Sandy Springs Crier - April 20, 2023

Sandy Springs celebrates Easter with Artsapalooza

By LUKE GARDNER newsroom@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — People from across metro Atlanta gathered to celebrate the annual Sandy Springs Artsapalooza on Easter Sunday, April 9.

Despite rain leading to Saturday’s event being canceled, the weather on Sunday was warm and inviting. Hundreds of attendees came to marvel at the art and take part in Easter festivities.

Kids participated in an egg hunt and got face paintings as the Easter Bunny greeted attendees.

“We came with my sister-in-law’s kids for the egg hunt,” said Mariden Lord, who has lived in Atlanta for 15 years. “It’s our first time and it’s very fun.”

Several other patrons also came out for the first time, with many citing the local art as their reason for attending. Artists from across north Georgia and some from even further set up tents along a roped-off street in the center of Sandy Springs.

Vendors sold hammocks, fresh juices, scones, jewelry, pottery, crystals, baskets, and various types of ar

Through her company Modern Maximalist, Melissa Kennedy sells unique art pieces made out of foodsafe resin, flowers and fruit. The shiny pieces can be used as cutting boards, plates, storage, coasters or decor.

“It’s my second time here and it’s a lot of fun,” Kennedy said. “The

Fulton County school officials weigh pay hike

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Fulton County School Board is considering a budget plan that could give school employees a 7.1 percent salary increase for the 2023-2024 school year to push competitive educator salaries in Metro Atlanta. The board discussed the recommended budget at an April 13 work session at the Fulton North Learning Center in Sandy Springs.

Approximately 84 percent of the general fund budget expenditures are salary and benefits, rounding out at a proposed $1.11 billion price tag for 2024. The cost comes from a host of recommended salary increases from school district officials.

people are really nice.”

Several artists sold paintings, with each artist representing a different style of artwork.

Painter Katie Carr sat beside colorful abstract paintings at her tent KKCAbstracts.

“I started painting to relieve stress,” Carr said. “It keeps me sane. Everyone needs a creative outlet, and I’m very blessed that I have this one. I love when the little kids want to touch the art and start talking to

their parents about abstract pieces.”

One of Carr’s favorite things about painting is that her artwork can help bring peace to others.

Artist Zoe Fanol with Here & Now Crystal Gardens feels similarly about art’s ability to bring positivity to others. Fanol makes miniature sculpture-like pieces that she 3D prints and adorns with artificial greenery and real crystals.

See EASTER, Page 7

“This budget will include competitive wages,” Fulton County Schools Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef said. “We are in a very competitive market right now, labor is tight as mentioned earlier, so this budget addresses that.”

Dereef presented a plan that would increase all employee salary schedules by 5.1 percent. The raise includes a $2,000 pay raise proposed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. The raise would cost the school district $42.5 million.

The school district staff also presented a one-time two percent pay

See SCHOOLS, Page 9

LUKE GARDNER/APPEN MEDIA

The Easter Bunny cheerily waves at the crowd as he leads kids to start the egg hunt.

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Police seize pounds of fentanyl, mushrooms, other drugs from homes

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DUNWOODY, Ga. — Two people have been arrested for felony drug trafficking following a major narcotic bust at two local homes, the Dunwoody Police Department announced April 6.

In a post on the Dunwoody Police Department’s Facebook, officials said the department’s Criminal Investigation Division

seized approximately 3 pounds of fentanyl, 3.3 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, 19 grams of methamphetamine, 5.6 pounds of marijuana, 12 pints of promethazine cough syrup, 390 grams of THC gummies and a jar of THC wax during search warrants conducted at two Dunwoody residences.

Dunwoody Police Sgt. Michael Cheek told Appen Media the seizures were part of a joint operation between the police department, the

2022

2018

Drug Enforcement Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

In addition to the seized narcotics, police also located three firearms and arrested two individuals for felony drug trafficking.

More coverage

This is a developing story. Go to appenmedia.com for updates.

COMPARING POLICE TRANSPARENCY

Sandy Springs vs. Dunwoody

Sandy Springs

Dunwoody

Each week Appen Media requests police incident reports to inform residents about the safety of their community. Sandy Springs continues to withhold what it calls the "narrative reports." It is the only city Appen Media covers that follows this practice, which goes against guidance from the Attorney General, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Sheriff's Association, Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia and Georgia Press Association. Appen Media will continue pursuing the release of documents that belong to the public in order to inform residents how safe - or unsafe - the city is keeping it.

Alpharetta Police arrest 5 in child exploitation sting

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia. com

ALPHARETTA, Ga.

— The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety Special Investigations Unit announced the arrests of five and outstanding warrants for two suspects in an undercover child exploitation operation March 29.

Police charged Neal Wurtz, 25, Jose Hernandez, 28, Douglas Cropf Jr., 30, and August Rich, 23, with felony use of a computer to entice a child to commit an illegal act. Erick GarciaSalinas, 34, and the four suspects were also charged with felony criminal attempt to commit child molestation.

Police Lt. Andrew Splawn said

detectives posed as underage children in internet chatrooms and on websites in order to identify and arrest predators who allegedly believed they were soliciting sex from children.

Splawn said the operation ran from Dec. 1-3, 2022, and it was a joint effort between the city, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.

Four of the suspects were arrested immediately after they traveled to Alpharetta to meet the detectives who posed as minors. Detectives arrested the fifth suspect in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

While the websites used in the operation were not designed for catching predators, Splawn said the department had chosen the sites based on trends reported by previous child victims.

“Alpharetta Police Department genuinely cares about the protection of children,” Splawn said. “And that’s the reason that we run this type of operation is because children are a very special population, and we want

to run proactive operations to make sure that we can keep them as safe as possible.”

As of press time, two suspects have not been arrested.

Tyquand Caldwell, 26, and Christopher Frazier, 43, are wanted for felony use of a computer to entice a child to commit an illegal act. Caldwell was also charged with felony criminal attempt to commit child molestation.

Splawn asked the public to contact the department with any information on the suspects or their whereabouts.

CALDWELL FRAZIER

Sandy Springs #1 Kitchen

Spruill Center kicks off $2.7 million expansion

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody leaders have broken ground on a $2.7 million expansion at the Spruill Center for the Arts, adding new classrooms, studio space and capacity to the arts center for years to come.

Local representatives kicked off the project at a ceremony held at the arts center on Chamblee Dunwoody Road April 3.

“This day is a long time coming, Spruill has been in existence for 48 years now, we started in a church basement at Dunwoody Methodist,” Spruill Center CEO Alan Mothner said before the ceremony. “And in those 48 years, we have grown a lot … So today marks the beginning of a new era.”

The Spruill Center expansion project will add seven studio spaces to the arts center, which Mothner said are especially needed due to the surge in popularity the center has experienced over the last three years.

Previously, Mothner told the Dunwoody City Council that 2022 was the center’s “best year ever” after it held more than 700 classes for nearly 6,000 students and hosted thousands of visi-

tors and participants at special events during the year.

For the project, Dunwoody pledged $1 million from its general fund to match an equal investment from the Spruill Center.

“The Spruill Center for Arts is an integral part of service delivery in Dunwoody to our residents, without a strong partner we would not have the many art courses and art camps available for residents in our community,” Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said at the groundbreaking. “Now, only do you serve people from Dunwoody, but we also attract people into our community who then invest, as well.”

In addition to the seven new Spruill Center classrooms, Mothner said they will also build a community room in the center’s main courtyard, which will allow them to “activate” the space and open up the opportunity to hold large classes and lectures.

“This is a beautiful courtyard space and we’re looking forward to having this open to the community as we celebrate the arts and continue to grow arts and culture here in our city,” he said.

To learn more about the Spruill Center for the Arts, visit them online at www.spruillarts.org.

CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED

Dunwoody City Council Members and local leaders break ground for an expansion project at the Spruill Center for the Arts in Dunwoody April 3. Officials said the expansion project will add seven new classrooms and a large community space to the growing arts center.

“A NEW ERA”

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LEMONADE DAYS

What: Begun in 1999, the first Lemonade Days was held as a relief effort for those families affected by the 1998 tornado that tragically destroyed entire Dunwoody neighborhoods. It has since grown into a five-day festival with something for everyone that has historically attracted more than 30,000 festival-goers. This year’s Lemonade Days will again feature full-scale carnival rides, food-and-beverage vendors, pony rides, a petting zoo and the Dunwoody Idol contest.

When: April 19 through 23, times vary

Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody More info: dunwoodyga.gov

THE LONE BELLOW TRIO WITH THE WATSON TWINS

What: The Lone Bellow casts an indelible spell with finespun songs of hard truth and unexpected beauty, frequently delivered in hypnotic threepart harmony. For their new album, “Love Songs for Losers,” the trio departed from their previous model of working with top producers such as Aaron Dessner of The National and dreamed up a singular sound encompassing everything from arenaready rock anthems to the gorgeously sprawling Americana tunes the band refers to as “little redneck symphonies.” The Watson Twins join the trio on this tour.

When: Thursday, April 20, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $26.95-$144.25

More info: citysprings.com

SANDY SPRINGS FARMERS MARKET

What: Shop for fresh produce and artisan foods every Saturday morning until November 18, where more than 30 vendors set up shop around the City Green, many bringing their farm to your table. Other vendors offer artisan foods, and many participants offer pre-orders.

When: Saturday, April 22, 8:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.

Where: City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

More info: citysprings.com/ farmersmarket

A NIGHT WITH DADS: COMEDY SHOW

What: Stage Door Theatre and Dad’s Garage, a comedy improv theater, team up for an improv comedy show.

When: Saturday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody

Cost: $18.95-28.95

More info: stagedoortheatrega.org/ dads/

HERSHEY FELDER AS GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE

What: Hershey Felder’s exploration of George Gershwin’s short but extraordinary life has played to

audiences worldwide for more than 3,000 performances from Los Angeles to South Korea, and spotlights Gershwin’s work as a master tunesmith whose work shaped a distinctly American style of music.

When: Saturday, April 22, 8 p.m.

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $48.50-$75.40

More info: citysprings.com

DUNWOODY FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS

What: Scheduled to run every Thursday through October, Dunwoody Food Truck Thursdays features a variety of food trucks and music.

When: Thursday, April 27, 5-8 p.m.

Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody More info: facebook.com/ dunwoodyfoodtruckthursdays/

CITY GREEN LIVE: BETTER THAN EZRA

What: Playing as part of the City Green Live series, Better Than Ezra is an American alternative rock band based in New Orleans. Formed in 1988, the band has been playing continuously since then, and are best known for their 1993 multi-platinum album “Deluxe” and the 1995 single "Good,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart.

When: Friday, April 28, 7:30 p.m.

Where: City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $60-90

More info: sandyspringsga.gov

SMIGGLESFEST

What: Join Pontoon for their second annual Smigglesfest at the original taproom in Sandy Springs. Smigglesfest is a day filled with beer releases, contests, music, food and more. "Smiggles" was originally coined by Pontoon Brewing in the spring of 2020 with the release of a Berliner Weisse called Rainbow Smiggles, a fruited sour with Skittle candy, Trix cereal, strawberry, pineapple and vanilla.

When: Saturday, April 29, 12-7 p.m.

Where: Pontoon Brewing, 8601 Dunwoody Place, Sandy Springs

More info: pontoonbrewing.com

MONARCHS & MARGARITAS

What: Join the Dunwoody Nature Center for a farm-to-table meal, live music from The Bourbon Brothers and a live auction under the stars. There will be unlimited signature margarita and a selection of beer and wine. This year, there will also be a curated tasting of tequila from Don Cosme. The Bourbon Brothers will perform the music, and there will be a gallery of artwork made by local artists. Proceeds allow the Dunwoody Nature Center to continue inspiring a love of nature and cultivating greater environmental awareness and stewardship.

When: Saturday, April 29, 6-9 p.m.

Where: Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody Cost: Price varies

More info: dunwoodynature.org/ monarchs2023

‘AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY’ PRESENTED BY ACT3 PRODUCTIONS

What: A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harboring shady little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after Dad disappears, their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. Mix in Violet, the drugged-up, scathingly acidic matriarch, and you’ve got a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that exposes the dark side of the Midwestern American family.

When: Until April 30, days and times vary

Where: Act3 Productions, 6285 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs

Cost: Adults are $23.71, seniors are $19.40 and students are $19.40

More info: act3prod.org

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Easter:

Continued from Page 1

“My art started from the [sculpture] bodies,” Fanol said. “It’s about embracing ourselves, our bodies and our flaws, our imperfections. I have an obsession with crystals, and at one point needed to figure out where to store them.”

This was Fanol’s first time at the Artsapalooza, and she intends on coming back.

“Despite the weather on Saturday, it’s been great,” Fanol said jokingly.

Attendee Sarah Mottashed was looking for something to do during festival season and decided to give the Artsapalooza a try. Having never been to the event, she was impressed with the local talent and sense of community and plans to return.

“It’s great,” Mottashed said. “There’s a lot of creative art pieces, the jewelry is great, and the weather is gorgeous.”

The Sandy Springs Fall Arts and Craft Festival will be held on September 23 and 24 at the same location, 6100 Lake Forrest Drive NE. For more information visit sandyspringsartsapalooza.com.

PHOTOS BY LUKE GARDNER/APPEN MEDIA

Parents take their excited kids to hunt for Easter eggs.

Attendees walk down the street admiring the various types of art.

Ethiopiques Café offers unique culinary masterpieces

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The first thing you’ll notice when visiting Ethiopiques Café and Restaurant in Johns Creek is the amazing aroma of grilling meats and exotic spices.

The second thing you’ll notice is how much fun patrons are having sharing communal dishes of lovingly prepared traditional Ethiopian dishes.

Opened in 2020 by three friends, Liza Abebe, Amy Asegidew and Biruk Demeselasie, Ethiopiques Café and Restaurant has quickly become a community staple for interesting ethnic and traditional foods that serve any taste preferences with a wide variety of vegan, vegetarian and grilled meat dishes.

Abebe said the Ethiopiques Café, located on State Bridge Road, was a longtime dream for the three friends, who for years had to travel up to an hour from their homes to find a good Ethiopian restaurant.

“We’ve been talking about opening a restaurant for like, almost 10 years,” Abebe said.

But when things finally came together for the partners and the restaurant was within their grasp, the COVID-19 pandemic reared its ugly head and made everything more complicated for their plans. The partners were forced to close down and reopen in different capacities several times during the first year of business.

But throughout that hard time, the partners said they got overwhelming support from the Johns Creek community, which kept them going and in business.

“If it wasn’t for the Johns Creek community, we wouldn’t be here,” she said.

For the uninitiated, Abebe said Ethiopian food is very similar to Indian and Mediterranean cuisine, only with a much different palette of spices and a serving style that encourages community, sharing and togetherness, with couples, friends and families all eating off of the same platter, using a spongy, sourdough flatbread called Injera to scoop and eat dishes.

Also common to Ethiopian cuisine is a spice mixture called Berbere, which mixes chili peppers garlic ginger. Nearly all their dishes have this spice mixture as a starting point.

“We use some spices that are very different, and yes, it’s spicy, but it’s more flavorful spicy than, ‘I’m dying spicy,’” she said.

Because Ethiopia is such a large and

One of the most popular dishes at the Ethiopiques Café and Restaurant in Johns Creek is the Vegetarian Platter, which offers a mixture of traditional Ethiopian dishes eaten with Injera, a spongy, sourdough flatbread. Also popular is the restaurant’s Kitfo Rolls, rolled strips of Injera filled with meat, cheese and collard greens, and Chechebsa, small fried pieces of flatbread served with honey and yogurt dipping sauces.

diverse country, there is a wide variety of dishes served around the country.

“Ethiopian cuisine is good for everyone,” she said. “You could be a vegan, vegetarian or meat lover because we fast 265 days out of the year.”

The most popular dishes at the Ethiopiques Café are the vegetarian platter, which offers a mixture of traditional Ethiopian dishes eaten with injera, and the doro wat, an Ethiopian chicken stew with a rich smoky flavor,

tender chicken drumsticks and a hardboiled egg.

“It’s like our national dish,” she said of the Doro Wat.

Another major part of Ethiopian culinary culture is centered around coffee, which shouldn’t be a surprise because the East African country is where coffee, as we know it today, was first invented.

Each Sunday from noon-3 p.m., Ethiopiques Café serves a traditional

Each Sunday, the Ethiopiques Café and Restaurant in Johns Creek serves a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, where green coffee beans are freshly roasted and multiple strengths of coffee are brewed in three rounds.

coffee ceremony to its guests, roasting green coffee beans in the traditional style and three rounds of brewing that produce different strengths of coffee.

“It’s a whole ceremony,” she said.

You can visit Ethiopiques Café and Restaurant from Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., at 11130 State Bridge Road in Johns Creek. For a look at their menu and more information about their food, visit them on Facebook or at ethiopiquescafe.com.

PHOTOS BY ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Ethiopiques Café and Restaurant CoOwner Liza Abebe toasts with a glass of the restaurant’s house-made Ethiopian honey wine called tej April 11.

At an April 13 work session, the Fulton County School Board looked at a recommended 7.1 percent salary increase for the 2023-2024 school year, with 5.1 percent lasting into future years.

Schools:

Continued from Page 1

bump to increase employee retention. The retention pay bump only applies to Fulton County Schools staff who were employed in the 2022-2023 school year. It would be paid in September 2023. It would cost the school district $14.8 million.

Combined, employees could see a 7.1 percent raise for the next school year, with 5.1 percent lasting into future school years. New teacher salaries would increase from $53,362 to $56,488.

“When I started teaching my salary was $35,000 and I thought I was making a lot of money,” Fulton County School Board District 4 member Franchesca Warren said. “That’s a lot of money for a new graduate or just for a new teacher.”

The school board also looked at hiring and retention incentives for hard to staff schools. The recommended budget would add five schools to the “hard to staff schools” list, totaling 10 schools with the designation.

New teachers could receive a onetime $5,000 hiring incentive, as well as a $250 one-time referral incentive for any staff that refers a teacher to one of the hard to staff schools. Together, the two incentives would cost $490,000.

Warren also asked “what the plan is” for hard to staff schools beyond the pay increases.

Chief Human Resources officer Dr. Gonzalo La Cava said the district is looking at a three-tiered professional development program to provide continued support to teachers.

“When you ask a teacher ‘what is the

number one thing you want?’ a lot of the times they don’t tell you money, but they do want support,” La Cava said. “They want a leader that’s engaged with them and is providing a great culture.”

La Cava said the district is also looking at long-term plans to make sure teachers aren’t “forgotten” and can receive constant coaching, and that he knows teachers are excited about the salaries and bonuses they could receive.

If all the salary increases, bonus and incentive plans are approved it would cost the school district $57.8 million.

“I’m pleased to announce this budget recommendation really checks off just about every box as far as the parameters,” Dereef said.

The parameters included identifying opportunities for cost efficiencies, maintaining a competitive compensation structure, to be revenue neutral and continuing with a modified zero-based budgeting process.

The school board also looked at increasing school maintenance funds. The district has projected a 4.5 percent increase in the tax digest, but some board members expect the number will be much higher and could create additional money to spend.

The Chief Communications Officer for Fulton County Schools, Brian Noyes said that may be true, but the school district likely will not know the official tax estimate until after the budget is approved and is operating off a conservative estimate now.

Fulton County Schools

Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney said he has discussed maintenance individually and will “be working with staff to present a proposal that adds additional money towards school maintenance.”

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

PRESERVING THE PAST

A centenarian’s story of World War II (Part 1)

Americans owe a great debt to WW ll veterans, especially those very few who reach a major milestone, celebration of their 100th birthday. While the debt can never be repaid, we can recognize those who came home and those who did not by telling their stories to current and future generations. This is the story of one centenarian, Henry Cockerill of Sandy Springs. who will celebrate his 100th birthday in May. His life reads like a book with many chapters, each one worth telling.

Henry (Hank) Cockerill (1923) was born and raised in Detroit. His father worked in a machine shop and then became a superintendent at Kermath Marine Industries, maker of marine engines from the 1910s until the 1950s including engines for Liberty Ships built to carry men and supplies to Europe during WW ll. Hank also worked in the Detroit commercial district at one of the two gas stations his father owned.

In March 1943, Hank joined the Army with a friend. They stayed together until the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion. Hank was inducted into the Army at Fort Custer, Michigan, a facility that dates back to WW l and where 300,000 troops were trained

during WW ll. The fort is still used as a training facility by the Michigan National Guard. Hank did his basic training at Camp White, Oregon, a large WW ll training camp that was deactivated in 1946.

Hank was trained in bridge building as well as installation of antitank mines and their removal using bayonets as prods. In combat, mines were also dismantled using tanks fitted with flails, rapidly rotating rollers mounted in front of a tank with heavy chains attached. The chains would whip around and strike the ground with such force that the mines would detonate without damage to the tanks.

His first assignment was Normandy, France. On June 11, five days after the D-Day invasion by Allied Forces, Hank landed on Utah Beach, one of five beaches invaded on D-Day. Hank’s group of engineers had to construct floating docks to get the heavy equipment to shore. Tanks, tank destroyers, other artillery and a company of machine gun specialists were all pushed to shore on these floating docks by use of a boat with an outboard motor.

Although D-Day (code named Operation Overlord) had successfully established a beachhead at tremendous cost in lives, the Germans still occupied most of Normandy and Western Europe, and American troops continued to suffer significant loses. Allied Forces knew they had to capture major ports and towns to force the Nazi

troops to retreat.

Hank spent a few days on Utah Beach and then convoyed for about three days to the port of Cherbourg. The objective was to surround the port so the German soldiers there could not leave. Hanks group, the 990th Combat Engineers Battalion, then moved on toward the town of Saint-Lô.

The fighting was intense in the hedgerows around Saint-Lô in July, 1944. The town was a major transportation hub used by the Germans to carry men and equipment to the French coast. Hedgerows in Normandy date back to Roman times and were used by farmers to surround fields. Each hedge consists of an earth wall up to six feet wide at its base with shrubs and trees on the wall up to 15 feet high and nearly impenetrable by tanks or soldiers. The Germans had dug fortifications within the hedgerows, making forward progress very slow and dangerous for American troops.

Following the capture of Saint-Lô in July 1944, Hank’s group went by convoy to the large German submarine base in the town of Lorient on the west coast, formerly the site of a French naval base. Prior to converting the French base to a submarine facility, German U-boats had to travel from ports in Germany. Hank’s group attempted to get the Germans to surrender, but they would not, and the fighting continued. Later, after U.S. forces heavily shelled all above-ground structures, the Germans surrendered

when they ran out of provisions. After the war, the base reverted to the French Navy until it was converted to civilian use in 1995.

Hank’s group then left Lorient and joined up with the 7th Armored Division in Malmedy, Belgium, for what became known as the Battle of the Bulge.

Battle of the Bulge

One of the most important battles in the war was the Battle of the Bulge in December and January 1944-45 in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium. It represented the last major offensive campaign by Germany in Europe and opened the way for American troops to enter Germany. The U.S. Army Center of Military History quotes Winston Churchill as stating, “This is undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war and will, I believe, be regarded as an ever-famous American victory.”

In a future column we will continue the wartime story of Henry Cockerill with details of the Battle of the Bulge as seen through Henry’s eyes, the famous Battle of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, Germany, and his highly successful post-war business career.

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.

Confession — I like characters of a certain age

I mentioned several books in my recent column about hitting the jackpot at the library, and these two were part of that haul. Perhaps it’s a coincidence that they both feature “older” characters, as in at least age sixty. Could that be because I’m, ahem, in my sixties? Check out my latest reads and see what you think.

“Killers of a Certain Age” by Deanna Rayburn

OMG! What’s not to like about this book? Four menopausal women in their sixties are retiring. The lifelong friends who worked together for forty years as

deadly assassins are looking forward to retirement--or at least they were until their employer puts out a hit on them.

They started together in 1979. Fast forward to 2018 and learn how the world has changed not only for the rest of us but also for highly trained assassins. The younger generation of clandestine operatives relies on different skills. Oh sure, these “killers of a certain age” and today’s youngsters all excel in hand-tohand combat, but the seniors aren’t very good with computers or even smartphones.

The tales of their past exploits are sprinkled throughout the story, so you get a glimpse of their former prowess. It’s not that they’ve completely fallen apart at age 60. It’s just that they have creaky knees and hot flashes and don’t run as fast or jump as high as they used to. But, they’re still deadly.

You have to laugh as one of them pops her osteoporosis pill and admires a goodlooking waiter at the same time. They’re just like other menopausal women except they can throw together a recipe for poison and use garrottes.

The book is packed with witty and pithy dialogue. Her colleagues quip about the smallest of the four who wears “wedge espadrilles that were four inches high and tied halfway up her leg with yellow satin ribbons” and bats her eyes at pool boys.

When she asks what they think her chances are with her favorite porter, her friend responds, “Maybe he has a geriatric kink. Dab a little Metamucil behind each ear and go get him, cougar.”

Do I recommend this book? For sure. It’s a rollicking read. You don’t want to miss out on four senior women kicking butt! Not quite convinced? Here’s one last

teaser. If you’re a woman of a certain age, you’ll covet the “Menopaws” app.

“Winter Solstice” by Rosemunde Pilcher

What a delight to travel to several spots in the United Kingdom in one book. It moves from a small English village to London, to Cornwall, and on to the village of Corrydale in Scotland. Pilcher has a wonderful way with words and describes the scenery so vividly that you will feel as though you are there. I saw the waves crashing on the Cornwall coast and the snow falling in Scotland.

The book begins with Elfrida, a woman in her mid-sixties, and her delightful neighbor Oscar, who is slightly older. This is the story of their evolving relationship through the good and the bad. The story

See CHARACTERS, Page 12

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

Celebrate Garden Faire 2023 at Wills Park in Alpharetta

For the 22nd year, the North Fulton Master Gardeners will host our timehonored Garden Faire.

Garden Faire 2023 will be held Saturday, April 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever! This year, the event will be at The Grove at Wills Park, 175 Roswell Street in Alpharetta. Mark your calendar for this annual day of gardening inspiration.

SHAVE

To make sure you have a wonderful experience at our faire, North Fulton Master Gardeners spend all year preparing for it by growing plants in their yards as well as at the Fulton County Schools Teaching Museum greenhouse, recruiting vendors and finalizing event details.

We recommend that you either park at the parking lot at the Alpharetta Community Center at the Grove at Wills Park or at the overflow parking lot at Amana Academy, 285 S. Main St. in Alpharetta, then hop on the free shuttle, which will run continuously from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The showcase of our faire is the Pass-Along Plant sale. Be sure to arrive early, 9 a.m. sharp, if you want to join the zealous shoppers and avid gardeners. You’ll see them pulling a

Characters:

Continued from Page 10

unfolds with each chapter told from the perspective of a different character. Along the way, Elfrida’s niece Carrie joins the tale as does a great-niece. So, if more mature characters aren’t to your

garden cart or pushing wheelbarrows to get the best deals on the 2,000 plants for sale. Annuals, perennials, hanging ferns, shrubs and planters are some of the finds you’ll see that day. Our wonderful greenhouse-grown plants will feature coleus, hanging ferns, geraniums, begonias, herbs and a large variety of other annuals. The Master Gardeners’ precious pass-along plants typically include ground covers, flowering perennials, hostas, iris, daylilies, herbs and many other perennial plants, including some select shrubs. All plants are grown by the Master Gardeners themselves! We love to answer gardening questions.

North Fulton Master Gardener volunteers collect vintage treasures and pass them on to you at our ever-popular Fleatique market. Peruse the Fleatique sale to find that interesting pot, gadget or garden tool for your home or garden. Deals abound here!

If you bring little sprouts to the faire, look for the Children’s Corner sign. Children will want to pot a tomato plant, make a hat or terrarium, or sit for a ladybug or spider painted on their smiling faces. This free activity is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We will have educational demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., which will include information about growing tomatoes, identifying invasive plants, the how and why of soil testing, and growing plants in containers.

liking, you will also find younger ones to entertain you.

As the book jacket says, “The December solstice is … about hope, renewal, and rebirth,” and the friendships in the story reflect that spirit. It’s a heartwarming story about friends, family, and neighbors.

As I googled information about the book, I was delighted to find a Rosamunde

This year we are proud to announce the return of vendors who will sell gardening-related items and plants. We still have a few slots available, so vendors may complete our virtual Garden Faire Vendor Commitment Form to apply to participate or email northfultonmastergardeners@gmail.com.

Proceeds from the Garden Faire go to support our demonstration gardens and many educational activities for children and adults.

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

For more details on Garden Faire, check out the webpage at nfmg.net/garden-faire.html and the Facebook event at facebook.com/ events/1725773191171454/.

See you on Saturday, April 29th at Garden Faire 2023 in Wills Park in Alpharetta!

Happy gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture

Pilcher Winter Solstice Tour, an eight to nine-hour tour that visits the Scottish locales featured in the book. The description says it’s enjoyable even if you haven’t read the book, but I think fans of the book would enjoy it even more. Yet another idea to add to my never-ending wishlist.

There you have it, two very different books featuring characters of a certain

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.

About the Author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Sandra Shave, a master gardener since 2018. Sandra grew up on a dairy farm in northern Wisconsin and learned to garden at her mother’s knee. She is a recent transplant to Roswell, moving from Wisconsin in 2014 after retirement to be nearer to her children and most importantly her grandchildren. Prior to the move, Sandy worked in the medical device industry in sales, marketing and product development roles over her 35+ year career. But, she always found time to grow a garden and play with her landscape. Sandra was co-president of the North Fulton Master Gardeners in 2022 and is excited to master the art of gardening in Georgia and to help teach others via the NFMG Gardening Lecture Series and the Speakers Bureau.

age. I highly recommend them both.

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries locally at The Enchanted Forest in Dunwoody and Bookmiser in East Cobb or on Amazon. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ KathyManosPennAuthor/.

SANDRA

Guest Columnist

Workforce Development Coordinator

Develop programs and services for clients and students who are seeking employment, post-secondary education, or other career options. The coordinator collaborates with employers in the community who are hiring. The role also includes working one-on-one on job applications, resumes, interview preparations and offers tips for successfully securing and improving employment. Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field required.

For full job description see: https://nfcchelp.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/02/Workforce-DevelopmentCoordinator-2023.pdf. To apply, send resume to cswan@nfcchelp.org.

Accounting Specialist – PART TIME

Responsible for the day-to-day transactions within the accounting department. The specialist is accountable for preparing financial transactions, processing invoices, and entering general ledger data which will assist in balancing the income statement, managing budgets, and preparing financial reports. Role works closely with the Finance Manager and Director of Finance and Administration. Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or related field required.

For full job description see: https://nfcchelp. org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AccountingSpecialist-02.21.23-1.pdf. To apply, send resume to jrice@nfcchelp.org.

Asst Prjct Mgr (Sandy Springs, GA).

Asst w prjct schdlng, buy out and coordntn of cnstrctn rltd actvties rltd to the ovrll dvlpmt & cnstrctn of upscl A++ mlti-family projects. Reqs Bach Degr or frn equiv in Cnstrctn Sci or rltd fld. 2yrs exp as prjct eng or rltd; in requesting vndr prpsals, sbcntrctr onbrdng, value engin’ing, prjct sfty mgmt & qlty cntrl. Send resume to Kem Carstarphen, Worthing Southeast Builders, at 10 Glenlake Pkwy NE, South Tower, Suite 300, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.

Cook. Prep.

Seasoned typical Pakistani foods, such as saffron, longgrain fragrant rice, thick yoghurt, ginger/garlic paste, pure ghee (clarified butter); Prep. fried onion, rose & kewda, along w/ marinating kabobs; Cook Biryani Rice, kabobs, & other Pakistani cuisine. Prep. foods for Pakistani weddings. Order supplies, plan menu of Pakistani cuisine, & price items on menu. Prep. Degh. Req. 18 mos. exp. in Pakistani typical foods rest. Exp. prep’g. Pakistani foods for 200 - 300 ppl. events. Salary: $32,718/yr. Send resume to: Hayat Enterprises Inc., 5775 Jimmy Carter Blvd, #190 & 140, Norcross, GA 30071.

Tree Services

Belco Electric

“Family Owned Since 1972” Fast Dependable Service by Professional Uniformed Electricians Check out our new website: BelcoInc.com and follow us on: 770-455-4556

Office Space

Wonderful Office Suite Available

Near (.7 mile) Downtown Alpharetta

• Turnkey – Everything provided

• Utilities included

• Marketing can be included

• Conference Room

• Parking

• 24/7 access

Administrative Assistant for Youth and Children

Protestant church in downtown Alpharetta seeks a parttime (15-18 hours per week) Administrative Assistant for Youth & Children’s Ministries. In addition to normal administrative duties the candidate will assist with scheduling, social media, securing supplies, maintaining attendance records, planning events and mission trips.

Qualified candidates are a person of outstanding character who is friendly, organized, able to prioritize, exhibits an understanding of the importance of confidentiality, and is willing and able to work in an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of all people.

A degree from an accredited college or university is preferred. Computer competence within Office 365, editing, and writing skills are required. Experience with REALM is a plus.

Successful completion of a criminal records and child abuse background check is required. Send resumes to alpharettajobopening@gmail.com.

Neumann’s Landscape & Tree Service

Joe Neumann – 770-452-1173 or 404-644-7179

• Private office suite within Appen Media Group’s building

• Easily accommodates up to 5 people

• Office has great light. Ground floor

• .7 mile to Alpharetta City Hall on Hwy. 9

• Smaller office space also available in same building

• Short or longer term lease. Reasonable $

Contact Ray Appen via Text (770-527-4042) or email me at RayAppen@Gmail.com – or just call me but best to text and I will return your call.