Roswell honors victims of 9/11 terrorist attacks
By AMRITHA ALLADI JOSEPH newsroom@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — A large
U.S flag lay draped from the balcony of Roswell City Hall, as public safety officials stood in front of firetrucks, clasping their hands together in solemn observance.
Community members, city officials and public safety officers gathered on
Thursday, Sept. 11, for the city’s 9/11 memorial to recall the sequence of events that occurred on that tragic day 24 years ago. They also heard city officials deliver messages of the hope, resilience and unity demonstrated by communities across America during times of emergency.
See MEMORIAL, Page 22
Roswell City Councilwoman Sarah Beeson calls upon guests to remember those who died during the events of 9/11 and the heroes who stepped up to help during an emergency.
Council candidates publicize platforms at Alpharetta forum
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The future of North Point Mall loomed large as Alpharetta City Council candidates debated how the struggling area might be redeveloped.
Five candidates debated the mall’s future and other issues at a Sept. 15 political forum hosted by the Alpharetta Business Association in collaboration with the Alpharetta & Old Milton County Historical Society and Appen Media.
About 100 residents filled the council chambers in City Hall. Appen Media Managing Editor Pat Fox moderated the discussion. The forum featured two Post 3 candidates, incumbent Councilman Douglas DeRito and challenger Henry “Tate” Holcombe. Three candidates for the open Post 2 seat — Bart Dean, Donna Shaw Murphy and Katie Reeves also participated in the forum.
See FORUM, Page 22
From left, Post 2 candidates Bart
and Katie Reeves, and Post 3 candidates Councilman Douglas DeRito and Henry “Tate”
on local issues during a political forum
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Dean, Donna Shaw Murphy
Holcombe present their take
at Alpharetta City Hall Sept. 15.
PHOTOS BY: AMRITHA ALLADI JOSEPH/APPEN MEDIA
Roswell public safety officials solemnly observe remarks during the 9/11 memorial ceremony held in front of Roswell City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 11.
Roswell City Councilwoman Lee Hills holds back tears recalling the sequence of events that took place in 9/11. Hills was one of many city leaders who spoke at a Sept. 11 memorial ceremony in front of Roswell City Hall.
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Woman reports losing $500 in fraudulent phone scam
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 58-year-old Alpharetta woman reported she was defrauded of $500 by an alleged phone scammer Sept. 6.
Alpharetta police said she called a phone number Sept. 5 after receiving a text message claiming someone had made fraudulent purchases on her Apple account.
She said she spoke with a man, who conversed in a manner that confused her.
The man allegedly asked her to buy a $500 Apple gift card. She bought the card and provided the man the PIN. The money was removed from the card.
The man advised her she would receive a call from another person, who would review her finances with her. The second caller asked her to purchase another Apple gift card, claiming he discovered fraudulent transactions on her bank account.
The woman said she realized she was being scammed and hung up. The second man attempted to call her back eight times.
The incident was classified as a misdemeanor theft by deception.
— Jon Wilcox
Police detain three men on drug-related charges
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police arrested two Atlanta men in their 30s Sept. 14 after an officer found three men loitering behind the Exxon gas station at Holcomb Bridge and Old Dogwood roads.
When an officer spoke with the group to gather their information, it was discovered one of the three men had been trespassed from the gas station in November 2024.
As one officer tried to detain the 30-year-old, he took off running. One officer said he deployed his Taser, immobilizing the man and placed him in handcuffs.
Officers said they also saw one of the suspects, a 39-year-old Atlanta man, who grabbed the pill bottle and threw it into a bush. The substances in the pill bottle later tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine, police said.
An ambulance arrived to medically clear the man who had been tased.
After receiving a tetanus shot at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, officers said they transported all three suspects to holding cells at headquarters where the men were reportedly able to ingest narcotics hidden in their underwear.
Police said one suspect was transported back to the hospital for clearance again.
Eventually, officers transported all three suspects to Fulton County Jail, but the one who had received medical clearance was denied entry due to his withdrawal symptoms.
Officers charged the 39-year-old Atlanta man with felony possession of Schedule I/II controlled substances, possession of drugrelated objects and loitering. The 30-year-old Atlanta man received the same charges, plus a charge for obstruction of law enforcement for attempting to flee.
There was no information provided by police on the third suspect.
— Hayden Sumlin
Police investigate theft of rental truck at hotel
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A truck was reported stolen from an Alpharetta hotel on North Point Parkway Sept. 6.
Alpharetta police said a 39-yearold Eastpointe, Michigan, woman reported the vehicle missing from the hotel.
felony theft of a motor vehicle. — Jon Wilcox
Roswell apartment couple report hearing gunshots
ROSWELL, Ga. — A Roswell couple reported hearing around 15 gunshots around 11 a.m. Sept. 12 at their apartment off Old Holcomb Bridge Road.
There were no reports of any injuries or gunshot victims.
Officers said he and five other sworn personnel arrived and spoke with the reporting party, a 33-yearold Roswell woman.
Officers said she told them she was listening to music inside her apartment when she heard five consecutive gunshots.
The woman said her husband was outside and heard around 15 shots fired. She said she saw a group of five or six males behind the apartment building firing bullets into the wood line.
The weapon used was not specified in the report.
While she was unable to identify any individual suspect, she told officers that they got into white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and drove away.
After conducting a premises check, police found no casings or suspects.
The suspects remain unidentified.
— Hayden Sumlin
Store detains suspect for attempted fraud
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police arrested a 20-year-old Fairburn man for theft by deception Sept. 2 after he allegedly tried fraudulently returning merchandise to the Target off Perimeter Center Place.
An officer said he met with the store’s loss prevention team, which had already detained a suspect.
That suspect’s information is omitted from the report after he was denied entry into Fulton County Jail for medical reasons and returned to the gas station.
After receiving consent to search one of the suspect’s bags, officers said they found plastic straws and white powder residue, commonly used to consume narcotics.
A 30-year-old Atlanta man was found in possession of a clear pill bottle with clear baggies inside.
The woman said she returned to the hotel with the truck about 3 a.m. after a trip to Atlanta. She discovered the vehicle was missing around 6 p.m. The vehicle was a rental.
She was still in possession of the key and thought it was locked.
Officers contacted the owner, who digitally tracked the vehicle to Texas – a distance of nearly 800 miles.
Officers questioned the time the theft was reported, noting the distance driven.
The incident was classified as a
After reviewing security footage, the officer said the suspect entered the store, began selecting merchandise from shelves and then attempted to return the items for a refund.
Later, the officer said the suspect had purchased identical items earlier in the day from a Target off DeKalb Avenue in Edgewood and then attempted the return in Dunwoody.
Officers said they secured a warrant for theft by deception and transported the man to DeKalb County Jail.
According to jail records, he was released Sept. 2.
— Hayden Sumlin
Resident queries City Council about reducing Roswell taxes
By AMRITHA ALLADI JOSEPH newsroom@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. – One Roswell resident is requesting city officials consider a rollback millage rate instead of the 4.949 mills city officials have proposed.
At a special meeting to hear public comment on Sept. 15, Mayor Kurt Wilson agreed with resident Daryl O’Hare that while the proposed millage rate is the same as it was last year, the tax amount owed by residents would not be the same due to the increase in Roswell property values.
Local governments set millage rates on property to generate tax revenue. A rate of 1 mill represents a dollar in taxes for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. By law, assessed value is 40 percent of a property’s real – or market – value.
Roswell’s proposed rate is made up of two components: 4.049 for the city’s maintenance and operations portion and .900 for debt payments.
“Even though we have not increased the millage rate, we are actually going to receive much more in that fund source,” O’Hare said.
“You’re exactly right,” Wilson responded. “There is definitely a
AMRITHA ALLADI JOSEPH/APPEN MEDIA
Roswell resident Daryl O’Hare requests the city roll back the millage rate this year to keep effective property taxes steady for residents. O’Hare was speaking at a public hearing about the proposed millage rate at Roswell City Hall Sept. 15.
difference between the rollback rate and keeping the same millage rate, or property tax rate. In effect, the proposal … is to keep the millage rate the same, but it is not the same effective tax dollars that you pay.”
Taxes collected by the city account for 15 percent of a Roswell resident’s tax
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bill. Fulton County Schools receives 54 percent, and 31 percent goes to Fulton County Government.
Roswell Chief Financial Officer Bill Godshall said that at the proposed millage rate of 4.949 mills, a home with a fair market value of $550,000 and assessed tax value of $220,000 would
result in property taxes of $1,089. That does not include discounts for homestead exemptions, for which owner-occupied residences can apply.
Godshall said that a rollback rate of 4.658 mills would keep tax bills roughly the same for homeowners as 2024. The rollback rate is calculated to produce the same amount of tax revenue as the prior year.
As a result, by maintaining the rate at 4.949 mills, the average Roswell homeowner will pay about $69 more in city property taxes this year.
O’Hare was the only member of the public to comment at the hearing.
Mayor Wilson said the city has reduced the millage rate the past two years.
“We ultimately would wish to eliminate the residential property tax for City of Roswell residents,” he said. “It is our plan to not only reduce residential property tax but ultimately to eliminate it.”
Council member Allen Sells said the city is working to promote more economic development to create other sources of revenue for the city.
The city will hold its third and final public hearing on the millage rate Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at Roswell City Hall.
Milton continues gridiron dominance of Alpharetta
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga — The Milton Eagles defeated Alpharetta 31-6 at Alpharetta High School Aug. 29.
The teams have a long-standing rivalry in North Fulton, with the Eagles taking the last 10 matchups.
Outside linebacker and team captain Tristan Lester posted his second career touchdown scooping up a fumbled punt in Alpharetta’s first drive. Lester’s first touchdown was Aug. 22 off a blocked punt.
“You gotta change the game on special teams, too,” Lester said. “We chased after it today. Our defensive identity is, we’re hungry. We’re all pursuing to the ball trying to force a turnover.”
Lester was everywhere against the Raiders, logging the only defensive touchdown, seven solo tackles and two sacks for three tackles for a loss of 17 yards.
Tristan’s older brother TJ graduated from Milton in May, his No. 21 retired this season for the Lester family and their father Tim who passed away to COVID-19 complications in 2021.
Seniors Lawson Estes and Jordin
Al Ray III, MD
Urologic Surgery
Williams tied Tristan to lead the Eagles in solo tackles with seven. Milton football tends to be a family affair as junior Roman Tumminia continued his older brother Hayden’s streak with two sacks and five solo tackles on Alpharetta.
Senior Bentley Hickman and junior Sheldon Atchinson make up Milton’s backfield, which has taken on more offensive load than normal with starting quarterback Derrick Baker out with
tendon and ligament damage in his throwing wrist.
Both Hickman and Atchinson made it to the end zone against the Raiders. Hickman, who transferred from Homestead High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, scored in both of the Eagles’ last two games. Atchinson leads the team in rushing, posting 128 yards on 16 carries versus Alpharetta.
Freshman Trey Hasan has stepped
Wellstar Urologist Al Ray III, MD is now seeing patients in Roswell and Alpharetta.
Currently seeing patients in person and telehealth (remotely).
Dr. Al Ray III is a Urologist with Wellstar focusing his practice on general urologic conditions. He is offering a minimally invasive procedure called holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HOLEP) to treat men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Dr. Ray also sees patients for:
• Kidney stones
• Elevated PSA
• Vasectomy
• Hematuria
• Erectile dysfunction
• Scrotal Surgery
Find Dr. Al Ray III at these locations:
2500 Hospital Blvd, Suite 290 Roswell, GA 30076
470-956-4230
Circumcision • Urinary symptoms
2450 Old Milton Parkway, Suite 204 Alpharetta, GA 30009 470-267-0420
Online: https://www.wellstar.org/physicians/al-ray-md
up in Baker’s absence. In the last two games since Baker’s injury against Buford, Hasan became the first freshman quarterback in Milton history to start and win a game.
Hasan threw 8-14 for 81 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Eagles’ offensive line has also stepped up to protect their freshman quarterback, allowing just one sack from the Raiders.
Wide receiver Jordan Carrasquillo notched a 16-yard receiving touchdown in the third quarter and received a four-star rating this week by Inside Lacrosse, ranked the No. 86 player in the class of 2027.
Carrasquillo has amassed five Power 5 offers for football, including Kentucky and Indiana, but recruitment for lacrosse was restricted until Sept. 1 for his class.
Notre Dame is a program to watch for Carrasquillo as the Irish previously recruited Milton alum Fisher Finley. Carrasquillo said that ever since he started playing both lacrosse and football in kindergarten, he knew he wanted to pursue being a two-sport athlete at the next level.
See GRIDIRON, Page 10
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Milton outside linebacker Tristan Lester (No. 12) takes down Alpharetta quarterback Matthew Schletty at Alpharetta High School Aug. 29. Lester logged two sacks, a scoop-and-score touchdown and seven solo tackles in the Eagles’ 31-6 win.
Seasoned exec to open luxury real estate firm
NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. —
A former president of the Atlanta Realtors Association, Bill Rawlings, is launching the metro area’s newest luxury real estate firm, Peachtree Town & Country.
The boutique brokerage is set to launch this fall with two flagship market centers, one in the heart of Buckhead and another in the North Fulton city of Alpharetta. The firm’s goal is to set a new standard for how high-net-worth clients experience buying and selling residential property. Founder and CEO Rawlings is one of Atlanta’s most respected real estate executives, serving in leadership roles with Harry Norman Realtors, Jenny Pruitt & Associates and Sotheby’s International Realty.
“Atlanta deserves a new standard in real estate,” Rawlings said. “At Peachtree Town & Country, we’re building a culture of excellence that empowers our advisors and delivers a world-class experience for every client.”
Peachtree Town & Country is backed by an esteemed group of local investors, including Brian Brasher, an Atlanta entrepreneur and co-founder of the multi-platinum band Creed and Pitch Hammer Music. Horst Schulze, legendary cofounder and former president and chief operating officer of The RitzCarlton Hotel Company, will serve as Cultural Advisor, bringing his worldrenowned service philosophy to guide the company’s culture and client experience.
“Excellence in real estate, like in hospitality, begins with service,” Schulze said. “At Peachtree Town & Country, we will bring the same
standards that defined The RitzCarlton, ensuring every client experience is extraordinary.”
With over 25 years in Atlanta’s luxury real estate sector, Rawlings has overseen billions in residential sales, developed many of the city’s top-producing agents, and held senior leadership roles at multiple prestigious national brands.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society named him one of its National All-Star Visionary of the Year, and he continues to champion philanthropic causes.
Rawlings credits much of his inspiration to his late mentor and close friend, the late Jenny Pruitt, a legend in Atlanta real estate.
“Jenny’s wisdom shaped my career for more than 20 years,” Rawlings said. “Her legacy of integrity and generosity is at the core of what we’re building.”
Joining the leadership team is Chief Brand & Creative Officer Erica Jackson Weingart, with more than a decade of luxury real estate branding experience across North America.
“Our brand must be as distinctive as the properties we represent,” said Weingart. “I see my role as a true partner to our advisors, equipping them with cutting-edge creative resources and reimagining how they connect with clients through design, storytelling, and innovation.”
Peachtree Town & Country is now inviting confidential conversations with top-producing agent to become founding advisors, offering them an opportunity to help shape the company from the ground up.
— Hayden Sumlin
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Troche to head Roswell Fire
ROSWELL, Ga. —
Pabel Troche will serve as chief of the Roswell Fire Department, after appointment from the city.
Troche has served as the interim chief since early 2025 and brings more than two decades of service and innovation to the department.
“Chief Troche is a proven leader whose career reflects a deep dedication to Roswell,” Mayor Kurt Wilson said. “What truly sets him apart is how he leads with both his heart and strategy.”
Throughout his career, Troche has served in Roswell as an EMS director, battalion chief, deputy chief and interim fire chief. In his previous role, he managed a $17 million budget and led a department of more than 150 employees.
“I am honored and humbled to step into the role of fire chief for the City of Roswell,” Troche said. “Serving this community and the dedicated members of the Roswell Fire Department is a privilege I do not take lightly.”
The Roswell Fire Department operates seven fire stations, a fire headquarters and the RoswellAlpharetta Public Safety Training Center.
— Sarah Coyne
PEACHTREE TOWN & COUNTRY/PROVIDED
Bill Rawlings is the founder and CEO of the new luxury real estate firm Peachtree Town & Country, with hubs in Atlanta’s Buckhead and Alpharetta.
TROCHE
© Peachtree Town and Country. 404.210.8396. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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Dunwoody Barber Shop sustains small-town feel
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Longtime Dunwoody residents know Ernie “the Barber” Smith but have not been able to get a haircut from the local legend since he experienced health problems last May.
After 40 years of service in Dunwoody, residents only call Smith by his first name. Not too long ago, almost everyone in the city knew Ernie.
The barber shop is on the first floor of the Dunwoody Professional Building at 5064 Nandina Lane next to the Shops of Dunwoody and the Village.
Former City Councilman Terry Nall, an active community member who routinely answers his neighbors’ questions on the Dunwoody Area Community Forum, said Ernie has had some serious health issues some 18 months ago.
“He is known to most people as just Ernie. I doubt many even know his last name,” Nall wrote. “Ernie’s fame by just his first name is similar to Nell, the owner and operator of Nell's Produce Market in Dunwoody and [Johns Creek].”
Sadly, the Proctor family announced Nell’s passing Aug. 29.
Nall said he last heard from Ernie this summer. The community cornerstone lives north of the city in Gwinnett County.
Amid health challenges, Smith sold Ernie’s Barber Shop last May to his right-hand man and fellow hairdresser Kevin Lam, who renamed it the Dunwoody Barber Shop.
The 17-year-old city has changed dramatically since incorporation, but it still has community cornerstones like the Dunwoody Barber Shop.
See BARBER, Page 9
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
From left, James and Mike Palumbo get a haircut from Kevin Lam, the new owner of the Dunwoody Barber Shop, after community legend Ernie “the Barber” Smith sold it amid health challenges last year. Lam said he needs the Dunwoody community’s support to keep the barber shop afloat.
Barber:
Continued from Page 8
Fewer people are out and about in the community, but that trend is changing after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nandina Lane, which connects Chamblee Dunwoody Road to Mount Vernon at the Village, is now a onestreet, causing more traffic congestion at the intersection. The city converted it last year to improve roadway safety and walkability, but traffic congestion remains an issue.
Dunwoody resident Mike Palumbo, who moved to Dunwoody from Gwinnett County just after the city incorporated in 2008, said he remembers seeing members of the Dunwoody City Council and the Crier’s founder Dick Williams talking about local news, community rumors and Atlanta sports with a room packed full of neighbors and friends.
“When I go in … [Lam] says that business is slow, and people are still wondering what happened to Ernie,” Palumbo said. “Due to the language barrier, he thinks people don’t fully understand what happened and that he was friends with Ernie and worked for him.”
Lam, a Woodstock resident, speaks and understands English, but it is not his native tongue. The Vietnamese entrepreneur fled political persecution and hardship via boat in 1980 following the end of American involvement in the war in 1975. Lam said it wasn’t too tough after his boat made it to a refugee camp in Indonesia.
“I’ve been cutting hair for more than 35 years,” he said. “I went to an old barber school.”
Lam told Appen Media he first started working with Ernie in 2013 after cutting hair up Ga. 400 in Cumming. He said Ernie was having a very hard time before he sold to him
last May.
Lam said he wanted the community to know that Ernie’s Barber Shop is still open. With a new name and owner, he said he enjoys running a one-man operation.
With more support from the community, Lam said he could hire someone to help.
Palumbo said he has been a patron since moving to the city, and his 14-year-old son James got his first haircut from Ernie as a baby.
In early September, Appen Media met with the father-and-son duo at the barber shop for a routine cut.
“I started coming here because I’m from New York, so I like old school,” Palumbo said, letting his northern accent show a little. “I like the barber shop; I don’t like the Supercuts thing.”
James, an eighth grader at Peachtree Charter Middle School, said he gets good reviews from schoolmates after a fresh haircut.
More than a decade ago, the Dunwoody Crier’s office sat above the Barber Shop, serving as a central location near the Dunwoody Village for community members to hang out, get to know one another and enjoy each other’s company.
“Back when it was Ernie working here, all the city officials were coming,” Palumbo said, smiling as he recounted the shop’s former glory. “This was like the place you could find out a lot of that stuff going on in the community. There was a lot of people who came here … everybody knew Ernie.”
There aren’t many barber shops left in Dunwoody, and many residents cross the county line into Sandy Springs for a haircut.
“There are no real barbershops around anymore, and we would hate to lose this one in the heart of our community where my kids received their first haircuts as small children many years ago by Ernie,” Palumbo said. “We all would love to thank Ernie for the many years of service!”
Troop 51 Paint Recycling Fundraiser
Saturday September 27th from 9am-1pm
WHERE: American Legion Post 201 201 Wills Road Alpharetta, GA
COST: $5 per gallon of latex/oil paint
ITEMS ACCEPTED: All latex and oil based paints regardless of size including 5-gallon, 1-gallon, quart, pint, and spray cans.
Help support Boy Scout Troop 51 by bringing your leftover cans of latex and oil-based paints to be properly disposed of or re-used. This paint will be filtered and turned into quality, re-usable paint product and then donated back to non-profit groups in our community like Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Armies, and Boys & Girls Clubs
PRICING:
• Spray Can - $2
• Pint - $2
• Quart - $2
• Gallon - $5
• 5 Gallon - $25
Dr. Lauren (Lexie) Snellings is a comprehensive Ophthalmologist and eye surgeon who trained at Emory University Hospital and is accepting new patients at both our Cumming and Roswell locations. Dr. Snellings treats chronic eye diseases as well as acute eye complaints and performs cataract surgery.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
The Dunwoody Barber Shop, a four-chair traditional salon within in the Nandina Lane business park, is under the new ownership of Woodstock resident Kevin Lam.
Gridiron:
Continued from Page 4
“It’s always been a dream of mine,” he said. On the game against Alpharetta and his freshman quarterback, “[Hasan] has been balling out. We played as a team, and our defense put the pressure on.”
After matching up against two nationally ranked opponents in Buford and The First Academy, Milton coach Ben Reaves said he was pleased with the Eagles not letting up on rigorous play while facing the Raiders. Reaves celebrated his 40th career win against Alpharetta.
“We don’t care about how we win, we just want to win,” he said. “We want to use special teams as a weapon to steal some possessions and points. Our starters are really buying into it, and they’re truly affecting winning games because of it.”
Reaves also highlighted special teams coach Vinny Sylvestri, who has contributed 18 points over the Eagles’ last two games.
Alpharetta hired a new head coach this spring, hoping to revitalize their program that
went 1-9 last season. Brian Landis was the head coach at Frederick Douglass High School before coaching at Georgia State University and most recently West Georgia University. Landis played football for Georgetown and won an NAIA championship in 2000.
The Raiders struggled against a tough defensive line, allowing five sacks on quarterback Matthew Schletty. Schletty threw 7-17 for 121 yards, one touchdown and one interception, adding 66 yards rushing.
Senior Thomas Byrd caught the Raiders’ only touchdown for 68 yards. Alpharetta then attempted to go for a 2-point conversion which was fumbled.
Byrd led the team in receiving yards with 71. Tight end AJ Watson muscled through to several first downs, notching 25 yards.
The Raiders’ defense was headlined by senior linebacker Duke Condie, junior Kylyn Fletcher who had an interception in the first quarter, and sophomore defensive/running back Brayden Henderson.
Alpharetta will face Cedar Grove on Sept. 5. Milton has a bye next week, then faces Blessed Trinity on Sept. 12.
Kapil Pareek, MD
Urological Surgery
Endourology
Wellstar Urologist Kapil Pareek, MD is now seeing patients in Roswell and Alpharetta.
Currently seeing patients in person and telehealth (remotely).
Dr. Pareek is board certified in Urology and a member of the American Urological Association. He has been practicing as a Urologist for the past 20 years. He sees adult patients with all the common urologic conditions including:
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• Kidney stone
• Urinary incontinence (both men and women)
Find Dr. Dr. Pareek at these locations:
2500 Hospital Blvd, Suite 290
Roswell, GA 30076
470-956-4230
• Urologic malignancies
• Elevated PSA
2450 Old Milton Parkway, Suite 204 Alpharetta, GA 30009
470-267-0420
Online: https://www.wellstar.org/physicians/kapil-pareek-md
JSM PRODUCTIONS/PROVIDED
Milton wide receiver Jordan Carrasquillo makes a break for the end zone at Alpharetta High School Aug. 29. Carrasquillo had two receptions for a touchdown against the Raiders, his first game after being rated a four-star lacrosse player and ranked as No. 86 in the class of 2027.
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Tune-Up Projects
Kitchen Tune-Up
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New Countertops, Sink & Faucet
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Cut Down 2-level Island
Bathroom Tune-Up
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Full Remodel Projects
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Centennial outpaces Hooch in gridiron matchup
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga — Centennial’s Knights defeated Chattahoochee High School 32-16 Sept. 12.
The game flow suffered from 26 penalty flags thrown. One player was ejected as emotions boiled over at points on both sidelines.
Centennial scored first, with a 32-yard receiving touchdown by sophomore Kendall Bodwell. Chattahoochee fired back within nearly a minute with an 85-yard touchdown reception by junior Chris Reyes. The extra point was no good, leaving Hooch down by 1.
The Cougars didn’t make it to the end zone again until halfway through the fourth quarter.
Knights head coach Adam Miller said a 4-1 record has done a lot for his young team’s confidence.
“Our biggest thing is continuing to try to build our guys as young men first and foremost,” he said. “Our boys played hard, they met the challenge and came out with a win. That’s the most important thing.”
Knights running back/safety Kamron Hudson credited his offensive line in the win.
“The team has really bought in and built onto the foundation,” he said. “We fought hard tonight.”
Hudson made it to the end zone in the beginning of the second quarter and grabbed the Knights’ only interception of the first half.
Senior Emory Smith and sophomore Junior Howard logged the other two picks for Centennial, both in the third quarter. The Knights’ defense stifled the Cougars in that period as Chattahoochee tried to gather momentum trailing by two scores.
Junior Atticus Cordes was a force for the defense, active in stopping the Cougars’ drive both inside and outside.
Centennial’s defense was solid down the stretch, even including one touchdown by middle linebacker Brayden Roberson following a blocked punt.
Unforced incompletions were the story of the night for the Cougars. Chattahoochee fans found themselves imagining how differently the game may have turned out without five incompletes
Chattahoochee cornerback Bryce Henry (No. 5) closes in on Centennial’s AJ Hatton in the backfield at Centennial High School Sept. 12. After an injury to the Knights’ starting quarterback, Hatton led Centennial to a 32-16 win over the Cougars.
behind the line of scrimmage by senior captain Justin Wilson.
The Cougars struggled even without a defender within 2 yards at times.
The senior class in outside linebacker Laolu Oguntola and middle linebacker Hyatt Cox led the defense with multiple key tackles.
Junior Bryce Henry was a bright spot for
the Cougars, starting at quarterback despite his background as a running back. Playing special teams, offense and defense, Henry forms a pillar of the Cougars program. He scored Chattahoochee’s final touchdown.
Centennial will have a bye next week, facing Chapel Hill High on Sept. 26. Chattahoochee takes on the Milton Eagles Sept. 19.
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
EAGLES 21, TITANS 10
Milton mounts surge against Blessed Trinity
MILTON, Ga — The Milton Eagles came back from a 10-7 deficit at halftime to defeat Blessed Trinity 2110 Sept. 12 at Milton High School.
Milton’s home opener didn’t exactly go according to plan in the first half, but the Eagles defense stepped up after the first quarter to shut out the Titans over the final three periods.
Milton was stifled in its first two possessions, compiling a total of 14 yards. Its offense lost 13 yards on its third possession.
The Eagles struggled to keep the Titans out of the red zone at the end of the first quarter.
Both teams struggled to find their footing initially, with two straight possessions ended by interceptions. Titans safety Will Chastain grabbed the first pick.
Eagles sophomore cornerback Keelan Wonsley responded with one of his own. Wonsley leads Milton in interceptions this season with three, including the Eagles’ only pick against Buford.
Milton began to turn things around in the second quarter, with fewer penalties and a change at quarterback. A 71-yard touchdown from Ben Halevi to Jordan Carrasquillo marked the beginning of the comeback.
Carrasquillo made it to the end zone for a second time in the third quarter. He leads the Eagles in touchdowns with five.
The Eagles’ last touchdown came in the fourth quarter after safety Lawson Estes blocked a Titans punt, and linebacker Billy Weivoda scooped up the ball to return for six points.
Weivoda recorded three blocked punts last season and continues to impress on defense and special
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teams. In the Eagles’ second game of the season, he blocked a punt that led to a touchdown by Tristan Lester.
Weivoda leads the team in quarterback hurries with 10 in four games.
The Titans scored all 10 of their points in the first quarter and struggled after the Eagles’ defensive crackdown, with only six first downs in the last three periods.
Blessed Trinity had just over 100 yards each in rushing and passing offense. The Titans’ defense, however, held the Eagles to below their average points per game and rushing yardage per game.
The top edge in the junior class, DJ Jacobs, tallied nine total tackles.
Jacobs is 247 Sports’ No.3 player in the class of 2027 and has upward of 15 offers, including nearly the entire SEC and Big 10.
Blessed Trinity sophomore Quinn Jacobs had two solo tackles and one of the Titans’ two sacks on Halevi. Jacobs’ older brother Brayden, who is currently playing at Clemson, graduated from Milton in May. Quinn also has numerous offers to play in college.
The Titans were set to face off against Hebron Christian Sept. 19, while Milton begins region play against Chattahoochee.
– Annabelle Reiter
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Gladiators sweep Cougars in battle of Johns Creek
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga — The Johns Creek volleyball team took the long trek down State Bridge Road to Chattahoochee High School Sept. 4 and left with a sweep of the Cougars 3-0.
Johns Creek head coach Ally Hall said the Gladiators have “some fire and some fight,” that the high standards the team set for themselves at the beginning of the season have brought them closer to their goals.
“We did the little things right,” she said. “We kept our errors to a minimum. We were pressing from the shoulders when blocking and we were serving tough, all-around I’m happy with our play.”
Outside hitter Hana Catic and middle hitter Sara Buoni logged nine kills apiece, leading the team.
Setter Adonia Haile posted 30 assists, eight digs and three kills, including backto-back in the first set. Haile’s 15 serves scored her team 9 points.
Middle hitter Emerson Jarboe is fifth in Region 7 of Class 5A in total blocks. She notched one block assist and five kills against the Cougars.
Chattahoochee scored the first two points of the first set, but Johns Creek
found their stride quickly. After the score was tied at three points, the Cougars never regained the lead that night. Johns Creek dominated the first set 25-12.
Chattahoochee’s defense improved as the night went on, the crowd erupting when the Cougars got a tough dig.
Junior Elise Martinez was active in the front and back row with four kills, 10 digs and 17 serve receives.
Freshman Madi Rowe showed promise in the program’s future with four kills, two digs and a block assist.
Senior Charlotte Laskos has the tenth-highest number of serving aces in Region 7 of 5A this season. In the second set, Laskos was on rotation to serve after a set-point steal by Martinez.
Laskos locked in to serve an ace after another Martinez kill. Laskos’ serving would prompt a six-point run by the Cougars to close the final deficit to 2513.
Backs against the wall, the Cougars competed hard down the stretch of the third set. Defense was sharp, with several Johns Creek spikes that would have earlier reached the ground being returned to the Gladiators.
However, miscommunications and service errors at times plagued the Cougars, falling to a 3-0 sweep with a final score of 25-13 again for the third set.
Milton youth pitcher checks all the boxes for national tourney
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga — Milton fourth grader Beau Hayslip is a pitcher and second baseman preparing for the national stage. Team Georgia will compete Nov. 7-9 in Houston, Texas, at the PG National Championship.
Playing for coach Colby Crane and the TB Blue Sox in Woodstock, Hayslip won two tournament MVP awards for his age group this summer, the Shipyard World Series in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Ripkin Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Hayslip was invited as a guest player for the nationally ranked MVP Hustle out of Los Angeles for the PG National Invitational Championship in Snowden Park Grove, Mississippi.
The MVP Hustle placed third in the tournament with an all-tournament team nomination for Hayslip after going 11-14 batting with 11 RBIs and pitching four strikeouts with no runs in four innings.
Hayslip continued to elevate his play as the summer progressed, concluding with the All-State Games at East Cobb which would decide the roster for the PG National Championship in Houston Nov. 7-9.
Thirteen teams competed for 13 roster spots on Team Georgia. Hayslip told Appen Media he
was a little nervous for the high stakes, but his performance showed no signs of it.
Hayslip pitched four innings with six strikeouts, no walks and one run. He batted 5-9 and scored four times, impressing the evaluators enough to secure a spot on Team Georgia.
Hayslip started baseball at Bell Memorial Park at age 3, playing for Hopewell Baseball. At 5, he played for the Hopewell Mustangs 6U.
At 6, Hayslip made the East Cobb Astros 8U team, where he played before joining the TB Blue Sox.
Dad Ryan Hayslip says Beau was a natural from the beginning. It was always clear that he should be playing up.
“That’s what really struck me when he was so young, that it just came so naturally to him,” Ryan said. “One day when he was 2, we couldn’t find his Fisher Price tee, so we just started throwing underhand to him and he was hitting them. His hand-eye coordination was very strong at a young age, so we had to get him out to Hopewell where we heard they had a great program and how they coach the kids.”
Beau says he wears number 5 as tribute to Freddie Freeman, one of his all-time favorite Braves players. He said he is excited for the upcoming national championship in November and hopes to repeat his inside-the-park home run that won him the Ripkin Experience MVP Award.
RYAN HAYSLIP/PROVIDED Milton fourth-grader Beau Hayslip winds up for the pitch at the 10U Ripkin Experience tournament in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
The Johns Creek volleyball team celebrates after a kill by junior Sara Buoni (No. 11) at Chattahoochee High School Sept. 4. The Gladiators swept the Cougars 3-0.
Northern Ridge District welcomes August Eagle Scouts
ALPHARETTA, Ga.— The Northern Ridge Boy Scout District (cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton) is proud to announce its newest Eagle Scouts, who completed their Eagle Board of Review August 28 at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.
Top row, from left:
Karthik Kandimalla, of Troop 1459, sponsored by St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church. His project was the design and construction of four benches and two speaker stands for the Chinmaya Mission.
Jay Gunnar Slocum, of Troop 143, sponsored by Greenleaf Capital Partners. Gunnar’s project was the design and construction of six benches and one table at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center.
Andrew Garcia, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta First United Methodist Church. Andrew’s project was the design and construction of six wooden benches and the cleanup around the tennis facilities at Alpharetta High School.
Jack Ryan McGuigan, of Troop 87, sponsored by Roswell Presbyterian
Church. Jack’s project was the design and construction of a Little Library reading area at Boling Park. Jack cleared an area, built and installed a bench and a little library, as well as landscaped the area. Jack also held a book drive and collected 60 books to keep the library stocked.
Duncan Siddall, of Troop 629, sponsored by Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church. Duncan’s project was the design and construction of a bike trail with culverts and drainage ditches at Big Creek Park.
Middle row, from left:
James Henry Southern, of Troop 143, sponsored by Greenleaf Capital Partners. James’ project was the design and construction of two sitting areas at Cauley Creek Park. Each sitting area was a landscaped square with a wooden bench.
Ryan Joseph, of Troop 10, sponsored by St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. Ryan’s project was the design and construction of a rainwater irrigation system, including drip hoses, for the flower beds at Alpharetta International Academy.
Vaideesh Kudumuri, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. Vaideesh’s project was the design and construction of a large fence around the greenhouse area of Chattahoochee High School, protecting the outdoor gardens. Vaideesh also built an arbor to serve as a decorative entrance way.
Shane Blaiss, of Troop 1818, sponsored by North Metro office of the Marcus Jewish Community Center. Shane’s project was the design and construction of four picnic tables for the Chabad North Fulton.
Suraj Gunna, of Troop 143, sponsored by Greenleaf Capital Partners, whose project was the design and construction of two picnic tables and the refurbishment of two others at the North America Shirdi Sai Temple of Atlanta.
Bottom row, from left:
Noor Ahmed, of Troop 12G, sponsored by the Muslim American Society Youth Center. Noor’s project was the design and construction of four raised brick garden beds for the community garden at Masjid Al-
Momineen.
Maryam Ahmed, of Troop 12G, sponsored by the Muslim American Society Youth Center. Maryam’s project was the collection and distribution of 50 food boxes for Ethaar, an organization that helps refugees in Clarkston. Each food box contained beans, flour, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, rice, pasta, oatmeal, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, chips, garlic powder and cereal.
Zeina Kader, of Troop 12G, sponsored by the Muslim American Society Youth Center. Zeina’s project was the design and construction of an outdoor greenhouse for Summerour Middle School.
Janna Kader, of Troop 12G, sponsored by the Muslim American Society Youth Center. Janna’s project was the design and construction of an outdoor cabinet for the outdoor classroom at building an outdoor cabinet for Summerour Middle School.
Anhar Kader, of Troop 12G, sponsored by the Muslim American Society Youth Center. Anhar’s project was the design and construction of two wheelchair accessible garden beds for Summerour Middle School.
Newly-awarded Eagle Scouts stand at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.
BINGO – 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28
Jackpot - $1,000
Future Games: 2nd & 4th Sunday Each Month
ALPHA JAZZ is Back - Friday, Sept. 19
Dance the Night Away to Big Band Favorites
Open Dance – 8 p.m.to 10:30 p.m. Lessons – 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $12 per
Troop 51 Paint Recycle Fundraiser – Saturday, Sept.
Collection
Nonprofit celebrates 10th anniversary
MILTON, Ga. — Unique Individual Ranch will celebrate its 10th anniversary Oct. 11.
The nonprofit provides affordable after-school camps and sports experiences to underserved community members with special needs.
The anniversary celebration cocktail party will feature an auction at The Mill Kitchen & Bar at 7 p.m. Guests are asked to wear cocktail attire.
Tickets are $120.
To learn more, visit uiranch.org.
— Sarah Coyne
Milton ceremony pays tribute to 9/11 horrors, heroes
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga — Milton first responders, students and community members gathered at Milton High School Sept. 11 for a ceremony honoring the victims and survivors of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
This is the 18th year the ceremony has been held.
Each year, four students deliver a speech about one of the 2,977 victims of the Sept. 11 attacks and add four pictures to their corresponding alphabetically sorted flag on the front lawn of the school.
This year, keynote speaker and Alpharetta resident Beth Zampieri told about her third day at a new job on the 51st floor of the first tower and overcoming the trauma. Zampieri told her story of pushing her experience down after moving to Georgia, accustomed to the anniversary in New York where everyone knew someone personally affected.
She said honoring her past has become her tradition, along with paying respects to both the first responder victims of the attack alongside current first responders in the community.
Zampieri detailed how she struggled when others would try to comfort her by saying she “was saved for a reason,” knowing her husband’s cousin, who also worked in the Twin
Towers, wasn’t afforded that same fate.
Robert “Robby” Zampieri was at work on the 92nd floor when the second plane crashed into the building. Like everyone else above the impact point, he did not make it out.
Beth Zampieri challenged the
audience to, “find a first responder in the community, look them in the eye, shake their hand and say, ‘thank you for all you do for the community.’”
High school seniors Amelia Wilkes, Keller Kazmi, Laurel Elliott and Derek Tilli took turns giving a synopsis of the life of one of the 2,977 victims.
Those profiled included Christopher Gray, a University of West Virginia quarterback engaged to be married in May of 2002; then Valerie Ellis, a no-nonsense Maryland native who was one of the first female partners in her employer’s equity division; and finally Boston College lacrosse alumni Welles Crowther, popularly known as “the man in the red bandana,” a 24-yearold at work on the 104th floor who rescued at least 18 people as an offduty volunteer firefighter.
Student organizers Jack Mikels and Will Chambers took on the responsibility from last year’s organizers and plan to keep the tradition going in coming years.
Chambers said the ceremony is important to keep students who weren’t alive at the time connected to the attacks.
“I just think it’s important to never forget,” he said. “This tradition should be passed along to future generations, and it should never be forgotten because it’s so important to remember the lives that were lost that day.”
Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison also gave remarks thanking the first responders present and sharing his pride in Milton’s ceremony reaching “far beyond the city.”
“It mattered then and it matters now,” Jamison said. “Remember that when terrorists sought to divide us, they instead brought us together in strength, resilience and resolve.”
PHOTOS BY ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Milton students hold photographs of 9/11 victims at Milton High School Sept. 11. Added to the growing group of memorial pictures this year were Robert Zampieri, Christopher Gray, Valerie Ellis and Welles Crowther.
Members of the Milton Fire Department gather to honor first responders in Milton’s 9/11 ceremony at Milton High School Sept. 11.
Touch-a-Truck draws hundreds to learn how big jobs get done
By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — Community members
flocked to Milton’s annual Touch-aTruck Sept. 6. at Stonecreek Church.
The event offered fun and education, allowing the younger members of the community to learn about trucks associated with the city’s police or fire department. SWAT team trucks, heavy duty equipment and large vehicles were on display, too.
The Milton First Responders Foundation put their truck on display to educate community members about their work. The nonprofit is a volunteer group
that provides support to the police and fire department and their families.
“We thought it would be good visibility for people to see you can volunteer,” Suan Mueller said.
Hundreds of visitors also enjoyed food trucks, live music and inflatables.
The Milton Police Department Cadet Program displayed its love for the city at the show. Valor Christian Academy senior and captain of the group Avery LeBlanc said that her favorite part of the event is getting to see the community.
“I’ve gotten to meet a lot of new people and talk about why we love the program,” LeBlanc said.
PHOTOS BY: SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
Members of the Milton Police Department Cadet Program meet visitors at Milton’s annual Touch-a-Truck Sept. 6. at Stonecreek Church.
From left, Max, Peter and Billy enjoy the fire engine at Milton’s annual Touch-aTruck Sept. 6. at Stonecreek Church
Forum:
Continued from Page 1
About a half dozen questions covered topics ranging from public safety to workforce housing to traffic improvements.
Kirk Driskell, who is running unopposed for Post 1, introduced himself to the assembly with an outline of his platform at the start of the forum. As the sole candidate for Post 1, he was not asked to participate in the Q&A portion of the forum.
Candidates offered a variety of solutions for North Point redevelopment, but all agreed the district’s potential is too great to allow it to languish.
Located off Ga. 400 and blessed with excellent access, any project there must be unique enough to stand on its own without hurting business at the mixeduse Avalon center or the city’s downtown, Reeves said.
Instead of waiting for developers, Reeves said she thinks the city should take the initiative.
“I would rather we sit there and talk to our residents and say, ‘What is it we want?’” she said. “Everyone wants to be in Alpharetta. If we paint a picture, they will come and build it.”
Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group has submitted a petition to attract a franchise at the mall. New York Life Co., the insurer that owns the property, said it has plans to create a mixed-use project around the team although the City Council has yet to approve any project plan.
The franchise bid is in competition with a $3 billion development across the
Memorial:
Continued from Page 1
On September 11, 2001, terrorist groups hijacked four commercial aircraft, crashing two into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., and one into a field in Pennsylvania. The attack led to nearly 3,000 deaths including passengers on the planes, victims on the ground, emergency responders and good Samaritans.
Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson said each moment that day carried a significant toll, but it also provided examples of the strength of the American spirit.
“As we remember the moments spoken aloud a few minutes ago by Council, we are reminded, not just of the sequence of events, but of the deep human cost behind each timestamp,” Wilson said. “Each minute carried with it heartbreak and sacrifice. Yet, in the ashes of those hours something else emerged: It was our unity. Strangers became neighbors. Neighbors became
Fulton-Forsyth county line. Dubbed the Gathering at South Forsyth, the project has received backing from the Board of Commissioners, which has approved economic incentives and construction plans.
Alpharetta needs to catch up with Forsyth County’s progress, Dean said, adding the mall has been in decline for too long.
“It should have already been developed … it’s still up for grabs,” he said, “Why is it sitting there like an eyesore?’
A tax allocation district report reviewed by the Alpharetta City Council Sept. 8 revealed the mall and surrounding area’s property values have plummeted by about half in recent years. Council members are considering reintroducing a tax allocation district to reinvigorate the area with up to about $389 million of investment.
Developing the area could represent incredible benefits for residents, making
family, and together, we showed the world that, while our buildings could be struck down, our spirit could not be broken.”
Roswell City Council members Lee Hills and Sarah Beeson noted that while it is important to remember the fallen, we must not forget the helpers and heroes who stepped up at a time of crisis.
“In the state of this nation, the state of our city, the hate that goes on is overwhelmed and swamped by the love that still remains in this country. It is the fabric of who we are,” Hills said.
She held back tears recounting the events that took place in 2001, as well as more recent acts of violence.
“I’m not going to apologize for being emotional. This is so raw and so real, and so relevant today and yesterday, with us suffering losses across the nation everyday,” Hills said.
Just one day earlier, the country was rattled by the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk at an event in Utah.
The mayor said as Roswell residents and Americans we must continue to rededicate ourselves to the ideals that bind us together.
the city even more of a destination, Dean said.
“I do believe with the right leadership, we will get the NHL team,” Dean said. “This is the right area.”
Questions still remain about what a project should look like, and city officials should listen to residents in deciding what kind of project to support, Murphy said.
The city has a history of redevelopment success, she said, pointing to projects like a repurposed office park in the Brookside area and the mixed-use Continuum project in the Windward area.
“We’ve talked about attracting a hockey team. Is that going to happen? If not, we prepare ourselves,” she said.
Murphy praised previous council members for denying a residential focused project she said would have failed to meet the community’s expectations.
DeRito said that decision was about
ensuring the city moves forward on the right project.
“They just wanted to stick in 1,800 apartments and didn’t commit to any of the other elements,” he said, adding, “When it came before us, the majority of the council turned it down for good reason.”
DeRito said he and other council members have made the area a priority, working hard to lay the groundwork for a future project.
In May, the Alpharetta City Council unanimously approved the North Point Development Framework plan, which reimagines the district as a green, walkable and mixed-use community.
The Council also has hired a prominent national firm to provide legal advice, and the Alpharetta Development Authority has approved a feasibility study to research the economic viability of a hockey team.
Transforming the North Point Mall area still holds many uncertainties, Holcombe said, but one thing is for certain. Whatever direction the city moves toward will likely take many years, if not decades, to come to fruition.
“This is a 15-, 20-year project at the end of the day,” he said, adding the area has too much to offer to pass over. “That tax base is failing the city, failing our schools. It’s failing a lot of things.”
And although the city faces competition with Forsyth County in attracting a hockey team, Holcombe said he is sure Alpharetta would be a better home for a franchise.
“We are a far better choice than Forsyth County,” he said. “We have much better access. We have a lot more to offer.”
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Some 100 people gather at Alpharetta City Hall to listen to City Council candidates at a political forum Sept. 15.
AMRITHA ALLADI JOSEPH/APPEN MEDIA Community members listen to Roswell officials recount the sequence of events that took place on 9/11 more than two decades ago.
The history and future of polo in Alpharetta
BOB MEYERS Columnist
Those familiar with the sport of polo are aware of the Chukkar Farm in Alpharetta, founded by Jack Cashin (1926-2019) and his wife Helen (1925-2014) in 1980. Noted for its beautiful setting with pastures, woods and creeks, the property includes a polo field, a covered outdoor special events feature and facilities for horses. The property was 110 acres when the Cashins bought it. It had been a cattle ranch beginning in the 1930s.
After Jack’s death operations were maintained by the family until it was put up for sale. By then, the property was 70 acres. In May 2025, Kristen Colby and her father Ken Millen purchased the property. They plan to continue the polo and special events that made the Chukkar Farm so successful.
Polo is one of the world’s oldest team sports. Its origins date back to the 6th century BC in Persia, now Iran. It started as a game to train cavalry, with up to 100 players on each side. Over time, it was adopted by the gentry and royalty and spread to the Far East. In the 1860s, it was introduced to England by British cavalry officers.
Polo is normally played with two teams of four players on a grass field and is played professionally in 16 countries. An outdoor field is huge, 300 yards long by 160 yards wide, equal in square feet to about nine football fields.
The game is played in segments, each called a chukker. The purpose of dividing the game into chukkers is to provide both horses and players time to rest. There are six chukkers in a game, each lasting 6 minutes, 30 seconds. Note that the spelling of chukker is slightly different from the spelling of Chukkar Farm, possibly a marketing decision by Jack Cashin.
The Alpharetta polo field is not official size. It is 225 yards by 125 yards because, from the beginning, Jack sought to teach novice players the joys of the sport.
Jack was a most amazing fellow. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he served two years during World War ll in the U.S. Army Air Corps training as a pilot. However, the war ended before he was deployed overseas, so he enrolled at Colgate University. He worked for Business Week Magazine as their advertising director in the 1950s and 1960s.
Sometime in the 1960s, he decided to start his own publication, Dare magazine, which was distributed nationwide and was particularly popular on college campuses. It lasted about six years according to his son Jason. As publisher, Jack felt obliged to take part in daring activities. He tried his hand at skydiving, race car driving and racing sailboats, for example.
He came to Georgia in 1973 where he and Helen started Cashin’s Place, a chain of six restaurants. They were particularly successful at Merchant’s Walk in East Cobb and Cumberland Mall where it was one of the original tenants when the mall opened in 1973. Jack ran for the U.S. Senate as a Libertarian in 1996 and for governor in 1998 and 2016.
Three of Jack’s children lived on the farm and raised their families there. Jason Cashin bought 10 acres from his father in the 1990s and raised a son on the farm. Jason says he is “glad the purchasers of the property plan to maintain it and fix it up properly.”
Kristen Colby is also quite amazing. In 2021 she bought a run down but very historic house in Alpharetta,
Kristen Colby, new owner of Chukkar Farm and Polo Club, is shown with an Argentine Thoroughbred polo pony. Even though they are called polies, they are not small. They must be quick and agile, able to turn quickly and to not be afraid to bump into other horses. Their tails are braided to ensure they do not interfere with play.
People can learn to play polo at a young age at the Chukkar Farm in Alpharetta. The game is played by two opposing teams of four mounted players. Scoring is done by using a long-handled wooden mallet to hit a small, hard plastic ball through the opposing team's goal. The game usually lasts one to two hours, divided into periods called chukkers.
and after several years of sweat and tears, brought it back to life magnificently. I wrote a column about the house in July 2023. The house will be on this year’s annual Milton Tour of Homes in September.
Kristen’s dad Ken Millen will manage the polo property. He knows how to run a business with his background in technology and human resources. A graduate of Georgia Tech, he was an executive with several major companies before retiring, including IBM
Cashin (Jack’s son), Ken Millen and Kristen Colby, are pictured at the annual Down and Derby fundraising event hosted by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Chukkar Farm on May 3, 2025.
and Sears Roebuck.
Operations continue even while Kristen and Ken refine plans for the future. They will maintain the property’s focus on polo and will do some necessary repair work. They will continue to emphasize charitable work, for example, the annual Down and Derby fundraising event hosted by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. They will host entertainment programs and will board horses, and of course will continue polo instruction and games from April through October.
“We are excited to be stewards of Chukkar Farm, to connect the past legacy of the Cashin family farm with its future as we create memories with old and new friends from the community,” Kristen says.
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/APPEN MEDIA
BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
FAMILY PHOTO
Jason
An old geezer competes with time to stop aging
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
I remember in elementary school PE class being out on the playground and feeling sorry for those kids who were overweight, uncoordinated, weak, or otherwise ill-adapted for playground sports in any way, shape or form. Same thing goes in middle school – watching those kids try to climb the ropes and not even being able to progress more than one or two pulls “up.” Or, when we did wrestling, and their names were called, watching the pure abject fear, or maybe just resignation, at being objects of laughter as they walked out to the center of the mat knowing the humiliation that awaited.
I was the guy who did almost everything athletic without much effort. I set the school record for pullups; I won the county high jump. Won Punt, Pass and Kick several years. I was “most athletic” one year. I could do kip ups without using my arms. I thought I would be king of the mountain forever!
That was, of course, until my growth spurt didn’t spurt, and everyone else’s did – around 9th grade. Without changing anything, almost overnight, I seemed to tumble down from my lofty perch to average – to the
mean.
Later, in high school, I tried to redeem myself as a tennis player. I figured if I practiced 3-5 hours a day, seven days a week – which I did – I would eventually become fairly good. I almost got there after three years of that regimen. I can still hit a tennis ball fairly well today – courtesy of those three years or dedicated work done roughly 50 years ago.
Later in life, as an adult, as a father, husband and guy trying to start a career at the Miami Herald and then a business (Appen Newspapers) here in Alpharetta, I ran. And ran. And ran.
In Miami, almost every single day, I ran across bridges, along beaches and causeways. My runs were usually through turf that was drop-dead stunning, regenerative and peaceful. The more stressed out I was, the farther I ran. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier than running along the beach on Key Biscayne almost every day for an hour or two. Just call me Forrest Gump.
In Alpharetta, I lost my runs through stunning scenery – although had I dared to run along Freemanville Road or Birmingham Highway, I would have retained it – that is, if I wasn’t hit by someone driving a $150,000 vehicle – in a hurry to no place in particular and on their phone. Instead, I usually ran along Haynes Bridge Road, across Ga. 400, and farther. It wasn’t as pretty but, with my headphones
blasting and usually in deep thought, I almost didn’t notice and certainly didn’t care. Later, I added swimming and lifting weights at the Y starting at 5 a.m. every weekday to my anti-stress – anti-aging regimen. And honestly, it worked – kind of. Swim in the mornings. Run after work in the late afternoons or at night. The routine forced me to retro-manage my life –toward health – eat better, sleep better and abstain from stuff like alcohol. If I wanted my run and swim, I had to take care of myself; it was a simple choice. Which did I want more?
Fast forward to 71. No way. I am still Forrest pounding out the miles. Not.
Time has been such a snark to me these past few years. I made a new friend that goes by the name of sciatic. Had never met him nor – honestly –had I even ever heard of this “guy.” Wow, do I ever know “sciatic” now. It has taken me just at a year to make that new friend disappear.
Then of course, my lower back. My X-rays came back “sever compressed disc” and “very severely compressed disc.” So, okay, no more running. That one truly hurt – my heart. But if I have to stop running to avoid my friend sciatic or my friends L2 and L3, I guess I haven’t much choice.
Which brings me to those aerobics’ classes – that Zumba, Body Pump, Flow Yoga, pilates and the like –all done in large rooms, filled with people, music blasting, and frequently
a masochistic instructor with a microphone and little empathy. So, I went to one of those things with my wife Christina the other night. I suspected that it was not going to feel quite the same as running along the beach at dusk or smacking a tennis ball against a backboard. It wasn’t. It was just me, one other guy, and maybe 50 women of all ages – all in better shape than me – or at least in better gym-condition doing those things. I expected humbling. I got it. I expected hard, really hard. It was that. I didn’t expect it to be fun. It wasn’t. I expected to make a fool of myself, but I didn’t dare to look around to see how many of those women were laughing and shaking their heads feeling sorry for that old guy over there.
So, I just assumed I made a fool of myself without confirmation. I felt like an anemic, toneless, muscle-less, bumbling Richard Simmons mime trying to lead a class and tripping over his shoelaces and falling flat on his face while still chanting “and 1 and 2 and 3.” It was ugly.
So, I decided to stick with my swimming at the Y so early in the morning that I almost always have my own lane and rarely have any witnesses. Seventy-one and counting. Go to heck sciatic. And if I close my eyes during those laps (I’m up to a mile now) it feels kind of like running along the ocean’s edge. I’ll go with that.
Don’t stop believing: Homeownership may be within grasp
This week’s inspiration comes from Journey’s 1981 anthem, “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
For many firsttime homebuyers, the song’s title captures both the challenge and the hope of entering today’s housing market. While the down payment has traditionally been viewed as the biggest hurdle, the reality in 2025 is different: the true obstacle is the monthly payment. As noted in last week’s column, the return of no-down-payment programs has lowered one barrier to entry. Yet the recurring cost of carrying a mortgage—not the upfront cash—is what keeps many renters on the sidelines.
Consider a recent client of mine. Like countless first-time buyers, they had successfully saved enough for the minimum down payment. In fact, the funds required were comparable to the cost of moving into a new rental: first month’s rent, last month’s rent and a security deposit. What stood in the way was not liquidity — it was the affordability of the monthly obligation.
Here’s where strategy matters. Many sellers today are quick to reduce asking prices, hoping to entice buyers. But I advised my client to take a different approach. On a $450,000 property, instead of chasing a lower sales price, we negotiated for a 3 percent seller concession to permanently buy down the interest rate.
The math is striking. A small reduction in sales price barely moves the monthly mortgage figure. But a concession applied to interest-rate
buydowns produces immediate and lasting relief — often hundreds of dollars per month. That difference is tangible; it shifts affordability from theoretical to real. In my client’s case, the deal closed successfully, and they stepped into homeownership with a payment structure they could confidently manage.
This outcome underscores a broader truth in today’s market. Price cuts may grab headlines, but they don’t solve the pain point most buyers feel day to day. Affordability is not about the sticker price — it’s about the monthly check that leaves a household’s bank account. Rate buydowns, concessions and creative structuring directly address this core anxiety.
For industry professionals — lenders, realtors, and builders alike — the lesson is clear. To unlock first-time buyer demand, we must pivot from price-driven conversations
to payment-driven solutions. Every dollar in savings that lowers the recurring monthly cost builds confidence, expands eligibility, and reopens the path to ownership. So, to the would-be buyers watching from the sidelines: Don’t stop believing. The headlines may emphasize high rates and affordability challenges, but opportunities still exist for those willing to explore new strategies. With the right approach, homeownership may be closer than you think.
DC Aiken is Senior Vice President of Lending for CrossCountry Mortgage, NMLS # 658790. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com.
The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC or its affiliates.
D.C. AIKEN Guest Columnist dcaiken.com
What is creating all the tunnels in my yard?
Could it be moles or voles? If you’re like me, you’ve probably been told the difference between these two small rodents and have since forgotten. I just learned a wonderful way to help remember the difference using a mnemonic or memory device. Moles begin with an “m” and are meat eaters. These small creatures spend their entire life underground, searching for earthworms, grubs and small insects. As they search for their next meal, they create a series of tunnels much to the distress of homeowners.
The word vole begins with a “v.” Voles, on the other hand, are vegetarians and search underground to find roots or aboveground to find stems to provide the nourishment to survive. When voles begin to search underground, they create an opening about the size of a golf ball and do not create a continuous tunnel underground. Sometimes they skip the task of digging a tunnel and use former mole tunnels. Vole tunnels are usually deeper than mole tunnels and cannot be seen from the surface.
Take a look at the pictures that accompany this column, and you can see how the bodies of moles are adapted for survival. The mole has the most unique set of front legs. They are paddle-shaped with five digging claws that enable them to form the tunnels necessary to find their food underground. They are highoctane diggers! They can plow through your grass, creating 150 feet of tunnels in one day, a necessity since they need to find the equivalent of 60% to 100% of their body weight in food each day.
Mole senses are modified for life underground. They have an excellent sense of smell and touch but no exterior ears, and as a result, they have poor hearing. They are color-blind and have small eyes that allow them to differentiate between light and dark. Recently it was discovered they are sensitive to light even with their eyes closed. Another adaptation is their pointed snout, which they use to accomplish the task of tunneling through their underground world in search of worms, insect larvae and other small invertebrates.
Voles are about the same size and appearance as a field mouse but have strong jaws and sharp, orange front teeth that enable them to chew through woody roots as well as soft herbaceous roots. Because they destroy the roots of plants, one day a plant will be healthy and the next day it will show no signs of life as a
Note its adaptations for digging, its pointed nose and its paddle-like front legs
Note a vole has mouse-like features because they live above and belowground. They have brown fur and are usually 5 inches long. Mice are smaller and are usually 3 inches long.
result of its damaged root system.
I hate to suggest killing anything, but there is no other solution to the mole/ vole problem. Some wild animals can be captured and released, but this is not suggested for moles or voles. If you find the opening the vole uses to enter its underground world, you can place a mouse trap at the entrance. Load the trap with peanut butter, apples or oatmeal and add a shoe box or similar size box on top of it and secure it with wire to prevent any harm to domestic animals. Do not try to kill them with poison, as this can also be a risk to pets. If you find a vole or mole in
the trap, use gloves to remove the animal from the trap and dispose of the animal by placing it in a sealed plastic bag along with the gloves and disposing of the bag in the trash to avoid spreading any possible disease they might carry.
Before you decide to take drastic measures to remove moles from your property, I have read that taking a firm foot to flatten each and every one of their tunnels will discourage them from continuing to tunnel through your lawn, landscape plants and shrubs. The only problem is they need to eat and will probably move on to your neighbor’s property. Another issue is that they can live three to six years, and they will reproduce and have offspring! The best way to eliminate mole damage is to use a trap. Please consult your county Extension agent for the best way to use these traps and where to place them.
Happy Gardening!
North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://appenmedia.com/opinion/columnists/garden_buzz/.
About the author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Carole MacMullan, a North Fulton Master Gardener and a Milton resident. She taught biology for 35 years in the Pittsburgh area. In 2012 after moving to Milton, Carole completed the Master Gardener training program and joined the North Fulton Master Gardeners (NFMG) and the Milton Garden Club. Carole uses her teaching skills to create a variety of presentations on gardening topics for the NFMG Lecture Series and Speakers Bureau. She also volunteers weekly at the Assistance League of Atlanta (ALA) thrift store and acts as chair of their Links to Education scholarship program. Her favorite hobbies are gardening, hiking, biking and reading.
CAROLE MACMULLAN Guest Columnist
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION/PROVIDED
with five pointed claws.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION
BB’s Bagels rises from the ashes, I think
On a recent Saturday morning, I woke up (not too early mind you; we retired 70-year-old geezers don’t have to get up with the roosters) and had a hankering for a good bagel.
Notice I wrote “hankering” and not “hunkering,” which is what the late Larry Munson used to implore the University of Georgia defense to do when the Bulldogs needed to stifle an opponent.
Now that we got that little smattering of semantics straight, I was ready to have my bagel “hankering” sated by heading for what I knew would be the perfect place: BB’s Bagels.
My quest inspired me to saunter toward south Forsyth. Again, notice I wrote “saunter,” which is a word that is seldom used. In fact, Texas crooner Gary P. Nunn is the only other person I can recall using “saunter” to describe the initial step of a trek. In “London Homesick Blues” Nunn fights overseas boredom by singing he would “saunter off to Marble Arch Station.”
So I sauntered off to East Shiloh Road, having no earthly idea where that thoroughfare was. My need for directional proclivity was unnecessary thanks to Apple Car Play. I could almost taste that sesame seed circle with a nice smear of cream cheese.
I wanted to support the grand re-opening of BB’s. I really did. Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for owners Eddie and Anna Siino, a huge throng of others had the same hankering and had decided to saunter to the new location to get an early morning breakfast fix.
There were easily 60 hungry folks in a line that drove home the reality that was like the “Seinfeld” where the Soup Nazi barked “No soup for you!” Only on this Saturday, a voice in the back of my mind screamed: “No lox for you!”
With a drizzle quickly morphing into rain, I spied some hungry, dedicated would-be diners ready to nosh. With the inclement weather getting ready to soak them, most were “hunkered” down. Somewhere, Larry Munson was smiling.
In case you are unfamiliar with the BB’s back story, the Siinos established a dining establishment with bagels that would rival any to be found in Gotham. My knowledge of bagel baking would be lucky to fill a thimble, but apparently, the key to making the product tastier is to boil before baking.
Located on McFarland Road, the restaurant was in what you would have sworn was an honest-togoodness diner, one of those that resembled an Air Stream trailer, all shiny and aluminum-like. Fantastic breakfasts, eggs Benedict to die-for, sandwiches that would rival a New York deli.
Then, a devastating fire (is there any fire that isn’t devastating?) destroyed the restaurant. That was in February, and to make matters worse, the Siianos were in-between having an insurance carrier. The blaze gutted the building. Fittingly, the only thing that survived was the precious and essential bagel oven.
Eddie and Anna vowed to re-open. And that loyal customer base that had enjoyed the food since 2007 came through, contributing more than $75,000 toward helping the owners realize they weren’t even close to
throwing in the towel.
The new establishment will be take-out only, but all the old favorites are still available. And like any new endeavor, there were the inevitable glitches. Attempts to talk to the owners stymied me with either a busy signal or “call failed” message.
We traded emails and eventually we’ll talk. And I know my persistence will be rewarded with a toasted bagel, some lox and yummy cream cheese.
I’ll be patient. BB’s Bagels are worth the wait. They’re that darned good.
Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.
MIKE TASOS Columnist
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Education Manager
The Education Manager is responsible for coordinating the educational activities ranging from formal classroom to on-line programs, and workshops. Programming includes ESL, GED, Workforce Development and Financial Support events for families working toward financial stability. The Education Manager supervises NFCC team members within the program department including the Sr. Education Specialist, Workforce Development Coordinator and contract ESL Instructors.
If you have a bachelor’s degree in Adult Education or other relevant field and 3 years’ experience in a non-profit program manager role or other relevant experience, we’d love to hear from you.
Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Mechanical Design Engineer. Designing engines by using SolidWorks. Prepare assembly & part level drawing for production, prepare nesting files. Perform quality checks; Gather historical data , analyze for design updates. Mold flow analysis, maintain project database. Responsible for making modeling & detailing of different types of casting, forging, sheet metal components of engine assembly. Work with engine cross functional team, component validation, proto test, noise test, engine tests, fuel consumption test and component release process. Work on concept design, cost optimization, large assembly, create manufacturing drawing. Create 3D CAD models. Reqd: MS in Mechanical Eng +1 yr of exp or BS in Mech Eng +5 yrs of exp. Job Location: Alpharetta, GA. Contact: Jaydu LLC, 5975, Shiloh Road, Ste 114, Alpharetta, GA 30005
Renesas Electronics America Inc., in Johns Creek, GA is in need of: Staff Electrical Engr (BS0525) Resp for proposing, architecting, & designing RTL in Verilog for use in a mixed signal integrated circuit. Refer to job#. Apply: us-hr-staffing@dm.renesas.com
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty seeks a Senior Financial Analyst in Alpharetta, GA to conduct development and modeling statistical data analysis. Telecommuting permitted. $81,818.18-$141,818.18 May apply at www.jobpostingtoday.com /Ref #99123
Administrative and HR Coordinator
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ESL Contractor Instructor (Evening)
NFCC is seeking an Evening ESL Contractor Instructor to teach English classes through our Adult Education program, serving students throughout North Fulton and surrounding counties. Our ESL Program runs three sessions annually, with comprehensive lessons covering speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, along with regular assessments to track student progress.
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