Sandy Springs Crier - April 3, 2025 by Appen Media Group

Vindicated prisoner relives life journey

Author relates false murder conviction

By HAYDEN SUMLIN

hayden@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Amanda Knox told the crowd at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta that she wants to keep visiting Italy during an author’s talk about her new book, “Free: My Search for Meaning.”

More than a decade after her life changed forever, Knox spends

her time advocating for criminal justice reform, co-hosting the podcast “Labyrinths” with her husband Chris Robinson and raising her two children.

Knox gained world attention in 2007 after her roommate, 21-year-old English exchange student Meredith Kercher, was found dead in their shared cottage overlooking the Italian city of Perugia.

Despite shaky evidence linking Knox and her boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito to the murder, she was convicted twice, spent four years in prison and a total of eight on trial. Her 2013 memoir, “Waiting to be Heard,” recounted her experiences during her interrogation, detailing her wrongful conviction and imprisonment while setting the record straight in her own words.

See KNOX, Page 13

Police, court complex prepares for opening

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — To mark completion of its new Police Headquarters and Municipal Court Complex, Sandy Springs will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house April 12 from 12-3 p.m.

The state-of-the-art facility is expected to officially open for business April 21 at 620 Morgan Falls Road just off Roswell Road (Ga. 9).

In 2020, Sandy Springs acquired the 7.42-acre property for just under $11 million, including an existing 106,000-square-foot office building. In its announcement, the city said the project’s cost exceeded $56 million, including land acquisition, design services from Jericho and construction from Reeves + Young.

While the building’s footprint and most of its bones remain, the Police Headquarters and Municipal Court Complex now encompasses more than 130,000 square feet.

The city says the new facility underscores its dedication to public safety and represents a substantial investment designed to better serve the community.

For security, the Sandy Springs Police Department requires registration for the April 12 open house. To register, visit sandyspringsgapolice.gov and click on the “Citizen Participation” tab.

— Hayden Sumlin

new Sandy Springs Police Department Headquarters and Municipal Court Complex covers more than 7 acres at 620 Morgan Falls Road. A public open house is scheduled for April 12.

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

From left, author and activist Amanda Knox discusses her new book, “Free: My Search for Meaning,” with Scripps News anchor Holly Firfer March 25 at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta.

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Irish-based group keeps party going

By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t run 24 hours in Sandy Springs. The city kept the celebration going March 22 with the Festival by the Springs.

Community members turned out in their best green attire to keep the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day alive.

“It’s something that we’re presenting for the good of the community and in celebration of Irish history, culture [and] arts,” Northside Irish Culture & Arts President Mike Moors said.

Now in its third year, the festival shines a spotlight on Irish Culture, while celebrating the patron saint of Ireland. Visitors enjoyed an afternoon filled with the spirit of Ireland with performances from Burke Connolly Dance, The

Roundabouts, The Phoenix School of Irish Arts, Drake Irish Dance, The Muckers and the North Springs High School Band.

Northside Irish Culture & Art, a local nonprofit, organizes the event to promote and preserve the Irish culture, arts, traditions, history and sports.

A presentation of the colors with the Metropolitan Atlanta Police Emerald Society kicked off the event. The society is a nonpolitical fraternal organization with more than 350 members made up of Irish law enforcement officers in Metro Atlanta.

To honor Ireland, a student from The Phoenix School of Irish Arts sang the Irish National Anthem, “The Soldier’s Song.”

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul showed off his Irish-American heritage by singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

A final prayer was given from Kevin Peek, chaplain of the Archbishop

Donoghue Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Atlanta, the oldest Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization.

“The celebration of an event ought to be an organic development, it ought to be an expression of what has been accomplished,” Peek said.

Consul General of Ireland in Atlanta Frank Groome spoke about his home country.

“As the birthplace of the civil rights movements, Georgia has inspired Northern Ireland in its pursuit for social and economic equality and we continue to learn from each other today,” Groome said.

This year, the event was held at the City Springs Entertainment Lawn at Heritage Sandy Springs, rather than the City Green next to the Sandy Springs City Hall.

Children took the opportunity to

dancers from the Burke Connolly Dance perform traditional Irish dance at the Festival by the Springs March 22.

celebrate the holiday withs crafts and music. Guests visited vendors selling a variety of Irish wares, foods and drinks.

“The celebration that we have here is a much more appropriate expression of the accomplishments of Saint Patrick,” Peek said.

SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA Irish

Bill banning personal devices in K-8 schools heads to governor’s desk

By MEIMEI XU WABE

ATLANTA — A Georgia bill headed to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk for final approval would ban personal devices during the day for kindergarten, elementary and middle school students.

The Georgia Senate passed House Bill 340 by a vote of 54-2 on Tuesday. It would require public schools and school systems to establish protocols for restricting access to and storing devices like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, e-readers, Bluetooth headphones and more. Schools would also create their own policies for device usage during extracurricular and off-campus activities. Schools would need to adopt policies by Jan. 1, 2026, and implement the ban by July 1, 2026.

The bill does not apply to schoolissued devices. HB 340 also has carveouts for students who need to access personal devices for official medical or educational reasons.

Schools in Georgia and metro Atlanta have already implemented some form of a personal device ban to reduce distractions in the classroom.

State Rep. Scott Hilton, R-Peachtree Corners, the lead sponsor of the Dis-

JUMA SEI/WABE

Midtown High School student support program specialist Cheryl Nahmias watches a student unlock their device pouch at the end of the school day. Some Georgia schools have already implemented personal device bans.

traction-Free Schools Act, praised its passage in the Senate.

“With cell phone use among children at an all-time high, we must take action to protect the integrity of our classrooms,” he said in a press release after the vote. “Studies overwhelmingly show that limiting phone access signifi-

cantly increases students’ focus, reduces distractions and fosters a more effective learning environment.”

Republican state Sen. Jason Anavitarte, the bill’s sponsor in the Senate, said it will also help students’ mental health. Last year, former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for warn-

ing labels on social media platforms that emphasize the link between social media use and poor adolescent mental health.

“This bill isn’t just about academics, it’s about students’ well-being. Studies link excessive phone use to mental health issues, decrease in social skills, and increase in bullying,” he said Tuesday. “We want students engaged in school, socializing with friends during lunch and focusing in the classroom.”

Margaret Ciccarelli, director of legislative services of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, GeorgiaCAN executive director Michael O’Sullivan and Southeast legislative director for ExcelinEd in Action Miranda Williams spoke in support of the bill last week in committee.

Though the Republican-sponsored bill has enjoyed broad support from lawmakers of both parties and education advocates, it did not pass without some discussion.

See DEVICES, Page 5

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Devices:

Continued from Page 4

Republican state Sen. Randy Robertson responded to concerns that students wouldn’t be able to contact their parents in the event of an emergency, saying that students should be focused on safety instructions given by the school if something happens.

“From a public safety standpoint, I don’t think anybody really appreciates the chaos around an incident that happens at a school,” he said. “If you’re looking at a large school, you’ve got about 600 children texting 911 or calling their parents. You have about 1,200 parents calling 911 or calling the school during these incidents, and you have people texting rumors galore about where the bad guy is or where the storm hit, and you have first responders trying to get there and they’re being fed a lot of misinformation because it’s coming from all different directions.”

“This is a huge first step in clearing up the communication lines,” he added.

Democratic state Sen. RaShaun Kemp, who voted in favor of the bill, said he understands parents feeling worried about not being able to contact their children, especially in the case of a school shooting like the one that occurred last September at Apalachee High School in Georgia.

“I implore, I beg my colleagues for the sake of our children and educators to do something about guns,” he said. “Do something so that we no longer put ourselves in this position where we make sound policy decisions but neglect what our students are really asking for: to be safe in their classrooms.”

Kemp added that he believed the ban should also apply to high schoolers. Similarly, Democratic state Sen. Jason Esteves also discussed the detrimental effects of excessive social media use on high school students and called upon local schools to implement a cell phone ban now, even without a statewide mandate yet.

Democratic state Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes filed a minority report arguing that individual schools and teachers should have the power to dictate device use. She ultimately voted to pass the bill.

Islam Parkes said in a statement, “I supported an amendment on HB 340 that would have expanded the education friendly technology that students can access in the classroom. While that amendment was voted down, I ultimately supported HB 340 and believe this legislation will help our students focus and thrive in Georgia’s classrooms.”

WABE’s Rahul Bali contributed reporting to this story.

This story was provided by Appen Media media partner WABE.

North Fulton County charity plans pickleball tournament

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — North Fulton Community Charities will hold its second annual Play for Good pickleball fundraiser tournament April 26 and 27.

Proceeds will support the organization’s food pantry, emergency assistance and education and enrichment programs for north Fulton County residents.

Founded in 1983, North Fulton Community Charities is a nonprofit dedicated to easing hardship and fostering financial stability for the residents of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park and Roswell.

“We are excited to bring back the Play for Good tournament for a second year,” said Janet Dahlstrom, community engagement manager. “This event not only promotes an active and connected community but also directly supports those in need throughout north Fulton.”

The tournament will follow a partner round-robin format, offering participants multiple games and opportunities to engage in

Play for Good

When: April 26-27, 2025

Where: North Park Tennis & Pickleball Center, 13450 Cogburn Road, Alpharetta.

Cost: $45 per player

Registration: Visit nfcchelp.org/ pickleball.

Registration closes April 21.

friendly competition. The fundraiser kicks off with a beginner’s clinic on the morning of April 26.

This year’s tournament is held in memory of John Sheffield, honoring his impact and contributions in the north Fulton County community. Northside Hospital is the presenting sponsor.

"Pickleball brings people together, and this tournament is a chance to enjoy the game, share some friendly competition and make a real difference in the community,” said Jit Saha, vice chair of the Alpharetta Recreation Commission. “Every point played is a win for everyone.”

— Jon Wilcox

Trump taps Beach as U.S. treasurer

By DAVE WILLIAMS Capitol Beat

ATLANTA — President Donald Trump has nominated another Georgian to join his administration, selecting state Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, for U.S. Treasurer.

The role is a senior leadership position within the U.S. Treasury Department, led by Secretary Scott Bessent. The Treasurer oversees the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the United States Mint.

Beach has been a steadfast Trump supporter, questioning the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia and the conduct of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in her criminal case against Trump and his allies.

Beach’s background makes him uniquely qualified for the Treasury post, said Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark, who called Beach an expert on monetary and economic policy.

“Senator Beach will bring his strong business mindset to the Treasury Department, ensuring it remains an efficient government agency,” Clark said.

Beach was among a group of Republican state lawmakers who called for a special session of the General Assembly to consider changes to Georgia’s voter ID laws after Joe Biden’s presidential win in 2020.

He also backed a Senate GOP push to investigate Willis and her conduct of the investigation into Trump and his supporters amid allegations that Willis had improper involvement with the special prosecutor on the case.

Doraville-based banks sign merger agreement

DORAVILLE, Ga. — The holding company for Metro City Bank announced the acquisition of First IC Bank and its parent company March 17 with the signing of a definitive merger agreement.

The merger, expected close in the fourth quarter of 2025, brings together two Doraville-based banks and former competitors.

Metro City Bank operates 20 banking offices across seven states, including Alabama, Georgia, New York and Texas, finishing last year with $3.6 billion in assets. Its holding company, MetroCity Bankshares Inc., is publicly traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

in our communities,” Chun said. “By combining with MetroCity, we ensure our shared values to create a better bank, offering enhanced services and opportunities for our employees, customers, key partnerships and the communities we serve will be our legacy.”

The deal isn’t fully locked in yet. The announcement says it is “subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of First IC.”

The combined company is expected to have around $4.8 billion in assets, $3.7 billion in deposits and $4.1 billion in loans.

Beach chairs the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee, and he works as executive director of True North 400, previously known as the North Fulton Community Improvement District. He is a former president of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and served as a board member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Trump has often turned to Georgia for leaders. Former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins was recently sworn in as Secretary of Veterans Affairs and former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler was sworn in to lead the Small Business Administration.

This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.

SALE AND MORE! Brought to you by THE NORTH FULTON MASTER GARDENERS in partnership with Georgia Native Plant Society & the Alpharetta Community AG Program Saturday, April 12 • 9am–3pm The Grove @ Wills Park • 175 Roswell Street Free parking and shuttle from/to the Amana Academy parking lot

Educational speakers, Fleatique, Children’s activities, Plant vendors, Food vendors, and Master Gardeners to answer your gardening questions. For more information: www.nfmg.net/garden-faire

The popular North Fulton Master Gardeners Passalong Plant Sale will feature more than 2000 beautiful plants suitable for sun or shade.

The North Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society will have a selection of approximately 2000 native perennials, shrubs, vines, and trees.

The Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program will have around 5000 unique and carefully selected varieties of organic, heirloom, and non-GMO plants, grown from seed at Old Rucker Farm.

First IC Bank maintains 10 banking locations and two loan production offices across six states, including California, Georgia, Texas and Washington, with $1.2 billion in assets at the end of last year. Its holding company, First IC Corporation, is also publicly traded.

Under the terms of the agreement, First IC shareholders will receive more than 3.38 million shares of MetroCity common stock and just under $112 million in cash, subject to adjustment.

Based on price of the stock at the time of the deal, MetroCity is paying $22.17 for each share of First IC, bringing the cost of the deal to around $206 million.

First IC Corporation Chairman Chong Chun said the bank is thrilled to announce the merger with MetroCity.

“I am proud of our strong team, the bank and legacy we have built together, and the positive impact we’ve made

In a pitch to prospective investors, the announcement says the merger will temporarily lower MetroCity’s “real” value per share, but thanks to the extra profits it brings, they expect to recover that loss in about two and half years.

MetroCity also expects its profit per share to jump by around 25 percent in the first year after the merger because combining companies will drive down costs.

Chairman and CEO Nack Peck said his team has long competed with and admired the First IC franchise and are excited about combining the two organizations.

“The combined bank will have the capacity to service our customers better, offer enhanced opportunities for our employees and continue offering excellent returns to our shareholders,” Peck said.

— Hayden Sumlin

BEACH

BUSINESS

Milton bookstore suits those who love to read

By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — To Poe and Company, the creation of relationships within the community is more important than the sales.

The independent bookstore began its journey in late Nov. 2022 and has garnered a devoted community of customers.

As an author, Kate Seng always wanted to open her own bookstore, but it was never the right time with her focus on her three children. Seng still wrote the whole time, something she’s been doing for a “long time.”

Seng has written three children’s books, one scheduled to come out this spring along with a mystery novel later this year.

In 2022, her dream of opening her own bookstore came true.

“Some doors started opening, and this new space and this Milton community opened up,” Seng said. “I just love this community and thought this would be a great place for a bookstore.”

When all the pieces fell into place, she knew she wanted to get in touch with her community.

“I really feel like, whereas a big store is great, the independent bookseller really gets in touch with their community,” Seng said.

On theme with her family and community-oriented store, Seng chose to name her business after her late father’s favorite author, Edgar Allen Poe.

In contrast to Poe’s dark stories, the store offers a warm, comforting space for guests to pick out their new favorite book, with the occasional raven watching over.

Sun pours through the windows of the bright new area featuring cozy couches, tables and of course a slew of more books.

Paintings and stuffed animals of one of Seng’s main characters from her book, “Doodle Noodle,” Noodle the dog, invites visitors to find their next read.

“Book tok,” the newest trend hitting TikTok, has been getting more and more readers back into the hobby and serves as a “big driver.” Every third Monday of the month, the store hosts the Shadows & Starlight Readers’ Society which features fantasy and romance books that have gone viral through the trend.

The store hosts a number of book clubs, including the Poe & Company Book Club for women on the first Thursdays of each month and a middle grade kids club during the summer. Bible studies, author meet-and-greets and even crotchet groups also can use the store as a meeting space. Parents can get out of the house and bring their little ones to story time every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

“We just want to be a space where people can come together,” Seng said.

Poe and Company will expand its space April 1, after knocking down a wall into a

Owner Kate Seng holds a cookbook against a bookshelf at Poe & Company in Milton.

neighboring unit. Seng said she hopes the added space will allow for more community involvement through a selection of more book genres and meeting spaces.

“The thought behind the space was we were really just bursting over there. It's a small space,” Seng said. “We have a lot of shelves, and when authors were coming in, we just didn't have anywhere to put people.”

Shelves are full of books hand-picked by Seng, which she gets from “a lot of different channels of information.” She chooses books from recommendations on the New York Times Bestseller list and book club recommendations from celebrities like Jenna Bush Hager, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon.

“I belong to the Southern Independent Booksellers Association and the American Booksellers Association,” Seng said. “They are constantly sending us information about new releases.” Seng said.

Her current recommendation is “The Kite Runner.”

“There's a lot of depth to it, and sort of eye-opening information just about how things happen,” Seng said.

In the digital age, Seng stresses the importance of books, having the physical copy in your hand.

“I think that we are exposed to so much, a whole new world when you get into books,” Seng said.

The passion for reading runs through store employees, who provide a hometown feel by guiding guests to their next favorite book.

“I'd like it to be a place where people are exposed to things that they haven't been exposed to before, be that through an author or through a book, or even through one of the events,” Seng said.

Poe & Company is at 1890 Heritage Walk Suite P101, Milton, Ga., 30004.

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PHOTOS BY: SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA Poe and Company hosts story times for children in their reading space every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

PALS

PERIMETER ADULT LEARNING & SERVICES

2025 Spring Session

Mondays from March 31 - May 19, 2025 (no class April 14)

United Methodist Church

10:00 – 11:00

THE GOTHIC IN AMERICAN LITERATURE (AND FILM) –Gautam Kundu will discuss how American Gothic (often characterized by darkness, claustrophobia, madness, monstrosity and haunting) entered the American literature mainstream and the tensions that were created. Among the questions we will explore include: What is the relationship between the distinctly interior notion of America as an idea (a dream) and the psychological nightmares expressed in many of these texts?

Authors to be examined include Edgar Allem Poe, William Faulkner, Henry James and Shirley Jackson.

10:00 – 11:00

THE FOLK ROCK REVIVAL [WB1] – Tom Dell will guide us through this cultural resurgence that brought traditional music back into the limelight. Spanning the late 1940s to the mid1960s, this revival was characterized by a renewed interest in the songs, stories and sounds of America’s rural and working-class communities, celebrating the raw and authentic expressions of human experience. We will hear about Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan.

10:00 – 3:00

OPEN MAH JONGG – Bring your own Mah Jongg card and come play. There is no instructor for this weekly session. This is for experienced players.

10:00 – 12:30

BEGINNER MAH JONGG – Rhea Berger will teach beginners Mah Jongg. This class will be based on the National Mah Jongg league rules. Seating is limited to 12.

11:30 – 12:30

BRITAIN 101 – Clive Gillon will cover the chronological history of the British Isles from approximately 500 BC to 1200 AD; from the Celts to the Normans. Discussion will focus on Britain’s many invaders from mainland Europe including the Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings.

11:30 – 12:30

ART OF THE 1500s -- Marilyn Morton will discuss how this was a century of challenges and responses. The Protestant Reformation begun by Martin Luther in 1517, presented new spiritual options and issues to European Christians, especially in the north which resulted in violence and hatred between Catholics and Protestants. The differences between their arts are easily identifiable as Protestants did not use religious art in their churches, thereby eliminating a major source of income for artists and causing a steep decline in art patronage.

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Why a turnkey, one-stop shop is essential for your bath or kitchen remodel

Brought to you by - Bath and Kitchen Galleria

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, the process can quickly become overwhelming. From creating ideas and solutions, and selecting materials to finding contractors for plumbing, electrical work, and installation, managing multiple vendors and services can be stressful.

Remodeling projects start with a vision but bringing that vision to life requires expertise. An in-house design team needs to work closely with you to create a customized plan that reflects your personal style, and preferences, and stays within your budget—offering services like 3D renderings, so you can visualize your space before any work begins. With expert guidance every step of the way, you can be confident your project is set up for success.

Coordinating multiple contractors— plumbers, electricians, tile installers, and more—can be time-consuming and frustrating. With a turnkey remodeler, you get full-service project management, to handle every aspect of the renovation. Having a team to ensure that the design, material selection, scheduling, and installation are all aligned to create a smooth, stress-free experience is key. You don’t have to worry about chasing contractors or keeping up with timelines—it will be done all for you.

One of the biggest advantages of working with a one-stop shop is the convenience of having everything you need in one place. A great showroom should be filled with an extensive selection of cabinetry in a variety of styles and finishes, plumbing fixtures from top brands, countertops including granite, quartz, marble, and more, tile for floors and backsplashes, and hardware to complete your design.

Rather than running around town searching for materials, you can explore all your options under one roof, with our team guiding you through each choice.

Choosing a turnkey, one-stop-shop remodeler like Bath & Kitchen Galleria means more than just convenience—it means a smoother, more enjoyable remodeling experience with expert guidance, seamless coordination, and a wide selection of top-quality products to choose from while staying in your budget.

Whether you're transforming your bathroom or remodeling your kitchen, Bath & Kitchen Galleria is here to handle every detail, so you can sit back and enjoy the results! For more information visit Bath & Kitchen Galleria’s showroom at 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector in Alpharetta (no appointment needed) M-F, 9-5 and Saturday, 10-4, or call them at 678-459-2292 or visit BathandKitchenGalleria.com to schedule an appointment online.

Owner John Hogan & Designer Bobbie Kohm

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Guiding you through the whole design process. Ask about our 3D Renderings. Making bath & kitchen remodeling fun, easy and affordable.

9 | Sandy Springs Crier | April 3, 2025

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OPINION

Everything you need to know about Garden Faire 2025

Spring is here, and if you are a gardening enthusiast you will not want to miss the 24th annual Garden Faire, presented by the North Fulton Master Gardeners.

This free event will be at The Grove at Wills Park Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We are thrilled to once again be partnering with Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program, the Georgia Native Plant Society-North Metro Atlanta chapter and the City of Alpharetta. We anticipate this year’s Garden Faire to be the best one yet.

Garden Faire 2025 will provide one-stop shopping for gardeners with a huge selection of annuals and perennials, native plants and culinary plants, as well as education and children’s activities.

Plant selections for sale include ornamental annuals grown by Master Gardeners at the Fulton County Schools Teaching Museum greenhouse. You can find many colors of coleus, hanging ferns, geraniums, begonias, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and a large variety of other annuals. Our big sellers are our passalong plants from the Master Gardeners’ own personal gardens. Passalong plants typically include a variety of ground covers, perennials, hostas, irises and daylilies, along with some select shrubs and trees. Make sure you look for the Master Gardeners wearing UGA Extension aprons or name tags. They will be on hand to answer your gardening questions and provide advice on which plants will meet your needs.

New this year

• A special booth featuring information on native plants and pollinator plants

• More garden-related vendors offering rare plants, tropical indoor plants, succulents, pottery, gardening gifts, birdhouses and more

• Seed giveaways

• Live bluegrass from the Cedar Hill Band

• Fantastic talks on topical gardening issues

• Unique container gardens

• Food vendors to help satisfy your

hunger or thirst

• More plants than you can imagine

The North Fulton Master Gardener volunteers also collect vintage treasures for the ever-popular Fleatique market, where you can spot that interesting pot, gadget or garden tool or other unique item for your home or garden at bargain prices.

If you bring young ones to the Faire, look for the Children’s Corner at the back by the new dinosaur playground. Children will be doing a gardening craft activity and learning about worm composting from one of our partners. These free activities are available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year’s Garden Faire will have educational garden talks and demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., including some well-known gardening experts.

These talks include

• 10 a.m.–10:45 a.m. “Composting 101” Speaker: Chloe Weathington, Urban Agriculture project manager with Food Well Alliance

• 11 a.m.– 11:45 a.m. “De-Mystifying Hydrangeas” Speaker: Jennifer Petritz, horticulturist and president of the American Hydrangea Society

About the authors

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnists are Donna Heldman and Christine Williams, co-chairs of the 2025 Garden Faire.

A Master Gardener since 2007, Donna grew up in New Jersey, “the Garden State,” but spent most of her life in Ohio before recently moving to Roswell to be closer to family. Donna worked in health care before following her passion for plants. She has experience working with plants in garden centers, in addition to having her own landscaping business.

A lifelong nature lover, Christine relishes getting dirty. From a young age she loved exploring in any nearby woods, meadows or open fields she could find near Chamblee where she was born and grew up. Christine has been a Master Gardener Extension volunteer with Fulton County since 2011 and received her Certificate of Native Plants from the UGA/ State Botanical Garden of Georgia in February 2024.

• 1 p.m.–1:45 p.m. “What we plant matters” Speaker: Connie Gray, president of Athens-East Piedmont Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society

• 2 p.m.- 2:45 p.m. “How to Create a Garden in Containers of all Shapes and Sizes” Speaker: Judy Peacock, North Fulton Extension Volunteer and Master Gardener

The Grove at Wills Park is located at 175 Roswell Street, Alpharetta. We recommend that you either park at the parking lot at the Alpharetta Community Center at The Grove or follow the signs from the Community Center to the overflow parking lot at Amana Academy, 285 S Main St, Alpharetta. There, you can hop on the free shuttle to take attendees to and from Garden Faire, running continuously from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a short lunch break from noon to 12:30 p.m. Bring your wagons to assist in shopping for and carrying away all the great plants and garden goodies you will find. There will be some carts and wagons available in case you forget. If you park in the overflow lot, we will hold your purchases in a secure spot in the Alpharetta Community Center parking lot while you go get your car.

This event is a major fundraiser for all the participating partners. Proceeds from Garden Faire support educational activities for children and adults, as well as community outreach.

Garden Faire supports North Fulton Master Gardeners’ mission of educating the community by sharing our gardening knowledge with you and answering your gardening questions. This is your opportunity to pick our brains, and we look forward to it!

For more details on Garden Faire, check out the Garden Faire Website nfmg.net/wp/publicevents/ and the Garden Faire Facebook page facebook. com/northfultonmastergardeners. See you on Saturday, April 12 at Garden Faire at The Grove in Wills Park, 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.

Save the dates for NFMG’s other 2025 signature event: Garden Tour on June 7. Learn more at nfmg.net/wp/ publicevents/

NORTH FULTON MASTER GARDENERS/PROVIDED

A wheelbarrow sits filled with plants.

DONNA HELDMAN Guest Columnist

CHRISTINE WILLIAMS Guest Columnist

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!

COMPUTERS

1. Oration station. It hosts other computers. Stick together.

2. Arm or leg. It gets you around the monitor. Art supporter.

3. Command to Fido. Stand-offish. They hold data.

4. It’s a computer bane. Like a tortoise. Fishing spot.

5. Boredom. They are clickable. Citrus fruit.

6. In-box contents. It’s active in Sicily. Pigeon’s perch.

7. Wine label designation. One of its jobs is data storage. Chowder morsel.

1 Oration station. It hosts other computers. Stick together

2. Arm or leg. It gets you around the monitor. Art supporter

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. Command to Fido. Stand-offish. They hold data

4. It’s a computer bane. Like a tortoise. Fishing spot

5. Boredom. They are clickable. Citrus fruit

6. In-box contents. It’s active in Sicily. Pigeon’s perch.

7. Wine label designation. One of its jobs is data storage. Chowder morsel

Knox:

Continued from Page 1

“In a way, it was a very reactionary memoir,” Knox said. “There was already a story out there, and I was trying to correct some misconceptions.”

Her second memoir, “Free: My Search for Meaning,” reflects on her return to American life after spending four years in an Italian prison for a murder she didn’t commit.

“This book is a very different book because it’s not the story of the worst experience of my life,” Knox said. “I’ve had the worst experience of my life, now what?”

Knox described her return to Italy, meeting the judge who sent her to prison and what her life is like with a husband and two kids.

The 2025 follow-up is about her journey through the challenges and complexities of everyday life with an emphasis on her personal search for meaning, inspired by her reading of Victor Frankl in Italian prison.

“It’s not like we have the worst experiences of our lives and then they just stop becoming a part of our lives,” she said. “We carry with us that trauma for the rest of our lives, and how we encounter life is always going to be framed through that.”

One of the more remarkable parts of “Free” tells the story of the relationship between Knox and Italian prosecutor Giuliano Mignini, who portrayed her as a murderer.

While Knox says Mignini refuses to explicitly apologize, she said he has a funny way of expressing regret over his handling of the case.

For example, instead of saying how he felt about the case, Knox said the prosecutor had her watch a movie about a detective who realized he put an innocent person in prison.

“We would have these moments where I was like “what are you trying to say?” Knox said. “I thought my well-being was sort of in his hands, [but] I walked away with his beating heart in my hand, and all of a sudden I was carrying all of this responsibility of absolving him, which I was not expecting.”

Pam Morton, director of arts and authors at the MJCCA, said bringing the thought-provoking discussions to the community exemplifies the mission of the nonprofit’s Arts & Authors series.

“These events exemplify the mission of our Arts & Authors series, bringing powerful and relevant discussions to our community,” said. “Each author brings a unique perspective on justice, history and contemporary global challenges, providing audiences with an incredible opportunity to learn and engage.”

While she is twice exonerated, happily married with children and committed to her work on the board of

DEATH NOTICES

Frances Benoit, age 95, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 24, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Franklyn Dailey, Jr., age 104, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 19, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Amanda Knox chats with guests while signing copies of her new memoir “Free: My Search for Meaning” March 25 at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. People waited in line for chance to meet Knox, one of their personal heroes, after a Q&A session focused on how she overcame trauma and found meaning in her life.

directors of the Innocence Project, Knox said she still sees chatter about her in the media.

Sometimes jokes are funny, but poorly constructed ones are cheap and often hurtful.

Knox said one of her favorites was from the TV show “Veep,” where a character remarks that anyone can be famous because she is for “not” murdering someone.

One guest at the lecture drew a comparison of Knox’s situation to the infamous Steve Bartman incident, where a Chicago Cubs fan tried to catch a fly ball down the foul line, interfering with a player and received blame from the media.

While the media’s treatment of Knox and Bartman is comparable, there’s one significant difference.

Bartman deflected the foul ball, leading Cubs outfielder Moisés Alou to miss it with his glove. Knox simply didn’t kill her roommate.

While some Cubs players stuck up for Bartman, Knox is still missing her complete vindication.

The Italian Supreme Court upheld her slander conviction Jan. 23, 2025.

“The irony is that while being wrongly convicted of slander, I’m the most slandered person in this whole saga,” Knox said in a post on X. “The police, prosecutor, media, courts and the killer Rudy Guede have all slandered me to no end.”

Rick Goldstein, a high school teacher at the Paideia

Margaret Dimsdale, age 97, of Milton, GA passed away on March 13, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Katherine Frye, age 78, of Roswell, GA passed away on March 15, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

School in Atlanta, said he’s known Knox for a few years and regularly takes a group of his students to Innocence Project conferences.

Goldstein said Knox is a wonderful human being who forges connections with students and takes an interest in their journeys.

Dunwoody resident Essie Lazarus said she was a huge Amanda Knox fan as a high schooler and enjoyed the intimate environment for the author’s talk and book signing. It was an interesting and enlightening discussion, Lazarus said.

Knox’s husband, Christopher Robinson, said he thinks the media’s coverage of Amanda may be different today.

“I’ll tell you what Amanda would say, the media is not one thing, there’s good actors and bad ones,” Robinson said. “Even today right now, there are tabloids in the United Kingdom vilifying her for having written this book.”

Robinson and Knox’s “Labyrinths” podcast delves into topics like resilience and personal growth, philosophy, true crime and today’s media.

“It’s sort of been steadily getting better. That isn’t to say misogyny disappeared from the world, it hasn’t,” he said. “On the whole, it’s better.”

Amanda Knox’ new memoir “Free: My Search for Meaning” is available for purchase on Amazon and local bookstores throughout Metro Atlanta.

Barbara Jagrowski, age 91, of Roswell, GA passed away on March 23, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Carolyn Palmer, age 87, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 23, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Margaret Pierce, age 84, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 19, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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Client Relations Specialist in Duluth, GA to build relationships w/ key customers’ employees; gather, anlyz, interpret data to idntfy trends, patterns, insights, utilizing stat’l techniques & data visualization tools; dvlp innovative & practice solutions by anlyz’g client reqmts & biz challenges, creating comprehensive plans, strats, recomm’ns to max profits & address clients’ needs; Utilize innovative biz models & methodologies to solve real-world probls, collab’g w/ clients to idntfy opportunities for growth, optim’n, & cost savings; handle cust disputes. Req’rd: a Bachelor’s or Equiv deg in public relations, hospitality mgmt, cognitive sci, or a rltd major. $58K/yr. Mail resume to Rachel Kim, HR Team Manager, Cornerstone Wireless LLC at 1545 Francisco St, Torrance, CA 90501.

Full-Time Vice President of Community Engagement

NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Vice President of Community Engagement position. The Vice President of Community Engagement (VPCE) is a senior leadership role responsible for developing and implementing strategies to build meaningful relationships with the community, donors, and stakeholders.

Part-Time Thrift Shop Associate – Bilingual Preferred

NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the part-time Thrift Shop Associate position. One of the primary responsibilities of this role is to provide a high level of customer service in the Thrift Shop. The associate is responsible for all cash register and

To place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com

Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm

Your Company Hiring? Submit your opening at appenmedia.com/hire

The VPCE will lead initiatives to increase awareness, partnerships, and financial support for the organization’s mission. This position oversees community engagement, marketing, public relations, and volunteer programs to ensure alignment with organizational goals.

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org