MARCH 2018: Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Monthly Magazine

MARCH 2018 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Grayson Dacula Loganville Lawrenceville

Meet the team at Blue Rooster Bake Shop, see story on page 5.

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Catching Up with Matt Olson of MLB Oakland Athletics Getting Schooled: Lovin Elementary STEAM Night Community Spotlight: Bay Creek Middle School Fundraiser One on One with Archer Cluster Foundation

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On the Cover: Save Room for Dessert – Blue Rooster Bake Shop of Lawrenceville Celebrates its 5th Anniversary

By Joanna Shackelford The ladies at Blue Rooster Bake Shop in downtown Lawrenceville know a few secrets. And it’s not just the recipe to their famous chicken salad or their old fashioned strawberry cake. They have discovered the secret recipe to success.

Since opening their doors in 2013, co-owners Kyle Cave and her sister-in-law Donna Cave have added flavor to the growing Lawrenceville town square scene. Former customers of the long-standing Lilburn location that closed in 2010 were delighted to find out that their cupcake cravings could once again be satiated. The well-established bakery and sandwich shop reopened with a newer, hipper vibe, and is now busy prepping for their five-year anniversary on March 11th.

What sets them apart from other bakeries that often do not make it past their second year may be their charming, airy atmosphere or their vibrant all-female staff. But Kyle knows there’s another key ingredient. “Having talent as a baker does not guarantee sustainability,” says Kyle. “To stay in business, you need to know how to run a business.”

Kyle learned that long ago by watching her parents. Raised by a family of entrepreneurs, she spent much of her childhood at her mother’s flower shop, then later at the family’s bridal shop. Through her early 20’s, Kyle honed her business skills alongside her mother in the bridal industry. “My parents were instrumental throughout my whole life,” says Kyle, reflecting on the roots of her own entrepreneurial spirit. “The Lord may lay something in your lap, but you still have to work hard for it every day.”

Today, she and Donna create quite a dynamic duo. Not

only are they family, but they both seem to share the same business savvy that has helped them last. “It takes stamina and a lot of gumption,” Kyle admits. “And that’s what we have.”

The family business doesn’t just extend to the two sisters-in-law. Just as Kyle’s mother did, the two ladies have incorporated their own daughters, who are now integral parts of the bakery. Kyle’s oldest daughter, Alex, handles event coordinating and customer communication, while her other daughter, Madison, is their cake designer.

Donna’s daughter, April, manages the restaurant.

The “Cave women,” as they call themselves, set the standard high for small-town bakeries. Immediately, customers are greeted with the sweet smell of vanilla and with menu boards full of trendy, Southern-style desserts and lunches. Their new and improved logo, complete with a blue farmhouse-style rooster, perches handsomely on the wall of a bright, cheery dining space. Behind the dessert display case, sensuous cakes, pies, cookies, bars, muffins, and cupcakes, glistening with sugar, line the shelves, tempting even the strongest willed.

Upstairs they host bridal luncheons, rehearsal dinners, baby showers, and other events for up to 50 people. They offer box lunches to go, and they even deliver. Their latest addition is a food trailer that people can rent for birthday parties and other events.

Cake and cookie enthusiasts from their Lilburn days may think it impossible, but the newer Lawrenceville location offers a re-energized and improved experience for the taste buds. “Our desserts are way better,” admits Kyle. The bakery

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has certainly evolved since their move. “I like change and trying something different. I always say, if something’s not working, change it and move on.” That includes their recipes and Continued on page 10

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Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

— An EndResultZ Media & Communications firm EndResultZ.com

$5.00 off $34.95 cake Expires 3-31-2018

770-995-0065 169 A West Pike Street • Lawrenceville, GA 30046 www.BlueRoosterBakeShop.com 11884_Dr Chris 1_4 page 4.875wide xBlueRoosterBakeShop 4.9369in tall.pdf 1 11/27/2017 12:58:00 PM

Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultZ.com Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultZ.com Editor Catherine L. Osornio Cover Photographer Amadorphoto Distribution Coordinator DeeDee Chapman Feature Writers Daidra Annis Heidi Campbell Kim Hill Amy Ney J. Rice Joanna Shackelford Contributing Writers Bill Crane Dr. Rodrigo Cruz Dustin Mattox Tanisha Turner Pam Walker

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 2018 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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IN THIS ISSUE 5 On the Cover: Save Room for Dessert – Blue Rooster Bake Shop of 7 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 19 20 21

Lawrenceville Celebrates its 5th Anniversary From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion Grant Winner “Can’t Imagine Doing Anything Else” Up Close with Deborah and Anthony Garner Five Brookwood High Friends Earn Eagle Scout Rank Chaplain’s Corner: Big Steps, Small Starts!

Catching Up with Matt Olson of MLB Oakland Athletics Getting to Know: Dr. Cat and American Heritage Animal Hospital Family Fun: Take a Pre-Cruise Vacation on Florida’s Space Coast Getting Schooled with Lovin Elementary School Character Counts: Up Close with NG3 and Grayson High School Travel Tales: Cabo – Liking the Old-Style instead of the New Community Spotlight: Bay Creek Middle School Wants Your Shoes Wonder Movie: Resonated with Gwinnett Family Crane’s Corner: Insights from Bill Crane One on One with Archer Cluster Foundation Learning Lessons: Nurturing Good Character Traits in Preschoolers BusiNeighbor Veteran’s Recreation Center Goes Online!

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Happy March 2018 Our Town community. Warm weather is on the way, which makes this writer a happy guy. I want to take a moment and thank you for your awesome support and feedback.

It means a great deal to us and inspires us to improve each day.

Nearly everything we read, listen to, and watch is tied to negative media sensationalism. The media (all types) tries to shock/ scare us into paying attention. Why do we seldom hear about a neighbor helping a stranger change a tire, or about a local emergency hero who risks his or her life for us each day? I will tell you why. It is not considered to be the “sensationalistic news headline” that grabs a person’s attention. But, here is the problem with that line of thinking in 2018. People are sick and tired of the negative (doom and gloom news) all the time.

So, how do we respond? We have two choices. We can (come together) and UNITE or we can (fall apart) and UNTIE. These two words are nearly the same except for two letters moving between them. UNITE is the heartbeat of this community. We work together, support each other, and help each other do great things. It is important to get this positive news out.

This is where Our Town comes in. We supply original local positive content that you do not get anywhere else. You get it in print, online, and through our social channels. Your news, your way!

News that makes you feel good, be proud, and smile.

People enjoy being part of this community, and they have amazing stories about what they are doing to make it a better place. Our Town will never focus on the negative stories that serve no purpose other than to scare and divide. Does this mean our community is perfect? Of course not. There is no such thing on this earth. However, in all my travels I can find few places that have a greater sense of community than we do right here.

I am thankful for this community and our (3F) focus of…faith, families, and friendships. We may have our differences, but we look out for one another first. Quite frankly, I see more of what we have in common than what we do not. Where we work, live, and play is special. Thanks for allowing us to continue sharing and being part of the story of my town, your town, OUR TOWN.

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Grant Winner “Can’t Imagine Doing Anything Else”

By J. Rice Gaye Walk, a Language Arts teacher at McConnell Middle School, came to teaching later in life with a strong desire to be the kind of teacher she never had.

“I was a stay-at-home mom,” Walk says, “until all of my children started school. Then I went to work as a teacher’s assistant in a first grade classroom and I absolutely fell in love with my job.”

It was Walk’s father who recognized the passion she had for teaching and encouraged her to pursue it. “My father had always wanted me to get a four-year degree,” Walk explains. “When I talked to him about my job, he could tell how much I loved it. He finally told me if I would go complete the degree program, he would help pay for it. So I was out of excuses.”

The experience was a challenging one, but Walk and her family made it work. “Being the mother of three children and going back to school was scary,” she states. “But I had fantastic support from my husband Bob, my children, and so many family and friends. At one point, I had to go to school full-time, which meant quitting my job and taking us to one salary with no benefits. But we did it! I graduated in 1994 at the age of 37 with my children there to see me and cheer me on.”

She continues, “I came to teaching to be the teacher I never had. I never felt connected to any educator until my college experience. One of my education professors, Dr. Wallace Askew, completely changed my view of what teaching should be. He taught ‘outside the box’ and made us think and apply. He also made you think that you were the most important person whenever you were talking to him. That was the teacher I wanted to be. I don’t always meet that mark, but it is something I always strive for.”

Walk says many educators she has worked with in the years since earning her degree have challenged her to be a better teacher. “I have worked with incredible educators and administrators.

One important one was Paula Everett-Truppi, who started out as an amazing administrator and became a dear friend. I have learned so much about working with people and influencing people in a positive manner from her.”

Walk is a second year recipient of the Walton EMC grants program. She used her previous Continued on page 10

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PAGE 7

Up Close with Deborah and Anthony Garner

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At 3:30 a.m. on April 25, 2017, Deborah and Anthony Garner of Lilburn say God was present. “God woke me up and I told Anthony to call 911 and take me to the hospital,” Deborah says. “I had a horrific headache that felt like it was moving up and down my spine.” She then passed out and had a seizure.

“I immediately followed the ambulance in my car,” says Anthony. “And before we even got there, the doctor called me in the car, wanting me to make decisions.” This is when he knew the situation was very critical. “The doctor had impressed upon me Deborah’s condition was very critical, and her chance of surviving the first surgery was 50/50, so I sat down to wait even more scared than before. That’s when a great calm and peace came upon me, and I knew Deborah would survive. God does not say we will not have trying times. He says he will always be with us.”

Deborah and Anthony have been married twenty-nine years and have lived in Lilburn for twenty-one of those years.

Deborah is the Itinerant Deaf/Hard of Hearing Teacher (DHH) for eighteen schools in Gwinnett County Public Schools. Their two children, Kevin and Mariah, both graduated from Parkview in 2011 and 2014, respectively. “Prior to the accident, I worked full time, and I walked three to six miles a day. I’d completed two half marathons. I volunteered at my church, and when Mariah was at Parkview, we lived on the soccer fields. We were rarely home,” explains Deborah.

“Then [an artery] ruptured at my brain-stem, which led to three brain surgeries, a vocal cord procedure, and twenty-eight days in the hospital. I was on a feeding tube because I couldn’t swallow. I could only talk in a whisper. I couldn’t sit up or walk. I had double vision and no depth perception. Bladder issues magnified my situation. I was on over twenty medications.” And their world changed.

In the hospital and rehab hospital, Deborah started five different therapies. She was able to relearn how to swallow and walk, although other things, like her vision and bladder, took time to heal. Outpatient therapies followed for three additional months at a brain injury clinic. Deborah had therapy before, but this time it was different. “Therapy for brain injuries is very different than for physical injuries, like the knee replacement I had two years before. Through this situation, God placed the most fantastic specialists in my path who helped me overcome unbelievable deficits. My ‘new normal’ is much closer to my ‘old normal’ than what I thought was possible.

My specialists are in awe of how far I have come.” And while she isn’t fully healed – her one vocal cord is still paralyzed and her vision isn’t fully restored – Deborah has advice to people who are affected by a brain injury. “Pray for peace as well as healing. Be kind to yourself. Allow yourself time to heal. It could take a year or more.”

The most surprising part of Deborah’s medical issues for the Garners was the Lilburn Community’s response. “We knew our family and close friends would help us, but we had so much help we actually turned help away!” Deborah said people from their church, their neighborhood, Arcado Elementary, the DHH Team for Gwinnett schools, as well as family and friends, supported them with gifts, visits, financial support, food, and prayer. “It was amazing and humbling to feel so loved and supported,” said Deborah. Sometimes people will see her around Gwinnett and not realize anything happened. “It surprises me! I feel different, but my heart and soul are the same. It pleases me people are not judging me on the challenges I am struggling with.”

Since the incident, the Garners are getting back to their routines. Deborah is back at work.

They can often be found at their favorite Lilburn restaurant, El Torrero. They look forward to seeing everyone again, but she asks kindly, “Don’t tell me you are glad I am back to ‘normal.’ I know you mean well, but it says to me you can’t handle me different than I was. I will never be the same as I was. I have a new normal that I am adapting to. Thank you for loving me as I was and as I am now.” She adds, “I praise God for all the wonderful things that have come from this horrible situation. He loves us and will walk through all of life’s situations with us.”

Deborah Garner is currently the Itinerant Deaf/Hard of Hearing Teacher (DHH) for Gwinnett County Public Schools and has taught for more than 18 years.

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Five Brookwood High Friends Earn Eagle Scout Rank

By J. Rice Brookwood High School students Nathan Cung, Calvin Harris, Stephen Ito, Ethan Jennings, and Jack Reeves have been classmates, neighbors, scouting buddies, and good friends for more than ten years.

All five are members of Snellville Boy Scout Troop 553, and in 2017 all five earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

During the Eagle Scout honor ceremony held at Cannon United Methodist Church in Snellville, each student spoke about the positive impact scouting has had on his life – preparing them for leadership, training them to work together in groups, and stressing the importance of service to others. The boys were also able to show their gratitude and appreciation for the support and encouragement given them by their parents by presenting each of them with Eagle Mom and Eagle Dad pins.

The boys had to complete their own Eagle project that required each to actively demonstrate the ability to lead others while performing a service or while developing a project that would benefit the community.

Nathan Cung led a team in constructing six hexagonal tables to be used for outdoor lunchroom and classroom activities at Alton C. Crews Middle School in Lawrenceville. His team also worked to landscape the area, removing unsightly and overgrown plants and installing some crepe myrtle trees. Cung, a senior at Brookwood High, is a member of the BHS Philharmonic Orchestra, the track and field team, and three honor societies. He hopes to study industrial engineering at Georgia Tech or Duke University.

Calvin Harris led a project to demolish an old barbeque pit for the Cannon United Methodist Church men’s group, and to construct a new one. When it was discovered that a drainage system was needed in the pit area, they took that on as well. Harris was a Class of 2017 graduate and a member of the BHS band and fencing team. He currently attends Middle Tennessee State University, and is studying to become a professional pilot in the aerospace program.

Stephen Ito constructed a weather station for Brookwood Elementary’s fourth grade science classes. He also led a team of fellow scouts in the construction of a half dozen picnic tables for the playground area. They further improved the landscaping by planting more than 600 Blue Liriope plants to prevent soil erosion. Ito is in his senior year, and is a member of two academic honor societies as well as multiple clubs including the fencing club. He would like to further his studies at UGA or the University of British Columbia.

Ethan Jennings took on the construction of four wooden donation boxes to collect used baseball and softball equipment, and placed them at three Gwinnett area parks. Once completed, it took only two weeks to receive almost 100 donated items which he sent to “Pitch In for Baseball,”

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PAGE 9

Chaplain’s Corner: Big Steps, Small Starts!

Blue Rooster Bake Shop Continued from page 5

By Dr. Rodrigo Cruz

cake selections. Kyle is the first to admit she’s a sucker for the latest Instagram-able baking trends.

Right now, it’s unicorn cakes, the zenith of cuteness.

Even though they embrace change, their number one dessert remains – old fashioned strawberry cake. Its recipe is the one most coveted in the family, passed down from Donna’s grandmother.

She still has the original cookbook published in 1946.

The Blue Rooster Bake Shop hopes to extend its business to other quaint pockets of metro Atlanta in the future. For their current space, however, plans are in the works to extend the menu to include hot sandwiches, paninis, and salads.

As for the big five-year anniversary on March 11th, a free slice of cake awaits all customers who come to help celebrate the big day. Specials and other giveaways are on the agenda, too. Pop in and say hello. Be sure to order the chicken salad on a croissant with a side of potato salad. And of course, save room for dessert.

More information at blueroosterbakeshop.com

As a parent, there are few things more impactful than watching your kid take his or her first steps. And when he or she finally does, what do you do?

You rejoice with jubilation and celebrate like you won the lottery. Why? Because your child started walking. He or she might have fallen flat on the face and bruised the head, but your child started walking. It was only one simple step, and he or she may just kind of floated on the way to the ground, but as parents we take that as a victory and we celebrate it big time.

The reality is that eventually our kids will take more important steps in life. Maybe when they walk into kindergarten; when they step into a girl’s house for their first date; when they step into college; when they walk towards their first job interview; or when they walk down the aisle. Most likely, your kids will be taking plenty of important steps in life; but do you know what? There is nothing like the first step. There is nothing like that first start – even if it was a small start.

As a parent, I want my kids to attempt big things in life. But more than anything, I want each one of my four children to attempt something big and impossible for God. And every time I challenge them to do that, they ask me a simple and honest question: “Daddy, where do I start?”

Well, my answer is always the same: “Start small.”

I believe God is always calling people to move forward, and often moving forward implies starting something new – a new direction, a new purpose in life. Yet, if you want to step toward something new, you may have to step away from something old. If you want to step toward your purpose in life, you will have to step away from your comforts in life.

It might be to start school again. It might be to start over in a relationship that you lost trust in. It might be to start rehab again, even if didn’t work in the past. It might be to start a new job, to start trusting God with your finances. I don’t know what it’s going to be, but when you step toward what God has in store for you, you often have to step away from what you have in store for yourself.

Now, you may have agreed with me up until this point. You may be wondering, “How can I take a step, even if it’s small, if I don’t know where my feet are going to land?” Well, that is actually where trusting in God takes place. If you are a parent and you have asked your kid to take a step towards you (even though they don’t know how to walk), you know what I am talking about.

The reality is that even if your kid falls down, you never say, “Well that was a lame step.” You Continued on page 20

Grant Winner Continued from page 7 $3,500 award to provide twenty-five Chromebooks for students “to use in an interdisciplinary fashion between language arts and social studies.” Her 2017 grant funds have purchased novels for use as literature circle books in the 7th grade language arts class. The goal was to buy the first books in a popular series, with the hope of enticing the students into reading the entire series.

“Young people are simply not reading like they used to,” Walk explains. “A reader makes a better thinker, writer, and problem solver.” She adds that she is grateful for the impact companies like Walton EMC have on the community through their grant funding. “The generosity which Walton EMC has shown to our learning community has been overwhelming and will be felt long-term.”

Walk has no plans of retiring anytime soon – she is close to finishing her doctorate program through Liberty University. “I have a few more years in me. After twenty-three years of teaching, I still love my job and look forward to working with incredible teachers and students. I can’t imagine doing anything else!”

More information at mcconnellms.org.

PAGE 10 OTG 1/2h 4C 2018-03 To become an Our Town advertising partner email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049 PS0193 MECH MAR.indd 1

Our Town

2/15/18 10:18 AM

Basketball shouldn’t be the only thing on your mind in March. When it comes to cancer, the best defense is a good offense, so score one for colorectal health and get screened.

Don’t get caught sitting on the sidelines. Get your free colorectal cancer screening kit at gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/kit, or call 678-335-1195, and select option 1.

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PAGE 11

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Catching Up with Matt Olson of MLB Oakland Athletics

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If you have been to Atlanta’s Best Wings on Highway 78, you may have seen Matt Olson, professional first baseman for Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics. “I’ve been going there since I was in high school with a bunch of my buddies, and they have a lot of good food,” says Olson.

Born March 29, 1994, Olson attended Parkview High School and graduated in 2012. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. Olson explains, “After Parkview, I got drafted by the A’s and played throughout their minor league system before getting [called] up to Oakland – mainly playing first base, but some right field along the way, as well.

Now, it’s looking like I will primarily be playing first base.”

He made his professional debut in 2012 for the Arizona League Athletics, and also played for the Vermont Lake Monsters. He played in fifty games and hit .282/.352/.521 with nine home runs. Olson says, “I’m probably looking forward most to the chance to bring back a winning culture to the A’s and to try to be a part of some good, hard playing teams.” Olson is off to a great start. In 2017, he hit twenty-four home runs, including thirteen in the month of September (a rookie record) with a home run in five straight games. He was tied for third-most home runs in a player’s first sixty-five career games in MLB history. Still, he is a modest guy and you will not find too much about him in the tabloids or on Wikipedia. Olson laughs as he replies, “I wouldn’t say I’m too private, so I can’t explain the short Wikipedia page. That being said, I’m not out saying everything about my life on social media, etcetera.”

Olson has a great reputation from his Panther days. Chan Brown, Parkview’s Varsity Coach who was recently inducted into Georgia Dugout Club’s Hall of Fame, coached Olson. “Matt is the type of person that makes everyone around him better,” says Brown. “It is no surprise that Matt Olson is having the success that he is. We look forward to watching Matt’s career unfold.” Coach Brown and Matt’s parents, Scott and Lee, all flew out to see him play his first major league game last September. “It was terrific fun,” his mom adds.

However, being drafted has not been all glory for Olson. He says, “I would say the thing that has surprised me the most about pro ball is that it’s not all the glamour that it is perceived to be by people on the outside looking in. Especially in the minor leagues, there are a lot of long nights where you ride the bus through the night or wake up at 3:00 a.m. to make a 5:30 a.m. flight and have to play that night. A lot of behind-the-scenes things.”

Olson’s parents, who still reside in the Parkview cluster, love watching Matt play. “We definitely don’t get to see him as often as we would like,” Lee says, “especially this summer splitting his time between AAA ball and the majors. But we love that he’s been with the Athletics since being drafted [in 2012]. They’ve treated him well.” Olson laughs and agrees, saying, “My parents would first probably say they wish it was for a team closer to Atlanta than Oakland, but they are very proud of what I have accomplished so far, and they just want to see me succeed.”

With the off-season just wrapping up, Olson explains what he has been up to. “My off-seasons are spent with workouts, preparing for the next year, hanging out with my family, girlfriend, and friends. I take that time away from the game to get a physical and mental break.” As the New Year kicks off, Olson, like many readers, has made resolutions and set goals for the coming year. “I just always have a goal to progress, as a baseball player and as a person – to be the best first baseman and person that I can be.” The Athletic’s Opening Day is March 29, 2018 where they will take on the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim. That day is also Olson’s 24th birthday.

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a charity that distributes equipment to underprivileged children in the United States and overseas. Jennings, a senior, plays a variety of sports, is an officer in the Brookwood Outdoors Club, and serves on student government and the National Honor Society. He plans to study engineering or another science-related field at Georgia Tech, Duke, or Clemson.

Jack Reeves’ project was building eight planter boxes on the campus of Alton C. Crews Middle School. Each box is twelve feet long, and will be used by students to grow fruits and vegetables for use by the school cafeteria and to feed impoverished families nearby. Reeves is a senior who spent three years in the BHS marching band. He would like to pursue a doctorate in chemistry at UGA. More information at brookwoodhighschool.net.

To become an Our Town advertising partner email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049

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Upon meeting Dr. Cat McGinnis at American Heritage Animal Hospital, it is evident right away that her zeal is caring for animals.

She has run her private practice for five years on the premise of personalized service and honesty, catering to the individual needs of every patient. In particular, Dr. Cat loves Great Danes. Visitors of American Heritage will see a couple of her oversized pets casually hanging out around the office just like one of the bunch.

“I am doing a lot more with Great Dane rescue,” says Dr. Cat. “I have Great Danes myself. I’ve had three rescues personally, which is how I became involved.” Dr. Cat currently works with three rescue organizations: Southern Style Great Dane Rescue (based in Tennessee), Water’s Edge Great Dane Rescue (South Carolina), and Dames for Danes (Mississippi). The rescues transport the dogs to her and she and her staff foster them at American Heritage Animal Hospital. “We’ve had five rescues here so far,” she explains. “We get them up to date on shots, we spay or neuter them, and they stay with us until the rescue can find a forever home for them. While they are here, we get them healthy, work on training, that kind of stuff, and the rescue places them.” She says Great Danes are very calm, laid-back dogs, and are just good, sweet dogs in general. However, their size does come with some special challenges. They are more expensive to own as medications are costly due to dosage, they eat a lot of food, and they take up a lot of space. While Danes are gentle with kids, a dog this size could accidentally knock a child over with its tail. Dr. Cat says it takes a special person to own one of these wonderful dogs.

Dr. Cat is also proud to be associated with a shadowing program sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America. The program helps boys and girls learn about different jobs they are interested in to see if they would be happy in that profession. Every day high school students from different schools in the community shadow Dr. Cat in all aspects of the animal hospital environment.

They see the good and the bad of veterinary medicine, including dealing with anal glands, euthanasia, and pets that owners can’t afford to treat. She says she wants students to see the whole picture so they can make an informed decision.

American Heritage offers many specialized types of services, including nutrition counseling for obese pets. Dr. Cat explains that pet owners may not know how much food a pet should eat or they think “food is love” and constantly hand out treats, which can add up to a lot of extra calories and fats each day. A better alternative is to give healthy treats like carrots or other vegetables, which most pets love. She says owners should also consider the pet’s activity level when planning its diet.

An important focus of American Heritage is education for new pet owners. Dr. Cat says that when people get a pet they often really don’t know how to take care of them, so she gives new owners a puppy or kitten kit full of information on care, food, emergencies, things that are toxic, and more. “That’s what we are here for, to educate,” explains Dr. Cat. “That’s what sets us apart from places that just pop a shot.” She is referring to vaccine clinics that may offer discounted vaccinations, but she advises the prices are not much lower and pets are not given examinations. She worries about today’s pets not receiving the care they need, and offers the comparison of a person going to the minute clinic at a drug store versus going to his or her regular doctor. “There is a difference, and often you get what you pay for,” she says. “If you really want your pet taken care of, you need to go to a veterinarian that is going to be here for you all the time.” She recommends that pets have a check-up once a year up to about eight years of age, and then twice a year after that as issues can pop up more quickly. She gives an example of a dog she saw recently who had a very large tumor that had not been there when she examined him six months earlier.

Continued on page 19

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Family Fun: Take a Pre-Cruise Vacation on Florida’s Space Coast

By Our Town Staff There’s something magical about taking a cruise. Is it the open ocean?

The indescribable feeling of warm sea air blowing through your hair?

The endless access to world-class food, drinks, and entertainment?

Whatever the reason, each year millions of people around the world set their sights on the fun, adventure, and luxury that cruise ships have been known to deliver.

Located on Florida’s Space Coast, bustling Port Canaveral is one of the largest and busiest cruise ports in the US. As the home port to some of the most innovative players in the cruise world, this vibrant East Coast venue may likely be the place where your next cruise might depart from.

With so much to see and do on the Space Coast, many cruise passengers come to this funfilled city a day or two before their cruise so they can settle in before departure and bypass any last-minute travel challenges. It’s called taking a “pre-cruise,” and it’s a perfect way to become immersed into the rhythm of your vacation and ensure you’re well-rested and prepared for your cruise adventure. To truly experience and get an intimate feel for the special way of life on the Space Coast during your pre-cruise, you’ll need to explore the area like a local, starting with these five must-do activities: 1. Treetop Trek - Located at the Brevard Zoo, the Treetop Trek allows visitors to climb, crab walk, and zip line through different animal habitats and have an up-close experience with wildlife. With three different aerial obstacle courses, this heart-racing activity provides something fun for everyone.

2. Duran Golf Club - What would a trip to Florida be without a few rounds of golf? And we’re not just talking about any old kind of golf. Duran Golf Club is a world-class course that attracts pros, beginners, and everyone in between. A favorite among locals and nationallyrecognized players, Duran has been voted “Best Public Course” and ranked as one of the top 50 courses in the country for practice ranges.

3. Riverfront Park - Once you experience Riverfront Park in historic Cocoa Village, you’ll quickly understand why this is a favorite place for locals to hang out. With public access to nearly 10 acres of prime riverfront land, you’ll see plenty of people jogging, playing, relaxing, and loving the sun. The park includes a playground, amphitheater, boardwalk, spacious covered pavilions, and areas for fishing.

4. Ossorio Bakery & Cafe - We could write pages about how delicious the food is here, but this handful of words usually will suffice: hand-rolled pastries and homemade ice cream.

Caught your interest yet? Located in historic downtown Cocoa Village, Ossorio has been Continued on page 16

Be Our Guest for an Open House!

Sunday, March 18th at 2pm Meet our staff, tour our campus and learn how our school can provide your child an excellent, Christ-centered education in a safe, loving enviornment.

Providence combines a Christ-honoring school culture with a top-tier K-12 academic program that includes multiple offerings in art, drama, music, athletics and STEM. RSVP online at

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PAGE 14

To become an Our Town advertising partner email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049

Our Town

Getting Schooled with Lovin Elementary School

By Our Town Staff STEAM Showcase at Lovin Elementary School was THE place to be a few weeks ago. Students were given the opportunity to show and explain the impactful STEAM, PBL (Project Based Learning), and Science Fair projects they have been working on this year.

This is the third year Lovin has presented a STEAM Showcase. What started a few years ago as a Science Fair Night has blossomed into something on a grander scale!

Science Fair: In the past, individual students had completed Science Fair projects at home. This year, not only were students able to discover science at home, but every single class, including special education PreK and ASD (autism), completed science fair projects in their classrooms. This gave all 966 students an opportunity to go through the engineering design process or scientific method with their peers while studying grade level standards. Almost 70 schoolwide and individual Science Fair projects were submitted this year!

Grade levels presented high quality, hands-on STEM and PBL projects: Little Einsteins: The special education PreK program presented their Bubbleology project, which focused on solids, liquids, and gases. Visitors were then able to participate in a hands-on activity where they experimented with bubbles. The students also showed how they made homemade harmonicas in their sound unit.

ASD loves STEAM: The ASD classes had many examples of STEAM in the classroom, such as how to make pudding, magnetic slime, borax ornaments, and rain clouds. Parents and students had the opportunity to have a hands-on ice fishing experience at the ASD display.

Motion Madness: In kindergarten, one of the units of study focused on force and motion.

The students demonstrated their roller coasters that had been designed using the engineering design process, and they invited everyone to try the many different types of roller coasters in this interactive STEAM activity.

Ring the Alarms/Tower Community Gardens: The first grade hallway had the opportunity not only to share their STEAM connections, but also to highlight their ongoing community service projects. They have six Tower Gardens. With these towers, not only do they learn about plants during science, but they also harvest vegetables each Friday, measure and weigh them, and send home bags of salad to families in need in the Lovin community. Lorie Culp from Tower Gardens was able to attend the STEAM Showcase. She is one of the many business partners that support Lovin in its STEAM and community service endeavors. The students also showed parents and community members their light and sound projects. Attendees were able to experiment with musical instruments and take a stab at sending Morse Code signals.

The Amazing DASH Challenge: Over in second grade, students displayed their current PBL projects, which tie into their force and motion science standards as well as measurement math standards. Students had to design and construct mazes and code a “Dash” robot to navigate its way through the different mazes. Guests were able to try out the robots with this hands-on interactive coding activity.

Insulation Station: Third grade students displayed their project on heat and insulators. They displayed the insulated houses that they had built, and then tested the energy efficiency of the homes. While visiting third grade, students and parents were able to use recycled materials to create an insulated drink holder. Mike Clifford, from LPBC Architecture in Lawrenceville, was another business partner who helped tremendously with this project by visiting our third graders multiple times to present and give project feedback.

Foggy Forecasting: Fourth grade had the opportunity to be meteorologists! In this interactive display, students were not only given the chance to display their technology and hands-on projects, but they were able to get down and dirty with real weather instruments such as an anemometer, wind vane, and rain gauge. A special thank you to Sarah Dillingham from The Weather Channel who Skyped with our fourth grade students to answer weather questions.

Mystery Organisms: Fifth grade studied microorganisms and created new organisms based on clues given. After they designed these newly discovered organisms, they produced field guides, and then designed and printed their organisms on the 3D printer and sculpted with clay. Along with fifth grade’s display, the STEAM specials teacher set up the 3D printer and computers.

Students and parents were able to have a lesson in 3D printing by creating their own 3D organisms.

First Lego League Robotics: Along with these fabulous STEAM/PBL/Science Fair Projects, the STEAM Robotics Competition Team had the opportunity to show and explain their First Lego League robotics project. Visitors got a behind the scenes look at Lovin’s robotics program, meet the competition team, and see the robots in actions.

Additionally, staff from the Gwinnett County Public Library (Grayson Branch) attended and modeled some wonderful robotics. Students and parents were able to experiment with Sphero, and the library also brought Cubelets. These “cube robots” were a huge hit!

Continued on page 16

Our Town

Character Counts: Up Close with NG3 and Grayson High School

By Dustin Mattox It is a pleasure to work with NG3 in a great place like Gwinnett! I have had the opportunity to meet some incredible students during my time in Grayson. There are always a few who stand out because of their high character and the way they treat others. They are usually the students we have mentored for some time. Kumi Sarpong is one of these guys. He is an incredible young man and this year’s recipient of the NG3 Grayson Scholarship. Here is a recent Q and A with Dustin Mattox (DM) and Kumi Sarpong (KS): DM: How did you come to be a part of NG3? Why did you get involved?

KS: I got to know NG3 through being on the football team at Grayson High School. I have done many community projects through NG3 and I also got involved in huddle, and have been a part of Dustin’s huddle group for three years. I wanted to grow as a man of character and be better by the time I graduated. I knew this was how I wanted to spend my time before I left high school.

DM: What have you learned from being a part of NG3?

KS: I learned that God is the answer to everything. I learned that while I am playing football, I could also focus on the Lord God at the same time. I learned that having a relationship with God, reading the Word, and praying to God are the top three things you can do as a Christian.

I learned that sharing the Word of God with other people is very important also.

DM: What would you tell someone if they asked you what NG3 is?

KS: NG3 is an organization that teaches you what it is like to develop a relationship with God and to also have stronger relationships with your peers around you. We are able to learn how to use football and serve in the Grayson community to bring change. We talk about that a lot. We want to make the world a better place. I believe NG3 is important for anybody because it opens your mind about God and to the people around you.

More information at http://www.ng3.org/

To become an Our Town advertising partner email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049

PAGE 15

Travel Tales: Cabo – Liking the Old-Style instead of the New

Bay Creek Middle School Wants Your Shoes

By Pam Walker

The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) of Bay Creek Middle School in Grayson has started a shoe drive to raise the necessary funds for expanding and paving the school’s running track, which has never been properly surfaced since its creation in 2009. The track is currently comprised of crushed gravel and dirt, making it unusable when wet. Its numerous divots present a tripping hazard, and its sub-standard size limits its use for other purposes beyond PE class.

A paved surface dries more quickly and will enable students to use it even when the ground is wet. It will also allow for better accuracy in the timing of sprinting and running for PE classes and other events.

“The project will include not only paving the track but expanding it slightly to be a full quarter mile,” explains Dr. Maggie Fehrman, principal of Bay Creek Middle School. “A full quarter mile track will greatly increase the use of the track for several purposes.” One of those is Kilometer Kids, which is the Atlanta Track Club’s program for children. It meets once a week at the track for practice. “Paving the track will also benefit the Bay Creek Relay for Life Team main fundraiser events, the MiniRelays,” Fehrman says. “Twice a year, students in all grade levels gather pledges from friends and family to benefit our Relay for Life team. Last year our Relay team was the top fundraiser for all middle schools in Gwinnett County. This year our goal is to raise over $20,000! A paved track will make participating in the event even more attractive for our students.”

Another popular use for the track is for Walk n’ Talk, a time given twice a month for students who have been recognized for good behavior to be able to walk and talk with their friends.

However, it is often cancelled on days when the track is muddy. “The track is also a community track where many community members who live nearby come to walk for exercise,” says Fehrman.

One student thought of a more practical benefit of having a properly paved track: “It will really help out our custodians,” he said, with “…less mess for them to clean up in the hallways.” “Rocks and dirt won’t get in your shoes,” said another student.

Bay Creek has already set aside some funds for the project, and received a grant from the Atlanta Track Club for $4,000. They are hoping to raise another $18,000 through various fundraising efforts this year. Their current campaign for donations of gently worn shoes (they accept new ones, too!) will be ongoing through April 20th. Shoes can be dropped off at the two large donation boxes located in the front lobby of the Bay Creek Middle School campus, 9-4 p.m. weekdays. The school will earn funds based on the total weight of the collected shoes through an organization called Funds2Orgs, which in turn works with micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries.

“The tag line for Bay Creek is ‘inspiring innovation and cultivating community,’” says Fehrman. “This project perfectly links with our mission. Our students are helping to cultivate community through a shared effort of collecting shoes, and they are inspiring innovation through this unique opportunity that allows entrepreneurs in developing countries to start a business and thrive in their communities.”

“For me, it’s about good going around and around,” says Nadra Hunter, president of Bay Creek Middle School PTSA. “Our students get to be involved in a project that has global reach and to help people create businesses to sustain their families and their livelihood.”

The ripple effect of this global outreach to other nations has a particularly special meaning for Hunter. “As a child who grew up in a developing country, I have experienced first-hand being without basics like electricity and water. This small gesture of collecting gently worn shoes will have a huge impact on thousands of lives.”

For many, that means Bay Creek Middle School is “on the right track.”

More information at baycreekrams.org

I don’t know why, but I always feel at home in Mexico. This time, flying all the way across the US to arrive in Cabo San Lucas, I almost felt like I was coming home. I hadn’t been to Cabo in several years, and the sight that awaited me was astounding.

When I had been there about ten years ago, there was a small town with beach bars and fishing boats pulled into docks, waiting for customers who back then were few and far between. There was little beyond that, and one had to take a boat out to the giant arch that the area is known for.

Today’s Cabo is a huge bustling city with condos everywhere and the rich “whales” from “El Otro Lado” (the other side of the border) are bait for locals. Stores selling designer clothes, hotels almost on top of the arch and reaching way beyond it, and bars everywhere, keep things hopping – both day and night. The place has become a mecca of sorts for Californians who drop in for the weekend to drop out at local spots that are as famous as those in Hollywood.

So, did I say I felt at home? In Mexico maybe – but not this place, which has become an extension of the United States. That said, a short drive north took me back to the Mexico I know – little towns with quaint squares that house churches at one end and a police station at the other. Here, too, are the wilds – wild beaches, wild scenery, and miles and miles of desert. I hiked forty foot sand dunes, took little pangas out into the Sea of Cortez, saw Humpbacks and Grey whales giving birth and coming home to their breeding grounds, and saw locals so willing to share their way of life.

This is the Mexico I know so well – and where I will come back to in the future.

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor and can be reached at pam@walkeradventures.com

Lovin Elementary Continued from page 15 The STEAM culture is evident at Lovin Elementary School. The students are learning science, technology, engineering, art, and math through hands-on, real world experiences while solving problems and incorporating community service.

More information at http://lovines.org/home.html

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5. Superb Fishing - You know how they say there are plenty of fish in the sea? Here, that’s literally true. Along the Space Coast, there are around 500 different species of fish inhabiting the local waters. From deep-sea fishing to surf casting to quietly angling along a peaceful river or lagoon, there are numerous guides and outfitters who can take you on a fishing adventure like no other.

You’ve spent months, maybe even years, planning your dream cruise vacation. Take an extra day or two and make it even more special by exploring the Space Coast. You deserve it!

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When Rebekah Edmonds started her new job in 2007 at My House, a group home in Atlanta for medically fragile children, she had no idea her life would change profoundly and permanently on the very first day.

Jose, a boy with craniofacial syndrome who is deaf and non-verbal, had just turned three and had been living at the group home since he was born. “My first day on the job, our eyes met, our hearts connected, God spoke, and I knew that he was mine,” Edmonds declares. “Over the course of the next year, I began the rigorous process to adopt him.”

Little did she know that God was also preparing her heart to fall in love with a wonderful man named Chris. “I met Chris and watched him fall in love with Jose as he began volunteering at My House,” Edmonds says. “Chris knew that Jose and I were a package deal. As complicated as that was, Chris still managed to sweep me off my feet. We got engaged, got married, and exactly one year after meeting that spunky little guy, Chris and I brought Jose home just in time to celebrate his 4th birthday – but his first birthday with his forever family.”

Fast forward ten years, Jose is now fourteen, and a big brother to Charlie, 4. He is a Disney fanatic, a lover of roller coasters, an excellent LEGO® builder, and a super baseball player, and has an outstanding sense of humor. He is an avid train enthusiast, and his dream would be to fly to Chicago to take Amtrak’s California Zephyr through the Rockies all the way to San Francisco!

The joys with Jose are great, but the challenges the family has faced are many. Edmonds credits the support of extended family, church family, friends, and neighbors with seeing them through.

“We have an incredible support system,” Edmonds says. “Our church, Smoke Rise Baptist, has embraced our family and works diligently to ensure that Jose is included in all areas of the life of the church. Anytime we are in crisis with health related issues, they literally carry us through some really dark and scary days. His years at Arcado Elementary were tremendous. The teachers and staff were a huge support and many of those individuals will always be part of our family. Any family of a child with special needs really does need a village. I think ours is the best!”

“Jose and his family are dearly loved members of the Smoke Rise Baptist Church Family,” says Pastor Chris George. “Jose is an active participant in so many of our church programs like Sunday School and children’s choir. He brightens the room with his smile and lifts our spirits with his presence! We think of Jose as not just a part of our church, but a leader in our congregation. He learns and he teaches. At Smoke Rise, we believe that all children are precious in God’s sight, and we give thanks to God that Jose Edmonds and his family are a part of our church.”

Edmonds was already quite familiar with the Wonder book series by R.J. Palacio when she and Smoke Rise Baptist Children’s Minister Rebecca Caswell-Speight heard the news that a movie based on the series would be released in 2017. The two came up with the idea of taking an entire church group to see the film, starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson.

“Everything about this movie and the book are so, so good,” Edmonds declares. “The Wonder series and the #choosekind movement are powerful, and the message is something our world desperately needs. But for us, this story is personal. Jose is real. Hospitalizations, surgeries, fear of the unknown, awkward stares, pointing, laughing – this is the reality of our lives, day in and day out. The line [in the movie] that gets me every time – because it resonates with me so deeply – is when Auggie’s mom earnestly prays, ‘Dear God, please let them be kind.’ I really do think that is one of the hardest parts of having a child with any craniofacial syndrome – dealing with all the unkind people who cross our paths.”

“Jose is our real Wonder,” Edmonds declares. “His radiant joy in the face of 54 surgeries, communication struggles, the everyday bullies, and all that he must overcome shows his inner strength and courage.” Pastor George agrees. “Jose has endured many setbacks and surgeries, but still finds the strength to smile,” states George. “He may struggle to articulate and communicate some ideas, but he has a deep and abiding faith in a loving God. He is one of the most courageous people I have ever met. He is an inspiration to me and so many others.”

What does Edmonds want others to know about children like Jose? “Apert syndrome (the type Jose has) and other craniofacial syndromes are not diseases,” Edmonds explains. “They are not contagious. Just because someone looks different or communicates differently, does not mean they are not smart, funny, or full of life. As a family with a medically fragile child, we face a lot of hard and scary things, but nothing is as painful or as gut-wrenching as seeing other kids point and laugh at our child. Or hearing other kids scream ‘MONSTER’ when we bring our child to the playground.”

She continues, “Please teach your children to be kind. Teach them to be accepting. Model for them in your actions and words how to embrace all people. Ask someone their name. Smile. Choose ‘kind’ – just like the message of the movie says! It means the world to these kids and their families. One of my favorite quotes from the book and movie is when Auggie says, ‘I can’t change the way I look, but maybe, just maybe, people can change the way they see.’ I Continued on page 21

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PAGE 17

Crane’s Corner: Insights from Bill Crane

By Bill Crane “The ABC’s of Health Reform?”

“The healthcare system is complex, and we enter into this challenge open-eyed about the degree of difficulty. Hard as it might be, reducing healthcare’s burden on the economy while improving outcomes for employees and their families would be worth the effort. Success is going to require talented experts, a beginner’s mind, and a long-term orientation,” Jeff Bezos, CEO, Amazon.

Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and Chase Bank – get used to reading about that trio together. Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffet, and Jamie Dimon (even the way they line up is in alpha order) are each innovators and giants in their respective industries.

Our US health care costs are the highest in the world.

Roughly 50 percent of US businesses with up to 49 employees offer health care coverage to their employees as a benefit. All larger companies are required to offer it, via the Affordable Care Act of 2010. Between Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and the enterprises owned by the conglomerate J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, they have nearly one million employees.

Though their long-term goal is a larger playing field, in the near term this industry troika is focused on reducing health care costs for their own enterprises and employees. Here are some good places to start.

Transparency & Price Competition In sectors of health care not now covered by insurance, there is substantial competition in the marketplace which impacts prices. Lasik eye surgery, cosmetic dentistry, weight loss, and even health clubs and exercise facilities all have dropping prices and even low interest financing available.

Requiring health care providers to PRICE all drugs, procedures, etc. in advance of purchase or transaction will allow

the trio to substantially reduce their costs through competition. Amazon no longer guarantees the best price, but their company became a market disruptor and frequent leader across retail category after category by wringing out costs. Warren Buffet and Berkshire Hathaway have demonstrated financial genius over decades, buying mature companies and building them into category and segment leaders, while having the resources available to re-invest and expand market access.

Economies of Sale Amazon’s most profitable business line is its data centers. Among their largest customers in that enterprise are large hospitals and health care centers, which have to manage and store tremendous amounts of data, as well as those personal health care records available to their patients. This new model with a perhaps very different role for claims manager middlemen and insurers should begin to tip the health care arena back in the direction of the doctor/patient relationship, versus focus on profitability of health care insurers and big pharma.

Here in Georgia, Chick-fil-A is one well-established enterprise that self-insures. Whether Team ABC creates its own captive insurer, negotiates a fixed cost-plus model with a large existing insurer, or creates a capitation or boutique health care system with regular direct payments to providers – versus insurance and re-insurance – their economies of scale, as well as other large corporations likely to follow their lead, should all cause a downward impact on health care costs.

If you don’t think Amazon knows how to negotiate, just watch the ongoing bidding war between 20 cities and states selected as finalists for the new Amazon HQ 2.

Overturn aspects of existing federal law President Donald Trump stated during his recent State of the Union address that reducing the costs of prescription drugs will be a primary goal of his administration dur-

ing 2018. There is a direct path to getting there. In 2004, President George W. Bush and Congress passed the Medicare Part D Supplement Act, giving a prescription drug benefit to America’s seniors. Part of the act bans federal and local governments from negotiating prescription drug prices with US pharmaceutical companies. The US government is the world’s largest buyer of pharmaceutical products and prescription drugs. Overturn that aspect of the law, and watch prices start dropping.

At least through January of 2019, President Trump now should have the votes in Congress to do this, and let’s hope that the positive rhetoric is not outweighed by the fact that the current largest donor to Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign is CVS/Caremark.

ABC...I hope it will be easy as 1, 2, 3... I have long believed that to start driving health care costs down, the impetus and market moves would first need to come from big business and the market sector. I wonder – if I keep my Amazon Prime membership and GEICO Auto insurance coverage current, how soon will I be eligible for discounts?

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

Rısen!

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PAGE 18

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Our Town

Archer Cluster Foundation

By J. Rice Since 2011, the Archer Cluster Foundation has been providing educational resources to teachers, students, and classrooms in the Archer Cluster of Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS). Archer is located on the Grayson/Lawrenceville/Loganville side of the county.

“Our primary purpose is to leverage community support and raise money to extend and enhance the five schools in the Archer Cluster,” says Archer Cluster Foundation board member and co-president Stacy Patterson. “Although the Archer Foundation administers a number of memorial scholarships for students each year, the majority of the money the Archer Foundation raises supports the teacher grant program. It is a true labor of love each year to reward the incredible work done by Archer teachers.” Patterson further expresses, “It is not the Archer Foundation’s mission to replace what the district can and should do for students and teachers through tax dollars. Our goal is to extend and enhance educational programs that demonstrate exceptional value for Archer students.”

A sample of some of their supported projects include: • Archer High School – Xplorer GLX Physics Lab • McConnell Middle School – Biosphere Club • Cooper Elementary – Blue-Bots programmable robot equipment • Harbins Elementary – Chemistry Kits for Grades K-5 Learners • Lovin Elementary – “Bring Outdoors Inside” Learning Lab The Patrick Ahearn Grant was established in 2017 in memory of former Archer graduate Patrick Ahearn, and is funded by the Tom Wages Funeral Home, which provides a grant award of $1,000 to a teacher in the science field.

Local businesses, corporate donors, community members, and parents provide a good deal of the support for the foundation, but the more than 1,000 Archer Cluster teachers and staff are also encouraged to contribute. Many do so through a payroll deduction found on the district employee portal. “The average monthly employee donation is around $10,” Patterson says, “but when combined with others, the support really makes a difference!”

Grants for teachers are awarded in autumn, and student scholarships are given in spring.

The student scholarships honoring community members are administered under the Archer Foundation umbrella, and a goal is to see more created.

Among the memorial scholarships is the Susan D. Headley Scholarship, founded in 2013 in honor of Gwinnett employee Susan D. Headley. The Headley Scholarship offers a one-time award of $1,000 to a senior at Archer High School.

Stacy Patterson and his family established the Judy Patterson Legacy Memorial Scholarship in 2015 in memory of his wife, Judy Barrow Patterson. “Judy loved this community and loved Gwinnett County Public Schools,” Patterson states. “She volunteered in any capacity, great or small, while expecting nothing in return. The success and happiness of children was her reward.

It is an honor each year to recognize outstanding students with a similar heart for the community.”

Looking to the future, the Archer Cluster Foundation is run primarily by a handful of citizens but has several open seats available. Among the current board members are Co-President Angela Monetta and Secretary/Treasurer Tammy Bryant. Patterson credits both with boundless energy and with an innate ability to keep projects running smoothly. Kerry Mitchell serves as outgoing vice-president.

“Our greatest need? We don’t have an event, fundraising, or social media chair and would love to connect with community volunteers who have expertise in these fields and a passion for Archer schools,” Patterson declares.

Reflecting upon the impact citizens can make, Principal Ken Johnson of Archer High School observed, “As the Archer Cluster Foundation approaches its 7th year, praise is warranted for what has been accomplished, but it is also a time to look to the future. Debate continues as to whether good schools make good communities, or good communities make good schools. What is not of debate is that a partnership between schools and the community offers students the very best chance for success. It is my hope that upon reading this article, many will feel the pull to learn more and become involved in the Archer Cluster Foundation.”

More information at archer.archerhighschool.net/foundation.

Getting to Know Dr. Cat Continued from page 13 Dr. Cat wants owners to feel comfortable with treatment plans, and understands it is often difficult to ask questions or even to know what questions to ask. For this reason, she often gives handouts that people can read when they get home. “I hope people reading the article will understand the importance of seeing a vet,” says Dr. Cat. “The fact that we truly care and provide each client and pet with personal interaction is what makes us different.”

More information at www.snellvillevet.com

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I will recommend your services for both domestic and business matters to my friends and associates. “ CW What our latest estate planning client had to say: Mr. Walker was very professional. He was able to help us navigate through the will preparation process. The end result is that we will have the legal documents in place to handle our affairs as we enter life’s final stages.

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PAGE 19

Learning Lessons: Nurturing Good Character Traits in Preschoolers

By Tanisha Turner Every parent wants his or her child to develop character traits such as compassion, generosity, and kindness, but how do you get from point A to point B? Are preschoolers capable of learning and understanding these traits? And if so, how can parents and caregivers support their development?

The early years of a child’s life lay the foundation for a wide range of important developmental outcomes, like self-confidence, mental health, and the motivation to learn. The earlier these softer skills are fostered in young children, the more likely the children will be successful in school and later in life. And while it may seem like your child is too young to grasp these concepts, the foundational behaviors needed to develop empathy and other socialemotional skills that make us good people are actually nurtured in the first years of life.

Oftentimes, the best way to teach young children about these intangible skills and traits is to provide hands-on learning opportunities and to reinforce the concepts in a variety of ways.

Primrose Schools suggests the following tips for parents and caregivers to use at home: • Build an understanding of different traits. Even at a young age, children begin to build their understanding of traits like generosity, respect, and gratitude. Read books such as I Can Share by Karen Katz (for ages 2-5) and When I Care about Others by Cornelia Maude Spelman (for ages 4-7) with your child and take the opportunity to discuss the positive traits that the characters possess. Ask questions and help your child apply the concepts in the book to real-life experiences.

• Introduce important life skills. Even very young children can begin to learn about essential life skills, such as manners, safety, and caring for the environment. Letting children take care of their very own plant will promote responsibility while also teaching the importance of caring for the world around them. Modeling these life skills is also a great way to introduce them, especially for younger children.

• Make time for hands-on learning. Children get most excited about giving back when they are able to experience it firsthand. Introduce your child to helping those in need by starting small in your community. Whether it’s collecting coats for a clothing drive or making cards for the local nursing home, it’s rewarding to see your child begin to understand the huge impact a simple project can have.

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

PrimroseSugarloafParkway.com

It begins with a plan

Big Steps, Small Starts! Continued from page 10

Planning is everything, particularly when it comes to your long-term financial objectives.

pick your child up, and you encourage him or her to do it again. You celebrate attempts, failures, and eventually successes.

Here is my final thought: You don’t need to have enough faith to finish the walk – you just need to have enough faith to start. You just need enough faith to take a first small step, because who knows what’s on the other side of your first step?

Rodrigo Cruz is the Lead Pastor of The Nett Church. More information at www.thenettchurch.com

It It begins begins with with aa plan plan

Planning is everything, particularly when it comes to your Planning everything, particularly when it comes to your long-termisfinancial objectives. long-term financial objectives.

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PAGE 20

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Chris Buckley Financial Advisor Chris Buckley

Our Town

BusiNeighbor Veteran’s Recreation Center Goes Online!

TNT Academy Presents

By Kim Hill Through sheer determination and perseverance, Charmelle Scott has done it. Her dream of over two years of starting a Veteran’s Recreation Center has become a reality. As a veteran herself, Ms. Scott knows the horrors of combat, something no one but another veteran who has seen active duty can fathom. According to the Veteran’s Administration, twenty-two veterans commit suicide each day. Ms. Scott’s goal has been to open a center where veterans can come to improve their quality of life by meeting and interacting with other veterans in ways they are unable to do with even their closest family members. Now she has found a location where healing can take place. “What a difference a year makes,” she says. “God is so good!”

Tucked away in a quiet Stone Mountain neighborhood, the BusiNeighbor Veteran’s Center (BVC) will offer a food pantry, clothing pantry, exercise room, computer lab, library, a TV/ media room, and a day room with a pool table. Located on a bus route, the center is seven miles from the VA hospital, three miles from Stone Mountain, and three miles from Georgia Military College. Many donations have come in, and many more are needed to complete the furnishings and actually purchase the property, which BusiNeighbor, a non-profit, is currently renting. The facility can benefit veterans in many ways, even offering homeless veterans an address from which to mail resumes for employment applications. The center can accommodate 8-10 visitors a day, so veterans can make an appointment to spend the day. The center will be open Tuesday through Thursday, closed on Mondays and Fridays, and open again on Saturdays.

Ms. Scott is very excited to have recently become associated with two other veterans’ groups dedicated to furthering her cause. The BVC was chosen by the Veteran’s Media Corporation for the US launch of the Veteran’s Channel, a 24/7 broadcasting channel with an initiative to help veterans around the world. It has launched out of the UK and Canada, and now out of Stone Mountain, GA! A mini-summit was held and filmed at the center for broadcast. Ms. Scott put an invite on Facebook seeking veterans who might want their stories heard. About thirty veterans showed up.

Founder Henah Ji of the Canada office says of the mini-summit: “What they did in fellowship today is life-saving – calling the center a Team Home where they want to come for a ‘tune-up,’ get their ‘alignment.’ I believe this is the proper place for us to have done this launch because she [Ms. Scott] has done this from her heart completely out of love and compassion.” Ms. Ji explains that the channel updates every day as another veteran from another country is interviewed, so the network is continually growing.

Ms. Scott says the veterans told their stories and Ms. Ji wrote down every complaint that needed to be addressed and will hold BVC accountable to make sure veterans are supported. The channel will do a document series and return to follow up to see how the center is progressing.

Ms. Scott is optimistic about the potential this exposure will give the center.

Ms. Scott also made contact with Larry White of the Ritz Group, an investor’s group for veterans. She attended a meeting and was given thirty seconds to speak. She shared how she has a recreation center whose goal is to promote recreation for mental illness. She told them the center was in Stone Mountain on a bus route, and that she needed help. Mr. White, a Vietnam veteran who has a passion to help, was in attendance at the mini-summit. He explained how military training is steeped in building teams: a squad, a platoon, a company, a battery, a region, a global – it’s all based on teams. He says when veterans leave the service, they realize they don’t have a team. “We want to create the team right here, so they can come here and discuss any issue. The value is in the team and to have each team member responsible for some other team member, buddy to buddy. As new people come in, everyone starts having a purpose, which helps them quit focusing inward. That’s how you start solving the problem.” He adds that the video will give Ms. Scott a format, and an ongoing place to show it. Veterans can go online and see what the center is doing. It becomes a model for other centers – the pilot for the world.

Ms. Scott is thrilled that the center has been chosen for this project. “I am hoping with this new partnership I can build awareness and can get some sustaining donors,” she says. “When somebody believes in you, you don’t even have the words to express.”

More information at info@BusiNeighbor.org or www.BusiNeighborVeteransCenter.org

Wonder Movie Continued from page 17 think Jose would tell us the very same thing.”

Edmonds was encouraged by the support from her Gwinnett community when the movie was released in theatres last year. She rates the film a “10” and hopes its message has been taken to heart by moviegoers worldwide. “Just look at how many from our church and community came to support us as we watched Wonder together!” she says. “It was a beautiful reminder that Jose, and our entire family, do not walk this journey alone.”

Our Town

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• Funology - The Science of Having Fun (Elementary) • Electronics & Mechanics: Simple Machines • It’s All About the Code (Elementary) • Coding • Gaming - Minecraft • Picture Perfect Publishing • Iron Chef • Forensics • Photography • Fit4Algebra (Grade 6-8)

Grades 6th - 9th June 3rd - July 13th Our Programs Offers: • Instruction by Master, Certified Education Specialist • Small Group Ratio 4:1 • Serving Students Grades 6th - 9th • Nutritious, Gluten Free Meals • Snackbar During Break Sessions • STEAM Certified Curriculum

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PAGE 21

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770-979-9000 (ext. 101).

NO INITIATION FEE

NO INITIATION FEE mmitment plus month a $25.00 monthly Food Beverage minimum A twelve commitment plus&a HERE! $25.00 monthly Foodis&required.

Beverage minimum is required.

YOUR FAMILY BELONGS YOUR FAMILY BELONGS HERE! onal information, contact Carol Zamzow 770-979-9000 (ext. 101 )

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For additional information, contact Carol Zamzow 770-979-9000 (ext. 101 ) or email: info@summitchasecc.com or email: info@summitchasecc.com

3197 Classic Drive 197 Classic Drive Snellville, Ga 30078 Snellville, GA 30078

Plus first month’s fees

www.summitchasecc.com www.summitchasecc.com www.summitchasecc.com www.summitchasecc.com email: info@summitchasecc.com email: info@summitchasecc.com email: info@summitchasecc.com email: info@summitchasecc.com

TENNIS • SWIM • DINING • •SOCIAL GOLF • TENNIS • SWIM DINING • SOCIAL 2018 INTRODUCTORY MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL are, Snellville, GA 30078 678.344.0200 All Full Facility Golf Memberships pay $150 per month and Tennis Swim Social Memberships pay $75 per month for first twelve months.

C A L L Y O W N E D A N D O P E R A TSocial E DDining Membership $300 per year.

Offer based on first visit Valid at participating lue. Expires 4/30/18.

Ask about our new Business Casual Corporate Membership NO INTIATION FEE Offer ends April 30, 2018 SUMMIT CHASE COUNTRY CLUB

3197 Classic Drive, Snellville, Ga 30078 #CurvesStrong 770-979-9000

www.summitchasecc.com You belong here!

Curves.com

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