Milton Herald - March 5, 2026

Milton recognizes Georgia Arbor Day

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Dozens of residents, city leaders and staff gathered at the Mark Law Arboretum Feb. 20 to celebrate Arbor Day, marking the end of Georgia’s tree planting season.

The state holiday takes place two months before National Arbor Day on April 24.

Ahead of the celebration, staff planted three new trees in the arboretum, followed by the ceremonial planting of a witch hazel tree. Attendees took home persimmons seedlings, a tree native to the Southeast that produces edible fruit.

“We all know why we’re here,” City Councilwoman Carol Cookerly said, “because of a deep respect and love for trees.”

For 17 consecutive years, Milton has qualified as a Tree City USA, a national recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation Program designed to raise awareness to the value of community trees. Cookerly said the honor is possible thanks to Milton’s first arborist, Mark Law, for whom the arboretum is named after. He helped the city obtain its first Tree City USA designation in 2009 and ensured it was retained after that.

See ARBOR, Page 27

Public weighs in on zoning rules

City officials seek clarity on AG-1 properties

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Community Development

Department staff sought resident’s input Feb. 25 regarding development standards on land zoned Agricultural-Residential (AG-1) and feedback from the Planning Commission later that same evening.

Staff are reviewing potential changes to AG-1 zoning regulations which would affect nearly all land in Milton. The

City Council enacted a moratorium in January on accepting minor subdivisions plats within AG-1 that create lots smaller than 3 acres. Staff have used the time to conduct case studies and develop policy recommendations.

See ZONING, Page 26

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Police arrest Milton man in shooting

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Milton police arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with a shooting at his apartment complex on Deer Point Court Feb. 22.

The incident left one man beaten and suffering from gunshot wounds.

Police said the shooting occurred shortly after the suspect met with his exwife, who also lives in the complex, for a custody exchange of their daughter. The mother was accompanied by her fiancé during the exchange. At one point, the ex-husband allegedly charged the fiancé, striking him repeatedly. The woman recorded the incident on her phone.

After the suspect retreated, the fiancé went out to his car to get his phone and call 911. He told police he then saw the ex-husband approaching and heard several gunshots. A witness said the man slumped in the car, and the alleged assailant fled in a black sedan.

Officers arriving at the scene rendered aid to the victim and had him transported to North Fulton Hospital where he was treated for multiple gunshot wounds in the leg, chest and neck. Officers reported finding five shell casings on the ground near the car.

Police issued an alert on the suspect’s black BMW. He was later spotted and detained by Marietta police. He was transported back to Milton Police Headquarters where he refused to answer questions, according to the arrest warrant.

He was then booked into the Fulton County Jail on charges including criminal intent to commit a felony, aggravated battery, first degree cruelty to children, hindering an emergency call and possession of a firearm during commission of felony crimes.

— Patrick Fox

DEA seizes 37 pounds of meth in Sandy Springs

By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) operation in Sandy Springs yielded one arrest and 16 kilos of suspected methamphetamine Feb. 13, according to agency officials and documents obtained by Appen Media.

The DEA executed a search warrant on an apartment on Northwood Drive in Sandy Springs. Inside the home agents located 37 pounds of, “a crystal-like substance,” which allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine, according to court documents.

CUSTOM FRAMING

The federal officers found one woman and two juveniles in the apartment. They released the children to a guardian and arrested the adult, charging her with felony trafficking in illegal drugs. The agency also seized an undisclosed amount of money.

DEA agents conducted the investigation and apartment search, asking Sandy Springs Police detectives to assist with “perimeter security” and have a department vehicle on site. Once the arrest was complete, federal officers

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turned the suspect over to city police for transportation.

DEA officials told Appen Media the city will now prosecute the case.

Sandy Springs detectives took the woman to the Fulton County jail. A judge awarded her a $100,000 bond, though she now also has an immigration hold.

This status, known as a detainer, is a request for jails to hold suspects, “for up to 48 hours beyond the time they would ordinarily release them so [the Department of Homeland Security] has time to assume custody,” according to the federal agency.

THE PICTURE FRAMER HAS MOVED!

Conditions surrounding the woman’s immigration status are not clear. The DEA referred further questions to the city, considering they will now pick up the drug case. Sandy Springs Police spokespeople declined to provide details of the arrest or suspect.

The incident and arrest are absent from the city’s Police to Citizen website, an online portal presented as a way for the public to see law enforcement activity.

City officials also declined to comment on why the events are missing from the dashboard.

Milton celebrates opening of new passive park space

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Milton city leaders and staff christened the opening of refurbished portion of Milton City Park and Preserve at the Feb. 25 ribbon cutting.

Councilman Jan Jacobus strolled on the new path to arrive at the pier, where a ribbon cutting was held. Councilwoman Juliette Johnson’s dog roamed nearby.

“Today’s ribbon cutting represents more than a finished project,” Parks and Recreation Director Tom McKlveen said. “It represents the continued investment we’re making in quality public spaces that bring people together.”

Since Milton bought the former golf course in 2018, the 137 acres has been transformed into a nature preserve that offers an additional 1.5 miles of trail, a new pier and boardwalks.

“This extended trail should transform how people use this park,” McKlveen said. The project included support for wildlife habitats, stormwater upgrades and solar-powered fountains in the ponds.

See PARK, Page 28

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Planet Fitness outfits fire station with strength-training equipment

MILTON, Ga. — Planet Fitness in Milton donated nine new Matrix Aura strength machines to the Milton Fire Department’s Station 43, giving firefighters access to high-quality training equipment to support the physical demands of their job.

In February, team members from Planet Fitness set up the gym equipment in the station’s bay and invited smiling firefighters to test it out. Each piece of equipment targets a different part of the body, so firefighters can work out between calls, without leaving the fire station.

The delivery brought together fire-

fighters and the Planet Fitness team for a community-focused moment that showcased the station’s new equipment.

“We’re extraordinarily grateful to the Planet Fitness team for their generous donation, which will bring happiness to and promote good health among our firefighters,” Milton Fire Chief Gabe Benmoussa said. “One of the best things about working in Milton is being part of such an amazing, supportive community, and this is a wonderful above-and-beyond example of that.”

— Hannah Yahne

Dyana Bagby joins staff as Appen Media reporter

Appen Media Group announced Dyana Bagby has joined the staff as a reporter.

Bagby will cover local government and business in the cities of Dunwoody and Sandy Springs. She will report to Carl Appen, director of content and development, and be based in Alpharetta.

Bagby has covered local government, commercial real estate and LGBTQ+ issues in metro Atlanta. Her work has been featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle, WABE-FM, Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) and The Atlanta Voice.

“Local journalism is important in providing transparency, holding local officials accountable and creating a sense of community,” Bagby said. “I am excited to join Appen Media and look forward to connecting to readers in my coverage areas.”

SPORTS

BOYS BASKETBALL: BULLDOGS 68, EAGLES 64

Decatur defeats Milton in first round of state tourney

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

DECATUR, Ga. — Decatur’s boys basketball team outlasted Milton 68-64 in an overtime thriller Feb. 25 in the first round of the 5A state playoffs.

Decatur head coach Rory Welsh reflected on a hard-fought matchup with another ranked team in the Eagles.

“We expected exactly what we got, a full-fledged dogfight,” he said. “We knew it was going to be a testy game. We were hoping it wouldn’t go to overtime, but it did, and we just wanted to make sure we stuck with it because [Milton] delivered some blows.”

Decatur got out to an 15-10 lead in the first quarter before the Eagles went on an 18-7 run. That led to the biggest lead by either team, six points.

The game stayed within one possession for most of the game. The lead changed three times with seven ties mixed in.

Once the Bulldogs regained the lead 33-31 in the third quarter, the Eagles tied the game three more times but couldn’t push further.

Decatur leading scorer Tobias Brinkley posted a double-double of 19 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks. He said matching up with an all-region player he grew up with in Niko Bratton was tough.

Brinkley said he worked with his teammates to contain Bratton on the boards.

“Every mistake, we came together in the huddles and just talked it up and

fixed our mistakes,” Brinkley said. “Decatur’s coming for everybody.”

Bratton posted a game-high 28 points and had a double-double by way of 13 rebounds in the loss. This year’s early exit all but guarantees a revenge streak for Milton’s junior-heavy squad next year.

Milton guard Jackson Harrison posted 19 points and kept the Eagles in the game. His sharpshooting tied the game for Milton several times, including the shot that sent the game into overtime.

Head coach Allen Whitehart highlighted how much this team has grown since the start of the season.

“Our kids got fight,” he said. “I thought they laid it on the line. I told them how proud I was and how hard they fought, when you limp out of battle, you usually fall pretty hard.”

Whitehart was commenting on a cramping bug that hit his starting lineup hard in the fourth quarter and overtime period. Bratton, Harrison and captain Tate Golden all had to exit the game at critical moments.

Only three first-round games in the 5A bracket were decided by fewer points Feb. 25. All four games featured a two against a three seed. Decatur, Tri-Cities and Woodward cemented the dominance of DeKalb basketball by nearly sweeping Region 7 in the first round.

Gainesville, the Region 7-5A first seed, is undefeated this year, nationally ranked and the only team from their region to defeat their Region 4 matchup in Chamblee.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: EAGLES 78, VIKINGS 33

Milton advances past Lakeside in state basketball tournament

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Milton girls basketball defeated the Lakeside High Vikings 7833 to advance to the second round of the GHSA 5A State Tournament.

Milton made it to the Final Four last year, the Elite Eight the year before and now want to take home the title.

The first-round game was held at Milton High School Feb. 24. The Eagles led all 32 minutes, getting out to a 22-0 lead in the first quarter.

Lakeside finally got on the board with a deep 3-pointer by standout junior Gabriella Benjamin, a familiar talent to some Eagles girls who play club basketball with her.

Eagles junior Deyva Davis led Milton in scoring with 20 points, three rebounds and six steals.

She evaluated her team’s firstround performance.

“We did good today,” Davis said. “We’ve gotten a lot better with zone stuff, and I think it’s starting to show more and more as you play these type of teams.”

Davis looked ahead to another potential deep run.

“We gotta win it this year,” she said. Davis also shouted out senior Caroline Young, the second leading scorer with 16 points, for her 6-point run in the first quarter to set the tone. Davis also complimented the bench players who got in the game in the final frame and connected on several buckets to extend the lead to 45 points.

Head coach Triston Cooper said the goal on defense was to keep the ball out of Benjamin’s hands as much as possible and not allow her to get into rhythm.

“We are full steam ahead for the girls now to make this run,” Cooper said. “I thought our girls did a great job early on in the first half of creating a lot of pressure and tempo. Getting hands on passes and finishing around the rim, that’s been a big thing for us.”

Lakeside struggled to get momentum going against a tough Milton defense. Nearly half of their offensive production came from Benjamin, who was shut down for large portions of the game. Even so, the Vikings standout posted 15 of the team’s 33 points.

Just opened?

Cumming pilot forges business selling fictional robots

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Something inexplicable awoke inside David Leyva when the Forsyth County resident saw a toy robot sitting in a Tokyo shop.

Specifically, it was an RX-78 from the Japanese science fiction anime Gundam series, a franchise that has spawned numerous television shows, movies, novels, manga and plastic model kits.

For Leyva, who grew up making models of military jet aircraft, the robot was simultaneously familiar and electrifyingly new.

“It's weird to explain, but it just really inspires you,” Leyva, 46, said. “It really opens your imagination, like, ‘Wow, imagine if this was real. How gigantic this thing would be.’”

That experience started Leyva on a path that would hijack his free time, lead him to an enormous like-minded fan community and inspire him to start a business that now outearns his job as an airline pilot. Looking back, Leyva said he could never have guessed the model robot would open so many doors. But he admits the pieces were always there inside him.

More than a decade after his fateful experience in Japan, Leyva, a husband and father of two, is the proud owner of The Gundam Place, which boasts a storefront at 580 Atlanta Road in Cumming,

BUSINESSPOSTS

Gundam:

Continued from Page 8

warehouse and almost a dozen employees.

As a kid, Leyva was fascinated by military aircraft, painstakingly assembling the plastic parts with glue. He spent many hours building the kits, which included some of his favorite aircraft like the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-14 Tomcat.

That childhood interest developed into a dream to one day fly, and as Leyva grew older he left behind the models and pursued the rigorous training to become a pilot. He now flies for a major airline in a senior role.

“I worked all my life to be where I am as a professional,” he said. “It took me 40 years to become a captain.”

Building obsession

But amid his career and life goals, Leyva found a pleasant distraction in the world of Gundam, a hobby he admits became an obsession.

After long days spent as a father and pilot, he often would recede to his desk to build Gundams.

“Once everybody at home goes to bed, and I have a couple hours on my own, I start building,” he said. “I just forget everything. There's nothing else at that point.”

As a pilot, Leyva said he appreciates the realistic detail of the robots. Unlike the more fantastical fictional machines like Transformers, Gundams are grounded in rational technology and engineering.

A pilot sits at the controls within an aircraft-like cockpit. The metal-alloy chassis are covered in removable armored plating. Each weapon-covered limb is movable, allowing the builder to imagine they are assembling a real, futuristic piece of military hardware.

“You start putting it together, and you start seeing how it’s transformed into an arm or a leg, and everything moves like it would in real life,” he said. “Those pieces are becoming like a freaking machine, like pistons and so many details. Everything works, and it starts looking like a robot.”

Leyva, who now has built almost 50 of the models, quickly became hooked.

“It was weird. I even thought, ‘Wow, I have never been like this,” he said. “It was like holy cow, I can’t stop buying these things.”

Model opportunity

Leyva admits his wife, although supportive, shared no part of his interest, leading him to seek out others who shared his interest. After connecting with some groups on Facebook, he learned his experience was hardly unique. That realization sparked an idea inside him.

“Everybody was desperate to get the new model kits,” Leyva said. “I started thinking, ‘Well, this could be an amazing business.’”

He started buying the kits wholesale and selling them online, using Google and social media to advertise.

Customers were eager to take them off his hands, and some who lived in the Atlanta area began messaging him if they could avoid shipping costs with in-person pickups. Leyva obliged, meeting local fans in person in shopping mall parking lots.

The meetups became so frequent he decided to purchase a warehouse to store the robots, doing retail business out of a small storefront there. A promotional part-

nership with a popular Gundam influencer and burgeoning word-of-mouth notoriety led him to finally open a shop dedicated to in-store purchases.

Leyva never looked back, and his business has since found a level of success that still surprises even him.

“Every year, I get surprised,” he said. “It just keeps happening. We grew at least 30-40 percent every year.”

Robot shop

Tucked into an unassuming strip mall, the shop is easily overlooked, customers said. But once found, Gundam aficionados have found it represents a kind of home to them.

On a February afternoon, first-timevisitor and Cumming resident Chris Holte said he had no idea the shop existed in his backyard. Holte, who works in sales for a traffic control safety company, said he was pleased to find such a wide selection of models and customers and staff who share his interest.

At home, Holte said he has little opportunity to talk about the robots with his wife, who often rolls her eyes at his niche interest.

“It mostly goes in one ear and out the other,” he said, chuckling. “She likes to

make fun of it.”

The shop’s walls are lined with shelves of more than a hundred model kits, providing an impressive selection, sales advisor Jason Tang said. The space also includes plenty of stimulation for the imagination. A 6-foot-tall robot costume stands at the entrance, and numerous dioramas and models, some valued in the thousands of dollars, sit behind clear display cases.

Gundam community

But The Gundam Place also offers something less tangible than kits and perhaps more important, a sense of community, Tang said.

While assisting Holte, Tang was pleased to see long-time customer Smeet Patel, who has spent almost $10,000 at the shop over several years.

Patel, who now counts as one of his friends, often stops by to visit and enjoy a bit of friendly banter about Gundams or otherwise.

Like Patel, many have found the shop to be a place to connect with others.

The models are available for purchase from internet vendors, but many local Gundam fans prefer to stop by in person, Leyva said.

An after-hours monthly model building meetup routinely attracts anywhere from a 20 to 40 or more. Tables fill the floorspace during those nights, allowing customers to spend long hours chatting and forging friendships.

An annual gathering night attracts hundreds, requiring the shop to sometimes rent out additional space next door.

“Those are on another level,” Leyva said.

Leyva said he never could have imagined a chance encounter with a model robot could enrich so many aspects of his life.

He is deeply thankful for the business opportunities the hobby has created for him, and he still finds time to revel in the world of Gundam.

But perhaps most of all, he is glad to be a part of a warm community that forges real relationships through an imaginary world.

“It makes me think it was worth all the effort,” he said.

Why my clients in Milton and Alpharetta benefit from my partnership with HOME Luxury Real Estate

Brought to you By – Ashley Venegas | REALTOR, Founding Member | HOME Luxury Real Estate, North Atlanta | 219.789.4793 | AshleyVenegas@ HOMEgeorgia.com

In the luxury real estate markets of Milton and Alpharetta, who you work with matters just as much as how you work. One of the most intentional decisions I made in my business was aligning myself with HOME Luxury Real Estate, a brokerage that allows me to deliver a higher level of service, strategy, and discretion to my clients across North Fulton County.

HOME Luxury Real Estate is built around the belief that real estate is deeply personal. Rather than operating under a rigid corporate model, HOME supports

experienced advisors who prioritize relationships, local expertise, and long term value. For my clients buying or selling homes in Milton and Alpharetta, this translates into a more thoughtful, customized experience from start to finish.

One of the greatest advantages of working with HOME is the collaborative environment it fosters. I am supported by seasoned leadership and fellow advisors who are deeply rooted in the Milton and Alpharetta real estate markets. This shared knowledge allows me to provide clients with accurate pricing strategies, nuanced market insight, and

confident negotiation guidance. Whether advising a seller on how to position a luxury property in Milton or helping a relocating buyer secure a home in Alpharetta, every recommendation is informed by real time local experience.

HOME also gives me the flexibility to operate with precision. I am not confined to generic marketing templates or one size fits all systems. Instead, I can create custom marketing strategies tailored to each property and client. For sellers in Milton and Alpharetta, this means their home is marketed intentionally to attract the right buyer, not just the largest audience. For buyers, it means I can act quickly, creatively, and strategically in competitive situations.

My personal approach has always

been white glove, hands on, and proactive. HOME Luxury Real Estate supports this by providing strong infrastructure behind the scenes while allowing my personal brand and market expertise to remain front and center. Clients work directly with me and benefit from my deep understanding of Milton neighborhoods, Alpharetta communities, new construction trends, and relocation dynamics.

At its core, HOME Luxury Real Estate aligns perfectly with how I believe real estate should be practiced. It allows me to advocate fully for my clients while operating within a brokerage that values integrity, excellence, and long term relationships. For those buying or selling in Milton and Alpharetta, that alignment creates clarity, confidence, and results.

Passing the torch takes more than good intentions

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Spring in Milton When less starts to feel like more

Brought to you by – The Dolan Group

Spring in Milton has long marked the beginning of the busiest season in real estate. Lawns return to life, listings quietly increase, and buyers re-engage with renewed focus. But beyond the market’s seasonal rhythm, there’s often a more personal shift happening this time of year.

For many long-time homeowners, spring brings perspective.

Milton is known for generous homes — expansive floor plans, substantial lots, room to host and room to grow. For years, that space served a clear purpose. It held busy mornings, full dining tables, and weekends built around family schedules. And for many, it still does.

But life evolves. And when it does, so

do the needs we have at home.

Children become more independent. Travel becomes more frequent. Time feels more valuable. The conversation begins to shift — from how much space you have to how much you truly need.

In today’s market, demand remains strong for well-maintained homes in established neighborhoods. Buyers continue to seek quality construction, mature landscaping, and properties that reflect longterm care. Inventory remains measured, and homes that enter the market thoughtfully positioned still command meaningful attention.

For homeowners considering a change, that dynamic creates opportunity.

Over the past several years, many Milton properties have built substantial

equity. For some, that equity represents flexibility — the ability to transition into a lower-maintenance home while strengthening overall financial position. For others, it opens the door to a lock-and-leave lifestyle, closer proximity to amenities, or simply fewer rooms to manage and maintain.

Downsizing in Milton isn’t about sacrificing quality. It’s about recalibrating. Many homeowners find that a well-located, lower-maintenance property offers the same standard of living with fewer ongoing demands.

The key is understanding what that shift would look like in real terms — value, timing, and positioning. Reviewing neighborhood-level trends, buyer activity, and your home’s precise market standing

provides clarity well before any decision needs to be made.

Spring simply creates the space to evaluate those options thoughtfully. Because a move is far more than relocating your belongings. It’s a decision that touches lifestyle, finances, and long-term plans.

The right guidance brings clarity. A detailed market and equity analysis can reveal what your home would command in today’s Milton market — and what a rightsized alternative could realistically offer. With real numbers and a clear strategy, decisions become less overwhelming and far more intentional.

If this season has you considering whether “less” might create more freedom, it may be time to begin the conversation.

The most dangerous place for seniors

Brought to you by – Bath and Kitchen Galleria

The bathroom, a place we take for granted, transforms into one of the most hazardous areas in the home for aging seniors. With slippery surfaces, high tub walls, and the need for frequent maneuvering, the risk of falls—the leading cause of injury among older adults—spikes dramatically. John Hogan, President of Bath and Kitchen Galleria and Aging in Place Expert says, “Proactive bathroom modifications are not merely an upgrade; they are an essential investment in the long-term safety, independence, and dignity of our seniors.”

To mitigate the dangers, several specific aspects of the bathroom should be modified to create a supportive and accessible environment:

Shower and Bathtub: The single greatest fall risk is often stepping over a high tub wall. The ideal solution is a curbless or low-threshold walk-in shower to eliminate this barrier entirely. For added security, install a permanent shower seat or bench and a handheld showerhead to allow for comfortable, seated bathing. Shower floor should have non-slip tile surfaces.

Grab Bars: Strategically placed sturdy, professional-grade grab bars are critical. They must be securely anchored into wall studs, not just

the drywall. Placement is key: near the toilet to assist with sitting and standing, and both inside and just outside the shower/tub for secure entry and exit. Modern grab bars come in a variety of stylish finishes to seamlessly blend with your décor.

Toilet Area: A standard toilet can be difficult to use for those with limited mobility. Installing a comfort-height or raised toilet seat reduces the strain on joints and makes the transition from sitting to standing much easier. Pairing this with well-placed grab bars provides a significant boost in stability.

Flooring and Lighting: Replace slippery tile or remove loose bathmats and throw rugs, which are tripping

hazards. Install slip-resistant flooring throughout the bathroom. Finally, good lighting is paramount. Bright, even lighting—including motion-sensor nightlights—helps seniors navigate safely, especially during middle-of-thenight trips.

By implementing these thoughtful changes, the bathroom can evolve from a high-risk area into a secure, comfortable, and accessible space that supports an aging senior’s desire to age in place safely at home. For more information visit Bath and Kitchen Galleria’s showroom at 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector in Alpharetta (no appointment needed) or call them at 678-459-2292.

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The Homestead at Milton

Only five opportunities remain for a once-in-a-lifetime address

Brought to you by - The Homestead at Milton

In a market where true estate-style living has become increasingly rare, one of North Fulton’s most extraordinary opportunities is quietly approaching its final chapter. The Homestead at Milton — an exclusive gated enclave of expansive homesites and custom luxury estates — now offers only five remaining opportunities to own within this remarkable community.

Set amid the rolling countryside of Milton, yet just minutes from the area’s premier schools, equestrian estates, golf clubs, and upscale dining, The Homestead at Milton was thoughtfully envisioned for those seeking privacy, prestige, and permanence. Each homesite spans approximately 3 to 10 acres, offering a level of

space and serenity seldom found in today’s luxury market.

This is not a typical neighborhood. It is a curated collection of estate properties designed for discerning buyers who value legacy living and architectural distinction. Here, homeowners collaborate with renowned custom builders to design and construct fully personalized residences — from timeless European manors and modern farmhouses to sophisticated contemporary estates — all tailored to individual lifestyles and tastes.

Homesites are offered from approximately $1.1 million to $2.4 million, with custom homes ranging from $4.5 million to over $20 million+, reflecting the caliber and craftsmanship expected within this exceptional setting. Behind the gates, residents enjoy a rare combination of privacy and proximity: a tranquil retreat surrounded by nature, yet convenient to Alpharetta, Crabapple, and the greater Atlanta business corridor.

As luxury buyers continue to seek larger homesites, multigenerational flexibility, and space for resort-style

outdoor living, The Homestead at Milton has emerged as one of the most coveted estate communities in North Atlanta. With only five homesites remaining, the opportunity to secure a legacy property here is becoming increasingly limited.

For those who have been waiting for the right setting to build a forever home — one that reflects both personal vision and enduring value — this is the moment.

The Homestead at Milton.

Only five opportunities remain to create a once-ina-lifetime estate.

For more information visit

www.TheHomesteadAtMilton.com

Or call Luxury & Custom Home Specialist, Julie Gentry 770-855-6964

Sales by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ga Properties - New Homes Division. Equal Housing Opportunity.

The well-remembered crossroads community of Ocee

BOB MEYERS

Ocee was a small unincorporated rural crossroads community in today’s North Fulton County reportedly named after a Cherokee location meaning “home.”

In 2006 it became part of Johns Creek together with three other crossroads communities – Newtown, Sheltonville, or Shakerag, and Warsaw – when the city incorporated. The Ocee Community area exists today as names for a park, school, church, library and a cemetery among other places in Johns Creek.

The Ocee community was centered around today’s intersection of Jones Bridge Road and Kimball Bridge Road, extending about 2 miles in all directions. As it gradually grew in the 1800s the community established an Ocee School, Ocee Baptist Church, a Methodist Church and other churches and a series of stores. According to local historian Connie Mashburn, cotton farming was important, and one of the largest cotton gins in the area was built in Ocee.

Ocee was first named New York. In the mid-1800s it was common to name communities after famous cities or people because settlers thought a recognizable name would create a more official image on maps and would help make it easier to obtain postal services. Additional examples of that idea in Georgia were Athens, Dublin, Warsaw, Dallas, Rome and others.

The government rejected the community’s application for postal service because the New York name was too common and likely to cause confusion in mail delivery. In 1883 the first post office in what would become Ocee opened under the name Mazeppa to comply with the U.S. Post Office requirement for unique names.

The use of dramatic literary names

for communities was fashionable in the late 1800s. The name Mazeppa was sophisticated, modern and cultured. It was the name of a 17th century Ukrainian nobleman named Ivan Mazeppa in Lord Byron’s 1819 poem “Mazeppa.” Byron made the name popular in paintings, music and an 1828 Victor Hugo poem.

The Mazeppa Post Office was discontinued and the Ocee Post Office opened in May 1903.

Larry Webb Bennett grew up in Ocee and notes “There was not much traffic when I was a kid. When we played baseball, the street was part of the field. If a car did come along you could hear it a mile away.”

Larry went to the Ocee Elementary

School which, circa 1950, changed its name to the Amy L. Dodd School.

“My mother, Francis Webb Bennett, was the cafeteria manager and I worked in the cafeteria. About 60 kids attended the school.” Larry recalls.

His grandfather donated property for the school. Larry’s wife Pat taught 6th and 7th grades. The two grades were combined due to the small number of students.

Larry attended the Clear Springs Baptist Church.

was used for 4-H meetings, civic gatherings and social events. Politicians would come and speak, according to Larry.

Judy Webb and her husband Lewis moved to Ocee in 1981. Judy recalls the cannery built in the mid-1920s on Jones Bridge Road where a Publix is today. In the 1990s, Janice Shirley Gunter converted the cannery into an antique and gift store. Judy remembers seeing the Tri-Weekly newspaper mimeographed in 1938-1942 by Ocee School students. Her in-law, Jim Webb, wrote a popular weekly column under the name Mentor Webb. He was born in a log cabin on Webb Bridge Road.

General Stores were important as sources of necessary items including food, clothing ammunition, animal feed, tools and informal credit accounts. They were also social gathering places.

The first general store in Ocee opened in the late1880s and operated until the 1920s-early 1930s by farmer James Wright Shirley (1868-1960) who owned the Farm Merchandise Store in downtown Alpharetta, a store in Stono as well as his store in Ocee. Stono appeared on maps in the late 1800s and early 1900s and was a “post-hamlet,” a small rural postal community, but all traces of it have disappeared today.

As the local school and churches adopted the Ocee name in the 1890s, the Shirley store became one of the first institutions to use it consistently thus helping solidify the name Ocee.

Other stores operated during and after the Shirley store era, including The H.H. Turner family store operated from circa 1931 to the mid-1940s. Hugh and Bob Barnett’s store operated from the mid-1940s until the early1950s when, according to Connie Mashburn, the brothers moved to a larger store in Alpharetta. The Hunnicutt Store circa 1950s-1960s likely operated by A.J., W.T. or J.M. Hunnicutt.

“The preacher would come and preach one Sunday per month, so we would go to the Methodist Church when he was away. It was a closeknit community,” says Larry, who as an adult became executive director of Fiscal Services for the Fulton County School System.

Larry’s father, John Bennett, was Alpharetta’s first police chief and the only policeman in the small city. He also read water meters. Moonshining was big business, and John would take note of cars heading north to Dawsonville. If their rear ends were jacked up, he knew they were going to pick up moonshine and take it to Atlanta. He would wait for their return with their rear end low and heavy and chase after them.

Fulton County provided building materials for community clubs in small towns. Residents provided the labor to build them. The Ocee Community Club

Joan Compton, president of the Johns Creek Historical Society, sums up the situation by noting “Johns Creek has evolved from historic crossroad communities to today’s modern city with the Robert Fulton Library, stores, restaurants and homes that reflect the diversity of this great community.”

There is much more to say about the history of fabulous Johns Creek. Maybe in a future column.

Bob is a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission, director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and member of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society. You can email him at bobmey@ bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

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Presenting the top 5 stupid Ray things

We all have our little things that we do or don’t do in our own particular way that, we sometimes think, are uniquely “us” – that is, stuff that only we do. I suspect that rarely is the case; we’re all basically the same –just fleetingly different around the edges. Coffee. I have never actually taken out a spoon or a measuring something to put a specific amount of coffee into the coffee maker. Never. Now, I will use a spoon or something similar to extract the ground coffee from the bag or can, but not to measure the amount. I typically just load up the coffee into the maker/filter until I think it is holding the most coffee it possibly can and still have the end-result coffee drinkable. I only know a few people who like my coffee – very few – maybe no one. It’s a problem when we have guests. I try really hard to moderate the ‘darkness” of my coffee in those instances, although that usually means that the filter is only 60 percent full of the coffee instead of

close to my normal 90 percent (probably 10-15 scoops). When I see brewed coffee that I can see through, I don’t even try it. It might as well be decaf. Oh yea, “decaf” is another pet peeve but , well, that is sort of a given.

Gas pumps. It drives me absolutely crazy when I see people pulling up to the pump – usually at Costco (my go-to) and their gas is not on the side of the pump – so they are stretching the hose over the top of the car and (sometimes with great difficulty) sticking the nozzle in. No idea why this bugs me, but it does. It’s something I have never done and never will – for some reason.

Why would they just pull up on the correct side of the pump? Don’t get it.

Publix grocery carts. Probably my most non-negotiable/set in concrete stupid Ray-thing. I love Publix. Always have. I think it is because I don’t think I have ever been in a Publix – anywhere – that the employees weren’t just nice, wanting to help, good people. In the over 50 years I have shopped at Publix, I have never – as in “never-ever” – left my emptied cart out in the parking lot in one of those cart-corrals. I walk my empty cart all the way back inside the store so that the lowest-ranking Publix employee who

is tasked with bringing the carts back into the store from the lot has one less cart to deal with.

It is sort of the “Ray-way” of saying “thank you Publix” for who you are and what you do.

The only similar instance that comes to my mind of other people being as idiosyncratic as this was when I was hiking the Appalachian Trail. The unwritten rule on the trail is to “leave no trace.” That is, pack your trash out – every single piece no matter how tiny. Like, not even a candy wrapper, or toothpick, or water bottle cap or cigarette butt. I mean nothing – zero. In the over 2,000 miles/ 6+ months on the trail, I saw exactly not one single instance of hikers not leaving no trace. Everyone, but everyone, packed their stuff out. Down to postage stamp-sized scraps of paper. Will never forget that.

Horn honkers. OK, I have written about this before. Not everyone agreed with my stance which basically is that, other than using your horn to prevent an accident or similar, horn honkers are dirtbags – miserable excuses for humans that need to crawl back under their rocks. Enough said, except, in the same category are the low-life’s that do road

rage – like those one-finger salutes –when they have to pass you on the right side because you are only going 10-15 miles an hour over the speed limit in the fast lane. I usually try to ignore all of them and write it off to people just being miserable with their lives and taking it out on anyone close by.

Turning against traffic. OK, another traffic one. This one is really stupid of me but it is what it is. I sometimes will drive an extra mile-ish to be able to turn left at a traffic light, and then basically do a U-turn which will then allow me to turn right somewhere and not block traffic to do so. When I see cars stopping traffic trying to turn against like 2 or 3 lanes of bumper-to-bumper traffic to, for example, pick up a kid at school or something – instead of driving a little past and doing a U-turn to be able to turn right, my blood pressure shoots up unless I force myself to chill.

About three years ago, I decided to never be in a hurry again – for anything – unless we’re talking about a real emergency. It has made a huge difference in how I deal with life – for the better. However, I have to realize and accept that not everyone is in that same space and therefore, I need to chill.

GARDEN BUZZ

Benefits of home rain barrels

Rain barrels provide financial, environmental and practical benefits to homeowners. Rain barrels offer a free resource for watering your lawn, garden and container plants. During the hot summer months, water consumption can become a significant portion of the city water usage and costly to many homeowners. Rain barrels offer water during critical summer months free of unnecessary chemicals, such as chloride, fluoride and salts. It is a naturally soft water source with nutrients that are beneficial to your plants, providing an optimal growing environment.

Rain barrels reduce stormwater runoff by capturing water from your roof, thus reducing storm water drainage issues. Pesticides and unabsorbed fertilizers do not get carried away into our waterways when less water is flowing from your home into the stormwater drainage system.

Ground erosion is impeded since it reduces water rushing down from your drainage system.

How to get started

Rain barrels are easy to install. Just follow a few steps.

First, you should find a suitable location to source your rainwater. Identify a gutter downspout that will provide a good supply of rainwater. A roof area of 250 sq. ft. can fill a 50-gallon container in less than two hours of moderate rainfall. Place the barrel on level, sturdy ground.

Next, determine the type of rain barrel you want to use. You can either build or buy, depending on your needs. To build a rain barrel you will need, at a minimum, a 30- to 50-gallon barrel, a way of collecting water from a gutter downspout and a spigot to get the water from the barrel. Next, you need a way of funneling the water into the barrel. This can be as simple as redirecting your downspout into an opening at the top of the barrel or implementing a water diverter. Lastly, you need a way to drain the water by installing a spigot near the bottom of the container. These materials can be purchased at your local hardware store or online, usually sold in kits with all the materials and instructions needed for basic installation.

If you want more guidance, there are several online articles and videos showing you how to make one. Rain barrelmaking workshops are offered by local

municipalities as well as City of Atlanta Watershed Management. These are feebased workshops typically offered in spring and summer months, requiring pre-registration. Be on the lookout for a workshop near you.

Part of home landscape

Some gardeners have shied away from rain barrels because they do not fit in their home’s landscape. The good news is that there are plenty of attractive barrels that can complement your home. Designs ranging from attractive terra cotta, Tuscan stone and modern containers are available from home stores or dedicated e-commerce shops.

Take it up a notch

If you are into home automation, you can really go wild with your beautiful rain barrel by adding an irrigation system. This will provide hands-free watering for your outdoor plants. During the summer months, you will not have to worry about when to water those precious summer blooms.

I implemented solar-powered, programmable irrigation systems, drawing water from the rain barrel, to supply over 10 plants per system. The programmable systems power the water pumps to distribute the water to the plants and have day and time duration settings, so the watering is automated. This is especially helpful when I am away from home for an extended period.

Considerations

There are some considerations that you may want to address.

Many homeowners are concerned about the infestation of mosquitos during the growing season. Because the containers have water that may remain in the barrel for several days (or weeks), there is the possibility of a mosquito breeding ground. Mosquito dunks are doughnut-shaped, biodegradable tablets containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), a naturally occurring bacterium that kills mosquito larvae in standing water without harming pets, fish, wildlife or humans.

The rainwater that deposits in the containers contains natural bacteria, aiding plant nutrition and possible contaminants from the roof. However, some horticulturalists advise harvesting three weeks after rain barrel watering on the soil surface, as bacteria may get absorbed into your fruit and vegetables. To remediate, you can add a small amount of unscented bleach or calcium hypochlorite and let the chlorine smell disappear before watering (maintain a chlorine level of 0.2 mg/L of water). Avoid overhead watering onto crops, especially leafy greens, etc., with rain barrel water.

Some barrels could crack during winter freezes. To avoid potential damage, you should drain the container before a forecasted cold spell or just empty for the winter months.

So, when you are watching the Geor -

gia rain from the comfort of your home, think about how you can capture this free resource from mother nature. You help your plants grow healthy, improve the environment and save money. All while having a Rain Barrel of Fun! Happy Gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https://appenmedia.com/opinion/columists/garden buzz/.

Save the date: 25th Annual Garden Faire, April 11, 2026 at Wills Park in Alpharetta

About the author

This week's "Garden Buzz" features This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Jerry Veltri, a Sandy Springs resident. Jerry became a Certified UGA Master Gardener Volunteer after a lifetime of household gardening. He enjoys growing many types of plants and trees, especially citrus and fig trees, using rain barrels as the main source for watering many of his garden plants.

Puzzles

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!

PARTNERS

1. Jekyll’s partner. Like some gas. Garbage.

2. Sea bird. Valuable fur. Clark’s partner.

3. Poe’s bird. Lum’s partner. Like a busybody.

4. Hardy’s partner. Small salmon. Kind of test.

5. Musical mark. Fibber McGee’s partner. Territory in NE Canada.

6. Baby buggy. Popeye’s partner. Latin American dance.

7. Bird venerated by ancient Egyptians. Delilah’s partner. Half-moon tide.

1 Jekyll’s partner. Like some gas. Garbage

2. Sea bird. Valuable fur. Clark’s partner.

How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!

3. Poe’s bird. Lum’s partner. Like a busybody

4. Hardy’s partner. Small salmon. Kind of test

5. Musical mark. Fibber McGee’s partner. Territory in NorthEastern Canada.

6. Baby buggy. Popeye’s partner. Latin American dance

7. Bird venerated by ancient Egyptians. Delilah’s partner. Halfmoon tide.

Tumbler

Zoning:

Continued from Page 1

Since 2021, Milton has seen a trend of bigger homes on smaller lots which limits the additions homeowners can make to their property. Many homeowners on the cramped lots have since sought variances to change setbacks.

City staff is trying to find better ways to alert homebuyers of what they can and cannot do in the way of additions on a property.

The current minor plat process allows land to be divided with limited development review until after it is sold, leading development standards to be neglected until the building permit process.

Given these issues, staff has raised questions of what the right development standards should be for lots less than 3 acres and how to identify potential development problems sooner.

Discussion proceeds

At the first of two public input meetings, residents suggested that subdivision requests should follow the same process, whether it is a minor or preliminary plat. This would require land developers to make decisions on house placement, stormwater challenges and other development requirements before selling the lot.

“I think the minor plat process is a very heavy lift on staff,” Milton Equestrian Committee member Carson Saville said.

He said the application system should be changed so that staff and neighbors aren’t having to solve topography challenges and buildout processes for minor plats.

Others suggested the city require a more varied treescape to provide more coverage, especially around larger homes.

“As best as I’ve been able to tell, the rules don’t provide any protection whatsoever to our viewshed,” another resident said. He suggested adding protections for the privacy of current homeowners and increasing requirements for developers on what plants should be added on property lines.

Milton Equestrian Committee member Greg Rathjen advised considering a property’s viewshed from a larger perspective and not just from the street, especially in a rural setting.

Lauren Holmes, a real estate broker and member of the Board of Zoning Appeals, said that restrictions already in place in Milton have caused issues for those living on less land.

In her work, she said, “trying to talk to other people, you tell them, ‘Hey you’re stuck,’ because of what they have already done,” Holmes said. “I feel like we’ve done enough … We

Board

need to be able to work with what we have.”

At the Feb. 25 Planning Commission meeting, some members were still confused about the specific problem around

AG-1. At-large Commissioner Stephanie Butler said it’s a mix of helping staff manage their workload and guiding developers toward a certain design aesthetic.

Public Works Director Sara Leaders agreed, adding that staff must ensure zoning codes support the vision outline in Milton’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

“We feel like, from the feedback we’ve heard and the patterns now of the development … [the question] is are we still meeting that vision and do the codes allow us to work within the codes to meet that vision?” Leaders said.

A common theme throughout the public forum and at the Planning Commission meeting is that Milton’s unique layout and feel is at risk.

“Everybody here … loves the beauty and the natural layout of this city and we got to do what we can to protect that, and I think this is a good step to make sure that when it does get developed, it’s done correctly.” Milton Equestrian Committee member Seville said.

The next City Council meeting on March 2 at 6 p.m. does not have AG-1 amendments on the meeting agenda. The next public input forum has not yet been scheduled.

HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA

An Arbor Day celebrant and her son shovel dirt atop a witch hazel tree in Bell Memorial Park in Milton Feb. 20.

Arbor:

Continued from Page 1

Milton’s newest arborist, Shannon Fitzgerald, hosted the Milton Arbor Day celebration. The city has three arborists who work with residents and community groups to educate on tree maintenance and increase the tree canopy.

NOTICE OF MEETINGS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE FOR THE CITY OF MILTON

RZ26-01 – Text Amendments to Article 8 Use Provisions; Article 11 Environment; and Article 12 Administration regarding public hearing notice publication requirements and appeal procedures.

RZ26-02 – Text Amendment to Article 8 Uses with respect to” Limited Food Service Restaurant” in the Use Table for Crabapple Form Based Code and Sec. 8.5.13.E; and to amend Sec.8.7.1. F and Article 13 Definitions with respect to “Tasting Rooms”.

The above items will be considered at the following meetings and public hearings:

Mayor and City Council Public Hearing

Monday, April 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

Location:

Milton City Hall – Council Chambers

2006 Heritage Walk Milton, GA 30004

678-242-2540

NOTICE OF MEETINGS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE FOR THE CITY OF MILTON

RZ26-03 – Text Amendments to the Unified Development Code regarding minor plats and AG-1 Standards to the following: Article 2 General Provisions; Article 3 Agricultural Districts; Article 6 Special Purpose Districts; Article 9 Site Development; Article 10 Streets and Improvements; Article 11 Environment; Article 12 Administration; and Article 13 Definitions.

The above item will be considered at the following meetings and public hearings:

Community Zoning Information Meeting

Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 6:00 pm

Planning Commission Public Hearing

Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 6:00 pm

Mayor and City Council Public Hearing

Monday, April 13, 2026, at 6:00 pm

Location:

Milton City Hall – Council Chambers 2006 Heritage Walk Milton, GA 30004

678-242-2540

Invitation to Bid

Hopewell Road Roundabouts Improvement Project Project #TS2-2515

ITB NUMBER 26-PW05

Bid Due Date: April 1, 2026, by 2:00PM Local Time

Electronic submission via: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bidsrfps

Bid submissions will be publicly announced via a virtual bid opening at approximately 2:30 PM at the City of Milton City Hall located at 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, GA 30004. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids. If the contract is awarded, it will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder whose bid meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the invitation for bids.

The City of Milton is requesting bids from qualified parties to provide concrete island expansion, striping, and other improvements called out in the bid, to roundabouts along Hopewell Road within the city limits of Milton, Georgia. All qualified bids will receive consideration without regard to age, handicap, religion, creed or belief, political affiliation, race, color, sex, or national origin. The plans and specifications can be found in the solicitation of bids posted on the websites below. A bid bond of 5% is required when submitting bid response.

The request for electronic bids for ITB 26-PW05, Hopewell Road Roundabouts Improvement Project will be posted on the following websites the week of March 5, 2026:

https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bids-rfps and https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/

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During these turbulent times, we would like to highlight the continued courage and commitment of everyone who works in the health care, law enforcement, childcare, food service and utility sectors. We are extremely grateful.

Park:

Continued from Page 4

Milton was awarded funding for the 1.5 miles of trail through a grant from the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program. Additional funds came from the American Rescue Plan Act and special transportation tax (TSPLOST).

Over 100 acres of land are being preserved, and Mayor Peyton Jamison said it’s wonderful to see Milton make such a great investment.

“We love Milton, we love our partners,”

Paul Adams, age 91, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on February 20, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Erin Athey, age 46, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 19, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Merwin Brewer, age 94, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 18, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Robert Brubaker, age 88, of Milton, GA passed away on February 19, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Willis Dockery, age 75, of Milton, GA passed away on February 22, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

John Kardian, age 56, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 17, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Jamison said. “Thank you for everything that you’ve done and I’m hoping this will be the first of many, many endeavors that we can welcome our community with.”

The Milton City Park and Preserve can be accessed at 1785 Dinsmore Road. The active portion of the park includes a pool, tennis courts and, eventually, a playground. A majority of the park is passive green space with a continuous 2.5-mile loop.

Troy Summey, age 95, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 22, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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THE FUTURE OF LOCAL NEWS

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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.

The Schoenblum Family

Robert Scholz

Robert Schreiner

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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.

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