Milton Herald - April 18, 2024

City denies winery license, purchases 30 acres of land

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Two long-running issues, regulating farm wineries and finding ball fields for youngsters, reached milestones at the Milton City Council meeting April 8.

The City Council voted to deny an alcohol beverage license for D’Rose Vintners and adjusted course on the search for active park space.

The farm winery saga, involving Jim and Daryn Rosenberger’s property at 13555 Blakmaral Lane and surrounding residents in the Providence Planation neighborhood, saw its first public hearing for an alcohol license.

The applicant approached city staff about the licensing process for a farm winery and rural event facility in 2020. The rezoning of the property, from community unit plan to an agricultural designation, occurred in May 2021, two weeks before the city-wide moratorium on farm wineries.

When surrounding neighbors found out about the Rosenberger’s plan for a winery in October 2023, they organized opposition to an alcohol license in their neighborhood over a six-month period. To visit the property, guests must drive through Providence Plantation.

Familiar voices on the issue, Jeff and Sarah Moen, Gary and Jessica Buxton, Brian and Jessica Eidex and Craig Franklin, spoke about their opposition to an alcohol license and farm winery in their neighborhood at the meeting.

Brian Eidex said the city and applicant caused the problem when they misrepresented the rezoning application to neighbors in spring 2021.

“Realize that what the lawyer is doing when he gets an opinion is speculating on the success of two potential lawsuits and giving an opinion on which one has greater chance,” Eidex said. “If you think this is just a legal matter please reconsider.”

Out of more than 40 public comments at the public

See COUNCIL, Page 12

Crabapple developers prep for debut

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Since the city’s incorporation, Milton residents have driven to neighboring North Fulton cities for a night out with the family.

The developers of Market District Crabapple are excited to offer surrounding residents the option to avoid the trek to Alpharetta’s Avalon or Roswell’s Canton Street for a night of dining out and perusing retail storefronts.

Located at the roundabout heading north

from Broadwell Road to Ga. 372 and Birmingham Highway, Market District Crabapple is gearing up for its debut celebration.

When the band starts in the courtyard at 4 p.m. April 25 for the downtown Crabapple destination’s grand opening, attendees will discover high-quality dining options surrounding 3200 Heritage Walk.

Whether stopping in for a premium cut of beef at Aberdeen’s Steakhouse or trying Vietnamese-Cajun fusion at Le Mer Seafood, a delicious meal is easy to

See

Page 14

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

From left, Greg Swayne and Brent Beecham, owners and developers of Market District Crabapple, stand with Hyde Brewing co-owner Josh Rachel in front of his beer fermenters and brite tanks. Rachel said he plans to have his brewed-on-site beers ready April 25 for the development’s grand opening.

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PUBLIC SAFETY

Alpharetta police arrest suspect for rape, kidnapping

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta police have arrested a suspect in the March 11 rape and kidnapping of a female Lyft driver.

Officers arrested and charged Demarcus Johnson, 32, with felony theft

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.

Walmart knife threat lands suspect in jail

MILTON, Ga. — Police arrested a 39-year-old Atlanta man April 3 after surveillance video showed him pulling a knife on someone at Walmart on Ga. 9, according to reports.

Leading up to the incident, police say the suspect had approached them multiple times while they were observing traffic on Ga. 9, accusing officers of following and intimidating him.

About an hour after police had a run-in with the suspect, they were dispatched to Walmart because he had allegedly assaulted an unidentified victim. Police stopped the suspect while he was walking away from the store.

When police asked the suspect about a knife, he said he’d opened the knife at Walmart to defend himself after a man had allegedly grabbed him for no reason.

Police detained the suspect while they reviewed Walmart surveillance footage, which showed the suspect walking past a man, violently grabbing the man’s shopping cart and shoving it into him, then attempting to take items from the cart, according to the report.

After the man tried to stop the suspect, the suspect grabbed the man, began to jerk his arms, then pulled a knife from his right pocket and opened

by taking, rape, aggravated assault and kidnapping April 5.

Police officials said the victim reported picking up a male passenger who stole her vehicle, kidnapped and raped her in March. Further

it, appearing as if he were going to stab the man, according to the report. The footage also showed the suspect continuing to wave the knife at the man as well as a Walmart associate, the report says.

The suspect was placed under arrest, charged with aggravated assault and transported to the North Fulton County Jail in Alpharetta.

Teen taken for $210 in social media scam

MILTON, Ga. — A Milton teen reported to police April 8 that she had sent gift cards to someone promising they could restore her banned Snapchat account.

The teen told police she saw a TikTok video of someone who had also had their account banned and commented on the video. The teen said another user responded to her comment, saying they could help her, according to the incident report.

The teen told police she was advised to buy Apple and Steam gift cards as payment options for services rendered and software needed to recover her account. She told police she bought four gift cards, totaling $210, and sent them as requested.

The teen said she asked for an updated after sending the cards, and the suspect sent a long message stating they had all her account information and if she did not send $500 in an hour, the price would increase to $1,000 in 24 hours, the report says.

The teen also said the suspect said they would access her accounts, take loans out in her name and that she would become so depressed about the

investigation showed the victim was given a sedative during the incident.

Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect is asked to contact Det. Lawrence at 678-297-6338.

The investigation is ongoing.

debt that she would commit suicide.

The investigation is ongoing.

Police issue warrant over alleged assault

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police obtained a warrant for the arrest of a 50-year-old Cumming man April 2 after he allegedly punched a neighbor in the face on Myrle Street.

The victim, a 34-year-old Roswell man, said an argument began after a tree fell from the suspect’s property onto his lot. He said he wanted his neighbor to remove the tree.

The suspect, who owns the tree services business next to the victim’s property, was not at the scene when officers arrived.

The victim said the suspect punched him in the face during a verbal disagreement about the fallen tree.

Two witnesses said the men were about 20 feet apart and engaged in an argument when the business owner approached the victim and struck him in the mouth with a closed fist.

Officers said both witnesses provided written statements.

Because the suspect had left the scene, an officer called him on his cellphone.

The suspect said the victim threatened him and approached him in an aggressive manner.

The punch was self-defense, the suspect said.

Because the victim’s account was contrary to statements from witnesses, officers said they obtained a warrant for battery on the suspect and posted it on the Georgia Crime Information Center.

Milton mom turns tragedy into mission

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — When a tragedy befalls you, hope that your response is as life-affirming as Kate Luevano’s effort to spread awareness about a rare, yet preventable, disease.

A couple weeks after World Alloimmunization and Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn Day March 12, Luevano held her second blood drive with LifeSouth.

Last summer, Luevano gave birth to her daughter, Josephine Anne. Because of an undiagnosed case of alloimmunization and HDFN, Luevano’s pregnancy resulted in a stillbirth and the loss of her daughter.

In rare cases, a woman will develop maternal alloimmunization or a red cell antibody when exposed to a different blood type. The exposure to an unknown blood type, during pregnancy, childbirth or a blood transfusion, can cause a mother’s antibodies to attack the unborn child’s red blood cells. If left untreated, hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn — the baby’s condition — can have devastating consequences ranging from anemia to death.

“Just in my own research trying to figure out what happened, I stumbled across the Allo Hope Foundation,” Luevano said. “They’re an amazing foundation.”

The Allo Hope Foundation, with its mission to prevent harm, stillbirth and infant death caused by alloimmunization and HDFN, helped Luevano with individual support, connection to a community, lifesaving education, up-to-date research and expert medical professionals.

“That became my connection to wanting to do a blood drive in the first place,” Luevano said. “I needed something to do at a time when I felt so powerless.”

She said she formed a special connection with the founder of the nonprofit, who also lost a daughter to the disease.

The first drive Nov. 19 saw dozens of

people turn out and donate 60 pints of blood.

City of Milton Communications Director Greg Botelho helped Luevano spread the word and generate some awareness in the community.

The March 30 blood drive over Easter weekend drew a smaller crowd, which donated 29 pints.

At the second drive, the Luevanos also collected a few hundred dollars in donations for the Allo Hope Foundation.

Luevano said the Allo Hope Foundation was a stepping stone to a connection at Northside Hospital.

“The foundation has a handful of specialists that provide excellent care and the latest evidence-based treatments,” Luevano said. “One of the best people in the whole country that they recommended is in Atlanta.”

Dr. Thomas Trevett, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and a managing partner at Georgia Perinatal Consultants, manages high-risk pregnancies at hospitals around Metro Atlanta.

“I met with the doctor, and he helped walk us through everything that happened with Josie and moving forward for us,” Luevano said. “Fast forward and I am pregnant again, it’s an extremely high-risk pregnancy and there’s a lot going on in the hospital… minimum 20 hours a week.”

At the Luevanos blood drive over Easter weekend, Trevett showed up for his patient’s event to chip in some blood.

“He’s really great,” Luevano said. “Dr. Trevett is on the medical advisory board of the foundation.”

Because blood incompatibility is so rare, specialists like Trevett are an invaluable resource for pregnant women with maternal alloimmunization.

Luevano gave a shoutout to plasma donors, whose contribution enabled her to replace harmful antibodies and lessen her body’s antibody response during her current pregnancy.

Plasma from over 1,000 donors, called

intravenous immunoglobulin, is used to delay the onset of fetal anemia.

After becoming pregnant in December, Luevano has had 54 appointments with doctors and more than 25 procedures involving plasma.

“All of these thousands of donors are contributing to keeping one baby alive right now,” Luevano said.

In January, the American Red Cross announced a nationwide blood shortage with the number of donors at a 20-year low.

Through the partnership with LifeSouth, all donated blood goes to local Metro Atlanta hospitals.

Luevano encouraged all first-time mothers to get their first trimester blood work done, so doctors can implement life-saving treatments before and after pregnancy in the rare case of maternal

alloimmunization.

With close monitoring and timely treatment, babies with HDFN have a very high survival rate, according to the Allo Hope Foundation.

For her third blood drive in June, Luevano said she has about 90 percent of the details worked out. She said the plan is to host the event at the Cumming City Center off Ga. 20 with a tentative date of June 21.

Collaboration with the Allo Hope Foundation and Northside Hospital is still in the works, Luevano said.

“For our upcoming drive, we have Josie’s Pledge-Per-Pint,” Luevano said. “People or business can donate a certain amount of money for every pint given.”

For more information about her next blood drive, contact kateluevano21@ gmail.com.

SYLVIA BERGEN/PROVIDED Dewayne and Kate Luevano stand with a picture of their child, Josephine Anne, in front of a LifeSouth bloodmobile March 30. Kate Luevano said a third blood drive is in the works with a tentative date of June 21.

GARAGE SALES

See more garage sales in the classifieds

SOUTH FORSYTH/SUWANEE: Dig for treasures in Olde Atlanta Club in COMMUNITY-WIDE SALE! 5750 Olde Atlanta Parkway 30024. Saturday 4/20, 8am-1pm. Children’s clothes and toys, collectibles, sports equipment, electronics, household, furniture!

CUMMING-30040: Fieldstone multi-family; Elder Field Lane, Azurite Street, Balas Street, Preserve Crossing Lane, Delano Drive. Along Drew Campground and Hyde Roads. Saturday 4/20, 8am-3pm RAIN OR SHINE!

KINGSWOOD COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE: April 19-20 8am-3pm. GPS 4805 Kings Common Way, Cumming.

REDECORATING SALE: Friday, April 19 8-5. 8021 Henderson Court, Alpharetta

DEADLINE

To place garage sale ads: Noon Friday.

80-year-old eyes 50th Peachtree Road Race

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — More of a walker nowadays, 80-year-old Larry Lascody will participate in his 50th Peachtree Road Race July 4.

The race, which dates to 1970, has grown to be the largest 10K in the world with a capped 60,000 participants. The race, beginning at Lenox Square in Buckhead and ending at Piedmont Park, also includes a wheelchair division.

Larry and his wife Barbara Lascody have made the Peachtree Road Race a family event, booking a hotel that weekend. Over the years, their two daughters and their five grandchildren have participated, and now, their grandchildren’s spouses have since tagged along.

“There’s only one family member that’s never participated,” Larry said, sideeying Barbara who recently had a knee replaced. Larry looks forward to her full recovery in time for next year’s event.

Larry, also an Army veteran, said he has run most of his life as a member of his high school’s track and cross-country teams, then becoming a member of the Atlanta Track Club. He competed as a runner in the Peachtree Road Race until 2019, when he suffered a knee injury.

“I’ve missed the run, and I miss the competition,” Larry said.

He injured his knee while participating in CureSearch’s Ultimate Hike, which raises funds for pediatric cancer research. It was his second time participating, having raised more than $13,000 for the cause across two hikes, the first in 2011.

“It’s an unbelievable experience, very

emotional to me,” Larry said.

At the Lascodys’ home in Milton, a room has been dedicated to Larry’s awards with the help of his daughters, who surprised him with walls covered in plaques and shelves holding small trophies. There were also boxes of medals — one containing first, second and third place finishes.

Barbara pulled out a quilt made of T-shirts Larry had received at 30 Peachtree Road Races, and another 20 will be made into a second blanket.

She described the spectacle that is the Peachtree Road Race — participants in costumes, wearing tutus, military members holding their flags, commentators from TV stations, and if July 4 falls on a Sunday, priests are out there blessing you.

“They’re handing out beer, if you want to run the beer, and there’s bands playing on the side,” Barbara said. “It’s just so fun.”

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Larry and Barbara Lascody stand with a blanket made of Peachtree Road Race T-shirts from three decades at their Milton home. Larry, 80, will participate in his 50th Peachtree Road Race July 4, the world’s largest 10K race capped at 60,000 participants.

Boxes hold Larry Lascody’s first, second, third and finisher medals.

PLANT SALE AND MORE!

Saturday, April 20

• 9am–3pm

The Grove @ Wills Park

• 175 Roswell Street

Free parking and shuttle from the Amana Academy parking lot

Brought to you by THE NORTH FULTON MASTER GARDENERS in partnership with Georgia Native Plant Society & the Alpharetta Community AG Program

Educational speakers, Fleatique, Children’s activities, Plant Vendors, Food Vendors, and Master Gardeners to answer your gardening questions. For more information: www.nfmg.net/garden-faire

The popular North Fulton Master Gardeners Pass-along Plant Sale will feature more than 2000 beautiful plantings suitable for sun and shade.

The North Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society will have a selection of around 2000 native perennials, shrubs, vines, and trees.

The Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program will have around 5000 unique varieties of organic, heirloom, and non-GMO plants, grown from seed at Old Rucker Farm.

North Fulton Master Gardeners set date for annual Garden Faire

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — North Fulton gardening groups, Alpharetta and Fulton County are joining forces to host the 23rd annual Garden Faire from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20 at The Grove at Wills Park.

The North Fulton Master Gardeners fundraiser will be hosted in partnership with the Fulton County Cooperative Extension, the Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program and the Georgia Native Plant Society North Metro Atlanta chapter.

The gathering will feature a pass along plant sale for guests to purchase perennials, hostas, irises, daylilies, trees and shrubs from local master gardeners.

The Fulton County Schools Teaching Museum North Greenhouse will offer more than 1,000 plants, including geraniums, begonias, herbs, hanging ferns and coleus. Beefsteak, paste, dwarf, cherry and hybrid tomatoes will also be available.

Guests can also choose from 5,000 plants grown at Old Rucker Farm in Alpharetta as well as 2,000 native perennials, shrubs and vines from the Georgia Native Plant Society chapter.

The fundraiser will feature guest speakers, a vendor’s market and a “fleatique” with vintage home and garden items.

A children’s corner with demonstrations about tomato planting, worm composting and making seed necklaces will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and North Fulton Master

Gardeners will host interactive small group presentations from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.

All proceeds will benefit North Fulton community gardening classes, gardening education for children and local demonstration gardens.

Parking will be available at the Alpharetta Community Center at Wills Park, and there will be overflow parking at Amana Academy at 285 S. Main St.

Alpharetta will provide free shuttles every 10 to 15 minutes from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from the overflow lot. A plant holding station will be available at The Grove while guests retrieve their vehicles.

More information can be found at nfmg.net/garden-faire.html.

— Shelby Israel

Newspaper Delivery Route Openings with Appen Media Group

We are looking for one person or couple interested in delivering weekly newspapers in South Forsyth, Alpharetta and the Johns Creek areas.

Requirements: Must have a perfect driving record and background check, reliable transportation, honest, hard-working and positive attitude.

For more information or to apply, email heidi@appenmedia.com and include a paragraph or two about who you are and any relevant background/experience. In the subject line of the email please put “Delivery Route Application.”

Mount Pisgah lines up campus expansion

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Mount Pisgah Christian School, along Nesbit Ferry Road, plans to add more than 20 acres to its existing campus, and its neighbors say they’re concerned about how the build-out will affect their quality of life.

Civil engineer Kenneth Wood described details of the project to a small crowd at the April 4 Zoning Public Participation Meeting at City Hall. The audience included homeowners in neighboring subdivisions, like Chartwell and St. Regis, as well as parents of students at Mount Pisgah.

The 123,662-square-foot proposal includes a performing arts center, a swimming facility, a curriculum enhancement building, two new academic buildings, an existing house to be renovated and six outdoor tennis courts. Plans also call for additional parking, increasing spaces from 274 to 574.

“Looking at the campus in general that’s there today, it’s totally maxed out,” Wood said.

Like the existing campus, Wood said the expansion would not change the existing agricultural zoning. Rather, the property would require a special-use permit.

Chris Harmon, who became head of school of Mount Pisgah in 2022, could not provide the expected cost for the project, accounting for inflation and phased approach for build-out, which is expected to take at least 20 years.

Harmon said the priority right now is to close out the property, currently under contract for $5.2 million. The owners contacted the school about a year ago, he said.

“They wanted to see us be able to spread out a little bit more and really preserve that from having a bunch of homes or townhomes or apartments there,” Harmon said. “Nobody really thought that was the best use of that property, especially the family who lived on that property for 50 years.”

Harmon said the expansion is intended to capture a pastoral feel, preserving the site’s natural aspects. Site renderings show a significant amount of green space, including student common areas and a nature trail along a lake to the south.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Chris Harmon, head of school at Mount Pisgah Christian School, explains plans to mitigate traffic to accommodate the school’s proposed 123,662-square-foot expansion at the April 4 Zoning Public Participation Meeting at Johns Creek City Hall.

who moved to the area nearly 30 years ago and participated in negotiations for Mount Pisgah’s first expansion.

“I think the project gives us a real opportunity to afford [our students] every opportunity to excel,” Harmon said. “As a complete school, they can excel in any area they’re interested in.”

Currently, around 900 students are enrolled at Mount Pisgah Christian

The proposal is scheduled to come before the Johns Creek Planning Commission on June 4 and before the City Council on June 17. The proposal is scheduled to come before the Johns Creek Planning Commission on June 4 and before the City Council on June 17.

I feel your living space does have a lot to do with how you feel, emotionally, physically, how healthy you really are, how well you really are.”

LANADA

DUNCAN, founder, b.e. decors Interiors

8 | Milton Herald | April 18, 2024

Interior designer spreads wellness through Metro Atlanta homes

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Lanada Duncan had come to know the importance of creating a personal sanctuary, feeling the burnout of a 20-year career in healthcare management.

The work took a toll, both mentally and physically. So, the Roswell resident began changing her home to create a more holistic environment.

“I feel your living space does have a lot to do with how you feel, emotionally, physically, how healthy you really are, how well you really are,” she said.

But, Duncan realized that she wasn’t fully in the space she wanted to be, which was to help others do the same, and founded her business b.e. decors Interiors in 2015.

She got her feet wet by hunting for unique pieces that she would refurbish and sell at street markets, also picking up small jobs from her friends, and when her son went to college, Duncan transformed his bedroom into her “she-cave,” which has since become one of her specialties.

“That’s a good way of making sure they don’t come back,” Duncan said, laughing.

The she-cave is the oft-overlooked space for women and for mothers that allows them to relieve stress amid a packed schedule, to let their hair down, to make themselves a priority.

Meanwhile, “man caves” are a longstanding concept, widely cited and portrayed in the media. Duncan said her husband’s is the garage in her

For more information about b.e. decors Interiors or to schedule a consultation, visit www.bedecors.com.

Roswell home, where all his childhood toys are stored.

“I thought, well, you know, I need a space like that,” Duncan said.

Duncan said her she-cave, denoted with a sign on the door, features a big, comfy cream-colored chair and ottoman, an electric fireplace with an assortment of teas, honeys and mugs on its mantle, a drink cart holding a refrigerator, wines, glasses and a teapot, and a Bose speaker she uses to sound off her favorite artists like Márcio Faraco or a playlist of Zen music.

The sanctum has plenty of candles, Duncan said, made by her sister which she sells through b.e. decors Interiors. Duncan’s website also features handcrafted body butter and decorative pillows, marked with phrases like “She-Cave” and “Girl Boss.”

The room has evolved over time, and soon, she said it will get a redesign to incorporate fresh color and her love of birds.

“I tell people that you have to invest in yourself first, so that you can be there for your children, so that you can be there for your employer,” Duncan said. “This is just one of the important ways to do it.”

Duncan devoted herself full-time to interior design around three years ago after being laid off from her role

See WELLNESS, Page 10

April 24, 2024

5-7 PM

For more information on this event, scan the QR

LANADA DUNCAN/PROVIDED

Lanada Duncan, a Roswell-based interior designer, sits in her original “she-cave” at her home. The concept, a relaxing space for women, has become her specialty since she founded b.e. decors Interiors in 2015.

WEDNESDAY 3:30 – 6:30

Wellness:

Continued from Page 8

in patient relations, driven by the need to understand what makes for a peaceful living space.

“It’s great to make a space look beautiful, and that’s good,” Duncan said. “But, it’s really, to me, more important to make it feel like home for you … There are so many things in the world that can affect us in the day-today, but when you come home, that should be your safe space.”

Regardless of scope, Duncan said each consultation is individualized and involves asking clients what constitutes “home” — she said maybe it’s the color yellow that reminds a client of a favorite house they lived in, splashed over the kitchen, a reminder of the smell of cookies.

While other interior designers might look in client’s closet to get an understanding of their style, Duncan said it’s important to really get to know the subject first.

But, she noted a few guidelines she likes to talk through, which may not be at the forefront of a client’s mind,

Business pages

Each week Appen Media asks a staff reporter to profile a business, nonprofit or commerce group they find interesting.

The selection can be from anywhere in the Metro Atlanta area.

The decision is up to the reporter and is made entirely independent of the Sales department.

Do you have an idea for a future profile? Send tips and story leads to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

like light sources, pops of color and biophilic features — plants, natural stones, photographs of landscapes. Some of the work for Duncan is education.

“While they may not be thinking of this particular item, we need to talk about it because I want to blow your mind by not just meeting your expectations but exceeding them,” she said.

LANADA DUNCAN/PROVIDED Lanada Duncan’s she-cave design in an Alpharetta home office features dark green walls, a cowhide rug and elegant lighting.

Protect your assets

Brought to you by – Geerdes & Associates

It’s a tale as old as time. A widow remarries and her new husband and stepchildren steal her house and money away from her children. While it’s our hope that these tales are fantasy, such was reality for Mr. Q. After his mother remarried, Mr. Q, his brothers, and their stepsiblings lived together in his mother’s house. Mr. Q’s mother and his stepfather signed a prenup and the mother also assigned the stepfather as power of attorney and healthcare proxy. Unfortunately, the stepfather used these powers to place her in a dementia-care facility – despite her still being competent. As she had given the stepfather the power to make choices for her, Mr. Q and his brothers could do nothing.

When the stepfather passed, Mr. Q made a horrifying discovery. Prior to his death, the stepfather had used his position as the mother’s power of attorney to sign her house to himself and pass it to his children. Even worse, although the prenup stated that his estate worth over 10 million would be split among the children and the mother - the stepsiblings refused to honor the

agreement.

While it’s common for spouses to give each other power over each other’s financial and medical decisions, the documents could have been written so that Mr. Q and his brother shared the power of attorney with their stepfather, giving them some way to stop him. In addition, Mr. Q’s mother should have been more careful about the documents she signed - many power of attorney documents can be written so they only take effect after incapacitation.

Finally, while the prenup is valid, the uncertainty of whether the stepfather had a will puts things in jeopardy.

The prenup and the will’s ability to supersede each other is dependent on how each document is written and the state it is executed in, and whether the will and prenup contradict each other.

Improper estate planning opened a way for the stepfather to make his move. You always want to fully understand the implications of the documents you sign and cover for many probable scenarios. To make sure you don’t let predatory spouses, heirs, or children take your assets from those you love, consult an estate planning attorney in your local area – and always be informed on the consequences of the decisions you make.

ISTOCK

Council:

Continued from Page 1

hearing, six residents were in favor of issuing the alcohol license.

Notably, Rosenberger’s next-door neighbor on Blakmaral Lane, Mark Coombs, advocated for granting the license and said Rosenberger did everything by the book.

While some neighbors talked about the effects of drunk driving, increased traffic and decreased property values, other focused on the city’s missteps during the public notice for the 2021 zoning change, the 2023 public hearings and the farm winery moratorium, from May 2021 to January 2022.

Citing an email obtained through an open records request, Jessica Buxton said communication from September 2020 shows Rosenberger’s explicit ask for special events, such as weddings, and up to 100 attendees at the winery.

“Now in 2024, two years and three months past the time that the city so beautifully crafted farm winery laws … we are here for an alcohol license,” Buxton said. “You guys must adhere to your own laws.”

Lawyers square off

Councilwoman Carol Cookerly cast the lone vote in favor of granting the

deficiencies in the processing of the 2021 zoning application,” Jarrard said. “The site plan doesn’t show much with respect to a winery.”

Jarrard also discussed Hecht’s letter to the city about litigation, specifically the mention of a last chance for a compromise.

“That powerful document that contained all of those prohibitions that the applicant has agreed to comply with and bind on themselves for 20 years,” Jarrard said. “That may go away this evening, you need to hear that.”

alcohol license to the Rosenbergers’ farm winery. Cookerly said she wants to avoid the neighbors and applicant losing control of the situation.

“I made the statement to both parties with whom I met that I wanted to vote for a known outcome,” Cookerly said. “I’m stuck with the fact that if you go to court, you will lose control again.”

City Attorney Ken Jarrard said the public hearing is quasi-judicial and would include an official record without cross-examination or rebuttals. A court

reporter attended the hearing.

“I have worked with the attorney for the applicant this evening … so that we don’t have a full evidentiary hearing in front of the assembled gallery, and it takes six hours,” Jarrard said. “We have, in fact, expedited the process by way of a stipulation.”

The legal proceeding gave both attorneys half an hour to present their client’s case, with the applicant given the last word before elected officials deliberated.

Greg Hecht, a top-rated litigation attorney and former state senator, represented the Rosenbergers and argued that city staff repeatedly instructed the applicant to move forward with construction and spending related to his farm winery and alcohol license.

“Our clients … have come with several compromises that will damage their business dramatically, and they are willing to do it,” Hecht said. “They have said, ‘We will take the tasting room off the table if we get the license tonight,’ and they meant it.”

While Providence Planation residents argued that the city would be unable to enforce restrictions on the winery, Hecht said the neighbors focus on the tasting room and potential consequences from it is unfair.

Hecht argued that city staff knew and instructed the applicant how to adhere to city codes during the buildout of the tasting room. His arguments centered on the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent by the Rosenbergers, the unwillingness of neighbors to mediate and property rights.

“You can’t undo what you already did May 10, 2021, with a new ordinance in December 2021,” Hecht said. “It’s fairly obvious that this was targeting the only farm winery that was coming before you.”

City Attorney Jarrard then gave his presentation to councilmembers during the adverse portion of the hearing.

“There were some procedural

Jarrard then discussed illegitimate zoning in 2021, misleading notices and local alcohol code before taking vesting rights, which are related to zoning not licensing, out of the picture.

“The public was on notice that rules were changing, and individuals spent funds at their own peril,” Jarrard said. “The current applicants do not and did not satisfy that criteria.”

Appen Media reached out to City Manager Steve Krokoff after the April 8 meeting for its perspective on the public hearing, potential lawsuits and what staff learned from the situation.

In an April 10 email, Krokoff said the city is not commenting on the farm winery because of possible litigation.

Special committee tabled

Before a discussion of new business items, the City Council voted to table the ordinance creating the Active Parks Ad Hoc Committee.

Instead, elected officials later approved two letters of intent for the acquisition of more than 30 acres on opposite sides of the city.

The first discussion of a land acquisition contract involved two adjoining properties at 12875 Arnold Mill Road and the rear of 12912 New Providence Road.

The 10.5-acre parcel sits in the southwest corner of the city, close to Legacy Park off Ga. 140.

City Manager Krokoff said the property was considered for parks before the city located a superior property in the Deerfield area.

The city entered into a non-binding agreement to purchase a 21.3-acre wooded property at 300 Deerfield Parkway, which fits criteria in the Milton Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan.

There are plans for a public hearing for both land acquisitions and a 90-day due diligence period before closing.

“This is something that if done right, checks a lot of boxes for us,” Mayor Peyton Jamison said. “I think this is going to be a jewel for that area.”

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

From left, Jim Rosenberger, seeking an alcohol license for his farm winery, and Matthew Poe, serving as a litigation associate, listen to attorney Greg Hecht during a legal proceeding at the April 8 Milton City Council meeting.

Sally White

Throughout her time at Milton High School, Sally has been an active member of various clubs and sports teams, including the Debate Club, Science Olympiad, and Drama Society. Her leadership skills shone brightly as the captain of the soccer team, leading them to victory on numerous occasions. Sally’s commitment to excellence extended beyond athletics; she also excelled academically, earning recognition for her outstanding achievements in advanced mathematics and literature.

As she prepares to embark on the next chapter of her life, we are filled with pride and excitement for Sally’s future endeavors. Congratulations, Sally, on this remarkable achievement! We can’t wait to see the incredible things you’ll accomplish next.

Class of 2024

Crabapple:

Continued from Page 1

find.

A crucial requirement of any live-work mixed-use development is surrounding foot traffic. The owners and developers of Market District Crabapple, Brent Beecham, Eric Richards and Greg Swayne, said their strategic programming is designed to cater to families and provide options from dawn to dusk.

A priority for the developers is to achieve a complementary mix of tenants. With 100 percent of available space occupied, the lack of prospective tenants is a good problem to have, Swayne said.

“We decided that we don’t want to spend 10 years turning over businesses that can’t make it,” Swayne said.

He also said he believes there needs to be an entertainment angle with the development at some point in the future.

“All the ingredients of what made Canton Street work have been the way we strategically thought about how we want to program,” Swayne said. “Because Starbucks is such a huge anchor, it draws in other people immediately.”

After grabbing a coffee or taking a class at The Yoga Loft, patrons can stop by Community Burger for a grouper sandwich or Milton Dental for an appointment with Joshua Freitag.

Investors in community

Residents who drive through the new restaurant district and mixeduse development will see the timeless architecture of the 3-story buildings that make up Market District Crabapple.

The Milton Design Review Board ensured the aesthetics of the mid-rises corresponded with the Crabapple formbased code, shown by the colored-brick facades with outdoor staircases and balconies.

The idea is to match the design of commercial properties along Crabapple Road and across the state route at Milton City Hall.

Beecham, a developer of Market District Development, said the whole project started when his cousin approached him about the rezoning of Strawberry Fields Farm off Birmingham Highway.

As a sign of the area’s rapid development since, the city constructed Heritage Walk with special-purpose localoption sales tax funds, which runs from Mayfield Road to Crabapple Road in the city’s southwest corner.

The Milton pasture once sported bovines and now offers world-class dishes at Aberdeen’s Steakhouse.

Beecham, a Roswell-native and a fourth-generation member of Metro Atlanta’s construction industry, said he met Swayne more than 25 years ago.

After an email and meeting over coffee

in 2019, the two real estate veterans decided to partner and create Market District Development.

With their company working on a project on North Main Street in Alpharetta, the developers can point to Woodstock’s Adair Park as an example of a successful mixed-use development with luxury apartments at a downtown gateway.

Construction launched in 2020, and the vision for Market District Crabapple survived the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alternative streams of revenue, like catering and pre-ordering, became common during the pandemic and provided prospective tenants with a reason for optimism.

Bemir Mehmedbasic, owner and operator of Aberdeen’s Steakhouse, emphasizes customer experience and delivery of the highest quality food and wine through a Michelin star chef.

After commending his non-traditional landlords for their vision, Mehmedbasic said his investment bringing top-tier steaks to Milton “is the way it should be done.”

Expansions on the horizon

The city’s effort to intentionally design and curate its commercial areas fits with the vision of the Market District Crabapple developers.

With the grand opening for the first phase of Market District Crabapple quickly approaching, Swayne and Beecham said they want to give tenants “time to chew and swallow” before beginning construction again.

The developers plan for two more buildings, creating a total of seven midrises along Heritage Walk from Courtland Road to Ga. 372.

A little over half of the 3.85-acre site is developed, with land available and zoned for multi-family residential when the developers decide to move on phase two.

Hyde Brewing, dubbed the development’s most popular venue, combines the menu of community-loved Ceviche Taqueria with beers from the award-winning brewmaster and cofounder of Jekyll Brewing, Josh Rachel.

Along with co-owners Mikka Orrick and Thiago Depaula, Rachel said the first six weeks in business at the customized brewpub has been busy.

Offering a family-friendly environment with quesadillas for kids and margaritas for moms, a two-hour wait at Hyde Brewing for live music is not uncommon.

Rachel said brewing craft beers comes with pressure, but he expects a batch ready in the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile, patrons can enjoy Ceviche’s Favorites and Hyde Cocktails on the expansive menu.

If you want to hear more about the relationship between Jekyll and Hyde brewing, come out for a chat with Rachel at the development’s grand opening April 25.

MARKET DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT/PROVIDED

An overhead drone shot of the courtyard at Market District Crabapple shows the development’s early 20th century aesthetics along the roundabout at Heritage Walk and Ga. 372. The mixed-use development includes restaurants, financial firms, a dentist’s office and other small businesses.

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

A couple walks along Heritage Walk toward the roundabout on Ga. 372 April 9 as cars line up in front of Market District Crabapple. The owners and developers of the mixed-use development scheduled a grand opening April 25 to unveil offerings unique to the Milton area.

From left, Christo Lamprecht and Nick Dunlap present watches they received for competing at the 2024 Georgia Cup at the Golf Club of Georgia April 7. Lamprecht, reigning British amateur champion, won the 2024 Georgia competition.

Lamprecht named champion at Georgia Cup in Alpharetta

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — South African amateur golfer Christo Lamprecht was named 2024 Georgia Cup champion at the Golf Club of Georgia April 7.

Reigning British amateur champion Lamprecht faced off against U.S. amateur champion Nick Dunlap in an 18-hole match play event.

This year, Dunlap became a professional player for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America,

marking the first time a professional faced an amateur for the Georgia Cup.

Lamprecht and Dunlap were tied at the 18th hole, but Lamprecht secured a one-up win with a 15-foot putt.

Both men were invited to compete at the 2024 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club April 11-14.

— Shelby Israel

Spring Home, Garden Tour to benefit Roswell nonprofit

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Woman’s Club will host a Spring Home and Garden Tour in the downtown Roswell historic district from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 20.

The fundraiser will showcase interior design and landscaping inspiration at four homes. Proceeds from the tour will benefit North Fulton County charities and education.

Since 1997, the nonprofit has donated more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships.

“Our club is an all-volunteer

nonprofit organization where members perform hands-on projects and volunteer fundraising events,” Roswell Woman’s Club President Sherry Broadway said. “I invite you to support the community by purchasing tickets to the tour, becoming a sponsor or making a donation to Roswell Woman’s Club.”

Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online at roswellwomansclub. org under the Spring Home and Garden Tour tab.

— Shelby Israel

STEVE NEESE/APPEN MEDIA

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7506 Wilderness Parkway Big Canoe, GA 30143

This is Miss Eva!

bigcanoeanimalrescue.org

706-268-1346

CITY OF ALPHARETTA/PROVIDED

This rendering by Play by Design shows plans for the new Wacky World at Wills Park, set to open in October. Alpharetta is hosting a farewell celebration for the original playground at 2 p.m. April 28.

Alpharetta sets farewell party for Wacky World playground

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta will host a farewell party April 28 for the beloved Wacky World playground at Wills Park, which is set to be reconstructed this fall.

The 2 p.m. celebration will include food trucks, games, music and a chance to claim one of the original pickets from the existing structure.

Plans for the replacement playground will also be presented, and guests are invited to play and take final photos with the original Wacky World.

who submitted their dream designs on drawing forms. Some amenities will include a tower, obstacle course, racing slides and zipline.

Made with a lumber alternative to mimic the original look and feel, the new Wacky World will also be ADA compliant and feature adaptive equipment.

Facts About Me

Breed: Boxer Mix

Color: Black & White (Short Haired)

Age: 1 1/2 years-old

Weight: (Current) 45 Lbs.

Sex: Female

My Info

Good with adults & dogs

??? w/cats

Healthy

Shots current

Spayed & Chipped

Great walking on a leash

My Story

Eva’s stance reminds you of a statuesque female, except in a dog version!

She came to us after being on the run for a few weeks, shy, hungry, and scared. Slowly she has regained her spirit and loves the volunteers and going for long walks on the trails. She is yearning for affection and a family environment. This girl will surprise you with her sweet disposition.

All BCAR dogs are placed as indoor family pets. No electric fences, please. Visit pets every Saturday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (706-268-1346) or visit our website for adoption information at www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org.

The original wood playground at Wills Park was built by more than 2,600 volunteers over six days in 1997. The 1-acre playground will be replaced this year with a new structure designed by children and built by volunteers.

The new playground will be roughly 18,000 square feet and include features requested by Alpharetta students,

The Wacky World rebuild is funded through the city’s 2021 parks bond referendum, which allocated $4 million for work at Wills Park, as well as sponsorships and donations.

Wacky World is set to reopen this October. The celebration will be rescheduled to May 5 in case of inclement weather. Updates can be found @WackyWorldPlayground on Facebook and Instagram.

— Shelby Israel

North Fulton area charity plans pickleball tourney

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — North Fulton

Community Charities is hosting its first pickleball tournament at the North Park Tennis and Pickleball Center at 9 a.m. April 27-28.

The tournament is a partnership between the Roswell-based nonprofit and the City of Alpharetta. Proceeds will support financial stability and easing hardship for North Fulton families in need.

The first day of the tournament will feature mens and womens doubles, and April 28 will be reserved for mixed doubles.

Entry is priced at $45, and participants can pay an additional $15 for the second day. Registration is available at nfcchelp.org/pickleball.

“Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport,

and we are excited to offer our state-ofthe-art pickleball courts at North Park for this tournament,” Alpharetta Parks and Recreation Director Morgan Rodgers said. “We hope this event not only promotes healthy and active lifestyles but also raises funds for local families in need.”

NFCC Community Events Manager Janet Dahlstrom said the group is excited to partner with Alpharetta for the tournament, which will support vulnerable families with education, clothing, food, emergency financial aid and seasonal assistance.

Sponsorship opportunities between $1,000 and $5,000 are also available. Those interested can email Dahlstrom at jdahlstrom@nfcchelp.org.

— Shelby Israel

Aiding local news is helping yourself

I attended a recent Appen Press Club community meeting, March 21, at a local Italian restaurant SUGO (highly recommend) on Medlock Bridge in Johns Creek.

The Appen Press Club is something that Publisher Hans Appen and Director of Content and Development

Carl Appen started about a year ago. Ideally, once a month, Carl, Hans and the newsroom staff hold a Press Club meeting - free and open to anyone and everyone - at a local

venue - usually local restaurant - and talk about the news stories they are working on and field questions from the audience about anything and everything the audience wants to bring up. The events usually include food and beverages – free to members. People seem to enjoy them.

Attendance at these get-togethers typically ranges from 20 to 40 folks and lasts about an hour. I have found them to be fun, engaging, and entertaining enough to want to keep attending.

The purpose of the Appen Press Club is two-fold: The first is to try to stay as connected as possible with our customers - you - and to have the best idea possible about what we

The

are doing right and what we can do better. The second purpose is to raise money to help keep our community news business going. That is, to help keep your local newspaper covering your events, your government, your law enforcement, your city council, and how your taxes are being spent. In general, and this is something that most people know intuitively, but do not necessarily lose sleep over, if we - your local press - don’t do those things, no one else will. Period. It is a very real thing. That is not just hyperbole; it is cold fact.

institutional memory.

In 2021 Appen news staff initiated an ongoing story about road construction in Roswell. At the end of the day, Appen discovered that the roads that were supposed to cost $7 million had ballooned to over $18,000,000 and one of the property purchases that the City had made had to be purchased a second time because the city had failed to fulfill some of the contract commitments from the original land purchase. Maleficence? Probably not. Incompetence? Probably, but who would have known? It’s your tax dollars we guard.

7506 Wilderness Parkway Big Canoe, GA 30143

Facts About Me

Breed: Terrier Mix

Color: Black and white (Short haired)

Age: 6 months old

Weight: (Current) 25 lbs

Fully Grown: Medium Size (50lbs)

Sex: Male

My Info

Healthy, All Shots current

Good with dogs & children

Chipped, Neutered

Good leash walking & car rides

Crate trained

bigcanoeanimalrescue.org

706-268-1346

Meet Porter

This handsome boy would bring any family joy and happiness! Porter has a gentle way about him with a sweet calm disposition. He would be great for a family with children of any age. He gets along with other dogs and never met a human he didn’t like. He is leaning his commands and is very smart. Don’t miss out on him! Bring treats.

All BCAR dogs are placed as indoor family pets. No electric fences, please. Visit pets every Saturday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (706-268-1346) or visit our website for adoption information at www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org

This does not mean that your elected or appointed city officers are not trustworthy. By and large, they all are. However, as anyone one who has ever managed a group of people knows, without oversight, without someone there actually hands-on enforcing the rules or seeing that they are being enforced, people can be tempted to cut corners - bend the rules - tell white lies - and sometimes break the rules. It’s like having traffic laws with no law traffic cops enforcing them. That dog, as we say in the south, just don’t hunt.

Another very relevant fact that we are dealing with here is that the more money that is involved in the process, the greater the temptation for rules and laws to be bent, broken, or manipulated. It’s only human nature. The collective annual budget of the 7 cities and 3 counties we serve is in the hundreds of millions of dollars. We watch that money, as best our resources allow us to watch it.

For example, right now the Alpharetta City Council, in conjunction with the Alpharetta City Manager and the City Parks & Recreation Director have more than $22,000,000 to spend from the bond that you taxpayers approved in 2021 for parks and recreation funding - your tax dollars. And you taxpayers were told how the money would be spent if you approved it. Among the things you were told was that improvements ($5,000,000) to the Will Park Equestrian Center were contingent upon a private foundation putting up matching funding. How many of you - dear readers - are keeping track of that fine print in the bond - the amount of money the foundation has put up? Well, we are. For you. In a sense we are your active

In 2021 Appen sued the city of Roswell for failing to comply with the Georgia Open Records Act - information you have a right to access. We won, but it cost us $15,000 until we were partially reimbursed in settlement. In 2023, Appen sued the city of Sandy Springs - specifically their law enforcement - for the same thing - but much worse. We lost that decision but are appealing the ruling with higher courts. It has cost us over $40,000 so far.

In the past three years we have probably filed over 500 freedom of information requests - each costing from thirty to sometimes many hundreds of dollars each. Why? To get source material for reporting that sometimes contradicts how officials describe what’s going on. That is what we do. We represent you. If we’re not doing it, who will?

You elect your city councils and your mayors. They hire the city administration. So, to a degree, you only get to “approve” or “disapprove” the folks who administer your tax dollars about once every 4 years. And then, you only know how they are doing, in general, by the local press that gives you the information. Of course, you can attend Council meetings but that often does not tell the entire story. What happens inbetween those four years? A lot. We are there every week, every month, every year acting on your behalf.

It never ceases to amaze me when I hear someone casting disparaging generalizations about “the press.“ As if all the press were the same. “Fake news” they say. My response to those - including at least one local Mayor and several city council folks in the towns we cover, is “what do you have to hide?” What would you prefer for us not to monitor?

I have told this little story more

next Appen Press Club event is April 18 at 4 PM at Cherry Street Brewing in Cumming. RSVP for free at appenmedia.com/join.

OPINION

PRESERVING THE PAST

Farm House – where Alpharetta was born

Two developments predated the establishment of Alpharetta.

New Prospect Campground was located just north of today’s downtown Alpharetta. Because the site was favored with several natural springs, it was popular for overnight stays by travelers in the 1830s. Travelers stayed in tents until the area was expanded to accommodate houses and eventually a school and church. Milton County was created in 1857 and the city of Alpharetta was established the following year and became the county seat. In 2008, the City of Alpharetta erected a historical marker on the New Prospect site with a circa 1835 date.

Less well documented is the development of another area called Farm House, a commercial center from 1834 to 1858 that according to some historians may have predated New Prospect Campground. Connie Mashburn in his book Alpharetta, Milton County-the Early Years notes that “at various times a gristmill, sawmill, cotton gin, post office and general store” operated at Farm House.

Local historian Ed Malowney says that the area was not well defined geographically but was where farmers went to purchase grain and dry goods to run their farm or plantation. An authority on early post offices, Malowney says that the establishment of a post office in Farm House literally put Farm House on early maps.

The settlement is located by the QuikTrip where Old Milton Parkway crosses State Route 400. It occupied Land Lot #855. Little remains of the property today, except portions of a stone dam.

Hiram Trammell, millwright, and his older brother John moved with John’s family to the area from Abbeville. South Carolina and settled near what is now known as Teasley’s Creek. John was a multitalented farmer, carpenter, blacksmith, tanner and shoemaker. He died in 1864.

According to Billy Bates, beloved historian, now deceased, Hiram obtained the land lot where Farm House was established in the mid-1830s. He built a log cabin for himself and began construction of a stone dam across a 30-foot wide vigorous stream to create waterfalls to power a gristmill and other projects he planned to build. Unfortunately, he died in 1840 before

Billy

completing the projects and was buried near his cabin.

Records show that Isham Teasley (1807-1883) purchased the partially built dam as part of 800 acres he accumulated in and around today’s Alpharetta. Teasley completed the dam and built a gristmill, and later added a cotton gin, general store, sawmill and post office, thus completing Hiram Trammell’s vision. His efforts turned the property into a thriving commercial area. Teasley became Farm House’s first postmaster in 1853. Once Alpharetta was created the Farm House post office was moved to Alpharetta.

Pat Miller, President of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society and authority on local cemeteries, points to Old Big Creek Cemetery where many Farm House residents are buried. The Baptist church that was adjacent to the cemetery burned down many years

ago. The cemetery is located on Kimball Bridge Road a short distance from the Farm House community. Pat says “some of the earliest families in Farm House such as the Mortons, Trammels and Webs are buried there.”

The City of Alpharetta plans to establish a park at Farm House. City Councilman Don Mitchell is a strong advocate for the park. Mitchell says “This will be Alpharetta’s only heritage park, where people will be able to walk in the footsteps of our earliest pioneer settlers.” He notes that Farm House was a trading post where native Americans, pioneer settlers and those heading to the Dahlonega gold rush came together. “Ground penetrating radar has revealed where buildings were, and jonquils planted by early settlers still grow and outline locations of important landmarks,” Mitchell notes. While the City does not have a firm date to start

stream

a grist mill was located at Farm House, Alpharetta’s first settlement. The raceway channeled the flowing water to a wheel which turned and powered the grinding wheel in the mill. Billy led a group of historians on a visit to the historic site.

construction, Mitchell and many local citizens are anxious to move forward as quickly as possible.

Several years ago the City of Alpharetta and Alpharetta & Old Milton County Historical Society created Saving Farm House, a short documentary film that tells the story of Alpharetta’s origin. Directed by Mark Maloney and written by Alpharetta author and film maker Michael Buchanan, the film premiered at Alpharetta City Hall to a standing room only audience. It featured the unique voice of Billy Bates who did extensive early research on Farm House. Buchanan reports that the film took about nine months to produce. He says “One of the most impacting things about the film is knowing that the story will survive for future generations. History matters. Films matter. It’s our duty to preserve the voices of our pioneers.”

The beautiful 12 minute film is worth viewing and can be seen by on Vimeo.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

BOB MEYERS Columnist

RENDERING BY JOHN NELSON/PROVIDED

Artist rendering of what a building at Farm House might have looked like.

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

Sign on Old Milton Parkway near entrance to Route 400 showing the location of Farm House, the first settlement in Alpharetta. The sign indicates that a heritage park will be located there.

KIM MANNING/PROVIDED

Bates standing on the raceway beside the

where

GARDEN BUZZ

Everything you need to know about the 2024 Garden Faire

For the 23rd year, the North Fulton Master Gardeners will host our timehonored Garden Faire at The Grove at Wills Park.

Garden Faire 2024 will be held Saturday, April 20 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. New this year, the event will feature plant sales from Alpharetta’s Community Agriculture Program and the North Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society.

Garden Faire 2024 will provide onestop shopping for gardeners – a large selection of annuals and perennials, native plants and edible seedlings. The North Fulton Master Gardeners will have for sale the ornamental annuals they grow at the Fulton County Schools Teaching Museum Greenhouse, featuring coleus, hanging ferns, geraniums, begonias, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and a large variety of other annuals, along with flowering perennials from the Master Gardeners own precious pass-along plants. These plants typically include ground covers, flowering perennials, hostas, iris, daylilies and many other perennial plants, along with some select shrubs and trees. Master Gardeners will

be on hand to answer your questions.

We are very excited about the North Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society joining us for Garden Faire. They will feature a selection of native perennials, shrubs, vines, and trees. Approximately 2000 plants will be available for pollinator gardens and residential landscapes.

The Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program will have unique varieties of organic, heirloom, and non-GMO plants, grown from seed at Old Rucker Farm. Approximately 5000 vegetable, herb and flower seedlings will be available for home gardens.

About the Author

7506 Wilderness Parkway

Big Canoe, GA 30143

Facts About Me

Breed: Terrier Mix

bigcanoeanimalrescue.org

706-268-1346

This is Miss Delta!

Color: White w/ black markings (Short haired)

Age: 6 months old

Weight: (Current) 27 lbs

Fully Grown: Medium Size (45lbs)

Sex: Female

My Info

Good with children & dogs

May need potty training

Healthy

Shots current

Chipped & spayed

My Story

What is it that makes me so special?

Well, first of all I’m a puppy, but besides that have you noticed the little beauty marks above my eyes? No other puppy is as unique as me. My brother Porter and I are enjoying our other canine friends here, but I really would rather be at home with you playing, enjoying belly rubs and treats. Want to go for a walk? Come meet me. I have puppy kisses waiting for you!

All BCAR dogs are placed as indoor family pets. No electric fences, please. Visit pets every Saturday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (706-268-1346) or visit our website for adoption information at www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org.

The North Fulton Master Gardener volunteers collect vintage treasures and pass them on to visitors at our everpopular Fleatique market. Peruse the Fleatique sale to find that interesting pot, gadget or garden tool for your home or garden.

If you bring little sprouts to the Faire, look for the Children’s Corner sign. Children can have fun potting a tomato plant, making a seed necklace, coloring pictures of flowers or even learning about worm composting from one of our partners. This free activity is available from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

This year’s Garden Faire will have educational speakers and demonstrations from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, including some well-known gardening experts.

• 10:00 am - Henning von Schmeling, Chattahoochee Nature Center

• 11:00 am - Rick Smith, the Pruning Guru

• 12:00 am - Sam Landes, Mushroom Club of Georgia

• 1:15 pm - North Fulton Master Gardeners Interactive Small Group Presentations featuring George Scesney, who will talk about vegetable gardening, composting and managing wildlife pests, Kelly Mogelgaard, who will present “Four Season Front Door Pops” and “Two Curb Appeal Basics,” Judy Peacock, who will talk about “How to Create a Garden in Containers of all Sizes and Shapes” and Doug Hartong, International Orchid Judge and member American Orchid Society who, will present ”Let me Solve Your Orchid Issues!”

Our Vendors will offer a unique variety of gardening-related items and plants. We still have a few vendor slots available, so vendors may complete our virtual Vendor Committment Form to apply to participate.

How do you get to this fantastic Faire? The Grove at Wills Park is located at 175 Roswell Street, Alpharetta, GA. We recommend that you either park at the parking lot at the Alpharetta Community Center at The Grove or park at the

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Sandra Shave, a master gardener since 2018. Sandra grew up on a dairy farm in northern Wisconsin and learned to garden at her mother’s knee. She is a recent transplant to Roswell, Georgia, moving from Wisconsin in 2014 after retirement to be nearer to her children and most importantly her grandchildren! Sandra was Co-President of the North Fulton Master Gardeners in 2022 and is excited to master the art of gardening in Georgia and to help teach others via the NFMG Gardening Lecture Series and the Speakers Bureau.

overflow parking lot at Amana Academy (285 S Main St, Alpharetta, GA 30009) and hop on the free shuttle, which will run continuously from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm to take attendees to Garden Faire. Bring your wagons to assist in carrying away all the great plants you will find.

Once the tents are down and the vendors have gone, where does your wellspent dollar go? Proceeds from the North Fulton Master Gardeners Garden Faire go to support our demonstration gardens and many educational activities for both children and adults.

But the best part of Garden Faire is the interaction with our community members. It gives us great joy to share our gardening knowledge with you, answer all your gardening questions, make suggestions on how to best prepare your soil for planting and what growing conditions your new plants need. Right plant! Right Place! This is your opportunity to pick our brains, and we look forward to it!

For more details on Garden Faire, check out the webpage at www.nfmg. net/garden-faire.html and the Facebook event.

See you on Saturday, April 20th at Garden Faire at The Grove in Wills Park, Alpharetta! Happy gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://appenmedia.com/ opinion/columnists/garden_buzz/.

SANDRA SHAVE Guest Columnist

Continued from Page 18

than once but it is worth repeating. The meeting had just ended. Two commissioners were talking. One said “why don’t we go ahead and give that bid to so and so? Who is going to know?” The commissioner he said that to, pointed over his shoulder at our reporter who was still there within earshot and said, “well, he will.” True story.

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During these turbulent times, we would like to highlight the continued courage and commitment of everyone who works in the health care, law enforcement, childcare, food service and utility sectors. We are extremely grateful.

Notice is hereby given that on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., the Milton City Council will hold a public hearing to consider the possible extension of the existing moratorium on applications for business licenses, development permits, building permits, rezonings, zoning condition amendments, variances, use permits, warrants, or any other permit or permission that would or reasonably could result in the retail sale of consumable hemp products. This moratorium, if extended, will continue while modifications to the City’s Unified Development Code are prepared and adopted. The public hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, Georgia. All City of Milton residents and any other affected and/or interested persons are invited and encouraged to attend.

City Council of Milton

Invitation to Bid

PP2310: Passive Park Improvements at Milton City Park and Preserve

ITB NUMBER

ITB 24-PW05

Sealed Bids Due Date: May 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM EST

Electronic submission via: www.miltonga.gov

Submissions will be publicly announced via a virtual bid opening at approximately 2:30 PM at the City of Milton City Hall located at 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, GA 30004. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids. If the contract is awarded, it will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder whose bid meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the invitation for bids. The City of Milton is requesting bids from interested parties to perform construction services related to trails and boardwalks, stormwater and landscape improvements, and habitat enhancements. All qualified bids will receive consideration without regard to age, handicap, religion, creed or belief, political affiliation, race, color, sex, or national origin.

The request for sealed bids for the PP2310: Passive Park Improvements at Milton City Park and Preserve project will be posted on the following websites the week of April 18, 2024. http://www.miltonga.gov or http://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/PR_index.jsp

Request for Proposals Deerfield Implementation Plan

RFP NUMBER

24-CD02

Proposal Due Date:

May 13, 2024, by 2:00PM Local Time

Electronic submission via: www.miltonga.gov

Submissions will be publicly announced on the above date at approximately 2:30 PM at the City of Milton City Hall located at 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, GA 30004 (opening may be moved online due to public health conditions). The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. If the contract is awarded, it will be awarded to the highest scoring Offeror whose proposal meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the request for proposals.

The City of Milton is requesting proposals from qualified firms to provide consultant planning services to prepare the Deerfield Implementation Plan which will include but not be limited to research, analysis, public input, and plan development. The project goal is to shape a unique identity for the area, create a livable community, and prepare the district for a sustainable economic future. All qualified proposals will receive consideration without regard to age, handicap, religion, creed or belief, political affiliation, race, color, sex, or national origin. The request for electronic proposals for RFP 24-CD02, Deerfield Implementation Plan will be posted on the following websites the week of April 11, 2024: http://www.miltonga.gov and http://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/PR index.jsp 770-645-1414

Full-time

Sawnee EMC is seeking an Electrical Distribution System Engineer. Requires a bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, civil engineering or similar engineering discipline. Preferred experience in design, modeling and maintenance of distribution power systems. Must have strong computer, mathematical and communication skills. Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, April 26, 2024. Apply online: www.sawnee.com/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568. Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of Females, Minorities, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Infor (US), LLC has an opening for a Principal Development Operations Engineer in Alpharetta, GA. Position is responsible for designing and implementing scalable, reliable, and secure infrastructure solutions, as well as leading and mentoring other members of the DevOps team; and establish and maintain CI/CD pipelines, designing and implementing automated testing and release processes. Domestic (U.S.) travel required up to 10%; Telecommuting permitted up to 100%. How to apply: E-mail resume, referencing IN1019, including job history, to careers@infor.com. Infor (US), LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Part-time

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