Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - March 30, 2023

Alpharetta readies for April 1 launch of Farmers Market

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The annual Alpharetta Farmers Market is set to return for its 17th year at City Center April 1. The market will include 140 vendors featuring everything from salsa to fresh coffee.

Alpharetta Business Association Farmers Market Liaison Beth Johnson said the market draws crowds of around 2,000-3,000 each Saturday. Johnson oversees the acceptance of vendors and ensuring market guidelines are followed.

“We try to be cognizant of the different types of vendors and what kind of products that they’re selling so there’s not a ton of duplication,” Johnson said.

Johnson, who has attended the market for years, said she has witnessed it grow from a group of 25 vendors on Old Roswell Street to an event that draws thousands.

“We want to have the farmers market be a fun, family-friendly kind of environment where people can grab something to eat, grab a cup of coffee and a croissant or a breakfast quesadilla or

LATIN STOVE/PROVIDED

Latin Stove owner Christine Marshall sells empanadas, meals, sides and seasonal specials at the Alpharetta Farmers Market Oct. 31, 2022. Marshall said the booth will return to the market April-November for its second year. See MARKET, Page 15

Fulton County to run Alpharetta elections

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta City Council approved a resolution March 27 to authorize Fulton County to run the city’s 2023 municipal elections this November.

The resolution authorizes the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elec-

tions to conduct the Nov. 7 election. City Clerk Lauren Shapiro said the formal agreement will be presented at the April 17 City Council meeting.

City Attorney Melissa Tracy said she had attempted to contact Fulton County after the work session to receive the formal agreement before the meeting, but the city received the documents Friday after the meeting agenda had been posted.

Councilmembers had met March 20 in a work session to discuss their options. While the meeting yielded no unanimous decision, Councilmen John Hipes and Jason Binder and Mayor Pro Tem Dan Merkel expressed concerns regarding a city-led election.

Mayor Jim Gilvin remained positive

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All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Vehicles burglarized at Alpharetta hotels

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Eight vehicles parked at hotels in Alpharetta were burglarized March 14, incident reports said.

Between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., Alpharetta police responded to multiple locations, including The Marriott Hotel, Hilton Alpharetta, Holiday Inn Express and Double Tree Hotel on Windward Parkway, and the Even Hotel on Old Milton Parkway, after receiving reports that a number of vehicles had been burglarized sometime overnight.

Multiple handguns, cash, a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon, and other items were stolen from the vehicles. Police said the thieves gained access by shattering windows. Other items from the vehicles were found strewn throughout several of the hotel parking lots.

Reports said many of the hotels didn’t have security cameras, but a guest at The Marriott Hotel reported hearing a car alarm at about 3:15 a.m. and seeing two people around where the vehicles were burglarized.

There were no other witnesses, and at the time of the report, no suspects had been identified.

Man accesses account during ATM transaction

ROSWELL, Ga. — A Roswell woman told police a man took $1,000 in cash from her account while she was at a Wells Fargo Bank ATM on Alpharetta Highway March 14.

The woman said the man approached from behind.

She told police the man asked her

to help with the machine. She refused and rolled up her window, and said the man swore at her. She said the man then “manipulated” the ATM and took $1,000 cash from her account before running to a car and leaving. Because she spoke little English, the woman could not be sure if the man threatened her.

Officers inspected the area but found nothing.

Craigslist check scam fools Alpharetta man

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police said an Alpharetta man attempting to sell a chair on Craigslist was recently scammed through a check and PayPal scheme.

The man reported to police March 14 he was defrauded after posting a Craigslist ad about a chair for sale for $700 the week before. The man said about 15 minutes after posting the ad, he received a text from a person interested in buying the chair.

The suspect allegedly said they would send a check for the $700 through the mail, plus $50 to hold the chair for a moving company. But when the check arrived, it was actually written out for $2,950. The victim was told he should deposit the check and wire $2,200 through PayPal to the moving company.

The victim followed the directions and noticed nothing amiss until March 13, when his bank contacted him to say his account was overdrawn and the check had bounced.

No suspect was identified at the time of the report.

Man faces extortion over Snapchat photos

ROSWELL, Ga. — A Roswell man told police on March 14 he was being sexually extorted for money after someone hacked his Snapchat account and recovered photos of him.

The 20-year-old man said a woman contacted him on Instagram and asked

for his Snapchat username, which he provided. The man then could not access his account until he changed his password.

After he logged in, the woman from Instagram messaged him screenshots of his nude pictures. The woman demanded he pay $300 dollars, or she would leak the photos to his friends and family.

The man sent over $50 and promised to pay the rest by the end of the week.

Police told the man to block the woman on all social media platforms and contact the department if she reaches out again.

Stolen car recovered by Alpharetta police

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta police recovered a stolen vehicle along a residential street March 11.

Police responded to an address on Grand Crescent, near Avalon, after witnesses reported a suspicious vehicle parked on the street. Officers located a blue Hyundai Elantra with significant damage to its ignition switch, bumpers and windows.

After checking the vehicle’s VIN, officers confirmed it had been stolen from a victim in South Fulton.

No suspect was identified at the time of the report.

Roswell museum tells history of city and its residents

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — On the second floor of the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, centuries of the city’s history from Native American artifacts to the stories of mill workers are on display.

The Roswell History Museum, operated by the Roswell Historical Society, opened in January and allows visitors Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with free admission.

Archivist and head curator Elaine DeNiro said the destination looks at history from all aspects of the city.

“Our purpose was to make sure we were inclusive of all groups that would be involved in the history of Roswell,” DeNiro said.

The museum was a long-term goal for the Roswell Historical Society. DeNiro said when the Cultural Arts Center was designed, there was an idea for a heritage center with a museum inside. That plan didn’t come to fruition, though.

Until 2021 the second floor of the Cultural Arts Center was a shared office space between the Georgia Ensemble Theater and the Roswell

Historical Society. When Georgia Ensemble Theater moved out, the Historical Society jumped at the opportunity to expand.

“We went to the city, and we petitioned to have the whole space

to create a museum,” DeNiro said. “We were granted that, and the city renovated the space.”

The city spent $150,000 to paint, add new floors, new ceiling tiles and lighting. The Historical Society raised

$120,000 through fundraisers and a capital campaign to hire design group Building Four Fabrication to design the museum.

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

The Roswell History Museum at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center takes an “inclusive” approach to the city’s history and, is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

See MUSEUM, Page 11

Roswell adds restrictions on open records requests

Davidson said the city administrator, who leads day-to-day operations, “instructed the city clerk and city attorney” to follow the same procedures presented in the open records resolution.

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell City Council passed a resolution March 27 requiring people applying for public records to provide “verifiable” names and addresses along with their requests.

Those who wish to remain anonymous will have to go to Roswell City Hall to view requested records in person.

Officials say the move is to address a large volume of requests, some made by “fraudulent” people who do not pay for the records.

All but one councilmember, Sarah Beeson, voted in favor of the resolution. Beeson left the dais and took the podium to speak against the resolution saying the measure adds barriers to accessing public records.

Under the resolution, the city will not send requested records to “unverifiable” names and addresses. The definition of “verified” is not given, but Roswell City Attorney David Davidson said you should be able to “Google” a name and address or provide a form of identification at City Hall.

In an email to Davidson, Georgia Senior Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Colangelo stated that anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can view records and pay for them in person. She also offered a second option.

“If people want the records mailed or emailed anonymously, the agency will mail them after the requester sends a money order or something,” Colangelo wrote.

City Councilwoman Beeson asked if the money order option could be added to the resolution.

“That’s going to be a policy decision for the mayor and council to decide legally,” City Attorney Davidson said.

Councilman Mike Palermo said he was not comfortable “taking on the risk” of money orders at that time. He said he could support the measure in the future if the risk of impersonation was mitigated. The money order option was not added into the final resolution.

Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson said the decision to verify names has been spurred by people requesting records under other residents’ names. He cited one example, in which Roswell resident and former mayoral candidate Jason

Yowell’s name was used to file an open records request.

Beeson argued that Yowell was a “public figure” who had publicly engaged on the issue of anonymous access to public records, and the request was a “quibble” between Yowell and the anonymous resident.

Yowell took to the podium to confirm that his name was used to file an open records request. He said he favored the resolution.

“If we’re going to have information available freely and open to the public, we’re also entitled to know who is seeking to obtain that information,” Yowell said.

Another resident, Eric Schumacher, suggested that open records requests become anonymous after they move from the clerk’s office to the rest of city staff. Schumacher said that in past years, he had issues with people not granting him certain records requests, and a level of anonymity could “protect privacy” among people filing requests.

The mayor said he “likes that idea” as a way of preventing bias from city staff. The suggestion was not added to the final resolution.

Beeson, a proponent of anonymity in public records requests, said anybody who wants to remain anonymous can use her name when filing open records requests.

While the open records resolution was formally approved at the March 27 City Council meeting, Appen Media found the policy was implemented in February.

Documents obtained by the news organization show that in response

to an open records request regarding the city’s February retreat to Opelika, City Attorney Davidson told the applicant that the directive had been implemented on Feb. 28.

When asked about the change, City Administrator Randy Knighton said the question would need to be answered by the mayor, who is the city’s spokesperson. Appen Media is awaiting comment from the city.

In other matters at the March 27 meeting, the council moved forward on an agreement with Fulton County to have the county run municipal elections in 2023 at a cost no higher than $814,420. The agreement was brought to the floor for a first reading, which the council unanimously approved.

Councilwoman Lee Hills, an avid supporter of Roswell-run municipal elections, said the city is not ready to run elections this year. The mayor and council said they will pursue self-run elections for the 2025 election cycle. The councilmembers agreed to propose an addition to the Fulton County agreement that would provide two advance voting locations in Roswell, rather than the single voting location that the county proposed.

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

Roswell City Councilwoman Sarah Beeson takes the floor March 27 to argue against a City Council resolution that requires “verifiable” names and addresses with open records requests.

City now requires applicants to verify name and address

Wellstar opens $12 million cancer facility

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Wellstar North Fulton Hospital opened the doors to a $12 million comprehensive cancer center at a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 23.

The 12,000-square-foot facility offers advanced cancer treatments including CyberKnife radiation therapy, a Specialty Teams and Treatments (STAT) Clinic, imaging services and an outpatient infusion center.

Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson, Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison and other Roswell city officials joined hospital representatives for the ribbon cutting.

Wellstar North Fulton President Jon-Paul Croom said the comprehensive cancer center is the only one of its kind in North Fulton County. Wellstar North Fulton’s sister facility, Wellstar Kennestone Hospital is the only other program in the area that offers the same level of cancer care, he said.

Croom credited the bulk of the development to Dr. Mark McLaughlin, a radiation oncologist who spearheaded the expansion.

“About four years ago, we got together with physicians in this area and administrators from Wellstar Health System to share a common goal,” McLaughlin said. “That common goal was to provide comprehensive, truly integrated cancer care at the Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center.”

McLaughlin said when he came to Wellstar North Fulton about five years ago the cancer care process was disjointed for patients. There was no “one-stop shop” to receive care, and with spread out doctors and appointments things fell through the cracks.

“It’s really difficult for patients to navigate that very difficult diagnosis,” McLaughlin said.

When the oncologist presented his cancer center plan to Wellstar North Fulton President Croom, he said the goal was to make that vision a reality. The vision came with a hefty price tag, though: $12 million.

McLaughlin said he’s glad the Wellstar administration decided to invest fully into the cancer center. The money went to advanced technology like CyberKnife, an approximately $6 million radiation therapy device.

The CyberKnife is a non-invasive device that uses “real time imaging” to treat difficult to reach spots, like lung and brain tumors. With those areas, McLaughlin said the tumor is “always moving.” CyberKnife has a robotic

arm that moves with the patient, allowing high doses of radiation to hone in on the tumor’s location.

“What it allows people to do, instead of having five to eight weeks of treatment, it can shorten that to one to five treatments,” McLaughlin said.

The concentrated radiation allows patients to finish treatment faster. Prior to the cancer center in Roswell, patients would have to travel to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital for the CyberKnife treatment.

According to McLaughlin, the hospital in Kennestone has one of the second busiest CyberKnife treatment programs in the United States.

The Wellstar Kennestone Hospital is about 40 minutes from Wellstar North Fulton Hospital. McLaughlin and Croom said the distance adds difficulty to treatment for patients and their families.

“When my parents were diagnosed with cancer and treated at Kennestone, it was hard for me to get from appointment to appointment,” McLaughlin said.

A key feature of the cancer center in Roswell is the Specialty Teams and Treatments Clinic, called “STAT” by hospital staff. The model brings medical, surgical and radiation oncology under one roof. Rather than having cancer patients travel to see specialists, they can meet with an entire team in one location at one time.

“All the doctors all know each other and are talking to each other, so you’re getting one congruent answer,” McLaughlin said.

Collaboration between doctors keeps patients from receiving different medical opinions as well. McLaughlin said typically, if a patient visits a surgical specialist, they’ll simply perform the treatment rather than

look at another option.

At the cancer center, he said doctors can “put their heads together” to figure out the best care for a patient, even if it differs from what the patient expects.

“If I have a patient that comes in and says I want CyberKnife, we’ll meet in the clinic and I’ll know the CyberKnife is not their best treatment,” McLaughlin said. “It could be medical, it could be a combination, but the model allows us to discuss things with the patient.”

The cancer center will officially open to the public on March 27, but the CyberKnife machine is already at full capacity. The hospital expects to serve many of the cancer patients who have had to relocate to Kennestone Hospital for comprehensive care. Croom said Wellstar is already looking towards cancer center expansions to accommodate more patients.

“Cancer is one of those diseases that touches so many people, everybody has somebody that has suffered from it or died from it,” Croom said. “It’s so real, and to be able to have something right here, where you don’t have to go to Atlanta or travel long distances is just right.”

DELANEY TARR / APPEN MEDIA

Wellstar Health Systems officials hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Wellstar North Fulton Hospital Cancer Center on March 23 at Hospital Road.

NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

Name: Super Chix

Owner: Missy Moon

Description: At Super Chix, we serve fresh, never frozen chicken. We marinate our fillets and jumbo chicken tenders in house each day. All our produce is delivered fresh and cut by hand. To top it off we serve hand-cut

fries, premium frozen custard, & an unlimited dip sauce bar.

Opened: February 2023

Phone: (770) 864-5682

Address: 4712 Ashford Dunwoody Rd Ste 360, Dunwoody, Georgia, 30338

Website: https://www.superchix. com/

Name: The Halal Guys

Owner: Joseph Hafez

Description: The Halal Guys are bringing American Halal Food to the masses. Featuring a flavor profile that can't be replicated in any other cuisine format, flawlessly cooked, premium quality Halal meats that are seasoned to perfection,

and a melting pot of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors that are sure to delight.

Opened: March

Phone: (770) 559-5505

Address: 237 Perimeter Center Pkwy NE, Dunwoody, GA 30346

Website: https://thehalalguys.com/

Name: Bloom Holistic Dentistry

Owners: Dr. Zahra Punjani

Description: At Bloom Holistic Dentistry, we provide high quality, personalized and comprehensive dental care for adults and children in a comfortable and friendly environment. As a holistic or integrative dental office, we evaluate and treat the entirety of

the mouth’s structures and functions as it relates to overall health and wellbeing.

Opened: November 2022

Phone: (770) 396-1188

Address: 200 Ashford Center North; Ste. 330; Dunwoody, GA 30338

Website: https://www. bloomholisticdentistry.com/

Name: Business Owner’s Emporium

Owners: Chastity Conn Moore

Business Description: The Business

Owner’s Emporium offers 7,000 sq ft of private office, meeting, and cowork space. Our community is designed to inspire, connect, and support small businesses and entrepreneurs. We

feature amenities and on-demand business services to help entrepreneurs correctly structure and grow their businesses.

Phone: (678) 587-5278

Address: 56 Perimeter Center East; Suite 150; Dunwoody, GA 30346

Website: https://bizownemporium.com

Summer Camps

Fun! Friends! Skills! Creativity! Adventure!

Brought

At Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta’s summer camps, the adventure is high and the fun is big – like, really big. Campers can spend their summer trying new activities like horseback riding, ziplining, kayaking, or conducting scientific experiments in the great outdoors. They are sure to make incredible memories with awesome new friends, and much more. From camping in the mountains to an urban oasis close to home, check out our three beautiful ACA accredited camps across

Greater Atlanta.

Warning: this is not your everyday summer experience. Girl Scout Camps inspire curiosity, discovery, and problem solving. Come ready to play, explore, create and have the time of your life! Whether learning to cook over a campfire, conquering a challenge course, programming robots or developing your roping skills on horseback, campers develop courage, confidence and character. Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta has both day and overnight camps available for campers girls aged 5-17. To learn more, visit GirlScoutSummer.com

Museum:

The museum has a permanent installation that lines the perimeter of the space and a temporary exhibit in the center, which will change about twice a year.

DeNiro said the museum has plenty of artifacts to fill the space. Three rooms on the floor are packed with textiles, furniture, metal goods and paper pieces.

“We had the artifacts locked and loaded, which was one of the reasons we were trying to petition the city,” DeNiro said.

The Historical Society did have a few history gaps — DeNiro said she had to put out a call on Facebook for Indigenous artifacts, which she took to the University of Georgia Archeology Department to identify. The effort was part of the museum’s focus on inclusivity.

“Our history is complex, and we want to make sure we get the whole story out,” DeNiro said.

She made sure the museum included the stories of Native American women, Black women, wives, mothers and working-class women across Roswell’s history.

“They’ve been present from the very

beginning, whether they were workers or maybe the wives of farmers,” DeNiro said. “They were maybe in the background, but they were strong.”

The curator said the Historical Society looked outside of its volunteers to ensure they told Roswell’s “complex” history well.

“The thing we’re very proud about is that a professor for Morehouse College vetted the exhibit text,” DeNiro said.

The Africana studies professor and public historian Dr. Clarissa MyrickHarris told organizers she wanted to read the museum’s whole text, not

just the materials about enslaved people. DeNiro said the museum implemented the professor’s changes and included additional information she suggested.

In the months since the museum opened, DeNiro said the feedback has been positive. The city has been a major supporter of the project.

“Part of what makes Roswell is its history, good or bad,” Roswell City Councilwoman Christine Hall said, adding she has been a longtime advocate and fan of the Roswell Historical Society. She hopes in the coming years the city will continue to support its preservation efforts through things like a historic assets plan.

The councilwoman called the museum a “hidden treasure,” but she hopes in the future it will find a more “front-and-center” home. In the meantime, curator DeNiro is looking to expand audiences by bringing in student field trips and new residents.

“There are a lot of newcomers to Roswell, and we want to make sure they have an understanding of the history of the adopted home,” DeNiro said.

Councilwoman Hall said Roswell history includes its residents.

“If we didn’t have our history, we would be just another town with a river and some parks,” Hall said.

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

The museum opened in January 2023, with temporary and permanent exhibits. The temporary exhibits explore the Civil War in Roswell, and the permanent exhibit tells the history of the city.

April showers readers with wide variety of book activities

By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia. com

Joining April’s mixed springtime bag of sunshine and showers is a similarly diverse array of author events. From Dunwoody’s Lemonade Days Festival to an evening of paranormal discussions, and historical fiction championing women to writing guidance for all, April’s book offerings are as varied as a spring bouquet.

Here are some details about these and other events:

More info

On April 22, Atlanta Authors will host bestselling historical fiction novelist Lynn Cullen, author of “The Woman With The Cure.”

Author Jan Slimming is organizing appearances by 20-plus writers at Dunwoody’s Lemonade Days Festival SLIMMING

Literary Events Around North Atlanta

Saturday, April 1, George Weinstein and Kim Conrey. Married authors Conrey and Weinstein will be selling and signing books and chatting with readers in Alpharetta. Conrey is the debut author of the sci-fi romance “Stealing Ares,” and Weinstein’s most recent release is “Return to Hardscrabble Road.” 11 a.m. Conversation, signing. Free. Posman Books, 4105 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta, 470-5095727. posmanbooks.com

Tuesdays, April 4-May 23, George Weinstein. Weinstein, executive director of the Atlanta Writers Club and author of six novels, returns to lead “Telling Your Story: Start It, Finish It & Share It – Part 2,” an eight-week interactive class for anyone 50 and older (though writers of all ages can connect with Weinstein through AWC.) The two-month program, which is open to anyone interested in writing, and not just those who attended the first series, is offered by Seniors Enriched Living, a nonprofit interfaith organization. 1:15 p.m. weekly. $70. Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. 770-993-6218. https://sites.google. com/selroswellga.org/seniors-enriched-living/classes/ spring?authuser=0

Thursday, April 13, Jennifer Laguzza Dickenson. In 2011, Dickenson was a busy lawyer when she was diagnosed with grade 4 brain cancer and given scant hope for survival. “The Case for Hope: What I Learned on My Journey from Cancer to Wellness: We Can Heal,” published in March 2022, details Dickenson’s cancer journey. 5 p.m. Discussion, signing. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com

Thursday, April 13, Townsend Prize for Fiction. The award ceremony for the Townsend Prize for Fiction, hosted by the Atlanta Writers Club, will be held in midtown Atlanta. North Fulton authors among the 10 finalists include Kimberly Brock, “The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare,” and Anjali Enjeti, “The Parted Earth.” Tickets include a buffet dinner, drinks and more. 6 p.m. $60. Atlanta Women’s Club Wimbish House, 1150 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta. atlantawritersclub.org/writer-resources/awc-townsend-prizefor-fiction

Saturday, April 15, Morgan Rodgers. Rodgers’ new novel, “Family Business,” a story of twists and turns, is a page-turner. 11 a.m. Talk, signing. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com

Tuesday, April 18, Ann Hite and Delilah S. Dawson. A Novel Idea presents a paranormal night promising “An Evening of Unknown Expectations” from a pair of bestselling authors. Hite’s newest book is “Haints on Black Mountain,” and Dawson’s latest release is “The Violence.” 7 p.m. Discussion, signing. Free. Vintage Pizzeria, 5510 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. 770-509-5611. anovelidea.us

Saturday, April 22, Lynn Cullen. Atlanta Authors hosts the bestselling author of historical fiction as she discusses her new release, “The Woman With The Cure.” Cullen’s book is based on the true story of Dr. Dorothy Horstmann, whose groundbreaking research helped make the polio vaccine possible. 2 p.m. Conversation, signing. Free. In-person and online. Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell. 404-6129700. forl.net/atlanta-authors

Saturday, April 22, George Weinstein and Kim Conrey. Conrey and Weinstein return, this time at the Cumming City Center Spring Market. 10 a.m. Talk, signing. Free. Cumming City Center Spring Market, Vision Drive, Cumming. 678-4724708. cummingcitycentermarket

Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23, Lemonade Days Authors and Friends Bookstore. Twenty local authors, including nine from North Fulton, will appear for personalized book signing sessions during the Dunwoody festival’s 23rd year. Authors appearing include bookstore organizer Jan Slimming with her trio of World War II books, including “Codebreaker Girls: A Secret Life at Bletchley Park.” 10 a.m Saturday, noon Sunday. Brook Run Park, 4770 N Peachtree Road, Dunwoody. dunwoodylemonadedays.org

Thursday, April 27, Emily Carpenter. The bestselling author of “Burying the Honeysuckle Girls” returns to uncover a faith healer’s elusive and haunted past in “Reviving the Hawthorn Sisters.” Carpenter’s novel, a mix of historical fiction, mystery and thriller, has something for everyone. 5 p.m. Discussion, signing. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com

Saturday, April 29, Independent Bookstore Day at Bookmiser. The bookstore, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, will be observing Independent Bookstore Day with giveaways, story time, “epicurean delights” and much more. All day. Free. Bookmiser, 3822 Roswell Road, Roswell. 770-509-5611. bookmiser.net

To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@gmail.com by the 15th.

CULLEN

Daffodil Days Market draws steady crowd

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A week of giveback and volunteer efforts culminated in the Daffodil Days Market at Johns Creek City Hall March 25, which featured around 60 artisans, kids’ activities and food trucks.

A banner was posted, listing more than a dozen organizations that participated in community service, including the Rotary Club of Johns Creek North Fulton, Girl Scout and Brownie troops, Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and area schools.

The “genesis” of the special event was Daffodils 4 Hope, Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry said. The program, sponsored by the nonprofit Johns Creek Beautification, is a planting campaign that raises awareness for CanCare Atlanta — an organization that provides counseling support to cancer patients and caregivers in the community.

Daffodil Days Market, which ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., saw children line up in front of balloon artists. Some kids had their fun at bounce houses and visited with Disney’s Princess Ariel. A DJ provided music.

Crowds circled through several rows of vendors from The Gibson Co. Marketplace and farmers market applicants, selling baked goods, local honey, coffee, candles and other items. There was also a flower-arranging cart.

Images of daffodils were sprinkled throughout the space, in hand-painted pictures at the entrance, vases for the eating area and planters in front the City Hall. Clusters of yellow balloons were on most corners.

“The daffodil is a great symbol of hope and spring renewal,” Bradberry said.

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

A balloon artist creates a figure for a child at the Daffodil Days Market March 25. A weeklong give-back and volunteer effort culminated into the Saturday market at Johns Creek City Hall, which featured around 60 artisans, kids’ activities and food trucks.

Visitors shop at the Daffodil Days Market March 25.

Visitors gather to eat at tables with daffodil centerpieces March 25.

Alpharetta resident Birdel Jackson requests Fulton County handle the city’s 2023 municipal elections this November. Speaking at the March 27 City Council meeting, Jackson said it would take time for Alpharetta to reach the level of efficiency needed to handle its own election.

Polling:

Continued from Page 1

that the city could offer a better process at the work session, noting that the proposed agreement with the county does not guarantee that the city will not be charged more than the projected cost.

Shapiro said if all goes well, the city will receive a final number of voting locations 60-90 days before the election. The cost or number of locations may change if the number of registered voters in the city increases before then, she said.

The invoice from Fulton County lists the cost for a county-operated election at $379,408 for 12 regular voting locations and one early voting location.

The city’s estimated cost to run its own election with three polling locations was $298,532.

Expressing support

City Councilman Brian Will said the city originally proposed to run its own election because the county had charged more than double the cost, and the city investigated the opportunity to take over the process.

“In our investigation of doing this, we were going to be limited to three, maybe four, locations for the same money,” Will said. “So, for the City of Alpharetta to match what Fulton County was going to do would have been astronomically expensive.”

Resident Birdel Jackson said he supported the resolution, and he requested councilmembers negotiate an additional early voting location with the county.

“It’s going to take Alpharetta quite a bit of time to ramp up to that level of efficiency and expertise,” Jackson said. “So again, I just ask for the additional early voting location, as well as adoption of the resolution to enter into the agreement for Fulton County to run the election for the municipal election on Nov. 7.”

Resident Kay Howell agreed with Jackson, saying she had concerns about transparency, training, access to voting and disenfranchisement in a city-led election.

Councilmembers voted to approve the resolution in a 6-0 vote. Councilman Doug DeRito was absent.

Police department upgrades

In other matters at the March 27 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved a request to award Hexagon Corporation $2,449,290 for the Alpharetta Police Department’s computer aided dispatch and records management system.

The award replaces the department’s 16-year-old system with increased data analytics and improved intelligence capabilities. Public Safety Director John Robison said the system is inaccessible during maintenance, which takes a minimum of seven hours each month.

With the new cloud-based system, Robison said officers can access real-time information, submit reports from their patrol cars, share information between jurisdictions and increase crime deterrence by allowing officers more time in the field.

Robison said he can make no guarantees the new system will reduce crime, but he thinks it will enhance officers’ abilities to be more proactive, effective and reactive in solving crime.

Councilmembers also approved text amendments to the city Unified Development Code that create an overlay district for the Crabapple area it shares with the City of Milton.

While the amendments only affect the 9 acres of the area that are in Alpharetta, Community Development Director Kathi Cook said the amendments help unify design standards that make the appearance of the area compatible with Milton’s vision.

The proposed overlay prepared in coordination with Milton city staff also addresses parking, landscaping, streetscapes and street furniture in the area.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Market:

Continued from Page 1

something to just walk around and enjoy the outdoor venue,” Johnson said.

This year, Johnson said the market will feature long-time vendors, as well as new faces, such as a keto bakery booth and new bagel and biscuit vendors.

Latin Stove makes a comeback

Christine Marshall, co-owner of Latin Stove, said her booth returns for its first full year following a successful start last fall.

Marshall said she quit her corporate job in March 2022 to start her own business, and that October she and her husband Anderson launched Latin Stove, which offers empanadas, meals, sides and seasonal specials.

“With our booth at the farmers market, I mean, we encourage customers to come and try samples, figure out what flavor they like,” Marshall said. “As far as Latin Stove the company itself, we’re just wanting to continue to expand. We want to serve the customers in Alpharetta and Roswell and Cumming and all the surrounding areas as much as possible.”

Marshall said this is her 20th year cooking beef and cheese empanadas. She said her family is from the Azores Islands, which gives her empanadas a unique twist.

“It’s just something to have fun with and meet a lot of people, and everyone’s just so excited to try them,” Marshall said. “So, it’s really kind of taken on a life of its own, and we’re just super grateful and thankful.”

At this year’s market, Marshall said the booth will host a spring flavor contest April 8, which is National Empanada Day. She said whoever guesses Latin Stove’s next flavor will receive a free dozen empanadas of their choice.

Marshall said she is also considering launching a customer appreciation rewards program so frequent customers can receive a free empanada.

“We just want to say thank you,” Marshall said. “It doesn’t matter if somebody purchases one item or 10. I

mean, they’re all treated with respect, and we’re super grateful for them.”

Latin Stove will be at the farmers market Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 1-Oct. 31 and from 9:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. in November.

Online orders and more information can be found at https://www.latinstove. com/.

Over 15 years of success

David Hampton Bugg, owner of David’s WOW Garden Super Bee, said his business has secured a huge following at the market over the years.

“David’s Garden is noted for our highest quality and healthiest honey, bee pollen, pickles and other products that are fresh from the garden, just like grandmother’s,” Bugg said.

After 15 years at the market, Bugg said he has also witnessed the growth and success of the event, and the Alpharetta Farmers Market is the best in the state.

He said the booth will sell a new black-eyed pea relish this year, but it will feature other popular staples as well, such as hot and plain pickled okra and crunchy pickles.

Bugg said 60 percent of his sales are from honey and bee pollen, which improves energy and sleep. The remaining 40 percent of sales include jams, jelly and preserves; chow chow; soup bases; hors d’oeuvre jelly; sauces; and other pickled vegetables.

“Those customers are just phenomenal,” Bugg said. “And they come year after year, week after week. We have such loyal customers, and we have thousands of customers that come through every Saturday through the market.”

David’s WOW Garden Super Bee stops at the market every Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through October and from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in November. The business’s online shop is https:// davidswowgarden.com/.

A complete vendor list at the farmers market can be found at https://alpharettafarmersmarket. com/vendors/. For weather updates, follow the Alpharetta Farmers Market Instagram and Facebook pages.

The Alpharetta Business Association’s annual Alpharetta Farmers Market is set to launch for its 17th year April 1. The event will be held Saturdays at City Center.

Consultants present next steps for Mayfield District

Milton makes headway on municipal elections

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — After months of public workshops to create a defined character area for the District at Mayfield, the project’s consultants submitted recommendations to the Milton City Council March 20 based on final design plans.

The district covers about 18 acres in Crabapple and includes 22 parcels with properties off Broadwell Road, Charlotte Drive, Mayfield Road and Mid Broadwell Road. The District at Mayfield will have more strict development regulations intended to keep the area’s unique identity intact. Elements of the overlay district would fall under Crabapple form-based code.

Residents have stated their preference to connect any new construction to historic buildings in the area.

“We knew the plan wasn’t going to reflect a strong preservation aspect, but it had to be acknowledged,” said Ryan Snodgrass, a planner with TSW, the design firm heading the project.

The Milton Historical Society has been involved in the process, providing insight into the area’s historic side and holding educational sessions with the public on some of the properties at risk.

Jeff Dufresne, Milton Historical Society president, is also a member of the project’s steering committee.

Final plans

The Preferred Master Plan presented at the March 2 public workshop and open house has been adjusted in a few key ways to accommodate further input. However, a density of 5 units per acre in each of the plan’s four areas, broken up by a majority property owner, remains intact.

One of the biggest changes from the previous plan, Snodgrass said, is the removal of the roundabout and reorganization of buildings to create a more “village feel.”

Snodgrass presented some familyoriented and more quiet open spaces sprinkled throughout the final concept plan in addition to commercial building styles. The preferred style is low scale, Snodgrass said, and commercial structures designed to look like residential, or cottage-commercial buildings.

Snodgrass also highlighted a closure to a portion of Mid Broadwell Road for a pedestrian corridor, beginning near the

corner of Broadwell and Mayfield roads.

City Councilman Jan Jacobus said he was surprised at the limited number of residential structures on the final plan. Snodgrass said that while previous plans included more housing, the community didn’t want single-family detached homes or townhouses.

There are only four purely residential dwellings in the plan, all located off Mid Broadwell Road, a detail discussed with the property owner.

Snodgrass couldn’t confirm how many of the district’s 11 property owners participated in the public workshops, but all were invited.

During public comment, one property owner in the District at Mayfield said he had never been consulted about plans.

“Until we have been at least consulted with or involved in the process, we strongly oppose any moratorium or motions to develop our property without permission,” Jeff Pedowitz, the property owner said.

A moratorium has been in place since last summer to stall development in the district. It is set to end June 20.

TSW’s Caleb Rocicot proposed updates to the Crabapple form-based code to support the project’s vision, but he emphasized that there would be no change in density.

“We’ve made a very deliberate effort to recognize that the vision and the code work hand-in-hand,” Rocicot said.

Changes fall under two categories, which are the regulating plan, or the

zoning map, and the standards, Rocicot said,

Elections progress

Milton has checked some boxes in its drive to conduct its own municipal election this year.

The city fixed and published qualifying fees and approved some “housekeeping” measures, updating city code. City staff, including City Manager Steve Krokoff, Deputy City Manager Stacey Inglis and City Clerk Tammy Lowit, also attended election training and obtained the Municipal Election Official Certification.

Krokoff told the City Council an elections superintendent needs to be named by April 10. While no official vote was taken on the matter, councilmembers agreed Krokoff should take on the role. They also said the city should hire an experienced consultant to assist.

“Considering it’s our first time through, it’s like going to medical school but never doing surgery,” Krokoff said. “I think every aspect of the process would be nice to have somebody that’s ‘been there, done that.’”

Also at the meeting, Lowit displayed maps offering options for city polling locations.

The Municipal Elections Feasibility Committee, which has investigated selfrun municipal elections, recommended the city have two polling locations. Historically, Lowit said Milton has had

eight Fulton County polling locations on election day.

Lowit proposed the layout of two locations but maps options that contain three polling locations. All maps mimicked the county’s precinct lines but were colored differently to tend to the lower number of locations.

Inglis provided estimated costs for two, three and eight polling locations. In the first year, staff estimated that two polling locations would cost the city $98,382. A third polling location would add about $11,000 in cost.

If the city were to keep eight polling locations, it would spend $166,522 for the first year.

Krokoff said he thinks Milton is the only North Fulton city running its own municipal elections this year. Johns Creek and Roswell officials have already said they will continue their contract with Fulton County to operate polling, although they plan to study the issue further by the time 2025 municipal elections roll around.

Alpharetta is still in the process of making its decision. And, Sandy Springs does not have a municipal election this year.

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea for us to have a chance to do this alone so we can ensure, without any distraction — not that I’m disparaging any of our sister cities that are all wonderful places,” Moore said. “But we need to ensure our own success because this is going to be under such scrutiny...”

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Caleb Rocicot, planner with TSW, proposes updates to the Crabapple form-based code to support the vision developed for the District at Mayfield at the Milton City Council meeting March 20.

CITY OF MILTON/PROVIDED Pictured is the final concept plan for the District at Mayfield.

Stormwater wears down community, reinforces ‘buyers beware’

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Behind homes in the Parsons Run subdivision lies a stream, its banks gnawed away over the past couple of decades. Homeowners are at a loss of what to do.

Many sections of the stream are stagnant, deemed a future mosquito haven. Erosion has caused trees to buckle and topple, blocking water flow and collecting piles of waste. And in the summer, residents say the area reeks of sewage.

Just above the stream, on the other side of the backyards, is Chattahoochee High School. Homeowners say runoff from the school’s property has contributed to a repository of random objects in still water.

Neighbors have seen sports balls, cross ties, a school desk. They fear the football field bleachers, which are in eyesight, will fall in, too.

The situation at Parsons Run is part and parcel of what prompted Johns Creek to implement its Stormwater Utility in 2021. Each year, residents foot a $70 bill to fund a multi-million-dollar city-wide stormwater management program.

Dave Daniels and his wife Stephanie have been in Parsons Run since 2005. With a face of exhaustion and previous futile attempts to remove heavier trees, Dave led a tour along the stream March 21 to point out key areas where stormwater has taken its toll.

Some professional tree companies told Dave they couldn’t do anything because they would need a permit to use heavy equipment in the area. State regulations around natural waterways create a tedious process for any major work.

“If the citizens can’t do it, it comes down to the government,” Dave said.

But because the stream runs along private property, Johns Creek has no jurisdiction.

Cory Rayburn, Johns Creek stormwater utility manager, said the city doesn’t have a mechanism to send out a contractor.

Some of the issues stem from the school-side, Fulton County Schools’ territory. On March 21, Anne Boatwright, a spokeswoman with Fulton County Schools said its Operations Department would need another day to visit the site and investigate. As of March 23, the school district is still investigating the stormwater structures which were designed to reduce runoff from the school.

“We would like to have a conversation about this with the city and [impacted residents] about this …,” said Brian Noyes, chief communications officer with Fulton County Schools.

Contact information for the residents was sent to Noyes March 23.

Healthier days

Stephanie intended to tag along with her husband on the steam bank tour and said she would have to put on her boots. While she decided to stay in after all, she handed over a sticky note with a list of other families, including Brian and Alexis Whitman.

Alexis, who lives next door on Linbrook Lane, joined Dave to offer her perspective. The Whitmans moved in a few years before the Daniels. She recalled a once-healthy stream.

“It makes me so sad because when my kids were little this thing was full of 3- to 4-inch brim,” Alexis said. “They would

fish back here. We had ducks that nested. It’s all washed away. It’s all gone.”

Alexis said she is at risk of losing her wildlife habitat certificate, which she’s had for more than a decade.

In addition to a $20 fee, the National Wildlife Federation lists necessary components to apply for certification. Applicants must provide at least one clean water source, three food sources, two places for cover, two places for wildlife to mate and raise young and engage in at least two categories of sustainable practices.

The Whitmans have a bat box attached to a 20-foot pole close to the

bank, now barely hanging on. Their irrigation system, which was planted 5 feet from the bank, is now poking out of the dirt. Brian’s composting bin washed away around the same day it was built, a flood carrying its pieces at least 50 feet into Dave’s yard by the creek. Dave obliged Alexis with the clean-up.

Another resident was listed separately on the back of Stephanie’s note. She was said to have spent thousands of dollars to shore up, a process of reinforcement and prevention. Another entry on the list was “Dobe - moved,” referring to a family

See BEWARE, Page 19

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Dave Daniels, resident in Parsons Run, points out major areas of erosion in his backyard March 21.

The stream behind the backyards of residents in Parsons Run is blocked by trees, uprooted from erosion. The tree dam is creating stagnation and collecting waste from Chattahoochee High School nearby.

Beware:

Continued from Page 18

Stephanie said had left Parsons Run because they couldn’t tolerate the mess.

Stephanie showed pictures before erosion swept away up to 20 feet of her backyard, and the bridge that the Whitmans constructed. In one photo, Stephanie is tending to a homemade beehive while her dog snoops around. The fence is much farther back than where it sits now, and there are no fallen trees.

Revisiting those pictures, taken about six years ago, brought Stephanie to tears.

Buyers beware

Johns Creek City Councilman Larry DiBiase, a resident in Parsons Run, is in real estate by trade. He called attention to Georgia’s contract law, “Caveat Emptor,” which translates to, “Let the buyer beware.”

“I suspect most real estate agents don’t have any understanding of what a stream can do, and the consequences down the road for them,” DiBiase said. “The property owners today — the burden is on them to take care of their personal property, but it’s a heavy lift.”

DiBiase said it could be $100,000 to fix some of the problems residents in Parsons Run are facing. If buyers have done their work, he said their property would be de-valuated.

“Most people when they buy a property — look at the house, look at the backyard and are like, ‘Wow, the kids can play in the stream’ and all that,” DiBiase said. “But they don’t realize the damage a stream can do.”

The creekside properties, catching a deluge of water and waste every time it rains, lie in a flood plain. But the whole city lies in a basin.

Stormwater has been a large point of discussion in Johns Creek local government. DiBiase is taking the lead in the mayor’s stormwater task force alongside Councilman Dilip Tunki, and they are now deciding the group’s objectives. So far, Dibiase said he sat down with Stormwater’s Rayburn and Public Works Director Chris Haggard.

The city is constrained by time, money and technology. But DiBiase said his approach to stormwater is to “take the gloves off.”

“Let’s look at this and say, ‘If we had unlimited funds, if we can go outside our comfort zone in technology and look at some innovative ways to fix some of these problems, what can we do?’” DiBiase said.

In January, the Johns Creek Watershed Stormwater Master Plan was completed. The document, yet to be posted on the city’s website, looks for ways to improve the water quality of Johns Creek by reducing fecal coliform. The plan also outlines potential regional projects, which can take pressure off

some of the waterways downstream.

The City Council approved engineering services for one project March 14 at its work session, intended to restore a tributary of Johns Creek that feeds and forms Creekside Park’s ponds. The task order is to be fully funded by Fiscal Year 2023’s Stormwater Utility budget.

But Rayburn said the project in Creekside won’t directly impact what’s been observed in Parsons Run, whose stream is a sub-watershed.

What to do

Ann Arnette, the Parsons Run Homeowners Association president said, the HOA budgets money for a five-year plan that allows for engineers to maintain the community’s public spaces like the tennis courts, clubhouse and pool. But the association’s treasurer Chris Normand who lives next door to Dave and Stephanie Daniels, said the HOA doesn’t have the jurisdiction to fund engineering efforts on individual property.

Normand has been in the same house for 20 years. He has observed some erosion, like an uncovered ceramic pipe in the creek. The pipe was said to have been an old one, not part of an active system anymore.

But Normand said he hadn’t considered the erosion to be bad enough to do anything about it. He also said he is “lazy.”

To mitigate bank erosion, Rayburn said residents could introduce more

vegetation along the stream bank, like silky dogwood that can grow in a shaded area and thrive in areas close to the water. He said their root systems should expand deep below the ground to help hold the creek bank together.

“The more vegetation you have along the bank, the better,” Rayburn said.

Rayburn also mentioned more costly reinforcement that entails constructing walls of hardened materials, like riprap, and the design must be carefully done.

Before Johns Creek was incorporated in 2006, Parsons Run resident Alexis Whitman said Fulton County provided 10 tons of riprap for free and placed it on the street. When she first began noticing the erosion 15 years ago, Alexis received a $20,000 estimate for riprap.

A caveat, though, is that impervious surfaces like riprap increase water velocity.

Residents could also add live stakes that eventually grow into trees with the riprap for a mix of natural and hardened materials, Rayburn said. The stakes cost about $3 apiece.

Alexis said she had azaleas and hydrangeas along the stream and had doubts about planting any more vegetation.

“I mean, am I gonna spend money to put something down there just to wash it away?” she asked. Stephanie showed pictures before erosion swept away up to 20 feet of her backyard, and the bridge that the Whitmans constructed.

In one photo, Stephanie is tending to a homemade beehive while her dog snoops around. The fence is much farther back than where it sits now, and there are no fallen trees.

Revisiting those pictures, taken about six years ago, brought Stephanie to tears.

Buyers beware

Johns Creek City Councilman Larry DiBiase, a resident in Parsons Run, is in real estate by trade. He called attention to Georgia’s contract law, “Caveat Emptor,” which translates to, “Let the buyer beware.”

“I suspect most real estate agents don’t have any understanding of what a stream can do, and the consequences down the road for them,” DiBiase said. “The property owners today — the burden is on them to take care of their personal property, but it’s a heavy lift.”

DiBiase said it could be $100,000 to fix some of the problems residents in Parsons Run are facing. If buyers have done their work, he said their property would be de-valuated.

“Most people when they buy a property — look at the house, look at the backyard and are like, ‘Wow, the kids can play in the stream’ and all that,” DiBiase said. “But they don’t realize the damage a stream can do.”

The creekside properties, catching a deluge of water and waste every time it rains, lie in a flood plain. But the whole city lies in a basin.

STEPHANIE DANIELS/PROVIDED

Parsons Run resident Stephanie Daniels tends to a homemade beehive six years ago. At the time, the Daniels had about 20 more feet of land between the fence and the bank. The neighbor’s bridge, seen in the background, has since been swept away.

Residents propose taskforce to address content in school libraries

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County parents and residents asked the Board of Education March 21 to address sexual content in library books following months of debate on the subject.

The Board of Education affirmed the district media committee’s decision to allow Jay Asher’s “13 Reasons Why” to remain in a district middle school’s library. The 2007 novel details the events that lead to a teenage girl’s suicide.

“I just want to say that our opinion today doesn’t say that the book is good or bad or appropriate or inappropriate,” District 5 Board Member Mike Valdes said. “It’s very narrowly focused on: Did they follow the policy? And in my opinion, they did.”

Schools Superintendent Jeff Bearden said it is not the board’s role to act as the book police in the county, but it serves to provide oversight and ensure the district is run well. After the vote, one audience member shouted, “Did you read the book?”

Speakers at meetings had insisted the School Board address library books they deem inappropriate for children.

Mama Bears of Forsyth County members

Alison Hair and Cindy Martin filed a successful lawsuit against the board in 2022, which allowed Hair to continue reading explicit passages from books in local school libraries at board meetings.

Last month, Martin read an explicit

CADILLAC JACK MY SECOND ACT

excerpt from a novel that is available as an audiobook at West Forsyth High School, and two speakers agreed the district should limit students’ access to the material.

Sex education policy

At the March 21 meeting, speaker Lauren Voyles said the mature books violate the district’s sex education policy, and she recommended the board create a taskforce to address the books.

“We elected you to represent us and our morals and our values at a local level,” Voyles said. “This is going to impact our kids for decades. We all know this is wrong. We all know this is wrong, so where are we supposed to go? We’re just supposed to ignore it, like it’s just going to go away on its own? It’s not. These are our children.”

Speaker Katherine Wolter also said she suggested the board create a taskforce, and she volunteered to become a member like Voyles.

However, Forsyth Coalition for Education member Becky Woomer said the county has a good media review process.

“Our mission is to protect students’ rights and to respect the work and expertise of teachers, media specialists and principals,” Woomer said. “While we have a range of advocacy interest in education, there’s a lot of urgency right now around book challenges. Our position is, if there’s a school library book you don’t want your child to have access to, no problem. If there’s a book you don’t want my child to have access to, massive problem.”

Woomer said Forsyth County students are entitled to a diversity of voices and viewpoints in their books,

and while library books harm nobody, intolerance and hate spoken in the community does.

Providing safe haven

Also at the meeting, the Board of Education heard a presentation by West Forsyth High School students Ava, Emma and Maddie on the Welcoming Wolverines, a group dedicated to making friends with students and providing a safe place.

“These kids have huge hearts,” group sponsor and Counseling Secretary Christine Jackson said. “They are full of kindness, love, compassion. They connect with everybody they meet. They make everybody laugh, but most of all, their smiles and their laughter are contagious.”

The three students shared why they joined the Welcoming Wolverines, and they presented each boardmember with a bracelet with positive words of affirmation, which they often make for students in the group.

“I had a friend who lost his life in 2021,” Ava said. “And I wonder if he had a group like this, or a place where people could just have, like, genuine connections, he would still be here with us today. And I wonder how many people’s lives we’ve saved. And if we could just save one life, it would mean a lot for all of us to connect. And I know it’s helped save mine.”

Emma said the group plans to power wash, provide yard work and clean a retirement home this spring.

Board members also recognized Kelly Mill Elementary School Head Custodian Richard Toomey for his nomination as a top-10 finalist in Cintas Corporation’s 2023 Custodian of the Year contest.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA Forsyth County parent Lauren Voyles addresses the Board of Education at its March 21 meeting. Voyles requested the board create a taskforce to address sexual library books available in the district.

GEORGIA ENSEMBLE THEATRE PRESENTS ‘BRIGHT STAR’

What: An editor in 1940s North Carolina sets out to find the true story of her difficult history in this homey musical that flits between the present and the past in a heartbeat. The emotional and uplifting Appalachian tale is inspired by a true story and features a Tony-nominated bluegrass score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.

When: March 30-April 16, time vary

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell

Cost: Tickets start at $32

More info: get.org

ROSWELL DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS ‘MARY POPPINS’

What: Follow Mary Poppins as she adds sunshine, adventure and magic to the previously solemn and serious Banks home. Join Jane and Michael as practically perfect Mary introduces them to the charming Bert. They explore the rooftops of London, enjoy a spoonful of sugar, fly a kite and do it all in the most delightful way.

When: March 30-April 1, times vary

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $30

More info: citysprings.com

DUNWOODY FARMERS MARKET

What: The Dunwoody Farmers Market brings together a variety of vendors selling local and organic fruits, veggies and produce, coffee, breakfast, baked goods, prepared meals, frozen treats, eggs, grass-fed meat and fresh seafood.

When: Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody

More info: dunwoodyga.gov

FAIRY HOUSE OR GNOME HOME WORKSHOP

What: After a long, cold winter the fairy houses and gnome homes

are ready for a refresh. Bring your imagination to the first Spring Fairy House and Gnome Home event. Kids and adults will be provided with natural materials like seed pods, pinecones, bark and nuts to build a structure to take home or to leave at Lost Corner for all to enjoy. Registration is encouraged but walkins are welcome.

When: Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m.

Where: Lost Corner Preserve, 7300 Brandon Mill Road, Sandy Springs

Cost: $15 per person, $30 per family

More info: sandyspringsga.gov

‘THE NICETIES’ AT STAGE DOOR THEATRE

What: Zoe is a young Black student at a liberal arts college. What begins as a polite clash in perspectives of the founding fathers between her and her liberal, tenured professor explodes into a tightrope of what it means to hear and what it means to listen.

When: Up to April 2, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody

Cost: $35 for adults, $20 for students, $15 for children

More info: stagedoortheatrega.org/ the-niceties/

LAZY DOG SPRING MENU TASTING

What: Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is hosting a special sneak peek event to celebrate its new, seasonal menu additions. Taste your way through a special four-course menu featuring reimagined favorites from past menus and new flavors to kick off the season. The event is for two people.

When: April 2-April 4, 4-9 p.m.

Where: Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, 4532 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody

Cost: $85 for two

More info: lazydogrestaurants.com/ spring-menu-tasting

MUTATE AT FIVE

What: Mutate at Five is a free familyfriendly, beer, wine, music and food festival held every first Thursday from April to October.

When: Thursday, April 6, 5-9 p.m.

Where: City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

More info: visitsandysprings.org

SANDY SPRINGS FARMERS MARKET

What: Shop for fresh produce and artisan foods every Saturday morning from April 8 to November 18, where more than 30 vendors set up shop around the City Green, many bringing their farm to your table. Other vendors offer artisan foods, and many participants offer pre-orders.

When: Saturday, April 8, 8:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.

Where: City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

More info: citysprings.com/ farmersmarket

SAMI BEIGI LIVE IN ATLANTA

What: Performing in the area for the first time, popular Iranian singer/ songwriter, guitarist and producer Sami Beigi was nominated for three World Music Awards in 2014. Formerly a member of the Persian Black Cats, he’ll have you dancing the night away with his many successful singles, including “Yeki Bood Yeki Nabood,” “Ey Joonam,” “HMG” and “In Eshghe.” He's joined in this

appearance by one of the pioneers of Persian Rap, Erfan.

When: Saturday, April 8, 8:30 p.m.

Where: Byers Theater, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $79-199

More info: citysprings.com

SANDY SPRINGS ARTSAPALAOOZA

What: The two-day festival features a children’s play area, local musicians, interactive art stations in addition to up to 150 arts and crafts participants in every discipline. On Easter Sunday, the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces is hosting the largest Easter Egg Hunt in Sandy Springs with more than 10,000 hidden Easter eggs.

When: Saturday & Sunday, April 8-April 9

Where: 6100 Lake Forrest Drive, Sandy Springs

More info: sandyspringsartsapalooza. com

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3. Click the red button that reads “Create event”

4. That’s it! Submissions are free, though there are paid opportunities to promote your event in print and online.

Get prepared: It is time for hummingbirds to return

What a joy to see the variety of birds that come to my bird feeders and suet baskets each day! As the temperatures warm and the day length increases, more birds will return from their winter migration locations. At the beginning of April, when the spring flowers begin to bloom, it is time to prepare for the return of the hummingbirds by adding a hummingbird feeder filled with sugar water to my collection of bird feeders and suet baskets. At the end of September each year, I remove the hummingbird feeder because the hummingbirds are departing for their long migration journey to their winter feeding grounds in Mexico and Central America.

The males leave first, followed by the females two weeks later. Because hummingbirds depend on nectar for survival, they are not attracted to my feeders filled with black sunflower seeds. Most hummingbird feeders are red because hummingbirds are attracted to red flowers. Store-bought, pre-made nectar can be used to fill your feeder, or you can make your own. Tips for creating your own hummingbird nectar include:

• Make a mixture of 4 parts water to 1 part sugar.

• Boil the water and add the sugar stirring until the sugar dissolves.

• Do not add red dye! There is no research that proves red dye is safe for hummingbirds.

• Clean the feeder with soap and water and rinse thoroughly.

• After the sugar solution cools, add it to the feeder.

• Store the extra solution in the refrigerator.

• To prevent mold, clean the feeder every other day, rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue, and add fresh nectar.

A suggestion: you might want to add two hummingbird feeders and, if possible, space them several feet apart. Last summer, I observed whenever two hummingbirds arrived at my feeder, only one bird would place its long beak into the feeder to obtain the nectar water. In fact, the male hummingbird at the feeder was aggressively signaling the other hummingbird to leave the area near

About the Author

the feeder. Male hummingbirds are small but they are also very territorial!

To attract hummingbirds to your garden, add some native flowers such as cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Eastern columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), or jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) to your garden. Other excellent additions are native vines such as trumpet-creeper (Campsis radicans) or coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). Avoid using insecticides, as insects are also important to their diet and provide a source of protein needed for these active birds.

Hummingbird identification is easy. Why? There is only one species of hummingbird that spends its mating and nesting season in Georgia, the ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris).

Because hummingbirds are small, get out your binoculars in order to distinguish between the male and female hummingbirds. The male, as in most birds, is the most colorful and has a ruby throat and iridescent green back. The female is also beautiful with her iridescent green back, but instead of a ruby throat, she has a white throat speckled with a few grey dots.

Here are some interesting facts about ruby-throated hummingbirds:

• They only weigh 2 to 3 grams, the equivalent of 2 to 3 paper clips.

• They are one of the smallest birds in Georgia.

• They must consume half of their body weight in nectar each day to maintain their high metabolism.

• Their heart beats 1,260 times per minute.

• They breathe 250 times per minute.

• They are the only birds that can fly backwards.

• Males do not participate in making the nest or feeding the young. After mating, the male abandons the female and looks for another mating opportunity.

• The female constructs a nest out of plant material and spider webs and camouflages the nest by gluing lichen to the exterior.

• Almost without exception, the female lays two tiny white eggs in her nest.

• The incubation and fledging periods take about one month. The eggs are incubated by the female for 12-14 days. After hatching, the female feeds the young for 14-18 days.

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.

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Carole MacMullan, a master gardener since 2012. Carole describes herself as a born biologist. Since childhood, she loved to explore the out-of-doors and garden with her mother. When she entered college, she selected biology as her major and made teaching high school biology her career for 35 years. After retirement in 2008, she had three goals: to move from Pittsburgh to Atlanta to be near her daughter and granddaughter, to volunteer, and to become a Master Gardener. Shortly after moving, she became involved with the philanthropic mission of the Assistance League of Atlanta (ALA) and in 2012, completed the Master Gardener 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 ALA thrift store and acts as chair of their Links to Education scholarship program. Her favorite hobbies are gardening, hiking, biking, and reading.

For more information

• Stan Tekiela, Birds of Georgia, Second edition, Adventure Publications, 2021, ISBN: 978-1-64755-200-8

• Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer, Field Guide to the Birds of America, National Geographic. ISBN: 1-42620071-4, pages 278-9, 82-3.

• Roger Tory Peterson, Peterson Field Guide to Eastern and Western Birds, Seventh Edition, Mariner Books, 2020, ISBN-10 132877143.

• Charles Seabrook, “Male hummingbirds ready for fleeting, flitting romance,” Wild Georgia, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Saturday, April 23, 2022.

•https://site.extension.uga.edu/ paulding/2021/06/creating-ahummingbird-habitat/

•https://avianreport.com/ hummingbird-identification/

CAROLE MACMULLAN Guest Columnist

DEBBIE KOENIGS/USFWS

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Common Milkweed

BILL THOMPSON/PROVIDED Ruby-throated Hummingbird

PROVIDED

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Female Drinking

COURTNEY CELLEY/USFWS

A male ruby-throated hummingbird hovers near a feeder, showing part of his tongue.

PRESERVING THE PAST

Free flying aficionados bring craft to Dunwoody

Man has yearned to fly for centuries. Initial efforts involved hot air balloons and gliders. In fact, in the 1480s Leonardo da Vinci made more than 100 drawings of a flying machine that he never built. He just wanted to show how man could fly. According to NASA, the modern-day helicopter is based on his design.

BOB MEYERS

In 1783, the French Montgolfier brothers invented the first flying hot air balloon. The first passengers were a sheep, rooster and duck. The colorful silk balloon rose 6,000 feet and traveled more than a mile. Soon, the brothers were sending human passengers aloft.

In the mid- to early 1850s, George Cayley, an English engineer, designed many gliders. Later in the century German engineer, Otto Lilienthal studied the flight of birds and wrote a book that the Wright Brothers used as a basis for their designs. Unfortunately, Lilienthal was killed when one of his designs crashed with him aboard. In 1891 Samuel Langley, who was director of the Smithsonian Institute, built a glider with a steampowered engine. Orville and Wilbur Wright studied these and other early pioneers to develop their “Flier” that they took turns piloting four times on December 17, 1903, thus ushering in all that has come after them.

I mention these early champions of flight to highlight the fact that flying on currents of air is the basis of controlled flight. In this age of rocket ships and jet planes, it is easy to forget how much we owe to those who proved that objects could be suspended in and made to fly freely on currents of air.

A small but dedicated group of enthusiasts are keeping the notion of free flying alive locally. These knowledgeable and very patient individuals, many with technical backgrounds, devote countless hours to making and flying model airplanes that depend on air currents to stay aloft and have great fun in the process. They call themselves the Thermal Thumbers of Metro Atlanta.

Free flight model airplanes have no external controls. The goal of the sport is to achieve the longest flight duration possible by making minute adjustments to the design and trim of the airplanes. Two kinds of free flight airplanes are used, indoor and outdoor. The two types are quite different in

appearance, size and weight.

Indoor models are very light, typically weighing no more than a dollar bill or a baby aspirin and fly very slowly. They are powered by special rubber bands, twisted by a device that provides a set number of twists to help assure desired flight characteristics. Too many twists and the plane will hit the ceiling. Typically, the planes are flown in school or church gymnasiums with high ceilings. Competitions are held locally, nationally and internationally every two years. One popular location for world championship competitions is a

MEDIA

may occasionally fly up to one hour, although most test and practice flights are timed to last just a few minutes.

Outdoor models are usually larger and heavier. They often have engines that shut off soon after launch to help the planes catch the thermal drafts that can carry them to amazing heights. Finding the thermal drafts is one of the challenges of this sport. Different kinds of outdoor models exist each with its own specifications and rules.

Radio controlled model airplanes are also popular outdoors, but they are in a special category and are not considered free flight.

vast salt mine in Romania noted for its still, cold air and 200-foot-high ceiling.

In early March, members of the Thermal Thumbers gathered in the gymnasium of St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church in Dunwoody with its ultrahigh ceiling for a day of practice flights and competition with their delicate balsawood models. Doors must be kept closed and ventilation turned off to “calm air currents,” says Dohrman Crawford, Thermal Thumbers of Atlanta vice president and ex-Viet Nam War forward air controller and retired Delta Airlines pilot He says that a welldesigned and adjusted model plane

In the U.S., the sport is supervised by the National Free Flight Society. The first national competition was held in 1915.This year the nationals will be held at the University of Idaho June 19-23. The World Air Sports Federation (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) supervises international competitions.

Newcomers of all ages are always welcome to visit or become involved with the Atlanta area group. For information, contact James Martin, jnnmartin1963@gmail.com.

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.

Columnist

DORMAN CRAWFORD/PROVIDED

Dorman Crawford, vice president of the metro Atlanta free flight indoor model airplane club, the Thermal Thumbers, prepares to launch a Phantom Flash, an indoor model designed in the 1930s and still popular today.

BOB MEYERS/APPEN

Indoor

free flight model airplanes are built to precise specifications and carefully flown in large spaces such as gymnasiums. This is an F1D model measuring 30 inches long with a wingspan of 22.7 inches and weighing 1.4 grams or about as much as a dollar bill. The plane was built by Kang Lee who has won two world championships and works for Google. The plane is made of balsa wood. Wings are covered with ultra-thin mylar film. Kag flew his plane at a practice/competition session in early March in the gymnasium of St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church in Dunwoody.

Conversation around a table in Knoxville

We were sitting around a table with friends at a restaurant in Knoxville. We had driven up because our friend’s adult granddaughter Kelsie, who works at the Knoxville Museum of Art, was introducing a new exhibition that she had curated, and we wanted to see it – as well as visit her grandmother and her parents. We have known everyone for many years; they are island friends who we only see when we are at the beach.

Kelsie is an artist herself – incredibly talented, creative, smart, and her own person, just like her grandmom. She is one of those people who just seems to ooze talent which is communicated by the sparkle in her eyes, her clothes and hair, and a certain reserved confident aloofness – not a casting judgement aloofness, but a demeanor of someone who perhaps sees things that other people do not.

The exhibit pulled almost a dozen artists from all over the South as well as local artists. The art was full of big ideas – big picture vistas – “high art.” That is, most of it was contemporary, mixed medium, conceptual and symbolic. Think plastic, glass, photo-images, cardboard, dreams, memory and more.

All the artists were there with their work. The museum was serving hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer, and there may have been music. The exhibit was a true event – a melding of ideas, talent, knowledge, experience and connection. Everyone seemed to be plugged into the same energy, and at times it felt overwhelming to me, but, at the same time, alive, engaged, and fun.

Anyway, as we sat around the table post-show, my wife was telling a story, and part of the story for some reason had something to do with Johnny Carson. She stopped mid-sentence during her story though, and looked at the granddaughter and said, “you have no idea who I am talking about do you? You don’t know Johnny Carson, do you?” Kelsie’s completely blank look on her face was her answer. She looked around the table for clues. Nothing. We got nothing.

I think most of us were caught off guard momentarily – surprised and startled a bit. It was no big deal though; it was just one of those moments. I mean, why should we expect a gen Y to know Johnny after he had been off the air since 1992? (The last show was May 22, 1992 – wow. The first show was October 1, 1962.). The rub is that he/

his memory remains so clearly in place for my generation and those close, and it is hard to remember that our frames of reference – no matter how clear they are to us – may be diddly squat to others.

Who is Johnny Carson?

Who is John Galt?

How about Lenny Bruce, Richard Brautigan, Ken Kesey or Wavy Gravy?

How about David Foster Wallace, Julia Butterfly Hill, Bobby Sands, or H Rap Brown?

And Rachael Carson?

I know them all, but, well, that’s just me. Others do not. Indeed. But they know people and stuff and events that I don’t know. Maybe that’s the point.

When son Hans was in first or second grade at Alpharetta Elementary, his teacher (Mrs. Benton?) asked him what his favorite music was. “Anything by Rodgers and Hammerstein,” he replied. Huh?

I polled my kids – just for fun –asking them if they knew who Johnny Carson was. They made fun of me and my question. Figures.

To try to buffer possible embarrassment for Kelsie, I asked her if she was familiar with Howard Finster. Her face lit up. “Yes, of course. Summerville. I was at his studio last year. Some of my friends have some of his stuff.” It didn’t look like anyone else at the table – there were about 10 of us – other than my wife – had Finster on their radar.

Who is Howard Finster?

I often say that “everything important I learned in life, I learned from my children.” Well, almost everything. And the irony is that one of the main reasons they can teach me, is because I taught them – and they remember.

William Faulkner said that “the past isn’t dead; it isn’t even past.” It is still with us – every day. And he could also have said that the future is here too, now. That was crystal clear in Kelsie’s show – for all to see – frozen in time in the museum that afternoon, in a still moment – ha, Elliot’s “still point,” while we talked, listened and looked.

The older I get the more I realize that every moment matters. Every connection. Every memory. Every player on stage. The more we see, the more context we absorb, the more meaning we add to our lives. And the moments we miss, or ignore, or don’t see on late night tv, or hear in our parent’s voice as they read to us, or study about in school, is an excruciating loss that we often don’t even see or realize. But it is a loss for all.

Who is Johnny Carson? Who is Howard Finster? Indeed.

More about Kelsie

Kelsie Conley also owns and manages her own gallery in Knoxville called “Bad Water Gallery” (website: LvL3official.com). It is located at

320 East Churchill Ave. Her gallery recently was cited in London’s Financial Times along with three other galleries around the world as an example of the new emerging art venues of note – “making shows for the next generation.”

Kelsie Conley stands for a photo.

Tornado devastated Dunwoody 25 years ago

A category F-2 tornado cut through Dunwoody a little after midnight April 9, 1998, leaving a path of destruction. More than 3,000 homes were damaged, 1,500 families were displaced, and damage to homes and property exceeded $150 million. In all, 70 homes were destroyed.

Tragically, John Janisch of Delverton Drive died when a tree struck his home.

Local news station 11 Alive reported there were 62 tornados in a three-day period ending with April 9. The tornado that struck Dunwoody began its path in Alabama and touched down in Cobb County. In Dunwoody, it came across Chamblee Dunwoody Road, moved east along Peeler Road, down Tilly Mill Road, through parts of Kingsley, across Happy Hollow Road and through Fontainebleau Forest, then across Winters Chapel Road into Lockridge Forest. Finally, it struck Peachtree Corners and northern Gwinnett County. (Dunwoody Crier, June 1998, “April 9, 1998: The Storm”)

Those watching weather reports on television just after midnight heard the warnings to take cover, but those who had gone to bed already either woke up to a

sound like a freight train or to the sound of trees crashing all around or on top of their homes.

Some in the direct path tried to walk out in the night with flashlights once the tornado had moved on, only to be unable to maneuver around the fallen trees in the dark. Others walked out the next morning to see the snapped and fallen trees and damage to their property.

Dunwoody High School was set up as a shelter for those whose homes were damaged, but many stayed in their homes if they were able. Others stayed with family or friends or rented nearby. There were blue tarps on houses all up and down the streets with the most damage. Homeowners were advised to be wary of those trying to take advantage of the desperate situation, over-charging for tree removal and repairs.

A large pin oak fell on the home at Donaldson-Bannister Farm during the tornado, damaging the two front upstairs bedrooms and the chimney. Other trees fell through the windows of the dining room, plus there was damage to the barn. Owners Linda and David Chesnut repaired all the damage and replaced damaged magnolia trees.

The tornado’s path included what was then DeKalb College, today’s Georgia State University Dunwoody Campus. Eighty percent of the trees on campus were snapped or uprooted. Travis Weatherly,

director of plant operations, seeing the damage for the first time the following morning, observed, “There are no words to describe the destruction.” There were fallen trees everywhere, broken windows, roof damage, and water inside buildings. The campus remained closed through the following weekend. (Dunwoody Crier, April 4, 2018, “Dunwoody Tornado April 9, 1998 “)

The Dunwoody Homeowner’s Association, Dunwoody Preservation Trust and Dunwoody Nature Center joined forces following the tornado with an initiative called “Replant the Dunwoody

Forest.” More than 25,000 trees were planted around Dunwoody thanks to the effort.

Lemonade Days, Dunwoody Preservation Trust’s annual festival at Brook Run Park, began the next year with a children’s carnival and tours of rebuilt and rehabilitated homes.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media. She lives in Sandy Springs. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@ gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

My ex-gall bladder: I never liked you anyway

It all began with the mother of all bellyaches. I figured it could have been the shrimp. Could have been.

I’d read once that time heals all wounds. Whoever said that has never heard me sing. There’s not enough olive oil (Mom’s surefire earache remedy) in all of Sicily for that to be true. Being somewhat intelligent, with a gullet feeling like it had been doused in week-old sun-drenched Tabasco, the inferno in my personal South-of-theBorder pulled a John Paul Jones and had just begun to fight.

That was on Friday and Saturday. By Sunday, with Northside Hospital seemingly so close I could touch it, I was like those poor saps who tap a keg and wait out a hurricane.

By Monday, I was on an emergency

room gurney, getting scanned, poked, prodded and scanned.

Before I go on, I need to ask a question: Do you know what a gallbladder is and what it does?

Me neither. I know I had one and now I don’t. Good riddance! You stay away and I’ll religiously avoid fried foods. But I’m still not eating lima beans.

I can attest that when it is infected, it’s time to batten down the hatches and pray for relief.

Figuring I’d be out of the ER in a few minutes, I knew we were in for a long haul.

On that Monday I was having a rotten day for figuring.

A nurse came to me and acted like I had won Powerball when she said: “We’re going to admit you.”

There were no spinning balls, just an uncomfortable bed with some cool buttons that it would have been a riot to push had I not been hurting so bad.

I was lucky. No lottery winnings

but at least I’m here to share this. My gallbladder was the width of a spider’s whisker from bursting, and if that had happened, instead of reading this, you’d be reading of a third-grader field trip to Mayfield Dairy.

I met the surgeon, Brian Whitfield VI. I’d never met a “6th” before. The closest I’d ever got to that long a lineage was listening to that old Herman’s Hermits song about the 8th, as in Henry.

Tuesday was a whiff of anesthesia that never lasts as long as it should. It was dreamy, and when I came to, the belly ache nausea pain was gone. In its place was soreness from where holes were punched in my torso, the result of laparoscopic procedure.

I was sore and alive. Dr. Whitfield found a big chunk of nasty infection around ol’ GB, my ex-internal organ who ditched me after 67 years. He scooped out that mess and kept me around to have more adventures and stories to share.

Coming out of the fog in my brain, I kept being asked if there was anything I needed. My reply of “three or four more wallops of that anesthesia,” which I found hilarious, was met with stern looks from a tough-as-shoe-leather nurse.

I also found that hospitals aren’t worried about leaky bed pans, inebriated doctors or trying to explain their bills. No, I kept being warned not to fall, but that I was expected to start walking the halls.

My request for happy juice was ignored, as was my request for some decent food.

I was home on Saturday, five days after walking through the ER door. I would have rather watched the Home and Garden Network for a month.

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.

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF

Donaldson-Bannister Farm was hit hard by the April 9, 1998 tornado.

MIKE TASOS

Columnist

GET OUTSIDE GEORGIA

The things you remember this time of year

So I’m sitting here looking out the window, savoring the notion that spring’s about to get here at last. And I’m glad. Winter is nice, but spring is better. When spring comes around, everything is once again brand new. The world awakens in every way, and thoughts turn to…

…fishing.

Yeah, I was going to say to love, and that’s true too. Sometimes the cliches are right on. But at this precise instant it’s fishing that’s come to mind.

The start of what we always called “fishing season” was always an epic occasion in my family, heralded by much excitement and ritual and ceremony. It was kind of like Christmas, or maybe birthdays, but deep down I guess I always knew that the coming of fishing season was always at the top of the list.

Later, when I had kids of my own, I’d get just as excited as I did when I was a child. That first warm spring day would come, and I’d be ready. I’d get up early while the kids were still asleep and pick up the fly rod and ease toward the door, quiet as dawn, set to slip out for a morning of solitaire-style water therapy. Just me and the creek and, with any

luck, a fish or two.

I started to daydream, to remember…

Years ago…spring had come, and The Day had at long last arrived. But the night before, while I was getting ready, the child had seen the rod. And knew.

“Take me?” asked the tiny voice.

I hadn’t said no. But I hadn’t said yes either.

And now, not asleep after all, in the wee small hours of the first day of Fishing Season, on that Most Important Day of All Days, the little one had appeared as if by magic there in the hall by the door.

“Take me with you?” the tiny voice said again, this time rubbing sleepy eyes with one hand and holding a bright orange Snoopy spinning rod in the other.

“Take me fishing?” – a question now – and for an instant the universe had paused.

I remembered. I’d looked toward the flyrod — and then I had looked at the child …

And to my immense credit…

“Take you fishing?” I’d said. “Take you fishing! Of course I’ll take you fishing!”

The child smiled then, and all creation cheered as we followed the dew-sparkled path that led to the water, walking slowly, taking our time on our way to the pond to see what would happen next.

I remembered. It was a long time ago, but I remembered every detail. I remembered it all...

***

Her voice nudged me back to present tense.

“I made you coffee,” she says.

There’s a pause, and I sip. She makes the best coffee.

“Thinking about fishing?” she asks, or maybe it’s a statement. She knows me well.

“Uh-huh,” I say, “and other things…”

“Good thoughts?” she asks.

“Oh yes,” I reply.

I take another sip. It’s heaven in a cup.

And I remember something else –

It was last year. We were going to dinner or lunch or something, and on a whim I said, “Have you ever been fly fishing?”

She allowed as to how she had not.

“Well then!” I had said, suddenly unaccountably hopeful, and a few miles down the road I turned right instead of left and we were soon at a little creek that I knew was full of fish. I rigged up a rod, and in a minute we were walking a shaded trail through the soft green light of the wood.

We reached the water. I stepped down onto a gravel bar, taking her hand to steady her over a rough spot as she followed. Then I handed her the rod.

“Want to try it?” I asked.

For an instant the universe paused. Then --

“Sure,” she said, and she smiled.

She cast the little fly over near that deep spot there, exactly where I would have cast it if I’d been holding the rod.

The fly began to drift with the current. She followed it with her eyes.

I watched, too, waiting, expectant, wondering where the drift would take it, watching to see what would happen next.

STEVE HUDSON Columnist

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Agilysys NV, LLC seeks a Manager, Technical Services in Alpharetta, GA to conduct hands-on design and programing of new product features. Apply https://www.jobpostingtoday.com/ Ref. #86883

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Apptad Inc. in Alpharetta, GA is seeking:

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• Utilities included

Administrative Assistant for Youth and Children

Protestant church in downtown Alpharetta seeks a parttime (15-18 hours per week) Administrative Assistant for Youth & Children’s Ministries. In addition to normal administrative duties the candidate will assist with scheduling, social media, securing supplies, maintaining attendance records, planning events and mission trips. Qualified candidates are a person of outstanding character who is friendly, organized, able to prioritize, exhibits an understanding of the importance of confidentiality, and is willing and able to work in an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of all people.

A degree from an accredited college or university is preferred. Computer competence within Office 365, editing, and writing skills are required. Experience with REALM is a plus.

Successful completion of a criminal records and child abuse background check is required. Send resumes to alpharettajobopening@gmail.com.

• Marketing can be included

• Conference Room

• Parking

• 24/7 access

• Private office suite within Appen Media Group’s building

• Easily accommodates up to 5 people

• Office has great light. Ground floor

• .7 mile to Alpharetta City Hall on Hwy. 9

• Smaller office space also available in same building

• Short or longer term lease. Reasonable $

Contact Ray Appen via Text (770-527-4042) or email me at RayAppen@Gmail.com – or just call me but best to text and I will return your call.

Gutters

AARON’S ALL-TYPE GUTTERS Installed. Covers, siding, soffit, facia. www.aaronsgutters.com. Senior citizen discount! 678-508-2432

GUTTER DONE, LLC

Gutter cleaning, roof repair, free DRONE roof, picture inspection, tree service. 770-905-9682

www.gutterdoneamerica.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Roofing

ROOF LEAKING?

Call us for roof repair or roof replacement. FREE quotes. $200 OFF Leak Repairs or 10% off New Roof. Affordable, quality roofing. Based in Roswell. Serving North Atlanta since 1983. Call to schedule FREE Quote: 770-284-3123. Christian Brothers Roofing

Driveway

$250 OFF NEW DRIVEWAY!

Flooring

PHILLIPS FLOORING

Hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile installation and repairs. We do

Tree Services

24 hour emergency service. Licensed, insured. Workers Comp, insurance claims. 25+ years experience. Family business. Free estimates. We Love Challenges!

Yellow Ribbon Tree Experts 770-512-8733 • www.yellowribbontree.com

COMPLETE TREE SERVICES

Mention this ad. Concrete driveway specialists. Driveways, Pool Decks, Patios, Walkways, Slabs.  A+ BBB rating. FREE ESTIMATE. Call Rachael at 678-250-4546 to schedule a FREE Estimate. 30 years of experience. ARBOR HILLS CONSTRUCTION INC. Please note we do have a minimum charge on accepted jobs of $4,500.

Landscaping

Full Service LANDSCAPING Company

Retaining walls (brick or wood), grading, sod, tree services, hauling, topsoil & more.

Ralph Rucker

678-898-7237

Appen-Rated 98

Text or Call us for a FREE quote appointment.

Tree removal, Pruning, Stump grinding, Free mulch. Fully insured.

Emergency 24/7 770-450-8188

Haulers

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00. 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928 Hablamos

Español

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Many local referencesCall Ralph Rucker 678-898-7237

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Inflation is at 40 year highs.

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