June 13, 2015 by On Common Ground News

VOLUME 21 NUMBER 11

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JUNE 13, 2015

Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews

Ex-school official Pat Reid denied new trial

MARTA bus stop killer gets life sentence

Christopher Merritt By Valerie J. Morgan Christopher Merritt, the 18-yearold MARTA bus stop killer, will spend the rest of his life in prison, avoiding the death penalty with a plea deal. Merritt was sentenced for shooting and robbing Marcaysia Dawkins, 19, and for raping and robbing three other women in separate incidents, a spokesman for the DeKalb District Attorney’s Office. After Merritt entered his plea on June 9, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gail Flake dropped the death penalty and sentenced him to life in prison without parole. The broad daylight shooting shocked the community and spurred a rally that was held by New Birth Missionary Baptist Church to remember Dawkins. Authorities said Merritt shot Dawkins and stole her purse on Nov. 23, 2014 as she waited at a MARTA bus stop on Fairington Road in Lithonia not far from her home. Relatives said she was on her way to reload her MARTA card for the upcoming workweek when Merritt approached her at the bus stop. As Dawkins fought back, Merritt shot her twice with a 9mm handgun and took off running with her purse. Dawkins, who worked at a daycare and was described as a 2014 Lithonia High school graduate who was planning to join the Navy, died a few hours later at a hospital. Witness accounts of the robbery and video surveillance from a nearby gas station helped police link Merritt to the shooting and five days later—the day after Thanksgiving— Merritt was arrested. He was found at an abandoned apartment in the 5800 block of Trent Walk Drive in Lithonia, detectives said. During the course of the investigation, police also recovered evidence to link Merritt to the rape of three women in cases dating back to 2013. He was indicted for three rapes and two armed robbery charges. Prosecutors said in each case, Merritt placed a gun to the victim’s head and forced her to have sex with him. Merritt offered an apology to the victims during the sentencing. Dawkins’ mother was present, along with a relative of one of the rape victims. “The life of a vibrant, young and hardworking 19-year-old woman was taken away in broad daylight for no reason at all,” said District Attorney Robert James. “While no sentence could ever undo what has been done at the hands of Christopher Merritt, I hope that all of our victims and their loved ones can rest in knowing that he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.”

Seniors have a blast at “Scam Jam” By Joshua Smith DeKalb County’s senior citizens had a blast line dancing, snacking and getting information to protect them from scams. It was all a part of State Sen. Gloria Butler’s June 11 “Scam Jam” in Decatur. Seniors packed the Manual Maloof Auditorium to learn about ways to avoid being scammed and have a great time doing it, like only DeKalb County seniors can. “Some of our most threating criminals aren’t using guns and knives, but rather emails and a phone,” said Butler, who represents District 55, which covers parts of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. Butler said one golden rule seniors should keep in mind is avoiding paying up front for services, giveaways, or medical equipment. The 17-year senator also shared tips on avoiding fraud including dates who eventually borrow money and people who call stating that your grandchild needs money. Several county agencies and organizations got in on the jam including DeKalb County’s Senior Services, Fire and Rescue, the Sheriff’s Department, Solicitor General, District Attorney, Senior Affairs and Senior Connections. “I call them our CJ’s, they are truly DeKalb County’s crowned jewels. I love the fact that such an important topic— protecting our seniors—has been

Pat Reid

State Sen. Gloria Butler

made fun as well,” said DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May. “We have a big heart for our seniors and want to help them in any way that we can.” Other groups that provided information at Scam Jam included the Georgia Watch program, Division of Aging Services, WellCare Medicare, Jen Care, AARP, Metro Atlanta RSVP and the Senior and Law Enforcement Together Council. “My grandmother is 91 years old and our family or youngins’ as she calls us cherish her the same way we, as a family of county organizations, cherish

DeKalb’s seniors,” said DeKalb Solicitor-General Sherry Boston. “When we talk about scamming seniors, this is an issue that is important to all of us. We are here to let the seniors know that we want to take care of them the same way I would take care of my own grandmother.” Carol Matthews, 72, applauds those who put together the Scam Jam. “I think this was a great event,” said Matthews of Decatur. “It’s good to see with all the negative news out there about our county, so many groups coming together to represent the county in a good light and offer ways to help us.” Seniors were treated to live performances from two groups of line dancers: Beulah Boys and Ruth and the Highlighters. The seniors also participated in raffles for prizes and were given goodie bags. For more pictures by Joshua Smith, visit www.ocgnews.com/ facebook

BioLab Inc. in Conyers is hiring BioLab Inc. is hosting a job fair on Monday, June 15, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn at Stonecrest in Lithonia. They are seeking to fill 50 – 70 positions. The new jobs have been created as a result of the Conyers-based warehouse expanding its operations, according to the Conyers Economic Development Council The expansion

will require the leasing of 196,000 additional square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space on Lester Road. The company’s campus already covers about 52 acres in Rockdale County with 450,000 square feet of manufacturing and distribution space. BioLab is looking for machine operators, warehouse/ forklift operators,

material handlers, quality auditor and maintenance. The Conyers lab originally opened in 1973. BioLab is a world-wide provider of water treatment products for recreational uses and specialty household products in the United States. Products include pool and spa chemicals in powder, table, stick and liquid form.

at Reid, former chief operating officer of DeKalb County Schools, will not get a retrial. Instead, she will remain behind bars. DeKalb Superior Court Judge Gregory Adams denied Reid’s request on June 11. Reid, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for manipulating construction contracts, will continue to serve out her prison sentence, originally handed down in November 2013. “The evidence was more than sufficient to enable a rational trier of fact to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant was guilty of the crimes for which she was convicted,” Adams wrote in his decision. “The weight of the evidence was heavily in favor of the verdict.” Reid’s ex-husband and architect, Tony Pope, is serving 12 years for his role in the corruption scheme. Prosecutors said Reid funneled $1.4 million of work to Pope of which he received $150,000. Both, Reid and Pope, were released from prison last December after former Superior Court Judge Cynthia Becker said they had been convicted on testimony from Superintendent Crawford Lewis that wasn’t truthful. The Georgia Court of Appeals, however, overturned Becker’s decision and Adams ended up with the case because Becker retired. Adams ordered Reid and Pope back to prison last month. Adams said in his order that Reid might have been convicted anyway in spite of a retrial. “Even excluding the testimony of Dr. Lewis altogether, the evidence in the form of testimony, documents and emails is more than sufficient to sustain defendant’s convictions,” Adams wrote. Pope also is seeking an appeal, even though a deadline has passed. Judge Adams ordered him to appear in court on July 22. Lewis reached a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to a misdemeanor.

PAGE 2 •JUNE 13, 2015

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Rockdale Tax Commissioner RJ Hadley earns second NACO award

GENERAL MANAGER Glenn L. Morgan gmorgan1@ocgnews.com STAFF WRITER Joshua Smith joshsmith@ocgnews.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Richard S. Hill richardhill@ocgnews.com On Common Ground News is published weekly by On Common Ground, Inc. The newspaper serves DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Henry counties. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher or the newspaper’s advertisers. No portion of this newspaper may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. We reserve the right to reject material and advertisements we deem inappropriate. On Common Ground News

P.O. Box 904 Lithonia, GA 30058 (678) 526-1910 News 24/7 @ www.ocgnews.com

RJ Hadley

For the second consecutive year, Rockdale County Tax Commissioner RJ Hadley has received an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACO). Started in 1970, the awards program honors innovative, effective county government programs that enhance

services for residents. Hadley earned the 2015 award for his Green Project, which is focused on reducing the consumption of resources, eliminating waste and reducing spending through environmentally responsible practices. The initiative is the only environmental program in Georgia to receive the award this year. The Green Project is only the second Rockdale County program to win an Achievement Award. In 2014, Commissioner Hadley’s LAUNCH internship program was the first to be honored. “The Green Project aligns

with the Tax Office’s function of supporting Georgia’s Clean Air emissions standards. As an advocate for sustainable environmental practices, I am especially proud for our team to receive this recognition from NACO,” Commissioner Hadley said. Nationally, awards are given in 21 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, environmental protection, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.

“The National Association of Counties applauds county governments that are embracing innovative and more effective ways to serve their constituents,” said NACo President Riki Hokama, council member, Maui County, Hawaii. ”The Achievement Awards recognize counties’ outstanding efforts to strengthen services and deliver results for residents across the country.” The award will be presented at NACo’s 2015 Annual Conference and Exposition July 10–13 in Mecklenburg County, N.C.

DeKalb Commissioner Johnson sets crime prevention meeting

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson’s next round of Community Crime Prevention Workshops will make its way to the Southwest DeKalb area on June 18. Building stronger channels Larry Johnson of communication between neighborhood associations and the DeKalb County South Precinct Police De-

partment was the catalyst for the workshop series. Created under the theme “Seeking Solutions,” the workshops are dedicated to bringing community members together to discuss community challenges and find community-based solutions. Issues such as unemployment, human trafficking, youth engagement and academic achievement have all been explored through these community workshops. In total, over 200 community members have participated throughout District 3. Successful follow-up events have also resulted from the initial workshops. “Community collaboration is essential for the success of South DeKalb,” said

Commissioner Johnson. “I am thrilled that community and neighborhood associations, members of the clergy, police and more have come together for this impactful initiative.” The Southwest DeKalb-Area Community Crime Prevention workshop will take place on Thursday, June 18, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at Greenforest Community Baptist Church, 3250 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. The community workshop will focus on enhancing lines of communication between South Precinct police, Code Enforcement and the implementation of a youth mentorship program.

PAGE 4 •JUNE 13, 2015

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Special ELECTION Dekalb County Co

36 precincts get set for District 5 race

By Joshua Smith

The voting ballots have been prepared, the “I’m a Georgia Voter” peach stickers are ready to go and the voting machines are ready for delivery. Elections officials say DeKalb County’s District 5 voters have everything they need to elect their new commissioner for the Special Election on Tuesday, June 16. “The managers of each precinct will get everything ready at various times on Monday. We are delivering the voting units and other necessary supplies now through Monday,” said Maxine Daniels, director of DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections, Maxine Daniels. District 5 has 36 precincts, with New Birth Missionary Baptist Church as the district’s largest serving 5,487 registered voters. The Lithonia City Hall precinct has the smallest number of registered voters in District 5—1,233, Daniels said. The nearly 95,000 voters in District 5 have been crawling at a snail’s pace to cast their ballots during the early voting period. As of June 11, 300 people had voted early, Daniels said. That number compares to only 95 voters On Common Ground News reported as of June 4, a week earlier. Daniels said, however, she’s still not sure what kind of turnout to expect for the 10-way race on Election Day. “There are so many candidates in

As District 5 residents trickle in to the polls to elect their commissioner, voter registration staff say they are ready to help everyone to make their voices heard in the June 16 Special Election. this race. The last time I remember it being this congested of a race was when Eugene Walker ran for school board. There were 11 candidates in that race. When there are so many candidates like that, you can’t really predict anything.” The Special Election is an important one for the more than 140,000 residents who live in District 5. The district hasn’t had a commissioner

for nearly two years. Lee May was first elected to the seat in 2006 in a special election to fill the seat vacated by then Commissioner (now Congressman) Hank Johnson. May has since been elected twice to the seat. May vacated the position in July 2013 when Gov. Nathan Deal appointed him, as the presiding officer of the Board of Commissioners, to serve as

DeKalb’s Interim CEO after Burrell Ellis was suspended and went to trial to face corruption charges. Ellis is on trial again following a hung jury last October. Meanwhile, the 10 candidates running for the District 5 seat have been invited to at least 10 community forums hosted by various groups throughout the district. That position is not only

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JUNE 13, 2015 • PAGE 5

ommissioner District 5 June 16, 2015

Stomping for Votes

Paid for by the Commitee to Elect Gregory Adams

PAGE 6 •JUNE 13, 2015

District 5 continued from page 6

important for the residents who live people of District 5 want I the district but the board itself. The someone who will be held person elected will serve as the swing accountable and will be able to vote on a board that has been divided reach. I’m sure they’ll get an and deadlocked on several issues earful when they are elected to including electing a presiding officer the seat.” to run the meetings. The board should Still don’t know who have elected its presiding officer in you want to vote for? There January but hasn’t been able to agree are two forums left for you on who should serve. Maxine Daniels to hear out the candidates on Lithonia resident Lisa Estep, Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m. to who attended the June 9 candidates’ forum noon, This Is It Banquet Hall, 2853 Panola at the Stonecrest Library in Lithonia, said Road, Lithonia, hosted by the Women in she decided to cast her vote early—on June the DeKalb NAACP and at 7 p.m., in the 11 during her lunch break. Kerwin B. Lee Family life Center, 2197 “I voted for the person that I think Young Road, Stone Mountain, hosted by the will lead the district in the right direction. DeKalb Young Democrats. We have been through a lot with our board If you don’t know which voting of commissioners and our school board. precinct serves your community, visit www. Whoever wins will definitely have their dekalbvotes.com or call 404-298-4020. work cut out for them,” said Estep. “The

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Coming Up

tem, the remodeling project will be completed just in time for the new school year in August. Volunteers will be painting, landscaping and beautifying the grounds for Woodward’s 1,030 students and faculty and staff. No experience is needed to volunteer. Bi-lingual volunteers would be greatly appreciated because many of the parent volunteers are Hispanic. If you can’t volunteer, you can also donate paint, equipment, landscaping plants, or food for the volunteers. Volunteers will be needed throughout the two days of work and assigned shifts. 770-476-6409.

Screen on the Green at Bethesda Cathedral The Austin Drive Community Development, DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson and Bethesda Cathedral, 1989 Austin Drive, Decatur will host Family Fun Night on Friday, June 19, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Enjoy games, live entertainment, popcorn and take advantage of free health screenings provided by Amerigroup. The movie starts at dusk. For more information, call 404-289-3751.

GWINNETT

Historic Fourth Ward sets family Cycling Festival

tlanta’s Historic Fourth Ward will host the Atlanta Cycling Festival, which will be open to riders and skaters of all ages on Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., at the multi-use field located at 830 Willoughby Way, N.E. Hosted by the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, the festival will offer fun for the whole family. The festival will introduce cycling to newcomers and serve as a networking opportunity for experienced cyclists. Join the Living Walls Bicycle Tour, mobile bike repairs, bike demos, stunt performers, vendors, live performances, food trucks and games and prizes. At dusk, enjoy a bike-in movie where family-friendly flicks will be showing on a mega, inflatable screen. For more information, contact event organizer Sharanya Thummalapally at 347636-6749.

ATLANTA

Community Council, CAU host “Father-2-Son Round-Up” The Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. (CCMA) and Clark Atlanta University will host the Father-2-Son Round-Up on Saturday, June 20, 12:30 p.m., at the college’s Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson Student Center, 223 James P Brawley Drive, N.W., Atlanta. Organizers say the free event will provide an afternoon of male bonding, dialogue, healing and empowerment in celebration of fatherhood. Fathers and their adult or teen sons are invited to attend this free event. The Rev. Olu Brown will serve as keynote speaker. There will be several presentations and vendors with helpful information for fathers. There also will be a performance by comedian Larry “Coop” D. Veal. Reservations are required to attend. For more information, call 404-935-5859 or 404-221-1222 or register online: www.communitycouncilma.org.

DEKALB

Greater Lithonia Chamber to host social media coach Robin Ware Social media coach Robin Ware will be the guest speaker for the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon on Wednesday, June 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at This Is It Banquet Hall, 2853 Panola Road, Lithonia. Ware takes great pride in staying abreast of current trends and being a front runner when it comes to embracing technology and social media. Her agency works with clients to establish social media goals because she understands that not every platform is for everyone, no matter how popular it is. “We make smart use of time, using only social media platforms that make good sense for you,” Ware said. Those who attend the Chamber’s meeting should bring their laptop, iPad, or smart phone. This will be a working interactive lunch. To register for the event, visit www.greaterlithoniachamber.com http://www. greaterlithoniachamber.com/. Members attend the lunch for free with their annual membership of $200 and guests are $20 in advance and $30 at the door.

Woodward Elementary seeks makeover volunteers Woodward Elementary, 3034 Curtis Drive, N.E., Atlanta, is registering volunteers who would like to lend their talents to a remodeling project at the school on July 17 and July 18. Sponsored by the Georgia Credit Union and the DeKalb County School Sys-

Snellville library forum: Lessons on fatherhood The Gwinnett County Public Library System’s Snellville branch, 2470 Lenora Church Road, will host “Absent Father: Lost Generation,” on Tuesday, June 23, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. The forum topics include: “Fatherlessness is an epidemic in America,” and “The wake-up call for men all over the world to rise up and make their presence felt in the lives of their sons.” The discussion will be led by Jonathan C. Stafford, founder of God’s Posse Ministries, a male mentoring program for young men between the ages of 12 and 18. Stafford says he was raised without a father in his life and took that experience and combined it with 10 years of research on this epidemic and will share his results and opinions. For more information: 770-978-5154.

County pools to host Swim Safety Week Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation will host “Swim Safety Week” at its pools and aquatic centers June 29 – July 3. Familes are invited for free games, activities and prizes as they learn about water safety at the pool. Regular pool admission fees and pool rules apply. For more information or to check which pool or aquatic center is in your neighborhood, call 678-277-0880 or 678-407-0881.

ROCKDALE

“The Boxtrolls” family movie night in Conyers The City of Conyers will host an outdoor family movie night, June 13, 7 – 10 p.m. at the Olde Town Pavilion, 949 South Main Street, Conyers. The featured movie is a 2014 animated release, “The Boxtrolls.” The fantasy-comedy is based on the novel, Here Be Monsters! by Alan Snow. The film tells the story of “Eggs,” a human boy raised by trash-collecting trolls, as he attempts to save them from Archibald Snatcher, a pest exterminator. The film stars Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Ben Kingsley, Elle Fanning, Toni Collette, Jared Harris, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade and Tracy Morgan. Admission is at 7 p.m. and the movie starts at dark. Bring your chairs and blankets to enjoy the outdoor movie with your friends and family. You can bring your own meal and snacks or buy from vendors. For more information, call 770-602-2606.

PAGE 8 •JUNE 13, 2015

Conyers Police offers Junior Academy The Conyers Police Department (CPD) is offering an educational opportunity and glimpse into the world of law enforcement for young people ages 14-17. The Junior Police Academy will be held July 6 – 17, culminating with graduation on Saturday, July 18. The daily sessions are 5 - 8 p.m. and take place at the Conyers Police Department training room, 1194 Scott St., Conyers. There is no cost for students to participate in the Junior Police Academy. The academy is limited to the first 20 applicants who meet requirements. You do not have to be a resident of Rockdale County. “We hope that the law enforcement field is one that continues to fascinate young people,” said Police Chief Gene Wilson. “The knowledge they can soak up firsthand from our officers, Explorer Unit and Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) may be the key to introducing them to a career in law enforcement.” Academy participants will have contact with the various divisions of the Conyers Police Department, learn about gang violence, bullying, teen traffic laws, and master fingerprint techniques. The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office will assist with a tour of the Rockdale County Jail. For more information, contact Sgt. Peggy Franklin at 678-3745603. Applications are available on the Conyers Police Department website at www.conyerspolice.com.

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Public invited to proposed mountain bike trails discussion The Rockdale County Department of Recreation and Maintenance, along with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) Atlanta, are hosting a public meeting to discuss developing recreational mountain bike trails at South Rockdale Community Park and the DeCastro Property. The meeting will be held during the Recreation SPLOST Subcommittee meeting on June 15, 6 p.m., at the Johnson Park Recreation Center, 1781 Ebenezer Road S.W., Conyers. Representatives from IMBA and SORBA Atlanta will present a conceptual trail plan that includes a comprehensive 10-mile mountain

bike system with beginner, intermediate and advanced trails. In 2014, the two associations entered into a memorandum of understanding with the county to work together to develop the trails. The South Rockdale Community Park has become a destination for road and recreational bicyclists with the Rockdale River Trail completion. Citizens are encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback at the upcoming meeting. No RSVP is required. To learn more about SORBA Atlanta, visit www.sorbaatlanta.org. To learn more about IMBA, visit www.imba.com. For more information or general questions about the meeting, contact Marilu Montalvo at 770-278-7282 or marilu.montalvo@rockdalecounty.org.

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Princesses For A Day

Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG News

Little girls get glammed up at Stonecrest Library event By Joshua Smith Glitter, glue and tons of glam. That’s what two dozen little girls, ages 5 – 10, used to get a taste of the royal life during the Stonecrest Library branch’s “Princess Camp” on June 9. Girls who attended the hourlong event visited four “stations” where they made bracelets, nontoxic lip gloss out of Vaseline and Kool-Aid powder, scepters and, of course, their very own princess crowns. “Today is all about being fabulous and we have some creative minds at work here. Today was great because everyone shared and followed directions. These little ladies know what being fabulous is all about,” said Glenda Zachary,

who, as the branch’s children’s librarian, planned the free event. “We all had fun. What’s a princess without her crown? I hope they all know they are special and are all princesses in our eyes.” The girls learned the importance of time management. They only had a few minutes at each station. And they learned patience, sharing and building friendships. Friends of the Stonecrest Library funded the supplies for the Princess Camp, which allowed participants on a first-come, firstserved basis. All of the girls left the library with their royal creations, a tasty ring pop and some new friends. Some girls came dressed in their favorite princess character,

such as Elsa from the Disney animated hit, “Frozen.” “My daughter is already talking about her new friends and offering up our house for slumber parties. These kids are something else,” said Diane Eaton of Lithonia. “But it’s all in good fun. When school is out, if they don’t go to a summer camp, a lot of the kids don’t get the same interaction with their peers like they do during school so these kinds of programs are critical when it comes to development over the summer.” The DeKalb County Public Library is hosting a variety of children’s events throughout the summer at its community branches. Visit http://www.dekalblibrary.org. For more photos of this event, visit www.ocgnews.com/facebook.

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We Worship

Springfield Baptist registering for summit for black males Springfield Baptist Church, 1877 Iris Drive, Conyers, will host several events this month to engage, educate and empower the community. On Saturday, June 20, the church will host “Man Talk II,” 8:30 a.m. – noon. The open dialogue session will focus on black males and the criminal justice system. Men of all ages are invited to learn more about clergy, lawyers and other professionals within the legal system. Advance registration online may be made at: www.sbclive.org. The church’s Vacation Bible School for all ages will be held June 22-26, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Under the theme, “It’s a Trip You Don’t Want to Miss,” the entire family will enjoy creative bible teachings, games, food, fellowship, singing and other activities. Adults, teens and children are encouraged to register for the program. All children must be at least 4 years old to participate. Please include any food allergies, special needs or any other pertinent medical information for your children when you register. For more information or to register, call 770-929-1111 or visit the church’s web site.

Crawfordsville Baptist set for Men’s Day Crawfordsville Baptist Church, 2360 Lake Rockaway Road, N.W., Conyers will host a Men’s Day Celebration on Sunday, June 14, 3 p.m. The congregation’s men will greet everyone, sing and serve as guest speakers for the special celebration. The program is open to men and women in the community looking to have a good time praising the Lord. 770-922-8711.

Lawrenceville Road UMC sets free concert series Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church, 3142 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker will kick off its summer concert series on June 28. All concerts will be held at 7 p.m. On June 28, the “Sons of Grace” and the “Southern Gospel Quartet” from Tucker First UMC will perform; on July 12, Rodger French, renowned accordionist and raconteur of Argentina, will perform; on July 16, Tom Hill and the “Midnight Suns” will perform; on Aug. 26, Elena Dorozhkina and Yulia Valadskia will perform on the hand piano and vocals. The two are from Russia. From July 13 – 16, the church will also be offering a free class, “You, Too, Can Sing…Oh, Yes, You Can!” For more information, call 770-856-1377.

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