Johns Creek Herald - October 20, 2022

Thousands visit annual Johns Creek Art Festival

City schedules event to celebrate Dawali

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com and ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — For the tenth year run ning, thousands of people turned out to the open space across from the Atlanta Athletic Club on Medlock Bridge Road Oct. 15 and 16 to enjoy and support artists at the Johns Creek Art Festi val, hosted by Splash Festivals.

More than 140 vendors participated in the event, selling all types of artworks, handcrafted goods, foods and services, said Frances Schube, president of Splash Festivals, which hosts nine festivals in north Metro Atlanta.

Residents have more cultural activities from which to choose this month.

The entire Johns Creek community is invited to help celebrate the symbolic meaning of Diwali, a “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance” on Oct. 22 at Shakerag Park.

The city, along with community volunteers, have teamed up to host the first city and com munity-organized Diwali event in the state of

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LOST NEGOTIATIONS

Cities, county in stalemate over sales tax

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Negotia tions over distribution of the county wide local option sales tax appear to have reached an impasse.

Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts indicated that the county isn’t prepared to budge on its drive for a greater share of the pie following a second round of negotiations with cities Oct. 7 in Atlanta.

Representatives the 15 cities met with county officials at the Georgia Municipal Association offices for the second time to haggle over how an estimated $3 billion in sales tax rev enue will be distributed over the next 10 years.

Every decade, the county and its cities renegotiate how money collected from LOST is distributed. Over the past 10 years, the pot has generally been apportioned based on each city’s population, while the county has kept about 5 percent for administrative fees.

And even though the two parties were once again unable to reach an agreement to negotiate in an open forum, Fulton County officials shared a public opening statement with the city negotiating team for the first time since talks began earlier this year.

ALEX POPP/ APPEN MEDIA

A human statue performer hands a boy an acorn before reassuming her pose at the annual Johns Creek Art Festival held Oct. 15 and 16 on Med lock Bridge Road across from the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek.

DIWALI,

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No Longer Bound Thrift set to open in Johns Creek

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A new 20,000-square-foot No Longer Bound thrift location will open in Johns Creek in January with proceeds going toward the organization’s 12-month residential treatment program for men battling ad diction.

Based in Cumming, No Longer Bound has been serving Metro Atlanta and beyond for 31 years, providing long-term, residential, Christ-centered treatment that is affordable — made possible by thrift store revenue and the local community.

Overdose death is the number one cause of death for Americans under 50. The state of Georgia saw a 38 per cent increase in overdose deaths last year, and Johns Creek is feeling the impact.

No Longer Bound’s three thrift stores — in Woodstock, Dawsonville and Cum ming — have played a significant role in creating the organization’s affordable model of care.

“We’re focused on saving lives at No Longer Bound,” said Ben Tison, execu tive director. “Because our thrift stores

generate 35 percent of the revenue we need to provide men a whole year of care, it’s possible for everyone to get involved. When you donate your items or shop in one of our stores, literally, you’re saving lives.”

As a nonprofit, No Longer Bound is 40 percent self-sustained through intake fees and revenue from its thrift stores and Cars4Recovery. The other 60 percent of revenue comes from the grants, foundations and generous indi viduals in the community.

In preparation for opening the new store, No Longer Bound Thrift will be accepting clothing, household items, toys, decor and small electronics starting in November.

They will also be hiring full-time and part-time processing associates. For questions, contact johnscreek thrift@nolongerbound.com.

If you would like more informa tion about NLB Thrift Johns Creek, contact Carol Smith at carol.smith@ nolongerbound.com or (678) 6791179.

GARAGE

CUMMING: Neighborhood wide garage sale Barrett Downs neighborhood Friday 10/21 8AM-2PM and Saturday 10/22 8AM-2PM. 1720 Barrett Downs Dr. 30040.

CUMMING: HUGE! Entire Bethelview Downs community; off Bennett Parkway, exit 13. See balloons. Friday 10/21 Saturday 10/22, 8:30AM-1:30PM. Bar gains galore; everything goes!

CUMMING: Lexington Village Subdivision, 2025 Lexington Lane 30040. Sat urday 10/22, 9AM-3PM. Furniture, rugs, clothing, housewares etc.

ROSWELL: Devereux Downs/ State Street multi-family yard sale. Woodstock Road at Devereux Chase 30075. Saturday 10/22, 8am-2pm; no earlybirds. Rain/shine! Balloons on mailboxes.

DEADLINE

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

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Student Leadership Johns Creek to study effects of COVID-19

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A project is in the works to document the living history of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant project, through a partner ship between Student Leadership Johns Creek, Mercer University Tift College of Education and the Johns Creek Historical Society, is titled, “Same Storm, Different Boats.” It will focus on how the coronavirus impacted people across the world, especial ly the local community in Johns Creek.

Students from Student Leadership Johns Creek will conduct primary and secondary source research by acquir ing and analyzing resources, such as photographs, art, poetry, videos and oral histories, that document the various experiences and perspectives of commu

Diwali:

Continued from Page 1

Georgia. The event is 4-8 p.m. A firework display will begin at 7:45 p.m.

The festival will feature over 40 ven dors and 15 Indian jewelry and cloth ing shops, Indian food, live music and cultural performances. There will also be free activities like bounce houses, face

nity members during the pandemic.

After their research is complete, they will select artifacts to include in a travel ling exhibit that can be used for educa tional programming about the pandemic for events in Johns Creek and Mercer University. They will also create a book further documenting their efforts.

The students working on the grant research are from Johns Creek, North view, Chattahoochee high schools and Innovation Academy. They have already begun writing a preliminary essay using sources from the Library of Congress, which is, in part, sponsoring the project. It is coordinated by Waynesburg Univer sity.

Student Leadership Johns Creek

painting, a balloon artist, caricatures, clay lamp (Diya) painting & giveaways, Rangoli, Diya’s Display and door entry prizes.

Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry said he ran on the idea that the city should have more events — bigger, bet ter and more diverse events in terms of audience, location and style.

“This is kind of the down payment on fulfilling that promise,” Bradberry said. “It’s all part of building a greater community.”

But Bradberry made sure to credit

Executive Director Irene Sanders said the organization sees the project as an incredible opportunity for its student leaders to reflect on this historic time and learn and articulate what hap pened for future generations to under stand.

Mayor John Bradberry said he’s proud Student Leadership Johns Creek is again being recognized for its schol arly research and presentation, this time with a prestigious grant award from the Library of Congress.

Project leader Katherine Perrotta, assistant professor of middle grades and secondary education at Mercer Uni versity Tift College of Education, and Katlynn Cross, a social studies teacher

and doctoral student at the Mercer Uni versity Curriculum and Instruction PhD program, have been meeting with the students since August.

“I am honored to work with these incredible students who are doing an im portant service to Johns Creek through researching the diverse experiences of their friends, families and community members during this very difficult time in history,” Perrotta said.

For more information about the grant or Student Leadership Johns Creek, visit studentleadershipjohnscreek.com or contact Executive Director Irene Sanders at sanders@leadershipjohnsreek.com.

— Chamian Cruz

the community volunteers, who have taken the festival to great heights, help ing raise about $30,000 for the event through sponsorships.

“The best way for us to build greater community is by having members of the community be responsible for putting on our community events,” he said.

Himanshu Karnwal, who’s on the Johns Creek Planning Commission, spearheaded organizing the Diwali festi val alongside Stacey Gross, Johns Creek

Volunteer Coordinator.

Karnwal said the intention behind the festival is to create togetherness and harmony within the community.

“The Indian community mostly stays in a bubble …,” Karnwal said. “We were thinking, ‘How do we make them feel included in the community? What’s the thing we can do with the community, so other people can also learn about the culture and participate in that experi ence?’”

Canned Food Drive

Monday, November 7 – Friday, November 11 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

550 Barrington Drive | Roswell, GA 30075

Our community is built on caring. That’s why we’re hosting a food drive to support Hope Roswell, a local organization that helps provide basic needs and services to underprivileged neighborhoods – building connections, providing support and creating caring relationships. Your donation of canned goods or other non-perishable food items will make an immediate difference in the lives of our greater community, and anything you can give will be appreciated. Your small donation can have a huge impact!

All donations can be dropped off at the front entry between 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

For more information on our community or suggested donations, call 770-790-4954.

For the safety and well-being of all residents and guests, all recommended safety precautions will be taken. Please call to inquire about our safety measures for this event.

Schools see improvement in student graduation rates

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — Graduation rates for coun ties in north Metro Atlanta are on the rise, according to data released by the Georgia Department of Education Oct. 6.

Data for Georgia’s high-school graduation rate in 2022 shows that many north metro school districts, including Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb and Gwinnett counties, experienced sig nificant graduation rate increases compared to 2021, mirroring the rise seen at the state level.

Georgia’s statewide graduation rate rose from 83. 7 percent in 2021 to 84.2 percent in 2022 — an alltime high since Georgia began using the graduation rate calculation re quired by federal law, state officials said.

Of the major Metro Atlanta coun ties, Fulton reported the largest in crease to its graduation rate, with an increase from 87.7 percent in 2021 to 89.3 percent in 2022.

“We are so proud of our incredible students, teachers and administra tors who have pulled through two extremely challenging years showing tenacity in the face of uncertainty,” Fulton County Superintendent Mike Looney said. “Fulton County Schools continues to concentrate our ef forts on recovery and progress with the goal of graduation always in our sights.”

Forsyth County’s graduation rate held steady in 2022. However, system officials said the district has held a

Graduation rates

Here’s how major metro-Atlanta counties did in 2022:

Statewide – 0.5 percent increase –84.2 graduation rate

Cobb County – 0.2 percent in crease – 87.4 graduation rate

DeKalb County – 0.8 percent in crease – 76.2 graduation rate

Forsyth County – 0 percent in crease – 96.4 graduation rate

Fulton County – 1.6 percent in crease – 87.7 graduation rate

Gwinnett County – 0.7 percent increase – 83.2 graduation rate

96 percent graduation rate, one of the highest in the state, for three consecu tive years.

“Teachers and students who per severed through the challenges of the last several years deserve credit for Georgia’s graduation rate increasing and other recent positive indicators, like Georgia students beating the SAT national average once again,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “I commend Georgia’s educators and the class of 2022 and am confi dent we will continue to see improve ments as we expand opportunities for students and invest in the academic recovery of our state.”

Tax:

County speaks publicly

Speaking to the gathered officials on Friday, Pitts said the county provides services to 1.2 million residents and nearly as many visitors each day. No matter where they are from, Pitts said Fulton County has to provide services they depend on.

“The formation of cities had zero im pact, no impact, on countywide services, those services continue,” Pitts said.

He said the county is responsible for providing health services, senior servic es, animal services, elections, libraries and many other services, which all have rising costs.

Fulton County is also facing crises in the world of public health and public safety with the closing of two metro-At lanta hospitals and overcrowding at the Fulton County Jail, he said.

“We believe that the work of the cities is clearly important,” he said. “But we know, without a doubt that the services Fulton County provides are important. In fact, in most cases they are a matter of life and death for many people.”

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul re acted saying the cities want to reach an agreement with Fulton County, but they still object to multiple points the county maintains.

Paul pointed to the $70 million in American Rescue Plan Funding that Fulton County Used to help it’s court system and a $130 investment made by the state government to help the Grady Hospital System in Fulton County.

“Yet the county really hasn’t ac knowledged any of that in our conversa tions,” he said.

Paul also pointed out Fulton County has a $234 million fund balance at it’s disposal and recently cut it’s millage rate.

“If money were that important, if you were really that short of cash, why are you cutting your millage rate and then putting the mayors in a position where we have to raise it?” he asked. “The mayors are united in believing the public needs to be able to see and hear what’s going on in these discussions, it’s their revenue, not ours.”

Where negotiations stand

Following statements from Pitts and District 2 County Commissioner Bob El lis, the two parties took up negotiations.

So far there have been multiple offers and counteroffers between the two sides, including the county’s initial offer which would have taken their share of proceeds from 4.97 percent to 35 percent.

“Fulton County has made no less than four offers since then, including offers that allow the cities to maintain current fund ing and would also increase the county’s

funding over time,” Pitts said. “At the end of the day, it’s not really about more for the cities and less for us or more for us and less for the cities, it’s about doing the right thing to meet the needs of the people we’re all here to serve.”

However, city negotiators have rejected the offers, holding to counterof fers that would incrementally increase county shares to about 8 percent over the 10-year life of the tax.

On Friday, city officials were pre sented with a similar offer to a pro posal made at the Sept. 23 mediation session, which essentially would raise the county’s share of LOST distribu tions from the current 4.97 percent to 7 percent and then up to 15 percent over 10 years. The offer was not countered at Friday’s session.

Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin said the city negotiating teams were once again disappointed at the offer, which mayors say will have large detrimental impacts on city budgets.

Gilvin said even with the new num bers offered by Fulton County, Al pharetta would face a $3 million loss, a condition he finds unacceptable.

“They refuse to budge, and they are not negotiating in good faith,” he said.

Gilvin said they have not scheduled any additional mediation sessions and initially planned to advance the issue to a formal arbitration process if mediation fails.

Neither process would be binding, Gilvin said, but so far, county officials have expressed no interest in participat ing in arbitration with the cities.

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry speaks at at a press conference in Atlanta Oct. 17 regarding negotiations with Fulton County officials over distribution of the countywide local option sales tax. Behind him from left, Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison, Mountain Park Mayor Jim Still, College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom, Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens

Just like every athlete should perform at a high level, so should you — whether you like doing cross stitching or cross fitting or cross country.

SOK,

Physical therapist treats ‘everyday athlete’

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Lauren Sok was a preteen when she knew she wanted to go into physical therapy. At age 12, she broke her elbow. To this day, she can’t fully bend her arm due to a botched physical therapy experience.

Sok, who owns Functionize Health & Physical Therapy in Decatur and Dunwoody, might just fit the stereotype of someone who would own a physical therapy clinic. With a pixie cut, athletic attire and a powerful stance and voice that fill up a room, despite short stat ure, Sok said her childhood injury and resulting physical therapy experience launched her on a path to becoming a physical therapist.

She decided she never wanted some one to go to physical therapy and not meet their goals. Nor did she want someone to go through the same pain of rehabbing something, like she did with her elbow.

After high school, Sok went straight into a physical therapy fast-track mas ter’s program, earning her degree in 2000. Since then, she’s earned certifica tions in Selective Functional Movement Assessment, Trigger Point Dry Needling, Women’s Health and Stott Pilates.

Functionize first opened in Decatur in 2015. And in March, Sok opened a second location in Dunwoody on Nan dina Lane. Sok’s business idea was sparked by frustrations in her 16 years of partnering with traditional physical therapy companies, where one-on-one with clients wasn’t the norm.

Before opening Functionize, she began doing concierge physical therapy. She recalled going door-to-door around Atlanta, carrying her table and a bag of

supplies that she would use to treat peo ple. When Sok built a sizable client base, she branched out with an established clinic to treat the “everyday athlete.”

Sok said a big misconception about physical therapy is that it’s just for injuries.

“We believe if you have a body, you’re an athlete,” Sok said. “Just like every athlete should perform at a high level, so should you — whether you like doing cross stitching or cross fitting or cross country. You can do the whole thing. We just have to help you get there.”

Well-rounded care

While Functionize focuses on physi cal therapy, Sok approaches her work by accounting for all four pillars of healthy living and thriving: exercise, nutrition, sleep and relaxation.

There’s five physical therapists onstaff, including Sok, in addition to a nutritionist who clients can see virtually. Staff also regularly work with functional medicine doctors to provide additional insight into client care. If the Function ize team concludes that a client needs

more attention in a certain area, they refer out to specialists, like orthopedists or psychologists.

At Functionize, physical therapy encompasses a wide range of specialties, like postpartum and pelvic therapy, dry needling, temporomandibular joint dis orders (TMJ) and vestibular rehabilita tion. Staff also uses the Redcord Neurac system, which helps restore proper alignment and muscular control.

Functionize therapists also help cli ents within different performance areas, providing general performance assess ments, clinical Pilates and assessments for swimming and golf.

A mainstay at Functionize is its run ning assessments. With the clinic’s Fit Run Shop, Functionize combines the ex pertise of Pose-certified physical therapists and the newest footwear technology from Atlanta-based Big Peach Running Co.

An avid runner, Drew Whitcomb wanted to address hamstring and ankle pain he’d been experiencing. Friends suggested he see a running-specialized physical therapist.

So, Whitcomb sought care from Functionize after hearing Sok and Jake Reynolds, another physical therapist on staff, on a podcast with Big Peach. Whit comb is also the COO and co-founder of a WearTesters, a running shoe review website, and has worked in the running industry for years.

He said his running form has improved after each Functionize visit, documenting the difference in pictures from past races.

“It’s been a process, but every time I’m just feeling better and better,” Whit comb said.

Tickets and Mulligans available during online registration and event day ckeck-in.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Lauren Sok, owner of Functionize Health & Physical Therapy, stands next to her business sign at the Dunwoody location Oct. 11. Sok started her physical therapy business in Decatur in 2015, then expanded to Dunwoody this year.

Therapy:

For Sok, one important feature of Functionize is its cash-based system, which avoids the pitfalls associated with insurance companies.

The Functionize website explains the cash-based model and its benefits.

“In our 25+ years of combined experi ence, third-party payers pressuring for fast diagnosis, insisting on canned treat ments, and obstructing the therapy we want to provide often hurts the patient’s progress.”

Sok said insurance companies typically require patients to visit prac titioners two to three times a week, which calls for co-pays or full costs if deductibles aren’t met. Plus, in-network companies often entail a cookie-cutter approach filled with standard protocols that overlook individualized needs and goals, she said.

And when Sok worked with tradi tional companies, she typically tended to multiple people at the same time, people of different ages and with differ ent needs.

“I always said it was like daycare,” Sok said. “You were keeping people occupied basically, and not thinking through it.”

Whitcomb, who has seen many physi

A painting that asks “Are you living your dream or are you still dreaming of living?” hangs in an empty backroom behind the group exercise studio. Functionize Owner Lauren Sok said the painting was an important piece of inspiration for starting her business.

cal therapists over the years, said Func tionize is different from all the others.

“[With] every other physical therapist, you go in there for an hour, and you usually are sharing the time with at least

one other patient, where they’re bounc ing back and forth between you and that other patient,” Whitcomb said. “That’s been my experience with every single physical therapy place I’ve been to, but then with Functionize, you’re not.”

He also said treatment at Functionize is not much more expensive than other companies, where you have multiple co-pays.

Sok said the average cost per visit, and there’s usually around 10 per client, runs from $200 to $249.

But clients have the option to submit the itemized bill to insurance for reim bursement.

Building a health community

Sok is focused on building commu nity in Dunwoody. During a tour of the facility Oct. 11, Sok talked about the room behind the group exercise studio. She plans to lease it as a coffee shop, to bring community through coffee.

The room is empty, save for a colorful art piece hanging on the wall that asks, “Are you living your dream or still dream ing of living?” Sok saw the painting before she started her business and said it’s a big part of her inspiration. She wrote about the painting for one of her newslet ters, which she writes regularly.

“It was like the light bulb moment,” she said. “Like, okay, ‘This bright, color ful painting is telling you something. I’m ready to start living my dream.’”

CUSTOM

Some of Sok’s clients are members of Run the Wood, a local running group that meets on the second and fourth Saturday of the month. Sok, who lives in Dunwoody, formed the group last year after observing many solo runners in the Dunwoody community.

“People always say, ‘The hardest part is an adult is making friends.’”

Allison Thornton, another Function ize client, said she’s been a part of the group since it started.

“I know some friendships have formed out of that group,” Thornton said.

Thornton sought treatment from the Functionize team this year for hip and shoulder pain. Because she’s had improve ment over the course of her visits, Thorn ton goes sporadically, as needed. Her hus band and daughter also go to Functionize.

Thornton has also used the small group exercise classes offered at Func tionalize.

She attended the Strength Founda tions group exercise class, led by Jesse Brown, a physical therapist on staff. She has also attended Sok’s Mat Pilates class.

“Between those two classes, I just feel like I’m overall stronger, maybe more than I have been in my whole life,” Thornton said.

For more information about Func tionize, visit functionizehealth.com or call (404) 907-4196.

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Developer unveils new plans for North Point

Number of rental units remains sticking point

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Trademark Proper ties shared updated plans Oct. 11 for a massive redevelopment project at North Point Mall.

Speaking at a community meeting attended by some 100 residents, Trade mark CEO Terry Montesi shared site plans and renderings, breaking down exactly how large portions of the mall would be demolished and reworked into a “live-work-play” development along the lines of Avalon, Halcyon and other north Metro Atlanta projects.

“Our goal for this is to create a vi brant 24/7 mixed-use neighborhood. A neighborhood, not a mall,” Montesi said.

The newly rebranded “North Point” development, if approved, would include 315,000 feet of new retail and restaurant space, a hotel and hundreds of rentals and for-sale housing options on the 84acre mall property.

Construction would occur in multiple phases, with the demolition of 64,000 square feet of existing mall space and con struction of an “outdoor walkable village” first, and then several rounds of construc tion of housing portions, Montesi said.

Plans for the development were ap proved Aug. 4 by the Alpharetta Plan ning Commission, subject to multiple conditions. The project plans are ex pected to go before the Alpharetta City Council for final approval Nov. 7.

Trademark representatives said there’s still some discussion to be had about the development’s main point of contention — rental units.

Developers originally requested more

than 1,200 rental units for the project. That figure was later reduced to 900 rental units and 103 for sale units as a condition approved through the Planning Commis sion.

Montesi told community members that decreasing rental units in the devel opment, could jeopardize the financial backing of New York Life, who in 2021 purchased North Point Mall from Brook field Property Partners.

“It is very, very, very, very difficult to make the economics work if we keep reducing the number of multifamily units,” he said. “Because that’s where the economic value is stored in malls across the country.”

Montesi said they faced harsh opposi tion to rental units from local officials, who painted the large multi-family devel opments as a potential draw for “tran sient” and “disengaged” residents. He said they argued the development would bring, luxury, “renter by choice” apartments to the community, and it would have a low density, compared to other developments they’ve worked on nationwide.

“We were told, ‘we don’t care,’” he said. “I understand that you’re proud of your community. But the market looks around the country and capital goes where it’s welcomed.”

For every 50 rental units removed, the project loses $12 million in economic value, he said, and with the significant investment on the line from New York Life, which has reportedly pledged more than $174 million to the project, they are walking a fine line.

“We’re somewhere around 175 units of multifamily away from legally get ting approval,” he said. “We’re off right now.”

FALL FAMILY ACTIVITIES!

ALEXANDER POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Trademark Properties CEO Terry Montesi speaks to community members at a meeting at North Point Mall Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Is a Health Care Savings Account (HSA) right for you?

by –

Q. As my kids get their first jobs and start thinking about college, how can I help them be prepared to responsibly manage their finances?

A. According to a recent survey from the National Financial Educators Council, as many as 75% of students are confused about being responsible with their money. They struggle with how to create a budget, how to balance sav ing and spending and how to keep track of their funds. Most of the students surveyed received most of their financial education at home. As their parents, there are some simple steps you can take to help your kids be in the 25% who feel ready to manage their own finances.

Q. It’s almost open enrollment time. If I choose a high-deductible health plan to reduce my premiums in 2023, is there anything more I can do to manage health care ex penses?

A. Your high-deductible health insurance plan may qualify you for a Health Savings Account or HSA. An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings ac count that can be used to pay qualified expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Q. Who is eligible to open an HSA?

A. HSAs are available to individuals and families who are enrolled in highdeductible healthcare plans (HDHPs). These are plans that, while they may offer lower premiums, come with higher out-of-pocket expenses, such as deductibles and co-pays. With an HSA, you can accumulate pre-tax savings to cover both planned and unplanned healthcare-related expenses.

Q. How does an HSA work?

A. Opening an HSA is about as simple as opening any other bank ac count. There are a few up-front ques tions to ensure that you qualify. Once funded, you’ll discover three significant tax benefits:

• Your contributions are tax deduct

ible. Contributions to an HSA operate in the same manner as a 401(k). You contribute pre-tax dollars, thereby reducing taxable income.

• Earnings grow tax-free. Balances accumulate similar to an IRA. Any investment earnings on your HSA con tributions are not taxed.

• Withdrawals are tax-free. As long as your withdrawals are used to cover qualified medical expenses, you will pay no taxes on the money you with draw. You can find a list of qualified medical expenses on the IRS website (www.irs.gov).

Q. If I don’t open an HSA during open enrollment, is it possible to open one later in the year?

A. Yes. Unlike a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Ac counts can be opened at any time dur ing the year. You may also change your contribution rates at any time or even invest a single lump sum.

Q. If my healthcare expenses are lower than I’m expecting, will I lose the money I’ve saved in my HSA?

A. HSA contributions aren’t limited to any calendar year. If you don’t use the funds this year, they’ll roll over into the next year. Balances can accumu late over time, similar to an IRA. When you turn 65, money in your HSA can be withdrawn for reasons other than healthcare, though such distributions will likely be taxable.

Q. An HSA sounds like a great idea! Is there a limit on how much I can deposit?

A. Yes, there is a limit on the amount you can contribute. For 2023 those limits are $3,850 for an indi vidual and $7,750 for a family. Plus, if you’re over 55, you may make an additional “catch-up contribution” of $1,000.

Q. How can I learn more about Health Savings Accounts?

A. Call us at American Commerce Bank, 470.422.1200, or visit our web site, www.americancommercebank. com to decide if an HSA is right for you.

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Barbara Bauschka

Leslie Berry

Tom Billings

Joe Bowen

Clea Calloway Kirk Canaday James Carr

William Cartwright

Pat Check Rebecca Donlan Tom Driscoll Danny Elkins Carol Fry Christopher Goodrich Joe Hirsch

MEMBER (Cont.)

Penn Hodge

Tyler Jones Mark Kelly

Allison Kloster

Ken Leffingwell

Karen Magill Al Merrill

Fred Moeller

Stephanie Schuette Sheryl Sellaway Cindy Simpson

Faye Sklar Andy Smith Lisa Tilt

Ollie Wagner

Lewis Walker

On not being in a hurry and creating road rage

She didn’t lay on the horn but might as well have done that. In my rear-view mirror, I watched her mouth ing words and throwing her hands up in exasperation. It was so ridiculous to me that it actu ally made me smile. I mean, where else would someone spark a mini road rage thing by coming to a full stop at a three way stop? Really? I annoyed someone because I wasn’t in so much of a hurry that I didn’t roll through a stop sign and through the intersec tion?

RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com

What was she so late for? Where was she going in such a hurry? Don’t think I really would want to know and, truth be told, my guess is that the answer is probably “none of the above.” That is just how she goes through life – in a hurry for nothing or not much – and aggravated that everyone else isn’t just like she is.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I mean, so much of our economy now is tied to things that help save time. Saving time creates jobs these days, right? Think Amazon driv ers, home-delivered groceries, prescrip tions, and pizza and so much more. And of course, business, well anything that boosts business can’t be all bad, no?

Look at Starbucks the last two years. What has changed? Everything,

I would suggest. Their business model seems to have morphed into serving coffee and food – fast – and of course that includes the added bonus of people not having to be inconvenienced by having to exit their cars. Just go through the drive-thru, saves time and while you are waiting for your Frap, you can keep watching TicTok or what ever your favorite go-to website or app is. Losing time on your phone is the big no-no, right?

And the cost? Well, yes, there is a cost for everything. In Starbucks’ case, the cost just might be that what brought them to the table, what made them unique and gave them their competitive advantage, the creation of a place that served great coffee but also provided a comfortable place to meet and social ize, to chat with a friend or discuss a business deal or next months’ vacation plans with another, or how Johnnie is doing in school or that great book you just read. Now instead, more time with a screen without having to interact with another human. Hmmmm. Sort of reminds me of all those companies who have also “updated” their business model via Zoom or Teams and now con duct business in front of screens instead of in person.

And they wonder why turnover has jumped, morale has plummeted, and folks just don’t seem to care like they used to – or have the same work ethic or the social sensibilities. But, as I mentioned earlier, every situation has a silver lining; we have entered

Dr. Emily Zachowski

STUDIO SERIES: RANDALL BRAMBLETT

What: Known for his “swampy, sweaty Southern-fried funk,” Randall Bramblett continues the Studio Series with an exploration of his discography and a few stories along the way about his work with legends like Bonnie Raitt and Levon Helm.

When: Thursday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m.

Where: Studio Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: Tickets start at $10 More info: citysprings.com

FEATURED:

SANDY SPRINGS FARMERS MARKET

What: Shop for fresh produce and arti san foods from more than 30 vendors every Saturday morning through Nov. 12 at the Sandy Springs Farmers Market. When: Saturday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m.-noon

Where: City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs More info: citysprings.com

OUT AND ABOUT:

ALIVE IN ROSWELL

What: A family-friendly festival featuring music, food trucks, hundreds of interac tive vendors, kids’ games, entertainment and more.

When: Thursday, Oct. 20, 5-9 p.m. Where: Historic Canton Street, Roswell Antique and Interiors Lot and Historic Roswell Town Square, Roswell More info: roswellgov.com

ATLANTA KOSHER BBQ FESTIVAL

What: Get a taste of barbecue at this strictly Kosher festival, where more than 23 teams will compete for best brisket, beef ribs, chicken and chili.

When: Sunday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody

Cost: Taste tickets for 1 oz. containers are $1.25; 20 tickets are $25; 40 tickets are $50

More info: theatlantakosherbbq.com

FESTIVE:

SPOOKY SPRINGS

What: Come to this safe, family-friendly event for young trick-or-treaters. There will be trick-or-treat candy stations, face painting stations, fog machines, a DJ and food trucks.

When: Saturday, Oct. 22, 5 p.m.

Where: Abernathy Greenway Play able Art Park, limited parking at Sandy Springs Christian Church, 301 Johnson Ferry Rd, Sandy Springs

Cost: Free

More info: sandyspringsga.gov

What: Experience the mystery of a guided night hike. The 37th annual Halloween Hike takes you through the forest to meet woodland creatures and hear about how they live. Take part in world music, crafts, campfire, face painting, Monster Mash dance party and other festival fun. Arrive 30 minutes before the hike.

When: Friday & Saturday, Oct. 21, 22, 28 & 29, 6 p.m.

Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell

Cost: $25 for general public/$20 for CNC members (children 2 and under are free)

More info: CNC members can by tickets online; for non-CNC members, ticket sales open Oct. 10, www.chattnature center.org

“ZOMBIE PROM”

What: A girl-loves-ghoul rock ‘n’ roll mu sical set in the atomic 1950s at Enrico Fermi High, where pretty senior Toffee has fallen for the class bad boy. When family pressure forces Toffee to end the romance, he charges off on his motor cycle to the nuclear waste dump. He re turns glowing and determined to reclaim Toffee’s heart. He still wants to graduate, but most of all he wants to take Toffee to the prom.

When: Friday-Sunday, Oct. 28-30, times vary

Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Cham blee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody Cost: $15 for adults; $10 for kids

More info: stagedoortheatrega.org/zom bie-prom/

DUNWOODY FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS

What: Sweet and savory food trucks with live music every Thursday through the end of October.

When: Thursdays, Oct. 20 & 27, 5-8 p.m.

Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody More info: facebook.com/dunwoodyfood truckthursdays/

ROSWELL GHOST TOUR

What: Join this 2 1/2 ghost tour with paranormal investigators who describe current paranormal phenomena rou tinely experienced by Roswell residents, businesses and other tour-goers.

When: Every night, as long as there are 6 willing participants, 8 or 8:30 p.m. Private tours unavailable Oct. 21, 22, 28 & 29.

Where: Tours depart from the bandstand in the Roswell town square, across from the Roswell Visitor’s Center, 617 Atlanta Street, Roswell

Cost: $20, $10 for children 12 and un der

More info: Book reservation online, roswellghosttour.com. Sign liability waiver and pay cash for tickets upon arrival.

HALLOWEEN HIKES

HOLIDAY CRAFT MARKET

What: A fall craft market with goods from Northbrook Crafters. Proceeds from the sale benefit church missions and are distributed to charities in the North Fulton area.

When: Friday, Nov. 4, noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Sun day, Nov. 6, before and after 11 a.m. church service

Where: Northbrook United Methodist Church, 11225 Crabapple Road, Roswell

More info: Parking and signage to direct shoppers to Simmons Hall, facebook. com/northbrookcrafters

BOOK FESTIVAL OF THE MJCCA

What: The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta will host its 31st an nual book festival with over 40 renowned authors.

When: Nov. 3-19

Where: Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody More info: atlantajcc.org/our-programs/

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Lifelong Learning

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that last a lifetime.

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Change lives, change the world

Brought to you by - Wesleyan School

Wesleyan School believes faith and intel lect are great partners with each other. At Wesleyan, it’s not a matter of choos ing faith or intellect, but rather using both to create the best possible educa tion for your child. Our leadership and faculty work to provide students with an atmosphere that is challenging, rein forces the value of hard work, and em phasizes character and integrity above accomplishment. Wesleyan prepares students for each stage of life and pro vides them the opportunity to see all the possibilities that lie before them. Wesley an’s school motto is JOY-Jesus, Others, Yourself, and every aspect of school life is oriented to reinforce this philosophy of putting Jesus first and others ahead of ourselves.

A college preparatory environ ment, students have access to a wide

range of academic opportunities along with athletics, arts, service and other extracurricular activities. Wesleyan’s 85-acre campus provides state-ofthe-art academic facilities along with on-campus practice space for athletics and arts.

Located just outside of I-285 in Peachtree Corners, Wesleyan enrolled 1,171 students in grades K-12 for the 2021-2022 school year. Wesleyan offers bus routes throughout the metro Atlanta area. Supervised care before school is included in the cost of tuition and after care is available (K-8) until 6:00 p.m. at an affordable rate.

Wesleyan School

5405 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-448-7640

https://www.wesleyanschool.org/

Where authentic Christian mission and academic excellence aren’t mutually exclusive

Johns Creek Herald | October 20, 2022

A letter to students

Brought to you by - Woodward Academy

1. You are awesome. Be confident in who you are. I promise you’ll meet people who are smarter than you, and that’s OK. You don’t have to be the smartest person—oddly enough, sometimes being the smartest person is difficult. I also promise that you will be smarter than most. Enjoy that; while being smart isn’t everything, it is defi nitely something. Be confident in your intelligence, but not arrogant. I’ve found that, most of the time, being arrogant backfires on you. That leads into point two…

2. Sometimes it takes more courage and intelligence to be silent than to speak. It took me a long time to un derstand and respect silence. I’m still learning that it’s a mark of maturity and, most of the time, intelligence. Also, respect everyone’s differences and challenge yourself to learn about them.

3. Never stop learning. I don’t mean that in a teacher way, I mean it in a learning life sort of way. You are con stantly growing, maturing, and devel oping, so enjoy it. Life is a condition to which no one is immune. We learn something every day.

Our taste in music, food, TV, and the people we surround ourselves with evolves. It’s natural for these prefer ences to change. I wasted a lot of time trying to be someone I wasn’t because I thought I was supposed to be someone else.

To complete number three, you need to invest in number four…

4. Spend time with yourself. Since you’ve been in my class, I’ve learned how amazing you are each in your own way. If you sit and spend time with you, I think you’ll feel the same way. I’m such a people person, but some times the best thing is time alone with great music, a book, TV, or whatever. As cheesy as this sounds, be your own best friend. The sooner you learn that all of your faults and idiosyncra sies are what make you awesome, the sooner you will be a better person and enjoy life so much more. That leads to number five…

5. Everyone has faults. With the advent of social media, I sometimes find myself comparing my faults with everyone else’s highlights. Scrolling through your Twitter feed (or Snapchat or Tik Tok), you see people lauding their

accomplishments, great times, and great friends. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this, as long as you understand that what you see on social media is an incomplete picture. If you compare all of your faults to those highlights, you may feel a bit inadequate. Everyone has faults, so embrace yours. Grow from them and know that they add to what makes you, you. And remember, you’re awe some.

6. Surround yourself with people who love you and think you’re great (but also who know and accept your faults). You need this. If someone won’t accept you for who you are, ask yourself if you really need that rela tionship (be it friends or more).

7. Smile. Every day. I’m not getting into the psychology of it all, but it could pos sibly make you happier and healthier. It works. Trust me.

8. Don’t trust people just because they say, “trust me.” Still...

9. Trust people. It’s endearing. I know this is very contradictory, but it’s true. Even though “trust me” should raise flags, trusting people means you are human and we all need people we can trust.

10. I’ve saved one of the most impor tant tips for last: Be happy. Genuinely happy.

Choose a profession that pays the bills and makes you want to go to work most days. You won’t be happy every day. You will have bad days, weeks and maybe even months, but you’ll be gener ally happy. Money will not, in the end, make you happy.

One of the greatest pieces of advice my dad ever gave me was to make great memories. Good and bad, and all kinds in between, they are all part of our life.

So, make them good ones and remember that you are part of other’s memories so make sure they are posi tive, too.

I have to end this the way my mother ended most of our conversations when I was in high school and college. Make good choices. (I repeat this often to my own kids.)

Lori Fenzl, Upper School social studies teacher

A DEEPLY PERSONALIZED COMMUNITY, WHERE EACH STUDENT CAN TAILOR THEIR OWN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

WOODWARD

PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE

With the

Great minds think differently

Brought to you by - The Cottage School

Since 1985, The Cottage School (TCS) has provided a comprehensive program for students with learning differences. TCS of fers a business-based model that promotes self-advocacy and fosters self-confidence, preparing them for life after graduation to pursue post-secondary educational paths or vocational opportunities. Our accred ited college preparatory curriculum meets Georgia graduation standards and HOPE scholarship requirements to take students to graduation and beyond.

Our students, in all grades, enjoy unique experiential learning with electives based on their interests and clubs includ ing archery, drama, forensics, robotics, horticulture and amazing off-campus experiences throughout the year.

The school’s beautiful 23-acre Roswell campus is a hidden gem in North Fulton, with small class sizes our students devel

op meaningful connections to our teach ing staff. Our cottages are unique and warm learning environments that include computer and science labs, art studios, a multi-purpose athletic and performing arts facility, indoor and outdoor class rooms, and trails for mountain biking and cross-country. TCS encourages students of all abilities to participate in athletics by offering sports such as soccer, basketball, baseball, cross-country, tennis, and golf.

The Cottage School has built a one-ofa-kind learning environment perfect for students who learn differently. TCS offers 12-month rolling admissions for all grade levels. Visit our website or call for a cam pus tour today.

The Cottage School 700 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell, Georgia 30075 770-641-8688 www.cottageschool.org

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The Cottage School has served students with learning differences in the metro and surrounding area since 1985.

TCS changes lives by focusing on the social and emotional needs of our students as well as their academic achievement.

2nd – Special Issues/Sections

2nd – Business Writing

3rd – Business Writing 3rd – Page One

3rd – Locals News Coverage

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Our business-based model fosters self-advocacy and prepares them for the future.

Serving students grades 3–12. Learn more at www.cottageschool.org

PROVIDED

Sowing the seeds of organic learning

Brought to

by

Johns Creek Mon tessori School of Georgia

Maria Montessori, Italy’s first woman doctor, invented a system of early child hood education based on her scientific observations of how the child constructs himself through interaction with his environment.

Her emphasis on the importance of the “prepared” environment created by the teacher offers the child the free dom to choose his work. This freedom - which is given when the child demon strates the responsibility to use it wisely - allows him to remain with an activity until its purpose is accomplished. Work ing without artificial timelines allows him to engage in the spontaneous repeti tion of a skill so that it is refined; this freedom also creates in him the ability to concentrate for long periods of time and to feel the satisfaction of mastery.

In a Montessori environment, the teacher serves as a guide rather than as a traditional instructor. She continually observes the child, using these observa tions to give the next lesson so that he steadily progresses.

The multi-aged classroom gives every child regular opportunities to be the

learner as well as the leader in the secu rity of a home-like environment which is cared for by everyone in it, teacher and student alike. The Montessori class room is ordered and beautiful, filled with materials that are aesthetically pleasing, materials which capture the imagination and assist in physical, academic and social development.

Montessori develops children who are responsible, creative, innovative, respectful and kind. Montessori chil dren are truly the citizens of the future, equipped to face challenges with confi dence and competence.

Located near the intersection of 141 and McGinnis Ferry Road in Johns Creek, Johns Creek Montessori School of Georgia provides excellence in Mon tessori education for infants, toddlers and children to six years old. JCMSOG provides an authentic Montessori environment, where each individual’s needs are respected, and everyone works together for the good of the community. The focus is always on helping the chil dren to develop themselves in a caring, peaceful environment. By helping chil dren to develop independence, we assist them in their physical and emotional development.  As their sense of security in their ability to care for themselves

and their environment grows, their brains have more energy or “bandwidth” for increased academic learning. Ad ditionally, this focus on development of muscular control is a first step in

developing self-discipline. The JCMSOG Difference is best experienced in person. Please schedule a visit with your child to observe our “Montessori Magic” - www. JCMSOG.org 770-814-8001

Currently Accepting Applications For 2022

High Meadows School –Inspiring future global citizens and innovative leaders

Brought to you by - High Meadows School

There is no place like High Meadows School. Since 1973, High Meadows stu dents in Pre-K through 8th grade have learned through experiential, immer sive educational opportunities offered both in the school’s spacious, lightfilled classrooms and across 42 acres of grassy fields and scenic woodlands. High Meadows School’s progressive cur riculum is focused on developing future global citizens and innovative leaders who embrace challenge and think for themselves.

High Meadows lower years class rooms offer low student-teacher ratios in which instruction emphasizes academic excellence, love of learning, critical thinking, and environmental and social responsibility. As a nationally recog nized and award-winning leader in pro gressive education, High Meadows is an

accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering its renowned Primary Years Program for students in preschool through fifth grade.

High Meadows School’s accomplished and experienced faculty lead each stu dent on this journey. Through interac tive, inquiry-based instruction, support ed by of-the-moment technology and our nature-based campus, High Meadows teachers are unequaled in their intellect, passion, and compassion for these kids. Every day they inspire authentic learn ing opportunities that are engaging and sticky (literally and figuratively!).

When children graduate from High Meadows, they are empowered with a deep respect for international perspec tives, an intuitive understanding of life’s interconnectedness, and an exceedingly strong sense of self. Education is an expedition that starts from the moment we are born. When we teach children to be curious and inquiring at an early age,

we create within them a love of learn ing that lasts an entire lifetime. What is more important than that?

Come see how all this comes to life.

Please visit our website at highmeadows.org or call 770-993-2940 to learn more about High Meadows School.

PROVIDED

Marist School – Forming faith-filled, global-ready servant leaders

Brought to you by – Marist School

Founded in 1901, Marist School is an independent, Catholic, college-prepara tory day school enrolling 1,100 boys and girls in grades 7-12.

Marist School’s mission is to form the whole person in the image of Christ through instruction grounded in reli gious values, the teachings of the Catho lic Church, and the spirit of the Society of Mary. We realize our mission through the communal pursuit of excellence in academic, religious, extracurricular, leadership, and service programs.

Marist offers a dynamic and expe riential curriculum, balancing leadingedge innovation with a comprehensive course of study that engages students with the spirituality and heritage of a Catholic education. Students have op portunities to explore interests and hone leadership skills through athletics, fine arts, campus ministry, and other extra curricular activities.

Our remarkable campus includes 78 in-town acres replete with top-notch facilities, a hilltop chapel, and an overall atmosphere that encourages learn

ing and collaboration. Marist recently opened the Goizueta Center for Immer sive Experience and Design, which helps students build empathy through explor ing the intersection between global and humane studies and STEAM areas.

The Marist educational experience culminates with graduates who have the strength of character and skills they need to make a difference in the world. https://www.marist.com/

Brought to you by - Mill Springs Acad emy

Those are the words of Mill Springs Academy’s founder, Tweetie L. Moore, and the words that Mill Springs adminis tration, faculty, and staff continue to live by today. Founded in 1981, Mill Springs provides a values-based college prepara tory program for students with ADHD and learning differences. Mill Springs’ school-wide Community Structure en courages students to participate in their own education by teaching self-advocacy, social problem-solving skills, and how to forge their own path. Our small class sizes allow teachers to provide each student with individualized instruction. Our highly skilled faculty and counselors provide academic rigor on all levels, from kindergarten through 12, in a supportive, nurturing environment.

Mill Springs Academy also offers students a wide variety of opportunities outside the core curriculum. Mill Springs’ fine arts program encourages students to explore their creativity through painting, sculpture, set design, music, performance, and more. Our robust athletic programs allow students to play at a competitive level

while building teamwork and confidence.

Mill Springs’ 85-acre Alpharetta campus includes indoor and outdoor classroom space, athletic facilities, and visual and performing arts facilities. We serve students from over 50 different zip codes in the Metro Atlanta area and provide four bus routes with ten stops in the morning and afternoon. To learn more about Mill Springs Academy, visit us at www.millsprings.org/visit.

Serving grades 7 12, Marist School provides an unparalleled Catholic education where achievement exists within a spirit of humility and generosity. Students are challenged by an extensive college-preparatory curriculum and an array of extracurricular activities to prepare them to be faith-filled, global-ready servant leaders.

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, December 4, 1 –4 p.m.

Learn. Lead. Ser ve. marist.com/admissions

“If a student can’t learn the way we teach… we should teach the way a student can learn.”

Thank You!

Our local news is free to read but not to produce. Johns Creek Herald relies on advertisers to keep the lights on, pay our reporters and publish your news. That’s why we want to say thank you to all the advertisers, large and small, who have stuck by us through thick and thin.

Consider giving them your business, just as they have done with us.

Buy local, eat local, read local.

the golden age for therapists, delivery drivers, warehouse builders and social media influencers.

And what about all those young people who have never known a life that did not revolve around their screens? Where does this path lead?

I think if I owned Starbucks stock for long, I would be thinking hard about getting rid of it. With their morphed business model what they have done to me is effectively com moditized their product, reduced it down to the lowest common de nominator – time, convenience – and the WalMart approach to business –price. How long will it be before some enterprising entrepreneur realizes that one could start building those little kiosks in parking lots that only serve drive-thru coffee and do it faster and cheaper, and slip in under the radar of

the 800-pound coffee gorilla, and eat their lunch?

The same thing probably also holds true for all sorts of things, like even that old-school media – print. Digital saves time, money, bottom line, and is super convenient, no? Well, yes and no. You see, anytime there is change, something usu ally gets lost in the transition. Everything has a cost. And the relative value of what is lost is sometimes very subtle and some times not so much, and often not realized until too late in the rear-view mirror.

What is the value of a conversation –the old-fashioned kind – in person? Or the low impact ease of reading the local news on print – at your leisure? Versus diving into a social media platform every day for a couple hours on your screen and then wondering where all your time has gone?

Where has all our time gone? I’ll have a Venti dark please, two raw sugars, a splash of cream… and room.

And can you give me a Pupachino for my dog too? I’m in a hurry and he loves those Pupcups.

PERSERVING THE PAST

Hurry: Nix family left mark across North Fulton

Some early Nix family settlers, like some other pioneers, came to Georgia from Europe via the Carolinas beginning in the 18th century. By 1840 there were 48 Nix families living in Georgia, about 35 percent of all Nixs in the USA according to Ancestry.com. In this column, I will highlight a few noteworthy north Georgia pioneers.

BOB MEYERS Columnist bobmey@bellsouth.net

Charles William “Charlie” Nix (18361927) was a colorful character. He joined the Confederate army when he was 25 and served with General Jeb Stuart’s calvary. He fought in Antietam, Get tysburg and Chancellorsville, which was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War up until then and famous as the battle where General Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded by his own troops.

Charlie was born in Cherokee County, married Susan Caroline Bates (1840–1907) and had eight children and 27 grandchildren. At the time of his 90th birthday in 1926, celebrated with a cake with 90 candles, the Atlanta Constitution said he was one of the oldest people in Georgia and one of the earliest subscribers to the newspaper.

“In the early days he rode four miles ev ery day on horseback to get his paper,” the newspaper reported. He is buried in Provi dence Baptist Church in Alpharetta along with two dozen other Nix family members.

Many local Nix families are descended from Matthias Bates (1802-1883), whose daughter married Charlie Nix. Matthias and his son Russell started a trading post in Cherokee County at the intersection of Batesville Road and Sugar Pike Road. Charlie’s sons Walter Scott Nix Sr. (18731956) and John Russell Nix (1871-1939) bought 140 acres from their uncle Rus sell. They opened a general store which contained the Batesville Post Office. Walter became storekeeper and postmas ter. Walter and his brother turned the property into a trade and service center with a blacksmith shop, grist mill, cot ton gin, sawmill, guano distributorship and potato curing house. Nearby, the Big Springs School and the Big Springs Methodist Church were built.

Dr Harold Lyle Nix (1920-2003), son of Walter Scott Nix, was raised in Batesville and became a distinguished professor of sociology at the University of Georgia. He focused on developing alternatives to the rapidly disintegrating rural economy.

Among his many accomplishments was a book he wrote for his family in 2000 titled “Moments to Remember” in which he re calls growing up in Batesville. In poignant terms he explains that the rural South at the time “was made up of a gridwork of small trade and service centers about four miles, or a ‘team-haul’ apart” so a farmer could walk a mule to a cotton gin, store, school or church in a half a day. Batesville was such a center in the late 1800s.

The area underwent dramatic changes in the early and mid-20th century. The automobile, tractor, paved roads, the boll weevil and two world wars changed the South forever. Some of the rural service centers continued to prosper, others declined or disappeared. Batesville officially disappeared on Dec. 12, 1992, when the last remaining structure in town, the old Walter Scott Nix, Sr. home, was put to the torch as a county fire training exercise. Today Batesville is just the crossroads where Batesville Road and Sugar Pike Road intersect. One structure, the abandoned potato curing house, still stands.

Brothers Jody and Jason Nix, great grandsons of Walter Scott Nix, operate Big Spring Farms Pumpkin Patch on Sugar Pike Road next to the intersection. The attraction is open on weekends in October and pro vides opportunities for families to experience rural life as it once was, including demon strations by an old Model 0 Frick sawmill.

An early Nix residence in Milton is a City of Milton Historic Site. Built circa 1896 on Birmingham Road, the house was owned by William Henry Nix (18861953) and Clara Maddox Nix, daughter of Dr. Cicero Cincinnatus, a prominent doctor in Alpharetta. Today the home is owned by Jim Bell who in order to preserve the land has created a certified natural burial ground, Milton Fields, adjacent to the house.

Nix Road, one of Milton’s prized dirt roads, connects Birmingham Highway with Freemanville Road. Several genera tions of Nix families lived there accord ing to Sonja Holcombe whose parents, Obed Farrell Holcombe (1911-1994) and Mary Sue Nix Holcombe Rigby (born 1933), lived on the corner of Nix Road and Birmingham Highway in a house that still stands. Sonja’s grandparents John Leonard Nix (1884-1963) and Oscar Adena Nix (1907-1992) also lived in the house but moved away in 1930. Sonja’s great grandparents John Leon ard Nix (1884-1963) and Oscar Adena Nix (1907-1992) lived in a house on a hill overlooking Nix Road, so it is under standable how the road got its name.

Baseball an Atlanta pastime during World War II

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF

During World War II, the Atlanta Ama teur Baseball League included not only businesses, but teams representing military bases and military op erations of Atlanta, as well as military hos pital Lawson General. Atlanta was divided into the City League and the Scott League.

City League included baseball teams from Lawson General Hospital, Georgia Power, Whittier Mills (cotton mill along the Chattahoochee River on west side of Atlanta), Bell Bombers (Bell Aircraft Corporation), Camp Conley Ordnance Depot and Naval Air Station Atlanta.

The Scott League included Army Air Base, Lawson MDTS (Medical Depart ment Technicians School), Optimists, 17th Machine Records (Fort McPher son), Genuine Parts, and Hapeville. The Optimists team represented the Atlanta Optimists Club.

Naval Air Station Atlanta first began in 1941 as U.S. Naval Aviation Reserve Base and was located where Chamblee’s DeKalb Peachtree Airport is today. Law son General Hospital was constructed and opened April 1941 next door to the naval base where the IRS and CDC Chamblee are located. During World War II, both places had teams participating in amateur sports. In addition to barracks, hospital wards, mess hall, headquarters and the MDTS building, Lawson General Hospital had a baseball field.

On Sunday, May 24, 1942, Naval Avia tion Reserve Base played Army Air Base of Candler Field. The game took place at Ponce de Leon Ballpark, home of the At lanta Crackers. The Navy planned to bring their mascot billy goat to the game, while the Army would bring their mule. On May 25, the newspapers reported that Navy beat Army 8 to 5 in front of 3,000 fans.

The fifth annual tournament of At lanta Amateur Baseball Federation was

held at Ponce de Leon Park on August 24, 1943. Whittier Mills beat Georgia Power 8 to 4, and Naval Air Station At lanta beat Southern Railway 16 to 6.

In July of 1944, Naval Air Station Atlanta and Lawson General Hospi tal were scheduled to play each other at Ponce de Leon Ballpark. The price of admission was proof of a war bond purchase. Following the game, an exhibition of warfare was planned. The winner of the game would go on to play the Camp Siebert team of Gadsden, Alabama.

Both teams had former profes sional baseball players who had been called to duty. John Pesky, who was the American League rookie of the year in 1942 and played for the Boston Red Sox, was on the Naval Air Station

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PUBLIC NOTICE

PURPOSE

An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was submitted to the City on September 26, 2022 for Package of Malt Beverage and Wine.

BUSINESS NAME

The Alpha 900 LLC Dba EZ Mart 9950 Jones Bridge Rd. Suite 900 Johns Creek, GA 30022

OWNER/OFFICERS

The Alpha 900 LLC Dba EZ Mart 9950 Jones Bridge Rd. Suite 900 Johns Creek, GA 30022

Owner, Salima Devji

Solution

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T OUR SPARS ERIE ARSON STEAD ANA BAD SLOB BER M ARIGOLDS DYES ALAN BEE HOPS TEDS BALSA AQUA TRIO ISLET SURF ETON NESTS SENT

team. Bobby Kennedy of the Chicago White Sox played third base for Naval Air Station. He had recently won his wings as a Marine flier at Pensacola base, before being transferred to At lanta. Former Atlanta Crackers Larry Miller and Buddy Bates were also on the Naval Air Station team.

Luke Appling, a former Atlanta Cracker and Chicago White Sox player, led the Lawson General Hospital team. He was the American League batting champion of 1943 and later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Another former Cracker playing for Lawson was Johnny Hill.

The Atlanta Crackers minor league baseball team and the Atlanta Black Crackers also played during the years of World War II. Baseball was segre

gated, with Black players and teams not recognized by professional base ball in the U.S. That changed after 1947, when Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Atlanta Black Crackers played games at Ponce de Leon Ballpark only when the Atlanta Crackers were on the road. Other times they played at Morris Brown College, Morehouse College and Luther Wil liams Field in Macon.

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

and Operated

Pre-planning

Funeral Services

Grief Support

Veteran Services

Cremation Services

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PUBLIC NOTICE

PURPOSE

An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was summited to City on September 29, 2022 for Consumption on Premises of Malt Beverage, Wine and Distilled Spirits.

BUSINESS NAME

RCH Restaurant Inc Dba

Mona Lisa Italian Restaurant Johns Creek, GA 30022

OWNER/OFFICERS

RCH Restaurant Inc Dba

Mona Lisa Italian Restaurant Johns Creek, GA 30022

Owner, Jai Yadav & Nathan Tew

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PUBLIC NOTICE

PURPOSE

An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was submitted to City on September 29, 2022 for Consumption on Premises of Malt Beverage, Wine and Distilled Spirits.

BUSINESS NAME

Casey Black LLC

Dba Altobeli’s Italian Restaurant & Piano Bar Johns Creek, GA 30022

OWNER/OFFICERS

Casey Black LLC

Dba Altobeli’s Italian Restaurant & Piano Bar Johns Creek, GA 30022

Owner, Casey Black

Full-time

POOL TECHNICIANS WANTED

Part-time & Full-time positions available. Pay is $12-$14 per hour. Hours starting at 6:30AM, Monday-Friday. Pick-up truck not required but must have your own reliable transportation. Gas allowance provided. Looking for people who enjoy working outside and are enthusiastic, dependable & punctual. Able to contribute independently or on a crew with consistently friendly attitude.

Well-established commercial pool maintenance company providing service in the North Atlanta Metro area.

Call Bill: 404-245-9396

FRONT OFFICE RECEPTIONISTS AND MEDICAL ASSISTANTS for busy Dermatology Practice; Cumming, Roswell and Alpharetta locations. Email resume to wmark@atlcenterforderm.com or Fax 770-751-7410.

SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS USA, LLC SEEKS IN ALPHARETTA, GA:

Product Development Scientist/ Research Scientist (Job code 2894) to plan, conduct, and lead complex Research and Development projects utilizing the materials science & engineering relationships between chemical structure, material processing, and resulting properties. Up to 10% travel required. Mail resume referencing Job Code 2894 to Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC Attn: HR, 4500 McGinnis Ferry Road, Alpharetta, GA, 30005. No recruiters

CEMENT MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

(Alpharetta, GA) Provide technical support to regional operations in line with plans to optimize production processes, oversees technical audits of pyro processes and milling, resolve substandard situations with high impact on the cement manufacturing process. 50% domestic travel required. Mail resumes to Argos USA LLC, Attn: Mark Prybylski, General Counsel, 3015 Windward Plaza, Suite 300, Alpharetta, GA 30005. Reference job number #JV859532.

Part-time

Building/Facilities Assistant Manager

Seeking part-time Building/Facilities Assistant Manager for Alpharetta Presbyterian Church from about 12-4 Monday – Friday.

Candidate needs basic knowledge/competency in building maintenance and grounds keeping as well as strong interpersonal skills. Computer skills are desired. Requires successful completion of a criminal record and child abuse background check, a valid driver’s license and the ability to perform physical tasks. Full job description can be seen at https://alpharettapres. com/about-us/jobs/.

Qualified candidates please send resume to office@alpharettapres.com

Garage Sale

CUMMING

Lexington Village Subdivision, 2025 Lexington Lane 30040. Saturday 10/22, 9AM-3PM. Furniture, rugs, clothing, housewares etc.

CUMMING-30040

HUGE! Entire Bethelview Downs community; off Bennett Parkway, exit 13. See balloons. Friday 10/21 Saturday 10/22, 8:30AM-1:30PM. Bargains galore; everything goes!

Income Opportunity

Yard Sale ROSWELL

Devereux Downs/ State Street multifamily sale. Woodstock Road at Devereux Chase 30075. Saturday 10/22, 8am-2pm; no earlybirds. Rain/shine! Balloons on mailboxes.CUMMING

Haulers Bush Hogging, Clearing, Grading, Hauling, Etc. Many local references Call Ralph Rucker 678-898-7237

Deadline to place a classified ad is Thursdays by 5:00 pm

Home Improvement

PHILLIPS HOME IMPROVEMENT

We offer drywall, painting, carpentry, plumbing and electrical. Basements finished, kitchen and bath rehabs. All types flooring. Also total home rehab for those who have a rental house or one to sell. Call 678-887-1868 for a free estimate.

Pinestraw

PINESTRAW, MULCH Delivery/installation available. Firewood available. Licensed, insured. Angels of Earth Pinestraw and Mulch. 770-831-3612

If you are concerned with your Vending Machine looking like this, please call FitNGo Healthy Vending, LLC to discuss your vending issues and concerns. We specialize in Healthy and Classical/Traditional options as well as a hybrid of both. We are employee-centric and are committed to visit your site at least twice a week to ensure your machines are full and ready for use. To discuss further, contact:

Brian Weis - (404)861-9730

Mervyn Weis - (770)377-8357

We look forward to talking with you!

Bargain / Furniture

TEAKWOOD TABLE, 8 chairs, China cabinet. $1000/obo. Call or text 404-433-3414

Gutters

AARON’S ALL-TYPE GUTTERS Installed. Covers, siding, soffit, facia. www. aaronsgutters.com. Senior citizen discount! 678-508-2432

Tree Services

Concrete/ Asphalt

Walls Brick or Wood

Retaining walls (brick or wood), grading, sod, tree services, hauling, topsoil & more.

Rucker

Contact Ralph Rucker. Many local references. Honest, punctual, professional and reasonable prices!

24 hour emergency service. Licensed, insured. Workers Comp, insurance claims. 25+ years experience. Family business. Free estimates. We Love Challenges!

Yellow Ribbon Tree Experts 770-512-8733 • www.yellowribbontree.com

COMPLETE TREE SERVICES

Appen-Rated 98

Text or Call us for a FREE quote appointment.

Tree removal, Pruning, Stump grinding, Free mulch. Fully insured. Emergency 24/7 770-450-8188

20% OFF ALL Tree Services

Free consutation. 20 years experience. Fully insured. References. Call Tree Expert for an appointment @ 470-588-5339.

NATIONAL ADVERTISING Business Services

Small Business Owners! Don’t miss out. Get $1,000’s from a government assistance program. Not a loan. More info? www. AidForSmallBusiness.com

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

HughesNet - Finally, superfast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/ mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141

Protect your home from pests safely and affordably. Pest, rodent, termite and mosquito con-trol. Call for a quote or inspection today 844-3949278

!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!! GIBSON, FENDER, MARTIN, etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. TOP DOLLAR PAID. CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-433-8277

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00. 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-4455928 Hablamos Español

Dental insurance - Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real in-surance - not a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855-526-1060 www. dental50plus.com/ads #6258

Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-9299587

Miscellaneous

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855948-6176

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protec-tion. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936

AT&T Internet. Starting at $40/month w/12-mo agmt. 1 TB of data/mo. Ask how to bundle & SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply. 1-855-3643948

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

Flooring

FLOORING Hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile installation and repairs. We do tile floors, showers, tub surrounds and kitchen back-splashes. Regrouting is also available. Call 678-887-1868 for free estimate.

$250 OFF NEW DRIVEWAY!

Mention this ad. Concrete driveway specialists. Driveways, Pool Decks, Patios, Walkways, Slabs.  A+

Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-7294998 or visit dorranceinfo. com/ads

Paying top cash for men’s sportwatches! Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Day-tona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. Call 833603-3236

Put on your TV Ears & hear TV w/unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original - originally $129.95now w/this special offer only $59.95 w/code MCB59! 1-888805-0840

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23. 1-866479-1516

The Generac PWRcell solar plus battery storage system. Save money, reduce reliance on grid, prepare for outages & power your home. Full installation services. $0 down financing option. Request free no obligation quote. 1-877539-0299

Vivint. Smart security. Professionally installed. One connected system for total peace of mind. Free professional installation! Four free months of monitoring! Call to customize your system. 1-833-841-0737

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Fi-nancing available. 1-855-417-1306

Switch and save up to $250/ yr on talk, text & data. No contract or hidden fees. Unlimited talk & text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time get $50 off any new account. Use code GIFT50. 1-855-903-3048

Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the above classifieds. Determining

the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather sup-ply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients es-tablish mail order selling and other businesses at home. Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license ID, or credit card num-bers. Also beware of ads that claim to guarantee loans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repair company does business only over the phone it is illegal to request any money before delivering its service. All funds are based in US dollars. Toll free numbers may or may not reach Canada.

Watches

Brian Iroff GIA Graduate Gemologist