JULY 2016: Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Monthly Magazine

The Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Monthly Community and Family Magazine

Our Town July 2016

Lawrenceville l Snellville l Lilburn l Stone Mountain

Meet the Team at Chick-fil-A, see story on page 5

8 Sports Talk: Parkview Boys Soccer Wins State Championship 14 Snellville Farmers’ Market: Volunteers Make the Difference 16 Getting Schooled with Brookwood High’s Theatre Department 17 Community Spotlight: J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA

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Our Town

On the Cover: Chick-fil-A Creates Remarkable Experiences as a Team

By Michelle Watson Chick-fil-A founder, Truett Cathy, opened his first restaurant in Hapeville, Georgia, in 1946.

Cathy invented the Original Chicken Sandwich in 1964, and the first mall-based Chick-fil-A opened in Greenbrier Mall in 1967. The first stand-alone Chick-fil-A was opened in 1986, and the company opens dozens of new locations nationwide each year. The restaurant chain has long been known for remaining closed on Sunday, something that has amazingly never hindered sales.

In fact, Chick-fil-A makes four times the revenue its closest competitors make by opening seven days a week.

Chick-fil-A is a company known also for its compassion and training. The corporation includes several foundations and charities that train youth in leadership and help program participants build strong families. This compassion is also seen in the actions of local store operators, Chickfil-A’s term for their franchisees. Local Chick-fil-As often open their kitchens to serve victims and first responders after a tragedy strikes a community. Most recently, two Orlando restaurants had their staff in the kitchen on Sunday preparing food and drinks which they then gave to those donating blood in the wake of the mass shooting at the popular Pulse nightclub.

A team of four outstanding Chick-fil-A operators and their teams serve Lilburn, Snellville, and Stone Mountain. These four locations and operators are: Colby Cameron at Snellville, Hwy 78; Tom Balsamides, Snellville, Scenic Highway; Bryan Shepard, Lilburn; and Cliff Daniels, Stone Mountain, Hwy 78. They all work together to maintain brand consistency and to serve the community. In 2015 these four operators were the top team in the Atlanta metro area, bringing in more revenue than any other team in the region.

One way in which the team of Cameron, Shepard, Daniels, and Balsamides serve their customers is by adapting to changes quickly and easily. For instance, Cameron’s location, not far from the intersection of Highways 78 and 124, was the third stand-alone Chick-fil-A. Balsamides was its first operator. At any of the four locations, you will see the Chick-fil-A version of a carhop during peak hours, which vary by location. These team members go from car to car, taking orders with their iPads. They are able to take multiple orders at one time, long before drivers reach the order speaker, ensuring that customers receive their orders in a timely manner.

Four Agents - One Team One Goal 100% Customer Satisfaction

(From L to R) Colby Cameron, Cliff Daniels, Tom Balsamides, Bryan Shepard

All four operators have been a part of the Chick-fil-A family since they were teenaged team members. Because they have lived and worked in our community all or most of their lives, they want to see it do well, and Chick-fil-A gives them the tools to do that. Whether it’s hosting daughter/daddy or mother/son date nights, donating food to non-profit organizations, sponsoring business events, or hosting spirit nights for local school fundraisers, each Chick-fil-A has something to interest everyone for a special night out.

The latest addition to Chick-fil-A’s innovation is their One app. Shepard demonstrated its many functions, showing how you can use it to “skip the line.” Place your order from anywhere with the app, check in when you arrive, and a team member will bring your order to you—prepared with all of your requested condiments, beverages, and utensils. It tracks your orders so you can earn rewards called “Treats,” and keeps an order history. It will also tell you the nearest location so you can easily find a Chick-fil-A when you travel. A unique feature of the app is a personal video greeting from the operator of the location you select. The One app was the number one download the first few weeks after its release, a testimony once again to the great popularity Continued on page 15

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Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in Publisher/Owner the Gwinnett /NE DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff Ryan T. Sauers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.

Ryan@EndResultz.com Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial Creative Director or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors Elsie Olson in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made Elsie@EndResultz.com by advertisers.

Editor Entire contents copyright 2016 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction Catherine L. Osornio Why wait Rejuvenate! in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission Cover Photographer from the publisher.

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5 On the Cover: Chick-fil-A Creates Remarkable Experiences as a Team 7 From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion 8 Sports Talk: Parkview Boys Soccer Earns State Championship and a Place in History

9 Fitness Foundations: Time Tested Dietary Truths 10 City Talk: Meet Cool Breeze Smoothies in Stone Mountain 11 Skin So Simple: Long-Term Effects of Childhood Fun in the Sun

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Getting to Know: James and Hannah Hwang

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From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion

By Ryan T. Sauers

@RyanSauers

I hope you are off to a great summer. As always, we have a number of local stories, written by our talented team of local feature and contributing writers, on local topics. These are stories that are covered virtually nowhere else and that provide you a break from our “constantly connected” world that often focuses on nothing but negative news.

It would be easier for us to pull generic content off the internet, and much quicker to have others write and submit their own stories.

However, I find this lazy and uninspiring. As an author of two bestselling books on sales and marketing, I am dedicated to having our team apply the best practices of marketing in 2016 and beyond. And while it takes more time, money and effort, the final product is so much better.

We never settle for less than the best and we focus on insightful local community and family content. This demands a great team, and I promise you, we are one that never becomes complacent. We are never satisfied, and we know there is always room to improve. This is our goal each day, week, and month.

Our Town’s overall readership continues to grow. Each month we mail a high quantity of copies (yes, lots of postage) to select homes and distribute additional thousands of copies in our display shelves and other locations. And we publish a heavily-read online version (OurTownGwinnettOnline.com), as well as stay connected through digital media all month (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and more). In addition, we have a brand new website at OurTownGwinnett.com.

You see, we are not merely a magazine but a community connection point. Others may sell “advertising spots.” We sell value, expertise, and creativity built on trust. We strive to improve each issue in both of our two (completely unique) monthly magazines. We are not a “zoned” publication that has a few changes to pages. In Our Town, you will read stuff on your community all housed in either the Our Town (Blue) or the Our Town (Green) monthly publication. If one truly desires to be local one has to be hyperlocal and super targeted … and this is what each edition of Our Town is all about.

By the way, when you have a choice of where you spend your marketing dollars, I suggest you ask the person selling to you what they actually know of marketing. And I mean “all marketing,” not just printed publications. Our team consists of marketing experts who can walk you through the pros and cons of every component of traditional and digital marketing. And this in turn will keep you from wasting money and will allow you to stretch your organizational reach through a variety of mediums. And guess what? Sometimes I tell people NOT to use print advertising and advise them on another medium. Wow, can you imagine? Doing what’s best for you and playing the “long game.”

Why does Our Town work? We share amazing content, and this drives consumer behavior.

There is no trick – just expertise – built on strong relationships to help you grow your organization in a customized fashion. If you don’t understand what this means, look up the term “content marketing.” And then call us. Great and consistent content is what drives Our Town.

Our Town has value – which makes it simple to get many referrals to new advertising partners and insightful stories. Why? They want to be part of the value and something special. In contrast, if others do not see the value of a publication (and I spent twenty years running a printing company and talking to countless publishers across the US), it all comes down to price.

We are excited about the future and look forward to sharing additional news in the coming months. And as always: this is my town, your town, Our Town! ancial Aid • Catholic Values • Financial Aid ended Day • Program Community Service • Extended Day Program • Catholic Values • Financial Aid ue Ribbon School of Involvement Excellence• Community • Family • Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Service • Extended Day Program • Family Involvement • Blue Ribbon School of Excellence

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Sports Talk: Parkview Boys Soccer Earns State Championship and a Place in History

By Kim Hill When Coach Danny Klinect came to Parkview as head boys soccer coach this year, he was excited to be a part of a program that shared the distinction of having won six state championships with only one other Georgia school, and his goal was to win number seven to make Parkview the “winningest” program in Georgia history. On Friday, May 13th, that goal became a reality when the Parkview Panthers defeated Milton in the Georgia High School Association Soccer State Championship playoffs at Mercer University in Macon.

The key to the team’s success? “The biggest thing was chemistry,” offers Coach Klinect. “The kids have to buy in to what I am selling, and they did. We were a team. There wasn’t a lot of jealously – for the most part everyone accepted their role.” The players quickly learned their new coach was going to be consistent in his expectations, holding them accountable for timeliness and work ethic.

Klinect feels the turning point in the season was a humbling loss to long-time rival Brookwood for the Region Championship. There was a general re-focusing on everyone’s part after the loss.

“We were just determined we weren’t going to lose again,” he says. The players realized they were going to have to play a little more physical, and be a little quicker. Klinect says some of the younger starters on the team were a little bit in awe of that game. “I think being exposed to the big crowd and the intensity of that game actually helped prepare us for the playoffs more than anything else.”

After losing to Brookwood, Parkview played its last game before the playoffs against defending champion Duluth, beating them 2-1. “We peaked at the right time,” explains Klinect. The team won the first playoff game at home against Pope and then headed to Kennesaw Mountain in the second round, winning 4-0. Facing a defensively strong Alpharetta team in the quarterfinal, the Panthers found themselves down 2-1 with 1.3 seconds left in the game when they drew a penalty kick. With the season on the line, senior Kevin Lingard hit the PK, sending the game into overtime with the Panthers emerging victorious 3-2. “I think at that point I realized we could win it all,” says Klinect, “because they didn’t quit.” The Panthers then went on the road to face the number one team in the nation, Chattahoochee, and shut them out 2-0, earning the trip to the state playoff game, where they finished their third playoff shutout against Milton, 1-0.

“It’s one of those Cinderella story kind of years,” Klinect says of winning a state championship his first year at Parkview, but admits it sets the bar high for next season. “It’s a challenge when you are the defending state champions. You come in with a big target on your back every game.”

The team is losing nine starters, but there is a lot of depth coming up from the JV team. Some of those players were brought up toward the end of the season, and Coach Klinect is hopeful that the experience and the mindset will carry over. The kids understand what he expects, in the classroom and on the field, and he expresses confidence in taking on the challenge. “I think we’ll be very competitive again next year.”

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Our Town

4928_Dr. Chris' July 4th ad.pdf 1 6/14/2016 2:01:40 PM

Fitness Foundations: Time Tested Dietary Truths

By Kelly Farris, ACSM CPT Is it time for some dietary changes? Good news! You don’t have to burn everything down to the ground and start from scratch.

There are minor changes that can easily be incorporated into your daily life that will make a difference. Here are a few truths I compiled from working with my clients over the years: Drink water. Fancy water to tap water, drink it up. If you require some fizz, try sparkling mineral water and drop in some citrus slices or cucumbers for a very refreshing drink on a summer day. Proper hydration helps all body systems function.

Be aware of liquid calories. Look up the nutritional value of your regular coffee house beverage, smoothie, or soda. Don’t forget beer and wine. The number of calories might surprise you.

Cook at home. This is a great way to control your intake of saturated fats, sugars, and sodium.

Use the internet to find recipe substitutions. Save dining out for special occasions.

Have restaurant smarts. Restaurant portions can be double or triple a normal serving size.

Have your server bring you a take home box when he or she brings your meal. Load half of your meal into the box. If dessert is inevitable, share it.

Avoid temptation. If you know that you will eat the entire bag of chips, DO NOT buy the bag of chips.

Do not fall victim to label confusion. A snack cake made with “zero trans-fat” is not now magically a health food. The same should apply to other foods with labels that say “fat free” and “gluten free”.

Eat more fiber and less processed foods. Grains. Fruits. Veggies. Eat more things that grow out of the ground. Stay out of the middle of the grocery store. It is a veritable sea of processed foods.

These small changes along with an attainable fitness program will aid you in reaching your health and fitness goals! Go for it!

Kelly Farris is the owner of Ladies Workout Snellville and the President of KLF Fitness. More information at ladiesworkoutsnellville.com.

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By Our Town Staff Three and a half months ago, Jasmine and Duane Little opened the doors on their dream, Cool Breeze Smoothies, located at 961 Main Street in Stone Mountain. Using fresh ingredients, and whole fruit that is locally sourced when possible, they are striving to create nutritious smoothies and juices for the thousands of people who come to Stone Mountain to exercise and enjoy the Park’s natural beauty.

“So many people come to Stone Mountain to take advantage of the Park, and our goal is to provide them with a healthy treat at the end of their workout,” says Jasmine Little with a smile. “I really try to connect with each person and explain the health benefits of our products.”

Cool Breeze Smoothies is the Little’s first adventure in owning a business. Jasmine worked for several months on developing a business and marketing plan that would help guide her through the process. “It’s a lot of work,” says Jasmine. “You have to know your expenses and how much income you’re going to make per smoothie. That seems simple, but so many small business owners don’t do that. I feel like my business plan is my guide that will help me grow.”

And they’ve been growing. Cool Breeze quickly developed a following of repeat customers who are focused on becoming healthier and getting in shape. Jasmine has partnered with local gyms, and passes out flyers to people frequenting the Park. In addition, to her grass roots marketing, she utilizes Yelp and other social media to get the word out about the business. With the help of all of this, the Little’s have been able to increase their weekly business goals steadily since opening.

Duane Little has some advice for people looking to start their own business. “Believe in your dream and don’t listen to the naysayers,” he says. “You have to persevere. No one is going to do the work for you. But it is all worth it the day you open your doors and see your dream become a reality.”

Cool Breeze Smoothie is owned by Duane and Jasmine Little. More information at www.coolbreezesmoothie.com.

Come see our Garden!

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Live your most with) Curves. © 2016 CURVESincredible INTERNATIONAL, life INC. ( 1603_T2 2144 Fountain Square, Snellville, GA 30078 678.344.0200

Let your child play in the dirt with us!

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( 1603_T2 )

Ages 6 weeks to 4 years old.

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Our Town

30

Skin So Simple: Long-Term Effects of Childhood Fun in the Sun

By Lisa Clinkscale Porter, Aesthetician Most of us love to see the signs of summer approaching and look forward to all that comes with it: family vacations, beautiful flowers, warm weather that allows for swimming and going to the beach, and just being able to spend more time outside in general. But one drawback is the long term, negative effect the sun has on our skin, especially if we are not protecting it as we should. Everyone should use a minimum SPF15 daily in addition to moisturizer (two separate products).

By the time we are fourteen years old, our skin has already been exposed and damaged. As children a lot of us played outside in the sun for long periods of time. Do you remember how many times you went swimming and stayed in the water for hours with your face fully exposed?

Or maybe you tanned for hours with your entire body catching some rays. The goal wasn’t to protect the skin from the sun as much as it was to absorb it with all those oils and sprays for that tropical summer tan. Either way, the long term effects of those decisions don’t begin to show up until later in life.

Prolonged UV radiation exposure, even if you never actually got sunburned, accelerates the aging of the skin. It makes the skin appear dry, loose, wrinkled, dull and even rough in texture.

Radiation exposure can also change the pigment of the skin, which is commonly known as “age spots.” It can also cause changes in the skin cells, which may lead to skin cancer. So, if you spent long periods of time in the sun and notice any changes in the pigment of your skin, then I highly recommend that you visit a dermatologist as a precaution.

Next month: remedies to repair sun damaged skin. Remember, the first thing people see when they look at you is your face. So I ask, “How does your skin look?”

JULY Love your lawn, all year Love your lawn, long.

Lisa Clinkscale Porter is owner of Unique Face Options, Inc. More information at http://www. uniquefaceoptions.com/

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By Heidi Campbell On May 28th at 6:30 p.m., twenty-three Parkview High School students, three teachers, and four parents met at the Atlanta International Airport to take off on a 10-day European adventure to London, Paris, and Barcelona. The organizer, Parkview Special Education teacher, Heather Baug, brought her daughter and mother, making it her fourth tour with EF Educational Tours.

Sarah Akin and the author were the other two Parkview teacher chaperones, and the tour was led by a veteran British guide, Simon Jordan, who came fully loaded with a wealth of historical and cultural vignettes to heighten our overall experience. According to Simon, it was a “proper coach bus” that we traveled on and never just a bus, and it was “‘Frahnce’, not ‘France’ which rhymes with dance.”

The tour began with three nights at the Hilton Croydon outside of London. The excursions included loads of hotspots: Trafalgar Square, where we first met “pay toilets,” Lester Square, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, and Leicester Square – home of the Odeon Theater, London’s red carpet theater for film premiers. We beheld breathtaking churches including St. Paul’s and Westminster Abbey. We wandered along the Thames River, paused outside the Globe Theater, and stood next to the City of London School where Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame studied (a fact the students all enjoyed). Several hours were dedicated to a tour of the Tower of London after a pit stop at Buckingham Palace. We visited Stonehenge and Bath, which was not only Jane Austen’s home, but was also famous for the ancient Roman baths. One evening, the group was lucky enough to go to the Apollo Victoria Theater to see Wicked. “I’m so glad I decided to go,” shared chaperone Sarah Akin. “It was so good!”

Students had mixed reviews of the traditional British food, which included “meat pies and mash” at a place called The Mother Mash, fish and chips at a local pub known as the Jugged Hare, and Asian noodles at a place called Wagamama’s. “I enjoyed every bit of it,” raved chaperone Karen Baug.

The Eurostar, the second fastest train in the world, took the group from London to Paris, where we checked in to the Hotel Palatino, conveniently located one block from the Porte de Choisy metro station. Four days in Paris allowed the group time to gorge on Brie cheese, crepes, and macaroons. The Opera, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Tuileries Gardens, Continued on page 22 TM

6

Getting to Know: James and Hannah Hwang

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Parkview High School Students and Teachers Enjoy a European Adventure

By Tony Socci So there you are, hanging by your

toes and fingertips, and you look lunch dinner brunch across the rock face you’re climbing monday - friday sunday - thursday saturday - sunday FONT: Bitter Regular & Myriad Pro NOTES: and who do you see? Your shoe repair 11:00am - 2:30pm 4:30pm - 9:00pm 11:00am - 2:30pm man and for your tailor,balance. of course! Yes, Black Use of colors than those specified The tag line aligns centered a symetrical fridayother - saturday here should be approved by the Brand mountain climbing is what James 4:30pm - 10:00pm

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Hannah’s sister owned a clothes cleaning business and had mentored Hannah and James, who had earned their diplomas from a dressmaking school in Seoul. Six months after their arrival in the United States, One Stop opened its doors. James also learned shoe and luggage repair from a Have a special occasion coming up? shoe maker, giving birth to that half of the business.

The Hwangs studied English in Korea, but they only learned the basics of grammar, with Check out our new private dinning speaking not an integral part of their English language education. That part came with their area, accommodates up to 80 people. arrival in the US. They had to jump in and start speaking!

James and Hannah have two sons. Samuel, age 33, went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he majored in engineering. Daniel, age 31, graduated from West Point and a portion of our profit goes to support local schools, churches, served in the military for six years, where he was deployed twice to Iraq. families, farmers and businesses James and Hannah are two of the most amiable people you will have the good fortune to meet.

107 mainstreet | lilburn, ga | 30047 | 770.564.6911 | 1910publichouse.com You will quickly bridge the gap between stranger and friend just by their smiles and friendly perinfo@1910publichouse.com sonalities. As far as their work is concerned, Hannah and James are known respectively for their eat well hang local stay positive Continued on page 22 RGB 205/32/40

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Our Town

Realty Reality: Five Tips for Buying a Home

By Kathy Coots, Realtor Buying a new home is one of the largest financial investments you will ever make in your lifetime. Making sure you are prepared in advance is important.

1. Money There are a couple of key factors to keep in mind regarding your finances. The first would be to not make any large purchases or money transfers in your accounts for three to six months before you are buying your new house. You don’t want to take any chances with your credit profile, and it’s easier to provide the bank with easy-to-follow financial records for your mortgage. That leads to the second factor. Get pre-approved on your mortgage! This saves you a lot of time, and keeps you from looking at houses that are out of your price range. Finally, you may want to invest in real estate insurance. This gives you a safety net in case anything goes wrong with the purchase of your new home.

2. Surveys and Inspections It’s a fantastic idea to settle any border disputes before they happen. Hire a surveyor to come and survey the property you are looking at. Make sure that the property lines are correct. You get taxed on how much land you own, and making sure it’s the correct amount could save you money later on. Also hire a home inspector. A home inspector can give you an unbiased, professional opinion on the condition of the home you are looking to buy. A list of changes might be used to bring the seller’s price down, or you may find a much larger problem that completely stops you from buying.

3. Market Timing A lot of buyers think that they can time the market and buy when prices are low. This is impossible. The market has cycles and they’re never at the same time. The correct time to buy a house is when you find one and you can afford it! If you wait for the market to play in your favor, you will be waiting forever. Don’t miss your chance to get the home of your dreams.

4. Less is More Buying the biggest, prettiest home in the neighborhood is actually not a great idea. If you ever Continued on page 21

Providence is a distinctly covenant, Christian school that encourages spiritual development while integrating Biblical truth into every subject area.

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isJohn honored to beIV, we are committed to providing you with the high AtDr. the Simmons dental office of W. Simmons, comprehensive dental care, focused on both the function and beauty of your smile. A one of only nine dentists improving in patient care and comfort are our primary concerns. We are proud to run a practice that treats ea Georgia to have passed the kind, gentle, and caring manner, just like family. We offer a full range of the latest cosmetic a rigorous required to long-lasting, earn procedures thattesting concentrate on ensuring brilliant results you will love, and others

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.

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His state-of-the-art equipment and updated technology allow him to affordably serveDENTAL CARE AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY D.M.D., P.C. • SUPERIOR 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 Call for an Appointment family by scheduling a new patient exam.

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PAGE 13

Snellville Farmers’ Market: Volunteers Making a Difference

By Karla Socci Somers Seven years ago, Gretchen Schulz decided she needed a retirement project. She had a background in school nutrition and had noticed that when children were given the chance to choose fruits and vegetables, they actually did, all on their own.

“Snellville needs this!” Schulz thought.

She wanted to create a friendly place where children could come with their families and choose healthy foods together. Many meetings, discussions, and passionate volunteers later, the Snellville Farmers’ Market was born, and is now in its seventh successful year.

Schulz, her husband Kurt, and ten to twelve additional dedicated volunteers are the heart and soul of the Snellville Farmers’ Market. Every Saturday from June through September, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., this hearty crew shows up bright and early to get the ball rolling on the Towne Green. As early as 6:00 a.m. they start setting up flags to mark the booth spaces and volunteer tents. They also help vendors unload their products and set up booths.

“We have always been committed to being a very friendly market,” Schulz says, “and the vendors really appreciate that. They love coming here because of it, and we love to help them.”

They even celebrate the end of the Market’s season with a vendor appreciation luncheon. All vendors are invited to enjoy a catered lunch provided by Summit Chase Country Club, one of the Market’s sponsors.

Schulz is very proud that the Market is totally administered by volunteers because, in addition to making it a great experience for the vendors, this also allows them to donate money to other projects in the community.

“It took us four or five years to save, but we were able to donate $10,000 to the Veterans Memorial.” Schulz says the Market has donated money to the Community Garden and the Southeast Co-op as well, so they are truly giving back to their neighbors.

The Snellville Farmers’ Market regularly has about forty vendors participating each week, and Continued on page 17

Com Sum ing So o me r 20 n!

17

Experience the Dogwood Difference Spirit Filled Buildings In all our activities and design features we believe that the individual was created in the “image of God” and that the body was “wonderfully” made such that it has the innate ability to heal itself given a healing environment and lifestyle.

Wellness/Dietary Centered Environment Throughout our community fresh wholesome fruit and fruit flavored H2O for hydration can be found in one of our multiple bistro areas. Our culinary menu offerings are developed with an array of healthful options clinically proven to stimulate appetite while also offering items with nutritional value for our Seniors.

Negative Ion and UV lighting in Common Space Air Handling Systems Numerous studies have proven that negative ions lift moods, improve respiration, increase mental clarity, decrease viruses and clear the air of dust, pollen and mold spores.

PAGE 14

Dogwood Forest of Grayson Call for more information! (678) 496-2319 www.dogwoodforest.com/grayson Assisted Living | Memory Care | Respite Care | Adult Day Care

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Our Town

Chick-fil-A Continued from page 5

Athens Orthopedic Clinic

Chick-fil-A enjoys nationwide.

As Shepard puts it, these operators and their teams “do life together in our little pocket of the county.” The operators know their regular customers by name, and they even serve them drink refills and cook alongside their kitchen staff. They mentor their team members so that when they live and work in the community outside of the restaurant, they are better citizens. Some team members will go on to be future operators themselves. Cathy was beloved by many for his endeavor to mentor everyone he could when he had the chance. Shepard says each operator is the Truett Cathy of his area. It shows, too, in the way they talk about their vision for their stores, their love and stewardship for the company, and their willingness to reach out to those around them.

Chick-fil-A continues to be a Georgia and national favorite, but the four we have in this corner of Gwinnett County are particularly special, and a great treasure to our entire community.

For more information on the great things Chick-fil-A does, check out their website, www. chickfila.com, or visit one of the four stores. And don’t forget to download your Chick-fil-A One app to start earning your free Treats.

OCCUPATIONAL HAND THERAPY Since 2012, AOC has offered Occupational Hand Therapy to the Snellville community.

KARIN FOSTER, Certified Hand Therapist Certified in Hand Therapy since 2000 Currently accepting patients

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PAGE 15

Our Town: July Photo of the Month

Back to Brookwood: At Home in the High School Theatre Department

By Karla Socci Somers It is rather fitting that Laura Lindahl, theatre teacher and director at Brookwood High School, had her very first kiss with her future husband, Chris Damiano, on stage in the Brookwood auditorium. They were, at the time, just acting.

Lindahl was playing Eva Perón in Brookwood’s production of Evita, and Damiano was the male lead. They kissed, graduated from Brookwood, and went their separate ways to pursue acting careers. As luck would have it, they met again twelve years later at a wedding.

Lindahl, who just wrapped up her third year as acting teacher and director of Brookwood’s award-winning theatre department, was destined to come back to her hometown after pursuing an acting career. She performed in Europe; on cruise ships; in California and Chicago; in theatre, films, and commercials.

Wherever she ventured, her ties to her family and the community remained strong.

“My parents ran the Brookwood Theatre Department for thirty years,” Lindahl says, “so I grew up watching BHS productions as a child, and then performed in them when I was in high school.”

When her parents retired a few years ago, Lindahl found herself with an opportunity to return home and give back to the community that had shaped her love of the theatre from an early age.

“The support our program receives from the administration, from the staff, and community is amazing,” Lindahl notes. “We would not be able to do what we do without them. For most schools, it isn’t even possible to do all that we do!”

Along with theatre teacher and producer, LeAnn Hedrick, and music director, Kim Peeples, Lindahl teaches 268 students everything there is to know about “real world theatre.” This past year, students in the BHS Theatre Department had the opportunity to perform in two musicals, four additional plays, and two one-act plays. They performed for local middle schools and elementary schools, and were invited to showcase their talents at the Georgia Thespian Festival Continued on page 20

Photo taken by Anthony R. Socci

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Our Town

Educational Entertainment

Cuddle Touch J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA Gets New Wellness Center

By Karla Socci Somers When you think of the YMCA, what comes to mind? A place to work out? Somewhere to send your kids for swimming lessons? How about a summer camp, an after-school program, or a fun, positive environment where people of all ages can participate in a variety of sports and fitness activities? According to Kim Nelson, Executive Director of the J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA, the Y is all these things, and more.

“It is,” Nelson says, “a one-stop shop for families” in our community – a place where parents can work out while their kids take swimming lessons instead of having to choose between the two. Members can also work out while their kids are supervised, free of charge, all in the same location.

In the past three years, membership to the J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA on Sugarloaf Parkway had grown significantly, and the facility, built in 1986, needed some upgrades. In addition to renovating the youth locker rooms and the children’s Play Center, the building lacked enough space for all the exercise equipment.

“We needed a Wellness Center,” Nelson says, “where we could have all our cardio equipment in one room.” She says that before the renovations, in which several racquetball courts were converted into one huge indoor space, some of the cardio equipment was located in hallways. “The hallways are really wide, but still…” she adds with a chuckle.

Now the Y has a brand new 3,000 square-foot Wellness Center that was unveiled in June at a community open house. Gwinnett County residents were invited to explore the upgraded fitness facility and to participate in free group exercise classes, including a Parkinson’s Movement Class in which participants get a cardio workout while sitting in a chair.

“Our facility is so accommodating to members,” says Nelson, noting that they have specialized exercise equipment for people with wheelchairs and walkers.

Another specialty program is “GMC at the Y.” This partnership with Gwinnett Medical Center allows cancer patients and survivors to work with an exercise coach free of charge to support exercising as part of their individualized treatment and recovery plan.

An important part of the mission of the Y is to promote family health, fitness, and community involvement for everyone, not just those who can afford exclusive health club memberships.

Nelson makes a point of mentioning that not everyone realizes the Y is a nonprofit organization.

“We provide over $400,000 in financial aid to families for all kinds of programs,” Nelson says.

“Health and fitness should be affordable for all. We don’t turn anybody away.”

More information at http://ymcaatlanta.org/ymca-locations/gwinnett/

Snellville Farmers Market Continued from page 14 about 1,000 attendees. Locally grown produce is the main product, but there is always a variety of baked goods, homemade bath and body items, and this year, a longtime produce vendor is also offering some pork and beef products, including sausage that Schulz says is “the best I’ve ever had.”

Also new this year is fresh shrimp from Darien, Georgia. The shrimp vendor was such a hit that he sold out of his 75 pound supply of shrimp in the first hour of opening week. He is planning to come back at least a couple times each month.

“One of the biggest joys I have,” Schulz says, “is seeing neighbors get together at the Farmers’ Market. It really brings our community together.”

More information at http://www.snellvillefarmersmarket.com

Our Town

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PAGE 17

Learning Lessons: Exercise and School Success

By Carol C. Wood

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Is there a correlation between physical exertion and academic success? Many educators speculate that by limiting the amount of exercise breaks for students during the school day, we hamper their potential in the classroom. It is difficult for schools to allot time during the school day for exercise activities along with core academic areas. So, as parents, it is important that we encourage, and perhaps even require, our children to participate in some form of physical exercise after school hours.

As our society has evolved into one of technology, modern medicine, and the use of advanced tools and equipment, we are more sedentary in our lifestyle than our ancestors were. This has resulted in not only weight problems for many, but research finds there is a strong correlation between physical activity and brain function. This finding helps us solve another challenge in our schools and homes – that of poor student academic performance.

In the 2008 book Brain Rules, written by John Medina, the author describes twelve rules of how the brain works. The first one he states is, “Exercise boosts brain power.” Medina supports this rule with real-life cases and science, revealing many research studies that prove that regular exercise, even if only two times each week, is beneficial and offers significant advantages. Physical activity is proven to boost a person’s memory and increase his or her problem solving abilities, critical reasoning, and attention span. All of these are necessary for success in the classroom!

Researcher Antronette Yancey studied the effect that physical activity had on children and found that physically fit and/or active children were better able to identify visual stimuli faster, concentrate better, and pay attention to a task for longer periods of time than students who were physically inactive. And, when exposed to physical education classes, students performed better on core tests! Yancey’s findings also concluded that, aside from academic benefits, physically fit and/ or active children had fewer incidences of depression, anxiety, and negative behaviors.

Yet another study – conducted by two doctors from the Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Hospital and involved 1st through 6th graders at an academically low elementary school in Charleston, S.C. – found that after the students participated in 40 minutes of activity each day, five days a week (as opposed to their usual 40 minutes per week), the number of students who reached proficiency on the year-end state tests went from 55 percent to 68.5 percent! Wow! This is significant!

Continued on page 20

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Exercise and School Success Continued from page 18 Medina cited another study in his book where the brain power of a group of “couch potatoes” was measured. The researchers exercised the group for a period of time, and then retested their brain power. The data showed consistently that when inactive people began an aerobic exercise program, their mental abilities came back to life in as little as four months. A similar study examined the brain power of children as they began jogging for 30 minutes two or three times a week.

After 12 weeks, their cognitive performance had improved significantly. However, perhaps just as important, when the exercise program was taken away, children’s scores plummeted back to preactivity levels. This rise and fall of achievement in adults and children is the direct result of the brain receiving more or less oxygen.

These studies and more like them prove that physical activity is not only critical to the physical well-being of children, but also to their academic performance and school success. We can now feel optimistic about the long term benefits that exercise has on our children’s overall well-being.

Carol Woods is Founder & CEO Total Learning Concepts, Inc. More information at http://www. totallearningconcepts.com/

Brookwood HS Theatre Department Continued from page 16 in front of two audiences of 750 people each.

“This theatre was such an important part of my life growing up,” says Lindahl. “I know exactly how these kids feel and what they are experiencing, because I was once literally right where they are.”

Hedrick, a former full-time Language Arts/English teacher, loves being a full-time theatre teacher as well. This year marks her sixteenth year at BHS and her twenty-eighth year in the district. She takes great pleasure in watching the students learn and grow from their first classes as freshmen to their senior year of high school.

“It’s so refreshing,” Hedrick says. “It reminds me of all the reasons I became a teacher in the first place.”

“Our program is so successful because of our relationships,” Lindahl adds. “We have all known each other for so many years. It’s one of the keys to the success of the program. We’re a big family.”

Lindahl’s parents continue to help out building sets and making costumes, and Lindahl’s husband is a professional actor with thespian ties to the community. All of this experience is brought back to that familiar stage at Brookwood High where the kids work hard, have fun, and reap the benefits of the theatre – an experience they will take with them wherever they venture in life.

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Five Tips For Buying a Home Continued from page 13 are considering reselling, that type of home only appeals to a very small niche market. Also, as time goes on, the value on the biggest home doesn’t appreciate as much as it would on a smaller home in the same neighborhood. In reality, it’s better to purchase the smallest home in the area.

Interestingly enough, the worst house per square foot always trades for more than the biggest house.

5. The Community So you found the perfect house. Does it sit in the perfect area? Feel free to “stalk” the neighborhood. Drive by the house or through the neighborhood in the morning, in the afternoon, and at night. You might not like what the neighbors do at 5 o’clock when they get home from work.

Also, drive to the nearest grocery store. Drive to your work. Find parks and things to do nearby.

Ask yourself if these are right for you. Remember to look up the schools as well. Even if you don’t have kids that go there, the school system affects the value of your home.

The process of buying a house is complicated, but the future and new adventures are waiting.

Following these tips and more can help you buy the perfect new home.

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Parkview HS European Adventure Continued from page 12 the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Concorde, and Les Invalides were highlights on the daily agendas. Most of the group toured the Palace of Versailles for half a day, while a remaining few explored the Champs-Elysees and rode the Rue de la Paris. The students climbed the 300 steps to the top of Montmartre, where several had portraits drawn by local artists, and others toured the stunning Sacre Coeur church. When an evening boat ride down the Seine River was cancelled due to disastrous flooding, Simon came up with a fantastic alternate plan: a ride to the top of Montparnasse – Paris’s lone skyscraper.

When our TGV train was cancelled due to transportation strikes in Paris, EF Tours kindly booked the entire group on a flight from Paris to Barcelona, our final stop. The view from the top of Montjuic Hill provided a snapshot of the Mediterranean city surrounded by the Pyrenees Mountains. A tour of the city included a couple of the masterpieces of Gaudi: the Parque Guell and the stunning Sagrada Familia, a church which blew everyone away with its truly unique design. Las Ramblas, the most famous street in Barcelona, provided a perfect spot for a tapas lunch and shopping adventure before spending two hours enjoying the beach.

Heather Baug truly loves organizing these adventures. “The best part is when the students are engaged and asking and answering questions, and applying what they know to what’s in front of them,” Baug explains. “I also like the life skills it teaches them. They are placed in situations that they normally wouldn’t have to deal with.”

Next year’s trip, scheduled for early June, will explore Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. There are still plenty of spots available to interested students, teachers, and parents.

More information at heather_baug@gwinnett.k12.ga.us.

James and Hannah Hwang Continued from page 12 exceptional alterations and shoe repair.

If you’re looking for what makes America great, you’ll be sure to find it in the Hwangs. They are stellar examples of the ideals that our founding fathers spelled out in our Constitution. They believe in hard work, family, country, and dedication to God, as seen in the framed Korean inscription James proudly displays. When asked to translate, James thumped his chest and quoted Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

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Snellville therapists: (back row) Daniel Carmack, PT, DPT; (front row, left to right) Boyd Sasser, PTA; Leah Woods, PT, DPT, ATC, CDN; Shannon Conroy, PT, DPT

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