Milton Herald - April 20, 2023

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — It has been seven years since the City of Milton’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan was updated, and a new iteration is set to come in December.

The Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP), drafted in 2009, is a longrange, multimodal transportation plan that assesses the city’s existing and future transportation needs. The goals of the document are to help identify priorities, establish a relationship between local and regional expectations and support other city plans.

At its April 10 meeting, the Milton City Council awarded a $279,945 contract to Kimley Horn and Associates for an update to the CTP, which will include elements of the recently adopted 2040 Comprehensive Plan and

Page 20

City to revisit comprehensive roads program Officials begin elections plan

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Following the Milton City Council’s decision to run their own municipal elections, city staff continue to check boxes and prepare for the months to come.

At an April 10 meeting City Manager Steve Krokoff presented his team’s newest findings and posited the latest

in what will be a string of decisions for the council to make before November. Thus far the city has made a few official steps forward.

Councilmembers have fixed and published qualifying fees for the three Post 2 positions that will be on the ballot. They’ve updated the city code as it relates to municipal elections, and some staff members have attended elections training.

Still, a number of items remain on the checklist.

One notable topic at the April 10 meeting was the price tag. Krokhoff’s presentation included a cost estimate of $98,382, around $26,000 more than the one presented by the Milton Municipal Election Feasibility Committee.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Milton Engineering Project Manager Rob Dell-Ross presents an intended update to the city’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan at the Milton City Council meeting April 10.

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Police arrest suspect for fraudulent return

MILTON, Ga. — Milton Police arrested a Lawrenceville man for alleged theft at the Home Depot on Windward Parkway April 4.

The store’s loss prevention officer told police the suspect allegedly made a fraudulent return using a receipt for a vanity he never purchased.

He presented a receipt for the item at the return counter, the report said, and the store clerk gave him a cash refund of $212.93.

The suspect, who was in the parking lot when police arrived, was taken into custody and transported to the Fulton County Jail. He was charged with Theft by Deception and Theft by Shoplifting over $500.

During the investigation, police discovered the suspect also had an active felony warrant out of Gwinnett County for shoplifting from a Lawrenceville Home Depot location.

Woman finds AirTag, worries about safety

MILTON, Ga. — An Alpharetta woman reported to Milton Police April 5 that someone attached an Apple AirTag on her vehicle without her permission. Weeks before the report, the woman said she started to get notifications on her iPhone that an AirTag was following her location.

By initiating a sound from the device, the woman was able to find the AirTag underneath the rear right passenger door near the rear tire. She removed the AirTag from her vehicle and disabled

it by removing the battery, the police report said.

The woman told police she had no children or recent breakups with friends or had any stalkers. Police suspected someone placed the AirTag on her vehicle while she worked inside the Dillard’s at the Perimeter Mall. After the woman expressed concern for her safety, police provided safety tips and advice on suspicious activity.

Milton police receive report of theft, elder exploitation

MILTON, Ga. — A woman reported to Milton Police April 7 that her fatherin-law, who has dementia, was led to believe by his at-home nurse he had unpaid balances.

The woman’s father-in-law had given the nurse a $500 check. The nurse was employed at Right at Home on Alexander Drive.

The woman said her father-inlaw was under the impression that he owed money to the nurse for an unpaid balance. But the woman provided police with a copy of an invoice, showing that balances were paid.

The woman also reported to police that six of her mother-in-law’s rings were missing. She said the jewelry, last seen April 6, was kept in a porcelain egg on her family’s entertainment center. But the egg was empty, the woman said.

Three rings at a total value of $6,700, while the other three rings had an unknown value.

The suspect was not apprehended at the time of the report.

Sandy Springs man arrested for fraud

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police have arrested a man who was allegedly caught in the act while trying to cash a fraudulent check at an Alpharetta bank.

Police said officers responded to the Pinnacle Bank on Northwinds Parkway March 28 after staff reported a man was trying to cash a fraudulent check.

Reports said the check was originally written out to a business for $5,487, but it had been altered to the name of the suspect in the bank. When a bank employee called the original company to ask about the check, they were told it was fraudulent.

When police arrived at the bank, they identified the suspect as a 20-year-old Sandy Springs man and took him into custody on forgery charges. Officers reported finding multiple forged drivers licenses in the suspect’s wallet.

The suspect was transported to the Fulton County Jail and charged with multiple counts of forgery.

Woman sends $7,500 to phone scammer

ROSWELL, Ga. — A woman living on Victoria Way told police April 2 that her sister was scammed out of $7,500 by someone on the phone posing as comedian Ron White.

Police contacted the 70-year-old sister, who said she was contacted by someone online who said they were comedian Ron White. She said the conversations were so “genuine and authentic” she believed it was him. The scammer, posing as White said he needed money for his mother’s emergency “bone marrow cancer treatment.”

The scammer said they needed $10,000 dollars to finish paying for the treatment. The woman wired $7,500 to the scammer. Her bank contacted her because of the suspicious transactions, but the woman sent them through because she believed she was doing the comedian a favor.

The woman has not been able to dispute the transactions with the bank. She sent police screenshots of her conversations with the scammer. The case is still active.

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

At an April 13 work session, the Fulton County School Board looked at a recommended 7.1 percent salary increase for the 2023-2024 school year, with 5.1 percent lasting into future years.

Fulton County school officials weigh pay hike

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Fulton County School Board is considering a budget plan that could give school employees a 7.1 percent salary increase for the 2023-2024 school year to push competitive educator salaries in Metro Atlanta. The board discussed the recommended budget at an April 13 work session at the Fulton North Learning Center in Sandy Springs.

Approximately 84 percent of the general fund budget expenditures are salary and benefits, rounding out at a proposed $1.11 billion price tag for 2024. The cost comes from a host of recommended salary increases from school district officials.

“This budget will include competitive wages,” Fulton County Schools Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef said. “We are in a very competitive market right now, labor is tight as mentioned earlier, so this budget addresses that.”

Dereef presented a plan that would increase all employee salary schedules by 5.1 percent. The raise includes a $2,000 pay raise proposed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. The raise would cost the school district $42.5 million.

The school district staff also presented a one-time two percent pay bump to increase employee retention. The retention pay bump only applies to Fulton County Schools staff who were employed in the 2022-2023 school year. It would be paid in September 2023.

It would cost the school district $14.8 million.

Combined, employees could see a 7.1 percent raise for the next school year, with 5.1 percent lasting into future school years. New teacher salaries would increase from $53,362 to $56,488.

“When I started teaching my salary was $35,000 and I thought I was making a lot of money,” Fulton County School Board District 4 member Franchesca Warren said. “That’s a lot of money for a new graduate or just for a new teacher.”

The school board also looked at hiring and retention incentives for hard to staff schools. The recommended budget would add five schools to the “hard to staff schools” list, totaling 10 schools with the designation.

New teachers could receive a onetime $5,000 hiring incentive, as well as a $250 one-time referral incentive for any staff that refers a teacher to one of the hard to staff schools. Together, the two incentives would cost $490,000.

Warren also asked “what the plan is” for hard to staff schools beyond the pay increases.

Chief Human Resources officer Dr. Gonzalo La Cava said the district is looking at a three-tiered professional development program to provide continued support to teachers.

“When you ask a teacher ‘what is the number one thing you want?’ a lot of the times they don’t tell you money, but they do want support,” La Cava said. “They want a leader that’s engaged with them and is providing a great culture.”

La Cava said the district is also looking at long-term plans to make sure teachers aren’t “forgotten” and can receive constant coaching, and that he knows teachers are excited about the salaries and bonuses they could receive.

If all the salary increases, bonus and incentive plans are approved it would cost the school district $57.8 million.

“I’m pleased to announce this budget recommendation really checks off just about every box as far as the parameters,” Dereef said.

The parameters included identifying opportunities for cost efficiencies, maintaining a competitive compensation structure, to be revenue neutral and continuing with a modified zero-based budgeting process.

The school board also looked at increasing school maintenance funds. The district has projected a 4.5 percent increase in the tax digest, but some board members expect the number will be much higher and could create additional money to spend.

The Chief Communications Officer for Fulton County Schools, Brian Noyes said that may be true, but the school district likely will not know the official tax estimate until after the budget is approved and is operating off a conservative estimate now.

Fulton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney said he has discussed maintenance individually and will “be working with staff to present a proposal that adds additional money towards school maintenance.”

Read Local, Shop Local

Alpharetta Police arrest 5 in child exploitation sting

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia. com

ALPHARETTA, Ga.

— The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety Special Investigations Unit announced the arrests of five and outstanding warrants for two suspects in an undercover child exploitation operation March 29.

Police charged Neal Wurtz, 25, Jose Hernandez, 28, Douglas Cropf Jr., 30, and August Rich, 23, with felony use of a computer to entice a child to commit an illegal act. Erick Garcia-Salinas, 34, and the four suspects were also charged with felony criminal attempt to commit child molestation.

Police Lt. Andrew Splawn said

detectives posed as underage children in internet chatrooms and on websites in order to identify and arrest predators who allegedly believed they were soliciting sex from children.

Splawn said the operation ran from Dec. 1-3, 2022, and it was a joint effort between the city, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.

Four of the suspects were arrested immediately after they traveled to Alpharetta to meet the detectives who posed as minors. Detectives arrested the fifth suspect in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

While the websites used in the operation were not designed for catching predators, Splawn said the department had chosen the sites based on trends reported by previous child victims.

“Alpharetta Police Department genuinely cares about the protection of children,” Splawn said. “And that’s the reason that we run this type of operation is because children are a very special

population, and we want to run proactive operations to make sure that we can keep them as safe as possible.”

As of press time, two suspects have not been arrested.

Tyquand Caldwell, 26, and Christopher Frazier, 43, are wanted for felony use of a computer to entice a child to commit an illegal act. Caldwell was also charged with felony criminal attempt to commit child molestation.

Splawn asked the public to contact the department with any information on the suspects or their whereabouts.

If you have information on these suspects

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City event to celebrate Earth Day this weekend

MILTON, Ga. — The City of Milton welcomes the community to come out April 22 to celebrate Earth Day and with it, some of the animals, flora and much more that makes the planet so special.

The event will take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Milton City Park and Preserve. Most activities will center around the Community Center as well as the grassy area behind it overlooking the 137-acre property’s nature trail.

In addition to strolling the trail at this year’s Earth Day event, attendees can:

• Meet live rescue animals, such as owls and snakes, brought by the AWARE Wildlife Center, as well as get ideas from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources on how best to resolve conflicts with wildlife.

• Join in on a beekeeping session with members of the Milton Bee Club.

• Take a guided bird tour/field trip around Milton City Park and Preserve led by an expert volunteer from Georgia Audubon.

• Learn at a special demonstration led by North Fulton Master Gardener members.

• Explore the world of trees and the city’s tree planting initiative, Plant! Milton.

• Better understand the “circular

economy” of donating, reusing, and then some as articulated by North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) sustainable thrift shop. NFCC is also asking people to bring fruit cups to Milton’s Earth Day celebration for those families in need as part of the non-profit’s summer food drive.

There will also be several handson activities geared toward children, such as creating magical fairy gardens alongside Milton’s own Love GOGA/Mindful Seeds team, earththemed face painting and putting together Home Depot toolboxes.

This event will cap an Earth Week that starts with a planned “Seed Bomb” activity on Monday, April 17, at the Milton Library. Two days later, Fulton County Public Works will run “Adopt-a-Stream” chemical monitoring classes at Milton City Park and Preserve’s Community Center.

Milton encourages its residents to take good care of the environment every day. Ideas can be found on the city’s sustainability webpage at miltonga.gov/ sustaintability. To learn more about the Earth Day event or Milton’s environmental initiatives, contact Environmental Program Manager Emily Groth at Emily.Groth@ miltonga.gov.

Annual Milton cycle event to benefit CHOA Patients

MILTON, Ga. — The beloved annual cycling event, the St. Paddy O’ Pedal, will return to the North Fulton County community for its eighth year in the coming weeks.

The charity bike ride will be held at Milton City Hall starting at 9 a.m. April 23 and will benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in memory of Kiersten Dickson, who died of lung cancer in 2015 at 20 years old.

“Treated by the compassionate doctors and staff at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Kiersten’s parents teamed up with the St. Paddy O’Pedal team to create this event,” officials said. “Funds raised

benefit research to help the fight against childhood cancer.”

The event will feature four ride options, including a 20-mile course, a 45-mile course, an 80-mile course and a 100-mile course stretching into Cherokee County.

Ride participants will receive free beer and lunch courtesy of From the Earth Brewery in Roswell, officials said.

For more information and ways to donate and register for the event, visit choa.org/donors-and-volunteers/ foundation-events/st-paddy-opedal or contact event organizer Mark Murphy at markcmurphy1958@att.net.

— Alexander Popp

Alpharetta officials host ceremony for new Davis Drive extension

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — City, county and state officials gathered on a chilly Tuesday morning to commemorate the completion of the new Davis Drive extension at 9 a.m. April 11 in the Pappadeaux parking lot.

The new roadway extension connects Davis Drive to Westside Parkway at the intersection of Sanctuary Parkway. The expansion of the road, which was a dead end before the project, now provides a more direct connection between Mansell Road and Westside Parkway.

North Fulton Community Improvement District officials and partners said they think the extension will spur further economic growth in the area.

The CID received a $2 million grant from the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank for the project. The new extension was completed in partnership between the city, the CID, Rubenstein Partners and the State Road and Tollway Authority.

Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin said the Davis Drive project has been in the works for years, and it was made possible through partnership between the CID and project staff.

“It’s opportunities like this, the

connectivity, the infrastructure, that allows those challenging locations to actually be productive parts of our community,” Gilvin said. “I am grateful for the CID and all of our partners who made this happen because we need that. The City of Alpharetta needs that. North Fulton needs that.”

North Fulton CID Executive Director and State Sen. Brandon Beach said the extension joins other infrastructure

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developments on the Ga. 400 corridor, which he called an economic engine of the state.

“I’m a firm believer that there’s a direct correlation between infrastructure investment and economic development and jobs,” Beach said. “It was a true partnership with the CID, [the State Road and Tollway Authority], the City of Alpharetta, all the partners, and even the business community.”

Chairman Tim Perry said the CID, now in its 20th year, has invested roughly $28 million in projects, which it has leveraged into $170 million of work.

“We really want to increase the value and the quality of life in the community,” Perry said. “There’s only so many roads you can build, but where we need to improve that connectivity, where we need to spur economic development and appreciation of the district itself, is where we’re going to invest.”

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Perry, Beach and Gilvin joined city officials, CID boardmembers

project partners for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the new street.

Dr. Shamir Bhikha Dr. James Livingston

and

PHOTOS BY SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

North Fulton officials commemorate the opening of the new Davis Drive extension at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. April 11. Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin, State Sen. Brandon Beach and North Fulton Community Improvement District boardmembers attended the event.

Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin and attendees mingle before the Davis Drive extension completion ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. April 11 in the Pappadeaux parking lot. Gilvin spoke about the economic growth the roadway project will have in the city at the ceremony.

State Sen. Brandon Beach speaks at the Davis Drive extension completion ribboncutting at 9 a.m. April 11 in the Pappadeaux parking lot. Beach, who is executive director of the North Fulton Community Improvement District, said the project was made possible through community partnerships.

10 | Milton Herald | April 20, 2023

A FEAST FOR THE SENSES

Ethiopiques Cafe in Johns Creek cooks up culinary masterpieces

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The first thing you’ll notice when visiting Ethiopiques Café and Restaurant in Johns Creek is the amazing aroma of grilling meats and exotic spices.

The second thing you’ll notice is how much fun patrons are having sharing communal dishes of lovingly prepared traditional Ethiopian dishes.

Opened in 2020 by three friends, Liza Abebe, Amy Asegidew and Biruk Demeselasie, Ethiopiques Café and Restaurant has quickly become a community staple for interesting ethnic and traditional foods that serve any taste preferences with a wide variety of vegan, vegetarian and grilled meat dishes.

Abebe said the Ethiopiques Café, located on State Bridge Road, was a longtime dream for the three friends, who for years had to travel up to an hour from their homes to find a good Ethiopian restaurant.

“We’ve been talking about opening a restaurant for like, almost 10 years,” Abebe said.

But when things finally came together for the partners and the restaurant was within their grasp, the COVID-19 pandemic reared its ugly head and made everything more complicated for their plans. The partners were forced to close down and reopen in different capacities several

times during the first year of business.

But throughout that hard time, the partners said they got overwhelming support from the Johns Creek community, which kept them going and in business.

“If it wasn’t for the Johns Creek community, we wouldn’t be here,” she said.

For the uninitiated, Abebe said Ethiopian food is very similar to Indian and Mediterranean cuisine, only with a much different palette of spices and a serving style that encourages community, sharing and togetherness, with couples, friends and families all eating off of the same platter, using a spongy, sourdough flatbread called Injera to scoop and eat dishes.

Also common to Ethiopian cuisine is a spice mixture called Berbere, which mixes chili peppers garlic ginger. Nearly all their dishes have this spice mixture as a starting point.

“We use some spices that are very different, and yes, it’s spicy, but it’s more flavorful spicy than, ‘I’m dying spicy,’” she said.

Because Ethiopia is such a large and diverse country, there is a wide variety of dishes served around the country.

“Ethiopian cuisine is good for everyone,” she said. “You could be a vegan, vegetarian or meat lover because we fast 265 days out of the

See CAFE, Page 11

One of the most popular dishes at the Ethiopiques Café and Restaurant in Johns Creek is the Vegetarian Platter, which offers a mixture of traditional Ethiopian dishes eaten with Injera, a spongy, sourdough flatbread. Also popular is the restaurant’s Kitfo Rolls, rolled strips of Injera filled with meat, cheese and collard greens, and Chechebsa, small fried pieces of flatbread served with honey and yogurt dipping sauces.

Ethiopian cuisine is good for everyone. You could be a vegan, vegetarian or meat lover because we fast 265 days out of the year.

LIZA ABEBE, co-founder, Ethiopiques Cafe and Restaurant

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Cafe:

Continued from Page 10

year.”

The most popular dishes at the Ethiopiques Café are the vegetarian platter, which offers a mixture of traditional Ethiopian dishes eaten with injera, and the doro wat, an Ethiopian chicken stew with a rich smoky flavor, tender chicken drumsticks and a hardboiled egg.

“It’s like our national dish,” she said of the Doro Wat.

Another major part of Ethiopian culinary culture is centered around coffee, which shouldn’t be a surprise because the East African country is where coffee, as we know it today, was first invented.

Each Sunday from noon-3 p.m., Ethiopiques Café serves a traditional coffee ceremony to its guests, roasting green coffee beans in the traditional style and three rounds of brewing that produce different strengths of coffee.

“It’s a whole ceremony,” she said.

You can visit Ethiopiques Café and Restaurant from Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., at 11130 State Bridge Road in Johns Creek. For a look at their menu and more information about their food, visit them on Facebook or at ethiopiquescafe.com.

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To properly protect your assets, a trust is essential - particularly if you have properties, as there is no such thing as an automatic right of survivorship for properties in Georgia. A trust, if prepared correctly, can protect everything from your retirement accounts to your life insurance policies from additional taxes. Be sure to contact an estate planning attorney to get their advice on how you can best protect what’s most important to you.

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Roswell pledges $2 million to help Grove Way housing

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell City Council approved a resolution to support the Roswell Housing Authority with $2 million in grants, loans and infrastructure assistance at an April 11 City Council meeting.

The Roswell Housing Authority explained that the resolution is focused on the units at 199 Grove Way in the Pelfrey Pines public housing development. The development has 40 one-bedroom units set aside for tenants who make less than 80 percent of the area’s median income.

The units, designated for seniors and people with disabilities, were declared structurally unsound by the City of Roswell in March 2022. Residents had to vacate the property over the following months. Now, the Roswell Housing Authority is looking to redevelop Grove Way.

Project plans show the capacity would grow from 40 to 102 units. The residents who left the property in 2022 would have the “first right of refusal” to return to Grove Way once it’s redeveloped, Councilwoman Lee Hills

said.

Hills said she supports the Roswell Housing Authority and their long-term efforts to help the residents of Grove Way.

“I hate that we have people that are in that capacity that need this kind of support and help, but I am glad, and I am happy that the mayor and council has embraced the opportunity to redevelop an area that is in bad need of repair,” Hills said.

Roswell Housing Authority Chair Karen Parrish said the board needs the city to show formal support through the resolution so it can apply for a tax credit by May 19. The tax credit, which requires proof of project funding, will help the housing authority with the nearly $30 million redevelopment.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credits give local agencies the authority to issue tax credits for the acquisition, rehabilitation or new construction of rental housing targeted to lower-income households.

Councilman Mike Palermo said he was hesitant to pass the resolution because it had not been discussed in any committee meetings prior to April 11.

“When you have residents seeing that we’re finding a way to support with $2 million, that’s something I would have preferred going to committee and there being a robust discussion,” Palermo said.

The councilman said more discussion could show a dedication to safety and fiscal responsibility. He asked for the matter to be placed on the next committee meeting agenda and deferred to the next City Council meeting on April 24.

Parrish said the timeline makes her nervous because it’s “very fast” and edges up to the May 19 deadline, but she understands the need for public comment.

“We just have to have some kind of assurance that we’re moving forward,” Parrish said.

Councilwoman Hills clarified that the resolution to support Roswell Housing Authority is “just a commitment” that does not nail down specifics. The $2 million loan commitment would only be spent if the housing authority receives the tax credit.

Even with the $2 million commitment, the Roswell Housing Authority would be millions of dollars short for the redevelopment project. Parrish said the group is looking to grant programs and appropriations from the Senate.

With Councilwoman Christine Hall acting as Mayor pro tempore in Mayor Kurt Wilson’s absence, all councilmembers except for Palermo voted in favor of the resolution.

“My opposition was not due to the

underlying intent, more so just the process and discussion,” Palermo said.

In other business, the City Council moved forward with an agreement to let Fulton County run municipal elections in 2023. Councilmembers approved the second reading of the resolution and discussed the addition of a second early voting location.

Fulton County’s earlier proposal only offered one early voting location, removing the East Roswell Library which has served as an early voting location in years past.

Councilman Palermo has been a strong advocate for two early voting locations to increase voter access in Roswell. In the first reading of the Fulton County agreement, he added a secondary resolution that would create an East Roswell early voting location.

The agreement proposed by Fulton County has a $814,420 price tag for the 2023 elections and possible runoff elections. With Palermo’s addendum of an East Roswell location, the cost increases to $886,502.

Councilwoman Sarah Beeson suggested that the city look for a “costsharing agreement” with neighboring cities Alpharetta and Johns Creek, who would benefit from the East Roswell voting location.

“No one votes in a vacuum,” Beeson said.

The councilmembers were open to the suggestion but focused on the addition of a second location to the April 11 resolution. The council unanimously approved the resolution with the added East Roswell voting location.

Rumble Boxing sets launch for Alpharetta location

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Rumble Boxing will host a grand opening for its first Alpharetta location April 27-30 with exclusive specials.

The studio offers 10-round group workouts that alternate between strength conditioning and boxing using teardrop-shaped bags filled with water in 45-minute sessions. All classes are open to beginners and are available for single purchase or in package and membership options.

First-time business owner Drew Oliver said he thinks Alpharetta is a perfect fit for the high energy workouts that the studio provides.

“Our Rumble Boxing Alpharetta studio is family owned,” co-owner Sarah Oliver said. “We love seeing families join Rumble to have fun, strengthen their relationships and get healthy together. This makes us feel like we are a part of something truly special.”

The grand opening will offer a buy-one, get-one-free class special for local members.

The studio will operate from 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays, from 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays and 9 a.m.-noon Sundays in Suite C at 6110 North Point Parkway in Alpharetta.

More information on offers and classes can be found at rumbleboxinggym.com/location/alpharetta.

Alpharetta unveils early design for Wacky World

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Children, parents and staff gathered at Alpharetta Elementary School March 28 for a glimpse of the initial playground design for one of Wills Park’s biggest attractions.

Wacky World’s original wood playground at Wills Park was built by more than 2,600 volunteers over six days in 1997. The 1-acre playground will be replaced in 2024 with a new structure designed by children and built by volunteers.

Project Manager Laura Sehn of Play by Design, the playground design firm handling the project, presented the new concept, which features a dragon tower, an obstacle course, a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, a pirate ship, a zipline and other amenities.

Sehn said the new playground will be roughly 18,000 square feet, and the different features were requested by students, who submitted their dream designs on drawing forms.

“They have fantastic ideas,” Sehn said. “They thought of things not only for themselves, but they thought of things for other kids who were younger, or who maybe have, like, a mobility problem so they can play on the playground with them.”

Sehn said the next stages of the project are securing volunteers and materials;

Alpharetta

returning to Alpharetta for a second visit and the building; and an opening day celebration.

Recreation Commissioner and Wacky World Committee Member Jeremy Scott said the project funding was kickstarted by the city’s bond referendum, but the project will not be possible without donations.

“What we have is a tremendous opportunity as a community to come

together once again into a community build where we can bring together volunteers and build another iconic playground that generations, including the children in here and probably their children, will be able to enjoy for another quarter century to come,” Scott said.

Alpharetta city officials also attended the event, including Recreation and Parks Director Morgan Rodgers, who said

rebuilding Wacky World is a testament to the city’s commitment to creating fun and safe outdoor spaces for all children.

“By involving our community in the design process, we’re making sure that this playground meets the needs and interests of children and provides for a great degree of ‘funability’ at the new and improved Wacky World,” Rodgers said.

City Councilman John Hipes said he looks forward to the grand opening of the new and reimagined playground designed by the children of Alpharetta.

For more information on donating and volunteering for the project, visit wackyworld.org/.

Johns Creek to host International Festival

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — For the fifth year, Johns Creek will present a cultural smorgasbord to an anticipated 17,000 visitors at its largest International Festival April 29.

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

“It was important for us to have an event that celebrates all those different cultures and then bring people in from outside of Johns Creek to hopefully introduce them to things that are new that maybe they didn’t know about — different types of foods, dances and music,” Damann said.

Damann said the event will feature countries from all continents, except Australia. To name a few, featured countries include Mexico, Canada, Hungary, Ghana, Kenya, France, Korea,

Ireland and Turkey.

“If I’m lucky, somebody from Australia will come in and decide to participate,” Damann said.

The city has allocated $45,000 to this year’s festival, which will have more than 105 participating vendors. Vendors include retail, food and sponsors.

A Global Marketplace will have arts and crafts from cultural artisans. From

international restaurants and food trucks, visitors might smell the aroma of Asian and Indian spices, sample the savory flavors of the Mediterranean and Europe and indulge in Latin American dishes.

The Global Beer and Wine Garden will feature brews and wines from around the globe. From stouts to chardonnay, festival-goers ages 21 and over can explore different beverages from countries far away

and close to home.

There will also be a Kids Corner, hosted by the Johns Creek Arts Center, where the family can enjoy engaging and collaborative activities for the kids as they learn about cultures from around the world. Activities include face painting, cultural storytelling and art stations.

Cultural performances include some returning acts like the Drake School of Irish Dance and the Magic Eastern Ensemble, an instrumental group, as well as new performers.

For the first time, visitors will get the opportunity to see live African storytelling at the festival. Chetter Galloway, with the Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia, will use the Djembe drum and music to enliven African lore.

The rain-or-shine, free event is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m on the field located across from the Atlanta Athletic Club on Bobby Jones Drive. Visitors can enter the festival from Medlock Bridge Road. There will be ample on-site parking. Handicap parking will also be available. A local Boy Scouts troop assisting with parking is asking for a $3 donation, but it’s not required.

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK/PROVIDED

Visitors at the Johns Creek International Festival in 2022 hold flags from different countries.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Recreation Commissioner Jeremy Scott speaks at the Wacky World design day at Alpharetta Elementary School March 28. Scott, a committee member on the project, asked guests to volunteer and donate to make the playground a reality.

Various playground designs drawn by students hang at the Wacky World design day at Alpharetta Elementary School March 28. Elements from the students’ dream playgrounds will be used in the rebuilt Wacky World that opens in Wills Park spring 2024.

Elections:

Continued from Page 1

The increase is at least in part due to additions such as a 10 percent contingency and funding for an elections consultant, Milton Deputy City Manager Stacey Inglis said.

Elections staff

The city’s task force currently comprises Inglis, City Clerk Tammy Lowit and Krokoff, who the City Council appointed as municipal elections superintendent during Monday’s meeting.

The three underwent specialized training, which included learning how to use GARVIS, Georgia’s new voting system that was implemented this year, as well as an overview of the election process through the Secretary of State’s office. They have also completed an 11-module course to earn the Municipal Election Official Certification.

The assistant elections superintendent, the absentee ballot clerk and the elections consultant, who would guide the city throughout preparations, are roles yet to be filled.

Inglis said the consultant’s responsibilities would include helping recruit, hire and train poll workers; reviewing directives issued by the Secretary of State; and helping with polling location layout and setup. They would also help acquire all election equipment and supplies, as well as publish required notices, Inglis said.

Krokoff says the city is looking for someone who has experience as an elections superintendent, able to help with each portion of the process.

“What I’m looking for is someone that’s done this,” Krokoff said. “I don’t need another us, right?”

The position has a budget of $20,000, though Krokoff said one candidate requested $100,000.

The city has given itself an April 24 deadline to find someone who fits the bill.

Polling locations

Councilmembers agreed there would be one polling location for advanced voting and that it would be Milton City Hall. However, the question of how many polling places there would be on election day saw debate.

During the April 10 meeting, Krokoff suggested that the city should have three polling locations for more “cushion,” diverging from the Milton election committee’s recommendation of

two locations.

Krokoff provided a color-coded map to the City Council, outlining three precincts and highlighting potential polling locations, like Milton City Hall, the Milton City Park and Preserve, and the Milton Municipal Court.

Three voting sites could better accommodate a voting surge, Krokoff said, and they align with the city’s three council districts.

Some councilmembers disagreed with the proposal. From a cost savings perspective, Councilman Rick Mohrig preferred to stick with the election committee’s recommendation. In the first year, three polling locations would cost the city around $11,000 more than having two.

“It’s going down for the eight,” Mohrig said, referring to Fulton County’s number of polling locations. “We could have gone with one location, but we ended up going with the two. I’m not so worried about long lines. I think people have a choice if they want to go for early voting. They’ll have plenty of days to do that.”

But Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison and others said three locations would be better.

“I like three,” Jamison said. “I think we went from a feasibility committee, and now we’re more operational. We need to do what’s going to make this the most successful.”

Considering the lack of consensus, the Milton City Council was expected to return to the issue at its April 17 work session.

More information

MILTON MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

In August 2021, Milton voters began petitioning their City Council to exit Fulton County elections. It sparked a years-long campaign that spread to other North Fulton cities. Alpharetta, Roswell and Johns Creek have since indicated they will stick with the county – at least for the 2023 election season. Milton is set to operate ballots on their own. Appen Media will continue to cover the story as the city works through logistics of operating an election.

If you have questions, thoughts or story ideas, send them to newsroom@appenmedia.com. Then check back here next week or go to appenmedia.com/municipal_elections.

Here’s a question from one of our readers: “Where is the paperwork that shows the cost comparisons published for all to read?”

Answer: The City of Milton is developing a webpage for its municipal elections, anticipated to go live in early summer. Staff say the page will not include cost comparisons between the city-run municipal election and what Fulton County would have charged for conducting the operation. According to Milton Communications Director Greg Botelho, the focus of the page is information specifically for voters, rather than explaining the election decision and process.

Appen Media reported that the City of Milton paid a subsidized cost of $84,671 to Fulton County to run its 2021 municipal general election and another $70,368 to conduct a runoff election in late November.

The Fulton County Commission decided in February it would no longer use a flat, per-registered-voter rate. Instead, it will charge cities a percentage of the total estimated cost the county anticipates to spend, meaning cities would likely pay more than they did in previous years.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

At right, Milton City Councilman Rick Mohrig speaks about polling places at the April 10 City Council meeting.

Milton City Manager Steve Krokoff provides a municipal election update April 10.

Roswell, Johns Creek laud Vietnam vets

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Georgia veterans packed into Newtown Park in Johns Creek March 30 for a National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at the “Wall That Heals.”

The ceremony, sponsored by the Johns Creek Veterans Association and the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association honored those who served in the Vietnam War. It was held at the “Wall That Heals,” a half-scale size version of the permanent Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The 254-foot wall displays names of the tens of thousands of U.S. military members who died in the war. It was originally part of a traveling exhibit, before Johns Creek bought the wall to display permanently in 2017.

The hour-long ceremony with remarks from various veterans took place in front of the wall.

“This was about recognizing the service of Vietnam veterans during a time when that service was not appreciated by many of their fellow citizens,” Vietnam veteran Col. Skip Bell said.

Bell, president of the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association, said veterans came far and wide to attend the Johns Creek ceremony.

“We’re very enthusiastic about this place and to hold a ceremony like this (here) because it’s such a special place,” Bell said.

The ceremony opened with remarks from Bell, a presentation of the colors by the Johns Creek Veterans Association Color Guard and the National Anthem.

Vietnam Army veteran Capt. Thomas Yearian then read excerpts of former President Barack Obama’s 2012 speech on the Vietnam War, which reflected on the negative treatment Vietnam veterans received from the public after the war.

Army veteran Roger Wise, Jr. said Vietnam veterans were discouraged from even displaying their military service.

“Many came back from Vietnam and were told to not wear their uniforms at the airport,” Wise said. “If you do wear your uniform in the airport, you’re going to be harassed.”

Vietnam Army veteran Col. Doug Middleton reminisced on his time in Vietnam. He talked about his time in battle as well as the mundane moments of military service.

“This is my Vietnam story, and I expect in many ways it was similar to most of our Vietnam veterans,” Middleton said. “Days and hours of

sheer boredom interspersed with moments of sheer terror.”

After remarks, the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association laid a wreath at the wall. Attendees then placed poppies on the wall, a symbol of respect and remembrance for those who died in the war.

Meanwhile, in Roswell, the city held a brief morning ceremony to honor Vietnam veterans at the Faces of War Memorial on Roswell City Hall Grounds. The Roswell ceremony opened with a brass performance of the National Anthem by the Roswell High School Jazz Ensemble and the Pledge of Allegiance led by local Boy Scout Oakley Barker.

Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson delivered brief remarks to honor Vietnam veterans.

“Service for our country means they deserve nothing but the best support possible, from access to medical care and disability benefits to opportunities for education and employment,” Wilson said.

The mayor said it was a “small amend” to show gratitude for Vietnam veterans, because they were not thanked and celebrated when they came home from their service.

Mayor Wilson and the Roswell City Council then laid a wreath at the memorial and had a moment of silence. The ceremony ended with a performance of “Taps” from Roswell High School student Harris Newbold.

PHOTOS BY DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

A Roswell High School student performs at the National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at the Faces of War memorial on March 30 at Roswell City Hall.

Veterans from cities across Georgia gather for the Johns Creek National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at “The Wall that Heals” on March 30 at Newtown Park in Johns Creek.

Representatives of the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association lay a wreath in honor of Vietnam veterans at a March 30 ceremony in Newtown Park in Johns Creek.

PINECREST ACADEMY/PROVIDED

Pinecrest Academy seniors visit the University of Georgia main campus with School Counselor Marjorie Poss in September 2022. The class of 2023 achieved a 94 percent acceptance rate into the university.

Pinecrest Academy class of 2023 set high rate for UGA acceptance

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Surpassing the University of Georgia’s 42 percent admission rate, Pinecrest Academy announced its class of 2023 seniors achieved an acceptance rate of 94 percent.

The academy said the figure marks its highest UGA acceptance rate in recent years. Class of 2021 and 2022 seniors achieved 86 percent acceptance, and in 2020, the university admitted 63 percent of academy seniors.

Academy Principal Amy Bowman

Streets:

Continued from Page 1

the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan.

An $80,000 contingency allowance was included in the contract amount to help fund the traffic analysis for transportation components for the District at Mayfield plan.

Rob Dell-Ross, the city’s engineering project manager, said there will be extensive public outreach throughout the process, including stakeholder involvement, public meetings and surveys.

One key deliverable of the CTP Update will be finalizing Milton’s TSPLOST 2 project list, approved by Fulton County voters in November 2021. Using public input and an available budget, the new plan will make recommendations on specific

said School Counselor Marjorie Poss contributed to the high acceptance numbers. Bowman said Poss provided personalized counseling to the students, which helped them find the best college for potential success.

“I’m so proud of our students and grateful for our gem of a college counselor,” Bowman said.

Pinecrest Academy, a private college preparatory school, has been named the best Catholic high school in Georgia for three years by Niche.

projects within TSPLOST programs.

“For example, under Operations and Safety, we’ve got $3 million dedicated towards Intersection Efficiency Improvements — what are those projects?” Dell-Ross asked. “Where are they, what kind of scopes are there?”

In other action, Milton Fire Chief Gabe Benmoussa presented the FireRescue Department’s 2022 Annual Report.

The department sits in Class 2, a rating provided by the Insurance Services Offices, which creates ratings for fire departments and their communities based on several criteria. Ratings are on a 10-1 scale, 10 being the lowest rating.

There are 41,177 fire departments across the country, Benmoussa said, and only around 1,600 have a Class 2 rating. Fewer departments have a Class 1 rating, he said. Once Fire Station 45 opens, which would be the city’s fifth

FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED County seniors gather at the 2022 Aging Well Expo. County Senior Services will host the 19th annual event this year from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 20 at the Forsyth Conference Center.

Forsyth County to host annual Aging Well Expo

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Senior Services announced it will host its 19th annual Aging Well Expo from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 20 at the Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College.

More than 70 vendors from senior residential communities, home care, legal services and recreational opportunities will attend the event. Free health screenings, giveaways and refreshments will also be available.

station, the department could be reevaluated as a Class 1.

Benmoussa also announced the grand opening of Station 42, which has been temporarily housed in the Hopewell Community Center, scheduled for May 23.

Benmoussa noted several accomplishments of Milton’s FireRescue Department, including the department being the first in North Fulton to administer anticoagulant medication for heart attacks in the field.

More than $25,000 was budgeted for the department’s purchase of ultrasound technology, but Benmoussa said the state is not ready for the equipment. He requested the money be re-allocated to fund a Ring Rescue that can cut more materials than gold and silver.

“We get a lot of ring rescues, believe it or not,” Benmoussa said. “People —

The free expo provides county seniors and their families with information and networking opportunities with local businesses and services in the community.

More information on the event can be found at https://www.forsythco. com/Departments-Offices/SeniorServices/Expo or by calling Senior Services at 770-781-2178.

— Shelby Israel

their fingers swell up, they want their rings cut.”

He also requested the money be rerouted to fund iSimulate’s Realiti, a training machine that would allow the department to build cardiac scenarios, strokes and other medical situations. It would eliminate the need for a $20,000 mannequin, he said.

“You can literally put this on a stone and turn a stone into a patient because you have the controls,” Benmoussa said.

The City Council also saw an update from Milton Finance Director Karen Ellis, who presented some completed projects in the department. One project concerned tracking revenues across different categories, intended to reduce the city’s reliance on property taxes.

“At least 3 percent each year, we have reduced our reliance on property taxes,” Ellis said.

Criminal justice takes center stage at Fulton County town hall

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Two North Fulton County commissioners led a town hall meeting at the county tag office in Alpharetta March 30, addressing a slew of questions from a packed house.

District 1 Commissioner Bob Ellis and District 2 Commissioner Bridget Thorne were joined at the information session by Sheriff Patrick Labat, Chief Appraiser Roderick Conley, Public Works Director David Clark and other county officials.

Ellis began the forum by providing a brief history of county initiatives and investments that have been made in North Fulton, like the new tag office on Maxwell Road in Alpharetta, where the meeting was held.

“One of the things that’s unique about this building is it’s the only facility in the state that has a joint tag office and driver’s license office, so, this particular facility gets a tremendous amount of traffic,” Ellis said. “And I’m super proud that it sits right here in North Fulton.”

Ellis said that similarly, over the past few years, Fulton County has spent the better part of $1 billion on water infrastructure projects in North Fulton.

“The county does a lot of things that the state or the cities don’t want to do,” he said. “Some of the stuff is not particularly sexy. I mean, we’re touching everything from grease traps, STD testing, to wastewater treatment.”

Thorne, who took office in January, told residents she “hit the ground running” during her first months in office, working hard to learn everything needed to represent District 2 correctly.

“I didn’t realize it was gonna be a 24hour, seven-day-a-week process,” Thorne said. “It’s supposed to be a part-time job and it’s been far from that.”

Thorne said she was immediately “shocked” by the spending habits and attitude on spending, displayed by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. She also applauded Ellis for his stance on lowering the county budget and fighting overspending.

“One of the first things I had to do, right out of the gate as a new commissioner was vote on the budget, a $1.3 billion budget, which at the meeting increased by 30 million,” she said. “Some commissioners think that we can just pull money out anywhere, there’s no ceiling on the millage rate. So, I really appreciate the battle that [Ellis’s] been in and he’s been fighting for a really long time.”

After presentations from commissioners and other county officials, the event launched into an hour-long question-and-answer session with the audience.

Questions of decorum

Community question topics varied wildly, from the performance of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and how mental health issues are being handled in North Fulton, to budget concerns and the closing of local hospitals.

But most attendees who raised questions at the meeting, appeared to have come specifically to support Thorne, and question Ellis on certain alleged mistreatment of her by other members of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

A Milton resident who spoke first asked Ellis about the rules governing commissioners’ meetings and the “hate speech” Thorne has faced at certain meetings.

“That woman (Thorne) has been attacked three times by county commissioners talking about white privilege and race issues,” the resident said. “And no one has raised a hand, not even you.”

Ellis said he is limited in what he can do about the actions of other commissioners, beyond arguing with facts and logic, and trusting the guidance of officials like Fulton County Manager Dick Anderson.

“The Fulton County Commission is not a place for the faint of heart,” he said. “But you’ve got to figure out a way to go back, use your logic, use words and fight back for your citizens, so you are able to get things done and not turn it into a personal battle.”

Criminal justice concerns

Another big topic raised at the forum dealt with the county’s continuing struggle with criminal justice

infrastructure and procedures. Officials, including Sheriff Lebat, said Fulton County is dealing with an enormous backlog of court cases, overcrowding at the jail in downtown Atlanta, and jail infrastructure on the edge of collapse.

Estimates are that it will cost billions of dollars to make the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta feasible once again, Thorne said.

“The jail is at the end of its useful life,” Ellis said.

One resident asked how the commission can look back at failures to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself, like the situation they face with the county jail and court system.

Ellis pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a “flashpoint” for many of the problems the county’s criminal justice system is facing, like the increase

in inmates and backlog of court cases. He said the county just didn’t have adequate data to prepare for the problems until they reached emergency levels.

“I am not comfortable that we’ve had the best mechanisms in place to be able to not only show our elected officials, but certainly our citizens, whether or not our justice system is working as it should,” he said.

Thorne said the County Commission is also tasked with working with other elected officials in the field of criminal justice, like the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, and they don’t always share their ideas and opinions on how things should be done.

“We’re working with elected officials, with the DA, who’s elected and makes it clear to us we can’t tell her how to manage her caseload,” Thorne said.

PHOTOS BY ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Lebat speaks to a crowd of North Fulton residents March 30, at a town hall meeting held in Alpharetta.

For over an hour at a town hall meeting March 30, North Fulton residents were able to ask officials questions about pending issues.

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LEMONADE DAYS

What: Begun in 1999, the first Lemonade Days was held as a relief effort for those families affected by the 1998 tornado that tragically destroyed entire Dunwoody neighborhoods. It has since grown into a five-day festival with something for everyone that has historically attracted more than 30,000 festival-goers. This year’s Lemonade Days will again feature full-scale carnival rides, food-and-beverage vendors, pony rides, a petting zoo and the Dunwoody Idol contest.

When: April 19 through 23, times vary

Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody

More info: dunwoodyga.gov

THE LONE BELLOW TRIO WITH THE WATSON TWINS

What: The Lone Bellow casts an indelible spell with finespun songs of hard truth and unexpected beauty, frequently delivered in hypnotic threepart harmony. For their new album, “Love Songs for Losers,” the trio departed from their previous model of working with top producers such as Aaron Dessner of The National and dreamed up a singular sound encompassing everything from arenaready rock anthems to the gorgeously sprawling Americana tunes the band refers to as “little redneck symphonies.” The Watson Twins join the trio on this tour.

When: Thursday, April 20, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $26.95-$144.25

More info: citysprings.com

SANDY SPRINGS FARMERS MARKET

What: Shop for fresh produce and artisan foods every Saturday morning until November 18, where more than 30 vendors set up shop around the City Green, many bringing their farm to your table. Other vendors offer artisan foods, and many participants offer pre-orders.

When: Saturday, April 22, 8:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.

Where: City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

More info: citysprings.com/ farmersmarket

A NIGHT WITH DADS: COMEDY SHOW

What: Stage Door Theatre and Dad’s Garage, a comedy improv theater, team up for an improv comedy show.

When: Saturday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody

Cost: $18.95-28.95

More info: stagedoortheatrega.org/ dads/

HERSHEY FELDER AS GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE

What: Hershey Felder’s exploration of George Gershwin’s short but extraordinary life has played to

audiences worldwide for more than 3,000 performances from Los Angeles to South Korea, and spotlights Gershwin’s work as a master tunesmith whose work shaped a distinctly American style of music.

When: Saturday, April 22, 8 p.m.

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $48.50-$75.40

More info: citysprings.com

DUNWOODY FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS

What: Scheduled to run every Thursday through October, Dunwoody Food Truck Thursdays features a variety of food trucks and music.

When: Thursday, April 27, 5-8 p.m.

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

CITY GREEN LIVE: BETTER THAN EZRA

What: Playing as part of the City Green Live series, Better Than Ezra is an American alternative rock band based in New Orleans. Formed in 1988, the band has been playing continuously since then, and are best known for their 1993 multi-platinum album “Deluxe” and the 1995 single "Good,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart.

When: Friday, April 28, 7:30 p.m.

Where: City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $60-90

More info: sandyspringsga.gov

SMIGGLESFEST

What: Join Pontoon for their second annual Smigglesfest at the original taproom in Sandy Springs. Smigglesfest is a day filled with beer releases, contests, music, food and more. "Smiggles" was originally coined by Pontoon Brewing in the spring of 2020 with the release of a Berliner Weisse called Rainbow Smiggles, a fruited sour with Skittle candy, Trix cereal, strawberry, pineapple and vanilla.

When: Saturday, April 29, 12-7 p.m.

Where: Pontoon Brewing, 8601 Dunwoody Place, Sandy Springs

More info: pontoonbrewing.com

MONARCHS & MARGARITAS

What: Join the Dunwoody Nature Center for a farm-to-table meal, live music from The Bourbon Brothers and a live auction under the stars. There will be unlimited signature margarita and a selection of beer and wine. This year, there will also be a curated tasting of tequila from Don Cosme. The Bourbon Brothers will perform the music, and there will be a gallery of artwork made by local artists. Proceeds allow the Dunwoody Nature Center to continue inspiring a love of nature and cultivating greater environmental awareness and stewardship.

When: Saturday, April 29, 6-9 p.m.

Where: Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody Cost: Price varies

More info: dunwoodynature.org/ monarchs2023

‘AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY’ PRESENTED BY ACT3 PRODUCTIONS

What: A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harboring shady little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after Dad disappears, their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. Mix in Violet, the drugged-up, scathingly acidic matriarch, and you’ve got a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that exposes the dark side of the Midwestern American family.

When: Until April 30, days and times vary

Where: Act3 Productions, 6285 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs

Cost: Adults are $23.71, seniors are $19.40 and students are $19.40

More info: act3prod.org

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The Georgia Politics Podcast focuses on all things under the gold dome. Show host Preston Thompson covers the most noteworthy updates to the legislative session of Georgia’s House of Representatives and State Senate.

PRESERVING THE PAST

Boiling Springs Primitive Baptist Church is a true original

BOB MEYERS

Columnist

The Boiling Springs Primitive Baptist Church in Milton is one of the oldest churches in North Georgia. A bubbling spring across the dirt road from the church had the appearance of boiling water and contributed to the church’s name. For many years baptisms were made in a baptistry beside the spring. Sometimes the church members would fill buckets with water and take them to the church to drink during the services. Twice a year they would pour water from the spring into basins in the church to wash each other’s feet during communion services.

Following a split in the Baptist community in 1832, four men and six women from different churches created the first Primitive Baptist Church in north Georgia in 1837. A City of Milton historical marker by the entrance to the Sanctuary is testimony to the uniqueness of this small country church.

The group’s first worship sessions were held in a log house. After the Civil War a frame house replaced the log structure. It was rebuilt following a cyclone in 1937. In October 2020 a huge oak tree fell on the fellowship building cutting it in half during tropical storm Zeta. Thanks to support from members and other Primitive Baptist Churches, the building was restored quickly.

The ancient church cemetery is on a lovely hilltop above the church. There are approximately 618 gravesites in the cemetery according to the Find a Grave website. Many pioneer family members are buried there such as Cagle (46 gravesites), Phillips (42 gravesites), Cook, Dinsmore, Day, Holcomb, Nix and Neese.

The church is a member of the “Little River Association” a group of Primitive Baptist Churches from the local area. The association meets twice a year. The Milton church hosted a meeting in April of this year. Member churches include the Union Primitive Baptist Church in Roswell, Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church in Sandy Springs, and the Shoal Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Canton.

Pastor Randall Cagle has been with the church since his birth. He says “the church was the first place I was carried to after my birth.” A retired Fulton County fireman, Randall was ordained in 1987 and pastored in several

Primitive Baptist Churches prior to becoming pastor in Milton in 2020. He explains that the church’s lineage comes through the Anabaptists, not the Reformation, unlike some Baptist denominations. The Anabaptists originated in the 1520s in Europe. They believed that baptism should be reserved for adults who could make reasoned decisions about matters of faith. They believe in simple living and acts of service, and they emphasize community including worship where all family members meet together. Acapella singing plays an important role in their weekly services. Boiling Springs participates in Communion and feet washing services twice a year as was performed during the Last Supper in the Bible. Pastor Cagle’s favorite saying is that after the destruction of the fellowship hall in 2020 “we didn’t bounce back, we bounced forward.” Bouncing forward is the church’s guiding principle today.

Randall Cagle is not the first member of his family to serve as Pastor. His father Edward Cagle (1927-2018) was the pastor for 20 years until his death. For information on the church please go to www.boilingspringpbc.org or call 770- 630-7150.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

Boiling Springs Primitive Baptist Church on Birmingham Road in Alpharetta is one of the oldest churches in North Fulton.

Pastor Randall Cagle and his wife Debra stand beside the fellowship building of the Boiling Springs church. Elder Cagle has been involved with the church all his life. His father was Pastor of the church for more than 20 years.

Celebrate Garden Faire 2023 at Wills Park in Alpharetta

For the 22nd year, the North Fulton Master Gardeners will host our time-honored Garden Faire. Garden Faire 2023 will be held Saturday, April 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever! This year, the event will be at The Grove at Wills Park, 175 Roswell Street in Alpharetta. Mark your calendar for this annual day of gardening inspiration.

To make sure you have a wonderful experience at our faire, North Fulton Master Gardeners spend all year preparing for it by growing plants in their yards as well as at the Fulton County Schools Teaching Museum greenhouse, recruiting vendors and finalizing event details.

We recommend that you either park at the parking lot at the Alpharetta Community Center at the Grove at Wills Park or at the overflow parking lot at Amana Academy, 285 S. Main St. in Alpharetta, then hop on the free shuttle, which will run continuously from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The showcase of our faire is the Pass-Along Plant sale. Be sure to arrive early, 9 a.m. sharp, if you want to join the zealous shoppers and avid gardeners. You’ll see them pulling a garden cart or pushing wheelbarrows to get the best deals on the 2,000 plants for sale. Annuals, perennials, hanging ferns, shrubs and planters are some of the finds you’ll see that day. Our wonderful greenhouse-grown plants will feature coleus, hanging ferns, geraniums, begonias, herbs and a large variety of other annuals. The Master Gardeners’ precious passalong plants typically include ground covers, flowering perennials, hostas, iris, daylilies, herbs and many other perennial plants, including some select shrubs. All plants are grown by the Master Gardeners themselves! We love to answer gardening questions.

North Fulton Master Gardener volunteers collect vintage treasures and pass them on to you at our everpopular Fleatique market. Peruse the Fleatique sale to find that interesting pot, gadget or garden tool for your home or garden. Deals abound here!

If you bring little sprouts to

the faire, look for the Children’s Corner sign. Children will want to pot a tomato plant, make a hat or terrarium, or sit for a ladybug or spider painted on their smiling faces. This free activity is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We will have educational demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., which will include information about growing tomatoes, identifying invasive plants, the how and why of soil testing, and growing plants in containers.

This year we are proud to announce the return of vendors who will sell gardening-related items and plants. We still have a few slots available, so vendors may complete our virtual Garden Faire Vendor Commitment Form to apply to participate or email northfultonmastergardeners@gmail. com.

Proceeds from the Garden Faire go to support our demonstration gardens and many educational activities for children and adults.

But the best part of Garden Faire is the interaction with our community members. It gives us

great joy to share our gardening knowledge with you, answer all your gardening questions, make suggestions on how to best prepare your soil for planting and what growing conditions your new plants need. Right plant! Right Place! This is your opportunity to pick our brains and we look forward to it!

For more details on Garden Faire, check out the webpage at nfmg.net/garden-faire.html and the Facebook event at facebook.com/ events/1725773191171454/.

See you on Saturday, April 29th at Garden Faire 2023 in Wills Park in Alpharetta!

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.

About the Author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Sandra Shave, a master gardener since 2018. Sandra grew up on a dairy farm in northern Wisconsin and learned to garden at her mother’s knee. She is a recent transplant to Roswell, moving from Wisconsin in 2014 after retirement to be nearer to her children and most importantly her grandchildren. Prior to the move, Sandy worked in the medical device industry in sales, marketing and product development roles over her 35+ year career. But, she always found time to grow a garden and play with her landscape. Sandra was co-president of the North Fulton Master Gardeners in 2022 and is excited to master the art of gardening in Georgia and to help teach others via the NFMG Gardening Lecture Series and the Speakers Bureau.

SANDRA SHAVE

Guest Columnist

A look at a few of the Pass-along perennials for sale, all grown in Master Gardeners’ gardens.

Confession — I like characters of a certain age

I mentioned several books in my recent column about hitting the jackpot at the library, and these two were part of that haul. Perhaps it’s a coincidence that they both feature “older” characters, as in at least age sixty. Could that be because I’m, ahem, in my sixties? Check out my latest reads and see what you think.

“Killers of a Certain Age” by Deanna Rayburn

OMG! What’s not to like about this book? Four menopausal women in their sixties are retiring. The lifelong friends who worked together for forty years as deadly assassins are looking forward to retirement--or at least they were until their employer puts out a hit on them. They started together in 1979. Fast forward to 2018 and learn how the world has changed not only for the rest of us but also for highly trained assassins. The younger generation of clandestine operatives relies on different skills. Oh

sure, these “killers of a certain age” and today’s youngsters all excel in hand-to-hand combat, but the seniors aren’t very good with computers or even smartphones.

The tales of their past exploits are sprinkled throughout the story, so you get a glimpse of their former prowess. It’s not that they’ve completely fallen apart at age 60. It’s just that they have creaky knees and hot flashes and don’t run as fast or jump as high as they used to. But, they’re still deadly.

You have to laugh as one of them pops her osteoporosis pill and admires a good-looking waiter at the same time. They’re just like other menopausal women except they can throw together a recipe for poison and use garrottes.

The book is packed with witty and pithy dialogue. Her colleagues quip about the smallest of the four who wears “wedge espadrilles that were four inches high and tied halfway up her leg with yellow satin ribbons” and bats her eyes at pool boys.

When she asks what they think her chances are with her favorite porter, her friend responds, “Maybe he has a geriatric kink. Dab a little Metamucil

behind each ear and go get him, cougar.”

Do I recommend this book? For sure. It’s a rollicking read. You don’t want to miss out on four senior women kicking butt! Not quite convinced? Here’s one last teaser. If you’re a woman of a certain age, you’ll covet the “Menopaws” app.

“Winter Solstice” by Rosemunde Pilcher

What a delight to travel to several spots in the United Kingdom in one book. It moves from a small English village to London, to Cornwall, and on to the village of Corrydale in Scotland. Pilcher has a wonderful way with words and describes the scenery so vividly that you will feel as though you are there. I saw the waves crashing on the Cornwall coast and the snow falling in Scotland.

The book begins with Elfrida, a woman in her mid-sixties, and her delightful neighbor Oscar, who is slightly older. This is the story of their evolving relationship through the good and the bad. The story unfolds with each chapter told from the perspective of a different character. Along the way, Elfrida’s niece Carrie joins the tale as does a greatniece. So, if more mature characters

aren’t to your liking, you will also find younger ones to entertain you.

As the book jacket says, “The December solstice is … about hope, renewal, and rebirth,” and the friendships in the story reflect that spirit. It’s a heartwarming story about friends, family, and neighbors.

As I googled information about the book, I was delighted to find a Rosamunde Pilcher Winter Solstice Tour, an eight to nine-hour tour that visits the Scottish locales featured in the book. The description says it’s enjoyable even if you haven’t read the book, but I think fans of the book would enjoy it even more. Yet another idea to add to my never-ending wishlist.

There you have it, two very different books featuring characters of a certain age. I highly recommend them both.

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries locally at The Enchanted Forest in Dunwoody and Bookmiser in East Cobb or on Amazon. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www. facebook.com/KathyManosPennAuthor/.

Inching closer to singing ‘Happy Trails’ at work

Having been a manager in the pharmaceutical industry for the last 36 years, I’ve been handed an opportunity that was just too good to pass up. There is a real need to help with what can be called “trade relations” and I’m ready for a new challenge.

My employer for the past 14 years has treated me well. It’s time to expand my horizons and do something else. As a Lifetime Platinum Medallion with Delta, having amassed more than 4,000,000 miles, it is impossible to wipe a silly grin off my face, knowing my trips to HartsfieldJackson will be fewer and farther inbetween.

I look at it this way: If I never have to see “the world’s busiest airport” will be peaches and ice cream for me. This new position as it’s been explained to me means minimal travel. I’ll be working from home and eventually allow me to work part-time. The new workplace buzzword “sunsetting,” which is where I’m going to heading towards.

Someone please hurry and get me a

horse and saddle!

Fact is, just two months shy of my 68th birthday, I feel I’ve earned my trek towards retirement. My first job was at Food Town Market in Oildale, California in 1970. My skinflint stepdad owned the store and paid me $1.35 an hour, even though the minimum wage was $1.65. I worked an entire weekend and on Thursday of that February weekend, I picked up my $20.24 check.

Don’t laugh. To me, it was all the money in the world because I earned every penny. It amazes me with my 53 years of working, I still have that miniscule amount indelibly etched in my memory.

So now when I am constantly asked, just when do you plan on retiring? “Soon” will be my truthful answer.

I’m already visualizing what pulling an Elvis will look like when I leave the building.

We are a dogless household. I want a Golden Retriever to hang with me. I considered a French Bulldog but decided that breed is too much like me. They are so popular right now, but I fear having a companion that likes naps, cuddling, while unleashing all kinds of sounds and smells, would be too much where others would have a difficult time distinguishing it from its owner.

Then I’ve become quite fond of German Shepherds. They seem smart like me and most appealing is their propensity to do what their owner tells them to do. That is a rarity around my house.

Nope, Goldens are the way to go. Sam and Chester were two of the best and if something works, I believe I should stick with it.

Another bucket list item is taking a trip to Tennessee and going to see some bears. Co-worker Todd Anthony takes an annual trip to an area inhabited by them and he hasn’t been attacked so I thought I’d take Vicki and give it a whirl. Bear spotting, not attacks that is.

One more item will be cashing in our Blue Ridge Railroad excursion tickets from a few years ago. We had tickets but tornadoes put the kibosh to that activity. It sure seems like a worthwhile, relaxing day.

I have had what seems like a lifetime of frenetic pace. Sitting on the deck with my pooch, a good book and some travel brochures is about as busy as I’ll be wanting to be.

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

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

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Protestant church in downtown Alpharetta seeks a parttime (15-18 hours per week) Administrative Assistant for Youth & Children’s Ministries. In addition to normal administrative duties the candidate will assist with scheduling, social media, securing supplies, maintaining attendance records, planning events and mission trips. Qualified candidates are a person of outstanding character who is friendly, organized, able to prioritize, exhibits an understanding of the importance of confidentiality, and is willing and able to work in an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of all people.

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Landscaping

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