and more community programs in 2025. After awarding $63,000 in scholarships in 2024, prospective students should know the Spruill Center is continuing its effort to remove economic barriers. “One of the big things that we want to focus on is to make sure the arts are accessible to all,” he said. “That primarily manifests in scholarships for students, as well as the free community workshops.”

We appreciate the opportunity to highlight our volunteer team’s efforts to address the urgent need for affordable housing in our community. We’re working hard to build a network of advocates prioritizing housing solutions. While this challenge is nationwide, we’ve identified communities successfully implementing proactive strategies. Encouragingly, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce has made affordable housing a legislative priority this year. Although North Fulton’s six cities boast strong leadership focused on economic development, we are not adequately forecasting the workforce housing required to sustain growth. Industries like healthcare, education, hospitality and emergency services face critical shortages due to insufficient housing stock. The “missing middle”— households earning $50,000 to $80,000 annually — struggle to find affordable options, whether renting or buying. Current zoning restrictions further hinder progress, leaving comprehensive plans for workforce housing unfulfilled. To prepare for future needs, we must adopt innovative solutions, including property reuse, zoning adjustments, and the addition of Auxiliary Dwelling Units, carriage houses, or multi-generational housing on private land. Faithbased organizations could also play a key role by repurposing land or underutilized parking lots for housing development. Empty nesters lack downsizing options, and young professionals — our children and

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Affordable housing continues to be a serious issue across North Metro Atlanta. Groups like the North Fulton Improvement Network are trying to help, and Appen Media is dedicated to covering the process. Send ideas, questions and feedback to newsroom@appenmedia.com. recent graduates — cannot afford to return to live here. It’s time to change that. Thanks to our partner, John Ray, with Business Radio X, you can now access our podcast, “North Fulton Voices,” via our website or your favorite podcast platform. The podcast features experts discussing critical issues such as senior housing, housing for school employees, and workforce challenges faced by healthcare providers. We also share insights from the Atlanta Regional Commission, Georgia Public Policy Foundation, elected officials and economic developers on potential solutions for North Fulton. This is not a political issue; it should be a community priority. Addressing housing affordability can ease traffic congestion, strengthen our workforce, and provide homes for the people we need and value in our community. Kathy Swahn, Nancy Diamond and Jack Murphy are members of North Fulton Improvement Network. Learn more at www. improvenorthfulton.org. Kathy Swahn, Nancy Diamond and Jack Murphy are members of North Fulton Improvement Net-work. Learn more at www. improvenorthfulton.org.

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Italian restaurant creates cult following in Cumming By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Every Sunday after mass, Karen Marie Smith and her family would visit her grandmother’s house. “She’d have pots and pots of the most amazing food cooking,” Smith said. “I just had these wonderful memories of her kitchen.” Smith remembers sauce bubbling in big pots, pasta, pigs’ feet, chicken, short ribs, thick Sicilian pizzas, cookies and pastries of all kinds, homemade meatballs and an atmosphere of warmth and joy. As co-owners of Marie’s Italian Deli, Bakery & Market, Smith and her son Matthew Smith have worked hard to replicate that atmosphere at their Cumming restaurant. They have won the hearts of the community by serving authentic Italian cooking and creating the kind of place where it’s easy to lose a couple of hours with friends. “It doesn’t feel like a restaurant. It feels like a family,” Matthew said. Tucked in an unassuming strip mall off Atlanta Highway near Ga. 20, Marie’s Italian Deli has transformed a space once occupied by a Mellow Mushroom. The restaurant’s unexpected success spurred an expansion into an adjacent tax office a few years back. When you enter the restaurant, activity bustles in a small but lively kitchen. The aroma of roast garlic and simmering marinara permeates the cozy dining area where groups of friends share spirited conversation. On any given day, Karen and Matthew Smith split their time behind the counter, in the kitchen and among the tables where they “walk in circles,” catching up with regulars and newcomers. Regulars like Cumming resident Steve Lazzara have become a part of the Marie’s family. During a Wednesday lunch service, he and Karen Smith chatted about Sicily, where they both trace familial roots. “The food’s excellent, and the service is phenomenal,” Lazzara said.

The dining room at Marie’s Italian Deli bustles with energy on a Wednesday lunch service. Since opening about four years ago, Marie’s has created a cult following of both locals and visitors from outside Forsyth County. An air traffic controller from Hartsfield-Jackson Airport regularly makes the drive during his lunch break. Some customers even come six days a week and might make it seven if the restaurant wasn’t closed on Sundays. Atmosphere is important, the Smiths said, but Marie’s has laid a foundation on its menu. The most popular items track to southern Italy where Karen Smith’s grandmother grew up until the 1890s. “I was a twig until we opened this place, and then I blew up like a balloon,” Matthew said, chuckling. Just like her grandmother did, Marie’s marinara is browned in a skillet and allows the flavors from high quality tomatoes, garlic and onion to mingle.

See DELI, Page 9

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MARIE’S ITALIAN DELI/PROVIDED

A hot meatball sub is one of many menu items that features both a marinara and meatballs inspired by family recipes.

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On the bakery side of Marie’s, diners can finish meals with coffee and indulgent desserts like this blueberry and lemon cake.

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Marie’s Italian Deli offers a full breakfast menu featuring pancakes, eggs, sandwiches, frittata and more.

Deli: Continued from Page 8 “It’s wonderful,” Matthew said. “If you don’t like garlic, you’re not going to like it.” That sauce is a crucial part of many dishes from hot subs on crispy rolls to calzones stuffed with mozzarella, ricotta, sausage and meatballs. Many dishes are named after members of Karen Smith’s “ginormous” Italian family. That family is featured in framed black and white photographs around the restaurant. Like the sauce, the meatballs have been replicated from Karen’s childhood memories of her grandmother’s cooking. Made in-house from parmesan and fresh ingredients, they are seasoned with parsley from a local farmers market and built around softened bread, rather than breadcrumbs. Marie’s also offers a full breakfast menu that includes quick bites, like a bagel sandwich and more indulgent offerings, like pancakes topped with

blueberry compote and whipped cream. In a bakery connected to the restaurant, diners often chase meals with lattes, cappuccinos, affogatos and other espresso drinks. Glass cases are filled with cupcakes, cannoli, cakes and other desserts. A lemon blueberry cake has garnered rave reviews with its delicately flavored icing and a moist, spongy interior. Despite a varied menu featuring numerous authentic items, the restaurant’s biggest seller is a humble white bean and ham soup. Made fresh daily, the soup’s buttery white beans are imbued with a rich savoriness from smoked ham bone and a base of carrots, celery and onion. When Marie’s first opened, the Smiths prepared the soup in a crock pot, but its popularity quickly grew out of the small container. “It tastes like a warm hug,” Karen said. Cumming resident Julie Kelleher said she thinks of the soup as a food for her soul. “It’s just warm. It’s inviting,” she said.

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10 | Johns Creek Herald | January 2, 2025

Sponsored Section

Review and update your insurance policy Brought to you by - Allison Kloster, Associate Broker, Home Real Estate Happy New Year!! Wow – it’s hard to believe that 2025 is here. We get asked a lot of questions over the holidays and this year, the big discussion we had was centered around home insurance and content insurance. We highly encourage everyone to review and update your insurance policy now, especially since housing values and the cost of contents have increased tremendously over the last 5 years. By taking these steps, you can ensure that you’re properly covered and avoid any gaps in protection due to rising home values and costs. 1. Reevaluate your home’s value (Dwelling Coverage) • Home value vs. Market value: Home insurance generally covers the replacement cost of your home (the cost to rebuild it) rather than its market value (how much you could sell it for). You will likely find that your current dwelling coverage is insufficient to rebuild your home after a loss. • Rebuild costs: Consider changes in construction costs, labor rates, and material prices. If your home was built several years ago, it might cost more today to rebuild it than when you initially purchased the policy. • Cost of renovations: If you’ve made improvements, additions, or renovations to your home (e.g., adding a room or upgrading the kitchen), you’ll need to update your coverage to reflect the increased value. 2. Update your Contents Coverage • Inflation and rising prices: With inflation driving up the cost of everyday items like electronics, furniture, appliances, and clothing, the total value of your possessions may be higher than it was when you first purchased your policy. • Inventory and documentation: Take the time to make a detailed inventory of your belongings. Document the value of high-ticket items with receipts or photos. Some home insurance policies will only cover the replacement cost, while others may offer actual cash value (which factors in depreciation). Make sure you understand which one you have and consider upgrading to a policy that offers replacement cost if you’re not already covered. Using video is also very helpful

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and offers more detail in items. Note serial numbers where applicable. • Specialized items: If you own highvalue items such as jewelry, artwork, musical instruments, or collectibles, these might require scheduled personal property coverage (also known as a floater). A floater policy provides more protection than the typical contents coverage, including worldwide coverage for loss, theft, or damage. 3. Inflation guard/Extended replacement cost • Inflation guard: This is a feature that many insurance providers offer, where they automatically adjust your policy’s limits each year to keep up with inflation. It’s particularly important if the cost to rebuild homes in your area is climbing faster than average inflation rates. • Extended replacement cost: If your home’s replacement value is higher than the initial estimate (due to rising material costs), extended replacement cost coverage may provide extra coverage—often up to 20% to 25% beyond the policy limit. This can be invaluable if you don’t want to find yourself paying out-of-pocket for the difference between the policy payout and actual rebuild costs. 4. Consider additional coverage for special items – some of these are more applicable to areas outside Atlanta • Scheduled property: For items like fine jewelry, collectibles, high-end electronics, or rare antiques, consider a scheduled personal property endorsement. This provides specific coverage for individual high-value items, and often offers fewer exclusions or limits than your standard contents coverage. • Flood insurance: Standard homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage. If you’re in a flood-prone area, especially as sea levels rise or with

increasing storm severity, you should consider purchasing separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. • Earthquake insurance: Similarly, earthquake coverage is often excluded from standard homeowners’ policies. If you live in an earthquake-prone area, consider adding this coverage. • Umbrella insurance: If your personal assets have increased, an umbrella insurance policy can provide additional liability protection above and beyond the limits of your homeowners’ or auto insurance. 5. Review Liability Protection • Personal liability coverage: This covers legal and medical expenses if someone is injured on your property or if you accidentally cause damage to someone else’s property. With rising property values, it’s important to assess whether your liability coverage is enough to cover potential lawsuits or claims. • Dog liability: If you have a dog, some policies may include exclusions for certain breeds. If your dog is considered a higherrisk breed, make sure your policy includes adequate liability coverage. • Guests and social media: Liability insurance may also extend to incidents involving guests or activities you share online. If someone is injured at a gathering or as a result of your actions posted on social media, the liability insurance could protect you. 6. Compare quotes and shop around • Changes in premiums: Even if your home value increases, your premiums might not automatically increase in line with those changes unless you update your policy. It’s always a good idea to shop around to see if you can find better coverage or more competitive rates. If premiums have risen due to inflation or changes in the housing market, you might find insurers that offer better deals by reviewing their current offers. • Multi-policy discounts: Many insurers offer discounts if you bundle multiple policies together (such as home, auto, and life insurance). If you’re not already bundling, ask your insurer for a quote to see if that could save you money. • Loyalty discounts vs. competitive shopping: While some people stick with the same insurer due to loyalty, rates can vary significantly between companies.

Make sure you’re not paying more than necessary for your coverage. 7. Consider optional endorsements • Home-based business coverage: If you operate a business from home, your homeowners’ insurance policy might not cover business-related equipment or liability. Consider adding an endorsement for business property, equipment, and liability. • Home inventory service: Some insurance companies offer home inventory apps or services that make it easier to track and value your belongings. These can be invaluable when filing a claim, especially if you’ve accumulated more items than you realize over the years. 8. Natural disasters and catastrophic events – if you own property in areas where these occurrences are common • Hurricane/storm coverage: In areas that are prone to hurricanes or major storms, ensure that your policy covers damage from wind, hail, and rain. Even if you live in a non-coastal area, the increased frequency of extreme weather events can still affect your property. • Wildfire protection: If you live in an area prone to wildfires, ensure that your policy covers damage from fire and smoke. Also, check if you have coverage for any necessary evacuation expenses or loss of use if you can’t live in your home after a disaster. 9. Periodic policy review • Annual review: It’s essential to review your insurance coverage regularly—at least annually or when major life events occur, such as renovations, purchases of valuable items, or changes in your financial situation. This ensures your coverage remains adequate as your needs evolve. By regularly updating your homeowners’ insurance and ensuring it reflects the current value of your home and personal belongings, you can avoid being underinsured in case of a disaster. It’s always better to be proactive rather than finding out after the fact that your coverage isn’t enough to fully protect you. HOME Real Estate – Offering the luxury experience at every price point. For more information, reach out to Allison Kloster. Allison@HOMEgeorgia.com 404-784-5287

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | January 2, 2025 | 11

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Information believed accurate but not warranted. HOME Real Estate, LLC is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Broker, Betsy Franks.

12 | January 2, 2025 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

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14 | January 2, 2025 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

A new era in 55+ living PROVIDED

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Brought to you by – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division Soleil Belmont Park has quickly become a magnet for active adults seeking an unparalleled lifestyle, and it’s easy to see why. Nestled between Milton and Canton, this luxurious 55+ community by acclaimed Patrick Malloy Communities offers a unique combination of thoughtful design, resortstyle amenities, and a prime location—all tailored to enhance life for today’s active adults. A lifestyle tailored for active adults. At the heart of Soleil Belmont Park is its 9,800-square-foot clubhouse, designed to be the social and recreational epicenter for residents. From a cozy coffee and cocktail bar to a state-of-theart fitness center, the clubhouse offers everything needed to stay engaged and energized. Creative pursuits flourish

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Five polished winter landscaping looks Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Winter landscaping can pose a challenge. You’re working Bill Rawlings with colder and Sherri Conrad temperatures, a starker backdrop and increased maintenance due to snow and ice buildup. However, the things that at first glance seem like obstacles are exactly where your opportunity lies to create a refined and inviting landscape. Whether you’re enhancing curb appeal for a home on the market or simply want to enjoy a well-maintained property, polished winter landscaping can make all the difference. From evergreen elegance to artfully illuminated pathways, these five winter landscaping looks will ensure your outdoor spaces stay sophisticated and on point all season. 1. Evergreen elegance. Evergreens are a timeless choice for winter landscaping. They retain their foliage, provide consistent structure, are hardy and durable, create visual interest and beautifully capture the spirit of the season. From boxwood and pine to holly and juniper, they are the backbone of cold-weather curb appeal. 2. Seasonal planter displays. Use planters to add a pop of color to your front porch with bright red berries. Layer colors and textures, beginning with a base of deep green and sprinkling your chosen color or colors

throughout. You can also create striking winter displays using hardy plants such as winter pansies, ornamental kale and red twig dogwood. Accent with pinecones, twigs or fairy lights. 3. Pathway lighting perfection. Decorative lighting adds warmth and increases visibility during shorter days. Use sleek, low-voltage lighting or lanterns to illuminate walkways and driveways. Subtle uplighting highlights landscape features like trees or stonework for added drama. 4. Groundcover refresh. Fresh mulch and ground cover are essential to a sophisticated winter landscape. Not only do they add texture and visual depth, but they also serve practical purposes by protecting the soil and plant roots from harsh winter conditions.

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5. Hardscaping focal points. Playing up hardscaping elements is key to achieving a sophisticated landscape design that feels both polished and purposeful. Highlight elements such as stone walls, fountains or benches by clearing snow and framing them with evergreen accents. Winter is the perfect time to emphasize these permanent features for added visual appeal. Sophisticated winter landscaping is about embracing the season’s unique beauty, and these simple, effective strategies ensure your home remains inviting and stylish all winter long. Reach out to Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300 for all your real estate needs. We would be happy to assist you! Compiled and edited by Angela Valente, Marketing Copywriter/ Copyeditor

AT L A N TA F I N E H O M E S .C O M S O T H E B YS R E A LT Y.C O M

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16 | January 2, 2025 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Estate workshops can be essential Strong local news Brought to you by - Estates Law Center USA

As an estate planning attorney, I often stress the importance of being proactive with your estate plan. One of the best ways to get informed and start on the right track is by attending an estate planning workshop. Here’s why these workshops are so valuable: Simplified Learning: Estate planning can be complex, but workshops break down the legal jargon into understandable terms, making concepts like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney much clearer. Personalized Advice: Many workshops offer interactive Q&A sessions where you can get answers tailored to your specific situation, ensuring your estate plan fits your unique needs. Identify Gaps: Even if you have a plan, workshops help identify any gaps or outdated provisions, keeping your plan current and effective. Explore Strategies: Learn about various tools and

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We are open on Saturdays! Come by and get inspired. FREE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS

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Why a turnkey, one-stop shop is essential for your bath or kitchen remodel Brought to you by - Bath and Kitchen Galleria When it comes to remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, the process can quickly become overwhelming. From creating ideas and solutions, and selecting materials to finding contractors for plumbing, electrical work, and installation, managing multiple vendors and services can be stressful. Remodeling projects start with a vision but bringing that vision to life requires expertise. An in-house design team needs to work closely with you to create a customized plan that reflects your personal style, and preferences, and stays within your budget—offering services like 3D renderings, so you can visualize your space before any work begins. With expert guidance every step of the way, you can be confident your project is set up for success. Coordinating multiple contractors— plumbers, electricians, tile installers, and more—can be time-consuming and frustrating. With a turnkey remodeler, you get full-service project management, to handle every aspect of the renovation. Having a team to ensure that the design, material selection, scheduling, and installation are all aligned to create a smooth, stress-free experience is key. You don’t have to worry about chasing contractors or keeping up with timelines—it will be done all for you.

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18 | January 2, 2025 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

PRESERVING THE PAST

OPINION

A Secret Santa delivers joy to the miracle chimney There is a house in Alpharetta, or better a chimney where a house used to be, that has been visited by a Secret Santa every Christmas season for the past 30 years. Here is the amazing and heartwarming BOB MEYERS Columnist story. The chimney is located on what once was a 26-acre parcel on Mid Broadwell Road. It was owned by Clinton Webb, a member of one of the most celebrated families in North Fulton. Probably the first Webb to settle in Georgia was Clinton Toliver Webb, born in North Carolina in 1778. He moved to Georgia, raised a family, died and was buried in the Old Big Creek Cemetery in Alpharetta. The Webbs intermarried with several leading families including the Mansell and Dorris families. Seven of the acres across the road were handed down to family member Jerry Mansell (1932-2018) in the early 1970s. The City of Alpharetta later purchased the land intending to put a fire station there. Eventually the city built the fire station at another location and sold the land to a developer who built homes on the parcel. The house burned down in 1941 and I was unable to locate a photo of it. According to Alan Dorris, who grew up in the neighborhood, “it was not a fancy house. It was an old board construction, probably a tenant house from the late 1800s.” He says the charred remains of the house remained for years until the road, then made of dirt, was widened, at which time the remains of the house were removed. The red brick chimney with flagstone around the base ended up closer to the road. Dorris believes the land could have been the Webb family farm. In 1983 Jon Niemeyer purchased the property. “When I bought the property, it was so overgrown that we didn’t see the chimney until our third visit.” The Niemeyers built a home some 1000 feet behind the chimney. In 1991 Jon and his wife Eleanor started decorating the chimney with a wreath and stockings. Eleanor realized that since their house was so far from the road no-one would know that they were decorated for Christmas, so the couple put decorations on the chimney. “Two years later Santa found the chimney and stockings and started delivering candy and small stocking stuffers along with a beautiful inspirational card,” says Niemeyer. “The following year we started leaving cookies and a card for Santa,” he says. “Santa brought great joy to our six grandchildren with the miracle chimney,”.

NIEMEYER FAMILY/SPECIAL

Jon and Eleanor Niemeyer pose with their six grandchildren in front of the miracle chimney on Mid Broadwell Road in anticipation of Santa’s visit circa 2000. Today the grandchildren have their own children. A Secret Santa has been visiting the chimney for 30 years. One year Santa left a letter saying that he and Mrs. Clause were going to retire to Florida but that their elves would continue the Christmas tradition. Five years ago Eric and Ali Abercrombie purchased the property. “After we bought the house, Jon told us about the Christmas tradition. We wrote a note introducing ourselves to Santa and left something there for him. On Christmas morning the stockings were full of little gifts. Our kids love it. Santa always leaves a lovely handwritten letter about the true meaning of Christmas.” The Abercrombie’s found a well on the property which they filled in for safety reasons. The chimney was starting to lean, so they have stabilized it. They decorate the chimney on December 1 and take the decorations down on New Year’s Day. The Niemeyers and the Abercrombies agree that the Mystery Santa and his elves meant to bring joy into their lives, and they succeeded. The joy is shared with people passing by in their cars. Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@ bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

NIEMEYER FAMILY/SPECIAL

Eric and Ali Abercrombie’s youngest of three children retrieves presents left by the Secret Santa at the decades-old fireplace on their property on Christmas morning 2023.

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

The miracle chimney on Mid Broadwell Road in Alpharetta where a Secret Santa delivers presents and a letter every Christmas to the family who owns the chimney.

OPINION

AIKENOMICS

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | January 2, 2025 | 19

Fortunately, this trend cannot continue. The day is coming when folks will eventually “cap out” their availability to credit. Part of the slowdown in housing can be attributed to this record spending by what were potential homebuyers who now don’t qualify. The Fed cutting rates only places a bandage on the bigger issue. Yes, it does lower interest payments on the “unsecured” debt but most likely only delays the inevitable of the total debt never being paid back. The ”I Want It All, I Want It Now” mindset needs to change and change soon. The credit card spending is simply buoying an economy that is not as strong as what some stats may show. If credit card purchases continue, prices will not come down as demand continues to be relatively stronger than what it would be if it were not for unsecured lines of credit/credit cards. The slowdown in the economy would be certainly more identifiable.

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF JOHNS CREEK ARTS, CULTURAL, AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE 2025 PUBLIC MEETING CALENDAR January 09 February 13 March 13 April 10 May 08 June 12 July 10 August 14 September 11 October 09 November 13 December 11

Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday

We would start to see overall mortgage rates begin to fall back below the 6% mark and maybe even further as the economy would show signs of slowing and mortgage rates would begin to fall back. However, at record level debt, both from the consumer and the US Government, falling mortgage rates may take longer than what was previously projected. It seems the US Government and the American Consumer are reading the same book. Spending money they don’t have which in the long run will mostly likely not have a happy ending. D.C. Aiken is vice president, producing production manager for BankSouth Mortgage, NMLS # 658790. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com. The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of BankSouth Mortgage or its affiliates.

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF JOHNS CREEK RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2025 PUBLIC MEETING CALENDAR January 15 February 19 March 19 April 16 May 21 June 18 July 16 August 20 September 17 October 15 November 19 December 17

Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday

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My motivation for this week’s article is Queen’s 1989 hit “I Want It All.” While housing continues to slow, home prices are beginning to slide lower; unemployment is D.C. AIKEN Guest Columnist on the rise, but the dcaiken.com American Consumer continues to spend money that in most cases…they don’t have and at record levels. Credit card debt has now risen to over $1.17 trillion (a new record) while paying at an average interest rate of 23.37%, student loan and auto debt are now over $3 trillion which is also a new record. Couple this with a national deficit which is now at record highs, and you can now see why mortgage rates are not moving down as quickly as many had projected.

APPE

I Want It All and I Want It Now…

appenmedia.com/join PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF JOHNS CREEK WORK SESSION AND COUNCIL MEETING 2025 PUBLIC MEETING CALENDAR January 13 February 03 February 24 March 10 March 24 April 14 April 28 May 19 June 09 July 14 July 28 August 11 August 25 September 08 September 22 October 06 October 20 November 03 November 17 December 08

Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday

**Meetings held at 6:30 pm at City Hall - 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30097**

**Work Session at 5:00 pm followed by Council Meeting at 7:00 pm at City Hall - 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30097**

As set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the City of Johns Creek will assist citizens with special needs given proper notice (7 working days) to participate in any open meetings of the City of Johns Creek. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office via telephone (678-5123212) or email at allison.tarpley@ johnscreekga.gov should you need assistance.

Meetings are subject to change, please review periodically.

20 | January 2, 2025 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!

OPINION

Hurricane reshapes familiar creek, but fish remain It has been a busy few weeks, and fishing time has been a little short. That happens sometimes. But we have plans for making up for lost time… STEVE HUDSON plans for a Columnist leisurely day on Blankets Creek. It’s a small little stream we fish from time to time, and it happens to be home to a lot of correspondingly small fish. There’s nothing very big in there, never anything to write home about or even to brag about in an aw-shucks kind of way, usually. But catching something is usually a sure bet and always fun, even though said “something” may only be 3 inches long. It’s a great place for water therapy, and we go there when we can. This time, the plan is to go there Thursday afternoon. But then here comes Helene. Hurricane Helene is in the rearview mirror now, but it left a lot of mayhem in its wake. I hurt for the folks whose lives were turned upside down. The storm’s big impacts were majorly big, and lots of people will need lots of help for a long time to come. Hereabouts, we were lucky and dodged a major bullet. But others were less fortunate. Help them how and where and when you can. Here, closer to home, there were lesser impacts. One of them happened to affect our chosen creek. It came in the form of unrelenting precipitation, which pushed our little creek to unimaginable levels. The resulting rage of water resculpted the creek bed and reshaped the banks while grabbing up all the fallen trees within reach and sending them roaring as a seething, boiling mass right on down the channel. Some formed what will become new brush piles at intervals along the banks, and some of it piled up against a little bridge that carries one of the area’s bike trails over the creek. It’s a wonder that the bridge survived. But we didn’t understand that yet, not firsthand anyway. And then comes the appointed day. “Let’s go!” she says. “I hear fish calling my name!” So, we make our way to the creek. We pull off Sixes Road and into the

parking area and then rig up the fly rods and put on the wading shoes. Then we walk down to the trail toward the water, which soon comes into view. And there we stop. Our creek, familiar as ever, is oddly unfamiliar, too. There’s flowing water more or less where flowing water has always been, but the flow and the contours and the very shape of the landscape is…what? It is different. Hurricanes turn things upside down, and “different” is what remains. “Well,” she says at last. Sure enough. Where once there had been a graveled riffle, there is now a long, slow pool. And yonder, where there had been an undercut bank, there is now a shallow expanse of rocks and pebbles and sand. Once-wadable spots are now deep. Formerly deep spots now barely tickle our ankles. The old order changeth, sure enough, yielding an entirely new landscape that’s as foreign as it is vaguely familiar. It is disorienting. It’ll take a while to figure this out, I think to myself. It’ll take a minute to internalize what we are seeing. We stand there for a bit just taking it in. “I wonder,” I say after a moment, “where are the fish?” That part, at least, should be easy enough to figure out. It takes her only a minute to ready her fly rod. She checks the fly, then deftly flicks the small pink foam spider toward a brand-new deep spot near a jumble of stormtossed debris. Does it hold fish? It does. One of them drifts nonchalantly up from the depths and, without hesitation, takes the fly. A moment later she unhooks the fish and releases it, saying, “Well, that’s one!” We continue fishing this oncefamiliar creek, finding newness around every bend. And there are lots of fish too. I’m glad they didn’t all wash away. The storm doesn’t seem to have bothered them much at all, though I do wonder what they think about having their collective living rooms completely redone. We fish into the early evening, finally stopping in time to catch the dollar oysters at the Salty Mule in Canton. We make our way back upstream, returning at last to the battered bridge. And that’s when we meet Wendy

and Jennifer. These ladies, it turns out, are moms of two bike team members who are at that very moment enjoying a ride on the area’s network of bike trails. But rather than simply sitting while their kids are riding, Wendy and Jennifer are instead cleaning up the creek. You see, the same high water that changed everything so thoroughly also washed plastic bottles, old flip-flops, half-deflated basketballs, and goodness knows what else into the creek, distributing it along the creek bed in what can only be described as a riparian rapture of oddly artistic randomness. But artistic or not, it’s still a mess – and these ladies are doing their part to clean things up. They have already filled a big, white plastic bag with trash. Now Jennifer is knee-deep in the water going for more, this time targeting a foam sandal that bobs gently in the current a yard or two upstream. While Jennifer looks for a way through the flotsam, we chat for a while, talking about things like kids

and creeks and church and poststorm clean-up. There are times, it occurs to me, when those last two might be pretty much the same thing. After a while we turn back to the trail – “Now I hear oysters calling my name,” my wife says – for the nowshort walk back to the car. On the way, we do a little tabulating. “How did you do?” she asks presently. I knew that was coming. “Oh, about a dozen,” I say, adding at last, “And you?” “Twenty-one,” she says. I knew that was coming, too, and the thought of it all warms my soul. Steve Hudson is an awardwinning outdoor writer who loves sharing the fun of exploring Georgia’s outdoors. You’ll enjoy his recently published Second Edition of Chattahoochee T rout, which covers all of the trout water of Georgia’s storied Chattahoochee River. It’s available from many outdoor shops or from flybooks.net.

Dunwoody Crier 1/2/25 Crossword Across

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | January 2, 2025 | 21

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1 Potato, to some 5 Ad headline 18 19 17 9 Golf hazard 21 22 23 20 13 Shut up’s 25 26 27 28 24 alternative 15 Hipbones 29 30 31 16 Bingo relative 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 17 Novelist Jong 18 Containers 41 42 43 40 19 Dentist’s order 46 47 44 45 20 Britons 21 Auspices 48 49 50 51 23 Be in arrears 52 53 54 55 56 57 24 Glimpse 25 Shredded 60 61 62 63 58 59 27 Water holder 66 67 64 65 29 Pocketbook 30 Government 69 70 68 hand-outs 72 73 71 32 Baby’s word 35 Country dance Copyright ©2024 PuzzleJunction.com 38 One in the 9 Bout stopper, 37 Physics unit 67 Military rulers family for short 68 Poet Pound 39 Asner and Begley 40 Hibernia 10 Newspaper 69 Fem. suffix 42 Campus VIP 41 Goofed employees 70 Willow twig 45 Author Ayn 43 Student no 11 All over again 49 Viewed as 71 Cozy retreat longer 12 Corn cake 72 Caribou 51 Guitar relative 44 Eclipse type 14 Ziti, e.g. 53 Metric weight 46 Curved molding 73 Sea swallow 22 Trumpeter unit 47 Time zones 26 See 60 Across 54 Below Down 48 Some atoms 28 Mystery 55 Sgt. Bilko 50 Attorneys’ org. 56 Aromatic 1 Glasses, briefly 29 Ape treat 52 Rational 30 High spirits 2 Thick soup compound 53 Sandwich fish 31 Cat command 57 Absorb 3 Serviceable 55 Unagi, at a sushi 32 Eastern state knowledge 4 Heating vent bar 5 Fretted (Abbr.) 58 Secluded valley 58 Gazelle 33 Starch instrument 59 Seep 60 Fiend 6 Extraterrestrial 34 Mesozoic era 61 Gold colliery 62 Like Odin denizens 7 Burbot 63 Dethrone 64 Clod 36 God of love 8 Less taxing 65 Make lace 66 Pay attention See solution Page 22

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CITY OF JOHNS CREEK Medlock Bridge Road at McGinnis Ferry Road Intersection Improvement Project Public Information Open House January 23, 2025 6:00 PM The community is invited to provide input on the Medlock Bridge Road (SR 141) at McGinnis Ferry Road intersection improvement project at a Public Information Open House on Thursday, January 23 at 6:00 PM at City of Johns Creek, 11360 Lakefield Drive Johns Creek, GA 30097. City staff will discuss recommendations for improvements to address traffic operations, pedestrian accommodations, and safety needs along Medlock Bridge Road at McGinnis Ferry Road intersection. Residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the project. For those not able to attend in-person or online, meeting materials and an online comment form will be available on the city website. Allison Tarpley, City Clerk

Ser v

201 Wills Road Alpharetta, GA 30009 770-475-9023 www.legion201.org

22 | January 2, 2025 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

THE INK PENN

My favorite reads of 2024 Once again, I’m emulating Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and a host of others by providing a list of my favorite books of the year. And once again, these are the favorite books I “read,” not those KATHY MANOS PENN necessarily published in 2024. Columnist They’re in no particular order except for the three at the top of the list. They are very different books, but all stayed with me for days after I finished them. “The Comfort of Ghosts” by Jacqueline Winspear This is the eighteenth and final book in the Maisie Dobbs series. Winspear says she always knew the series would end with World War II, and she has done a masterful job of capturing what the two world wars did to England and her beloved characters. She brings alive not only the physical devastation, but also the loss of two generations of young men and the lasting emotional trauma it leaves on those who survived. In this final book, she brings us a more vulnerable Maisie, one

who is still helping and protecting others, but who is also reflecting on her life. It may well be the best in the series, but I do recommend you start with the very first one, “Maisie Dobbs.” “The Seven Year Slip” by Ashley Poston This book was not only named a New York Public Library Best Book of 2023, but also a most anticipated book by “Entertainment Weekly,” “Harper’s Bazaar,” and “Real Simple” magazines. Could it possibly be that good? Trust me. It is. It’s a story of grief, of love, of loss, and friendship. Clementine is dealing with the death of her beloved aunt, the charming adventurer who took her on trips to faraway lands and enriched her life in so many ways. It’s also a romance with a bit of fantasy thrown in. It’s whimsical yet serious and portrays Clementine’s grief in a way that makes you feel it. “The Bright Sword” by Lev Grossman I am a huge King Arthur fan and when I saw a review of this book, I had to get it. Warning: This is not your typical King Arthur story. It is set wholly in Arthur’s

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time but has a modern tone. If profanity bothers you, you’ll want to avoid this book. If the conflict between the pagan world and Christianity will upset you, this is not the book for you. Those fairies don’t mince their words. This description from a Forbes review captures what you’ll encounter in this tale featuring lesser knights of the Round Table. It “… broaches issues that are decidedly more contemporary: abandonment and abuse, sexual and gender identity, even immigration, all in ways that feel natural and organic rather than preachy or pedantic.” And the humor in it is also delightful. “Locked in Pursuit” by Ashley Weaver Set in England during World War II, this mystery has a strong female protagonist. Ellie is a safecracker, roped into working for Major Ramsey to thwart the Nazis at every turn. Of course, both she and the major are good looking and single, but their backgrounds couldn’t be more different. He’s a nobleman. She’s carrying on the family tradition of thievery. In this fourth installment, they discover an odd rash of burglaries in London, and Solution soon figure out that the crimes have their S P U D S A L E T R A P P U T U P I L I A K E N O E R I C A T I N S O P E N C E L T S A E G I S O W E T O R N E W E R S E E B A G G R A N T S D A D A R E E L N I E C E E R R E D G R A D E R I N O G E E L U N A R M S T S M O N A D S A B A S A N E T U N A E E L D E M O N N O R S E G O A M I N D J U N T A L O U T E N N E O S I E R E Z R A N E S T D E E R T E R N

DEATH NOTICES James Cook, 76, of Roswell, passed away on December 19, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Joseph Fiore, 71, of Roswell, passed away on December 12, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Daniel Feruck, 88, of Alpharetta, passed away on December 19, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Terry Mathis, 81, of Alpharetta, passed away on December 19, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Lester Wooten, 92, of Roswell, passed away on December 16, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

origin in Lisbon. Spies are in search of something more important than jewels. If the description appeals to you, I suggest you start with the first in the Electra McDonnell series, “A Peculiar Combination.” “The Busy Body” by Kemper Donovan What fun! Two smart women on the trail of a killer. One a ghostwriter who pens memoirs and autobiographies for celebrities and politicians, the other a losing candidate in a recent presidential election. One who is accustomed to being front and center, the other a woman who makes a living being invisible. You’re bound to note the similarities to Hilary Clinton in former Senator Dorothy Gibson, who has sequestered herself in her Maine home to lick her wounds. The major difference? As far as we know, Hilary Clinton never solved a murder mystery. “Everyone on This Train is a Suspect” by Benjamin Stevenson I don’t know how I missed this author’s first book with Ernest Cunningham as the main character, but I did. Both are written in first person and the main character, Ernest or Ern or Ernie, is a writer. He is living the murder mystery. The Ghan, a train through the Australian desert, is hosting the Australian Mystery Writers’ Society, and Ern is invited as a guest speaker. After all, he wrote the wildly popular “Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.” (Yes, this is really a published book.) Naturally, a murder on a train smacks of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” and for my money, it’s every bit as complex and twisty as that Golden Age mystery. The difference is that it’s also quite funny. I finally recently got around to reading Stevenson’s first book—“Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone”— and it too is highly entertaining. There you have it, five books I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend. Did I read many, many more in 2024? Of course. I average two-three books a week. Did I occasionally start a book I couldn’t finish? Yes. That seems to happen more frequently these days. In the words of Frank Zappa, “So many books, so little time.” Happy reading! Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her Dickens & Christie cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest, Bookmiser, and Johns Creek Books. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ KathyManosPennAuthor/.

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | January 2, 2025 | 23

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