NOV 2022: (BLUE) Our Town Gwinnett Monthly Magazine for Gwinnett/NE Dekalb

Lawrenceville

Gwinnett/NE

through Cetera Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment

Gearing up for Vintage Market Days® Greater Atlanta

By Kristen Eleveld

It’s our favorite time of year, the time when Vintage Market Days® Greater Atlanta returns to the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville. Whether you are looking for some new-to-you vintage items, a pair of hand made earrings, or the best candle you’ve ever smelled, you are in luck because you will find all that and more at the Vintage Market Days® event “Be Merry” on November 18th, 19th, and 20th.

Vintage Market Days® combines a vin tage-inspired aesthetic with a fun, unique atmo sphere provided by artists and vendors showing off their considerable skills and handmade wares to create a Market that seems to have no end of exceptional, one-of-a-kind treasures. While you will see several local creators represented, this event has become so popular among artisans and makers that you will also see some vendors who have traveled from other states just to be part of Vintage Market Days® Greater Atlanta in Lawrenceville.

At the helm of this impressive event is Lara Landinez, who runs Vintage Market Days® for the greater Atlanta area in addition to two other areas around the country. Lara, whose eye for detail and passion for event planning have helped her create one of the best weekends that Gwinnett will enjoy this year, has been looking for

ward to Vintage Market Days® for months – and has been planning it even longer.

“Planning Vintage Market Days® is like putting pieces of a puzzle together,” said Lara. “I love the transformation as everything comes together for a fun-filled weekend, and then seeing the sparkle in peo ple’s eyes as they shop, eat, and listen to music while spending time with family and friends.”

And while the handmade crafts and household items are certainly

By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers

Most people are very much the same. We all eat and drink. We all sleep. We all live and die. We all seek to be loved. And we all have different emotions. It is what makes us human. What we have in common (UNITE) is far greater than anything that makes us different (UNTIE). With that said, I want to focus on an idea from a book by Laurie Jones. It is the word/acronym SHALT. SHALT stands for Sad, Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired. How many times have you said something or written something you later regretted? How often have you acted in an “out of charac ter” manner and wished you could get a “do-over”? If you are like me, you have done so, and this information should prove helpful.

If you are sad, it is best to postpone a decision until you are in the right frame of mind. You will be glad you did. Second, many of us get grumpy when we are hungry. So, if you have not eaten, wait until you are no longer hungry and you will think more clearly and communicate more effectively.

How about when we are angry? In social media, it is easy to fire off a tweet, post, text, or email in seconds. You know the drill –when someone makes you mad, blast them right then for the whole world to see. Of course, this is not the best thing to do. Like sadness, anger is an emotion that will settle itself in time. And you should wait until that emotion is gone so you calmly respond to what you are facing. In youth sports, there is often a 24-hour rule after a game. If you are upset with your child’s playing time, etc., you must wait 24 hours before talking to the coach. If you still are angry after that time has passed, then it is a real emotion, and it’s okay to begin the conversation. However, in many cases, the emotion dies down before 24 hours, and you are glad you did not react on adrenaline. Time has a way of making us think more clearly about what we say and write. Every time I have reacted in the moment, I later kicked myself for getting baited, especially when I knew better and should have waited.

How about when we are lonely? Maybe you have not had much time around people recently or are just bored. When you have a lonely mindset, it is not a good time to make decisions on important matters because you are out of balance and need to be centered. It is

Continued on page 11

@RyanSauers @RyanTSauers

Thanksgiving Tips: How to Practice Gratitude

By Tana Poncsak

There’s a lot of chatter about how being thankful and practicing gratitude can help one live a healthier and a happier life. We hear about it in inspirational quotes on social media, discussed on pod casts, and we even read about it in various articles in magazines and on the web.

It’s November and the month of Thanksgiving, and while many will be reminded to give thanks as a result of the holiday, let’s look at some ways we can practice gratitude all year.

1. Take a look at your values and how you spend your time. Perhaps those values have shifted along the way. Think about the things you value most and why you value them. Are you missing some special people in your life? Perhaps you need more time to your self. Whatever it may be, time to yourself or more time for the special people in your life, think about ways to spend more time on the things you value in your life.

2. We’ve all heard it before, but it bears repeating. Stop comparing yourself to others. It’s easy to do, especially with social media 24 hours a day, but it’s counterproductive. You’re unique, so be thankful for your uniqueness and learn to lean into it.

3. Keep a gratitude journal. You don’t have to write a page every day. A few lines will do because being consistent is important. Just the act of writing something down can have a positive impact.

4. Be generous about saying “thank you” when you’re out and about in the community. In a world filled with road rage and other bouts of anger, it’s refreshing to encounter someone with a gra cious spirit.

Conflict Corner: Why Do I Have to Go?

By Barbara A. Bailey, PhD

Three possible outcomes in a conflict situation have a loser. I win, you lose. You win, I lose. I lose, you lose. But, the fourth outcome is just as possible, yielding a win for both parties. I can’t think of a better time to focus on that outcome than in a holiday situation where emotions run high, excitement abounds, and expectations soar to the skies.

Right after Labor Day weekend, a local retailer had Christmas decorations around the store. I saw Halloween and Thanksgiving merchan dise, but not as much as those decorations connected with Christmas. I couldn’t help but think of all the young people who will be agitated for months about the hol idays. I thought of their parents whose last nerves might be frayed with short tempers to follow, answering one more time, “Not yet!” And, with those innocent decorations come plans to be made, travel to be contemplated, and interaction with people who push our last buttons of sanity and good manners.

A holiday gathering doesn’t have to be a “winner take all” affair. Really, it doesn’t. We could probably compare stories all afternoon, but who wants to relive those times? This year, I encourage you not

5. Make it a goal to send at least one thank you note or thank you email a week. Perhaps a coworker helped you with a big project or there’s a family member you haven’t spoken to in a while. Not only will they feel good about receiving the note, but you will feel good about making someone else’s day a bit brighter.

6. Volunteer and help others any way you can. As people, we have a tendency to feel better about ourselves and other things when we’re helping others. And perhaps during the holidays is a great time to start. Volunteer in your church or your community. Help out a friend in need. Any small act could make a big impact.

7. Spend some time reflecting, praying, or meditating on and for an attitude of gratitude. It takes time and focus to develop a habit, even good ones. We often have to constantly remind ourselves as we pursue new endeavors and being thankful is no different. Keep it up.

Hopefully, as you see and feel the positive power of gratitude, you’ll be motivated to keep practicing, even if it’s just for one more day.

to bring “those times” into “this time.” Since all you can control during a conflict situation is your own behavior, let’s talk briefly about how you craft a win and encourage the other person to win at a time when all might seem lost.

Think about the person who: a) you will see this holiday season, and b) you wish you didn’t have to see this holiday season. Now ask yourself, “What did I learn about our conflict the last time I saw this person?” Is it ongoing and will it rise again when you spot each other as one of you enters the room? Is it simmering, just waiting to jump out when one of you raises an eyebrow the wrong way? Or, is it so weak that you might manage it?

You might not want to, but I encourage you to take the lead. If the conflict has run its course except for the acknowledgement by both parties that it’s done, reaching out and having a discussion with the other person could bring the win-win outcome that can lead to a holiday interaction with better memories for you both. Conversely, if the conflict is just as strong as ever between you and the other person, you must make some plans that don’t bring others into your situation. You can promise yourself not to be the instigator; you can deflect if the other person chooses to instigate. And if the conflict waits for the raised eyebrow, control yourself and remember that others do not need to be brought into your challenge, and certainly not when they want to make a holiday memory for themselves.

A win-win outcome is not easy. A win-win outcome means the other person might not realize that it happened if you are the only one who focuses on achieving it. You must attend the event; you might not have a choice. But you do have choice in outcome because you can control your own behavior. And, in positive con flict management, win-win outcomes bring a reason to celebrate, holiday season or not.

Barbara Bailey is the co-founder and CEO of The Healing Bridge Foundation.

Holiday Matters: Make Your Holidays Stress-Free

By Tana Poncsak

As soon as the kids roam the neighborhood for candy on Halloween, many of us start thinking (and maybe obsessing) about the upcoming holidays. After all, there’s cooking to be done, pres ents to buy, and plans to be made all while still working and going about our daily lives. And while the holidays are supposed to be meaningful and fun, often they turn out to be tiring, disappointing, and stressful.

According to a December 2017 article in Medical News Today, some people can feel overwhelmed by the excess, expectations, and exchange and can become depressed during the holi days. The article goes on to say that a lack of time and money, credit card debt, and the pressure of gift giving can often con tribute to stress during the holiday season.

As mentioned in this article and cited by many others as well, one of the main causes for holiday stress can be linked to our expectations. We watch the holiday movies and see images of the picture-perfect holidays, and that becomes what we strive for. Anything less misses the mark. And unfortunately, with the recent pandemic there may be even more emphasis on that picture-perfect holiday now that we’re able to gather together once again.

The answer can be as easy as keeping things simple and don’t over plan. But we all know that’s easier said than done. Here are a few things you can do to lower your expectations and keep things simple.

• Make a realistic list of the things you need to accomplish to make your holiday special and meaningful. This shouldn’t be a long list. Try to keep this list at three to six things. Then make a second list of the things you would like to accomplish but aren’t necessary to make your holiday complete.

• Try to simplify or delegate the things that need to be done to make the best use of your time. For example, you want to read the latest holiday novel, but you have no time. Try listening to the audio version while commuting to and from work. You may even be able to borrow it from the library for free using an app like Libby.

• Don’t like outdoor decorating? Delegate it to the professionals. Some local landscaping companies may offer outdoor decorating during the holidays.

• Don’t like to bake but need festive cookies? Leave the baking to your local bakery.

• Have company coming into town for the holidays, but no time to clean? There are a number of cleaning services in the area you can call.

• Need help wrapping? Hire a neighborhood teen to wrap your packages one afternoon.

• Short on time for cooking the holiday meal? Have it catered by a local restaurant. Or if that’s totally out of the question, try cooking some dishes using a pressure cooker or an air fryer and save the stove and the oven for dishes that need your extra attention. You

why many people are excited to attend, Vintage Market Days® offers even more than that. While you’re strolling from booth to booth, take a moment to enjoy the live music that will be playing throughout the day. You won’t even have to leave the Market to grab some lunch, because there are tons of delicious treats and hearty meal options available through vendors and food trucks.

Vintage Market Days® is still a few days away, but go ahead and plan your visit now, because the first twenty-five pre-purchased ticket holders to attend the Market on Friday and Saturday will walk away with a tote bag filled with goodies provided by the same vendors and artists who have booths waiting for your visit. Anyone who purchases a ticket for Friday or Saturday will be able to use that ticket for access to the Market for the rest of the weekend, so if you find that your

arms are too full to carry everything you’re hoping to buy, just make a note to come back the next day.

Of course, there is another solution to that problem: Vintage Market Days® has partnered up with their sponsor, the Paw Project of Georgia, to provide volunteers onsite to help customers take their larger purchases to their cars. Paw Project of Georgia, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing low-cost vet erinarian and animal rescue services, is teaming up with Vintage Market Days® for the second time in a row and hopes to provide a heightened awareness about the services they make available for our furriest friends.

“Working with Paw Project of Georgia is a great way to support the local community,” said Lara. “I love having the opportunity to work with non-profits like these.”

So if you are ready to enjoy some amazing hand-crafted items, vintage decor, fantastic music, and yummy treats, look no further. Just join Lara and her team at Vintage Market Days® on November 18th, 19th, or 20th!

More information at vintagemarketdays.com/market/greater-atlanta

From the Publisher Continued from page 7

easy to feel everyone else is getting something that you are not, or you feel they are in a better place than you are. Such thoughts creep into our heads when we are lonely. Social media such as Facebook or Instagram can seem like the ultimate “highlight reel” (no pun intended) of others’ lives and can lead to us feeling even more alone (Note to reader: such highlights are not “everyday life,” but can sure seem that way).

What about when we get tired? After all, in our rapidly moving world, we ALL get tired at some point. This is a time you feel significant stress and need to rest. You know... chill out. So, do not communicate something you will later regret because you’re worn out. It will come across the wrong way. Instead, get some rest and approach everything with a fresh perspective. This is why we tell

people to get a good night’s sleep, and things will look better in the morning.

So, there you go. You have my take on the SHALT rule and how it helps us better understand our emotions and when we should/ should not communicate. What about you? What “SHALT” you no longer do when you are not in the right frame of mind? Let’s also focus on what we SHALT do to make a positive difference in our community each day, week, and month. How can we bring people together? How can we help people find common ground? How can we listen more and talk less? The Our Town community always seeks to UNITE and grow together.

Finally, I thank you for your kind feedback on my monthly col umn. I shalt continually work hard to make it better. Until next time, I wish you a great November. And, as always, thank you for continu ing with me... on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!

Travel

Tales: Have You Been to Amsterdam?

By Pam Walker, CTC, ATC, DS, LS

I am sure if you do any international travel to Europe, at one time or another you must have transited Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

The first time I did, it was scary: so big, so confusing, and everyone speak ing Dutch. Lately, it has aquired quite a fame along with London’s Heathrow, Paris’ Charles de Gaulle, and others. Post pandemic travel is back with a vengance, and these airports, with staff problems and multilple airlines and gates, have proved challenging.

That said, the next time you have to go through Amsterdam, I suggest you stop and “smell the tulips” as it is. The Netherlands (or Holland as we know it) is a fascinating country with lots to do and see.

Aside from the Tulip Festival (from the end of March to mid May every year), you can see fields and fields of tulips growing in the “Bulb” region of Lisse not far from Amsterdam.

Known as the Land of Water, the Netherlands is about the size of a large city in the USA. Start your stay in Amsterdam itself, which is full of museums and bycicyles. You have to be careful when walking through the streets as there are more bicycles than there are cars. Don’t forget to visit the Anne Frank House, made famous by her reknowned diary about life in an attic during the Nazi invasion of Europe.

From there you can take day trips to Marken to see real windmills and how wooden shoes are made. En route you can see the amazing fields constructed below sea level, with dams and dikes holding back the water till harvest. Or you can take a short trip down to Utrecht to see it’s quaint canals with historic buildings and castles. There is also the beautiful Dom Tower which is beautifully lit at night. Go to Gouda where the cheese was first made, where all the street lights in the old town look like rounds of cheese. Rotterdam should round out your stay for shopping and enjoying all of the mostly duty free “goodies” you can find in the amazing and very modern port city.

There is a lot more to see and do in the Netherlands besides Amsterdam’s Schiphol. So the next time you have to connect there, stay a while. It may be a small country, but there are lots to do and the Dutch people are happy to share it with you.

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

Attorney Anita M. Lamar Owner, Managing Attorney

By Jane Bishop

What do you think of when you hear the word, PUSH? Is it negative or positive? Push can be exerting force to move some one/something, or moving others aside to move forward, or a “vigorous effort to do or obtain something.” In the context of “obtaining something,” I offer one of my Janeisms to pon der: Practice Until Shift Happens. This acronym encapsulates the idea of how PUSH is a method that creates change. How does it work? Consider an area in your life that you want to shift: i.e. time allocation, healthy eating, self-care, etc. Whatever you are consid ering, follow the acronym as your guide.

Making a change/shift requires practice, so now connect a descriptive word with it that relates to you and your situation (i.e. intentional practice, strategic practice, planned practice, appropri ate practice). Next, identify the practice that will best help you make the shift. For example, if you want to build in a brain break three times daily, what action will you practice that begins to create the new neural pathway for the shift? One action could be to set an alert on your phone or device. When it notifies you, stop, and take your brain break: 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes. A brain break can be as simple as doodling for your defined time! There are some days I take multiple 1-minute doodle breaks to clear my brain. You will be amazed how developing this habit with practice helps you PUSH!

Sustainable change/shift doesn’t take root or gain traction overnight. The word until implies time. Research supports my 30-60-90-day practice. It takes 30 days to consistently interrupt our brain’s current neural pathways and replace them with new habits; a second 30 days to reinforce them; and a third 30 days to

continue reinforcing what’s gaining traction. After the 90 days and you are experiencing “shift happens,” the PUSH continues. As you reinforce these changes, they will become part of your lifestyle.

When you are stuck and not moving forward, I encourage you to implement PUSH: P ractice Until Shift Happens. Over time, the shifts will weave seamlessly into what you’re trying to accomplish. How we influence/lead others flows out of how we lead self. Using this acronym as a guide can strengthen our self-leadership. My call to action for you this day is to ask yourself this question: what can I PUSH with “vigorous effort” so that I experience change? You may be surprised at the results!

Jane Bishop is a Positive Interrupter and Leadership Coach. More information at www.janebishop.live

Wonder What It’s Really Like AT THE SHERIDAN AT EASTSIDE?

Get your answers from the people who know it best – the residents!

Come visit. We’d love to introduce you around so you can get your questions answered at the source – the wonderful individuals who live here. They’re the right people because they’ve been where you are now – seeking a community that fits.

Develop a real connection with The Sheridan at Eastside. Schedule a visit today.

One Man’s Opinion: Your Vote is Secure, Your Vote Counts

By Bill Crane

Early voting for the recent November 8, 2022, General Election began on Monday, October 17th. Your ballots were secret, safe, and secure, and each vote counted.

I tend to prefer dealing with facts versus rumor and innuendo. One former president might have you believe that our election system was gamed in 2020 and that our equipment is faulty and hackable. Dominion Voting Systems (DVS) is the dominant election equipment, software, and hardware provider in twenty-eight states, as well as Puerto Rico. Also, DVS is the elec tion vendor for Ohio, Florida, Tennessee, Louisiana, Kansas, and Missouri – all states handily won by Donald J. Trump.

And here in Georgia, we have also had another highly visible candidate and public figure suggesting that Georgia’s voting system is stacked and rigged with tactics of voter suppression. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams has softened her verbiage more recently, but still contends that the gubernatorial contest of 2018, which she lost narrowly for governor, was unfair and caused by a flawed and broken system of disenfranchisement and voter suppression.

I am, of course, going to again stick to the facts. Georgia voter

turnout in every demographic set records for turnout and hard vote count totals during 2018 and again during 2020. President Joe Biden received more votes than any Democratic candidate in Georgia histo ry, and U.S. Senator David Perdue set a similar record on the GOP side. Virtually every demographic category also saw surg es in registration, with African-American registration in both cycles exceeding their per centage of the Georgia population.

Shortly after losing the governor’s race in 2018, which Ms. Abrams never actually conceded, she filed or sponsored a series

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Be a Bridge Builder

By Bill Crane

You almost always know bridge builders when you meet them. They bring people together, share aspirations, and inspire others. DeKalb County government’s CEO, Michael Thurmond, is a bridge builder.

Thurmond recently took the lead in crediting, honoring, remem bering, and paying tribute to an illustrious family of bridge builders, mainly Washington W. King (1843-1910) and his father Horace King (1807-1885), patriarch of the bridge-building King family. In 1891, in Athens, Georgia, Washington W. King was selected to engi neer, design, and construct an all-wood-covered bridge that was to provide pas sage across the Oconee River in Athens, from rural eastern Clarke County to downtown Athens, College Avenue, and the University of Georgia.

The Stone Mountain Memorial Association had the W.W. King Bridge added to the National Register of Historic Places.

On September 16, 2022, the bridge was formally renamed and dedicated in honor of W.W. King and his family. On hand for the ceremony were two King family descendants, Rebecca King

Rosenberg and her sister Kathleen King Hawrylak. The sisters are direct line descendants of W.W. King’s brother, John Thomas King (1846-1926), making them great-great-great granddaughters of Horace King and great-great grandnieces of W. W. King.

The covered bridge at Stone Mountain Park, now rededicated as the Washington W. King/College Avenue Bridge, is 131 years old and still doing its job most every day, connecting the more natural southeastern side of Stone Mountain Park to Indian Island across a narrow inlet of Stone Mountain Lake.

The all-timber bridge was constructed by hand, just twenty-five years after the Civil War, without the benefit of gas or electric power tools or transport. The King fam ily would build dozens of similar spans across the American south. Patriarch Horace King learned car pentry and engineering while enslaved to John Goodwin (1798-1859). With the support of his once slave master, with whom Horace King had constructed numerous bridges and other structures, Horace King secured his emancipation and freedom in 1846.

Horace King and his wife, a free woman, Florence Gould Thomas (1825-1864), would raise five children, four brothers and one sister, who would enter the bridge building business. Following his father’s death, W.W. King would relocate with his wife and family to Athens, Georgia to build out his enterprise, the Bridge Company.

“It speaks to who they were, who we are, and more importantly, to who we can become,” said Thurmond during some occasionally emotional remarks about the importance of honoring a black man, the son of a freed slave, as well as his family, for their contributions to Georgia, and most specifically, to bridge building, in a park creat ed as a Confederate memorial.

The bridge in Athens was built for horse and buggy and lasted well into the automobile era. The wooden bridge was seriously damaged

Proudly serving our community for more than 20 years.

Ukraine Refugees Welcomed to Gwinnett

By Beth Volpert Johansen

Some of the most heartfelt and poignant stories begin with a simple social media posting. When a globally relevant story lands right in the middle of Gwinnett County, people pay attention. When tensions are high internationally, and the entire world can see the horrors of war played out in Ukraine, people wonder how they can help. Moreover, suddenly, the living, breathing refugees arrive right in Gwinnett County.

For Laura Drake, Director of the SE Gwinnett Co-op, a phone call changed everything. She posted on Facebook a plea for help. And, as her faithful-self expected, God answered her. Speaking of a beautiful baby girl who visited the Co-op with her family, Laura wrote:

She has no idea, but God knows. She will not remember this day, and I will never forget it. My new friend Googled “I need help with food.” The Co-op popped up and she called. Because we serve an All Knowing, Mighty God, and because the Co-op is undergirded by His God Army, we welcomed our new friends yesterday and heard their stories, held their babies, and shared a meal.

That first meal? Chick-Fil-A, provided by the Scenic Highway –Snellville Store. “They loved it!” says Laura. “Thank you, Tom and Gene, for your generosity with this meal of love.”

It all began with the faith of a small Russian-speaking church congregation located in Lilburn. The families who are from Ukraine, Russia, and Moldova felt a strong call to help. Accessing their building fund, they worked to bring forty-five Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees to the United States. The process of reg istering for the status is overwhelming, but the family-to-family outreach has prepared them for the challenge.

Outreach options began to materialize as Laura reached out to her friends Denise Smith and Stephanie Marbut from Peace of Thread. “God already had our friends Denise and Stepanie in place from Peace of Thread when they became my new friends last year when we lived this same story with precious souls fleeing from Afghanistan,” says Laura. “They are experts in helping refugees. Thank you, God.”

Peace of Thread was established to provide a way for newly arrived women – primarily mothers – to provide for their families and maintain their dignity during an incredibly stressful time. The women are taught to sew beautiful boutique-quality bags and accessories. With every piece purchased, you are investing in the future of our artisans and their families.

“Laura is such a dear friend, she called with this immediate need and invited me to meet the women of the church at a Chick-Fil-A lunch,” says Denise, Founder and CEO of Peace of Thread. “It was so beautiful to be able to hug and love on these faithful women. I cried along with everyone.” The meeting began the wheels churn ing for Denise and Laura. “We will be training five women at a time,” she says. “They all want to learn to sew so they can work from home.”

Laura adds, “While these families work through the process, we committed ourselves to this church to help to fill the gap and supply their needs, allowing them to care for these families. Again, I must stress that I strongly believe we are called to this moment by God. These families came with two bags. They left everything behind.”

Because the SE Co-op is located in Grayson, the activity imme diately caught the attention of the city government and community. “I wish I had the words to describe what it was like assisting in delivering supplies and meeting approximately twenty Ukrainian refugees – several of them children – and learning what they went through to get here,” says Amanda Leftwich, City of Grayson

Community Development Director. “My heart is both full and broken at the same time. I do know this – Grayson, Georgia is the most giving city there is.”

That giving spirit caught on with an initiative to provide the chil dren with the happier things that help make a childhood joy-filled. “The first time we were there,” says Mayor Allison Wilkerson, “we noticed that they didn’t have any toys. Obviously, when you can only bring two bags with you, toys are not high on the priority list. So, we have taken on this mission! Through some amazing help, we have purchased five bikes and helmets and five dolls.” The families have 18 children between the ages of 2 months to 7 years. Those who wish to help, please donate through Grayson’s City Hall.

Between the Lilburn Russian House of Prayer, SE Gwinnett Co-op, Peace of Thread, and the Grayson and Gwinnett Communities, there is hope for these refugees. These humans, fellow faithful humans who have their families together, but lack the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter, will emerge from this huge change

Gwinnett Tech Instructor Jeff White: Winner of 2022 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) named Gwinnett Technical College (GTC) phys ics instructor Jeff White the win ner of the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction at the State Leadership Conference.

“This is a tremendous honor,” said White. “I am grateful to Gwinnett Tech and TSCG for everything they do to support our students and communities. I look forward to representing Gwinnett Tech and the technical education system throughout the upcoming year.”

In its 31st year, the Rick Perkins Award highlights excellence in technical instruction and recognizes the most outstanding instruc tors at the twenty-two TCSG colleges. As the award winner, White will make public appearances as a representative for technical edu cation next year, including meeting with the governor and address ing the Georgia General Assembly.

Gwinnett Technical College President Dr. D. Glen Cannon said, “What a great and well-deserved honor. Jeff exemplifies the exper

Zoomer Zone: Connecting on Social Media

By Emma Dison Brantley

It’s rare these days to find someone who doesn’t use social media. It’s become part of just about everyone’s lives, not only for Gen Z but for other genera tions as well. Social media is not just for sharing funny pictures or videos but for marketing, ecom merce, and personal connection. Our technology is growing at an exponential rate, and with that comes a new generation of social media platforms. Gen Zers have moved far beyond Facebook and Twitter, to newer social media platforms with more robust capa bilities.

Before there was TikTok, there was Vine or Musical.ly, short video streaming platforms. Neither of these platforms exist because of franchise issues and becom ing unable to support their content creators. While many in older generations go to Google to search something they don’t know, many Gen Zers go to TikTok as their reference because we like to have a visual representation of what we don’t know. You’ll even see many companies advertise to check them on TikTok or other media platforms.

BeReal was created in 2020 but didn’t gain users until mid-2022. BeReal was created to connect with real friends in real time. Upon

tise, passion, and professionalism of all our faculty at GTC and across the system. He could teach anywhere, but we are so thankful he chose to be a part of the GTC family. He comes to class every day with a single focus to educate students not just for success in the classroom but prepared to succeed in life. He will represent the TCSG faculty with that same pas sion over the coming year.”

“I have always loved working with others and helping them develop their talents inside,” stated White. “Seeing their eyes light up as they have that moment of enlightenment is incredibly satis fying. Every student comes into my class with hope for a better future and dreams of a better life. They trust me to help them make those dreams come true and ensure their life story has a happy ending. Their hard work and dedication to their dreams is my inspiration.”

White taught in the Gwinnett County Public Schools system for thirty-four years before coming to Gwinnett Technical College as a full-time physics instructor. He led various science classes during those years, was the science department chair for thirteen years, coached football, baseball, and soccer, and sponsored several student clubs.

White holds a Master of Science in Physics from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Science in Science Education from the University of Georgia. He also earned his Specialist Degree

signing up, you receive daily notifications to post a picture of what you’re doing at that time. It could be at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 p.m., but the concept is to capture the moment and share it with your friends. BeReal doesn’t advertise as a social media platform because with most social media platforms, you can plan and edit the pictures how you want before people see them. BeReal gives the user two minutes to post a picture of what you are doing and if you miss the two-minute window, other people can see how “late” you posted.

Instagram has been around since 2010, but it’s done some remodeling since then. Then, the purpose of Instagram was to share pictures with your friends for them to like and comment, but now Instagram has an algorithm for users based on what they like most. Instagram also started out as mainly sharing pictures, but with the addition of “reels,” stories, and the explore page, videos are becoming more popular. With Instagram making changes to its app to make it look and feel more like TikTok, comments from the public show they want the “old” Instagram back.

Discord came out in 2015 to replace Skype or TeamSpeak, which were proprietary applications used for video or voice over calls. Like Discord, these applications are used for in-game voice calls, but Discord’s purpose is to connect with people in-game and outside of the game. Discord has also updated its application with a subscription to Discord Nitro, which offers animated back grounds, higher streaming quality, larger file sharing capabilities, and much more.

I personally use all these applications, some more than others, and it’s crazy how much these applications have shaped our society. Social media was created with the intention to connect with people and used as a tool for our benefit, but be careful about what you post, to whom you talk, or whom you meet on social media. These

Finding Wellness with Dr. Chris’ Natural Remedies

By Kristen Eleveld

We can all relate to the discom fort we have when something just feels off in our bodies. Maybe you are suffering from an injury that won’t seem to heal, or maybe you keep getting headaches you can’t explain. Whatever you’re dealing with, you can look to the team at Dr. Chris’ Natural Remedies in Snellville to help you not only find health-care, but experience true healing and wellness.

“We’ve come to understand that most of the ailments and chronic diseases that plague people’s health are due to an imbalance in the body,” said Dr. Kerith Powell, who is part of the team at Dr. Chris’ Natural Remedies.

The rest of the team includes Sunshyne Purnell, Rekei Master; Dr. Chris Greene, Nutrition Response Testing; Dr. Ronda Ward, Traditional Naturopath; and Dr. Legend Bourne, Exercise Specialist.

“You deserve to be treated by a doctor who sees your pain as a sign that something is wrong and not just an inconvenience,” Dr. Powell said.

While chiropractors are traditionally associated with treating pain in the neck and back, Dr. Powell and the other team members are committed to treating more than just your pain. They take a holistic approach that doesn’t just include your symptoms; they also work

with you to understand your lifestyle and nutrition so they can give you the best next steps for better healing.

In order to offer their patients the very best care for total body healing, Dr. Powell and his colleagues make use of both ancient and modern means to provide the treatment that each patient needs. This approach means that each person is viewed as an individual, and not just one of many people who pass through the office each day. Treatment plans will often include elements like examining patients’ diet and exercise, water intake levels, and sleep. Once the chiropractors understand more about the patient, they can employ healing methods like Reiki, Chinese Medicine, Iridology, Nutrition Response Testing, chiropractic, therapeutic activities, cryotherapy, custom orthotics, Vibe Plate, NES and ZYTO.

In fact, Dr. Powell has also observed that the ZYTO scan, which is a non-invasive test, has risen in popularity and practice over the last several years. Because this technology can give you vital infor mation about your body through a simple scan of your palm, many healthcare providers are turning to this option as a way of learning the ailments of their patients without having to put them through extensive testing and bloodwork.

“The human body is one of the most complex and fascinating things in the universe,” said Dr. Powell. “We love researching it, healing it, and finding new ways to improve it.”

The providers at Dr. Chris’ Natural Remedies are so committed to increasing their knowledge of healing and wellness that they created their own ZYTO biosurvey, which means their patients can take advantage of the technology available without having to seek out additional care.

The level of care rises still further at this practice as they have worked to provide a wide variety of wellness options. Services like

get the idea. Be creative and ask for help!

• Don’t overwhelm yourself and your family with holiday activi ties. Pick a few that are manageable and let the others go. And even with the hustle and bustle of the season, remember to make self-care a priority.

• With gift giving, it’s the thought that counts. Don’t feel like you have to spend a small fortune. A small thoughtful gift or handmade gift can be just as personal and meaningful than an expensive one.

• Don’t compare your holiday to the holiday of others. The season is not meant to be a competition.

• Be more thankful for the things you accomplish instead of sad about the things that you don’t get to on your list. You can look

forward to the ones you didn’t get to for next year.

• Always keep in mind the perfect holiday doesn’t exist. There are always things that are out of our control.

• If loved ones can’t make it to your holiday celebration, keep in mind the holidays are a relatively short period of time within a year, and there are another 300+ days in the year giving us plenty of other opportunities to spend time with loved ones. Plan something for later when the timing is better and everyone can be more relaxed.

At the end of the holiday, take some time to reflect. What went well? What didn’t go as well? Were there any surprises? And make notes for a head start on next year. Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Small Business Spotlight: Importance of Supporting Local Small Businesses

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

There are millions of small businesses in the United States and so many in our community owned by passionate people working hard to make their dreams a reality. Rather than buying from a big retailer the next time you need something, consider supporting the locally owned businesses around you. When you sup port a small business, you’re not only helping build your community, but also direct ly impacting someone’s life. Every customer counts when it comes to small business, which means your dollars can help that small business owner thrive. For example, as the nation’s largest insurer, State Farm® has more than 19,000 agents who are small business owners themselves, and who are committed to restoring lives, rebuilding neighborhoods, and investing in the communities where they live and work. This desire to help started 100 years ago when the company was founded by a farmer who was concerned that big city insurance companies would not serve the specific needs of his business and community. Here are three simple ways to support small businesses and have a positive impact:

1)

Get to know your community through its businesses

Your support matters all year long. For many people, this means shifting their mindset to thinking about local options first and getting to know the types of products and services your local busi nesses are providing. Whether you are purchasing items for yourself or someone else, start to understand how these local businesses can fill your needs. Don’t forget, many small businesses offer gift cards, which are wonderful ways to show ongoing support.

2) Support small business service providers

Small businesses aren’t just for tangible goods. Many provide important services, such as your local mechanic, dentist, or plumb ing company. So, no matter your needs, try and find businesses that are active in the community. You can spot these businesses by seeing how they engage with their neighbors. Look for the provid ers that are going above and beyond to support the neighborhood and other small businesses. By supporting those that have a strong investment in your community, you are helping them create a great er impact.

3) Share your experiences

Many small businesses rely on satisfied customers to tell others so they can grow their client base. People trust word of mouth, so your effort makes a difference. In fact, more than eight out of 10 people around the world said they completely or somewhat trust the recommendations of friends and family, according to Nielsen. Plus, two-thirds said they trust online opinions from consumers. So, tell a friend in person, share a post on social media, or leave a positive review online.

If you’re a small business owner, consider using your platform to build up other entrepreneurs in your neighborhood. The next time you have a need arise, think of how a small business can help. Every effort counts to build your community, show your support, and ensure you continue to have thriving small businesses near you. (BPT)

Pet Perch: It is All in the Drills

By Terie Hansen

Sit/down/sit drills firm up your dog’s sit and down commands. When you tell your dog to sit or down that is what your pet should do, and he or she should hold that com mand until told to do oth erwise.

Oftentimes when own ers give their dog the sit command the dog sits for a little bit and then either pops up or lays down. Follow through and have your dog do what you told him or her to do, not what your pet feels like doing. Allowing your dog to ignore your command gives your pet the go ahead to not listen to you at other times.

Let’s say you tell your dog to come to you, but in the past you’ve allowed your dog to do what he or she feels like doing instead of lis tening to you; then in that moment that’s exactly what your pet will do. Follow through to get what you asked for.

Here are some reasons why dogs don’t listen to their owners:

Be a Bridge Builder

Continued from page 16

by flooding twice, in 1910 and again in 1961. The second flood tore the bridge from its moorings, and not long after, a span of concrete and steel replaced it. While still bridging the Oconee, Michael Thurmond frequently rode across the span in the back of his father’s truck. Thurmond’s father was a sharecropper, carrying crops to area farmers markets. Those journeys were often at night, and young Michael found the bridge then to be creaky and a bit scary and he was concerned that he and his father might end their journey at the bottom of the Oconee River.

The bridge was moved to the banks of the Oconee after that second flood and later sold to the Stone Mountain Memorial Association for $1.00 to be relocated as a historic feature within the park in 1965. Though the bridge originally cost less than $3,000 to construct, its relocation and reassembly cost $37,000. In addition to renaming and rededicating the historic bridge, a .8-mile trail encircling Indian Island has been officially named King’s Trail. W.W. King and his extended family became the first African-Americans officially hon ored within Stone Mountain Park.

“W.W. King, as well as his family and descendants, have been great bridgebuilders, literally and figuratively,” said Stone Mountain Memorial Association Chair, the Reverend Abraham Mosley, also for nearing five decades the pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Athens, and no slouch of a bridgebuilder himself.

In these divided times, we could certainly use a few more people like the Kings, the Reverend Mosley, and Mr. Thurmond. Be a Bridge Builder.

More information at www.CSICrane.com

Zoomer

Zone

Continued from page 18

applications have been useful for me and maybe they could help you in the future, too.

Emma Dison Brantley is a third-year student at the University of Cincinnati, where she is pursuing a degree in information technol ogy on the game development and simulation track.

1. They weren’t taught the command in the first place! ***Your dog does not speak English! You cannot ask your dog to do something that you have not taught them.

2. The command was not taught properly and/or long enough. ***It takes a lot of patterning over weeks of time. Thousands of consis tent repetitions for your dog to grasp a concept fully.

3. They weren’t consistently made to follow through and do the com mand. *** You give the dog a command and for one of the above reasons he or she doesn’t do it, and you don’t follow through to make it happen.

4. You haven’t maintained what you taught your dog. ***Even if you taught it and your dog knew the command(s) very well at one point, if you don’t use it enough your dog will lose it. Use the commands that you have taught your dog daily. Work them into your daily routine. It’s simple at that point. Use them when you’re making your breakfast or grabbing your coffee, before you go in or out of doors, at feeding time, before getting in the car, while watching TV, eating dinner, or inviting guests into your home.

These are all great times to insert a sit, down, or place command. Throw in some recalls while you’re walking your dog or playing in the yard. It’s all in the drills. Drills engage your dog and maintain a high level of performance, which makes your pet much more enjoy able to live with.

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

Finding Wellness

Continued from page 19

their iridology assessment and cold laser treatment provide critical insights and care for those in need without resorting to measures like surgery or powerful medication. They even provide basic wellness checks to aid you in staying on top of your personal health. These holistic approaches also give patients the chance to learn more about how their body moves and works, which can be used to facilitate better healthy practices moving forward.

If you want to set up a time to speak with one of the amazing pro viders like Dr. Powell, the process is easy. Just give the office a call at 770-979-5125, or go online to fill out a request for an appointment. Whatever ails you, the odds are pretty good that Dr. Powell and the rest of the team can help.

Dr. Chris’ Natural Remedies is also helping people from outside the office through their community outreach. They have been proud supporters of South Gwinnett High School, Snellville Days, Grayson Days, and Snellville Tourism and Trade and are also excited to be expanding their reach to serve the community through Mission Life Georgia, a non-profit created by the office team. It comes as no surprise that the practice was named the Business of the Year by the Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce in 2021.

“We treat each person as an individual and take the time to listen to your needs,” said Dr. Powell. “Our approach allows patients to ask better questions to the right people and make choices that move them forward in living the healthy life that we all aspire to lead.”

More information at drchrisnaturalremedies.com or 770-979-5125

Jeff White

Continued from page 18

from the University of Georgia in School Leadership and his Gifted Endorsement. White was born and raised in Atlanta and lives in Flowery Branch, Georgia. He and his wife enjoy camping, traveling, and spending time with their four children and six grandchildren.

As the 2022 Rick Perkins award winner, Jeffrey White received a crystal award and a check for $2,500.

More information at www.GwinnettTech.edu

Partner: Info@OurTown Gwinnett.com or 678-825-2049

of lawsuits through multiple non-profits she founded and led for several years, including Fair Fight Action and Vote America. Both entities recently lost their days in court to the Georgia secretary of state. Each piece of litigation challenged a variety of aspects of Georgia election law, ranging from how voter registration lists are updated and maintained (as required by state and federal law), to how precinct boundaries are drawn and which precincts remain open or closed (decisions made by local county boards of election), to the exact match requirements of signatures and voter identifica tion for ballot integrity.

It took years for these suits to wind their way through fed eral courts, and on September 30, 2022, U.S. District Court Judge Steven Jones ruled that Georgia election law does not violate Georgia voters’ Constitutional Rights. Judge Jones, an Obama Administration appointee, wrote in his 288-page decision, “Although Georgia’s election system is not perfect, the challenged practices violate neither the U.S. Constitution nor the Voting Rights Act.”

Judge Jones added that the actual “…burden on voters is relative ly low,” and that Fair Fight Action did not provide “direct evidence of a voter who was unable to vote, experienced longer wait times, or was confused about voter registration status.”

Translating and cutting through a bit of that legalese, the judge is pointing out that after dozens of witnesses and reams of testimony of anecdotal harm and injury to our democracy and voting rights, the plaintiffs could not present one single person who was unable to vote.

President Trump and his supporters went roughly 0-60+ in their court losses to this point across the country, but Fair Fight Action

and its peers just received similar smackdowns in their litigation against Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Georgia election law. Our democracy is not at risk. We set voter turnout records again this year in Georgia during the general primary and runoff elections for midterm election cycles. New voter registration had again been surging in time for the recent General Election.

Donald Trump and his Stop the Steal sycophants still cause many to question the security of our election systems and the integrity of election results. That is both harmful and wrong. Ms. Abrams’ litigation may have had better intentions, but she now knows in the eyes of the courts, her arguments have also been flawed, light on fact versus allegation, and they also undermine voter confidence in the integrity of voting and our elections

And two wrongs certainly don’t strengthen voting rights either. Congratulations to Secretary of State Raffensperger and the people of Georgia. Our republic and democracy remain safe and secure.

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

Ukraine Refugees Welcomed

with the help provided.

“The biggest challenge will be housing,” says Denise. “All hous ing has jumped in price along with inflation, and it is difficult.”

Keeping newly arrived refugees in close proximity with one another increases their ability to become a part of their new home because, like all people, they have support from people who share their experience.

More information at https://www.segwinnettcoop.org or www. Peaceofthread.com/donate (select Ukraine Refugees).

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.

BUFORD I-85 • 2815 Buford Dr, Ste 102 • (770) 271-4413

GRAYSON • 2065 Grayson Hwy, Ste B • (678) 376-0213

LAWRENCEVILLE • 4825 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Ste C • (678) 985-0238

LILBURN • 1227 Rockbridge Rd, Ste 402 • (770) 925-9210

LILBURN – BEAVER RUIN • 4145 Lawrenceville Hwy NW, Ste 8 • (678) 691-7163

SNELLVILLE • 2050 Scenic Hwy N, Ste A • (678) 344-7197

SNELLVILLE CENTERVILLE HWY 124 • 3641 Centerville Hwy, Ste 400 • (470) 365-2135

At BenchMark, your journey is our journey, and we’re committed to getting you back to your best. Request an appointment at benchmarkpt.com