Area leaders should learn from new housing law
► PAGE 9
Sandy Springs staff budgets for a runoff election
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs is budgeting a few hundred thousand dollars for election services in case of a runoff this fall.
The May 6 announcement came from City Manager Eden Freeman during the first of three workshops for the fiscal year 2026 budget.
“We are projecting a $300,000 cost in case there is a runoff election,” Freeman
said. “You all will recall that the Public Service Commission has an election this fall, so we are not having to pay for a full citywide election for mayor and City Council races this year,”
Sandy Springs, approaching its 20th anniversary as the state’s seventh most populous city, holds non-partisan municipal elections every four years. All seats on the City Council and the mayor’s position are up for election at the same time.
The mayoral race already has five
Fulton County Schools to use Spalding site for offices, museum
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — After shuttering Spalding Drive Elementary this February, Fulton County Schools announced plans to convert the building into administrative offices and a consolidated teaching museum.
The district said a group of parents reached out shortly after the closure with a proposal, which was shared with district leadership and board members, for a charter school at the Spalding Drive site.
State law requires the school district to consider facility use options, including potential charter school partnerships, when a building is no longer in operation.
Eventually, Fulton County Schools (FCS) opted against the charter option, saying it came to a decision that best supports its “instructional and operational priorities across the district.”
See SPALDING, Page 12
candidates who have declared their intentions or filed financial paperwork. Residents vote for the representative in their district, while the mayor’s race is citywide.
Mayor Rusty Paul is the incumbent, running for his fourth term against council members Jody Reichel and Andy Bauman. Alex Somer and local business owner Dontaye Carter, who received a third of the vote in 2021, are also running for the mayoral seat.
If the candidates for mayor or a
council seat fail to receive a majority of the votes cast, a runoff is held between the two candidates receiving the most votes.
State law requires the runoff to be held 28 days after the general election, or Dec. 2.
Sandy Springs Communications Director Carter Long said the $300,000 would be paid to the county to administer the runoff.
See RUNOFF, Page 12
Spalding Drive Elementary School, which the Fulton County School Board voted to shutter earlier this year, is set to become a new teaching museum and administrative offices for Fulton County Schools. A group of Spalding Drive parents said the school district has misplaced priorities after shuttering the high-performing school and declining a charter school proposal.
RACHEL PROVOW
FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS/PROVIDED
NEWS TIPS
770-442-3278
AppenMedia.com
319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009
HANS APPEN Publisher CONTACT
Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.
LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com. See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance.
ADVERTISING
For information about advertising in the Sandy Springs Crier or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
CIRCULATION
To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
Voter education team reaches out to residents
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County is working to inform voters about the issues that impact them directly.
The Voter Education and Outreach Team is a nonpartisan group seeking to provide election information to enhance voters’ experiences, said LaShandra Little, Fulton County voter education and outreach manager.
The team demonstrates electronic voting equipment, provides information for working at the polls and issues free Georgia Voter Identification cards. Presentations are given at a variety of locations, including senior centers, schools, neighborhood and civic meetings, churches and social meetings.
“This is our responsibility to the voting process,” Little said.
To become a deputy registrar, email veo@fultoncountyga.gov or call 404-612-7020.
On May 7, members of the team set up a table in the foyer of Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, in one of dozens of similar appearances scheduled for May.
“The Voter Education and Outreach Team of Fulton County aims to educate, empower and inform voters on legislation and regulations impacting them, increase and nurture enthusiasm for the electoral process and reach out to all eligible voters throughout the county,” Little said.
As a part of the county’s Department of Registration and Elections divisions, the team is funded through the county and run by staff. Residents who train as deputy registrars may volunteer.
FULTON COUNTY/PROVIDED
A mobile voter education vehicle is visiting sites as part of the county’s nonpartisan Voter Education and Outreach team.
Left , Herris Fentress , valedictorian
Right, Ryley Fuller , salutatorian
Mount Vernon School celebrates class of 2025
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Mount Vernon School shared the accomplishments of the valedictorian and salutatorian for the class of 2025 in advance of its May 17 commencement.
Sandy Springs resident Herris Fentress is the valedictorian. The school says Fentress embodies the spirit of a scholar, creator and changemaker, seeing the world through a systems lens — connecting math, language, art and design in ways that are imaginative and rigorous.
His academic pursuits include advanced studies in multivariable calculus, music composition and innovation design through Mount Vernon’s Innovation Diploma program.
In the fall, Fentress will continue his academic journey at Georgia Tech, where he plans to explore bold
ideas and expand his understanding of the world.
Brookhaven resident Ryley Fuller is the salutatorian of the Mount Vernon School’s Class of 2025.
The school says Fuller has a deep fascination with mechanics and engineering, which shows up not only in the classroom but in his everyday life. It’s common to see him sketching diagrams or solving equations in the ever-present notebook he carries with him — proof of a mind always in motion.
Fuller is a problem-solver at heart, someone who blends curiosity with action and insight with empathy.
The school says he represents the very best of what it means to be a learner at Mount Vernon: inquisitive, inventive and purposeful.
— Hayden Sumlin
Fifty dollars covers a dozen basic grocery items in Perimeter stores
By AMRITHA JOSEPH newsroom@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — A trip to the grocery store may no longer be a trifle errand, but rather one to make consumers pause before purchase, as food prices have increased.
For $50, the average shopper can buy roughly 10 to 15 staple items (including tax) at a chain grocery store.
The food-at-home Consumer Price Index increased 0.5 percent from February to March. This category includes grocery store or supermarket food purchases. Prices are 2.4 percent higher than they were in March 2024. CPI predicts a 3.2 percent increase in this category this year, and Dunwoody residents have already noticed the pinch on their pocketbooks.
Shelly Xiao, a graduate student visiting the Perimeter Publix at 1100 Hammond Drive, said she used to buy beverages of different flavors – orange juice, grapefruit juice and milk. Now, she purchases just one drink per grocery store visit. Other times, she purchases groceries at Walmart, even seeking out their private Great Value label to save a few bucks, she said.
At the same time, nutrition and social responsibility considerations also influence decisions, so some shoppers have chosen not to make any changes.
Sandy Springs resident Syrus Dumas said, as an athlete, he maintains a strict diet. He chooses specific brands like Uncle Matt’s or Natalie’s juices. He shops around at stores like Publix, Costco and Trader Joe’s but prefers to support local farmers markets which he feels offer “real food.”
Tips for stretching a dollar
Shoppers who are not as brand loyal may be able to save money. Leading brand labels can be priced up to four times more per ounce than a
More
To see a price snapshot of different grocery stores, visit appenmedia.com.
store label in some cases. Publix store brand and Bertolli extra virgin olive oil sat side-by-side at the same height and priced at $14.99 per bottle. However, the Bertolli bottle contains 16.9 ounces, while the store brand contains 34 ounces.
Similarly, Kroger and Tropicana pulp-free orange juice were both priced at $4.79, but the store brand comes in a 52-ounce bottle versus Tropicana at 46 ounces.
Additionally, shoppers may consider purchasing larger packages of foods they consume often. An 8-ounce package of store brand unsalted butter costs around $3.69 compared to a 16-ounce package at around $4.89. While the overall price of the larger package is higher, the consumer pays less per ounce.
Value shoppers should also pay close attention when purchasing chips or cereal where food is air-sealed and slack-filled with gas to preserve freshness. Actual food content within a box may vary. A box of store brand corn flakes on the shelf at the Kroger at 4498 Chamblee Dunwoody Road contains 18 ounces of cereal priced at $2.29, while a similarly sized box of Kellogg’s corn flakes contains 12 ounces of cereal priced at $5.79.
Cost-conscious consumers may want to consider how much they are willing to pay for minor conveniences, like pre-chopped vegetables or premolded meat. At Publix, raw ground beef shaped into patties were 50 cents more per pound than the same ground beef in unformed condition.
MOUNT VERNON SCHOOL/ PROVIDED
THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH FARMERS GOV. KEMP
Governor Kemp has taken a bold stand for Georgia’s farmers and rural communities by signing SB 144 into law—legislation that protects their access to vital crop protection tools, ensuring they can continue to feed America without unnecessary burdens.
We applaud Sen. Sam Watson and Rep. Steven Meeks, the dedicated sponsors of this legislation, as well as Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee Chairmen Sen. Russ Goodman and Rep. Robert Dickey for their leadership.
A special thank-you to Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Governor Burt Jones for championing Georgia agriculture and securing the future of one of our state’s most important industries.
Thank you for standing up for Georgia’s farmers and families!
Modern Ag Alliance Supporting Those Who Feed America
North Metro SWAT trains at Brookhaven home set for demolition
By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com
BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — Officers on the North Metro SWAT Team conducted a training exercise May 14 at a set-fordemolition Club Drive home, according to agency representatives.
In the Wednesday afternoon event, police practiced moving through buildings while engaging both threating and non-threatening targets.
The SWAT team, made up of officers from the Brookhaven, Dunwoody and Chamblee police departments, regularly conducts exercises to reinforce their training.
Ask Appen
This story began with an Appen Media reader asking the newsroom about an apparent SWAT exercise taking place at a residential property. Send your questions, observations and story ideas to newsroom@ appenmedia.com.
A few times each year, homeowners demolishing their houses offer the specialized unit the opportunity to use the building in those exercises. Such was the case with the Club Drive home on Wednesday, Dunwoody Police Sergeant Michael Cheek told Appen Media.
Cheek said the roughly 20 officers were using paint markers, not live ammunition, during the training.
The North Metro SWAT Team previously included officers from the Sandy Springs and Johns Creek police departments. Sandy Springs broke off from the group in December, Appen Media reported, choosing to form their own in-house tactical unit.
Shortly afterwards Johns Creek then moved to the North Fulton SWAT Team, joining Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton. Department officials cited the Sandy Springs departure as one reason for the shift, along with the proximity to its North Fulton sister cities.
Sandy Springs is now in the process of developing a police training facility on Morgan Falls Road, with an April 2024 estimated price tag of $37-$45 million.
Appen Media first reported those plans and will continue to follow the project.
Officers on the North Metro SWAT Team
home, according to agency representatives.
Alpharetta greenlights $150,000 arena study in bid for NHL team
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta is still waiting to see whether it will be chosen to host a National Hockey League team, but in the meantime, it’s doing its homework.
At a May 2 special meeting, the Alpharetta Development Authority unanimously approved a $150,000 feasibility study by strategic consulting firm Creative Artists Agency. Alpharetta is in the running to attract a hockey team after Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group submitted in March 2024 a petition to attract an NHL franchise.
If Alpharetta is selected, the team would most likely play at an arena in
the North Point Mall area, City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom said. The site is competing with a mega mixeduse arena project proposed in Forsyth County.
Although no project has formally been proposed in Alpharetta, the city has commissioned the Creative Artists Agency study to ensure its viability.
“We wouldn’t go into something blind,” Lagerbloom said. “A good progressive city does this type of work in advance of these massive, massive types of projects.”
The study, which is expected to take five to six months, will explore financial feasibility and economic impacts. Costs will be split between the Development Authority and Awesome
Alpharetta, the city’s convention and visitors bureau.
Creative Artists Agency’s analysis will determine market demand and appropriate characteristics for a new arena. It will estimate what kind of event programming and attendance the market can support, generating a financial profile to evaluate financial viability.
Lagerbloom said city officials are particularly interested in how many hockey fans are in the area and what kinds of costs and revenues an arena might bring. Although the city suspects such a project could provide enormous economic benefits, a study is required to ensure it would be successful.
“Until we can validate it with data,
it’s just a hunch,” Lagerbloom said. Janet Rodgers, president and CEO of Awesome Alpharetta, agreed with Lagerbloom, saying an arena could be a serious boon to the city. An arena likely could host a variety of events other than hockey games and attract numerous visitors to the city.
Rodgers said if Ameris Bank Amphitheatre with its capacity for 12,000 visitors is any indication, a venue in the North Point Mall area could provide considerable business to the city’s 30 hotels.
Alpharetta’s about 200 restaurants and 250 shops also could see benefits from arena visitors, she said.
“We’re excited to think about these possibilities,” she said.
conducted a training exercise May 14 at a
Bloom Roadside serves up specialty donuts, burgers
By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — Life is like a box of doughnuts for Bloom Roadside.
The little café on the side of the Hopewell Road in Milton offers an array of fresh doughnuts, coffee, teas, sandwiches and burgers.
Located at 15260 Hopewell Road, inside the historic Hardeman’s Grocery, employees greet customers with a smile.
It all began in May 2021, when New Yorker Josh Kim decided to create Milton’s next doughnut shop. Kim renovated the 1,100 square-foot historic store from the 1940s into a cozy, farmhouse café.
“They always wanted to do a simple, humble, family-oriented [environment],” General Manager Daniel Nicks said.
Chef at Atlanta staples, like Fred’s Meat & Bread and The General Muir, Todd Ginsburg later joined the picture to help out with the shop.
Since then, doughnuts have been handmade each morning, hours before the store opens at 7:30 a.m. on weekdays. Although it may seem intense, the process is quite simple, as the store only uses unbleached flour, milk, eggs and butter.
“We want indulgence, but simple, clean ingredients,” Nicks said.
Customers can enjoy fresh, warm doughnuts of all flavors, including chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, cinnamon, coffee bacon, apple fritter and cookies n’ cream.
Doughnuts aren’t the only star of the show. Nicks said that the staple of the restaurant is the Roadside Burger, made with 100 percent certified angus beef, american cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and a sesame bun.
“People would hear about us a lot for the doughnuts, but business is actually
built on the Roadside Burger,” he said.
The burgers are ground in-house and cooked in the shop.
“Everything is made from scratch,” Nicks said.
Those looking for a unique menu item can try the doughnut burger, which features the Roadside Burger sandwiched between a toasted and glazed doughnut.
While menu items are important, Nicks said the most vital part to him is the community. On any regular day, customers can find him greeting the regulars and making connections with new faces.
The shop runs on three words, cuisine, comfort and community, evidenced through the shop’s outreach with the City of Milton.
“We want [to] be a place where people can come and hang out,” Nicks said.
Every Friday at 10 a.m., community members can bring their children to story time. Bloom Roadside also hosts several events like dance alongs and a Memorial Day BBQ for guests to enjoy.
Madison Becker, who grew up 10 minutes from the store, now serves as assistant general manager. One of her favorite parts of the job is the baking.
“It’s calm,” she said.
Not only does Becker get to bake, but she also gets to come up with the new specialty flavors.
“It’s really fun to come up with new flavors,” Becker said.
Every two months, Becker goes through her process, which includes going on Pinterest and brainstorming what will work best for the season.
Becker gave a sneak peek into this summer’s flowery flavor, which will include notes of hibiscus and honeysuckle.
“We’ve got a super creative staff,” Nicks said.
Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15
5K Run/Walk • 1 Mile Walk • kids4DAD Tot Trot Peachtree Road Race Official Qualifying Event
Wills Park Pool Parking Lot Start/Finish 1815 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta
Crash Clark, 99X, Emcee
Race website: run4DAD.org
Benefiting ProstAware to help bring prostate cancer awareness to men and their families
PHOTOS BY: SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
Customers can find a warm, cozy farmhouse environment inside Bloom Roadside 15260 Hopewell Road.
Milton, Roswell police pass torch for Special Olympics
MILTON, Ga. — Teams of Police Officers from the cities of Milton and Roswell laced up their running shoes and hit the streets to support the Special Olympics during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run on May 14.
The Milton team, composed of members of the Police Department, Fire-Rescue and City Hall staff, started off with a mile-plus loop around Downtown Crabapple before passing the torch to the Roswell team who carried it to Roswell City Hall.
“It’s an honor to be a part of something much larger than just the city of Milton and to do something to give back to such a worthy cause as the Special Olympics is fantastic,” Milton Chief of Police Jason Griffin said.
Maureen Wales, who coordinates Special Olympics for Fulton County Schools said, “this event is so important because it culminates a year of training for these athletes and to be able to participate with their peers across the state is just so special. I think this is amazing because it just goes to show that everybody in the community is behind our Special Olympics.”
The Torch Run is one of the events occurring in Milton and Roswell during National Police Week which takes place each May.
—
Photos by Dean Hesse
BEHIND THE PHOTOS: Photographer Dean Hesse grew up in Decatur and lives in Stone Mountain. He began his career as a stringer covering events for the DeKalb News/Sun in the 1990s and attended the Southeastern Center for the Arts Professional Photography Program. He worked in a photo lab as a custom black & white printer for wedding and portrait photographers. His work has appeared in local and national consumer and trade publications. Dean can be reached at dean@ appenmedia.com. See more of his photos on appenmedia.com.
The Roswell team heads out Crabapple Road with the torch on the way to Roswell City Hall during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting the Special Olympics on May 14.
Members of the Milton Police Department, Fire-Rescue and City Hall staff participate in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting the Special Olympics on May 14.
Police Captain Charles Barstow (center) carries the torch for the Milton team during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting the Special Olympics on May 14.
Teams from Milton and Roswell pose for a group photo during the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting the Special Olympics on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
North Fulton should look to Arkansas housing law
By KATHY SWAHN, NANCY DIAMOND, JACK MURPHY North Fulton Improvement Network Executive Team
In a rare moment of bipartisan alignment, Arkansas recently passed a groundbreaking law that removes barriers to building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) statewide. Sometimes called in-law suites, garage apartments, or backyard cottages, ADUs offer a modest, practical way to expand housing options—without changing the character of a neighborhood.
While cities like Portland and Minneapolis have led the way on ADU reform, Arkansas is the first state in the country to adopt such a sweeping approach. The law permits homeowners to build one ADU on any residential lot, regardless of local zoning restrictions. It’s a simple but powerful step toward tackling the state’s growing housing shortage and affordability crisis.
Could North Fulton ever see something similar? Probably not on a broad scale, certainly not anytime soon—but we should pay attention.
The idea of “gentle density” is gaining ground across the country as communities grapple with the need for more housing that doesn’t come with the scale or controversy of major developments. ADUs are a perfect example. They allow aging parents to stay close to family, young adults to live independently but affordably, and homeowners to create rental income or simply make better use of their property.
In North Fulton, many of our neighborhoods were built with families in mind. But today’s families are changing—more multigenerational households, more retirees on fixed incomes, and more essential workers priced out of the communities they serve. ADUs won’t solve everything, but they offer a flexible, low-impact
Affordable housing continues to be a serious issue across North Metro Atlanta. Groups like the North Fulton Improvement Network are trying to help, and Appen Media is dedicated to covering the process. Send ideas, questions and feedback to newsroom@appenmedia.com.
For more information on ADU’s, check out improvenorthfulton.org
option worth exploring.
One place to start might be neighborhoods without HOAs, which tend to have fewer deed restrictions and more potential for homeowner-driven change. Pilot programs or local ordinances could make it easier for residents to add a small home for a relative, caregiver or tenant. North Fulton cities could also streamline permitting, waive certain fees, or offer pre-approved design plans to encourage high-quality, context-sensitive construction.
Woodstock is just one of our neighboring cities embracing the ADU. Builders can even include ADU’s as part of new home communities.
Arkansas’ bold move shows what’s possible when policymakers recognize that housing abundance and neighborhood character don’t have to be at odds. We don’t need to replicate their model — but we can be inspired by it. If we care about creating communities where people of all ages and incomes can live and thrive, then we need to start talking seriously about smart, small-scale solutions. ADUs deserve a place in that conversation.
Kathy Swahn, Nancy Diamond and Jack Murphy are members of North Fulton Improvement Network. Learn more at www.improvenorthfulton.org.
PAST TENSE
Revisiting Playland Skating Center on Buford Highway
The North DeKalb Record newspaper, Feb. 20, 1958, advertised the grand opening of Playland, which later became known as Playland Skating Center. The early roller skating rink featured Hi-Fi music, theatrical lighting and skating lessons.
People who grew up in Chamblee, Doraville, Dunwoody and the surrounding area may remember skating at Playland once or twice, or more regularly. The skating rink was also on the list of after-school care for households where both parents worked.
Jim Hearn’s Golf Center was next door, established 1959. Directories in the DeKalb History Center archives
BIGGERSTAFF, Page 11
This Grand Opening announcement for
in the
COLLECTION OF VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF/APPEN MEDIA
Playland appeared
February 1958 North DeKalb Record newspaper.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
See
The uniqueness of the city of Johns Creek
Johns Creek, a city of more than 82,000 inhabitants (2020 census) residing in 31 square miles has a fascinating history.
History highlights
In the early 1800s Johns Creek was part of Cherokee territory. European settlers established trading posts along the Chattahoochee River, some of which gradually became crossroads communities where pioneer families gathered, families such as the Rogers, McGinnis, Findley, Medlock, Cowart, Bice, Nesbit, Spruill, Summerour and more. The community of Sheltonville (or Shakerag) became a ferry crossing with McGinnis Ferry, Rogers Ferry. Other nearby ferries were Nesbit Ferry and Warsaw Ferry.
The discovery of gold in the Cherokee Nation about 45 miles north of Johns Creek in the 1820s eventually led the U.S. government to exile the Cherokees to Oklahoma in what is known as the notorious Trail of Tears. About that time the name Johns Creek began to appear on maps, although the origin of the name is uncertain.
A few Cherokees remained in Georgia after the forced migration, including Sarah Cordery (1785-1842). She was married to pioneer John Rogers (1774-1851), a respected and powerful plantation owner, whose house built in 1804 still stands in Johns Creek. He and his sons played important roles in the area’s history, particularly during the time of the Cherokee removal.
Andrew Jackson came to town
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) did not spend much time in Johns Creek, but he certainly had an impact there and throughout the South. As president (1829-1837) he strongly advocated for the removal of Indian tribes to west of the Mississippi River. In his 1829 State of the Union address to Congress, President Jackson called for Indian removal. He signed into law the Indian Removal Act of 1830 that called for the removal of all Indians to the west of the Mississippi River. During Jackson’s presidency and that of his successor Martin Van Buren more than 60,000 Native Americans from at least 18 tribes were forced to move west.
In 1820, Jackson when traveling in the area, visited the home of John Rogers in Johns Creek and may have spent the night. The two men had fought together in the Creek Wars in 1813. Their relationship
DON L. SHADBURN /COURTESY OF JOHNS CREEK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
John Rogers was a successful and influential plantation owner in Johns Creek. He was married to Sarah Cordery, a Cherokee. Their house built in 1804 still stands in Johns Creek. Rogers was also a friend of Andrew Jackson. This image is from a miniature portrait.
The Summerour family house in the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center. The Summerour’s were involved in gold mining in North Georgia during the 1820s and became very wealthy, owning more than 2,100 acres of farmland in Johns Creek. Homer Summerour developed a superior cotton seed called “Summerour Half and Half” which claimed a 50% higher yield than standard seed.
of. The alternative was to restructure postal routes and create new ZIP codes which is expensive. So, some Johns Creek citizens live in the community but have mail addresses from neighboring cities such as Alpharetta, Duluth, Suwanee and Peachtree Corners. This can frustrate residents who naturally would like their mailing address to be Johns Creek. Fortunately, mail delivery is not affected.
Second, the city includes four historic unincorporated communities that have kept their original names, Ocee, Newtown, Sheltonville (or Shakerag) and Warsaw. Each has its own story to tell, and each started out as a crossroads community. In February 2025 I wrote a column about the history of Shakerag.
buried in the Rogers-Bell Cemetery in Johns Creek. I wrote a column about Will Rogers in April 2024.
was further indicated by a letter from John Rogers to Andrew Jackson dated Feb. 1, 1816, housed in the Library of Congress. At the time of his visit, Jackson was becoming a national figure based on his success as a military leader, and John Rogers was important in part due to his connections with the Cherokees.
Johns Creek is unique for several reasons
First, Johns Creek has no post office, so when incorporated in 2006, it had to continue to use existing ZIP codes from communities Johns Creek inherited parts
Third, Johns Creek had its own mini gold rush when gold was discovered in Shakerag in the early 1840s, a decade after the famous Dahlonega gold rush. It even experienced a short skirmish during the Civil War.
Fourth, Will Rogers (1879-1935), a cowboy, humorist and entertainer, had deep roots in Johns Creek. His father was a Cherokee senator and judge who helped draft the Oklahoma State Constitution. Will was raised on his father’s farm in Oklahoma where he learned his cowboy skills from the ranch hands. Will’s family, like many others had migrated from Georgia to Indian Country in the 1830s. Will’s great uncle John Rogers (17741851) was a wealthy farmer who owned 640 acres along the Chattahoochee River. A number of Will Rogers’ ancestors are
Fifth, the 46-acre Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center seeks to preserve the history of the Johns Creek area. It offers many programs and facilities. I am particularly impressed with the historic buildings that have been moved to the park and carefully restored to their original conditions. These include the Warsaw Methodist Church, originally a Moravian church built in the mid-1850s, the home of the pioneer Summerour family, a tenant farmhouse and the Green Store, an original country store which, when moved to Autrey Mill, was found to have many items stored away that were used to stock the store shelves. They have been maintained and are on display.
Thanks to reader Radhika Gopalan for suggesting Johns Creek as a subject for a column and to Joan Compton, president of the Johns Creek Historical Society for her assistance. Contact the Historical Society for further information on Johns Creek history. Go to johnscreekhistory. org. The Historical Society has done extensive research on a wide range of historic subjects.
Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
BOB MEYERS
Columnist
BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
PHOTO COURTESY NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Portrait of Andrew Jackson, canvas painting by Thomas Sully, 1845. Jackson was a military hero and the most portrayed president in history, reflecting his leadership.
Biggerstaff:
Continued from Page 9
show in 1966, Playland Roller Skating Center at 4405 Buford Highway, and Jim Hearns Golf Center at 4445 Buford Highway.
Playland was frequently a place for celebrations, such as birthdays, with its skating, snack bar and music. Special events were held on holidays. A costume contest for Halloween was one of those events. In 1959, square dance skating was one of Playland’s special events. The Atlanta Journal advertises a Square-Dancing Festival.
The June 4,1977 edition of the Atlanta Journal lists several roller skating rinks in addition to Playland to choose from in the Atlanta area. The list includes Skateport in Decatur, Plantation Skating Center in Clarkston, Rainbow Roller Rink in Lithonia and Rollerama on Memorial Drive in Atlanta.
By 1979, roller skating popularity was growing, thanks to the disco music craze. The most popular outdoor skating area in Atlanta was Piedmont Park. One of the most popular indoor rinks was Playland. (Atlanta Journal, Dec. 6, 1979, “Wheels keep turning for Atlantans”)
Don Houot, owner of Playland, had recently invested $300,000 into the business, building a 50 by 100-foot area for beginner skaters and a 70 by 170-foot rink for faster and more skilled skaters.
He also installed a new sound system and strobe lights. Houot estimated 300 to 400 young adults showed up most Thursday nights to enjoy disco music, electronic games, a large TV, snack bar and lounging area. For children, there were games like Hokey Pokey.
I was not a skilled skater, either roller or ice, but I do remember skating at Playland. When Peggy Fleming won a gold medal for Olympic figure skating in 1968, I asked my mom to sew me a skating dress. Peggy Fleming’s mother designed and sewed all her costumes.
I am not certain what year Playland Skating Center closed, but advertisements still appear in the Atlanta newspapers in the mid-1980s, as late as 1985.
If you have memories to share of roller-skating at Playland, please write me at pasttensega@gmail.com.
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.
Join today for $16/month
DC Aiken
Big Sky Franchise Team
David & Michelle Bertany
Amour & Duane Carthy
Adam Corder
Barbara Anderson
Kerry Arias
Scott Baynton
Joseph Bell
James Bennett
Carl Abernathy
Bruce Ackley
Salpi Adrouny
Alpharetta Lions Club
Omar Altalib
Dave Altman
Ron Altman
Joel Alvis
American Legion Post 201
Alice & Dr. Richard Appen
Gaye Armstrong
Mary Asbury
Bangkok Boxing LLC
Shannon Banna
Beth Barnes
Janet Bass
Caitlin Bates
Jannet Bauer
Barbara Bauschka
Miriam Beattie
Kathy Beck
Laura Bentley
William Bentley
Leslie Berry
Tom Billings
Tochie Blan
Ron Boddicker
Jodi Bogen
Sherri Bolles-Rogers
Helen Borland
Debra Bowen
Joe Bowen
Ryan Brainard
Mark Brandus
Mel Brannen
Carol Bright
Linda Brill
Dorothy Brouhard
Erendira Brumley
Bernhard Burgener
Alvin Burrell
Mike & Theresa Buscher
Mary Busman
Clea Calloway
Kirk Canaday
James Carr
Bridgette Carter
William Cartwright
Support Local News Join Appen Press Club
CHARTER MEMBER
Patrick Cressaty
Robert Flint
Robin Fricton
Zachary Hahn
Allison January
Rita Brown
Mark Casas
David Conti
Theodore Davis III
Maureen Drumm
Frank Catroppa
Pat Check
Virginia Christman
Christopher Cleary
Ann Coaloa
Kim Coggins
Evelyn Collazo
Michael Mackenzie
Communications
Joan Compton
Carol Cookerly
Terri Coons
Rhonda Cude
Connie Cunningham
Christopher Cupit
David Davis
Duane DeBruler
Marilyn DeCusati
Rebecca Donlan
Tom Driscoll
Michael Dudgeon
Jeanette Dummer
DutchCrafters Amish Furniture
Thomas Edmonds
William Edmundson
Denise Eicher
Mim Eisenberg
Danny Elkins
Su Ellis
Carol Fain
Martha Fasse
Nell & Doug Fernandez
Daniel Fleck
Lee Fleck
Laura Floyd
Cathy Flynn
Paul Folger
Adrienne Fontaine
Mary Ford
Nanci Foster
Amy Frederick
Kelly Frommer
Carol Fry
Tracey Ganesh
Daniel Gay
John Gibbs
John Gilberto
Leslie Gilliam
Michael Kenig
Roderick Liptrot
Bob Meyers
Claude Nardy
Cliff Oxford
MEMBER+
Charlcie Forehand
Aileen Horton
Deborah Jackson
Ali Mahbod
Richard Matherly
MEMBER
Bailey & Ryan Gladysz
Michelle Glotzbach
Harvey Goldberg
Christopher Goodrich
Phyllis Goodrich
Ralph Griffin
Marilee Hamilton
Susan Hanna
Marion Hannah
Roxanne Hazen
Joe Hirsch
Penn Hodge
Dianne & Steffan Holmquist
Joan Hostetter
Austin Hughes
Jacqueline Hursh
Sue Jacques
Lynn Johnson
Tyler Jones
Arthur Kebanli
Laura Keck
Mark Kelly
Nancy Kennell
Randall Kent
Carol Kerr
Allison Kloster
Dyna Kohler
Larry Krueger
Jess & Chris Kysar
Malinda Lackey
Brandon Leach
Dennis Lee
Ken Leffingwell
Carol Lehan
Bonnie Lind
Francia Lindon
Harlan Little
Ross Long
Kyser Lough
Rita Loventhal
Brenda Lundy
Rita Loventhal
Karen Magill
Kyile Marshall
Julie Martin
Carla Masecar
Valerie Matthews
William Maxwell
Ross & Lori Ramsey
Sarah Reiter
Mark Rundle
Matthew Sayle
Lynn Thomas
Evan McElroy
Vickie McElroy
Patricia Miller
Anne Peer
Robert Popp
Rachel McCord
Austin McCully
Diane McDonald
Karen McEnerny
Lynn McIntyre
Mike McLoughlin
Jennifer Mendoza
Al Merrill
Chris Miller
Christine Miller
Joe Modica
Fred Moeller
Sarah Moen
Catherine Moore
Carol Morgan
Kathy Morgan
Stu Moring
Leslie Mullis
Donna Murphy
Jack Murphy
Aileen Nakamura
Cindy Nolan
North Fulton Master Gardners, Inc.
Tricia Novarro
Bob O’Brien
Anne Pappas
Lynn Pennington
Jonathan Peters
Kurt & Leslie Phillips
Mary & Jan Phillips
Debra Powell
Joyce Provissiero
Chuck Pugh
Robert Radloff
Raj Rajagopalan
Ashwin Ramaswami
Cheryl Rand
Jean Rearick
Joseph Reed
Righteous PR
Angie Rigney
Neil Robertson
Kimberly Robinson
Matt Rohs
Kim Romaner
Kelly Sarmiento
Stephanie Schniederjan
The Schoenblum Family
To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level and select your t-shirt size! Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
Kim Truett
Roger Wise Jr.
Colt Whittall
Sergey Savin
Kate Seng
Kimberly Verska
Carol Williams
Robert Scholz
Stephanie Schuette
Susan Searles
Tina Shelton
Lisa Shippel
Joanne Simmons
Tom Simon
Cindy Simpson
Robert Singleton
Faye Sklar
Judith Slaughter
Andy Smith
Gena Spears
Donald Spencer
Melissa Spencer
Gloria Stathos
Robert Stevens
Wesley Stewart
Cathryn Stovall
Celeste Strohl
Diana Sullivan
Andy Sumlin
Mike Tasos
Candice Teichert The Small Business Advisor
William Tietjen
Lisa Tilt
Michael Townes
Trunnion LLC
Matthew Tyser
Ollie Wagner
Lewis Walker
Jonathan Washburn
Michael Watson
Michael Weiss
Herbert Wells
Sally White
Thom White
Umpika White
Christine Williams
Jamie Wimberly
Jonathan Winkie
Nancy & Dave Wistrand
Carla York
Jonathan Young
Scan QR code to join the Appen Press Club
YOU CAN USE LOCAL NEWS
Runoff:
Continued from Page 1
While other Fulton County cities employ staggered terms, Atlanta and Sandy Springs have collective elections, which are thought to increase accountability but in theory can result in a total turnover of leadership.
The state is also holding a special election for two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission Nov. 4. The Public Service Commission is a fivemember board that regulates public utilities throughout Georgia, including telecommunications, electric and natural gas services.
Support the work appenmedia.com/join
Elections for regional districts are statewide.
The Public Service Commission’s District 2 seat includes Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties. Incumbent Fitz Johnson, a Republican appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2021, is set to face off against one of four Democrat challengers.
Special party primaries are set for June 17 with a total of eight candidates running for seats currently held by Republicans.
With five candidates in the Sandy Springs mayoral race, the city is already budgeting $300,000 for a runoff election. Because of the city’s collective elections, there’s a chance of a complete turnover of leadership in the Georgia’s seventh most populous city.
City Clerk Raquel Gonzales serves as election superintendent in Sandy Springs. Gonzales is responsible for maintaining all public documents, processing open records requests and recording the council’s official actions.
Spalding:
Continued from Page 1
District staff recommended May 6 moving the FCS archives, along with two existing Teaching Museums, to the site.
FCS Chief Operating Officer Noel Maloof said the district, “would also plan to house some of the regional administrative staff, such as special needs and social work,” there.
The district expects to start using the space for administrative staff in July, with the archive and museum relocations finished by August 2026.
“This move will improve districtwide access to educational programming and historical materials, consolidate staff and resources currently spread across two separate facilities, and allow the district to reduce its overall facility footprint,” Brian Noyes, chief communications office for the district, told Appen Media. “Renovation needs at the Spalding site are minimal; s two teaching museums, one in the city of Roswell at 793 Mimosa Blvd. and the other in the city of Hapeville at 689 North Ave. The district says the teaching museums provide hands-on educational exhibits and arts-based programming.
Noyes said instructional programming at the teaching museums will continue without interruption. Both current sites will be considered for disposition once the transition is complete next fall, he said.
It’s not clear how many administrative offices will be relocating to the former elementary school building.
The school district’s rational for closing Spalding Drive Elementary School was declining enrollment across the city and an aging facility in need of repairs.
Superintendent Mike Looney told board members the decision was between cutting expenses or raising taxes.
In a May 7 statement, Spalding Drive Elementary School parent Raymond Grote asked district leadership to cancel its conversion plan.
“Amid rising costs, staff reductions and lunch price hikes, Fulton County Schools is turning down a $10 million offer from a nationally recognized charter school operator to purchase the former Spalding Drive Elementary School — opting instead to convert the building into a ‘teaching museum’ and new administrative site,” Grote wrote.
Grote told Appen Media he has spoken with four nationally recognized operators and two of them are interested if parents can secure the former elementary school property.
However, he doesn’t expect the
Qualifying for the Nov. 4 election will be Aug. 18-Aug. 21 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and Aug. 22 between 8:30 a.m. and noon.
school district to pivot from its plans.
In a recent budget update, Fulton County Schools said it is facing revenue challenges and rising costs.
Leadership cites declining enrollment, inflation and a new local tax exemption for seniors as causes of shrinking revenue.
The district says it is using a portion of its financial reserves to cover shortterm gaps while adjusting its long-term budget strategy by cutting central office spending, eliminating unfilled positions, raising school meal prices, closing the two elementary schools, reviewing contracts amid other cost-cutting measures.
Grote said many former Spalding Drive Elementary families are moving to other counties like Cobb or sending their kids to private school. As for his own family, he says they moved to Sandy Springs specifically for the highperforming Spalding Drive Elementary School.
Mayor Rusty Paul told Appen Media he fully supports the efforts to keep Spalding Drive Elementary open and operating as a neighborhood school.
“I’m curious as to why it could be used as a teaching museum if the building is in such disrepair as the school system alleged,” Paul said. “I’m even more curious as to why there is no effort at least to cooperate with the parents.”
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 5, 5 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
FOREIGN AND CLASSIC CARS
1. Style. They made the Spider automobile. Sheik’s bevy.
2. Auto maker famous for the Rambler. 37th US president. Navajo lodge.
3. Lightning unit. Swedish auto. Way out.
4. Proboscis. Hopping mad. Ford flop.
5. AMC’s 4-wheel drive. Hawaiian feast. Kick out.
6. Western gunfighter’s word. Fine fabric. Early Jeep.
7. L-29 Phaeton luxury auto brand. Room at the top. Redhead’s dye.
1 Style. They made the Spider automobile. Sheik’s bevy.
2. Auto maker famous for the Rambler. 37th US president Navajo lodge.
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. Lightning unit. Swedish auto. Way out
4. Proboscis. Hopping mad. Ford flop.
5. AMC’s 4-wheel drive. Hawaiian feast. Kick out
6. Western gunfighter’s word. Fine fabric. Early Jeep
7. L-29 Phaeton luxury auto brand Room at the top. Redhead’s dye.
SERVICE DIRECTORY
Engagement Manager
Handyman
is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Community Engagement Manager
The Community Engagement Manager oversees all aspects of NFCC’s community events from planning through execution, including creating timelines, managing vendors and securing sponsorships. Events range from the annual golf tournament and fundraising gala to donor recognition and community engagement gatherings. The ideal candidate must be highly organized, creative, and motivated to successfully lead event planning and community engagement initiatives.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Client Services Administrator (Chamblee, GA) Handle inbound & outbound customer service, check-in & logistics coordination related to different flights. Assist operations, dispatch, & flight crews in executing the flight schedule. Explain proposed solutions to customers, management, through proposals & oral presentations. Review logistics performance with customers against targets, benchmarks, & service agreements. Apply appropriate technology to improve logistics processes. Take action to ensure the customers’ needs are met. HS diploma (or foreign equivalent) & 2 yrs. exp. Resumes to Iron Eagle Aviation, Attn: A. Patel, at ap@ironeagleaviation.com
BUYING
