Annual Autumn Shindig showcases Milton history
By JAMIE GODIN newsroom@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — Some 200 people experienced the fusion of oldtime farm life and Native American culture Sept. 28 at the 5th annual Autumn Shindig at Wildberry Creek Farm in Milton.
Sponsored by the Milton Historical Society, the event provided visitors a hands-on look at farm life and Milton’s history, including hayrides, exhibits in the barn, antique farm equipment and cars. Bluegrass band The Heard provided music from a gazebo, adding to the festive atmosphere. On the hayrides, cows trailed behind wagons, occasionally tugging at the hay, while a newborn calf could be seen resting in the pasture.
John Ousley and his wife Lisa opened the Shindig with a performance that blended Native American flute and harmonica. Ousley, who spent five years living on the Navajo reservation as a teacher, said he wanted to create a mixture of cultures through music.
“I just turned 69 years old,” he said. “My friend gave me these Native American arrowheads for my birthday. When I look at them, I know there were other people here long before us.”
See SHINDIG, Page 28
John Ousley, a dog trainer and former teacher, plays a Native American flute while his wife, Lisa, holds a Native American hand drum during the opening performance at the Milton Historical Society’s Shindig Sept. 28 at Wildberry Creek Farm.
Fulton graduation rates continue to climb
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Setting itself apart as a national outlier, Fulton County Schools is celebrating a 91.9 percent graduation rate, a record bucking the post-pandemic trend of declining student performance.
The school district announced its fifth year of breaking graduation records Sept. 29.
Fulton County Schools says the past five years have shown a steady rise in
graduation rates after spring 2020 when percentages dipped for the first time since 2012.
This year’s all-time high represents a 6.4 percent increase since the pandemicera low.
While many districts nationwide are struggling with academic recovery, attendance problems and expired federal funding, the district says it is leading the way.
Georgia's high school graduation rate for the class of 2025 is 87.2 percent, also marking a record high for the state since 2011.
With enrollment declining in schools north of Atlanta, it’s not certain whether more students are receiving diplomas each year.
See GRAD, Page 37
JAMIE GODIN/APPEN MEDIA
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Police charge Roswell man in domestic homicide
ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Police Department announced the arrest of a 29-year-old Roswell man Sept. 25 for the alleged fatal shooting of his father, 56-year-old Gary Clark.
Tristan Dinnall is facing charges of murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Officers booked Dinnall at the Fulton County Jail on charges later that same day, including an outstanding warrant for shoplifting stemming from a Sept. 20 incident.
According to jail records, he remains at the Rice Street facility.
Shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, Roswell E-911 received a call
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.
Police search for child who allegedly stole car
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police investigated a report of a child stealing a car from an apartment complex Sept. 20.
Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to a Huntington Place apartment about 2 p.m after a vehicle theft was reported.
While on their way, dispatchers told officers that a caller reported seeing a child driving a Toyota Corolla matching the description of the stolen vehicle. The caller said the child, who appeared about 8 years old, parked the car on Misty Lane before fleeing the area.
The witness said he saw the car swerving on the road and the child could not see above the steering wheel.
The car’s owner, a 52-year-old Roswell woman, said she had started the car, gone inside for five minutes and then discovered it was missing. No items inside the vehicle
that a man had been shot inside an apartment at the Rosemont Apartment Homes at 1900 Rosemont Parkway.
While officers were heading to the scene, a family member who allegedly witnessed the shooting provided a description of Dinnall and the car he left in.
Officers found Clark dead inside the apartment with apparent gunshot wounds.
A responding officer located the suspect’s vehicle within minutes of the initial 911 call and conducted a traffic stop, detaining Dinnall without incident.
Investigators learned that Clark and Dinnall had been involved in an
were reported missing.
Officers canvassed the apartment complex but failed to locate the child.
— Jon Wilcox
Police arrest man on terrorism warrant
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police arrested a 27-year-old man living off Forrest Walk Sept. 26 after the Atlanta Police Department discovered terroristic threats he made on social media.
The specific threat was left out of the Roswell Police Department’s report and the officer’s narrative. The charge of terroristic threats can be a misdemeanor or felony offense. A Roswell officer said Atlanta Police notified a sergeant about a Sept. 26 warrant for the man’s arrest. The officer did not say how Atlanta Police became aware of the social media threat.
After dispatch ran a threat assessment on the wanted man, officers said they determined him to be “low risk” based on his criminal history. When they arrived at the residence, the suspect was immediately detained without incident.
Officers said the man initially told them he did not know why he was being arrested. When officers informed him of the Atlanta warrant and social media threats, he allegedly said it was meant as a joke.
THE PICTURE FRAMER
argument earlier that morning.
While the events leading up to the shooting are still under investigation, at some point during the argument Dinnall retrieved a handgun and shot Clark before leaving the scene.
It appears that this was an isolated domestic-related act of violence with no additional suspects at large.
Anyone with additional information should contact the Roswell Police Department at 770-640-4100.
Members of the public can provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477 or online at StopCrimeATL.org.
— Hayden Sumlin
Officers said they did not find any contraband or weapons on the man during a search of his person and transported him to Fulton County Jail.
According to records, the man paid a $10,000 surety bond Sept. 28 and was released from the Rice Street jail.
— Hayden Sumlin
Alpharetta man arrested for allegedly making threats
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 38-year-old Alpharetta man was arrested on a terroristic threat charge Sept. 15.
Alpharetta police said officers were called to a downtown South Main Street restaurant after the man refused to leave despite staff’s requests.
The man threatened officers as he was being escorted out, saying he would beat them up and the restaurant’s owner, police said. He had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol and was staggering, police said. After he was escorted from the restaurant, the man continued to yell profanity at officers and “get in their faces,” police said.
The man was arrested and taken to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office’s Rice Street jail.
— Jon Wilcox
Campaign for Georgia lieutenant governor gets another GOP contender
By TY TAGAMI Capitol Beat
ATLANTA — A half dozen state lawmakers are now running for Georgia lieutenant governor, as another Republican senator joins the race, hoping to outflank his opposition on the right.
Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, a conservative from the northern Atlanta suburbs, joins a cast of fellow conservative senators, all from outside the biggest metro area — plus an Atlanta Senate Democrat and a GOP state representative from Buford.
Dolezal will campaign to succeed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, the Trumpbacked Republican running for governor.
Dolezal’s campaign announcement on YouTube Tuesday focused on his right wing credentials as the chief sponsor of the Riley Gaines Act, a new law that bans students born male from participating on female athletic teams in schools and colleges.
Dolezal also said he would crack down on extremists who riot and burn cities, as well as illegal immigration, diversity equity and inclusion programs, and “soft on crime” prosecutors.
“I’m running for lieutenant governor because we’re at a turning point as the radical left continues to threaten our public safety,” Dolezal’s advertisement says, as a siren wails in the background.
The chairman of the Senate Trans -
portation Committee and vice chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee is up against political powerhouses.
Sen. John F. Kennedy, R-Macon, stepped aside as president pro tempore of the Senate — the highest office in that chamber below lieutenant governor — to run for lieutenant governor. Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, stepped down as majority leader — the next highest office — to run for lieutenant governor. And Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, who outranks Dolezal on Appropriations as chairman of that budget-writing committee, is also running for lieutenant governor.
Add Rep. David Clark, R-Buford, who served in Afghanistan with the Green Berets, and next year’s Republican primary is shaping up to be a rowdy contest as the candidates attempt to differentiate themselves.
Clark said in his campaign announcement that “a world on fire” needs warriors not politicians. His entry came one day after Tillery announced his candidacy, both hitting similar notes about tax cuts, illegal immigration and transgender issues. Kennedy and Gooch are also running on platforms aimed to appeal to President Donald Trump’s MAGA base.
They would all likely appreciate an endorsement from Trump, but Dolezal was the only member of the bunch who got to speak at Jones’ gubernatorial campaign opener for governor at Indian Springs State Park in Flovilla.
That was in late August, a couple weeks after Trump had already endorsed Jones for governor.
Dolezal railed against Republicans who were silent on Trump when he was down politically.
“This is what I call political opportunism,” Dolezal said. “These politicians want a ticket on the Trump train, but they never paid the price.”
At least one candidate for lieutenant governor wants nothing to do with Trump.
Sen. Josh McLaurin, D-Sandy Springs, regular ridiculed the president on the Senate floor during this past legislative session. He is the only state lawmaker campaigning for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, the office that sets the agenda for the state Senate and influences the fate of legislation in that chamber.
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
Thank You, North Atlanta!
2025
APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO
Fulton County approves water, sewer rate hike
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA — Fulton County water and sewer customers will see a 5 percent rate hike in January, with a subsequent increase one year later.
The Fulton County Commission approved the higher rate schedule at its Oct. 1 meeting. The increases – each 5 percent – have been in place since 2020 and are assigned to pay for future upgrades.
The Fulton County Public Works Department provides drinking water and wastewater services in all North Fulton cities except Sandy Springs. It also provides sewer service to areas south of Atlanta.
According to rate analysis in May, the county delivers water service to 81,085 customers and sewer service to 106,717 customers.
County leaders had the option to keep rates flat. One proposal called for a 6.5 increase, but they ultimately decided to maintain the same rate increase as in prior years.
For average customers using 5,000 gallons a month, bills will increase from $86.72 to $89.99 next year. In 2027, that same customer can expect to pay just under $94 a month.
Fulton County does not provide water and sewer services to all its residents.
The Atlanta Watershed Management Department oversees the service to customers, including those in Sandy Springs, which gets its water from the City of Atlanta.
Atlanta Watershed Management has announced it will maintain the current rate structure through June 2028, in part because of revenues through the City of Atlanta’s one-cent municipal sales tax.
Like the Fulton County Jail’s federally mandated improvements, the City
Fiberglass ductwork traps air from covered wastewater basins at Fulton County’s state-of-the-art Johns Creek Environmental Campus near the Chattahoochee River in Roswell.
of Atlanta is required to invest $4 billion into sewer upgrades, stemming from two consent decrees in the late 1990s. The city uses its municipal sales tax revenue to pay for the improvements.
The Fulton County Public Works Department recommended continuing the 5 percent rate hike, saying it falls within range of neighboring water and sewer systems.
In 2025, Atlanta Watershed customers pay an average of $95 on their monthly bills. Fulton County customers pay around $85. However, Fulton County projections show its customers will pay a higher monthly bill than Atlanta Watershed customers by 2028.
DeKalb County customers are paying the highest monthly bills, which adopted a 10 percent rate increase for each year over the next decade.
Water and sewer customers in Cobb County are projected to enjoy the lowest bills through the end of the decade.
See FULTON, Page 34
CUMMING-30040:
Milton, Blessed Trinity flag football post wins at memorial tournament
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga — Georgia kicked off the flag football season Sept. 29 with the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic, four high-level games held at West Forsyth High School.
The Milton Eagles won the first game of the night 12-6 over Harris County in overtime. Then Blessed Trinity struck down defending champs Greenbrier 24-13. McEachern then shut out Pace Academy 13-0
Reigning Division 3 champion Pope closed out the night by beating the home team West Forsyth 15-8.
Milton wide receiver/free safety Alana Calhoun ended the first game by catching the game-winner in overtime. She also logged two pass break ups and grabbed the Eagles’ only interception.
Calhoun is a two-sport athlete, qualifying for the state track meet in long jump and triple jump. She holds the school record for triple jump.
Calhoun competed with Team Georgia in international flag football competition in California this summer and has received full ride scholarship offers to play flag football in college.
Dominant on both sides of the ball, she led the state last season in catches with 111 and interceptions with 20. She recorded 29 total touchdowns and 1,598 receiving yards, both were third in Georgia.
Calhoun won MRJ Sports Consulting Robbie Hunter MVP of the game and told Appen Media that she is excited to see what her last season of high school flag football holds.
“Our team chemistry is amazing,” she said. “Even in our scrimmage last week, our second string did amazing. The game tonight really set the tone for this season, and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
Milton wide out Alliyah Holmes led the Eagles with 47 receiving yards and also notched four flag pulls on defense. Holmes was second on the team last year with 57 flag pulls and joined Calhoun on Team Georgia this summer.
Holmes has also grabbed recruiting attention and secured multiple offers to play flag football in college. She scored the first touchdown of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic.
Harris County quarterback Madalynn “Cricket” Cauley also played for Team Georgia this summer with Holmes and Calhoun. Cauley was a finalist for the Score Atlanta Ms. Georgia award last year alongside Milton wide receiver Caroline Marshall, who was runner-up.
Eagles head coach Clark Nixon said he was pleased with how his team overcame
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Milton senior Alana Calhoun wins the MRJ Sports Consulting Robbie Hunter MVP of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic held at West Forsyth High School Sept. 29. Calhoun caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime, pushing the Eagles to a 12-6 victory.
adversity and stopped one of the best quarterbacks in the state.
“We’ve got a great group of athletes,” Nixon said. “I couldn’t be more proud of how well they played, especially those that are new this year. We’re process driven, and this is just game one.”
Milton’s defense kept Harris County out of the end zone until the fourth quarter when Kaydence Jenkins scored 6 points for her team. Braelyn Swanick, a Notre Dame lacrosse commit, led the Eagles with seven flag pulls and notched one pass break up.
Another outstanding lacrosse defender who joined the flag football team this year with Swanick, Jessie DeGroot serves as the Eagles’ punter and plays linebacker.
The game remained knotted at 6 points apiece through Harris County’s overtime drive, until Calhoun caught the game winner on fourth down. The Eagles survived a nail biter, 12-6.
In the second match, two-time defending champions Greenbrier High struggled to get its offense moving against the Blessed Trinity Titans.
The Titans had no issue finding their footing, with junior Chelsea Lewis making it to the end zone before the halfway point of the first quarter. Playing on both sides of the ball, she also broke up three passes.
Lewis is a three-sport athlete in softball and basketball, smashing a home run as the first at-bat of the tri-match just two days before the flag football season kicked off. Lewis and quarterback/shortstop Addie Spak were named to the all-region team in basketball.
Spak is committed to UNC-Charlotte for softball and has been named to the Score Atlanta Ms. Georgia Watch List this year.
The senior had a standout game against Greenbrier, throwing 16-24 for 164 yards and four touchdowns.
Blessed Trinity put 24 points on the scoreboard before Greenbrier was able to make it to the end zone. They found a bit of rhythm and had a successful rush for an extra point but weren’t able to get enough momentum to overcome the deficit.
Wide receiver Maggie Sullivan pulled in eight catches for 45 yards and two touchdowns. Sullivan is committed to Rollins College for lacrosse.
Another two-sport athlete in lacrosse, Hannah Daley, who is committed to play for the Naval Academy, grabbed the last touchdown to go with her 54 receiving yards and one interception.
The Titans’ season last year ended in the semifinals at the hands of Lithia Springs. They are preparing for a high level of competition in the postseason by stacking their strength of schedule, with a game against the Central Red Devils of Phenix City, Alabama.
Head coach Brandon Harwell said the win was encouraging in terms of looking ahead for the rest of the season.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these girls, the passion that they bring for one another,” he said. “[Spak] is so instinctual, and she gave people like Chelsea an opportunity to make plays with the ball in the air. We’re just going to keep hunting, keep trying to get better, and hopefully every single day we’re going to grind.”
Northern Ridge District welcomes new Eagle Scouts
ALPHARETTA, Ga.— The Northern Ridge Boy Scout District (cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton) is proud to announce its newest Eagle Scouts, who completed their Eagle Board of Review on Sept. 25 at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.
Top row, from left
Aarya Gopinath, of Troop 2000G, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. Aarya’s project was the design and construction of two benches, spreading 235 square feet of mulch and gravel, planting shrubs, repainting the yellow strips on seven steps for safety measures and painting of the entire stairwell.
Andrew Schmitt, of Troop 7153, sponsored by St. Brigid Catholic Church. Andrew’s project was renovating and repairing the courtyard at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, which included pressure washing the walls and pavement and outdoor pews, building two benches, laying down new pine straw, and then repainting wooden pews and flower boxes.
John Allen, District director, Atlanta Area Council William Thomas, of Troop 431, sponsored by Roswell United Methodist Church. William’s project was the design and construction of six outdoor benches for Innovation Academy.
Ryan Schenck, of Troop 51, sponsored by American Legion Post 201. His project was the design and construction of six PVC plant display shelving units for the Old Rucker Farm.
Hoke Wilcox, of Troop 1486, sponsored by North River Baptist Church. Hoke’s project was the design and construction of six benches for River Eves Elementary School.
Bottom row, from left
Tarania Ramesh, of Troop 2000G, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. Tarania’s project was the design and construction of 10 outdoor benches for the Forsyth County Humane Society so potential adopters could sit outside and familiarize themselves with their dogs.
Logan Bradway, of Troop 1486, sponsored by North River Baptist Church. Logan’s project was the design and construction of a 16’x8’ footbridge and four curb ramps for the Cross Country Team at Milton High School.
Rex Zhang, of Troop 27, sponsored by the Johns Creek Christian Church. Rex’s project was the design and construction of a picnic table and four outdoor benches for the Magnolia Senior Living Community at Dawsonville.
Aditya More, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta United Methodist Church. Aditya’s project was the design
and construction of eight outdoor benches for Northwestern Middle School Outdoor Basketball Courts.
Jackson Ballard, of Troop 143, sponsored by Greenleaf Capital Partners. Jackson’s project was the design and construction of barrier rope fences around the vertical climbing tower, vertical playpen and tree throws 1 and 2 at Perimeter Church. Jackson also built a hurricane-proof table for the course.
Everett Lawder, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta Methodist Church. Everett’s project was the design and construction of a rainwater catch composed of river rocks and the construction of two benches for the cross country trail at Milton High School.
Patton Schiller, of Troop 2143, sponsored by The American Legion Post 251. Patton’s project was the restoration of the Gazebo area and an outdoor fence at Shakerag Elementary School.
Newly named Eagle Scouts stand at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.
Suspect arrested in death of Gwinnett County deputy
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — An off-duty Gwinnett County sheriff’s deputy was found fatally shot at a Forsyth County home Sept. 27.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said a resident of the Villages at Shakerag subdivision called 911 about 7:50 p.m. The caller said a juvenile neighbor showed up at her front door, bleeding.
The teenager, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, said their mother’s boyfriend had shot a gun during an argument with their mother, the sheriff’s office said.
The caller applied pressure to the juvenile’s wounds until emergency personnel arrived. The teen was taken to a local hospital where they were in stable condition as of Sept. 28.
Deputies discovered the mother, a Gwinnett County sheriff’s deputy, dead in an upstairs bedroom.
The sheriff’s office said the suspect, Eric Sumner, a 43-year-old Suwanee man, had left the home before their arrival. Monroe County sheriff’s deputies found the man traveling on I-75, and he was apprehended after a brief chase.
Sumner was charged with murder and two counts of aggravated assault with intent to murder.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation.
Sheriff Ron Freeman extended his office’s “deepest condolences” to the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and thanked Monroe County deputies for their quick response.
“The loss of life to violence is senseless, but the loss of a law enforcement officer should hit home to every one of us in a community,” he said.
JAN’S RECORD OF RESULTS
Tune-Up Projects
Kitchen Tune-Up
Paint Cabinets
New Countertops, Sink & Faucet
New Backsplash
Cut Down 2-level
Island
Bathroom Tune-Up
New Countertops, Sink & Faucet
Enlarge Shower
Shower Glass
Shower Safety
Full Remodel Projects
Kitchen Remodel
Total Cabinet Replacement
Large Island
Optimize Cabinet / Appliance Locations
Open Concept –Move Walls
Open to the Public OPEN SATURDAYS
9-5 Mon-Fri • 10-4 Sat
Showroom – Design Center 10591 Old Alabama Rd. Connector Alpharetta, GA
(near Northpoint Mall)
Bathroom Remodel
New Larger Shower
Vanity Replacement –Cabs, Counter, Sink
Free Standing Tub
Floor Tile, Wall Tile
Plumbing Fixtures
ANDREW TRAUB, Owner of A&S Culinary Concepts
Johns Creek chef has eye for detail
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Every dish Andrew Traub creates is crafted with care.
“We see all the quality that goes into it,” said Traub, owner of A&S Culinary Concepts. “It’s not done by machines. It’s done by people. There’s care and love in it.”
For the past 10 years, A&S Culinary Concepts has made a point of preparing every dish from scratch, calling on an impressive reservoir of culinary expertise to create inspired menus. The Johns Creek culinary studio caters events, hosts cooking classes and holds team-building exercises that allow groups to prepare a gourmet meal together.
Traub’s journey into the world of cooking started at age 15 when he began working for a neighborhood Italian steakhouse in Long Island.
“My mother said go out and get a job,” Traub said.
As a salad cook and busboy, he fell in love with the fast-paced kitchen environment and decided to continue his education at a culinary school in the Catskill Mountains. Immediately after graduation, Marriott recruited him to help open the flagship New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square.
“I ended up learning from the best of the best,” he said.
As a manager trainee, he worked alongside 200 hotel cooks in six different kitchens, preparing food for banquets that routinely attracted several thousand guests. The role was so demanding that he sometimes worked 20-hour days, which often required him to sleep at the hotel.
“They would put a bunch of us all in one room to sleep because we were working so much,” he said.
After leaving Marriott, Traub opened Love at First Bite Catering in Manhattan with a college friend. Their clients included Radio City Music Hall, the Luxembourg Consulate, Pace Collection and Fordham University.
Traub made his way to Atlanta when he was again recruited by Marriott to serve as the executive sous chef at the Marriott Marquis. He continued working with Marriott as an executive chef at various other hotels, including the Memphis Marriott Downtown Hotel & Conference Center and Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort in Stone Mountain.
See CHEF, Page 13
PHOTOS BY: ANDREW TRAUB/PROVIDED
Sue Traub and husband Andrew Traub A&S Culinary Concepts was named after the couple’s first names.
Sous chef Julianne Pace teaches a corporate teambuilding participant how to grill lettuce.
PHOTOS BY: ANDREW TRAUB/PROVIDED
Grilled shrimp are served on a platter for a September event.
Chef:
Continued from Page 12
Traub now works for himself, cooking for his own business. He said he loves applying his 40 years of cooking experience to meet the unique demands of every client.
With the help of 20 staff members, A&S Culinary Concepts starts by brainstorming creative menus that feature all sorts of techniques from smoking to grilling and cuisines from Tex-Mex to Mediterranean. Everything is made from scratch and tastetested multiple times before being served.
Some notable creations include a pumpkin pie bar with muffin crust and cheesecake, goat cheese and grape hors d'oeuvre with caramelized pecans and pimento cheese wonton.
Clients often express their delight at the creative dishes, but Traub said he also re-
Citrus-stuffed chickens are cooked at A&S Culinary Concepts’ Johns Creek location in 2025.
ceives immense satisfaction from the work.
Each dish is an exercise in the art of making food and a joy to partake in.
“It's not boring to come to work,” he said.
From House to HOME
Brought to you by- Kristi Davis, HOME Real Estate, Realtor, Founding Member
What makes a house truly feel like HOME? Is it the square footage, architecture, or the paint color? I don’t think so. It’s the way sunlight spills across the kitchen counter during your morning coffee. It’s the corner shelf filled with books and memories. It’s that subtle sense that the space was meant just for you.
Every home tells a story — yours! The colors you choose, the photos on the wall, even the way you arrange your favorite chair by the window all say something about who you are and what you love. A well-loved space becomes a reflection of your journey, holding little chapters of your life in its corners.
In our current market, the story of your home matters. We are seeing a rising inventory requiring sellers to make concessions and allowing buyers more time to make their choice. Buyers want homes that feel loved. Your home can tell your story without closing the book for someone else’s. A little personality makes a space memorable, but too much can be overwhelming. A home office doesn’t have to look like a magazine spread, but if it’s doubling as a jungle-themed nursery with murals and ceiling clouds, it may be worth simplifying before you sell. The same goes for custom features. A velvet green built in bar might be your dream, but to a buyer, it could look like a big project.
So, where should you begin? Designers and agents agree: kitchens and bathrooms carry the most weight when selling - think quartz countertops, simple cabinetry, and classic fixtures. These spaces should feel fresh, modern, and neutral enough to stand the test of time. And don’t forget layout and lighting. A simplified well-lit home feels bigger and more welcoming. Layered lighting (overhead, lamps, and accent) can make a room feel warm and adaptable. Smart layouts simply make life easier.
Thoughtful design can boost resale value, but the greatest return is emotional. Living in a space that truly reflects who you are creates a deep sense of wellbeing. And when a home feels cared for, that energy carries through — buyers notice it, and they’re more likely to fall in love.
So hang the family photos, display your favorite records, paint that reading nook in your favorite moody shade. With the right balance, you don’t have to choose between soul and saleability.
After all, a house holds people. A home holds stories. And when your story is told with care, the next chapter writes itself.
Design Now, Sell Later — Quick Tips
• Stay neutral: Timeless walls and floors, add color with rugs, art, & pillows
• Avoid fads: Bold tiles or themes hurt resale
• Layer lighting: Layer overhead, task, and accent
• Prioritize function: Create flexible, easy flow
• Track upgrades: Save receipts and before/after photos
• Plan ahead: Design for now, but allow flexibility.
• Ask a pro: A quick designer consult can help!
Ready to begin your next chapter? Contact me at Kristi@HOMEgeorgia.com or 770.367.2241
NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS
Business Name: Artemis Smiles Orthodontics
Name Of Owners: Behnaz Yavari
Business Description: Located in the heart of Sandy Springs, GA, Artemis Smiles Orthodontics is your premier destination for top-notch orthodontic care. Led by our awesome orthodontist, Dr. Bennie, we are dedicated to creating beautiful, healthy smiles for every member of our community.
Month Opened: February Phone: (404) 704-0030
Address: 220 Sandy Springs cir ste 205, Sandy Springs, GA, 30328
Website: https://www. artemisortho.com
Business Name: Face & Wellness
Name Of Owners: Judy & Dani
Business Description: Face & Wellness offers organic facials, massages, infrared sauna, head & scalp treatments, chiropractic services, and mild hyperbaric oxygen treatments.
Month Opened: January Phone: (678) 822-0228
Address: 875 Mansell Road Suite F Roswell GA 30076
Website: https://www. faceandwellness.com
Business Name: Teddy’s Jiu Jitsu Academy
Name Of Owners: Jerad “Teddy” Wheeler and Kelly Wheeler
Month Opened: April
Just opened?
Phone: (678) 216-4078
Address: 8560 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Suite 102, Alpharetta, Georgia 30022
Website: https://teddysjiujitsuacademy. com/ TEDDY’S JIU JITSU ACADEMY/PROVIDED
Appen Media publishes New Business Spotlights to highlight local businesses as they get started. Submit yours for free at appenmedia.com/newbusiness.
Dental membership programs
Just like the American Express commercials, “Membership Has Its Privileges”. Dental membership programs are a subscription service where patients pay an annual or monthly fee and receive complimentary preventive hygiene services and discounted pricing on additional services. If you don’t have employer paid dental benefits, a dental membership plan is often the most cost-effective way of receiving the preventive services that you need each year to maintain a healthy, disease-free mouth. A dental membership program, like Plan for Health at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health, includes:
• No Deductibles
• No Yearly Maximums
• No Claim Forms
• No Pre-Authorizations
• No Exclusions
• Immediate Eligibility
• Simplicity More than dental insurance, Plan for Health is a yearly membership program with lots of benefits designed to meet your individual needs. The Plan for Health includes 2-4 professional dental cleanings per year, comprehensive detailed exams, routine exams, and emergency dental
exams, all dental radiographs as needed, fluoride treatments, and discounted dental treatment. Call the Atlanta Center for Dental Health for more information. We are focused on helping as many people as possible.
The Atlanta Center for Dental Health is a team of exceptionally talented professionals dedicated to providing comprehensive oral healthcare for the health and happiness of our patients, their families, and our community. We are committed to providing a lifetime of optimal oral health to our patients and fostering relationships of mutual trust, excellent customer service, and the best patient care available. Patients are at ease knowing that their care will be administered with kindness, care, and comfort.
Prevention is key. Much of dental disease is preventable. Do you have a Plan for Health?
Dr. Bradley Hepler and the experienced team at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health provide all the modern advances that contemporary aesthetic dentistry offers. You will realize immediate results with non-invasive and often inexpensive procedures to enhance your smile. If you would like a complementary consultation to discover your smile restoring options, please call the Atlanta Center for Dental Health at 770-992-2236. Dr. Bradley Hepler has spent many hours dedicated to perfecting and updating the latest and best techniques in dentistry. It is with this breadth of knowledge that we provide each patient with the perfect solution to their situation, their life, and their goals. It is our pleasure to serve this community and help as many people as possible live their best life.
Vampires, Werewolves and Dermatology
October 31st might bring you children dressed as superheroes, vampires or werewolves seeking sweets or creating mischief. Although trick-ortreating has been part of American tradition since the 1920s, the legends behind some of the most popular costumes are far older. Tales of vampires and werewolves appear throughout the Middle Ages and perhaps as far back as the Epic of Gilgamesh (c. 1800 BCE). What inspired these frightening figures? Surprisingly, medicine offers intriguing clues. And oddly enough, the same science that helped fuel vampire and werewolf lore is now helping dermatologists fight sun damage and skin cancer.
A group of rare diseases known as porphyrias may have shaped these legends. Porphyrias disrupt the body’s ability to make heme, the molecule that gives blood its red color and carries oxygen. Heme production is an eight-step biochemical process beginning with aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Each step requires a different enzyme. When one enzyme fails, its substrate accumulates—like chocolates piling up in the famous “I Love Lucy” assembly line scene. These buildups, called porphyrins, damage the body.
Depending on which enzyme malfunctions, porphyrins may harm the nervous system or the skin. Neurologic damage can cause pain, seizures, or psychosis. But it is porphyria’s effects on the skin, hair, and teeth that echo most loudly in folklore.
Some porphyrias cause extreme sun sensitivity: a patient’s skin may blister after just minutes in sunlight. Over time, repeated exposure can lead to scarring, thickening, and dark pigmentation. Excess hair may also develop in sun-damaged areas. Teeth can even turn reddish—a condition known as erythrodontia. And in severe cases, victims might literally cry out in pain and flee the daylight. Add paranoia or hallucinations, and you can almost hear the medieval villager whisper: “He only comes out at night… with red teeth and wild hair.”
While no single disease explains the vampire or werewolf archetype in full, the combination of symptoms across different porphyrias could easily have fueled the central features of these myths.
Other medical conditions likely played a role as well. In hypertrichosis, individuals grow hair uncontrollably across the face and body, lending a wolf-like appearance. Rabies can cause aggression and biting, resembling the transmission of vampirism through a bite. Psychiatric conditions may have added their part, too—cases of hemomania, a compulsion involving blood, have been associated with multiple mental illnesses.
Medical historians still debate the exact diseases that inspired vampire and werewolf lore, but legends often arise from a blend of real observations and poetic license including the fisherman’s tendency to exaggerate the one that got away.
Remarkably, the same biochemical pathway that gives rise to porphyria also powers one of modern dermatology’s most effective skin cancer prevention tools. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), often called blue light therapy, deliberately induces a brief, controlled version of porphyria in unhealthy cells. During PDT, a dermatologist applies aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to sun-damaged skin. Abnormal cells absorb the ALA and become highly sensitive to light. When exposed to blue light, these cells are selectively damaged and destroyed—like Dracula at a beach party.
By exploiting this weakness, PDT reduces precancerous growths known as actinic keratoses and lowers the risk of future skin cancers. It is one of several non-surgical options in dermatology, alongside topical treatments like 5-fluorouracil and imiquimod, which also target precancers and some early cancers. For most patients, these therapies provide a safe and effective means of halting sun damage before it progresses.
The connection between folklore and medicine highlights how ancient fears sometimes foreshadow scientific discovery. What once seemed supernatural—avoiding daylight, growing thick hair, or exhibiting red teeth—can now be explained biochemically. And today, modern dermatology harnesses the very same pathways to save lives.
So, when a tiny vampire or werewolf comes begging for candy this October, you might smile at the candy bowl and think not only of myths, but also of medicine and of the curious ways that science and legend intertwine.
Insist
Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.
He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.
Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 23 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.
Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
Brought to you by – Premier Dermatology
MariaCare
Designing hope: How Wellstar helped interior design student beat cancer & pursue dreams
Brought to you by – Wellstar
Maria Fernanda Ortiz was a college junior, pursuing a degree in interior design. But her life took an unexpected turn. She discovered a lump in her breast, which led to a cancer diagnosis. Expert, multidisciplinary care would see her through treatment, recovery and shape her professional aspirations.
Feeling heard in healthcare
After Maria discovered a lump, she initially saw a doctor who went through the motions but didn’t seem to take her concerns seriously.
“He was so sure it was nothing because I am so young,” Maria remembered. “I didn’t think it was cancer, but I wanted someone who would get to the bottom of it.”
She then saw her OB/GYN who referred her to Dr. Laura Pearson, a Wellstar breast surgeon at Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center, for a second opinion.
Maria got what she was looking for: a doctor who listened and would help her find answers.
A surprising cancer diagnosis
Dr. Pearson immediately performed an ultrasound in the office, followed quickly by a biopsy, which came back positive for cancer.
"The diagnosis was scary," Maria said. “Dr. Pearson made it as simple as possible to understand by making sketches. She took the time to answer my questions—and she gave me hugs.”
Maria was diagnosed with stage 2A breast cancer, meaning it was a small tumor but had spread to a nearby lymph node.
An empowering decision during chemotherapy
Dr. Pearson connected Maria with a medical oncologist—fast. Maria describes Dr. Nagender Mankan as “awesome.” He began her on a five-month chemotherapy regimen to shrink the tumor before surgery and to stop its spread. Maria chose to start the treatment right away, leaving no time for fertility preservation. So Dr. Mankan started her on an ovarian oppression
medication. The aim was to stop the ovaries to protect them during chemotherapy.
Knowing she would lose her hair during treatment, Maria made an empowering choice: “For me, taking control and shaving my head before the hair started falling was powerful. I was in control,” she said.
Offering hope around breast surgery
After chemotherapy, it was time for breast surgery to remove the tumor. While the cancer was not found to be genetically driven, Maria opted to have a double mastectomy, a full removal of the breasts, to lower the risk of the cancer coming back.
“Maria was completely clear of cancer at the time of her surgery, which bodes well for her for long-term outcome,” Dr. Pearson said.
The pursuit of making a difference in design
Today, Maria is in remission and is “healthy as I can be!” she pronounced. She takes an estrogen-blocking drug to help keep the cancer at bay. She will also see her cancer team for regular surveillance every six months for the five years following her surgery.
Even during her most challenging moments during treatment, Maria remained focused on her studies. "Part of the control I took was not taking away my dream of graduating," she explained.
The 2025 Georgia State University graduate looks forward to her continuing good health. She plans to pursue a career designing healthcare spaces that offer comfort, healing and hope for others facing similar challenges.
Learn more about breast cancer care at Wellstar at wellstar.org/breastcancer.
When a mammogram result is flagged for follow-up care, it can be scary and intimidating—but at Wellstar, you won’t have to navigate your breast health journey alone. Our Comprehensive Breast Health Program will ensure you’re surrounded in care with complimentary concierge services and compassionate experts to guide you every step of the way. Our dedicated team provides a personalized care plan, scheduling assistance and education about your care options. For more information, call (470) 610-1910 or visit wellstar.org/breasthealth.
Alpharetta: (678) 205-9004 | 3180 North Point Pkwy | Suite 303 | Alpharetta, GA - 30005
Johns Creek: (770) 622-9002 | 3890 Johns Creek Pkwy | Suite 120 | Suwanee, GA - 30024
Continuing to Grow to Meet Your Healthcare Needs.
Welcome Shruti Patel, M.D. !
Dr. Shruti Patel is a board-certified Internal Medicine
Physician with a special interest in geriatric care, hypertension, and diabetes management. She is passionate about providing comprehensive, patient-centered care with a focus on chronic disease management and preventative health.
With over a decade of experience, Dr. Patel is eager to help patients achieve healthier and more fulfilling lives through evidence-based practices and compassionate guidance.
Her clinical approach emphasizes building strong patient relationships, empowering individuals to take an active role in their health and addressing the unique needs of patients.
Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring wellness practices that integrate mind and body.
It’s Fall allergy season in Atlanta!
Brought to you by – Comprehensive Internal Medicine
What are allergies?
Allergies are your body’s reaction to a foreign particle, usually a protein. These proteins can come from pet dander, molds, pollens, or from trees and grasses. If you develop an allergy to a particular protein, your body’s defense system (immune system) reacts to it and the allergic reaction creates allergy symptoms.
What is an allergic reaction?
An allergic reaction is the way your body responds to an allergen, usually a protein.
You may feel itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, sinus or ear fullness, a hoarse voice, a scratchy throat, or trouble breathing. You may even develop a skin rash.
These symptoms can be treated with over the counter or prescription allergy medication or immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be tailored specifically for you.
What is allergy testing?
To perform allergy testing, small pinpricks or scratches are made in the
skin and a very small amount of allergen is placed to test your body's response. If you react to the allergen, we have identified a trigger that is causing your allergy symptoms.
What is immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a treatment used to desensitize your body to the allergy trigger.
In this treatment, the results of your allergy testing are used to create a very personalized formula of medicine that is used to slowly treat your immune system in a way that stops reacting to your allergy trigger. Immunotherapy medicine is given by injection (allergy shots) and is administered twice weekly. The first injection is given in the doctor's office.
Comprehensive Internal Medicine uses an advanced formulation and instruction that allows you to then give the injections at home. This saves the twice-weekly visits to the doctor's office. You return to Comprehensive Internal Medicine every 6 weeks to progress the therapy and at the end of one year, allergy testing is repeated. Often, a second year of treatment is advised, following which, most allergies are cured.
Anju Bhushan, M.D.
Jacqueline T. Pearson, M.D., M.S.
Arezou Fatemi, M.D. Laurae Carpenetti, M.D.
Carol Hector, M.D. Sumera Pervaiz, M.D. Sudeshna Nandi, M.D. Jeffrey Obiora, M.D.
Alexis Miller, MSN,APRN,FNP-C.
Petula Gunn, APRN Shima Mansouri, P.A.-C Kellie Kozma, APRN, MSN, NP-C
Frustrated with insurance companies? We are too!
When it comes to choosing a dental provider, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is whether to go with a fee-for-service (FFS) dental office or an insurance-based dental office. Each type of practice has its own set of advantages, and understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision about the care you receive. For many patients, opting for a fee-for-service model can offer a more personalized, flexible, and high-quality dental experience.
Personalized Care
One of the standout benefits of our FFS dental office is the level of personalized care we provide. Because we aren’t limited by insurance guidelines or restrictions, we have more freedom to customize treatment plans specifically for you. This allows us to focus on your unique dental needs. In contrast, insurance-based dental offices may be more likely to follow treatment protocols dictated by what the insurance plan will approve, limiting treatment options or focusing on cost-saving approaches.
Freedom of Treatment Options
Our dental office also gives you greater flexibility when it comes to treatment options. Since we are not bound by insurance limitations, you have access to a wider range of procedures, including elective and advanced treatments that may not be covered under an insurance plan. For example, while dental insurance might cover basic cleanings and fillings, it may not cover more extensive treatments such as veneers or periodontal therapy. In our office, you’re able to choose from a broader spectrum of services without worrying about what your insurance will or won’t cover.
Higher Quality of Care
Another important advantage of our dental office is the higher quality of care Without the constraints of working within insurance networks and reimbursement rates, we can focus on offering the highest standard of care to our patients, including investing in the latest dental technology,
using high-quality materials, and providing specialized services. We have fewer patients per day; therefore, we also have more time to spend with each individual, ensuring thorough exams, more comprehensive treatment plans, and higher-quality outcomes. Insurance-based practices, alternatively, face limitations on the types of materials and procedures they can offer, and dentists might be under pressure to see more patients to meet insurance guidelines.
Transparency in Pricing
One of the most appealing aspects of our dental office is the clarity in pricing. You typically know exactly what you’re paying for upfront. This transparency makes it easier for patients to budget for dental care and allows them to make more informed decisions about their treatments. In contrast, insurance-based offices often involve a complex billing process, with patients sometimes facing unexpected costs after insurance covers only a portion of the treatment.
If you value personalized care, more treatment options, and the ability to make informed choices about costs, Roswell Dental Care may be the right fit for you. Our practice offers a high level of care, transparency, and freedom from insurance restrictions, ensuring that you get the best possible dental experience.
We are a fee-for-service practice but file and make the most out of your out-ofnetwork insurance benefits. This allows us to set our own fees and make the time in our schedule to properly care for our patients. We also offer a Wellness Plan subscription for our practice, which gives you better benefits and less limitations than insurance. Dr. Hood and her team at Roswell Dental Care understand and customize treatment for each person. We assure you will feel confident in the solution you choose before beginning any treatment. For enhanced comfort, we offer FREE nitrous oxide. You can rest assured that your experience will be positive, relaxing, and rewarding on many levels. Give our office a call at 770.998.6736, or visit us at www.roswelldentalcare.com, to begin your journey to happy and pain-free oral healthcare!
Brought to you by – Dr. Destinee Hood at Roswell Dental Care
or
Niagen® vs. NAD+ IV Therapy: Why you might want both
Brought to you by – OlympusMD Milton
As the pursuit of cellular longevity and energy optimization grows, two powerful approaches to boosting NAD+— a vital coenzyme for metabolic and mitochondrial health—have risen to the forefront: Niagen® and NAD+ IV therapy. Each offers unique advantages, but together, they may unlock the next level in performance and cellular repair.
stress, burnout, or intensive recovery. Clients often report immediate improvements in mental clarity, mood, and energy post-infusion.
Why not both?
Introducing Nutrigenomics – precision nutrition powered by you unique genetic code. Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to science-backed wellness tailored just for you.
Custom formulated nutraceuticals
Targeted peptide stacks
Personalized IV protocols
Optimized GLP-1 weight loss plans based on your DNA
Niagen®, a patented form of nicotinamide riboside (NR), is one of the most clinically studied NAD+ precursors on the market. Taken orally, it has been shown to raise NAD+ levels by 40–60% within weeks, supporting mitochondrial function, DNA repair, and healthy aging. It’s easy to integrate into daily routines and offers a consistent, sustainable boost in intracellular NAD+.
NAD+ IV therapy, on the other hand, delivers NAD+ directly into the bloodstream. This bypasses digestion and results in rapid systemic saturation— ideal for acute support during periods of
In clinical optimization programs, Niagen® is often used as a foundational, daily NAD+ support strategy, while IV therapy is pulsed in as-needed for deeper restoration. The oral route builds a consistent NAD+ reserve, while the IV sessions serve as a cellular reset—particularly after travel, illness, or intense training blocks.
Together, Niagen® and NAD+ IV therapy can synergize to restore metabolic efficiency, enhance cognitive clarity, and support aging at the cellular level. Whether you’re focused on longevity, peak performance, or recovery, this dual-pathway strategy ensures your cells stay energized and resilient.
To learn how this can fit into your personalized protocol, speak with our regenerative wellness team today.
Cultivating Lifestyles and Curating Homes.
Brought to you by –
Kat Nelson Designs Inc.
North Atlanta-based interior designer Kat Nelson believes every space should reflect the spirit of it’s inhabitants. Nelson brings visions of beauty, comfort, and functionality into homes across the city and beyond, earning her a reputation as an industry visionary.
What sets Kat apart is her diverse design style and ability to bring any vision to life. She stands by the importance of meeting every clients’ individual needs and continues to create stunning, yet functional homes.
“The best part of my work is when clients tell me they don’t want to leave their home”, says Kat Nelson For the last two decades, Kat has been rising as one of Atlanta’s top designers. Her collaborative approach, combined with philosophy on design, allows her to step into nearly any space and create a look and style that completely reflects her clients’ lifestyles. And while it might sound counterintuitive, Kat says she works extra hard to make sure her spaces never look like a designer decorated them. “Beautiful design is collected, not fixed”, she says.
From performance fabrics that invite a “put your feet up” aesthetic, to one-ofa-kind touches that add a head-turning wow factor to every space, Kat has brought a new depth and dimension to the idea of functional beauty. “I know that functional is a huge buzzword in the design community right now, but if a space isn’t beautiful and comfortable, then you can’t enjoy living in it”, she says. “Anyone can create a pretty room. But we want you to experience a level of design that empowers you to live better lives. We want you to walk in and feel HOME”
As a child, part of a military family we lived around and traveled the world. I have seen firsthand many of the beautiful places this world has to offer
and naturally drawn to beautiful things. I was always putting things together uniquely. It took me a while to realize this was actually my gift. I bring this passion and love of beauty into every one of my design projects, blending beautiful layered textures, a variety of finishes with eclectic and unexpected twists.
“The best part of my work is when clients tell me they don’t want to leave their home”, says Kat Nelson
Kat Nelson Designs has over 19 years of experience as a full-service design firm, based in Atlanta Georgia. Our projects exist from West to East coast with many repeat clients.
www.katnelsondesigns.com
“Our projects include new construction, major renovations and interior design. Establishing a professional team of resources and relationships with contractors and vendors always ensures the best results. Kat’s strength is her ability to interpret her client’s vision and discern their needs to create beautiful homes with approachable and liveable interiors.” – Kat
Shindig:
Continued from Page 1
Lisa played a Native American drum while John performed on flute and harmonica, creating a sound he described as a meeting of traditions.
The Shindig began with a ceremonial musket volley by the Sons of the American Revolution.
“Our mission is to educate and honor our patriot ancestors,” SAR member Emil Decker said. “We’re excited to connect with students, showing what Continental life was like and the importance of our patriotic history.”
Education and engaging the next generation remain central to the Milton Historical Society’s mission.
“The Milton Historical Society’s preservation and educational programs help safeguard our town’s soul for future generations so they will inherit more than just shopping centers and traffic lights,” President Jeff Dufresne said.
Since its founding in 2018, the society has installed 28 historical markers, restored the Double Branch Courthouse and helped preserve the McConnell-Chadwick House, built in 1840. Volunteers also partner with students on projects such as cleaning historic gravestones, which Dufresne said give young people a window into the hardships of earlier generations.
Byron Foster, a founding member of the Historical Society whose family has lived on Wildberry Creek Farm for four generations, said the Shindig is a way to connect the community with its roots.
“I grew up in this type of heritage, and I wanted people in this community to get the same feeling,” he said.
Author and photographer Robert Meyers also participated, signing copies of his book “Barns of Old Milton County: Bygone Treasures and Timeless Beauties,” which was reprinted due to popular demand. Proceeds from book sales and a community auction supported the Milton Historical Society.
Other aspects of the Shindig reflected a commitment to preserving Milton’s history. Dufresne said the organization restored a courthouse last year and is working with the city to restore a building from the 1840s connected to the start of the Trail of Tears.
“It’s good and bad,” he said. “It’s history and you can’t whitewash history.”
PHOTOS BY: JAMIE GODIN/APPEN MEDIA
Members of the Sons of the American Revolution fire a ceremonial musket volley to open the Milton Historical Society’s Shindig.
The Heard performs bluegrass music from the gazebo during the Milton Historical Society’s annual Shindig, filling the farm with fiddle, banjo, and guitar.
A woman feeds cows near a hayride at Wildberry Creek Farm, as other cows follow along behind the trailer during the Milton Historical Society’s Shindig.
Jennifer Boren stands in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) tent during the Milton Historical Society’s Shindig, representing the local chapter.
Hunting for snapping turtles – once a popular pastime
Hunting for snapping turtles used to be a popular pastime, particularly in the rural Southeast. Snapping turtle meat was good eating and it made excellent soup, but hunting for it was not for everyone. The methods used to capture snapping turtles could cost inexperienced hunters a finger. In today’s column we will describe the history of the sport in this area.
There are two kinds of snapping turtles in Georgia. In North Georgia streams, ponds and creeks, you will encounter
the Common Snapping Turtle which is widespread throughout the state. They weigh10-35 pounds and measure up to 18 inches long. They are often seen crossing roads. The Alligator Snapping Turtle with its heavily ridged shell that is spiked like an alligator can weigh well over 100 pounds and measures up to 2 feet long. They are almost never seen locally.
If you do see a snapping turtle do not touch it because its neck can quickly reach around its shell to remove a finger. It would be best to call animal control.
Crabapple was known as turtle hunting territory. Local historian Connie Mashburn’s book “Alpharetta, Milton County – the Early Years” contains a photograph of 10 residents celebrating a
successful turtle hunt in 1955. The catch that day was 107 turtles.
Earl Mansell, a well-known farmer in Roswell, used to hunt for snapping turtles with his friends, according to his son Barry. They hunted in different creeks including Foe Killer Creek and called the sport turtle grappling.
“It was a good way to cool off in the summer,” says Barry.
The Atlanta Journal carried many articles dating back to the late 1800s about turtle hunting as a social activity. On July 27, 1955, the newspaper promoted an article that would appear the following Sunday. The promo said “When you go hunting for hard-shell loggerheads, you may lose a hand or just a few fingers.
But turtle hunters from Crabapple, Ga., a few miles from Roswell, have a lot of fun catching the loggerheads in north Georgia streams. This interesting article…tells how they have a fried turtle feast after they catch them.” Note: in this area of Georgia, the terms “loggerhead” or “hard-shell loggerhead” were used to describe snapping turtles. Gradually, the terms came to refer only to loggerhead sea turtles.
Here are a few choice quotes from the Sunday article. “Just about everybody in Crabapple, GA., goes hunting for hardshell turtles every Fourth of July…. When a man catches a hard-shell loggerhead,
BOB MEYERS
Columnist
Meyers:
he starts singing ‘Amazing Grace,’ and everybody in the creek rallies around and joins in the old hymn.”
“Nap Rucker, the famous Brooklyn Dodger southpaw of some 40 years ago, told me that when he was a boy, growing up in Crabapple around the turn of the century, he used to hunt turtles up and down every creek anywhere near the community.”
“Early on the morning of the Fourth, we all piled into 10 cars – there were more than 60 people in the party – and headed north from Crabapple…. Ed Chambers, an old-timer who has been hunting turtles more than 45 years, struck out upstream, and started poking around in likely looking places along the banks at water level… the old-timer was just about all the way into the water, with only his head and shoulders showing. All of a sudden, his face lighted up and his bass sounded loud and clear –“Amazing Grace how sweet the sound—” and he hauled out a turtle by the tail, the loggerhead stretching its neck and swiveling its head, its jaws snapping viciously.”
Linda Tucker Martin grew up in Alpharetta when snapping turtle hunting was part of the social fabric.
A group of friends from North Fulton relax after a day of turtle hunting in September 1955. They caught 107 snapping turtles. Front row, from left, Luke Collett, Walter Tucker, Elip Spence, Joe Smith and Tillman Collett. Back row, Woodrow Blackwell, Pierce Reece, Clyde Collett, Clarence Collett and Paul Westbrook. Clarence Collett’s grandson and Walter Tucker’s daughter were interviewed for this column.
“My dad (Walter Tucke) hunted snapping turtles with the Collett brothers,” she says. “They would use big sacks to keep the turtles alive, and when finished, they emptied them in the front yard.
“My mother would fry the turtles using flower and milk. Every section of
turtle meat would taste like a different kind of meat, some like chicken, some like fish. I didn’t go near the turtles when they were alive. A common saying was ‘if a snapping turtle bit you it wouldn’t turn loose until it thunders.’ The children all believed that.”
Turtle hunting was a family affair. The men hunted turtles, and the women went saining for catfish using a big net with wooden poles at each end. The children would play in the water. “Every July 4 we had a turtle and fish fry in our back yard, Linda recalls.”
Johnny Collett used to go turtle hunting with his grandfather, Clarance Collett, whose picture is in the photo in Connie Mashburn’s book.
“My grandmother passed away when I was 5 years old, and I lived with my grandaddy when I was growing up,” Johnny recalls. “He taught me to hunt turtles. We would go to different streams 15 or 20 times every summer for about eight years until he passed away of cancer. I still eat turtle meat every chance I get.”
Johnny says that the only thing his grandfather was afraid of was muskrats.
“He could handle snakes by grabbing them and throwing them up on a bank,” he says. “I was bitten by snapping turtles several times and still have a few scars. I was quick enough that the turtles never latched on.”
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.
COURTESY LINDA TUCKER MARTIN FROM BOOK “ALPHARETTA, MILTON COUNTY – THE EARLY YEARS” BY CONNIE MASHBURN
GET OUTSIDE GEORGIA
Appreciating the benefits of seeing clearly
Sometimes a thing has to fall to pieces to set the stage for…well, for what comes next.
It was the fall of a year a long, long time ago. School had started. A young me, ever the good student, had taken a test a couple of days before. The teacher had given the test back to everyone, but she had not given mine back to me.
Instead, I was sitting there, after school, with my mom and the teacher, and they were talking. About me.
“The thing is,” my teacher was saying, “is that even though they’re all wrong, they’re all right too.”
She had written the problems on the board, and I had copied them onto my paper, and I had solved them. I had solved them correctly. But I had copied them wrong. I didn’t know that – I thought I’d faithfully ciphered everything from the communal blackboard to my personal paper.
But I hadn’t. I’d copied everything wrong. A cold stone of fear began to coalesce in my gut. Was I somehow seeing wrong? Oh no.
I wasn’t hearing wrong, though. I was hearing just fine. And I remember what I heard next:
“I think he wrote them down wrong,” the teacher was saying, “because he can’t see the board. I think he needs…”
Oh no…here it comes... “…glasses.”
I remember it like it was an hour ago. Some things you just remember that way.
Why am I thinking about that now? I don’t know. Anyway, I’ve just spent 20 minutes on top of the Temple Mound at Etowah Indian Mounds, a state historic site (and designated National Historic Landmark) located near Carterville, Ga. This elaborate cultural site is home to several earthen mounds built by Native Americans over a period of 500 years or more, starting around 1000 AD.
Who built the mounds? Prevailing wisdom seems to be that this complex was constructed in several phases over several centuries by people “ancestral” to the Muscogee (Creek) tribe. The Creek tribe considers Etowah (Italwa) to be an important part of their heritage. That’s the short version; you’ll learn much more about the site’s history when you visit.
I’ve been exploring slowly at the top of the temple mound, letting my feet go where they will. But it’s hot in the sun. I’m sweating, and sweat had messed up my glasses. I pull ’em off my face and wipe them dry on my shirt and put them back upon my nose, reveling (as I always do when it happens) in how much clearer things look when not seen through a haze of obfuscation.
Done with the top of the mound, I begin the descent down the long, straight flight of steps which had taken me to the top. It’s near closing time, and I know I have to keep it moving. Still, at the bottom, I don’t turn left toward the visitor center but instead turn right toward the Etowah River.
That’s right. I want to see the fish weir that the original residents had built in the river. You know how I am. If it’s “fishing,” I’ve got to check it out.
Ranger Lucy
I walk on, vaguely thankful that I can see clearly through my now-relatively-clean spectacles, and that’s
when I spot Ranger Lucy, a naturalist at the site. She is standing near her truck and looking out toward the river. Maybe toward the fish weir? I hope so, because I don’t really know where it is, and time really is running short.
“If you move slowly,” she says as I approach, “you can see them!”
See what? Fish? No –
“Hummers!” she says.
Ahhh. Hummingbirds!
I walk closer and look. There’s an opening in the undergrowth, a green window of sorts bespeckled in white and yellow-orange flowers. The orange ones, Ranger Lucy adds, are jewelweed – and hummingbirds love jewelweed.
“Are there many?” I ask. “Many hummers?”
There are. Some buzz among the flowers. Others divebomb one another or fight with their beaks in mid-air. Sometimes, when they get tired I guess, they take a break and have a rest on a twig in the nearby tree.
“And if you’re quiet,” Lucy says, “you can hear them twitter.”
I am, and I do, hearing and seeing all with crystalline clarity.
And then, for the briefest of instants, I flash back to those blurry days decades before…blurry days when I wouldn’t have been able to see the birds save as blobs of out-of-focus fuzz…blurry like before the Day of the Glasses, before that day when the lady at the optical shop placed tortoise-shell spectacles onto my elementary school ears and told me how handsome I looked. She was just trying to make me feel better about it all, but I knew that the horrible reality was that I’d be one they called Four Eyes the next day at school. Childhood can occasionally be horrible when you’re a child.
And yet even as I’d sat there waiting for my fate to fall on me, I had glanced through my new glasses and gazed through the nearest window and (HOLY COW!) discovered that trees had individual leaves.
Who would have thought it? Certain not me. Think about that – individual leaves!
And so I’d sat there, mesmerized, seeing trees like I’d never seen them before, reveling in the exquisiteness of it all, seeing clearly at last after all those years.
The residual benefits
As quick as it came, the flashback starts to fade. I shake myself back to the present and just stand there, again as then, watching (sharply and crisply) as dozens upon dozens of little flying jewels go about their business of the day.
“They are neat,” I say to Ranger Lucy. “They are cool.”
But that, she adds, is just the beginning of the show.
“The monarch butterflies will be here soon too,” Lucy says.
Those butterflies will bring even more color to the airspace.
Maybe I’ll have to come back and see that, for those butterflies will bring even more color to this little part of the world.
Yeah! That sounds like fun, and I know who would enjoy seeing them with me. She called a minute ago. She’s fixing supper for us as we speak. I’ll bet she would fix us a picnic to bring, a masterpiece of a meal to share among the hummers and the butterflies.
It will be grand.
And I think: It sure is nice when you can see things clearly. That really can turn life around.
STEVE HUDSON Columnist
STEVE HUDSON/APPEN MEDIA
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OPINION: PAST TENSE
DeKalb County named for Revolutionary War hero
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
DeKalb County, Georgia, was formed in 1822 primarily from Henry County, but the formation included parts of Fayette and Gwinnett counties.
Part of what became Fulton County in 1853 was included in DeKalb County. DeKalb was named for Revolutionary War hero Baron Johann de Kalb, although he never was in the area. (dekalbhistory.org)
It was not the only place to take his name. There is DeKalb County, Alabama, Missouri, Indiana and Tennessee. There is also a city of DeKalb in DeKalb County, Illinois.
He was born Johann Kalb on June 29, 1721, in Huttendorf Bavaria, Germany. The second son in the family, he was not set up to inherit from his father. He went to France and became a soldier in the French Infantry. There were bonuses being offered for tall enlistees, and Kalb was 6 foot 5 inches. (“The History of DeKalb County, 1822-1900, by Vivian Price)
He eventually earned the title of baron but added the “de” to his name earlier to advance in rank. He fought in several battles before he was sent to train in the Military School of Marshal Saxe. Then, he fought in the Seven Years War. Following the end of the war, de Kalb married Emelie van Robais, the daughter of a French lace and cloth manufacturer with a sizeable dowry.
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of South Carolina and Georgia. Fighting with North Carolina troops at Camden, South Carolina, de Kalb fought hand to hand even as his horse was killed beneath him.
He died Aug. 19, 1780, three days after the battle and is buried at the Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Camden, South Carolina. His memorial was designed by Robert Mills who also designed the Washington Monument. Lafayette laid the cornerstone of the memorial.
The Camden marker reads, “He was second in command in the battle fought near Camden on the 16th of August 1780 between the British and Americans and there nobly fell covered with wounds while gallantly performing deeds of valor in rallying the friends and opposing the enemies of his adopted country.”
Baron de Kalb has been memorialized in various way across the U.S. At the old DeKalb County Courthouse in Decatur, home to DeKalb History Center, a Georgia Historical Marker commemorates the namesake of the county.
He was sent to America as a French agent to assess the strength of the American freedom movement. He went home to report on his findings, later returning along with Lafayette when fighting began.
from Page 4
Public Works Director David Clarke has said the series of 5 percent rate increases is needed to complete the 2025-27 Capital Improvement Pro -
General George Washington gave de Kalb his commission of major
gram and upgrades to the Camp Creek Water Reclamation Facility in South Fulton.
“From that master plan, a number of projects were identified that will be entered into our CIP to have increased water pressure and volume to many areas of North Fulton that sometimes have issues,” he said. “This rate study
general on October 4, 1777. He fought with Washington at Valley Forge, and in battles at Philadelphia, Brandywine, and Germantown. Later, he was ordered to travel south and fight against the British occupation
also included those costs, in addition to some of the South Fulton wastewater needs.”
The Public Works Department operates the water and sewer division primarily through customer fees. Water and sewer services receive no dollars from the county general fund or property taxes.
Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.
To finance 46 projects across North Fulton by 2050, county staff projects an estimated cost of $278 million across five phases beginning in 2025.
By 2050, the county is projecting peak demand could grow 34 percent to around 63 million gallons a day. Right now, peak usage is around 47 million.
Portrait of Baron Johann de Kalb, painted by Charles Wilson Peale in 1782.
of
for
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with
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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!
SAY CHEESE!
1. Urban blight. Mild cheese in a ball. Cattle breed.
2. Let up. Stand-offish. Greek salad cheese.
3. Mold-rippened cheese. Enrico Caruso, e.g. Kick out.
4. Family man. Roquefort cheese
aka. Young pigeon.
5. Decant. Wander. Wax-coated cheese.
6. Goat cheese. Therefore. Sir ____ Guinness.
7. Domestic. Play a guitar. Cheese with holes in it.
1 Urban blight. Mild cheese in a ball. Cattle breed
2. Let up. Stand-offish. Greek salad cheese
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. Mold-rippened cheese. Enrico Caruso, e.g. Kick out
4. Family man. Roquefort cheese aka. Young pigeon
5. Decant. Wander. Wax-coated cheese
6. Goat cheese. Therefore. Sir ___ Guinness 7. Domestic.
AMERICAN LEGION POST 201 EVENTS
NOTICE OF MEETINGS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE FOR THE CITY OF MILTON
5 4 7 8 86 9 4 6 3 4 25
RZ25-08 – Text amendment to Sec. 3.1.4 Building Placement with respect to setbacks in the AG-1 district and Sec. 8.8.19.B.2. and Article 13 Definitions in order to add setbacks for qualified subdivisions and pools.
RZ25-09 – Text amendment to Sec. 9.2.5.E to create sign standards for the Arnold Mill Road Hamlet Overlay District.
RZ25-10 – Text Amendment to Sec. 6.5.3.B. to modify AG-1 Standards in the Arnold Mill Road Hamlet Overlay.
RZ25-11 – Text amendment to Sec. 8.2 Use Tables and to Sec. 8.8 to create a new Sec. 8.8.20 for accessory food trucks in limited situations.
The above items will be considered at the following meetings and public hearings:
Community Zoning Information Meeting
Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Planning Commission Public Hearing
Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor and City Council Public Hearing
Monday, January 5, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Milton City Hall – Council Chambers 2006 Heritage Walk Milton, GA 30004
678-242-2540
PUBLIC NOTICE OF SALE OF PROPERTY
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the City of Milton will offer the following property for sale at auction beginning Monday, October 27, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. and the final auction ending Monday, November 10, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Full property descriptions, as well as the bidding process, will be available through the City's website's home page at www.miltonga.gov by following the link provided for www.GovDeals.com
Vehicles and Equipment:
• 2015 Dodge Durango
• 2013 Ford Taurus
• 2015 Ford Explorer (5)
• 2014 Ford Explorer (2)
• 2010 Ford Explorer
• 2019 Ford F-150
• 2007 Ford Crown Vic
• Havis Docking Station w/Adjustable Mount (Lot of 5)
• Whelen Emergency Light Control Box w/Switches (Lot of 6)
• Gamber Johnson Tablet Mount & Keyboard Sets (Lot of 14)
• Havis CF33 Laptop Docking Station w/Antenna Inputs
• Havis CF33 Tablet Docking Station for Panasonic Toughbook (Lot of 3)
• Havis Univeral Laptop Holder (Lot of 2)
• Whlelen 48" Light Bar (Lot of 7)
• Lind In-Car Computer Power Inverter (Lot of 9)
• Whelen Siren Control Box (Lot of 6)
• Motorola APX 6000 Radios (Lot of 21)
• AXON Taser Holsters (Lot of 49)
• Rocket IOT system with camera, Samsung tablet and body cam plus miscellaneous parts (Lot of 36, partial)
The buyer will have up to 5 business days to pay with exact cash, money order, or cashier's check and 10 business days to remove the vehicle or equipment. The vehicles and equipment will be available for inspection, by appointment only, at 13690-B Highway 9 N, Milton, GA 30004. Appointment requests should be emailed to Sgt. Scott Mulvey at scott.mulvey@miltonga.gov
Grad:
Continued from Page 1
The announcement says this year’s milestone demonstrates the positive results of the district’s efforts to ensure continued progress while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
School Board President Kristin McCabe said she and her colleagues are happy to have achieved the landmark success.
“The board celebrates this progress and remains ever more committed to investing our financial resources in our students, teachers and programs,” McCabe said. “We hold the collective belief that every student can succeed in their chosen path.”
The investment in multiple strategies throughout the pandemic, such as targeted academic supports, expanded access to advanced coursework, investment in Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathways and new data monitoring tools, have contributed to the gradu-
ation rate upturn. For instance, students who completed two or more CTAE courses posted a 99 percent graduate rate.
Out of 21 district high schools, 13 showed improvement in their graduation rates, two more than last year, demonstrating increased academic progress across the district.
Also, a total of 17 schools surpassed the 90 percent graduation rate threshold, which is also two more than in 2024.
Superintendent Mike Looney, Ph.D., said the school district has come a long way since the pandemic.
“[We] believe our continued progress is the result of our persistence in utilizing dedicated funds for recovery, effective data analysis, recruiting top talent and investing in innovation that has transformed what was a period of crisis into one of restoration and thriving,” Looney said. “I am so proud of our staff and students and am heartened to see them taking their next steps into the world beyond high school.”
— Hayden Sumlin
North Fulton high school graduation rates 2020 vs. 2025
• Alpharetta: 96.5 percent to 98.4 percent
• Cambridge: 98.2 percent to 97.4 percent
• Centennial: 88.6 percent to 95.3 percent
• Chattahoochee: 96.2 percent to 97 percent
• Johns Creek: 97.3 percent to 97.1 percent
• Milton: 96.9 percent to 96.1 percent
• North Springs: 91.9 percent to 94.9 percent
• Northview: 96.1 percent to 98 percent
• Riverwood: 89.9 percent to 97.1 percent
• Roswell: 88.3 percent to 93.5 percent
• Fulton County Schools (districtwide): 85.5 percent to 91.9 percent
DEATH NOTICES
Priya Ashok, 53, of Alpharetta, passed away on September 15, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Kathleen Eggert, 96, of Alpharetta, passed away on September 22, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
John Fahy, 85, of Alpharetta, passed away on September 16, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS/PROVIDED
A graph shows a more than 20 percent increase in graduation rates across all Fulton County Schools since 2012, including a recovery from a pandemic-induced slump in 2020. The school district said the 2025 graduation rate of 91.9 percent is an all-time high, up more than 6 percent since 2020.
Mary Huffinton, 94, of Roswell, passed away on September 15, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Charlie Lail, Sr., 86, of Roswell, passed away on September 20, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Richard Lindstadt, 95, of Alpharetta, passed away on September 26, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Valerie McIntyre, 71, of Alpharetta, passed away on September 22, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Linda Morris, 79, of Roswell, passed away on September 23, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Tom Ness, 77, of Roswell, passed away on September 26, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Terrell Parker, 87, of Roswell, passed away on September 28, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Catherine Popp, 64, of Roswell, passed away on September 26, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Groksys LLC seeks multi IT positions in Alpharetta, GA 30004 & var unantcptd sites t/o the US. Systems
Engineers (JOB 1): Install, confgr, & maintn servrs. perfrm systm admin tasks such as patchng, trblshtng break/fix incidnts, & root cause anlyss. Deply new s/w & grant permssns to users. Proficncy in Linux/ Unix/Windows, as well as exprts in PowerShell/ Perl/shell scripting. Salary: $118,186/yr. Business Analysts (JOB 2): Duties: Anlyss, confgrtn, cstmztn, & docmntatn. Gthr & anlyz sys reqrmnts. Involvmnt in sys desgn & implmntatn. Translate computng needs into sys specs. Use skills such as SharePoint/ JavaScript/ Angular, & famlrty w/ Agile/ Waterfall methodologies. Salary: $89,710/yr. Software Developers (JOB 3): Duties: Resrch, dsgn, devlp, implmnt, test, & supprt apps in complx s/w solutns as per business reqrmnts. Perfrm reqrmnts gthrng. Code, debug, Deploy, & reslv prodctn issues. Use var skills like JAVA/Python/.Net, J2EE, Spring MVC/Spring Core/Web Services (SOAP/REST), Angular/JavaScript, SQL/PLSQL & HTML. Salary: $127,504/yr. Quality Analysts (JOB 4): Duties: Define, devlp, & implmnt automtn test plans & test cases w/ tools like Selenium/Cucumber/ Java. Create effctv manual & automtd test plans utilzng a var of toolsets. Devlp test plans, test cases, test scripts, & test reprts for multi projcts of varyng sizes. Perfrm testing on var s/w & reprtng sys. Salary: $100,984.00. Requirements: JOB 1, Masters or equiv in Science, Engnrng, Info Sys/Tech, Business Admin or rel fld is accptbl. Bach deg in the above flds alng w/ 5 yrs of exp in the job offrd or rel occuptn is accptbl in lieu of master’s deg. For JOB 2: Masters or equiv in Science, Engnrng, Info Sys/Tech, Business Admin or rel fld is accptbl. For job 3 & 4: Masters or equiv in Science, Engnrng, Info Sys/Tech, Business Admin or rel fld w/ 1 yr of exp in job offrd or rel occuptn is reqr’d. For JOBS 1, 3, 4: Any suitable combo of educ, training or exp is accptbl; For all jobs: May trav & relo to var unantcptd sites t/o the US. Send resume to HR, 6110 McFarland Station Dr, Unit # 906, Alpharetta, GA 30004. Clearly ref position. EOE.
IT Professionals (Johns Creek, GA) Application Developers, Business Analysts, Computer Programmers, Data Engineers, Data Scientists, IT Project Managers, Network Engineers, Software Developers, Software Engineers, Software Quality Assurance Engineer And Testers, Software Test Engineers, Systems Engineers, Tech Leads. Multiple Positions. Telecommuting permitted. Mail resume to Altplus LLC, Attn: HRGC, 11024 Taconic Way Johns Creek, GA 30097.
To place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com. Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm
Groksys LLC seeks multi IT positions in Alpharetta, GA 30004 & various unanticipated sites t/o the US. Software Developers (JOB 1) : Duties: Resrch, desgn, devlp, implmnt, test, & supprt apps in complx s/w solutns as per business reqrmnts. Perfrm reqrmnts gathrng. Code, debug, deploy, & reslv prodctn issues. Use var skills like JAVA/Python/.Net, J2EE, Spring MVC/ Spring Core/Web Services (SOAP/REST), Angular/ JavaScript, SQL/PLSQL & HTML. Salary: $127,504/ yr. Quality Analysts (JOB 2): Duties: Define, devlp, & implmnt automtn test plans & test cases w/ tools like Selenium/Cucumber/Java. Create effctv manual & automated test plans utilizng a var of toolsets. Devlp test plans, test cases, test scripts, & test reprts for multi projcts of varyng sizes. Perfrm testing on var s/w & reprtng systms. Salary: $100,984.yr. Any suitable combo of edctn, training or exp is accptbl Systems Engineers (JOB 3): Duties: Install, confgr, & maintn servers. Perfrm sys adminstrt tasks such as patchng, trblshtng break/fix incidnts, & root cause anlyss. Deploy new s/w & grant permissns to users. Profcncy in Linux/Unix/Windows, as well as exprts in PowerShell/ Perl/shell scripting. Salary: $67,912/ yr. Business Analysts (JOB 4): Duties: Anlyss, confgrtn, custmztn, & docmnttn. Gathr & anlyz sys reqrmnts. Invlvmnt in sys desgn & implmnttn. Translate comptng needs into sys specs. Use skills such as SharePoint/ JavaScript/ Angular, & famlrty w/ Agile/ Waterfall methodlgies. Salary: $69,992.00. Requirements: JOB 1, 2 & 3: Bach deg in science, Engnrng, Info Sys/Tech, Busnss Admin or rel fld w/ 2 yrs of exp in job offrd or relatd occptn is req’d. JOB 4: Bach or equiv in science, Engnrng, Info Sys/Tech, Busnss Admin or rel fld is req’d. For all jobs: May trav & relo to var unantcptd sites t/o the US. Send resume to HR, 6110 McFarland Station Dr, Unit # 906, Alpharetta, GA 30004. Clearly ref position. EOE
Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor
The Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized.
The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing others to work as a team in a professional manner. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
ESL Contractor Instructor (Evening)
Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor
NFCC is seeking an Evening ESL Contractor Instructor to teach English classes through our Adult Education program, serving students throughout North Fulton and surrounding counties. Our ESL Program runs three sessions annually, with comprehensive lessons covering speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, along with regular assessments to track student progress.
The Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized.
We’re looking for an instructor who is available to teach evening classes. The ideal candidate will be committed to maintaining strong enrollment of at least ten students per class and who can create an engaging learning environment that supports adult learners in achieving their English language goals.
The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing others to work as a team in a professional manner. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!
If you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in TESL, TESOL, English with a TESL certificate, linguistics or applied linguistics with a TESL certificate, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Truck Driver
Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor
NFCC is seeking a Truck Driver (Donor Operations Services Associate II) to join our Facilities team. Our Truck Driver collects scheduled donations from businesses, residential locations, and special events while serving as a key point of contact for donors to coordinate pickup appointments. As the face of NFCC during donor interactions, this role requires maintaining a professional and a welcoming presence that reflects the organization’s values. Additionally, this position contributes to facility maintenance operations as needed.
The Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized.
The Truck Driver works Monday through Friday 9am – 2pm and periodically on Saturdays or Sundays for special events.
If you have 1-2 years of Box Truck delivery experience, maintain a valid Ga Driver’s License free of any traffic violations for the past 3 years and enjoy providing excellent customer service, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing others to work as a team in a professional manner. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
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