APRIL 2023: (BLUE) Our Town Gwinnett Monthly Magazine for Gwinnett/NE Dekalb

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On the Cover: Get Your Lawn and Landscape Ready for Summer!

By Kristen Eleveld

Spring has officially sprung, summer is in sight, and that means warmer weather, more daylight hours, and, of course, a greener lawn – not to mention the mosquitos that will soon be buzzing around. For most of us, keeping the lawn that verdant shade of green can be a challenge. But for those who utilize the experts at Simply Green Lawn Care, sitting back and enjoying their lovely, healthy yard is an annual tradition each year.

It’s not just that Simply Green Lawn Care goes the extra distance for their clients, even though they do. When you call the team at Simply Green, you will always speak to a person – never a machine that tells you to press “one” to leave a voicemail. They go above and beyond to ensure that each client receives the lawn care needed; nothing more, nothing less. But in addition to their superior customer service reputation, Simply Green Lawn Care has all the expertise you need to ensure your lawn is healthy this summer.

For instance, did you know that warm-season lawns will need to be cut as short as possible at the beginning of the season?

“If you haven’t already, scalp your Bermuda and Zoysia lawn to remove dead grass, buildup, and debris,” explains Mary Thompson, who serves as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Simply Green. “This will help the soil warm up faster, and warm soil temperatures mean new, green growth. This first mow of the season is one of the rare occasions where you should bag your clippings.”

How low should you go? Mary and her team recommend cutting your

Bermuda and Zoysia lawn at half an inch to one inch for that first mow. This will help your lawn become healthy and green. Once your yard is growing well, you can mow it every five to seven days at one to oneand-a-half inches to keep that brilliant, springy look fresh at all times.

And don’t forget to manage those pesky weeds. A lot of us wait until we see weeds growing to go outside and pull them. But Mary and the team at Simply Green Law Care have a different strategy that will help you contain your weed problems before they have a chance to take root.

“In early spring, it is important to apply fertilizer to feed your lawn,” says Mary. “Fertilizer helps to supplement your grass with nutrients it

Continued on page 18

Our Town

Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

— An EndResultz Media Company EndResultz.com

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.

Entire contents copyright 2023 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

Publisher/Owner

Dr. Ryan T. Sauers

Ryan@EndResultz.com

Creative Director

Elsie Olson

Cover Photography

Emil Powella

Photography

Distribution Coordinator

Feature Writers

Victoria R. Crosby

Tana Poncsak

Traci Sanders

Beth Volpert Johansen

Elsie@EndResultz.com

Editor

Catherine L. Osornio

Editor@EndResultz.com

THIS ISSUE

Wendy Head

Cover Story

Feature Writer

Kristen Eleveld

Jane Bishop

Bill Crane

Terie Hansen

Pam Walker

Contributing Writers IN

5 On the Cover: Get Your Lawn and Landscape Ready for Summer!

7 From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks

8 Pet Perch: Dogs and Grief, How You Can Help 8

Ryan’s Remarks

By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers

Wow, it is April 2023. Spring is here and warm weather should be here to stay. In this column, I want to share some things I do and believe in all parts of my life. People have asked me to write this, so here it is. These are things I believe in and that help people achieve success.

As a small business consultant, sales and marketing expert, entrepreneur, speaker, media owner, and published author, there are things that just work in achieving success.

I believe in a relentless work ethic, a passion for excellence, and unwavering grit and perseverance. Success is not a matter of luck or talent, but a result of hard work, dedication, and resilience. There are no shortcuts in life; a strong work ethic is a key foundation of success. There is no substitute for putting in the time and effort required to achieve your goals, or your dreams. Success is not a matter of “working smart,” but rather “working hard and smart.” Or said another way, of being both efficient and effective at what we do. I always encourage people to adopt the Keep Pushing Forward (KPF) mindset, as I have done for over 30 years. This means digging deep, finding a way to make things happen, and displaying grit.

In my dissertation, I learned that grit is the deep drive and courage to persist in the face of all types of adversity. You see, success is not a straight line but a journey filled with setbacks, failures, and obstacles.

Continued on page 20

Pet

Dogs and Grief, How You Can Help

By Terie Hansen

Dogs, like people, have different personalities, each being an individual. When a family experiences the loss of a dog and they have another dog or dogs, the dog(s) left behind will grieve the loss of the passing pack member.

Some dogs grieve longer than others, but in general, compared to their human counterparts, their grieving process is less emotional and much shorter. However, if the human puts all their emotions into the dog or dogs left, it can certainly extend the grieving process and may even create some behavioral problems.

While it can be difficult for you, the best approach is:

If possible allow the companion dog(s) to be present at the Euthanasia. A mobile veterinarian can typically perform an in-home euthanasia, allowing for a peaceful passing and the presence of the other family dog(s).

Keep your emotions in check as much as possible. Easier said than done for sure! And yes, a little extra TLC goes a long way, but too much can do more harm than good.

Keep a normal routine going. This helps dogs feel safe and secure, and helps to relieve or keep stress to a minimum.

Some added exercise is in order, as this will get their feel-good chemicals (endorphins) flowing, helping them to be in a peaceful, happy state. The same will work for you as well, so get out and walk!

This is a great time to introduce some training as a means of stimulating your dog’s brain in a positive way. Perhaps some agility, nose work, or some good old fashioned basic obedience is in order. Dogs thrive on learning new things.

Remember, time heals, and you and your canine companion will feel happy again one day, maybe even enough to open your heart and your home to another dog in need of a family.

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

Feeding Gwinnett Students and Families –Camp Creek Elementary Food Baskets

By Traci Sanders

In 2019 Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful encouraged environmental school clubs in Gwinnett County to partake in the Food Waste Warrior Program. Grants were available for schools that conducted initial Food Waste Audits and that had a plan on how to combat the waste.

Led by teacher Annette Santana, the Earth Patrol Club at Camp Creek Elementary School was a recipient of one of those grants. After attending several Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful meetings for inspiration, Santana discussed an idea with her principal and cafeteria manager to help address the food waste problem in the school. Santana gained their support for her mission and used some of the grant money to purchase several blue baskets, and the Food Baskets program was born. Each day the Earth Patrol students stood by the blue baskets, situated next to the cafeteria trash cans, and removed any unwanted, unopened food items that were later taken back to their classroom for snack time to offer to students who didn’t have a snack.

That process halted when COVID hit a few years later, and the children were no longer able to share food items. The idea was revisited and implemented in the second half of 2021. Santana invited other classes to deliver their unwanted items to her classroom. Over 1,200 students in the school participated in this first food audit, and Parkview High School students came to help with counting and weighing of the waste.

A second audit was conducted later in the school year to see if the blue baskets had made a difference. The program was proving to be beneficial, and so it continued. Some classrooms delivered the blue baskets

Continued on page 15

Travel Tales: Patagonia on My Mind!

By Pam Walker

Have you ever thought about going to Patagonia in the winter? No, not the Patagonia clothing factory. I am referring to the Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. The popular months to travel here are in the South American summer months of December through March. But this year I decided to try winter!

Our summer is not the best time to go as some hotels are closed, but those that are open offer a spectacular experience of the high Andes and the flora and fauna of that season. In winter, you can catch a glimpse of the eluxive Patagonian Pumas, numerous Alpacas and Guanacos, as well as many of the smaller animals such as the smallest deer in South America called the Huemul.

There is an amazing group of hotels that do stay open all year round due to their popularity. The Explora group has wonderful properties in Argentina near El Chaltén and also in Chile in Torres del Paine National Park and the recently formed Patagonia National Park which was donated to the government of Chile by the late Douglas Tompkins and his wife Kristine.

Tompkins Conservation is still alive and well, and Kris maintains a wonderful museum in the Park which is probably one of the best in the world, with displays on our planet and the changes and challenges that humanity is responsible for. Aside from the many amazing hikes at this particular Explora, it is well worth going just to visit the museum. It is also wonderful to see the huge herd of Guanacos that inhabit the area as they challenge each other for mating rights as well as just grazing on the grounds and hills alongside the valley where the lodge and museum sit.

All of the Explora hotels are well worth visiting in winter. Weather is variable so while it will be cold, some days will have snow and others not. At the Explora in Torres del Paine, you can hike to Grey Lake and see icebergs float by that have broken off from the Grey Glacier. There is also a hike to Lake Sarmiento where the edge of the lake is are actually made of thrombolites, some of the oldest sediments in the world dating back to 3.5 billion years. Sarmiento Lake is also one of the most acidic lakes in the world. Battery acid is a 1 on the pH scale and vinegar is is a 2 to 4 on the same scale. The waters of Lake Sarmiento has a pH of 9! There is so much more to see during winter in Patagonia. It is one of my favorite places in the world. So if you want to go, don’t limit yourself to its summer months only.

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@ walkeradventures.com

One Man’s Opinion: So VERY Cherry

By Bill Crane

Spring has finally sprung, with pine pollen in the air – everywhere – giving my car and truck a nice, golden yellow glow. Thankfully, for several blooming Georgia communities, as well as others across the nation, it is also time to Think Pink Cherry blossoms are the reason for this season in an America where primary colors increasingly take on meanings all their own.

Red means Republican, conservative, and for some, patriotism. Blue means Democratic, progressive, and even a specific type of Democrat, the few Blue Dogs remaining within that caucus. Yellow is associated with cowardice and, in backward times, a racial slander against those of Asian descent. Purple connotes royalty, majesty, Vikings, and several national fraternal organizations. I don’t think I need to explain the broad-

er uses of black and white, though technically those are the absence of color, or all colors together forming the spectrum of light. Pink is the color most associated with breast cancer survivorship, as well as those battles, anything related to Barbie (hot pink), some wildly popular lingerie and couture, and across our nation, spring Cherry Blossom Festivals.

Cherry blossom trees are a transplanted species from Japan to the United States. The District of Columbia first put the cherry blossom tree, a hardy perennial, to good use surrounding the National Mall in 1912, and those pink spring blossoms were a symbol of friendship and a gift from the people of Japan. D.C. considers this event as our National Cherry Blossom Festival, beginning annually on the first day of spring. In Japan, this tradition and celebration of spring is centuries old.

In Georgia, the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival was born in 1982 under the auspices of the Keep Macon-Bibb County Beautiful Commission. Macon entrepreneur, William Fickling, had begun planting Yoshino cherry blossom trees in his hometown in 1949. Civic leader Carolyn Crayton would start the festival forty-two years ago in Macon’s downtown as part of downtown revitalization and beautification, as well as thanks and remembrance of the Fickling family and their many gifts to Macon.

That same year in Conyers, Georgia, as part of a sister cities initiative with Japan, the Rockdale County seat began its Cherry Blossom Festival, and since its 30th year when the festival outgrew its original location at the Maxwell property, it has been held at the Georgia International Horse Park. The Conyers celebration has an international flavor with arts, crafts, and a wide array of cuisine, and it has been selected for many years as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Relatively new to Thinking Pink, Brookhaven, Georgia is holding its 8th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival, though the city itself just turned ten in 2022. The Brookhaven festival straddles two weekends, including a 5K Fun Run benefitting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Brookhaven CherryFest, which has fast become the Southeast’s second-largest music festival, and a wide array of other family-friendly activities, vendors, and state-fair style food options.

And these CherryFest concerts feature upwardly mobile regional talent and nationally known acts, including proven superstars of days gone by playing legendary pop standards like “Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie”

Continued on page 12

Snellville Performing Arts Takes Awards at the Junior Theater Festival

By Tana Poncsak

Snellville Performing Arts was one of 125 groups that attended the worldwide iTheatrics International Junior Theater Festival in January. The group competed with a cut of their production of Once on this Island, Jr., and received the All-Festival Freddie G Inspiration Award. Stephanie Wallace McDonald, executive director of Snellville Performing Arts, was thrilled for her students who performed at the festival, as the award encompasses everything she hopes to show with the theatre they create.

“People watch theatre to be inspired and to be touched,” McDonald said, adding that out of 125 groups and over 6,500 people, she is proud that her twenty-three students were chosen for this award.

And that’s not the only award the group received. Its student choreography team for the show, led by seventeen-year-old Joy Woods, also received an award. McDonald was happy to see the students, who had worked so hard and created choreography that is “genuine and true to the story,” recognized.

And finally, McDonald herself received an invitation to the Freddie G Fellowship. This invitation goes to outstanding directors who create truly inspiring and exceptional work. Recommendations by a current student, an industry colleague, and a member of the community are all part of the application process, and out of 150 to 200 directors, McDonald was one of only three directors to receive an invitation this year.

“To hear Snellville called out, seeing the kids cheering, and to know that our kids are inspiring and creating phenomenal theatre is really heartwarming,” McDonald said.

Snellville Performing Arts, a nonprofit organization, has been a long time in the making and came from McDonald’s own passion to share her love of theatre with others. Now technically in its fifth year, it’s been

a dream come true.

McDonald, who is also an art teacher at South Gwinnett High School, grew up in Snellville and played every sport imaginable, but she was passionate about theatre, taking part in Odyssey of the Mind and her school’s shows. She also recalled an influential theatre teacher in middle school. But it was when she was around eight or nine years old on a cruise ship with her family as she watched a rehearsal of a live stage

Continued on page 23

Change – A Word for Your Day

By Jane Bishop

What is it about the word CHANGE that can make us smile or frown, be happy or frustrated? Change is “to make or become different.” We are experiencing change more rapidly than perhaps at any time in history. We have access to “instant” almost anything. Add to that the impact of social media and how it has changed how we communicate, think, and feel. It can foster a feeling of belonging, or fuel feelings of isolation or polarization.

In the book Change is Good…You Go First, the authors give twenty-one ways to inspire change while challenging readers to confront their own view and response to change. One of many outtakes of the book is “if you don’t like change, you are going to like irrelevance even less.” Stop, pause, and think on that nugget for a moment.

To experience “good” change requires practicing change therapy which helps develop change agility. I was exposed to change therapy and learned the basics of change agility early in life. The first eighteen years of my life, my family and I lived in eleven different cities, five different states, and one foreign country. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, that practice of packing, moving, fitting in, learning a new area, etc. then repeat was teaching me change agility skills. One of the valuable lessons learned that continues to fuel me is acknowledging I cannot always control the change. However, I can control how I respond to change.

Change agility was a topic I posed to coaching colleagues from the United States, Scotland, and Africa in a recent conversation. I asked how they had honed their change agility skills. Answers included: listening, being open to other perspectives, teachable, and not getting lost in all the “stuff,” patience, and humility. What will it take for you to practice change therapy to develop strong change agility skills? Author Stacy Aaron said, “When considering change, remember there is an emotional connection necessary for people to commit to new ways.”

Ponder this: what emotional connection is necessary for you to embrace change?

Try these exercises to get started: 1) Use a crayon to write the word “change” on paper with your dominant hand. Repeat using your non-dominant hand. What did you experience? 2) On the other side of that paper, write “change is good.” List what immediately surfaces.

Some have found insights from The Serenity Prayer helpful as they acknowledge and embrace change. The prayer reveals five timeless truths that challenge us to re-imagine what serenity really is, which can help us with change therapy: 1) Acceptance is not laziness; 2) We must have courage to change ourselves; 3) Hardship can be good for you; 4) Surrendering requires courage, too; 5) Happiness is attainable – now and in the future.

As a professional coach, I can help you create positive interruptions for your change agility. Remember, change is good! You go first!

More information at www.janebishoplive.com.

One Man’s Opinion

Continued from page 10

by CherryFest featured artist Don McLean. The 2023 concert festival also showcases former “boy band” Hanson and Band of Horses. All the performances are also daytime and outdoors.

Following years of this seemingly never-ending pandemic, these events offer a great way to break out and enjoy the spring weather and the outdoors again, surrounded by other concert and festival goers, neighbors, and music fans, as well as friends and family enjoying the shows, without spending nearly $100 per person (the current average ticket price for a live concert or music festival). The City of Brookhaven and festival/concert sponsors underwrite most costs of the festival, with only food and vendor wares available at cost. CherryFest, transit shuttles and parking are also free. Similar event set up and no admission fees in Conyers, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere make for a downright rosy way to get your spring on. Pack sunscreen, and no crowd surfing if you are over 30. So VERY Cherry.

Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

One Man’s Opinion: They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That Anymore

By Bill Crane

As a teenager growing up in Griffin, Georgia, Scott Slade would point out the local radio station in a two-story walk-up just off the town square and say, “Someday, I’m going to be working there.”

At the age of 15, Slade, looking a bit older with heavy sideburns and a mustache, and freshly in receipt of his broadcasting license (in those days any on-air personality in the industry required a broadcasting license), entered the radio station to inquire if there were any job openings at WGRI Radio, a daytime AM station. As it happened, the Sunday noon to 6 p.m. (sign-off) host had just quit, and the receptionist told Slade he would need to go back into the studio and record a demo for the station general manager. Although he had never been in one before, Slade went into the studio and figured out the equipment sufficiently to produce an aircheck, leaving the same behind for the station management. When he arrived home, the phone rang, asking if he could start that Sunday at noon.

Slade would labor in other stations and markets for nearly a decade, before finding a niche in traffic reporting and landing at AM 750 WSB Radio in Atlanta. I would suggest to you in the secret sauce that would later become Atlanta’s Morning News with Scott Slade on WSB Radio AM, and later FM, is that everyone in north Georgia – old folks, youngsters, Republicans, Democrats, black, white, Asian, Hispanic – can all agree on ONE thing. They all HATE traffic. Slade and cohorts like Captain Herb Emory could guide you around 285 and the downtown

connector and major surface street corridors, avoiding the logjams and tie-ups, providing alternate routing, or even letting you know WHY you were sitting in what appeared to be an endless parking lot of tail lights. And they did so while informing you of the news and hot topics of the day, with an occasional chuckle. Slade was the air traffic reporter flying the friendly skies when station management called him back into the offices at the end of a shift in 1990. With all the brass on hand, Slade was told some changes were coming to the morning show and the station’s branding and format. He thought he might be fired, but instead was promoted in some respects to build out the longest-running and most respected radio franchise in the southeast, rebuilding itself from the ground up around him.

Also in 1990, the “other” news format station in the market, WGST NewsRadio 640, had several things going for it, including some names you may know in radio: Rush Limbaugh, a young Sean Hannity (then local), Atlanta Braves Baseball, and at that time, Clark Howard as well as the Talkmaster, Neal Boortz. Eventually, each of those now Atlanta institutions would follow Slade’s morning show and example, moving south from Buckhead to Midtown and WSB studios.

During the summer of 2000, Slade would become the instigator and unofficial “godfather” of the annual WSB Radio Careathon, benefitting the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Service Centers at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Proceeds from those Careathons now exceed $30 million over twenty-three years, and there is a wing of the Center at the Scottish Rite Campus of CHOA named for Scott Slade and the WSB Radio listeners who support the Careathon each year.

A Renaissance man of sorts, Slade is also a voracious reader, pilot

Continued on page 23

THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO AT The Sheridan at Eastside

With a daily schedule that can include fitness, educational programs, hobby groups and plenty of chances to socialize with other fascinating residents, your life will be an adventure of your own design.

See for yourself when you attend an upcoming event:

He Is Risen: A Musical Celebration

Thursday, April 6 | 2 p.m.

Join us for an Easter celebration featuring an inspirational music and spoken word performance.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Thursday, May 4 | 10 a.m.

Join us for breakfast as Lisa Wilson and Sherri Selman of NexSeason Transitions share tips and information on downsizing.

Zumba & Acai Bowls on the Green

Thursday, June 8 | 2 p.m.

Come enjoy a free Zumba class taught by our own Renee Sanders, Sales Manager. Weather permitting, this will be an outside event. In unforeseen weather, the event will move indoors.

We look forward to welcoming you!

RSVP to 678-841-0030

For the safety and well-being of all residents and guests, all recommended safety precautions will be taken. Please call to inquire about our safety measures for these events.

Auto Talk: Your Next Car Might Be Electric

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Love them, hate them, or don’t really care, electric vehicles (EVs) are beginning to take over transportation conversations and roadways, and soon, boats and planes. Already, there were 16.5 million electric cars on the road worldwide in 2021, three times more than in 2018, according to S&P Global. Though still in the early adopter phase, here are four reasons your next vehicle is likely to be electric.

Auto manufacturers are phasing out the production of internal combustion engine (ICE) models. General Motors announced in 2021 that the company will only sell vehicles that have zero tailpipe emissions by 2035 across all global markets. Similarly, leading companies like Ford committed to zero emissions globally by 2040 and no later than 2035 in key markets. Some states are making the same commitment. Through Michigan’s Healthy Climate plan, for example, the state is working to achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050, including through electrifying vehicles and increasing public transit.

States are accelerating the push for EVs through legislation. The Air Resources Board is offering a Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, making new and used electric cars more affordable for consumers, as some states seek to ban the sale of ICE model vehicles. On the federal level, as part of a broad new Inflation Reduction Act – designed to address climate change, healthcare, and taxes – a new tax credit of up to $4,000 on used

Continued on page 17

Camp Creek Elementary

Continued from page 8

directly to Santana, and others placed their items in the blue baskets in the cafeteria. Earth Patrol members collected the baskets and delivered them to Santana’s classroom several times per day.

Many of Santana’s days soon involved running around the school looking for available refrigerators in which to store donated milks. Within a week or two, Santana had to purchase a small refrigerator from a scratch-and-dent store to accommodate these donations. There was even a surplus of items that ended up being given to the local Free Fridge or The Yellow River Game Ranch at least two times per week.

Laraine Mayhan, a teacher at Camp Creek, helps deliver the surplus food items to these establishments. Her daughter Ceci is a former Camp Creek Club member and now freshman at Agnes Scott College. Ceci visits Camp Creek twice a week to pick up salvageable foods and deliver them to Atlanta Free Fridge (formerly Free 99 Fridges). Laraine then returns the coolers to Santana to be filled up again. Paige Royster, a para pro at Camp Creek, delivers fresh fruits and vegetables to the Yellow River Game Ranch for the animals.

During the school year, the Earth Patrol Group has been counting and weighing the collections again to approximate what can be donated. They will also attempt to meet with the cafeteria manager and write letters to county cafeteria managers to see what changes can be made to school menus to help cut down on food waste.

Even though the food saving program is now schoolwide, the Earth Patrol club involves grades four and five only. However, students from other grades have been assigned to help with signage, and other grade teachers have shared presentations with their students to educate them on how the program works.

Santana shared, “It’s a lot of work collecting, packing up, and delivering food, but ultimately being able to avoid hundreds of pounds of food per week going into the landfill makes it a worthwhile task.”

More information at https://www.gcpsk12.org/campcreekes.

Peter and Paul’s Place Holds Winter Dance

By Tana Poncsak

There was a lot of twisting and shouting going on at the Tucker Recreation Center the evening of January 21st where Peter and Paul’s Place held their Winter Dance. About seventy dancers and over thirty volunteers, family members, and staff signed up to hear Sammy Rosenburg, DJ extraordinaire, and his partner, Frankie Acosta, spin some tunes while dancers cut a rug on the dance floor. The Chick-Fil-A located in Northlake Festival in Tucker donated food. The Winter Dance is just one of the many activities Peter and Paul’s organization has planned this year.

Peter and Paul’s Place is a dream that first percolated in the minds of Charlotte McKinnon and Lois Shingler when they realized their sons, Peter McKinnon and Paul Shingler, who both have intellectual disabilities, were aging, and so were they. With that realization they also knew that their sons, who have been friends since elementary school, would both eventually need a place where they have support and a sense of independence, something that’s important to all of us as adults. Peter is now 48 years old, and Paul is now 47.

“Ultimately, we want a residential community that’s inclusive and supportive,” Shingler said. “By inclusive I mean not just folks with disabilities, but primarily people who are 55 and older, and anybody who wants to live in the community and enjoys being around individuals who have special needs. That’s the end goal.”

Shingler described the vision of the residential community as affordable with a support center. She said there are plenty of good models

Continued on page 19

Community Spotlight: Author Lora E. Sandler Announces New Book!

By Traci Sanders

Author Lora E. Sandler’s first illustrated children’s book, The Girl with Caterpillars in Her Hair, hit the digital shelves in June 2021 and has since garnered over a hundred reviews while maintaining an overall 4.9-star rating on Amazon.

Her second title, a timeless tale of a mother speaking positivity into her daughter from infancy through adulthood, is set to release in enough time to purchase for Mother’s Day this year. She can’t announce the title until the book has an official copyright.

The storyline was inspired by Sandler’s relationship with her own two daughters, over whom she spoke similar encouraging words from birth. “Although I wish I’d taken it further and been more consistent like the mother in this book,” she said, “I enjoyed pouring inspiring thoughts into my children from the time they were born.”

Sandler dedicated over a year to the writing and illustrating of this labor of love. With influences like Dr. Seuss and Gertrude Chandler Warner (author of The Boxcar Children series) Sandler’s new book incorporates rhyming elements and whimsical, engaging illustrations

Continued on page 18

Key Steps to Healthy Aging

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

As you age, your health needs change. Staying on top of senior wellness activities is important, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Creating a list of health and wellness to-do’s can help you stay organized, so you look and feel your best.

“Aging well is living well, and it all starts with a combination of activities that can improve our mental and physical well-being,” says Dr. Scott Kaiser, chief executive officer of Determined Health and a physician specializing in geriatric medicine.

“Although health and wellness may seem to get increasingly complicated with age, it doesn’t have to be a struggle. A few simple – and fun – steps can keep us on the healthy aging path. By taking a proactive approach and prioritizing health, seniors can live their best life.”

Kaiser shares a simple senior-health checklist to help keep you or a loved one focused on wellness:

1) Annual physical: Everyone’s health is different. Even if you see specialists for certain conditions, it’s typically recommended to get an annual physical with your primary physician. This is an opportunity for important health screenings that may include tests to evaluate blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, bone density, and more. It’s also a good time for you to ask any questions and discuss concerns.

2) Vaccinations: Staying current on recommended vaccinations can

Continued on page 22

electric cars and revised tax credits of up to $7,500 on certain new EVs are available for prospective buyers to take advantage of. These legislative changes highlight the need for tangible progress in increasing the accessibility of EVs.

States are building out supporting infrastructure for EVs. All over the United States, you will find EV chargers popping up at local supermarkets, malls, and sporting events. Michigan is taking it a step further by bringing chargers to state parks and working with public universities on pilot programs and research programs to improve battery design. The Lake Michigan EV Circuit Tour, for example, is a network of EV chargers that, once completed, will span over 1,100 miles of drivable shoreline around Lake Michigan throughout Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

“We are going to see a huge uptick in EV adoption, especially as manufacturers continue to diversify the EV models on the market, lower prices for increased accessibility, and partner with states to ensure infrastructure is catching up with the high-tech innovation happening across the country,” says Trevor Pawl, Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan. “It’s only a matter of time before your neighbors are driving one, too.”

Beyond incentives and legislation, we’re still human and want to keep up with our neighbors and peers. EVs have been around for almost thirty years, with the first mass-produced, purpose-built modern electric car from one of the industry’s key players released in 1996 from General Motors. Soon, EVs will make up a majority of new cars available. And, with the many financial incentives and user benefits associated with making the shift to EVs, it may not take long for you to begin reimagining how an EV could fit into your life, too.

While your next car choice will hinge on a range of factors – lifestyle, brand preference, car features, safety ratings, availability, and price – you may be surprised how many boxes an EV can tick. Even without gas, there’s a lot of sustainable power under their hoods. (BPT)

Simply Green Lawn Care

lost during winter, as well as give your lawn an added boost to encourage new growth and root development. In addition, an appropriately timed spring pre-emergent application is very important. Pre-emergent does exactly what it sounds like: prevent weeds before their emergence.”

When left untreated, weeds will take water and nutrients necessary for your grass to grow, leaving your lawn weak and susceptible to disease and harmful insects, as well as robbing your yard of its aesthetic appeal. Applying a pre-emergent treatment now will prevent annual weeds, such as crabgrass, from establishing in your lawn. This is why the team at Simply Green stresses the importance of fertilizing and applying pre-emergent treatment. It could make the difference between a healthy lawn and one that may not recover from the weeds and lack of nutrients.

And, of course, every Georgia resident understands that the warmer weather is a wonderful time of year – but it does bring mosquitos with it. And, as Mary notes, mosquitos suck. Luckily, Simply Green has a plan for that, too.

“There are four basic approaches to controlling mosquitos: prevention, source reduction, larviciding, and adulticiding,” Mary says.

While most of us may understand what those processes mean, we don’t have a way to do it ourselves. But that’s okay. Mosquito Control by Simply Green integrates these four basic approaches and is a safe and effective way to rid your outdoor space of these pesky insects. They also understand that every yard is different, which is why their trained mosquito control professionals will apply the most effective mosquito control methods to achieve desired control. This mosquito-free guarantee is easily one of the most-needed services that Simply Green Lawn Care offers.

Taking care of your lawn may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! You just need the right tools, or, rather, the right team – the experts at Simply Green Lawn Care! Spring is already here, so the time to call is now. By the end of the summer, your yard will be as green as the envy of your neighborhood, thanks to the efforts of Simply Green Lawn Care.

More information at www.simplygreenlawncare.com, or 770-923-0387

that can be appreciated by readers of all ages and demographics.

With over thirty years of educating kindergarten-age to high school seniors, as well as being a mother and grandmother, Sandler has learned what constitutes an engaging read. “High quality, captivating illustrations and language that flows smoothly when read aloud is key,” she said. “Of course, animals are always a favorite of children.”

One might wonder how an author goes about creating a page-turner for their audience. Sandler offered, “I rarely sit down to put pen to paper. Instead, I write when I observe something, or an interesting idea comes to mind. I’m a people watcher and often find inspiration that way.”

A great deal of time, thought, money, and preparation go into producing high-quality books for publication, especially for Indie authors (those who publish independently). Indie authors are not only responsible for every cost associated with publishing their books, but also for marketing them.

Sandler shared, “Vendor events are key for marketing illustrated books such as mine. As well, speaking engagements allow me to connect to my readers personally and locally. I’ve even attended local schools to speak to elementary through high school students about the writing and publishing process.

“One of the hardest parts of ensuring a successful book is the review process, which, as any author will attest, are the lifeblood of an author’s career. Getting people to buy and read the book is only half the battle. Encouraging them to submit a written review is a separate challenge.”

Sandler will be appearing at many local vendor events this spring and will soon announce the launch of her new book just before Mother’s Day. On the heels of this title, she hopes to release the mother-son version that she’s currently penning.

More information at https://www.facebook.com/lora.sandlerauthor.

Lora E. Sandler Continued from page 16

Lights…Camera…Action: Filming in Georgia

By Tana Poncsak

A few months ago, my sister was in town for a visit, and being a fan of the Netflix megahit Stranger Things, she wanted to tour some of the show’s filming sites around Georgia. So, on a cold, blustery day after Christmas, we got into the car and set out for our Stranger Things site-seeing adventure. When we got to each destination, I was surprised to see groups of other fans of the show doing the very same thing.

While we had plenty of time to drive to several of the locations in Jackson and Stockbridge, quite a few scenes were filmed in Gwinnett and nearby DeKalb counties. Many already know that Gwinnett Place Mall was the filming location for Starcourt Mall. Stone Mountain Cemetery was the location for a graveside funeral scene. The restaurant called Enzo’s featured in one of the past episodes is none other than Dominick’s Italian Restaurant located in Historic Norcross. Stone Mountain Park made for wooded areas in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. And if you’re willing to drive a bit, you can add a number of filming locations to your own self-guided tour.

After carefully planning our route with the help of a couple of websites, we visited about six or seven different filming sites. The whole day turned out to be a lot of fun, and a stark reminder of all the filming that takes place in our state on an ongoing basis. And with more and more studios being built here in the metro Atlanta area, the industry plans to

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Peter and Paul’s Place

Continuedd from page 16

around the Atlanta metro area, but she also pointed out that there aren’t enough communities around the area, and it’s a problem.

But for now, they’re taking things one step at a time. Peter and Paul’s Place officially became a nonprofit organization in 2018, and they are currently looking to start with a community center built around the arts – with a gallery to showcase artwork, a place for classes, a theater, a resource center, and more. They’re hoping to find a location near or around the Tucker area.

“Tucker could use this. It already has an enormous arts community,” Shingler said, adding that it’s something that the Community and Cultural Arts Center would be a place to celebrate and provide opportunities not only for people who have different abilities, but for community as a whole.

“It’s exciting that people know about us, want to work with us, and are joining in,” she said. “And we’re very hopeful we’ll be able to keep moving forward to provide something for these folks who want to live independent lives, forge friendships, and want to contribute to their community.”

For those who would like to help, there are several ways to get involved. They are searching for an underused building or one that needs some love and care that would be suitable for a community center in the Tucker area. They also need volunteers, teachers, and project leaders, and people who could help with renovations. And donations are always welcome and can be made through the organization’s website.

In addition, they have a list of many resources available in Georgia on Peter and Paul’s Place website. If you have a business that provides a service geared toward people of different abilities, let them know and they will be happy to add your name to the list. The list is not a referral list, so users will need to do their own vetting.

A special thanks for photo and help to Ames Beckerman of Ames Studios. (www.amesstudios.com)

More information at peterandpaulsplace.org.

My advice is to work hard but enjoy the ride. We can do this and grow our grit by embracing challenges, learning from failures, and never giving up. My doctoral research and real-world experience show that people who have more grit are much more likely to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. It is vital that we are authentic as well. Such authenticity and consistent behavior build integrity, credibility, and respect, which are critical elements for long-term success. We must always be honest, transparent, and genuine in our actions that are built on trust. And when we make a mistake, live up to it and make it right.

Passion is also key to success because it is the fuel that drives success. It is more than just enthusiasm; it’s an intense desire to achieve

your goals and make a difference. I encourage each of you to find your passions and pursue them relentlessly. When people are passionate about what they do, they are more likely to work harder, dig deeper, take risks, and overcome obstacles.

One more thing that is key to success is perseverance. I think of perseverance as the will to succeed. It emphasizes that success requires a long-term commitment and a willingness to stick with things in good and tough times. As a person develops, he or she begins to set realistic goals, create a plan of action, and stay focused on their objectives. It is fact that people who have perseverance are more likely to achieve their dreams and make a difference in the world.

Stay tuned to future columns for more key ingredients that help one achieve success. Finally, I thank our amazing community and partners for all your support. Also, and as always, thanks for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!

Attention All Fathers: Are You an All Pro Dad?

By Tana Poncsak

Kelsey Crook wants to be an All Pro Dad, and he wants other fathers to be All Pro Dads, too.

What is All Pro Dad? All Pro Dad is a group on a mission to help fathers lead and love their families well. The group provides meetings and information that focuses on character-building traits – like kindness, integrity, honesty, perseverance and more – with chapters across the United States. All Pro Dad is part of Family First.

Crook got his first glimpse of the group when his mother-in-law signed Crook and his wife, Tiffany, up for a subscription to Family First. When the subscription came up for renewal, Crook decided it was time to do more than just read the emails. He was ready to take on a more active role and signed up to lead the Killian Hill Christian School Chapter of All Pro Dad.

“There are some great dads who need to have the opportunity to join a program like this with their kids,” he said. “And Lilburn dads are deserving of that.” Crook credits his mother, Gloria, for giving him the initiative to serve and take the risk, too, as she said, “Step out and start your own group!” Gloria herself has created community groups of a book club and food ministry with her fellow senior lady friends within her neighborhood.

So far, Crook reported no challenges in getting the chapter of All Pro Dad Killian Hill Christian School off and running. “It’s been welcomed by the Killian Hill Christian School Board, the church, and administrators and staff who have been instrumental in helping to get the word out about the group,” he said. “I’m so grateful to them for all they have done to help make the inaugural meeting a success.”

Prior to the meeting, Crook said he was excited to get the group started. The goal of the first meeting, which he also referred to as an open house, is to measure level of interest, to discuss goals for the group, for introductions, and for getting to know one another. The inaugural meeting was held February 25th at Killian Hill Christian School, where three of his daughters attend.

Crook said he was very excited about the turnout and reported that nineteen dads and eighteen children attended the first meeting.

“I felt a strong feeling of strengthening as a father to see the group of All Pro Dads come together,” he said. During the meeting they discussed ten ways to be an All Pro Dad, while Crook used the theme of Proverbs 27:17 in speaking with the group. Plans and goals for the upcoming year were also discussed as well as a calendar for volunteer projects, fun monthly outings, and the regularly scheduled quarterly meetings.

Crook said that during the meeting one of the things he expressed to the team was about his leadership. “My leadership isn’t communicating what we need. My leadership will be communicating what we can contribute,” he said.

If you ask Crook about his biggest inspiration for starting the group in his community, he’s quick to answer it’s his own father, James Crook.

“He’s the inspiration for me being the father that I am now and for me striving to be the Hall of Fame-type father,” Crook said. “He’s the epitome of what a Hall of Fame dad is. I strive to be as great of a father to my children as he has been to me. He’s part of the reason I started the group, to get better and better as a dad, and to help other dads as well.”

When Crook recalls his experience with his own father, it’s not about anything his dad ever bought him. It’s about the quality time they shared.

“As I’ve gotten older it’s about the small things,” Crook recalled. “Like when my father and I would go hiking in the woods or drinking

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Key Steps to Healthy Aging

Continued from page 17

help you stay healthy and limit the spread of disease. When cold and flu season arrives, be sure to ask your doctor about getting an influenza vaccine. The risk of severe illness from COVID also increases with age. COVID vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe illness and you can help protect yourself and the people around you by getting vaccinated.

3) Physical activity: All seniors eligible for Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, or group retiree plan may be eligible to join SilverSneakers at no additional cost and have access to live and on-demand virtual workouts, including nearly 2,000 activities and classes per week in a variety of lengths and formats.

4) Social connection: Maintaining friendships and connecting with others is an important component to supporting physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Set up coffee with friends. Join community groups. Check out social engagement opportunities through programs that feature working out with a group of peers to build friendships and community.

5) Mental health: Although prioritizing mental health is now more widely accepted, it still can be a challenge for older adults to admit they need help. Talk with your doctor about how you feel and about mental health concerns you may have. There are many ways to help with a variety of mental health concerns, including mindfulness techniques to reduce anxiety, seeing a therapist, and taking medication.

6) Mental enrichment: Cognitive decline can occur as you age, so it’s important to be proactive to help support brain health through mental stimulation. Read books. Join a weekly game group. Check out GetSetUp, new for SilverSneakers members in participating health plans. This program provides an online learning platform designed for seniors with a wide range of live video classes – over 2,000 hours per week on more than 1,800 topics – to support mental enrichment.

7) Nutrition: What you eat fuels your body and mind, so it’s important to pack your pantry and refrigerator with wholesome foods. Stock up on fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, beans, and low-fat dairy. Then explore recipes you can try to experience new flavors and keep mealtime exciting. If you need help or have strict dietary concerns, consider working with a nutritionist for additional guidance.

Doesn’t it feel good to check a few things off your list? For more ideas on how seniors can stay active and connected, visit SilverSneakers.com. (BPT)

Attention All Fathers

Continued from page 21

water from a natural spring on the side of a mountain, cutting down the Christmas tree and bringing it home. Nothing that I can ever remember that he purchased for me is more valuable than that time we spent together.”

And that’s Crook’s motivation to spend that quality time with his own children. Altogether Crook has four daughters and two sons, with the three youngest daughters, who he refers to as his Angels, still living at home and attending Killian Hill Christian School. He also credits growing up in a large, close-knit family, his time on the field playing football at Auburn University, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., for his strong foundation.

Crook’s goal is to lead the largest chapter in the All Dad Pro program and for the group to be known for its servitude spirit in the community. “With numbers you can do great things and be recognized,” Crook said, emphasizing the recognition being for the servitude and ultimately helping to grow other All Pro Dad chapters.

All community fathers are invited to be a part of the group – it’s for all dads and their children in and around the community, including the Killian Hill area, Lilburn, and beyond.

The group will hold quarterly meetings and a number events throughout the year. Quarterly meetings will be held at Killian Hill Christian School and are planned for April, August, and October.

More information at https://allprodadchapters.com/chapters/13927.

Filming in Georgia Continued from

stay a while.

page 19

Many readers may already know this, but in case you don’t, if see small yellow signs with black lettering around metro Atlanta, those indicate that filming is taking place nearby. What’s filming is usually written in code on the sign, and one show or movie can have several different codes depending on the season currently being filmed.

According to Georgia’s Film and Entertainment Industry site, the Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Office was established in the early 1970s by then-Governor Jimmy Carter, and today the industry has added a reported estimate of about $4 billion each year to the state’s economy.

Having a robust film industry in Georgia is not only good for the state’s economy, but it also gives residents unique opportunities and experiences, like touring the filming locations of your favorite shows and more.

Scott Slade Continued from page 13

of planes and helicopters, hiker, and horseman, constantly reading and devouring content in preparation for the morning show, making it look easy and almost effortless. In early February of this year, he stepped away from the morning show microphone after thirty-two years of leading the market ratings and Atlanta listeners through 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Snowmaggedon, and a couple of Braves World Series Championships. The Georgia Association of Broadcasters inducted him into their Broadcasting Hall of Fame this month. I can think of very few broadcasters more deserving.

In a Top 10 media market, you just don’t see that kind of longevity or tenure anymore. His relationship with WSB Radio listeners may be changing, but I am almost certain some of the best is still yet to come from Slade. They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore.

If you’re interested in the film industry, the state of Georgia has information at https://www.georgia.org/industries/film-entertainment/georgia-film-tv-production. On the site you can find out what’s filming, how to list your property as a filming location, how to be an extra, and more.

And if you’re interested in taking your own Stranger Things site-seeing adventure, there are a number of websites including Odd Stops to help you find specific filming locations. Just search for Stranger Things filming locations in Georgia, hit the road, and have fun!

Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers in the show, announced in a live TikTok video that Stranger Things will resume filming season 5 sometime in May.

More information at https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/ a40229569/stranger-things-season-5/.

Snellville Performing Arts Continued

performance that she was hooked.

from page 11

“Seeing theatre this way as a live, onstage production with this huge audience was an overwhelming thing, and I just fell in love with it,” she said.

And she’s been involved in some way ever since. In fact, many on staff at Snellville Performing Arts have been McDonald’s previous students, including Managing Director Alyssa Paduano, and that’s made it all the more rewarding for McDonald.

“Seeing them [staff members] look at our kids [while performing] the way I had looked at them when they were kids [while performing], there’s nothing better,” McDonald said. “And now to work together with them to light that same passion in others in my hometown and the place I grew up in, it’s incredible.”

Upcoming shows include Finding Nemo, Jr. performed by the Junior Company with performances scheduled in April, and Newsies performed by the Senior Company with performances scheduled in May.

More information at www.snellvilleperformingarts.com.