Record shows Dunwoody paid $20,000 to ex-officer
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council is yet to comment on its approval of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s conciliation agreement between the Police Department and a former officer.
The commission required the city to pay $20,000 in damages because of retaliation against a former officer, who blew a whistle on former Lt. Fidel
Espinoza’s repeated sexual harassment.
Appen Media received the full conciliation agreement Sept. 4 after submitting an open records request to the city.
The terms of the agreement require confidentiality on the part of the charging party, former Officer Bryan Castellanos and the respondent, the Dunwoody Police Department.
Cities tie transportation to economic prosperity
By ZOE SEILER zseiler@decaturish.com
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. —
Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch outlined her city’s initiatives to invigorate economic and cultural growth Aug. 29 at the annual DeKalb Chamber of Commerce City Summit in Stone Mountain.
The City Summit fielded representatives from municipalities throughout DeKalb County.
During a panel discussion, Deutsch said transportation and transit have been a challenge. She noted the heavy traffic she faced heading west toward Atlanta that morning.
“Commuting is a big deal for people, and I think to the
point that people have choices, you have to create a space for employers where employees will want to be,” Deutsch said.
Dunwoody is working to improve Perimeter Center with trails, art, programming and placemaking to make it a more of a destination spot. Deutsch added that officials must make it easy for people to get to places.
Dunwoody also hopes to create opportunities for office building redevelopment. Deutsch said the city has completed a new plan for Dunwoody Village.
“It keeps the commercial density low, which I think enables small businesses to potentially have an opportunity
See SUMMIT, Page 17
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found that there was retaliation against Castellanos and his decision to leave his position may not have been voluntary because the employer created a hostile work environment.
Mediation from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is free for both parties and seeks to
eliminate unlawful practices through an informal conciliatory process.
The conciliation agreement, signed by Mayor Lynn Deutsch Aug. 27, requires Dunwoody to pay Castellanos $20,000 through its insurance carrier.
It also requires the city to start training its leaders with “special emphasis on Title VII [of the 1964 Civil Rights Act],” which deals with sexual harassment.
discuss economic
ZOE SEILER/DECATURISH
Stonecrest Director of Economic Development Christian Green (behind podium), Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch, Doraville Mayor Pro Tem Gerald Evans and Brookhaven Mayor Pro Tem John Funny
development during the City Summit on Aug. 29, 2024.
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Fatality crash reported along I-285 exit ramp
DUNWOODY, Ga. — A 33-year-old woman died in an early morning vehicle collision Sept. 1 on I-285 westbound at Ashford Dunwoody Road.
Dunwoody police responded to the scene around 3:45 a.m. where they found a white Scion sedan and a Ford F-250 involved in a crash with entrapment.
A Dunwoody Police Department report says the Scion, traveling
POLICE BLOTTER
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.
Eviction sparks confusion between police, marshals
DUNWOODY, Ga. — A female tenant at Drexel Collective apartments off Perimeter Lofts Circle notified Dunwoody Police Aug. 28 that someone was breaking into her residence. The 58-year-old woman said she was armed with a gun and knife to fend off what she suspected was a burglar.
While police were en route, the DeKalb County marshals told dispatch that they were at the apartment to conduct an eviction of an armed suspect.
ChatComm 911 Service, which runs Dunwoody’s police dispatch, said the female caller was the person marshals were called to evict.
The marshals said the resident walked out of her apartment with a firearm when they announced their presence outside of her apartment.
After the woman confronted the marshals, both parties retreated.
west on I-285, began changing lanes toward the Ga. 400 exit ramp, while the F-250 was entering I-285 westbound from Ashford Dunwoody Road.
Police say a crash analysis shows the vehicles collided at the bottom of the entrance ramp, entrapping the driver and passenger of the Scion in the vehicle.
The female passenger in the Scion died shortly after DeKalb County
Dunwoody officers said dispatch instructed the woman to surrender and exit her apartment unarmed. They also said the DeKalb County Marshal’s Office took custody of the suspect and the investigation.
Marshals charged the woman with obstruction of law enforcement and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and transported her to DeKalb County Jail.
Officers arrest suspect in tire-slashing incident
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Police officers arrested a 20-year-old Brookhaven man Aug. 30 after he allegedly slashed tires of a vehicle parked at Dunwoody High School.
An officer said he spotted a silver Toyota Corolla parked along Vermack Road with two deflated tires.
The Dunwoody patrolman reviewed security footage of the incident that showed a black Honda Civic pull next to the Corolla around 11 a.m. The officer said the occupant of the vehicle then reached out of his window, pierced the driver’s side tires and drove off south on Vermack Road.
The suspect wore a black T-shirt and khaki pants, the officer said.
The victim, a 15-year-old male, named two people he suspected may
Fire Rescue extracted her from the vehicle. Police have not released her identity, pending notification of family.
The driver of the Scion was in stable condition and was transported to North Fulton Medical Center, according to the report.
The driver of the F-250 suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was not transported to the hospital, the report says.
have slashed his tires. He said one suspect, a 20-year-old Brookhaven man, had been harassing him and his girlfriend on social media.
An officer said he and a Criminal Investigations Division detective were able to find the suspect’s vehicle on Flock Safety cameras after failing to identify him using unidentified law enforcement resources.
The officer said a sticker on the back windshield and large spoiler helped identify the suspect’s vehicle on Flock cameras.
Once identifying the suspect’s license plate, officers said they tracked him to a possible residence in Brookhaven.
With the help of two Brookhaven officers, the Dunwoody officer and detective went to the suspect’s apartment on Buford Highway.
After confirming the identity of the suspect, officers arrested him and transported him to DeKalb County Jail.
After having read him his Miranda rights, officers said the suspect admitted to slashing the tires, and they would secure warrants later.
Based on DeKalb County Jail records, the suspect was charged with criminal trespass and released Sept. 1.
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Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm RSVP: September 11th blues, brews &
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Date: Saturday, September 14th
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Dunwoody proposed ’25 budget anticipates increase in spending
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Residents will have two opportunities in October to make public comment on the City of Dunwoody’s proposed 2025 budget.
Mayor Lynn Deutsch and City Manager Eric Linton transmitted the proposed budget to the City Council Aug. 30.
Communications Director Jennifer Boettcher said the 2025 budget process was set to begin with a special-called meeting Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. Two public hearings will be held in October, concluding with final adoption Oct. 28.
Boettcher said the proposed operational budget of $37 million continues to focus on public safety, with $14.3 million, or 38.6 percent of the budget, allocated to the Dunwoody Police Department. That represents an increase of nearly 9 percent over the current year, and it includes the addition of nine new police positions.
City Manager Linton said the city is in a strong financial position heading into 2025 due to its careful stewardship of funds and adaptability.
“After a unique period of uncertainty and change, key parts of the budget have rebounded,” Linton said. “However, some major revenue sources and expenditure categories continue to shift and show the impacts of economic instability.”
an accumulation of budget surpluses over the years.
In the current fiscal year, Dunwoody budgeted the use of around $2 million of its reserves, but city officials said they have not had to use any of it.
If the proposed 2025 budget passed today, it would be the second consecutive year that the use of reserves has been budgeted.
The city says the move allows it to address slowing growth and revenues while continuing to provide services.
The current reserves of $26 million represents about 10 months of operating expenses, more than twice the amount it is required to have on hand as a backstop.
The proposed budget would leave the fund balance at eight months, still four months more than the minimum required by the City Charter.
Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said the city has been careful with its fund balance, which puts the city in a strong position.
“Using American Rescue Plan dollars, which were allocated to help local governments recover from the pandemic, and fund balance, the city can present a balanced budget without increasing taxes or fees on residents or businesses,” Deutsch said. “This November, Georgians will have the opportunity to vote on the Georgia Local Option Homestead Property Tax Exemption Amendment.”
The proposed General Fund budget, used to operate city government, is a 6.6 percent increase over the 2024 amended budget of $34.7 million. At the same time, recurring revenues from sources like taxes, fees and other sources are expected to increase by 2.4 percent.
Wear your Patriotic Attire and join us for a day of fun! RSVP to Natalie or Katherine at (678) 336-5043. While you’re here, tour our beautiful community and see why our residents love to call The Mansions home.
The city says the spending increase is chiefly due to more public safety staffing, employee compensation and benefit increases, escalations in existing contracts and increased maintenance and utility costs.
Healthcare costs alone are estimated to increase by 6.5 percent.
The city says other higher costs include fully funding all city positions, a salary increase for all employees planned for July 2025 and the full-year impact of 2024 pay increases.
While the proposed 2025 budget does not include new revenue sources, it does anticipate using around $730,000 of the city’s current reserves, which are primarily
The mayor said that if the measure passes statewide, there is the potential for a vote to create a one-penny sales tax, which would create new revenue for the city in future fiscal years.
The Dunwoody City Council was to begin its budget discussions at a Sept. 9 special-called meeting.
The city will hold two public hearings on the proposed 2025 budget, the first on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m., and the second on Monday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m.
All meetings are at City Hall, 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road.
The City Council must adopt the budget before the end of October 2024, allowing for two months of public input and comment.
To view the proposed 2025 budget, visit: dunwoodyga.gov/ government/departments/finance/ city-budget.
Metro school systems boost safety protocols after Winder shooting
NORTH METRO ATLANTA — Metro Atlanta school districts have increased police patrols and presence on campuses in the wake of the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County Sept. 4 that killed four people.
School officials in Fulton County and DeKalb County school districts said their priority is to ensure students are safe back in class moving forward.
Nationwide, Americans are grappling with the largest school shooting since the March 2023 massacre at Covenant School in Nashville, which left six people dead.
A 14-year-old student, Colt Gray, faces four counts of felony murder after he allegedly brought an AR-15 into Apalachee High School and killed two 14-year-olds and two teachers.
Nine other people injured in the attack are reported to be recovering in area hospitals.
Fulton County Schools’ Chief Communications Officer Brian Noyes said the district is collaborating with local police jurisdictions to have increased patrols on campuses for the next few days to support the FCS Police Department and increase
visibility.
Like many school districts in Metro Atlanta, Noyes said FCS has made significant investments in safety resources and tools over the past several years.
In a letter to parents and guardians, Fulton County Schools first put the focus on supporting the entire Barrow County School District during such challenging times.
“Whenever something as shocking and tragic as this happens, it impacts us all … we understand that incidents like these are deeply unsettling,” the letter said. “Please be assured that the safety and wellbeing of our students remain our highest priority.”
The letter stresses that there will be increased awareness of existing safety protocols in schools. It also encourages parents and guardians to speak with their children about their thoughts and feelings.
DeKalb County
The DeKalb County School District issued a similar response Sept. 5, first extending condolences to Apalachee High School families and the entire Barrow County community.
AAPPEN PRESSCLU
“In times like these, it is crucial that we come together in solidarity to support one another and provide the necessary resources and care to navigate the challenging road ahead,” the letter said. “Our school counselors, social workers and psychologists are available to assist students, staff and parents/ guardians in need of support.”
Tracey Whaley, the school district’s executive director of Public Safety, ordered his command staff and officers Sept. 4 to be in a heightened state of alert, saying the precautionary measure is not related to any known threats in the area but out of an abundance of caution.
DeKalb County School District also provided resources through the National Association of School Psychologists about talking to children about school shootings and violence.
To access the association’s
website, visit www.nasponline.org/.
Forsyth County
Forsyth County Schools coordinated with the Sheriff’s Office to increase a law enforcement presence on campuses, Director of Communication Michele Dugan said. Authorities, including school resource officers, may be parked at schools, walking the grounds or driving through campuses. The district also sent letters supporting Barrow County schools and informing local families about safety information.
“This heartbreaking incident is a solemn reminder of the challenges faced by all schools in ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff,” district officials said in their letter to Barrow County.
To view the letter, visit tinyurl. com/4myaa4eu.
Forsyth County school officials have made other preparations throughout the year, routinely performing lockdown drills and training staff members about school safety, Dugan said.
— Hayden Sumlin
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Importance of skin checks for mature skin
Brought to you by - Dr. Kehinde Olumesi of Epiphany Dermatology - Brookhaven
As skin matures, it undergoes various changes that necessitate regular skin checks to ensure overall skin health. Differentiating between age spots, healthy moles and potential skin cancers is crucial. Age spots, often appearing as flat, brown, or black spots on sun-exposed areas, are generally harmless but can be mistaken for more serious conditions. Early detection of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. Therefore, routine skin examinations are essential for mature skin to maintain health and catch any issues early.
Addressing skin conditions and rejuvenation procedures
Dermatologists can assist with a variety
of skin conditions and rejuvenation procedures for mature skin. Common issues such as dryness, age-related pigmentation and conditions like rosacea, psoriasis and eczema, which can persist or develop with age, are also addressed with specialized care plans.
In addition to treating conditions, dermatologists offer rejuvenating procedures to enhance the appearance and health of mature skin. Treatments such as chemical peels, laser rejuvenation and injectable treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin texture and promote collagen production. These procedures not only rejuvenate the skin but also boost confidence and overall well-being. Establishing a relationship with a dermatologist ensures that your skin receives comprehensive care tailored to its evolving needs, promoting long-term skin health and vitality.
SKIN CONCERNS?
DERMATOLOGY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
PROMPT APPOINTMENTS NOW AVAILABLE IN BROOKHAVEN, GA GENERAL,
Experience the future of spine surgery at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center
Brought to you by - Dr. Basheer Shakir and Dr. Benjamin Zussman, neurosurgeons at Wellstar
At Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, we’re redefining spine surgery with cuttingedge technology and unparalleled expertise. Our neurosurgeons, Dr. Basheer Shakir, Dr. Benjamin Zussman and Dr. Arthur Grigorian, are leading the charge in providing minimally invasive procedures that prioritize patient comfort, reduce recovery times and deliver exceptional outcomes.
Advanced minimally invasive techniques
One of the groundbreaking procedures offered at Wellstar North Fulton is the minimally invasive lateral
lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF). Unlike traditional spinal fusion surgeries, LLIF allows access to the spine from the side of the body, bypassing major muscles and tissues. This approach minimizes postoperative pain and significantly shortens recovery times. LLIF is particularly effective for conditions like degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis and scoliosis.
Another innovative technique available at our medical center is the minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF). This advanced version of the traditional TLIF procedure involves smaller incisions and less muscle disruption, leading to reduced pain and a quicker return to normal activities. MIS-TLIF is an ideal solution for patients suffering from spinal instability and degenerative disc disease.
Revolutionary artificial disc replacement
For younger, more active patients seeking relief from spinal pain without sacrificing mobility, our artificial disc replacement offers a promising alternative to traditional fusion surgery.
This procedure preserves spinal flexibility and reduces the need for future operations, allowing patients to maintain their active lifestyles with minimal disruption.
Minimally invasive decompression surgery
Not every spinal condition requires implants. For patients with stenosis or a pinched nerve, our minimally invasive decompression surgery offers a highly effective solution. Through a tiny incision, our surgeons can remove bone or tissue compressing spinal nerves, resulting in minimal scarring, reduced pain and a swift recovery. This procedure is particularly beneficial for those looking to preserve flexibility and range of motion.
Cutting-edge technology: image-guided navigation systems
Our commitment to excellence is further demonstrated through our use of image-guided navigation systems. These advanced systems provide real-time, 3D visualization of a patient’s anatomy during surgery, enhancing surgical
precision and significantly improving patient outcomes.
Spinal cord stimulation
For patients who continue to have pain after conventional spinal surgery procedures or without a surgical solution, spinal cord stimulation can provide life-changing control and improvement of pain. We offer spinal cord stimulator trials, as well as spinal cord stimulator implantation, to relieve chronic pain.
Take the next step toward relief
At Wellstar North Fulton, we are dedicated to providing the highest level of care to our community. If you’re struggling with chronic back pain or a complex spinal condition, our expert neurosurgeons are here to help. With a patient-centered approach and personalized care plans, we ensure that each patient receives the treatment best suited to their individual needs.
Don’t let spinal issues hold you back. Schedule an appointment today by calling (770) 664-9600 or visit wellstar.org/ neurocare to learn more about our state-ofthe-art spine surgery services.
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SHAKIR
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CONGRATS DAWGS!
Atlanta
Atlanta Hearing Associates is a large audiology practice that encompasses 5 different locations throughout
Our offices provide comprehensive hearing tests, tinnitus assessments, ear cleaning, and hearing devices for all ages.
Every doctor you will meet is focused on your needs as a patient and works with every manufacturer to provide a personalized fitting.
Each location utilizes state of the art technology and family-oriented care to help guide our patients to the best hearing devices and information on hearing healthcare.
We also partner with different agencies to provide audiological care to veterans, ATF officers, reservists, police departments, Cochlear implants recipients, and community wellness groups.
We accept all major insurances for patients who have a hearing healthcare benefit that they are eligible to use.
Our offices are located in Atlanta, Decatur, Dunwoody, Lake Oconee, and Milledgeville.
Moving forward with healthy aging
We all know the future holds changes in our lives as we age. This September is Healthy Aging month, a time to take stock of where we are and make lifestyle improvements to follow our passions in life and maintain as much independence as possible.
The key to healthy aging is healthy living. By 2030, 1 in every 6 Americans will be over 65. This is leading to a new ways to think about the aging process. Assessing changes and taking steps now to improve your physical and mental fitness lets you take charge of your well-being. Here are some actions to consider.
Be proactive about regular checkups and tests. Preventive tests can catch changes early and help keep issues in check. This includes your vision and dental appointments. Research shows the increasing impact vision deterioration and dental problems can have on your entire body. Whether it’s a vision issue that increases your fall risk or periodontal disease that can have dietary and systemic impacts, consistent care leads to a better long term result. Keep moving! Exercise is great as we age, while inactivity accelerates the aging process. Make sure your doctor is on board with any new exercise or dietary program. It’s so important to understand the role exercise and nutrition plays in staying strong.
Boost your mental health and learn something new. New skills can improve cognitive abilities, expand your social connections and open avenues for social activities and interactions. Exercise, diet, proactive health care, social activi-
ties and learning can all contribute to a better sleep cycle and help you get a good night’s sleep. It may get harder to fall and stay asleep as you get older but we all still need seven to nine hours each night.
Healthy aging means it’s also important to understand the signals that some assistance is necessary. ADLs, or activities of daily living, are those activities that you don't think much about until you or your older loved one has trouble with them. These are activities like walking safely around the house, eating nutritious meals, being able to perform basic grooming, bathing, dressing, toileting and move safely from one space to another.
Other signals are more subtle and may not occur daily. Can your older loved one do the laundry, handle basic house cleaning, meal preparation and grocery shopping, pay their bills, drive or take public transportation? Do they know when to take their pills or what to do in an emergency?
A Home Helpers caregiver can assist with all personal care, help around the house, accompany you on doctor’s visits and provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. With a heart centered approach and positive spirit, they can also help pursue a hobby, enjoy outings and community activities, and build relationships that make for a longer and better life in the comfort of home.
We have a team with depth and skill that can provide the care you need from six hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 care. For a free consultation, please call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs at (770) 681-0323.
Alone vs. lonely
– Nehemiah McClendon, M.Ed, at Summit Counseling Center
Nothing is better than those moments you have by yourself cuddled up in your favorite blanket watching Love Island or legs stretched out having a drink watching your favorite team go for glory. This alone time is craved, desired, and sometimes needed, but what happens when the clock on alone time strikes lonely? Loneliness is often followed up with the thought starting with everyone: EVERYONE is getting married, EVERYONE is having a baby, EVERYONE has a bunch of friends and most often EVERYONE is doing better than me. As a therapist, I often witness the profound impact loneliness has on individuals’ lives. It’s not merely the absence of company but a deep-seated emotional experience that can permeate every aspect of one’s existence.
The
nature of loneliness
Loneliness isn’t just restricted to physical isolation; it can be an emotional state where we feel disconnected and unfulfilled in our
relationships, even when surrounded by others. It looks different in different forms:
• Social isolation: When one lacks meaningful connections or spends excessive time alone.
• Emotional loneliness: Feeling misunderstood or unsupported, even when people are around.
• Existential loneliness: A deeper sense of being disconnected from life’s purpose or meaning.
• Lonely-19
Oddly enough in a world where everyone is hyper-connected, it might seem paradoxical that loneliness is on the rise. The digital age has redefined how we interact, often replacing genuine connections with superficial online exchanges. This shift can exacerbate feelings of loneliness, as individuals compare their real lives to curated online personas. Instead of investing in authentic experiences and connections, we find ourselves trapped in a cycle of seeking temporary relief from loneliness through superficial online interactions, which only perpetuates our sense of isolation and disconnection from real-life fulfillment.
Lonely on the body and brain
Loneliness isn’t just a passing emotion; it can have serious implications for mental health:
• Depression and anxiety: Prolonged loneliness can contribute to depressive symptoms and exacerbate anxiety disorders.
• Physical health: Research shows loneliness is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, weakened immune response, and other physical ailments.
• Self-esteem: Feeling disconnected can erode self-worth, leading to a cycle of negative thoughts and behaviors.
Steps to connection
Self-reflection: Asking yourself questions like: What situations or environments trigger feelings of loneliness for me?
How do my thoughts and beliefs about myself contribute to my sense of loneliness?
Self-awareness: Understanding personal triggers and patterns that contribute to feelings of loneliness.
• Building connections: Foster genuine relationships through shared interests, volunteering, or joining communities.
• Seeking support: Therapy offers a safe space to explore feelings of loneliness and develop strategies for coping.
• The path forward
Overcoming loneliness is a journey that requires patience and selfcompassion. It’s about nurturing meaningful connections, both with others and ourselves. If you’re experiencing loneliness, remember that you’re not alone in feeling this way. Reach out, seek support, and take small steps toward reconnecting with yourself and others. Together, we can navigate the complexities of loneliness, cultivating a life filled with genuine connection and fulfillment.
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ADOBE STOCK
DUNWOODY HOME TOUR
PAID CONTENT
Industrial meets contemporary in this new construction home
Provided by the Dunwoody Woman’s Club
Industrial meets contemporary in this spectacular, three-story, new construction home that stands out in a neighborhood redefining itself. Black light fixtures and trim against glistening white brick are softened by a splash of Brazilian wood siding and a sweeping, well-tended lawn. Were your visit at night, discreet solar columns would light your path down the driveway.
This home is one of the beautiful homes featured in the 51st Annual Home Tour set for Wednesday, Oct 9, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and is hosted by the Dunwoody Woman’s Club. All profits from the home tour are used to fulfill the club’s charitable initiatives. Home tour tickets can be purchased several ways, as outlined below at the end of this article.
Once across the threshold, you are likely to catch your breath in awe of the interior’s open design and soaring ceilings. Whitewashed oak flooring anchors the floor plan, complemented by white and intersecting charcoal gray accent walls.
From the entry, urban L-shaped stairs take you up to three en-suite bedrooms with a large gathering area for the household’s young people. You’ll know from the decor and collectables that this family embraces travel and surfing. Downward heading stairs take you to recreation rooms, an office/guest suite, and exit to an in-ground pool.
The main floor, however, offers the gems in this home. To the left of the entrance is a study with towering windows capturing light from outside. Ahead and again to the left is a comfortable living area with beamed ceiling, tan leather seating, and a charcoal gray wall housing a fireplace with TV above, and cabinetry and shelving on both sides.
Across from this seating area is the home’s contemporary, openair kitchen with Bosch appliances. Ample cabinetry with a sueded gray look is by German manufacturer Leicht … sleek and with no door handles. A large island that seats six is surfaced with easy-to-care-for Carrara quartz as are the backsplashes. Tucked behind the kitchen is a walkin pantry, resplendent with dozens of spices. Their fragrance will dazzle you. Across the back of the main floor is a covered deck with blue furnish -
More information
Home Tour tickets are available now and can be purchased:
•To buy tickets online go to www.dunwoodywomansclub.com/ event-tickets/
• WILL CALL for tickets purchased online – Pick up on October 9 tour day beginning at 9:30 am – at
ings overlooking a forested backyard, and the family dining room which features a butterfly table that seats eight. Do take note of the unique chandelier and inset, charcoal gray wall with shelving and fridge for fine wine.
To the right of the dining room is the owner’s suite. Stepping into this oasis of soft grays and whites, with a bank of windows overlooking
Spruill Center for the Arts, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody.
• To buy tickets in person go to The Enchanted Forest in Dunwoody Hall Shopping Center.
• You can buy tickets from any member of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club
•Scan the QR Code at right.
70-year-old trees, you will feel at one with nature. A walk-through bath with soaking tub circles you around to a laundry room with Grecian floor tiles, mudroom, access to the garage, and return to the entry.
This is a home that speaks loudly of modern ways but holds true to the love of family.
Be sure to check out the exciting raffle on the day of the tour for
a chance to win one of three prizes, all valued at $500 or more: a shopping spree at Lauderhill’s Fine Jewelry, a Woodhouse Spa basket and gift card, or a 2-hour design consultation with Linda Rickles Interiors. Both cash and credit cards are accepted to enter the raffle.
Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 on tour day. We look forward to seeing you at the home tour and appreciate your support. Remember, profits of the tour help fund our charitable projects. Buy your tickets today! For more information about the Dunwoody Woman’s Club go to www.dunwoodywomansclub.com
East Lake champions PGA Tour history
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA — East Lake Foundation
President and CEO Ilham Askia ensures that the historic golf club lives up to its motto, “Golf with a Purpose.”
With the PGA Tour’s 30 best golfers competing for the 2024 FedEx Cup and its $100 million purse, Askia said the club’s new fan experiences and amenities brought a lot of people to east Atlanta for the tournament.
She also said her team has been working for weeks in the lead up to the Tour Championship, Aug. 29-Sept. 1.
Renovations of the historic East Lake Golf Club, permanent home of the PGA Tour Championship since 2004, began the day after last year’s tournament ended.
Around 11 months and $30 million later, designer Andrew Green completed the course restoration, which is based off the discovery of aerial photos from 1949.
In short, the renovation of East Lake means the topography of the course matches its look like it did a century ago.
Improvements include a new irrigation system, more than 100 acres of new grass, faster green surfaces and redesigned hazards.
“They incorporated some stuff from the 1940s and brought some modern stuff in from today,” Askia said. “They wanted to up the complexity for the pros but have it still playable for the members.”
A few alumni of the 2019 state champion Charles R. Drew Charter School recognized Askia from her work in the community and gave their thoughts on the final nine holes of the 72-hole tournament.
The local Drew Charter boys golf team vaulted into the national spotlight in 2019 when it won its first state title at
Southern Landings in Warner Robins. The team became the first from Atlanta Public Schools and comprised entirely of Black players to win a state golf championship.
Chris McCrary, member of the state championship team and Georgia Tech alumni, said he and his friends had been watching Sahith Theegala.
“He had a great tee shot on No. 8,” McCrary said. “He can really bang that driver.”
McCrary and the Drew Charter alumni were looking to catch a glimpse of Scottie Scheffler’s final holes after back-to-back bogies on No. 7 and 8 dropped his lead to just a few strokes.
Season makes history
Scheffler is the winner of the 2024 Masters Tournament, The Players Championship and the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup.
On top of that, he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational March 10, RBC Heritage April 22, Memorial Tournament June 9, Travelers Championship June 23 and set an Olympic record of 19-under, 265, across 72 holes on his way to a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games.
It’s been an exceptional season for Scheffler, and he did not let down his fans Sept. 1.
When his last putt dropped in front of the historic two-story clubhouse, Scheffler raised his putter in the air with one arm. The gesture seemed to recognize the significance of his accomplishments in 2024: lowest scoring average in PGA Tour history, most victories and season earnings since Tiger Woods in 2006-07 and the first win at East Lake on the redesigned course.
But Scheffler’s year also includes some other notable milestones.
The Louisville Metro Police Department
“Now you’re standing up here as FedEx Cup Champions, a tournament it takes 34 weeks to win and a trophy I know you fought so hard to win,” Monahan said. “Most importantly, when I look at this year, you were a tremendous ambassador for the game of golf.”
History matters at East Lake
Scottie Scheffler, like each generation’s most successful players, is tied to golf’s history.
Atlanta resident Bobby Jones, one of the most successful golfers in history, won his first tournament at East Lake at age 6 in 1908, the same year the final hole was completed.
charged him with felony assault of an officer the morning of May 17 at the 2024 PGA Championship, only to drop it a few days later.
Scheffler, in conversation with NBC’s Mike Tirico, went over his shank out of a green-side bunker on No. 8 and how the PGA Tour Champion rebounded.
“It’s a challenging week starting with the lead,” Scheffler said. “[There were] a lot of talented guys behind me that were really pushing me and trying to catch me, but fortunately, I had a nice week and was able to take this trophy home.”
When Tirico compared Scheffler’s season to some of Tiger Woods’ early 2000s greatness, cheers rang out again throughout the crowd.
“It’s hard to put into words what this year has been like for me,” Scheffler said, cracking a smile. “It’s been pretty emotional, there’s been a lot of stuff that’s gone on outside of golf.”
Scheffler and his wife Meredith celebrated the birth of their son just nine days before.
When Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan announced Scheffler’s Olympic gold medal, USA chants rang out across the gallery and clubhouse.
Today, professional golf’s Grand Slam requires victories at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and the British Open.
Jones, the only golfer to ever capture all of golf’s major championships in one calendar year, did so winning the British Amateur and Open, as well as the U.S. Open and Amateur.
Ironically, the only person to ever achieve the Grand Slam did not play professional golf.
Like so many things today, golf has changed significantly since Jones donned hickory clubs and a neck tie as he strolled up and down fairways at East Lake Golf Club.
The great grandchildren of those who watched Jones play golf nearly a century ago made their way to the permanent home of The Tour Championship Sept. 1 to see if Scottie Scheffler could maintain his five-shot lead heading into the final round.
Some of the patrons walking around East Lake and enjoying the PGA Tour’s top talent would not have been able to do so a hundred years ago. In fact, many residents in the community, like the Drew Charter boys golf team, would have been removed.
See PGA, Page 15
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA From left, PGA Tour champion Scottie Scheffler and NBC’s Mike Tirico check out the FedEx Cup trophy Sept. 1 on the 18th green at East Lake Golf Club.
Dunwoody, arts group gear up to celebrate Hispanic heritage
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody Economic Development Department will host the Latino Hispanic Cultural Heritage Celebration Sept. 15 from 1-4 p.m. on The Lawn at Ashford Lane.
The free event at 4500 Olde Perimeter Way is open to the public and showcases Hispanic dance, music, art and food.
Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch previewed the fourth year of the annual celebration.
“This is our second year at Ashford Lane, which is a beautiful location that’s open and accessible to all,” Deutsch said. “The community’s enthusiasm grows every year as we build awareness of the different cultures that make Dunwoody special.”
Create Dunwoody, a nonprofit that fosters a thriving arts and culture scene as a catalyst for economic growth, cohosts the event.
Featured performers and groups include: Corners Outreach Music Academy, Peruvian Cultural
Association, Caló Gitano Dance Studio, Ballet Folklorico Alma Mexicana, Los Niños Primero, Teatro Ilegal, Michaels Martinez Salsa Dancing and singer Veronica Gleasson.
The city says resident Lisa Torres, well-known for her inflatable “Dinowoody” displays, will host games with the audience, and Renzo’s Fire will lead a cooking demonstration.
Scheduled exhibitions include Pinatas HereUGo, face painting with Isabel Rodriguez, Consulate General of Argentina, Chewy Vet Care, Puerto Rico table from Compass Family Chiropractic, Frutty Pops, Peach State HealthPlan, Superica, Whole World Improv Theatre, Padron Law, Big Blue Marble Academy La Mexicana hat bar and Medina Wellness Chiropractic Center.
WSB-TV Anchor Wendy Corona will emcee the event.
For a detailed performance schedule, visit dunwoodyga.gov/ government/arts-and-culture/culturalheritage-events.
Local church schedules Dunwoody Oktoberfest
DUNWOODY, Ga. — St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church is gearing up for Dunwoody’s first-ever Oktoberfest Sept. 28 from noon to 6 p.m. across the street from Brook Run Park.
The celebration of German culture is family-friendly, free to attend and promises to offer entertainment and activities for all ages at 4755 North Peachtree Road.
Organizers said patrons can enjoy German cuisine and drinks with traditional dishes and beverages available in the festival’s beer hall and garden.
For families with children, the KinderZone sports a dedicated area with carnival games and Oktoberfest-themed
PGA:
Continued from Page 14
Ninety-six years have passed since Jones lifted the U.S. Open trophy, and a lot has changed for the better in the East Lake community.
Foundation goes beyond golf
In Deepak Chopra’s “Golf for Enlightenment,” the global leader in mindfulness and alternative medicine gives a host of thought-provoking quotes about how to approach the game of golf.
“Freedom comes when you see the built-in contradiction of trying to
arts and crafts for children.
Other Bavarian-inspired offerings include live polka music performances, a display of German sports cars in the Autobahn section and a variety of unique craft goods from vendors.
The six-hour community celebration benefits the ministries of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church. Its community efforts include Malachi’s Storehouse, which provides food to approximately 1,000 people each week, and Anchor Place Respite Dunwoody, a communitysupported organization serving individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.
Denice Dudley, chair and founder of
manipulate something that is going right to begin with,” Chopra wrote. “Stop trying to steer the river.”
There is a lot going right around East Lake Golf Club, Foundation President and CEO Ilham Askia said.
“Next month will be my two-year anniversary with the foundation, although I’ve been a part of this community for more than 20 years,” Askia said. “If people who are coming home, returning citizens, had an opportunity to be a part of a community like this, it would reduce recidivism.”
The Foundation began construction of the Trust at East Lake, a 40-home affordable housing project that looks to address the crisis in east Atlanta.
Dunwoody’s Oktoberfest, said St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church has a tradition of hosting an Oktoberfest event, but this year’s celebration is on a much larger scale within the community.
“We’ve received tremendous support from local sponsors and anticipate a strong community turnout, comparable to other prominent events hosted in Dunwoody,” Dudley said.
Organizers said Dunwoody Oktoberfest is an opportunity for residents and visitors to come together in celebration while supporting meaningful causes.
For more information and updates, visit dunwoodyoktoberfest.com.
The neighborhood’s great asset, East Lake Golf Club and its Foundation, helps subsidize the housing development and make it a reality.
“‘Golf with a Purpose,’ is what the club says, and it’s truly golf with a purpose,” Askia said. “A portion of the proceeds are donated to the East Lake Foundation and four other nonprofits.”
The funds go directly into the surrounding community, including early learning centers and Drew Charter High School.
“This is our 29th year as a foundation, we just had a huge initiative … to address housing inequities,” Askia said. “I just encourage everyone, see what we’re doing next year for our 30th.”
Thursday, Sept. 19
Friday–Saturday, Sept. 20-21 Monday, Sept. 23 Dunwoody Library 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road Thurs. 1-4pm: Preview Shopping for Members Only 4-8pm Open to All (Join that day!) Fri.-Sat.10am-5pm Mon. 10am-6pm Bag Day –Fill a grocery bag for $7.00
CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED
Traditional dancers make their way onto the Lawn at Ashford Lane during the 2023 Latino Hispanic Cultural Heritage Celebration. This year’s festival is Sept. 15 from 1-4 p.m.
Local theater company brings spark to new season
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — When Shuler Hensley was growing up in Marietta and attending Westminster Schools in the early 1980s, there were few opportunities for young aspiring actors in Metro Atlanta.
Downtown Atlanta had the Fox Theatre and some private schools with theater programs, but there was nothing like the City Springs Theatre Conservatory’s Pre-Pro Company.
Created after City Springs Theatre Company’s first two performances of its 2018 inaugural season, the Conservancy’s youth training programs prepare aspiring thespians for their first vocal, acting and dance auditions.
Hensley said the area’s young talent always impresses him when he returns from his work on Broadway. Today, there is a musical theater ecosystem in north Metro Atlanta, which simply didn’t exist a generation ago.
“Back in those days, if you had someone who could be a triple threat, which is great dancer, singer and actor all rolled into one person, that was considered extremely rare,” Hensley said. “Now, all these kids are triple threats … the Pre-Pro program is so good at the practical things.”
Like so much in Metro Atlanta, the musical theater industry has grown exponentially since the Tony Awardwinning actor was a kid.
Hensley serves as artistic director of the City Springs Theatre Company. Its seventh season of productions in the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center’s Byers Theatre begins with “The Music Man,” running Sept. 6-22.
Hensley, who directs the musical, tapped Atlanta’s own Billy Harrington to star as Harold Hill and Broadway colleague Sara Edwards to choreograph.
The 2024-25 season for City Springs Theatre Company also features “Frozen: The Musical” Dec. 13-19; “Ragtime: The Musical” March 14-30; and “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” May 2-18.
Hensley’s parents were born in southern Cobb County, and his life has taken cues from each of them.
His father is a former Georgia Tech football star and state senator. His mother, Iris Hensley, is a former ballerina and founder of the Georgia Ballet Professional Company.
“Being in the arts and giving back to the community was really important to her, and I feel like that’s where I found the spark to be that kind of artist,” Hensley said. “Some of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as a performer are working with local kids and talent here in Atlanta.”
With more than 25 years of experience acting on Broadway, Hensley said he is focused on giving back through his role as artistic director of the local nonprofit — City Springs Theatre Company.
After ditching his baseball scholarship at the University of Georgia, Hensley enrolled at the Manhattan School of Music and began his stage career in the early 1990s.
The move paid off for the 20-year-old Hensley, who now sports a Tony Award, numerous recognitions from national magazines and dozens of acclaimed performances.
His role as Jud Fry in “Oklahoma!” earned him the industry’s triple crown, the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards.
In 2022, Hensley played Marcellus Washburn and starred alongside Hugh Jackman in a Broadway production of “The Music Man.”
“It’s funny, when the Broadway revival was supposed to happen, I had a contract signed in 2019, and we were going to start the next fall,” Hensley said, referencing the two-year shutdown during the pandemic. “It’s one of those shows our patrons always talk about, there’s a big love of the classics.”
City Springs Theatre Company
Executive Director Natalie DeLancey said that in a survey of audience members, “The Music Man” ranks in the top three of requested productions.
Now, it’s Metro Atlanta’s turn to see Meredith Willson’s Broadway hit and winner of five Tony Awards in 1957, featuring some homegrown talent like
of
includes local talent, Broadway stars and young Metro Atlantans in the CSTC’s
Company. The production of “The Music Man” runs Sept. 6-22 in the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center’s Byers Theatre.
Hensley and a few of his Broadway colleagues.
“Our choreographer is a woman who I worked with on the Broadway revival of ‘The Music Man,’’ Hensley said. “If you’re in this business long enough, you come full circle with a lot of people.”
Hensley said he thinks the story is a timeless classic, and his experiences working on the 2022 Broadway production fueled his desire to bring it to local audiences.
Like productions of “Fiddler on the Roof,” Hensley said he thinks “The Music Man” is an industry standard and offers something every audience member can relate to.
“The reason these standards have been around for 70 years is because of the way they were constructed,” he said. “They have a great book, great music and a great story to tell, which is sort of
universal.”
Another reason for the musical’s appeal is that everyone who grew up in the theater probably played a role in it growing up, Hensley said.
“I had never really seen a proper production of ‘The Music Man’ prior to the one we did on Broadway,” he said. “That one had been reworked and rewritten to provide more opportunity for our herald, Hugh Jackman, to be on stage.”
Helsey said the script is different from the one on Broadway, but he thinks the change makes the show fresh for audiences.
“To allow your artists to think and create for themselves is what I’m interested in doing,” Hensley said. “What really helps is if you can find things within the story that people are familiar with in their own lives.”
PHOTOS BY: CITY SPRINGS THEATRE COMPANY/PROVIDED
From left, City Springs Theatre Company Artistic Director Shuler Hensley and Executive Director Natalie DeLancey are gearing up for the seventh season of productions at the Byers Theatre.
The cast
the City Springs Theatre Company’s “The Music Man”
Pre-Pro
Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett and Chamblee Councilmember Elmer Veith participates in a panel discussion about transportation during the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce’s City Summit on Aug. 29, 2024.
Summit:
Continued from Page 1
to be there,” she said. “When you rezone commercial property denser, particularly with height, the values tend to increase and price out small businesses.”
The panel discussion also included presentations from mayors of Decatur and Dunwoody, as well as officials from Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville and Stonecrest. The city officials all noted the impact transportation and transit have in their communities.
Doraville Mayor Pro Tem Gerald Evans, Brookhaven Mayor Pro Tem John Funny and Stonecrest Director of Economic Development Christian Green delivered assessments.
During the panel discussion on workforce development and small businesses, the officials discussed how the cities are attracting new businesses, zoning and the challenges they face when it comes to improving the workforce.
Transportation is a big issue in Brookhaven. Buford Highway goes through the city up to Doraville and is one of the highest ridership routes within the MARTA system, Mayor Pro Tem John Funny said.
“Without the structure of a transportation system, you’re going to starve yourself, because you cannot support economic development if you don’t have transportation,” Funny said.
Brookhaven is also evaluating how to create areas focused on live, work and play, so people can live where they work
and not have to battle transportation issues, especially as the new Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta facility opens on North Druid Hills Road.
Doraville Mayor Pro Tem Gerald Evans noted that connectivity is one of the biggest challenges for Doraville.
“We have major thoroughfares coming through Doraville that divide the city basically in four quadrants,” Evans said. “Connectivity and making it more pedestrian-friendly is our challenge.”
The city would like to add rail trails and connect with neighboring cities through a trail like the BeltLine. When it comes to zoning, Doraville is following its comprehensive use plan and updating zoning according to that plan, hoping to create more opportunities for mixed-use development to attract new retail.
Chamblee has its own transportation concerns. Three highways run through the city, and most residents commute to work outside the city. DeKalb Peachtree Airport is also located in Chamblee.
“Chamblee is planes, trains and automobiles,” City Councilman Elmer Veith said. “I want to say we have something close to 100,000 car trips a day just on those state highways. That’s a whole lot of traffic.”
Veith said that many multifamily units have come online in Chamblee over the past several years near the MARTA station. He added that parking requirements should be reimagined. It can be difficult to get a project financed without available parking.
“We need to get away from [parking decks] and we need to do something to make the people financing these projects not force it down our throats,” Veith said.
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Merging of two schools created Liberty Guinn School in 1932
R. J. Guinn School was built in 1900 when A.A. Jones and Will Sentell each donated an acre of land on the west side of Roswell Road and Franklin Road. The school was named for a former Fulton County school superintendent and former president of the city and county boards of education.
Liberty Hall School opened in the early 1900s at Garmon Road and Mount Paran Road. The school was large enough for about 40 students and one teacher. (“Sandy Springs Past Tense,” by Lois Coogle)
Representatives of R.J. Guinn school appeared before the Fulton County School Board on May 1, 1928, to request that lights be installed at the school as soon as possible. (Fulton County School Archives)
Like many Georgia schools of the day, water was a problem. The R.J. Guinn School’s well had gone dry and had to be dug deeper.
By 1932, the school was still in use but considered unsafe. A window was boarded up to keep out the cold, and the stove had scorched the wall. Outside, a tree stump and log were
PROVIDED
Guinn PTA served a luncheon. Reverend Burdette read a history of Liberty Hall School and C. C. House read the history of R.J. Guinn School at the ceremony. The building was scheduled to be completed by Jan. 3 with Emma Burnett as principal. (Atlanta Journal, Dec. 18, 1932, “Liberty-Guinn School Lays Corner Stone”)
In the mid-1950s the simple clapboard frame school was replaced with a brick school. Martha Phifer, who had taught at Liberty Guinn for six years, was Fulton County Teacher of the Year in 1956 and 1957. She was also named to the McCall’s magazine “Honor Roll of Teachers” in 1957. (Atlanta Journal, Nov. 5, 1957, “Fulton County Schools Honors Two Teachers”) Liberty Guinn School closed in 1975. Today the former Liberty Guinn School is the Lower School Campus for Holy Spirit Preparatory School at 4820 Long Island Drive.
being used as makeshift playground equipment. The school had three teachers for its 100 students. R.J. Guinn “requested that we either rebuild the school or take his name off of the building,” according to Jere A. Wells, county school superintendent. (Atlanta Constitution, March 3, 1932, “Antiquated housing, recreation facilities reveal necessity for county school bonds.”
A $700,000 bond for school buildings and equipment throughout Fulton County was approved by voters in March 1932. By December of that same year, a cornerstone was being laid for a new school called Liberty Guinn on Long Island Drive, the consolidation of R.J. Guinn and Liberty Hall School. Members of the Sardis Lodge and Judge E. D. Thomas performed the cornerstone ceremony. The Liberty
In her book, Lois Coogle says two rooms of the R.J. school were incorporated into a home. Whether that still exists, I do not know.
Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.
A box of old photos reignites good memories
Family fights are the best fights, providing there’s no bloodshed.
It’s been my experience that in most cases there is a catalyst who enjoys stirring things up just enough where there is bad blood among relatives. These are the type of people who should have their phone privileges permanently revoked.
Such is the case for my family where one member might have left the world of the sane. She is a nasty soul and makes Cinderella’s tormentors look like Mother Teresa by comparison.
So, before you say to someone: “He’s right. Give me the phone. That cretin is due a good cussing. We’ll put an end to all this right now!”
The problem is these things have a tendency to go all “Hatfield-McCoy”
really quick. It’s usually a heavy toll for all involved. Empty seats at holiday dinners. Bad feelings that fester over the years that transform cherished thoughts of good days into fading recollections that grow fainter every year.
That was the situation with me, where a family member has done her part to wield a huge wedge between siblings who grew up in a fun household.
But thank heavens for a phone call that came straight out of left field. It was my brother Allan on the other end of the line, and he wanted to share great news.
The childhood pictures, all those great memories, had been located after being stored in a barrel on an Oklahoma porch. Allan must’ve spent the better part of the week pouring through all those photos, newspaper clippings, documents and other childhood memories that I longed to share with my sons.
Thanks to Allan and my sister-in-
law Jennifer, a box arrived that was bursting with photos that took me back. Right there, in glorious miniscule, grainy Polaroid or Kodak snapshots were infant, grammar school, high school and college memories that, but for Allan and Jennifer taking on the project, would have been lost forever.
I had a stupendously joyous time ferreting through mounds of those memories, keeping most, passing some to my brother Matt and to Marty’s widow, Lori. The consensus was smiles from everyone at being able to hold on to something that we thought was lost.
There was even a handwritten copy of my high-school graduation speech. Numerous cards and letters from me were included, driving home the point that Mom, bless her soul, kept and cherished them.
Uncle Jim with a burlap haircut (that’s a flat-top with a little length on the sides) now is accessible whenever I need a chuckle. Birthday party photos with a carnival ride in the backyard
might offer insight how a godmother truly spoiled me. Neighborhood gatherings with pals whose name escape me.
Everything is there. Well almost everything, and we think this particular family member might have sold it. Mom had an honest-to-goodness, sweat stained scarf that Elvis bent down and gave to her along with a smooch. This happened mid-concert in Las Vegas.
Allan really wants that scarf, and if I could, it would be in the mail tomorrow. You never know, lost treasures, like a massive trove of photos have a way of resurfacing.
Better yet, there might just be a chance for a little re-igniting of family harmony that disappeared like that scarf.
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 Columnist
This 1900 photo of R.J. Guinn School, which was located on the west side of Roswell Road at Franklin Road is held in the Fulton County School Archives.
MIKE TASOS Columnist
OPINION
Georgia faithful flock to Holbrook camp meetings
Since the early 1800s camp meeting grounds have played an important role in rural Georgia. These campgrounds host outdoor religious revival meetings that are held in structures called “arbors” for a few days every year. While not unique to Georgia, they continue to play a significant role in the state. Today, at least 30 campgrounds remain active in Georgia including Holbrook Campground in the Alpharetta postal area of Cherokee County. Many campgrounds predate the Civil War. Here is the history.
Camp meetings and the historic sites they created began with the Second Great Awakening, a religious movement from about 1790 to 1835 initially in frontier towns throughout the United States. As Protestant settlers moved westward, they often stopped in small towns that had no churches and held revival meetings in tents. The revivals nurtured the development of Methodist, Baptist and to a lesser extent Presbyterian churches particularly in what became known as the Bible Belt.
According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia the first camp meeting in Georgia occurred in 1803 when 3,000 people attended a revival meeting on Shoulderbone Creek in Hancock County. The movement grew rapidly, particularly among Methodists.
A typical campground features a large, often rectangular, open-air building called an “arbor,” surrounded by cabins known as “tents” which are owned by individual families and which are often passed down through generations.
Historically, visiting preachers sermonized for several days and nights. Typically, all religions and races were welcome and repentant sinners were called upon to come to the alter to accept Christ. Meetings were a time of spiritual rebirth but also places where families and friends could gather for a brief respite from the rigors of farming.
Holbrook Campground
The first annual Holbrook Campground meeting was held in 1838, probably when a group of people from various local churches gathered to worship under the trees. In 1839, Jesse C. Holbrook, a local blacksmith, received 40 acres for shoeing a man’s horse. He donated the land to the Methodist Conference to be used as a campground. The current arbor was built in 1890. The structure is surrounded by a full
Rows of cabins, called “tents” surround the large open-air “arbor,” each with a porch overlooking the center. Many of the tents go back multiple generations. Original tents had sawdust floors. More modern tents have wood floors, more than one bedroom and even air conditioning.
circle of 53 cabins, or tents as they are called, plus an additional 19 cabins outside the full circle. Cabins range from simple structures with sawdust floors and one bedroom to wood floors and several bedrooms with air-conditioning. They have front porches looking out at the arbor. Some are owned by ancestors of original owners.
Each year, the campground holds a non-denominational revival where everyone is invited to participate in 10 days of “prayer, preaching, hymn singing, and fellowship.” Several hundred people participate during the week and weekends.
There is a youth building available for teenagers to attend the camp meeting for a week. The building has recently been renovated.
Directly across the street from the campground on Holbrook Campground Road is the Macedonia Church founded circa 1870 in response to the campground activity. Although independent of the campground, the church is closely associated with it. The church pastor David Laycock serves as Host Pastor for the campground. He explains that each year two pastors, one Methodist and one Baptist, are selected to preach at the revival. They rotate every day with each preaching at nine worship services.
Pastor Laycock says that during the recent renovation of the church it was
The centerpiece of the rustic Holbrook Campground is this open-air sanctuary built more than a century ago. Each summer people gather from Cherokee, Fulton, Forsyth and other counties for 10 days of “prayer, preaching, hymn singing, and fellowship.”
discovered that the entire floor sat on rocks. The church just reopened Sept. 1.
I spoke with one of the owners of a tent built in the late 1800s. Three years ago, she put a floor in the tent which until then had a sawdust floor. The tent has been handed down through successive generations of the Grady Wilson family. “Once you experience a week of meetings you realize that the campground is a holy place,” says the owner. “You can visit any time of year and feel the spirit of God.”
On the first camp weekend every July as many as 15-20 people fill the tent ‘’like a family reunion of people you know from the campground.”
The Holbrook Campground Cemetery is on the grounds of the campground. According to Find a Grave there are 672 memorials in the cemetery.
Alpharetta’s city limits do not extend past the Fulton County line, however, the campground has an Alpharetta mailing address, even though it is outside the city limits and outside Fulton County.
Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
BOB MEYERS Columnist
PHOTOS BY: BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
Singing the praises of fried cheese curds
Here’s a question for you: How far does one have to travel to have actually travelled?
Here’s another question. What is a fried cheese curd?
First question first:
How far? Well, when she and I decide to “get outside, Georgia” ourselves, we may go no farther than the little creek a few miles down the road. That’s perfect when it’s close to suppertime. Other times, if we have a whole day, we might go north to the mountains or east to Athens or west to Tallapoosa, especially if I accidentally lose my legendary sense of direction.
But now and then, when we have a hankering for a bigger trip (or for grandkids), we’ll go farther.
Last week we had both hankering and time, so we journeyed up to Wisconsin, storied land of cows and (for the last year or so) home to some grandkids too.
As it turned out, it’s also the land of what they call “cheese curds.”
Cheese curds? I’d never heard of them, but it seemed that everyone else in the world knew of them and thought them celestially good.
What, exactly, is a cheese curd? According to the interweb, cheese curds are “moist pieces of curdled milk that are a natural part of the cheesemaking process.” I further learned that they’re known for their squeaky texture (somehow tied to what one writer has described as “long strands of protein [that rub] against the enamel of teeth.” I further learn that they can be eaten “fresh” (uncooked, in other words) or fried.
Which way is best? Well, I’m from Georgia. Do you even need to ask? Whatever they are, cheese curds (like oysters and chicken livers) must surely be elevated by a panful of hot fat.
But before we could explore this brave new world of cheesy goodness, we had to get to the airport. And before we could get to the airport, the oil in the car had to be changed.
You know how it is at oil-change places. You chat. You talk.
“Got any road trips coming up?” the fellow behind the counter asked.
“Matter of fact, we do,” I replied. “We’re going up to Wisconsin!”
His eyes lit up.
“Wisconsin?” I’m from Wisconsin! You’ll love it. What’s taking you there?”
Had I been in a certain frame of
mind I might have said “an airplane.” But instead I simply said, “Grandkids!”
“Oh, yeah!” he said. “Grandkids for sure. You’ll have a good time. It’s pretty country. Do some hiking. And eat some fried cheese curds.”
At that very moment, as if he was receiving a vision from on high, an illumined look came over his countenance. He smiled a celestial smile. And then he began to tell me how grand cheese curds were, how they were delightful in every way, how their texture was perfect (and squeaky) and how they pleased the palate, with nuances of flavor never to be forgotten and probably a favorite of God himself.
“Get ‘em fried,” he said again. “Did I tell you that? And dip ‘em in ranch dressing or marinara sauce. Nothing like ‘em. You’ll love ‘em. Guaranteed.”
Well, okay.
On the way home, the little car purred with that certain smoothness that only brand new oil can give. I savored it as I drove. But my attention was divided, for part of my mind was considering notions of cheese curdy goodness. What are they really like? Are they really as good as everyone said?
Long about Hickory Flat, I decided
I had to take action. So I pulled over and called my son in Wisconsin. He answered on the second ring, and I got right to the point.
“We have to get cheese curds,” I said without preamble. “Everybody says we have to try them. Fried. With dipping sauce.”
“Yeah!” he said. “They’re a thing here. You’ll love ‘em. Guaranteed.”
Where had I heard that before?
And so, a day or two later, off we went to Wisconsin. We visited and laughed and told stories and played with grandkids. My wife taught the granddaughter to crochet. I allowed the grandson to beat me five-out-ofsix in chess. Then we all “got outside, Wisconsin!” We went on walks. We explored parks. We walked along rivers. We saw wildlife. We visited new places to eat.
And, yes, we tried cheese curds, fried and with dipping sauces. They came in the form of little cubes about an inch on a side; the sauces came in two of those ubiquitous little plastic cups. For the record, I preferred the marinara.
My wife took a bite.
“Mmmm,” she said. “Kind of like fried cheese sticks?” Uh huh.
Would I have them again? Sure. And that reminded me:
Half the fun of travel, or of any journey really, is the “new” that it brings into your life. You’ve just got to be open to it, wherever or whenever or in whatever form it comes along.
Sometimes, it’s a road you never drove before. Sometimes it’s a previously unvisited waterfall or an unexplored trail – or maybe it’s a little one-inch cube of fried cheese.
You never know exactly what it will be. But it’s often new, usuallly fresh, always fun.
That’s the promise of travel, isn’t it? That’s the promise of exploring, the promise of taking a chance on something or someplace new. There’s always a payback.
And if you’re lucky, maybe once or twice in a lifetime, it’s so profound that it flat-out blows you away.
Those are ones you hope for. Those are the ones you hold on to for such a long, long time.
Steve Hudson writes about the southern outdoors from his home in Canton, Ga. His latest book, “Chattahoochee Trout” (Second Edition), is available from many outdoor shops or direct from the author at flybooks.net
STEVE HUDSON Columnist
STEVE HUDSON/APPEN MEDIA
Fried cheese curds are a real thing in Wisconsin.
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Stephen Arnott Lindabury In Memoriam
Stephen Arnott Lindabury, 82, of Dunwoody, GA, passed away peacefully at his home on August 13, 2024, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Bernardsville, NJ to Harrison Phillip Lindabury, Jr. and Marjorie Ludlow Lindabury on April 30, 1942. Steve graduated from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ in 1964. Upon graduation, he entered active duty with the Army National Guardfollowing in the footsteps of his namesake, Stephen Arnott, Jr. - where he served as a Tank Commander. He carried forward in life the spirit of a proud patriot who loved his country. His professional career spanned 32 years with Western Electric/Bellsouth/ATT. After retirement from the corporate world, he ventured into a new career in Real Estate.
Steve married Paula Pitchell on October 2, 1965, and they had been together for nearly 60 years. During those years, they raised three children, nurtured seven grandchildren, volunteered in the community, sailed on many waterways, journeyed across the country on their Harley, and traveled halfway around the world to visit friends. Their life together was a true Love Story written just for them. As a husband, father, and friend, he was honest, generous, loving and loyal, always steadfast in his Christian beliefs with a twist of fun and
DEATH NOTICES
Heather Albro, 52, of Milton, passed away on September 1, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Lisa Clock, 62, of Roswell, passed away on August 30, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Elizabeth Cusick, 88, of Alpharetta, passed away on September 1, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Lisa Emberger, 53, of Alpharetta, passed away on September 2, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Gerald Fisher, 61, of Atlanta, passed away on August 29, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Mary Jane Hadley, 85, of Alpharetta, passed away on August 29, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Penelope Holder, 88, of Roswell, passed away on August 28, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Lucy McAlpine, 98, of Roswell, passed away on August 25, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Carrie Moss, 72, of Roswell, passed away on August 26, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
adventure. He personified the term Family Man, dedicated to keeping a work-life balance and always making his decisions based on what was best for the family. He was a great supporter of his children’s activities both as a spectator and a coach, be it soccer, tennis, or sailing. He even supported Paula in her Real Estate career and became her business partner. Steve was predeceased by his parents, his older brother, Harrison Phillip Lindabury III, and an adopted cousin, Christopher Goes. He is survived by his devoted wife Paula, his children David Lindabury (Leslie), Janice Norment, Stephanie Jenkins (Neff) and seven grandchildren, Brittney, Sara, Harrison, Drew, Evan, Cate, and Ryan. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Compassus Hospice and Trusted Hands Senior Care for their care and compassion.
A Memorial Service will be held on October 5, 2024 at 2:00pm at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 4795 N Peachtree Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Barnabas Anglican Church at the address above. Immediately following the service, friends and family are invited to a reception celebrating Steve’s life with them at the Lindabury residence.
David Shadeed, 67, of Alpharetta, passed away on August 27, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Mary Thornton, 80, of Roswell, passed away on September 2, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Bradley Wedge, 37, of Roswell, passed away on August 26, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
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