DECEMBER 2020 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
Our Town GWINNETT
Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker
Up Close with Dyal Jenkins, see story on page 5
9 13 15 18
Happy Birthday: The Candyman Celebrates 100 Years Keeping it Green: Learn How to Recycle the Right Way Merry Christmas: From Six Feet Away Making a Difference: SE Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry
The Village Corner
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Dr. John Simmons and Dr. Robert French combine a blend of experience, wisdom and fresh new knowledge to affordably serve our patients with healthy, beautiful smiles. Our experienced team provides 5 star service, personalized care, and an extraordinary commitment to your health and well-being. Please join our family by scheduling a new patient exam!
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H e a lt H y • B e a u t i f u l • i n s p i r e d PAGE 2
John W. Simmons, IV, DMD, PC Robert J. French, DDS
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2020 babies are coming in! Currently available l Macaws l Amazons l Cockatoos l Cockatiels l Conures
We take pride in providing “pets” not just parrots to educated customers.
See Facebook page ‘Fancy Feathers Atlanta’ for pictures.
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Offering all parrot/bird supplies at wholesale prices. We sell hand fed BABY PARROTS and cockatiels. Please call 770-986-0661 or visit fancyfeathersstore.com. Featuring Zupreem, Pretty Bird and Dr. D’s pelleted diets, laAvian seed diets along with our own mix, Fancy Feathers, of seeds specialized for parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, finches and Gouldian finches.
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On the Cover: Meet the Team at Dyal Jenkins: Your Trusted Legal Resource By Kristen Eleveld When you need help, where do you turn? It’s hard to know who can show you the next steps to take, especially if you need legal help or if you have suffered an injury because of someone else’s actions or inactions. Thankfully for the people in the Atlanta area and northeast Georgia, they have a reliable resource in the team at the law firm of Dyal Jenkins, P.C. Growing up, Jim Jenkins knew his dad wanted him to become a lawyer – which made sense, considering his dad was a lawyer, too. But it wasn’t until Jim was out of college and working in an entirely different field when he realized that he not only found the idea of studying law to be interesting, he wanted to make it a career. After graduating from law school, Jim clerked for three Superior Court judges for a year prior to joining his father, Steve, at his firm. His father had been practicing for forty years at the time, and was a wealth of knowledge in many areas of the law, which helped Jim develop a broad-based understanding of the interplay between many areas of the law. Three years later, Jim moved his family to Atlanta. For a year, he focused on real estate transactions before he opened up his own firm in the Atlanta area, and in 2014 began focusing on helping clients who needed legal counsel to navigate challenging circumstances involving injuries and accidents. “I want to help people who are in difficult situations,” said Jim. “My own experiences have allowed me to understand how hard it can be when you’re dealing with an injury and you’re not sure what to do next.” Of course, Jim does not operate alone. He merged his firm with his father’s firm in Elberton, Georgia on January 1, 2020, creating Dyal Jenkins, P.C. This merger included the
addition of partner Chris Dyal, who brought with him the expertise and knowledge from his time as a criminal prosecution and defense attorney for five years. Prior to becoming an attorney, Chris was in the law enforcement field for nearly six years, which has served him well as he helps his clients determine how they should proceed when they seek his help. A high priority for the Dyal Jenkins team is education. They want their clients to not only understand the next steps of their own case, but also to learn that every case must be considered from its own unique angle. “We look at each case individually and review the facts,” said Jim. “No two cases are identical, and we want clients to know what they can expect and how we can help them.” “We are always going to tell you the truth, often without sugarcoating it,” added Chris. “We will not pretend something is going to happen when we know it won’t.” The firm’s attention to detail and commitment to honesty makes them a trusted resource within their community. Whether you are making an appointment with Jim in the Atlanta/Tucker area or with Chris in Elberton, you will find no shortage of clients who will recommend these attorneys as a reliable route to having your questions answered. In fact, most of their clients are referred to by word-of-mouth instead of advertising, because each client recognizes the value of this team. “We never judge anyone who walks into our office,” said
Chris. “We just want you to tell us the truth so we can know how to help you.” When they are not at the office, you will probably find both of these men with their families, and, of course, the pets they have adopted. Jim’s wife, Tiffany, and Chris have fostered cats and kittens in need, and have each adopted one (or several) of their own to keep. Under non-pandemic circumstances, you might run into Jim at his oldest son’s sporting events around Mountain Park, coaching and cheering him on, and see Chris at one of the many groups in which he holds a leadership role, like the Rotary Club, the Elberton Bar Association, or the Elks Club, to name just a few. If you’re looking for an attorney in an area other than personal injury or criminal defense, Jim, Chris, and Steve can still help. Thanks to their years and experience in this business, they have a list of trusted contacts who can help you with any type of problem you have. In fact, Steve, who Continued on page 10
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Gwinnett’s premier event destination for 23 years!
Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
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Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett /NE DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyright 2020 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.
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IN THIS ISSUE 5 7 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 15 18 18 19 21 22
On the Cover: Meet the Team at Dyal Jenkins: Your Trusted Legal Resource From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks Confessions of a Poll Worker Happy Birthday: The Candyman Celebrates 100 Years Best DIY Decorations for the Christmas Season SportsTalk: Middle School Golf League Fall Season Recap Crane’s Corner: Recounts, Runoffs, and Election Fraud Still Staying SagerStrong! Catching Up with Santa Perry Eidson Buy Local – Local Crafter Voices Keeping it Green: Learn How to Recycle the Right way Grandma Tech Support: Amazing COVID-19 Heroes Merry Christmas: From Six Feet Away Travel Tales: Holiday Celebrations Close to Home Making a Difference: SE Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry Community Spotlight: Bringing Quality to the Community with Perimeter Roofing Read Woke Challenge Cartoons These Days
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From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks
Eddie’s Automotive Service
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By Ryan T. Sauers
@RyanSauers
Lilburn, GA
Can you believe it is December? This year of “2020” seems to have been both the slowest moving year ever and yet seems to have flown by at the same time. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and now Christmas and the New Year are nearly upon us. I know we are ready to usher in a new year of 2021 that will be better for all of us. This year has been unprecedented, and I foresee some sense of normalcy coming back by the middle of 2021. Keep the faith. I love this country and our freedom. Moreover, I love my family and friends, and our community. I am ready for all of us to move forward in a united way and put the divisiveness behind us. I know we can do that, and we start right here in the Our Town Gwinnett communities. Let us go back in time and remember (if you disagree with someone) it is ok to “agree to disagree in an agreeable manner.” We all will not and do not need to agree on everything, but we must show each other dignity, caring, and respect in our dialogue with them. I really hope we look in the mirror before tearing someone down “in thoughts or words/actions.” In the New Testament of the Bible (Matthew 7), Jesus told his followers “do not judge... or you too will be judged.” These are great words to follow no matter what your religious beliefs might be. I am working on this. It hit home even more during my family’s recent bout with COVID and my own serious fight with the virus. I was reminded how most things in life are not worth worrying about/spending time. Why should we waste the precious time we have (if we are fortunate) on things that bear no eternal fruit or do not make a profound difference in another person’s life? I will be the first to tell you I work daily to improve in this and other areas of my life. That is all any of us can do. I could not be prouder of our community and the resolve and caring it has shown in 2020. It has simply been amazing to watch. There are wonderful things going on everywhere. Are they often reported? No, but we do it and will continue to do so. So, I challenge you to help me Continued on page 17
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Confessions of a Poll Worker
Happy Birthday: The Candyman Celebrates 100 Years
By Ron Lambros
Born in Atlanta in 1920, Clarence Page celebrated his 100th birthday on Monday, September 21th this year. He is the oldest member of Grayson United Methodist Church, where he is known simply as The Candyman for handing out peppermints to all the children in the church for over fifty years. Clarence’s wife Becky, now in her eighties, has been attending Grayson United since age five. She and Clarence were married in the church fiftytwo years ago. Clarence learned the tradition of handing out mints from his mother and picked up the torch soon after he attended Grayson United for the first time. Clarence chose peppermints (or candy canes, often) rather than any other type of candy because of the special spiritual meaning behind them. The red signifies the blood of Jesus Christ and the white, purity. Clarence and Becky even dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Peppermint at one of the early church Christmas programs and read the book “The Legend of the Candy Cane” to the children, many of whom are now adults with children and grandchildren of their own. Clarence received hundreds of handwritten cards and letters for his birthday from family and friends. Many well-wishers referenced the significant role The Candyman played in their lives growing up. Peppermint isn’t the only candy Clarence enjoys. He has a bit of a sweet tooth for chocolate as well, so he was delighted when Becky surprised him with special custom-made chocolate bars with his picture and title of The Candyman on the wrappers. Another highlight of his birthday celebration was a ride in a 1931 Model A Ford the family arranged as a surprise for him. Teaching others about God is a mission close to Clarence’s heart. In fact, he didn’t reserve his candy treasures solely for church children all these years. He used to visit nursing homes and local businesses where he passed out mints to business owners and workers. Clarence is not able to get out and about as much these days because of the COVID virus and his age, but he will always have the memories of bringing sweet smiles to those in his community and church who will forever think of him as The Candyman.
By Traci Sanders
I honestly do not remember why I initially did it, but I volunteered to work the polls beginning last March. I went online for extensive training before being qualified as a non-issuing clerk. Just to spend 12 hours a day handing out “I Voted” stickers and repeating, “Thanks for voting” to hundreds of people, I had to take classes on ethics, diversity, and conflict of interest policies. It was supposed to last for the two-weeks of early voting, but COVID made us cancel the second week. The next time I worked the polls was in June. It was the Primary Election and, once again, online training was required – this time to be certified as an issuing clerk. That meant I was able to issue voting cards on poll pads (iPads) to those who qualified or send them over for a provisional ballot if there were questions. Then August came, and it was time for the run-offs. I found myself volunteering as an issuing clerk once again and honed my skills on the poll pad. I was beginning to like this. In fact, I liked it so much that I volunteered to work the three weeks of early voting for the General Election, which ran from October 12-30, every other day, including Saturdays and Sundays. Completing that, I then took more online and in-person training classes to be qualified as an assistant poll manager for the General Election on November 3rd. Next stop will be the Senatorial Runoffs in January 2021. Something happened between March and November that I could have only come to realize by working the polls and being involved in the voting process. I learned valuable lessons and insights that I never knew before about our elections and the people who man the polls: • You do not do it for the money! I was up at 4:00 a.m. every other morning since I was required to be at the polls at 5:30 a.m. to make sure everything was ready for voting. We got two 15-minute breaks, a lunch hour, and a half-hour for dinner each day. The rest of the time, we were at our stations helping each voter. We were required to stay until the last vote was cast by the last voter in line when the polls closed at 7:00 p.m. Then, there were ballots to collect, double-check their security, and shutdown for the night, usually about 9:00 p.m. • Volunteers love what they do. All the poll workers developed a genuine sense of family and camaraderie. We watched each other’s backs and teamed up to give the best possible attention to each voter’s needs and situation. • Poll workers come from all parts of life. Young, old; rich, poor; black, white; male, female – it did not matter. We were there to serve the public, the community, and the election process. We were all different, but united by a common cause. • We did not care how you voted…only that you did. Poll workers have no political affiliation, at least that they publicly express. Everyone – Republican, Democrat, Independent, whatever – all were treated with the same respect, dignity, and our full attention. We were proud to be a part of their actual voting experience. • We were well-trained. Every one of us took extensive online and in-person training to Continued on page 14
Our Town Gwinnett
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Meet the Team at Dyal Jenkins Continued from page 5
Best DIY Decorations for the Christmas Season
began his firm in the Elberton location, is knowledgeable about many different types of law, including real estate, probate and estate planning, and many others, and often acts as a resource to clients that the team works with. Your first consultation is free. For personal injury claims, Dyal Jenkins’ fee is based on a percentage of what they are able to recover for you, so payment is never required up front. When you’re looking for help with a personal injury, the best way to reach Jim is through his paralegal Andretta, who will become your best friend before the end of your conversation. You can reach their office at (404) 919-7297. For criminal defense issues, you will want to get in touch with Chris at his office – (706) 283-8240. His paralegal team, Megan and Tanner, will be able to set you up with an appointment, and both attorneys place a high priority on staying in touch with their clients on a regular basis. You only want the best when it comes to your attorney – so make your first call the right call. Dyal Jenkins. More information at www.DyalJenkins.com
By Kristen Eleveld
Better Grades, Better Scores... Better Students!
Most of us have spent almost the whole year staying home more than usual. And most of us are starting to go a little crazy after looking at the same scenery for nearly ten months. But don’t worry – you can change up your décor for the holiday season without having to venture into a crowded store or spend the money you’d rather save for gifts. How? By making decorations yourself, of course. Make your staircase look snazzy If you are the kind of person who wraps presents, you might already have some ribbon lying around. If not, you can order all sorts that can be delivered right to your door. Ribbon is an easy way to add some color and holiday cheer to your staircase. You can make bows to tie at the end of the banister and wrap some ribbon around the banister in alternating colors to make your home ready for the season. The ribbon may be all you need, but if you’re still looking for some extra pizzazz to add to your staircase, consider getting some cute Christmas or winter-themed decorations to put on the stairs themselves to add more fun to your home décor. This is a great project to get your kids involved, too. They can pick out a stuffed snowman or a cute miniature Christmas tree to place on a stair of their own. Create your own ornaments Even if you are not the craftiest person in the world, there are some easy ways to make ornaments that only involve a few simple steps. For instance, if you get some clear ball ornaments, you can paint the outside, add a picture on the inside, or even get some floor polish, paint, and glitter to create your own sparkly ornament collection. Asking your kids to contribute to the ornaments is the perfect way to involve your whole family and make some new memories. It doesn’t have to be a complicated project. You can even ask your kids to draw a picture on construction paper, take it to be laminated, and hang it on the tree for years to come. If your kids are older, they can do something more complicated, like crafting a decoration out of Play Doh and helping you bake it in the oven. Add some fun to the outside The inside of your home is not the only place that you can add some DIY décor. There are Continued on page 17
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PAGE 10
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff Five Forks and Loganville Middle Schools were co-winners of the Middle School Golf League Fall Season. Members of the co-winning teams included from Five Forks: Abe and Jack Allred, Logan Coffman, McKinlee Proctor, and Charles Robinson; and from Loganville: Payton and Riley Green, Jackson McAleer, Allison Mays, and John McElroy. “We culminated our season with the individual skills competition of our Drive, Chip and Putt Contest,” said League Director Les Witmer. “Covid-19 impacted our season but not the enthusiasm of these junior golfers to get outside and away from virtual learning.” Modifications because of the pandemic included running the skills competition in small groups of 20 at a time, and with 105 players that took all afternoon. The overall winners of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition were Paige Greco for the girls and Mathew Mitchell for the boys from Couch Middle School. Thomas Teffner, Lanier Middle School, not only won the Drive Competition, but during the year he shot a hole in one at Trophy Club of Apalachee on the 125-yard third hole. “In addition to our weekly best ball team play and our individual skills competition we have a 9-hole individual stroke tournament for the top juniors,” added Witmer. “We had two flights, one from the forward red tees and one from the junior tees, and this season’s winners included red flight Ava Bryan (45) for the girls and Jackson McAleer (33) for the boys, and for the junior flight, McKinlee Proctor (40) for the girls and Avery Brown (41) for the boys.” Witmer added that it was quite different with the parents and marshals’ orientations and the award presentations done via Zoom. Also, precautions were taken with mask wearing and social distancing and limited player groupings during the season’s opening clinics and instruction. “The 105 players represented teams from Bay Creek, Couch, Creekland, Crews, Dacula, Five Forks, Hull, Loganville, McConnell Shiloh, Trickum, and Youth Middle Schools,” Witmer said. “And again, this fall we played at seven different golf courses including Bear Creek and Providence Golf Courses in Monroe, Summit Chase Country Club and Country Club of Gwinnett in Snellville, Cedar Lake Golf Course in Loganville, Collins Hill Golf Continued on page 17
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Crane’s Corner: Recounts, Runoffs, and Election Fraud By Bill Crane “Then too the bitterness that would be engendered by such a maneuver on my part would, in my opinion, have done incalculable and lasting damage throughout the country,” from his memoir book, “Six Crises,” by President Richard M. Nixon, on why he did not contest or demand recounts in the states of Illinois and Texas after the presidential election of 1960. Political king-maker, Joseph Kennedy, father of then US Senator John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) bragged to many in the almost immediate aftermath of the 1960 contest of the resources involved in vote-buying and tabulation “assistance” in Illinois and Massachusetts, as well as the able support of these efforts in Texas by supporters of US Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ). JFK and LBJ would move to the White House as President and Vice-President, while Nixon would finish his second term as Veep for President Dwight Eisenhower, heading home to California to lick his wounds and prepare for a political comeback bid for the White House that would be successful eight years later. Nixon believed, as he stated many times since losing that election, that the presidency, and our republic, were each more important than who is elected president. Recounts in close contests are a legitimate part of the electoral process. In Georgia, and contests where the outcome is separated by half a percentage point or less, the trailing candidate may request a recount, with those costs absorbed by the state and local election officials. The most recent presidential contest in Georgia, at the start of system security audit and hand recount, was decided by .03 percentage points, and a margin of just over 14,000 votes in favor of Vice-President Joe Biden. In local contests, where elections are more frequently decided by a few dozen votes, recounts do change outcomes, however, with the old punch card system, the immediate past voting tablets, and now the new Dominion Voting System. Though human error remains part of the equation, the results needle does not move very far in re-tabulating and re-canvassing. Much is being made of signature matching and a “forensic audit” of the Georgia results. Even if the recount did produce a different winner, the prevailing state law does not allow for such an audit. What we are still lacking, at least as of this writing, is any significant evidence of ballot fraud. IF the election contest was stolen, why would the thieves give MORE votes to US Senator David Perdue, than President Donald Trump? Why would they leave a State House GOP Majority largely intact? Why leave all that reward on the table if you are going to take the risk of multiple felony count charges for ballot fraud? Absentee mail-in ballots remain the most vulnerable part of our system. I have a solution, for consideration by the next General Assembly. Virtual voter identification required. At any precinct or Advance Voting location, Georgia voters are required to show government-issued ID. This requirement can be added to the Absentee Ballot application or ballot itself, to contain space and requirement for Driver’s License or US Passport number, or Georgia voter ID number as well. Turnout in runoff elections typically drops by more than half. A solid rule of thumb for run-
Still Staying SagerStrong! By Our Town Gwinnett Staff When Major League Baseball reopened this past summer without fans in the ballpark, the SagerStrong Foundation planned their Second Annual Stadium Fun Run with the Atlanta Braves as a virtual race to stay safe, give back, and raise money for #bloodcancer research during these trying times. The SagerStrong Foundation, created by the late Hall of Fame Sports Reporter Craig Sager and his wife Stacy in 2016, was established with the mission to give hope to those who need it most fighting blood cancer. Sager, who battled leukemia for three years, was an avid runner as well, so Stacy decided to host a run to raise funds for blood cancer research to someday find a cure for the deadly disease that took her husband. “We wanted to host an event in Craig’s honor that really spoke to who he was – full of life, full of fun, and full of style,” said Stacy. “Since Craig had a long history with the Atlanta Braves (Craig covered the story of Hank Aaron breaking the homerun record in 1974), we decided the Stadium Fun Run would be a perfect way to honor him and raise money to one day find a cure so other families won’t have to go through what we did to fight blood cancer.” Continued on page 22
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off winners is that if you can turn out the SAME NUMBER of voters you had in the general election or primary, you will win. Even with record turnout, only 70 percent of the eligible registered voters in Georgia (6.8 million), participated in the general election. That other 30 percent may also participate in the two Senate runoffs, as well as the statewide runoff for Public Service Commission on Tuesday, January 5th. Equally, if not more important, are the local and regional elected officials who will be selected in four other contests across the state on Tuesday, December 1st, ranging from a special election to fill one month of the unexpired term of 5th District Congressman John Lewis to who will next serve as district attorney for the Western Judicial Circuit of Georgia (Athens/ Clarke & Oconee counties). Election fraud is real, has occurred, and will again, but not likely on a scale to sway the outcome of a presidential election. The dead have voted in Georgia, and precincts have voted in alphabetic order, but at this point, the only jockey still beating a dead horse perhaps should instead be scheduling moving trucks for arrival and departure from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. There are also two LIVE US Senate contests to focus on trying to win. Crane is the senior political analyst with WSB Radio and TV and owns the full-service communications firm, CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com
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Catching Up with Santa Perry Eidson By Beth Volpert Johansen “We need a little Christmas, right this very minute.” If ever a song written for the closing months of 2020, it would be the rollicking version bursting forth from our screens directly from the musical Mame. Along with a little Christmas, we could certainly use a great deal of jolly laughter from the head elf himself, Santa. With 2020 providing an abundance of unpleasant surprises, Gwinnett County’s own Santa Perry Eidson has found a few gems buried in his own personal coal pile. “Despite the current circumstances, we need Santa at Christmas as much as ever,” says Santa Perry. “While Santa does need to hear those wishes and take memorable pictures, he also does not need to be a super-spreader.” All the COVID-19 precautions aside, Santa has been busy in his “off season,” bringing joy to children of all ages. Always one to provide midsummer delight to children at Grayson’s Christmas in July, Santa Perry would not be swayed from his duty by something like a mask. “Whether I like to admit it or not, I have aged into a risk group,” explains Santa Perry, “so I will wear a mask and take precautions to keep myself and the children as safe as possible. It is also important to have that one shot of a child with Santa, so we get creative to get that shot and stay safe.” While being safe and making sure there is that special annual photo with Santa is top on Perry’s wish list, one thing is still missing. “I don’t get to hold the babies like I always have, and I miss that,” says Santa Perry. “The photographers I work with take magical photos of Baby’s First Christmas – really beautiful memories for families.” From the earliest days of Perry Eidson’s career as Santa, he has had a soft spot for those in need. Regularly cast as Santa through his agency in a variety of settings, Santa Perry has seen the pain of Christmas in the Children’s hospitals as well as the walking wounded. When the opportunity came in late summer to portray Santa Claus in a movie, Perry was overwhelmed with the possibilities. “It was as surreal as could be,” says Santa Perry in his slight Southern drawl. It would be that Southern drawl that made him so endearing to cast members, but one that Lifetime directors asked that he tone down. “Now, I don’t care for the sound of my own voice – not many people do. But that was one thing they liked about me – my expression.” Overall, it was his genuine Santa looks and expressive tones that landed Perry Eidson in an airport hangar near Nashville in August where he learned he would be a part of A Welcome
Home Christmas alongside Charlene Tilton and Tim Reid. “Charlene Tilton – of Dallas fame – is a little firecracker!” says Santa Perry with a laugh. “She is only 4’11”, but has a Shaq-sized personality.” On set, Santa Perry roasted along with the rest of the crew during an overnight shoot that brought typical August heat and humidity that threatened his signature hair and beard. “I was there with the crew all night, only I did it in full Santa suit regalia!” he says. To keep him looking fresh, Santa Perry had his hair curled by professionals and his makeup tended to throughout the shoot. “We spent hours working through the script, and everyone was as nice as could be,” he adds. “The closeups were a surprise as they were less than six feet away when we were shooting in order to get the effect they wanted. Between takes, they would come up with a battery-operated curling iron to re-curl my hair.” Santa Perry laughs with all the joy that Santa is supposed to possess. “I’m real!” he says. “One hundred percent real in this movie, not just a background player. I am semi-sophisticated, but being Santa in a movie is a very important role; short, but important to what is going on in the movie.” He goes on to describe one vivid moment. “It’s 5:30 a.m. and everybody is looking at me,” says Santa Perry. “It was a good experience, especially this year, and all the people on the set had nice things to say about me. I think, if asked, maybe I would do it again.” As fulfilling as being cast as Santa in a movie was for Perry, 2020 was not quite finished with the jolly Southern elf. One call from his agency led to a photo shoot by world-renowned photographer, Ron Cooper. The resulting book, We Are Santa, benefits the Colorado Children’s Hospital. “I feel pretty privileged to have had my portrait done by him,” says Santa Perry. “All the proceeds from the book are going to raise money for the Children’s Hospital in Denver.” In addition to having been featured in the book, Santa Perry was surprised to find that his photo had been chosen among all the shots to be included on the cover. “I didn’t realize it at first,” says Santa Perry. “I must have looked at it at least a dozen times before I saw it. There I was, highlighted on the cover!” From the movie set to a special photo shoot, Santa Perry never dreamed anything more could bring joy to his year besides the anticipation of the actual Christmas Season. However, there was one more gem waiting to bring additional sparkle to 2020. “You see, I had to put a new engine in my special Santa Truck this year,” he explains. “It had to be a Jasper Engine, and it took a while to get it ordered and installed.” While the simple act of installing an engine seems straight-forward, it seems the truck attracted the attention of a sales rep while in the shop. “I got a call from the Jasper Engine sales rep asking me if he could feature the truck in the 2021 Jasper Engine Calendar,” says Santa Perry. “While 2020 has not been good, I have had some good things happen to me. I have had the ability to do all this and God has blessed me, so it seems like adding the truck to a 2021 calendar is a good sign that things are going to get better.”
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Buy Local – Local Crafter Voices By K. Coats “Buy Local!” is a phrase we see thrown around a lot. Sometimes it can even seem more of a command than a suggestion. And while there is something sweet about going to a local boutique or farmer’s market, sometimes buying local can be hard. The appeal of the bigger chain stores is just too easy at times. But if you purchase something from the Walton family or the Belk family or take Mr. Bezos up on his free 2-day shipping, know that none of them will notice or much care. Those bigger chain stores have many customers, and your business is often a mere blip in their income – if even that much. So, when you hear the phrase “buy local,” I’d like for you to consider what the word “local” really means. I run a t-shirt and memory quilt hobby-turned-business: Quest Quilts. For me, when someone buys from my little business, those funds mean a lot. They have gone towards things like groceries, pre-school tuition, Christmas gifts, and dental bills, and have even helped make family memories by going towards a Disney trip. Those purchases made to my little local self meant ten times as much as they do to those bigger chains. But aside from the funds from the sales, there is an immense satisfaction interacting directly with one’s customers and developing relationships with them. When I am making a quilt from a loved one’s clothing, I am keenly aware that I am helping preserve memories of a person or a time long past. There is an honor to my craft, and I feel personally responsible to ensure as quality of a product as I can. And this is the same dynamic with other local crafters as well. Gwinnett County is home to a lot of wonderful people. And as far as crafters go, we have been incredibly blessed with a multitude of talent. The Geek Forge, owned and run by Jen Pawley, specializes in making custom costumes, props, and accessories inspired by films, shows, games, and even cartoons. For the Geek Forge, this part-time business means reinvesting or helping to pay off debt. And thanks to COVID, sales are down by 30% as a result of canceled conventions. Buy local here also means that you will be getting a hand-crafted item instead of mass produced. Pawley says the biggest compliment for her is “Posting a picture Continued on page 19
By Kristen Eleveld When you see the number inside the recycling symbol on your milk jug, do you know what it means? If you don’t, that’s okay – most of us don’t. But one Gwinnett organization is working to help us all become confident recyclers and showing us that the payoffs of recycling right are well worth the effort. Those payoffs? Conserving natural resources, preventing harmful emissions, and powering Georgia’s economy. Back in 2015, Laura Hernandez was volunteering at Gwinnett County’s annual America Recycles Day event. Unloading broken and outdated electronics for recycling, Laura was encouraged by the high turnout of people who were willing to take the extra steps needed to responsibly dispose of these items. She had an epiphany: to be part of this type of eco-friendly education and change. Laura put in her two weeks’ notice at her job the next week. “I really wanted to get in front of people and show them how they can do right for the earth,” Laura said. She knew there were other like-minded people in the area, having seen that at the recycling event. Laura and these other passionate citizens began meeting as a group, looking for new ways to protect the local environment and encourage others to do the same. By early 2016, the group had created a website and named themselves Gwinnett Recycles. “This is a group about neighbors helping neighbors,” said Laura. “All of us have decisions to make every day about what to do with things we’re finished using. Our group wants to help people make smart choices.” A main source of inspiration for Laura is that so much of what is properly recycled is used by industries in Atlanta and the surrounding areas to make new, more eco-friendly products. As Continued on page 20
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Confessions of a Poll Worker Continued from page 9 assure the highest level of accuracy and confidentiality of each ballot cast. We took extraordinary measures to make sure that nothing we did could be called into question. • The system is not perfect, but it is good. The voting process in this country is a massive undertaking and privilege. We did everything we could to make each voter feel appreciated and confident that his or her vote counted. This often meant spending lots of time on paperwork, telephone calls to the elections office, or a visit to the provisional ballot table if necessary, all to make sure that every voter who came through our doors accomplished what he or she set out to do – express one’s constitutional right to vote his or her conscience. For that, I am proudest. The elections office is always looking for volunteers to work the polls. Give them a call to find out more if you are interested. But be aware: the hours are long, the pay is small, and the pressure is, at times, overwhelming. But through it all, you will know you have been part of a process that people lived and died for. And that makes it all worthwhile. Here is your sticker. Thank you for voting!
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By K. Coats My mother-in-law, Grandma Joanie, will be the first to tell you she does not like technology. She grew up in a different era – one full of poodle skirts and vinyl record players. Smartphones are a long way from her comfort level, and she still prefers sharing cut out newspaper articles with her loved ones instead of website links. She taught in public schools for over thirty years, and when her career started, she mastered the typewriter, the overhead projector, and the movie reel machine for her students. Knowing this only makes her more recent actions even more impressive. After a decade and a half in retirement, Grandma Joanie dusted off her teacher-persona and sat down to a classroom as foreign to her as anything could possibly be – a digital classroom during COVID-19. Armed with a cord splitter so she and her second-grade grandson could listen on headphones at the same time and a blank notebook for taking down directions, my mother-in-law went outside her comfort zone to help us out and keep our kids digital for just a little while longer as the school year started. Platforms like Google classroom, Prodigy, and Loom were unknown to her, but together she and our second grader navigated the lessons each day. And as I looked over her notes and his progress, I was impressed by both. I am fifteen years into the same profession from which Grandma Joanie retired, and I have seen many shifts even within that time. I know how disorienting new programs can be, and I consider myself proficient when it comes to instructional technology, so I am lucky in that regard. I am also lucky that Grandma Joanie stepped up to help us. And I am sure that she is not alone in her actions. Across the country, grandparents are stepping into the world of digital learning to help their grandkids continue their school year. They are helping to navigate platforms when their experience with computers might be limited. They are trying to troubleshoot video permission issues and open Zoom meeting links. It is overwhelming for the best of us at times, but they continue giving each digital learning day their best effort. So I think it’s important, as we celebrate the everyday heroes during this frustrating time, to take a moment and give a nod Continued on page 22
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Merry Christmas: From Six Feet Away By Kristen Eleveld
While it may feel like 2020 has gone on forever, the end of the year is here! Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are unsure how to celebrate the holidays while still abiding by social distancing recommendations. But we have some ideas for you to consider as you make your plans for the holiday season. Free Get a Zoom account Inspections A popular means of communication this year has been video conferences. Though it isn’t exactly the same as visiting the home of your loved ones, you can still see their smiling faces if you make use of one of these video services. Zoom, for example, allows you to have 40 minutes at no charge as many times as you wish. If you want your calls to last a little longer, RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PEST CONTROL you can opt in for a yearly fee that allows you more time so you can speak to everyone in the family on the same day. Be sure to remember a few rules that will help your call go a little more smoothy. For instance, you want to find a room that has plenty of lighting so everyone can see you. If a lot of family members will be joining, consider muting the people who are not speaking so you don’t have to deal with the extra noise from everyone’s house, like dogs barking or the neighbor’s car rattling down the street. Send a Christmas card Now is a great time You and your family might be the annual Christmas card champions, or maybe you can’t to raise your soil’s even remember the last time you all posed for a photo. Whatever the case, make an effort this year to send some sort of card to your loved ones, especially if you can’t gather in person. You pH by liming your can use services like Shutterfly to create fun prints or even gifts like coasters and calendars, or warm season lawn. you can go old-school and get out some pen and paper to write a nice note. This idea isn’t just for the grown-ups in the family – get your kids involved, too! Older kids • Lawn Care can write a note of their own, and younger kids can draw a fun family picture. If you have the • Tree & Shrub Care time, you can even get the kids to dress up in something silly or seasonal to send a picture that will bring a smile. •• Fescue Seeding Lawn Care Make a movie •• Fire Control If you have a large or busy family, doing a video call just might not work out for everyone’s PlantAnt Health Care schedule. But no one has to miss the fun, because you can take a different approach and make a • Water Management fun video – or several – to send to your loved ones. Take a video of your kids opening their gifts • Seeding from grandma and grandpa and send it to your family, or record a few moments of everyone • Same-Day Free • Estimates Fire Ant Control singing their favorite Christmas tune. For those with even a small amount of video editing skills, you can take it one step fur• Water management ther and create a montage or short clip series highlighting your favorite parts of the holiday. Opening presents, singing carols, participating in a Christmas play, dressing the dog up like a • Same-Day Free Same-Day Free Estimates $25.00 first reindeer – whatever you do to celebrate, capture some of those moments to send to the people Estimates lawn Lawn Care who can’t join the festivities this year. Lawn care treatment $25.00 First Custom fertilization and weed control programs New customers only up Of course, we’d all love to be with our families and friends for Christmas. But if it just Custom isn’t fertilization and weed control programs to 6,000 sq. ft. when you possible, take the time to make this holiday just as memorable and special as the last. You might Lawn Treatment Plant Health Care agree to our 7-8 treatment be surprised to find that some new traditions become your favorite part of the year.
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Ryan’s Remarks Continued from page 7 get the news out. Share a copy of this magazine with another person (in print, online, digital media, social media) however you want. You will find nothing but positive news, events, and happenings that are encouraging in nature. Keep a “thankful mode” as we enter the new year of 2021 – a year fresh for new beginnings. I am thankful for the Our Town family, friends, staff, and partners. All the Our Town monthly magazines continue to grow in a rapid manner. In addition, we have exciting growth plans for 2021. So, stay connected as, Lord willing, here we “grow again.” I wish you a safe and blessed holiday season and new year. I thank you for your role in our journey day by day, month by month, and year by year. We could not do it without you. So, until next year, and as always: this is my town, your town, Our Town!
Best DIY Decorations Continued from page 10 a lot of fun and easy ways to make some decorations that your neighbors will love. Batterypowered candles are a great place to start. You can add them to your windows and even to your porch to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. There are even candles that change colors if you are looking for that extra “oomph” to make your house stand out. Have you ever made your own wreath? There are tons of online tutorials that will show you easy ways to make a wreath for your front door. If you find that you like this project, you can make more wreaths to decorate your windows, or even give a couple away as gifts. Change up the colors and themes of your wreath to keep your decorations fresh and interesting. The holidays are here, so change up some of your decorations to get your house ready for a fun season. Even if you spend it at home, you can still enjoy the new traditions you have started with your loved ones.
CELEBRATE In this Holiday Season we wish all the best for you and your family. With Covid, many celebrations will be different. Please be safe, be kind and reach out to those that need contact and caring.
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Happiest of Holidays from Our Family to Yours.
SportsTalk Continued from page 10 Course in Lawrenceville, and Trophy Club of Apalachee in Dacula. The Most Improved Golfer Awards for the fall season were given to Lauryn Wright for Bay Creek; Christopher Jefferson, Noella Bowens, and Catherine Langley for Couch; Rafael Workman for Creekland; Aiden Tran and Ella Dunn for Crews; Charlie Westbrook for Dacula; Abe Allred for Five Forks; Brandon Williams for Hull; Allison Mays and Christian Guzman for Loganville; Aiden Danzy and Alex Witherspoon for McConnell; Thomas Crawley for Shiloh; Trace Wood, Kai McIntyre, Zack Reffing, and Hosaena Kirubel for Trickum; and Taylor Wells for Youth. The Middle School Golf League is organized through the South Gwinnett Athletic Association and plays mainly on Sunday afternoons during both fall and spring seasons. “We began our season again with a clinic for all, an extra on course clinic for new players to golf for the league in preparation for their team best ball play, and a practice round to get everyone organized,” said Witmer. “Then four weeks of team best ball play and then we introduced them to stroke play where everyone got to play their own ball for an individual score. The more experienced juniors participated in a 9-hole tournament.” The 2021 Spring Season for the Middle School Golf League will begin in March with play through the end of the school year in May. More info at https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolgolfleague/
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Travel Tales: Holiday Celebrations Close to Home
Making a Difference: SE Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry
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By Kristen Eleveld
I know, I know – where can we go for the 2020 holidays without chancing the dreaded COVID-19, crowds of maskless people, and over-the-top pricing? I think I have a few answers for you. Many places are still celebrating with holiday light displays and festivities. But this year you may be doing a drive through instead of walking amongst throngs of people. Callaway Gardens is always a bright spot not far from home, and if you want to stay, you can choose either a hotel room or cottage. The Fantasy In Lights is called one of the world’s Top 10 Places to See Holiday Lights. Also close by is the Magical Nights of Lights at Lanier Island where you can also enjoy carnival rides or make s’mores around a bonfire. The indoor pool at Legacy Resort is always fun when it is cold outside. Brasstown Valley Resort has a Holiday Festival of Lights as well, with many other activities planned. Holiday light parades include Dublin’s Christmas Parade and Rock City Gardens with its 30+ holiday scenes to drive through. Dahlonega also has a winter wonderland for kids. And don’t forget the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway where you can hear a Christmas story, sing carols, and ride along with Santa. A little farther away, St. Augustine, Florida’s famous Nights of Lights can be seen from Trolly tour or Santa’s Red Express Train. You can see the huge light display from the water on a pirate ship or in a private carriage with a glass of wine in hand. This famous festival has won National Geographic’s Best World Festival for many years now. There are plenty of quaint bed and breakfast hotels and bigger hotels on St. Augustine Beach, all with proper COVID-19 procedures dictated from the CDC. At the top of the 5-star list, there is always Sea Island, Georgia, with its famed holiday celebrations at the Cloister, and Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee. Both places sell out quickly – even in the time of COVID-19 – so reservations for all are highly recommended as soon as possible.
This year has been rough on a lot of people. Many families are finding it hard to put food on their tables every night. But one local ministry is working to not only feed those people, but to remind them that they are loved. “My main qualification for this job is that I can’t do it,” said Laura Drake, Executive Director of the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry. “Which is perfect, because that means God can do it through me.” After serving as the executive director of this co-op for over a decade, Laura has seen it all – including the amazing things that can happen when someone answers a higher calling to serve one’s community. While she had volunteered for the local Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry, Laura had never imagined herself as the person in charge of running an entire cooperative. Yet, twelve years later, she is still thriving in the role. A large factor in the success of the co-op is due to Laura’s passion for helping people – not just to put food on their tables, but to realize their value to the community as a whole. “A friend of mine once said that he thinks we’re all called to something,” Laura said. “I felt the Lord calling me to let people know that they have so much worth – more than they could ever imagine.” It is this commitment to encouraging the people she serves that motivated Laura and her team to continue serving through the coronavirus pandemic that has affected so many families since March. While the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry typically serves around 150 families a week, that number has doubled over the last several months as more people turned to the co-op for assistance with meeting essential needs. Usually, the families would go inside the co-op to pick out their food and speak with a team member to learn what other services and opportunities were available to them. Now, in an effort to comply with social distancing guidelines, the co-op has started serving people by loading food and other supplies directly into their cars – a system Laura and her team created in just three days. Laura estimates that they have loaded food in about 9,000 cars, and the demand is not slowing down. But for Laura and the staff and volunteers at the cooperative, this is not an obstacle to overcome, but another chance to love their community. “We want people to know that this is about more than just putting food on their tables,” said Laura. “If they come to us for help, we are able to take the burden of food expenses off them, which hopefully allows them to use that money for other needs.” Laura attributes much of co-op’s success during the pandemic to the incredible response of the Gwinnett community and the state of Georgia as a whole. Gwinnett County Parks and Rec employees have made dozens of runs to the food bank, ensuring that the co-op always has food to distribute to the people who are counting on them. Georgia deployed its National Guard to offer assistance with loading the food into cars, as well as with keeping the entire process organized and supplies updated. “I can’t put it into words to say how humbled I am to see how the community has rallied Continued on page 22
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Buy Local – Local Crafter Voices Continued from page 13 online using my item with a positive caption.” Another local quilter who also specializes in t-shirt and memory quilts is Janeen Sepulveda, owner of Cherished Cabin Quilts. For her, this is a full-time job, putting in as much as 60 hours a week. Buying local from this business means groceries and gas can be bought, and bills can be paid. For Cherished Cabin Quilts, the highlight of her craft is that all-so-important reaction to receiving a memory quilt made from a loved one’s clothes. Her customer feedback means more than just a rating – it means a person’s satisfaction with her craft. This is important as she continues to grow her business. If you have been to a local craft fair, the odds that you have run into Susana Jaruczyk, owner of Mama Dinosews, are pretty good. She crafts one-of-a-kind purses and handbags in addition to sewing and alterations. For her, this is a part time endeavor that also provides a therapeutic, creative outlet. When you buy local from Mama Dinosews, you are also helping with groceries and soccer fees. For Mama Dinosews, the biggest compliment is that all too important “return customer.” This year has been particularly hard on this little local business as most craft fairs have been canceled. In addition to a loss in sales, Mama Dinosews misses meeting and interacting with customers most of all. The final local voice featured is Alyson Cutler-Broome who owns Bow on Girl. She specializes in hair bows of all shapes and sizes as well as headbands and other accessories, and she dedicates at least 50 hours a week or more to her craft. The loss of craft shows this year hurt Bow on Girl severely, taking away around 90% of her normal sales. For her, the sale is the compliment – choosing to spend one’s funds on her product brings the greatest satisfaction and choosing her product over other options is the biggest reward. Trying to grow a business is hard even in the best of times, and it is hard to invest back in one’s business and tools when sales are down. Like other smaller businesses, Bow on Girl is trying to find her niche online as well. So, while the phrase buy local can often be vague and sometimes as nameless as the big chain stores themselves, know that it is much more personal. Buy local means local bills can be paid. Buy local means local crafters get to create items especially for you. Buy local means your funds go back to help your own community. It has been a hard year for all of us in one way or another so consider supporting local crafters. More information on Quest Quilts at www.questquilts.com. More information on The Geek Forge at thegeekforge.org. More information on Cherished Cabin Quilts at www.etsy.com/shop/cherishedcabinquilts More information on Mama Dinosews or Bow on Girl please visit on Facebook.
Community Spotlight: Bringing Quality to the Community with Perimeter Roofing By Kristen Eleveld It’s been hurricane season, and many of our roofs are starting to feel the effects of being pelted with tree branches, hail, and the rainstorms that have frequented our area over the last few months. You may worry that your roof needs to be repaired or replaced, but you’re not sure where to begin. We have an excellent resource for you: Perimeter Roofing. Perimeter Roofing’s main mission is to give clients exactly what they need. Whether that means a new roof or just a part replaced, they place a high priority on meeting your needs while helping you learn something in the process. For instance, did you know that you need to have your roof inspected every year? Even if your shingles are promised to last another decade, you can stay ahead of many serious issues by making sure your roof is in top condition on an annual basis. Providing education like this is just one way that Perimeter Roofing provides customer service that goes above and beyond. They also have state-of-the-art equipment that tracks storms and any subsequent damage that may contribute to your roof needing repair, and they use that information to help you understand the best way to protect your home. “We are always going to be honest with you,” said President and CEO Todd Price. “We don’t ever want to suggest you need a new part or a new roof when that just isn’t the case.” Price and his team will often inspect a roof multiple times before deciding that any changes need to be made, just to ensure that they are only giving clients the best recommendations. This level of integrity has carried their reputation far in the community. Perimeter Roofing is well-known for their excellent relationships with insurance companies and adjustors, meaning they are able to help clients get more of their repairs covered. Perimeter Roofing stands out even more in the roofing industry through Price, who not only is a fully licensed roofer, but has earned multiple certifications and awards for his dedication to offering the highest quality work at competitive industry prices. While a roofing license is not required in Georgia, Price felt that taking that extra step was important so he could reassure Continued on page 22
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BEST BEST BEST BEST
H&M clothing stores take all types of textiles to be used in new ways. Snellville is home to a local drop-off for recycling your empty glass bottles and jars, as well as a host of other household items. A directory on the Gwinnett Recycles website includes instructions for recycling both the website and Laura herself notes, the recycling industry creates 23,000 jobs in Georgia hundreds of items that aren’t curbside-friendly. alone, thanks to the many available local outlets for recycled fiber, plastic, metal, and glass. “We need to recycle the right way to help the system work,” said Laura. “The list of items While the team at Gwinnett Recycles is passionate about recycling, sometimes the conrecyclable curbside is pretty short, which is surprising to many people.” versation has to be about what not to recycle. According to Laura, many people are “wishful More than anything, Laura and her group want people to understand that having a full recyrecyclers,” putting items in their curbside bin that cannot be recycled that way or cannot be cling bin each week may feel great, but, ideally, we would recycle less because we would be recycled at all. For instance, your plastic grocery bags can’t be recycled in your curbside bin more mindful of the products we use in the first place. Laura encourages everyone to look for because the companies that process our paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and jugs, and metal ways they can reduce their own use of plastic and other single-use or short-term use products, cans simply don’t have the means of sorting out bags. These lightweight bags get tangled in along with finding creative ways to bring new life to old items. These efforts are also part of equipment. Instead, look for a local bag return at your grocery store, and bring your empty the educational resources provided by Gwinnett Recycles. When it comes When it comes to beautify finding perfect roof plastic bags and film there. As long as the filmy plastic stretches and is marked with the number If you are interested in helping Laura and her team thethe county, join them for one of to two or four inside the triangular recycling logo, it’s good to go in the store bins. Examples of their socially distanced litter clean ups. If you feel you may have other talents this organizafor your home we your home we have a HUGEroof selection When it comes to finding the perfect When for it comes to roof finding the perfect these items would be shopping and produce bags, dry cleaning bags, bread bags, Ziploc bags, tion can use, contact them about your ideas. Volunteers are always needed and are welcome to of brands of home brands and colors to choose from, so and colo and even Amazon bubble mailers. for your homeinwe a HUGE selection for we have a HUGE selection participate anyhave of theyour many projects Gwinnett Recycles is coordinating. There are many locations in our community that accept recyclable and donatable goods. we can make house look Allmake your More information Laura@gwinnettrecycles.com of brands and colors choose from, soyour ofatto brands and colors to choose from,perfect. sowe can
Keeping it Green Continued from page 13
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When it comes to finding the perfect roof for your home we have a HUGE selection of brands and colors to choose from, so we can Certified Professionals Certified Professionals make your house look perfect. All Perimeter Cares pays off When it a comes to your home you need a it comes to your home you need Certified Professionals of our roofs come with oneCertified of the When Professionals unpaid lunch debt for best warranties in the industry andcompany that is fully insured and company that is fully insured and certified certified When it comes to your home you need a home you need elementary school students. When it comes to your a we use above standard roofing We have paid off over 60 before you let anyone put your hard earned before you let anyone hard earned company that is fully insured and company that iscertified fully insuredput andyour certified materials. schools and plan to take care home at we risk. Here at Perimeter Roofing of we all elementary schools in home athard risk.earned Here atyour Perimeter Roofing before you let anyone put your before you let anyone put hard earned Certified Professionals the state of Georgia. have experts have the experts and trained roofing techs that and trained roofing techs that home at risk. Here atyou Perimeter Roofing we When it comes to your home home at risk. Here at Perimeter Roofing wethe perimetercares.org need a company that is fully insured have years of experience in the roofing busihave years of experience in thetechs roofing busihave the experts and trained roofing techs that roofing have the experts and trained that and certified before you let anyone ness. ness. We are fully insured to work on We anyare sizefully insured to work on any size years of experience in the roofing busiof experience in the roofing busiput have your hard earned homehave at risk.years Here at Perimeter we have project project noon matter how big oron small. ness. We areRoofing fully insured toare work any size ness. We fully insured to work any sizeno matter how big or small. the experts and trained roofing project noyears matter how bigno or matter small. how big or small. project techs that have of experience in the roofing business. We are fully Roof Repair and ReplacementRoof Repair and Replacement insured to work on any size project Perimeter Roofing is Metro Atlanta’s Roofing Perimeter Roofing is Metro Atlanta’s Roofing Roof Repair and Replacement no matter how big or small.Roof Repair and Replacement
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Read Woke Challenge By Traci Sanders The 2020 School Library Journal National Librarian of the Year, Cicely Lewis, is so passionate about books and educating students through literature that she recently started a program called Read Woke at Meadowcreek High School. This is not your run-of-the-mill reading challenge, however. It’s built around books that have shaped our culture throughout time. As the website states: “Read Woke is a movement. It is a feeling. It is a style. It is a form of education. It is a call to action; it is our right as lifelong learners. It means arming yourself with knowledge in order to better protect your rights.” The movement is focused on learning about others so we can treat people with the respect and dignity they deserve no matter their religion, race, creed, or color. Students are encouraged to read “Woke” books and complete a reading challenge and reading exercise challenge. Thanks to a grant from Dollar General and the Young Adult Library Services Association, Lewis is able to offer fun incentives such as t-shirts, a picture on the Read Woke wall, and a free book from the GCPS Bookmobile. Lewis also received the 2019 National Teacher Award for Lifelong Readers administered jointly by the National Council of Teachers of English and Penguin Random House. This award honors a teacher who inspires his or her students to read all genres of writing, and it comes with a $10,000 grant, which will help support the expansion of Lewis’s Read Woke program. One might ask, “What is a ‘Woke’ book?” To Lewis it is a book that must “challenge a social norm; give a voice to the voiceless; provide information about a group that has been disenfranchised; seek to challenge the status quo; and have a protagonist from an underrepresented or oppressed group.” Through the Read Woke Challenge, Lewis is confident that the students will develop higher reading comprehension levels, interpret texts from different genres, perform critical thinking tasks, and make connections with text in order to compare and contrast with current social injustices in their community. Another great aspect to the Read Woke Challenge is that it encourages an appreciation for physical fitness. At the end of the challenge, Lewis will offer a diagnostic survey that will measure the students’ knowledge of social injustice issues. Lewis will also provide quizzes that assess the students’ knowledge of the reading material in general. In addition, the students will be timed on exercise bikes to see who can read and exercise the longest. The Read Woke Challenge is accomplishing two very important goals with our youth: educating and informing them about great people in history who challenged social norms, and inspiring the students to stay healthy and fit by making reading fun. More information at www.readwoke.com
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Still Staying SagerStrong! Continued from page 11
Cartoons These Days
This year’s event offered a different kind of run. Participants were able to sign up to run one race, or run for the “cycle” as they say in baseball, running all of the distances, in one weekend virtually – 3K, 5K, 10K, or a half marathon – anytime from Friday to Sunday the weekend of August 21-23. Participants downloaded the virtual bib, and shared photos after running in colorful #SagerStyle. Craig was known for his colorful suits on the sidelines, so the Foundation had asked people to dress creatively, run the race, and send photos. Some runners went a step further by giving blood over the next week as the SagerStrong Foundation partnered with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive as well, all in support of National Blood Cancer Awareness Month. All participants received a special commemorative face mask after the race, courtesy of the Sager Strong Foundation’s virtual race sponsors: Northside Hospital, the Atlanta Braves, and Rand Refrigeration. “Blood was like water to Craig, he needed it to survive daily,” Stacy shared. “So, we wanted to host the blood drive as well, to make it easy to give back in a time when blood is in short supply, because of these trying times. Those who donated received a free COVID-19 Antibody test, courtesy of the American Red Cross – so it was a win-win for everyone!” The Foundation also announced its Second Annual SagerStrong Foundation Hometown Hero last month, Kale Corbett. Corbett, a senior from Tallulah Falls School, is a pediatric cancer patient who has fought through a rare cancer, and not only persevered, but thrived through his fight. In addition, the Foundation is beginning to plan for next year’s fundraising events, the Living Out Loud Golf Tournament in May 2021, and a return to Truist Park with the Third Annual SagerStrong Foundation Stadium Fun Run with the Braves in August 2021. Mark your calendar and please plan to join in the fun. More information at https://sagerstrongfoundation.org
By K. Coats
Perimeter Roofing Continued from page 19 clients that his company is not only qualified to cover all their roofing needs, but also that they genuinely care about giving their clients a good experience. When it comes to caring, Perimeter Roofing has recently undertaken another endeavor to help out their community: a 501(c)3 non-profit organization called Perimeter Cares. This organization, which started a year ago, aims to help children in Gwinnett schools by paying off lunch debt and providing more kids with the opportunity to eat a hot lunch every day. “When I heard that some of these kids were not able to have a hot lunch every day because they didn’t have the money, I wanted to see how we could help,” said Price. “Kids rely on us to do the right thing for them, and they should be able to have a hot lunch at school.” Along with paying off lunch debts, Perimeter Cares also collects backpacks and school supplies a few times a year to donate to any child who needs those items but can’t afford them. Price, who overcame his own battle with addiction and homelessness, feels strongly that everyone deserves a chance to be treated well and given the opportunity to thrive. This attitude extends to his business practices and philosophy, which Price hopes motivates anyone who feels like they can’t or won’t have another chance to have a successful career. “So many people in this industry weren’t able to get a full education,” said Price. “I want to show them that anyone can learn a skill or a trade and do big things with their life.” It’s obvious from the way that Price cares about his clients, community, and team members that Perimeter Roofing is a company that is ready to serve. If you want to work with one of the best roofing companies in the business, head to their website listed below to learn how you can get started. You can find Perimeter Roofing in Lawrenceville, Columbus, Marietta, Athens, area of north Georgia, Raleigh, Nashville, and Houston – just find the location that works best for you. More information at www.perimeterroofing.com and www.perimetercares.org
Travel Tales Continued from page 18 There are so many places and so many things to do to get us over the doldrums of 2020 and the pandemic. It is time to celebrate the new year. 2021, here we come!* *(Make sure to check each activity’s website for any updated information regarding hours of operation or safety standards) Pam Walker is a travel advisor with Virtuoso and can be reached at pam@walkeradventures. com
Grandma Tech Support Continued from page 14 to all those grandparents out there who are giving it their all. They are the quiet ones in the background who are easily overlooked, but I see you guys. I see you helping monitor Google Meets, navigating online quizzes, submitting pictures, and checking grades. You are rock stars, and if, during all the stress and confusion of this pandemic, the parents forget to say thank you, then please let me say it now: thank you for helping with the unknown. Thank you for giving up your time. Thank you for your love. Thank you for you. We owe you a dinner after all this is said and done – especially Grandma Joanie.
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I’m going to begin by telling you all something taboo – my age. I’m 38. No big deal, except that it means I was a child in the 80s. For me, the 1980s meant some of the most widely recognized cartoons outside of Disney: He-Man, Strawberry Shortcake, SheRa, My Little Pony, G.I. Joe, and Care Bears – to name a few. Cartoons were a large part of being a kid during those days, and I suppose that fondness never really went away. I still find myself wanting to watch them with my kids. For most of my age group, we’re now having our own children, and companies have rightly guessed that nostalgia is the best recipe for success. Much of what was old is now getting a makeover for the 21st century. I’ve seen some of my beloved cartoons get revamped, and I’ll admit I was nervous. That first time I sat on the couch with my daughter to watch My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, I held my breath. Now I’ll admit right here in front of my daughter, Twilight Sparkle, Bedtime Bear, and all that is 80s cartoons, the reboot was superior – and not by a little. Complex characters that grew throughout multiple seasons, plot lines way beyond the normal scope of a cartoon, and a level of humor that appealed to old fans as well as new. Heck, there was even a Weird Al Yankovic and Dr. Who cameo! No other cartoon has ever had me almost fall off the couch laughing. If I’m being honest, much of the cartoons from my childhood were really meant to generate toy sales. We tried to get as many sets and figurines as we could, and the artistry that is an 80s toy commercial should have its own branch of psychology. But the absolute quality of the modern versions cannot be touched. The latest cartoon to get an update is She-Ra. I hadn’t learned my lesson from the My Little Pony experience and went in cynical because She-Ra was hopelessly 80s. There was no way they were going to be able to update a girl’s answer to a boy’s cartoon inspired by Conan the Barbarian. It just wasn’t going to happen. Except it did, guys. It really did. Netflix’s She-Ra and the Princesses of Power provides an astounding level of maturity in its writing, plot, and visual elements. As a child who grew up with the cartoon, I appreciated the fact that the new version remembered some aspects that the original did not, like character development. Clearly this cartoon is taking itself more seriously than the original, and it’s meant to do more than sell toys. It’s an antidote to the saccharine sweet princess culture while still embracing it at the same time. Princesses are leaders who are responsible for their people. They are assertive and strong. And yes, they’re also pretty in a variety of shapes, colors, and abilities. But I’m finding that it isn’t just the revamps that are taking the conventional “cartoon” to a new level, and I say this both as a mother and as a literature teacher who is used to viewing stories with a critical eye. The 90s had Avatar: The Last Air Bender that really set the bar for what a cartoon could be in terms of writing and maturity. And that show deserves its own article to itself. I use it in my classroom quite a bit, actually. And now, there are so many that have followed in their footsteps. Netflix’s The Dragon Prince is a great example. The Dragon Prince had me transfixed as I watched a character who was deaf using sign language to communicate. It looked so realistic that I had to look it up. Turns out it was, indeed, correct American Sign Language. I cannot imagine the amount of time it took to animate that. But there’s an appreciation that comes with this. More people can value these shows and feel included and represented. There’s a quality there that is admirable, especially when compared to the mostly stock character types in the originals. Be honest, they were fairly predictable. It seems a weird vessel to bring about inclusiveness and intersectionality cartoons. But here we are. Of course, not all cartoons follow suit, and there are plenty who have done well on a diet of cheap laughs. But with many of the ones my kids watch, I find myself sitting down and watching with them. We discuss the characters together and can have meaningful conversations in ways the older cartoons just couldn’t promote. So there we have it. I didn’t foresee cartoons being on the forefront of cultural change, but this literature teacher/mother/child of the 80s cartoons must give credit where it is due. These modern cartoons are amazing, and I don’t just say this because She-Ra has a flying horse.
SE Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry Continued from page 18 around the cause and pivoted during the crisis,” Laura said. “Gwinnett County has done a ton to help us. I am so glad I live in this county.” While the co-op has received a lot of help and donations, they are always in need of additional supplies to meet the increasing demand of the community they serve. They can’t currently accept more volunteers due to CDC guidelines, but they are accepting all types of food and many toiletry items as well. “A ministry like this isn’t like a mission trip,” Laura explained. “The need is constant – we are never finished serving people.” Everyone needs help sometimes – and, as Laura says, it’s up to the community to take care of the people who live in it. More information at https://www.segwinnettcoop.org/
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Taking care of each other is what community is all about. 5. Click "Preview" to re During this “new normal” Eternal Hills Funeral Home and Memory Gardens continues downloading or savi Taking care of each other is what to safely honor families with personalized celebrations to take care of your loved 6. Clickones. "Finish" to gen
Taking care of each other is what community is all about. We’re proud to serve our community with personal, compassionate care. community is all At Eternal Hills Funeral Home and Memory Gardens, your about. health and safety are our priority. We're proud to serve our community with personal, compassionate care.
We're proud to serve our community with personal, compassionate care. ETERNAL HILLS FUNERAL HOME &
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CREMATION
ETERNAL HILLS MEMORY GARDENS spacer Snellville
EternalHillsFuneralHome.com 770-972-3155
Sabrina Blackston, Location Manager
ETERNAL HILLS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION ETERNAL HILLS MEMORY GARDENS Ask aboutSnellville our veteran’s discount. spacer
EternalHillsFuneralHome.com 770-972-3155
LaMonde Nixon, Funeral Director