APRIL 2018: Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Monthly Magazine

APRIL 2018 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Grayson Dacula Loganville Lawrenceville

Meet the team at Fratelli’s Pizza NY Style, see story on page 5.

9 10 13 16

Parkwood Farms: Where Everybody is Somebody Special Community Spotlight: Kindness Rocks at Lovin Elementary School One on One with Archer High School PTSA Getting Schooled: Trip Elementary’s French Dual Language Immersion

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On the Cover: Getting to Know Fratelli’s

By Daidra Annis Good food brings people together, and for the last four and a half years, Fratelli’s Pizzeria and Restaurant has done just that for the folks of Snellville and the surrounding community.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Danny Gomez and Doris Zaino joined together to open Fratelli’s Pizza on Main Street in Snellville in 2013. Here they serve freshly made Italian favorites for customers who have quickly become friends.

Regulars travel from as far as Cumming and Alpharetta, and Danny and Doris know what they like and are happy to accommodate special requests from their guests.

From the day it opened, Fratelli’s was to be a neighborhood place, where guests could experience fine dining in a more affordable pizzeria environment. Pasta, Wings, Salads, Subs, and even Seafood are offered, along with their authentic New York style pizza. As Danny says, “We know how to cook.” Food quality is important, and Chef Danny relies on high quality ingredients to present the freshest flavors in his food. All sauces and dressings are made from scratch, and they offer healthy menu options that include Gluten-Free pastas & dough. Toppings are made-to-order in-house, so everything is fresh.

The restaurant business is not an easy one, but Danny and Doris have overcome more than most new restauranteurs since opening the doors of Fratelli’s. The first two years were challenging to say the least. In addition to figuring out how to make their own mark in the community, the business partners had to overcome the unfavorable reputation of their building, which had housed several previously unsuccessful restaurants. But the customers embraced them, and after two years, they finally overcame those perceptions. Fratelli’s has even earned “Best of

Our Town

Gwinnett” distinctions for the past three years, an accolade that Danny and Doris both attribute to their wonderful customers.

About half of these patrons hail from New York, another 25% are from “up north,” and the remaining 25% are from the Atlanta area.

Danny and Doris are not new to the food business. Danny worked alongside his father in an Italian restaurant when he was a teenager. Doris married into a cooking family, and first learned to cook in her mother-inlaw’s kitchen. She had her own business prior to joining Danny in the opening of Fratelli’s.

With a goal to become part of their neighborhood, they have been active supporters of Spirit Nights and sponsorships with local schools in both the Brookwood and South Gwinnett Clusters, as well as Magill Elementary and Couch Middle School.

Today, Danny and Doris are proud of the hard work that has led to their current success, and they are very thankful for the continued support of their customers. They are looking forward to serving them for many more years from a new location that opened this month just three miles away. The new restaurant, which features a full bar and a private room that can accommodate 50 – 70 guests, came about from the hard work of their staff, great recipes, and, of course, the customers who have supported them since opening day. A Grand Opening is planned for some time later this month, when they will celebrate not just

the re-opening of Fratelli’s, but the whole retail complex where they are located at 1711 Athens Highway, within the Snellville city limits. Fratelli’s will continue to offer catering services, in addition to hosting private parties and special occasions. They look forward to continuing to build even more relationships with their new neighbors.

More information at 470.375.4701 or http://www.fratellispizzany.com/

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Our Town

Happy Birthday to You!

Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

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Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultZ.com Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultZ.com Editor Catherine L. Osornio Cover Photographer Amadorphoto Distribution Coordinator DeeDee Chapman Feature Writers Daidra Annis Heidi Campbell Kim Hill Maple Johnson Amy Ney J. Rice Joanna Shackelford Contributing Writers Bill Crane Terie Hansen Brooklynne Hart Shannon Hayes Wesley Spake Tanisha Turner Pam Walker Jocelyn Wykoff

Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett/Walton area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.

Entire contents copyright 2018 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

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IN THIS ISSUE 5 7 8 9 10 10 12 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21

On the Cover: Getting to Know Fratelli’s Publisher Video: One Man’s Opinion Gwinnett Humane Society’s 25th Annual PAWfest Parkwood Farms Therapy Center: Where Everybody is Somebody Special Learning Lessons: Simple Ways to Teach Preschoolers about Weather Community Spotlight: Kindness Rocks at Lovin Elementary School Community Talk: Snellville Days Festival Making a Difference: BenchMark Gives Back One on One with Archer High School PTSA From the Cotton Fields to the Boardroom – Still a Soldier Mental Health Support Group Offers Community “Fresh Hope” Getting Schooled: Trip Elementary’s French Dual Language Immersion Travel Tales: Amazing Awasi at Iguazu Falls Crane’s Corner: We Get What We Pay For Pet Perch: Raising a Well-Mannered Dog The Balancing Act

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Gwinnett Humane Society’s 25th Annual PAWfest

By J. Rice Gwinnett Humane Society (GHS) is about to host their 25th annual PAWfest celebration, Saturday, May 19th at Briscoe Park in Snellville.

Designed to raise community awareness about GHS as well as pet-related issues, this year’s event promises to be their biggest and best yet. For longtime volunteer Cori Koleszar, it’s one of the highlights of the year for GHS. “My favorite part of PAWfest each year is seeing all the families who come out to enjoy the day with their whole family – furry members included,” Koleszar says. “There are not many festivals or events where your dog is not only welcomed, but actually encouraged to come.”

There are endless things to see and do at PAWfest, whether you want to actively participate or just be a casual observer. GHS estimates 1,500 people attended last year’s event, and they expect to surpass that number this year.

“We have so many different things to do at PAWfest, from our 2-mile Pack Hike to our Dog Contests, Doggie Fashion show, Lure Chasing with Bad Ferret, vendors, silent auction, food, and just plain fun,” Koleszar attests. “If you’ve never seen Lure Chasing, you need to come out. It’s hilarious to see all the different dogs chase a lure around a ring in an attempt to catch it. Plus, admission to PAWfest is always free, so we encourage all pet owners to come out with the whole family to enjoy the day!”

Koleszar is one of many faithful volunteers who are vital to GHS’s success. “It’s hard for me to believe, but I’ve been volunteering with GHS for over fifteen years,” she states. “Like most of our volunteers, I started because I’ve always loved animals. I was the kid/teenager who would stop in the middle of the street to rescue a stray kitten or take treats to homeless dogs. Now, I am able to combine my passion for animals and my professional skills as a project manager to help GHS with event planning and fundraising.”

Koleszar continues, “The most gratifying part of volunteering is when you know a pet is going to a perfect home for them. We work really hard to match the right pet with the right family, and it’s so wonderful to see when all the hard work pays off. Several of our volunteers get updates on a regular basis from our adopters about how their pets are doing. My favorite thing is visits from pets we have placed in a new home, whether it’s at PAWfest, another GHS event, or just stopping in our adoption center. It’s so heartwarming to see how happy our ‘fur babies’ are with their families.”

The whole idea behind PAWfest is to let the public know about the GHS and its services, and to raise funds to continue those services. Koleszar emphasizes that the Gwinnett Humane Society is a volunteer-based organization, and they do not operate a shelter, nor do they receive any county, state, or federal funding to support their animals or any of their programs.

“For the past thirty-eight years, we have relied on wonderful foster homes to temporarily provide a place for pets to stay until they find their new forever homes,” Koleszar explains. “Our foster families are THE most critical part of our operation. It can be a tough job, but there is nothing more rewarding than finding a perfect home for a foster pet. When all our foster homes are full, we are also happy to offer our Owner Sponsor program, where we work with the family who needs to ‘re-home’ their pet by allowing them to act as the pet’s foster home until he/she is adopted or a regular foster home is available.”

Koleszar adds, “We also offer a monthly low cost vaccine clinic at our Sugarloaf Adoption Center to help the community with a low cost option to keep their pets healthy.”

More information at pawfest.com.

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Our Town

Parkwood Farms Therapy Center

By Joanna Shackelford At 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning, Dr. Marilyn Peterson rises before the sun. She gets dressed, then heads out to the barn to ready her horses for the riding lessons of the day. Her property, located less than a mile off Stone Mountain Highway on Parkwood Road, stretches across nine acres of well-trodden woods. On the horse trails and around her two arenas, she and her 8-10 volunteers assist students to ride. To any passerby, it appears to be just like any typical equestrian center. But Peterson’s farm is anything but typical.

Parkwood Farms is a therapy center, providing equine assisted activities and therapeutic riding lessons to children and adults with special needs. Peterson and her staff provide lasting intervention to people with a range of physical, cognitive, developmental, and emotional disabilities.

Although her riders have special needs, Peterson says she teaches them exercises and skills the same as she would anyone else. “I believe anyone can ride independently,” she explains. “I never teach to their disability. I look for their ability and work off that.”

Many of her riders practice following 2-3 step directions while on the horse, and work on body position that strengthens the core. These activities, among others, promote focused attention and increase learning ability that “can translate into life skills,” says Peterson.

Dr. Peterson, or “Doc,” bought the Snellville property after witnessing first-hand the power of equine therapy for her own son. “As soon as my son started with it, everything seemed to click for him,” she recalls. Growing up with horses herself, Peterson knew she could offer the same experience for others. Nearly sixteen years later, her facility has impacted hundreds of lives.

One rider in particular arrived early to his 8 a.m. Sunday morning lesson. His mother brought a platter full of sausage biscuits and cinnamon rolls for the volunteers, while his dad kept company outside the arena with other waiting parents. They’ve been doing this for eleven years now, watching their son progress under the watchful eye of Dr. Peterson. The student sat proudly astride his horse, led by a volunteer, and headed to the bigger arena to practice trotting. Other riders, some as young as 2 years old, sauntered with their horse and volunteer to the trails, while their parents casually chatted among themselves. It’s obvious the atmosphere here is one of family and warmth.

“We saw a 180-degree change in our son,” one mother says after her child, now seven years old, began riding at Parkwood Farms. “Before, he wouldn’t talk and had sensory issues. Once he started riding, after the third time, he began speaking. He’s no longer so easily frustrated and is able to sleep better.”

The riders at Parkwood Farms gain muscle control, coordination, and improved balance, but what keeps them coming back is not just these important physical improvements. Another mother speaks of her son’s increased confidence and love of animals as a result from riding. “He seems to have a conversation with the horse when he rides,” she says. “It has helped to bring him out of his shell.”

Peterson’s riders also experience important social interaction, especially through their involvement in the annual Special Olympics of Georgia State Horseshow. About ¼ of her riders participate in the events. This year her athletes came away with fourteen gold, nine silver, and six bronze medals. “The team aspect in the Special Olympics is huge,” says Peterson. She refers to pictures of the athletes from this year’s events, pointing to their proud smiles as they hug, pat each other on the back, and highContinued on page 21

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PAGE 9

Learning Lessons: Simple Ways to Teach Preschoolers about Weather

Kindness Rocks at Lovin Elementary School

By Tanisha Turner

When walking into Lovin Elementary School, you instantly feel the sense of family, community, and kindness. A PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Support) school, Lovin uses a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture needed for all students to achieve social, emotional, and academic success. The students are also TIGERS, and they practice T.I.G.E.R. Traits, which stand for Trust, Integrity, Growth, Effort, and Respect. These traits are practiced throughout every school in the Archer cluster. At Lovin, kindness is practiced every day, so the school is always looking for new ways to spread kindness throughout the school and community.

Kindness Rocks is the latest project students are participating in. It began with a small collaboration between two first grade classes on the 100th day of school. Mrs. Arias’ and Mrs. Coleman’s first grade classes painted 100 rocks for 100 acts of kindness for the 100th Day of School. That same week, second and third grade Eco-Heroes (Lovin’s Environmental Club) started an environmental kindness project in their after school program.

These groups joined to create a beautiful garden of hand painted rocks with encouraging words as Be Happy, Stay Strong, Be the Best You, You Can Do It, Reach for the Stars, Follow Your Dreams, and Care for Others.

Students at Lovin may go to the Kindness Rocks Garden (which is located in a corner of the STEAM Garden) and choose a rock for inspiration, or they may share a rock with a friend who might need some uplifting words. They may even leave a rock if they have painted one on their own.

This project has ignited enthusiasm and the mission to spread kindness across grade levels. Other classes are planning to paint their own rocks to add to the garden so kindness can grow and impact those who may need a kind word or message to brighten their day.

More information at http://lovines.org/home.html or http://thekindnessrocksproject.com/

By Our Town Staff

If you have a preschooler in your family, chances are you’ve been asked about the weather – why does it rain? What is thunder? Why does it get cold in the winter and hot in the summer? It’s easy to offer children the simplest explanations possible when it comes to these questions, but the concept of weather is a perfect topic to explore with little ones, and it lends itself to lots of family fun!

Children learn best when they can see, touch, smell, hear, and even taste something. Weather is full of sensory experiences for children to explore, like the feeling of rain on their skin, the sound of wind in the trees, or the changing colors and textures of leaves in the fall. Because of this, it is easier to create meaningful learning experiences around weather.

Following are some ideas to take learning about weather to the next level for your little scientist: • At Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway, each day begins with students peeking out the window to observe the weather. Then they discuss what they see with their teachers. Make this a daily ritual at your home. Ask your child questions to encourage observation: Is it sunny or raining? Is it foggy or clear? If it’s windy, talk about how you’ll need a coat before going outdoors, or if it’s sunny, point out that your child might need a hat. By learning how the weather relates to them, children begin to understand it better.

• Read all about it. Books can help open your child’s eyes to many different aspects of weather, especially if you live in an area of the country that doesn’t regularly experience certain weather conditions like snow, or doesn’t have distinct changes in the weather each season. Try Clifford and the Big Storm by Norman Bidwell, Mouse’s First Snow by Lauren Thompson, Like a Windy Day by Frank Asch & Devin Asch, or Little Cloud by Eric Carle.

• Make it fun. Do a weather-related art activity together like creating a tornado in a bottle (you can find instructions on the internet) or making a rainy day picture using cotton balls for clouds, small paper cut-outs for rain drops, and aluminum foil for lightning and puddles. Have your child make up a rainy day story to go along with the picture.

• Teach weather safety. As you explore weather with your child, take the opportunity to explain the Continued on page 18

PAGE 10 OTG 1/2h 4C 2018-04 To become an Our PS0202 MECH APR-WORRY FREE.indd 1 Town advertising partner email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049

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PAGE 11

Conservative Spine & Joint Center Interventional Pain Management

Annua h t l 45

Community Talk: Snellville Days Festival Our Town Staff

May 5 & 6

At the Conservative Spine & Joint Center At the Conservative Spine & Joint we strive to provide a conservative, Center we strive to providetoa help you with comprehensive program conservative, comprehensive all musculoskeletal problems including: program to help you with all v back and neck pain v joint pain musculoskeletal problems v muscles including: v pinch Ruben Diaz, M.D. -back andnerves neck pain Interventional Physiatrist v tendons and nerve problems -joint pain Board Certified in PM&R v numbness on hands and legs Board Certified in Pain Medicine -muscles Ruben Diaz, M.D. goal is to help you minimize pain -pinch“Our nerves “Our goal is to help you minimize pain Interventional Physiatrist and the need for chronic pain medications, -tendons and nerve problems and the need for Certified chronic in pain Board PM&R avoid unnecessary surgeries, increase your medications, avoid unnecessary -numbness hands andyour legsquality of life.” functionon and improve Board Certified in Pain Medicine

This May 5th and 6th, the Snellville Days Festival is returning to T.W. Briscoe Park. Crowds of more than 30,000 are expected to pack the two day arts and crafts festival to enjoy a glimpse of the diverse talents of local artisans and entertainers.

Delicious and diverse food options will be available from local civic and non-profit organizations that will be serving up everything from barbeque, hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, to peanuts and popcorn. Come hungry!

Some of the best local entertainment will fill the stage near the food court all day Saturday and Sunday for your listening and viewing pleasure. Wolves of the World are new this year, and they will be presenting the mystical, enigmatic wolf – a whole pack in fact – who will perform right before your eyes. The show even features a hero wolf that saves a young girl from drowning, showing that wolves can be intelligent and empathetic animals.

Also debuting this year is Wildlife Wendy. Wendy and her tropical birds provide an up close and personal encounter with the most entertaining species of the bird world. Audiences are instantly intrigued by the majestic macaws as they present incredible physical abilities along with their vivacious personalities! Roaming the grounds will be a spectacular site – Robocars. Robocars are a unique and fun range of brightly colored, life-sized, transforming Robot vehicles. Operator driven, they walk and drive, creating endless excitement and photo opportunities for the whole family.

Don’t miss the Walking TreeMan and Cowboy Woody. Barely distinguishable from real trees, Walking TreeMan moves slowly and deliberately down the street, and can be seen from 150 yards away! Keep your eyes peeled also for someone dressed as Woody from Toy Story – only he’s 10 feet tall performing lasso tricks!

The crowds are sure to be big on Saturday, so the use of the free shuttle from Snellville First Baptist Church – that will run from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. – is strongly recommended. There will be no shuttle service on Sunday.

Beautiful T.W. Briscoe Park is located at 2500 Sawyer Parkway in Snellville. The hours of the festival are Saturday, May 5th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, May 6th, from noon to 5 p.m.

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At BenchMark Physical Therapy, our clinics may span 3,000 miles – from Seattle to St. Simon’s Island – but each clinic in between shares one common goal: to give back to the community.

BenchMark created the Beyond the Mark initiative to reach outside our clinic walls and serve the community in the areas of health, hunger, and homelessness. Since the creation of Beyond the Mark, BenchMark has raised over half a million dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the American Heart Association.

In 2016, after the daughter of one of our regional directors won her battle with leukemia, BenchMark took the stage to support the family and to fight back by partnering with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for a year-long campaign. We hoped to raise $75,000, but our communities and clinics blew us out of the water by raising over $225,000!

In 2017, BenchMark’s 300+ clinics kept that same momentum. We banded together to make an aggressive goal for ourselves: $300,000 for the American Heart Association for research and awareness.

Following in the footsteps of our leadership team, who kicked off the campaign by donating more than $24,000, the clinics went to work. Each clinic planned, advertised, and raised money by hosting fundraisers in their local areas. Fundraisers included bake sales, pie-in-the-face contests, yard sales, and selling t-shirts and pedometers. In the end, we reached our goal and raised $300,962!

Furthermore, the second part of the initiative was to improve the company’s health as well as spread awareness to our communities. “Healthy for Good” is AHA’s movement focusing on eating smart, adding color, moving more, and living well. BenchMark hosted a company-wide step-contest that brought some healthy competition with it.

In 2018, we hope to support another worthy cause and that you will come alongside us, too. It is amazing what a company can do by going beyond the walls of a clinic with a shared interest and a common goal.

Wesley Spake, PT, DPT, OCS, is an Area Director for BenchMark Physical Therapy. More information at benchmarkpt.com.

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One on One with Archer High School PTSA Free Shuttles In comparison to the surrounding schools, Archer Saturday

By Amy Ney

High School (AHS) is relatively new. Located at 2255 New Hope Road in Lawrenceville, the school was founded in 2009. PTSA Co-President Joy Nails chuckles, “I’ve been here since the beginning!”

Nails jumped on board with the PTSA as treasurer in 2014 and has served continuously ever since. “We may be small,” she says, “but I truly believe our impact is huge. Currently, my co-president Allison Clark and I are working on four or five more events before school ends.” In February, the PTSA hosted the Second Annual HBCU College Fair in honor of Black History Month. This event was initiated by a group of student leaders. Nails explains, “During the past two years, our PTSA board has supported student-driven projects that are run by student leaders. The students get an idea and approach us with it. The PTSA empowers the student leaders to take the steps necessary to realize their vision and bring it to life. The students totally take the wheel and we supervise.” In March, the PTSA hosted the Little Miss and Miss Archer Scholarship Pageant, April brings the student-initiated Archer Has Talent show, and in May, there will be a Senior Baccalaureate Service. “There is mention of us putting on a health fair in partnership with our AHS Athletic Department,” Nails adds, “and a possibility that we will put on a Mr. Archer Pageant.”

For most, that schedule would be a full-time commitment; however, Nails also works as a Nursing Clinical Workflow Consultant, is a member of the African-American Professional Association for Kaiser Permanente of Georgia, serves as the president for the Health Ministry of her church, and runs her own business, Joyful Memories LLC. “I also recently enrolled in a Masters Program to further my education in nursing.”

Supporting and motivating Nails in her passion for Archer is her faith and family. “I am a child of God, a wife of twenty-one years to my husband, Randy, and mother to three wonderful sons, Randy Jr., Jeremiah, and Matthew. We recently lost our little Angel “Major Luke Nails” who was born at 22 weeks, too early for this earth.”

Nails shares that Archer would welcome more parental involvement. “Sadly at the high school level, you don’t get a lot of parental involvement,” she relates. “Kids begin driving themselves to school and parents stop coming to the school.” Archer parents may not realize they are still needed at the high school level. The benefits aren’t just short term or just to benefit the school. Student leaders with the Archer High School PTSA are learning lifetime values.

The support of Principal Ken Johnson has been key when it comes to student-driven events. “He has met with these student leaders one-on-one and cuts cost or makes donations if they don’t have the dollar amount in their committee’s budget,” Nails states. “Overall, the student leaders learn to be team players, to be organized, to be creative, to be leaders, and to execute their plans. This will have a major impact on them as they move on in life. They are learning skills that they can take to college and into their adult life.”

Nails’ work is primarily with the students. “These kids are brilliant,” she says. “There are several perks with the student driven projects. The student leaders get their peers involved, which helps us with student involvement. As much as we advertise as a board, we get much more participation when the students promote it.”

There is a board of directors that consists of committee chairs, and every year there are positions left unfilled. Nails shares, “My hope is parents in the cluster will know we still need them. Your students may need space, but you can still be involved in other ways. Please join us!”

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PAGE 14

The best thing about writing a book, aside from the very moment the manuscript is finished, is when someone tells you they actually READ the book and liked it. Or better yet, LOVED it!

That’s how it has been for LC Johnson and Beth Volpert Johansen. The Gwinnett County authors have co-written LC’s memoirs, which literally take the reader from the cotton fields of southern Mississippi to the boardrooms of some of the most influential entities in Gwinnett County. The book has been well-received among readers worldwide. With considerable praise for the first edition, LC and Beth are ramping up for a revised edition and the public appearances that accompany a book on the rise.

The story is compelling enough to have garnered a readership, and has been a book club feature as well as a tool for Gwinnett County Public Schools Community Based Mentoring Program. But, the real question is...How did LC change his life? The answer? One conversation at a time.

“As a kid growing up in a small town, I learned early to listen up to my elders because they knew some things I might want to know,” says LC. “Probably the most important advice that came to me was from my math teacher, who told me I might want to get myself out of the South while all this Civil Rights noise was starting to rumble.” With that advice, LC boarded a bus from Flora to Jackson where he entered the United States Air Force. That bus ride, while not as historic as those of civil rights activists in the day, did change the entire course of LC’s life.

After twenty-three years in the United States Air Force, LC found his way into the world of education. “Eventually, I met Dr. Rudy Crew, and together we made some really profound changes to the tough schools in Sacramento, Tacoma, and New York City,” recalls LC. “How we did it is all in the book, and it’s getting a lot of attention.”

Following his educational career, LC and his wife, Gracie, retired to the area of Gwinnett County that would eventually become the city of Peachtree Corners. As is LC’s way, he began conversations everywhere he went, and soon found himself on the board of the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association (UPCCA). At the urging of his newest friend, Lynnette Howard, LC played a part in the processes that helped form Peachtree Corners.

LC’s involvement in UPCCA paved a pathway to service through his favorite means – conversation. “I have found that so many things can get done on the simplest level if people will just start a conversation,” says LC. “It’s how I got on the boards I serve on today.” Those appointments include service to Gwinnett County’s government, hospital system, Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, and the Tuskegee Airmen – just to name a few. “There is so much work to be done and we have to get beyond our differences,” says LC. “Starting a conversation is one powerful way to get things done.”

A simple conversation is exactly how LC and Beth connected and began the process of writing a book. That book has gathered reviews from college professors, the Georgia Historical Society, and several happy Amazon customers. Now as they prepare the second edition, LC and Beth are working on public appearances for book signings and talks. “Over the years, I have met, interviewed, and told the stories of hundreds of amazing people,” says Beth. “LC’s story was so compelling that I couldn’t help but get involved in the writing.”

LC’s journey from the cotton fields of civil rights era southern Mississippi to some of the most influential board rooms of Georgia shows what can happen by starting a simple conversation.

Connect with LC and Beth on Facebook at LC Johnson, Still A Soldier. The book is available on Amazon.

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Mental Health Support Group Offers Community “Fresh Hope”

By Heidi Campbell “You are not alone.”

These words represent the very essence of the Fresh Hope for Mental Health Ministry, a national program that serves adults with mental illnesses as well as their families and loved ones. One year ago, Don Anderson founded the first Georgia chapter of Fresh Hope at Parkview Church, located at 4875 Lilburn Stone Mountain Road in Lilburn. The faith-based group meets on Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., and welcomes people from all denominations. “My driving force in starting this,” shares Anderson, who is a full time recruiter, “came from realizing how little help there was for a family member who suffered from bipolar disorder. I did some research, found Fresh Hope, and brought it to the church elders as a way to serve our community. They approved it, and we got the program started. We now provide a place for people to share their pain, and there’s a great catharsis there. It’s amazing.”

Mental illness is more prevalent than many might realize. In a recent Newsweek article, Victoria Bekiempis wrote, “Every year, about 42.5 million American adults (or 18.2 percent of the total adult population in the United States) suffers from some mental illness, enduring conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.” The available support services for the staggering number of people with mental illness are extremely limited. Anderson, currently the group leader at the Lilburn Fresh Hope meetings, believes that nearly 100% of people “know someone – either a family member, close friend, neighbor, or co-worker – who has a mental health concern.”

Fresh Hope for Mental Health is a unique, confidential program that focuses on providing opportunities for people to connect with one another. The ministry in itself can benefit attendees, or it can work in conjunction with numerous other programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Family Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, and other 12-step and addiction programs. While it does not replace professional treatment or counseling, Fresh Hope does provide powerful support for a person’s overall wellness program. It serves people with a wide range of mental illnesses including depression, anxiety and panic disorders, bipolar, ADD Schizo-affective Disorder, Schizophrenia, PTSD, OCD, and other diagnosable conditions. “Fresh Hope is founded on the belief that it is possible to live well in spite of having mental health challenges because of the hope found in Christ,” explains Anderson. “No matter how one feels, it is possible to still have hope because of Christ.”

The Thursday night meetings begin with a large group of up to fifteen people gathering to review the tenets of the program and announce the evening’s topic, which might include subjects like self-esteem, getting the most out of therapy, toxic relationships, or overcoming loneliness. The group then breaks into a smaller group setting in order to discuss the topics. Anderson assures that attendees know it is a safe place to share, and they “also know that they are not pressured to share anything that they are not ready to share.”

Admission to the Fresh Hope meetings is not only free, but there is also no need to register ahead of time. The Parkview Church members donate meals and help with childcare, which makes it convenient for those coming straight from work. “We can’t thank Parkview Church members enough,” says Anderson, “for volunteering to provide food and childcare through their own expense and time every single week.”

Anderson is glad to be part of the first Fresh Hope Chapter in the state of Georgia, but he sees a need to have active chapters in other locations. “We had people driving from 30-40 miles away to attend our meetings. Unfortunately, to make the drive every week is too much for them,” explains Anderson. “Because the need is so great, we would like to see chapters in numerous churches in every city.”

Anderson is eager to help other churches start up programs, and is willing to help begin the process and answer questions. The Fresh Hope organization provides excellent training and support materials to make the process seamless. He is also hoping that a larger church with an active teenage population would consider starting up the Fresh Hope for Teens. “These programs are just so important,” says Anderson. “There is no judgement. We welcome those that have mental illness and those that love someone with a mental illness, and we let them know that they are not alone.”

More information at www.facebook.com/freshhopelilburn or www.parkviewchurch.net/freshhope .

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Getting Schooled: Trip Elementary’s French Dual Language Immersion

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When you walk down the hall at Trip Elementary in Grayson, do not be surprised if you are greeted by a brighteyed kindergartener with a cheerful, “Bonjour. Comment ça va?” You may not know how to respond to this question, but you will probably recognize the language as French. Trip is home to Gwinnett County’s only French Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program with approximately 180 students enrolled in kindergarten through 3rd grade.

Jon Valentine, the director of World Languages with Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), pioneered the effort to bring dual language immersion to Georgia’s largest school system. Trip seemed to be the perfect fit for this innovative, educational opportunity. Dr. Virin Vedder, the GCPS Instructional Specialist for World Languages, was at the time the assistant principal of Trip and a former middle school French teacher. Shannon Hayes, the DLI Kindergarten French teacher, was already on staff with certifications in French and Early Childhood Education. In August of 2014, Trip Elementary began the first day of school, welcoming its first class of 52 kindergarteners to the French DLI Program.

The DLI Program is a 50-50 model that allows students to spend half their day learning in English and half in French. For example, a class of students spends the morning as a regular class, engaged in learning activities generated by the GCPS Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum for reading, writing, and social studies. During the second part of the day, the students transition to the French teacher to study mathematics and science, in addition to studying French Literacy. French speaking teachers are partnered with English language teachers, and as a team, they plan and collaborate. The extensive professional development offered by the county enables them to provide quality instruction and support for their students and consistent communication with parents.

The majority of students enrolled in the program are native speakers of English; less than 5% of students enrolled come from homes where French is the predominant language. Many students in the program are native speakers of Spanish.

DLI students at Trip are naturally acquiring the language and becoming bilingual through the Continued on page 21

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Travel Tales: Amazing Awasi at Iguazu Falls

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PAGE 17

Crane’s Corner: We Get What We Pay For

By Bill Crane Secrets are hard to keep under Georgia’s Gold Dome. That is particularly true when the General Assembly is in session. Word has been swirling for several weeks that prior to the scheduled end of this legislative season, and likely on the final day just prior to the call of Sine Die, our legislators will vote themselves a pay increase exceeding 70 percent, buried somewhere in the detail of the budget of the next fiscal year. Though I oppose this path and method to the increase, I fully support this pay hike, or perhaps one even larger. And though I may be far in the minority in holding this sentiment, my logic is very simple. We get what we pay for.

Other than leadership positions such as Speaker of the Georgia House or Lieutenant Governor, the other 235 members of our State House and State Senate receive an annual salary of less than $18,000 per year. Yes, you read that correctly. Including federal budget contributions, our lawmakers oversee the annual expenditure of a state budget exceeding $40 billion. One day’s payroll of state of Georgia government employees is now well over $100 million.

And while lawmakers receive a daily per diem of $173 for days traveling on committee business, or while the general assembly is in session, the bulk of their workdays and nights occur in our capital city. In Atlanta, the few $99 a night hotel rooms which still exist (around $125 after taxes) are generally in places you would not want to stay. Add on some semblance of three square meals downtown, and you are again well into your own pocket.

This challenge, however, is not unique to our Georgia lawmakers. We also underpay our county commissioners, city council members, mayors, school board members, and thousands of local elected officials. And yes, our educators, first responders, and numerous other state employees are also generally underpaid, but those are full-time career choices, which generally come with generous benefits and a healthy retirement income.

I am far MORE concerned about part-time legislators and elected officials having access to those lifetime pension and health care benefits than I am about their real-time compensation while IN office.

In my own home county of DeKalb, one of Georgia’s largest, a county commission of seven recently voted itself a pay increase of roughly 40% (vote of 6-1), to a new salary of roughly $60,000 per year. This commission, along with an elected CEO, oversees an annual budget of more than $1 billion, nearly double that of the city of Atlanta, where members of that city council are higher paid.

Without casting aspersions on the thousands of local elected office holders, this economic reality makes it easier to comprehend the numerous successfully prosecuted cases of bribery and public corruption. It also helps to explain the undue popularity and influence of lobbyists with generous expense accounts, or the laxity of Georgia campaign finance laws that allow campaign dollars to supplement most every expense but home mortgage or additional candidate salary.

The DeKalb Commission pay raise is under attack from members of DeKalb’s legislative delegation, primarily over issues of public notice, and the effective date of the adjustment, January 1, 2018. State Senator Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody) has proffered a bill that defers that adjustment until January 2020.

Without getting into the finer points, voters will have a say in November 2018 and later if they like or dislike these pay hikes. I suspect the issue won’t play well, and there is almost no easy way to publicly vote yourself a pay raise without political fallout.

But to me, these two pay hikes are essentially the same. Our legislators AND our county commissioners, school board members, and city councils all deal with increasingly complex issues, an agitated and distrustful citizenry, and a growing docket of public and committee meetings each year. We cannot and should not expect our brightest and best to seek such office at the point of economic injury to themselves and their families.

But without correcting this long overdue adjustment, still locally controlled and case by case, we risk severely limiting who will be willing to enter the arena. Annualize any of these current salaries, and in the main these fine folks are working for less than the minimum wage of the local counter help at your nearest burger joint. And consider that labor pool. Again, like it or not, we get what we are willing to pay for.

Crane is the senior political analyst with WSB Radio and TV and owns the full-service communications consulting firm, CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

Learning Lessons Continued from page 10 importance of safety. Ask questions like, “What do we do in a thunderstorm?” or “How can we be careful around ice?” and explain the proper safety measures to help young children be more prepared for potentially dangerous weather situations. Find more tips, games, and resources for teaching preschoolers about safety at www.primroseschools.com/blog/topic/safety/ The next time your little one asks about the weather, use one of these easy-to-do ideas to make the most of his or her curiosity and take your child’s learning to the next level. You’re sure to rediscover the magic of weather and have lots of fun together along the way!

Tanisha Turner is Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway.

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PAGE 18

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PAGE 19

Pet Perch: Raising a Well-Mannered Dog

By Terie Hansen Everyone aspires to having a well-mannered dog. However, what seems well-mannered to one owner may seem obnoxious to another. Many dog owners get used to (or put up with) negative behaviors – such as jumping, excessive barking, digging, chewing, and lunging while on the leash – simply because they don’t know how to correct them.

Well-mannered implies the ability to perform commands such as sit, down, stay, and come when called consistently, and to remain calm under all situations and environments.

What does it take to raise a well-mannered dog? In a word, EFFORT. However, the rewards are many! Early and ongoing training and socialization are key, plus daily reinforcement of the learned skills. I believe the single most important thing you can teach a dog is how to remain calm in an exciting situation (new surroundings, new people or dogs, on walks, guests arriving at your home, etc.). When calm, your dog can perform any commands you have previously taught him or her. Excitement (arousal) is what changes the training/retention dynamic.

Having a dog that primarily stays in your home, yard, and neighborhood is okay, but wouldn’t you rather have the dog you can take with you anywhere dogs are allowed? It’s certainly enriching for the dog. If so, then CALM is the game changer.

If you desire a well-mannered dog, then starting at home with exercise, structure, rewarding calm behavior, and correcting excited (negative) behaviors are key. Does your dog bark and jump when you get the leash (food, toy, etc.)? Put the leash down, wait for calm, start again. Repeat until the dog remains calm while you attach the leash. Teach your dog Calm, and have your dog work for everything he or she wants, and you are on your way to a well-mannered dog!

Terie Hansen is Owner at Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com

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The Balancing Act

By Jocelyn Wykoff Years ago I ran across a cartoon in a newspaper of a chef juggling many plates. While I’m sure there are many interpretations, what impressed me was that if he dropped one plate, every other plate would be affected. I am that chef. I am the balancing act.

I think we could all use a few lessons on balancing time. Time flies. Time is of the essence. The time is now. We’ve heard these sayings our entire lives, but if you’re like me, you’ve never really understood these until you’ve had kids. And, it seems, the older I get and the more children I have, the faster time moves.

I saw an inspirational quote that said, “All Day Every Day.” I should have this tattooed on my head because this sums it up for me. From the time I wake to the time I lay down to rest – and, honestly, in between dreams – I’m in constant motion. I’m thankful that I haven’t forgotten anything too important thus far, though I did have a mom-of-the-year moment when I forgot to pack my six-month-old’s bottle in her day bag. And of course, I didn’t have time to go back home, so I hit up the local Dollar General, and BOOM – problem solved.

It never fails that these forgetful moments always seem to happen just as you think you have it all under control. You’re getting ready to take that point for team mom/dad, and the forgotten thought surfaces and your smile instantly turns upside down and you feel defeated. So why in the world would I want to add another item to my plate? While my time is limited every day, I always manage to make time for her, him, them, us – but never me. This is for me. And for you.

You’re not alone in your daily grind to make miracles in 24 hours when you really need 34. We all have laundry piles and dishes in the sink, and the need to make trips to the grocery store. But what I have found is that at the end of the day, all of those things will still be waiting for me. All that really matters is that my family is safe and happy, and they know they are deeply loved because tomorrow I’m going to wake up and do it all over again. One of my favorite quotes on time is by Lily Tomlin: “For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.”

Happy thoughts and reads until next time.

Jocelyn Wykoff is a dreamer, believer, wife, and mompreneur of the Wykoff Household.

TNT Academy Presents

Now Enrolling - Serving Grades 3rd - 9th June 4th - July 13th

Look what we have in store: • Designed to be fun and interactive • STEAM Certified Curriculum & Instructors • Accredited Private School • State of the Art Facility • Kid-friendly Support Staff • Nutritious, Gluten-free Meals • Snackbar during Break Sessions • Weekly Themes • Robotics 1 (Elementary) • Robotics EV3

Parkwood Farms Therapy Center Continued from page 9 five. “It’s all about encouragement and love,” she says. “The goal is for you to be the best you can be.”

The biggest asset Peterson has at her facility is her devoted team of volunteers. Ranging from local high school students to retirees, they show up just as the sun peaks through the trees on Sundays and after school on weekdays. Ginger, Peterson’s “right-hand go-to person,” says, “If you really want to do it, you’ll drive for miles.” Many of them do, and they’ve been doing it for years. Peterson also depends on two of her sons who work to manage and maintain the property. One hundred percent of the daily operations at Parkwood Farms directly depends on these people and their dedicated hard work.

For Peterson, it’s a 24-hour job. Unlike other therapy centers, her equipment is alive. And caring for the animals and facility is a huge expense. She relies heavily on sponsorships and donations, but the big piece that’s missing is grants. “I really need a grant-writing committee. I just don’t have the time to devote to creating it,” she admits. Grant-writing falls below taking care of the horses, teaching lessons, and mending fences recently damaged by Hurricane Irma’s winds.

Peterson’s been doing this since 2002 and has maintained a healthy balance of students and volunteers, all without advertising. Perhaps that’s because parents and students have seen the miracle of therapeutic riding first hand. Or perhaps it’s Peterson’s motto that resonates with anyone: “All of us are capable of more than we think.” Whatever the case, she says it’s time to “stop being Gwinnett County’s best kept secret.”

More information at www.ParkwoodFarms.org

French Dual Language Immersion Continued from page 16 content area instruction. As the school year progresses, the students improve their proficiency in French and English, and develop an understanding of and appreciation for culture and diversity in an increasing global society.

Many may find the concept of dual language immersion hard to fully understand until experiencing it. A second grade student becomes an author and illustrator, writing a story about a dragon finding a friend, and reads it to her class in French. Third grade students perform a play or describe the effects of pollution on society. First graders collaborate in math to solve problems in French. A kindergartener who began the first day of school not knowing a single word in French is now able to tell his teacher in a second language that he is sick and needs to go to the clinic. These some small glimpses of meaningful and authentic learning take place in the DLI classrooms every day.

Trip’s motto, “Where Learning is a Lifelong Journey,” demonstrates the long-term commitment to education by parents, teachers, and students. Next year, Trip will celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The faculty, staff, and families of Trip Elementary have embraced dual language immersion as a part of who we are. Together, we strive to extend learning beyond the classroom. Our greatest achievement is knowing we have taught our students to love, accept, and appreciate diversity.

More information at http://www.tripelementary.com/home or Shannon_hayes@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

Our Town

• Funology - The Science of Having Fun (Elementary) • Electronics & Mechanics: Simple Machines • It’s All About the Code (Elementary) • Coding • Gaming - Minecraft • Picture Perfect Publishing • Iron Chef • Forensics • Photography • Fit4Algebra (Grade 6-8)

Grades 6th - 9th June 3rd - July 13th Our Programs Offers: • Instruction by Master, Certified Education Specialist • Small Group Ratio 4:1 • Serving Students Grades 6th - 9th • Nutritious, Gluten Free Meals • Snackbar During Break Sessions • STEAM Certified Curriculum

• State of the Art Environment • Essential Prerequisites for Algebra: • Introductory Unit: Review of Essential Pre-Algebra Skills • Unit 1: Solving Equations • Unit 2: Graphing Equations • Unit 3: Writing Equations • Unit 5: Inequalities

Summer School is a five (5 week) long program.

May 29 through July 3 Don’t Delay, Enroll Your Child Today!

Call Our Office for Further Details: (770) 921.3690

TNT Academy

5510 Lilburn Stone Mountain Rd. Stone Mountain GA 30087 770.921.3690 FAX 770.921.3693 http://tntacademy.com

To become an Our Town advertising partner email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049 PRESENTS

PAGE 21

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FOR BOTH OUR RESIDENTS AND THEIR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS. For dog lovers, our freestanding cottages with yards are the perfect choice. We’ll take care of the home and yard upkeep and provide laundry and cleaning services so you’re free of chores. And you’ll have access to all the amenities that Arbor Terrace Hamilton Mill has to offer, just steps away:

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Call (770) 285-1611 to arrange a tour for you and your four-legged loved one. We have a special treat waiting.

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PAGE 22

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BUFORD I-85 2815 Buford Dr, Ste 102 (770) 271-4413

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To become an Our Town advertising partner email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049

PAGE 23

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