APRIL 2021 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
Our Town GWINNETT
Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker
Up Close with Presidential Relocation Services, see story on page 5.
8 9 10 18
Business Spotlight: Meet Salon Nine Seven & Nicky Nocera Walking with Grace: Getting to Know Robin Dill The Bakery is Back! Up Close with Bill Rhodes Bakery Community Member Spotlight: Meet Aleen Karakashian
The Village Corner
German Restaurant, Bakery & Tavern We are a full-service bakery, restaurant, and tavern specializing in German cuisine.
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6655 James B Rivers Dr. Stone Mountain, GA 30083
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Before
After
H e a lt H y • B e a u t i f u l • i n s p i r e d PAGE 2
John W. Simmons, IV, DMD, PC Robert J. French, DDS
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Apr ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
On the Cover: Make Your Next Move with Presidential Relocation Services By Kristen Eleveld
For some college seniors, the end of their educational career contains many unknowns: finding the right job, learning to navigate life as an adult, and figuring out which steps you need to take to be successful. But one local Gwinnett man spent much of his senior year forming a business that has risen through the ranks to become one of the top moving companies in the country. Grant Brondyke, the founder of Presidential Relocation Services (PRS), was close to graduating when he was struck by an idea to create a moving service that didn’t overcharge on costs but did overdeliver on quality. Now, nearly two years later, Presidential Relocation Services has made a name for itself as a top-notch provider of moving services for homeowners and business owners alike. “I wanted to be a light in this industry,” said Brondyke. “Our goal is to put people over profits.” Brondyke worked for a large moving company while in college and realized that there was a market for a moving company that gave clients a personalized experience while providing a level of service that was unmatched by any national moving company. So he gathered a few friends, rented some trucks, and set out to begin building what would eventually become one of the fastest-growing service companies in the industry. While Presidential Relocation Services has increased their staff and expanded their services over the last year, Brondyke still oversees every aspect of the business to ensure that customer service is always the top priority. One area in which the company takes particular care is in teams they employ to pack and move items to a new location. Every single employee is
thoroughly vetted so that Presidential Relocation Services can guarantee that you can trust their employees in your home or business. “Every single item in your home is something you have worked for,” Brondyke said. “We want to help you protect your possessions, and we make it our mission to send only the best people to serve you on one of your most stressful days.” Presidential Relocation Services doesn’t just help homeowners and businesses move – they will also help you pack and even arrange storage for items you don’t need right away. Essentially, they do it all, and they do it well. As PRS has gained more and more momentum, they have started to look outward at their communities to find new ways of giving back. Brondyke feels that, especially in the wake of events surrounding COVID-19, there are many new opportunities for him and his company to help those who are genuinely in need. “I want to make sure the community knows that we are here for them,” said Brondyke. This increased momentum has also brought increased distinction. They were recently honored for their high quality of work on a national level after being recommended by several others in their industry. For Brondyke, it’s not about being better – it’s about being different. “There are only so many ways you can pick up a couch,” Brondyke said. “But we can offer you a different quality of services than anyone else can provide, and we can do it from start to finish.” In the spirit of doing all they can, Presidential Relocation Services has taken the extra steps to become fully licensed and
insured, which means they are strictly monitored and regulated on both a state and federal level. Becoming a licensed moving company was important to Brondyke because it gives customers an added safety and security level to provide them with peace of mind during their move. “We answer to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which means they are always checking our paperwork and books,” Brondyke said. “We will never try to cheat you on any of our services.” If you are moving into a new home, or if your business is expanding into a new office, you need Presidential Relocation Services. They can make your next move the best you’ve ever had. More information at www.presidentialrelocation.com or call 678-743-6377
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Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
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IN THIS ISSUE
5 On the Cover: Make Your Next Move with Presidential Relocation Services 7 From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks 8 Chaplain’s Corner: Your Story + God’s Story = a New Story 8 Business Spotlight: Meet Salon Nine Seven & Nicky Nocera 9 Hometown Brag: LeLoni Smith – South Gwinnett High School 2011 9 Walking with Grace: Getting to Know Robin Dill 10 The Bakery is Back! Up Close with Bill Rhodes Bakery 12 Doggos and Their People – In the Park 12 Travel Tales: Will I Need a Vaccine to Travel? 13 If God is So Good, Why Do Bad Things Happen? 14 One Man’s Opinion: Who Is Guarding the Guard? 15 COVID-19 Pandemic Brings Success to Online Small Businesses 16 Gwinnett First Year Teachers During a Pandemic 17 Pet Perch: Positive Reinforcement Dog Training 3475 Stone Mountain Hwy 17 10th Annual Movers & Makers Award Winners Announced Snellville, GA 30078 18 Community Member Spotlight: Meet Aleen Karakashian 19 Hot Springs National Park: 100 Years of Vacation Memories 22 One Man’s Opinion: Water Wars, Reservoirs, and Quarries Become an Advertising Partner: Email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or Call 678-825-2049 Apr ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
1/2 price well pet exam for new clients
770-972-7026
PAGE 6
Stay Connected!
Feature Writers K. Coats Kristen Eleveld
Traci Sanders
Where pets are treated like family!
Entire contents copyright 2021 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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Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett /NE DeKalb 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.
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From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks
Eddie’s Automotive Service
2021
5440 Webb Pkwy. Lilburn, GA
By Ryan T. Sauers
@RyanSauers
1988
@RyanTSauers
Hello there, Our Town Gwinnett community. Well, we are over a year into the “new normal.” For me, it seems as if early 2020 (preCOVID) was so long ago, and most of the past year has been a blur and has flown by at the same time. I do not know about you, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are making progress as vaccinations increase and warmer weather arrives. I will be so very thankful for the day I don’t hear/see “six feet apart, social distancing, or a mask required.” As I reflect over this time, I have stayed busy doing many things. I’ve enjoyed reconnecting with people I had not talked to recently, and I have been having deep and meaningful conversations with others in my life. I also enjoyed having things move a little bit slower to have more time to reflect, plan, and appreciate the smaller things. This pandemic is what I refer to as the great “human reset” in terms of our being forced to slowdown. I have talked/written for years about how humans are always “drowning, slammed, swamped” and chasing the clock. We have repeatedly stated that we do not have enough time to do “xyz” – until one day we did. All of a sudden, we had lots of time. And before long, we will again have choices of how we use our time as things get busy again. Will we go back to the way it was before, or learn from this time and change how we do things and/or what is most important to us? Let us all remain prudent and continue to do our part, but I know most people are ready for life to get rolling again. Please continue to support our small businesses (which make up 99% of all companies) that have been hit hard during this time as they are a crucial part of our communities. On a personal note, I started a new show over a year ago called Community Connections with Ryan Sauers (CommunityConnectionsTV.com and also available as a podcast on Spotify) and finished all my doctoral classes in leadership, and am now working on my dissertation. I have talked to countless people about doing normal things again, and most people are optimistic about the coming days where we will not be talking about COVID. Day by day and side by side, we are working together, and in doing so, we are making progress. Let us all get our vaccinations. This will help us get to the much-needed herd immunity and allow us to be together again. We all miss that, so I encourage you to do your part. It has been a tough thirteen months. It has been traumatic and will be studied forever. Each human will deal with this time differently, and that is perfectly normal. One day at a time, one step at a time, one round at a time. I am proud of the Our Town community. Keep pushing forward, everyone, so that when you look back on 2020-2021, you’ll be able to say, yes, I lived in that time, and although it was difficult, we made a difference. Thank you as always for continuing with us on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town.
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Dr. Priya Arcot-Joshi is a board certified family practice and obesity medicine physician. She helps patients prevent, understand and manage acute and chronic illness. Her focus is to empower patients by giving them tools to stay healthy and recover from illness.
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PAGE 7
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This is my story – I was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. I grew up knowing about Jesus, but not necessarily knowing Him, or God’s purpose for my life. I was exposed early on to the Catholic church as well as to the Protestant church. Because of my lack of commitment towards a personal relationship with Jesus, I didn’t fully understand who God was or where our stories could intersect. When I was young, I always wanted to be an ambassador. For that reason, I went to law school. I ended up practicing criminal law for several years. As a criminal lawyer in Mexico, I saw and did so many things that I am ashamed of, and there is no day that I wish I could go back in time and do something different. The saddest thing for me is that I was actually active in a local church during that time. While I was in law school, I met my wife, Kelly. We got married in Monterrey, and our oldest son was born there. Life was good, but it often felt that I was living two lives. On the one hand, I was trying to be a husband and a father following my religious beliefs; on the other hand, I was a workaholic lawyer who was doing all I could to win cases and make money. The moment finally came when I fully surrendered my life to Jesus. I had invited him to live in my life before, yet I had never really given him full control of it. This time was different. My surrendering to Jesus not only had an implication in eternity, but an immediate impact on my way of living. Saying yes to Jesus this time for me meant leaving my friends, family, country, and comfort zone and fully trusting in God’s calling for my life. God was calling me not to be more of an ambassador of a country, but an ambassador of a kingdom, His. My parents literally dropped me, my wife, and our 7-month-old baby at the border. We bought a minivan and began our journey of following God’s purpose. We found ourselves living in an extended hotel in Norcross when God opened the door for us to pursue our ministry calling as pastors in the United Methodist Church. Since then, life hasn’t necessarily gotten easy, but walking close to Jesus has made life bearable. Our faith has not been grounded in the lack of trouble but the assurance that he is with us in the midst of them. We have faced relocation, depression, cancer, and other challenges in life. Yet, Continued on page 22
Business Spotlight: Meet Salon Nine Seven & Nicky Nocera By Amy Ney It is finally spring, and nothing feels more necessary after our long winter than a fresh new haircut or overdue styling. In Old Town Lilburn, change is in the air at the new Salon Nine Seven, owned by Nicky Nocera. Nocera’s moniker is Day Maker, and she is ready to collaborate a perfect day for guests. “We are an artistic and professional team committed to giving each individual the look they desire, give back to this community, and take care of the earth,” she declares. “We believe our role as hairdresser goes beyond attaining the best look, and to do that, we admittedly resolve to ensure our clients the best experience possible.” Nocera and her family relocated to the area eight years ago, looking for not just an easier commute and a bigger house, but for the community. Nocera acknowledges, “I didn’t really set out to own a salon, but my husband and I have a vested interest in Old Town Lilburn prospering. We decided this salon could help accomplish that.” As the Noceras began remodeling the salon, there have been a few surprises. She admits, “We’ve seen some fire damage from the fire that nearly destroyed Lilburn over one hundred years ago. That was exciting to imagine the Bucket Brigade we celebrated in November may have Continued on page 20
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Apr ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
Hometown Brag: LeLoni Smith – South Gwinnett High School 2011
Walking with Grace: Getting to Know Robin Dill
By K. Coats
More than eleven million Americans provide unpaid care for a loved one with dementia. “If you don’t personally care for someone memory-impaired, you probably know someone who does,” Robin Dill explains. Dill, an expert on caring for a loved one with dementia, has a heart for serving them and their caregivers. “The thing to remember is our spirits never have dementia,” she continues. “We can still connect spiritually.” Dill has made it her life-long service to help and teach people to do just that. A huge Clemson fan, Dill says she has always had a passion for “wrinkled skin: old people, and dogs,” she says with a laugh. “I thought I was called into animal science.” But God had different plans. She met her husband at Clemson, and they relocated to South Atlanta in 2002. Soon after, her mother was diagnosed with brain cancer, which led to dementia, and her husband, Tom, was diagnosed with stage four cancer. While she was busy caring for them, Dill learned many lessons that she would later apply and teach others. Thankfully, Tom made a full recovery, but her mother passed away in 2005. Dill was a trained voluntary chaplain with The Stephen Ministry, and when the family relocated to Loganville, Dill served at Eastside Hospital. “When the Atlanta-Journal Constitution Newspaper ran an ad for a church seeking to launch an adult daycare program and needed a director and program developer, I applied for the job and was hired,” Dill recalls. This is how she came to develop Grace Arbor, a respite day-program for people with memory loss in Lawrenceville. The program serves members by having interactive social and physical activities that stimulate and enhance the quality of life of those with memory impairment. Continued on page 23
Over the years, Gwinnett County Public Schools has produced some pretty amazing people. From actors to lawyers, from professional athletes to business owners, Gwinnett students have surely made their mark in our little part of the world. So now is the chance to brag about some of those who have accomplished all the great things we hoped they would when we sent them off at graduation with a diploma and a smile. Our Hometown Brag features Miss LeLoni Smith. To see what she has done, just turn on Netflix and head over to the original documentaries. LeLoni is the junior creative executive that helps produce them for all the world to enjoy! “On the creative side of things, I work in development,” she explains. “I take pitches for various projects; I work with various production companies on different doc projects that will be released on service, and I help with outreach and inclusion efforts.” Born in St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, LeLoni spent her youth between there and Snellville. She graduated from South Gwinnett High School in 2011 and the University of Georgia in 2014, where she double-majored in journalism and Romance languages (Spanish and Portuguese). During her time as a student at South Gwinnett, this Comet more than made her mark. Student Council, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Comets in Action, and AP Scholars Club are just a few of the ways LeLoni was involved. Her smile was infectious, and she was always an example of graciousness and positivity. Now she’s taken her leadership ability and her smile and traveled to a place as different from Snellville or her Virgin Islands as could be – Los Angeles. When asked about those differences, LeLoni, as usual, focused on the positive, saying, “There is a long list of differences between Snellville and Los Angeles. Since I’m an island girl, I love seeing palm trees, living close to the beach, and the sunny warm LA weather.” But she does admit it can be hard being so far away from family and navigating the differing time zones. Over the years, she has learned to be flexible. “I’ve learned to not make concrete plans because life is so unpredictable and there is beauty in the unknown,” she says. “When I was younger, my main goal was to find a job that makes me happy so that I never have to work a day in my life. Now that I have accomplished my goal, my next goal is to make sure that I’m healthy and happy in all aspects of my life.” LeLoni would also like to eventually create a documentary that wins an Oscar. So, she isn’t done making Gwinnett proud by a long shot. In fact, “Taking a leap of faith at 21 and moving to Los Angeles by myself,” she says, remains one of her proudest accomplishments. “It was a really scary move, but it worked out in the end.” When asked what is her advice to other students considering the world beyond Gwinnett, she Continued on page 23
Apr ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
By Amy Ney
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PAGE 9
The Bakery is Back! Up Close with Bill Rhodes Bakery By Kristen Eleveld When Lizzy Delapeta turned three years old, she celebrated with a delicious cake from a local bakery that was owned and operated by the Rhodes family. Now, many years later and with a lifetime of experience behind her, Lizzy has become the owner of that same bakery, and is providing the community with the same delicious treats she enjoyed as a child. “I’ve always loved baking,” Lizzy said. “When I was growing up, my grandmother taught me how to bake. My friends would come to my house so we could bake together.” Beginning over a decade ago, Lizzy began to pursue her love of baking as a career. Starting as an intern at the Atlanta Cupcake Factory, she soon found herself working her way up through a variety of positions at different bakeries and boutique shops. In fact, she worked for five years at the Bill Rhodes Bakery itself. It was at the end of these five years in 2019 that Lizzy received a call from the Williams family, the current owners of the Bill Rhodes Bakery, who asked if she would be interested in buying the bakery to manage as her own. Lizzy and her husband Darius knew this was the opportunity they had been waiting for and jumped in with both feet. Lizzy’s brother Nathan also joined the team as the baker for their store. The original Bill Rhodes Bakery was built in the early 1980s, and the building itself needed a bit of work. Lizzy and Darius also wanted to take the chance to add their personal touch and bring the bakery a little further into the twenty-first century. This meant doing some renovating while also preserving the things that made the bakery so special to its Snellville residents. “For me, this bakery holds a lot of tradition,” Lizzy said. “We want to maintain the sense of community and good memories that it holds.” This community-oriented mindset has brought a steady stream of customers. Some are regulars; others are new to the area. But everyone who walks out of the store can agree that this bakery
stands out above the rest through its quality ingredients and the excellent team behind the counter. Like so many other businesses, Bill Rhodes Bakery found itself closing its doors for a short time during the height of the COVID-19 shutdown. However, while people could no longer come inside the store, that didn’t mean that Lizzy and her team weren’t as busy as ever. They set up a system for customers to call ahead or place orders online that allowed them to meet customers at the curb for a contactless delivery experience. The Delapetas also used the time to complete some additional renovations in the bakery, so that when customers were able to walk inside again, they were greeted with a fresh, modern look that still emphasized the community spirit found within the bakery walls. For everyday treats, you can’t beat Bill Rhodes. They keep many delicious baked goods on hand that you can walk in and purchase right on the spot. Their petit fours are among some of their most popular products, but they have a wide variety of options designed to suit every taste. But if you’re looking for a more customized cake, perhaps for a wedding or other important event, Lizzy and her team still have you covered. In fact, this is where they shine. Lizzy, who serves as the chief decorator, brings her years of experience and expertise to create a tasty cake that is exactly what you were hoping for. “Decorating is a craft. It takes time to learn,” said Lizzy. “It’s important to us that our customers know that we can do just about anything, but it takes time to create something excellent.” The time is certainly worth the wait. You can scroll through the dozens of amazing photos on the Bill Rhodes Bakery website to see some examples of the mouth-watering treats that the bakery offers. At the end of the day, it’s all about one thing for the team at Bill Rhodes Bakery – the customers who have continued to shop at the bakery, whether it’s in the store itself, using the online ordering service, or calling in to place an order. “We are just very thankful to be working and for customers who have supported us,” Lizzy said. “We are still here, and we are grateful.” More information at billrhodesbakery.com or call (770) 979-2253
EVENTS ON THE SNELLVILLE TOWNE GREEN
May 7
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May 8
Mom’s Night Out Concert
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May 29
Live on the Lawn
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FOOD • BEER • WINE available on site
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www.SnellvilleEvents.com PAGE 10
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Apr ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
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PAGE 11
Travel Tales: Will I Need a Vaccine to Travel?
Doggos and Their People – In the Park
By Pam Walker
By Beth Volpert Johansen Anyone who has had a dog (cat, snake, or any other “pet”) might wonder who is the actual boss in the relationship. When it comes to Dog Parks, the topic is certainly up for debate among doggos and their humans. Trust me – it’s a thing! There are even doggie parks and spas located in mixed-use living throughout the county, like the new Southlawn in Lawrenceville where each afternoon a contingent gathers to discuss the day’s events and commune with canines. Beyond neighborhoods with dog park areas are the community parks here in Gwinnett. Closed for a while in early 2020 – like everything else pandemically affected – Gwinnett’s dog parks have enjoyed a healthy bit of use for those who want to “shed” some of the pressures created by working at home, schooling at home, and all the other “at home” related activities. Truth? Watching dogs run and play with others of their species is just plain comical and relaxing. Teacher and Gwinnett resident Stacy Jurick and her family love to hang out with their rescues, Tucker and Roxy, at Alexander Park. “It’s a great place to decompress and see that the rest of the world still exists,” says Stacy. “With the added normal daily life pressures that the pandemic has produced, getting outside with our family’s dogs helps keep me balanced. It’s impossible to stay stressed when you are out there watching all the dogs play. Our dogs start whining before we even turn on Old Snellville Road.” Tucker and Roxy act like they are ecstatic to be there, especially Tucker, who is known to bound around to everyone. Roxy, who is more timid than Tucker, likes to Continued on page 18
On a daily basis, things are changing around the world. The only way to find out if you need the vaccine is to go online on the website of the local health department at your destination and try to figure out their rules. Or you can call your trusted travel advisor. Vermont and New York have some of the strictest rules around with fines if you don’t observe them. Plus, you will need to fill out a myriad of paperwork before you go. Ski vacations have been a nightmare this year with a mix of rules no matter where you travel. Montana had no rules, while Colorado ski resorts were locked down with restrictions. Now with so many states eliminating mask rules, it is more important than ever to have a travel professional who can figure things out for you. Be sure to enlist in their help as they have access to the most up to date rules for every country in the world and every state in the USA. To add to the confusion, hotels, tour companies, and cruises have yet to set definite vaccine policies. Several cruise lines have said they will require passengers to be vaccinated, while others aren’t sure yet. Other places haven’t said anything one way or the other. Travel agencies are doing their best to advise travelers of the latest rules on vaccines. They can’t, however, tell people to get shots or not get shots. They can’t even tell people if it’s safe to travel. The decision ends up being that of the passenger and how it affects their lives and the lives of family members and those around them. All advisors can do is inform them with the facts and then let them make the informed decision. So, do you need to have the vaccine to travel? Time will tell. But for now, your best bet is to get the most updated information from your personal travel advisor. Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor and can be reached at pam@walkeradventures.com
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PAGE 12
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If God is So Good, Why Do Bad Things Happen? By Rev. Ron Lambros I have been asked hundreds, maybe thousands of questions over four decades of ministry. It doesn’t matter the age, race, religion, or economic status of the questioner. The same questions are asked time and time again. But the one question that always rates in the top three is, “If God is so good, why do bad things happen?” I’ve been asked that question by the parents of a child who was taken far too soon; by the spouse whose mate abandoned him or her and the children, breaking their vows and their heart; by the victim of a crime or natural disaster who could not even speak, but whose eyes said it all; and by the faithful mate who lovingly watched as his or her loved one slipped away, either in death or with dementia. The world is full of hurting people who desperately want to believe in a good God, but find it hard when they see nothing but bad, evil, and sorrow. But while I don’t have the answer, the Bible does. First of all, bad things happen because: We make our own decisions. Every one of us is a free moral agent. God made us that way and we are free to choose and to make decisions in every area of our life. However, in our choices, we often leave God out of the picture. We are then faced with the consequences of each of those choices, both good and bad. I have personally found that if you put God first, every other decision you make will be correct and good for your life. When you put something or someone else before God, bad things will happen. And when they do, DON’T BLAME GOD! The only thing He allowed was for you to make the choice; now you must live with the results of that choice. Secondly, we need to understand that: Man, not God, chose evil over good. God can’t choose evil; it isn’t in His nature to be anything but good. But Man can, and Man often does. The good and bad things that happen in our life are dependent on who wins the battle. Will it be good or evil? It’s the age-old law of sowing and reaping. You reap what you sow. It might not be immediate, but you will ultimately pay the consequences when you choose evil over good. So, when you wonder why a good God can allow so much bad, remember, Man, not God, made the choice of evil over good. Thirdly, we need to realize that: If God did away with everything bad, we’d be included. We would be eliminated right along with everything else because, by our very nature, we’re sinful and bad. The Bible tells us that there’s “none righteous, no not one!” So instead of asking God to simply get rid of all the evil and bad in the world – the hate, the violence, the crime, the hurt, the viciousness, the abuse – why not pray instead that your life will be used by God for good? One day, God will destroy all the evil and bad in the world. And then He’ll set up a good and perfect Kingdom, where there’ll be no more tears – no more pain, no more heartache, nothing but God’s goodness and perfection. But until that day comes, we are forced to live our life in a world that is full of evil and bad. When you realize that, you’ll better understand why so much bad happens, even to godly people. Fourth, be aware that:
Jim Jenkins | Steve Jenkins | Chris Dyal
Satan, not God, is the source of all that’s bad and evil in the world. God is Holy and Righteous and, therefore, can’t cause evil. God can allow it, but He’s not the source of it. All evil is caused by sin, and Satan is the source of all sin. Sin was never a part of God’s plan. God created a perfect world for His perfect people. But because of sin, God is now forced to be a God of Judgment where He will one day judge Satan and all his sin. Finally, we need to be encouraged and know that: God can turn the bad into good. Romans 8:28 tells us, “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” So, when bad things happen, if you’re a Christian, you can know that God can work it out to actually benefit your life, no matter how bad it might seem at the time. But it’s critically important to always remember that while He allows it, He doesn’t cause it. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know this: God loved each of us so much that He gave His only Son Jesus to die for you, and whoever believes in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross, they won’t die but, instead, have everlasting life. Eternal good came from the horrific bad Jesus suffered on the cross, and will come into your life as well as you trust God to make the difference! Listen to Living Lite Today with Ron Lambros at https://pod.co/living-lite-today-with-ron-lambros.
For over 30 years, the Gwinnett County area and beyond has trusted Bill Rhodes Bakery with their most treasured celebrations! Whether it is with a box of brownies or an immaculate wedding cake, make this year’s celebrations extra special with a treat from the oldest bakery in Snellville!
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PAGE 13
One Man’s Opinion: Who Is Guarding the Guard? By Bill Crane As this column is being written (March 9th), the US House is again expected to pass, along party lines, a $1.9 trillion Corona Virus Stimulus and Aid package, which will hopefully mean some economic relief and assistance in the near term for individuals and small businesses, as well as local and state governments and boards of education struggling with challenged revenue streams and increased costs directly related to the pandemic. That said, it is generally agreed that hundreds of billions within this package have VERY LITTLE to do with COVID-19 or immediate economic assistance, with some funds being obligated as far out as 2024. Thankfully, while what some are calling a Democratic spending spree wrapped up in a COVID-19 omnibus spending bill, the non-partisan Senate Parliamentarian rightly ruled that also simultaneously mandating an increase in the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour for most all employers was not germane to the legislative matter at hand, and that such a change in federal law could not be handled by budget reconciliation and a simple majority vote. A line descendant of the state militias that first fought the Revolutionary War, the National Guard is a joint activity of the US Department of Defense with reserve components of the US Army, Navy, and Air Force, and independent state militias that report to adjutant generals in each state. While our US Army has more than 400,000 personnel in uniform deployed across the globe, the National Guard currently has more than 8 million men and women serving missions in all 50 states and overseas. The past year’s summer of Racial Justice Protests and the ongoing pandemic saw the Guard deployed in multiple metropolitan areas as a peace-keeping and order force who also administered COVID-19 tests, and more recently constructed and operated mass vaccination centers. More than occasionally derisively referred to as weekend warriors, Guard members undergo ongoing training and drills to maintain their deployment readiness. National Guard service members have been a significant front-line force in both Persian Gulf Wars and a host of ongoing conflicts. They are serving as the nation’s first line of defense following national disasters and an increasing amount of civil unrest.
And yet the incredibly LOW payment and compensation levels for National Guard members may astound you (https://usmilitary.com/national-guard-paychart/). Though the aftermath of the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 now has retired Lt. General Russel Honore recommending the formation of an elite and full-time strike force to respond to attacks/assaults on the Capitol, the White House, and the federal district in Washington, D.C., the area is still being secured by a force of just over 5,000 National Guard personnel, the majority of which have been on the ground since the first week of January. During the frigid days and weeks leading up to the Inauguration of President Joe Biden, Guard members were asked to camp in parking garages as well as one of several D.C. Convention Centers. The Guard has been asked to remain in Washington along with the three layers of temporary fencing surrounding the Capitol complex at least until mid-May. And their pay: E-3 Private First Class: $1,730 – $1,950 monthly active duty pay E-4 Specialist/Corporal: $1,915 – $2,326 monthly active duty pay E-5 Sergeant: $2,091 – $2,965 monthly active duty pay From buck private to full E-5 sergeant, this is a pay range for enlisted personnel in some tough duty locations, putting in more than 160 hours per month. Even if that were the hour count worked, that would only produce a range from $10.80 $18.50 an hour, in even the direst of circumstances. While I certainly understand the politics of members of the Democratic Party leadership paying tribute to labor unions and advocating a higher floor for all wages, where are these cries of empathy and compassion for the several million men and women in uniform who constantly have our backs when the world and times are at their worst? And when we revisit this topic – and we will – let’s hope fiscal conservatives and supporters of our nation’s military begin their objections with higher floor compensation for our men and women in uniform, first across the National Guard, and next from bottom to top in each of our respective service branches. At the very least, when you next encounter National Guard members, thank them for their economic sacrifice (away from a likely higher paying job back home), as well as their ongoing service to your state and our nation. Crane is the senior political analyst with WSB Radio and TV and owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com
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COVID-19 Pandemic Brings Success to Online Small Businesses By Emily Rubin Before the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States, Elyse McClellan sold earrings from her dorm in New York. She came back to Georgia when her campus closed down just two months after she opened her Etsy shop, YellowRoseeCreations. “I only left my dorm with a small suitcase and a duffle bag, expecting to return in at least a week or so,” Elyse said. “Because of all of this, I left all of my shop supplies in my dorm as well.” She closed her shop because she couldn’t get her belongings from her dorm until May, but on June 1st, she opened up again. During the first two months when her shop was shut down, Elyse spent time creating new videos and new ways of advertising on the social media app TikTok. She posted consistently and stayed up to date with her videos. After reopening, her sales skyrocketed. Elyse attributes her increase in sales to using TikTok to promote her items and build up an audience of customers. Supporting small businesses was a trend on the app during summer. Some of Elyse’s TikTok videos went viral, which gave her a following. She posted a video of her surprising her parents by coming home for Thanksgiving that hit 1 million views in less than a day. As she was heading out for the drive back to New York to pack up her dorm, she posted a video about her earrings. The video passed one hundred thousand views and she watched as comments flooded in during her drive. “People were spending hours on their phones, of course,” Elyse said. “They couldn’t go anywhere. I quickly saw small businesses, particularly on Tik Tok, thriving.” Elyse sold her earrings at an outdoor artist’s market in late November. The first day of the market was Black Friday and she sold 70 pairs of earrings, the most sales she had ever had in a single day. “I think the best thing I’m going to take out of this experience is to not worry about the future based on the present,” Elyse said. Shawn Nofziger, the owner of Bored Paracord, opened his online shop in 2013 and worked from his apartment in Atlanta. His business grew quickly and in 2015 he opened a brick-and-mortar store in Lilburn. The store closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic, but the online shop remained open. The store closure did not greatly affect Shawn’s sales because the majority of his business comes from online orders. His online sales tripled in April. “Pretty much overnight we went from around 100 orders a day to around 300 orders a day that we were shipping out of the store,” Shawn said. “People were at home a lot more, so they were looking for something to do with their kids.” Shawn credits word of mouth and social media for the promotion of his business. He uses Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to get exposure. He also has a TikTok
account, but he does not utilize it as much as the other social media platforms. YouTube is Shawn’s main source for generating traffic to his website. He posts paracord tutorials for almost seven hundred thousand followers with a link to the website in the description of each video. Shawn also runs a paracord Facebook group where members refer others to his shop. He says social media can attract sales if it is used right and used often. “I would say it’s not overwhelming to keep up with it. It’s just kind of tedious,” Shawn said, “because each day you have to come up with something new, some new content that you haven’t done previously.” Shawn saw a 25% increase in sales during the 2020 holiday season compared to the previous year. His orders usually increase a month and a half to a month before the holidays and he says part of the increase during the 2020 holiday season was due to the pandemic. More information at https://www.etsy.com/shop/YellowRoseeCreations and https://www.boredparacord.com/.
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Gwinnett First Year Teachers During a Pandemic By K. Coats When I look back on my first year as a teacher, I get a kind of sheepish embarrassment. I think about the struggles I had as well as the successes. I think about fights I should have picked and the ones I shouldn’t have. I think about all the things I’d have done differently. What I don’t think about are COVID-19 CDC protocols. For all that went right and all that didn’t, my first year of teaching didn’t require face masks, sanitizing, social distancing, video lessons, synchronous and asynchronous learning balance, and elevated risks of getting sick outside of your typical flu and cold season. The idea of being a first-year teacher for the 2020-2021 school year leaves me clutching my little educator pearls. And I tell you what, the first-year teachers for this school year will be like no others our profession has seen. Every teacher has that one year that almost breaks them. It’s the measure to which any other difficult year is held against. In all likelihood, and I pray I’m right, this year’s rookies will be getting “that year” out of the way from the start. And while it has had its challenges, firstyear teachers are coming to the fourth quarter of their school year with an admirable resiliency. Two Gwinnett County teachers offered insight on their first year during the COVID-19 pandemic. One the one hand, it included the typical challenges. One fifth grade teacher said, “As a first-year teacher, I have had to learn the curriculum, find ways to manage classroom behavior, and juggle the many roles and responsibilities that a teacher must face.” A seventh grade first-year teacher seconded these typical challenges, summing it up as “navigating a new career.” But with the pandemic come a new host of issues. The seventh-grade teacher said, “With the concurrent model, we have in-person students in the classroom and digital students on Zoom at the same time. Giving each group of students the same amount of attention is really hard. If I am up helping in-person students, then I feel that I am neglecting the digital students.” And as much as we like to think of laptops in the classroom as an asset, teachers are finding they come with their own setbacks. “In-Person students use laptops to do their classwork due to COVID protocols,” the seventh-grade teacher explained, “and it is incredibly challenging to keep students on task. We can’t look at every single screen all the time. Students will click back into a window when you are nearby, but then at the end of class, they don’t have any work done.” The fifth-grade teacher added, “The biggest unexpected challenge is how much parents, administration, and the community want for this year to be normal without having any understanding of how difficult ‘normal’ is during a pandemic. Things like shared read alouds on the rug, working with partners on an art project, eating lunch in the cafeteria, or simply playing with friends on the playground at recess are no longer allowed. Therefore, teachers have had to become innovators and find ways to teach students in-person and digitally while meeting the constantly changing safety guidelines.” Comments on social media platforms and reactions to restrictions from the community have also taken a toll. “We’ve done this, the best we can,” she continued, “with very little support or understanding from the community and those in high levels of authority.” But just as the challenges are harder, this year’s rewards are all the sweeter. The seventh-grade teacher said, “I realized that a particular student struggled so hard with reading, that he had stopped trying. One day something changed, and he started to try. I took him and another student out into the hallway to do a small group the other day, and he was able to read out loud on his own. He is still self-conscious about his abilities, but it was such an honor that he felt comfortable enough to read in front of me.” Those personal connections mean everything. The fifth-grade teacher admits to feeling the same way about her class as a whole. “The connection I have made with my students has been my biggest reward,” she said. “I never realized how attached you can become to children you have never met. I’m not sure who will cry more at their 5th grade graduation – them or me!” But there are a couple of specific moments that come to mind as well. “I am most proud of all the little moments,” she said. “Like the time a student, who struggles in math, aced a math test for the first time in her life. Or when a particularly shy boy who spent half of the year never speaking, raised his hand for the first time.” And it’s those feelings and experiences that help to ensure their first year isn’t also their last. One thing that hasn’t changed for this strange year is the community in which these new teachers find themselves. “One thing that I have quickly learned about being a teacher is that when you become a teacher, you are joining a community of educators that are, in many ways, a large extended family,” the fifth-grade teacher recalled. “This community of teachers has supported me every step of the way. Without those veteran teachers, I would have never survived my first month.” The seventh-grade teacher noticed how the pandemic helped level the playing field in some areas when it came to rookie and veteran. “One of the strange blessings of this year is that veteran teachers and new person teachers were dealing with a lot of the same issues,” she explained. “None of us have taught concurrently during a pandemic before! New teachers like myself are already familiar with the digital learning platforms from college, so we were able to help out veterans, while veterans have always been very generous with lessons from previous
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Apr ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
Pet Perch: Positive Reinforcement Dog Training By Terie Hansen R+, Pure Positive, and Force Free dog training seem to be the buzz words these days. Unfortunately, dog owners are being brainwashed into thinking that they should never say “no” or should never correct their dogs, but that they should use all rewards, treats, and toys to redirect all negative behaviors. If these prescribed methods do not work to stop unwanted behaviors (which they often do not), then their dog should be medicated, rehomed, surrendered, or worse, euthanized. Behaviors such as jumping, mouthing, chewing, digging, barking, resource guarding, counter surfing, reactivity, and even aggression are all reasons for dogs being rehomed, surrendered, or euthanized. These behaviors can be addressed (and often quickly) with Balanced Training methods. Balanced Training includes positive reinforcement AND corrections/aversive (something the dog does not like) methods. You may ask, “Is it okay to correct my dog?” To that I would ask, “Do you correct your children when they do something that is wrong or unacceptable?” I am sure the answer is a resounding yes! Not only is it okay to correct your dog, it is a necessary and natural way to convey to them that you do not like a behavior. On the flip side, you also need to be teaching (training) the good behaviors you want. This is where the positive reinforcement piece of training comes in. This video (https://bit.ly/2PXmO79 ) shows where a mother dog corrects her pups. Listen and watch closely as she conveys to them what she wants and does not want. It is important to know that she is not mad at them and she is not worried about hurting their feelings. Of course, they don’t like being corrected (that’s the point!), but they get over it, learn a lesson, are not emotionally damaged/scarred, and their relationship/bond isn’t harmed. They move on and still love their parent. Corrections are necessary and natural. Spread the word. Terie Hansen is Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com
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10th Annual Movers & Makers Award Winners Announced By Our Town Gwinnett Staff Partnership Gwinnett, in collaboration with Gwinnett Technical College, announced the winners of the 10th annual Movers & Makers Awards presented by NAI Brannen Goddard last month during a ceremony at Infinite Energy Forum. The event also featured a keynote address from Waffle House, Inc. President and CEO, Walter G. Ehmer. “I am so proud of the Movers & Makers winners and nominees at this year’s award ceremony, especially given the challenges of the past year,” said Gwinnett Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “Manufacturing and supply chain play a pivotal role in Gwinnett County’s strong and vital economy, so it’s great to see a celebration of our community partners’ successes.” Over 200 community leaders and industry experts attended the 2021 Movers & Makers Awards both in-person and virtually to celebrate excellence within their field. It is the largest event of its kind in Georgia and the County’s annual recognition of Gwinnett-based companies involved in manufacturing, processing, or distribution. “Gwinnett Tech is committed to ensuring our manufacturing and logistics companies have the qualified and sustainable workforce they need to be successful,” said Dr. D. Glen Cannon, President of Gwinnett Technical College, “Our students are the best of the best, and our faculty are job skill focused. We are pleased to be a team member with Partnership Gwinnett in recognizing the great companies that call Gwinnett home, and we will continue to work diligently to ensure they always feel there is no better place for their business to thrive and grow.” The 2021 winners included: • Manufacturer of the Year: This award recognized top manufacturers based on their size within Gwinnett County. o Small (1-99 employees): Porter Steel, Inc. o Medium (100-199 employees): GF Health Products, Inc. o Large (200+ employees): WIKA USA • Supply Chain Pioneer of the Year: This award recognized top suppliers based on their size within Gwinnett County. o Small (1-49 employees): The Cutting Board Company, LLC o Large (50+ employees): Peachtree Packaging & Display Continued on page 19
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Doggos and Their People Continued from page 12
Community Member Spotlight: Meet Aleen Karakashian
pick out one other dog and play with that puppy pal the whole time she visits. “You get to where you see the same dogs and the same people,” Stacy says, “so it lets you get to know the regulars that come. I love that!” Some of Gwinnett’s dog parks include: Alexander Park, Graves Park, Harbins Park, Lenora Park, McDaniel Farm Park, Pinckneyville Park, Rabbit Hill Park, Ronald Reagan Park, and Settles Bridge Park. For a full listing, visit GwinnettCounty.com where the latest guidelines can be found regarding toys, water, and the number of people allowed at one time because of COVID-19. Another cool bit of fun can be had by knowing ahead of time just where your pup is welcome. Many of the new breweries in Gwinnett allow dogs, as well as some restaurants. Checking a site like BringFido.com can give you a good idea of where you and your fur-baby can hang out. Finding ways to enjoy being around other people during the COVID-19 pandemic is undoubtedly a challenge. Taking advantage of good-weather days in the great outdoors is one way to lift the spirits of humans and beasts alike.
By Emily Rubin
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If you’ve picked up a copy of Our Town Gwinnett Magazine before, you’ve probably seen a perfect picture on the front cover. That gorgeous picture was likely taken by Our Town’s photographer Aleen Karakashian, who loves offering headshots for business owners and other shots that are used alongside articles in the magazine. “I am honored to be a part of Our Town Gwinnett,” Aleen said. “It’s been such a wonderful partnership. It’s been such a great opportunity to meet wonderful local businesses and business owners.” Outside of Our Town, Aleen runs her own photography business and helps her realtor husband with real estate photos. Her company, Aleen Karakashian Photography, specializes in motherhood, family, and children photography. “I love photographing families, especially when I get to meet moms and hear their motherhood stories and how they care for their children,” Aleen said. “Motherhood looks different for each family. Photographing different families is like an in-person experience where cultures, motherhood, and thoughts meet.” Aleen loves featuring mothers in her photos because she knows how hard it is for them to be in pictures with their children. She says mothers usually take the pictures, or they just do not want to be in them. “I end up wanting to focus on the moms being in the pictures with their children or their families, in general, to keep those memories alive,” Aleen said. Some of Aleen’s favorite experiences are when families take her advice about what to wear and how to prepare for a session. She feels it is a positive experience when they come with coordinated outfits that pop out against the background of the location, and snacks for the kids. “I like those experiences because then they’re really relaxed,” Aleen said. “And they don’t worry about what they’re wearing or how they look. They’re just enjoying that time with their family.” Aleen’s fascination with photography began when her parents gifted her with a very small pink Barbie camera when she was younger. She eventually got a regular film camera, but her professional interest in photography really kicked off when her father took note of her talent. “The professional part started when my father invested in a professional camera for me since he saw my gift,” Aleen said. “That’s when I started taking some more lessons and practicing.” Aleen started thinking of her photography as a business rather than just a hobby when her daughter was born. She has run her photography business for about five years now. She and her husband moved to Lilburn from Jordan about eight years ago. Because they have no relatives in Georgia, Aleen and her husband have chosen to make their local church their family. “We have chosen to keep Lilburn as our family and our community because that’s all we have,” Aleen said. Continued on page 22
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First Year Teachers During a Pandemic Continued from page 16 years and classroom management tips.” So, it’s nice to be new and still know you’re contributing help, and not just on the receiving end. Looking ahead, both teachers have high hopes for their second-year experience. Some wishes are specific. “I hope to meet some of my digital students who I never got to meet when they return as 8th graders next year, and I am incredibly excited to teach only face to face,” the seventh-grade teacher said. Other wishes are more general. “Personally, I hope to continue to grow as an educator and find ways to improve my craft and reach my students,” the fifth-grade teacher explained. “In general, I hope to see many greatly needed changes in education where the needs of the child are always considered and decisions are made by those with actual experience in a classroom.” And both teachers expressed gratitude to their support networks throughout the year. “Thank you to the community of educators who have gone over and beyond to help a first-year teacher all the while trying not to sink this year themselves,” the fifth-grade teacher said. And the seventhgrade teacher chimed in, “I heard a lot of teachers this year who felt unsupported and alone during this school year. I am deeply grateful that I have a supportive admin.” Thank you to all our teachers this year, rookie and veteran alike. We appreciate all you have done to try and help our students navigate these trying times. And for the rookies, especially, we hope that this year will truly be unlike any other in your new career.
Movers & Makers Award Continued from page 17 • Corporate Citizen Award: The award recognized suppliers who go above and beyond to make their company and their community a great place to be. o Doosan Industrial Vehicle America Corporation • MVP, Most Valuable Provider: This award recognized providers who are the communities’ go-to for the manufacturing and supply chain industries. Farmers & Fishermen Purveyors “I am honored to stand alongside these brilliant manufacturing and supply chain companies as the project manager for the manufacturing and supply chain industries,” said Jassy Ji, Project Manager at Partnership Gwinnett. “The Movers & Makers Awards celebrate innovation within the industry which pushes these amazing companies to stay ahead of the curve in this technologydriven global market.” More information at www.partnershipgwinnett.com.
Hot Springs National Park: 100 Years of Vacation Memories By Our Town Gwinnett Staff For 100 years, Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas has provided a peaceful and enjoyable getaway for millions of Americans. Initially established in 1832 as Hot Springs Reservation, it is the oldest federally protected site in the national park system. And as Hot Springs National Park celebrates its centennial year, there is no better way to celebrate the anniversary than to visit, take in the sights and sounds, and reflect on its legacy. As its name implies, the park is known for its thermal springs, breathtaking mountain views, and an abundance of hiking and biking trails. It’s no wonder nearly 1.3 million people visited in 2020. The spring water that flows on the southwestern slope of Hot Springs Mountain is formed by rain that takes about 4,400 years to travel roughly 6,000 feet into the Earth before reemerging at more than 40 hot springs. Most of the springs are capped to prevent contamination and are the only such springs that are managed for both public health and consumptive use. However, there are plenty of places to interact with the natural flowing water, like in Bathhouse Row’s bathhouses. While the hot springs are the main attraction, here are a few things you may not know about the park and the town: • The springs produce thousands of gallons of water. There are several locations throughout the park at which consumers can bottle their own water directly from the springs. Between 600,000 and 800,000 gallons of water is produced each day, emerging at an average temperature of 143 degrees F/62 degrees C. Continued on page 23
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Salon Nine Seven Continued from page 8 helped to save this very building. We also found an original fireplace. But I am still looking for some treasure in a bottle left behind from when the building was originally a bank.” A treasure in a bottle may be exactly what Nocera recommends in the Surface line of products she sells. “Surface is a supercharged haircare product line,” she explains, “founded on the principle of respecting personal health and the earth. It is something I don’t just sell, but believe in, as well.” Also, of significant importance to Nocera is giving back to our community. “We chose this town,” she explains. “The schools are great, plus we are a sports family, so we also love all the parks and we wanted to be somewhere culturally diverse. It is also important to us to give back. Each quarter, the salon will choose two nonprofits that
are dear to us and our clients and hold events supporting them.” For March, the salon held a special event for Dads to bring their children to the salon. Nocera and her team instructed Dads on how to do their children’s hairstyles. “A very talented photographer was there to capture the event, and then afterward, dinner was served at Apothecary, next door,” she adds. All proceeds from the event went to the Single Parent Community nonprofit. The remodel of the salon space is near completion, and Nocera and her team of stylists invite guests to come by and check out the changes. “As you enter,” she says, “it is our hope you will instantly feel a positive atmosphere; and when you depart, you can leave, taking that vitality with you.” More information at https://www.salonnineseven.com/
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Chaplain’s Corner Continued from page 8 there is a peace and comfort knowing and believing that God truly has our best interest at heart. Following Jesus and letting Him guide our lives is hard. I often find myself trying to take control of my life back. I often find myself still trying to rely on my understanding and my way of doing things. I even often find myself falling into sin. But what Jesus is doing for me is more than a one-time interaction or transaction, but a constant and daily relationship. It’s a journey. Today, we are thankful that our journey has led us to do life and ministry with the wonderful people of The Nett church, our five children, and the people in the county that we love and called home. We all have a story. I want to encourage you to think about yours and write it down. And if you have not done so, I invite you to open a Bible and read God’s story (the book of John is a good summary of it). And finally, maybe ask God to help you re-write your story. It’s going to turn out a lot better, trust me. Rodrigo Cruz is the Lead Pastor of The Nett Church. More information at www.thenettchurch.com.
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One Man’s Opinion: Water Wars, Reservoirs, and Quarries By Bill Crane More than 60% of our bodies are basically saltwater. Oceans comprise more than 70% of the world’s surface, and as the polar ice caps thaw and melt, that area is growing. Ice is most typically frozen freshwater. An ice shelf melting and falling into the ocean is no longer freshwater. And while only about 5% of the world’s available water supply is fresh, potable water (fit for human consumption), nearly 70% of that currently exists in frozen form, atop mountains or polar ice caps and glaciers. Management of this shrinking and critical supply of freshwater will likely be the battleground of the decade that lies ahead of us. The city of Atlanta is unveiling its new $320 million reservoir in the former Vulcan mining quarry at the northwest tip of the city. The new reservoir at full-pool will contain more than two billion gallons of freshwater, an emergency 30-day supply for the city of 500,000, versus the current three-day supply available in two aging reservoirs at the Atlanta Water Works adjacent to its Hemphill Pumping Stations. The fragility of the current system, principally constructed in the 1920s and 30s, was well in evidence when Atlanta hosted its first Super Bowl in 1994. Just days prior to the start of Super Bowl week, with thousands of tourists and celebrities paying rack hotel room rates, thousands of journalists, and the AFC/NFC Champions arriving with their entourages, the Hemphill Pump station failed, and the backup system also crashed. For nearly three days heading into Super Bowl week, toilets downtown would not flush and no running water was available in hotels or residential high rises. As the clock ticked away, the system came back online just before the desired onslaught of media attention and guests. Whew! Along with spending $2 billion to upgrade its sewer system over the past decade and a half, and in response to federal court orders and litigation requiring the separation of Atlanta’s outdated Central Sewage Overflow System, Atlanta has been building massive tunnels underneath the city from the northwest to the southwest, carrying sewerage to treatment plants and now from the new reservoir into the city and the Hemphill Treatment plant and pump station. Adjacent DeKalb County is also investing hundreds of millions in replacing and overhauling its sewerage system, while continually facing challenging and continuing sewage spills on the county’s southside into the South River and other Chattahoochee tributaries. But in many ways these tasks are simply too big to be borne by county and municipal governments alone. Within the past few years, Forsyth County, one of the fastest-growing counties in Georgia, was finally able to secure access to water from Lake Lanier, which the county partially forms, without purchasing that water from a privately-owned system controlled by the much smaller city of Cumming. If you want to really understand the power of water resource and allocation, spend some time reviewing the relocation of the Colorado River out west and the Riparian Water Laws which followed. Without relocating the mighty Colorado River and creating massive reservoirs in places like Lake Mead, cities like Las Vegas, Nevada and Los Angeles, California could not exist today, and though this was a part of the American manifest destiny and one of the most verdant and green agricultural basins on the continent, our southern border with Mexico was turned into a dry and lifeless desert. After experiencing a record one-hundred-year drought, Sydney, Australia constructed several coastline desalination plants that now provide nearly half the potable water supply to that nation’s capital and largest city. Our Middle Eastern allies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and several other smaller nations now have an almost entirely desalinated water supply. In the United States, San Diego, California and Tampa, Florida have been among the leaders in developing massive desalination and water treatment systems. But these again are largely municipal and county efforts, partially encouraged by federal grants or guaranteed loans. Though climate change is in my opinion occurring, the jury remains out on the best paths to solving those challenges. But whichever way you lean, I’m reasonably certain that having the ability to reach for and turn on your tap water, flush your commode, or take a morning shower will remain largely a part of your daily routine. There is no time like the present for planning on and securing ongoing water supply, before we reach that tipping point of “water, water everywhere... yet not a drop to drink.” Cheers. Crane is the senior political analyst with WSB Radio and TV and owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com
Meet Aleen Karakashian Continued from page 18 Her husband, Wadie Hashweh, is a realtor in Gwinnett, and her two children were born in Gwinnett. Aleen says her children love Lilburn, and the area has become their world. More information at https://www.aleenkarakashian.com/.
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Hot Springs National Park Continued from page 19
Meet Robin Dill Continued from page 9
• Hot Springs is also a town of lakes. A trio of lakes surrounds the Hot Springs area. Lakes Ouachita, Hamilton, and Catherine share the same water, but are separated by dams. These clear waters offer thousands of acres of recreational fun to fish, swim, float, sail, and enjoy time on a party barge. The shorelines offer beautiful space for camping and picnics. • It was the first location for Major League Baseball spring training. Before Major League Baseball retreated to Florida and Arizona for spring training, the greatest players in the game prepared for their seasons at Hot Springs. For much of the last century, baseball legends like Babe Ruth, Cy Young, Honus Wagner, and Satchel Paige trained there and “boiled out the alcoholic microbes of winter” in the local thermal baths, believing in the healing powers of the water. The Hot Springs Baseball Trail will take you to important locations in the town’s rich history with America’s pastime. • It was a hotbed for illegal gambling. At one point in its history, Hot Springs had the largest illegal gambling operation in the country. While those days ended in 1967, you can now treat Hot Springs like a small-town Las Vegas at the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. Today, Oaklawn continues to be one of the nation’s leading Thoroughbred racing facilities and has a world-class casino. • It was neutral territory for gangsters. Gangsters didn’t just hang out in Chicago and New York. Many came to Hot Springs to take advantage of the bathhouses. Al Capone even had a suite in the Arlington Hotel, which is located near Hot Springs National Park. If you want to learn more about the history of gangsters in this area, you can visit the Gangster Museum of America. Times have changed a lot since Hot Springs National Park was established 100 years ago. Many are looking forward to what the next century holds, and both the park and the city hope to expand and preserve their legacies for future generations. (BPT)
“For some time, there were federal grants that the Alzheimer’s Association held in trust and made available to churches and community faith groups,” Dill says. “Because of my experience with Grace Arbor, I was able to train directors and volunteers regarding engaging senior adults with dementia.” Dill is an editor of the book Dementia Friendly Worship and several instructional manuals, and she wrote Walking with Grace, which she recently revised and re-released. “Even people whose brains are failing them want to be purposeful,” Dill states. Her techniques include dementia-friendly worship, baking with the memory-impaired, pet therapy, and more. In 2018, Dill left Grace Arbor and is now involved in local and statewide efforts in the eastern United States to raise awareness of dementia and its effects on sufferers and their caregivers. Her blog provides a seemingly endless amount of insightful news, teaching, and encouragement regarding dementia and support for caregivers. Dill continues to travel around the country helping to develop and train directors, staff, and volunteers to grow and expand their dementia and respite care programs. She also speaks at conferences and provides care, along with her dog, Maggie, a four-year-old Chocolate Lab/ German Short Hair Pointer Cross, at local projects. She also serves on the board at Peachtree Christian Health Center and leads a support group at Grace New Hope in Grayson. For people who are caring for a loved one with dementia, Dill says support is essential. “Caregivers can become very isolated,” she explains. “They need a place where they have community, can be heard, can dump their heavy buckets and leave a little lighter – feeling lighter and feeling better.” More information at https://rdillblogwalkingwithgrace.wordpress.com/
Hometown Brag: LeLoni Smith Continued from page 9 says, “Take the risk and try something new. You tend to grow the most out of uncomfortable situations. The good thing is that you can always go back home.” We will always be happy to see you, LeLoni. Be sure not to stay away too long. Snellville and South Gwinnett will be right here waiting for you. You make us proud.
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