APRIL 2021 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine
Our Town GWINNETT
Grayson Dacula Loganville Lawrenceville
Up Close with City of Grayson, see story on page 5.
10 10 16 16
Grayson Spotlight: Celebrating Kickoff Time in Ram Country Find Your Reading Freedom: Liberty Books in Lawrenceville Meet Kent Suter: Helping Special Needs Families Insure Their Future Hometown Brag: William Murphy – SGHS Class of 2001
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On the Cover: Meet the City of Grayson, One of Gwinnett’s Greatest Destinations By Kristen Eleveld Gwinnett County is home to sixteen cities, many of which reflect the large population that is still growing in the county many of us have grown up in. However, there are still a few cities in Gwinnett that offer all the comforts of a large city while still maintaining the look, feel, and welcome of a small, Southern town. One such city is Grayson, which has made a name for itself with its family-friendly atmosphere, opportunities for both beloved and new events, and a business community that is unlike any other. While the events of 2020 have taken their toll on every city in Gwinnett, the city of Grayson has put an enormous effort into giving the community what it needs to not only survive but thrive. “We really want our citizens to have a sense of normalcy,” said Amanda Leftwich, who serves as the Community Development Director for the city of Grayson. “The community needs it. We all need it.” In order to allow people to enjoy the many sights and activities that Grayson offers, the city took some proactive steps to promote social distancing and other important COVID-19 protocols. For instance, they painted their outdoor lawn, which is used as a gathering space for many events, with markers indicating where people should stand to remain six feet apart. The number of participants and visitors is also limited for events, and the city is encouraging everyone to wear a mask when gathering or when they are indoors. As a result of their careful planning and the enthusiasm
from their community, Grayson was able to go forward with many of their favorite events, like Christmas in July. One reason they wanted to make these events happen was to help the many vendors and small businesses who rely on these activities to supplement their livelihood. Because the people of Grayson were willing to work with the city on necessary safety practices, the town remains a thriving, vital part of Gwinnett County. “This is truly an eat, sleep, play, and work type of local community,” said Amanda. “It’s a growing town that still has that small town feel.” Indeed, a trip to Grayson means finding a town with a vast array of shopping and eating options that still lets you cross the street safely with your family. This combination of opportunities and environment has made Grayson a close community, and Amanda credits much of their success during the pandemic to the efforts of those living in Grayson. “We dealt with the challenge of making it work,” Amanda said. “I love watching people come together at one of our events – sometimes that’s the only place they see each other.” Each of these cities has faced the challenges of the pandemic and other events of the last year head on, and met them with grace, flexibility, and a desire for only the best for its citizens. Thanks to their continued efforts and work, Grayson has continued to grow in popularity while still keeping its citizens and visitors as safe as possible. Amanda said it best: “We’re going to keep on keeping on, with a focus on safety.” More information at www.cityofgrayson.org
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Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine
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Contributing Writers Bill Crane Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz Terie Hansen Peter Stoddard Tanisha Turner Pam Walker
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 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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Distribution Coordinator Wendy Head Feature Writers K. Coats Kristen Eleveld Ron Lambros Amy Ney Emily Rubin Traci Sanders Beth Volpert Johansen
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5 On the Cover: Meet the City of Grayson, One of Gwinnett’s Greatest Destinations 7 From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks 8 Learning Lessons: Planting the Roots for Lifelong Healthy Habits 8 Chaplain’s Corner: Your Story + God’s Story = a New Story 9 Snellville Performing Arts Steals the Show at the International Junior Theater Festival 10 Find Your Reading Freedom Through Liberty Books 10 Grayson Spotlight: Celebrating Kickoff Time in Ram Country 12 Theresa Hall’s Extraordinary Return to Wellness at Dr. Chris’ Natural Remedies 15 10th Annual Movers & Makers Award Winners Announced 15 Pet Perch: Positive Reinforcement Dog Training 16 Meet Kent Suter: Helping Special-Needs Families Insure Their Future 16 Hometown Brag: William Murphy – SGHS 2001 17 One Man’s Opinion: Who Is Guarding the Guard? 19 Travel Tales: Will I Need a Vaccine to Travel?
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From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks
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By Ryan T. Sauers
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Veteran Electric Bobby Albritton
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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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Learning Lessons: Planting the Roots for Lifelong Healthy Habits
Chaplain’s Corner: Your Story + God’s Story = a New Story.
By Tanisha Turner
Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz
There’s no shortage of challenges that accompany parenthood. Among them is instilling healthy habits in your little ones. With children today spending less time outdoors and more time in front of screens, and as childhood obesity rates grow, nurturing healthy behavior early on is more important than ever before. One simple way to get young children engaged in making healthy choices that can be done in your own backyard is planting a garden. Gardening with children can help establish healthy habits that will benefit children throughout their lives. Digging, weeding, and watering require physical exertion and increase strength, endurance, and coordination. Children who are routinely active at a young age are more likely to grow into active adults. Growing vegetables or produce with children can also help them develop positive attitudes toward, and preferences for, nutritious foods. Children are more likely to accept a new food if it’s offered 10-15 times, and they will be more willing to try a new vegetable or fruit if they’ve helped grow and prepare it. Beyond fostering traditional healthy habits, gardening with children can also help them practice important traits and skills like patience, teamwork, responsibility, and planning. And, gardening naturally lends itself to valuable science and ecology lessons. Children can directly observe the impact water, sunshine, and food have on the survival of plants. Plus, the investigatory skills they practice help build critical thinking skills. To make the most of your family’s gardening adventure, Primrose offers the following tips: • Choose plants together. Take your child to your local garden center or co-op to select plants. To increase the probability that your child will have a positive gardening experience, recommend low-maintenance plants with high success rates for your part of the country, but let her choose a few on her own. • Give ownership. Set aside an area specifically for your child to garden. If he wants to drop an entire packet of seeds in one hole, encourage him to experiment and see what happens. • Use small tools. Many manufacturers offer smaller, child-sized gardening tools like trowels, gloves, rakes, and hoes. Smaller tools are safer and easier for children to handle, and having their own tools will make them feel more responsible for their contributions to the garden. • Show genuine interest. Demonstrate to your child how much you enjoy gardening by tending to the plants daily and vocalizing how you look forward to it each day. The difference between gardening and yard work is fun, and children can tell the difference. • Ask questions along the way. Children’s natural curiosity is bound to emerge during your gardening. You can help them learn by asking questions, prompting them to observe changes Continued on page 11
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, 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 wonderContinued on page 11
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Snellville Performing Arts Steals the Show at the International Junior Theater Festival By Traci Sanders The International Junior Theater Festival (JTF) was held earlier this year, with students from award-winning, nonprofit Snellville Performing Arts (SPA) representing Snellville and Greater Gwinnett. This event is a three-day festival that typically draws 10,000 to 15,000 students, directors, choreographers, Broadway professionals, and other representing agents to Atlanta from all over the world. Due to COVID-19, the event was virtual this year to keep all the students, judges, and crew safe. SPA showcased a piece from their 2020 fall musical, Matilda, Jr., to compete for the prestigious Freddie Gershon Awards. Owner and executive director of SPA, Stephanie McDonald, shared that while the awards are quite exciting, this event embodies so much more than just competition. “The festival is about community, about artistry, about friendship, and about sharing our passion with other people who love what we love,” she said. “After this crazy year with canceled shows, hybrid rehearsals, performing in masks, and everything else that has changed what we do, the most important things have remained – our passion for what we do and our love for each other. JTF is an opportunity every year for us to fully immerse ourselves in the world of the performing arts and take in every single joyous moment.” Earlier this year, the students attended talkbacks, discussions, and performances from Kristen Chenoweth (Wicked, The Descendants), Tim Federle (Tuck Everlasting, DHSMTMTS), the cast of Disney’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hansen), Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple, Sister Act), Taylor Iman Jones (Groundhog Day, Head Over Heels, Hamilton), Joey Contreras (Broadway Dreams Foundation), Kikau Alvero (VCU Arts, Virginia Rep Theatre), Krystina Alabado (Mean Girls the Musical), Isaac Powell (West Side Story), Brittney Mack (Six), Ryan McCartan (Heathers, Frozen, Wicked), and more. Stephanie also shared that the opportunities don’t end with merely meeting celebrities. The student performers (and staff) get the chance to learn from them directly! iTheatrics hosted several workshops that included choreography with Brittney Mack (Six) and vocals with Rob Rokicki (The Lightning Thief). The students learned a combo from Hamilton with Brian Watson and Jennifer Locke, as well. The directors checked in with iTheatrics team members like Tim McDonald, Lindsay Lupi, Marty Johnson, Jiana Odland, Shay Rodgers, and Derek Bowley. They learned more about programs like Vocal Techniques for Young Performers, Inspiring Excellence in Students, and Building Your Theatrical Community. “There is no other place our student performers could have access to these stars and be so immersed in everything Broadway. On top of all these opportunities, of course, is the ultimate culmination of the weekend: the Freddie G Awards,” Stephanie added. Continued on page 17
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Find Your Reading Freedom Through Liberty Books By Kristen Eleveld If you love reading and are looking for a local resource to feed your bibliophilic habits, we have good news – your search is over. It’s time for you to visit Liberty Books, located right in the heart of downtown Lawrenceville. With over 50,000 used books in stock at any given time, Liberty Books has become a staple of the Lawrenceville community. Previously, the bookstore was located in Buford under the name Books for Less, where it did steady business as a premier supplier of great books at a discounted rate. Now in Lawrenceville, the store continues to offer its incredible supply of books that run the gamut from out of print to newly released. One of the main ways the store is able to keep such a wide variety of books is through their trade program. Liberty Books offers customers the opportunity to bring in books in any condition in exchange for credit and discounts in the store. This means that all of the old books you’ve been storing in your closet can find a new home – and you can find some new books to take their place. Because the store receives so many different books through the trade program, they are also often home to books that are no longer in print or that are difficult to locate in other stores. And while the store takes books in any condition, they have high standards for the ones they put out for purchase. “A lot of people don’t believe we are a used bookstore because of how careful we are about which books we put on the shelves,” said manager Kelsey Underwood. “It’s incredibly organized in the store, and a lot of people think all of our books are brand new.” Liberty Books will even take your college textbooks off your hands, often paying cash for Continued on page 18
What people are saying…
Grayson Spotlight: Celebrating Kickoff Time in Ram Country By Kristen Eleveld When it comes to football, it’s all about the teamwork. But for those at Grayson High School, there is another team off the field that is working together to bring students, parents, and fans together every Friday night in the fall. Meet the three men who run the press box at the Grayson High School football field: Randy Benson, Kenny Meadows, and Mike Collins. Randy’s youngest son started as a freshman at Grayson, immediately going out for a few different teams, including football. Around that time, the current game announcer had decided to leave, and Randy learned that the school was looking for someone to fill the role. Soon after, he met Kenny and Mike, whose sons also played sports for Grayson. “I used to be a D.J. in Macon, and I always had dreams of doing play-by-play announcing,” Randy said. “The stars aligned, and I was able to volunteer for the announcer job.” Now, as they finish out their thirteenth year together, this trio has become a staple of the Grayson High School community. Randy focuses on calling out plays and updating the fans, while Kenny and Mike serve as spotters, always watching the field with binoculars to make
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Learning Lessons Continued from page 8 that occur or differences between plants, and offering information as you go. • Celebrate! After all of your hard work together, celebrate by harvesting the fruits of your labor. Serve the vegetables for dinner (have your child help pick the menu), decorate the table with cut flowers from the garden, and share garden gifts with friends. • Continue the learning and fun. Take pictures of your family’s gardening adventures as fun mementos of your time spent together. Read books and explore websites to learn more about your garden and all of the different parts that play a role in its success! Here are a few book recommendations: o The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss (ages 3-4) o Tops & Bottoms by Janet Stevens (ages 4-7) o Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin (ages 4-8) o Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert (ages 2+) o Dig, Plant, Grow by Felder Rushing (ages 6-10)
o Grow It, Cook It with Kids by Amanda Grant (ages 9+) Tanisha Turner is Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway. More information at www.PrimroseSugarloafParkway.com
Chaplain’s Corner Continued from page 8 ful 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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Theresa Hall’s Extraordinary Return to Wellness at Dr. Chris’ Natural Remedies By Peter Stoddard Theresa Hall enjoyed a rewarding career as an IRS analyst. Her role was to assess retirement plans and make sure that all employees of that company had access to every plan. Upon retiring from the IRS, Theresa took on a second career in real estate investing. She became the first woman president of the Georgia Real Estate Investors Association. Theresa was also in the US Army reserve for twenty-two years. She enlisted intending to stay for only three years, but decided to serve for decades. In the 1990s Theresa developed severe medical problems. The most significant were numbness in her feet and hands. She was diagnosed with Raynaud’s phenomenon, where small arteries that supply blood to the skin constrict excessively, limiting blood supply to the affected area. Some areas of the body feel numb and cold in certain circumstances. Theresa’s condition worsened. The Raynaud’s led to wet gangrene, which occurs when bacteria invade tissue, making the area swell and drain fluid. Theresa’s fingertips turned black. A hand doctor recommended amputation of the fingers most severely affected, since she would likely lose all her fingers and perhaps toes as the condition worsened. Theresa sought any alternative to amputation. One method was intravenous chelation therapy, which uses special drugs that bind to metals in one’s blood. She went for chelation treatments two to three times a week and noticed improvement after only two weeks. Theresa continued treatment for about three months, until she became short on funds (though she stresses that when one is sick and does not have good health, no price tag should be placed on getting well). Over time Theresa’s fingers completely rejuvenated. All ten of her fingers are natural in color with complete feeling. Her fingers are fully functional, though she still experiences minor symptoms such as hypersensitivity to cold. In another effort to alleviate her symptoms, Theresa became a raw foodist. Also known as rawism, this is the practice of eating only or mostly food that is uncooked and unprocessed. She maintained the raw food diet for four years, then began cooking again, albeit organic, once her condition returned closer to normal. Having lived in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Richmond, Theresa moved to Georgia in 1991 where the warmer climate has been beneficial. She avoids travel to the north in cooler months
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if she can. In the 1990s Theresa began seeing Dr. Chris Greene, the founder of Dr. Chris Natural Remedies, for herbs and supplements she knew to be beneficial for circulation. Theresa credits the combination of chelation therapy, raw foodism, and Dr. Chris’s supplements for her remarkable recovery from what many consider to be an irreversible condition. In 2017 Theresa experienced severe rotator cuff pain. She could not raise her arm even as high as her shoulder. Simply dressing herself was a challenge. Dr. Chris recommended that she see Dr. Powell, who took time to discuss Theresa’s lifetime of activity and health conditions. Together he and Theresa surmised that Theresa injured herself in the 1980s while in the Army Reserve. She recalled being loaded down with a full backpack as well as a heavy duffle bag during field maneuvers one day. Looking back, she realized she carried the duffle awkwardly, with the full weight of it straining her upper arms and shoulders. With the root cause isolated, Dr. Powell took Theresa to an anatomical map on his office wall where he pointed out the affected areas needing therapy. He explained that recovery would not come overnight, and that Theresa must dedicate herself to healing. She was impressed that Dr. Powell so thoroughly explained what she already suspected to be true. He applied skeletal adjustments and soft tissue massage that rapidly delivered significant relief. Theresa felt better with improved range of motion after only a few visits. Theresa once suffered a bout of vertigo or dizziness. She first saw an MD, who gave her an injection and pills. Neither had any beneficial effect. Next, she saw Dr. Powell, who applied various techniques to her neck and head. His diagnosis was that crystals in her inner ear were out of position. His techniques enabled those crystals to fall back into place. She now sees Dr. Powell about once every six weeks for general wellness. Having studied a lot on her own, Theresa understands such terms as keeping one’s “chakras” open. This essentially means keeping all parts of the body in communication with each other. The body’s energy evens out and becomes balanced. Visits to Dr. Powell can lead to fits of laughter as well. Not long ago, Dr. Powell was using an instrument to address minor tingling in Theresa’s feet. He began at the top of her spine, but as he worked downward and eventually reached her feet, ticklishness kicked in. The result was patient and doctor giggling like children, but not until the tingling went away. A testament to Theresa’s vitality is a westward hike last year on the 61.5-mile Silver Comet Trail, from Smyrna, Georgia to the Alabama border. With her 72-year-old friend, 68-year-old Theresa hiked twenty miles each day. They did this over the course of three weeks, returning home by car each night due to busy schedules and the need for rest. Still, this was an admirable accomplishment for a woman who was once told she might end up completely disabled. And even in her senior years, Theresa maintains an active lifestyle of hiking, kayaking, zip lining, and traveling the world. Dr. Powell considers Theresa to be one of his many “model patients.” “She ‘gets it’ all,” he says, “and makes the most of what she gets.” More information at https://www.drchrisnaturalremedies.com
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This year, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, things looked a little different at the stadium. But even the trials of a worldwide epidemic did not stop Randy from bringing the fans the information they wanted to know. Since many Grayson games were not on TV or did not sure no detail is missed. Throughout the years they have been assisted by many parents and have announcements available, Randy and his wife put together a Facebook live post that kept supporters. People like Tony Nanez, Gilbert Diaz, Al Griffin, Tony Zerblis, Jeff Ride, and people informed about the latest updates in each game. They hope to continue this trend as Kevin Gaines have all played a role in helping the fans know exactly what’s happening on the needed in the coming season, though Randy says he hopes the next games begin to look a little field. more like the old days. “I sort of feel like the twelfth man on the field,” said Randy. “In our thirteen years of Off the field, this trio has become a tight-knit group, often getting together for dinners or announcing, Grayson has won 3 State Championships and 9 Region Championships. The other activities with their families. Because they have been working together so long, their coaches and players are phenomenal, and I’ve enjoyed being even a small part of the games.” friendship is a close one, and they all plan to keep volunteering in the press box next season. But this team plays more than a small part. Randy, Kenny, and Mike want every home game “Every year, we talk about it – and every year, we all say we want to do it again,” said Randy. to be a great experience for the players and fans alike, so they pay special attention to each play “It’s our way of giving backWhen to the community, want to dothe whatever we can.” When it comes to it comesandtowefinding perfect roof that goes on the field. Rather than just announcing an amazing play, Randy prefers to learn Even the most casual football fan will get a kick out of the announcements and updates that we for your home for your home we have a HUGE selection each player’s name on both teams so he can give everyone the credit they deserve for a jobWhen well it to finding the perfect it comes to roof finding the perfect roof thiscomes team brings toWhen the Grayson home games, so be on the lookout for opportunities to support done. This attention to detail is just one of the ways this team goes the extra distance to make of country! brands ofsays brands and colors to choose from, so and colo thehome Rams this fall. As Randy before each game, kickoff time in Ram for your we have a HUGE selection for your home we have ait’sHUGE selection the Grayson games a fantastic place to spend a Friday night. we can make your
Grayson Spotlight Continued from page 10
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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 Continued on page 19
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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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Meet Kent Suter: Helping Special-Needs Families Insure Their Future By Traci Sanders Kent Suter grew up in Lilburn and served as a youth pastor for fifteen years. He and his wife Brook met in college and began growing a family soon after graduating, and they now have four children under the age of thirteen. After realizing the costs of raising a family, along with a deep desire to follow God’s lead, Kent decided to step away from being a youth pastor and step into a new vocational role in financial services. One morning in 2019, a good friend called and invited him to lunch to discuss a possible business opportunity. Kent was surprised at how intrigued he was about his friend’s life insurance business. He’d never pictured himself in that field, even though his father was an Allstate agent for thirty years. However, after a few months of prayer and processing everything his friend had shared, Kent decided to go for it. He passed his exam in January of 2020 and joined Johnson Financial Group in Norcross. Not long after this, a special-needs lawyer mentioned to Kent how families of special-needs kids were grossly underinsured. A new passion was ignited within him, especially since he is a parent to a five-year-old child with Down Syndrome. Kent decided he wanted to help those families understand and afford adequate life insurance. He knew firsthand how expensive the journey of caring for a child with special needs can be. There are costs for health insurance, medical visits and equipment (if necessary), medication, therapy, and other resources parents might have to secure to give their child the highest quality of life. These costs can be so draining on a family’s budget that it can seem too expensive to afford life insurance. “Some parents may not even be thinking about needing life insurance, or perhaps the morbidity of the subject is too much to even consider,” Kent added. Kent began to look deeper into the relativity of life insurance coverage for these families. “It’s not just the child’s possible death and funeral costs that must be considered,” Kent said. “It’s insurance that will help cover the high costs for a guardian to continue the level of needed care for the child with special needs if something happens to their parents.” Continued on page 19
Hometown Brag: William Murphy – SGHS 2001 By K. Coats Snellville has changed a lot since 2001 when William Murphy graduated from South Gwinnett High School (SGHS). The high school has had a couple of new additions, new shopping centers have popped up, and popular ones are now vacant. Even the intersection at 124 and 78 has morphed into something new. But that’s okay by William. Change is something he’s used to and has embraced. Now living in Fort Mill, South Carolina, he is a Lead Reactor Systems Engineer at Catawba Nuclear Station. His responsibilities in this position are every bit as daunting as one would imagine. “I am the lead reactor engineer for one of two 1,100 megawatt (electric) pressurized water nuclear power reactors just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina,” William explains. “I am responsible for engineering interface with the Operations staff, implementation of new fuel cycle designs, and performing periodic tests on the reactor as required by federal regulation, including reactor startup testing. Somewhat unique to engineering (which can generally be ‘hands off’ work such as performing calculations and writing instructions/procedures), I frequently directly interact with plant equipment to measure reactor core behavior over the 18-month lifetime of its nuclear fuel cycle. I also serve as the lead system engineer for the station’s spent fuel storage operations.” One of his proudest accomplishments is also related to his field and involved going into uncharted territory. “From 2010 to 2013, I led my power station in transitioning the technology we use for storing spent nuclear fuel to a new, never-before-used, highly efficient design,” he explains. “Consisting of a team of nearly a hundred people, the project was completed on-time, under the multi-million-dollar budget, and without any injuries or major complications.” This accomplishment for William led to it being implemented in other areas as a result of his success. “Following our lead, four other power stations nationwide have deployed this technology, with a fifth in the works,” he adds. “This project was the most stressful and time-consuming undertaking of my career to-date, and I remain exceedingly proud of the work the entire team accomplished.” Continued on page 18
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Snellville Performing Arts Continued from page 9
By Bill Crane
The student performers at SPA were recognized through individual awards and an overall festival award. Kailyn Hildebrand (Bruce) and Addy Underwood (Eric) were recognized as a part of the Festival Kick-off Performance. Julianna Pillsbury (Matilda) and Reagan Kelley (Mrs. Wormwood) won Playbill Trivia as a part of Team Andrew Lloyd Webber. Tsumari Patterson (Trunchbull) won the Junior Theater Festival Freddie G All Festival Individual Performance Award. And finally, along with their directors Stephanie McDonald and Alyssa Paduano, Snellville Performing Arts won the Junior Theater Festival 2021 Freddie G All Festival Award for Excellence in Acting. In addition to these achievements, SPA was also just awarded “Best in Gwinnett” for the second year in a row in the Performing Arts Schools, Studios, and Instructors category. “We are so incredibly proud of every single one of our student performers and directors and are thrilled to receive recognition for their talent and efforts,” Stephanie said. “We’re excited to show all of Gwinnett that there’s no question that ‘Everybody’s Somebody at Snellville Performing Arts!’” More information at https://www.snellvilleperformingarts.com/.
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-pay-chart/). 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
Apr ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
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PAGE 17
Hometown Brag Continued from page 16 When not blazing trails in spent nuclear fuel storage, William has hobbies that require patience and also a large amount of attention to detail. He describes himself as “an amateur propmaker with a focus on replicating screen accurate costumes and props from movies and television,” where he explores both old and newer methods. “I principally use 3D printing to create my props,” he explains, “though I have also used more traditional methods (i.e., resin casting).” William was also lucky enough for his hobby and career to cross. “This hobby has bled into my career,” he says. “I have made 3D printed scale models of the equipment used to store spent nuclear fuel.” These models have been used in training new employees as nuclear fuel is not a trial-and-error profession. Long before he was exploring new paths in 3D models and nuclear fuel storage, William’s time at South Gwinnett High School showed his proclivity for detail-oriented tasks. An orchestra (violin) and German club member, he also participated in Scholar’s Bowl. When not in class, his hobbies kept up the same style. William remembers, “I enjoyed gaming of all sorts – board games, video/computer games, and tabletop roleplaying games (Dungeons and Dragons).” And the gaming trends of the time were especially appealing. “The collectible card game phenomenon was at its zenith in the late 1990s,” he adds. “I spent considerable time on weekends at local gaming stores participating in Star Wars collectible card game tournaments.” As a student, William remembers one teacher as especially influential. “Though I chose a technical path through university and my career,” he says, “my favorite high school class was Advanced Placement United States History in my Junior year (1999-2000), instructed by Mr. [Warren] Sutherland.” He credits Mr. Sutherland’s course with having a lasting impact on him. He states, “One cannot effectively navigate life, regardless of profession or creed, without an objective and comprehensive insight into one’s past. This course (and specifically, Mr. Sutherland’s instruction) ignited in me a lifelong love for history, particularly that of our nation.” He also credits the rigor of Mr. Sutherland’s course with helping to prepare him for the expectations of his coursework at Georgia Tech. Looking ahead, William isn’t done with forging new paths. He is currently attending graduate courses at the University of South Carolina where he will earn a Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering. “Between the rapid growth in the private space sector (i.e., SpaceX, Rocket Lab, Masten Space Systems) and the development of practical personal air vehicles (i.e., air taxis),” he explains, “I feel that we are nearing a quantum leap in air and spaceflight not seen since the
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first half of the 20th century.” One day, perhaps, William can also “boldly go where no man has gone before.” But before he leaves our atmosphere, William would like to give credit where he feels it is due. “Though it’s been nearly twenty years since I graduated from SGHS,” he says, “I remain grateful to those teachers who instilled in me a passion for perpetual learning. Their names and lessons echo in my life to this day.” And he continues to extend his gratitude to current teachers as well. “To all of the present-day instructors in Gwinnett County,” William adds, “I thank you for instilling that same passion in the next generation of our community’s scholars.” Thank you for your support, Mr. Murphy. You are, and always shall be, our friend. You make us proud, sir, and we look forward to seeing more of your accomplishments. William Murphy is a Lead Reaction Systems Engineer at Catawba Nuclear Station. More information at https://digitaleditions.nuclearplantjournal.com/JA14/files/assets/common/downloads/page0054.pdf.
Liberty Books Continued from page 10 textbooks that college and university bookstores won’t buy back from you. The store is also working to stock textbooks that are being used at the local Georgia Gwinnett College, which means those students looking for books have a much higher chance of finding them for a better price at Liberty Books. Beyond the world of literature, Liberty Books is also committed to make a difference in its community. Through their partnership with a local organization that fights human trafficking, the bookstore donates a portion of its proceeds to this organization and other ministries in the hope that they can help end human trafficking for good. For Kelsey, the best part of her job is all about the books she discovers as she helps customers trade in books or as she researches potential new books to stock in the store. “Getting a trade from a customer is like going on a treasure hunt,” said Kelsey. “I love to come across a new book.” If you also love coming across new books and want to find some amazing deals, it’s time for you to head to Liberty Books in Lawrenceville. This Christian-based store has managed to maintain a veritable library that encompasses all generations without stressing your wallet. In fact, you might just come out ahead in the deal. More information at www.libertybooks.us
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Apr ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
Movers & Makers Award Continued from page 15
Travel Tales: Will I Need a Vaccine to Travel?
• 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 • 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 technology-driven global market.” More information at www.partnershipgwinnett.com.
By Pam Walker
Meet Kent Suter Continued from page 16 Although Kent takes great pride in helping every family find affordable and adequate disability, life, and long-term-care coverage, he has a special place in his heart for helping those with unique situations – those families who may not even know what type or how much insurance they need, or even why they need it. He takes great honor in being an advocate for these families through his services at Johnson Financial Group. “I want to be a ‘red hat’ for these families of special-needs kids,” he said. “I want them to see I’m on their side and know that I understand what they’re going through. I want them to know they can trust me to guide them through the emotional and often-confusing process of choosing the right insurance that will best protect their family, and hopefully ease some of the financial burden to allow them to simply enjoy the precious gift that God has given them in their child.” More information at https://www.jfgatl.com/team/kent-suter
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
EXCEPTIONAL CARE FROM THE COMFORT OF HOME. Telehealth offers flexibility to patients through video conferencing, where a licensed physical therapist will work one-on-one with patients to assess their condition and provide real-time feedback. Patients can utilize telehealth services full-time or as part of a hybrid model with in-clinic visits. Call 1-866-4TELEPT to schedule a telehealth appointment or visit
benchmarkpt.com/telehealth / drayerpt.com/telehealth
BUFORD I-85 P: (770) 271-4413
LAWRENCEVILLE P: (678) 985-0238
LILBURN – BEAVER RUIN P: (678) 691-7163
GRAYSON P: (678) 376-0213
LILBURN P: (770) 925-9210
SNELLVILLE P: (678) 344-7197
SNELLVILLE
SNELLVILLE* P: (678) 987-0250
CENTERVILLE HWY 124
P: (470) 365-2135
*Drayer Physical Therapy Location
Apr ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
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PAGE 19
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770.931.1414 | www.RogerSGreen.com | 3700 Crestwood Pkwy, Ste 140, Duluth, GA 30096 Investment Advisor Representative offering securities & advisory services through Cetera Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker/Dealer, member FINRA, SIPC. Green Financial, Gwinnett Tech & Cetera Advisors are not affiliated. Awards are not to be considered a guarantee of future results, nor as an endorsement by any client. Best of Gwinnett winners are chosen via voting and editors’ input, & opinions are vetted with the use of other available information. Pinnacle award rankings are based on growth, revenue, community service, & other criteria.