Brian Vanderhoff's North Fulton Real Estate Blog

MILTON, Ga. — Milton's new public library will be at the corner of Charlotte Drive and Mayfield Road, in downtown Crabapple. The county paid $1.1 million for the 4.09-acre piece of historic property where the homestead of the Dinsmore family still stands.

With a large white house sitting up on a slight rise from the road, there are two barns and a smaller, yellow house on the property. There are plenty of large trees on the property, including two massive oaks. A family of turkey vultures has taken up roost in one of the barns.

The Dinsmore farm belonged to Theodore Roosevelt (T.R.) Dinsmore and his wife Imogene. While the white farm house dates back to the 1950's, the property has been in the family for much longer.

"You would see [T.R.] sitting on his porch at all times," said Wes Williams, a long-time area resident and real estate agent for the property.

At one point, the Dinsmore family owned a large percentage of the Crabapple area, Williams said.

T.R. died in 2005 and Imogene died in 2009.

Drivers-by might recall that the property has had a "for sale" sign out front for the past several years.

Williams and Glenn Fletcher are partners in Carroll Realty, the Realtors who have tried to sell the property for the past seven years.

It was slow going, Fletcher said, trying to find the right developer and development for such an important site in Crabapple, especially with the newly formed City of Milton.

"This is the last big parcel in Crabapple that wouldn't require an assemblage of lots," said Fletcher. "We went looking for the right fit."

They then heard about the $275 million library bond.

"When Wes and I happened to along how Fulton County passed their bond and they were looking for a library site, we knew it was a perfect site," said Fletcher.

The lot has road visibility and is within walking distance of several schools – Milton High School, Northwestern Middle School and Crabapple Elementary School – all important criteria for site selection by the library board.

The realtors reached out to the library director, John Szabo, and invited him to walk the site.

This was all in 2008. Two years later, Fletcher, Williams and Williams' 10-year-old daughter, Colleen, went to a Library Board of Trustees meeting to make their case.

They think the decision was made easier for the board when young Colleen stood up and wanted to speak.

"She told them, 'I think that Charlotte Drive would be a great location for your new library,'" said Williams. "She got up there and was unfazed by the people in the room."

The Fulton County Commission voted at their June 6 meeting to approve the $1.1 million to purchase the Dinsmore estate. The motion to approve came from North Fulton Commissioner Liz Hausmann and was unanimously approved.

The 25,000-square-foot library is part of 10 new or renovated libraries that were approved in a 2008 referendum worth $275 million, and work has been moving on a few sites since then. The library in Roswell already has preliminary designs drawn up, and the new Alpharetta Library is part of the new designs of downtown Alpharetta. The next step for the library is for architecture and designs to be drawn up.

For Fletcher and Williams, it's a perfect fit for Milton.

"It's nice to think this piece of property will be the center of learning for young kids," said Fletcher, who also helps teach special needs children at the Old Milton High School.

"This is one of the main entrances into Milton," said Williams. "What better way for a city to be represented than a landmark to learning?"

Labels: Crabapple, crabapple antique and arts festival, Crabapple Crossing Elementary, Crabapple Crossroads, Historic, milton, Milton Library

100-plus antique dealers and juried artists on hand

MILTON, GA., Sept. 30, 2010 - The Crossroads at Crabapple Antiques and Art Festival, featuring more than 100 antique dealers and juried artists from six states, will again enliven quiet Crabapple this Saturday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A tradition since 1969, this one-day-only, rain-or-shine, outdoor festival features thousands of antiques and unique pieces of art in all mediums. Parking and admission are free.

For directions to the festival (held at 750 Mayfield Road, Milton, GA 30004) go to www.crossroadsatcrabapplefestival.com or www.cityofmiltonga.us or call 770-448-3860. You may also click here.

"We get quite a crowd, so shoppers please come early for the best buys," said festival organizer Sally Rich-Kolb. "We have thousands of antiques, from 19th century American Country, to primitives, to shabby chic, to old and new pottery and quilts."

Artists will be on hand selling jewelry, birdhouses, watercolor and oil paintings, photography and hand-blown ornaments, said Rich-Kolb.

"There is just too much to list, so you must come and see for yourself," she said.

Included in the festival are roaming musicians, food, a trolley to free parking areas and children's activities provided by the Goddard School from 2 to 4 p.m. A number of non-profit organizations also take part, including the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA.

Please note: The City of Milton is a presenting sponsor of this event. It is not a city-run special event.

Incorporated on December 1, 2006, the City of Milton is a distinctive community that embraces small-town life and heritage while preserving and enhancing the city's rural character. The City of Milton is committed to maintaining the unique quality of life for its constituents while efficiently delivering essential services to residents and businesses in an interactive community environment. For more information, visit www.cityofmiltonga.us, or call 678-242-2500.

Labels: Crabapple, crabapple antique and arts festival, Crabapple Crossing Elementary, Crossroads, crossroads at crabapple

t's that time of year again to stroll through beautiful, historic Crabapple on a cool fall day, taking in the wares of more than 100 antique dealers and juried artists from six states.

We're talking of course about the Crossroads at Crabapple Antiques and Art Festival, held Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Crabapple. A tradition since 1969, this one-day-only, rain or shine outdoor festival features thousands of antiques, accessories and unique pieces of art in all mediums.

Portions of sales benefit the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America and many other non-profit organizations. Parking and admission are free.

For directions to the festival, click here.

"We get quite a crowd, so shoppers need to come early for the best buys," said festival organizer Sally Rich-Kolb. "We have thousands of antiques and accessories, from 19th century American Country to vintage/chic, pottery and old and new quilts. Plus, as always, we have the perfect find for someone searching out that unique piece of art or jewelry. There is just too much to list so you must come and see for yourself!"

Included in the festival are roaming musicians, a varied menu of food items, trolley rides and children's activities provided by the Goddard School from 2 to 4 p.m.

Children at the Goddard School must have one guardian with them at all times, said Rich-Kolb. While there the youngsters will be entertained by Captain Planet, music, magicians and a moon bounce.

Organizers recommend bringing cash or a checkbook, as about half the artists and dealers can not accommodate credit cards.

Please note: The City of Milton is a presenting sponsor of this event. It is not a city-run special event. For more information, go to www.crossroadsatcrabapplefestival.com or call 770-448-3860.

Incorporated on December 1, 2006, the City of Milton is a distinctive community that embraces small-town life and heritage while preserving and enhancing the city's rural character. The City of Milton is committed to maintaining the unique quality of life for its constituents while efficiently delivering essential services to residents and businesses in an interactive community environment. For more information, visit www.cityofmiltonga.us, or call 678-242-2500.

Labels: Crabapple, crabapple antique and arts festival, Crabapple Crossing Elementary, crabapple mercantile exchange, croassroads at crabapple antique and art festival, Crossroads

Anthem Homes & Neighborhoods is finishing up in Crabapple Crossing, a low maintenance community of 41 Craftsman style homes. Situated between Crabapple Road and Rucker Road in North Fulton County, Crabapple Crossing maintains a quiet, out-of-the-way atmosphere despite the convenience of its location.

Only eight home sites remain in the quaint community, where buyers can choose three-bedroom garden homes with 2.5 or 3.5 baths and a bonus room or loft. Single-family homes with four bedrooms and 3.5 baths and walk-up attics are also available. Each spacious home is filled with today’s most popular luxuries, including granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, lots of hardwood and tile, and abundant trim. Home buyers receive all of this plus the assurance of Anthem Homes & Neighborhoods quality starting in the $290,000s.

One of the biggest advantages for homeowners, however, is the free time they gain living in a low maintenance community. Homeowners association dues pay for landscape maintenance for individual homes as well as common areas.

Crabapple Crossing families enjoy a community lake, lighted streets and sidewalks. They are served by Crabapple Crossing Elementary, Northwestern Middle and Milton High schools. Newsweek listed Milton High School among America’s Best High Schools for 2010.

For more information on Crabapple Crossing, visit the Anthem Homes website.

Labels: Alpharetta, Crabapple, Crabapple Crossing Elementary, Home, Home Buyers, home buying, homes

The 10th Annual Colt's Cup 5K and 1 Mile Run is this Saturday morning, May 9 at Freemanville Road near Milton High School.

The free race will only be open to the first 400 runners of all ages, and all runners must register. Race day registration begins at 7 a.m.

The 5K begins at 8 a.m., followed by the 1-mile race at 8:45 a.m. Both races will end in the Milton High School Stadium.

The Colt's Cup supports Crabapple Crossing Elementary, Northwestern Middle School and Milton High School. Ribbons and prizes will be awarded in several categories. There will be food, drinks and an inflatable jump house.

A race T-shirt can be purchased for $15.

Freemanville Road between Mayfield and Crabapple Hill, as well as School Road will be closed beginning around 7:30 a.m. Freemanville Road will be reopened on a staggered basis as soon as possible. School Road will reopen by 9:30 a.m. Birmingham Highway will not be affected.

Labels: city of milton, Colt's Cup, Crabapple Crossing Elementary, Freemanville Road, Georgia, Milton High School

Don't forget Thursday night's (11/13/08) redistricting meeting - 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Milton High School Milton Center.

Check out this website: http://www.fultonschools.org/redistricting/bham.htm . It gives information about the 1st school redistricting meeting (Round 1) and there is a video explaining the process.

Round Two - November 13th
Staff will present alternative proposals for new attendance zones.
Community members will offer comments on strengths and weaknesses of each plan in facilitated small-group discussions.
Prior to the next community forum, staff will condense the number of attendance zone alternatives based on public input.

Round Three - December 10th
Community members will review and provide input on revised attendance zone draft plans in facilitated small-group discussions.
Staff will use comments to develop a final attendance zone recommendation for Board consideration.

The Fulton County Board of Education will be reviewing the new attendance zone recommendations during their meetings. Final action is planned for February 2009. Changes in the attendance zones will go into effect in August 2009 with the opening of the new elementary school.

Labels: Crabapple Crossing Elementary, fulton county schools, Milton High School, northwestern middle, oxford lakes, Redistricting, roswell high school, summit hill elementary, sweet apple elementary, waterside

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crabapple Crossing Elementary School
Sonia Terry, Principal May 1, 2008

Road Closure
www.fultonschools.org/school/crabapplecrossing
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****IMPORTANT****
ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION

To Whom It May Concern:

On Saturday, May 3rd Crabapple Crossing Elementary School in conjunction with Northwestern Middle School and Milton High School will be hosting the 9th annual running of the Colt's Cup - a 5K and 1 mile road race. We will run a course very similar to last year's, which will incorporate portions of Freemanville Road.

Please note the following planned road closures:

6 a.m. - approximately 9:30 a.m.

Kensington Farms Drive "School Road"

(Note: Access to Milton High School parking will remain open via the west entrance at Birmingham Highway/Kensington Farm Drive throughout the race.)


6 a.m. - approximately 9:30 a.m.

Freemanville Road

Both north and southbound lanes of Freemanville Road from Crabapple Hill Road to Mayfield Road will be closed for the 5K race. These lanes will reopen when all runners/walkers pass through this portion of the course. Volunteers will be posted at points on Freemanville Road to assist runners and residents during the race. Runners are anticipated to be present in this portion of the race course between 8:05 - 8:45 a.m.

Questions concerning lane closures or the race can be addressed to:

George Freiberger

Assistant Principal

Crabapple Crossing ES



This is a free event, open to all members of our community. Please feel free to come out and join us that morning to walk or run...or to cheer on the participants.



Sincerely,


George Freiberger

Assistant Principal

Crabapple Crossing ES

School- 770-740-7055

Fax- 770-667-2841

Free update for Adobe Reader 8.1.1


If you reply to this email, know that it is not checked daily. Your email will be answered as soon as possible. Do not reply for school or PTA issues. Thank you.

Labels: Colt's Cup, Crabapple Crossing Elementary, Freemanville Road, Road Closure