Issuu

PAST TENSE

Biggerstaff: Recalling Thompson’s Grocery ► PAGE 8

Januar y 15, 2026 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976

WAR EAGLES 72, WILDCATS 66

Woodward staves off Dunwoody By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

South DeKalb County, he invited the crowd to write down a simple reminder. “After you get a piece of paper and a pen, write this down, ‘Today is going to be my peaceful day,’” Pannakara said. “Read it over and over and then read it out loud to tell the universe that today is my peaceful day. No one can mess it up.”

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Woodward Academy boys basketball outlasted Dunwoody Jan. 6 in a 72-66 victory at Dunwoody High School. Both teams had not played since school let out for winter break, so a bit of rust was evident on a missed lob as the first play of the game out of tip-off. Both teams went back-and-forth in the first quarter, but Woodward opened the second frame with a 6-0 run to establish the tone. The War Eagles extended their lead initially and repeatedly quashed comeback attempts from the Wildcats. Standout Emerson Mitchell lit up the scoring chart for Dunwoody in the first half and led the charge to cut the deficit on four separate momentum swings. He put up 23 points and eight assists in the loss. Facing up against three members of the USA Basketball U16 national team and a major height discrepancy in their starting lineups, Dunwoody fought an uphill battle but proved their right to compete.

See WALK, Page 18

See BASKETBALL, Page 19

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Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace arrive at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center on Rainbow Drive in Greater Decatur Dec. 30.

Buddhist monks stop in Georgia By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com DECATUR, Ga. — Georgians celebrated a peaceful day on Tuesday, Dec. 30, as Buddhist monks visited the Decatur area on their 2,300-mile walk for peace. Excitement and connection were in the air as thousands gathered throughout the day to hear blessings from the monks.

The Decatur stops marked day 66 of their 120-day journey. The Buddhist monks and peace dog Aloka began the walk Oct. 26 in Fort Worth, Texas, and are making their way to Washington to promote peace, loving kindness and compassion. Peace of mind The Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara is leading the group on its trek. In

2 | January 15, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

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ATLANTA NEWS FIRST/PROVIDED

The three inmates who escaped the DeKalb County Jail on Dec. 21 appeared in a federal court in Florida today for federal kidnapping charges.

DeKalb Jail escapees appear in federal court By ATLANTA NEWS FIRST STAFF newsroom@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — The three inmates who escaped the DeKalb County Jail on Dec. 21 appeared in a federal court in Florida Jan. 5 for federal kidnapping charges. The arraignment and pretrial detention hearing is now set for Jan. 16 in Fort Lauderdale. All three men face federal kidnapping charges for kidnapping a rideshare driver and forcing her to drive

them from Georgia to Florida after they escaped the DeKalb County Jail. Yusuf Minor, Stevenson Charles and Naod Yohannes used a woman’s rideshare account to order a ride to take them to Miami. According to an affidavit, the escaped inmates wrapped a rope around the driver’s neck, bound her hands and dragged her into the backseat, where she was kept for six to 10 hours. The victim was told not to struggle, or she would be killed.

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Sometime after crossing into Florida, the victim tried to escape and was assaulted. The men also had the driver transfer money from their savings accounts to the driver’s debit cards and used the cards at several different stores in Florida. The men will eventually be extradited to Georgia, where they will face additional charges. Appen Media partner Atlanta News First provided this story.

What do you want to know about the community? Submit questions at appenmedia.com/ask or scan QR code.

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | January 15, 2026 | 3

TALK BACK TO THE CRIER

Perimeter tourism impact makes difference To the Crier, I recently had the privilege of speaking alongside Adam Berrios, executive director of Visit Sandy Springs, to the 2026 Leadership Perimeter class about the vital role Destination marketing organizations play in our communities. Discover Dunwoody and Visit Sandy Springs are the same type of organization, each serving our respective cities. Dunwoody and Sandy Springs are fortunate to have organizations strategically focused on promoting visitation that grows the economy and benefits our citizens. During that talk, we found that many residents may not realize that every time a guest stays at one of our local hotels, a portion of their bill directly supports tourism marketing and economic development. In Dunwoody, we collect an 8 percent hotel tax, with 3.5 percent funding Discover Dunwoody, 1.5 percent dedicated to tourism product development, and 3 percent flowing into the general fund. This structure ensures tourism dollars are reinvested

Talk Back to the Crier The Crier is committed to its role as Perimeter’s community thread. As readers have reminded the paper, part of that role means budgeting premium space for letters from residents. Talk Back to the Crier by Sunday night and your note will be on page 3 that week. Email letters to newsroom@appenmedia.com. The Crier won’t publish it without explicitly getting your approval.

into promoting our city while also supporting essential services. The impact of travel and tourism on our region cannot be overstated. According to the U.S. Travel Association, travelers spent $1.3 trillion nationally in 2024, representing 2.5 percent of our entire economy and supporting 15 million jobs. Here in Georgia, 174.2 million visitors spent $45.2 billion last year, making tourism our state’s second-largest economic contributor. This activity generated $5.1 billion in state and local tax revenue, effectively reducing each Georgia household’s tax burden by $1,285. Tourism also supports 470,570

hospitality jobs statewide — that’s one in every 15 jobs. Looking ahead, Discover Dunwoody is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup when Atlanta serves as a host city. We’re building relationships with the Argentine Consulate and Passion Soccer while planning watch parties at High Street, Ashford Lane and The Village. Tourism is everyone’s business, and I’m proud of the work we’re doing to make Dunwoody a premier destination.

MARK GALVIN

Chief marketing and operating officer, Discover Dunwoody

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Ordinary Out, Extraordinary In DEKALB COUNTY/PROVIDED

Irvin Johnson retired from his role as the DeKalb County tax commissioner on Dec. 31, 2025. He served the county for 26 years and was the tax commissioner for a decade.

DeKalb tax commissioner retires after 10 years at post By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

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DECATUR, Ga. — DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson retired effective Dec. 31. He has served DeKalb County for 26 years, and as tax commissioner for the past 10 years. Chief Deputy Tax Commissioner Nicole Golden will run the office, according to a news release. The tax commissioner is an elected position. Johnson was reelected in 2024, and the term ends in 2029. “With more than 20 years of legal experience and nine years as chief deputy, Ms. Golden is well-qualified and prepared to lead the office while ensuring continuity at every level of the office,” Johnson said. The tax commissioner’s office is responsible for collecting and disbursing personal and real property taxes, administering homestead exemptions, processing vehicle registrations and renewals, and collecting motor vehicle taxes in DeKalb County, according to the tax commissioner’s office website. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead one of DeKalb’s key governmental functions: motor vehicle titling and

registration, and tax billing and revenue collections,” Johnson said. “We achieved the approval of 10 consecutive and timely tax digest submissions, which resulted in the collection of tax revenues for county and school operations.” He added that he is proud of the office’s responsiveness and its efforts to modernize tax operations. Johnson began his career at the tax office in 2000 as a network coordinator. Under the leadership of former Tax Commissioner Tom Scott and his successor Claudia Lawson, Johnson held several positions during his career at the tax office, including supervisor, manager, and chief deputy tax commissioner. He was elected as the tax commissioner in 2016. Johnson is a past president of the South DeKalb Rotary Club, past chair of the Tax Commissioners’ Technology Development Council of Georgia, former board member of the DeKalb Regional Land Bank Authority, and a former member of the board of directors at Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Tucker. In 2024, Johnson was named Tax Commissioner of the Year by the Georgia Association of Black County Officials, the news release said.

Puzzles

er 1/15/26 Connect-It

PuzzleJunction.com

Connect-It

Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 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!

Dunwoody Crier............................................January 15, 2026 | 5

EITHER/OR 1. Sweeper or Scots heather. Twosome. Pulse. 2. Roomy vehicle. Whacks or slimy critters. Half moon tide. 3. Fake or pillow covering. Honeyed drink. Loathsome. 4. Ice house. Sled dog or Robust. Moonfish. 5. Verdant or a drunk. King of the Road. Imp. 6. Suite place. Cruddy. Rubella symptom or impetuous. 7. Breakfast offering. Aircraft or PuzzleJunction.com carpenter’s tool. Chubby.

2 3 4 5 6

/15/26 Sudoku 7

How to Solve: Each line in theEither/Or puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each 1. Sweeper or Scots heather. Twosome. Pulse. answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues solve the Sudoku column forTothe 3 answers on the puzzle, line. But each here’s row, the catch! Theand clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually 2. Roomy vehicle. Whacks or slimy critters. Half moon tide. contain the numbers to line. 9. Got it? Good luck! bebox for must the second or third answer in 1that 3. Fake or pillow covering. Honeyed drink. Loathsome. 4. Ice house. Sled dog or robust. Moonfish.

6 5. Verdant or a drunk. King of the road. Imp. 6. Suite 9 place. Cruddy. 4 Rubella 2 symptom or impetuous. 7. Breakfast offering. Aircraft or carpenter’s tool. Chubby. 3 1 7 8 2 8 1 9 6 3 4 9 6 4

How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Solution 8 1 3 2 7 6 9 4 5

6 9 7 4 8 5 2 1 3

2 5 4 9 1 3 7 6 8

7 4 8 1 9 2 5 3 6

1 3 5 7 6 8 4 9 2

9 2 6 3 5 4 8 7 1

3 6 2 8 4 9 1 5 7

4 8 1 5 3 7 6 2 9

5 7 9 6 2 1 3 8 4

How to Solve: Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. The rules are easy: A number above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum of the white squares to the right of it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum of the white squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.

Dunwoody Crier 1/15/26 Crossword

Across

1 Giraffe cousin 6 Renown 10 Pesky insect 14 Speeder’s bane 15 Legal claim 16 NV city 17 Karate experts 19 Consequently 20 18-wheeler 21 Foolhardy 22 Western ﬁlm classic, The Magniﬁcent ___ 23 Showman Ziegfeld 25 Tin can appliance 27 Large bird of prey, the Great ___ 31 Filth 32 Cereal grain 33 Condo division 35 Knitting ___ 39 All excited 41 Type of stare or cartridge 43 Diva’s song 44 Indicate 46 Moonshine mix 48 Mornings, for short 49 Burden 51 Gainsborough painting 53 Withstand 55 Hostel 56 Explosion 57 Wilted 60 Jason’s ship 64 Final notice 65 Embarrassed to the hilt

PuzzleJunction.com

14 17

21 23

35 42

45 49

47 51

48 52

67 Exploding star 68 Above 69 The Republic writer 70 Water pitcher 71 Sets 72 Brusque Down 1 Globes 2 Curly cabbage 3 Comic Sandler 4 Appease 5 Aggravate 6 Chigger 7 Suffers 8 Modus operandi 9 Print measures

10 Healthy Chinese beverage 11 Audacity 12 Infuriate 13 Warner Bros. creation 18 Grizzly, e.g. 22 Arid 24 Singer Rawls 26 Walking papers 27 Egg on 28 The latest thing 29 Town on the Thames 30 ___ Abner 34 Scottish cap 36 Ho-hum 37 Airport pickup 38 Effortless

40 Kindergarten reward 42 Apprehend 45 Race track tipster 47 4th century barbarian 50 Computer key 52 Empower 53 Pasta shape 54 Gullible 56 Dog treat 58 Matinee ___ 59 Driving direction ﬁnders 61 Back 62 Catches on 63 Native Nebraskan 65 Dust remover 66 Pertinent

See puzzle solutions on Page 23

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6 | January 15, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

NEWS

Smyrna native, UGA grad Hannah Yahne joins Appen ALPHARETTA, Ga — Appen Media Group announced Hannah Yahne has joined its staff as a reporter. Yahne will cover local government and business in the cities of Roswell and Milton. She will report to Carl Appen, director of content and development, and she will be based in Alpharetta. Yahne grew up in Smyrna and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2024 with a degree in journalism. Throughout those four years, Yahne took courses focusing on social justice journalism, political affairs communications and completed a minor in political science. After graduation, she joined the reporting staff of the Rockdale Citizen and Henry Herald covering local government and community. “It has always been my dream to be a journalist, and I’m excited to connect with the readers in my coverage areas,” Yahne said. “It is so important that local journalism provides honest, unbiased reporting and find stories that highlight the essence of the community. I look forward to growing my skills in the newsroom at Appen Media.” Yahne started with the company PUBLIC NOTICE

The Dunwoody Preservation Trust will host the Lemonade Days Festival at Brook Run Park, 4770 N Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338, from Wednesday, April 22, to Sunday, April 26, 2026. The five-day family festival will feature midway rides and a food court each day, along with a petting zoo and pony rides on the weekend. Hours of operation are: Wed., April 22, 2026 4 pm-10 pm Thurs., April 23, 2026 4 pm-10 pm Fri., April 24, 2026 4 pm-10 pm Sat., April 25, 2026 10 am-10 pm Sun., April 26, 2026 12 noon-6 pm Wristbands for unlimited rides are available for $25 on Family Night (Wednesday) and $35 (Thursday – Sunday). Single tickets may be purchased for $1.25 each, and a sheet of 25 tickets costs $25. Dunwoody Preservation Trust PO Box 888658 Dunwoody GA 30356 P:770-668-0401 www.dunwoodyprervationtrust.org

in October, kicking off coverage by reporting on election results and the resulting change in leadership for the City of Roswell. Since then, she has covered the Atlanta Regional Commission, profiled residents like Milton’s aspiring racing athlete YAHNE Luke Yarbrough and shared the work of community installations such as Jackson Healthcare. “Hannah is a sharp, thoughtful journalist on the rise in Atlanta,” Appen said. “She first came on our radar by leading the city’s coverage of the BioLab fire this fall and continued reporting its impact on community members. Ever since, she’s proven herself as an asset to the Metro Atlanta world of community journalism. We’re thrilled to have that kind of dedication and care in our newsroom.” For story ideas and questions, readers can reach Yahne at hannah@ appenmedia.com. — Carl Appen

Legislature to maintain focus on big tech’s sway on children

By TY TAGAMI Capitol Beat ATLANTA — Big tech has reached so far into the lives of children that some Georgia lawmakers want to push back. After legal missteps to restrain the industry, the State Senate got new recommendations this month from a study committee that heard grim stories about the impact of social media and other platforms. Among those who testified were parents of children who died by suicide after extensive use of social media and experts who spoke of an escalating mental health crisis after the merger of two technologies. “Smartphones and social media, they take the person who is vulnerable, who is struggling mentally, and further isolate and distance them from real human relationships,” Dr. Stan Sonu, a medical director at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, told senators at a hearing at the state Capitol in November. He described a patient who had become withdrawn over the past year, burying his head in TikTok videos. He said the boy had high scores for anxiety, depression and thoughts of self-harm despite a calm demeanor. Sonu said he initially dismissed the changed behavior, ascribing it to teen angst. Then, the 12-year-old disclosed what had been bothering him: other boys had made him watch sex videos in the school cafeteria, bullying him afterward because of his

discomfort. Sonu said the boy had been using social media to self-medicate. “Social media is, and I don’t say this lightly, it is legalized digital heroin,” Sonu told the senators. “By leveraging neuroscience to grab a hold of our attention, it promotes this powerful illusion that your real-life problems can be pushed aside.” The committee is picking up the pieces after the tech industry torpedoed the General Assembly’s last attempt to rein in social media. The Protecting Georgia’s Children on Social Media Act sailed into law with broad bipartisan support last year, but an advocacy group for tech companies sued. A federal judge for the Northern District of Georgia ruled in June that the plaintiff was likely to prevail on claims that the law violated the First Amendment’s speech protections. She issued a preliminary injunction against enforcement. The law required social media companies to make “commercially reasonable efforts” to verify users’ age, and it mandated parent consent for those under 16. It also banned advertising to children. It had been a priority for Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a Republican who is now running for governor. Jones authorized the bipartisan committee — co-led by a Democrat and a Republican — that issued new legislative recommendations in late December. The committee proposed a prohibition on addictive platform design, stricter data privacy and making artificial intelligence platforms subject to product liability laws. The committee also backed measures to empower parents, such as a proposal that social media companies secure parent consent before letting minors access their platforms. But that would require age verification by everyone, like the mandate that prompted the federal judge to sideline last year’s law on the grounds that it was a “severe burden” on adults to require them to prove their age. The committee also recommended expanding on a measure that will go into effect next fall: a prohibition on student use of personal digital devices in public elementary and middle schools. The committee recommended extending the ban to high schools.

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PAST TENSE

OPINION

Residents recall heyday of Thompson’s Grocery

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

You may have seen this photograph of an old country store before in the Dunwoody Crier. I have written before about how the old railroad depot was rolled up Chamblee Dunwoody Road on logs. It became Nash’s Store in the

mid-1920s. In the early 1900s, William Nash and William Joberry Cheek, Jr. operated a feed and grocery store along what is now Nandina Lane. Tragically, Cheek was shot and killed by James Clark in 1906. Nash would have died also, if not for the Masonic charm he wore that day. Following the Nash ownership of the store, Walker and Lottie Thompson became the owners and operators. Those who recall the store in the 1950s remember it as Thompson’s Store. Mike Austin shared his memories of Thompson’s store with me several years ago. The door on the left led into the post office. The other two doors entered the grocery store, but everyone used the middle door. Mrs. Thompson

LARRY JORDON/PROVIDED

The old Thompson’s Grocery occupied what was once a train depot. was known to everyone as Miss Lottie. When Dunwoody Elementary School was located across Chamblee Dunwoody Road, children would stop by the store on their way home. They would sometimes spend 5 cents for a cold

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Coke or some candy. Miss Lottie rang you up. Lottie Mae Thompson was born in 1906. Walker Harris (Doc) Thompson was born in 1888 in Morgan County, Georgia. The couple married in 1928. In 1930, according to the U.S. census, Doc and Lottie were living at 930 Glenwood Avenue in Atlanta. Doc worked at a restaurant. Both the 1936 Atlanta City Directories and the 1940 census show the couple owning and working at a restaurant. By 1950, the couple had moved to Spalding Drive, east of Roberts Drive. The household included Doc, Lottie, their 3-year-old son and lodger Cicero Wright. Walker Thompson was working as a farmer. (1950 U.S. Census records) As to what brought Doc and Lottie Thompson to Dunwoody, I can only speculate. Perhaps they were ready to leave the city and move to the country. They ended up in the Dunwoody area running the local country store. Doc died in 1957. The obituary reports the couple lived on Jett Ferry Road and had lived in Dunwoody 10 years. His funeral was held at Dunwoody Baptist Church, and although the obituary states Roseland Cemetery, he and Lottie are both listed among those buried at Sandy Springs Methodist Church Cemetery. Lottie died in 1973. (Atlanta Journal, March 19, 1957) Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

PROVIDED

Thompson Grocery ran this Atlanta Constitution ad on June 17, 1955, for their grand opening. Correction: The Jan. 1, 2026 Past Tense column incorrectly stated the year of a fire at Loew’s Grand Theater. The fire took place in 1978.

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January 15, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | 9

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EDUCATION • Sponsored Section

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EDUCATION • Sponsored Section

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EDUCATION • Sponsored Section

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A strong start in faith and learning Brought to you by – Dunwoody Baptist Preschool For over 56 years, Dunwoody Baptist Preschool’s vision has been to inspire the love of learning by nurturing each child within a Christ-centered environment. We are committed to encouraging our early learners to thrive academically, but even more importantly, we want them to grow spiritually. We, as teachers and staff, care deeply that all of our students know who God is and that He loves them unconditionally. We are a fully accredited preschool through COGNIA. At Dunwoody Baptist Preschool, we offer 2, 3 ,4 and 5-day classes for children ages 6 months to 2 years and

5-day classes for children in 3’s, 4’s Pre-K and our unique Young 5’s class. Early Morning drop-off, Extended Day and Enrichment classes in cooking, phonics, science, Spanish, ballet and piano are also offered. All children at DBP not only learn and explore within the classroom, they enjoy music and science classes, gym, playground time and chapel. Please visit our Admissions section on our website at dbc.org/ weekdayschool to register your child for the 2026-2027 school year. Please email Lesley Kammerer, Director at lkammerer@dbc.org for information on school tours. To see all of the fun we are having, check out our Instagram or Facebook @ dunwoodybaptistpreschool!

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EDUCATION • Sponsored Section

Accelerate your nursing career. Impact your community. Brought to you by – Herzing University The healthcare systems of metro Atlanta, including surrounding communities like Sandy Springs, are experiencing the effects of the state-wide nursing shortage. Georgia is on track to be among the top 10 states facing the most urgent nursing shortages, projecting a need for over 18,000 registered nurses locally by 2037. This means more than just a lack of staff. It translates to longer emergency room waits, postponed critical care and increased pressure on already overworked healthcare professionals. This shortage demands an innovative approach to nursing education – one that unlocks the potential of more qualified individuals, including non-traditional students who may be balancing work and family responsibilities. Herzing-Atlanta understands this reality and has developed flexible learning options to cater to the nontraditional student, for whom time is one of the most valuable resources. As the campus celebrates one year in its new Sandy Springs location, Herzing is

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EDUCATION • Sponsored Section

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Change lives, change the world Brought to you by – Wesleyan School Wesleyan School believes faith and intellect are great partners with each other. At Wesleyan, it’s not a matter of choosing faith or intellect, but rather using both to create the best possible education for your child. Our leadership and faculty work to provide students with an atmosphere that is challenging, reinforces the value of hard work, and emphasizes character and integrity above accomplishment. Wesleyan prepares students for each stage of life and provides them with the opportunity to see all the possibilities that lie before them. Wesleyan’s school motto is JOY-Jesus, Others, Yourself, and every aspect of school life is oriented to reinforce this philosophy of putting Jesus first and others ahead of ourselves. A college preparatory environment, students have access to a wide range of academic opportunities along with athletics, arts, service and other extracurricular activities. Wesleyan’s 85-acre campus provides state-of-the-art academic facilities along with on-campus practice space for athletics and arts. Located just outside of I-285 in Peachtree Corners, Wesleyan enrolled 1,210 students in grades K-12 for the 2024-2025 school year. Wesleyan offers bus routes throughout the metro Atlanta area. Supervised care before school is included in the cost of tuition and after care is available (K-8) until 6 p.m. at an affordable rate. The Wesleyan School 5405 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-448-7640 https://www.wesleyanschool.org/

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EDUCATION • Sponsored Section

‘If a student can’t learn the way we teach… we should teach the way a student can learn.’ Brought to you by – Mill Springs Academy Mill Springs Academy is a 1-12 private school dedicated to helping neurodiverse students (including students with ADHD, learning differences, and Level 1 Autism) discover their strengths and thrive. Mill Springs takes a unique approach to education by combining academic learning with practical skills development through project-based learning. Our hands-on curriculum engages students in real-world challenges, fostering critical thinking, executive functioning skills, and social-emotional intelligence. From the unit-based Lower School program to our Middle and Upper Schools' robust selection of electives that connect students to critical academic skills through subjects and topics that interest them, we empower students to explore, create, and grow at their own pace. Our specialized Communication Arts program ensures that students with Level 1 Autism and those with pragmatic language challenges receive the tailored support they need while

How parents can connect with their teenagers Brought to you by – Shaquanta “Shelley” Danjoint, M.S., The Summit Counseling Center

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The teenage years can be an adjustment for both children and parents. Teenagers are finding their identity and are becoming more aware of themselves. Parents go through a phase of learning about their child, even after knowing them for years. There are phases and stages that parents will witness their child going through that may not be present later. Listed below are some suggestions to help parents continue to connect and build a healthy relationship with their child while still providing parenting and guidance. • Set up quality time. It can be helpful for teens to have time just with mom and time just with dad. These times may look different. Dads may want to take their daughters out for dinner, but may bond with their sons over sports or other events. Moms may go shopping with their daughters or bake with them to learn about their interests and hobbies. The idea is to learn more to see what activity may best suit you to do together. • Practice helpful communication. Avoid name-calling. Helpful communication can include sharing what your teens are doing well and encouraging them to do their best, rather than only telling them what they are not doing well. This can also include not going back and forth with teens, but allowing them to vent, revisiting the conversation later to talk and show love and affection when everyone is calmer. It is important to set boundaries and maintain your household rules here. Avoid going back and forth on topics that lead to escalating arguments.

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Walk:

COMMUNITY

Continued from Page 1 Following Pannakara’s message, attendees lined up to receive a blessing cord from the monks as a sign of peace and support. The cord is also meant to remind the wearer of the mindfulness and peace in their life. After receiving her cord, Symone Corbin, a Sandy Springs resident, said she felt peaceful and a closeness to a higher being. “Just looking at them, you feel a higher connection,” Corbin said. “I feel like I have a connection to them. My mission is to do what they have instructed me to do, which is to be well, happy and peaceful.” Lynea Laws, from Metro Atlanta, traveled to Laos in 2018 and visited the monks at their temple. She said the experience was calming and comforting. “It gave me an opportunity to reflect on, like, wow — if we just slow up for a moment and be in the now, how much calmer [would we be] and lower blood pressure we could have,” Laws said. “I’ve never forgotten that, and I carry that with me. This was a must that I had to come and experience this again.” A Fort Worth native, Laws said it was serendipitous that the monks began their trek in her hometown and traveled through where she currently lives. Laws looked forward to feeling grounded again and reminding herself to live in the present. She also hoped to pass some good energy to the monks and wished them well. Outpouring of support The organic enthusiasm for the monks and their journey draws onlookers wherever they go. Many visitors learned about the monks’ journey through social media or from friends. The group isn’t always passing through major cities, but it continues to attract thousands at its stops. In South DeKalb, Trellis Love, her daughter and friend were hoping to give the monks care packages with hygiene products, socks, water and food. They tried to donate the items to the group on Dec. 29, but Walk for Peace had stopped accepting material items because their camper was full of gifts. “We’re all a part of the same church, and we do a lot of missionary work. My daughter was the one who kept me abreast of them being in the area, and she encouraged me,” Love said. The trio saw the monks in Clayton County on Dec. 29 and said it was a wonderful experience. “At that time, we were at a point where it wasn’t really crowded, and

Symone Corbin, of Sandy Springs, displays the bracelet she received when the Buddhist monks stopped at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center on Rainbow Drive in Greater Decatur. The stop was part of the monks’ 2,300-mile Walk for Peace Dec. 30. PHOTOS BY: DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA

A Buddhist monk gives out bracelets during a stop along their 2,300-mile Walk for Peace at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center on Rainbow Drive in Greater Decatur Dec. 30. they walked right past us,” Love said. “We were hoping to have something similar today.” Zema Love Fire, with flowers in hand, waited to see the monks at Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center. She was dressed in orange, similar to the monks. “Peace and love because we need that in America right now,” she said about why she came to the afternoon stop. “I think it’s a great reminder for us all to return to our peace and our inner peace.” Sarah Hunsberger brought a cardboard cutout of another person known for peace – Jane Goodall. She brought a stuffed ape for Aloka, the peace dog, so the monks could carry the spirit of Goodall with them. “These last two years have been an extreme struggle,” Hunsberger said. “I’ve had issues trying to get over this. I feel a connection to all of the people who are in the walk and all the people who are coming out to see it. I’m needing this positive connection, and I haven’t found that anywhere else.” Many in the audience enjoyed being in community and sought connection. On social media, others have observed a longing for peace and love. Onlookers lined the streets as they arrived at each stop in DeKalb County. Waiting along West Trinity Place in downtown Decatur, Niraj Patel said he appreciates the monks’ effort and message. Patel and his son, Divinus, drove from Gainesville to Decatur for the experience. “We’re here for appreciation,” Patel said, adding that he appreciated that “they’re willing to suffer just to bring awareness to something. I think that’s a powerful message.”

Local leaders join peace gathering A quiet crowd greeted the monks with waving hands as they arrived at a peace gathering at the Beacon Municipal Complex in Decatur. They did not offer peace cords at this stop but offered a group blessing for those in attendance. U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, Rep. Hank Johnson, state Rep. Ruwa Romman, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett spoke and welcomed the monks during the Dec. 30 peace gathering. “It’s truly my honor to be with you this evening and have this gathering here in Decatur,” Garrett said at the gathering. “It really warms my heart to see all of you…and it is truly an honor to be a part of this peace event tonight.” Warnock, who is also the senior pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, shared a piece of scripture. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require? For that you do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” Warnock said the monks’ odyssey gave the scripture new meaning. “All of us who are gathered here, I do believe, will agree that we could use some more justice,” Warnock said. “We can certainly use a lot more kindness. They’ve taught us how to walk humbly, literally walking humbly.” The mission behind the walk The monks continued to share their message of peace, kindness and compassion in downtown Decatur. Pannakara shared that he decided to walk for peace after witnessing widespread suffering around him. “I have a nonprofit for all kinds of relief around the world. I have traveled,”

he said. “I’ve seen a lot of suffering in so many different ways. That led me to the thought of doing something for this country and for this world, hoping that it will heal some of the people.” He said the world is chaotic due to hatred and anger. “We want to share with you all this message. If there is no loving kindness, there is no peace. If there is no compassion, there is no peace. Loving kindness means we love everyone equally,” Panakara said. “If we don’t have peace within ourselves, we cannot expect anybody to bring us peace.” The journey continues After leaving downtown Decatur, the monks walked another couple of miles and spent the night at Tobie Grant Recreation Center in Scottdale. Residents of McLendon Drive saw the monks pass their homes early on Dec. 31. Walk for Peace traveled to Snellville Dec. 31, which was day 67 of their quest. They walk about 25 to 30 miles per day. The group also met up with Maha Dam Phommasan. He is a monk and participated in the walk in Texas, but was hit by a vehicle, causing a portion of his leg to be amputated. He is no longer walking with the group and is home, recovering in Snellville. As the venerable monks continue on their journey, they ask the crowd not to walk with them but encourage guests to stop by during their stops and visiting hours. Pannakara said that to have inner peace, one must practice and be mindful of all they do. “Walking from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, we want to share this love and this message to all people and all beings. We will not exclude anyone,” Pannakara said. “If we all can do this together, our country will be at peace, our world will be at peace.”

SPORTS

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Basketball:

The City of Dunwoody and the City of Peachtree Corners To Hold A Location and Design Public Information Open House For P.I. No. 0019791 DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties

Continued from Page 1 ESPN’s No. 1 player in the country for the class of 2028, 6’9” five-star forward Bentley Lusakueno led Woodward with 28 points and five rebounds. He shot 100 percent from the restricted area (8-8) and the charity stripe (4-4) in the hostile environment of the Dunwoody gym. Lusakueno transferred to Woodward this season from Pace Academy to be closer to his family’s home on the south side of Atlanta, he said in a social media statement announcing the transfer. After the game, he said his team has given him plenty of reasons to have faith in tough situations. “You can’t get lost in these region games,” he said. “At the end of the day, we have dudes who can hit tough buckets, we have dudes who can sit down, be on an island and guard and lock it down and that’s really what it is.” Lusakueno went to the bench for part of the first quarter after racking up two quick fouls. Woodward adjusted to the officiating successfully and found themselves at the free-throw line repeatedly the second half. Lusakueno ended the game with two fouls. Woodward head coach Anthony Thomas said Lusakueno has brought leadership from day one, but the team chemistry that sets this group apart involves the full roster. Thomas said a supportive mindset has been key when facing powerhouse opponents such as those the War Eagles have fallen to in their five losses this season. “We are now reaping the benefits of those tough opponents,” he said. “The guys are really starting to come together and be prepared for a strong finish. Tonight, we had to fight to the very end, but in the end, we made [necessary] corrections and that gave us the win.” Another special set of Hayes brothers make up a significant portion of the team chemistry that has propelled Woodward. Both top-30 recruits in the country, Jarvis Jr. and Myles each scored in double figures against Dunwoody. It’s not the first time their last name has been mentioned in the newspapers as their dad and uncle made waves in the ’90s at Frederick Douglass High. Twins Jarvis Sr. and Jonas went on to play a year for Western Carolina before transferring to UGA. Jarvis Sr. had a multi-season career in the NBA and other professional leagues afterward. Jonas is now the head coach at Georgia State with Jarvis Sr. serving as

On Thursday, February 12, 2026 (date) at the Winters Chapel United Methodist Church located at 5105 Winters Chapel Road (location), Peachtree Corners, GA, 30360, the City of Dunwoody and City of Peachtree Corners will hold a Public Information Open House concerning the project listed above. The project will add a shared use path along the west side of Winters Chapel Road from Peeler Road to Charmant Place. The project will provide connectivity to the existing Winters Chapel Road shared use path north of Charmant Place in addition to future paths along Winters Chapel Road to the south and Peeler Road to the west. The route begins and ends in Dunwoody (DeKalb County), with a 0.2-mile segment through Peachtree Corners (Gwinnett County). Intersection improvements will be implemented at Peeler Road and Sumac Drive with a dedicated pedestrian crossing added at Sumac Drive. The design will avoid the cemeteries throughout the corridor by adjusting the path alignment and using retaining walls as needed. All driveway and side street crossings will be reviewed for ADA compliance and to minimize impacts to private property. The purpose of this Location and Public Information Open House is to provide the public with an opportunity to view the project, ask questions, and comment on the project. The Open House will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. It will be informal, and the public is invited to attend any time during these hours. There will be no formal presentation. A court reporter will be available to allow the public an opportunity to make verbal comments about the project. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information: The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Accommodations for people with disabilities can be arranged with advance notice by contacting Ms. Tiffany Siegel at 678-382-6869 (Tiffany.Siegel@dunwoodyga.gov). COREYA FLOWERS/PROVIDED

Woodward Academy forward Bentley Lusakueno attacks in the post at Dunwoody High School Jan. 6. Lusakueno led the War Eagles with 28 points in the 72-66 victory over the Wildcats.

an assistant. Sophomore Myles Hayes, another five-star recruit, has begun to rack up offers, too. Georgia, Auburn, Miami and Georgia Tech are in the mix for all three recruits. Jarvis Jr. was a major source of motor against Dunwoody with a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds. The junior was named to Sandy’s Spiel’s preseason all-state first team. Woodward was dominant on the glass with a 34-19 rebound differential, only allowing Dunwoody three offensive boards. Spark from Wildcats guard Brendan Smith kept Dunwoody in the game in the second half, splashing on five 3-pointers. However, fouls piled up against Dunwoody, derailing the Wildcats’ effort at a comeback in the final minutes.

Written statements will be accepted concerning this project until Monday, March 02, 2026. Written statements may be submitted to: Ms. Tiffany Siegel Capital Projects Manager City of Dunwoody 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road Dunwoody, Georgia 30338

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22 | January 15, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

SERVICE DIRECTORY Landscaping

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AwArd winning LAndscApes

20 years of Keeping Dunwoody Green

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Full-time

Donor Operations Supervisor The Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) The Donor Operations Supervisor manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized. The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing other to work as a team in a professional manner within a fast paced environment. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!

SHOP LOCAL EAT LOCAL READ LOCAL

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G N A T F A M E O K A P I R E N O L I E N R A D A R E R G O B L A C K B E L T S S E V E N R A S H S E M I O P E N E R F L O D I R T G R E Y O W L N E E D L E U N I T O A T A R I A B L A N K A G O G A M S M A S H D E N O T E B L U E B O Y L O A D I N N E N D U R E A R G O L I M P B L A S T R E D A S A B E E T O B I T P L A T O A T O P N O V A T E R S E G E L S E W E R

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If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

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DEATH NOTICES Isaac Goodvin, 89, of Alpharetta, passed away on January 1, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Bernhard Kiemes, 69, of Alpharetta, passed away on January 4, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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A NEWSLETTER FROM

Paul Massey, 73, of Alpharetta, passed away on December 30, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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24 | January 15, 2026 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

RACHEL PROVOW Your Dunwoody Real Estate Expert C: 678.524.1491 | O: 470.682.HOME (4663) Rachel@HOMEgeorgia.com

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