Lawrenceville | Snellville | Lilburn | Stone Mountain | Tucker
SUMMER CHECKLIST
On the Cover: Getting to Know Rausch Family Dentistry
By Kristen Eleveld
For many of us, going to the dentist can be an intimidating experience. But for one local dentist team in Stone Mountain, it is usually the opposite. They find their patients are happy and comfortable during appointments because of the team’s excellent reputation and dedication to treating every patient like a member of their own family. That is just one of the many differences you will find at Rausch Family Dentistry.
Drs. Gerald and Candace Rausch met at dental school, got married, and started their practice in Stone Mountain over thirty years ago. They lead the charge for a team that includes two other excellent experienced dentists, Dr. Elizabeth Kaplan and Dr. William Brunton, in addition to their amazing staff. This means when you walk into this facility, you know you will be receiving only the best care that has been shaped by a lifetime of experience.
The doctors at Rausch Family Dentistry take continuing education courses on a regular basis to keep up with the latest materials, technology, and techniques.
“We hold our work up to a high standard,” said Dr. Gerald Rausch. “They don’t call it practicing dentistry for no reason. After forty years, we are well-practiced.”
While this family business has made a large impact on the community, they continue to maintain the small business feel that so many patients seek for dental care. With a philosophy of treating others as they would want to be treated driving each decision, the team at Rausch Family Dentistry
places a high priority on giving patients a level of care that goes above and beyond expectations.
“We’re not owned by a corporation, and we’re not being made to reach any specific financial goals or anything like that,” said Dr. Rausch of what sets their practice apart. “We are not in the business of selling stuff. We’re in the business of meeting patient needs and wants.”
The Rausches practice what they preach outside of the office, too. Every year, Dr. Gerald Rausch goes to Chirala, India to train dentists at a local mission hospital. These trips are personal for Dr. Rausch, as two of the members of his church were born at this same hospital. The mission hospital, which is designed to reach members of the community who have the lowest social status, has opened a dental clinic, and the staff there hopes to open a four-year nursing school.
As Dr. Rausch has been making these trips to Chirala for seventeen years, he has also made connections with many of the local community members there and continues to maintain those ties. This ongoing dedication to serving the mission hospital has allowed more dentists to get the education they need and more patients to find dental and medical care.
If you are looking for a team of talented, experienced, and caring dentists who can offer you the best of the best dental care, your search is over. Just reach out to Rausch Family Dentistry today to find out how the difference they make can make a difference for you.
More information at (770) 884-4161 or https://www.stonemountaindentistpractice.com/
Entire
Publisher/Owner
From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks
By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers
@RyanTSauers @RyanTSauers
Wow, can you believe it? We are in July. Time moves fast, so let us enjoy every day and moment. With summer in full swing, we are thrilled to bring you the July 2024 edition of Our Town Magazine. July is a month of warmth, sunshine, and boundless possibilities. It’s a time when we celebrate our local spirit, embrace the season’s joys, and create unforgettable memories with friends and family.
In these pages, we’ve curated a collection of inspiring stories highlighting the incredible individuals, businesses, and initiatives that make our community shine. From the dedicated volunteers making a difference to the innovative entrepreneurs pushing boundaries, we are surrounded by a tapestry of remarkable people who remind us of the strength and resilience within our community.
As we dive into the heart of summer, let’s embrace this season. So, leap and try something new, whether it’s exploring a hidden gem in our community, embarking on a thrilling outdoor adventure, or indulging in the mouthwatering flavors of our local eateries. Let’s savor every moment and create memories that will warm our hearts long after summer fades.
This month, I encourage you to connect with your neighbors, support local businesses, and engage in acts of kindness that uplift those around us. Small gestures can have a significant impact, and by working together, we can build an even more robust, more vibrant community.
Remember, each day is a new chapter waiting to be written. Let’s embrace the opportunities that come our way and dare to dream big. Whether pursuing a personal passion, nurturing a talent, or simply finding joy in the little things, let this summer be a season of growth, fulfillment, and positivity.
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Getting to Know: Mercy Montgomery, Snellville’s New Assistant City Manager
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
City officials recently announced the hiring of Mercy Montgomery to the position of Assistant City Manager.
Montgomery joins the City of Snellville after serving as Assistant City Manager for the City of Chamblee where she managed the directors of the Parks and Recreation, Planning and Development, and Economic Development departments as well as a range of policy development and special projects, including housing policy, downtown activation strategies, and collaborative community service provision.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Snellville team at such an exciting time
in our community’s history,” she said. “I look forward to supporting ongoing progress in downtown Snellville and seeing The Grove thriving with new businesses and community activity. The city is fortunate to have exemplary leadership and a highly skilled staff, and I’m looking forward to building strong working relationships and collaborating on innovative ideas as I serve our city.”
Montgomery received her Bachelor of Arts in Education with a focus on experiential learning from the University of Georgia. She also holds a Master of Public Administration degree as well as a certificate in NonProfit Management from UGA. Following completion of the top ranked MPA program, she completed a Local Government Management Fellowship in Hamilton, Ohio through the International City/County Management Association.
Returning home to Georgia provided Montgomery with the opportunity to work with students at her alma mater before joining the team at the Carl
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Three Ways to Look and Feel Your Best This Summer
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
The hottest days of the year can create several seasonal beauty challenges. Here’s a head-to-toe guide to looking and feeling your best in summer: Hair: Dry heat and humidity can cause hair problems, such as drying and frizzing. Whether you’re hitting the beach or pool or just enjoying the warm weather, giving your hair the care it deserves to stay hydrated and frizz-free is essential.
When enjoying the sun, try protective hairstyles such as buns, braids, and ponytails. These will reduce frizz while preventing damage from wind and humidity. One bonus benefit of these dos is that getting your tresses off your neck will also help keep you nice and cool.
Remember that just like drinking water hydrates your body, using the right shampoo and conditioner can replenish and protect dehydrated strands. Your shampoo and conditioner should clean well, replenish, smooth, and condition to fight frizz and lock in the right balance of moisture.
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Calvin Cove Respite Day Program for Caregivers of Older Adults
By Victoria R. Crosby
Calvin Cove is a nonprofit ministry housed at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Snellville, Georgia. Westminster Presbyterian Church is a multigenerational church with a congregation of more than three hundred members. There are many specialized ministries to cater to the needs of the community. Calvin Cove is one of those. The program started in 1999 but closed in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, and just reopened in January of this year.
The ministry serves all faiths, ethnicities, and economic levels, and is open three days a week, Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Many participants have early signs of Dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, strokes, cerebral palsy, mental disabilities, and/or frail health. Participants must meet the criteria of the program, which are to navigate the facility with minimal assistance, manage their self-care needs independently, and self-feed.
In September 2023, after much encouragement from her daughter, Shirley Yearwood responded to an ad for a new Director at Calvin Cove Adult Respite Ministry. Despite being newly retired, the job description intrigued her.
Previously, Shirley worked as an Adult Special Education Teacher, then with Fulton County as an Adult Protective Service Investigator. She investigated cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of the elderly. Shirley retired from the Federal Government as a Program Analyst. She was the primary caregiver of her elderly mother who had dementia and was wheelchair bound. Shirley knew she was highly qualified for the position and had a heart for senior programming. She applied, completed interviews, and was hired as the Director at Calvin Cove Adult Respite Ministry.
The goal of the ministry is to “let us take care of your loved ones while you take care of yourself,” Shirley explains. The ministry has a dual purpose: to
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Summertime Tips: Have a Safe and Healthy Summer
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Summer is a great time to try new activities and get outdoors, but medical experts say it also brings with it unique risks.
“Regardless of where you are in your fitness journey,” says Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., M.P.H., president of the American Medical Association (AMA), “the warm weather months offer opportunities to reevaluate your wellness goals for the remainder of the year. But as you and your family get active, it’s important to prepare. Understanding water safety and sun safety and recognizing the signs of heat-related conditions are all critical.”
To help you enjoy a safe and healthy summer, the AMA offers these tips:
1. Be smart about sunscreen. When shopping, look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30. Also, understand that no sunscreen is waterproof, and you’ll need to reapply it every couple of hours and after exposure to water or sweat.
2. Ensure your family is up to date on vaccines. Double-check everyone’s vaccine status before summer travel or camp season. If you have questions, consult your physician.
3. Prioritize water safety. Ensure everyone in your family achieves water competency skills. Teach children to ask permission before going near water, have them and inexperienced swimmers or boaters wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, and, at the beach, always swim in lifeguarded areas.
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Travel Tales: Everyone Needs a Good Vacation
By Pam Walker
Everyone needs a good vacation! I must say that the few days that I spent with family in Bozeman, Montana, were spectacular. We didn’t do anything out of the ordinary for Montana; just drove to Ted Turner’s two million acres at the base of the Spanish Peaks to see the “wild things.” The herds of Bison in late Spring are amazing.
It was calving time, so the hundreds of females in the pastures were surrounded by equally as many baby “bufs” as I call them. Although my family lives in town, almost every day deer would come into their yard to eat the sweet trees sprouting and the new flowers blooming. Yes, it was the beginning of June, but it is spring in Montana with temps in the 50s and 60s still. It can even snow!
Bozeman is a great destination any time of the year. Winter ski areas like Big Sky and Bridger Bowl are close by, and Yellowstone National Park is only about one hour south. In spring and summer, Bozeman and its environs are the center of the fly-fishing world! There are rivers everywhere and streams full of trout. And if you like to hike or mountain bike, there are trails everywhere. Both Bozeman and nearby Big Sky now have top-rated hotels and resorts, and the little downtown areas are quaint and filled with stores offering everything from ten-gallon hats to riding boots for that next dude ranch experience. Yes, there are ranches for visitors, too. There is the famous Lone Mountain Ranch near Big Sky and even the Covered Wagon Ranch in Gallatin Gateway just outside of Bozeman. They don’t offer covered wagon accommodations, however. Most ranches offer cozy log cabins, all meals as well as horse pack trips, and plenty of hiking. You can also fly fish to your heart’s content in
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Ryan’s Remarks
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Thank you for being a part of our amazing community and allowing us to share the stories that inspire, inform, and bring us closer together. Your support fuels our passion, and we are committed to delivering a magazine that reflects the heart and soul of our local community. I wish each of you a July filled with laughter, sunshine, and endless possibilities. Let’s make this summer our best one yet!
Here is to a great July 2024. And as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!
At Primrose Schools® Summer Adventure Club, your child will discover new things every day through fun hands-on activities—like sports, robotics and more—that encourage them to think with creativity, compassion and resourcefulness.
• Theme weeks with in-house experiences. Foam Parties, Water Slides, Science Wiz and more.
• Multiple field trips per week.
• Medieval Times, Fernbank, Georgia Aquarium, Painting with a Twist, Gwinnett Stripers and more.
Fun for children in K–5th grade.
Primrose School of Five Forks
770.985.0028
PrimroseFiveForks.com
Sally Sierer Bethea: Chattahoochee Riverkeeper
By Victoria R. Crosby
I met the author Sally Sierer Bethea at a Smoke Rise Garden Club (SRGC) meeting earlier this year. Sally was one of the first women in America to be known as a “Riverkeeper.” A riverkeeper defends a specific waterway and holds polluters accountable. Her book, Keeping the Chattahoochee: Reviving and Defending a Great Southern River, tells her remarkable story.
The Garden Club’s vice president, Denise Finley, received a copy of Sally’s book as a gift and was so impressed that she contacted Sally and asked her to speak at one of the club’s meetings. Denise is also a past president of the SRGC; I am the current president.
Denise told me, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Sally is an Environmental Superstar! I am inspired to hike the trails due to reading her book.”
At the meeting, Sally told us how she worked to restore and protect the Chattahoochee River. She is the Founding Director who served for twenty years as Executive Director of the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. She is now retired, but continues to assist the present director as a senior advisor.
Many chapters of Sally’s book include a heading with a quote from various professions – scientists, poets, authors, and political leaders – including Mary Oliver, Beryl Markham, Rachel Carson, Mahatma Gandhi, and Carl Sagan.
The book is part journal or diary of her walks along the river from May 8, 2019, to October 16, 2020. She describes in poetic terms the plants, mushrooms, and wildflowers that she found on her walks, with photographs and diagrams to illustrate her experiences. One of her discoveries was a rare, wild orchid: the Crane-fly orchid (Tipularia discolor), a perennial woodland orchid.
At the end of the book, which is two hundred and ten pages, in addition to a list of resources and references, Sally lists “A Chronology: Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Highlights (1994-2016).”
I recently watched a movie on TV that was somewhat reminiscent of Sally’s journey. Dark Waters is the true story of a well-known chemical company’s environmental pollution of the water supply in West Virginia. Although not as dramatic, the Chattahoochee wasn’t being poisoned with industrial waste; it was neglected and polluted with sewage. Without Sally’s vigilance and input, the river and Atlanta’s drinking water would not be as clear and clean.
Clean water is a basic human right, and the Smoke Rise Garden Club is dedicated to supporting the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper organization and the continued fight to keep our waterways safe and clean. The river provides drinking water for DeKalb and other metro communities, wildlife habitat, and recreation for millions of people.
Mercy
Montgomery Continued from page 8
Vinson Institute of Government as a consultant on workforce development for communities and clients such as the State of Georgia’s Department of Economic Development.
She then served for three years as Director of Economic Development for the City of Sugar Hill, leading cultivation, and support of business opportunities in the community and lease-up and opening of the community’s new E Center project. Mercy and her team also managed and provided customized small business support, implementation of an interactive public communications strategy, and various community and economic development initiatives. Montgomery proudly serves as a member of the Alumni Advisory Board for the Master of Public Administration program at The University of Georgia and is a 2020 graduate of Leadership Gwinnett.
More information at mmontomery@snellville.org.
Feel Your Best This Summer
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Skin: Unfortunately, summer activities and fashion choices can be associated with many skincare woes. After swim sessions, take a quick shower to rinse off chlorine and prevent sensitivity and dryness. Whether you go for a run or play pickleball, don’t sit around in your workout clothes afterward. Showering after sweat sessions of all kinds can help keep your skin clear of blemishes. You may also be shaving more frequently in summer. Prevent razor burn with exfoliation and by using after-care products that soothe skin. Finally, when it comes to your long-term beauty and wellness, it’s essential to protect your skin with a broad-spectrum SPF. Doing so is not only good for you, but it can also help prevent the appearance of aging.
Nails: If you’ll be wearing sandals regularly this summer, you’ll want to treat your feet to pedicures so they look their best. Start any at-home pedicure session by soaking your feet in a bath prepared with Epsom salt or essential oils. Dry your feet, and then gently use a pumice stone to remove dried skin and calluses. After clipping and shaping your nails, consider painting them with clear nail polish for a finished look, or go bold with a bright summer color.
With a few tweaks to your beauty regimen, you can wholly embrace the summer while looking and feeling your best. We hope everyone is having a great summer and that these tips prove helpful to you. (StatePoint).
Is it Clean or Saturday Morning Clean?
By Tana Poncsak
For Tanya Jones, the smell of a clean house brings back good memories of her youth when she would wake up on Saturday mornings to loud music and the smell of the products her mother was using to clean the house. Tanya would get up and join her mother in their Saturday morning cleaning ritual. Because the very act of cleaning brings about such good memories, it’s no surprise Tanya owns and operates her own cleaning service aptly called Saturday Morning Clean.
Tanya says cleaning is not just her job, it’s her passion. She knows at the end of the day a person’s home is their sanctuary. And for most of us, that means clean and free from a lot of clutter.
“Your home should feel peaceful,” Tanya says. “And it gives people a clear mindset when they’re not looking at clutter.”
Saturday Morning Clean offers Regular Cleanings that consist of routine services like dusting, mopping, vacuuming, and more. Deep Cleanings include everything in a Regular Cleaning plus attention to other items such as cleaning baseboards, crown molding, window treatments and ceiling fans, and disin-
fecting light switches, doorknobs, and more. And then there are Add-ons such as organizing closets, cleaning refrigerators and ovens, folding laundry, and more. And all cleaning products used are eco-friendly.
What makes Tanya’s cleaning service unique isn’t just the name, Saturday Morning Clean, but it’s the attention to detail and thoroughness that she gives to each home. “I’ve had a customer say I clean like their grandmother or their mom,” Tanya says. “It’s the attention to detail, and that’s the way I train my team.”
When the Saturday Morning Clean team takes on a cleaning project, they aren’t in a hurry to get it done and then on to the next stop like many of their competitors. They take their time to do a thorough job. And Tanya can often be found cleaning alongside her team, especially when it’s the first cleaning for a client. Tanya says she wants to be on site so she can make notes of areas that may need special attention for future cleanings.
When you book a cleaning with any cleaning service, Tanya says to trust your instincts and intuition, especially while speaking to someone on a telephone call. “How did they sound? Did they sound like they enjoy what they’re doing?” Tanya says, adding to make sure the person you speak with carries on a positive and caring conversation. And she suggests resisting the temptation to clean your house before the appointment to experience the full effect of before and after the cleaning.
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Summertime Tips
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4. Reduce your intake of processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Eat less red meat and processed meats, and add more plant-based foods to your diet, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, nuts, and seeds. Also, reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and drink more water instead. Drinking sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher all-cause mortality risk, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.
5. Take advantage of warmer weather and find ways to be physically active. Exercise is essential for your physical and mental health. Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week.
6. While exercise is important, it’s essential to be smart about it. If exercising outside, avoid the early afternoon (noon to 3 p.m.) when it’s hottest. Drink water before, during, and after physical activity, and wear
light-colored, lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing. Look for signs of heat exhaustion, including cool, moist, pale skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, and dizziness. CDC’s Heat Risk Dashboard informs how best to protect yourself when temperatures impact your health.
7. If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans: up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.
8. Know your blood pressure numbers. It is critical to understand your numbers better and take necessary steps to control high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Doing so will reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke.
9. Use the Air Quality Index to check your community’s outdoor air quality. Smoke from wildfires and degraded air quality can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Children, those pregnant, and those with certain chronic conditions must be especially careful.
“If you have questions or concerns about summer-related health issues, now is a great time to talk to your physician,” says Dr. Ehrenfeld. (StatePoint)
Calvin Cove Respite Day Program
from page 9
give caregivers of older adults a break while meeting the social and emotional needs of older adults with mild to moderate memory impairment. Both caregivers and care receivers benefit from some time apart.
Hundreds of volunteers over the years have served hundreds of families. Shirley states the ministry is dependent on dedicated volunteers, some of whom were volunteers prior to the shutdowns. Vicki Santilli, Daryll Santilli, Susan Keyser, Salli Gillaspie, and Sharyn Berg have shared their knowledge and were highly instrumental in assisting with the reopening. They each continue to volunteer weekly. There are currently approximately fifteen volunteers who have a heart for senior care and are dedicated to serving at Calvin Cove. Many volunteers confess, “it helps me just as much as it helps the participants.” Some say they get so much out of the program that they feel they should be paying to volunteer. Volunteers sign up to come on assigned days to either cook and/or offer support in the daily activities alongside participants.
Group activities incorporate English and Spanish as often as appropriate. Activities include morning devotionals, arts and crafts, music therapy, games, “senior-cise/chair exercise,” reflection conversations, and visits from special guests. Every day is different, and Shirley and the volunteers make each day interactive, educational, and inspiring. During devotional time hymns are sung. Calvin Cove encourages independence as participants lead chair exercises, sing solos, and play games that include Uno, Scrabble, Bingo, and others. Selfexpression is encouraged in all arts and crafts activities. One participant from Puerto Rico talked about the flamboyant tree, then everyone attempted to paint one as an art activity. Tea parties, birthday celebrations, nature walks, and discussing past experiences keep everyone’s minds stimulated. On occasion, the senior participants and pre-school students also have shared activities. Dancers from South Gwinnett High School’s Art in Motion Dance Ensemble have performed, and support dogs have come in for pet therapy.
Participants receive a morning snack and a healthy, nutritious, hot lunch. All drinks are sugar and caffeine free.
To find out more about Calvin Cove, email CalvinCove@wpcsnellville.org or call 770-979-9676 ext. 232.
More information at https://www.wpcsnellville.org/
Travel Tales Continued from page 11
nearby rivers. Best of all, many of these ranches are close to Yellowstone National Park!
So next time you are looking for a good place to get away that is not too far from home…consider Bozeman or anywhere in the US West. Why fly to Europe to join the crowds that are there this year when you can get outside in the wonderful mountains of the United States? You will love it!
Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@ walkeradventures.com.
from page 13
Tanya loves that she’s able to help others with house cleaning, and as a way of giving back, she offers free cleanings. A free cleaning is a one-time, top to bottom cleaning for anyone who could use a helping hand. She says she got the idea when she attended a family member’s graduation and the valedictorian mentioned in a speech to fellow graduates that “…as they go out and do great things, don’t forget to reach back.” That idea stuck with Tanya, and she calls her free cleanings the Reach Back Program.
“I’m not rich, but I’m still able to reach back,” she says. “So it just shows that anybody can reach back.”
People who could use a free cleaning may have specific needs, such as the lack of time to clean due to caring for a sick family member, or they may simply be overwhelmed with life and let some things, like cleaning the house, go for far too long and now they need help. Anyone can qualify for a free cleaning by sending an email to Tanya at info@getsaturdaymorningclean.com stating why you need a free cleaning. Free cleaning recipients are picked monthly and at random from the emails received.
When Tanya cleans, it’s not just clean, it’s Saturday Morning Clean (even though they clean any day of the week)!
More information at www.getsaturdaymorningclean.com
Community Spotlight: Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful’s Carmita Rivera was one of only twenty Gwinnett County applicants accepted to participate in the University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer (MGEV) Program during the first quarter of 2024. After successfully completing forty-two hours of core horticultural training and two exams, the nonprofit’s Resources & Marketing Coordinator earned her Master Gardener Certification. MGEVs are trained volunteers with unique skills and abilities who share a love of plants and gardens and enthusiasm for learning. Rivera’s achievement is a testament to her passion and commitment to environmental sustainability, and she will use her new certification to enhance existing programs and events at Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful.
“Many people associate Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful with recycling events, litter cleanup programs, and education through our Green & Healthy Schools program,” said Schelly Marlatt, Executive Director of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. “As a Keep America Beautiful affiliate, community beautification and sustainability are also core elements of our mission.
preservation project, and more,” Marlatt continued. “We also hope to share her expert advice with Gwinnett County residents through our monthly e-blast and social media posts, so be on the lookout for information about pollinator gardens, vegetable gardens, tree plantings, and more over the months to come. We’re excited to have a Master Gardener in our midst and know it will help our organization grow in exciting new directions.”
MGEVs share UGA Extension consumer horticulture programming about the selection and care of plants for ornamental value, recreation, and home food production. Master Gardeners teach community members how to use plants and gardening to improve their environment, personal health, and quality of life. By making this information readily available, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful hopes to empower the community to improve their own gardening practices and contribute to a more sustainable Gwinnett.
“Carmita’s new Master Gardener role will help us enhance our programs and events like Great Gwinnett Wetlands, the Preston C. Williams Gateway Park
Road Trip? Keep These Tips in Mind
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Whether you’re day-tripping with family, taking a week-long vacation with pals, or doing a cross-country solo drive, summer road trips can be long and exhausting. The good news? There are plenty of ways to improve the experience.
Great Snacks: Road trip snacks are non-negotiable! They make car rides of any length brighter, keep drivers and passengers happy, and fuel them for the miles ahead. It’s best to have a mix of snack options that are easy to eat in the car or at roadside stops. Carrot sticks, pretzels, and nuts make great savory choices.
For an easy, on-the-go, fruity, and juicy snack, try Black Forest Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms. Now juicier, Black Forest Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms are made in six delicious fruit flavors, making them a great road trip snack. Crafted with care, they are made with real fruit juice and colors and flavors from real sources.
“I wanted to express my sincere gratitude to Lisa Klein and the UGA Extension team for providing the Master Gardener Class of 2024 this collaboration opportunity,” said Rivera. “Your commitment to extending knowledge and delivering research-based information while empowering individuals and communities is truly commendable. I am deeply impressed by the dedication and expertise exhibited by the UGA Extension team in serving the needs of Georgians. I am excited about the potential to work together and positively impact our community. I’d also like to share my heartfelt thanks for the unconditional support from my Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful team. It means a lot to me, and I genuinely appreciate it.”
More information at www.GwinnettCB.org.
the journey.
Games and Music: Entertainment can help the miles pass more quickly. If you’re driving alone, prep a great playlist or download some audiobooks or podcasts before the trip so you aren’t distracted by flipping through your device while driving. Try giving each hour of the journey a different theme – such as songs of a specific genre, from a particular decade, or by letting passengers take turns being the DJ. You can also pass the time by playing classic road trip games like “I Spy” and “Twenty Questions.” You can keep passengers in the backseat occupied, particularly little ones, by supplying them with portable versions of their favorite board games.
Refreshing Breaks: Having a great time shouldn’t come at the expense of your or your traveling companions’ comfort. Beyond typical bathroom breaks and pit stops, consider visiting points of interest along the route. Ideally, these detours shouldn’t add too much additional mileage to your odometer or time on the road, but instead, be designed to break up the trip into manageable chunks. From a natural landmark to a beautiful view, the experiences will emotionally and physically rejuvenate your party for the next leg of
Sustainable Tweaks: It’s easy to reduce your impact on the environment on road trips, and doing so will make you and your travel companions feel better and more energized about your journey! Try turning off the AC and feeling the fresh breeze from open windows to reduce fuel use. Regarding hydration, please bring your own reusable water bottles and refill them at rest station water fountains.
You can also select snacks wisely. For example, Black Forest Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms are now available in store drop-off recycle-ready packaging. Help protect the planet by participating in the Store Drop-Off program, conveniently located at retail stores along your route.
So, have a great trip this summer everyone. With delicious snacks, fun games, and detours, a road trip doesn’t just have to be a means to an end; it can also be a relaxing and fun part of your vacation. (StatePoint)
