JUNE 2022 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
Our Town GWINNETT
Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker
Up Close with Gwinnett Orthodontics, see story on page 5.
Dr. John Simmons and Dr. Robert French combine a blend of experience, wisdom and advanced knowledge to affordably serve their patients with healthy, beautiful smiles. Our experienced team provides 5 star service, personalized care, and an extraordinary commitment to your health and well-being. Please join our family by scheduling a new patient visit today!
Before
After
H e a lt H y • B e a u t i f u l • i n s p i r e d PAGE 2
John W. Simmons IV, DMD Robert J. French, DDS
2381-B Main Street East • Snellville, Georgia 30078
770-985-2437 • SmilesBySimmons.com
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30+ Years of Helping People with their Money Roger S. Green, MSFS, CFP® Green Financial Resources, LLC www.RogerSGreen.com
No matter where you are in life, we can help - even with just a 2nd opinion!
Take action today to help secure your financial future. Call 770.931.1414 or visit www.RogerSGreen.com and schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. We can help with the following and more: • • • • • • • • • •
Financial and retirement planning Investment planning/allocation advice Harvesting Plan for your retirement assets IRA/Roth contributions Maximizing your existing 401k/403b/457b Long-Term Care, Disability, & Life Insurance Estate/Intergenerational legacy planning Timing of social security Medicare And more!
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Barron’s Top 1000/1200 Advisors 2009-2016 & 2019-2020
Investment Advisor Representative offering securities & advisory services through Cetera Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker/Dealer, member FINRA, SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership than any named entity. Awards are not to be considered a guarantee of future results, nor as an endorsement by any client. Best of Gwinnett and Gwinnett Best of the Best winners are chosen via voting and editors’ input, & opinions are vetted with the use of other available information. Pinnacle award rankings are based on growth, revenue, community service, & other criteria. Barron’s: based on total assets (AUM), revenue, & other factors. Office located at 3700 Crestwood Pkwy, Ste 140, Duluth, GA 30096.
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3197 Classic Dr, Snellville, GA 30078 | 770.979.9000 June 2022 Our Town Gwinnett
PAGE 3
1895J Beaver Ridge Circle, Norcross, GA 30071 Open 11am-7pm Monday through Saturday Closed Sundays
Offering all parrot/bird supplies at wholesale prices. We sell hand fed BABY Currently available PARROTS and cockatiels. Please l Macaws l Amazons call 770-986-0661 or visit l Cockatoos l Cockatiels fancyfeathersstore.com. l Conures l Canaries Featuring Zupreem, Pretty Photos on Fancy Feathers Atlanta facebook. Bird and Dr. D’s pelleted diets, Videos can be found at laAvian seed diets along with our own mix, Fancy Feathers, @fancyfeathersatlanta of seeds specialized for parrots, @brendamcadamsbean cockatiels, parakeets, finches and Gouldian finches. @parrotproductions
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On the Cover:
Celebrating 25 Years of Smiles with Gwinnett Orthodontic Care
By Kristen Eleveld
Most people probably don’t think of going to the orthodontist as a fun activity – unless they are patients of Dr. Janice Wilmot, who has made it her mission to bring fun to her orthodontic practice for the last twenty-five years. Now, as Dr. Wilmot and her team celebrate this milestone anniversary, they are excited to share their latest practice updates and remind everyone what exactly makes their team not only the best in the area, but a team filled with experts who have as much fun as their patients. “It’s hard to believe it’s been twenty-five years, but time flies when you’re having fun!” said Dr. Wilmot. “We have had lots of growth and change, but we’re still giving our patients the same excellent care.” Dr. Wilmot and her team are all about their patients – in fact, Dr. Wilmot says she thinks of her patients as part of their extended family. Whether she is catching up on the latest score of a patient’s football game or attending a play for a patient in her care, Dr. Wilmot and her staff have cultivated a relationship with every client that doesn’t stop once the appointment ends. Their close-knit relationships don’t even stop when the patient is discharged from their care. Dr. Wilmot says that one of the best parts of her day is seeing former patients drop in for a visit. Some patients have grown up and are now bringing their own families to Dr. Wilmot; others are just excited to see Dr. Wilmot and her team to give them an update about their life. “If you take care of your patients well, everything else will follow,” said Dr. Wilmot. “I always try to give my patients the same care that I would want for myself.”
Ribbon Cutting 1997 While the COVID-19 pandemic certainly changed business practices across the world, Dr. Wilmot and her team never stopped serving their clients. Through virtual visits and increased sanitizing solutions, the team at Gwinnett Orthodontic Care managed to keep smiles on their clients’ faces while also keeping everyone safe. Now that businesses can get back to normal, Dr. Wilmot and her staff have wasted no time in bringing back the most enjoyable parts of their office atmosphere. The game room is always guaranteed to bring a smile, and the office also hosts contests on a regular basis. The staff even dresses up in fun and silly outfits – anything to give their patients a little more joy, especially to those who may be nervous about a visit to the orthodontist. Continued on page 17
Celebrating 25 Years Years Of Making Smiles Blossom!
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Janice J. Wilmot DMD, MS 956 Killian Hill Road Suite D Lilburn, GA 30047 PAGE 5
Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
— An EndResultz Media Company EndResultz.com
Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett /NE DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyright 2022 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.
Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultz.com
Photography Aleen Karakashian Photography
Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultz.com
Distribution Coordinator Wendy Head
Editor Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultz.com
Cover Story Feature Writer Kristen Eleveld
Feature Writers K. Coats Victoria R. Crosby Tana Poncsak Traci Sanders
Beth Volpert Johansen Contributing Writers Barbara Bailey, PhD Bill Crane Pam Walker
IN THIS ISSUE 5
On the Cover: Celebrating 25 Years of Smiles with Gwinnett Orthodontic Care
7
From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks
8
Travel Tales: Greece on my Mind
9
One on One with Erica Dove
10 One Man’s Opinion: “ConGRADuation” Day 12 Bringing the Community Together through Literacy: THE little BOOK SPOT! 12 Conflict Corner: How’s It Working for You Now? 13 Small Biz Spotlight: Tips for Businesses from 2022 Tech Trends 15 Kid’s Corner: Six Smart Ways to Save Money for Your Kids 16 Catching Up with Jasmine A. Mack: SGHS Class of 2010 17 Getting to Know: Dennis Smock 18 Sports Talk: Parkview Boys’ Swim and Dive Team Wins Championship
Stay Connected! OurTownGwinnett.com
OurTownGwinnettOnline.com @OurTownGwinnett @OurTownGwinnett @OurTownGwinnett PAGE 6
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From the Publisher:
E
ddie’s Automotive Service
Ryan’s Remarks
https://www.eddiesautomotiveservice.com
@RyanSauers @RyanTSauers So how are you Our Town community? Are you enjoying the warm weather and summer fun? I must say it I so nice after over two years of “stops and starts” and changing rules to be back operating full throttle. We have all lived through an unprecedented time that we will try to explain to future generations. Wow, do I ever love being able to be back at sporting events, concerts, and gatherings – and with no masks. I challenge you to 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 human reset,” which allowed us to remember what truly matters. So go for your dreams. Life is short. There is no “do over.” There are people who tell me “One day” I will do this, or “someday” I will do that. This is crazy talk to me. For what are you waiting? The clock is ticking for ALL of us. So, I encourage you to Make It Happen. As I have said before, if you want something bad enough you will find a way – and if you don’t, you will find an excuse. I hope you work to find the best in people and to try and make others laugh and smile. Let us love more and hate less. Let us actively listen to get to know a person and build a relationship before judging them. Do we really know the person’s story? Or do we just know what we “think” it is? Living in an authentic way is what I call “walking the talk” and it is what we all need and want to be around. 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 2022. Yes, we are nearly halfway (hard to believe) thru 2022. 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!
Proudly serving our community for more than 20 years. Dr. Kristine Mycroft, DMD Dr. Jimmy Balkcom, DMD
2175 North Rd SW, Snellville NorthRoadFamilyDental.com June 2022 Our Town Gwinnett
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Travel Tales: Greece on my Mind By Pam Walker
It has been years since I first visited the cradle of civilization. With the pandemic improving, I accepted wholeheartedly when a friend asked me to visit her in Greece. Not only would I be able to check out hotels in Athens, Crete, and Santorini, but also Mykonos. Many things have changed over the twenty-seven months of the pandemic. Many hotels had closed, while others had renovated. Some companies used this time to rebuild or build new hotels in superb locations. I needed that for my business now that everyone wanted to travel again. The old has become new, and it is always good for travel professionals to update their knowledge. In 2021, I had visited Madrid and Amsterdam and Brussels; but
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this was 2022 and now it was time to get back out there. What I found is that many people in the world are also getting out there, too. Instead of the small crowds of 2021, I was finding tremendous crowds from all over the world. Everyone kept saying they didn’t know how they would keep up when the cruise ships started coming again in the summer. Hotels, restaurants, and tour operators were in total panic mode. The crowds that I was seeing at the Acropolis and the Plaka in Athens were just a smattering of what was coming. European friends told me that it was not only in Greece, but also in France, the UK, Spain, and Germany. Planes are full, hotels are at capacity, and tour companies are singing a happy song. Europe is open and functioning. Although you need a mask in public buildings, elsewhere it is not required. The only negative was the Antigen Test that one must have to return home. Hopefully by the time you read this, that heinous rule will have been suspended. It is not needed anywhere else, so why the USA? My Greek travels were amazing. The famed old Grande Bretagne in Athens is still the old Grand Dame and the pandemic allowed time to freshen up everything. There is no doubt that the rooftop restaurant with views of the Acropolis at night is a winner. In Crete, there is a lot to do, and my favorite was Daios Cove, with a Michelin star restaurant and stunning rooms with plunge pools all overlooking the water. Oia in Santorini wins hands down. Here the Canaves group has created a wonderful new hotel called Epitome, which is just that – a stunning place to watch the sunset on the Caldera. In Mykonos there is the new Kalesma, which also has amazing rooms with plunge pools and views of both sunset and sunrise. There is so much to see and do, and I did not have enough time to see it all. There are many smaller islands that are just as exceptional! Greece will require another visit. I thank my wonderful travel industry for so many friends all over the world. Where to next? There are so many places yet to go! Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@walkeradventures.com
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PAGE 8
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One on One with Erica Dove By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Our Town Gwinnett (OTG): Please tell our readers a little about yourself. What do you want our readers to know about you? Who were your mentors and role models? Erica Dove (ED): I am Erica Dove – Hard worker, Attorney, Judge, Entrepreneur, community servant, dog mom, and candidate for Gwinnett State Court Judge! Native of Washington, D.C., and a Georgia resident since 1980. I have been a resident of Gwinnett County since 1981. I attended Howard University for both Undergrad and Law School. I began my career at King & Spalding, LLP in 2002. Later I served as a prosecutor in Gwinnett State Court for ten years, serving on the DUI Accountability Court team, and helping to pilot the Mental Health Diversion program. I also served as prosecutor in several municipal courts, including Norcross, Suwanee, Lilburn, and others. In 2015, I established The Law Office of Erica K Dove, LLC, handling various types of matters. My mother has been my biggest role model. She has always set the standard, been the example; then she expects the best from me. OTG: What are your favorite things to do? ED: Traveling wherever there is clear blue water, yard work, and hanging with my pup, Bentley. OTG: What role does community play in your life? ED: Community is very important and plays a huge role in my life. Family, friends, neighbors, and even the legal community all, in some way, are the people who protect and support me in one way or Continued on page 18
June 2022 Our Town Gwinnett
PAGE 9
cal school; the first scholar to become immediately employed following the graduation ceremony, etc. Each of those By Bill Crane capstone events is worthy of comGraduation Days are among those most memorable milestones memoration and salutation, as well as and touchstones of life. They are often seen more as an end to one multi-selfie taking and sharing on social phase, while I have always chosen to view the ceremony as well as the media. Pomp and Circumstance as an entrance into life’s next phase. These Higher education is increasingly overceremonies now start as early as kindergarten, continuing through priced, and much of your college and elementary, middle school, and high school – as well as later for many post-graduate experience is as much college and post-graduate degrees. This plethora of caps and gowns about socialization, developing people do tend to blend over time, and the sheer number I feel tends to water skills, and critical thinking as it is about down the impact and the significance of those later and more signif- the subject matter or your specific area icant school finishes and degrees. of focus and study. Without argument, For many families, this graduation season will celebrate many there are some degrees, and certainly firsts: first family member to graduate from college, from medi- academic institutions, where the bar is set higher, and the academic rigors are greater. But this chat is not about that. Your college years are a time for personal exploration, experimentation, and hopefully the broadening of your mind. Even in the most controlled and private college campus environment, you have hopefully been exposed to others who don’t think or look like you do, whose life experiences and formed opinions come through a different lens and perspective. You have come to both note and appreciate these differences as the world today, particularly in urban areas, is much more a tapestry than a pile of clean, pressed linens. All the marvels of electronic communication, and the internet replacing libraries as the ultimate study and research tool, as well as Full Service Dental Care Including: the seeming shift from actual conversation to virtual communication Cosmetic Dentistry, Root Canals, Implants, Tooth Replacement, via text, Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest, and other social media platforms, have both made the world smaller, AND at times increased Bridges, Crowns, Dentures, Sedation, and Zoom Whitening the distance between actual people. I truly can’t understand the Call Today For an Appointment often-witnessed scene of a group of students – of all gender, races, and cultures – seated together at a meal, or sharing an event or gathering, EACH fixated on their phone screen, taking a selfie or engaged No Insurance? No New Patient Welcome Package! in conversation with someone else NOT actually present. Problem! I’m not suggesting never using your phone in public again, but I Quality Dentistry is now more (Reg. $269) would ask you to consider, with friends, family, your prospective affordable with our In-House employers, and clients/customers ahead of you, the person WITH and • Oral Exam • Consultation Dental Assistance Savings Plan. in front of you should be MORE important than the person texting, • Necessary X-rays sharing a Meme, or wanting to chat. Yes, emergencies occur and n No Yearly Minimums those take priority, but try and remember how you felt the last time • Healthy Mouth Cleaning n No Deductibles you were having a deeply personal conversation, or even flirting with (In the absence of gum disease.) n No Claim Forms someone new to you, and they suddenly turned to or answered their Valid for new patients only. Does not include any periodontal gum disease treatment. Cannot be combined phone and spent quite some time in that interaction, putting you in n No Waiting Periods with any other offers or insurance. Insurance will be billed effect on hold. I bet you didn’t like it. customary fees. Must present this coupon at the time of Call Us For Details appointment. Tranferable. Please share with your family PEOPLE and their feelings matter more than an instant response and friends. Offer expires 07/15/22. TODAY!! to a text or another social media platform. The loudest voices are often among the most opinionated and hostile. As an example, though Facebook allows me to keep in touch and keep tabs on an old friend, acquaintance, or former classmate, it is by NO MEANS even remotely close to simply picking up the phone and calling that same person, or better yet, planning time for a shared meal or a visit. Yes, some of you are geniuses, and employers will chase you down. I was fortunate to have several jobs offers awaiting me at a decent salary right out of college. I took one, but it really wasn’t my desired or Dr. Gerald Rausch Dr. Candace Rausch Dr. Elizabeth Kaplan Dr. Fabian Byer chosen profession. That opportunity, which involved a LOT of pursuit time on my part, required a massive pay cut, relocation, and at least a year of dues paying as I learned the ins and outs of broadcasting. Nearing four decades after my last graduation ceremony, I still look 1172 Rockbridge Road incredibly fondly back on my college days, but it is the life and career experiences and particularly the occasional losses which followed Stone Mountain, GA 30087 that taught me the greatest lessons. Welcome to the real world, and www.stonemountaindentistpractice.com Adulting, and all the good and the bad that comes with that. You have arrived on the first day of the rest of your life. Spend them wisely and Serving Lilburn and Stone Mountain ConGRADulations! for over 25 years Crane owns the full-service communications firm, CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com PAGE 10 Become an Advertising Partner: Info@OurTown Gwinnett.com or 678-825-2049
One Man’s Opinion: “ConGRADuation” Day
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Copyright © 2022. Homestar Financial Corporation 332 Washington St. NW, Gainesville, GA 30501. NMLS #70864. For licensing info: NMLSconsumeraccess.org. This is not a commitment to lend and not all customers will qualify. All terms, information, conditions, rates, and programs are subject to credit and property approval and may change without notice. Not all products are available in all states. Certain other restrictions may apply. Homestar Financial Corporation is an equal housing lender and is not affiliated with any government entity.
June 2022 Our Town Gwinnett
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Bringing the Community Together through Literacy: THE little BOOK SPOT! By Traci Sanders
A new bookshop in Gwinnett is unlike anything the community has ever experienced. THE little BOOK SPOT is a small, multilingual bookshop that was founded by Nury Crawford in February of 2022 to increase access to all types of books in the community, including bilingual. Crawford is a first-generation immigrant and was named one of the top 50 most influential Latinos in Georgia. She also founded a mentoring program in 2019 that connects caring adults in the community with students, to provide encouragement and to support them in becoming successful young adults. THE little BOOK SPOT opened its doors on April 30, 2022 at Plaza Las Americas on Pleasant Hill Road in Lilburn, through a ribbon cutting ceremony. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. A local bilingual children’s author is expected to offer a read aloud to kick off the festivities. “We are going to focus on diversity – in ability, culture, languages, race, and ethnicity,” Nury shared. “I sincerely believe that everyone is important, and everyone needs to be represented in books. We all need to model literacy at all times. Literacy is aligned to success, high school graduation, self-esteem, and so much more!” Currently, books are offered in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, French, and Traditional Chinese. Crawford has many plans for this facility, including monthly author visits, puppet shows, and other literacy-based activities. She’d also Continued on page 18
Conflict Corner: How’s It Working for You Now? By Barbara Bailey, PhD
Workplace conflict did not manifest with the increasingly remote world of work. Put one person in a room and conflict exists. Put two or more people together and the potential for conflict grows with each person’s arrival. Has your workplace shifted back to a non-remote site? Or, are you earning your living now with a remote structure? Either way, post-COVID, it won’t be “business as usual.” Not only did our external lives change, but for many (perhaps, for the first time), internal lives shifted and what fit someone before the pandemic and its forced changes do not fit them now. Some people will be so glad to be back in a scheduled routine and away from their home base that they will overlook the challenges that Continued on page 18
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Small Biz Spotlight: Tips for Businesses from 2022 Tech Trends By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Small businesses are essential parts of communities and a key driving factor of the current economic recovery. Modern technology and workplace trends are transforming how these organizations are run, not only to increase productivity but to expand the possibilities of the future. New research found that the United States is home to 32.5 million small businesses employing 46.8% of the private workforce, according to the 2021 Small Business Profiles from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Combine small and medium-sized companies, and you cover the vast majority of companies in the country – a powerful economic force. “We see a bright future ahead for businesses in 2022,” said Eric Yu, Lenovo senior vice president, small and medium business segment. “Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can utilize the best in technology to help overcome the challenges today and drive growth, engage employees, and boost profits.” Yu and the experts at Lenovo offer tips for SMBs based on their top technology predictions for 2022. 1. Add Hybrid Workforce Technology Workplace culture continues to evolve with hybrid workforces here to stay. Technology is driving this momentum forward, enabling businesses of all sizes to remain agile and adaptable. SMBs should seek purpose-built technology solutions that bring equity, parity, presence, and inclusion to hybrid work. Emerging technology will also advance SMB growth, with augmented and virtual reality creating custom workplaces for employees, immersive training, efficient data analysis, and enhanced productivity. Just imagine the possibilities of training employees virtually, tapping resources beyond what’s available locally, and removing the need to
travel. Technology makes this a reality. 2. Enhance Digital Security Digital threats are a concern for SMBs as they are for large companies. Whether it’s private client data, proprietary company information, or financial accounts, security must remain top of mind in 2022 as cybercriminals become savvier every day. Prioritizing security with seamless authentication driven by artificial intelligence and biometric technology (such as fingerprint scans) will be key for SMBs as they further transition to public key infrastructure-based device security, like those used today to access mobile banking applications and multifactor authentication for application and device access. 3. Invest in Modern Monitors Investing in modern monitors makes sense, especially for remote employees and those in technology roles. The desktop monitors that SMB employees use can transform their work experience for increased comfort and capabilities. For example, SMB employees can seamlessly multitask through modern desktop monitors that offer larger screen real estate and single cable management for easy connections. Continued on page 20
EVENTS ON THE SNELLVILLE TOWNE GREEN
JULY 4
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www.ExperienceSnellville.com June 2022 Our Town Gwinnett
JULY 23
FREE CONCERT
Summer Concert Series CHI-TOWN TRANSIT AUTHORITY
CHICAGO TRIBUTE BAND Johnny Parazzo opens at 6 p.m.
Beer, wine and food available for purchase. Visit ExperienceSnellville.com for VIP table information.
CHI-TOWN TRANSIT AUTHORITY CHICAGO TRIBUTE BAND 7-9 p.m. Thanks to our Keystone Sponsors
PAGE 13
You’re invited to join us for an upcoming event – part of our Lifelong Learning Series, where we continue to discover and expand in entertaining and powerful ways.
MEET THE AUTHOR SERIES MARLENE RATLEDGE BUCHANAN Thursday, June 9 | 11 a.m.
Author Marlene Ratledge Buchanan joins us for a chat on finding the humor in life.
DONNA BARRON
Thursday, July 7 | 11 a.m. Meet Donna Barron, author of The Man Who Carved Stone Mountain, which is a biography of her father – the man who completed the carving on Stone Mountain in 1972.
LYNN HESSE
Thursday, August 11 | 11 a.m. Retired detective and novelist Lynn Hesse joins us for a riveting discussion about her newest heist novel, The Forty Knots Burn.
We look forward to seeing you!
RSVP to 678-841-0030
For the safety and well-being of all residents and guests, all recommended safety precautions will be taken. Please call to inquire about our safety measures for these events.
INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE 1900 TREE LANE | SNELLVILLE, GA 30078 SHERIDANEASTSIDE.COM
PAGE 14
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Kid’s Corner: Six Smart Ways to Save Money for Your Kids By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
While there are many ways to set your kids up for a successful future, money in the bank is one of the most powerful financial tools you can pass along. Every dollar you save or invest can help your child create a productive and stable foundation for many years to come. When it comes to saving for your kids, the sooner the better. Building up funds now can ensure kids will have less to worry about as they get older and can open up more financial opportunities. To help you get started, consider these several ways to save wisely for your kids. 1. Open a college savings account: If higher education is in your child’s future, consider a 529 savings plan. This is a tax-advantaged investment plan that can be opened
as soon as your child is born. The money grows tax free and can be withdrawn without taxes. There are two types of 529 plans: prepaid tuition and education savings. Prepaid tuition plans can purchase credits at a participating university and lock in current tuition costs. An education savings plan is an investment account where funds are designated for qualified college expenses. Be sure to consult a tax advisor to assist with your specific circumstances as this is only intended to provide general information. 2. Invest in a home: Purchasing a home can be one of the most secure and highest-return investments you can make for your children, especially in today’s housing market. A home can be passed down through generations or sold when the value has increased. If you’re looking to invest in a home for your children, consider manufactured housing. Manufactured homes attached to a permanent Continued on page 22
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Catching Up with Jasmine A. Mack: SGHS Class of 2010 By K. Coats
If you’ve ever had the pleasure to meet South Gwinnett High School (SGHS) alumna Jasmine A. Mack, there are a couple of things you’re bound to notice. Firstly, her gorgeous face has a way of looking at you with a clarity and understanding well beyond her years. She seems to take in and evaluate everything. Secondly, this is a woman who is not satisfied with the status quo – not for herself or those around her. In fact, her major career goals center around disrupting the status quo in the best way possible. Jasmine is currently a NIH-Cambridge Scholar, biostatistician, and PhD researcher as a part of the National Institutes of Health Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program. She is using her position to help tackle a problem that is particularly acute in Georgia, but also prevalent around the county: maternal mortality. “Georgia has the highest maternal mortality rate in the United States,” Jasmine explains, “and there are stark racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence of pregnancy complications. I hope that my work will address these issues in conjunction with beneficial policies to eradicate ‘obstetric deserts.’” These ambitious goals didn’t come lightly, and Jasmine’s path through the medical field has had many twists and turns. Jasmine graduated from SGHS in 2010. As a student, she was a member of Beta Club and Advanced Chorus. She also took advantage of the Gifted Internship program. As for influential teachers, Jasmine says, “I really liked AP Calculus with Mrs. Kimberly Queen. She made learning calculus very engaging. I considered majoring in mathematics when I was in college given my grade school experience.” One of her favorite things about her community growing up are the
Gwinnett County parks. “Living in bigger cities like Boston, I really appreciate the greenspace in my hometown,” Jasmine recalls. “The amount of parks in the area in addition to having Stone Mountain Park nearby is wonderful. I find being in nature very healing.” Jasmine went on to Emory University after high school and earned a BS in Biology and Psychology/Linguistics in 2014. From there, she eventually earned two master’s degrees: a Masters of Public Health (MPH) from Boston University in 2016, focusing on Maternal and Child Health, and a MS in Biostatistics from the University of Michigan in 2021. Of course, while going above and beyond expectations, Jasmine is also going above and beyond borders. She is now splitting her time between Durham, North Carolina and Cambridge, United Kingdom as she works on her PhD focusing on Obstetrics and Gynecology and Statistical Genetics at the University of Cambridge where she expects to complete her degree in 2025. “I am completing doctoral training between the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the University of Cambridge,” she explains. “My research is at the intersection of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Statistical Genetics, with application in maternal and child health research. I currently focus on the genetic and environmental contributions to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as pregnancy-related hypertension and gestational diabetes.” But her work also takes a turn for the personal as well. She adds, “I am also interested in statistical genetic methods related to studying ancestrally diverse populations given that, historically, genetic studies have focused solely on participants of European ancestry.” In fact, diversifying the biomedical field is one of Jasmine’s larger goals, both for herself and for others. Biomedical research wasn’t her primary goal when she graduated high school. Her original plan was to be a pediatrician. “I was on the pre-medicine track while in college,” she remembers. “In my senior year of college, my advisor told me that I should consider public health. At the time, I didn’t know what the field really entailed, but I decided to apply to MPH programs and landed at Boston University.”
Continued on page 21
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Getting to Know: Dennis Smock By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Everyone has a passion. Everyone has something that intrigues them and drives them to do what they do. If you are like most people, you have had several of these passions during your lifetime, but there is always a single, underlying passion that drives everything. It is the foundation for everything that you do. And though all others are secondary, they are all related to your primary purpose in some manner. For many, their primary purpose does not fully manifest itself until the time is right, until everything they have experienced has been nurtured and matured to the point of action. My name is Dennis Smock. I am a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology. For the longest time, I seemed to simply go with the flow – albeit the flow saw me do things without truly pursuing them. Most people who do pursue them never get to take part in the manner that I was able to. I got to be part of a team that was tasked with putting together a computer monitoring system for a nuclear power plant. I got to be part of the team that designed many recognizable buildings in Atlanta, L.A., San Francisco, and Times Square in New York. I have a patent in my name. I was VP of Creative Services for a $45 million/year retail design/build firm. I was adjunct faculty at a small design college. I was a nationally recognized consultant and had several trade articles published. I was also able to be involved in the music scene and have many stories to tell – but none of these things were my passion. It is funny how God will use a still, small moment to get your attention. About twenty-five years ago, my wife and I were sponsored to go on a three-day church retreat. The men go one weekend and then the women go the following weekend. During those three days, and the following few weeks, my purpose, my passion, slowly started to come into focus. The number of people in my community who had been on previous weekends like this numbered over one thousand, and they had only the US Postal Service to stay in touch. I was asked to put together the email addresses that they had and use these as a basis for mass email communications. These early communications were simply to notify people of upcoming events and urgent prayer requests. I soon found myself wanting to send out positive messages, and so the daily devotionals were born. Recipients started asking if these could be shared, so I opened the list to anyone who wanted to receive them. I worked from home during the early years of the daily devotionals. One day, something happened that solidified my passion. I have always used two computers, and this particular day had me only working on one computer with the other computer completely turned off. I heard the familiar sound of the second computer starting up and looked over to see that it had started and had loaded a web browser. It opened a site that I had never been to. It was a site put together by an engineer who set out to disprove the Bible, but became a follower of Jesus. This experience has given me the drive to read, study, and write. “Be Still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a) had become my life verse. From the beginning, the daily devotionals were written to be able to be read in just a few minutes. They were created to allow a brief escape from the otherwise hectic lives that we find ourselves living in today’s society. These devotionals have always asked pointed questions that basically try to make the reader respond with perContinued on page 19
June 2022 Our Town Gwinnett
Gwinnett Orthodontic Care Continued from page 5 “Seeing us have fun at work helps kids relax,” said Dr. Wilmot. “Our patients love to see which sparkly sneakers or colorful crocs and jibbitz we have on at their visit.” Looking ahead, Dr. Wilmot and her team are excited to include the community in their milestone anniversary celebration at the Mountain Park Aquatics Center in August. Patients are invited, and they should prepare to have lots of – what else? – fun! Dr. Wilmot and her staff even got new t-shirts for the occasion, and they can’t wait to share the joy of a long and successful practice with everyone who wants to participate. If you’re looking for a family orthodontist who knows how to make every experience a happy one, you’ve found exactly what you need in Gwinnett Orthodontic Care. “You only get one smile,” said Dr. Wilmot. “We want to help you take care of it.” More information at https://www.jjwilmot-ortho.com/ or call 770921-2233
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Sports Talk: Parkview Boys’ Swim and Dive Team Wins Championship By Traci Sanders The Parkview boys’ swim and dive team recently won the county Championship, representing Gwinnett County with a final score of 1069.5, followed by North Gwinnett at 1020, and Brookwood at 977. The following students represented Parkview as county champions in the listed events: Thomas Forbes in diving; Jack Dunbar in the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle; Jack Dunbar, Joshua Kim, Andy Zhu, and Tyler Wooldridge in the 200 Medley Relay, and in the 200 Free Relay – Jack Dunbar, Joshua Kim, Andy Zhu, and Tyler Wooldridge. Out of twenty-seven boys at the county Championship, twenty-one made it to the state competition, which was held at Georgia Tech from February 3rd to 5th. The team also took the title for the state championship, battling North Gwinnett, and ending with scores of 331 for Parkview and 323 for North Gwinnett. Head Coach Eric Brown shared, “It was our first state championship since 2013 and the eleventh in program history for Parkview Men’s Swim and Dive team.” Parkview was able to win this meet without any individual state champions. They did have the following second place finishers, who are also All Americans – Joshua Kim for the breaststroke, and the same winners for the 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay as named in the County competition. Captains of the team are Joshua Kim, Andy Zhu, and John Byrne. Andy Zhu is Parkview’s valedictorian and Star Student. At state, he finished fourth in the 200 Individual Medley and fifth in the 100 Butterfly. Tyler Wooldridge overcame a preseason injury to compete well at state, including being part of All American relays. Freshman Isaac Saenz performed well for the team, scoring points in the 200
THE little BOOK SPOT! Continued from page 12 love to do an annual book celebration/festival. THE little BOOK SPOT is currently seeking volunteers to assist in getting these programs going. There will be no online access for these books because Crawford hopes to bring people in the community back together in person again. Educational games, board games, and other trinkets that celebrate literacy will be in place to help encourage this sense of togetherness as well. THE little BOOK SPOT currently has no community partners or sponsors, as it’s just getting started, but Crawford has high hopes it will garnish the support of community members who love books and believe in helping communities thrive via literacy and education. More information at https://thelittlebookspot.godaddysites.com/.
and 100 freestyles, as well as swimming on the 400 freestyle relay. The boys held a rigorous schedule in the fall to prepare for these events. “Our first practice was October 11th,” Coach Brown said. “We practiced Monday through Friday, and Saturdays if we didn’t have a meet. We also trained through Thanksgiving and Christmas break.” The team also sold Double Good Popcorn to raise money to cover expenses. Upon hearing about the state championship, quite a few alumni and alumni parents chipped in to help purchase the championship rings. COVID did throw some obstacles at the team, more so in the 20202021 season. The boys wore masks on buses and practiced social distancing, but overall, it didn’t have a huge impact on their process. Continued on page 21
Conflict Corner Continued from page 12
come through the shift away from remote and will bring the stress to work. Others will find that remote work fits their needs better, yet to keep the job, they must return to the physical (non-remote) workplace. That shift could lead to conflict at work, up to and including their resignation. Where are you in this world of work turned upside down and sideways? Were you close to retirement and here it came? Did you just enter a new job and then, poof, you’re sent home with everyone else to get the job done? Or, are you one of the unsung heroes of our society who worked throughout and found it more challenging because of the circumstances that we all had to face with a world affected by a rampant, uncontrolled event and its lingering aftermath? In any conflict, when our values and beliefs about something differ from others, the differences show up in our attitudes, behaviors, and performance. Is this you – believing that the keyboard and the Continued from page 9 screen provide masks of safety, where you can express yourself more freely with a little less attention to how you are received? Or, now another. that employees work together remotely or experience the return to a OTG: How do you give back to your community? ED: Professionally, I serve in the capacity of Associate Municipal non-remote workplace, do you find yourself a bit more passive-agCourt Judge in Lilburn and Chamblee. I also serve as a defense gressive in tone and action than you might have been? Most imporattorney on the Indigent Defense list, and as an advocate for clients tantly, how are you handling the non-work aspects of your life in light with Special Needs, Mental Health issues, and Veterans. Personally, of “all this” – the same, or struggling so they won’t be the same? The approach to positive conflict management starts with the I serve as an active member and volunteer in several non-profit and civic organizations. I also serve as a board member with the STRAP understanding that conflict cannot be resolved or fixed. It can be Mentor Program where I have been actively involved for over ten managed, either effectively or ineffectively, and its starts with each of us doing our part. How are you handling the issue of conflict in years. your life? Perhaps it’s time to ask the question, “How’s it working for OTG: What things are you most excited about in the future? ED: It is exciting to see what GOD has in store for me next. I’m you now?” Barbara Bailey, PhD serves as owner and CEO of Biz Productions, excited about serving in the capacity of a State Court Judge! Inc. More information at baileyba@mindspring.com. More information at www.EricaDove.com PAGE 18 Become an Advertising Partner: Info@OurTown Gwinnett.com or 678-825-2049
One on One with Erica Dove
Dennis Smock Continued from page 17 sonal reflections on how they are living up to the concepts presented in the Scripture for that day. I do not know how many times that I have heard from people telling me that what I had sent out was exactly what they needed to read that day. To make a long story short, my twenty-four years of doing this have not been without distractions and troubles. Many times, the passages and insight gleaned from my experiences have also fallen right into place. I have become a student of God’s Word. I read and cross reference many different translations. I have also put some of that experience into Biblically-based books. I have also reviewed and edited the devotional archive and have created three devotional journal books. DAILY LIVING Ministries, Inc. provides daily opportunities to allow God’s Word to take priority in our lives. Based on this mission, the decision was made to focus on providing resources that can go with people on the very thing that all of us take with us everywhere and the very thing that we can’t seem to live without - OUR PHONES! We are a society that seems to not be able to go anywhere without our smartphones. I recently had an epiphany and realized that everything that I have written and built is designed to be at our fingertips on these very devices. The website can be viewed on a phone. The devotionals can be viewed on a phone.
The books are designed to be able to be read on a phone. If we can’t find the time to sit still with a Bible, most people can read on their phones. The resources created by DAILY LIVING Ministries, Inc. are designed to work in conjunction with the apps that are currently installed on your phones, and it is recommended that the reader cross reference Scriptures by downloading a Bible app. In this ever-increasing hectic world, we need to find any and every opportunity to sit in His presence. We need to find time to “Be Still.” I seldom look at the analytics, but I had a reason to do just that not too long ago. Besides the daily emails, and the postings to social media, the new website has seen visitors from 128 countries and six continents in the last twelve months. Many of these countries would surprise you if I listed them. This country count doesn’t even include the visitors to the backup blog site! DAILY LIVING Ministries is reaching the world. I, too, still find myself using my degree from Georgia Tech. Many days are less than ideal. Deadlines and commitments, pressure and stress still abound; but I will make a daily decision to sit in His presence. I make a daily decision to share what I have learned. More information at https://dailylivingministries.org/
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Small Biz Spotlight Continued from page 13 What makes these monitors different? Next-generation monitors feature higher resolution, new aspect ratios such as ultra-wide, and low blue light tech to reduce eye strain. Monitors will extend functionality for SMB employees as they can provide a docking hub for connection of other devices such as smartphones, speakers, headphones, and tablets. 4. Upgrade Your Accessory Ecosystem Beyond modern monitors, other aspects of home office technology are transforming, too. Creating an up-to-date and efficient workspace at home is vital for productivity but also for personal well-being. Providing employees with complementary tools that bridge the gap between home and office will elevate the experience and empower hybrid working trends.
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When researching new accessories for SMB employees, consider the most common pain points of power anxiety, poor audio quality, and physical stresses of inappropriate input devices resulting from longer working hours. Power banks, noise-canceling headphones certified for unified communications platforms, and ergonomic mice and keyboards will become more mainstream in 2022, allowing teams at SMBs to improve their work-from-anywhere capabilities and productivity. 5. Support Agility and Flexibility The growth of hybrid and remote workplaces has elevated the need for work tools that allow employees to work when and where they want. Evolving form factors and better connectivity will become more ubiquitous, allowing SMB employees to set up shop almost anywhere. This flexibility can add strain to IT resources and impact business capital expense. SMBs need to consider as-a-service subscription-based models, not Continued on page 21
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Small Biz Spotlight Continued from page 20 just for hardware but to support their solution lifecycle. Successful businesses will embrace this trend and seek vendors with end-to-end capabilities to securely deploy to remote users, offer hardware and software managed services, and provide end-user tech support. As-aservice solutions reduce pressure on capital, allowing SMBs to redirect investment into new growth opportunities. (BPT)
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Sports Talk Continued from page 18 Coach Eric is proud of all the members of the team for showing up and giving it their all. “Most teachers have observed that students who have remained active have fared much better socially and academically,” he said. “I’m glad our swimmers have been able to continue to pursue their sport.” More information at https://parkviewswimanddive.swimtopia. com/.
Jasmine A. Mack: Continued from page 16 But one thing remained consistent – the kids. “I came into the program concentrating in Maternal and Child health,” Jasmine adds. In college, we really can meet people who will change our whole trajectory. Jasmine explains, “In my first semester, I took Introductory Biostatistics that was taught by Dr. Jacqueline Hicks. I picked up the material quickly as I really like working with numbers. I decided to add Biostatistics as a concentration, mainly due to Dr. Hicks.” But the connection with Dr. Hicks was more than just academic. It is an echo of Jasmine’s primary goal in the biomedical field – inclusion and representation. “It meant a lot learning from a Black woman in the Biostatistics field,” she says, “as there aren’t many of us. I don’t think I would have become a biostatistician without that experience.” And from there, a beautiful balance was struck. “Concentrating in both Maternal and Child Health and Biostatistics,” Jasmine adds, “I felt I truly had the best of both worlds: combining analytics with community health. Also having the opportunity to learn about statistical genetics, my experience in the MPH program was transformative.” And Jasmine didn’t have to wait long to put her skills to work. “After graduating with my MPH,” she says, “my first job was being a research statistician at the University of Florida. I served in a supervisory role and managed a data team. Those skills I gained are so valuable, and they really help me as a PhD student.” But her end goals are still shifting and, true to form, pushing boundaries. “Now as a PhD student, I am still considering pursuing medicine,” she explains. “My path is very non-traditional, but I don’t think I would have it any other way.” Eventually, Jasmine plans on obtaining an assistant professorship at a research-intensive university and “hopes to lead a lab one day focused on reproductive health and lessening racial/ethnic disparities on a global scale.” Jasmine adds, “I am very interested in increasing the number of historically excluded participants in genetic studies and in research in general. I am interested in public engagement surrounding genetic education. I have been involved as a judge for the American Society of Human Genetics DNA Essay Contest.” And along the way, she has also had opportunities to give back just as Dr. Hicks did for her. “I also enjoy mentoring other women of color in STEM,” she says. “I have served as an alumni mentor at Boston University in addition to mentoring students while I was a research statistician at the University of Florida. Mentoring really puts my work into perspective and reminds me of the bigger picture.” Jasmine, from calculus to Cambridge, your journey into the biomedical field leaves us in awe, and your hometown is so proud of all you have accomplished. Thank you for your work and dedication. June 2022 Our Town Gwinnett
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Kid’s Corner Continued from page 15 foundation appreciate at an average rate of 3.4%, while traditional homes appreciate at an average rate of 3.8%. So, while manufactured homes may not appreciate at the exact same rate, they’re close! 3. Use Roth IRA contributions: If you have a Roth IRA account, you can use some of the funds to pay for qualifying education expenses. If your account is at least five years old, you can withdraw up to your original contribution amount. Be sure to consult a tax advisor to assist with your specific circumstances. 4. Allow Kids to use Debit Cards: Consider teaching your kids money management skills early on by allowing them to use a debit card co-owned by you. If you have teenagers who earn an income, this is a great tool for learning how to
deposit checks, set aside money for savings, and more. 5. Open a high-yield Savings Account: A high-yield savings account can be a great place to stash birthday and holiday gift money over the years and watch it continue to grow. This type of account can typically be co-owned and managed by parents until your child is responsible enough to manage it on their own. 6. Set aside money in a trust fund: Putting money for your kids in a trust doesn’t have the same tax benefits as a 529 plan, but it does pose some important benefits. Trust accounts allow you as parents to create exact rules around how you want the funds dispersed to your children. For example, you can give the money in a series of installments or request that it be used only toward tuition. Whether you’re thinking about your child’s education or simply want to set aside funds for when they reach a certain age, plan ahead and consider these tips and options for reaching your goals. (BPT)
“It’s time to REDISCOVER Lilburn.” New revitalization efforts continue to enhance downtown Lilburn. City Park has become a central location for special events, food, entertainment and simply outdoor fun. We have much to look forward to with the addition of new restaurants, a brewery, marketplace, expanded parking, new residential options and more. Now is the perfect time to “Rediscover Lilburn”!
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