Former Gov. Roy Barnes and his wife, Marie, attended Cobb Community Foundation's Partners in Philanthropy Luncheon, held Monday in Marietta.

Mondays are busy for Barnes, who now runs a law firm right off the Marietta Square, but Marie was insistent that he attend. A wise man, he listens to his wife.

Toward the end of the program, after remarks from former Attorney Gen. Sam Olens, now president of Kennesaw State University, and grant presentations, Cobb Community Foundation awards chair Kim Gresh announced Barnes had been selected as the 2017 Philanthropist of the Year.

Barnes was surprised, but found the perfect story for the occasion, stemming from his childhood in Mableton, where his family farmed and ran a general store:

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Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff