Memory Care Is ALL We Do!
(770) 476-3678 TheMemoryCenter.com 12050 Findley Rd. | Johns Creek, GA 30097 (Behind Emory Johns Creek Hospital)
J u n e 2 9 , 2 0 2 3 | 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 2 7 , N o . 2 6
City celebrates Juneteenth Local author discusses ‘slavery of the mind’
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — More than 3,000 visitors attended the Juneteenth celebration at Newtown Park June 17, commemorating the emancipation of the country’s enslaved Black Americans. Held from 3-9 p.m. at the Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater, the event featured a gospel choir, storytelling, violin, a step routine, rap, spoken word and jazz. There was also a fish fry and barbecue, vendors selling crafts and other products as well as kids’ activities. “I could not be more proud of our Johns Creek community,” Mayor John Bradberry said on the city’s Facebook post. “Thank you to all the resident volunteers that guided this event to the success that it was. Unity - Peace - Freedom. Happy Juneteenth!” The special gathering also included a book fair, featuring several local Black authors whose works cover a variety of topics. sharon-vanessa horton-pellom was one, selling her work. “We live in a culture of trying to find truth in all of this, so we can be at peace,” horton-pellom said. “And, that has never been found … So, we enjoy getting together and knowing who we are, reminding us who we are, and just enjoying each other because we have so many talents.” She developed coursework for her newest book, “AWAKE!: The Creator/she/ he,” which is about the need to research information within deceptive times. While
Johns Creek opens gates to new park
PHOTOS BY CITY OF JOHNS CREEK/PROVIDED
Food and fellowship abound at Johns Creek’s Juneteenth event. Juneteenth signifies the freeing of Black Americans from physical slavery, hortonpellom said “AWAKE!” is about the “slavery of the mind.” “People don't read, and they don't research,” she said. “They just go along with the group.” The book’s precursor, “He Lives: A living testimony,” was named after her father’s last words, what she had come to see as a testament to spirituality. Both books were available at the event and stem from horton-pellom’s journey following his death. “I started living my life,” horton-pellom said. “I started seeing how the Creator, what I call him, shows up and shows out in our lives, and leads, guides and directs all things if we just have that connection with him.”
For more information about sharonvanessa horton-pellom, visit awaken11-us.org.
A saxophonist performs at Johns Creek’s Juneteenth celebration June 17. More than 3,000 visitors came together for a day of live entertainment, food and activities at Newtown Park, commemorating the emancipation of the country’s enslaved Black Americans.
ROOF TROUBLE? Ceiling Spots • Rotting • Blistering • Buckling Spots Call For A FREE Roof Analysis – 770.744.5700
Top Rated Appen Rated BBB Angie’s List
99
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — About 100 people gathered to celebrate the “soft opening” of Cauley Creek Park June 20, welcoming residents to use some of the park’s amenities. Located on Bell Road, Cauley Creek Park encompasses 203 acres. Three quarters of the near-$26 million project was funded by a bond referendum passed by Johns Creek voters in 2016. “We have effectively doubled our available green space and parkland in the city,” Mayor John Bradberry said. “It is bigger than Piedmont Park, and it's just the latest investment that we've made towards quality of life, towards making this a city of health and wellness.” Erica Madsen, soon-to-be Johns Creek parks director, had taken the lead on the project. She described park features open for use, including a 5K rubberized trail and more than 10 lighted sports sites for basketball, futsal, pickleball and sand volleyball. There are also two synthetic and two turf lighted athletic fields, which have a cricket overlay, as well as a pedestrian bridge and river overlooks. The council recently agreed to have permanent lines sewn into one of the synthetic turf fields for football. Goal posts for football as well
See PARK, Page 5
$500 OFF* New Roof Purchase
Cannot combine with any other offer or discount. Valid GA only. Present coupon AFTER getting quote.
*Offer expires 10 days after publication
Roof Repair and Replacement