JUNE 2021: (GREEN) Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Monthly Magazine

JUNE 2021 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Grayson Dacula Loganville Lawrenceville Hamilton Mill

Up Close with

Cosmos Pizza and Social, see story on page 5.

9 11 16 18

Helping Gwinnett & Beyond: A Certain Lad Ministries Community Member Spotlight: Meet Kristen Eleveld One Man’s Opinion: So…What’s the Plan Walking with Grace: Getting to Know Robin Dill

Scan to Read Digital Edition 6

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On the Cover: Cosmos Pizza and Social

By Kristen Eleveld

Cosmos Pizza has been a staple of downtown Lawrenceville for nearly twenty years. So, when the previous business owners decided to sell, business partners Allisha Kelly and Dana Greene knew they had an opportunity to not only keep supplying the community with delicious food, but also expand the business to offer something for everybody. They purchased the restaurant and made it their mission to bring Cosmos into a new phase for the city of Lawrenceville.

“There is an art form to running a pizzeria,” said Allisha of her approach to co-managing this new venture. “You might see some things change at Cosmos, but the great taste and quality ingredients will always be here.”

While Cosmos is a familiar name to the community, the team is taking their plans a step further with an addition to Cosmos. It’s called Social, and it’s the perfect combination of sports bar and live music you have been waiting for. Newest partner Patrick Sullivan joined Allisha and Dana to help bring this expansion to life, and Social recently opened for business in May. Designed to appear to a more adult crowd, Social contrasts with the more family-oriented atmosphere of Cosmos. This expansion means that the restaurant is able to serve even more patrons as it, like so many other eating establishments, begins to welcome people back inside its doors.

Between the atmosphere at Social and the delicious food at Cosmos, anyone who is looking for a delicious meal doesn’t have to go any further than the Lawrenceville Square. In fact, the Cosmos team is often surprised to learn just how many people aren’t aware of all the options that Cosmos offers its customers. While the restaurant is famous for its pizza, it also offers a variety of food to appeal to anyone who walks through the doors. Salads, appetizers, and desserts are all part of the menu. Over at Social, they are excited to offer a small plate option that features authentic ingredients.

And in the spirit of making those authentic ingredients available to those who want to try their own cooking skills at home, Cosmos has shelves in the store filled with some of their best ingredients. These are available for anyone to purchase and use for their own recipes.

“I like that we can adapt to so many needs,” Alisha said. “You can come here for a quick lunch, make it a long meal, or even just grab something to go on your way home. We have something for everybody.”

If you haven’t tried Cosmos Pizza, or you think Social sounds like a great choice for your next dinner out, it’s time to head to the Square in Lawrenceville. Even if you’re a Cosmos veteran, you

might be surprised at how each dining experience can still be fun and new.

“I love the happiness between food and people,” Allisha said. “Every day is exciting here. It’s never the same as the day before.”

More information at pizzaoncrogan.com/cosmospizza/ or (770) 338-9274

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Our Town Gwinnett/Walton 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 /Walton 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 2021 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

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Distribution Coordinator Wendy Head Feature Writers K. Coats Kristen Eleveld Ron Lambros Amy Ney Emily Rubin Traci Sanders Beth Volpert Johansen Contributing Writers Bill Crane Tanisha Turner Pam Walker

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IN THIS ISSUE

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On the Cover: Cosmos Pizza and Social From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks Why Small Churches Still Matter Learning Lessons: Simple Summer Activities that Help Children Learn Helping Gwinnett & Beyond: A Certain Lad Ministries Meet Dr. Cassandra Baker: Gwinnett Tech’s Instructor of the Year Cleaning Reminder: Don’t Forget the Medicine Cabinet COVID-19 Pandemic Brings Success to Online Small Businesses in Georgia Community Member Spotlight: Meet Kristen Eleveld Gwinnett Commissioners: New Vision, Mission, and Values Statement Sports Talk: Middle School Golf League’s Spring Season One Man’s Opinion: So…What’s the Plan Travel Tales: Up, Up, and Away!

Community Business Spotlight: Simply Green Lawn Care Walking with Grace: Meet Robin Dill

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Jun ’21 Our Town Gwinnett

Veteran Electric

From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks

Free Estimates • Residential/Commercial

By Ryan T. Sauers

@RyanSauers

Bobby Albritton

@RyanTSauers

We have all lived through unprecedented and traumatic times the past sixteen months. We are slowly getting to the other side.

As I said a year ago, it was going to require everyone working together to make such progress and to prevail. And we have done just that.

I do not know about you, but I am ready for masks to become an old, old memory. Moreover, I am already enjoying the gathering of friends and families again to party like it was 2019. Sports, concerts, and crowds are back, and I am sick of Zoom. It is convenient, but it can never take the place of a face-to-face encounter. And man, am I ready to travel, speak, and do the things again that I took for granted. How about you?

I know everyone is ready for school to be out and to have a great summer. The past two school years have been some of the most challenging of our lifetimes. I want to give parents, students, school staff, administration, teachers, and anyone else I am missing, the ultimate kudos of persevering through these difficult times. It looks like nearly everyone will be back in school this fall studying like it was 2019.

Keep Pushing Forward (KPF) no matter what you are facing and no matter your age. Simply said, age is just a number. Consider the pandemic as the “great reset,” which allowed us to remember what truly matters. So go for your dreams. Life is short.

I hope you work to find the good in people and to try and make others laugh and smile. Let us love more and judge less. Let us get to know a person and build a relationship before throwing Bible verses at him or her. That is called “walking the talk” and it is what we all need. If we seek to operate with the utmost in ethics and integrity, although difficult at times, you will be glad you did.

I wish you a safe and blessed June 2021. Yes, we are nearly halfway (hard to believe) thru 2021.

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Continued on page 12

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PAGE 7

Why Small Churches Still Matter

By Traci Sanders

Some might argue that small churches are antiquated and becoming obsolete, but others say there’s something about showing up on a Sunday morning in a place where nearly everyone knows your name, your children’s names, and even sometimes your grandchildren’s names; a place where people miss you when you don’t show up and call to check on you when you or someone in your family is ill.

Potluck dinners, Easter Sunday services, and prayer-request lists are still alive and well in many small churches throughout the community, but they are slowly becoming few and far between due to the rise of the megachurches.

Many of today’s remaining small churches are segregated and populated mostly by elderly members. However, one of our very own small local churches is offering members and attendees real intimacy and a diverse community. Snellville Christian Church (SCC) was founded in 1972, with the first service held at Britt Elementary School. The congregation has been meeting since 1974 at 2485 S. Scenic Highway in the heart of Snellville. Today SCC has a 19-acre campus with a staff of five, a beautiful worship hall, family-life center, and a multitude of classrooms. It serves the community in many ways including its own SCC Clothing Closet – which provides free clothes to those in need – and a partnership with the Gwinnett County Co-Op ministry.

Long-time members Roy and Cherie Zeh moved to Snellville in 1992. Next year they will celebrate thirty years at SCC. First as a deacon and today an elder, Roy has witnessed a lot of ups and downs with the membership. Over the last fifteen years, many members have gravitated away from SCC and to the many megachurches popping up in the area.

The attraction to these types of churches could be the energy, the convenient service times, and the amenities for the adults and kids. However, being an integral part of their church for three decades, Roy and Cherie know the importance of the intimate, community feel that smaller churches provide over larger ones. In 2009 when this couple went through difficult times, SCC carried them through the great recession with love, compassion, community connection, and even financial support.

Continued on page 12

Learning Lessons: Simple Summer Activities that Help Children Learn

By Tanisha Turner

Summer is a time to slow down, spend time outdoors, and have some fun! While this change of pace is an opportunity for families to get more rest and relaxation, it’s important that children still engage in activities that encourage learning.

Fortunately, the summer season provides plenty of ways for children to explore nature and discover science, so “finding learning opportunities” does not have to be another addition to your to-do list. The outdoors provides the perfect setting for young children to experience physics, chemistry, and biology in ways that they can relate to and understand.

Swinging, sliding, and swimming are great examples of activities that your little one is likely already doing that can also introduce her to the fascinating world of science.

• Swinging: Swinging back and forth on a swing set allows children to experience the effects of motion and gravity. Children realize that as the swing comes to a stop, they must push off the ground to set the swing back in motion.

• Sliding: Slides allow children to experience the effects of gravity and friction. Children realize they can slow down by pressing on the soles of their shoes, or go faster by lifting their feet.

• Swimming: Children experiment with the scientific principle of buoyancy while learning to swim, asking questions like, “Why do I float sometimes and other times I sink?”

It’s not necessary for you to explain the science behind each activity. The experiences alone build a foundation for learning and help children grasp scientific principles later in life. But, to build on your child’s learning and encourage his natural curiosity, consider explaining the science in a hands-on way by setting up simple experiments.

For example, if your child asks what she needs to do to float, try this interactive game to help teach her why some objects sink and others float: 1. Help your child fill a bucket with water and gather miscellaneous items that will not be harmed if they get wet.

2. Ask your child to predict if items will float or sink and ask for the reasoning behind each prediction.

3. Allow your child to place the items in the water, one at a time. As each item is tested, let her Continued on page 18

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Helping Gwinnett & Beyond: A Certain Lad Ministries

By Kristen Eleveld

Everyone needs a little help sometimes. But it’s hard to know where to turn to find the resources and information you need, especially if you or a loved one are dealing with the additional challenges of job loss, homelessness, special needs, and other obstacles that life throws your way. But there is one local group that is stepping up to the plate to help those in need take the first steps to creating a new life.

In 2004, Cory Marshall was enjoying a dinner at his Harlem, New York home when he suddenly had a thought. He realized that while he was warm and well-fed, there were thousands of other people who were in desperate need of basic life necessities, like water, clothing, and regular meals.

“It was a moment that kind of jolted me,” said Marshall. “Suddenly I was more aware of what we were up against in our community, and I wanted to help people.”

Marshall was already working as a deacon in his local church, so he contacted his pastor and asked if he could set up a table in front of the church to serve people in need. The pastor agreed, and Marshall asked a few friends to help him get set up and serve.

The rest is history.

Marshall decided to call his ministry “A Certain Lad,” which references the Bible story in which one young man gives the little food he has to Jesus and offers to let the hungry crowds nearby eat, even though the food is barely enough for one. But the food is miraculously able to feed the crowd of over 5,000 people with leftovers to spare. This story inspired Marshall to think how if everyone just gave what they could, it would make a big difference.

Much like the boy in the story, A Certain Lad Ministries (ACLM) started with very few resources and limited services. Now, as their ministry has grown and changed, they are able to offer a wide range of services, including job placement, resources for people and families of people with special needs, veteran assistance, and so much more.

“We do it all,” said Marshall, who moved to Georgia in 2010. “We want to do anything we can to help get people stabilized and functioning in society.”

Perhaps one of the most valuable resources that A Certain Lad Ministries offers is information.

If they aren’t able to address a need directly, they can help you find the right resource through the vast network of contacts they have cultivated over the years. Thanks to their efforts, they now serve people in Gwinnett, Dekalb, Newton, and Rockdale Counties, along with a portion of Fulton County.

Though there is no certain requirement someone has to meet before they can receive help from ACLM, the ministry generally focuses on those who may not have the support to help themselves.

They work to provide housing to veterans and people with special needs, support and resources for victims of domestic violence, and support for families who need help learning about the next steps Continued on page 12

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Meet Dr. Cassandra Baker: Gwinnett Tech’s Instructor of the Year

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Dr. Cassandra Baker, Business Management instructor at Gwinnett Technical College, was recently named the Gwinnett Technical College Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year. The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction began in 1991, and is designed to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields.

“To represent Gwinnett Tech as Instructor of the Year means that I am the current torchbearer for excellence and innovation in teaching,” Dr. Baker says.

“It means that I have earned the trust and respect of my peers and the administration, and I am an ambassador for Gwinnett Tech and technical education. I am truly honored and humbled to represent Gwinnett Technical College and be an ambassador for Georgia’s Technical College System.”

When asked what inspires her, Dr. Baker says, “Teaching the next generation of leaders. I feel like I am part of something greater than myself. People are in school to become better; the process inspires me. It is a humbling experience.”

Dr. Baker’s love for teaching, her skills as a mentor, and her ability to relate to her students earned Baker the title of the 2021 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction.

This award is a statewide program initiated by the Technical College System of Georgia to honor outstanding instructors at the system’s twenty-two colleges. Baker will now compete against the winners from Georgia’s other technical colleges at the regional level.

Dr. Baker holds a Ph.D. in Organization and Management from Capella University, a Master of Business Administration from Brenau University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Shorter University. Prior to joining academia, Baker spent fifteen years with Ford Motor Company and Volvo Cars of North America.

More information at GwinnettTech.edu.

Cleaning Reminder: Don’t Forget the Medicine Cabinet

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

With your mind on the changing season, you may be purging closets, vacuuming floors, and washing windows. But there’s one crucial area of the house to keep in mind: your medicine cabinet. Every year unused prescriptions and expired over-the-counter medicines clutter bathrooms, kitchen cupboards, and drawers, posing a danger to everyone in your household. Now is a great time to clear out this safety hazard from your home and do it in a way that is environmentally responsible.

The dangers of unused medications: Americans are prescribed billions of medications, but according to Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, approximately two-thirds of those pills go unused. Leaving unfinished prescriptions in your home poses a danger not only to children, but also to adults or teens who may be tempted to try the medications or give or sell them to others. Nearly half of adolescents 12 and over who report misusing prescription pain relievers took or received the drugs from a friend or relative.

Over-the-counter medications also pose a hazard, especially to children. The Center for Disease Control reports that approximately 60,000 young children are brought to the emergency room each year because they accessed medicines that were within reach or not disposed of properly.

Make sure medications and supplements are safely stored up and away in child-proof containers.

Check all medications, including vitamins and supplements, for expiration dates, as expired medications may not only be ineffective, but potentially unsafe.

Safest disposal methods: There is a lot of misinformation about how to dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications without causing harm to people or the environment. Some counties sponsor drug take-back days or offer drop boxes that allow you to bring in medications that you want to discard.

Unfortunately, not everyone has access to a drop-off site. That’s where at-home disposal is a useful option. If you want to discard old medications and render them harmless at the same time, Deterra Drug Deactivation System Pouches are the only at-home medication disposal system that permanently deactivates over the counter and prescription medications safely and easily. The pouches Continued on page 17

COVID-19 Pandemic Brings Success to Online Small Businesses in Georgia

By Emily Rubin

Before the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States, Elyse McClellan sold earrings from her dorm in New York. She came back to Georgia when her campus closed down just two months after she opened her Etsy shop, YellowRoseeCreations.

“I only left my dorm with a small suitcase and a duffle bag, expecting to return in at least a week or so,” Elyse said. “Because of all of this, I left all of my shop supplies in my dorm as well.”

She closed her shop because she couldn’t get her belongings from her dorm until May, but on June 1st, she opened up again. During the first two months when her shop was shut down, Elyse spent time creating new videos and new ways of advertising on the social media app TikTok. She posted consistently and stayed up to date with her videos.

After reopening, her sales skyrocketed. Elyse attributes her increase in sales to using TikTok to promote her items and build up an audience of customers.

Supporting small businesses was a trend on the app during summer. Some of Elyse’s TikTok videos went viral, which gave her a following. She posted a video of her surprising her parents by coming home for Thanksgiving that hit 1 million views in less than a day. As she was heading out for the drive back to New York to pack up her dorm, she posted a video about her earrings. The video passed one hundred thousand views and she watched as comments flooded in during her drive.

“People were spending hours on their phones, of course,” Elyse said. “They couldn’t go anywhere. I quickly saw small businesses, particularly on Tik Tok, thriving.”

Elyse sold her earrings at an outdoor artist’s market in late November. The first day of the market was Black Friday and she sold 70 pairs of earrings, the most sales she had ever had in a single day.

“I think the best thing I’m going to take out of this experience is to not worry about the future based on the present,” Elyse said.

PAGE 10

Shawn Nofziger, the owner of Bored Paracord, opened his online shop in 2013 and worked from his apartment in Atlanta. His business grew quickly and in 2015 he opened a brick-and-mortar store in Lilburn.

The store closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic, but the online shop remained open. The store closure did not greatly affect Shawn’s sales because the majority of his business comes from online orders. His online sales tripled in April.

“Pretty much overnight we went from around 100 orders a day to around 300 orders a day that we were shipping out of the store,” Shawn said. “People were at home a lot more, so they were looking for something to do with their kids.”

Shawn credits word of mouth and social media for the promotion of his business. He uses Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to get exposure. He also has a TikTok account, but he does not utilize it as much as the other social media platforms.

YouTube is Shawn’s main source for generating traffic to his website. He posts paracord tutorials for almost seven hundred thousand followers with a link to the website in the description of each video.

Shawn also runs a paracord Facebook group where members refer others to his shop. He says social media can attract sales if it is used right and used often.

“I would say it’s not overwhelming to keep up with it. It’s just kind of tedious,” Shawn said, “because each day you have to come up with something new, some new content that you haven’t done previously.”

Shawn saw a 25% increase in sales during the 2020 holiday season compared to the previous year. His orders usually increase a month and a half to a month before the holidays and he says part of the increase during the 2020 holiday season was due to the pandemic.

More information at https://www.etsy.com/shop/YellowRoseeCreations and https://www. boredparacord.com/.

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Jun ’21 Our Town Gwinnett

Community Member Spotlight: Meet Kristen Eleveld

By Beth Volpert-Johansen

There exists a certain kinship among freelance writers. We all have a story behind why we choose to chase the feature. For the most part, it is purely for the joy of writing. But, mixed in the recipe for what makes Our Town Gwinnett Magazine features writer Kristen Eleveld tick is equal parts: faith, love, and family.

The joyful lilt in Kristen’s voice translates directly to the page.

When given an assignment, Kristen clearly digs into the research and interview processes with a positive slant. “Writing is something I love,” she says. “It is always interesting to discover what motivates people to do their job every day.”

Motivation is key to the unique balance required to freelance.

For Kristen, motivation is provided by her family. Married to Daniel, the couple have two beautiful children who take center-stage in their lives – along with their year-old “cat-pack.” “Getting kittens for my daughter’s birthday last year was one of those times that you have to make good on a promise,” Kristen says with a laugh. “If you asked me a year ago if we would have cats, I would have said you were crazy!” Just like many parents who imagine their child will never live up to the requirements they set forth for the brass ring of a birthday kitten or puppy, Kristen and Daniel did not anticipate their six-year-old daughter’s determination.

However, in a year of COVID-19, what do you do to make a birthday memorable? You grab a pair of kittens instead of the promised single pet.

A year later, as COVID is still with us, the Eleveld household is filled with the endearing vision of their daughter loving on her kittens and the bonus entertainment of watching their son with special needs find joy in “cat training” escapades. “Our lives are filled with therapy and doctor appointments where he has to work hard,” says Kristen. “At home, he can just be a happy cattraining little boy.”

It is the children for whom Kristen and Daniel chose their current work situations. Having left traditional full-time work, after trying to be “SuperMom,” Kristen found herself turning to her faith, as she has always done in both times of joy and times of need. “I have attended church at Shadowbrook since I was nine years old,” says Kristen. “When a job at the preschool chapel became available, I took it because it matched my kids’ schedules.” Whether the job matched Kristen’s schedule or not, the work is an obvious source of joy for the young mom. “I get to jump up and down like an idiot with puppets and hope the kids learn something about Jesus!” says Kristen. And that’s the thing, most of Kristen’s quotes could end with “laughs or chuckles or joyfully said.”

Adding to her two-day-a-week preschool gig is the freelance writing. Again, Kristen’s faith was strong as she sought to add to her website content development work. “I just put it out there on social media that I was looking for work as a freelance writer,” says Kristen. “Someone tagged me in a post that Ryan (Sauers) had made asking for interested local writers. In true Ryan fashion, he answered in like twelve seconds!”

Ryan Sauers is the publisher/owner of the two Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Community and Family Magazines. Finding features and contributing writers who love the area as much as he does is high on his list. Connecting with Kristen has brought a decidedly positive flair to the publication. “Kristen is one the most talented, hardworking, dedicated writers we have ever had in Our Town Gwinnett Magazine,” says Ryan. “It is an absolute pleasure to work with her each month.”

With an engaging manner, Kristen brings a personal touch to her stories. As a public rela-

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tions/journalism major at Berry College in Rome, Georgia and Georgia State University, Kristen learned that there is more to writing than just the research and words. “My interview style includes asking a few questions along the way and, most of the time, interviewees just go for it!” says Kristen. “I do have questions to ask in order to cover ‘dead air’, but, for the most part, people will talk about their passions.”

Writing for and about the residents of Gwinnett has been more than a simple job for Kristen.

Each month holds something different, which keeps the writing fresh and fun. “Learning about other people and getting to go back and talk with them at a later date is one of my favorite things,” says Kristen. “There have been a couple of instances where I get to interview someone who is starting out as a single person with a passion for their own business. I love to interview people who love what they do!”

In what counts as “spare time,” Kristen and her family love to be outside. “Daniel loves to obsess about the length of the grass in the lawn,” she says, “and I love to sit in the beautiful yard reading a book.” Spending vacations at the beach is a bonus with in-laws who live at the coast. “Yes, I love writing about my community, but the beach is my happy place,” says Kristen with a smile. “All the stress just melts away as you get tanner!”

Continue to watch for Kristen’s work here at Our Town Gwinnett. She will keep you in the loop and smiling, too!

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A Certain Lad Ministries Continued from page 9

Ryan’s Remarks Continued from page 7

they can take to find shelter or food. If there is a need, ACLM can either fill it or find someone who can.

Marshall is especially excited about the ministry’s Supportive Employee Program, which offers job placement services and job training. While veterans and people with special needs are the main focus of the program, Marshall says that they are ready to help anybody, anywhere, anytime.

“I love making a difference in someone’s life and a difference in the community,” Marshall said.

“It’s not just a job. It’s a calling.”

This calling doesn’t just extend to Marshall himself. His wife of eleven years and his three children have all joined in to help. This team effort has created even more opportunities for people to take advantage of all that ACLM has to offer.

If you also feel the calling to help those in your community, ACLM is taking volunteers and accepting support from anyone who is willing and able. The ministry is currently working on buying a building in Snellville, and hope to use this location as another opportunity to reach more people in Gwinnett.

More information at www.acertainlad.org

Stay cool and enjoy each moment no matter what life throws your way. As Kenny Chesney says in his classic song Don’t Blink, “Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand... you can’t flip it over and start again... take every breath God gives you for what it’s worth.”

We have some great things happening and are in growth mode, so stay tuned. Have a blessed month, Our Town community. And as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town!

Why Small Churches Still Matter Continued from page 8 Snellville Christian Church remains – a Bible-based loving community where they teach others to Love God and Love People. That’s why Roy and Cherie, along with other elders of Snellville Christian Church, are passionate about getting the message out that small churches still have an important place in the community!

More information at https://snellvillechristian.net/.

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Gwinnett Commissioners: New Vision, Mission, and Values Statement

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

District 1 Commissioner Kirkland Carden said, “We have laid the groundwork for Gwinnett County for many years to come. We laid a template for what we want Gwinnett County to be.

When we strive to reach that mission and vision statement, we can be a model county that shows good governance.”

District 2 Commissioner Ben Ku stated, “I’m really proud of what we came up with together.

We worked together to hear every single one of the commissioners’ ideas and desires for the county to create these values. I think they provide good, clear direction to staff, possibly for decades to come.”

District 3 Commissioner Jasper Watkins said, “It is good and appropriate for the vision and mission statement to be reviewed and updated from time to time. The county changes, and the Board of Commissioners’ direction changes. These statements are living documents that should evolve and grow to reflect the public and the new board’s goals and objectives. I think the new vision and mission statements accomplish that.”

District 4 Commissioner Marlene Fosque added, “We would like every resident to thrive. It may sound aspirational, but we believe every Gwinnett resident can do just that – thrive. I’m so excited about our new vision, mission, and values that will help guide the county now and in our future.”

More information at https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/departments/boardofcommissioners/

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners recently voted to approve updated statements intended to guide their actions from now on. The commissioners developed the vision, mission, and core values statements during their annual planning session held in Athens, Georgia last month. The vision statement says, “Gwinnett is the preferred community where everyone thrives!”

The mission statement reads, “Gwinnett proudly supports our vibrantly connected community by delivering superior services.”

The core values statement includes, “Integrity: We believe in being honest, building trust, and having strong moral principles. Accountability: We believe in stewardship, transparency, and sustainability. Equity: We believe in fairness and respect for all. Inclusivity: We believe in engaging, embracing, and unifying our communities. Innovation: We believe in continual adaptation of technology, process, and experience.”

Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson said that with three new board members, now is the time to declare their common purpose, goals, and values to use moving into 2021 and beyond. “We spent considerable time discussing these ideas based on the local economy, population and demographics, election results, technology trends, and many other factors,” said Hendrickson. “Then we distilled our thoughts into three specific statements as part of our desire for transparency and accountability to the residents of Gwinnett County. I really believe the mission and vision statement reflect who we are today.”

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Sports Talk: Middle School Golf League’s Spring Season

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Trickum Middle School won the Middle School Golf League (MSGL) Spring Season team competition. Members of the winning team included Asa Brock, Chloe Gordan Beckett Lynch, Ayaan Patel, Mary Primm, and Trace Wood. Five Forks Middle School was second and Loganville third.

“We culminated our season with the individual skills competition of our Drive, Chip and Putt Contest,” said League Director Les Witmer. “COVID-19 impacted our season, but not the enthusiasm of these junior golfers to get outside and away from those doing virtual learning.”

Modifications because of the pandemic included running the skills competition in smaller groups of 20 at a time. Chip and Putt competition’s overall winners of the Drive were Mauri Robb from Bay Creek Middle School for the girls and Austin Chadwick for the boys from McConnell Middle School.

“In addition to our weekly best ball team play and our individual skills competition,” added Witmer, “we have a 9-hole invitational individual stroke tournament for the top juniors.” We had two flights for the boys, one from the forward red tees and one from the junior tees, and this season’s winners included: red flight tie for first place Jackson McAleer from Loganville and Evan Carbone from Youth Middle both shooting 42, and from the junior tees Gavin Moncrief from Loganville Middle with 36 and Austin Chadwick for McConnell shooting 39. For the girls from the junior tees, Ava Ali from Creekland Middle won with 50, and Caitlyn Soroka from Five Forks Middle and Chloe Gordon from Trickum Middle tied for second with 51.”

Witmer added that it was pretty different from the parents’ orientations and the awards presentations via Zoom. Also, precautions were taken with mask-wearing outside optional and social distancing and limited player groupings during the season’s opening clinics and instruction.

“Our 105 players were from Bay Creek, Couch, Creekland, Crews, Dacula, Five Forks, Hull, Lanier, Loganville, McConnell, Shiloh, North Gwinnett, Trickum and Youth Middle Schools,” said Witmer. “And again, this fall we played at seven different golf courses including Bear Creek and Providence Golf Courses in Monroe, Summit Chase Country Club and Country Club of Gwinnett in Snellville, Cedar Lake Golf Course in Loganville and Collins Hill Golf Course in Lawrenceville, and Trophy Club of Apalachee in Dacula. Summit Chase has been our home course for our clinics and Drive, Chip and Putt contest and where the MSGL originated, and we

culminated our season there as the golf course closed.”

The Most Improved Golfer Awards for the fall season were given to Kennedy Howard for Bay Creek; Jonathan Cobb, AJ Parrish and Samuel Seybert for Couch; Mya Ali for Creekland; Benjamin Greene for Crews; Zachary Miller for Dacula; Logan Coffman and Caitlyn Soroka for Five Forks; Emmett Dane for Hull; Alex Culver and Gavin Moncrief for Loganville; Tanishk Rajpurohit, Samantha Dunn and John Graham for McConnell; Jordan Ramsey for Shiloh; Ayaan Patel and Drew Rouk for Trickum; and Alexis McClary for Youth.

The Middle School Golf League is organized through the South Gwinnett Athletic Association and plays mainly on Sunday afternoons during fall and spring seasons.

“We began our season again with a clinic for all, an extra on-course clinic for new players to golf or the league in preparation for their team best-ball play, and a practice round to get everyone organized,” said Witmer. “Then four weeks of team best-ball play, and then we introduced them to stroke play where everyone got to play their own ball for an individual score, then the more experienced juniors participated in a 9-hole tournament,” added Witmer. “Our season culminated with a Drive, Chip, and Putt competition.”

The 2021 Fall Season for the Middle School Golf League will begin in August and play through the end of October.

More information at https://www.facebook.com/middleschoolgolfleague/

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One Man’s Opinion: So…What’s the Plan

By Bill Crane

Not much more than one month into this pandemic, millions of Americans were losing their jobs or going from full to part-time, under-employed to unemployed, and, increasingly, self-employed. As housing costs are the highest fixed expense for most American households, mortgage and rent payments started to become more difficult, or went unpaid.

As part of their State of Emergency Declaration, the Centers for Disease Control issued an order prohibiting evictions or foreclosures based on the non-payment of rent or mortgages. Millions of Americans have struggled since, some of course more than others. Many paid no rent or mortgage because they were unable. Some delayed or made partial payments because that is what they could afford. Regrettably, yes, some certainly did not pay because eviction/foreclosure was at now at least temporarily off the table.

However, sooner than later, perhaps as early as July, this president will be in the position to end this State of Emergency. With that, the prohibition on evictions and foreclosures will end. And talk with any mortgage banker or lender, or anyone who owns, manages, or leases rental real estate property, and there is a tsunami of evictions and foreclosures building just offshore.

Good leaders react, build consensus, and sometimes use the bully pulpit to unite the country and American will. Great leaders identify problems before they reach critical mass and assemble a team and a plan. So, what is the plan?

The Biden Administration has already proposed $6 trillion in spending in response to this pandemic, other initiatives, and other massive expansions to the federal government that it supports. None of that money, in a significant sense, was budgeted to address this problem.

Private landlords and apartment complex owners are certainly due their rent, and it is impossible to indefinitely manage, maintain, or service debt on real estate without income. And with the banks and mortgage lenders, we mortgage loan holders signed a contract. Deferred payments are one thing, but no one expects the financial services industries to write down potentially hundreds of billions of lost mortgage loan principal and interest income.

Potentially, if the debt load is not managed, it could dwarf the sub-prime lending collapse in 2006 which triggered a 2008 market collapse.

Yes, there are dozens of billions available for emergency housing assistance and the homeless, but that doesn’t mean that the zoning or building permits are in place, or that neighborhoods and communities will not push back when some of the newly homeless are relocated into their area, or older apartments are rehabilitated complexes, etc. Where is the plan for what is coming?

This will require a mix of solutions, local, state, and federal, including loosening local building and zoning codes to allow for tiny houses, non-traditional construction such as remodeled rail cars, or 3-D printed structures. States can potentially utilize former military bases or empty college dormitories (during summer semester) to provide temporary shelter, and the federal government can look at ways to incent the private sector and a broader range of non-profits to invest in affordable

and lower-cost housing development offerings.

With lumber costs off the chart, the way we typically build homes will also need to be reconsidered. A greater use of cinder blocks, lighter cement, and structural steel will come into the mix, as well as more factory-built prefabricated housing. And I already am aware of several families and friends who are not so certain what the rest of this year will bring them on this front, even with the new security that their good health may again be safe.

Part of the American Dream is homeownership, and rightfully so. But that also comes with multiple never-ending costs, utilities, and ongoing and unexpected expenses. For renters, things may be even scarier. The AVERAGE rent in metro Atlanta during this real estate price spike is $1,200.00 a month, and that’s for two bedrooms and one bath.

Yes, more sustainable energy sources and multiple other aspects of the Biden agenda are worthy of debate and support, but NOT over the likely immediate housing needs of millions of Americans. And we simply can’t afford the federal government to cut that check and pay off Continued on page 18

Travel Tales: Up, Up, and Away!

By Pam Walker

Another week of good news! The list is growing. Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal are all opening up starting in June!

According to the latest news, the rest of the European Union will be open by the end of summer.

Best of all, you can enter without quarantine (if you are vaccinated). There are some restrictions in each country, so be sure to check with your Travel Advisor before you book that flight.

If you want to go, here is what the World Health Organization is saying: “Travelers from the US are allowed to enter only through COVID-tested flights. Currently only Delta is offering these flights. Travelers must have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure, take a rapid COVID antigen test at the departing airport prior to boarding, and a second rapid test upon arrival. One traveler per group or family must fill out an online European Digital Passenger Locator Form and include details of all fellow travelers.”

Also opening for vaccinated travelers are various cruise lines. Alaska is begging for visitors, so much so that the CDC has lifted all pre-requisites for cruises this summer. Summer is the most important time for Alaska. Tourism revenues for that short period load the coffers of Alaska’s businesses and will last until next summer.

Cruises are also re-starting in other parts of the world in late July. Again, ask your Travel Advisor which cruise line will take you where you want to go this summer and fall. Do make sure you have at least six months validity on your passports. The US Passport Office is way behind due to staffing cutbacks during the Pandemic and now the crush of travelers wanting to go somewhere.

So, what are you waiting for all you European lovers? The pent-up need to get going again has thousands of travelers booking right now. Don’t be left out!

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Beyond the dedication to their customers and community, Simply Green is also excited to offer a new service this year: mosquito control. Anyone who has lived in Gwinnett for even one summer has likely dealt with these unpleasant pests, and the team at Simply Green has a plan in place to make your mosquito troubles go away. Much like their regular lawn program, they offer mosquito control through multiple treatments during the year.

And, as with everything they do, Simply Green’s mosquito control program is tailored to ensure that your yard will remain healthy, and so will any kids or pets in the area. For instance, Simply Green never sprays flowers that are currently in bloom, and they focus on specific breeding sites in your yard to ensure that they cut off the mosquito problem at its source.

Any way you look at it, the team at Simply Green is the best of the best, and they are ready to serve you year-round. Visit them on Facebook, head to their website, or give them a call. No matter how you reach out to them, you are sure to speak to a real person who can help you right away.

“It’s a great place to work,” said Mary of the team atmosphere. “We all love it here.”

Finding a team of experts that loves what they do and is excited about helping each customer they speak with is the perfect combination to give you a healthy, happy yard. Don’t wait any longer.

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Community Business Spotlight: Simply Green Lawn Care

By Kristen Eleveld

The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, the pollen count is climbing – it all adds up to spring in Georgia! And since you will be out enjoying your yard anyway, it might be time to ask yourself an important question: is your yard as healthy as it can be?

If you’re not sure or don’t know how to tell, we have great news. There is a local company that can keep your lawn healthy all year long. Those local to Gwinnett may have already heard of this incredible company that is quickly rising to the top of its industry, but you may not realize just how valuable the services are at Simply Green Lawn Care.

“Healthy lawn and healthy landscapes – that’s what we’re all about,” said Mary Thompson, who is the Sales Manager at Simply Green. “We want to provide you with solutions that can help.”

While the company focuses on the health of your yard, it does so while keeping customer service as its first priority. Simply Green has a long history of putting its clients and community above everything else. They have continued to collaborate with Parkview High School, donating their services to keep the ballfields at the high school healthy and ready for teams to use them any time they’re needed.

This year, Simply Green had the chance to become even more involved with the community it has served for years. They were able to donate their time and services to a local Lilburn Co-op, giving those in need expert lawn care. They also adopted a section of Five Forks Trickum Road and are committed to keeping the road clean and maintained.

“We want to serve the community we live in,” said Mary.

Spring Cleaning Continued from page 10 use activated carbon and tap water to render any medications inactive.

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A campaign to get rid of unused medications – for good: Since 2020, Deterra has partnered with SAFE Project – a national nonprofit working to end addiction – on the Gone for Good campaign, a pouch giveaway to help prevent medication misuse and increase access to at-home disposal resources. Admiral James and Mary Winnefeld founded SAFE Project after the tragic loss of their 19-year-old son Jonathan to an accidental opioid overdose. “It’s so important for families to be aware of this issue, and to do whatever they can to keep family members safe,” said Admiral Winnefeld. “Regularly removing substances that could potentially be misused is one way to help protect everyone in your household from this very real danger.”

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PAGE 17

Walking with Grace: Meet Robin Dill

By Amy Ney

More than eleven million Americans provide unpaid care for a loved one with dementia. “If you don’t personally care for someone memory-impaired, you probably know someone who does,” Robin Dill explains. Dill, an expert on caring for a loved one with dementia, has a heart for serving them and their caregivers. “The thing to remember is our spirits never have dementia,” she continues. “We can still connect spiritually.”

Dill has made it her life-long service to help and teach people to do just that.

A huge Clemson fan, Dill says she has always had a passion for “wrinkled skin: old people, and dogs,” she says with a laugh. “I thought I was called into animal science.” But God had different plans. She met her husband at Clemson, and they relocated to South Atlanta in 2002. Soon after, her mother was diagnosed with brain cancer, which led to dementia, and her husband, Tom, was diagnosed with stage four cancer. While she was busy caring for them, Dill learned many lessons that she would later apply and teach others. Thankfully, Tom made a full recovery, but her mother passed away in 2005.

Dill was a trained voluntary chaplain with The Stephen Ministry, and when the family relocated to Loganville, Dill served at Eastside Hospital. “When the Atlanta-Journal Constitution Newspaper ran an ad for a church seeking to launch an adult daycare program and needed a director and program developer, I applied for the job and was hired,” Dill recalls. This is how she came to develop Grace Arbor, a respite day-program for people with memory loss in Lawrenceville. The program serves members by having interactive social and physical activities that stimulate and enhance the quality of life of those with memory impairment.

“For some time, there were federal grants that the Alzheimer’s Association held in trust and made available to churches and community faith groups,” Dill says. “Because of my experience with Grace Arbor, I was able to train directors and volunteers regarding engaging senior adults with dementia.”

Dill is an editor of the book Dementia Friendly Worship and several instructional manuals, and she wrote Walking with Grace, which she recently revised and re-released. “Even people whose

PAGE 18

brains are failing them want to be purposeful,” Dill states. Her techniques include dementiafriendly worship, baking with the memory-impaired, pet therapy, and more.

In 2018, Dill left Grace Arbor and is now involved in local and statewide efforts in the eastern United States to raise awareness of dementia and its effects on sufferers and their caregivers.

Her blog provides a seemingly endless amount of insightful news, teaching, and encouragement regarding dementia and support for caregivers. Dill continues to travel around the country helping to develop and train directors, staff, and volunteers to grow and expand their dementia and respite care programs. She also speaks at conferences and provides care, along with her dog, Maggie, a four-year-old Chocolate Lab/ German Short Hair Pointer Cross, at local projects. She also serves on the board at Peachtree Christian Health Center and leads a support group at Grace New Hope in Grayson.

For people who are caring for a loved one with dementia, Dill says support is essential.

“Caregivers can become very isolated,” she explains. “They need a place where they have community, can be heard, can dump their heavy buckets and leave a little lighter – feeling lighter and feeling better.”

More information at https://rdillblogwalkingwithgrace.wordpress.com/

Learning Lessons Continued from page 8 change her prediction. This shows she is thinking critically and refining her thoughts based on evidence. Listen to her observations each time.

4. After your child has tested each item, ask her how the items that float or sink are similar to one another.

Finding ways to play with science this summer doesn’t have to be complicated. Just follow your child and listen to her questions. Science is everywhere!

Tanisha Turner is Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway. More information at www.

PrimroseSugarloafParkway.com

One Man’s Opinion: So…What’s the Plan Continued from page 16 everyone’s mortgage debt or back rent. You will be hearing more about this soon. Some of our friends may be needing help as well, even temporary housing. If the macro plan isn’t ready, start with your own family and circle and be ready. That’s the start of a plan.

Crane is the senior political analyst with WSB Radio and TV and owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

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Jun ’21 Our Town Gwinnett

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PAGE 19

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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.