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HUDSON: TAKING TIME FOR ‘LEAF THERAPY’ ► PAGE 14 N ov e m b e r 1 2 , 2 0 2 6 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 3 0 , N o . 4 6

Johns Creek celebrates first Diwali at The Boardwalk By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

IMAGE PROVIDED TO APPEN MEDIA

The Johns Creek Literary Fair will feature book donations led by Beyond the Bookshelf, a high school literacy group including, from left, Ali Beg, founder Megan Savannah Johnson, Anura Atre and Claire Park. (Not pictured: Valeria Febres, Olivia Ma, Diya Vikram and Rhea Taneja.)

Teen book drive, Ariel Lawhon slated for Johns Creek Literary Fair Nov. 14 By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com As something of a pre-holiday treat, the fifth annual Johns Creek Literary Fair Nov. 14 will spotlight 36 authors, including Ariel Lawhon and Patti Callahan Henry, both New York Times best-selling authors. The JCLF, which will be Lawhon’s only appearance in Georgia, will also serve up two seasonal mainstays —

goodwill and gift shopping — during one festive afternoon. Beyond the Bookshelf, a youthled literacy initiative, will oversee the event's philanthropic efforts. Megan Savannah Johnson, Beyond the Bookshelf’s founder and a Northview High School junior, said the group’s mission is “to provide kind words and literature to disadvantaged youth.” To accomplish that, student volunteers will be collecting children’s, middle-grade and

young-adult books throughout the day Nov. 14. The JCLF will kick off the teens’ monthlong series of book drives, held in partnership with Student Leadership North Literary Leaders, Johnson said. Then, on Dec. 19, all books collected will be donated to Toys for Tots, Frontline Response Homeless Shelter and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

See LITERARY, Page 17

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek celebrated Diwali at its newly built Boardwalk gathering space, marking a major increase in attendance for the celebration. Thousands of residents stopped by, enjoying traditional food, vendor stalls and dance and music performances Nov. 7. The night culminated with a drone show that filled the night sky with a choreographed display of lights. Last year, the festival was held in the City Hall parking lot, drawing about 1,000 visitors. This year, city officials estimated crowds reached as high as 5,000 or more. Opened in May, The Boardwalk is a central feature of the city’s walkable Town Center district, which also includes the newly debuted Medley mixed-use center.

See DIWALI, Page 4

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Drones perform a choreographed display at Johns Creek’s 2026 Diwali celebration Nov. 7.

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2 | November 12, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

POLICE BLOTTER These reports are compiled from information provided by local law enforcement agencies and are matters of public record. They do not imply guilt, and those described are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

770-442-3278 AppenMedia.com 319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

Woman arrested after refusing to leave Davis Drive event

HANS APPEN Publisher RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus CONTACT NEWS TIPS Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com. LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com. See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance. ADVERTISING For information about advertising in the Johns Creek Herald or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278. CIRCULATION To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta police officers said a 23-year-old Lithonia woman was arrested after refusing to leave a private event Oct. 9. Police were dispatched to a Davis Drive event venue about 3 p.m. after staff told officers three women were there acting belligerently. Two of the women left, but the Lithonia woman stayed, officers said. The woman shouted at officers and resisted arrest, according to the report. She was arrested on an obstruction of justice charge and taken to the Alpharetta Detention Center, where she was also charged with resisting arrest. — Jon Wilcox

Woman charged with shoplifting $167 in items from store ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta police officers said a 32-year-old Alpharetta woman was charged with shoplifting from a North Point Parkway department store Oct. 14. Officers were dispatched to the business about 9:40 p.m. and met with a loss prevention manager, who told officers cameras recorded the incident. The recording, according to the police report, showed the woman stealing clothing, health and beauty products, electronics and art supplies. The items were valued at $167, officers said. The woman was arrested and charged with theft by shoplifting. She was also given a criminal trespass warning. — Jon Wilcox

Men dispute what happened at McDonald’s jewelry sale ROSWELL, Ga. — Two men gave Roswell police different accounts of an Oct. 29 jewelry sale in a McDonald’s parking lot on Arnold Mill Road. The seller, a Smyrna resident, said the buyer showed a gun and drove off with $800 to $1,000 in jewelry. The seller reported the incident at the Roswell Police Department. He told police the two men met in the parking lot before 3 p.m. He said he approached the buyer’s black Audi carrying a G-Shock watch, an 8-carat chain necklace with a pendant and a pair of earrings. The seller said the buyer tested the diamonds and the pendant was flagged as fake. He said the buyer then opened his center console, which held a black pistol, and sped out of the parking lot with the jewelry. The seller said the car had no license plate. He told police he later contacted the buyer and told him what he did was “unnecessary.” Roswell police reached the buyer by phone. He said the meeting went differently than the seller described. The buyer said he told the seller he would no longer buy from him because some jewelry he had bought from him before tested as glass. He also denied having a firearm inside his vehicle. Both men told police they would resolve the issue on their own rather than involve the courts. An officer advised them to meet at a police station for any future exchanges so their accounts do not conflict. — Hannah Yahne

Roswell woman says she lost $500 in fake jail bond scam ROSWELL, Ga. — A Roswell woman told police she was scammed Oct. 27 when she tried to pay what she thought was a $500 bond to have her husband released from the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

Her father-in-law got a call around 10 p.m. from someone posing as a law enforcement officer and asking for a bond payment, according to the police report. The father-in-law passed the number along to the Roswell woman. She called and spoke with someone who said they were “Sgt. Ross” with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. The caller told her that if she paid $1,500, her husband could bond out through a diversion program. The woman said that was too much money, and the caller lowered the price to $500. She agreed and tried to send the money through Zelle, but the transaction was declined. The payment went through on a second try. The woman told police her husband later contacted her and said he did not know about any bond. The detention center told her it was a scam and confirmed her husband had no bond and was ready to be picked up. — Hannah Yahne

Couple reports pet turtles stolen from Roswell apartment ROSWELL, Ga. — A couple told Roswell police their apartment on Creekside Way was broken into on or before Oct. 22. Their two pet turtles, along with the turtles’ tank and other supplies, were missing from the dining room. A wooden cabinet valued at about $120 was also missing. The couple had been in the process of moving out. They told police they arrived Oct. 22 to continue cleaning and noticed the items were gone. There were no signs of forced entry. The couple told police they were the only ones with keys to the apartment. Police were notified of the burglary at 11 p.m. Oct. 23. The woman told police she had not been able to reach the leasing office by phone and planned to go there the next morning. The responding officer told her that if she called the department, it would send an officer to go with her. — Hannah Yahne

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | November 12, 2026 | 3

Best of North Atlanta celebrates 19 years of recognizing local businesses By DEAN HESSE dean@appenmedia.com For nearly two decades, Best of North Atlanta has recognized the companies, organizations and people who make North Atlanta a good place to live, work and do business. Now in its 19th year, the readers’ choice contest has become an annual tradition. It gives residents a chance to honor their favorites and thank the people who make a difference in their everyday lives. Appen Media Group promotes the contest through its four Herald publications, which serve Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek and Forsyth County. Community members nominate and vote for local businesses and individuals in six categories: Food & Beverage, People & Community, Recreation, Medical, Services and Shopping & Commerce. The contest keeps growing. Voters cast more than 100,000 ballots this year. For businesses, a win is recognition from the people who matter most: their customers and neighbors. In a competitive marketplace, the award can help a business build credibility, raise its visibility and stand out in its industry. It also gives winners something to share with employees, customers and prospective clients. Each year, winners gather for the Best of North Atlanta Celebration Event. The evening brings together business owners, professionals and community leaders for networking, food and entertainment, and winners pose for photos with their awards. Several of this year’s winners said the recognition has helped their businesses grow. Dr. Burke Robinson has run his solo practice, Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery, since 2001 and has been a winner for 10 years. “Each year it compounds,” Robinson said. “People see in the magazine that you’re a winner.” Robinson said his work helps healthy, happy people regain their confidence when they feel they have lost something. He looks forward to the celebration every year. “The event is really special,” he said. “It’s a great event.” At Extra Mile Auto Tire and Service in Milton, the recognition brings in new faces. Sheila Ehler said the shop has been named best automotive shop for the past six or seven years. “We get recognized by customers who have never visited the shop before but saw it in the write-up,” she said. Her husband, Richard Ehler, bought the business, then called Back on the Road, in 2015 and later renamed it Extra Mile. On the company’s website, he says that the name is a biblical reference he

k y n o a u! h T

DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA

Guests attend Appen Media Group’s 2026 Best of North Atlanta Awards celebration at Phase Events in Alpharetta Oct. 27.

values as a business owner and that the shop promises “to put loyalty first, while going the Extra Mile to make their experience memorable.” Sheila Ehler said she doesn’t take the honor for granted. “It’s the people’s choice to put us where we’re headed,” she said. “So we are totally grateful for everything.” Her favorite part of the job is meeting people, she said. Customers settle into the shop’s big lounge chairs and talk about their grandchildren, their marriages and sometimes their divorces. “We welcome them and we embrace them,” she said. Greg and Hilary Eldridge own Home Helpers Home Care of Alpharetta & North Atlanta Suburbs, a private-duty home care company based in Alpharetta. They have been in business for 14 years, and this is their 10th win. Greg Eldridge said they didn’t know the contest existed until 10 years ago. After that, they began encouraging clients and caregivers to vote and advertised to support their campaign. “We were kind of dismissive of print advertising, but boy, it has been amazing over the years,” he said. “So many of our clients have clipped one of our articles and saved it until they needed it.” Hilary Eldridge said they started the company in memory of her father, known as Boopsie, who had Parkinson’s disease for more than 12 years and lived to 92. The company’s caregivers provide one-on-one, personalized care, mostly for older adults, so they can live safely wherever they are. “It’s a very intense business, 24/7,” she said. “If you don’t have a heart for this, nobody should be in it.” She said the award reflects the work the team does every day. “It’s kind of like our mission every day,” she said. “I want my dad to be proud of me.”

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4 | November 12, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

Diwali: Continued from Page 1 The $39 million Boardwalk space includes an outdoor amphitheater, overlooks, pedestrian plazas, trails through wetlands and terraced seating. It already has hosted numerous events like the city’s America250 July 4 celebration, which drew large crowds. City Councilman Dilip Tunki said he was pleased to see the crowd enjoying the space. “It’s a great park, and we are so happy to see that we put it to use,” he said. Like many others at the Diwali festival, Mayoor Patel chose to attend the holiday celebration with loved ones. Among Indians and Hindus, Diwali is an important holiday that recognizes the victory of good over evil as well as light over darkness.

“It’s the festival of light,” said Patel, a Cumming resident. “It’s an auspicious day.” Along with two generations of his family, he also brought his boss Sherry Lightfritz, who was enjoying her first Diwali. After the festival, the group planned to head home to enjoy a meal Patel’s mother had been preparing since 8 a.m. Lightfritz, who is of Polish and Croatian heritage, said she was impressed with the spectacle of the event. “In the United States, there’s so many cultures that live here,” she said. “It’s kind of a melting pot. It’s nice to see that you can live here and enjoy your heritage.” Sitting at the foot of the outdoor amphitheater, Lightfritz and Patel’s family were watching a dance troupe perform on stage. “I love the outfits. They are really colorful and all the earrings, the jewelry,” she said.

Mayoor Patel, second from right, bottom row, sits with his family at Johns Creek's 2026 Diwali celebration Nov. 7.

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | November 12, 2026 | 5

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6 | November 12, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

Cleveland wins race for District 48 state House seat

NEWS

Laura Murvartian to represent District 48 in State Senate By HANNAH YAHNE & ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE hannah@appenmedia.com, erlandrya@appenmedia.com

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Democratic challenger Adam Cleveland defeated incumbent Republican Scott Hilton for the state House District 48 representative seat in the Nov. 3 election. Cleveland led with 50.81 percent of the vote. Hilton trailed with 49.19 percent. The district includes portions of Fulton and Gwinnett counties, encompassing parts of Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Roswell and Peachtree Corners. Surrounded by friends, family, supporters and campaign volunteers, Cleveland watched the results come in at a Johns Creek clubhouse. He said his win indicated that District 48 voters are eager for change and looking for a political outsider. “The voters are telling us that they want people who are normal in politics, people who are not polished professional politicians,” Cleveland said, adding, “Because that's kind of

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Adam Cleveland watches a video during a election night party at a Johns Creek club house Nov. 3.

what our whole campaign was.” Cleveland’s campaign marks his first foray into politics. He is an attorney, small business owner and Johns Creek resident. Hilton, a small business owner, was elected in 2016 to serve as the state representative for District 95. He lost the seat in 2018. In 2022, he was elected as state representative for District 48. Cleveland said he plans to expand access to abortion and reproductive health care, remove school voucher programs that cut into public school funding, and support ranked-choice voting and term limits.

See CLEVELAND, Page 17

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Democrat Laura Murvartian unseated incumbent Republican Shawn Still Nov. 3 to represent District 48 in the Georgia State Senate. Murvartian received 52.88% of more than 77,600 votes cast, leaving her opponent with 47.12%. Still has held the seat since 2023. She was surrounded by her friends, family and supporters. Murvartian thanked those who advocated for her and supported her throughout her campaign. “I’m honored that they have trusted me to represent them at the Capitol and [I want to] thank them for all their hard work and commitment to change, not only for them but for others in Georgia,” Murvartian said. Alpharetta resident Monisha Hogan said she supports Murvartian because she knows her passion for the community. “I think what resonated most, the absolute most, [with voters] is that Laura is real and she’s down to earth,”

Hogan said. “She’s seen the entire spectrum from an economic standpoint, so she can really relate to voters and what we’re going through in our struggles.” Hogan said the issue that mattered most to her when voting was the economy and what’s affecting her household, children and school system. She said she was excited to celebrate with Murvartian and help her “push the agenda.” Lukas Tull attended Murvartian’s watch party and said the outcome of this race was shaped by voters experiencing issues firsthand instead of only hearing about them through word of mouth. “For the first time, [they] went, ‘Oh wow, gas absolutely exploded in price or groceries went way up and stayed up,’” Tull said. “I think it took a lot of people being hit economically for that stuff to matter to them tangibly.” He said Murvartian’s win excites him about the future. “I am most excited about the concept of, for the first time in my adult life, not having to worry about a Republican finding a way to either take my rights or make my life more difficult,” Tull said.

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | November 12, 2026 | 7

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November 12, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | 8

Thank you, North Atlanta! Brought to you by – Dr. Destinee Hood, Roswell Dental Care

Thank you, North Atlanta! We’re honored to share that Roswell Dental Care was named Winner for Best Woman-Owned Business—along with Runner-Up for Best Dentist, Runner-Up for Best Dentistry and Runner-Up Pam Osborn for Best Dental Hygienist. Your votes mean the world to us, and we’re humbled to be recognized alongside outstanding local businesses. For more than 41 years, our team has had the privilege of caring for families across Roswell, Alpharetta, and Johns Creek. From day one, our goal has been simple: deliver compassionate, comprehensive dentistry that helps every patient feel confident in their smile and health. Awards are wonderful, but it’s your trust—the referrals of friends and family, the generations who return—that inspires us. These honors reflect the dedication of our entire team and the community we serve. As a locally owned, womanowned practice, we’re deeply invested in North Atlanta. We believe relationships

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AppenMedia.com | Johns Creek Herald | November 12, 2026 | 9

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10 | November 12, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

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Brought to you by – Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta I love thought experiments. Sometimes the best way to test an intuition is to conduct a “virtual experiment” in our minds. Recently, my coworkers and I explored one I hope you’ll find interesting. Imagine a medication that helps you lose weight but carries a small chance of causing sudden, permanent vision loss in one eye. Would you take it? Your answer is probably, “It depends.” How small is the risk—one in a million, one in 10,000, or one in 1,000? Where would you draw the line? Now add another consideration: What if the medication also reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes? Could it prevent some vision loss while rarely causing another kind? This thought experiment is not entirely hypothetical. GLP-1-based medications have become some of medicine’s most talkedabout and widely used drugs. They include semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus) and other medications in this family. Millions take them for diabetes and obesity, and some use them for weight loss outside approved indications. Recently, media attention has focused on a rare eye condition called NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy). Please forgive the medical jargon. NAION occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is disrupted, damaging the nerve and sometimes causing sudden, permanent vision loss, usually in one eye. Why semaglutide may be associated with NAION remains uncertain. The European Medicines Agency classifies it as very rare, potentially affecting up to one in 10,000 people taking semaglutide. Some studies suggest higher levels of risk in certain populations, although estimates vary and the absolute risk remains very low. This risk received a lot of attention. But risks should be presented alongside benefits. In a major clinical trial, semaglutide reduced the combined risk of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death by 20% among people who were overweight or obese and already had cardiovascular disease. Let's focus on strokes. About 30% of stroke survivors experience some degree of visual field loss—a missing area of vision. Heart attacks and strokes are far more common than NAION. Although data are still being gathered, my interpretation of the medical literature is that GLP-1-based medications likely prevent heart attacks, strokes and stroke-related

visual impairment far more often than they cause visual loss from NAION. Patients taking these medications should discuss their individual eye risks with their physicians. An ophthalmologist can assess anatomical risk factors for NAION, such as a small “cup-todisc ratio” (a crowded optic nerve), and evaluate for other conditions, including diabetic retinopathy. Sudden vision loss or worsening vision warrants immediate medical attention. The point is not that these medications are harmless or that everyone should take them. Rather, a rare potential complication should be weighed against proven benefits for the appropriate patient. Headlines announcing that these medications “may cause blindness” are technically correct and attentiongrabbing, but without context they can needlessly frighten people away from treatments that may substantially improve their health. How does this dovetail with dermatology? Many of my patients take these medications, and as a physician first and foremost, I stay alert to complications— even those seemingly unrelated to the skin. Significant weight loss can change how patients tolerate medications they have taken for years, and I have witnessed these side effects firsthand. Many medicines are dosed based on weight. Therefore, if you lose weight, you may now be on too high of a dose of some of your medications. However, even medicines not technically dosed based on weight can be affected by weight loss. For example, I have had several patients taking stimulants such as amphetamines or Ritalin (methylphenidate), which were prescribed by their primary care physicians or psychiatrists. After starting a GLP-1 medication and losing weight, these patients developed anxietyrelated skin picking disorders and even spontaneous toe ulcers. These patients improved when the doses of their stimulants were decreased. If you are losing substantial weight on a GLP-1-based medication, ask your physician to review your other medications. Do not adjust them yourself. In my experience, this medication review is a frequent blind spot during the GLP-1 journey. Switching from blind spots to skin spots, if you or a loved one has a suspicious spot, an aesthetic goal or any skin concern, please consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek, PA-C, are honored to care for you and your family.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

AppenMedia.com | Johns Creek Herald | November 12, 2026 | 11

Personalized Home Care – Going Above & Beyond

PROVIDED

When family times reveal the need for a life changing gift Brought to you by – Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs The upcoming holidays often bring families together under one roof. It’s a wonderful time for celebration but can also serve as an unexpected wake up call. When you haven’t seen an older loved one phone calls can mask the realities of aging. Changes become clearer during an in-person visit, from physical frailties, an uncharacteristically cluttered home or simple tasks that can no longer be managed. When these signs emerge, family members often step in. Small favors start with picking up groceries, managing bills or driving to appointments. As needs intensify this often progresses to full time physical and emotional support that changes family dynamics. The stress of balancing changing family roles along with safety concerns replaces quality time with anxiety. These signs may indicate that your older loved one needs help with daily activities to stay safe, well, and happy. • Trouble with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, maintaining personal hygiene, or dressing. • Missed medication doses, prescription confusion, or declining health. • Mobility challenges navigating the home, using stairs, or an increasing risk of falls. • Behavioral shifts in mood, worsening anxiety, depression or isolation. • Untidy rooms, spoiled food, or accumulating unopened mail. At Home Helpers we view recognizing changing needs as a life-changing opportunity. Understanding the power of professional support is the first step

toward preserving your older loved one’s well-being, ensuring that future holidays are defined by connections rather than stress. A heart-centered and skilled caregiver can help your loved one thrive in the comfort of home while ensuring their safety, well-being and happiness. All too often in-home care is seen as the service you only seek after serious cognitive decline, but providing a gift of care as an earlier preemptive step opens the door to a more enjoyable and vibrant life. A well-matched and skilled caregiver for a few days a week can keep your older loved one moving and stave off the inactivity that accelerates the aging process – whether pursuing a hobby, learning new things, enjoying community activities or building relationships that enrich their life. For the family caregiver, providing respite care for several days a week or overnight assistance can provide a break and some private time for them to combat burnout, get some rest and relieve some stress for them and the entire family. Your Home Helpers caregiver can make life easier if your loved one is starting to wander. For couples, this also makes sure a good night’s rest happens for their partner. With a skilled, experienced team, we can meet your care needs—from four hours a day, several days a week to 24/7care. A dedicated caregiver can provide personal care, help with household tasks, accompany you to medical appointments and offer specialized support for conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. We now offer Nursing Services as an added support for families. For a free consultation, please call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs at (770) 681-0323.

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12 | November 12, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

2026 THANKSGIVING FAMILY MENU

Entire meal serves 4 to 6 people for $180 Entire meal includes salad, turkey, your choice of 3 side dishes and rolls or cornbread. Prices do not include local sales tax.

Whole Turkey (12-14 pounds) With Gravy Select either Brined and Roasted or Smoked on our Primo Ceramic Grills ** Please allow 2 hours before serving for reheating/finishing time **

Salad (please choose 1) Holiday Green Salad

Granny Smith Apples, Sun-Dried Cranberries, Caramelized Pecans, Blue Cheese, with a Pomegranate-Balsamic Vinaigrette

Strawberry, Spinach & Arugula Salad

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Crumbled Goat Cheese, Roasted Red onions, with a White Balsamic-Local Honey Vinaigrette

Fall Salad

Chopped Romaine, Shredded Red Cabbage, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Apples, Carrotswith Cider Vinaigrette

Caesar Salad

Shredded Parmesan Cheese, Focaccia Croutons, with House Made Caesar Dressing

Side Dishes (please choose 3) Cranberry Sauce

fresh cranberries, cinnamon, orange and lime

Corn Bread and Sour Dough Stuffing celery and onions

Creamy Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes Roasted Seasonal Vegetables Creamy Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Butternut Squash with balsamic glaze

Mashed Sweet Potato Casserole

roasted walnut, cinnamon and panko crust

Creamy White Cheddar & Bacon Macaroni & Cheese made with penne pasta

Jumbo Brownies

$18 per half dozen (Gluten-Free Available)

Jumbo Cookies

Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Double Chocolate Chip or Sugar $18 per dozen (Gluten-Free Available)

Green Bean Almondine

Julienne onion and roasted slivered almonds

Maple Roasted Squash Medley with cranberry, sage and thyme

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole Oregano and Lemon Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes

ENTREES TO ADD-ON

Cedar Plank Smoked Canadian Salmon (2 lbs.) Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Smoked on our Primo Ceramic Grills (Serves 4-6) - $75

Sliced Boneless Ham

Honey Mustard Glaze (Serves 4-6) - $85

Herb & Butter Crusted Prime Rib Roast

With Au Jus and Creamy Horseradish Sauce ** Please allow 2 hours for reheating/finishing time ** (Serves 4-6) - $180

House Smoked Pork loin with a Citrus-Pomegranate Glaze Cabernet Brown sauce (Serves 4-6) - $65

House Made Lasagna

Select either Beef or Spinach Ricotta Cheese, House Made Marinara Sauce, Garlic, Fresh Basil ½ pan (Serves 8-10) - $60

THE FINAL TOUCH House Made Pies

Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Apple Pie or Chocolate Cream Pie $25 each

House Made Cakes

10” Pumpkin Cheesecake with Graham cracker crust 10” Brownie Crusted Caramel Cheesecake 10” Red Velvet Crusted Red Velvet Swirl Cheesecake 9” Chocolate Bundt Cake with Chocolate Icing $35 each

A&S Culinary Concepts

How do I order my meal?

THANKSGIVING

• Online: orders@asculinaryconcepts.com. Please send in your order via e-mail and one of our culinary liaisons will send you a confirmation. • Please call us at the culinary studio, 678-336-9196, and we will be happy to take your order over the phone. We will send you a confirmation via e-mail. • We ask that all orders be placed by Thursday, November 19th. We do realize that things happen at the last minute and we will do everything in our power to accommodate you.

When can I pick my order up?

• All orders will be available to be picked up from A&S Culinary Concepts Kitchen. – Wednesday, November 25th – Between Noon and 4:00 PM – Please specify your preferred pickup time when placing your order.

How is the order presented?

• All orders are delivered in oven-ready containers or disposable platters and bowls, with heating instructions.

• 9945 Jones Bridge Road

•

John

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | November 12, 2026 | 13

Let Us Help with Your Thanksgiving With Our Oven Ready Meals

2026 THANKSGIVING MENU Turkey

22-24 pounds (Serves 12-15) - $180 each 16-18 pounds (Serves 8-12) - $150 each Select either Brined and Roasted or Smoked on our Primo Ceramic Grills ** Please allow 2 hours before serving for reheating/finishing time **

Cedar Plank Smoked Canadian Salmon (2 lbs.)

Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glazed Smoked on our Primo Ceramic Grills (Serves 4-6) - $75

Herb & Butter Crusted Prime Rib Roast With Au Jus and Creamy Horseradish Sauce ** Please allow 2 hours for reheating/finishing time ** (Serves 4-6) - $180

• We can usually help with any type of specialty meal or diet. There may be an added charge, depending on what is needed. That charge will be discussed at the time of the order. • Delivery is available at $75 per order (within a 5-mile radius of the kitchen) • There may be an additional charge for orders outside our usual delivery area.

House Made Lasagna

Chopped Romaine, Shredded Red Cabbage, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Apples, Carrots with Cider Vinaigrette

Side Dishes

Roasted Mushrooms, Roasted Peppers, Fresh Mozzarella, Grape Tomatoes, Red Onions and Kalamata Olives, with Pesto Vinaigrette

Select either Beef or Spinach Ricotta Cheese, House Made Marinara Sauce, Garlic, Fresh Basil ½ pan (Serves 8-10) - $60

• NOT for pick up. • $200 minimum order for delivery, plus delivery fee.

What about payment?

• Your final invoice will be sent out Tuesday, November 24th

What is your cancellation policy?

• All cancellations/changes by Wednesday, November 18th, for a 75% refund. • Any cancellations after November 19th are subject to a 50% surcharge of the total invoice.

ns Creek, GA

•

Fall Salad

Spinach Antipasto

Serves 4-6 people - $18 each

Caesar Salad

Cranberry Sauce

fresh cranberries, cinnamon, orange and lime

Shredded Parmesan Cheese, Focaccia Croutons, with House Made Caesar Dressing

Corn Bread and Sour Dough Stuffing

Gravies and Sauces

Creamy Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes Roasted Seasonal Vegetables Creamy Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Butternut Squash

Cornbread Muffins and Dinner Rolls

celery and onions

Mashed Sweet Potato Casserole roasted walnut, Cinnamon & Panko Crust

Creamy White Cheddar & Bacon Macaroni & Cheese made with penne pasta

Is there a minimum order?

Strawberry, Spinach & Arugula

Cabernet Brown sauce (Serves 4-6) - $65

with balsamic glaze

What about delivery?

Holiday Green Salad

Granny Smith Apples, Sun-Dried Cranberries, Caramelized Pecans, Blue Cheese, with a Pomegranate-Balsamic Vinaigrette

House Smoked Pork Loin with a Citrus-Pomegranate Glaze

Sliced Boneless Ham

Can you provide specialty meals or diets?

Culinary Concepts Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Crumbled Goat Cheese, Roasted Red Onions, with a White Balsamic-Local Honey Vinaigrette

Honey Mustard Glaze (Serves 4-6) - $85

G MENU FAQs

A&S

Green Bean Almondine

Julienne onion and roasted slivered almonds

$15 per Quart Turkey Giblet Gravy Marinara Sauce (For Lasagna) $18 Per Dozen Classic Cornbread Muffins House Made Dinner Rolls

THE FINAL TOUCH House Made Pies

Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Apple Pie or Chocolate Cream Pie $25 each

House Made Cakes

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole Oregano and Lemon Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes

10” Pumpkin Cheesecake with Graham Cracker Crust 10” Brownie Crusted Caramel Cheesecake 10” Red Velvet Crusted Red Velvet Swirl Cheesecake 9” Chocolate Bundt Cake with Chocolate Icing $35 each

Fresh Salads

$18 per half dozen (Gluten-Free Available)

Maple Roasted Squash Medley with cranberry, sage and thyme

Serves 6-10 people - $25 a bowl Serves 12-20 people - $40 a bowl (Dressing served on the side.)

678-336-9196 •

Jumbo Brownies Jumbo Cookies

Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Double Chocolate Chip or Sugar $18 per dozen (Gluten-Free Available)

asculinaryconcepts.com

14 | November 12, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!

OPINION

Another story about leaves

Chapel of Reflections Our chapel mausoleum offers timeless options of both cremation and traditional burial. Contact us for further information on the Chapel of Reflections and our many other offerings. 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076 770-993-4811 | www.roswellfuneralhome.com

So how is leaf season going this year? Down the hill from the house, there’s a big tree that’s turning red. Over there is one done up in orange, and a little further along, two or three glowing gold STEVE HUDSON in that crystalline Columnist afternoon sun. It’s the good kind of gold, rich and genuine and not shallow or ostentatious, and it’s nice to see it in this season of upheaval here in the Land of the Free. Leaf therapy. That’s what I call it, and I realize I need more of it. So I’m heading to the mountains. Colors intensify with every mile. I’ve planned a loop trip, and it’s going to be good. I start on ALT 75/GA 348. Find it on your map, then follow 348 to the Dukes Creek Falls parking area. That’s where this little adventure begins. I park near the trailhead (don’t forget the small parking fee). Then I begin the moderate 1.2-mile downhill hike toward the falls. The first portion of the trail is handicapped accessible and provides some fine leaf-watching for those with mobility challenges. Beyond, and after a couple of switchbacks, it brings me to observation spots and some grand views that just beg you to take your time and soak it all in. I linger for a little bit, basking in this Kodachrome vision of the natural world, but soon it’s time to hike back to the car. The roundtrip hike will take a couple of hours, leaving you time to enjoy what you see too. From Dukes Creek Falls I’m off to stop two, just a bit further along 348 — the trail to Raven Cliff Falls. This unique waterfall drops through a fissure in the face of the rock itself, a crack which formed eons ago when a massive piece of mountain split free and slipped a few yards down the hill. The trail to Raven Cliff Falls ranges from wide and easy to rough and challenging. It’s tricky in spots, particularly right at the falls, and there are no formal observation areas to make things easier. The footing can be challenging. But the leaves and the waterfall make it all worthwhile. The hike is about 2.5 miles each way, and you’ll pass several impressive cascades as you go. It’s uphill all the way in. But that means the return trip is almost entirely downhill. You’ll be grateful for that! Allow about three hours for the roundtrip. Back on 348, turn toward GA 180. You’ll notice scenic overlooks at several spots; check them out as you go. When 348 ends, turn right on GA 180 and go about seven miles to a left turn onto 180-

Spur and the next stop on this loop. You’re about to reach the high point — literally — at the summit of Georgia’s highest peak, Brasstown Bald. At 4,784 feet, Brasstown Bald is a perfect vantage point for appreciating fall color. You can take a shuttle to the summit, or (if you’re up to it) hike the paved trail for about six-tenths of a mile from the parking area to the top. Spectacular views make the hike worth the effort, and many consider it one of the most beautiful fall hikes in the state. If you only have time for one hike along the route, this may be the one to choose. After experiencing Brasstown Bald, return to GA 180. Turn left to continue the loop, which (after about five miles) brings you to GA 17/75. Turn right — and if you’re up to it, you’ll find a little more hiking not too far down the road at Unicoi Gap, where you’ll cross the Appalachian Trail. There’s a fairly large roadside parking area at the gap, and a large boulder with a marker marks where the trail disappears into the woods. Yes, it’s getting late, and you’re probably ready for supper. But you may want to stop anyway and hike at least a few hundred yards of the AT — you know, just so you can say that you did. By this time it really is starting to get dark. But I decide that one final stretching of legs on the storied Appalachian Trail will be a perfect way to wrap up a day spent amidst the incredible fall color of the north Georgia mountains. So I do. I don’t hike long, but it goes in the logbook anyway. And later, back in the car, I call my wife on the cellphone and tell her of my adventures. She says supper will be ready when I get home, and the whole thing makes me feel good about things — no matter what the newscasters might have to say later on. The drive home is easy and uneventful, and I let my thoughts wander…and it occurs to me that in a few more weeks all these leaves will be gone. The landscape will shed its coat of many colors and become a place of winter starkness, a colder place, a place where bare branches stand in jagged silhouette against gray November skies. I’ve always been one to appreciate the nuances of sparse landscapes, though in that moment it does seem a little sad. Still, deep down, I know it won’t stay that way forever. After a while, a new cycle of seasons will come. There will be new leaves, optimistic leaves. They will unfurl in spring and grow through summer. And then, come some future fall, maybe they’ll put on another lavish show for all with eyes to see. Steve Hudson is an award-winning outdoor writer and fly fisherman.

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | November 12, 2026 | 15

16 | November 12, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

AIKENOMICS

OPINION

Can you buy a home with your parents without buying a family argument? Buying a home with your parents can be a smart financial move. It may make homeownership more affordable, provide space for aging parents or grandparents, and create opportunities to share D.C. AIKEN household expenses. Guest Columnist dcaiken.com But combining family relationships and real estate finances can also create unexpected tension if everyone has different expectations. I’ve written about these transactions before, particularly because many parents have built substantial equity in their current homes. Using some of that equity toward a down payment can reduce the financial burden on younger buyers and potentially open doors to homeownership for a generation facing severely eroded affordability due to rising home prices and mortgage rates. The secret to making a multigenerational home purchase work isn’t just finding the right property. It’s having the right conversations before you start house shopping.

Start with the financial details One of the first questions is who will borrow the money. Will parents and children apply for a mortgage together, or will one party qualify for the loan while everyone contributes financially? A joint mortgage may increase purchasing power, but it also creates shared responsibility for the debt. Lenders may evaluate everyone’s income, credit history, existing debts and financial obligations when determining eligibility. It’s equally important to distinguish between contributing to a down payment, helping with monthly mortgage payments and receiving an ownership interest. These arrangements are not automatically the same. If parents provide equity from their existing home, everyone should understand whether that contribution represents a gift, a loan or an investment in the new property. Decide who owns what Ownership should be discussed openly and documented before anyone signs a purchase agreement. Will the property belong equally to everyone, or will ownership percentages reflect each person’s financial contribution? Consider what happens if one person

pays more toward renovations, another covers more of the mortgage, or a parent contributes substantially more equity. Without a clear agreement, those differences can become sources of resentment. A real estate attorney can help establish appropriate ownership arrangements and create a written agreement addressing responsibilities, decision-making and potential disputes. Plan for life to change Today’s arrangement may not fit tomorrow’s circumstances. What happens if parents need additional care, a child gets married, someone loses income or one household wants to move? Could the remaining family members afford to keep the property if someone exits the arrangement? Before purchasing, agree on how taxes, insurance, maintenance and unexpected repairs will be divided. Discuss privacy, shared spaces, household responsibilities and an exit strategy. If someone wants to sell their interest, determine how the property will be valued and whether the others will have an opportunity to buy them out.

Professional legal, mortgage and tax guidance can help address ownership, financing and potential tax consequences before commitments are made. Make the family plan before the house plan Buying a home with your parents can be an effective way to bridge the affordability gap and build financial stability across generations. But the arrangement needs to work financially and personally for everyone involved. Before scheduling showings, sit down together, discuss expectations, review the numbers and put the agreement in writing. The right home matters, but the plan behind the purchase matters just as much. A little preparation today can help protect both your investment and the family relationships that make the investment worthwhile. DC Aiken is senior vice president of lending for CrossCountry Mortgage, NMLS#658790. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com. The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of CrossCountry Mortgage LLC or its affiliates.

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | November 12, 2026 | 17

Literary: Continued from Page 1 JCLF attendees can participate either by bringing gently used books to donate or by shopping and dropping purchases directly into Beyond the Bookshelf’s collection boxes. Nearly a third of the fair’s 30 juried local authors will be selling children’s books. The JCLF’s remaining fiction and nonfiction writers will be ready to satisfy another seasonal staple: offering something for readers on any gift list. This year’s event, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, will feature a range of genres, from thrillers and romances to cozy mysteries, memoirs and more. Suspense will be the focus at 3:30 p.m. with a “Secrets, Lies & Alibis” panel of renowned regional writers. Tiffany Crum, author of “This Story Might Save Your Life”; Emily Carpenter, whose latest thriller is “A Spell for Saints and Sinners”; and C. Matthew Smith, with his new pageturner, “The Ones in the Corner,” will join moderator Valerie “V.M.” Burns, the author of five cozy mystery series and an adjunct professor in the master of fine arts program in

Cleveland: Continued from Page 6 “I've got to get medical freedom of choice back in Georgia in whatever way I can, whether it's constitutional or just changing the stupid abortion ban,” he said. Hilton said he was running to reduce the cost of living by providing property tax relief and reducing unnecessary regulations. He also said he supported protecting funding for public schools and public safety. Raza Jafri, a Roswell resident and

Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill Built for memories, University. made for community. Historical fiction will then take Built for memories, center stage at 5:30 p.m. Lawhon, made for community. the acclaimed author of “The FroBuilt for memories, zen River” and five other novels, will Built for memories, for made join Henry, a best-selling writer and forcommunity. community. made co-creator of the weekly “Friends & Fiction” live web show and podcast. They will discuss Lawhon’s latest release, “The Pirate Queen,” a sweeping historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley, the legendary Irish folk heroine who risked everyWe’re proud to introduce our thing to defend her people on the new celebration of life center, high seas. unlike anything else in The event, presented by the the Atlanta area. nonprofit organization Arts On The We’re proud to celebration introduce our new celebration of life center, We’re proud to introduce our new of life center, Creek in partnership with the city of anything else in the Atlanta area. else in the Atlanta area. >unlike Cremations > Funerals unlike anything Johns Creek, offers two ticket > new Cremations > Funerals of >> Life Celebrations We’re levproud to introduce>our celebration life center, Life Celebrations Grief Support > Cremations > Funerals > Life Celebrations els: free and $45 VIP. The VIP levelunlike anything else > Griefin support > Catered area. events > Veteran services the Atlanta > Catered Events includes a signed, personalized copy > Grief support > Catered events > Veteran services > Cremations > Funerals > Celebrations > Life Veteran Services Chapel of “The Pirate Queen,” priority seatSouth Forsyth Memorial > Grief support > Catered events > Veteran services ing and a reception with the authors Peachtree Pkwy | Suwanee, GA 30024 featuring light refreshments, a photo We’re proud to3545 introduce our new celebration of life center, For information on preplanning, call 470-375-1192 or visit SouthForsythChapel.com. and swag bags. unlike anything else in the Atlanta area. For more information and to re3545 Peachtree Pkwy | Suwanee, GA 30024 > Cremations > Peachtree Funerals > Life Celebrations serve tickets, go to ArtsOnTheCreek. 3545 Pkwy. For information on preplanning, call 470-375-1192 or visit SouthForsythChapel.com. 3545 Peachtree | Suwanee, GA GA 30024 org. > Grief Pkwy support > Catered events > Veteran services Suwanee, 30024 Details about BeyondForthe Bookinformation on preplanning, call 470-375-1192 or visit SouthForsythChapel.com. For information on preplanning, shelf are at beyondthebookshelf1. call 470-375-1192 or visit wixsite.com/beyondthebookshelf. SouthForsythChapel.com. As the group’s 16-year-old founder said, “Books can be a gift during the holidays that changes someone’s 3545 Peachtree Pkwy | Suwanee, GA 30024 perspective on life.”

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Cleveland supporter, said he was most interested in reforms for health care and insurance. Both have become too expensive. “It’s the higher price, higher rates,” he said. “I think he will fix a lot of things.” Cleveland said he viewed the win as part of a larger moment in national politics. Voters, both locally and nationally, are increasingly looking to oust career politicians from office, he said. “After over 10 years, most Americans are starting to figure out that Donald Trump is not a good leader of our country, and are starting to put together slowly that the folks in our state offices are protecting him,” he said.

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18 | November 12, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

PRESERVING THE PAST

OPINION

Groveway, Roswell’s historic Black neighborhood The Groveway neighborhood in the heart of Roswell has played an important role in the history of the city. It has been home to Black American residents since the Roswell community was first BOB MEYERS founded. Columnist In the 1930s, Black residents lived on certain streets: Webb Street, Oxbow Drive, Pleasant Hill Street, Bush Street, Zyon Circle and Grove Way. A neighborhood organization created in 1943 was called the Groveway Community Group. The neighborhood’s borders are roughly outlined by two historic churches about a mile apart: Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and Zion Missionary Baptist Church. The history of both churches is linked to the nearby Lebanon Baptist Church. It was founded after Amariah Hembree and his family met with 13 other Christians in the Hembree home in July 1836 and agreed to build a church. The Lebanon Church was the first church in the area to welcome Black members. Around 1839-40, two enslaved Christian brothers, Burt and Alex Hembree, were ordained as ministers by the Lebanon Presbytery. Soon the Black congregation of the Lebanon Church established its own church, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, and an adjacent cemetery. Burt Hembree was the first pastor, and his brother Alex served as a deacon. Around 1855, a log cabin church building was constructed on land donated by Roswell plantation owner Archibald Smith. A new building was constructed in 1922. The current church building was constructed in 1963. Zion Missionary Baptist Church was founded in 1871 when two white members of the Lebanon Baptist Church donated land for its construction. The original one-room structure burned down around 1885, and the church burned again in the early 1960s. It was rebuilt each time. The current church opened in 2001. For details on the histories of the three churches, see my 2023 column, “A Story of Three Churches.” Webb Street is a short road in the Groveway neighborhood that traditionally has been associated with close family ties. Today the street, just a few steps from Canton Street, has been transformed into an upscale area of modern townhouses. Noted Black historian and Vietnam veteran Charles Grogan grew up on

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

The historic African American Zion Missionary Baptist Church is in Roswell’s famous Groveway community. Organized in 1871, the church moved into its current facility in 2001. Over the years, it developed mission ministries in several foreign countries.

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

IMAGE PROVIDED TO APPEN MEDIA

African American historian Charles Grogan served as an Army medic during the Vietnam War with the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment. Assigned to the Phuoc Vinh Combat Base Camp north of Saigon, the battalion conducted frequent search-and-destroy missions and jungle patrols. This portrait was taken in 1966 at Fort Benning, when Grogan was drafted by the Army at age 19. Webb Street. Grogan’s uncle, Sam Delaney (1910-1962), and his wife, Lottie (1916-1984), raised him. Sam Delaney’s grandfather, Marion Delaney (1866-1941), who also lived on Webb Street, was blind and made baskets for a

Since its beginnings in the early 1800s, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church has played an important role in the history of Roswell and the historic Black Groveway neighborhood. The current church building was constructed in 1963.

living. Grogan’s father, Joseph Strickland (1921-2011), lived on Webb Street with his large family. Grogan’s grandparents Russell and Rosa Lee Strickland were forced to leave Forsyth County during the 1912 racial conflict and expulsion of Black residents. They moved first to Webb, Georgia, in Milton County, then to Alpharetta on Rucker Road and then to Haynes Bridge Road before settling on Webb Street in 1945. Grogan served in the Army in Vietnam as a combat medic. Grogan said most of the Black

people who migrated to Roswell came from farms. Many moved to Groveway to work for white families as maids and servants. His grandfather owned property on the corner of Bush Street and Grove Way, which he sold in 1936 to the Board of Education to build a school for Black students that operated from 1936 to 1949. After the school closed, the building became the North Fulton Negro Boys Club. In 1970, the boys club sold the property to create the Groveway Community Center to benefit low-income Black and white residents. The Groveway Community Group, organized in 1943 at 89 Grove Way, is a vital charity dedicated to strengthening local families, youth and elders. It is committed to preserving Groveway’s history. The organization believes that “communities that preserve their history preserve their identity.” Gail Bohannon McCoy, the group’s executive director for 34 years, said, “We mentor young people in the community who want to be leaders. We also offer scholarships to deserving students who have written essays and have given community service. We are proud to have awarded more than 50 scholarships to deserving young people in and outside of the Groveway community.” The Nuckles (or Knuckles) family played a major role in leading the historic community from its earliest days. I spoke with Booker Nuckles about his family history. “My grandfather Alexander Nuckles Sr., a carpenter and builder, constructed his first house between World War I and World War II and founded the first Boy Scout troop in north Fulton County after World War II,” Nuckles said. “He was instrumental in the operation of the Zion Baptist Church. My uncle (my father’s brother), Alexander Nuckles Jr., was the first scoutmaster of Troop 206, which is still active in the Zion church.” Nuckles said his parents had five sons. “Four of us served in the Vietnam War. All came home and led productive lives. Three of us were in the Air Force and one in the Army.” Nuckles was an Air Force weapons mechanic in Vietnam and loaded weapons on fighter jets such as the AC-130 gunship, which had a 105 mm howitzer and 40 mm and 20 mm cannons. Back in the United States, he worked on A-7 and F-4 fighter jets. His grandfather was among those who had to leave Forsyth County during the 1912 expulsion of Black residents and moved to Roswell. Some siblings moved to Atlanta, and some to Tennessee, Ohio, Chicago and other places up north.

Puzzles

ier 2/5/26 Connect-It

PuzzleJunction.com

Connect-It

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, 5 and 4 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!

Johns Creek Herald ........................ November 12, 2026 | 19

TYPE CAST 1. Loser's trick. Type of punch. Not bold. 2. Versifier's output. Ape. Type of case. 3. Type of training. Shopping aid. Ort. 4. Bay window. Type of wolf. Stringed instrument. 5. Type of shelter. The Good Book. Proclamation. 6. Like cold, blustery weather. Type of helmit. Grab. 7. Type of horse. Say something. Pound sound. PuzzleJunction.com

2 3 4 5 6

/12/26 Sudoku7

Cast How to Solve: Each line in theType 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 1. Loser’s trick. Type of punch. Not bold. 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 3 answers on thepuzzle, line. Buteach here’s theofcatch! Theand clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually To the solve the Sudoku row, column 2. Versifier’s output. Ape. Type case. be the second or the thirdnumbers answer in1that line. Got it? Good luck! boxformust contain to 9. 3. Type of training. Shopping aid. Ort.

4. Bay window. Type of wolf. Stringed instrument.

5. Type of shelter. The Good Book. Proclamation.

6. Like cold, blustery weather. Type of helmit. Grab. 7. Type of horse. Say something. Pound sound.

8 8 6 4

2 6

9 1 7

4 4 9

6 3

How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Solution 9 2 5 1 6 3 4 7 8

8 7 6 2 5 4 9 1 3

3 1 4 9 7 8 2 6 5

4 6 1 7 2 5 3 8 9

7 9 3 8 4 1 6 5 2

2 5 8 6 3 9 7 4 1

6 3 2 5 8 7 1 9 4

1 8 7 4 9 2 5 3 6

5 4 9 3 1 6 8 2 7

How to Solve: Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. The rules are easy: A number above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum of the white squares 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.

Dunwoody Crier 2/5/26 Crossword

Across

1 Herring of the east North Atlantic 6 Be slack-jawed 10 Low-___ diet 14 Have an impact on 15 Enthusiasm 16 Woodwind 17 Kind of tube 18 Cozy retreat 19 Opera star 20 Draw back 22 Blasts of anger 24 Formal dance 25 Air hero 26 “C’___ la vie!” 27 Wrecker’s job 30 Caribou 32 Psychoanalysis subject 34 Bailiwick 36 Leaving one place for another 41 Springs 43 Cause of wrinkles 44 Vernacular 45 Shippers 48 Breed 49 Chemical ending 50 Appraise 52 Born 53 Masseur’s workplace, maybe 56 Not to mention 58 Classic art subject 60 Coal miner 62 First 66 Mixed bag 67 Perfume brand by Dana

PuzzleJunction.com

21 24

47 50

38 44

25 30

51 58

52 59

62 68

69 Specific task 70 Hawaiian strings 71 Mosque V.I.P. 72 Moon of Saturn 73 Catches some rays 74 Axes 75 Signs of healing Down 1 The big house 2 Corn bread 3 Litter member 4 Having a bite 5 Stitching need 6 1942 Errol Flynn boxing flick, “___ Jim”

7 Brewpub offering 8 Noodles 9 Siren 10 Musical finale 11 Endure 12 Wanders 13 Savage 21 Sheltered, at sea 23 Fit for a king 27 Toiletry item 28 Creme-filled cookie 29 Withdraw gradually 31 Hardship 33 Mayberry sot 35 Basilica area 37 Cranesbills

38 Get ___ a good thing 39 Grimm villain 40 Musical mark 42 Biblical mount 46 Hereditary 47 Flabbergast 51 Fiats 53 Pathfinder 54 Folk dance 55 Out of this world 57 Literary genre 59 Work ___ 61 Red ink amount 63 Minute amount 64 Speedy steed 65 Telescope part 68 Prohibit

See puzzle solutions on Page 20

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1 SOLUTIONS 1

2 6 4 4 9

Solution

8 8 6 4

C A R B G A P E S P R A T O B O E E L A N T O U C H D I V A N E S T I N N E R T I R A D E S R E T R E A T E S T A C E B A L L E G O D E E R T O W E M I G R A T I O N A R E A L I N G O A G E L E A P S S O R T C O N S I G N O R S N E E R A T E E N E N U D E A N D S P A I N I T I A L C O L L I E R C H O R E T A B U O L I O T I T A N I M A M U K E S S C A B S C A N S T A N S

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9 2

2 P O E M I M I C R A N K

3 C R U M B A S I C A R T

4 B A N J O R I E L O N E

Barbara Anderson Kerry Arias Scott Baynton Joseph Bell Rita Brown Mark Casas David Conti

Theodore Davis III Maureen Drumm Charlcie Forehand Aileen Horton Deborah Jackson David Johnson Ali Mahbod

Solution

7 M O U T H O B B Y E L P

9 2 5 1 6 3 4 7 8

8 7 6 2 5 4 9 1 3

3 1 4 9 7 8 2 6 5

4 6 1 7 2 5 3 8 9

7 9 3 8 4 1 6 5 2

2 5 8 6 3 9 7 4 1

6 3 2 5 8 7 1 9 4

1 8 7 4 9 2 5 3 6

5 4 9 3 1 6 8 2 7

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MEMBER (CONT.) Austin Hughes Jason Hunyar Jacqueline Hursh Barbara Hurt-Simmons Susan Huss Paul Huth Jeffrey Hyde J. Craig Inman Sandra Jacobs Susan Jacques Lynn Johnson Tyler Jones Zach Jones Patricia Kachur Amy Kanderis Arthur Kebanli Laura Keck Mark Kelly Randall Kent Carol Kerr Sally Klaskala Karol Klim Allison Kloster Dyna Kohler Brett Koutnik Larry Krueger Jess & Chris Kysar Malinda Lackey Sarah Lamm Daniel Lashinsky Richard Lapin Christine Law

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THE FUTURE OF LOCAL NEWS

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Continued innovation in digital media has changed the ways in which people buy, sell and interact with products and services. It has caused businesses to reassess the ways in which it communicates with potential customers and advertises its products. It has been well documented that these changes have had a destructive impact on local newspapers, which continues to be a primary source for local news, but is no longer a primary source for local advertising dollars – historically the lifeblood for reporters and their coverage. At Appen Media Group we want to address this conflict head on, and build new and innovative approaches to monetizing local news and creating a sustainable future for local journalism in metro Atlanta.

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