Johns Creek Herald - May 2, 2024

Johns Creek High soccer team notches 2 wins in state playoffs

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek High School boys soccer team advanced to the Round of 8 in the Class 6A GHSA state finals this week, following playoff wins over Rome and North Forsyth.

The Gladiators scored shutouts against Rome, 3-0, in the first round April 19, and North

Forsyth, 4-0, in the second round April 26.

Johns Creek was set to face North Atlanta April 30 – before Herald press time – for a chance to advance to the Final Four on May 3.

Reflecting on the Rome victory, Gladiators head coach Kelly Bowler described the match as an “ugly” one, attributing it to “big moment jitters” with four sopho-

more players and one freshman starting.

“Hopefully that was what they needed to go into the next game with a little bit more confidence and a little bit less hesitation,” Bowler said.

The Gladiators are ranked ninth in the nation and third in Georgia and have gone undefeated with one tie.

Autrey Mill park marks Earth Day in kickoff affair ► PAGE 3

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The juried exhibition at the Johns Creek Arts Center, on display until May 10, features a dynamic set of more than 40 works that express Korean heritage.

Art shown in “Hallyu: A Celebration of Korean Art” is the coming together of a dozen Korean and Korean American artists with different lenses from which they view a shared culture, across varying mediums and levels of melding the traditional and modern.

“Hallyu,” originally of Chinese origin, translates to “Korean Wave” which refers to the dramatic growth in popularity of Korean culture, through products like Korean drama films and K-pop.

Work from a mother-daughter duo, Kyungsook Lee and Sarah Park, captures the multigenerational element to the show, how the relationship to culture might adapt but doesn’t dissipate with time.

See ART, Page 21

Mina Duffie’s work, “Conggi Nori,” which won first place, sets the scene of children playing Gonggi — a popular Korean children’s game played with at least five grapesized pebbles, or gonggitdol. The piece, along with her other work, uses Korean traditional paper called hanji.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Samakh Leao , a freshman forward on the Gladiators’ varsity boys team, controls the ball after Rome’s Emerson Lom takes a tumble April 19. The Gladiators continued an undefeated season after their 3-0 victory over Rome, then blanking North Forsyth, 4-0, on April 26.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

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Family reports theft while on vacation

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man reported to police April 17 that he and his family came home from vacation to find the back door smashed and items missing.

He told police that when they were dropped off by an Uber at their residence on Jones Bridge Road, they noticed a light was on upstairs. The family discovered that three designer purses, totaling in value of around $3,000, were missing, according to the incident report.

The investigation was turned over to detectives.

High schooler reports alleged assault at store

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Peachtree Corners woman reported to police April 18 that her son, who attends Johns Creek High School, was assaulted by a classmate while in the parking lot of Target on State Bridge Road.

Police connected with the victim, who said he was walking in the parking lot with his friend when a classmate drove by.

He told police that two males eventually exited the vehicle, pinning someone to the wall of the building and explained to police a preexisting issue between those involved.

While he tried to deescalate the situation, the victim said he was struck in the face three to four times and that his head was slammed onto the hood of a vehicle that arrived on scene, according to the incident report.

The victim told police he did not know the real names of the suspects but knew that they attended his school.

Pair reports burglary on Bailey Ridge Drive

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police responded to a burglary off Bailey Ridge Drive April 19, where a woman had returned home to find the master bedroom ransacked.

When police arrived, they performed a sweep of the home, and in the master bedroom, police noticed that purses were strewn on the floor, drawers were open and the mattress was angled diagonally on the frame, according to the incident report.

Police also found two footprints at the back of the house, submitting pictures for evidence.

After the homeowners confirmed that a safe was missing, police advised that they generate a list of items that were stolen.

The scene was turned over to detectives.

Guest reports robbery at Economy Hotel

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police responded to the Economy Hotel on Old Dogwood Road April 14 after a man reported being punched in the face and robbed.

The 46-year-old victim said he had been staying at the hotel for two weeks and was asleep in his room when he heard a knock on the door.

When he opened the door, he said he saw a man and a woman.

The guest said one of the suspects punched him in the face, and the pair entered the room, taking his cell phone and wallet.

The officer said he found the room in disarray, with furniture flipped over and the bed pulled off the wall.

The guest said he did not know either of the suspects who robbed him.

The officer said the victim had a cut underneath his eye, which was beginning to swell, and he was taken to the Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center for a possible concussion.

At the hospital, the officer said the victim’s eye was treated.

The officer notified the Criminal Investigations Division.

Police arrest Atlanta man for alleged office burglary

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta police arrested a 57-year-old Atlanta man April 12 for allegedly burglarizing an office on Westside Way.

Officers responded to a security alarm call at an engineering firm and found the man exiting the building around 11 p.m.

The suspect reportedly told officers he was part of the office’s cleaning crew, but he did not have keys, an alarm code, an ID or a uniform. He provided police with the name of his boss, but he said he left his phone at home so he could not provide her number.

Officers reported finding two screwdrivers in the man’s back pocket. He did not answer when questioned about the tools.

Officers contacted the building manager, who provided the name of a cleaning company other than what the suspect cited, the report states.

The owner of the cleaning company reportedly told officers one of his employees had already secured the engineering firm for the evening, and he said neither the suspect nor the cleaning firm he cited worked for him.

While searching the building, officers reported confirming the suspect had been seen exiting a neighboring dental office rather than the engineering firm, but open drawers were found in both businesses.

Security footage showed the suspect forcing a door open and rummaging through a filing cabinet, the report states.

The suspect was charged with felony forced commercial burglary and possession of tools for the commission of a crime, as well as misdemeanor loitering or prowling.

He is being held at the North Fulton County Jail with no posted bond amount.

Johns Creek marks Earth Day at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — With the first Earth Day Celebration of its kind at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve April 20, Johns Creek stuck its flag in the ground as a city with an eye toward sustainability.

More than a dozen organizations tabled their causes under a large City of Johns Creek tent on the grounds. Many groups carried posters that provided information on their impact and how-tos on DIY projects, like greenhouses.

While walking through the rows, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Chattahoochee Nature Center and Johns Creek Beautification were just a few that could be seen.

Olivia Gazda, Johns Creek assistant to the city manager, said the city saw quite a response from organizations that wished to set up, running out of available space. The Earth Day Celebration was coordinated alongside

Autrey Mill Nature Preserve Executive Director Lizen Hayes.

“As a newer community, I think it’s sometimes hard because we compare ourselves to places like Alpharetta and Roswell that have very established sustainability programs,” Gazda said, citing Alpharetta’s Old Rucker Farm and the Roswell Recycling Center. “Making a name, putting our flag in the ground for sustainability in Johns Creek — It’s something people want, and they’ve been wanting for a long time. I really think we’re just fulfilling a need that has always been there.”

Dozens of cars lined the preserve’s driveway for the event, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There were also family fun activities, like making bird feeders from pinecones and “Opossum Story Time,” where young children listened to stories about opossums, learned opossum trivia and met an Autrey Mill opossum ambassador named Winnie.

See AUTREY, Page 23

A Girl Scout speaks to a representative from the Chattahoochee Nature Center at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve’s Earth Day Celebration April 20. The event featured a number of organizations dedicated to sustainability and environmental protection as well as family fun activities.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

K-9 officer, of inaugural pack, fetches retirement after 6 years

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek

Sgt. George Hodge said his now-retired K-9 partner Kimo is still becoming acquainted with the slower pace of life as a normal house dog.

Kimo, a 9-year-old “Mal-a-shep” (a mix between a Malinois and a German shepherd) who retired in January after six years with the unit, served as a dual-purpose patrol officer covering a number of bases, like narcotics detection, tracking, apprehension as well as article and area searches.

“He still hasn’t quite figured out that he’s retired,” Hodge said. “When I get dressed to leave in the morning, he still gets all amped up to go, and then it takes him a while to come down after I leave.”

But, he said Kimo settles after a while. Nowadays, Kimo takes to the yard with his playmate, another of Hodge’s dogs, and sleeps where he isn’t supposed to sleep.

Hodge chose to retire his partner a little early as he was beginning to slow down and show signs of hip issues. Dual-purpose work takes a more physical toll, he said.

Hodge was also the handler to one of the K-9 unit’s inaugural members Nico, who passed in 2019, two years into retirement. Both Nico and Kimo were trained through Cobra Canine before joining the agency.

When K-9s retire, Hodge said handlers get first right of refusal and if they decide to keep them, which is often the case, a contract is drawn up to ensure the dog doesn’t engage in law enforcement activity, and the handler pays a $1 adoption fee.

“You spend more time with these dogs, your K-9 partner, than you do with your own family,” Hodge said. “So, the bond that you develop with your partner is, you know, it’s tremendous.”

Hodge recalled one operation where Kimo helped locate 22 kilos of methamphetamine inside a wall of a home. He said Kimo had a knack for detecting narcotics, with high motivation driven by praise and reward, a toy.

“This dog was such a tenacious dog, like he was so perseverant,” Hodge said. “Whatever the task I would give him, he just never quit.”

A new handler, Officer Tyler Chaney, and his K-9 partner Eko have joined the unit since Hodge’s and Kimo’s departure. Hodge is still with the Johns Creek agency, though, serving on day-watch patrol.

Eko has only been on patrol for around two weeks.

“They’re going to be in for, you know, quite a ride,” Hodge said.

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GEORGE HODGE/PROVIDED Kimo, K-9 partner to Sgt. George Hodge, retired from the Johns Creek Police Department K-9 Unit in January after six years of service.

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Roswell Deputy City Administrator Jeff Leatherman presents a five-year contract with Seer World for economic development consulting services at the City Council meeting April 22. The contract, approved in a 4-1 vote, will allow up to $2 million in payments to the company each year. Task orders up to $100,000 can be signed off by the city administrator.

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Roswell Council awards contracts worth millions

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell City Council approved two contracts April 22, each with a $2 million limit in total yearly payments.

One contract adds an economic development arm for the next five years with Seer World, bolstering services already under the purview of the city’s economic development director and Roswell Inc., an organization that has regularly received about $277,000 a year from the city to pursue business growth and retain commercial operations.

Seer World founder Peter Sorckoff had helped the city land negotiations with United Soccer League as an anchor tenant of a stadium and entertainment district in the city.

Sorckoff’s consulting work on the district came under scrutiny after a $250,000 payment to the company was passed last year without going through the city’s bidding process.

Roswell Purchasing Manager Greg Anderson resigned the day before the Aug. 15 Administration, Finance, Recreation and Parks Committee meeting when the budget amendment for $250,000 in professional services was initially proposed.

According to a July 2023 invoice obtained by Appen Media, Sorckoff was paid more than $43,000 for “development planning and project support” from March to June. Sorckoff also led the past two City Council annual planning retreats.

This time around though, the city issued a request for qualifications in economic development consulting services which called for experience in economic development strategy, redevelopment planning and implementation, public-private partnerships and community engagement.

Seer World beat out two other candi-

dates, Michael Baker International and The Research Associates, ranked by a city evaluation committee. At the City Council meeting April 22, Deputy City Administrator Jeff Leatherman said the company came out on top because it is Roswellbased and because it provided the most ideal suite of services and bench access to relevant staff to get the job done.

Contract language

City Councilwoman Sarah Beeson said the contract with Seer World was the result of a significant amount of work and that it was strengthened by the competitive restrictions added to the final draft, presented that night.

But, Beeson, who cast the lone dissenting vote, raised some concerns.

Beeson advised adding language to the master services agreement that would prevent a 5-percent markup, which allows the consultant to tack on up to 5 percent of the cost as a profit if they choose to use subconsultants.

She also said several of the the subcontractors that were proposed already have pre-existing negotiated contracts with the City of Roswell, wary of circumventing the “teeth” of agreements already in place.

“In my mind, for taxpayers, that’s allowing double payment on the work provided,” Beeson said.

The City Council opted to review the markup on a case-by-case basis, within each individual task order. The first scope of work, totaling $275,000, that was passed alongside the master services agreement that night did not include the fee.

Leatherman told Appen Media the purpose of keeping the 5-percent markup is to support the administrative work for

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Roswell:

Continued from Page 6

managing subconsultants on a large project. When Appen Media asked if this was more-or-less a “tip,” Leatherman said the city doesn’t tip with public revenue.

City Councilman Allen Sells, who advised language surrounding the contract’s fresh non-compete clauses, said all transactions would be listed in quarterly public disclosures.

But, Leatherman told Appen Media whether those disclosures would be reviewed before or after work is completed has not been decided.

“You could have brand new scopes of work that were just executed and work [that] hasn’t been started,” Leatherman said in an interview. “You could also have ongoing scopes that were from the last quarterly report — it would be just an update of the status of where we’re at with that specific project. So, I think you’re gonna see a combination of items there.”

The agreement with Seer World also outlines the city administrator’s ability to sign off on task orders up to $100,000, though the city’s procurement ordinance currently limits the staffer’s spending power at $25,000.

Leatherman said that the city is in the midst of revising the ordinance, an issue first discussed at the City Council retreat

in February. He told Appen Media revisions should be completed in the next two months and that the changes will be more extensive than increasing spending thresholds as they will also address managerial procedures.

Appen Media confirmed that tasks orders for Seer World exceeding $100,000 would come before the council in a vote.

While the agreement with Seer World limits the total amount of payments at $2 million a year, Leatherman told the council that task orders would be limited by what’s authorized in the city’s economic development budget through the annual budget review.

As of press time, Appen Media could not confirm whether budget amendments that would allow the city to cushion any shortfall would come before the council in a formal vote.

Public safety complex

In other matters Monday evening, the City Council passed a contract with Jericho Design Group to design the city’s new public safety complex which will house the city’s Police and Fire Department headquarters.

Jericho will not be responsible for the design of Roswell’s Emergency Operations Center and the 911 Call Center, which will be located in the newly purchased SharpShooters USA facility on Ga. 9.

The contract with Jericho was approved on the consent agenda, a process that al-

lows bulk approval of typically noncontroversial items without public discussion.

Like the city’s agreement with Seer World, the City of Roswell can pay up to $2 million a year to Jericho. Other city contracts work similarly, with a $2 million yearly limit, such as Jacobs for program management as well as Gay Bell and Hussey for work related to the city’s public safety facilities.

How long the city will work with Jericho remains undetermined, as it is dictated by how long the city’s bond program lasts. Of the $180 million in bonds passed in a 2022 referendum, $52 million was designated to public safety capital projects — which will be used to fund Jericho’s design.

Jericho is also set to do some work on City Hall. But, staff told Appen Media bond money would not be used to fund this portion.

The Cumming-based firm is responsible for a number of other projects in Metro

Atlanta, several related to public safety.

The group had worked with the City of Sandy Springs to design its Police Headquarters and Municipal Court, Fleet Maintenance Facility as well as a firing range and training facility.

The contract with Sandy Springs was passed in 2021, originally priced at a little over $1 million. But, after a few change orders, the city has paid $1.3 million todate, according to open records obtained by Appen Media.

The firm also did work on a fire station in Alpharetta, according to ClearGov.

Jericho also had hands on the Milton-Alpharetta Training Center located at Crabapple and Broadwell roads and touched down on the public safety front in Brookhaven, according to records obtained by Appen Media.

The firm was also awarded the contract for design of the new Forsyth County Administrative Building campus.

I feel like the story is always growing and changing.

JOSH RACHEL, co-owner, Hyde Brewing

8 | Johns Creek Herald | May 2, 2024

Hyde Brewing evolves with the times

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — If you haven’t heard about Milton’s only brewpub at Market District Crabapple, you may be familiar with the co-owners’ successful ventures in North Fulton County.

Josh Rachel and Mikka Orrick, married last summer at Glacier National Park, opened their labor of love, Hyde Brewing, with Thiago Depaula about a week after Valentine’s Day.

Combining Rachel’s experience as the brewmaster of Jekyll Brewing in Alpharetta with Orrick and Depaula’s experiences running Ceviche Taqueria bore the city’s first brewpub.

A brewpub is a hybrid restaurant and brewery, where beer is primarily brewed for sale inside the establishment. Typically, breweries will produce more beer annually and will not include food services.

Earlier this spring, Rachel said he hoped to have beers ready for the grand-opening April 25 at Market District Crabapple.

Turns out, the veteran brewmaster had three different beers ready to go in advance, a Mexican-inspired lager and a hoppy India pale ale.

Located in Market District Crabapple on Heritage Walk, Hyde Brewing hires local students and young folks looking to learn about the restaurant industry.

Preston Cassidy, a junior at Milton High School, busses tables, while his older sister, Madison, greets families and couples as they walk in.

Rachel said he likes teaching young people the benefits of hard work and how to do it. The Tennessee native moved with his family to Johns Creek at the start of his high school years.

His years at Chattahoochee High School sparked a love for North Fulton County, and

Rachel and his family now live in Milton.

“At the beginning of 2021, I ended my career at Jekyll and took a hiatus for two years,” Rachel said. “At that point, Mikka and I were a couple, we started blending our families, and obviously, she had Ceviche.”

See HYDE, Page 9

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Families with children sit in front of Hyde Brewing’s fermentation vessels April 25 as servers bring over drinks and take orders. Brewmaster Josh Rachel said he intentionally did not seal off the brewery from the restaurant during construction to give the space a unique feel.

Hyde:

Continued from Page 8

He said when he left Jekyll, there was no doubt in his mind he would return to his passion of brewing.

For Rachel and many Americans, the COVID-19 pandemic was more than just the airborne virus. He described it as a multi-layered situation that required a personal reset with being a father, starting a new relationship and leaving the company he helped start.

“It was a matter of time based on a two-year non-compete [agreement] that I couldn’t get out of,” Rachel said. “It was the planning process during that time to figure out what we wanted to do.”

His silver lining of the pandemic years is recapturing his love for brewing beer and rediscovering a childhood fondness for the restaurant industry.

The two years away from brewing allowed Rachel to brainstorm with Orrick, which led to the idea of a brewpub, leveraging both of their industry expertise.

A brewpub is the best way to go, Rachel said.

The couple tapped Thiago Depaula, last but certainly not least, for his experience managing various restaurants in the area, including Ceviche Taqueria.

The three managing partners made the vision of Hyde Brewing happen, Rachel said.

“The name is the name, but we wanted to be organic with what our story is,” Rachel said. “I feel like the story is always growing and changing.”

In the competitive restaurant and brewery industries, making it takes everyone.

“All three of us, we grind like nobody’s business and work super hard for everything we try to get in life,” Rachel said. “That’s what works well for us.”

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Ian Wells, one of three bartenders serving patrons, makes a drink as couples enjoy cocktails at happy hour April 25. Other than specializing in brewed-on-site beers, Hyde Cocktails and an extensive tequila selection offer adults options to go along with their Ceviche Taqueria meal.

Alpharetta planners give nod to downtown condo project

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta planners have approved a new condominium and restaurant development downtown, but street congestion from delivery drivers and vendors continues to be a concern.

At an April 11 meeting, the Alpharetta Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of 55 Canton, a four-story building with 36 for-sale condominiums and a 7,303-square-foot restaurant.

The planned building is at Canton and Old Canton streets, just to the northwest of the Hamilton Hotel.

Ultimately, the Planning Commission was supportive of the project. Planning Commissioner Todd Stratton said he thinks the building could be the most attractive in downtown Alpharetta if built as designed.

But, Mary Ann Slavik, a resident of the neighboring Teasley Place, addressed the Planning Commission with concerns about Canton Street being blocked by delivery trucks.

“This is a common occurrence,” she said. “This happens every day. There are Amazon trucks, food trucks delivering to the restaurants in the commercial level.”

The City Council is also seeking to address delivery drivers blocking roadways downtown. At a Feb. 19 meeting, councilmembers discussed implementing

designated loading zones for delivery drivers and vendors.

The city is considering an ordinance that would enable the Public Safety Department to take disciplinary action against delivery drivers for blocking public roads if later approved by the City Council.

While acknowledging the safety concerns, Stratton said the vendor trucks are another issue.

“I also wouldn’t want to hold this applicant responsible,” he said. “If I recommend denying based on that, I feel like it’s not something that they can control.”

The 55 Canton plans also fall short of minimum parking requirements.

Because of parking constraints downtown, the city allows developers to pay parking in-lieu fees to make up for a lack of spaces.

Project staff requested that 18 tandem parking spaces in its underground deck count toward its required 101 spaces, but city code only recognizes nine of the spots, requiring the developers to pay $94,500 for the 14 total missing spaces.

Planning Commissioner Francis Kung’u requested project staff seek additional parking before the City Council vote.

“But, between now and [the City] Council, if you can find a way to find those spaces, it’s good for the residents, it’s good for the city,” Kung’u said.

The project is set to face the City Council for approval April 29.

The Alpharetta City Council is scheduled to consider plans this week for 55 Canton, a proposed condominium and restaurant development in downtown.

PHOTOS BY CITY OF ALPHARETTA/PROVIDED

This Place Maker Design rendering shows 55 Canton, a proposed condominium and restaurant development off Old Canton and Canton streets. The Alpharetta Planning Commission recommended approval of the plans April 11.

Top characteristics of a ‘spa-inspired’ bathroom

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Describing a bathroom as ‘spa-inspired’ is often the ultimate design compliment because it signifies the ability to captivate the senses. In today’s hustle and bustle, buyers look for homes that offer a sanctuary-like feel, where everyday rituals are transformed into moments of serenity. Whether en suite or detached, these bathrooms simplify the pursuit of self-care and relaxation.

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Brought to you by – Geerdes & Associates

Will transferring my home to my revocable trust mess up my mortgage?

Garne St. Germaine Act of 1982 – Contains the Due on Sale Clause which requires the repayment of a loan or mortgage upon the transfer of the property to someone else. The act covers federally regulated mortgage loans from a federally regulated financial institution or mortgage company like Freddy Mac or Fannie Mae and also covers loans from the Federal Housing Administration or loans guaranteed by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

There are exemptions from this rule. When someone transfers a home to an inter vivos trust, stays a beneficiary and does not transfer rights of occupancy, that transfer is exempt. You can look it up and read it yourself here https://www.law. cornell.edu/uscode/text/12/1701j-3. It’s exception Number 8 under 12 U.S. Code Section 1701 (d)(8).

The answer is no. Transferring your home to a revocable trust will not mess up your mortgage. Do you know someone who is afraid to protect their assets with a revocable trust? Let them know they can give us a call. Wilson Legal, 770-205-7861, where planning meets peace of mind.

In the last few years, our clients have asked about the possibility of fraudulent transfers of properties without the owner being notified. While this does not happen for homeowners who have their properties in a trust, those who don't have a trust yet must be aware of this risk. Fortunately, Fulton County has set up an alert system to notify you when there is a change of ownership or legal document filed for a designated property. This alert system is called the Filing Activity Notification System (FANS)

Spearheaded by the Clerks of the Superior Court, FANS is an opt-in notification system. By simply creating an account and setting your notification preferences, you can immediately receive alerts about deeds, mortgages, and liens that are filed on your property. FANS operate by connecting directly with the Superior Court’s index database, which contains records of all the documents filed for every property in Fulton County. When you set up an account, FANS will automatically send you a notice when-

ever documents are filed for a designated property.

In today’s fast-paced world, staying informed about important legal filings related to real estate is crucial. Whether you are a homeowner, a real estate agent, or simply interested in tracking property records, FANS’s timely alerts allow you to keep a close eye on the legal documents related to a property - and act swiftly in the case of fraudulent filings. Take advantage of the transparency of FANS and make sure you cover this aspect of your asset protection today.

Brought to you by – Michelle Wilson, Wilson Legal, PC

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Monday, May 27, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

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On the trail, sleeping on a rock, deeply

RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com

One of the more memorable events on my Appalachian Trail hike, now eight years ago, happened while I was alone, asleep on a rock outcropping in the middle of the afternoon in the middle of the forest. I don’t remember seeing anyone that day – something unusual, because one almost always runs into other hikers during the course of the day.

Now, I didn’t usually sleep in the middle of the day on that hike. But this time it was a combination of being really tired, alone, and it was just the right temperature for a quick nap on top of a warmed-up sandstone boulder. I had just eaten lunch – a peanut butter sandwich, a couple cheese sticks and some peperoni. So, I was full, and sleep must have come fast, because the only thing I remember was the warmth of that bounder, then the darkness of sleep, and then, this tremendous noise, fairly close. The earth shook with a tremor that I felt in my bones.

So, I went from deep, deep sleep to wide awake in an instant. My brain went into overtime processing, or trying to process what just happened. Fight or flight. Run. Cover. What? A lot went racing through my brain – like a dam bursting – in what was probably less than a second or two of confusion and adrenaline.

No bear. No human. No falling boulder. No dream. OK, as my mind cleared, logic told me that I heard a really big tree fall nearby and shake the ground. What else could it have been?

At that point I was wide awake and clear-minded. I threw on my pack,

perused my area to make sure I wasn’t leaving anything – like even a miniscule scrap of paper – and went out at almost a sprint in search of a fallen giant. Couldn’t find it. I am certain that it had to have been really close, but that didn’t help me find it. And it had to have been huge. Hmmmm.

So, does it count? I did hear it, I think. Surely that is what I think I heard. But, well, maybe it doesn’t count. “Thinking” you heard that tree fall in the forest, and hence, it did not fall, no?

So, it happened again. Just now, eight years later. I am up in Ellijay – way, way out in the woods babysitting my daughter’s Huskie while she is at the beach celebrating her birthday with friends. Her house is surrounded by forest, and she has no neighbors, just a gravel road that runs in front of her house. I am out writing this column with my legs propped up with the Huskie and my dog Lewis in the grass next to me. The only thing I can see in all directions are trees. I can see maybe 50 feet into the understory then everything turns to green. I hear a very loud “crack” followed by, yep, a heavy thud of something landing on the earth that weighs a lot.

A tree falling is the only thing that it could possibly be, I tell myself – in the forest roughly within 75 yards of where I am sitting right now.

No, I am not going to go look for it. I know it is there and that is what happened. Yes, it fell. For sure. Even though I didn’t see it. If a tree falls in the woods and you only hear it, yes, that counts. It rained all night last night up here in Ellijay out in the woods. This morning everything was still wet and fresh and deeply silent. Birds were the only noises I heard this morning, that and the sound of the brook that runs through my daughter’s property – pregnant with rainfall and cold mountain water.

Congratualations

Sally White

Throughout her time at Milton High School, Sally has been an active member of various clubs and sports teams, including the Debate Club, Science Olympiad, and Drama Society. Her leadership skills shone brightly as the captain of the soccer team, leading them to victory on numerous occasions. Sally’s commitment to excellence extended beyond athletics; she also excelled academically, earning recognition for her outstanding achievements in advanced mathematics and literature.

As she prepares to embark on the next chapter of her life, we are filled with pride and excitement for Sally’s future endeavors. Congratulations, Sally, on this remarkable achievement! We can’t wait to see the incredible things you’ll accomplish next.

Class of 2024

ALPHARETTA-ROSWELL FORSYTH COUNTY JOHNS CREEK MILTON

DUNWOODY SANDY SPRINGS

The Summerour family – ancestors with a golden touch

When local historian Ed Malowney suggested that I read a book about the early pioneer Summerour family, I had no idea what a treat I was in for. “Germany to Georgia, Ten Generations of an American Family” by Charles Summerour, is one of those rare little gems that reads like a novel and brings history to life. So, using the book and a few other historical sources, I will try to do justice to this fine family who, without fanfare, added so much to North Fulton.

In 1828 gold was discovered near today’s Dahlonega, a name derived from the Cherokee word meaning “yellow.” Soon thousands of men known as “29ers” hoping to get rich quick flocked to the creeks and rivers in the area looking for gold. The first gold rush in America began.

The miners were a diverse group. Most worked independently. Some worked in large mines such as the Calhoun Gold Mine at the site of the initial discovery of gold. It is one of the earliest and most famous mines. Shortly after the discovery, the mine was sold to Sen. John C. Calhoun of South Carolina and was operated by his son-inlaw Thomas G. Clemson. Some of that gold helped fund the establishment of Clemson College. Calhoun later served as vice president under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson.

New towns quickly sprung up to serve the thousands of fortune-seeking miners. Most notable was Auraria, about six miles from Dahlonega. Auraria quickly became a boomtown rivaling Dahlonega in importance where hotels, general stores, taverns and even a bank and a local newspaper, The Western Herald, appeared seemingly overnight. Situated between two rivers, Auraria was a perfect location for panning for gold.

That is where the Summerour family enters the local scene. Henry Summerour lll (1787-1849) moved from North Carolina to the tiny hamlet of Between around 1827, long before it became a permanent settlement, to join his brother John Summerour Sr. (1792-1867).

Henry Summerour lll, his wife Sarah Salome Seitz and three sons, moved to Auraria around 1832. He opened a store to help supply the needs of some 15,000 miners at the height of the gold rush. His two older sons, Harrison and Benjamin Franklin, worked with Henry

A miner is shown in 1939 at work in the Calhoun gold mine in Dahlonega. That year, after the Calhoun Mine was long thought to be depleted, a small pocket was discovered and mined. After that things became quiet again. In the late 1930s there were about 40 gold mines in operation in Georgia.

Image of John Lafayette Summerour (1827-1887) who together with his two brothers became wealthy during the Dahlonega gold rush and California gold rush.

in his store, one of about 20 stores catering to the miners. The stores typically sold groceries and tools such as shovels, knives, pad locks and other items prospectors would need.

Even though mining continued in Auraria after the discovery of gold in California in 1849, the town gradually became a ghost town. A few vacant buildings are all that remain today.

Between still exists with a population of 402 according to the 2020 census.

Two of Henry’s sons, Benjamin Franklin, at age 32, and John Lafayette, age 22, traveled to California to join that gold rush circa 1850. In a lengthy letter to his father-in-law, John Spriggs, penned in 1851 John described the challenging routine in the California gold fields where pros -

pectors were known as “49ers.” At the same time in 1849, their brother Harrison and his family moved to the town of Hightower, or Frogtown, along the Etowah River in Forsyth County where they lived for the next 25 years. Hightower was an important crossroads and marketplace from 1800 to the 1850s used by Cherokees and settlers/miners. Harrison purchased and ran a store that had been built in 1815 and owned over the years by about a dozen different individuals. He also continued to mine gold.

John returned to Georgia in 1853 probably on horseback or horse and wagon, with a satchel full of 786 ounces of gold valued today at more than $1.8 million.

John remained a successful miner in Georgia for many years. He owned mines in Gwinnett and Forsyth counties and near his home a short distance from Amicalola Falls. He joined with his father-in-law John Spriggs in numerous mining ventures in the 1850s and 1860s using the latest technology. In their Sixty Mine, they took water from the Amicalola River and diverted it along a 19-mile ditch to power a nozzle used to blast soil containing gold from the riverbank.

John’s grandson, David Allen Summerour (1869-1968) known as Uncle Dave, was so successful at mining that

a statue of him is in the Dahlonega Gold Museum. He worked in the famous Battle Branch Mine until it closed in the 1930s. He is also known for his family of 19 children, 56 grandchildren and 65 great grandchildren.

The United States Mint established a branch in Dahlonega in 1835, a decade after the nation’s first gold rush. Its first coins were issued in 1838. During the next two decades the Dahlonega Mint produced more than $6 million in gold coins.

By the late 1880s the Summerour families owned substantial farmland in what is today Johns Creek. They successfully converted their gold wealth into land wealth, and that land was eventually converted into urban developments. In his book Charles Summerour outlines the stories of the transition from mining to agriculture to today’s modern City of Johns Creek. It is clear that the family contributed mightily to the success of Johns Creek today, but that is a story for another day.

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.

CHARLES O. SUMMEROUR/ PROVIDED

ATLANTA JOURNAL

BOB MEYERS Columnist

OPINION

Tips on gardening for the month of May

May has arrived, and the days are getting warmer and longer. It’s time to tidy up spring plants and start planting summer bedding plants. According to the 2023 USDA Hardiness Zone Map, Atlanta is in zones 8a and 8b. This is a change from the 2012 USDA Hardiness Zone Map, which had Atlanta in zones 7b and 8a. This is due to climate change. There are 13 growing zones across the country, and each zone represents a 10-degree range of average temperatures in winter. Zone 8 is a warm zone with a long growing season, mild winters and hot summers.

So, what are some of the best plants that can be planted in the month of May in the Atlanta area?

Flowers can add color to your landscape and attract pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Some annuals include begonias, lantana, salvia, petunias, coleus, caladiums, vinca, impatiens, petunias, geraniums and zinnias. Perennials, which come back each year, could include coneflowers, blackeyed Susans, Shasta daisies, daylilies, Russian sage, coreopsis, blanket flower, phlox, dahlias, yarrow, hostas, asters and sedum.

May is a good time to divide and transplant perennials. It’s the perfect time to divide hostas as they come into growth. Iris usually begin blooming in April and May. The best time to divide them is about six weeks after blooming. Roses will begin blooming in May, and climbing roses and any rambling roses should be tied up and secured. Check for blackspot and treat with a systemic fungicide if necessary.

Flowering shrubs like hydrangeas, butterfly bushes, spirea and hibiscus can be planted now. There are two types of hibiscus, hardy and tropical. The hardy variety is a perennial, whereas the tropical variety is treated as an annual in zone 8. Rose of Sharon and Confederate Rose are both in the hibiscus family. Spring and early fall are the best time to plant these flowering shrubs.

Herbs such as rosemary, lavender, dill, basil, oregano, thyme and sage can be planted now. Pinch herbs back to promote bushy growth. Cilantro should be planted earlier because it likes cooler temperatures and will bolt in summer heat. What does it mean to bolt? Bolting is common in heat-sensitive plants such as green leafy vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and bok

choy. Bolting is a horticultural term for when a plant prematurely develops a flowering stalk in order to produce seeds. This is often called “going to seed.” May is a good time to harvest leafy green vegetables.

Some vegetables good to plant this time of year are squash, tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, okra, beans, corn, Brussels sprouts and onions. Have a trellis system in place for tomato plants and pole beans before they begin to sprawl. If seedlings were started indoors, now is a good time to start hardening off frost-tender plants. This means to put them outside for a short period of time each day for several days to get them used to outside temperatures.

The ground is warm enough in May to sow seeds outdoors. Both vegetable and flower seeds can be sowed at this time. It is safe now to plant almost anything outdoors, including tender annuals like impatiens. Houseplants can even be moved outside to a shady spot for a summer vacation. Now is a good time to feed your potted plants using a balanced fertilizer. This means using a fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, meaning it has balanced proportions of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). Top dress permanent potted plants to refresh compost. Weed beds and borders and add more mulch if needed.

Fruits and fruit trees can be planted now. Some good fruit trees to plant are

apple, cherry, apricot, fig, pear, peach, plum and citrus fruits. Trees such as southern magnolia, dogwood and crape myrtle can be planted now.

Now’s the time to look after your finished spring bulbs. Do not cut back the green foliage because it provides nutrients to what will become next year’s bulbs. Simply let the foliage die back, turn brown and then clean up. I sometimes tie up bundles of daffodil leaves and secure them with a rubber band until they dry up.

Mid-May is a great time to propagate cuttings for flowering shrubs like spirea, lilac and viburnum. FYI, you can make more plants from cuttings than from division. Simply take a cutting with at least three buds on it, dip into rooting hormone powder and plant in a pot until big enough to transplant.

Keep an eye out for pests and insects in the garden. Aphids are common and can be sprayed off with a strong jet of water or use insecticidal soap. Ladybugs are good insects to have around because they eat aphids. Contact your local Extension office for help identifying and managing insect pests.

You might want to keep a gardening journal and list seeds sowed and plants you’ve planted. Take time out to enjoy your garden now that the warm weather has arrived!

Happy May 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. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://appenmedia.com/opinion/columnists/garden_buzz/.

About the author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Marty Thomas, a Master Gardener since 2018 and a resident of Johns Creek. A former teacher, she continues working with children through substitute teaching, children’s art camps and children’s ministry. Marty is on the Board of Directors for the Johns Creek Beautification Committee and a member of the American Hydrangea Society. She leads a Bible study discussion group at her church and loves spending time with her grandchildren.

MARTY THOMAS Guest Columnist

PHOTOS BY MARTY THOMAS

May roses

Homemade raised beds with fencing to keep out deer and also used for trellises. Irises at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve

Soccer:

Continued from Page 1

Bowler said this is the first time in the school’s history the team has pulled through the regular season without a loss, though he said the team has always had a quality season. Bowler has been the head coach at Johns Creek High School since it opened in 2009.

The Gladiators were honored with a number of regional awards, voted on by coaches from the area’s seven schools.

The team carries the status of Region Champs, and six players made the First Team All-Region, or a team consisting of the best 11 players. Liam Dueve, also Region Player of the Year, Julien Seher, Ike Eiswirth, Freddie Warner, Chase Holub and Sawyer Williams made the cut.

Holub and Williams were also honored as Goalkeepers of the Year.

Ryan Gottschalk, who made Second Team All-Region, was also listed on the Academic All-Region Team along with Jacob Barrett, and Bowler won the regional award for Coach of the Year.

Bowler said the region is the toughest in the state, regardless of classification. Last year, he said three of the four teams in the Final Four were from the region and that the trend continues this year with four schools consistently sitting on the state’s Top 10 list.

Four Johns Creek High soccer players have been signed to play at the college level.

Bowler said Zay McDonald, who scored the last goal of the match against Rome, is headed to the University of Tampa. Williams is headed to LaGrange College, and Holub will play for the University of Wisconsin.

Seher, team captain, is set to play for Georgia Southern as a Division 1 college signee. While there was a heavy dose of scrambling throughout the game against the Rome Wolves, Bowler said Seher played a “fantastic” game. Seher sent in the corner on a goal scored by Dueve, the first of the game, and scored the second with a free kick.

“When the stakes are high, you can tell he takes over games,” Bowler said. “He worked his tail off to track back and win the ball back. He’s just a leader.”

The school’s junior varsity soccer team and freshman team have also come out with a clean slate this season. Bowler said Johns Creek is the only Fulton County School with a freshman team.

“I started it this year because I had like 96 kids try out for the soccer team,” Bowler said. “So, I was like, I’m going to do it … I wanted to offer the opportunity to more players.”

Looking forward, Bowler said many of the varsity players have been close to winning the state title and are noticeably motivated to win it this year.

“You can tell every day in practice, and you can tell in the games — the commitment is just unquestioned, and that’s been all season,” Bowler said. “To go through now, 20 games, and even on a day where you’re not playing well, you still come out with a win. You know, that’s impressive…”

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

The Gladiators celebrate their first goal of the night April 19 by scaling the stadium wall.

Gladiators captain Julian Seher runs toward the crowd, celebrating the team’s second goal of the evening.

Zay McDonald, left, celebrates scoring the third and final goal of the match against the Rome Wolves.

Johns Creek High School students show support for their team.

Art:

Lee’s art is more in the traditional style, calligraphy drawn in “muk” on large scrolls made of hanji — Korean traditional paper primarily made from mulberry trees. Hanji is known to absorb ink more easily than other types of paper, and it is a frequently seen medium throughout the show.

When layered and lacquered, hanji becomes leather-like. Minjin Kim, another artist in “Hallyu,” uses hanji to create sturdy furniture pieces.

Park, Lee’s daughter, uses hanji on canvas to create more contemporary works of art. One titled “New Beginning,” which won third place, features English and Korean characters written around a 3-D geometric shape of cut hanji, becoming darker in color toward its open center.

“Through the interplay of fragility and strength, softness and solidity, my art seeks to evoke a profound connection with the aspects of change and growth that resonate within us all,” Park writes in her artist statement.

Artist Mina Duffie uses hanji as well but to create life-like puppets. Her work, “Conggi Nori,” which won first place, sets the scene of children playing Gonggi — a popular Korean children’s game played with at least five grape-sized pebbles, or gonggitdol.

Another of Duffie’s works, “Agricultural Band,” shows a scene of puppet performers made of hanji in the canon of “nongak,” a popular pastime in rural communities that combines traditional wind instruments, marches, dance, theater, acrobatics and percussion ensemble.

Althea Foster, curator for the exhibition, described another one of Duffie’s works — an ornate house made of hanji. Each of the doors took Duffie around 40 hours to create. The piece, named “Korean Traditional Tiled Roof House” features a “sarangchae,” or a section of a Korean traditional house of noblemen, generally reserved for men and guests.

In the accompanying description,

DEATH NOTICES

Carlton Butler, 88, of Roswell, passed away on April 14, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

David Hartman, 78, of Alpharetta, passed away on April 19, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

“It’s all a process,” Foster said. Continued from Page 1

At left, two works created by Kyungsook Lee, featured in the Johns Creek Art Center’s “Hallyu: Celebration of Korean Art” juried exhibition, are on display until May 10. Lee’s ink calligraphy is done on Korean traditional paper called “hanji.”

Above, a third-place winner and more modern styled work created by Lee’s daughter Sarah Park, also uses hanji.

river in the front.

Duffie writes of “Hanok,” or Korean architecture that considers the positioning of the house in relation to its surroundings. She writes that the ideal home, under a principle called “baesanimsu,” will have mountains at the back and a

Foster noted the great response from the Korean community to the exhibition and the diversity of Johns Creek. According to data provided on the City of Johns Creek website, 33 percent of the city’s residents are Asian and of those, 4 percent are Korean.

While the Korean art exhibition is the first of its kind, the Arts Center has held exhibitions with the intention to repre-

sent diversity in artists and subject matter, such as the recurring Black History Month show and past shows named “De Colores,” composed of works from Latinx artists, and one named “Beyond Borders,” which had a more global focus.

“If you walk into a place and there is nothing like you, you probably will not come back,” Foster said. “Our ultimate goal is to make shows like this is a necessary, so that you just enter all shows because you know that your contribution is as valued as anyone else’s.”

She also hopes to bring Korean language art classes to the Arts Center, observing that there have been more young Korean students than adults because of the language barrier.

Nancy Petriella, 75, of Roswell, passed away on April 20, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Sue DeVore Rainwater, 82, of Alpharetta, passed away on April 16, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Robert Thompson, 77, of Roswell, passed away on April 21, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Roger Thoresen, 87, of Milton, passed away on April 18, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

John Wilcher, 88, of Alpharetta, passed away on April 20, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

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Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, May 3, 2024. Apply online: www.sawnee. com/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of Females, Minorities, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

DATA ENGINEERS (Alpharetta, GA) Analyze, Design & build automation tools to manage tasks. Checkout code from remote repository to local repository. Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems or equivalent. Travel / relocation to client locations within the U.S. as and when needed based on client/ project requirements. Mail resume to Pyramid Consulting, Inc. Attn: HRGC, 3060 Kimball Bridge Road, STE 200, Alpharetta, GA 30022.

Chauffeur Driver/Personal Assistant Needed. Responsibilities include maintaining a personal and professional schedule, coordinating meetings and events. Must be reliable and arrive at appointments on time. The ideal candidate must have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and must be incredibly organized with a strong work ethic. Send resume and cover letter to (Lsummers909@gmail.com) for details.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a General Clerk 1L (Building and Grounds/Custodial/ Maintenance) (parttime position) to perform facility maintenance and grounds keeping duties. Requires some heavy lifting, high school diploma or equivalency and a valid GA driver’s license. Related experience with outdoor maintenance equipment and a valid CDL are preferred. Hours: Availability for alternate shift assignments and irregular work hours.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, May 3, 2024. Apply online: www.sawnee. com/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of Females, Minorities, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Autrey:

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That day’s schedule also featured a documentary about saving sea turtles on the Eastern Seaboard, followed by a Q&A session from its cre -

ators, who are friends of Hayes based in Seattle.

“Olivia [Gazda] and I really kind of worked together to line up our vendors … and just really wanted to gather everybody to talk about sustainability and the Earth and get us all in one place and make it really fun for the community,” Hayes said.

Deadline to place a classified ad is Thursdays by 4pm

Visitors and vendors gather under the City of Johns Creek tent for Autrey Mill Nature Preserve’s Earth Day Celebration April 20.

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