Arts on the Boardwalk showcases creativity ► PAGE 4 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
Fulton County to hold virtual town hall on millage rate PHOTOS COURTESY MINORI DE SILVA
Minori de Silva, a 16-year-old Johns Creek ballerina, is lifted into the air by her partner during a performance.
Teen dancer earns spot at Royal Ballet School By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Minori de Silva, 16, was standing in a Chattahoochee High School hallway when her entire life changed. In March, she had been waiting for an email, and when it arrived, she didn’t wait to find a quieter location. Instead, she opened it where she stood and couldn’t stop the tears. She has received an honor few dancers get: acceptance to the Royal Ballet Upper School in London, the training ground for one of the most storied ballet companies in the world. Onward to London Her time in ballet started when she
was 7 at the MorningStar Dance Academy in Johns Creek. For four years, she has been involved with the Royal Ballet School as an international scholar. She traveled to London more than three years ago, spending a week at the “White Lodge” — the Royal Ballet Lower School. De Silva is one of 17 dancers entering the upper school. Over the next three years, she will work on a bachelor’s degree, taking coursework in the United Kingdom. She is most nervous, she says, about essay writing and presentations. It’s not de Silva’s first time being selected out of a sea of dancers. She was one of four dancers from the U.S. to be selected as a candidate for the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland for the second straight year.
See MINORI, Page 17
Minori de Silva, a 16-year-old from Johns Creek, poses during a ballet performance. She was recently accepted to the Royal Ballet Upper School in London.
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County residents are invited to an Oct. 6 virtual town hall about the county’s millage rate. Set for 6:30 p.m., the event will discuss the rate and the process that establishes it. To register for and attend the Zoom event, visit fultoncountyga.gov. Members of Fulton County’s executive team and finance department will join District 1 Commissioner Bridget Thorne to help explain the levy. The Fulton County Board of Commissioners has proposed a millage rate of 8.87 mills, an increase of 0.048 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $625,000 is approximately $10.56. A public hearing on the proposed rate is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 7. The hearings will be held at Government Center Assembly Hall, 141 Pryor Street in Atlanta. Interested parties can also attend through videoconferencing. For more information and the Zoom link, visit fultoncountyga. gov.
2 | October 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek
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HEALTH
Local cancer institute looks to catch prostate cancer early 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 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 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.
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. 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. 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 prostatespecific antigens for additional testing. 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.
NEWS
AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2026 | 3
Medley set to open Oct. 29 as residents eye new hangout By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Residents say they think the soon-to-open Medley mixeduse development could change how the city shops, dines and unwinds. With an Oct. 29 ribbon-cutting event looming, the $560 million project is set to bring roughly 164,000 square feet of walkable retail, restaurant and entertainment space to 43 acres at the corner of McGinnis Ferry Road and Johns Creek Parkway. The development also includes 110,000 square feet of office space, 748 rental homes, 133 for-purchase townhomes and a 25,000-square-foot plaza. The project broke ground in early 2025. A Trader Joe’s location opened at the development in June. In late September, construction was continuing, with workers and equipment present at the site. Residents said they are eager for the mixed-use center to open. Resident Sandra Hardy said she thinks the project fills a gap in the city’s shopping and dining options. Although the city already has much to offer, she thinks the community could use more destinations. “I’ve been waiting for it,” she said. For years, Hardy said she has found herself often traveling to Alpharetta, Buck-
RECREATION & PARKS
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Construction of the Medley mixed-use development continues Sept. 26. Medley, which includes retail, restaurant, entertainment and office space as well as residences and a large plaza, opens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 29.
head and other Atlanta communities to eat out and shop. Hardy said she is eyeing several posh restaurants at the center, including 26 Thai Kitchen and Bar and the Chops Lobster Bar, which will anchor the site’s future hotel. Medley will include 21 restaurants, bars, cafes and eateries, including Amorino Gelato, Tonic House, Minnie Olivia Wood Fire Pizzeria, Fadó Irish Pub, STIR, Summit
Coffee and more. Alan and Carol Kovar visited Medley Sept. 26 to get a sneak peek. The Johns Creek couple said they plan to dine there, particularly for get-togethers with their adult children and grandkids. The Kovars said Medley represents an exciting opportunity to “people-watch” and visit with neighbors. Yusuf Hafiane, another resident, said he thinks Medley will greatly add to the Town Center district as a recreational area. Hafiane said he already frequents The Boardwalk, a new nearby trail and gathering space behind City Hall. Hafiane routinely runs through the area as part of his ultra-marathon training regimen. He said he sees himself visiting Medley with friends after visits to The Boardwalk. He said his friend group loves to hang out at coffee shops or simply walk and talk. They already often visit Avalon and Halcyon, two mixed-use centers in Alpharetta. “This will bring an aspect that Johns Creek is kind of missing,” Hafiane said. “We’ve got really nice parks and nice living situations, but we need the middle ground of a place where people can walk around.” He said he looks forward to the new mixed-use development supporting the local economy and bringing in more young
OCTOBER
Oct. 3 Summer Concert Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra Newtown Park - 6 p.m. Oct. 5 Millage Rate Pubic Hearing City Hall - 11 a.m. City Council Work Session City Hall - 5 p.m. Millage Rate Pubic Hearing City Hall - 6 p.m. City Council Meeting City Hall - 7 p.m.
people to Johns Creek. “I think it’ll bring a lot more life,” Hafiane said. Medley’s developer is Toro Development Co., which also developed Avalon. A future phase of the Medley development, Encore, is set to open in 2027. A 150-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel will open at the Medley site in 2028. Ready to visit? The developer will celebrate Medley’s opening with three events at the end of October: • “Medley Unveiled: An Exclusive Opening Night,” set for 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 28. The exclusive preview benefits the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra. Tickets — set at $175 — include signature tastings and cocktails from Medley businesses, a tour, a gift bag and more. • The ribbon-cutting ceremony, set for 10 a.m. Oct. 29. It’s free and open to the public. Medley doors will open right after the event. • “Party on the Plaza,” set for 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 30. The family-friendly block party, which is free and open to the public, features live music and other fun. Costumes are encouraged. Learn more about these events at medleyjohnscreek.com/grand-opening.
City Calendar & Events! 2026
Oct. 8 Arts, Cultural, & Entertainment Committee City Hall - 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 City Council Work Session City Hall - 5 p.m.
Oct. 8 Adaptive Recreation Field Day* Cauley Creek Park - 10 a.m.
City Council Meeting City Hall - 7 p.m.
*Registration Required
Oct. 20 Board of Zoning Appeals City Hall - 7 p.m. Oct. 20 Trunk or Treat City Hall - 6 p.m.
Johns Creek City Hall | 11360 Lakefield Drive | Johns Creek, GA 30097 | JohnsCreekGA.gov
Scan the QR Code to learn more or to contact the City of Johns Creek!
November - Save the Dates!
• Nov. 7 - Honoring Our Veterans • Nov. 7 - Diwali Celebration • Nov. 14 - Literary Fair
COMMUNITY
4 | October 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek
Arts on the Boardwalk showcases Johns Creek creativity By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Residents enjoyed a flawless fall day at The Boardwalk Sept. 26 during an event that showcased the community’s creativity. Arts on the Boardwalk was held at the city’s new outdoor recreation and gathering space, drawing hundreds of visitors from across Johns Creek. The event featured local artists, artisans and authors. It also gave residents the chance to make some art of their own. Lisa Potish and her 11-year-old daughter Evah were spotted during just that, sitting on a park sidewalk and drawing on the pavement with colored chalk. “We are doing a mother-daughter day,” Lisa said. Natalie Hudson, an art teacher at Johns Creek High School, attended the event with a handful of students. At a tent at the lake’s edge, they showcased their work, answering questions and humbly accepting numerous compliments. “Everybody that walked by was really impressed,” Hudson said. “It’s amazing to see students and their hard work and to celebrate them and their successes.”
See ARTS, Page 20
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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2026 | 5
Johns Creek Literary Fair lands bestselling author Lawhon By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — This year’s Johns Creek Literary Fair will feature more than 30 local authors and a New York Times bestselling writer who will discuss her latest novel, which is inspired by a real-life pirate queen. The 2026 fair is scheduled for 3-7 p.m. Nov. 14 at Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road. Admission to the fifth annual event is free, with VIP tickets priced at $45. Headlining writer Ariel Lawhon, author of “The Frozen River” and other titles, will discuss her upcoming book “The Pirate Queen.” The historical adventure novel is inspired by Irish folk heroine Grace O’Malley. Lawhon will be joined by Patti Callahan Henry, a bestselling author of 17 novels and co-host and co-creator of the “Friends & Fiction” web show and podcast. Presented by the nonprofit Arts On The Creek in partnership with the city of Johns Creek, the literary fair again offers a panel of regional authors. The fair for the first time also features an exclusive reception with the authors. A “Secrets, Lies & Alibis” suspense panel includes: Tiffany Crum, author of “This Story Might Save Your Life.” Emily Carpenter, whose latest thriller is “A Spell for Saints and Sinners.” Matthew C. Smith, with his new release, “The Ones in the Corner.”
A PLACE TO KRISTEE MAYS PHOTOGRAPHY/PROVIDED
New York Times bestselling author Ariel Lawhon, author of “The Frozen River” and five other novels, will headline the Johns Creek Literary Fair Nov. 14. The panel is moderated by Valerie Burns, an adjunct professor in the Writing Popular Fiction Master of Fine Arts degree program at Seton Hill University. For more information on the fair, visit johnscreekga.gov.
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NEWS
6 | October 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek
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ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Georgians have until Oct. 5 to register to vote ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, according to the secretary of state’s office. The deadline applies to residents who want to cast a ballot in the general election, which will decide federal, state and local races across the state. Advance voting for the election runs Oct. 13-30. To register, Georgia residents must be U.S. citizens, legal residents of their county and at least 18 years old by Election Day. Applicants cannot be serving a sentence for a felony conviction involving moral turpitude or have been declared mentally incompetent by a judge. Residents can register online — download a postage-paid paper application to mail in — through the Secretary of State’s website at registertovote.sos.ga.gov. Those who
have already registered can confirm their status, find their polling place and check ID requirements through the state’s My Voter Page at mvp.sos.ga.gov. Voters who move must update their address with their county’s board of registrars or submit a new registration application before the deadline. Anyone who submits a registration and does not receive a precinct card within three to four weeks should contact their county elections office. A precinct card is not required to vote, but it shows where a resident’s polling place is located. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters must bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport or stateissued voter ID card. If the Nov. 3 election requires a runoff, that election is set for Dec. 1. The registration deadline for the runoff is also Oct. 5 for most contests, though voters registering solely for a federal runoff race have until Nov. 2.
AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2026 | 7
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Wills Park brims with area visitors on Fourth of July By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
A girl waves an American flag as she dances to music by Davis and the Love at Roswell Area Park July 4.
PHOTOS BY: SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
Kendall, from left, John, Brooks and Reid Hill sit on a picnic blanket at Roswell Area Park to celebrate the Fourth of July.
Roswell crowd celebrates America’s 249th birthday By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Food trucks, live music and fireworks were on the menu for America’s birthday in Roswell. A crowd of over 1,000 piled into Roswell Area Park July 4 to celebrate America’s 249th birthday.
Kendall and John Hill travelled from East Cobb to bring their two little ones to the show. “The kids love it,” John Hill said. Baseball fields and multi-use fields were filled with families and friends awaiting the firework show at dusk.
OPINION
Pitts: Raising millage rate would be mistake
See FIREWORKS, Page 24
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See FOURTH, Page 23
Two-year-old Cameron holds a beach ball at the City of Roswell Fourth of July celebration at Roswell Area Park.
County delays closing Alpharetta jail site
Business owner crafts calm in the chaos
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JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
From left, Traci Foreman, Chris Foreman and John Hanley watch fireworks in Wills Park July 4.
► PAGE 8
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JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The heart of the holiday was shining through the music, food and fun of Creek’s Juneteenth celebration. As the sun set on a warm Saturday evening, Midway grandmother Matilda Riles sat in a lawnchair, watching her grandchildren play on the park lawn amid the sound of booming live music and mouthwatering aroma of food trucks. Before the fun started, Riles, who attended with three generations of family, educated the kids about the reason for Juneteenth. “It's a point in time when enslaved people no longer had to be enslaved, and certain places did not relay the message at the time that it should have been relayed,” Riles said. “And, therefore this is a celebration as to when the final group of people were told you no longer had to be enslaved.” Several thousand visitors descended on the city’s annual celebration at Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, doubling last year’s attendance. The celebration resembled a giant block party with live music performances, chatting neighbors, plenty of food and rows of arts and craft vendors.
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The perfect biscuit is like a warm hug, said Brandy White, owner of Sawnee Mountain Biscuit Company. “It kind of warms your soul,” White said. “It feels like home to me.” Since 2001, the Sawnee Mountain Biscuit has operated out of a renovated mobile home at 104 13th St., serving perfect pillowy biscuits wrapped around eggs, cheese, bacon and other breakfast staples. With dozens of items on the menu, the restaurant features other tasty offerings from French toast to a house-made pimento cheese. Tucked into a sleepy neighborhood on the edge of Cumming, Sawnee Mountain Biscuit might easily be taken as another house, but locals say the squat, blue-clapboard building is one of the town’s best breakfast spots. Over the decades, the restaurant has earned a cult following in Cumming and the north Atlanta area, serving as many as 400 orders some mornings.
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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is working to complete converting an old elementary school into a law enforcement training center. Since October, the training center has hosted a public safety academy as part of a partnership between the sheriff’s office and University of North Georgia. The academy, funded by the
ROI
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S e p t e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 2 5 | 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 0 , N o . 3 9
County restores original funding to cultural arts
Children play in the lawn at Newtown Park during a Juneteenth celebration in Johns Creek June 21. JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
By JON WILCOX | jon@appenmedia.com
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Brandy White holds her 1-year-old daughter, Lennon, at the entrance to her Sawnee Mountain Biscuit Company on 13th Street just outside Cumming.
sheriff’s office, provides training for law enforcement officers in Forsyth County and surrounding jurisdictions, Capt. Rob Heagerty said. At an April 22 work session, the County Board of Commissioners discussed a proposal to allocate $47,993 for design services with ar chitectural firm Wiley Wilson to create plans, conduct inspections and
make changes to water heaters. The sheriff’s office wants to install showers and locker rooms at the building at 4805 Atlanta Highway, Heagerty said. The improvements are important because exercise and physical conditioning are essential in maintaining capable deputies, he said. The building already houses classrooms, meeting rooms, a cafeteria,
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gym, simulator room and an empty wing where deputies can conduct building-clearing and other training exercises. The work is part of a second phase to transform former Midway Elementary School into a law enforcement training center.
See SHERIFF, Page 12
ATLANTA — The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to restore funding for a program within the Arts & Culture Department to $3 million a year Sept. 17. While the unanimous vote reflects unity and bipartisanship, some commissioners criticized colleagues for the delay. The item, sponsored by Democratic commissioners Khadijah AbdurRahman and Marvin Arrington Jr. and Republican commissioners Bob Ellis and Bridget Thorne, includes an increase of $1.7 million for a previously requested program and its full $3 million in funding set aside in the 2026 budget.
See JUNETEENTH, Page 10
See FULTON, Page 20
Fulton jail staff faces civil rights indictments By DAVE WILLIAMS Capitol Beat ATLANTA — Fulton County Jail employee has been indicted in federal court for allegedly using excessive force against prisoners. The 47-year-old sergeant is accused of repeatedly using tasers on compliant, nonresisting pre-trial detainees on three occa-
sions last January and writing false reports about each of the incidents. “The (Justice Department’s) Civil Rights Division has zero tolerance for law enforcement officers who abuse public trust through excessive force and concealing their misconduct,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “We will vigorously safeguard the constitutional
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rights of all individuals, including those in custody.” “Abuses of power of this kind are unconstitutional, erode our community’s trust, and will be prosecuted,” added Theodore S. Hertzberg, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. Solomon faces up to 10 years in prison for each federal civil rights violation and 20
years behind bars for each false report. The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case based on a referral from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
Doggie-paddle Pets enjoy cool, pool party at Last Splash Puppy Bash
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Life Time Perimeter revives health club site
Spring Plant Sale!
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Summer Veggies Annuals Pollinator Plants and So Much More! Friday April 11- Sunday April 13
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April 10, 2025 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976
Dunwoody opens doors to refine future land-use By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
PHOTOS BY: HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Front center, Ann Hanlon, executive director of the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, holds the ribbon for phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path April 3 while City Councilman Tom Lambert, front right, gets ready to cut it. The Perimeter CIDs and Dunwoody split the project’s $1.5 million construction cost.
Commercial partners and city celebrate new path By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
A look down the completed phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path April 3 shows the two-way cycle track parallel to the revamped sidewalk.
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody elected officials, city staff and Perimeter Community Improvement Districts Executive Director Ann Hanlon cut the ribbon April 3 on phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path. “We’re super proud to partner with the city of Dunwoody on building this trail project,” Hanlon
said. “And we’ll look forward to many more phases to come.” A little over two years ago, the group gathered at the same spot near the corner of Ashford Dunwoody Road and Hammond Drive for phase one’s groundbreaking. Phase one of the corridor’s path includes a two-way raised cycle track separated from traffic by a wide landscape buffer
See PATH, Page 17
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The City of Dunwoody is streamlining development rules and updating its vision for the city’s future as part of a state-mandated overhaul. City officials and representatives from consulting firm TSW Design, which was tasked with creating a plan, gave a two-hour presentation about the changes April 1 during a special meeting at Vintage Pizzeria on Chamblee Dunwoody Road. Residents received and discussed the creation of a unified development ordinance and changes to the city’s comprehensive plan. Dunwoody is updating its comprehensive plan as part of a state mandate that requires an overhaul every five years, said Allison Stewart-Harris, an associate principal and planner at TSW. Stewart-Harris presented the changes to about 30 residents who attended the meeting.
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By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs announced that the Billboard Music Award-winning band Lit is headlining Friday night Sept. 26 at the third annual Blue Stone Arts & Music Festival. The festival will take place in the heart of Sandy Springs Friday, Sept. 26, from 4-10 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Lit is an American rock band from Orange County,
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Motorists line up at the Boylston Drive signal to turn left onto Hammond Drive Aug. 14. Sandy Springs will begin work in September to realign Boylston to the east and eliminate a nearby traffic light.
Realignment construction begins on Hammond-Boylston intersection
CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED
Sandy Springs said Billboard Music Award-winning band, Lit, is headlining this year’s festival Sept. 26-27 at City Springs.
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs contractors are set to begin work in September on realigning the intersection of Boylston and Hammond drives and removing a redundant traffic light. The city says work will last around 15 months, and the intersection will remain open during construction, but there will be occasional lane closures so crews can get the work done safely. Initially, city officials expected the project
to begin in mid-August. No explanation was given. Currently, there are two separate sets of traffic lights less than 100 feet away from one another, one at the Hammond Glen Retirement Community’s driveway and another at the office building next door. The new configuration will shift Boylston Drive to the east, aligning it with the Hammond Glen driveway and eliminating the traffic light at the driveway to the office building at 325 Hammond Drive.
Indicted superintendent resigns
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Wild Nest Bird Rehab finds roost at Legacy Park
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Atlanta Perimeter Office | 4848 Ashford Dunwoody Road | Atlanta, GA 30338
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California, formed in 1988. They are best known for their platinum-selling 1999 power-pop punk album “A Place in the Sun” and its massive hit single “My Own Worst Enemy.” The band is set to headline the main stage Friday night at 8 p.m. In addition to Lit, the family-friendly festival features music all day long across multiple stages, an artist market with more than 80 vendors and a Kids Zone.
See LIT, Page 9
October 23, 2025 | Decaturish.com | Locally Sourced News | An Appen Media Group Publication | Volume 1, No. 13
solicitation. All data believed to be accurate but not warranted. Equal housing opportunity. If you have an existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a solicitation. All data believed to be accurate but not warranted.
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Billboard Music Award winner to headline Sandy Springs fest
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Put Our Experience To Work For You JAN HART | REALTOR® c: 678.596.3684 o: 404.480.HOME
A u g u s t 2 1 , 2 0 2 5 | 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 4 , N o . 3 4
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About 30 residents fill a dining room at Vintage Pizzeria on Chamblee Dunwoody Road April 1 to hear a presentation by TSW Design planner Allison Stewart-Harris, who spoke on the city’s future land-use strategy.
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Miniature goldendoodle Lexi cools off at the Milton city pool on Sept. 13. Canine companions gathered there to celebrate summer’s end. See the story and more photos from Sarah Donehoo on page 18.
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ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Thousands filled Wills Park to celebrate July 4 with a bang. Hours before darkness fell, friends and families filled the park’s lawns, Equestrian Center, trails and athletic fields. Everywhere, children played, cartwheeling, running, tossing balls and waving glow sticks. Alpharettan Lindsey Landis, her husband, two children and two dogs were part the crowd, passing the golden hour on a blanket laid out on the grass.
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8 | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2026
Sponsored Section
A fresh season in Johns Creek Brought to you by – Jamie Keeling of HOME Luxury Real Estate, North Atlanta | Jamie@HOMEgeorgia.com | 404.483.1823 Fall has always been a special time in Johns Creek, but this year there is even more to explore. Along with changing leaves and cooler temperatures, new JAMIE KEELING destinations and longtime traditions are giving residents plenty of reasons to get outside, gather with neighbors and enjoy the community. The newly constructed Boardwalk at Town Center is already bringing fresh energy to the heart of Johns Creek. On September 26, Arts on the Boardwalk will offer an afternoon of outdoor, family-friendly entertainment, including live music from jazz singer and songwriter Gwen Hughes and a retro jazz ensemble. Later in the season, the Boardwalk will host the Johns Creek Diwali Celebration for the first time on November 7. The festival will bring the community together with food, shopping, entertainment and a celebration of light and culture. Some of the best fall experiences can also be found in the places Johns Creek residents have enjoyed for years. A picture-perfect afternoon at Cauley Creek Park might include exploring its miles of trails, playing pickleball or simply enjoying a picnic beside the Chattahoochee. On October 3, the park will welcome the fifth annual Rise & Connect 5K and 10K, benefiting the Marcus Autism Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The event also includes a kids’ fun run and wheelchair race, offering a meaningful way for participants of all ages and abilities to get involved. Autrey Mill Nature Preserve provides another beautiful setting for the season, with wooded trails, historic buildings and wildlife right in the middle of Johns Creek. On October 24, the preserve will host its adults-only Ghosts & Goblins Gala, featuring food, drinks, a silent auction and a festive Halloween atmosphere on the grounds of its historic Victorian-style home. This fall also marks an exciting new chapter for the area. Medley, the highly anticipated 43-acre mixed-use destination at Johns Creek Parkway and McGinnis Ferry Road, will begin its opening celebrations on October 28, followed by its grand opening on October 29. With new restaurants, shops, entertainment and a central community plaza, Medley will offer another place for residents to meet, dine and spend time together. There is even more to discover throughout North Fulton. On October 3, Crabapple Fest will fill historic Crabapple in Milton with local vendors, food, art and live entertainment. The Roswell Fall Fun Fest follows on October 18, offering an afternoon of family activities, including pony rides, a petting zoo, carnival games and inflatables. At HOME, community is more than where we work, it is where we live, gather and play. We are proud to sponsor Crabapple Fest and support the local traditions that make North Fulton such a special place to call home. Whether revisiting a favorite park, attending a community celebration or discovering somewhere completely new, fall is the perfect season to get out, explore and support local.
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REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2026 | 9
HOME is Proud to be the Stage Presenting Sponsor of CRABAPPLE FEST 2026. We’re Honored to Support this Beloved Community Tradition. Join Us Saturday, October 3rd for Fun, Food, and Live Music!
11605 Haynes Bridge Road, Suite 150, Alpharetta, GA 30009 | HOMEgeorgia.com
10 | October 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek
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/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2026 | 11
12 | October 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
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REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
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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.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2026 | 15
Does an LLC or Corporate protect all of your assets? Brought to you by – Holly Geerdes Estates Law Center USA No, and this is one of the most common misunderstandings I see. An LLC or corporation is not a blanket shield. It HOLLY GEERDES separates your Estate Law Center USA Top 5% Super Lawyer in Georgia personal assets from what happens inside the LLC. If you are sued over something related to your LLC's business, the person suing you generally cannot reach your personal bank account or home, only what is inside the LLC or corporation. That protection is valuable, but it has limits. The piggy bank problem The protection disappears if you treat the LLC or corporation like a personal piggy bank. If a lawsuit
happens and someone finds dinners out, personal purchases, or anything not genuinely business related, that blurred line can strip away the protection the LLC was supposed to give you. An LLC or corporation only protects you when it is run like a real, separate business, with its own bank account, clean records, and a clear line between company money and your money. What an LLC or Corporation doesn't protect Even a well-run LLC or corporation won't cover everything. If you personally cause harm, such as being at fault in a car accident on a business errand, you can still be held responsible. If you signed a personal guarantee on a loan or lease, your personal assets are on the line. And the LLC or corporation does nothing to protect your personal assets from lawsuits unrelated to the business.
commingle a dollar often overlook this. Keeping finances separate protects you during your lifetime, but it does nothing to transfer your company when you die. If your ownership interest is in your individual name, it will typically go through probate, a public, court-supervised process that can be lengthy and costly. Decisionmaking can freeze and access to business accounts can be delayed while payroll and vendors still need to be paid. This is true even if you own the company with your spouse or children, because each owner's share passes through that person's own estate. A will doesn't solve it either, since a will is carried out through probate. Even worse you haven't done any succession planning to prevent litigation and fighting over control over the company and distribution of income and profits between family members.
What happens when you die Even business owners who never
And if you become incapacitated? If a stroke, accident, or illness
leaves you unable to make decisions, someone still has to run the business. Without a plan, your family may have to go to court for that authority, which is another slow, public, and costly process. The solution A properly funded revocable living trust, coordinated with your operating agreement, is the most reliable way to handle both situations. Your successor trustee can step in right away without waiting on a court. Add a durable financial power of attorney, and your business keeps running whether you're recovering or gone. The bottom line An LLC or Corporation is a powerful tool, but it's only one piece of the puzzle. Run it like a real business to protect yourself today, and pair it with the right estate plan to protect your family and your company tomorrow. Come to one of our workshops to learn how to protect your assets, including your business.
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16 | October 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek
OPINION
AIKENOMICS
Washington stirs pot again, mortgage rates climb Just when it appeared tensions in the Persian Gulf might finally be cooling, Washington stirred the pot again. Fighting between the U.S. and Iran intensified, quickly D.C. AIKEN sending oil prices Guest Columnist dcaiken.com higher and once again, the bond and mortgage markets followed. We’ve seen this movie before. Whenever conflict escalates in the Middle East, financial markets immediately begin calculating the potential impact on the global oil supply. It doesn’t necessarily take an actual shortage to move prices. The possibility of disrupted production, shipping lanes or exports is often enough for traders to build a geopolitical “risk premium” into the price of a barrel of oil. And that matters far beyond what we pay at the gas pump. Oil is woven throughout the economy. Higher energy prices increase transportation,
manufacturing, shipping and distribution costs. Airlines pay more for fuel. Trucking companies pay more for diesel. Manufacturers pay more to produce and transport goods. Eventually, some of those increased costs find their way to consumers. In other words: higher oil prices can mean higher inflation and inflation remains the bond market’s biggest enemy. When investors believe inflation may remain elevated, they typically demand higher yields to own longerterm bonds. That puts upward pressure on the 10-year Treasury yield, which is one of the most important benchmarks influencing mortgage rates. The chain reaction looks something like this: Persian Gulf tensions — higher oil prices — greater inflation concerns —higher Treasury yields — higher mortgage rates. Unfortunately, that chain reaction is playing out again. The average top-tier 30-year fixed mortgage has climbed to about 6.89%, its highest level since June 2025. We haven’t quite reached the June 2025 peak of roughly 6.97%, but we are getting uncomfortably close
Instead, mortgage rates are once again being influenced by events occurring thousands of miles away. That’s also why predicting where rates go from here is particularly difficult. A cooling of tensions and a retreat in oil prices could quickly provide some relief to bonds and mortgage rates. Additional escalation, however, could push oil higher and keep inflation fears and mortgage rates elevated. For buyers waiting for the “perfect” interest rate before purchasing a home, this is another reminder that the road to lower mortgage rates was never going to be a straight line. For now, keep one eye on the 10year Treasury and the other on the Persian Gulf. IMAGE PROVIDED TO APPEN MEDIA
to seeing a “7” in front of mortgage rates again. Perhaps the most frustrating part for homebuyers is that this latest move has very little to do with housing. Home prices didn’t suddenly surge. Mortgage demand didn’t suddenly explode. And the U.S. economy didn’t suddenly change overnight.
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Minori: Continued from Page 1 Over the past six years, through the Youth America Grand Prix, she has placed in the Top 12 at the international finals. The competition is the world’s largest, with up to 15,000 dancers from more than 80 countries. She won the Grand Prix Award the past two years as well as three gold medals at the World Ballet Competition in Orlando. Consistency amid change Ballet, her fun hobby, became her life’s purpose around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly before the novel coronavirus erupted, she competed in her first solo performance. She was only 10. Her legs shook as she took the stage. She expected no recognition but won first place. Her mother’s expression sealed it for her. Her future was ballet. “I was so nervous … [but] look at what I can achieve, even when I might be having a hard time mentally,” de Silva said. The isolation caused by the highly contagious virus soon took hold. Her classes — school and dance — moved online. Her rehearsal space became a small room in her house. Stuck there all day, she made the best of it. There were daily practices, with no interruptions for the pre-COVID normal schedule. Consistency, de Silva said, carried her through. The virus and life’s new norms built the foundation she needed for success. “When I dance, I can forget about everything else,” she said. “It really keeps me in a calm place. If I needed something, I could just go and practice and dance it out.” Ballet has taken her from Georgia to Mexico, Switzerland, Italy and China. De Silva hopes to give back as much as she has gained. “I hope that I’m a dancer that can move the audience … help them feel like they can forget everything when they’re watching and just be so immersed in the performance,” she said. Wynne Huo, an award-winning choreographer, taught de Silva at MorningStar. She was one of Huo’s youngest pupils. Huo said de Silva’s success and drive set a good example for her current students. De Silva is like a “big sister” to them, she noted. “These kids that you see on the weekdays, they definitely know who she is and they see her in the studio … and they think, ‘If I work hard, I can really get to this level,’” Huo said.
AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2026 | 17
“We always like having the big sisters around to have the kids see what it’s like to be a good leader.” De Silva’s talent is one thing — but the other key to her success, she says, is that consistency paired with hard work.
She was a full-time student at Chattahoochee High until her junior year. Weekdays meant five or six hours of dance practice after school and then several more with homework. Weekends were not restful periods, either; Saturdays alone
brought six to eight more hours of rehearsals. De Silva shared a message to young dancers who might want to follow her path. “Follow your heart — and don’t forget to be consistent,” she said.
The other City of Johns Creek advertisement in this printed edition regarding property taxes is required by Georgia law. The advertised millage rate of 3.492 is the current millage rate, and it may or may not be the final rate adopted by Council. The rate advertised (of 3.492) is the maximum rate that the City Council can adopt without readvertising. Public Hearings are scheduled for October 5 and October 26, 2026. The public is encouraged to participate in the public hearing or submit comments via email to public.comment@johnscreekga.gov. NOTICE The City of Johns Creek does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at City Hall, 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, GA on October 26, 2026, at 7:00PM and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. § 48-5-32 does hereby publish the following presentation of the current year’s tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest and levy for the past five years.
NOTICE The City of Johns Creek has tentatively adopted a 2026 millage rate, which will require an increase in property taxes by 1.70 percent. All concerned citizens are invited to the Public Hearing on this tax increase to be held at the Johns Creek City Hall, Council Chambers located at 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, Georgia on October 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. An additional Public Hearing on this proposed tax increase will be held at the Johns Creek City Hall, Council Chambers on October 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 3.492 mills, an increase of 0.058 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate would be no more than 3.434 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $625,000 is approximately $14.15 and the proposed tax increase for a non-homestead property with a fair market value of $625,000 is approximately $14.50.
18 | October 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek
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.
OPINION
PAST TENSE
AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2026 | 19
CHAMBLEE FIRST UNITED METHODIST ARCHIVES/PROVIDED
The congregation of Prospect Methodist Church in Chamblee gathered in 1926 to celebrate the church centennial.
Chamblee First United Methodist Church celebrates bicentennial
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
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 history with four words, “Deeply rooted, 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.,18261976”) The first Prospect building was a split-log house where the Shallow Ford crossing met Peachtree Road. The next church was built in 1847. The building was “…of frame construction, weatherboarded 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
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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.
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20 | October 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Natalie Hudson, an art teacher at Johns Creek High School, takes down student paintings at the end of a Sept. 26 art event at The Boardwalk.
Arts:
Built for memories, Continued from Page 4 for community. made Built for memories, Hudson said it’s important for artists made for community. to connect with their community.
Built for memories, Built for memories, for made forcommunity. community. made
Vibrant art can be evidence of a community’s health, and by all regards the
art on display at her tent demonstrates all is well in Johns Creek, she said. “For the students to represent their perspectives is really important to me,” the teacher said. “It’s also important that they see they have a voice that is valued. The opinions they can express through their work are really strong and beautiful.”
Student artist Anabelle Rusnak said she has been making art since middle school. She said she loves the sense of accomplishment that painting gives her. A friend said she was deeply proud of Rusnak’s sense of style and ability to communicate her ideas. “A lot of people were like, ‘Oh my gosh, did you make this?’” her friend said.
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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.
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Puzzles
er 8/7/25 Connect-it
PuzzleJunction.com
Connect-It
Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com
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!
Johns Creek Herald .............................October 1, 2026 | 21
1
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
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/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.
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6. Baby’s bed. City of Mali. Spill the beans. 7. Beach sight. Fertile track in a desert. North Dakota city.
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Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com
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
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
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21 25
30
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23 27
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49
1 9 3 8 2 7 4 6 5
4 6 7 1 5 3 8 9 2
40
44 48
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51 55
58 64
69 72
38
43 47
46
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56 59
65
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60 66
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Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com
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 23
Is Your Company Hiring? Solution on next page
5 2 8 6 4 9 7 1 3
39
24 28
36
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63
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22 | October 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek
Appen Media Wins 2026 Georgia Press Association General Excellence Bringing Journalistic Excellence to North Atlanta 1st Place
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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2026 | 23
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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
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24 | October 1, 2026 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek
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