Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - December 25, 2025

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Gift of supplies offers students artistic escape

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

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Volunteers with the Knights of Columbus smile after restoring the bocci ball courts Dec. 14 at the Unlimited Possibilities Center in Roswell.

Volunteers pitch in for upgrades to Unlimited Possibilities Center

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Unlimited Possibilities Center underwent multiple repairs Dec. 14 thanks to the Knights of Columbus Council #13217 from St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church.

County adjusts animal control ► PAGE 3

In partnership with InCommunity, members of the Knights of Columbus Council repaired a handicap walkway, restored a bocce court and trimmed tree branches on the property.

The day center provides services to those looking to strengthen their social skills and integrate into the community.

The work was part of the Knights

Market housing forecast lands ► PAGE 6

of Columbus’ Helping Hands program, which is dedicated to caring for disadvantaged members of local communities. Through Helping Hands, Knights aid the homeless, disabled and elderly through activities tailored to community needs.

Blessed Trinity wins state title ► PAGE 7

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta nonprofit wants to give students an artistic outlet during difficult moments.

Members of Arts Alpharetta dropped off about 100 boxes of art supplies to Summit and Dolvin elementary schools Dec. 18. Wrapped in colorful bows, the boxes contain crayons, markers, paper, scissors, notepads and paints.

Ruth Bowen, Summit Elementary counselor, said she will offer the boxes to small groups and individual students to help them regulate their emotions.

“It’s a great coping tool for when students have different things going on,” she said. “It helps them to calm down, helps them kind of recenter.”

See DONATION, Page 16

See UPGRADES, Page 16

New restaurant offers fusion ► PAGE 8

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Nancy Murphy, Arts Alpharetta board member, shows the contents of a box of art supplies to be donated to Summit Elementary School Dec. 18.

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Clothing reported stolen from sporting goods store ALPHARETTA, Ga. — More than $1,300 worth of clothing was reported stolen from a sports supply store Dec. 4.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the North Point Parkway business about 6:30 p.m.

An Alpharetta woman representing the store said two women had shoplifted items at about 5:10 p.m.

The store representative reported the women selected clothing, took it to a dressing room before leaving without paying, police said.

The door alarm sounded as they left.

Officers viewed a security camera recording of the alleged theft.

The items reported stolen include children’s clothing, such as rain wear and jackets and fleece tops. The items were valued at a total of almost $1,400.

The incident was classified as a felony theft by shoplifting of more than $500.

— Jon Wilcox

Police officers respond to burglary in progress ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police are investigating an attempted burglary Dec. 15 at the Creekside at Mansell townhomes after residents reported men in masks using a crowbar to break in.

When they arrived at the residence, officers said they found the rear sliding door had been tampered with and its handle broken off, disabling it.

Officers said they held the

Police probe break-in reported at law office ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A South Main Street law office was reportedly burglarized, an attorney reported Dec. 5.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the office after receiving an email from the 62-yearold Alpharetta woman.

Police previously took a similar report of a criminal trespass Dec. 2.

In that report, police said a person entered the building through a window and spent the night on a couch in the foyer.

The attorney told police she suspected a person had again entered through a window, noting a piece was removed from it.

The woman also noted a table had

been overturned, and a bathroom smelled of cigarettes. The office does not allow smoking.

Police said both break-ins appear to have occurred when there was rain.

The incident was classified as a felony burglary of a business.

— Jon Wilcox

Police investigate Pokémon card fraud ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police secured two warrants Dec. 8 for the arrest of a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card to purchase a Pokémon card, Misty’s Tears, for just over $1,000.

A 19-year-old Roswell man, who owns a trading card store off Holcomb Bridge Road, told officers that three men entered the shop Dec. 5 and began browsing. He said they first attempted to purchase a Pokémon card valued at roughly $5,000, but the transaction was declined.

Later, one member of the group successfully purchased the Misty’s Tears card using the same credit card.

The store owner said he was feeling uncomfortable during the transaction and took photos of two of the three men’s IDs. The Roswell officer only identified the suspect who allegedly made the purchase by name, not including his birth date or residence. He later identified the second suspect as a 34-year-old New Jersey man.

The store owner said the real owner of the stolen card called him and reported the card had been used for another purchase at a nearby pet store.

Police said the store owner reimbursed the card owner.

Later, the officer said he obtained security footage of the purchase and attached it to the report.

A judge signed two warrants, theft by deception and attempt to commit a felony, for the arrest of the man who made the fraudulent purchase.

The case remains active as of Dec. 17.

— Hayden Sumlin

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perimeter of the residence until the Criminal Investigations Division arrived.

One of two people renting the townhome when the robbery occurred, a 33-year -old Roswell woman, said she heard “a noise like trash cans were moving” around 6:50 a.m.

When she and her husband looked out the window, she said they saw two masked men using a crowbar to break into the townhome. The couple provided officers with a description of their attire.

At some point, the victim said she and her husband lost sight of the men and were not certain of their location.

Officers found no one matching the suspects’ descriptions in the vicinity of the townhome.

Later, officers said they found a crowbar next to an open shed door, but the building appeared to have been left unlocked. It’s not known whether anything was stolen from the residence.

The report does not identify any suspects.

— Hayden Sumlin

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NEWS

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ATLANTA — The Fulton County Commission approved a $7.44 million contract Dec. 17 with LifeLine Animal Project, renewing its shelter services agreement while tasking the Fulton County Police with field work.

Georgia’s most populous county made national news earlier this year when actor Tyrese Gibson turned himself in to authorities after his pets allegedly killed a neighbor’s dog in a Buckhead neighborhood.

Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts penned a letter in early October, discussing the high-profile attack and other recent ones across South Fulton.

“It greatly saddens and concerns me that Fulton County has seen several violent dog attacks in recent months,” Pitts wrote. “We’ve built a brand-new animal services facility operated by LifeLine Animal Project, and enforcement now falls directly under Fulton County Police to ensure that dangerous animal cases are handled swiftly and seriously.”

Later in the Dec. 17 meeting, commissioners approved an amendment to the county’s annual contract, removing field services from LifeLine’s scope of work and modifying its annual funding to match.

LifeLine is an Avondale Estatesbased nonprofit operating animal control services for DeKalb and Fulton counties, founded in 2002 with a mission to end the euthanasia of healthy or treatable pets in Metro Atlanta.

County Manager Dick Williams said responsible pet ownership and adoptions are key with shelters reporting a 40 percent increase in new arrivals, up to nearly 1,000 new stray pets a month.

“We’ve completed the negotiations with LifeLine,” Williams said during his operational report. “The scheduled transfer now is ongoing, so folks are moving to Fulton County Police Department … I think the KPIs (key performance indicators) that are being established for shelter operations that LifeLine will be responsible for have been strengthened.”

Audrey Shoemaker, shelter director with Fulton County, spoke about her role with LifeLine Animal Project during the Dec. 16 Sandy Springs work session.

The nonprofit has operated shelters in both counties since 2013, reporting unprecedented intake numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic, which have not subsided.

“It’s a massive increase, and last year was a big year for intakes,” Shoemaker said, reporting an annual jump of 20 percent in the third quarter. “Sandy Springs makes up about 2 percent of

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our intakes. You guys do a great job with your community, and fortunately it doesn’t seem to be facing some of the challenges that some of the lowerincome areas are facing.”

Despite the flood of stray pets, mostly dogs and cats, the nonprofit has around a 90 percent save rate, qualifying it as a no-kill shelter.

The number of intakes or impounds from North Fulton totals 5 percent of the more than 7,600 stray pets taken into shelters across the county through September of this year.

Because LifeLine operates out of facilities south of the Chattahoochee River, geography plays a role with increased intakes south of the northern I-285 perimeter, along with socioeconomic factors.

“We have been doing much better with our adoptions and our placements this year,” Shoemaker said. “It’s still been a pretty big challenge with the intakes we’ve been facing … The basics of animal sheltering [are] adopt, foster, rescue and volunteer.”

Addressing the Fulton County Police Department’s takeover of field services, Shoemaker said she thinks it will be easier for first responders with a law enforcement background to handle pickups, attacks and fights.

“Capt. Nicole Dwyer is going to be taking over,” she said. “She has already been at the shelter, and she’s been working with us.”

Sandy Springs City Councilwoman Melissa Mular said she has adopted pets from LifeLine in both counties over the years, promoting adoptions and foster care as a way for residents to help with regional overcrowding at shelters.

Rice Street fire update County Manager Dick Anderson said newly available beds, freed up by the ongoing “jail blitz,” are being used to house inmates displaced by the Dec. 12 fire at the Rice Street jail.

Anderson said county staff will present a bond issuance proposal in January for its new 1,800-bed mental health facility and Rice Street renovations, estimated to cost around $1.1 billion.

Later in the meeting, commissioners approved a roughly $1 million contract with Johnson Controls to cover yearend jail maintenance costs as a part of the ongoing blitz project.

“The jail population is remaining steady at 2,958, more being released

UB CL

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

APPE

Fulton Police take on more animal control responsibilities Support trusted, local journalism at appenmedia.com/join

in this last month than brought in,” Anderson said. “There is an uptick in use of the diversion center, 224 diversions, that’s also positive, and 514 on electronic monitoring. So, we continue to look for and support alternatives to incarceration.”

During the justice system discussion, commissioners encouraged county staff to increase usage of the electronic monitoring and Policing Alternatives & Diversion programs to drive down the jail population.

Fulton County DREAM Director Joe Davis, overseeing the real estate and asset management department, said the fallout from the Dec. 12 fire is “probably the most significant in terms of damage” that he has seen since joining the county in 2006.

An arson investigation is ongoing, Davis said.

“We have extensive damage not only to the area where the fire was set, the shower, but extreme smoke that covered all surfaces in the area, as well

as the flames reaching up to the ceiling, burning through the ceiling tiles, affecting wiring and mechanical equipment,” Davis said. “We’ve begun the initial restoration work … but we have a great deal more work to do.”

Davis said phase one of the “jail blitz” will wrap up in January, and then the second phase will begin.

The average length of stay at Rice Street is 205 days, county staff reported, which has remained consistent throughout the year. Before the fire, more than 500 inmates were unindicted or unaccused.

Justice System Programs Director Steve Nawrocki said the number of people admitted to the diversion center is increasing. However, he said daily intake at the Diversion Center is averaging just 20 percent of the program’s capacity.

“Meetings between the Public Defender’s office and the District Attorney’s office have ceased,” Nawrocki said. “I think that’s kind of limited the pipeline of [electronic] monitors that are being applied, but we certainly encourage usage … any strategy again to reduce the jail population for those appropriate that shouldn’t really be in the jail.”

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4 | December 25, 2025 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

NEWS

Johns Creek mother seeks answers in daughter’s death

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Tiffany Sims wants justice for her daughter.

More than six years ago, 17-year-old Mercedes Chico-Sims was found dead at a Roswell pool near her Johns Creek home.

On Nov. 25, Elijah Foster pleaded guilty in Fulton County Superior Court to concealing the death of another and making a false statement. He was sentenced to six years in prison and four years of probation.

“The events of May 29, 2019, shattered our world in a way that words can barely describe,” Sims said at Foster’s plea hearing. “We live with a constant, almost unbearable need for the truth.”

She said she finds it unthinkable that no one was ever charged with homicide in Mercedes’ death.

“Mercedes was a victim, and now my family is a victim of the system,” Sims said.

Motivated by a lack of clear answers in Mercedes’ death, a Johns Creek podcast producer has begun work to reexamine the evidence and release a report.

Jaime Albright, a Johns Creek podcast producer who works for Tenderfoot TV is teaming with Laurah Norton, creator of the true-crime podcast “The Fall Line,” to produce a program on Mercedes' death in the spring.

Tenderfoot TV is the studio behind “Up and Vanished” and “Atlanta Monster.”

A life cut short Mercedes was born Sept. 10, 2001, the day before the world erupted in turmoil. Despite the 16-year-old mother’s worries, she found solace in her

TIFFANY SIMS/PROVIDED

Mercedes Chico-Sims was found dead on her 17th birthday at The Atlantic Newtown apartment complex, 9230 Nesbit Ferry Road.

first child’s peaceful disposition.

“Here I am having a baby, and the world around me is falling apart, but there was just so much joy,” Sims said before the Nov. 25 plea hearing. “She was perfect. She was just calm, sweet, and she hardly cried. All she did was smile.”

Loving her daughter came easy, but life was anything but. The teenage mother worked two jobs, McDonald’s in the morning and Subway at night.

Making ends meet was a constant struggle. Sims found a roommate to split bills and got help from friends, who watched her daughter.

“That sounds brutal, and yeah, it was very brutal, but it was the only way I could pay my bills and survive,” Sims said.

After her shifts, Sims would run home to spend what precious time she

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had left with Mercedes.

“If it was late at night, and a lot of times it was, I would literally get her out of her crib and put her in bed with me,” Sims said.

As the years passed, Mercedes’ personality emerged.

Outgoing and imaginative, she got along with her younger sister Savannah and made friends easily. She also loved the spotlight, sometimes pretending to be a newscaster, other times a vampire to elicit a playful scare from her mother.

In her teenage years, she was popular with peers and got involved heavily with a church youth group. She also did well in school, making it onto the honor roll.

“I don't think she met anybody that didn't become her friend,” Sims said, recalling an instance in which her daughter made friends with a girl she had a disagreement with. “She was just one of those people.”

‘My heart sank’ Mercedes spent May 28th with family, but she seemed bored and asked to attend a graduation party that evening.

Sims was hesitant but gave in with the proviso that Mercedes return home quickly. Eager to continue having fun after the party, the teen asked her mother if her boyfriend could stay over.

Sims put her foot down, forbidding the visit, a decision that has haunted her.

“I was just like, I don't want to deal with that tonight,” Sims said. “Looking back now, I feel like if I would just let him come over, she would still be here.”

That night, Sims said goodnight to her daughter, who was on her phone on the couch, and felt nothing apart from an inkling of mother’s intuition. But looking back, Sims said she should have known her daughter might sneak out.

“I felt like she was giving me that look like I'm up to something,” Sims said.

“She just smiled at me and said, ‘I love you, mom. Goodnight.’”

When Sims stopped by her daughter’s bedroom the next morning, she instantly knew something was wrong. The bed, which was made up to look like the teen was asleep in it, was empty. Mercedes was missing.

“She's not there, and my heart sank down into my stomach, and I'm walking up sitting and I'm like, ‘Savannah, where's your sister? Where's your sister?’” Sims said. “I'm like, freaking out, hyperventilating.”

Mercedes often had friends over at her house, but Foster, now 25, was one her mother was unfamiliar with.

In a panic, Sims went through her daughter’s Snapchat account, which led her to Foster’s home.

Foster answered the door but denied knowing where Mercedes was, Sims said.

The mother left, contacted the police and

continued searching, retracing Mercedes’ steps.

Police found the teen near a pool at The Atlantic Newtown apartment complex, 9230 Nesbit Ferry Road.

“I could see the yellow tape, and I just ran over there,” Sims said.

Found guilty At Foster’s plea hearing, prosecutors said police conducted an “extensive” investigation into Mercedes’ death.

Dion Peeples, senior assistant district attorney, said Mercedes had returned to the pool that evening to meet with Foster after attending a party earlier in the day.

Peeples also said Mercedes, who was found with injuries to her head, died of drowning.

“What ends up happening, your honor, is that some sort of horseplay in the pool ensues,” he said. “Law enforcement were unable to determine who was doing what in the pool … It was determined later that Mr. Foster had moved her body and concealed it until it was discovered by workers the next day.”

The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office did not respond to questions about the case.

During the hearing, Peeples acknowledged Sims’ dissatisfaction with Foster’s prosecution but said he believed the charge was appropriate.

“There's a hole in her family that can never be filled,” Peeples said. “However, judge, speaking with the detective and looking through the case file extensively myself, the charges that were applied to Mr. Foster are appropriate.”

At the hearing, Foster, who has a criminal history that includes burglary, credit card theft and statutory rape, apologized for concealing Mercedes’ body but made no comment about whether he was involved in her death.

“I did try and save Mercedes, and I am guilty of concealing her body,” he said. “I was shocked. I didn't know what to do.”

Questions remain Sims rejects the idea that her daughter’s death was an accident.

She thinks it unlikely that Mercedes could have suffered a fatal accident at the pool.

“She's been swimming since she was 3 years old,” Sims said.

Blood toxicology tests showed no sign of alcohol in Mercedes’ system, a medical examiner’s report said.

The report also found evidence of injuries to her head.

Sims also points to the numerous Snapchat messages she found as evidence that someone was trying to lure her there.

See SIMS, Page 16

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Regional housing experts offer pointers for homebuyers

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com METRO ATLANTA — MarketNsight’s latest peek into the housing industry Dec. 11 indicates troubled times for some areas of the country as home prices continue to outpace purchasing power.

The update, delivered twice annually, is geared to help clients navigate a shifting market, discussing the relationship between declining interest rates and affordability.

The business is centered around providing real-time data, expert forecasts and strategic insights to homebuilders, developers and other real estate professionals. The firm is unique in the industry for tracking pending sales and inventory trends every week across several U.S. markets.

To open the program, the company paid tribute to its former CEO and cofounder John Hunt, who passed away in late July.

Michelle Hunt, John’s wife, company co-founder and former chief operating officer, transitioned to CEO of MarketNsight.

“Since the beginning of the MarketNsight, John noticed this trend in affordability, and he predicted the current housing affordability crisis,” she said. “He could see this coming way down the road. This is how he said it during our last MarketWatch and it’s even more true today … it’s an indisputable fact that we have a housing shortage of epic proportions in this country.”

Michelle shared some of John’s routine advice for prospective homebuyers: drive until you qualify.

For homebuilders looking to create an

GSU ECONOMIC FORECASTING CENTER/PROVIDED

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In its September update to clients, MarketNsight reported that some of its metro-based markets increased their housing supply to six months, a metric indicating how long it would take to sell all homes on the market at their current listing price.

Increased supply puts downward pressure on prices.

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down payment, while older buyers use proceeds from the sale of their previous residence,” Hunt said. “Median age is 40 for first-time homebuyers. Also, the median age for all buyers is 59 years.

That changes our perspective on who the first-time home buyer is.”

Economist forecasts Fed moves Rajeev Dhawan, Ph.D., director at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University, provided his insights.

“The forecast is for aggressive rate cuts,” Dhawan said, predicting cuts totaling 150 basis points in the first half of 2026. “They need to get done now.”

The day before, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point or 25 basis points to 3.50 percent to 3.75 percent, marking a third consecutive cut to combat a weakening job market.

Dhawan said he expected the move while other economists expected a more hawkish decision to tighten monetary policy and control inflation, which is hovering around 3 percent.

“The economy is much weaker than what you think in terms of spending power,” Dhawan said. “The first six to nine months of next year will be very crucial in how the Fed moves.

My forecast is they will be aggressive because they are going to get … a dump of data between now and the end of the year.”

Dhawan titled his MarketWatch presentation, “Outlook in an Era of Shutdown-Induced Lack of Official Data.”

Because the federal government’s record 43-day shutdown in the fall, Dhawan said he is using “soft data,” like state tax collections. He also mentioned several news headlines over the past few months, announcing thousands of corporate layoffs.

Because of the white-collar layoffs and tightening job market, there are fewer potential homebuyers out there.

Dhawan said the data shows Social Security collections have grown weaker since the start of 2025.

“In the third quarter, the collections were negative,” he said. “So even though the jobs data will be delayed, this thing was clearly telling me, just like 20 years ago, that the economy is much weaker than what the official numbers imply.”

The Fed’s recent rate cut, Dhawan said, will do little to improve housing affordability for the middle class, later offering a way to help.

“Can the housing market be helped?” he said. “Cutting the interest rates will not bring down the mortgage rates forever. They will start going back up.

At 6 percent, very few people can refinance.”

A path to affordability Freddie Mac, which issues and guarantees mortgage-backed securities in support of the U.S. housing market, reported the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate averaged 6.22 percent Dec. 11.

That’s up from the first week of December when it averaged 6.19 percent. A year ago, the 30-year rate averaged 6.60 percent.

“So, what can help them?” Dhawan said. “[Mortgage rates were super high last year and are beginning to come down, but it's not as low as the boom we saw after COVID, when the Federal Reserve was buying the mortgage-backed securities with both hands.”

When first-time homebuyers are looking to purchase a family home, they often don’t have enough cash and borrow money from a bank, called a mortgage.

If there aren’t enough people buying homes, the Federal Reserve can purchase mortgage-backed securities from banks to give the financial institutions more cash to lend homebuyers. That eventually lowers mortgage rates. “[The Fed] should buy mortgagebacked securities,” Dhawan said. “That will bring that mortgage premium number that is running about 200 basis point down to 50, and there you have your mortgage rates below 5.5 or 5 percent, easily.”

SPORTS

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PHOTOS BY: ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA

The Blessed Trinity Titans celebrate in the end zone after a rush from quarterback Addie Spak for the extra point that sealed the state title at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 16

Titans outlast Milton to capture state title

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — The Blessed Trinity Titans won the 4A flag football state championship Dec. 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, avenging a regular season loss to Milton with a 21-20 double overtime victory.

It was retribution for a Nov. 18 match when the Eagles topped the Titans in overtime.

Since then, both teams have improved their focus on extra points, and that’s what made the difference in the championship.

With many standout athletes playing on both sides of the ball, players used the big stage to showcase their abilities.

Defenses held strong through the first three quarters allowing no points.

The Eagles broke the scoreless deadlock in the fourth quarter when senior Alana Calhoun scored on a 23-yard pass from Audrey Jensen.

Calhoun competed with Team Georgia this summer and in the Select Bowl for Team USA and has committed to play flag football on scholarship for Wingate University.

Blessed Trinity went down to the wire to claw back when Maggie Sullivan cashed in on a 1-yard run as time expired. A reception by junior Chelsea Lewis on the extra point sent the game

into overtime.

Both teams executed when it mattered, tacking on extra points after the first five touchdowns.

But, Milton faltered on the extra point on a triple option play in their second overtime drive, while BT was able to finish strong.

Titans quarterback Addie Spak threw two scoring passes in overtime to senior Hannah Daley, one a touchdown and one for the extra point. She won the Morgan & Morgan MVP for the game after her rush for the final extra point propelled BT to the title.

“I’m so blessed, we have so many great players and [the MVP] could have been any of them,” Spak said. “It’s my last game, I wanted to go out with a bang. I really wanted this ring, and now that we’ve done it, it’s such a fulfilling moment.”

Spak has varsity letters in four sports at BT – flag football, softball, basketball and lacrosse. She is committed to Washington University of St. Louis for softball and plays shortstop.

Sullivan had a standout night with her late fourth-quarter touchdown and on defense with three sacks.

Sullivan said the power of love kept her team level-headed, but their strength of schedule earlier in the season helped.

The Titans beat the eventual Division 2

Milton senior captains watch the coin flip prior to the 4A championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 16. state champions Greenbrier in their first game of the season at the Corky Kell Classic.

“Thank you coach [Brandon] Harwell for making our schedule so difficult,” she said. “We worked our butts off all season, day in, day out, on and off the field, we bonded so much and got stronger. We said every single day that our goal was to be at the Benz on Dec. 16, so when most people would have given up with a minute left, we all looked at each other and just knew.”

Titans head coach Brandon Harwell said at the trophy presentation that he had a feeling the game would come down to extra points.

He told Appen Media that he had the utmost faith in his team.

“With one second left in the game, if we’re going to lose, it’s going to be with the ball in [Sullivan’s] hands because she’s got us here,” he said. “The girls believed, and we believe success isn’t a choice. It was, until the whistle blows, we were going to keep fighting all the way.”

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8 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 25, 2025

Siena brings ‘Meditalian’ fusion fare to Alpharetta HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

SIENA/PROVIDED

A woman engages in conversation as she sips on a crafted cocktail at Siena, a new “Meditalian” restaurant in Alpharetta.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Siena, a restaurant offering a bold fusion of Mediterranean and Italian cuisine, opened Dec. 20 in Alpharetta, giving food enthusiasts a chance to gather around soulful dishes.

The “Meditalian” flavors naturally complement one another, co-owner Aïda Lemma said in an email interview.

She said she believes bringing together these cuisines will give guests a sense of comfort as they recognize flavors they love while discovering new interpretations.

“We wanted to create a restaurant that feels refined yet approachable, where guests can enjoy high-quality food, crafted cocktails and a beautiful space without the formality feeling intimidating,” Lemma said. “Siena is meant to be a neighborhood staple with a destination-worthy menu.”

Lemma said her business partner visited Siena, Italy, and fell in love with the city’s charm and culture. The restaurant’s name is an ode to its inspiration and reflects the restaurant’s warm and elegant soul.

By focusing on simple, seasonal ingredients like herbs, fresh produce and olive oils, Executive Chef Baba Estavillo curated a menu inspired by cultural staples. Every dish had to earn its place on the menu, Lemma said.

The biggest challenge was creating a cohesive menu while allowing creativity and bold flavors to stand

out among dishes. Many dishes were inspired by traditional Mediterranean and Italian staples but reimagined with modern techniques and global influences.

Their tapas-style menu features small plates of whipped feta and burnt honey, sweet potato falafel cake and harissa chicken lollipop.

Entrees include Moroccan market chicken, golden oxtail and honey-lavender lamb chops. Even the kid’s menu offers bold flavors with cheese pizza on warm pita bread and the fried chicken lollipop.

“Siena offered the freedom to create without boundaries while still honoring culinary tradition,” Estavillo said. “The concept encouraged exploration, storytelling and thoughtful [execution], making it an exciting and fulfilling project.”

Developing the restaurant has been a collaborative endeavor between the co-owners and Estavillo. The result is a tribute to food that brings people together, encourages conversation and creates memories around the table.

“These cuisines are soulful and celebratory,” Lemma said. “Food is essential to gathering, conversation and joy — values that are at the heart of Siena.”

Siena opened at 124 Devore Road in Alpharetta, the former site of Gourmania and Seven Seas Mediterranean Café.

The restaurant will be closed on Mondays and serve dinner Tuesday through Sunday beginning at 4 p.m.

The restaurant plans to offer brunch service in the new year.

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AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 25, 2025 | 9

Northern Ridge District names November-December Eagle Scouts ALPHARETTA, Ga.— The Northern Ridge Boy Scout District (cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton) has announced its newest Eagle Scouts who completed their Eagle Board of Review on Dec. 4 at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.

Top row, from left Owais Anwar, of Troop 12, sponsored by the Muslim American Society Youth Center. Owais’ project was the design and construction of three picnic tables for the Islamic Center of North Fulton.

Ahyan Shaik, of Troop 12, sponsored by the Muslim American Society Youth Center. Ahyan’s project was the design and construction of six benches for the Hamzah Islamic Center.

Adam Tayara, of Troop 87, sponsored by Roswell Presbyterian Church. Adam’s Project was the design and construction of four plant display tables and four benches for the Chattahoochee Nature Center.

Jeevan Thomas, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta Methodist Church. Jeevan’s project was the design and construction of a brood box (where baby chicks stay during spring) at Old Rucker Farm. This Brood Box has two levels with heat lamps.

Pablo Ochoa, of Troop 1134, sponsored by St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church. Pablo’s project was the design and construction of a stone firepit and a wooden wood rack for the Wildlife Action Campsite, in Acworth.

Bottom row, from left Manesha Buwaneka, of Troop 27, sponsored by the Johns Creek Christian Church. Manesha’s project was the design and construction of six wooden benches for the Georgia Buddhist Vihara.

Graham Farrar, of Troop 629, sponsored by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Graham’s project was the design and construction of three rolling painting shelves with 10 places to put paintings, and the reorganization and creation of a labeling system for all

Newly-awarded Eagle Scouts stand at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. the items located in the back storeroom for Furkids.

Derrick Butler, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta Methodist Church. Derrick’s project was the design and construction of a standing whiteboard, three standup tables and repositioning the picnic tables at Providence Park.

Manogna Baavesh, of Troop 2143, sponsored by The American Legion Post 251. Manogna’s project was the removal and then design and construction of three Little Libraries in the shape of a school bus,

PROVIDED

a clock tower, and a library with a bench attachment for Newtown Park. Manogna also held a book drive to stock the libraries.

Tristan McCloskey, of Troop 1857, sponsored by the Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church. Tristan’s project was the refurbishment of the seating area for the tennis courts at Etowah High School, which included rebuilding tables, installing a handrail and replacing the fascia of the tennis team’s equipment shed.

Roswell Reads schedules 2 events by noted author

By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Reads, in partnership with Roswell Cultural Arts and Bookmiser, is doubling up on author events Jan. 10.

The “One City, One Read” program will host Paula McLain, the New York Times bestselling author of “The Paris Wife” and eight other titles, for two literary offerings on the same day.

The author of six novels, two poetry collections and a memoir, McLain’s work has been published in more than 35 countries and featured in the New York Times, The Guardian, Town & Country and elsewhere.

Her latest novel, “Skylark,” will be released just four days earlier.

To celebrate, Roswell Reads has lined up a pair of presentations on Jan. 10, both at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell.

During a Writer to Writer event

at 9:30 a.m., the Ohio-based author will explore her historical research process and the decision to structure “Skylark” using a dual timeline.

At 2 p.m., McLain will discuss “Skylark,” a mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below, where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s.

Ticket options and details are below, along with other January events.

Thursday-Friday, Jan. 8-9, George Weinstein, Atlanta Writers Club executive director, selling and personalizing books at Kroger, 12460 Crabapple Road, Alpharetta.

Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. both days. georgeweinstein.com Saturday, Jan. 10, Paula McLain spotlighting “Skylark” during two Roswell Reads activities at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950

Forrest St., Roswell. Tickets for the 9:30 a.m. Writer to Writer event are $15. The main presentation will follow at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 and include an autographed and/or personalized hardback copy of “Skylark,” priority seating and a photo with McLain. General admission tickets are $15. roswellcac. showare.com/eventperformances. asp?evt=225 Saturday, Jan. 10, Vanessa Riley debuting her novel, “Fire Sword and Sea,” with copies sold by Johns Creek Books. 3 p.m. Free. Gwinnett County Snellville Library, 2245 Wisteria Drive SW, Snellville.

Thursday, Jan. 22, Dreams Workshop with author Michelle Wilson. Focused on crafting a goaloriented vision board, the workshop is based on Wilson’s book, “So I Can Love You Longer.” 4 p.m. Free.

Forsyth County Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming. forsythpl.

org/event/15025014 Tuesday, Jan. 27, Lynn Cullen launching her latest historical fiction novel, “When We Were Brilliant,” based on Marilyn Monroe’s friendship with the documentary photographer Eve Arnold. 6 p.m. Free. Presented

by Bookmiser with and at the Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Milton. bookmiser.net/events.html Friday, Saturday and Monday, Jan. 30, 31 and Feb. 2, Friends of the Roswell Library Book Sale. See website for hours and details. Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell.

404-612-9700. forl.net.

Saturday, Jan. 31, meet Piper Huguley, author of “American Daughters” and “By Her Own Design.”

Bookmiser and Friends of the Sandy Springs Library will host Huguley at 2 p.m. Free. Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway NE, Sandy Springs. bookmiser.net/events. html

10 | December 25, 2025 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

COMMUNITY

AMERICAN LEGION POST 201/PROVIDED

Wreaths adorn veterans’ graves at Green Lawn Cemetery and Mausoleum in Roswell as volunteers with Stryten Energy of Alpharetta participate in Wreaths Across America Day.

North Fulton communities honor veterans’ gravesites ROSWELL, Ga. — Veterans’ gravesites across North Fulton County were adorned with wreaths Dec. 13 as family and community members honored fallen American soldiers on Wreaths Across America Day. Commemorations took place in Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Milton, reminding volunteers of veterans’ sacrifices and ensuring their legacy continues for future generations.

The Patriots of Liberty, Alpharetta’s

chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution placed 340 wreaths on veterans’ gravesites in 10 cemeteries around North Fulton.

Stryten Energy LLC laid 1,000 wreaths on grave markers at Green Lawn Cemetery and Mausoleum in Roswell. Over 75 employees, family and community members honored veterans by speaking their names and thanking each one for their service.

“All of us at Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery and Mausoleum are honored to partner with Stryten Energy to remember and honor the veterans laid to rest here,” said Robbie Graham, Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery and Mausoleum general manager.

“Their unwavering support allows our community to come together in gratitude and remembrance for those heroes who selflessly served our great nation.”

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization that has expanded the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to veterans’ gravesites across the country. Since its founding in 1992, Wreaths Across America has expanded to all 50 states as family members, volunteers and friends work toward the organization’s mission to remember, honor and teach about veterans’ sacrifices.

— Hannah Yahne

Interfaith gathering to speak against political violence ATLANTA — Clergy, civic leaders and concerned citizens from across the political, religious and cultural spectrum are invited to an anti-political-violence gathering at the Georgia State Capitol Jan. 12.

Hosted by the interfaith First Five Freedoms group, the event will convene from 9 to 10 a.m. just before the start of the 2026 Legislative Session.

Participants will speak with a unified voice at a moment when Georgia communities are increasingly anxious about escalating hostility and political violence, First Five Freedoms

said.

“Guided by the legacy of Georgia’s historic faith leadership during past moments of national crisis, five diverse leaders representing multiple traditions will call attention to the dangerous rise in divisive rhetoric,” the group said.

The gathering also marks the formal launch of a First Five Freedoms shift toward greater civility, restraint and empathy in public dialogue.

Participants, especially religious leaders, are encouraged to wear clergy attire and visit their state senators and representatives. Attendees are asked to

share a brief report of their legislative visits to help track outreach and strengthen the coordinated effort.

Meetings with lawmakers provide an opportunity to deliver a consistent, personal message to deescalate political rhetoric, reject division and model civil leadership throughout the upcoming legislative session and election cycle, the group said.

A legislator lookup tool is available at pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator.

The group will coordinate future meetings with lawmakers, including a return to the Capitol the day after

Crossover Day, to ensure that the message of shared values, civic responsibility and First Amendment protection continues to resonate.

“This Jan. 12 gathering is designed not as a single moment, but as the starting point of a sustained, statewide movement,” First Five Freedoms said.

“As Georgia begins a new legislative session, F5F invites all who care about our democracy to stand together, speak with moral clarity and help guide our state toward greater peace, understanding and unity.”

— Jon Wilcox

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 25, 2025 | 11

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12 | December 25, 2025 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell Sponsored Section

December 25, 2025 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | 12

Geriatrics in primary care: Meeting the unique health care needs of older adults Brought to you by – Comprehensive Internal Medicine Geriatrics in primary care is the specialized approach used to care for people as they age.

Geriatric primary care recognizes that older adults often experience multiple chronic conditions, functional limitations, and changing social circumstances.

Through this, there is an emphasis on maintaining health, independence, and quality of life.

To achieve best health, the care plan begins with a comprehensive assessment, in which a healthcare provider evaluates medical conditions, medications, cognitive function, emotional well-being, mobility, nutrition, and social support. Another essential component is medication management, since older adults often take several prescriptions and overthe-counter medications, increasing the risk of side effects or interactions. Geriatric care also includes prevention and early detection of common age-related issues such as falls, memory decline, osteoporosis, and sensory impairments. Additionally, providers coordinate care among specialists, caregivers, and

community resources, ensuring that the patient’s needs are addressed in a holistic and organized way.

Advanced care planning—discussing preferences regarding future medical treatments—is also a valuable part of geriatric primary care.

The benefits of incorporating geriatrics into primary care are significant. First, it leads to better health outcomes, because problems are identified early and managed proactively. Second, geriatricfocused care improves patient safety, particularly by reducing medication-related complications and preventing avoidable hospitalizations. Third, it enhances quality of life by supporting independence, promoting mental and emotional well-being, and helping patients stay active and engaged. For families and caregivers, geriatric primary care offers guidance, reassurance, and support in navigating complex health decisions.

Overall, geriatrics in primary care ensures that older adults receive thoughtful, personalized, and coordinated care that promotes healthy aging and preserves dignity throughout life’s later stages. If you have multiple medical issues, a geriatric specialist may be the right choice to achieve your best health.

Alpharetta: (678) 205-9004 | 3180 North Point Pkwy | Suite 303 | Alpharetta, GA - 30005 Johns Creek: (770) 622-9002 | 3890 Johns Creek Pkwy | Suite 120 | Suwanee, GA - 30024

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Dr. Patel is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine. She has a special interest in geriatric care, hypertension, and diabetes management. She is passionate about providing comprehensive, patient-centered care with a focus on chronic disease management and preventive health. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Patel is eager to help patients achieve healthier and more fulfilling lives through evidence-based practices and compassionate guidance.

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Kellie Kozma - is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner in family medicine with a post-master’s in geriatric medicine and more than 20 years of clinical experience. She offers a level of clinical insight that brings clarity, confidence, and comfort to her patients. Her care philosophy blends expertise with genuine human connection, creating relationships that feel both supportive and truly transformative. She specializes in both acute and chronic disease management, using an evidence-based approach that emphasizes individualized patient needs.

Kellie Lozma, APRN, MSN, NP-C

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AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 25, 2025 | 13

Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery • Medical Dermatology Vein Care • Cosmetic Services

Honored to be Voted: Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist

A pilot dies of Alpha Gal syndrome Brought to you by – Premier Dermatology Alpha gal syndrome, also known as “red meat allergy,” is a disease on the rise. Sadly, a November 2025 publication describes the first well-documented death resulting from alpha gal syndrome.

In the summer of 2024, a New Jerseybased airline pilot went camping with his family and suffered multiple bites believed to be either lone star tick larvae or nymphs which the family identified as “chiggers.”

He and his family typically ate chicken.

However, two weeks after camping, he ate a steak. Four hours later, he developed diarrhea, vomiting and such severe abdominal pain that he told his family “I thought I was going to die.” Symptoms lasted two hours, but the next day he felt so good that he saw no reason to seek medical attention.

Two weeks later, he had an additional exposure to red meat. At a barbecue, he ate a hamburger. Four hours later, he became ill again. Within minutes, he was dead. Post-mortem blood testing revealed extremely high tryptase levels – consistent with an anaphylactic reaction, a severe type of allergic reaction in which difficulty breathing or a sudden drop in blood pressure can result in death.

Alpha gal syndrome was first discovered around 2007 when a physician in Virginia identified that lone star tick bites could cause red meat allergy. A sugar called galactose-alpha 1,3-galactose (aka “alpha-gal”) is found in many types of mammal meat and dairy but not in humans, so humans can become allergic to this sugar if they are exposed in the right circumstance. A tick bite is just such a circumstance.

Lone star ticks are on the rise. Expanding deer populations and tick populations are likely resulting in an increase in tick bites and disease in humans. Increased testing certainly plays a factor, but between

2013 and 2024, a 100-fold increase in positive test results for alpha-gal occurred, and the CDC estimates as many as half a million people may be affected by this disease.

What makes the death of the New Jersey pilot so startling is the nature of the alpha gal allergic reaction. Most of the time, when we think of allergic reactions, we think of hives and rashes. If we think of death, we usually think of reactions such as those to peanuts which often involve difficulty breathing. The symptoms of the pilot would normally make someone worried for food poisoning or a severe stomach bug – not an allergy.

But diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain can be signs of an allergy. With alpha gal on the rise, severe abdominal pain following red meat or dairy ingestion should raise concern for alpha gal syndrome, which we now know can be fatal. In the right context – a recent hike, camping trip or other potential exposure to ticks, someone with severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea should consider getting tested for alpha gal before ingesting red meat, dairy or other cross-reacting substances a second time.

Reportedly, numerous individuals on Martha’s Vineyard are now unwillingly having to live essentially a vegan lifestyle due to the number of meat and dairy products that they now must avoid. Deer, ticks and alpha gal are on the rise and apparently here to stay.

As a Mohs surgeon and dermatologist, I have learned that the beach-goer has more to fear from the Sun in the sky than from a shark in the water. As someone who loves the great outdoors, I would add that I am more afraid of the tick on the leaf than the bear in the woods. If you, like me, have ever been sun-kissed or tick-bitten and are concerned about tick-born illness, Premier Dermatology is here to help.

Insist on the BEST Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.

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Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 23 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.

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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.

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14 | December 25, 2025 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

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Why did they go with Medicare Advantage for 2026?

Brought to you by – Senior Source Medicare Solutions First off, I want to wish all the readers a Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays. I hope you are able to spend time with family and friends this season.

As we gather the data from the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (which ended on December 7th) we are seeing some stand-out plan features that meant the most to clients.

The Max-Out-Of-Pocket was probably the biggest reason for change of plans (MOOP for short). The highest in-network MOOP allowed in 2026 is $9,250, yet several plans have a MOOP almost half that amount. Many Medicare Advantage Consumers don’t pay attention to this dollar amount, but it is important! The MOOP signals the most one would pay in collective medical cost for the calendar year.

If you did reach the Medical Max Out of Pocket, then you would no longer be required to pay any medical cost for the remainder of the calendar year.

The Medicare Advantage MOOP is your “worst case scenario” in medical spending for the calendar year. The lower this number is, the better!

The next big reason why more than half of Medicare Beneficiaries in America are turning to Medicare Advantage is Doctor Acceptance.

Most doctors are now taking Medicare Advantage. No longer are

you having to choose between your insurance company and your doctor.

It has taken time to get to this point.

I’ve seen this change in just the past 10 years, really. This brings a level of comfort to Medicare Advantage clients to know their doctors are already a contracted provider with the insurance they choose.

As medical cost and Medicare Supplement Premiums go up, the $0 Monthly Premium on most Medicare Advantage plans gains a lot of attention.

This becomes a big reason clients go with a Medicare Advantage plan, rather than Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement plan.

I believe the future is bright for Medicare Advantage plans and the consumers that choose to take “advantage” of it. Insurance companies are getting more competitive with their benefits, including extra dental and vision benefits, preventive health rewards programs, and providing better tips and encouragement on how to have a healthier quality of life.

Whether you are turning age 65, retiring and leaving group insurance, or just looking for a change in 2026, give us a call to see how we can help guide you into a better Medicare Insurance option for the New Year! Call us at (770) 913-6464 or contact us through our website at SeniorSourceMedicare.com/ contact-seniorsource. Happy New Year, 2026, Everyone!!!

Puzzles

r 12/25/25 Connect-It

PuzzleJunction.com

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Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com

Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 5, 5 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!

Alpharetta-Roswell Herald.......................December 25, 2025 | 15

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Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com

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Dunwoody Crier 12/25/25 Crossword

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72 Epoch 73 Debate position 74 Cheer starter 75 Wool weight 76 Engine part 77 Got an eyeful 78 ___ Baba 79 SHO alternative Down 1 Son of Leah 2 Lab gel 3 Designer Chanel 4 Old French coin 5 High points 6 Sail holder 7 Commercials 8 Peruvian coin 9 Bank job

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See puzzle solutions on Page 23

AMERICAN LEGION POST 201 EVENTS

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2026 Oratorical Competition – Saturday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m.

1st Place earns $1,000; 2nd place - $750; 3rd place - $500.

Competition Open to High School Students in Grades 9 -12.

For More Information Contact Contest Chair Dave Cunnold.

Phone: 770-853-5130 • Email: yjdave99@gmail.com Dances & Dance Instruction For all the details visit: www.club201dance.com

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16 | December 25, 2025 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

Upgrades: Continued from Page 1 The project marks the latest effort by Council #13217 to serve organizations and individuals in the Roswell area since the program’s local inception in 2019.

“InCommunity continues to be an organization that we proudly support,” said Ryan Rogers, community director for the Knights of Columbus Council

NEWS Members of the Knights of Columbus, Ryan Rogers and Soulith Saysanavong, repair a handicap walkway Dec. 14 at Roswell’s Unlimited Possibilities Center.

#13217. “The residential and day program services they offer are a lifeline for families and adults with disabilities.”

InCommunity is a non-profit agency founded in 1979 to provide community-based support for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Headquartered in Atlanta, the organization operates several residential homes and a day program center in Roswell, offering meaningful activities for adults with developmental disabilities within their own communities.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS/PROVIDED

Donation:

To support Arts Alpharetta and its ongoing efforts to provide art supplies to local students, visit artsalpharetta.org.

Continued from Page 1 Since 2020, Arts Alpharetta has gifted supplies to local schools twice a year as part of its greater mission of artistic community outreach. The nonprofit, which fills the boxes through donations, is seeking supporters to expand the endeavor.

Mental health has emerged as a rising concern at schools across the nation.

Nearly one in five children ages 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, citing data from 2022 to 2023.

Anxiety problems, behavior disorders and depression are the most commonly diagnosed disorders with 11 percent of children with diagnosed anxiety.

In recent years, Fulton County School District has increased the number of counselors at schools to meet the rising need.

Bowen said students sometimes struggle to cope with the stress and anxiety, whether it’s from a playground disagreement, loss of a pet or a family member’s illness. Bowen’s job is to help children navigate those troubles, allowing them to learn better in the classroom.

“We see a range of mental health needs even at the elementary level,” Bowen said.

“People don’t always recognize that young

Sims: Continued from Page 4 Although Sims said she still doesn’t know what happened that night, she knows she still has questions. The mother said she has doubts about how the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office handled her daughter’s case, adding that the office communicated poorly with her and often failed to properly update her.

Over the past six years, Sims said Mercedes’ case was handed off to several different prosecutors, making her wonder whether it was a priority.

“How could they do an extensive investigation if the file keeps switching

kids also have things going on.”

Summit Principal Stefi Slewitzke said she has seen a rising need in her own school.

“There’s just a lot of environmental factors. I think we see kids coming in with more trauma after COVID. We’ve seen a lot of that, just a lot of more issues that kids are having,” she said. “We see a higher need for students that want to talk to somebody at school, so we help provide that.”

Arts Alpharetta Board Member Nancy Murphy, former Summit principal, said the art supplies are a uniquely powerful tool in helping students in part because they come with no requirements. Unlike some resources, they can be given to any student.

“We don’t have any restrictions here, so they don’t have to distribute this to any one specific group of kids,” Murphy said.

“It can go to any kid for any reason.”

After pushing a cart loaded with the

supplies through the school entrance, Murphy was met by a group of grateful Summit staff and administrators, many she had personally hired.

Murphy, who is also an artist, said she thinks art has a special way of helping people work through hard times.

She said she has leaned on painting recently as a way of coping with a recent surgery. She said she thinks students may find a similar solace in art as they battle with their own issues.

“It’s an expression when they maybe can’t put it out in words,” Murphy said.

“They can’t always release those emotions to the person that might need to hear them, but this gives them an outlet for it.”

Liz Alzona, an artist and Arts Alpharetta board member, agrees. Art has served a special purpose in her life, giving her an escape but also a way of viewing the world.

“I always looked at life through the lens of art. So, no matter what problem arose or what happened in my life, I always did look at it in a creative way,” she said. “Exposing children and young people to art gives them the ability to look at things and problems in a creative way.”

from person to person to person?” Sims said. “Like every prosecutor that I spoke to said ‘Oh, I'm going to have to look into this. I just got the case.’”

Sims admits after a “long” six years she is tired, but she said she will continue to fight for the truth. Her biggest fears are that her daughter will be forgotten and that those who know something will never come forward.

“I feel like her story has kind of fallen away because people just assumed that everything's been taken care of because of how long it's been,” Sims said. “But it's still very active for us.”

how little attention it has received. But she said she was moved to look further because of how it hit close to home.

“We have a responsibility as neighbors and community members to make sure that we don't forget Mercedes and that her story is known, so that her family can get some type of resolution,” Albright said.

The case stayed with her because of the unanswered questions and because it unfolded less than a mile from her home.

She said she wonders about the case almost daily because she drives by the pool regularly.

“Once I started working on the case, every time I drove by that pool, I just thought it's right there in our backyard,” she said. “How has this family been suf-

fering in silence alone? It really bothered me.”

Albright learned of Mercedes’ death from her son, who attended Centennial High School with Mercedes.

Although Foster was convicted of concealing a body, Albright thinks new information coming to light could reopen the case.

Albright implores anyone in the community who may know something to step forward. She recalled one person producers interviewed who did not realize he had attended the graduation party before Mercedes’ death.

“There are absolutely people out there who know something, and they may not even realize that they know something,” she said.

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Arts Alpharetta Board Member Nancy Murphy holds a box of donated art supplies during a visit to Summit Elementary School Dec. 18.

Close to home Albright said she was compelled to investigate the case in part because of

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 25, 2025 | 17

Recounting a true Christmas story from 1946 Much of Europe was in shambles at the end of World War II. Food was scarce, heating and gasoline were rare commodities, and many were without shelter.

After the war, RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus America helped ray@appenmedia.com rebuild Europe under the Marshall Plan. Hundreds of American companies were contracted to participate in the rebuilding efforts overseas – including the one involved in this account, J.A. Jones Construction Company, then based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, with concerns in, among other places, Poland.

On the particular night in point, an engineer was working late. His company’s contract was one of the largest in their history and the assignment to get the job done on time had been given to a hard-driving German immigrant with a reputation for meeting deadlines. The engineer had already successfully led the company’s Liberty ship building efforts in Panama City in 1942 that reduced the amount of time required to build a Liberty ship from 134 days to 41. He had also helped guide

Editor’s note: This column first ran Dec. 22 2005. the company’s efforts in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on the Manhattan Project – which ultimately produced the atomic bombs that ended the war. But now he was behind schedule, which was not OK. It was Christmas Eve 1946, somewhere in postwar Poland. The engineer was working into the night to find a way to catch up.

At home about 25 kilometers away, the engineer’s wife and two young children waited. Snow fell outside. It was bitterly cold. The children played near a fire. The engineer labored over blueprints and concentrated. Crews, equipment, supplies of petrol and steel and transportations problems reeled through his mind as he worked out a plan. He had responsibilities and a job to do. A noise outside the office distracted him. The cleaning “staff,” which consisted of a boy from the village, moved about the office. The “boy,” as the engineer thought of him, was actually a German war refugee in his early 20s with a young family. The engineer had created the cleaning job for him to try to help.

Jobs were scarce in Poland in 1946, but so was money. The night before, the boy

had not finished the cleaning and had been reprimanded. “Don’t forget the last offices on the right and don’t go home until everything is finished,” the engineer had said. He didn’t have time to manage a cleaning boy when he had deadlines to meet for a major construction project.

And he wouldn’t accept unfinished work – no matter how small. Priorities, for the engineer, were always clear.

Time passed. Europe was rebuilt.

Three or four wars passed – depending on how you count them. Fast-forward 46 years. I answered the phone at my home in Alpharetta. It was December 1992. A voice, which I recognized as belonging to an old man, asked to speak with Mr. Appen. “Speaking,” I replied. The voice continued. “I apologize for calling but ‘just in case,’ I did. I saw your name in the phone directory and are you possibly related to H.V. Appen?” he asked.

“Yes,” I answered. “He was my grandfather.” I heard a sigh on the other end of the phone and then there was a long silence. My senses were on edge and I could not imagine what this call could possibly be about. H.V. had lived larger than life to me and still does. This call was so soon after his death.

The voice on the other end of the phone continued. “I knew your grandfather a long time ago. In Poland.

Not a week goes by that I don’t think of

him and finding you in the phone book is more than I can believe.” His voice broke and grew softer. “You see, on Christmas Eve 1946, I was working for your grandfather and he called me into his office. I thought that he was going to fire me because I had not finished the job the previous day. He was a hard man to work for, you know. He told me to go get his car and to drive. I didn’t know what to think and I was frightened,” he said.

The man continued. “That night, your grandfather took me out and bought Christmas presents for me and my entire family. At the time, we had absolutely nothing. We were not even going to have a Christmas dinner. He bought that, too. We drove back to my house and he dropped me off. It was a Christmas that I will never forget as long as I live.

So, when I saw your name in the phone directory, I just had to call you. I am so happy to be able to tell you how grateful I am to your grandfather.” We spoke for a few more minutes then hung up.

In silence I replayed the conversation in my mind – several times, and then smiled. “How grateful I am to you,” I thought. “What a priceless Christmas gift you have just given me.”

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all. Ray Appen, Publisher Emeritus. In memory of my grandfather, H.V. Appen, who always kept his priorities straight.

PAST TENSE

Area residents recall memorable Christmases Larkin Head’s grandparents, Roy and Pamela Head, once owned acreage on both sides of Chamblee Dunwoody Road. One year, Larkin’s parents bought a piano VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF for Christmas. He remembers, “…in the Columnist mad rush to get to our presents under the tree, the piano was overlooked.” His mother asked if there was something the children were not seeing.

Larkin’s grandmother taught all the granddaughters how to play the piano.

Fred Donaldson, friend and neighbor from down the road, shared memories of singing by the piano along with Larkin’s Uncle Bill. Grandmother Head played the piano and instructed the boys to sing.

Chris Curth of Sandy Springs remembers participating in the annual Christmas play at Annie Houze Cook

Kindergarten. The kindergarten was in Providence Methodist Church, now Misty Creek Community Church. Curth recalls he “…was one of the wise men, and as we walked down the aisle in our costumes we sang “We Three Kings.”

He has fond memories of Annie Houze Cook.

Jean Fallon shared her 1996 Olympics experience with me several years ago. She hosted the North Korean delegation at her home. Later, she shared memories of December 1941 when the U.S. entered World War II. “I was 10 years old and concerned that my daddy would have to become a soldier but was relieved to hear he had been too young for WW1 and was too old for WWII,” she said.

Fallon recalled the shortages of food that went along with rationing.

The family used a new “fake butter” product called Nucoa. She remembered gasoline shortages and not being able to participate in her school play because her family could not use the gas to drive three miles to school for

play rehearsals. There was also a lot of vegetable soup served in the school cafeteria. “But the sacrifices were shared by all, and we got through it together,” said Fallon.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Tom Keating, who has collaborated with me on Lawson General Hospital history, shared his favorite Christmas memory.

“It was an uneventful tour as hospital duty officer during Christmas 1975 at Womack Army Hospital, Fort Bragg, N.C.,” he said. “I was standing at my duty station adjoining the busy Emergency Department when 1st Lt. Carolyn Kraft, a very pretty army nurse, suddenly appeared. Fifty years later, she is still with me. I am so blessed.”

The couple will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2026.

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.

LARKIN HEAD/PROVIDED

Larkin Head and big sister Pam in 1951 in the yard of their grandmother’s home on Chamblee Dunwoody Road.

18 | December 25, 2025 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

OPINION

Giant footprints in Georgia’s history Georgia is famous for many wonders, such as cotton, peanuts, peaches, Southern hospitality, football teams, civil rights, the world’s largest and busiest airport, carpets, BOB MEYERS Coca-Cola, UPS, Columnist Delta Air Lines, Home Depot, the largest college campus in the world (Berry College) – the list goes on.

But what about wonders less known and frequently unseen? Georgia has had them as well for eons.

One of the best known is the legendary Bigfoot, also known by its Indian name Sasquatch. Reportedly seen in Georgia and other states throughout the United States, Bigfoot is so well known that the ape-like creature is part of Georgia’s folklore.

Bigfoot represents mystery, the unexplained and the unexplored wilderness that will likely entice Georgians for centuries to come. Shyness, intelligence and a nocturnal nature make a Bigfoot elusive and rarely seen. Bigfoot is not a single creature. Several Bigfoot may gather together at any time.

Sasquatch is described as a tall, hairy creature who walks on two legs and leaves huge footprints. Several North American Indian tribes especially on the West Coast have legends of human-like hairy forest creatures sometimes seen as spiritual guardians. The Hoopa Valley Tribe in northern California, for example, views a Bigfoot as the guardian of mountains who chooses to live away from people.

Georgia has one of four museums in the United States devoted to Bigfoot.

Expedition Bigfoot! The Sasquatch Museum in Blue Ridge says on its website, “We believe in the existence of Bigfoot/ Sasquatch either from personal experience and encounters or from witness testimony and evidence. Our museum provides a lot of that evidence and leaves the question of Bigfoot's existence up to you.”

David Bakara and his wife Malinda opened the museum in 2016 which David says has some 70,000 visitors annually. About half of them are believers and half are tourists looking for something interesting to do. The Bakara’s encourage people to tell of their sightings of a Bigfoot at the Bakara’s website, expeditionbigfootblueridge@gmail.com.

When asked why so many people are skeptical about Bigfoot, David explains that many people who have seen a Bigfoot are afraid to talk about it because of the reaction of others.

ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, INC.

Still from a famous 1967 film shot by Roger Patterson in Northern California thought by many to show a Bigfoot. Like all photos of Bigfoot, the image is not clear due to the nocturnal nature of the ape-like creature and its reluctance to be near people.

RICK JACOB/PROVIDED

In 2007, hunter Rick Jacob captured several Bigfoot images with a camera mounted on a tree in a Pennsylvania forest. He also took photos of bear cubs, which helped viewers claim that the tall creature was not a bear.

“They learn not to talk about it,” says David.

There have been more than 145 reported credible and checked Bigfoot sightings in Georgia according to Matt Moneymaker, president of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO).

“We believe that for every sighting that gets reported, there are at least ten that are not reported,” Matt says.

In Georgia, most sightings have been in mountainous areas, around Macon and most recently near the town of Folkston on the Florida border.

BFRO seeks to “derive conclusive documentation of the species’ existence…through collection of empirical data and physical evidence…. These large apes are spotted mostly in forested regions with abundant protein sources. “ One of the biggest points of confusion that causes skepticism is references to Bigfoot as a singular creature.

“Bigfoot is a population of animals

and not a singular folklore creature.

People continue to see them today and sometimes more than one at a time,” Matt says.

The Bigfoot species is most likely descended from Gigantopithecus, the largest apes ever known, estimated to be more than 10 feet tall based on fossils.

They existed some 2 million years ago before becoming extinct about 100,000 years ago.

Many photos have been put forward claiming to be a Bigfoot or Bigfoot group.

Since Bigfoot is nocturnal, all of the photos are blurry, a fact that skeptics seize upon. Many of the photos, which can be found with a Google search, appear to be bears or individuals in gorilla suits.

However, a few have been characterized as legitimate images of ape-like creatures. The most famous photos are stills from a film taken by Roger Patterson in 1967 and photos by hunter Rick Jacob in 2007.

Dozens of serious books have been written about the Bigfoot. Just check out Amazon.

Bigfoot is known by other names in other countries: Yowie in Australia, Yeti in the Himalayas and Alma in Russia.

Many other mysterious creatures have been studied. One of the better known is the Altamaha-ha or Altie, which supposedly inhabits Georgia’s Altamaha River and nearby marshes.

Stories of Altie originated with the Muscogee (Creek) tribe prior to the arrival of European settlers. Scottish settlers brought stories of the Loch Ness Monster to Georgia.

Other cryptids (animal whose existence is disputed) are the Mantis Man, Georgia Booger, Beast of Bladenboro, Chupacabra, Florida Skunk Ape, Thunderbird and others. Subjects for future columns? We shall see.

Bob is a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission and Director Emeritus of the Milton Historical Society. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | December 25, 2025 | 19

Sharing holiday thoughts on friends in far places It’s Christmastime, the season of light and love and giving, the time when Christians celebrate the birth of a baby who changed the world. There’s a lot of talk about that STEVE HUDSON baby at this time Columnist of year, for when he grew up he had some things to say that we all might do well to hear.

Everything slows down at Christmas, it seems. Almost magically, we seem to get the gift of time to enjoy those things that make life rich and full and good. Some of those things are big.

But others, though less big, are just as fun — and for me, one of the “funnest of the fun” is the opportunity that Christmas always seems to provide to spend some focused time in the world of ham radio.

Yeah, ham radio — the hobby where you “throw radio waves into the ether” (that’s what hams say when they get poetic about bouncing radiofrequency signals off various layers of the ionosphere) and then talk to other similarly-afflicted hams once the waves come back to earth. As a way to communicate, some say it’s an anachronism. But it’s an anachronism that works for me.

What is it about hamming that so holds my imagination? I’m not sure.

Maybe it’s just the chance to talk oneon-one to folks around the country and around the world.

We need more of that, don’t you think?

I’ve mentioned before that one thing I enjoy about “hamming” these days is something called “Parks on the Air.” It’s a thing where hams all over the country and around the world talk to other hams who are operating in certain designated parks (known as “entities”).

The ones who operate from the entities

are called “activators,” while the ones who try to contact those activators are called “hunters.” I’ve done both, and it’s all a huge amount of fun.

One thing that makes being an activator fun is that it gives me an excuse to track down and visit places I might not otherwise see. I’ve been fortunate to take my little portable radio to parks across the country and in Europe too. Each time I’ve done it, I crossed cultural boundaries and made new friends in far-flung places. It’s fun.

It really is.

One day not long ago, I set out to activate a designated Parks on the Air entity that I’d never activated before — the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

The entire Trail of Tears National Historic Trail is considered to be a park entity for Parks on the Air purposes.

This historic trail reminds one and all of the route followed by Native Americans as they were driven from their ancestral homelands in what is now the southeastern United States to mandated reservations far to the west.

It was an arduous and excruciating journey, by all accounts, and a tragic example of what can happen when the lust for land (and gold) overcomes nobler callings.

As I looked into the official trail route in more detail (and you can have a look yourself by visiting www.nps. gov/places/trail-of-tears-nationalhistoric-trail.htm), I found to my surprise that parts of it were just a stone’s throw from home.

Now that was news. In fact, it turns out that one of the trail’s feeder routes follows (of all things) part of Georgia Highway 20, the very same highway which nowadays seems to be in a perpetual state of construction.

So, I investigated further, and here’s what I found. Starting just a little way north and east of where we live, I learned, a Trail of Tears feeder route follows Georgia 20 westward for a ways — though of course it’s the other way

round, with Georgia 20 following the route of the Trail.

It didn’t take long to pinpoint several spots along the route where I could pull off the highway and do a little Parks on the Air activating. All I needed was the right opportunity, and that came my way just a few days ago.

When I do a Parks on the Air “activation,” I use a little batterypowered radio and a portable antenna that I can set up in minutes.

Sometimes I operate using Morse code.

But other times I use voice. That’s what I decided to do that particular day, for sometimes it’s just nice to hear the voices of the people you meet on the air.

Arriving at my chosen spot, I quickly set up the station and put out a call. Within minutes, I heard the first stations calling me. There was Ian in Wisconsin, followed by Tom in Colorado and Paul in Florida and someone else (Mark, if I remember right?) in Montana.

And then came a call from a more exotic call sign. It had the sound of distance to it, that slightly feathery sound of a radio signal from far, far away, and as I listened I suddenly recognized it as a station in Venezuela!

The ether was smiling on me, it seemed, for there’s nothing like contacting a station in another country to remind you that ham radio really is a hobby without borders.

Hearing that call from far beyond the horizon made this ol’ heart beat a little faster, and I pressed the headphones closer to my ears. The operator on the other end, I soon learned, was named John. His home was in Caracas.

We spoke for a few minutes, and a few minutes more, but then the ether began to do what the ether often does as something changed up there in the ionosphere. The invisible waves that connected us began to waver and shift. The signal began to fade, and in a moment it was over and John was gone.

From where he sat, I knew, I was gone too.

Venezuela, I decided, was a nice note to end on. So I took down the antenna and packed up the radio and turned the car toward home. On the drive back, I reflected on the magic that had drawn me to ham radio in the first place all those years ago — the magic of talking one-to-one to a fellow soul partway around the world, with nothing in between except some friendly atmospherics and a measure of magic that I still find hard to define.

I couldn’t wait to recount the story when I got home.

A little bit later I pulled into the driveway, turned off the car, and went inside to warmth and home. I walked into the living room. The TV was on, and I heard her in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on our supper.

But before I could tell her, the TV caught my attention. I heard the word “Venezuela” and stopped to listen. A talking head was saying something about military stuff, something about naval warships and fighter jets and a tanker seized at sea. I saw video of a boarding party fast-roping from a helicopter. I saw weapons at the ready.

Later, in the days that followed, I heard heated rhetoric. I heard questions about further seizures and arguments attempting justification. I heard declarations of resistance.

I heard words hinting at targeted air assaults and even ground action.

I heard all of that right in the middle of the season of hope and joy and the brotherhood of all.

And I thought about the things that the baby said once he grew up, the things he told us are important.

“Supper is ready,” I heard my wife call.

As I fixed my place, I thought again of John, a fellow ham radio operator and fellow human being in Venezuela.

Happy Christmas, my friend. May we speak again in the new year.

Till then, be well. And take care.

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22 | December 25, 2025 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Full-time Sawnee EMC is seeking a Dispatcher with electric utility experience to dispatch workers for customer service, normal maintenance, or emergency repairs to electric-power transmission and distribution lines. Requires high school diploma or equivalency, minimum of one (1) year working knowledge of radio operation, or equivalent experience, map reading and line design knowledge, problem solving and communication skills by radio, telephone and in person. Must be available for alternate shift assignments and irregular work hours, including evenings and weekends.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, January 2, 2026. Apply online: www.sawnee. coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-8872363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Drug Free Workplace.

Infor (US), LLC has an opening for a Senior Cloud DBA – OpenEdge in Alpharetta, GA. Create and maintain system documentation, diagrams, and runbooks. Manage and administer Progress OpenEdge databases across a fleet of development, QA, and production environments.

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100% telecommuting permitted. How to apply: E-mail resume, referencing IN1070, including job history, to careers@infor.com. EOE.

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Newspaper Delivery Route Openings with Appen Media Group We are looking for one person or couple interested in delivering weekly newspapers in South Forsyth, Alpharetta and the Johns Creek areas.

Requirements: Must have a perfect driving record and background check, reliable transportation, honest, hard-working and positive attitude.

For more information or to apply, email heidi@appenmedia.com and include a paragraph or two about who you are and any relevant background/experience. In the subject line of the email please put “Delivery Route Application.”

24 | December 25, 2025 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON TIP YOUR NEWSPAPER DELIVERY PERSON Your local community newspaper lands in your driveway every week—rain or shine—bringing you the stories, events, and updates that matter most. But did you know that the person delivering it is often a dedicated individual who goes the extra mile (literally) to ensure you stay connected?

Why Tip? • Show Appreciation: Your delivery person is out there early in the morning or late at night, navigating all kinds of weather, so you can enjoy the news with your morning coffee.

• Support Local Efforts: While the paper might be free, the effort behind it isn’t. Tipping helps reward those who keep this vital community service running smoothly.

• Brighten Their Day: A small tip can make a big difference in someone’s day, showing gratitude for their hard work and dedication.

If you enjoy receiving your free community newspaper, consider giving a small token of appreciation to the person who brings it to your driveway. A little kindness can go a long way!

Thank you for supporting your local delivery heroes!

How to give your delivery person a tip:

1 Give via the online portal at appenmedia.com/deliverytip or scan this QR Code 2 If you prefer, you can also mail a check made out to Appen Media Group and mail it to Newspaper Delivery Tip C/O Appen Media Group, 319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009

100% of every dollar you contribute will be spread out evenly between the 24 newspaper delivery people that Appen Media employs. Whether you give $5 or $50, they will greatly appreciate it.