SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Sandy Springs City Council approved millions of dollars in contracts Sept. 17, wrapping up a couple projects and forming new partnerships in the community.
The mayor’s remarks centered around the city’s multiuse trail network, expansion of its downtown City Springs district and revitalization of older commercial areas of the city around the North End and Perimeter.
“There’s a lot of things that I still think I would like to get done, things that are important to the community,” Paul said. “I will announce today that I’m running for one more term as mayor.”
Paul said it’s a great honor to be elected mayor and his family supports his 2025 run, though it may be his last. During his 2021 campaign, Paul also hinted it may be his last run.
See PAUL, Page 21
Groups seek help to save Spalding Drive Elementary
► PAGE 4
City wraps projects, signs new partnerships Registered
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Sandy Springs City Council approved several contracts at its Sept. 17 meeting, wrapping up a couple projects and forming new partnerships in the community.
Elected officials approved a construction contract for a 6-foot-wide sidewalk on the east side of Brandon Mill Road between Brandon Ridge and Lost Forest drives.
The roadway is a north-south connector between Dalrymple and Abernathy roads, tying into Johnson Ferry Road and eventually the City Springs district.
Public Works Director Marty Martin said the $1.69 million contract with BackBone Infrastructure covers stormwater drainage, retaining walls, utility relocations, realignment of Brandon Mill Road and its paving.
“The invitation to bid for this project included not only the construction of the sidewalk and roadway adjustments, but also repaving that portion of Brandon Mill Road,” he said.
In fiscal year 2025, there is funding to repave Brandon Mill Road between Brandon Ridge and Lost Forest drives, which has been delayed for the sidewalk project.
See COUNCIL, Page 20
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Check your status, update your address or find your polling location on the Secretary of State’s “My Voter Page” at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s The webpage also provides the option to register. For the Nov. 5 general election, the deadline to register is Oct. 7.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul delivers the annual State of the City address Sept. 17 at the City Springs Conference Center. Paul took the opportunity to lay out future plans and announce his fourth bid for mayor.
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COMPARING POLICE TRANSPARENCY
Sandy Springs vs. Johns Creek
Sandy Springs Johns Creek
Each week Appen Media requests police incident reports to inform residents about the safety of their community. Sandy Springs continues to withhold what it calls the “narrative reports.” It is the only city Appen Media covers that follows this practice, which goes against guidance from the Attorney General, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Sheriff’s Association, Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia and Georgia Press Association. Appen Media will continue pursuing the release of more detailed documents that belong to the public in order to inform residents how safe – or unsafe – their city is.
Groups call on officials to help save Spalding Drive Elementary
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Spurred by a Sept. 10 Fulton County Schools announcement, a Sandy Springs citizens group is mounting a campaign to save Spalding Drive Elementary School.
More than 100 parents and supporters of the elementary school attended a community meeting hosted by Fulton County School Board member Michelle Morancie Sept. 18 at Woodland Elementary in Sandy Springs.
Fulton County Schools Chief Operating Officer Noel Maloof told the citizen-led Save Spalding Drive Elementary School Committee that no decision has been made about the closure.
“We have made a primary recommendation to the board,” Maloof said. “That goes through a process that is driven by your input as a community, then we make a final recommendation.”
Students’ parents and alumni also turned out Sept. 17 to lobby the Sandy Springs City Council for help in fighting a school district staff proposal to shutter the building, which opened in 1966.
Fulton County Schools staff has recommended its closure due to an aging building and declining enrollment. Since the proposal was announced to the Board of Education earlier this month, the Save Spalding Drive Elementary School Committee has hired a professional public relations firm, created a website and reached out to local officials.
Speaking at the Sept. 17 City Council meeting, resident Paul Evangelista stressed how important high performing schools are to communities.
“I have had three kids go through it, so I’m a step away from being actively involved and engaged and as emotionally invested as others that are here,” Evangelista told the council. “Goods schools are really critical to a thriving community and city.”
He also noted that, coincidentally, four members of Boy Scout Troop 463 attending the council meeting in pursuit of a merit badge are Spalding Drive alumni.
Nicole Motahari, a Spalding Drive graduate who now teaches at North Springs High School, said her experiences at the elementary school created a lifelong passion for education.
Another four parents of current Spalding Drive students advocated for the city to do everything in its power to stop the school from closing.
Steven Guy, who wrote the Fulton County Board of Education on behalf of the Save Spalding Drive Elementa-
Members of the Save Spalding Drive Elementary Committee don orange and blue at the Sept. 17 Sandy Springs City Council meeting to garner city support for their campaign to keep the school open. After Fulton County Schools floated the closure proposal during a Sept. 10 work session, the Spalding Drive community has mobilized to save the school.
ry School Committee, said he wants to know how parents and advocates can best work with the city to accomplish their goals.
Mayor Rusty Paul said it’s important the committee get all the facts it can in support of keeping the elementary school open.
“This is a very passionate community [and] we’re all concerned,” Paul said. “One policy decision not to improve the building leads to another policy result that they now use to justify closing the school.”
Earlier that same day, the mayor alluded to the school closure in his State of the City address saying Sandy Springs residents should not be punished for the school district’s lack of investment in the Spalding Drive school building.
Paul said he feels the city is being picked on after the news broke about the potential closure just weeks after Fulton County Schools broke ground on the new North Springs High School.
“When you lose those kinds of assets in your commu-
nity, it’s devastating to the kids, parents and our community at large,” Paul said. “We need to organize, just like North Springs did, we need to step up and fight to maintain that school.”
State Rep. Deborah Silcox penned a letter to the School Board Sept. 15, citing her experiences reading to children at Spalding Drive during Georgia Pre-K Week.
“I have heard from a number of my constituents that they moved to this neighborhood specifically to attend this school,” she wrote. “As I am sure you are aware, it is very disruptive to children and parents to switch schools.”
Silcox cited the school’s pre-K lottery applications with 34 Fulton County elementary schoolers and more than 100 families on the out-of-district waitlist.
This year, Spalding Drive Elementary School has 349 students and is predicted to have seven fewer next year. The district says the school building needs extensive repairs based on a condition assessment.
Because its enrollment is projected to continually decline past the 450-student threshold the school district identifies as “operationally inefficient,” it is considering consolidating Sandy Springs elementary students.
“I know and respect that these decisions are hard to make in your position,” Wilcox wrote in her email. “I certainly hope that you will give all the families and alums of Spalding Drive Elementary thoughtful attention to preserve the culture and success of a wonderful neighborhood school.”
The school district says neighboring elementary schools, like Ison Springs, Woodland and Lake Forest, have capacity to accommodate Spalding Drive’s students, according to the staff presentation.
Between now and any official board vote, Fulton County Schools will host three community meetings in October, November and December.
Fulton County Schools’ enrollment has dropped roughly 10 percent over the past seven years.
The district estimates enrollment of 87,272 this year, down 600 students from 2023-24.
The Sandy Springs region, including all feeders to Riverwood and North Springs high schools, forecasts 207 fewer students this year. That’s on top of a decline of roughly 2.2 percent —mostly among elementary school students — last year.
There are older elementary schools in North Fulton County, like Alpharetta, Roswell North and High Point. Several have lower facility assessment scores than the Spalding Drive building.
For updates on this developing story, visit www. appenmedia.com/.
Sandy Springs Wine Festival to offer unique, new tastings
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Sandy Springs Wine Festival is welcoming more than 50 award-winning domestic and international vineyards to the Heritage Lawn on Blue Stone Road Oct. 6 from 2-5 p.m.
The Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber, Visit Sandy Springs and the Sandy Springs Performing Arts are presenting the Wine Festival.
If there is rain in the forecast, organizers say they have an indoor facility at Heritage Lawn to accommodate patrons.
The Reserve Tasting from 2-3 p.m.
features more than 40 sommelier curated wines from Sandy Springs cellars originating in the major wine producing regions in the world.
The sampled wines include Chateau Certan De May Pomerol, Cayuse Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Jarvis Cave Fermented Cabernet Sauvignon and Garrison Creek Malbec.
Proceeds from the first tasting will be donated to Solidarity Sandy Springs, a nonprofit serving 700 neighbors a week who are experiencing food insecurity.
The General Tasting will be from
3-5 p.m. and highlights more than 175 wines from around the world, including Napa Valley and South America.
Ticket sales for the Sandy Springs Wine Festival will close after the first 400 are sold, and select bottles may be available for order and purchase at a discount.
For a full wine list and to purchase tickets, visit sandyspringswinefest.com/ general-wine-tasting-list.
Surfside Teas & Lemonades made with Stateside Vodka will be available along with “grower champagne,” a type
of sparkling wine grown, vinified and aged in the Champane region of France.
All attendees will receive a souvenir festival logo Riedel wine glass.
Among the restaurants donating appetizers are il Giallo, Nowak’s, Southern Bistro, Bishoku, Baraonda, Mojave, Chef Rob’s and Nothing Bundt Cakes.
Musical entertainment will feature Chris Burnett and his Yuppy Scum band playing classic rock and dance tunes. Performers from City Springs Theatre Company are slated as guest vocalists.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
The Sandy Springs Fire Department’s first Chief Jack McElfish, who passed away peacefully Sept. 16 after a battle with cancer, stands with a decorated American flag and a department vehicle in 2006.
Sandy Springs notes loss of its inaugural fire chief
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs announced its staff is deeply saddened about the loss of the city’s first Fire Chief Jack McElfish Monday, Sept. 16.
McElfish led the Sandy Springs Fire Department from its inception in 2006, bringing with him decades of experience, passion and an unwavering commitment to public safety.
He served as fire chief until his retirement in 2014.
McElfish passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer.
Mayor Rusty Paul said the city is mourning the passing of McElfish during his State of the City address Sept. 17.
“He played an instrumental role in shaping the core values of the Sandy Springs Fire Department and fostering a culture of service, teamwork, and professionalism that endures today,” Paul said.
McElfish dedicated 51 years to fire rescue, during which the Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Department earned numerous accolades, including the Crown Community Award from American City and County Magazine.
City Manager Eden Freeman said McElfish always had a smile, an encouraging word and a strong belief in serving his fellow citizens.
“He prioritized mentoring the next generation with a focus on customer service, and we will always remember him fondly,” Freeman said.
McElfish is survived by his wife, Joyce; his daughter, Kelly; and his grandson, Jack.
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Former Cold War spy shares autobiography at Johns Creek Books
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By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Author Martha “Marti” Peterson said she had to push for a “real” assignment in the CIA, one on par with her male counterparts.
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Speaking to a crowd of more than two dozen at Johns Creek Books, Peterson recalled it was the early ’70s, and she had just lost her husband John while they were on a tour in Laos. She wanted to do what he intended to do before his death — assess and recruit foreign spies, who would give the U.S. government secrets from their country.
“I was a piss poor secretary,” Peterson said.
The 79-year-old Wilmington, North Carolina, resident was at the store promoting her autobiography “Widow Spy,” published in 2012. Peterson assured visitors that she ran the book script by the CIA, but that the story had already been out “in a vague way.”
The CIA’s training had been intense. Peterson said it was nine months of learning all the necessary skills, including “sneaky photography” and how to detect whether you were being followed.
After pushing back on a couple of offers, Peterson was given a job in Moscow, becoming one of the first women operations officers assigned there. She went through 44 weeks of Russian.
In November 1975, she landed, and reality hit her, when she noticed the plowed snow by the runway.
“I went from Fort Lauderdale to Moscow, and I tied my belt around my camel hair with a pile lining coat, and thought, ‘Oh, Martha, this is the beginning. What have you done?’” Peterson recalled. “In a moment there, I realized this was a big thing to take on.”
In Moscow, she became the handler to Trigon, a Soviet recruit out of Bogotá, Colombia, whose real name is Aleksandr Ogorodnik. Peterson said he had been aggressive at bringing documents out of the Soviet embassy for the CIA, adding that he would take pictures of them, tuck them in his pants and place them back where they were found.
Trigon’s aptitude for the work landed him in Moscow, what Peterson said was referred to as the “Lion’s Den.” His condition, that he be given the means to commit suicide, had been met.
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Martha “Marti” Peterson begins detailing her autobiography “Widow Spy” to more than two dozen visitors at Johns Creek Books Sept. 17. The book, published in 2012, is an account of how she became one of the first women CIA operations officers ever assigned to Moscow in the mid-’70s.
war without bullets.”
She was responsible for keeping in contact with Trigon via dead drops. She showed the small crowd the sorts of packages she would leave for him — a limb, a slab of concrete. These would be hollowed out.
During one of the timed exchanges, Peterson was caught by the KGB and taken to Lubyanka, “Stalin’s very favorite prison in the center of Moscow.”
“People say, ‘Were you afraid?’ No, I was angry,” she said. “Something had happened to Trigon, and I knew it.”
Trigon had already been compromised, using his poison pen to kill himself while being forced to write a confession, though Peterson didn’t find that out until years later.
Russian officers grabbed her by the arms and restrained her.
“I don’t know how you would react, but I got angry, and I started kicking people,” Peterson said. “One guy showed me the bruise on his shin, and there is word — it’s a legend that I kicked a man, and he was hospitalized and had no sex for a few days.”
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“I was a young officer. I was 30 years old. I didn’t have a lot of experience, and this horrified me,” Peterson said. “I also realized that it’s like sending someone to
Because of diplomatic immunity, Peterson was released.
She retired from the CIA in 2003.
When a visitor asked about the rest of her career, she said, “No, that remains.”
DUNWOODY HOME TOUR
See this stunning Sandy Springs home
Provided by the Dunwoody Woman’s Club
Like the magical phoenix rising from the ashes of its predecessor, this stunning Bill Grant estate has gained new life as it overlooks picturesque, well-tended grounds.
This home is one of the beautiful homes featured in the 51st Annual Home Tour set for Wednesday, Oct 9, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and is hosted by the Dunwoody Woman’s Club. All profits from the home tour are used to fulfill the club’s charitable initiatives. Home tour tickets can be purchased several ways, as outlined below at the end of this article.
Multi-hued stone and wood facing, with a sweeping front porch, welcome you into an expansive foyer that opens to a study and formal dining room. Dark wood flooring and a palette of soft grays and greens, offset by shimmering drapery and moiré wall covering, lend woodsy warmth to the rooms. Note the tripod lamp and Tour de France photo in the study, the beautiful wood cabinetry in the dining area, coffered and trey ceilings, and recessed lighting as you progress through extra-wide hallways to the rooms at the rear of the main floor.
There you will step into the family room with white stone fireplace braced by silver-framed mirrors that reflect comfortable, upholstered seating and a unique sideboard girded with ornate metal. A wall of French doors lets you slip out to a back patio that overlooks a heated saltwater pool, jacuzzi, and pool house with additional covered seating and full bath.
To the left of the family room is the owner’s suite with its own seating area accessed through sliding barn doors and an expansive bath with double vanities, soaking tub, separate steam shower, and his and hers closets.
To the right of the living area is an intimate breakfast area with round unfinished wood table and an additional sitting nook with massive stone fireplace. Calling all foodies, however, is the gourmet kitchen with custom cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. A marble-topped island shelters a dishwasher (this kitchen has two), additional refrigeration drawer, and trash disposal. A well-stocked walk-in butler’s pantry, and functional laundry and mudroom with slate floors lie beyond.
The upper level of this home includes four spacious en-suite bedrooms, comfy media room and location for an elevator yet to be installed.
More information
Home Tour tickets are available now and can be purchased:
• To buy tickets online go to www.dunwoodywomansclub.com/ event-tickets/
• WILL CALL for tickets purchased online – Pick up on October 9 tour day beginning at 9:30 am – at Spruill Center for the Arts, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody.
• To buy tickets in person go to The Enchanted Forest in
As we went to press, the owner had outfitted a raised seating media room on the lower level (proudly featuring a framed McLaren Senna Team shirt)
Dunwoody Hall Shopping Center.
• You can buy tickets from any member of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club
• Scan the QR Code below.
and had framed out, but not completed, a game room and future fireplace. This is a home of renewal
fashioned by the imagination and craftsmanship of caring new owners. Be sure to check out the exciting raffle on the day of the tour for a chance to win one of three prizes - All prizes valued at $500 or more: a shopping spree at Lauderhill’s Fine Jewelry, a Woodhouse Spa basket and gift card, or a 2-hour design consultation with Linda Rickles Interiors. Both cash and credit cards are accepted to enter the raffle.
Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 on tour day. We look forward to seeing you at the home tour and appreciate your support. Remember, profits of the tour help fund our charitable projects. Buy your tickets today! For more information about the Dunwoody Woman’s Club go to www. dunwoodywomansclub.com
Home Helpers of North Atlanta voted Best Home Care for Seniors for the eighth time!
Brought to you by – Home Helpers of North Atlanta
Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs would like to thank our supporters, clients and their families who have awarded us the Best Home Care for Seniors in North Atlanta for the eighth year in a row!
“One of the most rewarding things about our continuing commitment to providing truly personalized in-home caregiving is seeing the boost our dedicated team can provide to the quality of life for you or your older loved one” say Hilary and Greg Eldridge.
Over the years one thing that hasn’t changed is the desire to continue to age in place. The most recent AARP survey shows 77% of adults over 50 want to remain in their own home.
In-home care has the unique ability to provide what you need, when you need it, without having to wait – all in the comfort of home. You start at a level that is right for you that can change when life poses unexpected challenges and your care support has to be fine-tuned or grow. You never have to worry about fitting into a set plan of services.
Whether it’s assistance with personal care and the basic activities of daily living, specialized care for stroke recovery, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s support, a carefully matched Home Helpers caregiver can help make each day the best it can be.
Perhaps maintaining your independence will require extra help as you recuperate from an accident or
surgery. Should fall risks emerge, your caregiver can add security and peace of mind. A skilled caregiver can make life and nights easier if your loved one is starting to wander. For couples, this also makes sure a good night’s rest happens for their partner.
When home is in an assisted living community, in-home care can provide a bridge that gives you an immediate response to your care needs and the flexibility to remain in the setting and with the friends you’ve come to love. Adding in-home care to the services provided by your community can get you through
unexpected times and let you continue to maintain the lifestyle you want.
If your loved one is in a Rehabilitation Center, recovery can often be challenging. Having a sitter who stays with them can provide emotional comfort and stability in unfamiliar surroundings, help speed up recovery and ease the loneliness that can delay recovery.
Perhaps your loved one is a Veteran, who is unfamiliar with the Aid and Attendance or Community Care programs that may be available to help with financial support for care. We can also help with use of Long Term Care Policy coverage and
The Best of North Atlanta is a sister event to the Best of Perimeter. BONA winners for 2024 have been announced and here are a few featured winners. See the full list at bestofnorthatlanta.com. Nominations for the Best of Perimeter 2025 will open in December. You can see the winners from this year at bestofperimeter.com.
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Hilary and Greg set out thirteen years ago to raise the bar for in-home care as a tribute to Hilary’s Dad. “I saw the difference personalized care made for my Dad” says Hilary, “and strive to provide the kind of care he’d be proud to have inspired.”
We’re here to help, from six hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 care. For a free consultation, please call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs at (770) 681-0323.
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North Atlanta-based interior designer Kat Nelson believes every space should reflect the spirit of it’s inhabitants. Nelson brings visions of beauty, comfort, and functionality into homes across the city and beyond, earning her a reputation as an industry visionary.
What sets Kat apart is her diverse design style and ability to bring any vision to life. She stands by the importance of meeting every clients’ individual needs and continues to create stunning, yet functional homes.
“The best part of my work is when clients tell me they don’t want to leave their home”, says Kat Nelson
For the last two decades, Kat has been rising as one of Atlanta’s top designers. Her collaborative approach, combined with philosophy on design, allows her to step into nearly any space and create a look and style that completely reflects her clients’ lifestyles. And while it might sound counterintuitive, Kat says she works extra hard to make sure her spaces never look like a designer decorated them. “Beautiful design is collected, not fixed”, she says.
From performance fabrics that invite a “put your feet up” aesthetic, to one-ofa-kind touches that add a head-turning wow factor to every space, Kat has brought a new depth and dimension to the idea of functional beauty. “I know that functional is a huge buzzword in the design community right now, but if a space isn’t beautiful and comfortable, then you can’t enjoy living in it”, she says. “Anyone can create a pretty room. But we want you to experience a level of design that empowers you to live better lives. We want you to walk in and feel HOME”
As a child, part of a military family we lived around and traveled the world. I have seen firsthand many of the beautiful places this world has to offer
and naturally drawn to beautiful things. I was always putting things together uniquely. It took me a while to realize this was actually my gift. I bring this passion and love of beauty into every one of my design projects, blending beautiful layered textures, a variety of finishes with eclectic and unexpected twists.
“The best part of my work is when clients tell me they don’t want to leave their home”, says Kat Nelson
Kat Nelson Designs has over 18 years of experience as a full-service design firm, based in Atlanta Georgia. Our projects exist from West to East coast with many repeat clients.
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He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.
Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 22 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.
Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.
Accepting new patients. We accept Medicare.
Schedule your appointment with Premier Dermatology today.
Dr. Brent Taylor
Kathryn Fillpek, PA-C
Premier Dermatology – Providing Excellence. Every Patient. Every Time.
Brought to you by – Premier Dermatology
Congratulations to Premier Dermatology and Mohs surgery of Atlanta for its seventh year in a row of being voted Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist of North Fulton! Since opening in 2017, Premier Dermatology has quickly become the go-to dermatology practice for Mohs surgery and comprehensive dermatologic care. As in years past, I decided to sit down with Dr. Brent Taylor to get his take on his success and to learn a bit more about him.
Alyssa: Hey you two! Thanks for meeting with me again. Winning the Best Dermatologist and Best Vein specialist for seven years in a row means you must be doing something right! To what do you contribute your continued success?
Dr. Taylor: Thank you! Well, I believe that my patients understand our sincerity and our dedication to their healthcare. Kathryn and I and our amazing team all honestly care about our patients and their well-being. I hope that that sincerity comes through during our interactions. We always strive to give our patients our complete attention and to learn more about an individual as a person as well as a patient. There are plenty of times when a patient brings something to our attention or when a case compels us to do additional research. Kathryn and I are constantly collaborating and advocating on our patients’ behalf. I believe that comes through.
Kathryn: I agree with everything that Dr. Taylor said, our team really is wonderful. And we have received a lot of compliments that the practice has a personal and “boutique” feel, even as we deliver care that is scientific and academic.
Alyssa: Do you have a patient care moment or a diagnosis of which you are exceptionally proud?
Dr. Taylor: Well it is always our goal to deliver outstanding dermatologic care. Regarding diagnoses that I’m proud of, the first instances that come to mind involve catching a disease that is technically outside my specialty. For example, a patient looked a bit yellow, and I ordered a liver function test and caught acute liver failure. I helped another patient discover that one of his ureters had been accidentally cut during a surgery at the hospital.
Within my own specialty I’m often most proud of how simply being thorough can be critical to a patient’s care. By being thorough, I have caught melanomas on the scalp and bottom of the feet of patients who were sometimes surprised I asked them to take out a hair tie or take their socks off. Likewise, photography helps us monitor moles for
change, and just last month we caught a melanoma early because a slight change from a previous photo prompted an early biopsy.
Alyssa: Has a patient or teacher or coworker ever asked you out on a date?
Dr. Taylor: (Laughs) Yes they have. Sadly, the number of patients in their 90s who have asked me on a date is higher than the number of non-patients who ever asked me on a date before I was married.
Alyssa: Is there a funny medical fact that you have learned?
Dr. Taylor: Actually I have a good one! An ENT professor in medical school told us that as men age they lose the ability to hear higher pitch sounds, and, as women age, their voices increase in pitch. Thus, men naturally lose the ability to hear women with time. So the next time your wife accuses you of ignoring her: blame biology, not the football game!
Alyssa: If you could tell your 16 year old self something, what would it be?
Dr. Taylor: To not put too much stock in timelines. I was raised very traditionally, and I thought that I was going to meet my wife in college, get married right after we graduated then start a family a few years later, and it
made me worried when I hadn’t met the right person by the time that I expected. My advice to the teenage me would be to just pour yourself into positive and worthwhile activities and that the result would be becoming who you are supposed to and meeting who you are supposed to all in its own time.
Kathryn: Stop stressing. You’ll make it happen. I was so focused on my future, worrying about not achieving my goals, and how I was going to put myself through school that I didn’t stop to enjoy being 16. In hindsight, I realize that having a bit more faith would have gotten me to the same endpoint without all of the pressure I put on myself.
Alyssa: Do you have a pet peeve of which patients or staff are guilty?
Dr. Taylor: I really don’t get frustrated easily. I understand that everyone has a life and everyone’s lives have struggles about which we often know little. If someone is being rude, I usually chalk it up to unseen struggles. That being said, I do wish that certain patients would realize what a marvel Mohs surgery really is. My primary pet peeve is patients mistreating my coworkers. Sometimes, patients get frustrated waiting on their tissue to process during a day of Mohs surgery. And they some-
times take it out on my medical assistants, who are wonderful and caring and are in healthcare for the right reasons. There is a comedian who has a bit on youtube called “everything’s amazing and nobody’s happy.” He talks about how upset people get on airplanes when just a few hundred years ago a trip across the country was like the videogame Oregon Trail – the journey took months, and half of the wagon party died of cholera on the way. Like air travel, skin cancer treatment nowadays is miraculous. Prior to Mohs surgery, far more skin cancers routinely caused disfigurement and even death. Now, Mohs surgery offers a cure rate of 99% for most skin cancers, and the aesthetic results are often outstanding. Modern skin cancer care truly is fantastic. Unfortunately, the same day shipping world in which we live has made people expect immediate results, and they sometimes take out their frustrations on my coworkers. The world can always use a little more kindness, patience and grace.
Thank you to Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek PA-C for sharing a little more about themselves and congratulations again for winning both Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist in North Fulton for 2024!
Gratitude
Brought to you by - Lara Dolan, The Craft Dolan Team, Ansley Real Estate
I commiserated with my hairdresser the day before starting this short article that there are few parts of my career more anxiety provoking than a blank page when an article is due.
But this issue and this month it’s easy, because it’s all about Gratitude. Once again, we’ve been blessed to be chosen as “Best Of” in both the Real Estate Team and Individual Realtor categories. There are dozens of fantastic Realtors and teams in our market with whom we regularly partner and are equally as deserving, so we sincerely appreciate the votes, and votes of confidence, that this recognition reflects.
At the beginning of my real estate journey, I heard a mentor talk about creating “Raving Fans.” Raving Fans are developed by delivering exceptional client services. They become the people
who attend all your events, refer you to friends, family, and strangers in the grocery store; they are the ones you call when you need a great testimonial or some advice handling a challenging client relationship.
No matter where you are in your business journey Raving Fans are perhaps your best business asset. If you’re a fledging entrepreneur, seasoned business owner, working at your first hourly job, or a C-level executive running a large organization, developing customer, client and employee Raving Fans can only make your job more enjoyable, career more fulfilling and success more assured.
As we reflect on this lovely recognition as “Best of North Atlanta” we want to thank everyone who voted, congratulate the nominees, runners-up, and winners in each category, and give a virtual fist pump to our Raving Fans. We Live Here, We Work Here, We Love What We Do.
OPINION
Georgia’s love/hate relationship with deer
As we approach the October to December breeding season for whitetailed deer, it is useful to study the history and current status of this magnificent animal. The peak rut in Fulton County is the second week in November. That is when the behavior of male deer is overtaken by the urge to mate. It is a time when drivers should be particularly aware because deer will cross roads with no regard to their surroundings when bucks are chasing them.
During the breeding season male deer will fight one another to gain the attention of female deer. After mating, females will give birth to one to three fawns next spring.
White-tailed deer are the only deer found in Georgia. Their undersides and tails are white. The tails are held erect when the deer feel threatened.
In addition to being a popular game animal, white-tailed deer help the balance of nature by spreading seeds and controlling certain weeds. They can also be a pain to gardeners even though deer are selective about what they eat because they can reach vegetation up to five feet above ground level. They prefer gardens and landscaping that are fertilized and irrigated because the plants provide more nutrition.
Today there are an estimated 1.1 million white-tailed deer in Georgia. In the late 1800s and early 1900s the once plentiful animal almost disappeared due to land-clearing by farmers and commercial hunting for the deerskin trade.
Deer made a comeback thanks in large part to Arthur Woody a forest ranger with the U. S. Forest Service from 1912 to 1945. Woody is credited with helping to build the Appalachian Trail through Georgia, for introducing rainbow and brown trout and for restoring brook trout in Georgia’s streams and for restoring threatened turkey and black bear populations. Perhaps his most noted accomplishment was saving deer from extinction and reintroducing them through his purchase and release of white-tailed deer from the mountains of North Carolina.
At the turn of the last century there were an estimated 5,000 deer in Georgia. Slowly the deer population recovered.
Charlie Killmaster, State Deer Biologist with the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources says, “The federal
This juvenile button buck fawn shows his “buttons” or pedicles where antlers will erupt. Since just a few spots remain on his body, he is probably about five to six months old. The photo was taken in early November.
Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 played an important role by establishing a program of matching federal grants to the states for wildlife restoration projects.” He notes that the state reopened the hunting season in 1941.
Killmaster said he thinks restoration of white-tailed deer in the Southeast is one of the greatest successes in wildlife management in history.
Deer play an important economic role in Georgia. Deer hunters spend an estimated $1.5 billion every year in the state for travel, hotels, restaurants, hunting license fees and hunting equipment including firearms, ammunition and bows and arrows.
A group of hunters or a hunting club may lease hunting rights from private landowners or timber companies. Nearly 300,000 deer were harvested in Georgia in the 2023-24 season.
There are more than 200,000 deer hunters in Georgia who play an important role helping control the deer population in the state. Without a plan to control the number of deer the population would grow exponentially. Hunters are the dominant predator of deer today unlike in the distant past when Native Americans, mountain lions and red wolves helped keep the population in check.
You may find deer in your backyard. The reason is that deer like to congregate in open areas because they are not well suited for a forest environment. They are called an “edge species” because they tend to hang out along the edges of the woods. The most nutritious plants for deer grow in direct sunlight.
Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@ bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
BOB MEYERS
Columnist
PHOTOS BY: BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
This female white-tailed deer is tame enough to allow a photograph to be taken fairly close to her. Whitetails are the only deer found in Georgia.
Four tips to show your lawn some love
Those of us that enjoy our lawns are thrilled to have the warmer weather here in north Georgia! We are once again seeing our warm season grass at its peak beauty! Below are a few pieces of advice I would like to suggest to help maximize and maintain the appearance of your lawn now and throughout the year.
Test your soil.
While the best time to test your lawn soil is actually the fall, it is never too late and never a bad time to test. This low cost, potentially high impact activity can provide dividends to improve your lawn’s appearance. The actual results could save you money by providing a road map for exactly what fertilizers, or lack thereof, is needed to improve the overall health of your lawn. For more information on this, contact your county Extension office at http://extension.uga.edu/ about/county or call 1-800-ask-uga1.
Manage tree coverage.
The common thinking on lawns over the years has been that you cannot have a nice warm season lawn and trees at the same time. Further, as the thinking goes, it is nearly impossible for the two to coexist. I am here to tell you that it IS possible, BUT it may take some work. The first thing to evaluate is the location of tree limbs and lawn coverage. For most deciduous trees, you will want to limb up as high as possible. It is usually recommended that you leave the top two thirds of the tree canopy to maintain a healthy tree. This will not only allow for sunlight to reach your warm season grass, but it will also vastly improve air circulation on your lawn. We all know that to have a healthy lawn, good sunlight is necessary. Equally, without good air circulation, we are setting our lawns up for the ideal site for fungus growth. The damage to warm season grasses due to fungus growth is potentially catastrophic. I would suggest that one of the best things we can do for our lawns is limb up and thin out tree branches. It may be necessary to contact a local arborist for extensive tree work.
Manage site drainage.
Most people do not understand
that too much water and/or poor drainage is a surefire way to damage our turf lawns. If your lawn has low spots where water tends to pool after a good rain, now is the time to fill those spots and allow your turf time to adjust. Managing water runoff is equally important. Your lawn may be challenged by water from gutter downspouts and or other runoff points. If so, the necessary nutrients normally provided by topsoil that your lawn needs will not be there to support
About the author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Ed O’Connor, a 2024 Master Gardener intern and member of the North Fulton County Master Gardeners. Ed is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in business administration. Ed is an avid gardener, hiker, camper, backpacker and all things outdoors.
lawn to need more water resources and will actually increase your mowing frequency. Under normal circumstances, clippings should be left on the lawn. Returning the clippings will provide additional nutrients to the soil and eliminate yard waste. Summer is such an exciting time of year for your warm season grass! There are lots of little things we can do to ensure we maximize their beauty!
Happy gardening!
growth. Managing that excess runoff through underground drainage pipes may be necessary. This simple activity can pay dividends on improving the appearance of your lawn.
Remember mowing rule 101.
When your warm season grass needs to be trimmed, never cut more than one-third of the leaf canopy in a single mowing. Cutting more than that amount can cause your lawn to stress, require your
North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https:// appenmedia.com/opinion/columists/ garden buzz/.
ED O’CONNOR Guest Columnist
Proper management of stormwater can be critical to protecting turf lawns.
PHOTOS PROVIDED Limbing up and thinning out tree coverage allows for sunlight and air circulation on turf lawns.
Managing water runoff sometimes requires underground diversion of excess rainfall.
OPINION
Tracing the rise of Oak Terrace Dairy Farm of Sandy Springs
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
The story of Dr. Luther C. and Lucy Hurt Fischer and their home and gardens along Chamblee Dunwoody Road has been shared previously in this column. Dr. Fischer bought 138 acres in Chamblee and began construction of what became known as Flowerland in 1932.
The Fischer’s mansion was designed by Philip Trammel Shutze. It was surrounded by beautiful gardens which Atlantans lined up to visit. Flowers from Flowerland were sold in a retail shop of the same name, located on Peachtree Road near the hospital Dr. Fischer and Dr. Edward Campbell Davis built on Linden Avenue in 1911. Flowers were also cut from Flowerland and placed around the hospital. The hospital later became Crawford W. Long Memorial Hospital and today is Emory University Hospital Midtown. (“Caring for Atlanta, A History of Emory Crawford Long Hospital,” by Ren Davis)
In 1924, long before Dr. Fischer built his home and gardens in what was then considered Chamblee, he bought 60 acres in Sandy Springs for a dairy farm. He called the farm Oak Terrace. The dairy was located on Roswell Road, along Long Island Creek. By owning a dairy, Dr. Fischer was able to provide the best quality milk to his hospital patients. He kept a herd of Guernsey cows that were considered the finest in the South. University of Georgia students would visit his farm each week to conduct tests and learn more about milk production.
Fischer’s award-winning cows also provided milk to the new Biltmore Hotel and the Atlanta Athletic Club, which is today’s East Lake Golf Club.
Fischer sold Oak Terrace Dairy Farm to Adgate Ellis Gay in 1932. When she became a widow in 1929, she took over the family dairy known as Gaymont from her husband Ewell Gay. Gaymont Dairy was originally begun by her father-in-law, Captain Edward S. Gay, in 1893. (Atlanta Constitution, Sept. 15, 1932, Mrs. Ewell Gay Purchases Properties of Dr. Fischer”)
Adgate Gay was considered a socialite of Atlanta, surprising everyone when she grew Gaymont Dairy and merged it with Oak Terrace Dairy. Gaymont Dairy moved from its 33-acre home on Briarcliff Road to 85 acres along Roswell Road and Long Island Creek.
At the 1934 Southeastern Fair, Adgate Gay won several livestock awards. Under her leadership, Gaymont Dairy was proclaimed by Atlanta newpapers as “a large profitable business over which the society belle of a few years ago reigns with all the dignity and ability of one who had known years of business training.”
The children of Adgate and Ellis Gay were Ewell Gay Jr., Bill Ellis Gay and Frank Lipscomb Gay. In 1940, according to U.S. census records, Ewell Gay had taken over the dairy business, located on Old Power’s Ferry Road.
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.
Council:
While new asphalt takes around $129,000 from the city’s pavement management program, the sidewalk funding comes from Sandy Springs’ share of the 0.75 cent Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.
Martin said the contractor, BackBone Infrastructure, performed well on the Peachtree Dunwoody Road and Windsor Parkway intersection improvements.
“They were able to satisfy on schedule and met all quality standards with the work there,” he said.
Typically, it takes 30 days to get award documents completed before the city can issue a notice for the contractor to proceed.
City Councilwoman Melissa Mular, representing the southern half of Brandon Mill Road in District 3, said she’s excited to get the last phase of the project done.
City Councilman John Paulson said it’s crucial to communicate with residents along Brandon Mill Road during the construction process.
Another infrastructure-related project, the final phase of the Riverside Drive stormwater mitigation work, also received approval of a construction contract.
Elected officials approved a $686,000 contract with Vertical Earth to replace the concrete chute used as a stormwater spillway, curbs and gutters and retaining walls.
The project’s location is just south of the Chattahoochee River.
In other business, the City Council also approved an agreement to share facilities with Cumberland Academy of Georgia, a fully accredited private school for special needs children.
The Sandy Springs school will trade use of its indoor gymnasium for time at Hammond Park. It allows the city to use the school’s indoor gymnasium off Mount Vernon Highway for its youth basketball programs and gives special needs students the opportunity for recreation and alternative learning outside.
Recreation and Parks Director Brent Walker said it’s the first formal agreement between the two.
Because the two police departments have begun joint operations along rail lines, Nable said there’s a shared interest in improving public safety communication. Continued from Page 1
Council members also approved an agreement between the city’s Police Department and MARTA to allow officers across the departments to communicate with one another.
Maj. Dan Nable said MARTA reached out to Sandy Springs Police a few months back to revamp their com -
CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED
A map shows the remaining segment needed to complete the Brandon Mill Road sidewalk project. The Sandy Springs City Council approved a $1.69 million contract Sept. 17 for a 6-foot-wide sidewalk, stormwater drainage and retaining walls, required before the city paves the roadway.
B Story brought to you by valued members of the Appen Press Club Appenmedia.com/join
munication across jurisdictions within the rapid transit system.
Because Sandy Springs officers’ radios do not work underground, the agreement allows officers from different departments to communicate with one another on joint investigations and pursuits.
Nable said it’s cheaper to approve the agreement before the department gets new radios, which the city’s 2025 budget funds.
A bird’s eye view shows the layout of Hammond Park to the east of Glenridge Drive. Sandy Springs agreed Sept. 17 to share the facility with Cumberland Academy of Georgia for access to the school’s indoor gymnasium.
Paul:
Continued from Page 1
The bulk of Paul’s State of the City address, and one of his reasons for another run, surround Sandy Springs’ downtown district — City Springs.
Since Paul took office more than a decade ago, he has pursued a vision for Sandy Springs, which centers around the creation of a downtown district.
“I think all of you know that I spent four and a half years of my life, with the help of the City Council and staff, building this campus,” he said. “There were a lot of critics when we were doing this, in fact it was named the Tah MaPaul.”
Like any mayoral address in Sandy Springs since November 2013, the speech included witticisms and jokes, which keeps rooms packed when Paul is at the podium.
Paul said the name upset him at the time, but he thinks it’s worth it if people are still visiting City Springs in 400 years, like travelers to India’s famous mausoleum do today.
In June, the Sandy Springs City Council selected Regent Partners and Morris and Fellows as the city’s preferred development partners for City Springs 2.0.
The city has purchased properties on the south side of Mount Vernon Highway down to Sandy Springs Place, extending from Blue Stone Road to Sandy Springs Circle.
The several contiguous acres of cityowned property to the southwest of Veterans Park and City Springs are chosen for the expansion of Sandy Springs’ downtown and retail market.
But, Paul said things have been slow getting the redevelopment project off the ground.
“I understand the concerns,” he said. “Banks aren’t lending money for commercial real estate, the cost of money is higher, the return on investment is lower, but that doesn’t make me anymore patient.”
Paul said his goal is to step up the pace, but the city is watching the Federal Reserve potential cuts and macroeconomic trends, so it’s ready to act when things loosen up.
“We want to be first out of the gate to be able to get this project going,” he said. “Because this community really deserves more places to go, to eat and to shop.”
The expansion of Sandy Springs’ downtown district accomplishes a few city goals simultaneously: it creates more retail space in a high-demand market, while enhancing the city’s community feel and creating more economic opportunities.
It’s not clear if the city will break ground on the district’s expansion this year, but a June estimate put the completion date in fall 2026.
The mayor served as keynote speaker during the Sandy Springs Perimeter
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul receives a round of applause during his State of the City address Sept. 17 after going over the city’s accomplishments over the past year. Paul, who also announced his run for a fourth term in 2025, said the city’s unfinished goals include expansion of its downtown district, path network and commercial revitalization.
Chamber’s Signature Luncheon. Some 150 community members listened in the City Springs Conference Center.
The unified Perimeter Chamber, previously split between Sandy Springs and Dunwoody, has hosted the State of the City for years. Tickets started at $40 and required registration through the chamber.
The crowd included members of the Sandy Springs City Council, several department heads, Fulton County Board of Education members and District 2 Commissioner Bob Ellis.
Mayor Paul touched on several new and existing initiatives in and around City Hall.
Sandy Springs is looking to take a lead with artificial intelligence and bolstering community through the city’s multi-use trail network.
Referencing the Atlanta Beltline, the mayor unveiled his plans to spur eco-
DEATH NOTICES
Joann Cassella, 93, of Roswell, passed away on September 10, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Clifford Johnson, 90, of Milton, passed away on September 5, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
John Kohler, 93, of Alpharetta, passed away on September 7, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
data strategy and analytics within the City Manager’s Office.
“To help Sandy Springs be on the cutting edge of that,” Paul said. “We need to do a little bit better job on permitting, getting [them] through the system, making it easier [and] simplifying the process.”
If artificial intelligence can help remove barriers to small projects and give staff more time for other initiatives, it can be a win-win for the city and its residents, Paul said.
The mayor also addressed the ongoing fight with the City of Atlanta for equitable water services.
In April, Paul said the effort to get a service delivery agreement between the two cities is easier with a new bill from the Georgia General Assembly.
The mayor said City Attorney Dan Lee was meeting with a judge, and he hopes Lee can set up a formal hearing or trial in November.
The bill requires the state Community Affairs Department to issue sanctions if two governments fail to reach an agreement after six months of negotiations.
nomic development along Sandy Springs’ developing multi-use trial network.
The city has made progress on PATH400, trails around Morgan Falls Overlook Park and significant pedestrian improvements along Roswell Road (Ga. 9).
City Councilwoman Melody Kelley has pitched an effort to get sidewalks and paths built in the city’s North End, where thousands of multi-family home residents need them.
With the Sandy Springs Trail Master Plan, there is roadmap for the city’s Springway to rival Atlanta’s Beltline.
City Councilwoman Melissa Mular, with experience as a technology executive for IT service providers like IBM, is leading an artificial intelligence task force with City Manager Eden Freeman.
Paul said he has spoken with leaders locally and nationwide about how to best use artificial intelligence. The 2025 spending plan also budgets for a director of
Nes Kuweza, 73, of Roswell, passed away on September 12, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Joseph Lazzari, 82, of Roswell, passed away on September 12, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Justin Mourning, 46, of Alpharetta, passed away on September 11, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
“We’ve not made a lot of progress, we’ve had a lot of conversations,” Paul said. “I think now the judge has decided we’re going to go forward, which is all we’ve ever asked.”
There are several positive developments surrounding city projects and initiatives, including the new Fleet Center on Roswell Road (Ga. 9), Veterans Park’s completion and the subsequent intersection reconfiguration, Fire Station 5 coming online and nationwide recognitions of the Sandy Springs community.
Paul ended his address to field questions from the community.
Other business community members asked about options for dilapidated parcels around City Springs and the ongoing Mount Vernon Highway and Johnson Ferry Road corridor improvements.
“It should be done at the end of next year,” Paul said. “We’re going to make that area look even better than it did before.”
Donald Nelson, 83, of Roswell, passed away on September 15, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Elizabeth Varner, 99, of Alpharetta, passed away on September 12, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Roy Waggoner, Jr., 92, of Milton, passed away on September 7, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
