The Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Monthly Community and Family Magazine
Our Town
January 2016
Lawrenceville l Snellville l Lilburn l Stone Mountain
Meet the team at Parrot Productions, see story on page 5.
11 Cannon Church and Gwin Oaks Elementary: An Amazing Partnership 14 Lilburn Arts Alliance: Making a Difference in the Community 15 Community Spotlight on Vecoma at the Yellow River: A Hidden Paradise 17 Sports Talk with Coach Mike Demarest: Parkview High Cross Country
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These results may not be typical. Results with products may vary from individual to individual. These nutrition recommendations are provided solely to support good nutrition with the intent of supporting the physiological and biochemical process of the human body and not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Be advised that any nutritional program recommended by PAGE For on becoming andisease. Our Town partner call 678-825-2049 or email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com Our Town Dr. 2Gravante is not information intended as a primary therapy for any Prior toadvertising starting any diet, nutrition or exercise program, you should consult with your medical physician.
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On the Cover: Up Close with Brenda Bean of Parrot Productions By Rachael Brice Since we last caught up with her in August, Brenda Bean, owner of Parrot Productions, has been busy flying around Atlanta. Over the last couple of months, business has soared as Bean has performed in countless shows with her popular talking parrot crew, her trusty dog Albert, and her new assistant, Abby. Now that the holidays have come to a close, Bean is preparing for another busy year with a few new performing parrots that are equipped with new tricks and educational material that audience members will enjoy. Bean’s fascination for birds began in the mid-1980s when she purchased her first and favorite bird named Cash. Today she is the proud owner of over fifteen birds of various types from all over the globe. Five years ago when Bean noticed her birds were bored, she began booking performances at various venues and exhibiting her birds so she could teach and share her passion for them with others. Parrot Productions was born! Even after performing in over 200 shows per year, Bean is becoming more involved in the community. She is a proud member of the Snellville Tourism and Trade Association, and has begun to break off into different markets, including corporate events, customer appreciations, Bible study groups, and retirement homes. Most of the birds Bean has in her show are either highly or moderately endangered, or are rare. Some she has rescued from long-term homes where the owner can no longer care for the bird. Parrots live an extraordinary length of time and almost always outlive their owners. Many times the best thing for a parrot in that situation is a complete new environment where it has very little to remind it of the missing owner. “Bringing these birds back into a world where their grief is replaced with fun and newness is one of the reasons I love what I do,” she said. Besides traveling with her birds, Bean sells, boards, grooms, and trains parrots. She uses Plexiglas when teaching and reinforcing behaviors in her birds. With over thirty years of experi-
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ence with these exquisite animals, she knows what to watch for and if the bird is behaving aggressively. “Sometimes a bird can become aggressive if it is reaching maturity,” Bean said. “Although all birds reach maturity at different ages, some at five years old and some at ten to thirteen years old, the later a bird reaches maturity the longer it will live.” Bean noted that macaws mate for life and can live to be a whopping 100 years old, with some, like the Hyacinth macaw, costing anywhere from $10,000 $20,000. Bean’s Hyacinth macaw and Black Palm Cockatoo are two of her permanent show stars! The one-hour birthday shows feature a 20-minute teaching and a 40-minute hands-on-learning demonstration. Recently, she has incorporated new games for younger students. “Endangered or extinct?” and “Predator or Prey?” are particularly popular as students learn which of her birds and other animals are endangered, which are extinct, and which are predators or prey. Bean also likes to teach students about the birds’ various habitats, indigenous countries, and diets, and how we can learn from them. It is rare if you see Bean without at least twelve different birds in her show. “I really enjoy teaching others about my birds and everything they are capable of,” Bean said. “It gives me great pleasure to know my birds and I can brighten someone’s day and educate them about something new.” As the New Year kicks off, Bean is hopeful to continue to teach minds both young and old about her birds and the wonderful things they can teach us in return. More information at http://parrotproshows.com/.
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Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett /NE DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyright 2016 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.
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Daidra Annis Macrae Brennan-Fuller Stay Connected! Rachael Brice OurTownGwinnett.com Would You Like to Train Like An American Ninja Warrior? Heidi Campbell Read Online: OurTownGwinnettOnline.com Sarah Dickens Located: Beaver Ruin Village Shopping Center (Behind Kroger at Lilburn Crossfit 678) Kim Hill OurTownGwinnett 4153 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lilburn, GA 30047 Kathleen Mardis Michelle Watson OurTownGwinnett Contributing Writers Kelly Farris David S. Walker
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IN THIS ISSUE Ninja Warrior Obstacles
Parkour/Free Running/Tumbling Fitness Training Center
5 Up Close with Brenda Bean of Parrot Productions 7 From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion 9 THRIVE (ing) in Middle School 11 Cannon Church: A Natural Resource for Gwin Oaks
Elementary 12 Fitness Foundations: 2016 is Your Year! 13 When Can You Use Recorded Conversations in Court? $25 Off 14 Lilburn Arts Alliance: Building an Arts-Centered Community “Life is an Obstacle and NoOrthopedic Obstacle is Too Big!!!” Believe in the Children 15 Pediatric Associates of their Community Train with American Ninja River: A Hidden Paradise 15 Vecoma at the Yellow Warriors at the ONLY NinjaCross WarriorCountry: Gym in 17 Parkview Building Strength and Character this Area! 19 You Can’t Fight City Hall, But You Can Haunt It Would You Like to Train Like An American Ninja Warrior? Located: Beaver Ruin Village Shopping Center (Behind Kroger at Lilburn Crossfit 678)
advertising partner4153 call 678-825-2049 or 30047 email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com Lawrenceville Hwy, Lilburn, GA
Our Town
"Let's Be Glad You Did!" Let's Compare...
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Let’s Compare… "Let's Be Glad
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Did!" “You’ll Be GladYou You Did!” "Let's Be Glad
One Man’s Opinion By Ryan T. Sauers
Ronnie Cail, Agent
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@RyanSauers
Welcome to 2016! New ideas and new dreams come with a new year. With that said, this column is written to provide inspiration as we seek to make 2016 an amazing year. My question to you is simple: How bad do you want it in 2016? If you want something bad enough, you will find a way to achieve it. And if you do not, you will find an excuse. It is amazing how many people are “stuck” in old patterns of thinking or with an excusefilled mindset. Why settle for being stuck? It is time to get (new word here) “UNSTUCK.” Quite frankly, I hate excuses. My mindset is: Quit complaining, stop making lame excuses, and bring some passion to the table. Leaders find a way to succeed in any situation. Whiners will tell you about the problems that are in the way and that hold them back. Do you find a way to succeed no matter the circumstance? We all have 168 hours each week. Nobody has any more or less time. What do you do with your time? Do you focus on putting last things last? Or are you stuck in a continual “paralysis by analysis” or a “decision by indecision” mode? How bad do you want it? Remember, there is an opportunity behind each obstacle and a solution behind every problem. I challenge you to be a leader and make things happen. Plan your work and work your plan and you will grow – in all parts of your life – in a deliberate and intentional manner. Do you want to succeed bad enough to find a way, OR are you comfortable making excuses? Take it from Yoda, our wise Star Wars friend, who says, “Do or do not. There is no try.” What better time than a new year and an “awakening of the Force” to #MakeThingsHappen.
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THRIVE (ing) in Middle School By Daidra Annis Back in 2003, Daniel Rainwater was a student at Five Forks Middle School and a member of Grace Snellville Church. He and his friends wanted a club on school grounds that would foster faith and hope, while providing leadership opportunities for his classmates. From that humble beginning, Campus Thrive was born. Twelve years later, Thrive is now a 501c3 that exists separately from Grace Snellville Church, and provides a place for students to grow together as a community. Daniel Pruitt, the current Campus Thrive Director, oversees all of the area’s middle school programs. These five schools in the Southern Gwinnett area include Brookwood Cluster all the way over to Archer, one school in Walton County, and a hybrid program at Providence Christian School. In addition, resources and student-led leadership models are shared with other private schools. Thrive meetings are 100% student-led and typically meet on a weekly schedule before the school day begins. Club leaders meet away from their home school on Tuesdays for leadership and planning in preparation for the hosted meeting on Thursday or Friday. Attendance at the leadership meetings is vital. Leaders also participate in various service projects that serve both the staff at the host school, and the community as a whole. There is no fee to join Thrive, and even with no attendance requirement, an estimated 1,000 students participate each week. Some of the largest meetings boast 200-250 students. Benton Cranford, one of Thrive’s pastors, said that their main focus is to “empower students to lead,” a testament to their core belief that “Middle School students can impact Middle School students.” Curriculum teachings are themed around Life with God, and Why We Pray. In addition, Thrive encourages students to pursue their passions, and they provide an uplifting and motivational community for those sometimes tumultuous middle school years. Community support for Campus Thrive comes in many forms. Area pastors and churches serve students by leading them in curriculum and leadership. At present, more than five churches provide space for leadership meetings, and their pastors are involved in discipling students. Donations and adult/pastor volunteers are helpful in expanding the Thrive community in current schools and into new schools that want to host a club. More information at www.campusthrive.com
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Curves.com Curves Curves Curves Curves † Limit three free classes per person at participating locations only. Not valid with any other offer. No cash value and new members only. First visit discount may be offered in participating locations only. † Limit three free classes per person at participating locations Not*At valid with © 2016 Curvesonly. International, Inc. any other offer. No cash value and new members only. First visit discount may be offered in
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Proudly serving our community since June 2005. exchange for the three free classes. Free classes must be completed within International, 7 days of initialInc. consultation. Call for our class schedule. Offer expires 12/31/16. © 2016 Curves © 2016 Curves International, Inc.
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Cannon Church: A Natural Resource for Gwin Oaks Elementary By Kim Hill When our country experienced an economic downturn in 2008, American households and communities everywhere felt the pinch. For many years Gwin Oaks Elementary School (GOES) had enjoyed a quality reading program that was supported by parent volunteers. But as long-time Gwin Oaks teacher Claire Collins recalls, “During that one particular year when the economy was so bad, a lot of parents had to go back to work or had to take second jobs. We had only a few reading volunteers.” Around the same time, Ms. Collins’ pastor stood up one Sunday and talked about a vision for the community through service. She approached him afterward to share the many different ways church volunteers could help her school. A wonderful partnership between Cannon Church and GOES started that day. It began with a reading program and has evolved into so much more. Volunteers come during preplanning week to cut, paste, and laminate – whatever needs to be done. They are smiling faces on Registration Day to help Kindergarteners acclimate to their first two weeks of school. Most Kindergarten volunteers come back one day a week. Church volunteers also work in the media center, book room, and copy room, and assist during lunches. Cannon Church even runs shuttle buses back and forth to the school from the Nam Dae Mun parking lot when evening programs present a parking challenge. The reading program has one volunteer work with one child for the entire year, reading to that child once a week. On Dr. Seuss’ birthday, a Reading Extravaganza Day is held where Cannon Church volunteers read to every classroom. An annual book drive is held in conjunction with this special day, and every child leaves with two books to keep. That’s approximately 2,200 books. “It’s like Christmas,” says Ms. Collins. “It is so much fun – that’s my very favorite day of the year.” Continued on page 16
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Fitness Foundations: 2016 is Your Year! By Kelly Farris, ACSM CPT Happy New Year! Another 365 days under our belt and now is the time for clean slates and new beginnings. How can we sustain this excitement and energy and let it carry us for the next twelve months? How can we meet our fitness goals in 2016? Clarify your goals. Take the time to line up the specifics of your goals. Ask yourself, “What do I REALLY want?” Being crystal clear helps you maintain focus. If you can articulate your goals to yourself, then you will be able to express them to the ones you love and to help them understand how they can best lend support. Know thyself. We are all individuals with our own triggers and habits. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Don’t let ice cream through the front door if you are going to eat the whole container. Remove personal roadblocks. If mornings are hectic for you, make sure to pack your gym bag the night before and put it in your car. Find accountability. If you have a good friend counting on you to go for a walk in the park, you are more likely to go on that walk. Find yourself a workout buddy. Sign up for small group training. Schedule some time with a personal trainer. Once you have an appointment on the books, you are more likely to follow through. Be patient, not perfect. Shoot for being really, really good 80% of the time and being human about 20% of the time. Know that there are no miracle pills or quick fixes. Time + effort = change. Make it FUN. Life is too short to do something that makes you miserable. The good news is that there is a fitness option for EVERYONE. Try new things and find something that you LOVE! 2016 is yours for the taking. Get going! Kelly Farris is the owner of Ladies Workout Snellville and the President of KLF Fitness. More information at ladiesworkoutsnellville.com.
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Lilburn Arts Alliance: Building an Arts-Centered Community
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Lilburn Arts Alliance is a non-profit organization whose focus is to educate and promote awareness of the arts in the community. Their current president is Andy Triemer. The Alliance meets every two months at the Wynne-Russell House, located at 4685 Wynne Russell Drive NW, Lilburn. Anyone who supports the arts is welcome to attend the bi-monthly meetings. During each gathering, a working artist presents a technique or details on a particular artistic medium. Past presenters have included painters, photographers, a framer, and a pottery artist. In 2016 the Alliance wants to expand their reach in the community. They have a spring and fall art exhibition planned, and intend to offer classes throughout the year in addition to the presentations offered at the regular meetings. The Alliance knows the importance of strategic partnerships. They have continued to work with the Lilburn Women’s Club to bring awareness of the arts and culture to the community. The Alliance also wants to form future partnerships with those who have expertise in other art forms, such as dance, music, and theater. Lilburn Arts Alliance encourages anyone who is interested in supporting and promoting the arts in the community to become a member. Some of the benefits include meeting local artists, arts education, supporting arts in Lilburn, discounts on classes and exhibits, and a presence on the Alliance’s website. The Alliance is a new organization, less than three years old; but, with the support of members and the actions of the Board of Directors, they are growing. Undoubtedly, they offer Lilburn and the surrounding area an outlet for artistic expression that can be seen and enjoyed by the entire community. More information at www.lilburnartsalliance.org
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Pediatric Orthopedic Associates Believe in the Children of their Community
Vecoma: A Hidden Paradise
By Heidi Campbell
By Rachael Brice
The Pediatric Orthopedic Associates are a group of well-trained, community spirited doctors, most of whom “shake off” their lab coats to appear more approachable to their young patients. With Gwinnett locations in Duluth, Lawrenceville, and Snellville, the growing practice serves patients for sports injuries as well as all other developmental conditions. Drs. Meehan and Schmitt opened the initial location at Atlanta’s Century Center in 1996. Since then, the practice has grown to encompass fourteen locations in the metro area and Columbus, with a new location in Macon. The practice serves all orthopedic needs, including common childhood conditions like scoliosis, flat feet, in and out toeing, and leg lengthening, with a strong emphasis on sports injuries. “The pediatric providers will see patients up through age 30,” explains CEO Micki Gulley, “and we established our Next Level sports in order to give teens and adults with sports injuries a place to go.” The practice, which accepts most insurance plans including Medicaid and CMOs, has an impressive staff of fifteen doctors and seven extenders. They strive to provide the most outstanding patient care and customer service. “We don’t require referrals; we save that cost and time for our patients,” Gulley points out. “When a patient calls with an injury, we almost always get them in the same day. We make it a priority.” Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, one of the newest doctors to join the team, says that the diversity of the doctors is one of the unique characteristics of the practice. “Every one of our physicians are fellowship trained, which requires an extra year after medical school. This practice truly has a physician for every single orthopedic problem, including spines, hips, cerebral palsy, and hands.” The doctors engage in volunteer outreach programs in conjunction with the Gwinnett Medical Center, involving fourteen different high schools, eleven events, and two soccer clubs. They work with the residents from Emory Medical School and the Nurse Practitioners from Kennesaw State. They offer free sports physicals for high school booster club fundraisers, set up sports medicine booths at Atlanta events including the Hispanic Health Fair and the Kids Triathalon, work with the dancers at the Atlanta Ballet, and serve local athletic programs. Each doctor is assigned a high school, serving as the volunteer sideline physician for all of the home football games. Continued on page 18
The hustle and bustle of a crowded, noisy city can cause anyone to desire a bit of peace and quiet and an escape to a secluded mountain house or remote beach house, but in the late 1920s Venie and Cotton Mather decided to build their six-sided vacation cabin next to the Yellow River in Stone Mountain. Set upon seventy magnificently wooded acres, the land, rich in history, can be traced back as early as 900 B.C., when it formed part of the extensive Native American southern trading route. In 1927, the cabin was completed and named Vecoma, a derivative of Venie and Cotton’s names. The place proved to be a pleasant country home for the Mather’s and their four daughters. It is now a piece of history as it has been passed down through four generations. Today Vecoma is a family-owned and operated business, serving thousands of guests as an award-winning event venue that hosts over 100 events a year. Intriguingly, one of Venie and Cotton’s granddaughters, Judith Warren, proposed the idea to transform the land and cabin into an event venue. Wanting to keep the property in the family, she developed a plan to build the business and host weddings and events. Vecoma opened its doors to the public in October of 1996. An elegant, intimate setting for birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, weddings, receptions, and corporate events, Vecoma is a perfect “getaway” location where guests are able to enjoy its breathtaking views, the meandering Yellow River, and the surrounding woodlands while sipping on their favorite cocktail or dancing to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.” Although Vecoma prides itself on its events, it is best known for its wedding ceremonies and receptions. Caroline Tucker, executive director at Vecoma and one of Venie and Cotton’s greatgranddaughters, has been with the business from the beginning. “I love being at the weddings and events,” Tucker said, “because the brides are always beautiful and everyone is always happy, smiling, and having a good time with their family and friends.” Vecoma has hosted over 2,000 weddings and special events and is celebrating their twentieth anniversary this year. Of course, when planning a wedding, cost is always the key item in question. Tucker said Continued on page 18
Be Our Guest for an Open House! We Have Several Dates Available Meet our staff, tour our campus and learn how our school can provide your child an excellent, Christ-centered education in a safe, loving environment. Providence is a distinctly covenant, Christian school that encourages spiritual development while integrating Biblical truth into every subject area.
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PAGE 15
Gwinnett’s premier event destination for 20 years!
Cannon Church
Continued from page 11
A church fundraising drive provided funds to start new programs in the community that aligned with the vision of the church. Ms. Collins asked for money to start a Resource Center at the school, with the church giving her more than she asked for. Based on parent feedback, she designed a space filled with many wonderful learning tools including a computer, flash cards, learning-based games, books, tag pens, DVDs, and test prep materials. These items make learning fun, encourage family participation, and are tools that the teachers do not have in the classroom. A church volunteer comes almost every day to help students find what they need. The saying, “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime,” was chosen as the Center’s theme, an idea that is instilled in each child as the materials are checked out. “What started out as one little seed, one idea, has blossomed into something that I never dreamed it would be,” says Ms. Collins. “The Cannon volunteers come in and support everything we do here, and make this the place where it’s ‘highest level of learning for all.’ That’s our motto, but it really is true. When the Cannon volunteers come in, they help us to do that.” For more information contact Ms. Collins at Claire_Collins@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
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Parkview Cross Country: Building Strength and Character By Michelle Watson Coaches are in a unique position of influence over athletes. This is especially true of high school coaches. Mike Demarest began his second year at Parkview High School in the fall of 2015. He is the head coach of Parkview’s cross country distance running team in the fall and works as an assistant track coach in the spring, working with distance runners as well as with long and triple jumpers. Coach Demarest graduated from Dacula High School, where he ran under Andy Christie, who now coaches at Mill Creek in Hoschton, Georgia. Christie was his biggest influence and the reason Demarest aspired to become a head coach. The two still keep in touch, and Demarest desires to build that same rapport with his athletes, to see the things they accomplish once they graduate high school. The Parkview Cross Country coaching team includes Assistant Coach Richard King and Coach Bjorn Thornton. King has been a community coach at Parkview for twenty-one years and serves the girls’ cross country team as well as the distance runners and high jumpers in track. Thornton is the Panthers’ strengthening and conditioning coach who ensures that the Panthers are properly training to build and maintain their athletic abilities. He has been with the team four years and also coaches Parkview’s hurdlers during track season. Developing good student athletes involves two main ingredients: physical training and character. The physical training cross-country runners need is unique. It is not designed to build bulk or to create strength to withstand resistance. Strength training is designed to strengthen their lower backs for downhill running or their thighs and buttocks for uphill running. Exercises such as bicep curls teach them to maintain proper posture and positioning when running. Additionally, conditioning builds endurance so that the runners can complete long distance challenges. The character training of student athletes is equally important to Coach Demarest. Grades Continued on page 21
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“We work closely with the trainers and athletic directors at these schools,” Rodriguez explains. “It’s a great benefit to the student athletes, because everyone is in the loop. The trainers and coaches know what’s going on. If there’s a student that we flag – maybe they have a history of concussions or an ACL repair – we let everyone involved know. If the athletes were just going to their primary doctors, the school personnel would miss out on that important communication.” Their mission statement states that they want to be the “highest quality provider of compassionate, scientific, and ethical orthopedic health care to children and young adults.” Their compassion is clear: they go above and beyond in order to best care for kids. They are a passionate group of doctors who collaboratively provide the best outcomes. “One of our doctors, Dr. De, even makes specialized casts. I saw one kid leave with a Clemson cast,” shares Rodriguez with a smile. More information at http://www.mypedsortho.com/
Vecoma
Continued from page 15
Vecoma is available every day of the week, but the best price a couple will receive will be on a weekday. “Some people don’t realize they can get married on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon,” Tucker said. “Why, we hosted a wedding in July on a Tuesday in the middle of the afternoon and it went beautifully. If couples are looking for a great deal on a wedding, I would recommend going against tradition of a Saturday night wedding and opting for a Friday, Sunday, or weekday instead.” While Tucker is proud to serve all types of brides and grooms and welcomes their different and unique tastes and themes, she is most proud of the awards the venue has won. In its first year presenting awards, The Knot, a popular wedding website, presented Vecoma with one of five “Best of Weddings” awards. Two years ago, The Knot created The “Hall of Fame” award and Vecoma was the first and only venue in Georgia to win that year. The esteemed establishment has also won more awards and five-star reviews than any other venue in Georgia. Atlanta has changed quite a bit since the 1920s, and so has Vecoma; but the peace and tranquility of the Mather family’s land and cabin have not been forgotten and will be treasured by many others in the years to come. Whether you’re planning an event for 50 or 300 guests, Vecoma ensures your event will be the best it can be with a personal family touch. More information at http://vecoma1.com/.
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You Can’t Fight City Hall, But You Can Haunt It By Kathleen L. Mardis You may have heard screams on autumn nights near Snellville’s City Hall Campus. Those were the sounds of the Snellville Ghost Tours, Snellville Arts Commission’s (SAC) annual haunting of city hall. Snellville Ghost Tours is the brainchild of the mayor, the city council, and the arts commission. The premise of the tour is to have era-authentic fictional ghosts tell artful retellings of Snellville’s history that entertain and inspire the community with a thrill or a laugh, and sometimes even both. The cost of the tour has been kept at $2.00 per ticket so that no family misses the fun because of lack of affordability. Local citizens portray “local” ghosts who act as part of the real Snellville history with a macabre touch: telling the terrifying (or terrifyingly funny) stories of how they came to be. Want to know more about the devastating hailstorm of 1931? Bobby Lee Joad, a Snellville farmer, pelts you with the facts. Why was the grand marshal of the Snellville Days parade of 1983 (George “Goober” Lindsey) indirectly responsible for the death of one of the most colorful of the Snellville Ghosts, the Grand Pooh Ba of the Ancient and Noble Mystic Order of the Shrine? He parades the legend for you. The tragic tale of the “Gray Lady” brings a few guests of the tour to tears. Most terrifying of all is the tale of the Ghost Bride, who survived the great influenza epidemic of 1918, only to perish on Snellville’s roads. These are a just few of the Snellville Ghosts, who also include three veterans in a touching story written by Snellville Mayor Tom Witts that is acted out at the Veteran’s Memorial. The Ghost Bride story comes from the inaugural year of the Ghost Tour as the first place winner of a writing competition hosted by the SAC. Jonathan Cates, known better for his incredible acting talents and teaching, penned the sad tale that it is quite the favorite of tour guests as well as the producers, cast, and crew. Want to be a part of this annual fright fest? Actors (even novices) are welcome to be one of the ghosts or a tour guide. Moreover, if you’re interested in make-up, sets, fund raising, or just being a part of the group, this event is for you!
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Cross Country
Continued from page 17
must be maintained to participate in cross-country, just as with any high school sport. But because colleges are not clamoring over each other to recruit runners, excelling in academics is much more important to cross country athletes who wish to attend their college of choice. In addition, serving others plays a much larger role in Demarest’s strategy. The members of the Panther running team may tutor, coach swimming, serve as camp counselors, serve in leadership at church, or host a food drive, among other things. Though much of the volunteering is individual, there are times when the runners volunteer as a team. For instance, after a large banquet or gathering, whether home or away, they take the extra food to the nearest fire department to bless the local first responders. They also volunteer with the Scleroderma Foundation of Georgia’s annual 5K run. Members of the Panthers can be seen handing out water or t-shirts or marking the course for the runners. Coach Demarest and the entire Panthers Cross Country team would like to thank the team’s sponsors. Without their support, nothing the team does would be possible.
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PAGE 23
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Serving you at Chick-fil-A Lilburn CFA Stone Mountain CFA Lilburn Chick-fil-A Scenic Highway CFA Scenic Highway (770) 925-2027 • 4801 Lawrenceville Hwy Nw CFA Snellville (770) 979-7488 • 1559 CFA Scenic Hwy N Stone Mountain
Chick-fil-A Lilburn (770) 925-2027 • 4801 Lawrenceville Hwy Nw Chick-fil-A Snellville
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Chick-fil-A Lilburn (770) 979-7912 • 2932 Main St. W
® ® © 2015 CFA Properties, Chick-fil-A and Chick-fil-A Stylized (770)Inc. 925-2027 • 4801 Lawrenceville Hwy Nw are registered trademarks of CFA Properties, Inc. Chick-fil-A Lilburn Chick-fil-A Lilburn Chick-fil-A Stone Mountain (770) 925-2027 • 4801 Lawrenceville Hwy Nw (770) 925-2027 • 4801 Lawrenceville Hwy Nw ® © 2015 CFA Properties, Chick-fil-A®•and Chick-fil-A (770)Inc. 736-5809 5075 StoneStylized Mountain Hwy are registered trademarks of CFA Properties, Inc.
Chick-fil-A Lil (770) 925-2027
© 2015 CFA Properties, Inc. Chick-fil-A® and Chick-fil-A Stylized® are registered trademarks of CFA Properties, Inc. © 2015 CFA Properties, Inc. Chick-fil-A® and Chick-fil-A Stylized® © 2015 CFA Properties, Inc. Chick-fil-A® and Chick-fil-A Stylized®© 2015 CFA Properties, Inc. Chick-f are registered trademarks of CFA Properties, Inc.
are registered trademarks of CFA Properties, Inc.
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