Dunwoody Crier - June 25, 2026

City Council paves way for major street upgrades

► PAGE 7

Dunwoody Garden Club plans formal dedication for Blue Star Memorial

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody Garden Club will hold a Blue Star Memorial Marker dedication ceremony July 2 as part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

The marker will be unveiled at 5:30 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial in Brook Run Park. The ceremony will also feature the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard, appearing in full historical uniform.

Following the dedication, the Callanwolde Concert

Band will perform patriotic tunes at the Brook Run Amphitheatre. There will also be food and familyfriendly activities.

The Blue Star Memorial program honors all men and women that serve in the United States Armed Services. It began in 1944 when the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs planted 8,000 Dogwood trees as a living memorial to World War II veterans.

See MEMORIAL, Page 16

DUNWOODY GARDEN CLUB/PROVIDED

The Dunwoody Garden Club will dedicate this Blue Star Memorial Marker to honor members of the U.S. Armed Services.

Residents of all ages are invited to paint soccer balls and have them displayed at World Cup watch parties as part of a new “Soccer Ball Art Exhibit.”

Soccer balls become art in new Dunwoody exhibit

By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Create Dunwoody is taking advantage of World Cup fever by kicking off a community-wide “Soccer Ball Art Exhibit” to give residents of all ages a chance to turn soccer balls into original works of art.

The project celebrates creativity, community engagement and the excitement of summer soccer by showcasing decorated balls at three dedicated Soccer Ball Art Walls. The displays will

be located at Politan Row at Ashford Lane, CT Cantina & Taqueria at Campus 244, and Big Play, which will also be featured at summer watch party events, said Rosemary Watts, executive director of Create Dunwoody. Collection boxes are located next to each wall, allowing participants to submit completed soccer balls any time the businesses are open.

“Whether someone considers themselves an artist or not, everyone can participate.

See EXHIBIT, Page 16

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Dunwoody

Police official graduates from command program

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody

Police Lt. Jason Dove was recognized recently by the City Council following his graduation from the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command, an intensive 10-week leadership and management education program that helps prepare law enforcement professionals for senior command

positions.

Classes cover topics such as budgeting, decision making, problem solving, employee relations, human resources, media relations, planning and policies and project management.

The achievement reflects Lt. Dove’s commitment to professional growth and to bringing new ideas

and strategies back to the Dunwoody Police Department, Mayor Lynn Deutsch said.

“His dedication to continued learning helps strengthen the department and benefits the entire Dunwoody community,” she said.

DeKalb celebrates groundbreaking of Candler Crossing project

By ELLE GIRARD elizabeth@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The Decide DeKalb Development Authority and Venture South Investments hosted a groundbreaking ceremony June 11 for Candler Crossing, a new mixed-use retail development at the corner of Candler and Glenwood roads.

The development will anchor a Publix, alongside affordable retail space for local businesses, offered at 60 percent of market rent for the first five years. It will also feature a plaza, greenspace, walking trail, pedestrian improvements and a MARTA bus stop.

Candler Crossing is expected to be completed in October 2027. The $28.9 million budget is supported by a $3.82 million Tax Allocation District grant approved by the Decide DeKalb board. The developer will use a pay-as-you-go structure, meaning it will only receive reimbursements as the project generates tax revenue.

"This project reflects exactly what our district has been fighting for: economic growth that uplifts quality of life, development that brings dignity and convenience to residents, solutions that address food deserts, and opportunities that strengthen the fabric of our

neighborhoods," said Lavezza ZandersJohnson, chief of staff for Commissioner LaDena Bolton.

Officials said Candler Crossing is viewed as a starting point for further investment along Candler Road, Memorial Drive, Covington Highway, Panola Road and Wesley Chapel Road.

"You can expect a ripple effect from today, because people need to see us invest in our communities to have the

confidence to come into South and unincorporated DeKalb,” DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said. “Candler Crossing is only the beginning.”

Cochran-Johnson described the project as a deliberate effort to reverse years of disinvestment in south and east DeKalb. She said ending food deserts is about dignity as much as it is about convenience.

"This development is going to mean

fresher food options that are closer to home, increased job options,” said District 3 Commissioner Nicole Massiah. “It means more than 100 construction jobs will be created during development, and nearly 200 permanent jobs for local residents.”

Bianca Hamilton, arts administrator for the DeKalb County School District, announced that a team of K-12 students will design a mural as part of the project, led by art teacher and muralist Henry Blackmon.

"We invite students to help shape the spaces around them and affirm that their stories matter, and that art belongs in everyday places where people live, work and gather," Hamilton said.

Mack Wilbourn, the owner of Mack II, Inc., was also recognized at the ceremony. He owned the Candler Crossing site but recently sold it to developers. Wilbourn was thanked by multiple speakers for his partnership, belief in the project and investment in south DeKalb.

"It wasn't about the money, it's about the community," Wilbourn said.

Decide DeKalb President Dorian DeBarr echoed that sentiment.

"It takes a lot of intentional civicminded leadership to make this happen, and a whole lot of positive hands touching it," DeBarr said.

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!

THEY RUN IN EUROPE

1. Ford’s flop. Essen’s river. Jingle.

2. Dutch cheese. Toss. River of Tuscany.

3. Glasgow’s river. Gung-ho. Fencing sword.

4. River to Donegal Bay. Citrus fruit. Like Scrooge

5. It’s a no-no. Kick out. Yorkshire River.

6. Baseball stat. France’s longest river. Like hen’s teeth.

7. Like a busybody. Forest growth. River in England and Wales.

1 Ford’s flop. Essen’s river. Jingle

2. Dutch cheese. Toss. River of Tuscany

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. Glasgow’s river. Gung-ho. Fencing sword

4. River to Donegal Bay. Citrus fruit. Like Scrooge

5. It’s a no-no. Kick out. Yorkshire river

6. Baseball stat. France’s longest river. Like hen’s teeth

7. Like a busybody. Forest growth. River in

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

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.

Soccer fans cheer on their favorite teams in metro Atlanta

By ZOE SEILER, JIM BASS and DEAN HESSE newsroom@decaturish.com

NORTH METRO ATLANTA — Decatur WatchFest’26 is underway and thousands of soccer fans have gathered on the Square since June 11 to cheer on their favorite teams and dance to music.

Organizers are hosting match screenings and concerts over the next 30 days. Free events will be held on the Decatur Square through July 19.

People packed the Square to watch the Mexico vs. South Africa match on three big screens and enjoy a slate of activities on June 11, the opening day of the festival. After the game, the rain cooled things off, ending in time for a dynamic free concert by Big Boi, one half of the Southern hip-hop duo OutKast.

Camille Wright, who owned and operated Kaleidoscope Boutique in downtown Decatur, summed up the evening: "I've watched how they've built up the Square. I'm so proud. This is what Atlanta should be like — all the different races, people, families. This is huge."

The World Cup runs from June 11 through July 19, with eight matches taking place at MercedesBenz Stadium in Atlanta. Matches will be shown every day at pubs and restaurants in Decatur and on the Square. To see the full event schedule, visit decaturwatchfest26.com.

Decatur City Manager Andrea Arnold told Decaturish that the first night exceeded her expectations. A couple of minor issues arose, but attendees were able to enjoy their experience on the Square throughout the day.

“I think everybody who was there had a wonderful time,” Arnold previously said. “I’ve only gotten very positive feedback from the attendees. I couldn’t be more pleased.”

So far, fans have cheered on the United States, Brazil, Netherlands, England, Japan, Spain and France among other teams. Attendees have also enjoyed performances from The Dammages, DJ EU, The Stews, Drivin N Cryin and The War and Treaty.

The city of Atlanta celebrated the first game at the Atlanta Stadium on June 15 as Spain tied Cape Verde 0-0.

To honor the first day of the tournament on June 11, Atlanta hosted its opening ceremony and watch party, unveiling its free Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park.

The celebration kicked off the first of 18 days for the festival that features a 50-foot video screen, fan zones, kids areas and multiple live entertainment stages. Admission is free, however, attendees must register online to enter.

Among the multiple speakers at the opening ceremony, Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens and Georgia governor Brian Kemp gave speeches celebrating the festival and the opportunity that Atlanta has to be one of 16 host cities for FIFA World Cup 2026.

“Hosting the World Cup is now a part of Atlanta's rich history, and we are thrilled to welcome all of our national and international visitors to this great city,” Dickens said. “But I'm telling the people of Atlanta, the people of metro Atlanta and Georgia, I want us all to participate in these events.”

Kemp shared a similar sentiment of encouraging both locals and travelers to engage in the festivities

and celebrate the city’s opportunity to be a host city for this year’s World Cup.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I hope all Georgians will find a way to enjoy this. Whether that's attending a match or just taking in the incredible atmosphere here in Atlanta over the next five weeks,” Kemp said.

Dunwoody poised to award contract for Mount Vernon Road upgrades

By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The City Council is set to award a $6.3 million contract for construction of the long-planned Mount Vernon Road and Tilly Mill Road improvement project. The project will replace aging infrastructure and improve safety for motorists and pedestrians along the busy corridor.

Public Works Director Michael Smith told the City Council June 15 that the project represents years of planning and will modernize aging infrastructure that is between 30 and 50 years old. Improvements include replacing existing gas and water mains, adding a second 16-inch water line to boost water pressure, installing new turn lanes at key intersections and upgrading stormwater systems.

“The infrastructure on this section of Mount Vernon Road is really 30 to 50 years old, and essentially this project is improving the infrastructure for the 50 years,” Smith told the City Council June 15.

The project will also enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety and access by widening the existing sidewalk on the north side of Mount Vernon Road and adding a sidewalk on the south side. Landscape medians and privacy fencing in select areas are also included in the final design.

The council is expected in July to award the contract of just over $6.3 million to Wilson Construction, a contractor with previous experience on Dunwoody projects. More than onethird of the construction cost will be funded by DeKalb County for water system upgrades.

Construction is expected to begin later this year and take about three years to finish, though the city has included financial incentives for early completion of up to six months ahead of schedule, Smith said.

In addition to time restrictions on

A new multi-use path, shown in this rendering, will be built as part of traffic and infrastructure improvements to

Vernon Road and Tilly Mill Road.

lane closures, the contractor will be required to keep two lanes of traffic open between Mount Vernon Place and Tilly Road during water main installation through a combination of a detour onto Mount Vernon Place and construction of a temporary lane on Mount Vernon Road, he said.

“It's a complex project that is projected to take three years to complete, including utility relocations,” Smith said. “The project team has put a lot of thought into ways to mitigate disruptions during construction for traffic management. The plan is to maintain two-lanes of traffic in each direction for as much of the project as possible.”

The realignment of Mount Vernon Place at Tilly Mill Road is the most

significant portion of the project and is intended to improve visibility and clarify who has the right-of-way for motorists, Smith said. The redesign also takes advantage of city-owned property north of the intersection to create additional greenspace.

Plans include new left-turn lanes on Mount Vernon Road at Tilly Mill Road, Oxford Chase Way and Northchester Court to improve traffic flow and reduce rear-end collisions.

Plans also call for a 12-foot-wide multi-use path along the north side of Mount Vernon Road, separated from traffic by a landscaped buffer, as well as a 6-foot-wide sidewalk and 4-footwide bike lane on the south side of the roadway.

The project also closes a gap

in the city’s Trail Master Plan network and improves access between neighborhoods along Tilly Mill Road and several community destinations, including the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, Congregation Ariel and Georgia State University’s Dunwoody campus. The overall project budget is estimated at $7.7 million. Smith said funding will come from several sources, including approximately $4.5 million in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds and $2.08 million from DeKalb County Watershed Management. Additional funding will come from a surplus associated with the Chamblee-Dunwoody-Georgetown project and future capital improvement reallocations, he said.

July Highlights

Dunwoody Gives for America

America 250 Concert

Concert Band

Run Amphitheater | 7 pm. Zoning Board of Appeals

Hall | 6 p.m. Star Spangled Open House

Bannister Farm

Shops of Dunwoody to acquire new retail

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Two new fitness studios and two more dining options are on tap to open in The Shops of Dunwoody after the four businesses inked lease agreements this month.

The new tenants are Beyond Juicery + Eatery, a fast-casual concept offering fresh juices, smoothies, salads and wraps; Jetset Pilates, a reformer-based Pilates studio focused on high-intensity, low-impact workouts; Tenku Sushi, a contemporary sushi restaurant offering traditional and modern Japaneseinspired cuisine; and Sweat440, a group fitness studio specializing in 40-minute, high-intensity interval training classes.

The tenants are expected to open through the summer and fall of 2026.

The influx of new retail shows neighborhood-centric shopping centers is attractive to a variety of businesses, said JLL Vice President Allie Spangler. Spangler leads the leasing effort with 10Twelve on behalf of The Shops of Dunwoody owner Asana Partners.

“These leases underscore the strong demand we’re seeing for bestin-class wellness and dining concepts in strong, neighborhood-centric trade areas,” Spangler said in a news release.

“The Shops of Dunwoody is gaining meaningful traction as we curate a tenant mix that complements the market and elevates the everyday experience for the surrounding community.”

Since acquiring The Shops of Dunwoody in March 2025, Asana Partners has refreshed branding and added new signage. The company’s broader merchandising strategy — focused on attracting more highquality retailers and restaurants to the Dunwoody neighborhood — is reflected in the recent leasing momentum, Spangler said.

The Shops of Dunwoody is about 2 miles north of Perimeter Mall on Chamblee Dunwoody Road in the heart of Dunwoody Village. It’s location near residential neighborhoods plus its accessibility to office users in Central Perimeter make it a “true neighborhood destination,” Spangler said.

“Its walkable setting and visibility along a key local corridor further strengthen its appeal to retailers, restaurants, and the surrounding community,” Spangler said.

— Dyana Bagby

Tune-Up Projects

Kitchen Tune-Up

Paint Cabinets

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

New Backsplash

Cut Down 2-level Island

Bathroom Tune-Up

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

Enlarge Shower Shower Glass Shower Safety Full Remodel

Kitchen Remodel

Total Cabinet Replacement

Large Island

Optimize Cabinet / Appliance Locations

Open Concept –Move Walls

OPEN SATURDAYS

9-5 Mon-Fri • 10-4 Sat

Showroom – Design Center 10591 Old Alabama Rd. Connector Alpharetta, GA 30022 (near Northpoint Mall)

Projects

Bathroom Remodel

New Larger Shower

Vanity Replacement –Cabs, Counter, Sink

Free Standing Tub

Floor Tile, Wall Tile

Plumbing Fixtures

SCHOOLS

DeKalb School Board narrowly passes a $1.6 billion budget

By JIM BASS jim@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb School Board narrowly passed its $1.6 billion budget for the 2027 fiscal year at its June 15 board meeting following an initial failed vote and lengthy discussion to consider alternatives.

Along with the budget, a millage rate of 22.78 was proposed. The rate remains unchanged from last year. However, some board members hoped to continue the steady rate of decline that had been discussed last year. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value of a home or commercial property.

The FY27 budget includes $1.656 billion in revenues and $1.694 billion in expenditures, resulting in an expected $38.7 million revenue shortfall. The gap would come from the general fund reserves to balance the budget.

The district’s general fund balance, currently at $400 million, serves as a safety net for the district and is also called a reserve fund.

Similarly, the district expects to use $182 million from the capital projects reserves, reducing the fund balance from $422 million to $239.8 million over the course of one year.

The initial vote to pass the budget failed 3-4, with Board Members Awet Eyasu, Diijon DaCosta, Whitney McGinniss and Tiffany Hogan opposing. After the vote, Board Chair Allyson Gevertz reminded members they need to pass a budget by the end of June.

Paring down mill levy

The board reconsidered and discussed a potential middle ground. Eyasu quickly proposed a motion to lower the millage rate to 22.68, a decrease of one-tenth, and totaling an estimated $4.5 million less in revenue.

“I have a strong confidence in Dr. Sauce and his staff that you will be able to find that $4.5 million out of what is a $1.6 billion budget,” Eyasu said. “This is really nothing, I mean it’s a drop.”

McGinniss furthered the proposal saying she would specifically want the $4.5 million reduction not to come from the district’s reserve funds, but from general administration.

She also said the district has one of the highest millage rates in the state and was afforded that rate due to a waiver for having previously operated a community college. She wants to continue incrementally reducing the rate to 20 mills, the traditional millage rate cap for school districts.

“At any time, the state Legislature could close that loophole, and so I think that I would rather incrementally and voluntarily reduce our millage rate

down to 20 mills rather than having that imposed upon us, potentially in one budget year instead of over multiple budget years,” McGinniss said.

Eyasu’s motion failed with no support, and McGinniss’ motion resulted in a 2-5 vote with only Eyasu supporting.

Other board members expressed concern about the financial position of public education, with state Senate Bill 33 capping property tax rate increases and requiring school districts and municipalities to opt in to the floating homestead exemption, previously known as HB581. Last year, DeKalb Schools opted out of the floating homestead exemption.

Gevertz expressed concerns about the district’s finances with looming pressures on public education systems.

“Every single year I’ve been on this board, I have pushed for a millage rollback. This is the first year that I feel very scared about our money,” Gevertz said. “We’ve got federal threats, we’ve got state threats. It’s just not a great time for public education right now.”

After these discussions and the

modified motions failing, a motion was made to vote on the initial budget proposal without changes. The budget was passed 4-3. McGinniss, Hogan and Eyasu opposed.

Other measures passed

In other action, the School Board:

• Received its monthly update on the Student Assignment Project, which will soon pick up again in the fall after a revamped process. The district will now focus on adjusting overcrowded schools to be more financially efficient, then on undercrowded schools in the spring of 2027.

The district currently serves around 90,000 students but has a capacity of 110,000 students, which it believes is not financially efficient.

• Renewed a $1.1 million contract with Centegix for emergency communications and safety initiatives districtwide. It is the contract’s fourth and final year for renewal.

• Approved the $3.1 million use of a cooperative agreement to purchase 20 Thomas Built school buses from Peach

State Truck Centers.

• In a 6-1 vote, renewed a $2 million contract with two companies for gym floor maintenance, repair and replacement services. Eyasu voted opposed.

• Renewed, in a 4-3 vote, a $6.5 million contract with two companies for comprehensive operational and janitorial supplies and solutions. Hogan, Eyasu and DaCosta were all opposed.

• Approved a $5.7 million award to Southwestern Communications, Inc., for the continued purchase, installation, maintenance and repair of district communication systems.

• Approved a memorandum of agreement of up to $3 million with Acceleration Academies to serve up to 360 students.

• Approved the $9.9 million purchase of instructional materials from several vendors.

• Approved two $15 million purchases of K-12 science and social studies instructional resources with a range of vendors.

• Renewed the $1.9 million contract with Northside Athletic Trainers for 19 high school full-time athletic trainers.

ESPLOST overpayment forces hard choices for DeKalb Schools

By JIM BASS jim@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Debates and split decisions were at the forefront of DeKalb County School Board’s June 15 meeting as officials grappled with an overpayment error in education sales taxes totaling millions.

“We don't know exactly how much we owe. We don't know exactly how we're paying it, but it's somewhere between … $10-15 million of ESPLOST money we owe the city of Decatur and the city of Atlanta,” Board Chair Allyson Gevertz said.

ESPLOST – the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax –generates revenue for school districts to fund capital projects.

The overpayment, first announced the morning of the June 15 meeting, resulted from DCSD receiving a greater share of revenues than intended under the distribution formula and allotment percentages in its ESPLOST VI Certificate of Distribution, approved in 2022.

As a result, City Schools of Decatur and Atlanta Public Schools received less than their approved shares from 2022 to 2026. The release said that upon discovery, the district took “immediate action” and is working with CSD and APS to resolve the issue.

Upon its completion date, ESPLOST VI is projected to provide the district with more than $800 million for capital projects. It has received $617 million as of April 30.

Overpayments and ‘blank check’

The June 15 agenda featured four ESPLOST VI-related projects, including a Cross Keys High modernization, a Stoneview Elementary renovation design, a Dresden Elementary parking lot and a modular classroom removal.

Board Member Whitney McGinniss pulled all items and asked that they be tabled until the overpayment issue was better understood or resolved.

Board members Diijon DaCosta and Tiffany Hogan expressed their displeasure with the idea because Stoneview Elementary, a school that was first promised a renovation in 2016 through ESPLOST V, has faced even longer delays.

“I just want to make sure that we do not continue to kick the can down the curb,” DaCosta said.

Both grew heated and pointed to Druid Hills High School’s $185 million modernization commitment, approved in December, which

would receive funding if ESPLOST VII is approved, while Stoneview Elementary, an ESPLOST VI project, is facing potential tabling. Hogan called the motion unacceptable.

“All of a sudden, everyone wants to say, ‘Oh, well, we don't have the money,’” Hogan said. “It's very disappointing that we look at different communities and not every community is treated equitably.”

Gevertz argued that the Stoneview and Druid Hills projects were in different situations. She said she needs to learn more about the new uncertainty of ESPLOST VI overpayments and whether the district can afford to approve these items first.

“I'm in favor of doing what we need to do for our elementary schools that are most decrepit,” Gevertz said. “I don't feel comfortable today approving something that I don't know that we have the money to cover.”

‘Tough to listen to’

Board Member Andrew Ziffer said he was “disappointed” listening to the

conversation, saying that the board needs to represent all students no matter where they are.

“All seven of us represent about 90,000-plus students. We don't represent 10,000 students or 20,000 students. This conversation that we're having right now is really, really tough for me to listen to,” Ziffer said.

The board agreed to instead add a vote on each item individually, and the $2 million Stoneview Elementary design contract amendment was approved 5-2 with McGinniss and Gevertz opposed.

Only one of the four ESPLOSTrelated projects failed approval. In a 3-4 vote, the $1.3 million Dresden Elementary parking lot project change order was denied.

McGinniss also later pulled an ESPLOST joint intergovernmental agreement item that would continue ESPLOST and officially approve a voter referendum on Nov. 3 for ESPLOST VII.

She said that without a concrete ESPLOST VII project list, she would not approve the joint agreement.

She cited previous projects that were delayed or not completed under previous ESPLOSTs, including Stoneview Elementary, Druid Hills High, Kingsley Elementary, Rock Chapel Elementary and a previously discussed comprehensive art school.

“Because this resolution does not have a project list, we are essentially asking the DeKalb County taxpayers to support a blank check,” McGinniss said. “Based on our track record, I just think that that is an unreasonable request for us to make.”

Board Member Deirdre Pierce countered that while the board has been disappointed many times before, the district went through decades of leadership changes and “took bold moves to rectify some things that never should’ve happened.”

She said she wants all schools to be the best they can be and hold the administration accountable while doing so.

“That blank check that you called ESPLOST VII is an opportunity to get this right, and we have to get this done,” Pierce said.

Prioritizing skin health during Men’s Health Month

Brought to you by – Dr. Tiffany ClayRamsey, Epiphany Dermatology

June is Men’s Health Month—a time to focus on preventive care and long-term wellness. While many men prioritize their overall health, skin health is often overlooked. As a dermatologist, I encourage men of all backgrounds and skin tones to take a proactive approach to caring for their skin.

Skin cancer remains one of the most important concerns. While it is often perceived as less common in men with darker skin tones, it is frequently diagnosed at later stages— making awareness and early detection critical. In addition, conditions such as acne, folliculitis (especially related to shaving), eczema, and psoriasis are common in men. For those with skin of color, concerns like hyperpigmentation

or razor bumps can be particularly persistent and require specialized care.

One of the simplest yet most effective steps you can take is wearing sunscreen daily. A broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher helps protect against harmful UV rays, which contribute not only to skin cancer but also to uneven skin tone and premature aging. Sunscreen is essential for every skin type and tone.

Equally important is establishing care with a board-certified dermatologist. Annual skin screenings allow for early detection of skin cancer and provide an opportunity to address concerns involving your skin, hair, and nails with a personalized approach.

This Men’s Health Month, take charge of your skin health. Prevention, protection, and expert care can make all the difference. Call our office at (470) 903-8886 to set up an appointment!

Travel smart with mobility devices: tips from the pros!

Brought to you by – Mobility Plus Alpharetta

Think traveling with a mobility device will slow you down? Think again! Read on to find out how to travel safer and smarter:

Accommodations – There are so many accessible destinations in the world! Make sure that your accommodations have doorways that are at least 24” wide, and an access ramp that is 30”-34” wide if you will be riding a mobility scooter or powerchair into your rental unit. Check the specs of your hotel entrances, exits, and bathroom doorways! Older hotels abroad may not be as easy to navigate so research carefully before you book. A blog like this one, dedicated to accessible travel can save you time online: www. wheeltheworld.com

Renting vs. purchasing – Our customers love zipping through the airport with their own devices, skipping to the front of security, and checking their scooters and powerchairs at the gate of the plane. Purchasing a device can save money in the long run, make keeping up with extended family at home much easier, and can allow for more independence from the very start of the trip to the finish. Consider how you will manage long treks through airports, cruise ports or train stations if you choose to rent your mobility device at your destination instead of taking

it with you. Not sure you are ready to invest in a mobility device just yet? Rent lightweight, folding scooters and powerchairs from us to take on your trip! This allows you to “try before you buy” and have the device with you from the moment you leave the house.

Travel features - Travel-ready mobility devices often fold flat, weigh 27-45 lbs. And have FAA and cruising approved lithium batteries. The max weight capacity on travel equipment is usually 250-300lbs. Additionally, they can travel 7 to 18 miles on one charge. Choosing to purchase from a local mobility equipment dealer at home will ensure that you get a proper fit, and the features that matter most to you. Buying a high-quality, name-brand product with a global network of authorized dealers will ensure peace of mind should you have a service and repair need abroad. Your local dealer can often provide you with a referral to an authorized service provider near your travel destination, so you are prepared in advance! Additionally, they can prep and laminate wheelchair forms in advance with an easy-to-read format for baggage handlers. This can significantly reduce risk of device damage!

Ready to start exploring? Visit Mobility Plus Alpharetta Monday-Friday 10am-5pm or Saturdays 9am-1pm. We look forward to helping you “go where you want to go!”

DeKalb County day center opens to support homeless neighbors

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County and New Life Community Alliance officials celebrated the opening of a day center on Flat Shoals Road in south DeKalb that will provide shelter and wraparound services to the homeless during daytime hours.

The South DeKalb Day Center is designed to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with the services they need to regain stability and independence, according to a news release.

The facility opened on June 15 at New Life Community Alliance, 3592 Flat Shoals Road in Greater Decatur. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and offers breakfast and lunch.

Transportation is available through Fast Track, which has four routes, and through MARTA. After the center closes, individuals can go to Frontline, other shelter services or a location of their choosing.

The campus will serve as a centralized point of access for housing assistance, workforce development, behavioral health services, healthcare referrals and other essential resources. Residents seeking assistance or organizations interested in supporting the effort can contact New Life Community Alliance at 404687-4033.

Officials said that homelessness is a socio-economic and a public health issue.

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said homelessness is one of the most complex issues communities are facing, and the facility will support the county’s most vulnerable residents.

“This new center strengthens our ability to meet residents where they are, provide critical support services, and create opportunities for long-term success,” Cochran-Johnson said. “It represents another step forward in our efforts to build a more responsive and coordinated system of care throughout DeKalb County.”

She added that the day center wouldn’t be possible without the support of the county commissioners. The facility is located in Commission District 3, which is represented by Commissioner Nicole Massiah.

“This day center is more than just a building. It is a doorway to housing, employment, health services and more importantly, hope,” Massiah said. “When we invest in people, we invest in the future of our entire community.”

Massiah is looking forward to having workforce opportunities

near the day center as the Candler Crossing Publix is built and becomes operational.

“There’s also an economic impact,” Massiah said. “When people are connected to job training, workforce development, transportation and employment opportunities, they have a better chance of achieving long-term stability and self-sufficiency.”

New Life Community Alliance provides case management, housing navigation, employment assistance,

with behavioral health services through Claratel Behavioral Health and employment resources through WorkSource DeKalb.

Claratel CEO Fabio van der Merwe shared that individuals experiencing homelessness are six times more likely to have a serious mental illness, nine times more likely to attempt suicide and five times more likely to rely on emergency departments for care.

At the day center, Claratel Behavioral Health will provide an onsite case manager who can connect individuals to outside services, such as the pharmacy at Claratel’s Clifton Springs location, a substance use treatment facility and a crisis center. There will also be a telehealth booth at the center where patrons can see a therapist or psychiatrist.

The day center is focused on bringing a range of services under one roof, reducing barriers to access and improving coordination among partners.

New Life has been providing services to homeless individuals and anyone who needs extra support since 2002. Its campus includes multiple buildings that house the church, a gymnasium space and services, like the barber shop, beauty salon and clothing closet.

The Rev. Marlin Harris said the ministry helps anyone in need. All of the programs are led by staff and volunteers.

“As needs arise, we just started helping people, and that’s the culture of our church,” Harris said.

The church assists individuals experiencing housed and unhoused poverty, he said.

“We felt like if Jesus were here physically on earth today, what would he be doing and who would he be spending his time with?” Harris said. “Based on what we read in the Gospels, we believe that he would be spending his time with the mentally ill, with those who are unhoused, those who are ill, those who were sick, because that’s what he did. We just wanted to imitate him.”

educational opportunities, clothing assistance, technology resources and hygiene services, such as showers and laundry machines.

“We will provide everything here, from basic health screenings to clothing, showers, warm meals and also counseling,” Cochran-Johnson said. “Most importantly, the DeKalb day center will provide hope. It will provide compassion, and it will also provide a path forward.”

Participants will also be connected

The center’s capacity will gradually expand. During the initial launch period, staff and volunteers are focused on individualized assessments, service coordination and building opportunities for permanent housing and self-sufficiency.

The day center will operate at the New Life Community Alliance campus while DeKalb County continues evaluating long-term opportunities to expand shelter and supportive housing resources countywide. The county is also exploring an opportunity to open a day center in north DeKalb County.

DeKalb County to launch affordable housing investment bond

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County is planning to launch a housing investment bond program that would provide $155 million to be dispersed among housing projects.

During the Planning, Economic Development and Community Services Committee meeting on June 9, Chief Housing Officer Alan Ferguson gave an update on the comprehensive housing plan and other initiatives, including the housing bond.

The funding will provide money for a variety of housing projects throughout DeKalb County. It will go toward programs, such as down payment assistance, gap financing, removing blight, homelessness initiatives and acquiring and preserving multifamily properties.

“Because the funding is derived from general resources, it’s going to be available for the entirety of DeKalb County, not just incorporated DeKalb,” Ferguson said.

The County Commission was set to consider approving a $25 million bond issuance on June 23, and an intergovernmental agreement with the Housing Authority of DeKalb County in July.

Ferguson said $25 million will be the Initial issuance, and the county would work up to a total bond amount of $155 million in the two to three years, depending on funding needs.

“We anticipate a final bond closing and issuance of bonds in August,” he said. “With the approval of the IGA on July 7, everyone is going to start working in earnest to drive toward a program launch at the end of the third quarter of this year.”

The county is striving to have the program operational by the end of September.

Community meetings were held in April to discuss each program, and Ferguson said there’s community support for the programs that will be funded by the housing investment bond.

“The feedback that we’ve received is that this is the right time to try to bring these types of programs and resources forward to our residents and to our stakeholders to really make an impact in the housing system,” Ferguson said.

He added that the goal of the investment bond program is to provide a spark to get projects going and improve the housing options in the county.

“We anticipate that the impact is going to be well over $1 billion,” Ferguson said. “As the funds get deployed, we attract both private and other public funds to leverage those to

essentially use this as a slice to build a bigger pie for DeKalb County and create tremendous impact and work toward the goal of producing and preserving over 10,000 homes within DeKalb County.

Comprehensive housing plan

DeKalb County is drafting a comprehensive housing plan. Consultants working on the plan have gathered market and demographic information and will be conducting focus groups to have targeted conversations about housing priorities.

“The Comprehensive Housing Plan will address housing affordability, supply and preservation needs to identify strategies that can alleviate housing pressures for existing residents and attract new residents to the county,” the Engage DeKalb website says.

DeKalb County residents can participate in the focus groups and sign up at engagedekalb.dekalbcountyga. gov/dcchp.

“Everything is going well. It’s progressing as scheduled and we’re looking forward to bringing this to a successful conclusion,” Ferguson said.

Affordable housing fund

Ferguson also noted that funding was approved in the county’s budget for the affordable housing fund, which was created in November 2025.

“In February of this year, with budget approval, that fund was approved with an allocation of $12 million for 2026, looking forward to $15 million in 2027, and thereafter, to really provide a funding resource and a mechanism for us to do bigger and greater things in the housing space, and that includes providing financial support for the housing investment bond,” Ferguson said.

The county is conducting a community land trust feasibility study. Proposals from vendors to conduct the study were due to the county on June 18.

“I’m looking forward to going through the evaluation process, selecting a qualified respondent and getting that study underway,” Ferguson said.

According to a previous news release, community land trusts are nonprofit organizations that acquire and steward land for the long-term

benefit of the community. Homeowners lease the land under their homes at a minimal cost, making homeownership more accessible while keeping housing prices stable for generations.

“Establishing a DeKalb County Community Land Trust represents a bold and forward-thinking investment in the stability and sustainability of our communities,” said Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, who sponsored the legislation. “This initiative reflects our collective commitment to equitable growth and inclusive prosperity.”

The feasibility study will develop an operational and start-up plan, identify best practices and recommend implementation for DeKalb County.

“The feasibility study will help ensure the Community Land Trust complements our existing housing and land-use strategies while making efficient use of county resources,” Ferguson previously said. “By evaluating structure, integration and sustainable funding models, we can design a land trust that strengthens long-term affordability, responsible land stewardship and fiscal accountability."

Pro basketball players practice, visit kids at local gym

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Days before their first game of the Big3 league, professional athletes with the LA Riot took the court with youth basketball campers at Shoot 360 on Old Roswell Road in Alpharetta.

The 3 v. 3 basketball team is captained by 8-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard who lives in the area. Fellow players include former NBA players Jordan Crawford, Kosta Koufos and professionals Billy Preston and Chris Allen.

The team visited with participants of Halftime Sports, the City of Milton’s official youth basketball program partner, to speak with players and give them some tips the second week of June.

“Experience is the best teacher,” Howard said. “And now, I just want to take my experiences and leave a lasting impression with the kids to where they believe that they can basically do anything they put their minds to.”

Not only is Shoot 360 where his son plays basketball, but Howard partnered with the gym’s coaches to start DH12, an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) travel league for boys and girls in sixth and seventh grade.

“We really want to have life-lasting friendships, relationships but also bonds that are deeper than basketball,” Howard said.

Seeing kids at the gym enjoy the sport and work hard to improve was inspiring, he said.

“It just reminded me of myself when I was young trying to find a way and have this dream of making it to the NBA,” Howard said.

Howard spent 18 seasons in the NBA

Exhibit:

Continued from Page 1

This is a chance for our community to celebrate the excitement of summer soccer, get creative, and share in a fun, engaging experience,” Watts said in a news release.

Featured balls are judged, awarded and displayed at Dunwoody businesses and at World Cup watch parties, she said.

Memorial:

Continued from Page 1

In 1945, the National Council of State

after being the No. 1 draft pick straight out of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. Throughout his career, Howard became an NBA champion in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers and earned a spot in the NBA Hall of Fame.

“Even if you don’t make it in that sport of basketball, it can teach you so much about life,” Howard said. “And I want to be that catalyst or that person to kind of bring some change or move the needle in the right direction with our kids.”

After the exhibit, a portion of finished balls will be donated to local nonprofits and schools.

Participants can create designs at pop-up workshops or at home and submit them for judging. Upcoming workshops include High Street on July 1 from 11 a.m. to p.m. for $8, with additional workshops to be announced.

Selected balls will be displayed on the three Art Walls and on the Soccer Ball Art Exhibit webpage. Community voting will begin soon, so residents are

Garden Clubs (now NGC Inc.) adopted the program and began a Blue Star Highway system that covers thousands of miles across the Continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii. The Blue Star was adopted because it had become

the states.

Preston set the goal last summer to play in the Big3 league and put himself in every position to get drafted. After joining the LA Riot, Preston went from watching Howard and Crawford to sharing the court with them.

“I just told them the other day … being able to play with you, it’s like playing with one of my childhood superstars,” Preston said.

Going into the Big3, Preston said he feels confident and comfortable because, “they accepted me just for my game.”

After one season in the NBA and multiple years playing abroad, Preston said he’s ready to show that you don’t have to be in the NBA to be happy playing basketball.

“That will be one thing I want to show when I pop out in the Big3 for the first year,” Preston said. “Let people see [I’m] still doing this at a high level.”

Allen, who has been in the Big3 league for three years now, said it has been the most fun he’s had playing basketball.

“There is no judgement in this league,” Allen said. “We’re all in the same boat, we’re all trying to be successful – it’s that simple … I love it.”

Pre-season practice

Howard brought the team to Alpharetta for practice 10 days before LA Riot’s season begins against Miami 305 on June 20.

This is Howard’s second year as captain of the LA Riot, one of the eight teams playing in the Big3 basketball league that launched in 2017.

Some players, like Preston and Koufos, had been playing overseas and are returning for the summer season in

encouraged to view the artwork online and cast votes for favorites, Watts said.

Winners will be announced during watch parties at Campus 244 on Wednesday, July 15, at Ashford Lane on Sunday, July 19, and at Big Play on a date to be announced.

Prizes include cocktail parties, hotel stays, restaurant gift cards, party packages, Mathnasium scholarships and Rush Union awards. Some of the balls will be donated to local nonprofits and schools.

an icon in World War II and was seen on flags and banners in homes for sons and daughters away at war as well as in churches and businesses, according to the NGC.

Since the program’s inception in

Allen said he credits the league’s vibe to its founder, Ice Cube, the rapper and actor from Los Angeles. He said the energy is different because players are allowed to show their charisma and have fun.

“We’re not trying to hold people back,” Allen said, “… you know, have fun. If you have charisma, show your charisma … that’s what makes this league amazing.”

The LA Riot will be back in Atlanta Aug. 2 to play against the Houston Rig Hands in State Farm Arena.

The exhibit is made possible through partnerships with Rush Union, Campus 244, Ashford Lane, High Street, Big Play and other local supporters who share Create Dunwoody’s mission of connecting people through creativity and placemaking, Watts said. Dunwoody carpenter Keith Grant donated his time and skills to make the Soccer Ball Art Walls.

For more information and to participate, visit createdunwoody.org/ soccerart.

1944, garden clubs have dedicated more than 3,500 markers across the country. Georgia has more than 180 markers as local garden clubs continue to sponsor and support the project.

— Dyana Bagby

The greatest man (excluding family) I ever knew

PAT FOX Managing Editor pat@appenmedia.com

His name is Jim, and he’s about 90 now.

When I first met him, he was the managing editor at a newspaper in central Kansas, a mid-sized daily in a city of 42,000.

Everybody liked Jim. He was about 50 – twice my age –witty, smart, and he’d been running the newsroom for about a decade. He never spoke without having something to say, leaving everyone to do their job. But he read every story after it had been edited and proofread, just to make sure – a quiet backstop.

He was trim and came to work most days in a blue Oxford, navy tie and dark slacks. An avid golfer, Jim’s face was tanned, his hair golden-brown with silver at the temples – a requirement for all managing editors.

He sat at his desk in the newsroom among some 25 reporters, copy editors and edition editors.

Alongside Jim’s desk was a yellowcushioned chair almost always occupied by a reporter seeking advice or complaining about something. Jim listened.

I was an edition editor and never sat in that chair, figuring Jim had enough to do.

He smoked about a pack a day at that desk. Sometimes, he’d get up and walk over to someone with a question or a compliment. He once praised one of my headlines.

Jim wasn’t a pal, though. He seldom engaged in banter. Sometimes, he'd chat with some of the veterans – the press foreman, senior reporters – people he’d known a long time.

The nightlife

Back in those days, it was common to go out for a drink after work, usually after midnight after putting the morning edition to bed. I was pretty good at it.

Jim must’ve heard, because one evening, he asked me if I wanted to go get a drink during my dinner break at 8 p.m. I declined but said I’d meet him after work.

That’s when I saw the other side of Jim. The guy could knock ‘em back, and he had an underground network of dive bars and basement lounges not listed in the Yellow Pages – the Red Lion, Lena’s, the Knotty Pine.

He was one of the best drinking companions you could ever want, funnier the more he drank. At an allnight diner once, he took a spoon to a small bowl of salsa – the green kind –and began eating it like soup.

He talked about quitting smoking and once went a week without lighting up.

That ended one night, when over drinks, he said he’d watched a Bogart film the night before. He swore to me the plot revolved around how many cigarettes you could smoke in two hours.

Two years into my stint at the paper, Jim was fired.

It had come to light that some staffers had been sneaking beer into the building on Saturdays.

The executive editor, who likely knew Jim drank, held the managing editor responsible. He announced that Jim had been fired, that he’d never work for the paper again and that he likely would not work for any paper in the chain.

We were flattened, and it took more than a week for the newsroom to recover. It helped when the editor promoted a senior staff reporter to fill the vacancy, a veteran everyone respected.

Things settled down to a new normal.

Then, a month later, I arrived at work, and there was Jim, sitting in the editor’s office. You could see through the windows. Jim was hunched forward in his chair, wearing a blue Oxford with a tie, smoking a cigarette, listening to the editor.

The guy had been sent to hell, and here he was … Lazarus in the newsroom, talking to the big guy.

An hour passed, all of us sneaking glimpses to follow the interchange.

The lecture

Then, Jim came out. I thought he’d stop by the new managing editor’s desk or chat with some of the others he’d known for years.

Instead, he made a beeline for my desk, pulling up a chair.

“Pat, I’m worried about you,” he said.

“Oh yeah?” I responded, maintaining focus on my work.

“Yeah, I’m worried because I think back to when I was your age, and I believe you’re on the same path like me. I just spent a month in recovery, and I don’t want to see it happen to you.”

I stopped typing, turned, and looked at him.

“Jim, I’ll sit here and listen to this bull for as long as you like because I know it’s part of your recovery process. But, when you were my age, you were over at the El Capitan Club talking to walls.”

He laughed, lit a cigarette and copped to practicing his spiel on me. He just wanted to sit a while to get his bearings.

The formal announcement came that afternoon. The editor had agreed to take Jim back – as a reporter.

A man who had ruled the newsroom for a decade, with credentials most journalists would kill for, was now on the bottom rung of our reporting staff. It broke our hearts. Better the earlier career death sentence than to see this man humiliated.

Back to work

Jim showed up the next day, shirttie-slacks, stationed at his old desk. No one sat in the yellow chair. Jim was on the phone or out on an assignment.

He tore it up, outpacing, outwriting and outproducing every reporter. His stuff was polished, newsy.

In September 1985, I was running the morning desk for the afternoon paper as UPI provided overnight updates on an earthquake that had struck Mexico City the day before. New information put the death toll in the thousands.

It was 6 a.m. Jim and I were the only two in the newsroom.

Our city had a small Hispanic population, but I asked Jim if he could spin a local angle. He hopped on the phone.

Within two hours, just before the deadline, Jim turned in an 800-word article filled with quotes and accounts of the devastation from local people who had spoken to family in the disaster zone.

To this day, I’ve never seen anything

like it.

Jim continued the pace for a full year. He was always out the door by 5 p.m. to attend church – part of his sobriety program.

Another thing: Jim was even funnier sober than drunk. He’d wisecrack about my odds of making a deadline or the likelihood of my misspelling a word in a headline.

After one year of torrid reporting, the newspaper chain announced that Jim would be leaving. He’d been named executive editor of another paper in northeastern Kansas. It was a smaller paper, but Jim was back on top.

The newsroom exploded in applause, but we were losing a role model.

My turn

Some 30 years later, I too lost my job at a major newspaper in the middle of the Great Recession. I wasn’t drinking … well, beet juice for high brain function. Layoffs and firings were increasing, and I was one of the final casualties.

It was devastating. The world I’d known for 25 years had ended.

Colleagues called offering condolences. Some were angry, saying I’d been singled out because I was 56. One went to the effort of printing a spreadsheet showing my story production over the past year, ranking in the top 10 percent at the paper.

Life isn’t fair.

Before the recession, I was a golden boy, having left the copy desk to return to reporting. Almost immediately, the paper named me reporter of the month, reporter of the quarter, posted my articles on newsroom bulletin boards –blah, blah and more blah.

Unemployment makes you bitter. I envied the drivers who passed my house each evening, coming home from a steady job. I chased down freelance work, even advised on a political campaign.

Each day – every single day – I thought of Jim.

Pity is poison, he screamed in my head, and it got me through the lows.

Eventually, I landed this job. It’s been good to me.

As I step away to retirement, there will be other challenges.

I’ll think of Jim.

GARDEN BUZZ

Observe the beautiful luna moth in nature

If you had a moth beauty pageant, the luna moth would win out hands-down, in my estimation. The luna moth is one of nature’s most exquisite creations. The moth is a standout with its 3-5-inch wingspan and its beautiful, pale green wings, which extend into elongated tail extensions.

During my lifetime I have probably only seen three adult luna moths. If you are lucky and have the opportunity to observe a luna moth, it will probably be at night. Luna moths are considered nocturnal since they are active at night. I saw my first luna moth since moving to Georgia 17 years ago, in early August on the porch of a home in Hiawassee. Unfortunately, it was barely moving and in its last stage of life. Being a former biology teacher and nature lover, I was curious and wanted to know why its life was ending abruptly.

Luna moths’ unique life cycle

1. Eggs – Luna moths lay between 200 and 400 tiny, brown-and-whitespeckled eggs on the leaves of their host plants: walnut, sweetgum, hickory, persimmon, sumac and birch trees.

2. Caterpillar – The 2- to 3.5-inch larvae are bright green with a yellow line running down the complete length of their bodies. After two to three weeks of constant eating, they start to turn a reddish-orange color before creating their cocoon.

3. Pupa – The pupation stage, where they transform from a larva to an adult inside their cocoon, takes about three weeks.

4. Adult – When the adult moth emerges from the cocoon, the moth pumps blood into its wings, causing them to unfurl, and it hangs upsidedown while the wing veins harden in the right shape. Now it is ready to spread its wings, fly, find a mate and fulfill its life mission to produce offspring. This typically happens at night because the luna moths are nocturnal.

Unfortunately, adult moths lack mouthparts and are unable to eat, resulting in their deaths within seven to 10 days of emerging from their cocoons.

Luna moths are found throughout

About the author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Carole MacMullan, a Master Gardener and Milton resident. She taught biology for 35 years in the Pittsburgh area. In 2012 after moving to Milton, Carole completed the Master Gardener training program and joined the North Fulton Master Gardeners (NFMG) and the Milton Garden Club. Carole uses her teaching skills to create a variety of presentations on gardening topics for the NFMG Lecture Series and Speakers Bureau. Her favorite hobbies are gardening, hiking, biking and reading.

away or directs the attack to a less vulnerable area of the body. The elongated sections of the wings can also disrupt the echolocation ability of a bat in pursuit of its prey, as bats are enemy No. 1 for luna moths. If you are lucky enough to find a live luna moth, try not to touch its wings. You could possibly rub off some of its powdery scales, which help it fly, regulate its body temperature and camouflage it from predators. Because it is so rare to find one of these beauties, if you do spot one it is considered a symbol of transformation and new beginnings. Consider a spring or summer evening walk. Look on the shady side of their host trees and you might be lucky and have an opportunity to view a living luna moth.

Happy Gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

the eastern United States. In cooler climates, they mate once a year, but in Georgia they are active from March to September and can produce three broods of offspring per year. Although luna moths are large and nocturnal, they have enemies. The wings of luna moths are designed

for defense against their predators. The wing pattern and color provide them with camouflage when they are resting in a tree or on leaf litter.

On the upper mid-region of each of the four wings, there is an eyespot. The eyespot confuses a predator, allowing the luna moth time to get

Previous Garden Buzz columns are at: appenmedia.com/opinion/ columists/garden buzz/.

Come visit us at the Alpharetta Farmers Market and the Sandy Springs Farmers Market every other weekend. We will also have a booth at the Crabapple Festival in Milton on Oct. 3, 2026. Learn more at nfmg.net.

OPINION

The legend of Altie, Georgia’s denizen of the deep

Some people dream about clouds and flying. But I have it on good authority that fisherfolk dream mostly about monsters from the deep. It’s said that there’s at least one of them over in Scotland, in Loch Ness.

Might there be one swimming hereabouts somewhere too? Maybe, some might say, down on the Georgia coast near the town of Darien?

But I digress. Maybe…

Monsters. Yeah. That’s what fills anglers’ dreams, no matter what they say to the contrary. They may talk all day about the spiritual validity of catching small fish and even affirm on a stack of fishing books that size doesn’t matter.

You and I both know better.

Next time your fishing buddy gets to talking about what he caught, listen to what he says. He doesn’t talk about tiny little 6-inchers. No way. Instead, he talks about the monsters – the 20-inch trout, the 7-pound bass. These stories he recounts loudly and often because even though size doesn’t matter, it does.

There’s no doubt at all. Monsters are what anglers dream about.

Interestingly, and possibly distressingly too, kids seem to pick up on this early.

“Granddaddy,” said one of the grandkids on a recent fishing trip, “do you think we will catch any monsters?”

“You never know,” I answered. “You never know what’s in that water.”

Have I ever caught a monster? Once I thought I had. I was fishing a pond in central Georgia and hooked something that felt huge. It turned out to be a

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PHOTOS BY: STEVE HUDSON/APPEN MEDIA

The Altamaha River near Darien, Ga., where a lucky few say they have seen Altamaha-ha, Georgia’s version of the Loch Ness Monster. Will you see Altie too? The

soggy old tennis shoe. I’d guess it was about size 16. That qualifies, I suppose.

Another time, on a fast-flowing north Georgia stream, I managed to hook a flat rock. Not just anyone can do that, you know. That rock sure felt like a monster as it planed back and forth through the water, acting for all the world like some kind of leviathan bass. But it stayed on the hook. When I finally brought it in and saw what it was, I just stood there and laughed out loud. Sometimes that’s all you can do.

Flat rocks? Tennis shoes? Uh-huh. And yet the possibility of encountering a bona fide monster – you know, something like the well-marketed one said to swim the storied waters of Loch Ness – always remains, at least out there on the very edge of imagination.

Nessie, of course, lives a long ways off. The odds of it swimming to Georgia are not real high.

But how about a home-grown Georgia-style version? How about Altamaha-ha instead?

The City of Dunwoody Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council of Chambers of Dunwoody City Hall, located at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338, for the purpose of due process of the following:

ZBA 26-03, 1814 Village Mill Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338: Variance from Sec. 16-78 to allow a retaining wall to encroach into the 75-foot stream buffer.

ZBA 26-16, 5522 Mill Trace Drive, Dunwoody, GA, 30338: Variance from Sec. 16-78 to allow a porch, deck, and retaining wall to encroach into the 75-foot stream buffer.

Should you have any questions or comments, or would like to view the application and supporting materials, please contact the City of Dunwoody Community Development Department at 678-382-6800. Members of the public are encouraged to call or schedule a meeting with the staff in advance of the Public Hearing if they have questions or are unfamiliar with the process. The staff is available to answer questions, discuss the decision-making process, and receive comments and concerns.

How about who?

Altamaha-ha. Yes, it’s a thing –especially down around where the sightings seem to be concentrated. According to sources that might be reliable, Altamaha-ha (whom those in the know call “Altie” for short) is a mysterious aquatic creature said to inhabit the waters of the Altamaha River in coastal Georgia’s McIntosh County. Some say the legend appears to have come from the Muscogee culture and that it may have been embellished by Scottish immigrants (echoes of Nessie!). Whether such embellishments might have been tied to enthusiastic sipping of another Scottish legend is unclear but, one must admit, not beyond the realm of possibility.

Assuming that Altamaha-ha is real (and who would dare to say that it is not?) what might Altie actually be?

Some say that it’s an alligator gar. That could be the case, for those gar grow to 10 feet and do have a certain sea monster-ish look about them. Others say it could be a giant sturgeon, another massive and primitive-looking creature from the watery deep.

DEATH NOTICES

Kenneth Brown, age 76, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on June 7, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Carol Brubaker, age 87, of Milton, GA passed away on June 14, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

It’s even been suggested that Altie sightings represent nothing more exotic than two dolphins swimming together who happen to have been perceived as one…something…

As explanations go, I suppose they’re all at least possible.

But why must we always seek explanation? What’s the fun in that? Maybe it’s just…Altie. That’s what I was kind of hoping, deep down, as I walked along the river there just the other day. “Come on, Altie,” I found myself whispering. “Just a glimpse. Just one glimpse is all I need…”

Alas, Altie didn’t show.

But maybe that’s how Altie keeps the legend alive – and with a legend as appealing as this one, it’s no surprise that there has been a hoax or two. One involved what appeared to be decomposing remains which turned up on a beach in the Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge about a dozen miles east of Darien.

Page 23

Margaret Hall, age 84, of Roswell, GA passed away on June 15, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Suzanne Walbert, age 83, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on June 13, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

DC Aiken

Big Sky Franchise Team

David & Michelle Bertany

Amour & Duane Carthy

Scott Childress

Adam Corder

Barbara Anderson

Kerry Arias

Scott Baynton

Joseph Bell

Rita Brown

SM Buscher

Mark Casas

Carl Abernathy

Bruce Ackley

Salpi Adrouny

Alpharetta Lions Club

Omar Altalib

Dave Altman

Ron Altman

Joel Alvis

American Legion Post 201

Ken Amos

Alice & Dr. Richard Appen

Stewart Applbaum

Gaye Armstrong

Mary Asbury

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Hudson:

Continued from Page 19

You know that had to cause all sorts of excitement, at least until a New York performance artist named Zardulu fessed up that it was just a creation fashioned from a shark carcass and some papier-mâché.

Skeptics probably said, “See, I told you so.”

But skeptics are never any fun. And did it dissuade the true believers? Not even a little.

The true believers are, I expect, much more enthusiastic about the 20-foot-long Altie sculpture on display in the Darien-McIntosh County Visitor Center just off I-95. It’s the work of cryptid artist Rick Spears. A cryptid artist (and yes, it’s a thing) is one who “specializes in visualizing hidden, unverified, or mythical creatures.”

According to the little sign there in the visitor center, the Darien depiction was created based on details from eye-witness sightings. Most say that it looks a little bit like a dinosaur.

But it also has that kind of big-eyed, happy-go-lucky face you see on the neighborhood golden retriever. You just want to scratch it between its ears… except it doesn’t have ears, at least not that we can see.

Want to maybe see Altie for yourself? A good place to try is beneath the US 17 bridge where it crosses a channel of the Altamaha River just south of Darien. If you stroll there, and you should, first look at the sea creatures mural painted under the north end of the bridge. If you search a bit, you’ll find Altie depicted there among the fish and everything else.

Since you will then know what Altie might look like, next turn an eye to the river. Watch carefully until…what’s that? Was there something there?

I can’t tell you for sure that you’ll glimpse Altie in the flesh. But I can’t promise you that you won’t either. There always hope. And where there’s hope, just about anything can happen. Maybe it even will.

In any case, if you get close enough, give him a little scratch between those unseen ears. And tell him Steve says hi.