DECEMBER 2020 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine
Our Town GWINNETT
Grayson Dacula Loganville Lawrenceville
Up Close with Dr. Powell and Dr. Millington, see story on page 5.
11 14 17 23
Catching Up with Santa Perry Eidson Gwinnett Moms: Mother Knows Best Meeting Every Need: Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett Harbins Elementary TOTY: Meet Melissa Barth
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On the Cover: Gwinnett County is Home to Two Remarkable Healthcare Practices - Meet Dr. Powell & Dr. Millington By Our Town Gwinnett Staff Dr. Kerith Powell and Dr. Belinda Millington both grew up in the US Virgin Islands. They each saw the need there for general healthcare practitioners and decided to pursue that as their life’s mission. Dr. Millington got her Bachelor of Science degree from Florida Atlantic University, with a major in chemistry and a minor in biology. She attended graduate school to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic and a degree in anatomy. She then obtained an MD degree and Master’s in Clinical Sciences from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, and completed her MD internship and residency at Atlanta’s Grady Hospital, one of the nation’s elite teaching hospitals. It is also one of only two Level 1 Trauma Centers in Atlanta. Dr. Powell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Anatomy and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Parker University in Dallas. Dr. Powell and Dr. Millington practiced in Chicago from 2000 to 2003. Dr. Millington served as Medical Director for a multi-disciplined practice. Both doctors became frustrated with two facets of the practices where they served: patients were not encouraged by others in the practice to get off prescription medications, and emphasis was on treating the most patients possible to maximize revenue, not on treatment that was best for patients. Physicians would not reduce medications for symptoms they treated such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
In 2006 Dr. Powell accepted a faculty position at Life University in Marietta, Georgia, the world’s largest chiropractic university. While on faculty at Life University, Dr. Powell was invited by Governor Nathan Deal’s office to represent the chiropractic profession at the Georgia State Capitol. He and Governor Deal’s staff agreed on the need for chiropractic care in far more medical facilities across the state. In 2015 Dr. Powell purchased Dr. Chris’ Natural Remedies and the same year Dr. Millington opened Lifestyle Pain Management & Wellness Center. Both practices are based in Snellville, now next door to one another. Each doctor focuses on “dis-ease” not “disease”. There are three causes of dis-ease: trauma, toxins, and negative thoughts. Each of these can also cause misalignment in the vertebrae. The doctors’ comprehensive treatment approaches address physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. The result is alternative complementary care that is both effective and affordable. The doctors offer perspective in terms of “health percentage” over the course of a person’s life. Our health is 100% at birth, 0% at death. Most physicians only treat patients in the 0% to 20% health range. In other words, those at severe risk of death. Unfortunately, healthier patients are often admonished to “Come see us when it gets worse.”
Dr. Powell and Dr. Millington treat those in the 80% to 20% health range. With such care patients need not approach the 20% point so early in life. No two patients are alike, and no two office visits for that patient at Dr. Powell’s or Dr. Millington’s practices are alike. One visit might address chiropractic. The next might address naturopathic. The next exercise and/or diet and so on based on a patient’s unique needs. Dr. Powell states, not entirely in jest, “The more people we can treat, the less likely patients will be aggressive Continued on page 22
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Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine
Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultZ.com Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultZ.com Editor Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultZ.com Cover Photographer Aleen Karakashian Photography Distribution Coordinator DeeDee Chapman Feature Writers K. Coats Kristen Eleveld Ron Lambros Amy Ney Emily Rubin Traci Sanders Beth Volpert Johansen Contributing Writers Bill Crane Terie Hansen Tanisha Turner Darrell Watson
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Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett /Walton area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyright 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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5 On the Cover: Gwinnett County is Home to Two Remarkable Healthcare Practices - Meet Dr. Powell & Dr. Millington 7 From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks 7 Learning Lessons: Six Tips for Balancing Work and Family Life 7 Merry Christmas – From Six Feet Away! 8 Insurance Matters with Darrell Watson: Your Greatest Material Asset Is... 10 SportsTalk: Middle School Golf League Fall Season Recap 11 Catching Up with Santa Perry Eidson 12 Get Creative with the Hudgens Center for Art and Learning 13 Keeping Your Health in Good Hands 13 Best DIY Decorations for the Christmas Season 14 Dorothy Campanelli Celebrates 100 Years! 14 Gwinnett Moms: Mother Knows Best 17 Meeting Every Need: Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett 19 Buy Local – Local Crafter Voices 21 Crane’s Corner: Recounts, Runoffs, and Election Fraud 22 Confessions of a Poll Worker 23 Harbins Elementary TOTY: Meet Melissa Barth 23 Pet Perch: Who Advocates for Your Dog, You or Your Dog?
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From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks By Ryan T. Sauers @RyanSauers
@RyanTSauers
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 Continued on page 8
Learning Lessons: Six Tips for Balancing Work and Family Life
Merry Christmas – From Six Feet Away!
By Tanisha Turner
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. Get a Zoom account 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, 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 You and your family might be the annual Christmas card champions, or maybe you can’t 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 can use services like Shutterfly to create fun prints or even gifts like coasters and calendars, or 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 can write a note of their own, and younger kids can draw a fun family picture. If you have the time, you can even get the kids to dress up in something silly or seasonal to send a picture that will bring a smile. Continued on page 19
As parents, it can be challenging to balance a busy schedule full of family needs, work obligations, and countless other demands. Typical family schedules are already packed full of activities, appointments, and responsibilities. When you pair these demands with a career, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and overscheduled. Finding a healthy work-life balance is difficult, but the following tips can help you gain more control over your busy schedule for the sake of you and your family. • Get organized. Even if it doesn’t come naturally, establish routines to help organize and plan your day. Not having to think about what comes next will make all the difference in the world. From laying out your child’s clothing the night before to keeping a family calendar so that everyone’s activities and schedules are in one place, pre-planning will help keep everyone on track. • Start planning your meals. If you find yourself consistently worrying about what to serve for dinner after a long day of work, meal planning can help take the weight off your shoulders. Taking time to plan, shop, and possibly make some meals in advance will alleviate a daily stressor and allow you to enjoy dinner more as a family, rather than worrying about what to put on the table. • Schedule “fun time” for the family. Consider adding things like weekend trips to the park, quality time together at home, or a game night to your family calendar. It may seem silly to schedule family time, but with hectic schedules, it is often the best way to ensure you make time for family fun! • Be present. Avoid distractions like emails, phone calls, and the television when spending time with family. Consider instituting a no-phones-after-dinner rule. Time together is precious, so make a conscious effort to be present in the moment. • Make “me” time. If you are like most parents, the last items to get scratched off the to-do Continued on page 10
Our Town Gwinnett
By Kristen Eleveld
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If someone were to ask you, “What is your greatest material asset?” how would you respond? Most people answer, “My house.” Until recently, I, too, responded this way. But believe it or not, our greatest material asset is our PAYCHECK! If you were to multiply your annual salary by 10 years, would this sum exceed the value of your house? For most of us, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” Without a paycheck, mortgages cannot be paid, food cannot be purchased, and college tuitions become unaffordable. Purchases and financial obligations revolve around the amount of money we make, and these are based on our paychecks. Lose our paycheck and we are in a world of hurt! Paycheck protection, therefore, needs to be high on our list when it comes to insurance. We can be protected in two ways: 1) Disability Policy, and 2) Life Insurance. Disability Insurance Statistically speaking, more people are affected by some form of disability during their working years than are affected by death. Disability policies can keep us afloat if we were to ever have to miss work for a prolonged period due to an accident or illness. There are short-term and long-term disability policies. Though most of us cannot replace our total income via a disability policy, it is important to note that the proceeds from a disability policy are not taxable. There are elimination periods and durations to consider when speaking with an insurance agent, but every working adult needs to protect his or her income by way of a disability policy. Life Insurance Perhaps one of the most sobering questions any of us face is, “What would happen to my family if I were to die?” Life insurance ensures that our family’s grieving is not compounded by having to deal with financial ruin. Financial ruin has wide spread implications such as having to sell the house we’ve made precious memories in, moving the kids from the schools they are accustomed to and where their friends are, and upending the dreams and plans of today and tomorrow. The rule of thumb regarding using life insurance to replace income is to multiply your salary by a factor of 10. So, if my salary is $50,000, I would need $500,000 worth of life insurance to replace my income. Remember, the proceeds of a life insurance are not taxable, do not go through probate, and are shielded from creditors! So, during this precious Christmas season, let us give our family the gift of a protected paycheck. Call your insurance agent and purchase a disability and a life insurance policy so that in the unfortunate event you lose your job or even worse, you lose your life, your source of income will be protected. Merry Christmas! More information at darrell@rup3prepared.com
Ryan’s Remarks Continued from page 7 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 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!
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SportsTalk: Middle School Golf League Fall Season Recap By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
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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 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 Continued on page 16
Learning Lessons Continued from page 7 list are those centered on you. Quality “me” time can translate to a happier family and a happier you. Take the time to take care of yourself, so that you can continue to take care of others. • Find trusted, quality childcare. While high-quality childcare alone is not a solution to all parental worries and fears, parents can find comfort in the fact that their child is in a safe, happy and nurturing environment during the workday. Juggling family and a career is difficult enough – finding a trustworthy childcare provider will make dropping your children off in the mornings a little easier. When you choose a school that adheres to the highest of standards, both you and your children will reap the rewards. More information at www.PrimroseSugarloafParkway.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 Continued on page 20
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Get Creative with the Hudgens Center for Art and Learning By Kristen Eleveld In 1981, a group of Gwinnett citizens came together to find a way to bring art to the Gwinnett community. They called themselves the Gwinnett Council for the Arts, and they made it their mission to bring together art lovers, learners, and leaders through quality exhibitions, programs, and classes for all ages. Although the council’s name is now the Hudgens Center for Art and Learning, their mission remains the same, and they are making a difference for artists and community members all throughout Gwinnett. With its combination of events, programs, and exhibits, the Hudgens Center has long made a name for itself through the high quality of local art and offerings it presents. There is an opportunity for all levels of interest. Whether you just want to walk through the latest exhibits and admire the art, or sign up for a class to polish your own budding skills, you will find a place at the Hudgens Center. “The Hudgens is proud to serve as the premier visual arts center for the Gwinnett community,” said Executive Director Laura Ballance. “In our commitment to making art accessible to all, the Hudgens offers free admission to the 34,000 square-foot space that houses five galleries, a Children’s Art Zone, and a beautifully landscaped sculpture garden.” The Hudgens Center’s impressive permanent collection also includes works from Rembrandt, Warhol, Picasso, Lichtenstein, Miro, and Kandinsky. “I love that the Hudgens Center strives to reflect diversity of the community in its exhibits and classes,” said Stephanie Lloyd, Education and Development Coordinator at the Center. “We are intentional about focusing on the community around us.”
Gratitude
This focus is evident in the classes themselves, many of which are offered in Spanish and Korean to accommodate every learner that walks through the doors. The classes also offer a variety of art media, ranging from painting to pottery to learning to make your own hand lotion. These classes not only bring new opportunities to the community, but also give everyone a chance to see where their talents may lie. In addition, the Hudgens Center is proud to offer multiple programs designed to reach specific demographics within the community. Project Welcome Home, which began this year, is a safe space for veterans to use their creative skills as a way to cope with the stress of active military service. Another program, Healing Arts, partners with local hospitals and human service organizations to offer therapeutic healing through art for those affected by chronic and terminal illness, PTSD, and developmental delays, as well as other chronic health struggles. The smART Honors Program seeks out Gwinnett County high school students who have an interest in the arts, but face a barrier in accessing the education and resources they need to pursue that interest, and gives them the chance to experience art classes. It’s easy to see why the Hudgens Center has become such a vital part of the Gwinnett community. And the classes offered aren’t just for older kids and adults. In fact, you may see Stephanie herself as she leads a weekly Toddler Time over a Zoom call to give those young artists the chance to learn and sing as they talk about art. “We place a high priority on having art that is accessible to everyone,” said Stephanie. “We want to help all community members find a way to make art.” If making art sounds like something you want to try, head over to the Hudgens Center Continued on page 15
To everyone who has played a role in our success, a sincere thank you. We each appreciate the opportunity to serve you and wish good tidings for you and yours. May the next year be your personal best!
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Keeping Your Health in Good Hands By Kristen Eleveld Twenty years ago, Dr. Lan Ta Mahon, who is passionate about finding the right care for her patients, opened up an osteopathic medicine practice in Snellville. Surrounded by an incredible community and a fantastic staff, Mahon Family Medicine quickly made a name for itself as being a breath of fresh air in the city. The entire team was incredibly saddened when Dr. Mahon passed away in October of 2019. But they continued to put their patients first, and the staff came together to keep meeting the needs of the people who relied on them for their health and wellbeing. This year, the team at Mahon Family Medicine grew once again when Dr. Priya ArcotJoshi joined the staff. With a friendly, approachable personality and extensive knowledge of osteopathic medicine and a master’s degree in nutrition, Dr. Arcot-Joshi has led the team through a challenging year as they work to give Snellville residents everything they need to stay healthy. For Dr. Arcot-Joshi, going into the medical field was a dream she’d had since the age of five. After working as both a dental and medical assistant, she knew that becoming a doctor was the right path. Upon completing her bachelor’s degree in science and master’s degree in nutrition, she began her journey to become a well-rounded physician. “I wanted to be able to connect with people,” said Dr. Arcot-Joshi, who holds a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and is Board Eligible in Obesity Medicine. “I feel that my purpose is to help others learn how to live a healthy lifestyle.” This purpose has driven Dr. Arcot-Joshi to work with the patients at Mahon Family Medicine through an approach that focuses on their entire wellbeing, instead of just covering or curing symptoms they experience. Dr. Arcot-Joshi feels that, while medicine can solve some health problems, it can also do more harm than good. When you walk into Mahon Family Medicine, you will immediately be greeted and welcomed with enthusiasm and sincerity, growing all too rare in the medical field. It’s essential for Dr. Arcot-Joshi and her staff that their patients feel comfortable and are seen promptly. In a world where large hospital systems are taking over many smaller practices, the team Continued on page 15
Merry Christmas& Happy New Year
Best DIY Decorations for the Christmas Season By Kristen Eleveld 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 ornaContinued on page 16
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Dorothy Campanelli Celebrates 100 Years! By Traci Sanders Thursday, October 8th was an incredibly special day for Dorothy Campanelli, a resident at the senior living community, Gwinnett Christian Terrace. Lilburn City Mayor Tim Dunn, Lilburn City Manager Bill Johnsa, Lilburn City Police Officer Mike Johnson, and Georgia State Representative Jasmine Clark were among those in attendance and presented Dorothy with a centenarian certificate from the state, as well as a declaration from the city of Lilburn. Dorothy’s son Glenn and his wife Camille were present, as well as a few Gwinnett Christian Terrace staff members. On Dorothy’s official birthday, her close family and friends gathered in the community room of the senior living community to celebrate. Limitations were in place due to COVID19, but the birthday girl received a large 100th Birthday card signed by residents. She was also showered with flowers and a keepsake banner to commemorate the day. Dorothy grew up in a typical Irish family. Her father hailed from Cork, Ireland, and her
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mother was American. At a young age, Dorothy married a soldier named Patrick and taught elementary school to children at the hospital during WWII as part of the war efforts while her husband was overseas. The couple moved from North Carolina to Lilburn many years ago and were blessed with two sons, Glenn and Roger. Dorothy now has three grandchildren and three great grandchildren, some of whom never met Patrick as he passed away in 1983. Dorothy went on to contribute to the community of Lilburn in many ways. One was serving as a founding member of the Lilburn Women’s Club, where she assisted with the beautification of highways by helping prevent an overload of billboards. In excellent health, especially for her age, Dorothy does not wear glasses and takes no Continued on page 20
Gwinnett Moms: Mother Knows Best By Traci Sanders Gwinnett County Government launched the #ListenToGwinnettMoms public health education campaign this October. Their goal is to inspire the local community to continue doing its part to slow the spread of COVID-19. The campaign is intended to unify and empower the community to understand and adopt three easy COVID-19 prevention tips: hand washing, wearing a mask, and keeping a safe distance. However, this isn’t your typical sterile campaign filled with a plethora of statistics and facts. They are working with real Gwinnett moms to communicate these messages in a fresh, relatable way. Gwinnett County District 4 Commissioner and campaign spokesperson Marlene Fosque stated, “We all know that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet, and it’s important that we stay diligent so we can keep our families safe, restrengthen our economy, and keep Gwinnett Continued on page 21
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Hudgens Center Continued from page 12
Keeping Your Health in Good Hands Continued from page 13
Facebook page to take part in their monthly #HudgensCreativeChallenge, in which participants are asked to create art using a specific medium or method. The winner gets a 50% discount off the class of their choice, and the Hudgens Center encourages all who are interested to try it out at least once. In fact, you may find yourself so interested in art that you want to volunteer, and the Center can help with that, too. They are currently taking volunteers to help them with various projects around the building. Greeting guests, helping in the gift shop, or helping Stephanie with her recent Paint ‘N Sip series are some of the ways the Hudgens Center can use your help. They also rely on community support in the form of donations, especially through their artist’s work in the gift shop. This is a great way to help a community staple keep its doors open for everyone to enjoy. As the team at the Hudgens Center says, art is for everyone – so if you haven’t stopped by the Hudgens Center for Art and Learning yet, you need to pay them a visit. More information at www.thehudgens.org
at Mahon Family Medicine goes the extra mile to add a personal touch to every patient appointment. “Every single member of our staff does their part in making the patient feel comfortable the second they walk in the door,” said Dr. Arcot-Joshi. “Patients become part of our family as we become part of their family.” While the office did have to make some changes to accommodate the CDC requirements for COVID-19, Dr. Arcot-Joshi and her staff have continued to see patients and provide topnotch care. Through social distancing practices and temperature checks at every appointment, each patient can still receive medical attention anytime they need it. Dr. Arcot-Joshi wants to ensure that every patient has what they need to begin their wholebody health journey. “I know that people are motivated in different ways,” Dr. Arcot-Joshi said. “My focus is to empower patients by giving them the tools to stay healthy and recover from illness.” More information at www.mahonfamilymedicine.com.
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BEST BEST BEST BEST
Best DIY Decorations Continued from page 13
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.
ments, 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. Continued from page 10 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 get everyone organized,” said Witmer. “Then four weeks of team best ball play and then we it comes to it comes to to finding the roof a lot of fun and easy ways to make some decorations that your neighbors will love. Batteryintroduced them to stroke When play where everyone got play their ownperfect ballWhen for an individual for your powered candles are a great place to start. You can add them to your windows and even to your home we atournament.” HUGEroof selection home we The more experienced juniors participated in have a 9-hole When itscore. comes to finding the perfect When for it comes to roof finding the perfect your porch to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. There are even candles that change colors The 2021 Spring Season for the Middle School Golf League will begin in so March with of brands and colo of home brands and colors to choose from, for yourplay home we atheHUGE selection forofyour we have a HUGE selection if you are looking for that extra “oomph” to make your house stand out. through thehave end school year in May. we can make house look Allmake your Have you ever made your own wreath? There are tons of online tutorials that will show More infocolors at https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolgolfleague/ of brands and choose from, soyour ofto brands and colors to choose from,perfect. sowe can
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Meeting Every Need: Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett By Kristen Eleveld If you are a parent of a child with special needs, you already know how vital it is to find the right fit for his or her education. Each child’s needs may differ – one may thrive in a small classroom, while another excels in a room with more activity and students. Finding tailor-made education like this isn’t easy, but fortunately for local residents, there is a great option that covers all your bases: Welcome to the Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett. Founded over three decades ago, the Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett (SNS) is designed to allow children with special needs the opportunity to learn in an environment that accommodates the challenges and specific needs of each student who walks through its doors. In its mission to provide an excellent education, regardless of the need, the school does not require a child to qualify through testing or specific diagnoses. Instead, they want to act as a resource for any child who is not thriving in their current school setting. “We are ready and able to assist with just about every type of need,” said Jamie Hamilton, who is the Director of Community and Donor Engagement for the school. “We want every family to feel safe and comfortable here.” Safe and comfortable are certainly two words that would fit SNS, especially as they have just opened a new building over the summer, complete with updated technology and additional resources. It’s important that parents and students alike understand their family’s educational needs will be met on every level, and that this school is a place where their child can thrive. Each classroom has a maximum of ten students, along with one teacher and a paraprofessional, which means every child has the chance to receive the individual attention he or she needs. Moving forward, Jamie and the team have big goals of building even more classrooms and increasing their enrollment to offer even more students the chance to find a classroom that truly meets their needs. “If we are able to help just one family through our school, it will all be worth it,” said Jamie. “I’m proud to be part of a team that is making great things happen.” While SNS offers classes for children from preschool all the way to twelfth grade, its efforts don’t stop there. They have created another program for adults with special needs called YALLS – Young Adults Learning Life Skills. In Gwinnett County, students with special needs officially age out of the county’s programs at the age of 22, regardless of their level of academic development. While some are able to find the support they need moving forward, many others are left without a resource
for guiding them into future endeavors. This is where the YALLS program enters the picture – it is designed specifically to help these young adults develop important skills that will allow them to function more independently. For some, this may mean teaching them how to live in an apartment by themselves. For others, it may involve developing skills that allow them to contribute at home with their family. And for others, they may work on developing skills for a job. Whatever the needs, the school and its programs are there to meet it – but they can only do so with the community’s help. That might mean volunteering at the school for one of its programs (though many programs and events are on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic), or donating toward one of the student programs available online. You can choose to contribute toward the scholarship fund, which allows underserved students to attend the school even if they can’t afford it, or you might be drawn to giving to the annual fund that allows the school to improve its classrooms and resources. “I want to make sure every student who needs us can attend, regardless of their financial circumstances,” Jamie said. “It doesn’t have to be a big gift – anything the community can do will help.” More information at www.specialneedsschools.org
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Buy Local – Local Crafter Voices
Merry Christmas Continued from page 7
By K. Coats
Make a movie If you have a large or busy family, doing a video call just might not work out for everyone’s schedule. But no one has to miss the fun, because you can take a different approach and make a fun video – or several – to send to your loved ones. Take a video of your kids opening their gifts from grandma and grandpa and send it to your family, or record a few moments of everyone singing their favorite Christmas tune. For those with even a small amount of video editing skills, you can take it one step further 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 reindeer – whatever you do to celebrate, capture some of those moments to send to the people who can’t join the festivities this year. Of course, we’d all love to be with our families and friends for Christmas. But if it just isn’t possible, take the time to make this holiday just as memorable and special as the last. You might be surprised to find that some new traditions become your favorite part of the year.
“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 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.
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Catching Up with Santa Perry Eidson Continued from page 11
Dorothy Campanelli Continued from page 14
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.”
medication. Each morning she rises and pours herself a pot of coffee that she enjoys with a bowl of Post® Grape-Nuts and a banana. Though she likes corned beef and cabbage, her favorite food is Italian. In her younger years, Dorothy enjoyed playing Bridge, hosting dinner parties, and traveling. These days Dorothy spends a great deal of time in her apartment at Gwinnett Christian Terrace, where she has resided for more than ten years. She enjoys socializing with her neighbors each evening, where they gather in the sitting area to catch up on one another’s lives and to enjoy the fellowship. Even though she’s not as mobile as she once was, and doesn’t get out as much due to her age and COVID-19, Dorothy is faithful in attendance at the St. Patrick’s Day event held at the senior living community each year, staying true to her Irish roots. Dorothy Campanelli is definitely a woman to be celebrated for 100 years of a life well lived! More information at Gwinnett Christian Terrace https://www.christianterrace.com/.
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Crane’s Corner: Recounts, Runoffs, and Election Fraud
Gwinnett Moms: Mother Knows Best Continued from page 14 County vibrant and thriving. We’ve all heard COVID-19 prevention messages for the past several months, but again wanted to highlight them in new and interesting ways that will keep them top-of-mind for our community.” This campaign is solely an effort of Gwinnett County Government. As the community continues to face this unprecedented public health issue, it became clear to officials that they had an opportunity to display strong leadership and be part of the solution in a big way. The county’s message is loud and clear: we support you, we are with you, and it’s up to every single one of us to do our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The campaign officials intend to reach as many people as possible with this message. With this in mind, #ListenToGwinnettMoms includes social media outreach on Gwinnett County’s social channels, as well as being dispersed throughout traditional print, digital, radio, and TV media. Outdoor signage and geo-targeted ads online (ones that reach Gwinnett zip
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 Continued on page 22 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 ***** CHECK OUT OUR 300+ REVIEWS ONGOOGLE GOOGLE ***** CHECK OUT OUR 300+ REVIEWS ON GOOGLE ***** CHECK OUT OUR 300+ REVIEWS for a political comeback bid for the White House that would be successful eight years ***** CHECK OUT OUR 300+ REVIEWSON ONGOOGLE GOOGLE ***** CHECK OUT OUR 300+ REVIEWS ON later. Nixon believed, as he stated many times since losing that election, that the presi***** REVIEWS ONON GOOGLE *****CHECK CHECKOUT OUTOUR OUR300+ 300+ REVIEWS GOOGLE dency, 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? WWW.TRUMANSTEEMERS.COM WWW.TRUMANSTEEMERS.COM WWW.TRUMANSTEEMERS.COM WWW.TRUMANSTEEMERS.COM WWW.TRUMANSTEEMERS.COM Absentee mail-in ballots remain the most vulnerable part of our system. I have a WWW.TRUMANSTEEMERS.COM WWW.TRUMANSTEEMERS.COM 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 SERVING GWINNETT, HALL,WALTON, WALTON, BARROW NORTH FULTON COUNTIES government-issued ID. This requirement can be added to the Absentee Ballot application SERVING SERVING GWINNETT, HALL, WALTON, BARROW NORTH FULTON COUNTIES GWINNETT, HALL, BARROW &&&&NORTH FULTON COUNTIES SERVING GWINNETT, HALL, WALTON, BARROW & NORTH FULTON COUNTIES SERVING GWINNETT, HALL, WALTON, BARROW NORTH FULTON COUNTIES or ballot itself, to contain space and requirement for Driver’s License or US Passport numSERVING GWINNETT, HALL, WALTON, BARROW & NORTH FULTON COUNTIES ber, or Georgia voter ID number as well. Turnout in runoff elections typically drops by more than half. A solid rule of thumb for runoff 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. WE ARE THE MOST HIGHLY RATED IN NORTH GEORGIA: Equally, if not more important, are the local and regional elected officials who will be ARE THE MOST HIGHLY RATED NORTH GEORGIA: WEWE ARE MOST HIGHLY RATED IN NORTH GEORGIA: selected in four other contests across the state on Tuesday, December 1st, ranging from WE WE ARE MOST HIGHLY RATED ININ NORTH GEORGIA: ARETHE THE MOST HIGHLY RATED IN NORTH GEORGIA: WE THE ARE THE MOST HIGHLY RATED IN NORTH a special election to fill one month of the unexpired term of 5th District Congressman CARPET CLEANING FABRICGEORGIA: PROTECTION John Lewis to who will next serve as district attorney for the Western Judicial CircuitWE of ARE THE MOST CARPET CLEANING FABRIC CARPETHIGHLY CLEANINGRATED IN NORTH GEORGIA: FABRIC PROTECTION PROTECTION PET ODOR CLEANING REMOVAL UPHOLSTERY CLEANING CARPET CLEANING FABRIC PROTECTION CARPET CLEANING FABRIC PROTECTION Georgia (Athens/Clarke & Oconee counties). 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There are also two LIVE US Senate contests to focus on trying to HARDWOOD FACEBOOK.COM/TRUMANSTEEMERSCARPETCLEANING win. FACEBOOK.COM/TRUMANSTEEMERSCARPETCLEANING FACEBOOK.COM/TRUMANSTEEMERSCARPETCLEANING Crane is the senior political analyst with WSB Radio and TV and owns the full-service FACEBOOK.COM/TRUMANSTEEMERSCARPETCLEANING FACEBOOK.COM/TRUMANSTEEMERSCARPETCLEANING FACEBOOK.COM/TRUMANSTEEMERSCARPETCLEANING communications firm, CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com
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PAGE 21
Confessions of a Poll Worker
Gwinnett Moms: Mother Knows Best Continued from page 21
By Ron Lambros 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 nonissuing 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 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!
PAGE 22
codes digitally) are being utilized as well as messages through audio and video streaming. Gwinnett County newsletters and emails also include campaign updates and key messaging. Local business partners have been encouraged to help spread the message as well. “Our aha moment was that moms, grandmothers, and mother figures are a universally trusted and respected source of information,” Fosque said, “and, in fact, have been preparing us for this moment for a long time. Growing up, I’m sure we can all relate to and remember our mothers telling us to wash our hands, stay away from strangers, and keep our hands and germs to ourselves. These tokens of mother wisdom, or ‘momisms,’ have never been more important or relevant.” The five women featured most prominently in campaign materials and videos are actors who are also real Gwinnett County moms, something that was particularly important to the developers of the campaign. “It’s been incredibly meaningful and fun to position real Gwinnett moms as both the stars and the ‘unofficial’ experts, echoing the scientists and health officials’ safety tips and messages,” said Fosque. Another important aspect of the campaign is that the moms featured represent the diversity that makes Gwinnett County such a special place to live. How can the community support this important and needed effort? First, by diligently following the 3 W’s of COVID-19 prevention: wear a mask, watch your distance (six feet or more), and wash your hands. This is especially important as we enter the winter months and holiday season. Second, real moms are encouraged to speak up and share their own motherly wisdom and COVID-19 advice on social media at @GwinnettGov and with the hashtag #ListenToGwinnettMoms. More information at ListenToGwinnettMoms.com.
Dr. Powell & Dr. Millington Continued from page 5 behind the wheel, the more pleasant they will be at the grocery store, and the nicer their kids will be to other kids at school.” He does not claim to cure notorious Atlanta road rage, but we can no doubt agree that is a lofty goal and would be a delightful outcome. What other healthcare professionals that you know of aspire to such a result that benefits the entire community? “Taking medication for pain is like applying tape over a car dashboard warning light,” Dr. Powell says. “The problem condition still exists though the patient may think it does not.” Dr. Millington recently saw a patient with what she called a “widowmaker” – a heart condition without symptoms the patient might notice, but a condition that often causes instant death. She was able to quickly diagnose it and got the patient immediate lifesaving care. Patients routinely travel long distances to the practices, with many even residing out of state. The practices also treat many patients they never see. They recently completed a series of phone consultations with a patient in London, and got that patient off of their prescribed medications. While physical exams cannot be done by phone, Dr. Powell and Dr. Millington evaluate many conditions by analyzing x-rays and lab reports, making test kits available, and more. Dr. Powell does not accept insurance, as that would drive up costs to patients. Insurance companies only pay a percentage of costs, so practices sometimes inflate those costs across the board, causing higher fees for patients who opt to pay cash or whose insurance does not cover the treatment. Further, there is a significant expense to a practice in administering insurance claims. Dr. Millington focuses on primary care, pain management, personal injury, and addiction. She accepts insurance for all services except for addiction treatment. For addiction patients, this assures a higher level of privacy, as insurance records are often shared with employers and others. Other specialists on staff at Dr. Chris’ Natural Remedies include: Dr. Chris Greene – nutritional response testing, Chinese medicine; Dr. LaRonda “Ronda” Ward – applied nutritional analysis, iridology; and Dr. Jared Friebel – sports chiropractic. Shelves at the combined practices display over 2,600 products, such as whole food supplements, pharmaceutical-grade vitamins, glandular, botanical, and homeopathic treatments. A Google search for “kerith powell belinda millington” reveals a remarkable 5 Star rating with over 285 reviews on Demandforce.com. Any business with a 5 Star rating and over 50 reviews is doing something special. The practices serve patients of all ages, except Dr. Millington does not see pediatrics. Dr. Powell and Dr. Millington are husband and wife, having married in 1994. This engenders further accountability to their patients. They seamlessly refer patients to each other’s practices, with full disclosure, to assure that care is available and provided most expediently. More information for Dr. Kerith Powell at 770-979-5125 and for Dr. Belinda Millington at 470-395-3618
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Harbins Elementary TOTY: Meet Melissa Barth
Pet Perch: Who Advocates for Your Dog, You or Your Dog?
By Traci Sanders
By Terie Hansen
Melissa Barth was celebrated as Teacher of the Year for Harbins Elementary School recently, marking her eighteenth year as an educator. As a second-grade teacher, Melissa teaches all subjects: math, writing, reading, science, and social studies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, a master’s in curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and a Leadership Certificate add on, and is currently pursuing her Coaching Endorsement. When not teaching, Melissa loves spending time outdoors with her husband and nine-yearold daughter Olivia, especially caring for their chickens and their garden. The family owns some property in southern Georgia where they like to escape for relaxation, although, as with any farm, there is always a project to do or to work on. Melissa’s immediate family and work family are supportive of her career and proud of her accomplishments. “I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity,” she said. “Being Teacher of the Year is not about me, it’s about we. I could not do this job alone. Collaboration and continuing to grow myself as an educator benefit the students inside the classroom and the teachers that I work with.” When talking about her students, Melissa lit up. “I enjoy seeing the children grow over the year,” she said. “What they think is hard at the beginning of the year becomes natural and easy for them. All children master concepts at different times. I think of my students as flower seeds. Some need more nurturing and caring, while others bloom right away.” What’s next for this ambitious educator? “Right now, I am pursuing my Coach Endorsement,” she explained. “If an opportunity comes my way, I would have to consider it. I love my school, my administrators, and my grade level that I currently work with, and I am very happy where I am and with what I’m doing.” Congrats again to Melissa Barth on her well-deserved honor. More information at https://www.gcpsk12.org/harbinses.
What does it mean to “advocate” for your dog? It means putting your dog’s physical and emotional well-being first – before your own wants and needs. You protect your dog, not the other way around. This requires you to be aware, alert, and proactive. If you do not, your dog will advocate for itself, and that does not usually turn out well. You must learn and understand canine body language. Look at the dog’s entire body (a wagging tail does not always equal a happy dog). Doing so affords you the opportunity to keep your dog from situations where your dog feels stressed, fearful, overwhelmed, or overexcited, and preempts your dog from taking matters into his own hands or practicing unwanted behaviors. Do not let other dogs or people approach or interact with your dog unless you and your dog are familiar and comfortable with them, especially if your dog exhibits any signs of nervousness, fear, anxiety, stress, or over arousal/excitement. Over time, this can cause your dog to become nervous and reactive toward people and dogs. Build your dog’s confidence and independence through training. Teach your dog how to be separate from you through duration place, down, and crate training. Consistently share leadership, instill structure, routine, and boundaries, and share consequences for known commands. Be willing to speak up or take action on your dog’s behalf, be it in regard to another dog’s rude behavior or a person who does not have your dog’s best interest at heart. It is NOT anyone’s right to touch/interact with your dog or to allow their dog to enter yours or your dog’s personal space uninvited. Advocating for your dog builds and strengthens the bond of trust between you and your canine companion, which over time can yield a better behaved, well-adjusted, happier dog. Terie Hansen, Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www. gooddogcoaching.com
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