Gwinnett Citizen South July 2018

CITIZEN

Vol. 30 No. 9

Reid Mullins Scholarship

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Leaders

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Est. 1988 Covering Snellville, Lawrenceville, Grayson, Loganville

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Continental Congress

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INSIDE Citizen Connections Picture Perfect Road Runner Health & wellness

By Tiffany Brix GwinnettCitizen.com In the late 1970s, 80s, and into the 90s, Gwinnett County went through incredible growth. Businesses of all kinds flooded into the area. There have been many who have not made it for various reasons, especially with the ebb and flow of economic factors. A few, however, have flourished through the decades since the initial boom. Gwinnett Dermatology is one of those long-standing pillars in the fabric of Gwinnett County. This year, they celebrate a significant 40th anniversary!

Dr. Shavin, the senior physician at Gwinnett Dermatology, graduated from Emory University School of Medicine in 1969 and completed a 3-year residency in pediatrics. He achieved board certification and started Northlake Pediatrics in Tucker. After practicing there for 3 1/2 years, in 1976 with the unwavering support of his wife, Brenda, he decided to change his specialty to dermatology. With two small children and a new home, this was no small undertaking. Shavin completed a dermatology residency at the Medical College of Georgia in 1978. At that time, a group of doctors just starting their careers had the vision to build a robust medical community. They asked Dr. Shavin to join them. He accepted, Photo by Emmett Clower excited about their concept. Now, 40 years later, it feels Standing L-R: Dr. Keith Wright, Dr. Kirk Saddler, Dr. Jonathan Weiss, Dr. Joel Shavin; Seated L-R: Dr. Alia Brown, Dr. Jessica Mercer.

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Relocating Seniors can be done with a Smooth Mooove

Saying goodbye to Hooper Renwick

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Former students of Hooper Renwick come together at the gymnasium one last time to shoot a few hoops, reminisce and fellowship.

By Carla W. Youmans GwinnettCitizen.com

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JULY 2018

Gwinnett Dermatology Celebrates 40 Years

See CELEBRATES on Page 22

Is that a spleen?

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.COM

So u t h

gwinnett

Growing up in Lawrenceville, Georgia consisted of fall and winter Saturday mornings that started early at 8:00 with the sounds of whistles blowing, fans cheering and feet sliding and squeaking on the old wood floor of Hooper Renwick gymnasium.

Friendships were made and competition thrived and cultivated the love of basketball that laid the foundation for some collegiate athletes who excelled in the game, but

the greatest thing that evolved was an incredible sense of small-town community.

I was fortunate to start playing at Hooper when I was 8 years old in 1980 and my memories of playing with Jennifer and Jacquelyn Cheek, Taffy Pinion, Kathy Hamilton, and others as we won the state eightyear-old championship still lives in my mind as our parents traveled the Georgia roads with us.

We continued to thrive in middle school and high school at Lawrenceville Middle and Central

See HOOPER on page 28

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Adrienne Simpson-Peppler, owner of Smooth Mooove, with her Crew Supervisor, Patrick.

By Angela Greene GwinnettCitizen.com It’s been said that “necessity is the mother of invention” and for Adrienne Simpson-Peppler, the owner of Smooth Mooove Senior Relocation Services, that is certainly true. She got the idea to start her own moving company after witnessing her mother struggle with getting organized for a cross-country move in 2002.

Simpson-Peppler quickly realized that moving was not a one-woman

job so she searched the Yellow Pages, a now defunct book of business advertisements for an A-Z moving company, which did not exist, that is until Smooth Mooove was born. “My many years in corporate America helped me realize that [my dilemma] was a fragmented customer delivery process,” said Simpson-Peppler.

What she needed was a moving company that specialized in addressing the needs of seniors because seniors do not typically move because

See SMOOTH on page 30

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July 2018

Reid Mullins Scholarship recipient selected

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Kyera Harvey recieves Reid Mullins Scholarship for 2018.

The Reid Mullins Scholarship Committee is proud to announce the recipient for 2018 is Kyera Harvey.

She is a graduate of South Gwinnett High School in Snellville. Miss Harvey plans to attend Albany State University pursuing a degree in nursing.

Kyera is the daughter of Kristy Harvey.

This scholarship was originally given annually to a deserving se-

nior by the Snellville Middle PTA in honor of Reid Mullin’s 20 years of service as principal. It is now administered through the Gwinnett Foundation. Mr. Mullins passed away on April 15, 2018.

What’s in a name?

By Katie Hart Smith GwinnettCitizen.com Which Gwinnett city was named after a granite quarry? a) Suwanee b) Berkeley Lake c) Auburn The correct answer is (b) Berkeley Lake. In the late 1940s, Frank Coggins, owner of Berkeley Blue Granite Quarries located in Elberton, Georgia, purchased and developed 700 acres in the area now known as Berkeley Lake. The city is located in the western part of Gwinnett County, bordered by Johns Creek to the north, Duluth to the east, and Peachtree Corners to the west and south.

Initially intended for an ideal summertime retreat, the plans for the property included creating an eighty-eight acre private lake called

Lake Berkeley. Lake Berkeley’s dam was constructed in 1948 and is one of the largest earthen dams in Georgia. It was renovated in the 1980’s and reconstructed in 2012.

The height of the crest of the dam is 979.5 feet. The depth of the lake is estimated at eighty feet.

Fishing cottages eventually gave way to permanent housing and the development of subdivisions began in the 1950s. As the community flourished and the need for zoning, legislation, and infrastructure support grew, citizens formed the Berkeley Lake Civic Association in 1953. The group was instrumental in establishing the City of Berkeley Lake which was incorporated on January 1, 1956.

Today, Berkeley Lake has a population of nearly 2,000 people, residing in the 1.2-square mile area.

For more information about the city of Berkeley Lake, visit: https:// www.berkeley-lake.com.

Co-Publishers/Editors Auveed Bagheri Cawthon Chris Cawthon PO Box 1779 • Lawrenceville, Ga 30046 • Office (770) 241-8801 www.gwinnettcitizen.com • info@gwinnettcitizen.com The mission of gwinnettcitizen.com newspaper, a publication of Media Maker Group Inc. dba gwinnettcitizen.com, is to provide our readers with stories about their communities and people. Our stories and photos bring to life the passion of living, working, playing, living healthy and worshiping in Gwinnett County. We help connect readers with local businesses to facilitate and promote shopping and buying local.

The newspaper, a free publication, is direct mailed to 3 geographic zones in Gwinnett County containing hyper-local news pertinent to each community for a total monthly distribution of 60,000 printed copies in Gwinnett County.

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Georgia Family Career Community Leaders of America select Officers

By Staff Reports Georgia Family Career Community Leaders of America proudly announce its officers for the 2018-19 school year. Emily Emmons from Archer High School was selected as the Vice President of National Programs. This is Emily’s second year on council. She served as Vice President of Public Relations in 2017-18.

FCCLA is a student-led student organization that helps students develop as leaders in their families, careers, and in their communities. Students compete in projects and participate in community service activities while learning about future career opportunities. The members receive recognition at the local, state, and national level. The organization objectives run co-curricular with the Family and Consumer Science classes at their high school.

Emily is a junior at Archer High School. She is a varsity football cheerleader, Tiger of Distinction,

Emily Emmons.

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Rachel Dunbar.

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BETA club, Thespian Honor Society, Archer Theater, Archer Chorus, and Improv Club. Emily enjoys competing in pageants and is currently vying for the Miss Outstanding teen titles in the Miss America Pageant Organization. Her platform is advocating for CTSO’s (Career Student Technical Organizations) like FC-

CLA. Rachel Dunbar is a junior at Archer High School. She is very active in FCCLA. She has competed at National Competition and received a gold medal in Sports Nutrition Project. She has received the statesman recognition and has also received Statesman with Distinction. Rachel

food had one last crumb in the bag. We may starve, but the cats must be fed.

The most serious reason we needed to go to the grocery store was that Figaro, the Queen of our pride, had only four mini-moos left. You know what mini-moos are? They are those little half and half creamers for your coffee.

When we were nursing our cat Ramona back to health after a brain injury, I mixed mini-moos in water to teach her how to drink again. She couldn’t find water, but she could get a little smell of the milk. Well, Figaro, who was just a kitten then, decided she liked mini-moos herself.

We go through an entire ritual of presentation of the mini-moos. Yes, I talk baby talk, and she dances around my legs and looks at me with adoring eyes. Now, you have to understand,

none of our cats are loving or adoring.

This is the only attention I get from Her Royal Highness.

“Figaro, you want a moo? Say Mooooooo. Moooooo. Do you want one moo? Two moooos? Is it a two moo day? Come get your Mooooo.

Ohhh, good stuff.” I croon.

“Yes, Mama, I want a moo.

Scratch between my ears and talk in utter nonsense and I will pretend to adore you so I can get what I want.”

She responds.

So to avoid a crisis in our household, Snell and I went to the grocery store. We did take James to work, and then the two of us snuck off to Kellie’s for breakfast. One of the best things about going to the grocery store is Kellie’s for breakfast.

We used to go every Wednesday because Kroger’s gave a discount to old people. Now that Kroger’s has stopped doing that and raised their prices and changed the entire store around, it isn’t as much fun. We had the Wednesday regular old folks’ grocery shopper meetings in the aisles.

We all knew each other and spoke. We got to know one another and shared recipes. Well, OK, I listened while someone would tell me how they were making a chicken dish with Catalina dressing and such. I feigned interest.

I don’t like to turn on the stove.

Some hour or more after scouring the shelves for an item that for the last 20 years has sat on Aisle three, upper right shelf, we came home. $300 worth of mostly cat food and monkey food. Monkey food is what Mama always called the junk food. You know, that stuff that we wouldn’t feed a monkey but gobble up ourselves.

Snell and I unloaded the car and had the kitchen counters and floors covered with bags of produce, fresh meats, and vegetables. I had planned on making a couple of meals. I know that shocks you, but once every month

was instrumental in arranging a Stop the Violence Project for the group that received the state recognition to STOP the Violence.

Emily and Rachel recently attended the National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. They will be attending leadership training.

Two other students from Archer will be in the leadership training and competing in the National STAR Event competition. Savannah Phillips earned a gold at the State Conference in Wellness Portfolio Senior Division and earned a spot in the national competition with a perfect score of 100. Archer student, Charigan Dobbins, competed in Wellness Portfolio Junior Category and received gold earning her spot in the national competition. Both students should perform well at the conference.

Archer FCCLA organization is an Honor Roll with Distinction Chapter for the last five years. Archer has supported several officers at the

state level as well as region officers.

Archer FCCLA takes students yearly to national competitions. They have traveled to San Antonio, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and San Diego, California. Next year they will travel to Anaheim, California. Local community service projects include decorating cookies with children at the Archer HS fall festival, face painting at the Grayson Christmas tree Lighting, and setting out luminaires at the Gwinnett Memorial Park for a candlelight remembrance. Students collect items for different groups in need: crayons for the children’s hospital; canned foods for the Gwinnett Co-Op; and fleece for making scarves for the homeless. Archer FCCLA also hosts a college and career fair at the school for students during their lunch periods.

Information about Georgia FCCLa can be found on the state website gafccla.com. The national website is fcclainc.org

or so I do cook, maybe.

Snell opened the freezer door and went “Uh-oh.” “Uh-oh” is not term one wants to hear with an open freezer and kitchen full of food.

The freezer and refrigerator had died. We bought them new when we built this house 23 years ago. I shouldn’t complain. 23 years is a long time of working faithfully for the family. About 18 years of that time has been spent with the refrigerator door standing wide open while our son James tries to make up his mind on something to eat. Apparently, we never have anything worthwhile, and he turns to the monkey food on the counter.

Having such allergies to cooking as I do we didn’t lose much. The two packages of meat in the freezer were well thawed out, so I cooked it and threw it out for the outside critters. If you saw any extra fur-pals around this area that was why. They all dined well on butter peas, hamburger and pork chops. I cooked more for them that I have for my family in a year, maybe longer.

I started searching for refrigerators on the computer. I found what I wanted. I started calling stores, and the EARLIEST delivery date I could get was June 13. Five weeks away.

Yes, you heard me-FIVE weeks for delivery. Sears, Lowe’s and Home Depot had even further away delivery dates.

I started looking for another refrigerator and found one that I liked.

June 27 was the nearest delivery date.

What??? They only make refrigerators when they are ordered? What are those things in the warehouses? I called Tony Britt at Britt’s Home Furnishing. It was he and his son Jamie that furnished this house with all of our appliances 23 years ago. Come to think of it; Tony did our first house 43 years ago, too.

You have to understand. Snell taught at South Gwinnett for 34 years

and grew up here, plus he is kin to half the city. I taught at Parkview for 24 years and logged in another 11 years at Central Gwinnett and Duluth High Schools. We were counselors as well as teachers. Know what counselors do in the week after school gets out? We verify transcripts and sign an official graduation statement on the graduating seniors’ permanent record.

I called the unfortunate salesman that got my original call to Britt’s and was the one who told me I couldn’t have my refrigerator until June 13. He was a nice young man. He told me they had a floor model and I asked could I buy that. I don’t think he was supposed to sell the floor model.

I think I am a very nice person on the phone. I don’t raise my voice. I don’t make ugly comments. I just told him to tell Tony and the others in the store that I would start revoking high school diplomas if I didn’t get that refrigerator. I said it with a smile.

He called me back about 20 minutes later and told me the refrigerator would be at my house the following Wednesday. I thanked him ever so mch.

He called back about two hours later and told it would be here on Tuesday. On Tuesday morning at 7:45 I got a call that the refrigerator would be delivered at 8:00 am. The driver told me that someone was bumped to later in the day so we would be the first to get our delivery. Who knew the power I had? I may have to threaten to revoke a few more diplomas. This really worked!!! I got my refrigerator in four days and two of those days were the weekend.

As I was moving food from the ice chest into my brand new gloriously gleaming white refrigerator I thought, it is sad when your freezer holds more catnip and cold packs for aching joints than food!!!

Uh-Oh

Marlene Ratledge Buchanan Hey Y’all

We mostly go to the grocery store when we are running low on cat food.

This week we needed almost everything for cat and people. The pantry was bare, the cats had only a small selection of canned food, and the dry

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July 2018

CITIZEN CONNECTION

2018

“What is your favorite summer treat?”

All photos from Ronald Reagan Park

By Cindy Gilbert | GwinnettCitizen.com

“Cold Pink Lady apple” ~LeKeith Edmundson, Lawrenceville, GA

“Peach margarita.” ~Christopher, Mizell, Lawrenceville, GA

“Watermelon.”

~Michelle Buford, Buford, GA

“Dogwood Pizza.” ~Stan Lewiki, Lawrenceville, GA

“Italian ice and good lemonade.” ~Trixsy Hidalgo Lawrenceville, GA

“Water.” ~Joshua Edmundson, Lawrenceville, GA

July 2018

“Cereal with fruit in juice.” ~Andrew Buford, Gainesville, GA

“Mint chocolate ice cream.” ~Leah Edmundson, Lawrenceville, GA

“Brusters birthday cake ice cream.” ~ Rorey Wynn, Lawrenceville, GA

“Pie.”

“Juicy hamburger and fries.” ~John Goddard, Atlanta, GA

“Pomegranate Granita from Quick Trip.” ~Becky Nunes-Lewicki Lawrenceville, GA

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~Leigh Ann Balasco, Lawrenceville, GA

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A year end review

Meredith Chastain & Meghan Schroder Picture Perfect

What better way to celebrate the summer and beat the heat of outdoor photography than by having a year in review! We are so fortunate to photograph exciting victories, shows, concerts, and uniquely amazing students all year long – and we get to share so few of them with our readers.

The year started off with a County win for Grayson Athletic Association Coach Jeremy Wood’s football team in the First Grade Age Group. The team went undefeated.

While this picture shows the power of #1 sometimes quarterback, Austin Leonard, the strength of the team was that everyone was a contributor.

Local talent runs deep in Gwinnett and it was on full display during

Grayson Elementary School’s annual Talent Show. Second-grade Teacher Kristie Horn brought down the house singing with her fifth-grade daughter, Kaitlyn. Many moms were wiping away tears as these two closed out the first act with their own take on the Gilmore Girls theme song, “Where You Lead”.

One of our favorite annual photoshoots is our Faculty and staff holiday portraits for our GCPS teachers. We have photographed some Faculty members since they were in school themselves – like Courtney Toland who attended Dacula High School and until this summer, taught at Grayson High School as well. Imagine our delight when she brought in her beautiful four-monthold daughter! As proof that athletics run in the genes, she was able to sit on her own for a few minutes while giving us adorable smiles.

Brookwood High School has “Super Seniors” who are chosen by the teachers as students who represent the top of their class academically, through leadership and with their character. We agreed that one of this year’s choices was great! Sara Camuso happens to work at Magic Moment, but she also spends time

See REVIEW Page 7

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July 2018

REVIEW continued from page 4 cheering from BHS, participated in the Miss BHS Pageant and volunteering. This fall, she will be headed to UGA where I imagine she will put her own stamp on Athens.

As Spring began, so did practice for the JV Tennis team at Grayson High School. Head JV Coach (and Assistant Varsity Coach) Sonya Scott is famous for doling out push-ups, so for picture day, the JV Boys team was ready for their team picture. Figuring they may as well get a head start, they assumed their “push up pose”.

It must have worked as the Varsity Boys won the region this year and headed into playoffs.

Over at Archer High School, the Senior Varsity Boys were looking tough as they headed into their season. Under Coach Colin Connors, the Varsity Boys team went 7-3 in

July 2018

the Region and made a playoff run. I think this picture started the season off right!

We would be remiss to finish out the year without mentioning the Mill Creek Hawks Varsity Baseball team.

Coach Doug Jones (formerly a coach at Parkview and Brookwood) began the program the year Mill Creek opened. He began with an incomplete facility and a very green team.

Fast forward 13 years and he has one of the prettiest fields in Georgia and a team that ended the year as Finalist for the State 7A Championship – an impressive feat!

email: magicmoment777@yahoo.com or call 770-979-4203

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Gwinnett Pulse “Is that really a spleen?!” “How many bodies can you fit in here?!”

By Staff Reports These are just a few of the questions posed by 19 high school students visiting the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office as a part of the Gwinnett County State Court S.M.I.L.E. Program. While the students didn’t see any bodies, Dr. Carol Terry, Gwinnett County’s Chief Medical Examiner, along with Investigator Eddie Reeves, gave personal accounts of their death investigations and use of forensic pathology at Gwinnett County’s morgue. This is just one of the many opportunities that S.M.I.L.E. Gwinnett participants will experience this summer.

The S.M.I.L.E. Gwinnett Program, which stands for “Summer Mentoring in Legal Education”, allows students to interact with various legal professionals including attorneys, judges, and law enforcement and to see how the legal system works firsthand. Over the course of this summer, students in the program have the opportunity to tour the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center and the county jail, learn and practice trial skills, and observe courtroom proceedings.

The summer kicked off with a lunch-and-learn about victim’s rights in the criminal justice system hosted

by Gwinnett County Solicitor General, Rosanna Szabo, followed by a learning day covering the trial process and ending with a mock trial.

“If you are genuinely concerned for the future of our community, be a mentor,” says Szabo. “It’s one of the best ways to use your time and talent to influence that future. You will get much more in return than you give. It’s a privilege to be a part of the S.M.I.L.E. team of mentors, and from what I’ve seen of these students, our future is bright.”

Over the summer, S.M.I.L.E. students will interact with a panel of judges from Municipal Court, Recorder’s Court, Juvenile Court, State Court and Superior Court as they discuss their legal careers and how

Special Photo

S.M.I.L.E. Gwinnett participants visiting the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s with State Court Judge Pam South, Magistrate Judge Kim Gallant, Assistant Solicitor Dana Pagan, and South Gwinnett teacher Rebecca Streetman.

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S.M.I.L.E. Gwinnett participants with Gwinnett Solicitor General Rosanna Szabo.

they got the bench, learn about varying fields of law from local attorneys, and see live demonstrations from local law enforcement agencies. The students also have the opportunity to read about and research the case of Dr. Barton Corbin, convicted of murdering his wife in Gwinnett County, and to speak with key players from that case.

This summer marks the third year that Gwinnett County State Court has offered the free S.M.I.L.E. program to local high school students who aspire to be judges and attorneys themselves one day. State Court Judges Pam South and Joseph Iannazzone started the S.M.I.L.E Gwinnett program in 2016 along with

South Gwinnett High School teacher Rebecca Streetman, a program specialist for Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security; and Dana Pagán, a Gwinnett County Assistant Solicitor and former teacher at Central Gwinnett High School. This year, Magistrate Judge Kim Gallant joins the S.M.I.L.E. faculty to help provide a first-rate experience to program participants. The program is open to local high school students with an interest in careers in the legal field.

Students interested in participating in the future can refer to smilegwinnettcounty.com for more information about the program and the application process.

collaboration with TAG Education Collaborative and Higher Ground Education, Inc. is part of ongoing initiatives by the organizations to invest in tomorrow’s technologists to ensure they have the necessary skills to enter the 21st century workforce.

Designed to expose students to computer science fundamentals, principles, big data and analytics, career planning, technology careers and digital citizenship, the camp

introduces participants to four computer coding languages, game/animation creation, website creation, big data simulations and app development.

Held at Georgia Institute of Technology and LexisNexis Risk Solutions, the program began June 25 and concludes July 20 when student teams present their final projects to a panel of LexisNexis Risk Solutions judges.

Students participate in a new camp called Tomorrow’s Technologists

By Staff Reports Archer High School student, Madison Saunders and Brookwood High School students, Shahiq Shakeel, Eric Lin and Faiz Bhimji were among 25 individuals selected from metro Atlanta to participate in Tomorrow’s Technologists. The fourweek code camp offered by LexisNexis Risk Solutions, a global leader in data, analytics and technology, in

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July 2018

Norcross Art Splash

By Staff Reports Norcross Art Splash, always filled with whimsical and fun art, has a new feature this fall that is sure to tantalize the crowds. The 15th annual art celebration, now called Norcross Art Splash & Wine Festival, will showcase an outdoor wine tasting venue which highlights 60 wines “from around the world.” Cindy Flynn, one of the Art Splash & Wine Festival’s producers laughs, “Art buyers love wine, and wine drinkers love to buy art.”

The charming downtown district of Historic Norcross, Gwinnett County’s special gem, will come alive with both colorful and happy artisan booths and a large tent where shoppers can sample wines and continue to browse the artist displays.

The popular and award-winning art show will open Saturday, October 6 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 7 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wine tastings will be from noon until 4:00 pm each day. Tickets for the wine tasting tent are $35 through October 5 and then $40 during the weekend and are good for only one day. Bottles of the featured wines may be purchased at VSOP Oil & Vinegar Taproom, Farmhouse 17 and 45 South Cafe during the weekend. Featured wines by the glass can be experienced at several of the downtown restaurants.

July 2018

Historic Norcross Art Splash & Wine Festival will offer continuous live entertainment on the Thrasher Park Stage, always an anticipated feature of the big Event. The energizing Kidz Zone, also in the Park, returns with jazzy rides and engaging children’s activities. A silent auction and sale filled with decorated chairs and surprises by local school students will be waiting for the highest bidders at the renowned “Chairs for Charity.”

Festival cuisine and tasty food from local restaurants will be available for hungry eaters!

Free shuttle and parking is easy to find. For more information on the festivities, visit www.splashfestivals. com. Wine tasting tickets may be purchased at www.freshtix.com/events/ norcross-art-splash-and-wine-festival. com. Advance tickets are $35 and are valid for one day. Tickets purchased the day of will be $40.

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Gwinnett Animal Shelter: A welcoming place to find a furry friend This month I’m pleased to report that the Gwinnett Animal Shelter continues to transform. Management of the facility moved from the police department to community services in April 2017. The staff is now led by Alan Davis and two deputy directors, Vern Sawyer and Chandler Giddes. The news below is from an update they presented to the Board of Commissioners recently.

Adding a full-time veterinarian at the shelter was a top priority that has already been accomplished. Davis and his staff are also working to establish better policies and procedures for treatment and testing of animals at the shelter.

I’m happy to say that we were able to put more money in this year’s budget for outreach activities, such as adoption events and lowcost spay/neuter clinics. The shelter staff wants to be more visible by participating in events like the Atlanta Pet Expo and Yappy Hour.

Last year, 1,468 animals were returned to their homes, 2,441 found new homes through adoption, and 1,682 were saved by rescue groups.

The live release rate in 2017 was almost 96 percent. At press time I

Charlotte J. Nash

County Business

learned that more than 419 animals were adopted from our shelter in June of this year alone!

Pet adoptions are free on Fridays this summer and all available pets have already been examined, treated, vaccinated and spayed or neutered. The shelter, at 884 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville, opens for adoptions at 11:00 am every day except Sunday. Closing hours are 6:00 pm Monday through Wednesday, 8:00 pm Thursday (through October), and 4:00 pm Friday and Saturday.

Remember that adopting an animal makes you responsible for the care, feeding, exercise, and medical

attention. In return, you get a loving pet who will become very much a part of your life and your family.

Looking ahead, we’re already thinking about how to expand the animal shelter staff and facilities to meet the needs of our steadily growing population. We want our shelter to be as inviting, professional, and friendly as possible. More than 10,000 people now visit the shelter each year, including many families with small children looking to adopt a pet.

To see pictures of currently available dogs and cats, visit www. gwinnettanimalcontrol.com and click on “available pets.” You’ll also find lots of information there about adopting and caring for pets, animal ordinances, dealing with everything from rabies to strays to suspected cases of abuse, and even how to get involved. If you have time to devote to the animals at the shelter, consider joining the ranks of volunteers who donated 6,422 hours last year.

Dogs and cats are often the most devoted and loyal friends a person can have. I know that’s true of my Oscar. If you are looking for a furry companion, be sure to keep the Gwinnett Animal Shelter in mind.

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July 2018

Your Green: Inflation and Your Retirement.

Roger Green, MSFS,CFP ® Green Financial Resources

Inflation can be defined as an overall upward price movement of goods and services in our economy as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). When planning for how much money you will need for retirement, it is important to consider the impact of inflation on your assets and your goals. Ongoing inflation takes away the buying power of your money, meaning you will need more money to live on in the future than you need currently.

Since 2012, inflation had been trending downward from 3.14% in 2011, but it is now on the rise. Inflation was at 1.27% for 2016, rose to 2.13% for 2017, is projected to rise to 2.54 for 2018, and projections indicate this trend is likely to continue (Statista 2018).

July 2018

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation in the thirty years from 1986 to 2016 averaged over 4% annually. According to their website calculator, it takes $2.26 in May 2018 to buy what $1.00 would buy in January 1987. If you look back further to the span between 1956 and 2018, inflation was much higher, making what you could buy for $10,000 back in 1956, cost you over $93,000 in May 2018. To drive home this point, depending on your age, you may now be driving a car that cost more than your first home!

Why is this important to your retirement planning? Inflation turns your retirement goals into moving targets. You want to be able to afford the things you need and want in retirement, often years in the future; so inflation must be accounted for in your planning.

What must you always do to hit a moving target? You must lead the target to hit the target. There is a useful financial tool, called the “Rule of 72” that can be used to help you calculate how many years it will take for prices to double, based on the current inflation rates. To apply this rule, you divide 72 by the inflation rate. For example, 72 divided by 3% average inflation equals = 18. This means it would take 24 years for prices to double based on an average 3%

inflation rate. If the average was 4%, then it would only take 18 years for this to occur.

Applying the Rule of 72 and this example to your retirement planning, you could say that if you are 24 years from an age 65 retirement (age 41), you would need double the annual income you calculate in today’s terms for each year of your retirement. If you anticipate needing $25,000 a year in retirement based on today’s figures, then you would need to double that figure. You would need to plan on needing $50,000 per year in retirement at age 65; assuming 3% average annual inflation during that time.

Inflation continues through retirement as well, so if you retire at age 65, the income you will need will effectively double every 24 years (by age 89) if the 3% average annual inflation rate continues. With today’s earlier retirements and long life spans, many people may see two or more doublings in cost during their retirement period, depending on the inflation rate.

Your retirement planning must take into consideration the impact of inflation. For most people, simply saving is not sufficient and they need growth, earnings, and the power of com-

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pounding on their money, even throughout retirement, to help their assets grow enough to keep pace with inflation.

To learn more, we recommend you register for one of our classes offered through Gwinnett Technical College, including one beginning July 17th. For more class information, or to schedule a free consultation to review your retirement plan,

please visit www.rogersgreen.com or call our office at 770.931.1414.

Roger S. Green is a Registered Representative with securities and advisory services offered through Cetera Advisors LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Green Financial Resources, LLC is located at 3700 Crestwood Parkway, Duluth, GA 30096. Neither Green Financial nor Gwinnett Technical College is affiliated with Cetera Advisors.

Sailor of the Day

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Joshua Leonard

Machinist Mate 2nd Class Rachel Toole (middle).

By Staff Reports Machinist Mate 2nd Class Rachel Toole (middle), from Lawrenceville, Georgia, is selected as the Sailor of the Day aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS

John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is currently underway preparing for its next scheduled deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Joshua Leonard/Released)

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“Is that really a spleen?!”

“How many bodies can you fit in here?!”

By Will Ortiz These are just a few of the questions posed by 19 high school students visiting the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office as a part of the Gwinnett County State Court S.M.I.L.E. Program. While the students didn’t see any bodies, Dr. Carol Terry, Gwinnett County’s Chief Medical Examiner, along with Investigator Eddie Reeves, gave personal accounts of their death investigations and use of forensic pathology at Gwinnett County’s morgue. This is just one of the many opportunities that S.M.I.L.E. Gwinnett participants will experience this summer.

The S.M.I.L.E. Gwinnett Program, which stands for “Summer Mentoring in Legal Education”, allows students to interact with various legal professionals including attorneys, judges, and law enforcement and to see how the legal system works firsthand. Over the course of this summer, students in the program have the opportunity to tour the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center and the county jail, learn and practice trial skills, and observe courtroom proceedings.

The summer kicked off with a lunch-and-learn about victim’s rights in the criminal justice system hosted

by Gwinnett County Solicitor General, Rosanna Szabo, followed by a learning day covering the trial process and ending with a mock trial.

“If you are genuinely concerned for the future of our community, be a mentor,” says Szabo. “It’s one of the best ways to use your time and talent to influence that future. You will get much more in return than you give. It’s a privilege to be a part of the S.M.I.L.E. team of mentors, and from what I’ve seen of these students, our future is bright.”

Over the summer, S.M.I.L.E. students will interact with a panel of judges from Municipal Court, Re-

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S.M.I.L.E. Gwinnett participants visiting the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s with State Court Judge Pam South, Magistrate Judge Kim Gallant, Assistant Solicitor Dana Pagan, and South Gwinnett teacher Rebecca Streetman.

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S.M.I.L.E. Gwinnett participants with Gwinnett Solicitor General Rosanna Szabo.

corder’s Court, Juvenile Court, State Court and Superior Court as they discuss their legal careers and how they got the bench, learn about varying fields of law from local attorneys, and see live demonstrations from local law enforcement agencies. The students also have the opportunity to read about and research the case of Dr. Barton Corbin, convicted of murdering his wife in Gwinnett County, and to speak with key players from that case.

This summer marks the third year that Gwinnett County State Court has offered the free S.M.I.L.E. program to local high school students who aspire to be judges and attorneys themselves one day. State Court Judges Pam South and Joseph

Iannazzone started the S.M.I.L.E Gwinnett program in 2016 along with South Gwinnett High School teacher Rebecca Streetman, a program specialist for Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security; and Dana Pagán, a Gwinnett County Assistant Solicitor and former teacher at Central Gwinnett High School. This year, Magistrate Judge Kim Gallant joins the S.M.I.L.E. faculty to help provide a first-rate experience to program participants. The program is open to local high school students with an interest in careers in the legal field.

Students interested in participating in the future can refer to smilegwinnettcounty.com for more information about the program and the application process.

Library expands Genealogy Resources with new databases

By Staff Reports

M-F 6:30AM-8:30PM SAT 7 AM-9AM SUN 8AM

ALL SMOOTHIES $2.99

Don’t forget to try our breakfast menu!

1630 Scenic Highway North Suite F Snellville, GA 30078 (678) 395-7400

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Gwinnett County residents searching for long-lost relatives have new resources available to them through the Library. Gwinnett County Public Library added Findmypast, Fold3 and Gale Genealogy Connect to their genealogy catalog which already includes Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest.

Findmypast is one of the leading suppliers of online family history records, currently offering access to a collection of over 2 billion historical records covering the United States, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the globe.

Fold3 features premier collec-

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tions of original military records.

These records include the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served in the military, courtesy of the U.S. National Archives, The National Archives of U.K., and many other sources.

Gale Genealogy Connect features a wide range of comprehensive references and is powered by authoritative information from Genealogical.com. With these unique references, available for the first time online in fully searchable format, users can confidently connect the dots with authoritative contextual information, where the full story lives.

“It is especially meaningful to offer new genealogy resources as

we celebrate Gwinnett County’s bicentennial this year,” says Charles Pace, GCPL’s Executive Director.

“We hope this celebration encourages Gwinnettians to trace their roots and explore their past with help from the Library. We also appreciate the financial support from the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners to expand our genealogy resources.”

Ancestry Library Edition and Findmypast are only available within the library. All other resources can be accessed by library card holders from home.

Visit gwinnettpl.org , select your resource, and enter your library card number and pin to get started.

July 2018

Walton EMC Communicators Receive National Recognition

By Staff Reports Walton Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) communicators Savannah Chandler and Greg Brooks were presented multiple awards during the 2018 Cooperative Communicator Association’s (CCA) Annual Institute in Fort Worth, Texas.

The two claimed trophies in the CCA Communications Contest, which evaluates the skills of communicators working for member-owned cooperative businesses from across the nation. Major sectors represented include agriculture, food, telecommunications, energy and banking.

This year’s contest had 610 entries representing 58 different companies. Awards were presented in the categories of writing, photography, programs and projects, and publications.

Chandler and Brooks earned these honors: - First place, Campaigns and Programs, for Walton Gas’s online game Pick the Peach - First place, Cooperative Education, for the Co-op College employee training program - Second place, Brochures, Pamphlets and One-time Publications, for Walton EMC’s commercial services brochure - Second place, Employee Publication, for Walton EMC’s Two-Way Feed - Third place, Miscellaneous Promotional, for Walton Gas’s Georgia Proud scenic umbrella “These awards confirm that we are providing relevant messages to Walton EMC’s member-owners and employees,” said Brooks, community and public relations director. “To be judged best among our cooperative peers is rewarding.”

In addition to the contest awards, Chandler was presented the Michael Graznak Award, one of the association’s top distinctions for cooperative

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CCA Awards Walton EMC communicators Savannah Chandler and Greg Brooks proudly display their coveted Cooperative Communicators Association Communications Contest trophies

communicators. This honor symbolizes accomplishments, contributions, competence and promise of young cooperative communicators, and recognizes their sustained excellence, creativity, insight and performance.

“I will ALWAYS remember the moment I stepped on stage to accept the Michael Graznak Award and spotted my precious family who traveled to surprise me,” said Chandler.

“You experience a special emotion when others agree you’ve picked the right profession. I’m beyond grateful for this recognition.”

CCA is an organization of 250 professionals who communicate for cooperatives. Through professional development opportunities, association members excel in communications disciplines such as writing, photography, video and publication design. Learn more at www.communicators.coop.

Walton EMC supplies energy to more than 127,000 residential, business and industrial accounts in 10 northeast Georgia counties. Our mission is to provide reliable energy and electric services - delivered efficiently, with extraordinary customer care.

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Graznak Award Walton EMC communicators Savannah Chandler and Greg Brooks celebrate her receiving the Cooperative Communicators Association’s 2018 Michael Graznak Award. It is one of the nation’s top honors for cooperative communicators.

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Sweet Surprise Walton EMC communicator Savannah Chandler is surprised on stage by her children, Berkly and Rhett, while receiving the Cooperative Communicators Association’s Michael Graznak Award.

Gwinnett County, United Way Of Greater Atlanta Agree To Tackle Homelessness

By Staff Reports Gwinnett County is working with United Way of Greater Atlanta to help reduce homelessness. Commissioners agreed Tuesday to pay $50,000 to cover half the staffing costs of a new fulltime position to lead a joint effort.

Chairman Charlotte Nash said funding for this agreement comes from the additional $500,000 allocated in the County’s 2018 budget to address issues of homelessness in the community.

“The Board of Commissioners’ priorities set earlier this year include recognizing homelessness as a persistent issue and leveraging resources with community partners,” said Nash.

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“Offering a continuum of care for the homeless is listed as a two-year goal.

District 2 Commissioner Lynette Howard pointed out that homelessness is a problem that affects families from all walks of life.

“Anyone can end up in need, whether caused by an accident, mental or physical illness, addiction, or any number of other reasons,” said Howard. “This agreement opens up an opportunity to improve the continuum of care for the residents of our county by connecting providers and providing appropriate support to the Gwinnett standard. We need a leader to develop a systematic and strategic approach to homelessness and affordable housing issues, and United Way is a great part-

ner to help us meet this goal.”

Pat McDonough, who chairs the United Way of Greater Atlanta Gwinnett Board, added, “With Chairman Nash’s and the district commissioners’ leadership, we have been able to bring together private business like Primerica, the nonprofit community, and the Chamber of Commerce to create a strategic plan that will have a real impact and empower our community.

I am excited to be part of this movement.”

Responsibilities for the new position include assessing current needs, developing a plan, and coordinating action with local leaders and stakeholders.

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Contact the GWINNETTCITIZEN.COM today to share your community news & inquire about advertising and partnering.

(770) 241-8801 • info@gwinnettcitizen.com • gwinnettcitizen.com

You never want to look Thixty As you can imagine, my career in the anti-aging business has brought me many experiences. My relationships with my clients are one of the most gratifying parts of my life.

Along with the skill and expertise that you must have to create a successful medical spa practice comes a responsibility to do what is best for the client. A woman who originally has the intention of brightening her skin can become more open to the idea of anti-aging treatments and start relying heavily on injectable fillers, chemical peels, and Botox. This is where it is my responsibility to “cut them off.”

We recently purchased a large piece of equipment that required the company to send a trainer for our staff. After a few visits, the young woman pulled me aside and asked if I would mind doing a consultation for her. She said that our staff looked fresh and youthful, unlike many of the offices she visited where the staff had more obvious changes in their appearance than she was comfortable with having. This was the biggest compliment I could ever get.

My goal is to keep everyone I treat, and everyone treated by my company looking fresh and natural.

I recently saw a joke on social media that said, “Thixty- a woman between thirty and sixty who has had so many cosmetic procedures that you cannot tell how old she is.”

When you look at some of the popular reality television shows, you can see perfect examples of this concept. When lips are too full, cheeks are too puffy, brows are too arched, foreheads are frozen, and skin is “plastic” smooth, the human face can look exactly alike and not very attractive in some cases.

A few years ago, a young actress underwent so many surgeries that she changed her late 20’s appearance to looking like she could be 30 or even 40. Her budding career was soon a household joke. A sad lesson for young women everywhere.

My goal and the About Face Skin Care way of treating clients focus more on restoration. When treating the sagging face, an injectable filler is a wonderful tool to restore lost volume to the upper cheek, mouth corners or even lips to make the tissue look like it did five to seven years earlier. It is even possible to give a slightly fuller lip without creating the illusion of fake lips. True rejuvenation and restoration focus on looking at the balance of the entire face and repairing the deficits. Exfoliating and treating the skin surface to brighten and make the skin one

Chrissy Thomas

About Face Skin Care

color is an amazing anti-aging trick, but overstimulating the skin can create a glossy, inflamed surface. Having a professional who knows how to customize a treatment plan for you is imperative.

Thixty year-olds often get caught up in looking at one body part, such as lips or jowls. I have often said I should purchase stock in magnifying mirrors. When a client is completely fixated on one part of the face, I know I need to have a discussion about balance.

The face should be in balance when divided in three; the eye area, the nose and cheek area and the lower face and lip area. If someone uses Botox to excess in the eye and forehead area creating a very smooth look and doesn’t address lips that are deflating and sitting inside the mouth, the face has lost its balance.

The Thixty year-olds tend to lose balance by using injectable fillers to over-inflate the cheek and lip areas.

Restoring any of these three areas that are losing its volume or starting to sag can create a very natural, refreshed appearance.

Often, clients will return to About Face for a recheck after a procedure and I can’t even remember what treatment we have done at the previous visit until I look in the chart.

I see a fresh, happy client. I consider that SUCCESS! Natural anti-aging is possible. Do not fear injectable fillers and Botox, just know your provider and have a clear understanding of what you are going to look like after treatment.

And please, for the sake of all of us cosmetic providers that fight the bad name that these incredible products have been given, do not strive to be a Thixty-year-old!!

If you would like to learn more about the treatments available at About Face Skin Care, schedule a free consultation appointment at 770935-FACE (3223) or online at www. aboutfaceskin.com. We can’t wait to meet you!

Visit gwinnettcitizen.com for more local news!

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July 2018

What’s with Millennials’ Tastes in Music?

Julie Thompson

Millennial Musing

Music tastes might be one of the largest rifts between Millennials and earlier generations. Where Baby Boomers are usually defined by Rock n’ Roll and Gen X’ers are tied to Grunge and Hip Hop, Millennials boast of a genre all their own, namely, Electronic Dance Music.

First time listeners to Electronic Dance Music -- more commonly referred to by its acronym, EDM -- may describe it as the sound of robots giving birth. And those who would blame Millenials for destroying music as we know are somewhat accurate. EDM is more of a musical

project than actual music.

The genre features computer-based sounds synthesized by Disc Jockeys and typically does not involve actual instruments. It’s hard to pinpoint exact characteristics of the genre, as it includes nearly one hundred subgenres, many of which have direct roots in earlier trends of techno, R&B, and Hip Hop. And while some don’t understand the appeal, EDM’s hold on American youth is undeniable. The Washington Post claims EDM “embodies the tastes of young people” like no other musical genre, and research done by SFX supports the statement, reporting that 93 percent of Millennials consider it a “defining aspect of their generation.”

For better or worse, it’s the fastest growing genre in the world.

Where it once was an underground art form, the genre has emerged onto the mainstream forum, and it’s become a major influencer of pop music.

“But what exactly is the connection between EDM and Millennials?” you may ask. For one, it’s Millennial’s very own genre, and while its lin-

eage can be traced to earlier forms of electronica, the EDM culture is particularly suited to the Millennial demographic.

The culture surrounding EDM would never have been possible before this day and age and the latest technology it affords. EDM is intrinsically connected to social media, where music and trends spread instantaneously. With SoundCloud and other audio posting sites, music producers have the ability to connect with audiences across the world who can enjoy even the most underground subgenres of the larger EDM umbrella.

The thing to understand is that Millennials appreciate music in their own way as well. Millennials enjoy EDM in pallets of emotion where a single song might embody happiness, anger, or draw out the tantalizing feeling of paranoia. At other times, the lyrically light genre might simply capitalize on a single moment, stretching it and warping its relationship with time.

For me personally, it’s the culture. I enjoy the music in group settings, although on my own, I’ll usu-

ally listen to something with a mix of stringed instruments, lyrics, and percussion for a more melodic effect. But in a group setting, you can’t beat EDM. Its epic and grand scale makes for an amazing cultural experience that can be literally felt. At festivals, the decibels are so high you physically feel the music vibrating through you. And in a group setting, that’s what I prefer — to feel music with my body, as opposed to becoming introspective and in my head while contemplating the nuances of a complex musical movement.

It’s not really that different from any other emerging genre if you

think about it in those terms. Baby Boomers and Generation X’ers should be able to appreciate music’s social quality. There are times when you want it to bring you into yourself, and there are times when you want it to release. In case you haven’t got it yet, EDM typically does the former.

Sources: Burns, Will “Is Electronic Dance Music the Key to Reach Millennials?” Forbes. May, 2014.

SFX “Electronic Music, Technology and Youth Culture” Audience Insights Groups. April, 2015

Homeowners Claims Did your home take a storm hit or get some water damage? Before you pick up the phone to call in a claim, wait! Daily we receive homeowners insurance quote requests, and it never fails that some of these quote requests have prior claims.

Notice, I said claims, being plural.

Often the claims are not what most people would consider a claim. What a majority of people do not realize is that if you pick up the phone to inquire about coverage to your insurance company’s claim department, that counts as a claim. We call those “$0 pay out claims.” Those claims are reported to the Lexis Nexis/ CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report. Whenever you ask for a homeowners insurance quote, these claims will be on your personal report. Most major insurance companies will not offer coverage if you have 2 or more claims in a 3-year span. And yes, this even includes the “$0 pay out claims.” Some companies will non-renew you after one actual claim and most after two claims.

Most people feel it is an unfair process. But this evolved because of fraudulent claims and people using their homeowners’ policies as a maintenance program when deductibles were as low of $250 years ago.

The reason that it is considered a claim, often after the call is made, the claim was called in and filed shortly after that. So that innocent call to the claims department to ask a coverage question is a red flag to the insurance company. At the Wells agency, we advise our clients to call us first if

July 2018

Tracey L. Wells Farmers Insurance - Wells Agency 678-691-3438 2402 Loganville Hwy, Ste 300 Grayson, GA 30017 twells@farmersagent.com TraceyWells.net

Tracey Wells

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they feel that they may have a claim.

There may be instances where it might be a simple repair job that is needed that may be far below their deductible. By calling us, sending over photos of the damage, sending estimates from contractors and going over different scenarios, it can save you from having a “$0 payout claim” filed on your personal CLUE record and having added frustration when you assumed you had a claim.

Some people want a claim, so they can get a new roof or upgraded kitchen or bathroom and will quickly call in a claim. Many times, roofing contractors will promise they can “get you a new roof” and will call in the claim themselves. Never let a contractor call in a claim on your behalf. Ethical contractors will tell you to call your agent first. So remember to call your agent and discuss the situation, this is the best and most logical way to handle it.

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Long Term Care Insurance We all know the importance of having home insurance, car insurance, dental insurance, and many types of health insurance. However, many often neglect to secure a very important insurance that is critical— especially as we age.

Long term care insurance is not often thought about---until it’s needed. As dynamite of a planner as you may be, even the most thorough plans may not prepare you for the costs associated with long term care-- whether the cost is expected with age or unexpected with an unfortunate turn of events.

What is Long Term Care?

With many Americans living longer, you may one day need help with activities of daily living. Getting additional assistance, whether in-home or

within an assisted living community, is a form of long term care. Long term care will help you maintain your lifestyle if age, injury, illness or cognitive impairment prevents you from doing it on your own.

Who needs Long Term Insurance?

Long term care can be very expensive. But long term care insurance helps you to pay for it. This type of insurance is best served when started early before you approach the time of potentially needing it at an advanced age. Further, life’s events cannot always be anticipated especially when your younger. And unfortunately things still happen expectantly that can impact your lifestyle and your quality of life. Long-term care can help cover the costs if an unexpected medical event happens.

Long term care insurance takes on the expense that often normal health insurance will not cover and this includes Medicare.

Seventy percent of people turning 65 can expect to use some form of long-term care during their lives, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging. However, according to AARP poll, 70% of adults also incorrectly believe that Medicare will cover the

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cost of custodial long-term care. Long Term Care insurance helps you to be prepared! Just like with your 401k retirement savings, you should start as consider long term care insurance as an extension of your retirement plan.

Where do you get long-term care?

As with any type of insurance, you should shop around and compare rates. Look at all products as it relates to your budget and your

potential need. Like all insurance, you should do due diligence and pay close attention to the policies terms and conditions, and pay special attention to the deductible. There may be restrictions on the types of care or living environments covered. There could also be a hefty deductible required before the insurance kicks in.

The bottom line is that you should start your research now. The earlier you buy long term care insurance, the less expensive it will be. Start shopping long term care insurance no later than your late forties when you are still young enough to qualify for an inexpensive policy. However, if you are older, all is not lost. US News suggest that if you are nearing your retirement there might be options to merge your life insurance coverage with your long-term care insurance.

Getting creative may allow you to replace one line item with another.

If you want to learn more about long-term care insurance, Dogwood Forest of Grayson can help. We are an educational resource and will put you in contact with long-term experts to help you along the way. Call us today at 678-496-2319. www.dogwoodforest.com/Grayson

July 2018

Out Of Date Benficiary Designations Can Spell Disaster

James Miskell

Estate Planning

Many accounts, like retirement and investment accounts, allow you to designate the beneficiaries of the account upon your death. It’s a convenient way to distribute these accounts, and typically you make the selection when you open the account. What many folks don’t realize is that when they get a divorce or make a new will, these beneficiary designations do not automatically change. This is a detail that if overlooked can frustrate even the most expensive and thorough estate plan, whether you have a will, a living trust, both or neither. Don’t let your assets go to your ex. - Keep your beneficiary designations current!

Making your estate plan begins with thinking about your values and your family and having conversations

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with your spouse and/or family members. Consider all the details: the financial, the legal, and the shared understandings. Estate Planning documents and beneficiary designations should be kept up to date; both you and your spouse should know the location of all financial accounts and have the information to access them; and both you and your spouse should participate in regular updates from your financial advisor.

You should discuss more than how your assets will be divided.

Make plans for possible disability and long term care. You should talk about who will be acting on your behalf as your agents, those people who represent your interests through a power of attorney, will or trust. Picking the wrong people can frustrate your plans, whether due to lack of capability, dedication or trustworthiness.

You need to ensure that only the right people hold your durable power of attorney or serve as executor or trustee. Some people are better suited for certain duties and it is not a comment on your love for or value of your heirs to make wise choices.

And of course, you will also discuss your inheritance – choosing who will benefit from your estate. Oftentimes, physical items are difficult to split up. How you split up sentimental family items can start a fight, or, if thoughtfully handled ahead of time,

“Don’t let your assets go to your ex. Keep your beneficiary designations current!” end fights before they happen. This is a topic worth discussing with your heirs and beneficiaries. That way everyone can express what things they may want and why. Family heirlooms represent an emotional connection that may even be more important to family members than financial assets.

The estate you leave is not just about money it is also about the memories and shared values that hold families together.

Money can be easily divided among your beneficiaries in any proportions that you believe are appropriate. Wills direct only the assets owned in your name when you die.

Trusts can only distribute property held by the trust. Financial and retirement accounts with beneficiary designations don’t care about your will and are not interested in your trust. Plan administrators will pay the people you told them to pay when you last filled out the form. If you named the two children you had when you opened the account and have four when you die, half of your children will split the

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Creek. He offers educational workshops and free consultations to assist clients as well as fellow professionals in creating individualized solutions. Visit his website: www.letstalkestateplanning.com. For more information, see his ad in this issue.

account and half will get nothing. If your ex-spouse is still named, he or she will be surprised and remember you fondly; your current spouse and children will also be surprised. Their reactions will be less favorable.

Keeping your plan current is essential in avoiding unintended consequences. Your priorities and goals for your estate plan should dictate the structure of your plan and the creation of the documents required to make it a reality. The critical first step is starting the right conversations with your spouse and family members. Continue the conversation with financial advisors and estate planning attorneys who can guide you in building the right plan to achieve your goals. Make certain that your beneficiary designations and other estate planning documents work together to achieve the right result.

James M. Miskell received his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1993. His Asset Protection, Estate Planning and Elder Law practice has offices located in Lawrenceville and Johns

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Health, Beauty & Wellness 3 Surprising Illnesses You Can Get From Swimming (And How To Avoid Them) Whether you’re hanging out by the pool, traveling to a nearby lake or going on a beach vacation, spending time by some body of water makes the summer heat bearable (and way more fun).

Once you’ve picked your favorite swim spot, it’s time to pack the essentials. Make sure you don’t forget to bring something to read (whether its gossip magazines or that book you’ve been meaning to start), stylish sunnies, a comfy cover-up, SPF and water (lots of water)—all those items that are sure to keep you happy and healthy all day long.

Unfortunately, though, one thing you can’t exactly pack for is all the germs you may encounter in the water. But let’s not dwell on this major summer bummer!

While germs may be an inevitable part of swimming, Hira Kohli, MD, a primary care provider at the GMC Primary Care & Specialty Center-Suwanee, shares what you need to know about the most common illnesses, symptoms to spot and tips to

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keep germs at bay.

1. Potty Problems. Nothing stops a pool party faster than a case of diarrhea. Oddly enough, that’s one of the most common illnesses you can pick up from swimming in lakes, pools and the ocean. The germs that cause this dreaded symptom are a mouthful—cryptosporidium, giardia or shigella—you get the point.

Symptoms to watch for: While your tummy troubles may be the result of too much ice cream, if you have persistent diarrhea (5+ days), chills, fever, dry mouth, flushed skin or a headache, it’s time to see a medical expert.

How to avoid it: Unfortunately, many of the common culprits that cause diarrhea can survive for days in bodies of water. The best way to prevent getting sick is to be sure that you don’t swallow any water—not even a tiny amount. And if you’re at the beach, minimize digging in the sand as some germs are buried underneath the surface.

2. Skin Struggles. As if you didn’t have enough to worry about with bug bites, poison ivy, and sunburns, now there are rashes that you can get from swimming in lakes, pools and the ocean. Everything from the infamous hot-tub rash (pools and fresh water) and swimmer’s itch (fresh water) to staph infections (ocean) and more are surprisingly common.

Symptoms to watch for: While most of these rashes appear as itchy, red bumps (like bug bites) within the first 48 hours, if they escalate to large blisters or abscesses, and/or last for more than 5 days, make sure to see your healthcare provider.

How to avoid it: For starters, one of the best things you can do is steer clear of the hot tub. There are two reasons for this: bacteria and germs thrive in warm water, and chlorine and other protective chemicals break down much faster in hot water. Also, make sure to rinse off after you’re done swimming, get all of those irritants off your skin ASAP.

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3. Breathing Barriers. No one tries to breathe in water, because when you do, it stings like crazy.

However, getting a nose full of water isn’t just annoying, it could also make you sick. In fact, breathing in just a little bit of water (steam or mist) can cause a lung infection, thanks to the bacteria Legionella.

Symptoms to watch for: In some instances, symptoms are mild and resemble the flu—fever, headaches and all-over aches—that go away within 2 to 4 days. In more serious cases, you’ll experience pneumonia-like symptoms, including coughing, fever, and lethargy. If your symptoms last longer than just a few days, it’s time for care from your medical expert.

How to avoid it: Legionella loves warm water. So if you can’t re-

sist that steamy hot tub, make sure that it’s routinely cleaned and disinfected.

Make a splash.

The sad truth is there are germs just about everywhere, so why would we assume that swim spots are any different? But you shouldn’t let all those yucky germs keep you from enjoying ample splash time this summer.

To help you just keep swimming—and enjoying all the best parts of summer—the experts at the GMC Primary Care & Specialty Center-Suwanee offer latest treatment options, up-to-date technology, and a spa-like environment all in a convenient location that’s close to home.

To learn more or schedule a primary care appointment, visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/suwanee.

July 2018

July 2018

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CELEBRATES continued from page 1 as though that excitement and community vision is still alive in the ever-growing practice.

Gwinnett Dermatology has migrated a few times over its 40 years.

In July of 1978, they shared a tiny office space in the old Snellville Plaza.

There were only five waiting chairs and two exam rooms at the time.

Then in 1981, they moved the office to Fountain Drive. In 1988, growth mandated a move to a larger office on Lenora Church Rd. In 1991, significant expansion prompted Dr. Shavin to add a partner, Dr. Jonathan Weiss.

Continued growth in 1998 led to the addition of Dr. Keith Wright, a Mohs Micrographic Surgeon, specializing in the advanced treatment of skin cancers. This growth necessitated the move to the current building on Pate Street in the heart of downtown Snellville in 1999.

With a growing patient population, the practice needed additional

providers. Dr. Kirk Saddler joined the group in 2003 and helped the medical practice expand first to Loganville then to Braselton. Gwinnett Dermatology welcomed Dr. Alia Brown in 2010 bringing her cosmetic fellowship expertise. The Physician group grew in 2014 with the addition of Dr. Jessica Mercer, a board-certified dermatopathologist, and clinical dermatologist. Gwinnett Dermatology continues to meet an expanding patient base with a group of highly trained mid-level providers: Physician Assistants Jennifer Sissom, Courtney Renner Davis, Devon Pattillo, and Amy Goodman as well as Nurse Practitioner Brittany Dupree.

Often it is difficult to pinpoint what sets apart a great office environment from those who struggle.

Sometimes it boils down to unquantifiable, unpredictable chemistry within a group. Undoubtedly Gwinnett Dermatology has a work

environment that employees enjoy and that filters down to the patient experience as well. There is another more quantifiable aspect that gives this group of physicians an advantage. As Dr. Shavin reflects, “I think what sets us apart from other dermatology groups is the caliber of welltrained physicians we have. Every single doctor in our group was chief resident during their training.” That means they were each picked as the best in their respective class to oversee their peers during their medical training. They were not only the top of their class but also accumulated real-life experience leading a team.

This school experience led to continuing a team-focused dermatology practice. “We stimulate each other, share information, and call on each other when we have a tough case.

We call on the collective experience of the entire team to make sure we suggest the best treatment,” Shavin explains.

With these impeccable physicians, you also get full-service dermatology: cosmetic, medical, surgical, and pathology. Aesthetics at Photo by Emmett Clower Gwinnett Dermatology, done to the Gwinnett Dermatology received a Proclamation from the City of Snellville which highest standards under medical su- was presented by Snellville Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Bender. Picture (L-R) Dr. pervision, started before the move Keith Wright, Snellville Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Bender, Dr. Joel Shavin to the current space. Aesthetics at Gwinnett Dermatology began exponential growth about 18 years ago a powerhouse in what they can offer, dermatology all those years ago. He with the addition of Valorie English, including multiple locations, each also credits her with all success— the coordinator for this segment of patient still gets personal care, just professionally and personally. Arguthe practice. Cosmetic, in turn, took as when Dr. Shavin started his solo ably, over the tenure of Gwinnett flight when Dr. Brown joined the practice. In fact, Dr. Shavin’s wife, Dermatology, that supportive relaBrenda, served as the office book- tionship between Brenda and Dr. team of physicians.

Dr. Shavin also spearheaded the keeper for 30 years. Gwinnett Der- Shavin acts as an example and stanGwinnett Clinical Research Center matology cannot overlook her role dard for kind interaction throughout in 1981. Dr. Weiss joined the Re- in the practice’s growth. She retired the practice. It keeps a personal feel search center in 1991; together they ten years ago to focus on playing even as the medical practice conhave conducted hundreds of clinical bridge (with the proud achievement tinues to grow and expand after 40 trials on a multitude of medical and of Life Master status under her belt), beautiful years. and the more critical role of spoiling For more information, a list of aesthetic dermatological therapies. her two granddaughters.

Dr. Shavin services, or to make an appointment, Gwinnett Dermatology is the not only pours praises of his wife for please visit www.gwinnettdermatolopremier place to go for all of your when she selflessly supported his gy.com or call (770) 972-4845. dermatological needs in our county and even beyond. While they are are path back to med school to pursue

Library expands Genealogy Resources with new databases

By Staff Reports Gwinnett County residents searching for long-lost relatives have new resources available to them through the Library. Gwinnett County Public Library added Findmypast, Fold3 and Gale Genealogy Connect to their genealogy catalog which already includes Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest.

Findmypast is one of the leading suppliers of online family history records, currently offering access to a collection of over 2 billion historical records covering the United States, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the globe.

Fold3 features premier collec-

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tions of original military records.

These records include the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served in the military, courtesy of the U.S. National Archives, The National Archives of U.K., and many other sources.

Gale Genealogy Connect features a wide range of comprehensive references and is powered by authoritative information from Genealogical.com. With these unique references, available for the first time online in fully searchable format, users can confidently connect the dots with authoritative contextual information, where the full story lives.

“It is especially meaningful to offer new genealogy resources as

we celebrate Gwinnett County’s bicentennial this year,” says Charles Pace, GCPL’s Executive Director.

“We hope this celebration encourages Gwinnettians to trace their roots and explore their past with help from the Library. We also appreciate the financial support from the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners to expand our genealogy resources.”

Ancestry Library Edition and Findmypast are only available within the library. All other resources can be accessed by library card holders from home.

Visit gwinnettpl.org , select your resource, and enter your library card number and pin to get started.

July 2018

July 2018

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Georgia Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences selects GATFACS Teacher of the Year

Ask the Senior Care Expert

What can I do if a person close to me desperately needs help but refuses to acknowledge that they do – Part II

By Staff Reports Archer High School’s Family and Consumer Science teacher, Jackie Emmons, was selected as the Georgia Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Science Teacher of the Year in January at the state winter conference for the organization.

Mrs. Emmons teaches the Food Science Pathway at Archer High School. The Pathway includes Food Nutrition Wellness, Food for Life, and Food Science classes. Mrs. Emmons recognition was for her implementation of STEM in the classroom.

At the conference, she will present a workshop in which she will share lab ideas and assignments aligned with the state standards for the Food Science classes. Mrs. Emmons will be a keynote speaker at the GATFACS luncheon. Mrs. Emmons will be speaking to the group of educators on “What motivates you to Teach.”

Mrs. Emmons also serves as the adviser for the FCCLA (Family Career Community Leaders of America) program at Archer High School. Archer’s FCCLA program supports 100 members per year that participate in leadership, community service, and career preparation projects. Archer has also had several students over the last few years to serve on the state executive council.

Two students currently are serving

Tim Golden BrightStar Care

Jackie Emmons.

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on the council. Several students from Archer won gold at the state conference held in March and will be competing for national awards at the National Conference in July. Students will also be involved in Leadership training.

As the GATFACS Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Emmons is the GATFACS candidate for the ACTE Teacher of the Year, which will be selected at the ACTE State Conference, is taking place at the Classic Center in Athens Georgia on July 15-17, 2018.

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Last month I tackled the topic of guardianships and conservatorships. As a quick review, if someone is incapacitated either due to disease or injury an “interested person” can petition the court to make those financial decisions (conservatorship) or non-financial decisions (guardianship) on behalf of the incapacitated individual.

Sounds complicated, doesn’t it? An “interested person” is someone who has an interest in the welfare of the incapacitated individual and is not a minor nor themselves incapacitated. Please note, the court bases its findings on whether or not someone is capable of making rational decisions not whether or not that individual is making good decisions or decisions with which the “inter-

lieve, be viewed as a last resort. It can be an ugly experience that tears families apart. On the other hand, if you have your loved one’s best interests at heart and their well-being is at risk, you may not have much choice. I think the important thing for everyone involved to keep in mind is what is in the best interests of that person for whom we all care deeply? The decision should not just be about what you think is best.

It should not be about protecting an inheritance. It must be about what’s best for that loved one. This is not an easy choice but if you feel there are no other options then you have to do what you can to protect your loved one and in that case, nothing should deter you from doing what you have to do. *Quoted from Your Guide to Guardianships and Conservatorships in Georgia by Paul Black Tim Golden is the owner of BrightStar Care, Lawrenceville. You can reach Tim at (404)281-1537 or by emailing asktheseniorcareexpert@ gmail.com. For more information please visit http://www.brightstarcare. com/lawrenceville/ -Tim Golden BrightStar Care (404)281-1537 PO Box 634 Lawrenceville, GA 30046 email: asktheseniorcareexpert@gmail.com

Concussions can significantly impact a child’s development The Center for Disease Control recently released a new report to Congress on The Management of Traumatic Brain Injury in Children.

There were some interesting findings that parents need to be keenly aware of.

The report states young children have one of the highest rates of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) related emergency department (ED) visits. This means that TBI in children proves to be a significant public health risk that we all need to take very seriously.

The leading causes of TBI in children were motor vehicle crashes and everyday trips and falls. Sports and recreational activities followed closely behind. Head injuries categorized as “mild TBI” account for 7090% of TBI-related ED visits. Concussions fall into this “mild” category.

Unfortunately, because the medical community often refers to a concussion as a “mild” brain injury, we tend not to take it as seriously.

Many people think of a concussion as a simple acute condition and expect it to fade away quickly like a

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ested person” agrees.

Step one in the process is petitioning the probate court in the county of residence where the incapacitated individual lives. Here’s where things can, and usually do get messy. The courts will notify the individual of the filing. The potentially incapacitated person then has the opportunity to hire their own lawyer. So unless the person for whom you are trying to be named conservator and/or guardian is in agreement, this process has the potential to pit you against the very loved one you are trying to help in court. The court’s decision will be based not just on that to which you testify, but the court will also want to hear from an expert(s) like a doctor or psychologist or psychiatrist or licensed clinical social worker. If you are successful in being named either guardian or conservator you need to be aware of your legal obligations.

Both guardianship and conservatorship carry heavy fiduciary responsibilities. You will be obligated to act at all times in your ward’s best interests. The guardian/conservator must “exercise reasonable care, diligence, and prudence in the performance of his/her duties as if he/ she were attending to his/her own affairs.”* Also of note is the requirement that conservators be bonded to protect against financial exploitation.

I would reiterate that the whole process of being named as guardian and/or conservator should, I be-

gwinnettcitizen.com

Paige Havens

The Concussion Discussion

cold or stomach virus with little care necessary. But nothing could be further from the truth. The effects of concussions if not diagnosed and treated properly can be chronic and disabling.

TBI affects children differently than adults. An injury of any severity to the developing brain of a child can disrupt that child’s developmental trajectory and may result in learning disabilities and impact their ability to participate in everyday activities. As a result of concussions, children can experience changes in their health,

thinking, and behavior that affect learning, self-regulation, and social participation. Although most children recover well physically, they often will experience changes in behavior and cognition that are not recognized immediately. A TBI that occurs during childhood even has the potential to cause health problems and challenges that can follow them in adulthood.

While longitudinal studies show most children will recover from initial symptoms within six weeks of injury, 60% have persistent symptoms one-month post-injury, 10% at three months, and 5% at one year. The significance of problems might not be realized until years after the injury when higher-level cognitive and behavioral functioning don’t meet development milestones.

This is why it is so important that parents educate themselves about concussions and traumatic brain injury. Make time to read the CDC’s full report (go.usa.gov/xnvbq) and take any big bump or jolt to your child’s head or body seriously.

These injuries can be life-changing.

July 2018

Georgia Law on Attorney Fees in Divorce Related Cases

David Walker

Attorney at Law

In divorce related cases, litigation can continue for years. People who are divorced may have to come back to court for modification of orders for spousal support, child support, or custody of children. Subsequent court proceedings can be needed to enforce the original divorce decree.

People who have children together, whether married or not, can be forced to go back to court to enforce child support and custody orders or to modify them in the future. The same is true for people who adopt children. Same-sex couples may also have joint property together or adopted children, and end up in court over those.

In Georgia law, various rules al-

low for the award of attorney’s fees in family law situations.

The basic rule is OCGA § 19–6– 2, which authorizes the trial court in a divorce or divorce related action to exercise its discretion and, after considering the financial circumstances of the parties, to award attorney fees as necessary to ensure the effective representation of both parties.

Concerning child support, under O.C.G.A. 19-6-15(k)(5) attorney’s fees can be awarded to the “prevailing party” in a modification of child support as the interests of justice may require. A mandatory award of attorney fees can occur where a custodial parent prevails in an upward modification of child support based upon the noncustodial parent’s failure to be available and willing to exercise court ordered visitation. In that situation, reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees and expenses of litigation shall be awarded to the custodial parent.

Under O.C.G.A. section 19-9-3(g) the trial court has the discretion to award fees in a custody modification action. Under O.C.G.A. section 19-9-3(g), the court does not have to consider financial circumstances or whether the moving party is the “prevailing party.”

A party must show the court the

code section that is to be the basis of the award. The attorney fees also must be allocated to the various issues in the case, and the rule which governs the issue must be cited.

Lastly, in most types of legal cases, including family law, under OCGA § 9–15–14, a trial court may award attorney fees against any party who has caused delay or harassment or who has unnecessarily expanded the litigation by improper conduct including discovery abuses.

David S. Walker Attorney at Law David Sinclair Walker Jr. PC P.O. BOX 871329 Stone Mountain GA 30087 Offices: • North Gwinnett 6340 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 200 Duluth GA 30097 • South Gwinnett2330 Scenic Highway Snellville GA 30078 Telephone - 770-972-380 Facsimile - 770-921-7418 david.walker.law.firm@gmail.com www.walker-law-firm.com Admitted in GA and D.C. UGA Law’76 Georgia Bar No. 731725

Cleaning window shades

Joan Miller

The Blind Ladies

Last month I talked about cleaning blinds. What about shades? Shades are a bit trickier because there are so many different fabrics or materials used.

What works for one type of shade fabric may damage another.

Some honeycomb shades may actually be immersed in water to clean, however, proceed with caution! Depending on the type of fabric and/or lifting system or bottom rail, you may NOT immerse as it will potentially damage the fabric or inner workings of said systems. If immersion is not an option, you may be able to spot clean with water and mild detergent. If your shades are deeply soiled, then consider a professional to do an ultrasonic cleaning.

There are a few companies around the Atlanta area that specialize in this method and it is generally done onsite.

For other than honeycomb shades, it is best to refer to the manufacturer for

their recommendations. If you cannot find a manufacturer’s name and you don’t have the original sales receipt, it may be best to call a professional unless you’re willing to risk harming the shade.

Some very basic immersion instructions from hunterdouglas.com 1. Immerse entire shade assembly in lukewarm water with mild detergent.

Wash for five minutes by gently moving liquid around with your fingers.

2. Rinse with clear water.

3. Close shade before removing from rinse water.

4. Hold rails and tilt the shade to allow excess water to drain off.

5. Re-install damp shade into the window opening.

6. Lower shade all the way to let it dry completely.

For more in-depth information you can visit these websites. Hunter Douglas and Bali/Graber have product and fabric specific restrictions. If in doubt, call the manufacturer directly.

The name brand, if there is, one can be found on the bottom side of the bottom-rail that sits on your window sill. https://www.hunterdouglas.com/ care-cleaning https://www.baliblinds.com/howto-center/how-to-clean/ For more information or a free in-home or office consultation, call Joan at (404)918-5288 or visit www.theblindladies.com

LEGAL SOLUTIONS Our firm handles personal legal matters for individuals – wills and probate, all divorce-related matters, small business, injuries, and litigation related to these matters.

What Our Clients Say: A recent client talks about our handling his divorce.... "Thank you very much for the compassionate, smooth and professional handling of a very sensitive procedure. I especially appreciate the extra steps you took in providing electronic copies of documents to help me simplify the logistics of working with a defendant residing in Europe. ... As I mentioned to Mr. Walker during our first meeting, I selected your firm for your business law expertise but am pleased with how the divorce was handled ... I will recommend your services for both domestic and business matters to my friends and associates." CW What our latest estate planning client had to say: "Mr. Walker was very professional. He was able to help us navigate through the will preparation process. The end result is that we will have the legal documents in place to handle our affairs as we enter life's final stages." JS About our Staff, from a probate client : "Thank you, Sandy... you have been wonderful to work with and made this painful process easier on our family by being professional, comforting, and great communication keeping us aware every step of the way.

We will be contacting David and yourself after the first of the year to manage our will." L.T.

July 2018

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More Than You Can Imagine

Jonathan Howes

Lead Pastor Graystone Church I am an extremely positive and optimistic person. No matter what the situation, I always think it will work out with a best-case scenario. I definitely see the glass half-full.

I am a dreamer. I like to dream big dreams. I have dreams for my life. I have dreams for my marriage. I have dreams for my kids. I have dreams for our church. I am always dreaming about something.

And here’s the deal. No matter how big our dreams, God is able to do way more than we can even imagine.

Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” God is able to do immeasurably more than we can even dream or imagine.

This Bible verse has a very special meaning to me and our church, Graystone Church. It was the theme verse for our one and only multi-year capital campaign that we titled, “Imagine the Possibilities”. When we began the campaign, our young church was meeting in a rented warehouse facility on Grayson Industrial Parkway. We had

purchased 11 acres of land on Ozora Road in Loganville, and our dream was to build a 12,000 square-foot permanent church facility.

As our building team was drawing up plans with an architect, the size of the church building doubled to 24,000 square feet. I remember secretly thinking to myself, “That’s way too big of a building.” It was over three times the size of our rented warehouse facility that we were currently holding worship services. During our planning stages, the land adjacent to the church property came available for sale. We couldn’t afford it at the time, but we had a family in our church mortgage their house and secure the property for us. We eventually bought it from them and expanded our church property to 18 acres.

When we moved into the brand new 24,000 square-foot church building on 18 acres of land, over 1500 people showed up for our grand opening. Even though we had two Sunday morning services, we were out of space in the worship auditorium, children’s area and parking lot. God was able to do immeasurably more than we could even imagine.

Then we decided to become a multi-site church, and we bought an old car dealership in Monroe on Highway 11. It had 22,000 square feet of buildings on 6 acres of land, and we renovated 15,000 square feet. This piece of property became Graystone’s second permanent church facility. Then, God gave us 10 acres of land and a 14,000 square-foot church building in Oconee County, which is 100% debt-free. Our original dream was to build a 12,000 square-foot church on 11 acres of land.

Graystone Church now has 57,000 square feet of buildings on 34 acres of land across 3 counties. God is able to

do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

Where do you need God to do more than you could ask or imagine?

Is it in your marriage? Or is it through your finances or career? Or is it with your health? Or do you have prodigal son or daughter that needs to come home?

Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

God can do more than we can imagine through his power in us. We cannot do it on our own. God can do more than we can imagine through His power that is at work in the life of a Christian.

The same power that spoke creation into being, the same power that parted the Red Sea, and the same power that rose Jesus from the grave, lives in us. Where do you need God to display his power in your life? Where do you need a miracle? Turn it over to God. He is able to do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine.

Jonathan Howes has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Jacksonville State University and a Master in Divinity Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the lead pastor for Graystone Church. Locations include the Ozora Campus: 1551 Ozora Road Loganville, GA 30052, the Walton Campus: 723 N Broad St Monroe, GA 30655 and the Oconee Campus: 1275 Lenru Road Bogart, GA 30622.

Phone: (770) 466-3159 Email: info@graystonechurch.com Website: GraystoneChurch.com Blog: http://toliveischrist.cc Twitter: @JohnnyHowes

Vote

Bill York

Nonagenarian Maybe the candidates for Governor are equally qualified but the doctored pictures used by one candidate to make her opponent appear shopworn provided me the reason to vote Republican. I will not consider a Democrat because collectively they want me to give up my guns leaving me without protection against marauders.

I like Brian Kemp because he obviously enjoys guns, and so do I. I shot rabbits with my grandpa’s shotgun when I was a kid. I had a 22 caliber Springfield rifle when I was ten years old. Kids on farms learn to hunt early. My son and I practice at a firing range. In the navy, I became a sharpshooter during WWII. Trashy campaigning began years ago when doctored images were used to make an opponent look tired and confused.

I’ve seen Stacy Evans a few times, and she always looked good, but not in her opponent’s commercials. There Stacy looked older and dispirited.

I have always thought photos were personal property and not in

public domain. If a person displayed a contrived photo of me for their benefit, I think I would find out if a defamation lawsuit would be lucrative.

The last Presidential campaign is a case in point where Donald Trump was shown with a wind-blown hairstyle and a predatory scowl by doctoring his pictures.

Another deplorable technique used to confound voters is forcing opponents to spend too much time explaining the falsity of character assassination, rather than telling us about their competency for the position.

The abysmal turn out in the Georgia primary is proof of the detrimental consequence of negative tactics. Voters don’t like manipulators.

I didn’t vote in the last Governor’s race because both candidates were accusing each other of dishonesty. I’m confident they did not write the copy for the campaign, but they said they approved the message.

Candidates can do a serious conjob on voters. With the continuing investigation of the earlier city government, it seems voters permitted foxes into the chicken house.

Seeing the latest political ads, smearing Brian Kemp, if it were me, I would check out the law regarding defamation of character. Negatives are ruining the political system.

Bill is a 92-year old WW II Navy veteran and retired President of York Furs in Buckhead. You can contact him by email at Sioux2222@gmail. com

Visit gwinnettcitizen.com for more local news!

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July 2018

Be The Inspiration or unkind. I may have to tolerate decisions that are above my pay grade but being contentious will not change the decision or be helpful at any level. I challenge you all to “be the inspiration” in your communities because together we will solve our problems rather than create more for our children.

I would love to add your story of positive change to our Facebook page at Rotary Club of Lawrenceville. Please visit our page to let us know what you’re are doing.

Leigh McIntosh

Lawrenceville Rotary

June is Rotary fellowship month.

When I looked online to see what that means to Rotarians, I was unsure. I saw lots of ideas about existing fellowships which appear to be groups that have been formed so that Rotarians with similar hobbies can meet and pursue interest areas they are passionate about. I saw things like canoeing, birdwatching, motorcycling, and music. There were career interests like policemen, lawyers, doctors, and editors.

They even mentioned peace fellowships. The Rotary year ends in June, and our club celebrated with an end of the year party. This event at Dominick’s in Lawrenceville will be my definition of fellowship since we were able to celebrate the achievements of some of our fellow Rotarians and visit in a casual setting.

Congratulations to Beatty McCaleb who won Rotarian of the year for his leadership and willingness to take up the slack when needed. As our current President, Richard Steele, steps down and our upcoming President, Craig Roberts, begins his term, the focus will be on engag-ing all members of the club.

A year ago, our Rotary International Board of Directors adopted a new vision statement that says “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create last-

July 2018

ing change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”

Even if I were not a Rotarian, I would want to be part of this vision. More than ever we need people willing to lead us toward positive change where we can make a difference, be part of building a better world and help our neighbors see how strong we are when we work together. Barry Rassin, our new President for Rotary International, is asking us to “be the inspiration” as we move forward to remove barriers that hold us back.

He doesn’t micromanage by telling us how we must do things. He gives us the autonomy to figure out what works in our communities and asks us to be part of it.

Living in one of the most diverse counties in our country makes me aware of how differently we hear the same information. So many of our media sources use strife and contention to generate interest. That constant barrage of negative misinformation is not only depressing, but it also makes me feel powerless, hopeless and angry. It is not healthy to live in that environment. When I hear words of hope and inspiration and am told that I can play a part in the solution so that we all benefit, I am energized and ready to tackle whatever challenge is thrown at me.

I am pretty sure I am not unique.

Every one of us has the power to

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Beatty McCaleb and Richard Steele

Craig Roberts and Richard Steele

choose to do one positive thing each day, and before long everyone is feeling more positive. If you are hearing negativity constantly, think about the source of your news and make a conscious decision to stop being part of it. I have learned to be vigilant about what I allow to go into my mind whether it is negative news or the effects of energy vampires, I look for encouraging people who inspire me and give me energy and media sources like The Gwinnett Citizen whose focus is on the positive. If enough of us ignore the negative and encourage the positive, we can be the inspiration for change.

I have learned that I will nev-

er agree with all of the decisions made in my family, community, job, church, country or world, but that doesn’t mean I should be intolerant

gwinnettcitizen.com

Leigh McIntosh is a proud Rotarian and CEO of Creative Enterprises, Inc., a not for profit, training and employment, community rehabilitation program for adults with disabilities. A lifelong resident of Gwinnett County, Leigh divides her time between advocating for people with disabilities, enjoying her children, grandchildren and friends, helping her doTerra essential oil customers, traveling, and focusing on her spiritual journey to appreciate how we are all connected.

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HOOPER continued from page 1 Gwinnett High School. The sweetest part is that we still keep in touch with each other at 46 years old.

Yes, it may be through Facebook at times, but we still keep track of each other. The other folks that I remember are those volunteer coaches like Margaret Wages Hamilton and Margie Ross who also still check in on me and my family.

Those games and skills we learned at Hooper Renwick gym began a family who cared about each other; it began a family who would be connected forever. On Friday, June 29, 2018, Mayor Judy Johnson opened the doors to Hooper Renwick Gymnasium one last time before the gym is torn down to become a part of a green space for the downtown area.

Former men and women who played

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there as boys and girls showed up to take their final shots and dribble down memory lane one last time.

The floor is being disassembled for preservation, and those who attended had the opportunity to cut the net and keep a piece of their history.

As things change around us and progress naturally occurs, it is so nice to take time to appreciate our past and remember the moments that help build where we are and what we’ve become.

For me, Hooper may be going away, but I am forever thankful for the bond it created in my family. I will never forget the moments of shooting hoops on our driveway on Friday nights before those Saturday morning games with mom, dad, and my sister.

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Carla Youmans perserves a piece of net history

I’ll always appreciate the sacrifices and efforts of my parents to pay for us to play, send us to basketball camps to develop our skills and to move things around on the family schedule to get us to practices and games.

I am grateful for friendships that survive the test of time and volunteers who work together for the good of a community. These types of things are everyday matters that are important because every day matters.

Thanks for the memories, Hooper! We’ll never forget you.

gwinnettcitizen.com

July 2018

Rotary Club of Gwinnett gifts $10,000 to local charities

By Staff Reports At the Rotary Club of Gwinnett County’s Club meeting on Tuesday, June 19th six non-profits were awarded a collective total of $10,000 in grants to fund a broad range of worthwhile projects and initiatives across our community. Club President Jennifer Hendrickson shared, “This is just one way of the many ways our Rotary Club has worked to live out our theme this year, Rotary Making A Difference. Our grants fund real needs in our community.

This year we sought to fund projects that targeted efforts that support those living in poverty in our community.”

Each year the Rotary Club of Gwinnett awards grants to local non-profits thanks to their annual fundraising efforts and a charitable endowment the Club set up years ago via the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia. The Club’s Charitable Giving Committee conducts a formalized granting process.

They encourage grant applications across the community and give each request careful consideration.

Grants must align with Rotary’s key areas of focus: Peace & Conflict Prevention/Resolution; Disease Prevention & Treatment; Water & Sanitation; Maternal & Child Health; Basic Education & Literacy; and Economic & Community Development.

Grant award recipients this year

July 2018

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Gwinnett Rotary grant recipients enthusiastically accepted their grant awards at Rotary’s June 19th meeting at the 1818 Club. Pictures L-R: Laurie Ann Kimbrell and Chris Brand from FODAC; Paige Havens, Gwinnett Rotary Charitable Giving Chair; Justice French, Rainbow Village; Nancy Friaf, PADV; Jennifer Hendrickson, Gwinnett Rotary President; Kim Jani and Cathy Loew, Norcross High School Foundation for Excellence; Jim Hollandsworth, Path Project; Michelle Alcorn, Rainbow Village; Taylor Melton, Path Project. (Not Pictured: Interlocking Communities)

included: • Friends of Disabled Adults & Children - $ 2,500 - Home Medical Equipment Program • Interlocking Communities - $ 1,000 - Ready by Five Program • Norcross High School Foundation - $ 2,500 - After School Matters Transportation • Partnership Against Domestic Violence - $ 1,000 - Teen Dating Violence Prevention • The Path Project - $ 1,000 - After School Program Technology • Rainbow Village - $ 2,000 Technology Resources

The Rotary Club of Gwinnett County, founded in 1973, has been serving and giving back to the community for 45 years. President Hendrickson said, “Rotary’s motto is Service Above Self. As Rotarians we serve through the giving of our time, talent and treasure. These grants are just one of many ways our 100+ members make a difference every day in our community. It is our privilege to gift these grants out to such worthy causes to empower their great work and positively impact the lives of thousands.”

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127th Daughters of the American Revolution Continental Congress

SMOOTH continued from page 1

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At the Founders Monument after the Sunday Memorial Service, PW Daughters in attendance from L-R Kathy Lobe, Past Regent Lydia McGill, Virginia Griffith, Associate Member, Past Regent Kitty Waters, Past Regent Peggy Freeman, Regent Ann Story, and Registrar Valerie Craft.

By Lee Schermerhorn Publicity Chair

More than 3,500 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution convened last week, June 18-25, 2018, in the nation’s capital for the 127th Continental Congress.

The DAR Continental Congress is a time-honored annual gathering that has been held in Washington, D.C. since the organization’s founding. National, state and chapter leaders as well as other members from across the country and around the world meet at the DAR National Headquarters to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives.

“As our more than 3,500 dedi-

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Photo by Valerie Craft

Boarding the Odyssey for Tuesday’s Lunch, Georgia Bus Riders. Huge hat tip to Jim and Peggy Freeman who, for many years, have hosted, organized, planned the minutest details of the trip all while attending to the needs and comfort of each one in their care. Somehow they always make getting there half the fun! cated DAR members gather in one place, their energy produces inspiration, creative breakthroughs and true camaraderie,” said Ann T. Dillon, President General. “We are grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the hard work and accomplishments of the past year, including the donation of hundreds of thousands of dollars to preservation, education and patriotic endeavors and the contribution of millions of hours of volunteer service in our communities.

The reports presented at Continental Congress offer irrefutable proof that the DAR remains a relevant, vital and multifaceted force in cities and towns across the country.”

The State of Georgia, and specifically the Philadelphia Winn Chapter in Lawrenceville, had strong repre-

sentation at Continental Congress.

Philadelphia Winn Daughters attending were: Regent Ann Story, First Vice Regent Connie Rifkind, Second Vice Regent Lynn Jacques, Past Regent, State Lineage Research Chair Kitty Watters, Past Regent, State Conference Chair, State Constitution Week Chair Lydia McGill, Past Regent, State Chair DAR Service for Veterans Committee and Chapter Chair Peggy Freeman, Registrar Valerie Craft, Newsletter Chair Kathy Lobe, and Associate Member Virginia Griffith.

For more information regarding the Philadelphia Winn Chapter of the NSDAR, please visit our website at: philadelphiawinn.georgiastatedar.org.

gwinnettcitizen.com

they want too, they move because they must and they also have to downsize in the process, which can be especially challenging for some seniors.

Smooth Mooove has cornered the market on moving seniors by offering a host of services including cleaning, sorting, organizing, packing, transporting, unpacking, hanging pictures and drapes, space planning, personal shopping, interior design, and estate sales.

Adam Jordan of Decatur used Smooth Mooove in March and he booked them again for his July move because he said his first move was a smooth move. “They were on-time, did the work, and there was no damage to anything. I need a few good men again,” he added.

When Simpson-Peppler and her two male friends started working as movers, she had no prior knowledge of the moving business, so she learned the hard way, by just doing it.

“I drove the truck, I packed the household goods, loaded and unloaded furniture, unpacked everything so that it looked like home the first time my clients saw it, on moving day,” she said.

Presently, Smooth Mooove employs 15 people and they have 3 moving trucks: Big Mama, Nellie, and Ellie Mae, but at one time there were twice as many employees and trucks. Most of the employees stick around for about 2 years, except for Patrick Jackson, who has been with Simpson-Peppler for 9 years. He is the supervisor of the moving crew.

“I have been here for 9 years because I am dedicated to my boss and I am dedicated to my job,” said Jackson.

Smooth Mooove is always looking for reliable workers who are not afraid of hard physical work, and those who want more for themselves and their loved ones.

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Some of the crew of Smooth Mooove In fact, Smooth Mooove is so much more than just a business, it’s a community service as well.

“Most of my staff have blemishes on their backgrounds. They have served their time and want to be productive members of society.

They must pass a drug test and background check, and they cannot have a conviction for theft or assault. Almost all my current employees were referred by current employees,” said Simpson-Peppler.

She said her proudest accomplishment thus far has been winning the OPEN from American Express “Make Mine A Million Dollar Business Contest” because this was when she realized the business could be so much more than she imagined.

Before the 2008 recession hit, Smooth Mooove had experienced double-digit growth each year, making a million dollars in sales in 2006.

Over the years, the business has evolved to work with anyone that touches a senior citizen.

“In the beginning, I thought it would simply be retirement communities, but we work with Adult Protective Services, Ombudsman, Discharge Planners and anyone who knows a senior needing assistance,” said Simpson-Peppler.

Going forward, Simpson-Peppler plans to grow the business, by having Smooth Mooove in every major market that has a high retirement community population.

When asked what sets Smooth Mooove apart from the competition, Jackson said, it’s simple:” Teamwork.”

July 2018

July 2018

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July 2018