June 18, 2026 | AppenMedia.com
DUNWOODY POLICE DEPARTMENT/PROVIDED
Dunwoody Police officers enjoy the bounty of raising more than $3,700 to benefit Special Olympics Georgia during Cops at Donut Shops June 5.
Barbecue history on tap among Fourth festivities ► PAGE 4
By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com
METRO ATLANTA, Ga. —
Local police departments across the state spent time at their local Dunkin’ Donuts June 5 to raise money and awareness for the athletes of Special Olympics Georgia.
Cops at Donut Shops is held annually in National Donut Day, and more than 30 cities participated in fundraising, including police departments in Dunwoody, Johns Creek, Roswell and Milton.
The Roswell Police Department has participated in fundraising since 2021, when the event was still called “Cops on Donut Shops,” a name that the
department took literally and still does. By the end of the morning, officers were on the roof at the Dunkin’ Donuts on Holcomb Bridge Road.
In just a couple of hours, the department raised $1,300 to support Special Olympics athletes. Public Information Officer Tim Lupo said the organization’s goal of creating a more inclusive and supportive community for individuals with intellectual disabilities deeply aligns with the core values of the Roswell Police Department.
“We look forward to any opportunity we have to throw our support behind their mission,” Lupo said.
See FUNDRAISER, Page 13
By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — World Cup fever is coming to Dunwoody.
Soccer fans can watch free FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at a variety of spots throughout the city beginning June 11 and running through the championship match July 19.
Where to watch:
Funwoody Restaurants is the entertainment district in the Dunwoody Village shopping center, 5521 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, where soccer fans can gather on the center courtyard to watch the games on big screen TVs while dining.
CT Cantina and Taqueria, 244 Perimeter Center Pkwy Suite 1, will have
game-day food and drink specials.
High Street, 101 High Street, will have watch parties beginning June 15 on its community greenspace with dining options and swag giveaways.
Ashford Lane, 4500 Olde Perimeter Way, will have watch parties on The Lawn on June 19 and July 19.
Dunwoody Tavern in the Shops of Dunwoody, 5488 Chamblee Dunwoody
Road, will have all matches on its TVs along with pub food and frothy ales. Campus 244, 244 Perimeter Center Pkwy. NE, invites soccer fans to watch World Cup action on its open lawn space.
Check out times and dates for the watch parties at Discover Dunwoody’s events page at discoverdunwoody.com/ events.
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DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody Police Foundation recently honored the 2026 Officer and Employee of the Quarter.
Dunwoody Police Officer G. Wiencek and Police Service Representative M. Thomas were recognized at the May 26 City Council meeting for their “exceptional dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving the Dunwoody community,” Chief Mike Carlson said.
Officer Wiencek's innovative use of drone technology, proactive support of patrol operations and commitment to officer safety have made a significant impact on the department's effectiveness in the field, Carlson said.
PSR M. Thomas continues to demonstrate outstanding resilience, teamwork and dedication, Carlson said. Her positive attitude, reliability and willingness to support both her coworkers and the department's mission make her an invaluable member of the team, he said.
Both were presented a plaque by Carlson and Dunwoody Police Foundation Co-President Baku Daruwalla.
— Dyana Bagby
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, Ga. — A Roswell man was arrested June 2 with a breath alcohol content of more than .1 percent after a Roswell officer detected him exceeding 100 mph on Ga. 400.
The traffic stop resulted in officers finding around 3.5 grams of marijuana concentrate and a smoking device on the passenger floorboard. The device was estimated to contain an additional 1.5 grams.
The officer was conducting speed detections on vehicles northbound on Ga. 400 when he saw the 1995 Buick driving at what was later confirmed to be 116 mph – more than 50 mph over the speed limit.
After conducting a traffic stop near the exit at Mansell Road, the officer saw smoke rising from the vehicle’s engine and smelled alcohol on the 63-year-old driver. He was also reported to have droopy eyelids and slightly slurred speech.
The driver admitted to drinking two
Employee of the Quarter from Chief Mike Carlson and Dunwoody Police Foundation Co-President Baku Daruwalla.
shots, later saying two mixed drinks, about two hours before encountering the officer.
A field sobriety test and breathalyzer were given with another police unit present. The driver rated himself at a 3 or 4 when asked by officers to rank how drunk he was on a scale with 10 being the highest.
The driver was detained and officers searched the vehicle, revealing the marijuana concentrate and smoking device.
He was transported to Roswell City Hall and booked into Fulton County Jail on five charges including driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and reckless driving.
— Hannah Yahne
ROSWELL, Ga. — Police responded to a call at a restaurant on Canton Street June 1 where two men had allegedly taken the contents of a woman’s wallet before returning it to her purse.
The Canton woman reported that four debit cards and a $100 bill were missing. She got an alert from her bank that someone tried to use her card at the Lowes on Duke Road and reported it was a fraudulent charge.
A restaurant employee that served the men told police they switched
tables several times. She reported seeing the restaurant’s video footage of them removing the woman’s wallet from her purse and manipulating it under a menu before returning it to the purse. She could not show police the video at the time.
Before leaving, the Roswell officer was approached by a fellow restaurant owner on Canton Street who said the same two males had been acting suspicious at her restaurant earlier and were kicked out.
— Hannah Yahne
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Six video game consoles were reported stolen from an Alpharetta department store June 1. Alpharetta officers were dispatched to the North Point Parkway business about 2:30 p.m.
A loss prevention employee told police a man grabbed six of the gaming devices and left without paying. Employees said the man left in a black SUV. Loss prevention staff later determined the suspect was a 45-year-old Atlanta man.
The devices were valued at a total of $1,800.
The incident was classified as a felony shoplifting.
— Jon Wilcox
In 1982, I had the privilege of heading Timex Computers when I introduced the first home computer to sell for under $100. ... 44 years ago, I introduced a computer that put the power of technology within reach of ordinary Americans.
Seventeen years ago, along with many other citizens, I helped found a city that promised to put the power of local government within reach of its citizens. Today, I find myself asking a simple question: Is the power still within reach? Because when dialogue disappears, the promise of cityhood begins to disappear with it. The power was never meant to belong to City Hall. It was meant to remain within reach of the people. That was the promise of Timex. It was also the promise of Dunwoody.
The result was extraordinary. Hundreds of thousands of people bought their first computer. Many learned programming for the first time. Others simply became more comfortable with technology. The computer revolution moved from the computer lab into the living room. We helped democratize access to computing.
Twenty-seven years later, I found myself involved in a very different effort with a remarkably similar purpose.
In 2008, I had the honor of serving on Dunwoody’s first City Council as one of the city’s founding council members. The cityhood movement was never just about creating another level of government. It was about bringing government closer to the people. Citizens wanted local control. They wanted their concerns heard by people they knew and could reach. They wanted representation. They wanted accountability. In many ways, cityhood was about democratizing government. The promise was remarkably similar to the promise we made at Timex years earlier: The power would be within your reach.
Instead of traveling to Decatur to seek answers, residents could speak directly with local officials. Instead of being one voice among hundreds of thousands in DeKalb County, citizens would have a government that knew their neighborhoods, understood their concerns and responded to their questions. That vision inspired 83 percent of Dunwoody voters to support cityhood. It worked because dialogue worked. Citizens spoke, leaders listened, people disagreed, conversations continued, and solutions were found. No one expected government to be perfect, but everyone expected government to be accessible.
In our first year as a city, the City
Council adopted an ethics code as its first ordinance. We wanted to send a clear message about the kind of city we intended to build: a city where trust mattered, where transparency mattered and where citizens were not an obstacle to government, but the reason government existed. That vision produced results.
Shortly after incorporation, Dunwoody was recognized by the Georgia Municipal Association as a “City of Ethics.”
The designation reflected the values upon which the city was founded: transparency, accountability, integrity and a belief that government should remain close to the people it serves.
Which is why I find myself increasingly concerned today. In the ongoing Kingsley Lake stormwater issue, residents have spent months asking for what the most basic function of local government should be: dialogue. We have requested meetings, asked questions, sought explanations and tried to understand the reasoning behind decisions that appear inconsistent with actions taken elsewhere in the city.
The city has funded stormwater improvements in other neighborhoods and approved repairs where public stormwater impacts private property. Yet when residents at Kingsley ask why their situation is different, meaningful dialogue has been difficult to obtain.
Questions are routed through attorneys. Elected officials are advised not to engage.
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody Preservation Trust will kick off the Independence Day holiday weekend with its Star-Spangled July 3 open house at the Donaldson-Bannister Farmhouse, featuring a presentation on Georgia barbecue history and a community blood drive.
The free event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 3 at the historic farmhouse, 4831 Chamblee Dunwoody Road. Organizers say the venue will be decorated in patriotic red, white and blue themes.
A featured program, “Red, White and ’Cue: Georgia History Through Barbecue,” will be presented from 11 a.m. to noon by James “Trae” Welborn III, an associate professor of history at Georgia College & State University. The presentation will explore how barbecue traditions reflect Georgia’s social, cultural and civic history. In addition, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers will host a Red, White and Blue Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the site.
The Donaldson-Bannister Farmhouse, which dates to about 1870, is one of Dunwoody’s historic landmarks.
More information is available at dunwoodypreservationtrust.org.
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 5, 5 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
1. Dark black. Slightly obese. San Diego sportsman.
2. Thighbone. Baltimore sportsman. Bread unit.
3. Farm structure. Cincinnati sportsman. Arm, for one.
4. Tennessee sportsman. Turnpike sign. Wanderer.
5. Pricy gem. Edmonton sportsman. King or queen, e.g.
6. Miami sportsman. Marianas island. Urban haze.
7. Pipe problem. Military clique. Los Angeles sportsman.
1 Dark black. Slightly obese. San Diego sportsman
2. Thighbone. Baltimore sportsman. Bread unit
How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
3. Farm structure. Cincinnati sportsman. Arm, for one.
4. Tennessee sportsman. Turnpike sign. Wanderer
5. Pricy gem. Edmonton sportsman. King or queen, e.g.
6.
How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
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.
By STANLEY LEARY newsroom@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — Classic cars brought people together, but community connection was the real focus of the annual Cops ’N Cars held Saturday, June 6, at Lebanon Baptist Church.
Hosted by the Friends of Roswell Police Foundation in partnership with the Roswell Police Department, the event attracted residents, law enforcement officers, car enthusiasts and local businesses for an afternoon of family-friendly activities and vehicle displays.
Rows of classic and custom vehicles filled the church grounds. Families explored exhibits, visited food trucks and spoke with vehicle owners. Children climbed into police vehicles, examined equipment and interacted with officers in a relaxed environment.
Roswell Police Public Information Officer Tim Lupo said the event provides valuable opportunities for officers and residents to connect outside emergency situations.
“For most people, their first interaction with the police occurs when something has gone wrong,” Lupo said. “Events like Cops ’N Cars flip that dynamic, providing a meaningful opportunity for our officers to engage with our residents in a positive, relaxed environment.”
Lupo said the event helps residents see officers as fellow community members while also supporting local outreach efforts.
“Connecting over a shared interest like cars reinforces that we are members of this community right alongside those we serve,” he said. “Equally important, the success of this event allows us to directly reinvest in our city by supporting initiatives like OPERATION: Holiday Heroes, our annual holiday shopping event for local children.”
The Friends of Roswell Police Foundation, established in 2021, serves as the official Qualified Law Enforcement Foundation supporting the Roswell Police Department. Funds raised through events such as Cops ’N Cars help support community programs and departmental initiatives.
Lupo was pleased with this year’s event.
“This year's event was a resounding success by every metric,” he said. “We packed out the parking lot with an outstanding variety of show cars and auto enthusiasts, and saw great attendance from the public.”
While the vehicles attracted attention, the strongest moments involved people — neighbors meeting neighbors, families spending time together and officers spending time with the community they serve.
Together, we’ll create opportunities, drive innovation, and build a brighter tomorrow. YOUR VOICE. YOUR BUSINESS. YOUR SUCCESS. YOU ARE WHAT MAKES US GREATER.
Memberships is now opendon’t miss out on this exciting new chapter! today and become part of a dynamic network that’s shaping the business landscape.
Jim Perkins researched the history behind road names in the mid-1990s and shared his findings in the Past Tense column of the Dunwoody Crier newspaper. He discovered the road that became known as Mt. Vernon was previously known as Lawrenceville Road because traveling toward the east took you to Lawrenceville. Traveling west from Lawrenceville to Dunwoody and Sandy Springs the road was called Powers Ferry Road. (“The Story of Dunwoody,” by Elizabeth L. Davis, Ethel W. Spruill, Joyce Amacher and Lynne Byrd)
Perkins said the road was his favorite in Dunwoody because, “…oddly enough, it leads to Fulton County in both directions.”
Continued from Page 3
Decisions arrive in letters rather than conversations. As one of the members of Dunwoody’s first City Council, I find that troubling.
We did not create a city so that citizens would have to communicate with their government through attorneys. We created a city so citizens could sit across the table from elected officials, ask difficult questions and receive honest answers. The purpose of cityhood was not simply to provide services. DeKalb County already provided services. The purpose
He found old maps showing Mt. Vernon was the only east-west path across DeKalb County north of Peachtree Road.
“It follows an east-west ridge, which is a natural divide that does not cross a running stream in its approximate fivemile route through Fulton County,” he wrote. “Streams on the north side of Mount Vernon Road flow into the Chattahoochee River. Those on the south side of the road flow into Nancy Creek and reach the river via Peachtree Creek on the northwest side of Atlanta.”
Perkins asked his sources in Dunwoody if they knew the story of why the road name changed to Mt. Vernon. After not finding any answers, he asked Eugene Cofield, a retired chemist for Scripto who researched road names and boundaries in his retirement years. He spent hours studying maps in the archives of Atlanta History Center. (Atlanta Journal obituaries, August 11, 1997)
was to bring decision-making closer to the people affected by those decisions.
We wanted citizens to know their elected officials. We wanted elected officials to know their neighborhoods. Most importantly, we wanted dialogue. When dialogue is replaced by legal correspondence, something important has been lost.
Cofield said the road name changed to Mt. Vernon Highway in Fulton County in 1926, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and honoring President George Washington. Perkins further confirmed this piece of history with Atlanta historian Franklin Garrett.
In a 1994 oral history of long-time Dunwoody citizens, Ethel Spruill suggested the name change might be associated with Arlington Memorial Cemetery coming to Sandy Springs. I have not found records to confirm this part of the story, but the first burial took place at Arlington Memorial in 1922. (“I Remember Hour, Dunwoody 1994,” DeKalb History Center)
In 1936, DeKalb County decided to change Lawrenceville Highway to Mt. Vernon Road, using the word “road” to distinguish between the two counties.
The road was paved by the Works Progress Administration during the 1930s. The
when citizens could sit across the table from decision makers, ask difficult questions, and receive honest answers. That vision is worth protecting.
12/15/16 11:22 AM Page 1
This is not just about Kingsley Lake. Tomorrow it could be another neighborhood, another park, another stormwater issue or another citizen group seeking answers.
The founders of Dunwoody envisioned a city where citizens would be closer to their government, not farther away. We believed local government worked best
When I look back at that Timex advertisement from 1982, I realize the message was never really about computers. The machine was simply a tool. The real message was that ordinary people should have access to the tools that shape their future.
Government is also a tool. Its purpose is not to place decisions beyond the reach of citizens. Its purpose is to empower them.
Forty-four years ago, I helped introduce a computer that put the power of technology within reach of ordinary
T. Melton Attorney at Law 404-702-7390
WPA was a government program designed to create more jobs through public works projects during the Depression.
Advertisements for real estate in the 1927 Atlanta Journal verify the road name change. An April 17, 1927, ad for an American Land Company property auction describes property on Mt. Vernon Highway: 79½ acres on Mt. Vernon Highway, including three houses, was advertised on July 7, 1927, by Burdette Realty. The price was $15,000.
Real estate is advertised for sale on Mt. Vernon Road in Dunwoody in April 1937. Seven acres on Mt. Vernon Road were available at a price of $1,500.
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.
Americans. Eighteenteen years ago, along with many other citizens, I helped found a city that promised to put the power of local government within reach of its citizens.
Today, I find myself asking a simple question: Is the power still within reach? Because when dialogue disappears, the promise of cityhood begins to disappear with it.
The power was never meant to belong to City Hall. It was meant to remain within reach of the people! That was the promise of Timex. It was also the promise of Dunwoody!
By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County Commission, at its May 26 meeting, approved another location change for a planned day center to serve homeless individuals.
In March, the county planned to partner with New Life Community Alliance and Peace Baptist Church to open a homeless day center at 3996 Covington Highway.
Peace Baptist Church told the county that it was not feasible for them to operate the day center, so the location has been moved to New Life Community Alliance at 3592 Flat Shoals Road in Greater Decatur.
The county was hoping to open the center by June 1. The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
New Life Community Alliance will provide wraparound services such as case management, counseling, hot meals, clothing, barber and beauty shops, restrooms, showers, laundry and medical services. Claratel will also provide behavioral health services.
Following commission approval in March, Peace Baptist withdrew the agreement “because of various reasons – the community, the church, the parishioners, etc., thinking the day center would have an adverse effect on a project that they’re trying to implement, which is to duplicate the City of Refuge in the city of Atlanta,” DeKalb County Community Development Director Allen Mitchell said.
The initial proposal was to partner with Frontline Response for $900,000. That shifted to the Salvation Army for $1.2 million, ending in a decision to work with Peace Baptist Church and New Life Community Alliance.
Mitchell previously said there were concerns about the staffing capacities of Frontline and the Salvation Army to operate another facility.
The estimated cost to get the center up and running is about $1.7 million. It will be funded through the county’s general fund. With the change to the New Life Community Alliance, the cost has decreased by about $23,000.
The county plans to operate the day center at New Life for about seven months while looking for a location for a permanent shelter location. However, the alliance will provide wraparound services for a full year, eventually moving to the permanent facility.
Commissioners Michelle Long Spears and Robert Patrick have also asked about the possibility of opening another day center at St. Vincent de Paul on Chamblee Tucker Road.
“I met with St. Vincent de Paul on numerous occasions,” Mitchell said.
ZOE SEILER/APPEN MEDIA
The DeKalb County Commission, at its May 26 meeting, approved another location change for a planned day center to serve homeless individuals.
“We’ve got a proposal currently, getting ready to put legislation in place to do the following, which is to use the existing space that they own. It has to be renovated. It’s 10,000 square feet and they will follow the same functions as the day center.”
The county would help with the renovation cost. The estimated cost to operate the program is $1.5 million to $2 million.
“We’re excited about that opportunity,” Mitchell said.
Decatur’s response
Plans for a day center came to light following a shooting at the Decatur Library on Feb. 2. The suspect in the shooting, Medicus Brown, did not have housing, according to court records.
Statistically, homeless people are far more likely to be the victims of a violent crime than to commit one, advocates said.
The shooting brought new attention to the number of homeless people who depend on the library’s services. Many unhoused individuals frequent the library and the Decatur Recreation Center on Sycamore Street.
Decatur officials recently said they have seen an uptick in homeless individuals gathering outside the Decatur Recreation Center, next to the Decatur Library. Following the shooting, metal detectors were installed at the Decatur Library, and they have deterred some homeless individuals from visiting the library.
“As a result of that, what’s happened is a lot of people have now been going over to the recreation department,” said Decatur Homeless Strategy Manager Felicia Moore at the May 18 Decatur City Commission meeting. “They’ve seen a great increase in the number of unhoused individuals that have been in and outside of the recreation department, using the restrooms, staying in there, actually showering in the restrooms, taking an extended time.”
She said there has been an increase in verbal altercations and other escalating behavior. The police department and behavioral health crisis responder are responding to these incidents.
“I have requested increased monitoring from law enforcement in that area due to all of the incidents. The goal is to respond consistently,” Moore said. “Outreach first
when possible, that’s always our goal first, then behavioral health support when appropriate, and law enforcement as a last step for our unhoused families.”
She is developing a partnership with Mercy Care’s outreach team.
“What they’ve agreed to do is come to the Sycamore area on Tuesdays and
provide outreach services to our unhoused individuals,” Moore said.
Once the county’s day center opens, Moore hopes individuals will take advantage of those services.
The mayors in the county are also working with the CEO to create a better plan to support homeless people in DeKalb County.
“We know that the county has to be the vehicle which we all push towards. At some point, hopefully, they get a center that’s big enough that the money that we’re piecemealing goes into a bigger continuum,” Mayor Tony Powers said. “That’s probably the better solution than all the 1 and 2 percent solutions that each city is trying to cobble together to create something that doesn’t really work and isn’t trackable.”
By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County is making plans to reopen and renovate Intrenchment Creek Park in South DeKalb. Construction on Phase 1 of the project began on May 18 and is anticipated to be finished by September.
County officials held a virtual town hall on May 13 to discuss the plans. They will hold an in-person town hall on June 1 at 6 p.m. at DeKalb County Police South Precinct, 2841 H. F. Shepherd Drive in Greater Decatur.
Portions of the park have been closed since 2020 due to an ongoing legal battle involving a land swap.
DeKalb County purchased 136 acres of forest in 2003, which became Intrenchment Creek Park. It is located in the South River Forest area.
The county and Blackhall Real Estate completed a land swap in 2021. The county transferred 2235 Bouldercrest Road to Blackhall, and acquired three parcels of land that Blackhall owned nearby, including 2055 Bouldercrest Road.
According to the real estate exchange agreement, Blackhall is required to complete some park improve -
ments costing up to $1.5 million and provide $100,000 to DeKalb County to gain more greenspace. Ryan Millsap, who owns Blackhall Real Estate and the land, has not made the park improvements nor given the county money it’s owed.
“In 2019, there was a land swap that occurred, a land exchange and DeKalb County promised to deliver to the residents of the area a — shall I say — new and improved Intrenchment Creek,” DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said at a May 13 virtual town hall.
There had been ongoing litigation surrounding the land swap. Earlier this year, an appeals court upheld the land exchange. DeKalb County was waiting on a court decision in order to implement the plans.
Cochran-Johnson said the project has “simply been on hold since 2020,” when the park closed.
Former CEO Michael Thurmond also issued an executive order in March 2023 that closed Intrenchment Creek Park and restricted access to other county-owned properties in the area. At the time, there were protests surrounding Atlanta’s nearby public safety training center.
“It’s been a long time coming,”
Cochran-Johnson said.
DeKalb County is trying to recover 2235 Bouldercrest Road and retain ownership of 2055 Bouldercrest Road.
“In February of this year, I authorized our law department to begin necessary discussions to obtain the land, and those discussions remain ongoing,” Cochran-Johnson said. “In the meantime, it is imperative that we deliver to the community this longoverdue park.”
The park improvements will be done in two phases. Phase 1 is 85.43 acres and Phase 2 is 23.83 acres. Phase 1 focuses on the existing trail and natural areas of the park.
“The goal here was to reestablish the trailhead. This would allow for access throughout the park to be able to give parking access,” Director of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs Chris Bass said. “This will give us 28 parking spaces in Phase 1. It will give us an additional 0.6 miles of trail access with an 8-foot-wide trail.”
He added that this gives the county an opportunity to restore the land that was swapped and connect to the South River Trail and Constitution Road.
Phase 1 also includes improving the existing radio-controlled airfield. The entrance to Phase 1 will be off
Constitution Road.
Phase 2, which will be named Michelle Obama Park, includes active amenities: an inclusive playground, a community pavilion for gatherings and events, an interactive splashpad, and multigenerational recreation spaces. Athletic facilities will be added too, including basketball, tennis and pickleball courts.
The county will add sidewalks along Bouldercrest Road during Phase 2.
The construction plans include painting murals on the basketball courts and pavilion.
“This is where we can engage our new arts council and find ways to create art opportunities in the park by wrapping that park pavilion with a mural with a local artist,” Bass said. Phase 1 construction documents are completed, and the land disturbance permit has been issued. Phase 2 will take longer to design and construct, but officials hope to launch it while completing work on Phase 1.
Funding for the project includes $1.7 million from Urban Redevelopment Agency funds, a $1.5 million donation from Henrico and $940,000 from the hotel/motel tax for the trails. The total cost is about $4.1 million.
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In Georgia, there is no automatic right of survivorship between spouses unless the deed specifically says so. When one spouse dies, many families never open probate because the surviving spouse continues living in the home and sees no reason to sell.
Years later, after the second spouse dies, the children discover there was no survivorship language, no trust, and no estate plan.
Now they have a problem.
We often have to open probate for the first spouse who died years ago and then probate for the second spouse.
Two probate cases.
Two sets of fees.
Two rounds of delays.
But even if your deed contains survivorship language, probate has only been postponed—not avoided. The property may pass automatically to the surviving spouse at the first death, but when that
spouse dies, the home still becomes part of their estate and often requires probate. The same issue applies to LLCs and family businesses. Without proper planning, ownership interests can end up in probate and create unnecessary delays and expenses for your family.
A survivorship deed may avoid probate at the first death. It does not avoid probate forever.
Your closing attorney's job is to close the transaction. Their job is not to create your estate plan.
If you want to protect your family from court proceedings, delays, and unnecessary expenses, talk to an estate planning attorney before it's too late.
Continued from Page 1
Lt. Andrew Noblett, public information officer for the Milton Police Department, said supporting Special Olympics Georgia is more than a partnership, it’s about building meaningful relationships and demonstrating our commitment to every member of the community.
“The athletes of Special Olympics embody courage, determination and perseverance – values that align closely with the mission of the Milton Police Department,” Noblett said. “We are proud to stand alongside these incredible individuals, support their achievements and help create opportunities for inclusion, respect and success both on and off the field.”
Police cadets participated alongside Milton officers to raise nearly $800 to support Special Olympics Georgia.
The Dunwoody Police Department raised more than half of its fundraising goal of $5,000 to support Special Olympics athletes during Cops at Donut Shops.
In Johns Creek, the Police Department raised around $3,000 for Special Olympics Georgia. The department thanked those who donated on Facebook writing, “Your support helped make this event a great success, and we truly appreciate our community coming together for such an important mission.”
By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com
DECATUR, Ga. — Decatur FC, a semipro women’s soccer team based in Decatur, Georgia, has kicked off its third season this summer.
The local team offers high school and college players the opportunity to play soccer throughout the summer. All home games are held at Decatur High School before local crowds of over 2,100 people. In its first season in 2024, the team set two attendance records for the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) with the highest attendance of 2,126.
The team finished the 2025 season undefeated, winning all eight games, earning recognition as Peachtree Division champions, and ranking No. 1 in the South Region and No. 3 nationally out of about 150 WPSL teams. Wasila Diwura-Soale, Becky Contreras and Sydnie Thibodaux earned contracts with professional teams.
Decatur FC defeated Tennessee United 8-0 in its first game of the 2026 season on May 22. Six players scored goals in the home opener, including two goals each from forwards Maggie Wadsworth and TJ Thomas.
The team tied United Futbol Academy (UFA) 2-2 on May 30. The Saturday night game saw a solid back-and-forth performance from both teams, which have become rivals in the Southeastern Conference of the WPSL.
Midfielder Emma Chapman and forward Dylan Driver scored Decatur FC’s goals.
Driver, who is in her second season with Decatur FC, was proud of the team’s performance during the May 30 game.
“We’re always hoping for a win, but we’ll take a result any day. A point is a point versus a really good opponent in UFA. We knew it would be a challenge from the beginning,” Driver said. “It gives us something to build on. It shows us what we did well and what we need to improve on.”
Driver said Decatur had a better first half, and UFA came out strong in the second half. The team welcomed several new players this year and is looking forward to continuing to build chemistry on the field.
“I think that it’s a special opportunity to be able to play and have fun and build relationships with people on and off the field,” Driver said. “It’s a great experience that they provide for us all.”
Defender Micah Bryant said the chemistry will improve and be great.
“That was just our second game together, first real game, and we’re starting to connect a little bit better,” she said.
Defender Jazmin Ferguson is also excited for the younger players to get minutes on the field and give them the tools they need to be leaders.
Bryant and Ferguson recently graduated from college and returned for their third season on the team. The environment and the fans keep them coming back.
“The fans keep showing up, so we’re more than happy to keep showing up,” Bryant said. “Not a lot of summer teams get this type of crowd and community atmosphere.”
Ferguson also enjoys playing with the women she grew up playing club soccer with. She said the team had a good first two years and looks forward to the momentum continuing.
“Decatur is a growing city, so I feel like that’s always a nice thing to keep bringing the kids out here and making this a really big soccer area,” Ferguson said.
She added that women’s soccer is growing, and the fans' enthusiasm gives the players energy on the field.
“I’ve met a couple of people who said that they’re my biggest fan, and I’m like, ‘Oh, my God, that’s so cool.’ It’s nice to have an atmosphere to play under every single game,” Ferguson said. “It is nice to have little girls who want to be out here one day.”
General Manager Joel Gould is excited for the team’s return and new pre-game activations, merchandise and fan experiences.
“You’re going to see some things this year that we’ve never done before,” Gould said.
Ahead of the May 30 home game, fans gathered on the Decatur Square to visit vendors like newly-opened sports bar Jolene Jolene, Soccer in the Streets, the Global Village Project and Girls on the Run. The Stampede, a subsect of Seed and Feed Marching Band, performed and led chants with drummer Alex Tiller.
This year, fans will be able to see goal replays on the high school's video board. Alex Berardi also joins the staff as the “voice of Decatur FC,” who is creating social media content and conducting interviews with coaches and players.
Gould said the team is trying to look more and more like a professional club. Decatur FC players are sporting new jerseys this summer.
“It stretches our limits in a lot of ways, because we don’t have the funding of a professional club…but we’re pushing. We have great partners and great vendors who entertain us with our crazy ideas,” Gould said.
See SOCCER, Page 15
The ticketing system has changed slightly. Adult patrons still require paid tickets, and children 18 and younger continue to get in for free, but will require a free ticket for entry.
Gould added that teams throughout the conference and the WPSL are starting to take the player experience more seriously, especially in recruiting.
"A lot of the games were already close last year," Gould said. "I think they're only going to be better games and closer games this season."
He added that the high level of competition is good for all teams and that Decatur fans have strong soccer intelligence and want to see good games.
Path to the pitch initiatives, such as Wednesday Night Lights, continue to build a bigger funnel and keep young women engaged in soccer longer.
During Wednesday Night Lights, girls ages six to 14 practice at the Soccer in the Streets fields at the East Lake MARTA Station. Decatur FC players lead the practice sessions.
Last year, about 60 children signed up, and this year, roughly 150 kids signed up for Wednesday Night Lights, and the sessions average 80-100 young players.
Six-to nine-year-olds practice from 6-6:30 p.m., and 10-to 14-year-olds play from 6:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday nights.
“[It’s] free clinics for young girls, six to 14, who are new to soccer, or very new to soccer,” Gould said. “It’s coached by our players and now, also, Soccer in the Streets. Some of their women coaches in training are coming and helping as coaches there.”
He added that the free clinics help build a larger pool of players and capture them early in their soccer careers.
"Then they meet our players and they fall in love with our players," Gould said.
He added that girls get excited to walk out with the Decatur FC players during the lineup announcements at home games.
"We get them to a game, they get to walk out with a player and now these kids, who are new to soccer, feel like 'I'm a part of soccer now. I'm engaged in it,’” Gould said. “When they come back the next Wednesday, they're super excited to begin.” Continued from Page 14
BEHIND THE PHOTOS: Dean Hesse is an award-winning photojournalist who has been capturing stories for Decaturish since 2019. Following Appen Media’s acquisition of Decaturish, Hesse is now part of the Appen newsroom. Support the work of protecting and strengthening local news in North Atlanta by becoming a member of the Appen Press Club at appenmedia.com/join.
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
I just got the call. My friend Ralph Rucker died. Ralph? How can this be?
Ralph has been my friend for a very long time.
My mind is now filled with floating memories.
Ralph and I go all the way back to when we first started our newspapers in 1990. Rucker Turf and Tractor was one of our first advertisers — a John Deere dealership on North Main Street in Alpharetta, just south of Windward Parkway.
That friendship lasted through all the changes we both encountered through the decades — different jobs, businesses, kids, successes, failures, in health and out, and sure, time.
At one point, we were partners in a concrete business — foundations, walls, grading — in Greenville, South Carolina, 50-50, just before the financial collapse of 2007-08. Our timing wasn’t the best. When we first started, I was taking time off from the newspaper each week to drive up and try to find new customers for the business. Ralph was doing the same, but he was more on the operations side. That business probably would have done quite well in any other time.
In all the years I knew Ralph, he was never still. He would start businesses,
STEVE HUDSON
get them up and running and making money, then either sell them or hand them over to one of his partners. I am not sure that money was a primary focus for him. I think he liked the challenge; he liked building things and creating value; he liked helping other people — especially his partners; and he liked to stay busy. He liked to work — a lot. That was just who he was.
Work, hard work, was one side that defined Ralph, and his faith was the other. We talked a lot over the years, and his faith was one topic that was never far away. After his family, after his wife Sarah, his faith seemed like his “home” — his never-any-doubt why, how and where. To be around Ralph was to almost by osmosis be comforted and assured that his faith — if you were interested — could also be your home, your “why” also. There was never doubt, and that idea, that way, showed through his person clearly, quietly and confidently to anyone in his orbit. But he never pushed what he believed on you; that was for you to find, to figure out. He would help if you asked, but only then.
In all the years I knew him, I don’t think I ever heard Ralph say a disparaging thing — not a single sentence — about another person. Of course, I never had the presence of mind to ask him why he was like that. I suspect he saw everyone as just another person — like he was — someone who wanted to earn their way, someone who wanted respect, someone who felt joy
plenty of time left
Everybody likes a challenge.
Some, for example, travel across the world to climb high mountains. They say the challenge is extreme and the view can be pretty good too.
Others drive hundreds of miles with a kayak strapped to the car to paddle down raging rivers so rough they’ll take your breath away. A buddy of mine used to do that, at least until it dawned on him one day just how much his kayak resembled a coffin. He sold his boat the very next day and took up stamp collecting instead.
That’s all well and good. But what if you want a challenge that’s a little less risky to life and limb…or one that you can pursue a little closer to home?
and pain, someone who had a family close or far that they cared about, nurtured, and who gave them reasons to get up every morning. I don’t think it mattered to Ralph how much money they had or didn’t have, who they voted for, what language they spoke, what faith they had or how they got here. Everyone deserved a fair shake to Ralph — until they proved they didn’t. We should all try to be more like Ralph; it would be a far better world than the one we currently know.
I think Ralph simply saw humanity as people — people just like him — and as long as they were honest and treated him with respect, he would reciprocate accordingly. Ralph was one of those people who, if you only had one lifeline, could only call one person because you needed help in some way — he would be one of the few you would think to call.
He was old-school. His word was his bond and a handshake was better than anything written on a piece of paper. His belief in right and wrong was immutable. If he believed he was right, no person or organization could move him; he didn’t move. It got him in trouble sometimes, but acting otherwise was not a club in his bag — not even a remote possibility. That part of the world was black and white for Ralph. There was right and there was wrong and almost nothing in the middle. It made life easy to see — simple.
I never recall Ralph not looking for ways to help other people; that seemed
also to be something just hard-wired into his nature. He didn’t just talk about helping other people; he did it. For years he supported outreaches in Appalachia. Up until just a few months ago — in his mid-80s — he was driving up to Kentucky to deliver health and sanitary supplies to poor communities there; I know because I drove with him. I recall trips to Africa where he took supplies, money, medical equipment and anything else he believed was needed. He recruited others to help. His caring and his willingness to walk that walk was infectious; his light shone through any dark night and was always a beacon for good.
It is really hard for me to think that he is not here now. He would call me usually once a month or so just to check in. And I would do the same for him. He was a big man in so many ways — I always thought maybe a cross between John Wayne, Gen. George Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower. But he also was a lot of Mother Teresa and Albert Schweitzer at the same time. I thought for some reason he was indestructible. But he wasn’t.
His life, though, will live on. His example, I know, will remain in the minds of everyone who worked with him or knew him in any direct way. His works will not be forgotten. His legacy, unlike the man, will endure. Of that, I am 100% sure — just like he was 100% sure of his faith and his reasons to do good and be good.
Well, I may have something for you. Have you thought about going for the Georgia Bass Slam?
“Slams” seem to be a thing these days. For instance, a “trout slam” might be catching a rainbow trout, and brown trout, and a brook trout all in the same day.
Similarly, kind of, a Grand Slam breakfast might be eating a waffle, some bacon, some hashbrowns, a couple of eggs and some toast down at the Waffle House on the way to catch those trout – or at least it used to be, back in those longago days when I didn’t worry too much about things like calories and cholesterol.
But let me get back to the Bass Slam.
The Georgia Bass Slam award is earned by anglers who catch at least five of Georgia’s 10 black bass species within a single calendar year.
Which species qualify? The list includes largemouth, smallmouth, shoal,
Suwannee, spotted, redeye, Chattahoochee, Tallapoosa, Altamaha, and Bartram’s bass. Some of those may be familiar. Others may be fish you’ve never heard of. But all are out there, somewhere in Georgia’s diverse waters. And they’re waiting for you.
Georgia’s Bass Slam challenge is a great thing on a lot of levels. Chief among them, I think, is the fact that it encourages anglers to learn more about our state’s bass and to explore and track down some diverse fishing opportunities that otherwise might go ignored.
It also provides recognition for what is, by any measure, an impressive angling accomplishment. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Bass Slam challenge recognizes anglers who have “the knowledge and skill to catch five different species of black bass
in a variety of habitats across the state. Who doesn’t enjoy a little recognition now and then?
One thing that pursuers of Bass Slam status tell me they enjoy is the challenge of identifying the various types of black bass that call Georgia home. Different species can have remarkably similar appearances, so you’ll need to learn those nuances that let you distinguish one from the next.
To help get you going, DNR offers some great online resources through BassSlam.com. One that’s particularly helpful is an interactive map which shows the general range where each of the species might be found.
That’s a huge help in figuring out where to fish, especially if you’re going after a species with which you’re less familiar.
This is the history of a nurse who did amazing work over 43 years of service mainly in the Army Nurse Corps. Her accomplishments are many, and the number of people who owe her their lives would be difficult to count.
Her name is Ginny Deardorff Dornheggen and she is worthy of a special place in local history. She is familiar to Milton residents who heard her speak at this year’s Memorial Day Ceremony at Milton City Hall.
Ginny was born and raised in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Her family had an extensive military background. Her father served in the Corps of Engineers in World War II, and his brother was a doctor serving in Europe. Her mother’s brother was in the Navy in Korea. As a young girl, Ginny was determined to become a nurse. After high school she entered nursing school where, in her senior year, she enrolled in the Army student nurse program.
After graduation, she joined the Army Nurse Corps as a Second Lieutenant and went through basic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, where medics and nurses traditionally trained. Her first assignment was the surgery recovery room at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. She took care of wounded Vietnam soldiers and families of the soldiers.
“It was one of the most wonderful places I have ever worked, and the preparation for Vietnam was thorough,” Ginny says.
In September 1970 at age 22 she was ordered to Quy Nhon, Vietnam, a provincial city on the central coast where she worked in the 67th Evacuation Hospital’s surgical intensive care unit and recovery room. A large runway allowed C130s to bring supplies and personnel to the hospital, and helicopter pads were used for wounded soldiers, sailors and marines. Medevac helicopters landed very close to the hospital entrance to reduce the time required to begin treatments. During the Vietnam War, Bell UH-1 “Huey” helicopter ambulances moved more than 900,000 wounded troops.
Most of the wounds were due to explosions and gunshots. They involved loss of limbs, head injuries and the effects of punji sticks, bamboo sticks sharpened at one end and jammed into camouflaged pits where American troops often fell and became impaled. The tips of the sticks were often covered in feces to cause infections.
Nurses also cared for delayed wound closures, which meant carefully monitoring non-critical wounds for several days before they were surgically repaired to prevent infection.
Nurses were on duty 12 hours or longer six days a week and sometimes seven days if mass casualties occurred. At times taking care of the sudden arrival of large numbers of wounded was overwhelming.
One night in January 1971 the Viet Cong detonated 5,000 tons of explosives on an ammunition dump near the hospital. The attack lasted 10 hours. Ginny and her fellow nurses had to move quickly to get the wounded soldiers to safety under their metal bed frames using their mattresses for additional cover. The nurses saved the soldiers, but the terror of that night stayed with Ginny for many years.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious
PROVIDED
of 1st Lt.
in the 67th Evacuation Hospital’s intensive care unit recovery ward in Quy Nhon, Vietnam in September 1970.
health condition caused by a traumatic event. For a person to be diagnosed with PTSD, effects of the trauma must last for months or years. Ginny relived the horror of that night for years but did not talk to anyone about it. She suffered her nightmares in silence and continued as a wife, mother and nurse.
“Anyone who goes through combat will likely have PTSD,” Ginny says. “I feel I have it under control. I do have episodes, but I am married to a phenomenal man who helps me through them.”
During the final 30 days of their one-year assignments, nurses often maintained a shorttimes calendar with a “Freedom Bird.” These were pictures of Snoopy, and with each passing day, nurses marked Snoopy with a different color. It helped relieve the stress of those final days.
About 7,000 women served as nurses in Vietnam during the war. Nurses received very little recognition after the war, and many did not want to talk about their experiences. In 1984, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project, originally called the Vietnam Nurses Memorial Project, was founded. After a nine-year struggle, a 15-foot bronze memorial statue was dedicated in November 1993 on the Mall in Washington D.C. as part of the famous Vietnam
Veterans Memorial. The memorial features a nurse supporting a wounded soldier lying across her lap and is a tribute to all women who served during the Vietnam war years.
The novel “The Women” by Kristin Hannah published in 2024 opened the door for nurses who served in Vietnam to talk about their experiences. In the book, a nurse serving in Vietnam returns to the United States only to find that the country is hostile to veterans and dismissive of women's contributions in the war. The book is about her struggles in the midst of war and her return to “the world” after her service time coping with depression and acceptance.
In another book, “Women in War” by David Yuzuk, published in 2024, the opening chapter is about Ginny, and her photo is on the cover. Yuzuk had read about Ginny on the internet. She was contacted by Yuzuk to get permission to use her story in the book and to ask for other nurses who might want their stories told.
In recent years Ginny has become a popular public speaker. One of her most celebrated presentations is a video interview by the Atlanta History Center in July 2017 as part of the Library of Congress Vietnam History Project. It is a beautiful presentation that you can see at https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.110993/.
Bob is a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission, director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and member of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society Board of Directors. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
Who wouldn’t be interested in a perennial, evergreen flowering herb that thrives on neglect, is drought tolerant, is a favorite of pollinators and hummingbirds and one that deer won’t eat? Then think of lavender! Lavender has been popular for thousands of years for its aroma and medicinal properties of treating headaches, anxiety and insomnia. Today, lavender is grown as an ornamental shrub, as a cut flower and for essential oil which is used in soaps, candles and lotions.
There are many species of lavender that are part of the Lavandula genus of the mint family.
The four most important types of lavender are: Lavandula augustifolia, a hardy English lavender grown mostly for its cut flowers; Lavandula dentata, French lavender with leaves covered with soft fuzz and rosemaryscented flowers, Lavandula stoechas; Spanish lavender with tall, elegant dark purple flowers; and Lavandula x intermedia, also known as Lavandin a sterile hybrid developed for the French perfume industry. Lavandin is more aromatic than other lavender species and has the highest yield of flowers and lavender essential oil. The two most common species grown in north Georgia are Lavandula augustifolia and Lavandula x intermedia.
Where lavender thrives
Lavender will thrive under the right growing conditions. It requires welldrained soil, full sun and alkaline soil (pH 6.5-7.5), so soil testing is strongly recommended. It does not like wet feet, so consider adding sand or grit
NOTICE OF COMMUNITY MEETING
5342 Tilly Mill Road
Reason for meeting: to discuss the modification of a Special Use Permit to allow the addition of a small building housing indoor pickleball courts on the campus of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta.
Location of Meeting: 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Date and Time: Thursday, July 2, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Anne Wiskind, a Master Gardner who completed her Fulton County Master Gardner training in 2024. She is a life-long gardener with an active interest in encouraging biologic diversity and growing beautiful flowers for pollinators.
Lavender plants can be purchased in many nurseries and big-box stores, but there are also several lavender farms in North Georgia where you can purchase specific species with growing instructions. Because they are propagated locally, you can be sure they are adapted to our climate.
Lavender farms in North Georgia:
• Red Oak Lavender Farm and Shop (Dahlonega): redoaklavender.com
• Lookout Lavender Farm (Lookout Mountain): lookoutlavender.com
• Lavender Lamb Farm (Cleveland): lavenderlambfarm.com
• The Lavender Cottage and Garden (Helen): thelavendercottageandgarden. com
• White Hills Lavender and Herb Farm (near Athens): whitehillsfarm.us
The best time to visit these farms is between the end of May and early July. Mornings are the best time when the scents are the strongest. Some of these places have U-pick or special classes. So, plan ahead to catch all the activities that might be of interest.
to the soil to improve drainage, and planting in mounds, slopes or rock gardens. Lavender can be difficult to grow in pots due to the tendency for the soil to retain moisture and may only last as annuals They do not grow reliably from seed but are easily propagated from live plants. Plants in the landscape should be spaced at least 18 inches apart to maintain good airflow and watered weekly until established, then sparingly. Crushed stone or shells may be considered as mulch to prevent moisture from being trapped around the roots. Lavender can be planted near doors, windows and outdoor seating areas where the scent can repel mosquitoes.
Caring for lavender
Lavender plants should be pruned after the first bloom to establish shape. Established plants also benefit from pruning every spring, about 2-3 inches above where the leaves meet
the woody base. During the growing season, dead leaves and stems should be removed and the lower branches trimmed to maintain good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases. Good companion plants to grow with lavender also tend to be drought resistant and like alkaline soil, such as other herbs, (rosemary, sage, and thyme), coneflower, yarrow, salvia, Shasta daisy, black-eyed Susan, marigold and zinnia.
Anticipating lavender issues
Lavender does not suffer from many diseases or pests, but they are susceptible to crown and root rot which can be a challenge with our hot, humid summers. The best treatment is prevention with good spacing and airflow. Use very welldraining soil and avoid overwatering. With proper care, you will be rewarded with long-lasting blooms that are the favorite of pollinators.
Treat yourself to a scent-sational and relaxing experience this summer.
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. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://appenmedia.com/ opinion/columnists/garden_buzz/.
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• Crabapple Festival in Milton this fall
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Lori Rausch
Jean Rearick
Joseph Reed
Scarlett Reynolds
Righteous PR
Angie Rigney
Sean Riley
Neil Robertson
Kimberly Robinson
Matt Rohs
Kim Romaner
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Continued innovation in digital media has changed the ways in which people buy, sell and interact with products and services. It has caused businesses to reassess the ways in which it communicates with potential customers and advertises its products. It has been well documented that these changes have had a destructive impact on local newspapers, which continues to be a primary source for local news, but is no longer a primary source for local advertising dollars – historically the lifeblood for reporters and their coverage. At Appen Media Group we want to address this conflict head on, and build new and innovative approaches to monetizing local news and creating a sustainable future for local journalism in metro Atlanta.
Fran Russell
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The Schoenblum Family
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The Small Business Advisor
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Trunnion LLC
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One solution is the creation of a membership driven organization called the Appen Press Club that is dedicated to recruiting people and companies to join as members. Members pay recurring monthly or annual dues that are 100% dedicated to sustainable journalism. By providing predictable revenue, Appen Press Club members and partners help fund the salaries and expenses of local reporters who will no longer be subject to the whims of marketing budgets and an ever changing advertising world. In turn, those reporters will provide the readers they serve with highly researched and qualified journalism focused on subjects that directly affect their quality of life.
To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level and select your t-shirt size! Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
YOUTH DIRECTOR (Part-Time) Alpharetta Presbyterian Church — Alpharetta, GA
APC seeks a vibrant, relational leader to serve as Youth Director for middle and high school students. 20–25 hrs/week | Up to $25/hr. Ideal candidates have a passion for youth mentorship and a background in education, coaching, or youth leadership. Retired teachers and ministryminded professionals encouraged to apply. Strong volunteer team and pastoral support in place.
To apply: Submit a brief introduction and resume to jobs@alpharettapres.com.
To place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com. Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm
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There’s also abundant info to help you conclusively identify the fish you catch –and that’s important, since your catches must be verified before you’re eligible for the Bass Slam award. You’ll also find insights on what sort of water or cover you should focus on as well as on what kind of bait or lure might be best. You’ll find this for each of the Bass Slam species.
Then it’s just up to you to hit the water and put some qualifying fish in your net.
What do you need to keep in mind when actually fishing for these bass? In waters where length limits are in place, eligible fish must be of legal size. For places or species with no minimum length limit, Bass Slam contenders must be at least 8 inches long.
When you land an eligible fish, document it with photos, which are an important part of your entry. Photos must include at least one shot showing you with the fish. You must also include a side view of the fish on a measuring board or next to a measuring tape or ruler. Add other photos
that you think may help confirm the ID of each fish.
Mark your calendar
Since this is a calendar-year contest, your entry must be wrapped up and submitted online by midnight Dec. 31. Include your photos as well as your name, DNR customer number, the length of each fish (weight is optional), and the county and body of water where each fish was caught. Check the complete rules on BassSlam. com.
Then, once your catch is verified, you’re a Georgia Bass Slam winner!
If you achieve Bass Slam status, you’ll earn not only bragging rights but also a personalized certificate, two passes to the Go Fish Education Center in Perry and some commemorative stickers for your tackle box or cooler or car. You’ll also be recognized on the Bass Slam website and at the Go Fish Education Center in Perry.
In addition, you’ll be entered into a random drawing for the year’s special Bass Slam grand prize. Last year’s grand prize winner was William Strasburg of Marietta, one of 68 anglers to earn Georgia Bass Slam status in 2025. Strasburg has been
participating in the program since 2017 and has earned six Bass Slams over the years. As grand prize for 2025, he received a cooler, camp chair, tackle box and a framed bass print.
There’s no doubt that Georgia’s Bass Slam program is growing in popularity every year. But a bigger question might be this: Why has bass fishing so captured the imagination of the fishing world?
Black bass have long been appreciated by the angling community. Back in 1881, for example, Dr. James A. Henshall wrote a book (actually, the first book ever written on bass fishing) entitled “Book of the Black Bass.”
“No doubt the Black Bass is the appointed successor of the Lordly Trout,” he wrote. He added that in his view, black bass “will eventually become the leading game fish of America.”
I’d say the good doctor nailed it. The mystique of trout notwithstanding, there’s really no doubt that bass are the most-pursued fish in America today – and Georgia, with its 10 resident black bass species, is a fine place to go after them.
Get out there and get to work on that slam!
