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Alpharetta Pokémon prodigy earns spot at world championships By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandrya@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Soren Pitchford’s fourth grade teacher handed him his first pack of Pokémon cards. Now, less than a year later, the 11-year-old Alpharetta native is headed to the world championships. Soren is the top junior Pokémon Trading Card Game player in the Atlanta area, often beating players in the senior and master divisions. The Pokémon World Championships are from Aug. 28-30 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. The annual tournament brings together the world’s top Pokémon card players, who qualify through regional and international competitions.
See PITCHFORD, Page 21
Developer to pitch Weatherford House plan to commission By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
TYLER PITCHFORD/PROVIDED
Tyler Pitchford posing with son, Soren, in Puerto Rico after placing Top 8.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
The Weatherford House sits at the corner of Mayfield Road and Canton Street.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A developer is moving forward with plans to renovate a historic Alpharetta home that has sat derelict for years. Located at 193 Canton St., the desig-
nated landmark Weatherford House was built between 1910 and 1920 in a Folk Victorian style that was popular at the time. It also is somewhat of a local legend. Visitors once paid $1 to view a two-headed calf that was kept in a backyard barn. Currently, the house is in a state of severe disrepair.
Residents have voiced concerns about how much of the original structure will be maintained, saying it is an important piece of Alpharetta history. Others have decried its current state, saying they wished it had been better preserved.
MARTA riders want more World Cup-level service
Pizzeria to relocate to Off Leash building
Roswell tops Walton in Corky Kell Classic
► PAGE 4
► PAGE 6
See HOUSE, Page 21 SPORTS
► PAGE 13
2 | August 20, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
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All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.
Roswell man scammed out of $30K in elaborate phone scheme ROSWELL, Ga. — A local man handed over $30,000 in cash to a stranger for “safekeeping” after a monthslong phone scam convinced him his bank accounts were linked to a money laundering investigation. The Roswell man reported the incident to Roswell police officers Aug. 11. The scheme started in mid-July when the Roswell man got a call from someone he believed to be with American Express. The caller said someone was using a card in the local man’s name, and the call was transferred to someone who claimed to be with the New York City Police Department. After speaking with three supposed officers, the man learned NYPD allegedly had evidence that his Bank of America account was involved in money laundering for a cartel. He was then transferred to someone he believed to be with the FBI. They told the Roswell man that if he did not share information about his personal bank accounts with Fidelity Investments and Wells Fargo Bank, he would be detained. The Roswell man sent the caller a picture of the balances in both accounts but redacted the account numbers. The person on the phone requested the Roswell man buy a new phone so they could monitor him using the encrypted messaging app Signal. The man bought the phone for $1,200 and was told the supposed officers would refund him the money. A month later, on Aug. 10, the man logged into what he believed was his online Fidelity account. He received a notification that the account was compromised and was told to call a number. He made the call, which was answered by someone claiming to be from “Microsoft Word.”
PUBLIC SAFETY The person who answered the call told the Roswell man to go to Wells Fargo, withdraw $30,000, put it in a brown paper bag and meet him at 8610 Roswell Road. The Roswell man met with one of the alleged fraudsters between 7:30 and 8 p.m. that evening. The Roswell man provided a description of the subject, saying he was around 5’7” with a small build and black curly hair. — Hannah Yahne
Roswell traffic stop leads to drug trafficking arrest ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police recently apprehended a Dunwoody woman with multiple active arrest warrants at a traffic stop on South Holcomb Bridge Road. While searching her silver BMW, officers said they found Xanax and various forms of methamphetamine. Police first spotted the car allegedly speeding east at 60 mph on Holcomb Bridge Road while also failing to maintain its lane. A traffic stop was initiated at the intersection of Nesbitt Ferry and South Holcomb Bridge roads. When the officer approached the passenger side of the vehicle, the driver started convulsing before falling headfirst from the car onto the pavement, according to a police report. The officer called emergency medical services, turned the woman on her side and attempted to render aid. The report said the driver’s condition was inconsistent with what the officer expected during an active seizure. She remained responsive to painful stimuli and allegedly avoided the officer’s attempts to administer naloxone, an opioid-overdose antidote. Within minutes of medical services arriving, she regained consciousness but was in an altered mental state, said the officer. Police identified the woman and found several active felony arrest warrants from Gwinnett County for possession of methamphetamine, theft of services and criminal trespassing, all with a nationwide extradition status. After the driver was transported to
a hospital, police conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. They allegedly found Xanax pills, two vials containing a clear liquid with traces of methamphetamine, plastic bags and three digital scales, one of which had residue from a crystalline substance. The same substance was found in the vehicle’s center console and around the gearshift and tested positive for methamphetamine. Police also took three cellphones into evidence. They believe them to contain records of communications or photographs that could contain digital evidence related to the possession and distribution of controlled substances. The woman is facing six charges, including trafficking of illegal drugs, possession of drug-related objects, speeding and an expired license. — Hannah Yahne
Atlanta man arrested after former boss reports theft ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 22-year-old Atlanta man was arrested July 29 on a warrant stemming from a months-old case that accused him of fraud. Alpharetta police said a 33-yearold Milton woman reported to officers in April that she suspected the Atlanta man, who was her former employee, used credit cards from her business for unauthorized purchases. The purchases totaled more than $10,000, and the charges were made after the woman fired the man, police said. The man was charged with theft by taking of property valued greater than $1,500. Alpharetta officers were notified after the man turned himself into the Fulton County Jail. — Jon Wilcox
Shirtless man arrested at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A shirtless 20-year-old Brookhaven man was arrested after allegedly fleeing from officers at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre July 23. Alpharetta police said officers were working at the amphitheater’s west gate when they were notified by staff the man was threatening them. Officers told the man to leave the area, but he returned to antagonize staff members. The man, who was no longer wearing a shirt, fled into a nearby wooded area after additional officers arrived, a police report said. He was arrested as he was attempting to reenter the venue through the backstage. The man was ticketed for disorderly conduct and taken to the Alpharetta Detention Center. — Jon Wilcox
AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 20, 2026 | 3
4 | August 20, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
NEWS
MARTA riders want World Cup-level service to continue By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com
A sense of security remains riders’ top concern Station-specific improvements, like
increased signage and volunteers offering assistance, also made the MARTA experience better, riders said. John O’Brien of Decatur said stations felt secure during the World Cup, with someone always on hand to help. He worries the system will now slide back into problems that make riders feel unsafe. “A lot of them were volunteers … but still, there was a security presence,” O’Brien said. “I noticed that immediately after it was over, they vanished. There’s not a policeman in any of the stations again.” As a regular MARTA rider since it
See MARTA, Page 21
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Administration, to handle the increased frequency. While the authority made noticeable changes for a little more than a month, dedicated riders have also seen service scale back since tourists left town. “I think that the biggest thing for me was the more frequent trains on game days,” Decatur resident Stacey Mohr said. “I understand that maybe that’s not doable regularly, but that made it … so much easier.”
erfi el
CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED
The North Springs station — located at 7010 Peachtree Dunwoody Road in Sandy Springs — is the northern terminus for the red line of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transition Authority, more commonly known as MARTA.
Behind the scrutiny, and how MARTA is responding MARTA made national headlines over the summer after several violent incidents, including a stabbing at the Georgia State station May 24, the fatal stabbing of 66-year-old Margaret Swan on a train May 30 and a shooting on a train June 5. Before World Cup matches started in Atlanta in June, the Federal Transit Administration was directed to investigate the transit authority’s security spending, safety protocols, and risks to riders and workers. MARTA spokesperson Schwin said crimes committed in the authority’s jurisdiction are down 24% since 2025, and incidents on train lines have dropped from 200 in 2020 to 103 last year. Mohr said she noticed and appreciated the heavier police presence after the May and June incidents. She added that she doesn’t think MARTA has more safety issues than other cities’ transit systems.
De
ATLANTA — Two months ago, Jackson Lee said his experience riding on Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority trains was “seamless.” MARTA trains were coming within 15 minutes of one another and he did not find himself waiting, particularly in the Five Points Station — a popular spot to transfer. MARTA reported a surge in ridership June 11 through July 15, driven largely by FIFA World Cup matches and watch parties. The system logged 4.7 million rail passengers over those 35 days and increased rail service to accommodate the crowds. On match and fan fest days, MARTA ran trains every five minutes. Manager of Communications Payson Schwin said MARTA ran four-car trains on the eastwest blue line, with a shuttle train on the green line running between Ashby and Bankhead stations. MARTA also deployed specialized shuttle trains to clear crowds from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and maintained standby bus fleets to respond to realtime ridership surges. A month later, Lee, a Midtown resident and Decatur native, said he has waited 20-25 minutes for trains at the Georgia State and Decatur stations, both on the blue and green lines. That was not something that happened during the World Cup, he said. “During the World Cup, it really showed me what [MARTA] can be in this city, but it’s not funded,” Lee said. MARTA receives no operational funding from the state. The authority’s primary source of funding is sales tax revenue collected in Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties and the city of Atlanta, which is supplemented by federal grants. For the World Cup, the authority received $8 million in federal funding, distributed through the Federal Transit
launched in 1972, O’Brien said he has a vested interest in the transportation system. He loves the convenience it provides getting to the airport and how it enables him to easily explore neighborhoods and restaurants outside of Decatur. O’Brien thinks the biggest thing MARTA needs to overcome is a perceived lack of security. He’d like to see more officers patrolling stations, a critique shared by Dunwoody resident Matt Moseley, who has been consistently riding MARTA since 2012. Moseley said he’s “always felt at peace” on MARTA but takes that for granted; his fiancee has told him she feels uneasy and “on guard” while riding. “I wish they could create a better sense of safety and security,” Moseley said. “I want people to be able to relax when taking MARTA.”
AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 20, 2026 | 5
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6 | August 20, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
NEWS
Popular pizzeria to relocate to former Off Leash building By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A building that once housed a dog park cafe concept will soon welcome a popular pizzeria. Crust Pasta & Pizzeria, currently at 131 S. Main St., plans to move across the street to 142 S. Main St., a restaurant manager said. The restaurant’s new building was previously home to Off Leash, which closed in December 2024. Property near the pizzeria’s current location is expected to undergo expansive development with the construction of a major shopping and dining project. Alpharetta District Places is expected to come in behind the strip mall that now houses the pizzeria and a number of other businesses, but the developer has no plans currently to demolish or alter the current building, McKibbon Places President Erik Rowen said. A joint venture between Market District Development and McKibbon Places, Alpharetta District Places broke ground in June and is expected to consist of four buildings, nearly 100 surface parking spaces and 34,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Rowen said his group’s plans are to improve pedestrian activity and create a beneficial environment for all businesses in the area. Brad Weiner, managing broker for Alpharet-
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AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 20, 2026 | 7
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8 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 20, 2026
European-inspired market opening in Alpharetta City Center By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Business owner Josep Juncosa is bringing his passion for hosting and southern European food traditions from Barcelona to the Alpharetta City Center with the opening of Grove and Barrel Provisions on Friday, Aug. 14. The Mediterranean-inspired market will feature a selection of European products, including olive oils, rice, pastas, canned and brined goods, coffees and some of Juncosa’s favorite wine labels for patrons to enjoy. Grove and Barrel will also host private group experiences and plans to partner with local restaurants to supply high-quality ingredients. “Alpharetta City Center has always been a place where I could immediately feel at home,” Juncosa said. “Growing up, sharing the table with my friends and family was a cherished experience, and I learned how powerful simple but quality ingredients could truly be. This is the spirit we are bringing every day to Grove and Barrel Provisions and we can’t wait to share it with the community.” Alpharetta City Center, a 26-acre mixed-use development, is located in downtown Alpharetta at the intersection of Main, Academy, Broad, Market and Commerce Streets.
GROVE AND BARREL PROVISIONS/PROVIDED
Grove and Barrel Provisions, a Mediterraneaninspired market, will open Friday, Aug. 14 in the Alpharetta City Center.
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AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 20, 2026 | 9
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10 | August 20, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
COMMUNITY
Ukrainian music, culture celebrated at Alpharetta concert By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A country’s soul can be heard in the melodies of its folk songs, Ukrainian composer Tar Sahno said. “When people hear those melodies, and when they join in the singing, they’re helping keep the culture alive,” Sahno said after a July 31 concert he organized. Hosted at the Ukrainian National Federal Credit Union on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta, the event featured a half dozen Ukrainian songs and attracted about 50 residents, many of whom are Ukrainian. Some musicians wore traditional Ukrainian vyshyvankas — white linen clothing with colorful handstitched embroidery. Between songs, audience members conversed in Ukrainian. During the hourlong performance, Sahno led an ensemble that included vocalists, percussionists, violin players and a woman who played a traditional Ukrainian stringed instrument known as a bandura. They played songs like the Ukrainian national anthem and “Carol of the Bells,” which is based on the Ukrainian New Year’s song “Shchedryk.” During the folk song “Chervona Ruta,” audience members sang along. Celebrating Ukrainian culture, whether through clothing, music or language, has become ever more important with the Russian invasion now in its fifth year, Sahno said. Russian authorities have sought to impose Russian curriculum and propaganda in Ukrainian schools within occupied areas, Human Rights Watch has reported. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of being responsible for the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Putin has long denounced the Ukrainian national identity and the country’s sovereignty. Throughout history, Ukrainians have faced repeated pressure to suppress their language, art and identity, Sahno said. “The history is the willingness to keep the Ukrainian identity from just being destroyed,” he said. For example, in 1863, the Russian Empire issued a decree forbidding the teaching of the Ukrainian language in textbooks. In the 1930s, Soviet Union officials arrested, censored and executed many Ukrainian authors. The country’s music also holds a personal importance for Sahno, who was born in 1993, a few years after
PHOTOS BY: JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Two Ukrainian vocalists perform during a July 31 concert at the Ukrainian National Federal Credit Union in Alpharetta. Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet state. During the 1990s, Ukrainian folk music experienced a popular revival, he said. Because his grandfather was a conductor and his grandmother a music teacher, Sahno was exposed to folk music from an early age. “That built my personal identity,” he said. Liudmyla Zapukhliak, a vocalist who sang several songs, proudly wore a vyshyvanka that was made about 100 years ago. Stitched with orange and red designs, the clothing has been passed down for generations. Zapukhliak said although she now lives in Lawrenceville, her home nation still is very much on her mind. Her mother currently resides in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, where Zapukhliak was born. Her brother serves in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and has spent time on the front line. “My whole family is there,” she said. “My mom is in Kyiv, and she went to a bomb shelter last night.”
Tar Sahno leads an ensemble in a Ukrainian song during a July 31 concert at the Ukrainian National Federal Credit Union in Alpharetta.
NEWS
AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 20, 2026 | 11
Fulton students post gains across subjects on Milestones By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Students in Fulton County Schools made measurable academic gains across every subject area on the 2025-26 Georgia Milestones assessments, with districtwide performance improvements in math, science and social studies compared to the previous year. The Georgia Department of Education released scores Aug. 6. Last year’s Milestones featured a new assessment for English language arts, and results from that won’t be released until later this fall. Students improved math test scores by 2.5% from the previous year. Eighth grade students improved in both social studies and U.S. history. Science proficiency increased to 55.8%, led by student gains in biology. While celebrating the district’s progress, Superintendent Mike Looney emphasized the importance of building on this momentum. “These gains reflect the hard work of our teachers, school leaders, support staff, students and families,” Looney said. “While we are proud of the progress our students have made, we also know there is more work to do to ensure every student reaches their full potential.” The annual Georgia Milestones assessments provide insights into student learning and help district and school leaders make informed decisions to strengthen instruction and improve student outcomes. Fulton County Board of Education President Kristin McCabe said this progress demonstrates a continued investment from teachers, staff and families. The complete executive summary — which includes grade-level and coursespecific performance, student growth trends and subject-level highlights — is available at fultonschools.org/ milestones2526.
Experience an afternoon of timeless music as talented performers celebrate the unforgettable sounds of the British Invasion! Sing along to classic hits from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and other iconic British artists—all while supporting a great cause. Tickets: $15 (ages 12 & under are free) Concessions will be available for purchase. Pizza is $5 (2 slices) and can be pre-purchased along with your tickets. All proceeds benefit the Music and Mission Ministries at Midway UMC. Bring your friends, enjoy an incredible concert, and help make a difference through music!
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12 | August 20, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
NEWS
Longtime Roswell city attorney David Davidson to retire By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandry@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell City Attorney David Davidson will retire Sept. 1 after 26 years of service to the city. Davidson joined the city’s staff as assistant city attorney in 2000. He was in that role for three years and has spent the last 23 years as city attorney, or the municipality’s chief legal counsel. The city attorney advises the mayor, city council and city staff members on all legal matters. “David’s steady leadership and sound legal counsel have served the city of Roswell exceptionally well for more than a quarter-century,” Mayor Mary Robichaux said. “He has advised four mayors, numerous council members and city staff with professionalism, patience and an unwavering commitment to Roswell. We are deeply grateful for his service and wish him the very best in retirement.” As city attorney, Davidson oversees the legal department as well as the risk management office, municipal court administration and the city prosecutor. He has provided counsel on a wide range of matters affecting city operations, including municipal governance, contracts,
real estate, zoning and land use, employment law, regulatory compliance, litigation and risk management. Officials said Davidson helped city leaders understand their responsibilities, evaluate risk and make wellDAVID DAVIDSON informed decisions. His institutional knowledge, sound judgment, calm demeanor and practical approach have made him a trusted resource, they said. “It has been an honor to serve the city of Roswell for the past 26 years,” Davidson said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside so many dedicated elected officials and city employees. Providing legal counsel to an organization committed to serving its community has been both a privilege and a responsibility I have never taken lightly.” Before joining the city, Davidson worked as an associate attorney with David Jean Couch & Associates, where
APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO
he handled civil litigation, personal injury cases, negotiations, mediation, zoning matters and appellate work. He earned his law degree from the Samford University Cumberland School
of Law as well as a bachelor’s degree in business management from Auburn University. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Alabama State Bar and the North Fulton Bar Association.
SPORTS
AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 20, 2026 | 13
Roswell tops Walton in Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — The Roswell Hornets wrapped up Week 1 of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic Aug. 13 with a 32-20 comeback victory over Walton. It was a statement win for the Hornets, who some outlets predicted to suffer a loss at Mercedes-Benz after losing several major contributors to graduation last year. In the 2025 regular season, the Raiders and Hornets met, with Roswell coming out on top by a game-winning field goal. This time, the Hornets scored 25 points unanswered in the middle of the game after the Raiders put up 14 quick points in their first two possessions. Walton found the end zone once more, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Roswell’s midgame surge. Quarterback Matthew Schletty, who rushed for the Hornets’ last two touchdowns, is a newcomer to the Hornets this year after starting the last two years for Alpharetta High. He told Appen Media the new program feels like “a family.” “Right when I got [to Roswell], they came in and they took me as one of them,” he said. “I feel like everybody wants to win just as bad as I do. Winning this first game in the Benz, the way we did it, feels really good.” Three-star edge Jaxon Holly, who also transferred this year from Alpharetta, scored the Hornets’ first touchdown via a pick-six following a tipped pass. Holly was named player of the game by Score Atlanta. “[This moment] means a lot, bro,” Holly said after the game. “We’ve got a lot of work to do over the next few games, so the vibes will be good and we’ll get a lot of work in.” Head Coach Jonathan Thompson gave the credit for the win to his defense. “Even when we weren’t able to punch it in offensively, defense just kept battling, and they put us in really good situations,” Thompson said. “I think we’ve made a lot of strides defensively because of our staff and our kids. We got a really good defensive staff, and I think that made the difference tonight.” This year, Rusty Waters returned as the Hornets’ defensive coordinator, and the staff also added four-time AllPro selection Justin Houston to oversee the linebackers. Houston led SEC linebackers in sacks his junior year at UGA, second in the conference only to Nick Fairley, and was voted No. 26 by fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016. Holly, linebacker Jake Smith, back
WMSPORTOGRAPHY/PROVIDED
Roswell juniors Sean Smith and Oshawn Walker talk to Appen Media after defeating Walton Aug. 13 during the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. said. “You can expect [that] we’re going to dominate, do our job, we’re gonna play together and we’re gonna go all the way. No team can stop us.”
CHARLIE TURETSKY/PROVIDED
Roswell quarterback Matthew Schletty falls to his knees after reaching the end zone for the second time against Walton Aug. 13 during the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
[This moment] means a lot, bro. We’ve got a lot of work to do over the next few games, so the vibes will be good and we’ll get a lot of work in.” JAXON HOLLY Roswell player Christian English and tackle Oshawn Walker were major defensive strongholds to keep Walton at bay down the stretch while the offense got to work.
Walker, a junior, expressed his confidence in his team. “We’re going all the way; we’re going to the state championship,” Walker
Hunter stops by his namesake The Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic annually marks the traditional start of the GHSA football season. Launched in 1992 as the High School Football Classic, it was later renamed in honor of Corky Kell, the Wheeler coach and Cobb County athletic director. Kell was diagnosed with a terminal illness in 1994 and asked his close friend Hunter, the longtime Brookwood coach, to keep the Classic going. Hunter did, and, in 2023, his name was also added to the event’s title. The retired GHSA executive committee member started his coaching career 60 years ago. Hunter, who now suffers from the lung disease pulmonary fibrosis, made it to Day 2 of the Classic that bears his name and that of his late friend. He witnessed the Broncos beat Cambridge 52-7. “I’ve been under the weather for a little while and so it’s a struggle, but I wanted to try to make one of the events,” Hunter told Appen Media. “This was the day. I thought [the Broncos] were going to have a good team, and they proved me right.” The Classic continues Aug. 19-21 with seven more games at three different locations — Kell High, Blessed Trinity and Center Parc Stadium.
14 | August 20, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
COMMUNITY
What to know about West Nile virus after park closure By JOSHUA WILSON joshua@appenmedia.com SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — South Fulton closed Old National Park to the public this week after mosquitoes collected during routine surveillance tested positive for West Nile virus. City officials told CBS News Atlanta the South Fulton Parks and Recreation Department learned of the result Aug. 11 and shut the park down as a precaution while Fulton County coordinates treatment of the property. Any programming planned for the park will be canceled or rescheduled, with the county’s health department expected to spray targeted insecticides and apply larvicides to any standing water sources. Officials will then decide when the park can reopen. The park’s temporary closing is the latest development in a summer that has brought West Nile back into local headlines. Here is a primer on the virus itself and what is actually driving this year’s attention. A familiar mosquito-borne threat West Nile virus isn’t new to the U.S., with infections first showing up in New York City in 1999. It spread across the country within a few years and peaked with nearly 10,000 reported cases in 2003. The virus is carried by mosquitoes. The small flies pick it up from infected birds and then pass it along to humans — and many animals, including dogs, cats and horses — through bites. There is still no vaccine, which is why prevention is key. A record pace — and likely an undercount Officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report the country is seeing its earliest start to West Nile season on record. By July 28, 2026, 113 human cases had been reported nationally — more than double the 44 cases
which are available from local hardware and feed and seed stores. He also advises the public to empty planter trays, recycle used tires, clean up debris, and position boats, wheelbarrows and other items so they will not hold water.
A mosquito feeds on human skin.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES/UNSPLASH
reported by the same point in 2003, the worst West Nile season since the virus arrived in the U.S. As of Aug. 11, there were 181 reported cases across 30 states. Fulton County’s own mosquito surveillance program picked up the trend locally, with positive traps turning up in the Grant Park area of Atlanta earlier this summer. DeKalb County followed with its own detections — positive samples out of two ZIP codes, 30088 covering unincorporated DeKalb and Redan and 30360 in Doraville — though officials from both counties say there have been no reported human cases so far this year. Human cases in Georgia have stayed relatively rare so far this season, with the CDC counting just one reported case in the state as of Aug. 11. But the numbers can undercount reality. Health officials believe actual infections each year run higher since approximately 80% of people who are infected will not show any symptoms. Also, people with mild cases never seek medical care or get lab tests. Georgia logged 18 reported cases of West Nile virus in 2025 and 54 confirmed cases — and five deaths — in 2024. Dry conditions, more mosquitoes CDC officials say the rise in West Nile detections and infections stems from the
virus circulating earlier in the season, which infectious disease specialists attribute in part to warmer weather nationwide. Heat speeds up the mosquito life cycle and shortens the time it takes the virus to become transmissible once a mosquito picks it up from an infected bird. Georgia and several other states are also seeing increased West Nile activity due to the worst drought in decades. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, approximately 49% of the lower 48 U.S. states are in drought as of Aug. 4. About 19% of the total area of Georgia is currently in drought. Elmer Gray, a public health extension specialist and research professional at the University of Georgia, says this spring’s drought conditions across the Peach State impacted more than just the land. The dry conditions spawned prime breeding grounds for the southern house mosquito and one other bird-feeding mosquito. Elmer said the lack of rain means storm drain systems have not been flushed out by currents of water after typical rain events, leading to stagnant water and an attractive home for larval development. He recommends treating those habitats with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved larvicides, several of
What infection actually looks like Most people who get bitten by an infected mosquito never know it. Only about 1 in 150 infected people develop a serious illness. Most infections bring about mild symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, and pass within days. Serious cases, however, can attack the central nervous system, potentially causing encephalitis or meningitis. Older people and those with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of these severe complications. No treatment is available for West Nile virus. Providers recommend rest, hydration and over-the-counter medications to minimize symptoms of mild cases. Patients with severe symptoms might require pain control drugs and vomiting suppressants, rehydration therapies and closer monitoring. How to keep from getting bitten The CDC and local health officials point to a handful of basic habits that cut your risk of infection substantially: • Use an insect repellent that is registered with the EPA. The federal agency has an online search tool that identifies repellants by protection time and active ingredient. View it at epa.gov/insect-repellants. DeKalb County officials recommend repellants containing the ingredients DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, picaridin and R3535. • Wear long, loose-fitting shirts and pants when outdoors. • Avoid being outside between dusk and dawn, which is when mosquitoes are the most active. • Use screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside.
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AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 20, 2026 | 15
National Make-A-Will Month is your cue to get it done By JOSHUA WILSON joshua@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — It takes about 20 minutes. It’s often free. And more than half of American adults still haven’t done it. August is National Make-A-Will Month, an annual reminder to close one of the most persistent gaps in personal finance: the last will and testament you keep meaning to write. According to the Trust & Will 2026 Estate Planning Report, 56% of U.S. adults have no estate planning documents at all, and only 26% have a will — down from 31% in 2025. The decline comes even though 73% of adults say estate planning is personally important to them, according to the report. The gap carries particular weight in Georgia, where state law — not personal wishes — decides who inherits when someone dies without a will. “I would strongly encourage everyone regardless of wealth or age to be intentional about estate planning and end-of-life planning, and sooner rather than later,” said Brennan Breeland, a New York City-based attorney. “Even for someone without a great deal of assets, a will can be an important instrument, as it can do other things aside from disposing of property.” Breeland told Appen Media wills “commonly provide that the expenses of the deceased’s final illness or hospitalization, funeral, burial and related costs be paid out of specific funds.” Wills can also, the attorney noted, “direct the means by which debts are repaid, indicate the deceased’s desires for the disposition for their remains, provide for the appointment of guardians of minor children in the event that both parents die simultaneously and much more.” Estate planners say the most common reason people skip a will isn’t cost or complexity — it’s the belief they don’t have enough to justify one. Trust & Will’s research found 27% of adults without a will cite insufficient assets as the reason. But even that calculus depends on understanding what an estate actually includes — and what it doesn’t. “Estate planning in this context is largely focused on what happens to the property of the deceased,” Breeland said. “The deceased’s estate consists of the property held by the deceased and does not, for example, include property jointly held with a surviving spouse.” The attorney said estate planning “also concerns not only what happens to the estate, but what is properly considered part of the estate.”
MELINDA GIMPEL/UNSPLASH
A “Last Will and Testament” template sits on a desk. August is National Make-AWill Month, an annual reminder for adults to put their estate plans in writing. As a result, Breeland said, estate planning “may ultimately involve strategic decisions about whether and how to make a will or otherwise providing for the disposition of assets and liabilities, including through trusts, [transferable on death or payable on death] designations, joint titling or other means.” What happens in Georgia without a will The stakes are higher for residents who die without a last will and testament. In Georgia, dying without a valid will triggers intestate succession, and the state — not the deceased — decides who inherits. Georgia’s succession order starts with a surviving spouse and children. If both survive, they split the estate, but the spouse is guaranteed at least onethird regardless of how many children are involved. If there’s a spouse but no children, the spouse typically inherits the full estate. Without a spouse or children, the estate passes to more distant relatives — parents, then siblings, then further down the family tree. If no heir can be found, the property is ultimately distributed to the county board of education in which the estate was probated. Georgia law also requires a probate court to appoint an administrator to manage an intestate estate, since there’s no executor named to do the job. That process applies only to probate assets — property that doesn’t already have a beneficiary designation, isn’t jointly owned with survivorship rights and isn’t in a trust or transfer-on-death arrangement. Breeland said intestate succession generally produces outcomes similar to what most people would put in a will anyway — distributing the estate to heirs under the laws of the state where the deceased lived.
The attorney said the laws of each state vary, and “in any event, proper disposition will usually require [a] ... judicial proceeding for enforcing and effectuating a will. When they are properly planned for, these proceedings are not usually difficult, protracted or expensive.” When someone has not done the work on the front end to plan for this eventuality, the process “can become procedurally and administratively complicated, take a long time and cost a great deal more, whether it goes through administration or probate,” Breeland noted. “In rare instances, the estate could become property of the state by virtue of a process known as escheatment, whereby unclaimed property without a readily identifiable heir is declared abandoned,” he said. Breeland added he would “not go so far as to say that everyone’s best interests are served by having a will, but I strongly suggest that everyone speak with an estate planning attorney and a CPA or financial advisor specializing in estate and tax planning for such purposes.” Georgia also has its own rules for making a will legally valid. The document must be in writing, signed by the person making it, and attested and subscribed by two or more competent witnesses in that person’s presence. Where AI tools fit — and where they don’t A growing number of people are turning to AI chatbots to draft a first pass at a will or make sense of estateplanning jargon before ever calling an attorney. Estate planners say that can be a reasonable starting point, but it comes with real limits. “AI tools, specifically [large language model] engines such as ChatGPT and Claude, are exactly that — tools,”
Breeland said. “They are not substitutes for legal and financial expertise, nor should their outputs be taken or trusted at face value. These tools are learning, of course, but they are far from perfect.” He said some lawyers have filed litigation documents generated by AI chatbots, and those papers have included “inaccurate statements of law and cited statutes and case law that does not exist.” As a result, Breeland advised, “it is therefore even more important that non-attorneys be extremely careful when using these tools to assist in estate planning because it is not necessarily the case that the engine’s legal analysis is correct.” “To be fair, they can be very helpful in ensuring that people build lists of everything they will need to consider in the estate planning process — and can offer valuable insights into some aspects of strategic thinking — but people should treat whatever information these tools provide with a healthy skepticism,” he said. The attorney added it’s “good advice in general” to “always, always, always make sure to seek independent counsel” from a licensed attorney. How to actually get it done • List your assets — bank accounts, property, retirement accounts, vehicles, valuables — and who you want to receive each. • Name an executor and at least one backup. • If you have minor children, name a guardian and a backup guardian. • Decide whether you need a simple will or a more complex estate plan, including trusts, powers of attorney or health care directives. • Use an online service or AI tool, if you like, to organize this information and build a checklist — but don’t stop there. • Have an estate planning attorney licensed in Georgia draft or review the final document. • Sign it in the presence of two witnesses, as Georgia law requires. • Store the original somewhere safe and tell your executor where to find it. • Revisit it every few years, or after a marriage, divorce, new child or move across state lines. Resources for Georgia residents • Georgians seeking legal aid to create a will can find a lawyer on the State Bar of Georgia’s website at gabar. org. • Free legal help is available through the state for Georgians age 60 and older. Learn more about the Elderly Legal Assistance Program at aging.georgia.gov.
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August 20, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | 16
Don't let probate court run your business Why a trust matters for business owners Brought to you by – Holly Geerdes Estates Law Center USA If you own a business, you've spent years building something that runs on your judgment, relationships, and daily decisions. But what happens to that business the day you can no longer make those decisions — whether from death or incapacity? For many owners, the honest answer is: nobody knows, because there's no plan in place. The problem with relying on a will alone A will only takes effect at death, and even then, it doesn't avoid probate — it has to go through it. Probate is a courtsupervised process, and court supervision means delay, public record, and a judge (not your family or your business
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successor trustee already holds legal title and can continue operating or transitioning the business according to your instructions, immediately and privately. For a business owner, that difference isn't abstract. It's the difference between a seamless handoff and a court-supervised interruption at exactly the moment your business can least afford one. The bottom line If your business interest is one of your most valuable assets — and for most owners, it is — it deserves more protection than a will alone can offer. A trust, properly drafted and properly funded with your business interest, is what allows your business to keep running smoothly through incapacity and to pass to the next generation or the next owner without a probate court standing in the way. Come visit our workshops and webinars to learn more about protecting your assets.
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BANKING & FINANCE • Sponsored Section AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 20, 2026 | 17
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All About Pets! Sponsored Section
August 20, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | 18
15 years of hope, one cat at a time Every rescued cat has a story Brought to you by – All About Cats Rescue & Adoption Some arrive frightened and hungry after being abandoned. Others come from overcrowded shelters where time has run out. From orphaned kittens to abandoned adult cats, every life deserves a second chance.
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learn to trust, kittens grow strong, and their new journey begins. That’s why our community is such an important part of every rescue story. Every life we save begins with people who decide to help. Whether you have professional skills, community connections, creative ideas, or simply a willingness to lend a hand, your unique gifts can make a lasting difference. The way you choose to share your time, talents, and compassion reflects the kind of impact you want to make in the world. You might foster a frightened kitten, help with adoptions, secure a sponsor, volunteer behind the scenes, or simply share our mission with others. Businesses and community groups can become valued partners by sponsor-
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PROVIDED
Puzzles
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PuzzleJunction.com
Connect-It
Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com
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Alpharetta-Roswell Herald...................August 20, 2026 | 19
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Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
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New Eagle Scouts announced for Northern Ridge District ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Northern Ridge Scout District, which covers Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Milton, announced its newest Eagle Scouts, who completed their Eagle Scout board of review July 30 at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. Top row, from left: Levi Phillips, of Troop 143, sponsored by Greenleaf Capital Partners. Levi's project was the refurbishment of two outdoor classrooms, each with three benches, a whiteboard and a whiteboard toolbox, for Sharon Elementary School. Harrison Theodore, of Troop 27, sponsored by Johns Creek Christian Church. Harrison's project was the construction of four wooden benches, a pathway and an arch for the church's prayer labyrinth. Keegan Sharp, of Troop 226, sponsored by Bridge to Grace Church. Keegan's project was the refurbishing and painting of a sensory room and the construction of a little library for Perfect Harmony Health. Juwan Joseph, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta Methodist Church. Juwan's project was the renovation of six disc golf baskets and the replacement of the billboard for Northwestern Middle School. Dru Simms, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta Methodist Church. Dru's project was the construction of two benches and two mobile garden walls built from recycled pallets for outdoor classrooms at Alpharetta Elementary School. Will Baccala, of Troop 1134, sponsored by St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church. Will's project was the construction of two little libraries for the Southland Homeowners Association. Bottom row, from left: Chase Panos, of Troop 143, sponsored by Greenleaf Capital Partners. Chase's project was the construction of
three fixed wooden storage shelves and two mobile islands that doubled as a workbench and storage area for Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church. Lincoln Roberts, of Troop 143, sponsored by Greenleaf Capital Partners. Lincoln's project was the removal of four damaged picnic tables and the construction of two new picnic tables for Johns Creek Methodist Church. Sanya Garg, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. Sanya's project was the construction of a 10-foot-by-11-foot paved platform under an existing hut to store the center's historic wagon, mulching an existing area and cleaning and resetting a stone wall for Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center. Victoria Hudgins, of Troop 1857G, sponsored by Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church. Victoria's project was the construction and installation of 20 eastern bluebird birdhouses for Long Swamp Creek Park, a Cherokee County recreation park. Ethan Maciel, of Troop 3000, sponsored by Birmingham Methodist Church. Ethan's project was the construction of a memorial garden consisting of four benches, more than 60 plants and mulch for the Alpharetta Police Department. James Higgins, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta Methodist Church. James' project was the rebuilding of wooden outdoor stairs with composite wood and the replacement of a damaged plastic storm drain pipe under the stairs for Northwestern Middle School. Michael DelGais, of Troop 1134, sponsored by St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church. Michael's project was the beautification of Milton Fields Green Cemetery. The project included planting two ginkgo trees, three white azaleas and three orange azaleas, repairing a 48-foot fence and building a temporary A-frame entrance sign.
NEWS
MARTA:
AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 20, 2026 | 21
Continued from Page 4 Atlanta resident Liane Hunter said the atmosphere on MARTA transit modes has improved over the past 15 years, and she doesn’t think those violent crimes are entirely reflective of MARTA. “I think maybe it’s more reflective of society as a whole, unfortunately,” Hunter said. “I think that there’s violence everywhere, and my experience with MARTA, specifically, is that I feel safe.” MARTA also received a $3.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help cover additional security needs during the World Cup. MARTA Police Department officers worked 10- to 12hour shifts six days a week, patrolling trains, stations, buses, transfer hubs and parking lots. Key department personnel also staffed the authority’s emergency operations center on all match and fan fest days starting June 11 to monitor developments and respond quickly. Schwin said riders can expect continued security improvements as MARTA rolls out its new CQ400 railcars. The authority will have a full-time police officer assigned to each train, the spokesperson noted. The new railcars also feature more than a dozen closed-circuit television cameras, microphones that can detect loud disturbances and alert MARTA personnel, and open gangways that allow officers to patrol every car in a train. The authority has been growing its police force to prepare for the increased officer presence, according to a briefing given to local NPR affiliate WABE. According to WABE, MARTA plans to boost its police force to approximately 400 officers from the cur-
House: Continued from Page 1 Chris Davis, who represented the developer at an Aug. 12 community zoning information meeting, said updated plans call for salvaging the building at the corner of Mayfield Road and Canton Street and selling it as a private residence. The project is part of a larger residential project to build homes at the corner.
Pitchford: Continued from Page 1 His father Tyler said Soren’s qualification was highly unlikely. He scored zero points at his final tournament in New Orleans, but the top 85 players advance — and he placed 85th. Had he lost his final match, he would not have qualified at all. That match, against a player named Cage, earned Soren a Top 8 finish and remains his favorite and most memorable. “I got there by the skin of my teeth and was so extremely excited,” Soren
METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY/CONTRIBUTED
A CQ400 railcar sits at a station. Its open gangway design allows riders — and police officers — to walk the length of the train without exiting between cars. The new railcars will soon replace existing cars in the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, or MARTA, system. rent number of around 270. The new railcars are expected to roll out in stages and be completely in place by 2030. Schwin said MARTA also plans to add transit ambassadors and more safety personnel during major events, including Labor Day weekend, when both Dragon Con and the Aflac Kickoff Game will take place in Atlanta. Riders wait on delayed railcars and more access MARTA delayed the launch of the new railcars in
June while the authority works through a safety certification process. Once running, Schwin said the new cars will ride more smoothly and also be more mechanically reliable than the current ones. The spokesperson, however, didn’t indicate when the first set of new railcars would launch. Swiss train manufacturer Stadler is also equipping the rail system with new technology meant to improve performance and train frequency. Long-term capital programs will eventually replace aging rails, giving another boost to reliability, MARTA personnel noted. O’Brien said riders seem “perplexed and frustrated” about the delays surrounding the new railcars. Lee said he was also confused by the holdup. “I know they have been manufactured, and they were meant to be rolled out in June,” he said. Hunter said riders also want more trains and stops near places they actually want to go, including pedestrian hubs like the Atlanta Beltline or Pullman Yards, which have minimal station access despite being close to existing lines. She added that station amenities — like public art — would help riders see MARTA’s infrastructure “as a piece of the community instead of a safety hazard or a place where people are just getting from point A to point B.” MARTA personnel didn’t respond to a request for comment from Appen Media about potentially expanding rail access. Overall, Lee said he’d like to see MARTA get more funding to make the system more efficient and give commuters a reason to leave their vehicles behind. O’Brien said MARTA, with those promised improvements, has to make the case directly to Atlantans. “They’re going to have to prove that sitting in traffic three hours of your life every day is not an advantage over maybe a 40-minute train ride,” O’Brien said.
The city’s historic preservation commission will review a request for a certificate of appropriateness at 3 p.m. Sept. 10, said Michael Woodman, city planning and development services manager. A COA is a permit required to alter, demolish or construct a building within a historic district, or to alter or demolish a designated historic landmark. “We did a deeper dive into what we can do to salvage the structure and improve it, so that we can meet the city codes and ultimately sell it to a family or
a person,” Davis said. The current plan is to replace the house’s foundation “piece by piece,” he said. A third-party evaluation would determine which parts of the exterior can remain and which are in disrepair or unable to meet modern building codes. The interior would be gutted and replaced along with the roof. The house would be expanded with additional rooms in the rear. An initial plan received city feedback that recommended maintaining the
house’s historical facade, including its windows, columns, dormer and chimneys. Anita Weatherford Telecky, whose grandfather once lived in the house, said she is pleased to see the building get a second chance at life. She said it has sat in disrepair for far too long, adding historic homes should remain in the city as it continues to grow. “I just appreciate everyone who is involved,” she said.
said. “That was a good day for me.” After learning the rules of the game, his parents bought him more cards, leading to Soren placing in the Top 100 out of 6,000 junior players in North America in his first year of competing. “When I started playing, it was a bit overwhelming, but I’m just regularly beating [other contestants] now,” Soren said. The youngster has traveled to tournaments in Puerto Rico — where he placed in the Top 8 — as well as in Pittsburgh, Toronto, London, Seattle, Orlando and New Orleans. Getting to Puerto Rico was a challenge in itself. Soren’s first flight from Atlanta was delayed by lightning, and the second one was halted by hail.
The third flight was delayed, but he finally made it. He slept for two hours at a hotel before competing at 7 a.m. “At the start, I was like this might be a fun hobby, and then I realized I like playing casually but was kind of envious of the players that were up there,” he said. Soren said preparing for the world championships means practicing, choosing a deck and analyzing competitive strategies. He plays two to three times a week locally and competes once a month regionally or internationally, practicing on his own and taking private lessons from other players. “He’s a good strategic thinker; he plays well, and I think part of it is
pattern recognition,” Tyler said. “He plays at a high level, but he’s played enough of the same people in this area that he’s developed a strategy.” Soren also started a Pokémon club at the Alpharetta library, teaching around 15 kids how to play. He said he hopes to keep competing and coaching and eventually become a professional player. Outside of Pokémon, Soren plays piano and fencing — although he has put his sword away for a year to focus on competing with cards. He is also a member of the Lego Robotics team at Fulton Science Academy Middle School and has been a member of the Cambridge Youth Track team for the past four years.
22 | August 20, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
GARDEN BUZZ
OPINION
What’s up Doc? Why are carrots great to grow? We love carrots in our house, but that wasn’t always the case. When my kids were little, I would sneak finely grated carrots into pasta sauce, soup and pancakes. No one knew — until I was caught orange-handed. Thankfully, I no longer need to sneak around with my grater. Carrots are a great, easy snack when you need a good crunch packed ANNE FALLON with fiber, potassium, calcium and Guest Columnist vitamins A, C and B-6. Carrots are also low in sodium and contain no cholesterol. Other health benefits can include improved bone health and lower blood sugar levels. Of course, carrots can be enjoyed raw, cooked and in sweet and savory recipes. With few pests, carrots are easy to grow in Georgia, particularly when planted in raised garden beds. They come in varied sizes and many colors, including orange, yellow, red, purple, white and black, making them a nice cool-season crop. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offers a complete list of varieties that thrive in our climate. Once you have chosen your seeds, prepare the soil and test it weeks before you plant to address nutrient needs, including fertilizer and the addition of recommended minerals. Test the soil if it has not been tested in more than three years, or if you haven’t planted carrots in that spot before. Visit extension.uga.edu for soil testing instructions. Carrot seeds are tiny and best sown directly when soil temperatures are 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit in late winter or early fall. Use the UGA Weather Network to find out when average temperatures fall into that range. Because the seeds are so small, you may want to plant the carrot seeds with radishes to help keep your row of carrots defined. As a bonus, you’ll have radishes to eat in 25 to 30 days. Allowing a few carrot plants to bolt, or go to seed, is a nice treat for pollinators that visit the lovely flat-topped flower heads called umbels. An umbel is actually a cluster of flowers, with smaller clusters of flowers and even smaller clusters of flowers. The umbel has a beautiful, unusual shape, and a single umbel can produce hundreds of seeds. Carrots are biennials, which means they produce viable seed in their second year. However, seed-saving gardeners may be disappointed to learn that UGA Extension does not recommend saving carrot seeds in Georgia and instead suggests sowing new carrot seeds each year. One reason is that carrots easily cross-pollinate with other crops and will not produce reliable seed like the parent carrot. What a great excuse to plant a purple carrot crop after your orange carrot crop. When you plant your new carrot seeds, remember to rotate your crops. Do not plant them in the same spot every year or in a spot where plants of the same family were planted. Carrots are in the Apiaceae family, which also includes cilantro, dill, parsley, celery and parsnips. Because plants in the same family use the same nutrients from the soil, planting in the same spot will deplete your soil of these necessary nutrients, resulting in inferior produce. They are also susceptible to the same pests and diseases, which can build up in the soil and attack your new plants if you do not rotate your crops. Included is an easy carrot salad recipe that offers endless opportunities for substitutions and additions. North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment.
Classic Carrot and Raisin Salad Yield: 8 to 10 servings Ingredients: •4 cups shredded carrots (12 to 16 medium carrots, about 1 pound) •1 cup raisins •1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon mayonnaise •1 tablespoon honey •1 teaspoon maple syrup (or use more honey) •2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar •Pinch of salt
About the author
Instructions: 1. Combine carrots and raisins in a medium bowl. Set aside. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar and salt. 3. Add the shredded carrots and raisins to the large bowl and mix until evenly coated. Substitutions: Use Greek yogurt instead of the mayonnaise, or use half mayonnaise and half yogurt. You can also use freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of the apple
cider vinegar, or use all honey or all maple syrup. Additions: Try adding 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, diced apples or diced pineapple. You can also try 1/3 cup of pomegranate seeds or 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro. If substituting yogurt for mayonnaise, consider adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of chopped mint. Don’t be afraid to try growing this nutrient-dense, reliable, cool-season crop at your home.
Roswell Resident Anne Fallon caught the gardening bug while working for a garden magazine in New York City. At the time, she only had a single potted plant in an apartment in Hoboken, NJ. Twenty-nine years and countless potted plants and gardens later, Anne has been a UGA-trained Master Gardener since 2024. Anne is also an AVID tutor and the longtime manager of the Crabapple Middle School Learn and Serve Garden, where she loves teaching students how to grow vegetables that nourish their minds and bodies and serve the community.
OPINION
AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 20, 2026 | 23
GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!
The joy of rediscovering my dad’s prized popping bugs The other day, on the radio, I heard a story about artificial intelligence agent gone rogue. The short version: There was this one AI system which somehow escaped its handlers and (as the story put STEVE HUDSON it) “broke out of the Columnist sandbox” and took over another AI system. But free-range AI is nothing compared to free-agent washing machines. Bet you haven’t heard about those, have you? I thought not. Just remember you read it first here. And here’s how I know it’s a thing: Do you recall our water incident? The one that upturned our otherwise peaceful life and then sent us packing to the hills while repairs are being made? Remember that? I’m convinced that the whole thing started right when we began talking about maybe getting a new washing machine, a sleek and sexy one with buttons and knobs and multi-colored lights? Yeah. Did the old washer overhear us plotting? Did we make it mad? They hear everything, you know. Washing machines don’t miss a beat. They’re smart – deviously smart – and even play cheery little tunes when the cycle’s done. How nice, we think. How cute! But maybe they’re just trying to distract us. Maybe it’s all part of their plan. Yeah, it’s all sunshine and light with washing machines. Until it isn’t. But I digress. The sunshine and light part went away when water from the washer somehow ended up on the floor…and in the carpet…and the sheetrock...and, well, pretty much everywhere. As it turned out, getting rid of the water was easy. Massive 747-sized fans and hulking dehumidifiers made short work of that. But then the repairs came. They’re still going on, and while they are we’re hiding out in an AirBNB up in the hills. But I’ve got to say that it’s not all bad, because our temporary home-awayfrom-home comes with a lake, and the lake comes with a whole bunch of fish. Lakes are made to be fished, of course, so on Day 2 of our exile I picked up my flyrod and carried it to the water. I made a cast, had a hit and caught one of the biggest breams I’d ever seen. “Wow,” I said. I sent a photo of the fish to my wife, who was back at the AirBNB putting
A stash of popping bugs found inside an old tackle box. things together in the kitchen. “Wow,” she said. After supper, we both went to the water. She promptly caught one even bigger than mine, and then another, and then one more. I picked up a few more too. Maybe, I thought, exile isn’t going to be so bad. But I was going to need more flies. And for those big bream, what I’d really need was something beefy. What I’d need was popping bugs. Popping bugs are named for the sound they make as you work them on the water. That sound – a deep, liquid galoompf – was part of the soundtrack of my childhood, and I suppose that it (like the memories) will be with me for the duration. The next day I stopped to visit my Mom. We sat at the round kitchen table, looking past the orchids growing in the window, out past the boat dock, out to the pond where Dad had so often fished poppers for his beloved bass and bream. He could make almost any popper do magic things, but his favorite was always one he called the Peck’s Popping Minnow. Developed by Earnest H. Peckinpaugh of Chattanooga, Tenn., in the early 1900s, it featured a high-floating cork body adorned with some artfully added feathers. On the water, it suggests a struggling minnow, and bass and
STEVE HUDSON/APPEN MEDIA
bream just can’t leave it alone. “It’s the best there is,” Dad always said, and he must have bought hundreds of them over the years – many, I’m sure, to replace the ones I left hanging in trees. Anyway, Mom and I visited for a while. I told her about the fishing. She offered me sweet tea and a piece of cake. I asked if she’d mind if I went downstairs to see if there might be some popping bugs lying about. “You just help yourself,” she said, for she knew what a popping bug was and what it could do with big bream. The best ones always know. So, into the basement I went. I turned on the light and started to rummage about. That’s when I saw it: an ancient aluminum tackle box, a box that had been part of my childhood. And memory flooded back. I knew that Dad had kept his most-prized lures inside that box – Hula Poppers, Rapalas, and red-and-white Heddon’s spoons. But those went in the second tray down. The top tray, the place of respect and highest honor, was reserved for popping bugs – and the best compartments, the ones front and center, were always reserved for Peck’s Popping Minnows. Were there still any poppers in that
dented old box? There was one way to find out. With an unexpected sense of profundity, I picked up the box and set it on the workbench. Then I eased open the latch. Hinges creaked a little as I swung it open. Lo and behold, there they were. Popping bugs – at least a hundred of them. They had been in that box for a long, long time. Long enough that maybe I’d even used one of them myself all those years ago? I picked out a dozen or so, favoring yellow and white like Dad had always done, cradling them like old friends in my hand. Then I went to close the lid, securing the rest for another day. But then something caught my eye from the back corner of the bottom of the box. What’s that? I looked closer and there before me were two yellowed plastic containers, each holding a brand-new Peck’s Special Popping Minnow. I had found the holy grail, and it was pristine. About then I realized then that I was holding my breath. I exhaled, slowly, and reached deliberately to pick up the two little packages and timeless treasure that each contained. And for a time – how long? – I just stood there in the half-light of the basement, thinking of…what? Of memories from years ago? Of memories yet to come? I know I thought this: When my Dad first met the lady who would become my wife – the lady with whom I now share life and everything else and with whom I’ll share time on the water this very evening – he knew right away that I was onto something good. And when I told him that, yes, she was learning to flyfish, and that yes, she would even unhook her own fish, he’d looked me square in the eye and said, “Son, she is a keeper.” You remember things like that. After a while, I went back upstairs. Mom said I could have the popping bugs and the Peck’s poppers, too, if I wanted them. I did, so I wrapped them carefully and put them in a little box. Then I said goodbye and got back in the car. I drove slowly down the driveway, past the azaleas now resting from their summertime exuberance, past the shady pines and the sweetgum tree. At the end of the drive, I turned north, willing the GPS to take me home the short way (for home is where she is) and to the good fishing and all that’s yet to come. Isn’t it true? It all goes full circle. It does.
24 | August 20, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
PRESERVING THE PAST
OPINION
North Fulton and Atlanta – a story of boundaries and growth In 2010, the population of Atlanta was about 420,000. The current population, according to the latest US Census Bureau estimate, is about 530,000. The unincorporated BOB MEYERS Fulton County Columnist population in 2010, the first year of statistics, was about 147,000, which by 2024 had grown to about 176,000. It is said that it is easy to lie with statistics, so take any stats with a grain of salt. The point is that Atlanta has grown from a small town to a large metropolis for many reasons. The area that is North Fulton County today played a role in that process and is also a major population and employment center in its own right. For some time, North Fulton has been an engine for growth in the Atlanta region. Alpharetta, for example, is home to more than 700 technology companies and other organizations. It is a major employment center for the Atlanta metro area. A few noteworthy companies with operations in Alpharetta are ADP (Automatic Data Processing), Jackson Healthcare, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Equifax, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Honeywell, Morgan Stanley, Verizon, McKesson and Siemens. Atlanta’s growth was driven by its early status as a major railroad hub, its aggressive post-Civil War focus on rebuilding and its sustained infrastructure investment. In the 1800s, Georgia Tech and Morehouse College were founded during the postwar Reconstruction, and Atlanta became known as the “Capital of the New South.” More recently, Atlanta’s growth was stimulated by the development of HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport beginning in the 1920s and the Downtown Connector, which began in 1952 and linked the early portions of what would become Interstate 75 and Interstate 85, and the 1996 Olympics, among other notable developments. Henry W. Grady (1850-1889) was a key leader of the movement to rebuild Atlanta. As managing editor of the Atlanta Constitution, he branded the city as the “Capital of the New South.” He was a strong proponent of industrialization. He promoted the construction of large buildings to distinguish Atlanta from other war-devastated cities. He promoted
C. W. MOTES/LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Henry W. Grady, called the “Spokesman of the New South,” was managing editor of the Atlanta Constitution in the 1880s. He promoted Atlanta’s post-Civil War growth and encouraged Northern investment in the city. Grady Hospital is named after him. Northern investment by saying that the “Old South, built on slavery and agriculture,” had to give way to a “New South,” although he personally endorsed white supremacy. A key to Atlanta’s growth has been its annexation policy, particularly its 1952 “Plan of Improvement,” when Atlanta annexed about 82 square miles, including Buckhead, Adams Park, Southwest Atlanta and Lakewood. This action tripled the city’s area, added about 100,000 new residents and strengthened Atlanta’s
economic base. Challenges by some residents who wanted to remain unincorporated went nowhere. Annexation began as early as 1847, when Atlanta was a small rail town with a one-mile radius. After the Civil War, the city began to expand by absorbing some residential and industrial districts. Nothing compared, however, to the 1952 expansion with up to 19 unincorporated communities and neighborhoods, depending on the definition. Annexation was Atlanta’s strategy
for growth. It brought talented new people to the city and increased property tax revenues, which supported improved public services. It helped make Atlanta a regional powerhouse. Unincorporated North Fulton engaged in its own annexation. It was a quiet farming area with towns too small and too far away to interest Atlanta. In 2005, Sandy Springs was the first North Fulton community to be incorporated. It had sought that status for many years, partly because of fear that Atlanta would annex it. This fear, combined with dissatisfaction with Fulton County services, led to its incorporation. Its success stimulated other communities to incorporate. Since the county could no longer argue that new cities could not work, Milton and Johns Creek incorporated on Dec. 1, 2006, after local referendums. Small towns and settlements began to disappear into those municipalities to avoid annexation by Alpharetta and Roswell. Alpharetta had already annexed Freemansville, Windward and parts of Crabapple. Roswell had annexed Big Creek and Pine Grove. On Dec. 1, 2006, all unincorporated communities in eastern North Fulton, including Ocee, Warsaw, Newtown, Shakerag, Medlock Bridge and Autrey Mill, were absorbed into the new city of Johns Creek. Also, on the same date, Milton absorbed Birmingham, a portion of Crabapple, Hopewell, Providence, Dinsmore, Coker, Mazeppa and the areas of Arnold and Stovall. Some communities had disappeared before 2006, including Union Hill and Hardscrabble. In 1900, Atlanta had a population of 90,000. Today it is half a million. The region surrounding the city, including North Fulton, today boasts a population of more than 6 million. The stories of Atlanta and North Fulton are complex and to some extent intertwined, resulting in a metropolis. Note: Thanks to historian Connie Mashburn for his assistance with this column. He always has the answer. Bob is a member of the Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission, director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and member of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 20, 2026 | 25
Randy Knighton City Administrator
City of Roswell Notice of Public Hearing
Mary Robichaux Mayor
The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 7:00 PM, at Roswell City Hall, Council Chambers, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, Georgia 30075. a. ZVAR-0626-000020 – 1329 Holcomb Bridge Road The applicant, Madison Rieke, is requesting a variance to the BTZ; land lot 584. b. SBVA-0826-000030 – 705 Riverside Road The applicant, Aubrey Sabba, is requesting a stream buffer variance; land lots 494, 496, 497. The following item will be heard at a public hearing held by the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 6:00 PM, at Roswell City Hall, Council Chambers, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, Georgia 30075. a. ZHPC-0526-000019– 1072 Alpharetta Street The applicant, Farid Termei, is requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for a rear addition and exterior renovation; land lot 412. The following Items will be considered at a public hearing held by the Mayor & City Council, Monday, September 14, 2026, 7:00 PM, at Roswell City Hall, Council Chambers, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, GA, 30075. a. ZMCC-0326-000004 – 9460 Nesbit Ferry Road The applicant, J. Ethan Underwood, is requesting a modification of zoning conditions; land lot 785. b. ZMCC-0426-000007 – 9350 Indian Springs Drive The applicant, David White, is requesting an Issuance of a Metropolitan River Protection Act (MRPA) certificate within the Chattahoochee River corridor for construction of a single-family house; land lot 456. Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250), within two (2) years, file a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law is available in the office of the City Attorney. The complete file is available for public view at the Roswell Planning & Zoning Office, 38 Hill Street, Suite G-30, Roswell, GA, (770) 817-6720 or planningandzoning@roswellgov.com. Refer to www.roswellgov.com.
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26 | August 20, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
BRADSHAW’S BRIEF
OPINION
Appeasement just will not work I like Michael Smerconish. His Saturday morning show on CNN is appointment TV for me. His commentary is thoughtful and reasonable, and I STEVE BRADSHAW find myself agreeing Columnist with his take on decaturish@appenmedia.com things most of the time. But in a recent episode, he said something that struck me as off base. It was shortly after Democratic Socialists of America candidates had won primary elections in congressional districts around New York City. In response, Smerconish said the Democratic establishment would need to find a way to appease the DSA folks without blowing their chances to win in more competitive districts, or words to that effect. It was the word "appease" that struck me as off the mark. Based upon what I have seen from a distance, my interactions with local folks of the DSA mindset and my understanding of history, appeasement won't work. I would advise the Democratic establishment to steer clear of that strategy. Here it is important to make a few points. I think it is imperative that the Democrats take back at least the U.S. House of Representatives this election cycle. The Trump administration has proven itself to be a rogue operation. And the Republicans in Congress have proven unwilling to check the president's actions by operating as a coequal branch of government. This paradigm must be broken. However, whenever a DSA candidate defeats a so-called establishment candidate in an already blue district, we come no closer to achieving that objective.
By necessity, for the Democrats to win back control of the House of Representatives, they will have to win in districts currently represented by Republicans. Meaning they are not naturally left-leaning districts. Meaning they are not likely to embrace the DSA platform. Speaking of which, there are elements of the DSA platform that strike me as self-indulgent, shortsighted and not grounded in anything approximating reality. I will leave it to you to do your own research to discern if you agree with my assessment. But two platform items in particular strike me as "tells." One is a proposal to eliminate the U.S. Senate. The other is the replacement of the president and the Supreme Court with an executive and judiciary chosen by and subordinate to Congress. I interpret these platform items as a tacit recognition by the DSA that its proposals do not have broad appeal. Meaning U.S. senators must be elected statewide, rather than from highly gerrymandered congressional districts. Of course, the president must be elected nationwide. Does anyone who has even a rudimentary understanding of how our governmental construct is supposed to work think that things would be better if we had a unicameral national legislature that functions like the current House of Representatives? I don't think so. Aside from a platform that I cannot support, there is something else about this group that bothers me, and it is stylistic. Many of these folks demonstrate the two qualities that offend me most in other people. Those qualities are arrogance and intolerance. Arrogance in that they seem to be so sure that they are right. I
don't think the word humility is a part of their active vocabularies. And intolerance in that they seem to regard those who don't agree with any of their policy prescriptions as heretics and sellouts and any other manner of pejorative adjectives. They cast themselves as revolutionaries determined to "tear it all down." This is why appeasement won't work. It is certainly not my intent to demean or disregard them in any way. On the contrary. I think a lot of these DSA types are very smart and very charismatic. This makes them attractive to a certain part of the electorate. But I think they know that as a standalone political party their chances of achieving their stated objectives are close to zero. Instead, they seem determined to hijack the Democratic Party. And if the Democratic Party — the party of FDR and Truman, JFK and LBJ, Carter and Clinton, Obama and Biden — allows this takeover to happen, then it will deserve what it gets. Considering this loud and growing movement, what is the Democratic Party to do? I can distill it to one word: Fight! Since most of these DSA types are big on supporting "fighters," the establishment Democratic Party should show these folks what a fight looks like. I was recently watching a show on MS NOW, and one of the panelists was haranguing the Democratic establishment. In response, former Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison politely but forcefully chided the other panelist, asking in effect: When you talk about the establishment, who do you mean? Do you mean the folks who have been organizing, raising money and getting Democrats elected across this country for years? Is that who you mean? I loved that spirited defense
DEATH NOTICES Judith Bredahl, age 78, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 4, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Newton Brumbeloe, age 86, of Milton, GA passed away on August 5, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Jesse Perry, age 80, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on August 5, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Donald Brown, age 91, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 6, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Sheri Datri, age 62, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 4, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Richard Ptacin, age 88, of Roswell, GA passed away on August 10, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
of normal. And I want to see more of it, especially from people who supposedly know better. Therefore, I'll be looking to at least some of the 2028 presidential candidates to see if they have anything approximating a backbone. Will they push back hard against the nonsense, or will they capitulate to crazy? The next president needs to be able to stand up to Vladimir Putin in Russia and Xi Jinping in China and a host of other bad actors around the world. But to earn my vote, candidates must first demonstrate that they can stand up to these wellmeaning but misguided upstarts. For the sake of our party and the sake of our country. Finally, if I thought that reasoning with some of these folks and trying to come together as an actual "big tent" party was a viable option, I would certainly advocate for that. But based on what I have seen so far, I don't see that as feasible. There is no reasoning with revolutionaries. I sincerely hope that I am wrong. But if not, so be it. This reckoning is long overdue.
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In Memoriam
Donald Carroll Spencer, Jr. August 25, 1951 – May 30, 2026
Donald Carroll Spencer, Jr. of Roswell, GA passed away on May 30, 2026 after a period of declining health. The son of Jane Baccus McGill of Ft. Wayne, IN and Donald Carroll Spencer of Louisville, KY, Don was born in Greenville, SC on August 25, 1951, but spent most of his life in Roswell, GA. Don graduated from Furman University in 1973 with a degree in Sociology. His career was spent as a probation officer with the Georgia Department of Corrections from which he retired in 2007. In his nearly 20 years of retirement, he truly thrived by sharing his lifelong love of art with hundreds of children and adults as a docent at the High Museum of Art. Don was a member of the docent class of 2009. He served on the Docent Board in several capacities, notably as chair. During his tenure as chair, he along with others recognized that the docent core was not representative of the clients served by the High, so he convened an ad hoc committee to address this issue. This committee eventually became the Diversity, Inclusion and Retention Committee (DIRC) which worked to diversify the docent core to include more people of color, young people and men. The goals of the committee were embraced by the Docent Board and the docent corps. As a result, the corps is more inclusive and diverse because of Don’s leadership. Don served as chair of DIRC and represented the High Museum at several national docent symposia. He enjoyed leading tours and sharing his passion with other docents through peer to peer presentations and at the 2024 National Docent symposium in Atlanta. Don was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, where he served as an Elder, a Sunday School teacher, a chaperone for Middle and High School
youth group mission trips and a volunteer with other youth group activities. Don was treasured by his family and is survived by his beloved husband, David Warren, his daughters, Emily Kopp and Kate Teeple, their husbands, Walt Kopp and Sean Teeple, as well as his grandchildren, Sophie and Ridley Gitonga, Alice and Nicole Teeple, and Wyatt, Walker, and Will Kopp, to whom he will always be their beloved Boozie. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters- inlaw, Bill and Cathy Spencer of Johns Creek and Paul and Kathy Spencer of Ellijay. Among his other survivors are his nieces and nephews, and dear friends Melissa Spencer and Carol Holliday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Furman United Fund which is a specialized financial relief program at Furman University designed to help currently enrolled students who face sudden, unforeseen financial hardships that might otherwise force them to drop out. Contributions may be directed to the fund at 3300 Poinsett Hwy, Greenville, SC 29613. Don’s values, in his own words are: “I am a liberal Presbyterian who believes that all people are inherently good and should be treated with dignity, courtesy and respect. None of us is any better or worse than another. Thus, it is our responsibility to be of service to those of us who are in need.” A memorial service for Don will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, August 23rd at the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, 1328 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA. A reception will be held afterward at the church. All are welcome to attend. “Oh blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in Thee for all are Thine. Allelujah, Allelujah.”
In Memoriam
Gillian Heather Lilley
December 25, 1943 – January 5, 2026
Gillian Heather Lilley, or just Gill with a G as she would tell you, was born on 24 September 1962 in the town of Welkom in South Africa. She was the second eldest of 5 siblings. She grew up George, South Africa amongst a tight community. Her memories from George were the strongest and she graduated from York High School in 1980. The friends she made in George were strong and she was still in contact with many of them. I met her around 1983 in Cape Town, South Africa. She was dating a friend of mine from school. She told my friend “Tell Ian to stop making body language at me.” I was perplexed and answered, “Your girlfriend is weird.” Since then, Gill has been part of my life. She has been my friend, wife, partner, lover and companion for the last 43 years. We created three amazing children and moved around South Africa, lived in the Middle East, visited many countries and finally ending up in Atlanta, Georgia in 2007. We had wonderful adventures, and she held our family together, especially for the extended period when I was away and working overseas. All along our journey, Gill’s compassion for being part of our kids’ and grandkids lives, welcoming people and making them truly part of our family has
never changed. She would help people we barely knew and friends of our kids by welcoming them into our home and providing a place of safety and refuge. Nothing was asked in return. Over the past few days, messages from her friends showed me that they had been exposed to this love and how it has influenced their own lives. A truly remarkable gift. Besides people, Gill’s life passion was ceramics. She joked that she had to keep learning so she could master porcelain, which “ seems to have its own mind”. Her pottery was a canvas for her to show the world as she experienced and saw it. She used a kaleidoscope of glazes to create a backdrop of nature and to capture the unique memories she had - from tall majestic mountains, crashing seas, desert storms, playing whales, tranquil forests, rivers and vistas where land meets water and sky. Throughout her life, Gill always reflected back on her memories and experiences and tried to share the lessons she experienced. We will forever remember Gill as the caring, kind, colorful, and loving soul who cared for our family and for each and every one who came into contact with her. Gill passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully at home on the 19 July, 2026.
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