Dunwoody Reporter - August 2022

Dunwoody Reporter

AUGUST 2022 Vol. 13 No. 8 ■ reporternewspapers.com

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BROOKHAVEN 730 Estate Way Offered for $1,350,000 Kim Boyd 404.520.6095 Kathryn Crabtree 404.545.2297

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LAVISTA PARK 1166 Citadel Drive NE Offered for $1,095,000 Kim Boyd 404.520.6095

PINE HILLS 2835 W Roxboro Road NE Offered for $3,450,000 Eydie Koonin 404.697.8215

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Contents AUGUST 2022 Editor’s Note

4

Buckhead New police precinct opens Peter Aman joins APD

6 7

Sandy Springs Israel Police train leader Crimes linked to burglary ring

8 9

Brookhaven Trail project begins construction 10 City seeking input on federal grant 10

21

13

26

Editorial Amy Wenk Editor, Reporter Newspapers Collin Kelley Editor, Atlanta Intown Joe Earle Editor at Large Staff Writers Dyana Bagby Bob Pepalis Sammie Purcell

Published By Springs Publishing Keith Pepper Publisher keith@springspublishing.com Neal Maziar Chief Revenue Officer neal@springspublishing.com Rico Figliolini Creative Director Steve Levene Publisher Emeritus

Advertising For information (404) 917-2200 sales@springspublishing.com Deborah Davis Account Manager | Sales Operations deborah@springspublishing.com Jeff Kremer Sr. Account Manager jeff@springspublishing.com Suzanne Purcell Sr. Account Manager suzanne@springspublishing.com

Contributors

Circulation

Sally Bethea, Cathy Cobbs, Kathy Dean, Isadora Pennington, Maria Saporta, Charles Seabrook, Joann Vitelli

58,000 copies of Reporter Newspapers are delivered to homes in ZIP codes 30305, 30319, 30326, 30327, 30328, 30338, 30342 and 30350 and to businesses/retail locations.

As seen in Print Use this QR code to read extended versions of stories found in this issue.

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Dunwoody City postpones bond referendum New park starts construction

12 12

Sports High school football preview

13

Education Backpack Buddies finds a home

17

Health Opioid overdoses rise

18

Dining Hammocks Trading Company closes Chops Lobster Bar to reopen Guide to Food That Rocks

20 20 21

Sustainability Energy resilience near the Arctic Circle

25

Arts Miami Circle becomes fine art epicenter

26

Business Leaders aim to attract federal health agency

27

Get Out of Town Weekend in Pine Mountain Georgia lighthouses The museums of Cartersville

28 32 34

About the Covers Brookhaven: Marist School.

Courtesy of Marist School.

Buckhead: Pace Academy.

Photo by Nicole Seitz.

Dunwoody: Dunwoody High School.

Photo by Ken Langley Photography.

Sandy Springs: Riverwood International Charter School.

Photo by Cady Studios.

Honored as a newspaper of General Excellence ©2022 with2018 all rights reserved Publisher reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertising for any reason. Publisher assumes no responsibility for information contained in advertising. Any opinions expressed in print or online do not necessarily represent the views of Reporter Newspapers or Springs Publishing.

AUGUST 2022 | 3

EDITOR’S NOTE

Go with the flow Massive wildfires. A violent war. Contion requirement to graduate. tagious diseases. An attempted mass shootWhen I walked into the first class, I was ing. Government corruption. the only female student and quickly felt like These are topics that could frame an I didn’t belong. Despite being intimidated, apocalyptic novel.

I gave it a shot, and we spent weeks pracBut in fact, they are news ticing on Lake Hartwell. There, I stories from a recent episode perfected my strokes and learned of “Nightly News.” complex moves like how to comThe reality of the world has pletely roll over with my vessel left me feeling heavy lately, in the water. and I needed to tune out for a Our final was amazing — a minute. So, in July, I booked two-day camping trip, where we a weekend trip to southeast paddled several rivers across the Tennessee to go kayaking BY AMY WENK Southeast. The first time I got along the Hiwassee River. my kayak onto the river, I felt Like many people, getting such a connection to nature. I out in nature helps me destress. I also find belonged there. I knew then that paddling that paddling reminds me of an important would become a lifelong passion. life lesson — to go with the flow. If you Over the years, I’ve visited various rivers paddle upstream, you will get nowhere and and wanted to share a few of my favorites tire quickly. Like the river, life takes us from as a complement to our “Get Out of Town” calm waters to more chaotic rapids, and we section that starts on page 28. must navigate those.

■ Hiwassee River – I go back often HIGH MUSEUM OF ART ATLANTA | HIGH.ORG | SEPTEMBER 16–MARCH 5 I’ve been paddling for almost 20 years. to this river in southeast Tennessee. With I had stumbled across a whitewater kayamostly gentle rapids, it’s easy enough for beking course at Clemson University where ginners. The landscape can hardly be beat, I earned my degree in the early 2000s. as you float along the tree-covered bluffs of I signed up not knowing what to expect, the Cherokee National Forest, where there merely trying to satisfy my physical educais no development. I recommend trying out the Hiwassee Outfitters in Reliance, Tenn.

■ Nantahala River – The NantahaCONVENIENT DUNWOODY LOCATION la in western North Carolina is a bit more fast-paced. The water is quite cold, making it a perfect option for a hot summer day.

I find this river to be exhilarating, and it helps if you have prior paddling experience.

Check out the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, N.C. ■ Buffalo National River – If you get a chance, you won’t regret a trip to the Buffalo River in Arkansas. I spent four days canoeing and camping along this river and was amazed at the pristine water, the beautiful mountain bluffs, and the variety of wildlife. It was a true adventure!

Complete Orthopedic Care for ■ Rainbow Springs or Silver Springs Weekend Warriors of all ages.

– Florida has many spring-fed rivers, which are just gorgeous paddles. I really enjoy the blue waters and plentiful turtles at Rainbow Springs in Dunnellon, Fla. Silver Springs, • Now providing multiple located near Ocala, Fla., is home to hunRegenerative Medicine dreds of rhesus macaque monkeys, which “It is time to get back to were brought there in the 1930s for a movtechniques, including PRP old style medicine where a ie. It’s wild to see them along the river!

• Timely appointments ■ Tallapoosa River – The Tallapoosa board certified orthopedist River spans more than 265 miles, flowing sees you, evaluates you, • Guaranteed to see the doctor Now welcoming from the southern end of the Appalachian and cares for you.”

Deanna Anselmo APRN at every visit Mountains in Georgia into the foothills in to the practice. Deanna - Dan Richin & southern Alabama. It’s relaxing and peacespecializes in aesthetics • Convenient free parking in front Dr. Paul Richin, MD ful, making it ideal for beginners. including Botox and Dysport I hope this might inspire you to get out injections. Microneedling, Fillers, and Peels. on the water, escape the chaotic world, and All insurance accepted find a bit of peace. Of course, always paddle responsibly and with the proper equipOrtho Cortisone Injection Center 1705-B Mt. Vernon Rd Dunwoody, GA 30338 ment. (across from Dunwoody Village) 404-292-3538 www.theocic.com MAJOR SUPPORT PROVIDED BY

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BENEFACTOR EXHIBITION SERIES SUPPORTERS Robin and Hilton Howell

This exhibition is organized by the High Museum of Art, Atlanta. Stephen Burks (American, born 1969), designer; DEDON, Germany, established 1990, manufacturer; The Others (Lanterns S, M, and Statue Lika), 2017, fiber (high-density polyethylene), aluminum, marble, acrylic, and LED solar panels, High Museum of Art, Atlanta, gift of DEDON. Photo by Joe Coscia.

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BUCKHEAD DOING MORE IS OUR DISTINCTION.

Atlanta Police open new precinct in Buckhead Village

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, center, Interim Police Chief Darin Schierbaum and Gov. Brian Kemp, along with other officials, cut the ribbon to the new Buckhead Village police precinct. (Dyana Bagby)

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An Atlanta Police Department precinct has opened in the Buckhead Village.

The new precinct at One Buckhead Plaza adds a dozen police officers to the north Atlanta community as part of the city’s efforts to thwart crime.

Gov. Brian Kemp joined Mayor Andre Dickens for a ribbon ceremony and said the precinct “marks a new chapter” for Buckhead.

Kemp praised local and state law enforcement agencies for working together to fight crime in

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“I’ve said before that public safety has no political boundaries,” Kemp said. “It cuts across all political lines, whether you’re Republican, whether you’re Democrat, whether you don’t care. You want your neighborhood to be safe. You want your streets to be safe. And that’s what today is all about — fulfilling the number one duty of government by protecting its citizens.”

The new precinct was announced last fall as crime rates rose in Buckhead. The Buckhead City Committee formed denouncing the crime and their desire for Buckhead to break off from Atlanta.

Dickens said the partnerships forged between local and state law enforcement were crucial in combating crime. The new mini-precinct benefits Buckhead, but also all of Atlanta, he said.

“We all benefit when we work together,” Dickens said. “This is just one of the public safety investments we’re making in Buckhead and across our entire city.”

Interim Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said opening of the precinct was an “exciting day for the Atlanta Police Department.”

“Emblazoned on this precinct is the seal of the Atlanta Police Department, meaning that this community of Buckhead is protected by the Atlanta Police Department,” he said.

“This is apolitical,” Schierbaum said. “Everyone wants to enjoy their parks. Everyone wants to enjoy all of the vibrancy that is our capital city, that is the city of Atlanta.”

Major A. Mitchell, commander for Zone 2, which includes Buckhead, said the new precinct will be staffed by 12 officers and two supervisors. It will house the new Buckhead Village bicycle patrol unit and traffic unit.

As Buckhead’s population increases and more people commute to and from work, visit restaurants, stores and entertainment venues, there has been a steady uptick in traffic-related calls, Mitchell said.

“This precinct is going to give us the ability to be able to respond to those traffic-related calls along the Buckhead Village corridor quicker and faster and free up those resources so that we’re able to respond to other important law enforcement matters,” Mitchell said.

“And it also gives us the ability to increase our proactive policing.”

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& Young, and previously served as partner at Bain & Company. Aman is also a civic leader, having served on many boards in Atlanta, and provided consulting support to Dickens’ transition team.

Peter Aman to fill new role with APD Peter Aman will serve as the Atlanta Police Department’s first chief administrative officer (CAO).

“I created the chief administrative officer position to ensure that the personnel of the Atlanta Police Department have the best tools and support as they fight crime and serve our community,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement. “Peter Aman has a wealth of experience in enterprise transformation and operational experience through a career that has included time as COO for the city. He is a progressive leader with deep public safety experience who will help us ensure that APD is staffed, resourced and organized to meet our public safety goals.”

Dickens created the position of the CAO in his fiscal year 2023 budget. The CAO will oversee the communications division (E911), information services, project management, fiscal management, human resources and administrative operations, including license and permits, code enforcement and other support units.

Aman served as chief operating officer for the City of Atlanta from 2010-2011.

He retired as partner/principal from Ernst

Rebuild of bridge on Cheshire Bridge Road underway Reconstruction of a fire-damaged bridge over South Fork Peachtree Creek

that has kept a portion of Cheshire Bridge Road closed for a year is finally underway.

The Atlanta Department of Transportation said the bridge is expected to be completed by Oct. 31.

That will come as a relief to businesses and residents along the corridor, which have been impacted by the long road closure. Businesses reported a decrease in customers, while residents complained of longer commutes.

A fire underneath the bridge on Aug. 4, 2021 forced the bridge to close, and the structure was eventually demolished.

Cheshire Bridge has been closed between Woodland Avenue and Faulkner Road ever since.

The city selected C.W. Matthews as the contractor for the bridge replacement work.

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AUGUST 2022 | 7

SANDY SPRINGS DOING MORE IS OUR DISTINCTION.

We proudly welcome

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Israel Police train SSPD leader

The law enforcement officers from the United States and Israel met with a Druze delegation.

The Druze in Israel are a religious and ethnic minority among Arab citizens of Israel. (Special)

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BY BOB PEPALIS Sandy Springs Police Department Maj. Michael Lindstrom returned from Israel after a two-week public safety leadership training with the country’s top police executives.

Lindstrom was part of a 16-member delegation including eight Georgia police chiefs and command staff and four Georgia sherSandy Springs Police Major Michael Lindstrom, third from left, attended an exchange public safety training program in Israel. (Special) iffs.

“I think one of the SSPD Criminal Investigation Division used most important lescontacts gained through the GILEE prosons I learned from our time in Israel was gram to contact Israel Police to obtain more how important it was to connect with the information on a suspect who happened to community that the officers were workbe an Israeli citizen,” DeSimone said. ing in,” Lindstrom said. “Although some He said contacts like these save valuable of these areas demanded a more serious time and allow the department to operate at approach to the tasks at hand, they never the most efficient levels. wavered from their willingness to connect While in Israel, the delegates partnered with their citizens.” with the Israel Police and were shown best Sandy Springs Police Capt. Norman Vik practices and the latest technologies in popreviously attended Georgia Internationlicing and public safety. al Law Enforcement Exchange’s (GILEE) “To say that the experience was surreal 28th annual peer-to-peer executive training would be an understatement,” Lindstrom program, while Lindstrom took part in the said. “We had an opportunity to visit a na29th program. tion loaded with centuries of history all “We have been a continuous supporter while being exposed to some of the world’s of the Georgia International Law Enforcegreatest leaders in law enforcement.” ment Exchange as it provides valuable crossGILEE is a research center within Geortraining between law enforcement agencies gia State University’s Andrew Young School in the U.S. and abroad,” Sandy Springs Poof Policy Studies. It enhances public safelice Chief Ken DeSimone said. ty by nurturing partnerships within and The connections made by the SSPD across public law enforcement agencies and through the GILEE program have paid divthe private sector. idends.

“In a recent homicide investigation, the reporternewspapers.com

The Sandy Springs Planning Commission recommended approval of changes to the city’s short-term rental regulations to limit how long a residence can be rented — up to 100 days.

The zoning regulations include rental of all or part of a dwelling unit. Another recommendation before the Planning Commission at its July 20 meeting was to include all accessory structures and land attached to the property under the regulations.

“What we’re looking to do is [allow] one rental whether it’s indoors or outdoors without the property owner being there,” Community Development Director Ginger Sottile said. “If the property owner is there, they can rent two indoor, or one indoor and one outdoor, in one 24-hour period of time.”

The text amendment would limit an individual, family or group to a short-term rental of up to 100 calendar days per year, she said.

To enforce the regulations, the city can examine business licenses filed by the property owner. Rental companies such as Airbnb keep track of the days properties are rented and have to report their income, enabling another method to check enforcement. The city does contract with a company to keep track of rental days also, she said.

“The only other way really is, I would say, complaint driven,” Sottile said. “So if you notice that your neighbor is having multiple parties at the pool a day, then you would then call and have code enforcement do an investigation. And we would try to address it that way.”

Cities reject Fulton County’s sales tax share hike A request by the Board of Commissioners for Fulton County to increase its share of the one penny Local Option Sales Tax by 600% was rejected by the 15 cities that share in the distribution of the revenue.

Agreeing to Fulton County’s request to increase its share from 4.9% to 35% would have a significant impact on Sandy Springs

if it was accepted, city spokesperson Dan Coffer said.

Approximately one-fourth of the General Fund for Sandy Springs comes from the LOST tax distribution, Coffer said. In 2020, the city’s LOST revenue was $25.3 million.

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Residents against changes to stormwater rules Proposals to loosen stormwater management restrictions, which are designed to control runoff and improve water quality, were panned by the Sandy Springs Planning Commission, which voted to recommend denial of the changes for the Nancy Creek area.

Local residents and the Sandy Springs Council of Neighborhoods spoke out against the changes, which were also questioned by the planning commissioners.

Staff’s presentation said the reason for the suggested changes was to ease requirements citywide for runoff reduction for small projects. It also was intended to establish requirements for parts of the city

designated as a sensitive area.

“The change to the stormwater code, which the city is considering, adds to an already dreadful situation,” said Holly Mitchell of Carolwood Lane, which she said is on Nancy Creek.

The creek has grown from approximately 8 or 10 feet wide to over 20 feet in some spots, she said, eating away at their land and creating unsafe conditions.

“It’s now not a creek, it’s more like a river. And when there are storms, it’s a rushing river,” Mitchell said.

City Council is expected to consider the proposal at its next meeting.

Crimes linked to metro burglary ring Sandy Springs Police made multiple arrests in July in burglary and home invasion cases that have been connected to what metro police agencies allege are part of a gangrelated burglary ring across the region.

Three suspects were arrested near a Lockton Place home, which had a previous break-in attempt. Handguns were found near the townhome, Sandy Springs Police said.

This incident was linked to another burglary in which a resident was shot during a forced entry.

Police allege a criminal organization known as “Drug Rich” or “RX” was responsible for these and multiple other incidents in Atlanta, as well as Cobb, DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.

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BROOKHAVEN Construction starts on Murphey Candler trail project

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Construction has started on a new multi-use trail along the dam at Murphey Candler Park in Brookhaven.

The project will replace the five-foot sidewalk that crosses the Murphey Candler Park dam on the north side of W. Nancy Creek Drive with an 11-foot sidewalk, according to the city’s website. The new sidewalk will have seven observation decks overlooking Murphey Candler Lake.

The Brookhaven City Council awarded a construction contract to Woodwind Construction Company for the project at its June 14 meeting. The contract is in the amount of $1,085,160.

During construction, which is slated to last through the end of the year, trail users can use the sidewalk on the south side of the dam, go through the baseball/softball area, or follow the south trail.

Police reviewing race and ethnicity reporting The Brookhaven Police Department announced that it has started looking over race and ethnicity reporting requirements, as recommended by the Social Justice, Race, and Equity Commission (SJREC).

The city created the SJREC in 2020 with the intent of recommending improvements to the city’s vision and mission statement, city hiring and retention practices, procurement and contracting, and policing. One of the things the commission discussed was the need for more precise race and ethnicity data in police reporting, and the city’s

SJREC implementation plan calls for the department to review federal reporting requirements in the second quarter of 2022.

A Brookhaven police spokesperson said that the department has begun its review, but did not offer a timeline of when the review would be finished. Meanwhile the BPD’s 2021 Annual Report did not include race and ethnicity data, and while some sections of the department’s transparency web page have been updated with current data, others have not.

Brookhaven wants feedback on federal grant use Brookhaven is seeking input for its second year of a federal grant that aims to assist economically disadvantaged areas of the city.

Last year, the city adopted a five-year Consolidated Plan and a 2021 Action Plan for its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD).

The city announced that it would hold two public hearings. The next one is set for Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at Brookhaven City Hall.

According to city documents, the city’s 2022-2023 CDBG allocation is $336,993.

The city proposes spending $219,603 on neighborhood and public facilities improvements, focusing specifically on the Buford Highway area. Director of Strategic Partnerships Patty Hansen said while the plan prioritizes the Buford Highway area, the city can address needs in other areas.

Read more about what is under consideration at reporternewspapers.com.

— BRIEFS BY SAMMIE PURCELL reporternewspapers.com

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Alerts and notifications help inform you on weather, traffic, and other emergencies in your community. When you opt-in for alerts, you will have the option to choose the kind of notifications you prefer to receive.

Sign up at www.BrookhavenGA.gov/BrookhavenAlert

Plan Ahead For Any Emergency Smart911 Download one app to provide 9-1-1 and first responders information in an emergency and receive targeted alerts including from the City of Brookhaven and the National Weather Service.

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AUGUST 2022 | 11

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DUNWOODY City postpones bond referendum, raises millage rate After months of debate and multiple town hall meetings, the Dunwoody City Council has decided to not move forward with a bond referendum – at least not this year.

The city’s Capital Prioritization Committee recommended that the Dunwoody City Council not move forward with a bond referendum at a meeting in mid-July.

This means that Dunwoody residents will not see a list of capital projects on a bond referendum on their ballots come November.

The committee voted 2-1 to not present a possible bond project list to the council at its July 25 meeting. While most council members agreed that the council probably wouldn’t have moved forward with a bond in 2022, some expressed disappointment over the committee’s recommendation. Councilmember Tom Lambert said he thought that by not providing the coun-

cil with a list, the committee did not allow the entire council to make a decision.

While the city will not move forward with a bond referendum in 2022, council members agreed that they want to move forward with a bond project list as quickly as possible.

Read more of our coverage of the bond process online at reporternewspapers.com.

While the city didn’t move forward with a bond referendum, it did approve a millage rate increase, marking the first time the city has raised taxes since its incorporation in 2008. The council voted to increase the millage rate from 2.74 to 3.04 mills.

The council decided the increase was needed to help close the city’s structural deficit, which is currently about $3.9 million. The increase is also expected to help cover salary increases for law enforcement officials.

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The Atlanta-Journal Constitution is committed to facilitating conversations on the topics important to aging well in Atlanta and providing you resources to live your best senior life — especially in today’s challenging environment.

Visit us at ajc.com/aging to sign up for the newsletter and see a recording of our spring virtual event.

You’ll find plenty of 55+ focused content there as well as links to our previously published sections and events.

Look for our special section publishing June 5th in your Atlanta JournalConstitution print and ePaper editions.

Photo by Paul Ward

Construction has started on a new park in Dunwoody, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city broke ground on Perimeter Center East Park on July 25. The five-acre park will be located at 50 Perimeter Center East. The park was initially expected to be built in 2020.

“We’ve had a need for a park in Perimeter Center since the City was incorporated,” said Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch in a press release. “Thousands of Dunwoody residents will finally have easy access to green

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space and park amenities.”

The total budget for the project is $3 million. The city approved using American Rescue Plan funding for the project earlier this year.

The park is expected to include a splash pad, a playground, pavilions, restrooms, exercise equipment, and trails.

The city hopes to have construction completed by the end of 2022 and to have the splash pad open in time for next summer.

— BRIEFS BY SAMMIE PURCELL

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12 AUGUST 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS

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SPORTS

High School Football Preview Score Atlanta, founded in 2004 as a weekly sports paper, now produces television and digital broadcasts for partners such as the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Georgia High School Association, National Guard, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Score has the most-used app for state high school scores and operates events such as the Corky Kell Classic, the Great Atlanta Bash, the Drive for the GHSA State Title, and the Georgia Elite Classic. Score also started the inaugural Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame, which will have its first induction ceremony on Oct. 22. In partnership with Reporter Newspapers, these team previews were authored by Shane Bernstein, Hank Joseph, and Tzali Nislick, with Managing Editor Craig Sager II and General Manager Graham David.

Cross Keys High School Head Coach: John Bowen 2022 Schedule: 8/26

@ Community Christian

9/2

@ Flint River Academy

9/9

vs. Clarkston

9/16

vs. Heritage (Newnan)

9/22

vs. Midtown

10/6

vs. St. Mary’s Academy (CA)

10/14 @ Notre Dame Academy 10/27

vs. Notre Dame Academy

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Greater Atlanta Christian School Head Coach: Tim Hardy 2022 Schedule: 8/19

@ Meadowcreek

8/26

vs. Lovett

9/2

vs. Pace Academy

9/9

@ Decatur

9/23

@ Northview

9/30

vs. Cambridge

10/14 vs. North Springs 10/21

vs. Kell

10/28 @ Chattahoochee 11/4

@ Centennial

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oming off seven consecutive region championships and winning 12 games per season on average in that span, the Spartans went 4-7 in 2021. They scored the fewest points and allowed the most points in head coach Tim Hardy’s tenure. But with a rich tradition and great head coach in Hardy, they are poised to turn things around in 2022. Mekhi Blocker appears to be the starting quarterback as he enters his senior season having completed 63.3% of his passes last year. He also had 94 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown last season. Joining him in the backfield will be junior running back GL Tiberia. He was second on the team in rushing yards and averaged 7.3 yards per carry, flashing his game-breaking potential. On the defensive side of the ball, the Spartans will be led in the front seven by Bryce Izundu and Gold Chyrack Jr., who combined for 12 tackles for loss and 75 total tackles last season.

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School Head Coach: Todd Winter 2022 Schedule: 8/20

vs. Pace Academy

8/26

@ Riverwood

9/2

@ Christ Church

9/9

@ Ensworth (TN)

9/16

vs. Douglass

9/30

@ Westminster

10/7

vs. Miller Grove

10/14 vs. Southwest DeKalb 10/28 vs. Stephenson 11/4

vs. Hapeville Charter

Photo by Ken Langley Photography

here is nowhere to go but up for the Cross Keys Indians in 2022. A bright spot on the defensive side of the ball is the return of junior Chris Bass Jr., who last season had 29 total tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss in only five games played. Junior defensive back Tommy Huynh is also expected to be one of the team’s key pieces. He registered 13 total tackles and one pass deflection last season. Other returning players on defense who are expected to be difference makers include David Quintero, Jason Joiner and Luis Hernandez. They combined for 5.5 tackles for loss and 36 tackles between the three of them. Hernandez is a versatile athlete who also punted at times last season. He totaled 183 yards in six punts, with his longest punt being 44 yards. Hernandez also averaged a team-best 12.4 yards per carry in 2021. Jonathan Rodriguez was a solid runner last year, rushing for 137 yards at 4.2 yards per carry to go along with a touchdown. Quarterback Thomas Eason was also effective with his legs in 2021, rushing for 163 yards at 5.1 yards per carry.

H

Dunwoody High School Head Coach: Michael Nash 2022 Schedule: 8/19

@ North Springs

9/2

vs. Chamblee

9/9

vs. Druid Hills

9/16

@ Northview

9/23

vs. Lakeside, Atlanta

9/30

@ Marist

10/14 @ St. Pius X 10/21

vs. South Cobb

10/28 @ Riverwood 11/4

vs. North Atlanta

E

xpect Dunwoody head coach Michael Nash to reimplement his traditional spread offense in 2022. Nash, who is entering his eighth season at Dunwoody, said that the Wildcats were required to run a conservative offensive system due to being thin on defense, while also playing against elite 7A programs that forced the Wildcats to play ball-control offense. But now in a new classification (Class 6A), Dunwoody will be more competitive. Nash also hired a new coaching staff, including new offensive and defensive coordinators. With quarterback Porter LeDoyen leading the offense as a senior, Nash expects the Wildcats to be much more improved on both sides of the ball. He’ll have returning senior wide receivers Jack Pankey and Jordan Wade for LeDoyen to throw to and the new spread scheme is designed to allow these athletes to shine. Nash said to expect junior Owen Painter to make the move from backup quarterback into a utility role. Defensively, Dunwoody will be led by returning junior defensive ends Luke Phillips and Luke Cole. These significant changes could result in coach Nash earning his first winning season at Dunwoody.

oly Innocents’ Head Coach Todd Winter has completely rejuvenated the football program. After failing to win the region since 2009, the Golden Bears won their first region championship in 10 years in 2019. They won again in 2021 and now will go for their third region title in four years. They will return a lot of their key offensive players, who averaged over 37 points per game last season, the most in program history. They did it with a dominant ground attack, led by rising senior Drew Bomar, who ran for 738 yards and nine touchdowns at a 10.0 yards per carry clip. The Golden Bears could air it out last season too, headlined by wide receiver Zach Jackson, who averaged 26.8 yards per reception in 2021. He and quarterback William Wright established a special connection, hooking up for eight of Wright’s 12 touchdown passes last year. The defense was lethal too, totaling seven defensive scores and holding opponents to single digits in nine of 13 games. Jackson flashed his playmaking ability, coming away with seven interceptions, while Jacobi Murray wreaked havoc in the front seven with six sacks and 14 tackles for loss. All these players are back for 2022 as Winter hopes to lead Holy Innocents to back-to-back region titles.

Photo by Debbie Reams

AUGUST 2022 | 13

Marist School Head Coach: Alan Chadwick 2022 Schedule: 8/19

vs. Gainesville

8/27

@ Miami Norland (FL)

9/2

vs. Eagle’s Landing

9/9

@ Woodward Academy

9/16

vs. Blessed Trinity

9/30

vs. Dunwoody

10/14 vs. South Cobb 10/21

vs. North Atlanta

10/28 @ St. Pius X 11/4

@ Riverwood

L

egendary Marist head coach Alan Chadwick returns for his 38th year at the helm of the War Eagles in the 2022 season. After losing a tightly contested game to Benedictine in the state quarterfinals and falling short of repeating as state champions, they look to rebound this year.

Marist graduated their top two quarterbacks and top four leading rushers from last season and will be much younger with less experience. But that hasn’t stopped Chadwick from being successful in the past, and he could lean on DJ Mazzone as the new signal caller to go along with Eli Clarkson in the backfield. They also graduated their two leading pass catchers so this will be a very young group on offense.

Joseph Patin, the War Eagles’ second leading tackler with 73 total tackles, returns as the anchor of the defense. Defensive lineman Spencer Camastro returns for his senior season after recording 32 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks and six quarterback hurries last season. Walker Richens is also a playmaker on both sides of the ball. It will be a much different look for the War Eagles with their youth and climb from Class 4A to Class 6A this upcoming season, but coach Chadwick has the track record for Marist to maintain its status as one of the best programs in the state.

Mount Vernon School Head Coach: Wayne Dabbs 2022 Schedule: 8/19

@ Wesleyan

8/26

vs. Harvester Christian

9/2

@ Mount Paran Christian

9/16

vs. Tattnall Square

9/23

vs. Athens Academy

9/30

@ Elbert County

10/7

vs. Mount Zion, Carroll

10/21

@ Mount Pisgah Christian

10/28 vs. Whitefield Academy 11/4

vs. St. Francis

M

ount Vernon finished their 2021 season with a 7-5 record and an even 2-2 record in region play. Returning for his eighth season with the Mustangs, Head Coach Wayne Dabbs’ team will stay in Class A and move to Region-6A Division 1. Mount Vernon averaged 19.3 points per game a season ago, with two players awarded with All-State honorable mentions. Last year’s seniors, quarterback Luke Barnes and All-State linebacker Austin Taylor’s impact on the field will be missed as Mount Vernon will need returning players to step up their game. With only eleven attempts last season and the only other quarterback to get under center, Sam Nazarian will likely take the keys from Barnes after two straight winning seasons. Rising junior and All-State honorable mention Jonathan Gallinaro led the team in all major receiving categories with 46 receptions for 943 yards and ten touchdowns as just a sophomore. With a relatively young team, Mount Vernon will face off against Wesleyan as they look for a win in the season opener for the first time since 2017.

North Springs High School Head Coach: Jeff Phillips 2022 Schedule: 8/19

vs. Dunwoody

9/02

vs. Riverwood

9/09

vs. Martin Luther King (Neutral)

9/16

vs. Midtown

9/30

vs. Northview

10/07 vs. Chattahoochee 10/14 @ Greater Atlanta Christian 10/21

vs. Centennial

10/28 @ Kell 11/04 @ Cambridge

N

orth Springs looks to build on a one-win season a year ago in Head Coach Jeff Phillips’ second season on campus. The Spartan defense will have to make up for a huge loss as their leading tackler, Fred White, graduated this past spring. On the bright side, North Springs does have a large contingent of production returning, including dual threat starting quarterback Anthony Young.

He led the team in passing and rushing yards, accounting for 1,220 total yards in 2021. For a team that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2017 in former coach Scotty Parker’s first season, Phillips would love to get them there this year. The Spartans defense only allowed 123.5 passing yards per game a season ago and as aforementioned they bring back plenty of production. The offense needs to operate more efficiently after rushing for only 87.3 yards per game and should be able to do so after a full offseason under Phillips.

Photo courtesy of North Springs High School

North Atlanta High School Head Coach: Jamie Aull 2022 Schedule: 8/18

vs. North Forsyth

8/26

vs. Drew

9/02

@ New Manchester

9/09

vs. River Ridge

9/16

@ Wheeler

9/30

vs. St. Pius X

10/07 vs. Riverwood 10/21

@ Marist

10/28 @ South Cobb 11/04 @ Dunwoody

H

ead Coach Jamie Aull returns for his third season at the helm of the Warriors program after improving by two wins (6-4) from his debut campaign. North Atlanta has seen a large shake-up in their region this year. Of the five teams in Region 4-6A last season, only North Atlanta remains. North Atlanta impressed early in the 2021 season and got off to a 4-0 start for the first time in program history. Region play was not nearly as kind as they dropped the first three games by a combined 134 points. The Warriors return most of their production on the offensive side of the ball yet must focus on progressing defensively after allowing 31.0 points per game over the last six games. Quarterback Lorenza Lennon returns for his senior season as the leading passer and rusher on the Warriors team. The two leading tacklers for North Atlanta also return as they look to bolster a stronger group on that side of the ball, and hopefully push the Warriors through to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

14 AUGUST 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS

Pace Academy Head Coach: Nick Bach 2022 Schedule: 8/20

vs. Holy Innocents (Neutral)

8/26

@ Westminster

9/02

@ Greater Atlanta Christian

9/09

vs. Lovett

9/16

@ Woodland, Stockbridge

9/30

vs. Hampton

10/07 vs. McDonough 10/20 @ Luella 10/28 vs. Stockbridge 11/03

@ Mount Zion, Jonesboro

T

he Pace Academy Knights are coming off a solid 6-5 season, which saw them advance to the Class 2A playoffs, but lose in the first round. Gone is former Head Coach Chris Slade, who led the school to its first and only football state championship in 2015. New Head Coach Nick Bach inherits a Pace program with experience and nearly the entire offensive production returns, especially in the passing game. Now in Class 4A, Pace will get a chance to exact revenge on Westminster after a 10-point loss a season ago, and another opportunity to assert their dominance over the Lovett Lions. The player with the most buzz entering this season for Pace is Hevin Brown-Shuler. The No. 46 overall rated player in the country, according to 247Sports, is the No.5 defensive lineman in his respective class. At 6-foot-4, 290 pounds he can dominate offensive lines almost single-handedly.

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AUGUST 2022 | 15

Riverwood International Charter School Head Coach: Michael Young 2022 Schedule: 8/19

vs. Alexander

8/26

vs. Holy Innocents

9/02

@ North Springs

9/16

vs. Chamblee (Neutral)

9/23

vs. Westminster

9/30

vs. South Cobb

10/07 vs. North Atlanta (Neutral) 10/21

@ St. Pius X

10/28 vs. Dunwoody 11/04 vs. Marist

R

iverwood experienced a significant amount of turnover this offseason. Gone is former Head Coach Robert Edwards. Michael Young was promoted from his defensive coordinator role and enters his first season as a head coach. He takes over a team that went 9-2 last season and lost in the first round of the playoffs to Douglas County, 24-17. Prior to Riverwood, Young was an assistant at other schools in Georgia, including Collins Hill (where he played in high school), Carrollton and Milton. In 2021, Young oversaw a Raider defense that held opponents to 16 points per game. Riverwood lost a lot of production from that nine-win season. The biggest loss was quarterback Avery Smith, who signed to play at Toledo. Tight end Levi Linowes returns from a 36-catch, 730-yard campaign in 11 games played last season. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Linowes earned All-Region recognition and recently picked up offers from Brown, Air Force and Army.

The Lovett School Head Coach: Mike Muschamp 2022 Schedule: 8/19

vs. Westminster

8/26

@ Greater Atlanta Christian

9/09

@ Pace Academy

9/16

vs. McDonough

9/23

vs. Fellowship Christian

9/30

@ Luella

10/07 vs. Stockbridge 10/21

@ Mount Zion, Jonesboro

10/28 @ Hampton 11/04 vs. Woodland, Stockbridge 11/4

M

ike Muschamp returns for his 18th season as the head coach of the Lovett Lions after an 8-4 season, which ended with the Class 2A Coach of the Year award from the Atlanta Area Football Officials Association. Muschamp returns a host of players, including junior quarterback Preston Lusink, kicker Conner Deviney, and defensive lineman Christian Bell. Lusink fell just short of 100 completions last season, throwing for over 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns along with 180 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Leading rusher Henry Stimmel and both leading receivers graduated, so Lovett will have a large amount of production to replace this season. The Lions will have to roar a bit louder as they are now in Class 4A, jumping two classifications. But, Muschamp has not missed the playoffs once in his career at Lovett, which includes a 2013 Class 2A state championship victory.

Head Coach: Chad Garrison 2022 Schedule: 8/19

vs. Dacula

8/26

@ Flowery Branch

9/02

@ Jefferson

9/09

@ Blessed Trinity

9/16

vs. Parkview

9/30

vs. North Atlanta (Neutral)

10/14 vs. Dunwoody 10/21

vs. Riverwood

10/28 vs. Marist 11/04 @ South Cobb

Head Coach: Gerry Romberg 2022 Schedule: 8/19

@ Lovett

8/26

vs. Pace Academy

9/02

vs. Benedictine (Neutral)

9/16

vs. Centennial

9/23

@ Riverwood

9/30

vs. Holy Innocents

10/07 vs. Stephenson (Neutral) 10/14 vs. Hapeville Charter 10/28 vs. Southwest DeKalb vs. Miller Grove (Neutral)

W

estminster looks to improve on a season in which the Wildcats finished 5-5 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Head coach Gerry Romberg returns for his 30th season after picking up his 220th win and climbing to sixth all-time in state history for most career wins by a head coach. The Wildcats lost two key pieces from their team a season ago, Holden Staes, who is off to Notre Dame, and Denton Shamburger, who accepted a preferred walk-on spot with the University of Georgia.

Westminster is sure to reload its roster and brings in a familiar name in Jerome Bettis Jr. at wide receiver. For a team that scored 23.1 points per game and allowed 23.5 points per game, they will need help on both sides of the ball, and Bettis offers that. Westminster routinely produces highly sought-after kicking talent and Josh Brockman returns as the place kicker.

16 AUGUST 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS

C

had Garrison returns for his second season as the St. Pius X head coach after a 9-3 campaign ended with a heartbreaking one-score loss to Creekside in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs, 41-34. The Golden Lions lost senior quarterback Alex Possert, who also posed as their leading rusher for a team that operates a triple option scheme. The Lions moved up a classification and find themselves now in Region 4-6A with local Atlanta rival Marist.

The only scheduled game that carries over from Garrison’s first season is rival Blessed Trinity in the Crossroads Classic. The Lions beat them and eight other teams en route to a 9-1 regular season and their second-consecutive Region 5-5A championship. They were perfect in region play, averaging 42.3 points per game, including two shutouts. Without Possert, the Lions will need other members to step up, more specifically a strong rusher with good decision making to run the classic offensive scheme. The most notable returnee for St. Pius X is three-star cornerback/athlete Jack Tchienchou.

Wesleyan School Head Coach: Franklin Pridgen 2022 Schedule: 8/19

vs. Mount Vernon

8/26

vs. Decatur

9/02

@ North Cobb Christian

9/09

@ Whitefield Academy

9/23

@ Gilmer

9/30

vs. Lumpkin County

10/07 @ White County 10/14 vs. Dawson County 10/28 vs. West Hall 11/04 @ Pickens

vs. St. Francis

The Westminster Schools

11/03

St. Pius X Catholic High School

F

ranklin Pridgen, head coach of the Wesleyan Wolves since 2006, returns for his 17th season. Wesleyan went 8-4 last season and reached the second round of the Class A-Private playoffs. Wesleyan now finds itself in Region 7-3A. The Wolves must replace senior quarterback Jett Miller, who threw for over 2,000 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. Fortunately, Wesleyan returns leading rusher Will Tucker and First-Team All-Region wide receiver Jamie Tremble. Tucker racked up a team-high seven touchdowns and 526 yards in just nine games, and Tremble stepped up as a sophomore and led with five touchdowns receptions and 620 yards off 44 catches. Leading tackler and linebacker Trent Debow heads into his senior season and will bolster a defense that held teams to 11.8 points per game in the regular season. The offense will need to produce more after getting shut-out twice in the last four games in 2021 and the big question is who will step up at quarterback this season.

Wesleyan has reached the playoffs every year since 2014. In a new classification, Wesleyan will have to adapt to its competition to keep its playoff streak alive.

Woodward Academy Head Coach: John Hunt 2022 Schedule 8/19

@ Trinity Christian, Sharpsburg

8/26

vs. McCallie (TN) (Neutral)

9/9

vs. Marist

9/16

vs. Morrow

9/23

@ Alcovy

9/30

@ Lovejoy

10/14 vs. Rockdale County 10/21

vs. Jonesboro

10/28 vs. Mundy’s Mill (Neutral) 11/3

@ Forest Park

C

oming off an 11-1 record, Head Coach John Hunt is entering his 12th season with the War Eagles after earning his sixth region championship. After two years in Region 3-5A, Woodward will move to Region 3-6A for the 2022 season. They finished last year with a second round exit in the playoffs after a loss to Blessed Trinity, 2813. With a total of 51 touchdowns on the season, they averaged 32 points per game. Woodward had three All-State players, two of which graduated and will take their talents to the SEC this upcoming season. Hunt will have the pleasure of coaching returning seniors A.J. Hoffler and Jalen Woods. Hoffler was named All-State as a defensive end in 2021 and recorded 47 tackles and a team-best nine sacks.

Woodward should also expect to see a lot from quarterback Woods who threw for 1,294 yards, 13 touchdowns, and only one interception last season.

reporternewspapers.com

EDUCATION

Backpack Buddies finds a home Alpharetta 5230 Windward Pkwy, Suite 102 Milton, GA 30004 (678) 366-1445 Sandy Springs 5975 Roswell Rd Suite A-103 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 (404) 236-2114 ORDER ONLINE! WE DELIVER! NothingBundtCakes.com 08/27/22

Ron Robbins (left), Samra Robbins (middle), and Jonathan Halitsky (right) in front of the new Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta facility in Dunwoody.

BY SAMMIE PURCELL A local nonprofit finally has a place to call home.

Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta, an initiative that gives food insecure students access to food over the weekend when they can’t get meals from school, has a new headquarters.

The facility is located in Dunwoody at 2458 Jett Ferry Road, Suite 350, and is expected to be ready to go for the new school year.

Founders Ronald and Samra Robbins began helping children in need years ago out of their synagogue in Savannah, Ga. They continued their work when they moved to Dunwoody in 2017, working out of Congregation Beth Shalom with a group of volunteers, packing food for 10 students at a local elementary school who were part of the school’s free breakfast and lunch program.

Nearly five years later, Backpack Buddies has now officially achieved nonprofit status. It has 19 participating organizations, or “buddy organizations,” including churches, temples, and other nonprofits, that help feed close to 1,000 kids in 27 schools over the weekend during the school year, according to Ron. Most of these schools, said Samra, are classified as Title I, which is a federal education program that supports low-income students throughout the nation. According to a national campaign called No Kid Hungry, as many as 13 million children in the United States live in food insecure homes.

“That’s really our target,” Samra said. “Because when the weekends happen, these kids don’t have any food.”

Ron said he and Samra have known for a while that their business model would require a facility to house food for their different organizations to come pick up, but they didn’t know if it would be possible. Luckily, one of Backpack Buddies’ board members is a real estate agent and helped them find and lease the new space.

“This whole thing came to fruition around January and February,” said Ron, referring to the new space. “We wanted this umbrella organization.”

Ron said the board provided most of the upfront costs for the new facility. The team

then hired a part-time employee to keep track of their inventory – before that, individual organizations had been keeping track themselves – and held a beta test at the end of the 2022 school year with about six of their organizations to see how they could make a new pickup system work.

“It set the standard for exactly how we’re going to do it come August,” Ron said.

Jonathan Halitsky, the part-time employee, said that the beta test involved different organizations emailing him and telling him how many kids they would be picking up for and for how many weeks. The organizations would schedule a pick-up slot and then come get their pre-packaged bags from the new facility. Halitsky said that in the future, organizations should be able to order their haul online through the website, making the process even easier.

Each bag holds 16 servings – enough to feed one kid six meals over the course of a weekend. Halitsky started working with Backpack Buddies at the beginning of April, and before that was volunteering with one of the buddy organizations out of his synagogue, Congregation B’nai Torah. His mother-in-law, who is a board member for Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta, also serves as one of the leads of the Backpack Buddies program at the synagogue.

“When I found out they were starting this umbrella organization, I helped set up the space,” Halitsky said. “We got to talking, and it became apparent this was a good fit.”

Halitsky hopes that the ability for these organizations to come pick up their food from one centralized location will save time and money. He also hopes the streamlined nature of the system makes the barrier to entry lower for new organizations that might be interested in joining.

“If there’s a religious or civic organization that you belong to that isn’t involved in Backpack Buddies, we want to know,” he said.

Halitsky, Ron, and Samra all said they couldn’t do any of this without volunteers, and hope that having a new home for Backpack Buddies will lead more people to learn about the organization and want to help. “That’s what’s been great about being in a space like this,” Halitsky said.

dunwoodyga.gov | 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody GA 30338 | 678.382.6700

“Pics in the Park” and two “Groovin’ on the Green” concerts this month!

August Highlights

2

Dunwoody Art Commission Meeting

4

National Night Out at Food Truck Thursday

City Hall 7:30 a.m.

Brook Run Park 5 - 8 p.m.

Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting City Hall 6 p.m.

5

Pics in the Park “Lilo and Stitch”

8

First Day of School DeKalb County

Pernoshal Park 8 p.m.

18

Pop Up on the Plaza

19

Groovin’ on the Green

21

Monthly Community Bike Ride

22

Dunwoody City Council Meeting

Open house, art demos, live music Spruill Center for the Arts 5 p.m.

“Sassfolk” Brook Run Park Amphitheater 6 - 9 p.m.

Meet at Village Burger 3:45 p.m.

City Hall 6 p.m.

Dunwoody City Council Meeting City Hall 6 p.m.

9

Planning Commission Meeting City Hall 6 p.m.

11

Sustainability Committee Meeting

13

Groovin’ on the Green

via Zoom 8 a.m.

“Josh Gilbert Band” Brook Run Park Amphitheater 6 - 9 p.m.

AUGUST 2022 | 17

HEALTH

Dunwoody, Brookhaven see rise in opioid overdoses Opioid-related incidents are being seen all over the country. According to the latest statistics provided by Center for Disease ConOpioid-related overdoses in the Atlanta trol, during 2019-20, there were only five area are skyrocketing, which has police and states not experiencing an increase in opiate medical personnel distributing record numoverdose deaths (Louisiana, Delaware, New bers of life-saving measures.

Hampshire, New Jersey, In several cases, reand Massachusetts). In ported overdoses durGeorgia, the number of ing the first six months reported opioid-related of 2022 have exceeded deaths in 2019 was 419. those of the entire preIn 2020, that number vious year. climbed to 896, a 115% “We have absoluteincrease. ly seen a spike in the Police point to the number of opioid-relatpopularity of the powed overdoses since the erful synthetic opiate pandemic began,” said Fentanyl as the reason Dunwoody Police Pubfor the rising number lic Information Officer of overdoses and deaths.

Sgt. Michael Cheek.

Fentanyl, according to “At this rate, we will the Drug Enforcement surely exceed the numAdministration, “is a bers for 2021.”

Above, Stevie D” Gebhardt. synthetic opioid that is According to Cheek, Below, Connor Vieira.

50-100 times stronger police were involved than morphine. Pharin administering Nalmaceutical Fentanyl oxone (Narcan), a nawas developed for pain sal spray used to rapidmanagement treatment ly reverse the effects of of cancer patients, apan opioid overdose, 4 plied in a patch on the times in 2019 after six skin. Because of its powreported overdoses. In erful opioid properties, 2020, there were 14 inFentanyl is also diverted cidents resulting in the for abuse.” administration of NarFentanyl, primarily can 21 times. In 2021, manufactured in Mexthe number of doses ico, is often added to administered jumped other drugs to increase to 27 for 14 overdosits potency, often withes. During the first six out the knowledge of months in 2022, there the end user, the DEA said. were 20 doses administered during 16 re“There are no safe illegal drugs out there ported incidents. (In most cases, according anymore,” Murray said. “It’s extremely diffito officials, Narcan may have to be admincult to detect whether or not street drugs like istered several times to a victim in order to Xanax, heroin or even marijuana are laced revive him or her — thus the disparity in with Fentanyl until it’s too late.” incidents and the number of units that are Cindy Gebhardt of Dunwoody is one administered.) who knows firsthand of the heartache caused In Brookhaven, the trend is much the by the opioid crisis. Her son, Steve, known to same. According to Sgt. Matthew Murray, in many as “Stevie D,” died January 25, after in2019, there were 11 overdose cases reported gesting Xanax laced with Fentanyl. While he to the police and nine were opiate-related. Of had been struggling for several years with adthe 13 cases documented in 2020, all were diction issues, his mother said he had been opiate-related. That number jumped to 21 in clean and sober for at least six months before 2021 (19 opioid-related), and in 2022, there the incident that killed him. have already been 10 documented overdose “It was a big shock to us because he had cases, with eight cases related to opiates. been doing so well,” Gebhardt said. “We had “We only document cases where there was been very intentional about keeping track of some kind of police intervention where pohim. He was never a huge user, but when he lice administered Narcan, evidence was coldid, he got into trouble.” lected or property placed into safekeeping,” Gebhardt said medical personnel who anMurray said. swered the call after her son was found unreMost police departments now stock seversponsive on January 20 administered Narcan, al vials of Narcan in officers’ vehicles. All 58 which revived him but “he had been gone too Dunwoody officers carry Narcan, as well as long.” After five days in intensive care, he was the 85 patrol officers in Brookhaven.

BY CATHY COBBS

Ultimately, it’s your experience that matters.

We do everything with that idea clearly in mind.

So, go ahead, enjoy yourself with great social opportunities and amenities. Savor fine dining every day.

And feel assured that assisted living services are always available if needed. We invite you to experience The Piedmont at our upcoming event.

Low Country Boil

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11TH • 3:00PM

Join us for a traditional Low Country Boil!

Mix & mingle with residents while enjoying live themed music. It’s a great way to get to know us!

To RSVP, please call 404.381.1743.

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18 AUGUST 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS

EQ UA L HOUSING OPPOR T UNI T Y

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taken off life support.

Police say Gebhardt’s story is a familiar one.

“Since it’s such a powerful opiate, people tend to overdose the first time they take it,” Murray said.

Cheek said the crisis “is growing” with no end in sight.

“Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous and potent substance,” Cheek said. “The drugs of today are not like those of the past. It doesn’t take much for someone to overdose.”

Nancy Junay of Dunwoody is another mother who has experienced the same tragedy. Her son, Connor Vieira, died of a Fentanyl overdose. He and Stevie D were longtime friends.

“He just never thought he would have any consequences to his actions, even after Stevie D died,” she said. “We came home from Stevie’s funeral, and I told him, ‘Don’t ever do that to me.’”

But the grip of his addiction was too powerful to overcome, despite multiple interventions by his family, friends and law enforcement. Connor died April 9 at the age of 23.

“We did so much, and it didn’t make a difference – rehabilitation, counseling, and so many other things. I would even run after drug dealers coming by the house, and Connor still managed to get his drugs,” she said.

There seems to be no clear path to reducing the numbers of opioid-related overdoses and deaths, police say.

“We need to get control of this issue, but it’s hard to know where to start,” Cheek said.

“There is no trend we can identify – it’s males and females, rich and poor. And it’s not just an Atlanta problem – it’s a United States problem.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction issues, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

AUGUST 2022 | 19

DINING North Italia restaurant to open in Dunwoody

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A modern Italian restaurant has announced an opening date for its new location in Dunwoody.

The restaurant, called North Italia, is expected to open at 4600 Ashford Dunwoody Road on Aug. 17, according to an announcement. This will be the Italian restaurant’s second metro Atlanta location.

The restaurant is from Fox Restaurants Concepts, the company behind restaurants like Flower Child and Zinburger. The restaurant announced the Perimeter location in May, and a Buckhead location is already open.

North Italia will serve modern Italian

pizza, pasta dishes made from scratch, and craft cocktails.

— SAMMIE PURCELL

Hammocks Trading Company closes in Sandy Springs A 10-year-old seafood restaurant in Sandy Springs has shuttered.

Hammocks Trading Company was set to serve its last meals on July 31, according to a social media post from the restaurant.

“After 10 wonderful years of celebrating Hammocks style, we will set sail for something new in 2023,” says a Facebook post announcing the closure. “We are so thankful for the memories, relationships, and friends we have made.”

Business partners Jason Sheetz and Chef William Sigley opened Hammocks in the summer of 2012.

The restaurant was located on Roswell Road, just south of North Springs High School, and offered menu items such as oysters on the half shell, fresh fish and a popular grouper sandwich.

Sheetz and Sigley operate other restaurants including Under the Cork Tree in Sandy Springs and Prime 120 in Woodstock. According to the website for their restaurant company, Succulent Hospitality, they plan to open other restaurants in Woodstock.

— AMY WENK

Atlanta’s iconic Varsity looks to redevelop its parking lots The family that owns the iconic Varsity fast-food restaurant overlooking the Downtown Connector is considering redeveloping its prime Midtown real estate.

The Gordy family has hired real estate consultant Cushman & Wakefield to find potential developers for The Varsity’s site at the corner of North Avenue and Spring Street.

The restaurant sits on about four acres, most of which is a parking lot. Plans are to keep the restaurant open.

The Varsity opened in 1928 to serve Georgia Tech students. It now stands on one of the most visible sites in booming Midtown surrounded by the expanding university, the new Norfolk Southern Corp. headquarters and the nearby North Avenue MARTA station. Real estate experts say an acre of land in Midtown can sell for about $10 million.

— DYANA BAGBY

Chops Lobster Bar eyes fall reopening

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20 AUGUST 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS

Chops Lobster Bar plans to reopen this fall after a fire closed the upscale Buckhead restaurant in January.

“We have expanded our dining room and bar seating, including a beautiful patio and private room,” Niko Karatassos, president of parent company Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, said in a statement.

“Throughout Chops Lobster Bar and The Club we have upgraded with new finishes and furniture. Chops will reopen better

than ever this fall. The team is back, and we look forward to serving you soon.”

A permit had been filed on April 14 to restore and remodel the restaurant on West Paces Ferry Road, with an estimated cost of almost $1.9 million.

In January, a fire started inside a hood vent at the restaurant and was serious enough that firefighters had to call a second alarm to extinguish it.

— AMY WENK reporternewspapers.com

August 19 & 20, 2022

Photo by Joann Vitelli

www.FoodThatRocks.org ■ 3 sessions over 2 days For more information, scan the QR Code

Follow us on social @foodthatrocksatl

City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 AUGUST 2022 | 21

Featured Restaurateurs & Chefs Jamie Adams, il Giallo Osteria & Bar Title: Chef/owner What will you serve at Food That Rocks?

Short rib ravioli Who or what influenced your culinary career?

My parents. They were born and raised in New Orleans, and my mother was a great cook. As the youngest of five kids, I was always in the kitchen. Later, growing up, my older siblings and my parents were traveling to Italy a bunch. I wanted to do that, and so I did.

What do you love about the Sandy Springs dining scene?

There are lots of new places coming in with lots of different cuisines and backgrounds.

It’s extremely vibrant.

What’s your go-to meal to cook at home?

Just about anything on the Big Green Egg Rob Gayle, Chef Rob’s Caribbean Café Title: Executive chef/founder What will you serve at Food That Rocks?

Jerk chicken, plantains and rice and peas

Justin Keith, Southern Bistro Title: Chef/owner What will you serve at Food That Rocks?

Fried green tomato sliders with bacon, pimento cheese, arugula and pepper jelly Who or what influenced your culinary career?

My mother and grandmothers What do you love about the Sandy Springs dining scene?

It’s growing and has an eclectic variety of cuisines.

What’s your go-to meal to cook at home?

Pizza on the grill Bridgette Washington, Tupelo Honey Title: Chef What will you serve at Food That Rocks?

Miniature chicken and cathead buttermilk biscuits with stoneground goat cheese grits and blueberry compote

Who or what influenced your culinary career?

Being a greedy kid always around the kitchen. When you grow up in Jamaica, you have to fend for your own food. I just loved watching my mother cooking, and cooking became easy for me.

I went to school at The Culinary Institute of America and decided I wanted to emphasize Caribbean cuisine [since] people don’t see it as much, understand it or respect it as much.

Who or what influenced your culinary career?

My entire family, since most of them are chefs. My grandparents had a restaurant in Thomasville, Ga. when I was young, and I started working with them when I was 10.

What do you love about the Sandy Springs dining scene?

I’ve been here about 20 years, and I’ve seen it build up. The dining is competing with downtown. It’s community driven, which is good because you keep the money in your community. It’s also very diverse.

What’s your go-to meal to cook at home?

Hamburger steaks with gravy, rice and whatever vegetables are in season. I also like to experiment with smoothies.

What’s your go-to meal to cook at home?

Roasted chicken, either jerk or herb roasted, some sweet potatoes, asparagus

Win with your food photos Snap a photo of your delicious dish when you visit a Sandy Springs restaurant in August or September and share it on Instagram @FoodThatRocksATL for a chance to win a $25 gift card from one of the participating restaurants. Be sure to tag #FoodThatRocks and #VisitSandySprings.

22 AUGUST 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS

What do you love about the Sandy Springs dining scene?

It’s a diverse group of young and older people.

Today’s younger generation is learning from the older people and changing things up to make it fit our life today.

Dave Green, The Select Title: Owner What will you serve at Food That Rocks?

Salmon tartare with lemon avocado coulis, capers, chives, crème fraiche, pickled mustard seeds, black olive powder, lemon vin and crispy wontons Who or what influenced your culinary career?

I’m not a chef, but I’ve been in the restaurant business my entire life. I started as a dishwasher and a bus boy and was a server and a bartender. Then a manager, and finally made it into ownership. I’ve been in it for 30-something years.

What do you love about the Sandy Springs dining scene?

It’s very much a family of restaurants.

Everyone gets along well and supports each other. It’s not a typical cutthroat place.

Everybody works together. It’s really nice.

What’s your go-to meal to cook at home?

I don’t cook at home. I live right there [by The Select].

Blaiss Nowak, Nowak’s Title: Owner What will you serve at Food That Rocks?

Chilled, sliced filet mignon with an Armagnac mustard sauce Who or what influenced your culinary career?

I grew up in the restaurant business. My father has owned a restaurant in Buckhead for 32 years called Hal’s.

What do you love about the Sandy Springs dining scene?

Sandy Springs is one of the best family communities outside of the Perimeter. This is where we wanted to be first as we expand outside of the city.

What’s your go-to meal to cook at home?

Nowak’s chicken, a pan-seared chicken breast with fresh vegetables, olives, tomatoes, onions with a reduced white wine sauce and fresh mashed potatoes.

Glenn McDaniel, McDaniel’s QN2 Title: Owner, cook, dishwasher

bread for dipping

What will you serve at Food That Rocks?

World Famous Cup O’ Q, which is layers of delicious pulled pork, baked beans and coleslaw, topped with a crunchy piece of garlic

Who or what influenced your culinary career?

While I’m not a chef, I started working in restaurants shortly after college and have always enjoyed the restaurant and hospitality environment. We enjoy bringing in our family influences as well, such as my mom’s squash casserole and my grandmother’s pickles.

What do you love about the Sandy Springs dining scene?

We love our proximity to the heart of the Sandy Springs community and watching it and the dining scene grow over the years.

What’s your go-to meal to cook at home?

My wife and three kids enjoy when I make quesadillas and tacos.

Participating Restaurants Friday, Aug. 19

Saturday, Aug. 20

Saturday, Aug. 20

Evening Session, 7-10 p.m.

Day Session, 12-3 p.m.

Evening Session, 7-10 p.m.

Battle & Brew, Buttermilk Sky Pie, City Bar, City BBQ, Clean Juice, Colonial Kitchen & Bar, Flying Biscuit, The General Muir, Henri’s Bakery & Deli, il Giallo Osteria & Bar, Kid Cashew, McDaniel’s QN2, Nothing Bundt Cake, The Select, Southern Bistro, Thos. O’Reilly’s Public House, Three Sisters

Buttermilk Sky Pie, Casi Cielo, City BBQ, Clean Juice, Flower Child, Flying Biscuit, Hearth Pizza Tavern, Henri’s Bakery & Deli, il Giallo Osteria & Bar, Kid Cashew, McDaniel’s QN2, Nothing Bundt Cake, Nowak’s, The Select, Thos. O’Reilly’s Public House, Tupelo Honey, Under the Cork Tree

Bishoku, Breadwinner, Buttermilk Sky Pie, Chef Rob’s Caribbean Café, City BBQ, Clean Juice, Flower Child, Flying Biscuit, Hearth Pizza Tavern, Henri’s Bakery & Deli, il Giallo Osteria & Bar, Kid Cashew, La Parrilla, McDaniel’s QN2, NAM Kitchen, Nothing Bundt Cake, Nowak’s, The Select, Thos. O’Reilly’s Public House, Tre Vele, Tupelo Honey reporternewspapers.com

Entertainment Saturday Day Session: Chef Demonstrations Chefs will teach attendees how to recreate their favorite dishes from the live cooking stage.

■ Chef Jamie Adams of il Giallo Osteria & Bar ■ Chef Michael Yates of Nowak’s ■ Chef Jason Hall of The Select ■ Chef Branden Holte of Under the Cork Tree ■ Bulleit Bourbon Cocktail Making ■ Whole Foods Market

Friday Evening Session: GlowBand GlowBand is a seven-member musical group based in Atlanta. At Food That Rocks, they will perform their “Experience the Eagles – Songs that Live Forever” show, featuring the Eagles’ top hits from the 1970s to the 1990s.

Know Before You Go: ■ Tickets are $85 in advance and $95 at the door (if available) plus taxes and fees ■ All attendees must be 21 and up.

Photo ID is required to enter.

No strollers. No children.

■ Limited parking is available for $10 at City Springs parking deck ■ Rideshare is preferred ■ Pets, chairs, coolers, weapons, fireworks and outside food or beverages are not permitted

Saturday Evening Session: The Geek Squad The Geek Squad is a popular Atlanta-based party band, which plays everything from Motown to jazz, funk, hip hop and today’s Top 40 hits.

Charity Partners Food That Rocks works to support and shine a light on the efforts of four local nonprofits.

Community Assistance Center An organization that helps neighbors in need in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody prevent homelessness and hunger. Food That Rocks attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to donate for a chance to win a culinary prize package.

Giving Kitchen Atlanta-based nonprofit that provides emergency assistance for food service and hospitality workers through financial support and a network of community resources.

Second Helpings Atlanta A food rescue organization that works to reduce hunger and food waste in the Metro Atlanta area by rescuing surplus food and distributing it to those in need.

Solidarity Sandy Springs A food pantry that started with the idea to help food-insecure school families during COVID-19 shutdowns.

WESTSIDE VILLAGE

2260 MARIETTA BOULEVARD, SUITE 105 ATLANTA, GA 30318 (404) 254-3235

SANDY SPRINGS

6125 ROSWELL ROAD, SUITE 1050 SANDY SPRINGS, GA 30328 (404) 565-0493

AUGUST 2022 | 23

24 AUGUST 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS

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SUSTAINABILITY

Energy resilience near the Arctic Circle The water was deliciousocean along the floor of the Atly warm and welcoming as I lantic. This seam in the Earth’s eased my jet-lagged body into crust separates massive slabs of the pearly Blue Lagoon, rich solid rock known as the North in silica and other minerals. In American, Eurasian, and Afrithe distance, I could see steam can tectonic plates. Slowly, they billowing from the geothermove — along with the contimal power plant that provides nents that ride them — a fact the water source for this luxury that was finally accepted by scispa: a nice side benefit from the entists in the 1960s. industry that has helped transCreated fairly recently, geoform Iceland into one of the logically speaking, from erupmost energy-resilient countries tions over a hotspot of molten in the world. rock, Iceland is the only place While a spa like the Blue in the world where it’s possible Lagoon is a modern-day de- BY SALLY BETHEA to stand on dry land between velopment, Icelanders have two continental plates — as we enjoyed soaking in geotherdid in Thingvellir. Here, the mally warm, even hot, water since the naNorth American and Eurasian plates are tion’s settlement by Viking explorers in the drifting apart an inch every year. (Geophys9th century. The cultural tradition continicists have compared this to the rate that ues today. There are nearly fifty natural hot fingernails grow.) I’m still pondering our springs and hundreds of geothermally heatexperience at this natural wonder, where we ed swimming pools for the country’s popviewed gorges, fissures, and waterfalls creatulation (370,000) — and increasing numed by extreme subsurface geologic mayhem. bers of tourists.

Last year, a volcanic eruption about On a trip to Iceland with my family in twenty-five miles southwest of Iceland’s early July, we found a spectacularly beaucapital city, Reykjavik, lasted for six months tiful country that conveys a sense of calm and drew hundreds of thousands of tourand community. Preparing for the trip, I ists to view the glowing magma and lava read about the island nation’s history and flows. It was the sixth volcanic eruption in characteristics: the tough resilience of Icethe country in the past two decades. With landers; commitment to equality, inclusion, a mixture of disappointment and relief, we and justice; love of literature and storytelldidn’t feel a single tremor during our time ing; strong education and health systems; in the country. lack of violent crime; and responsive govFrom Fossil Fuels to Geothermal ernment.

At the turn of the 20th century, Iceland Yes, the winters are long and very dark; was one of Western Europe’s poorest counthe weather is chilly even in the summer; tries, dependent upon peat and coal for its and you can expect fiery, volcanic erupenergy. Until the early 1970s, the largest tions somewhere in the country every four share of the country’s energy consumption to five years, on average. However, the was derived from imported fossil fuels. In much-proclaimed health and happiness of its isolated location — thirty miles below its residents seem to outweigh these “inthe Arctic Circle — the country needed a conveniences”— at least to Iceland’s proud, stable and secure domestic energy source to hard-working people. avoid oil price fluctuations caused by crises in the world energy markets. Innovation, Geography and Geology transparency, public engagement, and a soIn Thingvellir National Park, we walked lutions-based mindset focused on local rethrough the rift valley that marks the crest sources led the way. of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: the (mostly) Today, Iceland is the world’s largest per underwater mountain chain located midcapita producer of green energy and electric

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon with the geothermal plant in the background.

(Photo by Sally Betha)

ABOVE THE WATER LINE

power. Its residents enjoy a high standard of living. Eighty-five percent of the country’s primary energy supply comes from domestic renewable resources: hydro (glacial rivers and waterfalls) and geothermal (underground steam and hot water).

The main use of geothermal energy is for space heating, distributed to buildings — including 90% of Icelandic homes — through extensive networks of pipes. Fresh vegetables are grown through the cold, dark winters in geothermally heated and lighted greenhouses, as the power of volcanoes is transformed into tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, and mushrooms.

Embracing Innovation and the Future Despite its small size, homogeneous population, and vast geological assets, Iceland offers a model — certainly inspiration — for how to make a swift transition from fossil fuels to sustainable power sources. Its transportation and fishing industries still rely primarily on oil; however, electric vehicles are booming. Seventy percent of new cars in Iceland are EV or hybrid.

Responsive, in the 1990s, to the needs of its economy and its people, the government moved quickly to expand its renew-

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able portfolio with funding (research and exploration) and incentives for homeowners and energy-intensive industries. No incrementalism. No (apparent) deference to well-funded fossil fuel lobbyists. No single individual, like coal baron and U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, to thwart change to put hefty profits ahead of prosperous, healthy lives for future generations.

Instead, the country employed a seemingly open, solutions-oriented approach to do what appeared to be best for everyone: big business and small farmers. While local conditions determine which renewable resources are most efficient and cost-effective, Iceland’s success story is impressive. It is remarkable that, for such a small nation with limited financial resources at the time, it made the bold (some might say risky) decision to move away from fossil fuels.

A green transformation continues to unfold as Iceland’s leaders embrace change and innovation. Winters may be long and dark, but the country’s future looks bright with cheaper power costs, energy security, and a growing economy. As has been the tradition for more than a thousand years, communal hot springs continue to bring Icelanders and visitors together to calm body and mind.

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AUGUST 2022 | 25

ARTS

Buckhead’s Miami Circle has become the epicenter of fine art in Atlanta for easy conversion to art galleries and design businesses. Open spaces with industrial elements such as exposed steel beams and concrete floors are perfect for showcasing fine art.

Another Bennett Street transplant is Thomas Deans Fine Art. Founded in 1983 and now sharing a building with Anne Irwin Fine Art, the gallery specializes in contemporary paintings, contemporary and historical works on paper, as well as the occasional sculpture and photography.

“We moved to Miami Circle because the tenants on Bennett Street were changing rapidly.

The street was quickly losing its art and antiques focus,” explained founder Thomas Deans. “An art gallery next to an all-night barber shop wasn’t an ideal pairing. At the time, the economy was still recovering and space was plenti-

BY ISADORA PENNINGTON In 1993, Reinike Gallery moved from New Orleans to a space on Miami Circle in Buckhead. The establishment of this art gallery, the first on Miami Circle, set in motion a progression of the area into one of Atlanta’s largest hubs of art and design.

Almost 30 years later, Miami Circle is home to a dozen art galleries and a number of specialty design companies for everything from antiques to furniture to fabric.

Interior designers and art lovers alike enjoy the proximity of so many businesses that are devoted to art and design, and events like the bi-monthly Miami Circle Art Stroll provide a unique opportunity to tour all of these businesses while enjoying drinks, bites, and socialization.

“It has been really good to see everything grow up around us,” explained Emily West, who took over ownership of Anne Irwin Fine Art back in January of 2020. Founded in 1985 by artist Anne Irwin, the gallery occupied a space on Bennett Street before relocating to Miami Circle. “A lot of businesses moved with us when we moved here.

In the beginning it was not nearly as busy as it is now; now it’s a hub for the interior design business which are some of our primary clients.”

West began working at Anne Irwin Fine Art back in 2012, and she has witnessed the burgeoning art district evolve over the years. She remarked that with every new neighbor, from design shops to galleries, the sense of community on Miami Circle has grown.

“Our street has become kind of a onestop-shop for designers and homeowners

26 AUGUST 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS

Johnson in the wake of Lowe’s passing in 2021. In an interview about his rise to the position of executive director for a recent feature, Johnson described his initial impressions of the gallery when he, as a young man, came in to apply for a job.

“That first experience of walking into the gallery, it was kind of like standing at the base of Niagara Falls. It was an existential moment,” said Johnson. “It was a real spiritual experience to me when I first walked through the doors of the gallery.”

Founded in 1989, the Bill Lowe Gallery was also originally located on Bennett Street before relocating to Miami Circle. While the past few years have been challenging for art spaces given the restrictions of the pandemic, the Bill Lowe Gallery has actually flourished. Whereas in the past many collectors might travel to Miami, New York City, Los Angeles, or abroad to find artwork, when travel became less feasible many art lovers started looking for galA mural by Buckhead Murals welcomes visitors leries to support closer to home. to Miami Circle. (Photo by Isadora Pennington) “It is an ever expanding world,” explained Johnson, noting that the increased emphasis on their online presence has been key in keeping up with the times and weathering the COVID-19 pandemic. “The digital world is ever expanding.

We have collectors in Europe and Australia, we have collectors everywhere Inside Thomas Deans Fine Art. now. Because of the political atful on Miami Circle; and importantly, the mosphere and the economic development street was known as a design destination.” of the city, and because of the film industry Emily West with Anne Irwin Fine Art. Deans highlighted the benefits of being and music industry, Atlanta is expanding at located near other art and design businessan exponential rate.” for art, furniture, rugs, lamps… there’s reales, noting that it eases the burden of estabJohnson expressed his belief that the Bill ly a little bit of everything now. Lots of anlishing a gallery as a destination in and of Lowe Gallery is uniquely positioned to retiques and framing. We have all that too,” itself. “Instead, the street itself is the desmain one of the cornerstones of Miami Circontinued West. tination—for all sorts of people interested cle’s design district while also adapting to “The thing I like about being on the in art and design—and you are among the the times and the changing desires of art street with so many galleries is that they places to visit, or discover.” collectors. each have their own distinct personality,” Thomas Deans Fine Art seeks to show“Atlanta has an opportunity to be reshe said. The galleries not only get along, case a diverse array of works created by flective of the diversity of the city,” Johnbut they also refer clients to one another, American and international artists, includson continued. “Our clients come from all embracing the camaraderie lent to them by ing emerging and “blue chip” artists. Deans walks of life and different demographics. their physical proximity. is committed to providing an excellent art We have a very diverse collector communiWest described many of the art showbuying experience for private and corporate ty here both in race and in age, I am hopcased at Anne Irwin Fine Art as soft and collectors, casual buyers, designers, museing that I can expand that to class as well.” serene, and the gallery represents over 40 ums, and art consultants. emerging and mid-career contemporary Just down the street closer to the enartists from across the country. trance to PATH400 is the Bill Lowe GalMany of the buildings on Miami Circle lery, now under the leadership of Donovan were once warehouses, a detail that allowed reporternewspapers.com

BUSINESS

Georgia leaders going all in to attract new federal health agency and the Global Positioning System.

As envisioned, the new agency would transform our nation’s health as DARPA Georgia leaders have united in a quest has transformed our defense capabilities. to land the headquarters of a new federThe quest for ARPA-H has unified al health-related agency — an effort that Georgia leaders in an unprecedented way. would solidify the state’s role as the epicenAll 16 members of Georgia’s Congressioter for global health. nal delegation — led by U.S. Sen. RaphaThe administration of President Joe el Warnock (D-Ga.) and U.S. Rep. Buddy Biden already has allocated $1 billion for Carter (R-Ga.). The letter, dated June 21, the new Advanced Research Projects Agento Xavier Becerra, U.S. Secretary of Health cy for Health (ARPA-H) to improve the naand Human Services, made the case for tion’s ability to speed biomedical and health why Georgia should be selected for the new research on ways to cure cancer, Alzheimagency. er’s disease, diabetes and other afflictions The fact that every Georgia congressman through national and international research and U.S. senator signed the letter is remarkpartnerships. able.

The big question is where the agency “Those signatures need will be based. to be framed,” said Dr. DebLeaders in metro Atorah Bruner, Emory Univerlanta and Georgia undersity’s senior vice president stand ARPA-H can be a for research and a member life-changing opportunity of the Georgia coalition. for the state, similar to how “That’s such an amazing picGeorgia was able to become ture. We truly have unanthe headquarters of the imous bipartisan support Centers for Disease Control for this project, and all this and Prevention. came together in a matter of That’s why people have weeks.” galvanized throughout the Georgia, however, is facstate to convince federal ofing tough competition for ficials that Georgia is the the federal agency. From ideal location for the new what he’s heard, Medford agency. said other states going af“We are well-positer the project include Textioned,” said Dr. Russell as, Massachusetts, CaliforMedford, chair of the ARnia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

PA-H Georgia Coalition “We believe Georgia is (AGC). “Georgia has the the best candidate,” said Dr. right combination of sciMedford, listing the three ence, technology, commajor criteria for the agenmercial innovation, health cy — medical technology, equity, research and internahealth equity and global coltional reach — six compolaboration. “Those are three nents of success.” areas where Georgia excels.”

Dr. Medford, who also Dr. Bruner pointed to all chairs the Atlanta-based the Georgia research uniCenter for Global Health versities and major health Innovation and is CEO of institutions — Emory, Covanos Inc., said the new Georgia Tech, Augusta Uniagency is being modeled afversity, University of Georter the Defense Advanced gia, Georgia State UniverResearch Projects Agensity, Mercer University, cy (DARPA) as part of the Morehouse School of MedU.S. response to the Soviicine and Grady Hospital, et Union’s launching of the Sputnik satellite in 1957. Top down, Dr. Russell Medford of among others. Georgia also is home to leading biomedDARPA’s accomplishments the ARPA-H Georgia Coalition. ical companies that are part include precision weapons Linda Klein of Baker Donelson.

Dr. Deborah Bruner of of the state’s ecosystem. and stealth technology, auEmory University.

Efforts for greater health tomated voice recognition

BY MARIA SAPORTA

Reporter Newspapers has partnered with Saporta Report to provide local business news from one of Atlanta’s most respected journalists, Maria Saporta. saportareport.com

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com.

equity also are front-and-center in Georgia.

“What truly makes us unique is that we are the center for health equity, not only with race but with urban and rural health,” said Linda Klein, senior managing shareholder at Baker Donelson and a past president of the American Bar Association.

Dr. Bruner agreed.

“While other states talk about diversity, we do it,” she said. “There is a network across Georgia working on equity every day.”

The third criterion — global partnerships — is another area where Georgia stands out.

Thanks to the presence of the CDC, Georgia has become a leading center for global health. The local concentration of organizations involved with global health includes the Carter Center, the Task Force for Global Health, CARE, MedShare, MAP International, the CDC Foundation and dozens of other organizations. And thanks to the Georgia Global Health Alliance and the Center for Global Health Innovation, there is growing collaboration on international initiatives.

“Having the CDC here works in our favor,” Dr. Medford said. “ARPA-H would complement the CDC, and that proximity makes complete sense.”

David Hartnett, chief economic development officer at the Metro Atlanta Chamber, listed several of the state’s other advantages — the airport, the corporate community such as Atlanta-based UPS and other Fortune 500 companies, and Georgia’s designation as the top state for doing business.

“If ARPA-H is located in Georgia, researchers, companies and others engaged with ARPA-H would have easy travel access via the world’s busiest airport in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as well as a robust supply chain,” Hartnett wrote in an email.

The Georgia Coalition first convened in early May to talk about going after the project.

“The coalition came together so rapidly,” Medford said. “The Center for Global Health Innovation was one of the founding organizations for AGC. It was easy for us to pull everyone together under one banner… The response we got on a statewide basis was so enthusiastic.”

State leadership decided to make it a statewide effort without proposing one community over another. “The entire state will benefit no matter where it’s located in Georgia,” Klein explained.

Dr. Bruner said Georgia entities have been working together rather than competing with each other.

“Georgia is a collaborative environment,” she said. “We understand this is a sensitive and political decision, and we understand we have good competition from the standpoint of technology. But when you look at our diversity, our global footprint, our mobility with the airport and the collaborative infrastructure that already exists, we are unique among our competitors.”

AUGUST 2022 | 27

GET OUT OF TOWN

Mountains � Beaches � Daytrips

Panoramic Pine Mountain Outdoor fun, historic sites, and Callaway Gardens make for a perfect weekend getaway

The view from Dowdle’s Knob at FDR State Park (Photos courtesy Explore Georgia)

By Collin Kelley

The town of Warm Springs (warmspringsga.com) takes its name from the nearby springs – 88 degrees Fahrenheit and full of minerals – that edge Pine Mountain. Creek and Iroquois Indians used the springs to heal their sick and wounded, and in 1832, David Rose built the area’s first resort around them.

The town’s original name was Bullochville, and today, tight alleys lead visitors to Old Bullochville, a reconstructed homage to Warm Spring’s past, found behind Bulloch House and the many shops on Broad Street.

28 AUGUST 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS

gar, and lake sturgeon. It’s also used to recover species that are listed under the Endangered Species Act and restore freshwater fish habitats.

The hatchery includes a public aquarium and visitors’ area with walkways amid a beautiful, natural environment.

Looking for a place to stay?

Hotel Warm Springs (hotelwarmspringsbb.com) in downtown was built in 1907 but has retained its historic charm with the addition of modern conveniences like wi-fi, plus a full southern breakfast in the third-floor dining room.

And if you’re still hungry, the famed Bulloch House Restaurant (bullochhouse. com) on Broad Street serves up Southern food like your grandma used to make.

Hotel Warm Springs

A mountain getaway usually means heading to North Georgia, but why not head south instead?

Pine Mountain and nearby attractions like Callaway Gardens, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Little White House, the historic towns of Warm Springs and Manchester are perfect for a weekend away from the city.

Located about 80 miles south of Atlanta, Pine Mountain is both scenic and activity-filled whether you’re an outdoor or history enthusiast. There’s also plenty in the way of accommodations, from resorts to campgrounds.

Warm Springs

A waterfall at FDR State Park.

Warm Springs gained national recognition in 1924 when President Roosevelt visited the area to treat his polio-related paralysis. The springs are no longer open for public use, but they are used therapeutically by the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation, founded by FDR. Since the invention of the polio vaccine, the institute provides Vocational Rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities. A touch pool allows visitors to feel the warm spring waters and learn about its history.

Also be sure to check out the Warm Spring National Fish Hatchery, which was established in 1899 to restore and manage fish such as striped bass, alligator

Little White House Built in 1932 when he was governor of New York, the Little White House (gastateparks.org/LittleWhiteHouse)

became FDR’s home while he visited the area to take advantage of the springs. The people he met and the experiences he had in Warm Springs prompted some of his programs once he became president, such as the Rural Electrification Administration.

In 1945, while posing for a portrait, FDR suffered a stroke and died shortly afterwards. The “Unfinished Portrait” is one of the many exhibits in the museum, as is his 1938 Ford convertible with hand controls.

The Little White House has been carefully preserved much as FDR left it.

Visitors are welcome to visit the home, museum, and pools.

F.D. Roosevelt State Park and Manchester Georgia’s largest state park (gastateparks.org/FDRoosevelt) is set among the Pine Mountain Range. The 9,000-plus acre park offers more than 40 miles of trails, winding through pines and hardwood trees, over creeks, and past small waterfalls.

Dowdell’s Knob offers a breath-taking view. It’s a spot where FDR was known to sometimes picnic and ponder national and international issues. He was so fond of the spot that a brick oven was installed for barbecues.

Continued on page 30 reporternewspapers.com

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A butterfly at the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens.

Continued from page 28

Hot air balloon festival at Callaway Gardens.

Callaway Gardens

The overlook now features a life-size sculpture of the president gazing out over the mountains. Dowdell’s Knob is located just of State 190, a winding and scenic roadway that begins just south of Manchester and takes you all the way to Callaway Gardens.

There are plenty of places to stop and stretch your legs as well as snap more of those fantastic views from atop Pine Mountain.

Speaking of Manchester, it’s a fine

example of a mountain town with a delightful main street full of shops and the historic President Theatre, originally built in 1935 as a movie house. It was restored with the help of a grant from the Fox Theatre Institute and is now home to regular community events, theatre productions, films, and more.

A fun fact for the literary-minded: Manchester is the hometown of bestselling author Stuart Woods, who fictionalized the city as Delano for his novel “Chiefs.”

Founded in 1952 and set on nearly 7,000 acres, Callaway Gardens (callawaygardens.com) has become a favored weekend getaway spot, especially for golf lovers and nature enthusiasts.

One of the main attractions is the giant Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, which has the distinction of being the largest enclosed tropical conservatory in North America.

Thousands of butterflies from 50 different species flutter over a vast array of flowers and plants.

There are also 10 miles of walking and

biking paths, the white sand Robin Lake Beach and two 18-hole golf courses.

Regular events are held, such as the annual Labor Day weekend hot air balloon festival and Fantasy Lights, which see the gardens decked out in millions of twinkling bulbs for the holiday season.

An array of accommodations are onsite, including The Lodge, villas, cottages, and the more affordable Mountain Creek Inn. You won’t go hungry either, with several restaurants and bars to choose from, including the down-home southern delights of Country Kitchen located inside the rustic Callaway Gardens Country Store.

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Georgia lighthouses stand as icons of the state’s rich maritime heritage Travels with Charlie

Sapelo Island Lighthouse

Tybee Light

Charles Seabrook

Veteran Georgia journalist Charles Seabrook has covered native wildlife and environmental issues for decades.

For “Travels with Charlie,” he visits and photographs communities throughout the state.

British Gen. James Oglethorpe founded Georgia in 1733. Three years later, he oversaw the building on Tybee Island of the colony’s first lighthouse.

Oglethorpe saw the crucial need for lighthouses to safely guide ships, laden with people and goods, through Georgia‘s treacherous coastal waters.

Eventually, over more than two centuries, 15 lighthouses came to dot Georgia’s 100-mile-long coastline. Five still stand.

Like lighthouses everywhere — more than 400 in the United States — Georgia’s five remaining lights represent a rich, maritime heritage. They’re admired not only for their great beauty, but also for the trove of history they represent. They all tell their own tales of fierce wars, marauding pirates, lost ships, and rescued sailors. They have withstood hurricanes, destructive erosion and cannonballs raining down during raging battles.

Today, Georgia’s lighthouses add a coastal charm and remain as symbols of hope and safe haven. Three lighthouses — Tybee Island, St. Simons and Sapelo -- still serve as navigation aids. From the tops of them, glorious views can still be had of salt marshes, estuaries, maritime forests -- and the restless ocean itself.

Here’s more information about Georgia’s five lighthouses (from north to south along the coast): At the mouth of the Savannah River is the Tybee Island Light, Georgia‘s oldest lighthouse — and tallest at 145-feet tall. The striking black-and-white tower remains one of America’s most intact lighthouses, with all its historic support structures — including lighthouse keepers’ cottages — still on site. The lighthouse and museum are maintained by the Tybee Island Historical Society and open to the public.

The 46-foot-tall Cockspur Island Lighthouse, sitting on a tiny isle two miles south of Tybee Light, is Georgia‘s smallest lighthouse. Made of Savannah gray brick, the current structure was built in 1857 to mark the Savannah River’s south Channel.

No longer functional, it’s now a part of the Fort Pulaski National Monument on

32 AUGUST 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS

St. Simons Island Lighthouse

Tybee, managed by the National Park Service. It’s closed to the public, but good views of it can be had from an overlook trail at the national monument.

With bold red and white stripes, the 100-foot-tall Sapelo Island Lighthouse is perhaps Georgia’s most beautiful light.

Built in 1905, it replaced a previous structure damaged by hurricanes and the Civil War. By 1934, with ship traffic in the area declining to a trickle, the Sapelo Light was deactivated. It has been fully restored and is open to the public through special tours.

Near the lighthouse is another light, a so-called Range Front Light, one of few such structures remaining in the country.

Although it’s not considered a lighthouse itself, mariners used it with the Sapelo Light to position their ships and plot a safe course into the harbor.

The original St. Simons Island Lighthouse was destroyed during the Civil War and replaced in 1872 with the current 104-foot-tall tower. The beautiful lighthouse was electrified in 1934 and automated in 1953. Maintained by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, it’s still operational and open to the public.

The 60-foot-tall Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse was built in 1838 to mark the entrance to St. Andrews Sound and the Satilla River in Camden County.

Later deactivated, it and the surrounding area are now privately owned and closed to the public. However, the top half of the lighthouse can be seen from Jekyll Island’s south end.

Cockspur Island Lighthouse

Front Range Light, Sapelo Island

Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse

reporternewspapers.com

AUGUST 2022 | 33

Cartersville showcases art, science & automobiles

When They Run With Freedom artist Benjamin Jacob Nelson or Ahn-Hia-Ohm mixed media (Photo by Donna P. Williams)

Ranch, a hands-on experience and interactive children’s gallery.

“The museum has become an important attraction since opening in Cartersville, being the world’s largest permanent exhibition space for Western art, and it is the largest museum of its kind in the Southeast,” said Grace Adams, director of marketing at Booth Western Art Museum.

With 120,000 square feet of space, the Booth is a great size to see in a day, but offers more than enough to make additional trips worthwhile, Adams said. “Temporary exhibits are changed every three to four months in four

By Kathy Dean The Tellus Science Museum building winks through a cluster of tall trees along I-75 near Exit 293. It hits the eye like the prow of a proud ship. The building hints at the treasures displayed within it, and other treasures in Cartersville, a city less than an hour’s drive north of Atlanta that has collected a cluster of unusual museums.

“Cartersville is home to … some of the Atlanta area’s most interesting museums,” said Meredith Dollevoet, sales and marketing manager at the CartersvilleBartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Things really started, Dollevoet said, when a group of local business owners got together and decided they needed a place to show artworks they had gathered to the public. “The Booth Museum was opened in 2003 as a way to share their art collections with the community and to provide educational opportunities,” she said.

That was just the start. The group formed the non-profit Georgia Museums, Inc., and in 2009, opened the Tellus Science Museum as an expansion of a building then known as the Weinman Mineral Museum. Other museums followed, with Georgia Museums now responsible for the Bartow History Museum and a related entity that operates the Grand Theatre in downtown Cartersville.

The latest addition to the group’s collection, the Savoy Automobile Museum, opened in December 2021.

The gathering of museums draws tourists and attention to the city. In fact, Smithsonian Magazine included Cartersville as one of the 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2022.

“In a nutshell, Cartersville became Georgia’s Museum City because a group of generous businessmen wanted to give back to the community through their love and appreciation of art, history, science, education, and now, cars,” Dollevoet said.

34 AUGUST 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS

Director of Marketing at the Tellus Science Museum.

“The Weinman Museum was one of the few options teachers had for geology field trips for students,” she said. “However, the 9,000-square-foot museum could not accommodate the high demand for educational activities. Eventually the museum was turning away more students than they were able to serve and that’s when the decision was made to expand the museum and the services we offer.”

It has grown to 120,000 square feet with four permanent galleries: The Weinman Mineral Gallery, The Fossil Gallery, Science in Motion and The Collins Family My Big Backyard. Some of the most popular exhibits are an 80-foot-long Brontosaurus and a replica 1903 Wright flyer.

Tellus also houses three special exhibit galleries, a fossil dig, and gem-panning interactive exhibit, as well as a 120-seat digital planetarium and an observatory that features a state-of-the-art 20-inch telescope.

“The museum became a Smithsonian Affiliate shortly after opening in January 2009,” Redd added.

For more, visit tellusmuseum.org.

Savoy Automobile Museum

A 1955 Chevy Bel Air at the Savoy Automobile Museum.

Apollo I Replica, Credit Tellus Science Museum

Booth Western Art Museum The Booth Museum, named for Sam Booth, a friend and mentor to the founders, boasts a permanent collection of the art of the American west, Civil War art and presidential portraits and letters, allowing visitors to “See America’s Story” in paintings, sculpture, photography and artifacts. The Booth also features Sagebrush

galleries, resulting in 12 to 15 exhibitions per year, the most in any Georgia art museum,” she said.

For more, visit boothmusesum.org.

Tellus Science Museum The Tellus Science Museum is an expansion of the former Weinman Mineral Museum, according to Shelly Redd,

Inside the 65,000-square-foot Savoy Automobile Museum, visitors are invited to roam a Great Hall and four exhibition galleries that showcase automobiles of different makes, models, and eras. There is also a state-of-the-art theatre with stadium seating for nearly 300 guests that includes an ultra hi-definition video panel wall, measuring 17 feet by 33 feet, and a turntable stage for rotating vehicles. The museum’s permanent collection rotates periodically; it includes a 1932 Rolls Royce 20/25, 1953 Kaiser Dragon and 1957 Chevrolet Corvette.

The museum’s name seemed predetermined. “When developing the land, a 1954 Plymouth Savoy car with a tree growing out of it was unearthed. As if by fate, it was the only vehicle uncovered,” Dollevoet said. “This famous Savoy car is on permanent display outside the museum in all its rusted glory.”

The Savoy has a 37-acre campus, and there are plans to build an outdoor pavilion for use with events on the showgrounds.

Current and upcoming exhibitions include: “Pirelli: The Story of a Company,” through Sept. 4, with a collection of cars that don Pirelli tires, including Formula One, Ferrari and Lamborghini; “FrontRunners,” through Oct. 2, featuring record-breaking Indy roadsters from the 1950s and 1960s; and “Big Blocks,” Aug. 2-Dec. 4, showcasing “the big and bold from an iconic era in American automotive history.”

In addition to exhibitions, the Savoy hosts events. On Aug. 13 at 2 p.m., the 1968 Steve McQueen film “Bullitt” will be shown at the Savoy’s theatre.

For details, visit savoymuseum.org. reporternewspapers.com

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Booth Museum director hit the trail to learn job Seth Hopkins

By Kathy Dean Seth Hopkins, the Booth Museum’s first employee, helped the museum take root and flourish from the moment it was conceived. Hopkins, now the Booth’s executive director, also headed up the

team that developed the Tellus Science Museum and re-envisioned the Bartow History Museum.

Originally from Maine, Hopkins earned a journalism degree from Syracuse University and embarked on a career in radio and TV news. He worked in several

YOUR TRUSTED GUIDE TO

Georgia markets, including Columbus and, finally, Cartersville, where he worked for a family that collected Western art and had enjoyed a good deal of business success.

Then, at the end of 1999, Hopkins said he had his “Y2K moment” when his boss announced that he was starting an art museum in Cartersville, and told Hopkins, “You’ll run it.”

Hopkins says he responded: “I don’t know anything about art, and I’m not sure I can even spell museum.”

But, at age 32, he took the challenge and ran with it. Since it took more nearly three years to build the Booth Museum, Hopkins spent that time researching what it takes to assemble a collection, create exhibitions, and generally run a museum.

He also traveled through the American West to acquaint himself with its culture, history, and art. That was a real highlight, he said, asking “How many people get to visit Yosemite National Park for their job?”

Hopkins also hit the books and took courses in museum studies, Western history, and art history at five universities before settling on Oklahoma University.

There he earned his master’s degree, and his thesis on the Western art of Andy Warhol became a national traveling exhibition in 2019. “I am very proud,” he said. “Despite some COVID setbacks, the exhibition, called “Warhol and the West,” visited four major venues and the companion book received several awards.”

The Booth now is the largest museum of its kind in the Southeast. It has received a range of awards through the years, including Best Art Museum by USAToday Readers’ Choice 10Best awards program in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The nonprofit that runs Booth Museum, Georgia Museums, Inc., (GMI) recently added Savoy Automobile Museum to its collection. Hopkins stepped down as Executive Director of GMI to focus on the Booth, where his crash course in museums began. “I was already stretched thin among the three museums, and with a fourth on the horizon, I knew it was important to have a new leader for GMI,” he said. “Then I could turn my full attention back to the Booth.”

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Once again, our community was able to celebrate our Independence Day tradition and the 2022 Dunwoody 4th of July Parade was a huge success.

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