JANUARY 2020 (BLUE) Our Town Gwinnett Monthly Magazine for Gwinnett/NE DeKalb

JANUARY 2020 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker

Up Close with Eddie’s Automotive Service, see story on page 5

10 12 13 18

Michael Doyne: Making a Difference at Lilburn Middle One on One: Joseph Alexander of Trickum Middle School From Childhood Hobby to Big Business: Meet Joe Davis Helping Others: Bringing Smiles to a Community in Need

The Village Corner

German Restaurant, Bakery & Tavern We are a full-service bakery, restaurant, and tavern specializing in German cuisine.

Happy Valentines Day!

“Dr. Simmons is proud to offer Botox and Dermal Fillers. Call the office to schedule your consul

6655 James B Rivers Dr. Stone Mountain, GA 30083

(770) 498-0329

Hours Of Operation: Tuesday - Friday 9am-10pm Saturday 8am-11pm Sunday 10am-9pm Closed Monday

Celebrate with Us!

At the office of is John W. Simmons, Dr.dental Simmons honored to IV, we are committed to providing you with the h comprehensive dental care, focused on improving both the function and beauty of your smile. be one of only nine dentists patient care and comfort are our primary concerns. We are proud to run a practice that treats in gentle, Georgia to have passed kind, and caring manner, just like family. We offer a full range of the latest cosmeti the rigorous testing required procedures that concentrate on ensuring long-lasting, brilliant results you will love, and othe

Cosmetic Dentistry The cosmetic procedures we offer can dramatically enhance the appearance of your smile. We offer a wide selection of procedures that can correct almost any dental imperfection.

Before

• Porcelain Veneers • Teeth Whitening • Dental Bonding • Gum Recontouring • Dental Implants • All-Porcelain Crowns

“

BEFORE

AFTER

“

overall dental health.

H eexcellent a lt H y • B e a u t i f u l • i n s p i r e d PAGE 2

J OHN W. S IMMONS,

2381-B Main Street E Snellville, Georgia 30

After At a loss for words to describe the immense joy that comes with being able to smile confidently. An emotion which was being involuntarily Our superior services recapture thebefore health, functionality, suppressed more or can less subconsciously I received care. A and beautiful, youthfulsymmetrical appearance your natural andof gleaming smile is well worth any amount smile. Our practice focuses onone providing and that is Smiles number priority. I would recommend Dr. Simmons to anyone interested; a true professional in his craft. long-lasting results and promoting

Compassionate Dentistry

to earn accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. His state-of-the-art equipment and updated technology D.M.D., P.C. • SUPERIOR DENTAL CARE AND COSMETIC DENTIST allow him to affordably serve his patients by providing healthy, beautiful smiles. Our experienced team provides five-star service, personalized care, and an extraordinary commitment to your health and well-being. Please join our family by scheduling a new patient exam.

Call for an Appointmen

770-985-243

John W. Simmons, IV, DMD, PC

2381-B Main Street East www.smilesbysimmons.c Snellville, Georgia 30078 Hours: Monday 9:00am - 7:00pm Tuesday 7:00 770-985-2437 Office • SmilesBySimmons.com

Dr. John W. Simmons, IV

Wednesday 7:00am - 6:00pm Thursday 7:00am -

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Our Town Gwinnett

together Now

for your health.

Northside Hospital and Gwinnett Medical Center have joined forces to bring better health care to the communities we serve. We don’t take this mission lightly.

That’s why our new system unites our many convenient locations, our broad network of distinguished physicians and extensive array of comprehensive services. Because exceptional health care isn’t any one thing. It’s everything.

Welcome to your Northside.

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Our Town Gwinnett

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PAGE 3

FANCY FEATHERS 3180 Oakcliff Industrial Street, Doraville Georgia 30340

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Also open by appointment.

Offering all parrot/bird supplies at wholesale prices. We sell hand fed BABY PARROTS and cockatiels. Please call 770-986-0661 or visit fancyfeathersstore.com.

Featuring Zupreem, Pretty Bird and Dr. D’s pelleted diets, laAvian seed diets along with our own mix, Fancy Feathers, of seeds specialized for parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, finches and Gouldian finches.

Online store at fancyfeathersstore.com

2019 babies are coming in!

Currently available l Macaws l Amazons l Cockatoos l Cockatiels l Conures See Facebook page ‘Fancy Feathers Atlanta’ for pictures.

Educational Entertainment

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Enjoy an interactive hour learning about these magnificent birds.

Parrot Productions Brenda Bean (770) 715-5337

Call us now to book your next party, school or retirement home entertainment.

parrotproshows.com

Check our website for events!

Go to menu, then events—we might be at a library near you!

PAGE 4

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Our Town Gwinnett

On the Cover: Eddie’s Automotive Service: Your One-stop Shop for All Your Automotive Maintenance & Repair Needs

By Kristen Eleveld Your car is a critical part of your daily life, and you don’t want to trust its care to just anyone. You need someone who will look out for your safety and listen to your concerns, while providing the expertise you need to keep your car dependable. You can find all this and more right in Lilburn, at Eddie’s Automotive Service.

As of February 2020, Eddie’s will have served the Lilburn community and surrounding Gwinnett/DeKalb area for 32 years. It’s clear that they have something to offer their community because their customers return time and time again, relying on the talented team at Eddie’s to keep their vehicle running smoothly.

If you stop by Eddie’s on any given day, you will likely find Eddie and his wife, Wanda, doing what they do best: serving their customers. Eddie is almost always there, unless he is acting as a shuttle service for customers trying to get to their homes or jobs. He also makes trips to get parts needed in order to finish repairing or servicing a vehicle as quickly as possible. Completing the job on time is a high priority for both Eddie and the technicians on his staff.

Meanwhile, Wanda works on marketing, which involves various ads, sponsorships, and local fundraisers. This ensures the community has the chance to know Eddie’s Automotive Service and what makes it such a popular choice for many people in Lilburn. Wanda also spends a lot

of time with customers, getting to know them and creating relationships that often go on to last a lifetime.

“I get to do what I love doing – marketing that combines the gift of visual art along with interaction with our customers,” said Wanda of her daily role at the shop. “It’s my dream job, but don’t tell Eddie.”

It is these customers that drive Eddie and Wanda to give every car the highest attention to detail.

“We treat your vehicle as if our own child, or Max, our German Shepherd fur-baby, would be riding in it,” said Eddie.

Helping their clients stay safe is always the top priority.

Of course, it’s also important to them to let people know that when they walk into Eddie’s shop, they will be treated as a friend. And, by the end of their visit, they walk away knowing that their vehicle will receive only the highest standard of service.

Creating an environment that encourages customers to feel comfortable and welcome is another priority for both Eddie and Wanda. It is not unusual for customers to run into friends of theirs when they come to Eddie’s, and sometimes to make new ones. This sense of community and the opportunity to serve it inspires Eddie to do his job each day.

“I love the people here – I visit with them every chance I get,” Eddie said. “We have an awesome staff that will go out of their way for our customers, and I love being around them.”

Celebrating 20+ Years Of Making Smiles Blossom!

If Eddie’s Automotive Shop sounds like the right fit for you, they recommend giving them a call at 770-3817574 to reach the shop quickly. You can also email them at eddie@eddiesautomotiveservice.com. As Eddie puts it, “We are a true Mom and Pop shop,” and they offer a level of customized personal service that you don’t always have the chance to experience.

So whether you’re just not sure if your car should be making that noise, or if you know it’s been too long since you’ve had your vehicle serviced, Eddie’s Automotive Service has you covered. Give them a call, or find them on Facebook, and then sit back and visit with Eddie and Wanda as your car receives the best service you will ever find.

More information at www.eddiesautomotiveservice.com.

olution

Res

:

ew A n or ef smil ew N the r!

Yea

“Where Smiles Blossom” Janice J. Wilmot DMD • MS • PC O RRTTH HO D DO O N T IIC SSPP E C I A ALLIISSTT

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PAGE 5

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Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultZ.com Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultZ.com

Editor Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultZ.com

— An EndResultZ Media & Communications firm 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 2020 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

Cover Photographer Marcie Reif Photography Distribution Coordinator DeeDee Chapman

Feature Writers Pearl Aidoo K. Coats Kristen Eleveld Kim Hill Ron Lambros Amy Ney Emily Rubin Traci Sanders

Stay Connected!

OurTownGwinnett.com

Read Online: OurTownGwinnettOnline.com @OurTownGwinnett @OurTownGwinnett @OurTownGwinnett

Beth Volpert Johansen Contributing Writers Dr. Cathy Bonk, MD Bill Crane Rhonda Frankhouser Dr. Janice J. Wilmot, DMD

Join the Our Town Community Forum:

www.Facebook.com/groups/ OurTownGwinnettCommunityForum

IN THIS ISSUE

Purchase of $25 or more.

Come and see how we prepare the next generation to be hard-working, articulate and gracious young people who live out their faith and thrive in an ever-changing world.

Our Town

5 On the Cover: Eddie’s Automotive Service: Your One-stop Shop for All Your Automotive Maintenance & Repair Needs

2018

WINNER

tourprovidence.org

7 From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion 7 Midwifery Matters! And Not Just in Childbirth 8 Straight Talk: A New Year and Resolution to Improve Your Smile 8 One on One with Maiden Candyland 9 Moving to Gwinnett County Was Like Coming Home 10 Celebrating Michael Doyne: Parent Center Instructional Coordinator for Lilburn Middle 11 Making Resolutions You Won’t Regret 12 One on One: Joseph Alexander of Trickum Middle School 13 Getting to Know: The Noah Robert Project 13 From Childhood Hobby to Big Business: J & J’s Sports Superstore 14 Community Member Spotlight: Judy Jordan Johnson 17 Crane’s Corner: It’s Past Time 18 Helping Others: Bringing Smiles to a Community in Need 18 Find Your Momentum with Momentum Arts 19 “Why Do We Have to Read This?” Answering the Hardest Question

Become an Advertising Partner: Email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or Call 678-825-2049

Our Town Gwinnett

From the Publisher:

Service

One Man’s Opinion

By Ryan T. Sauers

@RyanSauers

Midwifery Matters! And Not Just in Childbirth

By Dr. Cathy Bonk, MD Midwifery is an ancient profession still actively practiced throughout the world. In the United States, the first modern day nurse-midwives were British-educated women brought to this country by Mary Breckinridge in 1925. Her focus was to provide health care to residents in the remote mountains of rural Kentucky. In every decade since, midwives have gained importance in helping to improve the overall health of women.

It’s well-known that Certified Nurse Midwives play a key role in providing care of low-risk pregnancies (which is what the majority of pregnant women experience), while co-managing complications during pregnancy, labor, and birth with physician care. But it may be surprising to learn the valuable role they play throughout a woman’s entire health lifespan.

Midwives are there to see women through pregnancy and deliveries, but they also are able to perform annual well-woman exams, provide counseling and prescriptions for birth control, place IUDs, provide STD testing and counseling, and evaluate and offer guidance about general gynecologic concerns like menopausal management.

This midwifery model of care highly values the role of education, partnership in care, personal autonomy, and shared decision making – all while rooted in the latest evidencebased medicine. Working as part of an integrated team alongside physicians, midwives educate and empower patients to be proactive partners in their own health and wellness.

Why is this type of partnership so important today for women’s health? In a word, RESULTS. Numerous studies conducted at the National Institutes of Health, McLeod Health, and the World Health Organization show that the integration of midwives into the model of care leads to greater patient satisfaction, lower rates of cesarean sections, and the ability Continued on page 20

770-381-7574

30 +

5440 Webb Pkwy.

Lilburn, GA

yrs.

@RyanTSauers

Goodbye 2019. Welcome 2020! New ideas, resolutions, and dreams come with a new year. With that said, this column is written to provide inspiration as we seek to make 2020 an incredible year in the Our Town Gwinnett community. My question is simple: How bad do you want to grow as a person this year? Do you want to be part of the solution in making our community a better place, or be part of the problem?

If you want something bad enough, you will find a way to achieve it. You desire to solve things and make life better for everyone. In contrast, if you do not, you will find an excuse and complain about all the things “happening to you and around you.” Simply said, it is the way human beings are wired.

So, you see, we have two choices. The first is to stand around and complain and be frustrated about how things are. The second is to do anything in our power to develop a plan and/or find a way to make things better. In this new year, I challenge you to push harder and dig deeper in every aspect of your life. Get in the game and off the sideline. Don’t be afraid to fail. As my little green friend Yoda says in Star Wars, “The greatest teacher... failure is.” So very true.

My recommendation is simple. We must all: quit complaining, stop making excuses, and bring passion and unique ideas to the table. Winners find a way to succeed in any situation.

They find an opportunity behind each obstacle. Whiners will tell you about every problem in their way and why these issues hold them back.

There are three types of people in the world: those who make things happen; those who watch things happen; and those who wonder what happened. Thus, plan your work and Continued on page 20

Our Town Gwinnett

Eddie’s Automotive

88

Est.19

From all of us at Eddie’s Eddie, Matt, Wanda, Dustin, Aaron ,Jamie, Jason,Max & Buster

Eddie

Matt

Happy New Year 2020

EAdutdomiovetiicv’ees Ser

r embe rop m e R ht D N ig op off Ourn you need tooudrsr, Whe r after h ca n your re we ope fo or be

Wanda

770-381-7574 Ck Washer Fluid

Inspect Brakes

Ck Wipers

Change Oil & Filter

Ck P/S Fluid

(Up to 5 quarts conventional oil most vehicles)

Ck Differential

Rotate Tires

Ck Trans Fluid

Lube Suspension

Ck Belts

Test Cooling System

Ck Hoses

Test Battery

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Ck Air Filter

Ck Tire Pressure .,

9

Most s le Vehic

2/20/20 * Expires3081-7574 770-

Service tomotive Eddie’s Au wy.

Pk b eb 5440 W A 30047 Lilburn, G 7574 138 077

visit our new website @ https://www.eddiesautomotiveservice.com

Become an Advertising Partner: Email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or Call 678-825-2049

PAGE 7

Straight Talk: A New Year and in Resolution to Improve Your Smile in

Social Social your life. your inlife.

Put more Social

Senior Care with Love

Put more

Put more

Love

By Janice J. Wilmot, DMD, MS, PC

Our Day Center offers fun activities, delicious meals, weekly Well 2020 is here, and with the New Year, you may be making outings, and companionship. We have licensed nursing staff who new resolutions or have new dental insurance that you want to use. ensure your loved one receives the health related care they need.

Atnot make improving your or your child’s smile and bite one of Why Our Day Center offers fun activities, delicious McKinley Community Care, we provide exceptional senior care your resolutions? It is a decision that you won’t regret, and the first meals, weekly outings, and companionship. with love. step is to call an orthodontist to schedule a complimentary exam Our Day Center offers fun activities, delicious meals, weekly We have licensed nursing staff who ensure andand consultation.

McKinley Community Care provides Music & Memory outings, and companionship.

We have licensed staffrelated who care Two of the most frequently asked questions I hear are, “Is there Rehab Therapy. your loved one receivesnursing the health a right age for braces?” and “Aren’t I too old for braces?” The ensure your loved one receives the health related care they need.Care At Funding and available. they need.

At transportation McKinley Community American Association of Orthodontists recommends children be McKinley Community Care, we provide exceptional senior care HOURS: Monday through Friday 7am – 6pm we provide exceptional senior care with love. evaluated at age 7 when the first adult molars and incisors are beginwith love. ning to grow in.

McKinley Community Care provides Music To schedule a visit, call There are certain problems that are best treated early like: McKinley Community Care provides Music & Memory and 678.691.1610 & Memory and Rehab Therapy.

• thumb or finger sucking habits Rehab Therapy.

1567 Janmar• Road crossbites, either of the front teeth or molars Suite 200 Funding and transportation available. severe crowding that doesn’t allow teeth to grow in Funding and transportation available.

Snellville, GA•30078 • protrusion of the incisors which increases the risk of fracture info@mckinleyga.com Monday through Friday 7am – 6pm HOURS: Monday throughHOURS: Friday 7am – 6pm • the teasing of children because of the appearance of their teeth www.mckinleyga.com Many young children don’t need any early treatment and are evaluated annually until more adult teeth have erupted in order to begin any treatment typically around ages 11-13.

To schedule a visit, call At the initial exam, a digital panorex film is taken to see that all of the adult teeth are 678.691.1610 developing and if there are any missing teeth or extra teeth. If treatment is needed, braces 1567 Janmar Road are typically worn for a short time. Once the braces are removed, the child uses a retainer Suite 200 at night to maintain the improved incisor alignment. Periodic visits are then needed to Snellville, GA 30078 evaluate the eruption of the remaining adult teeth. Sometimes children may need a Phase info@mckinleyga.com II treatment after all of the adult teeth have grown in to correct rotations or overbite, but www.mckinleyga.com Continued on page 14

your life.

Make the right “Choice” for your child. n Traditional (1st - 12) Private school n Small classes, safe environment n Credit Recovery n IEP’s Welcome n Non-traditional program for 6th - 12th or working adults n Adult diploma program n Hope Scholarship/ Dual Enrollment available n Hands on curriculum/Rigorous STEAM

CHOICE Educational Academy 5510 Lilburn Stone Mountain Road Stone Mountain, GA 30087 Phone 770.921.3690 n Fax 770.921.3693 admin@choiceeducationalacademy.com www.choiceeducationalacademy.com PAGE 8

One on One with Maiden Candyland

By Traci Sanders Do you remember playing the game Candy Land as a child? All the bright colors and whimsical elements made you smile when you saw them, and it was fun getting lost in a fantasy world for a while.

Two local homeschooling moms, Candice and Amanda, recently found a way to bring that carefree spirit back to life in a fashion line they created.

The brand is called Maiden Candyland. The female entrepreneurs chose this name for two reasons: 1) Candy is a shortened version of Candice – hence the name “Candyland,” which also signifies the whimsical nature of the brand and products; and, 2) Maiden is a play-on words for “made in” as well as a reference to strong women (made of iron).

The online store carries a wide variety of clothing and fashion accessories including backpacks, phone cases, and beachwear in specific themes, including the Georgia Bulldogs Dawg Days line and over 250 Halloween-themed items. Customers can purchase leggings, t-shirts, hoodies, dresses, and more in fun, unique prints in sizes 2T to 6X adults. All clothing items are customized, cut and sewn by hand, and then shipped directly to the customer within 7-10 business days.

Continued on page 15

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Our Town Gwinnett

Moving to Gwinnett County Was Like Coming Home

By Rhonda Frankhouser Christmas at my grandparent’s home could have graced the cover of Southern Living Magazine, which was odd since we lived in California. Their house exploded with old time holiday cheer, red silk ribbons, and lighted garland dangling over every doorway. Stockings filled with Grandpa’s famous oranges dangled from the fireplace. Two eight-foot, fresh-cut, Douglas firs were trimmed in silver tinsel and twinkling white lights, with piles of brightly wrapped packages spilling from underneath each tree.

The delicious aromas emanating from the kitchen really made Christmas come alive. Grandma busily recreated family recipes passed down from generations. A giant, honey-crusted ham cooled on a cutting board alongside a maple-whiskey brined turkey.

Brown beans boiled with smoked hocks, meal-covered okra fried to perfection in well-seasoned, cast iron skillets, and crispy cornbread browned in the old Wedgewood oven.

The women laid the thirty-foot dining table with Blue Willow China and fanned red napkins, while the men strummed country classics on acoustic guitars and a single twanging banjo. Grandma stirred an oversized pot of chicken and dumplings with one hand, a mason jar filled with sweet tea clasped in the other, while Grandpa hugged each of us at the front door as we passed into the Christmas wonderland. “Y’all come on in and stay a-while.” His rich Southern accent and broad, white smile made you feel like the most important person in the world.

My grandparent’s gracious country charm and Southern holiday traditions brought the miracle of Christmas to life for me, and I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything in the world.

Back in the 1930s, my father’s relatives were spread throughout Georgia and Alabama, having migrated from England and Scotland nearly a century before. The Great Depression, along with tariffs encouraging foreign consumption, killed what was left of their meager earning potential from farming. They had to make a change or die of starvation. My brave grandparents packed their few belongings and headed west with six hungry children in tow.

California was the Promised Land. During my grandparent’s lifetime, California was indeed, the land of opportunity, but since then things have dramatically changed. Don’t get me wrong, I will always love the West Coast and the amazing memories I’ve made there. But the devastating drought, choking pollution, uncontrollable fires, increasing taxes, crazy high cost of living, illegal immigration overloading the state’s resources, all added to the deterioration of leadership, have really taken a toll on a once great state.

So, when my husband got a job offer in Georgia, the decision to move was an easy one for us. He was ready for a new challenge, and we were recent empty nesters, so why not? For me, it was a chance to start anew, a time for me to let go of my fourteen-year hospice career and focus on my writing. I couldn’t pack fast enough.

When we arrived in Atlanta and started our search for the perfect place to live, we were immediately drawn to the people and beauty of Gwinnett County – Grayson, to be exact. We fell in love with a little Charleston-style neighborhood within walking distance to great restaurants and shopping, only a few miles from the top-rated physicians and facilities at the Gwinnett Medical Center. Our fabulous agent and now, dear friend, Laurie Anderson, worked hard to make our dream come true. She made moving across the country a breeze.

This will be my second Christmas in the South, and I have to say, moving here has been more of a homecoming than a venture into the unknown. The Southern hospitality reminds me of my grandparents. Neighbors wave and stop for a chat. Cashiers remember your name. For someone who grew up in the hot, dry desert, the ocean of green and turning leaves in this region is a sensory phenomenon. The fresh air, cleansing rain, and gentle Southern ways, is a soothing reality. Living here has healed a part of me that I hadn’t realized was broken. Gwinnett County is an undiscovered paradise, with a gentle, restorative pulse. Drink it in this holiday season and be ever so thankful to call this place home.

Rhonda Frankhouser is an award-winning author. More information at www.rhondafrankhouserbooks.com.

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PAGE 9

Celebrating Michael Doyne: Parent Center Instructional Coordinator for Lilburn Middle

By Traci Sanders For the past twelve years, Michael Doyne has been an integral part of Lilburn Middle School. A graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Master’s in Organizational Leadership and a Master’s in Secondary Education in English/Language Arts, Doyne began his teaching career in Language Arts at Renfroe Middle School. He went on to teach 7th grade language arts at Lilburn Middle School (LMS) in 2007.

Just a few years later, in 2010, Doyne accepted a position at LMS geared more toward parental support in a program called the Parent Instructional Support Center, also known as the Parent Center. The district-wide program, which was founded in the early 2000s, is for Title I Schools through which parents and guardians are able to receive academic support for their children. Mr. Doyne meets with parents to discuss their child’s progress and to brainstorm ways to improve their academic achievement through resources such as review guides in a variety of content areas (language arts, math, etc.), as well as offering assistance in preparing for the Georgia Milestones.

He also offers phone and email consultations to accommodate families’ schedules.

Workbooks are provided to help parents support their children in improving reading and test-taking skills, as well as outlining discipline strategies in the home relating to academics. Parents also have access to computers in the Parent Center that they can use to research various online resources to further support their children, including but not limited to the Parent Portal and My Payment Plus, resources that are used across the school district.

Finally, parents can also receive support and resources for social development areas such as mental health and financial issues.

Mr. Doyne brings several talents and advantages to the table as the Parent Instructional Coordinator. He speaks Spanish, an essential skill that serves the majority of the families

and students. Doyne is also the environmental club (Team Green) sponsor, yearbook co-advisor, liaison for the Latino Youth Leadership Academy, liaison for the PTSA, and member of the Local School Council, and he assists with maintaining the school website and social media accounts as well as overseeing communication with existing and potential business partners for the school and scheduling volunteer efforts.

Donations, both monetary and time-related, are always welcome in the Parent Center. Media outlets help spread awareness of the program and help promote events. Volunteers are always needed to help students improve their reading abilities. Tutoring times are on Friday mornings from 9:20 a.m. to 10 a.m. Other donations needed would include incentives for students and teachers, incentives for parents to attend workshops and check the Parent Portal consistently, and meals to serve to parents at parent/family events. Funds are also constantly needed to allow students to attend field trips. A GoFundMe campaign was started to help raise money for items requested by the teachers and staff at gf.me/u/v9mcvt.

Mr. Doyne and the LMS staff are constantly striving to increase family engagement because they are aware that student achievement will increase as families become more plugged into the education of their children.

“We would like parents to attend our Family Engagement Workshops,” he said, “to monitor their child’s progress through the Parent Portal, and to review communication from teachers and the school (school emails, school website, flyers sent home with students, and school social media accounts).” The school has seen a larger turnout at parent events due to this program, and an increase in families visiting the Parent Portal as well as the Parent Center. “The most important function of my job is to help the parents of a targeted group of students,” he added. “This year it is students who are repeating the eighth grade. My job is Continued on page 12

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Give a gift that keeps on giving by signing up and bringing somone who may benefit from the information ofered in this course. This class can help anyone, no matter if you’re just starting out, in the middle of your career, or well into retirement!

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SRS will be found under the Hobbies and Personal Enrichment section.

Questions about registration? Call the Continuing Education Dept. at 678.226.6739.

Unable to attend class? Call 770.931.1414 today to schedule a no cost consultation - even if you just need a second opinion. For more information visit www.RogerSGreen.com Investment Advisor Representative offering securities & advisory services through Cetera Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker/Dealer, member FINRA, SIPC. Green Financial, Gwinnett Tech & 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 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. Office located at 3700 Crestwood Pkwy, Ste 140, Duluth, GA 30096.

PAGE 10

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Making Resolutions You Won’t Regret

By Rhonda Frankhouser My 2019 New Year’s Resolutions 1. Lose 50 pounds - failed 2. Exercise more - failed 3. Save money - failed 4. Eat better - failed 5. Stop drinking soda - failed 6. Visit family more - failed Does this list look familiar? Are you, like me, one of the 65% of those who set unattainable resolutions every new year? Why do we do this to ourselves?

Where did this wicked tradition come from?

A little history…

Resolutions made at the new year originated nearly 4000 years ago in ancient Babylonia. Making promises, such as resolving debt and returning borrowed items, were thought to gain the favor of the gods. Babylonian’s set such goals as a way to honor and reaffirm their loyalty to god and king.

For most, resolutions have evolved from the original ideal of appeasing the gods to self-improvement. There’s nothing wrong with that, per se. We all need encouragement to live our best life, but what happens when we set our goals too high?

The reality of setting lofty goals…

I heard a statistic that proclaimed 80% of New Year’s Resolutions will fail by February. If we KNOW these lifestyle changes will help us in the long run, why do we fall off the wagon so quickly? Do we expect too much of ourselves, or are we focusing on the wrong things?

As I grow older, I realize resolutions shouldn’t be so negative and punishing. Why not strive for personal growth and calmness instead? Being at peace and nurturing your soul generally breeds a sense of health and wellness, does it not? If we take a more spiritual approach to choosing resolutions, maybe some of the physical goals from the original, lofty list will come to us, not because of some unreasonable demand, but rather as a happy consequence of living a more fulfilled life.

So, I’ve decided to concentrate on different things this year. My list now reads as follows: My 2020 New Year’s Resolutions 1. Cherish my husband and be thankful for our life together.

2. Take 20 deep breaths every morning, overlooking the Georgia pines in my backyard.

3. Read new authors and connect with writer’s groups in Gwinnett County.

4. Explore nature and visit more historical sites – Maybe hike Stone Mountain?

5. Have some “no phone time” every single day.

6. Journal about new adventures exploring the South.

7. Sample new foods – Atlanta, and the surrounding cities, host amazing restaurants with foods from all around the world!

8. Handwrite letters to family and friends!

9. Donate unused items to a favorite charity. Mine is any animal shelter or homeless center.

10. Give undivided attention to my dogs every day. They are a gift!

11. Host a social gathering each month to reconnect with friends and neighbors.

Now these New Year’s resolutions, I can keep. They encourage a sense of gratitude and a way to learn more about myself, without the self-loathing that comes along with failed goals.

Life is too short to treat yourself poorly. Why not try a new approach? What do you have to lose? I wish you and yours a fabulous 2020, filled with positive, enlightening experiences, and unconditional love.

Rhonda Frankhouser is an award-winning novelist, now living in the beautiful state of Georgia. More information at www.rhondafrankhouserbooks.com.

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Celebrating Michael Doyne Continued from page 10 to work with the parents to make sure they are aware of their children’s progress, to make sure they are completing assignments, and attending tutoring sessions as necessary. Of the families I am currently working with, almost all of their children have better grades than they did at this point last year.”

Doyne feels very fortunate to have worked at LMS for the past twelve years with the greatest staff, students, families, and community in the world. “I work with a very supportive team at LMS, starting with our principal Dr. Yvette Arthur and Title I Assistant Principal Mrs. Angela Cooks,” he said. “I have received tremendous support over the years from the Title I Office at Gwinnett County Public Schools. I also work closely with the other Parent Instructional Coordinators of the Meadowcreek Cluster.”

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One on One: Joseph Alexander of Trickum Middle School

By Amy Ney A great man is always willing to be little. Maybe that’s why so many people at Trickum Middle School and within the Parkview community call Joseph Alexander great. “I want to be the invisible man,” Alexander said. “I want to be number one in customer service.

When they’re happy, I’m happy. I love this community and want to do whatever I can do to support the staff and students at Trickum – the Greatest Middle School in the Nation.”

As head custodian, Alexander serves a special role at the third largest middle school in Gwinnett County, Georgia’s largest school district. Alexander came from a family of 12, with him being child number nine. “My mother was a remarkable, strong woman; like the neighborhood block mother,” he said. “She took care of everyone.” It’s not surprising Alexander similarly now finds himself taking care of an entire school. “Every day is different,” he explained. “Usually I get to school around 7 a.m., but if we have a big event or the weather is bad, I may need to be here at 5 am. I stay until the job is done. Many times, we host events on the weekend, like a weekend basketball tournament, so I come in to help set up and tear down. And I love to watch the kids play. I‘m a big sports fan, especially basketball.” And it’s not just games at Trickum, but oftentimes he travels to see his nephew play at Clemson and his godson play at Olde Miss.

In 1996, Alexander and his wife, Juliet, a Registered Nurse, relocated from Queens to Atlanta. They had two boys, Kimani and Khari. “I worked for UPS,” he said, “then I stayed home for five years with the boys during the day and started a cleaning company, cleaning schools. It seemed like a good fit to apply for a job there.” Now Kimani is a graduate of Kennesaw State University and is engaged to a Dekalb County Public School teacher. Khari left Parkview with a football scholarship and will be obtaining his Doctorate in physical therapy in the spring.

Alexander is one of only three custodians who was hired directly into the head custodian position. “Ed Smith, inspector and trainer for GCPS, was an integral part of my start at Trickum,” Alexander explained. “We still talk. He’s a great guy, and I really owe a lot of what I know to him.” When Alexander was hired 18 years ago, Trickum was off Cole road and Lynne Davis was the head principal at the time. “She was the third school that I interviewed at and she hired me,” he added. “She taught me so much. Her focus was always the safety of students and faculty, and that is where I continued to focus much of my own efforts.” Speaking about Ryan Queen, Trickum’s current principal, Alexander said, “Mr. Queen is so supportive. He supports 110% of the decisions I make. And when I got sick, Principal Kay Sands was so kind and generous. She supported me and my family. She held my job for the year and a half I was out of work (and in treatment) and welcomed me back.

We are still friends.”

Alexander was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a blood disorder, and he says this is why he will never forget his Trickum family. “They were there for me,” he said. “Lynn Deidrick, Gloria Thomas, and Susan Moody organized a bone marrow drive here at school. So many of the teachers came out to see if they were a match for me. It really meant a lot.” It wasn’t just the staff who loved Alexander and appreciated the work he does. Each PTA officer had remarkable things to say about him. “He’s so about the kids!” said former Trickum PTSA representative, Jill Youngblood. “He always looked out for them, and he was more than just someone who worked at their school, but also served as a father figure. He really made it easy to serve because he did whatever we needed or asked for.”

Home is not where you are from, but is where you belong. And Alexander belongs at Trickum.

More information at https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/2050

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Our Town Gwinnett

Getting to Know: The Noah Robert Project

From Childhood Hobby to Big Business: J & J’s Sports Superstore

By Traci Sanders One Lawrenceville woman is leading the way for autistic children and their families to no longer simply be tolerated in the publicschool system, but understood and embraced.

A mom of four with two special needs children, Holly Terei wrote and published, Jacob the Flapping Dinosaur Goes to School, a children’s book based on her autistic ten-year-old son, Noah. The family poured all its financial resources into the publication of the book.

When funds ran out to cover the cost of marketing and expanding awareness of the story, the family started a Kickstarter campaign in 2017. They raised $13,000 in twenty days through the support of teachers and the autistic community.

Holly soon realized that she had so much more than a book in her hands. She had a tool that could bridge the gap between educators and autistic children, as well as neurotypical and autistic children. She soon created The Noah Robert Project, a program that offers a new approach to teaching autism acceptance.

Since 2017, Holly has visited forty schools in surrounding states to introduce the book as a tool for educators and non-autistic students. PBIS, a peer intervention program, has been an instrumental resource in allowing schools the funding to pay Holly to visit their locations all over the United States. During these visits, Holly educates teachers and parents with resources such as books, blogs, and websites for more information. She reads the book to the classes to open the conversation about autism.

Continued on page 21

By Ron Lambros Joe Davis, by his own admission, hated the first grade. Like many others his age, he struggled with his grades. His mother wanted to help, so she decided to motivate Joe by rewarding him with baseball cards when he got good grades. Better grades meant more cards, and in the process of helping her son excel at school, Joe Davis’ mother helped launch a dream that became her son’s passion and ultimate career.

“Since childhood, I was a passionate sports card collector,” Davis says. “By my late teens, I dreamed of opening my own card store.

In 1991, I got that opportunity.” From humble beginnings in a tiny 500-square-foot space in Avondale Estates, Joe is now the proud owner of J & J’s Sports Superstore, a 10,000-square-foot center that serves the novice or most serious sports collectors in the country, if not the world.

“We are proud to be the largest sports card store in Georgia,” Davis says. “We offer a huge selection of individual sports cards, including baseball, football, basketball, hockey, racing, and soccer, with approximately 10 million cards in stock. We offer unopened boxes and complete sets and packs of trading cards, as well as a large selection of autographs, memorabilia, jerseys, collecting supplies, and more. We carry individual trading cards datContinued on page 22

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Community Member Spotlight: Judy Jordan Johnson

Straight Talk Continued from page 8 these problems can sometimes be corrected with Invisalign treatment or a shorter length of treatment with braces.

As far as being too old for braces, currently our practice has patients in their 80’s seeking correction of their lower incisor alignment or bite issues. As long as the teeth and bones are healthy, the teeth can be moved with either traditional braces or Invisalign. The improved technology of being able to scan the teeth, instead of taking impressions, allows the patient to visually see various treatment options, and to develop the best treatment plan. One of the biggest motivators for adults to seek treatment is to not lose any teeth due to the severe crowding and the inability to clean their teeth properly. After the teeth are straightened, one of the most frequent comments we hear is, “I wish that I had done this sooner!”

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By Beth Volpert-Johansen Her bright, genuine smile and unwavering eye contact are often the first two characteristics one might notice right away when meeting Judy Jordan Johnson of Lawrenceville. She might remind you of a favorite teacher – a reasonable first impression since her first years in the world of work were spent in serving the students of her alma mater, Central Gwinnett High School, where she was the favorite of many and received Teacher of the Year in 1990.

As far as being a favorite, the same could be said of her community. The city for which she has served on both city council and then as mayor has seen tremendous change. Lawrenceville, Georgia is, after all, the county seat. And as the county seat, much is expected of the city and her public servants. Mayor since 2010, Judy Jordan Johnson has guided her hometown from a place to do official business into a thriving community filled with new residents, new businesses, performance venues, and a town green that draws a variety of talent all designed to bring people together.

“There has always been a sense of community, but as our community has diversified, the sense of community has changed,” says Johnson. “Many do not know their neighbors as has been the case in the past. Social media has changed our sense of community in that we can find news about our neighbors without talking with them.” Finding those neighbors was just the first step. Planning for and providing a place to gather was the next step. “I have tried to incorporate a ‘sense of place’ in our community,” Johnson says, “where people can come together to eat together, enjoy events, and grow friendships.”

Historically, the idea of service to the community was deeply ingrained in Johnson. Her father, Rhodes Jordan also served the city of Lawrenceville as mayor and council for several terms as well as the State of Georgia. “My father’s example of public service was the path,” says Johnson. “The wisdom of the words of Jesus Christ through the Bible has been my guide. I have been blessed to have parents who had a strong faith and were parents who demonstrated their faith in the community.”

In addition to having had a strong upbringing, Johnson has also enjoyed the support of a loving husband, Allan Johnson. “My husband has been my best supporter. He helped me campaign six days a week for six weeks before the election,” recalls Johnson. “On election day, he stood out on the corner with a sign ‘Vote for Judy Johnson.’ Once I was elected, he understood that my city responsibilities would come first.”

Having strong faith and strong values has allowed Johnson to seek out a clear path for growth in the community. She has been a champion to many and is known for her ability to find common ground in the decisions facing a vibrant community. Her desire to leave a legacy that will continue to support the people of her hometown is a driving force behind her being easily accessible. Whether it is at a BBQ, concert, play, festival, small jazz event, fundraiser, or parade, Johnson is visible, her smile and gracious manner always a part of her toolset.

“I will be a citizen enjoying the events with a dimmer spotlight,” says Johnson of her upcoming retirement. “For the citizens, I want to be remembered as a mayor who had an open door at her office for anyone to come in, with or without an appointment, and one who showed up at any event to say ‘the City of Lawrenceville’ is represented. To the employees, I want to be remembered as a mayor who knew that the employees were the ones who made the city great.”

And that humility of service is also what drew others to her in order to seek guidance as a woman in local politics. As part of the Lipstick Leaders, Johnson is part of an unofficial group of officials who find answers to some of the hardest questions facing female public servants. “Judy is one of those ladies who you can count on for solid, honest advice every single time,” says Grayson mayor, Allison Wilkerson. “She always answers her phone and has this gentle, life-long educator manner of helping you find your own way.”

Adds Wilkerson, “When we meet as the Lipstick Leaders, each of the local female members –mayors of Snellville, Auburn, Duluth, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Berkeley Lake, and our outgoing County Chairwoman Charlotte Nash – often find a perspective on leadership not always available at a conference or traditional service organization meeting.”

As the newest member of the Lipstick Leaders, Mayor Barbara Bender of Snellville Continued on page 22

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Our Town Gwinnett

Maiden Candyland Continued from page 8 Working together in some capacity has been a dream of these two friends for many years, having both moved to Georgia from California. However, the Candyland brand was imagined and brought to fruition by these powerhouse women in a short span of a few months. Their goal was to find a way to share their artistic gifts with the world and become role models to teach their children about confidence, perseverance, and true self-expression. Through Facebook ads and the company website, Maiden Candyland successfully launched on Labor Day of 2019, and it’s already exploding.

Candy is a mom of two girls, and the lead designer, the “makes the pretty things” element of the partnership. She hand draws the designs on her tablet in Photoshop, saves the designs as PNG files, and transfers them into Illustrator for the finishing touches.

From there, she uploads the designs to the website and customers choose their favorites.

Amanda, mom of five, has a background in education and marketing. She’s the make it happen piece to this well-oiled operation. She built the website and handles all the

analytical and operational aspects of the business so Candy can focus on the designs.

Amanda also negotiated the deals with the manufacturers, finding one that met the standards of their company: high-quality products that are affordable and made in the USA. Both women say their husbands are their biggest fans -- besides their children, of course, who happen to be modeling some of the clothing items on the website. It’s a family business, and everyone plays a part.

This powerhouse duo has plans to expand their product line to offer many more options within the next few months. “Candy’s designs can be uploaded to pretty much any item,” Amanda said. “It’s all about self-expression here, wearing what makes you feel good about being you. Beauty and fashion comes in all sizes and styles.”

These two ladies are definitely offering their own spin on fashion and female-centered business that is quickly becoming a welcome addition to our community.

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Crane’s Corner: It’s Past Time

By Bill Crane “Lead, follow or get out of the way,” said Ted Turner, entrepreneur, media mogul and philanthropist.

One of the highlights of the 2019 Georgia Bulldog football season was the naming of Dooley Field in Sanford Stadium in Athens to honor legendary former University of Georgia football coach and athletic director, Vince Dooley. That honor was well overdue.

I think Georgia, and our capital city of Atlanta, should do more – and sooner than later – to recognize two other individuals, as well as two families, who have made many historic and lasting contributions to Atlanta and to Georgia. I’m speaking specifically of former Ohio Governor James Cox and the Cox family, and media mogul and environmental philanthropist Ted Turner.

Cox was a former three-term governor of Ohio before he ran for president in 1920 with Franklin Delano Roosevelt as his unsuccessful running mate. Traveling the country by rail, FDR introduced Cox to Warm Springs, Southern hospitality, and the people of Georgia. Though Dayton, Ohio remained the governor’s home, he would move much of his family and business holdings to Atlanta, initially purchasing The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Georgian in 1939, and eventually growing those properties into Cox Enterprises and the Cox Media Group.

Turner turned a modest billboard company into the nation’s first cable Super-Station, investing in cable networks and programming in their infancy, as well as serving as a longtime owner of the Atlanta Braves. Turner became a billionaire before selling his many media holdings to Time Warner. He later got into the restaurant business, in part to restore the species of buffalo to the North American Plains.

When the Atlanta Braves, under new ownership, left for the suburbs of Cobb County and the likely soon to be renamed SunTrust Park, the name of Turner Field and the life of a baseball stadium just over 20 years old ended. Though it was assumed that the name came as Turner’s Braves were the “home team” at the converted baseball park, it is seldom shared or publicized that Turner spent more than $40 million stabilizing and retro-fitting The Ted for baseball and the fans, without seeking any tax-payer assistance, subsidies, or tax breaks.

Jim Cox Kennedy, grandson of Governor Cox and still the Chairman of Cox Enterprises, developed a passion for bike riding that grew into the creation of the PATH Foundation. PATH’s first trail connected Stone Mountain Park to downtown Atlanta and Centennial Park, and over the past twenty-five years more than 300 miles of pedestrian and biking trails have been constructed across Georgia. The Cox Foundation recently co-funded a pedestrian bridge with the City of Atlanta. Named for former Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr., the bridge connects the Atlanta Beltline to those PATH trails at Marietta Street downtown, not far from the former Atlanta Journal-Constitution headquarters, and reconnects the downtown Eastside and Westside, straddling the massive and exiting railroad tracks of CSX and Norfolk Southern.

The Cox family through another gift to the PATH Foundation is funding an extension of the Atlanta Beltline and PATH that connects to the Silver Comet Trail in Cobb County.

When completed, this trail will reach from Stone Mountain Park to Anniston, Alabama and become the longest continuous trail path in the United States.

Those who have previously blocked more substantial recognition for the Cox or Turner families have focused on their personal politics or others flaws and foibles. None of us are perfect and we should stop expecting perfection among our community and business leaders.

The Cox family still owns The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the new owners of Cox Media Group plan to keep that name. And while Turner’s name continues to adorn several blocks of Spring Street in downtown Atlanta and parts of his former corporate campus are now owned by WarnerMedia, more significant and visible honors are well overdue for both families.

Some students at Georgia State University have recently called on Atlanta’s mayor to remove the downtown statue of another newspaper giant, Henry W. Grady, another impactful but flawed leader of the post-Civil War New South. Grady’s name adorns Grady Hospital, Grady High School, and the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia. I don’t support his name or statue coming down, but those are a few fine examples worthy of like consideration for Ted Turner as well as Ohio Governor Jim Cox and the Cox family.

Crane owns the full-service communications firm, CSI Crane. More information at www.

CSICrane.com

Our Town Gwinnett

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PAGE 17

Bringing Smiles to a Community in Need

Find Your Momentum with Momentum Arts

By Kristen Eleveld

By Traci Sanders

In the Novembers of 2016 and 2017, Patrick and Matthew Klug, along with their sister Alicia, dealt with two consecutive losses as both of their parents passed away after fighting against serious long term illnesses. In a matter of months, their lives were changed forever.

They didn’t know then that they would go on to change the lives of people all around them.

The siblings found support in their community – especially Matt, who played baseball for Brookwood High School at the time. The school and the surrounding community rallied to offer the Klugs support as they began to navigate a new stage of their lives. It was not long after that Patrick and Matt became inspired to do for others what the Brookwood community had done for them.

“We were watching the Little League World Series on ESPN, and they were featuring a boy from Massachusetts who had recently lost his dad,” Patrick recalled. “Both of us knew how he felt, and we wanted to help.”

The Klugs reached out to the family, who had two young sons, to offer support and to tell them they weren’t alone. Patrick and Matt had an idea to send a gift to bring a smile to the boys’ faces, and sent Yankees gear, custom engraved bats with quotes about their father, Continued on page 21

If you are in the Gwinnett area and are looking for a fun, safe place to go and get your dance, sweat, laugh, or cry on, Momentum Arts invites you to come find your momentum, in whatever way feels best to you.

This non-profit organization is committed to providing wellness opportunities to Gwinnett citizens through a variety of creative programs. Low and no-cost classes, such as theater and performing arts, dance, visual arts, and music, are available to adults and children of all ages. These programs are funded by the generous donations of foundations, corporations, and individuals committed to supporting the arts.

Momentum offers a variety of dance classes including ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, and African dance. If you want to improve your fitness, there are Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, POUND, and HIIT classes available in a no-judgment zone. In fact, their slogan of “all bodies welcome” invites people of all shapes and sizes to come and get creative, get fit, and get well.

Those who are musically inclined might be interested in individual and group piano and voice lessons, as well as theater classes. Weekly multimedia art workshops and events are also available. Finally, for those who’d like more information on proper nutrition and holistic options, Momentum offers a variety of wellness resources to help improve one’s Continued on page 20

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“Why Do We Have to Read This?” Answering the Hardest Question

Gwinnett’s premier event destination for 23 years!

By K. Coats It’s a question literature teachers get each year. “Why do we have to read this stuff?”

For most students, it is merely a complaint, a whine announcing their disinterest. And for teachers, reactions can range from annoyance to an all-out challenge to their validity as educators. But the reality is that the whole “Why do we have to read this?” is a valid question.

It smacks of a self-awareness that demands attention. As a high school literature teacher, I understand where students are coming from when they ask such a question. If I can’t see the validity or relevance behind a rule or practice, I, too, have a hard time playing nice.

So I always try to take a time out and explain why something like Beowulf or The Odyssey is important.

The short answer is literature is akin to a safety module. The long answer is: Do you need to read this? Not exactly. Can you go on with the rest of your life never having read The Odyssey or Beloved and be happy and productive? Sure. But literature provides a service unlike any other, and if the reader chooses to engage with it, then it has a chance to transform.

Consider the following point: humans as a species wouldn’t live very long if we had to make all of our own mistakes. The smarter of us watch those around us and learn caution based on the experiences of others. But we would be hard pressed to sit around waiting for the right lesson at the right time to reach us. Not to mention there is a definite expense of the Continued on page 20

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PAGE 19

“Why Do We Have to Read This?” Continued from page 19

Momentum Arts Continued from page 18

conscience incurred when we watch others make mistake after mistake for our own benefit.

This is where literature comes in to play. Authors create the lesson scenario instead of waiting for hubris to strike their neighbor and provide that lesson. We get invested in characters and watch their journeys, choices, and decisions; we see the outcome and can learn from their mistakes. Essentially, we watch the fake people in the fake situation mess up in order to spare the real people in the real world from that same mistake.

Of course, we won’t ever be in the same situation as Odysseus or Beowulf, but the mistakes and choices they make echo down from their stories. We don’t face the cyclops, but we’ve all learned not to boast too loudly when we believe we are out of harm’s way. We don’t go toe-to-toe with Grendel at night, but we’ve learned the satisfaction of an honorable victory. We don’t face witches who provide prophecies, but we learn not to attempt to achieve greatness at the cost of our own morals.

You see, literature provides the vehicle for the lesson, but the lesson itself is what makes the story endure beyond its time. As long as lovers get carried away with the idea of love or families quarrel beyond reason, Romeo and Juliet will remain valid. As long as people battle the echoes of the past and try to suppress them instead of face them, novels like Kindred and Beloved will persist. As long as mothers and daughters get exasperated with one another, The Joy Luck Club will provide comfort. Funny enough, the goal of literature isn’t to tell a story. If that were simply the case, then every student who ever asked “Why do we have to read this?” would be validated in their cynicism. The goal of literature is to warn and teach, to help people not make the same errors in judgement as the characters within those pages, to spare humanity the pain of making that mistake itself. Let the ink and paper people make the mistakes while the flesh and blood people watch and learn.

Authors of stories that endure found a nerve, a common mistake people continuously make, and they write in a desperate attempt to spare those people from that cycle and to provide the lesson in a safety module packaged as a story. They write to keep us from making all of our own mistakes by sacrificing their characters instead.

So to answer the original question, “Why do we have to read this?” You don’t. You’re more than welcome to go about and make all of your own mistakes if you so choose. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

overall health.

Youth classes are offered at 3150 Hewatt Court, Suite B, in Snellville for just $50 per month. Students can take part in a Winter and Spring show. Pre-registration is required, and free trial classes are available. Homeschool classes are only $40 per month, and other community classes, events, and workshops are offered upon request, including private parties and Scout events. A calendar of events can be found on their website.

With the plethora of affordable experiences offered by Momentum Arts, Gwinnett citizens now have the opportunity to become their best in their overall health and well-being.

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Midwifery Matters! Continued from page 7 to understand and achieve a natural birth process. Overall, midwives offer a more holistic approach to a woman’s health over her lifetime. Simply put, women, children, and families have better lives because of the work of Certified Nurse Midwives alongside physicians.

At Atlanta Gynecology & Obstetrics, we recognized the benefits of midwifery early on, and integrated midwives into our model of care more than ten years ago. Partnering together, our five physicians and six midwives provide patients the best combination of education, empathy, and technology in obstetrical and gynecological care.

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More than More 50 years th compa care.

One Man’s Opinioncompassionate Continued from page 7

work your plan and you will grow – in all parts of your life – in a deliberate, purposeful, and intentional manner. This will lead to a great 2020 (no matter what you encounter) with such a positive mindset, and you will help everyone in our community grow to even greater heights in the process.

Thanks for being part of our amazing community. Our team is so proud to play a key role in it. Here is to a great 2020. And now and as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town!

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Bringing Smiles to a Community in Need Continued from page 18 autographed bats straight from the boys’ favorite players on the Yankees, Yankees playoff game tickets, and a letter to explain why the brothers wanted to help.

It was October of 2018, two weeks before the one year anniversary of the passing of their father. This is when November Smiles went from a dream to a reality.

The Klug brothers kept in touch with this family and their relationship grew very deep, despite never having met each other. But over the first weekend of June 2019, the Klugs flew to Massachusetts to surprise the family whom they’d grown to love.

“We know what it’s like to go through the pain of losing a parent,” said Matt. “When we see local kids going through it, we feel like we should help them out. We went through this, too, and you are not alone.”

November Smiles has already helped nearly a dozen kids or families who are dealing with the loss of a parent. For a child or teenager to be considered, all someone has to do is nominate them on the November Smiles website (novembersmiles.org). They also have the chance to list out the nominee’s hobbies, interests, dreams, and anything else that will help the Klug brothers get to know them better.

“One of our nominees loved soccer, and we were able to take him to an Atlanta United game,” Patrick said. “Another time, we connected with a kid who really wanted to be a marine biologist, so Matt spent the day with him at the Georgia Aquarium.”

Once November Smiles receives the nomination, the team gets to work planning a special activity or event for the person who was nominated. And from there, it’s all about the surprise. The team at November Smiles coordinates with the child’s guardian or other family members to create a surprise they will never forget – and maybe even one that will change their life.

The ultimate dream for Patrick and Matt is to become a resource for families who are

The Noah Robert Project

Continued from page 13

Holly is all about empowering people everywhere with proper education on special needs of various kinds. Her oldest son Roman has a condition known as 22Q Deletion Syndrome, which basically means he’s missing a small portion of the 22nd chromosome in his body.

Various levels of deletion cause a wide variety of issues. Roman is going through speech therapy to address his language difficulties.

The entire family plays a role in the book, but Noah’s sister, Lydia, is a key character. She is represented as Sarah in the story because she and Noah have a special bond.

Holly doesn’t plan to stop at the book and school visits. She has several additional elements to The Noah Robert Project in the works such as more frequent Multisensory Storytime events where she reads the book, does music and movement activities, and offers sensory bins for further exploration. These are available to autistic and non-autistic children all over Georgia. Backpacks, t-shirts, and coffee mugs are also available for sale on the website.

Continued on page 22

dealing with a loss and who need support and guidance from someone who understands how they feel. That’s why they urge people to spread the word about November Smiles, and to let them know if there is a child or teenager in the community who has lost a parent and could benefit from their organization. You can also donate to the organization and follow their social media platforms from the website.

More than anything, Patrick and Matt hope that what they are doing motivates others to help out when they see someone in need, regardless of their situation.

“If nothing else comes from this, we want to inspire people to do something for someone else,” Patrick said. “You never know what someone is going through. Make it your goal to make one person smile every day.”

“We want to help as many people as we can,” added Matt. “We are here, and we are ready to help.”

More information at novembersmiles.org.

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PAGE 21

J & J’s Sports Superstore Continued from page 13 ing back to the early 1900s, all the way up to today’s newest releases.”

Davis adds, “The sports card market is as strong as I have ever seen it, with new collectors entering the hobby at a rapid pace. Many sports cards and related collectibles have shown to be a very solid investment. We are part of a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide, supplying collectors both locally and across the globe, shipping hundreds of orders each week.”

Joe Davis has every reason to be proud of what he’s accomplished. After all, not everyone can offer customers the quantity of cards and quality sports collectibles that J & J’s sells.

But that’s not what Joe Davis is most proud of. “Even though we have the largest selection in the state, our products are not what make us truly special,” he explains. “It’s because of our people that we stand out. I’m so blessed with an incredible team that works very hard to meet the needs of our customers. We have years of experience in the hobby, with many of us being life-long collectors. We see ourselves as the center hub for sports card collectors in metro Atlanta.”

And it goes much deeper than merely business for Joe Davis. “As a Christian, I am a strong believer in the principle of serving others,” he says. “We offer a variety of services to assist collectors with their cards. We offer grading and authentication of both sports cards and autographs. We also offer a consignment program to auction off high-end cards and autographs, provide free appraisals for those considering selling their collections, as well as buying personal collections and helping collectors turn their cards into cash. My faith in God is central to all that I do and who I am. Our mission statement is ‘To honor God in all that we do as we serve collectors both locally and globally.’”

Walk into J & J’s Sports Superstore and stroll around the vast array of cards, jerseys, autographed pictures, and the myriad of other sports collectibles. It won’t take you long to remember your own childhood and how you wish you had saved your card collection, contemplating what they might be worth today. If you’re one of the lucky ones who saved your cards, you’ll join the loyal brotherhood of collectors that values everything about J & J’s: honesty, integrity, full-service, quality collectibles, and 10 million cards. What could be better than that?

More information at www.gotbaseballcards.com.

Judy Jordan Johnson Continued from page 14 finds the group to be inspiring and the work of Mayor Johnson to be a fine example to her own service. “Judy Jordan Johnson’s career – from a teacher and a coach to mayor – has been that of a sort of cheerleader,” says Bender. “She is sweet, supportive, and positive in everything she does. It is inspiring to be around her.”

As an outgoing public servant, Nash had very kind words for her friend and colleague.

“Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson’s love of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett’s County seat, comes through loudly and clearly,” says Nash. “This love of community drives her to seek the best for all of us. She leads with integrity and has accomplished so much. Yet she brings humility and a servant’s heart to all she does. It has been a pleasure to get to know her over the last several years, and I treasure our friendship.”

Johnson remains committed to her city and to her county as evidenced by her running the last leg of the Gwinnett 200th Birthday Celebration torch run into the Gwinnett Arena in December of last year. From the earliest days hanging out at City Hall with her dad in his role as mayor, to working hard to foster connections between the county and the county seat, Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson not only carried the Gwinnett 200 torch, but she has kept right on carrying the torch for the city and county she loves. There is very little evidence to show that anything will change very much when she “retires” from service. If those who know her know anything at all, it will, no doubt, be a new beginning.

The Noah Robert Project Continued from page 21 Holly has two other children’s books in the pipeline as well. One is geared toward support for parents of autistic children, and the other is a variation of the first book in the Jacob series, where Jacob goes to the library rather than school.

One thing Holly would like people to realize about autism through the themes in her books and her educational visits is: “Being different is okay. Having special needs children is not a curse or a mistake. It’s a true calling.”

More information at https://www.thenoahrobertproject.com or https://www.facebook. com/noahrobertproj/

Call us today to learn how we can help.

Barb Kennedy, RN Deana Porter, CT 678-427-4116 404-918-6645 Vicki Parker, RN 404-354-9609

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PAGE 23

A T H E N S

O R T H O P E D I C

C L I N I C

Throughout your life, there are things you can do to prevent bone loss:

10-20 20-35 35-50

50+

YEARS OLD:

YEARS OLD:

YEARS OLD:

YEARS OLD:

1,300 mg of calcium per day

1,000 mg of calcium per day

1,000 mg of calcium per day

1,000 mg of calcium per day

Limit soft drinks but eat greens!

Weight-bearing exercises

Exercise is crucial

Get some sun & exercise

AT H E N S O R T H O P E D I C C L I N I C . C O M