County sets plan for water system upgrades, rates
► PAGE 4
Technology students showcase creativity
By SARAH COYNE | sarah@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Aspiring scientists, artists and engineers showed off their tech passions at the 2025 STEAM Showcase March 5 at North Springs High School.
The Sandy Springs Education Force presented the 15th annual Hands-On Technology & Arts Exhibition and STEAM Showcase that allows students to present interactive exhibits to the public.
Program Director Beppie Lever said the main mission for the Education Force is “education, inspire and prepare.”
“We want to inspire them, we want them to know about everything that’s going on in STEAM,” Lever said.
Each year, grant recipients display their projects at the showcase. The projects are created during their STEAM after-school program, which is funded by the Sandy Springs Education Force.
The 11 public schools in Sandy Springs can apply for the $2,000 Legacy Grant, which is awarded each school year by the Sandy Springs Education Force. Schools can apply for multiple grants per year based on the number of clubs they have.
See STEAM, Page 12
Ison
Sandy Springs plans open house to set rules for commercial areas
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs is seeking public input on design guidelines for six primary commercial and mixed-use districts throughout the city.
The city is sponsoring a drop-in style open house from 6-8 p.m. March 13.
The guidelines are to ensure future development aligns with adopted planning documents, the development code and promotes a unique sense of place in Sandy Springs.
Residents can learn about the design guidelines process at the open house. There will be no formal presentation — just an opportunity for residents to stop by, review the materials and share initial thoughts.
The Sandy Springs City Council approved a $280,000 contract last Sep -
RACHEL PROVOW
tember with the design firm Rhodeside & Harwell for the initiative.
At that meeting, councilmembers cautioned city staff about making it too cumbersome for developers to invest in the city.
DESIGN, Page 12
SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
From left,
Springs Elementary students Sofia Essaddek and Nylah Landers hold the robotic dogs they displayed at the 2025 STEAM Showcase at North Springs High School.
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KRISTIN SHEEHAN
MELANIE SNARE
MONICA BLANCO
County approves water distribution master plan
Study may include new rate schedule
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA — County commissioners approved the North Fulton Water Distribution Master Plan March 5, detailing around $278 million in capital improvements over the next 25 years.
Fulton County Public Works Director David Clark said the master plan and a separate rate study will help determine which projects and funds are necessary to maintain the system.
The county approved a 5 percent per year increase in water and sewer rates running from 2020-25 to generate revenue for upgrades and expansions. A new rate increase package is in the works.
“An ongoing rate study … will be brought back to the commissioners probably in a month or two about our water and sewer rates,” Clark said.
With anticipated growth in population and development, Fulton County is taking steps to adjust its water and sewer capacity to meet the need.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Anna Skipper, a staff engineer in the Fulton County Public Works Department, presents the North Fulton Water Distribution Master Plan March 5 to the Board of Commissioners. Skipper also dived into the county’s goals and recommended projects to maintain the system’s integrity.
While the county owns all sewer collections north of Atlanta, its water distribution pipes only service Johns Creek, Mountain Park, Alpharetta, Milton and most of Roswell.
Sandy Springs purchases water from the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management, which it has done since before it incorporated in 2005.
Atlanta delivers services to Sandy Springs from its Hemphill Water Treatment Plan off 17th Street. The rest of North
Fulton draws its water from the Tom Lowe Atlanta-Fulton County Water Treatment Plant in Johns Creek.
The North Fulton water distribution system serves around 285,000 with more than 1,200 miles of pipe.
Anna Skipper, a staff engineer in the county’s Public Works Department, said the average demand on the North Fulton water system last year was around 27 million gallons a day with a peak around 47. She also said the county stores more than its anticipated annual usage at the treatment plan and throughout the distribution system.
“Everything starts with population projections and looking at estimated development demands in coordination with the cities,” Skipper said. “We then develop level of service requirements … then we do a series of evaluations of capacity, our ability to maintain pressure, water loss, storage and interconnections.”
Most of the projected population growth is centered around major highways, including Holcomb Bridge Road (Ga. 140), Medlock Bridge Road (Ga. 141) and Ga. 400.
By 2050, the county is projecting peak demand could grow 34 percent to around 63 million gallons a day.
Skipper said her team uses the maximum water demand for a specific area of the system to determine when a capital project needs to be completed.
“If we look at how we’re doing today … we’re meeting minimum or better level of service requirements for the vast majority of our system,” she said. “We do have pockets of red here and there, where we’re not meeting it … on the whole, we’re doing pretty well today.”
There are a few areas where the county fails to meet its standard, typically during summer months and droughts. The county indicated that White Columns County Club and the surrounding neighborhood in Milton has its highest concentration of low water pressure in the North Fulton system.
Skipper said if the county opts not to do any capital improvements, its tanks will not be able to accommodate demand requirements and would drain to zero with maximum conditions.
Projects in the Capital Improvement Program are spread out over five phases, including 46 projects to complete the transmission main, smaller distribution pipes and storage capacity.
There are also major goals. One is to complete the transmission main, which serves as the treatment facility’s main artery for water transport, to more efficiently serve the northwest portion of the system. That area includes most of Milton and the western parts of Roswell and Alpharetta.
The transmission line zig-zags northwest from the Johns Creek treatment facility off Old Alabama Road across Ga. 400 to downtown Alpharetta and Ga. 9.
“We’ve installed previous sections of this transmission piecemeal,” Skipper said. “We’ve tried to be in coordination with transportation projects, but new projects, we’re going to do them standalone without coordination with transportation as necessary.”
She said it’s the best way county engineers could ensure they meet the phased deadlines. For example, if a project is in the 2030 phase, it needs to be completed before Jan. 1, 2031.
Another goal, which county staff considers “low hanging fruit,” is to connect distribution lines where a larger pipe crosses or abuts a smaller one. Staff said the first phase of the projects was completed last year with more scheduled for the second phase, wrapping up in 2030.
The final major goal is to get storage and capacity levels to where they need to be by 2050 with six projects planned over the next 25 years.
Additional tanks are needed to supply the Johns Creek Town Center with plans for a $560 million mixed-use development, Medley, to surround City Hall and Creekside Park.
Skipper said storage will also be increased at other existing sites.
The county also identified projects related to pump stations, which can move water and ensure consistent flow. It recommends a booster pump for Alpharetta’s storage tank, in-line stations to address low pressure areas and a connection to Gwinnett County’s system for emergencies.
Skipper said Gwinnett can already receive water from Fulton in an emergency, but the county can’t send it back without the connection.
The Board of Commissioners approved the plan without amendments. North Fulton commissioners Bob Ellis, Bridget Thorne and Dana Barrett made no comments on the measure.
Sandy Springs revises rules governing downtown parking
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs officials approved two items March 4 that will change parking rules for the City Springs district in downtown.
The Public Facilities Authority, composed of the mayor and City Council, advanced a plan that will establish a new parking fee schedule that includes round-the-clock enforcement, the ability to park in on-street spots for more than two hours and a streamlined process for accessing public parking.
The Public Facilities Authority serves as a financing and ownership partner for major city developments like City Springs.
Under the changes, visitors can save a few bucks by parking in the City Springs underground deck. If the deck reaches capacity, drivers can park in a designated spot on a street in the district for more than two hours without incurring a $45 ticket, but they must first pay for the extra time.
Sandy Springs Facilities and Capital Construction Director Dave Wells said the city anticipates the new fees to start in mid to late April or early May. With the update, the first two hours of on-street parking remains free. But rather than pay a $45 fine for exceeding the time limit, drivers will now be able to pay rates starting at $8 for three hours. That rate increases to $18 for a full day.
Other changes include bumping up valet parking rates from $5 to $10 for retail visits and from $15 to $20 for events.
The garage rates, also free for the first two hours, remain unchanged.
Deck parking for a city event follows normal hourly rates, while private shows at venues like the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center may have varying fees.
Officials approved a contract with 12 Oaks Parking Services of Roswell to manage the City Springs deck and street parking along Sandy Springs Circle, Blue Stone Road, Galambos Way and Mount Vernon Highway.
The city received three bids from its request last June and selected 12 Oaks in part because it would not charge a direct fee for parking management services.
“We will have to get the contract signed but we’ve already been in contact with 12 Oaks,” Wells said. “They will be meeting with myself, the residents and retail before we launch this to make sure they are aware of the change.”
He said city staff studied industry standards for surface and deck parking
processor handles the payments.
Following the Public Facilities Authority, the City Council honored the 2024 Citizens Leadership Academy graduates, the second class to complete the program. City staff said they would notify the public about applications for the 2025 program sometime this summer.
During the City Council’s regular meeting, elected officials approved alcohol business licenses for Canton Cooks off Hammond Drive and Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza off Blue Stone Road.
A group of residents from the Save Spalding Drive Committee thanked council members and Mayor Rusty Paul for their help during the Fulton County Schools redistricting process.
The six-month fight to save the neighborhood elementary school ended Feb. 20 when the Board of Education voted 4-3 to follow recommendations from district planning officials to close it.
In a Feb. 21 press release, the committee said it established a nonprofit and has made an offer to the board to lease the building for a newly formed charter school starting in fall 2026.
Raymond Grote, a Spalding Drive Elementary parent representing the committee, said the absurdity of the committee’s fight continues.
rates, determining a fee schedule that prompts economic activity, arts programming and the downtown district.
“An increase in revenue will be expected due to the proposed rates,” Wells said. “This additional revenue will be used to offset the costs associated with parking facilities.”
City Councilwoman Melody Kelley asked city staff if there will be a warning period for the new parking fee schedule, as was the case for the city’s speed cameras at public high schools.
City staff gave no indication there will be one but said signage and other community outreach efforts will be made to announce the charges.
City Councilman John Paulson said he has been stuck behind cars at the parking garage gate and wanted to know how the new system will work.
Jeremy Scott, CEO of 12 Oaks, said the company’s technology allows for free flow of traffic and is used at facilities throughout Metro Atlanta like Southern Post shopping mall in Roswell.
“When you enter the facility, there is not the traditional encumbrance of a gate or having to push anything,” Scott said. “You free flow, ‘frictionless’ is what we like to call it, into the facility and your license plate is read.”
There will be signage, and possibly pay stations, for residents to scan and
enter their license plate and credit card information.
Scott said the two will be cross referenced, and when cars leave the facility, its license plate will record how long it was parked.
There will also be a customer service agent available to handle inquiries and tickets and on-site representatives during the rollout.
Scott said a third-party credit card
“Unfortunately, the responsible body — the Fulton County School System — has made this process as difficult as humanly possible, much like they’ve done for the last six months,” he said.
“After repeatedly claiming that closing Spalding was a financial necessity … they are now stonewalling our attempts to engage in meaningful dialogue about purchasing the building for use as a charter school.”
CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED
A map of City Springs, the downtown district including Sandy Springs City Hall, shows entrances to the development’s parking garage. The Sandy Springs Public Facilities Authority approved new parking fees and a contractor to run the new ticketing system March 4.
Cigar ‘chateau’ builds community amid sanctuary for connoisseurs
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The joy of a good cigar is about more than savoring the rich flavor of aged tobacco.
At The Chateau Cigar Lounge, it’s about camaraderie, connection and company.
“I first thought I was selling cigars, beer and wine, but we sell community,” owner Jeff Curry said. “You can come in here as a stranger, but you won’t leave as one.”
When Curry purchased The Chateau in 2018, the business was struggling, he said. The location at 9700 Medlock Bridge Road had little more than a dozen cigars, beer coolers, televisions and furniture. The meager cigar inventory and less-than welcoming environment had stolen customers’ trust, he said.
So, when Curry announced the change in ownership, few were impressed.
“We were getting snarky replies. ‘Oh, really, you actually have cigars?’” he recalled hearing.
There was plenty of work to be done, and Curry, who had spent the previous 15 years in software sales, first recruited Staci Gibbs, an employee of the former owner. Gibbs now serves as general manager.
Together, they worked to make The Chateau a welcoming place where patrons could gather, relax and explore the world of fine tobacco.
Today, the business boasts close to a thousand cigars in its humidor. It’s also cultivated a cult customer base, who routinely visit to play poker, participate in raffles, watch sports and socialize.
“I have a customer who came here 340 times last year,” Curry said.
Tucked into the first floor of a small row of shops, The Chateau offers a refuge from the congested traffic of nearby Medlock Bridge and State Bridge roads.
A sweet smell of smoke lingers in the spacious interior, which features stained-wood flooring and high ceilings.
The space is perfect for hanging out, Curry said. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the room with natural light. A fully stocked bar serves beer, wine, top-shelf liquors and craft cocktails. Some days, food trucks populate the ample parking lot. Plush leather armchairs invite visitors to unwind alone or in groups. A state-of-the-art ventilation system facilitates indoor smoking, but many opt for the patio when the weather is nice.
“It’s a beautiful thing to watch when … new faces come in here,” Gibbs said. “Maybe five minutes will pass before somebody walks up and strikes up a conversation. Then, they move their seats together.”
One popular informal event, a weekly “cigar bible study,” allows connoisseurs to analyze and evaluate flavors. Customers are welcome to enter their thoughts about a smoking experience into a handsomely bound leather tome and mark the flavors, whether they be of coffee, fruit, spice, nuts, earth or vanilla.
“What our people do is they sit around, and they smoke cigars, and they go, ‘OK, here’s the name of the cigar I had. This is what it’s like,’” Curry said.
See CIGAR, Page 12
GEORGIA FARMERS NEED YOUR SUPPORT
(AND YOUR VOTE)
For generations, the farmers you represent have worked, studied, retooled, innovated, and done their best for the land—and the communities you serve benefit from their expertise.
Georgia farmers trust the science and know glyphosate can be used safely. The litigation industry, on the other hand, relies on junk science in the courtroom to threaten the go-to crop protection tools farmers depend on every day. Experts estimate that without glyphosate to ensure our food supply, inflation at the checkout line will double.
More than 90 organizations in the Modern Ag Alliance are standing up for farmers to sustain the work of feeding America. Will you help us keep glyphosate available to them?
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
General Manager Staci Gibbs and owner Jeff Curry stand in the humidor of The Chateau Cigar Lounge at 9799 Medlock Bridge Road in Johns Creek.
Perimeter chamber to present Dunwoody’s State of the City
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch will deliver the State of the City Address March 18 from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Atlanta Marriot Perimeter Center Hotel.
The city is partnering with the new Greater Perimeter Chamber, a merger between business advocacy groups in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody, to present the mayor’s address.
Deutsch will deliver an update on the city’s progress and unveil her vision for the year ahead.
Insight Global, a Dunwoody-based staffing and temp agency, is sponsoring the event.
Like Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul’s September 2024 address, organizers are charging a fee to attend the Dunwoody State of the City Address.
During the Sandy Springs City Council’s annual retreat in early February, some elected officials said they want to avoid charging residents to attend future mayoral addresses.
The cost to attend the Dunwoody State of the City Address is $45 for members of the Greater Perimeter Chamber and $60 for newcomers.
The Greater Perimeter Chamber says attendees grant permission for photos and videos of them to be used in future marketing materials. It also says walk-ins are not guaranteed entry and will be subject to a $10 surcharge if space allows.
The 90-minute gathering includes ample opportunities to connect with business and civic leaders, a signature breakfast and a chance to hear about the future of the community from Mayor Deutsch.
To register for the March 18 address, visit greaterperimeterchamber.com.
Applications for leadership programs open through North Fulton Chamber
NORTH FULTON, Ga. — The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce invites the next batch of future leaders to apply for the Leadership North Fulton and Emerging Leaders Program.
Both programs are created by the chamber to foster leadership development in the community. The chamber aims to grow business, develop talent and lead regional prosperity across North Fulton.
Leadership North Fulton has led the region with its signature leadership development program for more than 30 years by allowing members of the community to build relationships with businesses and nonprofit partners.
The program contains a mix of executives, small business owners and young professionals, with a class size of around 35 members. The program will consist of eight, eight-hour class days, in addition to the evening opening reception, overnight retreat and graduation luncheon. Classes are held on the third Thursday of the month and range from arts and culture to public safety.
Participants can learn from a diverse curriculum, while promoting community awareness, instilling civic responsibility and building relationships. Graduates can join the ranks of more than 500 alumni. The all-inclusive program
DUNWOODY STATE OF THE CITY
costs $2,500 for Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce members and $3,000 for nonmembers. Payment plans and two half-scholarships are available on a situational basis.
Applications for the Leadership North Fulton Program close March 25.
Juniors and seniors from North Fulton high schools who are looking to join in on the leadership development can apply for the Emerging Leaders Program. High schoolers can learn leadership skills, identify and address community issues and interact with local leaders, while becoming good citizens.
Students will attend six class days, in addition to orientation, retreat and graduation. Outside of class days, students are expected to complete five activities that correspond with class day themes to develop life lessons. Curriculum such as financial literacy and mock interviews are among the topics students will learn.
Applications for the Emerging Leaders Program close March 20 and include a $300 program fee upon acceptance.
Those interested can apply on the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce website.
— Sarah Coyne
Importance of skin checks for mature skin
As skin matures, it undergoes various changes that necessitate regular skin checks to ensure overall skin health. Differentiating between age spots, healthy moles and potential skin cancers is crucial. Age spots, often appearing as flat, brown, or black spots on sun-exposed areas, are generally harmless but can be mistaken for more serious conditions. Early detection of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. Therefore, routine skin examinations are essential for mature skin to maintain health and catch any issues early.
Addressing skin conditions and rejuvenation procedures
Dermatologists can assist with a variety
of skin conditions and rejuvenation procedures for mature skin. Common issues such as dryness, age-related pigmentation and conditions like rosacea, psoriasis and eczema, which can persist or develop with age, are also addressed with specialized care plans.
In addition to treating conditions, dermatologists offer rejuvenating procedures to enhance the appearance and health of mature skin. Treatments such as chemical peels, laser rejuvenation and injectable treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin texture and promote collagen production. These procedures not only rejuvenate the skin but also boost confidence and overall well-being. Establishing a relationship with a dermatologist ensures that your skin receives comprehensive care tailored to its evolving needs, promoting long-term skin health and vitality.
Brought to you by – Dr. Kehinde Olumesi of Epiphany Dermatology - Brookhaven
SECTIONS Published Deadline 03/06/25 02/26/25 03/13/25 03/05/25
03/20/25 03/12/25 03/27/25 03/19/25
ATTENTION LEADERS
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OPINION
Share the love with passalong plants
Passalong plants are those we acquire when another gardener shares a seed, a cutting or a plant. Sharing or passing along plants and seeds is one of the oldest traditions in gardening.
My garden is special to me because of the contributions from friends and fellow gardeners, which includes many plants that are often not available in our large retail nurseries. My inspiration and wisdom come from generous people who share their plants: daylilies, mountain mint, salvia, bee balm and flowering almond.
Passalong plants are typically durable and easy to propagate, and they often come with experienced advice on how to continue their success. The added bonus is that when from friends and neighbors, they are free! The nature of passalong plants being easy to propagate makes it necessary for us to let our recipients know how the plants spread. Some plants will pass themselves along!
Timing
Passalong plants are easy to propagate by cuttings, division and seeds, and they can be propagated in fall or spring.
A good rule of thumb is to divide your perennials in the season opposite of when they bloom. For example, I divide my spring bloomers (Stokes aster, phlox, and bee balm) in the fall.
Cuttings
A cutting is a term for using a stem, leaf or root to reproduce a plant. Both herbaceous and woody plants can be propagated from cuttings.
I find stem cuttings the easiest to propagate. I choose a stem 3-5 inches long and remove all but three or four leaves. Plants can be rooted in water or soil. In soil, dipping the tip of the stem in rooting hormone can enhance propagation.
Division
Many perennials and bulbs eventually become overcrowded and thrive when divided. Mature plants can be separated by digging up a clump, pulling apart the smaller plants or by using a sharp spade or knife to cut the clump or tuber into smaller pieces. This is true of plants such as Stoke’s aster, bluestem grass, and irises.
On some plants, you will find babies
About the author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Julie Dangel, a lifelong researcher and educator and a North Fulton Master Gardener since 2015. She is a native Georgian and a resident of Sandy Springs for 40 years. As a member of the North Fulton Master Gardeners, she has served on the board and divides her time volunteering between the Teaching Museum/ Greenhouse and Lost Corner Preserve.
around the base that can be replanted. I find this to be true for herbs and succulents as well.
Seeds
You can also save seeds as your plant matures or just let them ripen on the plant. These seeds will re-germinate in the soil with favorable conditions.
My favorites, including cleome, four o’clocks and milkweed, are easy to propagate by seeds.
To grow your plants from seeds, plant them outside or fill a seed tray with moist soil. Plant your seeds with just enough soil to cover them (you want good seed to soil contact) and keep the soil moist but not too wet. Provide light to ensure that the seeds get the energy needed to grow.
Please see the list of resources for details on propagating your plants. If you are looking to purchase passalong plants, the North Fulton Master Gardeners will offer their favorite plants during the 2025 Garden Faire Plant Sale. Plan to attend Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Grove at Wills Park in Alpharetta. Master Gardeners will be available to provide gardening advice for your plants.
Happy gardening!
North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https://appenmedia. com/opinion/columists/garden buzz/.
SAVE THE DATES for NFMG’s 2025 signature events: Garden Faire on April 12th and Garden Tour on June 7th. Learn more at www.nfmg.net.
JULIE DANGEL Guest Columnist
JULIE DANGEL/NORTH FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS TEACHING MUSEUM
A stem cutting is ready for planting.
Design:
Continued from Page 1
Mayor Rusty Paul and City Councilman Andy Bauman said they would like to see city staff strike a balance with guidelines and requirements to encourage redevelopment of some of the city’s older commercial areas.
Sandy Springs staff said the firm would work with city staff and the community to create architectural guidelines and potentially, new requirements for redevelopment in the city’s highdensity commercial areas.
The city says the guidelines will give additional direction for building features, sites, landscaping, streetscapes and other elements that shape the appearance and experience of Sandy Springs.
The guidelines will address the character of development in six commercial and mixed-use areas across Sandy Springs. They include Greater City Springs around City Hall, Central Perimeter along the Dunwoody city limits, Crossroads at I-285, Neighborhood Village at the Atlanta city limits, North End along Ga. 9 before the Chattahoochee River and Powers Ferry near the Cobb County line.
An online survey will be posted from March 13-31.
To stay updated on commercial design and the online survey, check sandyspringsga.gov and facebook.com/ SandySpringsGA.
STEAM:
Continued from Page 1
Through the grant, more than 200 kids have the opportunity to use anything from drones to robots to help foster their passions.
Kenya Greer, Ison Springs Elementary School Career, Technical and Agricultural educator, says the after-school
Cigar:
Continued from Page 6
There are plenty of opportunities to explore all manner of cigars from triedand-true favorites to limited editions in The Chateau’s humidor.
The narrow, wood-paneled room is climate controlled and dehumidified to extend the tobacco’s shelf life almost indefinitely.
Curry said the inventory caters to new and experienced customers.
For those who are just getting into tobacco, he recommends the Perdomo brand,
CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED
A map of Sandy Springs shows six mixed-use and commercial districts, which are selected as a part of an effort to establish new architectural and urban design characteristics.
The city is hosting an open house March 18 from 6-8 p.m. for residents to learn more about the initiative.
program allows her 14 students to “tap into” what they want to become when they grow up. This year is the first time they have participated in the program.
“If it wasn’t for Beppie, I would not be able to do all the cool stuff that we do,” Greer said. “Just through the STEAM Club she has made a lot of things possible for our students.
During the showcase, Greer had students showcasing their robot dogs,
which are like the “Johnson & Johnson” of cigars, he said.
“Whether you’re an experienced cigar smoker or novice, no one’s going to smoke that cigar and say they don’t like it,” he said.
Figuring out personal tastes is a big part of the fun for beginners, he said.
“It’s just seeking out where are you in your journey. Where are you in your experience?” he said. “And then, let us give you variations within that same flavor profile.”
For those who know what they like, The Chateau offers some exciting options from premium cigars that can range into the hundreds of dollars to rarer batches.
coding programs and even giving blood pressure advice.
“This program has given me life,” Greer said.
Funds for the grant are raised through STEAM Showcase sponsorships, who help educate and spark interest in more than 6,000 students.
During the day, middle and high school students were able to meet more than 40 exhibitors, who showed students how to apply their love for
Curry maintains personal relationships with suppliers to ensure he gets the latest and greatest.
The shop boasts cigars from all over the world, including brands such as La Flor Dominicana, Sin Compromiso, Oliva, Mi Querida, Plasencia and many more.
On one shelf, Gibbs keeps a special stash, which she sometimes allows patrons to smoke from if they’re lucky.
“Some of the best cigars on the planet are sitting right down there in those boxes,”
Curry said.
For Curry, now retired from sales, owning The Chateau has been a dream. He frequents the shop almost seven days a week, chatting up
STEAM toward their careers. Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital even allowed students to learn how to operate with a da Vinci surgical robotic system.
Executive Director of the Sandy Springs Education Force Irene Schweiger said the main goal for the night is to excite the student, “that’s why we do it.”
“This event is designed to inspire the kids, to look at their future through STEAM because there are a lot of opportunities for them,” Schweiger said.
regulars and meeting new faces.
Curry admits he may not make as much money as he used to, but there’s something special about running a business that provides real satisfaction to customers.
“We took something that was dead, and we managed to regrow the business,” he said.
Curry said he certainly enjoys indulging in a good cigar, but the real joy is being a part of the community the shop has fostered.
“I quit my day job at the end of 2020,” he said. “I haven’t set an alarm clock in years, and it’s been like, we got real a business here.”
Connect-It
Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 6 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
BY
ANY OTHER NAME
1. It’s a sheep. Down in the dumps. Gumbo vegetable.
2. Kitten’s plaything. It’s an Asian deer. Precious gem.
3. Gambler’s wish. It’s a venomous snake. Kick out.
4. Verdant. It’s a horse, of course. Tidings.
5. Kind of nerve. Sidekick in Juarez. It’s an alpaca or llama offspring
6. Like a maple leaf. It’s a fly or gnat. Small whirlpool.
7. Garden structure. Vow. It’s a marine food related to cod
By Any Other Name
1 It’s a sheep. Down in the dumps. Gumbo vegetable.
2. Kitten’s plaything. It’s an Asian deer. Precious gem
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. Gambler’s wish. It’s a venomous snake. Kick out.
4. Verdant. It’s a horse, of course. Tidings
5. Kind of nerve. Sidekick in Juarez. It’s an alpaca or llama offspring.
6. Like a maple leaf. It’s a fly or gnat. Small whirlpool.
7. Garden structure. Vow. It’s a marine
