Local Chalamet look-alike earns ‘5 minutes of fame’
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — It’s not every day you become a viral phenomenon, your face all over the world’s social media feeds.
But, not everyone wins second place in the Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest, hosted at Washington Square Park in New York City.
Sunday, Oct. 27, was a whirlwind for Zander Dueve, a 22-year-old Johns Creek resident. He was one of about 20 Chalamet look-alikes in the running for a $50 grand prize.
More than 2,000 people attended the event, fans of the Academy Award-nominated actor, tenacious reporters. Some got arrested. It was chaos.
Zander’s participation was at the behest of his girlfriend, who attends New York University. She saw flyers posted around town, and he happened to be visiting for Halloween. YouTuber Anthony Po organized the contest.
See DUEVE, Page 22
ZANDER DUEVE/PROVIDED Johns Creek resident Zander Dueve, left, walks alongside Youtuber Anthony Po, organizer of the Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest in Washington Square Park in October. Dueve was named runner-up in the competition.
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Johns Creek Historical Society member Kirk Canaday listens to a discussion about completed work at Macedonia Cemetery during the Nov. 18 City Council work session. Canaday has overseen preservation efforts of Macedonia for more than a decade.
Groups urge revived study effort at historic Macedonia Cemetery
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Macedonia Cemetery, the historic Black burial ground off Medlock Bridge Road, has moved into the spotlight again.
The latest official action was in August when the City Council voted to exercise eminent domain to acquire a permanent access easement.
During the Nov. 18 City Council work session, council members Stacy Skinner, Larry DiBiase and Bob Erramilli requested that their colleagues commit to a round of ground penetrating radar on
the site, arguing that there was no data to support that the work had ever been done.
Ground penetrating radar is a noninvasive geophysical procedure that uses electromagnetic waves to create images of the subsurface, or what would show individual graves.
The three council members advised the city to hire an archeologist to radar the site before implementing recommendations from the city’s strategic plan, so as to prevent construction atop graves.
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POLICE BLOTTER
All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.
Man arrested for DUI on Brumbelow Road
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police arrested a 28-year-old Roswell driver Nov. 11 after failing to maintain his lane on Brumbelow Road, hitting a curb in his blue Hyundai Sonata.
Police said both driver’s side tires crossed the double yellow lane and entered oncoming traffic. The driver road over the fog line for an extended amount of time after appearing to rub against the curb, according to the incident report.
When police pulled over the car, they noticed the driver’s eyes were bloodshot and watery. This was after the driver grabbed a cigarette from the center console area and lit it.
The driver told police he was coming from a family reunion in Alpharetta and that he consumed seven beers around two to three hours before the stop, according to the report. He later added that he had consumed four shots of rum.
A preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.128, above the legal limit.
Police also discovered that the driver had a fake temporary Georgia tag.
Police placed him under arrest and charged him with failure to maintain lane, driving without a driver’s license, driving under the influence of alcohol and removing/affixing his license plate.
The driver was transported to the North Fulton County Jail in Alpharetta.
— Amber Perry
Driver paced at 75 mph on Old Alabama Road
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police arrested a 53-year-old Sandy Springs man Nov. 13
after they paced him driving at 75 mph on Old Alabama Road and swerving out of his lane multiple times.
Police said the driver swerved to the point of where both left tires of his black BMW were in the middle of the median.
When police approached the driver in a traffic stop, the driver immediately began apologizing, also emanating a strong smell of alcohol, according to the incident report.
While rejecting a breathalyzer test, the man proceeded with a field sobriety test, failing it.
Police arrested the driver and charged him with speeding, reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to maintain lane. Police transported him to the North Fulton County Jail in Alpharetta.
—
Amber Perry
Woman with child in car arrested for drunk driving
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police arrested a 37-year-old Johns Creek woman Nov. 15 after she failed a field sobriety test after striking a sign on Medlock Bridge Road. Her young daughter was in the car.
When police arrived at the scene, they noticed a street sign sticking out of the side of the driver’s gray Tesla, possibly wedged in the undercarriage.
The woman said she just picked up her daughter from school and while making a turn onto Medlock Bridge Road, she “misjudged” it and drove over the raised concrete median separating north- and southbound traffic, according to the incident report. She struck a street sign before stopping.
Police saw her daughter in the backseat without a child restraint seat installed. The woman told police she forgot to put it in the vehicle, the report says.
The daughter was picked up by a family member.
Police thought the woman could be
impaired due to the “weird nature of the accident” and that it happened on a clear, sunny day. The woman told police she didn’t consume any alcohol and only had over-the-counter cold medicine two to three hours before the accident and nothing else.
While completing a field sobriety test, she denied having certain medical conditions multiple times, according to the report.
Police placed the woman under arrest and charged her with failure to maintain lane, not having a child restraint seat, driving under the influence, and child endangerment. After being medically cleared, the woman was transported to the North Fulton County Jail in Alpharetta.
Woman found with drugs during jail processing
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 25-year-old Midway, Georgia, woman was arrested on drug charges Nov. 9.
Police stopped a southbound Chevrolet Cruze about 11:30 p.m. on Ga. 400 at Old Milton Parkway, according to an Alpharetta police report. Officers checked the tag and found it had a wanted notification from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.
Officers detained the driver because she had a warrant for violating probation in a possession of a dangerous drug case.
While admitting the woman into the jail, officers discovered a glass smoking device with residue, various pills. Officers determined the pills contained a narcotic painkiller and ecstasy.
The woman was charged with going inside a guardline with a drug, possession and use of a drug-related object and possession of a Schedule I controlled substance.
A
— Amber Perry
Jon Wilcox
School open enrollment policy turns heads
Schools with transfer eligibility
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Fulton County School District’s new transfer policy is turning heads, seen as a solution to declining enrollment but also an end unto itself for some.
The Change of School Assignment process, governed by School Board “Policy JBCD,” took effect in August. It allows student transfers for any reason. Previously, students had to file with a hardship or through options made available by state law.
The catch? Schools in the region undergoing redistricting are barred from the benefit of wide-open tranfers, a frustrating stipulation for parents in Sandy Springs who face the threatened closure of Spalding Drive Elementary School. The facility’s aging building is experiencing a dwindling student population.
Current plans are to consolidate Sandy Springs elementary students.
Parents also say the timeline is a crunch.
On Dec. 9, the district will announce the list of published schools open for transfer, which is also the day the transfer application window opens. The deadline to apply is Jan. 15, one day after the redistricting recommendation will be made to the School Board.
The list includes schools only with available space, defined as 95-percent enrollment or those below stated capacity over a three-year projection. By all accounts, Spalding should be a candidate.
Using the district’s fiscal year 2025 data, which includes a formula to project enrollment through 2028, a study by Appen Media anticipates all elementary schools in Sandy Springs will make the list. That includes Spalding Drive, as well as Dunwoody Springs, Heards Ferry, High Point, Ison Springs, Lake Forest and Woodland elementary schools.
The full list of schools, compiled by Appen Media across all school levels and regions — South Fulton, Sandy Springs and North Fulton — is attached to this article. Charter and alternative schools are excluded from the list.
Prospective parents
Emily Bell, a parent of three students at Spalding Drive Elementary, said more than a dozen prospective parents turned up to a recent interest meeting held by the school’s PTO. All
Appen Media compiled a list of schools across all three regions in the Fulton County School District, using the district’s formula in determining which schools can accept transfer students. Only schools with available space, defined as 95 percent enrollment or below stated capacity over a three-year projection, will make it to the list.
the parents were from outside the Spalding Drive district, and they were interested in using the new open enrollment process.
Another prospective parent meeting is scheduled for December.
“Each one of them said — in their mind, their options were private school or Spalding,” Bell said.
Spalding Drive Elementary has the region’s second highest academic achievement. Heards Ferry has higher test scores but a less diverse student population.
If Spalding closes, Bell and her husband are also considering private school for their children, joining what has been described as an exodus.
But, at $16,000 to $30,000 per child,
it’s not something they budgeted for. Spalding Drive is a five-minute drive away from Bell’s home. The next closest public elementary school, outside of Sandy Springs, is across the river in Roswell, a 17-minute drive.
Because her oldest is heading to middle school next year, the logistics in juggling two schedules is already complicated enough.
Bell said she’s happy with Spalding Drive.
“I have a lot of friends who live over in DeKalb County, and I'm just always bragging about our school, how it's a small neighborhood school,” Bell said. “The principal knows the name of every student, even all the other teachers know my kids. My kids know them, the parents
know each other — a small, tight-knit community, which is what you want for your children. So, it's been magical.”
Time constraints
The application window gives parents a little over five weeks to make their decision on which school their children should attend next school year.
Bell said that’s not enough time.
“It makes for a tight timeline, especially with Christmas and everything too,” she said. “If you want to actually see these schools in person, you don't have a whole lot of time to check them out and make an educated decision.”
She had just gone on a tour the day before to check out Ridgeview Middle School for her oldest, though Bell’s family is zoned for Sandy Springs Middle. The option is only on the table if the region avoids redistricting.
“On short notice, it's hard for me to hit up all the elementary schools in the area,” Bell said.
Another Sandy Springs elementary school parent, Dhaval Desai, is concerned about the future of his daughter’s education. She’s a rising fourth grader at High Point Elementary, and his son is in pre-K.
“She's in a very pivotal grade,” Desai said. “Third grade is when milestones start, the academics are getting more rigorous, and High Point is very intentional, where every learner's needs are met.”
He said the school culture is being disrupted right now.
“This is the relationship we've nurtured, and we've built, especially in the post-pandemic world, where we're really trying to catch up with all our academics and social integration,” Desai said.
Reinvigorating a return to public schools, he said, is going to take an innovative and creative marketing strategy.
“There's a lot of ways to solve this issue, to get more students to come back to public school,” he said.
Reactionary measure
Fulton County Schools Chief Communication Officer Brian Noyes said the idea to close Spalding Drive Elementary is more a response to declining enrollment across the entire region, and the district’s need to reach capacity, rather than singling out one school.
SANDY SPRINGS
NORTH FULTON
SOUTH FULTON
A new open enrollment policy from Fulton County School allows transfers without a hardship. While the measure has drawn parent support, a potential redistricting of Sandy Springs schools could lead to a frozen region, reinforcing preexisting issues of declining enrollment.
Schools:
Continued from Page 4
One big pull for state funding is district-wide enrollment, rather than across individual schools. Nevertheless, Noyes said the move is a costsaving measure.
“There will be a savings from the closure of a cost center, the maintenance and upkeep of the building, the number of personnel that are assigned per school and the school allotment guidelines,” he said. “That’s all categorical, rather than a single number…”
But, Noyes said the district’s Human Resources Department has already begun conversations with teachers at Spalding Drive to ensure they retain a job within the Fulton County public school system.
The district’s transfer policy, Noyes said, bars redistricted schools from open enrollment because it understands that shifts will occur.
“It takes a year or two for that to work its way out — how many students ended up going or did they transfer somewhere else,” Noyes said. “We can't assume that the enrollment is going to be the same in a school that's being redistricted, so therefore they would not be eligible for open enrollment because open enrollment is based upon capacity.”
But, no decision has been made yet, he said, and the district is in “input mode.”
“We are listening,” Noyes said. “So, the board is listening to all these things … We're reviewing all the data. We're reviewing the input from the parents. So, they are listening to these questions and these concerns that are being raised.”
JACOB TOMBERLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Fitness group to aid charity’s holiday drive for needy
ROSWELL, Ga. — The local F3 fitness group are preparing for its fifth annual SantaRuck on Dec. 14, one of North Fulton Community Charities’ biggest campaigns of the year.
North Fulton Community Charities, a nonprofit whose mission is to ease hardship and foster financial stability, serves residents of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park and Roswell. It helps thousands of North Fulton residents each year across its two Roswell facilities.
Each year during SantaRuck, hundreds of families meet in the parking lot of Hembree Springs Elementary School with backpacks, rucksacks and pull carts, ready to take in nonperishables purchased after having fundraised thousands of dollars as well as donations.
The effort is needed more than ever with NFCC feeding more than 300 families a day. Last year, the nonprofit supplied more than 200 families a day, and the year before, there were fewer.
For the past five years, the bulk of the fundraising has been accomplished by all the local F3 members, family, friends, local schools and supporting businesses.
They bring all the food to the Hembree Springs parking lot in trucks, vans, cars, and everyone loads up backpacks and pull carts.
The event begins at 7:30 a.m. Around
Suggested donations
• Cereal
• All veggies, especially corn
• Tomato products
• Broths
• Juice boxes
• Ramen
• All canned beans
• Peanut butter/jelly
• Pasta
• Canned fish and meats
• SpaghettiOs, Manwich, stews
• Small milk boxes
• Hamburger Helper meals
• Mac and cheese cups
• Flavored rice
• Soups
• Dry beans
• Fruit
• Cream soups
• Single items
• Dry potatoes
• Toiletries
with three months’ worth of nonperishables. Last year, F3 also donated thousands of dollars’ worth of toys.
10 minutes later, the first wave of people embarks on the roughly 2-mile walk around Hembree Park and then back down the sidewalk of Elkins Road to the drop-off destination of NFCC Food Pantry.
Subsequent waves of people launch every few minutes, and all remaining food is driven ahead of the walkers to NFCC for deposit into large collection points.
The event has filled the food pantry
At NFCC, F3 supplies holiday music, free hot chocolate, coffee and donuts for all.
— Amber Perry
NELSON WILKINSON/PROVIDED
Volunteers walk food donations to North Fulton Community Charities for last year’s SantaRuck, an annual holiday drive organized by fitness group F3.
Georgia cities ask Supreme Court to reverse $35 million judgement in Milton wrongful death lawsuit
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — Georgia municipalities are throwing their weight behind Milton after the state Court of Appeals affirmed a September wrongful death verdict against the city.
The court verdict saddles the City of Milton with $35 million in damages.
Sister cities Sandy Springs and Alpharetta petitioned the Georgia Supreme Court to reverse the decision in the lawsuit the week of Nov. 18.
The Dunwoody City Council was set to approve a request Nov. 25 for the Georgia Supreme Court to take up and overturn the appellate ruling. More cities across the state are expected to submit amicus briefs, or letters of support, in the coming weeks.
The Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed the Sept. 16 Fulton County jury verdict citing Milton’s role in the death of a 21-year-old college student in November 2016.
Joshua Chang, a senior with a fullride scholarship to Yale University, died after hitting a concrete planter along Batesville Road on his way home during Thanksgiving break.
Milton is ordered to pay the victim’s family $35 million with $10,000 in postjudgement interest accruing each day.
Following the appellate judgement, Milton officials said they were seeking reconsideration of the ruling or review from the Georgia Supreme Court.
According to court documents, the victim’s family made seven offers to settle the case, ranging from $1.75 million to $10 million just before the trial. Insurance attorneys rejected the offers.
Meanwhile, residents expressed their frustration at the city and its legal representation in September for failing to protect them from the outstanding liability.
City questions insurance fund
Milton officials say the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency was solely responsible for the decision whether to settle the claims.
The Georgia Municipal Association created the agency as a property and liability insurance fund for Georgia cities. The agency has 370 municipal members.
“Neither the city nor its legal team were given a role in settlement negotiations,” the city said in a
CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED
Sandy Springs City Attorney Dan Lee says the Court of Appeals decision upholding a judgment against Milton has the potential to harm the city’s taxpayers if it stands.
statement. “What happened to Mr. Chang was certainly a tragedy, but we firmly believe the City of Milton should not be held liable … we will continue to pursue a reasonable outcome to protect the city and taxpayers from this unjust financial burden.”
Invoices obtained by Appen Media through the Open Records Act show Mayor Peyton Jamison, City Manager Krokoff and City Attorney Ken Jarrard discussed the case several times.
Speaking to Appen Media Nov. 19, Jamison said many Georgia cities have expressed solidarity with Milton, and he reiterated that the city was not consulted on whether to approve or deny settlement offers.
Based on the feedback received thus far, Jamison said he expects several cities to file amicus briefs to the Supreme Court, requesting reversal of the decision.
Adam Hollingworth, president of Milton Families First, raised questions about the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency’s role as the city’s insurer at the Nov. 18 City Council meeting.
He questioned the efficacy of the insurance fund’s policy agreement with the city, saying “by no measure did GIRMA exercise its duty in ways that best protected Milton taxpayers.”
“The decisions made — from selecting underqualified legal counsel to rejecting reasonable settlement offers — have left the City of Milton and its citizens bearing an unconscionable financial burden,” Hollingworth wrote. “This case not only raises serious doubts about GIRMA’s ability to serve its members effectively but also highlights systemic issues that jeopardize public trust.”
Big John’s Christmas Trees celebrate 75 years
Family-run business spans 3 generations
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
METRO ATLANTA — With December on the horizon, Metro Atlanta is buzzing as shoppers hit malls and Christmas tree lots to prepare for the holidays.
When Sir Elton John wanted a tree delivered to his Midtown Atlanta apartment, he called Big John’s Christmas Trees and the Livaditis family.
Christmas trees start arriving at Big John’s lots throughout Metro Atlanta Nov. 18 as the family-owned business celebrates 75 years of providing best-inclass products.
The five-time Grammy Award winner was not the first and won’t be the last international celebrity with a Big John’s Christmas tree in their living room.
Big John’s Christmas Trees sports the largest selection of the highest quality evergreens in the region with lots in Ansley Park, Buckhead, Dunwoody, Johns Creek, Roswell and Vinings.
To guarantee the quality that keeps customers coming back for generations, Big John’s growers harvest trees as late in the season as possible, and the family ensures each is handled and maintained to preserve freshness and structure.
Each year, the Livaditis family visits its growing partners across North America to hand-pick and inspect Christmas trees.
They have more than just the classic Fraser Fir. Other varieties include Douglas, Balsam, Concolor, Blue
Clockwise from top left, John II, Anastasia, Lucas, Jimbo and Leigh Ann Livaditis take their 2018 Christmas card photo at Big John’s Christmas Trees Buckhead lot. Big John Livaditis’ family is celebrating 75 years of creating memorable experiences for Metro Atlantans looking for the perfect tree.
with an opportunity to sell Christmas trees on his property.
In 1949, Zesto was just an ice cream shop. Big John had yet to expand the business across Metro Atlanta to include a drive-through and menu with hotdogs, burgers and fries.
Both businesses took off.
By the mid-1990s, Big John’s Christmas Trees was standard-bearer of Christmas trees in Metro Atlanta with 22 lots across the region.
Big John’s two sons, Jimbo and Lee, ran the business together for years.
After Lee passed away in 2016, Jimbo Livaditis kept things running with wife Leigh Ann and their three children John II, Lucas and Anastasia.
Spruce, White Pine, Scotch Pine, Korean, Nordmann and Noble Firs.
Big John Livaditis (1918-1995) was an Iowa native and the son of Greek immigrants. The entrepreneur eventually made his way to Atlanta after serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, spending time as a Golden Glove boxer
and driver for Gen. Mark Clark. John Livaditis got the nickname “Big” for his hulking frame and larger-than life personality.
Planting the seed for success
A little more than 75 years ago, a grower approached Big John at his first Zesto’s restaurant off Peachtree Road
Leigh Ann Livaditis, Jimbo’s wife and vice president of Big John’s Christmas Trees and Zestos, said she wants customers to know how rare it’s becoming to have career growers as partners.
See TREE, Page 9
Big John Livaditis (1918-1995) takes a stroll through a Canadian Christmas tree farm in 1982.
PHOTOS BY: BIG JOHN’S CHRISTMAS TREES/PROVIDED
BUSINESSPOSTS
Tree:
Continued from Page 8
“Every year, we are blown away by how lucky we are to access the fields our grower friends allow us to enter,” Leigh Ann said. “Some of these farmers are the grandkids of the grower that Big John initially did business with.”
Tagging the best
The Livaditis family took two trips leading up to this year’s season, one through North Carolina and Michigan and the other to Prince Edwards Island, Canada.
The 2,400-mile tagging excursion to Michigan in mid-October came with just under a month until the first truckload arrives at Big John’s main lot off West Paces Ferry Road across from the Atlanta History Center.
Jimbo brings along his children, now in their 20s, for the same trips he took with his brother and father decades ago.
Big John’s sells more than its staggering collection of Christmas trees. Other products and services include wreaths, garland and roping, commercial grade stands, lights and “Just in the Time of Nick” delivery and installation.
Jimbo’s eldest John II, who works for Dunwoody-based DASH Hospitality, has pitched in since he was 6.
BIG JOHN’S CHRISTMAS TREES/PROVIDED
A crew at Big John’s Christmas Trees is all smiles after unloading hundreds of evergreens at its Buckhead lot in 2017. The family-owned and -operated business is celebrating 75 years of selling Metro Atlanta’s finest Christmas trees.
Today, he manages and handles the building of each lot, designs custom equipment and knows all of the specialorder customers and exactly what they want.
“John has been attuned to all the evolutionary changes of the lots and their set up,” Leigh Ann said. “Jimbo and now all of the kids will travel together and tag trees in the growers’ fields and mountains, sometimes with a customer’s name.”
Back in Buckhead, the youngest Livaditis, Anastasia, sets up the retail front, orders merchandise, handles
inventory and ordering. As an assistant manager at the main lot, she runs a tight ship cashiering, helping customers and scheduling employees and deliveries.
Grandson talks business
Jimbo’s second oldest Lucas Livaditis, works full-time as a mergers and acquisition analyst at SENTA Partners. Still, the holiday season means one thing for his family.
“Lucas is very involved in the business behind the scenes and also with tree pricing, sales, delivery and
DECEMBER
December 5
Holly Jolly Block Party
City Hall - 6 p.m.
December 9
City Council Work Session
City Hall - 5 p.m.
City Council Meeting
City Hall - 7 p.m.
December 12
Arts, Cultural, & Entertainment
Committee
City Hall - 6:30 p.m.
wherever he can fit some time in with his full-time job,” Leigh Ann said. “He is an invaluable financial adviser.”
Lucas said the fourth quarter of each year in the Livaditis family is dedicated to running his grandfather’s business. Quality over quantity. People before profit. Most importantly, good old manual labor.
It’s a lot of work and long nights.
“We definitely feel we have a responsibility to the city and the people we’ve been serving for so long who knew my grandfather,” he said. “It’s definitely a relationship thing.”
When customers who bought trees from his grandfather bring their families to the lot and shower compliments, it makes it all worth it for the family.
Big John’s Christmas Trees is a community institution because of the relationships the Livaditis family has maintained for three generations. They invite prospective customers looking to join the tradition.
“We are grateful for all of the people that come out each year ... whether it’s a regular bringing their grandkids or a new customer who has never had a real tree,” Leigh Ann said. “When they post a photo and tag us, we are thrilled to see where the trees found a home.”
For information about locations, hours of operations and all things tree care, visit www.bigjohnstrees.com or call 678-672-0398.
City Calendar & Events! 2024
December 14
Breakfast with Santa
Newtown Park - 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Lunch with Santa (Adaptive Recreation)
Newtown Park - noon
December 16
Planning Commission Meeting
City Hall - 7 p.m.
December 18
Recreation and Parks Advisory Meeting
City Hall - 6 p.m.
December 24
Christmas Eve
City offices closed
December 25
Christmas Day
City offices closed
Scan the QR Code to learn more or to contact the City of Johns Creek!
HERALD NOTES
Christmas Open House hosts Alpharetta author
Fans were treated to a book signing by Appen Media columnist Bob Meyers at Scottsdale Farms on Nov. 7.
Meyers, an Alpharetta author and photographer, signed copies of three of his books, “Barns of Old Milton County,” “Irish Pubs in America” and “Celebrating Backyard Birds.” He appeared at the family owner garden center’s annual Christmas Open House event, a local tradition with more than 10 years of history.
Meyers’ books showcase the long-time resident’s appreciation for overlooked charm in the world around us.
“Celebrating Backyard Birds” features photographs of and thoughts on various birds captured from his backyard.
Tell the Herald
“Barns of Old Milton County” captures derelict buildings around Alpharetta and Milton with carefully researched histories.
In “Irish Pubs in America,” Meyers explores the unique character of saloons and bars and the Irish heritage they embody.
Each of the hardcover, glossy-paged coffee table books contain a bounty of Meyers’ evocative photography and fascinating thoughts.
Meyers, a soft spoken but thoughtful man, contributes a weekly column on local history for six newspapers published by Appen Media.
— Jon Wilcox
Send your photos, announcements and letters to newsroom@appenmedia.com.
BOB MEYERS/PROVIDED
Alpharetta author Bob Meyers signs a copy of his book “Barns of Milton County” on Nov. 7 at Scottsdale Farms.
Wednesday
9:30 – 11:00AM
11695 Johns Creek Pkwy 1st Floor Meeting Area
Come prepared with business cards and your 45-second pitch about your business! From these meetings, you will form relationships, create business opportunities, and share information with Johns Creek Business professionals.
T: 770.495.0545 • F: 770.495.4646
11695 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite 100 Johns Creek, Georgia 30097
A part of our mission is to help businesses in Johns Creek connect, grow, and thrive. One of the ways we fulfill this mission is by helping business professionals grow their networks. All are welcome to the following networking opportunities for little to no cost, so please join us! The schedule is subject to change so to stay up to date with all the information visit the Calendar on our website or give us a call.
Men’s Happy Hour Networking
4th Thursday of the month. Check calendar on website for all details.
This event allows male professionals in the Johns Creek area to expand their referral network. So come on join your fellow gentlemen friends – and make new ones- at this monthly event! Chamber membership is not required and there is no admission for this event, just pay your own tab.
Women’s Networking Connection
4th Thursday of the month. Check calendar on website for all details.
Our Women’s Networking Connection is a great platform for women in business to come together to build strong connections with other businesswomen. Whether you own, run, or have a women targeted business you’ll enjoy great networking, great referrals, and great conversations!
Free Public Event
Bring your family and friends, and get ready to discover new ideas, products, and tools to support a healthier lifestyle for all ages!
Fabrics For Your Home Of Alpharetta
fabrics at below wholesale prices!
EXCLUSIVELY IN ALPHARETTA
Boca Bargoons of Alpharetta needs to make room for new inventory! Their loss is your gain on selected thousands of yards of top name outdoor fabrics to be sold for the unbelievable price of
Shop where the designers shop! Boca Bargoons of Alpharetta is having the biggest sale of the season and has brought in truckloads of new merchandise. Get that designer look you’ve always wanted for pennies on the dollar!
Good now thru Sat., 12/7/24
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save big on these stunning designer outdoor fabrics.
11120 State Bridge Rd. (770) 475-1219 Exit 10 (GA 400). 2 miles east of Avalon. Mon. - Sat. 10-5:30 Sun. 12-4 (Closed Sun. until 2025)
Honored to be Voted: Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist
Insist on the
BEST
Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.
He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.
Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 22 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.
Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.
Transplant Medicine and Dermatology
Our immune systems are our defense against the outside world’s infections – viruses, bacteria and all manner of pathogens ready to run amok.
And our immune systems are also our defense against the rebels within our own bodies – cells that have mutated and have turned into cancer.
One only needs to observe the effects of suppressing the immune system to know just how important the immune system is. Transplant doctors are in the unfortunate position of having to intentionally suppress a patient’s immune system. When a patient receives a new kidney, heart, lung or other organ, the patient is placed on medicine that suppresses the immune system. Without those medicines, the immune system would attack the transplanted organ, treat it as foreign, and “reject” it – attacking it until it perished.
Suppressing the immune system comes at a great cost. Organ transplant recipients have an approximately 200-fold increase in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), which is the most common type of skin cancer in this group of individuals. A 200-fold increase means a 20,000% increase. When a SCC occurs in such a patient, the mortality is nearly ten times higher than that of someone with a normal immune system.
For these reasons, regular skin exams are critical in the transplant population. Oddly, the importance of skin exams has sometimes seemed to be a bit of a blind spot. Many patients with organ transplants have told me that they were counseled about many of the problems that they could face after receiving a transplant but that the risk of skin cancer was either not mentioned or not particularly emphasized.
For organ transplant patients, immunosuppression is only part of the story. Unfortunately, some of the transplant medications are not only immunosuppressive but also mutagenic. There is evidence that some immunosuppressants (such as tacrolimus and mycophenolate) can cause mutations. These immunosuppressants may increase the rate that cancers occur independent of their immunosuppressive effects. To avoid this double whammy, dermatologists managing skin cancers in transplant patients often discuss whether alternatives can be employed.
Compounding the problem, some organ
transplant recipients, particularly lung transplant patients, sometimes contract fungal infections that must be treated with voriconazole or its cousins. Voriconazole can directly and indirectly increase skin cancer risk in a population that is already vulnerable.
Science marches forward, and hope abounds as new strategies and treatments continue to be developed for skin cancer in the setting of organ transplantation. Increasingly effective “blue light therapy” regimens, topical chemotherapeutics and prompt skin cancer surgery keep almost all skin cancers in check. Trials are exploring injecting new immunotherapy medicines directly into skin cancers to reverse immunosuppression at the site of the cancer without reversing the immunosuppression at the transplanted organ.
Organ transplants are a miracle of modern science. However, like all gifts in medicine, organ transplants require maintenance, time and attention and come with risks. Dermatologists are instrumental in helping to manage these risks, and timely Mohs surgery is critical to prevent progression of skin cancers from operable lesions into much harder to manage tumors.
What is the lesson for the reader who doesn’t have a transplanted organ? Transplantation shows us the extremes of immunosuppression, but any amount of immunosuppression can be dangerous. If a patient has CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia), rheumatoid arthritis or any disease that results in a weakened immune system, then be on the lookout for skin cancer, and consider seeing a dermatologist regularly. As we get into our 60s and older, “immunosenescence” kicks in, which is to say our immune systems get weaker as we get older, so it becomes increasingly important to treat skin cancers quickly the older we are.
Cherish a healthy immune system and protect it. Even topical steroids prescribed for conditions like eczema can be dangerous if used too long and in the wrong setting. Topical steroids like hydrocortisone and triamcinolone suppress the immune system where they are applied and should usually be avoided in heavily sun-damaged areas. Make sure to do your part in keeping your immune system healthy. There’s no great secret – it’s exactly what you’ve heard before: Get plenty of rest. Laugh often. Avoid stress. Take wonderful vacations and do lots of what makes you happy. It’s just what the doctor ordered.
Dr. Brent Taylor
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
Brought to you by – Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta
You, Your family and Friends are cordially invited to our Holiday Memorial Service on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 2pm
We are colleting Toys for Tots through December 16, 2024
Remembering our loved ones who have passed away and finding hope for tomorrow.
Lawsuit:
Continued from Page 7
GMA comments on case
The Georgia Municipal Association refused to comment specifically on Milton’s claim that it was not consulted during settlement discussions.
Latisha Gray, communications director at the GMA, said it would not be appropriate to provide details of case strategy publicly as the litigation is ongoing.
“It should be noted that the judgment in this current litigation is unprecedented in Georgia’s history for similar situations,” Gray wrote.
Gray pointed to a 2021 Court of Appeals judgement which affirmed that the City of Roswell had immunity in a case in which a car left the road and struck mailboxes within the rightof-way resulting in the deaths of two people in the vehicle.
“[The Milton] decision went the opposite way, and if upheld, sets a new precedent for cities across the state, and the potential consequences for other municipalities is real and is significant,” she said. “Legal precedent has been an accepted standard for many years, and it is common for litigation counsel to take into consideration and even rely upon recent decisions of a very similar nature in analyzing potential settlement offers and litigation strategy.”
In terms of what’s stopping this from happening in other Georgia cities, Gray said the court’s decision treats residents of municipalities differently than those in unincorporated areas.
She said when the courts decide to change course on immunity, municipal taxpayers have a significantly larger risk under the state’s tort law structure.
“These added burdens on municipalities absolutely can harm business and growth in municipalities across the state,” Gray said. “This is another example of why tort reform is needed in Georgia in order for the state to maintain its standing as the best place to do business.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has pledged to make tort reform a top priority during the 2025 legislative
session.
While calls for tort reform typically come from business groups and conservative lawmakers, the issue is now expanding to include each city in the state.
Sister city steps up
The Sandy Springs resolution, asking the Georgia Supreme Court to hear and reverse the Court of Appeals’ September ruling, calls the decision “inconsistent with existing legal precedent.”
City Attorney Dan Lee, speaking during a Nov. 19 City Council meeting, said the appellate decision expands the definition of what a roadway is to include an area that would allow a driver to safely exit the paved road onto the right-of-way and return.
“Up until approximately four months ago, the law in Georgia was clear that a person leaving the paved part of the roadway striking an object was at fault,” Lee said. “Period, end of story.”
Mayor Rusty Paul asked Lee to explain how the decision can come into play for Sandy Springs residents or any Georgians living in incorporated areas.
Lee said Milton did not place the planter there. It was constructed in 1992, when the land was a part of unincorporated Fulton County.
“The decision, if allowed to stand, would be very troublesome to the taxpayers of Sandy Springs and many cities around Georgia,” Lee said. “Sandy Springs’ interest are in the overturning of this case and bringing the law back into order for good operation of municipal government.”
For Sandy Springs, which has issued 589 permits in the past two years to place items in the rights-ofway across the city, the decision could spell trouble.
“This law, as it stands now from the Court of Appeals, if the city has knowledge of the placement of the object … the city could be held liable for it,” Lee said. “The city had no authority to deny the permits.”
Lee turned his focus to the Milton case.
“In Milton, the city did not know of any nuisance value to this object, Lee said. “That and the expansion of the roadway is the part that scares us.”
100 most influential people
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
Here’s another batch of names in my continuing series exploring the most influential people and topics in history.
No. 31. Robert Edward Turner III. (born Nov. 19, 1938) is an American entrepreneur, television producer, media proprietor and philanthropist. Ted makes the list for multiple reasons. He is one of the top 5 landowners in the United States, with more than 2 million acres that will generally be preserved or saved from development in the future. America’s Cup, CNN, The Braves, his $1 billion dollar donation to the UN in 2017 (which he decided “after two days thought”), his creation and funding (roughly $250 million) of the Nuclear Threat Initiative, his Buffalo herd (he owns roughly 10 percent of all buffalo alive today), and much more we will never hear about. Turner sets the standard for class, integrity, leadership, courage and vision – something woefully lacking today, at least in the political arena.
No. 32. Jimmy Carter makes the list for many of the same reasons as Ted Turner. Carter’s post-presidency arguably surpasses that of any president in terms of accomplishment and selfless public service, ranging from his work with Habitat for Humanity to his world-wide efforts for voting rights, human rights and health. He sets the example for the rest of us, especially in not making “money” the primary focus and pursuit of his life.
No. 33. Lewy body dementia (LBD) is one of the most common forms of dementia, typically in people 50 years or older. Ted Turner suffers from it. Robin Williams, Estelle Getty, Casey Kasem, Tom Seaver, Adlai Stevenson had it. It is a progressive disease with symptoms including hallucinations, loss of coordination, trouble swallowing, insomnia, excessive
daytime sleepiness, depression, anxiety, paranoia, dizziness. Life expectancy once diagnosed is five to eight years. One in every 300 or so people suffer from LBD in the U.S., and one in 30 Americans suffer from some form of dementia. We have to do something about all these bad-actor proteins.
No. 34. Sub-prime mortgages. We all remember the financial crisis of 2007/08 that was caused in large part by the crash of the housing bubble and the related sub-prime mortgage crisis. The “market” wrote tens of thousands of subprime loans – especially adjustable-rate mortgages – which started defaulting when the real estate bubble popped. Those bad loans had been packaged and resold on the broader financial market, primarily as bonds, to banks and institutional investors worldwide. But it was “wink, wink, nod, nod” in the industry; they knew that the financial packages were based on bad loans. One could view sub-prime mortgages as kind of the poster child for greed and avarice.
No. 35. Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Green Jeans. Captain Kangaroo was a TV show that ran from 1955 until 1984 in front of a live audience – the longest-running children’s TV show in history. It featured Captain Kangaroo (played by Bob Keeshan who started playing the Captain at 28 years old), Mr. Green Jeans (played by Hugh “Lumpy” Brannum), Mr. Moose and Mr. Bunny Rabbit. In later years, Keeshan would share that he wanted to create a safe space for children. He refused to allow advertising that he thought would be harmful to kids (like toy guns, for example). Kellogg’s was one of the main early advertisers. Schwinn Bikes later became the primary sponsor and used the show to build its brand in front of an estimated audience of 8 million children. The show is being included in the list because it reminds us of better times, safer times, simpler times.
No. 36. Steve Jobs. You know why. If you don’t, perhaps google “Steve Jobs 2005 Stanford Commencement Address.” Two favorite Steve quotes: “Good, is never enough” and “Do what you love.”
No. 37. The Apprentice (the TV show). You know why.
No. 38. Citizens United v. FCC. This 2010 Supreme Court case, in essence, eliminated centuryold campaign finance restrictions and opened the door for unlimited money to be poured into political campaigns by corporations and other organizations. The ruling basically expanded the already outsized influence of wealthy donors, special interest groups and corporations, and it facilitated the creation of super PACs funded often by dark money from anonymous donors. That is why we have watched somewhere north of $2 billion being spent on the 2024 elections, the battle of who has the most money.
No. 39. Mikhail Gorbachev. The December 1991 dissolution of the USSR by Gorbachev was a massive, unprecedented geopolitical earthquake. Economic, political, social and military factors drove the dissolution and facilitated the creation of 15 independent republics, including Russia and Ukraine. In the short run it left the U.S. as the only superpower in the world. The impact of the dissolution is far from over and will continue to play out for decades, including the battle for Ukraine, Eastern Europe, and indirectly, the future of NATO. Significantly, the course of much that will occur geopolitically will be significantly impacted by the winner of the 2024 presidential election.
No. 40. Ukraine. I am a child of the “toppling dominos” theory that led the U.S. into war in Korea, Vietnam and all the ones since. So, when I hear folks talking about pulling out of supporting Ukraine, I think about that.
But then I think about what we know: Ukraine is the second largest food producer in the world. Putin wants that food. Ukraine is the largest of the countries that used to be in the USSR. Putin wants them all back.
Abandoning Ukraine sends a clear message to Putin: We won’t stop you, keep taking back your former republics. And don’t stop there. It is not in the U.S. best interest to “Make Putin Great Again,” but that is what may happen. Staying with Ukraine is a make-orbreak decision.
P.L. Moss led way to help formation of commercial hub
The home of P.L. (Perry Lee) Moss was across the road from the P.L. Moss store in the 1920s and ’30s. The store was in the triangle which is today formed by Nandina Lane, Mt. Vernon Road and Chamblee Dunwoody Road. The house was on the west side of the triangle.
The area near the Dunwoody Depot along Chamblee Dunwoody Road developed into a small village of homes and businesses during the era of the Roswell Railroad, from 1881 until 1921.
The triangle was as full then as it is today. In the 1920s, the triangle was also the location of the Dunwoody public well, a blacksmith shop and another store which may have been the Cheek Nash Store. Cephas Spruill operated the blacksmith shop. (“Story of Dunwoody,1821-1975, Elizabeth L. Davis and Ethel W. Spruill)
Different people have shared different memories of where the Cheek Nash store was located. It may have been inside the triangle, or it may have also been just west of the triangle.
According to the recollections of Ken Anderson, the Moss home stood across from the triangle, where a small office building was built in the 1970s. His Aunt Kathryne Carpenter drew a map out for the family to show the location of homes and businesses. This is the location of Moondog Growlers, Ernie’s Barber Shop and other businesses today. It is also the former location of the Dunwoody Crier offices.
P.L. Moss was born in Cobb County in 1862 and married Leana Dean in 1888. Dean was born in 1868 in Atlanta. By 1898, the couple were living in Dunwoody and running their store. (Receipt from Anderson family collection)
Farther north on the west side of Chamblee Dunwoody Road was Dr. Puckett’s home and pharmacy. He also owned a livery stable and fertilizer store in this same stretch of the road.
When the railroad was discontinued, followed by the Great Depression, the vibrant business district began to falter.
Sue Kirby Jameson, born in 1910, writes in her memoir, “As I Recall, Volume 2,” of July 4th celebrations taking place, “…right in the heart of town between Burnham’s Store and the old post office, in front of the public well, near Dr. Puckett’s store and Spruill’s blacksmith shop. Dr. Nathan Strickland later took over Puckett’s medical practice.
Andrew Needham Burnham lived in this same area and worked as a merchant, according to the 1930 census. He may have taken over the P.L. Moss store.
Later in their lives, P.L. and Leana Moss moved to Old Powers Ferry Road in Sandy Springs. Both were members of Crossroads Primitive Baptist Church and are buried in the church cemetery.
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.
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Tickets
PHOTO FROM THE ANDERSON FAMILY COLLECTION
The P. L. Moss home stood on the west side of Nandina Lane in Dunwoody across from the family owned store.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist PAST
Macedonia:
Questioning past work
Using a PowerPoint she created, Skinner showed what ground penetrating radar data typically looks like.
“I don't believe that that kind of data exists,” she said. “I've asked for it a few times. I don't think anybody has it.”
Skinner’s claims sparked cautionary remarks from Mayor John Bradberry and City Councilwoman Erin Elwood over its potentially slanderous nature. In 2020, KCI had been tasked with performing the procedure with a price tag of more than $23,000.
“I just don't want to see a company that has given good service to our city over many, many years in many different areas be impugned or be slandered,” Bradberry said.
With City Councilman Chris Coughlin absent, the item did not move forward. Instead, it will come back to the City Council at a future work session. Meanwhile, officials said they would contact KCI to adjudicate their radar work on the site.
Johns Creek Historical Society member Kirk Canaday has previously said probes have been done but not radar. Canaday has overseen preservation efforts of Macedonia for more than a decade, and in recent years, has worked closely with the descendants of those buried there.
Last February, a group conducted a preliminary ground penetrating radar survey and later provided an estimate of around $9,200 to complete the project. The effort was coordinated by Canaday and a descendant Madyun Shahid.
At the regular meeting, following the work session, Canaday, former City Councilman Brian Weaver and Student Leadership Johns Creek members advocated that the city perform ground penetrating radar.
“This will allow historians and restoration teams to locate all graves accurately, especially those that may be unmarked or at risk of being lost due to erosion or overgrowth,” said Shiv Garg, member of Student Leadership Johns Creek.
Stormwater fees
In other matters at the Nov. 18 work session, the City Council agreed to increase stormwater utility fees in 2026.
Johns
have created a need to increase the monthly fee.
Currently, homeowners pay an average of about $70 a year. The adjustment would add about $10 to the annual bill.
Initially, the item had been proposed as a 2025 increase, but several council members rejected the timeline.
Skinner questioned why the issue wasn’t raised during the city’s budgeting process and said that the action would appear like a “backdoor tax increase.”
City Manager Kimberly Greer said they were kept separate due to the stormwater utility’s billing cycle. City Attorney Angela Couch also clarified the difference between a “tax” and a “fee.”
While there’s a legal difference, DiBiase said they must both be paid.
“To the average citizen, it's not an option to pay or not … at the end of the day, they’re paying more money,” he said.
Also at the work session, the council discussed whether to pursue creation of a public facilities authority through the Georgia General Assembly. The newly created Roswell Public Facilities Authority was cited as the latest example in North Fulton.
Council expenses
Last month, Appen Media published an investigative report that detailed individual council member expenses, including Johns Creek City Councilman Larry DiBiase’s $2,500 enrollment in a leadership class run by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. City Councilman Bob Erramilli took the same course the year before and also did it on the city’s dime.
DiBiase shared his doubts about journalism Nov. 18 while in a discussion on the city’s updated Expenditure Policy, an item on the consent agenda.
“What we read in papers, what we see in the news, what you hear in rumor — it's not always the truth,” DiBiase said. “It's not always the whole truth.”
Appen Media interviewed each council member whose expenses were detailed in the story, including DiBiase, Erramilli and City Councilwoman Stacy Skinner.
The article centered on the city’s Expenditure Policy, which, before Nov. 18, had no monetary cap on non-travel meals and stipulated that council members could be reimbursed so long as they were related to city business.
The policy also allowed council members to use city funds to pay for professional memberships as well as education and training.
The policy update, unanimously approved, includes a new cap on business meals, set by the U.S. General Services Administration’s per diem rates and a stipulation that receipts must list the purpose/topic of the meeting as well as the attendees.
Going forward, budgets for education and training, travel, and dues and fees within the City Council budget will be divisible evenly by seven, for each council member.
But, the action did not garner enough support. Skinner, Erramilli and DiBiase all characterized the use of a public facilities authority as a means to circumvent a democratic process.
“I want the people to weigh in and tell us whether we're on the right track or not, versus us just making a decision among the eight or nine of us under a PFA,” DiBiase said.
Supply chain constraints and inflation associated with the cost of construction materials and labor
The Roswell Public Facilities Authority is composed of the mayor and council and one private citizen, appointed by the body to serve a four-year term. Continued from Page 1
The group is a bond issuing agency, offering another financing option outside of voter-approved general obligation bonds.
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Creek City Councilwoman Stacy Skinner advises the city Nov. 18 to conduct ground penetrating radar on Macedonia Cemetery, the historic Black burial grounds off Medlock Bridge Road.
OPINION
Protecting plants from cold damage
AMY MAGNER Guest Columnist
As winter approaches and temperatures begin to drop, gardeners face the challenge of protecting their plants from cold damage.
Understanding how to safeguard your plants during the colder months is crucial for maintaining a healthy garden and ensuring a fruitful spring.
Understanding Cold Damage
Healthy, well-sited plants are remarkably adept at adjusting to weather extremes. But cold weather can cause various forms of damage to plants, including frostbite, desiccation, and even death. Frostbite occurs when ice crystals form within plant tissues, damaging cells. It can take many forms: leaves or stems become brown or mushy; roots are harmed; leaf or flower buds are damaged. Desiccation, or dehydration, happens when plants lose moisture faster than they can absorb it, often exacerbated by cold, dry winds. Additionally, some plants may suffer from winter kill, where prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures leads to the death of plant tissues. Winter conditions can also lead to leaf scorch or leaf-tip burn; bark split; frost crack of tree trunks. Damage can range from cosmetic to fatal and can take up to a year to fully manifest itself.
Signs of cold damage
Before diving into protective measures, it’s essential to recognize the signs of cold damage. Look for the following symptoms:
• Brown or blackened leaves: This is often a result of frost damage.
FIRTNIG/PROVIDED
Covering plants can preserve warmth in plants during cold spells.
• Wilting or drooping stems: This may indicate dehydration.
• Soft, mushy spots on stems or roots: a sign of cell damage from freezing.
• Delayed spring growth: Plants that do not leaf out as expected may have sustained winter damage.
Strategies to protect plants
You can take steps year-round to protect your plants. Before cold weather, pay attention to gardening basics: plant and site selection, proper nutrition, cold acclimation, timely transplanting and pruning, and canopies, shade and windbreaks for sensitive plants.
1. Choose the right plants: The first step in preventing cold damage is selecting plants suited to your climate. Research hardiness zones and choose varieties that can withstand the lowest temperatures in your area. Native plants and those bred for cold tolerance are often the best choices.
2. Proper planting techniques: Planting depth and location can influence a plant’s ability to withstand cold. Ensure that you plant at the right depth, as roots buried too shallowly are more susceptible to freezing.
About the author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Sandy Springs resident Amy Magner, a Master Gardener since 2014. As a member of North Fulton Master Gardeners, she has taught various Cancer Wellness classes at Farm Chastain. She is also a certified health coach, speaker and creator of the “Changing Aging” program.
Additionally, choose locations that provide some natural windbreaks, such as walls, fences or other plants to minimize exposure to harsh winds.
3. Mulching: Mulching helps retain soil temperature for all plants. Applying a thick layer of mulch around the base of plants can provide insulation, helping to maintain soil temperature and retain moisture. Aim for a layer of two to four inches to effectively protect roots from freezing temperatures.
4. Covering plants: Using protective coverings can be a highly effective strategy against cold damage. Covers should be draped all the way to the ground to trap heat and protect against wind. Remove covers during the day to allow for sunlight.
• Fleece or blankets: These can provide additional warmth on particularly cold nights.
• Row covers: Lightweight fabric covers can protect tender plants from frost while allowing light and moisture to penetrate.
• Plastic sheets: While effective, ensure proper ventilation to prevent overheating and moisture buildup during the day. For plants with fragile limbs, consider building a cover frame.
5. Watering wisely: Plants need water even in winter. Maintaining adequate moisture levels in the soil can help plants withstand cold temperatures. Water plants thoroughly before a cold snap, as moist soil retains heat better than dry soil. However, avoid overwatering, as saturated soil can lead to
root rot and other issues.
6. Pruning: Before winter sets in, consider pruning certain plants. Removing dead or damaged branches not only improves air circulation but also reduces the plant’s overall stress during the winter months. Avoid heavy pruning in late fall, as this can encourage new growth that may be more susceptible to frost.
7. Bringing potted plants indoors: Container plants are especially susceptible. For container plants that are not cold hardy, the best strategy is to bring them indoors. If space is limited, consider grouping plants in a sheltered area outside, such as a garage or covered porch, until temperatures rise. Mulch or wrap pot bases to reduce heat loss.
8. Utilizing heat sources: In particularly cold regions, you might consider adding heat sources to protect sensitive plants. These could include:
• Heat mats: Placing these under potted plants can provide consistent warmth.
• Old Christmas lights: Stringing non-LED lights around sensitive plants can add warmth on freezing nights.
9. Observing weather forecasts: Staying informed about weather conditions can help you take timely action to protect your plants. Pay attention to forecasts and be prepared to implement protective measures when freezing temperatures are predicted.
Happy gardening!
North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https:// appenmedia.com/opinion/columists/garden buzz/.
Continued from Page 1
“She, as well as a lot of other people in my life have always said, ‘Oh, you look like Timothée Chalamet, you look like Timothée Chalamet.’ So throughout that time period, she kind of jokingly was like, ‘You should go to this,’” Zander said.
His mother Lyndsay excitedly chimed in every now and then, rooting for her son and commenting on his talent. Zander aspires to be an actor, and the contest was a surprising push.
“I'm exceptionally proud of him,” Lyndsay said. “Since a little boy, he's shown an insight to, particularly, film … Any movie he saw, he dissected into bits and pieces. He got innuendos that even an adult would not pick up on.”
She said the craft is in his DNA.
“To see him explore his passion, because it's not an easy industry to be in — not at all, it’s very heartwarming,” Lyndsay said. “Alexander has been given the gift of the gab.”
That day, several contestants dressed as Willy Wonka. But, Zander went for the more subdued look, inspired by Chalamet’s Paul Atreides in “Dune.” Dark clothing — a black leather coat, black leather gloves, a black scarf. The franchise is his favorite set of flicks featuring Chalamet.
The experience of being surrounded by look-alikes was a surreal one.
“You know, like, the Spider-Man movies, the new ones, where there's multiple different Spider-Mans — it felt like that, like it was multiple different variants of Timothée Chalamet,” he said. “But, it was just funny. It was a fun thing.”
Then the fanfare, the commotion, sounds from the participating audience. Contest judges measured likeness to the famous actor with booing and applause.
“It was actually really, really horrific to watch honestly, to see another man torn
down,” Zander said. “Luckily, I was wellreceived by the audience.”
Initially, Zander lost out in the final round, but Po pulled him back in, and he made it to the final two, up against a Wonka impersonator.
“One of the judges started a Wonka chant, and then once they were cheering for Wonka, he started throwing candy into the audience,” he said. “Then, he was crowned the victor of the competition.”
Zander moved on with his day, got some lunch, called his mom, and started to see himself on social media. One post was from Vogue magazine.
“I was just like, ‘Oh my God. Like, this is insane. This is such a random accomplishment for doing literally, like, nothing,’” he said. “I was just like, ‘Alright, I guess I'm in Vogue magazine.’ I can now forever say that.”
He called his boss to prolong his stay in New York City, to see how the experience develops. He works security in the Atlanta area and on the side, film projects.
Zander ended up going to the Jets game with other contestants.
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PLANNING COMMISSION, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2024, AT 7:00 P.M.
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025, AT 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 11360 LAKEFIELD DRIVE, JOHNS CREEK, GEORGIA 30097
“All of us got really close,” he said. “We shared a few beers, and we were all making jokes, and we made it onto the big screen, the Timothée Chalamet look-alikes. They actually ended up winning, which apparently they never do … A lot of people say we were their lucky charm.”
The group went back to Po’s house afterward, crowding themselves in the basement to sing “Pure Imagination” from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” A clip of the impromptu performance can be seen in Po’s YouTube video about him pulling off the look-alike contest.
“...I thought that was a really wholesome part of the experience,” Zander said.
Since then, he’s been contacted by a number of people from a number of places, some as far away as Taiwan.
But, Zander chalked it all up to “five minutes of fame” and highlighted how it brought people together, more than anything else.
Lyndsay, his mom, said one of the best parts about it was that it allowed people to have fun during a tumultuous time.
“...We finally see something that's fun and happy and vibrant and the people, every person, whether there were spectators, the people interviewing … everyone was happy,” she said.
The following Land Use Petition and Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment are scheduled for public hearings:
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Two-lot single-family detached residential subdivision at a density of
units per acre with a concurrent variance to eliminate the 10% common open
A-24-004 – Sign Ordinance Amendment
A proposal to amend the City of Johns Creek Sign Ordinance (Appendix A. Article XXXIII) to comprehensively modify, add and revise the ordinance and establish new signage regulations for the Town Center. Solution
LYNDSEY DUEVE/PROVIDED
Zander Dueve and his mother Lyndsay
Health & Fitness
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THIS HOLIDAY SEASON TIP YOUR NEWSPAPER DELIVERY PERSON
Your local community newspaper lands in your driveway every week—rain or shine—bringing you the stories, events, and updates that matter most. But did you know that the person delivering it is often a dedicated individual who goes the extra mile (literally) to ensure you stay connected?
Why Tip?
• Show Appreciation: Your delivery person is out there early in the morning or late at night, navigating all kinds of weather, so you can enjoy the news with your morning coffee.
• Support Local Efforts: While the paper might be free, the effort behind it isn’t. Tipping helps reward those who keep this vital community service running smoothly.
• Brighten Their Day: A small tip can make a big difference in someone’s day, showing gratitude for their hard work and dedication.
If you enjoy receiving your free community newspaper, consider giving a small token of appreciation to the person who brings it to your driveway. A little kindness can go a long way!
Thank you for supporting your local delivery heroes!
How to give your delivery person a tip:
Give via the online portal at appenmedia.com/deliverytip or scan this QR Code
If you prefer, you can also mail a check made out to Appen Media Group and mail it to Newspaper Delivery Tip C/O Appen Media Group, 319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009
100% of every dollar you contribute will be spread out evenly between the 24 newspaper delivery people that Appen Media employs. Whether you give $5 or $50, they will greatly appreciate it. 1 2
