Johns Creek Herald - May 4, 2023

Johns Creek focuses on makerspace plan

City officials also advance Jones Bridge Road project

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A new master plan for the City of Johns Creek includes a pitch for a 21,317-square-foot makerspace

at a former water reclamation plant at Cauley Creek Park.

The first phase of build-out is estimated to cost roughly $9 million.

But, because officials had previously set aside only $2 million, members of the City Council discussed the logistics of working with the tight constraint at their April 25 work session. The current budget would cover re-roofing the building and

Johns Creek mayor tallies city triumphs during annual address

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry’s “State of the City Address” took on a different tone from his first, which he delivered only months after he was elected last year.

Rather than looking at what he hoped to accomplish, Bradberry described what he has accomplished over the past year to the packed audience in Chattahoochee High School’s

auditorium April 27.

“While I personally will always remain loyal to the goals of our city’s founding, I believe that now is an appropriate time for us to move past our city’s incorporation story and recognize what I know to be true,” Bradberry said. “Johns Creek is coming into its own, and we are indisputably one of the best communities anywhere.”

In addition to members of

See ADDRESS, Page 9

first-floor infrastructure.

The makerspace, presented in the plan, is sleek and modern. The first floor includes areas for woodworking, metalworking, laser-cutting, a robotics area and some classrooms. The mezzanine floor features additional spaces for activities like esports and 3D-printing.

“I would really like to see us go back to the drawing board, to see … how much

of this building can we make operational in the $2 million window, rather than all the bells and whistles that we’re currently with,” Mayor John Bradberry said. Many councilmembers agreed. But Chris Haggard, Johns Creek Public Works director, said aesthetics didn’t consume much of the cost. The first $1 million

See PLAN, Page 6

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA Chattahoochee

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Man reports 2 attempts to use his name in fraud

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man reported to police April 17 that someone attempted to cash a check using his information in two incidents weeks apart.

The man said someone attempted to cash a check using his information a few weeks ago at a First Premier Bank for $6,800, but the suspect was not successful.

Then, on the day of the report, the man said a man attempted to cash another check at a Truist Bank in Austell for $6,900. The man said his Social Security and driver’s license information were used to cash the check, but the suspect was unsuccessful.

Man tracks AirPods to address in Alpharetta

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police were dispatched to Lifetime Fitness on Johns Creek Parkway April 17 when an Alpharetta man reported stolen AirPods, later tracked to addresses in Alpharetta.

The man said he was at the gym, using his Apple AirPods April 13 and took them off to swim. He left and later returned when he realized he did not have his AirPods, which were white inside a case with the quote, “Why so serious,” on the front.

Later that night, he received a notification from Find My iPhone that his AirPods had moved to two addresses in Alpharetta.

The last update he received was April 14, located at an address on

Hunters Moon Drive. But the man said he does not know anyone at the address and has notified the gym of the theft.

Video footage from the alleged theft requires a subpoena for the corporate office, the police report said.

Woman sends $62,000 to man in need of ‘help’

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek woman reported to police April 18 that she sent around $62,000 to a person she had met online.

The scam artist attempted to open multiple bank accounts using the victim’s ID. The victim met the suspect on Match.com, who told her he needed money to help with his daughter in Australia, legal fees and a fine.

The suspect sent checks to the victim, which she thought was to repay the $62,000. But when she attempted to deposit the checks, the bank informed the victim they were for a debit and not a deposit, so she ceased the transfer.

The victim said the suspect was attempting to withdraw additional money from her Chase account by using the checks. She also said the suspect used her ID and Social Security number in an attempt to open multiple bank accounts.

Three attempts were not successful, but the suspect did manage to open a Credit Union account in Illinois.

Woman’s purse taken from Kroger cart

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek woman reported someone stole her purse out of a grocery cart at the Kroger on State Bridge Road April 23.

The victim said she placed the groceries and her white purse in the cart after checkout, went to her vehicle, placed the groceries in the vehicle, and returned the cart. She then drove home and as she was putting her groceries

away, could not find her purse.

The victim remembered placing the purse in the top basket of the cart but was unable to remember placing it in her vehicle.

She returned to Kroger, but employees said they did not see the purse. Once she realized that her black Apple Watch was in her purse, she pinged the location to a site on Jones Bridge Road.

Employees later told police they did not have access to video footage, and no one had turned in a purse matching the description, which is white with hearts embroidered on one side. Police also walked the premises and checked all trash cans and dumpsters but could not locate the white purse.

The purse had her Kate Spade wallet, Georgia driver’s license, debit and credit cards, insurance card, Social Security card, reading nook and Apple Watch.

Atlanta woman arrested for firearm, intoxication

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police arrested a 29-year-old Atlanta woman after an incident in the Avalon Hotel led officers to discover that she was illegally carrying a handgun.

Officers were called to the hotel at about 11:30 April 14 after receiving multiple reports a female in the hotel’s bar was extremely intoxicated.

When officers approached the woman and asked her to leave, she allegedly fell face-first on the ground, causing her lips and teeth to bleed, and then she attempted to flee into the hotel while yelling obscenities.

After the woman was taken into custody and was checked out by an EMS unit, officers discovered she was carrying a .380 handgun in her purse, illegal because of a 2013 burglary conviction in Florida.

The woman was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and public drunkenness and was transported to the North Fulton County Jail in Alpharetta.

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

Thousands attend Johns Creek multicultural gala

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Gathering the attention of kids at the Johns Creek International Festival April 29, an animated Chetter Galloway told a story from the stage which began with six rabbits sitting along the Volta River in Ghana.

He prepped the audience for interaction.

“You’ll hear me throughout the performance say, ‘ago,’ a Swahili term which means, ‘Are you listening? Are you here? Are you present?’ Or my own definition — ‘do you have a heartbeat?’” Galloway said, making thumping noises.

Galloway was one of more than a dozen performers at the International Festival, held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. across from the Atlanta Athletic Club on Medlock Bridge Road. In its fifth year, the event drew thousands of visitors and represented countries from around the world through performances, food and vendors.

Home to more than 83,000 residents, Johns Creek is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the nation. Johns Creek’s Edie Damann, who has taken the lead on planning since the festival’s inception, said the city has an international population of more than 51 percent.

African storytelling

Galloway is the president of the Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia, a nonprofit whose mission is to preserve African oral tradition.

Recently, the organization received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which funded an educational program called “The Big Read.” A book is selected, and book clubs around Metro Atlanta read it, discuss it and develop activities around it. Kuumba also offers monthly programs.

Galloway began his storytelling career through “living history,” which he said is typically done in third person, unless it’s a special focus vignette. After working for some time as a museum curator, he went on to earn a master’s in storytelling from East Tennessee State University.

For Galloway, the importance of African tradition is in the morals and wisdom passed down from elders of African communities. Galloway gravitates toward trickster stories because those are his personality.

“I’m the jokester of the family,” said Galloway, the youngest of 10 children.

A better understanding

Johns Creek residents Cassandra

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and Renard Johnson were two visitors enjoying the festivities April 29 and were waiting on desserts, banana pudding and one with strawberry. They had lamb gyros earlier.

Cassandra and Renard’s dog Xena, named for the warrior princess, sat in front of them. The family recently moved from Richmond, Virginia.

“This gives you the opportunity to see other people’s culture, their native environment,” Cassandra said. “I think it’s good, so we have a better understanding of each other.”

She especially liked cultural performances, the dancing and expression. Parama had just performed, a woman in traditional Indian attire who used the whole stage with classical dance. Before Parama, the drum team from the Taiwanese School of Georgia performed.

“I’ve enjoyed it since we’ve come out. The food is great, the music is good, and just the camaraderie of the people,” Renard said. “It’s a good day to have it.” Saturday was warm with clear skies.

More representation

In addition to performances and food aromas filling the festival area, there were several rows of vendors in The Global Marketplace. One was Kusuma Reddy, founder of Culturorama.

Launched on International Women’s Day last year, Reddy sells multicultural dolls handmade in India which helps fund children’s education. Most are crocheted by women, in a craft called “amigurumi.”

Reddy was a teacher for eight years, working out of India’s slums — where kids can’t afford to attend school. She worked for a nonprofit that hosted Sunday classes, teaching basic math and science. Her inspiration for the business stemmed from an instance where one student brought in a White doll.

“I was really shocked to know those girls felt like the Indian girls are not beautiful enough to be made into toys,” Reddy said. “For them, the beauty standards were to be thin, to be fair, to have blonde hair, you know, all the Western standards.”

Disturbed by the conversation, she had the idea to make toys that represented Indian kids.

“I wanted to do something to make those girls feel proud of themselves,” Reddy said.

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA Chetter Galloway tells a story about animals along the Volta River in Ghana at the International Festival in Johns Creek April 29. Galloway is the president of the Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia, an organization whose mission is to preserve African oral tradition.

Kusuma Reddy, founder of Culturorama, stands with multicultural dolls handmade by groups based in India. Reddy’s was one of a number of displays at the International Festival in Johns Creek April 29. Dollars spent on the dolls help fund children’s education in India.

A woman paints henna on a visitor’s hand at the International Festival April 29.

Miracle League plants to help pollinators

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A team of athletes, coaches, family and friends from the North Metro Miracle League got to gardening April 23 to fill six raised planting beds at the Alpharetta YMCA on Preston Ridge Road. The North Metro Miracle League, a local chapter of a national organization dedicated to helping children with disabilities play sports, hosted the event to restore ”vital” pollinator

populations with bee-friendly plants like milkweed.

Co-founder and executive director of the Metro Atlanta organization John McLaughlin said the six planting beds will be “functional and beautiful” in a month.

“Mother Nature needs a helping hand, and we were not going to let age or disability keep us from doing our part,” McLaughlin said.

Two Roswell High gymnasts head to Air Force Academy

ROSWELL, Ga. — In June 2023, two Roswell High School students will start their gymnastics journey at the United States Air Force Academy. Aiden Esval and William Pyle committed to compete in Division I gymnastics for the service academy.

The pair have trained in gymnastics since they were about five years old, according to Esval’s mother, and now compete for Roswell Gymnastics. Both athletes will graduate from Roswell High School in 2023. They will commit to serving in the United States Air Force during their second year at the academy.

To get into the academy each student must receive a nomination. Esval was nominated by Georgia State District 6 Representative Rich McCormick, while Pyle received a “presidential nomination”

from his mother. Presidential nominees are selected by their “career” military member parents.

Aiden Esval’s older brother Ethan Esval also attended the Air Force Academy and served as the gymnastics team captain in 2021.

On April 25, the two athletes had a “signing party” to celebrate their commitment to the Air Force Academy. Adorned in Air Force Academy clothing the pair cut a cake with the rest of the Roswell men’s gymnastics team, Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson and the Roswell City Council.

Aiden Esval’s mother, Stacy said her son turned to her at the end of the event and said “I’ve never felt this special in my life.”

Esval and Pyle will start at the academy on June 28.

NORTH METRO MIRACLE LEAGUE/PROVIDED Members and friends of the North Metro Miracle League plant pollinator-friendly greens in six raised planting beds at the Alpharetta YMCA April 23.

STACY ESVAL/PROVIDED

Aiden Esval and William Pyle celebrated their commitment to compete as gymnasts for the United States Air Force Academy with Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson and city councilmembers at the Roswell Recreation Center on April 25.

Student Leadership Johns Creek honors 2023 graduates

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Student Leadership Johns Creek honored dozens of graduates from its 2023 class during a ceremony at Chattahoochee High School April 13.

Joined by Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rachelle Carnesale and other state officials, the group celebrated 51 students for completing the Student Leadership Johns Creek 2-year program.

Those honored included students from Centennial, Chattahoochee, Johns Creek and Northview high schools and the Innovation Academy. All 51 students were presented with graduation cords and certificates from former graduates, Aesha Shah and Carmella Dunn.

Two 2023 graduates, Aria Smith from Chattahoochee High School and Shruthi Balachander from Northview High School, were also presented with a legacy scholarship, named after former Johns Creek

Sawnee EMC part of group drawing from solar project

Mayor Mike Bodker.

“The scholarship will be an ongoing award to honor Bodker who served for 16 years as Mayor of Johns Creek,” officials said.

In addition to the graduates honored at the ceremony, Student Leadership Johns Creek also announced and welcomed scores of students who make up the group’s 2025 class.

“Because of the tremendous demand for more admitted participants, Student Leadership Johns Creek has doubled the incoming class to include more students and also to include the two private schools in Johns Creek, Mt. Pisgah and Providence Christian School,” officials said. “Student Leadership Johns Creek begins its 11th year of leadership training in Johns Creek with a kick-off retreat in August 2023.”

To learn more information about Student Leadership Johns Creek, visit www. studentleadershipjohnscreek.com.

CUMMING, Ga. — Sawnee EMC and 29 other Georgia electric cooperatives are now sharing the renewable energy generated by a new 106-megawatt solar project constructed in Clay County.

Sawnee EMC will receive around 10 percent of the project’s energy.

Green Power EMC, the renewable energy supplier for 38 of Georgia’s electric membership corporations, including Sawnee EMC, is purchasing all of the energy and environmental attributes generated by the Clay Solar Project. As a clean and renewable energy source, the solar site’s environmental benefit is equivalent to eliminating approximately 193,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

The Clay Solar Project has more than 337,000 solar modules that track the sun on its daily path across the sky, resulting in increased energy production when compared to a solar project that utilizes a fixed-tilt installation.

Sawnee EMC offers a virtual solar energy program where members can receive the benefits of alternative energy without the challenges of owning and operating a system at their home or business.

Also, Sawnee EMC has a “new” solar renewable energy credit program that allows members to purchase the environmental attributes of Sawnee’s solar assets. To learn more about both programs, call Sawnee’s Call Center at 770887-2363, chat online, text 678999-8124 or email customerservice@ sawnee.com.

Plan:

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would be spent on making the space usable, he said, and the other half would be spent on infrastructure and code compliance.

“You’re going to invest probably close to the $2 million no matter what you want to do,” Haggard said.

He is expected to begin looking at using the $2 million to activate the most space on the first floor of the facility, including the planned area for a robotics field. The City Council also agreed to move forward with the design-bid-build construction method, used for most city projects, which has a 17-month timeline.

Pitch for robotics space

Bob Stevens, mentor to Northview High School’s Techno Titans, appeared before the council at its formal business meeting following the workshop, reinforcing interest for a robotics practice space.

Stevens described a recent trip to Houston, Texas, for the youth robotics world championships where the Techno Titans competed. Stevens said Marietta’s Walton High School performed better at the competition because its robotics team has its own practice field. Other area schools have to drive to Cobb County or to downtown Atlanta for practice, he said.

“I think that the preparation of a robotics practice field would be very affordable and beneficial, not just to the Techno Titans, but to other robotics teams in the area,” Stevens said.

Also at the April 25 work session, the City Council discussed plans for the Cauley Creek 10-acre outparcel, intended for special event space, dining, restrooms/bike rentals and an elevated walkway.

Councilmembers debated whether the special events portion of the operation should be managed by the city or whether a public-private partnership made

more sense. Because no consensus was reached, the issue was pulled into an executive session.

Jones Bridge Road project

At the regular meeting, the City Council approved a $21.7 million construction contract for work along south Jones Bridge Road. The vote was 6-1. Councilman Chris Coughlin, who pulled the item from the consent agenda, cast the dissenting vote.

Intended to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety and access from Waters Road to State Bridge Road, the project is funded by transportation special purpose local option sales tax, or TSPLOST I funding. Included in the $21.7 million is $3.7 million for relocation of Fulton County water lines, work the city will be reimbursed for.

The item saw one public comment from Johns Creek resident Michael Fitzgerald, who noted that the project had originally been “forecasted” at $11 million, and he took issue with the City Council’s lack of transparency on the price hike.

“There is no transparency on the increased cost,” Fitzgerald said. “There’s no query to Public Works on why those costs have gone through the roof ... This is not how you run an open and transparent government.”

But, Public Works Director Haggard referred to a TSPLOST update in January which included a revised estimate of $18 million with an additional $2 million for sound abatement.

The original budget of $11 million was set in 2016, the same year the TSPLOST referendum won approval from voters. Some councilmembers acknowledged the cost to have been underestimated at that time. Coughlin called it a “back-of-thenapkin” type estimate.

“That’s sort of the hard part of budgeting,” Haggard said. “You have to pick a number, then go do the engineering and then say, ‘How close were you guessing upfront?’ We do a pretty good job. But it’s not always exact science.”

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Johns Creek Public Works Director Chris Haggard, at left, presents a new master plan for a makerspace slated at the former water reclamation facility at Cauley Creek Park April 25. The first phase of build-out is estimated at roughly $9 million, but only $2 million has been allocated to the project.

Developer unveils plans for 100-acre social venue

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A North Georgia businessman has announced plans for a 100-acre mixed-use entertainment, dining and social venue.

Plans for The Gathering at South Forsyth, a proposed entertainment hub at Union Hill Road and Ronald Reagan Boulevard, were on tap for discussion at an April 25 work session of the Forsyth County Commission. Public hearings on the project are scheduled for May.

County Commission Chairman Alfred John said The Gathering at South Forsyth will generate thousands of jobs and serve as an economic driver.

“It will enhance what our county currently offers with an added focal point for world-class events, shopping and dining,” John said. “And it will generate thousands of jobs both during, and after construction.”

The 100-acre project is the dream of Vernon Krause, CEO of Krause Auto Group, which operates a collection of

family-owned dealerships across four states in the Southeast.

Forsyth County Commissioner Laura Semanson said road projects in the area, like the widening of McGinnis Ferry Road, the Ga. 400 McGinnis Ferry interchange and the Ronald Reagan Boulevard extension will mitigate traffic impacts from the new development.

“This project will be of a similar caliber to other successfully executed mixed-use developments like Avalon and Halcyon,” Semanson said.

“Finally, it will provide the county with significant added tax revenue that will benefit every resident with long-term economic viability.”

The development plan includes 1.6 million square feet of commercial and retail space, an arena, a community center, a fire station, 450 hotel rooms with meeting spaces and residential units.

New Roswell city website expands listings for events

ROSWELL, Ga. — The City of Roswell launched Roswell365, a community calendar resource for all events and activities across Roswell on April 19.

Similar to the city’s official website, Roswell365 will feature events hosted by the city and also include events from local non-profits, businesses, civic groups and anyone organizing a community event in Roswell.

The free website allows residents to search events with keywords and categories. Days after launch, the calendar is populated with events like

a concert series, a soap-making class and an “open streets” day.

“This is a wonderful tool that highlights all the activities occurring in our vibrant City,” Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson said. “Everyone wins — the community knows what’s happening in our city, and organizations have a place to call home for listing their events.”

Residents can access the community calendar at Roswell365. com and register a free account to add and edit calendar items.

— Shelby Israel

THE GATHERING AT SOUTH FORSYTH/PROVIDED

This rendering shows The Gathering at South Forsyth, a mixed-use and walkable entertainment hub on 100 acres at Union Hill Road and Ronald Reagan Boulevard.

JOHNS CREEK INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

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Address:

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the Johns Creek City Council, other civic leaders in the north metro Atlanta area and beyond listened in. Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson and Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison were on the front row. Georgia Senate member Shawn Still and House member Scott Hilton were also in attendance.

A year for parks

Bradberry said the city advanced 11 sidewalk and trail projects in the past year. With recent approval of a construction contract for lower Jones Bridge Road, Bradberry said the transportation special purpose local option sales tax, or TSPLOST I, funds have been exhausted. The project’s groundbreaking is set for May 15, he said.

In 2022, the city’s Recreation and Parks Strategic Plan was also updated and some projects have been set in motion. During the park’s process, Bradberry called attention to Macedonia Cemetery’s new strategic plan.

Cauley Creek Park, the city’s largest park at 203 acres, is set to open this summer. Leading up to its opening day will be “Cauley Creek Week,” July 17-22. Bradberry noted his favorite park feature, a 14-foot-wide, soft surface, rubberized trail.

“Cauley Creek Park is sure to become a coveted destination for 5K races,” Bradberry said.

The City Council also recently reviewed a master plan for a makerspace at Cauley Creek Park’s old water reclamation facility. Councilmembers also looked at next steps for an outparcel to be used for special events at the park.

Bradberry noted progress at Creekside Park, anchored by the pond behind City Hall. Last year, its master plan was finalized, and the City Council made decisions on the park’s design.

Bradberry visualized the use of an amphitheater for performances that “will play out to an audience that’s spread out all around the lake, throughout the entire park area.”

Business development

To bolster the local economy, Bradberry said the city has been honing its focus on health, wellness and innovation.

Bradberry noted the expansion of Boston Scientific, a Massachusetts-based medical device manufacturer, which will be the anchor to Town Center’s Innovation Hub.

The company will invest $65 million for a state-of-the-art logistics facility, he said, and will bring more than 300 new life science jobs to the community.

Close to Boston Scientific will be Medley, a 42-acre, mixed-use development

from Avalon’s Mark Toro. The $400 million project will establish 200,000 square feet of new retail, restaurant and entertainment space within the city’s new Town Center.

Medley’s construction will begin this fall, Bradberry said, with an expected completion date of 2025.

While big projects are underway, Bradberry said there were many ribboncuttings for new businesses filling up once empty spaces inside the city’s shopping centers.

Community input

Bradberry stressed the importance of community input in the city’s decision making.

“The idea of bringing city elections in house is a great example of how we listen to the community and recognize everyone’s need to be a part of the process,” Bradberry said. “So, if and when we do make a change, we will be prepared to have the most fair, transparent, efficient, secure and cost-effective elections possible.”

An elections task force, led by an experienced consultant, has been on the City Council’s docket in previous work sessions.

In the past year, the city also formed a task force to address stormwater issues residents face. The action complements formation of a new stormwater utility in 2021. Residents pay about $70 a year to fund improvements to stormwater infrastructure across the city. Bradberry also referenced the city’s updated, streamlined stormwater utility manual. Coming together

Bradberry also talked about the Legacy Center project, a performing arts center that could house some of the city’s special events. He said its task force, an independent citizen-led group, has begun the formation of an “aggressive capital campaign” to raise private funds to make the project possible.

The city has implemented several volunteer-driven special events in the past year, like Diwali and Lunar New Year, intended to build camaraderie among residents.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled that we’re adding these new traditions in Johns Creek,” Bradberry said.

The mayor also announced the city’s Juneteenth special event. Juneteenth is a federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of the country’s enslaved African Americans. He also introduced city plans for a “unity breakfast” on next year’s MLK holiday.

“So when MLK said that he had a dream that one day, our nation would live up to the true meaning of its creed that all men are created equal — we have the power to make that dream a reality. I’d like to think that we are working in good faith to move forward in that spirit here in Johns Creek,” Bradberry said.

ON THE LIGHT SIDE

Eclipse Over Roswell promotes spiritual healing for open minds

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Some people have called Eclipse Over Roswell looking for manipulative spells, like one that could return a lost love. But co-owner Michael Jerome said staff stays “on the light side.”

“We have people that will call in … and we’re like, ‘Yeah, we can’t do that,’” Jerome said.

Eclipse Over Roswell, on South Atlanta Street, is a metaphysical shop. Visitors are hit with a smell of incense as they enter and an inventory of items intended for spiritual growth and healing.

Even if the spell did work, Jerome said it would create a conflict in the brain.

“They’re gonna go crazy,” he said. “It’s never gonna work out.”

Rather than playing with someone else’s free will, co-owner Azalea Johns said staff is focused on internal light and connecting it to source energy.

Metaphysical tools

Crystals are a big portion of the store’s stock, their meanings and purpose printed on cards next to each container. There’s also a collection of tarot decks, colored candles, herbs and jewelry.

Through a door behind the retail space, Jerome and Johns were situated in the “living room.” This is where meditations are held, like ones for the

New Moon. To the right of the living room, Psychic Fairs are held on the second and fourth Saturday. Several tables were lined up.

Johns, also a house practitioner, regularly leads the meditative sessions where visitors gather round and encourage one another.

“Our New Moon Meditation is all about setting new intentions. It’s new beginnings. The moon is at its darkest point then,” Johns said. “It’s just going to grow. Light is just going to start to shine all the way up to the full moon.”

She also hosts tarot classes on most Sundays, referred to as “Sunday school.”

The business has a few house practitioners, including Mahogany Rose, the self-described “herb lady” who was in-store April 25. But there’s also about a dozen guest practitioners who come in from time to time with other specialties, like TJ Lecroy, a longtime intuitive reader, also at the front counter.

Farther back, there’s a smaller room for energy healing, featuring a bed and a poster outlining the chakras. Tarot, numerology and astrology readings are also performed there.

Jerome and Johns plan to expand the business into a studio in the same shopping center, which will be dedicated to events and classes. Current back rooms would become a place for more retail. They had spoken to an architect earlier that day.

See SPIRITUAL, Page 11

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Opened in 2018, Eclipse Over Roswell is owned by Michael Jerome and Azalea Johns. The business offers a stock of metaphysical items, like crystals, candles and tarot cards, as well as energy healing, card, astrology and numerology readings and reflexology work.

Eclipse Over Roswell owner Azalea Johns regularly hosts meditation groups in the business’ “living room,” furnished with comfy couches and covered in tapestries. Tables to the right of the same room, not pictured, are used for the bi-monthly Psychic Fair.

“If someone is skeptical, I would just say — be open and receptive to all good, and then see what happens.”

AZALEA JOHNS, co-owner, Eclipse Over Roswell

Spiritual:

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New territory

Jerome was more of a skeptic before he took ownership of the business six months after it opened in May 2018. A veteran of the restaurant business, he would sometimes watch videos from a medium named John Edward, but that was his only experience.

When he first entered the venture, Jerome dove into the crystals and minerals for their geological aspects.

“As far as metaphysical properties, I kind of passed that off,” Jerome said.

Now, every day when gets home, he brushes himself with a rod of Selenite, a crystal known for its ability to cleanse energy.

“I get a chill just every time,” Jerome said. “That first time, I was like, ‘Wow, this is real.’”

He also regularly uses diffusing oils for different intentions, some for prosperity.

Meanwhile, Johns, who joined the business in July 2019, has had a longtime fascination with astrology and crystals. Tarot came later. But it wasn’t until after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 that she began to listen to the messages she had been receiving.

Johns has her own daily practice, like quiet time in the morning. She puts on her “protection” for the day by setting an intention and sometimes uses cards as a guide. Johns might pull an Oracle card, which often has a word, something to focus on. Then, she asks herself about that intention at night with the aid of tarot.

Crystals have a daily use for Johns, in her pockets and covering her wrists. Her favorites rotate, but right now, they’re lepidolite for stress and anxiety, angelite, pink calcite and strawberry quartz.

Jerome reminded Johns that she also loves Blue Goldstone, a man-made stone of glass and cobalt infused with copper particles. Online articles ascribe a variety of meanings to Blue Goldstone, like confidence and ambition, good luck.

A ‘spiritual team’

An anatomy and physiology college instructor for nearly 20 years, Johns uses her scientific knowledge of the body to connect it to the spiritual. Chakras aren’t just “ethereal” concepts, she said.

“There are real structures in your body. There’s nerve plexuses, there’s endocrine glands that are coordinated or associated with those different energy centers,” Johns said.

She’s a certified Reiki instructor, but she most often practices tarot.

“It’s interesting to see the energy that comes through when you’re in session with someone,” Johns said.

To begin a session, Johns connects what she calls a “spiritual team” — all beings of love and light, or guardian angels. The team could be ancestors, she said, or loved ones who have passed over.

“It’s about tapping into that center of love and hope and faith, and the energy that brings you peace and comfort,” Johns said.

Religion can be part of the session, Johns said, though some have come into the store under the impression that offerings are antithetical to religion.

“People come in here and tell us straight out, ‘You guys are demons,’” Jerome said.

But Jerome shared that metaphysical practices often incorporate religion. He named Judaism and Qabalah, a variety of Jewish mysticism, as well as Christianity as examples.

Eclipse Over Roswell

Address: 408 South Atlanta Street #150, Roswell Phone: 678-682-8624

Website: eclipseoverroswell.com

Johns has her own approach.

“If someone is skeptical, I would just say — be open and receptive to all good, and then see what happens. Listen to the messages that you may be getting, and trust that,” Johns said. “Follow that, and see how that feels. See how it feels in your physical body.”

Hours: Monday-Saturday, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA Eclipse Over Roswell has a diverse collection of tarot card decks.

PROVIDED

How to identify your unique interior design style

Brought to you by - Susan Gerber, Tuscany Fine Furnishings

Looking to make your home a little more you? Enlisting the help of an Interior Designer is very beneficial to guide you to decipher which interior style you prefer most and learn how to incorporate it into a space you’ll be proud of.

Creating a unique interior design style isn’t reserved for only the wealthy or artistic individual. It’s something that can be learned and refined over time, especially if you have the guidance of an interior designer.

Here is a simple breakdown of some of the more popular styles…

1. Minimalist

Incorporating philosophy and style, minimalism emphasizes beautiful, functional pieces. Uses monochromatic colors, with maybe one color as a pop of interest & highlights one or two architectural

features or decor pieces. It gives a sense of an open airy feel and has a serene uncluttered feel.

2. Mid-Century Modern

Making a comeback from the 1940’s it’s a classic style, using both clean lines and comfortable materials, like woods and leathers alongside expressive patterns and tactile textures. Look for retro pieces and classics like the Eames lounge chair to bring this style to your space.

3. Industrial

The Industrial style highlights exposed roughshod beams and aged brick, metals like copper, brass and iron, while balancing the looks roughness with stubby textures like jute and linen and well-worn leather and warm wood. Iron pipe furniture are a fantastic way to introduce an industrial element to a space that doesn’t have industrial style-friendly features like exposed bricks etc.

This is just a sampling of the many interior design

styles out there and narrowing it down to which one would suit you best is where the help of an experienced interior designer will be beneficial to you! We are always happy to help!

Susan Gerber, Interior Designer, is an accomplished, award winning interior designer with Tuscany Fine Furnishings of Roswell, providing … Lifestyle Driven Design...Furnishings for Every Room in Your Home, 1570 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Suite 315, in Roswell, 770-993-0640 ext. 2, Showroom Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6 p.m. Sun. 1-5 p.m… See why…26,000 Families Follow and Shop Tuscany on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, WHATSAPP BUSINESS, GOOGLE BUSINESS AND YOUTUBE... Everyday!

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2022 Georgia Press Association

Top features that increase your home’s selling price

Brought to you

by – Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty

According to Zillow, certain features and corresponding keywords have been shown to stand out in listings to help a home sell for a higher price. In spite of the uptick in mortgage rates and the trend toward homes appraising at higher values, serious buyers are still attracted to specific features that help them visualize their best life.

Traditionally, homeowners have been advised to renovate or update for mass appeal and avoid assuming potential buyers’ tastes. However, data from Zillow shows that the same features that turn off one type of buyer will attract others who are willing to pay more for them, especially if those elements improve lifestyle quality and add to the fun factor. Knowing which features to emphasize before you list your home can help boost its profile (both online and in person), attract serious attention and ultimately sell at a higher price point.

1. High-end cooking amenities. Discerning foodies and gourmets appreciate deluxe cooking facilities such as steam ovens, pizza ovens and professional-grade appliances, and these features earn sellers an average of

between three and five percent more.

2. Retreat spaces.

The concept of home as a retreat space has grown exponentially in popularity following the pandemic as more people work and play from home. Although the home may sit on the market slightly longer, features such as shesheds and wine cellars are prime assets, earning sellers around two percent more.

3. Upmarket materials.

If your home build or renovation includes materials such as terrazzo, soapstone and quartz, make sure to include this in your listing description. Data from Zillow shows that they are worth at least a two percent price increase.

4. Modern Farmhouse elements. From natural wood accents and apron sinks to stainless steel and polished stone, the ‘modern farmhouse’ aesthetic popularized by Joanna Gaines is the perfect blend of sophistication and comfort. Homes that fit within this category have been shown to sell for approximately two percent more.

While this information can help you prep and list your home, be sure to approach the selling process from a wellrounded point of view, understanding that regional variations always impact how a home sells in a particular area. If you need assistance staging your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you!

Compiled and edited by Angela Valente, Marketing Copywriter/Copyeditor

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PEXELS

Brought to you byGeerdes & Associates

Anyone who’s read a Victorian novel or watched Knives Out has heard about the Last Will and Testament. A Will is a document that contains an individual’s wishes for his or her asset distribution upon his or her death. There are four major parts to a Will: First, it lists identifying information for the Testator or Testatrix- the person who is writing the Will. This information generally includes the full legal name and residential address of the Testator. It can also include the birth date and contact information. Next, the Will details the powers that would be granted to the Executor of the Will. The Executor is the person named or appointed by court to distribute the decedent’s assets. After that, the Will names Guardians for any minor children that

the decedent may have. Some Wills may even name Guardians for their beloved pets! Finally, the Will should provide supplementary information that specifies terms used in the document, which prevents ambiguous terms from slowing down probate. Although these four parts may seem simple, don’t underestimate how complicated a Will can get, particularly if you want to designate specific assets such as a ring or even a property to a specific person. Properties in particular are often contested, as mortgage companies will try to claim a property after the owner’s death. Wills can also be contested if the decedent’s heirs fight amongst themselves. That’s why it’s important to not rely on generic templates or Will generators that you may find online. It is always recommended to find the help of an attorney specializing in estate planning to decide on how you can encapsulate all of your wishes in your Will.

GEERDES

Soleil Belmont Park - An extraordinary resort-level 55+ Community

After much anticipation, Soleil Belmont Park, a 55 plus gated community located between Milton and Canton, has started construction of their resort-style amenities. Built by award-winning Patrick Malloy Communities, this extraordinary new neighborhood was expertly designed with active adults in mind and features a model home park with five stunning, designer model homes.

Soleil Belmont Park’s exciting resortstyle amenities are right outside your door and include a 9,800 square foot

community clubhouse with a coffee and cocktail bar, health and fitness center, catering kitchen, arts and crafts studio, club/card room and a community post office. Homeowners will enjoy a country club-style pool, tennis and pickle ball courts, bocce ball, a community garden, and nature walking trails. In addition, Soleil Belmont Park will have its own lifestyle and travel director.

There are nine homes currently under construction of which five are READY TO CLOSE NOW. Each of these

breathtaking homes are situated on a large maintenance-free homesite. For a limited time, take advantage of a 4.99% fixed 30-year interest rate on any of the available homes making it the perfect time to purchase your new home.

Everything is all within reach with shopping, dining, and entertainment nearby in Alpharetta, Milton, and Canton, plus Northside Hospital-Cherokee is just down the road. Easy access to major interstates makes for a quick trip to downtown Atlanta or the North Georgia

Mountains. Soleil Belmont Park offers world-class resort amenities and endless opportunities for adventure.

New friends, new beginnings and new memories are all waiting to be made at a moment’s notice. There is something for everyone at Soleil Belmont Park. Priced from the $500s - $800s. Visit www.SoleilBelmontPark.com or call 770.635.4080. Sales and marketing by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Spruill Center students tour Atlanta street art

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — Since moving to Virginia Highlands in 1981, Taylor Daly said she has watched the “march of gentrification” throughout Atlanta.

“This city was built on a really strong African American economy,” Daly said, “and we have not honored it.”

Daly had just finished the introductory class on street art at the Spruill Center for the Arts, part of a six-week curriculum developed by Brave Nu Ventures. In it, Leigh Elion, an academic who examines street art in the context of urban development, lectured about the rhetoric of the medium as a response to gentrification in Atlanta’s historically Black communities.

“Street art is so important because it’s still people’s voices,” Daly said. “It’s people’s voices, and I want to be able to listen to it.”

Daly, alongside her sister and longtime friend, are among about a dozen of the course’s students. “Exploring Street Art in Atlanta” was designed over a year, with the help of local artists and scholars. Rachel Griner, founder of Brave Nu Ventures, says it’s one of only a handful out there.

“If we looked at street art with that same kind of lens of educational validity, intellectual validity, creative validity, we would have courses,” Griner said.

Griner, who lived in Atlanta 20 years ago and has recently returned, noticed how street art had grown to be a defining part of Atlanta.

“It really hit me how much of a cultural asset it is,” Griner said. “It’s everywhere.”

Griner is expected to lead one class about the merits of street art. Other instructors will be Malcom Turpin, who teaches graffiti, and Aysha Pennerman, a muralist. The course will culminate in a student-produced chalk mural on one of the Spruill Center’s walls, using insights and techniques provided by Pennerman.

As one student pointed out — the class had exclusively White women, late to middle-aged. Before the class, students shared why they decided to sign up for a course on street art.

Answers varied — whether it be the love for its aesthetic or the story, which is often political. Some also shared how they’re “illiterate” in street art and simply wanted to know more about a medium that permeates the City of Atlanta.

“One thing that I love about it is the message comes from the people and not from the media,” said one student

who had been a fan of street art for 20 years.

Street art rhetoric

Elion, director of Emory’s Writing Center, described the uniqueness of street art in how it is an active, transformative process that tells viewers something about what artists, or communities want the city to look like and how they want people to relate with one another.

“Street art, to me, offers us a powerful tool for understanding how other people want to be able to exist and live their lives in a city,” Elion said. “It’s a really powerful tool for understanding the experiences of other people, even those who might be different from us.”

Elion said Atlanta’s street art tends to deepen ties to community roots, revise narratives about belonging to include the marginalized as well as model an ethics of community engagement.

One of Elion’s objectives with her presentation was to provide students a set of questions they could use to approach or interpret street art, despite abstract qualities or personal unfamiliarity.

When viewing street art, Elion recommended that students ask themselves questions about elements of the mural, what they notice, where the mural is located — how a neighborhood might explain what is seen, and vice versa.

She also recommended students look at themselves when they look at street art.

“We might not always like an artist’s stylistic choices. We might not always get a reference. We might not agree if something is overtly political,” Elion said. “We might not agree with it. We might not understand it.”

But Elion said the art might prompt students to take up its argument and to take action like meeting their neighbors, advocating for historical preservation or affordable housing, challenging racial and gender stereotypes, or by learning about the histories important to other people.

“Street art really invites us to look at the city, so that we might, with our communities, develop a shared vision for the future,” Elion said.

To the streets

The following week, students took Elion’s instruction to the streets of the Castleberry Hills and South Downtown in Atlanta April 22, under the guidance of Claudia Hart, founder of ATL Street Art Tours.

Calling the tour an “open air gallery,” Hart used a Maya Angelou quote to define its premise: “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.” She said her objective was to create a shared experience with a diverse group of people.

Starting on Peters Street, Hart highlighted around 10 murals across a 2-mile walk, describing their history

and connection to the neighborhood as well as through her own perspective. Most of the murals offered social commentary, which Hart and Griner would ask the students about.

Some murals on the tour had been around for years, like Faatimah Stevens’ on Peters Street which has “Hey Brown Girl You’re Beautiful” in bold, black letters and an outline of a Black woman wearing a cultural headdress.

Hart said street artists in Atlanta are good at preserving murals, whereas artists in other cities might be less respectful. But walls easily become a free-for-all, she said, once someone breaks into frame with their own tag.

One mural sparked Hart to recall a conversation she had with her mother.

“She’ll say, ‘Kids are so resilient,’” Hart said. “And I’m like, ‘Please stop saying that. I understand that may be the case, but kids shouldn’t have to be resilient.”

Painted by New Orleans-based Brandan Odums, Walker Street featured a black-and-white image of a Black child with his arms raised and fists clenched. The child, genderless, appeared as though they hadn’t slept. Their eyes had a haunted look. Ribs were pronounced.

But the backdrop was bright yellow, and flowers burst forth from behind the child’s head. The words, “God is Love” were painted to the far right. Hart said the contrast could represent the need to protect innocence.

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

ATL Street Art Tours founder Claudia Hart, at right, leads students from the Spruill Center for the Arts through the Castleberry Hill neighborhood in Atlanta April 22. Behind the group is a mural by Faatimah Stevens with “Hey, Brown Girl You’re Beautiful” painted in bold black lettering and an outline of a Black woman wearing a cultural headdress.

Rachel Griner, founder of Brave Nu Ventures, introduces the first class of a street art course offered at The Spruill Center of the Arts April 15. Leigh Elion, on right, taught around a dozen students about the rhetoric of street art within the context of urban development.

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Milton comic book artist to highlight Atlanta MomoCon

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — For Milton resident Mark Brooks, the work week is no ordinary 9 to 5. Right now, he’s illustrating cover No. 16 of Marvel’s “Immortal X-Men” series.

Brooks, a critically acclaimed InkPot Award winner, starts the process using a large computer monitor tilted at 45 degrees for digital penciling. If he’s not in a time crunch, Brooks prefers the traditional process. He prints the drawing in non-photo blue and uses different mediums from there — a marker base, then Prismacolor or Polychromos pencils and acrylic paint.

There’s a purity to comic books, Brooks said.

“While yes, technology has improved, and there are people that do comics fully digitally now, it’s still an artist sitting down and having to draw these things,” he said. “It’s still done the same way today that it was done in the ’60s, or the ’50s.”

Comic books hooked Brooks as a preteen. After reading his first, “Uncanny X-Men” No. 217, Brooks bought comics every month and started drawing their contents. He named Alan Davis, who worked on “Uncanny X-Men” and continues to work for Marvel, as an inspiration.

“He just – it just captured my imagination like crazy,” Brooks said.

In May, he will be featured as a guest artist at MomoCon, an annual

multi-genre convention in Atlanta that celebrates anime, gaming, comics and cosplay. The event, which has the second largest game hall in the country, saw 42,000 attendees last year.

“Mark Brooks is definitely an icon in the comics world, so we were very excited at even the opportunity to possibly have him as a guest, much less confirm him as a guest,” said Jess Merriman, MomoCon co-founder.

This year will be Brooks’ fifth time attending MomoCon, but his first as a guest artist.

Brooks has had two decades of success, illustrating art for titles such as Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Avengers and more. He described his humble beginnings — waiting in line to meet artists at conventions, holding a scrappy portfolio of fan art.

But his career took off in 2001 at Wizard World Chicago, now Fan Expo Chicago, when he picked up gigs working on “Transformers” and “G.I. Joe.” Through connections, he found himself with a company affiliated with Marvel’s Deadpool.

“I ended up meeting Bill Jemas, who was the publisher of Marvel at the time, and he offered me work, and the rest is history,” Brooks said.

His favorite project was “Star Wars: Hans Solo,” a five-issue series nominated for an Eisner Award. He illustrated the interior work and made his wife Lisa Kwon and former editor Heather Antos part of Star Wars canon.

The two are twin Twi’lek racers.

Brooks has also stepped out of the comic book world and recently illustrated artwork for three Tool tour posters, a band known for its visual art.

It’s uncertain whether Brooks will be on a panel at MomoCon, but he will have a table where prints and books will be available. He also plans to make an appearance at Infinite Realities, a Tucker comic book shop, after the convention.

Brooks said he’s interested in seeing how visitors will receive an American comic book artist at a convention primarily focused on anime and manga.

“I’m hoping that there will be a lot of kids there looking at me cross-eyed,” Brooks said.

Brooks has been a longtime fan of anime and manga. Though his current works are more realistic in style, his early days were filled with more cartoonish, anime illustrations.

Brooks said he signs a lot of comics for adults, but he especially enjoys seeing kids who make their way to his booth.

“When you look at all the stuff they have available to them, and they still choose to sit down and read a comic book — I think that’s amazing,” Brooks said.

MomoCon, held at the Georgia World Congress Center, will take place May 25-28. For more information, visit momocon.com.

MARK BROOKS/PROVIDED

Mark Brooks, a Marvel comic book artist and Milton resident, performs a drawing demonstration on a panel sponsored by Wacom in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Brooks is often asked to do drawing demos or speak on specific topics at his guest appearances around the world.

Read Local, Shop Local

No Longer Bound Thrift Store

Ben Tison, executive director; Bethany Monroe, director of Thrift

No Longer Bound Thrift

Stores sell donations from the community including furniture, electronics, clothing, accessories and more. Customers can

shop and donate at the store and know they are saving lives by funding the nonprofit addiction treatment program.

Opened: January 14, 2023

Address: 6000 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek

Phone: 470-839-8838

Web Address: nolongerbound.com

Name: Lavish Rejuvenations

Owner: Theressa Thomas

Description: Lavish Rejuvenations is a medical spa that offers a wide range of skin rejuvenation treatments, hair restoration solutions, and supplements. We specialize in using the latest and most effective techniques, including PRP (plateletrich plasma) therapy, microneedling, neurotoxins, fillers, Kybella, LaserCap, and more.

Opened: February

Address: 5755 North Point Parkway Suite 252 Alpharetta GA 30022

Phone: 864-237-5328

Web address: https://www. lavishrejuvenations.com

Name: Newtown Hearing Center

Owner: Elisa Bobbitt, Au.D.

Description: Better hearing leads to better living. Newtown Hearing Center’s compassionate and expert team will take the time to truly understand you — not just your hearing. Personalized audiological services include hearing evaluations, hearing technology, ear wax removal, tinnitus evaluations and treatment, custom ear protection, custom swim molds, broadcasting and musician in-ear monitors.

Opened: March 1, 2023

Address: 3005 Old Alabama Rd., Suite 400 Johns Creek, GA 30022

Phone: 470-294-2116

Web address: www.newtownhearing. com

Best Date Night Hotspot

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Lessons/Studio

PRESERVING THE PAST

A downtown Alpharetta barber shop that made history

Q: Why is a barber shop like an Irish pub?

A: Because, historically, both were places where neighbors gathered to socialize, where friends congregated, and new friendships were made. Some of these shops were hardly known outside their neighborhoods, others achieved near cult status. The Alpharetta Barbershop was an example of the latter.

Hoke Wallace (1906-1990) was born in Gainesville, the son of a farmer. He started working in a local barber shop at age 12 shining shoes and sweeping floors. One day, a halfsober gentleman asked the youth to cut his hair. The result was pretty good, and Hoke gave a few more haircuts, he recalled later. Two years later he opened a barbershop in his parents’ home and charged 10 cents a haircut. He attended school through the seventh grade in Gainesville.

In 1932, at age 26 he moved to the Brandywine Community in Forsyth County and cut hair in his home. He was a barber in Roswell for two years, then worked for three years at the Bell Bomber Plant, now Lockheed Corporation, during World War ll. Then, he worked for five years in the Sims Barber shop near Georgia Tech. Later, he moved to a small brick house on North Main Street in Alpharetta where he continued to cut hair. He opened his one-man barbershop in downtown Alpharetta in 1953 and charged a quarter for a haircut. He also ran the Old Milton County Jail and helped the local undertaker. His shop was in a small wood building on Main Street. It had a barber pole mounted on one side and the name of the shop on a large Coca Cola sign above the door. (After World War I, Coca Cola Company printed the name of businesses on metal Coca Cola signs called “privilege panels”). It had room for one barber chair and about four chairs for waiting customers. He had a loyal clientele, some of whom traveled 30 miles for one of his haircuts.

Hoke was a talented musician. He played the guitar and drums. When business was slow, he picked up his guitar, often joined by his brother Clyde who played the fiddle. Hoke, Clyde and a few other musicians could usually be found entertaining folks at the Saturday night street

dances in downtown Alpharetta. Several nights each week, Hoke played guitar at square dances with his own Hoke Wallace Band throughout North Georgia and South Carolina. He became known as “the pioneer of country music.”

Hoke was a little eccentric. He refused to have a telephone in his shop because it cost too much and because clients might get phone calls in the middle of their haircuts. Whenever a customer wanted a fancy hair style, Hoke sent him to one of the two other barbers in town.

A few people have memories of Hoke. Jim Spruell, who as youth accompanied his father to Hoke’s barber shop, remembers that Hoke was always joking and “usually had a dominos game going in the back of the room where farmers and retired men would spend hours.”

Ben Hollingsworth says that clients arriving while Hoke was playing his guitar would have to wait until his song was finished to get their haircuts.

Connie Mashburn recalls that Hoke liked to fish and would close the shop on a moment’s notice if someone came in and suggested they go fishing together. Jim, Ben and Connie are board members of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society.

Hoke retired in 1986. The barbershop stood vacant for about four years, and then rather than knock it down Hoke gave it to Carlos Bagwell who owned the adjacent property. Carlos and his three sons placed telephone poles under the building and moved it to his property where he used it as a storehouse. The building was torn down when Carlos

converted the property into a parking lot in 2017.

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.

BOB MEYERS

Columnist

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

Hoke Williams talks with a customer in his cramped barber shop on Main Street in downtown Alpharetta. Photo, circa 1960s, is in the Alpharetta History Museum

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA Hoke Williams used this barber chair for many years in his one-man barber shop in Alpharetta. The chair is on display at the Alpharetta History Museum at Alpharetta City Hall.

Gardeners can take steps to help monarch population

“If you build it, he will come.”

It worked in the film classic “Field of Dreams.” Kevin Costner played Ray Kinsella, an Iowa farmer who heard a voice whisper those words to him one evening while he was walking through his cornfield. A baseball fan, Ray took it as a sign that if he had faith and went ahead and built a baseball diamond on his farm – even plowing under part of the corn crop – the great “Shoeless” Joe Jackson would show up. He went ahead and put together the field and oh my, did the baseball greats from the past show up.

So, what does a movie about baseball, albeit one nominated for three Academy Awards, have to do with monarch butterflies coming to your yard?

The eastern monarch butterfly population is in decline, and many people are motivated to help by creating their own version of a field of dreams by planting a butterfly garden.

However, sometimes we hear: “Why am I not seeing any monarch butterflies?”

Just as a baseball field has requirements —three bases, a home plate, the pitcher’s mound, etc. — there are features that a successful butterfly habitat includes. While there are no guarantees (and know that it may take some time), these tips should help.

Bring monarchs to your garden Location matters. Butterflies and other pollinators love the sun and so do their favorite flowers. They also need some protection from the wind.

Butterflies love a buffet. Asters, Anise Hyssop, bee balm, Black-eyed Susan, coreopsis, Joe Pye (a.k.a. Swallowtail Delight), lantana, milkweed, purple coneflowers, sunflowers and zinnias are favorites.

No milkweed, no monarch babies. Monarchs will happily sip nectar from different species of milkweed and other plants. However, in Georgia, the milkweed (Ascleperis tuberosa) is the host plant for their caterpillars. Check online to see what the native milkweeds for your area are. Also, remember young’uns like to eat. One or two plants probably won’t

be enough. The more milkweed, the better chance that you’ll see monarchs and eventually find their tiny pinhead-size eggs and larvae.

Beware tropical milkweed. Tropical or exotic (non-native) milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) actually harms the monarchs, according to Monarch Joint Venture. Instead of migrating to overwintering sites, year-round tropical milkweed encourages monarchs to linger, unlike the native North American milkweeds that die back. Winter larvae feeding on the tropical milkweed face multiple threats, including a higher chance of becoming infected with Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) parasites. Tropical milkweed should be cut back in the winter and fall months in the southern U.S.

No insecticides. Insecticides sprayed to control mosquitoes also control butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and more.

It may take time, but the monarchs, along with the other butterflies and pollinators, will come.

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

More information

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.

•U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Monarch Butterfly - https://www.fws.gov/savethemonarch/ •How to Build a Pollinator Garden - https://www.fws.gov/midwest/news/PollinatorGarden.html

•Project Milkweed - https://xerces.org/milkweed

•UGA Extension: Environmental Enhancement with Ornamental Plants: Butterfly Gardening - https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/C%20 975_4.PDF

About the Author

This week’s guest Master Gardener “Garden Buzz” columnist is Pam Rentz. Pam, a Roswell resident, has been a North Fulton Master Gardener since 2010. Along with a background in marketing communications for tech companies, she has a longtime passion for plants and our planet.

PAM RENTZ Guest Columnist

Fun, fond memories at drive-in theater

projection equipment in the beautiful new Peachtree Drive-in Theatre. (Atlanta Constitution, July 14, 1950)

The price was $1 for adults, 50 cents for children, or a carload of people for $2.25. The sign at the entrance included reminders to turn off your headlights and advertised “family fun by the carload.”

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF

Columnist

Going to the drive-in theater was once a popular activity for families, teenagers and adults. If you do not have drive-in movie memories, think of the movie “Grease,” and you will get the picture. A couple of friends hopping out of the back of the car, parking next to a speaker, a refreshment building and often a playground or swings are part of the story.

The Peachtree Drive-In Theatre was on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Chamblee, across from where Chamblee Plaza would later open. On July 14, 1950, a grand opening was held at the drive-in. The Southeastern Theatre Equipment Company announced, “We are proud to have installed the latest RCA sound and

The Peachtree Drive-in had not only a playground but also a miniature train for children to ride. Butch Armstrong, an alumni of Chamblee High School worked as a conductor on the train. He also worked in concessions. James Wyckoff worked at concessions selling popcorn. Bruce Jones and Jerry Beatty worked at the drive-in. Beatty recalls making 75 cents an hour.

Other Chamblee High School alums recall riding the train and playing at the playground. Trudy McElroy loved the playground, swings and train. Some recall an extra friend or two hopping in the trunk.

Karen Hansen Legg recalled, “We kids would be all bundled up in the back of our station wagon in our pajamas.” Tammy Eder Parker’s mom popped a bag of grocery store popcorn to bring along, as did Debbie Decker Kay’s dad before getting in the family station wagon.

Rita Wolf Deese remembers her mother taking her to the drive-in to see the Beatles “A Hard Day’s Night” in 1964. Michael Satterlee remembers seeing “Mondo Cane.”

The Peachtree Drive-in closed in 1968.

According to cinematreasures. org the North 85 Drive-in at 3265 NE Expressway in Chamblee opened in 1965 with Gregory Peck in “Mirage” and Tony Young in “Taggart.” The drivein was converted to a double screen in 1975 and closed in 1998. Today, this is the location of Regal Hollywood Theatre.

For the last years North 85 Drive-in

was open, a flea market was held on the weekends. Memories of North 85 Drive-in also include a playground.

North 85 Drive-in and Northeast Expressway Drive-in were not far from each other. Northeast Expressway drive is now 3200 Atlanta Silverbacks Way in Chamblee. This drive-in opened in 1963 with “Hootenanny Hoot” and “Where the Boys Are” as the featured films.

Northeast Expressway Drive-in converted to a double screen theater in 1975. Spaghetti Junction was built close to the former theater, and it closed in 1983.

Thanks to the Chamblee High School alumni for sharing their memories of drive-in theaters.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Sandy Springs. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

With suffering a part of life, planning is important

Fundamental to successful financial life planning is understanding the known vagaries of life and strategizing how best to deal with them. There are certain “known knowns,” as Donald Rumsfeld, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, famously observed, among them the inevitability of death and the likelihood of suffering along the way, whether from injury, sickness or other bodily or emotionally related happenstance. Painful and disruptive occurrences are not pleasant to think about so it’s easy to defer advance planning in favor of more pressing or more enjoyable life circumstances.

These thoughts came to mind on Holy Thursday during Holy Week, on the day before Good Friday, as Christians contemplated the last week of Jesus’ life on earth. Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist and new priesthood. It was the night that Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested. Good Friday focuses on the passion of the Lord, his scourging, the carrying of his cross while in excruciating pain, and his bloody

crucifixion and death on the cross. This was the Son of God, our Creator, sharing fully in our human condition, suffering rejection, humiliation, pain, emotional distress and a gruesome death. All of this was prelude to the good news of Easter and of resurrection.

As mortals with complex and interdependent bodies and souls, we do at times endure excruciating pain and emotional anguish. The adjective, excruciating, stems from the Latin words excruciatus and excruciare. These were Roman words meaning “to afflict, harass, vex, torment,” in a manner as gruesomely painful as a crucifixion. The crucifixion process produced suffering so intense that new Latin words came into usage to describe them, and they exist today in English as the root of excruciate. Excruciating may also seem to apply to the pain caused by tedious tasks, paperwork snafus, or long waits, such as those suffered by both the patient and loved ones in overburdened emergency rooms and hospitals.

If you are an adult age 18 or older in Georgia and need medical attention, you are protected by federal privacy laws regarding your medical condition. However, in a serious circumstance you may not be able to make rational decisions about your care or be able to communicate your wishes. This also applies to end-of-life care. Someone you know, someone who

loves and cares about you, someone who understands your wishes and religious preferences, should have the authority to work with doctors, hospitals, and emergency workers, legal authorization to make decisions that he or she knows reflect your wishes and values.

The person to whom you delegate power of decision-making, and a backup person if the primary designee is not available, may be contained in legal documents such as a Living Will, an Advance Directive for Health Care, or a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. You can easily find sample documents on the internet, but a better option is an overall and comprehensive living and testamentary estate plan formulated with the guidance of an experienced financial adviser who can coordinate with an estate and trust planning attorney, along with input from those busy loved ones who may have to step in on your behalf. Medical care overall and end-of-life care in particular is complex with all parties demanding reams of paperwork and funding to protect them from, among other things, rising costs and complex malpractice and legal claims.

The Archdiocese of Atlanta recently published a new Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care in conformity with Catholic teaching. Whether you are Catholic or not, the document is worth reviewing as it contains

important things to consider relative to a myriad of choices. See archatl. com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ georgia-advance-directive-catholicteaching-2015.pdf

Baby boomers, with the oldest turning 77 this year, remain a massive population cohort and long-term care represents the single largest potential financial and emotional burden for seniors and their families. A recent article in the Atlanta JournalConstitution (4/2/23) noted that costs for 40 hours of weekly home health assistance can exceed $56,000 per year. Nursing home intensive care can cost someone an average of $120,000 per year out of pocket unless one qualifies for Medicaid. While sometimes a son, more often it’s a daughter who steps up to take care of mom or dad, or grandma or grandpa. She is likely to be in her late 40s or early 50s with children of her own with demanding needs, including education and car pooling, while juggling work and other challenges. What’s your plan for family care, including time, money, and resources?

Those who are young and healthy may not think they have a stake in such planning, but accidents, serious illness and death do not respect age. Making decisions to cope with the vagaries of life is best done in a period of calm, not under duress, stress,

See SUFFER, Page 28

LEWIS J. WALKER, CFP

Columnist The Investment Coach

The Proud. The Few. Always a fit.

Shame on me for not seeing the big picture a lot sooner. As a coach of a 12-year-old baseball team, Jud Howard was a kid who could part the clouds on a bad day.

There was an assistant coach so infuriating he could’ve made any preacher cuss like a Marine. With a comment and some encouragement, Jud offered perspective that was wise beyond his years. Sitting on a bucket between innings, often it was difficult for me to appreciate who was doing the coaching.

Of course, without exception, I always walked away giggling at the perspective of a 6th-grader well on his way to being able to invent curse words that were both creative and appropriate. It’s also germane that Jud could do a spoton imitation of me as a third-base coach, complete with signs, armwaving and facial expressions.

No fear from a 12-year-old. It was a preview of what would be his life five years later. Tack on another five years and Jud, last week, left California and his life as Sgt. Howard USMC, behind. Prior to hopping on a bus and heading for legendary Parris Island in South Carolina, I joined The Order of The Restless Nights (Jon Howard, Cheech Milano and Papa Kenny Cagle) sat around his dad’s pool, smoking cigars and trying to find the words to express our feelings.

We guys aren’t the best at that type of thing, so we wished him the best, handed him a little spending money and saw him off. Kenny has since died. Rest assured he would have been about to pop when Jud came home.

It’s hard to fathom the terror going through Jud’s mind on that bus ride headed for the low country swamps. A stop at a gas station

Continued from Page 27

pain, and immediacy. The life of Jesus teaches us many things, including the reality that life is relatively short when measured against eternity. The excruciating pain and suffering of our Lord God Creator were meant as a lesson for us all.

before passing through the base gates resulted in his last purchase for a while.

“I drank a Yoo-Hoo. Don’t know why, but that’s what I wanted.”

He probably would have opted for something stronger, had Jud known what awaited him. And the fact that he was 17 and about to meet his drill instructor precluded any cutting up.

We’ve all seen the movies about what occurs when you meet your drill instructor for the first time. It was sobering seeing his boss, inside the gates, arms crossed and looking like he was in the foulest of moods. From that moment on, until it got better, the instructors wreaked havoc on the recruits. The molding into Marines started at that moment.

“They broke us down, then built us up. We were the lowest scum on earth. They stripped us down. They knew what they were doing. It was controlled chaos.”

After three months, he had become a Marine. He had accomplished something most couldn’t survive, with the peace of mind that he would never have to go through it again. But it didn’t stop there.

After distinguishing himself while going through infantry school, Jud was chosen as a member of FAST (Fleet Anti-terror Strike Team), an elite unit that is deployed whenever things will probably get messy.

In deference to Jud as he tried to decompress from his five-year hitch, we didn’t talk much about specific missions, except for being on a ship somewhere “over there,” with Jud as a leader of 18 teammates who were ready to hit the ground and fight.

Luckily there was no Chinese invasion, but Jud was ready. He had trained his team to be outstanding.

“It’s like football, training all day like it’s a scrimmage. Being the first Marines on the ground was going to be like the Super Bowl.”

Suffering, whether physical or emotional, is part of our human condition. You can respond in ways that are destructive, such as aggressive actions, anger, excessive drinking, drugs, imprudent and immoral behavior. Or you can respond in positive ways that illustrate life lessons well learned, a process that builds character and resilience. A life of purpose and meaning, one of gratifying success and happiness, is

It was heartwarming to read on Facebook the comments from the men who Jud led. He was like a father figure to men some 10 years his senior. He thought about staying in but says “The juice wasn’t worth the squeeze.”

His dad is thrilled to have Jud home. No more wondering what part of the world his son is in. Not much traveling when you embark on a career as an Atlanta fire inspector.

As a youth coach, you want to be a hero to your players. Jud is now my hero. “The Few. The Proud” has never been more appropriate.

Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.

about choices. Choose wisely!

Lewis Walker, CFP®, is a life centered financial planning strategist with Capital Insight Group (CIG); 770441-3553; lewis@capitalinsightgrp. com. Securities & advisory services offered through The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA), which is otherwise unaffiliated with CIG. Lewis a Gallup Certified Clifton Strengths Coach and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA).

MIKE TASOS Columnist

JUD HOWARD/SPECIAL TO APPEN MEDIA

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