Winter weather
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — People may need a tape measure when visiting public facilities in Sandy Springs if the City Council approves an ordinance regulating assemblies.
The proposed law would make it illegal for a person to get within 8 feet of someone without their consent to pass a leaflet, display a sign or protest near a place of worship, educational institution or public area.
The measure drew tense debate at the council’s Jan. 7 work session when issues of public safety were weighed against First Amendment rights.
The point of the ordinance, City Attorney Dan Lee said, would be to provide public safety and emergency personnel a tool to carry out their duties unimpeded. It would also protect citizens from intrusive, uninvited solicitations.
The measure would establish a 50-foot radius around public gathering areas – including religious sites – where approaching others to pass a leaflet, display a sign or protest would be limited to 8 feet without consent from the person or persons.
“The proposed ordinances aim to balance First Amendment rights with regulations that ensure one individual or group’s right to protest does not infringe on another’s right to participate in religious or other lawful activities,” according to a city memo attached to the proposal. Those violating the ordinance could be charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor in Sandy Springs, with punishments up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.
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Buchanan stepping down as U.S. attorney on Jan. 19
By DAVE WILLIAMS Capitol Beat
ATLANTA — Ryan Buchanan has announced his resignation as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
Buchanan will step down from the post on Jan. 19, one day before Donald Trump is sworn in as the nation’s 47th president.
After serving as assistant U.S. attorney for the district since 2013, Buchanan was nominated to move into the top job by President Joe Biden in late 2021. He took up the position in the spring of 2022 after his confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
“It is nearly impossible for me to reduce to writing my admiration and gratitude for you,” Buchanan wrote Thursday in a message to members of his office. “You embody the high ideals of the Department of Justice, and you live out our mission daily. The Northern District, the state of Georgia, and the United States are safer because of your efforts.”
Under Buchanan’s leadership, the Northern District of Georgia created a dedicated section – the Public Integrity & Civil Rights Section – to formalize and expand the office’s civil and criminal civil rights work.
The new section helped convict former Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill of intentionally violating the
civil rights of six pre-trial detainees by ordering them strapped into restraint chairs for hours without legal justification. The unit also prosecuted 11 high-ranking city of Atlanta officials and contractors for bribery, theft, tax fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, including the conviction of former Chief Financial Officer Jim Beard.
Other civil rights investigations uncovered multiple violations of the constitutional and statutory rights of prisoners at the Fulton County Jail and of inmates incarcerated in state prisons.
Buchanan also spearheaded the creation of the Northern Georgia Fentanyl Prosecution Working Group, a data-driven effort targeting the counties in the Northern District hit hardest by the opioid epidemic.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Moultrie Jr. will succeed Buchanan on an acting basis until Trump nominates a successor and the Senate confirms the president’s choice .
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
The Save Spalding Drive Elementary Committee was set to hold a press conference following Fulton County Schools’ recommendation on whether to close the school Jan. 14 following a work session at the district’s North Learning Center off Northridge Parkway.
Local officials, parents plan response to School Board redistricting proposal
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Save Spalding Drive Elementary Committee was scheduled to rally Sandy Springs leaders Jan. 14 to advocate against closing their beloved neighborhood institution.
In a Jan. 9 statement, the committee said it planned to hold a news conference with elected officials after the Jan. 14 Fulton County School Board work session, regardless of the outcome.
At the work session, Fulton County School staff was scheduled to present their final recommendation and map for attendance zone changes, which may include revisions to a Dec. 9 draft proposal.
The recommended school closure, first announced in September, triggered a redistricting of all elementary schools in Sandy Springs. The Dec. 9 draft proposal was to shutter Spalding Drive Elementary and shuffle its students to nearby Woodland and Heards Ferry, while expanding Ison Springs’ attendance zone to the south.
In mid-December, the committee presented its more than 100-page document, “The Case to Save Spalding,” in which it highlighted significant flaws in the district’s consolidation rationale, in terms of enrollment capacity models and facility condition assessments. It also underscored the importance of thoughtful, data-driven decisions that prioritize
More Online
To read about the Jan. 14 final recommendation, visit www.appenmedia.com/.
community stability, academic quality and transparent communication.
Elected officials on both sides of the aisle have spoken against the school closure.
“Parents and elected officials, including Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, Fulton County Commissioner Bob Ellis and others, will advocate for the FCS Board to keep Spalding Drive Elementary open as Superintendent Mike Looney presents his expected recommendation to close [it] and move forward with redistricting,” the statement says.
Yngrid Jones-Huff, deputy chief operations officers at Fulton County Schools, told the crowd at the Dec. 9 community meeting that the Jan. 14 final recommendation to the School Board may differ from the map presented at the public meeting.
At the Jan. 23 School Board meeting, the committee says members will vote on whether to proceed with the recommendation. Later, at the Feb. 11 meeting, the district’s Operations Division will give a second presentation, incorporating feedback from School Board members and their discussions with the community.
A final vote on the closure of Spalding Drive Elementary School is set for Feb. 20.
BUCHANAN
County clears path for luxury home subdivision in Alpharetta
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County commissioners unanimously approved sewer and water easements to allow construction of a luxury home subdivision in Alpharetta, as the city’s available undeveloped land continues to shrink.
The Hawthorn neighborhood will feature luxury single-family homes starting at about $1.5 million, according to developer Toll Brothers. Home sizes will range from 3,675 to 4,279 square feet. The 22.7-acre property will feature 41 lots and a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet.
Hawthorn will be located in the southeastern edge of the city off Kimball Bridge Road at Buice Road. The tract is flanked by neighborhoods filled with single-family homes.
Commissioners approved the dedication of about 100,000 square feet for water and sewer lines to allow the project to move forward.
Alpharetta has only about 400 acres that are undeveloped, Community Development Director Kathi Cook said. Flood plains and stream buffers limit construction, further restraining the availability of buildable land.
As a result, future projects are in-
FULTON COUNTY/PROVIDED
Fulton County commissioners meet Jan. 6 to approve water and sewer easements for a 41-home luxury home subdivision in southeast Alpharetta.
creasingly relying on redevelopment of existing sites.
In late 2024, the City Council reviewed two residential projects in the Brookside area, bringing homes, offices and commercial space tracts now occupied by aging offices.
As land availability decreases, prices increase, resulting in the construction of more expensive homes, said Donna Murphy, Realtor and life-long Alpharetta resident.
Developers look to building more expensive homes to recoup money spent
on land purchases, she said.
Murphy also serves as president elect of the 400 North Association of Realtors and a member of the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals.
“The higher and higher you go, the higher the home prices have to be,” Murphy said.
Murphy said she is concerned about the availability of affordable homes in the city. Available cheaper homes are virtually “nonexistent,” she said.
“I look forward to days where we can have a more balanced market,” Murphy said.
A study by KBA Advisory Group presented to the Alpharetta City Council in 2021 found new homes for families earning less than $100,000 were almost completely out of reach.
Alpharetta’s housing market produced few newly constructed, for-sale detached homes for under $300,000, and almost none between $300,000$400,000, according to the study.
Building vertically with townhomes and apartments may provide some relief, but land prices are expected to increase further as the city becomes an increasingly attractive place to live, Murphy said.
“It’s just so scarce,” Murphy said of available affordable homes. “There’s really nothing out there.”
Authors schedule book discussions through January
By KATHY DES JAR-
DINS CIOFFI
newsroom@appenmedia.com
January, traditionally the month of deals, is serving up a unique offering in the twofor-one category: Author appearances.
Writers Jennifer Coburn, Terri Parlato and Will Carter are doubling up on local book talks in the coming weeks. Details for those events, as well as just one other, are below.
PROVIDED
Bestselling author Jennifer Coburn is one of three authors planning a pair of upcoming North Fulton appearances.
Thursday, Jan. 16, Lisa Malice discussing “Lest She Forget” with New York Times bestselling author Karen White. $20, which includes the newly released paperback. 5 p.m. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566.
Saturday, Jan. 25, Will Carter detailing, “Getting Better.” Free. Noon. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-232-9331. read-itagain.com
Saturday, Jan. 25, Terri Parlato. The Friends of Sandy Springs Library and Bookmiser will host Parlato and her latest thriller, “Watch Your Back.” 2 p.m. Free. Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway Northeast. 770-509-5611. bookmiser.net/ events.html
The Girls from the Glimmer Factory.”
The bestselling author will be feted during an evening of cocktails and appetizers. $30, which includes the novel. 4 p.m. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com Coming in February:
Saturday, Feb. 1, Jennifer Coburn. The free event, presented by Roswell Reads, in partnership with the city of Roswell and Bookmiser, will spotlight Coburn’s just-released “The Girls from the Glimmer Factory.” 2 p.m. Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St. RoswellReads. com
To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@gmail.com by the 15th.
BUSINESSPOSTS
Business lets clients occupy a space before it’s built
Walk Your Plans gives clients a real-life representation of their blueprints in a 2,000-square-foot showroom in
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — Mary Atchley thinks her business’s name will soon become a part of everyday language.
“We will become a verb. Everyone will walk your plans,” said Atchley, who owns Walk Your Plans in Roswell with co-owner Mark Brown.
Walk Your Plans allows clients to visualize their home, office or business by projecting the blueprints onto the floor of a 2,000 square-foot showroom. Since opening in November, the business has garnered rave reviews from those eager to get a real-life representation of their buildings before the first brick is laid.
“We didn’t open a Chick-fil-A or a McDonald’s, something everyone is familiar with,” Atchley said. “People still have to wrap their minds around it, but we have been really, really pleased with the reception we’ve gotten.”
Independently owned and licensed, the Roswell location, at 3000 Northfield Place, Suite 900, is the third Walk Your Plans in the U.S. The first opened in Cleveland, Ohio, in late 2023. The concept originated from a business model introduced on the Australian version of the “Shark Tank” television show.
Atchley said she still vividly remembers watching a video of the episode on her Instagram feed on April 17. She instantly knew the idea had legs.
“I looked at Mark and said someone should do this in Atlanta,” Atchley said.
The next day, she called the founder, who told her there were already five people in line for bringing Walk Your Plans to Atlanta. She and Brown knew they had to act fast, hopped on a plane and were awarded the territory.
Walking your plans begins with booking a time slot on the business’s website. Atchley said they consult with clients before visits to explain pricing, which is by the hour,
and get a feel for their specific needs.
Clients send them a PDF file of their space’s blueprints, which are then recreated in the showroom.
The plans are projected onto the floor, giving clients a true-to-scale, real-life feel for how they will come to life.
The experience provides a unique perspective on how a space will function.
The owners of a soon-to-be restaurant realized they could knock down a wall in the kitchen to give their chef some needed space.
The staff of a medical office came to their session with a stroller to ensure families would have easy access during visits.
Commercial project developers have unlocked unparalleled collaboration by bringing professionals from disparate backgrounds including interior designers, builders and corporate team members. Together, they may spend the day on their virtual site, making important decisions.
Atchley said her business hopes to soon partner with a local real estate agent and custom home developer to help them close sales.
The cost savings can be immense, and decisions that might have taken two months are made in a couple of hours, she said.
“The attention to detail is high,” Atchley said. “It’s fascinating to see the time spent on the smallest details.”
Because the concept is so new, clients have flown in from around the country and continent. One customer arrived from Canada to visualize a custom home he planned to build.
Already, the custom home building community has embraced the business, she said. And the response has been so good, she and Brown are looking toward 2025 and plan to some day open a second location in Atlanta.
“It’s been a fast and furious adventure,” Atchley said.
Walk Your Plans gives clients a real-life representation of their blueprints in a 2,000-square-foot showroom in Roswell. The plans are projected onto the floor, giving a unique perspective about how a space will feel.
MARY ATCHLEY/PROVIDED
Roswell. The plans are projected onto the floor, giving a unique perspective about how a space will feel.
HANS APPEN/APPEN MEDIA
Change lives, change the world
Brought to you by – Wesleyan School
Wesleyan School believes faith and intellect are great partners with each other. At Wesleyan, it’s not a matter of choosing faith or intellect, but rather using both to create the best possible education for your child. Our leadership and faculty work to provide students with an atmosphere that is challenging, reinforces the value of hard work, and emphasizes character and integrity above accomplishment. Wesleyan prepares students for each stage of life and provides them with the opportunity to see all the possibilities that lie before them. Wesleyan’s school motto is JOY-Jesus, Others, Yourself, and every aspect of school life is oriented to reinforce this philosophy of putting Jesus first and others ahead of ourselves.
A college preparatory environ -
ment, students have access to a wide range of academic opportunities along with athletics, arts, service and other extracurricular activities. Wesleyan’s 85-acre campus provides state-ofthe-art academic facilities along with on-campus practice space for athletics and arts.
Located just outside of I-285 in Peachtree Corners, Wesleyan enrolled 1,206 students in grades K-12 for the 2023-2024 school year. Wesleyan offers bus routes throughout the metro Atlanta area. Supervised care before school is included in the cost of tuition and after care is available (K-8) until 6 p.m. at an affordable rate.
The Wesleyan School 5405 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-448-7640 https://www. wesleyanschool.org/
Inspiring a love of learning
Brought to you by – Dunwoody Baptist Preschool
For over 55 years, our vision at Dunwoody Baptist Preschool has been to inspire the love of learning by nurturing each child within a Christ-centered environment. We are committed to encouraging our early learners to thrive academically, but even more importantly, we want them to grow spiritually. We, as teachers and staff, care deeply that all of our students know who God is and that He loves them unconditionally. We are a fully accredited preschool through COGNIA.
At Dunwoody Baptist Preschool, we offer 2, 3 ,4 and 5-day Playmates classes for children ages 6 months to 2 years as well as 5-day Preschool classes for children in 3's, 4’s PreK and our unique Young 5’s class. Early Morning drop-off, Extended Day and Enrichment classes in cooking, phonics, science, Spanish, ballet and piano are also offered.
All children at DBP not only learn and explore within the classroom, they enjoy music and science classes, gym, playground time and chapel.
Please visit our Admissions sec -
tion on our website at dbc.org/weekdayschool to register your child for the 2025-2026 school year. To see all of the fun we are having at DBP, check out @dunwoodybaptistpreschool on Facebook or Instagram.
Leading the way
Brought to you by - The Mount Vernon School
The Mount Vernon School leads the way in innovative education, equipping students to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Grounded in Christian values, the school prepares students to be college-ready, globally competitive, and engaged citizen leaders. From Preschool through Grade 12, students are encouraged to think critically, engage deeply, and lead confidently.
Personalized pathways start as early as age 2 in Preschool, where students "Start with Questions." Early exploration and play lay the groundwork for curiosity and deeper learning. As students progress to Lower School, they encounter expanded choices in classes, clubs, and activities. In Grade 5, the "Impact Summit" allows students to showcase their self-leadership through meaningful projects.
Mount Vernon’s approach centers on inquiry-based learning and design thinking, empowering students to hone problem-solving skills through expeditionary and project-based learning focused on empathy. Middle School amplifies learning with courses
like the Grade 8 Impact Design Lab. By Upper School, diverse pathways emerge, including the Innovation Diploma, a selective four-year program that immerses students in real-world projects with Fortune 500 companies.
College Counseling begins in Grade 9 to help students find their ideal college fit. Dual Enrollment with Arizona State University enables students to earn college credit, transferable to institutions such as the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech.
The Journey of Purpose begins at Mount Vernon, where joy permeates every aspect of the student experience, fostering an environment where curiosity thrives and lifelong learning takes root. At Mount Vernon, we are designing a better world together— cultivating innovative thinkers and compassionate leaders ready to make a positive impact.
Visit the Mount Vernon School's Upper Campus (Grades 9-12) at 510 Mount Vernon Hwy NE or the Lower Campus (Preschool - Grade 5) at 471 Mount Vernon Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30328. For more information, call (404) 252-3448 or visit mountvernonschool.org.
PROVIDED
JOURNEY OF PURPOSE The
Developing courageous leaders
Brought to you by – Atlanta International
School Sandy Springs
Atlanta International School in Sandy Springs will open its doors to students in grades 7 - 12 in August this year! This creates an exciting opportunity for families who live north of the Atlanta Metro area. Atlanta International School (AIS) has been offering students the best in education through the International Baccalaureate curriculum for 40 years and is thrilled to expand OTP!
The school’s mission is to develop courageous leaders who shape their world for the better, with mutual respect and understanding. AIS is an inclusive community that brings people from all cultural backgrounds and nationalities together. The student and faculty body represents over 90 nations and within it over 60 languages are spoken! This opens a window to the world to AIS students, and helps them advance their intercultural skills, which are much needed for thriving in tomorrow’s world.
At AIS, language learning is centered, and every student studies a language in addition to their own. The school prioritizes the interests and passions of each student, allowing them to develop agency over their learning.
For students who are looking to pursue pre-professional or college-level athletics or arts, the AISx flexible schedule program allows them to succeed academically and in their chosen area of interest.
AIS Sandy Springs also boasts the first Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Georgia with on-site professional coaching available to students enrolled at the school. Patrick Mouratoglou, the coach to grand slam winner Serena Williams, has renowned academies in Europe and AIS Sandy Springs is its newest location. The perfect spot in this tennis-loving state!
As well as regular day school, AIS Sandy Springs offers boarding for students travelling from further afield, with both 5- and 7-day boarding options available. Boarding students will enjoy all that the beautiful campus has to offer, along with weekend excursions to local attractions, and of course to the cities of Sandy Springs and Atlanta. On-site residential faculty support students and ensure they experience a home from home. Both day and boarding students will be connected to AIS Buckhead campus with a bus ser
Students from AIS attend the best colleges in the US and around the world, with a higher-than-average acceptance rate. Colleges recognize the strength of the International Baccalaureate curriculum, in particular the rigor of the Diploma and Career-related Programs that students in grades 11-12 complete. When AIS students graduate, they have a joy of learning that propels them onto their next adventures in life.
Start your own AIS journey and apply today.
www.aischool.org/sandysprings
Providing an exceptional college preparatory program since 1976
Brought to you by – Saint Francis School
Saint Francis School is an independent, notfor-profit, nonsectarian, college preparatory program, serving the Atlanta Metro area since 1976. The mission of Saint Francis School is to provide a college preparatory program to students with diverse academic abilities in a structured, supportive, and challenging environment.
The kindergarten–8th grades are located on the 24-acre gated Roswell campus, while the High School is situated on the 47-acre gated Milton campus. The school’s commitment to small class sizes, a low pupil-to-teacher ratio, and an emphasis on structure and organization empowers students to achieve academic success and develop the self-confidence needed for college and beyond.
Curriculum offerings include AP, Honors, Traditional, Support classes, and Academic Enhancement courses. Structured literacy programs include Fundations®, Wilson Reading System®, Just Words®, and supplemental support from CARS® and STARS®.
Athletic opportunities are available for Grades 5–8 and high school (GHSA) students, with sports offerings such as football, soccer, baseball, track, swimming, wrestling, softball, volleyball, and equestrian.
Visit saintfrancisschools.com to learn more about campus tours and our updated bus routes.
COMPLIMENTARY BUSSERVICE FORGRADES 9-12
SAINT FRANCIS SCHOOL ANNOUNCES NEW BUS ROUTES
Timeless excellence of classical Catholic education at Holy Spirit Preparatory School
Brought to you by – Holy Spirit Preparatory School
At Holy Spirit Preparatory School, we nurture the minds, hearts, and souls of students from 6 months to 12th grade, offering a comprehensive education deeply rooted in Catholic tradition and classical learning.
Our approach blends timeless values with transformative education, cultivating a profound love for truth, beauty, and goodness. From daily music classes for our youngest learners to advanced studies in the Upper School, as well as a strong focus on the arts and competitive athletics, we cultivate well-rounded individuals prepared for lives of purpose and service.
Guided by dedicated faculty committed to excellence, our students achieve remarkable success, exemplified by a 100% college acceptance rate. Holy Spirit Prep prepares students to enter the world firm in faith, joyful in hope, and active in charity.
Embracing our motto, "Ministrare non ministrari" – to serve and not be served, we emphasize spiritual growth through active campus ministry, weekly Mass, retreats, and comprehensive theology courses, deepening their relationship with God.
We believe in the strength of a joyful community. Through active parent engagement and extensive after-school programs, we create a nurturing environment where students thrive academically and spiritually.
Join us on campus at our upcoming information sessions to discover what makes Holy Spirit Prep truly exceptional:
• February 6: 6 months - PreK4
• February 11: Kindergarten - 6th Grade
• February 20: 7th - 12th Grade
Tours will follow each session. Register today at holyspiritprep.org/admissions.
Holy Spirit Preparatory School: Transformative Education, Timeless Values.
Springmont has provided an authentic Montessori education since 1963!
As the oldest Montessori school in the Southeast, Springmont offers students 18 months through middle school an authentic Montessori experience that is extraordinary by design. Individualized learning inspires our diverse population of students to become creative, independent, and globally minded. Classrooms are large, light-filled, and thoughtfully prepared, while the campus’ many natural areas, class gardens, and farm animals afford rich outdoor life science lessons.
Outdoor Science Education, and Spanish are essential parts of the student experience. At Springmont, students are challenged to reach their fullest potential and empowered to help steer their own educations. Children’s innate curiosity grows into a life-long love of learning and a quest for meaningful discoveries and deeper knowledge.
Middle School students run microeconomies and compete in regional academic competitions. Opportunities to hone time-management skills, experience active leadership roles, articulate complex ideas, and work both independently and in diverse groups make our Middle School Program a true capstone experience.
Specially designed Montessori materials support children’s developmental needs and offer students a wide variety of hands-on activities that concretely reinforce skills, lessons, and concepts. Highly experienced and caring teachers guide students through an individualized curriculum that develops the whole child—socially, emotionally, and academically. Multi-aged classes allow younger children to learn from older ones and older students to mentor younger classmates.
Art, Music, Physical Education,
Springmont graduates are confident, collaborative, engaged learners, prepared for success in Atlanta’s premier high schools as well as life beyond academics. Springmont School—Extraordinary by Design.
Applications for the 2025-26 school year are due February 1. For more information, to join a group tour, or to schedule an individualized visit, call 404-2523910 or visit springmont.com
Brought to you by – Springmont School
Enrollment now open at Amana Academy Join us for an open house on January 26!
Brought to you by - Amana Academy
Are you ready to ignite your child’s love for learning? Amana Academy, a Fulton County public charter school, is thrilled to announce that open enrollment for the upcoming school year is now underway! We invite you to explore what makes our K-8 school a transformative learning environment by joining us for our Open House on Sunday, January 26, from 2–4 PM.
Amana Academy is proud to embrace the Harvard-based EL Education model, a proven approach that fosters academic excellence, character development, and highquality work. Rooted in hands-on, project-based learning, our curriculum encourages students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways.
Our innovative STEM program is powered by Design Thinking and equips students with the tools they need to solve real-world problems creatively and confidently. Through this innovative framework, students
engage in engineering challenges, coding, robotics, and more—developing not only technical skills but also the resilience and adaptability essential for success in today’s world.
At Amana Academy, we are deeply committed to our mission of “educating for a better world.” By cultivating curiosity, empathy, and a sense of responsibility in our students, we prepare them to be leaders and changemakers in their communities and beyond.
Join us at the Open House to experience the Amana difference for yourself! Tour our state-of-theart facilities, meet our passionate educators, and learn how our unique blend of EL Education and STEM can inspire your child to reach their full potential.
Spaces are limited, so don’t miss this opportunity to secure your child’s place at Amana Academy. Visit our website to learn more and start the enrollment process today. Together, let’s embark on a journey of discovery, growth, and innovation!
Sponsored Section January 16, 2025 | Sandy Springs Crier | 18
Will & Trusts emotions
Brought to you by - Estates Law Center USA
The psychology of writing a Will and Trust delves into a complex interplay of emotions, relationships, and personal closure that often surfaces during this seemingly straightforward task. For many, drafting a Will and Trust prompts a confrontation with mortality, triggering feelings of anxiety, fear, or even denial. This act of organizing one's affairs can serve as a catalyst for introspection, compelling individuals to reflect on their lives, values, and the legacy they wish to leave behind. It can also strain relationships, as discussions about inheritance and asset distribution may bring underlying family tensions to the forefront. Siblings or heirs might feel a sense of competition or resentment, especially if the will reveals perceived inequalities or favoritism. On the other hand, open dialogues about the Will and Trust can foster healing and understanding among family members, as they confront
shared memories and the importance of maintaining connections beyond financial considerations. Moreover, for many individuals, the process of writing a Will and Trust can provide a profound sense of closure, allowing them to articulate their wishes and alleviate the burden on loved ones during an emotionally charged time. Ultimately, the act of drafting a Will and Trust transcends mere legalities; it becomes a deeply personal journey that intertwines love, loss, and the enduring quest for meaning in one's life. If you’re considering writing a Will and Trust , take a moment to reflect on the emotional journey it entails. Don’t just view it as a legal formality—embrace the opportunity to express your values and connect with your loved ones. Start a conversation with family members about your wishes and seek guidance from a legal professional to navigate this important process. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your legacy reflects not only your assets but also the love and memories you want to leave behind.
PAST TENSE
Dunwoody Baptist 1944 ceremony recognized local service members
On July 2, 1944, Dunwoody Baptist Church held a special church event to honor the men and women of Dunwoody who were serving during World War II, including those who were still serving overseas and in the U.S., missing or imprisoned and two who had died.
Rick Callihan wrote about the program in a blog post in 2022, including images of the historic document at dunwoodytalktake2. blogspot.com. He also shared the document with me.
The program for the Dunwoody Baptist Church service begins with Sue Kirby Jameson playing the piano. Jameson’s brother Max Kirby is listed in Seattle, Washington, and would later serve as part of the 8th Army Air Force Command.
Two men are listed as having died in service, or as the program says, “who gave all.” Lt. Charlie Head was part of the U.S. Army Air Forces 380th Bomber Squadron when his B-52 went down. The other was Pvt. Eugene Bowen. I was unable to find details about Bowen.
Fred Miles is listed as interred. According to the memories of his friend Fred Donaldson, Miles was in the Bataan March in the Pacific Theater. He returned safely home after the war ended.
Pvt. Sanford Burrell was serving in North Africa with the 100th Infantry Division when he was taken prisoner and held at Stalag 3-B in Germany. He survived and returned home, listed in the 1950 census in Dunwoody.
The name Harvey Spruill is written on the cover of the church program, and he is listed as training with the army in California. His name is spelled Harvie in his 2006 obituary and on his gravestone, so his name was spelled incorrectly on the program. He was born in 1913 to Nolia and Nina Holbrook Spruill.
Glenn K. Strickland is listed as missing in action at the time of the service, but later that year he was reported as a prisoner of war in Germany, captured while serving in northern Italy. His parents were Dr. Nathan and Fannie Strickland. Glenn Strickland returned to the U.S. following the war and lived until 1993.
Patricia Head was the only daughter of the Head family. All her brothers served in various branches of the military, but none were in the Marines. Patricia became part of the Aviation Women’s Reserve of the Marine Corps.
Pvt. Arva Floyd was at Fort Bragg, North Carolina at the time of the church service. He was sent there following his graduation from Emory at Oxford’s two-year program. He became part of a group preparing to be sent to the Pacific Theater, but the war ended, and he was sent to Austria to be part of the army of occupation.
When Harvey Carpenter served in the Pacific Theater, his family did not hear from him for almost three years. They were not sure he was alive, but he returned safely. His family held a celebration at their home where Carpenter played the banjo and others played guitar and fiddle. There was even a piano brought out to the front porch for the gathering.
In 1944, Dunwoody Baptist was led by the Rev. W.L. Anderson, a descendant of the Carpenter family. He was also the father of Ken Anderson, long-time employee of Dunwoody Baptist Church and recognized by the city of Dunwoody with “Ken Anderson Day” on Dec. 12, 2016.
Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.
FROM COLLECTION OF RICK CALLIHAN This 1944 program lists all the youth of Dunwoody who were serving during World War II. Dunwoody Baptist Church held a special service to honor all of the men and women.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
Gardening may heal trauma, restore wholeness
BY LAURA VACCARO Guest Columnist
Whether caring for a houseplant, arranging flowers or pruning rose bushes to prepare them for the coming spring, numerous studies have shown that gardening is healthy for the body, mind and spirit.
An abundance of scientific research correlates gardening with improved physical fitness, reduced cortisol levels, a greater sense of wellbeing and stronger connection with community.
In her article, “The Spiritual Practice of Gardening,” Gretchen Champoux, a psychotherapist and ordained minister, points out that gardening requires the same traits as many spiritual practices do, such as patience, attentiveness, diligence and self-control, and in turn, helps us to cultivate qualities that draw us closer to the divine, like mindfulness, creativity and curiosity.
Whether people are suffering loss, illness, victimization from a violent crime, or a history of childhood abuse, in my work as a trauma therapist I have observed that they often feel alone and disconnected from themselves and the world around them. It’s no wonder that the calm greenery of a garden can be so healing!
Garden as a place of refuge: Traumatic events cause people to feel vulnerable and unsafe in the world, and the garden can provide a place of “refuge,” where one can begin to experience safety. Spending time in a garden naturally brings about a sense of belonging to the natural world and develops the ability to feel “grounded” from within. In this place of stillness and beauty surrounded by nature, there is nothing to prove. The plants are wonderful companions who don’t judge or criticize us. They can help us to gain trust in our environment and begin to find our inner strength again.
Gardening restores our ability to live in the present moment: Traumatic events can keep our nervous system locked in states of fight, flight and freeze responses. Experiencing events that we are unprepared for overwhelms our nervous system and makes it impossible to enjoy life. Gardening tasks require our focused attention and naturally bring us into the present moment. Engaging in moderate physical exercise in the tranquility of surrounding nature stimulates the senses and calms the mind. Activities like planting seeds, raking leaves, weeding, admiring the beauty of flow -
ers and harvesting vegetables brings our attention to the present. Enjoying the fruits of one’s labor is deeply satisfying and produces a sense of well-being.
The resilience of plants heals despair and inspires us to live: Caring for a plant allows us to nurture something when we feel incapable of nurturing ourselves. It gives us hope, especially when we see the growth that we have helped to create. Plants want to live, and their resilience is inspiring. My mom recently shared with me that after her divorce, she didn’t know how to keep living, and sometimes didn’t want to. However, one spring morning while standing out in her garden, the sight of emerging daffodils touched something deep within her, and a small voice inside whispered, “if they can come back, so can I.”
Horticulture therapy is a timeproven practice with therapeutic benefits that are well-documented. Below are three horticulture therapy programs that work with specific populations in our area.
• Trellis Horticulture Therapy Alliance in Decatur uses the power of
About the author
gardening and nature to enrich the lives of people living with disabilities. Primarily, they serve adults 18 years and older diagnosed with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. However they also provide services for war veterans and the incarcerated.
• Hillside Horticultural Therapy program is located in Atlanta. They work with children and adolescents, ages 11-17 who struggle with mental health challenges, and are unable to function in regular home/community settings. Activities such as planting gardens, making compost, raising butterflies and feeding birds benefit students’ physical, emotional, intellectual and social development.
• A.G. Rhodes offers horticulture therapy to seniors and has centers in Atlanta, Marietta and Wesley Woods. Their website describes the numerous therapeutic benefits that gardening activities provide to older adults. These benefits include increased opportunities for sensory stimulation, help with reaching, standing and balancing and improved cognitive functioning. In addition, group gardening
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Master Gardener intern Laura Vaccaro, a native New Yorker who discovered a passion for gardening four years ago when she moved to Roswell with her husband and bought a home. She enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, meditating, cycling and travel. Laura looks forward to volunteering with the Fulton County UGA Extension service. In addition, Laura is a licensed psychotherapist and recently became a Kripalu Mindfulness Outdoor Guide.
helps seniors to combat isolation and depression.
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. 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 12 and Garden Tour on June 7. Learn more at nfmg.net.
TRELLIS HORTICULTURAL THERAPY ALLIANCE/PROVIDED Proud man with his flower arrangement
TRELLIS HORTICULTURAL THERAPY ALLIANCE/PROVIDED
Planting seeds and arranging flower bouquets
Continued from Page 1
Ordinance: AAPPEN PRESSCLU B
City Councilman Andy Bauman questioned the ordinance’s broad language, saying it may risk more harm than good.
Setting a “buffer zone”
The city’s memo says Lee and Police Chief Kenneth DeSimone recommended the ordinance changes to establish a “buffer zone” and to formalize what constitutes disorderly conduct.
The city attorney explained the motivation behind the ordinance.
“We’ve had problems in Sandy Springs … with unwanted flyers, some described as hate mail, left in different places and intended to intimidate, and I would argue, place terror on some people,” Lee said. “We’ve been challenged on how to help the Police Department address that and at the same time, not interfere with people’s free speech.”
The second prong of the ordinance addresses management of public property.
Examples include any educational institution, place of worship and any place owned and operated by a public entity, like City Springs.
“Rules are set to when the public can come and go, and it has to be that way in order to establish order and goodwill,” Lee said. “The same thing is true about sidewalks, and other public properties like parks; and we’ve had a problem … with the unruliness, sometimes, of demonstrations.”
When Mayor Rusty Paul asked the city attorney to expound upon First Amendment protections, Lee said that demonstrators would need consent from people before approaching them on or near public property.
“This proposal places a limitation on that conduct, geographically, and it gives the public notice,” Lee said. “It provides order to most demonstrations; it doesn’t curtail what someone can say, just where they say it.”
DEATH NOTICES
Josephine Bagley, 93, of Roswell, passed away on December 24, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Fay Flynn, 78, of Alpharetta, passed away on January 2, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
A guide for police
Police Chief DeSimone said it’s important to have clear guidelines for younger and more inexperienced officers who may not feel confident in charging someone with disorderly conduct.
While the city’s memo does not mention specific incidents or antisemitism, the motivation behind the proposed change surfaced during the council discussion.
“Disorderly conduct when it comes to putting out antisemitic flyers, harassing people at synagogues, temples and even Jewish schools, so we came up with this through collaboration,” DeSimone said. “It also helps our police officers when we’re trying to enforce laws.”
Other disorderly conduct violations in the ordinance are clearer, like blocking or threatening another person entering the premises of a public facility or place of worship.
The police chief cited incidents where a citizen filming for their purposes interferes directly with an officer conducting his duties. Under the ordinance, filming a police officer is allowed, just not within 8 feet.
Other anecdotes from the police chief involve interference with firefighters and paramedics.
“When they get to the point where they harass or interfere with operations, this just maybe codifies it a little better,” DeSimone said.
One key element in the city’s memo says the measure would allow distribution of flyers at certain times to prevent residents from unexpectedly finding disturbing materials on their property.
The ordinance itself does not discuss the posting of flyers, which has occurred a few times in recent years throughout predominately Jewish neighborhoods around Metro Atlanta. Instead, it mentions “passing a leaflet or handbill,” as a qualifier for a dis -
Petrelia Lawhorn, 76, of Roswell, passed away on January 4, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Anthony Lazzara, 83, of Alpharetta, passed away on December 24, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
orderly conduct charge if the incident occurs on the premises of a public facility.
Procedural questions arise
City Councilwoman Melody Kelley took issue with the language in the ordinance and the attached city memo, which she said was delivered to her the day before the meeting.
Kelley said she would have been more prepared for the discussion had she known the context behind the ordinance. She mentioned Brookhaven’s 2023 ban of flyers, or any other material designed to harass or intimidate someone.
She pointed out problems with the 8-foot rule for people advocating for something as benign as breast cancer awareness. For example, Arizona’s 8-foot law is only applicable to law enforcement.
Kelley said she would need another conversation to review similar laws, like the city’s 2019 hate crime ordinance.
An opportunity for compromise arose later with her advocacy of Florida’s “Halo Law,” which is more restrictive than Arizona’s 8-foot rule. The Halo Law pertains to anyone given a verbal warning not to approach. It states people must remain at least 25 feet away from police or first responders while performing their duty.
The Brookhaven law differs from that proposed by Sandy Springs staff, which caught the attention of City Councilman Andy Bauman, one of the city’s Jewish elected officials.
Bauman pointed out that the proposed city ordinance contains the exact language found in a proposal from the Anti-Defamation League, a global organization fighting antisemitism and bigotry.
He referenced incidents throughout 2023 in which antisemitic flyers were distributed on private properties in Sandy Springs and other neighboring communities.
“After the … incidents of 2023, ADL had approached myself and an-
Randall McAuley, 62, of Alpharetta, passed away on December 29, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Trummie Patrick, Jr., 80, of Roswell, passed away on January 7, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
other council member with some model ordinance language relating, not to the buffer we have here, but to leafleting … and some other things that were going on,” Bauman said. “That was the last I heard of that until this appeared on the agenda.”
A “bungled” process
Bauman said he helped lead the drive on Sandy Springs’ hate crime ordinance, the state’s first, and he has proudly supported public safety and constitutional rights.
“I fully understand and share the outrage over harassing demonstrations, particularly disturbing protests we’ve seen on college campuses and near synagogues,” he said. “I appreciate the ADL’s intent … as a lawmaker, I must ensure every ordinance we consider respects constitutional rights.”
He said the proposed ordinance raises serious concerns, “not just for its vague and overly broad language, but also because it diverges from what the ADL proposed in other contexts.”
Bauman called the process to bring the ordinance before elected officials “bungled,” but didn’t rule out supporting a revised version that addresses antisemitic flyers on private lawns.
“Transparency and collaboration are critical to crafting effective policy,” he said. “Yet, this ordinance appears to have been developed by the city attorney working alone with the mayor without broader council input; sloppy processes lead to sloppy outcomes.”
Council members John Paulson, Tibby DeJulio, Melissa Mular and Jody Reichel also raised questions about the enforcement and legality of the ordinance.
At the outset, Mayor Paul said the purpose of the work session was to introduce the topic to residents and elected officials to receive feedback.
“We will take the input from council and look at ways to perfect the ordinance,” Paul said following the meeting. “If that requires any significant restructuring, we’ll bring it back in a work session and then bring forth a finished ordinance at a subsequent meeting.”
Josephine Rotkewicz, 97, of Roswell, passed away on December 31, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
SERVICE DIRECTORY
Experienced Dunwoody CPA. Bookkeeping-tax returns. (personal/business)
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Call/text Susan, 404-372-7577
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Donor Operations Supervisor
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