Community joins to break ground on new North Springs High School
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Just under 100 community members, local elected officials and Fulton County School representatives broke ground Aug. 27 on the new North Springs Charter High School.
It is the state's only dual magnet school, allowing students
to participate in the Visual & Arts magnet, Mathematics & Science magnet, or both, depending on their qualifications and abilities. Built in 1963, North Springs Charter High School is one of the oldest in the Fulton County Schools system.
District Chief Communications Officer Brain Noyes said contractors have moved tons of dirt already, removing the high school’s athletic
fields to make room for the new academic buildings.
The ceremony took place on top of a dirt mound next to the existing school building and around 30 feet above where outfielders used to stand on the old softball field.
Sandwiched between Roswell Road (Ga. 9) and Ga. 400, the high
See SCHOOL, Page 11
Project to honor service members at Sandy Springs Veterans Park
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs is expanding Veterans Park to honor the men and women who have served the United States Armed Forces.
In collaboration with the Sandy Springs Foundation, the city invites the community to contribute through general contributions or the purchase of personalized pavers, park benches and two sculptures.
The city says orders must be placed by Sept. 30 to have pavers ready for Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
The Sandy Springs Foundation says it’s actively fundraising for the installation of the sculptures, which will become symbols of the community’s gratitude and inspiration to future generations.
Veterans Park will also feature memorial plaques, representing each branch of the armed forces in all major global conflicts.
The city says benches, designed for visitors to relax and reflect amid the park’s water features and sculptures, will surround the memorials.
Personalized pavers of various sizes will also be installed, allowing
See
Page 11
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Members of the Fulton County Board of Education and Superintendent Mike Looney, at right, shovel dirt at the site of the new North Springs Charter High School at an Aug. 27 groundbreaking.
NEWS TIPS
770-442-3278
AppenMedia.com
319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009
HANS APPEN Publisher CONTACT
Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.
LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com. See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance.
ADVERTISING
For information about advertising in the Sandy Springs Crier or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
CIRCULATION
To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
Pediatric dentist pleads guilty to child porn possession
ATLANTA, Ga. — The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta announced a development Aug. 29 in a case concerning a Sandy Springs pediatric dentist’s possession of child pornography.
Paul Bogeun Kim pleaded guilty Aug. 23 to possessing thousands of images and videos of minors, including some 12 years old and younger, engaging in sexually explicit activity.
The report says agents executed a search warrant for Kim and his Sandy Springs residence in December 2023, seizing approximately 30 electronic devices.
Authorities said there are 1,948 images and 798 videos of child pornography on the devices, and several videos in Kim’s possession depicted prepubescent females engaged in sexual acts with adult males or objects.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan oversees the Atlanta office’s 250 prosecutors
and staff members.
“Kim possessed materials depicting the sexual exploitation of minors at the same time that parents were entrusting their children to his pediatric care,” Buchanan said. “Possessing child pornography exploits and abuses children, essentially creating lasting effects for the victims each time the images are distributed online.”
The case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.
In February 2006, the U.S. Department of Justice launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.
Project Safe Childhood uses federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children.
Keri Farley, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta, said every time child exploi-
tation imagery is shared, it re-victimizes innocent and vulnerable children.
“This plea demonstrates that no person is above the law — regardless of employment, wealth or social status,” Farley said. “The FBI will continue to seek out all individuals who seek to abuse children and victimize them through the downloading and possession of child pornography.”
The report says an FBI investigation of Kim stems from a broader investigation into a commercial sexual exploitation ring, which advertised and sold child pornography on several online platforms. FBI Special agents identified Kim as one of the suspected purchasers of the material.
His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. at 10 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dwayne A. Brown is prosecuting the case.
Bicyclists organize around road safety, charity
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
NORTH METRO ATLANTA — As a group of cyclists ride down Trinity Church Road, a driver in a lifted truck speeds past, waits for them at a stop sign, then floors it to produce black smoke as they near the four-way.
That’s footage captured on Alpharetta resident Dan Stonaker’s bike camera, featured on his YouTube page. And, there’s more like it, showing either driver harassment or negligence toward his cycling group.
In another clip, two cars speed past Stonaker’s group and return to the right lane before almost clipping oncoming traffic.
According to data from the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration, there were 29 bicycle-related fatalities in 2022 in Georgia — up from the 15 deaths reported the year before.
Footage from the front and rear camera on Stonaker’s bike, capturing tags, was used by local law enforcement last year to prosecute a driver who had run his truck into Stonaker’s cycling group at a high speed as they were riding along at about 20 to 30 mph.
“What’s the difference between that and pointing a loaded gun?” Stonaker asked.
Police revoked the driver’s license, mandated a defensive driving course, a hefty fine and sent them to jail for 10 days.
Stonaker leads the Webb Bridge Cycling Group in Alpharetta. He’s also a board member of the Van Purser Foundation, a nonprofit that aids cyclists in times of need and one of many groups looking to make roads a safer, and friendlier, place.
Domestique Leadership
The foundation is named after the founder of the Webb Bridge group, which formed in 1993, who Stonaker said is a “local cycling legend of sorts.” Purser died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, in September 2019.
It also boasts a years-old program called Domestique Leadership, where around 50 ride leaders from Metro Atlanta come together for a half-day training session on different leadership principles.
The sessions, held every couple of years, have included local politicians, police agencies and the general public.
“If you’re not a cyclist, it’s really hard to understand and be empathetic to what it’s like to be on a bicycle on a road,” Stonaker said.
The intent of the Domestique Leadership program, he said, is to get people to understand.
“That’s one of our efforts, is to do that, and for law enforcement to kind of understand the dynamics of the groups
Did you know?
According to state law, bicyclists can ride two abreast, rather than just single file.
Cyclists over the age of 12 must also ride on the road, rather than a sidewalk, unless local ordinance says otherwise.
Want to pass a cyclist when there’s a double yellow line? No worries. You can, but make sure to pass at 10 mph below the posted speed limit, or at 25 mph, whichever is greater. Also, you must allow 3 feet of clearance between your car and the cyclist.
“A local family lost their daughter, and so we started this ride, and now it’s become quite a large philanthropic event,” Cochran said.
He also mentioned the Cartersvillebased Beautiful Backroads Century Bike Ride that benefits Hickory Log Personal Care Home for men with special needs.
and the fact that we’re not out there trying to cause any trouble,” Stonaker said. “What we’re trying to do is minimize the impact we have on the communities that we ride through as much as possible.”
Stonaker and other area cycling advocates like David Cochran, a ride director for the Olde Blind Dog Cycling Club in Milton, and Matt Sullivan, a ride leader for the Goat Riders in Forsyth County, recalled experiences where police officers either cited their group for legal behavior or held the belief that legal behavior, like riding two abreast, was in error.
“You think about all the laws and everything they need to know and everything they’re dealing with — probably the last thing they’re thinking about are bicycles,” Stonaker said.
Establishing guidelines
Cochran, who was part of Olde Blind Dog Cycling Club’s founding group in 2014, also described a concerted effort among cyclists looking to establish standard behaviors. He emphasized the goal is setting guidelines, rather than rules.
“...What I’d like to impact is the understanding, that we could improve harmony on our roadways,” Cochran said. “Right now, there is quite a bit of aggression.”
Like those involved with the Van Purser Foundation, Cochran and others have interfaced with law enforcement, once or twice a year. Recently, a meeting was held with the Milton Police Department.
“I would call it just a dialog, a back and forth,” Cochran said. “Police officer, how do you perceive us? Us, how do you perceive police officers?”
Across the community, Cochran said not everyone knows all the rules, that interpretations can vary. When it comes to riding single-file versus riding side-by-side, he said pairing up is safer, though others have thought otherwise.
“If we ride side-by-side, we’re shortening the distance by half,” Cochran said.
Charity work
Another point cycling advocates have made is their community involvement, their charity work around Metro Atlanta.
Cochran noted St. Patty O’ Pedal, an effort spun out of the Olde Blind Dog Cycling Club. It’s an annual charity ride to “conquer childhood cancer,” benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
“We are trying to be very inclusive and diverse and be equitable in a natural, transparent, organic way,” adding that the Olde Blind Dog Cycling Club features some riders on the autism spectrum.
Sullivan, former treasurer of Bike Alpharetta, described another philanthropic effort from the cycling community.
For Bike Alpharetta’s “Bikes for Kids” program, more than 100 volunteers donated bikes “Santa-ready.” Last year, nearly 530 bikes were prepared, and accompanying the bikes were 325 new helmets and another 75 that were donated.
“To me, as a kid, there’s nothing better than getting a bicycle under the tree,” Sullivan said.
DAVID COCHRAN/PROVIDED
David Cochran, a cycling advocate and ride director for the Olde Blind Dog Cycling Club wearing his Goat Riders suit, joins the Forsyth County-based group, led by Matt Sullivan. Cochran, Sullivan and others are organizing around road safety to minimize the impact cycling has on the community.
Sandy Springs group raises awareness of childhood cancer at Capitol visit
ATLANTA, Ga. — To commemorate September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a Springs Springs nonprofit hosted an event Aug. 27 at the state Capitol, featuring a proclamation by Gov. Brian Kemp.
The Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research raises awareness and funds for childhood cancer research to help scientists find better treatments with fewer long-term side effects and, ultimately, cures.
Cooper Gardner, an 8th grader at Chamblee Middle School diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma in June, offered remarks advocating on behalf of the Rally Foundation and other organizations at the gathering, like Aurora Day Camp, Camp Sunshine, Where the Blue Skies Are, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Mighty Millie.
Since 2005, when it was founded by CEO Dean Rowe, the Rally Foundation has awarded $29.4 million in grants to more than 500 childhood cancer research projects around the world.
Rowe also spoke at the event, highlighting that the King and Queen buildings in Sandy Springs as well as the HartsfieldJackson Airport will be lit up in gold in show of support, as done in previous years.
“Childhood cancer is becoming a national movement, and Georgia is a leader in gaining additional federal funding for better treatments and more cures,” Rowe said.
JENNIFER DUNAWAY/PROVIDED
Gov. Brian Kemp gathers with various advocacy organizations and families in support of raising awareness of childhood cancer at the state Capitol Aug. 27
Longtime friends share experience, tips on dementia caregiving in new podcast
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Nancy Treaster struggled to find the information she needed while caring for her husband, who had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia about a decade ago.
Frontotemporal dementia is a cognitive disorder that involves the progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, resulting in symptoms like changes in personality and behavior, loss of speech and language skills as well as physical issues.
Feeling frustrated, the Johns Creek resident turned to her longtime friend Sue Ryan, who had been in the caregiving world herself for 40 years, with an idea to start a blog about the day-to-day challenges of caregiving and how to tackle them.
Ryan, based in Florida, suggested they join forces to start a podcast. And, they did, launching “The Caregiver’s Journey” in August.
“We wanted to be able to have practical tips and candid conversations about the good, the bad, and yes, the ugly, in our caregiving journeys, and help people get really specific, detailed answers … and also be on the positive side, though, too,” Ryan said.
Ryan’s husband died last year after a years-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Just the day before, the pair were conducting research for a four-part
series on incontinence. They couldn’t find a detailed instructional video on how to change a Depend on someone who is mobile, like Treaster’s husband. The only videos they found were too high-level.
“We call it the ‘nitty gritty’…” Treaster said. “You can’t find this information. People don’t want to talk about it.”
Treaster recalled the grieving she had to do when her husband was diagnosed and the relief she found in support groups on Facebook, wanting to return that to listeners struggling.
In less than a month, Treaster said the podcast has had more than 700 downloads. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that more than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for a family member or friend diagnosed with dementia.
In addition to understanding the diagnosis itself, Treaster said caregiving is also about understanding what to expect, wrapping your head around what’s happening.
“Every little thing that happens for the first year or so … is like a punch in the gut,” she said. “They don’t know their ATM code, they don’t know their birthday, they don’t know your birthday. And, these are not things that happen all at once. They’re just one more thing they don’t know.”
Ryan calls it “drip grief.”
“My husband wasn’t killed by a bus,” Ryan said. “He wasn’t hit by a bus, and all of a sudden he’s gone. But, every day there was just a little something. And the same thing with everyone I was caring for — something goes away. You don’t know
For more information on “The Caregiver’s Journey,” visit https:// thecaregiversjourney.com.
what it’s going to be, and you don’t know when it’s going to be.”
Ryan’s caregiving journey started when she was in her early 20s, with a neighbor who had dementia. Her father also had dementia, and in retrospect, she said she wasn’t fully accepting of his diagnosis and therefore, not fully present.
Since then, Ryan said her perspective shifted to “massive acceptance” and “radical presence,” coming to light when caring for her husband.
“...I was able to make really wise choices in very challenging situations and feel at peace with what it was,” she said.
This lesson, and others, like navigating a full-time career while also caregiving, are topics she and Treaster want to offer on the podcast.
The show also features Treaster’s son Merritt, the podcast’s audio engineer and editor, who adds his perspective as a child of someone diagnosed with dementia.
“Nancy and I have a ton of stories of actual experiences we’ve gone through, or where people have shared and … we’ve learned from others, and they’ve been really helpful,” Ryan said. “We want other people to be able to do that, just to learn faster and more easily than we did.”
FALL 2024 PROGRAM
Dunwoody Baptist Church 1445 Mt. Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338. Registration will be available on the PALS website: www.palsonline.info
The classes will be held on Mondays from September 9October 28, 2024 :
10:00 am - 11:00 am
THE HISTORY OF ROCK & ROLL --THE MUSIC OF THE MID1960S – Tom Dell will continue his survey of the history of Rock & Roll, this time moving to the mid-1960s. He will delve into the music of The Temptations, Bob Dylan, Joe Tex, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Junior Walker as well as other Motown artists.
10:00 am - 11:00 am
THE IRRATIONAL AND MORE – Shai Robkin will explore many of the ideas featured in the first season of the NBC show “The Irrational” (available for free online). He will also examine some of the new and emerging research into the underlying forces, many unknown to our conscious minds, that drive individual and collective societal behaviors, focusing on the work of behavioral economists, social psychologists and neuroscientists. Where applicable, we’ll see what behavioral scientists have to say about some of the most important and often divisive issues of the day and their possible implications for public policy.
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
FROM BOOK TO SCREEN – Michelle Freiedman will present Sir Kenneth Branagh’s take on classic novels through his award winning films. The discussion will include topics such as what keeps us coming back to certain iconic pieces of literature and does putting them on film preserve their essence or turn them into something else completely? Let’s see what the works of Mary Shelley, Agatha Christie and Shakespeare become when Branagh takes them on!
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
POLITICS 2024 – Preeminent political science university professors and journalists will help us assess the upcoming November 2024 National and State elections. We will get bold predictions as well as how the media impacts the results. We will also assess the effects of the current political polarization on the future of US Democracy and how to deal with it as well as the role of minorities and women in the upcoming vote.
DEBBIE FITZGERALD/PROVIDED
Johns Creek resident Nancy Treaster and her friend Sue Ryan host a podcast titled “The Caregiver’s Journey,” offering tips to dementia caregivers. The podcast launched in August.
Read Local, Shop Local
Rick Bragg’s Johns Creek session caps off September book events
By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com
In just its second year, the Johns Creek Literary Fair will pull off a production of Pulitzer proportions Sept. 29 when Rick Bragg headlines the free 36-author event. Bragg, author of 11 nonfiction works, including “All Over but the Shoutin’” and, most recently, “The Speckled Beauty: A Dog and His People, Lost and Found,” will be in conversation with Georgia-based novelist Brian Panowich. The event also will feature a renowned panel of lawyers-turned-authors – “Legal Eagles with Scribe Vibes” – as well as 20 local writers and 10 children’s authors.
Rick Bragg, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, will headline the Johns Creek Literary Fair Sept. 29.
Details about the JCLF and other September book happenings
Saturday, Sept. 7, Lo Patrick. Atlanta
Authors presents Patrick detailing her new thriller, “The Night the River Wept,” alongside author Emily Carpenter. Bookmiser will have copies available to purchase. 2 p.m. Free. In person and online. Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., 404-612-9700. atlantaauthorsga.com
Saturday, Sept. 7, Mary McMyne signing “A Rose by Any Other Name.” Noon. Free. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-2329331. read-it-again.com
Tuesday, Sept. 10, Bookfair for Grownups. Read It Again Bookstore will partner with Gate City Brewing for a boozy book fair. 6 p.m. Free. Gate City Brewing, 43 Magnolia St., Roswell. 678-404-0961. gatecitybrewingcompany.com
Friday, Sept. 13, Poe & Company event benefitting Jesse’s House. Support the local nonprofit providing emergency shelter for adolescent girls during a Sip & Sign Atlanta Authors Night featuring George Weinstein, Kim Conrey, Emily Carpenter, Kimberly Brock and others. 5 p.m. Stoney J’s Winery, 1506 Stoney Point Road, Cumming. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
Sunday, Sept. 15, “Administrations of Lunacy” author talk with Mab Segrest. 3 p.m. Free. Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming. forsythpl.org/ event/11100456
Tuesday, Sept. 17, Martha D. Peterson, former CIA agent, recounting “The Widow Spy: My CIA Journey from the Jungles of Laos to Prison in Moscow.” 1 p.m. Free. Johns Creek Books, 6000 Medlock Bridge Road. 770-696-9999. johnscreekbooks. com
Tuesday, Sept. 17, Bob Rothman, K.A. Kirtland. A Novel Idea and Bookmiser serve up two launches: Rothman with “A Terrible Guilt” and Kirtland’s “Bleeding Sea.” 7 p.m. Free. Vintage Pizzeria, 5510
Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. 770-509-5611. bookmiser.net/events.html
Saturday, Sept. 21, Laura Elizabeth signing “All Is Now Lost.” 1 p.m. Free. Johns Creek Books, 6000 Medlock Bridge Road. 770-696-9999. johnscreekbooks.com
Thursday, Sept. 26, Veena Rao reflects on “Purple Lotus.” 7 p.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
Friday, Saturday and Monday, Sept. 27, 28, and 30, Friends of the Roswell Library Book Sale. See website for hours. Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell. 404612-9700. forl.net
Saturday, Sept. 28, Cindy Rasicot on “This Fresh Existence: Heart Teachings from Bhikkhuni Dhammananda” and living a more powerful, compassionate life. Noon. Free. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-232-9331. read-it-again.com
Saturday, Sept. 28, Johnna Stein recaps her middle-grade novel, “Untangling Hope." 3 p.m. Free. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-232-9331. read-it-again. com
Saturday, Sept. 28, Lo Patrick, “The Night the River Wept,” with author Chris Negron. 7 p.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
Sunday, Sept. 29, Johns Creek Literary Fair. Pulitzer Prize-winning Rick Bragg, in conversation with Brian Panowich, will headline the 36-author event. Noon. Free. Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater at Newtown Park, Johns Creek. johnscreekga.gov/recreation-parks/special-events/literary-fair
To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@gmail.com by the 15th.
Support Local News Join Appen Press Club
CHARTER MEMBER
DC Aiken
Big Sky Franchise Team
David & Michelle Bertany
Amour & Duane Carthy
Adam Corder
Barbara Anderson
Kerry Arias
Scott Baynton
Joseph Bell
James Bennett
Carl Abernathy
Salpi Adrouny
Alpharetta Lions Club
Omar Altalib
Dave Altman
Ron Altman
Joel Alvis
American Legion Post 201
Alice & Dr. Richard Appen
Gaye Armstrong
Mary Asbury
Bangkok Boxing LLC
Shannon Banna
Beth Barnes
Janet Bass
Barbara Bauschka
Kathy Beck
Leslie Berry
Tom Billings
Tochie Blan
Ron Boddicker
Jodi Bogen
Sherri Bolles-Rogers
Helen Borland
Debra Bowen
Joe Bowen
Ryan Brainard
Mark Brandus
Mel Brannen
Dorothy Brouhard
Erendira Brumley
Bernhard Burgener
Alvin Burrell
Mike & Theresa Buscher
Mary Busman
Gary Butterfield
Clea Calloway
Kirk Canaday
James Carr
Bridgette Carter
William Cartwright
Frank Catroppa
Pat Check
Virginia Christman
Christopher Cleary
Ann Coaloa
Kim Coggins
Evelyn Collazo
Robert Flint
Robin Fricton
Allison January
Michael Kenig
Roderick Liptrot
Bob Meyers
Claude Nardy
Ross & Lori Ramsey
Mark Rundle
Kim Truett
MEMBER+
Rita Brown
Mark Casas
David Conti
Theodore Davis III
Maureen Drumm
Charlcie Forehand
Deborah Jackson
Ali Mahbod
Vickie McElroy
Anne Peer
MEMBER
Laura Keck
Mark Kelly
Allison Kloster
Coons Rhonda Cude Christopher Cupit
David Davis
Duane DeBruler Marilyn DeCusati
Rebecca Donlan
Tom Driscoll
Michael Dudgeon
Jeanette Dummer
DutchCrafters Amish Furniture
Mim Eisenberg
Danny Elkins
Su Ellis
Martha Fasse
Nell & Doug Fernandez
Lee Fleck
Cathy Flynn
Mary Ford
Nanci Foster
Amy Frederick
Kelly Frommer
Carol Fry
Tracey Ganesh
Daniel Gay
John Gibbs
John Gilberto
Leslie Gilliam
Bailey & Ryan Gladysz
Michelle Glotzbach
Harvey Goldberg
Christopher Goodrich
Phyllis Goodrich
Ralph Griffin
Marilee Hamilton
Susan Hanna
Roxanne Hazen
Joe Hirsch
Penn Hodge
Dianne & Steffan Holmquist
Joan Hostetter
Austin Hughes
Lynn Johnson
Tyler Jones
Arthur Kebanli
Dyna Kohler
Larry Krueger
Jess & Chris Kysar
Malinda Lackey
Ken Leffingwell
Carol Lehan
Bonnie Lind
Francia Lindon
Harlan Little
Ross Long
Brenda Lundy
Rita Loventhal
Karen Magill
Kyile Marshall
Julie Martin
Valerie Matthews
William Maxwell
Rachel McCord
Austin McCully
Diane McDonald
Lynn McIntyre
Mike McLoughlin
Jennifer Mendoza
Al Merrill
Chris Miller
Christine Miller
Fred Moeller
Sarah Moen
Carol Morgan
Kathy Morgan
Stu Moring
Leslie Mullis
Donna Murphy
Jack Murphy
Tricia Novarro
Bob O’Brien
Anne Pappas
Lynn Pennington
Jonathan Peters
Kurt & Leslie Phillips
Debra Powell
Joyce Provissiero
Chuck Pugh
Robert Radloff
To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level and select your t-shirt size!
Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
Raj Rajagopalan
Roger Wise Jr.
Colt Whittall
Robert Popp
Kate Seng
Carol Williams
Marilyn Colarossi-Woods
Ashwin Ramaswami
Cheryl Rand
Jean Rearick
Righteous PR
Neil Robertson
Kimberly Robinson
Matt Rohs
Stephanie Schniederjan
Robert Scholz
Stephanie Schuette
Susan Searles
Tina Shelton
Lisa Shippel
Joanne Simmons
Tom Simon
Cindy Simpson
Robert Singleton
Faye Sklar
Judith Slaughter
Andy Smith
Gena Spears
Gloria Stathos
Wesley Stewart
Cathryn Stovall
Celeste Strohl
Andy Sumlin
Mike Tasos
Candice Teichert
The Small Business Advisor
Lisa Tilt
Michael Townes
Matthew Tyser
Ollie Wagner
Lewis Walker
Jonathan Washburn
Michael Watson
Herbert Wells
Sally White
Thom White
Michael Weiss
Umpika White
Susan Wilson
Jamie Wimberly
Nancy & Dave Wistrand
Carla York
Jonathan Young
Cousin of “Phooey!”
Japanese soup
Overseas
Lickety-split
Water carrier
“Tarzan” extra
Land in l’océan
Caprice
Stage hog
Citrus drink
Semitic deity
Sacks
Manages, with “out”
Light source
Hodgepodge
Hair goops
Like some prices
Ringo Starr and others
Visit Our Brand New Showroom
5 absolute must-haves in the bathroom
Throughout America major changes are happening in the bathroom, especially in the shower. North Atlanta expanded rapidly from 1980 to 2005, and this is the era of jetted tubs dominating the bathroom, claustrophobic gold framed showers, poor lighting and the use of materials that promoted mold and mildew (grout).
“We see this every day”, says John Hogan, owner of Bath and Kitchen Galleria in Alpharetta, “Homeowners are tired of recurring grout issues, and they want their bathrooms to be a soothing pleasant experience.” Bath and Kitchen Galleria just completed their 1000th project and bathrooms are their primary type of project. “We have a formula that works for homeowners that balances bathroom aesthetics, function and price.”
In the bathroom, America has realigned its preferences, and the bathroom has taken a new shape in terms of products and appearance. At the center of “America’s New Bathroom” is a larger, open shower. We take more showers than baths, so the emphasis has shifted to the shower. Larger showers are more inviting and in most cases the shower does not have a ceiling. The openness of
the shower is the mold solution. In concert with the openness is the abundant use of shower glass. Not just any glass but specially coated glass that makes cleaning far less frequent. “We remodel just about every shower to be a maximum of 2 tiled walls: the remaining walls are always glass,” Mr. Hogan continued, “abundant glass and strategically located lighting, promotes that spa feeling.” Bathrooms are now engineered to be cleaner, both in design and materials; grout no longer promotes mold, nonporous tile remains clean, and humidity sensing fans automatically exhaust unwanted humidity.
Americans are taking shorter showers, but an abundance of water is also desired, so multiple shower heads especially incorporating a handheld wand is preferred. Especially when a bench is included, the water needs to be accessible from a seated position.
The 5 Absolute Must-Haves in a Bathroom: Bigger Showers, Brighter Bathrooms, Designs that Promote Cleanliness, Abundant Water experiences and Soothing Colors. For more information visit Bath and Kitchen Galleria’s showroom at 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector in Alpharetta (no appointment needed) or call them at 678-4592292.
Brought to you by - Bath and Kitchen Galleria
Understanding unclaimed property
Escheatment refers to the legal process by which unclaimed property reverts to the state when the rightful owner cannot be located or fails to claim the property within a specified period of time. The concept of escheatment ensures that abandoned assets do not remain indefinitely with businesses or financial institutions and instead are held by the state for safekeeping until claimed by the rightful owner or their heirs.
Unclaimed Property Laws in the United States regulate the handling of financial assets that have been abandoned or forgotten by their rightful owners. These laws require businesses and financial institutions to report and transfer such assets to state governments after a specified period of dormancy, typically ranging from one to five years. States then maintain databases and actively work to reunite owners with their property through outreach efforts. If owners do not claim their property within a certain timeframe, it "escheats" or reverts to the state, where the funds are
used for public benefit. These laws vary slightly by state in terms of dormancy periods, exemptions, and reporting requirements, but they universally aim to protect consumer rights and ensure transparency in financial transactions. Understanding these laws is crucial for both individuals and businesses to manage and reclaim unclaimed assets appropriately. Stay ahead of escheatment! Keep your contact info updated, monitor accounts regularly, and respond promptly to notifications. Don't let your unclaimed assets fall into state hands. The best way to avoid this is to consult with an Expert attorney to prevent the State from inheriting your assets due to your failure to prepare your Will and Trust.
Reserve Your Seat For A FREE Estate Planning Workshop
• Does my Will protect my “stuff”? (It does not.)
• Should I upgrade my Will to a Trust?
• What do I need to know about Revocable Living Trusts?
• How do Irrevocable Trusts work?
September Workshops: Tues., Sept. 17 – 4 pm Thurs., Sept. 19 – 11 am Wed., Sept. 25 – 6 pm Tues., Sept. 3 – 4 pm Thurs., Sept. 5 – 11 am Wed., Sept. 11 – 6 pm
• Medicaid. What’s true and what’s not?
• How do I protect my assets for my family and legacy?
• How do I remain in control?
• How do I avoid losing everything to nursing home costs?
• How can my family avoid probate?
Attend our FREE Educational Workshops. Reserve your Spot and Get a FREE Consultation for attending the Workshop (a $500 Value) CODE: herald2023
| esther@gklawgroup.com
HOLLY GEERDES Estate Law Center USA Top 5% Super Lawyer in Georgia
City of Dunwoody announces free electronics recycling drive
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody is holding a free electronics recycling drive for residents Sunday, Sept. 29 from 1-4 p.m. at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church off Mount Vernon Road.
The company providing the recycling, eWaste ePlanet, provides 100 percent data security with zero waste to landfills, a city spokesperson said.
During last year’s electronics recycling event, 453 residents recycled 33,768 pounds of electronic waste. Recycled items include 292 laptops, 176 desktop computers, 206 hard drives, 5,176 pounds of televisions and 4,414 pounds of printers.
Items accepted for recycling include monitors, desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, keyboards, servers, networking gear, circuit boards, wires and cables, hard drives and memory cards, digital cameras, GPS units, speakers, copiers, ink and toner, scanners, projectors, game consoles, phone systems, lab and medical equipment, point of sale systems, microwaves, DVD players and barcode scanners.
Items that are not accepted include
CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED
Employees with Norcross-based eWaste ePlanet collect outdated technology at Dunwoody’s electronics recycling drive last fall. This year’s event is Sunday, Sept. 29 from 1-4 p.m. at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church.
cracked LCD TVs and monitors, broken or bare CRT TVs and monitors, light bulbs, radioactive material, hazardous waste and any liquid or paint.
To register, visit dunwoodyga.gov/ community/electronics-recycling.
Community Development Director
Richard McLeod said his department is grateful for the way residents support city-led sustainability initiatives.
“We always have a strong response and appreciate the City Council for prioritizing funding for this event,” McLeod said.
The city says there will be no paper shredding at the recycling drive.
Dunwoody Community Development staff, the Sustainability Committee and St. Luke’s Green Team helped organize and will assist residents, a city spokesperson said.
Roswell prohibits access to water at Old Mill Park
State official says dam exempt from inspection
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — The City of Roswell suspended water access at Old Mill Park Aug. 16 and has not announced when that would change.
On its webpage for the Roswell Mill/ Vickery Creek Waterfall, the city says the decision to close water access is to ensure safety and park preservation.
“We encourage all visitors to continue enjoying the scenic beauty of the park from the designated trail system and viewing areas,” the city writes. “Your cooperation is essential in helping us maintain the integrity of this cherished natural site.”
Cautionary signs around the area say trespassers will be prosecuted.
The City of Roswell has not responded to questions from Appen Media asking for more details about the closure. The council was set to discuss the Old Mill Park at its Aug. 27 Community Development and Transportation Committee meeting.
While the city closed its access point, visitors can continue activity as usual
from the other side of Vickery Creek — the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
James Psillis, U.S. park ranger and law enforcement supervisor, told Appen Media nothing has changed for the National Park Service.
“There are medical calls that come out there from time to time, from people frequenting the area, whether it be slips and falls on rocks or climbing on the dam, where they’re not supposed to be,
things along those lines,” Psillis noted.
In August, Roswell Police conducted drone flights and foot patrols over the area.
According to an Aug. 9 incident report, officers were made aware of someone who appeared to be suffering from dehydration, and an ambulance was called to the scene.
That day, police also “addressed” an individual with two dogs off leash, another person with a vape, but not
actively vaping, and three people carrying a grill and charcoal while playing amplified music on a small speaker.
According to an open records request submitted by Appen Media, the City of Roswell has not conducted any inspections of the waterfall dam in the past five years.
Neither has the Environmental Protection Division of the state Department of Natural Resources.
“The dam you referenced is exempt from regulation, so there is no requirement from Safe Dams for inspections of the dam by any party, and EPD has not performed any inspections of it,” said Sara Lips, the agency’s director of communications and community engagement.
Safe Dams is the state program that ensures compliance of all regulated dams.
To meet requirements for state regulation, Lips said a dam must be more than 6 feet tall and store at least 100 acre-feet of water or be more than 25 feet tall and store at least 15 acre-feet of water, in addition to posing a probable loss of life in the event of failure.
She said the Roswell Mill dam, at 27 feet tall, holds back 8.1 acre-feet of water.
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA City of Roswell signs posted around Old Mill Park say water access is restricted. Visitors can continue activity as usual from the other side in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
School:
Continued from Page 1
school is a defining feature of Sandy Springs’ North End.
City Councilman Andy Bauman said the groundbreaking is a community milestone and the most important thing happening in the city.
The replacement for North Springs Charter High School is a multifaceted capital project for Fulton County Schools. It must construct a new high school while students attend classes on campus.
North Springs Charter Principal Scott Hansen thanked Vertical Earth and other contractors for helping maintain a safe construction zone. Hansen said the future at North Springs is exciting.
Meanwhile, students with the school’s Army Junior ROTC program directed traffic in the school’s parking lot and offered their thoughts on the building’s construction.
Two North Springs seniors in the program, Andrew Grigoryof and Eliya Liberty, said they have not heard noise from the construction zone this school year, aside from the occasional beeping of a truck in reverse.
While the two seniors won’t attend classes at the school’s replacement, they agreed that it makes sense to replace the building but said it’s sad not having home games at the school this fall.
The replacement is funded through the one-penny education sales tax, ESPLOST, in the school district’s Capital Plan 2027.
In April, Fulton County Schools officials said total costs were around $175 million, up from a February estimate of $108 million.
The plan, already underway, is
Project:
from Page 1
individuals to honor veterans with engraved messages. Pavers start at $200, and benches are $4,000.
The Sandy Springs Foundation also accepts donations of any amount.
To learn more about the Sandy Springs Foundation and Veterans Park, visit sandyspringsfoundation. org/veterans/.
founding members of the nonprofit for their unwavering commitment to replace the high school since 2015.
to demolish the athletic facilities so there is room to construct the new academic buildings without displacing students.
If the school buildings are completed on schedule, students will start the 2027-28 school year in the new North Springs High School.
At that point, Fulton County Schools will tear down the more than 60-year-old building and build out new athletic facilities.
The mood at the groundbreaking was overwhelmingly positive, with many in the community thanking local volunteers and leaders who made the day possible.
Fulton County Schools officials said it’s the culmination of a lot of
Mayor Rusty Paul said Sandy Springs is home to countless veterans, and the park represents the community’s gratitude toward the men and women who have served.
“This initiative marks the first campaign for the Sandy Springs Foundation,” Paul said. “It is deeply meaningful to support this commemorative park for those who have served selflessly.”
Veterans Park is at Roswell Road, Mount Vernon Highway and Johnson Ferry Road across from City Springs.
The city inaugurated the park on Veterans Day in 2023.
To further honor the sacrifices of veterans, the city commissioned two sculptures for the park: “Be the Light,” a 30-foot-tall steel creation from Curtis Pittman and “Three Generations,” designed by Kevin Chambers.
North Springs was the driving force behind my running for City Council.”
The $15.6 million site work contract removed the softball field, competition field, stadium, practice field, tennis courts and surrounding parking lots over the summer.
Additional site work completed this summer includes re-rerouting electrical and gas lines to the building, completing a construction entrance on Trowbridge Road and finishing the new bus loop.
A Fulton County Schools official said site work is expected to be complete by December.
In an Aug. 15 update to the North Springs Construction Advisory Committee, officials reported that the building package, which triggers construction, will be complete before the end of the year.
City Councilwoman Reichel expressed her deep gratitude for the unwavering commitment of the founding members of Citizens for a New North Springs High School. Reichel said the benefits will include improving academic outcomes, attracting families, boosting property values and stimulating local economic growth.
hard work and the start of more to come.
There might not be a new high school without the efforts of Sandy Springs City Councilwoman Jody Reichel.
Along with Betty Klein, Linda Tricky, Cheryl Barlow and Sandra Jewell, Reichel founded Citizens for a New North Springs High School after learning of Fulton County Schools’ plan for a $19 million renovation in 2015.
“After meeting with one of the School Board members and telling them we wanted a new school, not a renovation, we were told that was impossible [and] it will never happen,” Reichel said. “Getting a new
“Investing in a new school strengthens the entire community, making it more vibrant, connected and resilient,” she said. “This project is a testament to what can be achieved when we come together with a shared vision and determination.”
Sandy Springs City Councilman John Paulson, whose children graduated from the school, said he cannot wait to see the one of Fulton County Schools’ oldest high schools become its newest.
“In these challenging times where project costs are higher and higher, I am pleased that the School Board and staff, led by Dr. Looney and his team, are making this massive project happen,” Paulson said.
CAROL CIEPLUCH/PROVIDED
From left, Cheryl Barlow, Sandy Springs City Councilwoman Jody Reichel, Betty Klein, Sandra Jewell and Linda Tricky smile as they represent Citizens for a New North Springs High School at an Aug. 27 groundbreaking. Reichel thanked fellow
VISIT SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED Sandy Springs’ Veterans Park, completed last fall, sits across from City Springs at the intersection of Ga. 9, Mount Vernon Highway and Johnson Ferry Road. The Sandy Springs Foundation is asking for contributions to help expand the park and honor veterans.
A boomer’s primetime lineup spanning 64 years
Before television exploded into a galaxy of networks, viewers had some hope of sorting the wheat from the chaff in programming.
Finding those rare needles in today’s ever-expanding haystack requires more time than us boomers can afford.
In deference to my generational compatriots, I’ve compiled a list of seven of the best television shows spanning my prime-time lifetime, from 1960 to present. One show for each day of the week. Maybe younger viewers will discover a long-lost gem.
My list does not include public television programs. By what formula do you calculate the value of Carl Sagan’s “Cosmos” next to “Game of Thrones?”
The roster also devalues “I just want to be entertained” as a major criterion. If all you want is entertainment, go bowling.
There are no comedies, because everyone’s sense of humor differs widely, and so, why argue about what makes you laugh?
I’ve ignored anything written by Aaron Sorkin whose dialog is too perfect, too contrived to be taken with any sense of realism. Great dialog is believable. Manicured dialog is pure pretense.
This leaves three slots to complete a top 10. Maybe readers can help with that.
7. The Prisoner (1967)
A British spy resigns in a rage. He is subsequently drugged and awakens in The Village, a coastal community operated like an HOA on mushrooms. The Village is charming, populated by devout conformists under the thumb of a mysterious, allseeing apparatus. But, it’s no place for a rebel like Patrick McGoohan, the show’s creator and protagonist.
Why did he resign? That’s what the mysterious agency wants to know, and McGoohan’s not talking.
He has no name, but they call him No. 6.
The true enjoyment lies not in McGoohan’s inventive escape attempts but in the psychological subversion he inflicts on his inquisitors.
“I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered,” he declares. “My life is my own.”
The show’s cerebral gymnastics prompted one local PBS station to bring in a psychiatrist to offer commentary following each episode when it re-aired in syndication.
6. Siskel & Ebert (1975-1999)
What the Tennessee Valley Authority did for rural electrification Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert did for film. The rival Chicago newspaper critics did more than review new theater releases, they taught you how to appreciate movies. Each identified elements that make a movie worth seeing, from storyline, to direction, to the depth of its characters. They likewise signaled traits that detract from a
movie.
What a novel idea to place two rivals in the ring to argue, insult (not just movies, but often each other), praise and ultimately elevate film from simple entertainment to an art form. Over its 24 years, it also elevated the hand’s first digit to a prominence it hadn’t seen since ancient Rome.
5. Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Westerns, family sitcoms, buddy cops and scotch-swilling private detectives have always owned primetime TV.
Then, along comes a high school chemistry teacher who blunders into becoming a world-class meth chef. Creator Vince Gilligan provided a frenetic storyline as addictive as the chemist’s product, with twists, dark humor and grisly reminders of what a dirty business the drug trade can be.
I appreciate cleverness, and the show introduced schemes so imaginative, they’ll likely never be matched. It takes work and talent to produce that kind of quality.
4. Star Trek (1966-1969)
Before Captain Kirk, there was Buck Rogers. No contest.
While the scion “Next Generation” was lightyears ahead of the original “Star Trek,” someone had to set the table, establish the canon and introduce the “science” that made it all work. Someone had to lasso a fan base that could force resuscitation of a long-dead series and grow it into a franchise that prospers to this day.
Gene Roddenberry avoided the trappings of many science fiction writers by creating a universe governed by rules: a starship’s speed limit, matter-antimatter power, for example. An 8-year-old could grasp it.
Amid the turbulent ’60s, it was courageous to paint a future where respect for life and culture were paramount and where exploration superseded conquest.
No less important, the dynamic between the impetuous Kirk and his emotionless first officer Spock formed a command team of opposing intellects that melded beautifully. The show is timeless.
3. The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
It is no accident this anthology series has been embedded into the American lexicon. If you find something strange, it’s “like the Twilight Zone.”
One of the greatest writers in the business, Rod Serling had already made a mark with teleplays like “Patterns” in 1955 and “Requiem for a Heavyweight” a year later.
When CBS gave him the studio keys in 1959, Serling delivered stories probing the depths of humanity that built to a masterful climax of irony, surprise or
greater social consciousness.
A combat veteran, Serling battled censors to cover topics like war, bigotry and injustice within his stories.
In a rebuke to the censors who made his life a misery, Serling’s widow Carol quoted him as saying: “The ultimate obscenity is not caring, not doing something about what you feel, not feeling!”
Nearly every episode reflects this.
2. The Americans (2013-2018)
Hailed for its writing, the series centers on a suburban Washington D.C., couple in the early 1980s, the height of the Cold War. The couple, portrayed by Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys, are Soviet moles who entered the country years earlier, have two children and blend into suburbia.
The first 10 minutes of the first episode beats any series opening ever aired on the small screen. It hooks you with deception, intrigue, action and precision editing.
Most commendably, the writers honor the premise of the story. There is irony, but no gags. When you’re living a high-stakes lie, few things are humorous. Life is marbled with holding jobs, raising the kids and performing deadly espionage to gather U.S. intelligence.
Over its six seasons, Emmys poured in, but ratings and chatter never exceeded a simmer. Too bad. This series is strikingly good.
1. The Rockford Files (1974-1980)
Each episode opens with a phone ringing next to a half-finished game of solitaire on the private detective’s desk. The answering machine kicks in. It’s the dry cleaners. They’ve lost his brown jacket.
The phone message changes in every opening, but it’s always the same: a caller offering anything but employment for this struggling gumshoe.
Few actors can upend a genre. James Garner did it — twice!
His starring role in “Maverick” inverted the TV western in 1959 when he played a roguish gambler slightly more cunning than he was cowardly.
He hit his stride in 1974, playing hapless PI Jim Rockford, who, when he wasn’t being stiffed by clients, was getting the hell beaten out of him. This was not your twofisted Phillip Marlowe prowling grimy back alleys. Rockford lived and worked out of a paint-chipped trailer sitting like an empty beer can on a pristine Malibu beach.
Only a charmer like Garner could’ve pulled this off. When he was forced to fight, Rockford usually fought dirty, like emptying a soap dispenser on the floor seconds before he’s confronted in the men’s room by a martial arts henchman.
His heart was as soft as his fists, so he was an easy touch. He had to make a living, but he had to live with himself. So, he cut corners with a scalpel.
Storylines were so innovative and complex they are as fresh today as when they first aired. They hold up because of great writing, and because nobody can outRockford James Garner.
PAT FOX Managing Editor
pat@appenmedia.com
MCGOOHAN
KIRK & SPOCK
RHYS & RUSSELL
SISKEL AND EBERT
BRYAN CRANSTON, THE METH CHEF
SERLING
GARNER
Cary Cox preserves Brower Candy Company legacy
The candy business began growing in the early part of the 20th century and took off following the end of World War I. Candy and candy bars were often distributed to soldiers during and after the war.
There were several candy companies in Atlanta. One was Brower Candy Company, a manufacturer of candies and cough drops. They also distributed candy and ice cream cones from other manufacturers.
Cary Cox holds precious family recipes, letters, and other documents passed down through the Brower family. She is a descendant of Walter A. Brower, founder of Brower Candy Company.
Walter Alexander Brower was born in Randolph County, N.C., in 1868. He moved to Atlanta and began working at the Frank E. Block Company, a local candy business. Brower decided to open his own candy company.
He married Gertrude Hendrix in 1899, and they had two sons, Milledge and Hugh. The family lived at 784 Capitol Avenue. Gertrude Hendrix was the daughter of James and Sarah (Sallie) Hendricks. James Hendricks was a contractor and builder in the Grant Park neighborhood. They also built and owned rental homes in the Old Fourth Ward of Atlanta.
THE INK PENN
MEDIA
The Brower Candy Company logo appeared at the bottom of their letterhead. Photo by Valerie Biggerstaff
Brower Candy Company first operated at 288 Edgewood Avenue. Later the company moved to 187-189 Edgewood Avenue. The building included 12,000 square feet of space and was built in 1903 as the CocaCola Chewing Gum factory. The building still stands today and is listed as multifamily housing.
The company stationery featured Brower Candy Company’s motto at the bottom of the page, “Remember, everybody likes candy.” The image of a finger with a string tied around it accompanied the motto.
In 1916, the National Confectioner’s Association first introduced National Candy Day. It was discontinued when the U. S. entered World War I but returned in the 1920s. Atlanta proclaimed to be the second largest candy center in the U.S. in 1921. Candy companies listed as participating in National Candy Day included Frank E. Block Company, Brower Candy, Magnolia
Candy Company and Tenenbaum Brothers.
National Candy Day continued in Atlanta through the 1920s. In 1924, several candy companies, including Brower, donated candy to various children’s homes around the city. (Atlanta Journal, Oct. 12, 1924, “Atlanta Candy Men Donate Candy to Children’s Homes”)
Brower Candy began making pound cake ice cream cones in the 1920s and joined forces with Turnbull ice cream cones in the 1930s. Ice cream cones became a big seller with Brower Candy Company. The cones had a “waffle-like top,” which prevented breakage during serving. (Atlanta Constitution, May 28, 1934, “Brower Candy Company reports wide gains by grand cones”)
Cary’s parents, Betty Brower Cox and Fred Cox, lived on Shady Lane in Buckhead before they moved to 1155 Angelo Court in the Brookhaven Club Forest neighborhood. This is where Cary and her brother Ricky grew up, first attending McClatchey Elementary School on Loridans Drive and then Westminster. The home they lived in has been replaced with a new home.
She recalls shopping at the A&P at Cherokee Plaza and at Lenox Square. She also remembers the Morrison Farms nursery on Osborne Drive, where her family bought many flats of pansies.
Cary’s maternal grandparents, Buford and Hugh Brower, lived on Lenox Road in
the 1950s along with Cary’s mother Betty and Uncle Hugh, Jr. Betty Brower lived with her parents on Lenox Road until they moved to 765 Wildwood Road in Morningside. Cary’s paternal grandparents lived in Garden Hills.
Walter A. Brower was in an automobile accident on Flat Shoals Road in 1929. He was taken to Grady Hospital but did not survive. He was buried at Oakland Cemetery, and his wife Gertrude was buried beside him when she died in 1938. Walter and Gertrude’s son, Pfc. Milledge Brower and his wife Dorothy Richards Brower are buried in the family plot. Pfc. Brower received the Purple Heart after being injured in France during World War II. Gertrude’s parents, grandmother Eliza Dean, and great aunt Virginia are buried in the Oakland plot.
Thank you to Cary Cox for sharing her family history with me. She will soon be donating the documents and recipe books of Brower Candy Company to the Atlanta History Center, where they will be preserved for generations to come. She also honors her Brower and Hendricks ancestors by working as a garden volunteer at historic Oakland Cemetery.
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.
Will you choose a murder mystery or international intrigue?
My go-to reads are British mysteries, but I do, on occasion, branch out. This week’s selections were serendipitous finds. The first came my way because my husband gave me a Barnes & Noble gift certificate last Christmas. I picked up the second one while exploring a bookshop on Amelia Island. Indie bookshops are hard to pass up.
“Murder Your Employer” by Rupert
Holmes
Admit it. Haven’t you had a boss you couldn’t stand? One who made your life miserable? Or were you one of the lucky ones who always had marvelous managers? Alas, in my thirty-two-year corporate career, I had a manager whom I referred to as “the boss from hell.” She even
made her way into my mystery novel as the reason my main character was spurred to take early retirement. I once had an “employee from hell” too, but that’s a topic for another day.
This novel follows three graduates of McMaster’s Conservatory for the Applied Arts—from their arrival at the institution to their graduation and eventual attempt to “delete” their detested employer. There’s a glossary up front, and deletion is the preferred term for murder. The language cracked me up.
At freshman orientation, students are encouraged to consider these four questions: Is this murder necessary? Have you given your target every last chance to redeem themselves? What innocent person might suffer by your actions? Will this deletion improve the life of others?
What follows is a witty tale with plenty of tongue-in-cheek descriptions and twists and turns. The language is intended, I think, to be high falutin’ as befits the
serious subject of deletion.
What I find even more intriguing is that the author is Rupert Holmes, who wrote and sang “Escape” aka The Pina Colada Song. Not only that, he’s also known for his Broadway mystery musicals. Have you seen “The Mystery of Edwin Drood?” It won a Tony award for Best Musical. I’ve already put his first book, “Where the Truth Lies,” on hold at the library. It was made into a movie starring Colin Firth and Kevin Bacon. If it’s even half as entertaining as this one, I know I’ll enjoy it.
“The Only Woman in the Room” by Marie Benedict
Many of you have likely read at least one of Benedict’s books—“The Personal Librarian,” “Carnegie’s Maid,” or “The Other Einstein.” The only one I’ve read is “The Mystery of Mrs. Christie” about, of course, Dame Agatha.
This book is a fictionalized biography of Hedy Lamarr, the stunning film actress, whose intelligence was every
bit as remarkable as her beauty. Her unbelievable story could easily make a Hollywood movie. This review from “Woman’s Day” captures its essence:
“This. Book. Is. Amazing. ‘The Only Woman in the Room’ tells the fascinating true story of actress Hedy Lamarr, whose little-known journey involves escaping the Nazis and her secret life as a scientist and inventor. Jaw dropped? Same.”
For me, both of these books were equally engrossing. Now, I’m off to read a few of my favorite British mysteries before I branch out again.
Happy reading!
Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest, Bookmiser, Tall Tales, and Johns Creek Books. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ KathyManosPennAuthor/.
KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF/APPEN
Now Hiring
Conglomerated Host, Ltd is looking for an Accountant to join its team. Job Description: Corporate office located in Milton, GA has an opening in the Accounting Department. Entry level position with opportunity to advance. Starting pay is $20.00 per hour/approximately 30 hours per week. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel is a plus. How To Apply: Email response to conglomeratedhost@gmail.com or fax to 770-521-0809.
