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Forsyth County Fire Department welcomes 11 new firefighters ► PAGE 3 O c t o b e r 1 , 2 0 2 6 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 3 0 , N o . 4 0

Commissioners weigh school capacity in rezoning decisions By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED

Forsyth County said treated drinking water remains safe to drink despite an algae bloom in Lake Lanier.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Commission is considering how school capacity should factor into land use decisions amid an ongoing housing moratorium. The discussion occurred during a presentation of code changes during a work session Sept. 22, about a year and a half since commissioners approved a pause on new rezoning applications. The housing moratorium is in response to rapid population growth and development and concerns voiced by residents and the school district about potential strain on services, particularly school capacity. During the pause, county staff have explored code and ordinance revisions that encompass trees, senior housing, design standards, buffers and landscape requirements, and amenities. In May, commissioners approved a 180-day extension to the housing freeze after releasing the Residential 1 zoning category from restrictions in April. Since 2010, Forsyth County has added about 105,000 residents, an increase of almost 66 percent. The county currently has a population of about 280,000.

County says water safe to drink amid algae bloom Institute looks to catch

See SCHOOL, Page 18

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County officials say chemicals produced by an algae bloom in Lake Lanier can change drinking water flavor but are not harmful after treatment. Officials said the water is safe to drink. The blooms that occur in late summer and early fall can release the compounds geosmin and MIB or 2-methylisoborneol. Forsyth County officials said water drawn for treatment has shown elevated levels of the chemicals, but they are not harmful. Forsyth County, Cumming and many other lo-

ROI

matters.

cal counties and utility providers take water from the lake. Sampling results show the county’s water treatment process reduced an initial level of 213 parts per trillion to 22.3 parts per trillion. Some neighboring utilities are reporting rawwater MIB concentrations exceeding 1,000 parts per trillion, the county said. The county’s Department of Water & Sewer uses ozone to remove the compounds from the water supply. Nevertheless, some customers may notice water quality changes, such as a chlorine taste or odor. These changes usually subside as water temperatures cool.

prostate cancer early ► PAGE 8

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PUBLIC SAFETY

Forsyth, Alpharetta police reports: Dumping, loitering, meal theft By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

770-442-3278 AppenMedia.com 319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 HANS APPEN Publisher RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus CONTACT NEWS TIPS Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com. LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com. See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance. ADVERTISING For information about advertising in the Forsyth Herald or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278. CIRCULATION To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

These reports are compiled from information provided by local law enforcement agencies and are matters of public record. They do not imply guilt, and those described are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Ball Ground man accused of engine coolant dumping FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies investigated a report of a 38-year-old Ball Ground man pouring used engine coolant into a storm drain Sept. 20. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy was dispatched to Scenic Ridge Way in Ball Ground. A 39-year-old Ball Ground man reported confronting the other man after seeing a Facebook post. The 38-year-old man said he poured a mixture of water and engine coolant into a roadway drain after changing the fluid in his vehicle. The deputy observed a 1.75-gallon container that had remnants of a coolant and distilled water mixture in it. The incident was classified as a misdemeanor dumping violation.

Alpharetta man jailed for loitering, misrepresentation ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 45-year-old Alpharetta man was arrested on loitering and misrepresentation charges Sept. 2. Alpharetta police said officers were patrolling near a North Point Parkway hotel when they saw a vehicle parked with its windows open. Concerned because vehicle burglaries are common in the area, officers spoke with the driver. During the conversation, the man allegedly lied to officers about his residence, saying he was parked at the

APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO

hotel for hours because he was fighting with his wife. Officers contacted the homeowner, who said the man no longer lived there. The man was charged and taken to the Alpharetta Detention Center.

Conyers man charged for not paying restaurant bill ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 36-year-old Conyers man was charged with theft of service after he allegedly declined to pay a restaurant bill Sept. 5.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the Haynes Bridge Road business a little after midnight. Officers asked restaurant staff whether the man could wash dishes to pay for the meal but staff asked to press charges if they did not receive payment. The bill totaled more than $90. These reports are compiled from information provided by local law enforcement agencies and are matters of public record. They do not imply guilt, and those described are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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NEWS

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 1, 2026 | 3

Forsyth County Fire Department welcomes 11 new firefighters FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Fire Department celebrated the graduation of 11 new recruits Sept. 19. Family, friends and fire officials attended a ceremony at the Forsyth County Administration Building on Freedom Parkway to commemorate their accomplishment. Fire Chief Barry Head said the recruits had worked hard to complete their training to join the department, which has 15 stations throughout the county. “We are excited to see these new faces join the fire service, ready to serve Forsyth County,” Head said. “They have worked hard to be here, and Saturday was a great day to celebrate their accomplishment with their loved ones.” Forsyth County fire recruits complete more than 640 hours of fire and EMT training during 36 weeks of instruction. Instruction covers numerous topics

The graduates are • Christian Boles • Shawn Chastain • Keaten Dodd • Christopher Jackson • Henley Johnson • Kyle Koen • James Meder • Cameron Melton • Patrick Sheehan • Kyle Sima • Stephen Stratton

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NEWS

4 | October 1, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

Georgia Knows Media training open to community groups ATLANTA — The Georgia chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is rolling out its Georgia Knows Media education program to community organizations across the state. Groups can now request SPJ Georgia’s free training, which helps Georgians combat false and misleading information while also building trust between communities and their newsrooms. The training — which can be delivered through online or in-person formats — is provided by volunteer facilitators, including journalists, journalism educators and certified community members. Participants will leave the training, which runs for about an hour, with

practical tools to evaluate news sources and recognize misinformation. They will also have a better understanding of the editorial process and the SPJ Code of Ethics followed by professional journalists. Attendees will receive a certificate of completion and the resources needed to provide their own Georgia Knows Media sessions to friends, family members and other groups. “Our program’s goal is to give people tools to figure out ‘what’s real’ in today’s confusing media landscape, which is full of AI slop and false information,” said Joshua Wilson, the chapter’s vice president and media literacy chair. Wilson is also the managing editor of

Appen Media Group, which owns seven newspapers and numerous digital news properties in metro Atlanta. Learn more SPJ Georgia will host an online

Georgia Knows Media session from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. After the training, there will be time for questions about the program. To register and receive the link to the Zoom session, email spjgeorgia@ gmail.com. Community organizations can also email the chapter to request their own training, but groups are advised to do so at least 30 days in advance of any event. SPJ Georgia is also seeking sponsors interested in helping expand the program. Email the chapter to learn more about those opportunities. For more information, visit spjgeorgia. com/gkm. — Hannah Yahne

Children’s ranked No. 1 pediatric hospital in Southeast ATLANTA — Children's Healthcare of Atlanta has been ranked as the No. 1 pediatric hospital in the Southeast and Georgia, landing itself among the nation’s top pediatric hospitals for 2026-27 on the U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals list. The report ranks hospitals for excellence in outcomes, program structure and national reputation in 11 pediatric specialty areas, with the

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AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 1, 2026 | 5

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Dunwoody nonprofit turns leftover bagels into a lifeline By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

gives young people a meaningful way to address food insecurity in their communities. “It’s hard when you’re a kid to feel like you can actually make a meaningful impact or create change in the world, especially when you see people struggling,” Utreras said. “Bagel Rescue gave me the opportunity to help … to make a difference.” As president of the school’s Spanish National Honor Society, Utreras said she hopes to get its members more involved with Bagel Rescue in the future.

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Since founding Bagel Rescue in 2021, Erin Stieglitz has connected strangers in what she calls an “epic web of goodness” one bagel at a time. The concept is simple: volunteers collect unsold baked goods from local businesses and deliver them to housing shelters and food banks. But Bagel Rescue wasn’t always a nonprofit organization partnered with 88 restaurants and 175 receiving agencies across six states. It started during COVID-19 when Stieglitz wanted to bring a bagel breakfast to Northside Hospital employees. Her son called their favorite bagel shop – Goldbergs Fine Foods – and asked the manager if they would help. He agreed. “I was really stunned by the hundreds of bagels that we picked up that day,” Stieglitz said. Stieglitz started collecting the eatery’s excess bagels and distributing them to frontline workers once a week during the 2020 holiday season. Other restaurants soon joined the cause. “[I wanted to do] just my little part in making things better … and bagels were the answer for me,” Stieglitz said. ‘Literally one relationship at a time’ Stieglitz and her friend, Amy Wilensky, worked together to find businesses where they could “rescue” excess bagels. So far, they have formed partnerships with 71 businesses in metro Atlanta. Stieglitz calls them her “bagel babies.” “Everything was built just piece by piece,” she said. “It was literally one relationship at a time.” The duo also recruited other volunteers, including Jake Greenfield, a recent Dunwoody High School graduate. He started volunteering with Bagel Rescue during his sophomore year. With his mom, he started picking up bags of bagels and delivering them to Stieglitz. Greenfield later struck up a conversation with Kristin HathawayHansen, executive director of The Rich’s Foundation. The Atlanta-based grantmaking organization supports nonprofits working in a variety of areas. During that chat, Greenfield said a “light bulb went off,” and he connected Stieglitz with the foundation. It later granted

BAGEL RESCUE/PROVIDED

Dunwoody High School students make sandwiches with bread donated to Bagel Rescue during a community service project. The nonprofit organization delivers the sandwiches to its receiving agencies. $25,000 to Bagel Rescue. That gift helped Bagel Rescue lease a delivery van and keep its work going. “I think there’s so many times in all of our lives … where we have a choice in that moment STIEGLITZ to put things together in our brains,” Stieglitz said. “What seems like such a small gesture made such a huge difference to Bagel Rescue.” An ‘opportunity to help’ As a junior, Greenfield took on an expanded role with Bagel Rescue and joined the nonprofit’s teen program alongside other high schoolers. The program gives teens a “behind-thescenes” look at running such an organization. The students recruit

volunteers, lead delivery routes and facilitate community service projects, including making sandwiches and sorting deliveries. Greenfield said the best part of working with Bagel Rescue is seeing it grow throughout his hometown of Dunwoody. “It’s amazing we’re helping people,” Greenfield said. Dunwoody High senior Catherine Le, also the president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter, recently led one of Bagel Rescue’s sandwich-making projects. “We’ve worked with Bagel Rescue for a couple of years now,” Le said. “Their work and mission are admirable and something that we as an honor society are grateful to have the opportunity to work with.” Juliet Utreras, also a Dunwoody High senior, is a member of the nonprofit’s third teen group. She said the program

‘A huge impact, even with small things’ The nonprofit’s reach is steadily growing across the country. Volunteers have moved out of the Atlanta area and taken the mission with them. In 2025, Bagel Rescue expanded to Birmingham, Alabama, as well as Raleigh, North Carolina, and Portland, Oregon. The group also operates in Nashville, Tennessee, and Alexandria, Virginia. “We identified those cities as cities that have bagels to donate … and also areas of need,” Stieglitz said. In its first five years, the nonprofit has kept more than 1.7 million pounds of baked goods — bagels, breads and pastries — out of landfills. Volunteers have helped deliver 30,000 meals a week, with more than 4.4 million items donated to the group. Corporations are also recognizing the impact of Stieglitz’s organization and helping to grow Bagel Rescue. The nonprofit partners with around 20 Einstein Bros. Bagels locations in metro Atlanta. The chain’s leadership recently connected Stieglitz with three locations in Birmingham. “I know we will continue to grow into new markets,” Stieglitz said. “It’s going to be where we have some strong leaders and where we recognize that that’s a good place for us to be.” Stieglitz said she looks back at the organization’s humble beginnings — with hundreds of bagels stuffed in freezers in her garage — and feels full of joy. “I feel so lucky to get to be doing what I’m doing, and I feel like it happened just at the right time of my life,” she said. “Bagels are small, but we’re trying to show people that you can make a huge impact, even with small things.” To learn more about Bagel Rescue or to get involved with the organization, visit bagelrescue.com.

SPORTS

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 1, 2026 | 7

Blessed Trinity edges Lambert, Milton falls to Greenbrier By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com CUMMING, Ga. — Before nearby thunderstorms canceled the final game of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic at West Forsyth High School on Sept. 19, Blessed Trinity and Milton opened their seasons with mixed results. The Blessed Trinity Titans are the Division 4A flag football reigning champions, having bested the Milton Eagles in a 21-20 double overtime victory last December. The teams will meet again on Sept. 30, but with the shuffling of regions and divisions, they will not be in the same playoff bracket this year. Division 3 Blessed Trinity opened the day, lucking out to play in the morning sun. The Titans faced off against Division 5 Lambert, whose fourth-quarter surge was not enough to complete a comeback. The Titans emerged victorious, 18-14. The Lambert Longhorns, who are coming off a 2025 region championship, started their season with a tri-match against North and South Cobb Sept. 16. The team is now sitting 2-1, with a tri-match against Cedar Shoals and East Jackson Sept. 23 before a break until their tri-match with Berkmar and Buford Oct. 7. Back against the wall, Lambert quarterback Tessa Sosnin connected with receiver Nevelle Johns for a 38yard touchdown on a fourth down. Johns pulled in both of the Longhorns’ touchdown passes. Sosnin again showed up big, securing the conversion with a minute to go in the game with a completion to star receiver Hadley Sonmez, but Lambert fell four points short in the end. Blessed Trinity was ranked No. 21 in the nation in the Max Preps preseason rankings. Despite graduating their leading receiver, rusher, passer and several major pieces of their defense, head coach Brandon Harwell said “the ghosts of Titans past” don’t haunt them on the field, but their presence instead provides a boost that makes the current team better. Harwell said the seniors are “driving” the team. Many of these players have already proven themselves when the lights are bright against tough opponents. One of those players is Alex Bilson, who won the game’s Robbie Hunter MVP Award for personifying “all-out effort” every time she touched the field. Bilson posted four sacks in the second half, forcing the offense to adjust to her presence. Harwell described Bilson as “selfless in everything that she does.” “She gives of herself to others in every

ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA

Blessed Trinity seniors, from left, Catherine Darr, Reese Jackson, Alex Bilson, Addy Wilson and Chelsea Lewis celebrate kicking the season off with an 18-14 win over Lambert during the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic at West Forsyth High School on Sept. 19. Bilson, center, took home the Robbie Hunter MVP Award after wreaking havoc on the Longhorns’ offense with four sacks in the second half. way,” Harwell said. “Alex is willing to do what she needs to do to make us better, and she’s always enthusiastic.” Bilson is the type of player you would find running sprints on her own after practice was canceled, according to a story Harwell recounted about a rainy morning. “[She does it] just to get better and try to get ready,” he said. “And I think that just epitomizes who she is and what she brings to our team, and I think that rubs off on her teammates. This is a worker group; we still got a long way to go, but I think we’ve got the pieces to put something special together.” Senior Addy Wilson, who checked in at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and linebacker, said the team’s sights are set on the program’s third state title. “We’re a family; that’s what we’ve been all four years I’ve been here, and nothing’s different this year,” she said. “Everyone’s a leader; everyone picks each other up, no matter what.” Wilson, who scored her team’s third touchdown via a pick-6 in the first half, is committed to UNC-Charlotte for softball. Harwell and Blessed Trinity have made a habit of taking advantage of the arms available to them after seeing such success with Addie Spak, who is now a freshman

playing softball for Washington University in St. Louis. Milton opens season with loss Under the beating afternoon sun, the impromptu last game of the day was between Milton and Max Preps’ No. 9 team in the nation, Greenbrier. The game was between two of the top teams in Division 4. Greenbrier quarterback Addisen Odom was named to the first-team all-state last year and led the team to a Division 2 championship. It was the Eagles’ first time taking two straight losses since 2023. Head coach Clark Nixon said fall break this week will help his team reset their mindset and come back stronger. “You don’t win a state championship the first game of the season,” Nixon said. “[We have to] focus on ourselves, keep working every single day, building it brick by brick.” Nixon said frankly his team “didn’t deserve” to win a game where they had a first-and-goal opportunity with five yards to go and couldn’t score. If they want to compete for a title again this year, they need to be a team that finds the push to make a big-time play in the

moments they need it, he said. Milton, like Blessed Trinity, graduated their quarterback and several other major contributors. Nixon said he is confident in his new personnel and highlighted two returning receivers who have continued to be major pillars. Senior receiver/safety Caroline Marshall, who is committed to Clemson for lacrosse, is a two-time all-state honoree. Fellow senior Amelia White is also already proven. She put up over 800 receiving yards last year in the Eagles’ title game run. Greenbrier won the battle of timing for possessions, finding the end zone for the first time in the second half with just a minute left on the clock. Milton, who had connected on their conversion to give them a 1-point edge, didn’t have enough time to make it back to the end zone, and the game ended 13-7. This year, area groupings for flag football are the same as the regions for other major sports. Every team in Region 7-6A (Area 7-Division 4 for flag) competes in flag football, but several other regions have fewer teams than normal to account for those schools that do not have a full flag football team.

NEWS

8 | October 1, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

Local cancer institute looks to catch prostate cancer early In the first year of the mobile screening program, Winship personnel screened more than 2,500 men, making 40 prostate cancer diagnoses. The screenings also identified 377 men with elevated prostate-specific antigens for additional testing.

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — September was National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and local officials, including a Fulton County commissioner, say early detection is key to preventing and treating the disease. Commissioner Bob Ellis was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. He credits early detection with presenting a manageable plan for treatment, with no chemotherapy or radiation therapy needed. “It was eye-opening to see … the range of treatment options that are available for prostate cancer,” Ellis said. “It’s so eminently treatable when caught early.” The American Cancer Society says prostate cancer symptoms don’t typically present themselves until the disease’s more advanced stages, which is why annual screenings are so important. Those screenings are particularly important for Black men, who are nearly 70% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Black men are also more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer compared to white men. Ellis said the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University is leading the charge in researching, preventing, detecting and treating prostate cancer. The commissioner

FULTON COUNTY/PROVIDED

Fulton County officials — including Commissioner Bob Ellis, second from right — present a proclamation to representatives from the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. led his colleagues on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners in recently proclaiming Sept. 16 as Winship Cancer Institute Appreciation Day. Among other offerings, the nonprofit cancer research and patient care center

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has a bus that brings complimentary prostate cancer screenings to communities across Georgia. In August, Ellis hosted a men’s health tailgate at the county’s Health and Human Services Center in Alpharetta. The bus was there, and cancer center personnel performed the screenings — done through blood tests — on 110 men. It was the cancer center’s secondhighest turnout for the free, mobile screenings. The bus launched last year in partnership with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and Mount Sinai Health System. Blank, the cofounder of Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons, is a prostate cancer survivor and said at the launch that he personally knows the benefits associated with yearly screenings.

Screenings rise, but often too late According to statistics published by the American Cancer Society, new prostate cancer cases are increasing by about 3% each year, driven by a sharp rise in advanced-stage diagnoses. Health officials attributed the rise to more men getting screened but said too many still aren’t being tested early enough. “We’re seeing two things happen at once — more men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer and a growing share of those cases are happening at a more advanced stage,” Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer for the cancer society, said. “That tells us screening conversations are happening too late for too many men, particularly those at high risk for the disease.” The cancer society recommends men at an average risk for prostate cancer speak with their health care providers about screenings beginning at 50. Men at elevated risk, including Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer, should talk with their doctors earlier, at 45 or even at 40 if multiple close relatives have been diagnosed with the disease. Dr. Martin Sanda, director of Winship’s prostate cancer program and a urology professor at Emory’s School of Medicine, said men are often afraid of approaching the topic with their doctors. “It is vital for men to understand — or learn — that they can have influence over their own health and well-being,” Sanda said.

9 | Forsyth Herald | October 1, 2026

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The most serious market of the year Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings, Peachtree Town & Country The fourth quarter is the most serious market of the year. Every buyer touring a home in October has a reason to be there. Where the market stands The metro Atlanta market enters the fourth quarter in balanced territory on both sides of the Perimeter. Prices are holding, inventory has normalized, and pace has replaced urgency BILL RAWLINGS as the defining condition. What has changed most is not value but tempo, and tempo rewards preparation. The read below covers each of our markets on its own terms, across single-family, condominium, and townhome living. Town: Inside the Perimeter Buckhead's single-family segment closed the first half with more than $1 billion in volume across 541 sales, up 5.2% from the prior year. The strength at the top is real: ten single-family contracts were written above $3 million in June, up from four a year earlier, and September brought an estate sale at $18,600,000, the secondhighest residential price ever recorded in metro Atlanta. Overall supply remains near 4.4 months. The constraint in Buckhead is not demand. It is the limited number of

truly exceptional properties available at any given time, which is why well-positioned listings continue to command attention even as broader contract activity follows its normal seasonal curve through Brookhaven, Morningside, and Ansley Park. The condominium and townhome story in town splits cleanly by product. The broad resale condominium market is carrying heavier supply and longer market times, with roughly 550 condominiums available across Buckhead at a median list price near $315,000 and market times running around 80 days. New luxury product is the exception: Elyse Buckhead opened with more than $60 million in early contracts before breaking ground on West Paces Ferry, and recent closings at The Graydon, including its penthouse at $8,700,000, or $1,239 per square foot, define the segment's ceiling. Well-located buildings with strong amenities and management are holding value. Commodity units are competing on price, and their sellers should expect to. Country: Outside the Perimeter North Fulton continues to read as a balanced, orderly market. Alpharetta holds at roughly 4.4 months of supply, and accurately priced homes are going under contract in a median of about 24 days, while homes priced to last spring are sitting well past the first month. Milton, Roswell, and the Forsyth corridor follow the same pattern. The market is not punishing sellers. It is simply declining to reward optimism, and the sellers winning this fall are the ones pricing to the last ninety days of closed sales rather than to a neighbor's result from 2024. In the condominium and townhome segment, demand follows walkability. Townhomes near downtown Alpharetta and Avalon continue to command premiums

and shorter market times, with newer product running from the $600,000s to above $1.5 million, while entry-level townhomes remain available from the $300,000s across the broader corridor. New construction is this segment's real competition: builder incentives are shaping what buyers expect, and resale sellers should position against that product deliberately, on condition and location, rather than attempt to match it on concessions. The cost of money Mortgage rates drifted modestly higher through late summer and have settled in the mid-six range. Buyers have now lived with this environment long enough that it no longer delays decisions. The buyers in the market this fall have accepted the cost of money and are moving on value, condition, and fit. What we are advising clients right now For sellers, fourth-quarter traffic is thinner but meaningfully more intentional. A relocation, a school-year plan, a closed business chapter: the buyers touring now carry real timelines, and a residence priced correctly in October can close before year end. Price to the most recent closed sales, present the property at its best, and treat every showing as the serious inquiry it likely is. For buyers, this is the widest selection the fall has offered in several years, whether the search is a singlefamily residence, a townhome, or a condominium, paired with sellers who would rather finish the year with a closing than carry a listing into January. Move decisively on the right property, and let terms and timing work in your favor. The clients who act with intention this quarter will begin 2027 already settled, while others are just starting to look.

10 | October 1, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

ISTOCK

Take control of your next remodel Brought to you by – Bath and Kitchen Galleria For decades, the relationship between homeowners and the home improvement industry has been defined by friction and unfulfilled expectations. While technology has revolutionized sectors like retail and banking, residential remodeling remains stubbornly resistant to progress. Year -after -year, consumer protection agencies report the same reality: home improvement ranks near the top of consumer complaint lists. According to John Hogan, president of Alpharetta based Bath and Kitchen Galleria, “there are 3 main causes and there is a 5 step process to fix this. • The overwhelmed contractor: The vast majority of remodeling businesses employ fewer than five people. The person swinging the hammer is often the same person

trying to order materials, balance the books, and return your phone calls. When they get overwhelmed, proactive communication completely vanishes, leaving you in the dark. • The massive knowledge gap: Unless you work in construction, you don’t know the exact going rate for copper pipes or how long a drywall inspection should take. Contractors hold all the specialized knowledge. This massive information imbalance naturally amplifies anxiety and mistrust, especially when things start going wrong. • Living inside the factory: Remodeling is essentially a custom manufacturing process executed right inside your sanctuary. Forcing your family to live amidst dust, noise, and a rotating cast of strangers strikes at your basic need for comfort. This intense, daily spatial stress naturally magnifies every minor mistake or delay into a major emotional crisis.

How to take control of your remodel You do not have to be at the mercy of a broken system. On your next project, you can fundamentally alter the dynamics by setting strict, unyielding boundaries before anyone picks up a tool: • Make communication part of the agreement: Do not sign a contract until you agree on how and when you will get updates. Require a specific communication channel and a mandatory weekly status update. • Documented change-order rule: Hidden issues like rot or bad wiring happen. Protect yourself with a contract clause stating that no unexpected work will be paid unless a written “Change Order”—detailing the exact price and timeline delay—is signed by you before the work begins. • Documented construction drawings: They MUST be an exhibit to the contract. NEVER proceed without them and they MUST be 100% complete

before any material orders are placed. DO NOT DESIGN ON THE FLY! • Payment by milestones: NEVER agree to a payment schedule based on dates. Instead, tie your payments strictly to verifiable physical milestones (e.g., X % after rough plumbing, X % after drywall is hung, etc.). This ensures the contractor only gets paid when real progress is made. • Project schedule in writing. Contractor MUST provide a weekly schedule or Gantt chart showing work completed by week and completion date. With certainty, you can avoid the 80% home improvement dissatisfaction rate by requiring all of the above 5 items. These avoidance steps all need to happen before the job starts. To learn more about this contact John Hogan, 678 459 2292, Bath and Kitchen Galleria, 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector, Alpharetta.

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 1, 2026 | 11

12 | October 1, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

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AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 1, 2026 | 13

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14 | October 1, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

PROVIDED

Why wait? Move-in ready homes available now at Patrick Malloy Communities Brought to you by – Patrick Malloy Communities If a new home is on your wish list, why wait months to start enjoying it? Patrick Malloy Communities has an exceptional selection of Move-In Ready homes available now throughout metro Atlanta, including opportunities at the popular 55+ active adult communities of Soleil Belmont Park and Soleil Summit Chase, plus the final new construction home at Horizon at Laurel Canyon. Leading the way is Soleil Belmont Park in Canton, where homebuyers can move into a beautiful new home and immediately begin enjoying one of North Atlanta’s most impressive resort lifestyles. More than 70% sold, Soleil Belmont Park has become a sought-after destination for active adults looking for more than just a new home. The community’s

spectacular resort is open and bustling with activity, offering homeowners countless ways to stay active, socialize and connect with neighbors. Amenities include a spacious clubhouse with grand bar, resort-style swimming pool with cabanas, pool bar, pickleball and tennis courts, bocce, community gardens, an event lawn, fire pit, coffee café, and much more. An active lifestyle program keeps the calendar filled with fitness classes, pickleball, social events, clubs, celebrations and neighborhood gatherings. Best of all, buyers don’t have to wait to become part of it. A selection of Move-In Ready homes is available now at Soleil Belmont Park, featuring thoughtfully designed floorplans with open living areas, gourmet kitchens, luxurious owner’s suites and inviting outdoor spaces. Plus, for a limited time Soleil Belmont Park is offering

Free Unfinished Basements on select inventory homes. For buyers who are ready to make their move, it is an opportunity to choose a new home today and start enjoying the Soleil lifestyle sooner. Patrick Malloy Communities also offers another active adult opportunity at Soleil Summit Chase in Snellville. This 55+ community recently celebrated the grand opening of its new resort, giving homeowners an exciting new centerpiece for recreation, fitness and social activities. With Move-In Ready homes currently available, buyers can enjoy the convenience of new construction without the traditional building timeline. Currently Soleil Summit Chase has 5 movein ready homes priced under $500,000. For those looking for a spacious home in Canton, there is just one final new construction opportunity at Horizon at Laurel Canyon. This Move-In Ready home features

three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a large study, beautiful mountain views and a rare flat backyard on more than one acre. Residents also enjoy the established amenities of Laurel Canyon, including a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis, pickleball and walking trails. With no more new homes to follow, this is truly the last opportunity to purchase new construction in the community. Whether you are looking for a resortinspired 55+ lifestyle or a Move-In Ready home in an established community, Patrick Malloy Communities has something worth seeing now. Homes are priced from High $400’s to $1 million. Why wait to start your next chapter? Tour a Patrick Malloy Move-In Ready home today. Visit PatrickMalloyCommunities. com to view available homes and learn more about communities throughout metro Atlanta.

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 1, 2026 | 15

16 | October 1, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

OPINION

PICT RIDER/ISTOCK

Rage against the machine It is hard to know where to start. And maybe just simply, “rage” is the logical place. Road rage. AI rage. Political rage. Inflation rage. Clean air and water rage. Immigrant rage. RAY APPEN Food rage. Pesticide Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com rage. Vaccine rage. Wage rage. Facebook rage. School rage. Education rage. Gun rage. Screen rage. Social media rage. Tat rage. Home-school rage. Government rage. Regulation rage. War rage. Faith rage. Musk rage. Coal rage. EV rage. Waiting in line rage. Rage, rage, rage. Freaking exhausting. Meanwhile some go about their daily lives miffed that they have to wait an extra 30 seconds in the grocery store because the special-needs clerk moves too slow, or because someone can’t find their voucher to pay for food fast enough, or on the way to the grocery, that old guy slows down to enter the roundabout. Blast the horn. White knuckle-grip the steering wheel. Drop some F-bombs,

Rage – anger by another name – is something we live with day in and day out – to one degree or another...Rage perhaps is a manifestation of a sense of powerlessness – the feeling that you have no control over your life.” rage. Beat someone. Culture anger in a petri dish and make it grow. Only the petri dish is you. What is happening? Has it always been like this? Or is it business as usual but maybe wearing slightly different clothes? Life is hard, I know, but does it have to be this hard? I am not unhappy; why should anyone else be unhappy? I got mine; go out and work and get yours. Alarmist? Buzz-killer? Whiner? Bad attitude? Maybe. Probably. Bueller? My dad always used to say that “no news is good news.” Which is to say that at least nothing bad is happening. I suppose. But he saw bad stuff every day – day in and day out. He was a doctor in a small town with his own practice.

He saw a lot of sick people. Then, on weekends he would do a 24 hour shift in the ER. He saw even more sickness – a lot more. I always used to wonder how he could still function and see so many people hurting – so many people in pain – and still be able to smile or carry on a conversation with his children or wife – talk about history class, the recital, or her book club. Maybe he couldn’t. Maybe he was just pretending to be interested or care. Maybe he just blocked that part of his life out – compartmentalized it – so there was enough room left over for something positive – something affirming – something with light. But when you do that – when one isolates part of themselves from themselves – from the

inside and the outside world, what is left? Ah, there is the rub. Is it enough? Rage – anger by another name – is something we live with day in and day out – to one degree or another. Everyone has their own personal 24-hour ER shift of some kind and has to choose or find a path to deal with it. The “stuff” today is probably the same as the “stuff” in the past, but if there actually is a difference, it may be that much of life today is amplified — which makes it harder to escape or compartmentalize. That is, it is getting harder to believe that because life is not awful, that it is good. I am not sure how sustainable that path is. Rage perhaps is a manifestation of a sense of powerlessness – the feeling that you have no control over your life. As AI evolves – as technology takes an increasing role in our lives – in how the world around us works, is viewed, and communicated – it is hard to imagine our ability to cope with it all improves in any significant way although perhaps — just maybe — we can learn to find more balance in simple things – the arts, music, giving, sharing, helping, caring and faith. That wouldn’t change what we must cope with, but it might change how we nourish our souls and sustain ourselves.

PAST TENSE

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 1, 2026 | 17

The congregation of Prospect Methodist Church in Chamblee gathered in 1926 to celebrate the church centennial.

CHAMBLEE FIRST UNITED METHODIST ARCHIVES/PROVIDED

Chamblee First United Methodist Church celebrates bicentennial On Oct. 3 and 4, 2026, Chamblee First United Methodist Church will hold a bicentennial celebration weekend. The bicentennial logo for the church summarizes the with four VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF history words, “Deeply rooted, Columnist ever growing.” Two hundred years ago, a group of settlers founded Prospect Methodist Episcopal Church in what would later become known as Chamblee. In the early years, they met in homes or shared space with a neighbor church, Prosperity Presbyterian. Before the 1820s, the land that is Chamblee and DeKalb County was once home to the Muscogee Nation, sometimes referred to as the Creek. The Land Lottery of 1821 allowed for certain people to draw in a lottery for 202 ½ acres after the Muscogee were forcibly removed from their land. Twenty-four-year-old Benjamin T Watkins of Oglethorpe, Ga. purchased Land Lot 309 in the Lottery. That lot would become part of Chamblee, including the home of Prospect Methodist Church. (“First United Methodist Church, Chamblee, Ga.,1826-1976”) The first Prospect building was a splitlog house where the Shallow Ford crossing met Peachtree Road. The next church was built in 1847. The building was “… of frame construction, weather-boarded with rough boards, had simple windows, and apparently no ceiling. There was no

stove or fireplace for heating.” (“History of Prospect Methodist Episcopal Church” by S. T. McElroy) The church had two front doors, a common practice for the time. The men entered the door on the right and sat on the right side of the church, while the women entered and sat on the left with their children. A warranty deed for 2 ½ acres was executed in 1851 by John Y. Flowers, serving as executor of the estate of John W. Reeves. The deed listed Samuel House, Stephen Tilly, Alfred T. H. Pool, and Jabez M. Loyd as trustees for the church. With the arrival of the railroad, changes came to Chamblee and Prospect saw the need for a new church building. A new structure was built in 1885, still with two front doors. Prospect Methodist Church continued at this location, 5706 Peachtree Road until 1966. The building still stands. Seeing the need for a new and larger church home, 38 acres of land was purchased on Chamblee Dunwoody Road. A ground-breaking ceremony for First United Methodist Church of Chamblee at 4147 Chamblee Dunwoody Road was

held on April 18, 1965. The church opened its doors in 1967 at 4147 Chamblee Dunwoody Road. (“First United Methodist Church, Chamblee Georgia 1827-1976”) This property was part of 1100 acres purchased by William R. Wallace, a Confederate veteran, soon after the Civil War ended. He operated a sawmill on the west side of the road. The Wallace family were active members of Prospect Church. Later, the land became part of Dr. Luther Fischer’s estate known as Flowerland. The bicentennial celebration will include tours of Prospect Methodist Cemetery on Oct. 3 beginning at 10 a.m. The historic cemetery is located behind the old Prospect Church building. Sunday Oct. 4 will be Heritage Day at the church. A ministry open house will be held at 12:30 p.m. The sanctuary will open at 1:30 p.m. and worship service will be at 2 p.m. There will be a barbecue supper on the grounds at 4 p.m. Heritage Hall, the church’s amazing display of church history and photographs, will be open to visitors. Former and current members, neighbors and those who want to know more about the church are all welcome to attend. Visit chambleeumc.org/

chamblee-first-umc-bicentennial for more information, to sign up for a cemetery tour and to RSVP for Sunday’s events. A new bicentennial book includes church and community history, telling the story from the early days of Prospect to today’s Chamblee First UMC. The book, written by Dr. Ray Dunahoo and Rob Suggs, honors the history of the church and the city of Chamblee. The efforts of several church members and employees made the book possible. It is available for purchase on the website. Thank you to Linda King, director of hospitality and membership at Chamblee First United Methodist Church, for sharing her knowledge and the church archives. Looking to the future, the Chamblee Rail Trail will cross the front lawn of the church. CFUMC sees this as an opportunity to continue to welcome neighbors and serve those in need, just as they have for 200 years. Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. Write her at pasttensega@gmail. com. Learn more at pasttensega.com.

DEATH NOTICES Wilma Hardy, age 101, of Roswell, GA passed away on September 20, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Mickey McCracken, age 88, of Roswell, GA passed away on September 17, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Edith O’Keefe, age 98, of Roswell, GA passed away on September 19, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

18 | October 1, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

School: Continued from Page 1 In a 2025 proclamation, Forsyth County School Board members called for a reduction in high-density residential development, citing rising student enrollment. Chairman Alfred John said county and school officials have discussed the health of the school system and how it is impacted by growth. “We have got to be more diligent in what types of residential zonings we approve," John said. Growth can increase the number of students the school system is required to educate and impact taxpayers by requiring them to fund new schools to educate them, he said. “Building a school takes somewhere between $150 million and $200 million,” he said. “And that’s just building the physical structure. Then you talk about the teachers and the staff and the administrators and all the programs. That’s a huge burden on our taxpayers.” In the past 10 years, student enrollment has grown by 40 percent, and 11 new facilities have been constructed, the district said. It is now the fifth largest district in Georgia, employing more than 8,000 people for its more than 55,000 students.

A Forsyth County graphic shows nearby school capacity and enrollment as part of a rezoning request. As of 2025, the district had 42 schools, including 23 elementary, 11 middle and eight high schools in addition to its Academy of Creative Education.

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In a presentation to commissioners, county staff proposed providing a graphic to commissioners for rezoning requests that would indicate the enrollment and capacity of nearby schools. The proposal is the result of ongoing discussions with county and school district staff. County Manager David McKee said that approach could allow commissioners to better assess the impact of proposed developments. It also could allow the county to better defend its decisions to developers. “We’re trying to give you something in the staff report that is very easily digestible but also is defensible if you make a decision that is contrary to what a developer wants,” he said. Commissioner Laura Semanson said

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commissioners have previously considered examining school enrollment to a greater degree in zoning decisions. She said those efforts failed to “go anywhere,” adding she again is interested in using the data. “We need to have actionable pathways coming out of this,” she said. Commissioner Kerry Hill said lowering density is an ongoing battle and one she has had success with in her district. She added density is only one consideration because some low-density residential projects may nevertheless contribute numerous students simply because of their large size. Those considerations, she said, also must be balanced with the rights of landowners making zoning requests.

Puzzles

er 8/7/25 Connect-it

PuzzleJunction.com

Connect-It

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

Forsyth Herald ....................................October 1, 2026 | 19

Dunwoody Crier 8/7/25 Crossword

CITIES OF THE WORLD 1. City in Montana. Hurry up. Like a beaver. 2. Edible mushroom. Sheik’s bevy. City in Peru. 3. Swiss city. Bird of prey. Genre of music. 4. Gambling game. City in Belarus. Like a sheep. 5. City in Utah. Disney dog. Miserly. 6. Baby’s bed. Malian city. Spill the beans. 7. Beach sight. Fertile track in a desert. City in North Dakota. PuzzleJunction.com

2 3

/14/25 Sudoku7

World Cities 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, soaon. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each 1. Montana city. Hurry up. and Like beaver. 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 3 answers on the puzzle, line. Sheik’s But each here’srow, the catch! Theand clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually 2. Edible bevy. City of Peru. Tothe solve themushroom. Sudoku column be formust the second or the thirdnumbers answer in 1that line. Got it? Good luck! box contain to 9. 3. Swiss city. Bird of prey. Music genre.

4. Gambling game. City of Belarus. Like a sheep.

5. Utah city. Disney dog. Miserly.

3 5

6. Baby’s bed. City of Mali. Spill the beans. 7. Beach sight. Fertile track in a desert. North Dakota city.

9 9 3

7 1

7 4 1 6

5 3 9 2 7 6

6 5

9 8

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

Solution 6 5 9 2 1 8 3 7 4

3 4 2 7 6 5 9 8 1

7 8 1 3 9 4 2 5 6

8 1 6 9 3 2 5 4 7

2 7 4 5 8 1 6 3 9

9 3 5 4 7 6 1 2 8

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

Across

1 Comic Sandler 5 Nabokov novel 8 Destiny 12 Fight decisions 14 Peddle 16 Food thickener 17 Stave off 18 Roof overhang 19 Water stoppers 20 School assignment 22 Fissure 24 Three-way joint 25 Sandusky’s county 27 Ransacker 29 Waterford lass 32 Psyche 33 Aphrodite’s lover 34 First name in jeans 37 Choler 41 Came across 42 Looks up to 44 Sugary drink 45 Conundrum 47 Wild oxen 48 Auxiliary 49 Irritation 51 Nonstop 53 London attraction 56 Residence hall 57 Preceded 58 Resting on 60 Nonpoetic writing 63 Mishmash 65 Pitfall 67 Pontificate 69 Swill 70 Discharge 71 Fit for a king 72 Paving stone 73 Menu words 74 Plaything

PuzzleJunction.com 2

8 15

21 25

22 26

23 27

1 9 3 8 2 7 4 6 5

4 6 7 1 5 3 8 9 2

44 48

51 55

58 64

69 72

43 47

56 59

60 66

71 73

Down 1 Wanted-poster letters 2 ‘93 Kevin Kline comedy 3 Some votes 4 Crumbs 5 Caesar’s hello 6 Letter opener 7 Blacksmith’s block 8 Craze 9 Banded stone 10 Circus performer 11 Highlands tongue 13 Rubberneck

15 Roxana author 21 Traffic sign 23 Cloaks 26 Hostile force 28 Heavy weight 29 Tastelessly funny 30 Popular cookie 31 Leases 35 ___ Appia 36 Annoyed 38 Acquire 39 Mythology anthology 40 Quaint dance 42 Curacao neighbor

43 Bar in court 46 Physics unit 48 Type of car 50 Actress Davis of Mr. Skeffington 52 Trial’s partner 53 Scarlett O’Hara, e.g. 54 Dimwit 55 Bellini opera 57 Red ink amount 59 Beach item 61 Palm starch 62 List abbr. 64 Choose 66 Educ. group 68 Building wing

See puzzle solutions on Page 20

Is Your Company Hiring? Solution on next page

5 2 8 6 4 9 7 1 3

24 28

Submit your opening at appenmedia.com/hire

20 | October 1, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

3 SOLUTIONS Solution

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

9 9 3

7 4 1 6

5 3 9 2 6 7 5 8 6Connect-It9 Solution

7 1

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Solution

7 F A R G O A S I S U R F

6 5 9 2 1 8 3 7 4

3 4 2 7 6 5 9 8 1

7 8 1 3 9 4 2 5 6

8 1 6 9 3 2 5 4 7

2 7 4 5 8 1 6 3 9

9 3 5 4 7 6 1 2 8

5 2 8 6 4 9 7 1 3

1 9 3 8 2 7 4 6 5

4 6 7 1 5 3 8 9 2

Kim Truett Roger Wise Jr. Colt Whittall

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Jennifer Phillippi Robert Popp Dave Rhinehart Sergey Savin Heather Sawyer Kate Seng Karen Shih

Christina Singleton Bob Stevens Kimberly Verska Carol Williams

Ann Donie Rebecca Donlan James Dorsey Tom Driscoll Michael Dudgeon Jeanette Dummer DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Thomas Edmonds William Edmundson Denise Eicher Mim Eisenberg Danny Elkins Su Ellis Grady Evans Leslie Ann Everett Steve Fabian Carol Fain Martha Fasse Nell & Doug Fernandez Renai Fitzpatrick Daniel Fleck Lee Fleck Laura Floyd Andrew Flynn Cathy Flynn Paul Folger Adrienne Fontaine Mary Ford Nanci Foster Amy Frederick Kelly Frommer Carol Fry

Tim Fulton Andrew Garner Tracey Ganesh Steve Garrett Daniel Gay Matthew Geller John Gibbs John Gilberto Leslie Gilliam Bailey & Ryan Gladysz Michelle Glotzbach Harvey Goldberg Christopher Goodrich Jim Gray Ralph Griffin Rihard Griffiths Elaine Gwynn Carolyn Hall Marilee Hamilton Susan Hanna Marion Hannah Chris Harrell Roxanne Hazen Penn Hodge Dianne & Steffan Holmquist Joan Hostetter Julie Hostetter Krista Howland Austin Hughes Jason Hunyar Jacqueline Hursh Barbara Hurt-Simmons

MEMBER

5 C H E A P L U T O R E M 6 C R I B L A B A M A K O

Bruce Paulk Ross & Lori Ramsey Sarah Reiter Mark Rundle Matthew Sayle Lynn Thomas

MEMBER+

Allison January Michael Kenig Roderick Liptrot Bob Meyers Claude Nardy Cliff Oxford

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 Marcus Ashworth Amy Auffant Bonnie Avera Carolyn Axt Bangkok Boxing LLC Sandra Balmer Shannon Banna Beth Barnes Michael Baron Janet Bass Caitlin Bates Jannet Bauer Barbara Bauschka Miriam Beattie Kathy Beck Laura Bentley William Bentley Steve Berman

Leslie Berry Tom Billings Caroline Blackmon Tochie Blan Ron Boddicker Jodi Bogen JoAnn Bogner Sherri Bolles-Rogers Katherine Bolt Helen Borland Debra Bowen Joe Bowen Kenneth Bowman David Boy Ryan Brainard Mark Brandus Mel Brannen Amy Bratten Carol Bright Linda Brill Dorothy Brouhard Mary Anne Brown Erendira Brumley Zack Buchanan Lee Buechele Bernhard Burgener Alvin Burrell Mike & Theresa Buscher Mary Busman Clea Calloway Jean Campbell Kirk Canaday

James Carr Bridgette Carter William Carter William Cartwright Linda & Frank Catroppa Pat Check Virginia Christman Adam Cleveland Ann Coaloa Kim Coggins Michael Cohen Kathleen Cohen Evelyn Collazo Jeffery Conn Michael Mackenzie Communications Joan Compton Kathleen Cook Carol Cookerly Terri Coons Sarah Cox Cynthia Crawford Rhonda Cude Connie Cunningham Christopher Cupit Bart Dean David Dean Duane DeBruler Marilyn DeCusati Kathleen DeMartino Nancy Diamond Sarah Donehoo

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.

Scan QR code to join the Appen Press Club

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 1, 2026 | 21

Support Local News Join Appen Press Club

Join today for $16/month

MEMBER (CONT.) Susan Huss Paul Huth Jeffrey Hyde J. Craig Inman Sandra Jacobs Susan Jacques Lynn Johnson Tyler Jones Zach Jones Patricia Kachur Amy Kanderis Arthur Kebanli Laura Keck Mark Kelly Nancy Kennell Randall Kent Carol Kerr Sally Klaskala Allison Kloster Dyna Kohler Brett Koutnik Larry Krueger Jess & Chris Kysar Malinda Lackey Sarah Lamm Daniel Lashinsky Richard Lapin Christine Law Brandon Leach Dennis Lee Ken Leffingwell Carol Lehan

Melissa Libby Bonnie Lind Francia Lindon Karen Lippert Harlan Little Jarrett Long Ross Long Kyser Lough Rita Loventhal Jerry Lucas Brenda Lundy Harry Lutz Rita Loventhal Karen Magill Freda Manning-Rumph Hilbert Margol Julie Martin Linda & Todd Martinez Carla Masecar Valerie Matthews Theresea Mattioli William Maxwell Nicole Mayer Rachel McCord Austin McCully Diane McDonald Evan McElroy Karen McEnerny Jack McGinnis Lynn McIntyre Mike McLoughlin Margaret McManus

Jay O’ Meara Celia Mendez Jennifer Mendoza Dan Merkel Al Merrill Chris Miller Christine Miller Patricia Miller Milton Animal Hospital George Mobley Joe Modica Fred Moeller Sarah Moen Catherine Moore Ralph Moore Carol Morgan Kathy Morgan Stu Moring Karen Mowery Leslie Mullis Donna Murphy Jack Murphy Aileen Nakamura George Nathan Caroline Naughton Richard Nichols Cindy Nolan North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. Carol & Carl Obenland Tricia Novarro Bob O’Brien Martha O’Brien

THE FUTURE OF LOCAL NEWS

Jay O’Meara Diana O’Sullivan Anne Pappas Lynn Pennington Jonathan Peters Kurt & Leslie Phillips Mary & Jan Phillips James Potts Debra Powell Seth Price Joyce Provissiero Chuck Pugh Douglas Quat Patricia Rackliffe Robert Radloff Raj Rajagopalan Pankaj Rajankar Ashwin Ramaswami Cheryl Rand Manu Rao James Rasmussen Paula Rattray Lori Rausch Jean Rearick Joseph Reed Scarlett Reynolds Righteous PR Angie Rigney Sean Riley Neil Robertson Rory Robichaux Kimberly Robinson

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.

Matt Rohs Kim Romaner Courtney Rozear Fran Russell Janet Sandberg Carolina Santos Kelly Sarmiento Fran Schefer Derek Scheidt Dorothy Scherr Stephanie Schniederjan The Schoenblum Family Robert Scholz Robert Schreiner Stephanie Schuette Susan Searles Frances Segars Tracy Shealy Tina Shelton Lisa Shippel Steve Short Tom Simon Cindy Simpson Robert Singleton Faye Sklar Mitchel Skyer Judith Slaughter Andy Smith Lee Smith Tia Solh Morris Soriano Heidi Sowder

Gena Spears Donald Spencer Melissa Spencer Jordan Spivack Jan Stephens Judith Stewart Wesley Stewart Cathryn Stovall Celeste Strohl Diana Sullivan Andy Sumlin Kathy Swahn Carol Tall Mike Tasos Candice Teichert The Small Business Advisor Suzanne & Bob Thomas William Tietjen Lisa Tilt Michael Townes Trunnion LLC Matthew Tyser Edward Votta Linda Wabler Ollie Wagner Lewis Walker Elizabeth Waller Valerie Walters-Gold Ann Marie Warning Terry Warnke Jonathan Washburn Michael Watson

Deborah Weiss Michael Weiss Herbert Wells Benjamin Wemberly Beverly Whisenant Sally White Thom White Umpika White Mae Whiteside Ashley Whitt Jennifer Wieland Christine Williams Jamie Wimberly Jonathan Winkie Nancy & Dave Wistrand Kalle Wood Theresa Woolridge Laura Wysong Jonathan Young

THE APPEN PRESS CLUB

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. Scan QR codeto join the Appen Press Club

22 | October 1, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

Appen Media Wins 2026 Georgia Press Association General Excellence Bringing Journalistic Excellence to North Atlanta 1st Place

Page One – Staff Layout & Design – Staff Education Writing – Jim Bass Serious Column – Carl Appen

2nd Place

Local News Coverage – Staff Business Writing – Staff, Dan Whisenhunt, Dean Hesse, Jim Bass Education Writing – Jim Bass and Zoe Seiler Feature Photograph – Dean Hesse Serious Column – King Williams Humorous Column – Pat Fox Feature Writing – Dan Whisenhunt

3rd Place

Page One – Dionna Williams Layout & Design – Dionna Williams Local News Coverage – Staff Serious Column – Pat Fox Feature Column – Steve Hudson Feature Writing – Jim Bass Newspaper Website – Decaturish.com

ADVERTISING 1st Place

Health Care Ad – David Brown Food Ad – David Brown Home Furnishings/Appliances Ad – David Brown Classified Section/Page – Staff Signature Page – David Brown

2nd Place

Food Ad – David Brown Service/Institutional Ad – David Brown Non-Traditional Ad – David Brown

AppenMedia.com 770.442.3278

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 1, 2026 | 23

Part-time

SERVICE DIRECTORY

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR (Part-Time) Alpharetta Presbyterian Church Seeking an organized, detail-oriented professional to support church operations and staff. Position is 2025 hours per week, M-F, on-site. Responsibilities include: • Human resources administration and staff support • Church operational and administrative functions • Technology systems coordination and support • Insurance, compliance, and records management • Vendor and contractor administration To apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter to alpharettajobopening@gmail.com

Qualifications: • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree required • Strong computer and organizational skills • Experience in office administration, operations management, HR, or related field preferred • Excellent communication skills and ability to maintain confidentiality • Successful criminal records/child abuse background check required

Electricians

Home Cleaning/Organizing

Belco Electric

Move in, move outs, one time or monthly cleanings, clean out a room, need some organizing? CALL Tracey Wood @ 470-779-9981

“Family Owned Since 1972” Fast Dependable Service by Professional Uniformed Electricians

Check out our new website:

770-455-4556 BelcoInc.com

and follow us on:

Your North Atlanta News & Podcast Source AppenMedia.com

Garage Sale 11565 Northgate Way - Roswell Oct. 3 Saturday 8-3pm, Oct 4 Sunday 10 - 3pm. Clothing, shoes, holiday decor, dishes, misc.

To place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com. Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm

NATIONAL ADVERTISING Autos Wanted Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

Health & Fitness

Home Services

No more cleaning gutters. Guaranteed! LeafFilter backed by no-clog guarantee & lifetime warranty. Call 1-833-610-1936 to schedule FREE inspection/ estimate. Get 15% off your entire order. Military & Seniors get additional 10% off. Limited time. Restrictions apply, see rep for details.

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Is Your Company Hiring? Submit your opening at appenmedia.com/hire

24 | October 1, 2026 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

IN THE WORDS OF OTHERS WE COULD TELL YOU — THEY DID IT FOR US Every honor below was decided by clients, colleagues, our community, or our own team.

BEST REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE

BEST IN THE CITY

BEST NEW BUSINESS

Awarded, People’s Choice for 2026

Awarded, The Ones to Watch in 2026

Awarded, People’s Choice for 2025

Modern Luxury | INTERIORS

Modern Luxury | THE ATLANTAN

Appen Media | North Atlanta

TOP ATLANTA WORKPLACE

BEST REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE

BEST LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESS

Awarded, Employee’s Choice for 2026

Awarded, People’s Choice for 2026

Nominated, People’s Choice for 2026

Axios Atlanta and Energage

Appen Media | North Atlanta

6 HONORS. 1 YEAR. AND WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED.