Johns Creek Herald - September 14, 2023

Business club invests in young professionals

By ADAM DARBY newsroom@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — For most industries, it is important to learn from seasoned field experts. In the hopes of providing knowledgeable insights and financial education for aspiring students, the Junior Economic Club of Atlanta continues meeting with financial investment professionals while leading economics education initiatives of their own at local elementary and middle schools.

Rotary marks 9/11

Retired NYPD policeman describes ground zero

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — More than 100 people listened to Kenneth Marchello, retired police officer with the New York Police Department, share his experience at ground zero during 9/11.

“It seems like it was yesterday,” Marchello said, at the Patriot Day program Sept. 11.

The early morning program,

hosted by the rotary clubs of Johns Creek and Johns Creek North Fulton, took place at the Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater at Newtown Park. Rotary club presidents Rory Robichaux and Arthur Holst as well as Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry welcomed guests.

Behind the speakers, a screen showed the names of the 2,977 people who died from the terrorist attacks.

At the event, the Johns Creek Veterans Association Color Guard

See PATRIOT, Page 20

At top: Kenneth Marchello, who served in the New York Police Department, describes his experience at ground zero during the 9/11 attacks at the Patriot Day program held at Newtown Park Sept. 11. Award-winning journalist Donna Lowry, at left, interviewed Marchello about his experience. Above: The Johns Creek Veterans Association Color Guard marches to the stage to post the colors.

“Economics and finance are the driving force of the decisions people make every day,” said Anant Verma, the club’s Assistant Chief Marketing Officer and a sophomore at Lambert High School in Suwanee. “Everybody, including students, can make better decisions when educated in the fields of economics and finance.”

This past summer, the club met with the City of Atlanta's Treasurer Courtney Knight along with Invesco's Head of Global Equity Syndicate Trading Linda Allen and Portfolio Manager James Nelson at the firm’s corporate headquarters. The event included a tour of the new building before participants engaged in a panel discussion centered around the current environment in fixed-income,

See BUSINESS, Page 7

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

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Resident reports BMW, wallet stolen from home

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man reported to police Aug. 29 that his vehicle, containing his wallet, was stolen at his residence on Galewind Court.

The victim said his key fob had fallen underneath a seat in the vehicle, and instead of retrieving the key fob, he chose to use his secondary set to operate the vehicle. He believed the doors of his blue 2016 BMW 528i were not locked and the suspect stole it by using the key fob that had been left behind.

His wallet was in the vehicle, containing debit and credit cards. The victim told police there had been six fraudulent payments, totalling $1,260.

Police searched for the victim’s vehicle on the Flock system. It was last seen at around 4:15 a.m. that morning in Powder Springs, the police report said.

Police arrest driver for traffic violations

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police arrested an Alpharetta man Aug. 30 for failure to maintain lane, driving without a license and driving on the wrong side of the roadway.

At around 5:45 a.m. that morning, police observed a gray Honda Odyssey fail to maintain its lane on Jones Bridge Road and drive on the wrong side of the roadway through the opposing left turn lane going northbound in the southbound lane.

When police stopped the vehicle,

they discovered the driver had an expired North Carolina driver’s license from 2012 and an expired Georgia ID card from 2007.

Police placed him under arrest and transported him to the North Fulton County Jail in Alpharetta.

Scammers try recruiting woman for information

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek woman reported to police Aug. 30 that someone had attempted to scam her out of money when she applied to a job online.

After applying for the position, the police report said the woman was interviewed via text message and received what she thought to be a job offer.

But the company Professional Text Consultants Inc. was later discovered to be fraudulent, the police report said, using the name of a reputable company in Florida.

The woman completed a document regarding her new employment Aug. 29, requiring her personal phone number, home address, email, Social Security card, green card and other personal information.

After she sent the document to the fake company, the police report said the business began to insist she send them $650. When she refused to do so, the report said the company began to give the woman the cold shoulder.

Business owner reports break-in with bricks

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The owner of the Smoke Factory on Holcomb Bridge Road reported to police Aug. 31 that someone had broken into the store with bricks.

The owner said he received a call from his alarm company at around 3:50 a.m. that morning, informing him of a triggered alarm at the

location.

He then opened a live stream camera, the police report said, showing a vehicle that appeared to be parked in front of the business with its headlights on. A few minutes later, the owner saw the vehicle begin to exit the parking spot and heard squealing tires towards the exit, the police report said.

When the owner arrived on scene, he noticed the front door had been shattered and saw many items from his showcase to be missing. Police saw two white vape boxes near where the owner said the vehicle was, and the owner said they matched the merchandise sold in his store.

No footage was obtained of suspects, the police report said, and detectives arrived at the scene for further investigation.

Atlanta Woman arrested for fake ID, attempted fraud

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta police have arrested a 45-year-old Atlanta woman who allegedly attempted to steal mail from the post office using a false ID.

Reports said officers arrived at the USPS office on Webb Bridge Road in Alpharetta at about 1:30 p.m. Sept. 2, responding to reports a fraud suspect was being held for police.

Officers learned the woman offered a fraudulent paper identification card while attempting to pick up a stock of held mail. However, when workers investigated, they learned the woman was not who she claimed to be, and the real mail recipients didn’t even know their mail was placed on hold.

Under police questioning the woman admitted the ID card was fake, but refused to tell officers where she got it from or why she was attempting to pick up the mail.

The woman was charged with possession of a fraudulent or altered identity document and was transported to the Fulton County Jail.

Sheriff’s Office reports fatal crash on Ga. 369 and Waldrip Road

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office reported a fatal crash between a car and a motorcycle around 8:45 p.m. Sept. 7 on Waldrip Road and Ga. 369.

Sheriff’s Office officials said the driver of the car, a 35-year-old from Gainesville, was waiting to turn left onto Ga. 369 from Waldrip Road. The

driver reportedly failed to yield for motorcyclist Timothy Cantrell, 53, of Cleveland, who was traveling west on the highway approaching Waldrip Road.

The driver turned left and struck Cantrell’s motorcycle, according to the agency. Cantrell was transported to a local hospital and was

pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The driver of the car received minor injuries.

Deputies reported determining the driver of the car to be impaired by multiple substances at the time of the crash. He was arrested following his release from the hospital and charged with felony homicide by vehicle in the

Milton mayor reports death threats

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison reported threatening calls and text messages he received to police Sept. 6.

to Milton Police Chief Rich Austin, who was also at City Hall, the report said. Austin said the caller replied, “I’m going to kill you and everyone there,” then disconnected the phone.

Phone: 770-442-3278 www.northfulton.com

that read, “there’s gonna be a change round here” and another that read, “There’s eyes on you n ur lil family.”

first degree, as well as misdemeanor DUI multiple substances and failure to yield turning left.

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

— Shelby Israel

Jamison told detectives he received a call from a number he didn’t recognize, before the Milton City Council meeting Wednesday evening. The caller threatened to kill the mayor, according to the police report.

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Minutes later, Jamison received three more text messages. One demanded that the mayor “leave now” and to not “show up in any part of Milton exposed.” Another read “Georgia is going down. Especially here.”

The Milton Criminal Investigations Division was given all the current details of the incident and will be conducting the investigation moving forward, the police report said.

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City responds to elections board complaint

Counsel for state democrats speaks at council meeting

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Since Milton began preparing for its first self-conducted municipal election, officials have been relatively silent on the scrutiny they have faced regarding their administration. That changed Wednesday night with an official statement drafted by Milton’s city attorney office.

City Councilman Paul Moore read the statement into record at a Milton City Council meeting Sept. 6. Before doing so, Moore described a number of “attacks” on the city by an “angry” blogger, the Milton Herald and others.

“It’s been unfortunate that we don’t have an opportunity very often to correct the record, and we’ve been pretty quiet as a city in doing so,” Moore said. “What came to my attention recently is that there was another attack on the city by an attorney.”

The city’s statement was a response to allegations raised in a complaint filed to

Milton City Councilman Paul Moore reads an official statement at the Sept. 6 Milton City Council meeting, responding to a complaint filed to the State Election Board by an Atlanta elections lawyer. That night, officials also approved three Election Day polling locations at City Hall, the Community Center at Milton Park and Preserve and the Milton Public Safety Complex in addition to precincts.

the State Elections Board by Bryan Sells, an Atlanta lawyer who specializes in voting rights, election law and redistricting.

“There is no merit to the suggestion that Milton’s process has been

compromised, or anything other than front-facing, transparent, thoroughly vetted and legally compliant,” Moore read from the letter, then read again for emphasis.

Sells’ complaint is not the first notice filed to the state questioning Milton’s municipal election process. Another was a letter sent in August by Milton Families First, an independent expenditure committee which raises money to influence elections.

Sells levies state election code for his argument, alleging Milton didn’t have the authority to change the number and boundary of voting precincts. In an interview with Appen Media last month, Sells offered his own interpretation of Georgia law.

“Polling places in Fulton County can only be changed by the Fulton County Commission,” Sells said.

At the Wednesday meeting, Milton officially approved three polling locations for Election Day, one in each council district, for its Nov. 7 election. Votes can be cast at City Hall, the Community Center at Milton Park and Preserve and the Milton Public Safety Complex. Before this year, Fulton County provided eight polling locations.

In an August interview Appen Media questioned Milton City Attorney Ken Jarrard about Sells’ interpretation.

Jarrard cited a state code section that delineates powers to the “superintendent of county or the governing authority of the municipality” — interpreting it to mean the City Council was legally allowed to cast decisions on its election administration.

The letter read by Moore Sept. 6 reiterated and expanded upon that reading

AMBER

Matthew Weiss, who serves as the deputy general counsel to the Democratic Party of Georgia, raises concerns about Milton’s election administration at the Milton City Council meeting Sept. 6. He said its election oversight is being watched by other cities in Fulton County weighing the option of running their own in near-future election cycles.

of the law.

In his complaint to the State Elections Board, Sells also took issue with the “improper influence” into the hiring of the city’s election consultant as well as incumbents participating in the administration of their own election.

But the city says this implicit suggestion, that incumbents must recuse, is untenable.

“If it were the case that council members whose posts were on the ballot were disqualified from voting on precincts, or other logistical issues, then during the 2025 city election cycle, a quorum of council would be automatically disqualified,” Moore read.

Matthew Weiss, who serves as the deputy general counsel for the Democratic Party of Georgia, brought forth concerns similar to Sells’ during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Weiss also said having one early voting location, which is at City Hall, is “less than ideal.”

He went on to say this municipal election will have “outsized importance,” because other cities in Fulton County are looking at how Milton is administering its election for their own 2025 and 2027 municipal election cycles.

“I think it’s important to us and to the voters of Milton that everything is done in compliance with state election code, regulations,” Weiss said.

Appen Media has covered the movement in North Fulton toward cityrun municipal elections since breaking the story in August 2021.

Send thoughts, tips and story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

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PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Area hockey team headed to Canada

By ADAM DARBY newsroom@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Ben Parsons, a 12-year-old seventh grader at Northwestern Middle School, joined his Atlanta Fire Hockey Club teammates in an electronic recycling fundraiser at The Cooler Sept. 9 to raise funds for their upcoming tournament in Quebec, Canada. While the event was free, optional donations were appreciated to support the team with their travels in February. The team hoped to use this opportunity to help preserve the environment and make a positive impact on the community by safely recycling electronics that would otherwise end up in landfills.

“The boys are trying to incorporate a few different fundraisers to raise money to help with the costs associated with the Quebec tournament,” said Michelle Parsons, Ben’s mother. “But they were really excited when one of the players' parents suggested the electronics recycling fundraiser. It is an opportunity to help the community and help the environment.”

Parsons plays forward for the Atlanta Fire Pee Wee Quebec team which serves as part of the Southeastern Showcase League. Founded in 1960, the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament remains the oldest and most prestigious youth minor league tournament in the world. Attended annually by more than 120 teams representing 40 different countries, more than 1,100 former participants have gone on to play in the NHL including Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Marcel Dionne.

“All of the kids are really excited about having the opportunity to play hockey in another country and experience another culture,” Michelle said. “The program allows the players to stay with a French-speaking family for most of the 10-day tournament. The boys know that some of the most famous NHL players have played in this tournament.”

According to the Atlanta Fire Hockey Club website, the special tournament provides players with a “once-in-alifetime, multicultural experience.”

Joining Parsons on the team are a few of his Northwestern classmates. In the hopes of continuously raising funds, the boys previously held an Atlanta Fire season kick-off party to sell raffle tickets along with offering sponsorship opportunities to local businesses.

Kicking off next year with their biggest tournament, the team “prepare, train, and play hard all season” in the

hopes of competing well against teams from all over the world.

“What we found is that the hockey community is really family. His teammates and their entire families are a special group of friends. The boys are really excited about getting to know each other, learning, and growing as a team,” Michelle said. “The positive impact that hockey provides are its many life lessons including discipline, respect, teamwork, communication skills, and humility.”

To learn more about the Atlanta Fire Hockey Club, visit www.cooler.com/ atlanta-fire. For more information about the fundraiser, visit www.givebutter. com/atlfirerecycles.

Ben Parsons, middle, and his teammates are excited to raise funds for their Quebec tournament early next year.

Roswell groups to host mental health festival

ROSWELL, Ga. — To kick off the 2023 fall season right, with arts, music, games and more, officials say the 14th annual Roswell Day of Hope will be held downtown once again later this month.

Hosted each year by Hope Roswell, a partnership of churches and other organizations in the Roswell area, this year’s youth festival will focus on combatting suicide and hopelessness in young people by spreading awareness and fun with the community.

Officials said that in between food trucks, raffles and free games, festival attendees will learn to recognize the leading causes of depression, anxiety and suicide, how to recognize when someone is suffering in silence and what steps to take to get them help.

“We found that so many people were unaware of these problems ‘in

our town,’” Event Volunteer Lisa Loughridge said. “We were able to share signs to watch for as a parent and teen as well as offer tip lines to contact for help.”

Additionally, the festival will provide free services, like medical exams and dental checkups for children 12 and under. A limited amount of grocery donations and shoes will be available, officials said.

Art purchases made at the festival will benefit Hope Roswell’s community outreach group, which meets throughout the year to address needs in the community.

This free event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill Street. For more information on the Day of Hope, visit www.hoperoswell.org.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Education Foundation awarded over $109,000 in grants to 26 county schools and programs on #FoundationFriYAY Aug. 25.

A duck mascot visited Big Creek, Brookwood, Chattahoochee, Chestatee, Coal Mountain, Cumming, Johns Creek, Kelly Mill, Mashburn, Midway, New Hope, Poole’s Mill, Settles Bridge, Sharon and Silver City elementary schools to present staff and students with checks.

The money contributed to school facilities and projects, including a weather station, learning spaces, an irrigation project, a book vending machine, a jungle walk, a creation station and vertical whiteboards.

High school recipients included

Forsyth Central, North Forsyth, South Forsyth and West Forsyth. The four schools received funds for a wellness initiative, science ambassadors, a multimedia lab and calculators.

One middle school, Riverwatch, received $5,000 for a virtual reality classroom.

Non-school recipients included the Penguin Project at the Forsyth County Arts and Learning Center and the North United school cluster.

The grants were funded through the Education Foundation’s 2023 Duck Dive for Education. Participants at the March 31 raffle paid $10 to be assigned a duck number. The participant who purchased the winning rubber duck won $10,000.

— Shelby Israel

Schools receive $109,000 from 2023 duck dive raffle

FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOLS/PROVIDED

Big Creek Elementary School students and staff pose with “The Duck,” who delivered a check Aug. 25 for a weather station at the school. The grant was funded through the Forsyth County Education Foundation’s 2023 Duck Dive for Education.

— Alexander Popp

FILE PHOTO

The 14th annual Day of Hope event will feature speakers, free services like medical exams and supplies, as well as raise funds for the community outreach group Hope Roswell.

Business:

Continued from Page 1

syndicate capital, equities, and foreign exchange markets. Each professional shared insights into the current economic landscape, investment strategies and the impact of financial markets on the local community.

“This meeting provided valuable insights to all of our members who attended,” Verma said. “The feedback has been extremely positive. The City of Atlanta and Invesco were quite happy to host us.”

Founded in 2018, the studentled nonprofit has brought together “bright and ambitious” high school students to better understand current economic issues in the public and private sectors. Since its inception, the club has impacted over 320

students, 50 schools, and 19 school districts in the Atlanta area. The organization’s central mission is to promote economic education and financial awareness while also facilitating networking opportunities with business professionals for active members.

“We’ve worked with many other professionals in the field in the past including the City of Atlanta’s CFO Mohammad Balla and the Georgia Tech Chair of Economics Dr. Laura Taylor,” Verma said. “I would say the Junior Economic Club of Atlanta has provided [students with] real-world knowledge in the world of economics for a more holistic educational experience."

To learn more about the Junior Economic Club of Atlanta or become involved, visit www.jecatlanta.org or email board@junioreconomicclub.org.

Hall, DNP, FNP-C Johns Creek Only Samantha Lewis, FNP-C Johns Creek:

Yianna Manolakis, FNP-C Milton Only Heather Menees, FNP-C Johns Creek Only

Samantha Benson

JUNIOR ECONOMIC CLUB OF ATLANTA/SPECIAL TO APPEN MEDIA

The Junior Economic Club of Atlanta members visited Invesco’s corporate headquarters to tour the new building and discuss relevant economic issues facing the local community. The club’s members received valuable insights from Invesco’s top business and finance professionals.

Forsyth County salon delivers clients a sense of belonging

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Level Spa Salon owners George-Anna “Georgie” Wood and Andrea Craighead have two decades of experience as stylists, but at their salon, business is secondary to creating a home away from home.

“The atmosphere we want to create when you come in is warm, cozy, homey, inviting,” Wood said. “And that’s probably the biggest one. We want our salon to be just an inviting space.”

Wood and Craighead execute their vision through an open floor plan, without the partitions separating chairs that are often found at salons. Stylists can share ideas and have conversations while working, and clients can interact with other stylists if one is busy.

“Our clients, we want them to feel comfortable if they need to see other people because we are … kind of that family environment,” she said.

Wood and Craighead opened Level Spa Salon on Peachtree Parkway in 2007 during the Great Recession. Despite the economic climate, the pair found immediate success in their first and only location.

“I think that we were just the right amount of young and dumb and driven,” Wood said. “Because I mean, we worked, for sure, six days a week for the first two years, [first] year for sure … And even at those times, I don’t remember it being really that much of a chore … We were excited. Failing wasn’t an option.”

Craighead said in the early days, the two worked 10- to 12-hour days, driven to not have debt from their business venture. Their dedication, and their commitment to crafting an intimate environment, paid off, and Level Spa Salon cemented a loyal following.

“I would say 80 percent of our clientele, if not more, we’ve probably serviced for a minimum of 15, if not 20-plus, years,” Craighead said. “You know, it’s a family. They just were so excited to just want to see us grow.”

Mutual beginnings

Craighead, who hails from a rural Florida town, said she never seriously considered styling as a career until moving to Georgia in 1997. She said she came from a creative background and loved dolling up her three sisters, but her small hometown did not afford much opportunity.

“I used to lock myself in the bathroom knowing that I was going to get grounded,” Craighead said. “I was always very into my hair and extreme styles from the get-go. So, I was grounded a lot.”

She began working at a salon in Alpharetta in 2000, where she met Wood, who shared a similar background of loving to dress up and wear makeup. Wood said she knew in high school she wanted to go to cosmetology school, but first, she tried her hand at a business degree.

“I got about two years into the college route, which I loved,” Wood said. “I loved that experience, but I wouldn’t say I’m the

See SALON, Page 9

LEADERSHIP NORTH FULTON ANNOUNCES NEW CLASS of 2024

Shayaa Baksh, Atlanta Gas Light

Harry Bentley III, City of Alpharetta

Steven Braun, BROS RŌMAN BRÄUN

Mike Breit, Edward Jones

Katie Bowling, LGE Community Credit Union

Sean Byers, ATLAS

The Greater North Fulton Chamber is pleased to announce the members of the Leadership North Fulton Class of 2024 led by Chairs Mary Beth Byerly, University of North Georgia, and Ben Huard, GO Agency.

Claire Cates, North Fulton Community Charities

Grayson Clark, Parrish Construction Group

Michelle Coleman, Crabapple LandscapExperts

Stephen Davis, Atlanta Apartment Association

Audrey Degen, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Carolynn DeSandre, University of North Georgia

Clint Elliott, YMCA of Metro Atlanta

Mary Fazio, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

Kimberly Foodman, Financial Consultants Group

Cari Fundora, Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant

Lauren Garren, W&A Engineering

Rebecca Hampson, Children’s Development Academy

Molly Holway, Three Sisters Catering, LLC

Tasha Johnson-Parker, The Cottage School

Andy Kalajian, Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting, LLC

Shiv Kotagal, Radin Marketing, LLC

Jami Lakshminarayanan, Wellstar North Fulton Hospital

Andrew Long, Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

Shawn McCabe, iThink Financial

Lauren Middlebrooks, Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC

Alexis Mitchell, Frazier and Deeter, LLC

Kaylee Murtagh, Kimley-Horn & Associates

Linda Olejniczak, Blazej & Associates

Sergio Pacheco, Nothing Bundt Cakes Alpharetta & Sandy Springs

David Pascarella, ServisFirst Bank

Tukker Penrod, Saprea

Danielle Purdie, Visit Roswell

Michael Stainback, Brasfield & Gorrie

Maria Walden Sullivan, Community Foundation for NE Georgia

Brit Young, Bridgeford, LLC

PHOTOS BY SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

From left, owner Andrea Craighead, customer service representative M.J. and owner Georgie Wood welcome guests to Level Spa Salon Sept. 1. Craighead and Wood have owned the salon on Peachtree Parkway since 2007.

Level Spa Salon, located in Suite 160 at 405 Peachtree Parkway, offers customized hair services Sept. 1. Owners Georgie Wood and Andrea Craighead opened the salon in 2007 after meeting as coworkers in Alpharetta.

… And even at those times, I don’t remember it being really that much of a chore … We were excited. Failing wasn’t an option.

GEORGE-ANNA “GEORGIE” WOOD, co-owner, Level Spa Salon

Level Spa Salon features an open floor plan with no partitions separating chairs Sept. 1. Owner Georgie Wood said the design aims to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Salon:

Continued from Page 8

best academic student. And I just was like, ‘… This is going to take me another three years, then hair school. Let me just get that middle portion out of the way.’ So yeah, went to hair school and surprisingly, I was a way better student.”

Reflecting on 23 years of working together, Craighead said she and Wood have been “married” longer than they have to their husbands, and they have spent more of their lives together than apart.

While Wood and Craighead had a heavy workload during its early years, Level Spa Salon now employs 13, including the owners, who still style and work with clients.

“It’s just real life, and then you get to be creative,” Craighead said. “Nobody ever comes in feeling worse when they leave. Even if it’s a bad day, you’re always making it better.”

A complete experience

Much like their commitment to customer service, Wood and Craighead strive to make working at the salon the best possible experience for their stylists. They said they offer their employees holidays and holiday weekends off, as well as a 401(k).

“We mentor these people to buy houses and cars and build credit and create not just a career for themselves, but a life for themselves,” Craighead said.

One of their employees, Melissa “M.J.” Janes, has worked at Level Spa Salon for 11 years and handles customer service. She said the salon is like a second home to her, and it is her safe space.

Level Spa Salon also provides mentorship for Forsyth Central and West

Forsyth high school students, who can gain credits working at the salon to earn a license through the schools’ cosmetology programs.

Although the salon offered other services in the past, Craighead said Level Spa Salon now focuses on hair, its standout service.

“We’re always open for something new,” she said. “In the past years, we’ve had massage, we’ve had nails, we’ve had eyebrow waxing, facials, but we have realized that we’re hairdressers, and that’s what we’re best at.”

Craighead emphasized the salon’s commitment to testing and enjoying the products it sells. Wood said Level Spa Salon currently sells nutritional supplements for skin and hair health.

Wood said the salon offers customized hair coloring, cutting, detailing and styling. Even if five customers request the same thing, she said Level Spa Salon aims for a personalized experience.

“Everybody is different, and each head of hair is different and will be customized to what fits and suits them,” Wood said.

“I feel like we definitely strive to give that more personal, detailed approach, versus a one-haircut-shop kind of style.”

Level Spa Salon is in Suite 160 at 405 Peachtree Parkway. More information on pricing, hours and appointments can be found at levelspasalon.com.

Each week Appen Media asks a staff reporter to profile a business, nonprofit or commerce group they find interesting.

Do you have an idea for a future profile? Send tips and story leads to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

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Merkel Cell A farewell to Jimmy Buffet

Tragically, Jimmy Buffett, the famous singer-songwriter, recently passed away of a skin cancer. It has been reported that he died of Merkel cell carcinoma, a very rare skin cancer, and many patients have been asking me about this cancer since his passing.

The good news is that Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is rare. Only about 3,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States, which is in contrast to about 100,000 cases of melanoma diagnosed each year.

Merkel cell carcinoma is named after the “Merkel cell” – a type of cell at the end of nerve endings in our skin and involved in our sense of touch.

Merkel cell carcinoma is likely so rare because Merkel cells themselves are rare, and it’s an odds or numbers game that drives skin cancer in most cases. Most of your skin is made up of keratinocytes – a cell type that stacks on itself, overlaps like bricks and makes up most of your skin. When keratinocytes become cancer, they make basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. In contrast, Merkel cells are scattered near nerve endings in our skin and make up a very small proportion of the cells in the epidermis.

Imagine that sunshine in the form of ultraviolet rays is hitting your skin. Each ray has a chance of causing a mutation in the wrong gene in the cell that the ray of light happens to strike. You have a LOT more keratinocytes than you do Merkel cells, so the chance of a ray of UV light causing cancer in a keratinocyte is much higher than of a ray of light causing a bad mutation in a Merkel cell.

Some people are afraid of Merkel cell carcinoma because the tumor of a Merkel cell carcinoma is often a pink bump on the skin, and people have been trained to notice the brown or black growth of a melanoma but ignore a new pink bump. However, some melanomas are pink instead of brown or black. These pink melanomas are called “amelanotic melanomas”. In the past year, I have seen four cases of amelanotic melanoma

and one Merkel cell carcinoma. We shouldn’t ignore any new or changing bumps regardless of whether they are brown, black, pink, red, or any other color under the Sun. If you’re not sure what the new growth on your body is, have it evaluated by a medical professional. When in doubt, check it out.

From a scientific perspective, perhaps the most interesting feature of Merkel cell carcinoma is the role that a virus plays in its development. Up to 80% of cases are caused at least in part by infection with the Polyomavirus. This virus infects at least fifty percent of children by age ten and almost everyone by age twenty and usually appears to be a benign infection. At the moment, it appears unavoidable to become infected with this virus, and infection usually appears to have no negative consequences. We don’t get “sick” from it, and there’s no reason the average person would ever be tested for it. However, ultraviolet light, a failing immune system and infection with the polyomavirus account for the majority of Merkel cell carcinoma cases. The primary medicines used to treat Merkel cell carcinoma work by stimulating the immune system and making one’s own white blood cells better able to fight both infections and cancers. These “immunotherapy” medicines are a smart strategy given that Merkel cell carcinoma is usually both an infection and a cancer.

Like most cancers, Merkel cell carcinoma often has an excellent prognosis when caught early. The cure rate for Merkel cell carcinoma is higher than 75% when caught at its earliest stage. For the average person, Jimmy Buffet’s passing from Merkel cell carcinoma serves to reinforce the importance of already common behavior: If you have a history of sun exposure and risk factors, receive a regular skin exam; perform self-checks, and have a professional evaluate new or changing growths regardless of what color they are. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If we are conscientious and treat our problems early, we can all enjoy a few more cheeseburgers in this paradise before moving on to the next one.

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

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Suicide Prevention Month: Take ACTion this September

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September is Suicide Prevention Month, a pivotal time for us at Summit Counseling Center to raise awareness about a pressing issue that affects countless lives. According to the World Health Organization, suicide claims nearly 800,000 lives globally each year. In the United States, it ranks as the 11th leading cause of death, resulting in over 45,000 deaths annually.

Remarkably, 94% of adults surveyed in the U.S. believe that suicide can be prevented. One crucial step in prevention is engaging in open and empathetic conversations about suicide, particularly with loved ones. To guide these conversations, MindWise Innovations has developed the acronym ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) as a simple way to remember how to respond when someone opens up about suicidal thoughts.

• Acknowledge: Begin by acknowledging and validating their feelings and thoughts rather than dismissing them. Remember, it can be incredibly difficult for someone to bring

up thoughts of suicide, and if you don't take them seriously, they may withdraw and not seek help again.

• Care: Show you care by actively listening without judgment. It might be challenging to hear, but understanding their experiences is essential. You can also ask them how you can help, as they may not know what they need either. Offering assistance and expressing your care can be a significant first step.

• Tell: Encourage your friend, family member, or coworker to seek professional help. It's essential to tell a trusted adult or mental health professional about their struggles. Your support in seeking treatment can make a significant difference in their journey toward healing.

To further empower our community, The Summit offers MindWise's Signs of Suicide (SOS) Trusted Adult trainings throughout September. These sessions equip individuals with the knowledge to recognize signs, offer assistance, and promote mental health awareness. For more information on our SOS training sessions or to seek therapy for yourself or a loved one, visit our website at summitcounseling.org.

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Dental Implants: Amazing tooth replacements

Brought to you by – The Atlanta Center for Dental Health

Dental Implants are popular and effective for individuals who have lost one or more teeth. They offer several advantages and can significantly improve a person’s oral health, appearance, and quality of life. Here are the reasons that so many people are choosing to have dental implants:

1. Replacement of Missing Teeth: Dental Implants are used to replace missing teeth, whether it’s a single tooth or multiple teeth. This is important for restoring proper chewing function and maintaining the alignment of surrounding teeth.

2. Improved Aesthetics: Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. They can enhance your smile, boost your self-confidence, and provide a more natural appearance compared to other tooth replacement options like dentures or bridges.

3. Enhanced eating ability: Dental implants provide strong biting and chewing capabilities, allowing you to enjoy a full range of foods, including hard and crunchy items without restrictions.

4. Comfort: Dental implants

are comfortable and stable. Unlike removable dentures, they do not slip or move when eating or speaking, providing a natural and comfortable experience.

5. Convenience: Dental implants eliminate the need for messy adhesives or removal at night, as required with dentures. They function just like natural teeth, making daily oral hygiene routines simple and hassle-free. Dental implants are brushed and flossed like all your other teeth.

6. Durability: Implants are a long-lasting solution. With proper care and maintenance, they can last a lifetime, whereas other options like dentures will require periodic adjustments or replacement.

7. Preservation of Jawbone: When a tooth is lost, the underlying jawbone can start to deteriorate over time. Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots and stimulate the bone, preventing bone loss and maintaining the integrity of the jawbone.

8. Improved Speech: Missing teeth, especially front teeth can affect speech clarity. Dental implants can restore normal speech patterns by

replacing missing teeth.

9. No impact on adjacent teeth: Unlike dental bridges, which require the reduction of adjacent healthy teeth, dental implants do not affect nearby teeth. This helps preserve the long-term health of your natural

teeth.

10. Whole Body Health: Dental implants can contribute to better oral and overall health by filling the gaps left by missing teeth, preventing the shifting of neighboring teeth, and reducing the risk of gum disease and further tooth loss.

It is essential to consult with a dental professional to determine if dental implants are the right solution for your specific oral health needs. Factors like bone density, overall health, and personal preferences will influence the suitability of dental implants as a treatment option.

“Preventive Dentistry can add 10 years to human life.” -Dr. Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic

Dr. Bradley Hepler and the experienced team at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health provide the most modern advances in dentistry. Experience immediate results with procedures to greatly enhance your smile and your health. If you would like a complimentary consultation to discover the best options for you, please call us at 770992-2236.

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Let’s check your balance!

Brought to you by - Johns Creek Physical Therapy

Did you know that every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in the ER after a fall? Every year in the United States 1 out of 4 older adults has a fall. Death rates from falls have increased by 31% in the last decade and falling once doubles your chances of falling again. Falls can cause fractures, head injuries and even emotional trauma that led to a constant fear of falling again. This can lead people to become more sedentary, which can be detrimental to your health. SITTING is now considered the new SMOKING! And we all know how bad smoking is for your health.

If you have an aging parent, grandparent, or neighbor in your life, reducing their risk of falling is a great way to help them stay healthy and independent as long as possible. This even applies to that person looking back at you in the mirror.

Try out this quick self-test for balance. How long can you stand on one leg? If it’s not more than 10 seconds you are at increased risk of falling.

For a limited time, Johns Creek Physical Therapy is offering a FREE Fall Risk Testing featuring Biodex Balance Technology. This computerized test will give you a preliminary baseline assessment

and compares your individual balance score against age related normative data. A printed report can be generated for your own personal records and to take to your physician.

DON’T BE A STATISTIC!

To schedule your FREE Balance Assessment appointment call 770622-5344.

For all your other needs, we accept Medicare.

Johns Creek Physical Therapy 4060 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024 770-622-5344

Do You Have Low Back Pain? Free Workshop

Sponsored by JOHNS CREEK PHYSICAL THERAPY

• Do you suffer with Back Pain or Sciatica when you stand or walk?

• Do you have low back pain when you sit for long periods of time?

• Do you experience Pain, Numbness, or Tingling into your hip or down your leg?

• Do you feel like you’ve “tried everything” but your back is still hurting?

If you answered YES to any of these questions (or you know someone in denial) then you won’t want to miss the FREE BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA WORKSHOP on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 at 12:30 pm

Back pain and sciatica can completely ruin your life. I see it every day. Low Back Pain is the number one cause of disability in the world and affects millions of people every year. Back pain can keep you from enjoying your favorite activities, keep you from spending time with your family, and keep

you out of work. Sciatica is the term given to pain that travels down the back of the leg along the path of the sciatic nerve. It can be brought on from a variety of things like sitting, walking, standing, or doing simple everyday activities.

If you are having this type of pain you won’t want to miss the FREE BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA WORKSHOP on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 at 12:30 pm hosted by Johns Creek Physical Therapy. At the workshop you will learn the TOP THREE common causes of Lower Back Pain and Sciatica and how each of these things can bring about back pain and sciatica. You will also learn how you can deal with each condition using natural

treatment methods without medications or injections. This very simple treatment can help you get rid of your symptoms once and for all.

Perhaps you have already had an x-ray or an MRI and you’ve been told that those findings explain why you are having back pain? We will show you that those tests may have nothing to do with why your back is actually hurting.

Don’t let back pain ruin your life! If you have back pain or sciatica don’t miss this FREE BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA WORKSHOP

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 at 12:30 pm. Register by calling 770-622-5344.

Johns Creek Physical Therapy

4060 Johns Creek Pkwy, Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024 770-622-5344

FOR

Marc C. Stewart, PT

At the workshop you will learn the TOP THREE common causes of Lower Back Pain and Sciatica

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OralID: Revolutionizing Early Oral Cancer Detection

Brought to you by - Roswell Dental Care, Dr. Destinee Hood

As oral healthcare professionals, one of our primary objectives is to provide our patients with the highest level of care possible. To achieve this, we are constantly keeping up with the latest advancements in technology and treatment options. In recent years, a groundbreaking tool known as OralID has emerged, redefining how we detect and diagnose oral cancer. In this article, we will explore the significance of OralID and its role in the early detection of potentially life-threatening oral diseases.

Why Early Detection Matters: Oral cancer affects millions of people worldwide, and unfortunately, the survival rates for late-stage diagnosis are disheartening. However, research has shown that early detection significantly improves the chances of successful treatment and recovery. To combat this issue, the dental community has been actively seeking innovative solutions, and OralID has paved the way for a brighter future in oral cancer detection. What is OralID? OralID is a state-of-the-art oral screening device that utilizes fluorescence technology to identify abnormal cells in the mouth. It involves the use of a handheld device that emits a harmless blue light into the oral cavity. The healthy tissues absorb the light while abnormal tissues or potential lesions appear dark. This quick and painless procedure allows us, as dentists, to detect lesions that may be otherwise undetectable by the naked eye.

The Benefits of OralID:

1. Non-invasive: Unlike traditional screening methods, such as biopsies, OralID is a non-invasive technique that does not require taking any tissue samples. This means minimal discomfort for patients during the screening process.

2. Early detection: By using OralID, we can identify potential abnormalities at their earliest stages, providing patients with a higher chance of successful treatment and positive outcomes. Early intervention can save lives.

3. Time-efficient: OralID allows us to perform screenings quickly and efficiently during routine dental check-ups. This means there’s now a higher likelihood of detecting

issues in their earliest stages without requiring additional appointments or invasive procedures.

4. Peace of mind: Regular oral cancer screenings using OralID can provide patients with peace of mind, knowing that their oral health is being thoroughly monitored. Early detection allows for timely intervention, reducing anxiety and potential complications down the road.

How to Prepare for an OralID Screening:

Preparing for an OralID screening is simple and straightforward. You should avoid consuming any foods or drinks that may stain your teeth, such as coffee or colored beverages, as these can affect the clarity of the screening results. Additionally, it is essential for patients to maintain good oral hygiene practices by brushing their teeth thoroughly before the appointment.

As your dental healthcare providers, Drs. Hood and Remaley remain committed to staying at the forefront of oral health advancements, and OralID is yet another remarkable tool we are proud to utilize. By utilizing this cutting-edge technology, we can save lives, ensure successful treatment outcomes, and ultimately promote a healthier and happier community. For enhanced comfort during treatment, we offer conscious sedation including FREE nitrous oxide for anxious patients. You can rest assured that your experience will be positive, relaxing, and rewarding on many levels. Remember, prevention and early detection are key. Call to schedule your regular dental check-up today and experience the confidence that comes with being proactive about your oral health. Please call us at 770-998-6736 for more information.

Photo of what is seen under white light and blue light filter.

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Hear better. Think sharper.

Brought to you by - Newtown Hearing Center

The research is clear: The worse your hearing is, the less you participate in the little things that make life so enjoyable.1,2 From hearing the waves roll in during a seaside stroll to a conversation over dinner with friends, decreased ability to hear decreases your ability to participate.

What’s worse, that decrease in participation can lead to decreased cognitive skills, even to the point of dementia.

The good news? It’s all found in the remarkable WIDEX MOMENT hearing aid, offered at Newtown Hearing Center. In fact, 90% of people wearing WIDEX MOMENT are satisfied with their ability to participate in everyday life.3,4 Hear better. Think sharper. Our brains were designed to hear. So much

so, in fact, that when our hearing deteriorates, our brains go into overdrive, striving to ‘fill in the gaps’ and help us fully engage. Hearing aids can help, but they can also produce sound that seems artificial or overly processed, leaving our brains, once again, scrambling to help us stay connected.

WIDEX MOMENT, on the other hand, delivers clearer, more natural sound to your ear — and your brain. It’s a pure spectrum of the sounds you’ve always remembered, in a way you’ve always remembered hearing them. Now, you can participate in what’s happening, instead of worrying about what you’re missing.

Better hearing leads to better living. To see how this sound quality can improve your life, you may contact Newtown Hearing Center at 470-2942116 or request an appointment at www. newtownhearing.com.

1 Ogawa et al. 2019. Hearing-Impaired Elderly People Have Smaller Social Networks: A Population-Based Aging Study. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics.

2 Hwang et al. 2018. Effects of Participation in Social Activities on Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Korea. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

3 Balling, et al, 2020. Reducing Hearing Aid Delay for Optimal Sound Quality. Hearing Review 27(4);20-26

4 Balling, Townend, Helmink. Sound Quality in Real Life—Not Just for Experts. Hearing Review 2021

Find solutions to back pain with Wellstar North Fulton Spine & Pain Center

Brought to you by- Dr. Emily Kurokawa, medical director of the Wellstar North Fulton Spine & Pain Center

Back pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek physician care. Back pain can be emotionally upsetting, and it can lead to sleep deprivation and disability. If you are experiencing back pain, the expert team at Wellstar North Fulton Spine & Pain Center will provide personalized care.

There are many causes of back pain, including degenerative disc disease, disc herniations, nerve root compression or trauma. More rare causes include inflammatory disorders, infection, malignancy or

pregnancy.

Look out for “red flag” symptoms that may indicate serious causes for back pain. These symptoms may present as limb weakness, bowel or bladder incontinence, or pain that awakens you from sleep. Most cases of back pain will resolve with time, rest and non-surgical treatments.

Non-surgical treatments may include muscle relaxants, topical creams, prescription medications or over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen. You may also benefit from applying heat or ice, resting and seeing a physical therapist or chiropractor.

If back pain lasts longer than six weeks despite non-surgical therapies,

then further imaging and/or injections may be needed. Injections may help reduce pain. Our board-certified pain physicians offer a range of injections using corticosteroids in various joints or the spine.

A pain physician may recommend an epidural steroid injection if you have disc disease, spinal stenosis or disc herniations that lead to nerve compression. If you have back pain that does not travel to other parts of the body, you may be offered corticosteroid injections into the facet joints or sacroiliac joints, and if indicated, radiofrequency ablation may be offered for a longer therapeutic relief. Those who have had back surgeries and still have persistent

back pain may be recommended for spinal cord stimulators, which are implanted devices that send electrical impulses to the spine.

Our patients at Wellstar North Fulton Spine & Pain Center have success because they have a whole team of experts working for them. If you are a candidate for spine surgery, we refer you to our expert neurosurgeons at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, who are standing by to develop a surgical treatment plan that’s right for you.

Learn more about our services at wellstar.org/nfspineandpain, or call (770) 751-2719 to make an appointment.

EXPERTSPINE & PAIN CARE

If back and neck pain are stopping you from doing what you love, you can rely on Wellstar to help you get back in action.

Wellstar North Fulton Spine & Pain Center offers many types of treatments and procedures for managing pain. If surgery is needed, Wellstar neurosurgeons are standing by to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you. At Wellstar, you’ll get personalized treatment tailored to your needs. wellstar.org/nfspineandpain

Wellstar North Fulton Spine & Pain Center 1360 Upper Hembree Road, Suite 200 | ROSWELL (770) 751-2719

Photographer showcases Mariupol’s beauty

By LUKE GARDNER newsroom@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta City Hall has turned a conference room into a photography exhibition featuring the work of local photographer Anna Rumiantseva.

“Mariupol: The City that Doesn’t Exist,” is an collection of 18 photographs of various buildings throughout the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which is currently occupied by Russia. The exhibition started June 10 and will last through September 11.

“These pictures I took a couple of years before the war started,” Rumiantseva said. “We traveled with my son every summer. It was a beautiful city and I love it. … Everything I show here is gone.”

Russia annexed Mariupol in May 2022 after attacks that started in late February, claiming thousands of civilian lives and destroying most of the city.

Numbers vary on how many people were killed as a result of the Russian invasion. While the Ukrainian government said 21 thousand people died, Ukrainian citizens say the death toll is between 100 thousand and 120 thousand, according to The Guardian.

Out of the city’s initial population of 430 thousand, 350 thousand people fled, and around 90 percent of the city’s buildings have been destroyed, according to the BBC. Russia is now rebuilding the city in its image and encouraging Russians to move there.

The exhibition features several historic Mariupol buildings and cultural sites now damaged or lost to acts of violence, including the Church of Mary Magdalene, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Extreme Park and the Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theatre.

In April 2022, the Theatre was bombed in an Airstrike that claimed the lives of around 600 people, including several children, according to the Associated Press. Activist group Amnesty International called the attack a “clear war crime,” citing that Russian forces knew hundreds of civilians were sheltering in the building before they chose to bomb it.

At the exhibition, each photograph was framed and featured a QR code at the bottom for viewers to scan in order to learn more about the building and view pictures of its current state.

“This is a big deal for the Ukrainian community,” Rumiantseva said. “Every family got hurt by the war. When we had the exhibition’s opening night there were a lot of

people, including people from Ukraine and Russia… There were a lot of tears at the opening event. One man was standing in the doorway and crying. I went up to him; he hugged me and said he understood my pain because he was from Syria.”

For her family, the exhibit brought back a lot of memories. Growing up as a happy child in Mariupol, Rumiantseva remembers walking 15 minutes to the sea and also spending time at the Theatre.

“Two years ago when the war started all my family was there,” Rumiantseva said. “My Mom, my grandma, my sister, my nephew and my niece.” … I was worried about my family. When you’re under stress you start looking at moments in life differently.”

Rumiantseva’s family took shelter in the Czech Republic before eventually moving close to her in the United States.

Having lived in the U.S. for over a decade, Rumiantseva used that time to explore various types of photography, including wedding shoots, graduation shoots, and real estate photography.

“I started my photo career with landscaping and was known in Europe and here as a landscape photographer. Now, I also challenge myself with kid [photoshoots] and taking beauty

pictures of models. I also do a lot of product photography.”

One day Rumiantseva hopes to see Mariupol return to Ukrainian rule. If that day comes, she plans to revisit her hometown with her family.

“I never imagined it would be

gone one day,” Rumiantseva said. “Unfortunately, life is unpredictable. Humans are powerful; we can build something and in one second destroy it. With this exhibition, I wanted to show how beautiful Mariupol is, not the ruins.”

PHOTOS BY ANNA RUMIANTSEVA/SPECIAL TO APPEN MEDIA Photographer Anna Rumiantseva stands in front of her photographs at the opening night of the exhibition.

Rumiantseva’s photos of Mariupol hang in a conference room in Alpharetta City Hall.

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Patriot:

Continued from Page 1

posted the colors. There were also musical interludes with performances by Canjinjjing Cui, a faculty member of William Pu Music Academy, and the Autrey Middle School Choir.

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Georgia Public Broadcasting journalist Donna Lowry interviewed Marchello, asking him to describe his experience of 9/11 for the audience. He was 25 at the time of the attacks, the beginning of a 20-year career with the NYPD. Marchello retired in 2018.

“I remember where I was, the conversations, the people, the faces,” Marchello said. “Today just totally slows down.”

Marchello was in the Midtown Tunnel, on his way to Manhattan, when he realized how serious the situation was. One man had signed the cross as a blessing to those who were about to enter the scene, he said.

When he arrived, Marchello

recalled grabbing a man covered in blood, a security guard in one of the two World Trade Center towers, and throwing him in the van with himself and other police officers.

“And then the tower started coming down, the second tower … the North Tower,” Marchello said.

Soon after, he said his lieutenant demanded that they get out of the van. The group started running down the street to escape the smoke and dust.

“We honestly believed that the dust was going to take the air out, we were going to suffocate to death,” Marchello said.

Among the lives lost that day was Marchello’s friend from high school, a 24-year-old paramedic with the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Lowry asked Marchello what he hoped other people could glean from his experience.

“I’d rather see more young people know about it, so that it never happens again,” Marchello said. “... Tell the kids what happened, not the bad parts of it but what people did to save humanity.”

A man salutes the American flag during the Pledge of Allegiance.

A firefighter with the Johns Creek Fire Department sounds the 5-5-5 alarm, a sign of honor and respect for firefighters who have died while serving.

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry welcomes more than 100 guests to the Patriot Day program, hosted by the rotary clubs of Johns Creek and Johns Creek North Fulton.

See solution Page 31

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Renowned food hall designer to pilot Ashford Hall space

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — Renowned New Orleansbased food hall proprietor Politan Row recently announced it will be taking over operations of the food hall in the Ashford Lane development starting later this year.

Ashford Hall held The Hall at Ashford Lane until July, when it was abruptly closed under a cloud of employee and customer complaints. The venue will now feature nine individual Politan Row food stalls and two bars, operated alongside their other projects across the country.

In an announcement earlier this month, Politan Row officials said the new Dunwoody facility will feature a roster of Atlanta culinary talent, including Tandoori, Pretty Little Tacos, Gekko Hibachi, as well as several new players including 26 Thai, Smokehouse Q and Sheesh.

“These chefs will progress their original concepts into multi-unit operations growing alongside Politan as the company expands,” officials said. “We’re beyond excited about this.”

Like their Colony Square

location, which features the disco-era cocktail lounge Jojo’s Beloved, under Politan Row’s guidance Ashford Hall will debut Benton Bourgeois, a late 1980s— early 1990s theme cocktail concept.

In addition to their Dunwoody and Colony Square locations, Politan Row is also working on another food hall concept in Peachtree Corners at The Forum development, which is expected to open in Summer 2024.

Officials have not announced an opening date for the Dunwoody food hall but say it is expected later this fall.

For updates and more information on this project, visit https://ashfordlane. politanrow.com.

HISPANIC HERITAGE CELEBRATION WITH LA CANDELA FLAMENCO

What: Explore the cultural exchange between Spain and Latin America through the language of flamenco with La Candela Flamenco.

When: Friday, Sept. 15, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell

Cost: $24.50 with available discounts for seniors, students, military and groups

More info: roswell365.com

MILTON FARMERS

MARKET

What: Every Saturday morning through October, more than a dozen vendors set up shop around Milton City Hall with fresh produce, fresh meat, sweets, coffee and tea, flowers, soaps, jewelry and more.

When: Saturday, Sept. 16, 8:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.

Where: Milton City Hall plaza, 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton More info: facebook.com/ miltongafarmersmarket

BIRD & WILDLIFE DRAWING CLASS

What: Sharon Weiss, award-winning artist and longtime Spruill Arts instructor, will be leading a bird and wildlife drawing class at the Dunwoody Nature Center. Learn about composition, light, color and pattern as you have fun depicting some of your favorite animals.

When: Saturday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody

Cost: $40-50

More info: dunwoodynature.org

CUMMING ART FEST

What: The festival will offer some 100 different artisan exhibitors and a creative Kidz Zone for families to explore.

When: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 16-17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming More info: cummingcitycenter.com

PUP-A-PALOOZA

What: Bring your dogs and family to this event featuring live music, an animal balloon twister, a pup mascot, pet-related vendors and more. There are contests for Best Dressed Dog and Best Dog

CUMMING ART FEST

What: The festival will offer some 100 different artisan exhibitors and a creative Kidz Zone for families to explore.

When: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 16-17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming More info: cummingcitycenter. com

Trick. For people, food will be for sale from food trucks, while pets splurge on doggie treats. Pet care vendors will be on hand to demonstrate new products and educate dog owners about pet care.

When: Saturday, Sept. 16, 1-3 p.m.

Where: Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater in Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek

More info: johnscreekga.gov

A NIGHT WITH DAD’S 2: THE DADDENING

What: Stage Door Theatre will host comics from Dad’s Garage.

When: Saturday, Sept. 16, 7:30-9 p.m.

Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody Cost: $28 for adults; $20 for students; $15 for children

More info: stagedoortheatrega.org

BACK TO YOUR ROOTS FARM FAIR

What: Meet live farm animals, bring a picnic, and get down in the dirt to celebrate one of the best harvesting

FEATURE YOUR EVENT ONLINE AND IN PRINT!

It’s even easier now than ever to promote your event to hundreds of thousands of people, whether online, through our newsletters or in the Crier and Herald newspapers.

seasons of the year. Continue enjoying the fall season with partners, games, crafts and the opening of Naturally Artistic which explores connecting art and nature.

When: Sunday, Sept. 17, 12-4 p.m.

Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell

Cost: Included in general admission; free for CNC members More info: chattnaturecenter.org

CONCERTS BY THE SPRINGS: GUARDIANS OF THE JUKEBOX

What: Described as “a visual and sonic highlight reel of one of the most influential decades in music history,” Guardians of the Jukebox is an ’80s-nostalgia juggernaut. Lawn seating is free. Blankets, lawn chairs and umbrellas are allowed, but no pets.

When: Sunday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m.

Where: Heritage Amphitheater Lawn, 6110 Blue Stone Road, Sandy Springs More info: sandyspringsga.gov

PICNIC ON THE GREEN

What: Grab some food and beverages from one of the Crabapple Market restaurants and bring a blanket or chair to enjoy live music from David Payton. No outside alcohol allowed.

When: Wednesday, Sept. 20, 6-8 p.m.

Where: The Green at Crabapple Market, 12650 Crabapple Road, Milton More info: crabapplemarketga.com

12

ANGRY JURORS

What: In Sherman L. Sergel’s play adaptation of the teleplay, a 19-year-old man who has just stood trial for the fatal stabbing of his father. “He doesn’t stand a chance,” mutters the guard as the 12 jurors are taken into the bleak jury room. It looks like an open-and-shut case— until one of the jurors begins opening the other’s eyes to the facts.

When: Until Sept. 24, times vary Where: Act1 Theater, 180 Academy Street, Alpharetta Cost: $20-25

More info: act1theater.org

Zones, Seasons & Families – Oh My!

Okay – stay with me now!

Of all of these I bet you’re most familiar with zones. I’m talking about the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is what gardeners have been using for years to figure out what plants have the most optimum chance of growing in a particular location. Most recently revised by the PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University and released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2012, the map uses winter temperature data collected over a 30-year period to divide the United States (including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico) into planting zones. The zones identified in this most recent version of the Map are based on data gathered during 1976 to 2005, the first time that a period of 30 years has been analyzed. And there are now two new zones – Zones 12 and 13 which cover Hawaii and Puerto Rico and only appear on the maps for those locations. This is the first time that the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map was specifically designed for use on the Internet. You can now input your zip code and your specific Plant Hardiness Zone will appear.

While the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map has certainly been around for a while and provides very useful information for gardeners, it’s not the only resource gardeners can rely on to plan a garden. And sometimes Plant Hardiness Zones can be confusing. For example, the Atlanta area falls within Zones 7 and 8 (which are then divided into Zones 7a and 7b, and Zones 8a and 8b). Now what?

Enter the Growing Seasons. Using your garden location, you can figure out which of the four growing seasons you’re in.

Here in the Atlanta area, only three of the growing seasons occurbut at various times. Looking at the calendar year, the cool season runs from January through March, the warm season runs from April through June, and the hot season is July and August. Then there’s a second warm season in September and October, and a second cool season in November and December.

Now here’s the cool thing. Every plant belongs to a Plant Family. And

each plant family prefers a particular growing season (or two). Once you know your growing seasons and the plant family within which a specific plant belongs, you can figure out when to plant without worrying too much about your plant hardiness zone.

Here’s an example. Let’s say you want to plant a small garden that includes tomatoes, peppers, kale, arugula, spinach, cucumbers, squash, beans, basil, oregano and parsley. First figure out your growing season based on the average high temperatures in your location. Next, divide what you want to plant into plant families: tomatoes and peppers belong to the Solanaceae family; kale and arugula belong to the Brassicaceae family; spinach belongs to the Amaranthaceae family; cucumbers and squash belong to the Cucurbitaceae family; beans belong to the Fabiaceae family; basil and oregano belong to the Lamiaceae family; and parsley belongs to the Apiaceae family. Now, assign each of these plant families to a growing season and identify the months that correspond with each growing season. Guess what? You’ve just planned your garden.

Happy gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener

Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more about NFMG 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 Cathleen Smith, a Sandy Springs resident and master gardener since 2020. Trained through Gardenary, Floret Flower Farm, The Culinary Institute of America and the Culinary Nutrition Academy, Cathleen is certified in culinary nutrition and gardening – teaching others how to create and live a healthier life – one veggie at a time! Cathleen has lived in the Atlanta area since 1987, is married to a musician and has 3 boys ages 25, 23 and almost 21. Cathleen is a certified landscape designer and currently serves on the Executive Committee and Board of the Dunwoody Nature Center. Her favorite hobbies include photography, scrapbooking, cooking, gardening, reading and drinking fine wine. You can follow Cathleen through her blog “Not Just a Garden Blog” (https://cathleenrsmith.com) where she shares inside info, resources, and creative ideas for keeping it real in your garden and your kitchen.

Learn More

• Vegetable Garden Calendar https://extension.uga.edu/publications/ detail.html?number=C943&title=vegetable-garden-calendar

• USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov

• PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University https://prism.oregonstate.edu/projects/plant_hardiness_zones.php

CATHLEEN SMITH Guest Columnist

CATHLEEN SMITH/PROVIDED A Garden Example Chart

USDA AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE/PROVIDED USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

PRESERVING THE PAST

From stepping out to stepping up; the effect of WWII on one woman

Gloria Nash Holder was a typical teenager in the early 1940s. She loved music and loved to dance. She was popular with the young men of Mountain View and there was no shortage of dance partners in high school.

Gloria’s love of music was shared by her entire family. She took piano lessons and sang in church and school choirs. She could play the piano by ear. Her mother played the piano and both parents loved opera. “The house was always full of music,” she says. “There was a song in her heart every day,” says her son John.

As a cheerleader, Gloria traveled by bus with the baseball and football teams. She graduated from Hapeville High School in 1943.

Now a sprite 97, Gloria has near total recall about her life’s key moments and remembers unincorporated Mountain View as “a wonderful place to live and very safe.”

In September 1939 the Germans invaded Poland and the world changed. The war lasted until September 1945.

Many of the boys Gloria had grown up with went off to war after high school. They joined the Army, the U.S. Air Corps and the Navy. The country went on war footing. Life was transformed for everyone, even those back home. Young girls of marrying age were particularly affected.

Now Gloria lives in Roswell. She talks about the ways young women contributed during the war years. “Letters were the social media of those days,” she says. “They became a lifeline for so many young people. I corresponded with soldiers and I know it meant a lot to them.” She has preserved a large collection of the letters and says that after the war some soldiers wrote to thank her for having kept them in touch with home.

Like many young women at the time, Gloria wanted to contribute and to save money for college. This was the time of Rosie the Riveter, a communications program launched by the U.S. Government to encourage young women to take jobs to support the war effort. “We can do it!” was the declaration on the program’s iconic poster of a female factory worker flexing her muscle.

After graduating from high school Gloria worked at the Credit Service

Exchange in Atlanta’s Five Points. Her role was to provide credit managers with information to help them decide whether to approve a customer’s request to open an account.

A year later she worked for the U.S. Army Signal Corps at Fort Gillem Army Supply Depot in Forest Park, a now closed satellite base of Fort McPherson Army base. While Gloria provided stenography and bookkeeping support at Fort Gillem, her father also worked there after the Ford plant where he worked closed during the war. Her mother worked in Fort McPherson’s finance department and remained there for 15 years. The former site of Fort McPherson is today home to the 330-acre Tyler Perry Studio Complex.

Gloria’s joy on her off days was shopping at Rich’s Department Store in Atlanta and enjoying their tearoom

while watching a fashion show.

In 1946, while at Georgia State University, she met her future husband John Martin Holder (19232009) -- “Martin” to those who knew him -- in a psychology class. The couple married in 1947 and had two sons, John and Mark.

Martin’s father John Henry Holder [1900-1981] owned a farm near Perry, Georgia. A cable foreman with Southern Bell, John Henry and his wife Jessie Lucile Martin Holder [1899-2005] started a general store that remained in the family for three generations.

Martin helped with the family store located in Hapeville in a two-story building with the family residence upstairs near to where Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is today.

He entered Georgia Tech in 1940 and joined the U.S. Air Corps in

1942 where he served as a bombsite mechanic and aerial gunner on the B17 and B24. After the war Martin took over the family grocery store and changed the business to Holder Tire and Auto Service. He went back to school and obtained a business degree from Georgia State University in 1949 and a Law Degree from Woodrow Wilson Law School in 1952. Martin was active in community affairs throughout his adult life.

Gloria has also focused on serving others throughout her life including delivering Meals on Wheels well into her eighties. She was awarded Women of the Yer by the Exchange Club of Hapeville.

World War ll impacted almost everyone, male and female, whether they fought overseas or stayed at home. Perhaps the least chronicled was how the war affected the young women who shifted their gaze from seeking the company of young men who were potential husbands to providing a lifeline of support -- from stepping out to stepping up. Gloria was more fortunate than many. She put it well, “I enjoyed the friendship of my soldier correspondents – until I met the real thing.”

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 MEYERS

Columnist

Portrait of Gloria Nash circa 1945

PHOTOS BY HOLDER FAMILY/PROVIDED

Martin and Gloria Holder together on Easter Sunday 1956

Odeath where is thy sting?

CFP

“O death where is thy sting?” That provocative query often is attributed to William Shakespeare, who frequently focused in plays and sonnets on the tragedies associated with death and dying.

The quote, however, is not from the Bard of Avon, but from the Bible. First Corinthians 15:54-57 declares, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In Shakespeare’s Sonnet 71, the speaker urges a lover not to dwell on the speaker’s death but to instead move on with life once the speaker is gone. Failing to do so, the speaker argues, will bring only misery and pain. The grieving process is different for everyone. But eventually, one must move forward.

We know that we will die, but thinking about death is a “downer.” In fact, for any complex conundrum involving life and aging, our default mechanism is to procrastinate when it comes to planning. But when “out of the blue” we are seriously hurt or ill, or deceased, someone will have to wrestle

with the complexities of the matter. Guys, eighty percent of men who die are married. If you wake up your spouse at 0-dark-thirty, as we said in the military, complaining of intense pain and nausea due to a possible heart attack or stroke, the first call your partner will make is to 911 to get you to the hospital. Once you’re stabilized, who is going to get the second phone call?

Having asked couples that question over the years in planning sessions, most of the time if there’s an adult daughter in the family, she’s going to get the call. Yes, it may be a son, or a close friend, but someone is going to get startlingly disturbing and life disrupting news. Lack of advance planning makes the situation more emotionally draining than it needs to be. If you are a widow or widower, or never married, who gets “the call?”

A 2022 CNBC report noted that 67 percent of Americans have no estate plan in place. Covid-19 increased awareness of the need for planning, yet procrastination still rules. Living and testamentary estate planning deals not only with the reality of death, but the likelihood of severe illness or injury along the way. Death or disability is not a respecter of age. Teenagers as seniors in high school or first year college students largely are age 18 or will be shortly. At 18, they’re adults under the laws of most states. As an adult, if they’re sick or hurt and you get a phone call, mom or dad, saying that they are in a hospital emergency room, under HIPPA regulation’s (Health Insurance and Accountability

Act of 1996), without a properly executed Heath Care Power of Attorney, you cannot get information as to your loved one’s status. All the hospital will want to know is who is responsible for the bill? Who will bear the cost, emotionally and financially, of a failure to plan?

If you are an owner or co-owner of a closely-held business, most likely your largest single investment, planning for the “5 D’s,” death, disability, divorce, disagreement, or dissolution, also is a complex undertaking subject to procrastination. Georgia businesses predominately are owned by baby boomers, 52 percent of whom are over the age of 60. Ninety-two percent of owners surveyed by the Exit Planning Institute in 2018 agreed with the statement, “Having a transition strategy is important for both my future and the future of my business.” Yet, 54 percent of owners have no plans to transition. Most have no written contingency plans in place to deal with the “What if?” realities of business and life. Is that fair to your “family-family” or your business family, those who will endure the financial and emotional repercussions of a stressful surprise?

Comprehensive personal and business planning deals with the uncertainties of life and death. Wills, trusts, powers of attorney for assets and health care, and advance health care directives, are basic planning considerations. A “pour over will” tied to a Revocable Living Trust may be apropos,

especially if you own property in a state other than the one of your residence and/ or want to simplify or eliminate probate. How are investment and bank accounts titled, in your name only or jointly with someone else? Beneficiary designations on insurance policies, annuities, or retirement accounts? Does your closely-held business have an up-to-date Operating Agreement? A good agreement spells out how an entity is structured and operates, and who controls the relationship with the members in a multi-member LLC.

This column does not constitute legal advice, as comprehensive planning should be done in concert with an advisory team that may include an attorney, CPA, CFP, and others with expertise in relevant matters, such as dealing with special needs family members, for example.

How old will you and those you care about be in ten years? And ten years after that? Tragedy is not a respecter of age, but as you grow older, the likelihood of serious difficulty increases. What’s your plan for your “next ten?”

Lewis Walker, CFP®, is a life centered financial planning strategist with Capital Insight Group (CIG); 770-441-3553; 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).

Outdoor Fun on National Hunting and Fishing Day

Question: What’s special about Sept. 23?

Answer: It’s National Hunting and Fishing Day, and that means that on that day there will be a lot of outdoor excitement waiting for you and your family to enjoy!

National Hunting and Fishing Day was established in 1972 by Congress and President Nixon to recognize the contributions that hunters and anglers have made to wildlife conservation efforts. It happens each year on the fourth Saturday of September, and it is marked by special programs and outdoor-themed events held far and wide.

Here in Georgia, you’ll find National Hunting and Fishing Day events all across the state.

“National Hunting and Fishing Day offers a variety of events that are a great way to introduce youth and newcomers to outdoor activities,” notes Ted Will, director of the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. You’ll find a wide range of activities to enjoy, including family/kid fishing events as well as Outdoor Adventure Days featuring activities such as fishing, archery, shooting and more.

“These events are family-oriented and fun and remind us of what great outdoor natural resources we have right here in Georgia,” Will says.

Two events close to home are particularly noteworthy:

• Outdoor Adventure Day at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park between Rome and Summerville from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. Kids 15 and under can try their hand at catching tagged catfish to win prizes (bring your own fishing rods and bait). There will also be archery, a birds of prey show and a reptile show. The event is free, but there is a $5 per vehicle parking fee at the park.

• Kids Fishing Event at Lower Pool Park (below Buford Dam at 3600 Buford Dam Road in Cumming). From 9 a.m. till 1 p.m., kids can fish, try their hand at fly tying, and enjoy fishing demonstrations. Volunteers will be on hand to help with baiting hooks and unhooking fish. A limited number of loaner rods and reels will be available, but it never hurts to bring your own. Bait is provided – and to make sure that

there are plenty of trout, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ trout stocking staff will stock fish before the event.

There are several other events going on around the state that day, too:

• Family Fishing Event at Marben Public Fishing Area’s Boar Pond at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center near Mansfield, Ga. (8 a.m. till noon). Bring your own gear and bait.

• Kids Fishing Event at the Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area in Laurens County (8 a.m. till noon). Ponds have been stocked with channel catfish for kids under the age of 16. Bring your own gear and bait.

• Kids Fishing Event at Big Lazer Public Fishing Area, near Talbotton,

See DAY, Page 27

LEWIS J. WALKER,

Columnist

The Investment Coach

STEVE HUDSON Columnist

There’s an empty barstool in Margaritaville

On August 16th of 1977, having just earned a journalism degree from Fresno State University, I coerced a friend to drive his battered Chevy pickup to San Diego, loaded down with the cheap furniture that went handin-hand with being a cash-strapped recent college graduate.

I was about to become much poorer. For some reason, in a momentary example of not knowing my limitations, I was a week away from becoming a first-year student at the University of San Diego School of Law. Step aside F. Lee Bailey, the kid from Bakersfield was about to dazzle the legal profession and set fire to nasty professors probably didn’t know a courtroom from a tennis court.

Somewhere between LA and San Diego, conversation and taking in the Pacific Coast grandeur, the rock station DJ broke in on the Eagles “Hotel California” to breathlessly announce that Elvis Presley had died in Memphis.

I was kinda sorta positive that Memphis was in Tennessee and Elvis lived there. I was never a fan and

Day:Continued from Page 26

Ga. (8 a.m. till 11 a.m.), for kids 15 and under. Bring your own gear and bait, and enjoy the drawing for some fun prizes too.

• Family Fishing Event at Flat Creek Public Fishing Area in Houston County (8 a.m. - noon). Bring. your own gear and bait.

• Kids Fishing Event at McDuffie Public Fishing Area in McDuffie County (8 a.m. till noon). Bring your own gear and bait.

• Kids Fishing Event at Evans County Public Fishing Area (8 a.m. till noon). Bring your own gear and bait.

• Outdoor Adventure Day / JAKES Day at Paradise Public Fishing Area (near Tifton). Fishing activities from 7:30 a.m. till noon. A variety of fishing-related activities, plus JAKES Day events

didn’t get why he was so popular. After dumping the meager furniture in the rathole that would be my home for nine miserable months, we headed back to Bakersfield.

This “Elvis dying” story dominated the airwaves the entire four-hour drive. My mom and stepdad had seen him several times in Las Vegas, always raving at his penchant for keeping an audience of high-rollers and fans enthralled for two shows a night. They must have had primo seats since The King, as was his custom, bent down during the show and put a sweaty scarf around my Mama’s neck and gave her a little smooch.

Arriving home, the scarf was on the table and Mom was crying. That’s when it hit me how much she loved Elvis and his death was a defining moment in her life. His passing left a void and the realization that there would be no more concert experiences and that made her as sad as I had ever seen her.

In a twisted way, Jimmy Buffett’s recent death made me feel closer to Mom. I should be shot for writing Jimmy was my Elvis. I never attended a concert in Vegas, but there were plenty others. I put together a recent scorecard and I went to Margaritaville 15 times.

See BARSTOOL, Page

(beginning at 9 a.m.) including archery and shooting. A free lunch is provided by the National Wild Turkey Federation, and there will be a prize drawing after lunch.

• Outdoor Adventure Day at Richmond Hill Hatchery near Richmond Hill, Ga. (8 a.m. till noon). Activities include fishing, archery and kayaking.

For more info on the programs, including contact numbers for more information, visit www.georgiawildlife. com/get-involved/nhfday.

That’s a big line-up, and there’s sure to be something there that you’ll enjoy!

But wait! There’s more!

Sept. 23 is further celebrated as a “Free Fishing Day” for Georgia residents. On this day, Georgia residents do not need a fishing license or trout license to fish on any public waters in the state, including lakes, streams, ponds and public fishing areas.

There’s no doubt about it. Sept. 23 is sure to be a great day to be outdoors.

MIKE TASOS Columnist

Lessons on the Florence Crittenton Home in Chamblee

The first Florence Crittenton Home was established in 1883 by businessman and evangelist Charles N. Crittenton in New York City. He named it after his daughter who died from scarlet fever at age four. By the late 1800s there were over 50 Florence Crittenton Homes across the U.S.

Growing up in Atlanta, I heard the name occasionally, usually mentioned as a cautionary tale in the 1960s and 1970s. The home was a place where young women could go if they were pregnant and unmarried.

The scenario usually began with parents wanting to keep everything secret, so going to a facility like the Florence Crittenton home helped facilitate secrecy and adoption after the child was born. Friends and family would be told that the girl was

away for some fabricated reason to conceal the truth. After her child was born, she was expected to go on with life as though it never happened.

The first Florence Crittenton Home in Atlanta was established in 1893, first outside city limits and a few years later within the city.

The Florence Crittenton Home in Chamblee began on property purchased in 1950. The original home was a red brick colonial structure on eight landscaped acres. A modern 18 room dormitory was added in 1958. The home was located along North Peachtree Road, just west of Peachtree Boulevard.

Your North Atlanta News and Podcast Source

In 1962, a dedication was held for a new annex at the Florence Crittenton Home in Chamblee. The annex added much needed square footage, including school rooms and recreation space.

The girls who lived there, awaiting the birth of their babies, could receive a high school diploma. “Now our girls don’t have to go back home and explain the gap in their school

progress or lack of a diploma,” director Helen Oppenheimer commented. (Atlanta Constitution, March 16, 1962, “Board members at Florence Crittenton quietly celebrate another milestone”)

Arts and craft classes and typing classes were offered. The girls received counseling and their families were included as much as possible. Each young woman was expected to do chores.

When the 1962 dedication was held, the current residents of the home were taken out for an activity away from the home, “to avoid embarrassment.”

Carol Nichols Henwood shared her memories of the home in a 2014 Atlanta Journal-Constitution article and in her book, “Our Erring Sisters,” She remembers being driven by her parents in 1967 to the Florence Crittenton Home, a large brick home hidden behind hedges between North Peachtree Road and then Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. There was no sign to indicate

Barstool:

Continued from Page 27

what place was hidden behind the large plants. (Atlanta JournalConstitution, Aug. 29, 2014, “Secret Keeper”)

She only held her baby boy once, two days after he was born. Henwood went on to marry and have two children. She was able to reconnect with her son in 2004. When her book was published in 2013, he attended her first book signing at the Capital City Club in Brookhaven.

The Florence Crittenton Home in Chamblee closed in 1981 as times changed and there was less need for these facilities. From 1950 until 1981, there were usually about 180 women who spent part of the year living at the home. The home had the capacity to house over 60 women and often had a waiting list.

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

ever since the world learned about the cancer that killed him. It was reported he loved life right up until he couldn’t.

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS, PUBLIC HEARING:

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023 AT 7:00 P.M.

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK COUNCIL CHAMBERS

11360 LAKEFIELD DRIVE

JOHNS CREEK, GA 30097

The following variance proposal is scheduled for Public Hearing as stated above:

Case Number: V-23-0011

Property Address: 10980 Glenhurst Pass, Johns Creek, GA 30097

Current Zoning: R-4A (Single-family Dwelling District) Conditional

Petitioner: Georgios Mermigkas

Variance Request: 46-foot encroachment into the 75-foot stream buffer to construct a 230 square-foot storage shed

DEATH NOTICES

2, 2023.

Jimmy never reached down and put a scarf (or a Hawaiian lei) around my neck. No smooch or even a fist bump either.

But one time in Houston, he did hand me a guitar pick. I bought a guitar and learned a few chords. I could play a few songs. Mostly I just listened, whether live or on a recording. I read his books and even have an autographed copy of “Where Is Joe Merchant” he signed for me.

I marveled at his “Midas Touch.” Whether it was restaurants (Margaritaville), mail order catalogues (Coconut Telegraph) or making great music for all those years, Jimmy’s music brought me such joy and happiness. I was a fan since 1975 and took Vicki to see him and his Coral Reefers on our first date in 1979.

I have been receiving condolences

The last Jimmy Buffett concert I experienced was this past February and it was a little calmer than usual. Was he just phoning it in?

Then came the reports of cancellations and hospital stays. His new song “My Gummy Just Kicked In” was a window to what he was experiencing. Jimmy was sick and then he just up and died.

To borrow from the late Lewis Grizzard, Jimmy is dead and I don’t feel so good myself.

So wherever you are Bubba, have a lovely cruise. Fins up! I miss you so badly. And thanks for providing a soundtrack for my life

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.

Joyce Bellinger, 88, of Roswell, passed away on August 31, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Tomas Castillo, 54, of Roswell, passed away on August

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Brian English, 56, of Roswell, passed away on August 2, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Sigmund Majewski, 84, of Roswell, passed away on August 4, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

Part-time

Workforce Development Coordinator is responsible for developing programs and services for NFCC clients and students seeking employment, post-secondary education, or other career options. The workforce development coordinator collaborates with local employers to help match job seekers to open positions. They work directly with clients on the job application, resumes, and interview preparations and provide tips for successfully securing and improving employment to foster financial stability.  Bachelor’s degree in a human services, human resources, or other related field required and 2 years of professional experience in human services, human resources or career counseling preferred.

To view the entire listing visit https://nfcchelp.org/ work-at-nfcc/. To apply, please submit resume to Carol Swan at cswan@nfcchelp.org.

DISPATCHER

Sawnee EMC is seeking a Dispatcher with electric utility experience to dispatch workers for customer service, normal maintenance, or emergency repairs to electric-power transmission and distribution lines. Requires high school diploma or equivalency, minimum of one (1) year working knowledge of radio operation, or equivalent experience, map reading and line design knowledge, problem solving and communication skills by radio, telephone and in person. Must be available for alternate shift assignments and irregular work hours, including evenings and weekends. Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, September 15, 2023. 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.

VETERINARY TECHNICIANS & ASSISTANTS: Dunwoody Animal Medical Center is hiring! Send resume to office@dunwoodyamc.com

Optum Services, Inc. Director Product Management, RPA. Alpharetta, GA. Drive strategic and tactical roll-out of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) programs by collaborating with cross-functional departments organization-wide to identify, prioritize, and implement automations to increase speed and efficiency of critical business processes. Can work remotely. Mail resume to GMI Recruitment at 9900 Bren Road East MN008 R120, Minnetonka, MN 55343 and indicate applying for #23-GA-6014

Optum Services, Inc. Systems Reliability Engineer 3. Alpharetta, GA.

Responsible for stability, scalability, capacity, and performance of customer facing, mission-critical platforms. Can work remotely. Mail resume to GMI Recruitment at 9900 Bren Road East MN008 R120, Minnetonka, MN 55343 and indicate applying for #23-GA-5852.

Network Operations Lead, Alpharetta, GA: Responsible for daily and operational management of the offshore IT Infrastructure Operations Group including infrastructure monitoring of Network Operations (Netops), Offshore Tier 1 eyes on glass team and Monitoring Tools. Must possess bachelor’s or foreign degree equivalent in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering plus 5 years progressively responsible work experience in Network Operations. Salary $123,781. Send resume to Rachel Wyatt, Sompo International, 600 Campus Drive, Florham Park, NJ 07932

Donor Operations Associate

The Donor Operations Associate greets and removes donations from vehicles and sorts merchandise in a designated area.  They are responsible for keeping the merchandise secure, all areas free of debris and the donor door area neat and clean.  This position is the face of NFCC so they are expected to provide excellent customer service and treat each donor with a professional and friendly demeanor.  High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Ability to perform low to moderate facility maintenance tasks.  To view entire listing visit: https://nfcchelp.org/work-atnfcc/  To apply, please complete an application for employment and email to Marten Jallad,  mjallad@nfcchelp.org.

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