AUGUST 2018 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
Our Town GWINNETT
Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker
Up Close with NETHERWORLD, see story on page 5
8 12 13 16
Sports Talk: Coach Chan Brown & Parkview High Baseball The Amanda Riley Foundation: Making a Difference Community Member Spotlight: Meet Don Magee ReClif’s Founder Reece Blankenship: Silent No More
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On the Cover: Escape to (or from) Netherworld! By Kim Hill A new sign has recently been hung on the extensive, yet unassuming brick building at 2076 West Park Place Boulevard in Stone Mountain. Actually, it is an old sign which has travelled from Norcross, and advertises the haunting attraction known as Netherworld. The new location promises a larger haunt than its predecessor, as well as a variety of additional entertaining spaces. Co-founder Billy Messina says the old sign was brought over for a sense of transition and nostalgia. Messina – who previously worked in the film industry on special effects and props – and his business partner and co-founder, Ben Armstrong – a former TV horror show host – conceived the idea for Netherworld in 1996 and opened for the 1997 fall season. “Our first year was in Kennesaw,” Messina says, “then we moved to Norcross where we kept expanding and expanding through the years until we couldn’t expand anymore. It was a time for change. We have so much more space to do different things here.” For starters, there is an interior queue line to keep people out of the elements. The area is a museum-like setting with controlled lighting and sound. Patrons experience eerie tales as they move through a series of rooms prior to entering the first of two attractions, which comprise the enormous warehouse area of the building. Messina says the first attraction is more fantastical and monster-oriented, while the second is “grittier.” Visitors will exit onto a midway where there will be food trucks, performing actors, photo ops, fun carnival-type games, and access to a gift shop. Much of the area is still a work in progress, but he says, “We’ll get it done by September – really we will!” The Netherworld brand is strong and is known nationwide, and it has been featured on The Today Show and The Daily Show. “We want to let people know that Netherworld is not just, ‘Boo!’”
Messina says. “We offer quality entertainment.” The larger building will allow Netherworld to entertain beyond the Halloween season, with a big focus on escape games, something the owners have wanted to offer for years. Messina describes their games, which are open now, as “Netherworld versions of what we thought an escape game could be,” but he stresses that while the games’ themes are complementary to the Netherworld brand – Sasquatch, Haunted, Nosferatu – the escape rooms themselves are not scary, just maybe a little “spooky.” Messina says the games make a great birthday party event and are really popular with corporate America as team building exercises. A meeting room is available for groups who wish to discuss the experience afterward. Part of the challenge is to complete the task in sixty minutes, and each game has a different “survival rate.” “You have to work together,” stresses Messina. “You can’t win this game doing it yourself.” The goal of the game rooms is to offer an intimate experience with friends or co-workers, as cameras placed throughout allow Game Masters to observe patron progress behind the scenes and offer clues if needed. One room features a talking crow! Escape games are open Friday – Sunday year round and can be booked on the website, but Messina says private games may be booked almost any time as well. Two new games are scheduled to open in January 2019. In addition to the escape game meeting room, an adjoining Monster Museum (which will be open as a separate attraction during Halloween season) and a nicely appointed VIP room with a private bathroom, will also be available to rent to those wanting a bit more space for their post-Escape Game experience. An added bonus for those fortunate enough to gain access to the VIP room during haunt season (perhaps some of the many celebrities who have visited Netherworld over the years) will be the ability to scare people in the haunts with the push of a big red button via video
monitors attached to certain scare elements in the haunted houses! About 400 employees keep Netherworld running. The shows are rebuilt every year. “We never want people to say, ‘Oh, I went to Netherworld last year. I’m not going this year,’” Messina says. “We change it up thematically; we change the sets, we change the path, we change the name.” He adds, “This year is particularly challenging because we had twenty years at the other location and one year to try to replicate that, but we have extra staff working all year long.” Netherworld has partnered with Vet Tix, an organization that makes event tickets available to active military, veterans, and families of those killed in action. “It’s a nice way to give back,” says Messina, “so we give thousands of tickets to Vet Tix.” Messina points out that Netherworld parking is always free, and a new onsite lot will provide sufficient space the majority of the time. On heavy nights, SpaceMax Storage, located across the street, will allow free parking in their lot as well. “We want people to have a good time and just walk away feeling good. People come for different reasons – some never get scared but just like to see their friends get scared, some people like to get scared, and some just come for the t-shirt.” More information at http://www.fearworld.com for the haunted houses and www.EscapeTheNetherworld.com for the escape games.
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Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
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On the Cover: Escape to (or from) Netherworld! From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion Sports Talk: Coach Chan Brown and Parkview Baseball Outstanding Music & Arts Education at Camp Creek Travel Tales: Unusual Uruguay FODAC of Tucker: Helping with Puerto Rico’s Recovery Efforts Erin Tillery Receives Positive Athlete Award Snellville’s Riley Family Remembers Amanda with 4th Annual Gala-4-Gold Community Member Spotlight: Meet the Amazing Don Magee One on One with David Walker: A Personal Law Practice Community Happenings: Lilburn Farmers Market ReClif’s Founder Reece Blankenship: Silent No More Simply the Best: Gwinnett County Lifeguards Win State Competition Growing in Lawrenceville: Beer Republic Brewing Straight Talk: Invisalign 101 Pet Perch: Apply Affection Strategically and Have a Better Behaved Dog Special Stories Spotlight: Why Special Needs Families Thrive in Gwinnett
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From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion @RyanSauers
By Ryan T. Sauers
I hope everyone is off to a great August. It seems like the last school year just ended but time never stands still. So, a new school year has started, and football season (yes, I love this time of year) is around the corner. This month I want to focus on something very important to all of us and that is our TIME. Time is our greatest resource. We all find ourselves saying things like, “I am slammed, buried, drowning, swamped.” This simply is not the case. You see, we all have 168 hours (24 x7) each week. The choice is what we do with our time. The way you view it is simply a mindset. The older I get (a late July birthday just passed) the faster time seems to go. There is nothing we can do to slow it down. So, make your time count. It is a present and our PRESENT, and this present time is all that we are guaranteed. Make your life count and build a legacy of doing what is right, honorable, ethical, authentic, and real in every interaction you have. I challenge us all to focus on things that really matter and take the high road in tough situations. By doing this our family, friends, and community will remember the way we lived. And, my friends, if we live a life of integrity, our legacy will stand the test of time. And, as I finish, a quote from the Bible says what I am trying to convey, far better than I can: “... whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8. I am so very thankful for the amazing Our Town community. You are simply the best. Have a great month everyone. And, as always, thank you for continuing with us on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town!
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In June, Baseball of America released its new rankings for 2017-2018. Parkview High baseball was once again at the top spot after winning the Georgia 7 and finished the season with a 35-6 overall record. Moreover, the team also won the National Championship for Baseball America. During the State Championship, there were more than thirty-four Panther alumni in the dugout. Coach Chan Brown said he wasn’t surprised. “We take pride in our team, and our community expects us to win. When players leave the program, even if they never play ball again, they still think of their time here as a second home. Our program is family, and we are big believers that it takes a village.” Parkview High School has a long history of State Championships in all their athletics, with over 50 State Athletic Titles. Baseball holds seven of those titles. This year’s senior class was exceptionally remarkable with a record of 118-24, two State Championships, and two National Championships. Brown was quick to note that winning doesn’t come without hard work. “We do things differently here,” he said. “Our expectations are high, and our players work hard. A lot of people see us winning, but they don’t see the amount of time we spend practicing.” Even in the offseason, there is a lot of training. “Our boys are working six days of the week,” he noted. “They aren’t just learning baseball, but also time management skills, because it takes great effort Continued on page 10
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Outstanding Music & Arts Education at Camp Creek By J. Rice Camp Creek Elementary School takes pride in their Fine Arts Department, and they showed it in a big way by making the Art Show and 5th Grade concert a rousing success at the end of last school year during Fine Arts Night. “We had the best turnout in years,” says Camp Creek Music Teacher Sarah Horstmann. “Parents were eager to support the art program by purchasing framed prints of their child’s own works, and students and parents of all grade levels made a point to stay and watch the 5th grade students show their musical talents.” According to Horstmann, Camp Creek’s 5th Grade Chorus brought the house down with songs from award-winning musicals, movies, and the radio by singing about never giving up, moving toward their dreams, taking their shot in life, and making a difference. “All of fifth grade showed they can learn an instrument and perform some great songs on the recorder,” she explains. “And they all sang this year’s motto, ‘Try Everything.’ “Camp Creek really does show so much support at every concert in every grade level,” Horstmann states. “Starting in Kindergarten we show off talents in singing, dancing, and playing instruments, and continue to show how much is learned in the classroom all the way until the last day of fifth grade where they sing for their awards ceremony. Having music and art being present in every event here at Camp Creek makes it so special to be a part of the Fine Arts Department.” For the last three years the entire Parkview Cluster has participated in an annual concert to showcase their music education departments. “All of the growth, learning, and excitement for music were very present in the Parkview Cluster concert this year,” Horstmann says. “There were groups from every level in the cluster performing and showing their best. The elementary level started the show combining the chorus groups from Arcado, Camp Creek, Mountain Park, and Knight Elementary to make a children’s chorus of 200 voices. This concert is amazing because it gives the students and the parents a real picture of where their child could be next year, three years, six years, and more if they stick with music while in the Parkview Cluster. All of the groups performed magnificently and really let people know that we are part of a great community that supports the arts.” It’s that support – from teachers, parents, students, and the community at large – that is the key to success. “The collaboration with the music teachers throughout every level in the Parkview Cluster is amazing, and I am sure plays a unique and wonderful role in how special our schools here are,” Horstmann declares. “The high school students even come to show off instruments and encourage students to continue on. In fact, Gwinnett County just received an award recently recognizing it as 2018’s Best Continued on page 11
Travel Tales: Unusual Uruguay By Pam Walker Uruguay? Most people haven’t even heard of it. It is a tiny little country tucked in between Argentina and Brazil in South America. The vast Atlantic Ocean goes along its coast from top to bottom and scores the most well-known city of all, Punta del Este. With its broad beaches and great night clubs and restaurants, the city is the social darling of the jet set that made it famous years ago. But little did anyone know that Uruguay is one of the most fertile countries for growing grapes (for lovely wines) and good beef (for great steaks) and wonderful produce. Uruguayans are quite careful not to broadcast their lovely situation too loudly, as that might bring more than the huge cruise ships that dock in their capitol of Montevideo in the summer months, which is our wintertime. The Argentines know it well, and they regularly travel across the Rio de la Plata (Silver River) from Buenos Aires aboard the world’s largest hydrofoil, the Buquebus. They, too, are known for their beef and their wines, but rapid inflation has them scrambling with soaring prices, so a quick shopping trip across the river is a great way to save some pesos when things are expensive at home. Outside of Montevideo, Buquebus travels to Colonia del Sacramento, the first European inhabited city in the Americas. Today you can walk the cobbled streets and visit the historic lighthouse before making your way to one of the amazing beaches along the coast or up into the winelands for some awesome wine tasting of Tannat (red) or Albarino (white) wines. Hotels are top of the line with great accommodations and wonderful food. As tourism is relatively light, it is never too difficult to get a room with a view, a wonderful table, or a great glass of wine. Uruguay is a great hidden gem of South America! Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor and can be reached by email at pam@walkeradventures.com
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FODAC of Tucker: Helping with Puerto Rico’s Recovery Efforts By Our Town Staff
Many months after hurricanes Irma and Maria hit Puerto Rico with a devastating double punch, almost one-third of the island’s changing the conversation 1.5 million electricity customers Please Visit ReClif.com changing the conversation – with many of them living in changing the conversation surrounding autism. changing the conversation rural or remote areas – remain changing the conversation surrounding autism. surrounding autism. surrounding autism. without power or appropriate shelchanging the conversation surrounding autism. ter. For those with disabilities or changing surrounding autism.the conversation other medical challenges, recovery from the storms has been even surrounding autism. CHANGING THE CONVERSATION more difficult. Chris Brand, president and CEO of Georgia’s Friends *SPECIAL FIT PROGRAMS SURROUNDING AUTISM. of Disabled Adults and Children changing the conversation *SPECIAL FIT PROGRAMS *SPECIAL FIT PROGRAMS *SPECIAL FIT PROGRAMS (FODAC), spent time on the island *SPECIAL -PROGRAMS Individual functional surrounding autism. fitness session specifically *SPECIAL FIT FIT PROGRAMS after the storms to help coordinate IndividualFIT functional fitnesssession session specifically *SPECIAL PROGRAMS designed for those on thespecifically autism spectrum. distribution of durable medical - -Individual functional fitness specifically - Individual functional fitness session designed forthose those on the autism spectrum. *SPECIAL FIT PROGRAMS equipment (DME) like wheelchairs, crutches, and other mobility aids. He recently returned there for -- Individual functional fitness session Individual designed functional for fitness onthose the session autism specifically spectrum. designed for on thespecifically autism spectrum. a week-long tour to personally view the recovery and to help distribute additional DME and other - Individual functional fitness session specifically FIT LIGHT TRAINING designed for those on the autism spectrum. designed for those on the autism spectrum. supplies to remote communities. FIT LIGHT TRAINING designed - Individual for those functional on the autism fitness spectrum. session specifically FIT LIGHT TRAINING FIT LIGHT TRAINING “Seven months after the storms, so much of the island is still in dire need,” said Brand. “Many for-those on the autism spectrum. FIT LIGHT Engaging multi-sensory training tool used to promote FITdesigned LIGHT TRAINING TRAINING people are still living from day to day without power, running water, and with little food in homes *SPECIAL FIT PROGRAMS -Engaging Engaging multi-sensory trainingtool toolused usedtotopromote promote LIGHT TRAINING neural reorganization. that are barely habitable. Many people living in rural or remote areas can’t afford gas for their gen-FIT multi-sensory training - Engaging multi-sensory training tool used to promote neural reorganization. FIT LIGHT TRAINING erators, which is especially problematic when they need to keep oxygen machines operating or vital -- Engaging multi-sensory training tool used to promote Engaging neural reorganization. multi-sensory training tool used to promote neural reorganization. Individual functional fitness session specifically medicines like insulin refrigerated. I went back to Puerto Rico to see for myself the conditions, and - Engaging multi-sensory training tool used to promote INTERACTIVE METRONOME THERAPY neural reorganization. neural reorganization. see how we could work with FEMA and local partners to help these residents recover the lives they designed for those on the autism spectrum. INTERACTIVE METRONOME THERAPY neural reorganization. Engaging multi-sensory training tool used to promote Evidence based modality that facilitates improved INTERACTIVE METRONOME THERAPY INTERACTIVE METRONOME THERAPY led before last September.” -Evidence Evidence based modalitythat that facilitates improved reorganization. INTERACTIVE METRONOME THERAPY motor andfacilitates sensory processing. -INTERACTIVE based METRONOME modality THERAPY improved Brand returned to Puerto Rico in April, arriving first in San Juan, where he made contact with -neural Evidence basedskills modality that facilitates improved FIT LIGHT TRAINING motor skills and sensoryprocessing. processing. METRONOME THERAPY --INTERACTIVE Evidence based modality that facilitates improved representatives from FEMA Office of Disability Integration and Coordination (ODIC), the Renance Evidence motor skills based and modality sensory that facilitates improved motor skills and sensory processing. - Evidence INTERACTIVE based modality that METRONOME facilitates improved THERAPY SPELLING TO COMMUNICATE of Condado, Programa de Asistencia Tecnológica de Puerto Rico, Movimiento para el Alcance de motor and sensory motor skills skills and sensory processing. processing. Engaging multi-sensory training tool used to promote SPELLING TO COMMUNICATE Vida Independiente Puerto Rico, Lift Non-Profit Logistics, and the Rotary Club of San Juan. Brand motor skills Evidence and sensory based processing. modality that facilitates improved Teaching purposeful communication from paper choices SPELLING TO COMMUNICATE SPELLING TO COMMUNICATE had first worked with these organizations to send equipment. Now he reunited with his associates to neural reorganization. Teaching purposeful communication from paper choices motor skills and sensory processing. SPELLING TO COMMUNICATE up to independent keyboarding. 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THERAPEUTIC YOGA - Achieve a healthier state ofstate balance for the for the - Achieve a healthier of balance police escort to connect safely with those residents in need. While the Puerto Rican National Guard whole body. YOGA -THERAPEUTIC Achieve a healthier state of balance for the whole body. whole body. was still distributing food and water into these sections, delivery was very difficult in some parts TOstate COMMUNICATE - Achieve aTHERAPEUTIC healthier ofYOGA balance for the wholeSPELLING body. because of the severe road conditions. Teaching purposeful communication from whole-body. - Achieve a healthier state of balance forpaper the choices “Every day during this trip I met with survivors under the worst conditions; yet I was constantly up to independent whole body. keyboarding. moved by their spirit and faith,” said Brand. “Seeing the areas first-hand and talking to the residents Community Outings / Events / Activities in person helped us understand better how to support our partners in their efforts. These citizens CommunityOutings Outings / Events/ Activities / Activities who are suffering are part of America,” continued Brand. “The infrastructure of the island has been THERAPEUTIC YOGA Community / Events Community Outings / Events / Activities destroyed and getting the necessary equipment into the hands of those who need it must be a prior- Achieve a healthier of balance for the Community Outings //state Events Activities Community Outings Events // Activities 3200 Pointe Parkway, Suite 200 ity.” Community Outings / Events / Activities whole body. Brand continued, “Our goal is to build a network here to distribute the equipment, collect more 3200Pointe PointeParkway, Parkway, Suite 200 GA 30092 Peachtree Corners, 3200 Suite 3200 Pointe Parkway, Suite 200 Community Outings /200 Events / Activities gently used equipment, and connect people with resources. 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Erin Tillery Receives Positive Athlete Award
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Positive Athlete Georgia recognizes high school athletes who give back to their communities, overcome hardships, and project the characteristics of a positive athlete, which the program defines as optimistic, encouraging, being a servant leader, having a heart for others, admitting imperfections, giving 100 percent, and putting their team first. The program was developed by Super Bowl MVP and former Georgia Bulldog Hines Ward to recognize the most positive student athletes around the country. At the end of the year, all the nominated athletes are eligible to receive corporate sponsored scholarships. Among the winners in Georgia this past school year was Parkview High senior Erin Tillery, an outstanding member of the school’s Swim and Dive team. Perhaps no one outside the Tillery family is more proud of her accomplishments than team coach Eric Brown. “Erin is an outstanding student-athlete and a leader by example,” Brown says. “She maintained a very high GPA while also dedicating a lot of time to swimming. She probably spent close to 15 hours a week at swim practice after school. This year, she did joint enrollment, and has found it to be a great experience. Erin is very self-motivated and good with time management, so taking some courses in high school, some at the local college, then going to swim practice was not too much for Erin to handle.” Tillery had a particularly stellar year, topping off her high school swimming career by breaking Parkview’s school record for the 400 freestyle relay. For Coach Brown, seeing consistent effort and improvement in his students is always gratifying. “In swimming and diving, improvement is very measurable,” he states. “I always get chill-bumps when a swimmer achieves a lifetime best time, or when a diver completes a dive that they had never done before. Helping athletes to accomplish goals is priceless.” For Tillery, swimming may be in her blood. “Erin grew up in the Parkview swimming community,” Brown explains. “Her mom, Mary Tillery, coached Erin’s summer swim team for years, and Erin’s older brother, Jake, was also a swimmer. Swimming has definitely been a big part of Erin’s life.” Beyond her athletic abilities, Tillery is known equally as well for her friendly personality. “Erin is consistently nice, responsible, dedicated, and fun to be around,” Brown says. There is little doubt that Tillery will continue to demonstrate the characteristics of a positive athlete for years to come. More information at georgia.positiveathlete.org/about-us/.
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PAGE 11
Gwinnett’s premier event destination for 20 years!
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The 4th annual Gala-4-Gold benefiting the Amanda Riley Foundation will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 25th at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth. The evening will include both live and silent auctions, dinner, dancing, inspirational speakers, and casino-style games. The Amanda Riley Foundation is in its 8th year of providing support to children with cancer and to their families. The foundation is volunteer-based, has no overhead, and pays no salaries, so 100% of the donations they receive go to benefit the families they serve. The wide range of support they provide includes an outreach to all in-patient children at the AFLAC Cancer Center at Scottish Rite, as well as funding research grants for Rhabdomyosarcoma, the type of cancer that took Amanda’s life. For Snellville’s Riley family, especially parents Steve and Barbara and sister Brittany, their world stopped turning the day 16-year-old Amanda was diagnosed with stage-4 cancer. “There is a hole in our hearts that will never be filled,” they declare on the foundation’s website. “After Amanda passed away, we wanted and needed to do something to keep her memory alive. It just didn’t seem fair that someone that once was so full of life was lost to the world. We wanted the world to know that we were hurting, that our daughter died, and CANCER took her life. We wanted the world to know that we would never forget her and that we would never forget all the other children that had died before her. Most importantly, we wanted to show we would never forget all the children that are still fighting for their lives against childhood cancer.” The family is again working devotedly behind the scenes, along with a team of faithful volunteers, to put together the annual fundraising gala. And Amanda is always on their minds. “Amanda was quite a character,” Barbara states, “very outgoing, loved sports, people, and God. Each year we host two major events that she would have loved being a part of – a race and a formal event.” Barbara says Amanda would have enjoyed the race because she was so passionate about running, and would have been enthused about the gala because she liked dressing up. “I truly believe she would have played basketball in heels if she could have! Even when she was all dolled up, sports were never far from her mind,” Barbara says with a smile. “The foundation is important to us and to her legacy because we are fulfilling her dreams of giving back and making a difference for others who are battling as she did,” Barbara adds. “The Amanda Riley Foundation is our way of keeping her name and memory alive for years to come. We work tirelessly every day to make a difference and could never thank our supporters enough for helping accomplish our goals!” More information at www.amandarileyfoundation.com.
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Community Member Spotlight: Meet the Amazing Don Magee By Joanna Shackelford Before most of us have had time to pour our first cup of coffee to start the day, Don Magee has already finished his first round of 200 push-ups. By lunch he’ll be up to 500. Before bedtime he’s hit his goal – 1,000. This may sound like the workout regimen of a spry 19-year-old college football player, but it’s not. Well, not anymore. Don is a retired superintendent of Illinois public schools who now lives in Lilburn with his wife Florence. His birthday is right around the corner. He’ll be 85. “Most people don’t believe me,” he says of his seemingly extreme daily exercise routine. But he can show you in his calendar where he’s carefully logged the exact number of each day’s push-ups as a way for him to keep track and set goals. He doesn’t miss a day, even on vacation. Don is also well known at the local LA Fitness where he goes to work out every day. He has seven machines that he uses and has met some good friends among the weights. The trainers love him. Don has known for a long time that it takes a little sweat to see results. He played high school basketball and then football for Illinois State in college. As for the push-ups, Don says it started out of convenience many years ago. His secret to a great quality of life is, of course, exercise. And he can do push-ups for free. “I can take it with me on vacation,” he says. “I’ll even do them when I’m waiting on my wife in a store shopping.” Any free moment is an opportunity to get his heartrate going. Where does he get this motivation? He says it’s Florence. In their 59 years of marriage, Don admits, “I have a hard time keeping up with her.” She swims, takes spin class at the gym, and works out with weights along with juggling a busy schedule of local volunteering. “But she is younger than me,” Don says. “She’s only 82.” Don has also played a key role in motivating others to get up and get moving. Back when he was working in Illinois and president of the Rotary Club, he started a fitness group. He brought close to 20 men together every week during their lunch hour to work out with weights. Recently, Don was asked to join a fitness program at his church. The director of the program told Don he needed him there to show people that age is not a deterrent. It worked. Don is passionate about his age and his fitness lifestyle. “People need to know that even when you’re old you can still do things,” he says. “It’s not over until it’s over.” Although Don may seem invincible, he has faced challenges that come with getting older. In the last few years he has endured hip surgery, reconstruction of the right knee, orthoscopic surgery of the Continued on page 15
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One on One with David Walker: A Personal Law Practice
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Having practiced law in Gwinnett County for over forty years, I found that the journey took many directions. I began as a real estate closing attorney. At the time, Gwinnett County was the fastest-growing county in the country. I was also appointed for criminal defense cases in Gwinnett, a great training for learning how to be an effective courtroom attorney. Closings were a good way to meet people, and these clients would return if they had cases involving their homes, or about their business matters, or personal injuries. A litigation practice followed; then a recession came, slowing down real estate. Our firm handled family law, injuries, business, closings, and construction, and virtually any court case. I also handled bankruptcy cases, wills, probates, and estate litigation. I designed pension and profit sharing plans for small businesses, and I also did Social Security disability cases. Litigation evolved further into medical malpractice and medical device cases, which were extremely interesting. Most litigation was against a larger corporation, an insurance company, or some other wealthy entity. These involved contingent fees, where clients couldn’t afford to pay for the services involved unless we won. There is a large risk-reward factor with these cases, which is not so gratifying if you don’t win since you make nothing. These often involved jury trials, and I’ve done over 140. After roughly four decades, dealing with individuals is most gratifying. Everyone has personal legal needs, such as wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives. Divorce is more common and spawns other cases. Modifications of support, custody, or enforcement actions continue for years. Many small businesses need legal services, like a shareholders’ agreement, business purchase, or a contract. Experience in multiple fields of law helps bridge gaps between these areas of practice. A divorcing couple may have business ventures to divide, involving divorce and business law. Estates often need real estate transactions done. We can handle numerous related matters for individuals. I find it most gratifying to work with an individual or small business to achieve a legal goal. David S. Walker is Owner of Walker Law Firm. More information at https://www.walker-law-firm. com/
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Meet Don Magee Continued from page 13 Community Happenings: Lilburn Farmers Market By Our Town Staff The Lilburn Farmers Market continues to have a wonderful ninth season serving Lilburn and beyond. This producer-only market brings locally grown and produced products to our market, allowing customers the opportunity to talk to the farmers and people who are growing/making the food. August will continue to flood the market with such fresh produce as tomatoes, corn, beans, squash, okra, peppers, lettuce, cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelon, peaches, and blackberries. Grass fed/ grain-finished meats, sausage, salmon, eggs, quiches, honey, breads, jam/jelly, cheese, granola, nuts, pies, cookies, freshly roasted small batch coffee, and loose tea leaves are also available. With so many choices, you will probably want to come back each week. Ready to eat foods – BBQ, Cuban, and Jamaican cuisine, roasted corn, boiled peanuts, and icy treats – can easily be mixed and matched to the individual tastes of your family to eat at the market or take home. August 17th is the annual Dog Days of Summer event. Dogs are always welcome, but this week the entire market goes to the dogs! Many dog-friendly vendors will be on hand to pamper our 4-legged friends. The Lilburn Farmers Market is proud to partner with Wholesome Wave Georgia, accepting and doubling EBT/SNAP benefits on eligible purchases. Participants can swipe for $10 and receive $20 of tokens to use at the market. Lots of kid-friendly activities are available each Friday with face painting and free tractor rides. Local chefs host cooking demonstrations using items found at the market. GFWC Lilburn Woman’s Club sponsors the Little Free Library, giving market customers the opportunity to bring a book/take a book to enjoy. Live music fills the market each week, ranging from Bluegrass to contemporary. The Lilburn Farmers Market, sponsored by the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church is located at 1400 Killian Hill Road and is open every Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. We strive to be a great way to start your weekend. More information at lilburnfarmersmarket.org
left knee, and two back operations. After every episode, he was able to recover quickly. He and his doctors attribute this to his healthy exercise routine. Those who know him would say it’s also his healthy mindset. There isn’t anyone who enjoys a party more than Don. In fact, he and Florence have added a dance floor in their basement, right beside the record collection and the pool table. But exercise and fitness are what fuel his infectious energy and good attitude. For those reluctant to getting up and getting fit, Don says start small. “Most people go at it too hard too fast. They get sore and give up.” He will be the first to tell you that setting goals is key, but “keep your goals reasonable.” It also helps to have a partner who can keep you on track. “Without Florence, it would be harder,” he says. “She’s really been my hero.” Don’s current ambition is to increase his morning routine by adding 50 more push-ups. He also wants to do more cycling for his legs. But mostly, Don is just enjoying life. If you’re ever out and about around Lilburn, look for Don. He’ll be wearing Nike gear and comfortable kicks. If you don’t see him, just look down. He’s probably getting in a quick workout.
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6/21/18 5:43 PM
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of society. In the US about 1 in with autism spectrum disorder according to payroll • account reconciliation • rental properties • elder bill management the Centers for Disease Control and 404.719.4769 | info@growsmc.com | www.growsmc.com Prevention, and of those, approximately 1 in 3 cannot communicate verbally. For nineteen years, Lilburn-born and raised Reece Blankenship was trapped inside a body that did 12 AURORA THEATRE Gwinnett’s Only Professional Theatre not allow him to convey his thoughts and feelings. But due to a November 2014 breakthrough, Reece has learned to communicate via letterboard. Now Reece and his family are working to make an impact on the lives of autistic individuals throughout the greater Atlanta area. Reece, 23, is the founder and inspiration behind ReClif, a fitness-based therapy center designed around the concept that all people have competence regardless of their perceived limitations. Offering a variety of services specifically designed to enhance the physical and social lives of autistics and those that support them, ReClif helps their clients strive to be the best they can be. While most of the training at ReClif is done in one-to-one sessions with certified coaches, the non-profit branch of ReClif Community offers autistics and their families a chance to socialize and connect to others who accept them even when their wayward bodies make outings difficult. With a dedicated team of amazing coaches, and very supportive family and friends, Reece and his comrades are already having a tremendous impact. “Our intention, and the motto of ReClif, is to ‘change the conversation surrounding autism,’” says Reece’s mom, Lou Blankenship. “At ReClif, our goal is for families affected by autism to have a place to come to that envelopes them in positivity. ReClif was ‘designed by an autistic for other autistics,’ and everything about this center was suggested or approved by Reece – from the name, to the decor, 678-469-1599 scottpressurewash@gmail.com to most importantly the staff who wholeheartedly adhere to the ReClif motto.” Believing that every individual should have a place where they can strive to be the best they can possibly be, they set about to create just such a place for autistic individuals. “ReClif is a place of high expectations, growth, achievement – and happiness!” Lou states. “The journey to ReClif actually began when Reece aged out of high school,” she continues. “After delving into research, I ended up running across a mom whose daughter had learned to communicate via letterboards. I asked her to meet up with me to explain the process. I will forever be grateful and will vividly remember that day in Chick-Fil-A where I first saw a glimpse of what could possibly be for Reece. It’s not an easy process and takes time and effort, but within a few months, Reece was able to begin communicating. Flash forward four years – and after many, many arduous letterboard sessions where Reece spelled out his visions, countless conversations with a few of his long-time therapists, and an affiliation with Mike Ramirez who designed the Special Fit exercise program for autistics – we came up with a thoughtful and detailed business plan for ReClif.” Reece can explain in his own words what the journey has been like for him – he is extremely bright, Continued on page 22
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Simply the Best: Gwinnett County Lifeguards Win State Competition By Our Town Staff Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation lifeguards won first place at the annual Georgia Recreation and Park Association State Lifeguarding Competition, held at Lake Oconee in Greene County on July 16th. The lifeguards came from several different aquatics facilities across the County and were selected based on their outstanding attention to safety, CPR/AED, first aid, teamwork, and athletic skills. Guards honed these skills over the course of the summer with both written and physical skill practice. The team consisted of seasoned lifeguard veterans who have previously participated in the state competition. Jacob Finco is a college student, working summers as a lifeguard at Mountain Park Aquatic Center in Stone Mountain. Holly Smith is a college graduate and long-time lifeguard. Aiden Hall is a student at Parkview High School who works part-time at Mountain Park Aquatic Center. Aliyah Berry, both a lifeguard instructor and certified water safety instructor, brings several years of expertise to the team dynamic. Joel Nickerson is an assistant pool manager and has participated at the state level on several occasions. Cole Hembree is a college student studying to become an educator. Aaron Murdock is a recent college graduate who assists with recruiting and training aquatics staff at various aquatic centers. The competition consisted of events that evaluated teamwork, athletic ability, and lifeguard knowledge. The GCPR team proudly earned 38 points with high finishes in most of the events, taking first place in the swim relay and critical incident events, second in the rescue relay and capture the flag events, and third in the triathlon and rescue board events. Arthur Bedard from Mountain Park Aquatic Center and Christen Hardy from Bethesda Park Aquatic Center coached the team. Aquatics Coordinator Christine Greenfield said, “Winning is a tribute to Gwinnett’s aquatics training program. We are extremely proud of the lifeguard team and coaches for their victory at state. Our lifeguard team takes great pride in their training and skill execution, and they were excited to use it in a competition setting.” More information at www.gwinnettparks.com
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PAGE 17
Growing in Lawrenceville: Beer Republic Brewing By Our Town Staff
Mission Statement: At Gwinnett OB-GYN, we strive to serve our patients with exceptional healthcare, compassion, and understanding. We want to be recognized as a committed resource for guidance and support in women’s healthcare by creating a trusted and safe environment for the needs of all women.
1700 Tree Lane Road Suite 290 Snellville, GA 30078
770-972-0330
Beer Republic Brewing, LLC joined together with the City of Lawrenceville to announce the opening of their new regional craft brewery to downtown Lawrenceville. The existing facility, located at 394 North Clayton Street, will be converted into a 56,000 square foot, state-of-theart brewery, taproom, and retail shop. The announcement represents the addition of more than fifty new jobs over the next five years. Lawrenceville City Manager Chuck Warbington stated, “The City of Lawrenceville is excited to welcome Beer Republic Brewing to its downtown. This project supports the community’s vision for redevelopment while offering opportunity for expanded downtown amenities, a walkable retail feature, and new jobs to the area. At the end of the day, it’s a project that makes sense on many levels, and we are very pleased to have them as a corporate partner in our growing renaissance.” Beer Republic is the parent company for Big Kettle Brewing and Ironshield Beer, and will become one of Georgia’s top-five largest breweries. The organization will be operating from the Clayton Street location, with Big Kettle Brewing providing contract-brewing services for other craft breweries in Georgia and the Southeast. Ironshield Beer will be Beer Republic’s own house brand, and will encompass more than thirty proven award-winning beers, ranging from Munich-style lagers, German Bocks, Pilseners, Belgian Trappist-style ales, a Scotch Ale, and an authentic Bavarian Hefeweizen wheat beer. Owners Dave Rice and Glen Sprouse bring more than fifty years of combined experience to the business in professional brewing and beverage production, packaging, engineering, and marketing. The new employment opportunities that the brewery will bring to the local economy will range from brewers, cellarmen, lab technicians, packaging operators and managers, marketing, sales, administrative, and skilled labor, with a heavy emphasis on full-time positions with benefits. “Beer Republic Brewing’s relocation to downtown Lawrenceville presented a strategic opportunity Continued on page 20
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3/26/17 1:48 PM3/26/17 To become an Our Town advertising partner email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049
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Straight Talk: Invisalign 101 By Janice J. Wilmot, DMD, MS, PC An exciting new development in orthodontics is the ability to use clear, plastic aligners to move teeth and improve the bite of a patient. The most well-known of these is Invisalign. I am often asked at the consultation appointment, “Can I have my teeth straightened with Invisalign versus wearing traditional braces?” Well, it depends on the amount of crowding or spacing and how much bite correction is needed. The best recommendation is to schedule an appointment for an orthodontic exam and consultation, where the doctor can let you know if you are a good candidate for Invisalign and answer your questions. If you are a good fit for this type of treatment, an intraoral scan is taken of the teeth. No more messy and uncomfortable impressions are needed with the improved technology of the scans. The doctor submits a prescription with the scan, clinical photos, and x-rays, and Invisalign creates a toothmovement simulation with the number of aligners that will be needed. The aligners are typically worn 10-14 days as directed by your doctor, and multiple aligners are given so the appointments can be scheduled at intervals of 6-10 weeks. The simulation also lets you know all your treatment specifics. Some of the mild problems can be treated in under six months, with the average treatment length being 12-15 months followed by retainer wear. The advantages of Invisalign treatment are improved aesthetics, comfort, dental hygiene, lack of food restrictions, and no emergencies that sometimes occur with traditional braces. It is also a nice option for patients who are active in contact sports. However, the ability to remove the aligners can also mean that they can be lost or not worn as many hours as needed to get the desired tooth movement. Invisalign treatment does require 22 hours/day of wear and the changing of aligners as prescribed. The treatment success is very dependent on patient cooperation and maturity, and now there are phone apps to help remind patients to wear the aligners and when they need to be changed. Invisalign was initially developed for two groups of patients: those with all their adult teeth that had minimal incisor crowding, or those who had worn braces before and not worn their retainers and had shifting of the front teeth. However, since Invisalign was first introduced, the materials, technology, and ability to treat other alignment and bite problems have continued to improve. So, if you want to see if you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment, call your orthodontic specialist to schedule your consultation today. More information at http://www.jjwilmot-ortho.com/
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A recent client talks about our handling his divorce.... “Thank you very much for the compassionate, smooth and professional handling of a very sensitive procedure. I especially appreciate the extra steps you took in providing electronic copies of documents to help me simplify the logistics of working with a defendant residing in Europe. ... As I mentioned to Mr. Walker during our first meeting, I selected your firm for your business law expertise but am pleased with how the divorce was handled ... I will recommend your services for both domestic and business matters to my friends and associates.” – CW What our latest estate planning client had to say: “Mr. Walker was very professional. He was able to help us navigate through the will preparation process. The end result is that we will have the legal documents in place to handle our affairs as we enter life’s final stages.” – JS
Our Firm handles wills and probate, all divorce-related matters, and small business matters.
About our Staff, from a probate client : “Thank you, Sandy... you have been wonderful to work with and made this painful process easier on our family by being professional, comforting, and great communication keeping us aware every step of the way. We will be contacting David and yourself after the first of the year to manage our will.” – LT
Licensed in GA and DC — Certified Mediator North Gwinnett office – 2330 Scenic Hwy., Snellville GA 30078 South Gwinnett office – 6340 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth GA 30097 email: david.walker.lawfirm@gmail.com website: www.walker-law-firm.com Our Town
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Beer Republic Brewing Continued from page 18 to invest in a thriving and growing local economy, while bringing in a major player in an industry that has become a driving economic force,” commented Rice. “We are excited to be able to participate in the energy and growth of Lawrenceville, and we hope to make it ‘the place to go’ for great craft beer.” Beer Republic received zoning approval at the city’s Planning Commission meeting and looks to renovate the space and be open for business prior to the end of 2018. More information at www.lawrencevillega.org.
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Pet Perch: Apply Affection Strategically and Have a Better Behaved Dog By Terie Hansen We all love to shower our dogs with attention, love, and praise, and most of the time for no other reason than because they are cute. But many times this can create a bratty, ill-behaved, entitled, nervous, and even aggressive dog. As a trainer I’ve worked with many dogs whose families just can’t stand the bad behaviors any longer. The answer to a better dog is structure discipline, boundaries, and using affection strategically and – dare I say – sparingly. Think of your affection, verbal praise, physical touch, eye contact, and any kind of rewards such as food, treats, toys, and playtime (anything that gives your dog pleasure) as currency. Think $100 bills! Now, do you work for free? Do you go to your job every day without expecting to get paid? Of course not! If you went to work every day but just sat around doing nothing, and throughout the day people gave you $100 bills, just because, that would be great, right? After a while you’d come to expect it. Then let’s just suppose they asked you to do something like work. You wouldn’t be motivated at all to do what they asked if you knew you would get paid regardless. You might even start to feel entitled and get angry at times if things weren’t just how you wanted them to be. Now insert your dog into that scenario. Get the picture? Applying affection strategically raises its value and motivates your dog to listen to you. Play hard to get. Make your dog do something before petting or rewarding him or her. It can be as simple as a sit. This also engages your dog in the thinking process, which is wildly fulfilling for your dog. Terie Hansen is the Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com
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Special Stories Spotlight: Why Special Needs Families Thrive in Gwinnett By Kristen Eleveld Gwinnett County is home to nearly 1,000,000 residents – and many of those residents live with a special need or know someone who does. This month we decided to look at what makes Gwinnett County a great fit for all kinds of families, no matter what special struggles they face. We had the chance to talk to the Lay family from Lawrenceville. “My daughter went through a major medical event two years ago at the age of three, resulting in a significant regression in her development,” said Alaina Lay, who has two children. “We were suddenly thrust into a world of ‘special needs,’ which was largely unknown to us at the time.” Gwinnett has many excellent qualities that make it stand out above the rest of the counties, but when it comes to education for children with special needs, this county always shines. Ms. Lay experienced this firsthand with her daughter, Sarah, who is now five years old. After going through this unexpected medical event, her daughter was largely non-verbal and struggled to make friends because it caused her too much anxiety to leave her mother’s side. However, the opportunity to learn in a special education classroom made a world of difference. “My daughter has been in the Gwinnett school system for two years, in a Pre-K class for three-to fiveyear olds,” Ms. Lay said. “During this time, she has defied the odds with her progress, largely due to the hard work of the teachers, paraprofessionals, and therapists at Parsons Elementary.” When the Lay family isn’t at school or at one of the weekly therapies Sarah attends, you can probably find them outside, enjoying the beautiful weather at one of Gwinnett’s parks. While our award-winning parks have year-round classes, hiking trails, and dozens of opportunities to try new athletics, Sarah’s favorite place to be is the playground. Once August arrives, Sarah will start a new adventure in Gwinnett County schools as she enters
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ReClif’s Founder Silent No More Continued from page 16 very articulate, and an inspiration to those around him. Our Town: What was it like finally finding a way to communicate your thoughts and ideas? Reece: An unparalleled feeling of freedom and hope. I could never have imagined I would end up here after so many years of no communication. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to hear my voice and acknowledge my intelligence. A whole new world opened up for me because of the letterboards. Imagine being fully understood and having a sense of purpose for the first time in your life! Our Town: What were some of the very first things you wanted to say to your parents? Reece: I first wanted them to know how thankful I was not only for their support, but for their constant hope and never-ending quest to help me. My spirits stayed up because of their positivity and my unwavering relationship and conversations with God who understood me even when no one else was able to. In short, the first thing I wanted to convey was my thankfulness to my family and take away any blame they felt for putting me through long hours of repetitious therapy. In the end it was all done with hopeful spirits and love. Our Town: What message do you have for other families living with an autistic child? Reece: My message would be to find a supportive community to get involved with. Staying active and reacting with positivity to this obstacle is paramount while raising a child with autism. Doing things together will help the autist to stay focused and feel secure. Body control is typically a chore for those on the spectrum. Learning to harness one’s actions through exercise and neuromapping is a key component to overall health and body awareness. Above all, teach ANY child that love has no boundaries. Accept them wholeheartedly and unashamedly. More information at reclif.com.
Special Needs Families Continued from page 21 kindergarten. But while the unknown is always a little scary, Ms. Lay is confident that her daughter will continue to thrive. “I have been so impressed by the teachers and paraprofessionals that devote their days to working with children that have a vast array of special needs,” Ms. Lay said. “It is tough, tiring work, but they are changing lives. We are forever grateful for their hard work and passion.” It is that hard work and passion that are opening doors for hundreds of families who share a similar story. Gwinnett County is proud to be even a small part of showing kids with special needs that they are valued, loved, and able to achieve all of their dreams. More information at https://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps/home/public.
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