mails ’26 appraisals
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Assessors Office has relocated to Canton Highway.
The office also announced it has mailed all property owners their staterequired 2026 Annual Notice of Assessment as of June 26.
Formerly located at 110 E. Main St., the office moved to 426 Canton Highway in Cumming June 29.
The Board of Assessors is a board independent from the county’s Board of Commissioners. It determines property assessments in accordance with Georgia law and Georgia Department of Revenue regulations.
Information about the 2026 annual notice of assessment is available at forsythco.com/assessment-notice. The information includes how to view property assessments, file an appeal, apply for homestead exemption and how to read a notice of assessment.
Property owners will have the opportunity to appeal their property value for 45 days after the mailing date. Appeals may be filed via mail or in person at the new office or online by visiting forsythco. com/assessmentnotice.
Due to a change in the Board of Assessors’ appeal policy, appeals are no longer accepted via email or fax.
Forsyth County Chief Appraiser Joel Benton said the annual notice of assessment that property owners will receive are based on fair market value.
“We encourage property owners to review their assessed values and exemptions that will be applied to their final bill,” Benton said.
— Jon Wilcox
A boy sits on the back of a vintage Case tractor as adults prepare for the start of the Thomas-Mashburn July 4th Steam Engine Parade in Cumming.
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Deputies arrest suspect in aggravated assault
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Sheriff’s deputies apprehended a suspect in a shooting June 30 that left one man injured.
Deputies responded to the report of gunfire in a neighborhood near Kelly Mill Road and Barrett Downs Drive at about 8:30 a.m. June 30. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said 911 callers reported bullets struck a nearby home, penetrating a child’s bedroom.
Deputies determined the shots were fired from a car during a dispute that occurred near 1628 Kelly Mill Road. A witness reported that a gunshot victim, James Treadwell, had fled the scene. He was soon located off
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.
Cumming man charged with racing on Ga. 400
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 20-year-old Cumming man was arrested on a charge of racing after deputies allegedly clocked his vehicle at 102 mph on Ga. 400.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies observed two cars speeding on southbound Ga. 400 near Bald Ridge Marina May 24.
Both vehicles were traveling faster than 100 mph and jockeying for position, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies lost one of the vehicles while attempting to catch up, but they stopped the other driver, who said the car belonged to his mother. The 20-year-old Cumming man was transported to the Forsyth County Jail on charges of racing and speeding.
— Jon Wilcox
Buford Dam Road and Nuckolls Road, and he was arrested on Henry County warrants.
Meanwhile, a SWAT team and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team were called to a home where the suspect, identified as Jason Simmons, 55, was thought to be. The home was secured, but Simmons was not found.
A large-scale manhunt ensued led by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of other K-9 units.
About 2 p.m., a resident reported suspicious activity in their backyard.
Law enforcement responded to the area, located Simmons and arrested
Deputies seek Atlanta man who allegedly eluded pursuit
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 21-year-old Atlanta man was charged with fleeing law enforcement after allegedly eluding deputies on foot.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were conducting speed enforcement May 24 on northbound Ga. 400 near Exit 14 when a car sped by 20 mph over the speed limit.
Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but the car did not stop and appeared to be eluding pursuit.
Deputies lost the vehicle after it left Ga. 400 at Exit 16, ran a stoplight and returned to the highway, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The Sheriff’s Office tracked the vehicle with Flock cameras and phoned a number associated with its license plate. A man who answered allegedly said the driver was his son and attempted to convince him to turn himself in.
Deputies later tracked the vehicle to a Freedom Parkway business, but when they arrived a person they suspected was the driver fled into a nearby wooded
him on charges of aggravated assault. He remains at the Forsyth County Jail. No bail had been set as of July 2.
Sheriff Ron Freeman said he was proud of the dedication shown by law enforcement in their work to apprehend Simmons.
“This individual endangered the lives of multiple citizens today,” Freeman said. “He will answer for his actions in front of a Forsyth County jury. I extend my sincere appreciation to all of the agencies who assisted FCSO today and for their continued dedication and partnership in keeping our communities safe.”
— Jon Wilcox
area, the Sheriff’s Office said.
A search failed to find the person.
Deputies obtained warrants for the Atlanta man.
— Jon Wilcox
Meats, seafood stolen from Alpharetta grocer
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Officers investigated the alleged theft of almost $800 of groceries from an Alpharetta grocery store June 5.
Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the Old Milton Parkway business about noon.
A store manager told officers two men stole numerous items about 11:30 a.m. The manager said the men placed the items in a trash bag, and then one of them concealed the bag by sitting on it in a wheelchair.
The items included pork ribs, a salmon filet, chicken breasts, king crab clusters, oysters, steaks, shrimp and hot dogs. They totaled a value of $797.
The incident was classified as a felony shoplifting of more than $500. — Jon Wilcox
Appen Media Group receives 19 awards from Georgia Press
By ELLE GIRARD elizabeth@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Appen Media Group earned 19 awards for achievements in newspaper journalism in the 2026 Georgia Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, including a first-place finish in the General Excellence category.
The awards were announced June 12 at the 138th Georgia Press Association convention at the Jekyll Island Club.
“We are honored to receive these recognitions from the Georgia Press Association, and I am thrilled to see our staff recognized for the incredible work they do day in and day out,” Publisher Hans Appen said. “News media is an increasingly competitive and complex industry, and these awards reflect the quality journalism our readers have come to expect from us. They are a testament to our team’s dedication to informing, engaging and serving our communities with excellence.”
The Appen team won awards in the following categories in Division E:
• General excellence, 1st place, Appen staff
• Page one, 1st place, Appen staff
• Page one, 3rd place, Dionna Williams, page designer
DRIVEWAYS & CONCRETE
• Layout and design, 1st place, Appen staff
• Layout and design, 3rd place, Dionna Williams, page designer
• Local news coverage, 2nd place, Appen staff
• Local news coverage, 3rd place, Appen staff
• Business writing, 2nd place, Appen staff, Dan Whisenhunt, Dean Hesse, Jim Bass
• Education writing, 1st place, Jim Bass
• Education writing, 2nd place, Jim Bass and Zoe Seiler
• Feature photograph, 2nd place, Dean Hesse
• Serious column, 1st place, Carl Appen
• Serious column, 2nd place, King Williams
• Serious column, 3rd place, Pat Fox
• Humorous column, 2nd place, Pat Fox
• Feature column, 3rd place, Steve Hudson
• Feature writing, 2nd place, Dan Whisenhunt
• Feature writing, 3rd place, Jim Bass
• Newspaper website, 3rd place, Decaturish.com
“It’s wonderful to be recognized by our peers in the newspaper industry,”
executive editor Dan Whisenhunt said.
“Our team works hard every day to deliver informative and impactful news to our community. These awards reflect our continuing commitment to serving our readers.”
Georgia Press Association panel honors Appen advertising team
By ELLE GIRARD elizabeth@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Appen Media Group’s advertising team has won eight awards in the 2026 Georgia Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, with the majority dedicated to Senior Graphic Designer David Brown.
Appen Media Group Publisher Hans Appen said that the company publishes free newspapers and its journalism is made possible by the support of its advertisers.
“These recognitions are a testament not only to the quality of our journalism, but also to the exceptional work we produce for our advertising partners,” he said. “They reinforce that promoting your business through Appen Media publications is a smart investment, delivering professionally crafted advertising that reaches an engaged local audience.”
The awards were announced June 12 at the 138th Georgia Press Association convention at the Jekyll Island Club, and are in addition to the 19 awards presented to Appen’s reporting team.
“[The awards] show the level of talent we have with our in-house designer, David Brown, who has close to 30 years of experience in the industry and has also worked for an ad agency,” said Appen Media’s Vice President of Advertising Mike Dorman. The Appen team won awards in the following categories in Division E:
• Healthcare ad, 1st place, David Brown
• Food ad, 1st place, David Brown
• Home furnishings/appliances ad, 1st place, David Brown
• Classified section/page, 1st place, Appen staff
• Signature page, 1st place, David Brown
• Food ad, 2nd place, David Brown
• Service/institutional ad, 2nd place, David Brown
• Non-traditional ad, 2nd place, David Brown
“[Brown] really knows the client and the market, so being able to design something that's effective for the advertiser and also produce a graphically appealing ad is what makes him stand apart,” Dorman said.
Tune-Up Projects
Kitchen Tune-Up
Paint Cabinets
New Countertops, Sink & Faucet
New Backsplash
Cut Down 2-level
Island
Bathroom Tune-Up
New Countertops, Sink & Faucet
Enlarge Shower Shower Glass Shower Safety
Full Remodel Projects
Kitchen Remodel
Total Cabinet Replacement
Large Island
Optimize Cabinet / Appliance Locations
Open Concept –Move Walls
Open to the Public OPEN SATURDAYS
9-5 Mon-Fri • 10-4 Sat
Showroom – Design Center 10591 Old Alabama Rd. Connector Alpharetta, GA
Bathroom Remodel
New Larger Shower
Vanity Replacement –Cabs, Counter, Sink
Free Standing Tub
Floor Tile, Wall Tile
Plumbing Fixtures
STORE CLOSING
1,000 Rugs in
Northern Ridge District names June Eagle Scouts
ALPHARETTA, Ga.— The Northern Ridge Boy Scout District (cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, John’s Creek, Milton) is proud to announce its newest Eagle Scouts, who completed their Eagle Board of Review on June 25, 2026, at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.
Top row, from left:
Nick Waters , of Troop 1717, sponsored by Cross of Life Lutheran Church. Nick’s project was replacing outdoor steps from the parking lot to the volleyball court and walking trails for Cross of Life Lutheran Church.
Praneeth Bhat , of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. Praneeth’s project was building two benches, adding mulch to two playground sections and improving the drainage of an existing cement drainage ditch for Yugal Kunj.
Moksh Somayajuloa , of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. Moksh’s project was the construction of two wooden shelves for equipment storage and reinforcing existing shelving units for Chinmaya Niketan Atlanta.
Bottom row, from left Sebastian Ulffe, of Troop 10, sponsored by St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. Sebatian’s project was refurbishing an outdoor classroom: building two benches, two standing tables, an easel stand and repairing the broken lectern for Elkins Pointe Middle School.
Vibhor Gupta, of Troop 2143, sponsored by The American Legion, Post 251. Vibhor’s project was construction of three picnic tables, then repairing and repainting the existing picnic tables for Yugal Kunj Radha Krishna Temple.
Nihitha Chandran, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. Nihitha’s project was constructing a three-tier wooden hanger rack system and an eight-layer marching band shanko inside a truck to store hanging uniforms for the Chattahoochee High School Band.
Ammaar Muhammad, of Troop 12B, sponsored by Muslim American Society Youth Center. Ammaar’s project was rebuilding a three-layer block firepit and the area around the firepit, building a vinyl archway and two raised garden beds with plants for Masjid Al-Furqan.
plus rugs
over
Amaan Jabrani , of Troop 143, sponsored by Greenleaf Capital Partners. Amaan’s project was constructing a paved entrance and a paved walkway from the kiln room to the clay disposal area behind the glaze room for the Johns Creek Arts Center.
Noah Ronkainen , of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta Methodist Church. Noah’s project was refurbishing (deleting existing hard drive data and reinstalling the operating system) 55 laptop computers and donating them to the organization Meals of Grace.
Lucas Spanier, of Troop 1486, sponsored by North River Baptist Church. Lucas’s project was the removal of existing cubbies and construction of new storage cubbies and hanging rods in a semi-trailer for the Roswell High School marching band.
Duy Tran, of Troop 1857, sponsored by Christ the Shepard Lutheran Church. Duy’s project was the construction of two wooden Little Free Libraries and collection of 60 books to stock the libraries for Caney Creek Preserve and Old Atlanta Park for the Forsyth County Park and Recreation Department.
Just opened?
7 | Forsyth Herald | July 9, 2026
The Comfortable Chair Store to close after 34 years
ROSWELL, Ga. — The Comfortable Chair Store in the Roswell historic district will be closing after its final liquidation sale. Discounts are offered on living room sets, recliners, lift chairs, swivel chairs, case goods, and rugs.
The store first opened in 1992 as Rockers Unlimited, and was founded by Craig Daniels, late husband of current owner Julia Daniels, and her father, Irving Daniels. After Julia became coowner in 2004, she and Craig rebranded the business as The Comfortable Chair Store. It relocated to Roswell in 2010. After Craig passed in 2015, Julia continued to run the store until her recent decision to retire.
“Closing a business is never an easy decision, especially when you have an extended family of wonderful customers, employees, and vendors,” Julia said. “I can’t express enough appreciation to everyone whose support saw the store through these last 34 years.”
The store has extended its hours and will now be open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, visit thecomfortablechairsale.com
— Elle Girard
The Comfortable Chair Store in the Roswell historic district will be closing after its final liquidation sale after more than 30 years in business.
Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade returns to Cumming
By JAMIE GODIN newsroom@appenmedia.com
CUMMING, Ga. — Spectators lined the streets of downtown Cumming on Saturday for the 68th annual Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade.
The Independence Day tradition features antique steam engines, vintage tractors, classic cars, floats and local organizations.
The parade started at Forsyth Central High School before traveling south along Tribble Gap Road and ending at the Cumming Fairgrounds. Under hot, sunny conditions, attendees gathered along the route as steam engines dating back more than a century rolled through downtown alongside emergency vehicles, civic groups and local businesses. Children collected candy from parade participants while others cooled off as passing trailers sprayed water.
According to the city of Cumming, the parade traces its roots to 1958, when local resident A.G. "Glen" Thomas drove his 1912 45-horsepower Case steam engine around the courthouse square on Independence Day. The tradition grew over the following years as additional engines joined the procession, and the city now recognizes it as the nation's only Independence Day steam engine parade.
Many of the antique engines carried memorial plaques honoring members of the Thomas family, whose involvement helped establish the event. Operators rode and maintained the historic machinery throughout the parade, while a steam calliope, vintage farm equipment and restored automobiles highlighted Forsyth County's agricultural history.
The parade concluded at the Cumming Fairgrounds, where participants continued servicing and loading the steam engines before departing.
— Photos by Jamie Godin
Parade participants ride on a trailer and throw candy to spectators during the Thomas-Mashburn July 4th Steam Engine Parade in Cumming.
A girl wearing colorful earmuffs sits on a man’s shoulders during the Thomas-Mashburn July 4th Steam Engine Parade in Cumming.
A spectator waves a Georgia state flag as steam engines pass during the Thomas-Mashburn July 4th Steam Engine Parade in Cumming.
Men operate a steam engine displaying a sign reading “The Original Glenn Thomas Steam Engine Used in 1st Parade July 4, 1958” before the Thomas-Mashburn July 4th Steam Engine Parade in Cumming.
A man drives a vintage tractor past a Coca-Cola mural welcoming visitors to Cumming during the Thomas-Mashburn July 4th Steam Engine Parade in Cumming.
A woman plays a steam calliope while riding on a trailer during the Thomas-Mashburn July 4th Steam Engine Parade in Cumming.
Two boys sit atop a steam engine before the Thomas-Mashburn July 4th Steam Engine Parade in Cumming.
Advanced orthopedic care has arrived at Wellstar Avalon
Fellowship-trained experts. Advanced imaging. Physical therapy. Comprehensive orthopedic care—all under one roof.
Brought to you by –
Wellstar Avalon
Whether you’re training for a marathon, recovering from an injury, managing arthritis or simply hoping to stay active with your family, orthopedic care matters. Now, residents of North Fulton have access to a comprehensive team of fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists right in their own community at Wellstar Avalon Health Park.
The orthopedic team at Wellstar Avalon brings together trained experts who focus exclusively on their areas of specialization. The practice includes shoulder specialist Dr. Joseph Burns, hand and upper extremity specialist Dr. William Stults, foot and ankle specialist Dr. Roshmi Bhattacharya, hip and knee replacement
specialist Dr. Eric Kiskaddon, and sports medicine and knee arthroscopy specialist Dr. Jennifer Blanda.
Unlike many orthopedic practices that offer broad general care, every orthopedic physician at Wellstar Avalon has completed advanced fellowship training and utilizes the latest evidence-based, minimally invasive surgical and non-surgical treatments designed to help people recover faster and return to the activities they enjoy.
Wellstar Avalon is a state-of-the-art facility and was designed around the patient experience. Advanced imaging services, including MRI and CT scanning, are available on-site, allowing patients to receive comprehensive evaluations without traveling to multiple locations. Wellstar Urgent Care, physical therapy and hand therapy offices are also conveniently located within the facility, so our team can support patients at every step of the diagnostic and treatment process.
Because Wellstar Avalon is part of the larger Wellstar system, patients benefit from access to one of Georgia’s largest and most advanced healthcare networks while receiving personalized care in their neighborhood. The orthopedic specialists at Wellstar Avalon work collaboratively to ensure patients are connected with the right expert for their specific condition, whether that involves sports injuries, joint replacement, hand conditions, foot and ankle disorders, or complex shoulder problems.
The goal is simple: provide exceptional orthopedic care that helps people move better, feel better and get back to the life they love.
For North Fulton families seeking expert orthopedic care, Wellstar Avalon offers a destination where nationally-recognized expertise, advanced technology and patient-centered care come together under one roof. Call (470) 95-ORTHO or go to wellstar.org/ortho to schedule an appointment.
Don’t ignore the signs: What to know about colorectal cancer
Brought to you by – Emory Healthcare and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in the United States. While advances in screening and treatment have improved outcomes, it remains a significant health concern for adults as they age.
Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum, which are part of the digestive tract. While advances in screening and treatment have improved outcomes, experts say one of the biggest challenges remains recognizing symptoms early and seeking medical attention when something doesn’t seem right.
Symptoms can include:
• Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
• Persistent abdominal pain or cramping
• Changes in bowel habits, including new constipation or diarrhea
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Unexplained weight loss
Many people dismiss these symptoms as hemorrhoids, stress, dietary changes or a temporary stomach issue. But
experts caution that persistent symptoms should never be ignored.
“Bleeding is never normal until proven otherwise,” says Patrick Sullivan, MD, colorectal surgeon at Winship Cancer Institute. “If something changes and doesn’t return to normal, it’s important to get evaluated.”
Researchers believe colorectal cancer develops through a combination of factors, including genetics, lifestyle and environmental influences. Family history remains one of the strongest risk factors, and experts encourage people to know their family’s cancer history across multiple generations. Obesity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, physical inactivity and diets high in processed foods and red meat have also been linked to increased risk.
For those diagnosed with colorectal cancer, early detection can make a significant difference. When cancer is found at an earlier stage, treatment may be less extensive and outcomes are often substantially better than when the disease has spread.
Just as important as early diagnosis is where patients receive their care.
At Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, every patient benefits from a
multidisciplinary team of specialists focused specifically on gastrointestinal cancers. Medical oncologists, colorectal surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists, genetic counselors and other experts work together to develop a personalized treatment plan based on each patient’s unique diagnosis.
Winship also has a dedicated team focused exclusively on rectal cancer, providing highly specialized expertise for patients facing complex treatment decisions.
Every colorectal cancer is different. That’s why Winship uses advanced imaging, molecular profiling and precision medicine approaches to better understand the biology of each patient’s cancer. This allows physicians to tailor treatment strategies to the individual rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Patients also have access to more cancer clinical trials than any other cancer center in Georgia, providing opportunities to receive promising new therapies and treatment approaches that may not be widely available elsewhere.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, specialized care matters.
To learn more or schedule an appointment with a Winship colorectal cancer specialist, call 678-995-5998 or visit winshipcancer.emory.edu/colorectal-care.
Honored to be Voted: Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist
Insist on the
BEST
Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.
He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.
Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 23 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.
Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.
A tale of two sunscreens: How the FDA helped us finish first by finishing last
Brought to you by – Premier Dermatology
For more than thirty years, the US and Europe have followed different sunscreen paths. In Europe, twelve new sunscreen filters have been approved since 1996. In the US, as of August 2026, the FDA approved bemotrizinol (BEMT) as a safe and effective over-the-counter sunscreen ingredient— the first new sunscreen filter approved here in twenty years. Europe approved BEMT in 1999, and the US approved BEMT in 2026. But who really won: the turtle or the hare?
The Bullet We Dodged
Patients often ask why the United States has taken so long to approve newer sunscreen filters available in Europe for years. The answer lies in a fundamental regulatory difference. Europe generally regulates sunscreens as cosmetics, while the United States classifies them as overthe-counter drugs and is very concerned with how much sunscreens are absorbed through the skin. That higher standard requires manufacturers to demonstrate multiple indicators of safety before products reach consumers in the US.
The contrast became especially clear with 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC). This UV filter was approved fifty years ago in Europe and was widely used for decades but never gained FDA approval because it failed to satisfy the agency's safety requirements. Subsequent research confirmed that 4-MBC acts as an endocrine disruptor with estrogen-like activity, alters thyroid hormone levels, may be genotoxic, and causes significant environmental toxicity, including developmental abnormalities in some vertebrates.
The European Union ultimately banned retail sales of products containing 4-MBC beginning May 1, 2026, after fifty years of use. It was never allowed to be sold in the United States.
Meanwhile, twenty-seven years after its European approval, bemotrizinol has finally gained FDA approval.
Getting to know BEMT
Bemotrizinol's story is an unexpected one. In the early 1990s, Swiss chemists developed it as an industrial plastic stabilizer to protect outdoor materials from UV damage before realizing it absorbed ultraviolet light remarkably well while remaining exceptionally stable. Most importantly, its stability, negligible skin absorption, and reassuring toxicity data make it an ideal sunscreen ingredient.
Its unusually large molecular structure limits penetration into the bloodstream while providing excellent protection against both UVA rays, which accelerate skin aging, and UVB rays, which cause sunburn.
Its broad-spectrum protection rivals zinc oxide without leaving the heavy white residue many people dislike. Bemotrizinol also stabilizes older ingredients such as avobenzone, helping some sunscreen formulations remain effective longer.
Cleaner for the Ocean?
Mineral sunscreens have long been promoted as the only "reef-safe" option. However, growing research suggests that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles may stress some marine organisms and contribute to coral damage under certain conditions.
Bemotrizinol appears environmentally promising. It is highly stable, does not readily dissolve into seawater, and produces few reactive breakdown products. Although long-term studies are still underway, early evidence suggests it may prove less disruptive to marine ecosystems than some mineral formulations.
When Can You Buy It?
DSM-Firmenich first applied for FDA approval in 2005, but the application stalled for years under the previous review process. The 2020 CARES Act modernized that system, allowing the FDA to evaluate sunscreen ingredients more efficiently.
As an incentive for the company's extensive safety testing, Congress granted DSM an 18-month exclusivity period through February 2028. The parent company of Neutrogena and Aveeno has already announced plans to incorporate bemotrizinol into selected sunscreens under the trade name “Parsol Shield.”
Premium formulations containing bemotrizinol are expected to reach U.S. store shelves around September 2026, followed by generic versions in 2028. The FDA's streamlined approval process and exclusivity incentive may also pave the way for several additional modern sunscreen filters including Tinosorb M to come to the US.
The FDA's review process may sometimes seem frustratingly slow. We waited a long time for BEMT, but we also avoided toxic 4-MBC while it was used for fifty years in Europe. When protecting both our skin and long-term health, caution can be one of medicine's greatest strengths. In this case, the tortoise beat the hare.
If you have concerns about sun damage, a non-healing spot, or any other skin condition, a consultation with a qualified dermatology provider can help determine the most appropriate treatment options. If you are in the Atlanta area, we would be honored to help.
At Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta, Dr. Brent Taylor, Kathryn Filipek, PA-C, and our staff are privileged to care for patients and families throughout our community.
Dr. Brent Taylor
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
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How a minister built a Roswell church furniture company
The Roswell Seating Company played a significant role in the city’s post-19th century textile mill era. It was founded in 1927 by the Rev. Ralph M. Donehoo (1887-1965) who was born in Cobb County and attended a one-room school as a child. He was a good student and was encouraged by his teacher to attend college. He enrolled in Rhinehart College for a short time before attending Mercer University where he studied for the ministry, graduating in 1912. He married Ethel Frances Scott (1891-1991), and together, they raised seven children all of whom are deceased. Most of the family is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Roswell. Ralph entered the ministry and became a circuit preacher. After several years going from church to church, he decided to slow down and purchased a small farm in Roswell on Pine Grove Road probably before 1920. (In the 1920 census the Rev. Donehoo is listed as Occupation: Minister and Industry: Farm.)
He bought some crates to hold a large crop of sweet potatoes and decided to set up a shop to make his own crates. He powered his shop with the engine from his Model T car. In 1927 he made pews for the Sandy Springs Baptist Church where he was preaching, and his new business was incorporated. His barn was reportedly where his first commercial products were made.
The Rev. Donehoo preached at numerous local churches as a supply preacher, meaning he preached as needed. He became a part-time pastor at the First Baptist Church of Roswell from 1916 to 1936 where a chapel is named in his honor, and he preached extensively at the First Baptist Church of Alpharetta from 1924 to 1942. His portrait is displayed in both churches. He preached 2 to 5 times a month at different churches, held revivals and supplemented his income with farming and carpentry.
Roswell resident Tim Worley worked in the Roswell Seating Company for eight years in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His mother was the bookkeeper for the company for 50 years. “In the late 1980s the company stopped being a production company and became a distributor for other producers although it still manufactured some products with outmoded equipment,” Tim says. “By then the industry was dominated by much larger firms.”
Tim left the company in 1985, and it closed permanently sometime in the 2000s.
Tim notes that the early pews were made of solid oak, cherry or mahogany,
ATLANTA JOURNAL, JAN. 31, 1973
T.S. Smith, employee of the Roswell Seating Company, is using a router to cut a design probably on an ornamental piece for a pulpit or communion table. Smith was a true craftsman according to Tim Worley who once worked with him on a special project. Even after he retired Smith was called back to work on major or urgent projects.
“depending on what the customer wanted.” Later they were laminated with a veneer on the surface available in a range of colors. The laminated systems weighed less and were probably stronger and maybe cheaper to make. Tim drove a truck periodically to Wisconsin where the Wisconsin Laminating Company did the laminating and made some of the parts.
Tim recalls that it was an amazing site to see an installation.
“Workers assembled the pew upside down at the front of a church,” he says. “Two guys would get busy with a drill and screwdriver. After three or four minutes, they would put the pieces together, and we would have a church pew.”
Ralph Donehoo ran the business until old age slowed him down. His sons Pat, Scott, Bill, Sam and John, who had worked in the business at various times, took over. Tim Donehoo’s father John, the youngest son, became president of the company. All except John served in World War II but came home after the war wanting to work in the factory.
Like Tim Worley, Tim Donehoo also lives in Roswell and worked in the factory, in his case during summers from 1983-1990 before going to college. Tim started out in the paint department and worked his way through most departments up to an office job while in graduate school.
“One department took wood, and step by step made pews,” he says proudly. “We made pew bottoms, backs, ends called heads, communion tables, slanted book racks to hold hymnals and Bibles, chairs for Sunday schools and baptismal stands. It took talented craftsmen to make them.”
The work was hard and dusty but
rewarding.
“If I could go back to work I would do so in a heartbeat,” Tim Donehoo says. “We produced something tangible and had pride in our work.”
Everything was done by hand, unlike the products made by the machines and computers used by others in the 1950s.
For well over 50 years, the Donehoo family provided seats and other church items to more than 5,000 churches throughout the Southeast. If your family attended Roswell United Methodist, Roswell Presbyterian, Sandy Springs United Methodist, Mount Paren Church of God, the Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Peachtree Presbyterian, Union Hill Baptist, Crabapple Baptist or many other churches, your family sat on the handiwork of the Donehoos.
Thanks to the faith, vision and commitment of one man and the dedication of his sons and other family members, the Roswell Seating Company occupied a key role in the history of Roswell.
Bob is a member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission, director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and trustee on the Board of Directors of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society. You can email him at bobmey@ bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
BOB MEYERS Columnist
ROSWELL RESEARCH LIBRARY & ARCHIVES
This rare photo of the Roswell Seating Company shows the facility circa early 1940s. Note the late model 1930s and early 1940s cars.
OPINION
Trout fishing and cooking at English Mountain
One nice thing about fishing is that most anglers are great stewards of the environment and believers in “catchand-release.” The idea (like somebody once said) is that a trout’s too valuable to catch just once. But come on. Admit it. Sometimes you like to eat trout.
There. I said it, and lightning has yet to strike me dead. Does that maybe say something about how God Himself views all of this? Does it maybe even mean it’s okay to eat fresh-caught trout once in a while?
Sure it is, and I’ve found a perfect place to do it: English Mountain Trout Farm & Grill (“You Hook ’Em, We Cook ’Em”) just up the road in Sevierville, Tenn.
English Mountain Trout Farm, a family-owned and operated venture located about a half hour from the touristic exuberances of Pigeon Forge, provides fresh trout to many area restaurants.
But there’s another side to English Mountain, too, and that’s where “youhook-’em-we-cook-’em” comes into play.
Here’s how it works. You pay a small fee ($5 as of this writing, and bring cash since they don’t take credit cards) to fish in the pond. No fishing license is required.
What then? One option is to purchase your trout at market price (plus a little more to have them cleaned and butterflied, if you wish) to take home and cook yourself.
There’s another option, too. You can have them prepared for you right there in the English Mountain Trout Farm restaurant – and let me tell you that you’ll be eatin’ good.
How good? Let’s just say it attracted the attention of Food Network’s Guy Fieri, who featured English Mountain on “Guy’s All-American Road Trip,” his Food Network show. He was enthusiastic. You will be too.
But first you ‘ve got to catch supper. It starts at the pond, where they’ll set you up with a cane pole and even bait your hook. Then pick out a good spot (hint: there are no bad spots) and flip your offering out into the water. No fancy casting is required; a gentle underhand swing is all it takes.
My wife goes first, working the cane pole so the corn-laden hook arcs smoothly up and out, just as it should. It lands on the water with a soft splat.
trout dip and also a trout cake appetizer. The latter is served with a raspberry chipotle jam that perfectly illuminates the trout cake’s flavors. “Illuminates?” Now I’m sounding like a food writer.
For dinner, I order my trout “halfand-half” – part lemon-pepper, part blackened. Each comes seasoned just right to enhance but not overwhelm the trout’s subtle flavor. That can be hard to pull off, but Tiffany nails it.
We also try the fried trout. The fish is crisp outside and moist inside. It’s the best fried trout we have ever tasted.
And then…the line goes tight. From the depths, something pulls one way. She pulls the other – and just like that there’s a trout on the line. She lifts her pole, and there’s a huge splash as the trout flashes into view. Folks around her clap and yell “Way to go!”
Our dinner, it seems, is off to a good start.
It’s a pattern that replays dozens of times each hour at English Mountain Trout Farm. There’s that splash as the hook hits the water, and then comes gleeful screaming and happy dancing –and a trout.
By the way, don’t forget that this is catch-and-keep. When you catch a trout (and you will) it goes in your bucket and on your tab. Keep that in mind if your kids are fishing, too, for they may not want to stop. They’ll just be having too much fun.
On a typical day, the folks at English Mountain may process 500 to
600 trout. To make that task easier, owner Charlie Ford has developed and patented an innovative fish cleaning tool called the Butterfly Board. With it, a trout can be cleaned and butterflied in as little as 45 seconds.
The board, which is available for sale in the small gift shop, “makes the whole process significantly easier,” notes Caleb Huttinga, who handles much of the fish preparation. “I don’t know how I made it before without one.”
Another option is to have the English Mountain kitchen do the cooking for you. For $26.99 they’ll prepare your trout (lemon-pepper, blackened, or fried) and serve it with two sides (try the homemade applesauce!) and hushpuppies. The trout is prepared using recipes developed by Charlie’s wife Angie. We start with a couple of English Mountain specialties – the smoked
After dessert (moonshine apple pie … delicious!) I wander back to the pond. Several families are still fishing, and I find myself thinking about the idea of catch-and-cook. What do folks really think about it? Curious, I sat myself down at one of the picnic tables and just listen. Parents and kids are fishing together, having great fun, and I even hear one young angler of about 7 or 8 have a brief chat with her trout as it went into her bucket.
“Mr. Fish,” she says, “you’re going to be my supper!” So there’s one, at least, who is not bothered by the idea of keeping fish.
Neither, it seems, are many of the parents. As one mom put it, “The kids get to see how things actually work. We get to go trout fishing and have a good supper.”
She adds, “And I don’t have to do any dishes!”
English Mountain Trout Farm & Grill is at 291 Blowing Cave Road in Sevierville, Tenn., and can be reached at (865) 429-5553.
STEVE HUDSON Columnist
PHOTOS BY: STEVE HUDSON/APPEN MEDIA
English Mountain Trout Farm & Grill offers a unique opportunity to catch trout and then enjoy them for supper. It doesn’t get much fresher than that.
Another specialty of the house is fried trout, which we agreed was the best we had ever tasted.
An English Mountain Trout Farm visitor with a fine batch of trout – and the makings of a great meal to come!
English Mountain Trout Farm & Grill provides a great opportunity for parents and kids to enjoy the outdoors together.
PAST TENSE
Fourth of July events from 1976 and 1926
To celebrate the bicentennial in 1976, the first Dunwoody Fourth of July Parade was held on Saturday, July 3. The parade began at Georgetown Shopping Center and ended at Dunwoody Village. The committee was primarily members of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club, with Gerry Spruill serving as chairperson.
Cecil Day and Mike Tilleman were grand marshals of the 1976 parade, and 88-year-old Effie Spruill Carpenter was the honorary grand marshal. The Chamblee High School band marched and performed in the parade. Another band represented several other high schools. It was the North DeKalb Volunteer Bicentennial Band.
The Atlanta Braves celebrated July 4, 1976, with fireworks following their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Actor George Plimpton attended as special guest announcer for the fireworks display.
WSB-TV hosted their “Salute 2 America” parade from 1948 until 2007 with a route through downtown Atlanta. The 1976 parade theme was “An International Salute to America” with floats and music representing several countries. (Digital Library of Georgia)
Because July 4 fell on a Sunday in 1926, sesquicentennial events in Atlanta happened between July 3 and July 5, with no activities taking place on the morning of July 4. Celebrations on the afternoon of July 3 included horse racing and a performance by the Elks’ Royal Purple Band at Lakewood Park. To add to the celebration, “public dancing also was indulged at the famous amusement park.”
(Atlanta Journal, July 4, 1926, “Elaborate program Monday to mark observance here of sesquicentennial July 4”)
Musical performances took place at Lakewood in the afternoon of July 4th.
On Monday, July 5, banks, government offices and many businesses were closed. The Atlanta Crackers played two baseball
Gregory Bragg, age 70, of Roswell, GA passed away on June 23, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Oma Foehr, age 94, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on June 26, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Molly Kevern, age 37, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on June 27, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
KEN ANDERSON/PROVIDED Effie Spruill Carpenter, 88, was honorary grand marshal of the 1976 Dunwoody Fourth of July Parade.
games against New Orleans at Spiller Field (later Ponce de Leon Park). The Atlanta Black Crackers played games on other dates in July, but not July 3-5. Sue Kirby Jameson remembered Fourth of July celebrations of Dunwoody in the 1920s. The Dunwoody Improvement Club planned sack races, horseshoes, a greased flagpole for climbing, plus a greased pig contest. There were fireworks at the end of the day. Jameson wrote, “… the festivities took place right in the heart of town between Burnham’s store and the old post office, in front of the public well, near Dr. Puckett’s store and Spruill’s blacksmith shop.” This is the area of the Nandina triangle today. (“As I Recall,” a memoir of Sue Kirby Jameson)
In the previous Past Tense, I included the story of how Mt. Vernon Highway in Sandy Springs was named to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and to honor President George Washington.
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.
James Register, age 86, of Roswell, GA passed away on June 23, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 5, 4 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
LET’S HAVE A DRINK
1. Non-alcoholic beverage. Blood line. Say with certainty.
2. Mountain glacial lake. Fortified wine. Apprentice.
3. Very weighty. Therefore. Coffee order.
4. Mustache maker drink. Fight result at times. Speaker’s spot.
5. Cut and paste, maybe. Orange drink. Verboten.
6. Christmas quaff. Pigeon shelter. Greek sandwich.
7. Guinness drink. Greek supreme god. Yellow quartz.
1 Non-alcoholic beverage. Blood line. Say with certainty
2. Mountain glacial lake. Fortified wine. Apprentice
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. Very weighty. Therefore. Coffee order
4. Mustache maker drink. Fight result at times. Speaker’s spot.
5. Cut and paste, maybe. Orange drink. Verboten
6. Christmas quaff. Pigeon shelter. Greek sandwich
7.
How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
to the right of it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum of the white squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.
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Staff Engineer, Firmware Development
Landis & Gyr Technology, Inc.
Alpharetta GA
Responsibilities: Lead development of firmware components for Engineering organization. Lead & collaborate with engineers to design, plan, develop, & maintain embedded firmware components for the Firmware Engineering team.
Salary: $152,500/year
Requirements: Bachelor’s in Electrical Engg, Comp Sci or related field & 5 yrs exp. in job offered or 5 yrs software development exp. Exp. must include 5 years each of following: firmware development for embedded system; solid-state water meter (encoder) or Meter Reader development system; AMI & Smart Grid Systems and Solutions; automated testing & tools; creating test automation frameworks; programming with C/C++. Exp. must also include 2 years development using embedded RTOS, Source Code Control tools, & IAR; interfacing to serial ports, A/D & D/A converters, & RAM/ Flash memories. Exp. may be gained concurrently. Send resume and cover letter to: Portia Ehoussou, HR, Landis+Gyr
30000 Mill Creek Ave, Suite 100 Alpharetta, GA 30022 or via email to: Portia.Ehoussou@landisgyr.com
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Senior Software Engineering needed by AT&T SERVICES, INC. in Alpharetta, GA to collaborate to gather and review software requirements/user stories, provide estimates, create software design specifications and collaborate with engineers/architects to assess and test hardware and software interactions. Apply at http://att.jobs/, select JOB SEARCH and APPLY and select Search by Requisition Number at the left bottom of the page and enter Job Number: R-112628.
Lead Solution Architecture needed by AT&T Services, Inc in Alpharetta, Georgia to specify the components and their interactions that comprise the end-to-end Integrated Architecture. Apply at http://att.jobs/, select JOB SEARCH and APPLY and select Search by Requisition Number at the left bottom of the page and enter Job Number: R-112301.
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BeyondTrust Corporation – Johns Creek, GA – Senior Data Engineer – Leverage AWS expertise to manage a wide array of cloud compute services like AWS Lambda as well as managing database solutions like AWS DynamoDB and AWS Neptune in order to compute results quickly. Position is fixed location based in Johns Creek office; however, telecommuting from a home office may also be allowed. To Apply: Send resumes to immigration@ beyondtrust.com. Req. #3389121.
Presbyterian Church — Alpharetta, GA
APC seeks a vibrant, relational leader to serve as Youth Director for middle and high school students. 20–25 hrs/week | Up to $25/hr. Ideal candidates have a passion for youth mentorship and a background in education, coaching, or youth leadership. Retired teachers and ministryminded professionals encouraged to apply. Strong volunteer team and pastoral support in place.
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Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm YOUTH DIRECTOR (Part-Time) Alpharetta
Midway Preschool is looking for an experienced Young 5’s/Prek teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. Contact Beth at beth@midwayumc.org.
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