DECEMBER 2023 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
Our Town GWINNETT
Up Close with Experience Snellville, see story on page 5.
Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker
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December 2023 Our Town Gwinnett
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On the Cover:
Catching Up with Experience Snellville By Kristen Eleveld It’s no secret that the city of Snellville has become one of the top cities in Gwinnett, evolving into a community that allows its residents and neighbors to experience a wide variety of events, restaurants, family activities, businesses, and historical education. These opportunities have been made available as a result of the combined efforts of many local restaurants and businesses, the Snellville Historical Society, and Experience Snellville, the city’s tourism and trade organization. But even with this impressive array of opportunities made available to all who are interested, the team behind Experience Snellville isn’t slowing down any time soon. In fact, they are ramping up to make 2024 one of their best years yet. Known as Snellville Tourism & Trade Association (STAT) from inception in 2010 to 2021, STAT rebranded in 2021, changing its name to Experience Snellville as a way to promote the experience in all things Snellville. The mission of Experience Snellville is to promote business, tourism, and events in the city. Executive Director Kelly McAloon says, “Now, in our fourteenth year, we have not only brought a sense of community to Snellville, but have created a destination that people visit from near and far. Snellville is a melting pot of cultures, rich in tradition that brings a magical experience to the community as well as the visitor.” Kelly, who serves alongside the Experience Snellville Board of Directors – (seen on the cover from left to right: Melvin Everson, Traci Leath, Vice President Kurt Schulz, President Don Britt, Alice Snipes, Administrative Assistant Jessica Manis, Treasurer Stephanie McDonald, Deborah Jones, Executive Director Kelly McAloon, Richelle Brown, and Liz Jackson. Not pictured are Secretary Kathy Emanuel and Jared Eakins) – was appointed by the mayor and city council in 2010 as one of the first five board members to serve on the newly created Snellville
December 2023 Our Town Gwinnett
Tourism and Trade Association board. She served on the board as vice-president for two years before being asked to become the executive director in 2012. Kelly handles all the day-to-day business of the organization, creates and produces all the events, works with businesses in the community, and produces the Snellville Spirit magazine. The team at Experience Snellville has a passion for not just making their community look great or hosting events that everyone will love – though they have accomplished both of these goals in spades – but to create a genuine community that fosters friendships, grows businesses, Continued on page 12
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Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
— An EndResultz Media Company EndResultz.com
Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett/NE DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyright 2023 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.
Publisher/Owner Dr. Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultz.com
Cover Photography Emil Powella Photography
Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultz.com
Distribution Coordinator Holly Cooks
Editor Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultz.com
Cover Story Feature Writer Kristen Eleveld
Feature Writers Victoria R. Crosby Tana Poncsak Traci Sanders
Contributing Writers
Carol ChandlerWood Bill Crane Terie Hansen
IN THIS ISSUE 5 7 8 8 9
On the Cover: Catching Up with Experience Snellville From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks Learning Lessons: Public, Private, Home School…Your Choice! Plants Forever Incorporated Moms Helping Moms: MESH moms Builds Connection and Community 10 Snellville Citizen’s Police Academy: See What it is Like to be a Police Officer 11 Lilburn Woman’s Club Gives Back to the Community 11 Creative Woodwork by Jon 14 Finding the Right Care with Precious Hands Home Care Services 14 Pet Perch: Your Dog Food Has Bugs in It 15 One Man’s Opinion: I Hate E-Tickets 15 Tips to Take the Stress Out of Holiday Hosting
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From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers
@RyanTSauers
@RyanTSauers
As the December breeze sweeps through Gwinnett County, it brings with it a sense of warmth, joy, and reflection. In this season of giving, our team would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for the community that makes this publication possible. Gratitude is more than just a fleeting emotion: it is a powerful force that transforms lives and our communities. It is about acknowledging the good in our lives, both big and small, and recognizing the interconnectedness that binds us together. It is my and our team’s privilege to witness the stories of helpfulness, kindness, and generosity that define our community. Our local businesses have faced adversity with unwavering determination, and as always, our residents have demonstrated remarkable compassion for one another. The stories of neighbors helping neighbors, businesses supporting their communities, and individuals stepping up to make a difference are a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Gratitude, I believe, is not just a reaction to positive circumstances but a mindset that can shape our experiences. It is a lens through which we can view the world, finding beauty during chaos and silver linings in every cloud. This perspective is particularly poignant as we approach the holiday season—a time for reflection, celebration, and, most importantly, gratitude. In the pages of this December edition, we invite you to join us on a journey of gratitude. Explore the stories of local leaders who have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact. Discover the hidden gems in our community that often go unnoticed but contribute immensely to the vibrant tapestry of Gwinnett and surrounding areas. As you flip through these pages or read this online, we hope you feel a sense of connection and appreciation for the incredible community we are all a part of. Our Town Gwinnett magazine is not just a publication; it is a celebration of the people, businesses, and events that make our community such a special place to call home. We extend our deepest thanks to our readers, contributors, partners, and everyone who makes this possible. Your support fuels our passion, and for that, we are profoundly grateful. As the year draws to a close, let us carry the spirit of gratitude into Continued on page 17
December 2023 Our Town Gwinnett
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Learning Lessons: Public, Private, Home School…Your Choice! By Carol Chandler-Wood, MS Human Services/Counseling Studies
Making sure our children grow up physically and mentally healthy is paramount to parents. But also important is giving children every opportunity to reach their academic potential by learning how to effectively read, write, understand, and perform math computations, knowledge of the sciences, humanities, art, state, country, world history, and more! So, what academic venue is best for children? Well, each child has his or her own style of learning, so the choice of school venue may be different for each! As a professional educator for many years, I have had the benefit and blessing to work with thousands of students and families, and one family particularly stands out. This family had three school-aged children and the parents made a different school choice for each: one attended public school, one private school, and one home school. Why? Because the parents came to realize each child would flourish in a particular academic setting. What are the benefits to students of the different school venues? The following describes a few for each. Public school benefits: Socialization, comprehensive curriculum with many academic resources, wide range of special education staff, individualized educational program (IEP) for students if warranted, cost of education paid by tax dollars, wide range of extracurricular activities, and both parents can work outside the home with greater ease. Private school benefits: Socialization, comprehensive curriculum which sometimes includes textbook and digital costs in tuition, often smaller class sizes and overall smaller student body, parents can align their values with their choice of school and its values, uniform dress code, more time spent with students by teachers and counselors to provide individualized attention when needed, greater opportunity for students to participate in extracurricular activities including sports due
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to a smaller student body, and both parents can work outside the home with greater ease. Home school benefits: Parents select the cost and level of challenge of the curriculum utilized and personally oversee instruction, student receives individualized instruction, flexible teaching schedule and student-paced when needed, more family time together and interaction with adults, and participation with home school cohorts which emphasize the arts, music, sports, etc. So, the decision is yours as parents which school venue is ideal for each child. Whichever school choice you make for each, invest the necessary time, energy, and attention to do so wisely. Carol is Founder/CEO of Total Learning Concepts, Inc. *Listen to Carol’s podcast https://endresultz.com/academic-success-strategies/
Plants Forever Incorporated By Victoria R. Crosby
PFI stands for Plants Forever Incorporated. It’s a local business started by Bobbie Pike, a woman whose family has a love of flowers and plants. Her brother, Pete Pike, is the owner of Pike’s nursery, so it was a natural progression after working with him for many years that Bobbie began her own company in 1982, with “me, myself, and I,” as she put it. Her successful business grew, and in 2001 her daughter, Kim Oberheu, returned to Atlanta after living in Los Angeles and Manhattan. Kim had worked on the Academy Awards ceremonies for five years and for Walt Disney Studios. I recently paid a delightful visit to the PFI office in Stone Mountain and met Kim. Her office had quite a few orchids and a wonderful “painting” made of moss. As president of my garden club, I had the pleasure to learn more about her business. Kim showed me the vast storeroom at the rear of her office that houses all the Christmas and holiday decorations that they use for some of their clients, including huge Christmas trees, a Continued on page 13
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Moms Helping Moms: MESH moms Builds Connection and Community By Traci Sanders
Ask any mom about the challenges of motherhood, and you’ll hear words like sleep deprivation, stress management, keeping the kids entertained, and more. But one thing that nearly every mom goes through but rarely talks about—whether out of guilt or the fear of being judged—is the feeling of isolation. Being home with little humans who demand your time, attention, and energy daily can be physically and mentally taxing. However, many moms worry they will appear ungrateful, selfish, or weak if they mention needing help or needing more human interaction than what their children provide. A new organization serving the greater Atlanta area aims to address this challenge and build a supportive community for new mothers. MESH moms is an independent, secular, in-person group for mothers that launched in July 2023 to connect and empower women during pregnancy and the duration of the early childhood years. One of their primary goals is to help moms put all those fears, insecurities, and struggles to rest. The group was founded by two friends, Martina Stellmaszek and Juliana Caspari, who are moms of seven children combined. They’re dedicated to combating the isolation and overwhelm that many new moms experience. “Motherhood is challenging enough; no one should have to go through it alone,” Juliana shared.
December 2023 Our Town Gwinnett
Both women are former executives who decided to use their corporate skills and advanced business degrees to create this entrepreneurial venture to help local moms. “We wanted to provide a safe in-person space, as well as online, where moms could connect, share experiences, and receive guidance,” Juliana explained. The club is open to and aims to provide a friendly, welcoming environment for mothers from all backgrounds and parenting styles. MESH moms organizes playgroups based on children’s ages and developmental stages. Workshops on breastfeeding, sleep training, potty training, and postpartum mental health are also offered. Resources such as cooking classes are already on the calendar for next year. “We believe that by coming together,” Juliana added, “we can create a powerful network that helps women navigate the challenges of motherhood and build lasting friendships along the way.” Some of the regular meet-up activities include stroller walks, baby hangouts at the park, mobile baby playground meet-ups, luncheons, moms’ nights out, and more. Some are scheduled weekly, and others occur monthly. Seasonal events such as outings to pumpkin patches, annual holiday parties, and kids’ carnivals are also on the calendar. Since the group is in its infancy and looking to grow, the founders are offering membership for just $1 per month to the first 100 members. Continued on page 17
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Snellville Citizen’s Police Academy: See What it is Like to be a Police Officer By Tana Poncsak
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Have you ever seen a police officer and wondered what being in law enforcement is like? Many local municipalities have a program that can help answer that question, and the Snellville Citizen’s Police Academy is one of them. Sergeant Scott Smith of the Snellville Police Department is head of training and community affairs and the coordinator of Snellville’s Citizen’s Police Academy, which began its 34th session in September. The program started almost twenty years ago to bridge the gap and foster relationships between law enforcement and community members by giving residents a glimpse into what Snellville police officers do daily. Sergeant Smith says the premise of the program is to put the attendees in similar scenarios that police officers might encounter on any given day so residents can get a better understanding of the processes, the decisions, and the possible consequences an officer may face on a caseby-case basis. A big part of the program includes training tools such as a weapon simulator and enactments. “It’s very hands on,” Sergeant Smith says. “We’ll tell a participant that they’re responding to a person down, and they’ll have to enter an empty building with role players to work their way through a given scenario and see if they can come up with a conclusion.” If the attendee can’t reach the conclusion, the officers, who volunteer their time to teach, can help talk them through it. The program also allows attendees to interact with many officers on the police force and to build personal relationships between the officers and the residents, something that Sergeant Smith says helps residents put a face with a name. The immediate benefits of the program can be seen. Those who go through the Snellville Citizen’s Police Academy tend to show respect and support for the people in law enforcement in tangible ways, such as expressing kind words and providing the officers with a cool drink of water on a hot day during their shifts. “We’re just people doing a job,” Sergeant Smith says. “It’s the relationships we are fostering with those two hours every week. And to see the return of those who come back to show their support and volunteer, it’s nice to know we’ve got their respect and support as well.” The Snellville Citizen’s Police Academy is a nine-week session that meets one evening per week for two hours. During that time, attendees learn about public safety, firearms safety, domestic violence, traffic stops, and more. The sessions are taught by the same police officers who patrol the streets and neighborhoods while working to keep residents safe. The program is free and is for ages 18 and older. Once attendees complete the program, the support for law enforcement doesn’t have to stop there. For those who would like to continue to support the Snellville Police Department after completing the program, Snellville has a Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, which continues to support law enforcement through interaction and volunteer opportunities where alumni members can use what they learned from the program and contribute to the community. The association holds regular meetings, and there’s a nominal membership fee. More information at https://www.snellville.org/police-department or their Facebook page.
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Lilburn Woman’s Club Gives Back to the Community
Creative Woodwork by Jon By Victoria R. Crosby
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
The fall brought lots of nice weather, beautiful leaves, and donations from the Lilburn Woman’s Club! During the months of September and October, the club accomplished several great things in the Lilburn Community. The Civic Engagement and Outreach program donated $2,500 cash and $400 worth of pantry items to the Lilburn Co-op in honor of the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs’ National Day of Service. They also donated almost 2,000 Constitutions to all area 8th graders. In addition, the club also helped stock the Lilburn Elementary School food pantry for children with $150 worth of pantry items. The Education and Libraries program donated 1,400 dictionaries to all area 3rd graders. The Art and Culture program took the opportunity to do a few small fundraisers with a Sip N Paint and a Beautiful Baby photo contest. Proceeds from those two fundraisers allowed the donation of a $220 gift card for Hobby Lobby to the Norcross Senior Center, and $200 to the Parkview High School Art department for student supplies. At Christmas, a member will play Santa, giving presents to thirty plus Lilburn area underprivileged elementary students in need of holiday Continued on page 13
Dr. Jon Saulson loves to work in wood and give his creations away, not only at Thanksgiving or Christmas, but all year round. A retired teacher, school administrator, and college professor, Jon grew up in Miami Beach, Florida and has lived in several areas of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties for more than thirty years. His introduction to working in wood came from his father. Jon said, “I would watch my dad fixing things, and I was always fascinated with tools, so I took a shop class in high school and loved it.” Sometimes you are so good at your job that they can’t let you go! Jon Saulson retired three times from teaching public schools in Stone Mountain, Lilburn, and Snellville. His first teaching job was of “regular” students, but he found teaching special ed and autistic students much more rewarding. He found that special ed students had trouble connecting to the real world, and with people. Jon also taught at Oglethorpe University in the Master of Arts Program and was Director of the Office for Student Disabilities. At Mercer University in Atlanta while training teachers for their masters’ degree, he would tell them these words of wisdom that he had been told by a former teacher of his: “Whether you teach ten or thirty-five students, you will never know how much of an impact you have on them.” “Teaching is a giving profession,” Jon explained, “giving you start as a plum and end up as prune. You have to take care of yourself, or you can’t take care of your students.” Continued on page 16
Happy Holidays
from Wages & Sons
We extend our heartfelt gratitude for allowing us to be a part of your lives. Your trust is the highest tribute, and we are deeply grateful for the privilege to serve you.
Lawrenceville (678) 500-8007
Scan with your smartphone camera
If you were unable to attend this year’s Candlelight Remembrance Tribute for any reason, we invite you to scan the QR code to watch a recording of the event.
WagesandSons.com/candlelight
Owned by The Wages Family
Honoring Life. No Regrets.
Stone Mountain (678) 500-8717
WagesandSons.com December 2023 Our Town Gwinnett
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Experience Snellville Continued from page 5 and allows its residents and visitors to be a true part of creating their community. Most recently, Snellville held its annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, which ended the city’s event season with a bang! Thousands were in attendance and enjoyed a magical old fashioned home town feel experience, from making s’mores to decorating cookies and ornaments to a build-it activity and caroling hay rides. People of all ages were able to not only participate in these fun events, but also had the opportunity to catch up with friends and neighbors as they celebrated the tree lighting together. Another community favorite, headed up by Council Member Gretchen Schulz and STAT Board member Kurt Schulz, with assistance from Administrative Assistant Jessica Manis, is the award-winning Snellville Farmers Market, which takes place every first and third Saturday of each month at the Snellville City Hall parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Known for the wide variety of fresh produce, eggs, and meat, the market is also a favorite for those community members who are furry with four legs, as they can often find a treat to enjoy for themselves. “Snellville is a melting pot of diversity and offers something for everyone,” says Kelly. “Beyond the events and Farmers’ Market lies the everyday charm that the city offers. With the second largest shopping area in Gwinnett County, you can pretty much find anything you need without leaving Snellville.” Looking ahead, Snellville residents are particularly excited about The Grove, a development that will offer 50,000 square feet of retail, 288 multi-family luxury apartments, and a 25,000 square-foot, two floor Market Building with unique event space. Once completed in 2024, The Grove will be home to many favorite restaurants, like Parkside at the Grove, Great American Cookie Company, and Marble Slab Creamery. In the meantime, residents can enjoy the newly-built Elizabeth H. Williams Library, a state-of-the-art library with a second-floor housing THRIVE/Co-working which will serve as an Atlanta-based hybrid workspace. Or they might head over to Briscoe Park, which has become a favorite place to celebrate family reunions and a great place for sporting events or tournaments. Whatever you decide to do in Snellville, there will be no shortage of opportunities. And you can even help make those opportunities happen by becoming a volunteer with Experience Snellville. As Kelly says, volunteers are the heart of the city, and interested residents or neighbors can visit experiencesnellville.com to find out more. Whether you are hoping to learn some history by stopping by the Snellville Historical Society, enjoy the beautiful new library, or sample some of the best cuisine in the southeast, Snellville has everything you need. Head over today to be part of the experience of Snellville! More information at www.ExperienceSnellville.com
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Plants Forever Incorporated Continued from page 8 great many lights, and very tall soldiers. Major clients have the space to store their own décor, but PFI sets them up at the necessary time. PFI has a process in which they choose the right plants for clients’ lobbies and showrooms. The first step is to have a consultation and evaluation of the clients’ desires so that the appropriate sustainable design can be chosen. The next step is to bring together all the elements that visibly show the brand, which can range from classical to modern or a combination of both. Finally, by anticipating the needs of the client, the PFI team creates an unparalleled experience by offering hands-on service with a personal touch. With a staff of twelve people, they create a perfect design for their clients. They offer full scale interior horticultural design, boutique exterior horticultural design, and full-scale interior and exterior holiday design. They also offer care for all these designs. PFI has celebrity fans in the music and art industry. Those who love music and art are especially connected to nature and the beauty of plants and flowers. Since most people spend the majority of their lives indoors, it is vital for both mental and physical health to be in green space. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which is vital to breathing. Studies have shown that plants in an indoor space can improve stress levels, improve productivity, and increase job satisfaction in the workplace. More information at www.pfibranditgrowit.com https://www.facebook.comPfibranditgrowit
Lilburn Woman’s Club Continued from page 11 cheer. Most of these donations are funded by major projects like the recent Lilburn Daze and the new Taste of Lilburn, which was held last April. Please remember to support these projects to allow this great community work to continue! More information at LilburnWomansClub.org
December 2023 Our Town Gwinnett
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Finding the Right Care with Precious Hands Home Care Services By Kristen Eleveld
“The precious gift of caregiving; that’s what we’re here to do.” These are the words Rolande Lauture, owner of Precious Hands Care Service, used to describe the business that was an answer to a calling placed on her life. In August 2020, Rolande felt God was urging her to open her own home care business. At first, she was hesitant – everything about the year 2020 was fraught with uncertainty, and she already had a career. But, always willing to be faithful, she responded by telling God that if this was something He wanted her to do, then He had to show her the way, and she would follow. Rolande applied for a business permit from Georgia in 2020 and completed the process on her own, eventually leaving her full-time job to pursue this business. “God said, ‘Trust Me, step by step, and I will lead you,’” said Rolande, who moved to Georgia from Haiti when she was thirty-five years old. “Even now, when I am not sure what to do, I call on the name of God and He always directs me.” So, what does answering a call from God look like? For Rolande, it meant opening up a business centered on giving seniors and homebound people the guaranteed care and compassion they needed. From a young age, she had felt drawn to help people who could not help themselves. Precious Hands Home Care Services continues to reflect that desire as they work to create a relationship with each client and family she helps. The process is simple: if you or a loved one need nursing care, personal home care, or companionship, you give the team at Precious Hands Home Care Services a call. They will set up a time to meet with you and learn more about what you need. Once you decide to move forward, a
Pet Perch: Your Dog Food Has Bugs in It By Terie Hansen
Did you know that your dog or cat kibble most likely has storage mites, flour, or grain mites in it? Did you know that ingesting or inhaling these mites can cause allergies in your dog or cat? Allergies to storage mites are common in cats and dogs. Medications or allergy injections can be effective in reducing allergy symptoms, but it is impossible to eliminate mites from the environment altogether. But you can help to control your pet’s exposure to them. Here are some tips to help minimize exposure to mites in your pet’s food. Check that your pet’s food bag is free from holes or tears. If you use a bin, put the entire bag in the container instead of emptying the bag into it. This also slows oxidation of the food itself. Oxidation causes the food to leach or lose nutrients over time. Also, wash your food storage container with hot soapy water before
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nurse will conduct a physical assessment to determine the best care level for you. From there, services begin as often as you need them. Some clients prefer a set schedule and time; others keep their services more flexible to suit their needs. Whatever your day looks like, the Precious Hands Home Care Services team can make it work. Their only requirement is that clients receive at least four hours of services per scheduled shift in the best way for you and your needs. And when this team says they are available, they really mean it. Care is offered twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. During a last-minute emergency, a care team member is usually able to get to a client within four hours or less, meaning you won’t have to wait days to receive care if your other options have fallen through. In Rolande’s mind, this is all part and parcel of treating others the way you would want your own loved ones to be treated. “We want to provide each client the best care with love and compassion because it’s what we are in this world to do,” said Rolande. “We care for them like they were our own family.” Rolande and her team work hard to cater to each client’s individual needs. There is no one-size-fits-all philosophy to be found here. They work with clients as much as they can on everything from scheduling to the needed level of care. “Each time you have the opportunity to impact someone’s life, it gives you a sense of fulfilling your purpose on earth,” said Rolande. “It’s a personal fulfillment and it’s also my calling to help and to put a smile on the face of the seniors and medically frail community.” If you want to learn more about how these services can help you, give them a call at 770-837-8569 or head to their website and fill out their online form. Someone will be back with you in twenty-four hours to discuss your needs. Rolande said it best: “We are passionate about the care we offer – Jesus loves everybody, so that’s what we’re here to do.” More information at precioushandscare.com/contacts/ each new bag is replaced. Scoop out weekly supplies of food into airtight freezer bags and store in your freezer for two weeks prior to feedinge, thereby killing any live mites. Use this frozen kibble to feed your pet daily. Store any of your pet’s treats in the freezer as well. It’s impossible to completely rid your pet’s food of mites. Even if you freeze the food, their carcasses or feces remain. However, by freezing, you do keep them from multiplying! Since food mites are found in house dust as well, you can help minimize exposure to the mites, and any allergic reaction, by following the above suggestions as well as washing your pet’s blankets and bedding weekly at 60 degrees or higher. Don’t let your pets sleep in the bedroom, as there is a concentration of mites in mattresses. Treat your environment with mite spray. Keep humidity in your home below 50% as mites love a more humid climate. Be sure to vacuum frequently and choose a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Terie Hansen is Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com.
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One Man’s Opinion: I Hate E-Tickets By Bill Crane
Though not always an early adopter, I tend to roll with and learn the latest technologies as they become readily and widely available. With a few exceptions, I do consider technology to be a friend of productivity that frees us from dozens of tasks that at one time could only be accomplished with hours or even days of labor by hand. As a Boomer, I have seen a lot of enhancements come to the fore in my lifetime. While I can easily recall the 8-track, cassette, CD, and fax machines, I will attest that I never would have guessed that a palm-held device, such as a Smart Phone, would ever become so much a part of our day-to-day lives. This is not a column to attack Generation Z, Millennials, up-and-coming teens, or tweens who seemingly are addicted to those devices. This is instead a call out against those instances where technology can take us BACKWARDS, or at the very least to a more challenging, less functional, and even occasionally unsafe space. I HATE paperless e-tickets. I will point out, that whether we are speaking of your Delta boarding pass on your phone, or an e-ticket to a charitable, sporting, or entertainment event, this change created significant savings for the venue, the ticket brokers, and re-sellers and middlemen, with e-tickets ostensibly making it significantly easier to transfer, sell, and resell the same ticket, all sent seamlessly through the airwaves. Define seamlessly. What has undoubtedly become Less Than Fun is the process of accepting or downloading e-tickets for each event, saving time in your iPhone or Google Wallet (Android), or God forbid, forgetting this step and attempting to access your seats via Wi-Fi on game day. In the event of technical problems, we are now at the complete mercy of box offices with incredibly limited hours of operation, Call Centers with only occasionally helpful staff, frequent instances where glitches cannot be addressed or corrected, and tickets paid for that ultimately go
Tips to Take the Stress Out of Holiday Hosting By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
The holiday season is one of the best times of the year! Between cooking, cleaning, and keeping guests entertained, your time and energy can also be demanding. In fact, during the holidays, adults are five times more likely to say the level of stress in their life increases rather than decreases, according to the American Psychiatric Institute. This year, make life easier with these stress-reducing holiday entertaining tips, broken down into three areas. Meal Prep: You should work to get ahead with meal prep, which can mean more time spent with friends and family. If you’re tasked with serving a big holiday meal, prep the main dishes a day or two ahead of time so you can pop them into the oven the day of your holiday feast. You can also brine and season turkey, prepare your glaze, and score the ham, chop veggies, and pre-mix salad dressings the night before.
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unused. Thank God, though, that Ticketmaster, Stub Hub, SEATS, and the like all get their money, because after all, isn’t that what this is all about? The relationship between Ticketmaster and the SEC is apparently newer. If you are receiving a ticket invitation or transfer, via email or text, you must first accept the invitation. Click on the link to enter the app or the SEC Championship/Ticketmaster website. Enter your username and password, and click on My Tickets, and hopefully, your ticket gate, seat, and row number will then load onscreen. Click on VIEW TICKET where you will see an endlessly spinning blue circle. No tickets. The MB Stadium Box Office can provide a paper ticket, with proper documentation, on Game Day only. The Box Office will open at 1 p.m. and kickoff is at 4 p.m. That should be the highlight of the day. Who wants to tailgate? I am getting a strong feeling that thousands may be stranded outside on game day, cursing their phone screens and apps, for the technology marvel that won’t deliver on its promise. I don’t mind overpaying for entertainment or sporting events I want to see, for people I care about, clients, or worthy charitable causes. Strangely, perhaps there is just enough “Karen” in me that I do have a problem paying hundreds, occasionally even thousands, for event tickets, knowing that the funds certainly made it to their destination for the venue, sporting franchise, artist, and the middlemen ticket broker, and yet NO ticket for the ticket holder. It would seem that only the fan, and perhaps an athlete or two on the field in what will easily be a challenging game, run any serious risk of injury from this ongoing e-ticket scam. Most fans I know would be willing to pay a bit more to have PAPER TICKETS back, sort of like newspapers costing more than their electronic editions. Electronic ticketing also makes it easier for bots and the brokers to buy up larger blocks of seats, as they no longer need to be bothered with physical ticket retrieval, purchase caps, box offices, and the like – and again, the only crowd sufficiently guaranteed to be screwed are the fans, customers, and supporters of the team or artist. I give e-tickets an F. The last GOOD E-tickets were last offered when Disneyland and Disney World sold paper E-tickets (the most expensive) for the individual ride. I am only making one request to Santa this year: please bring back the OPTION of paper tickets. I will make sure that you, Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph get some REALLY great seats. Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com Festive beverages can be batched in advance so guests can efficiently serve themselves, helping you stay calm and collected during your party. And of course, don’t hesitate to ask friends and family to contribute a dish. Have Dessert Ready: Whether you’re throwing a holiday bash or expecting overnight guests, you’ll be the host with the most if you have delicious desserts on hand. Fortunately, serving baked goods made with care and quality ingredients is easier than you think! Stick with the classics like Entenmann’s – a 125-year-old brand with many delicious options. Convenient choices can prepare you for the night ahead should the doorbell surprise you with carolers or other visitors. They can also round out a buffet spread, help you end a multi-course feast on a sweet note, or simplify breakfast for overnight guests. All you’ll need to do is put the coffee on! Plan a Game Night: If your overnight guests spend more than a night or two at your home, you can keep them happy and entertained with some activities that require very little planning but are a lot of fun. For example, you can organize a game night, an excellent way to maximize your time together. Pick a few games that are well-suited for the crowd’s size and the players’ ages. Remember, the best choices for a party are games that inspire conversations, teamwork, and creativity. Or plan a movie marathon, picking some holiday-themed crowd favorites in advance. You can simplify feeding your guests during these low-key activities by putting out finger foods like crudité, popcorn, pretzels, and donut holes. With a few tips and strategies, you can ensure holiday entertainment goes as smoothly as possible. Have a great holiday season. (StatePoint)
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Creative Woodwork by Jon Continued from page 11 While teaching at a Psycho Ed Center, Jon found that his students would be stressed and exhausted mentally by lunchtime. He thought that if he could get them to work with their hands, he would be able to get through to them on other subjects. So, with permission from the administration, he began to have the students work in wood. Through this activity, the students could learn vocabulary, cooperation, communication, self-control, patience, and following directions. Jon would also make toys, games, and puzzles, and give them away. But friends would tell him he should be selling his work, and for a while he did, but it wasn’t as rewarding and eventually it became more like a job. So, he gave away some items. “If I was visiting someone,” Jon said, “I would make something to take. I read about some people in an apartment complex who had a fire, so I made them seventy-five toys. Then I started looking for organiza-
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tions who needed toys, puzzles, unique birdhouses. There are now ten places that I make items for. I make one or two things a day, then I box them up and deliver them. That gives me joy.” Jon has a workshop in the basement of his house in Snellville. He makes children’s toys such as trucks, cars, puzzles, and what he calls “manimals” – half person, half animal. He said he goes through phases making many items such as bird houses, then tires of making those and creates something new. “Once you put the puzzle together it’s done,” he explained. “So, I created stacking puzzles, which can be stacked twenty different ways and balance them.” He works in his workshop four or five days a week and likes to finish the object he is working on in a day or two. “Occasionally I make something unique like a rocking polar bear and rocking unicorn, and a three-in-one piece of furniture for infants,” Jon said. “It’s a highchair with a horse head, rocking horse, children’s chair and desk recreated from a picture I saw.” Continued on page 17
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Creative Woodwork by Jon Continued from page 16 Over the past few years Jon has donated his toys and puzzles to many schools, churches, temples, businesses, and hospitals. He made a gift for his neurosurgeon of an unusual artwork of vertebrae. Each bone of the spine is a little person in a position, with the top one reaching out as though recovering from a bad back. Anyone who has had back problems or spine surgery can relate to that! If you know of a charity or child in need that would appreciate a toy or puzzle, contact Jon at yesiwoodbyjon@aol.com.
Moms Helping Moms Continued from page 9 The second 100 members will receive a 50% discount, and the third 100 members will receive a 25% discount. MESH moms is open to pregnant, foster, or adoptive moms, whether they work or stay home. The online portal even offers a resource to assist moms in acquiring quality child care and gently used baby gear for those in need. A members-only private chat is available for moms to feel safe asking sensitive questions, though no medical advice is administered. Whether you’re about to embark on your motherhood journey, in the early stages, or in the trenches with the toddler years, MESH moms has a place for you. More information at www.meshmoms.com
Ryan’s Remarks Continued from page 7 2024. May it inspire us to continue building a community where kindness prevails, connections flourish, and the spirit of giving endures. Thank you for being an integral part of our story. I wish you a blessed holiday season filled with gratitude, warmth, and moments of connection. And, as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!
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