MARCH 2019 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
Our Town GWINNETT
Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker
Up Close with Foggy Bottom BBQ, see story on page 5
11 11 13 14
SportsTalk: Parkview Cluster Foundation & Dodgeball Special Needs Siblings: Making a Difference in Lives March for Prayer: How One Group Brought About Change Collecting History: Stamp Collecting in Gwinnett County
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isJohn honored to beIV, we are committed to providing you with the high AtDr. the Simmons dental office of W. Simmons, comprehensive dental care, focused on both the function and beauty of your smile. A one of only nine dentists improving in patient care and comfort are our primary concerns. We are proud to run a practice that treats ea Georgia to have passed the kind, gentle, and caring manner, just like family. We offer a full range of the latest cosmetic a rigorous required to long-lasting, earn procedures thattesting concentrate on ensuring brilliant results you will love, and others
Cosmetic Dentistry The cosmetic procedures we offer can dramatically enhance the appearance of your smile. We offer a wide selection of procedures that can correct almost any dental imperfection.
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accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. His state-of-the-art equipment and updated technology allow him to affordably serveDENTAL CARE AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY D.M.D., P.C. • SUPERIOR his patients by providing healthy, beautiful smiles. Our experienced team provides five-star service, personalized care, and an extraordinary commitment to your health and well-being. Please join our Call for an Appointment family by scheduling a new patient exam.
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Our Town Gwinnett
THESE AREN’T JUST HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS. Meet Ben and Tamara, a happily-married couple that have been giddy about one another ever since they met. They enjoy their morning coffee and taking strolls in the park when the weather is nice. They love that GMC Primary Care & Specialty Center-Suwanee couples a wide variety of services—cardiology, gastroenterology, OB/GYN, rheumatology and primary care services—with experienced, knowledgeable providers. Their goal is to make the most of their future years. At GMC Primary Care & Specialty CenterSuwanee, we make it possible.
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PAGE 3
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2019 babies are coming in! Currently available l Sun conures l Pineapple conure l Green cheek conure l Illiger macaw l African gray Congo
See Facebook page ‘Fancy Feathers Atlanta’ for pictures. PAGE 4
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Our Town Gwinnett
On the Cover: The Secret Recipe for Service Success By Kristen Eleveld Faith, family, fresh barbecue: These are the ingredients a local restaurant has combined to create the perfect atmosphere of community spirit sprinkled with delicious meals. Back in 2012, Stacy Wilson was going on nearly two decades of working in the corporate business world when he decided he was ready for a change. With a passion for food and a great skill for barbecuing, he created the Foggy Bottom BBQ competition team. Stacy partnered with his friend and neighbor, Phillip Folsom, as they competed in BBQ events all over the state. From there, it was just a matter of time until the restaurant was born. From cooking in the backyard to local catering to school fundraisers, the Foggy Bottom BBQ cuisine soon became popular in every city that had the chance to taste it. In April of 2014, the restaurant officially opened its doors in Loganville, GA. With an emphasis on quality customer service and a great family-focused dining experience, Foggy Bottom BBQ soon drew the attention of many who became regular customers as they were eager to taste everything on the menu. In fact, business began booming at such a high rate that Stacy realized there was a lot of potential to open another location in nearby Downtown Lawrenceville. “We’re right on the square,” said Stacy of the restaurant’s Lawrenceville location, which opened last September. “The City of Lawrenceville has been tremendous in their help, and now we are gearing up for the busy season in mid- to late-March. We are thrilled to deliver fresh BBQ daily to our customers and to become part of the downtown environment. The square has so much to offer to customers and all with a specific focus on local community.” So what can the average customer expect from a visit to either of the Foggy Bottom BBQ restaurants? Stacy’s philosophy is that every last customer needs to be treated with a smile and a great experience. He wants them to genuinely enjoy every part of their experience, from the moment they walk in to the moment they leave. This is an ideal he has passed on to his team members, who all place a high priority on giving customers a wonderful dining experience. “We’ve got to be more than a plate of food,” Stacy said of his customer service values. “A plate of food could vary from time to time, but the level of customer service never should.” And that menu is certainly full of delicious items. Foggy Bottom BBQ believes in serving only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, and refuses to settle for anything less. This means they
prepare food twice a day – once in the morning for the lunch crowd, and again in the evening for those eating in for dinner. “On some days, we sell out of some of our meats, which is a result of our commitment to our customers to deliver fresh BBQ daily,” said Stacy. It makes for a busy day, but the restaurant is meticulous in its work, even documenting how much of each type of BBQ is consumed every day so they can more accurately predict trends and meet the needs of their community throughout different seasons and events. “We made a decision from day one to deliver fresh,” said Stacy. “It’s core to our strategy and our roots of Competition BBQ, and reminds us every day that great BBQ takes time, focus, and a commitment to delivering fresh daily.” Of course, while BBQ is always on the menu, Foggy Bottom is also busy serving its community by working to help those in need. In March, the restaurant is launching a special program to raise Continued on page 16
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PAGE 5
Our Town
2019
Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultZ.com Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultZ.com Editor Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultZ.com Cover Photographer Marcie Reif Photography
Limited Spaces Available
4068 Five Forks Trickum Rd. SW,Lilburn, GA 30047
Distribution Coordinator DeeDee Chapman Feature Writers Pearl Aidoo Heidi Campbell K. Coats Kristen Eleveld Emily Haney Kim Hill Amy Ney Traci Sanders Beth Volpert Johansen Contributing Writers Bill Crane Jocelyn Wykoff
— An EndResultZ Media & Communications firm 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 2019 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: The Secret Recipe for Service Success 7 From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion 8 Perimeter Roofing’s Mission to Pay Off School Lunch Balances
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8 The Balancing Act 10 Crane’s Corner: Addition, Not Subtraction 11 SportsTalk: Parkview Cluster Foundation & Dodgeball 11 Special Needs Siblings: Making a Difference in Lives 12 Isn’t It Romantic Answers its Own Question: Yes, it is Romantic! 13 March for Prayer: How One Group Brought About Change 14 Collecting History: Stamp Collecting in Gwinnett County 17 Animal Fosters: The Unsung Heroes 18 Checkmate: Using Chess to Keep Senior Minds Sharp 22 Miss & Mr. Parkview Pageant Raises Funds to Support Students and PTSA
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American Heritage Animal Hospital
From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion By Ryan T. Sauers
@RyanSauers
Spring is almost here. Man, I love this time of the year. We have had a lot of rain and overcast days the past few months, but a new season brings new beginnings. I look forward to more sunshine and warmer days. In the spring, the days are longer, and people are out later doing great things. There are so many positive things happening in the cities and communities we serve. There is simply no way I can list them all, but rest assured the change is real, amazing and positive. And, the people making those changes are even more amazing. Time is our greatest currency and the great equalizer for all mankind. We cannot get more of it, save it, buy it, stop it, get it back, etc. You get the idea. We have 168 hours each week (24x7). What we choose to do with this precious time makes all the difference. We often hear people say they are “slammed, swamped, drowning, etc.” Is this the way you want to live? Is this the way I want to live? My answer to this is no. While it is true, I love staying busy in the many things I do, there is a difference. I choose to do these things because I love them and want to, not because I must. This means it is a purposeful, deliberate, and intentional choice. In contrast, I see people letting “life happen to them” regarding things they have some control over, and they are mad at life. So, the choice is yours. Do you want to make your short time on this earth count and create a legacy to make things better for others? Or, would you rather waste your time complaining, making excuses, and talking about other people? I hope you choose to make “life happen with you” not “life happen to you.” I encourage each of you to Keep Pushing Forward (KPF) no matter what you are facing in life. Also, inspire others in our community to make life the best it can be. I hope you will find the best in people and seek to make others laugh and smile. It makes a difference. I hope that each day you will wake up and deliberately choose to focus on others and make another person’s life great by them having met you. Continued on page 10
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PAGE 7
Perimeter Roofing’s Mission to Pay Off School Lunch Balances
The Balancing Act
By Emily Haney
Likeable. This year I have felt a tremendous shift in the seasons of my life. And with this shift, I have begun to evaluate me – a self-assessment if you will. Ecclesiastes 3:2-3 says, “ To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up…” and so on. I have always thought of myself as a pretty likeable person, but I really began digging deeper after reading one of my favorite blogs that asked: “What is it that makes a person likeable and do I possess these qualities? And how does this fit into this season I’m entering?” So, what makes a person likeable? Do they listen more and talk less, present a positive outlook and great body language? Are they accountable for their actions? Dependable? Confident? Nonjudgmental? Yes, yes, and yes! And like a yummy recipe, a likeable person would have a dash of all of these qualities to mix up just perfect to create the ultimate dish. After reading these qualities and verse I found myself inspired. Even though I feel I fall short in some of these areas, I’m driven in my season to improve me and become a more likeable person, better friend, and better employee – to listen more because sometimes that’s all someone may need. Dependable – a shoulder to cry on when life throws a wrench in the plans. To focus more on the positive and not let the daily distractions bog me down and derail my attitude or outlook. To not place judgement on others. And, to be more confident but not overly assertive. While no one can ever achieve perfection, our standard should be to strive to be the best we can be – better human, better spouse, better parent, better friend, and better employee. I don’t know who said this, but love it and believe in it: “The best feeling in the world is when the person you like, likes you back.” Jocelyn Wykoff is a dreamer, believer, wife, and mompreneur of the Wykoff Household.
Perimeter Roofing is on a mission to pay off all the elementary school lunch balances in the state of Georgia. What began as an idea for a good deed challenge has grown into something no one imagined. Ray Little, COO of Perimeter Roofing, had seen someone in Minnesota doing something similar, so he wanted to bring the idea to Georgia. “This is money that we’d rather be using to help kids than put towards other platforms,” commented Little. “I’d rather give money to kids so they can eat than something else.” After a little research, the rest of Perimeter Roofing decided to join in. “We heard about kids not getting full lunches or saving half of it for dinner later,” said Todd Price, CEO of Perimeter Roofing. “No matter the reason no kid should not be able to eat a full lunch, so we decided to step in.” According to Price, they visit two to four schools each week, depending on scheduling. They visited Dacula Elementary School first on September 25th, paying off a balance of $773. Twenty-seven schools later, they paid off Shiloh Elementary School’s lunch balance for $375 on December 19th. Tom Trippany, principal of Shiloh Elementary School, had heard of what Perimeter Roofing was doing, but he never expected it would happen at his school. “This particular gift is special because we’ve never had somebody pay off all the balances,” said Trippany. “I think it’s going to be great for our students to start from scratch.” Trippany believes that acts like this and from celebrities have caused a chain reaction and inspired people to give back. They originally began using #schoollunchchallenge as a way to track good deeds. It has since gained attention online and has been used to spread awareness of what the company is doing. According to Price, people started using the hashtag after paying off balances. More people and Continued on page 19
By Jocelyn Wykoff
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PAGE 9
Crane’s Corner: Addition, Not Subtraction
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By Bill Crane “We’re not subtracting anything from the Confederate monuments or the history of Stone Mountain Park. We’re just adding to it. And we didn’t know we had this treasure of history until we did this study of it,” said Bill Stephens, CEO, Stone Mountain Park Memorial Association. In 1965, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association (SMMA) rescued and relocated an ailing and structurally damaged wooden, covered bridge from downtown Athens, Georgia to Stone Mountain Park at a cost of $18,000. The old bridge, rare even then, was originally constructed in 1891 at a cost of $2,470, and linked downtown Athens via College Street to much more rural Clarke County farms and beyond. Structurally damaged by severe flooding by the Oconee River, the bridge was cut into segments, and then later reassembled atop new concrete and granite peers to connect the park mainland with small Indian Island in the middle of Stone Mountain Lake. There the unique and historic Town Truss bridge has ably served park visitors for more than five decades. In recent years, the more complete history and detail of the bridge’s construction was unearthed by the DeKalb Historical Society, and shared in a presentation attended by DeKalb County CEO, and later SMMA board member, Michael Thurmond, who also happens to be an Athens native and who often traveled across that same bridge as a child, accompanying his share-cropper father into town to sell produce. The bridge was designed and constructed by famed African-American master bridge builder Washington W. King, the second of a three-generation family of bridge builders. There are only four remaining examples of King’s work. Thurmond was so taken with the bridge that he created an annual award, DeKalb Bridge Builders, at his second State of the County address as DeKalb CEO last year. Additional research was completed by the SMMA, and on January 15, 2019, the actual birthday of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., the SMMA board voted unanimously to dedicate and rename the historic crossing the Washington W. King Bridge. In addition to an upgraded historic marker and an interpretive exhibit signage, the SMMA’s staff was directed to seek placement of the bridge on the National Register of Historic Places. “We are always looking for ways to tell the stories and history of Georgia,” said Stephens. “The story of our covered bridge and of Washington W. King will now be more prominently told and shared with the over 3 million visitors to Stone Mountain Park.” I can recall my own first trip across that bridge with my brother and father in the late 1960s. It was the beginning of a short and wondrous weekend of Indian Guides camping and pine-derby racing. Exploring the small island and leaving our tiny campsite had me feeling like a young Tom Sawyer. The noisy, wood rattling bridge added to that effect, and made one feel like you were leaving decades, if not a century behind as you crossed over. On a recent walk across that same span, I experienced warm and pleasant memories and feelings of Deja vu. I suspect thousands if not more Georgia families and park visitors may share similar memories and experiences. If you haven’t recently been to Stone Mountain Park, the King Bridge is on the back side of the park, near the Old Grist Mill and the mountain’s granite quarry historic exhibit. It’s a quieter more natural part of the park. Sounds are often limited to wildlife and moving water nearby, or the occasional sounds of the passing Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad train. The other side of the lake on the far side of the island is Gwinnett County; but once you cross that bridge you feel like you are miles away from civilization and in the middle of a historic wilderness. And as we recently celebrated the memory and teachings of Dr. King and Black History Month in February, you might remember that crossing any bridge begins with a series of small steps, some purpose, and a general direction of where you want to go. 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
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PAGE 10
One Man’s Opinion Continued from page 5 In short, I am thankful for the Our Town community. I wish you a wonderful and safe March. Make your time count, smile, laugh, and enjoy some warm weather and sunshine that will be on the way. As always, thank you for continuing with us on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town!
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Our Town Gwinnett
SportsTalk: Parkview Cluster Foundation & Dodgeball
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Special Needs Siblings: Making a Difference in Lives By Kim Hill As mother of a son with autism and epilepsy, Jeniece Stewart spends much of her time in doctors’ offices and therapy sessions, usually with her younger children in tow. She says when she became pregnant with twins in 2015, Jada and Caleb began asking a lot of questions about their brother Christian, wondering why he “gets” to take medicine all the time and why he can have chicken nuggets while they have to eat vegetables. Additionally, there were questions like, “Can we play basketball this year?” that she could not answer in the affirmative due to Christian’s therapy schedule. “I was feeling really lost as a mom and was trying to figure out how to balance attention between them,” she says. Jeniece decided to set up Instagram and Facebook accounts called Special Needs Siblings (SNS) where she shared about herself and her children, and asked people to share their stories with her. “I was hoping for feedback because I couldn’t find support in Gwinnett specifically for epilepsy and autism, and couldn’t find siblings of other children with disabilities,” she explains, “so I created a little network. It just grew wings of its own that I didn’t expect!” Jeniece found herself receiving emails and messages from people all around the world, young and old. Unsure at first what she should do, she began helping people find resources. She started “Siblings of the Day” posts, and parents and siblings would send in pictures and stories, sharing their feelings and frustrations. “All the while my children were seeing other siblings posting and they would engage with them,” says Jeniece. “So I am looking at my children and thinking, ‘I didn’t know you felt like this.’” Jeniece wanted to do more. “Last year I took a leap of faith and we incorporated,” she says. “We became a non-profit in April of last year and received our tax-exempt status in August.” A Gwinnett Continued on page 15
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Current, former, and future Parkview Panther students and family members will want to be sure to attend the Battle of Your Favorite Teachers community event to be held Thursday, March 21st at Parkview High School. The doors open at 6 p.m., and tournament play starts at 6:30. The tournament-style Dodgeball competition will feature teacher teams from Arcado, Camp Creek, Knight, and Mountain Park Elementary schools, as well as two teams from both Trickum and Parkview. Parkview Cluster Foundation (PCF), the host of the fundraiser, is sponsoring the event to raise money for the community organization. “Our mission is to support, enhance, and enrich academic and arts programs for students by providing funding to extend and supplement opportunities for students,” explains Amy Berryman, PCF member. “We had over 750 tickets sold in admissions last year. The stadium was full of supporters: students, parents, community members, and educators, all here to raise support and awareness for the Foundation. Thanks to the event, we were able to raise more than $2,000.00. This event will be bigger and better. You won’t want to miss it.” The fundraiser event is in its second year. In addition to a dodgeball tournament, there will be performances by the Trickum Pep band, Chorus, and Cheerleaders and the Parkview Dance Team. Concessions will be sold, and Amped Up Atlanta, an Atlanta-favorite DJ, will host the event. Admission is only $1, which Berryman explained makes the event so affordable for families. “But don’t forget, the more money you donate, the more points your school receives in the tournament.” After three grueling rounds of dodgeball in the Panther gymnasium last year, Knight Elementary walked away the winner. The Foundation supports all six schools equally. “We give every penny we Continued on page 21
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PAGE 11
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Apparently movie-goers across the country are hungry for romantic comedies. This is evident when a film like Isn’t It Romantic, which hit theaters on Valentine’s Day, can rake in over twenty-five million dollars in its first week. The 88-minute film is rated PG-13 for language, sexual references, and a brief drug reference. The only difference between this romantic comedy and others is that this one works to spoof romantic films. In the end, it is what it sets out to mock, but it is still entertaining. The film takes place in New York City where architect Natalie, played by Rebel Wilson, lives a life mired in frustration. She is barely acknowledged at her firm, her apartment is cramped, and her love life is non-existent. She has a best friend, Josh, played by Adam Devine, who is obviously crazy about her, but she is completely oblivious. Natalie not only doesn’t recognize love, but she also hates romantic comedies, which sparks the entire premise of the movie. The film kicks off its mockery when she gets whacked on the head by a subway purse-snatcher and wakes up inside the made-up world of a romantic comedy. Everywhere she goes, Natalie finds romance. The streets are filled with flowers, people are singing, and even the billionaire Blake, played by Liam Hemsworth, claims she is “beguiling.” She tries to have a relationship with Blake, but his romantic sentiments don’t resonate with her. It takes her realizing that what she truly wants is to break free of this annoying, romantic fantasy world. DeVine and Wilson, who first teamed up in the popular Pitch Perfect films, have terrific chemistry. Wilson’s humor is extroverted and fearless, which creates a wonderful contrast to Devine’s “boy next door” appeal. She does splendidly as the lead in this feature film, and is, quite honestly, a refreshing heroine for a rom-com, spoof or no spoof. She is proof that one need not be a supermodel to be desirable. Those looking for entertainment can find it with Isn’t It Romantic. Although it ends up being exactly what it sets out to spoof, it is funny, engaging, and memorable. It satirizes the genre in just the right amount without killing it. As long as the audience is braced for a fair amount of predictability and “cheese,” this one won’t disappoint.
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March for Prayer: How One Group Brought About Change By Kristen Eleveld In 2017, Daniel Flagg became inspired to make a change. He felt an urgent need to pray for the city of Atlanta – and he knew he needed to heed that call. After talking with some local pastors and gathering up a few others who were also interested in this idea, Daniel and a group of fourteen people drove down to the newly-completed Mercedes-Benz stadium and began to pray for everyone in the area. “I read about a couple who encouraged people to pray at the gates of their city,” remembered Daniel. “And I realized that while Atlanta may not have a literal gate, the stadium was located at a crossroads where millions of people traveled through each day.” The team prayed for the city of Atlanta to find its way back to God, and for the people who live, work, and play there each day. Afterward, Daniel said he told the prayer team that none of them were obligated to continue doing the prayer project with him – but they all realized the opportunity they had to make a huge difference for their home, and decided to go on praying. Since then, the group has prayed at the Capitol building, the Dekalb County jail, Kennesaw Mountain, Stone Mountain, and on through Atlanta. Though they continued to feel led to pray for the city of Atlanta itself, Daniel and his group also wanted to bring these prayers to their local Continued on page 16
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Collecting History: Stamp Collecting in Gwinnett By Emily Haney
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Most “old time” stamp collectors began at a young age. According to Allen Johnson, who has been stamp collecting on and off since the age of 8, “People start collecting young, drop out sometime around high school and then pull [their collections] back out and start adding to it again.” Johnson became serious about stamps again in his early 30s. Now 63 and retired, he’s able to devote more of his time to growing his collection. “My goal,” he said, “is to try to own one of every stamp made between the beginning of stamps in the 1850s to 1974, when I graduated high school.” Johnson spends time each month with people who share his passion. The former president and the current secretary of the Button Gwinnett Stamp Club, Johnson attends club meetings on the third Wednesday of every month at Mountain Park United Methodist Church from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The nonprofit club has been around for more than twenty years. Meetings have a designated time for show and tell for anyone who has bought anything unusual that they want to share, and there is always an auction at the end of meetings. “The auction is open to anyone, but you have to be a club member to put items in,” said Johnson. Membership is $12 for the year. The stamp club gets quite a few people coming in for free appraisals of collections. Johnson is accustomed to seeing nine out of ten collections worth around 20 dollars, but there are surprises. A couple years ago he helped to appraise one lot that ended up selling for $23,000. “Most collectors don’t sell their stamps. They die and leave them to relatives,” said Johnson. The free appraisals offered by the Button Gwinnett Stamp Club can be very helpful to people who are often overwhelmed by the intricacies of collections. Depending on the time period, there can also be multiple variations of one stamp. One variation can be worth 35 cents while another can be worth $250. It all depends, and the club helps people to figure out the value of what they have bought or, more often than not, inherited. There is no one way to collect stamps. “It’s almost endless how you can collect – how finite you can make a collection or how infinite,” said Johnson. “Topical stamps are very popular among Continued on page 19
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Special Needs Siblings
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native and Shiloh High School graduate, she has based the organization in Lilburn. SNS is moving METRO ATLANTA forward through virtual support groups on its Facebook platforms to raise awareness of the many components of being a special needs sibling. Without a way to bring validation to their feelings, which can range from embarrassment to guilt, these siblings may struggle emotionally throughout their lifetime. Many adult siblings say they wish a platform like this had been available when they were growing up. Additionally, parents need resources to help them prepare their children for challenges they may face. Jeniece has realized that for close to ten years, she did not talk to her children about Christian’s disabilities. She felt she was protecting them, but says in reality she may have been hindering them. Now she has helped them better understand his needs and in turn they can educate their friends about Christian without feeling embarrassed. She hopes to partner with counseling services to help children who are reluctant to discuss their feelings. While the online platforms have proven extremely beneficial, Jeniece says her children keep asking if there are “kids in our area like us,” so this year she is hoping to launch Siblings for Life Gwinnett which will be a localized support group. SNS is trying to work with different organizations and companies to have a place where siblings can come once a month and meet other children who share their unique experience. Jeniece would eventually like SNS to have a building for events like these. She says she is finding that a lot of people don’t consider the siblings in special needs families, and generally assume that because they don’t have a disability, they are fine. She is having conversations to help them understand that in reality, these children need to be seen and to have ATTENTION - Double check ad for ALL content. people ask, “How are you?” ATTENTION - Double ad for etc. ALL content. Phone, address, coupons, Jeniece has some grand dreams for SNS.web, She would like tocheck provide to help parents offset ATTENTION - Double check ad for funding ALL content. Phone, web, address, coupons, etc. the expenses of a special needsnothing child,Phone, and envisions an after-school program for students Assume -she Reply back that ad is approved once with web, address, coupons, etc. mild to moderate disabilities who have “aged out” of normal daycare soad their parents can continue Assume nothing Reply back that is approved ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR ACCURACY. Assumeofnothing - are Reply back that ad is approved once once working. She knows these types programsHAVE expensive, but realizes their the ALL content. ALLITEMS ITEMS BEEN CHECKED FORimportance ACCURACY. ATTENTION - Double check and ad for ALL HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR ACCURACY. value that it would bring to the community. The great thing, she says, is that people are listening. web,butaddress, coupons, etc. “For a while I used to think maybe I just haven’t found the Phone, right resources, now I know I am Assume nothing - Reply back that “but ad is approved once creating a resource that wasn’t here before, and that’s a beautiful thing. And it’s scary,” she adds, it’s needed; so we just have to keep going and keepALL sharing what we’re doing.” ITEMS HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR ACCURACY. More information at https://specialneedssiblings.com/
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The March for Prayer Continued from page 13
Foggy Bottom BBQ Continued from page 5 funds for the Walton and Gwinnett County foster children. Their goal is to help children in the foster system find the homes and resources they need. “You can’t ask the community to support you unless you support the community,” said Stacy of their efforts within their neighborhoods. “We have been blessed in the business of BBQ the last seven years, and we need to do our part to step up and help those in need. BBQ is our platform to make a difference in our community, with our employees and our customers.” Looking to the future, Stacy hopes they may be able to expand their services into a third community, and are actively looking for expansion and the right partners to expand the business. But he is content with whatever direction God leads him and his team. “All we want is to leave customers laughing with a full belly and appreciating a great service experience,” said Stacy. “If God opens up more doors for us, we are willing to walk through them.” More information at www.foggybottombbq.com
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communities. From there, the project has grown in both strength and size. Daniel founded the Atlanta Prayer Partners, and set about finding a way to include even more people in his mission to pray continually for cities in the Atlanta area. He met Clyde Strickland in May of 2018, and since that time, the two men have partnered together to find new ways to help their neighborhoods pray for the cities around them. “We believe that if we listen to our calling and pray for our city, God will do great things,” said Daniel. “We just have to be obedient.” “Great things” is certainly one way to describe what happened most recently for the Atlanta Prayer Partners group. As they prepared to pray for the city of Lawrenceville, where Daniel has hailed from most of his life, he heard someone refer to their prayer project as a “movement” – and that’s when inspiration struck him again. “I applied for a parade permit with the city of Lawrenceville,” said Daniel. “We decided to turn this into a march and walk through the city as we prayed.” At the time, the prayer team was averaging about 20 people at their monthly gatherings. But at the One Nation Under God march in January, they had ten times that amount of people show up to pray! It was a true event, complete with musicians, a color guard, and signs for people to hold as they prayed and walked. The group marched from the Lawrenceville Lawn to the square in the center of town, boldly asking God to make a change in their city and bring it back to Him. The source of their confidence isn’t hard to find. They take their vision directly from the Bible in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Daniel says he and his group are simply following God’s directions. And when they answer the call God has placed on them, he knows God will begin to move in a big way in the city. Lawrenceville isn’t their last stop. On March 16th, the Atlanta Prayer Partners will host another march in Snellville, and they are in talks to schedule marches in Loganville and Lilburn, as well. Daniel says he envisions the group going all the way to Washington, D.C., to have a desperately needed national impact. “This isn’t about calling attention to ourselves or seeing what we can accomplish,” said Daniel. “We want to come humbly into these cities, pray for the government and schools, and watch God work.” Along with the prayers for God to work within each of these communities, Daniel and his group also hope to encourage people with their message of unity. “We come from different places, and we have different stories,” said Daniel. “But we can all find unity through Jesus. Everyone can have a savior through Jesus.” Daniel is so committed to helping his fellow Christians effect a national change that he recently completed his first book: 100 Gold Nuggets of Wisdom for Christians to Rise Up. His goal is to encourage others to take a stand and pray for their neighborhood, city, and the people that live all around them. If you are interested in taking part in the next One Nation Under God march, or even just learning a little more about the Atlanta Prayer Partners, head over to Facebook to browse their public group and find information about upcoming events. “There are dozens of marches around the country,” Daniel said. “Who is going to march for God?” More information at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1391290747655404/
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By K. Coats No doubt you’ve seen them on Saturday mornings stationed inside and outside of the local Petco or Petsmart. Those cute dogs and cats, all watching as you pass, waiting for their forever home. Some of us walk by successfully avoiding eye contact, and others of us are more successful and end up bringing home a new member of the family. Then, some time that afternoon, the ones still waiting are packed up with the hope of next Saturday. But between those Saturdays of adoptions and conversation, there are a lot of very important people who pick up the slack. Those animals don’t go back to shelters. They go to a different loving home – a foster home – and the people who open their homes and hearts to foster cats and dogs throughout the week are the unsung heroes of the animal rescue world. Chandler Riddett is an animal foster parent who is part of the Society of Humane Friends of Georgia animal foster network. And for her, fostering animals is simply a continuation of a lifelong love she began as a child. Riddett states, “I read books about animals, watched movies about animals, and basically gravitated towards anything with fur, feathers, or fins.” From there, she went on to work at a pet shop, then a groomer, and then with a veterinarian. But the call to help the abandoned, downtrodden, and unlucky of the animal world was where she found her true calling. “I am capable of helping them,” she explains, “so that’s what I do.” And she’s been involved in animal rescue since she was twelve years old. But being an animal foster isn’t something one picks up in his or her spare time. The Society of Humane Friends has a system for vetting animal fosters and making sure that animals are cared for in homes fit for their needs. “We look for people who have experience with animals and have the time and energy to commit to taking on an extra animal,” Riddett states. “We try to ensure a good match between the animal and the foster family. Certain homes are better for puppies; others are Continued on page 21
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Checkmate: Using Chess to Keep Senior Minds Sharp By Emily Haney Two motivated high school students sparked a volunteer effort to help senior citizens across metro Atlanta keep their minds sharp by playing chess. Poojita Chinmay, a senior at Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology and her cousin, Anuhya Tadepalli who attended Milton High School, began Chess for a Cause after they spent time volunteering at Annandale Village in Suwannee in 2016. The duo thought they could do more for the seniors. “We did things like arts and crafts and bingo with them,” said Chinmay. “We wanted to find something that was Continued on page 20
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Stamp Collecting in Gwinnett Continued from page 14
Perimeter Roofing’s Mission Continued from page 8
younger people.” These would be stamps with a similar theme such as dinosaurs or Disney. Twice a year the Button Gwinnett Stamp Club hosts a stamp show, which has something for every kind of stamp collector. GWINNPEX Spring 2019 will be held on Saturday, May 4 this year. Admission to the stamp show is free, and you can purchase a table to sell for $25. Johnson enjoys the show because smaller and larger sellers all have a place. There’s a local Boy Scout troop leader who sells donated stamps for five cents, as well as a table for anyone under the age of 16. “If they have any interest in stamp collecting, they can get a free stamp as well as a beginner album to keep it,” commented Johnson. “We’d love to get more young involved – to keep [stamp collecting] from dying.” The stamp show is one of the ways Johnson and the Button Gwinnett Stamp Club share their passion for stamp collecting in Gwinnett. “It’s not a hobby that you do for investment,” remarked Johnson. “Stamp collection you do for the history and the beauty of the stamps. Every stamp has a history that you can research.” More information at ajrj1957@yahoo.com
other companies have since reached out. “We’ve been contacted by other roofing companies, landscaping companies, pawn shops,” said Price. “Different companies have stepped forward to help out, and it’s been a blessing. We just want to bring awareness to the situation, so more people know exactly what the issue is.” Businesses like Fraser Roofing, owned by Sara Fraser and her husband, have partnered with them. “We have a heart for serving the community and especially for kids,” said Fraser. “Todd, Ray, and I are all from this area. We get to serve where we grew up. It’s really close to home.” Fraser’s daughter attends one of the school’s where they are helping to pay off one of the lunch balances. Perimeter Roofing has started a nonprofit called Perimeter Cares. They hope to raise more awareness for the cause. According to Price, a lot of people just aren’t aware of the lunch balance issue. If you’d like to donate, you can deposit money in to the Perimeter Cares account at any SunTrust Bank, send them a check, or email connie@perimeterroofing.com for more information. They’re currently waiting for all the paperwork to be able to put a donate button on their website. Todd Price is the CEO of Perimeter Roofing. More information at perimeterroofing.com
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Chess Keeps Senior Minds Sharp Continued from page 18 more mentally stimulating, though.” Chinmay, who had an interest in neurology and helping those experiencing dementia, began to do research. She found that chess had a lot of health benefits relating to the brain. Chinmay and Tadepalli began reaching out to senior centers outside of Annandale Village, asking about bringing the game there. They were met by skepticism at first; from the workers as well as the seniors. Some senior centers thought Chess for a Cause might be better suited for a younger audience. That didn’t fit in with their vision of helping seniors with dementia, so they pushed on. Once they started teaching chess, the seniors were unsure. “Initially the seniors weren’t interested in playing. They had low self confidence in being able to learn something like chess,” Chinmay said. “We really had to show them that they’re capable of things they once thought they probably could never do because of their age and condition.” The seniors would focus on one piece for around five sessions in order to create a routine. “Seniors with dementia in particular remember what they do in the morning because they do it every day,” said Chinmay. “They remember from developing routines, so we did that with chess.” The process might seem slow, but it was effective. The seniors felt like they were progressing. With the aid of 4H, a youth development organization, Chess for a Cause grew from just Chinmay and Tadepalli with their families. Students in the area began to volunteer, too, allowing more than ten senior centers to be regularly visited. According to Chinmay, each of the twenty-five volunteers visit two to three centers a week, meaning almost every center has Chess for a Cause members there weekly. Thanks to the Disney Be Inspired program, which gave them a $500 grant, the group was able to purchase chess sets to give out to the different centers. This allows everyone a chance to practice their chess skills when Chess for a Cause isn’t present. Chinmay has big plans for Chess for a Cause to move forward. She wants to install chess software at different centers so seniors can play chess anywhere, even if they don’t have a partner. She’d also like to start a chess Olympics, which would bring senior centers together to compete. “It’d be a great competitive opportunity for them to get out of their usual routine,” said Chinmay. “I’d love to see them interacting with different centers.” Poojita Chinmay is one of the founders of Chess for a Cause. More information at https://chessforacause.wixsite.com/chessforacause.
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Animal Fosters Continued from page 17 more geared towards seniors.” Riddett cites that some fosters are even willing to take on animals that have “medical or behavioral issues.” The longest Riddett has ever fostered a single animal was a senior dog who took three years to find her forever home. The amount of animals Riddett alone has fostered over her 29 year career numbers in the thousands. She pointed out that she fostered 200 last year alone. In fact, Riddett says that rescuing animals is her “full time job, except I don’t get paid and there are no days off or vacations.” Her fostering duties include numerous hours driving animals to vet appointments and adoption events. “It is not unusual for me to drive to different shelters and vets offices ten times in a week,” she says. She sometimes has to wake up 3 to 4 times a night just to bottle feed orphans. “My dishwasher and washing machine run constantly,” she adds. But her whole family works together in this service, and it isn’t nearly as cute at times as some would assume when being surrounded by puppies and kittens. “The bulk of fostering,” she says, “consists of something much less glamorous – cleaning up after them!” As far as rewards go, though, there are few that one would claim to be sweeter. “Many of the animals we rescue are literally at death’s door when they arrive,” Riddett explains. “Seeing them heal and thrive and then find a loving family is the best feeling in the world. Matching the perfect pet with the perfect human(s) never gets old.” But the connection goes way beyond that of simple owner and pet. “We have had adopters tell us that the animal they brought home truly saved their life. To get to play a role in that is an honor and a great joy to me.” But, of course, Riddett and her team of animal fosters cannot save them all. Sometimes hearts are much bigger than homes. Going to shelters each week and having to leave behind so many, and knowing that the ones left behind won’t make it out alive is what she considers the hardest part of fostering. Riddett did take a moment to explain how to help prevent more heartache and help our animal friends. While the animals might not all be able to be adopted or fostered, pet owners can help in a small but significant way. “Unless spay/neuter is made mandatory (with some reasonable exceptions), there will always be more cats and dogs than there are quality homes,” Riddett states. “Shelters and rescues will always have to turn animals away because there is a limit to what we can feasibly do. We will never be able to rescue our way out of this problem of animal overpopulation.” However, if rescuing is on your mind, the Society of Humane Friends of Georgia is an excellent start. They don’t just adopt their fosters out to any home, though. Families must submit an application, and the society will look to make sure that the cat or dog’s needs and temperament will be met as well as the lifestyle and situation of the family. Riddett and her crew take care to list the needs and ideal living situation for each of their fosters in the hopes that their next home will
be their fur-ever home! Many thanks to Chandler Riddett and the other animal foster parents at the Society of Humane Friends of Georgia. Their efforts have helped improve the lives of animals and their owners throughout the state. Their website has options for donating funds as well as an Amazon Wishlist for those who wish to contribute. Special thanks for our three furry family members, all of whom have benefitted from the love of the animal fosters at this wonderful organization! Chandler Riddett is an animal foster parent with the Society of Humane Friends of Georgia. More information at www.sohfga.com.
Dodgeball Continued from page 11 earn to enhance the classroom experience,” Berryman said. The signature event is designed to raise funds and awareness about their role in the Parkview Cluster. This year, the PFC awarded grants and other funds across all Parkview Cluster Schools totaling $8,023.31. Berryman and her husband are Parkview born and raised and know the value of community. They support the efforts of the Foundation. “Stevie, my husband, attended Camp Creek, Trickum, and Parkview,” she said. “I attended Trickum and graduated from Parkview, and my mom taught at Arcado for fourteen years. And, of course Sophia and Porter, who are in fifth and sixth grades, attend Parkview schools. The Parkview Cluster Foundation’s grants are made possible by a partnership between our cluster schools and the parents, businesses, and residents of the Parkview community. The goal of the grants is to promote academic enrichment, growth, and excellence for the Parkview Cluster’s students and schools.” Berryman also explained that PFC grants support needs that provide for advancement and distinction for our cluster schools when other funds may not be available. “There are many ways to volunteer with PCF,” Berryman added. “We need people to donate money. We need people to volunteer time. There is everything from one-time volunteer opportunities at specific events to ongoing opportunities within the organization leadership. Cara Sullivan is the best person to help you get plugged in and you can reach her on our website.” Berryman also said that volunteers don’t need to have current students. “Right now, many of us serving in the PCF don’t have students in the schools, but we know how important schools and community are. We would welcome people to join us regardless. We just need people who want to help make a difference in our schools.” More information at http://parkviewfoundation.org
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Miss & Mr. Parkview Pageant Raises Funds to Support Students and PTSA By Amy Ney The Greatest Show arrived at Parkview High School on Saturday, January 26 when the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)-sponsored Miss & Mr. Parkview Pageant was put on before a nearly sold out audience. The students performed dance routines to the hit musical, The Greatest Showman. “The Pageant was really great,” said audience member and Parkview parent Sunni Kelly. “It was fun to go see the dresses and the talent; but my favorite part was actually the student escorts. They were so fun.” Laury Hartman has been working with the Pageant for five years, and has been Director for the past three. Hartman has seen the popular event evolve to become even more relevant. “I know the pageant has great value as a fundraiser,” she said. “But more than that, it teaches students life skills including interview preparations for jobs and scholarships. They also learn teamwork through participation in the dances and the pageant event. Self-confidence and poise are qualities that are built upon by the microphone presentation of their quote and the modeling of Evening Wear during the evening of the pageant.” Three years ago, Hartman added male contestants to the previously all-female program. She explains, “The gentlemen have the same standards the young ladies have with regard to the competition. They all have an interview at the home of Lilburn Mayor, Johnny Crist. Then, the night of the pageant, the judges evaluate them on poise, the delivery of a quote, and their choice of evening gowns and tuxedos.” Last year, after the PTSA decided they could not run the
program without a local parent in charge, Cindy Haislip, a Parkview graduate herself and parent to sophomore, Peyton, and eighth-grader, Ansley, stepped forward to chair the event. “I worked backstage last year and loved seeing the contestants support and help each other,” she said. “I realized that the Pageant was not just a beauty pageant, but that the students gain confidence, learn interview skills, increase their communication skills, and develop friendships with new people.” Haislip is no stranger to PTSA and has been involved in her community schools for a while. “I truly believe that involved parents make good schools and good schools make good communities. And, I have had a blast. I’ve known many contestants for years, and it was fun to experience this with them.” One of those contestants was Daniel Harman. Haislip has known him since he was born. “I visited his mom and him in the hospital when he was born,” remembers Haislip. Harman, a student with special needs, stole many hearts the night of the pageant. He previously competed in a few special needs pageants, but wanted to compete at Parkview. “The students all loved and wanted to support Daniel,” explained Haislip. When he was nervous at practice, it was decided that Sophomore Ellie Smith would escort him onto stage to help him feel more comfortable. He won the People’s Choice Award and was first runner-up to Mr. Parkview. Since Harman is the manager of the Parkview Baseball and Football teams, many players supported him, posting on social media and donating money towards his goal. The 43nd annual event serves as the only fundraiser for the PTSA. This year group donated a portion of all the money raised to the clubs, athletic teams, and associations chosen by each student. “Twenty percent of what I raised went to the Parkview Marching Band,” said sophomore contestant Cami Ney. “The Band is my community, and they are raising funds to play in London. I wanted to help them achieve their goal.” The Pageant raised $11,899.66 for the annual budget of the Parkview PTSA. Additionally, the Miss & Mr. Parkview Pageant
raised $2,738 for fifteen Parkview Clubs. This year’s contestants were Freshmen Zoe Brown, Abby Hall, Eldrian Ellison, Kristen Orr, Mariana Padilla, Claudia Tanksley; Sophomores Elizabeth Bacik, AnnaKate Estock, Ellie Smith and Cami Ney; Juniors Mackenzie Branson, Jessie Hurst, Annaliese Mayo, Sydney Trammell, and Kaylee Scott; Seniors: Nia Brown, Sarah Weido, Sarah Wilson, Emily Bandy, Summer Glen, Jade Nicholette, Lindsay Kate Jensen, Madison Payne, Iora Rafio, and Gentlemen Harrison Boone, Gabe Bandy, Daniel Harman, and Dominic Wilhite. Zoe Brown won Miss Freshman, AnnaKate Estock won Miss Sophomore, Sydney Trammell won Miss Junior, Dominic Wilhite was crowned Mr. Parkview, and Jade Nicolette was crowned Miss Parkview. Junior Jessie Hurst raised the highest sponsorship total and won the Overall Sponsor award. Miss Congeniality was given to Kaylee Scott, who was chosen by the contestants themselves as the most friendly and outgoing. More information at https://ptsa.onmycalendar.com
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