DECEMBER 2021 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine
Our Town GWINNETT
Grayson Dacula Loganville Lawrenceville Hamilton Mill
Up Close with Weinstein & Black, Attorneys at Law, see story on page 5.
17 17 20 21
Atlanta Harmony Celebration! Making a Joyful Noise Happy Holidays: A Whole Lot of Christmas Shines Bright Helping Those Who Help Others: Meet Latrina Walden Rescue My Time Cleaning Services: Make Your Home Shine for the Holidays
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Dec ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
On the Cover: When City and Country Join Forces: Meet the Team at Weinstein & Black, Attorneys at Law By Kristen Eleveld Everyone needs an attorney at some point in their lives. Whether it’s to put together a will, deal with a business dispute, or get representation after an accident, hiring the right attorney can make a huge difference in the next step of one’s life. But how do you know which attorney is the best fit and can give you what you need? One suggestion is Mike Weinstein and Jason Black of Weinstein & Black, LLC. This partnership combines the best of both worlds as Mike, who hails from New York, brings his twenty-four years of experience to shine alongside Jason, who is native to Georgia and, while newer to the practice of law, spent over a decade serving as a police officer. Between their expertise in the field and their desire to help as many people as possible, Weinstein & Black, LLC has quickly made a name for itself as a trustworthy practice that only wants the best for its clients. “Mike and I both have a desire to help our fellow man and be engaged with our clients and other local businesses,” said Jason. “We want to be readily available for everyone who needs us.” For Jason, much of the appeal of co-owning a practice is that he gets to own his own business, something he’s always wanted to do. A self-confessed “workaholic,” Jason also prides himself on a job well done – he doesn’t quit for the day until the work is finished. As for Mike, he has had his own law firm since 2008 and was excited to join forces with Jason. “Once I met Jason, I knew he was someone I wanted to partner with,” Mike said. “It was evident that we share many of the same values, including the desire to provide exceptional legal services at reasonable rates to our clients.” Jason’s background as a police officer has also helped him understand all aspects of the law. He is focused on having compassion for his clients while taking extra measures to do the right thing at all times, even if it means he is staying at the office to do some extra work. “At the end of the day, we want to provide exceptional legal services while remaining aboveboard at all costs,” said Jason. “We are always willing to help and engage with anyone who needs our assistance.” Mike and Jason are also invested in giving back to their community in a myriad of ways. They represent multiple businesses in Gwinnett and surrounding areas, offering their knowledge and experience to other business owners to meet their legal needs. They also love to work with local
schools for sporting events and other activities to help the community that has supported them. As the firm continues to grow and gain clients, its primary goal is to let those in Gwinnett and the North Georgia area know that they have a resource in Weinstein and Black. Both attorneys firmly believe that they need to ensure they are a good fit for every person that walks through their door, which is why they offer an initial client consultation at no cost. Thanks to their experience in the industry, Mike and Jason are knowledgeable about many attorneys and legal aid options in the area. They will even refer a client to a different firm if they think it will best suit that client’s needs. “When you’re dealing with a variety of personalities in high-stress situations, you have to make sure that your attorney has the temperament you want,” Jason said. “It’s important to meet up with your lawyer and ask questions. At the end of the day, you want to be comfortable with who you are using as a lawyer.” Continued on page 10
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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 Wendy Head
Feature Writers K. Coats NOW Kristen Eleveld ACCEPTING Tana Poncsak EVENING Emily Rubin & WEEKEND Traci Sanders APPOINTMENTS Beth Volpert Johansen Contributing Writers Bill Crane Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz Alexis E. Frehse Terie Hansen Tanisha Turner Pam Walker
— An EndResultz Media & Communications firm www.EndResultz.com 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 2021 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 On the Cover: When City and Country Join Forces: Meet the Team at Weinstein & Black,
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Attorneys at Law From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks Maximize Your 2021 Holiday Budget Chaplain’s Corner: Start 2022 with Purpose! Pet Perch: Picky Eater or Spoiled Pup? Travel Tales: On the Road Again Spotlight YOU: Roger S. Green of Green Financial Resources SportTalk: Creekland Middle School Golf League Fall Season Spotlight YOU: Nathan McMichael of Cutting Edge Painting #PleaseJustStart Day is December 11th: Let’s Make this a Movement Holiday Traditions: What are Your Favorites? For the Love of Flowers! One on One with Tawana Haith Chealey Learning Lessons: Four Simple Guidelines for Choosing Child-Appropriate Technology Nonprofit Spotlight: Paint, Love, and Grow Beware the Hobby Gatekeepers! First Look into 2022 Atlanta Harmony Celebration! Making a Joyful Noise A Whole Lot of Christmas Shines Bright Celebrate the Season with Bill Rhodes Bakery One Man’s Opinion: Hail to the Chief Helping Those Who Help Others: Meet Latrina Walden Rescue My Time Cleaning Services: Make Your Home Shine for the Holidays
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Dec ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
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From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks By Ryan T. Sauers
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Can you believe it is December? Doesn’t it seem like it was just a short time ago that we dreamed of getting to 2021 from 2020? Wow, this year of 2021 seems to have flown by. Pandemic or not, time does not wait for anyone. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and now Christmas and the New Year are nearly upon us. I know we are ready to usher in the new year of 2022, which will be better for us. Let us go back in time and remember (if you disagree with someone) it is okay to “agree to disagree agreeably.” 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 hope, as we enter this new year, 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 may or may not be. I could not be prouder of our community and the resolve and caring it has shown the past two years. It has simply been amazing to watch. There are wonderful things going on all over the place. Are they often reported? No, but we do it and will continue to do so. So, I challenge you to help us get this positive 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 2022 – a year fresh for new beginnings. I am thankful for the Our Town family, friends, staff, and partners. All the Our Town monthly magazines and End Resultz Media continue to grow rapidly. In addition, we have exciting growth plans and many new offerings for 2022. For example, be on the lookout for our new TV show – the Our Town Community Show with 15-minute shows beginning in January. So please say 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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Maximize Your 2021 Holiday Budget By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
From holiday shopping and gift-giving to hosting festivities in-person or virtually, people are eagerly embracing the 2021 holiday season. However, just how much jingle are people spending to be jolly? According to PWC research, consumers will spend an average of $1,447 on gifts, travel, and entertainment this year. It is a joyful time, but it can also be stressful, especially if money is tight. Luckily, it’s possible for everyone to enjoy the holidays and stick to a budget. All it takes is a bit of planning and a bargain-hunter’s mindset. Consider these tips for maximizing your budget so you can enjoy a season full of merriment: 1. Make a budget and shop holiday deals A budget will be your best friend during the holiday season. You do not need to go into debt to have a happy holiday! Figure out how much you can realistically spend on gifts, and split that total up equally amongst the people you want to treat this year. Then, filter by price when shopping online to help you stick to that amount. 2. Opt for low-cost/free entertainment You don’t have to spend money to make memories. Many holiday traditions cost little to nothing and often are the most meaningful. You can even make a holiday bucket list of things everyone wants to do before the end of the year. Need ideas? Try singing classic carols, turn on some modern tunes and have a festive dance party, or select a festive show for a merry movie night. Amazon Prime (for example) offers thousands of shows and movies and millions of songs, all included with your Prime membership, which are great ways to indulge in the season at no extra cost. 3. Consider a Virtual gift exchange Make a list of everyone on your gift list and organize them into groups. This may include family, friends, colleagues, teachers, neighbors, community members, and more. For big families or larger groups, consider proposing a secret Santa or name exchange to gift one person rather than everyone, helping everyone in the group save. Continued on page 10
Dec ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
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Chaplain’s Corner: Start 2022 with Purpose!
Pet Perch: Picky Eater or Spoiled Pup?
The years 2020 and 2021 have been very intense years to say the least. Every time I look on my social media feeds for the news, something overwhelming is going on. So, I am curious to know when you watch the news and see all that is going on, what feelings come to you? Sadness? Frustration? Anger? Impotence? Or are you numb to what is going on around the world? I see the brokenness, and I can’t stop asking myself, “There has to be a purpose for me in the midst of this brokenness?” Do you think there is a purpose for you in the midst of this chaos? My wife and I have five children (two teenagers, two in elementary school age, and a toddler). During the past couple of months, we have been trying to teach our youngest one (Jona) how to eat with a spoon. Therefore, we sat him in a high-chair and gave him a spoon. And as you can tell in the picture (left) he was very proud of having a spoon. Now, the reality is that we didn’t explain him how to use the spoon, we just expected him to know how to use it. Well, the picture (right) is a glimpse of Jona’s understanding of how to use a spoon. He literally, put food in the spoon, and then stuck his face in the bowl. I guess the dog was more influential in his life than his four siblings. Now the reality is that every time he does that, he gets so frustrated because he gets all dirty. So, we have been trying to explain to him over and over again how to use it properly, and what is the purpose of a spoon. Here is the thing: if you don’t know what something’s purpose is, you are most likely going Continued on page 10
Is your dog a picky eater or a spoiled pup? Does your dog frequently turn its nose up at food when presented, or only eat when you top their kibble with wet food, treats, cheese, toppers, etc.? Does your dog graze throughout the day? Do you know how much food your dog eats daily? When dogs are born, one of their most noticeable instincts is to seek out food and eat as much as they possibly can because they don’t know when it will be available next, even if they are not hungry. Puppies typically look as though they have voracious appetites, but they are just trying to get while the getting is good. That being said, Mom’s buffet is not open all day! She offers them time to suckle, but doesn’t lay about for them to feed when they want. She decides when it’s time. Likewise, when you bring your new puppy home, you should set up scheduled feeding times. Many owners unknowingly transform their dog’s natural food drive, making them into picky eaters. Much like human children, puppies go through growth spurts and slow down spurts. When they’re going through a slow down spurt, they don’t eat as much. Many owners get nervous when they see their dog is not eating much, so they leave the dog’s food bowl out all day long. They may also begin adding things to get the dog to eat, such as cheese, chicken broth, etc. They may even switch up foods thinking the dog no longer likes the food they’ve been feeding. Likewise, they may be feeding too many treats. To get your dog back to its natural (and healthier) food drive, check out the guidelines on your bag of dog food for how much you should be feeding for your dog’s size and age. If your dog is overweight, go by the weight your dog should be, not their current weight, and break that up into two feedings per day for adult dogs, or three feedings a day for puppies six months and under. Present the food and set a timer for fifteen minutes. When the timer beeps, remove the food, regardless of how much, or little, the dog eats. Then present the food again at the next meal. When you first begin this process, they may not eat any of their food in that fifteen-minute period. Do not be tempted to leave the food down. If they eat some of the food but not all of it, you can add to what is left over to make their serving size for the next meal. Repeat this process and Continued on page 10
By Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz
By Terie Hansen
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Dec ’21 Our Town 10/22/2021Gwinnett 12:52:11 PM
Travel Tales: On the Road Again By Pam Walker, CTC, ATC, DS, LS
Boy, do I love to travel! Granted, it is not like it used to be, but I will suffer through it. I was scheduled to go to a meeting in Amsterdam in early 2020, but of course, due to Covid, everything everywhere shut down. The meeting was subsequently postponed for the fall and then the spring of 2021. It was not happening. Finally, in late October of this year, I boarded my big international Airbus 350 with direct service to the capital city of the Netherlands for the long-awaited meeting. Surprisingly, every seat on the plane was occupied. It was a short night flight, thank goodness, as even with my 5’2” frame I had a hard time sleeping as the excitement of people traveling caused constant chatter. So, what about the Covid procedures? The week before I left, the requirements by the Dutch government were wavering back and forth. A Covid test first was required, then was not. I did my own test at home within the 24 hours that were/were not required, just in case. I also had to fill out two required forms, which the customs agent did not pay attention to when I arrived, and no one ever did. After a taxi ride to the hotel, check-in was easy; but I had to show my vaccination card, and then take another PCR test. Scheduled to board a river cruise for a few days, I had to have the saliva PCR test within 24 hours of boarding and then another 24 hours prior to returning home to the USA. These rules are pretty standard across Europe so be prepared ahead of time. Check the rules of the specific country where you will be going, and in the case of multiple countries, check the multiple rules as to which test and how often. Masks in the Netherlands were not required upon arrival, but three days later the rules changed again and masks were required. Being aware of the rules and being patient to accept constant changes should serve you well for a great trip abroad. Most airlines have up-to-date information on everything. So get out there. Prices are rising due to fuel costs. If you want to go, think about booking now and not waiting for the last minute. Enjoy your travels. I always do! Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@walkeradventures.com
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Spotlight YOU: Roger S. Green of Green Financial Resources By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Our Town Gwinnett (OTG): What do you like most about being able to give back in supporting the community? Roger S. Green (RSG): The community has supported us and our business, and we feel very grateful and blessed to be able to do for others. It’s also a great way to team build and to shift our focus to others. OTG: Are there examples of ways you give back throughout the year? RSG: Our entire staff has worked together, led by my wife, to host eighteen golf tournaments, raising over $500k for charities we love. We are going to be sponsoring a Salvation Army Red Kettle and devoting a day of staff time to bellringing at Bass Pro Sugarloaf Mills on Thursday, December 16th! Come out to see us. OTG: What are you most thankful for in this holiday season 2021? RSG: Since December 2020, we’ve had three more of our kids marry, and added a granddaughter in October, with another due in December – which will be our 7th! My parents celebrated their 59th anniversary in November. We are so very grateful for the love that is so abundant in our large and growing family! OTG: What are you most excited about for the new year of 2022? RSG: I’m looking forward to all the fun we’ll have with our growing family. Also, some staffing additions we’ve made, and working with my sons as they grow and expand their role in our family business. My wife and I are also hopeful that 2022 will allow for more travel – something we love that we haven’t gotten to do enough of these past couple COVID years. OTG: What do you love most about being a business during the holiday season? RSG: My wife is good about coordinating numerous employee activities year-round, but those usually increase at the holidays. This year we have a few meals and parties planned, our bell-ringing outing, the fun of putting up the office Christmas trees, and celebrating with gifts to and from our clients always make the season more memorable. Last month we did an impromptu pizza picnic because we just couldn’t resist getting everyone outside to enjoy the gorgeous 70-degree November Georgia day! Give Roger S. Green and his team a call at 770-931-1414
Dec ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
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Weinstein & Black, LLC Continued from page 5
Chaplain’s Corner Continued from page 8
If you’re looking for legal representation or want to consult with some experts, it’s time to give Jason and Mike a call. They are currently taking on new clients, so contact them today to find out why this dynamic duo is quickly becoming a household name. More information at www.wblegal.net and on Facebook (Weinstein & Black) or call 706.387.8975
to miss using it. And if you miss using it, you are going to be frustrated. So many of us have been frustrated, sad, or angry for the past two years in the midst of this pandemic. And the reason could be because we don’t understand what our purpose is, and by consequence we have been misusing our lives. I’ll tell you this. The greatest joy in life, the greatest thrill in life, the greatest use of our life, is when you’re used by God to make a difference in someone else’s life. So, my hope is that in 2022 you can find your purpose in life and help make this world a little better. Merry Christmas. Rodrigo Cruz is the Founder and Lead Pastor of The Nett Church. More information at www.thenettchurch.com.
Pet Perch Continued from page 8 in a few days, your dog will be eating the food as soon as you put it down. Don’t worry if they go a few days without eating very much. Trust me – I have never met a dog that would starve itself! Turn that spoiled, picky eater into a happier, healthier dog with a natural food drive. Terie Hansen is the Owner or Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care More information at www. gooddogcoaching.com
Maximize Your 2021 Holiday Budget Continued from page 7 There are many creative ways to enjoy the holidays without breaking the bank. We look forward to hearing your ideas as well. Have a great holiday season. (BPT)
your health is invaluable
PAGE 10
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Dec ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
Spotlight YOU: Nathan McMichael of Cutting Edge Painting By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
SportTalk: Creekland Middle School Golf League Fall Season By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Creekland Middle School won the Middle School Golf League Fall Season team competition. Members of the winning team included Ava and Mya Ali, Benjamin Stier, Thomas Teffner, and Brandon Williams. Loganville Middle School was second and Five Forks third. “We again culminated our season with the individual skills competition of our Drive, Chip and Putt Contest,” said League Director Les Witmer. The overall winners of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition were Logan Wilson from McConnell Middle School for the girls and Logan Coffman for the boys from Five Forks Middle School. “In addition to our weekly best ball team play and our individual skills competition, we have a 9-hole invitational individual stroke tournament for the top juniors,” added Witmer. “We had two flights for the boys and girls, one from the forward red tees and one from the junior tees, and this season’s winners included for red flight for first place Jackson McAleer from Loganville shooting 41 and from the junior tees Abe Allred from Five Forks Middle with 46. For the girls from the red tees Aiko Benford from McConnell Middle won with 42, and Mauri Robb from Bay Creek Middle won with 50.” Players participate this fall from Bay Creek, Couch, Creekland, Crews, Dacula, Five Forks, Hull, Lanier, Loganville, McConnell, Shiloh, North Gwinnett, Trickum, and Youth Middle Schools. “And we added Chimneys Golf Course in Winder to our six other golf courses that we played at,” said Witmer, “including Bear Creek and Providence Golf Courses in Monroe, 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. And we held our orientation and clinic and our Drive, Chip and Putt Contest at Chimneys.” The Most Improved Golfer Awards for the fall season were given to Ryker Hensley for Bay Creek, Devin Luu for Couch, Ava Ali for Creekland, Phoenix Guerzon for Crews, Cairo Kwayisi for Dacula, Dylan Coffman and Hunter Stansbury for Five Forks, Riley Green, Garrett Garbach, and Vayda Schaumann for Loganville, Jack Bogos and Sawyer Roberts for McConnell, Kennedy Goodwin and Logan Nichols for Trickum, and Alexander Woods for Youth Middle School. Continued on page 14
Our Town Gwinnett (OTG): What do you like most about being able to give back in supporting the community? Nathan McMichael (NM): It’s always more fun to give than to get. The satisfaction of giving support to someone in need is tenfold anything I could do for myself. It’s the law of nature, and therefore I enjoy using the blessings I receive to bless others. It really gives more purpose to what we do. OTG: Are there examples of ways you give back throughout the year? NM: We love the opportunity each year to give back through our Reach Initiative program. Anyone in the community can nominate someone (or an organization) to be that year’s recipient, and we’ll bless that individual (or organization) where they need it most. This year we helped out the organization Peace of Thread in supporting their cause in helping women refugees. That honestly blessed us maybe as much as it was a blessing to them. OTG: What are you most thankful for in this holiday season 2021? NM: I am always incredibly grateful for all of our teams who day in and day out shine in serving our customers. They go above and beyond in meeting our customer’s needs, and I can’t say enough how appreciative I am for what they do for Cutting Edge Painting. OTG: What are you most excited about for the new year of 2022? NM: I am looking forward to more opportunities to serve and support our community and teams. It’s no secret that our nation is seeing decisions being made right now that are challenging the values of our country, and I for one am looking forward to being a voice of encouragement and truth, and standing up for those values. It’s easy to be passive, but good things don’t come out of ease. OTG: What do you love most about being a business during the holiday season? NM: It has been such a blessed and busy year, and I am honestly looking forward to allowing all our staff to take some much needed time off to spend with their friends and family over the Continued on page 16
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PAGE 11
#PleaseJustStart Day is December 11th: Let’s Make this a Movement By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Our Town Magazine had a chance to sit down with inspirational speaker Scott Greenhut. Our Town Magazine (OTM): What events in your life motivated you to be an inspirational speaker? Scott Greenhut (SG): I became the last person living in my immediate family by age 33. My mom passed away from cancer when I was twelve years old. My dad passed away in August 2017 after being on Dialysis for seven years. And my sister passed away from her eightyear battle with Ocular Melanoma on February 1, 2019. Between my dad and sister passing away, I was fortunate to lose 110 pounds on my own. I’ve been able to maintain it for the last three years. I do 10 miles on my Elliptical on a daily basis. My hope is to share my story and inspire the world to live your life with no regrets! OTG: What message do you want to share with our readers? SG: My quote is “Don’t wait for something negative to happen in your life for you to make the positive change you always think about.” My dad begged me almost every single day to start losing weight so I wouldn’t end up just like him. When I walked into his hospice room and saw his lifeless body lying there, I saw my future if I didn’t make a change. The photo within the photo was taken three days after he passed away. I don’t want anyone else to feel the regret I do every single day that it took him dying for me to do something I should have done for myself a long time ago. I wish I could hear him say, “I’m proud of you, my boi!” I randomly started my Weight Loss Journey on Monday, December 11, 2017. Later, I realized I had started 21 days before the new year. Studies show it takes 21 days to start a habit. With everything I’ve endured, I feel I’m left here to remind you to live your life with no regrets, and #PleaseJustStart whatever it is you constantly think about. I want every December 11th to be #PleaseJustStart Day! So, this December 11th or any other day that ends with a Y, my hope is that you’ll go after that thing you constantly think about but for whatever reason you think you don’t deserve. I’m here to remind you that you do deserve it and to... #PleaseJustStart! OTG: What do you want our readers to know about you that most people don’t know? SG: I haven’t had any dessert, fast food, and/or fried food since February 2018. I was the guy who would get to QT at 2:50 p.m. and stand next to the donuts for when they would lower the price to 59 cents at 3 p.m. People can change, but no one can want it more than you. You are more powerful than you think you are. So... #PleaseJustStart More information at scott@scottinspires.com, www.scottinspires.com, or at Instagram: @ scott_inspires
Holiday Traditions: What are Your Favorites? By Tana Poncsak
I love holiday traditions – the things we remember doing routinely, often as a family or with friends, during the holidays. Over the years these traditions have become treasured memories. They make the holidays even more special. But as we grow older, our families evolve and change, and so do our traditions. As your family changes, you can keep holiday traditions no matter how big or how small. Even if your family isn’t together for the holiday, you can start by keeping small aspects of past traditions, or pick and choose variations of your holiday favorites. For example, if grandparents live out of town, set aside a time when they can read The Christmas Story to the family over Zoom or Facetime. Holiday traditions help keep the magic and anticipation of the season alive, especially for younger family members. So as time goes by, don’t be afraid to add new traditions. Young family members can add these to their memories and hold them dear for a lifetime. Here are some common holiday traditions: • Tree trimming • A special family Christmas Eve dinner
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For the Love of Flowers! By Pam Walker, ATC, CTC, DS, LS
If you love flowers, one of the most fantastic flower shows in the world will be taking place about thirty minutes from Amsterdam in April of 2022. Being the world capital for tulips, Holland (or the Netherlands) is always filled with flowers. And every ten years, this amazing Expo of Flowers is always held in the Netherlands. This time the Floriade Expo 2022 will be held in Almere. The special theme is Growing Green Cities. Half the area of the Expo will be turned into a residential section after the event. There are many reasons to visit the Netherlands. I just returned from a river cruise that went into Belgium, too. We cruised the small canals that are all over this small European country and stopped at tiny towns and pretty villages along the way. You can shop for wooden shoes, see windmills grinding flour, or visit the bustling city of Rotterdam. I like them all. But my favorite is Amsterdam! I call it the land of 1,000 bicycles. All day long you can hear the ring ring of bicycle bells coming from all directions. They have a saying that you don’t want to step into the path of a bike as these riders are more dangerous than the worst car driver in the US. Everyone has a bike! It’s the best way to get around. The parking lot of the central train station is usually filled with thousands and thousands of the bikes waiting for their owners to get off a train and go to work. Yes, locks are mandatory. Theft of a nice bike is a problem. Canal boats also take people to work on the many canals that surround the historic city. These semicircular canals were built in the 17th century, forming concentric belts. The city itself was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. Known as the Venice of the North, Amsterdam has about sixty-two miles of canals, ninety islands, and 1,500 bridges. This little green country has more water than arid land. Amsterdam is actually 22 feet below sea level, so dikes were built around the city and the nearby fields to stop the sea from invading during storms. The green areas are perfect for growing flowers and beautiful plants, which is why the amazing Floriade is held there every ten years. It is said that the 2022 Floriade might be the last one. I would not miss it if you love horticulture and beautiful flower exhibitions. The exhibits are open from April to October! Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@walkeradventures.com • Opening one present on Christmas Eve • Matching family holiday pajamas for Christmas morning • Holding a holiday breakfast or brunch • Attending a candlelight church service or midnight mass • Starting an Advent Calendar to count down the days until Christmas • Family readings of The Christmas Story • Caroling • Holding a family holiday movie night • Attending a holiday event such as a local production of A Christmas Carol or The Nutcracker • Holiday baking and candy making and holding a cookie exchange • Taking in a local Christmas tree lighting ceremony • Visiting Santa • Driving around nearby neighborhoods to look at holiday lights and decorations – Bonus points for a thermos of hot chocolate and listening to carols • Working on a large holiday puzzle • Gathering the family for some holiday crafting – Handmade ornaments and decorations are always in style • Joining the hustle and bustle and going shopping – Even if you don’t like crowds, getting out in the crowd can sometimes put one in the holiday spirit • Having a giftwrapping party • Sending holiday cards with family photos – Bonus points if you still add an annual family newsletter • Taking a holiday vacation, such as a ski trip to a ski resort How many of these do you and your family enjoy, and what other favorite family holiday traditions are missing from this list?
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Dec ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
One on One with Tawana Haith Chealey By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Our Town Gwinnett (OTG): Please tell our readers a little about yourself. Tawana Haith Chealey (THC): Currently, I coown a property preservation company with my husband, Cedrick Healey, named Chealey Solutions LLC in Loganville. Additionally, I am a realtor in the Metro Atlanta area under PalmerHouse Properties. My passion and objective are to help my clients accomplish their goal of homeownership, whether it is their first time or twentieth time. I’ve co-authored one book that covers my experiences as a caregiver in my late 20s to my terminally ill husband titled Death Tangle: A Widow’s Memoir of Survival. I’ve written and self-published two other books: Strong Angels – a view through a child’s eyes what death looks and feels like to them – and Property Preservation 101 – a co-written book with my husband that introduces budding entrepreneurs to what property preservation is and how to break into the field. The first two books can be found on Amazon, and the latest can be found on chealeysolutionsllc.com. The dearest project to my heart is establishing my foundation, Pocket Change, Inc. The notfor-profit organization will help widows struggling financially who have dependents under 18 re-establish themselves after losing a parent and spouse that was possibly the breadwinner. OTG: What do you want our readers to know about you? THC: I am a woman who has been through a plethora of triumphs and adversities. Moreover, I’m a wife and a mother of two boys, 16 and 9 – a blended family. I’m a former widow and divorcee. One of the most challenging times of my life was when I found out that my youngest son was on the spectrum. I understand the importance of celebrating the small things. I have an education background and I’m learning that being able to teach and connect with people isn’t limited to the classroom.
Learning Lessons: Four Simple Guidelines for Choosing Child-Appropriate Technology By Tanisha Turner
Children today are growing up surrounded by technology and screens. While experts have long recommended strict control over young children’s media consumption, keeping children completely separated from technology can sometimes feel like an impossible challenge. Plus, we also must consider the fact that using technology is now required to successfully navigate our tech-savvy society. This juxtaposition leaves many parents wondering how their children should interact with technology so it is helpful, not hurtful, to their development. The National Association for the Education of Young Children and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now report that some technology use is okay for young children, and when used correctly, can even extend learning and prepare children for future success. To have peace of mind about the technology and media their children are interacting with, parents can use the following guidelines: 1. Do research beforehand. You likely put a lot of thought into selecting a pediatrician or purchasing a car seat, and you should do the same when choosing technology or media for your child. Seek out reviews from other parents, use resources from the Center on Media and Child Health, or test products yourself before giving them to your little one. 2. Determine whether it’s age-appropriate. Whether it’s a mobile app or a storybook, always consider if the technology or media content was designed to stimulate learning for your child’s age group. For example, videos featuring songs with simple, repetitive lyrics are great Continued on page 15
Continued on page 16
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SportTalk Continued from page 11
NonProfit Spotlight: Paint, Love, and Grow
“Our goal is to introduce golf to junior players, some brand new to the sport and some 8th graders who have played with us for six seasons since they were 6th graders,” Witmer said. “Our most improved player awards point out our goal of seeing the players not only learn the rules of golf, but to become more proficient at ball striking and putting.” 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 golf clinic for all, an extra on course instructional session for those new to golf, and then a best ball team 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; then the more experienced juniors participated in a 9-hole tournament. Our season culminates with a Drive, Chip and Putt competition.” The 2022 Spring Season for the Middle School Golf League will begin in March and play through the end of June. More information at https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolgolfleague
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PAGE 14
By Bill Crane
As I occasionally fret about the larger and seemingly more intractable challenges facing our nation, I am often heartened by the hard work, progress, and ingenuity I witness demonstrated by community nonprofits. Driven by lean staff and volunteers, these modest enterprises face down challenges ranging from homelessness to mental illness and addiction, offering assistance, aid, and at the very least a thoughtful ear and warm, helping hand. Missions, resources, and staffing models vary. Still, I continue to be routinely touched and impressed by their passion and commitment to task, their desire to help and improve others’ lives, and so often by the selflessness and often low incomes that accompany doing this work. We recently spent a beautiful, breezy fall afternoon learning and playing with a community arts organization, Paint Love, where they believe that art impacts everything. Paint Love aims most of its programs and efforts at helping and supporting children, including teen girls removed from sex trafficking, children fleeing domestic violence, and those referred from counseling centers for children facing abuse and homelessness. This includes refugees and new immigrants. Founded in 2014, Paint Love has already connected with more than 15,000 unique and individual children, and they recently relocated their studio to Legacy Park on Columbia Drive in Decatur, on the campus of the former United Methodists Children’s Home, and across the street from Columbia Seminary. Executive Director Laura Shaw says, “Art is our vehicle, but the soul of our work is showing children that their voice matters, that their ideas are important and that their actions can make a difference in shaping their future.” A small but diverse staff includes a licensed clinical social worker, a certified yoga instructor and movement specialist, and artists from various disciplines. And not surprisingly, the organization also has an aptly named Department of Kindness. During our visit, an artist named Antar Fierce, who began graphitizing his hometown of Brooklyn, New York in 1985, demonstrated for the children the right and wrong way to tag and use aerosol paints, the history of graffiti, and its evolution into an art form, including massive murals in most major urban centers. Each class member was given a small canvas to work on and was allowed to contribute to a larger banner with the phrase Paint Love running from end to end. During the exhibition, my younger daughter Olivia and I happened to get to know Antar’s daughter, Debra. Olivia found a new friend, and I had to smile as I watched Debra create two of her own two small pieces of art in graffiti that read “Teasing is Mean” and “It’s NOT OK to Tease.” There was no prompting, messaging, or a single suggestion made on what the children should paint, express or write. This is just what came from Debra’s paintbrush, and, to some extent, from her heart. Like many other nonprofits, the organization does more with less, recycling and reutilizing paint trays and other art supplies. Donations in kind are of course, always welcome (https://www.gopaintlove.org/donate), but if you have some time and could use a few more smiles on your face as well as in your heart, you might want to make an appointment and visit with the team or possibly volunteer. Paint Love community programs are open to the public and area residents, often at little or no cost (https://www.gopaintlove.org/ community). For me, it was a nostalgic afternoon. I was born at the end of the block, across the street on Inman Drive, behind Columbia Seminary. Our mother, Lynn Crane, volunteered for years with the United Methodist’s Children’s Home, particularly during their massive annual Thrift Sale and Flea Market, where booths spread across the 77-acre campus. Originally founded as an orphanage, and later a foster-care group home, the Children’s Home was called home by thousands of children who were without parents or were separated from their families for a period of years. As Georgia moved away from the group home model during the 2000s, the population there began to dwindle, though a few adolescent residents still remain. The city of Decatur purchased and later annexed the property, which now abuts the city of Avondale Estates. Olivia has already asked about a return visit, I’m hoping that we encounter not only more inspiring artists like Antar and our friend Hannah Rose Broom, but more kind-hearted children like Debra. This is proof positive again that the little things really do matter and that they can collectively have a significant impact on our world. More information at https://www.gopaintlove.org/about-paint-love
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Beware the Hobby Gatekeepers! By K. Coats
I’ve done my fair share of craft fairs in the surrounding area, and a couple of weekends ago I participated in my first one since COVID-19 struck. I was elated and having a great time as folks walked around my booth. Making quilts is part of my artistic expression, and I enjoy displaying and selling them. Loads of fellow quilters came through and complimented me, and we all talked shop about our different projects. The fun came to an abrupt halt when I was visited by the “quilt police” twice later that afternoon. They pursed their lips and looked down their noses at my art – art that had been complimented profusely. Isn’t it strange how two people’s negativity outweighed an entire morning of compliments? But I find I’m not alone in this – and neither is quilting. I think every hobby has gatekeepers – people who want to guard their hobby from what they perceive as impurities. But it comes at a steep price. Those people will be the same ones lamenting that their hobby is dying out. I hear it from fellow quilters all the time – no “young people” want to learn how to quilt. I wish those people had met the young people who spoke with me about wanting to learn. When I told them I was self-taught, their faces lit up, and I made sure to encourage them to keep going. I said, “Welcome to the fold!” and gave them my card in case they had any questions. They were happy to be encouraged and supported. And I was happy because new people were wanting to join the hobby. But, sadly, that attitude, which should be universal, isn’t shared by everyone. Gatekeepers are people in a hobby or fanbase who feel protective of it to the point they begin acting as guards, deciding who is worthy to share and who is not. What they fail to understand is that any hobby or fanbase is akin to any other human institution. It has to change, grow, and adapt to the times. I love quilting, but if I were limited to churn dash blocks, I’d never have stuck with it as long as I have. Gatekeeping forces a hobby or fanbase to stagnate, and eventually its members become curators of a lost art instead of a creative community. It ends up taking the fun out of it both for creators and those who would appreciate that art. A great example is Star Wars and how gatekeepers in the fanbase were so serious about it that George Lucas lost interest in his own creation. The gatekeeping fans had guarded it so zealously that they’d also guarded against the fun that originally drew them and the creator in. I like Star Wars. Do I like every film? Certainly not. But other people like the ones I don’t, and who am I to say they are wrong for finding joy just because it wasn’t to my personal taste? At the end of the day, be it a fanbase like Star Wars, Marvel films, or a hobby like quilting, knitting, or pottery, people find joy in it, and sometimes that joy can turn toxic if not checked. We all can get possessive over things we care about. I feel that’s only natural. But when does that care shift from joy to gatekeeping? Here’s a list to help determine this. Continued on page 17
Learning Lessons Continued from page 13 for toddlers, as the repetitive lyrics aid in memorization skills. 3. Consider the message. All technology and media teach your child something, so ensure whatever media your child is exposed to shares a message or lesson you want them to learn. Interactive programming, like Sesame Street, is particularly helpful for sparking learning and development in young children. 4. Set screen time limits. The AAP recommends restricting all screen media aside from video chatting for children younger than 18 months and limiting children ages 2 to 5 to one hour of screen time per day. Also consider designating media-free times for your child, such as during dinner or while in the car, and prioritize time for free play, family meals, playing with friends, and sleep above screen time. Also, don’t forget to set a good example by limiting your own media use! By following these guidelines, parents can help ensure that their children interact with technology and media in ways that deepen learning and nurture healthy development. Tanisha Turner is Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway. More information at www.PrimroseSugarloafParkway.com or call 770-513-0066.
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First Look into 2022 By Emily Rubin
As the new year fast approaches, I have been pondering the possibilities of entering 2022 as a college senior. The beginning of the year will be the end of my senior year, and I am so excited for all that is to come. The end of my senior year will be stressful, but all the work I’ve put in for the past four years will be worth it when I walk across the stage and get my diploma. The new year brings change and an opportunity to challenge myself to be the best I can be for my last semester. I will explore new forms of writing and push myself to be a better journalist. I will continue to learn about writing and work hard at achieving my goals. After I graduate in May, I plan to get a job as a news reporter for a newspaper. It might not happen right after graduation, but that is the biggest goal I have for 2022. I am looking forward to starting my professional career and improving my skills. I do not know where I will work yet, but I am excited to see what my options are. The work I have put in at different publications have set me up for success no matter where I end up. I am also excited about the possibility of the pandemic coming to an end and would love to travel again and explore the world in 2022. I have missed going on vacations and making memories abroad. I hope in 2022 I can have more of those experiences. Another experience I am excited for in the new year is moving out of my apartment. I have no idea where I’ll move to, but I am very excited to have a new space and a change of layout. I am ready for a change and a fresh start. Yes, 2022 is full of exciting possibilities and I am eager to see what the year has in store for me. Even if everything does not go as planned, I am still thankful to see another new year.
Dec ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
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PAGE 15
One on One with Tawana Haith Chealey Continued from page 13 OTG: Who were your mentors and role models? THC: My mentors and role models lived in my home and community in Greensboro, North Carolina. They were my mother, grandmother, and every single aunt in my family. In addition, the other women and men in my neighborhood directly and indirectly mentored me. OTG: Describe some of the struggles you’ve encountered and how you overcame them. THC: I’m the product of a mother who had to raise her children without the consistent involvement of their father. We moved numerous times before I graduated from high school. I wasn’t always treated kindly by many of the people I looked up to and respected, but I moved forward. I experienced a miscarriage at 24. I lost my first husband to cancer two weeks after turning 30. I learned that accepting God’s will over my own was essential to my son and my healing. OTG: What are your favorite things to do? THC: I love to write, spend time with my family, and think of ways to help others. OTG: What excites you?
THC: What excites me? That I woke up. That I can see the grass from the top and not from below. I love watching my family progress and achieve their goals. OTG: What role does community play in your life? THC: Community is my life-line. It is meeting and connecting with like-minded people no matter their background. OTG: How do you give back to your community? THC: I strive to provide employment opportunities to those here in the area. I’m a mother of an autistic child and believe in being a resource to those who reach out to me for direction and comfort when they first encounter this “new normal.”
Spotlight YOU: Nathan McMichael Continued from page 11 holidays. I am a big believer that we work to live, and that time spent with family needs to be prioritized. I’m looking forward to doing just that, and I’m grateful that we have this blessed time of year to do so. Please connect with Nathan and his team at 678-571-5975
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Beware the Hobby Gatekeepers! Continued from page 15 1. Do you find yourself wondering if someone is a “real” fan or creator according to your own arbitrary standards? 2. Are you intolerant of variations or changes within your hobby or fanbase? 3. Do you like to feel superior to newer members of your community? 4. Do you often “test” people’s knowledge when meeting them to determine their worthiness? 5. Have you ever stopped someone else from being creative as a result of your criticism? If you answered yes to more than one of these, you’ve shifted into a gatekeeper and have unknowingly become your own interests’ enemy-from-within. I urge you to take a step back and really consider what it was about your interest that gave you joy in the first place. Go back to when you first discovered that hobby or fanbase and consider how wonderful it was to explore and experiment on your own. Remember the people who supported you when you were a novice and return the favor by supporting others instead of keeping them out. The truth is, once you welcome new members, the community grows and becomes that much more wonderful.
Atlanta Harmony Celebration! Making a Joyful Noise By Traci Sanders
In 2003 Kathy Stone formed a new acapella chorus with a few friends and a wellspring of enthusiasm. A chapter of the international organization Harmony, Inc., the new group was called Atlanta Harmony Celebration! (ACH!) noting that the “!” is an actual part of the name. Nearly twenty years later, the group has twenty-five women ranging in age from their early twenties to mid-seventies. Their connection? They all love to sing. These talented women grace their audiences with various musical arrangements, including show tunes, pop, gospel, blues, and barbershop melodies. Unlike most chorus groups, the vocal style preferred is the acapella style called barbershop, an art form where the voicings are called tenor, lead, baritone, and bass. This particular style of music was made even more popular by the release of the movie Pitch Perfect, which encouraged younger men and women to become involved in acapella singing. AHC! typically holds weekly meetings at the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center Continued on page 20
A Whole Lot of Christmas Shines Bright By Alexis E. Frehse
It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas everywhere you go! That sentiment is definitely true at 1833 Smoke Rise Summit in Stone Mountain. For over twenty-five years, husband and wife team Victor and Theo Economy have been decorating almost every square inch of their one-acre yard in their Smoke Rise neighborhood, The Summit. The display, appropriately named A Whole Lot of Christmas, includes a variety of themed sections, such as a working Ferris wheel, an ocean-themed display, a Disney section, a snowflake lane over the driveway, and cut-outs for fun family photos among others. When asked what inspired him to continue to decorate and add to the display each year, Victor’s answer is simple: he loves Christmas and especially Christmas lights. In fact, he loves them so much that he begins working on the display in September (starting with string lights and other less noticeable items) and finishes with the larger plastic molds and figurines in midNovember. He also adds something new to the display each year. When asked about the new additions for 2021, he just smiles and says that it is a surprise. Over the years, many visiting the A Whole Lot of Christmas have inquired about if and how they could donate to the display and the associated costs. While the offers have always been
Dec ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
Continued on page 22
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One Man’s Opinion: Hail to the Chief By Bill Crane
Celebrate the Season with Bill Rhodes Bakery By Kristen Eleveld
Halloween and Thanksgiving have come and gone and that can only mean one thing: it’s time for Christmas! Whether you plan to celebrate over a video call from around the world or get together with your loved ones around the table, there is one stop you’ll need to make to complete your holiday preparations: the Bill Rhodes Bakery. Local patrons will remember this bakery as having a rich history since it was first built in the 1980s. In 2019, Lizzy Delapeta and her husband Darius took the reins as owners and operators of this community staple, and while they have faced a slew of renovation and COVID-related obstacles, they have overcome each of them to bring the bakery back to the Snellville community in a big way. One of Lizzy’s favorite new features is the sprinkle wall, which is exactly what it sounds like: a wall showcasing the many colorful sprinkles that the store offers for decorating (and extra deliciousness). Stick around long enough and you may even see Lizzy or one of her staff pulling a container of sprinkles from the wall to add the finishing touch to a custom-made cake – or their famous petit fours. While the bakery did temporarily close its physical doors during the height of the COVID Continued on page 22
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It was the Fourth of July in 1974 when I first met Max Cleland, then a state senator, running for Georgia’s lieutenant governor. Max was speaking to an audience of Jaycee’s and a crowd of nearly 200 gathered for a later firework show. Max had returned from the Vietnam War with the rank of captain, losing both of his legs and his right arm to a grenade explosion. Pre-war he had been 6 foot 2, and a stand-out tennis scholar at his alma mater, Stetson College in DeLand, Florida. Cleland’s speech was inspiring, patriotic, and to me, almost mesmerizing. I still recall pieces of the address today, nearing fifty years from hearing it spoken. Cleland would come in third in that race for lieutenant governor and amass campaign debts which took him almost a decade to repay. However, that early loss only taught him lessons of politics. It neither broke him nor slowed him down. I joined Cleland’s staff and team in the mid-80s, serving as his press secretary during his second term as secretary of state. I spent five years working for and learning from Cleland, who I came to call “Chief,” and we have been close since. We spent Christmas Eve together in 2020, during this pandemic, reminiscing and watching a few old westerns I had brought along with some vanilla ice cream. Cleland was well known for his sweet tooth. We swapped anecdotes of those days under Georgia’s Gold Dome. I reminded him of one day that still makes me smile and tear up when I replay the tape in my head. Cleland wanted to leave the office early one afternoon as it had already been a long day. He was packing up to leave when a small child entered the front office. She was probably 8 or 9, small for her size, almost doll-like in appearance. She had an appointment, along with her parents, made by the Make a Wish Foundation. The girl was pale and visibly quite frail, leaning on a crutch held in place by her right arm. Her left leg was quite spindly – and her right leg was not present, only her thigh barely visible from below the skirt she was wearing. Her left arm ended at just below where an elbow might be. We would come to know that she suffered from a rare and largely untreatable fatal condition which was calcifying her limbs and circulatory system. Her fingers, toes, and appendages were over time drying up into dead tissue and would drop off, like a dead branch from a tree. Her prognosis was not good, and her young life was projected to end prior to adolescence. The girl moved slowly and quietly, until Judy Swanner, Cleland’s able secretary, swung wide open his office door. The small child could see Georgia’s affable secretary of state, on his phone, laughing aloud, with very clearly no legs and just one arm and hand cradling a phone. Cleland and the child locked eyes. He smiled and quickly wrapped up his call. The young girl practically sprinted, as best one can with one arm and one leg on a crutch, and somehow almost floated up into Cleland’s lap. The two laughed and talked for nearly an hour. When she emerged from his office, she was beaming. I thought this female version of Tiny Tim was going to fly out of the building with her parents, who were similarly uplifted with hope and goodwill, at least at that moment. Cleland rolled out shortly after they departed, showing the weariness I knew that he felt but that the child never saw. I took him out to his car. He would call her each year on her birthday and close to each Christmas until she was here no more. She knew that she didn’t have long, but she would tell Cleland that she hoped to be Georgia’s secretary of state one day. Cleland would tell her that he would keep the seat warm. I still tear up just recounting this story, and there are dozens more like this one. Chief, thanks for so often taking the time to help lift up and inspire others. Thank you for daily demonstrating that a positive attitude is more than half of leading a happy and successful life, and thank you for living your credo of turning scars into stars and focusing on abilities versus disabilities. We need more like you, sir, especially now. Godspeed my friend. Rest in peace. 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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Helping Those Who Help Others: Meet Latrina Walden By Traci Sanders
As a double-board-certified nurse practitioner and a professor at a local university, Latrina Walden noticed some gaps in the teaching realm concerning nurse practitioners. Three years ago, she decided to fill that gap by developing a few signature programs and styles to address the application and retention piece she felt so many students were missing. Thus, the education company Latrina Walden Exam Solutions (LWES) was born. RNs who are in the process of completing Nurse Practitioner school and taking board exams such as AANP, AGNP, ANCC, and more can access Walden’s digital courses, workbooks, and private social community for resources and support. “Through these digital courses, I provide them with the blueprint on how to take care of their patients when they walk into the clinic,” Walden stated. “This, in turn, allows them to pass their board exams.” Through the platform Thinkific, LWES has been able to serve over 16,000 students, allowing Walden to build a support team so she can focus on what she loves most: creation and execution of her products and programs. “The challenge lately is strategically building a team,” she said. “Being remote has been a task in itself. As the business grows, I want all my employees to be in the right role with LWES. There is something to having in-person water cooler talks with your colleagues, and I do believe that my team is missing that key link.” Getting a program off the ground was no small feat. “The first year was a blur,” Walden explained. “I was still working full time as a professor and building my business with the help of two people and a freelance web developer. I would go to the clinic to see patients, go teach at the university, and then come home and work until midnight or later on my business. I worked on weekends and would turn around and do it all over again. Honestly, it was exhausting, and I often look back and wonder how I never had any breakdowns.” Walden’s business was initially built completely through word of mouth alongside social media. “Students would tell their classmates, faculty would tell their students, and the journey would continue on,” Walden added. Currently, her Facebook study group has over 15,000 members. Because Walden built her business completely online prior to the pandemic, 2020 brought some great numbers. “The pandemic granted people more time to study and focus, causing an influx in orders and interactions,” she said. “People wanted to purchase all of our products.” The one drawback Walden’s company faced was being challenged to keep up with the rapid growth. In 2021, she decided to hit the pause button in order to put a team in place to build the infrastructure for her business, resulting in an organization that would grow steadily and develop smoothly in the years in to come. The health and wellness industry has always played a huge part in Walden’s life. That’s why it made perfect sense for her to sign up to compete in the half Ironman recently. “The 70.3 Ironman is my first Ironman half-distance branded race,” she said. “It involves a 1.2-mile swim,
56 miles of biking, and running 13.1 miles consecutively until the end. I know I’m not ready for the full Ironman yet, so I am listening to my body and taking on the half Ironman instead.” Conditioning for this race has also trickled into Walden’s business and made her a better entrepreneur. “The more I can complete physically,” Walden explained, “the more mental strength I gain. Doing this level of training day in and day out, while being an entrepreneur, mother, and wife is a journey. These workouts allow me one to two hours of mental space where I can solely focus on my overall growth, physical and mental.” Even while training for the half Ironman, Walden is heading up the LWES process of developing more workbooks, product lines, and an entire study system to give nursing students exactly what they need to succeed and provide ultimate care for their patients. When asked what advice Walden would offer to an entrepreneur just getting started, she replied, “Be consistent in your business. Make sure you take time for yourself, whether that is working out or finding a therapist. You matter! In order to grow personally and professionally, you have to continue to work on these things regularly.” More information at https://www.latrinawaldenexamsolutions.com/.
Atlanta Harmony Celebration Continued from page 17 every Thursday evening. “As a member of Harmony Inc., we learn more about the barbershop art form participating in educational events and contests,” said Kim Johnston, a long-standing member. AHC! is currently the Area 6 first place chorus and the international 5th place chorus for Harmony Inc. Covid-19 forced many changes, especially no in-person meetings. However, the women continued to meet virtually on Zoom and simply muted their mics, practiced their parts individually, and then discussed any improvements needed. “It was quite a challenge,” Johnston said, “but we enjoyed being together virtually and keeping our vocal cords warmed up, even if it wasn’t in person for a while.” Despite their inability to sing together, members did meet in person once outdoors, masked and socially distanced, at a park during the pandemic. “We are not just chorus members,” Johnston explained. “We are friends, and we missed each other terribly. Meeting just to chat was a breath of fresh air for the group.” In past years, Atlanta Harmony Celebration! performed at many events in Gwinnett County and surrounding areas, including Suwanee Fest, Lilburn Daze, and various senior community centers and holiday events. More recently, they were the proud recipients of a grant from the Explore Gwinnett 2020 Gwinnett Creativity Fund. They are excited to be once again singing together and performing in person and will be performing on December 11, 2021 at the Merry Little Christmas event in downtown Lawrenceville. Occasionally, the group receives payment or donations for their performances, but those funds go directly into the organization to cover music, costumes, performance fees, and travel costs. “We don’t do this for the money,” Johnston said. “We’re simply a group of women who love to sing and bring joy to others with our voices.” AHC! welcomes new members who enjoy singing and want to share that gift with others. One does not have to be able to read music to participate. “We are not trained professionals by any means,” Johnston added. “We welcome anyone who enjoys sharing their vocal talent.” More information at www.atlantaharmonycelebration.org or on Facebook and Instagram.
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Rescue My Time Cleaning Services: Make Your Home Shine for the Holidays By Kristen Eleveld
If you’re in the Gwinnett area, odds are good that you have heard of one of the fast-growing cleaning services in the area, Rescue My Time Cleaning Services, helmed by husband-and-wife team Glen Eddins and Lisa Siciliano. A few years ago, the couple retired from the corporate world, and since they come from a family of cleaning industry entrepreneurs, it was a natural next step for them to open a cleaning business of their own. And the rest is history. Named Best of Gwinnett for three years running, Rescue My Time Cleaning Service has quickly made a name for itself both in its industry and the community it serves. In fact, serving the community is a vital part of Rescue My Time Cleaning Service’s mission, which is why they participate in Cleaning for a Reason, a charity that offers free cleaning services to people undergoing cancer treatment or dealing with related complications. Glen and Lisa are one of 1,200 cleaning companies that donate their time and services to these patients in need, and were named as a Top 100 Participant in recognition for their generosity and dedication. “Giving back to the community is very important to us,” said Lisa. “We want our clients to know we care about them.” Like so many other businesses, Rescue My Time Cleaning Service had to pivot to accommodate necessary changes for the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, in their case they were already uniquely qualified to give their clients more services combined with years of expertise. Now offering sanitization services in addition to their regular services, the team at Rescue My Time have been called over and over again to make sure people’s homes are as clean as they can be. “People are working harder than ever with little time to clean, so this is a much-needed service,” said Lisa. “More people are working from home for longer hours, and they need our help.” This all means one big thing for Rescue My Time Cleaning Services: they are growing quickly. Lisa and Glen have added multiple cleaning technicians to their staff over the last few months, and are always looking for new talent to join them. It helps that Glen and Lisa both maintain a consistent policy of treating their staff members well and giving them everything they need to be successful in this field. “I love working with customers and helping them build a relationship with our staff,” said Lisa. “We treat our staff like rock stars, and we work hard to make sure our customers only receive quality services.” In fact, the Rescue My Time Cleaning Services team is ready to celebrate the holidays with a special Christmas banquet, which was created by Glen and Lisa as a way to honor their employees’ hard work all year long. Looking forward, Glen and Lisa hope to continue to grow their staff, both through more cleaning technicians and through some admin and sales team members. “We like to treat our staff well!” Lisa explained. “It’s not always easy to find quality employees, so giving them a good experience with us is the most important thing.” As for the dynamic duo who started this whole operation, they continue to enjoy the “retired” life, which keeps them busy but also allows them to work remotely – allowing them to drive to see family or travel around the world – while managing an entire team and providing services to Gwinnett homes. “Starting this business was the best decision we ever made,” said Glen. “I love working with Lisa, and I love that we can do our job from anywhere in the world.” When shopping around for the right cleaning company, make sure to compare apples to apples. Rescue My Time Cleaning Services may not be the least expensive option, but it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for – and Rescue My Time Cleaning services is dedicated to quality and reliability. The business is also insured and bonded, and all employees undergo a background check before being hired, which means that you can rest assured that this company is the real deal and will treat your home with the care it deserves. A quick scroll through the Rescue My Time Cleaning Service website describes the company’s different levels of service to suit each customer’s individual preferences. They strive for consistency by sending the same staff member to a client’s house as often as possible, which allows each cleaning to be perfectly tailored for the best results. If you’re ready to let the professionals get to work, there’s no time like the present. Contact Glen and Lisa and their team at 678-587-5279, or head to their website to learn about the amazing difference that Rescue My Time Cleaning Services can make in your home. More information at rescuemytimecleaningservice.com
Dec ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
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A Whole Lot of Christmas Shines Bright Continued from page 17
Celebrate the Season with Bill Rhodes Bakery Continued from page 19
politely declined, it gave Victor and Theo the idea to collect on behalf of a wonderful cause. Since 2012, the Economys have collected donations for charity, and in recent years for Make-A-Wish Georgia, with 100% of the donations going directly to the charity. Their goal had always been to raise enough money to fund a wish, which normally costs about $10,000. Last year they achieved this goal and collected their highest amount ever, $11,459.90, bringing their overall total to $48,160.03 for the past 8 years. While the official grand lighting of A Whole Lot of Christmas has historically happened on Thanksgiving night, for the past two years the lights have come on a few weeks earlier. Victor credits this to a few things: a good schedule that has been efficiently tweaked over the years, lots of wonderful help (from family, friends and neighbors), and the need for a little extra Christmas cheer! He and Theo love seeing the joy
pandemic, Lizzy and her team continued to serve the Snellville community by offering a service that allowed customers to order online and pick up their baked goods at curbside. Now that the doors are open again, Lizzy is excited to be able to show people more of the amazing desserts she and her amazing staff are making each day. “We feel really lucky to be able to provide these services for people,” said Lizzy. “We’re excited that the store is open again so people can come inside and look at the cases full of their favorite treats.” As they approach the holiday season, the group at Bill Rhodes Bakery is looking forward to making some seasonal treats for patrons to enjoy. As Thanksgiving approaches, you will not want to miss the chance to try one of their famous pecan pies. But you’ll want to get your order in soon because these pies are hugely popular for the Snellville community and beyond. And as Christmas gets ever closer, you have to try one of the bakery’s best items: their Christmas fruitcake. “Even if you don’t like fruitcake, you’ll like this one!” said Lizzy, who looks forward to offering these Christmas favorites to her customers. “We all get excited for the Christmas season in the shop.” Beyond the four walls of the bakery, you can also find the Bill Rhodes team at the Snellville Christmas tree lighting, where they will bring sugar cookies and decorations to let kids make their own custom design to take home with them. The tree lighting event, which features booths manned by several local businesses, offers participants the change to “buy” booth tickets in exchange for canned goods, which are then donated to the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op. This event gives the bakery the chance to give back to the community that has loved them throughout the years. As more and more events begin to resume normal operations, Lizzy is also looking forward to being part of more community events, like Lilburn Daze, the Snellville Fall Festival, and any other opportunity she has to offer her services to her neighbors. “We want to be part of a lot of events and expand our participation within the community,” said Lizzy. “We might be busy, but we also work hard to make sure all of our customers have everything they need.” If you’re ready to try these treats for yourself, this is the perfect time to head over to the Bill Rhodes Bakery in Snellville. Whether you just want a little taste of pecan pie or you’re finally willing to try fruitcake, this bakery is the first and last stop you need to make. More information at www.billrhodesbakery.com
that the lights bring to people of all ages and especially love that a tradition that began with their three daughters can now be shared with their three sons-inlaw and six grandchildren, too! To kick-off the most wonderful time of the year, come and visit A Whole Lot of Christmas! Also, be sure you say hi to Victor and his family. They will likely be walking around outside handing out candy canes and spreading Christmas cheer! More information about A Whole Lot of Christmas on Facebook and Instagram.
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