Johns Creek girls lacrosse makes school history ► PAGE 4
M ay 1 4 , 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 . 2 0
Girl Scouts to unveil new statue honoring military working dogs By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com
and chair for the tour, said visitors were astounded by the dedication and gardening prowess on display. Hidden in the backyards of nondescript homes, the gardens provide their owners a natural escape from the suburban world and channel for creativity.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — What started as a simple question from girls in a Brownie troop has grown into a major community project in Johns Creek. Girl Scout Troop 22167, based at State Bridge Crossing Elementary School, will unveil a life-size bronze military working dog monument at the Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk at Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road May 23. The ceremony is at 10 a.m. and is open to the public. The girls were 8 and 9 and working on a community service badge when they visited the Memorial Walk. They were awed by the 250-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and by the monuments honoring all service branches. Several Scouts asked why wasn’t there a tribute to military working dogs? “The seed was planted,” troop leader Julie Todd said. For the past year, the girls now 10 and 11, have been holding car washes, selling popcorn and seeking community donations to raise more than $15,000 needed to commission a statue of a military working dog. The sculpture was created by artist Lena Toritch. The dog intentionally has no name, so it represents all military working dogs who have served alongside American troops, Todd said.
See GARDEN, Page 16
See SCOUTS, Page 19
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Nancy and Grady Barnhill stand in a gateway at their home’s garden May 9.
Six secret gardens revealed By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — With enough dedication, a backyard can become an oasis from the stress of daily life, six John Creek homeowners proved. Nonprofit Johns Creek Beautification unveiled “secret” gardens during
a May 9 fundraising tour. Sales from the Secret Garden Tour will support a major public sculpture honoring Native American and Indigenous heritage. The organization works to enhance community well-being and natural beauty through landscaping initiatives and public works of art. Liliana Brenner, nonprofit president
2025 DR. JOHN REYES
DR. INGRID REYES
DR. NATU MMBAGA
DR. SHELLEY ZIPPAY
DR. ZIN ALONSO
404.446.2496 | WWW.REYESOBGYN.COM
EMILY DIXON, CNM
DR. WHITNEY COOK
9TH YEAR IN A ROW!
THANK YOU!
LYNDSEY PULLIAM, CNM
SKYLER JACOBS, CNM
JULIET PULLIAM, CNM
KATIE VAUGHN, CNM
KRISTINE RAYNARD, CNM
ALPHARETTA | JOHNS CREEK | CUMMING
Best OB/GYN DR. TINA LU
DR. MIRANDA LONG
KRISTI PRESLEY, WHNP
JOANNE LEE, FNP
AMBER BECKER, WHNP
HEMALI PATEL, WHNP
“We focus on personal, compassionate care”
EMILY CHUNG, FNP
PAIGE MAROLF, WHNP
LANA WERTZ, CNM
ERICA RICHMOND, CNM
ANNA HEPBURN, PA