MARCH 2022 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
Our Town
Up Close with FASTSIGNS of Snellville, see story on page 5.
GWINNETT
Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker
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Before
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H e a lt H y • B e a u t i f u l • i n s p i r e d PAGE 2
John W. Simmons IV, DMD Robert J. French, DDS
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March 2022 Our Town Gwinnett
PAGE 3
We take pride in providing “pets” not just parrots to educated customers.
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Scan Me
PAGE 4
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On the Cover:
Bring Your Ideas to Life with FASTSIGNS of Snellville
By Kristen Eleveld
A good sign can make all the difference – especially if you have experts who can help you design it to be exactly what you need. And, lucky for Gwinnett citizens, those experts are right here in Snellville, at your local FASTSIGNS store. Almost ten years ago, Edward and Kareen MacFarlane decided to take a chance on opening their own FASTSIGNS franchise after learning about the company’s amazing culture and incredible opportunities for excellent customer service. Now, Edward and Kareen are not just in the sign business – they are in the people business, and they can help you with all of your visual marketing needs. “We don’t just do banners and yard signs. We can do anything!” said Edward, who has many years of experience in customer service. “We offer graphic design services, printed collateral, and all types of signs from vehicle magnets to vehicle wraps.” Those items are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the services that FASTSIGNS of Snellville provides. Everything from menu boards to directional signs to electrical signs is an option when you talk with Edward, Kareen, or their team. While FASTSIGNS of Snellville has been in business for nine years, the growth they’ve experienced far exceeds even their considerable tenure in the signage industry. Just three years ago, the company had to move to a bigger building to accommodate their growing services and client base. Now, the MacFarlane’s company has a conference room for client meetings, a large showroom, an expanded design area, sales and production offices, and a much larger production area that includes a flatbed printer, a router/finishing machine, and a vehicle bay for apply-
ing vehicle graphics indoors. Essentially, they have it all – and they want to use it to help their community. “We have continued to reinvest back into the company and community to bring everyone the best products and services available,” said Kareen, whose background in graphic design has made her a natural fit for this industry. “It has been a true blessing that in our first nine years we have been able to grow the business substantially.” Community is important to the MacFarlanes. In fact, it’s their main priority. Everything they do is in the name of giving the best of their expertise back to their own neighborhood. “It’s all about the relationship for us,” said Edward of their customer service philosophy. “You may walk in as a customer, but you will leave feeling like family.” If you need someone to help you bring your visual aids to life, you have found the right group. Edward and Kareen will not only make your vision a reality, but they will do it with a style and professionalism Continued on page 17
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Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
— An EndResultz Media Company EndResultz.com
Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett /NE DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyright 2022 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.
LOOK at dat sign!
Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultz.com
Photography Emil Powella Photography
Feature Writers K. Coats
Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultz.com
Distribution Coordinator Wendy Head
Kristen Eleveld
Editor Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultz.com
Marketing Coordinator Stefanie Wenninger
Jeremy Coleman Tana Poncsak Traci Sanders
Beth Volpert Johansen Contributing Writers Bill Crane Pam Walker
IN THIS ISSUE 5
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13 15 16 18 19 21 2180 Scenic Highway North | Snellville, Georgia 30078
678-395-5559 | www.fastsigns.com/621
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On the Cover: Bring Your Ideas to Life with FASTSIGNS of Snellville From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks Travel Tales: Do You Want to Travel? One Man’s Opinion: Let the Buck Stop Here Summer is Coming: Time to Think About Summer Camp Helping Those Who Help Others: Meet Latrina Walden Athlete, Teacher, Mom: How Joanna Atkins is Pursuing Her Passions A House Divided: Meet Dr. Michael Tolmich and Family One Man’s Opinion: Mental Help is on the Way! Community Celebration: Former Parkview High Football Player Jack Chambers One on One with Anita M. Lamar Calling All Girl Scouts for Camp Gwinnett! Community Connections Celebrates 20 Years
Stay Connected! OurTownGwinnett.com
OurTownGwinnettOnline.com @OurTownGwinnett @OurTownGwinnett @OurTownGwinnett
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From the Publisher:
ddie’s Automotive Automotive Service Service EEddie’s
Ryan’s Remarks
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By Ryan T. Sauers
770-381-7574 770-381-7574
@RyanTSauers
Here I am writing this column for March 2022, and I want you to consider a few things that began occurring over two years ago. February 25, 2020: CDC Says COVID-19 is Heading Toward Pandemic Status; March 6, 2020: 21 Passengers on California Cruise Ship Test Positive; March 11, 2020: WHO Declares COVID19 a Pandemic; March 13, 2020: President Declares COVID-19 a National Emergency (https://www.ajmc.com/ view/a-timeline-of-covid19-developments-in-2020) Wow. Okay, I will stop there. It is difficult for me, and I am sure for you, to read this and see these events were over two years ago. With that said, it seems like yesterday. This time period will be etched into our minds forever. For example, I first heard the term “pivot” regarding business in early March 2020 from a friend. I have since heard it thousands of times. We have likely experienced this pandemic in different ways. However, it is fair to say, we have all gone through a once-in-a-lifetime experience together. It has been tough, strange, weird, etc., to have so many things (even those trickle-down effect items) in a constant state of change. Continued on page 20
“Riding “Riding Into Into the the Sunset” Sunset”
Wanda Wanda and and I I love love this this community community and and will will miss miss the the day day toto day day interaction interactionwith withour ourcustomers customersand andfriends. friends.This Thisprobably probablyseems seemsall allofof aasudden suddenand andmaybe maybeshocking shockingtotosome, some,but butall allthings thingsmust mustcome cometoto an anend. end. Our Ourplan planwas wastotowork workfor foraafew fewmore moreyears, years,but butlooks lookslike likelife lifehas hasother other plans. plans.As Asmany manyofofyou youknow, know,we wedid didnot notclose closeduring duringany anyofofthe the pandemic. pandemic. That Thatalso alsomeans meansthat thatwe wehave havenot nothad hadany anytime timeoff offinin almost almost33years......I’m years......I’mkind kindofoftired. tired. AAcouple coupleofofmonths monthsago agoI Ilearned learnedthat thatthe thehip hipI Ihad hadreplaced replaced20+ 20+years years ago agoneeds needstotobe bereplaced replacedagain. again.I'm I'mnot notsure surewhen whenthat thatwill willhappen happenas as it’s it’sday daytotoday. day.I Iwas wastold toldI Iwill willbe bedown downfor foratatleast least22months. months.Our Ourkids kids have havegrown grownup upand andmoved movedacross acrossthe thecountry. country.Which Whichmeans meanswe we hardly hardlyget gettotosee seethem. them.Especially Especiallyover overthe thepast pasttwo twoyears. years. So, So,the thetime timehas hascome comefor forWanda Wandaand andI Itotoenter enterthe thenext nextchapter chapterofofour our lives livesand andwill willbe beretiring retiringlater laterthis thisyear. year.Wanda Wandaplans planstotostart startaablog blogso so we, we,(really (reallyshe), she),will willlet letyou youknow knowwhat whatMax, Max,Jett Jett and andus usare areup upto. to. We Wehave havebeen beentruly trulyblessed blessedby byall allofofyou youwho whohave havesupported supportedus usall all these theseyears. years.May MayGod Godbless blessyou youtoo. too.
March 2022 Our Town Gwinnett
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Springbreak Springbreakisisjust justaround aroundthe thecorner! corner! PAGE 7
Travel Tales: Do You Want to Travel? By Pam Walker
Join the group! In the travel industry history, seldom have we seen a rush to “get out of Dodge” like this one! The pandemic is slowing down, and people have been in their homes for two years. Now they want to work from a remote location or just want to get away. Anywhere will do. COVID restrictions have lessened all over the world, and now most countries have done away with pre-travel testing. Everyone is jumping on planes, trains, buses, and cars to go anywhere they can. Cities and states in the southern United States are besieged with people from the north and the west. People from California are willing to go anywhere to get away from the strict practices of their state. The weather recently hasn’t helped – except in Florida, where it is warm most of the time. So now, where to go? If you haven’t made plans yet, begin now! Planes are full just about everywhere, and airfares are high because of it. If you find an inexpensive airfare, grab it and go. Things are just going to go up from here. Hotels, too, are packed full! In certain places, some have not re-opened due to a lack of employees. In other places you have to order cleaning and fresh towels daily in advance. And here, too, prices are on the rise. It is great to see the world opening up again, but don’t leave your Continued on page 22
Dr.Cat McGinnis!
Where pets are treated like family!
One Man’s Opinion: Let the Buck Stop Here By Bill Crane
For several decades of my life, Buckhead was one of my favorite parts of Atlanta. The finest restaurants, the nightlife, and the shopping and entertainment districts were almost unparalleled in the southeast. However, the Buckhead that was in many ways is not the Buckhead of today. Like it or not, the City of Atlanta government did not cause many of the challenges that the community has been more recently experiencing. Random and increasingly violent crime rates are occurring across the nation. However, troubling patterns have developed more recently in Buckhead. The most beautiful houses in Atlanta, some say in the state, still line the streets of West Paces Ferry, Wieuca Road, Tuxedo Road, and the like, and the money flowing into and out of those homes and the Buckhead business/entertainment and retail district often show the highest disposable incomes in the state. That said, a new stand-up police department formed from creating a new “City of Buckhead” would not happen overnight and would not be likely to freeze or reverse those trends by itself. An unincorporated area, incorporating, becoming a municipality, and following state law in offering at least four required services is not cleaving or cherry-picking property or residents out of an existing municipality. That has been tried once previously when the gated community of Eagle’s Landing in Henry County had its eyes on cityhood. The problem was without jacking property taxes for their residents through the roof, they needed some retail, light industrial, and sales tax revenues to make their math work – submitting proposed maps for a City of Eagle’s Landing which would subtract about 20 percent of the land within the existing city of Stockbridge, Georgia, as well as capture roughly 40-50% of that city’s annual sales tax and hotel/motel tax revenues, as Stockbridge does not charge residential property taxes. Thankfully the voters of Stockbridge, and even in some precincts of the proposed Eagle’s Landing, saw a long list of unanswered questions. How would the existing bonded debt of the City of Stockbridge be divided and repaid? What about retired Stockbridge City employee pension and retirement benefit expenses? Stockbridge voters soundly defeated the proposal, 57% NO to 43% YES, in a universe of roughly 7,500 voters. Continued on page 17
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Summer is Coming: Time to Think About Summer Camp
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By Tana Poncsak
School will be out in the blink of an eye, and summer will be here. Moreover, if you haven’t secured your child’s summer camp plans, now is the time to get moving. In case you’re thinking about sending your child to camp for the first time, here are some things to think about as you’re looking for the perfect fit. • Consider the age of your child – Most sources say that the age of 8 or 9 is a good age for going away to a sleepaway camp, but many professionals also add that it depends on the child as well. As parents, we know our children best and can be the best judge when it comes to each individual child. But if you’re unsure, there are some signs to look for to know if your child is ready. According to the Camp Walt Whitman website, there are 7 Telltale Signs Your Child is Ready for Sleepaway Camp. The article points out that the ability to take care of their own personal hygiene, successful sleepovers, and the ability to successfully navigate new situations are all telltale signs your child might be ready. But if you don’t feel they’re ready yet or they don’t want to go to a sleepaway camp, a local day camp may be the better choice. • Consider the child’s interests – As you’re looking to send your child off on an adventure at summer camp, give thought to the things your child likes to do and where his or her interest lies. While one child might love a sports camp, the child who is interested in art or drama may not be happy at a soccer camp. And you’ll want your child to have a good experience, especially if it’s his or her first time at camp. The good news is, there are all types of camps for most every type of camper. A quick search on the Internet or asking friends and family can help parents find a camp to fit almost any interest. From sports, arts and crafts, science and academics, religious – you name it, there’s probably a camp for it. • Consider the cost. Camps can get pricy, depending on the type of camp and location. According to the American Camp Association, in June 2019, the average weekly cost of day camp was $199 to $800, while sleep away camps averaged $680 to $2,000 per week. • If you’re considering a camp for the first time, view the website thoroughly. Is it a well-put-together website? Read the online reviews and ask friends and family if they or anyone they know has had a personal experience with the camp. You’re looking for an unbiased opinion. And then consider speaking with the camp’s owner, manager, and perhaps a counselor or two to get a better feel for the camp overall. Are the counselors enthusiastic? • Know the camp’s emergency, COVID-19, safety, and other general policies and guidelines before dropping your camper off. Hopefully, with a little legwork and research up front, you’re less likely to get a “Hello Muddah…Hello Faddah” letter from your camper, and instead, he or she will have a summer camp adventure to remember. March 2022 Our Town Gwinnett
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Helping Those Who Help Others: Meet Latrina Walden By Traci Sanders As a double-board-certified nurse practitioner and a professor at a local university, Latrina Walden noticed some gaps in the teaching realm concerning nurse practitioners. Three years ago, she decided to fill that gap by developing a few signature programs and styles to address the application and retention piece she felt so many students were missing. Thus, the education company Latrina Walden Exam Solutions (LWES) was born. RNs who are in the process of completing Nurse Practitioner school and taking board exams such as AANP, AGNP, ANCC, and more can access Walden’s digital courses, workbooks, and private social community for resources and support. “Through these digital
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courses, I provide them with the blueprint on how to take care of their patients when they walk into the clinic,” Walden stated. “This, in turn, allows them to pass their board exams.” Through the platform Thinkific, LWES has been able to serve over 16,000 students, allowing Walden to build a support team so she can focus on what she loves most: creation and execution of her products and programs. “The challenge lately is strategically building a team,” she said. “Being remote has been a task in itself. As the business grows, I want all my employees to be in the right role with LWES. There is something to having in-person water cooler talks with your colleagues, and I do believe that my team is missing that key link.” Getting a program off the ground was no small feat. “The first year was a blur,” Walden explained. “I was still working full time as a professor and building my business with the help of two people and a freelance web developer. I would go to the clinic to see patients, go teach at the university, and then come home and work until midnight or later on my business. I worked on weekends and would turn around and do it all over again. Honestly, it was exhausting, and I often look back and wonder how I never had any breakdowns.” Walden’s business was initially built completely through word of mouth alongside social media. “Students would tell their classmates, faculty would tell their students, and the journey would continue on,” Walden added. Currently, her Facebook study group has over 15,000 members. Because Walden built her business completely online prior to the pandemic, 2020 brought some great numbers. “The pandemic granted people more time to study and focus, causing an influx in orders and interactions,” she said. “People wanted to purchase all of our products.” The one drawback Walden’s company faced was being challenged to keep up with the rapid growth. In 2021, she decided to hit the pause button in order to put a team in place to build the infrastructure for her business, resulting in an organization that would grow steadily and develop smoothly in the years in to come. The health and wellness industry has always played a huge part in Walden’s life. That’s why it made perfect sense for her to sign up to compete in the half Ironman recently. “The 70.3 Ironman is my first Ironman half-distance branded race,” she said. “It involves a 1.2-mile swim, 56 miles of biking, and running 13.1 miles consecutively until the end. I know I’m not ready for the full Ironman yet, so I am listening to my body and taking on the half Ironman instead.” Conditioning for this race has also trickled into Walden’s business and made her a better entrepreneur. “The more I can complete physically,” Walden explained, “the more mental strength I gain. Doing this level of training day in and day out, while being an entrepreneur, mother, and wife is a journey. These workouts allow me one to two hours of mental space where I can solely focus on my overall growth, physical and mental.” Even while training for the half Ironman, Walden is heading up the LWES process of developing more workbooks, product lines, and an entire study system to give nursing students exactly what they need to succeed and provide ultimate care for their patients. When asked what advice Walden would offer to an entrepreneur just getting started, she replied, “Be consistent in your business. Make sure you take time for yourself, whether that is working out or finding a therapist. You matter! In order to grow personally and professionally, you have to continue to work on these things regularly.” More information at https://www.latrinawaldenexamsolutions.com/.
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PAGE 11
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Athlete, Teacher, Mom: How Joanna Atkins is Pursuing Her Passions By Kristen Eleveld
When Joanna Atkins was ten years old, she brought home a flier with information on joining the school track and field team. Her parents signed her up, and the rest was history. While Joanna remembers some ups and downs on the track and field team, what she remembers most is loving the sport – and doing it well. In fact, her skill quickly gained the attention of the professional sports community, and Joanna soon found herself sponsored by Nike as she ran races like the pro athlete she had always been. But in 2016, everything changed. Joanna, who had just welcomed her son into the world the year before, was involved in a serious car accident. She sustained multiple injuries, including brain injuries that affected her memory and speech skills, and while she eventually recovered most of her abilities, her professional running career seemed to be over. Her athletic performance was affected by her injuries, and though she managed to make it through 2017 supporting herself and her son through the grants she received from her running days, she knew that she would have to make a change. “In 2018, it was time to come home,” said Joanna, who is a Georgia native. Once back home, Joanna had to decide her next steps. Having just finished earning her master’s degree in business administration, she thought about opening a daycare. Then a friend asked her if she had ever considered teaching. While teaching had never been part of Joanna’s plan, she soon found that, as a substitute teacher, she had as much natural talent and ability inside the classroom as she had on the track. “I discovered a second love in teaching,” said Joanna, who has been both a long-term sub at Shiloh Elementary School and a stellar sub at Tripp Elementary School. “Children are my passion and I want to serve them.” But just because she had become a substitute didn’t mean her running days were over. Before agreeing to take a long-term sub position at Shiloh, she told the administrative team that she was training to be part of Team USA, which was competing in Japan for the World Track and Field Championships. Teachers and staff at Shiloh fully supported Joanna’s goal, and, in 2019, Joanna officially became part of Team USA at the World Track and Field Championships. Team USA brought home a gold medal, and Joanna returned to Shiloh to teach again with new inspiration. “I want to show these kids that you can do whatever you want if you put your mind to it,” Joanna said. “I am a teacher, athlete, and mother – and they can do it, too.” With three World Championship gold medals under her belt, it’s easy to see why Joanna is so inspiring to her class. Calling her a “real life superhero,” her students are always excited to see videos of their teacher competing and constantly ask her questions about her races and wins. But Joanna doesn’t just focus on her successes. She is open with her kids about her struggles after her car accident because she wants them to know that everyone deals with something in life. But she also wants her kids to know that no struggle has to define them. Moving forward, Joanna plans to continue to pursue all of her passions in equal measure. As she begins the process of getting certified Continued on page 23
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A House Divided: Meet Dr. Michael Tolmich and Family By Kristen Eleveld
Every sports fan in the South knows two important things: first, choose your college teams carefully; and second, stand by those teams, no matter what. There are few competitions quite as fierce as the ones between college rivals. But for those of us in Gwinnett, there is an even bigger competition in our own backyard: the Brookwood Broncos and the Parkview Panthers. These high schools have long maintained a school rivalry, made even more exciting by the fact that the schools are practically neighbors. And for one local teacher, that rivalry is literally taking place on his home turf. For nine years, Dr. Michael Tolmich taught science and coached the varsity boys’ soccer team at Parkview High School. In 2015, Dr. Tolmich decided to pursue a different education-related career, and while he enjoyed his new job, he soon found he missed teaching in a classroom. Now, Dr. Tolmich is back behind the desk – but he is teaching at Brookwood High School instead. “It was a tough decision!” said Dr. Tolmich, who is celebrating twenty years of teaching this year. “But it does make life more interesting.” Not only did Dr. Tolmich teach at Parkview for years, but he made it a family affair. His wife, Karen, also teaches at Parkview, and his oldest son, Bradley, graduated from Parkview a few years ago. His youngest son, Matthew, currently attends Parkview and plays for the varsity soccer team. Needless to say, there are some scheduling conflicts to be resolved. But the Tolmich family takes it in stride, often teasing Dr. Tolmich about his connection to Brookwood. Managing a schedule for a family of two teachers and two active students would be difficult enough, but Dr. Tolmich also takes on the role of the girls’ varsity soccer coach, which keeps him busy for the soccer season. His son Matthew still plays soccer for Parkview, so Dr. Tolmich makes a point to see as many of his son’s games as possible. And while he still considers himself to be a major part of the Parkview community, he is also making ties on the Brookwood side as he gets to know more students, teachers, and players. Dr. Tolmich, a soccer player himself, finds that he is happiest at school when he gets to do what he loves: teach science. As the COVID19 pandemic sheds more and more light on what is expected from teachers each day, Dr. Tolmich and his colleagues continue to educate their students to the best of their ability – and they love it. “I just want to be able to teach,” said Dr. Tolmich. “To come here, do my job, and help these kids. It won’t be perfect every time. But we want to come here and do good by your children.” As the second half of the school year begins, Dr. Tolmich fully expects more good-natured teasing from his friends and family. But as long as he gets to teach and coach, he is ready to go. “It’s always been about getting in the classroom and being with the kids,” said Dr. Tolmich. “It’s never the same day twice, never boring – I just love interacting with the kids.” The soccer season is already upon us, and whether you are cheering on the Panthers or the Broncos, it’s safe to say you are probably cheering for a Tolmich.
March 2022 Our Town Gwinnett
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One Man’s Opinion: Mental Help is on the Way! By Bill Crane
As late as the 1960s, Central State Hospital in Milledgeville was the nation’s largest asylum/ sanitarium. At peak, the hospital was home to 40,000 patients, many there against their will, in multiple facilities across the 1,800-acre campus in Baldwin County, Georgia. During the 1970s and through the 1990s, the state and federal governments began a wholesale move away from institutionalizing the mentally ill. That is a good thing. Moreover, while Central State Hospital still exists on a much smaller scale, its mission has changed; yet mental health and mental illness problems have only grown, almost geometrically. During the recent pandemic, 2,036 Georgians lost their lives due to an overdose of painkillers and other narcotics, fueled by their addiction and other mental health challenges. Thousands of mentally ill still live in Georgia, though now “home” is most often found on the streets or in county jails and state prisons. And the resources to assist, support, treat, and hopefully return to productive lives are not likely to be found among the homeless, and Georgia’s sheriffs and prison wardens are also ill-equipped to deal with these concerns. Thankfully, it would appear that mental help IS FINALLY ON THE WAY. Georgia House Speaker David Ralston is championing and co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation to make significant improvements to mental health and mental illness spending in Georgia, as part of a seventy-four page House Bill 1013, the Mental Health Parity Act. This legislation incorporates more than fifty recommendations made by the Georgia Behavior Health Reform and Innovation Commission, including: • Requiring private insurers to provide coverage parity – Covering mental health, counseling, and addiction recovery services equal to that of physical health coverage • Significantly expanding funding for mental health beds – Adding capacity at county mental health clinics and crisis centers across Georgia
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Community Celebration: Former Parkview High Football Player Jack Chambers By Tana Poncsak
Jack Chambers might have played in his final football game on November 20, 2021, but the Parkview community along with many friends and family made it a game and a day that he and his family will never forget. As quarterback for the Charleston Southern University Buccaneers, Chambers suited up in Athens to play against the number one team in the nation, the University of Georgia (UGA). Was Chambers nervous? Not in the least. “For those big games there’s not much pressure at all because you have no expectations,” Chambers said. “But it’s a great experience to go out there in front of tons of people, something you’re not really used to coming from a smaller school. You just take it all in.” And Chambers had a lot to take in that day with the support of his friends and his family including his father, Bob, his mother, Rhonda, and his sister, Amanda, and extended family who traveled to watch Chambers in his last game. Even a former high school coach, Kurt Doehrman, made it to the game with his family, his newborn decked out in a jersey with Jack’s name and number – Chambers #8. Chambers started playing football at a young age in a Mountain Park Youth Football League, but he decided to call it quits when he was in the fifth grade.
“I took a long break,” Chambers said, citing that perhaps he was too small for the sport and that he didn’t want to play anymore. Chambers started playing baseball and he thought it would be his sport. But in the end, football was calling his name. Chambers answered when he picked up football again his sophomore year of high school. By the end of his junior year, Chambers realized football might be his path, and he got serious about playing in college by training and mastering his game. His hard work and effort paid off, and he went to school on a football scholarship. Chambers felt well prepared going from his football program in high school and on to play quarterback for Charleston Southern. “My program at Parkview was outstanding,” he said. “It definitely prepared me for the next level. Everything was so advanced – our workouts, our training facilities. So, I was ready for the next level.” For his final game, it was the community of friends, family, members of his mother’s Bible Study Group, and others, many who are UGA alumni, who helped to make the game day come together in a special way for Chambers and his family by holding a breakfast tailgate, making signs, finding extra tickets so extended family could take part in Jack’s final game and so much more. “That day was so overwhelming for me,” Rhonda Chambers said. “I cried from the beginning of the game until the end. It was just so much love from the community. It was amazing.” And Jack’s mother wasn’t the only family member moved by the events of that day. Even though the final score was 56 – 7 and another win for Georgia, it was a banner day for Chambers and his family. “It was just a special moment to see my family, my extended family, and all my friends come together to support me in my final game, especially against the number one team in the nation,” Chambers said. “They didn’t care we got whooped. They were so excited to celebrate me.” After earning his MBA and graduating from Charleston Southern University in December, Chambers said he’s open to business opportunities and looking for the right fit. And as for football, Chambers said he’s hanging up his jersey for now and looking forward to being a spectator of the sport. But after the outpouring of love and support, his last game is definitely a game and a day he’ll always remember.
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Let the Buck Stop Here Continued from page 8 And, thankfully, there is finally an organized voice of opposition to the Buckhead cityhood movement. The Atlanta business community is now rallying to defend Georgia’s Capital City if a bit late in the game. Recently, more than 100 of the largest property owners and developers in Buckhead began to realize what just might happen to their property tax assessments and tax rates in a new municipality, NOT subject to any of the development contracts, tax abatements, or other incentives meted out previously by the City of Atlanta. Those property owners are requesting that the Georgia General Assembly hit the “pause” button on consideration of a Buckhead cityhood referendum. Their collective properties pay roughly $54 million in property taxes annually to the City of Atlanta. If the General Assembly won’t pause the discussions, they are requesting to be drawn OUT of the proposed new city of Buckhead. These properties include major malls and much of the “golden goose” portions of the proposed municipality. And as a more practical matter, if our State Constitution is of any real concern, if affluent communities in almost any city can, in essence, break away, sub-divide, gate themselves off, and give no concern to financing the broader costs of public schools, existing infrastructure, bonded debt, pension, and retirement obligations, and ownership of commons assets (schools, parks, roads, and bridges), how will the bonding agencies treat Georgia’s highest possible ratings for future bonded debt? Or won’t the bonding ability of major cities across the nation come into question once this precedent is set? Moreover, Georgia already has a town of Buckhead, 65 miles east of Atlanta, not far off I-20. Now a sleepy hamlet of less than 200, it was once a bustling rail burg between Atlanta and Augusta. Though everything has a price, it does have its own Buckhead Post Office and
ZIP Code™; if they later sell those to this small group of rich folks in Atlanta, I hope they extract a pretty penny for them. Furthermore, if you consider yourself an Atlanta native as I do, I doubt a decade from now you want to be thinking about the Atlanta that was and what is left of an Atlanta then. It’s time for this Buck to stop here. Bill Crane is the owner of CSI Crane. More information at www. CSICrane.com
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One on One with Anita M. Lamar By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Our Town Gwinnett (OTG): Please tell our readers a little about yourself. Anita M. Lamar (AML): I am a native of Atlanta. I went to North Atlanta High School and I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of West Georgia. I attended Oklahoma City University for law school. I have been practicing in personal injury law for over ten years, and I specialize in assisting Georgia residents who have been injured in motor vehicle collisions, slip and falls, dog bites, or assaults. I am the founder and owner of Lamar Law Office, LLC in Tucker, Georgia. (OTG): What do you want our readers to know about you? AML: I’d like the readers to know that I am dedicated to going above and beyond for our clients. Our firm slogan “We Care” is sincere. We truly enjoy developing lifelong relationships with our clients and helping them through the stressful situations that can result from accidents and injuries. (OTG): Who were your mentors and role models? AML: There have been some important people in my life that have left a lasting impression on me. I had a professor in law school who offered guidance and inspired confidence in me at a time when I needed reassurance. I had a clerkship while in law school, and the owner of that practice introduced me to personal injury law. He was a great example of charity. He was very active in his community and donated to several charities, which has inspired me to do the same. Lastly, I worked for a firm before I went out on my own as an associate attorney. The owner of that practice taught me so much about the practice of law and about how to properly run a practice. I am thankful to have crossed paths with such wonderful people. (OTG): Describe some of the struggles you’ve encountered and how you overcame them. AML: Starting my own practice came with plenty of challenges and setbacks. I just persevered, remained relentless, and refused to give up. If I have learned anything, it is that you can survive and get through anything. The key is simply not to give up. (OTG): What are your favorite things to do? AML: I am passionate about being a personal injury attorney, but I realize the importance of maintaining a work/life balance. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading, and trying new restaurants. (OTG): What excites you? AML: I am excited about being in a position to mentor younger attorneys. I have had the pleasure of mentoring a few young women either as they began their journey into law school, or after they had recently become an attorney. It is exciting to help them and watch them grow as they navigate these new chapters in their lives. (OTG): How do you give back to your community? AML: Community service is very important to me. I grew up with humble beginnings and promised myself that after I became a licensed attorney, I would take every opportunity to give back to my community. Through my law practice, we sponsor a lot of wonderful charities including WellRoot Family Services, 10,000 Fearless, and local church programs. Every holiday season we also sponsor several families with Christmas gifts and Thanksgiving dinners. We are looking forward to events we have planned for later in 2022 including a back-to-school drive and teacher appreciation event. More information at https://www.atlantalegalcare.com/
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Calling All Girl Scouts for Camp Gwinnett! By Kristen Eleveld
Spring is here and that means one thing: it’s camping season. And for many local Girl Scout troops, that also means it’s time to start gearing up for Camp Gwinnett, an annual outdoor oneday camp designed to teach Girl Scouts useful outdoor skills. But while many adult leaders will be on hand to supervise, this isn’t your ordinary camp, because it is the older girls who will teach the younger ones, leading them into the next steps of their Girl Scout Journey. For the last twelve years, Camp Gwinnett in Tribble Mill Park has served as a staple for the Girl Scout community, offering girls in all stages of troop life the opportunity to gain important outdoor skills. Run by the Camp Gwinnett committee, the day is devoted to learning things like outdoor camping, archery, building a fire, cooking outdoors, leaf tracing, and some fun games that everyone will enjoy. And, of course, everyone gets to make a s’more. In order to teach and facilitate the outdoor skills learned during the day, Camp Gwinnett asks individual troops to sponsor booths that are designed to teach a certain skill. One booth may be focused on geocaching, while another helps girls identify different types of local wildlife, while still another may work to educate each scout on trail safety. Each booth has a unique approach to helping everyone walk away learning a little more than they knew when they
arrived. If you’re not a Girl Scout but are interested in joining, the Camp Gwinnett committee encourages you to check out this event. It’s a great way to preview what Girl Scouts are all about: girls teaching girls important life skills, along with making some great friends along the way. Local community businesses are also getting in on the fun, sponsoring events and activities and offering resources to make this day unforgettable. You will probably recognize some of your favorite places, like Tree Top Quest, REI, Sierra Club, and countless others. The Camp Gwinnett committee also plays a huge role in the success of the event. Council members Kathy Lewis, Martha Whitman, Laurie Zeisel, Pamela Poston, Christine Townsend, Kerri Crean, and Cyndi Davis have worked hard for months to ensure that Camp Gwinnett is the perfect mix of education, fun, and adventure. Camp Gwinnett will take place on Sunday, April 24th! Early registration for the event ends on March 17th, so be sure to sign your girls up before that day. But if you miss the deadline, there’s still a chance to attend, so don’t let that stop you from enjoying this amazing camp. If you have questions, just email campgwinnett@ gmail.com or find them on Facebook to learn just how exciting this camp will be for your Girl Scout. For those Girl Scouts who are Cadettes and older, register now to learn about even more opportunities for you to enjoy at Camp Gwinnett. More information at https://campgwinnett. weebly.com/
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Ryan’s Remarks Continued from page 7 We are approaching the spring season and warmer weather. This means longer daylight hours and more fun. So, hang in there folks as I predict we are all going to have a great spring and summer of 2022. Also, I may not know you directly, but your feedback and encouragement to me (directly or indirectly) is greatly appreciated. Your support helps me remain optimistic and encouraging in writing these columns and on radio, TV, podcast shows, etc. Iron (indeed) sharpens iron. Let me encourage us all to take a moment and reflect on the past two years. It has been tough. Unprecedented. Frustrating. Confusing. Overwhelming. Unknown, etc. Quite frankly, there are no real words that are good enough to encompass or describe
how historians will define this period of time. However, I can see the finish line, and, man, I want to be there bad. I know you do, too. So, let us continue to give each other the benefit of the doubt, love more, listen better, judge less, care more, smile, and be patient. Someone I was interviewing said it best: BE KIND. We all need to be loved and told it will be okay. IT WILL. This, too, SHALL pass. Trust me, I do not profess to have mastered all these things, and I work on them each day. And please know, we can only control what we can control. So, control the controllables. To all my family, friends, colleagues, and this community, you are the best. Your support and partnership mean more than I can ever tell you. I wish all of you the best, and thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!
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Community Connections Celebrates 20 Years By Traci Sanders
In March 2022 Community Connections will celebrate twenty years of helping place local children in loving foster homes, with some eventually moving on to being adopted into their forever homes. Executive Director Karen Jackson co-founded and established Community Connections in 2002, having extensive experience in the child welfare realm since 1994. Community Connections serves as the middleman between the Division of Family and Children Services and individual foster homes where children are placed. The mission of Community Connections is to support Georgia’s children in foster care by providing comprehensive services and transformative partnerships with families and the larger community. I recently spoke to Emily Stone, Community Engagement Specialist with Community Connections, who shared that they have forty-three certified homes in their network and fifty-eight kids have currently been placed in loving environments. The website houses multiple stories and pictures of children being fostered and adopted through their services. “We are also very proud of the fact that although we serve all children in foster care,” Emily Stone said, “we often place children in foster care with medically fragile needs such as g-tubes, prosthetic limbs, wheelchair mobility, and more. Our vision is for children to thrive in safe and healthy family environments.” Applicants for foster parenting must live in the Metro-Atlanta area, be at least 25 years of age, be financially self-sufficient, pass criminal background checks through CPS, have references available, and complete a medical evaluation and drug screen. More information can be Continued on page 22
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Travel Tales Continued from page 8
Community Connections Continued from page 21
plans till the last minute, or you may be shut out completely. While some airfares are in the $200 to $300 range domestically, it will just be for a day or two until the flight fills up. Then the “giant computer in the cloud” will juggle everything around so that the airlines don’t lose any money. Up go the fares! It is also difficult at this time to find a decent hotel room for under $350 per night, especially if it is in a great location with great views. That is here in the USA. But in Europe, you will be lucky to find accommodations under 500 Euros per night (approximately $550 in US dollars). So if you are ready to go, start your planning now! Ask your favorite travel advisor to help you to get the best of everything. They know where to look to help you with a wonderful get away from home! Pam Walker is a Virtuoso travel advisor. More information at pam@walkeradventures.com
found on their website. Currently, Community Connections has sixteen staff members on board. They also house the Closet Connection inside their corporate office where their foster families can shop for gently used donated items for no charge and are encouraged to take as much as they need. Community Connections also partners with volunteers from Side by Side Clubhouse, an organization that services families of traumatic brain injuries. Community Connections will celebrate this twenty-year milestone with a fundraiser with their staff, foster families, volunteers, and the community. Every child deserves a safe and loving environment, and Community Connections is doing their part to make that happen. More information at https://www.c-connections.com/.
“It’s time to REDISCOVER Lilburn.” New revitalization efforts continue to enhance downtown Lilburn. City Park has become a central location for special events, food, entertainment and simply outdoor fun. We have much to look forward to with the addition of a new restaurant, brewery, marketplace, expanded parking and more. Now is the perfect time to “Rediscover Lilburn”!
www.cityoflilburn.com City of Lilburn
PAGE 22
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Mental Help is on the Way Continued from page 15 • Increasing the number and availability of child psychiatrists – Currently, only 8 per 100,000 children • Additional training for law enforcement and first responders – To identify, treat, and refer for services mentally ill or people in crisis during the response to a 911 call • Restore authority for commitment to community-based organizations – To seek involuntary commitment for individuals needing extensive and ongoing treatment via a probate court judge • Raising pay and advancing recruitment for mental health staff and professionals – The loss of 3,837 state mental health employees during the past two years meant 185 psychiatric beds could not be filled due to lack of staffing “There is no issue – and I want to be very clear – there is no issue this session more important to me than this issue. I am tired of telling desperate, hurting families that we have no treatment options available in Georgia. I am tired of looking in the faces of mothers who have lost a child because they saw no hope, and I’m tired of seeing the faces of those whose downward spiral has been fed by substance abuse,” said Speaker Ralston (a bill co-sponsor) at a press conference announcing the filing of House Bill 1013. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has already announced his support for the bill. State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (District 82, Decatur/Druid Hills) is a Democratic co-sponsor, the only House Democrat who chairs a committee, and a longtime advocate for expanding mental health services. She will be further rallying support on her side of the aisle. This expansion of Georgia health care services is part of what Speaker Ralston and his GOP Caucus refer to increasingly as Georgia’s “culture of life,” including: • Preferring adoption over abortion • Increasing funding to reduce Maternal mortality rates
• Expanding maternity/paternity leave time for state government employees These significant public health and public safety challenges did not arrive overnight, and they will not be solved in one session or single omnibus bill. But, this IS a major step in the right direction, and a tip of the hat and thanks is due to House Speaker David Ralston as well as the bill’s many supporters and co-sponsors. Thus, after many decades of darkness, some light and Mental Help is on the way. Bill Crane is the owner of CSI Crane. More information at www. CSICrane.com
Athlete, Teacher, Mom Continued from page 12 as a Georgia teacher, she is also training for the next Track and Field World Championships, scheduled to take place next year in Eugene, Oregon. “I don’t do things unless I am passionate about them,” said Joanna. “I’m either all in or all out. It’s all I know.” Indeed, Joanna only gives 100% all of the time, whether she is crossing the finish line on the track or inspiring her students to work hard and try their best. Aside from helping her students succeed academically, Joanna is also dedicated to developing the social and emotional health of her kids. She works with them on processing emotions and making wise choices, and she believes in giving every child a chance to be his or her best self in her classroom. “Teaching isn’t just academic,” Joanna said. “Teaching is emotional. Some of these kids have dealt with a lot in their lives. I want to help them learn how to handle it.” All of Gwinnett will be cheering for Joanna as she trains to take her place in the championships next year – including the students and families she has impacted so greatly.
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