Spring 2022 by Story Road

Get your head in the game!

t’s spring, and the Braves are back in business, coming off their hottest year in decades. World Series Champs! Exciting times for baseball fans here in Gwinnett! Baseball and spring weather brings to mind a little memory I have from childhood – and how it relates to small business in 2022. When I was a kid I played little league. I remember being out in left field tending to the turf. You know, kicking rocks, twirling in a circle and daydreaming. For most of the game, I didn’t really care what happened on the infield: Oblivious to when the pitcher threw the ball and unaware of the action at home plate. Sometimes a ball would drift my way and smack me back into the moment. I’d tell myself, “Hmmm – I guess I should’ve had that one.” The coach was stern but patient, with a keen awareness there was only so much he could do with some of us. Every now and then he’d yell at me and say, “Hey Dag, get your head in the game boy!” I’d give him a glance, then quickly resume my meandering ways. I mean, they don’t call it the great American pastime for nothing. I was passing time with the best of them. When the inning was over and I’d realize I was the only team member still on the field, I’d frolic back to the dugout. I was content to follow the vibe of my team but not engaged enough to know whether we’d win or lose. The next season rolled around, and something changed. I was on Lilburn little league’s version of the Bad News Bears. We were weak on talent, and the coach was the only poor soul who couldn’t say no when the commissioner said, “if somebody won’t coach, your boys can’t play.” An expansion team they called us. We were something. Little did I know my career as an outfield daydreamer was over. I was the fat kid, so by default that made me the catcher. I learned something real quick about that position: It’s hard to daydream with a pitcher hurling fastballs at you. Who knew a change in position, added responsibility, and being placed right in the middle of the action could change my outlook? Pitching and catching. It’s where the action started. I saw the game differently. I anticipated what might happen before the pitcher threw the ball. I visualized the batter hitting it all around the field and, in each scenario, I thought about my next move.

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

One move if it went to third base, another if it went to right field. I was always aware of the count, how many were on base and what inning it was. I even knew which batter was coming up two or three down the line. It was hard work, but much more rewarding than outfield daydreamer. The things I learned in little league ring true today as I ponder the outlook for small business in 2022: No daydreamers allowed. Being on a team means you have to earn your keep now more than ever. Stay focused. Anticipate change. Visualize solutions. Take responsibility. Be disciplined and hard working. As my old coach would say, regardless of your position, “Get your head in the game.” Your company needs you and my bet is you’ll feel much more in control of your destiny and, better yet, increase your odds of staying with a winning team. Watching the Braves win the world series last season and take to the fields again this spring for – hopefully – another great season should inspire us all to keep our heads in the game and bring home a great, big trophy for the team. Let’s all work hard and swing for the fences, because 2022 could be the year! Our Best,

David Greer CEO | Publisher Gwinnett Magazine

TELL YOUR STORY EVERWHERE.™

WANT MORE? SCAN NOW!

CONTENTS

AGAZINE

GWINNETT MAGAZINE S P R I N G 2022

We celebrate incredible, cancer-fighting Gwinnettians as the newest members of our Heroes Project.

the time is now. Gateway85, the state’s largest community improvement district, has big plans!

Gwinnett’s Leaders, Legends & Influencers!

Don’t miss the stories of those who made Gwinnett the amazing place it is today.

relay roots

Relay For Life returns to its in-person tradition at a new venue with roots in the annual effort’s history.

33 healthwire

Pollen got you sneezing? Time for that annual checkup? Healthwire has you covered.

real estate thrill ride

Our real estate pros share insights to help you hang on (and not lose your lunch)!

62 how to do a do-over 53

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

Andy Stanley discusses the merits of fresh starts – and how to make next time better than the last.

EWS EN

VIDEO

How to Beat Wordle Every Time!

Gone Fishin'

Investing pro tips

How to Throw a Perfect Grad Party

Free Comic Book Day!

The Best of Times

50 years of service

Welcome to Your Neighborhood!

Strategies for figuring out some of the toughest words with relative ease.

Graduation is right around the corner for the class of 2022. Time to party down!

DC PO AST

…with sportsman & former television personality Orlando Wilson, best known as host of the show Fishin' with Orlando Wilson.

We talk about what's new for the annual event in downtown Lawrenceville and share some pop culture favorites.

Roger S. Green, Founder/CEO of local Green Financial Resources, discusses helpful investment habits for each phase of life.

Join us as we visit some of our Best of Gwinnett companies along their journey over the last couple of years here in Gwinnett!

IAL OC Be sure to check out Gwinnett Magazine Stories on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Great videos, Love Gwinnett photos and more! Like us, love us and share!

A look at Metro Waterproofing's 50 years of service and the impact they have had on the communities they serve.

Gwinnett’s newest 55+ active adult community is officially open.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

GOT A COOL IDEA FOR A BUSINESS STORY? SEND IT TO NEWSROOM@GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

GWINNETT BUSINESS PAGES

WITH EACH PROPERTY, WE AIM TO POSITION OR RESTORE THEM AS THE CROWN JEWELS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE MARKETS. TIM PERRY, NAP MANAGING PARTNER

‘SECOND-GEN LOVE’

REVITALIZING PEACHTREE CORNERS A company that specializes in large redevelopment efforts has just purchased The Forum in Peachtree Corners with plans to “breathe new life into an overlooked property that’s still relevant enough to remain beloved by the community.” North American Properties, whose catalog includes Avalon and Avenue East Cobb announced recently its joint partnership with Nuveen Real Estate in a deal that – according to a press release – rounds out the developer’s control over the critical mass of dominant, aspirational mixed-use developments in the affluent suburbs of North Atlanta.

“We actively seek the best, most under-appreciated and undervalued developments in prime locations that still have purpose in their communities but need some second-gen love,” says Tim Perry, NAP managing partner. “With each property, we aim to position, or restore, them as the crown jewels of their respective markets. Originally opened in 2002, the 500,000-square-foot, open air lifestyle center is home to a mix of retail, restaurants and office space. It is also pet-friendly and features an entertainment district, walking trails, property-wide Wi-Fi, outdoor seating areas and a pedestrian bridge connecting to Peachtree Corners Town Center. Peachtree Corners City Manager Brian Johnson says the city has “invested heavily in the Town Center, and we believe there couldn’t be a better partner for us at The Forum to oversee the completion of our long-term vision.”

Scan For more project info! SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

BUSINESS PAGES

GWINNETT CHAMBER HONORS SERVANTS, CITIZENS & ORGANIZATIONS DURING ANNUAL DINNER During its 74th annual dinner April 22 the Gwinnett Chamber bestowed awards to community servants, corporate citizens and compassionate organizations for their efforts in Gwinnett County and beyond. “Honorees are chosen based on their engagement with the community, legacy of leadership and unique contributions that embody the Gwinnett Chamber’s mission to champion business,” said Nick Masino, President & CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber. “We congratulate this year's recipients and their families and enjoyed celebrating them during our program.” Presented by Northside Hospital, the annual dinner recognized the following: Sidney H. Theus, Chief Executive Officer of American Painting and Renovations, is the recipient of the 2021 Citizen of the Year Award, which honors individuals whose services have had the greatest impact on the overall quality of life for Gwinnett County in recent years. Public Service Awards are given to individuals who, over the years, have gone above and beyond in their service to the community and its residents. This year’s honorees include Jay Dennard, Chief Operating Officer, Northside Hospital Duluth; Jonathan Holmes,

Managing Partner, Mighty 8th; Dr. Jann L. Joseph, President, Georgia Gwinnett College; and Representative Sam Park, Georgia State House District 101. Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett received the D. Scott Hudgens Humanitarian Award given in honor of Scott Hudgens, a respected developer and philanthropist who unselfishly gave of his time and talents to ensure that many others, especially those with limited means, would benefit from his treasure. The R. Wayne Shackelford Legacy Award, honoring the memory and legacy of an individual who has made a difference in the history and progress of Gwinnett County, was awarded posthumously to James J. Maran, former President & CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber, L. Jim Steele, former Chief Operating Officer of Gwinnett County Public Schools, and Kelvin J. “Kelly” Kelkenberg, former Councilman for the City of Duluth. The James J. Maran International Award, recognizing an international company that has chosen to locate in Gwinnett, taking advantage of Gwinnett’s pro-business mindset, and become an active member of the Chamber and the local community, was awarded to Hettich America.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

GWINNETT CHAMBER & CHINESE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION COMMIT TO GROWTH The Gwinnett Chamber and the Chinese American Business Association of Atlanta recently inked an agreement formalizing their relationship as organizations aiming to strengthen business relations. They’ll do this through economy, technology and cultural exchanges – with the CBAA providing a direct link to industry abroad, as well as the host of businesses already here and growing. “The Gwinnett Chamber has made an intentional effort in recent years to ensure our membership reflects the diverse business community that we serve,” says Nick Masino, President and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber. “This MOU supports our strategic focus on inclusion, fosters connections with Chinese American businesses within our community, and furthers our ongoing mission to champion business for the Greater Gwinnett region.” “We are honored and excited about this partnership with Gwinnett Chamber,” says Jian Ni, President, CBAA. “We will leverage this partnership to promote and grow our business community in Gwinnett County and thank Nick Masino for his efforts to bring our diverse community together.” The CBAA is a nonprofit organization, incorporated in the state of Georgia, that seeks to promote the common interest of Chinese Americans who are either starting or doing business in the U.S.

PEOPLE ON THE

MOVE!

DAVID SAGEHORN

was appointed to the AGCO board of directors in Duluth.

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

SLOAN ROACH,

executive director of communication and media relations for Gwinnett County Public Schools, retired after 32 years.

BRUCE JOHNSON

KATIE BLUM

2021 GCPS Teacher of the Year, was named a top 10 finalist for 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year.

who has served as Explore Gwinnett’s director of sales for the past two years, is shifting to director of community relations.

BUSINESS PAGES

A ‘BEACON OF INNOVATION’

An innovative center that aims to bring education, co-working and research all together under one roof became a reality recently as county leaders cut the ribbon to celebrate completion of The Water Tower. “The Water Tower has already become a beacon of innovation for our community and the region,” says Gwinnett Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “In addition to enhancing our existing water systems, it will also contribute to the technological and educational advancements within the water industry as a whole.”

Located in Buford, the Water Tower launched in 2019 and includes two nonprofit organizations: The Water Tower at Gwinnett and The Water Tower Institute. The $33.7 million facility combines water utilities and community. “It feels great seeing The Water Tower come to fruition, from site design to the ribbon cutting,” says District 4 Commissioner Marlene Fosque. “The Water Tower is a physical representation of our commitment to meeting the pressing needs of residents and businesses while also being responsible stewards of the environment and our natural resources.” The campus features three classrooms, four conference rooms, multiple laboratories, coworking spaces, single-tenant office rentals, a field training center and a water treatment demonstration area.

The Gwinnett County Public Schools board tapped Archer High School Principal

MOLLY TATGENHORST

KEN JOHNSON

as director of leadership development.

CALLY D’ANGELO

was promoted to VP of member services with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.

was named program coordinator for Gwinnett Young Professionals.

PATRICIA SLEDGE

was promoted to vice president of accounting and finance with Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

SUGAR HILL ELEMENTARY’S KATIE BLUM IS STATE

TOTY FINALIST! Sugar Hill Elementary School teacher and 2021 GCPS Teacher of the Year Katie Blum was recently named a finalist for the 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year. “Shocked” was the first word to come to mind when 2nd grade educator Blum learned the news. “I am so incredibly grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I soon will begin preparing for the upcoming state interviews, speeches and final evaluations. But most importantly, I’m praying that God uses me to shine a positive light on education, Sugar Hill Elementary, Gwinnett County and above all else, my past and present students.” The finalists will meet with a panel of judges to participate in formal interviews. This year’s state winner will be announced in the spring.

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

COMMUNITY

Gwinnett County:

a colorful kaleidoscope where everyone thrives

NICOLE L. HENDRICKSON CHAIRWOMAN GWINNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

As I shared in my recent State of the County address, our colorful logo represents Gwinnett County as we vibrantly connect the unique people, place and promise of our community. The kaleidoscope is the lens through which we view progress. As a county government, we’re focusing that lens on providing services that meet the Gwinnett Standard. And whenever you see it, we want you to feel safe, protected and included. A quarter of us came here from other countries, bringing vibrant cultures, energy and strengths. I’m committed to embracing our diversity and harnessing its creativity and innovative spirit and that is the reason we have embarked on an equity action plan to analyze our current policies and practices and chart a path forward to ensure equity is at the core of county government operations. We are providing services for our most vulnerable residents, such as our growing senior population and children from birth to age 8, and we have facilitated COVID-19 vaccination efforts countywide. Stable, affordable housing is another area where we are directing resources. Project RESET 2.0 has provided nearly $50 million in rent and utility assistance to more than 5,000 households, garnering U.S. Treasury recognition as a model for other local governments. Based on what we’ve learned so far about our housing challenges, we will be establishing a working group to help us develop a comprehensive plan that promotes housing development, increases affordability and preserves naturally occurring affordable housing.

Overall violent crime rates here decreased in both 2020 and 2021. By tackling root causes and building strong relationships with residents, we can continue to build a safer, more stable community. For example, we expanded a pilot program that pairs a mental health professional with a police officer to respond to behavioral health incidents. We also launched five warming stations that open when temperatures drop to 35 degrees or below, keeping over 1,000 residents out of the cold. As part of my speech this year, I presented Standard Bearer Awards to recognize members of our community whose good works embody our kaleidoscope and uphold the Gwinnett Standard: In the People category, we honored Chef Hank Reid, who launched Lettum Eat to provide highquality meals to people facing food insecurity. The Place category award went to a vibrant community center that embraces Gwinnett’s unique spirit, Plaza Las Americas, represented by Arturo Adonay. And the Promise category award recognized the Gwinnett County Grants Division, led by Shannon Candler, for their work to distribute federal pandemic-relief funds efficiently and effectively. I am so proud to serve our vibrant, dynamic county and appreciate everything that so many people throughout the community do to support Gwinnett’s people, place and promise, in big ways and small.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

INFRASTUCTURE

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

C E L E B R A T I N G

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

S U R V I V O R S H I P

THE

P R OJ E C T

2022

THE

P R OJ E C T

2022

THE

P R OJ E C T

THE

P R OJ E C T

We’ve been celebrating our Heroes for many years now, shining the spotlight on ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances as they battle cancer.We honor and encourage these survivors by telling their stories in print, online and in video.We share their insights and wisdom to encourage fellow survivors and others who will walk in their shoes. These Gwinnett Magazine Heroes are our friends, our neighbors and our inspiration. Every image we take, every word we choose and every story we tell is important to us as we celebrate their journeys. When we decided to shine the spotlight on these survivors, we learned something special: these people are anything but ordinary. They are courageous, tough, resilient, undaunted, faithful and, above all, joyful. They might tell us they aren’t Heroes, but we know that’s just what they are. Read on, as we celebrate their inspirational stories.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

THE

P R OJ E C T

2022

THE

P R OJ E C T

2022

THE

P R OJ E C T

THE

P R OJ E C T

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

A cancer diagnosis can be one of the most life-changing moments for the person diagnosed – just as much so in the lives of their friends and family. It’s a hard pill to swallow. Sandra Strickland, 78, of Lawrenceville knows this all too well. Her mother, father and brother all died from cancer. Sandra herself has been twice diagnosed with – and has twice defeated – the disease that causes cells to grow uncontrollably, often spreading to other parts of the body. She’s also had several pre-cancers removed in her lifetime. If the name “Sandra Strickland” sounds familiar, it’s for a good reason. She and husband of 58 years Clyde Strickland are known around Gwinnett County for their philanthropy. Perhaps, most notably, for building the Strickland Heart Center at Northside Hospital Gwinnett. Their contributions around the county and beyond are numerous. Just last year, Sandra was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Husband, Clyde, is also known for his philanthropy, as well as being founder of Metro Waterproofing, one of the most successful companies serving the construction industry in the Southeastern United States. It’s Sandra’s husband, Clyde, who was there with her during the cancer diagnoses she faced: once in 1973, and again in 1977. She knows how impactful that moment can be, as the person being diagnosed, as well as the loved one of the person diagnosed. “That’s the hardest moment,” Sandra says. “When you learn you or a loved one have cancer. I remember when they announced to mom and I that my daddy had cancer… and it just grabs you. And you have to learn to adjust your world from that very moment.”

THE POWER OF PRAYER AND HEALING There is a moment that repeats itself in the lives of people all over the world. 20

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

It’s a moment when the fight with cancer has taken its toll. There is nothing to be done but come to terms with it. Loved ones decide it’s time to stop fighting and end the suffering – or the person who’s battled for so long passes on their own, embarking on whatever lies beyond this world we know. It’s never an easy thing to accept, but sometimes, despite their brave fight with the disease, letting our loved ones go to God is the only thing that makes sense. It happens in a bedroom or in a hospital, where family and friends gather at their side. There are tears. There are memories shared. There are prayers. And, for those like Sandra whose lives have been so heavily affected by cancer, there is beauty to be found in the moment. “When I saw my mother pass away, and my dad pass away… it was actually a beautiful moment,” Sandra says. “You see their face change, and all of a sudden when they leave this earth you can almost feel God breathing in their last breath. And they relax.” Adds Sandra: “I’ve never feared death. I think when you lose somebody who is precious to you, you mourn and you cry, but, after all, Jesus cried also. I always feel like those tears… it’s like Jesus is washing you. And after you have a good cry, no matter what, you feel cleansed. That’s why I tell people don’t ever be ashamed to cry. It’s a cleansing – and afterward you feel good. We cry if we’ve lost a loved one – to cancer or anything else – but God gives each of us a gift: the joy of remembrance. And the good memories almost always outweigh the bad.” When Sandra remembers her own diagnosis and the feelings that accompanied it – as well as the feelings experienced by those who loved her – she can’t help but still feel so grateful that she was able to overcome a disease that took away so many loved ones in her life. In 1973 – 10 years into her marriage with Clyde and mother to three young children – she began to have some irregularities in her health which prompted her to visit her gynecologist. After some testing, it was determined that she had cancer and would need a hysterectomy.

The news rocked her life: cervical cancer. She went through phases of denial, questioning whether to have the surgery her doctor had recommended, despite his strongly urging her to do so. It was her husband who helped talk her into it, paving the way to make it happen. Shortly after the diagnosis, while she was working one day, Clyde sat down beside her and said: “I just left the doctor’s office, and we set up surgery for Monday.” She agreed to do it, and the procedure was a success. Three years later, in 1977, however, she’d have another scare. “I was having pain under my arm pit and my left breast was sensitive,” Sandra recalls, explaining that she later would find a lump. A visit to the doctor and subsequently with a breast cancer specialist confirmed her suspicions. The specialist told her the only way to know for sure whether the cancer was malignant or benign was to perform surgery, remove the lump and test it. The surgeon prepared her and husband Clyde the night before, explaining that chances were he’d have to remove one of her breasts. A friend visited Sandra that evening. She gave Sandra a mother of pearl necklace – a piece of jewelry that had gotten her friend through a tough time. Sandra prayed. Her friends prayed. Her church prayed. The next morning after the surgery was over, she learned that the cancer was benign. “Right then, I knew,” Sandra says. “I knew the power of prayer and healing.”

HE’S GOING TO WORK IT OUT There is a moment that repeats itself every day in Sandra’s Strickland’s life. When the dawn breaks and the birds call to one another, she pulls open the curtain to let in the light. She takes in the sunrise, watches the rain fall or observes the clouds move across the tops of trees. It doesn’t matter to her whether it’s a sunny, rainy or cloudy day. “I thank Him for the rain, for the storms – whatever the weather may be,” she says. “He’s the one who knows what He’s doing. It’s all according to his purpose, and He’s going to work it out.” Before going to the kitchen to make her coffee and begin the rest of her day, she says a prayer: “Thank you Lord for this day that you’ve made. Let me rejoice and be glad in it.” Faith has been a big part of her life ever since childhood – even before she began attending church. She credits the childlike faith that began in her youth as one of the biggest

THE

P R OJ E C T

2022

THE

P R OJ E C T

2022

THE

P R OJ E C T

THE

P R OJ E C T

DID YOU KNOW

Sandra and husband, Clyde Strickland, are also featured in Gwinnett Magazine’s ongoing Leaders & Legends series, which captures the stories and struggles of some of the community’s most important and influential individuals. Leaders & Legends serves as a platform to capture the commonsense core values of successful people who have served with meaningful purpose. “We’re losing sight of the core values that built this country,” says David Greer, who founded Gwinnett Magazine more than 25 years ago. “We’ve got to capture the spirit of these Leaders & Legends while we still have the opportunity – it’s something the youth of America and our culture is in desperate need of.” It’s the kind of spirit this country was built on: imagination, initiative and the desire to improve the community. Upcoming profiles include individuals like Phillip Beard, Nick Masino, Louise Radloff, Dr. William Sheals, Dr. Manfred Sandler and much more. Keep an eye out for ongoing stories of inspiration in the pages of Gwinnett Magazine in 2022, as the Leaders & Legends series continues, detailing fascinating stories of success from those who faced unfavorable odds – and came out on top to achieve greatness in Gwinnett!

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

reasons she was able to power through the struggles she’s faced. When she was young, living with her parents in an apartment in Virginia, there was a church across the street that caught her attention. Specifically, the sound of the church bells ringing was music to her ears. “Momma and daddy never went to church,” Sandra recalls. “But there was a big Baptist church across the street. I remember I would go to the window and watch families walk up the steps going into the church… holding hands, and I remember thinking ‘I wish that was me – my momma and daddy holding my hand. Taking me up the steps to go into that church.’” Adds Sandra: “Momma would say to me, ‘Church is fixing to start.’ She knew I liked to go to that window and watch them go up the steps.” Today, church and her faith are cornerstones of her life. The little girl listening to the church bells was a precursor to the woman who would battle cancer, use her faith to build up the lives of others, and bring to Gwinnett County the kind of charitable spirit that would impact the lives of thousands. Randy Redner says there are three words that come to mind when he thinks of Sandra: faith, heart and compassion. “[The Stricklands] definitely live out the notion of ‘to whom much is given, much is required,’” says Redner who was first introduced to Sandra and Clyde Strickland while working as Executive Director for the Gwinnett County area of the American Cancer Society around 2005. “Sandra really sees (giving) as a privilege and an honor… it’s a part of who she is,” Redner says. “I’ve worked in the nonprofit (sector) more than 20 years… and there’s only a handful of people I’ve worked with who you see them truly intertwine their faith with who they are and what they do. She’s definitely one of them.”

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

THERE’S CERTAIN PEOPLE YOU’VE GOT TO STOP AND HELP There is a moment that repeats itself in the lives of people all over the world. When leaving a grocery store, walking down the street or getting into our cars, someone approaches with a sign in their hands wearing an expression of defeat and humility. “Veteran. Laid off. Please help.” “Hungry. Kids to feed.” “Anything helps.” “Excuse me, can you spare some change?” It happened to Sandra years back while shopping at Home Depot. She was driving out of the parking lot, with traffic in front of and behind her. She saw a man – looking distraught – sitting by himself on the curb. She kept driving because of all the traffic, then God spoke to her. She parked the car. “There was something in his eyes,” she recalls. She walked to a nearby restaurant, bought a sandwich and a drink, carrying them out to the man. “I took the food to him. I said to him that it was meant to be that I give it to him,” she says. “And I gave him twenty dollars. He looked at me and said, ‘God bless you.’ When he said that, I had the best feeling in my heart that you can imagine.” Adds Sandra: “There’s certain people you see in life who you’ve got to stop and help.” There’s a verse in her Bible – one of many in the Strickland home, but this one is her favorite – with a note penciled upon the book’s opening pages. There, she’s written one of her favorite verses: 1 Timothy 6:17-18. She’s written beside the verse, “Instructions to the rich.” Summarized, the verse advises those in this world who have riches to use what they have obtained to do good works. Redner says the Stricklands have been doing just that for as long as he’s known them – going back to when he first met them in 2005. The American Cancer Society

had come up with an idea of putting ACS “navigators” inside hospital systems, so that someone newly diagnosed with cancer would have someone they could speak with or visit, i.e., a “navigator.” The opportunity to institute the program at then Gwinnett Medical Center arose, but a significant lead gift or donation was needed in order to get the initiative going. “I knew of Sandra’s brush with cancer… but didn’t know her well at the time,” says Redner, who has since become very close with the Stricklands. “We needed a lead gift to get that first navigator into place, so I got an invitation to meet the Stricklands. They didn’t know me, and they didn’t blink an eye. They say, ‘why wouldn’t we do this?’ Clyde deferred to Sandra on it, because she was the cancer survivor, and I know they’ve gone on to do many more amazing things.” Adds Redner: “The experience gave me a window into the kind of people the Stricklands are… and how big their hearts are around the subject of cancer patients.” When it comes to cancer and those who have been diagnosed, Sandra stresses the importance of “taking care of your body as well as your soul.” “I never thought that I would be 78 years old and still on this earth,” she says. “Here I was the first in my family to be diagnosed with cancer, and I’ve lost my brother, my momma, my daddy, two aunts and an uncle. Some people have the opportunity to live longer with it – to be able to say their goodbyes, to prepare their way – and some people do not.” Adds Strickland: “So many more people are living longer today with cancer and most of them are believers also. They keep fighting and they keep running that race. I believe a lot of times by being strong as a parent or brother or sister or friend (to those affected by it), it shows people that we have to keep fighting. Just like in Christianity you have got to keep moving and going and doing the right thing… it all comes back to faith.”

THE

P R OJ E C T

2022

THE

P R OJ E C T

2022

THE

P R OJ E C T

THE

P R OJ E C T

S A N D RA STRICKLAND

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

JOURNEY BACK TOP TO THE

RELAY FOR LIFE OF GWINNETT GEARS UP FOR A MAJOR COMEBACK!

For years, Relay For Life of Gwinnett reigned as the largest Relay For Life in the world. Year after year, the local powerhouse would attract thousands of enthusiastic participants and often raise well over $1 million (sometimes over $2 million) toward fighting cancer. Relay For Life of Gwinnett hasn’t just been setting the global standard for community-driven fundraising – it’s been a cherished Gwinnett staple, an indispensable celebration of survivors and a tried-and-true tradition.

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

But like nearly all other organizations across the world, Relay For Life of Gwinnett has faced unique challenges for the past two years. With a long history of in-person events and reliance on active community engagement at the heart of the organization, the pandemic has made it difficult to fundraise and drive awareness to the same levels as years past. This year, thanks to the easing of restrictions, fresh updates to the organization’s event model and the community’s eagerness for a return to the normalcy, Relay For Life of Gwinnett is ready for a game-changing comeback! The tone for Gwinnett’s upcoming 2022 Relay is perfectly encapsulated by its chosen theme: “Back to the Future.”

COMMUNITY

Relay For Life of Gwinnett is going back to in-person for the first time since 2019; back to the shared excitement, hugs and commemoration between cancer fighters, cancer survivors, caregivers and supporters; back to the organization’s original roots. But this year’s most surprising return to tradition is its venue. The Gwinnett County Fairgrounds has long been considered the home of the massive annual event, but in 2022, the event will take place on a high school track – just like Gwinnett’s very first Relay For Life nearly 30 years ago. Starting its first year back with a more intimate, approachable setting at Lanier High School in Sugar Hill symbolizes Relay For Life of Gwinnett’s renewed mission to engage a new generation of Gwinnettians who haven’t participated before. It’s also an exciting way to give back to likely the greatest reason for the organization’s decades of success: Gwinnett County Public Schools. Avid support, fundraising and organizing by the students, faculty and families across every corner of the world-class school system has been a major driver of the millions raised right within our county. “It fit perfect for our community, taking the world’s largest Relay back to a high school,” says John Harris, senior development manager at the American Cancer Society. “We needed to update the event and bring it to the 21st century and back to the forefront. In the past, Relay has been known for going 12 hours overnight. And one of the points behind that was ‘cancer doesn’t sleep, so we can’t either.’ Well, it’s 2022. We all know cancer doesn’t sleep, no matter if we went for 48 hours, it’s still not going to sleep. “So, we felt like, OK, let’s reset, refocus, reenergize and put as much energy and effort into a 6-hour event, hence the 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. [run time] this year. We know that cancer doesn’t sleep, even at 10 p.m. when our event’s over, cancer is going to continue. But we’re not going to stop continuing to raise money.” Taking place on Saturday, May 7, 2022, the event will live up to its “Back to the Future” theme in yet another way: Marty McFly, Doc Brown and, of course, a DeLorean are set to attend! The Relay For Life of Gwinnett team is incredibly grateful for the return of presenting sponsors Primerica and Northside Hospital, as GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

COMMUNITY

well as Piedmont Eastside, Camp Gladiator, Sage, Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Blue Bell Ice Cream and Gwinnett County Public Schools’ continued support. “[GCPS] is an integral part of why Gwinnett Relay has been so amazing,” says Nona Ingham, diversity outreach lead for Relay For Life of Gwinnett, national Relay champion for Ricoh USA and Relay participant since 1994. “Our prior superintendent was such a champion of it, and I am encouraged to see the continued championing by the new school board, the new leadership in Gwinnett and the sheriff as well.” After skipping the event out of necessity in 2020 and hosting a smaller, socially distanced “drivethru” Relay in 2021, this welcome return of one of Gwinnett’s most influential events will be a heartwarming homecoming. “I’m looking forward to having everybody being able to walk the track. That is something that is so symbolic of Relay For Life and how it began,” says Ingham. “Walking around that track and taking turns to share the burden of the fight against cancer, that’s what it’s all about. It’s that visible showing of support that ‘I’m here for you and we’re going to keep doing this.’ “Even though we’re not going to be able to go until dawn [this year], we’re going to be able to see a beautiful sunset and the colors of purple that are going to remind us that another day is coming for those cancer survivors. That they will continue to make leaps and bounds in the fight against cancer as we continue on.” Though Relay For Life, American Cancer Society and numerous cancer-fighting organizations across the world have been making strides for years, raising greater awareness,

engagement and funds toward fighting cancer is more critical than ever. The pandemic complicated every aspect of healthcare, and this was especially apparent for those treating or screening for diseases such as cancer. “The need is becoming so much bigger,” says Bobbie Menneg, survivor lead at Relay For Life of Gwinnett and founder of Beyond the Ribbon, a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for local cancer patients, providing resources and helping them cover their expenses. “Because of COVID, [people have been missing]

I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING EVERYBODY BEING ABLE TO WALK THE TRACK. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS SO SYMBOLIC OF RELAY FOR LIFE AND HOW IT BEGAN. — NONA INGHAM, DIVERSITY OUTREACH LEAD RELAY FOR LIFE OF GWINNETT

screenings, so it looked like cancer diagnoses are going down by 40%. But in reality, they’re going up by 40%. And they’re often later stages of metastatic. So, if you’re metastatic … you will always be on some form of treatment. And the majority of them cannot work, so they’re always going to need help. And they’re often young people too. I know several young moms under 40 that are diagnosed

with metastatic breast cancer and they have young kids.” Ingham has also witnessed how the pandemic has uniquely affected cancer survivors. “Our survivors have not been able to have their support system while they’re fighting cancer and honestly, Relay For Life is essentially a huge support system for so many people,” she says. “When you are struggling through your chemotherapy or your radiation treatments or newly diagnosed, it’s a huge blow both mentally and physically. You’re getting yourself ready for a huge fight ahead of you … and that support system of other people that have gone through the fight, they aren’t getting out and gathering. They’re not celebrating their accomplishments like they [used to]. “Before, you could have somebody come to your treatments with you and sit there and help you through that. And most cancer patients don’t see that anymore because of the pandemic, so it’s really isolated our survivors a lot.” Evelyn Barella, communications and marketing director at the American Cancer Society (ACS), says that although the pandemic has presented unique challenges, their mission remains the same: to save lives, celebrate lives and lead the fight for a world without cancer. “In 2022, more than 1.9 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States and more than 609,000 Americans will die from cancer,” Barella says. “We have an opportunity not only to support people facing cancer and their families today, but to help fund the future and take meaningful steps toward our goal to reduce cancer mortality 40% by 2035. “A generation of research depends on what we do right now. p38 GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

It all started with the leukemia diagnosis of their then-2-year-old son, Reese. Amanda Hayhurst sat in a hospital room at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, waiting on the doctors to come tell her what was going on with her son. Her husband, Marcus, had left the room moments earlier to greet Amanda’s mother, who’d driven out when she learned there was something wrong. The door opened, a doctor walked in and Amanda steeled herself for what she’d been fearing. What had started with purple dots appearing on Reese’s legs after a bath the previous day had built into a weight on the woman’s shoulders. She’d done the thing most moms would: she went online searching for the kinds of symptoms Reese had been having: high fever, lethargy, the purple, rash-like dots … the internet results seemed unanimous in their cold, factual judgment: “Leukemia. Leukemia. Leukemia.” And now, the doctor stood before her, telling her the same. “I was all alone,” Amanda says. “I collapsed. You never think something like that is going to happen to you – especially when your kids are healthy. You think about it happening to other people, but the fact that he had cancer… I will never forget that moment.” Her husband, Marcus, walked in the room and she delivered the news as best she could. “We laid down next to Reese and caressed his cheeks and soaked the pillows with tears,” Amanda says. “It was really hard. After that, our whole lives changed. We found out it was going to be a two-year treatment plan and we were going to be living in the hospital for a while.”

HE HANDLED IT WITH A LOT OF COURAGE Complicating matters, this took place in the heart of COVID-19 protocols, and Marcus and Amanda’s older son, Jett, wasn’t permitted to be in the hospital while the couple took shifts at Reese’s bedside. “That was hard on Jett,” Amanda says. “He felt left out, and he was going through so 30

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

much, with all this happening to his brother and to his family.” Even further complicating matters, doctors would discover that Reese had something called the Philadelphia Chromosome, which made a battle with cancer all the more difficult. While leukemia is the most common childhood cancer, the Philadelphia Chromosome is a very rare phenomenon that can make the spread of cancer even more aggressive. Reese’s treatment started the day of the diagnosis. Because of the Philadelphia Chromosome and the type of leukemia he had, medical staff had to give the young child much stronger chemotherapy sessions. He had to remain at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta for monitoring for weeks at a time following each session. “We just saw his body break down,” Amanda recalls. “I didn’t know if he was going to survive the chemo. He couldn’t even walk for 2 months. His body was so weak. He had muscle atrophy. We had to put him in physical therapy and speech therapy. He was delayed because his body was put through such trauma.” Dr. Ryan Summers, the pediatric oncologist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta who oversaw Reese’s treatment, says the boy’s particular type of leukemia is “a little more challenging to treat, and as a result of that, kids like Reese get treated with extremely intensive chemotherapy.” This led to the mandatory hospitalization for weeks at a time, Reese’s hair falling out, and the ensuing weakness. “Reese overall tolerated things really well, given the significance of this chemotherapy … as well as can be expected,” Summers says. “He sailed through this hospital phase … and handled it with a lot of courage for sure.” Amanda says it was an incredibly difficult thing to see her son go through – and she herself has been through her share of medical procedures and hospital visits. In fact, prior to Reese’s diagnosis in 2019, she became the subject of news stories all over the country after donating a kidney to a single mother of two – saving the recipient’s life.

It all started while watching son, Jett, earn his black belt at a taekwondo class in 2018. As she watched Jett, Amanda was also holding Reese at the time. Reese got fussy, so Amanda took him to the side of the room to console him. There, she spotted the flyer for then 50-year-old Vonchelle Knight, who had been searching for a donor for eight years. “God gave me a nudge,” Amanda says. “And we found out I was a perfect match. It was really special. I’ll never forget it.” Amanda credits baby Reese for the wonderful serendipity of his fussiness that day – getting her up out of her chair and to the side of the studio, where she saw the flyer.

THE

P R OJ E C T

2022

THE

P R OJ E C T

2022

T H E such specific P R Omoment JECT Reese’s dad, Marcus, recalls one only weeks ago in which he andTReese were inP the dining HE R OJ E C T room playing on the floor: “I looked at him – his big blue eyes – and I had this overwhelming sense of thankfulness that he’s still here and I started tearing up. It’s traumatic what he’s been through, I’m not going to deny that. But in that moment I was so thankful.” Says Amanda: “This past year, it’s been hard … but I wouldn’t trade what God has been teaching us in this season. He’s built something so profound in our family, and we cherish every moment together … I just want to be as present as I can be. Your kids are everything, and I don’t want to ever lose that perspective.”

WE CHERISH EVERY MOMENT Today, Reese is more than a year into his diagnosis, past the intense therapy sessions that left him hospitalized for weeks and has grown into an energy-filled, endlessly happy and excitable 4-year-old boy. He’s partial to ramen for dinner, loves watching Peppa Pig and Cocomelon and has been known to break out the full dance motions to “YMCA.” Reese and brother, Jett, “are all boy,” Amanda says. “They’re always wrestling, running around. Reese used to be such a calm-natured little boy and now he likes roughhousing with his older brother. Running up behind Jett and tackling him. It’s chaotic at our house – but in a great way.” Reese is often accompanied around the house by his pet dog, “Coco,” or the family’s new puppy, “Lilo.” It took about three months following the intense therapy to get Reese to remission, the state his cancer remains in to this day. His hair is growing back and he’s now enrolled in preschool – starting to get back to his old self, Amanda says. This is considered “the maintenance phase” of Reese’s battle. He still takes chemotherapy drugs, but much less intense versions than before. “The fight at first was just getting Reese to remission … and that was the goal,” Amanda says, adding that because of Reese having the Philadelphia Chromosome and the fast-spreading nature of this leukemia type, they have to keep up the maintenance treatments for a full two years, with his final treatments scheduled for December 2022. They’re looking forward to that date, but also taking the days as they come – staying present and enjoying each moment with their sons, Reese and Jett. GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

HEALTH

HEALTHWIRE Healthcare is the second-largest industry in Gwinnett and has touched all of our lives many times throughout the years. Healthwire keeps you up to date on healthcare evolutions in our community and tips on staying healthy!

POLLEN SEASON LIKELY TO GROW LONGER, MORE INTENSE ACROSS THE STATE According to a new study published recently in the journal Nature Communications, overall pollen production may climb by as much as 28% around Atlanta and 35% across Georgia by the last two decades of the 21st century.

CHILDREN’S OFFERS RANGE OF PEDIATRIC SERVICES IN DULUTH Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is dedicated to making the kids in Gwinnett County better today and healthier tomorrow by offering access to pediatric specialists in endocrinology, ear, nose and throat (ENT), gastroenterology, general surgery, hepatology, lab, radiology, rheumatology, and scoliosis and spine. Children’s at Satellite Boulevard also offers ultrasound, overnight sleep studies and an Urgent Care Center. more Healthwire

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

EASTSIDE HEART AND VASCULAR JOINS PIEDMONT Piedmont Heart Institute announced that Eastside Heart and Vascular is now part of Piedmont’s nationally recognized heart and vascular program. Demir Baykal, M.D., David B. Casey, M.D., Edward Clermont, M.D., Michael Lipsitt, M.D., Marcus Sims, M.D., and Marc Unterman, M.D, will continue to provide exemplary cardiovascular care to residents of Gwinnett and Walton and surrounding counties.

THE EMORY HEALTHCARE NETWORK,

established in 2011, is the largest clinically integrated network in Georgia, with more than 2,800 physicians concentrating in 70 different subspecialties.

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

HEALTHWIRE

NORTHSIDE GWINNETT FACILITY EARNS TOP DESIGNATION Northside Gwinnett Extended Care Center (NGECC) in Lawrenceville is one of just two facilities in Georgia to be named “High Performing” for both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care in U.S. News and World Report’s 202122 Best Nursing Homes ratings. more Healthwire

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

NGMC BRASELTON ACCREDITED AS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR ROBOTIC SURGERY NGMC Braselton recently earned accreditation as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology and Robotic Surgery from the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), an internationally recognized patient safety organization.

PIEDMONT EASTSIDE: CARDIO, ONCOLOGY, URGENT CARE AND MORE. Piedmont Eastside Medical is a 310-bed, multicampus system of care offering comprehensive medical and surgical programs including cardiovascular, neurosciences, oncology, orthopedics, robotic surgery, rehabilitation, maternity with neonatal intensive care, behavioral health, bariatric, urgent care and 24hour emergency care.

NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER provides

award-winning health care, and now the hospital has received national recognition for COVID care. Healthgrades has named the Gainesville campus as one of the nation’s top 24 hospitals for providing best-in-class COVID care during the first several months of the pandemic.

EMORY: WORLDCLASS HEALTHCARE, PATIENT SERVICES Emory Healthcare, part of Emory University, is the most extensive health care system in Georgia – made up of 11 hospitals, the Emory Clinic, and more than 250 provider locations. more Healthwire

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

Back to the Top from p25

ACS works to be there for scientists at pivotal points in their career – to give them the support they need to keep great research going or to take their ideas from dream to reality. In addition, increasing equal access to care also depends on what we do right now. ACS wants to make sure everyone has the ability to benefit from advances in research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. All people deserve a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat and survive cancer.” The Relay For Life of Gwinnett team encourages anyone who has or hasn’t participated in a Relay event before to join in on the celebration, share in bringing hope to those affected by cancer and “return to normal” with them. “Every year, when I go back and look at pictures, I see people that I don’t see anymore [since the pandemic],” Bobbie Menneg says. “And I remember their smiles and their hugs and then I see people that have come out on the other side [of cancer] and they’ve just transformed into this new beautiful person. And I just love that part, I love seeing the survivors doing the survivor lap and people clapping and whistling and raising their hands and high fiving as they walk around. So, it’ll be wonderful to do that again.”

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

Scan the QR code to learn more about Relay For Life of Gwinnett, sign up, start a team and join in the fight against cancer! Relay For Life of Gwinnett 2022 Saturday, May 7, 2022 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Lanier High School 918 Buford Hwy Sugar Hill, GA

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

HEALTHWIRE NORTHSIDE GWINNETT GETS ‘GOLD SEAL’ FOR HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENT Northside hospitals in Atlanta, Cherokee, Duluth, Forsyth and Gwinnett once again earned The Joint Commission’s (TJC) Gold Seal of Approval® for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement Certification. Each hospital also was rated ‘high performing’ for both hip replacement and knee replacement in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-22 Best Hospitals rankings.

DULUTH CHILDREN’S OFFERS EXTENDED EMERGENCY CARE HOURS

When your child has a minor injury or illness and your family’s pediatrician is not available, the Children’s at Satellite Boulevard Urgent Care Center is here for you on evenings, weekends and holidays.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

Just scan it!

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

STEP 2: Hang it somewhere, like your refrigerator

laugh?

STEP 1: Cut out this page

Need a

STEP 3: Scan the QR Code

STEP 4:

Laugh.

What makes a great Leader? What sets apart the Legends from the rest? What common sense values do these Influencers share?

The Leaders & Legends series from Gwinnett Magazine will set your soul on fire with answers to these questions and more! Join us in discovering why is it so important to learn about the successes and failures of those who have come before us.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

W AY N E M A S O N You can try to keep up with Wayne Mason, but you’ll fall behind. Even at 82, Mason is a human calculator, solving problems in his head with a nimble precision that’s almost uncanny. His mind shines. You can see it in his eyes. They are alive and bright as he speaks in a swift torrent that puts you on the edge of your seat trying to catch every last syllable.

Mental acuity aside, Mason himself is hard to keep up with. If you look at all he’s done in his eight decades in Gwinnett County, he’s also a tough act to follow. If you know anything at all about the man, a proper place to start the story seems like the 1960s, when he and his brother, Jimmy, began building homes in Snellville – over time, bringing thousands of residents to the

city. Or, perhaps during his public service as county commissioner in the 1970s, when he and Jimmy – a state legislator at the time – spearheaded projects that paved the way for important improvements in Gwinnett County’s infrastructure. But no. We’re going further back: It’s Saturday morning in Atlanta’s affluent Morningside community. It’s the wintertime, and it’s freezing out. Wayne, a teenager, sells eggs to customers on a regular route. He isn’t permitted to knock at front doors, so he goes around back. It makes Wayne feel “like white trash,” but it doesn’t stop him as he knocks at the back door of a massive home. A homeowner swings open the door. She tells Wayne how many eggs she wants: three dozen. Wayne moves in a flurry. He palms three eggs per hand, knowing as he chitchats and tells her the total (at 75 cents a dozen, she owes him $2.25) that if he moves his hands six times, he’s given her three dozen eggs. He’s perfected this trick. The customer smiles, handing Wayne the money and something else. It’s a Christmas gift, she says – a pair of gloves. He gratefully accepts with a smile, knowing he’ll sell them at school for whatever he can get. He can’t count eggs this way while wearing gloves.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

THREE AND A HALF HOURS OF SLEEP

I don’t like money, but it does calm my nerves.

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

When Wayne Mason was 12 years old, his father, James Winston Mason, gave him $10. It was the last time his father would have to give him money. By the time Wayne graduated high school, he had $1,750 in the bank. He made money doing just about anything that would earn him a buck. In addition to selling eggs, he worked at a local grocery store; plowed neighbors’ gardens behind a mule; made and sold Christmas wreaths; and sold parts and service station supplies wholesale. The 1958 South Gwinnett yearbook would later contain a photo of the graduate with an appropriate and prophetic one-liner: “I don’t like money, but it does calm my nerves.” Mason finished high school in three years, having procured enough of the green stuff to finance his own private teachers over the summer break. He did this in order to graduate with the class he started with – having been held back in first grade for what would later be determined to be dyslexia. Upon graduating, Mason took a job with his uncle, painting houses in the Sagamore Hills area of Atlanta – near Clairmont and Lavista roads. He would soon thereafter accept a sales position at Goodyear, hustling so hard that by 1959 he was the company’s top salesman for the southern region. It was around this time, he and his brother, Jimmy – who’d just returned from the Korean War – partnered up. From Wayne’s work with his uncle painting houses, he’d become familiar with the many varied types of tradesmen who banded together, pooling efforts to build a home. “When I started building, I knew I could hire all those guys – the brick masons, painters, carpenters, floor layers

… It was a fast crew,” Wayne says. “So, at that time I was pretty busy. I was building houses, running a ceramic tile business, a bonding business and working for Goodyear … I’d sleep three and a half hours a night.” Wayne adds: “I did that for a long time. I could make it on that. See, I was trying to accumulate. I’ve been in every kind of business you can think of … you name it, I been in it. Everything’s not going to be a success, but you have to take a chance.” In the midst of this youthful frenzy and ambitious phase, he married Ann Biggers on Sept. 5, 1959. A year later, they had their first son, Keith Mason. By 1961, Wayne and Jimmy’s housebuilding efforts – concentrated mostly in Snellville – had become so successful that Wayne quit his fulltime job at Goodyear. They were making more money than they could believe. Regarding this period, Mason reflects, offering a related thought: “You appreciate what you’ve got if you made it yourself.”

WASN’T NO DISSENSION In 1963, Jimmy joined his brother fulltime in the housebuilding business – a profession they’d continue for the next decade or so. They built hundreds of single-family homes, which would lead to a population explosion for the town of Snellville. Shopping centers, hospitals, schools and churches began to appear – matching the needs of a Snellville population that would grow more than 200 percent during this phase. Gwinnett County resident Richard Tucker, who started working for Wayne in 1971, recalls that he was “driven to be successful and always has been.” Adds Tucker: “The great thing about Wayne, he’s always been willing to share the wealth so to speak. He’s always looking for partners, looking for opportunities for

others. Just a really good businessperson and a civic-minded individual.” After much success building homes in the area, the Mason Brothers transitioned their ambitions to buying land. In 1972, Wayne and Jimmy struck gold with some of the land they owned. A plot making up several hundred acres was purchased by Summit Chase Golf Club. It made them more than a million dollars. It was also around this time that Wayne led his first successful bid for public office. After an initial failed attempt in 1968 to secure enough votes, Wayne Mason was elected in 1972 to the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners. He was 32 years old. At the same time, his brother was working his way up the ranks of public office, having started as a Snellville City Councilman and then getting elected as a state legislator. In their aspirations, the brothers had something in common: they wanted to see Gwinnett County keep getting better and better. Both used their positions as a means to do just that. For Wayne, seeing the county get decent water service was the very reason he ran for commissioner in the first place. “(In the south end of the county) You’d have to get up at 6 in the morning to take a shower,” Wayne says. “If you didn’t, you was out of water or there was no pressure. Same thing in the afternoons. That’s one of the big reasons I ran (for office) – to set up the water and sewer authority.” Over the next several years, Wayne and the commission worked to fund projects through the water and sewer authority, as well as a water intake for Lake Lanier, establishment of the public facilities authority, recreation authority, a uniform business license system and more. In short, they worked together to lay extensive infrastructural and procedural tracks to keep Gwinnett County growing.

“I had a great board of commissioners,” Mason says. “I had the confidence of the board. If we came up with something that was good for the county, it was unanimous. Always unanimous. Wasn’t no dissension. I never served with a single person on the board of commissioners who would put being elected over doing what was good for the county.” Adds Mason: “Today, there’s so much regulatory stuff and so much government, it takes longer to get a permit than it does to do the actual project. You can build a multistory building quicker than you can get a damn permit. Too much bureaucracy.” While Mason served on the Gwinnett County commission, the county also paved 800 miles of roads and graded 400 miles in eight years. Mason knew the growth was coming, but laments that he underestimated the amount of traffic the county would one day attract. “I would have built a lot more multilane roads,” he says. Mason and his board of commissioners did a lot during this time, building infrastructure and attracting growth, but if there was one thing that stood out – arguably Mason’s most impactful contribution – it was his efforts in the development of Gwinnett County’s water and sewer systems.

WATER ‘PURE ENOUGH TO SHOOT IN YOUR VEINS’ For three consecutive years – 1986 through 1988 – Gwinnett County ranked as the fastest-growing county in the United States among counties with a population greater than 100,000. That kind of growth never would have been possible without the ground laid by Mason and the board of commissioners who served with him in the 1970s. One of their biggest achievements was expansion

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

As long as you don’t care who gets the credit, it’s unbelievable what you can accomplish.

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

and improvement of the county’s water and sewer. Getting approval from the state legislature for a water and sewer authority as well as a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to pull water from Lake Lanier were two key factors in solving Gwinnett’s water woes. Having Mason’s brother, Jimmy, on the state legislature sure didn’t hurt, as he knew the ropes at the state level. Jimmy Mason’s daughter, Tracey Mason, says her father and Uncle Wayne “were the right people at the right time with the right skills” to move Gwinnett County forward. “When you put the two of them together in a room there was nothing they couldn’t get accomplished,” Tracey says. “Whenever I used to ask them how they were able to achieve all that they did, they just told me, ‘nobody ever told us we couldn’t, so we just did it.’” During Wayne’s service as a commissioner from 1972-1976 and as chairman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners from 1977-1980, he helped secure critical funding for major water and sewer improvements. Getting an intake to draw water from Lake Lanier for Gwinnett meant Mason needed a consultant who knew what they were doing. “There was a guy who was a colonel in the Army. Harold Dye. He knew someone who ran the Corps of Engineers out of Mobile,” Mason says. When Dye agreed to the job, Mason sought the fellow commissioners’ approval, paid Dye $15,000 and sent him on Mason’s private plane to Mobile, Alabama. “I knew that whoever controlled water controlled the destiny of this whole area,” Mason says, adding that because of the research they’d done “we knew what level to take the water at where it’d be pure enough to shoot in your veins.”

Gwinnett County got its permit to remove more than 200 million gallons per day from Lake Lanier and shortly thereafter borrowed $44 million in water and sewer authority bonds to upgrade the system. The system, to this day, is one of the best in the world, according to some reports – pulling and cleaning water from the lake; returning wastewater to streams even cleaner than it was when taken from Lake Lanier. “As long as you don’t care who gets the credit, it’s unbelievable what you can accomplish,” Mason says, recalling the efforts decades ago of himself and fellow commissioners. “In those days, we all had one common interest: We wanted Gwinnett to be great.”

LET SOMEBODY ELSE EAT Despite dogged devotion to his work and all he did to help build Gwinnett, at the end of the day Mason says he never once forgot the importance of spending time with his family. His only son, Keith, agrees. “To my dad, family is first and foremost. If someone is related to him he tries to help them in any way possible,” Keith says, adding that his father was a supporter of his children no matter what path they decided to take in their lives or careers. “My dad never told any of his children what they should do … he was always a quiet backer, but he was never one to micromanage his children in their lives. He was more of a cheerleader than a micromanager. He always supported everything I did but he never said to me, ‘you need to do this, not that.’ He would answer questions and provide advice … but he wanted you to do what you wanted to do.” Keith says his father was also a supporter of the community at large.

“It was part of his upbringing,” Keith says. “He was brought up in a family in which you support your community. He knows you need to give back to keep going forward.” Keith’s cousin and Wayne’s niece, Tracey, echoes the remarks. “It’s a family tradition to serve the community,” Tracey says. “I was always told – and shown – that you have to give something back. You gotta leave the world a better place.” Adds Tracey: “Uncle Wayne has always been dogged in his pursuit to make a deal, but he is generous almost to a fault.” Being charitable is built into Wayne Mason’s belief systems, both politically and morally. “I tell everybody, ‘Listen, after you eat all you need to eat and your family eats all they need to eat, then, hell, let somebody else eat. Don’t be so damn greedy,’” Wayne says. Keith says his father’s charity is extensive: from donating land for churches to helping various charitable causes to helping establish parks, little league ball fields and raising money for K-12 schools and colleges. One of the contributions he’s most proud of is a land deal he and son, Keith, partnered up on. In 2004, Wayne purchased a narrow swath of abandoned railroad land that would become the first leg of the Atlanta Beltline. “I spent millions, brought in a consultant, laid out the plan and (former mayor) Shirley Franklin was great,” Mason says. Son, Keith, says: “We like to say that he made it possible to buy it, and I made it possible to get it sold. I negotiated the sale and (my father negotiated) the purchase … there was a lot of other activity in between, but that (deal) was the catalyst for the whole project … it was only an idea when we purchased it. Buying it

confirmed it could be a reality.” Wayne keeps a framed front page from the Atlanta Business Chronicle in his office showcasing the story. This deal, like many in Wayne’s career, was a gamble that paid off. “I’ve been up and down … but you gotta take chances,” Wayne says. “My theory has always been the same – I can’t lose anything because I never had anything to start with.”

I CAN RUN NUMBERS IN MY HEAD It’s summertime on a Saturday afternoon in a Centerville country store. Young teenager Wayne Mason sacks groceries while a colleague works an adding machine, tallying the cost of a customer’s groceries. The boy working the adding machine taps out the prices with precision. He turns a crank on the device to add the numbers together. It’s a noisy little contraption. The clack clack clack of the adding machine echoes as the customer waits patiently. Meanwhile, 13-yearold Mason eyes the produce, the dry goods, the grains, the candies and in a flash knows the total. He tells his colleague how much to charge the customer before the other boy’s able to finish punching numbers. Nobody understands how this South Gwinnett country boy can do this trick, but the kid seems brighter than most to those who meet him. And he seems to have a drive about him. To ‘accumulate’ as Wayne might say in his own words. He only makes 50 cents an hour sacking groceries at this little Centerville country store, but 50 cents an hour adds up in the summertime, when he can put in 80 hours a week. Wayne laughs, recalling the scene. “Yeah, I can run numbers in my head. Always been good at math, even if spelling wasn’t my thing,” he says, chuckling. It’s been a long time since he worked at that store, and he’s made a lot of deals, built a lot of homes, met a lot of people, inked a lot of contracts, worked more jobs and started more businesses than you could imagine. Whether it was selling eggs in wealthy Atlanta neighborhoods or making decisions that would benefit Gwinnett County residents for generations to come, the young man from south Gwinnett has one thing about him that remains unchanged, even at 82. It’s still hard to keep up with Wayne Mason.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

DR. WILLIAM SHEALS There’s a framed illustration on the wall outside the office of Dr. William L. Sheals. It’s a rough pencil sketch of a church and adjoining architecture on the back cover of a legal pad. Written across the roof of one building are the words “ED. BLDG,” and on another, “ADM. BLDG.” Beneath a steeple rising to the legal pad’s top margin, are the words “CITY OF HOPE.” If you stood right this moment in the parking lot of the historic Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Norcross you’d plainly see the seeds – sketched in pencil on the back of that framed legal pad – of what would one day come to be. “That’s the original vision, the original drawing on the back of a legal pad,” Sheals says, leading a tour through the administration building. “At the time, I didn’t have but one piece of paper left on the pad, and it had

already been written or drawn on … and then, the pen wouldn’t work.” Sheals laughs, recalling this vision he had in 1991 – back when the only things near what was then a very small Hopewell Baptist Church were a junkyard and cemetery. “We were apparently operating very lean … so I got a pencil, sketched it out as I’d seen the vision. I showed it to the deacons of the church at the time, and they said, ‘we can’t do that.’ And I said, ‘Oh yes, we can because God gave me this vision.” Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church would grow in the early 1980s from a two-acre, onebuilding facility with 200 members to what now sits on 30 acres and boasts a membership of 10,000 members and 50 ministries and auxiliaries. The City of Hope today includes a senior citizens facility, 200-member youth church, child development center, an accredited Bible institute and more. If not for that vision decades earlier, the City of Hope would have been little more than a junkyard near an old church building. The answer to why Sheals had the faith to, first, sketch his drawing and then see it through to fruition lies in a bible verse and inscription, which he wrote beneath the drawing: Habakkuk 2:2 Write the Vision and Make It Plain.

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

SHEALS THEATER

I was ministering then, and I didn’t even know it, I was demonstrating that you could have fun and enjoy life on a natural high.

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

Several years before the monumental vision that would lead to the building of the City of Hope, Sheals had a series of visions that would shake up his life. At the time a radio DJ and concert promoter living in Florida, Sheals woke up one Sunday morning after a concert he’d been promoting the night before. “The Lord came into my bedroom … I saw an image of the Christ figure sitting on a pillow with four men on each end,” Sheals says. “The image was engulfed in smoke. I was frightened. I sat up in my bed.” Several weeks later, it happened again. This time a voice told him, “Preach my word. Preach the Gospel.” Sheals says God immediately took away the desire to continue his path of radio and concert promotion. This was unusual and must have struck him as odd at the time; the desire to entertain cheering crowds was present in Sheals even as a young man. Even at the age of 12, Sheals recalls setting up a makeshift movie theater in his childhood home of Lakeland, Florida. Using the tube from a paper towel roll, a cardboard box, a magnifying glass and one of the lamps in his parents’ bedroom, he constructed a rough projector. “I’d cut the wording off the comic strips and stack them up,” Sheals recalls, laughing. “And it would project onto the wall in color.” For 25 cents each, kids around the neighborhood would line up to see these shows at “Sheals Theater.” He says sometimes 50 or 60 kids would stand in a queue that snaked around his home. “And my sister and I would make refreshments – ice cups with grape or cherry Kool Aid in the little dixie cups. The kids would come into the bedroom and watch the comic strip. ‘The adventures of Superman!’ I’d shout. ‘Faster than a speeding bullet!’ I did the

soundtrack, the voices, everything. I’d make stories out of the comic strips that projected on the wall, and the stories were never the same twice.” At the same time, he worked for George Jenkins Grocery Store in Lakeland, Florida – the original store that would one day give rise to the Publix Supermarket company. Sheals bagged and delivered groceries. He and other local kids on bikes with baskets carted goods to nearby houses. With his grocery delivery and movie theater work combined, he had enough money every Christmas to buy presents for everybody in his family from the age of 12 to 17. “That was just the beginning of my entrepreneurship,” Sheals says.

TRIPLE S PRODUCTIONS An entrepreneurial spirit in the boy foretold a career for the young man in the 1970s that would encompass record store ownership, employment as a disc jockey, work in the banking industry as well as acting in several off-Broadway plays and big production, big budget films. Living in New York at the time, he played small roles in both “The French Connection,” (1971) and “Come Back Charleston Blue” (1972). “My part got left on the cutting room floor (in ‘The French Connection’) but I’ve still got a copy of my check,” he says. When Sheals’ father died, he returned to Florida to mourn with family. He ended up staying in Florida, where he would soon thereafter open a record and clothing store. He also worked as a disc jockey for a Top 40 station in Lakeland, Florida and soon thereafter for an R&B station in Tampa. His work in the music industry led to a career as a concert promoter. He promoted shows for groups like Earth, Wind and Fire; the O’Jays; the Doobie Brothers; and

Gladys Knight and the Pips. “Any major artist coming through Florida during that era, they came through Triple S Productions (Sheals, Sights and Sounds),” Sheals says. “I was in my 20s and making a lot of money … but it wasn’t about the money. It was all about taking nothing and making something out of it and employing my nephews and brothers in the family.” Adds Sheals: “They’ve all got homes in Florida now because of the business.” Being a concert promoter, he was surrounded by many who smoked marijuana, drank alcohol or did other kinds of recreational drugs. Sheals says he maintained a strictly sober stance. “I was ministering then, and I didn’t even know it,” he says. “I was demonstrating that you could have fun and enjoy life on a natural high – entertaining people and employing people too.” One morning in 1977 after helping promote an Earth, Wind, and Fire show, Sheals had the vision of Christ at his bedside. Thus began the road to Gwinnett County.

HOPEWELL AND ITS HISTORY He preached his first sermon at the church he attended in Florida. It was a success, he says. “Fifteen people accepted Christ and joined the church that day,” Sheals says. During this time, he was employed as assistant director of the Lakeland Housing Authority. He would shortly thereafter hear about a job in Atlanta as assistant director of the city’s housing authority. He felt called to go. He took the job in Atlanta in 1979 and, while working for the housing authority, continued to feel the desire to preach. Sheals learned that the congregation of Hopewell Baptist was looking for a new

pastor. It was a historic church, founded by former slaves after the Civil War. Sheals got an official offer on April 2, 1980 and preached his first sermon on the following Easter Sunday. He would continue working for the Atlanta Housing Authority and preaching at Hopewell for the next 10 years, when he decided to devote his time completely to the rapidly growing church. Sheals says being part of the history of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church has been “a blessing. It is amazing and inspiring.” He’s heard tales from members of the congregation of the early days of Hopewell, when a 5-day revival would be hosted in one of the original church buildings. “The young ladies who attended church would spend time that year sewing five new outfits for those five nights because that was the highlight of the year,” he says. “This was when there were maybe 30 or 40 people in attendance.” There were times then during some Sunday sermons when the roof would begin to leak. Members of the church kept umbrellas close by – popping them open mid-sermon so they could hear the full message. Sheals says, present day, there are members of Hopewell whose ancestors attended during early days like those described above. Times have changed. While the church held services merely two Sundays a month back in those days, today, Hopewell not only holds service every Sunday but 3 to 4 services every Sunday. “It’s amazing what God has done,” Sheals says. “There was a time in the not so distant past when a majority of the Black kids who attended Gwinnett County Public Schools were members of Hopewell … and to think a lot of this property was just a junkyard. Now … this!”

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

Hopewell attendee, Atlanta native, comedian and actor George Wallace says he remembers when the property near Hopewell was little more than a junkyard as well. As a child growing up in Atlanta, his family would sometimes visit Hopewell – what was then a very small church. “We would come up there sometimes, and all you saw (near the church) was just a cemetery and junkyard,” says Wallace who has attended the church off and on for some 20 years now. “What Dr. Sheals has done with that place now, it’s just amazing. Bishop Sheals has been an amazing pastor and leader for that community.”

WRITE THE VISION

I believe that every church must follow the patterns and teachings of Jesus Christ.

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

The framed legal pad outside Sheals office that bears the original conception for the current church campus and the City of Hope is a physical testament to just how far they’ve come. There are other memories and mementos around Sheals’ office and the administration building as well that attest to its growth and its everexpanding outreach – bringing in members from a 50-mile radius. A photo album of a trip Sheals took to South Korea last year for instance shows the bishop in the foreign country preaching to tens of thousands of congregants as part of a 5-day revival. Following the trip to Korea, he preached in Los Angeles before coming home. Sheals would shortly thereafter in May 2020 undergo successful heart surgery. And he’s still going strong today on his home turf in Norcross. The church stresses the community aspect – holding vaccination clinics; monthly grocery pickups for families in need; Christmas drives for those in need; as well as a secret Santa-style effort called “Papa Claus.” It all goes back to Sheals’ beliefs as well as the beliefs he says go back to the rich history of Hopewell Baptist Church – that the church should be “the community backbone.” “I believe that every church must follow the patterns and teachings of Jesus Christ,” Sheals says, recounting specific scripture from the gospels. “He taught them, but he also fed them. Physical food and spiritual food. At the Sermon on the Mount, he preached to 5,000 … and after he had given the sermon … he fed them.” Another scripture, Habakkuk 2:2 remains of the utmost importance. Its words are imprinted beneath the framed legal pad outside Sheals office, which bear early renderings of what would become the future for Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. “Write the Vision and Make It Plain.”

HOME

REAL ESTATE THRILL RIDE

Our real estate pros share insights to help you hang on (and not lose your lunch)!

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

GINNY NEVINS has been working in the real estate industry for 36

years, and never has she seen anything quite like this. Nevins, who is broker/owner with Windsor Realty in Norcross, says the closest comparison she can imagine was in 2004 and 2005 when home prices were climbing – but even then, she says, it was an entirely different situation and an entirely different real estate market.

JON BODAN, who himself has more than 25 years’ experience in the GINNY NEVINS Windsor Realty

JON BODAN The Perpetual Financial Group

mortgage and financial industry, would echo Nevins’ sentiments. Bodan, who is president and founder of The Perpetual Financial Group in Suwanee, says it’s new territory indeed for the real estate market. “Even in 2004-06, prior to the Great Recession, it was not like this,” Bodan says. “We had a lot of buyers out there … who were buying houses because they were getting sub-prime loans … and there was a lot of inventory at that time, so there was product to buy. Now, it’s completely different.” And what’s different about it? “You have buyers out there who are extremely well qualified – great credit, tons of money to put down and they’re having a hard time,” he says. “There’s a lack of inventory.” Nevins feels the lack of inventory as well as the abundance of wellqualified buyers are two big factors that set this market apart from those days – meaning she does not see a housing crash on the horizon. But it’s a unique market and, like never before, getting an agent is your best bet navigating these unprecedented times.

ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

Buying? Nevins has some tips for you. “If you’re a buyer, you need somebody who knows how to negotiate, who will find out what things are important to the seller and structure your offer as close to (that) as possible,” Nevins says. She adds that there are three things a seller is looking for when a buyer structures their offer: “How soon, how sure and how much. How soon: Either matching their closing date or closing as soon as possible. How sure: prequalification or proof of funds and earnest money. How much: price.” Says Nevins: “If you can make two out of those three very strong you have a much better chance of getting the house.” For sellers, she says, you want “someone who has a good relationship with other agents and brokers, someone who treats people honestly and fairly and with respect, because it’s extremely difficult right now for buyer’s agents. You need to realize they are getting beat up right and left and losing out on deals.” She adds that sellers should aim to be fair and fully disclose any issues they are aware of that could be tied to the house: “Put it on the disclosure, and then you’re protected.”

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

HOME

SUSAN KLIESEN, associate broker with RE/MAX Center, says sellers

are “in control right now.” She says that some sellers however are being approached by “institutional buyers. They’re being texted, emailed, and mail campaigns are going to them, saying ‘Hey, sell your house to us. It will be convenient. We’ll give you fair market value.’ Be wary of these kinds of offers, says Kliesen: “I think sellers are doing themselves a disservice (if they go this route) because the best way to make the most money is to go onto the open market. If you put your house on the market looking really, really good what you’re going to get is this frenzy. People will start bidding you up because a house priced reasonably … and looking good, people will pay so much more. That’s a strategy I’ve been using for my sellers, and it’s worked really well.” Kliesen also has the following advice for buyers: don’t wait. “If people are wondering and thinking, ‘Maybe we should wait for a few months and maybe things will settle down by then, and we’ll buy when prices settle back down,’ I don’t think that’s going to be the case,” Kliesen says.

PEGGY SLAPPEY, broker/owner of Peggy Slappey Properties Inc.,

agrees. “(Prices) are not coming down,” Slappey says. “That’s not just me talking … my information is from the most knowledgeable sources in the industry … we won’t continue to see a 17- or even a 10-percent appreciation year over year, but we’ll continue to see a 5 percent appreciation, and that’s a healthy market.”

SUSAN KLIESEN RE/MAX Center

PEGGY SLAPPEY Peggy Slappey Properties

WHAT ABOUT INTEREST RATES?

According to data released in March 2022 by Freddie Mac, the 30year fixed-rate average jumped to 4.16 percent with an average 0.8 point. To explain: a point is a fee paid to a lender equal to 1 percent of the loan, in addition to the interest rate. The rates are on the rise, it seems, on a weekly basis. Driven by inflation and global conflict, this is currently the highest rate since mid-2019. Says Bodan: “Rates are definitely higher than they were a year ago or even four or five months ago … They’ve gone up very quickly because of inflation. Inflation is very bad for interest rates.” He says it’s “anybody’s guess” as to how long interest rates will continue to climb but adds that “a lot of it will depend on how aggressive the (federal government) is in fighting off the inflation we’ve got going on right now.” “From the standpoint of someone applying for a loan … regarding interest rates, just know that they change daily. We have a lot of people who come in the door expecting a certain rate … and rates go up a lot quicker than they go down, but that’s typical for this environment.”

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

JOSEPH KALINA, with The

JOSEPH KALINA The Kalina Brothers

CHOOSING THE AGENT THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU ASK AROUND. Got friends and neighbors who recently sold houses? There’s no better way to find a great agent than word of mouth from folks you trust. Don’t know anyone who’s recently sold a house? Check out Best of Gwinnett 2021! INTERVIEW CANDIDATES. How long have they been an agent? What’s their commission fee? Can they tell you about recent success stories? Put them in the hot seat. Do they work most often with buyers or sellers? Ask for references CHECK OUT THOSE REFERENCES. When you’re finished interviewing and have picked a few you like, ask to speak with some of their past clients. How did they help their clients? What was it like working with them? LET THEM KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR. Found a good agent? Great, now be very detailed about what you want and don’t want. Your needs vs. your wants. If you get it all out in the open. you’ll know for sure if they’re the right one to serve you before you commit.

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

Kalina Brothers in Duluth, says rising interest rates are not necessarily a bad thing. “Could the market level out a little bit if the interest rates go up? Yeah, and I kind of hope that happens, because it’s very difficult for our buyers right now,” Kalina says. “It’s really good for our sellers … however, a good portion of our sellers become buyers, so they get put in the situation of buying a house afterward.” Adds Kalina: “With rising interest rates … even though it will make it a little more difficult to buy a property, it will help level out the market, because it will cut a portion of the buyers out there. Right now, demand is completely outweighing the supply, so if interest rates go up a little bit, then maybe it will level out that supply and demand and help the buyers who are strongly qualified be able to get into the homes they want.”

FIND GOOD REPRESENTATION

Demand for housing continues to exceed availability, housing prices continue to climb, and the trend of increased home prices is expected to continue as construction contractors struggle to try to keep up with demand. Underscoring these trends, according to the Atlanta Realtors Association, median sales price in November last year hit $372,000 – an increase of 21% from 2020, while the average sales price went up 19% from the previous year. Nevins says that working real estate these days, she gets the kinds of questions she’s never

heard in her 36 years in the industry – many of which are indicative of the times. Like this one: “’What can my buyer do to make our offer more attractive to your seller?’” She laughs. “We never got asked that question (in past years).” But she answers it the way she always does: “Cash is always great. No contingencies or very few is always great. We expect you to do an inspection.” Home inspections are key, she says. In this kind of market, she adds, the most important thing a home buyer or seller can do is to find good representation. Says Nevins: “There are ways to negotiate on both sides that are critical.” Slappey says it’s important for buyers and sellers to know that while it may be a unique time to be in the market, “it’s a great time to buy a house and a great time to sell a house, but you need to make plans in advance … Coordinating is a challenge, but it’s accomplished every day over and over again in Gwinnett County, and it can be done. Seek out an expert.” Bodan also offered optimism for those currently looking to buy a home. “There’s a lot of buyers out there, and a lot of buyers with a lot of money out there, so you’re going to have to compete with them,” Bodan says. “But if you’re patient … eventually the right deal is going to happen, and it will work out.”

HOME

D.I.Y. NOT GETTING IT

D.O.N.E. RELAX, AND PUT DOWN THAT PAINT ROLLER! We’ve got you covered with our Best of Gwinnett contractors list. From plumbers to HVAC, landscapers to roofers, flooring experts to gutter pros, you’ll find everything and everyone you need on this list. And when you reach for the phone, you’ll be confident you’re calling the best!

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

APPLIANCE REPAIR COMPANIES

The Wright Curb Appeal 678-984-7254

ELECTRICAL SERVICES COMPANIES

A&R Appliance Repair, LLC 678-929-5210

Truman Services 770-896-8876

Canady Appliance Repair 404-441-8611

Wright Time Cleaning Services 706-351-5578

Dependable Electric Services 678-804-9292

Mr. V Appliance & Electrical 770-757-3097

ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS Archimetric 770-446-8747 PACDCI, LLC 678-936-7005 Ponder & Ponder Architects 770-449-8860

CLEANING SERVICES All American Cleaning & Janitorial Services 678-812-0220

A-1 Southern Home Improvements 678-457-0924 American Painting & Renovations 770-995-8787 ATL Cabinetry 404-944-6970 CavinBuilt, LLC 678-865-2446 ECG Contractors 770-809-1017

Cleaning On Wheels 678-485-6526

Ecker Construction, Inc. 770-922-5726

Glory House Washing 770-744-6344

Northeast Mechanical Services Inc. 678-863-0946

JM Cleaning Co LLC 770-568-0063 New Aurora Cleaning Services 770-310-2967 Peachtree Plus Services 770-310-7495 Personal Touch House Cleaning Services Inc 770-831-0155 Professional Trust Cleaning Service 770-241-0679 Rescue My Time Cleaning Service, Inc. 678-587-5279

CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING CONTRACTORS

Phil's Remodeling 770-990-0653 Rocha Painting 470-301-5332 Southern Standard Roofing & Exteriors 678-839-7663

DUCT CLEANING SERVICES Arctic Blast Heating and Air Conditioning 770-560-0654 Daffy Ducts 770-258-6077

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

Kalahari Electrical Services 678-665-2309 KCI of Georgia, Inc. 770-339-9114

FOUNDATION & CONCRETE REPAIR SERVICES AquaGuard Foundation Solutions 770-415-2030 Dritek Foundation Solutions 770-963-9393

HVAC SALES & SERVICE COMPANIES Arctic Blast Heating and Air Conditioning 770-560-0654 Clark's Heating and Air 678-379-2665 Cool Masters, Inc. 678-799-7999

OnPoint Electric, LLC 678-986-0804

GARAGE DOOR CONTRACTORS

Hero Heating and Air 678-730-2506

Summit Electric LLC 678-889-2400

Aaron Overhead Doors 678-960-3360

FENCING CONTRACTORS

American Painting & Renovations 770-995-8787

Holtkamp Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. 470-223-1176

American Painting & Renovations 770-995-8787

Overhead Door Company of Atlanta 404-872-3667

Southeast FencePros, LLC 678-549-4092

Top Notch Garage Door LLC 770-235-8189

FIRE PROTECTION CONTRACTORS

GUTTER CLEANING SERVICES

Triad Mechanical 770-682-0075

All-Star Fire LLC 678-691-0011

Dustin's Pressure Washing 678-836-4866

Safe-T Fire Protection 770-995-9950

Five Star Gutters, LLC 678-820-0401

Wall Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. 770-736-5207

FLOORING COMPANIES

HOME SERVICE CONTRACTORS

Atlanta Flooring Design Centers 770-476-8306

Aaron Overhead Doors 678-960-3360

Eco Flooring USA LLC 678-334-4968

HomeCraft Gutter Protection 770-575-5004

New Day Contracting LLC 404-606-3674

Kalahari Electrical Services 678-665-2309

Tommy Lee Carpets 770-963-0583

Kemko Lawn Service 770-466-6113 Prime Pest Solutions 770-962-4240

Kennon Heating and Air Conditioning 678-778-1328 Northeast Mechanical Services Inc. 678-863-0946 Stuart Pro Heating & Air 770-637-4318

INTERIOR DESIGN FIRMS Bridgette Boylan Interiors 770-447-5800 Status Home Design 470-991-0110

LANDSCAPING SERVICES Arbor-Nomics Turf Inc. 770-447-6037 Atlanta Landscape Group LLC 770-962-2921

HOME

Conserva Irrigation of North Atlanta 678-921-3684 Kemko Lawn Service 770-466-6113 Lawn Services & More, Inc. 678-898-7351

PLUMBING CONTRACTORS Aaron Services 770-945-3453 Casteel Heating and Air 678-999-7332

Legendary Landscaping 770-241-7094

Cornerstone Plumbing & Mechanical LLC 404-569-5687

Outdoor Solutions Group 770-865-3216

Keep Smiling Plumbing 770-979-7997

Rivermoore Lawn Care 678-889-2175

Plumb & Plumber LLC 678-923-9177

Russell Landscape (Commerical) 770-446-3552

ROOFING CONTRACTORS

MASONRY COMPANIES

Accent Roofing Service 770-277-4869

Concrete Professionals 678-327-7025

American Painting & Renovations 770-995-8787

Peachtree Pavers 470-589-7801

Bennett Roofing 678-878-9785

PAINTING CONTRACTORS American Painting & Renovations 770-995-8787 April Painting Company, Inc. 404-281-6541 Bear Mountain Custom Painting 678-455-2887

Good Shepherd Roofing 833-477-7663 Perimeter Roofing 678-948-7663 Pinnacle Home Improvements 770-343-6181 Pro Roofing Contractor, LLC 404-642-5701 Total Pro Roofing 770-624-1009

Rocha Painting 470-301-5332 SVL Turnkey Services LLC 404-512-7371

Scan for more of the BEST!

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

G W I N N E T T M A G A Z I N E

MARKETPLACE

YOU the Best

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

From knowing where to eat, to finding a favorite beauty shop, from finding new things to do with your kids to finding fun for the family pet, this directory of Gwinnett Hotspots can help make you seem like the expert in the family!

St r e e t

smarts

BEVERAGESUPERSTOREOFGRAYSON.COM

EAT Let ’s

GWINNETT MAGAZINE

HOW TO MAKE NEXT TIME

BETTER THAN THE LAST TIME There’s something I know that is true of everyone, and it’s this: starting over is a part of life. And starting over is almost always difficult. A relationship ends. A job is taken away. Plans for the future are dashed. Or maybe you just changed your mind. No matter the reason or whose fault it is, the good news is that the chapter that follows is one you get to write. How you choose to move forward on the other side of a difficult situation is entirely up to you. So how can you start over in the best way possible? Well for starters, you avoid believing THREE MYTHS: 1. “Experience makes me wiser.” 2. “Since I know better, I’ll be better.” 3. “Time is against me.” While it’s tempting to believe these myths, it’s the surest way to set yourself up for a repeat of the past—the past that got you where you are. And here’s why… As much as you’d like to believe surviving a tumultuous experience earns you a badge of wisdom, experience alone does not make anyone wiser. It can, however, make you older, angrier and poorer. But, evaluated experience does make you wiser. And just because you’re now an expert in exactly what went wrong the last time, it doesn’t mean you have the ability or selfcontrol to avoid those same pitfalls next time.

SPRING 2022 / GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM

If we can agree that an honest evaluation of the past and strength to avoid its pitfalls in the future are worthy pursuits when starting over, then there is one thing you’ll absolutely need—time. But the vulnerability that comes with starting over often leads us to believe the opposite. Instead of appreciating time as a tool for ensuring a better next time, we fall prey to the illusion that the passage of time is like a thief threatening to steal our last shot at happiness or is an affront to what feels so right in the moment. The belief that time is against you is the most destructive myth of the three. But in reality—especially when starting over—there’s no better friend to you than time. So if starting over is where you find yourself, fear not! Take the time you need to evaluate your experience, learn to avoid the pitfalls of the past, and, most importantly, to heal. Because when you are healthy, you have clarity. And when you have clarity, you make better decisions.

Andy Stanley is a communicator, author, pastor and founder of Atlanta-based North Point Ministries, which includes Gwinnett Church in Sugar Hill and Hamilton Mill Church in Buford, as well as six other churches in metro Atlanta and a global network of nearly 100 partner churches.

Andy Stanley INSPIRATION FROM

GWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM / SPRING 2022

CIT Y EVENTS & HAPPENINGS! You’ve been cooped up at home for way too long (it’s ok, we all have)! Local family fun is back in full swing, so get back out there! Just scan your city’s QR code and hit the road for the next celebration!

BUFORD

BERKELEY LAKE

SUGAR HILL

DACULA

DULUTH

GRAYSON

LAWRENCEVILLE

LOGANVILLE

LILBURN

NORCROSS

SNELLVILLE

SUWANEE

AUBURN

PEACHTREE CORNERS

BRASELTON

Scan the QR codes and go have some fun!