Progress 2014

A Publication of

March 30, 2014

Leading the Way

Progress

Progress

A Publication of

2014

Progress

March 30, 2014

A Publication of

March 30, 201 4

Government & Education Section F

Business & Industry Section E

F E A Publication of

Inside: Work on New Jail,

Health & Recreation Se

G

ction G

2014

Section D

2014

Arts & Community

2014

Progress

2D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Offerings vary from music to dancing

owner Courtney Bromwich.

Bromwich has been the owner of the school for more than a year after having previously worked there for 13 years. She said it’s been a great experience.

“Everything is going really well. I’m really enjoying the kids and the staff and the transition has been really good,” Bromwich said. “We’ve added some and we plan to do even more next year.”

Among new additions include a show at the Cumming Country Fair & Festival and performances at elementary schools.

Bromwich said they’re looking to do spring flings and fall festivals in the future.

For more information, visit www.sawneeschoolofballet.com

Arts groups ready for active year jsami@forsythnews.com

F o r s y t h C o u n t y ’s growth isn’t limited to population. The community’s interest in the arts continues to rise, as do the number of organizations, clubs and outlets through which the community can express creativity.

From painting to dancing, here is a sampling of the groups Forsyth has to offer, their accomplishments in 2013 and goals for 2014.

Sawnee Artists Association

Since 1974, the organization has been an outlet for local artists. Now nearly 100 members strong, it’s home to more than just painters, said past president Charlotte Gardner.

Members work with a va ri e ty of mediu ms , including wood, glass, metal and clay.

The group meets on the fourth Monday of every month at the Sexton Hall Enrichment Center. The gatherings begin with a social at 6 p.m., followed by a business meeting at 6:30 p.m. and programs at 7 p.m.

“We invite anyone to come visit with us and join,” Gardner said.

The association also holds three events annually, including the March Art Madness event that wraps up next weekend.

The next event will be a combined event, with the Colors of Fall and the

Through the Lens photography exhibit in September.

“They will be a juried show and it’s open to the public to participate,” Gardner said.

Though it’s gone by several different names and locations, the association will again present its Christmas arts and crafts festival, Sawnee Artists Present Christmas Arts and Crafts Festival, formerly known as Christmas in Central Park.

“There will be over 90 vendors with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, local entertainment and all original and unique crafts for sale,” Gardner said.

The club, which is open to the entire adult community, is always looking for new artists and promote the arts. Gardner noted the group is also looking for a permanent residence in the community.

“I just have such a passion for the arts and I think art is good for the soul — and for economics, since all of this is for sale,” she said.

For more information, visit www.sawneeart.org.

Forsyth County Arts Alliance

Despite the sluggish economy, the nonprofit arts support organization again plans to award $50,000 to various groups this year.

In years past, grants have gone to local high schools, arts festivals, college orchestra con-

Crystal Ledford Forsyth County News

Kris Straukas fixes a display of fabric and jewelry pieces for the Sawnee Artists Association’s “March Art Madness” show that runs through April 5.

certs, upgrades to the Cumming Playhouse and a therapeutic music program at Northside Hospital-Forsyth.

“I’m a big fan of anything related to the arts that contributes so much to your life and the aesthetics of your life,” said Linda Roberts-Betsch, alliance board president.

“It’s wonderful to be able to fund arts projects for the enjoyment of the whole community.”

The alliance was created from the $2 million s a l e o f t h e S aw n e e Cultural Arts Center to county government in 2005. The center had been used to help promote arts in the community.

Through the alliance, money from the sale was invested in the North G e o rg i a C o m m u n i t y Fund and is used to fund local arts projects.

A grants workshop was held earlier this month to help potential applicants, but the deadline to send a letter of intent to apply

About this section It has become almost a quarterly ritual. A new study or report releases its findings that show Forsyth County ranking high — sometimes first — in various factors that help shape quality of life.

From health and wealth to education and youth, Forsyth is leading the way as north Georgia and the northern metro Atlanta area emerge from the grips of a sluggish economy.

Join us in Progress 2014 as we take a look at the amenities and qualities that bolster Forsyth’s reputation, as well as the emerging local leaders who are helping lead the way.

Randall Bowman Founder of the National BBQ Cup: Que’n in Cumming “Randall Bowman and his barbecue team of family and friends handle the logistics and planning of this huge national event down to the smallest of details.

Randall strives to host one of the finest barbecue competitions in the nation, promote the sport of barbecue, showcase our great city and provide a fun event for all. Randall’s passion, enthusiasm and professional approach that he brings … are why he is highly respected.”

— Dave Horton, director of the Cumming Fairgrounds Randall Bowman hoped to blend two of his greatest loves — barbecue and the community — when he founded the National BBQ Cup: Que’n in Cumming three years ago.

It seems he has been pretty successful in that endeavor since the event has grown to include about 100 professional

Randall Bowman works at the 2013 National BBQ Cup: Que’n in Cumming.

for grant money is April 25.

“They have many projects and sometimes they just don’t have the budget to fully complete those projects,” Roberts-Betsch said. “This contributes to the betterment of the community by providing access to projects that otherwise might not be funded.”

Only nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations can qualify for the grants, and those seeking funding must present projects that will support the arts in the community.

For more information, visit www.forsytharts.org.

Sounds of Sawnee Concert Band

From a ninth-grade student who plays the euphonium to an 89-yearold clarinetist, the Sounds of Sawnee Concert Band “runs the gamut,” said president Harold Titus.

The band continues to grow, he said, adding there are currently 75 members from all walks of life performing with the group.

Most of the band’s concerts have been free to the public, primarily to generate interest in music in Forsyth and to give the members an outlet to perform. It’s also a way to recruit new members.

“It showcases the local talent that’s in the community and that seems to be the best-kept secret,” he said. “We hope we provide entertainment for audiences of all ages.”

Titus said the band has made its new home in the Sexton Hall Enrichment Center, where it will perform a spring concert April 6, a fall festival Oct. 9 and a Christmas concert

on Dec. 14. There also will be a patriotic ice cream social on June 29.

In addition to the Sexton Hall performances, the band will perform at Cumming First Baptist Church, Dawsonville Arts Festival, the ThomasMashburn Steam Engine Parade on July Fourth and the annual Cumming Christmas crafts show in November.

“We just finished our biggest show at Sexton Hall,” he said. “We had our Celtic concert and we had the North Atlanta Pipes and Drums join us and we had some Celtic dancers who performed with us.”

Titus said new members are always welcome.

“Since we don’t charge dues, it doesn’t cost anything,” he said. “It provides relaxation and helps them relieve the stresses of everyday life. They like to perform of the public and bring enjoyment to them.”

Rehearsals are every Monday at Cumming First Baptist Church. They begin at 7:30 p.m. and last two hours.

For more information, visit www.soundsofsawnee.com.

Sawnee School of Ballet

Since 1990, the school has offered classes for dancers from preschool through professional.

In addition to ballet, classes include tap, jazz, tumbling, contemporary, modern and hip hop.

Recitals are held in the beginning of June featuring a variety of performances from all the school’s dancers. Also in June, the school will offer dance camps, as well as an all-day camp, said

Sawnee Ballet Theatre

The nonprofit organization features two main performances each year — a spring concert, featuring a variety of dance works and the December production of “The Nutcracker.”

Courtney Bromwich, owner, said the theater company performed Act 2 of “Swan Lake” earlier this month, as well as selected works and pieces choreographed by the staff.

Last year, the school performed Sleeping Beauty for its spring concert, she said.

The company’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” will continue to feature dancers from the Sawnee School of Ballet, which Bromwich acquired in November 2012.

As the school’s owner and director, Bromwich will continue to work closely with the ballet theater.

Annual recitals will also be held in May, which will include “doing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and danci ng t hr ough t he decades.”

Bromwich said the theater gives dancers and the audience exposure to classical ballet.

“They do contemporary and modern works as well, but being able to bring full-length productions and education in the arts,” is a main focus of the theater, she said.

For more information, visit www.sawneeballettheatre.com.

About the cover Jackson Drake executes a grind at the skate park in Fowler Park. Forsyth County is known as a great place to live, work and play.

Photo by Micah Green, Forsyth County News.

File photo

teams who travel from across the country to compete, as well as about 50 teams taking part the local “backyard division.”

The barbecue event in 2013 also drew some 15,000 spectators.

“We’re the largest barbecue competition in the state and about the fourth largest in the country,” said Bowman, who also runs a custom barbecue smoker business in which he and his employees build and ship the devices.

Bowman said before starting the local event, he had been a competitive barbecue cook for about five years. He wanted to bring the unity created by other events he competed at around the country to his home of Cumming.

“I had always looked at barbecue competitions as wonderful community events,” he said.

“I saw it as an incredible

outreach of the community where everybody came together and threw … any of the political stuff that ever goes on in any community out the window.

“Whether you’re raising money for one charity or a scholarship fund or whatever it may be, I always saw it as a wonderful way for the community to come together.”

Bowman and his family, which includes wife Amanda and sons Shaw, 16, and Cash, 7, are ready to see what the fourth National Barbecue Cup, on Nov. 21 and 22, has in store.

“I’m hoping we continue to learn every year because that’s what will keep this event getting better and better,” he said.

— Crystal Ledford

Sawnee Cumming Optimist Club 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament Monday, April 28

Windermere Golf Club Proceeds from the tournament will benefit children’s programs and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta located in Forsyth County. All entries include green fees, cart and lunch. 9:30 AM Shotgun Start with prizes and Silent Auction to follow. Top 3 teams will be awarded.

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forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 3D

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Humane society helps homeless animals From staff reports

The Humane Society of Forsyth County has had one mission for more than 35 years — to help the animals of Forsyth County.

In recent years, the society has seen greatly improved efforts in working toward this mission with an almost 200 percent increase in the number of animals adopted since 2007.

During the 2013 calendar year, the society adopted out more than 1,400 dogs and cats, a 23 percent increase over 2012. Since 2009, the society has adopted out a total of 5,150 animals.

The society is home to the only no-kill animal shelter in Forsyth County. The shelter, at 4440 Keith Bridge Road, houses dozens of homeless dogs and cats who wait to be adopted.

These animals are cared for by the shelter manager and a handful of paid staff members.

Hundreds of other dogs and cats are cared for by dozens of volunteers who serve as fosters while the animals await their forever families.

To promote the animals, volunteers spend almost every weekend at various animal adoption events at different petfriendly businesses throughout the county. All the animals available for adoption and information about each of them can also be found on the society’s website, www.forsythpets. org.

While successful adoption of dogs and cats to good homes is the primary mission of the organization, it also works in the community through a variety of programs.

Among those is a food pantry to help residents who might not be able to afford food for their pets. The society also provides low-cost spay and neutering services, as well regular microchip and vaccination clinics.

Volunteers also work to educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering

Statistics at a glance for 2013 • Animals rescued: 1,315 • Animals adopted: 1,416 • Families helped by pet food pantry: about 300 • Animals helped through low-cost spay and neuter program: about 900 • Animals helped through vaccination/ microchip clinics: more than 350 Source: Humane Society of Forsyth County

File photos

Dogs Zeus, left, and Athena sit with owners Beth Yarborough, left, and Maria Halbert aduring a previous Mutts & More Festival at Fowler Park. Below, animals wait to be adopted during the event, a fundraiser for the humane society.

pets, as well as other aspects of responsible pet ownership.

Through the Humane Hearts program, specially trained therapy dogs and their owners visit

classrooms and nursing homes to enrich the lives of special groups within the community.

Additionally, the Humane SMARTS program, an educa-

tion and outreach program that focuses on the society’s “no kill” mission, provides education about respect for life, both in the home and the community.

As a nonprofit organization, the Humane Society of Forsyth County is not funded by local, state or federal governments.

Rather, the organization relies entirely on financial support

through private donations, fundraising activities, family memberships, corporate sponsorships and federal grants.

Besides these fundraising vehicles, the society’s thrift store, at 168 Tri-County Plaza, also provides a steady income for the organization.

Individuals can donate their used items such as furniture, books, clothing and household items. The items are then sold to the community at reasonable prices.

The society could not exist without the tireless efforts provided by its army of volunteers and small paid staff.

“They work countless hours, following their passion to care for these homeless animals, until HSFC can find them their forever homes,” said Mark Schullstrom, president of the board of directors. “Without their efforts, we don’t exist.”

For more information about the Humane Society of Forsyth County, its programs and how to get involved, email info@ forsythpets.org or call (770) 887-6480. The Keith Bridge Road shelter is also open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

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4D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

United Way grateful for support For the Forsyth County News

In 2013, about 5,400 donors came together to support more than 60 nonprofit organizations and programs that provided direct services to residents throughout the Forsyth and Dawson County communities.

Their investment of more than $1.273 million created more opportunities in the areas of education, income, health and basic needs. All of these areas play a key role in building a good life.

Food, one of the most basic needs, was the focus of the 21st Annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive. A partnership between the United Way of Forsyth County and the Cumming Post Office, this two-day event collected an estimated 38,000 pounds of food that was distributed to 11 different food pantries in the county that served those families most in need. This was about one additional ton of food collected over the 2012 event.

Data from the 211 information and referral hotline charted 1,266 calls for utility assistance, mortgage and rent payment, and food assistance in 2013. Programs such as The Place and St. Vincent DePaul were there to help. Electricity/ gas payment assistance accounted for 11.45 percent of the calls, mortgage/rent assistance accounted for 12.24 percent and food assistance accounted for 12.88 pecent of the total calls received.

Through the annual Give Kids A Smile Day, about 65 children received dental services

from six dental practices volunteering to help the children and youth who needed services the most.

The initiative is a collaboration between Forsyth County Schools, United Way of Forsyth County and local dentists.

In its fourth year, with the help of Publix Super Markets, United Way’s Stuff the Bus event collected a record 48,000 school supply items during July. These items have gone to benefit children and youth in Forsyth County schools.

In 2011, through one of the areas of need identified in a 2005 needs assessment, United Way developed an initiative to provide transportation services for young adults with special needs to and from employment opportunities. In 2013, about 41,500 miles were travelled, transporting 11 individuals to a total of six Forsyth County job sites six days per week.

United Way helped to facilitate the 2013 homeless count in Forsyth County by collaborating with Ninth District O p p o r t u n i t y, l o c a l churches, area nonprofits a n d Fo r s y t h C o u n t y Schools.

They also provided free tax preparation services to 18 individuals through the VITA program at the United Way office in March 2013.

With the support of United Way of Forsyth County, Forsyth County Schools offers recovery opportunities for failed classes in each of their high schools through the credit recovery program.

During 2013, this United Way initiative assisted with tutoring before or after school,

On the Net To find out more about United Way of Forsyth County, go online at www.UnitedWayForsyth.com or visit facebook.com/UnitedWayForsythCountyGA and Twitter @UnitedWayFCGA

summer school credits, Lanier Technical College dual enrollment tuition, Saturday school, EOCT coach books for math remediation, TI calculators for loan, GHSGT prep books and group tutoring.

About 300 students were assisted to stay on track in order to graduate on time.

United Way of Forsyth County held the 11th Annual Day of Caring in September 2013. The event boasted a slightly different format. With the help of 350 community volunteers from local corporations, small businesses, civic clubs, schools and churches, 50,000 dried, ready-to-eat meals were packaged for distribution to eight local food pantries. An additional

180 volunteers participated in 13 projects at eight other locations through the county.

One of United Way of Forsyth County’s biggest accomplishments was the purchase of a permanent home.

After renovations in 2012, the organization moved in January 2013 and held an open house in October. This move has allowed United Way to expand its programs and provide greater access to the community, this includes a large community room that is available for nonprofits to use.

United Way received a bequest in 2006 and saved the funds until the time was right to buy a permanent building. No campaign dollars were spent to purchase and renovate the

Flavors of Forsyth One of the biggest opportunities to bring everyone in the community together will be the fifth annual Flavors of Forsyth. The event is set for 4 to 8 p.m. May 10 at the Forsyth Conference Center, outside on the campus of Lanier Technical College. This festival of food will benefit those nonprofits and programs serving our community. More details can be found online at www.

UnitedWayForsyth.com.

facility.

United Way’s mission is to improve lives in the community by mobilizing the caring power and spirit of residents.

It does this by bringing together donors, volunteers, community leaders, large and small businesses and many others to assess needs and find the best way to meet those needs.

By coming together, they were able to make a significant impact on the lives of more than 81,750

Forsyth and Dawson County residents in 2013 and continue their work in 2014.

Thank you to everyone who continues to give back to this great community we call Cumming and Forsyth County through United Way. Your time, financial resources and sheer dedication make it the best place in Georgia to raise families, work, relax, stay healthy and retire.

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forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 5D

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Shawn Lovejoy Pastor of Mountain Lake Church “Shawn Lovejoy is an incredible Godly leader.

He has a passion that is evident in all he does to give people a church where they can become and belong, no matter where they are with their faith. He will go out of his way to make others feel welcomed, not only in the church but also in our community.”

— Tammi Bramblett, Mountain Lake Church member Shawn Lovejoy takes pride in changing the way many people think about religious organi-

zations.

The founding pastor of Mountain Lake Church said that’s important today, when so many seem to have negative ideas of what church means.

“There are a lot of people out there who don’t have a hard time with God, they just have a hard time with the church,” he said. “We’ve been able to stay true to the Bible, but at the same time drop a lot of the cultural and traditional stuff … that some people are intimidated by.

“If we can change the way they think about church, we can get them to give it a shot.”

Apparently, that approach has been suc-

cessful since Mountain Lake, which Lovejoy founded in 2000 in his living room, has seen tremendous growth over its 14-year history.

From Lovejoy’s home, the church moved to Sawnee Primary School, which has since become part of Sawnee Elementary. Services were held there for two years before the congregation moved to North Forsyth High and finally to the current campus off Dahlonega Highway in 2003.

“We’ve built three times in 10 years since we’ve been here,” Lovejoy said, noting that church, with a congregation of about 3,000, is expanding again, but this time to

For the Forsyth County News

Pastor Shawn Lovejoy leads the congregation at Mountain Lake Church.

other locations.

A Gainesville campus opened on Christmas Eve, and sites at Lambert High School and in Dawsonville will open on Easter and in September, respectively.

Along with changing people’s thoughts on church, Lovejoy advocates Mountain Lake’s role in the community.

He and his wife of 20 years, Tricia, and their three kids — Hannah, 15; Madison, 10; and

Paul, 9 — wouldn’t have it any other way since Forsyth County is home.

“We believe in the community and in making the community a better place to live,” he said.

— Crystal Ledford

City of Cumming gaining rep for barbecue

By Crystal Ledford cledford@forsythnews.com

A Cumming barbecue competition continues to garner regional accolades.

Randall Bowman, organizer of the National BBQ Cup: Que’n in Cumming, said the event was nominated by the Southeast Festivals & Events Association for its Kaleidoscope award for best new event.

According to the organization’s Web site, the Kaleidoscope awards recognize “the highest level of achievement in the festival and event industry throughout the Southeast region.”

Bowman said he was especially pleased when he learned of the nomination for the barbecue event, which was held for the third time the weekend before

Thanksgiving at the Cumming Fairgrounds.

“This is the largest association for tourism groups, festivals and events here in the Southeast,” he said. “It’s part of the International Association of Fairs and Events groups.”

The National Barbecue Cup this year drew some 18,000 visitors, and nearly 150 professional and amateur barbecue teams from across the country.

Bowman said the nomination is a reflection of the success he hopes the National BBQ Cup can sustain.

“I’m extremely excited [about the nomination],” he said. “That’s exactly where we’ve always hoped we’d be at this point in time.

“Hopefully, we can continue to grow and make it even better each year.”

April 19th

Taste of Forsyth Along the Hospitality Highway

Saturday 11 am - 6 pm Food Samples: $1.00 - $4.00 FREE Easter Egg Hunts 3 & under - 11:30 am 4 thru 7 - 12:30 pm 8 thru 10 - 1:30 pm Admission: FREE

Cumming has previously been named one of the top 10 cities for barbecue by a website that explores America’s best places to live and visit.

In 2012, Livability.com released its list of Top 10 Best BBQ Cities, which focused on lesser-known barbecue destinations, avoiding hot spots such as Memphis, Austin and Kansas City.

Cumming, which ranked 10th, was chosen because of “its incredible ratio of barbecue restaurants to residents” of about 1 to 1,000, based on U.S. Census numbers.

The city also garnered some attention because of the National BBQ Cup: Que’n in Cumming, which was held for the first time in 2011 and returned in November 2012 and ’13.

July 3rd & 4th

Independence Day Festivities

July 3rd - Street Dance • Food & Craft Vendors Childrens’ Activities 6 pm - 11 pm Fireworks 9:30 pm at Fairgrounds July 4th - Annual Steam Engine Parade @10 am

August 29th - 31st

IPRA (International Professional Rodeo Association) World Championship Rodeo

Friday & Saturday 8 PM • Sunday 7 PM Admission: 13 & up - $15.00, 5 - 12 - $10.00 4 & under - FREE, Seniors 65+ $12.00 7 Event Rodeo includes: Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding, Calf & Team Roping

File photo

Tony Rzasa serves up meat during a previous Que’n in Cumming competition.

According to a news release, editors purposely avoided wellknown stops, instead concentrat-

ing on small to mid-sized cities with “a large and loyal local barbecue fan base.”

October 2nd - 12th

Cumming Country Fair & Festival

Mon- Thurs 4 pm - 10 pm • Friday 4 pm - Midnight Sat. 10 am - Midnight • Sunday 12:30 - 9:00 pm Admission: Adults - $7.00, Students 5 - 18 - $3.00 4 & under - FREE Parking - $3.00 Advance Tickets Available Sept. 1st - 30th Adults - $5.00, Students 5-18 $2.00

Free Concerts & Shows with Paid Admission

Heritage Village • Indian Village • Working Exhibits Cotton Gin • Sawmill • Sorghum Mill • Cider Press Blacksmith • Grist Mill • Quilters • Schoolhouse Churches • Doctor’s Office • Dentist’s Office Barber Shop • Post Office • General Store • Printing Press • Midway Rides • Daily Ground Acts • Petting Zoo & Local Entertainment • Grand Concert Lineup

6D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

A Family Tradition for over 66 Years Thank you for making Andean your favorite Chevy Dealership.

James Otwell Jr. opened Andean Chevrolet 66 years ago, naming the business after daughters Patricia Anne and Sara Dean – coining the well known Andean name.

Today it is still owned and operated by the founder’s son, daughter, daughter-in-law and four grandsons.

forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 7D

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

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6D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

A Family Tradition for over 66 Years Thank you for making Andean your favorite Chevy Dealership.

forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 7D

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8D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Wayne Maddox is the athletic manager for Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department.

Jennifer Sami Forsyth County News

File photos

The Cumming Country Fair & Festival fills the fairgrounds in Cumming each October. The 19th annual fair in 2013 posted record-breaking numbers.

Local fairgrounds equals family fun From staff reports

The Cumming Fairgrounds helps keep local traditions alive.

From its signature eve n t , t h e C u m m i n g Country Fair & Festival, to the early-1900s heritage village maintained year round, Fairgrounds Administrator Dave Horton says the venue offers family-oriented fun.

The annual fair, which takes place in October, was the first event at the fairgrounds, starting in 1995 as a six-day event.

The festival has since expanded to 11 days, featuring well-known musical acts, a variety of performance groups and the traditional rides and games galore.

“It’s just a great gathering place for the community,” Horton said.

“It’s like a homecoming.

Yo u s e e p e o p l e y o u haven’t seen in a year or several years, and you meet a lot of new folks.”

The 19th annual fair in 2013 saw record-breaking numbers. Horton said the event, which drew more than 167,600 people, “smashed” the p r ev i o u s a t t e n d a n c e record, set in 2012. That number was about 141,000.

The 2014 fair is slated for Oct. 2-12.

Besides the Cumming Country Fair & Festival, the fairgrounds also provide a wide range of o t h e r a c t iv i t i e s a n d events throughout the year.

The schedule each year stays about the same, from the fireworks display and steam engine parade in July to the Christmas celebration in December.

The fairgrounds, also puts on an IPRA Championship Rodeo over Labor Day weekend.

The city of Cumming also presents the Taste of

The fair offers much for children and adults, including rides, games and food.

Information Check out the full schedule of Cumming fairground events at www.cummingfair.net.

Forsyth, which is held on Easter weekend at the fairgrounds. The event offers patrons the chance to sample a wide range of food at a low cost.

The popular event, renamed Taste of Forsyth Along the Hospitality Highway, invites restaurants from across the county to share samples of their dishes.

Outside groups also use the fairgrounds venue for charity events, such as Relay for Life, or other community gatherings, such as church-sponsored car shows.

Each November, the fairgrounds is the site of what is fast becoming one of the largest professional barbecue competitions in the nation.

The National BBQ Cup: Que‘n in Cumming was first presented in 2011. In 2012 and 2013, the event grew in size a n d p o p u l a r i t y, w i t h more than 100 professional and amateur teams from across the country competing and about 15,000 spectators attending each year to sample world-class ’cue.

The National BBQ Cup is always held the

third weekend in November.

The North Georgia Quarter Midget Association plays host to several races for competitors ages 5 to 16 on many weekends when the fairgrounds isn’t otherwise being used, Horton said.

In July 2013, the site hosted the association’s QMA Eastern Grands championship, drawing thousands of people.

The Bill Thomas Raceway at the fairgrounds has held national tournaments in the past, with some former competitors growing up t o b e c o m e NA S C A R drivers. The races, like most of the events at the fairgrounds, Horton said, bring in revenue to the local economy.

Fairgrounds staff members work year round to keep the area well maintained and continue to plan for big events.

The annual fair involves a full year of preparation to bring in a variety of acts and entertainment for the families visiting the fair.

The fairgrounds welcomes the IPRA Championship Rodeo over Labor Day weekend. Fairgrounds Administrator Dave Horton, above, said the venue is “just a great gathering place for the community.”

Wayne Maddox Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department athletic manager “Wayne has a lot of experience in athletics and he does a great job of drawing tournaments and getting the national and regional tournaments into the county. He takes a lot of pride in his work. He does a lot with the community leaders and dives into ... setting up rules and regulations and doing what’s best for the kids.”

— Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Kinsey In 1996, Wayne Maddox planned to spend just a few years as a youth athletic supervisor in Forsyth County. From there, he said, the goal was to “move on to something bigger and better.”

But within a few years, he became the adult athletic supervisor and then was promoted to become athletic manager for the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department, a position he’s held for about a decade.

“I stayed because this is a great place to work, a great community and we’ve had tremendous support from the county commissioners and the citizens,” he said. “It’s easy to stay enthusiastic when you get that support.”

In addition to overseeing the staff, 23 football, soccer and lacrosse fields and 52 baseball and softball fields, Maddox is one of the main reasons Forsyth has a place on the map for youth tournaments.

Maddox was responsible for the county playing host to several national championship softball tournaments, the Dizzy Dean Baseball youth tournament and the Forsyth County Slugfest. In July, the county will be home to the Triple Crown USA Nationals tournament, welcoming as many as 100 youth softball teams.

Maddox, who also is the liaison for the various booster clubs in the community, has spent more than 15 years alongside his wife, Lisa, as a coach.

The couple has coached football, baseball, softball and basketball.

However, because their children were never interested in lacrosse, Maddox said he didn’t get to coach the “sport that is booming and growing by leaps and bounds.”

Working in sports is also a way to give back to the community.

“I feel like it helped keep me out of trouble when I was a kid and it appealed to me as a way to be involved in athletics and hopefully do something positive, especially for the youth, and give them opportunities,” he said.

— Jennifer Sami

forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 9D

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Forsyth one of nation’s best for young people

By Jennifer Sami

jsami@forsythnews.com

As the school system’s principals gathered, little did they know Forsyth County was about to again be named as one of the 100 best communities for young people.

“We just knew there was a secret. We didn’t know what it was,” said Lambert High School Principal Gary Davison. “It’s a great honor for us to be recognized in such a way.

“It’s a great way to get credit and receive a pat on the back for the things that we do every day.”

Cheering erupted in the school board building as the principals watched America’s Promise Alliance announce Forsyth, which was one of just three communities in Georgia honored. The others were Houston and Troupe counties.

But perhaps few people were more excited than Judi Jenkins and Ruth Goode, the two women who handled the county’s application.

“It’s the community, it’s not just us,” said Jenkins, the community relations facilitator for the local school system. “There are so many people and programs that help contribute to this.”

It was the second time in three years Forsyth has won the honor, which is presented by ING. The county was first honored in 2010.

John Gomperts, America’s Promise Alliance president and CEO, noted the timing of the announcement.

“As young people across the country go back to school, it is especially timely to recognize communities like Cumming/ Forsyth County that have come

together to make supporting young people a top priority and that are committed to helping young Americans reach their full potential,” Gomperts said in a statement.

“The 100 Best winners are doing outstanding work delivering the Five Promises that create the conditions for all young people to have the best chance for success. We hope the example set by these communities provides inspiration for others to take action.”

Goode, executive director of United Way of Forsyth County, said the honor was due to several factors the county has in its favor.

She said Forsyth’s high-performing school system, businesses that are partners in education, nonprofit organizations and community leaders all have “a hand in making this the best community for young people.”

“Forsyth County can win this every year. We just have to highlight best what we do here every day,” Goode said.

In the application, she and Jenkins highlighted the county school system’s partners in education program, the various child advocacy groups, nonprofits and safe houses for both boys and girls.

Also touted were the success of the SAT 2400 Challenge, which has already helped lift SAT scores, and the Pathways for Reaching Opportunities in Preparing for Excellence in Life program.

PROPEL is a joint initiative between the school system and the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce to raise Forsyth’s high school graduation rate.

File photos

South Forsyth High student Meghana Menon, left, and Lambert High student Zac Elc work together on a video production project. Twice in three years Forsyth County has been named one of the 100 best communities for young people.

Harrison O’Donnell listens during a recent mock trial at the courthouse.

Davison said he was excited the award honored not just the school district, but the local leaders and businesses who make the community a place for youth to thrive.

“It’s the one thing we’re able to achieve where we all work together for the same thing, so it’s nice to be recognized for that,” he said. “Many of us

moved here from other places and this is confirmation of why we moved here.”

The “best communities” distinction is based on five promises to provide a community’s youth with caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, effective education and opportunities to help others.

Forsyth first earned the rank-

ing in 2010. While it did not make the list in 2011, Jenkins said officials have a better understanding of what it takes.

“You want to strive to keep getting better. You have over 350 communities applying for it and they pick 100, so you’re playing against the best and I think you have to keep striving to improve,” she said. “It shows that you’re succeeding if you can keep winning each year.”

As a longtime employee of the school system, Jenkins said this isn’t about the contest, it’s about the county’s youth.

Winning just confirms the success being realized locally.

“They judge the communities on our strength and innovation of the programs and our efforts we have made to help people graduate on time, go onto college or be prepared for the 21st century work force,” she said.

“That’s the main thing is to get kids to stay in school and graduate. We need to keep getting better. I don’t think you can ever get too good.”

CFUMC

Festival of Arts Calendar at a Glance March 23 - April 6, 2014 Galleries Cumming First United Methodist Church 770 Canton Hwy., Cumming GA 30040 www.cfumcga.com

All galleries are open daily from Noon-8 p.m. Admission is free

Primary Concerts & Events

Wednesday, April 2, 7:30 p.m.

Rising Stars concert / competition. (Classically trained young musicians.) FREE Saturday, April 5, 7:30 p.m.

North Georgia Symphony Orchestra $10 general admission. $5 students.

Sunday, April 6, 8:45 & 11 a.m.

Clark Atlanta Philharmonic Society – providing special music at 8:45 & 11 a.m. worship.

Bach’s Lunch Concerts

All concerts take place at Noon and are FREE. A light lunch for $5 is available following.

Week 2 – Professional Performances from the Atlanta Area Monday, March 31 – David Bros. Jazz Quartet Tuesday, April 1 – Amy Little Soprano Soloist Wednesday, April 2 – Vega String Quartet Thursday, April 3 – Atlanta Symphony Wind Quintet

The Orange Shirt Kristina Laurendi Havens, 2013 Audience Choice Award

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Friday, April 4 – William Ransom & Julie Coucheron, piano music for four hands

10D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Tom Tucker is the director of the Flash of Crimson at Forsyth Central High School.

File photo

The “Georgia Senior Follies: The Golden Age of Television” will return to the Cumming Playhouse on May2-8.

Playhouse has much to offer through the year From staff reports

The Cumming Playhouse is located inside the 1923 Cumming schoolhouse at 101 School St. The facility was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 through the efforts of the Historical Society of Forsyth County.

This school was the first high school in Forsyth County, issuing the diplomas to graduates.

The facility, which is owned by the c i t y o f C u m m i n g , wa s r e s t o r e d through local 1-cent sales tax revenue in 2004.

As a center of history, the facility also houses the Historical Society of Forsyth County and the Col. Hiram Pa rks Bell Center f o r S o u th er n History and Genealogical Research.

As a performing arts venue, the Cumming Playhouse opened its doors in 2004, providing quality entertainment throughout the season, offering plays, musicals and concerts.

Each year, the playhouse provides a wide range of entertainment to thousands of patrons.

Everything from concerts and traveling shows to full-scale, main stage plays and musicals grace the historic stage each year.

So far in 2014, the venue has been the site of the classic play “On Golden Pond,” as well as a Mardi Gras show supporting Age Well Forsyth, a nonprofit that works to help families of those suffering from dementia.

Additionally, nationally-known musicians Peppino D’Agostino and Carlos Reyes presented a concert featuring samples of music from their native cultures of Italy and Paraguay.

There is still plenty more to come in 2014 at the venue.

Currently, the classic musical “Oliver” is being presented through April 19.

In May, locals Bob and Kathy Russell will again present The Georgia Senior Follies, an annual show that focuses on the talents of those ages 50 and up.

This year’s show, “The Golden Age of Television,” features the music and comedy of such T.V. hits as “I Love Lucy,” “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and “The Golden Girls.”

The show runs May 2-18.

Audiences will go from the classic small screen to the deepest jungles as “Tarzan” takes the stage June 2-22.

Based on the Disney film and the original story by Edgar Rice, “Tarzan” tells the tale of a young man raised by a tribe of gorillas and the way his life

Upcoming shows at the Cumming Playhouse • “Oliver” – now through April 19 • “Georgia Senior Follies: The Golden Age of Television” – May2-8 • “Tarzan” – June 5-22 • “Oklahoma” – July 10 to Aug. 3 • New West Guitar concert – Aug. 9 • Bob Russell Singers and Jazz concert – Aug. 16 and 17 • Johnny Cash Now concert – Aug. 24 • “Gypsy the Musical” – Oct. 17 to Nov. 9 • China Grove, a Doobie Brothers Tribute Band, concert – Dec. 31 For more information about any show, go to www.playhousecumming.com or call (770) 781-9178.

changes when he meets a pretty, English naturalist who teaches him civilized ways.

Summer musicals continue with R o d g e r s a n d H a m m e r s t e i n ’s “Oklahoma” July 10 through Aug. 3.

Set in Indian territory at the turn of the 20th century when cattlemen and farmers were fighting over fences and water rights, the story traces the path of a rivalry between a cowboy called Curley and a hired hand named Jud. Music will fill the venue in August as three concerts are offered: New West Guitar on Aug. 9; Bob Russell Singers and Jazz on Aug. 16 and 17; and Johnny Cash Now on Aug. 24.

Lon g-running shows return in October with “Gypsy the Musical” from Oct. 17 to Nov. 9.

Based loosely on the 1957 memoir of Gypsy Rose Lee, a famous striptease artist, the show focuses on her m o t h e r, R o s e , w h o s e n a m e h a s become synonymous with the phrase “ultimate show business mother.”

It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life.

The year comes to close at the playhouse with China Grove, a Doobie Brothers Tribute Band, on Dec. 31.

The band’s repertoire spans the many decades and styles of the legendary California group, including hits like “Long Train Runnin” and “Takin’ it to the Streets.”

A complete a list of all upcoming Cumming Playhouse shows, including show times and ticket costs, can be found at www.playhousecumming. com.

Jennifer Sami Forsyth County News

Tom Tucker Forsyth Central High School band director “My freshman year was Tucker’s first year there and I’ve really gotten the opportunity to see the program grow over the years,” she said. “They’ve been highly successful competitively and they’re keeping the standard very, very high in the area and he’s contributing a lot to the drum line culture.”

— Tony Mashburn, band director at Lambert High School and daughter of John Mashburn When Tom Tucker first began as an assistant band director at Forsyth Central High in 1999, he wasn’t sure about leadership. He had spent the majority of his professional career under the direction of John Mashburn, of one of the most wellrespected leaders in the school’s history.

But when Mashburn retired in 2012, Tucker was offered the chance to lead the Flash of Crimson.

“I had to think about it, because it was quite a position to take over,” he said. “It was kind of a scary time for me to just go, ‘Wow, can I really do this?’ John

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was a mentor of mine.”

Tucker said it’s been a learning process, but he’s worked hard to maintain the level of prestige the band carried under Mashburn.

“I wanted to not only fill in where he left off, but also to be able to take it to higher places,” he said.

“You always want to be moving in a forward direction.”

Tucker, who oversees more than 180 students through the various band programs at Central, said he’s worked to make himself a strong leader and is adding new competitions. That extends the students to higher levels, but also means more hours of practice.

“We’re allowed to focus on the things that we want and push our kids and I really think we’ve blossomed because of that,” Tucker said.

After about 15 years at Central, Tucker said he couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

“We made it into a great organization and a great program and it just feels right to stay with it and be here every day ... there is just something about Forsyth Central that I fell in love with,” he said. “This is my home.”

— Jennifer Sami

forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 11D

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Warm

welcome Guard center quickly takes to community

By Crystal Ledford

cledford@forsythnews.com

A crowd of hundreds attended the grand opening of the Georgia Army National Guard’s Regional Readiness Center in Cumming in September.

The facility opened to Guardsmen in April and has held tours for some small groups since then, but Saturday was the first chance for the community to come together to welcome the armory.

The 104,000-square-foot facility, located on Aquatic Circle off Pilgrim Mill Road near Ga. 400 at Exit 16, boosts a 300-seat auditorium, a 5,000-square-foot cafeteria, several classrooms and a library space, among other features.

During Saturday’s festivities, visitors could tour the facility and talk with Guardsmen about their duties.

Many of them worked at demonstration areas where children could experience what it’s like to serve through activities such as looking through telescopic

equipment and target shooting.

Ann Teasley brought her 7and 5-year-old sons, Drew and Dylan.

“We have two boys, so we thought it would be neat to bring them here since they’re interested in a lot of the equipment the military uses,” she said.

“They’re having a lot of fun.”

Sam Siemon came with 5-year-old daughter Ava. “We’re excited to have the new armory as part of our community and we wanted to come out and see what was going on over here,” he said, noting that Ava had enjoyed many of the activities provided by the Guardsmen.

“She got to hold an M-4 assault rifle and she thought that was exciting. I’m not sure how excited her mom will be about the picture, but she had fun.”

The day’s festivities also included an official ribbon cutting ceremony for the facility, which cost about $26 million to build, with 75 percent of that funding coming from the federal government and the remainder from state sources.

The city of Cumming donated the 12 acres on which the armory sits.

Leaders of the Georgia National Guard spoke during the ceremony, along with local dig-

File photos

Staff Sgt. Matthew Killcreas helps Noah Wetz put on gear that Army snipers wear during the opening of the Cumming Regional Readiness Center, bottom left photo in September.

Grace Hull looks through telescopic equipment used by National Guardsmen.

nitaries including Cumming Mayor H. Ford Gravitt and state Sen. Jack Murphy.

According to Gravitt, the project had been in the works for about five years. He recalled how he and other city leaders were approached about having an armory in the city.

A much smaller armory was housed for several years in an old CVS Pharmacy building on Hwy. 20.

The new center replaced that building, which was less than one-third the size of the new armory.

“We’re very honored and happy to have this great facility here on the banks of Lake Lanier, between Exit 15 and 16 of Ga. 400, overlooking Sawnee Mountain,” Gravitt said. “We think it’s a beautiful location.”

Murphy noted that funding for the facility remained in place through political change.

“The state contributed a little more than $6 million and one of the amazing things about our contribution is that funding survived two presidential administrations, it survived two governors in the state of Georgia …

so that’s amazing,” he said.

Both Gravitt and Murphy thanked the National Guardsmen who will be working out of the center, which on drill weekends will see as many as 300 soliders.

“I can’t say enough about the gratitude that we owe them and gratitude that I owe them,” Murphy said.

Added Gravitt: “We certainly appreciate the great job that you do in defending the country, our freedom, every day.”

12D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

2014

Progress

Business & Industry Section E

A Publication of

Inside: Meet Four Emerging Leaders in Forsyth County

March 30, 2014

2E | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Business organization foresees bright future About

By Ann-Margaret Johnston For the Forsyth County News

I am honored to serve as chair of the Cumming­Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors during such an exciting time.

In 2013, the Cumming­Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce gained 225 new members and 16 new Chairman’s Cabinet members.

Fo r s y t h C o u n t y ’s Johnston unemployment rate has decreased to 5.3 percent, in comparison to the state unemployment rate of 7.3 percent. Nineteen new and existing companies created 624 new jobs and invested nearly $59 million dollars in new capital in 2013.

It is the chamber’s mission to be the voice of business, provide leadership, information and solutions to foster a strong economic environment and a supe­ rior quality of life in Cumming­Forsyth County.

This is reached by focusing on various aspects that affect both the community’s business structure and quality of life.

The chamber holds several events week­ ly, monthly and annually to promote net­ working. Those include Member Power Networking Lunches, Business After Hours and Economic Development events.

In August, the Small Business Services Center held the largest Business Expo in chamber history with more than 1,300 attendees. This expo also included a work­ ing lunch aspect with a keynote speaker.

In 2013, the SBSC assisted 376 small businesses by providing classes, roundtable discussions, business coaching and mentor­ ing. This number is 39 percent greater than the number of businesses served in 2012.

The chamber’s director of tourism attended three tradeshows this year to pro­ mote venues in Cumming and Forsyth County to different organizations that bring various tournaments and festivals.

From these tradeshows, more than 35

Founded in 1952, the CummingForsyth County Chamber of Commerce is the community’s leading advocate and champion for business. Its primary objective is to create a climate of growth and success in our community. By leveraging the support, talent and resources of its members, the chamber is one of the leading organizations helping to improve the economic vitality and quality of life for everyone in the community. For more information, contact the chamber at (770) 887-6461.

new leads were secured, including several sporting tournaments and other events.

With these events comes hotel room res­ ervations, and in 2013 alone the chamber secured more than 4,700 hotel room nights through these events.

Economies are built upon relationships and leadership. The chamber plays an inte­ gral part in facilitating those relationships and fostering strong leaders.

It is the sole economic development enti­ ty in the community. Its partnership with the city of Cumming, Forsyth County and the Forsyth County school system makes it a strong player on the global stage.

The chamber acts as an avenue to chan­ nel the incredible collective resources of great business people to create economic opportunity for everyone. That opportunity is what makes this community remarkable and sets it apart from so many places around the world.

In the coming year, the chamber plans to expand the reach of its economic develop­ ment efforts and provide additional support to the fastest growing industry in the com­ munity: health care.

With the economy in a steady upward turn, now is the time to seize the opportu­ nities that recovery will bring.

Ann-Margaret Johnston is chair of the board of directors for the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce.

Randall Toussaint, vice president of economic development at the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce “Randall has a remarkable vision for the opportunity that exists here and what we really can have as a community and what we should be as a community. He has done a remarkable job of really reaching out and making everyone … a part of the process, which has made all of us stronger.”

— James McCoy, president and CEO of the CummingForsyth County Chamber of Commerce As a child, Randall Toussaint had aspirations that were a little different.

“Some kids love think­ ing about being firemen or dream of becoming doctors or lawyers,” he said at his office in the Cumming­Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. “I’ve always wanted to do this. I didn’t know what it was called, but I knew this was kind of the focus I wanted my career to have.”

That focus is improv­ ing communities through economic development efforts. Toussaint real­ ized his professional pas­ sion in high school while living in Washington, D.C., after having moved over the world due to his parents’ military careers.

“I had a chance to really take in the city and

Crystal Ledford Forsyth County News

Randall Toussaint, left, chats with James McCoy, chamber CEO.

see how government works on the federal level.”

He also gained a curi­ osity about how to build better communities. After a high school internship, he moved to Atlanta to learn more about eco­ nomic development. He ended up attending Morehouse University, where he earned a bache­ lor’s degree in political science.

Before receiving a master’s degree in public administration from Savannah State University, he also com­ pleted a political man­ agement semester at George Washington University.

He briefly worked in Clayton County as a community developer before coming to Forsyth in 2009. He said his

position as vice president of economic develop­ ment here has been refreshing.

“Everyone here has the intention of doing the best that they can to make this community better and I’ve worked in other communities where that just wasn’t the case,” he said.

Toussaint said he believes living where you work is key, so he enjoys life in Cumming.

And as a single dad, he also wanted the strength of the school system for his son, Ethan, who starts kindergarten this fall.

“Moving to Forsyth County gave me a chance to make sure he would have a quality public edu­ cation no matter what school he went to.”

— Crystal Ledford

Sawnee EMC a staple in community From staff reports

Sawnee EMC, a J.D. Power Award winner for overall customer satisfac­ tion, remains committed to its members.

With one stroke of his pen and a unique vision for our country’s recovery from the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order establishing the Rural Electrification Admini­ stration in 1935.

As part of his “New Deal,” the plan provided low­interest loans to groups of rural Americans who wanted to form local elec­ tric companies called “cooperatives.” These coop­ eratives had one purpose — to get much­needed elec­ tricity to the unserved rural farming areas where exist­ ing “for profit” utilities had refused to extend service at that time.

Three years later, on July 16, 1938, a few local visionaries successfully incorporated the Forsyth County Electric Membership Corporation in Cumming. It was one of the first EMCs in the state.

Then on June 22, 1939, the first switch was thrown to energize 168 miles of power line and about 750 homes in Forsyth and por­ tions of three other neigh­ boring counties received electric power for the first time.

By December 1940, the service area had grown to more than 1,500 members.

In August 1950, the mem­ bers unanimously voted to change the name of the Cooperative to Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation.

The name “Sawnee” was chosen because of the close proximity to beautiful Sawnee Mountain near downtown Cumming.

For more than 75 years, Sawnee’s mission to pro­ vide reliable electric service at affordable rates has never wavered. Sawnee exists “to serve the changing needs of members by enhancing the quality of life through active support of communi­ ty developments and identi­ fying and serving the mem­ ber’s energy needs.”

The Sawnee EMC board of directors and staff will continue to remember their heritage and perform under the best sense of cooperative values and beliefs. Sawnee EMC is proud to serve your every electrical need.

My how things have changed …

Sawnee EMC, a not­for­ profit electric cooperative, provides electricity to more than 158,000 accounts within its seven­county ser­ vice territory.

As outlined in the Georgia Territorial Electric Service Act, which was passed by the Georgia Legislature in 1973, Sawnee EMC serves parts of seven counties including Forsyth, Cherokee, Dawson, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall and Lumpkin.

Sawnee is the 11th larg­ est cooperative in the United States and maintains more than 10,000 miles of distribution lines. Each day, Sawnee EMC staff mem­ bers field about 1,500 phone calls and Sawnee’s control center is staffed and in operation 24 hours a day,

Offerings

File photo

Sawnee EMC lineman Dexter Hubbard works on a line.

seven days a week.

Sawnee operates an Advanced Metering Infrastructure system as an added benefit to its mem­ bers. This modern, two­way meter­reading system, uses a series of towers and col­ lectors to monitor and read Sawnee’s electric meters.

These AMI meters give Sawnee EMC members the ability to view their detailed energy data (www.sawnee. com/ami) to better assist them in managing and eval­ uating their monthly elec­ tric usage.

This innovative system also provides many other cost­saving benefits to the members.

Members can view, and take advantage of, many Sawnee EMC services at its corporate Web site located at www.sawnee.com.

Tasks such as paying a bill online, starting and stop­ ping service, free energy evaluations, and much more, can be done on the website.

Members can also learn about free services and rebates offered by Sawnee, as well as education pro­

About the cover Students and an instructor at the Georgia Institute of Cosmetology, practice styling hair. The institute is perhaps the newest business in Forsyth County, officially opening to the public on March 31. The facility, which is housed in four storefronts in a shopping center on Bethelview Road in south Forsyth, will eventually provide master cosmetology classes to an average enrollment of 70 students, said Christy Strickland, admissions director. Leaders wanted to open a site in Forsyth due to the county’s vibrant business community and strong student base. Photo by Micah Green, Forsyth County News.

grams for youth, Operation Round Up, and Green Power EMC. For members on­the­go, there is also a free mobile app for their mobile device.

Finally, as a value­added service, Sawnee EMC also offers low natural gas rates through their relationship with True Natural Gas.

Sawnee EMC offers many products and services to help members save electricity and money: • Natural gas • In-home energy audits (free to members) • Energy efficiency tips published in a monthly newsletter • Energy-saver books free upon request • Free, do-it-yourself energy conservation videos and DVDs • Clean, environmentally friendly, green power • Energy-saving load management switches • Rebates and incentives to make homes and businesses energy efficient • Sawnee Foundation Youth Scholarship Program • Washington, D.C.,Youth Tour Source: Sawnee EMC

Contact Sawnee EMC at (770) 887-2363 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The e-mail address for general inquiries is customerservice@sawnee.com and the corporate Web site is www.sawnee.com. The mailing address is P.O. Box 266, Cumming, GA 30028.

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4E | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Randall Toussaint, left, the chamber of commerce’s vice president of economic development, chats with Michele and Stan Vangilder before the chamber dinner meeting.

Rick Folea Senior technical marketer at Automation Direct

File photo

Chamber celebrates year Ambassador receives highest service award

By Crystal Ledford

cledford@forsythnews.com

A Fo r s y t h C o u n t y Schools leader was recognized for her lifelong commitment to the community in October during the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner Celebration.

Judi Smith Jenkins, a lifelong resident of the Silver City community in north Forsyth, was presented the 2013 Charles F. Welch Citizenship Award before a crowd of about 500 people.

Jenkins, who has served as the school system’s business and community relations facilitator since 2007, was presented the award by her colleague and friend, Candy Norton, the district’s director of human resources.

The Welch award is recognized by many as the highest honor a Forsyth County resident can receive since it is presented to someone who has dedicated the majority of his or her life to serving the county.

It is given in memory of Welch, a former Cumming city councilman and county commissioner.

Besides her time in her current role with the school district, Jenkins spent 11

years as a teacher and also worked m a n y years as a real estate agent.

Jenkins She was a charter class member of Leadership Forsyth, as well as the Sawnee Woman’s Club. She is currently a member of the Lanier-Forsyth Rotary Club and a board member for Keep Forsyth County Beautiful. Norton called Jenkins “a dynamic, wonderful and caring person whose energy is contagious.”

“Shy, quiet, reserved, pensive, demure, cautionary, Judi is not,” Norton said.

“Feisty, vivacious, warm, friendly, a fireball she is.

She meets no stranger …

Judi has a big heart.”

She went on to commend her work ethic and dedication to those around her.

“Nothing is too much for you … when everyone else is planning and discussing, you do and get things done,” Norton said. “Your spirit of fun and enthusiasm for the task at hand will remain with everyone privileged to have known

you and to have worked with you.”

Jenkins said she was completely surprised to receive the award.

“I’m really speechless,” she said. “And anyone who knows me, knows that that doesn’t happen very often.

“I’m very overwhelmed and very, very humbled, especially since I know the people who received it before me and I certainly feel very undeserving.”

Also during the meeting, the chamber’s outgoing board chairwoman Linda Cole handed the reins of leadership off to incoming chairwoman Ann-Margaret Johnston.

Cole said when she took the position last year, she believed 2013 would be “the year of possibilities.” “ We l l , I ’ve t o t a l l y changed my mind,” she said. “It is the year of realization because we have had a phenomenal year in Cumming and Fo r s y t h C o u n t y t h i s year.”

Among the accolades that Cole pointed out was being named the No. 1 healthiest county in Georgia and the seventh fastest-growing county in the nation by Forbes Magazine.

“We have been in the top 10 fastest-growing counties for the last 10 years,”

“Unlike a lot of these programs [in other parts of the country], where the mentors do all the work and kids watch, Rick has taught these kids to do the work … Another strong leadership thing that he has taught us as teachers, but also the students, is you got to train the next generation.”

— David C. Johnson, Forsyth Central STEM Academy engineering teacher Rick Folea thought there was no way he and his son, Chris, had room in their schedules for another activity back in 2005.

Luckily for thousands of Forsyth County students who have participated in Forsyth Alliance robotics programs since then, they ended up finding some.

Today, Rick Folea works as a senior technical marketer at Automation Direct, a business that has been one of the program’s greatest partners. He said the Forsyth Alliance got started as a result of science class at North Forsyth Middle School, she said. “Now, I think that’s a phenomenal accomplishment. We have made it through the recession still growing.”

Cole also noted that when she put her presentation together last week, the county had seen $35 million in capital investments from current or new businesses since the start of the

Crystal Ledford Forsyth County News

Rick Folea, left, works on a robotics project with students.

when he and Chris built a robotic arm that could pick up rocks.

Not long after, father and son attended a large robotics competition in Atlanta. The event sparked further interest in robotics for Chris Folea and friends, who continued to ask his father to help them start a program. He gave in and the boys started with small VEX robots.

“But they kept wearing on us to do the big robots … and we started to coldcall businesses and send letters because we knew it would cost tens of thousands of dollars,” Rick Folea said. “Automation Direct answered one of those cold calls.”

In 2006, Folea and his classmates at North Forsyth High built the first large-scale robot in the year.

“Today I found out this number has moved to $44 million and we still have two and a half months to go,” Cole said. “That has equated to over 500 new jobs in our community.”

Incoming chairwoman Johnston said she plans to make her term of service a memorable one.

county, winning a number of awards and earning a trip to the national championships.

“The big thing we got out of it was that it’s not about building robots,” Rick Folea said. “It’s about getting kids excited about STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Math].”

So the group put together a plan to have at least one robotics team in every Forsyth County school in five years.

Today the fruits of their efforts can be seen in the more than 125 robotics teams across all grade levels in Forsyth, and mentorships between technology professionals and students, as well as between older and younger students.

— Crystal Ledford

“Being asked to be chairman of the chamber board was not only an honor, but more than anything it was a shock,” she joked. “And for those of you who know me, I’m sure you’re a little bit shocked yourself.”

Johnston said she plans to focus on relationships during her tenure.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Forsyth continues to fare well

Leading neighbors, state in jobless rate

By Crystal Ledford

cledford@forsythnews.com

Forsyth County continues to boast one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state.

According to statistics from Georgia Department of Labor, the county had a rate of 5.5 percent in January, the most recent month for which figures were available.

Just three other counties in the state posted lower rates: Madison in east Georgia at 5.4 percent; Catoosa in northwest Georgia at 5.2; and Miller in south Georgia at 5.1. Two counties — Banks in northeast Georgia and Columbia, near Augusta — tied with Forsyth.

Overall, Georgia’s unemployment rate stood at 7.4 percent, while the national rate was 6.6 percent.

Of Georgia’s counties, 73, or about 46 percent, reported rates lower than 8 percent, according to state figures. Some 28 counties, or 18 percent, had rates between 8 and 8.9, while 26 counties, or 16 percent, had rates of 9 percent or higher.

In comparison to its immediate neighbors, Forsyth fared the best. Fulton posted the highest rate in the area at 7.9 percent, followed by Gwinnett at 6.3 percent. Cherokee County came in at 6 percent, while Hall was the closest to Forsyth’s rate at 5.9 percent.

The Georgia Mountains Region, which includes Forsyth and Hall and other northeast Georgia counties, had an overall rate of 6.3 percent, figures show.

Randall Toussaint, vice president of economic development for the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of

Commerce, said he believes Forsyth continues to maintain one of Georgia’s lowest jobless rates for a several reasons.

Among them: Ongoing economic development efforts and strong community partners.

“Last year, for example, we were able to participate in projects that generated over 600 new jobs in our community,” Toussaint said. “And this year, just since January, we’re already participated in four projects that are forecasted to generate approximately 87 jobs and we’re only in March.”

According to Toussaint, Forsyth’s approach to economic development is slightly different than many counties, which he believes has led to its success.

“I think the reason why we’ve been extremely successful, first and foremost, is that we’ve developed a targeted plan for how we go about economic development activities,” he said. “It’s based upon not just recruiting any company, but specifically seeking to attract companies within the target industries that are most prevalent within our community.”

Those areas include health care, advanced manufacturing that involves primarily assembly and distribution, technology, international businesses and corporate headquarters.

He said community partners, such as the state Department of Labor, local colleges and the school system, also play an important role in holding down the unemployment rate.

Toussaint pointed to a job fair last month at the Lanier Technical College Forsyth Conference Center as an exam-

Alex McMahan talks with Denise Castineras during a recent job fair at the Lanier Technical College Forsyth Conference Center.

Forsyth County continues to have one of the lowest jobless rates in the state.

File photo

By the numBers Jobless rates for January Nation – 6.6% Georgia – 7.4% Metro Atlanta region – 7.2% Georgia Mountains region – 6.3% Forsyth County – 5.5%

ple of strong partnerships.

“There are approximately 600,000 unfilled positions now [in the United States] even with the abundance of job seekers because there’s a void of techn i c a l l y - t r a i n e d wo r ke r s ,” Toussaint said. “And our area just happens to be a haven of technically-trained workers, so by hosting a job fair last month, we were able to directly connect companies that have had challenges filling technicallytrained jobs locally with local residents who had the skill sets to be able to carry out those jobs.

“The outcome of that is obviously a connection that allows for hiring to take place and then a reduction in the unemployment rate.”

Fulton County – 7.9% Gwinnett County – 6.3% Cherokee County – 6.0% Hall County – 5.9%

Toussaint went on to note other partners, such as the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, which offer programs to help keep people employed.

“We’re now able to offer tax credits and different resources that allow us to provide work force development programs directly to companies. That way it furthers the training opportunities and the longevity of each position [companies] create and offsets some of the initial costs that [employers] would incur with creating the new jobs,” Toussaint said.

“Once the costs are taken away and the correct applicant finds the ideal job, we’re able

to see some really rapid growth within the company in terms of job creation.”

According to information from the labor department, Forsyth also fared well in comparison to metro Atlanta counties. The area’s unemployment rates rose to 7.2 percent in January, up from 6.8 percent in December. That increase was due largely to the loss of nearly 40,000 seasonal jobs.

However, the rate fell from 8.8 percent in January 2013.

The number of jobs available in metro Atlanta increased from January 2013 to January 2014 by 58,600, and the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits for the region fell during that same time from 31,663 to 23,233.

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6E | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 7E

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

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SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

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8E | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Terry Swanson Real estate agent

File photo

Tim Hopkins, a Cumming real estate agent and former president of the 400 North Board of Realtors, checks out a home for sale in Adair Park.

Housing market strong Inventory low, prices on rise

By Crystal Ledford

cledford@forsythnews.com

With rising prices and a major reduction in inventory, 2013 was a solid year for real estate in Forsyth County.

And local real estate professionals predict that 2014 likely will bring further good news and stabilization to the market.

Tara Locke, presidentelect of the 400 North Board of Realtors, said home prices in the county were on a continuous upswing throughout 2013.

That was due largely to Forsyth experiencing a strong sellers’ market.

“Inventory is at an alltime low,” she said. “But I think that will change in 2014 as sellers see their value coming back. They will then put their houses on the market.”

Tim Hopkins, a former 400 North Board of Realtors president, said due to the low inventory, current sellers are able to

secure higher prices for their homes than they have over the past few years.

“Our local real estate market remains a strong sellers’ market,” he said.

“Right now, we only have between three and four months of inventory in the entire county.”

According to information from the First Multiple Listing Service, or FMLS, Hopkins said there are fewer than 900 homes on the market in the county.

“As a comparison, at the end of 2008 there were over 2,220 homes on the market,” he said. “Our sellers’ market has also produced an increase in the median sales price. Homes that come on the market near market value often receive multiple offers that drive up the sales price.”

According to FMLS data, Hopkins said, through the end of the third quarter of 2013, median home prices increased nearly 12 percent over where they were at that time in 2012.

By comparison, 2012 saw only about a 5 percent increase in median

home prices from the end of 2011.

This past year also brought encouragement in regards to distressed sales.

“The percentage of those has really been reduced,” Hopkins said. “In the third quarter, only 4.2 percent of sales were foreclosures and the fourth quarter number will be very similar. At the start of 2012, our foreclosures made up 21 percent of the sales.

“So we went from one in five sales being a foreclosure to one in 25.”

Over that same time frame, he said, the percentage of short sales declined from 22 percent of the market to just 8 percent.

“All of these factors helped the number of closed transactions increase by 19 percent from the end of the 2012 to the end of 2013,” he said.

For 2014, Hopkins predicted new construction will be a “strong force” in the market, particularly in the southern half of the county.

“We’re seeing new construction like we haven’t

“Terry has been involved in the real estate industry for many years. I knew his mom and she was a wonderful agent and person.

Terry is involved in the community and board and he is a strong leader. We are privileged to have him as part of our board.”

— Gloria Buice, secretary/ treasurer of the 400 North Board of Realtors As the old adage goes, real estate is all about location. Terry Swanson knows that full well, which is why in 1993 he established his real estate business in Forsyth County.

“For anybody looking around, there are a lot of great areas in north Atlanta, but to me Forsyth just offers such a great variety,” he said.

“There’s a lot of forward-thinking things going on all the way through the chain ... they learn from the mistakes of other counties and have kept Forsyth one of the greatest areas to live in Atlanta.”

Swanson has served on the YMCA board of directors, has connected his agents with the local seen in many years,” he said. “There are new subdivisions going up all over the place, especially south of Hwy. 20.”

Locke added that new construction also has helped to raise median sale prices.

“Prices are certainly

File photo

Terry Swanson established his real estate business in 1993 in Forsyth County.

chamber of commerce and is involved in the 400 North Board of Realtors, for which he recently finished serving as president.

And even when the economy took a dive and real estate industry appeared the hardest hit, Swanson has made it a priority to stay active.

“I always want to remember one thing — give, give, give back,” he said. “Especially to the people in the community that have been so good to us. During the down times and the hardest times of my life financially ... I drilled in my mind that we had to give back more when the market recovers.”

Shortly after Swanson moved to Forsyth, he recalls hearing that Cumming would be the trending upward and new construction has helped that,” she said. “If you drive around, [developers] are starting to build communities starting in the 400s and we haven’t seen that in years, probably since around 2007.”

Locke predicted that

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“I think we’ll continue to see an upward trend in pricing and I think our prices will come back and interest rates will start to creep up,” she said. “Inventory will then start to stabilize.”

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center of growth in Georgia. That prediction is not far off, he said.

While there will be some negative side effects of growth, including traffic, the county has managed them and brought aboard some positive economic development opportunities and businesses.

“Starting with the addition of The Collection [outdoor mall], we’re going to have nicer things coming out this way, and it’s just going to continue,” he said. “The road-building and all the things that have evolved over the last 10 to 15 years, it’s just unbelievable.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

400 North Board of Realtors celebrates successful 2013 Many honored for their work

By Crystal Ledford

cledford@forsythnews.com

The best and brightest in the local real estate market were recognized during a recent banquet.

During its 2013 Circle of Excellence Awards Banquet, held at the L a n i e r Te c h n i c a l College Forsyth Conference Center, the 400 North Board of Realtors recognized more than 100 of its members.

The organization is open to real estate agents from Forsyth, Dawson and Lumpkin counties.

The annual Circle of E x c e l l e n c e Aw a r d s Banquet highlights successes from the previous year in real estate sales.

The banquet drew about 220 people.

“It was a phenomenal night,” said Tara Locke, the president-elect of the organization. “We honored 130 in the Circle of

Excellence.”

That was up from the 91 who received the recognition for 2012 during last year’s event.

Members named to the Circle of Excellence have achieved at least $2 million in real estate transactions for the year.

A few of the Circle of Excellence winners r e c e ive d r e c o g n i t i o n above and beyond the high sales mark.

Those receiving special awards included: • Glen Sloan with Keller Williams Realty North Atlanta received the Rookie of the Year award.

• Debbie Negley with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners received recognition for most units sold by an individual and highest volume by an individual with a volume of more than $12 million.

• Tamara Stout and Ly n d a M a r i e L ew i s , both with Century 21 Results Realty Services, tied for most new homes sold, each having 32 transactions. Stout was

‘It was a phenomenal night. We honored 130 in the Circle of Excellence.’

Tara Locke

President-elect, 400 North Board of Realtors

also honored for having the highest volume of new homes sales at more than $9 million.

• K i m b e r l y Ya t e s ’ team at Yates Estates LLC received the most units sold as a team award.

• The Welch Team of Keller Williams Realty C o m m u n i t y Pa r t n e r s WOW, was recognized with the highest volume team award with more than $30 million.

Rookie of the Year Glen Sloan chats with Melba Franklin, a past president of the organization, during the 400 North Board of Realtors Circle of Excellence Awards Banquet on Feb. 27.

Members of the Kimberly Yates team of Yates Estates LLC received the award for most units sold as a team award.

Members of the Welch Team o f Keller Williams Realty Community Partners WOW, received the highest volume team award with more than $30 million in sales.

Tamara Stout and Lynda Marie Lewis, with Century 21 Results Realty Services, tied for most homes sold, each having 32 transactions.

Photos for the Forsyth County News

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10E | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Expert lauds county’s appeal

Roxanne Smith Supply chain manager at Siemens Industry

Cites schools, tax rates and services Frank Norton Jr. presented several key points about Forsyth County during his address.

By Crystal Ledford

cledford@forsythnews.com

Forsyth County is leading the resurgence of the metro Atlanta area’s real estate market.

That was one of the main messages of Frank Norton Jr. in February during the CummingForsyth County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Economic Outlook Breakfast.

“You’re selling as much housing and real estate and commercial as you did in 2004,” Norton said.

“We haven’t peaked back to the 2006 and 2007 numbers, but … you’re the only county in the 22 counties [of north Georgia] getting close.”

The talk by Norton, president of the Gainesville-based Norton Agency real estate and insurance firm, drew a crowd of about 250 to the Lanier Technical College Forsyth Conference Center. Chamber leaders have said the event is one of their most popular.

“And I would say that this was probably the most successful [one],” said Laura Stewart, director of communications and events for the organization.

Among those in attendance was Doug Krentz, who said he comes every year and also travels to other counties to hear Norton, who is considered an expert on the north Georgia market.

“He’s so knowledgeable about the area,”

“Roxanne has an excellent understanding of both customer needs and supplier capabilities, and has structured and streamlined her organization over the years for maximum efficiency.

Recognizing that people are her main assets, she is very supportive of her team and puts in a lot of effort in employee development and learning.”

— Shujath Ali, Siemens Industry

File photo

Krentz said. “He can deliver statistics and data that all of us in the business community want to see and hear.”

Every year, Norton authors Native Intelligence, an economic forecast that provides data on a range of topics, including housing and job markets. He cited data and other information from the report Tuesday.

According to Norton, Forsyth — as it has for the past several years — is leading economic development in the region.

During his visit in 2013, he noted that Forsyth had surpassed neighboring Gwinnett County in new home permits.

“You fall off, unfortunately, in 2013. You were surpassed by the giant gorilla next door called Gwinnett,” he said. “The sleeping, giant gorilla woke up a little bit and they permitted 2,500 single family houses and you permitted 2,400.

“Gwinnett with a population of 800,000 people only exceeded your number of permits by 100.

That’s a huge achievement for this county.”

Norton went on to comment on the pricing and inventory of homes available.

The average house price in Forsyth, he said, exceeds that of Gwinnett by $40,000. He added that the average price of a new home in Forsyth is $330,000, while it’s $510,000 in north Fulton.

“And you have a better school system; and you have a better, stronger quality of life; and your tax rates, wow,” he said.

“You’ve been able to build what you’ve built by maintaining a reasonable tax structure for this county and that’s the grand attractor.”

Norton pointed to Ga. 400 as “a power axis” that will continue to help Forsyth be successful.

“Ga. 400 is still the future,” he said. “Look around you and see the amount of vacant land that is in between the developed pieces.”

Norton also pointed to the importance of retail development.

“Your true power, in my opinion, is the 190,000 people who live here at the family income

Crystal Ledford Forsyth County News

Roxanne Smith is the supply chain manager for Siemens Industry in south Forsyth.

Roxanne Smith has emerged as a business leader at Siemens Industry’s location off McFarland Road in south Forsyth through her care of customers and her team members.

As the facility’s supply chain manager, Smith is responsible for “end-toend order management” at the company, taking care of the entire process.

That includes everything from receiving customers’ orders and buying materials used to create the products to scheduling when items are produced and providing feedback to customers on their orders.

Smith first came to Siemens six years ago, working to help the facility better manage inventory. As she continued, other responsibilities such as purchasing were added.

“We’ve now been able to recognize a true endto-end philosophy and we’ve seen huge improvements with the on-time delivery to our customers,” she said.

“And that’s what matters at the end of the day. We have to keep them happy so we can get more business.”

Other than improving customers’ satisfaction, Smith said she’s proud of creating a system in which her team members can move up the ladder.

“It used to be a very lateral system,” she said.

rate that they have and the consumable disposable income that they have that is leaking out of this county.

“We must capture the retail that is lost and we have to have a focus on not only getting the business but also the shopping for the consumables

and the luxury items.”

Despite the success of the county, Norton raised a couple of areas of advice moving forward.

Among them was what he called developing the county’s “underground economy,” or infrastructure such as water and

THERE’S SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT STAYING IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD

“I’ve created a supply chain leadership team and it’s great because then your employees have something to aspire to and move up in the ranks.

“They can rotate through those different positions and then qualify to take over my job, which is ultimately what we want.”

When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Bruce, and their “fur children,” dogs Pogo and Oakley.

The family has lived in Cumming for the past five years, and Smith has lived in Georgia for 15.

“We love it here,” she said. “It’s definitely home.”

— Crystal Ledford

sewer lines, as the county swells to an estimated population of 650,000 in 30 years.

“We have to support the things that we really don’t want to support because we’re actually building for our children and our children’s children.”

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forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 11E

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

A full Lake Lanier boosts economy

By Savannah King FCN regional staff

For the first time in 10 years, residents and visitors have enjoyed an entire summer with a full Lake Lanier.

According to data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the lake, the last time it consistently stayed above summer full pool of 1,071 feet above sea level was between May and August was in 2003.

The lake has been at summer full pool since April 27, when winter full pool of 1,070 feet was still in effect. The lake reached its peak this year on May 7 at 1,073.67 feet.

As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, the lake was still above full pool at 1,071.67 feet. On Oct. 1 last year, the lake was at 1,060.89 feet.

The corps soon will start bringing the lake level down to adjust it to the winter full pool level. The lake is expected to reach winter full pool around Dec. 1. The level is dropped to make room for collecting spring rains and to prevent flood damage.

The lake’s lowest point was on Dec. 26, 2008, at 1,050.79 feet. Before this summer, the lake had not been at full pool since July 2005.

Lisa Parker, deputy public affairs officer for the corps’ Mobile, Ala., district, said after years of drought the amount of rain this summer is to thank for the lake’s dramatic rise to fullness.

“There’s always fluctuations, but normally they’re not as severe as we’ve seen them in the last five or six years,” Parker said. “Once again, we went through a drought for a number of years and we recently came out of it because of the rain events, thank goodness.”

July brought more than 14 inches of rain to the area, 10 more inches than July 2012.

While the full lake is more attractive than it has been in

File photos

Tim Lewis at Marine Max boat sales moves a boat out of its slip to get ready for a weekend with Lake Lanier. Below, the lake reached 1,073.59 feet above sea level in May. Full pool is 1,071 feet.

years, the higher water level has its own challenges.

“Whenever you get around 1,071 you start having some impacts around the lake,” Parker said. “People begin to

not to be able to use their piers or boat ramps because the elevations are rising so some of them won’t be able to get out.

“Then also the bulkheads typically will be damaged with

high sustained water levels as well. It has its side effects. It was a welcome relief to everyone who was recreating this summer to have higher elevations But for some of the home-

owners around the lake it wasn’t such a good thing.”

Joanna Cloud, executive director of the Lake Lanier Association, said she thinks everyone is happy about the full lake, but said some homeowners may have had trouble with the changing levels.

Cloud said it’s particularly challenging for homeowners to move docks in and out to adjust to the water levels.

“If you don’t move your dock as the lake levels go up and down, you’re going to incur damage or one thing that can happen if your dock gets down to dry land is the Styrofoam billets can break and fall off the docks,” Cloud said.

Cloud said the billets often are found floating around the lake and, because they can be very heavy, often have to be picked up from the lake with a forklift.

She said volunteers with the group’s annual Shore Sweep event last weekend had to work around and clean up several areas affected by higher water levels.

Shoreline erosion and falling trees have also been an issue.

“That’s a concern for everyone around the lake,” Cloud said. “It affects the beauty of the lake, it affects safety.”

Cloud said the organization supports raising the lake’s summer full pool to 1,073 feet. She said the higher level would store an additional 26 billion gallons of water.

Cloud said summers such as this one are an opportunity to see what a higher level would look like over a longer period of time.

“Lake Lanier has been at 1,073 over 300 times in its history,” Cloud said. “We’ve got a good book of knowledge of what it looks like at 1,073.

There are fewer unknowns in terms of bringing Lanier up.

We feel like it’s a good idea to at least research it more.”

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12E | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

AMERICAN PROTEINS STARTED MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS AGO WHEN LELAND BAGWELL BEGAN OPERATING A SMALL RENDERING PLANT IN NORTHEAST FORSYTH COUNTY. AT THAT TIME THE POULTRY INDUSTRY WAS JUST GETTING STARTED IN NORTH GEORGIA, AND THE BY-PRODUCTS FROM THE PROCESSING PLANTS HAD TO BE HAULED AWAY AND BURIED. AS A VISIONARY, MR. BAGWELL SAW A NEED AND WAS DETERMINED TO FILL IT. HE RECOGNIZED THE NEED TO RECYCLE BY-PRODUCTS GENERATED BY THE INTEGRATED POULTRY INDUSTRY. TODAY HIS VISION, AMERICAN PROTEINS, IS VERY MUCH ALIVE AND AN ESTABLISHED, INTEGRAL PART OF THE MODERN POULTRY INDUSTRY. THE COMPANY HAS GROWN FROM A SMALL, SINGLE PLANT OPERATION TO THE WORLD’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT POULTRY RENDERER WITH 12 DIVISIONS IN 4 STATES. CURRENTLY, AMERICAN PROTEINS RECYCLES OVER 4 BILLION POUNDS OF INEDIBLE POULTRY EACH YEAR USING THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY SECURE METHODS AVAILABLE. WITHOUT THIS RECYCLING PROCESS, THE REMAINS OF OVER 34 MILLION CHICKENS PER WEEK WOULD BE BURIED IN LANDFILLS, CONSUMING SIX ACRES A DAY.

Growing together and depending on each other.

American Proteins

Inc.

2014

Progress

A Publication of

March 30, 2014

Government & Education Section F

Inside: Work on New Jail, Couthouse Continuing

2F | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Government facilities rising Work continuing on new courthouse, jail

By Jennifer Sami

jsami@forsythnews.com

It’s been less than a year since construction began on the new Forsyth County courthouse and detention center in downtown Cumming.

While both projects are about a quarter of the way finished, the remaining months on the project likely will be fast-paced, officials say.

“Once you get up out of the ground and you really start putting the structure in place … it really moves p r e t t y q u i c k l y,” s a i d County Manager Doug Derrer.

The three-story jail with a basement is about 21 percent toward the material completion date set for March 2015. The five-story courthouse, which is about 25 percent finished, is slated to be materially completed in December, Derrer said, with anticipated move-in sometime in the first quarter of 2015.

Both projects are still projected to cost less than the $100 million voters approved for the facilities in November 2011 when they backed a referendum to extend the 1-cent sales tax.

“We have been able to keep it somewhat under budget to this point and we’re hopeful that we will be able to come in under budget,” Derrer said.

He added that there have been some delays, particularly with the heavy rain and snow events in recent months.

While the detention center is a tad behind schedule, the courthouse project is still projected to be on time.

Once both new buildings have been completed and occupied, Derrer said the existing jail will be razed. That land will then

be used for surface parking.

Plans call for the new courthouse to be attached to the jail by a bridge over East Maple Street for safe transport of inmates.

Officials have said the jail design will improve efficiency and security while increasing the inmate capacity, which is intended to reduce the costs of housing inmates out to other detention centers.

The old courthouse will remain at its current location, but will undergo renovations to become the courthouse annex.

“It will be prepared for Magistrate Court, Probate Court, pre-trial services and indigent defense,” Derrer said. “We haven’t finalized plans for what we’re going to use any vacated office space for, but we’re in the process of evaluating office and space needs.”

In addition to the jail and courthouse, two parking decks are under construction to meet the needs of the new buildings, in addition to the Cumming City Hall and the County Admini stration Building.

Derrer said the first structure, dubbed the Castleberry deck, is about 75 percent complete and should be finished in May. The other, called the Mason Street parking deck, will begin construction in April, with an October completion date.

“As we move closer to the completion of the

Work continues on the new Forsyth County Detention Center, above, and the courthouse, left.

Both facilities are expected to open in 2015.

Photos by Jim Dean Forsyth County News

Castleberry deck and the construction of the Mason Street deck, we’ll begin to lose parking spaces, both for employees and the public,” he said. “We continue to work with our parking committee to identify parking for the public and employees and we will soon have some additional information … to make this transition as smooth as possible.”

Ken Jarrard County Attorney “Ken is an integral part of our government in Forsyth County. He knows all our procedures, our [unified development code], and he keeps us on the straight and narrow … We look to him for guidance all the time. I think we’ve got one of the best attorneys in the state to help us with our affairs.”

— Pete Amos, chairman of the Forsyth County commission For more than a decade, County Attorney Ken Jarrard has helped steer Forsyth through growth, legal battles and smart planning.

After handling a few cases in the county, Jarrard decided to leave a comfortable position at an Atlanta firm and start a new practice with Angela Davis.

One of his first challenges after starting the law firm was what became known as the Buckhorn Landfill case.

Years later, Jarrard & Davis is going strong in Forsyth, as well as serving as general counsel for some surrounding counties, cities and authorities.

Prior to working municipal and county issues,

About the cover The University of North Georgia’s Cumming campus has surpassed expectations since opening in fall 2012. For more on the campus and its director, see page 4F. Photo by Micah Green, Forsyth County News.

Jon Heard Director of Cumming Utilities

Jennifer Sami Forsyth County News

Ken Jarrard serves as Forsyth County Attorney.

Jarrard said, he didn’t realize how “terribly expansive this area of law is. But as the years progressed, I developed a real appreciation.”

“Local government officials have a tremendous impact on the day-to-day lives of their constituents,” Jarrard said. “… They really can either enhance or, in some respects, they can [hurt] your quality of life. It’s profound.

“I love the challenge and, candidly, the rewards when you see something that is beneficial to the community.”

Jarrard’s service also extends to the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, on which he serves as a trainer and adviser on county law and government ethics. He also was an asset in Georgia’s recent update of its “sunshine laws” and

Open Records Act, all while balancing a wife and four children ages 4 to 13.

Forsyth has “very sophisticated legal issues,” according to Jarrard, but through his service and the various elected officials they’ve been committed to ensuring “quality of life is key.”

“You just want to be involved in an environment like that. There’s no place I’d rather be,” he said. “When you look at all the resources the government has, when you look at the education system, the parks system, the millage rate, the creativity of government, I just think this county is the envy of the state.”

— Jennifer Sami

“The city saw a lot of potential in Jon and we’re very proud to have him ... he’s a dedicated individual and he wants to see all of the development done in a way that’s progressive and in a way that’s done correctly and he’s dedicated to that. We are very proud of his ability and the energy that he has and the work ethic he has.”

— Gerald Blackburn, Cumming city administrator Not many people get as excited about water and sewer as Jon Heard.

And it’s a topic that’s interested him since he was a high school student working part time for the city of Cumming to learn more about wastewater.

It was then that Heard saw a need he could one day fill, choosing to study civil engineering at Southern Polytechnic University with a focus on environmental engineering.

“I became really interested in the city’s growth pattern and needs for the future,” he said. “The city has met [that] through the years and it

Jennifer Sami Forsyth County News

Jon Heard is the director of Cumming Utilities.

was a really wise move on the part of the mayor and council to secure the raw water intake from Lake Lanier in the early 1970s.”

That decision, he said, has made possible the growth in Forsyth County, by supplying adequate water to the increasing population.

The city was successful in staying ahead of the demand, much of which has occurred over the past 23 years under Heard’s watch.

Heard has overseen two additions to the municipal drinking water facility, bringing total treatment capacity to 24 million gallons per day, and the new water intake facility, with a future capacity of up to 105 million gallons per day.

The advanced water reclamation facility also has been expanded twice, bring it from 2 million gallons per day to 8, he said.

“This is something the city could be proud of for many years to come,” he said. “We have capacity to welcome the next growth wave.”

Heard said the city is ready to secure Forsyth’s water needs through 2050.

“This job is not boring. There are a lot of challenges yet to be accomplished and it seems like it’s that challenge that drives a person to stay in a job for this long period of time,” he said.

— Jennifer Sami

forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 3F

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

FORSYTHCOUNTY GOVERNMENT Leading the way for our community

Excellence

Quality services for citizens including top-notch public safety, recreation centers and programs, and award-winning libraries, while maintaining tax rates among the lowest in metro Atlanta

Community

Outstanding amenities for all ages, including parks, green space, senior centers and more

Progress Making infrastructure improvements to serve the county for years to come including a new courthouse, jail and animal shelter

FORSYTHCOUNTY Where it all comes together.

Forsyth County government works every day to make our community the best it can be. It is the mission of the county’s elected officials and employees to provide effective, professional public service with integrity and a commitment to excellence. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

2014 FORSYTHCOUNTY Board of Commissioners

R.J. (Pete) Amos

District 1 Commissioner Chairman

Brian R. Tam

District 2 Commissioner Secretary

Todd Levent

District 3 Commissioner

Cindy Jones Mills

District 4 Commissioner Vice Chairman

Jim Boff

District 5 Commissioner

FORSYTHCOUNTY Board of Commissioners | 110 E. Main Street, Suite 210 | Cumming, GA 30040 | Phone: 770.781.2101 | Fax: 770.781.2199 | www.forsythco.com | TV Forsyth – Comcast Channel 23

4F | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Jason Pruitt, executive director of the University of North Georgia’s Cumming campus “Jason Pruitt is such an excellent, principle-centered, servant leader who is doing so much for the growth of the Cumming campus and is boosting its importance to the community by listening to the needs of the stakeholders and being responsive and proactive. [It] is busy from early morning until late at night with students of all ages taking classes, thanks in large part to Jason’s hard work.”

— Al Panu, UNG senior vice president for university affairs When he began his career in higher education more than 20 years ago, Jason Pruitt never dreamed someday he would be leading a college campus.

But today that’s exactly what he’s doing at the University of North Georgia’s Cumming campus.

In May 2013, Pruitt took the reins of leadership from Sherman Day, a former president of North Georgia College and State University who came out of retirement to open the campus a year earlier.

Pruitt said he appreciates the strong groundwork Day laid, especially since the campus has well surpassed student enrollment projections. A campus expected to draw 250 students each semester opened with about 500.

“And then we’ve had an enrollment increase from a

little over 500 students to almost 750 students in the fall of 2013,” Pruitt said. “So that has been a big challenge … but what a great problem to have.”

Pruitt, who holds degrees in education, began his career in college admissions.

“When I started I was just trying to get students excited about going to college and helping them understand what it took … and to be able to meet the requirements,” Pruitt said.

“That’s not terribly different from what I do now … but I don’t think I could have foreseen being able to lead a campus, especially one that’s as robust and that the future is

Crystal Ledford Forsyth County News

Jason Pruitt leads the University of North Georgia’s Cumming campus.

so bright for.”

Besides professional life, Pruitt makes time for his family that includes wife, Kristen, and their five children: Matthew, 17; Jordan, 15; D’Angelo, 11; and twins Chris and Elijah, 9.

“That’s another challenge

too in trying to balance professional with family,” he said.

All in all, Pruitt said the past almost year has been “a tremendous opportunity filled with many blessings.”

— Crystal Ledford

UNG campus exceeding expectations

By Crystal Ledford

cledford@forsythnews.com

T h e U n iv e r s i t y o f North Georgia continues to see more students taking advantage of the opportunities offered at its Cumming campus.

Jason Pruitt, executive director of the campus, said student enrollment numbers have far exceeded expectations since it opened in summer 2012.

“For the very first year, they were really hoping to get 250 to 300 students,” he said, “and then we opened with a little over 500.

“Then we went from 500 to over 700 for the average this year.”

In fact, the new campus on Aquatic Circle, off Pilgrim Mill Road near Ga. 400 at Exit 16, has been so successful, Pruitt said university leaders have begun exploring the possibility of expanding. “ We ’ r e c u r r e n t l y doing an enrollment expansion study to determine our current utilization and then to try to estimate the future demand on the facility,” he said. “We want to make sure we don’t just build something for the sake of building it. We want to make sure there is demand and need for it.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to make a recommendation to the Board of Regents sometime this year for possible expansion … but we’re in the very preliminary stages right now.”

Until then, students at the existing facility will continue to take advantage of all the programs available.

Those include dual enrollment for high school students seeking to get a jump start on their college credits.

Pruitt said the former Gainesville State College, which merged with the former North Georgia College and State University last year to form the U n ive r s i t y o f N o r t h Georgia, had a longstanding relationship with some Forsyth high schools, primarily Forsyth Central.

“They would go to the [high] school and teach dual enrollment classes,” he said. “Then once we were able to open this fa c i l i t y, w e h a d t h e opportunity to teach those classes here rather than on the campus of the high school.

“That very first fall of 2012 when we opened, we had about 45 dual enrollment students.

Then this fall that number increased to 73 and our target for fall 2014 is 100 students.”

In addition, the campus features a master’s of business administration program, nursing courses, several teacher education offerings and continuing education classes such as photography.

Bu t P r u itt s aid i t s main focus remains on general undergraduate core requirements.

“Our primary focus is the general education

coursework that you can use for any degree program,” he said. “That is our main focus.”

However, Pruitt hopes the college can provide enough courses in the future to allow students to secure associates, or two-year, degrees in some areas.

“We do have a large n u m b e r o f bu s i n e s s majors here,” he said.

“We’re about two courses short of a student being able to complete their entire associate’s degree in business here, so hopefully we’ll add those courses.

“That’s the plan, to continue to add more and more coursework so a student can complete more and more associate’s degree programs, and then hopefully stay at UNG and transition to one of our other campuses and finish their bachelor’s degree.”

Besides helping students, the campus also seeks to be a “good neighbor” in the community, said Pruitt, noting that the campus has held a number of chamber of commerce events and classes, as well as programs such as the county’s Star Student and Teacher Banquet.

“We very much want this facility to be open to the community, a part of the community, and we want to be good neighbors to everyone and do as much as we can to help the community.”

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The University of North Georgia offers many courses, including nursing.

IT’S A

STRIKE!

Sparks flew at Mentor Me’s “Bowl for Kids” fundraiser as 100 bowlers knocked pins down at Stars and Strikes on February 22nd.

Bowlers and sponsors helped raise over $15,000 to support the mentoring relationships between caring volunteers and the children in our community who benefit from having these mentors in their lives.

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

Phillip C. Smith Rotary Club of Forsyth County

Polo Golf Men’s Association

Rotary Club of South Forsyth

Rotary Club of North Forsyth

Rotary Club of Lanier Forsyth

Millennium Insurance Solutions, Inc.

My Forsyth

Community & Southern Bank

Optimist International

James McCoy

United Way of Forsyth County

John Heath RE/MAX team

Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation

PeachState Promotions

The Benjamin Brady Foundation

Find us at www.mentormenorthga.org or 678-341-8028 Facebook/MentorMe-NorthGeorgia

forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 5F

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

City of Cumming It takes all of our departments to run this city and I believe our department heads are the finest in the state.

The City of Cumming, led by a group of seasoned

elected officials and a long-term mayor have accumulated over 240 years of collective service, allowing stability and goal fulfillment. Most especially in the midst of the country’s adverse economical situation, it is remarkable that the City of Cumming continues to purposefully march forward and bring good things to the people of -H. Gravitt Ford, Mayor Cumming, Forsyth and surrounding communities, while maintaining a balanced budget.

Cumming, Georgia is a wonderful place to live, work, play and succeed, and while it is true that our town is referred to as “The Gateway to Leisure Living,” that privilege has come about as a result of extensive planning by dedicated people and concerted effort on the part of elected officials and the citizens of the town.

Gerald Blackburn City Administrator

Steve Bennett Assistant Administrator

Jonathon Heard Director of Utilities

Scott Morgan Director of Planning & Zoning

Jeff Honea City Clerk

Dave Horton Director of Fairgrounds

Linda Heard Cumming Playhouse

Greg Little Director of Parks & Recreation

Hugh Boling Director of Streets

“What more could you want in a community?” Gerald Blackburn has been with the city for 43 years and considers himself very fortunate to have a consistent leadership group in place for many years. Each of the department heads has a sincere desire to contribute to the growth and prosperity of our community and our team has been able to see, accept, and embrace change over the years.

“Working with department heads on daily basis to provide them with the tools they need to be successful is my job.” Steve Bennett has been with the city for more than 38 years and takes pride in facilitating the day-to-day duties that keep the city running.

“As the city’s service area continues to grow at a rapid pace, we have worked diligently to stay ahead of the expansive growth curve and the Department of Utilities will remain on the forefront of infrastructure.” Jonathon Heard’s department oversees the water and sewer facilities for the city and has 30 pump stations to support local businesses.

“Planning is everything.” Scott Morgan and his department approve all business plans and issue all business licenses in the city and Cumming is home to more than 1000 businesses. He places a lot of emphasis on overseeing projects and making sure they adhere to required environmental standards. The planning and zoning department is currently overseeing the two largest projects in the history of the city with the construction of courthouse, jail and parking decks.

“Cumming has seen tremendous growth over the past 30 years and we are charged with keeping all records of this growth.” Jeff Honea and his staff of four are the accounting department of the city of Cumming. In addition to the maintenance of all official files and records, he also regularly oversees the fiscal operations, such as paying vendors and suppliers.

“As a special event venue, the Fairgrounds makes as much of an impact as any local facility in the north Georgia community.” Dave Horton and his team play host to many exciting events such as the IPRA World Championship Rodeo, the annual Steam and Gas Engine Expo, July Fourth celebration, and the city’s premier event, the Cumming Country Fair & Festival. The Fairgrounds provide affordable family entertainment throughout the year.

“The goal of the Cumming Playhouse is to provide quality entertainment for an array of audiences while creating an atmosphere for the nurturing of local talent.” Linda Heard sincerely thanks Cumming and Forsyth County residents for their overwhelming endorsement as shown by on-stage participation and attendance at performances. In the coming months, the Playhouse will introduce a new, more user friendly website and will offer online gift certificates available for purchase and redemption.

“We are proud of what we are able to offer our community from a recreation facility and program standpoint.” Greg Little and his team make sure Cumming and Forsyth County residents are able to comfortably enjoy various athletic pursuits within city limits. In July, the Cumming Aquatic Center will play host to the first GRPA state swim meet in the community’s history.

1200 swimmers and three times as many fans are expected to attend this two-day event.

“It is our responsibility to make the city beautiful and we truly love what we do.” Hugh Boling and crew maintain right of ways, landscape various city buildings, and keep the city looking clean. Jayme Walls is schedules and supervises landscaping throughout the city. Hugh’s crew also provides a yard side pick up every Monday and Wednesday for residents who have unwanted scrap or debris to remove.

City of Cumming H. Ford Gravitt Mayor

Lewis Ledbetter Councilman

Quincy Holton Councilman

Ralph Perry Councilman

John D. Pugh Councilman

Rupert Sexton Councilman

6F | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

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TOP 25

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SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Lanier Technical College offers many programs From staff reports

Lanier Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, serves as the leading work force development resource for Banks, Barrow, Dawson, Forsyth, Hall, Jackson and Lumpkin counties.

The school provides higher education and career-technical programs leading to associate of applied science degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit; customized business and industry training and economic development services; continuing education for technical and professional development; and adult education services.

The mission of the college is to provide quality work force development services in support of economic stability and growth locally. Lanier Technical College is the premier provider of work force development and occupational training in the areas of health care and energy.

The college has five campuses located

throughout Northeast Georgia and offers more than 40 majors.

The college’s Forsyth campus is an educational provider hub of in-demand programs of study in the areas of business and computer, technical and industrial, personal and public services and health care. The programs of study offered at the Forsyth campus have proven to support the local community with well-trained graduates with needed skills for many industries.

Lanier Technical College’s Forsyth Conference Center continues to grow and is a preferred venue for many business and social events. The conference center can hold one large meeting or many small gatherings or a combination of both. It offers a range of services, including audiovisual, wireless Internet, video conferencing and laptop rentals, among others.

For weddings and social events, the conference center offers flexible options to meet community needs in an elegant, affordable setting.

Valery Hall works for the Forsyth County school system.

Valery Hall, Forsyth County Schools’ governance and career development coordinator

Jennifer Sami Forsyth County News

“Valery’s heart is driven to develop a strong work force for Forsyth County. She has expanded partnerships with business and industry to prepare students for a seamless school to work transition. Additionally, Valery has increased our dual enrollment with local universities/colleges and has worked with our schools to establish strong career pathways.”

– Forsyth County School Superintendent Buster Evans Valery Hall is a lifelong Forsyth County resident. As a child, her father owned one of the county’s oldest businesses, where she spent her early years growing up around the manufacturing environment.

When she began studying at the University of Georgia, she knew training and development were going to be part of her focus, but it wasn’t until 2007 that she would join the Forsyth County school system. Once there, she worked her way up to a leadership role, helping establish career pathways for students.

Hall was a central part of the school system and local chamber’s PROPEL initiative, lead-

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She continued those efforts, facilitating more work force development opportunities in the classroom and working toward the current career pathways for all students to explore areas of interest and move ahead with college credits, certificates and training in their future fields, all at the high school level.

“If I’m going to be involved in something, I always want to take on a leadership role, and I always want to give everything I’ve got to a project,” she said. “To me, it’s just what you do as a citizen, because you want to live in a place where education is valued, giving back is valued and hopefully one day you’re going to leave it a better place than where you found it.”

Hall said she and her brother had very active parents growing up who always worked with nonprofits and helped improve the community. She wants to continue the tradition.

— Jennifer Sami

NETWORK

Dana Nichols is the new associate vice president of academic affairs for Lanier Technical College.

For the Forsyth County News

Dana Nichols, Lanier Technical College associate vice president of academic affairs “Dr. Nichols is an exceptional collaborator who will excel in engaging our college community and community partners. There are great things on the horizon for our college because we are blessed with great leaders. Dr. Nichols is one of those.”

— Tavarez Holston, vice president of academic affairs at Lanier Technical College Dana Nichols has lived in Forsyth County for just a few months, but the new associate vice president of academic affairs for Lanier Technical College has already fallen in love.

A fifth-generation Gwinnett Countian, Nichols sees a lot of her hometown in Forsyth.

“I remember when Gwinnett County used to look an awful lot like Forsyth County,” she said. “It’s a very warm and welcoming community. It’s a high-growth area in the state and has a lot of excellent business and industry partners ... but you still have excellent community planning, so you still have some of those farm spaces and agricultural spaces, so that really appealed to me.”

Nichols’ position is new to Lanier Tech, with the goal of bringing all five of the college campuses together as one family.

Though she’s been with the college since 2001, Nichols has served in her current role since February. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish from Mercer University and a Ph.D. in English from Georgia State University.

Nichols is leading the way in facilitating dual enrollment and high school relationships, exploring online programming for distance and military students, enhancing libraries and crafting new programs and altering old programs to prepare the college for the future.

“I get to explore all of our campuses and I’m really excited about the opportunity to create a larger vision under our old organization,” she said.

“My current role allows me to take more of a global interest.

“The idea is to better serve all of our areas and have a single point-person to reach out and serve as a liaison.”

Nichols also plans to further enhance relationships with the local business sectors, as well as building community outreach.

— Jennifer Sami

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10F | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Pinecrest Academy strives for excellence From staff reports

Pinecrest Academy is a private Catholic, college preparatory, school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

Founded in 1993, the school moved to its permanent campus on Peachtree Parkway in southern Forsyth County in 1997.

From its initial beginnings as a lower school in modular buildings, the beautiful 68-acre campus has grown to comprise permanent brick buildings. Those include a high school building and middle school building (with gender separate classrooms), free-standing chapel and two gymnasiums — a modern upper school gym and a full-size gym for the lower school, completed in 2011.

The current enrollment is 801 students.

Pinecrest has been recognized for the seventh consecutive year by the Catholic High School Honor Roll as one of the Top 50 Catholic high schools in the nation.

The school’s mission is to provide an atmosphere of academic rigor and critical thinking, while offering personalized attention in a Christcentered environment of faith and reason.

The school prepares students to become committed Christian leaders, eager to transform a global society.

Pinecrest accomplishes this in a gender-separate environment on a coeducational campus. It challenges students to identify and use their gifts in service to others. Recognizing the parent as the primary educator of the child, the mission embraces the entire family.

The school provides a safe, moral, and spiritual environment, which

leads to positive peer groups and joyful, caring and confident students.

In addition to a rigorous academic curriculum, Pinecrest offers an excellent fine arts program, including visual and performing arts, band and chorus. Our Symphonic Band played, by invitation, at Carnegie Hall in April 2012, and art students have received numerous awards, including the prestigious Silver Key award in the 2014 National Scholastic Art Competition.

Pinecrest introduced Project Lead the Way in 2013, a STEM program o ff e r e d i n t h e m i d d l e a n d h i g h schools, with plans to launch PLTW in the lower school in the fall.

The SAT scores of the class of 2013 averaged 150 points higher than t h o s e o f t h e s t a t e o f G e o rg i a .

Additionally, Pinecrest’s average ACT scores have been consistently higher than those in the state and in the nation since 2009, and Advanced Placement test averages have been consistently and dramatically higher than schools in Georgia and the nation, averaging at an 87 percent pass rate.

Pinecrest offers a complete complement of varsity and recreational sports, debuting a girls lacrosse program this spring. Pinecrest athletes compete in the Georgia High School Association.

The dedicated and highly qualified teaching staff meets state and SACS requirements, and many staff members have advanced degrees.

Pinecrest is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools, and holds membership in the College Board and the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

Contacts • Ed Lindekugel, middle and high school principal, elindekugel@ pinecrestacademy.org • Madeliene Flanagan, lower school principal, mflanagan@pinecrestacademy.org For more information or to schedule a tour of Pinecrest Academy, call (770) 888-4477 or visit www.pinecrestacademy.org.

The Rev. Robert Presutti Pinecrest Academy’s head of school “Father Robert stepped into a challenging situation when he first arrived at Pinecrest. The economic downturn had severely affected enrollment and put the school’s Jennifer Sami Forsyth County News future in jeopardy.

Father’s leadership in The Rev. Robert Presutti beacme the head of establishing a new, school at Pinecrest Academy in 2011. more efficient operational paradigm for the faith in a “place where University of middle and high families have felt able schools was one part of Sacramento and his youth work in a whole school turnto grow together.”

Bethesda, Md. around, which continHe’s focused on using He describes his ues to this day with the classical teachings choice to serve as one increasing enrollment, while working to climbing retention rates of falling in love. embrace modern “Two individuals get and an incredibly advancements. to know one another bright future for our The humble leader and at first there’s a school.” credits the quality of mutual attraction and as the school’s teachers, as — Madeliene Flanagan, time goes on, the conprincipal of Pinecrest well as its previous viction that this is the Academy Lower School leaders, for establishing person I’m meant for “a great example of a Father Robert Presutti grows,” he said. “It’s very longstanding tradiknew from a young age something similar to tion of excellence.” the vocation of the he was being called to He also credits the priesthood.” serve the Catholic community and busiAnd when he came to Church. ness participation, Pinecrest in 2011, By high school, he which he said work in Presutti said it was like was making plans to tandem with the school become a priest, though falling in love again to education students. with the “unique charhe never imagined he In addition to a qualiacter of the location.” would one day serve as ty education, Presutti And the school’s histohead of school at hopes Pinecrest gradury, he said, is an amazPinecrest Academy in ates leave with a “moral ing story of how it south Forsyth. “grew as a labor of love compass and ethics.

His service has taken That is not a course you the Italy-born, Chicago- and a labor of faith.”

He said the institution take, that is a personaliraised priest through a ty that is forged.” provides a world-class variety of locations, including the nine years education rooted in the — Jennifer Sami traditional, Catholic he spent at the

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SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

2014

Progress A Publication of

March 30, 2014

Health & Recreation Section G

Inside: Cumming Aquatic Center Adds Offerings

2G | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Aquatic center adds offerings

Carla Wilson, left, chats with one of the lifeguards at the Cumming Aquatic Center.

Will play host to state swim meet

By Crystal Ledford

Crystal Ledford Forsyth County News

cledford@forsythnews.com

The Cumming Aquatic Center continues to make a splash in the community.

Opened in summer 2011, the facility on Aquatic Circle, off Pilgrim Mill Road near Ga. 400 at Exit 16, has been a great success, said Carla Wilson, center manager.

“We’ve grown faster than I anticipated we would, and I’m really proud that we’ve been able to do that,” she said.

“There’s been a great reception from the community and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to offer. There’s something for everyone from infants to seniors.”

Wilson said programs such as swim lessons and water exercises classes continue to draw new users.

“When we opened, we had two instructors on staff and we had very few classes,” she said of the swim lessons program. “Now thousands of kids have been through our learn-to-swim program, which is a good feeling to know that we’ve been able to provide that and there are so many kids who now can swim.”

The learn-to-swim program isn’t just for kids, though.

“We follow the American Red Cross program and we start with infants who are 6 months old in a parent-child class and we go all the way through adults,” Wilson said.

“There are basic classes for adults and more advanced classes for those who want to improve their stroke.”

In addition, the center works with Swimming Resource to provide a water survival skills class for youngsters.

The center also provides about 20 exercise classes a week, including three land-based programs through the Silver Sneakers program for seniors.

Silver Sneakers, offered through

On the net For complete information about the Cumming Aquatic Center, including all schedules and offerings, go to www.cummingaquaticcenter.com.

various insurance companies, allows seniors to take advantage of certain physical wellness programs at low or no cost.

Wilson said she and her staff are preparing the facility’s outdoor leisure pool, which will open on weekends from May 3-18 and daily from May 24 to Aug. 6.

“We’re hiring lifeguards for the summer, getting the outdoor pool ready and the concession stand ready,” she said.

Wilson said about 15 to 20 part-time lifeguards will be hired for the summer season.

“So we’ll have somewhere between 70- and 80 part-time staff members and then, of course, we have five fulltime staff members including myself,” she said.

“I think we had around 40 lifeguards when we opened, so that has continued to expand along with our program offerings.”

Staff members are also busy getting ready for state swim meet the facility will hold this summer for the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association.

The facility will welcome more than 1,000 swimmers from throughout the state at event.

“This is the first time we’ve been the host site for this meet,” Wilson said.

“We’re looking at 1,250 swimmers and parents and spectators, so it’s a big deal and we’re very excited about it.”

Carla Wilson Cumming Aquatic Center manager “The coordination of the leisure swimming activities at the Aquatic Center — especially during the summer months when the outdoor pool is open — with the instructional, fitness and therapeutic classes, as well as the schedules and competitions of the local competitive swim teams, is a mindboggling task. Carla’s organizational skills serve her well.”

— Greg Little, Cumming Recreation and Parks director The world of water has always been a big part of Carla Wilson’s life.

“I’ve always worked in aquatics,” said Wilson, who has served as the manager of the Cumming Aquatic Center since the facility opened in May 2011.

“Like a lot of people in aquatics, I started out as a lifeguard and I just worked my way up.”

A native of Canada, Wilson spent nine years working for Disney Cruise Line prior to joining the city to open the aquatic center. “[Disney has] a private island in the

Bahamas, so I worked as the recreation manager there,” she said. “That was my first ‘real job’ after finishing graduate school, and I ended up working there for nearly a decade.”

While on the island, Wilson met her future husband, Allen, who also works in the aquatics field. The couple moved to the metro Atlanta area in 2009 so Allen could take a job with the Georgia Aquarium.

After a year off from work when she had their son, Zachary, now 3, Wilson said she saw a job posting for the manager of the aquatic center.

“It seemed like it would be a perfect fit,” she said. “It has totally exceeded my expectations.”

Wilson said she has tried to bring the customer-service focus that she learned while working for Disney to the center.

“We get comments all the time about how great our staff are, whether it’s day-to-day operations or after meets,” she said.

She said it’s always been nice to work for Cumming.

“They have, without a doubt, been totally supportive of me and the aquatic center and that’s nice to know that the people you work for appreciate you and the staff,” she said.

— Crystal Ledford

About the cover Countless girls and teenagers are learning the benefits of dance from Niki Watkins at Cumming Dance Academy. For more on Watkins, see page 10G. Photo by Micah Green, Forsyth County News.

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forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 3G

Trusted experts delivering the latest in cardiac care Northside is home to a team of talented and experienced professionals specializing in comprehensive cardiovascular services. From leading diagnostic services to angioplasty and pacemaker implantation, Northside’s experts deliver leading cardiac care right in your community. Visit us online at www.northside.com.

4G | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Northside Hospital continues to expand From staff reports

Northside HospitalForsyth is committed to the health and wellness of Forsyth County and surrounding areas, and the hospital is grateful for the community’s ongoing support.

As the area has grown, so too has Northside Hospital-Forsyth. The hospital has been under near-continuous expansion since 2002.

To d a y, N o r t h s i d e Hospital-Forsyth has more than 2,300 physicians in more than 60 medical specialties and nearly 2,200 employees who served more than 317,000 patient encounters in 2013.

Award-winning patient care Northside is committed to balancing clinical excellence with highquality, compassionate care. In 2013, Northside Hospital-Forsyth was named to the chairman’s category (the highest on the list) of the Georgia Hospital Association’s Partnership for Health and Accountability Core Measures Honor Roll.

The hospital also was recognized by the Joint Commission for health care excellence with specialty certification in treating pneumonia, hip/ knee replacement and stroke patients.

Booming maternity care In August 2013, Northside HospitalForsyth celebrated the fifth anniversary of its Women’s Center. In that

time, the center’s growth has been exceptional, far surpassing all projections.

Nearly 12,200 babies have been born in the Women’s Center since it opened in 2008.

To better accommodate the increasing number of deliveries, Northside Hospital-Forsyth was recently approved to offer a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The new designation by Georgia’s Department of Community Health allows Northside Hospital-Forsyth to establish a four-bed NICU, in addition to its existing 17-bed Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit, or Level-II unit.

Most importantly, it allows high-acuity babies to remain at the Forsyth campus rather than be transferred to Northside Hospital in Atlanta to receive Level-III NICU care.

In addition to expanding its neonatal services, this spring, Northside Hospital-Forsyth will open a new four-story, 100,000-square-foot medical office building, adjacent to the south side of the Women’s Center.

This facility will be home to a variety of physician specialties and practices supporting the Women’s Center.

Excellence in cardiac care The Northside Hospital H e a r t a n d Va s c u l a r Institute’s board-certified cardiologists and vascular surgeons, working alongside cardiovascular trained nurses and technologists, have the highest level of expertise in

diagnosing and treating disorders like congenital heart defects, rhythm disturbances, coronary artery disease, heart failure, aneurysms and venous disease.

The institute offers a full-spectrum of diagnostic, treatment and support services, with locations in Fo r s y t h , A l p h a r e t t a , Roswell, Cherokee, Atlanta and East Cobb.

The Heart and Vascular Institute offers the latest in vascular surgery services and is the only program in the nation equipped to treat highrisk patients with custommodified endografts for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm.

The first case was performed at Northside Hospital-Forsyth in 2013.

Northside HospitalForsyth is accredited as a Chest Pain Center and an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, and it achieved the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline STEMI Receiving Center Silver Performance Achievement Award for prompt, evidence-based heart attack care.

In 2013, the hospital’s Echocardiography Lab was accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. Most recently, Northside HospitalForsyth received the AHA Get With The Guidelines b r o n z e - l eve l q u a l i t y achievement awards for the treatment of heart failure and stroke patients.

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Michele Kilpatrick, clinical supervisor of the neonatal intensive care unit at Northside Hospital-Forsyth “Michele was instrumental in helping implement our special care nursery here at Northside Hospital-Forsyth.

Michele is also using her leadership skills to mentor new, emerging leaders.”

— Melissa Sugg, manager of the Northside HospitalForsyth Women’s Center Michele Kilpatrick started working in Northside Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit right out of college.

At first, she thought she might prefer to work at a children’s hospital.

After taking a tour of the hospital’s Atlanta campus, however, she “immediately fell in love.”

It’s been about 25 years since that tour and nearly six since she came to help open the Women’s Center at Northside HospitalForsyth. When she started working in the new hospital, just miles from her home, Kilpatrick’s leadership skills emerged.

Between training and leadership classes, Kilpatrick became a clinical supervisor, and said that through “helping everyone else grow I just kept learning.”

She soon became the chairwoman of the interting edge technology in the diagnosis of lung canc e r. E l e c t ro m a g n e t i c Navigation Bronchoscopy is a minimally-invasive technology that helps

Crystal Ledford Forsyth County News

Michele Kilpatrick works in the neonatal intensive care unit at Northside Hospital-Forsyth.

disciplinary shared governance committee, which involves leaders from each aspect of the hospital, from management to security. The group works together to “improve patient experience.”

“It takes a whole hospital team to affect change ... and make things better,” she said.

“When you can get involved in something you are passionate about and to improve things, it makes all the difference to want to learn more and do more.”

She also took the lead in establishing a group focusing on emergency preparedness so the unit “will be ready in case we ever need to evacuate.”

Kilpatrick, a mother of two teenagers, said physicians locate, enable biopsy and plan treatment for lesions (spots) detected deep in the lungs.

It also provides the ability to detect lung disease

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and lung cancer earlier, even before symptoms are evident, enhancing treatment options for patients.

For more information, visit www.northside.com.

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having her own children made the job a more emotional one. But technological advancements over the years have resulted in fewer sad stories.

“In 1988, we were barely trying to save 27 weekers,” she said about babies born at 27 weeks gestation. “Now we’re trying to save 23 weekers.”

Working in Forsyth, where she has lived and raised her family since 1996 makes Kilpatrick more proud to be so invested.

“Northside is always involved in community activities and promoting charities,” she said. “This hospital offers so much to our community.”

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SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Fire Station 3 opens

File photos

Forsyth County Fire Division Chief Jason Shivers takes his place prior to the dedication ceremony last summer for the new Fire Station 3. The two-bay station off nearby Matt Highway takes the No. 3 title from the former facility on Dr. Bramblett Road, which opened in 1982.

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County Manager Doug Derrer, Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills, her granddaughter Brooklyn Bottoms and Fire Chief Danny Bowman prepare to uncouple the hose, a tradition for welcoming a new station.

Forsyth named state’s healthiest county Report cites habits, amenities, education

By Jennifer Sami

jsami@forsythnews.com

Community leaders have been committed to keeping Forsyth’s designation as the state’s healthiest county.

And the effort to maintain the title, first secured last year, did not go unnoticed as the 2014 R o b e r t Wo o d J o h n s o n Foundation County Health Rankings & Roadmaps study revealed today.

Northside Hospital-Forsyth Administrator Lynn Jackson said she’s already looking toward next year’s list.

“We can’t get too comfortable. We can’t take it for grant-

ed,” she said of the consecutive top rankings. “Good health is a gift, and so we need to aspire to be three years in a row … and hold that position for a length of time.”

James McCoy, president and CEO of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, said the commitment to health starts with residents and is reflected in the efforts of the government and business community to meet the demand.

“It speaks very well, first and foremost to the care that the people in our community take of their own health, and that they are very conscious of

their lifestyle and what they’re doing,” McCoy said.

“They hear the demands of the community and are responsive to it, and to continuing to make strong investments in parks and recreation and the [Big Creek] Greenway, and things that really add to the quality of life and well-being for our community. We also see a continued willingness on the part of the folks who continue to make investments into things l i ke N o r t h s i d e H o s p i t a l Forsyth.”

The study, conducted through the University of Wisconsin, used a rankings system based on a range of measures to

determine health levels.

Factors such as obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption rates were taken into account. Measurements also include socioeconomic factors, such as high school graduation rates, number of residents with health insurance, access to healthy foods, parks and clean air.

Jackson said it’s those community benefits that contribute to Forsyth’s healthy citizens.

“Once you’re on a trajectory of positive improvements in your health, it’s sort of a selffulfilling prophesy,” she said.

“The better you feel, the better you want to feel. And people who are taking advantage, say, of our great parks, once they get going and see how good it

makes them feel, they take on new things.”

Forsyth’s child poverty rate is 8 percent, much lower than Georgia’s average of 27 percent, and single-parent homes in Forsyth total 13 percent, compared to the state’s 36 percent. The adult obesity rate is 22 percent in the county. While that is still a high statistic, it’s an improvement over last year’s 23 percent, and still better than the state’s 28 percent rate.

Fayette County placed second in the study, followed by Oconee, Gwinnett, Cherokee and Cobb, rounding out the top six. Lumpkin and Hall and Dawson counties ranked 9th, 12th and 23rd, respectively.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

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SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

Graceful in Dance Strong in Character

Ages 18

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Home of CDA II Performance Academy

VISIT OUR DANCE BOUTIQUE

Voted Best Dance Studio 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013

‘TUTUS & TAPS’ Private Lessons Available!

Over 10 Years Instructional Excellence!

Summer Camp Registration Now Open Online Fall Registration Begins May 1

Ballet • Tap • Jazz • Hip Hop • Pointe • Lyrical • Contemporary • Kinder-Gym • 2 Yr. Classes BOYS Hip Hop • Adult Classes • Performing Companies & Miss Niki’s Elite Performance Class Owner/Artistic Director

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SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

DeeDee Stewart, lead physician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Forsyth

File photo

Children’s Healthcare nurse Culleen Filosi helps organize materials for a Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce Health Summit.

Children’s Healthcare increases services here From staff reports

Since opening in summer 2011, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Forsyth has seen continuous growth.

Last year, just as the two prior, was a busy one f o r t h e f a c i l i t y o ff Peachtree Parkway in south Forsyth.

Probably most notable was securing $250,000 in donations to fund a prototype machine that will be used to detect autism in infants.

The Forsyth location will be one of several sites throughout the state to house one of the machines, which uses videos clips to observe eyes of infants and where they focus to help determine if they are at risk of being on the autism spectrum.

The device should be available to local families at no cost by sometime this summer.

Additionally, the south Forsyth facility has added

several other new programs to assist families.

Among them are: • Urgent care wait times via text or online: The facility recently launched a program allowing parents to see the approximate wait time i n t h e U rg e n t C a r e Center.

Wait times are updated every 15 minutes and are estimates based on the average time it takes for a patient to be placed in an exam room.

This information can be assessed online at choa. org/wait or can be retrieved on a mobile phone by texting CHOA to 4ER411 (437411).

Standard messaging fees will apply for texting.

•Dance medicine: Children’s at Forsyth offers dance medicine to athletes through its Sports Medicine Program.

While dance is usually regarded as an art form, it requires a great deal of

athletic ability. Children’s treats dancers as athletes and focus on each individual’s strength and form to prevent injury.

Physical therapists and athletic trainers use dance-focused rehabilitation to help get patients back in the studio as soon as possible.

Through video analysis, Children’s Dance Medicine experts can help improve performance and also aid in injury prevention.

•Vestibular Rehabil­ itation: Children’s at Forsyth is one of a few centers offering vestibular rehabilitation to pediatric patients.

A vestibular disorder affects the parts of the inner ear and brain that control balance and movement.

Children’s physical therapists have received vestibular rehabilitation training and can create an effective and comprehensive treatment plan based on each patient’s needs.

“Dr. Stewart comes to work every day to make a difference in the life of a child and their family.

She is the type of person that makes everyone around her want to work harder and be better. I feel that Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has the best pediatric clinical providers in the country and the Forsyth urgent care facility is extremely blessed to have Dr. Stewart living and working in our community,” — Beth Buursema, CHOA community outreach manager From the time she was a little girl, DeeDee Stewart knew she wanted to be a doctor.

“I was one of those people in middle school that if you asked me what do you want to be when you grow up, I would have said, ‘I’m going to be a doctor,’” she said in her office at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Forsyth.

It did, however, take her a few years to decide exactly what type of doctor she wanted to be.

“When we were doing our rotations in medical To help children be more comfortable, therapists incorporate play and fun in their treatment to increase the potential for a positive outcome.

• Functional knee brace program: After an injury, a young athlete sometimes needs an

Crystal Ledford Forsyth County News

Dee Dee Stewart checks out a young visitor at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Forsyth.

school, I did pediatrics and loved it,” she said.

“But then I did OBGYN and loved it too.”

But she soon found herself “much more interested in the baby on the other side of the room than the mother.”

That’s been a great thing for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Forsyth. Stewart, a Forsyth County resident, has served as the lead pediatrician at the campus since it opened in June 2011.

“It’s not that you’re just taking care of the child, it’s the whole family unit,” she said.

“When [parents] come in here, we’re not seeing them at their best … and orthotic device, or brace, to aid in recovery or provide protection and support.

The team of orthotic sports professionals at Children’s at Forsyth offers both custom and non-custom fitted knee braces for athletes with

if you can just help them get through those bumps and give them an answer, you’re doing your job.”

Stewart also loves the flexibility that her position at Children’s affords her so she can spend more time with her husband, Paul, and their children: Andrew, 21, a student at the University of South Carolina; and Sarah Grace, 12, who attends a hybrid homeschool facility in Alpharetta.

“This [position] is really nice for our family because it does let me be a mom,” Stewart said.

— Crystal Ledford

strains or tears in the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, posterior cruciate ligament or meniscus.

These orthoses can also be prescribed before an injury occurs to help protect the knee.

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Emory Johns Creek hailed for patient care From staff reports

It has been an exciting year at Emory Johns Creek Hospital, which is located on Hospital Parkway in the heart of Johns Creek.

The 110-bed acute care facility has expanded services and opened new centers, providing greater care for its patients and families. It has also received a variety of recognitions and awards for its successes and achievements in exceptional patient care.

Since its opening in 2007, Emory Johns Creek Hospital has established an outstanding reputation as a quality health care provider, delivering community-based health care to a rapidly growing and diverse segment of metropolitan Atlanta. In 2010, Emory Healthcare became the sole owner of the facility.

The hospital offers a range of services including emergency care, advanced digital imaging, a birthing center with a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, adult intensive care, women’s services, cardiology, surgery, oncology and a bariatric center.

Some new and expanded services are being offered at the hospital: • As of February, the Emory Women’s Heart Center has a location at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. The center is dedicated to screening for, preventing and treating heart disease in women, while providing comprehensive cardiac risk assessment and screenings for patients at risk of heart disease. It also provides a full range

of treatment options for women diagnosed with heart disease.

• Following the opening of the Emory Women’s Heart Center at Emory Johns Creek, the hospital received the Get with the Guidelines Stroke GoldPlus quality achievement award. The recognition highlights hospitals that have implemented specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for the treatment of stroke patients.

• Also in February, the Georgia Hospital Association named Emory Johns Creek Hospital to its Partnership for Health and Accountability Core Measures Honor Roll for the fifth consecutive year.

The hospital is one of 24 Georgia hospitals to be placed in the chairman’s category, the highest on the list. The honor roll is based on clinical data provided by the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, which admini s t e r s t h e n a t i o n ’s Medicare and Medicaid programs.

• In January, Emory Johns Creek Hospital r e c e ive d C h e s t Pa i n Center Accreditation with PCI from the S o c i e t y o f Cardiovascular Patient Care. Hospitals that receive SCPC accreditat i o n m e e t o r ex c e e d quality-of-care measures in patients who arrive with symptoms of a heart attack.

• Emory Johns Creek Hospital has partnered with Emory’s Winship

Contact For more information, or to find an Emory Johns Creek physician, call (678) 474-8200 or visit emoryjohnscreek. com.

Cancer Institute and Emory University Hospital Midtown to open a dedicated infusion center.

Beginning in January, the hospital offers a full range of outpatient infusion and injection services to patients. The 4,500-square-foot, $1 million center, located in a larger space on the first floor of the Physicians Plaza, officially opened Dec. 1.

The center has 19 chairs for infusion services, up from six chairs when the center opened in 2012.

• As of November, Emory Orthopaedics, Spine and Sports Medicine expanded its services to the Johns Creek and Duluth areas.

Emory Orthopaedics acquired Sports Medicine of Gwinnett i n D u l u t h , a p r iva t e practice led by T. Scott Maughon, and Mathew Pombo. Both physicians have long-standing relationships within the community. A new Johns Creek clinic is led by physicians Kyle Hammond, and Oluseun Olufade, and is located in the Emory Johns Creek Physicians Plaza, which is connected to the hospital. These four new physicians offer services to treat a variety of sports medicine and orthopaedic injuries and conditions.

• The Center for Breast

Niki Watkins Owner of Cumming Dance Academy “My girls have been dancing here for eight years and Niki is family.

She’s a great role model.

She gives back to the community. She hires staff who are all very positive, and I only have wonderful things to say about Niki and all of her staff.”

— Carol Joninas, mother of Ava and Emma, who attend Cumming Dance Academy Niki Watkins has been dancing since she was a toddler and today shares her lifelong love of the art with hundreds of Forsyth County students.

A native of south Georgia who holds a bachelor’s degree in dance and musical theater, Watkins opened Cumming Dance Academy in 2003.

“I ran a studio in Valdosta for about five years and then when I moved up here, we started out with a one-room studio,” she said. “We then expanded and I built my own facility in 2006.”

Not long afterwards, the business again needCare at Emory Johns Creek Hospital held its official grand opening in September. The specialty center is designed to prov i d e wo m e n a m o r e streamlined and stressfree environment and better access to breast care.

• In June, Emory Johns Creek Hospital received the American Heart

Crystal Ledford Forsyth County News

Niki Watkins owns Cumming Dance Academy in Forsyth County.

ed more room, so Watkins was able to return to a facility next door to her original site and open Cumming Dance Academy II. The two facilities are just minutes apart from each other on Tribble Gap Road. Between them, Watkins and her staff have six studio spaces in which they teach hundreds of dance classes in several different styles each week.

Watkins said she believes dance is a great way for young girls to learn a lot of life lessons.

“I think it just teaches them confidence and they get performance skills and it gives them an outlet for movement,” Association Mission: Lifeline Bronze Recognition award for achieving high standards in STEMI heart attack care for 2012.

• In May 2013, The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons granted a threeyear accreditation with Silver Commendation to the cancer program at

she said. “It gives them something to do and we just really pride ourselves in building character in the girls. That’s our goal along with teaching dance.”

Watkins, who is married to Lee Watkins, added that her students are like her own children in many ways.

“I have a little boy, Cash, at home, but then I also have all these girls here,” she said. “I love to share my love of dance with everybody and I especially love watching them come out of their shell and grow their confidence.”

— Crystal Ledford

Emory Johns Creek Hospital, signifying the “Hallmark of Excellence” in cancer care programs.

To earn voluntary CoC accreditation, a cancer program must meet 34 CoC quality care standards and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care.

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Over 130,000 people are diagnosed annually with colorectal cancer and over 50,000 die. Most of these deaths are preventable through proper screening. Starting at age 50 (45 in African Americans) most should have colonoscopy every 10 years. Annual rectal exam and yearly home fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) should be done as well.

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Dr. Alan Goldman, MD, FACS, founded HCA in 2005. Now it is the leading center in the United States dedicated to the non-operative treatment of hemorrhoids and anal fissures.

At EcA we participate in most major health care plans including Medicare.

The Hemorrhoid Centers of America, directed by Alan L. Goldman, M.D., FACS, focuses on non-surgical hemorrhoid treatment and curing anal fissures. Every year they help thousands of patients avoid painful and unnecessary surgery.

There is no longer a reason to suffer from the pain, bleeding, swelling, and itching from hemorrhoids. You can get the relief you deserve today with a quick, effective, painless office treatment. Through the use of the CRH-O’Regan Banding system they treat all grades of hemorrhoids quickly and effectively. No anesthesia is required and you can return to work the same day.

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File photos

2) The Big Creek Greenway is a great place to run, walk or ride a bike.

10) Jacob Salgado draws his balloon sword at Fowler Park during the 2013 Play at the Park Family Fun Festival.

15) Poole’s Mill Park offers residents a place to cool off.

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Childhood is a non-stop adventure. So when accidents happen, trust the doctors with the expertise to treat growing bones and growth plates the right way. choa.org/fracture.

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