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Kathy Mitchell

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DeKalb Medical celebrates 50 years

DeKalb General Hospital, now DeKalb Medical, opened its doors at 9 a.m. on May 1, 1961. That afternoon hospital staff delivered the hospital’s first baby, the daughter of a Chamblee High School coach. Fifty years and a day later, a group of employe...

Awards program puts spotlight on high achieving volunteers

Mistress of Ceremonies JaQuitta Williams, left, and DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis, flank Neighborhood Empowerment Award recipients J.W. and Althier Eady.
“I’m not looking to change the world; I’m just looking to change my community,” said award recipient Luma Mufleh in a recorded message at the second annual DeKalb County CEO’s Community Hero Awards Ceremony April 10. Her statement captured ...

Two Avondale favorites come back with a bang

At left, Kelly Lynch, manager and lead pastry chef at Sweet-N-Sinful, prepares for the bakery’s reopening at its new location on Pine Street. At right, Our Way owner Eva Roswall reviews photos taken shortly after the 2010 fire that forced the popular restaurant to close for more than a year. It reopened April 4. Photos by Kathy Mitchell
Folks who’re in Avondale Estates when hunger strikes will be glad to know that two old favorite restaurants—Sweet-N-Sinful and Our Way Café—are reopening and taking their eateries to another level.   Sweet-N-Sinful  The Sweet-N-Sinful bakery...

It’s a great month for the Irish as St. Patrick’s Day events flood the calendar

St. Patrick’s Day celebrates all things Irish, but the fun is for everyone—no matter their ethnic heritage. Downtown Atlanta again will be hosting a parade and celebration second in the state only to the grand event held—for the 187th time—in...

There’s no magic lamp, but this genie helps make artistic wishes come true

Elisha Fields, left, in top photos demonstrates the technique for constructing the Sketch Genie and shows how a grid is used to make a larger rendering of a drawing or photo. Photos by Kathy Mitchell
Elisha Fields said she had lots of different jobs over the years, but few of them really suited her. “I like the idea of being my own boss,” she said. Over the years Fields flirted with art, but did not pursue it seriously until she moved to the ...

Community says farewell to radio personality Royal Marshall

If laughter is ever appropriate at a funeral, it is because it is a fitting tribute to someone who brought the gift of laughter to all who knew him. The funeral service for radio personality Royal Marshall on Saturday, Jan. 22, at Ray of Hope Christi...

New store in Avondale Estates gives second chance to merchandise and pets

Wife and husband owners Tanya Mahrous and Toby Tobias say their rescued Dalmatian Lucky was the inspiration for starting their business. Photo by Kathy Mitchell
When Tanya Mahrous accepted a buyout package from her corporate job she knew exactly what she wanted her next move to be. She wanted to start a business that combined a favorite pastime—bargain hunting—and a passion—helping homeless pets. She r...

Decatur neighbors help neighbors through MLK Weekend project

James Matthews, project chairman of the MLK Service Day project in Decatur, compares the work done through the annual effort to the barn raisings at which Americans in an earlier time all gathered for a day to help their neighbors build a barn. “Th...

Catalina Island: where Bogart, baseball and bison come together

Catalina’s most famous landmark, Catalina Casino built in 1929, has never had gambling. Photo by Kathy Mitchell
There is a bouncy little song about Catalina Island—“26 Miles”—that was popular in the 1950s. For years I mistakenly thought The Four Preps were singing “sunny Catalina is waiting for me.” Sunny is not a bad description of the place, but ...

Family marks 10-year anniversary of Derwin Brown’s death

Brandy Brown Rhodes, top, was joined by many other residents recently in a candlelight vigil to honor her father Derwin Brown. Photos by Travis Hudgons
It’s been 10 years since DeKalb County was shocked by the assassination of Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown. Brown was returning home from his graduation from sheriff’s school when he was met with a hail of gunfire in front of his home. He was to have ...