MARCH 2023: (GREEN) Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Monthly Magazine

On the Cover: Celebrating Life with Eternal Hills Funeral Home

By Kristen Eleveld

Losing a loved one is never easy. And when we experience a loss, we want to ensure that we remember our loved one in the best way possible. Figuring out how to make that happen in the midst of mourning can be difficult, but that’s where the team at Eternal Hills Funeral Home in Snellville stands ready to help.

Lead by Funeral Director and General Manager Gregory Williams, the staff at Eternal Hills dedicates themselves to giving you all the resources you need and more to ensure that your loved one’s life is remembered and celebrated exactly as you hoped it would be.

“Our main goal is not to say no to a family’s request,” said Gregory, who has been in this business for twenty years. “If a family has a request, we do everything in our power to explore every avenue and make sure every option is exhausted in order to make it happen.”

This personalized approach to creating a celebration or funeral service for a loved one is one of the ways that Eternal Hills, which is part of the Dignity Memorial network, has created an environment that perfectly blends compassion, understanding, and dedication to excellent client care. The first thing Gregory and his team do is ask each family to tell them about their loved one’s life, loves, favorite things, and legacy – anything that they want others to know and remember. Then the event plan-

ner uses that information to set up vignettes during the funeral service and in the reception room.

“It’s basically a visual obituary of the individual – it takes personalization to the next level,” said Gregory. “We also provide keepsakes for loved ones to help them remember their loved one going forward. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate a life and remember what was most loved about a person.”

This personalized approach is not the only way that Eternal Hills stands out. Being part of the largest funeral home network in the world means Eternal Hills has a lot of resources to offer each and every family

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Publisher/Owner

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Creative Director

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Editor

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Cover Story

Feature Writer

Kristen Eleveld

Feature Writers

Victoria R. Crosby

Tana Poncsak

Traci Sanders

Beth Volpert Johansen

Contributing Writers

Jane Bishop

Bill Crane

Terie Hansen

Tanisha Turner

Pam Walker

H. Darrell Watson

Ryan’s Remarks

By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers

I am writing this column for March 2023, and I would be grateful if you could consider a few things that began occurring over three 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 COVID-19 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 that these events were over three years ago. That said, it seems they were both yesterday and a lifetime ago. This time will be etched into our minds forever. On a personal note, I finished my doctoral studies during the pandemic, defended my dissertation, and obtained my doctorate in leadership in late 2022. I was determined to stay focused on things I could control and to “control the controllables.”

In early March 2020, I first heard the term “pivot” from a friend regarding changes needed in business to be successful. I have since heard the term pivot thousands of times. However, it is funny that this study area is part of my dissertation. We likely all experienced the 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. Some might say… exhausting!

We are approaching the spring season and warmer weather. This means longer daylight hours and more fun. I predict we will all have a great spring and summer of 2023. Also, I may not know you directly, but your feedback and encouragement to me (directly or indirectly) are greatly appreciated. Your support helps me remain optimistic and encouraging in writing these columns, magazines, speaking, radio, TV, podcast shows, etc. Iron (indeed) sharpens iron.

Let me encourage us all to take a moment and reflect on the past three years so we can appreciate where we are now. It has been Tough. Unprecedented. Frustrating. Confusing. Overwhelming. Unknown, etc. Quite frankly, no words are good enough to encompass or describe how

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R.U.T. – A Word for Your Day

By Jane Bishop

How do you know if you are in a R.U.T.? I like to define R.U.T. as Reinforcing Unrealistic Thoughts.

As Albert Einstein said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over in the same way and expecting different results.”

When we are in a R.U.T., we are on the same trajectory and yet we unrealistically think that we’ll eventually receive different results. So, what do you do when you’re in a R.U.T.?

When I find myself in a R.U.T., I usually turn to my “Talk to The Hand: Five A’s” method.

1. Become very AWARE.

Recognize the R.U.T. that you are in and acknowledge the reality.

2. ASSESS the situation. When I know I’m getting into a R.U.T., I often get bored and restless. I must ask myself, “Is this a R.U.T. or is it a necessary routine?”

3. ASK yourself what resources are available to get you out of your

Fielding Life’s Curve Balls

By Bill Crane

Though admittedly, I have led a somewhat blessed life and have so much to be grateful for each day, I was not unhappy to say goodbye to 2022.

We lost our mother and grandmother/great-grandmother, Lynn Crane, and witnessed other close friends and family suffer similar losses due to age and mortality, long Covid, or other ailments. The business had an incredible year, and I got to suffer through an interesting 15 minutes of fame, departing from a part-time gig that I really enjoyed. Health challenges came to many in my immediate circle, including my first-born daughter, Barclay Carson, as well as her twin Mighty Mites, and their household, which seemingly faced down nearly every viral infection that vaccinated toddlers might expect.

And yet, through almost all that, with only the occasional sighs of fatigue, Barclay soldiered on through it all with a smile and warm heart. She reminded me again, as I am sharing with you today, the great importance of attitude and gratitude in surmounting life’s numerous challenges.

We all have acquaintances, friends, and family who have real trouble fielding life’s curve balls. Some sink into despair, depression, addiction, and worse. It is also incumbent upon each of us to be there for them. Though some of the stigma is finally fading around issues of mental health, and there is actually a new 24-hour mental crisis prevention hotline, 9-8-8, many may still be overwhelmed by a sudden hostile turn of events.

I am speaking of the damage that can be wrought by an unexpected divorce, loss of a job, or sudden death of a partner or family member. Having attempted to be there for friends and family experiencing

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R.U.T. – perhaps an accountability partner or take a class. Whatever it may be, analyze the best option for you and see what is feasible for your situation.

4. ALIGN yourself with what you decide is best. Maybe this R.U.T. snuck up on you and came out of nowhere. When unpredictable things happen, it is important to realign yourself with what you’re trying to accomplish.

5. Take ACTION. After practicing the other four A’s, it is now time to put all that to work and pull yourself out of that R.U.T!

If you’ve been counting these five on your hand, you’ll notice your hand has opened up to show your palm. Take a look at your palm and notice that all your fingers are connected and held up so that you can function properly. With your palm wide open, there is one more A to add to the list: ACCOUNTABILITY. We all need accountability, whether we are self-disciplined to hold ourselves accountable or whether we need an outside resource. Create an accountability plan for yourself that can be your go-to next time you’re in a R.U.T. As a coach, that’s one of the benefits I offer, or any other coach offers. Not only are we your encourager and supporter, we are also steady accountability partners.

Today, I challenge you to do a R.U.T. audit. Are you Reinforcing Unrealistic Thoughts? If you are headed down a path or trajectory and are not able to accomplish it, this may be an indicator that you are in a R.U.T. Practice these five A’s, with accountability, to help you shift from Reinforcing Unrealistic Thoughts to Realistic Planning.

More information at www.janebishop.live

Insurance Matters: Know What Your Deductibles Are

By H. Darrell Watson

Because life changes, it is my goal to meet with my clients every 12 to 18 months. This meeting is called an Insurance and Financial Review (IFR). During the IFR, we go over every aspect of their policies. On the auto policies, we go over the liability limits, the comprehensive and collision coverages and their deductibles, and uninsured motorist. When reviewing the homeowner’s policy, we go over the value of the house, any riders they may have, and last but not least, their homeowner’s deductible.

During a recent IFR with a client, we were shocked to learn that their homeowner’s deductible was at 5%. “Five percent of what?” you may ask. It was 5% of the value of their house! In their case, it put their deductible in excess of $20,000. What that means is that if a storm were to destroy their roof, they would pay the first $20,000, and their insurer would pay the rest to repair or replace the roof. In essence, they had no coverage for such a circumstance. Years ago, before I was their agent, they had put the deductible at this level to reduce the cost of the insurance premium. Some unethical agents may even set the deductible at that level to get the price down to make a sale without the knowledge or consent of the client. Fortunately, because they had not had any claims, we were able to reduce their deductible to a more reasonable and affordable option.

So, what is the lesson to be learned from this story? Know what your deductibles are. Know what your comprehensive and collision deductibles are on your auto policy. And for sure, know what your deductible is on your homeowner’s policy. Though meeting with your insurance agent is a little less taxing than going to the dentist, it is worth your time to know what your deductibles are!

For more information please call 770-910-3399

Learning Lessons: How to Bring Out the Natural Scientist in Your Baby or Toddler

By Tanisha Turner

The early years of a child’s life are consumed by a desire to explore and experiment with objects. Wellknown developmental psychologist Jean Piaget fittingly called young children “natural scientists” because of this inclination. By tapping into children’s tendency to explore and discover, parents, teachers, and other adults in children’s lives can actually help nurture and extend their learning.

From the moment babies enter the world, their curiosity sparks a need to observe and classify objects and actions. Their brains actually change as a result of the new things they learn. As children continue to grow and explore, new discoveries help them enrich, modify, reorganize – and sometimes replace – their initial theories with quite different ideas. This type of hands-on learning explains why a child may scrutinize a new object in an effort to figure out how it works, or experiment with sound and movement as she learns how to use her body to communicate.

“Children need safe environments where they can experiment freely and take risks without the fear of being told, ‘That’s not how you’re supposed to do that,’” says Tanisha Turner, Franchise Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway. “When we support children’s natural tendency to try things out, we are cheering them on to discover and tackle new challenges creatively. This is an important step in helping them build determination and confidence in their own abilities.”

Adults can encourage infants and toddlers to explore and learn in simple and fun ways. Primrose recommends the following activities to bring out the natural scientist in young children:

• Give your baby colorful, safe objects that he can examine by looking, feeling, tasting, and smelling.

• Talk to your baby, providing a play-by-play of everything he does. This commentary helps babies organize and understand what’s around them.

• Fill a large shallow bowl with water and provide your infant with simple scooping tools for endless exploration and fun. You can do this in the bathtub as well.

• Fill a large bowl or shallow tub with dry beans, rice, or sand. Your child will enjoy sifting this material through his fingers, picking it up, and pouring it out. Be sure to keep a close eye on your little one to make sure he doesn’t try to eat any of it. Some dried beans can be a choking hazard for children.

• Make “cloud dough” with flour and cooking oil (8 parts flour to 1 part oil). It feels powdery like flour one moment and then moldable like damp sand the next. It’s easy to make and the unique texture will amuse your child to no end. Learning through play and exploration allows young children to investigate topics that interest them in more depth. And, offering safe and supportive environments for little ones to explore in helps them develop into well-rounded, creative learners. Create opportunities for your child to experiment with new objects, textures, or other phenomena on a regular basis. The crib, playroom, bathtub, and backyard are all excellent laboratories for young children!

Tanisha Turner is the Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway. More information at www.PrimroseSugarloafParkway.com or call 770-513-0066.

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Getting to Know: Scribblers Christian Writers Club

By Tana Poncsak

Are you a reader looking for some great books or a writer looking for a great writing community and resources to help get your works published? Either way, Scribblers Christian Writers Club may be a place for you.

Charles de Andrade started the community in 2015 when he and two other writers got together to swap ideas about writing and publishing. The other two writers have since moved on from the group, but de Andrade has not only stayed the course, but he also continues to lead the community that now has thirty-two published authors with about ninety-five published titles as of December 2022, and overall, around fifty committed members. Another 250 people have signed up for the community’s newsletter.

“It was amazing how many Christian writers there were either thinking about being published or had been published and needed a group of folks of like minds to talk to,” de Andrade said.

For de Andrade, the community is a ministry.

“It’s a nonprofit, but it’s where I pour my spare time,” he said. “It’s neat to give a place where Christian authors have a voice.”

While some, including de Andrade, are overtly Christian writers, he said the rule is you don’t have to be an overtly Christian writer to join the community. You just can’t be anti-Christian.

Over time, Scribblers has evolved from being a place where authors could just talk with a group of other writers to a community that also offers several resources such as editors, narrators, illustrators, and more to help both novice and professional writers on their publishing journey. And there are other benefits, too – like attending events as a group to split the cost, making events such as book festivals more cost effective for the individuals.

For readers there’s an online bookstore offering many titles in different genres from children’s books, historical books, and more.

One of the group’s biggest challenge is spreading the word about community and making people aware of the selection of books they have to offer on the Scribbler’s website.

“It’s turned into a real group of folks that help one another get their works published,” de Andrade said. “And we have an amazing collection of genres, especially if people are looking for children’s books and historical books, some with local relevance. We also have crime and murder mysteries. It’s such a broad base of different types of writing.”

For writers today, de Andrade said the barrier to entry into publishing is the lowest it’s been.

“If you have a story to tell, you can get it out there and at a relatively low investment,” he said.

But with the ease of publishing comes the challenge of marketing.

“Marketing is the most difficult part of being a writer,” de Andrade said. “It’s time consuming and can be costly. Everyone would like to take your money, so you have to be very careful with what you do.”

His advice is to figure out what you can afford and make sure you don’t put your book out there until it’s ready.

Tying all the pieces together to help writers get their books out is an important part of what Scribblers is all about, and de Andrade said it’s a great encouragement to see the works that are coming from the community of authors.

“God’s providence never ceases to amaze me,” he said. “Our motto is We all have a story to tell for the glory of God. I’ve suddenly realized that every human being that I’ve met, if you really get to know them, they have a story they can tell. Some have decided to write those stories down. So, for me, it’s just a joy to see people telling their stories.”

Scribblers has grown and now has several chapters that meet in and around the Atlanta area, and chapters in Macon, Florida, and a virtual chapter as well. Now living in Florida, de Andrade still leads most chapter meetings visiting Georgia on a frequent basis.

More information at https://www.scribblersweb.com/.

Grieving with The Compassionate Friends

By Victoria R. Crosby

Last year I joined a club that nobody chooses to join, yet it is growing in numbers. The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is the name of an organization comprised of groups of bereaved parents who meet regularly for emotional support. I attended my first meeting in December of 2021, three months after the death of my youngest son, at the First Christian Church of Atlanta on LaVista Road in Tucker. The Compassionate Friends has been meeting at this church hall for over forty years. There are over five hundred chapters in all fifty states and in Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam, and worldwide. Meetings are in Lawrenceville, Duluth, and Tucker. The groups are very diverse and every grieving parent is welcome.

TCF was founded in England in 1968 and as a nonprofit organization in 1969, at what was then the Warwickshire Hospital, now the University Hospital, Coventry, when two young boys died within days of each other, and the chaplain brought the two sets of grieving parents together. There are now chapters all over the world.

In December the forty-second annual candlelight memorial service was held for all the chapters to participate, at the First Christian Church of Atlanta. A memorial video of children whose families had submitted photos was shown while a pianist played beautiful music. Among the pieces were “Memory” from Cats, and the theme from the film Somewhere in Time.

Five Memory Candles on an altar were lit by a parent, each one representing a different emotion: Grief, Courage, Memories, Love, and Hope, as they read the words in the program that went with each memory candle. I was asked to read and light one of the candles, and I chose Hope as it was a short reading and my first time attending, so I was not sure I could read it without my voice breaking.

The speakers were a bereaved man and his daughter, the deceased

young man’s sister. Everyone present was given a candle which they lit from one of the five larger ones and said the name of their child into the microphone.

A mass candle lighting, believed to be the largest in the world, is held on the second Sunday of December each year at 7 p.m. local time, creating a virtual twenty-four hour wave of light as it moves from time zone

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Doc Talk: Fall Prevention Strategies

PRESENTED BY DR. EMILY BOYD

It’s just one of the many ways we’re here to support you.

RSVP to 678-841-0030

For the safety and well-being of all residents and guests, all recommended safety precautions will be taken. Please call to inquire about our safety measures for this event.

One Man’s Opinion: The

Moon’s a Balloon

By Bill Crane

There is a tendency, well-documented by historians and military experts, to defend and prepare for the next enemy of the United States with the tools and techniques that worked well in the prior war.

NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (I know the acronym doesn’t match...take it up with the Pentagon), was founded by the U.S. and Canada in 1958, relatively early in the Cold War, to both monitor U.S. airspace and particularly to identify fast-moving projectiles or aircraft headings towards the U.S. land mass (including Alaska and Hawaii). Identifying, intercepting, and deflecting the detonation of an intercontinental ballistic missile in the early outer atmosphere or meeting unidentified or hostile enemy aircraft flying in formation (like Pearl Harbor) before reaching U.S. landfall were top mission priorities.

NORAD has served us well, but its radar, sonar, and multiple early detection technologies were not really ever intended to detect large, slow-moving craft, particularly at lower altitudes. Balloons, blimps, and Zeppelins were long ago reduced in terms of threat analysis after the explosion of the Hindenburg. However, the Germans continued using various airships for reconnaissance and submarine surveillance throughout World War II.

You may remember our U-2 spy planes, first commissioned by the United States Air Force for high-altitude reconnaissance in 1957. Lockheed has built 104 U-2s since, many which are still in service. One of these single-engine jets was shot down over Russia on May 1, 1960, causing an international incident and resulting in the U.S.S.R. imprisonment of pilot Francis Gary Powers. Powers was released in 1962 in exchange for a Russian spy in U.S. custody. He returned stateside and eventually became a pilot for a Los Angeles news station and its news chopper. Powers was killed flying that craft in 1977.

Still later in 1990 during the first Persian Gulf War, a coalition of nations challenged Iraq after its invasion of the neighboring sovereign nation Kuwait. The first night’s bombing of Baghdad by U.S. and allied forces were well documented and covered live by CNN and other news outlets. Departing Baghdad days later to maintain their safety, CNN anchor Bernard Shaw, and then war correspondent John Holliman left Baghdad in the dark of night for a long desert drive on the only road available connecting Baghdad to Damascus, Syria. When the caravan arrived safely in Syria, they received a secure phone call from CNN President Tom Johnson, inquiring about their condition and safety, and then asking for a fax number.

The caravan had made at least one pit stop along the 90+ mile route to Damascus. The fax showed a photograph taken by a U.S. military satellite showing the top of Holliman’s bald head and the motorcade in the complete dark of a desert night in Syria while Holliman was doing his business facing a small shrub roadside.

Ryan’s Remarks Continued from

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historians will define this period. However, we have made it through this time together. Together indeed!

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. Simply said, we need to BE KIND. I do not profess to have mastered all these things, and I work on them daily. And please know we can only control what we can control.

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!

True, a Chinese-launched balloon, for whatever purpose, carrying a payload we now understand to be as large as three buses, should NOT have been flying through U.S. airspace without clearance. But other than surveillance and monitoring multiple telecom and broadcast frequencies or potentially looking into buildings at night with infrared technology, that burst balloon and the three other lesser unidentified flying objects subsequently taken down recently don’t terribly concern me.

Our next war will begin more like our 1990 attacks on Iraq. Take out their telecommunications infrastructure, and knock out power and water supplies as the Russians continue to focus their efforts in Ukraine. And though the potential of nuclear warfare still looms large as a potential world-ender, most of our enemies still seem to prefer global domination over the extinction of our species, I am a bit more concerned about all the data being gobbled, assembled, and prepared for use against us by foreign-owned/controlled media apps like TikTok.

And if/when otherworldly aliens decide on an invasion or have already landed on our planet, I think they will make their presence a bit more known and threatening than balloons gliding through mid-atmosphere, when they likely would have arrived here at something closer to the speed of light. It remains to me the height of U.S. hubris to believe that we are the only planet in the universe capable of hosting intelligent life.

In the words of Rod Serling, “Imagine if you will…” a U.S. without Wi-Fi and mobile phone networks in operation for a period of a month or more from the perspective of our digital-first Generation Z and Millennial population. Now THAT scares me.

Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

OWNER, NATE MCMICHAEL

Key Steps to Healthy Aging

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

As you age, your health needs change. Staying on top of senior wellness activities is important, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Creating a list of health and wellness to-do’s can help you stay organized, so you look and feel your best.

“Aging well is living well, and it all starts with a combination of activities that can improve our mental and physical well-being,” says Dr. Scott Kaiser, chief executive officer of Determined Health and a physician specializing in geriatric medicine. “Although health and wellness may seem to get increasingly complicated with age, it doesn’t have to be a struggle. A few simple – and fun – steps can keep us on the healthy aging path. By taking a proactive approach and prioritizing health, seniors can live their best life.”

Kaiser shares a simple senior-health checklist to help keep you or a loved one focused on wellness:

1) Annual physical: Everyone’s health is different. Even if you see specialists for certain conditions, it’s typically recommended to get an annual physical with your primary physician. This is an opportunity for important health screenings that may include tests to evaluate blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, bone density, and more. It’s also a good time for you to ask any questions and discuss concerns.

2) Vaccinations: Staying current on recommended vaccinations can help you stay healthy and limit the spread of disease. When cold and flu season arrives, be sure to ask your doctor about getting an influenza vaccine. The risk of severe illness from COVID also increases with age. COVID vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe illness and you can help protect yourself and the people around you by getting vaccinated.

3) Physical activity: All seniors eligible for Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, or group retiree plan may be eligible to join SilverSneakers at no additional cost and have access to live and on-demand virtual workouts, including nearly 2,000 activities and classes per week in a variety of lengths and formats.

4) Social connection: Maintaining friendships and connecting with others is an important component to supporting physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Set up coffee with friends. Join community groups. Check out social engagement opportunities through programs that feature working out with a group of peers to build friendships and community.

5) Mental health: Although prioritizing mental health is now more widely accepted, it still can be a challenge for older adults to admit they

need help. Talk with your doctor about how you feel and about mental health concerns you may have. There are many ways to help with a variety of mental health concerns, including mindfulness techniques to reduce anxiety, seeing a therapist, and taking medication.

6) Mental enrichment: Cognitive decline can occur as you age, so it’s important to be proactive to help support brain health through mental stimulation. Read books. Join a weekly game group. Check out GetSetUp, new for SilverSneakers members in participating health plans. This program provides an online learning platform designed for seniors with a wide range of live video classes – over 2,000 hours per week on more than 1,800 topics – to support mental enrichment.

7) Nutrition: What you eat fuels your body and mind, so it’s important to pack your pantry and refrigerator with wholesome foods. Stock up on fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, beans, and low-fat dairy. Then explore recipes you can try to experience new flavors and keep mealtime exciting. If you need help or have strict dietary concerns, consider working with a nutritionist for additional guidance.

Doesn’t it feel good to check a few things off your list? For more ideas on how seniors can stay active and connected, visit SilverSneakers.com.

(BPT)

The Compassionate Friends

to time zone, uniting families and friends around the globe to honor the memories of sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren who left too soon.

The death of a child is traumatic, and parents grieve no matter the age of their son or daughter, whether infants or adults forty and older. A parent never recovers from the loss of a child; it’s not the natural order of life.

There were also many sorts of deaths, but there is no judgment only understanding. Everybody who attends is in a different phase of their grief journey. Some are new to the group and have just recently experienced the loss; others have attended meetings for years, helping others to cope with their loss. Many of the longtime attendees become the leaders of the groups, who welcome the new people, and read the names of those

children whose birthdays are that particular month.

There are guidelines to participation. Nobody is obliged to speak, but when it is your turn to speak, others must listen. You are asked to speak only of your own experience and not to offer solutions to others. If your faith has been helpful that is fine, but some people have a difficult time and experience anger at God or their higher power. At meetings it’s fine to cry, and it’s also fine to laugh. Many people attending say that The Compassionate Friends has been a life saver for them. If you, or someone you know, has lost a child, sibling, or grandchild, please let them know there is a caring support group available to help guide them through their grief.

The mission of TCF is to provide friendship, understanding, and hope to those going through the natural grieving process. I know that it has been a great help to me.

More information at www.tcfatlanta.org or www.compassionatefriends.org

Home

Matters: Lighting Helps Transform a Home

By Our Town Gwinnet Staff

Your home reflects who you are and is where you should feel your best. When designing spaces, it’s important to select pieces that evoke your personality and add interest to your surroundings. One of the biggest opportunities to define a room is through lighting, which adds touches of fashion and function.

Lighting helps pull a room aesthetic together, much like how a special accessory such as a necklace or tie elevates an outfit. Selecting lighting should be done thoughtfully, with each option complementing – not competing – with the surroundings. Lighting is meant to enhance the other elements of the room and to add a distinguished finishing touch.

If you’re considering updating your lighting, it’s important to take time to determine what you like and how that can be integrated into spaces. Every room tells a story, and the goal is for the lighting to be an extension of that tale.

To get started, ask yourself some questions:

* Do you like the warmth of traditional design?

* Do you lean toward clean lines of contemporary, modern forms?

* Do you prefer a transitional, more eclectic approach to design?

* Is there a period of time with design that is particularly appealing to you?

* Is there a destination or place in the world that inspires your style preferences?

Eye-catching lighting that complements the space is a top design trend, especially as people are spending more time at home. Kohler® Lighting is continuously evolving offerings to meet the myriad design preferences homeowners have. Three new collections demonstrate how different designs can meet these varying styles.

If you like lush, vintage design:

Do you adore designs kissed with opulence and grandeur, similar to styles in the Golden Age of Hollywood throughout the 1920s to the 1940s? This decor reflected the lavish style of the film industry, embrac-

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in need, so it’s no surprise that they are known for their excellent catered meals, provided to each family and their loved ones as they gather to mourn, remember, and celebrate the life of someone who has passed away.

After the service and burial, family and friends of the deceased can sit down and enjoy food and fellowship with each other. As Gregory points out, it’s difficult for a grieving family to take on the extra burden of hosting visitors during this time, so the funeral home provides an alternative through their catered meals. And they don’t just provide great food and drink – they do it all, from the set up in a reception room to the clean up after to packing up any leftovers to send home with the family. The family can focus on remembering their loved one while the team at Eternal Hills takes care of everything else.

In some cases, the family already has a meal provided to them by their church or community. When that happens, they still get to enjoy a catered meal; they can just choose to enjoy it at a later date. Many families may opt to have their meal on the birthday of their loved one, for instance, or wait until more family is able to gather to enjoy the meal together. On one occasion, a gentleman who had passed was a devoted Alabama

ing opulence and grandeur in designs that made a lasting impression. The Tresdoux™ lighting collection captures the magic of this classic era and transforms it into a modern collection. The signature look features a mixture of materials and textures, pairing delicate matte ribbedglass shades with scalloped metal details. From sconces and bath bars to chandeliers, the fixtures feel sumptuous and rich, while never overpowering the space. It’s the ideal marriage of boldness and refinement.

If you like modern style and clean lines: Look for lighting options with distinct forms for striking elegance. For example, the Kraga™ collection offers a variety of lighting options that are a creative take on mid-century modern designs with a sophisticated twist. Each eye-catching fixture is artistically crafted utilizing curved, linear metal pieces that fit in modern and traditional spaces.

This collection of lighting is sculptural, with an elegance that is bold, yet understated. Devoid of unnecessary decorative elements, these lights rely instead on the purity of pared down form and hand-selected materials. Crafted from smooth, cast metal frames fitted with glowing, cast-glass, creamy white globes, each Kraga™ lighting design is an expressive work of art, with its own unique personality and individual flair.

If you like traditional, equestrian design: If refined elegance that takes cues from nature appeals to you, look for lighting that offers a creative approach to traditional English country decor. You may be interested in the Terret™ Collection that is inspired by British equestrian design, updated through a palette of organic materials to individualize each piece.

Designs draw from early English country decor, where owners would bring the beauty of their pastoral surroundings into their interiors, blending leathers and textiles, their varied textures and tailored forms, with the rustic beauty of wrought iron, weathered wood, and glassworks. The Terret™ lighting collection reflects those ideals, evoking a gentle pastoral era, bringing the equestrian style to a contemporary audience. Your home is your sanctuary. It’s where you work, play, and relax, and where you can feel like yourself. Lighting enhances the personality of your home and makes it as individual as you are. (BPT)

football fan, and his family chose to enjoy their catered meal during the Alabama-Auburn game of the following football season. Whatever the family decides, Eternal Hills will deliver their meal anytime within the next year following the funeral service to ensure quality, comforting food is available when families need it. Some families even choose to have their catered meal delivered to the hospice care team or other medical staff that cared for their loved one.

For Gregory, the love for his job comes from his ability to act as a guide for people with nowhere else to turn.

“As a funeral director,” Gregory said, “I help a family by showing them all of their options on how we can help them plan the service that they want to have. A lot of families don’t know how to start or what to do or have never even been to a funeral, so I want to be that light in the darkness to help show them the way and guide them. I help them make an informed decision that will honor their loved one.”

If you want to know more about the services offered by Eternal Hills, Gregory and his team stand ready to help. Give them a call or visit their website to learn why so many people have trusted Eternal Hills Funeral Home to give their loved ones the remembrance they deserve.

More information at www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/snellville-ga/eternal-hills-funeral-home-and-cremation/4546 or 770-972-3155

Eternal Hills Funeral Home

Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson: Serve with Intention in 2023

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman

Nicole Hendrickson recently addressed hundreds of business owners, residents, and stakeholders during her third State of the County address. “The choices of almost a million people – and more over the years – created Gwinnett’s steady past, its vibrant present, and its promising future,” Hendrickson said. “And whether subconscious or not, every decision we make is guided by intention – the choice to proactively solve a problem. It’s the small, yet intentional acts of bravery, kindness, and support that fuel the Gwinnett spirit. This is serving with intention.”

Hendrickson said that intentionality has been the reason Gwinnett has solidified itself as a proven leader in the region. From water testing and quality of life to public safety and a low unemployment rate, the County’s proven track record has forged public-private partnerships that are key to the County’s success. During her remarks, Hendrickson acknowledged the death of Gwinnett Corrections Officer

Scott Riner by leading a moment of silence. Sadly, Riner was killed while arriving to work last December. Within days, Gwinnett Police identified and arrested the suspect in the case, due to quick actions and excellent investigative work.

Here are more takeaways:

Gun Crimes Unit, Gwinnett Safe Communities Program

“Our police department is also leveraging technology to reduce and respond to gun violence,” she said. “When a gun-related crime is committed in Gwinnett, our Gun Crimes Unit uses ballistic science to connect shell casings from scenes to guns possessed by suspects.” That information is then entered into a national database to make connections with other crimes across the country.

Connections are also what has made the Gwinnett Safe Communities Program a success. The program allows police to work with community stakeholders to provide access to cameras, license plate readers, and other technology.

Housing and a new homeless shelter

While access to affordable housing continues to challenge communities across the country, the County will do its part to make sure Gwinnett is a place where everyone thrives.

“Over the next few years, in partnership with the Gwinnett Housing Corporation and Gwinnett/Walton Habitat for Humanity,” Hendrickson said, “we will be able to provide 390 affordable low-income housing units. But the work doesn’t end there.” A multi-family building in Lawrenceville will be converted into shelter units to serve adult men and couples with no children. Federal funds will be used for the shelter.

New name, new look for Gwinnett Transit

2023 kicked off with a new look and a name for Gwinnett Transit: Ride Gwinnett. “Not only does it tell you what to do,” Hendrickson added, “this new name and look connects with Gwinnett County’s brand to show riders that they can expect the same great service they

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Snellville Performing Arts Takes Awards at the Junior Theater Festival

By Tana Poncsak

Snellville Performing Arts was one of 125 groups that attended the worldwide iTheatrics International Junior Theater Festival in January. The group competed with a cut of their production of Once on this Island, Jr., and received the All-Festival Freddie G Inspiration Award. Stephanie Wallace McDonald, executive director of Snellville Performing Arts, was thrilled for her students who performed at the festival, as the award encompasses everything she hopes to show with the theatre they create.

“People watch theatre to be inspired and to be touched,” McDonald said, adding that out of 125 groups and over 6,500 people, she is proud that her twenty-three students were chosen for this award.

And that’s not the only award the group received. Its student choreography team for the show, led by seventeen-year-old Joy Woods, also received an award. McDonald was happy to see the students, who had worked so hard and created choreography that is “genuine and true to the story,” recognized.

And finally, McDonald herself received an invitation to the Freddie G Fellowship. This invitation goes to outstanding directors who create truly inspiring and exceptional work. Recommendations by a current student, an industry colleague, and a member of the community are all part of the application process, and out of 150 to 200 directors, McDonald was one of only three directors to receive an invitation this year.

“To hear Snellville called out, seeing the kids cheering, and to know that our kids are inspiring and creating phenomenal theatre is really heartwarming,” McDonald said.

Snellville Performing Arts, a nonprofit organization, has been a long time in the making and came from McDonald’s own passion to share her love of theatre with others. Now technically in its fifth year, it’s been a

dream come true.

McDonald, who is also an art teacher at South Gwinnett High School, grew up in Snellville and played every sport imaginable, but she was passionate about theatre, taking part in Odyssey of the Mind and her school’s shows. She also recalled an influential theatre teacher in middle school. But it was when she was around eight or nine years old on a cruise ship with her family as she watched a rehearsal of a live stage performance that she was hooked.

“Seeing theatre this way as a live, onstage production with this huge audience was an overwhelming thing, and I just fell in love with it,” she said.

And she’s been involved in some way ever since. In fact, many on staff at Snellville Performing Arts have been McDonald’s previous students, including Managing Director Alyssa Paduano, and that’s made it all the more rewarding for McDonald.

“Seeing them [staff members] look at our kids [while performing] the way I had looked at them when they were kids [while performing], there’s nothing better,” McDonald said. “And now to work together with them to light that same passion in others in my hometown and the place I grew up in, it’s incredible.”

Upcoming shows include Finding Nemo, Jr. performed by the Junior Company with performances scheduled in April, and Newsies performed by the Senior Company with performances scheduled in May.

More information at www.snellvilleperformingarts.com.

Fielding Life’s Curve Balls

each of these circumstances during 2022, I can also attest that at times the offer of assistance/support is not readily accepted. Still, I can assure you that the offer of a helping hand is noted, and at least inside their heart and mind, it is appreciated.

We don’t get to choose the cards we get dealt, only how we react and play that hand. Many view adversity and conflict as insurmountable obstacles. They are not. In my mid-40s, after a productive decade with a global public relations firm, a personality conflict with my supervisor could no longer be avoided. I took a leap of faith and left the enterprise. There were some really challenging early years building out our small firm, but I have never looked back. And the successes since, economically and otherwise, would never have arrived in that other structure and environment.

Our youngest child was not planned, but once expected, we prepared as we understood hers might be a life with some cognitive and other health challenges. Our Olivia also turned out to be both the glue and the sunlight in our small family, particularly in those early years. My lucky number, 13, is considered bad luck and even a bad omen by many; yet time and again, in Las Vegas and elsewhere, it has delivered for me –again – those choices of how you play the hand.

Entering this year, with some familial rebounds underway, I can’t help but feel and believe that 2023 will bring us some wonderful surprises. Those too, require an appropriate attitude, gratitude, and response. I have again witnessed quite a few others blow some wonderful opportunities, primarily due to the sudden nature of the offered change of life and pace.

Don’t be afraid as you see those curve balls coming across the plate to seek advice and counsel from those whose opinions and thinking you admire most. Friends and family sincerely want to help you. The best of those have also learned the lesson of withholding their advice until it is sought, versus always having the best ideas to offer and suggest, unasked.

Enough parables for this column and day, but seriously as you go through 2023, remember how much easier it is to smile versus frown –two muscles versus a few dozen – to offer a handshake versus a stiff arm and raised palm. Never having been much of a great athlete, I typically missed those curve balls back in the day, but I did learn pretty quickly if you see them coming and lean in, the ball may glance or strike you, and you get that free base walk. Again, it’s all about those choices. Take care out there.

Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

Pet Perch: Dogs and Grief, How You Can Help

By Terie Hansen

Dogs, like people, have different personalities, each being an individual. When a family experiences the loss of a dog and they have another dog or dogs, the dog(s) left behind will grieve the loss of the passing pack member.

Some dogs grieve longer than others, but in general, compared to their human counterparts, their grieving process is less emotional and much shorter. However, if the human puts all their emotions into the dog or dogs left, it can certainly extend the grieving process and may even create some behavioral problems.

While it can be difficult for you, the best approach is:

• If possible allow the companion dog(s) to be present at the Euthanasia. A mobile veterinarian can typically perform an in-home euthanasia,

Lights…Camera…Action: Filming in Georgia

By Tana Poncsak

A few months ago, my sister was in town for a visit, and being a fan of the Netflix megahit Stranger Things, she wanted to tour some of the show’s filming sites around Georgia. So, on a cold, blustery day after Christmas, we got into the car and set out for our Stranger Things site-seeing adventure. When we got to each destination, I was surprised to see groups of other fans of the show doing the very same thing.

allowing for a peaceful passing and the presence of the other family dog(s).

• Keep your emotions in check as much as possible. Easier said than done for sure! And yes, a little extra TLC goes a long way, but too much can do more harm than good.

• Keep a normal routine going. This helps dogs feel safe and secure, and helps to relieve or keep stress to a minimum.

• Some added exercise is in order, as this will get their feel-good chemicals (endorphins) flowing, helping them to be in a peaceful, happy state. The same will work for you as well, so get out and walk!

• This is a great time to introduce some training as a means of stimulating your dog’s brain in a positive way. Perhaps some agility, nose work, or some good old fashioned basic obedience is in order. Dogs thrive on learning new things.

Remember, time heals, and you and your canine companion will feel happy again one day, maybe even enough to open your heart and your home to another dog in need of a family.

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

While we had plenty of time to drive to several of the locations in Jackson and Stockbridge, quite a few scenes were filmed in Gwinnett and nearby DeKalb counties. Many already know that Gwinnett Place Mall was the filming location for Starcourt Mall. Stone Mountain Cemetery was the location for a graveside funeral scene. The restaurant called Enzo’s featured in one of the past episodes is none other than Dominick’s Italian Restaurant located in Historic Norcross. Stone Mountain Park made for wooded areas in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. And if you’re willing to drive a bit, you can add a number of filming locations to your own self-guided tour.

After carefully planning our route with the help of a couple of websites, we visited about six or seven different filming sites. The whole day turned out to be a lot of fun, and a stark reminder of all the filming that takes place in our state on an ongoing basis. And with more and more studios being built here in the metro Atlanta area, the industry plans to stay a while.

Many readers may already know this, but in case you don’t, if see small yellow signs with black lettering around metro Atlanta, those indicate that filming is taking place nearby. What’s filming is usually written in code on the sign, and one show or movie can have several different codes depending on the season currently being filmed.

According to Georgia’s Film and Entertainment Industry site, the Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Office was established in the early 1970s by then-Governor Jimmy Carter, and today the industry has added a reported estimate of about $4 billion each year to the state’s economy.

Having a robust film industry in Georgia is not only good for the state’s economy, but it also gives residents unique opportunities and experiences, like touring the filming locations of your favorite shows and more.

If you’re interested in the film industry, the state of Georgia has information at https://www.georgia.org/industries/film-entertainment/georgia-film-tv-production. On the site you can find out what’s filming, how to list your property as a filming location, how to be an extra, and more.

And if you’re interested in taking your own Stranger Things site-seeing adventure, there are a number of websites including Odd Stops to help you find specific filming locations. Just search for Stranger Things filming locations in Georgia, hit the road, and have fun!

Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers in the show, announced in a live TikTok video on January 26th that Stranger Things will resume filming season 5 sometime in May.

More information at https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/ a40229569/stranger-things-season-5/.

Travel Tales: Patagonia on My Mind

By Pam Walker

Have you ever thought about going to Patagonia in the winter?

No, not the Patagonia clothing factory. I am referring to the Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia. The popular months to travel there are in the South American summer months of December through March. But this year I decided to try winter!

Our summer is not the best time to go as some hotels are closed, but those that are open offer a spectacular experience of the high Andes and the flora and fauna of that season. In winter, you can catch a glimpse of the eluxive Patagonian pumas, numerous alpacas, and guanacos, as well as many of the smaller animals such as the huemul, the smallest deer in South America.

There is an amazing group of hotels that do stay open all year round due to their popularity. The Explora group has wonderful properties in Argentina near El Chalten and also in Chile in Torres del Paine National Park and the recently formed Patagonia National Park, which was donated to the government of Chile by the late Douglas Thompkins and his wife Kristine.

Tompkins Conservation is still alive and well, and Kris maintains a wonderful museum in the park, which is probably one of the best in the world with displays on our planet and the changes and challenges that humanity is responsible for. Aside from the many amazing hikes and a visit to this particular Explora, it is well worth going just to visit the museum. It is also wonderful to see the huge herd of guanacos that

inhabit the area as they challenge each other for mating rights as well as just grazing on the grounds and hills alongside the valley where the lodge and museum sit.

All of the Explora hotels are well worth visiting in winter. Weather is variable, so while it will be cold, some days will have snow and others not. At the Explora in Torres del Paine, you can hike to Grey Lake and see icebergs float by that have broken off from the Grey Glacier. There is also a hike to Lake Sarmiento where the edge of the lake is actually made of Thrombolites, some of the oldest sediments in the world dating back to 3.5 billion years.

There is so much more to see during winter in Patagonia. It is one of my favorite places in the world. So if you want to go, don’t limit yourself to summer only!

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@ walkeradventures.com

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get from their county government in their local transit.”

Building a future with the Rowen Project

“Late last year,” Hendrickson said, “I joined federal, state, and local partners to break ground on the Rowen knowledge community, another gleaming example of intentional collaboration that will unlock opportunity for Gwinnett and beyond. Built atop a portion of the land being supported by our Eastern Regional Infrastructure project – which is bringing water, sewer, and trails to 8,500 acres in east Gwinnett –Rowen will be home to innovation in the agricultural, environmental and medical fields.”

Of the overall contractors, Rowen is prioritizing economic equity with a goal of 30% of the contractors being small, women, and minority-owned businesses.

Nicole Hendrickson Continued from page