MARCH 2019: Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Monthly Magazine

MARCH 2019 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Grayson Dacula Loganville Lawrenceville

Up Close with Cutting Edge Painting, see story on page 5.

9 10 14 20

Getting to Know: Mending the Gap in Lawrenceville Making a Difference: Special Needs Siblings Community Member Spotlight: Meet Angelina Lemons Checkmate to Grow: Chess Helps Keep Senior Minds Sharp

Celebrating each life

like no other .

NO TWO OF US ARE ALIKE. A memorial service should reflect that. Whether your family is in need of immediate service or interested in planning ahead, you can rely on your Dignity Memorial® professionals to help you create a unique and meaningful send-off.

Celebrating each life like no other.

Celebrating each life like no other.

Celebrating each life like no other.

Celebrating each life like no other.

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Our Town Gwinnett

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Our Town Gwinnett

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3 GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP A NEW YEAR…A NEW MEMBERSHIP O A NEW YEAR…A INTRODUCTORY NEW MEMBERSHIP OFFER GOLF MEMBERSHIP SPEC 3

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Our Town Gwinnett

•

On the Cover: On the Cutting Edge of Community

By Kristen Eleveld We all have that one room in our house that we are dying to update. Maybe the color you chose was fun twenty years ago, but is a little too neon now. Or maybe sunlight has not been kind to your kitchen cabinets, which have now faded into two distinct colors.

You know you want a change, but how do you get started? There are hundreds of local businesses who all claim to be the best – but which company actually is the best? How do you even know what you need?

All these questions have one very simple answer: Cutting Edge Painting.

Founded in 2014, Cutting Edge Painting is now embarking on its fifth year of providing much-needed services to its community. You’ll find them working all throughout Gwinnett County, and maybe even a little beyond, as this company works to offer its expertise to more Georgians.

And don’t let the name fool you. While Cutting Edge Painting is certainly the best of the best when it comes to giving your walls a makeover, they also offer a wide range of services that make all your home improvement dreams a reality. Whether you’re looking to have new gutters installed, your cabinets refinished, or some serious pressure washing to be done, you have found everything you need and more through Cutting Edge Painting.

“We strive to be the company that has the coverage you need for every type of project,” said Nathan McMichael, who now owns Cutting Edge Painting and has been with the company since 2016.

One such project is their highly sought-after Concrete Coatings service. For those clients who need a more durable concrete floor that still creates a nice aesthetic for their customers, Cutting Edge Painting is offering high-quality finishes that are built to last. Whether it’s a garage floor at a mechanic’s shop, basement floors in the home, or gleaming showrooms filled with new cars, any concrete floor service can be finished in a variety of ways that will enhance any home or business.

For Nathan, the job isn’t about the bottom line of the budget. What takes priority in every project is the customer experience and satisfaction. It’s not enough to offer top-notch professional services. Nathan and his team are committed to giving every client a notable experience, every time.

One way they accomplish this goal is through the crews they hire to handle each job. Certainly, every crew member is experienced and brings a valued skillset to the table. But even more impor-

tant is the attitude that comes with them. Nathan looks for people who believe in doing a job

right the first time – from Call the initial the consultation all theto way schedule through to the last momentsconsulta of the “Dr. Simmons is proud to offer Botox and Dermal Fillers. office your project.

“We offer a service that is easy to work with and that takes care of all the details,” said Nathan of his team members. “Hiring the right people creates the best atmosphere and experience for the client.”

Once a job is done, Nathan asks if every client would be willing to leave some feedback about their experience with Cutting Edge Painting. This allows them to not only pass on valuable feedback to their crew members, but also to build on their already sterling reputation within the community.

“It’s not another job, or another paycheck – it’s another relationship,” said Nathan of each new customer he meets.

It seems that community is another high priority for Cutting Edge Painting. This year, they will partner with a group in Clarkston called Peace of Thread – a non-profit group that teaches Continued on page 14

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.

• Porcelain Veneers • Teeth Whitening • Dental Bonding • Gum Recontouring • Dental Implants • All-Porcelain Crowns

BEFORE

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Compassionate Dentistry Our superior services can recapture the health, functionality, and youthful appearance of your natural smile. Our practice focuses on providing Before After long-lasting results and promoting overall dental health.

Hexcellent e a lt H y • B e a u t i f u l • i n s p i r e d Our Town Gwinnett

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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Dr. John W. Simmons, IV

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PAGE 5

We use the latest techniques and state-of-the-art technology to deliver a full suite of general and cosmetic dentistry services with a patient and friendly touch.

Our Town

Preventive Dentistry | Root Canals Crowns | Fillings | Teeth Whitening Veneers | Oral Surgery | Periodontal Disease

Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultZ.com

YOUR BEST SMILE STARTS HERE

Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultZ.com Editor Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultZ.com Cover Photographer Marcie Reif Photography

Drs. Vic Koehler, Beau Upshaw and Stewart Helton

770-466-0474 www.CreeksideDentistry.net 3238 KRISAM CREEK DR. • LOGANVILLE, GA 30052 Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry ADA,GDA, Hinman Dental Society

{

We want you to feel good about your visit. We place your concerns and needs above our own and focus everything on your well-being, happiness and comfort.

}

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 Terie Hansen Tanisha Turner Pam Walker

— An EndResultZ Media & Communications firm EndResultZ.com

Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett /Walton area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.

Entire contents copyright 2019 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

Stay Connected!

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IN THIS ISSUE 5 7 8 8 9 10

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On the Cover: On the Cutting Edge of Community From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion Learning Lessons: How to Make the Most of Story Time for Children Isn’t It Romantic Answers its Own Question: Yes, it is Romantic!

Getting to Know: Mending the Gap, Inc. Special Needs Siblings Supports Local Families While Reaching Out to the World 12 Gwinnett County Music Teachers Association Awards Cathy Thacker Their Top Prize 13 Gwinnett Medical Foundation Cornerstone Society Gala –The Community Breaks Bread Together 14 Community Member Spotlight: Meet Angelina Lemons 14 Health Matters: Tips for Busy Moms 15 Providence Christian Academy Builds a Tradition of Leadership and Service 16 Travel Tales: So Much Fun Close to Atlanta 16 Pet Perch: The Importance of Follow Through in Dog Training 17 Community Business Spotlight: Gwinnett School of Music 17 Making a Difference in Lives: Meet the Spake Family 19 Woman to Woman 20 Checkmate: Using Chess to Keep Senior Minds Sharp 21 Crane’s Corner: Addition, Not Subtraction Become an Advertising Partner: Email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or Call 678-825-2049 Our Town Gwinnett

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

Learning Lessons: How to Make the Most of Story Time for Children

Isn’t It Romantic Answers its Own Question: Yes, it is Romantic!

By Tanisha Turner

By Heidi Campbell

The value of reading with young children is well documented.

Beyond developing early language and literacy skills, reading increases children’s ability to understand the emotions of others – a critical life skill that leads to empathy and compassion.

Parents can help support the development of these skills by being intentional with story time. In addition to making reading together a regular routine in your household, consider these age-specific tips and book recommendations to make the most of story time during the first five years of your child’s life.

Before Birth: During pregnancy, reading establishes voice recognition and promotes cognitive development in babies.

The rhythm and melody of voices serve as the prenatal foundation for language. Choose rhythmic stories with cadence, warm tones or repetition – repetition leads to recognition! Primrose suggests: How Do I Love You? by Marion Dane Bauer, or Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. Birth – Age 1: Reading books should be a favorite bedtime activity at this age. With daily “tuck-in” stories and snuggling together at bedtime, infants begin to associate reading with comfort, warmth, and security. Sturdy board books with bright illustrations are easiest to handle and invite participation. Books with familiar subjects, such as babies and animals, resonate since babies respond to faces and eyes before other stimuli. Primrose suggests: Peek-a Who? by Nina Laden, or Counting Kisses by Karen Katz.

Ages 1 – 3: Reading a wide variety of stories helps toddlers build vocabulary and understand story sequencing. A sequence of events that is both interesting and understandable helps children identify with a book. Ask lots of questions, act silly, and try out different character voices to make reading dramatic and engaging. Vivid illustrations, along with rhyming and repetitive text, will encourage lively dialogue. Primrose suggests: Book! by Kristine O’Connell George, or From Head to Toe by Eric Carle.

Ages 4 – 5: Preschoolers should be encouraged to discover the magic of books for themselves.

Continued on page 19

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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PAGE 8

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Our Town Gwinnett

Getting to Know: Mending the Gap

By Pearl Aidoo Nine years ago, while working for the state of Georgia processing Medicaid and Food Stamp benefits for senior citizens, Fay Josephs noticed that the older adults she was serving were struggling to survive on their income, and the benefits they were receiving were barely helping them make ends meet. Although food stamps cover some food items, extra expenses such as transportation, items for personal hygiene, cleaning supplies, and basic necessities for daily living were not accounted for. Fay empathized with their struggle, and instead of shrugging the problem off as something that could not be fixed, she decided to do something about it. She began by taking small bags filled with toiletries and laundry detergents to some of the seniors she served, and when the opportunity to participate in a leadership program run by Gwinnett Coalition presented itself, she enrolled in the program and came full circle, equipped with the tools and knowledge on how to best help these seniors who were silently struggling with hunger, isolation, and neglect within our community.

Already serving the youth through Sister Circle, a nonprofit organization focused on teaching teenagers leadership skills, as well as inspiring them to give back to their community through visits to nursing homes and volunteering at senior centers, it was clear to Fay that these activities had to be connected under one umbrella. The elderly and the youth are both prone to isolation, homelessness, neglect, hunger, and abuse, and bridging the disconnect between these two groups would tap into an invaluable resource that could benefit both groups. Working together would promote an awareness of the elderly for the youth to enable them to learn and relate to the elderly with respect, dignity, love, and care, while the seniors would also thrive from feeling rejuvenated and engaged in activities, sharing their experiences, and imparting words of wisdom and encouragement to the youth. Thus the vision of how to best serve the two groups dear to her heart was born, laying the foundation for Mending the Gap, Inc., an intergenerational charitable organization.

Located at 52 Gwinnett Drive in Lawrenceville, Mending the Gap (MTG) is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization that assists seniors living in independent low income housing through the monthly delivery of food and other basic needs to their homes or places of residence. Fueled by the generous donations from sponsors and volunteers, MTG, which began in 2010 serving twenty-two seniors from a housing authority, has now grown to serve three hundred fifty plus seniors within our community.

Every second Saturday of the month, a personalized bag tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual is filled with fresh food items such as potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, fruit, eggs, breakfast items, canned or fresh meat, toiletries such as toilet paper, paper towels, disposable underwear, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, lotion, and cleaning supplies such as trash bags, disinfectant wipes, laundry detergent, etc., and are delivered to their homes.

Besides the provision of food and supplies, MTG acts like an extended family by being accessible, making calls to and taking calls from the seniors they serve, visiting them, celebrating holidays and birthdays, and simply honoring and serving them with love and dignity.

Through the adoption of a senior assisted living facility, the teenagers in the program spend time at these facilities engaging in social activities, chatting, playing games, painting, and creating pampering sessions for make-overs, massages, and a lot more. The relationship between these two groups promotes friendship, respect, and love.

Fay has always given back to the community, and when asked what inspires her, she lights up and says, “Being able to do something about something, and motivating others to give back gives me joy and motivates me. Mending the Gap is a testament of what God can do using ordinary people to do extraordinary things.�

Fay Josephs is the Founder and Executive Director of Mending the Gap Inc. More information at www.mending-the-gap.org

METRO ATLANTA

GCPS is Hiring Bus Drivers!

Join us for our Bus Driver Job Fair!

Applicants are required to have a good driving record and a high school diploma or GED.

When: April 13, 2019

Time: 8 am - 12 pm

Where:

Gwinnett County Public Schools J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center 437 Old Peachtree Road, NW - Building #200 Suwanee, GA 30024

Learn Steps to Become a School Bus Driver!

678-469-1599 | scottpressurewash@gmail.com Our Town Gwinnett

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PAGE 9

The Heart of What Matters

Special Needs Siblings Supports Local Families While Reaching Out to the World

By Kim Hill

Beverly D’Amico RN, MSN, GRS Life Coach & Grief Recovery Counselor TheHeartofWhatMatters.com 770-896-3871 TheHeartofWhatMatters@gmail.com

“The Voice of Business”

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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 native and Shiloh High School graduate, she has based the organization in Lilburn.

SNS is moving 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 people ask, “How are you?”

Jeniece has some grand dreams for SNS. She would like to provide funding to help parents offset the expenses of a special needs child, and she envisions an after-school program for students with mild to moderate disabilities who have “aged out” of normal daycare so their parents can continue working. She knows these types of programs are expensive, but realizes their importance and the value that it would bring to the community. The great thing, she says, is that people are listening. “For a while I used to think maybe I just haven’t found the right resources, but now I know I am creating a resource that wasn’t here before, and that’s a beautiful thing. And it’s scary,” she adds, “but it’s needed; so we just have to keep going and keep sharing what we’re doing.”

More information at https://specialneedssiblings.com/

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One Man’s Opinion Continued from page 7 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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Gwinnett County Music Teachers Association Awards Cathy Thacker Their Top Prize

By Heidi Campbell Cathy Thacker was named the Gwinnett County Music Teachers Association (GCMTA) Teacher of the Year. Thacker has been teaching piano for over twenty years, and has been very active in the GCMTA, serving as a member for the last sixteen years and as President from 2011-13, Treasurer from 2007-2011, and Music Day Chair from 2013-15. She has her own private piano studio in Snellville where she teaches close to fifty students, mostly from the Brookwood cluster. “When I won this award I was shocked and dumbfounded,” shared Thacker. “Our group has many fabulous teachers, and this is a high honor. My husband and two youngest kids came to the presentation, and I didn’t realize it until I stood up to receive the award! They knew a few weeks ahead of the event and kept the secret really well!”

Thacker grew up in Lima, Ohio where her father was a pastor and her mother was an elementary school teacher, so teaching was in her genes. She admits to being apprehensive about supporting herself as a piano teacher, so she got a degree in English Education from Bob Jones University while continuing to study piano all through college. In 2014, she became a nationally certified teacher of music in piano through the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). She said, “Earning the national certification required many hours of research projects and recorded performances of my students and me. Only approximately 15% of Georgia Music Teachers Association teachers have this distinction.”

Music is Thacker’s passion and her favorite piece to play is the Intermezzo in A, Op. 118, No.2 which she says is “a beautiful lyrical piece by Johannes Brahms.” She welcomes people to visit her website (cathythacker.com) to listen to a recording of her playing that selection. Her favorite composer is Beethoven. She feels that he “…forever changed the course of music by bridging the Classical period to the Romantic period in the world of classical music.” She believes in lifelong learning, and has been studying piano for over four years with David Watkins, an Continued on page 22

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Gwinnett Medical Foundation Cornerstone Society Gala –The Community Breaks Bread Together

By Beth Volpert-Johansen With any luck, a person can go through life not really needing the services of a hospital beyond that of birth. However, for most of the community, the necessity of a good emergency room, talented physicians, nurses, and a whole host of other medical professionals and staff is a reality. At some point just about everyone will need them. The Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation exists to ensure all those medical professionals are there when needed, with exactly what is needed for the surrounding community.

The Foundation’s website details their mission as “perpetuating our heritage of healing through the blessings and generosity of time, talent and treasure, we challenge ourselves to do even more towards our purpose of helping to improve and transform our community by providing quality healthcare, access to life-saving and life-improving technology, and accelerating learning and discovery.” With those words, the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation is in the middle of its largest fundraising campaign for the next generation of healthcare. It is their intent to raise and invest $30 million. To create the kind of synergy needed for the campaign, the foundation will build on the momentum created by past generations to fund five key areas: human performance improvement, clinical innovations and discovery, capital equipment and technology, recruiting and retaining talent, and legacy giving.

As with any fundraising endeavor, it is the hard work and dedication of the members who spend countless hours volunteering, raising funds, and personally giving to the society. Each winter, the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation hosts the Cornerstone Society Gala. The black-tie event is how the Foundation thanks donors who gave $1,000 or more during the previous calendar year. “This is a night where we have the opportunity to thank all those who have given so much to this community,” says Hospital President and CEO Phil Wolfe. “It is a night to celebrate, enjoy, and recharge for the tasks ahead.”

Celebrating the award winners was, as always, charged with emotion. Everyone seemed to have a personal story about how Gwinnett Medical Center had touched his or her life, but for the 2019 award recipients who were celebrated through touching video interviews with coworkers, family, and patients, the night was uniquely personal. Legacy Award winner Lisa Cink was honored by her children and husband Stewart Cink, who said, “She consistently shares her beliefs and love for people.” Greg and Tammy Shumate graciously accepted the honor of the Distinguished Service Award. Their daughter, Jordan, and son, Zach, were both featured in a video detailing the many ways their parents have impacted the lives of all around them. Dr. Carlton Buchanan was honored with the Physician Champion Award, and was in good company with Jay and Rekha Desai Compassionate Care Award winner, Pam Garrett. All award recipient videos were shown, loudly applauded, and then later posted to the GMCGiving.org website where the words and accolades of friends and family will live on to inspire future recipients.

The night was especially joyful for Foundation President Jason Chandler, who celebrated his 10th year spearheading the fundraising efforts. “The Foundation Staff made the most amazing video to look back on the last ten years,” says his wife, Monica. “Our hearts were happy upon hearing all the kind and funny stories about Jason.”

Among the attendees who have had a lasting impact on the county was Lawrenceville Mayor, Judy Jordan Johnson. Always one to smile and greet everyone with genuine affection, Johnson summed up the evening by saying, “It is a real joy to be here celebrating all of the good work that goes on at the hospital.” Joining her in the sentiment was Hospital Board Member and local author, LC Johnson who said, “These people work so hard all year to make sure the hospital has what it needs. It is important that we stop to break bread together, enjoy each other’s company, and relax for an evening.

To that end, the entertainment for the year was home-grown with Jeff Foxworthy on the stage to spin humorous tales about the very serious work of medicine. The crowd laughed as Foxworthy told his own personal stories of health in a way that was both real and funny all at once. In typical Foxworthy-style, the crowd was entertained from the minute he opened his mouth to his closing remarks. “Invest in people you will likely never meet,” he said. “Gwinnett Medical is an amazing place, and I thank you for doing what you do.” The echoes of the Gala audience were proof that laughter was, indeed, the best medicine that night.

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Cutting Edge of Community Continued from page 5 valuable job skills to women who have sought refuge in the United States. Cutting Edge Painting has offered their services and expertise to give the Peace of Thread office building some fresh paint and new gutters. These details and more will take care of some much-needed updates around the building, which, in turn, allows those running the non-profit to focus on serving the refugees in their care.

This isn’t the first time Cutting Edge Painting has teamed up with the community, and it certainly won’t be the last. Nathan says his company’s goal is always to find a way to better their neighborhood and help those in need, however they can.

“We want to give back!” he said. “We want to make our community even better.”

If you’re feeling inspired to learn more about this amazing company, you don’t have to go far.

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Mothers are the CEOs of the home. Organizing schedules, paying the bills, taking care of food shopping, managing pick-ups and drop-offs, and making sure everyone is healthy are just parts of the job. Unfortunately, because they are so busy taking care of others, many moms often put off taking care of themselves or scheduling their own health appointments. Making your health a priority can help you stay healthy and keep illnesses at bay. Here are a few tips to help: Sleep consistency: You harp on the kids about the importance of a good night’s sleep, but when it comes to your own sleep, it’s often the first thing that’s sacrificed. Sleep deprivation is common among moms for a variety of reasons. Make it a priority to get 7 or 8 hours of quality rest each night. Keeping the bedroom quiet, cool, dark, and free from the distractions of devices such as cell phones and tablets can help you relax and sleep.

Annual physicals: Just like with your kids, proactively seeing a doctor every year can help you tackle health issues head on rather than putting them off until they become a bigger problem.

During wellness visits, your doctor will use health indicators like weight, blood pressure, and heart rate to screen for common conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Doctors can then recommend treatments to help you stay healthy and feel your best.

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A talented young star is on the rise in Gwinnett County. Possessing a powerful singing voice that belies her twelve years, Angelina Lemons says as a young child growing up in foster care, she would just dance around and sing. After she was adopted at six years old, her older sister recognized her musical inclinations and encouraged their mom to put Angelina in piano lessons. The piano teacher’s mother was a vocal teacher, and Angelina subsequently began voice lessons, focusing on classical music and Broadway. She says she grew up in theatre – performing dance theatre, acting, and even directing.

Angelina lived these formative years in Florida, but in March 2018 the family came to Grayson. Angelina says at that point her music “dropped a little bit” because she wasn’t feeling the “Broadway vibe” anymore; it was not what she wanted to do. A few months after the move, she and her mom went to Grayson’s Christmas in July. While there they met Stacy Garguilo, who was hosting a booth because she and her husband Sean were getting ready to open the School of Rock in Snellville. Angelina’s mom encouraged her to sign up, but Angelina says she was stubborn at first and didn’t think it would “be for her” because she had not listened to rock music before. At her first lesson, though, she says she immediately fell in love with the vocal teacher, Lacy Mandigo. “Everyone here just kinda introduced me to the music,” she explains. “If it wasn’t for the school I wouldn’t be here. That’s pretty much how I got into this.”

“This” encompasses school participation in house band and performance group; mentoring younger singers in a class called Rock 101; teaching vocals to two of these students; taking guitar lessons; and performing in an independent band. She explains teaching is one of her favorite things to do because she remembers what she struggled with when she was learning and can share special voice techniques to help the kids improve. She spends three days a week at the school and admits between attending middle school, doing “lots and lots of homework,” and spending countless hours at School of Rock, she doesn’t have much free time, but she is okay with that.

She even manages to find some time for songwriting, though says she is not yet ready to share her songs publicly.

The performance group had its first concert recently at the Atmosphere Restaurant in Loganville. The band has fifteen players who rotate throughout the show, with everyone participating in the final number. Songs include both southern and hard rock hits like Barracuda, Fly by Night, She Talks to Angels, and Sweet Home Alabama. Rock 101 is their opening act. Angelina says the younger kids’ show is a little different and usually includes pop songs, which they enjoy and that are more suitable for their age group.

The independent band came about when a musician in the performance group, Connor Lawley, asked Angelina to do a Facebook Live performance with him. Angelina says after that, Continued on page 19

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Providence Christian Academy Builds a Tradition of Leadership and Service

By Kim Hill Adam Cantrell was a high school junior when Providence Christian Academy – founded by a group of parents whose vision was to establish a private Christian school in Gwinnett County – opened its doors in 1991.

He had no idea that he would return to the school one day to teach and coach and be part of the school’s decades-long story. Since opening twenty-seven years ago, Providence has grown to nearly 700 students in grades K-12, including a second high school location in Johns Creek. The school has built a reputation for combining a top-tiered academic program (including a nationally-recognized STEM program) with an intentional emphasis on spiritual growth and the preparation of students to lead and serve others.

Before spending nearly twenty years as a teacher and coach at Providence, Cantrell’s plan was to be a doctor. But during his sophomore year in college, his focus changed to veterinary medicine.

Unfortunately, his cumulative score fell short by 3 points to get into vet school. He was disappointed, but had been praying all along for God to guide his path. When he returned home from college, he found his younger brother’s baseball coach had quit in the middle of the season, and he reluctantly agreed to at least help at practice. “I went to one practice, and I was done,” he says.

“I loved it, loved coaching, loved every part of it.” From that point forward there hasn’t been a baseball season that he hasn’t coached.

Cantrell’s mindset now shifted to “what can I do to also coach?” He decided that teaching was probably the best idea, but initially thought he would become a community coach at his school.

Over time, the Lord changed his heart so teaching became all he really wanted to do. “Since then, it’s become incredibly clear that teaching is the deal,” he says. “I might have gotten into teaching because of baseball, but now I would give up baseball in a heartbeat to keep teaching. Teaching is what makes my blood flow every day.” He returned to Providence at age twenty-three to teach science, the subject that he studied and loved in college.

What he remembers about being a student at Providence is how much the teachers cared about him as an individual, and he tries to make the same impact on his students. Don Hart, who was one of Cantrell’s favorite teachers at his previous school, came to Providence during Cantrell’s senior year and was his teacher once again. “The impact he had on my life as a student has influenced me more than anybody else except for my father. I want to be for students what he was for me.”

Cantrell’s two children, AJ and Sazy, now attend Providence. “That was always the plan, from the time that I was a student,” he says. “I knew that I wanted my kids to have the same kind of opportunities that I had, at a school like this where people love them. You are free to make mistakes, but you are helped through those mistakes and are held accountable to being the best ‘you’ that you can be.” Cantrell’s wife is also a graduate who understands the value of Providence.

She volunteers on Wednesday mornings in the school chapel program, where she advises and leads a student prayer team. Cantrell says that the emphasis Providence places on each student’s relationship with Jesus and the way teachers try to build true bonding relationships with them is what makes it unique.

When Cantrell returned to Providence in 1999, he was the youngest baseball coach in the county and remained so for a number of years. “I don’t think I’m the youngest anymore,” he jokes, “but I am the longest tenured coach in Gwinnett County. I have been at my school longer than anyone else.” The Providence baseball team has made the playoffs fourteen of the nineteen years that Cantrell has coached, winning two region championships, the state runner-up in 2011, and the state championship in 2012. Over thirty players have gone on to play in college, and three players are currently playing professionally. This year three seniors have all signed to play in college. Cantrell currently serves as head of the Gwinnett Dugout Club along with Jed Hixson of Grayson High School. After the former head stepped down, Cantrell laughingly says he was put in charge because he left the meeting early to watch his son play baseball.

Communications director Stephen Daniels points out that Cantrell is one of many Providence alumni who have returned to be staff members, as well as being one of the next generation of parents. Daniels, who is also a graduate, has been on staff for six years and has three children who attend Providence. He says it has been fun to see the large number of graduates who want to come back to be involved in some way. “We all had a great experience at Providence, and we certainly want that for our children,” he explains. “To be able to work at a school that we love is really gratifying.”

More information at www.providencechristianacademy.org

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Travel Tales: So Much Fun Close to Atlanta

Pet Perch: The Importance of Follow Through in Dog Training

By Pam Walker

By Terie Hansen

Have you made your Spring Break plans yet? If you haven’t, then I have the perfect place that’s within a short drive from Atlanta. Just a short six hour drive down to the east coast of Florida, south of St. Augustine and a little north of Daytona, is laid back Palm Coast. There are great historic places, biking trails, kayaking, and boating opportunities. Or you can just lay on the beautiful pink beaches.

State Road A1A stretches nineteen miles from just south of St. Augustine to the quaint seaside town of Flagler Beach. There are lots of dunes and crossovers to get to the beach, and public areas to park your car complete with restrooms.

At the northernmost point of your drive is Marineland Dolphin Adventures, a division of the Georgia Aquarium.

Created as Marine Studios – the Hollywood of the East – in 1938, the aquarium was used to film everything from The Creature from the Black Lagoon to portions of Flicker to the recent Bernie the Dolphin series.

Today it is a wonderful training center for humans and our favorite sea creatures. You can see the oceanographers feeding dolphins, large gopher turtles, and the famous dolphins, and you can take an undersea tour where research is still going on.

Also, in Palm Coast, there is an amazing historical plantation. The Florida Agriculture Museum has several historic homes and an old country store on the site. There is also the Cracker Museum, which explains how cowboys “cracked” their whips and so were called crackers by the early homesteaders, thus the nickname for Floridians – Florida Crackers.

There are many other things to see and do in Palm Coast, and some great resorts to visit right on the ocean. Visit https://www.visitflagler.com/ for a list.

Oh, and by the way, you can bring your doggies too. Palm Coast is a dog friendly vacation spot for the entire family!

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor – pam@walkeradventures.com

When consulting with a prospective training client, I am often asked, “How much training will my dog need?” My answer, “That depends on many variables. Your dog, of course; but mostly on your consistency and follow through in applying the techniques you will be learning.”

Dog training isn’t rocket science. It’s knowing the dog, applying techniques repetitively, and being consistent in following through to make sure the dog does as asked 100% of the time. Oftentimes when meeting new clients, I observe them rattling off commands to their dog (often several times), and their dog does not execute the command and the owner does nothing. Of course, that is why I am there – to teach them how to have a dog that will listen. The problem, however, does not lie with the dog, but with the owner.

The answer very simply is, say what you mean and mean what you say. No negotiation (given it’s a known command). This is important when working with dogs because if you don’t follow through 100% of the time, you’re confusing your dog and not being fair either. If you are not consistent in making the dog do what you’ve asked, you’ll be the proud owner of a “Sometimes Dog” – sometimes they listen, sometimes they don’t – because sometimes you make them listen and sometimes you don’t!

We all make mistakes. Even highly trained bomb/drug sniffing dogs make mistakes. So even when you are 100% consistent in following through, there will be times when your dog doesn’t perform a command or task. This is not as important as what YOU do following that.

If I give my dog a known command such as sit/stay and she gets up, I do not repeat the command, I simply say “no” and take her back to the place of the stay. I am never angry or frustrated (I wouldn’t want someone mad at me for making a mistake). It’s just matter of fact. She must stay until released.

Bottom line – want a more consistent dog? Be consistent and follow through.

Terie Hansen is Owner at Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com

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By Our Town Staff The musical notes floating from the doors and windows of the Gwinnett School of Music have carried themselves from a strip shopping mall in Mountain Park to the unique building overlooking Lake Lucerne and on throughout the county since 1984. The far-reaching effects of those notes can be heard and seen in a few locations in Gwinnett County – each offering lessons, workshops and performances in music and dance, and growing well beyond the dreams of founder Kelly Bowlin’s first thoughts of a music store.

Bowlin graduated from the University of Georgia with a major in Guitar Performance. He quickly learned there were not a lot of opportunities for classical guitarists. However, there was a demand for teaching, and in 1984 Bowlin opened the Gwinnett School of Music. Soon the business side extended into a retail presence offering gear along with lessons. In the late 90s “the big box” stores moved into the Atlanta area, and the retail side of the business began to fade. In the long run, it worked out. “I’m not much of a gearhead anyway,” Bowlin states. “My natural inclination has always been towards education.”

The benefits of music education are beyond measure. Providing quality, real-life performance Continued on page 18

Making a Difference in Lives: Meet the Spake Family

By Emily Haney This past holiday season was better for one Gwinnett family. Robin and her sons, who have not had a permanent home in 13 years, moved into a fully furnished two-bedroom apartment right before Christmas. Everything for inside their new home came together in just nine days.

To make the family’s home a reality, There’s a Better Life for Everyone (TABLE) Ministries, a local nonprofit dedicated to aiding the homeless community where the family had been a client, connected with Boy Scout Troup 506, and S3 Sisterhood, a network group for businesses.

The different groups acquired everything needed for the family’s home and set it all up.

S3 Sisterhood provided the furniture, while the Boy Scouts acquired decorations and food in collaboration with the Flowers Crossing neighborhood. Troop 506’s efforts, led by Life Scouts Trevor Spake and Trey Frink, went beyond what the family needed. “There were board games and cards, and I donated my TV,” said Trey. “We had all this stuff to go along with what they needed. I wouldn’t want to come home from school without something to do, and we wanted to make sure they could play goldfish or something like that.” The apartment was also completed with Christmas decorations. “Seeing a tree around this time just brings your spirits up,” said Trevor. “The added touches are just as important as some of the other stuff, too.”

Everyone credits the final result of the apartment as a testament to their community. They would find donations left by their doors and garages when they returned home and even received around $500 in donations, although they did not ask for money. This led them to be able to purchase bedding and other essential items for the apartment. “It shows how good of a community we have,” said Trevor. “This brought all of us together. It helps our community and makes Continued on page 20

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Gwinnett School of Music Continued from page 17 opportunities is a huge step for students. “We started the original School of Rock in Gwinnett twenty-five years ago,” Bowlin says. “Our School of Rock students hold full concerts at places like The Hard Rock in Atlanta, Eddie Owen Presents, 37 Main, and festivals like the Duluth Fall Festival, the Rockin Rib Fest, St. Paddy’s Day in Lawrenceville, and many more.”

The additional locations propelled the Gwinnett School of Music into unique situations.

“Grayson was the next place we opened,” says Bowlin. The Grayson school is in the McConnell House, with the town’s circa 1900 stable in back. Today the barn, along with the old McConnell House in the front, doubles as an events venue. “It is a multi-use facility that also host weddings and other special events,” he adds.

In 2008 Gwinnett School of Music opened a third location in the Suwanee/Sugar Hill area.

When Bowlin heard that the City of Duluth was looking for something to go into the vacant Red Clay Theater, he kept his eye on it. “Later when I learned that Eddie Owen, of the famous Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, opened a new music venue there, and was thinking about opening a music school in the theater basement, I saw an opportunity for collaboration,” Bowlin recalls. The affiliation with the Foundry allowed the school to expand beyond private lessons and add workshops, many by the artists who perform on its stage. The workshops cover instrumental, songwriting, recording, improvisation, production, and more. All recitals are held on the Foundry stage, the area’s finest, which features some of the best regional, national, and international acts.

Following the success of the Red Clay Music Foundry location, it was no time at all before an opportunity to work with a studio in Lawrenceville led to the leasing of the Old Train Depot just off the Lawrenceville Square. “The Historic Train Depot has an 800 square foot room with smaller rooms suited for lessons,” says Bowlin. “I thought the 800 square foot room would make an awesome listening room. The city of Lawrenceville wanted to turn the area into an entertainment district, so I pitched the idea to them, and they loved it. Today, in addition to the music lessons, we have a concert series at the Train Depot with shows about every other weekend featuring soloists, duos, trios and bands.” Singer songwriters, Americana, Blues, Rock, and Country are all influences that can be seen at the Depot. There is something for everyone in an intimate setting.

Celebrating thirty-five years in the Gwinnett School of Music has brought things full circle for Kelly Bowlin and his company. Pushing forward into all areas of Gwinnett has been part of the dream. “With all these schools in a variety of locations,” Bowlin states, “we are able to offer quality music lessons and performance experiences to our students. We offer a variety of musical exposure, educating people from across the county in unique venue settings.”

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Woman to Woman

Learning Lessons: Continued from page 8

By Traci Sanders

Books can help young children understand their own feelings when characters face similar life events, so pick topics they may be curious about. Also introduce new genres and topics and more complex story structures for them to explore. Primrose suggests: The Red Book by Barbara Lehman, or A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom.

Parents also can help extend children’s learning during story time by following the READ acronym, which was developed by the teacher training arm of the Atlanta Speech School – the nation’s most comprehensive center for language and literacy: Repeat books three to five times. Discuss the story, characters, and new vocabulary in each book.

Engage in and enjoy reading, using different voices for the characters to bring each story to life.

Ask “why” questions, letting your child share his ideas about the story.

Do more with the book. Reinforce the story through related activities.

Tanisha Turner is Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway.

More information at www.PrimroseSugarloafParkway.com.

As a mother of three, who also operated a full-time child care business in my home for fourteen years, I endured the daily pressures of both societal labels: “stay-home mom” and “workaholic mom.” Various levels of negativity and judgement accompanied both roles. Perhaps this article will offer a different perspective and encourage an appreciation for all roles that women fill in our lives.

“Wash this, find that, help me, buy me, take me, fix me, bring me.”

And after all that you hear, “What’s for dinner?” Do these phrases mimic the scripts of your daily life? If so, you are not alone. Many women in America – regardless if they hold a job outside of the home or not – maintain the role of primary caretaker of their families.

Women are genetically charged to be the nurturers and givers. And while being a mom can be one of the most thankless jobs in existence, most mothers would attest that they wouldn’t give up that role for all the money or prestige in the world. This is not to say that these same women don’t also harbor occasional resentment or frustration within their roles, which usually stems from self-neglect.

Because women are givers by nature, they often experience guilt (whether self-inflicted or outwardly assigned by others) if they spend time or money on themselves. We women feel lazy if we sit down for a moment to catch a favorite television program. We feel unproductive if we haven’t crossed off most of our to-do items each day, and less worthy if our homes and daily lives don’t at least appear to be organized and clutter free.

How did we get to this place as women? Was it the introduction of women’s rights? Did all of America (women included) interpret that to mean because we are allowed the privilege to speak up for ourselves or vote that we must also be superheroes? Yes, we are allowed to work if we choose, but often the price we pay is enduring scrutiny for being a “workaholic,” essentially abandoning our children or not fulfilling our motherly duties if we aren’t able to keep a perfect home or be present for all of our children’s activities.

Then there is the other extreme end of the spectrum where working people (especially women) criticize those who choose to be stay-home moms as being “lazy or lacking ambition.” Either label can become a detriment to the self-valuation of women and create impossible standards to live up to.

Why can’t we appreciate both roles that women play? Why not support the stay-home mom’s choice to be more materially present in her children’s lives without making her feel like a secondclass citizen for not bringing home a paycheck? Instead of judging her, offer her a complimentary child care session to give her a much-needed break from baby talk (whether she feels she needs it or not) and allow her to return to her family as a well-rested, more compassionate mother.

In contrast, what gives anyone the right to label a working mom uncaring or materialistic? I say commend her for having the courage to penetrate a predominantly male identified work environment and stop refraining from inviting her to birthday parties or PTO fundraisers because you think she’s too “self-involved” to contribute. We women are so compassionate and considerate of our husbands and children and even other people’s children, but treat other women with a spirit of jealousy or competition.

Let’s give ourselves and each other a break from judgment!

Whether you are organizing the school bake sale, homeschooling your teenager, or leading a team of employees in changing the parental guidelines for children’s television, know that you are making very important contributions to society. Each of you, in your own unique way, is creating a more stimulating, comforting, safer, and healthier world for children. That’s what truly matters.

Angelina Lemons Continued from page 14 they just clicked and decided to create their own “little band.” They share the same birthday, March 22nd, so they named the band, appropriately enough, 322 Southbound. Connor also mentors the younger kids and Angelina says that he is her inspiration for playing guitar. “He’s an excellent guitar player; he’s just great!” They play country and southern rock (“He just has that twang to him’” she explains) and have developed a large following from their video postings on Facebook and Instagram, receiving many requests to perform.

While all “this” may seem like a young girl’s dream, Angelina admits to having other ambitions. “Growing up I have always wanted to work either in the medical field or for the FBI or police, something like that,” she says. “I never have wanted to grow up to be this famous rock star.” She quickly adds, “But I will definitely continue music!” Angelina points out that her private and public personalities are quite different. She does not bring up her music at school, where she is laid back and talks a lot, but at School of Rock, she is more professional and focuses on doing her best. “Before I got here I was moody and had so much attitude. I still have attitude,” she says, laughing, “but I was so negative. I look at videos of myself and I think, who is that? This has totally been a life changer for me.”

More information at https://www.facebook.com/pg/SchoolofRockSnellville/events , https://www.facebook.com/322_Southbound-352614525330455 and https://www.instagram.com/3_22_southbound/

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Meet the Spake Family Continued from page 17 everyone happier. It makes me happier.”

Giving back to the community is not new for Trevor or Trey. Each year, Trevor and his sister sell mistletoe door to door and donate the proceeds. This year they will be donating to TABLE Ministries in the hopes of helping another family. Trey donates some of his allowance and helped provide Christmas presents for a family. Helping others and developing leadership skills are what parents and scoutmasters want the boys to learn. “Everything is boy-led,” commented Trent Spake, Trevor’s father and scoutmaster. “We supervise and encourage them, but it’s all their work.

It’s cool to see young people making an impact.”

Trevor is considering focusing his upcoming Eagle Project on helping TABLE Ministries. He hopes to help more families feel safe and secure and to show them other people care about them.

Troop 506 and S3 Sisterhood hope to work with TABLE Ministries in the near future to help another family. As for Robin’s family, they’re enjoying their new home.

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 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 twentyfive 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.

Health Matters: Tips for Busy Moms Continued from page 14

PAGE 20

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Boost Nutrition: You meticulously pack your kids’ lunches, but when it comes to your own, you sometimes eat whatever you can grab. Eating well helps fuel the body and mind, so skip the junk and instead eat wholesome meals three times a day with healthy snacks in between. Stock the fridge and pantry with nutritious foods that are easy to eat on the go and always have nutrient-packed snacks, such as dried fruit or nuts. Meal planning can help everyone enjoy healthy homemade foods throughout the week.

These simple tips will help you prioritize your health as you take care of your family so you can feel your best today and in the future! You are the CEO of the home, and if you don’t take care of yourself, you cannot take care of your loved ones. (BPT)

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Our Town Gwinnett

Crane’s Corner: Addition, Not Subtraction

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 sharecropper 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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Cathy Thacker TOTY Continued from page 12 MTNA nationally certified master teacher in Atlanta, who is also a Professor Emeritus of piano at Kennesaw State University.

Thacker worked in several office settings after graduating from college. Once she got married and had her three children, she realized her desire to teach music lessons. “Being a mom showed me how rewarding working with young children could be,” she says, “and I have now been teaching music for over twenty years.”

Her goal as a music teacher is to help her students not only develop a lifelong love of music, but also to be the best pianists they can be. She works to help them develop their technique and their note-reading skills to their full potential, and encourages her kids to participate in as many musical endeavors as possible. Many of her students are involved with band, orchestra, and chorus. Thacker also works as an accompanist for band members who compete at Solo & Ensemble events and at flute recitals. Since 2016, she has also accompanied the choral groups at Alton C. Crews Middle School.

While many of her students stop taking lessons when they go off to college, Thacker loves hearing from them when they reach out to her on occasion. She gets great affirmation when she

hears that students ask for keyboards to take to college so that they can continue playing, or they decide to continue lessons after college for their own enjoyment. One student in particular made her truly feel that her life’s work has been worth it. This gentleman took lessons from Thacker all through his high school years. He wrote her a letter that she will never forget. In it, he said, “I want to say a few things that I’ve kept to myself ever since leaving your studio. I could not have asked for a better piano teacher. You put your heart and soul into teaching me and I’m so grateful for that… You’re probably wondering why I’m reaching out now, and to be honest I was sitting at a piano at my friend’s house and just started crying… because I realized that you gave me an incredible gift that I took for granted… I will always love the gift of music that you gave me.”

When she’s not teaching her lessons or practicing her craft, Thacker enjoys spending time with her husband, H.D. Thacker, whom she met in college. They enjoy time with their three children, who all graduated from Brookwood High School. Her two oldest children graduated from UGA and her youngest is currently a student there, so Thacker is “a Mom Dawg three times over!” Her passion for her work comes from her affection for kids and her love of music.

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