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Sandy Springs Crier - March 19, 2026

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‘A labor of love’ Food pantry opens in East Roswell

ROSWELL, Ga. — North Fulton Community Charities opened its first satellite food pantry at Bridge to Grace Church in East Roswell, furthering the nonprofit’s mission to ease hardship and foster financial stability.

A crowd of church volunteers, donors and community leaders

gathered with members of the charity to celebrate the March 11 ribbon cutting at the food pantry and garden at 2385 Holcomb Bridge Road.

The East Roswell food pantry will provide immediate relief to around 100 families each week. By opening a separate location, NFCC has decreased travel times for those seeking financial relief.

In 2025, the charity served

nearly 10,000 people and reached more than 3,700 households through its main food pantry on Elkins Road. Food was provided to an average of 210 families each day.

“The need is growing,” NFCC’s Senior Manager of Brand Strategy Blaine McCarty said. “So, we have to rise to the occasion to meet that need.”

See PANTRY, Page 11

City offers wide choices for kids’ summer camps

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs has announced a summer camp lineup designed to provide recreational and educational opportunities for children across a range of interests.

Known as Camp Sandy Springs, the program includes specialty camps such as Kids’ Yogaland, Gymnastics Camp, Tennis Camp, Abernathy Arts Center Camp, Soccer Camp and Pickleball Camp. Organizers say families can choose programs based on their child’s interests. Each camp is led by instructors focused on skill development, recreation and personal growth. Camps begin in June and registration is underway now.

Soccer Camp

The Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Soccer Skills Camp offers a program designed to help players improve footwork, learn techniques and build confidence in the sport. Ages 8-14.

See CAMPS, Page 11

ABERNATHY ARTS CENTER/PROVIDED The City of Sandy Springs is offering a wide range of summer camp programs for children beginning in June, including the Abernathy Arts Camp.

HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA
Guests tour the grounds of North Fulton Community Charities’ East Roswell food pantry and garden March 11.

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Sandy Springs police PIT vehicle on I-85

ATLANTA — Sandy Springs Police pursued a vehicle for 20 miles at high speeds March 12, eventually forcing it to crash with a precision intervention technique (PIT) south of Brookhaven on I-85.

The late-night incident began when an officer attempted to pull over a Dodge Charger on Ga. 400 in Sandy Springs. When the driver allegedly failed to stop, officers began to pursue the car southbound. The vehicles then reportedly reached speeds of 97 mph.

SSPD officers attempted a PIT maneuver after a few miles, but the vehicle escaped and headed east on I-285. When law enforcement from other cities located the vehicle in Chamblee, Sandy Springs officers reengaged pursuit.

Dunwoody Police were then following the charger as it headed southbound on I-85. Sandy Springs officers caught up to the vehicles, overtook Dunwoody law enforcement and began acting as the primary pursuit agency.

Eventually, Sandy Springs conducted another PIT maneuver shortly before the Clairmont Road exit. This time, the move resulted in the Charger spinning out and crashing on the highway.

Ten units, including two from Dunwoody, were on scene as Sandy Springs arrested the driver. At least one other vehicle crashed during the incident, according to

POLICE BLOTTER

All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Roswell woman reports harassing text messages

ROSWELL, Ga. — A Roswell woman reported receiving more than 30 unprovoked text messages from a former employee after asking him to cease all contact with her.

The woman told police she had messaged the former employee about a sewer camera valued at approximately

and Dunwoody police

a vehicle pursuit March 12 that ended with SSPD

a precision intervention technique on I-85.

Appen Media.

The cause for the initial stop was, “traffic charges,” according to police radio traffic.

Law enforcement officials were not immediately available to say whether there were any injuries or what the suspect’s final charges would be.

This is a developing story. Appen Media will have updates as they become available.

$13,000 when he started responding with texts that were not relevant to the equipment. After asking the man to stop contact with her three times, she continued to receive text messages, phone calls and a voicemail.

The messages contained comments about the victim’s son, foul language and a video of the suspect singing.

When police contacted the suspect, he said the woman’s husband had called him a murderer, and he was retaliating. The suspect said he was not threatening the woman, but “playing around,” and that he would stop texting.

The woman is proceeding with pressing charges and police obtained a warrant for harassing communications

from Fulton County.

Woman wary of visits from unidentified man

ROSWELL, Ga. — A woman notified the Roswell Police Department March 2 that she has repeatedly seen an unidentified male at her house on Manchester Circle.

The unidentified Black male wears a vest and knocks on the woman’s front door before leaving. She has also seen him staring and taking pictures of the vehicles in her driveway.

The woman said she has seen the man at her residence nine times but has been unable to contact him.

ASK APPEN

— Hannah Yahne
CARL APPEN/APPEN MEDIA Sandy Springs
process the scene after
conducting

Sandy Springs Fire Corps seeks volunteers

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Sandy Springs Fire Corps is seeking new volunteers to help support firefighters and first responders during emergencies and major incidents.

The volunteer unit includes trained residents who assist the Sandy Springs Fire Department in non-firefighting roles by providing logistical and operational support at emergency scenes and community events.

“Fire Corps members are an important part of the team,” said Scott McColl, a captain and deputy fire marshal with the department. “They strengthen our emergency response system by handling logistics, rehabilitation support, scene assistance and community outreach, ensuring our firefighters can perform at their best when it matters most.”

Volunteers receive training, including participation in the Citizens Fire Academy, to prepare for incident support, firefighter rehabilitation operations and community engagement activities. No previous firefighting experience is required.

Program organizers say the opportunity may appeal to residents seeking community service, including retirees, medical professionals, military veterans and young professionals with flexible schedules.

Officials say the Sandy Springs Fire Corps is one of only a small number of similar programs that operate on a consistent basis and has been active for 11 years.

More information about volunteering is available at SandySpringsGa.gov/fire-corps-ssfc.

DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA
Sandy Springs firefighters join in the fun at last year’s Back to School Bash and National Night Out event.

WAR EAGLES 62, RED ELEPHANTS 61

Woodward Academy advances to second straight title game

ATLANTA — Woodward Academy boys basketball advanced to the state championship game for the second straight year after beating previously undefeated Gainesville 62-61 March 6 in the Final Four.

Last year, the War Eagles were runnerup to Tri-Cities. This season, they added a third member of Team USA’s 16U squad to join the Hayes brothers. The War Eagles now boast two of the nation’s top 15 sophomore basketball players.

Guard Jarvis Hayes Jr. is No. 29 in the Class of 2027 and won Region Player of the Year this season.

When these teams met earlier this year, Gainesville pulled out a 1-point win after mounting a comeback in the fourth quarter.

This time around, Woodward again got out to an initial lead, 41-27 at halftime. Gainesville came out with a fire in the third quarter and finally tied the game at the beginning of the final frame at 48 points.

There were three more ties before Gainesville finally took a 55-53 lead with three minutes to go. A bit of back-and-forth later, Woodward was down five points with

less than a minute remaining.

Two straight 3-pointers righted the ship for the War Eagles, carrying them back to the title game for the second consecutive year.

Head coach Anthony Thomas gave the glory to God. Defeating a nationally ranked opponent never comes easy.

“We always say, we’re appreciative of the opportunity to play, an opportunity to get a win because wins don’t come easy,” he said. “We knew that we were going to get one of the better teams in the state, and we didn’t expect anything less [than how the game went], even when we got a halftime lead.”

Advancing to the title game meant ending a nationally ranked team’s previously undefeated season. Woodward and Gainesville are in two of the toughest regions in 5A, and both won their region tournaments to take a one seed going into the state bracket.

Myles Hayes has been forging a strong sophomore season, totaling 447 points this year since receiving his composite 5-star rating by 247 Sports.

He said it “feels great to put on a show for them” about playing in the Final Four in the same arena where his father and

Woodward senior Donovan Johnson, No. 2, gets a hand off the floor from his teammates in the Final Four against Gainesville at Georgia State March 6. Johnson and the War Eagles outlasted the Red Elephants 62-61.

uncle coach.

“We were just coming out to win, play hard, play to the best of our ability,” he said. “Don’t sleep on us.”

Myles’s reception of an unselfish play for the final basket was deserved after he assisted on the previous shot after grabbing an offensive rebound. Without those

final two plays, the game may have ended 59-61. Thomas describes Myles as a “glue guy.”

Myles’s brother Jarvis Jr. assisted on the go-ahead bucket. Their father, Jarvis Sr., coaches for the Georgia State basketball team and told Appen Media that he knew the final shot was going in before it left Myles’s hands.

“We pulled Myles to the side and tweaked some things [with his shot] and I just knew,” he said. “When Jarvis [Jr.] kicked it to him in the corner, he had time to get his feet set and release it, I knew it was going in before it left his hands. That’s such a testament and I’m so filled with emotion right now because you try to tell guys to be ready for your moment, you don’t know when it’s gonna come.”

He said he was giving personnel pointers to his sons up until the game began, and he was prepared for a hard-fought game after playing Gainesville earlier this season and being familiar with head coach Charlemagne Gibbons for a number of years.

Woodward was set to face off against Alexander, another highly-ranked team, for the GHSA 5A title at the Macon Coliseum March 13.

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Dan & Company Studios swings into 56 years of teaching dance

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The song “It’s a Hard Knock Life” from the musical “Annie” plays in the studio as a dozen barefoot children in shorts and leotards line up in front of large mirrors.

At the back of the studio, Peter Tucci instructs the tiny dancers to leap, point and crouch as he performs the steps himself. The children follow his lead, smiling, giggling and moving together.

It’s just a normal day at Dan & Company Studios, where children have learned to dance for 56 years.

The school, one of the oldest businesses in Dunwoody, recently moved to its new location at 5501 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Ste. B in the Dunwoody Village shopping center, just a few doors down from its previous home.

Founded in 1971 by Dan and Ronda Youmans, the studio is now owned and operated by their daughter, Tina Youmans Hidalgo.

“My parents started this studio … and it was their baby,” she said while seated in the studio’s lobby.

Tina Youmans

stands in front of Dan & Company Studios in the Dunwoody Village shopping center. Her parents founded the studio in 1971, making it one of the longest-running businesses in the city.

“I grew up at the studio. A lot of our instructors grew up dancing here and moved away to dance professionally,

then ended up back in Atlanta and now teach for us,” she said. “We have a lot of third generations now, dancing and teaching.”

Company since she was 3. She works part time at the front desk and is auditioning for the Georgia Tech dance team in April.

“I definitely want to dance in college,” she said.

Hidalgo said Rego is a good example of many students who come to Dan & Company.

“A lot of these kids we have raised,” Hidalgo said.

Tucci, the instructor, is another former student.

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Hidalgo was a professional dancer with Walt Disney World and traveled the country. She moved back to Atlanta and was an instructor and choreographer at Dan & Company for many years. She took over administrative duties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When her father died in 2022, she made it her goal to keep the studio going. The company’s logo is now her father’s image in a dance pose painted on the wall of the largest studio.

“My father had a real passion for dancing and this school. I want to keep the legacy going,” she said.

The studio offers classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop and tap for students as young as 3. Students can choose dance competitively or recreationally.

For those interested in pursuing a professional dancing career, Dan & Company is home to the Atlanta Jazz Theatre Company, a program devoted entirely to the study and performance of jazz dance — which has nothing to do with jazz music. The form became popular in the United States in the early 20th century and can be used to describe the choreographies of Bob Fosse, Gene Kelly and Debbie Allen.

Jenna Rego, 18, a senior at Mount Vernon School in Sandy Springs, has been studying dance at Dan &

Tucci learned dance from Hidalgo, then went to New York City where he danced professionally including performances in “Grease” in Berlin and “Peter Pan” in London. He also danced in music videos and with singer-songwriter Fiona Apple.

He returned to Metro Atlanta three years ago and said he likes teaching because he wants to pass on the skills and enjoyment he learned from dancing.

“Working with kids and seeing what dance has provided allows me to see what Dan & Company provided for me as a child,” he said. “I remember being taught you can’t keep what you don’t give away.”

Even if students don’t want to be professional dancers, they have a place at Dan & Company, Hidalgo said.

“We want this to be a happy place for them … their getaway,” she said.

She hopes the studio is around for many more generations to teach dance and instill in new students a passion for expression and discipline.

“I feel like we’ve been able to create the same sentiment about dance over and over and over,” Hidalgo said.

“It’s important to me to keep that same feeling that my parent’s started, about how special this studio is and how we really go above and beyond to make sure our instructors are the best we can find,” she said.

PHOTOS BY: DYANA BAGBY/APPEN MEDIA
Hidalgo
Dance instructor Peter Tucci watches his class of children practice their moves at Dan & Company Studios.

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, 4 and 5 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!

2 FOR THE PRICE OF 1

1. Horse or bean, e.g. Uneasy feeling. Snare.

2. Fisherman’s lure. Social organization. Barber’s supply.

3. Trade. Shack. Party drink.

4. Room at the top. Transportation. Bunsen burner.

5. Let. Top dog. Construction material or golfer’s choice.

6. Vermin or computer accessory. Gung-ho. Dutch cheese.

7. Dance or soccer necessity. Part of a hand. Journal entry.

1 Horse or bean, e.g. Uneasy feeling. Snare

2. Fisherman’s lure. Social organization or caveman’s weapon. Barber’s supply

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. Trade. Shack. Boxer’s delivery or party drink.

4. Room at the top. Carpenter’s tool or transportation choice. Bunsen burner

5. Let. Top dog. Construction material or golfer’s choice

6. Vermin or computer accessory. Gung-ho. Dutch cheese

7. Dance or soccer necessity. Part of a hand. Journal entry

Summer Camps

Come join the fun at Wesleyan!

Brought to you by – Wesleyan School

All children in our community are welcome, regardless of if they go to school at Wesleyan or not.

Our hope is that all children in metro-Atlanta would know that they are loved, valued, and welcomed at Wesleyan.

Wesleyan offers summer camps during June and July and clinics throughout the year for every member of the community. Come be a part of the fun, friendship, and fellowship!

We believe that Jesus came so that we might have life abundantly, and He delights in our joy, laughter, silliness, and smiles!

Located in Peachtree Corners, Wesleyan Summer Camps allow children an opportunity to explore interests and learn new skills in a fun, engaging, Christ-centered environment. Camps range from arts to athletics, STEM to life skills, and morning, afternoon, and fullday programming are offered. All children ages 3-14 are welcome to attend. www.wesleyanschool.org/camps

OPINION

GUEST COLUMN

Results, not rhetoric: County’s 2026 budget cares for community

Fulton County cares. Not in headlines or hashtags, but through steady, thoughtful work that strengthens communities, supports our most vulnerable neighbors, and respects the taxpayers who make that work possible. For residents of North Fulton, this approach not only benefits our community directly, but also reflects a broader commitment across Fulton County to results, not rhetoric

Every budget season, countless hours are spent reviewing programs, meeting with department leaders and asking hard questions about what is working and what needs improvement. What I see is a county that takes its responsibility seriously by investing in people, prioritizing proven solutions, and maintaining a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility.

To me, caring is not defined by how much government spends; it’s defined by whether our investments

solve problems. It means coordinating services, partnering with trusted nonprofit organizations, measuring outcomes and adjusting course when necessary. It means protecting families who are struggling while also protecting homeowners and small businesses from unnecessary tax burdens.

That philosophy shapes how Fulton County approaches housing stability, public health, nonprofit support and essential services — countywide services that North Fulton residents benefit from alongside their neighbors in South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta and beyond.

Results through partnerships

Partnership with nonprofits is a cornerstone of how Fulton County delivers results, proving that it really isn’t all about the amount of money invested, but the intentionality and impact of that investment.

In 2025, Fulton County’s Community Services Program (CSP) awarded $5.3 million in contracts to 160 nonprofit partners across six service categories, including children

and youth services, economic stability and poverty, health and wellness, homelessness, disabilities and senior services.

Among these trusted partners, many serving North Fulton and countywide, are:

• North Fulton Community Charities (essential services and basic needs support)

• The Drake House (family homelessness support)

• Community Action Center (CAC) (education and economic stability)

• Chattahoochee Nature Center (environmental education and enrichment, including summer camp experiences for hundreds of children)

— through Fulton County support, hundreds of children benefit from summer programming and nature education opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

These partnerships reflect a practical, results-driven approach: working with trusted local organizations to deliver targeted services, maximize impact, and strengthen community support networks without duplicating efforts or creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

Housing stability

Fulton County works closely with Partners for Home through a coordinated, regional system that focuses on what is often described as a three-legged stool: housing, services, and stability.

While many housing dollars come from federal and state sources, Fulton County’s primary role is providing the wraparound services that make housing successful. That means funding mental health care, substance use treatment, case management, employment support and ongoing stabilization services so individuals and families can remain housed long term. A roof alone is not enough. Housing only works when it is paired with the supports people need to stay on their feet.

In the current fiscal year, the county is investing millions in housing and homelessness services. Through this coordinated system, 1,345 households receive homelessness prevention or housing assistance annually, and 46 percent of individuals placed into permanent supportive housing remain stably housed one year later.

ATTENTION LEADERS

Promote your summer camp in our upcoming summer camp special sections.

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BRIDGET THORNE Fulton County Commissioner

Fulton County Schools should matter to us all

Imagine sitting in a small elementary classroom, holding a picture book while a group of young students leans forward, eyes wide, hanging on every word. Their laughter fills the room. Their questions come quickly and honestly. For a few minutes, nothing matters more than the story you are sharing. Moments like that remind us that our schools are not just buildings or bus routes or calendar dates. They are places where curiosity is sparked, confidence is built, and the next generation begins to discover who they are.

Whether you currently have a child in school or your children graduated years ago, Fulton County Schools still belong to you. They are part of the fabric of our community. The success of nearly 90,000 students shapes the future we will all share.

Strong schools help create stable neighborhoods and a thriving local economy. It is well established that communities with strong public schools attract families and support healthy property values, protecting the investment many residents have made in their homes. At the same time, our schools serve as hubs for athletics, the arts, and civic gatherings that bring neighbors together and foster a strong sense of belonging. They prepare the future doctors, engineers, teachers, and entrepreneurs who will become the

workforce that sustains our region.

We recognize that many residents are navigating rising costs and difficult financial decisions. The school district is facing those same economic pressures. In that environment, supporting our schools means strengthening a community asset that benefits us across generations.

There are simple and meaningful ways to stay connected:

• Volunteer your time. Schools welcome community members for Career Days, mentoring, or reading with young students. You do not have to be a parent to make a difference.

• Stay informed and show up. Attend a school play, a concert, or a Friday night game. Your presence sends a powerful message that students are supported by more than just their immediate

families.

• Support local efforts. From school supply drives to food pantry collections, small acts of generosity can have a big impact on students and families in your own neighborhood.

Public education works best when it is embraced by the entire community. Our schools do not belong only to the families with students enrolled this year. They belong to all of us.

When our schools succeed, Fulton County shines. Let us continue building a community where education is valued, students feel supported, and every generation understands that investing time and care in our schools is an investment in our shared future.

Please complete our Satisfaction Survey at https://tinyurl.com/4dm79zb8.

Continued from Page 9

That is not accidental; it’s the result of evidence-based strategies focused on long-term stability.

County efforts also include funding for permanent supportive housing services and a recent restoration of $2.1 million in the final fiscal year 2026 budget to support wraparound services tied to supportive housing units.

Public health, behavioral health

Fulton County’s holistic view of public health includes countywide investments in community health centers, maternal and infant health, HIV/AIDS services, disease prevention, primary care, and robust behavioral health funding.

In fiscal year 2026, the county is investing over $157 million toward Health and Human Services as a strategic priority, funding that supports prevention, wellness, education, and connections to care for residents across all Fulton communities.

Behavioral health is a signature success. Programs delivered through a trusted provider network served thousands of children and adults in 2025 with free, high-quality care, helping reduce strain on emergency systems and improve long-term outcomes.

In the fiscal year 2026 budget alone, Fulton County is investing $24.5 million in behavioral health, including $4.8 million specifically for wraparound mental health services that support permanent supportive housing. That

single behavioral health investment is six times greater than what Gwinnett, Cobb and DeKalb counties spend combined.

These investments reduce strain on emergency systems, improve health outcomes, and save taxpayer dollars in the long run.

Approach to public safety

Fulton County is working toward a modernized jail facility that will include a dedicated mental health treatment component with approximately 1,300 beds, reflecting recognition that many individuals in the justice system need treatment, not just incarceration.

Fulton County’s Pre-Arrest Diversion (PAD) program embodies compassionate, fiscally responsible public safety reform. Since 2017, approximately 6,000 individuals have been provided services instead of cycling through the traditional justice system, connecting people to treatment and community support rather than incarceration.

PAD not only changes lives, but also saves taxpayer dollars by reducing costs associated with jail, court, and emergency responses.

New Health & Human Services site

North Fulton residents have long had to travel across the county to access a patchwork of services. That changes this spring.

The new Health & Human Services campus at 4700 North Point Parkway, opening in my district, will consolidate many essential services in one convenient location.

The new facility will offer all the services currently provided at the 10

Park Place Health Center on Royal Drive, including: primary medical care for adults and children; preventive care and wellness screenings; immunizations; women’s health and family planning services; STI, HIV, and tuberculosis testing and treatment; chronic disease management; and community health education and outreach.

In addition, the North Fulton campus will introduce two important service expansions: Vital Records services, allowing residents to access birth and death certificates locally, and expanded Senior Services, including an Adult Day program and multiservice supports designed to help older adults remain active, connected, and independent.

On the same property, a Behavioral Health Crisis Center is planned to further expand access to urgent mental health and stabilization services, a critical addition that underscores Fulton County’s focus on both prevention and crisis response.

Seniors, veterans, the vulnerable Fulton County serves tens of thousands of older adults each year through senior centers, home-delivered meals, transportation assistance, caregiver support, and in-home services that allow residents to age safely and with dignity.

In fiscal year 2026, the county has also dedicated $250,000 specifically to veterans housing, along with funding for employment support, benefits navigation, and mental health care.

Stewardship without broad tax hikes

All of this is done while maintaining

stable millage rates and avoiding broad property tax increases. Fulton County has demonstrated that it is possible to care deeply about people while also being disciplined with public dollars. Being compassionate does not require being careless. True stewardship means accountability, transparency, and thoughtful prioritization.

Caring is measured in impact

Caring isn’t performative. It isn’t measured by how loudly we talk about problems. It is measured by whether we take the time to understand them and build solutions that last.

Fulton County’s work may not always be flashy, but it makes a real difference every day. I am proud of the progress we are making, honest about the challenges that remain, and committed to continuing the responsible, people-centered work of building a county where everyone, including the residents of North Fulton, has the opportunity to thrive.

Pantry:

Continued from Page 1

Roswell City Council members Sarah Beeson and Eren Brumley attended the ceremony.

“[The food pantry] provides a much-needed resource for people in the East Roswell community to have more accessibility, not only to food, but fresh food,” Brumley said.

At the ribbon cutting, Vice President of Operation’s Marten Jallad said the project has been an amazing journey and collaboration between NFCC and Bridge to Grace.

It’s easy for anyone in the North Fulton community to gain assistance from the satellite pantry. Customers can sign up online and will be assigned points corresponding to how many people are in their household.

Food items will be offered at various point values and displayed online so customers can budget their points. The pantry offers bread, canned goods, feminine hygiene products, diapers and other necessities. The garden on site will provide fresh produce, one of the food pantry’s top requests.

Jallad said a team of volunteers came together, each utilizing their talents, to make this vision of growing a garden a reality.

Steve Bennett led volunteers in the construction of trellises that will support vining plants like cucumbers and tomatoes. Sandra Girten helps coordinate tending a variety of fresh and seasonal produce that come from Old Rucker Farm, a public garden in Alpharetta.

Girten said it’s fun to see the food they produce given back to the community it grows in.

“It’s a labor of love,” she said.

The East Roswell Food Pantry at Bridge to Grace church is open by appointment only on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m.

Camps:

Continued from Page 1

Abernathy Arts Camp

Held at the Abernathy Arts Center, the camp features hands-on projects in painting, drawing and mixed media. Weekly sessions focus on creativity and artistic development in a collaborative environment. Ages 6-12.

DEATH NOTICES

Joanne Curnyn, age 91, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on February 25, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Loretta Donnelly, age 79, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 27, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

COMMUNITY

Kids’ Yogaland

This camp includes yoga, games and crafts with a different theme each day, such as Beach Yoga, Balance Yoga and Baking Yoga. Activities focus on mindfulness, creativity and physical activity. Ages 5-10.

Jump Start Gym Camps

Jump Start’s gymnastics camp offers beginner, intermediate and advanced instruction. Participants practice skills on vault, bars, beam

Roxianna Draper, age 79, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on February 24, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Patricia Getty, age 77, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on February 26, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

and floor in a supervised environment. Ages 3-12.

Tennis Camp

The Sandy Springs Racquet Center Summer Camp provides tennis instruction for young players through the Tennis Academy of the South. The program focuses on skill development and on-court play. Ages 5-14.

Pickleball Camp

The Sandy Springs Racquet

Timothy Harris-Williams, age 62, of Decatur, GA passed away on October 16, 2025.

James McIntire, age 84, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 25, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Center also offers Pickleball Camps running Monday through Friday. The program includes instruction, drills and gameplay for beginners and experienced players. Ages 8-14.

Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. Sponsorships are available. Those interested in applying for sponsorships can contact recreation@sandyspringsga.gov. For more information or to register, visit spr.gs/ camps.

Jeanne Neal, age 93, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 26, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

John Rhodes, age 79, of Roswell, GA passed away on March 1, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA
Pastor Dave Bonselaar of Bridge to Grace Church speaks at the ribbon cutting for the new food pantry opening as a joint project between the church and North Fulton Community Charities.

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Architectural Project Coordinator (Norcross, GA) Coord w/ clients & stakeholders to gather info to integrate into design solutions. Collaborate w/ internal teams to analyze project info & dvlp dsgn strategies. Prep drawings & docs to ensure compliance w/ city code & industry standards. Conduct site visits to assess conditions, confirm dsgn implmtn & address city or municipal comments to secure timely approvals & maintain schedules. Reqd: Master in Interior Dsgn, Architecture or rltd dsgn field & 6 months exp in same occupation such as Interior Dsgnr, Architectural Dsgnr or Dsgn Associate & proficiency in Revit, Auto CAD & understanding of relevant codes such as state building codes, IBC. Salary: 58885/yr. Mail resume to Alpha Engineering, 3150 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Ste 302, Norcross GA 30071.

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