DUNWOODY HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION/PROVIDED
People gather around the Christmas tree and Hannukah menorah at Light Up Dunwoody Nov. 16. Two local nonprofits, the Dunwoody Homeowners Association and Preservation Trust, partnered to throw this year’s holiday celebration at Donaldson-Bannister Farm.
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody Homeowners Association revamped its annual holiday lights display this year, moving Light Up Dunwoody to DonaldsonBannister Farm Nov. 16.
The four-hour holiday party kicked off at 2 p.m. with a live DJ and photos with Santa
Claus and reindeers.
Performances leading up to the 6 p.m. Christmas tree and Hannukah menorah lighting included students from the North Georgia School of Ballet, Dan & Company Studios, cheerleaders from Dunwoody Christian School and the Dunwoody High School Marching Band.
See LIGHTS, Page 14
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — After livestreaming its annual Whiskey Raffle Nov. 20 to its members and ticket holders, the Rotary Club of Dunwoody estimates it will raise between $10,000 and $12,000 for its charitable fund.
A couple dozen Rotary Club members gathered at Ashford Lane’s Politan Row food hall for the 7 p.m. drawing.
The raffle is straightforward. Members donate luxury whiskeys and bourbons as prizes, some are single bottles and others are collections.
Participants then buy tickets, hoping to have their matching number pulled out of the raffle spinner for a bottle or three of high-quality spirits.
Winners do not have to be present to take home a prize, instead organizers livestreamed the drawing on Facebook, creating quite the spectacle in the middle of the Politan Row food hall.
While there are 1,000 tickets available, the community-driven fundraiser still has room to grow.
See RAFFLE, Page 14
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By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA — Fulton County Superior Court Judge Kevin Farmer recused himself from a lawsuit Nov. 20 involving the City of Sandy Springs and its handling of public records.
Farmer said he stepped away from the case because he lives in Sandy Springs and regularly reads the Sandy Springs Crier, the Appen Media-published newspaper which brought the suit.
The decision further delays a resolution in a case that began 30 months ago.
Appen Media brought suit May 2023, claiming the city is violating the Open Records Act by denying the newspaper access to police incident reports.
After a Fulton County judge ruled in favor of the city in December 2023, Appen appealed the decision to the higher state court. The Court of Appeals then rejected the lower court ruling, stating, “the trial court’s grant of summary judgment was premature. Genuine issues of material fact remain based on this record and thus the trial court erred by granting summary judgment to the City.”
That decision sent the case back to Fulton County Superior Court.
During the initial phase of the suit, Appen Media requested the city provide copies of complete incident reports so the court could compare them with those the city gave the newspaper.
The city did not complete that request. Its justification largely mirrored the city’s defense for not handing them over in the first place. Sandy Springs said the underlying cases involve open investigations and therefore, it claims, are exempt from release.
Following the appellate ruling and ahead of upcoming trial proceedings, Appen filed a motion requesting the court order the city to provide those outstanding documents.
It argued the materials will help cure deficiencies identified by the appeals court.
“We cannot say as a matter of law that a narrative report is not part of the initial
incident report subject to disclosure … Based upon the record before us which was simply not fully developed as to that issue,” the appellate court stated.
Citing that ruling, Appen’s motion argued the newspaper “is entitled to these reports to fully develop the record as to whether these reports should have been initially produced as Appen alleges in its Complaint.”
Thursday’s hearing was meant to adjudicate the request, deciding whether the city must provide the requested reports before the court.
It was also the first time Farmer weighed in on the case.
The Fulton County Superior Court judge who first oversaw the suit, and who ruled in the city’s favor – Kimberly Adams – had since been transferred to family court. When the Appeals Court overturned Adams’ verdict and ordered the case back to Fulton County, Farmer became the newly assigned judge.
It was a short-lived assignment.
Judge Farmer opened the downtown hearing by asking the courtroom to guess where he lived.
Sandy Springs was the correct answer.
Attorneys for the city and the newspaper, representatives from Appen Media including this author, and two Sandy Springs Police officers were in attendance.
The judge remarked how it would be the Sandy Springs Police who may respond to a safety incident near his home, and how he was familiar with the case based on reading regular coverage in the newspaper delivered there.
As a result, he said he would recuse himself from the case.
Farmer gave thanks to both sides, saying he supported the freedom of the press and those who keep him safe, before finalizing his ruling.
Appen Media now awaits a new judge assignment as the case rambles on.
State law mandates public records be open to public inspection but allows certain exceptions. Agencies may with-
Editor’s note: Carl Appen is a representative of Appen Media, which publishes the Sandy Springs Crier. He is also a deposed witness in the case. This article attempts to offer an unbiased update on the status of the lawsuit.
hold police records that involve ongoing investigations.
However, the initial incident and crime reports must always be released even if the case is open.
At the center of the Appen lawsuit is the question of what constitutes an “initial incident report.”
For years, the city has published documents with one-sentence narratives stating when and where police are dispatched. Unlike incident reports provided by police agencies in surrounding jurisdictions, the Sandy Springs reports typically lack details on the nature of the crime, an accounting of property damage, injuries associated with a crime, whether there were any victims or any arrests were made, and whether any suspects have been identified.
Sandy Springs admits that officers generally write more detailed reports in a second document, often written the same day. The city claims in its legal defense that this second report is not part of the initial incident report, and therefore can be withheld.
In its complaint, Appen cited examples of Sandy Springs reports in which both documents were created at the same time on the same day. When the newspaper filed open records requests for the reports associated with these incidents, the city only provided the first, one-sentence page. This behavior runs counter to that of surrounding agencies and statewide practices.
Appen noted in its complaint guidance from the state Attorney General’s Office that, “A common-sense interpretation of ‘initial incident report’ is that anything written at the same time as the first part of the report is part of the initial incident report.”
By CLARE S. RICHIE decaturish@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — At 43, Regina Nekola Hild left commercial real estate to follow a dream.
Fast-forward to today, at 58, she’s the CEO & Artisan Chef at Regina’s Farm Kitchen. Now in its 10th year, the artisan fruit spread business she started in her Dunwoody kitchen has sales in 34 states. But the seeds of this career pivot were planted decades earlier on a family farm in Toledo, Iowa.
“I was raised on a 200-acre farm seven miles from the closest town,” Hild said. “We grew corn, soybeans, hay and had cattle, pigs, chickens and more. You were expected to help out.” It was there she learned how to preserve fruits and vegetables. But that would come in handy later.
Upon graduating from college in Florida, Hild moved to Atlanta in the mid-1990s and secured a corporate sales job with Coke’s bottling arm. She later jumped to Nortel Networks, which included a brief move to Denver. In the early 2000s, smarting from a mass layoff from Nortel, Hild returned to Atlanta, once again in search of a job.
“You’ve got the sales, marketing experience and personality,” advised Hild’s sister, who sold real estate in Iowa. “Go sell real estate in Atlanta.”
Hild heeded that advice and became a licensed residential broker, eventually shifting to commercial real estate.
When the real estate market crashed in 2008, Hild’s husband suggested she make a change.
“The first thing that popped in my head, I’m going to culinary school,” she recalled.
She started at Gwinnett Tech in
2010, alongside classmates 10 and 20 years younger, half of whom didn’t graduate.
“On the first day, our director said, ‘If you think this is all Food Network, you might as well pack up and leave. This is hard work. There’s drugs, divorce, burn out, and depression’,” Hild recalled. “It was a wake-up call, but I wanted to be there.”
Upon completing her culinary degree, Hild worked with a personal chef who ran a side business of cookies, granola, soups and more and “saw what was possible.” So, she decided to pursue a shelf-stable pantry product and began experimenting with jam recipes.
“My mom grew strawberries all over our farm,” Hild said. “We never threw anything away. Our cellar was like a rainbow of preserved beets, strawberries, carrots, peaches and green beans.”
In 2014, her friend Bob gave her bags of fresh jalapeño peppers he’d mistakenly grown. She was tinkering with a jam of strawberries from Washington Farms (near Athens) and blueberries grown near Perry. She added Bob’s jalapeños and called it Strawberry Blueberry Jalapeño — SBJ for short.
As friends demanded more SBJ, she started bottling it under a cottage license.
“When someone ordered 40 jars for corporate gifts, I knew I had something. That was the start of my jam business,” Hild said. “It’s very unique, giftable, packaged beautifully and has a story.”
As she built her business, she took more courses for small food artisans and sought advice from friends like closing attorney, Larry Feldman, who
flavors you find every day.”
Many agree. In 2018, her SBJ was the winning preserve at the Good Food Awards in San Francisco and a finalist in the University of Georgia’s 2020 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest.
As a solopreneur, Hild has also dealt with plenty of challenges, including securing capital, working with copackers, covering rising costs, and identifying warehousing space.
She also does her own in-store demos to get to know her customers. Hild attends trade shows to secure more independent shops, as she doesn’t sell on Amazon or in big-box retail stores.
Georgia Gifts & More in Tucker just started carrying her jams.
“We carry a peach vanilla bean, peach habanero and a four-jam gift set,” said shop co-owner Karen Gayle. “Her flavor palette is a little different.” Raspberry jalapeño and cranberryorange Meyer lemon are Hild’s newest of nine flavors.
also pivoted careers later in life.
“I graduated from law school at age 50 and have been managing my own business ever since,” Feldman said about his law practice. “Sometimes she asks how to approach a problem.”
Feldman is also a customer, giving jams to clients as a gift to celebrate their purchase of a home. One client received her blueberry-lemon jam and ordered five more jars. “They’re not
Looking ahead to 2026, she’s focusing on the wholesale side of her business, stepping away from farmers markets.
“We just signed up with US Foods, so hopefully we’ll be working with more chefs, restaurants, resorts, hotel gift shops, country clubs – getting into some of those niche markets,” Hild said. She also mentors those starting their own artisan business. “So many people helped me along this journey, I always like to pay it back.”
By JAMIE GODIN newsroom@appenmedia.com
PERIMETER, Ga — Nearly 100 hiring professionals gathered at City Springs in Sandy Springs Nov. 19 for the Greater Perimeter Chamber’s Signature Luncheon, sponsored by Atlanta International School.
The discussion focused on how shifts in skills, technology and worker expectations are changing hiring strategies for major employers in the Perimeter market.
The panel featured Cathy Manginelli, chief talent officer at TriNet; Teal Edmeade, who leads talent acquisition and HR operations at Northside Hospital; and Nancy Whatley, senior director of global talent acquisition and learning at Veritiv Corporation. Greater Perimeter Chamber CEO Adam Forrand moderated.
Across sectors, the panelists said employers are placing greater emphasis on human-centered abilities that cannot be automated. Manginelli, whose company provides HR services and support to small and mid-sized businesses, described TriNet’s focus on adaptability and
confidence in uncertain situations.
“You have to be agile, a problem
solver, someone who is going to lean in when there are challenges,” she said. She added that the company looks for what it calls self-efficacy, “believing in yourself when you do not know the road ahead.”
automated so that you can focus on other stuff? Yes. And we are already seeing that.”
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Edmeade, whose organization is one of the region’s largest hospital systems, said Northside prioritizes people who bring values-driven decision-making to patient care. She pointed to the commitment shown during Atlanta snowstorms, when workers stayed at the hospital for days to care for patients.
“The same way they are committed to taking care of those who need care, we need as an organization to provide the care to them,” she said.
Whatley, whose company designs and manufactures digital infrastructure and industrial solutions, noted that data literacy has become essential across Veritiv’s workforce, from warehouse employees to sales teams.
“It does not matter what kind of job you are in,” she said. “It is all about the data you are collecting and how you choose to use it.”
Technology is also changing how companies hire. Manginelli said TriNet uses automation in parts of its recruitment process, but views AI as a tool rather than a replacement.
“Is it going to replace certain parts of jobs? Yes,” she said. “Is it going to help certain tasks be
Flexibility continues to shape employee expectations. Manginelli said TriNet has adopted a corehours model in its Atlanta office, creating a 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. overlap while allowing employees to shift their schedules. The company also provides six remote days each month. Whatley said Veritiv’s flexibility varies by role, with warehouse workers and drivers required on site while sales and corporate positions have more options.
Development programs are becoming a major retention tool. Edmeade said Northside offers scholarships, residencies and structured career-pathing for employees seeking new specialties. “We take about 1,200 nurses every year and put them through those programs,” she said.
TriNet is building out a 150,000 - square - foot office in Dunwoody’s High Street, planning to add 750 jobs over five years. Veritiv is also growing following recent acquisitions, and demand across the region’s healthcare systems remains strong.
Despite differences in industry, the panelists agreed that investing in people, through culture, training and flexibility remains the most reliable strategy.
number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it?
1. Pricing word. Popular saying. Syrup type.
2. Hindu princess. Beasts of burden. Deep blue.
3. Strong adhesive. Lion family. Wine bottle info.
4. Wild dog of Australia. Beach feature. Trinity River locale.
5. African antelope with long straight horns. Coffee pot. Reverberate.
6. Shopper’s delight. Tropical vine. Kick out.
7. Small whirlpool. Unsophisicated. Female fox or temptress.
Marks the Spot
1 Pricing word. Popular saying. Syrup type.
2. Hindu princess. Beasts of burden. Deep blue.
How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
3. Strong adhesive. Lion family. Wine bottle info.
4. Wild dog of Australia. Beach feature. Trinity River locale
5. African antelope with long straight horns. Coffee pot Reverberate.
6. Shopper’s delight. Tropical vine. Kick out 7. Small whirlpool. Unsophisicated. Female fox or temptress.
David and Claire Gordon, longtime Dunwoody residents who immigrated from South Africa in the early 2000s, hold a copy of the Crier at the University of Georgia, a private college in the city of Tbilisi, in early November. The father-daughter duo, took a two-week trip to the Caucus region of eastern Europe, stopping by a location with a familiar name. Claire graduated from Dunwoody High School, the University of Georgia in Athens and is now an executive director and senior lead commercial banking relationship manager at Wells Fargo. Thanks for taking us along, Gordons!
Where in the world is the Crier?: If you’re headed on a trip, the Crier wants to sightsee, too. Take a copy with you and share the moment with folks back home. Send your travel photos with the Crier to newsroom@appenmedia.com.
By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com
DECATUR, Ga. — The DeKalb County Commission, at its Nov. 18 meeting, approved a contract with Sky Harbour to develop new hangars at DeKalb Peachtree Airport.
The commission considered a motion to defer the contract, but it failed. The motion to approve passed 6-1, with Presiding Officer Michelle Long Spears opposing.
Tensions have been high regarding the development. Many residents made public comments opposing the proposal for eight hangars at PDK. Neighbors have attended county commission meetings over the last year to speak.
Pilots and members of the airport advisory board also spoke in favor of the development during the Nov. 18 meeting.
The project would be developed on 12.8 acres at PDK Airport, and would cost $45 million. If constructed, the development is estimated to bring more than $576 million in revenue to DeKalb County over 50 years.
County officials hope the development will enable more aircraft currently using PDK Airport to use it as a home base, rather than having to reposition to other airports.
Sky Harbour is seeking a 50-year ground lease from PDK Airport for the development.
Of the tax revenue generated, $66 million would go to the airport, $211 million would go to DeKalb County,
$230 million would go to DeKalb County Schools and $67 million would go to the city of Chamblee.
The project was proposed in 2023 and is before the DeKalb County Commission for approval. The Operations Committee recommended approval on Nov. 4.
The airport issued a request for proposals in 2023 to gauge interest in developing the airport's east side.
“This was not a sole-source solicitation. Through the county's procurement and contracting department, we conducted the full RFP process, and we received one response from Sky Harbour,” Airport Director Hunter Hines said during a Nov. 10 town hall. “We convened an evaluation committee to assess their proposal against the established criteria, and based on that evaluation, the RFP was awarded to Sky Harbour.”
Sky Harbour is based in New York and has 18 ground leases across the country – nine in operation and nine in development.
“We'll have sufficient apron to host around 16 aircraft support facilities, all electric ground support equipment,” Sky Harbour Group Senior Vice President Neil Szymczak said during the town hall. “We have the capability of putting solar panels on the roof. We'll also be delivering an access road.”
DeKalb CEO Lorraine CochranJohnson also previously said that if the project proceeds, it will not increase the weight limit or size of aircraft allowed to use PDK Airport.
DUNWOODY, Ga. — For the first time, the City of Dunwoody, Discover Dunwoody and Create Dunwoody are teaming up to present Holiday Headquarters, making it easier for residents and visitors to connect, explore and make memories.
The city’s official destination marketing organization, Discover Dunwoody, and a local arts and culture nonprofit, Create Dunwoody, are also pitching the community’s shopping, outdoor ice skating and holiday light.
To plan holiday season activities, visit holidayheadquarters.com.
The website is a one-stop shop for event details, registration links and festive inspiration for outings with family, friends and guests. Discover Dunwoody has a curated holiday playlist to keep the spirit going.
Mayor Lynn Deutsch said the holidays in Dunwoody are all about connection, bringing neighbors together, welcoming visitors and celebrating the spirit of the season.
“That’s why we’re embracing Holiday Headquarters,” Deutsch said. “Dunwoody is a place where traditions are made, and memories are shared.”
Already a holiday destination thanks to Perimeter Mall and other local shopping areas, Dunwoody is featuring a lineup of beloved events and exciting new experiences.
“I am thrilled that Dunwoody has rebranded itself as Atlanta's Holiday Headquarters this year,” Discover Dunwoody COO Mark Galvin said. “The holidays are the busiest time of the year for Dunwoody, and we’re excited to showcase the many ways visitors and residents alike can celebrate the season in our vibrant community."
Lighted snowflakes will add to the magic and sparkle from streetlights in Dunwoody Village and Georgetown,
Dunwoody’s Holiday HQ event lineup
Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park
Opening night: Monday, Dec. 2, 4-7 p.m. Stroll through a glowing display of 100,000 lights through Dec. 31, courtesy of the Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Department.
Nov. 23 - Jan. 19
Where: The Green at High Street Lace up your skates and hit the ice at this brand-new outdoor rink in Central Perimeter near the Dunwoody MARTA station.
while Holiday HQ banners brighten commercial corridors including Winters Chapel Road, Jett Ferry Road and Perimeter Center.
“Create Dunwoody is proud to celebrate the season by hosting events and programs that bring people together and showcase our city’s creativity,” Executive Director Rosemary Watts said. “The lantern parade is a perfect example — an enchanting, community-powered event that lights up Dunwoody Village with joy and imagination.”
— Hayden Sumlin
By ZOE SEILER and LYDIA MAGALLANES zoe@appenmedia.com decaturish@appenmedia.com
DECATUR, Ga. — The DeKalb County Commission met Nov. 20 and deferred action on regulations for data centers until the end of the year.
The commission also deferred a decision on a proposed 1-million-square-foot facility at 4280 and 4358 Loveless Place and 2281 Pineview Trail in Ellenwood in South DeKalb County.
The proposal drew opposition from South DeKalb residents. About two dozen people rallied against it and such facilities generally, before the meeting.
Between 75 and 100 people attended the zoning meeting, and many spoke against the developments, raising health and environmental concerns. Some were in favor of the ordinance, some would like DeKalb County to ban the facilities, and many were wary of the Ellenwood proposal.
Several individuals were also escorted out of the meeting room after chanting "Let the people speak" at the end of the public hearing. Some in the audience shouted other comments, and Presiding Officer Michelle Long Spears asked DeKalb Police to remove them.
A handful of people stayed in the hallway for a few minutes, chanting, "Stop all data centers."
DeKalb County is drafting an ordinance to regulate the facilities. The current draft introduces a new category, mandates a closed-loop water system, and outlines the plans to be included in a permit application.
In October, the county commission extended a moratorium on new applications until Dec. 16 while the planning department drafted new regulations. DeKalb County does not currently have any guidelines in place.
The vote to defer the draft ordinance until Dec. 16 was 5-1 with Commissioner Ted Terry opposing. Terry made a motion to hold a public hearing on the Dec. 16 meeting, but it did not pass.
"I believe we can do data centers the right way," Terry told Decaturish. "But too many people are against it, and it's our job to meet them where they are at and answer all questions and concerns."
Zoning Administrator Rachel Bragg said the staff would be prepared to propose another extension to the moratorium at the Dec. 16 meeting.
The goal of the ordinance is to establish land use regulations for data centers. It includes requirements around permitted locations, plans to be submitted with an application, architecture, noise and maintenance.
ZOE SEILER/APPEN MEDIA
DeKalb resident Gina Mangham speaks during a rally against data centers at the DeKalb Government Service Center ahead of the County Commission's zoning meeting on Nov. 20, 2025.
The draft includes a use table with five classifications permitted in industrial areas.
• Data Center, Minor: Fewer than 20,000 square feet, and likely does not require a dedicated substation. This includes such facilities as an accessory use if they are under 2,000 square feet.
These would be allowed as an accessory use in office institutional areas and as a permitted use in office distribution, light industrial, and heavy industrial zoning districts.
• Data Center, Medium: Facilities between 20,000 and 100,000 square feet and may or may not have a dedicated substation. These would be allowed in high-intensity commercial districts or industrial areas.
Medium facilities would require a special land use permit in office institutional and distribution and would be a permitted use in light and heavy industrial zoning districts.
This category was added to the draft in response to feedback that the major category was too broad, encompassing centers ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 square feet. County staff also specified regulations for major facilities under 100,000 square feet and ultimately decided to make it a separate classification.
• Data Center, Major: Facilities between 100,000 and 500,000 square feet and likely has a dedicated substation. These would be allowed in high-intensity commercial districts or industrial areas. Major facilities would require a special land use permit in office institutional and distribution, and light and heavy industrial
South DeKalb County resident Quanda Stroud and advocates shared concerns about energy costs and the environmental and health implications associated with the proposed Ellenwood project.
According to a county staff report, the 95-acre site would be a campus with an outdoor electric substation. Three two-story buildings would be located on the site.
PCC-DeKalb, LLC is seeking a special land use permit for the center, which would be in a small lot residential mix and mixed-use low-density zoning districts. The site is also in the Bouldercrest Overlay District, Tier 5, and the Soapstone Historic District.
"While the [Bouldercrest Overlay District] land use table does not include a 'Data Center' land use category, it appears that the applicant has indicated the most similar land use in the BOD is 'utility structure for transmission of service,'" the staff report says.
The staff considers the proposed use to be most similar to warehousing and storage, which is not allowed in Tier 5.
Although the county has held several meetings to decide how to regulate such facilities, Stroud and her neighbors still have questions.
zoning districts.
• Data Center, Campus: A singular development containing more than one building, with a minimum square footage of 500,000 square feet, and likely has more than one substation.
Campuses would not be allowed in office, institutional, or distribution areas and would require a special land use permit in light and heavy industrial zoning districts. The facility proposed in Ellenwood would be considered a campus under the new regulations.
A previous version of the ordinance included megawatt metrics in addition to square footage, but that was removed as the county is only regulating land use. Staff also found that megawatt usage didn't necessarily correlate to the size of a facility.
With any application, developers will have to provide a noise impact assessment, water consumption and sustainability plan, energy consumption and sustainability plan, stormwater management plan, lighting plan, transmission line impact assessment, tree preservation and reforestation plan and a sewer update plan.
A special land use permit, however, would not be required if an industrial property is redeveloped, reused, renovated or reconstructed.
Ellenwood project draws community opposition
Nearly 50 people attended a community forum Nov. 15 in Decatur, where advocates voiced concerns about the impacts of these facilities.
"I think commissioners need to listen to the community," she said.
Despite attending a couple of town halls about the campus, Stroud felt like the county commissioners were not adequately informed on the topic.
Diana Deitz, a Fayette County resident who began her fight against the facilities three years ago when Quality Technology Services proposed a campus in Fayetteville, warned attendees that "miles of highvoltage lines slicing through people's yards could be coming to a neighborhood near you." She also cautioned residents to keep an eye on land sales, warning that a development could expand over time.
In December 2024, Bloomberg reported that the QTS facility's power lines encroached on more than 100 properties and houses in Fayetteville, "hitting home values and crossing people's yards." Other Fayette County residents characterized them as "statues" because they are much larger than regular power lines.
Deitz encouraged residents to ask their county commissioners "lots of questions about power," and to see the bigger picture beyond the money offered by investors. The facilities are largely automated and require minimal staffing, resulting in a limited local economic impact.
The county staff recommended denial of the Ellenwood project, and the county commission deferred the application to Jan. 13, 2026.
Deputy Presiding Officer Nicole Massiah, who made the motion, said the county needs to have zoning regulations in place to move forward with this proposal.
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The farmhouse of Robert and Henrietta Wilson was near Winter’s Chapel Road on property in the area where Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant is located today. Robert Chesnut Wilson was born in 1845 in Newton County, Ga., and moved to DeKalb County in 1852. Henrietta Eidson Wilson, born 1851, was the daughter of two early DeKalb County families. Her father, Jefferson Green Eidson, was born in 1822 in what would become Dunwoody. Her mother was Synthy Hardman Eidson.
Before marrying Henrietta, Wilson left home to fight with the Confederacy, only to be sent back home because he was too young. In 1864, when Wilson reached age 19, he joined again and was sent to Savannah as part of Company E, 20th Georgia Battalion. He was discharged in April 1865 from High Point, N.C., when the war ended. (1910 Confederate pension application, ancestry.com)
In 1873, Robert Wilson and Henrietta Eidson were married. John McElroy of Doraville served as justice of the peace. U.S. Census records show the couple had nine children by 1900. Robert Wilson is listed as a farmer, and the couple’s three oldest sons also worked on the farm.
Also on the 1900 census are neighbors of the Wilsons. Some of the names can still be found today in our road names. Samuel and Harriet McElroy and their children lived nearby.
Samuel McElroy was a teacher in 1900. Stokes and Samantha Womack were neighbors and farmers in the area, along with the Gholston and Flowers families. There are also close-by family members of the Eidson and Chesnut families. The Wilson family were members of Prosperity Presbyterian Church, which originally was located along Peachtree Road, just north of Chamblee. In 1871, the church began meeting at Doraville School at the intersection of Central Avenue and Church Street while a new sanctuary was built. The church name changed to Doraville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1890. In 2000, the church moved to 5918 Spalding Drive and became Peachtree Corners Presbyterian Church.
Henrietta Wilson was a prominent member of the church. Daughter Maebelle Wilson Leslie and granddaughter Harriet Leslie also became active church members.
(“Images of America: Doraville,” by Bob Kelley)
Prosperity Cemetery is in the same area where the original church was located. A plaque at the cemetery gate tells the history of the church, showing the three names “Prosperity, 18361871, Doraville, 1871-2000, Peachtree Corners, 2000.”
Henrietta and Robert Wilson lived the rest of their lives in Doraville. They are both buried at Prosperity Cemetery.
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.
By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com
DECATUR, Ga. — DeKalb County is working to help residents feeling the ripple effects of the recent federal government shutdown.
The shutdown was the longest in United States history.
Individuals and families who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits saw cuts to their allotments this month. SNAP benefits were not intended to be issued this month, but after new federal directives, the Georgia Department of Human Services issued partial benefits last week.
The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily paused a lower court order on Nov. 7 that required the federal government to pay full food stamp benefits. The ruling means the U.S. Department of Agriculture does not have to immediately follow a lower court order requiring the agency to transfer $4 billion to SNAP, CNN reported.
Senators reached a deal to reopen the government and fund it through Jan. 30. The agreement would include full-year funding for several appropriations bills, including fully funding SNAP through Sept. 30, 2026, which is the end of the fiscal year, according to NPR.
In a previous press release, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson stated that approximately 16.5 percent of county residents were at risk of losing SNAP benefits, which translates to about 54,000 households, representing 127,000 people.
DeKalb County is stepping up to help residents impacted by these cuts. During a press conference on Nov. 17, Cochran-Johnson said she doesn’t want to see anyone in DeKalb County displaced due to a lack of resources.
“We are trying to meet people where they are,” she said.
DeKalb is launching a resource guide to give individuals information on what’s available to them at the local, state and federal levels.
“As costs continue to rise and uncertainty continues, DeKalb County is responding. We are responding with compassion, with wraparound support, and also with action,” Cochran-Johnson said.
The website, resourcesindekalb.com, features more than 500 resources in a
variety of areas like utility assistance, health care and financial support.
“I’d like to say that we put a lot of time and effort into the resource guide, because the needs of the community at this time are very diverse,” CochranJohnson said. “As you visit the website, you will find that we have housed all resources in various buckets to make it easy to access. We have everything from local resources to state resources, as well as federal and foundation resources.”
The county hosted a food distribution event on Nov. 14, giving away 5,000 boxes of food across six locations.
“This effort was one of our largest single-day community outreach efforts that has been undertaken this year,” Cochran-Johnson said.
At the event, Cochran-Johnson said the day was important because many people are in need.
“With what we’ve just experienced— the longest government shutdown in history and a delay in SNAP benefits to millions of people across the state—I’m just thankful that we can do this here in DeKalb County. We want to ensure that people have a decent meal for the holiday,” Cochran-Johnson said at the Rehoboth Baptist Church distribution site in Tucker.
In 2019, the county began focusing on addressing food deserts and food insecurity. At that time, DeKalb worked with Fresh on Deck to deliver food. This year, the county transitioned to a partnership with Retaaza to operate the Farm Fresh Mobile Market.
“The market brings to residents across DeKalb County, locally grown produce directly from Georgia farms that are in South DeKalb senior centers, as well as recreational facilities and select schools in DeKalb County,” Cochran-Johnson said.
She added that resources are being directed where they’re needed most. The mobile market is a vehicle that visits certain stops to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to residents.
“They are covering mobile food markets, three stops on Monday and three stops on Fridays, across the county between now and the end of the year,” Commissioner Ted Terry said. “Tomorrow, we’ll be voting on an agenda item to add additional subsidies for a minimum of $10 credits for every customer. So, the first $10 is basically paid for.”
Here are the Farm Fresh Mobile Market stops
Mondays:
South DeKalb Senior Center, 12-1 p.m.
• Gresham Park Rec Center, 2-3:30 p.m.
• Cedar Grove Elementary, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Fridays:
• Exchange Park Rec Center, 12-1 p.m.
• Lou Walker Senior Center, 2-3:30 p.m.
• Stephenson Middle School, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
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As we move deeper into fall here in Atlanta, many patients notice that their skin feels different—and not always in a good way. The cooler, drier air of November often intensifies dryness, making skin feel tight, flaky, and more sensitive. At the same time, fine lines, wrinkles, and areas of pigmentation tend to look more noticeable when the skin is dehydrated and lacking its natural glow. This is the perfect time to check in with your skin and give it the care it deserves. A visit with your board-certified dermatologist can help identify whether your dryness is seasonal or tied to an underlying condition like eczema and ensure you’re using the right products
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Mobility Plus Alpharetta is humbled by earning a top spot in the Best of North Atlanta rankings during its’ third year in operation!
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ATLANTA, Ga. — Emory University has purchased the former Egleston Hospital property from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The properties are located at 1405 Clifton Road, and 1712 Uppergate Drive.
Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta have been in discussions about the former Egleston Hospital site since September 2024, when the Arthur M. Blank Hospital opened on North Druid Hills Road. The property consists of two buildings and parking on 7.5 acres, according to a news release.
The university plans to demolish the two buildings to best support its future needs.
“The Egleston campus was designed to meet the specific requirements of a children’s hospital and cannot be effectively renovated for our enterprise
Continued from Page 1
The Whiskey Raffle, which has seen a couple of iterations since it debuted in 2021, began with multiple drawings spread out over three months in the fall.
The prizes have grown in value over the years, and the gathering is held once a year.
Proceeds from the raffle support the Dunwoody Rotary Club’s Charitable Fund, which is distributed to several causes in the community.
They include backpacks and school supplies for 90 local students through Tapestri, an anti-human trafficking nonprofit; turkeys and a food basket for 85 families; and a book for every student at Dresden and Kingsley Elementary schools.
To date, tens of thousands of dollars have been donated.
The 12 prizes included a Longmorn single malt Scotch whiskey, the Buffalo Trace Distillery Collection, the Jack Daniels Collection and award-winning bourbons.
The Rotary Club of Dunwoody says it’s always open to new members.
To learn more about the 42-year-old club, visit dunwoodyrotary.org.
Continued from Page 1
DHA President Tim Brown said it may have been the best Light Up Dunwoody yet with an estimated 3,500 people visiting the historic city park, operated by the Dunwoody
needs,” said Robin Morey, vice president of campus services and chief planning officer of Emory.
The buildings were built in 1968 and 2005. The complexity and expense of adapting the buildings for another purpose were cost-prohibitive, he said.
“These properties are in strategic locations in the heart of campus and will provide Emory with the opportunity and flexibility to support key enterprise needs,” Morey said.
Demolition is expected to take approximately 12 to 18 months to complete. Once finished, Emory plans to use it as open space in the short term. The property's 840-space underground parking deck will become part of the university's parking inventory upon completion of the demolition.
— Zoe Seiler
The Dunwoody Rotary Club prepares to draw from the ticket spinner at the
Politan Row. The club estimates the annual raffle will raise more than $10,000 for its charitable fund, which contributes thousands to community members in need.
Preservation Trust.
“As you know we moved to Donaldson-Bannister Farm, in a newly rekindled partnership with the DPT,” Brown said. “In any effort that brings on change there are questions.... We got the answer loud and clear yesterday as the entire venue was filled from end to end.”
After reporting sponsors, dancers,
performers and vendors went home happy, Brown said speaking at the “small-town event” was an emotional moment.
Fighting health issues throughout the year, Brown took little credit in a Facebook post recapping the evening, instead thanking the DHA Board, event producers Jimmy and Leah Economos and the Dunwoody Preservation Trust.
“Light Up Dunwoody is a true community event,” Brown said. “This year it was produced by two nonprofit organizations working together for the good of the city. It is not business. It is service. Your participation, which we believe reached record attendance, is a reminder of how much this community values connection, celebration and tradition.”
PAT FOX Managing Editor pat@appenmedia.com
There is more ink devoted to conspiracies today than ever.
As an alien comet tours our solar system and governments conceal “the truth” behind UFOs, news organizations speculate on hidden political agendas.
Conspiracies, with evidence as thin as gossamer, are vortexes that draw us into a blurry reality.
Yet, despite my practice of weighing all facts before leaping into conjecture, I recently descended into the abyss.
The reptilian part of my brain took over last week when I received emails and calls about Rep. Chuck Martin and his high-octane advocacy for failed Alpharetta City Council candidate Donna Murphy.
I spoke with people I’ve grown to trust over the years, people I respect.
A vague tapestry formed in my head, as they murmured theories of a year-long ploy to manipulate conditions in favor of specific candidates.
Here are the facts
Three days after losing the race to Katie Reeves for Alpharetta City Council Post 2, Donna Murphy appeared before the Fulton County Board of Elections to ask whether newly enacted legislation would make her eligible for a runoff with Reeves.
Under a new format passed by the City Council this year, Alpharetta, for the first time in its history, now decides winners of municipal races by a majority of votes cast – 50 percent plus one vote. Before this year, whoever received the most votes won.
The official count was Reeves, 5,189 or 50.1 percent; Murphy, 3,647 or 35.3 percent, Bart Dean with 1,519 votes or 14.7 percent.
A lot was made of that razor thin 50.1 percent Reeves garnered. That 0.1 percent constitutes about a dozen votes.
But the total count did not factor in write-in votes. If it had, Reeves might have fallen short of the threshold required to avoid a runoff with Murphy.
Now, here’s the conspiracy
Rep. Martin co-sponsored the legislation allowing Alpharetta to change its election system. Look it up, HB 640.
He was asked to do this following a 6-1 vote at a
PHOTO: DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA, ILLUSTRATION: CARL APPEN/APPEN MEDIA
Pat Fox heard rumors of a political conspiracy in Alpharetta, so he started making calls. There are things going on behind closed doors people should know about. Sometimes, though, there’s just nothing there
December 2024 City Council meeting. Official records show the item was sponsored on the agenda by council members John Hipes and Dan Merkel. Both had supported Murphy’s failed City Council bid in 2021 against incumbent Councilman Donald Mitchell.
Mitchell lodged the lone dissenting vote on the proposal.
Rep. Martin has publicly stated he prefers a council’s unanimous consent before pursuing legislation focused on that city. Yet, Donald Mitchell, the person he’d tried to unseat three years earlier on behalf of Murphy, had voted no.
Add to that, shortly following the Nov. 4 election, Rep. Martin visited the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office himself for a ruling on whether the new legislation he co-sponsored should include write-in votes.
The state said “no.”
Fulton County said “no.”
The city explains that write-in candidates must qualify, just like those printed on the ballot. If they do not file papers to qualify, the written name means nothing in the count.
After scanning public records, making phone calls and other rabbit-hole activity, part of me wanted this to be a conspiracy. I wasn’t out to get Chuck Martin, just a good
story.
But unless Martin is some sort of political Edgar Cayce, it doesn’t add up.
First, the legislation allowing Alpharetta’s new election format was co-sponsored by three other local legislators. One was Rep. Todd Jones. Another was Rep. Jan Jones. Both endorsed Katie Reeves.
The fourth co-sponsor, Rep. Michelle Au, has no record of endorsing any of the candidates.
Second, candidates Reeves, Murphy and Dean were running for a seat they couldn’t have known would be open when the election format proposal was made last December. The Post 2 seat became vacant in June when Councilman Brian Will resigned for run for the State Senate.
Of course, there were two other council seats on the ballot in this cycle, and one was going to be open for sure, because Mitchell was prohibited by term limits.
So, there’s that.
Finally, although he voted against changing the local election format, Mitchell signed the official City Council document advocating for the legislative action. Mitchell says he signed mostly as a formality to move the election forward. He says he remains opposed to a system forcing a runoff that could cost the city an extra $150,000, a system that favors the candidate with the most money.
Martin says he read the official, signed document as full council consent.
Rep. Martin makes no apologies for being an enthusiastic campaigner for his friend. I know he riled some people in Windward, a northern part of the city outside his legislative district. He says he was correcting misinformation.
He also says he disclosed to the Secretary of State’s Office, from the outset, that he had a personal interest when he asked for a ruling on the write-ins.
In the aftermath, Martin says he believes write-in votes should be included to calculate candidate percentages. He argues that if a person writes in a name on the space provided on the ballot, that person believes they have just voted. Martin says he wants ballot clarity.
Good enough.
One final word on this exercise: I am not tired.
Even after a week chasing a ghost, this newspaper remains committed to listening to readers, using our resources to seek truth. There are things going on behind closed doors people should know about.
Sometimes, though, there’s just nothing there.
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
In one of Malcolm Gladwell’s books, “Outliers,” the premise is that ultimately, everything and everyone regresses to the mean.
In sports, long jumper Bob Beamon is a good example. In the 1968 Olympics he destroyed the existing world record by jumping 29 feet 2 ½” – almost 2 feet more than the existing world record. Beamon’s second longest jump in his career was 27 feet, 4 inches – roughly his mean. Yes, there are exceptions to the “regress to
the mean” rule, but they are few. It is almost like gravity is at work, and no matter how hard someone or something tries to defy it, it never works – because it always works, ultimately.
Business is like that too. Think Intel, GE, Polaroid – or if we want to go way back, The British East India Company. It was founded in 1600 by Queen Elizabeth to expand trade for the crown. It ultimately built its own private army and by the mid-18th century acted effectively as a sovereign power – collecting taxes, administering justice and waging war. However, in 1874, the company was dissolved by the British government because it had become too powerful, too much of a threat and too corrupt. It had its day in the
sun but ultimately, it didn’t last. It regressed even past the mean.
Southwest Airlines is a good – but to me, sad – case in point today.
I have been a huge, loyal fan of Southwest Airlines for many years. I recall the day that Gary Kelly (CEO from 2004–2022) announced, at a gathering I attended, the new hub in Atlanta.
“We’ll bring competition; bring down prices; and we’ll introduce you to the Southwest way of flying” – or something along those lines.
Excitement in the air
I think everyone was excited, and many of us welcomed the new upstart airline be-
cause we hoped it would give the old guard – Delta – a reason to try a little harder; be a little more customer friendly; and in general, shape up. It did force Delta to work harder on their rates I think, but that’s all it did –but that is another story.
Southwest was different. Bags were free. Check-in was totally different; it worked more like a roundabout than a four-way stop, which was the industry standard at the time – and still is. That is, the Southwest “way” relied on people to do the right thing in terms of check in and seating themselves on their own accord instead of being herded like cattle into paddocks.
See FAIL, Page 18
I would venture to say that many adults in Georgia remember childhood nursery rhymes or stories about sheep, for example: “Mary Had a Little Lamb," "Baa Baa Black Sheep" or "Little Bo Peep.” We consider sheep to be friendly and sometimes affectionate if not the brightest animals on the farm, and sheep may have a special relationship with their owners who often give them names and love them like pets.
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison raised sheep. Woodrow Wilson kept a flock on the White House lawn during World War I to keep the grass trimmed and to save manpower. Sheep have been raised in Georgia since the 1700s according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia. Both lamb and wool were important to our early settlers. Inventory data on sheep began in 1867 when there were about 45 million sheep in the United States. The number remained fairly constant until after the Second World War. Among the reasons for the post-war decline were the rise of synthetic fabrics, decline in the consumption of lamb, cheap imports that flooded the U.S. market and urbanization. Currently there are only about 7.5 million sheep in the U.S. and about 10,000 in Georgia.
Today, sheep farming plays a small but significant role in Georgia’s agriculture especially in Middle and South Georgia. In Fulton County, according to the USDA, there were 167 farms on 9,000-plus acres in 2022 of which about 3,500 acres were pastureland. This was 14 % fewer farms and 25 % fewer acres devoted to farms than in 2017.
Worldwide there are more than 200 sheep breeds but only two types of breeds, hair sheep and wool sheep. The hair-type breeds do not need to be sheered, a significant labor-saving feature. Hair sheep grow a coat of coarse hair that naturally sheds in the spring. They produce meat. Wool-type breeds must be sheared, usually annually. Their fleece is the result of centuries of selective breeding to produce fibers for textiles. Their wool is soft and insulating and contains lanolin, a natural oil. Some breeds have no horns, some have two and some have four.
People sometimes ask if a sheep’s wool will grow forever if the animal is left unshorn. The answer lies with Shrek, a famous sheep in New Zealand who really did not like haircuts. He hid out in a cave for six years before he was found in 2004. When shorn his owner could not tell that he was a sheep according to “Modern Farmer” magazine. When Shrek was
sheared his fleece weighed 60 pounds, enough wool to make 20 men’s suits. In 2015, a sheep named Chris who was lost and then found in Australia five years later, provided 91pounds of fleece, a world record. An Australian sheep’s annual fleece normally weighs about 11 pounds. While North Fulton is not known for raising sheep, a few people do raise them. Tom and Jane Grady purchased a property in Alpharetta in 1981. It was once owned by Walter Tucker (1909-1984), a farmer and skilled carpenter who bought
and cleared the land circa 1940 and built a barn that still stands. He and Jane have several Tunis sheep. “I love taking care of them,” says Tom. “They connect me to my relationship with God. John Chapter 1 tells us that Jesus was the Lamb of God. The 23rd Psalm says the Lord is my shepherd,” Tom notes. “Sheep are very fragile and fearful. They cannot survive without a shepherd. They follow me when I walk in a field because they know that I am their master.”
Tom breeds his sheep in October using
a ram provided by fellow sheep farmer and friend Phil Busman. The ram will stay in Tom’s yard with his two adult and one young female for about a month when his adult females will breed. After five months the two will probably give birth to twins. Within a half hour the newborn lambs will be standing by their mother and nursing.
Phil and Mary Busman have a working farm in Alpharetta which provides fresh grown vegetables to families who support the farm by purchasing harvests in advance. The Community Supported Agriculture, CSA, program they started in 2008 has grown by word of mouth until 73 families now take part. The farm has provided approximately 1300 baskets of food for its customers this year.
Phil gives the credit for CSA’s success to his sheep and to “responsible tillage.” He says, “a healthy ecosystem takes care of itself.” Phil has very few insects in his garden yet does no spraying or mowing because the sheep have kept the soil balanced. Phil has four ewes, two pure Tunis and two crosses between Cotswold and Tunis plus one ram loaned for the breeding season to friend Tom Grady. Crossbreeding yields strong animals which Phil calls “hybrid vigor.”
Every year Phil sends the sheared wool to MacAusland’s Woolen Mills on Prince Edward Island in Canada to have it made into blankets and yarn.
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.
Continued from Page 16
It gave people standing and respect in a sense. At least that was the way it seemed to me. And I liked that.
More than anything else though, flying Southwest was fun. From the pilots to the flight attendants, everyone just seemed nice, upbeat, and full of positive energy. When you stepped into that Southwest plane, life lifted a little for everyone, and you were in for a
welcome break from the rat race.
So, for the next 20-plus years, I never considered flying on any other airline than Southwest. Then – I want to say around 2022 when Gary Kelly retired – something happened. Granted, a pandemic hit, and granted, Southwest encountered operational failures in their back-end system and near catastrophic plane issues. Nevertheless, Southwest changed; it digressed back toward the mean. They introduced baggage fees. They ended the open seating – the roundabout idea – and started offering premium seating options – basically stratifying the
December 17, 1935 – October 28, 2025
Mary Catherine Barnes Nicodemus, 89, of Dunwoody, passed away peacefully at home on October 28, 2025. Mary was blessed to be a blessing to her family, friends, church, and community. Born on December 17, 1935, in Albion, Nebraska, to J.B. and Valma Barnes, she was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and grandmother whose quiet strength and kindness touched everyone she met.
Mary grew up on a family farm and in the Albion United Methodist Church. She remained firmly grounded in Midwestern values and a strong faith throughout her life. At Albion High School, she played the saxophone and was a cheerleader. Her senior yearbook photo was captioned, “She was born with the gift of laughter.”
one month before her passing.
Mary found joy in needlepoint, cards, bingo, and cheering on the Atlanta Braves, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Georgia Tech football. She especially loved watching The Masters every spring.
She is survived by her five children: Jim, Bill (Karen), Nancy, and Tommy Nicodemus; and Tammy (Michael) Boswell; eight grandchildren: Casey, Keegan (Marybeth), Kirk, Luke and Sarah Mac Nicodemus, Melvina James, and Henry and Will Boswell; and seven greatgrandchildren: Wilder, Ezra, Shepherd, and Judah Nicodemus, and Marleah, Kimora, and Julianna James. She is also survived by her brother, Dick (Penny) Barnes, and several nieces and nephews.
pricing structure and how customers were treated – some better than others.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that, because that is how the rest of the world works, but it wasn’t how Southwest became the airline that so many of us loved and patronized.
Fast forward. Southwest now, like all the other airlines, nickels and dimes you to death. It’s all about up charges, making that incremental buck – charges for this, upgrades that. Flight attendants move about their jobs robotically, sullen and drained of any energy or that old Southwest vibe. Seeing a smile on a Southwest employee’s face now seems as rare as a white tiger – and laughter, nowhere to be heard.
It’s not like Southwest does a bad job today; they do OK. However, in relative terms, compared to the airline it was before, the one today is simply a pallid imitation – one going through the motions and not really caring all that much – back to the mean.
I still fly Southwest I will admit. Loyalty to something or some idea often endures and doesn’t fade quickly with a few bumps or occasional turbulence. I still want to smile when I board a Southwest flight. I want Southwest attendants and pilots to still at least act like they are glad to see you and that they find some sort of pride and excitement about their jobs. That is, I want to give them the benefit of the doubt – a pass - with the hopes that something will happen and they will change – change back.
There are still some companies out there, however, that have maintained that “Southwest vibe” – companies where the employees treat customers like they do care about them, companies with employees that seem like they enjoy coming to work and take pride in who they are and what they do.
Costco.
Mary met the love of her life, J V. “Nick” Nicodemus, during their first week at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. She later graduated from Bryan Memorial Nursing School, earning her RN degree, and married Nick on September 22, 1957. They shared 67.5 wonderful years together until his passing this past March.
Graceful, strong, and endlessly giving, Mary devoted her life to her family and community. She spent decades volunteering in her children’s schools, at church, on sports teams, through Camp Fire Girls, and in Northside Hospital’s Chaplain Services.
She cherished her DNDC women’s group, whose members played bridge and tennis together for more than 20 years and continued gathering twice a year for luncheons - most recently just
Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Nick; her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Ginny and Don Johnson; her brother, John Barnes; her nephew, Darin Barnes; and her in-laws, Marci Jo and Gary Lambert.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Renee Critten and her I’d Rather Be Home Homecare team for their loving care and compassion over the past four years.
A memorial service will be held at Chamblee First United Methodist Church on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Dunwoody PreservationTrust (https://dunwoodypreservationtrust. org/) or Chamblee First UMC (https:// chambleeumc.org/).
I am reminded about one company in particular. A new CEO recently was named for the company, but the founder remained at the helm as chairman of the board I believe. One of the first moves the new CEO made was to increase the prices in this company’s trademark food court – their pizza, hotdogs, ice-cream. One giant hot quarterpound all-beef hotdog and a 20-ounce (free refills) soda, $1.50.
“We’re losing money on that food,” said the new CEO.
“You’ll increase the prices on our food over my dead body,” replied the founder. Some things are far more important than money – like values. Most companies that allow money to become the lowest common dominator – instead of a set of values commonly held, ultimately fail. There is always someone out there willing to sell the product or service cheaper or at a discount.
The same concept holds for countries. Not everything in life is a transaction. When the values fade or disappear, when the “why’s” are forgotten, it is just a matter of time until the arrival back to the mean – or lower.
Some things never change.
John Baker Fugate, 92, of Dunwoody, Georgia, peacefully passed away in his home on October 22, 2025, from complications of heart failure. John was born on October 5, 1933, in East St. Louis, Il., in Christian Welfare Hospital. Upon his birth, his parents began calling him “Jack”. He was the son of John Ott Fugate & Elizabeth Kemp. Jack got his first job in the 6th grade and continued working until joining the Navy, following his high school graduation from East St. Louis Senior High. Jack proudly served his country during the Korean War, where he worked as a storekeeper/bookkeeper in the U.S. Navy supply store. He was awarded the National Defense Medal, China Service Medal (Extended), & Good Conduct Medal (1st). Following his honorable discharge, Jack married Edna & had 2 children, John Scott & Stacey Lynn. He held positions on the railroad, a Ford Dealership, an Advertising Co. & at Peabody Coal Company’s corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Mo. With Edna’s constant encouragement & support, Jack worked days & attended night school for 8 years. He earned his B.S. in Accounting at SIU in Edwardsville, Il. & promptly was employed by Continental Telephone Co., later known as Contel Corporation. He helped friends with tax returns, volunteered at church & built clocks in his spare time. Through the years, Jack also served as a finance chairmen on community committees. However, his love for God & family came first, as he cherished every moment spent with family. His strong work ethic, organizational skills, & drive enabled him to rise through the ranks & achieve “The American Dream”. He was appointed Vice President of the Tax Department at Contel. His job required him & his family to move to Virginia, California
& Atlanta. He worked & traveled all over the world. Jack’s family was blessed by such a kind & caring man, who took his family on many fun vacations & cruises. He was an active member of Dunwoody Baptist Church & attended the Samaritan Sunday School class. Jack was a loving husband for 65 years, devoted father of Stacey & Scott, & adored his deceased “fuzzy grandchildren” (Ella & Lucy). Jack was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Vanessa Hyatt Fugate (wife of his son, Scott). His surviving close relatives are his wife, Edna; his son, Scott Fugate & his daughter, Stacey Fugate, who both reside nearby & will be a source of comfort for Edna. His other closest surviving relative, Jack’s brother, Joe Fugate, 94, resides in Kalamazoo, Michigan who has 2 sons, John & Karl (Marianne) & a daughter Erika (Paul), some of which are grandparents & great grandparents. Jack has many beloved nieces & nephews on his side of the family & Edna’s side of the family. While his professional achievements were outstanding, Jack had a steadfast love for his family & friends. He was always upbeat & willing to lend a helping hand. Jack will be remembered for his thoughtfulness, generosity, integrity, strong faith, sharp intellect, & being genuinely interested in everyone he met. On Nov. 20 at 12:30, a Navy Honors ceremony was held at the GA. National Cemetery in Canton, GA. His life celebration service was held at Dunwoody Baptist Church on Nov. 22nd at 4:00, with visitation prior to the service at 3:00PM, followed by a reception at 5:00P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dunwoody Baptist Samaritan Class Missions, 1445 Mt. Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, GA. 30338.
July 27, 1946 - October 29, 2025
Gary Lee Seacrest bravely fought cancer with courage until his passing on October 29, 2025. He was at home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, surrounded by his loving family: his wife, Connie; his son, Ryan; daughter, Meredith, her husband, Jimmy and his granddaughter Flora. He was 79. Gary served as a leading attorney in the state of Georgia, practicing for over 30 years and running his own law firm. Gary also served as President of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, founded in 2009. Gary was the only child of John and Virginia Robinson Seacrest, born on July 27, 1946, in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. Growing up there, he attended Greencastle-Antrim High School and graduated from Penn State University in 1968. Following graduation, Gary was drafted into the U.S. Army and on his way from Pennsylvania to Fort Benning, he stopped in Atlanta and reconnected with Connie Zullinger who he remembered from high school. They were married in 1970, and she soon joined him in Berlin, Germany where he was stationed with the U.S. Army. It was just the beginning of the ongoing travel they enjoyed throughout their marriage—often exploring new or favorite destinations with Ryan and Meredith. They didn’t like to end one trip without another on the horizon and annually spent their February anniversaries in a warm destination. After his service in the U.S. Army, Gary attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law for one year before transferring to the Emory University School of Law where he graduated with Distinction, signifying a high level of academic achievement, in 1975. For the next three decades, he practiced civil litigation—a career that demanded long days and often work on weekends. Despite that, family dinners were a priority in the Seacrest household. Gary made every effort to show up for those dinners sometimes with Mexican food and a bag of tortilla chips. He also felt it was important to show up for Ryan’s and Meredith’s school and sports activities. To relax, he enjoyed jogging or walking along the Chattahoochee River, going out to
his favorite restaurants—especially loving good Italian food and wine. He enjoyed Motown music and Penn State’s Nittany Lions football games. When son Ryan, a television/radio host and producer, decided he wanted to start his own foundation in 2009, he asked his dad to help him create a non-profit organization. Gary helped start the Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF) which is a non-profit dedicated to inspiring pediatric patients through entertainment and education. RSF’s primary initiative is to build broadcast media centers—Seacrest Studios—in hospitals for young patients to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media. Starting the foundation from the ground up, Gary held a significant role in developing the concept, design and build out of Seacrest Studios in children’s hospitals across the country. The 14th Seacrest Studio will be launched in a children’s hospital in Miami in December. Gary served as President of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation until handing the baton to his daughter Meredith in 2024. Gary was a member of Dunwoody United Methodist Church and a member of the Lawyers Club of Atlanta. Wherever he and Connie made their home, he would be involved in the community organization. Gary was known to be a true gentleman, always on time and dressed for the part. He paid attention, not just in law but in life, too—”You learn when you listen,” he liked to say—thus he also gave wise advice. His sense of humor was sharp, and he had a captivating smile. Most and best of all, he was devoted to his family. “I love this family,” were his final words to them as he passed. Gary is survived by Connie Zullinger Seacrest, his wife of 55 years, his son Ryan John Seacrest and daughter, Meredith Seacrest Leach, her husband Jimmy Leach and their daughter, Flora, 6. There will be a Celebration of Life for family and close friends. Those who wish to honor Gary’s life may make a donation to the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, www.ryanseacrestfoundation.org.
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NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the part-time Front Desk Intake Specialist position. The Front Desk Intake Specialist is responsible for connecting clients to the programs and services that NFCC offers. The role includes data entry, updating clients’ applications, and keeping clients and students informed of programs and service enhancements. As the face of NFCC at the Intake desk, this role requires maintaining a professional and welcoming presence that reflects the organization’s values.
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If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
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