MAY 2019 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
Our Town GWINNETT
Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker
Up Close with City of Stone Mountain, see story on page 5
11 12 15 20
Keeping You Informed: Lawrenceville Neighborhood Alliance One On One: Lilburn Farmers Market Celebrates 10 Years Author Spotlight Story: Getting to Know Ron Lambros Getting Schooled: Brookwood Elementary Makes a Difference
#EquipToThrive “Dr.
Providence is equipping students to lead, serve, and embrace faithisin proud Christ while providing top-tier competitive Simmons to offer Botox and academics, Dermal Fillers. Call sports, award-winning fine arts, and a nationally-recognized STEM program. Come and see how we prepare the next generation to be hard-working, articulate and gracious young people who live out their faith and thrive in an ever-changing world.
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2018
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isJohn honored to beIV, we are committed to providing you with the high AtDr. the Simmons dental office of W. Simmons, comprehensive dental care, focused on both the function and beauty of your smile. A one of only nine dentists improving in patient care and comfort are our primary concerns. We are proud to run a practice that treats ea Georgia to have passed the kind, gentle, and caring manner, just like family. We offer a full range of the latest cosmetic a rigorous required to long-lasting, earn procedures thattesting concentrate on ensuring brilliant results you will love, and others
Cosmetic Dentistry The cosmetic procedures we offer can dramatically enhance the appearance of your smile. We offer a wide selection of procedures that can correct almost any dental imperfection.
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accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. His state-of-the-art equipment and updated technology allow him to affordably serveDENTAL CARE AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY D.M.D., P.C. • SUPERIOR his patients by providing healthy, beautiful smiles. Our experienced team provides five-star service, personalized care, and an extraordinary commitment to your health and well-being. Please join our Call for an Appointment family by scheduling a new patient exam.
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PAGE 3
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Our Town Gwinnett
On the Cover: Facing the Future: How One Small Town is Making Big Changes By Kristen Eleveld If you’re from the Gwinnett area, you are likely familiar with Stone Mountain Park, the most popular attraction in the state – or more accurately, the second-largest attraction in the southeast after Disney World. The park has long been a fun day trip for local neighbors as well as a vacation destination for thousands of families. But what you may not realize is that Stone Mountain is home to more than just a park. Surrounding the popular attraction is a community of neighbors, history, and, as of 2018, exciting renovations. It all begins with the Welcome Center, which sits at the heart of the town on Main Street. The city has spent months restoring the historic Train Depot, parts of which date back to 1857. The other half of the building originated in 1914, and it is there that the new Welcome Center will greet visitors and provide the city with information about upcoming events and activities. The Welcome Center opened its doors on May 1, but you won’t want to miss the ribbon-cutting ceremony that will announce the official grand opening in June. “Over the last twelve months, our community has opened a dozen new businesses,” said Kim Cumbie, Tourism Manager of Stone Mountain. “You can find everything from high-end boutiques to new and delicious restaurants.” You can also visit the newly-renovated Sue Kellogg Library, which is receiving some needed upgrades thanks to the generosity of Dekalb County. With so many new businesses booming (and even more on the horizon), it makes sense that Stone Mountain would want to add more housing for its ever-growing population. The Hearthstone neighborhood, which consists of around 30 homes, is new and specifically designed to provide opportunities to get to know your neighbors. Whether you are catching up with a friend on your front porch or making use of the copious community lawn in the center of the neighborhood, Hearthstone is just one more example of how much value Stone Mountain places on its residents. With a small population that totals less than 6,500, it is easy to look at the Stone Mountain community and see what makes it so appealing to its residents and visitors. This area is home to a unique and diverse population that offers a small-town charm alongside a modernized medley of
resources and activities. “I just love the people,” Kim said of what draws her to Stone Mountain. “We are a tight-knit community, but we also welcome the opportunity for new people to join us!” Looking ahead, Kim noted that the community is not finished growing and developing. Several residents are creating a plan for opening a local foods market. The post office is also scheduled for a renovation, thanks to the Downtown Development Authority. But at the end of the day, no matter what changes the city makes to its buildings, Kim knows it is the people who make the real changes in Stone Mountain. “This is the kind of town where you really do know your neighbors,” said Kim. “When people visit here, I want them to feel like they are part of our community. That will be what brings them back.” If you’re ready to jump into the local festivities, Kim recommends the Farmers Market, which takes place every Tuesday from May 14 to August 27 from 4-7 p.m., or the Tunes By The Tracks Concert Series, which you can find every Friday in May, June, September, and October from 7 to 9 p.m. Kim Cumbie is Tourism Manager of Stone Mountain. More information at www.stonemountaincity.org.
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Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
ister Now g e R
Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultZ.com Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultZ.com
Editor Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultZ.com Cover Photographer Marcie Reif Photography
770-923-2447
www.majortkd.com 4068 Five Forks Trickum Road Lilburn, Ga 30047
Distribution Coordinator DeeDee Chapman Feature Writers Pearl Aidoo Heidi Campbell K. Coats Kristen Eleveld Emily Haney Kim Hill Amy Ney Traci Sanders Beth Volpert Johansen Contributing Writers Terie Hansen Pam Walker
— An EndResultZ Media & Communications firm EndResultZ.com Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett /NE DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyright 2019 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.
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IN THIS ISSUE 5 On the Cover: Facing the Future: How One Small Town is Making Big Changes
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7 From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion 8 Snellville Born and Raised: Meet Kelsey Davis 10 Lilburn Middle School Junior Leadership Corps Builds Better Citizens 11 Keeping You Informed: Lawrenceville Neighborhood Alliance 12 Lilburn Farmers Market Celebrates 10 Years 15 Author Spotlight Story: Meet Ron Lambros 17 Pet Perch: The Truth about Contemporary Remote Collar Dog Training 20 Getting Schooled: Brookwood Elementary Makes a Difference 21 Travel Tales: Re-Wilding South America
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From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion By Ryan T. Sauers
@RyanSauers
It is May and we are moving to the end of the school year. We all look forward to a great summer. My love of family, faith, and community is one of the many reasons I enjoy publishing two monthly magazines dedicated to these topics. I believe there are better things happening in the world than is ever reported. If you are a regular reader of this column, you may be thinking that I say this a lot. And you are correct. We all need to remind ourselves of the good that exists – yet is often overlooked – throughout our community, country, and world. Moreover, many of us see our world as overloaded with information and moving at warp speed – quite impersonal and “short attention” span in nature. If you consume any type of news (locally or globally), you witness a world that may can seem out of control, angry, and divided. But let me tell you something – there are more amazing people out there than we can ever do stories on. And that is just in our local community. The people I know desire peace, love, laughter, and a better world for their children/grandchildren. The Our Town community is simply a microcosm of all that is happening around America and the world. In our communities we have our own opinions, beliefs, and values. Thus, we must work hard to care about each person we meet. So, please put your phone down and talk to someone (and really and truly listen). Will you help me challenge others to think of further ways to strengthen our community, refrain from criticism, and to focus on solutions? Every human has emotions: love, anger, frustration, etc. Together we can make a difference and build strong bridges of understanding between one another. This allows us to develop trust that is needed as we all move forward together. A community is strengthened one person and one day at a time. I wish you and your family a wonderful and blessed May and upcoming summer season. I am so glad you are with us as we continue the journey of my town, your town, our town!
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Snellville Born and Raised: Meet Kelsey Davis
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Kelsey Davis is a physician assistant at Athens Orthopedic Clinic. She was born and raised in the Snellville area and graduated from Brookwood High School. Following graduation, she attended the University of Georgia where she majored in Health Promotion. Kelsey shares, “I really liked studying health promotion as it gave me better insight into some of the obstacles people face when seeking medical care. I think it has greatly helped me in meeting the patient where they are and understanding what they need from me as a provider.” She received her master’s in Physician Assistant Studies at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. Though she was reluctant to live in Vol country, Kelsey truly enjoyed her program. She volunteered as the outreach coordinator of her class where she encouraged students to volunteer with local PA’s to bring free medical care to the local uninsured and underinsured residents. She continues to serve her alma mater by being a professor on their annual medical mission trips overseas. Kelsey first learned about Athens Orthopedic Clinic when she was a patient herself. “I broke my finger in college and was seen by a PA at AOC Urgent Care in Athens,” she says. “He quickly assessed the situation and was in close contact with the hand surgeon who deemed surgery necessary. Four hours later, I was in surgery getting pins placed at their outpatient surgical facility. I was so impressed with their efficiency and ability to work as a team. I also received occupational therapy from AOC, where I regained function of my finger. After my experience with AOC, I knew it was one of a kind. All of my family members have been patients here. Now I work alongside the PA that saw me originally, and I regularly make referrals to the hand surgeon who operated on me. It is pretty neat to know that I’m now a part of the AOC family!” Kelsey is currently working full time at AOC’s Snellville location on Janmar Road. She sees scheduled patients and takes walk-in patients as well. “I like that I get to see a wide variety of orthopedic complaints,” she adds. AOC has an MRI machine in their Snellville location. For patients needing MRIs with contrast (such as those with suspected labral tears or ligamentous injuries), Kelsey performs arthrogram injections. Her ability to do this saves patients a trip to Athens. More information at https://athensorthopedicclinic.com/location/snellville/
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Lilburn Middle School Junior Leadership Corps Builds Better Citizens By Kim Hill
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Lilburn Middle School student Ronaldo Abundio was put in the Junior Leadership Corps (JLC) connections class during his second semester of 6th grade. He did not know anything about it and just thought it was “army, army, army,” but soon realized, “He’s trying to help you learn morals that are going to help you in life. He’s trying to influence us to be the good part of society.” The “He” Ronaldo is speaking of is Sergeant First Class Christopher Diaz, the instructional coach for JLC at Lilburn Middle. Diaz retired from the military in 2010 after twenty years of service and worked for Gwinnett County police department for a year. Fulfilling a desire to be an Army instructor, he and another instructor created a JROTC program at South Gwinnett High School in 2011. Four years later when an opportunity to be the sole instructor at Lilburn Middle presented itself, Diaz was encouraged by his fellow instructor to take it. “It’s different, I like it,” he says. “This is where I am supposed to be right now.” Diaz says he tries to teach what he learned from the military, but that this is not a military program. Some kids will continue to JROTC in high school, but even so, they are not required to go into the military. He says only a small percentage do Junior Leadership Corps, then JROTC, and then enter the military. “Some may go into ROTC in college, but they won’t all go that route,” he says. “My goal is just to get them to go in a route; to do something with themselves. I try to encourage them to go to college, but it’s their choice. I just try to motivate them to be better citizens for our society. That’s really what it’s all about.” The foundation of JLC is Leadership, Discipline, Respect. The program averages 185 to 195 male and female students in grades 6th through 8th who participate in various events throughout the year, including competitions against the other eight programs in the county. Raider Season takes place in the fall and comprises of physical competition. Drill Season, which takes place in the spring, focuses on precision marching movements. “This is done to build teamwork,” says Diaz. “It’s all about helping each other and trying to motivate and encourage.” He says sometimes participants are scared, and going through the competition helps them overcome that fear. Student Misael Lopez-Sandoval says, “JLC helps me a lot with my discipline and my attention span and being able to speak.” He laughs and adds, “In 6th grade I was an introvert.” Other students agree that participation helped them “open up” and say the program was a turning point in their lives. Diaz says it is a proud moment each year when the eighth graders are getting ready to leave. “I feel like I just got them where I need them, and it’s hard,” he says. “We do an awards ceremony and I recognize those cadets who have been here for three years. It’s just like when I left South Gwinnett because it’s a sad moment. It’s like these are my children, but I get to see them move on and do bigger things.” Diaz says there is a certain standard in JLC, and while he doesn’t try to remove anybody from Continued on page 13
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Keeping You Informed: Lawrenceville Neighborhood Alliance
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By Emily Haney City council meetings, code violations, and candidate forums. In the city of Lawrenceville, it can be difficult to stay up to date with everything happening within the community. Whether you’re unable to attend city council meetings or are unsure how to address code violations in your neighborhood, the Lawrenceville Neighborhood Alliance (LNA), according to its president, Gerold Martin, acts as a “conduit
between the residents and the city.” What began by Beverly Dryden in 2008 over concerns with code enforcement in local neighborhoods has evolved into something more. There are about 100 families represented. If someone has a concern, LNA will help connect them to the proper person in the city. Recently, Martin met residents in the neighborhood of Grayland Hills. Drainage concerns came up, and he was able to put them in contact with the city engineer, who came, talked to the residents directly, and resolved the issue. LNA will also meet up with people, help them document a situation, and then present it in front of the city council on their behalf. “This gives them a greater voice than just one individual saying they need assistance,” said Martin. “We’re able to put some weight to that.” Along with speaking with members one on one, the group hosts events like an annual meeting with a guest speaker and city officials to talk about future city plans. Mark your calendars because to further inform the public, LNA will host another candidate forum on October 2, 2019 at the Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church. This is an opportunity for residents to learn more about who is running in local elections and to have a question and answer time with the candidates. LNA also sends out newsletters with what’s happening. They include city council agendas, reminders for referendum votes, and more. The goal is to keep residents as up to date as possible. City officials have even sent out material to the LNA board members to be shared within the newsletter, recognizing LNA as a key organization in the community. Playing an important part in the future of Lawrenceville, LNA has led the city to develop 2030 and 2040 plans. “They’re really planning ahead now,” said Martin. “When there are planning and zoning requests, they can refer to the plans and figure out how the request fits in.” According to Continued on page 16
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RealityTech Summer Tech Camp
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Jump Start Camp Weeks of June 17, June 24, July 8, July 15 1st – 7th Grade Intensive Reading & Math $200.00 / week l $750.00 / for all 4 weeks
CHOICE Educational Academy 5510 Lilburn Stone Mountain Road Stone Mountain, GA 30087 Phone 770.921.3690 n Fax 770.921.3693 admin@choiceeducationalacademy.com www.choiceeducationalacademy.com
Lilburn Farmers Market Celebrates 10 Years By Emily Haney Ten years ago, if Mandy McManus or Andrea Brannen had been asked what they would be doing now, their answer wouldn’t have been running a farmers market. When Mandy got tapped to start the Lilburn Farmers Market in 2009, she enlisted the help of her best friend and neighbor Andrea. “‘Just one year,’ she said,” commented Andrea. “‘How big could it be?’” Learning from trial and error, the duo began to grow the market over the years. Now with around 40 vendors gathering every Friday in June, July, and August from 4 to 8 p.m. at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, the Lilburn Farmers Market takes place. “It’s become a Friday night hang out for a lot of people,” said Andrea. The market offers locally sourced, fresh produce, desserts, food trucks, bath and body products, live music, nonprofit booths, and much more. Depending on the week, there might be a special event taking place such as Doggy Days, which is when the market caters to dogs. There are dog swimming pools, dog vendors, and prizes for different dogs. This is just one of the events that takes place throughout the duration of the market. There’s a weekly email you can sign up for to learn all about the vendors and special events for that week. Farm to Market to Table Dinner will be a new, special event on Friday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m., one week before the first market of the season. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at lilburnfarmersmarket.org. The dinner features a special menu made with food from vendors that will be prepared by Chef Lisa Lowe of Cooking for Caregivers. There will also be special auction items, which can be picked up at the market the following week. A few of the items include peaches and bath and body products. The dinner will not only serve as a preview for what is to come, but also as a fundraiser for Continued on page 16
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Leadership Corps Continued from page 10 the program, there are those who find it too hard to follow instructions. “All I am trying to do is pull the best out of each person,” he says, “and if I can do that they can stay. It all has to do with following instructions and doing what you’re told. At some point you’ll be telling somebody else what to do and you will want them to follow those instructions, so you have to be able to be a follower before you’ll be a leader.” Students participate in platoons and squads of six guided by a student who has earned a leadership position. The students say they value the time spent with Diaz and all he has taught them. They feel the JLC is “like a little family” because they do so much together and have created a really strong bond, and they admit to feeling a little sad about losing that when they get to high school. Diaz says he tells them repeatedly this is the whole point of being a leader. “If you get to the high school,” he says, “and you see things are not like they are supposed to be, create it: the same bonds that you build here, the same friendships you build here.” He adds a warning. “You have to stay away from the negative stuff – it will drown you out. You have to be the one who is going to lift up and encourage other people. It’s encouragement, that’s what leadership is.”
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Author Spotlight Story: Meet Ron Lambros By K. Coats The date April 15, 1977 might not be recorded as anything special in the annuals of history. No great treaties were signed. No stock market leaps or dips of note. But for one man, Ron Lambros, it is a day that changed the course of his life. “The reason I remember the calling so specifically and vividly is the fact that my pastor at that time, Dr. E. C. (Brother Mac) McDaniel, questioned me and helped clarify and confirm the call,” Lambros recalls. “So I wrote the date down in my Bible so that if there was ever any doubt or question about my salvation or calling, all I had to do was go to its front page and remember that the exact moment and location was April 15, 1977 at 9:42 p.m. in the old City Coliseum in Jacksonville, Florida.” And that call to ministry would result in a fortytwo year (and counting) career as a Baptist minister. ATTENTION checkcheck ad for content. Lambros had not planned on receiving- aDouble call to ministry. While someALL ministers are called when ATTENTION - Double ad of for ALL content. young, others are called much ATTENTION later and areweb, rather surprised byad thefor turn events. Lambros points - Double check ALL content. Phone, address, coupons, etc. Phone, web, coupons, etc. Paul, to out that God “had used so many others in His work, likeaddress, Moses, David, and Phone, web, address, coupons, etc.the Apostle Assume nothing - Reply back that ad is approved once Assume nothing Reply back that ad is approved once name a few. They weren’t what you’d call ‘minister material’ either; but God used them in a mighty nothing -BEEN Reply CHECKED back that adFOR is approved once ALLAssume ITEMS HAVE ACCURACY. way!” He began his career in a vastly different area – corporate America. “I spent eight years in ALLITEMS ITEMS HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR ACCURACY. ALL HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR ACCURACY. corporate broadcasting, radio and television production, and management,” Lambros explains. “As most young men do, I sought to climb the corporate ladder and establish myself as a successful professional.” All that hard work paid off a little too well. “I worked hard, and each of the goals I set for myself was met by the time I was twenty-five,” he says. “I found myself floundering with the questions, What’s next? What do I do now? What else is there to achieve?” The answer came from a close Christian friend who told him that his life would never be all it could be until he fully turned it over to God. And on that April day in 1977, he did just that and has never looked back. Continued on page 19
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Lawrenceville Neighborhood Alliance Continued from page 11
Lilburn Farmers Market Continued from page 12
Martin, Dryden, the founder of LNA, wanted the city to have an idea of what it should look like. This includes the plans for the future as well as working to get the new Lawrenceville signs that are up around town now. LNA believes that education is important for students, too, so the organization works to support groups such as the Central Gwinnett Cluster Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club. The Central Gwinnett Cluster Foundation provides grants to teachers to do programs with their students. From materials for fine arts and reading to robotics, the grants allow students to further their education. The Boys and Girls Club off Five Forks also contributes to expanding minds. “They’re teaching children how to accept responsibility and also to think about their own future,” said Martin. “That’s the perfect thing to be teaching youth.” According to Martin, LNA has always had a connection with teachers and youth, so these programs seemed like a natural fit. LNA not only helps to keep residents informed, but supports the future of the city (the youth) and encourages the city to do more as well while still holding code enforcements at the forefront. The organization is a voice for neighbors, students, and city improvements. More information at lawrencevilleNA@hotmail.com
the market. “We are partnered with Wholesome Wave Georgia, which doubles EBT benefits,” said Mandy. “If somebody who has the program spends $10 from their card, they can get $20 of healthy food.” The Lilburn Farmers Market is one of a few markets in the area that offers this for customers. The program, however, does cost the market, so one of the goals for the event is to help offset the fees. “All the money will go directly back in to the market and helping this program be successful,” said Andrea. The Lilburn Farmers Market is a celebration of the community and, as Mandy puts it, “good local food.” Everyone involved is passionate about what they do, from the vendors who are growing produce and making products, to Mandy and Andrea who are overseeing the whole process. Lots of thought and care are placed in to each market with new ideas being implemented all the time. “When you come to the market, you’re buying quality,” said Mandy. “It can’t get fresher than this.” Mandy McManus and Andrea Brannen are market managers of the Lilburn Farmers Market. More information at www.lilburnfarmersmarket.org.
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By Terie Hansen Most people who hear the words “shock collar” can be both scared and offended. That’s because they don’t realize that the shock collars of old are nothing like the contemporary Remote Collars of today. While many people think that the dog is being shocked into submission, the truth is, contemporary trainers use high-end remote collars to apply a pressure that is neutral and mild, and that is based on the same technology as TENS machines used for physical therapy in humans. Remote collars do not burn a dog’s skin; in fact, many quality systems of today are completely waterproof! Low level remote collar training done properly communicates to your dog with a mild sensation that is not harming to them mentally or physically. Even at higher levels, while enough to get your dog’s attention to deter negative behavior, the sensation won’t harm your dog or your relationship. In fact, shared training sessions will improve your bond with your dog. Educated dog trainers use positive reinforcement to teach the basic commands such as sit, down, come, heel, and place, and work with the shock collar at the very lowest levels in order to communicate in a way that presents even less pressure than a standard leash and collar. Choosing the right collar system is imperative. This is a classic case of you get what you pay for. A system with levels from 1-100 means the nuance between one level and the next is incremental, giving you the ability to truly whisper to your dog. On the other hand, a system that only has 12-15 levels means the differences between each level is huge. One level may not be enough, while the next level up may be too much. If you want to explore whether remote collar training is right for you and your dog, speak with an experienced professional dog trainer to get the facts. Terie Hansen is Owner at Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com.
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Author Spotlight Story: Meet Ron Lambros Continued from page 15 Recently, Lambros published All My Love, Jesus: Personal Reminders from the Heart of God, a collection of reflections and devotions that began with his personal journal. Prayer and listening to God’s voice form the pillar around his ministry. He explains, “God has often spoken to me personally, guiding me with His wisdom, with His principles and precepts, and with His still, small voice when I faced challenging, uncertain, or difficult moments in my life. And when He did, I began to write down what He was saying to me in a personal journal, knowing I could go back to its pages when needed.” And it was this journal that helped inspire other people who read its reflections and devotions. So much so that Lambros was encouraged to publish them officially for the benefit of others. “It is more than a labor of love,” he reflects. “It is a collection of God’s special moments with me through the years. The collection of devotions in this book is lovingly included with my prayer that the heart of those who read each one will be blessed with the same hope, strength, and encouragement I received as I wrote them.” The book itself differs from other devotionals on the market in that it wasn’t meant to be a day-by-day read. The devotions fall into five categories – Random, Holiday, Title, Scripture, and Subject – making them versatile for whatever spiritual need the reader requires at that time.
Lambros hopes that everyone who reads it will receive the same message of hope, strength, and encouragement that he received from the Lord. “I also hope they realize that I don’t have a monopoly on God and His blessings, guidance, and wisdom,” he adds. “Each one is available to them if they but ask Him. Nothing more.” He also considers this book a personal gift to his wife, Bridget, who has been encouraging him to write it for four decades. In his final thoughts, Lambros uses the wisdom he has gained and passed on to his congregations over the course of his career. He says, “There is nothing special about Ron Lambros. I am nothing more than one beggar telling another beggar where he gets his bread. The sole intent of my heart with my book is to offer the reader the opportunity to receive all I that have received from a God of love, grace, mercy, and restoration. If they find this in reading my devotions, I have accomplished all I set out to do and have blessed and honored God in the process.” Thank you for your wisdom and insight, Pastor Lambros. We wish both your book and ministry success as you continue to serve God through your life, writing, and ministry. Ron Lambros is minister of Ron Lambros Ministries, Inc. More information at www.facebook.com/ Ministry4Growth.
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3/15/19 2:12 PM
Getting Schooled: Brookwood Elementary Makes a Difference By Traci Sanders As a former teacher myself, one thing I can attest to without reservation: kids will never cease to surprise you! Such was the case for Mrs. Mitchell, a teacher at Brookwood Elementary School, on March 7, 2019. Mitchell was teaching entrepreneurship to her first-grade students, sharing valuable life lessons on earning, saving, spending, and donating money. After going over a few key vocabulary words pertaining to this topic, Mrs. Mitchell challenged the children with an exercise titled: “Why Save?” It involved the children filling in the blanks of this sentence: “I will save my money for ______________ because ________________.” Mrs. Mitchell got the kids started by asking them to consider three things they would save their money for, and then choose the one they desired most. A slight smile crossed the teacher’s face as she worked her way around the room and saw that the children seemed to have grasped this concept. She mused at the all-too-expected answers: Lego sets, iPads, a trip to Walt Disney World, etc. However, she was taken aback by one little boy’s written response. She stooped beside his desk to take a closer look and read the sentence: “I will save my money for a tooth replace because I want to add a tooth to my grandma.” When Mrs. Mitchell asked this boy why he’d chosen this very unique answer, he simply stated that his grandmother had not been able to afford a dentist visit in quite some time, and she needed another tooth to be able to eat better. Mrs. Mitchell held back the lump in her throat and hugged the boy with pride. The boy’s reaction was even more surprising to her, as he seemed to not understand what he’d done that was so special. It was at that moment that Mrs. Mitchell realized she’d been successful in teaching the children the concept of saving money, but what this boy had demonstrated was a life skill that came from a deeper place inside, compassion. Mrs. Mitchell snapped a quick photo of the boy’s paper and dismissed the class. As teachers often do, she couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened at school that day. She felt a pull at her heart to find a way to use this boy’s creation to make an impact on others. She removed the little boy’s name from his work and posted a picture of it on the Brookwood Community Forum Facebook page, and waited. To Mrs. Mitchell’s delight, a local dentist and his wife graciously reached out right away. The couple offered to help fulfill the student’s request. It turned out the dentists’ own son attends third grade at Brookwood Elementary and had taken Mrs. Mitchell’s entrepreneurship class a year prior. A meeting was set up for the dentists to assess the grandmother’s dental health and to arrange the services needed. Meanwhile, many others on the Facebook page had reached out to offer words of encouragement as well as monetary donations. Mrs. Mitchell responded to the outpouring of love and support by saying, “I am in awe at the amount of attention and response this request received. Although, I should not be surprised because we live in a wonderfully generous community.” The motto of Snellville, “Where everybody is proud to be somebody,” certainly rings true in this story. May we all be encouraged by this selfless boy’s love for others and this dental practice’s desire to value a person over profit. Thanks to one little boy’s dream and compassion for his grandmother, along with the dedication and attentive nature of his teacher, a local woman will soon have a healthy set of teeth and one more reason to smile. More information at http://brookwoodes.org/home.htm
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Travel Tales: Re-Wilding South America
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By Pam Walker I am really a very fortunate person! To date, I have traveled to Let our team of real estate 123 countries and met people from everywhere in my effort to professionals help you with your engage and spread peace through travel. I love the wild places of real estate needs. the world and have been so lucky to have traveled to the wilds of Africa, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, 2017 and South America. On a recent trip to Patagonia, I •was ecstatic to have run into one 130 transactions closed of my personal idols! No, not a movie star, but a real hero in my • Average 31 days on market eyes. Her name is Kristine McDivitt Tompkins. As former CEO • Our listings sold for 98.36% of of Patagonia – along with her husband, Douglas Thompkins, former owner and creator of North Face – Kristine created the Thompkins Conservation Foundation list price to RE-WILD huge swaths of land in South America. Call today to put our proven track Unfortunately, Doug was lost in a kayaking accident in his beloved Chile, but Kristine continues the work of the Foundation, bringing the natural wildlife of South America back into existence. record to work for you. She and Doug purchased huge acres of land in Argentina and Chile with the intention of returning Kathy Coots 770 654-8972 the true nature of their ancestry back to the people of these two countries. They were the original conservation activists, buying farms and grazing fields, unfencing them, www.KathyCoots.com and turning them back into the wilds they once were. The couple sowed seeds of native plants, started campaigns against commercial tree farming and single-use plastics, and much more. Kristine has continued the Foundation’s work by re-introducing the jaguar in Argentina as well as the Giant Anteater, Huemul Deer, Patagonian Deer, and the Patagonia Panther. She has created one of the best conservation museums in history at Patagonia Park with hopes of creating one in New York City as well. I urge you all to get to know what Kristine has done for our world at http://www.tompkinsconservation.org/home.htm. Save the planet, save the people, and most importantly, peace through understanding. Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor and can be reached at pam@walkeradventures.com
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With crews all over, With crews all over, With crews allare over, Withwe crews all over, able to service we are able to service we arewe able toable service are to serviceALL of Georgia. ALL of Georgia. Full Roof Replacement Perimeter Roofing is Metro ALL ofALL Georgia. of Georgia. Atlanta’s Roofing expert. We have the professionals to help you with replacements or even insurance claims for storm damaged roofs.
678-948-ROOF
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EVENTS ON THE SNELLVILLE TOWNE GREEN
Keystone Sponsors: Eastside Medical Center, Walton Gas and ER Snell Contractors, Inc.
May 11
May 25
BEACH BLAST 12 to 5 p.m.
ual n n A h t 7
MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. LIVE ON THE LAWN CONCERT 6 to 9 p.m.
12-3 p.m. - Fun & Games with DJ Lee 3-5 p.m. - Swingin’ Medallions
$10 All-Day Activity Band includes:
Big Kahuna Waterslide SUPRISE Paddle Boats • Inflatables GIVEAWAY to first 500 Train Ride • Bungee Jump thepeople! Water Rollers • 9-Hole Mini Golf
Free Concert Featuring Head Games - Foreigner Tribute Snellville School of Rock opens at 6 p.m.
Food - Beer - Wine
$150 - Reserve a Table for Eight online at snellvilletourism.com/events/live-on-the-lawn
June 4
2019
Sponsored by Snellville Police Department and the Snellville Citizens Police Academy Alumni
6 to 8 p.m.
Great information on protecting your family, pets home and businesses!
www.SnellvilleEvents.com
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Become an Advertising Partner: Email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or Call 678-825-2049
Our Town Gwinnett
The Village Corner German Restaurant, Bakery & Tavern We are a full-service bakery, restaurant, and tavern specializing in German cuisine.
Let Us Help You
Celebrate With a cake from our Bakery
6655 James B Rivers Dr. Stone Mountain, GA 30083
(770) 498-0329
Hours Of Operation: Tuesday - Friday 9am-10pm Saturday 8am-11pm Sunday 10am-9pm Closed Monday
Mothers’ Day
At BenchMark, your journey is our journey, and we’re committed to getting you back to your best. That’s why our licensed physical therapists use manual therapy, a hands-on technique that’s proven to get better outcomes so you can start moving and feeling better faster. Our 99% patient satisfaction rate speaks for itself. Choose better outcomes. Choose BenchMark. Call your local BenchMark today to set up an evaluation. BUFORD I-85 2815 Buford Dr, Ste 102 (770) 271-4413
LAWRENCEVILLE 4825 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Ste C (678) 985-0238
LILBURN – BEAVER RUIN 4145 Lawrenceville Hwy NW, Ste 8 (678) 691-7163
GRAYSON 2065 Grayson Hwy, Ste B (678) 376-0213
LILBURN 1227 Rockbridge Rd, Ste 402 (770) 925-9210
SNELLVILLE 2050 Scenic Hwy N, Ste A (678) 344-7197 SNELLVILLE CENTERVILLE HWY 124 3641 Centerville Hwy, Ste 400 (470) 365-2135
Our Town Gwinnett
Become an Advertising Partner: Email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or Call 678-825-2049
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