OCTOBER 2018: Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Monthly Magazine

OCTOBER 2018 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

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Community Member Spotlight: Meet Chuck Studebaker & Family Getting Schooled: Heidi Campbell Named Parkview High’s TOTY Georgia Red Clay: A Family Band with a Family of Friends Making a Difference: Hearts and Kits for the Homeless

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On the Cover: Snellville Tourism & Trade Promotes Community in a Big Way

By Kim Hill “Get ready Snellville! 2019 is our tenth anniversary, and we are doing things in a big way,” says Kelly McAloon, executive director of Snellville Tourism and Trade (STAT). The 501(c)(6) destination marketing organization has a contractual relationship with the city to receive the hotel/motel tax. In turn, it uses those funds to be the marketing arm of the city itself, and hosts a year-long assortment of hugely attended community events.

“We started Connecting Our Community to Celebrate Snellville to bring all areas of the community together – business, folks coming through the city, and people from the outside,” says STAT President Don Britt. “We’re here for the hotels.” The two long-time Snellville area hotels, InTown Suites and La Quinta Inn & Suites, will soon be joined by Hampton Inn & Suites under construction on Scenic Highway. The STAT membership is excited about the new addition, and is working in conjunction with Hampton to promote the hotel beyond the city limits. “We really want to bring people into the city of Snellville to see what we have to offer,” says Britt.

STAT is the umbrella for Snellville Commerce Club, the Farmers’ Market, and the Community Garden. The Farmers’ Market actually came first, and at that time the idea of starting a Destination Marketing Organization to promote the downtown area came about. Plans for the Towne Green soon followed. “Over the next ten years the development of the Towne Center will continue to change the downtown area,” says Britt. “Snellville’s never had a traditional center of town, so you’re watching that happen right now.” Britt says the city has done a very good job to bring all the people together, meeting quarterly with all the groups – the Historical Society, the Downtown Development Authority,

the Urban Redevelopment Authority – and other entities that are working in the city every day to make Snellville a better place.

“We are looking forward to the new Towne Center coming to Snellville,” says McAloon. She explains that they are gathering input from the citizens and have received really good feedback from the Historical Society members who want to keep the “old pieces” to bridge the gap from past to present, and to join together the old and the young. “To get the young people, the millennials, to come back where you still offer something for the seniors,” she says, “it’s just fun, you know, bringing everyone together as a whole.”

“There are so many things going on in Snellville,” Britt says.

“There are programs at South and Brookwood [High Schools] where the youth are involved, and when people go away to school you want to have things to pull them back to their home town.

Now it seems like the millennials, baby boomers, and seniors all want the same thing – live, work, play – the walkability. So we’re a cog in the wheel to try to promote everything, to get everything moving.” He cites the recent concert on the Green, which had close to 1,500 people in attendance. People come from all over for these events because they are promoted in a big way. “All the cities are almost competing with activities, which is great for lifestyle in our county,” adds Britt.

“We try to extend what we do into the community and to draw people in by building relationships,” says McAloon. An example is the Scarecrow Contest, which engages area businesses by having them do promotions to lure voters to their locations. “Last year’s winner was outside city limits and off the beaten path, but did such a good job of promoting they won with over 1,000 votes,” she says. She adds that proceeds from events like the Scarecrow Contest and Festival of Trees are donated to the Southeast Co-op.

“So it’s always revolving, doing something in the community, then giving back to people who need.”

Upcoming events include the Fall Festival on October 20th and the Christmas Tree Lighting with the popular lighted parade, which has exponentially grown from about 800 people to over 4,000. Local businesses get involved in the events. Rhodes Bakery does cookie decorating, Wages Funeral Home does S’mores, and Home Depot does the building. “Of course, we can’t do what we do without our sponsors,” says McAloon, “and we can’t do what we do without our volunteers. They are without a doubt the heart of the city. Our goal is to always give the community the best.

We want people to have a great experience to remember and to come back.”

“It’s all about bringing people together,” says Britt. “Meeting somebody new, and building community spirit – Snellville spirit!”

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Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

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— 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 2018 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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Read Online: OurTownGwinnettOnline.com @OurTownGwinnett @OurTownGwinnett @OurTownGwinnett

IN THIS ISSUE 5 On the Cover: Snellville Tourism & Trade Promotes Community in a Big Way 7 From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion 8 Local Restaurant Spotlight: Huskers Café on the Move 9 Community Member Spotlight: Meet Chuck Studebaker & Family

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18 Brenau University’s Center for Productive Living: More than Just Rehab 19 Pet Perch: Dog Play – Aggressive or Playful?

20 The Balancing Act 20 Travel Tales: Hiking the Wilds of the Canadian Rockies

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From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion @RyanSauers

By Ryan T. Sauers

I hope everyone is off to a great October. Can you believe we are in the final quarter of the year? With that said, I want to discuss our time (as I have been doing) in more detail. It seems everyone I talk to says the same things. You know what I mean.

They say they are “buried, covered up, slammed, running crazy, swamped,” etc.

If you are “watching life” through social media, you may be wasting a lot of precious time. For example, you are likely viewing both the best events (highlight reel) and worst events (low points) in other people’s lives. And, most of life is somewhere in the middle and is boring. Here is a quick question for you. How much time do you spend each day that may be “wasted” reading/posting about things that really do not matter? If the answer is a lot, you may want to refocus your time strategy.

Please don’t get me wrong. I was an early social media adopter. I love Google, smart phones, and the connections I have made around the globe with them. However, in my middle age years, I have come to miss the days when we were all not “constantly connected” and did not feel the need to respond to something in an immediate manner. How often do you put your smart device down (beyond sleeping) in a 24-hour period? It’s scary to think about, huh? So think about your time and if you should change what you are doing with it.

We are human beings not human doings. The fact remains we have 24 hours a day and 7 days a week of time. No more and no less. Thus, what you do with time matters. So what are you going to put on your “stop doing” list, so you can get working on your “start doing” list? I suggest we slow down and reflect on what we want to do with this precious gift, and focus on the person more than the technology.

It does not matter how much money you have because you cannot buy MORE time. Again, time is the great equalizer for all of us. I encourage you to look at life’s “challenges” and reframe from the way Continued on page 12

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Local Restaurant Spotlight: Huskers Café on the Move

By Our Town Staff When Waffle House executive Carl Smith retired from the iconic restaurant chain in 2015, he wasn’t ready to exit the breakfast business.

Instead, he had plans for a smaller, more localized chain of restaurants that would spotlight the South’s most ubiquitous breakfast food. “People in the South just want great grits,” stated Smith.

“And that’s the idea behind Huskers Café.” He opened the first Huskers Café in Stone Mountain in August 2016, and now just two years later, will open his second location in Suwanee in fall 2018.

Smith’s second foray into the restaurant business was inspired in part by his family’s love of breakfast and their strong Southern roots. He created a breakfast-based menu that included the hearty breakfast bowls, pancakes, melts, and other Southern-style comfort foods that covered his family table on many Saturday mornings. But the focus was on grits “any way you want them” – yellow or white – and the foundation of many of the signature dishes served at the restaurant. The Southern staple even inspired the name for the restaurant.

“When we started to name the restaurant we wanted something wholesome like corn, which is what grits is made from,” said Smith. “‘Huskers’ brings to mind corn, but also strongly represents traditional values, which in the South puts family at the top of the list. In the South, family are the people you sit down and eat with and talk about your day – just like at our restaurants.”

Both restaurants offer the friendliness (and pricing) of a cafeteria, but the service of a sit-down.

Smith has also tried to create an atmosphere of community in his restaurant, incorporating an open seating environment that is welcoming and family-friendly. The dining area is furnished with moveContinued on page 16

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Community Member Spotlight: Meet Chuck Studebaker Our Town Magazine (OTM): What do you want our readers to know about you?

Chuck Studebaker (CS): My family has been in Lilburn for twenty-one years. My wife and I just celebrated our 25th anniversary. We have a freshman at UGA, and a pair of sophomores at Brookwood. I have been in the automotive industry for the bulk of my career.

OTM: What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?

CS: Giving and serving – especially the next generation – matters. Our kids matter. These are the future leaders of our country. It is also important to stay positive in an increasingly negative world.

OTM: For you, what is the key to success in life?

CS: Being present. In our ever-increasing electronic-cluttered world, we need to be present – in our marriages, with our kids, with our neighbors.

OTM: What role does faith play in your life?

CS: I can’t do anything without God. It is a comfort to know that I don’t need to have all the answers because He does. I have served the Next Generation for fourteen years, first in the nursery at Grace Fellowship, and now as a kindergarten leader for KidzLife. I really look forward to Wednesday nights where I get to watch kids learn, grow, and follow Jesus.

OTM: What excites you and/or gets you out of bed and excited to start the day?

CS: I start each day with some sort of positive quote. I post these to my Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages. That is a great way to jumpstart my day.

OTM: What is your favorite music/movies/sports teams?

CS: 80’s music, slap stick comedies, and Ohio State. But with so much of my heart (and money) going to UGA, I have become a fan!

OTM: What role does “community” play in your life?

CS: We moved to Gwinnett County in 1997 and didn’t have family here, so our church community became our family. On our street, we have a close-knit group. Several years ago, we hosted Thanksgiving dinner for several friends who also didn’t have family in town. We ended up with over thirty people for lunch!

OTM: What type of roles have you been involved with in giving back to the community?

CS: I am in my 4th year of serving on our HOA board. I served a couple of years as president, and now I am serving as secretary. I am in my 6th year serving on the PTSA executive board, currently as co-president. I have served at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. I also serve on the board Continued on page 15

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Getting Schooled: Heidi Campbell Named Parkview High’s TOTY

By Our Town Staff September is the month when each school nominates and votes for the yearly Teacher of the Year (TOTY) award. This year, Parkview’s top three finalists had one thing in common: they were all teachers who worked together at Brookwood High School before transferring to Parkview. The finalists were Social Studies teacher Danny Klinect, Language Arts teacher Melinda Klinect, and Language Arts and Journalism teacher Heidi Campbell. “One of the best parts of being one of the top three this year,” shared Melinda Klinect, “is that I was in the company of not only one of my best friends, but my husband as well!”

In an announcement celebrated in a ceremony on September 5th, Heidi Campbell was named TOTY for 2018-2019.Campbell has been a teacher at Parkview since 2015, when she transferred from Brookwood High School in order to teach in her neighborhood cluster. “It has been such a terrific experience to teach at the school that my kids attend,” Campbell shares. “I love everything about Parkview – the kids, the teachers, the administration – and I’ve even grown to love orange, which, as a UGA fan, is not as easy as it may seem!”

Campbell grew up in Maine where she spent every summer on an electricity-free island (Birch Island) and her school years in the small town of Topsham. Life on the island paved the way for a life filled with books, music, and writing, so it was no surprise when she decided to major in English and teach for a living. Her family moved to Ft. Myers, Florida when she was seventeen, and she graduated from Cypress Lake High School in 1990. She found her way to Atlanta on a college visit, and fell in love with the Gothic architecture of Oglethorpe University. As a college student, she enjoyed time writing for the Stormy Petrel, Oglethorpe’s newspaper, and graduated with a BA in English in 1994.

She got her M.Ed. from the University of Georgia in 2006.

She began her teaching career at Mill Springs Academy in 1995, where she was the sole English teacher in the high school. She taught English to grades 9-12, as well as numerous electives. She went back to Oglethorpe University from 1995-96 to complete the Teacher Certification program. In 1997, she transferred to Barrow County schools, where she became a Team Leader for a seventh grade team at Winder-Barrow Middle School. While in Winder, Campbell enjoyed teaching both Language Arts and Social Studies, and she was the Drama Club sponsor. In 2000, she began her fifteen year stretch as a teacher at Brookwood High School, where she taught Language Arts and Newspaper, and served as the Department Chair of the Language Arts Department.

In 2015, Campbell transferred to Parkview. “I was absolutely overjoyed to learn that they had an opening for not only an English teacher, but a Newspaper Journalism teacher as well!” Campbell recalls. “Between journalism and coaching girls’ lacrosse, I jumped right in to my new life inside the Orange Jungle!”

Campbell currently teaches 12th grade Language Arts, Literary Magazine/Creative Writing, and Newspaper Journalism. She is the Department Chair of the Language Arts department, and the sponsor of the Debate Club. She shares her passion for books and writing with her students, and develops a passion for journalism in her students with not only school wide experiences, but she organizes trips to several conventions and conferences each year including one in Chicago in November and Columbia, South Carolina in the spring. Last year was the first year that Parkview offered a Literary Magazine Class. Campbell admits, “I was so thankful to my administrators for allowing me to create and teach the Literary magazine class. The creative writing component allows my students to write in a way that modern education rarely has time for, and their work is truly inspiring!”

Campbell is a freelance writer in her free time. She has been writing for Our Town magazine for the last five years, and she recently had one of her stories published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Dreams and the Unexplainable edition. She also worked with former student Rennie Curran to publish a student workbook and teacher guide to accompany his book Free Agent, which has been adopted by several schools for their Advisement curriculum. Campbell blogs, enjoys writing poetry, and is currently working on her first novel. She is also a voracious reader who loves discussing books with her local book club.

Campbell says that teaching is her calling. She develops a rapport with her students, and focuses on improving their skills as readers, writers, and self-advocates. She was thrilled with her TOTY award, and says, “I am so thankful to teach the students of Parkview High School. I learn something new Continued on page 16

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If you’re looking for a spooky, fun, and even educational Halloween event for your family, the Gwinnett County Master Gardeners and Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation at Vines Park have you covered. They combined their own knowledge and ingenuity with community resources to create a terror-filled walk through the park that will put your detective skills to the test.

Dubbed the Trail of Terror, this walk is – well, no walk in the park. Groups of participants will follow clues down the boardwalk until they solve a mystery of ghostly proportions. That isn’t the only challenge, though. These detectives will also have to dodge all sorts of classic Halloween characters, like vampires and zombies, and make their way past a variety of haunts, including a spider’s lair, a graveyard, and a gruesome garden, looking for clues. And to top it all off, participants will have to navigate this without any lights – except for flashlights!

“We really hope this event introduces more people to Vines Park,” said Shirley Bohm, Volunteer Coordinator for the Gwinnett Master Gardeners.

Ms. Bohm and the other Master Gardener Volunteers are excited about making this night one to remember – and not just for the Trail of Terror. Their hope is that once more people get a chance to see such a beautiful park, they will want to return and get acquainted with other activities in the park.

One such opportunity is a series of self-guided tours that will allow you to walk at your own pace while learning about the plants that grow there. Or, if you are a novice gardener who is really interested in learning how to grow your favorite flowers, you can join the Master Gardeners during the quarterly walk and get the tips and tricks of the trade. You might also love the Sunrise Yoga classes each Sunday at 7 a.m. during September that allow you to get some exercise while enjoying the beauty around you. There is no shortage of ways you can enjoy Vines Park!

Continued on page 21

PAGE 11

Gwinnett’s premier event destination for 20 years!

Church Spotlight: Family Thrives at Mount Zion Baptist Church

By Kim Hill

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Established in 1853, Mount Zion Baptist Church is one of the oldest churches in the Snellville community. As the church is located on bustling Scenic Highway 124, Scott Crow, Pastor of Discipleship and Administration, finds it interesting that recorded in Mount Zion’s early history is a desire to start a church in one of the more destitute parts of Gwinnett County. “To think about a church that has had 165 years of ministry in the same place and to still be reaching people and to be involved in so many different aspects of the community is just remarkable,” he says.

Mount Zion is closely connected to the SE Gwinnett Co-op and other area ministries like Uniting Hope 4 Children, and has served at the Grayson Egg Hunt and the Snellville Fall Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting. One of the biggest events the church has sponsored recently was its Back to School Bash, the culmination of a vision of one of the church’s LIFE groups to give away over 500 book bags filled with school supplies. The congregation rallied behind that vision with their giving, additionally placing a Bible in each backpack. The day consisted of food, fun, inflatables, and games.

Nearly 400 backpacks were given to attendees that day, and the rest were donated to the co-op. “It was a good day for the church and the community because the church was able to serve and fill a need, and the community got to meet us,” says Pastor Scott. “It was a big success!”

While Mount Zion has members from all over Gwinnett County and even neighboring Walton County, lead pastor Jeff Gongwer says, “We are seeing more people join our fellowship from the community, too, so we’ve become more diverse as a church. We desire to reach the entire community and beyond.” Church programs that help with this outreach are the Mount Zion Weekday Preschool with an enrollment close to 200, and a children’s athletics program called Spirit, which incorporates four different sports seasons for children ages 4-8 years old, offering t-ball, basketball, soccer, and cheerleading. Spirit also offers flag-football for ages 6-12. “We have a gym and a softball field so we are able to do all those things on our campus,” explains Pastor Jeff. “It’s a great way to connect with families.

We additionally have strong children’s and student ministry within the church on Wednesdays and Sundays. We are always looking for opportunities to reach out to families to strengthen them.” For example, there is an upcoming event called Your Best Night Out which will be a marriage enrichment opportunity for couples. The church also opens its buildings to the community for choral concerts, elementary graduations, Grayson High School’s baccalaureate, and staff meetings and trainings for local businesses.

Mount Zion has a newly updated website and offers an app called MZ Connect which has information about the church sermons and more. “We’re on Facebook and we do Facebook Live where we broadcast our services live,” says Pastor Jeff. “If people ‘like’ our webpage, they will be able to access our services, which are also archived so people can watch them later, too. We’re trying to get the word out.”

Mount Zion centers its ministries around Scripture and offers two Sunday morning worship services, a 9:30 blended service with a choir and a praise team, and an 11:00 contemporary service with a worship band and a praise team. LIFE groups (traditionally called Sunday School) are offered Sunday mornings at 8:15, 9:30, and 11:00. “One of our distinctions, we believe,” Pastor Jeff says, “is that your family can come to Mount Zion on a Sunday morning and every member of your family will have an opportunity to learn God’s Word within the community of a LIFE group and then be able to go into a worship service to worship together.” Mount Zion also offers worship for children and preschoolers during its 11:00 worship hour. The church motto is Where Family Thrives. “Mount Zion desires to be a place where family thrives to live and love like Jesus,” says Pastor Jeff. “We really desire to reach families, and for the church to be a family. Whether the person has their own family or is single, we want to make sure that everybody feels that this is their home, this is their family.”

More information at https://mountzionsnellville.com

K

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PAGE 12

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you want to think about them. You can either attack life head on and make time work for you to make a difference, OR you can let life happen to you and your time will disappear. The choice is yours.

I am so thankful for the Our Town community. Our goal with this publication – and through our many digital and social media channels – is to continually provide you much needed news about positive events, happenings, and news that are covered almost nowhere else.

I wish you a wonderful and safe month. And, thank you for your valuable time when reading this column each month. Finally, and as always, thank you for continuing with us on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town!

To become an Our Town advertising partner email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049

Our Town

Georgia Red Clay: A Family Band with a Family of Friends

By Kim Hill Though Georgia Red Clay (GRC) lists its official start in 2012, band member Brian Warner says he and his brother, Eric, “…just always played together.” Their dad was a big influence as he played in Southern rock and county bands from his childhood and into his twenties, and he taught both boys to play guitar at early ages. Brian jokingly says, “Eric plays piano, bass, and guitar, and I fake guitar.” He remembers singing a Lynyrd Skynyrd song in the basement one day and his dad yelled down that Ronnie Van Zant was rolling over in his grave, so he figured he would always just be a shower singer. A turning point came when he went out with friends to karaoke one night. “I mustered up the courage to get up there and sing, and I just sang like I was singing in the shower,” he says. “When I came back to the table, one of my buddies said, ‘Dude, you can sing.’ So we started playing and singing, and I started getting better.” He says he and Eric are the two main harmonies in the vocals, but all four band members sing.

GRC began when Brian, a friend, and Eric started a band to have fun. “We played some gigs and just really didn’t think anything of it, and all of a sudden people liked what we were doing,” says Brian with a laugh. “So we kept doing it.” He says he and Eric remained the constants in the band as early days saw some turnover in members. “You can find good musicians through numerous avenues, but to find someone who meshes with the chemistry of the band, that’s special.” They have found that chemistry with current members, drummer Daniel McGill and bassist Billy Bosler, who have been Continued on page 22

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Gwinnett Senior Golden Games: A Golden Opportunity for Success

By Kristen Eleveld A true athlete can be a winner at any stage of life, and several Gwinnett county citizens recently earned the medals to prove it.

The Gwinnett Senior Golden Games, which is open to participants ages 50 and over, recently wrapped up its 2018 season, and the results were spectacular.

Participants had the opportunity to compete in a variety of activities, from pinochle to archery, and everything in between.

The day started with Opening Ceremonies, which included a delicious meal and the chance to meet the Honorary Torch Bearer, Dr. Cleo Davis. Dr. Davis served as a medic in the United States Army and was more recently inducted into the Virginia State University Athletics Hall of Fame for his outstanding participation in track and field. All 346 participants competed in 38 separate events. By the time the day was over, they had earned an astonishing 474 gold medals, 346 silver medals, and 256 bronze medals.

And the medals weren’t the only prize of the day. Each participant had the opportunity to play several rounds of bingo and earn more prizes to take home. For many of them, this was not the first time they had shown off their skills to their community.

“A number of our participants have competed in other events, such as the National Senior Games,” said Shirley Snow, who volunteers with the Golden Games.

Ms. Snow went on to mention that this year was especially meaningful as they honored former Games president Alan Villavasso, who was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award for his Continued on page 21

October Events on the Snellville Towne Green

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Hot Off the Press: Getting to Know Rhonda Frankhouser

By Patty Gabilondo Romance novelist Rhonda Frankhouser and her dashing husband Bill, along with their needy Labrador and two equally needy pugs, recently moved to Grayson from Bakersfield, California. “Our new neighbors are wonderful and we just love how green Grayson is!” says Frankhouser. “I am also excited to be able to write full-time now that I have left my past life as a Hospice worker behind me.”

Rhonda’s first novel seemed to pour out of her after a scare with cancer at the young age of 29. Writing stories became a cathartic and healing exercise that helped keep her sane. Her first novel, My Last Day, is a heart-wrenching tale of a young woman seeking love and closure on the last day of her life.

An avid reader growing up on her parent’s farm, Frankhouser was the youngest of three siblings, and after her brother and sister had grown and moved away, would often find herself on the farm reading to her horses and dogs during the long hot summer months. Stories and their characters have always held a special appeal to her, and they became a way to retreat from chores and farm life. Charlotte’s Web was a gift from her mother and is now both a personal favorite and a treasured possession.

It’s no surprise that the settings in her award-winning Ruby’s Ranch books are pulled directly from her parents’ ranch, which she refers to as her childhood happy place. Her characters also came from growing up with country Southern values and strong matriarchs. “I have always had people (characters) running around in my head for as long as I can remember,” states Frankhouser. “My mom was from Texas, married when she was 16, was a dancer, aerobics instructor, and later in life a body-builder. My dad was an old Southern guy who loved large family BBQs, working with the horses, and tending the half-acre garden, and was instrumental in teaching me to ‘Live your life rather than letting it live you.’”

Return to Ruby’s Ranch, which debuted with 5-star reviews on Amazon in 2016, and Escape from Ruby’s Ranch are next in the series presented by Soul Mate Publishing. Each story in the series has a contemporary western romantic aspect with a solid family dynamic and a paranormal twist. Legacy of Ruby’s Ranch and Revenge at Ruby’s Ranch are under development to continue the series.

Frankhouser’s Health Nut Café is a departure from the western romance novel genre, and was published and released this summer as part of the Shadowing Souls Series. Interested in a paranormal loveContinued on page 20

Meet Chuck Studebaker Continued from page 9 for the Studebaker Family National Association, a genealogical association.

OTM: Why is your desire to give back so important to you?

CS: I was taught at a very young age that giving back by serving was a just and noble thing to do.

I watched my parents and grandparents serve. I guess that is why I serve as well.

OTM: What would you like our readers to know about what you are doing now and other plans to give back to the community?

CS: Well, I am currently running for School Board in Gwinnett County. The area I will represent is District 4, which covers the high school clusters of South, Shiloh, Parkview, Brookwood, and Berkmar. My grandfather and mother both served twenty years on the school board in my hometown.

Again, it is how I know to serve, and I look forward to serving the parents and students, and all of Gwinnett County.

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Restaurant Spotlight Continued from page 8

Heidi Campbell Named TOTY Continued from page 10

able tables and chairs that can be arranged to seat large groups all the way down to the solo diner, making it also easily accessible for diners with mobility challenges. The Suwanee restaurant incorporates in its seating a long “communal” table in the center, which can accommodate large groups, but also can seat lone diners who don’t necessarily want to dine alone. The feeling of hospitality – that everyone is family and welcome at the table – reflects the philosophy of Southern dining Smith grew up with and continues to promote in his own family.

“A Charleston paper once declared grits to be the secret to world peace,” commented Smith. “If everyone had enough grits, it said, there would be nothing to fight about. ‘A man full of grits is a man of peace.’”

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every day from them, and from my colleagues as well. I have tremendous pride in our school and our community and I’m truly so honored.”

With three kids and two dogs, Campbell and her husband Jim stay very busy. She has a passion for vintage things and rents booth space at the local Five Forks Antique Mall. Campbell also works with EF Tours to plan student tours, and will be leading a group to China in June of 2019, and another to the capitals of the British Isles in 2020. An active member of the St. John Neumann Meals Ministry, which provides meals to families in need, Campbell also enjoys her neighborhood’s monthly Bunco club. Aside from reading and writing, she has a passion for music as well, spending time playing her guitar and piano whenever she gets the chance. She loves to cook, travel, and spend time by the water.

Campbell teaches two classes of seniors and works hard to prepare them for their future academic lives. “I tell my students every year that reading will not only help them relax, but it will also make them smart,” says Campbell. “I share lists of recommendations with them, and I get so excited to see them light up when they finish a novel and want to tell me about it. There is no greater joy for me!”

Why I’m running for the Gwinnett Board of Education For the past six years, I have had the privilege of serving the community as President of several PTSAs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. This has given me an insight into how important it is for parents, teachers, and local communities to work together for our children.

Working together, we will better prepare the next generation for what awaits them.

Chuck

STUDEBAKER Gwinnett County

SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 4

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Making a Difference: Hearts and Kits for the Homeless

By Patty Gabilondo “I remember back in the 1980s, my mother and I would drive down Cheshire Bridge Road on our way to the bakery and there was a homeless man every day on the side of the road,” recalls John Wade, founder of Kits for Homeless.org. “She started taking him food, struck up a conversation, and it turned out that he was a renowned surgeon who had saved thousands of people’s lives during his career. He had ultimately succumbed to alcoholism and lost everything. Mom’s compassion for him was the ultimate example for me.”

Mrs. Wade passed away in 2007, but her legacy lives on in her son. “I’ve tried to follow her lead,” states Wade. “I’ve never been homeless myself, but I do know how hard it is living paycheck to paycheck, and giving someone a hand up rather than a hand out makes more sense to me.”

Two years ago, after speaking with his pastor about creating a separate ministry for the homeless and medically fragile, Wade was encouraged after being told that they would absolutely support his efforts if he branched out and created an organization of his own. “Our mission is simple,” says Wade.

“We provide approximately 500 hygiene kits plus bottled water to the homeless in the Atlanta area about once every 3 months.” The kits include basic products such as clean socks, a washcloth, travel size shampoo and conditioner, a razor, soap, a comb, toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, baby wipes, Q-tips, Band-Aids, tissues, individually wrapped feminine pads, etc.

On delivery days, volunteers offer encouragement and occasionally a ride for those who wish to join programs to help get them off the streets. “Sometimes we pray with them, and when it gets colder, we pass out blankets, gloves, scarves – anything to keep them warm,” says Wade.

“I’ve learned so much from these folks,” states Wade. “We’ve even adjusted the contents based on their feedback. For example, most prefer dark socks rather than the white socks because they don’t show the dirt as much. They hear my car coming – a bright yellow VW beetle -- and they literally come running to greet me now.” Wade beams when he tells of one homeless man who said he has the “Cadillac” of hygiene kits.

Continued on page 19

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PAGE 17

Brenau University’s Center for Productive Living: More than Just Rehab

By Patty Gabilondo

Dinner Tickets $5 for Adults, $3 for Children, $15 Family maximum

The Center for Productive Living (CPL) is a service component of the School of Occupational Therapy at Brenau University. Located on the Norcross and historical Gainesville campuses, the CPL provides student-administered occupational therapy services, free of charge, under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.

The CPL aims to facilitate opportunities for individuals of all ages to engage in occupations of choice to promote independence, social participation, and a sense of well-being, while giving occupational therapy students the opportunity to serve the community and gain valuable clinical experience.

The CPL is more than just a place for rehabilitation. Occupational therapy’s main goal is to help individuals become more independent in the occupations that they want and need to do in their daily lives. It creates opportunities for people to work towards their own goals while doing things that they enjoy. Each individual’s needs are different, and the occupational therapy students recognize the uniqueness of our clients as well as their individual circumstances and experiences. Students work with the clients to develop personal and realistic goals to help clients reduce functional limitations and to promote their overall independence. Areas of focus have included but are not limited to functional strength and endurance, meal preparation, community outings, socialization, playing instruments, dressing and grooming skills, visual perceptual skills improvement, budgeting, medication management strategies, and adaptations needed for success within your home environment.

“I love being able to pool my experiences and mentor the next generation of therapists by teaching them to see the whole person and discover out of the box creative treatment solutions,” says Instructor Windy Thomas, OTR. “Our goal is to promote independence, social participation, and a sense of well-being.”

Continued on page 21

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Pet Perch: Dog Play – Aggressive or Playful?

By Terie Hansen Knowing how to tell if your dog or puppy is being aggressive or playful when playing with another dog can be tricky for an average dog owner. What looks sometimes scary – open mouths, mouthing each other, vocalizations from growling to barking, jumping on each other, pinning another down, and wrestling – can actually be just play styles. Dogs often exhibit behaviors similar to those used in aggressive encounters when playing.

So how do you know if it is aggressive or playful?

Look to see if their faces and bodies look relaxed, if they are exhibiting play bows (front feet down with butt up in the air) which can morph into less exaggerated front paw slaps on the ground as dogs grow accustomed to each other, and if they have bouncier and looser movements than the dog would normally show. Notice if they are taking turns in different roles, whether chasing or wrestling.

The key is to supervise and don’t let either dog get too excited. If you notice that they are beginning to ramp up, clap your hands firmly to startle/distract them, and then physically step in between the dogs every few minutes to stop the play. Don’t reach your hands in or grab their collars, as this can increase their drive/excitement. Wait for calm, and then let them begin again. This helps them know that you are controlling the play session, which in turn will help them be more relaxed overall. It is also a great way to condition your dog that when you step in they are to stop, which could be useful if they were to get into an altercation.

Any time your pup is interacting with another dog, pay attention to each dog’s body language, whether it be play, introductions, or just hanging out together. This will help you be more in tune with your dog and others, allowing you to be proactive not reactive to a possible negative interaction.

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

Hearts and Kits for the Homeless Continued from page 17 Wade’s goal is to build up inventory and increase deliveries to every other month, and then eventually bump the numbers up to 1,000 every month. As with all start-up organizations, there are logistical challenges to be overcome, plus it takes volunteers and money. Currently, the new start-up has only six volunteers on a regular basis, and kits are assembled at his church on Sunday afternoons.

It’s probably no surprise that a large percentage of Atlanta’s homeless are veterans. Members of the Stone Mountain Masonic Lodge accompanied Wade on Memorial Day last year. Wearing Air Force caps, they met six men who had fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, and struck up a few good conversations. The Masons have continued to collect travel size toiletries for Wade since that time, and still accompany him on occasion.

More information at www.kitsforhomeless.org

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The Balancing Act

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BOOKKEEPING SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES & INDIVIDUALS Are you a “yes” or “no” mom? In a culture that screams “yes” to everyLet Grow Bookkeeping take the day-to-day Let Grow Bookkeeping take the day-to-day burden ofeverything, bookkeeping one and surprisingly, I think I fall somewhere in the middle. burden bookkeeping off you yourmore shoulders, • A yes says yes unless she has a valid reason to say no. off yourof shoulders, leaving time and energy tomom concentrate • She tries to teach her children the difference between right and more time and onleaving growingyou your business andenergy freeingtoup your personal time. wrong through their own instincts. concentrate on growing your business and • She feels should be a reason for her to say no. payroll • account reconciliation • rental properties • elder bill there management freeing up your personal time.

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12

AURORA THEATRE

Gwinnett’s

Introducing

• She wants to guide her kids’ choices with her instincts.

Now, these are purely my opinions and observations of myself and friends, but I believe that a lot of us could fall into these categories. For me, it comes down to what type of mood I might be in at the time. I was always the kid who needed a reason if my mom told me no – which honestly never Only seemed Professional to help my case!Theatre I’m going to date myself here, but a perfect example of an exchange between my mom and me would have been, “Mom, may I go to the skating rink Friday night? All of my friends are going.”

“No.” “Why?” “I’m tired.” “Okay, well, I can ride with Jodi.” “No, Jocelyn.” I would always get so frustrated because there was never really a good reason I couldn’t go. The funny thing is that as much as it frustrated me years ago, I can hear myself saying the same words to my daughter. Honestly, sometimes I’m just tired – so tired that I don’t even feel like having the conversation or considering the alternative that she could ride with another family. It’s amazing how when you put things into words how horrible it sounds.

I’m not saying that we all should say yes or no, but maybe we should all strive to be a good mixture.

Lead by example. Promote healthy conversations with our children. Allow them to be accountable for their actions and decisions. AND, most importantly, strive to raise productive citizens in their community. As parents, it’s a continuing learning process, and I’m learning to cherish every conversation and every moment that I can to impact my children’s lives in a positive manner.

Happy thoughts and reads until next time.

Jocelyn Wykoff is a dreamer, believer, wife, and mompreneur of the Wykoff Household.

NEW elementary, middle, and high school

Travel Tales: Hiking the Wilds of the Canadian Rockies

By Pam Walker

n Traditional, private elementary, n Accredited by the GACmiddle and high school Georgia Accrediting Commission n Non-traditional high school n Accepted to all Colleges n Credit Recovery and Universities n Accredit homeschool work n Hope Scholarships/Dual n HIGH ACT/SAT scoresEnrollment Way above state averages

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 PAGE 20

There are hiking trails all over the world. All have marked trailheads and well-worn paths. There is, however, a place where only a helicopter can take you – a place where no human has gone before.

Outside of Banff, Canadian Mountain Holidays has several lodges in the Bugaboos and the Cariboos that can only be accessed by a company-owned helicopter. Each lodge offers different and amazing views of glaciers that span the Canadian Rockies. Every morning, the helicopter departs with small groups of 7 to 10 people, and then drops them off at a new and spectacular place.

You begin your trek with only the ground squirrels, marmots, and possibly a bear or two. Because these guys have never seen a human, they check you out carefully and then head on their way, never imagining that you might be there to bother their hunt for berries or fish in the alpine lakes.

The pilot returns around noon to pick up those who want to return to the lodge. For those who want to stay, he drops them in another spot on the glacier. You can swim in an alpine lake, slide down a glacier on a special sled, or hike one of their via Ferrara trails for a real challenge.

The all-inclusive lodge supplies all your needs: boots, poles, dry packs, and all the food you could possibly eat. Each lodge has a spa and a lake or hot tub to loosen those muscles after your hikes. There are wonderful wines with diner, and a great bar where you can swap stories of your adventures. If you like to hike, this is one amazing adventure with still unexplored places to go!

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor and can be reached at pam@walkeradventures.com.

Hot Off the Press Continued from page 15 story with a few twists and turns along the way? There are clues throughout the storyline and a surprise ending sure to please mystery buffs and romance buffs alike. Frankhouser explains, “This story offers something completely different for my readers, but is close to my heart.”

Look for sequels and prequels of both the Ruby’s Ranch series and the Shadowing Souls Series in the near future, and be sure to welcome Rhonda and Bill to Gwinnett if you happen to see them walking the dogs or you observe her in her new sunroom pouring out the next story onto paper.

More information at www.rhondafrankhouserbooks.com.

To become an Our Town advertising partner email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049

Our Town

Gwinnett Senior Golden Games Continued from page 14 contribution and continued support and services to the Games The day ended with Closing Ceremonies, another meal, and the chance for even more prizes as raffle tickets were redeemed.

Even though the 2018 Games have ended, the 2019 Games are already in the works. Registration forms for 2019 will be available in January, and until then you can take a look on the website at the long history of the Games, browse through past winners, and see just how important this event is to the community. And the Games aren’t just for Gwinnett residents – seniors in nearby counties are invited to participate, too.

Ms. Snow emphasized that the Games are a team effort: “Many thanks go out to our great team of volunteers, as well as Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation for all their hard work and support,” she said.

More information https://www.gwinnettseniorgoldengames.org/

The Trail of Terror Awaits Continued from page 11 But only one way is the scariest.

Ms. Bohm emphasized that the Trail of Terror is truly a team effort. Along with the Gwinnett Master Gardeners and Parks & Recreation, volunteers from Teen Nation at the Aurora Theater, a local Cub Scout troop, members of a local 4H Club, and several other community members worked together to create a night of fright that you are sure to enjoy.

If you want to be on the Trail of Terror on October 27th, be sure to register so you can reserve your spot! The first group will start their journey on the boardwalk at 6:45 p.m. The only thing scarier than this trail will be missing out, so grab some friends and sign up for the Trail of Terror – if you dare.

More information at https://secure.rec1.com/GA/gwinnett-county-parks-recreation/catalog/index/aa5d c85cdcd270400be34b43a8d0bbb4?filter=c2VhcmNoPQ Use the keyword “Terror” in the filter box to register for this event.

Brenau University’s Center Continued from page 18 First year graduate student Lauren Franklin concurs. “It’s great to have a place to apply what we’ve learned in the classroom,” she says. “The environment requires spontaneous problem-solving, especially when you plan a course of therapy and those plans must change if the client is having a difficult day or is just not interested in participating in your activity at that moment.”

The Brenau School of Occupational Therapy has recognized a need for accessible therapy services in order to promote functional and purposeful engagement in occupations in all persons regardless of an individual’s financial situation. Any adult over the age of 16 who is dependent on others to perform daily occupations and is unable to access occupational therapy services due to a lack of healthcare coverage, inability to pay for services personally, or who has experienced a termination of therapy services due to lack of healthcare coverage, may be eligible for services through the CPL. The center is unique in that occupational therapy services are offered to the client at no monetary cost to the individual or the individual’s family.

The CPL is client centered and focused on evidenced-based practices to ensure optimal results for our clients. Our center fills the gap between the need and availability of services within our community.

More information at (678) 707-5012 or https://www.brenau.edu/healthsciences/occupationaltherapy/ otcommunityofpractice/

Our Town

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PAGE 21

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Georgia Red Clay Continued from page 13 with the band for two years.

“We basically got started playing whatever we could, wherever we could, to whomever we could, whenever we could,” says Brian. While the guys all have day jobs, Brian says there’s plenty of play time as the band consistently plays two or more shows a week. “We like it that way!”

When in town, the band plays local venues in Snellville, Dacula, Duluth, and Lawrenceville. They travel as far north as Kentucky, play down the Eastern coast, including a good bit in South Carolina, have reached the southernmost honky-tonk in Key West, and also tour Alabama and Tennessee. “We do a bunch of different things,” says Brian. “We do whole band shows, then we have something we call GRC Unplugged where we will do a duo or trio acoustic type show, and I sometimes do some solo stuff as well. We cater to the venue.”

The band has opened for some big names like the Marshall Tucker Band, 38 Special, Craig Morgan, Colt Ford, and Steal Magnolia. Brian says the 45 minutes spent opening for Marshall Tucker was an “out of body experience,” and that getting to open for Drivin’ n Cryin’ was his bucket list show.

“I remember thinking if 10-year-old me could be here, he would think I was the coolest person in the whole world. It was one of the coolest things I’ve gotten to do.”

The best part? “Through it all, no matter how many cool shows we’ve gotten to play, cool venues we’ve gotten to play, cities we’ve gotten to see, the biggest thing that keeps us driving are really and truly our fans,” says Brian. “When we can come back and do a hometown show with people who were there from day one, those are the people who make this whole thing work. We call our fan base the GRC Family because really and truly that’s what they are.”

GRC has released two singles and an album, and are in the process of recording a second album.

The band was voted Best of Gwinnett in 2014 and the gacountry.com Band of the Year for both 2014 and 2017. “So we are the reigning champs,” says Brian, “and voting is open for 2018, so hey, just vote us Band of the Year at gacountry.com to make it a three-peat!” He adds, “It’s great, but it’s all about remaining humble, because one minute you can be on top, and we’ve been there, and the next minute you could be gone, and we’ve been there, too. It’s the way the music business goes.” He says a lot of people think being on the road is the coolest thing, but it is really a lot of junk food, gas stations, taking showers in venue sinks, and being crammed in a van with three or four other guys.

“It’s not glamorous, but it’s totally worth it for that 45 minutes to a couple of hours that we are on stage, and that I get to do it with my brother and two other guys that I consider my brothers now is really cool. We all get along famously, and at the end of the day, it’s all for the love of the music.”

More information at www.officialgrc.com

Now Hiring for our

November Reopening Apply at CFAStoneMountainJobs.com

Stone Mountain © 2018 CFA Properties, Inc. All trademarks shown are the property of their respective owners.

PAGE 22

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PAGE 23

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