More than ½ of consumers plan to celebrate and spend an average of $193.00 this Valentine’s Day*. Depending on your age & health, that amount would more than cover the annual premium for $100,000 or more in life insurance protection. Give a gift that is truly meaningful – insure your love.
We can help with the following:
- Investment decisions
- Pension & retirement decision making
- Tax reduction & deferral advice
- Harvesting Plan for retirement assets
- Timing of Social Security
- Mortgage & real estate decisions
- IRA/Roth contributions
- Charitable giving planning
More than 35 Years of Helping People with their Money
Roger S. Green, MSFS, CFP® Green Financial Resources, LLC 770.931.1414 | www.RogerSGreen.com
- Small business financial planning
- And much more....
For a life insurance quote or a complimentary consultation
ATTENTION - Double check ad for ALL content. Phone, web, address, coupons, etc. Assume nothingReply back that ad is approved once ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR ACCURACY.
plan for your financial future
call 770.931.1414.
Barron’s Top 1000/1200 Advisors 2009-2016 & 2019-2020
Investment Advisor Representative offering securities & advisory services through Cetera Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker/Dealer, member FINRA, SIPC. Green Financial & Cetera Advisors are not affiliated. Awards are not to be considered a guarantee of future results, nor as an endorsement by any client. Best of Gwinnett & Best of the Best winners are chosen via voting and editors’ input, & opinions are vetted with the use of other available information. Pinnacle award rankings are based on growth, revenue, community service, & other criteria. Barron’s: based on total assets (AUM), revenue, & other factors. Since 1997, office located at 3700 Crestwood Pkwy, Ste 140, Duluth, GA 30096. CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S. *NRS.com.
As we come out of yet another hurricane season, many of us may be worried about the state of the roof over our head. Whether you know your roof was damaged or are just worried that it needs to be evaluated for any potential issues, the team at Perimeter Roofing has exactly what you need: roofing expertise and a mission to help their community.
Whether it is an entirely new roof or the smallest part to be replaced, Perimeter Roofing prides itself on being able to help each client as needed.
“We help every homeowner, regardless of the size of the job,” said Todd Price, president and CEO of the company. “I treat every job as if I am working on my own mother’s house.”
This dedication to giving customers only the highest-quality experience is one of the many things that sets Perimeter Roofing apart in the Gwinnett community. Todd and his team are experts in working with insurance companies, not only to help you find the right coverage for your roof repairs, but also to help you navigate the ins and outs of finding what type of roof or repair you need.
Because Perimeter Roofing is so accomplished in their knowledge of a wide range of roofs, roof systems, shingles, and other related roofing materials, they are able to help each client have what we all want: a safe and secure roof over our home.
Perimeter Roofing stands out even more in the roofing industry through their status as one of only seventeen licensed roofers in the state of Georgia. While a roofing license is not legally required in Georgia, Todd knew that getting a roofing license would allow him to better serve his clients, both through meeting their roofing needs and giving them the best client care experience.
When they are not fixing or evaluating roofs, the team at Perimeter is working with their 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Perimeter Cares. This organization, started by Todd several years ago, aims to help
children in Gwinnett schools by paying off lunch debt and providing more kids with the opportunity to eat a hot lunch every day. Along with paying off lunch debts, Perimeter Cares also collects backpacks and school supplies a few times a year to donate to any child who can’t afford them.
But Todd isn’t done helping his community. Perimeter Roofing has a mission to
Continued on page 8
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
Creative Director
Elsie Olson
Elsie@EndResultz.com
Editor
Catherine L. Osornio
Editor@EndResultz.com
Cover Photography
Emil Powella
Photography
Distribution Coordinator
Wendy Head
Cover Story
Feature Writer
Kristen Eleveld
Feature Writers
Victoria R. Crosby
Tana Poncsak
Traci Sanders
Beth Volpert Johansen
Contributing Writers
Barbara A. Bailey, PhD
Jane Bishop
Bill Crane
Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz
Terie Hansen
Pam Walker
Dr. LaRonda Ward
5 On the Cover: Catching up with
8
I hope everyone is off to a great February and the second month of 2023. Our community continues to grow. Why? We are blessed with amazing people who choose to live, work, and play right here in Our Town. We should be proud of our community. Most communities are not as close as the ones we have. With that said, our attention span is short (or some might argue non-existent), so here are three points I want us to think about.
1. People love to smile and laugh. How many times have you heard a funny story that made your day? How often have you seen something so silly that it makes you laugh? You know – when you just keep laughing and can’t stop? How much fun do we have with long-term or deep friends whom we can truly be ourselves with? A lot of fun. And what do we do? We laugh. So, make someone’s day and make them smile and laugh.
2. People love to have fun. Why do you see so many people playing fantasy football, going to theme parties, and/or playing mindless games on their mobile devices? Many use these things as breaks from their everyday routine and to relieve stress from our constantly connected and noisy world. They are fun, simple, and mindless. Have you ever seen adults dress up in full gear for football games or a Halloween outfit? People really get into it. Why? We all love to have fun. This “feeling like a kid again” is the magic that most experience when they visit Disneyworld. And, it is what Disney is selling. We are supposed to act like kids and smile there, so we do. And in case you missed the memo, it is okay to have fun each day of your life. It is contagious.
3. People love technology yet miss the personal touch. How many of us just want someone to handle our requests promptly, get things right the first time, and save us time/stress when dealing with a problem that we’ve had with a good, service, etc.? I know I do. But instead, we hear, “For faster service, visit us online.” Note: This is CODE for “Don’t call us. We are busy, and if you go online, we don’t have to talk to you or staff as many people.” Thus, be sure technology works for us
Every day we are inundated with fad diets, temporary weightloss solutions, and short-term weight-management strategies that are not ideal for sustained weight loss. People are hurled into programs that offer nothing more than cookie-cutter approaches to health and wellness. Many people begin to wonder if their wellness goals will ever be achieved. These diets may work for the short term, but they do not take into account that most Americans are starving for nutrients and in need of cellular detoxification, stress management, and hormonal and endocrine support.
My approach to health is focusing on the cornerstone of wellness: nutrition. Nutrition is bio-individual. I take into consideration the foundational needs of each individual’s body based on their stress, exercise, genetics, and lifestyle. The nutritional needs of people vary from person to person, so I design a diet and nutrition program that is appropriate for the individual’s needs. What works for one person may not work for the needs of another. There are a host of mineral and vitamin deficiencies that can create disease in the body. Bringing these deficiencies up to optimum levels often eliminates symptoms and challenges in wellness. The fast-paced American lifestyle has many households choosing convenience foods over those used for fuel. It is believed that 9 out of 10 Americans suffer from deficiencies in key minerals such as zinc, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iodine, and chromium. Minerals create a cascade of enzymatic activities that support anabolic and catabolic processes in the body. Deficiencies in minerals can lead to both mental and physical aberrancies, causing dis-ease in the body.
Due to the lack of nutrients in foods, 94% of Americans lack essential vitamins such as Vitamin A, D, E, K, and B vitamins. Failure to
Continued on page 11
help every homeowner in need. One such example happened just last year, when Todd was watching the news and saw a story about a local veteran who had been scammed by a different roofing company and was now in desperate need of a new roof for his home. Todd reached out to the news station, found the veteran’s contact information, and replaced his roof for free.
“When there is a need, we try to step up,” said Todd. “We are trying to be part of something bigger than ourselves.”
Perimeter Roofing also partners with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, another local charity that builds and installs beds for children who do not have a bed of their own. Every month, Perimeter Roofing sets two days aside: one day is dedicated to building beds alongside the members of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Then they spend another day loading the beds on their trucks and delivering and installing them to kids in need all around the community. Sleep in Heavenly Peace also provides sheets and bedding that match up with a child’s favorite thing, like dinosaurs or unicorns.
Much of Todd’s desire to help the community and those in need was inspired by overcoming his own battle with addiction and homelessness. He feels strongly that everyone deserves a chance to be treated well and given the opportunity to thrive. This attitude extends to his business practices and philosophy, which Todd uses to provide opportunities to people who may otherwise struggle to find that second chance.
“It’s awesome to see employees who have rough pasts go from having nothing to building a career, making money, and becoming part of something bigger,” said Todd. “I want to see what we can build, how large we can grow, and how many people we can take care of.”
Todd and his team at Perimeter Roofing don’t just want your business – they want to help you in every way they can. If you have some roofing needs or just aren’t sure which step to take first for repairs, just give them a call at 678-948-7663. You can find Perimeter Roofing in Lawrenceville, Columbus, Marietta, Athens, area of north Georgia, Raleigh, Nashville, and Houston. Just find the location that works best for you.
If you want to help Perimeter Cares pay off lunch debts or with any of their other ongoing projects, just visit perimetercares.org or find them on Facebook to learn what needs you can help meet.
More information at https://perimeterroofing.com/
By Victoria R. Crosby
In this season of giving gifts and eating large meals, it is important to understand how many people, especially children, are in poverty suffering from hunger, which is now known as food insecurity.
I recently attended a lecture by people who are helping the situation. The talk was titled Food Insecurity and Homelessness in Tucker, featuring Executive Director David Fisher of NETWorks Cooperative Ministry.
Before introducing David, Mayor Frank Auman of Tucker introduced Don Andersen who spoke about the cold weather shelter that opened at the Tucker First United Methodist Church five years ago. The gym was converted into a shelter run by volunteers to provide a safe, secure place for men and women from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., when the temperatures are 30 degrees or below. The shelter averages thirteen men and five women, who, after being checked by an off-duty police officer, are provided with a hot meal and given a cot with a blanket while being kept socially distanced. Showers are available for the guests, and volunteers take shifts overnight, while a volunteer fireman keeps watch. The volunteers provide the guests with information about NETWorks, housing, and other helpful resources.
Gaye Auman, the mayor’s wife, also spoke of the importance of supporting NETWorks. She is a retired schoolteacher who has worked with children from kindergarten through 3rd grade, and in every class she said there were children who were living in poverty.
David Fisher has been the executive director of NETWorks since 2016, following his long career in the food service design and renovation business. Originally from California, David graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Notre Dame and has lived in Atlanta with his wife, Joy, since 1989. They have two children. Joy is an ordained Presbyterian minister and works for the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.
NETWorks includes twenty-one church partners who donate food, financial assistance, and parishioners who volunteer.
“When the pandemic hit in March 2020,” David said, “the demand for food and other assistance went through the roof. Many food pantries closed, but our attendance increased.”
The way people get into the system varies, he explained. Sometimes a person will the lose a job, then can’t pay the rent or mortgage, or they have to choose between paying bills and buying enough food to sustain them.
“Poverty is traumatic,” David explained. “It affects your ability to think and function. The Pandemic caused more people to become food insecure, not knowing where their next meal is coming from.”
Many children are born into poverty. If the mother didn’t have enough nutrition during pregnancy, the child can be born with health problems; then not having adequate nourishment during the childhood growth
Continued on page 13
Film production was brought to a halt for many months during 2020 due to Covid. Even when production resumed, actors and film crew were required to wear masks on set and have frequent Covid tests with proof of negative results before returning to set, which caused delays in filming and inconvenienced everyone involved.
Heather Drake Bianchi created a solution for this problem. A Syracuse, New York native, Heather obtained a bachelor’s in Biomedical Sciences in 2009 and two master’s degrees – one in Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, the other in Forensic Science. Heather worked in critical care medicine in the US for sixteen years and outside of the country for five years. She served as a paramedic for National Geographic and various other organizations, as well as assisting
in search and rescue efforts within Hurricanes Katrina, Irene, and Sandy.
As Covid began to cross over into the US, Heather recognized the need to keep people working and began to research ways to provide rapid, on-site testing for employees, especially those in the entertainment industry. CineMedics was launched in Syracuse, New York in 2020. This mobile testing site provided Covid screening, testing, and compliance quickly and effectively.
Heather was able to adapt her business model to accommodate numerous shifts in rules by multiple production heads, film unions, and federal agencies and keep production going for even well-known company events such as CNN’s Life Itself conference, Netflix’s Don’t Look Up production, and Hulu’s Big Time Adolescence production.
The company has grown rapidly since 2020. CineMedics is now part of Drake Bianchi’s medical services company, Drakos Clinical Laboratories. Drakos has multiple national and international testing sites, including one in Georgia in Peachtree Corners.
With these mobile facilities, Drakos is able to deliver results for film productions, large events, senior living communities, in-office executive medicine, or at-home testing in an hour or less. This results in reduced testing expenses and more accessible services for the public. In the film industry, this means fewer production delays and crew members no longer have to leave the set to obtain testing, thanks to the mobile lab setup.
Molly Dunegan, a leading scientist at Drakos’s Atlanta lab, shared, “We fit into your mold. You don’t need to fit into ours. We can build a lab almost anywhere and bring our mobile lab to you.”
Drakos provides mobile
Continued on page 16
Continued from page 8
consume these vital nutrients can be the cause of metabolic syndromes, hair loss, increased appetites, and severe cravings. Over-the-counter and prescription medications can be instrumental in creating a decline in essential nutrient absorption and/or assimilation in the body. Due to the unprecedented rise of autoimmune disorders, it is known that improper vitamin levels can cause fatigue, pain, mental clarity, and sleep disturbances.
This dilemma of nutritional deficits cannot be resolved by taking a general multivitamin from your local drug store. At Dr. Chris’ Natural Remedies our whole food solutions are tested to be as bioavailable and efficacious as possible.
In addition to nutrition, I focus on cellular detoxification. Cellular detoxification is the process by which harmful toxins and excess
metabolites are removed on a cellular level. When cells undergo detoxification, energy, metabolism and inflammation are all improved. This is key to any wellness regime, and is a weight management solution because it ensures that all cells are maximizing function and output. The results of this process are increased cognitive function, energy, diminished water retention, improved digestion, and elimination of waste from the body.
To facilitate wellness, I implore Traditional Naturopathic techniques, including muscle testing. I measure the energetic response to stressors and utilize Iridology assessment, zinc test, iodine test, urine analysis, food/lifestyle analysis, and nitric oxide tests. It is my passion to restore health so that my patients are able to live out their own passions and purposes.
Dr. LaRonda Ward practices at Dr. Chris’ Natural Remedies in Snellville. More information at drchrisnaturalremedies.com
By Tana Poncsak
Did you know that in the U.S. someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds? In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 805,000 people in the U.S. have a heart attack each year, and of those, 605,000 are first time heart attacks. February is heart month to bring awareness to heart health and what you can do to stay healthy and hopefully not become another statistic.
With the collapse of the Buffalo Bills football player, Damar Hamlin, and the death of Lisa Marie Presley, both due to cardiac arrest, heart health is on the minds of many these days.
First, there’s a difference between cardiac arrest and a heart attack. The American Heart Association differentiates the two indicating that a heart attack occurs when blood flow is blocked from the heart. Cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and an irregular heartbeat can occur.
If you suspect someone is having a heart attack or cardiac arrest, the American Heart Association says to call 911 or your local emergency number. In the case of cardiac arrest, administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), now available in many public venues, can be a lifesaving measure.
Heart disease doesn’t just affect older adults. The CDC reports that one in five adults who died of cardiovascular disease in 2019 were under the age of 65. It’s important to know your risks. The CDC cites high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and smoking can all contribute to cardiovascular disease. Other factors such as obesity and diabetes can contribute as well.
In addition, the CDC reports that choosing a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy foods, regular physical activity, not smoking, staying on top of conditions such as high blood pressure, and seeing your physician for regular screenings are all measures you can take to help lower your risk for heart disease.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has a number of resources and events available throughout the month of February to educate and bring awareness to the importance of heart health. So, learn more about heart health and keep your ticker happy.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice. For medical advice, please seek the advice of a licensed medical practitioner.
Have you ever thought about going to Patagonia in the winter? No, not the Patagonia clothing factory. I am referring to the Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia. The popular months to travel there are in the South American summer months of December through March. But this year I decided to try winter!
Our summer is not the best time to go as some hotels are closed, but those that are open offer a spectacular experience of the high Andes and the flora and fauna of that season. In winter, you can catch a glimpse of the eluxive Patagonian pumas, numerous alpacas, and guanacos, as well as many of the smaller animals such as the huemul, the smallest deer in South America.
There is an amazing group of hotels that do stay open all year round due to their popularity. The Explora group has wonderful properties in Argentina near El Chalten and also in Chile in Torres del Paine National Park and the recently formed Patagonia National Park, which was donated to the government of Chile by the late Douglas Thompkins and his wife Kristine.
Tompkins Conservation is still alive and well, and Kris maintains a wonderful museum in the park, which is probably one of the best in the world with displays on our planet and the changes and challenges that humanity is responsible for. Aside from the many amazing hikes and a visit to this particular Explora, it is well worth going just to visit the museum. It is also wonderful to see the huge herd of guanacos that inhabit the area as they challenge each other for mating rights as well
as just grazing on the grounds and hills alongside the valley where the lodge and museum sit.
All of the Explora hotels are well worth visiting in winter. Weather is variable, so while it will be cold, some days will have snow and others not. At the Explora in Torres del Paine, you can hike to Grey Lake and see icebergs float by that have broken off from the Grey Glacier. There is also a hike to Lake Sarmiento where the edge of the lake is actually made of Thrombolites, some of the oldest sediments in the world dating back to 3.5 billion years.
There is so much more to see during winter in Patagonia. It is one of my favorite places in the world. So if you want to go, don’t limit yourself to summer only!
Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@walkeradventures.com
Continued from page 9
years can also have a negative impact on that child’s future health.
“Affordable housing is relevant to each individual,” David told the group. “Many women are working two jobs just in order to pay rent.”
In 2021 NETWorks provided about 250,000 pounds of food and more than $165,000 in rent and other assistance, with just one full time and two part time staff members, and three hundred volunteers.
NETWorks is moving to a new location at 4296 Cowan Road, which will include a grocery store-style food pantry. People will be able to shop as in a supermarket, and volunteers will bag the food. The new location will be a larger venue with more food and larger refrigerators. Local supermarkets including Aldi, Sprouts, and Kroger all donate food.
A faith-based organization, NETWorks’ mission is “to respond with the hospitality of Christ to the food and financial needs of residents and to partner with them to find long term solutions to poverty.”
More information at networkscoop.org/thebigleap or call 678-520-5325
As a long-time Elvis fan, I was thrilled to see Austin Butler win a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Elvis, then crushed a few days later to hear that Lisa Marie Presley had died of a heart attack just weeks short of her fifty-fifth birthday. She didn’t look well at the Golden Globes, although two days before that, she was signing autographs and taking selfies with fans at Graceland in Memphis, celebrating what would have been her father’s 88th birthday.
I empathized with Lisa Marie, as I also lost my father when I was nine years old. But her father was a world-famous person who died at home where she witnessed the traumatic aftermath of his passing. I also felt for her when she lost her son Benjamin in 2020; then one of my sons died in 2021, so I understand her heartbreak.
People left bunches of flowers that covered the top of the wall that surrounds Graceland, and onto the sidewalk and the famous musical gates. They left flowers, candles, and notes of condolence to the family. Large flower arrangements filled the areas surrounding the Meditation Garden where Lisa Marie was buried next to her son Benjamin who committed suicide, and where Elvis, his parents, and grandmother are buried, with a small marker for Jessie Garon, his twin brother who was stillborn. Historically, the greatest number of flowers sold in one day in the USA was on August 16, 1977, the day Elvis died.
The Presley Family had requested that in lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation. This nonprofit offers support to various charitable organizations, especially those focused in the arts, education, and children’s programs in the Memphis area, or to St. Jude’s Hospital, which Elvis had supported.
Several thousand people waited in the early morning hours to gather on the lawn in Graceland to attend the memorial celebration of Lisa Marie Presley’s life. The family and friends were seated in chairs under a tent. Austin Butler and producer Baz Luhrmann were there, as well as James Burdon, Elvis’s guitarist, who was in a wheelchair recovering from recent surgery. Elvis Gospel music played before and after the service.
Jason Clark and the Tennessee Mass Choir sang Amazing Grace, followed by opening remarks from Joel Weinshanker, managing partner at Elvis Presley Enterprises, who said Lisa had conveyed her final wishes, “Don’t make it sad.” However, this was impossible for her fans, friends, and family. The invocation was given by Pastor Dwayne Hunt, who also gave the benediction toward the end of the service.
Musical tributes included the song To Sheila by Billy Corgan of
Smashing Pumpkins, Alanis Morrissette sang Rest, and Axl Rose of Guns ‘N Roses sang November Rain. Sarah Ferguson spoke of her close friendship with Lisa Marie Presley and quoted her late motherin-law, Queen Elizabeth II: “Grief is the price we pay for love.” Then she read the poem A Tribute to the Children by George Frost, the son of British TV host David Frost for his memorial service.
Lisa Marie had lived in Sussex, England from 2010 until 2016, and once helped to serve fish and chips at the local pub.
A longtime friend of Elvis, Jerry Schilling, who had known Lisa since her birth, told of how he always referred to her as “Memphis.”
Her mother, Priscilla Presley, read a poem written by her granddaughter Riley called The Old Soul, which included the line, “she always knew she wouldn’t be here too long.” Priscilla also thanked her son, Lisa’s half-brother Navarone Garibaldi, for being there.
Lisa Marie’s oldest daughter, actress Riley Keogh, was in the program to read a remembrance, a letter she had written to her mother, but it was read instead by Riley’s husband, Australian stuntman Ben
Continued on page 16
Continued from page 15
Smith-Peterson. In the letter, Riley states that she hopes she can love her daughter the way she and her brother and sisters, fourteen-year-old twins Harper and Finley, were loved.
This statement revealed to the world that Lisa Marie was a grandmother, a fact kept private for months. Riley and Ben’s daughter is rumored to be named Tupelo, after Elvis Presley’s birthplace, and that she was born in August of 2022, although this has not been confirmed by the Presley family.
The Blackwood Brother Quartet sang How Great Thou Art and Sweet, Sweet Spirit, Gospel songs that Elvis loved. On the back of the program of service, there was an Acknowledgement from The Presley family that read, “We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the love, compassion, and support you have shown our family during this difficult time.”
After the service, there was a silent procession through the Meditation Garden to view the gravesites.
By Jane Bishop
What does priceless mean to you? Items, gifts, “stuff”? For me, it’s much more than that. As my daddy aged, he experienced health struggles that he faced with stubbornness and tenacity as he pushed through often when I know he did not have the energy or fortitude. Why? So that he could enjoy the moment. During the last three years of his life, he had two falls that resulted in surgery, weeks living in a rehab facility, and other issues. He was often in great pain, physically and emotionally. I became embedded in caregiving at a different level for both parents. It was challenging, tough, stressful, and emotional. However, in all of the energy output, in all of the care given to both myself and my parents, I do not regret one moment of any of it. It was priceless
Pricelessness comes from moments that come and go so quickly, you hardly notice when they end or begin. You usually don’t even recognize the importance of a moment until it has passed. Today, I encourage you to practice staying present so you don’t miss a moment. Don’t miss the space that you are in currently. Whether it is a good or a bad, it is a pivotal moment of growth that you’ll one day revisit. Sit in that, reflect on that, cherish that. Ask yourself, “What is it that I can take in right now? How will I allow myself the time to do so?”
All of us, as time passes, will never get any second, any minute, any hour back. Therefore, how we invest ourselves in our moments either propels us forward, sidetracks us, or holds us back. That choice is and always will be yours to make. For me personally, as I sit back and review my own journey, as difficult and stressful as it has been at times, I recall the priceless moments that shaped who I am today. Above all, I am thankful I practice staying present to take it all in.
Life will throw unexpected interruptions at us that make us say, “Oh please, just let this be over.” As you practice consistently staying present in your life, you create the opportunity to stop, step back, and take in where you are. Only then will you truly say, “Wow… this is priceless.” As you ponder and reflect, remember, it will never be TODAY again. More information at www.janebishop.live or jane@takethenextstepcct.com
CineMedics Continued from page 10
laboratory testing services for Covid, Flu, RSV, STI, and routine blood work, incorporating the latest and highest quality technology.
“Most labs make you choose between the kind of care you want,” Dunegan says. “You can either get your test results quickly, or you can have testing done in-home, not both. Through our facilities, Drakos Clinical Laboratories offers the highest quality testing technologies available with on-site service and the fastest results in the Atlanta area.”
The sky is the limit as far as expansion for this company. In fact, the CineMedics division was recently contracted to provide its services on the new Netflix film “Our Man from Jersey,” which was filmed in multiple locations, including Europe, and featured some of Hollywood’s top actors – Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry, and J.K. Simmons.
Drakos employs fifty staff members across the US and UK, including four at the Atlanta testing site, and they’re adding more as they grow, to keep the world working!
More information at www.cinemedics.us.
Sit/down/sit drills firm up your dog’s sit and down commands. When you tell your dog to sit or down that is what your pet should do, and he or she should hold that command until told to do otherwise.
Oftentimes when owners give their dog the sit command the dog sits for a little bit and then either pops up or lays down. Follow through and have your dog do what you told him or her to do, not what your pet feels like doing. Allowing your dog to ignore your command gives your pet the go ahead to not listen to you at other times.
Let’s say you tell your dog to come to you, but in the past you’ve allowed your dog to do what he or she feels like doing instead of listening to you; then in that moment that’s exactly what your pet will do. Follow through to get what you asked for.
Here are some reasons why dogs don’t listen to their owners:
One of the things that my wife Kelly and I like to do at night is to watch TV shows together. Between juggling both of our jobs, trying to keep five children alive, managing a thousand of activities for every family member, and whatever it is that life throws at us, spending some time to decompress together at night is something that we really treasure.
So, we have decided to alternate picking shows according to our preferences, and while one of us will choose the show of our choice, the other one has to endure it and actually try to enjoy it. Some of her shows include, This is US, Virgin River, and Handmaids Tales, and some of my shows include Breaking Bad, The Office, and Yellowstone
Often while we are watching the shows, we find ourselves pretending we are in the shoes of the characters, and we begin wondering what our actions or reactions would have been if we were the ones in the show.
The reality is that our lives are a little bit less dramatic than the lives of most of the characters that we watch, thank you Jesus for that. Nevertheless, the roles we are playing in our lives count, and whether we are famous or not, we are writing our own story.
I am not sure what your life looks right now, but if your life is like mine, you may be in a season of drama, you may be leaving a season of comedy, or you may be even entering a season of terror. Yet, regardless of what your season may look like, I want to encourage you to make your story count.
The truth that we need to be reminded of is that someone is always watching, someone may be inspired by our words and actions, and more importantly, someone may be affected by the roles we are playing. For that reason, one more time, I want to encourage you to make your story count.
Rodrigo Cruz is the Lead Pastor of The Nett Church. More information at www.thenettchurch.com.
1. They weren’t taught the command in the first place! ***Your dog does not speak English! You cannot ask your dog to do something that you have not taught them.
2. The command was not taught properly and/or long enough. ***It takes a lot of patterning over weeks of time. Thousands of consistent repetitions for your dog to grasp a concept fully.
3. They weren’t consistently made to follow through and do the command. *** You give the dog a command and for one of the above reasons he or she doesn’t do it, and you don’t follow through to make it happen.
4. You haven’t maintained what you taught your dog. ***Even if you taught it and your dog knew the command(s) very well at one point, if you don’t use it enough your dog will lose it. Use the commands that you have taught your dog daily. Work them into your daily routine. It’s simple at that point. Use them when you’re making your breakfast or grabbing your coffee, before you go in or out of doors, at feeding time, before getting in the car, while watching TV, eating dinner, or inviting guests into your home.
These are all great times to insert a sit, down, or place command. Throw in some recalls while you’re walking your dog or playing in the yard. It’s all in the drills. Drills engage your dog and maintain a high level of performance, which makes your pet much more enjoyable to live with.
Terie Hansen is the Owner or Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com
By Barbara A. Bailey, PhD
Has the pace of life picked up lately for you?
For many, the school year is moving full steam ahead. That schedule alone can bring a faster tempo of life in your home, your work, and all the other activities that we find ourselves constantly juggling.
Maybe, you have decided to look for a new job, continue to look for a job, or decided to open your own place. I know around my community that new businesses have opened, and I haven’t had the time yet to visit them for a taste of new food or hear some live music or just browse for support and welcome.
It just seems to me that the demands on time and the pace have picked up since a few weeks ago when I found myself in more control of my schedule. And I don’t know about you, but when this shift happens for me, I must take some breaths, some breaks, and some reality checks.
Conflict lurks when stress occurs. It has its own agenda and can erupt when time is short (real or perceived) and too much needs our attention (all at once). We get in the car and find ourselves distracted, gripping the steering wheel, and not paying attention and before we know it, we’ve run a stop sign, a red light, or a school zone. Hopefully, no one has been hurt by our actions, but it can happen “out of nowhere.” You find yourself short-tempered. Your neighbor gives you a look
and probably doesn’t realize he or she has done so across the parking lot or backyard. So much for a friendly wave or nod of the head, right? It’s not just you or me. It’s many of us and we need to think about it now.
Think about your plan of action when you get under stress from increased time pressure in your life. It will happen. It.will.happen. So, to keep the conflict gremlin at bay, what is your plan of action?
Exercise. Take stretch breaks. Eat (not the time to skip meals) or eat without reckless abandon if stress eating becomes your coping behavior. Talk it out. Journal your thoughts. Maintain your sleep schedule (a big one that many of us shortchange ourselves). Say “no” a bit more. Remember, as said often, “No.” is a complete sentence. What works for you?
If you don’t have a plan, now is the time to craft it (How do you like that one? I added another item on your to-do list!). If you have a plan, work it and adjust it as needed to maintain focus, health, productivity, and perspective.
I have a sign in my home office: “Peace. This We Choose Each Day.” When the clock races, when my mind tries to race with it, and when the pace quickens, I find myself repeating this phrase. Maybe it will help you to practice proactive conflict management of yourself “in times like these.”
Barbara A. Bailey, PhD is the co-founder and CEO of The Healing Bridge Foundation.
page 7
and that we do not work for it. The personal touch in relationships built on trust matters now more than ever. Small businesses usually get this right, so please support one in our community today.
If we want to communicate more effectively, we must consider our audience. Do we encourage others? Do we make other people smile, laugh, and have fun? After all, adults are just big kids at heart. Being “normal” (whatever that means) is pretty boring. People want to see real, genuine, and authentic behavior. So, be YOU and enjoy living in your own skin and quit worrying about what other people are doing.
People will talk about you no matter what you do. So, my advice is to give them something good to talk about. Time is ticking and today is “a present,” “the present,” and “our present.” So, make the best out of each hour you have and encourage and inspire each other.
I wish everyone a super February, and I encourage you to make someone’s day. WOW them. Why? Because it feels great and it is an amazing thing to do. Be upbeat, be encouraging, smile, laugh – and if all else fails, “fake it until you feel it.” And until next time, and as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!
By Bill Crane
By the late 1970s, the famed nearly 50-foot tall Cyclorama painting of the Battle of Atlanta during the Civil War was moldy, wet, and rotting in places and making its way toward a landfill somewhere. It had been donated to the city in 1898. After its debut in 1885, much of the novelty of the 360-foot moving circular portrait had worn off. And in the decades since, Atlanta, a city nearly destroyed in the aftermath of that same battle, could not quite decide what to do with it.
1939 would bring the world premiere of Gone with the Wind to Atlanta. The diorama had been touched up and had some additions made to it several years prior, and after a quip by actor Clark Gable to then Mayor William B. Hartsfield that the only thing missing from the portrait was him, Hartsfield and the painting curators added a pencil-thin mustache and Rhett Butler to the curio (which remains today).
But by the late 1970s, Atlanta had its first African-American mayor and Maynard Jackson was faced with the choice of junking or salvaging the aging painting, with loud voices calling for each option. Jackson, typically operating with a cooler head, chose to save the painting, raising $11 million from private donors to restore the diorama as well as upgrade the building housing it at Atlanta’s Grant Park, outside the entrance to Zoo Atlanta.
Jackson knew that Atlanta school children by the busload would come to see the painting and be reminded of Atlanta’s fall and the Union victory, as well as recognize that President Abraham Lincoln’s following re-election was central to their own freedom. And Jackson knew that history was true, compared to the final vestiges of Lost Cause mythology, still being taught in some Georgia classrooms.
More recently in 2011, the Atlanta History Center (AHC) came to the rescue of the Cyclorama when later Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed was no longer certain that owning and maintaining the diorama still benefitted the city. The AHC’s masterful restoration has to be seen to be fully appreciated, as the History Center expended more than $35 million relocating, restoring, and producing the now incredible museum exhibit which surrounds and showcases the painting, part of a $75 million expansion of the History Center campus in Buckhead.
And now, the Atlanta History Center is entering the digital and film-making arenas, with the first in a planned series of documentary Originals and the first, just-released Monument: The Untold Story of Stone Mountain. This incredibly well-produced film is broken into segments, in total, just under 40 minutes long. The focus of the piece is on the times and motivation for the state purchase of Stone Mountain and the later completion of the carving, originally begun during the 1920s, with threads of racism, the Klu Klux Klan, and resistance to integration as well as fighting the end of the Jim Crow era woven well into its fabric. The carving was completed and dedicated in 1970 (https://www. atlantahistorycenter.com/monument/).
Continued on page 20
Continued from page 19
Stone Mountain had been an Indian burial ground, and later a productive granite quarry, as well as a local tourist attraction. But following the state’s purchase of the mountain and surrounding land in 1955, the intention was to make a bold, national statement, spelled out in old news footage in the documentary of then Georgia governor Marvin Griffin. Stone Mountain would make for an attention-getting and permanent canvas, with the finished carving larger than Mount Rushmore and begun by the same sculptor.
And without hushed tones or whispers, the Monument documentary brings forth footage of Klan rallies atop Stone Mountain, as well as words later enshrined in law and made in political stump speeches, making more than uncomfortably clear that although the original moti-
vations for constructing the edifice might have been less than a pure memorial to those who died fighting for the Confederacy, there was a then present tense secondary message as well.
The Stone Mountain Memorial Association (SMMA) has been making a small but steady number of additions to the park, with a planned “truth-telling” exhibit of its own planned for Memorial Hall and overlooking that same carving. Much as Maynard Jackson had hoped, school children are expected to flock there, this time receiving a healthy dose of honesty and hard truths that will hopefully foster dialogues in the classroom, back home, and still later in communities across Georgia and the South. I am glad that the Atlanta History Center has started us down this path, and I know that the SMMA will only take that mission further in the years ahead. And that’s a truth, as a proud Southerner, that I hope we can all learn to become proud of together.
Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm, CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com
By Tana Poncsak
Are you a reader looking for some great books or a writer looking for a great writing community and resources to help get your works published? Either way, Scribblers Christian Writers Club may be a place for you.
Charles de Andrade started the community in 2015 when he and two other writers got together to swap ideas about writing and publishing. The other two writers have since moved on from the group, but de Andrade has not only stayed the course, but he also continues to lead the community that now has thirty-two published authors with about ninety-five published titles as of December 2022, and overall, around fifty committed members. Another 250 people have signed up for the community’s newsletter.
“It was amazing how many Christian writers there were either thinking about being published or had been published and needed a group of folks of like minds to talk to,” de Andrade said.
For de Andrade, the community is a ministry.
“It’s a nonprofit, but it’s where I pour my spare time,” he said. “It’s neat to give a place where Christian authors have a voice.”
While some, including de Andrade, are overtly Christian writers, he said the rule is you don’t have to be an overtly Christian writer to join the community. You just can’t be anti-Christian.
Over time, Scribblers has evolved from being a place where authors could just talk with a group of other writers to a community that also offers several resources such as editors, narrators, illustrators, and more to help both novice and professional writers on their publishing journey. And there are other benefits, too – like attending events as a group to split the cost, making events such as book festivals more cost effective for the individuals.
For readers there’s an online bookstore offering many titles in different genres from children’s books, historical books, and more.
One of the group’s biggest challenge is spreading the word about community and making people aware of the selection of books they have to offer on the Scribbler’s website.
“It’s turned into a real group of folks that help one another get their works published,” de Andrade said. “And we have an amazing collection of genres, especially if people are looking for children’s books and historical books, some with local relevance. We also have crime and murder mysteries. It’s such a broad base of different types of writing.”
For writers today, de Andrade said the barrier to entry into publishing is the lowest it’s been.
“If you have a story to tell, you can get it out there and at a relatively low investment,” he said.
But with the ease of publishing comes the challenge of marketing.
“Marketing is the most difficult part of being a writer,” de Andrade said. “It’s time consuming and can be costly. Everyone would like to take your money, so you have to be very careful with what you do.”
His advice is to figure out what you can afford and make sure you don’t put your book out there until it’s ready.
Tying all the pieces together to help writers get their books out is an important part of what Scribblers is all about, and de Andrade said
Continued on page 23
State Representative Jon Burns (R-District 159) of Newington, Georgia in Effingham County is not new to the State House, having joined the body in 2005. Nor is he new to leadership, having served as the GOP House Majority Leader since 2015. But he is new to the Office of Speaker, arguably the second most powerful elected position in state government, and he will be bringing a slightly new approach to wielding that big gavel.
Burns was a close friend and confidante of the prior Speaker, David Ralston, and will be retaining much of his office staff, demeanor, and decorum in the well of running the chamber with an eye toward bettering the lives of all Georgians This helps explain his selection as Speaker by a unanimous vote of acclimation on the first day of this legislative session, while our Speaker in the U.S. Congress squeaked into office by one vote on the 15th ballot.
Burns is also a farmer and small businessman, very successful and visible within the timber industry in southeast Georgia. In the words of his peers in the House and elsewhere, he is a “classic conservative.”
From Dan Snipes, a Statesboro attorney who has worked previously with Burns, “He doesn’t have an extreme bone in his body. He is a principled, classic conservative.”
Burns is inheriting this gavel following a dear friend’s sudden and unexpected death, but the state and the State House are in otherwise good stead. A budget surplus of more than $6 billion is being sifted through and divvied up first: more reserves, some big-ticket onetime expenses, and another pay raise for educators and most all-state employees. There are fissures within the Georgia GOP, but they have a very comfortable majority, and almost all are at least on speaking terms.
I recently attended a lecture by Emory Morsberger who gave a very moving talk about his visits with a relief team to the front lines of the war in Ukraine. Emory serves as president for Tucker Summit Community Improvement District (CID), and executive director for Gateways85 CID, which is one of the largest CIDs, covering fourteen square miles, and directs all activities for these two metro Atlanta CIDs.
Emory Morsberger first visited Ukraine in 1998 when he began hearing stories from the Ukrainian people of freedom from Russia. On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine with a full-scale war.
“The people of Ukraine want to live productive lives, like any other group of people,” Emory told the people listening attentively to his lecture. “After the invasion five million women and children left the wartorn country, but men aged from sixteen to sixty-five are not allowed to leave. Many of the people who left went to Romania, Poland, Germany, and the United States.”
After sending financial contributions, Emory wanted to do more to help, and at the top of Stone Mountain, he prayed to God about wanting to do more than sending money. Many groups all over the world are helping, including churches, his local Rotary group, and Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC), a non-profit organization
When Ralston followed the first GOP Speaker since Reconstruction, who was leaving the office in a cloud of building scandals, the economy was in the midst of a deep recession, and budget cuts were the order of the day. The GOP’s ability to govern was in question and Ralston brought transparency, an open ear, common sense, and some occasionally centrist sensibilities, and would go on to lead as the second longest serving Speaker in Georgia history.
Burns is aware of the large shoes of his friend, but he also believes that leading such a large and diverse group of 180 and two very different political parties requires a LOT of listening.
Asked about his priorities for the session at a first-week briefing with members of the Capitol Press Corps, Burns explained that he is hearing from his Committee Chairs, Caucus members, as well as the other side of the aisle, on what they consider to be the most pressing needs for this assembly. He explained that he likes to gather his team and interested parties and build consensus around the table, and then the group has an agenda and priority order for proceeding.
Ralston inherited a House in disarray and in need of a strong, steady hand. The House coming to Burns has been sailing smoothly for several years, and an even more inclusive leadership style may be just right for the times ahead. Burns has already restructured how the House handles health care issues, creating another committee, chair, and structure to coordinate and plan together, as health care costs, particularly Medicaid, are one of the fastest growing drivers of the budget of state government.
The honeymoon will be brief, and many other House leaders of substance have chosen to retire in recent years. Burns will be able to make his own mark and imprint. The affable timber farmer has a disarming charm and the friendly ear already mentioned. One of the larger challenges may be redefining the relationship with the State Senate, which now has its own new presiding officer and lieutenant governor, but that is a column for another day.
Speaker Burns will continue to advance the House “culture of life” for the people of Georgia. Like his several thousand acres of timber, I think those roots will continue to deepen, and that growth will continue to reach for the sky.
Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm, CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com
based in Tucker that recycles home medical equipment and assistive technology. FODAC is a national organization founded in 1986 to collect durable medical equipment and distribute them to disabled resident and their families.
Emory’s Rotary group delivered much needed medical supplies and basic medicines to hospitals across the war zone. Thirty-seven pallets of medical supplies were shipped free by UPS within the US, and then flown by Delta Airlines at half price to Ukraine. One shipment equals
Continued on page 23
a month of medical supplies. It is the women of Ukraine who do the transporting as the remaining men are too young or too old. Truckloads of supplies come from all over the world in tractor trailers, bringing food and other essential supplies. Germany and Austria supply a lot of medicines. Black and Black Surgical in Tucker has sent medical instruments. Medical equipment has been sent to fourteen hospitals, including surgical drills and incubators for newborn babies. There are bomb shelters in every hospital, and when the air raid sirens go off everyone goes to the shelters.
There are programs for mothers and children supplied by UNICEF, but many people are living in gyms, schools, and other government buildings as the Russian bombing knocked out the power, so they had no power for light or heat until generators were brought in.
During the presentation Emory showed photos on a screen of the map of Ukraine, and which areas the Russians had taken, photos of bombed out buildings, and of volunteers bringing supplies. He said he didn’t want to show photos of children, as it was too heartbreaking.
He spoke about Putin as a PR genius and the Russian influence through social media on the 2016 US election. “I feel confident that he (Putin) will be gone by next year; however, he could be replaced by someone even worse.” Emory told the audience about the resourcefulness of the Ukrainians as he described how they repurpose the tanks that are abandoned by the Russians when they got stuck in the mud during the rainy season. Consequently, the largest supplier of tanks to Ukraine is Russia!
“I feel strongly that they (Ukrainians) are determined to win,” Emory said. “The Russians are not motivated; they don’t want to be there.”
Ukraine has drones and missiles which will blow up Russian ships. Emory predicts that the war will end early next year as the Ukrainians are pushing back the Russians.
When asked how he felt being in a war zone, Emory responded, “I
More information at helpingukraine.us
Cont’d
page
it’s a great encouragement to see the works that are coming from the community of authors.
“God’s providence never ceases to amaze me,” he said. “Our motto is We all have a story to tell for the glory of God. I’ve suddenly realized that every human being that I’ve met, if you really get to know them, they have a story they can tell. Some have decided to write those stories down. So, for me, it’s just a joy to see people telling their stories.”
Scribblers has grown and now has several chapters that meet in and around the Atlanta area, and chapters in Macon, Florida, and a virtual chapter as well. Now living in Florida, de Andrade still leads most chapter meetings visiting Georgia on a frequent basis.
More information at https://www.scribblersweb.com/.
felt like I was in a movie. I had no fear. I was just doing what I was supposed to do.”
