Officials vote to conserve 39-acre Hopewell property
MILTON, Ga. — Reversing course from earlier plans, the Milton City Council voted unanimously May 19 to permanently preserve a 39-acre tract on Hopewell Road as passive greenspace.
The site had been originally designated for an active park.
Purchased in 2023 for $4.9 million, the city intended to use the space for ballfields, but nearby property owners protested the plan.
The city put the property up for sale Jan. 22, with an updated detail amendment March 17. It was marketed for $5.16 million.
“I am optimistic that this property will become a cherished part of Milton’s landscape,” Mayor Peyton
Jamison said at the May 19 meeting.
Through reevaluation, the city relocated the active park plans to a site in Deerfield better suited for intensive recreation without compromising natural resources.
“It has become increasingly clear that a property already owned by the city meets all the original goals of the Greenspace Bond, the Hopewell Road property,”
Jamison said. “This land features expansive rural vistas, provides significant environmental value and most importantly an opportunity to permanently protect it from development by using Greenspace Bond funds.”
— Sarah Coyne
Locals pile in for the launch of the fifth annual Milton
District.
Milton farmers market harvests hungry crowds
By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — Fresh strawberries, bread, homemade pickles and jewelry are just a few of the items locals can find at the Milton Crabapple Farmers Market.
The market kicked off its fifth season May 21 in a brand-new location, Crabapple Market District.
goods to enjoy.
Market Manager Judy Hall could be found in the Crabapple Market District greeting attendees.
“We’re thrilled,” Hall said.
Hall created the Milton Crabapple Farmers Market during the COVID-19 pandemic. After living in Milton for over 20 years, she said she believes Milton deserves a farmers market just like it’s sister cities.
Lydia Segovis, 5, smiles next to a strawberry stand at the Milton Crabapple Farmers Market in the Crabapple Market District May 21. See MARKET, Page 16
Locals piled in to discover new foods, drinks, flowers and handmade
Jail facility work remains county priority Page 4
PHOTOS BY: SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
Crabapple Farmers Market May 21 at the Crabapple Market
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Burglar takes items, cash in gas station break-in
MILTON, Ga. — An alarm was activated at the Exxon on Morris Road around 4 a.m. May 17.
Upon arrival, police noticed the rear door cracked. Fallen storage containers and boxes were laying on the ground nearby.
While clearing the business, police observed the cashier’s front room door damaged, with the glass frame and window on the floor. An alarm control box also appeared to have been ripped off the wall. The cashier’s front counter room and back office had been ransacked, with cabinets open and items scattered across the floor.
Police observed the cash register open. Police noted the thief took Parliament cigarettes, Newport cigarettes and $300 in cash from the register.
A detective and the manager arrived on scene to investigate.
— Sarah Coyne
Vehicle burglary reported after pair returns from hike
MILTON, Ga. — Police met with two Milton residents in reference to a car break-in at Freemanville Road May 16.
At approximately 11 a.m., the man told police that his Lexus RC 350 passenger front window was smashed.
He stated that he and his wife went on a walk on the trail at approximately 10 a.m. and noticed the damage when they returned at 10:55 a.m.
The wife told police that her purse had been stolen. It contained her Georgia driver’s license, American Express card, Visa credit card, debit card and $220 in cash.
The couple told detectives they noticed nothing suspicious. Police have no suspects, video surveillance evidence or suspect vehicles.
— Sarah Coyne
Patient says wallet stolen during dental procedure
MILTON, Ga. — Milton police responded to Deerfield Dentistry in reference to a stolen wallet May 14.
A woman representing the dentist office told police that a temporary employee is suspected of taking a patient’s wallet, who had a morning appointment.
The patient told police by phone that he had placed his phone, wallet, keys and glasses on a pedestal near the procedure chair. When his appointment was over, he tried to gather his things but noticed the pedestal was covered with dental materials and a basket.
He noticed his wallet was missing. He stated the wallet contained his driver’s license, PayPal card, health insurance card, Bank of America card, Navy Federal card and around $1,000 in cash.
None of his cards has been used, and the accounts have been frozen.
In video footage, police observed the temporary worker running from the office into a black 2010 Ford Flex in the parking lot, then departing. Police ran the license plate and were able to trace the vehicle back to the suspect’s relative.
The temporary worker has worked with Deerfield Dentistry before and was matched through Cloud Dentistry, a platform that connects temporary workers with employers.
A woman with Cloud Dentistry confirmed that they did have a man
working at Deerfield Dentistry who goes by the name provided. The woman told police that his provided address is in Atlanta, but his license states he is a resident of McDonough.
— Sarah Coyne Apartment complex fire leaves two hospitalized
ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Fire Department reported two people were hospitalized the evening of May 17 after a structure fire at the Aspen Pointe apartment complex.
The department said the victims were transported by ambulance to a local hospital.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the names of the victims have not been released. Their condition is also unknown.
Roswell firefighters responded to the multi-unit fire just after 7:30 p.m. at the complex off Old Holcomb Bridge Road near Big Creek and Ga. 400, according to a social media statement from the Fire Department.
Fire officials reported that crews arrived within five minutes after initial calls indicated people may have been trapped by the flames.
Firefighters found thick black smoke and active flames at the scene, eventually rescuing two people from a third-story window, the post says.
“Smoke alarms save lives. Make sure you have working smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level of your home,” the Roswell Fire Department stated on Facebook. “Test them monthly and never disable them. If your smoke alarm is over 10 years old, it should be replaced.”
Some comments on the post came from Aspen Pointe residents who thanked firefighters for preventing the flames from spreading.
— Hayden Sumlin
THE PICTURE FRAMER
Milton approves use permit for local church event center
By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — In the face of some community opposition, the Milton City Council unanimously approved a zoning request May 19 allowing a local church to use one of its buildings as a rural event facility.
Ebenezer Methodist Church will move forward with its use permit for its new 23,000-square-foot activity center at 12900 Arnold Mill Road. The permit will allow for third-party gatherings of up to 300 to take place.
Some residents spoke in opposition due to concerns for traffic and noise.
“This whole situation has been very disappointing,” resident Samantha Evans said.
The permit will also allow for Gracious Gatherings, a catering company to operate within the center. Ebenezer Methodist Church Pastor Glenn Hannigan explained the church’s reasoning behind the catering company.
“Because we have a commercial kitchen, we knew we weren’t going to operate that ourselves, so we contracted with Gracious Gatherings,” Hannigan said.
The catering company serves also as a community development corporation. Chef Paul Crum offers an apprenticeship for people who might need help in the community or need an extra boost of support.
“We also make sure that they find jobs in the community,” Crum said.
Although the activity center will be used for events such as weddings, it will also be used for Bible studies and connecting with the community.
“Certainly, we're going to have fees
for weddings and other things, but the profits we make we plan [on] starting new churches, we'll be digging wells in Africa, we'll be using it to support other nonprofits and especially to serve and reach the hurting, the stressed out [and] the depressed children in this community who need people to love them,” Hannigan said.
“I can't love them if they don't show up.”
The history of the site tracks to its original approval in August 2020, zoned as an agricultural district. A reduction in parking spaces from 220 to 144 and permission to park in the front of the building were also approved.
Rules and standards are set out for the church through the Milton Unified Development Code, stating that the event space is defined as “a permanent facility with indoor, outdoor, or indoor and outdoor sites utilized on a regular or seasonal basis for public and private gatherings.”
The use permit was recommended for approval by the Milton Design Review Board March 4 and by the Milton Planning Commission with a 4-1 vote March 26.
Conditions governing the use permit include: requiring one or more off-duty police officers to manage traffic for every event expected to generate more than 100 participants; amplified or other sounds must not register at the property line over 55 a-weighted decibels Sunday through Wednesday between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday or Saturday between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and the permit must use the word “area” instead of outdoor “ampitheater,” to avoid confusion.
Third parties will be able to
operate the rural event facility within the activity center with a maximum of 300 guests, use of the building, outside pavilion and area. The facility can operate Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with all events ceasing at 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with all events ceasing at 10 p.m.; and deliveries Sunday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Also at the May 19 meeting, the council gave unanimous approval to two agenda items regarding “Destination Deerfield.”
The first item regards a text amendment to codify relevant changes to the Deerfield Form Based Code and related regulations.
The change is the result of an approximately year-long study, also known as The Deerfield Implementation Plan.
The text amendments include the limit of no more than two-stories architecture, as well as the creation of four subdistricts: North Deerfield, Central Deerfield, South Deerfield Parkway and South Highway 9.
The full amendment change is available at www.miltonga.gov/ government/city-clerk/agendas-and-
minutes.
A moratorium on certain building permits can now be lifted after approval of the text amendment. The moratorium set a July 7 deadline for the city to reassess and finalize protentional changes to Milton’s city code for parts of Ga. 9, Windward Parkway and Morris, Webb and Cogburn roads.
The City Council also gave unanimous approval for a resolution to adopt the “Destination Deerfield Urban Design Manual.” The manual will be used as a design guide to supplement the Deerfield Form Based Code.
Milton hired a consultant in June 2024 to help with an implementation plan.
Staff and consultants drew from public meetings that were conducted Aug. 24, Sept. 17 and Dec. 11, 2024.
“There's always a little bit of ambiguity when it comes to design and taste, but we wanted to minimize that to make it very clear and easy for staff,” Senior Associate for Cooper Carry Allison Bickers said.
The design manual lays outs design examples for retail, hotels, offices and greenspaces in the area.
Fulton County officials stress progress on jail facilities
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA — The Fulton County Commission heard updates May 21 on organizations that affect the more than one million people living in Georgia’s largest county.
Fulton County’s justice system involves several organizations that operate independently, including the District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Superior and State courts and the Solicitor General.
Justice System Programs Director Steve Nawrocki told commissioners the average monthly inmate population across all county jail facilities continues to increase each month.
Nawrocki said the population of unindicted inmates is ticking up in 2025 but the average length of stay, around 214 days as of mid-May, is down more than a week since March.
“Looking at the upcoming activities, refining the options and costs are targeted for the month of June with a final report in July, and then a presentation to the board in August,” Nawrocki said. “Overall, we’re tracking on schedule and
continue to make good progress.”
Priorities include continuing to report data on the justice system, automating the jail population analysis and collaborating with the courts.
District 5 County Commissioner
Marvin Arington asked if county staff is working with the consent decree monitor, Kathleen Kenney, to develop the capital projects and plan needed to address the dangerous and unhealthy conditions at the Fulton County Jail.
There are long-standing problems at the Rice Street jail requiring a lengthy and costly process with a consent decree monitor reviewing conditions to ensure the rights of incarcerated citizens are not violated.
The probe into the county’s Rice Street facility and three annexes, including one in Alpharetta, began in 2023 after the murder of an unindicted inmate who had been in custody for eight months.
Nawrocki said the county does plan to engage the monitor. The capital improvements to the jail began before the federal consent decree, he said, and the county is making progress.
“We know the monitor is now engaged with the county,” Nawrocki said. “We will engage with them as we refine the scope to ensure that we are hitting compliance, these are meeting the humanitarian needs.”
Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts seconded Arington’s push to involve the monitor.
“The question though is, is everything we’re doing consistent with what we should be doing based on the report?” Pitts asked.
Nawrocki said the issues will be addressed in the current capital program or an upcoming one.
The overall jail population remains much lower than it was in summer 2023. A part of the reason is an ongoing “Jail Blitz” capital repair program, which is expected to wrap up in August. The maintenance has put some 500 beds out of service.
Joseph Davis, director of the county’s Real Estate and Asset Management Department, said the number of monthly work orders at the jail varies between 950-1,700 individual requests.
Davis said coordination with the Sherriff’s Office to ensure contractors are safe while on-site has been working well and allowing the timely delivery of upgrades.
Last August, commissioners approved $3.2 million to upgrade fire alarms, modernize elevators and replace appliances. Davis said the remaining work is going out for bids.
Because a lot of the damage inside the jail is caused by inmates, District 1 Commissioner Bridget Thorne asked if the behavior is being addressed.
Davis responded that the Sheriff’s Office brings additional charges based on the level of damage.
In other business at the commission meeting, representatives from MARTA and Atlanta Beltline gave updates on capital projects, user and ridership data and follow-through with affordable housing goals.
While both organizations are focused on completing projects for the 2026 World Cup, Commissioner Thorne shared her support for path and trail connectivity and asked about plans to connect the Beltline with North Fulton.
Federal funding cuts jeopardize plans from both organizations, and both representatives reported they are preparing for the worst to ensure projects have the capital to move along.
The PATH Foundation’s multiuse trail along Ga. 400, a key to connect the Beltline’s Northwest Trail to Buckhead and Central Perimeter north of I-285 has the federal funding required to complete construction in the next four years.
From there, trail networks throughout Sandy Springs and Roswell could eventually connect into Alpharetta’s Alpha Loop farther north.
“I’m a long-time advocator for the paths and connecting the communities,” said Thorne, who sat on a vision board for the Alpha Loop. “I’d like to look at the impact on the whole region on how the Beltline is going to have that ‘halo effect,’ connect other cities and benefit the taxpayers from the entire county, from North to South.”
Milton honors police officers at annual rite
MILTON, Ga. — The Milton Police Department wrapped up National Police Week at an annual awards ceremony May 16.
The event, which took place at the Milton Municipal Court, serves as a way for the city to reflect on the strength and hard work of law enforcement personnel.
Mayor Peyton Jamison and councilmembers Phil Cranmer and Jan Jacobus were among those in attendance.
“You help make Milton the safe and welcoming place that it is,” Jamison said. “Your continued success is something we will always support.”
The Milton Officer of the Year distinction was awarded to Det. Randy Dula, for his collaborative, accommodating and insightful work, while upholding †he values and visions of the Milton Police Department.
With less than two years of law enforcement experience under his belt, Task Force Officer Dakota Sparks was honored as Rookie of the Year. As a specialized detective, Sparks is known for his reliability and hard work.
The Supervisor of the Year award was presented to Sgt. Scott Lappin, for his work in the Criminal Investigation Division.
Multiple members of the department were honored for their professional development achievements.
See AWARD, Page 16
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SCREENSHOT
From left, Milton Police Chief Jason Griffin stands with Milton Officer of the Year Det. Randy Dula at the annual awards ceremony May 16.
Milton girls lacrosse hoists trophy No. 18
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga — The Milton girls lacrosse team steamrolled their way to their 13th straight state championship with of a 17-5 victory over Creekview High for the GHSA 2A title.
The city of Milton has two state champions in girls lacrosse, as Cambridge took down Blessed Trinity 17-5 for the 1A title right before the Eagles’ game began at Denmark High School in Forsyth County.
Milton and Creekview met earlier this season on Feb. 27 with the Eagles posting a 20-5 victory. The Grizzlies hoped to continue their momentum from beating Pope 11-9 in the final four.
Creekview attempted to keep the game close in the first half, until the Eagles turned on the jets in the third quarter. Milton shut out the Grizzlies in the third period while notching six goals.
2A Offensive Player of the Year Kylie Waters had a hat trick and displayed the Eagles’ toughness on rides, forcing two turnovers.
Milton won multiple 2A all-state
BEARS 17, TITANS 5
awards with the goalie of the year in Alyssa Brackley and the defensive player of the year in Ava Thompson. All three award winners will return next year. Milton had nine total players named to the all-state first-team.
Looking ahead to next season, Milton is losing eight of their 12 starters but faces no shortage of talent in the underclassmen. Sophomore Lillian Katula tied Waters to lead the team against the Grizzlies with a hat trick of
her own and pulled down three draw controls. Fellow sophomore, who also takes draws, Caroline Marshall tallied one goal.
Senior Ella Pauley has been a consistent stronghold on the circle, posting two goals, three assists and seven draw controls. Seniors Payton Kozina and Alyssa Monje notched a goal apiece in their last high school game. McKenna Merkel, Anna Mellinger and Peyton Baker closed out their Milton careers strong with two goals each.
The Eagles have competed for the state title in the last 20 championship games since GHSA began recognizing lacrosse as a non-club sport in 2005.
Head coach Tim Godby, who has helmed for 21 years and won 18 championships, said “second-to-none” support from the school’s administration has allowed the program to remain so competitive.
“We knew we couldn’t get out-worked in this game,” he said. “We had a lot of people contribute and score like always. Making 20 championship [games], it’s just a testament to all the kids that continue to work hard every year and our parents’ support.”
Cambridge girls lacrosse goes back-to-back
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga — The Cambridge girls lacrosse team defended their division 1A state title May 17 with a 17-5 win at Denmark High School over the same opponent they faced in 2024, Blessed Trinity.
The city of Milton is rich in champions as Milton High won the 2A title right after the Bears’ game concluded.
Cambridge swept the class 1A all-state awards. Head coach Pam Masinko took home Coach of the Year. Freshman Susie McElheny was named Goalie of the Year. The Bears’ junior class won both Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year with attacker Kasey Dwyer and defender Gabi Johnson. Senior Jenna Lundstedt was honored as Draw Taker of the Year.
Cambridge had six total players named to the All-State First Team, including attacker Kylie Stitcher and defender Abby Johnson. Midfielder Logan Collen was named to the AllState Second Team.
CAMBRIDGE GIRLS LACROSSE/PROVIDED
The Cambridge Bears celebrate their second straight state championship at Denmark High School May 17.
Lundstedt closed her Cambridge career with a hat trick and two assists in the championship. She notched more than 900 draw wins and more
than 600 self-controls. Lundstedt will play Division I lacrosse for the University of Southern California next season.
Stitcher, the only other senior on the team, had the game of her career with five goals and three assists. When Blessed Trinity’s defense face guarded Dwyer, Stitcher stepped up to provide a needed boost.
However, Dwyer wasn’t completely shut down. Four of the Bears’ goals resulted from Dwyer placing a pick to disrupt the Titan’s defense, which was not switching defenders. Despite her noted absence from the stats sheet, Dwyer’s influence on the game was felt.
McElheny had a standout performance in the title game, allowing only three goals and saving an incredible 75 percent of shots on goal. Masinko expressed her pride in the team’s mindset being bigger than the moment.
“I don’t think anybody thought we would win by that much,” she said. “Very, very proud of this group, the way they just battled and took care of business. We have multiple players that are just selfless and willing to do whatever the team needs for that game or particular moment.”
KENNY GRIMES PHOTOGRAPHY/PROVIDED
The Milton Eagles celebrate their 13th straight state championship at Denmark High School May 17.
SPORTS
Roswell wins first 3-peat in Georgia lacrosse history
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga — The Roswell boys lacrosse team made Georgia history with the first back-to-back-toback championships in boys lacrosse after defeating Lassiter High 13-12 in overtime May 17.
Senior Ben Weir tallied his third goal of the night less than a minute into the overtime period, off an assist from sophomore Blake O’Neal. Weir had the Hornets’ first and last goal, starting and closing strong in his final high school game.
O’Neal notched one assist and four goals against the Trojans, including three straight in the fourth quarter that forced the overtime period. Recruitment opens Sept. 1 for the class of 2027.
Lassiter scored the first goal of the game, but with the help of junior Jack Dowdy on faceoffs, the Hornets got out to a hot start. At halftime, the score sat at 6-4.
As the second half progressed, Lassiter turned up the heat. They went on a four-goal run to close out a strong
push for their first title since 2017. Once O’Neal began his heater, the Trojans failed to score again.
All-state first team honoree defender Harrison Penn, along with
second team defenseman Dean Maddux and third team two-way midfielder Linkin Miller formed a wall Lassiter couldn’t break through. Longpole midfielder junior Rowan
Chapiro has been on a heater for the Hornets’ defense in the playoffs this year, scooping up four ground balls and scoring a goal against the Trojans.
Lassiter’s defense focused sharply on Hornets attackman Kaden Parla, who was successfully kept out of the back of the net. The Trojans couldn’t stop his offensive foresight, and Parla ended the game with three assists.
Junior Jackson Hardwick notched a hat trick and one assist along with four ground balls. His first goal came off a turnover, sending a bouncing shot at a difficult angle just out of the reach of Lassiter’s goalie attempting to return to the cage.
Roswell will lose only three seniors this season, including Weir and midfielder Will O’Loughlin, who put up a goal in the second quarter.
Head coach Bryan Wallace spoke of the high level of competition against Lassiter.
“These guys did not shy away from the moment, and they continued to play until the final whistle,” he said. “Our coaching staff does such a good job. [Weir] had one of his best games of the year by far.”
Roswell girls fall in Elite Eight
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga — The Roswell girls lacrosse team ended the season May 6 after a 11-10 loss to Pope High School in the class 2A state quarterfinals.
The Hornets got off to a hot 3-0 start before the Greyhounds closed the gap slowly but surely. Roswell held their lead until the middle of the third quarter but kept the match close. The Hornets did not allow more than one Pope goal in a row after they had tied the score, until the final tiebreaker with less than 30 seconds left in the game.
Even playing through injury this season, senior attacker Ella Bea Croteau led the Hornets in assists on the season and against the Greyhounds, with three in addition to her four goals. The Jacksonville University commit set up the Hornets’ offense quarterback-style and led the team in scoring.
Sophomore Emory Rodman and freshman Hazel Shively notched two goals apiece. Rodman tallied one assist and Shively poured in two.
The second half was a hard-nosed battle
between two teams unwilling to let their seasons end abruptly. The teams had played earlier this season, culminating in a 1211 Greyhound win. However, the Hornets have strengthened their play since then, beating several teams that bested Pope this season. Roswell had too many fouls in the quarterfinal that saw several 8-meter opportunities for the Greyhounds getting to the back of the net.
Hornets head coach Brooke Magnuson said the team was struggling to stomach their sixth one-goal loss of the season.
“I always tell the girls, lacrosse is a game of runs,” she said. “The team that will win is the team that stays composed, through the ups, and most importantly, through the downs. And [the girls] did, we did, we stayed locked in, it just didn’t go our way.”
Major senior contributors in Croteau, two-way midfielder Keira Mainella and defender Briley Greenway played their last game for the Hornets, but the team’s future remains bright. Roswell had an alumna on the Tewaaraton watch list this season prior to an ACL injury and shows no signs of slowing down their level of competition in the coming years.
ROSWELL LACROSSE/PROVIDED
The Roswell Hornets celebrate their third straight state championship at Denmark High School May 17. No boys lacrosse team in Georgia history had won back-toback-to-back state titles.
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Senior attacker Keppy Ewing weighs her passing options from the X at Roswell High School May 6.
This is one of the most important economic regions for the whole Southeastern region.
RUSTY PAUL, Mayor of Sandy Springs
8 | Milton Herald | May 29, 2025
Envision Perimeter pitches district as Atlanta’s headquarters
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Elected leaders and a few hundred members of the business community gathered May 20 for the inaugural Envision Perimeter on the 12th floor of the King building.
Envision Perimeter is the product of several groups coming together, the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, the new Greater Perimeter Chamber and the business community that backs both.
Since commercial owners rallied together to form a self-taxing commercial district just north of I-285 in 1999, Central Perimeter has gone from farmland to one of the largest edge cities in the United States.
Central Perimeter sports some of Metro Atlanta’s newest Class A office space.
According to data from global commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield, the commercial district outperformed all Metro Atlanta submarkets in leasing activity throughout 2024. With more than 1.3 million square feet of new leasing and the largest year-over-year increase, Perimeter just beat out midtown Atlanta. Cushman & Wakefield cites proximity to downtown Atlanta, relative affordability when compared to the urban core and a strong talent base as reasons for a spur in demand.
The event was thrown as a community celebration of progress within the business district, which encompasses pieces of the cities of Brookhaven, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs.
Regent Partner Principal John Bell, whose team leases the King building, is an Atlanta native, Marist graduate and member of the Perimeter CIDs’ Fulton County Board. He said he’s had a front row seat to Central Perimeter’s growth, from farmland to urban streetscape.
“This development has long been a part of the Perimeter story,” Bell said. “An icon, a landmark? Yes, but also a symbol of what this district is: established, resilient and forwardmoving.”
The theme of the summit was “Every Piece in Place,” a nod to the wrap up of major enhancements to the Ga. 400 and I-285 interchange just north of “Pill Hill” in Sandy Springs.
Getting infrastructure on par
Situated at Ga. 400 and I-285, the King and Queen buildings off Concourse Parkway gave attendees a 360-degree view of Central Perimeter with the Buckhead and Atlanta skylines on the horizon.
Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russel McMurray said the wrap-up of the $800 million Transform 285/400 project at the major intersection is the first critical piece of the puzzle for mobility improvements within Metro Atlanta.
“Today is a full circle moment. This is where we did a ceremonial groundbreaking, too long ago I might add, for this big project,” McMurray said. “Back when we were struggling to figure out how to fund [the project] … PCID came
through with a $10 million investment to help us advance the project.”
That project broke ground in 2017, indicating the protracted timeline that typically goes with major infrastructure improvement projects.
McMurray said the ongoing progress on PATH400 is one piece of the puzzle and an example of several organizations and cities coming together. The multiuse trail along Ga. 400 checks a lot of boxes for regional trail advocates. When completed, it will allow pedestrians and cyclists to get from Central Perimeter to Buckhead and the Atlanta Beltline.
The Georgia Department of Transportation built a part of the trail system through one of the busiest interchanges in the country, allowing each Central Perimeter city to build their
own connections. Sandy Springs has its portion of PATH400 funded up to Central Perimeter.
McMurray wrapped up by mentioning the kickoff of work on the Ga. 400 Express Lanes project, from the North Springs MARTA station in Sandy Springs to McFarland Parkway in Forsyth County.
“We’re going to give you a reprieve from orange barrels for a little bit,” he said. “Enjoy the Transform 285/400 for now … there’s more investment coming in future mobility that will continue to make this Perimeter Center thrive economically and competitively.”
Picking Central Perimeter
Perimeter CIDs Executive Director Ann Hanlon said another critical piece of the puzzle is public safety, which the commercial district financially supports.
“We’re all really trying really hard to make this a great place,” Hanlon said. “But the foundation of that success, one of the things that makes our job easy, is that Perimeter is the safest, most accessible market in Metro Atlanta.”
Hanlon then introduced the police chiefs in Brookhaven, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs to discuss how their departments partner with the Perimeter CIDs and each other to ensure they’re where they need to be in the community. While the Dunwoody Police Chief Mike Carlson touted camera technology and drone usage, Sandy Springs Police Chief Kenneth DeSimone touted his department’s new electric motorcycles and bicycles for patrols along PATH400 and throughout Central Perimeter.
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said it’s hard to believe that a quarter of the 21st century is already behind us and it’s his job to prepare for the next 25 years.
“This is one of the most important economic regions for the whole Southeastern region,” Paul said. “That doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels. We’ve got to do a refresh and look at what demands are going to be in the next 25-30 years to be able to hold onto what we have here, expand it and grow it.”
One panel during the summit featured Cushman Wakefield Executive Director Ken Ashley, a Dunwoody native, in conversation with representatives of new Central Perimeter tenants like Newell Brands, TriNet and Marketwave.
PHOTOS BY: HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch and Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul speak on how both sides of the county line are investing in Central Perimeter’s growth, making it a more attractive commercial district.
Tristan Cleveland, an urban planner with the firm Happy Cities, discusses successful redevelopments and retrofits May 20 at the inaugural Envision Perimeter on the 12th floor of the King building.
Envision:
Continued from Page 8
Each corporate leader spoke on what attracted them to Central Perimeter, citing the district’s amenities, transportation options and community energy.
Another panel, “The Perimeter Experience: Culture, Community & Belonging,” promoted sponsorships and community service at the Dunwoody Nature Center and commuting shuttles through the CIDs’ Perimeter Connects program.
Looking at next steps
Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch introduced the keynote speaker, citing intentional public and private
investment that seeks to balance density in Central Perimeter.
“Projects like High Street and Ashford Lane show that density done well has tremendous positives, and we plan for much more of this in the future of Dunwoody” Deutsch said.
“Dunwoody is thriving to be a happy, connected city.”
Tristan Cleveland, an urban planner with a doctorate in philosophy from Dalhousie University’s Healthy Populations Institute, said suburban retrofitting began in Miami-Dade County in the early 1990s.
“All of this great works that’s happening across Atlanta of bringing walkability and transportation design, it can thank this change,” Cleveland said.
With urbanization and growth comes resistance from some residents
of Central Perimeter cities. Whether it’s apartment renters being priced out with ongoing redevelopment or homeowners frustrated with neighborhood encroachment, some people are not on board.
Cleveland said skyrocketing housing values is an issue for lowincome people, but it also increases the commercial tax base and decreases the residential burden.
In Dunwoody, residents fight city plans to put 12-foot-wide paths in front of single-family homes. In Sandy Springs, homeowners and schools fight over field lighting.
Two things that seem popular among a large majority of residents across north Metro Atlanta are increasing walkability in commercial areas with paths and expanding access to natural landscapes with trails.
Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurray discusses the wrap up of the Transform Ga. 400 and I-285 project while previewing work on elevated express lanes along Ga. 400 from the North Springs MARTA station to Forsyth County.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
North Metro SWAT trains at Brookhaven home set for demolition
By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com
BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — Officers on the North Metro SWAT Team conducted a training exercise May 14 at a set-for-demolition Club Drive home, according to agency representatives.
In the Wednesday afternoon event, police practiced moving through buildings while engaging both threating and non-threatening targets.
The SWAT team, made up of officers from the Brookhaven, Dunwoody and Chamblee police departments, regularly conducts exercises to reinforce their training.
A few times each year, homeowners demolishing their houses offer the specialized unit the opportunity to use the building in those exercises. Such was the case with the Club Drive home on Wednesday, Dunwoody Police Sergeant Michael Cheek told Appen Media.
Cheek said the roughly 20 officers were using paint markers, not live ammunition, during the training.
The North Metro SWAT Team previously included officers from the Sandy Springs and Johns Creek police departments. Sandy Springs broke off from the group in December, Appen Media reported, choosing to form their own inhouse tactical unit.
Shortly after, Johns Creek moved to the North Fulton SWAT Team, joining Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton. Department officials cited the Sandy Springs departure as one reason for the shift, along with the proximity to its North Fulton sister cities.
Sandy Springs is now in the process of developing a police training facility on Morgan Falls Road, with an April 2024 estimated price tag of $37-$45 million.
Appen Media first reported those plans and will continue to follow the project.
Ask Appen
This story began with an Appen Media reader asking the newsroom about an apparent SWAT exercise taking place at a residential property. Send your questions, observations and story ideas to newsroom@ appenmedia.com.
Officers on the North Metro SWAT Team conducted a training exercise May 14 at a
home, according to agency representatives.
Wendy Wax’s Roswell launch gets beach-read season going
By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com
Readers bound for sand, surf and sun have long known to pack Wendy Wax’s seaside stories. The author, born and raised in Florida, moved back in 2022 after decades in Atlanta. She has the word “beach” in the title of six of her 17 novels and two novellas, and numerous others feature beaches on the cover and/or as the setting.
Fittingly, “Just Beachy” is the author’s latest release. Wax will return to Georgia for the book’s Roswell launch June 7 and a series of additional appearances around the metro area sponsored by Bookmiser.
The new novel’s name aside, however, Wax’s books are far more than “beach reads.”
“My protagonists are primarily female,” the USA Today bestselling author said, “and I write journeys of self-discovery and the bonds of friendship that get us through the toughest times. I deal with serious subjects. I just believe that Mary Poppins had it right. A spoonful of humor helps the harsh realities go down.”
Wax first hit on that winning formula for contemporary women’s fiction in the early 2000s. After graduating from the University of Georgia and following a broadcasting career as a television writer, producer and on-camera talent, she was at home with a newborn and a 2-year-old when she decided to write a novel.
JOANNA SOUZA/PROVIDED
USA Today bestselling author Wendy Wax will launch her latest novel, “Just Beachy” June 7 in Roswell.
“I chalk that up to post-pregnancy hormones and lack of sleep,” she joked. “I didn't realize how hard it would be, but I needed something creative to focus on in the midst of changing diapers and cleaning up messes.”
And focus she did – to the tune of nearly a book a year since 2003.
As something of a thank-you for that diligence, Atlanta is rolling out the red carpet for “Just Beachy.” The book launches with an afternoon tea in Roswell alongside New York Times bestseller Karen White on June 7, followed by additional appearances in Sandy Springs, Dahlonega and Newnan.
Details about Wax’s North Fulton events are below, along with other June events.
Tuesday, June 3, Rita Daniels on “Harriet Tubman: Military Scout and Tenacious Visionary: From Her Roots in Ghana to Her Legacy on the Eastern Shore.” Friends of the Sandy Springs Library and Bookmiser will spotlight Daniels, a Tubman descendent, at 5:30 p.m. Free. Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway Northeast. 770-509-5611. bookmiser. net/events.html
Saturday, June 7; Monday, June 9, Wendy Wax Georgia launch week sponsored by Bookmiser. On June 7, Atlanta Authors will present Wax in conversation with Karen White at 2 p.m. Roswell Adult Recreation Center, 830 Grimes Bridge Road. On June 9, Friends of the Sandy Springs Library will feature Wax at 6 p.m. with Colleen Oakley. Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway Northeast. Two additional appearances will be held in Newnan and Dahlonega. All are free. 770-509-5611. bookmiser.net/events.html
Saturday, June 7, illustrating books with Rob McClurkan, children’s book author and illustrator. 4 p.m. Free. Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road, Cumming. 770-781-9840.
forsythpl.org/event/13298617
Wednesday, June 11, Emily Carpenter with Kimberly Belle, discussing Carpenter’s latest thriller, “Gothictown.” 5:30 p.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
Tuesday, June 24, Johns Creek Books and Gwinnett County Public Library will host Katherine Scott Crawford with her May release, “The Miniaturist's Assistant.” 6 p.m. Free. Duluth Library, 3180 Main Street, Duluth. 770696-9999. johnscreekbooks.com
Friday, Saturday and Monday, June 27, 28 and 30, Friends of the Roswell Library Book Sale. See website for hours and details. Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell. 404-6129700. forl.net
Sunday, June 29, Books & Brews with Christopher Swann. Hosted by Read It Again Bookstore at Pontoon Brewing, Sandy Springs. 1 p.m. Free. Pontoon Brewing, 500, 8601 Dunwoody Place, Sandy Springs. read-it-again.com
To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@gmail.com by the 15th.
Thousands turn out to view Johns Creek Touch-A-Truck
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek Touch-A-Truck show was an opportunity for Lincoln Josey’s toys to come to life.
“Our son loves fire trucks and excavators,” said the boy’s mother Lashaun Josey. “He has all the toys at home, all the construction vehicles, a whole fleet.”
Lincoln and hundreds of other local kids and their families flocked to the Johns Creek City Hall parking lot May 17 to get up close and personal with a host of big vehicles. This year’s lineup included various trucks, an excavator, fire engine, rescue boat, SWAT vehicle, crime scene investigation van, police vehicles and more.
In all, some 2,500 visitors attended, forming long lines to climb atop the vehicles amid blaring dance music and blasts from the vehicles’ horns. Nearby parking lots were filled to capacity, and police officers stood at intersections guiding traffic and crowds of pedestrians.
For many of the kids, the chance to climb aboard the vehicles was a dream come true.
“He was very excited,” Josey said. “He's normally a talker, and when he saw all of this, he was at a loss for words. He just had this big smile on his face.”
Dylan Penick, recreation coordinator, said Touch-A-Truck routinely draws large crowds. It has been held annually for almost a decade.
“The kids play with mini excavators, mini fire trucks,” he said. “And this is one of the few chances where they have just the freedom to climb on it and jump on it and blow the horns.”
Touch-A-Truck also provided city staff from various departments a chance to meet the residents they serve. Police officers, firefighters and staff from other departments were on hand to answer questions and help youngsters board the vehicles they use every day.
“You have firefighters here and construction workers and garbage truck men, and it's just like a 3- to 7-year-old’s dream,” Penick said.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Lincoln Josey walks on top of a fire engine as his parents Lashaun Josey, left, and AJ Josey stand by during Johns Creek’s Touch-A-Truck in the City Hall parking lot May 17.
The
Connect-It
is
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!
PARTNERS
1. Jekyll’s partner. Like some gas. Garbage.
2. Sea bird. Valuable fur. Clark’s partner
3. Poe’s bird. Lum’s partner. Like a busybody.
4. Hardy’s partner. Small salmon. Kind of test.
5. Musical mark. Fibber McGee’s partner. Territory in North-Eastern Canada.
6. Baby buggy. Popeye’s partner. Latin American Dance.
7. Bird venerated by ancient Egyptians. Delilah’s partner. Half-moon tide.
1 Jekyll’s partner. Like some gas. Garbage
2. Sea bird. Valuable fur. Clark’s partner.
How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
3. Poe’s bird. Lum’s partner. Like a busybody
4. Hardy’s partner. Small salmon. Kind of test
5. Musical mark. Fibber McGee’s partner. Territory in NorthEastern Canada.
6. Baby buggy. Popeye’s partner. Latin American dance
7. Bird venerated by ancient Egyptians. Delilah’s partner. Halfmoon tide.
SCHOOLS
Fulton County Schools to use Spalding site for offices, museum
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — After shuttering Spalding Drive Elementary this February, Fulton County Schools announced plans to convert the building into administrative offices and a consolidated teaching museum.
The district said a group of parents reached out shortly after the closure with a proposal, which was shared with district leadership and board members, for a charter school at the Spalding Drive site.
State law requires the school district to consider facility use options, including potential charter school partnerships, when a building is no longer in operation.
Eventually, Fulton County Schools (FCS) opted against the charter option, saying it came to a decision that best supports its “instructional and operational priorities across the district.”
District staff recommended May 6 moving the FCS archives, along with two existing Teaching Museums, to the site.
FCS Chief Operating Officer Noel Maloof said the district, “would also plan to house some of the regional administrative staff, such as special needs and social work,” there.
The district expects to start using the space for administrative staff in July, with the archive and museum relocations finished by August 2026.
“This move will improve district-wide access to educational programming and historical materials, consolidate staff and resources currently spread across two separate facilities, and allow the district to reduce its overall facility footprint,” Brian Noyes, chief communications office for the district, told Appen Media. “Renovation needs at the Spalding site are minimal; s two teaching museums, one in the city of Roswell at 793 Mimosa Blvd. and the other in the city of Hapeville at 689 North Ave. The district says the teaching museums provide hands-on educational exhibits and arts-based programming.
Noyes said instructional programming at the teaching museums
Spalding
will continue without interruption. Both current sites will be considered for disposition once the transition is complete next fall, he said.
It’s not clear how many administrative offices will be relocating to the former elementary school building.
The school district’s rational for closing Spalding Drive Elementary School was declining enrollment across the city and an aging facility in need of repairs.
Superintendent Mike Looney told board members the decision was between cutting expenses or raising taxes.
In a May 7 statement, Spalding Drive Elementary School parent Raymond Grote asked district leadership to cancel its conversion plan.
“Amid rising costs, staff reductions and lunch price hikes, Fulton County Schools is turning down a $10 million
offer from a nationally recognized charter school operator to purchase the former Spalding Drive Elementary School — opting instead to convert the building into a ‘teaching museum’ and new administrative site,” Grote wrote.
Grote told Appen Media he has spoken with four nationally recognized operators and two of them are interested if parents can secure the former elementary school property.
However, he doesn’t expect the school district to pivot from its plans.
In a recent budget update, Fulton County Schools said it is facing revenue challenges and rising costs. Leadership cites declining enrollment, inflation and a new local tax exemption for seniors as causes of shrinking revenue.
The district says it is using a portion of its financial reserves to cover shortterm gaps while adjusting its long-term budget strategy by cutting central office
spending, eliminating unfilled positions, raising school meal prices, closing the two elementary schools, reviewing contracts amid other cost-cutting measures.
Grote said many former Spalding Drive Elementary families are moving to other counties like Cobb or sending their kids to private school. As for his own family, he says they moved to Sandy Springs specifically for the highperforming Spalding Drive Elementary School.
Mayor Rusty Paul told Appen Media he fully supports the efforts to keep Spalding Drive Elementary open and operating as a neighborhood school.
“I’m curious as to why it could be used as a teaching museum if the building is in such disrepair as the school system alleged,” Paul said. “I’m even more curious as to why there is no effort at least to cooperate with the parents.”
FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS/PROVIDED
Drive Elementary School, which the Fulton County School Board voted to shutter earlier this year, is set to become a new teaching museum and administrative offices for Fulton County Schools. A group of Spalding Drive parents said the school district has misplaced priorities after shuttering the high-performing school and declining a charter school proposal.
Robotics class opens career doors for Forsyth County kids
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A simple, twowheel robot gave Forsyth County kids a jumpstart on becoming the technologists of tomorrow.
“You just nudge them in the right direction, and they can do amazing things,” said Pranjal Mishra, a wealth division technologist working at Alpharetta’s Morgan Stanley campus.
Mishra and other Morgan Stanley employees guided about 20 Forsyth County middle schoolers through a robotics class at the Forsyth County Family YMCA this spring. Together, they built and programmed robots, learning about artificial intelligence, computer programming and automation.
On May 8, the youths visited the company’s Alpharetta campus at 1 Edison Drive where they proudly demonstrated their creations and accepted certificates while munching on pizza.
The graduation was the culmination of an about month-long STEM robotics course hosted by Morgan Stanley and the YMCA.
The robots were relatively simple
Course participants grab their robots to demonstrate them during a graduation ceremony at Morgan Stanley’s Alpharetta campus May 8.
in design, capable of moving forward and backward and turning, but the concepts behind their function were profound. The young participants
used a Microsoft interface to create instructions for Raspberry Pi computer chips and infrared receivers.
The four-week course taught
powerful programming ideas like variables, functions and hardware. Those lessons may provide a foundation for future careers of many kinds, for which programming is becoming increasingly essential, Mishra said.
For example, Mishra said programming and artificial intelligence are even becoming essential tools in the financial industry.
During the past 10 years, artificial intelligence has emerged at many cutting-edge financial firms to facilitate high-speed trading, according to an International Monetary Fund blog. The technology also is allowing firms to analyze vast quantities of data to create powerful forecasts.
Marsha Nichols, vice president global tech philanthropy, said the course aims to provide opportunities for kids by giving them the tools they need to use technology as adults.
It also provides them with a chance to develop soft skills like problem solving.
“You hope the next generation takes it in the right direction, in a positive direction, and that technology is not something that's eliminating opportunities for them,” she said.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
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Market:
Continued from Page 1
She runs the whole market by herself, from running social media pages to picking vendors.
“Like when people said they bought a zoo, I bought a market,” Hall said.
Her event allows people to get out of their homes and enjoy the fresh air while shopping for goods.
The event also allows residents to connect with local farmers and small businesses.
“I have enjoyed watching [the small businesses] grow,” Hall said.
Hall encourages her fellow residents to come out and enjoy the fresh options the market can provide.
“They’re small businesses, they’re local,” Hall said. “You’re getting strawberries right here that were just picked.”
Small business owner Megan Arizpe brought her business, Mustard Seed Seasonings to the event. The Milton resident dries and hand blends all of her herbs into 10 different global seasonings. Her website features hundreds of recipes.
“The idea is just to simplify the whole cooking process,” Arizpe said.
Arizpe’s favorite part about the market is being able to chat with locals and other small business owners.
“Hopefully it will just be another good addition to the community,” Arizpe said.
Hall hopes the market grows more every third Wednesday. She invites any small, local business to become a vendor.
The market will be held every third Wednesday of the month from 2 to 6 p.m. through Nov. 19.
To learn more about the market and how to become a vendor, visit facebook.com/ miltongafarmersmarket.
Award:
Continued from Page 5
The honors included Sgt. Laura Hamby for completing the interactive Guardian Leadership Trilogy workshop and Learning Level 1 and Level 2 instructor ribbons, Lt. Chirstopher Bradshaw for graduating from the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command course, Sgt. Scott Harrell and Sgt. David Little for completing the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Trilogy, a comprehensive
leadership program, and Sgt. Logan Pacheco and Officer Brian Stafford for the Georgia Public Safety Training Center Leadership in Public Safety coursework.
Officer Scott Sandford was awarded the Field Training Officer ribbon in recognition for his service and dedication while mentoring and training new officers.
Four Milton officers were recognized for their service in the U.S. military. Military Service Medals were given to Robert Ateca for his service with the Marines, Patrick Conaway for his service with the Navy and Alexander Huffman and James
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Tomalka for their service with the Army.
The Marksmanship Award was given to Officer Scott Sanford for winning a specially designed firearms course.
A lifesaving medal was given to officers Blake Arnold and Hunter Ray for their work last December. The two performed CPR and administered Narcan to an individual who was found without a pulse, while responding to a suspected overdose call. The officers were able to revive the individual’s pulse before EMS personnel arrived.
Patti Swann was given the Citizens
Service Medal for her work as a civilian ambassador for the department to the community. Swann is known for her morale-boosting efforts, which includes a monthly homemade cake delivery and the decoration of the station for Police Week.
Nicholas Gottfried was named the 2024 Civilian of the Year for his work as a Public Safety ambassador. Gottfried, a non-sworn in member of the department, was recognized for his help as a crossing guard, supporting residents in distress and being there for members of the community and department.
— Sarah Coyne
SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
Attendees look at jewelry on sale by The Nix Generation at the Milton Crabapple Farmers Market May 21 at the Crabapple Market District.
OPINION
The story of Mike Lambert, U.S. Marine
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, which brought an end to the Viet Nam War. It is fitting that this week’s column describes the service of one North Fulton veteran.
Mike Lambert was raised in Buckhead. He and his wife Peggy grew up on the same street. Peggy had seven brothers and the first television in the neighborhood. Mike remembers that after school, the neighborhood kids would gather at Peggy’s house to watch the Mickey Mouse Club in black and white. “Her mother and my mother were best friends.”
Peggy’s brother David was a naval officer in Viet Nam. After his tour of duty, he called Mike and said let’s go dancing. Mike said “I don’t know any girls.”
David insisted, saying that his sister Peggy was in town taking a break from her job on Wall Street.
“That was our first date. I went ga ga, and we married 56 days later,” Mike says. “Now we have six children and 28 grandchildren.”
Mike attended high school at Marist College, a school run by the Marist priests in Atlanta. He graduated in 1962 and subsequently graduated from the Jesuit Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama.
One day a recruiter came to school.
“I had been following the war in Viet Nam,” Mike says. “In 1965 and 1966, Time magazine was covering the war positively. I thought the war was protecting people in need, and I wanted to help and to do it with the best. I signed up with the U.S. Marines in the summer of 1966, finished college, and after training went to Viet Nam in November 1967.”
Mike remained in-country until December 1968, a normal 13-month tour of duty.
Mike’s assignment as a new 2nd lieutenant was as platoon leader of a rifle platoon: the 3rd Platoon, Company H (Hotel Company) of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment of the First Marine Division stationed at An Hoa Combat Base.
“The village of An Hoa was 29 miles west of the Da Nang deep water port,” Mike says. “It was the closest combat base to the Laos/Vietnam border in the sector around Da Nang. Our mission was to block communist infiltration into the area from the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Contact with the enemy was frequent and intense.”
Every morning, the platoon swept a 5-mile portion of the road leading from An Hoa to the Da Nang Combat Base. Each night, the local Viet Cong (VC) buried in the dirt road high-explosive mines that were detonated by pressure. Mike says that sweeping the road was slow and tedious, because if the patrol missed a mine and the mine was detonated by a vehicle or passenger bus, the result would be devastating.
Mike’s initial challenge was to quickly gain the trust of his 46-man platoon. They were seasoned soldiers, just back from a fierce battle where their platoon leader was killed. Mike was well-trained but was on his first tour of duty. The opportunity to prove himself came on day two of his tour.
About halfway up the road during the morning sweep, a sniper opened fire on the platoon from trees about 200 meters away.
“We dropped flat on the ground,” Mike says. “I grabbed my map and compass and took a bearing on the
shooter’s position. My radio operator, who was always by my side, contacted the artillery battery that supported us. I radioed the location of the sniper to the artillery fire direction center in An Hoa. Almost immediately there was an explosion where the sniper was hiding, and the sniper fire stopped. I raised my head and shouted out ‘if my Momma could see me now.’ The platoon broke out in laughter. I was THEIR platoon leader from then on.
“The area was full of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) soldiers and Viet Cong guerillas, plus many booby traps which accounted for most of my marines’ serious injuries. We would lay alongside the trails at night and ambush the North Vietnamese with claymore mines and machine guns from November 1967 to late January 1968.”
In February, the platoon was ordered to move up to the beautiful imperial capital of Hue. The communists had overrun the city in one day with 30,000 troops during the infamous Tet Offensive. Their squads would go into homes, drag the residents to the street and march some to the jungles, hold a trial and summarily execute them or bury them alive, the so-called Hue Massacre of January 1968.
“The crime that these people were charged with was being reactionary,” Mike says. “This meant they would not accept a communist form of government. Neighbors had reported them to communist agents, and these victims were on lists held by NVA political officers. There was no appeal for mercy.”
The battle of Hue lasted 26 days from January 30 to March 3, 1968, one of the longest in the war. It was considered to have had the largest atrocity of the war with several thousand residents and prisoners executed.
“The battle was fierce,” says Mike. “It took us six days to move six blocks. Urban combat was new to us. After months of jungle fighting, we learned that new and unique skill as the days progressed – on-the-job training.
Platoon leaders 2nd Lt. Mike Lambert and Staff Sgt. John Miller sit outside their command post at An Hua Combat Base. Command posts typically were where commanders and their staffs made strategic decisions based on real time information.
Following his tour of combat duty, Mike had an assignment at Camp Lejune in North Carolina as assistant officer in charge of the Counterguerilla Warfare Center and then was assigned to attend the Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Ga. He received a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with Combat V (V denotes valor). Mike returned to civilian life with the rank of captain. After leaving the military he worked in the magazine printing industry. His current title is “Grandpa Uber” for his many grandchildren.
Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@ bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
BOB MEYERS
Columnist
PHOTOS BY: LAMBERT FAMILY/PROVIDED
Mike Lambert, center with green necktie, gathers with family members to celebrate his and Peggy’s 50th wedding anniversary at St. Brendan the Navigator Church in Cumming.
The comprehensive guide to pruning hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are getting a head start with the mild spring, with blossoms forming early this year. So, let’s explore some pruning techniques that will help you enjoy these beauties now and in the future.
Hydrangeas are popular ornamental plants known for their large, showy blooms and lush foliage. Proper pruning is essential for maintaining the health, shape and blooming potential of hydrangeas. In this guide, we'll explore what you need to know about when and how to prune hydrangea plants for optimal growth and beauty.
Before diving into pruning techniques, it's crucial to understand the different types of hydrangeas and their specific pruning requirements:
• Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla): Known for their large, round flower clusters, bigleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood. This means they set their flower buds in late summer or early fall for the following year's blooms. Pruning at the wrong time can remove these buds, resulting in reduced flowering.
• Panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata): Panicle hydrangeas produce cone-shaped flower clusters and bloom on new wood. They are more forgiving when it comes to pruning timing and can be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
• Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens): Smooth hydrangeas produce large, white flower heads and bloom on new wood. Like panicle hydrangeas, they can be pruned in late winter or early spring.
• Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia): Oakleaf hydrangeas feature distinctive oak-shaped leaves and produce cone-shaped flower clusters. They bloom on old wood, so pruning should be done immediately after flowering to avoid removing next year's buds.
The timing of hydrangea pruning depends on the specific type of hydrangea you have:
• Bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangeas: Prune immediately after flowering, typically in late spring or early summer. This allows the plant to develop new growth and set flower buds for the following year.
• Panicle and smooth hydrangeas: These varieties can be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Since they bloom on new wood, pruning encourages vigorous growth and abundant flowering during the upcoming season.
Follow these general pruning guidelines for healthy, attractive hydrangea plants:
Remove dead or damaged wood: Begin by cutting out any dead, diseased or damaged branches. Make clean cuts just above a healthy bud or lateral branch. Shape the plant: Trim back any overly long or straggly branches to maintain a neat and compact shape. Aim to create a balanced silhouette while preserving the plant's natural form.
Thinning out: To improve air circulation and reduce overcrowding, selectively thin out interior branches. This helps prevent disease and promotes better light penetration, leading to healthier growth and more abundant blooms.
Deadheading: After flowering, deadhead spent blooms by cutting the flower stalks back to a pair of healthy buds or lateral branches. This encourages the development of new growth and may result in additional blooms later in the season.
Tips for successful pruning:
Use sharp tools: Use sharp, clean pruning shears to make precise cuts and minimize damage to the plant.
Sanitize tools: Before pruning, sterilize your pruning tools with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution to prevent the spread of disease.
Avoid over-pruning: While it's essential to remove dead or unwanted growth, avoid excessive pruning, especially on bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangeas, as this can diminish next year's flowering.
Monitor soil moisture: Hydrangeas prefer consistently moist, well-drained soil. Water deeply during dry periods to keep the root zone evenly moist but avoid waterlogged conditions.
Apply mulch: Mulching around the base of the plant helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or compost, in spring to a depth of 2-4 inches.
Fertilize sparingly: Hydrangeas generally do not require heavy fertilization. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring, following the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as these can encourage excessive foliage
About the author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is John Fox, a 2024 Fulton County Extension Master Gardener. John was the CEO of Emory Healthcare for 16 years and has an interest in landscapes and plant biology.
growth at the expense of flowers.
Proper trimming is essential for maintaining the health, appearance, and blooming performance of hydrangea plants. By understanding the specific pruning requirements of different hydrangea varieties and following best practices for timing and technique, you can ensure that your hydrangeas thrive with beautiful blooms year after year.
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 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://www.appenmedia.com/opinion/columnists/ garden_buzz/
JOHN FOX Guest Columnist
Top left: bigleaf hydrangea, photo credit Judy Peacock; Top right: panicle hydrangea, photo credit Judy Peacock; Bottom left: smooth hydrangea, photo credit Judy Peacock; Bottom right: oak leaf hydrangea, photo credit North Carolina Extension Service.
OPINION
Vacation pre-reading for Cornwall journey
KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist
C’est la vie.
When I’m looking forward to a vacation trip, I search for books set in the place I’ll be visiting. This year, it’s Cornwall in June, a trip the hubby won’t be taking with me, as he doesn’t want to fold his 6’2” frame into a van to travel a different locale each day.
So far, I’ve read two books set in two different spots in Cornwall, both mysteries, my preferred genre.
“The Cornish Coast Murder” by John
Bude
Written in 1935, this mystery was reissued in 2014 as part of the British Library Crime Classics collection. Set in Boscawen, a fictional town as far as I
can tell, the mystery introduces us to the Reverend Dodd and his friend, the local doctor. They’re enjoying their weekly Monday evening get together, during which the bachelors enjoy dinner, cigars and a discussion of mystery books. Each week, a box of their selections is delivered from the lending library.
When they’re confronted with a “real” murder mystery in a home near the vicarage, mystery lover that he is, the vicar can’t help trying to puzzle out whodunit, though there is a competent local detective on the scene.
What follows is a mix of red herrings and clues that will keep you guessing until the end. If you’re partial to well-plotted British mysteries from bygone eras, this one is worth a read.
“The Shell House Detectives” by Emylia Hall
This contemporary mystery, written in
2023, is set in a fictional Cornwall town. Porthpella is on the coast, and its beach setting is so vividly described, I could imagine myself walking my dog and finding sea glass as the widowed amateur sleuth does. In her beach cottage, Ally Bright mourns her husband who was a local constable, and wonders what to do with her life. Should she stay or should she go? Should she move to Australia as her daughter wants her to do or continue her somewhat solitary life in a place she loves. That difficult decision takes a back seat when the body of young man is found on the beach. If that’s not enough, on the same day, her neighbor goes missing.
Joined by a traumatized former constable who has recently moved to the area, she is soon seeking answers to questions she thinks the local constabulary should be asking. To Ally and her sleuthing partner, Jayden, the authorities seem more interested in speedily closing both cases
rather than finding the truth.
This tale is exactly what cozy mystery fans want from a cozy series — engaging characters you want to get to know, a setting you can see in your mind’s eye, and a murder mystery that will keep you in suspense. The good news is that there are several more books, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the relationships develop as the series move forward.
All in all, these two mysteries, set years apart, kept me entertained for several evenings. Stay tuned for a few more Cornish novels. I have a long list.
Happy reading.
Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her Dickens & Christie cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com and visit her website www.facebook.com/ KathyManosPennAuthor/.
Missing radio guys, columnists who made me laugh
I just opened my calendar, which since I have departed the working world, has many more blank spaces than it used to. Instead of business meetings, conference calls and scheduled flights that would take me all over the country, the current Month-At-A-Glance is pristine. Doctor appointments make up the brunt of my “to do” list.
Can you see me smiling at the fulfilling satisfaction that comes with this retirement gig.
Lots of blank spaces is a good example of my time being my time. I try to participate in a weekly ROMEO breakfast. For those of you not up on retired old geezer lingo, ROMEO is an acronym for Retired Old Men Eating Out.
See what I mean about retirement being a lot of fun. I’d write more fun than a barrel of monkeys, but I’ve never had anyone explain how any number of monkeys, be they caged, running loose or in a barrel, would be anyone’s idea of a knee-slapping good time.
To heck with monkeys, I recently had a good time thinking about my transition from a Bakersfield native to an Oregonian with mold between my toes from all that rain, to a Louisiana wannabe, to my ultimate Nirvana residence. That would be north Georgia, where I’ve lived for the past
34 years this month.
I had to do the math a few times to finally realize that I have lived in Georgia for nearly half my life. After a recent spurof-the-moment ride to Dahlonega with pal Jerry Nix, I continued to be mesmerized by the wooded scenery, the wildlife and the relaxing mountain roads that drive home how lucky I am to be, as it says at the bottom of every column, “a Southerner by the grace of God.”
I know I know, life here isn’t perfect. Someone needs to have some sense about all this development. Anyone else think we have plenty of people and apartment complexes trying to pass itself off as singlefamily homes?
The beauty of a mountain rode made me hope that this beauty will remain and not be turned into a Walmart someday soon.
Lou Holtz once said “If you don’t like change, just go to a vending machine.” I wonder if Lou could have envisioned using a credit card instead of a quarter when buying a Diet Coke out of a machine?
These are the deep thoughts I have when driving around listening to the radio, which sadly, is no longer tuned to a “terrestrial” station, but is beamed to me via satellite. I also miss some local newspaper personalities who entertained me for those years when I first moved to Georgia.
Those entertaining local radio and newspaper columnists have gone the way of $2 a gallon gasoline. Whoever opined “absence makes the heart grow fonder” was speaking to my longing for the days when I got a daily dose of folks worth reading and listening to.
Here’s my list of those I wish were still available:
• Lewis Grizzard was a must read every time he wrote anything. So many conversations started with: “Did you read Grizzard today?” He was a character who left us way too soon.
• Neal Boortz was loved and loathed by listeners. Opinionated, brash and aggravating all rolled into one solid show. He had to make a fortune out of being a blowhard. He knew exactly what he was doing by being controversial.
• Kim Peterson was “The Kimmer” and his show was rollicking, irreverent and made me not mind the traffic. Apparently, he’s back on a smaller station and I’m game to try to see if I can pick up the signal.
• Skip Caray was the lead announcer for the Braves for so many years. He had so many
great lines (“The bases are loaded and I wish I was too”) as he suffered through all those miserable seasons. His post-game talk show was better than a comedy skit as Skip was irascible as callers successfully got a rise out of him. It seems like there should be a Caray in the Atlanta broadcast booth.
• The Regular Guys were silly and profane. They sure made me laugh every morning. I guess that’s the downside of enjoying those you admire. No matter how long they’re around, things change and local gets replaced by guys who have no idea why we’re simply better here “down South.”
Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.
MIKE TASOS Columnist
GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!
Dinnertime at Doerun Pitcherplant Bog
It’s almost too terrifying to recall, but I do it anyway. They say it helps if you confront your fears. We’ll see. It started like this. I’d been doing some edging and pruning, but mostly I was pulling weeds. Weed pulling, as you know, can be serious business, and this effort was no exception. In fact, the pile of pulled weeds had grown pretty big.
My neighbor walked by about that time and saw what I’d been doing.
“Man” he said, “just wait till the word gets out in Weedville that you’ve been yanking ’em up left and right. Are they ever gonna be mad at you!”
I laughed about that and said something about revenge of the plants. Then back to work and, later, a shower, supper, some reading, and eventually bedtime.
Request for Proposals
Sleep… I was walking through the woods somewhere, enjoying the fresh springtime air and the sounds of frogs and birds when suddenly…suddenly… everything went quiet. I mean totally silent. There wasn’t a whisper of
SR9 Widening Design and Land Acquisition Services
RFP NUMBER 25-PW04
Proposal Due Date:
June 19, 2025, by 2:00PM Local Time
Electronic submission via: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bidsrfps
Names for submissions received 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 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 qualifications from qualified consultants to provide engineering and right-of-way acquisition services for improvements to SR 9. This project was formerly PI 0007838 and will be assigned a new project number by the Georgia Department of Transportation and programmed with 100% state funds. The selected team will be expected to deliver the entire project from revisions to the approved concept report through to construction letting to meet the project scheduled agreed upon by the City of Milton and Georgia Department of Transportation. The intent of this two-step QualificationsBased Selection procurement is to shortlist the top 2-4 SOQ's and then evaluate proposals from the shortlisted teams.
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 25-PW04, SR9 Widening Design and Land Acquisition Services will be posted on the following websites the week of May 22, 2025: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bids-rfps and https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/
sound. It was as if the world held its breath.
So I did too, and that’s when I heard it – a subtle stirring in in the undergrowth…a slight rustle among the leaves…right over there…
And then…and then…
Then I saw it. From the mass of ferns there rose a stalk, a green menace, quivering and shimmering and leaning toward me…
It was a plant. A plant with a hungry gaping maw – cavernous, carnivorous – and it was stretching silently and inexorably right towards me.
I stood terrified, not able to flee. The plant moved closer…closer…and then…
I sat bolt upright, knocking covers and pillows aside, heart pounding. It had been a close call, I found myself thinking. But it had only been a dream. Hadn’t it?
Dream or not, I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of carnivorous (a fancy way of saying “meat-eating”) plants. Legend and lore are rife with tales of man-eating marigolds and hungry hyacinths and ravenous rhododendron and – well, you get the idea.
Fortunately, we weed-pullers hope, such legends are only that.
But the fact is that there are indeed plants that get along by eating things that crawl or fly – and as I pull into the parking area at the Doerun Pitcherplant Bog Wildlife Management Area near the community of Doerun in southern Georgia, I was preparing myself to see ’em firsthand.
Doerun Pitcherplant Bog is on Georgia Highway 133 not too far from Reed Bingham State Park. If you’ve never heard of Doerun, don’t worry about it. Just think “near Moultrie west of Adel,” and you’ll be in the right neck of the woods.
What’s drawn me to this 651-acre tract of flat South Georgia landscape is the opportunity to see these plants up-close and personal. I’ll be seeing them in their natural habitat, where nutrient-poor acidic soils means that nourishment must come from somewhere besides the ground. Given such conditions, pitcherplants and other carnivorous flora evolved to get their daily bread from another source – specifically, by tapping the abundance of bugs with which they share their little corner of the world.
The most obvious carnivorous plants at Doerun will be several species of pitcher plants, fascinating creations with hollow trumpet-like leaves. The inside surface of the
leaves is lined with downwardpointing hairs, and at the bottom of each trumpet is a pool of water.
All of that is bad news if you’re a bug. You see, the color and aroma of the plants draws insects to the leaves. They creep up the outside toward the inviting lip, walking tentatively, maybe taking a step too far…for once inside, they begin to slip, sliding down-down-down until they find themselves trapped in the unrelenting embrace of that pool of no return. There they will remain, eventually drowning, while the plant (for its part) digests them at its leisure.
But back to Doerun, where trails provide access to the area and a network of subtle footpaths branches off to let you walk the landscape and look for these plants yourself. The biggest of these is the Yellow Trumpet pitcherplant (Sarracenia flava) with leaves which can grow as much as 3 feet high. You may be able to detect their lemony aroma. Other pitcherplant species at the site include the Hooded Pitcherplant (Sarracenia minor) and the Parrot Pitcherplant (Sarracenia psittacine). There are other carnivorous plants at Doerun, too, including the diminutive sundews. One species, the Pink Sundew, is a tiny little thing with an overall size about that of a quarter. This plant presents as a radiating rosette of reddish padlike leaves, and each leaf is covered with fine hairlike fibers. At the end of each fiber sits a drop of sweet, honey-like nectar. Small bugs who venture close for a taste soon find themselves mired in sticky stuff, and their struggles cause the leaf to slowly close around the hapless bug as a hand might close around a treasured coin or a precious stone. Once in the plant’s embrace, the bug has had it. The plant digests it, and then later the leaf uncurls and the carcass falls away.
At the Doerun Pitcherplant Bog, visitors age 16 or older will need either a hunting or fishing license or a Lands Pass in order to access the site. You may want some bug repellant, too, and by all means take your camera.
You’ll have a great time under the South Georgia sun exploring the world of Doerun Pitcherplant Bog. Then later, back home, you will also enjoy your air conditioning as you relive what you saw there. You’ll think about the plants…those meat-eating plants…until eventually, tired from the day’s excursion, you’ll probably doze off.
Then… maybe you’ll dream…
STEVE HUDSON Columnist
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Ryder System, Inc. seeks an Application Development Lead in Alpharetta, GA. Participate and provide input into the design, redesign and development of technology products and applications. Telecommuting is permitted. Apply @ https://www.jobpostingtoday.com/ #82794.
Staff Engineer Software Quality Assurance at Landis + Gyr Technology, Inc. (Alpharetta, GA). Conduct & lead testing activities on embedded firmware projects within the Smart Meter Systems department. Reqts: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science or a related field & 5 yrs of exp in software testing. Exp must include 5 yrs each of the following: Hardware product testing; Oracle & SQL Databases; Visual Studios, TFS, & Test Manager, Windows 7; .Net; web services testing; Operating Systems such as Linux, Ubuntu, Centos, or Redhat7.x_8.x; Windows Server 2016/2019; Wireshark & SoapUl; Windows/Linux based client server architecture; & Agile methodology. Exp must include 2 yrs creating test plans, tracking burn down charts, & training junior QA engineers. Exp may be gained concurrently. To apply, please send resume via email to lisa.hudson@landisgyr.com or mail to Landis + Gyr Technology, Inc., c/o Lisa Hudson, 30000 Mill Creek Ave, Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30022. Please reference job title (Staff Engineer Software Quality Assurance).
Staff Engineer Software Development at Landis + Gyr Technology, Inc. (Alpharetta, GA). Lead in component and/or solution design, development, documentation, & validation. Reqts: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field & 7 yrs of exp in software development. Exp must include 7 yrs each of the following: C#, ASP.NET, .NET Framework 3.5/4.5, & Visual Studio Unit Test Framework; database scripting & profiling for Oracle, Postgres, or SQL server; development processes, tools & related frameworks, & validation methodologies; 4 yrs of exp with TFS, Visual Studio 2019, & GIT; & 2 yrs of exp with AMI & Smart Grid Systems & Solutions. Exp may be gained concurrently. To apply, please send resume via email to lisa.hudson@landisgyr.com or mail to Landis + Gyr Technology, Inc., c/o Lisa Hudson, 30000 Mill Creek Ave, Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30022. Please reference job title (Staff Engineer Software Development).
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