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!