Johns Creek Herald - April 27, 2023

School budget spending details draw comments at Milton forum

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Fulton County District 2 School Board member Lillie Pozatek held a community meeting on April 18 where educators and community members gathered at Hopewell Middle School in Milton to hear details on the school district’s proposed 2023-2024 budget.

Pozatek, who represents areas of Alpharetta and Milton said the meeting was also an opportunity to get feedback from her district on the proposed 2023-24 budget, rounding out at about $1.1 billion.

Johns Creek students host exhibit chronicling area’s COVID history

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Student

Leadership Johns Creek showcased the experience of COVID-19 through a community lens in a studentled “Same Storm, Different Boats” exhibit at Northview High School

April 19.

Students from four area schools demonstrated their August 2022-March 2023 research through photos, interviews and collaborative projects in the Northview High

School food court on Parsons Road. Guests toured the exhibit, which featured interviews with first responders and community public servants, COVID in the local media and firsthand experiences on colorcoordinated poster boards.

Students from Northview High School Katie Bernard, Hasini Bollampalli, Neha Gurram, Riya Havanur, Irene Huang, Rohan Mistry and Yatihya Sahoo were responsible for audio visual evidence of the project.

Johns Creek High School

students Olivia Bernard, Maggie Dowd, Reagan Forkey, Yoseop Han, Heather Hutmacher, Grace McGehee and McKeith McIlhinney provided the written evidence in the exhibit.

Secretary of State ambassadors Brady Carnsesale, Neha Gurram, Alisha Kohli, Varsha Nirmal, Tiffany Obasohan, Lakshana Ramanan, Aria Smith, Nicholas Stone and Shruthi Balachander contributed to the project’s oral history evidence.

Obasohan, whose group was responsible for interviews with

See COVID, Page 6

“I know this is a team effort, I am here to represent you,” Pozatek said.

Fulton County Schools Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef presented the budget, which is scheduled to be adopted on June 6. The budget has been discussed at previous school board meetings, and it calls for employees to receive a 7 percent salary increase for the 2023-2024 school year.

Dereef said the compensation increase is the highlight to the budget, because “we’re in a competitive market” with neighboring school districts in

See BUDGET, Page 12

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Secretary of State Ambassador Tiffany Obasohan displays her team’s work at the “Same Storm, Different Boats” exhibit at Northview High School April 19. Obasohan and fellow ambassadors handled interviews with judicial and public officials, as well as education and government leaders.

NEWS TIPS

POLICE BLOTTER

All

770-442-3278

AppenMedia.com

Woman reports texts threatening her family

HANS APPEN

Publisher RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus

CONTACT

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

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek woman reported to police April 11 that her mother had received threatening texts and voice messages from blocked phone numbers.

The unidentified suspect, speaking in Farsi, threatened to kill her family in Turkey and Iran, and kill her, her mother and her father, the police report stated.

The victim said her father had a former co-worker who was upset with him over monetary issues but was not certain if the messages were sent by the co-worker.

Police read the text messages, but they only accused the mother and father of writing two checks totaling $80,000 that bounced, the police report said. According to the police report, none of the text messages appeared to be threatening in nature.

Man stumped by ploy using his home address

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man reported to police April 12 that empty envelopes had been delivered to addresses across the country, using his address.

The victim said he did not mail the envelopes, nor had he allowed anyone to use his address. He said he started receiving empty envelopes that were “returned to sender” as undeliverable about two weeks ago. He also stated he has been receiving phone calls daily from people inquiring why he sent the empty envelopes.

The victim said he complained to his post office on Peachtree Industrial

Boulevard, which advised him to file a report at www.uspis.gov.

Police informed the victim to hold the envelopes and others he may receive due to them not appearing to have any evidentiary value. Police also advised him to hold his mail at the post office and turn over any new envelopes to his postmaster.

Woman reports account opened under her name

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek woman reported to police April 13 she received a notice from Bank of America that an account was opened in her name.

The victim said she went to a local branch and was given a document showing that the account had been opened in January and closed in February. She does not use Bank of America.

In the month it was active, a total of $1,668 was deposited and the same amount was withdrawn. The money was deposited at various times and in various dollar amounts, the police report said.

The bank was unable to tell the victim where the account was opened and could only provide general information.

Because the victim believed her Social Security number was stolen and used to open the account, she completed an Identity Theft File Consent Waiver.

Driver points rifle at car wash staff

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — An employee of a car wash reported to Johns Creek Police April 13 that a man pulled into the pay station area, rolled down his window and pointed an assault rifle at her and another employee the day before.

The victim said she was unaware if the weapon was real or fake, but immediately feared for her life and walked away to stand behind a brick pillar.

She said her co-worker walked toward the suspect in the truck and began to have what appeared to be a casual

conversation about the weapon that was pointed at them.

After her co-worker was done speaking with the suspect, he continued through the carwash and vacuumed the vehicle. The suspect, whose description was redacted by police, then left the location without further incident.

Police matched the victim’s description with the registered owner of the vehicle.

According to the police report, the victim was adamant about not pressing charges due to the company’s appearance and because she was uncertain whether the incident was intended to be a bad joke.

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.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger updates the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce on recent legislative measures April 17.

Secretary of State addresses election security at local forum

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger focused on election security and streamlining the voting process at a legislative update breakfast sponsored by the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce April 17.

Raffensperger highlighted Georgia’s “secure, verifiable” paper ballot system, lending itself to audit and recount, as well as a photo ID requirement for voting. He also said voter wait times on Election Day

must be shorter than one hour.

The event, which drew close to 50 people, was held in the Taylor Lodge at St. Benedict Catholic Church. The crowd included business and government leaders including former Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann, Johns Creek City councilmembers Stacy Skinner, Bob Erramilli and Larry DiBiase as well as Mayor John Bradberry.

Through authorization from the Georgia Assembly, Raffensperger said

See ELECTIONS, Page 12

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Georgia National Guard to advertise at north Metro Atlanta high schools

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — The Georgia Army National Guard is mounting an advertising effort to increase recruitment and awareness at 67 Georgia public high schools, including some in north Metro Atlanta. Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton and Johns Creek high schools are among dozens of schools throughout the state whose students will be targeted with location-based advertising.

The National Guard will use geofencing, which serves ads to social media users based on their location data, with the “intent of generating qualified leads of potential applicants for enlistment” from the 17 to 24-yearold demographic, according to contract documents obtained by Appen Media.

In addition to high school juniors, seniors and recent graduates, documents said the campaign will target parents who visit school locations and “centers of influence” at the schools, like coaches and school counselors.

The proposed contract, which closed bidding in February but has not yet been publicly awarded, stipulates concentrating on a 1-mile radius around each school through social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and others. The infamous video-sharing social network, TikTok, which is banned for official United States Department of Defense use, will not be included in the campaign, despite its enormous popularity among young people.

Other schools included in the advertising campaign include

Cambridge High School in Milton and Centennial High School in Roswell. However, within a mile radius of nearly all the schools listed, there are middle and elementary schools that could also be targeted.

An Associated Press report from February said the U.S. Army fell about 15,000 soldiers, or 25 percent short of its recruitment goals in 2022. Officials said this may be due to a declining perception of army life among young people.

Army officials told the Associated Press that, based on information gathered through surveys, they believe young people do not see the Army as a safe place or a good career path, as previous generations might have.

Representatives from the Georgia Army National Guard could not be reached for comment on the advertising campaign.

In an email to Appen Media, Fulton County Schools Media Relations Manager Anne Boatwright said the school system is not involved with the Georgia National Guard’s advertising plans but does supply student directory information to aid in military recruitment, as required by Georgia law.

Under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, local schools are required to release the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of high school students when requested by military recruiters, unless students or parents request that the information not be made available.

Attempts to reach representatives at the DeKalb County School System for comment were unsuccessful.

GARAGE SALES

See more garage sales in the classifieds

SUWANEE 30024 Multi family. Glencree Subdivision; Glencree Drive & Old Atlanta Road. Look for signs. FRIDAY 5/5 AND SATURDAY 5/6, 8AM-2PM. ROSWELL (WEXFORD SUBDIVISION NEIGHBORHOOD SALE) at Etris and Hardscrabble Roads. Saturday, 4/29, 9am-4pm. Over 20 homes participating! Look for entrance signs with a QR code of a map showing homes that are participating and balloons and signs to direct you to sellers.

CUMMING-30040: HUGE! Entire Bethelview Downs community; off Bennett Parkway, exit 13. See balloons. Friday 10/21 Saturday 10/22, 8:30AM1:30PM. Bargains galore; everything goes!

DEADLINE

To place garage sale ads: Noon Friday. Call 770-442-3278 or email classifieds@appenmediagroup.com

Housing board pursues route to resuscitate Grove Way

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Nearly one year after the residents of 199 Grove Way were displaced from their public housing units, the Roswell Housing Authority has a $30 million plan to redevelop the complex.

The Roswell Housing Authority owns the 40-unit complex in the Pelfrey Pines public housing development, designated for seniors and people with disabilities that make less than 80 percent of the area’s median income.

In July 2022 the residents were told the property had been condemned and everyone needed to find another place to live. At the April 11 board meeting, the Roswell Housing Authority announced the last remaining tenant had been relocated.

It’s a step that moves the housing authority closer to demolishing the existing building and increasing the number of units to 102. The residents who left the property would have “first right of refusal” according to officials with the City of Roswell.

Grove Way is managed in partnership with the Gainesville Housing Authority,

helmed by Executive Director Beth Brown.

Project plans take shape

The Roswell Housing Authority declared the 199 Grove Way units structurally unsound in 2022. The building was held up in some parts with metal supports, and residents had issues with mold, cracks and doors that didn’t close.

The $30 million redevelopment project calls for tearing down the existing building and construct new units, increasing capacity by over 60 apartments. It will be helmed by the developer Pennrose.

Roswell Housing Authority Chair Karen Parrish said the group has about 2,000 people on a waiting list for the Grove Way homes.

“They’re so old that it takes a while to go through just because people have found other housing or they don’t respond or their address has changed,” Brown said.

At a March 27 Roswell City Council meeting, officials changed requirements for Grove Way to allow for redevelopment.

The adjusted plans will allow four

story portions of Roswell Housing Authority buildings to exceed 100 feet in depth and all building lengths to exceed 300 feet.

“We also eliminated the requirement to spend about $200,000 on public art, because we thought it would be better spent on housing,” said Eric Schumacher, Roswell Housing Authority board member.

Schumacher said the group is still looking at public art for the property but wanted to remove the financial requirement.

Parrish said she wants to be “especially responsible with every dime,” and that involves prioritizing homes over anything else.

With the property rezoned for the major development, the housing authority must look to securing the funds from local and state sources. In the meantime, the property will remain vacant.

Gainesville Housing Authority Executive Director Beth Brown said the Roswell Police Department approached the group about potentially using the space to run drills.

“We agreed there would not be a problem with it, and it could be a win for

us just having a greater police presence here on site,”

Another board member asked for advance notice to residents, so they can know when drills will be happening. Brown said the housing authority could give notice that drills would “happen occasionally.”

Board member Schumacher said the housing authority should also avoid any liability with the police, because the building has already been condemned for safety reasons.

“We want to make sure that’s accepted and it’s not a problem for insurance because this is like, a secondary use,” Schumacher said.

Finding the funds

The Roswell City Council approved $2 million in grant funding for the Roswell Housing Authority at an April 11 meeting, a step toward securing a 9 percent Low Income Housing Tax Credit worth $6 million.

To qualify for the credit the housing authority must show proof of financial support. The $2 million loan from the city proves some funding, but the group is looking at other options to fill the gap.

See HOUSING, Page 12

Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgery

Foot and Ankle Fractures and Trauma

Pediatric Foot and Ankle Treatments

Sports Medicine and Tendon Injuries

Bunion and Hammertoe Correction

Laser Treatment Ingrown Toenail Correction

Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery

Podiatric Dermatology

Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis

Twenty-six bones, 33 oints, and thousands of steps a day. Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia looks forward to helping you get back on your feet!

Dr. Rupal Gupta Dr. Mike Thaker Dr. Jill Stepnicka

COVID:

Continued from Page 1

judicial and public officials, as well as education and government leaders, said working on the exhibit changed her perspective on the pandemic.

“Being an opportunity to meet some people I never thought I would before really showed me what it means to have a pandemic in my community,” Obasohan said. “It truly just takes a little bit of care from everybody to get out of things like this.”

Innovation Academy students Sana Fatima, Rebecca Gottlieb, Nyneishia Janarthanan, Chloe Lee, Aabha Muley, Tanmaya Muvva, Lakshana Ramanan, Aditi Satghare and Ananya Tadepalli also contributed photographic evidence to the exhibit.

Funded by a Humanities Seed Grant from the Mercer University Office of the Provost and a Teaching with Primary Sources Grant from the Library of Congress, the students reflected on their experiences, questions and feelings to craft a diverse retelling of COVID in the community.

“I’m really grateful to have the privilege to be able to do this

because we live in a privileged community where some of us had better experiences than places that are more underprivileged or not developed,” Balachander said. “Overall, I’m really grateful and happy for this project.”

The full exhibit can be viewed online at studentleadershipjohnscreek.com/ same-storm-different-boats.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA Northview High School sophomore Hasini Bollampalli and junior Rohan Mistry stand with their school’s display at the “Same Storm, Different Boats” exhibit at Northview High School April 19. Mistry and Bollampalli’s team contributed audio-visual evidence to the expansive project.

Cumming’s Kapow Comics builds one-stop nerd shop

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — While comic book and hobby shops have sprung up in Metro Atlanta in recent years, Kapow Comics focuses on the interests of its customers in a unique way.

“Atlanta area is probably the mecca of the nerd world,” store owner Andy Diehl said. “And if you do research and look it up, you’ll see how many stores fail, open and closed, that are like this ... And at the end of the day, it’s the ones who take care of their customers that keep their stores open.”

After a career in retail, Diehl said he realized he disliked working for others, which spurred his decision to expand his collection from the home into his own business.

Kapow, located in the Westlake Terrace plaza off Lake Center Parkway in Cumming, offers comic books, manga, figurines and an open space for trading card and tabletop games.

Beyond its official offerings, the shop serves as a place of community and fun for hobbyists and collectors.

“Everybody’s welcome to come here,” Diehl said. “Everybody, we don’t care. There’s no discrimination, there’s no judgment, there’s nothing.”

A niche offering

Customers are greeted with packed shelves of figures, comic books and graphic novels. To the right of the main sales floor is a sprawling space dedicated to a Pokémon league, tabletop games and an upcoming corner for retro video games.

Diehl said he targeted comic books when he opened the shop, and the

neighboring expansion was added for games to maintain a quiet reading and browsing space.

Each week, Kapow hosts Dungeons and Dragons, Werewolf and Warhammer games. The first Sunday of the month is reserved for painting and building miniatures, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays mark comic book release days.

Diehl said the shop’s busiest days are Saturdays, which are dedicated to its Pokémon league of over 100 members.

“It is whole families coming in here, mom, dad, their kids, their nephews,” Diehl said. “They’ve created a community to themselves to come in here and play Pokémon … It’s not like any Pokémon league anybody goes to.”

Diehl said Kapow does not charge for its card and tabletop games as much as other stores in the industry, and the shop aims for price to not be an obstacle to participation.

Adults are asked to purchase a $5 store gift card to play Dungeons and Dragons, and Magic the Gathering Commander players aged 13 and older contribute $5 to a prize pool.

“We just prefer you to come in and have a good time,” Diehl said.

The Kapow comeback

When Kapow opened in 2012, Diehl said he had less than $200 in the cash register and $1 in the store bank account.

“It was kind of spooky,” Diehl said. “The store was packed full of product. I had $172 in the cash register, and I said, ‘Well, we’ll see if this works.’ I had zero working capital, and I was doing it by myself.”

See

COMICS, Page 9

PHOTOS BY SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Andy Diehl owns Kapow Comics on Lake Center Parkway in Cumming. Diehl, who co-owns the shop with his wife, departed a career in retail to pursue his passions in the business.

A Batman figure adorns a table of comic books at Kapow Comics April 19. Owner Andy Diehl said he hopes for the Cumming business to be a “one-stop nerd shop.”

“I had zero working capital, and I was doing it by myself.”

ANDY DIEHL, owner of

Kapow Comics

Comics:

Continued from Page 8

The shop’s niche product offerings and loyal community kept the business growing. But in 2017, Diehl said a fire had destroyed $300,000 in inventory in the shop’s back room at a previous location.

After recouping losses from the fire, the shop closed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Diehl said he had no intentions of reopening.

“Then we saw a void in the community that said they wanted the store here, somebody’s store, so I looked at it again,” Diehl said. “We started the same way again over here. We started off a little smaller space to see what the community would bear, and it was just huge.”

Moving forward, Diehl said he plans to dedicate the back wall of the shop to anime, manga and Japanese pop culture. He also hopes to expand the store’s selection of T-shirts.

Now, the shop has four employees, and its success has enabled Diehl to open its dedicated space for games.

“We’re trying to make this the one-stop nerd shop,” Diehl said.

Kapow Comics is located in Suite 108 at 540 Lake Center Parkway in Cumming. The shop is open from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. SundayThursday and from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Kapow Comics sells comic books, collectible figures and storage boxes. The shop, owned by Andy Diehl, offers an array of merchandise and games for hobbyists and fans.

Roswell hosts Georgia run to honor fallen veteran

ROSWELL, Ga. — Runners raced through a 4.2-mile path that looped around Roswell City Hall early on Saturday, April 15 to participate in the state’s only annual Pat Tillman honor

run. The run honored the legacy and impact of football star-turned-army ranger Pat Tillman.

— Delaney Tarr

PHOTOS BY DELANEY TARR

Budget:

Continued from Page 1

DeKalb and Cobb County.

“We have 10 school districts that border us, that’s our competition,” Dereef said.

The financial officer said the budget has seen some other financial boosts for the upcoming year.

“Another element to this year that’s different than the past is planning for a transition of federal funds,” Dereef said.

Support local news!

salary increase, with a 2 percent payout in the coming school year.

“We want to ensure that we create the best environment for students and our employees, and that’s reflected in his budget,” Dereef said.

Board members and employees expressed some concerns over the maintenance budget, which an attendee of the community meeting took issue with.

“I’m not sure the capital planning improvements are keeping up with some of the maintenance we’re seeing,” the speaker said.

APPEN PRESSCLU B

The funds, largely used to help the schools with COVID-19 impacts, total about $200 million. Those come alongside an increase in the area’s tax digest, estimated at around 4.5 percent.

Dereef said it’s not “just a plan with dollar signs,” and that the budget is also about showing support to students, schools and employees. It’s a message that was echoed at previous school board meetings.

Part of that support comes in the form of a 7.1 percent salary increase for the 2024 year. Dereef said the School Board ideally would have wanted employees to receive the raise permanently but knew it would not be feasible in the long term.

As a compromise, the school board decided on a permanent 5.1 percent

Housing:

Continued from Page 5

Parrish said she met with state representatives, including members of Sen. Raphael Warnock’s office to talk about using appropriation funds for the project. She said the office likely won’t provide an answer in time for the tax

Elections:

Continued from Page 3

Georgia joined a multi-state organization that cleans voter rolls, emphasizing it as an “objective” process.

“When we pull 300,000 people off the voter rolls at the end of the election cycle — guess what? They don’t live here. We know they don’t live here,” Raffensperger said. “We couldn’t pull them off because of federal law during election season like 2022, 2020.”

Raffensperger also spoke on the city’s recent drive to run its own municipal election, though the City Council decided to leave the process in the hands of Fulton County this year.

The City of Milton is the only North

Dereef responded that part of the challenge with maintenance funding is planning and procurement, but School Board members have asked for an increase in the maintenance budget previously.

AAfter Dereef’s presentation, Pozatek took over the meeting to announce some Fulton County Schools developments, including the purchase of 55 propane-powered school buses.

Pozatek stressed that the community should reach out with questions and feedback.

“I don’t want you to think twice just shoot me an email, hopefully before the (School Board) meeting,” Pozatek said. “I can find time for conversation or maybe even ask my fellow board members for some clarification.”

credit deadline in May.

The city had also explored using COVID-19 funds in the past, the board said, but the group is uncertain about the logistics of accessing the funds.

Board members said it’s a “positive thing” in discussion.

The tax credit application is due by May 19, but the housing authority won’t know until November whether it has secured the funds.

Fulton municipality that will run its own elections this year.

“I think Milton is saying, ‘Well, we’d like to do it alone,’ Raffensperger said. “Bless their hearts.”

Raffensperger also described SB 84, a bi-partisan bill that protects elderly individuals and those with disabilities from financial exploitation. The bill has been passed, he said, and it’s waiting on a signature from Gov. Brian Kemp.

Bradberry stepped up to the podium to share his excitement for new city developments, like Town Center, Creekside Park and Cauley Creek Park, which is set to open this summer.

“I just think the future is very bright in Johns Creek,” Bradberry said.

The mayor is scheduled to give the “State of the City Address” April 27 at Chattahoochee High School from 6-8 p.m.

We think local news should be free to read and accessible to all. Help us keep it that way by making a pledge today.

Youth theater marks 20 years with ‘SpongeBob the Musical’

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Christian Youth Theater Atlanta, a nonprofit youth development and arts organization, celebrated its 20th anniversary with its 50th main stage production, “SpongeBob the Musical,” April 20-23. Held at Valor Christian Academy, the production was a family-friendly musical based on the popular Nickelodeon cartoon series. It had higher stakes than ever as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom faced the total annihilation of their undersea world.

Christian Youth Theater (CYT) Atlanta was founded in 2003 with a mission to provide arts education and community theater productions for North Fulton and surrounding areas. Since then, the organization has served more than 10,000 students and produced over 50 main stage shows.

“It is hard to believe that we are celebrating this milestone,” said Connie Matthews, CYT Atlanta executive director. “We have had the joy of watching students enter this program as early as 5 years old and graduate high school at 18. Many of our alumni are working actors locally, on cruise ships, off Broadway and on.”

In addition to providing students

with the opportunity to perform,

CYT Atlanta also offers a variety of educational programs, including classes in acting, singing, dancing and music. The organization’s mission is to build character on and off stage,

and Matthews says that she is most proud of the growth she has seen in many of the students she has worked with.

“Several of our students pursue music, dance, or musical theater and

have received generous scholarships at renowned universities,” said Matthews. “Many have graduated from college and are working and living their dreams, and we couldn’t be prouder of them.”

CYT ATLANTA/PROVIDED

The cast of Christian Youth Theatre’s “Spongebob the Musical” will perform at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center April 20-23 in celebration of the theater’s 20th anniversary.

Misconceptions about active Adult 55+ living

Brought to you by - Outlook Gwinnett

Assumption: Active Adult and Independent Living are the same thing Reality: FALSE! Active adult communities serve as choice-based option for individuals 55 and better who may not be ready for the needsbased services and amenities of a traditional senior living community.

Assumption: Active Adult site staff are medically certified

Reality: FALSE! Our staff does not provide any medical care or interventions. This allows our residents to maintain their long-time health care providers and medical independence.

Assumption: I have to be retired in order to move into an Active Adult community

Reality: FALSE! Just like living in a multi-family community, we encourage our residents to continue to engage in their career and social interests as they did prior to moving in!

The Active Adult environment caters to older adults who typically have lower health needs and prefer an active,

community-based lifestyle where they can engage with their neighbors of similar age. This may allow for a stronger sense of community and an easier adjustment to apartment living. Here at Outlook Gwinnett, we seek to provide luxurious, worry-free living long before you are ready to relinquish your independence. Look forward to spending hot summer days lounging by our meticulously cared for outdoor pool! Or connect with your neighbors and plan your evening get-togethers around our stocked wine nook and sports lounge. Add in our community calendar, packed with a never-ending variety of SUN program activities, the possibilities are limitless here at Outlook Gwinnett!

Stop by our leasing office today to find out how to reserve a spot in this unique community today.

1500 Laurel Crossing Parkway Buford, GA 30519

(678) 890-5371

outlookgwinnett.com

Not tan? Labrador overweight? POMC might be the answer!

coverage in the popular press as the “Barbie Drug.”

Are you pale? Is your labrador overweight? Then this is the article for you! Proopiomelanocortin (POMC for short) is a remarkable hormone that your brain makes and that may unlock our ability to regulate body weight and even help us get a tan without going in the sun.

If we break apart POMC’s name, pro-“opio”-“melano”-“cortin” comes from the fact that POMC is cut apart by enzymes into three main smaller proteins. First, POMC is broken into opioid hormones that regulate pain, satiety (feeling full after eating) and response to exercise. Second, POMC is broken down into melanocyte stimulating hormones that affect skin pigmentation, sexual behavior and satiety. Third, POMC is broken down into adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a cortisol-regulating hormone that affects blood sugar, responses to stress and the immune system.

To think like a doctor, imagine what could go wrong if any one of these proteins isn’t working due to a disease. In fact, a mutation in POMC has been linked to increased interest in food and obesity in labrador retrievers and might explain why your labrador is overweight. Many labradors have been found to have a mutation in beta-endorphin, which is one of the opioid hormones that POMC is broken down to form. Beta-endorphin is also famous as a protein that contributes to the “runner’s high” – the feeling of wellbeing that we get with exercise. Similarly, low POMC has been found to make affected humans constantly hungry.

To think like a pharmaceutical scientist, imagine the medical (or cosmetic) potential of developing medicines that affect our responses to pain, our sense of well-being, whether we feel hungry, blood sugar levels, immune system health, sex drive and how tan our skin is. Just one of these functions has incredible pharmaceutical potential. University of Arizona researchers got to work on the tanning applications of POMC in the 1980s and developed a synthetic form of melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) which became known as “Melanotan” (aka afamelanotide, aka Scenesse) and now is best identified as “Melanotan I.” As an aside, Melanotan II is another synthetic hormone similar to MSH, but it is not FDA approved for any use, has more sexual and satiety effects and has periodically received

Melanotan I causes the pigment producing cells in your skin – the melanocytes – to produce more melanin. Melanin is an important defense against ultraviolet radiation. The problem is that we normally make melanin in response to ultraviolet light exposure after a lot of damage is already done. Increasing melanin before sun exposure sounds very appealing. Is Melanotan I ready for the masses?

Not yet…

The package insert for Melanotan I points out that carcinogenicity studies have not been performed. These studies are often required for FDA approval. Melanotan I gained approval under special circumstances for a very specific condition called erythropoietic protoporphyria – a skin disease in which people are so sensitive to sunlight that their quality of life is severely affected. The FDA sometimes issues special approval of medications used for “Orphan” diseases when no other treatments are available and when the number of patients affected is so small that the cost of fully testing a medicine would stop it from coming to market.

We do not have enough data on Melanotan I to help us know if it is appropriate for sunless tanning. Carcinogenicity studies have not been published. Long term safety studies have not been published. Melanotan increases blood pressure, and long term effects on cardiovascular health would likely not be known for decades. Case reports of individuals who developed melanoma while using Melanotan cannot know whether Melanotan had a role in causing the melanoma because they are simply case reports and not case-controlled or placebo-controlled.

So where do things stand? Some individuals are purchasing Melanotan I and II illegally, as these chemicals are part of the steroid and tanning-bed using weightlifting community. They are purchased at great personal risk because of all the above unknowns in addition to the problems with purity and safety when illegal substances are procured. For the rest of us, the pharmaceutical companies are still hard at work. They are actively testing similar compounds to identify medicines with fewer side effects. There is reason to hope that in the future a pill may allow us to develop a tan before going on vacation and better protect ourselves from the sun. In the meantime, traditional sun safety measures are best… and our labradors will remain fat and happy!

Brought to You by - Brent Taylor, MD, Premiere Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

Reconnecting with your adult child: A guide to healing broken relationships

Broken relationships between parents and their grown children are, sadly, very common. Whether actions were simply misunderstood or serious emotional injury was inflicted, it’s a painful situation for everyone involved. While you may not be entirely responsible, initiating reconciliation may be up to you. Here are some points to keep in mind as you seek to reconnect:

• Remember your child is an adult. While you may feel that just yesterday they were children, they are grown and should be treated with the respect they deserve.

• Acknowledge your contribution. There are two sides to every story

- harmless actions in your eyes may have been seen as hurtful to your child. Try to understand their perspective and apologize for your part.

• Be fair. This doesn’t mean you accept all blame and overlook their wrongdoings, but criticizing everything you see wrong may do more harm than good - try to stick to the current issue.

• Get support. By reaching out to a friend or therapist, you can gain a neutral perspective that can help you be more objective and empathetic. Navigating relationships with adult children can be tricky, but the reward of a healthy connection is worth it. Visit summitcounseling.org to view our services and see how we can help you in your journey!

Brought to you by - Summit Counseling Center

GARDEN BUZZ

Meet the weird and wonderful Butterfly Pea Flower

It’s a wonderful time to be a gardener. Perhaps this is one of those times, after the great Columbian exchange and the era that saw the fervor of the Victorian plant collectors, where we’re seeing the introduction of so many new plants previously unheard of to the West. Although the Victorian plant explorers went all over the world, their precious Wardian cases in hand, collecting new specimens to satiate their patron’s hunger for anything exotic, those plants they brought home from distant lands came at a premium. In most cases, only the rich could afford them. However, these days, thanks to the advances in technology and shipping and not to mention better phytosanitary measures, anybody can source quality plant materials from any corner of the world. One such plant, still relatively new to the temperate gardens of the west, is the Butterfly Pea plantClitoria ternatea.

Belonging to the pea (Fabaceae) family, the plant is native to equatorial Asia.

As a legume, its roots form a symbiotic association with soil bacteria known as rhizobia, which transform atmospheric nitrogen into a plant-usable form - a process called nitrogen fixing. Therefore, this plant makes for a great companion plant and is also used to improve soil quality through the decomposition of the nitrogen-rich plant material.

It’s a remarkable flower with vivid deep blue petals and light-yellow markings in the center. The form itself is quite striking. The conch-shaped petals have earned it the moniker of Shankhupoovu (Shankhu - conch, poovu- flower) in many parts of India. What makes the flower extraordinary is that, apart from its various purported medicinal values, it is a great source of all-natural blue dye which can be used to color food and natural fibers alike. When steeped in warm or hot water/milk, the blue dye is released from the flower and can then be used as a coloring agent. The tea made from the butterfly pea flowers steeped in hot water with the addition of flavoring agents like ginger, lemongrass, or mint, served with honey, makes for a wonderful soothing drink. If you like a little herbal alchemy, try adding some lemon juice to the tea and sit back and enjoy the magic as the color of

the drink changes from blue to a pinkish purple hue.

A versatile ingredient, the flowers can be used to color anything from beverages to rice to delectable desserts. When steeped in milk, the dye from the flower turns a lighter shade of blue, lending the end-product the color of a clear summer sky.

While the extract of the flowers has a mild woody/earthy taste, with the addition of vanilla or any other flavor of choice, it is rather unnoticeable. The depth of the color, be it in a beverage or food, depends on the number of flowers used. You can use fresh or dried flowers- to dry the flowers, simply lay them on a piece of parchment paper on your countertop away from direct sun.

Being that it is from the tropical region of Asia (India, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.), the butterfly pea plant is grown as an annual in most parts of the United States. The flowers, although usually single petaled, are also available in double petaled forms. However, if growing from seed, the form of the flower cannot be guaranteed as the genetics of the seed-grown plant can be unpredictable.

There are also some varieties that have light blue, lavender, or even white flowers, and while they are pretty, they don’t produce the much-desired deep blue dye. The plants are easy to grow from seed. They can be soaked in warm water for up to 24 hours before sowing to improve germination. You can start the seeds indoors under a grow light or on a windowsill before planting them out in the spring after the last frost date. There’s still time if you’d like to give it a go this year. Although, be forewarned that once you fall for the hypnotic blue of this exotic flower, you might find it hard to be without it.

Happy gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net.

More information

You can learn more about the Butterfly Pea Flower at https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Clitoria_ternatea.

About the Author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Anila Nair. Anila, a Johns Creek resident, has been a master gardener since 2020. After graduating with a degree in Computer Science Engineering, she worked as a Software Engineer for more than a decade before leaving that life behind to pursue a career in horticulture. A self-confessed plantaholic and plant hoarder, she can be found puttering around in her garden when not assisting the North Fulton Master Gardeners with their Gardening Education classes.

ANILA NAIR

Guest Columnist

PRESERVING THE PAST

Rest Haven Cemetery is part of Alpharetta’s history

Rest Haven Cemetery in Alpharetta is unusual for several reasons.

First, it is one of the few cemeteries in Georgia owned by a municipality. Second, it is in the heart of the city across Milton Avenue from Innovation Academy, a new STEM high school. Third, even though it is not full, it does not sell any new plots as explained below. Finally, it is closely associated with the early history of Alpharetta.

A farmer and prominent local citizen Arthur Tarpley Camp (1800-1868) purchased several 40-acre parcels of land distributed in the 19th century Georgia land lotteries. He paid $108, $100 and $350 for three lots from different sellers between 1836 and 1841. He and his sister Mary Camp Manning (1811-1900) sold 60 acres of land to Milton County in 1858. He donated two additional acres circa 1860 to the town of Alpharetta for the creation of a cemetery. Arthur is buried in the small, private Martin Cemetery in Alpharetta

together with several other members of the Camp family. Mary is buried in Rest Haven along with nearly two dozen Manning family members.

Arthur Camp’s daughter Susan Camp Garrison (1822-1861) was the first person to be buried in Rest Haven. Her husband, Russell Davis Garrison (1818-1862), a blacksmith, joined the Confederate Army in March 1862 and was a second lieutenant in Company C of the Georgia 42nd Infantry Regiment. He died near Nashville of an illness in October 1862 and was buried in Rest Haven.

According to Find a Grave website, there are 1569 memorials, or grave markers, in the cemetery. The number is not precise because over the years many records have been lost or destroyed. There are numerous unidentified graves, some of which have a simple fieldstone. In times past the care of the cemetery was sometimes haphazard. A large, sloped area in the middle of the cemetery has very few markers which has led to some speculation over the years that African Americans may have been buried there in unmarked graves.

The cemetery is historically significant in part because some of

Alpharetta’s prominent early citizens are buried there. Pat Miller, President Emeritus of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society, who has some ancestors in Rest Haven, says there are eleven former Alpharetta mayors and 109 veterans from the Civil War through Vietnam interred there.

While it is not possible to mention all the pioneer families represented in the cemetery, a list would include Broadwell, Manning, Maxwell, Mayfield, Mosteller, Rucker, Skelton, Teasley, Webb and Wills.

Oliver Perry Skelton (1817-1896) was a physician who played an important role combatting smallpox during an outbreak in the 1860’s. He helped save Milton County records during the Civil War by hiding them in Elberton, Georgia. When he built his Greek-Revival house with a masonry foundation and 12 inch thick walls in 1856, Alpharetta was still called New Prospect Campground. When the name changed to Alpharetta two years later, Skelton was named the town’s first postmaster. In 1869 he was elected Milton County’s first Ordinary, a position similar to today’s county commissioner, according to local historian Connie Mashburn’s book

Alpharetta, Milton County, the Early Years.

Connie tells fascinating stories of some of the early families. Isham Oliver Teasley, Jr. (1917-1944) loved airplanes and learned to fly at a young age. To impress the girls, he once landed a plane in front of the courthouse on Main Street in Alpharetta. He had a serious side as well and joined the 15th Airforce, a special unit established in 1943 by the Army Air Forces, headed initially by famed General Jimmy Doolittle. Oliver was a B-17 pilot and was shot down and killed in Italy in August, 1944. He was brought to his final resting place in Rest Haven in March, 1949. His great grandfather Isham HailyTeasley, Jr (1807-1883) owned a cotton gin and grist mill in Farm House, a predecessor community to Alpharetta. He donated property to build the First United Methodist Church in downtown Alpharetta. He and his wife Mary Maxwell Teasley (1803-1851) are buried in the Maxwell Family Cemetery in Alpharetta.

Someone once said that when graves are in disrepair, we lose a

See HISTORY, Page 20

BOB MEYERS

Columnist

AAPPEN PRESSCLU B

History:

Continued from Page 19

part of our history. In spite of the cemetery’s somewhat confusing past ownership, the city of Alpharetta has taken responsibility for maintaining the facilities. Today Rest Haven, sometimes called Alpharetta Cemetery, contains 6 ½ acres, of which the city owns four. A private company owned the cemetery but quit the cemetery business circa 1970s and transferred ownership to the city. It appears to have been a handshake agreement. Thanks to a substantial gift from a now-deceased resident, the city created a special budget account for maintenance of the cemetery. Plots are no longer available, but individuals who already own plots can be buried in Rest Haven. From time to time funerals do take place. The

city established a special committee consisting of the City Clerk, Director of Public Works and the Director of Parks and Recreation, supported by the City Attorney and Finance Director to oversee maintenance of the public areas of Rest Haven. Individual plot owners are responsible for the maintenance of their plots.

For information on cemetery maintenance, contact Lauren Shapiro, Alpharetta City Clerk, at LShapiro@ alpharetta.ga.us. To become involved in voluntary efforts to support the cemetery contact Pat Miller at ptatummiller@ gmail.com.

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.

DEATH NOTICES

David Arthur, 74, of Alpharetta, passed away on April 14, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Marc Caruso, 42, of Alpharetta, passed away on April 17, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Michael Dougherty, 67, of Roswell, passed away on April 14, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Judith Hill, 82, of Milton, passed away on April 17, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Daniel Lazzaroni, 34, of Roswell, passed away on April 16, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Anne McShane, 90, of Milton, passed away on April 15, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

BOB

Rest Haven Cemetery in downtown Alpharetta is closely linked to the history of Alpharetta. It is the final resting place of some of the city’s early pioneering families, yet it has an unusual story to tell.

Richard Merkel, 88, of Alpharetta, passed away on April 14, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Valeria Nagel, 87, of Johns Creek, passed away on April 16, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

H R NG ADVERTISING ACCOUNT

Delivering Readers Award-Winning Newspapers