Player of the Year
Milton officials, residents study waste hauling plan
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — The Milton Public Works Department hosted two community meetings to lay new plans for the city’s recycling and waste management.
The goal of the Feb. 26 and 27 meetings was to develop an implementation strategy with residents that identifies the best options for collection before presenting it to the Milton City Council.
The city’s Recycling and Solid Waste Management Plan won’t immediately change haulers.
For a couple of residents at the input sessions, a hauler that consistently picks up their garbage once a week is all they are looking for from the city.
The city last developed a 10-year plan in 2008 with ordinances laying out requirements for third-party garbage collection. Local laws require haulers to offer residential customers curbside recycling and yard waste collection, excluding glass, and submit a quarterly payment to the city for infrastructure maintenance.
See STUDY, Page 24
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA From left, Allison Trulock, managing director of solid waste at NextGen Strategies and Solutions, and Milton Public Works Director Sara Leaders discuss the city’s existing waste management plan.
Londyn Walker is averaging 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6.7 assists with the Milton High School Eagles. The senior has been named Region 7 5A Player of the Year. See story, page 7.
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Shop finds its own items up for sale on Instagram
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police investigated a reported theft of sports trading cards valued at more than $1,000 on Feb. 14.
Officers were dispatched to a Windward Parkway store on the report of the theft, according to an Alpharetta Police report.
The shop’s owner told police an employee had noticed several of their trading cards had been posted on a competitor’s Instagram account. Staff identified the cards by familiarity, serial numbers and unique identifiers.
The cards were missing from a display wall at the store.
The owner reviewed security camera footage and noticed a man shoplifting several cards from the display. The suspect was wearing a blue long-sleeve Nike shirt, white basketball shorts and sneakers.
The suspect allegedly stole about 1520 cards, placing them in a white box he had brought with him.
The cards were valued at a total of $1,660.
The incident was classified as a felony theft by shoplifting over $500.
— Jon Wilcox
Narcotics unit tracks man picking up drug shipment
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police arrested a 46-year-old man Feb. 7 for trafficking illegal drugs after catching him receiving a 20-pound shipment of marijuana from Josephine County, Oregon.
A Roswell Police narcotics detective said a sergeant with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office contacted him Jan. 31 about a large shipment of marijuana headed to an address in Roswell.
The detective said he contacted a local United States Postal Service security team, which held the package at its Old Ellis Road facility when it arrived Feb. 7.
The narcotics unit reported the box had been damaged, and marijuana was visible. The contents were later confirmed by a Sandy Springs K9 unit.
After securing a search warrant, officers documented the contents and repackaged them to be delivered to the intended address for an undercover operation.
A detective, dressed up as a USPS delivery driver, placed the box on the front porch of a vacant residence along Park Avenue while plain clothes officers conducted surveillance.
Eventually, a man driving white Jeep drove past the residence slowly after circling the area for some time. The detective said the driver parked in a garage one street over and approached the home.
After the man grabbed the box, authorities detained him as he was approaching his vehicle.
The detective said the man was identified with his Delaware driver’s license.
During a search of the man’s Roswell residence, officers said they found eight pistols and one rifle, which were “clean” and properly stored.
In the man’s Jeep, the detective said they found a Glock pistol and two THC vape pens.
Police transported the man to the North Fulton County Jail on an arrest warrant for drug trafficking.
Jail records show the man was released Feb. 9 on a $4,000 surety bond.
— Hayden Sumlin
Woman notes card charges following visit from friend
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 24-year-old Alpharetta woman reported nearly a thousand dollars in fraudulent debit card charges Feb. 17.
The woman told police she noticed numerous suspicious transactions from her bank account, according to an Alpharetta Police report. The transactions included an $850 transfer to a Gofundme fundraiser,
several charges totaling $62 to a Smyrna gas station and one for $22 to McDonald’s.
The woman said she noticed the transactions a few days after a friend visited her home. During the visit, the woman noticed her debit card on her dresser had been flipped to reveal its account number, expiration date and security code.
The woman said she phoned her friend, who denied taking the card information.
The woman said she wished to pursue criminal charges.
The incident was classified as a felony identity theft by fraud with possession of identifying information.
— Jon Wilcox
Vehicle flees from police onto Ga. 400, reports say
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A vehicle fled from a traffic stop Feb. 10 on Mansell Road, according to Alpharetta police.
An officer activated their emergency lights and attempted to stop a black GMC Terrain about 2 a.m. near Davis Drive, according to an Alpharetta police report. The vehicle’s registration was canceled.
The vehicle signaled its intention to pull over and changed lanes but did not brake.
At the northbound Ga. 400 off ramp, the GMC ran through a red light and onto Ga. 400.
The officer notified dispatch that the vehicle had fled the stop but did not pursue it and instead continued north to see whether it had exited the highway.
A police sergeant said he witnessed the GMC passing the Ga. 120 overpass at speeds faster than 100 mph.
The vehicle was last seen in the area of Old Alabama Road and Roxburgh Drive in Roswell.
Roswell police attempted to find the GMC but were unsuccessful in locating it.
Several crimes were allegedly committed by the driver, including fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer for a felony offense, driving with suspended tag and pedestrian obedience to traffic control device, according to the report.
— Jon Wilcox
THE PICTURE FRAMER
Cambridge ends season with tough loss to Jonesboro
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
JONESBORO, Ga — The Cambridge boys basketball season ended Feb. 22 with an 85-69 loss at Jonesboro High School in the second round of the state 4A tournament.
Defying expectations, the Bears’ historic run of upsets this postseason fell short to a stiff Jonesboro defense and their dynamic offense.
Cambridge had been on a post-season rocket. After being swept by Centennial in the regular season, Cambridge made a statement in the region tournament, defeating the Knights by 20 points.
Grabbing the third seed for their region, the Bears matched up with second seeded Dalton Feb. 19 in the first round of the state tournament, squeaking out another upset win, 39-35. The game propelled the Bears to their deepest run ever in the state tournament.
The Bears came in knowing it would be their greatest challenge yet, facing No. 1 seed Jonesboro on its home court. Senior Avery White poured in 26 points in the loss, spearheading his team’s effort.
Cambridge battled for every point, cashing in on three 3-point plays and a
4-point play by junior Christian Frasier.
The Bears had four players in double figures, but their offense was no match for the Cardinals who had three players combining for 64 points.
Cambridge head coach David Akin praised the team’s communication on the court and said it hadn’t set in yet that he wasn’t still coaching the seniors, who he gave an extra shout-out for never giving up.
“Obviously we’d want to win, but when you don’t win, who are you?” he said. “When things don’t go well, who are you? And I’m proud of who we were tonight when things didn’t go so well.”
Facing off against an electric gymnasium with a loud student section from Jonesboro, the lights were bright for the Bears.
White expressed his gratitude in his first year at Cambridge, which finishes at 15-15.
“Everybody doubted us, but we came out with the mentality to not let it define us,” he said. “We’re not the biggest, not the strongest, not the fastest, but we can be the toughest. We played together, played hard, we defied expectations. Would have loved to finish with a ring on our finger, but we gave it all we had.”
There’s Fungus Among Us… The HISTORY & BENEFITS of MUSHROOMS
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Cambridge junior Carter Higdon tips off against Jonesboro’s Frank Jackson at the second-round state tournament matchup at Jonesboro High School Feb. 22.
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Up to $1.5M: White Columns, Nettlebrook Farms, Taylor Glen, Richmond Glen or Highland Manor.
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Milton girls advance to state Final Four
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — The Milton girls advanced to the Georgia State Basketball Tournament 5A Final Four for the first time since 2009 after a 69-56 home win over Brunswick Feb. 25.
The Eagles moved on to their first away game of the postseason, lining up against River Ridge Feb. 28 at Georgia State University.
Sophomore Tamia Tomlinson said Milton is ready to face off against River Ridge in a rematch of a Dec. 13 game the Knights won by 10 points.
“We weren’t as tight [in that game] as we are now,” she said. “If we can gain confidence and energy like we did tonight, when everybody’s really connecting, it just makes everyone’s games build off each other.”
The Eagles got to the quarterfinals by defeating Tri-Cities in the Sweet Sixteen Feb. 21, 72-39.
Against Brunswick, the Eagles kept the lead through all 32 minutes, most times ahead by 10 points or more.
Both teams came prepared with stiff defenses to fight for a trip to the Final Four. But the Eagles kept the pressure on past the halftime break, holding the Pirates to one basket over a five-and-a-half-minute stretch.
Point guard Londyn Walker and wing Deyva Davis took off in the fast break with 23 points and nine rebounds apiece. Walker also contributed five assists and three steals. Davis tallied three assists and two steals.
Head coach Julian Barfield said he was proud of the team for making it to the Final Four for the first time in his tenure as Milton’s coach.
“We’re family,” he said. “As long as they stick together, they’re gonna be fine. We have two players that you just can’t stay in front of when they’re getting downhill, and that really gets our wheels turning as a team.”
The Eagles’ win over Tri-Cities Feb. 21 in the Sweet Sixteen was another display of scoring distribution and defensive toughness.
The Eagles had three players in double figures for points and rebounds.
Sophomore Deyva Davis tied with Londyn Walker to lead the team with 17 points. Davis also racked up five rebounds and two steals.
“Everything came together,” she said. “I think we did a lot better looking up the court. We have a really
well-rounded team this year.”
Walker also tallied 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals.
Forward Caroline Young notched the team’s second double-double, with 15 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and three steals.
Center Zana Justice topped the Eagles’ dominance on the glass with 14 rebounds to go with her 6 points.
Milton’s stiff defense kept the Bulldogs quiet offensively. The Eagles lead extended each time the buzzer sounded, 5 points at the first quarter, then 11 at halftime.
The second half saw Milton’s offense take off, putting up 23 points in the third quarter with scoring flurries from Walker and Davis.
Milton head coach Barfield used his ongoing analogy of a roller coaster to describe the team’s pro-gression to this point.
“We’re coming down again,” he said. “Our defense is sound. I think we all understand the scout and so when they share the ball, we’re tough to beat.”
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
The Milton Eagles get their set ready against Brunswick in the quarter finals game at Milton High School Feb. 25. Milton beat the Pirates 69-56 to advance to the Final Four.
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Milton senior Raygen Lewis puts the clamps on Tri-Cities’ Paris Shelton during the Sweet Sixteen matchup Feb. 21 at Milton High School. Lewis recorded her fourth straight game of holding her opponent’s leading scorer to less than 10 points in the Eagles’ 72-39 win.
Londyn Walker: the underrated Region 7 5A Player of the Year
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga — Milton girls point guard Londyn Walker took home the Player of the Year award for region 7 of 5A this season.
She leads her team in points (over 17) and assists (nearly 7), and she is tied with fellow senior Raygen Lewis in steals (nearly 4).
She’s a hairstylist, she scores at will, she provides mentorship to the underclassmen on her team. What can’t she do?
Honored by Sports Illustrated as a nominee and voted by the public as the Most Underrated women’s high school basketball player in the country, Walker received over 50 percent of the vote in the magazine’s competition.
With more than 7,000 votes, she more than doubled the runner-up and accrued more votes than all other nominees combined.
Despite success today, Walker’s mom Carol Brown said it took some coaxing to get a ball in her hands.
“When she would come to her cousins’ basketball games at Milton, she would hang out with the cheerleaders,” Brown said. “Until she saw the girls team dressed up with sparkles in their hair and said, ‘I’ll give this basketball thing a try.”
“I’ve always been a girly girl,” Walker said. “It’s carried over into how I play now, I want to be a girly girl and still dog people on the court.”
Brown commented on how meaningful it has
Milton point guard Londyn Walker gets low to defend against Johns Creek’s leading scorer Savannah Jenkins. Walker is dominant on both ends of the court, averaging 3.8 steals per game this season.
been to see Walker grow into the point guard role.
Walker’s coach Julian Barfield agreed.
“For someone that has just started playing the point guard position, she’s easily the second-best in the state,” he said. “And I would argue first, I don’t know too many point guards that can put up 17, 16 and 8 [Walker’s statline against TriCities]. She’s a sponge, everybody sees it, she’s so coachable.”
Walker’s season highs for points and assists are
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29 and 14, demonstrating she’s capable of directing traffic and getting her own offensive momentum moving. She has notched two double-doubles this season by way of assists or rebounds.
Walker has received several Division I offers but has yet to commit where she will play at the next level. She has recorded eight games this season with over 20 points and is shooting 75 percent at the free-throw line.
Q: How did you feel when you found out about the Sports Illustrated article?
A: I felt really good. I feel like I put a lot of work in, working hard in the gym 24/7 trying to get toward my goals. (Stepdad Shannon Thomas chimed in, “Numbers don’t lie!”)
Q: What has been your favorite memory of high school basketball?
A: The North Carolina trip that we all took in November, it was really fun. Everybody came through, we didn’t win the championship, but everybody played hard, and I think we all played our roles. That was probably the most fun we’ve had as a team.
Q: What is your advice to young basketball players?
A: Even when you encounter obstacles, you gotta keep pushing. There’s been so many obstacles where I just wanted to quit and give up, but if you keep going the outcome is greater than the challenges.
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
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8 | Milton Herald | March 6, 2025
Longtime senior living provider calls for continued local support
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — To celebrate six decades as one of Metro Atlanta’s leading providers of affordable housing for seniors, Campbell-Stone held a grand reveal Jan. 16 for its renovated Buckhead campus.
The nonprofit, which calls itself an affordable living community with heart, serves nearly 600 residents across two facilities in Buckhead and Sandy Springs.
Affordability isn’t Campbell-Stone’s only priority, the nonprofit has used decades of community support to provide high-quality, safe and caring community for seniors.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock contributed remarks for the 60th anniversary ceremony, while the Fulton County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Jan. 16 “Campbell-Stone Senior Living Appreciation Day.”
Dickens, who has made housing a priority in his first term, said CampbellStone is a trusted partner for legacy residents that enhances their quality of life.
The celebration, including a tour of its newly renovated lobby and bistro at its Buckhead campus, centered around Campbell-Stone’s dedication to the wellbeing of aging adults and its role as a champion for subsidized senior living in Metro Atlanta.
Fulton County commissioners Dana Barrett and Bob Ellis joined state Sens. Josh McLaurin and Jason Esteves to celebrate the nonprofit’s impact since 1964.
Its other facility is just outside of I-285 off Carpenter Drive in Sandy Springs.
At Campbell-Stone Sandy Springs, the nonprofit has a dedicated floor of licensed professional care with staff available 24/7 to work with patients and their families on a plan tailored to their needs. Its Sandy Springs operation provides seniors with the option to “age in place,” allowing residents to start in residential living and then transition to personal care if necessary.
Pharr Court South in Buckhead has 342 apartments.
to all.
An applicant for occupancy must be at least 62 years old or qualify as mobility-impaired. Applicants also must meet the eligibility requirements of the Section 8 rental assistance program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and satisfy the admission criteria for Campbell-Stone Sandy Springs.
Some residents, detailing their experiences at both facilities online, compare the apartment community to being on a cruise ship surrounded by friends and fun.
HUD subsidizes fees for qualified residents, making the personal care facilities among the few in Georgia with rental assistance.
Housing affordability has become a national issue in the United States. According to a 2023 report from Harvard University, fewer than 15 percent of single adults aged 75 or older can afford both the costs of housing and long-term care services, such as in-home medical care, household support or assisted living facilities.
The Sandy Springs facility has 197 residential apartments, including 22 for licensed personal care. The facility off
Campbell-Stone CEO Maria Manahan said the nonprofit is proud of the progress it has made over the past 60 years, but the work is far from over.
“Providing senior housing is more critical than ever, and our mission is to ensure that all seniors in Atlanta not only have a place to live, but a place to thrive,” Manahan said. “We are excited about the future and the ongoing impact we can make in our community.”
While the Christian Church in Georgia sponsors Campbell-Stone entities, housing and services are offered
As the population of older adults is increasing at historic rates, CampbellStone says it remains dedicated to ensuring that Metro Atlanta’s aging adults never have to chose between affordable housing and a safe, caring community.
During the Sandy Springs City Council’s annual retreat in early February, elected officials discussed high housing costs and the aging homeowners occupying homes with limited downsizing options in the city.
See CAMPBELL, Page 9
CAMPBELL-STONE/PROVIDED
State legislators and county commissioners join Campbell-Stone CEO Maria Manahan, front left, for the nonprofit’s 60th anniversary celebration Jan. 16. With facilities in Sandy Springs and Buckhead, Campbell-Stone specializes in affordable communities for nearly 600 seniors.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA Campbell-Stone Sandy Springs, an affordable-living senior facility just north of I-285, has residential apartments and licensed personal care. The nonprofit celebrated its 60th anniversary in January with remarks from local and state leaders.
Looking
While HUD subsidies go a long way, the nonprofit says the surge in need for affordable senior communities intensifies its need for supplemental funding.
To learn more about Campbell-Stone, visit www.campbellstone.org.
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Rotary Club of Alpharetta schedules gala saluting seniors
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta Rotary Club will hold its first Golden Gala for older adults April 11.
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The Rotary Club bills the party as a special celebration for the golden community members, or those older than 55.
The gala is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. at American Legion Post 201, 201 Wills Road in Alpharetta.
Those who attend are invited to dress in party attire for an afternoon of fun and community.
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Music, dancing, food, beverages, raffles, prizes, line dancing, swag bags and valet parking will be provided. A gala king and queen also will be recognized.
Attendance is free, but donations will be accepted.
— Jon Wilcox
NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Name: American Pride Bank
Key Team Members: Erik Bykat, chief lending officer; Doug Fountain, commercial relationship manager; Richie Perez, business development officer; and Jennifer Overton, customer service manager.
Description: American Pride Bank is a community bank that specializes in high-touch, friendly, and flexible banking and lending for small business owners and individuals. We partner with people and places to build wealth, grow wealth and ensure customers can pass it on for future generations.
Month Opened: October 2024 - Ribbon cutting March 27, 2025”
Address: 6503 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta, Ga Phone: 678-233-2700
Web Address: https://www. americanpride.bank
Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
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1. Eagle’s home. Base on balls. Destiny
2. Round-tripper, in brief. Chess piece. Nothing at all.
3. Short fly. Bee’s residence. It’s on the front of the house, usually 4. Music genre. Unfeeling. One way to get your uniform dirty.
5. Diva’s solo. Food fish. It’s on the sideline.
6. Chubby plus. Umpire’s call. Cowboy’s rope.
7. Margarita fruit. Poe’s bird. It could lead to an unearned run.
1 Eagle’s home. Base on balls. Destiny
2. Round-tripper, in brief. Chess piece. Nothing at all.
How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
3. Short fly. Bee’s residence. It’s on the front of the house, usually.
4. Music genre. Unfeeling. One way to get your uniform dirty
5. Diva’s solo. Food fish. It’s on the sideline
6. Chubby plus. Umpire’s call. Cowboy’s rope
7. Margarita fruit. Poe’s bird.
How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
A number below the diagonal line is the sum of the white squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.
BINGO - 2 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 9
Future Games: 2nd & 4th Sunday Each Month
Dances & Dance Instruction
Friday Evening, Mar. 7, Groove with R & B Inc.
Friday Evening, Mar. 14, Rock with Last Call Band
Thursday Evening, Mar. 6 & 13, Cha Cha Lessons For all the details visit: www.club201dance.com
Support Roswell Rotary “Honor Air” Trip to D.C., Wednesday, April 9, 2025
For World War II, Korea, Vietnam Vets Visit www.legion201.org for more information
The Tale of Two Markets: Alpharetta’s diverging real estate landscape
Brought to you by - Tracy Morton, Realtor, HOME Real Estate, LLC
The Atlanta metro real estate market is often discussed as a whole, but the reality is that it operates as a collection of micro-markets, each with its own dynamics. Nowhere is this more evident than in the stark contrast between areas like Alpharetta, which continues to be an extreme seller’s market, and other parts of metro Atlanta that lean toward a buyer’s market. Understanding these differences is crucial for both buyers and sellers navigating today’s real estate landscape.
Alpharetta: A strong seller’s market
If you currently live in Alpharetta, you understand why our housing market has and is outperforming other metro areas. Excellent local schools, investment in parks and pedestrian friendly infrastructure, a vibrant downtown, shopping, investment in cultural outlets and a vibrant business community, make Alpharetta one of the best places in live in Georgia and the southeast. And guess what folks? The secret is out! As of January 2025, Redfin reported that the medium price of a home in Alpharetta was $770,000, reflecting a 15.1% year over year increase. Compare this to our Marietta friends to west who had a negative 13.1% year over year growth, our friends to the east in Lawrenceville who had 12.8% increase year over year and in Sandy Springs to the south that a .93% decrease year over year.
Here’s what defines Alpharetta’s market:
• Low inventory, high demand: Homes in Alpharetta often receive multiple offers within days of hitting the market, with some selling above asking price.
• Strong job market: The city’s proximity to major corporate offices and tech hubs fuels continued demand.
• Rising home prices: Median home prices in Alpharetta have consistently trended upward, pricing some buyers out but rewarding homeowners with significant equity growth.
• New construction still selling fast: Even with high interest rates, new developments in Alpharetta are experiencing strong demand, often with waitlists for new builds.
For sellers, this environment means minimal days on market and strong negotiating power. Buyers, however, often find themselves competing aggressively, waiving contingencies, and sometimes offering cash to secure a home.
Outside North Fulton: A shift toward a buyer’s market
While North Fulton remains a hotbed for sellers, other areas of metro Atlanta are seeing a shift toward
more favorable conditions for buyers. Locations farther south or into the outer suburbs, such as parts of South Fulton, Clayton County, and even areas of Gwinnett and Cobb counties, are experiencing a different trend:
• Higher inventory levels: More homes are staying on the market longer, giving buyers more choices and negotiation power.
• Price adjustments: Unlike Alpharetta, sellers in these areas are more likely to reduce prices or offer incentives to attract buyers.
• Increased buyer leverage: Sellers are more open to covering closing costs, offering rate buy-downs, and negotiating on inspections and repairs.
• Less competitive bidding: Unlike the frenzy in North Fulton, homes in these areas may see fewer multiple-offer situations, allowing buyers to take their time in decision-making.
For buyers looking for affordability and negotiating power, these areas present great opportunities to purchase without the extreme pressure seen in hotter markets.
What this means for buyers and sellers
Understanding these contrasting markets can help both buyers and sellers make more informed decisions:
• Sellers in Alpharetta and North Fulton can expect continued demand but should remain mindful of shifting economic factors like interest rates and affordability constraints for buyers.
• Sellers in softer markets should price competitively and consider offering incentives to attract buyers.
• Buyers looking for high-demand areas should be prepared to move quickly and possibly offer over asking price.
• Buyers seeking better deals may find excellent opportunities in areas outside of the competitive North Fulton market, where they have more room to negotiate.
Final thoughts
The Atlanta real estate market is a tale of two realities—one where homes sell in days with multiple offers and another where buyers have more choices and negotiating power. For expert guidance on navigating these markets, working with a knowledgeable real estate professional who understands these trends can make all the difference.
Questions about what your home is worth? Call, email or text me anytime at Tracy@homegeorgia.com or 404-784-6970.
MORTON
David Patterson Homes offers exceptional living on Lake Lanier and affordable new townhomes in Dawsonville
Brought to you by - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division
David Patterson Homes, a name synonymous with quality craftsmanship and distinctive design, is proud to introduce two exceptional communities in Forsyth and Dawson Counties. With over 15 years of expertise in home design and construction across Atlanta and the Lake Lanier region, David Patterson Homes continues to create thoughtfully designed homes that blend timeless elegance with modern convenience.
Lakeside luxury at Long Hollow Landing
For those dreaming of lakefront living, Long Hollow Landing on Lake Lanier is a must-see. This exclusive community in Gainesville/Forsyth County offers stunning lakeside homesites, including three move-inready homes—two of which are situated
directly on the lake and include a private boat slip at the community dock.
Located in a prime mid-lake setting, Long Hollow Landing provides effortless access by boat to local favorites like Pelican Pete’s. The community also features a shared dock and gathering area, creating the perfect backdrop for lakeside living. Homes start at $699,000, with direct lakefront homes priced from $1.4 million. Each home is designed with impeccable craftsmanship, elegant interiors, and breathtaking views, ensuring a truly luxurious lakeside lifestyle.
In addition to its scenic beauty and water access, Long Hollow Landing boasts top-tier schools, including Chestatee Elementary, Little Mill Middle, and the highly acclaimed East Forsyth High School.
Charming, affordable townhomes at Downtown Fausett in Dawsonville
For those seeking a stylish yet
affordable new home, Downtown Fausett in Dawsonville presents an exciting new opportunity. This exclusive community features 24 beautifully designed maintenance free townhomes showcasing European transitional farmhouse exteriors. Each residence offers three bedrooms and 2.5 baths, priced from the high $300s—a fantastic value for new construction in this prime location.
Nestled in the heart of downtown Dawsonville, Downtown Fausett provides unparalleled convenience. Just minutes from GA 400, shopping, dining, Lake Lanier, and the North Georgia mountains, this community offers the perfect balance between small-town charm and easy access to everything Atlanta has to offer.
Unmatched quality & award-winning design
David Patterson Homes is known for its exceptional attention to detail,
innovative designs, and commitment to customer satisfaction. Their homes feature timeless architecture, highend finishes, and thoughtfully curated interiors, ensuring a luxurious yet functional living experience. The company’s dedication to quality has earned them multiple Greater Atlanta Professionalism Awards for excellence in homebuilding and marketing. Now is the perfect time to explore these extraordinary communities. Whether you’re looking for a stylish new townhome in Dawsonville or a luxury lakefront retreat, David Patterson Homes has the perfect home for you.
For more information, contact 404.821.9807 or visit www. DavidPattersonHomes.com. Make sure to ask about our current incentives. Sales and marketing by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Brought to you by -
Estates Law Center USA
Even if a person cannot read or write, they can still create a legally valid estate plan with the help of an attorney or trusted individual. By verbally expressing their wishes, they can collaborate with a legal professional to draft essential documents such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, which can then be notarized or signed in front of witnesses to ensure they are legally binding. This process often involves having a trusted person act as a witness or help document the person's wishes accurately. While the specific requirements may vary depending on the jurisdiction, there are legal tools and provisions available to accommodate individuals with limited literacy, such as oral wills in certain circumstances. The key is ensuring the person’s intentions are clearly understood and properly recorded, while complying with local laws. These legal tools
provide a means for individuals to make critical decisions about their healthcare, finances, and the distribution of their assets, even if they face challenges with reading or writing. Additionally, creating a plan with an experienced estate planning attorney ensures that the person's wishes are respected, helps avoid future disputes, and safeguards the individual’s interests. It is crucial to begin the estate planning process early and make sure the person has trusted people—whether family, friends, or legal professionals—who can advocate for their desires and assist with the execution of the plan.
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| 770.209.2346 | lisa@gklawgroup.com
BELMONT PARK New Homes from $500’s - $800’s
3 Homes Ready for Immediate Move-In
MADDUX PATH
305 Belmont Park Court, Canton, GA 30115 | 770-635-4080 SoleilBP com DOWNTOWN FAUSETT
New Townhomes from $379’s 4 Townhomes Ready Now
373 Highway 9 N., Dawsonville, GA 30534 | 678-578-6763 DavidPattersonHomes.com
New Home on 2+ Acres in Cumming Final Opportunity $ 879,000 Move-In Ready Home 6350 Bannister Rd. Cumming, GA 30028 | 404-821-9807 DavidPattersonHomes.com HILLANDALE IN ROSWELL Luxury Homes from $1M+ 2 Move-In Ready Homes with Price Adjustments 1005 Coleman Place Dr., Roswell, GA 30075 | 770-254-5372 PMCommunities.com REPRESENTING NEW HOME COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT ATLANTA AND GEORGIA!
HOMESTEAD AT MILTON 3-10 Acre Homesites from $ 900’s to $ 1M+ Only 7 Opportunities Remain 15135 Hopewell Rd. Milton, GA 30004 | 678-578-6740 TheHomesteadatMilton.com
Lori Lane, President | New Homes Division, Luxury Collection and Global Contact us at 404.801.7180 | visit BHHSGANewHomes.com | follow Lori@the_lorilane Buckhead Office, 3744 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342 | Roswell Office, 100 Mansell Ct. East, Suite 600 Roswell, GA 30076
Luxury Active Adult Living in Canton
Homesite 5 -The Scarlett
Spring forward: Is your home still the right fit?
Brought to you by – The Dolan Group
The sun is shining longer, the air feels warmer, the first signs of spring are everywhere: flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and the days feel full of new possibilities. Just as nature awakens from winter, many homeowners find themselves reevaluating their living spaces. A change of season often brings a shift in priorities, whether it’s wanting less maintenance, lower expenses, or simply a home that better fits your current lifestyle. As life evolves, so do your needs at home, making spring the perfect time to ask the question is our space fitting our needs.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many homeowners are having the same experience. The demand for homes throughout North Fulton is rising, and if you’ve been thinking about simplifying your life – or elevating your living experience, this may be the perfect time to make your move. Existing home sales in the Milton area are always in high demand, with inventory remaining scarce and highly desirable. Buyers are actively searching for wellmaintained homes, making it a great time for sellers who are ready to right-size their space.
Here are five common signs that it might be time to move into a space that better suits your needs, do any of these sound familiar?
1.Your home expenses feel unnecessarily high. You’re paying for space you no longer need, whether it’s in mortgage payments, taxes, or
maintenance costs. Imagine what you could do with that extra money—travel, invest, or simply enjoy the savings.
2. You’re tired of cleaning space you don’t use. Do you ever find yourself wondering why you’re vacuuming a guest room that hasn’t been used in months (or paying someone else to do so)? A smaller, well-designed space can free up your time for what truly matters.
3. You’d rather spend time living in rather than
maintaining a home.
If mowing the lawn, fixing leaks, replacing systems and constant upkeep are taking up more of your free time (and money) than you’d like, downsizing could clear your calendar.
4. Your spare rooms have turned into storage spaces.
Those extra bedrooms once had a purpose—kids, guests, hobbies. But now? If they’re just housing boxes of “stuff,” it may be time to rethink your space.
5. Your utility bills keep going up.
Heating and cooling an oversized home is costly, and those expenses aren’t getting any cheaper. Moving to a more efficient space could mean big savings on energy costs.
You’re in control—and the Dolan Group is here to guide you
Making a move is a big decision, but you don’t have to do it alone. As real estate professionals, we’re here to guide you, not pressure you . Our job is to help you explore your options, weigh the financial benefits, and navigate the process so you can make the best decision for you.
If you’re debating whether to downsize, a professional home analysis can help you see the bigger picture. It’s not just about selling a house— it’s about finding a home that fits your life now. Spring is all about fresh starts—if you’re considering a change, now is the perfect time to explore your options.
MELANIE
your one of a kind.
Scan to view this month’s collection of featured properties exclusively represented by our firm.
Five traits of indooroutdoor retreats
Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty
Indooroutdoor integration has emerged as a defining trend in high-end real estate. From expansive glass walls to resort-inspired outdoor living spaces, here are five defining traits that transform a home into a true indoor-outdoor retreat.
1. Expansive glass doors paired with open layouts.
Nothing invites the outdoors in quite like an architectural design that allows natural light to pour in while offering unobstructed views. Popular examples include retractable glass walls and pivoting or accordion-style glass doors that transform a dining room into an al fresco space. Openconcept layouts further enhance the connection, allowing living areas to extend onto covered patios, pool decks or garden terraces.
2. Complementing materials. Visual harmony packs a serious punch, and homes that maintain consistency between indoor and outdoor materials achieve elevated status. A good example is a floor— whether hardwood, natural stone or concrete—that extends across both spaces and creates a seamless transition. This approach is also echoed in architectural details like matching ceiling beams, coordinated cabinets and complementing stone finishes.
3. Covered outdoor spaces.
Luxury indoor-outdoor retreats prioritize comfort and usability with covered outdoor spaces that allow for year-round enjoyment. Expansive verandas, pergolas and retractable awnings provide shade and protection from the elements, while high-tech options such as motorized retractable screens and climate-controlled patios add convenience and allow all-season use.
4. Integrated outdoor amenities. Time to integrate the resort-style amenities. Think gourmet outdoor kitchens with built-in grills, pizza ovens and wine fridges for al fresco dining, or swim-up bars and sunken fire pits that elevate poolside lounging. Or prioritize a lifestyle of balance with open-air wellness spaces—such as yoga pavilions, infrared saunas and cold plunge pools.
5. Lush, private landscaping.
Perhaps the most important feature of an indoor-outdoor retreat is its ability to create a sense of seclusion and tranquility through thoughtfully designed landscaping. Layered greenery, natural stone pathways and strategically placed trees are just a few ways to enhance privacy while maintaining breathtaking views.
More than just a design trend, indooroutdoor retreats are a hallmark of luxury real estate, and properties that blend sophistication with nature command premium appeal. For discerning buyers, these retreats offer more than just a place to live—they provide a private sanctuary, redefining what it means to experience true luxury at home. Reach out to Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300 for all your real estate needs. We would be happy to assist you!
Compiled and edited by Angela Valente, Marketing Copywriter/Copyeditor
Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad
PEXELS
Constituents at Decatur meeting call for Ossoff to visit
By DAN WHISENHUNT dan@appenmedia.com
DECATUR, Ga. — Sen. Jon Ossoff's employees showed up to Decatur City Hall on Feb. 25, offering to answer questions about Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, taxes and more.
Even though Ossoff was not scheduled to appear at the constituent services event, the roughly two dozen attendees were left wondering why he wasn't there personally to address the community's concerns.
Ossoff's office declined to comment for this story or identify the staffers who attended the meeting. A representative for his office noted that the event was billed as a constituent services event and not a town hall. The announcement did not say Ossoff would be there. Staffers who hosted the event also declined to comment. Even so, many of the attendees were left wanting.
"It was pretty much a waste of time," attendee Wardell Castles said. He noted three staffers there who specialized in handing constituent complaints to various federal agencies. "I couldn’t have cared less. There were ... citizens there who had little or no interest in what these three [staffers] specialized in. Most of the comments and questions circled around what Ossoff is doing regarding what’s going on in D.C. today."
He added, "A lot of people are really unhappy."
Attendees Decaturish interviewed wanted to know the senator's thoughts on the recent firings at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and at other government agencies, the flurry of executive orders from President Donald Trump, and his controversial cabinet appointments. That last point was a source of contention when attendees asked why Ossoff did not vote on some cabinet nominations. His record shows he opposed most of the nominations and voted yes on others. A New York Times article listing the vote tally found that Ossoff did not cast a vote on four cabinet nominations, more than any
other senator.
"Could you tell us what his stance is?" one attendee asked Ossoff's staffers. "Honestly, I thought I knew what he stood for, but now I don't know. I'm very confused if he didn't vote."
Ossoff has been sending out press releases regularly, often emphasizing bipartisanship. He sent one on Feb. 25, the day of the constituents' meeting, noting he introduced a bipartisan bill to protect Georgia's poultry industry from avian flu outbreaks. He sent another, stating that he pressured the Trump administration to restore scholarship funding for students studying agriculture at historically Black colleges and universities. And in another press release sent the same day, he announced he was introducing a bill to protect pregnant women in Georgia's prisons and jails.
But his constituents who attended the Feb. 25 meeting don't want to read press releases. They wanted
to hear Sen. Ossoff speak to them directly.
Avondale Estates Mayor Jonathan Elmore attended, hoping to make contact with Ossoff's staff. He knew Ossoff wouldn't be there, but he wanted to hear what people had to say.
"I think probably four or five are here for actual constituent service questions, and everybody else is, like, freaked out," Elmore said. "What do we do?"
One attendee, a CDC employee who didn't want their name used, offered to provide the senator with documentation depicting the chaos behind the scenes at the agency.
"I'm not hearing from him at all," the CDC employee said. "I'm hearing him from his office. I want to hear from him."
Decaturish asked Fran Bauer about why she went to the meeting. She said, "I'm here about this s***," and pointed to a sign she was carrying that said, "Stop dismantling our
government."
Bauer's daughter and son-in-law are both federal employees, and she and her husband depend on federal retirement benefits, too.
"We're f***ing worried," she said. "Because those monies, I have no trust that they're going to be around. My entire family has built a world upon this, but they're doing important work."
Like other attendees, she was unsatisfied with Ossoff's response to their concerns about the Trump administration.
"I've made phone calls and also emails, and then I've also had some responses that were not pertinent to what I brought up," Bauer said. "So I'm not really getting any clear idea of what his plan is."
Another constituent, Lisa Strube, was initially afraid to give her name as she voiced her frustration at Ossoff's absence.
"I came here to voice my concerns, and I was expecting Jon Ossoff to be here, and I'm very disappointed that he is not, especially during a time like this," Strube said.
She wanted to talk to him about women's rights, diversity and issues affecting disabled people like herself. Strube noted that being in the minority didn't impede Republicans from exercising their power when Democrats controlled the Senate.
"I want to know what he's going to do, because Mitch McConnell did a lot of stuff when they had a minority," she said. "So what do you do when we have a minority in Congress? Like, why can't we get dirty like the Republicans?"
As she listened to a reporter work to get other attendees to go on record, Strube said, "You know what? Throw my name on there."
"I do represent people with disabilities," Strube said. "I represent women's rights. I am concerned about human rights."
Many people at the constituent services event shared those concerns and after the meeting, a group of attendees stayed behind to share names and contact information.
DAN WHISENHUNT/APPEN MEDIA
An anxious, frustrated crowd met with staffers from Sen. Jon Ossoff’s office during a constituent services meeting in Decatur Feb. 25.
Birmingham Park clean-up set for March 8 in Milton
MILTON, Ga. — Milton has scheduled its annual Birmingham Park Clean-up Day, kicking off at 8 a.m. March 8, to help improve the city’s 200-acre chunk of greenspace.
Little River tributaries run through the forested park, which sits in the northwestern corner of the city off Hickory Flat Road near the Cherokee County border.
The city says everyone is encouraged to join their neighbors at Birmingham Park to help with the effort “one wayward branch, one piece of trash, one step at a time.”
Coffee and water will be provided.
The Milton Equestrian Committee is organizing the day of service, focusing on maintaining the park’s eight natural surface trails. The city says pets and horses can tag along.
Participants are asked to meet at the park’s main trailhead, which can be accessed by turning onto 750 Hickory Flat Road behind Fire Station 43.
Specific tasks include blazing trails, hanging signage and clearing trash, branches and downed trees from recent storms. Participants can bring their own work gloves along with power or hand-operated tools like hedge trimmers and power saws.
Milton Outdoor Recreation Supervisor Jen Young, known to many of the city’s youngest residents as “Ranger Jen,” said there will be some more trail markers put out to help visitors navigate their way through the woods. Young started an initiative to color code the trails with diamonds stuck to trees.
The clean-up is weather permitting, so the city
New novel for TV miniseries lights up March author events
By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI
newsroom@appenmedia. com
“Will Trent” fans take note: Emily Carpenter is poised to become the next Atlanta-area author to have a novel adapted for television.
“Gothictown,” the Roswell resident’s 10th title, was simultaneously optioned for both print and production two years before the book’s March release.
PROVIDED
Bestselling author Emily Carpenter is launching her latest suspense novel, “Gothictown,” which has been optioned for television.
“It was a whirlwind for sure and not what I had ever experienced,” said Carpenter, who will be co-producing the miniseries. While an executive producer/showrunner has also been named, a script, cast and locations have not.
“Apparently, TV moves even slower than publishing does,” joked Carpenter, who will share more at her free “Gothictown” launch party in Roswell March 25.
Milton is scheduling its annual Birmingham Park Clean-Up Day March 8 starting at 8 a.m. Residents are invited to bring their work gloves and tools to improve the city’s 200-acre greenspace.
is asking volunteers to check its Facebook page for updates before heading out. There’s a possibility that rain postpones the event.
“Even if you can’t make it that early, you can drop by anytime to pitch in,” a city statement says. “The more volunteers, the better, as we work to make this beloved natural park even cleaner, safer and better for all!”
To sign-up for the Birmingham Park Clean-up Day, visit signupgenius.com/ go/10C084FA9AB2FA5F5C34-55147868birmingham.
Here are the details, along with other March events
Saturday, March 8, Kimberly Brock. Friends of the Sandy Springs Library and Bookmiser will host Brock recounting her latest novel, “The Fabled Earth.” 2 p.m. Free. Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway Northeast, Atlanta. 770-509-5611. bookmiser.net/events.html
Tuesday, March 11, Colleen Oakley launching “Jane and Dan at the End of the World.” 12.30 p.m. Free. Bookmiser, 3822 Roswell Road, Marietta. 770-5095611. bookmiser.net/events.html
Thursday, March 13, Kimberly Belle. The USA Today and internationally bestselling author will recap her thriller, “The Paris Widow.” 6:30 p.m. Free. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-232-9331. read-it-again.com Wednesday, March 19, Daniel Stone author luncheon spotlighting “American Poison.” 11:30 a.m. $40, which includes lunch. Polo Golf and Country Club Clubhouse, 1300 Polo Fields Parkway, Cumming. Sponsored by Altrusa International of North Georgia with book sales by Read It Again Bookstore. ticketleap.events/tickets/altrusangaevents/author-sluncheon-with-daniel-stone
Wednesday, March 19, Delilah Dawson detailing her latest novel, “It Will Only Hurt for a Moment.” Free. 7 p.m. Johns Creek Books, 6000 Medlock Bridge Road. 770-696-9999. johnscreekbooks.com
Saturday, March 22, Atlanta Self-Publishing Conference for indie authors and anyone considering
self-publishing. Sponsored by the Atlanta Writers Club. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $139-$199. Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center, 800 Spring St. NW, Atlanta. atlantaselfpublishingconference.com/ Saturday, March 22, Aimie Runyon discussing “The Wandering Season” with Grace Helena Walz. Free. 1 p.m. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
Tuesday, March 25, Emily Carpenter “Gothictown” launch party with sips, snacks, books and gifts. Free but a book purchase is appreciated, available through Bookmiser. 6 p.m. Deep Roots Wine Market & Tasting Room, 1055 Canton St., Unit 100, Roswell. RSVP to Emily@emilycarpenterauthor.com
Wednesday, March 26, Colleen Oakley celebration hosted by Poe & Company Bookstore. 5:30 p.m. $40, which includes a copy of “Jane and Dan at the End of the World,” drinks and heavy appetizers. Brookfield Country Club, 100 Willow Run Road Roswell. 770797-5566. poeandcompanybookstore.com/all-events Thursday, March 27, Emily Carpenter, “Gothictown.” 6:30 p.m. Free. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-2329331. read-it-again.com
To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@ gmail.com by the 15th.
— Hayden Sumlin
CITY OF MILTON/PROVIDED
Art guilds provide therapeutic landscape at hospital
By SARAH COYNE Sarah@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Art Center Guild and Alpha Arts Guild, are helping provide a visual escape for patients and staff at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.
Artists collaborated with the guilds and hospital to display their artworks.
The gallery hopes to provide a therapeutic escape to staff, patients and families in the hospital. Lindsey Acciarito, Community Relations and Engagement Director for Emory Johns Creek Hospital, said the hospital chooses the art for the building “very intentionally.”
“I think it’s nice to bring art to where the people are,” Acciarito said.
The hospital aims to be a “good neighbor” to the community by collaborating with organizations such as The Art Center Guild and Alpha Arts Guild.
In lieu of the grand opening of the gallery, the guilds and hospital hosted a “Freedom of Expression” art market and artist walk Feb. 18.
Monika Mittal, President of The Arts
Study:
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City staff reported collecting $189,000 from haulers in fiscal year 2023.
The city’s permitted residential haulers include Custom Disposal, Legacy Disposal Services, Henry Edward Kincaid, Red Oak Sanitation, Seegreen Services, TNT Junk & Trash Removal, Waste Management and Waste Pro. Some of the haulers also service commercial clients.
A few residents in attendance at the Feb. 27 meeting were surprised to learn that city ordinances require licensed haulers to offer curbside recycling and yard waste collection. Some shared anecdotes about canceled service and using facilities like Keep North Fulton Beautiful’s Sandy Springs Recycling Center.
Milton Sustainability Advisory committee Francia Lindon said she now takes her recycling to a friend’s house that receives the service after her company stopped collecting.
Bill Edmundson, a resident along one of the city’s gravel roadways, said his hauler informed him they would be stopping waste collection service to his home after 20 years. Edmundson said he’s shocked the hauler is still licensed, considering they stopped picking up recyclables three years ago.
Center Guild, said she hopes the event is also therapeutic for the artists.
“This is my way of uplifting, giving them a place to talk,” Mittal said.
Mittal, also an artist, said she
Other residents say they have experienced no issues with their recycling and waste haulers, but those with accounts of discontinued recycling constitute enough of a trend that the city is reconsidering its ordinances and opening the floor to resident input.
A residential survey last fall, exclusive to recycling and solid waste management, showed 40 percent of respondents preferring the city manage one contract with one service provider. Another 32 percent preferred keeping the open market for haulers.
Allison Trulock, the city’s consultant at NextGen Strategies and Solutions, said she spoke with seven out of the city’s 12 licensed residential and commercial haulers, but was unable to talk with Waste Management, a corporate giant with the largest market share in the country.
The haulers that did respond, mostly smaller companies, recommended the city consider an exclusive contract for residential recycling and yard waste, while leaving garbage and commercial collection to the city’s permitting process and open market.
Trulock said a lot of city-specific data went into the planning process. Her team estimates the average Milton household produces 1,960 pounds of garbage and recycling a year, while the
get inside a creative mind and hear about the process from the artists, many of whom rediscovered their passion later in life.
Alfred Schwartz never imagined that he would paint chairs instead of people. His artwork, which represent children as chairs flowing down the Chattahoochee River, is just one of the many artworks on display.
“The only thing you can look at is that joy of play,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz’s art leaves behind “certain decisions” made based on bias while drawing faces or events and only focuses on the meaning of the painting.
Schwartz is one of the many artists features along the walk, which includes members of the community and students.
Stephanie Donaldson, Johns Creek Arts Center Board executive director, said she has a “big passion” for the center and the events it puts together.
“loves to promote” and give back to the artist community. Artists were able to sell and present their art to those in attendance. The event let the public
CITY OF MILTON/PROVIDED
Milton’s boxes to collect recyclables, handheld electronics and household batteries sit at City Hall with other facilities at Milton City Park & Preserve and the Police Department.
average commercial business churns out more than 35,000 pounds.
Through a partnership with Strategic Materials, the city has a mobile glass recycling drop-off at Bell Memorial Park. It also has collection events for household paint and chemicals, Christmas trees, electronics and other difficult-torecycle items.
Milton already does a lot in the way
“We’re not separate,” Donaldson said. “We’re here to be supportive of each other and spread the word and the passion for the arts.”
Members of the community can visit the gallery until late May.
of sustainability, but some residents pointed to neighboring cities like Roswell and Alpharetta, which handle waste management differently.
Roswell has its own recycling center, exclusive to its residents, and handles waste collection in-house with a contracted recyclables hauler. Alpharetta has a citywide contract for just one hauler. It also opened a new drop-off center for glass recycling at the Public Works Department at 1790 Hembree Road.
Other young North Fulton cities, like Johns Creek and Sandy Springs, use a similar model to Milton.
City staff and its consultant asked residents what they thought about allowing commercial pickups for certain business before 7:30 a.m. and securing exclusive citywide contracts for garbage and recycling collection
Public Works Director Sara Leaders said her team is developing an update to serve as a guiding document for city officials to improve service. Leaders said the next steps will include another input session with the Sustainability Advisory Committee before a final plan is presented to elected officials.
For more information and updates on the Recycling and Solid Waste Management Plan, visit the Milton Public Works Department’s webpage and click on the Environmental Programs & Sustainability tab.
SARAH COYNE/ APPEN MEDIA
Monika Mittal, President of The Arts Center Guild, sells her art to the public at the “Freedom of Expression” art market and artist walk on Feb. 18. Mittal displays her art on scarves for people to wear.
Revelations from Earth and the heavens
I addressed my local school board in Dawson County last Tuesday. Turns out, I was the second person in two years to speak during the public com-ment portion of a school board meeting or work session. That doesn’t include public hearings about the budget, setting the tax rate or the new statewide homestead exemption. Those hearings were all advertised well in advance.
But, regular meetings? Why, I wondered, do so few residents talk at our school board at during meetings?
As it happens, our school district has a policy requiring anyone wishing to address the board during the public comment portion of a meeting to file a 24-hour no-tice.
The notice must include your name and the topic you wish to discuss.
Problem is that the school district does not post the meeting agenda until around noon the day of the meeting. The agenda lists items the board will discuss that evening.
“As I understand it,” I told the School Board, “district policy requires patrons to submit a request to speak on a topic 16 hours before they can possibly know what they want to talk about.”
I recounted a couple of recent measures the board approved – one involving $5 million in expenditures – that the public did not know about until the day of the meeting. Even then, according to the policy, they wouldn’t have been allowed to comment.
To their credit, the board and superintendent tacitly agreed the setup was absurd. The superintendent immediately recognized the problem when I spoke to her be-fore the meeting. She told
me it would be fixed.
One School Board member thanked me for bringing the issue to light. She said it’s simply the way things had always been done.
So often, government officials have no idea what it’s like to be on the outside, how difficult it is for the average Joe to be heard.
Space jumble
Late last year, astronomers at the ATLAS survey telescope in Chile detected a small asteroid moving away from Earth. Further observations calculated that the object is on a path that may bring it on a collision course with our planet on Dec. 22, 2032.
Latest studies estimate the asteroid, dubbed 2024 YR4, is between 130 and 295 feet wide, and its chances of striking Earth are close to 2 percent.
Tracking the object will continue through May. After that, it won’t be visible again for another three years.
This is a real deal.
Don’t confuse it with a similar sighting announcement Jan. 2 from the Minor Planet Center at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics at Cambridge, Mass. That object was tracked as having come within 150,000 miles of Earth. That’s closer than the moon.
But, within a day, the Planet Center deleted the warning when the object turned out to be a car – Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster launched in 2018.
Yes, it’s still up there, with a dummy astronaut behind the wheel and roughly 4 million miles on its odometer. The tires are still good, though.
Suppose for a moment that as it approaches in 2032, the YR4 asteroid strikes the Tesla Roadster, diverting it just enough to miss Earth. Musk will again have saved the planet.
And, yes, I checked. The Roadster is equipped with airbags.
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OPINION
Lions, tigers and bears oh my
We’re off to see the wizard, the wonderful… Nope.
That may be how it feels, but, well, nope. Ain’t no heart for the lion, nor brains for the scarecrow, just smoke and mirrors and a distant, vague memory of a better time, and then, perhaps, the giant con.
Tariffs and trade, tariffs and trade, oh my. Make us great again, make us great again, oh my. And who doesn’t long for that – those times? Anybody? Bueller?
Off to find the wizard.
As kids, we used to look forward to seeing “The Wizard of Oz.” Back then, it only came on occasionally, maybe once or twice a year. The same was true for “Snoopy’s Christmas” or “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” around Halloween. “Gone with the Wind” was often aired once a year.
Now they are available 24/7, everywhere – no longer something to look forward to – something lost.
It was a great time to remember; it was a good time to know – and a giant raw-nerve sucking sound, mostly inaudible – for those who don’t know it, never knew it. And that is
somewhere close to where the reality of our dilemma is found today.
Back then, we all enjoyed the fruits of the greatest generation – single household incomes, a car in every driveway, and driveways as far as the eye could see, thousands of affordable homes in all those subdivisions, courtesy of Levitt & Sons (Levittown) and the like.
And jobs everywhere. They weren’t sexy or transitory like the high-paying tech and health jobs we see today; think working for Ma Bell (AT&T), P&G, the Deere Company, General Motors or even the local bank. They paid a living wage that afforded those homes, a family with three or four kids, and their education – along with two weeks’ vacation at Disney, Silver Springs or “out west” with the camper trailer in tow.
Yes, those jobs are around today, but the affordable homes, that affordable family, the careers, the affordable trip to Disneyworld and Yosemite aren’t to most. Ditto for that stability, security and predictability of the past. And we really, really don’t like living in an unsecure, unpredictable world. No one does. It is hyper-toxic. Hence, “find the wizard.”
Life really was arguably “great” before. You went to college and got a degree. You went out and found a job that became a career; you stayed with that company for about 30 years, and
then you (mandatorily) retired at 65. You were able to buy that affordable home you purchased shortly after starting your career, the one you raised your young family in that you grew out of, and which led to that larger one with a pool perhaps – the one you then sold to downsize and retire to the condo in Sarasota.
Do you remember?
Of course, you don’t remember if you were born say after about 1970 or so, a little bit after the last of the boomers were born. And if you can remember those times, you … well … you are old, like I am. My generation has the benefit of those experiences being part and parcel to our frame of reference, our world view, our perspective.
So what?
So, we are obviously in a period of change – perhaps a massive one –socially, politically and geo-politically. Expectations and past experience (the driver of expectations) surges across the country in a seemingly random pattern or no pattern at all. Those expectations – and perhaps that missing frame of reference – are in large part responsible for what is going on today, right now. Meanwhile, one of the 800-pound gorillas in the room – technology – is evolving at a blinding pace while our social evolution – our ability to understand, manage, and deal with technology – is
evolving at a snail’s pace.
Roughly half the country, about 170 million people born after 1970, have not known and have no concept of that “car in every driveway, three kids and retire to Florida” experience. The lack of “stability” and “predictability” is probably that other 800-pound gorilla in the room today.
All those born after 1970 know is that, generally, they are not very happy about “now,” and they are not really sure why or what is causing that unhappiness.* They want something better. And all that most of them see is a train leaving the station, and they are not on it.
So, they are off to find the “wizard” for solutions. I don’t blame them. I would too. But I hope when they find that solution – when they find that wizard – it’s not just some con man hiding behind a curtain in Oz, but it may well be. Time will tell. Be careful what you ask for; you might just get it.
Bueller? Bueller?
*Bob Dylan - as usual - nailed our current dilemma in his song “Ballad of a Thin Man,” written in 1965. If you are interested, Google “lyrics Ballad of a Thin Man Dylan.”
PS: The current Bob Dylan movie (“A Complete Unknown” is fabulous! Well scripted, well-acted, and very entertaining!
Can you feel the rates on decline?
This week’s musical inspiration comes from the 1981 pop hit, “Can You Feel It,” from the Jackson Five. Maybe it is just me, but I feel things are changing for the better regarding interest rates. We have seen the U.S. 10-year treasury go from a high of 4.81 percent in mid-January to its current level of around 4.30 percent. While the 30-year fixed rate mortgage does not necessarily follow the direction and or percentage movement of the 10-year treasury, it does run very close when watching the direction of
30-year fixed-rate mortgages. By mid-January, we were pushing very close to mortgage rates near 7.50 percent, and now we are just below 6.875 percent in a little over 30 days, and it does not look like this trend is stopping anytime soon.
The U.S. markets as well as the “global” markets are beginning to realize that the “specter” of tariffs, job cuts, deportations and an overall change in economic policies may have a slowing effect on the U.S. economy and economies worldwide. Slowing economies typically lead to lower prices. As overall prices decrease, inflation falls, which causes rates — including mortgage rates — to drop as well.
The concern of a slowing economy was reflected in this week’s
release of the consumer confidence numbers which fell to its lowest levels since August 2021 when the 10-year treasury was hovering around 1 percent and mortgage rates were under 4 percent.
I am not saying, by any stretch, that mortgage rates are heading back to 4 percent or below, but I do believe we will test the 6 percent level and maybe even in the high 5 percent range by mid-summer.
This overall slowing in the economy may be just what the doctor ordered for the current slow housing market. Falling rates, especially if we can get closer to 6 percent or high 5 percent territory, could restart the housing sales engine.
Despite what you may hear, there is no doubt, we are in a BUYER’S
market. Houses in the Metro Atlanta are now on the market for an average of 68 days as compared to just a couple of years ago when it was almost less than 15 days. Overall listings in Metro Atlanta are up12 percent compared to this time last year.
All the signs are there for a recovery in the ATL housing market for 2025…Can You Feel It???
D.C. Aiken is vice president, producing production manager for BankSouth Mortgage, NMLS # 658790. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com.
The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of BankSouth Mortgage or its affiliates.
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus
OPINION
PRESERVING
THE PAST
Aubrey Morris, beloved broadcaster and historian
Few readers will be unaware of the legendary Aubrey Morris. Local folks either read his articles in the Atlanta Journal or heard his gravelly voice on WSB Radio. But Aubrey Morris achieved and retained throughout his career the status of beloved and friend to all. One might consider Walter Cronkite, Edward R. Murrow and Barbara Walters as some of the greatest journalists and broadcasters. Morris played in that league, yet he was a humble and considerate man.
Aubrey Richard Morris (1922-2010) was born and raised in Roswell.
“Since Roswell did not have a high school, he took a school bus every day to Milton High School in Alpharetta graduating in 1940,” says local historian Connie Mashburn.
While in high school, he worked for the Atlanta Journal as a community reporter for Roswell. Reportedly, his first article was “What is the best pet, a cat or dog?”
Morris was trying to figure out what he wanted to do after graduating from high school. A friend, local farmer Earl Mansell, knew that about Aubrey and invited him to attend a meeting of the Agricultural Extension Service at the University of Georgia in Athens. Morris attended and according to Earl Mansell’s son Barry, “Aubrey decided then and there to major in journalism at UGA” where he held leadership positions in numerous campus organizations and programs.
On the day of his graduation in 1945 Morris joined the Atlanta Journal, where he spent 13 years as a police reporter covering city hall and many major stories including desegregation, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the 1946 Winecoff Hotel Fire.
In 1957, WSB Radio program director Elmo Ellis hired Morris away from the Atlanta Journal and made him Atlanta’s first radio newsman. He worked as a news and editorial director at WSB for 30 years before retiring from his remarkable career in 1987.
Tom Brokaw was a news anchor at WSB-TV in 1966 before he joined NBC. He was 25 years old. He and Aubrey became good friends. Brokaw published a lovely remembrance of Aubrey when he died titled “Thank God for newsman Aubrey Morris.”
Carl Jackson, retired educator and board member of the Milton Historical
with Barry and Suzanne Mansell. Barry recalls that Aubrey did carpentry work at the church and that he knew landscaping, trees, plants and how to fix things since he grew up on a farm. “He was proud of his country heritage,” says Barry.
Aubry and Tera lived in a house built in 1895 by Aubrey’s grandfather Richard Perkins located in Roswell where Greenlawn Cemetery is today. The house is known as the Perkins House.
In 1976, Aubrey purchased some land from his sister Neal Moss’s husband Adel, a chicken farmer who owned approximately 20 acres on Francis Road in Milton. Aubrey bought the Perkins House and moved it to Francis Road because he wanted to retire in the country in the house where his mother had lived. He gave some of the property to his daughter Rebecca so she could build a house. Daughter Susan lives in the original Perkins House. Rhoda lives in Cumming.
The Perkins House had been vacant for several years when Aubrey acquired it in 1985. The kitchen, dining room and living room have heart pine walls and ceilings. The mantels, lighting fixtures and other valuables had been removed, so “Mom and Daddy lovingly restored the house. Daddy refinished all the doors. One replacement door had a hole in it, supposedly a bullet hole from the Civil War,” Susan says.
Rhoda says “family was the top priority” for her parents. She described “My Daddy” as pugnacious when she spoke at the 2017 posthumous induction of Aubrey into the Atlanta Press Club Hall of Fame.
Rhoda notes that Aubrey enlisted in the Navy during World War II. He burst an eardrum during training, became permanently deaf in one ear and was disqualified from further service.
Society, was an intern at WSB Radio in 1974 while he was a high school senior. On his first day when he was “scared to death,” he met Morris “who took one look at me and told me to clear the news wire machines and sort the stories and updates. I knew then I was part of something special, and Aubrey Morris made me feel at home. I will never forget the day I met a legend.”
In 1949, Aubrey married Tera Travlis Griffin (1927-2021), a student
at the Grady Hospital School of Nursing where she was president of the Student Council and treasurer of the senior class. They met when Aubrey was covering a beauty pageant for student nurses, which Tera won. Aubrey and Tera had three daughters, Rebecca Fricton and Susan Moe, who live in Alpharetta, and Rhoda Owens who lives in Cumming.
Aubrey and Tera attended St Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Milton where they renewed their friendship
According to Rebecca, her father was a perfect “girl-dad.” He wrote weekly letters to his daughters when they entered college. “He was in love with the dictionary,” says Rebecca, “and he wanted us to write the right way.”
Carl Jackson put it best: “Aubrey Morris was a common man who did uncommon things.”
Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
BOB MEYERS
Columnist
PHOTO DIGITAL LIBRARY OF GEORGIA
At right, Aubrey Morris operates a control console in a WSB control room while two students observe.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB MANSELL
From left, Earl Mansell and newscaster Aubrey Morris are shown at the 50th wedding anniversary for Earl and Lillian Mansell in 1985. Earl had a major influence on Morris’s decision to study journalism at the University of Georgia. The two men were lifelong friends.
OPINION
Share the love with passalong plants
Passalong plants are those we acquire when another gardener shares a seed, a cutting or a plant. Sharing or passing along plants and seeds is one of the oldest traditions in gardening.
My garden is special to me because of the contributions from friends and fellow gardeners, which includes many plants that are often not available in our large retail nurseries. My inspiration and wisdom come from generous people who share their plants: daylilies, mountain mint, salvia, bee balm and flowering almond.
Passalong plants are typically durable and easy to propagate, and they often come with experienced advice on how to continue their success. The added bonus is that when from friends and neighbors, they are free! The nature of passalong plants being easy to propagate makes it necessary for us to let our recipients know how the plants spread. Some plants will pass themselves along!
Timing
Passalong plants are easy to propagate by cuttings, division and seeds, and they can be propagated in fall or spring.
A good rule of thumb is to divide your perennials in the season opposite of when they bloom. For example, I divide my spring bloomers (Stokes aster, phlox, and bee balm) in the fall.
Cuttings
A cutting is a term for using a stem, leaf or root to reproduce a plant. Both herbaceous and woody plants can be propagated from cuttings.
I find stem cuttings the easiest to propagate. I choose a stem 3-5 inches long and remove all but three or four leaves. Plants can be rooted in water or soil. In soil, dipping the tip of the stem in rooting hormone can enhance propagation.
Division
Many perennials and bulbs eventually become overcrowded and thrive when divided. Mature plants can be separated by digging up a clump, pulling apart the smaller plants or by using a sharp spade or knife to cut the clump or tuber into smaller pieces. This is true of plants such as Stoke’s aster, bluestem grass, and irises.
On some plants, you will find babies
About the author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Julie Dangel, a lifelong researcher and educator and a North Fulton Master Gardener since 2015. She is a native Georgian and a resident of Sandy Springs for 40 years. As a member of the North Fulton Master Gardeners, she has served on the board and divides her time volunteering between the Teaching Museum/ Greenhouse and Lost Corner Preserve.
around the base that can be replanted. I find this to be true for herbs and succulents as well.
Seeds
You can also save seeds as your plant matures or just let them ripen on the plant. These seeds will re-germinate in the soil with favorable conditions.
My favorites, including cleome, four o’clocks and milkweed, are easy to propagate by seeds.
To grow your plants from seeds, plant them outside or fill a seed tray with moist soil. Plant your seeds with just enough soil to cover them (you want good seed to soil contact) and keep the soil moist but not too wet. Provide light to ensure that the seeds get the energy needed to grow.
Please see the list of resources for details on propagating your plants. If you are looking to purchase passalong plants, the North Fulton Master Gardeners will offer their favorite plants during the 2025 Garden Faire Plant Sale. Plan to attend Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Grove at Wills Park in Alpharetta. Master Gardeners will be available to provide gardening advice for your plants.
Happy gardening!
North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https://appenmedia. com/opinion/columists/garden buzz/.
SAVE THE DATES for NFMG’s 2025 signature events: Garden Faire on April 12th and Garden Tour on June 7th. Learn more at www.nfmg.net.
JULIE DANGEL Guest Columnist
JULIE DANGEL/NORTH FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS TEACHING MUSEUM Stem cutting ready for planting.
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1L (Building and Grounds/Custodial/ Maintenance) (part-time position) to perform facility maintenance and grounds keeping duties. Requires some heavy lifting, high school diploma or equivalency and a valid GA driver’s license. Related experience with outdoor maintenance equipment and a valid CDL are preferred. Hours: Availability for alternate shift assignments and irregular work hours.
Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, March 7, 2025. Apply online: www.sawnee. coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.
Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace. Part-time
CALLING ARTSY FOLKS
www.homefields.com is looking for artsy people to paint and assemble it’s unique replica stadiums. Good piece rate. ksmall@homefields.com or 404664-4411
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