OCTOBER 2018 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine
Our Town GWINNETT
Grayson Dacula Loganville Lawrenceville
Up Close with Eternal Hills, see story on page 5.
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Loganville AutumnFest Spotlight: Welcome to Fall, Y’all From Facebook to Fancy Funnel Cake: A Sweet Story Getting Schooled: Meet Principal Jeremy Reily of Bay Creek Middle One on One with Impact 46: Lawrenceville Youth are Making an Impact
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You are invited to our October Events! Avoiding The Flu Seminar w/ Dr. Alan Wang From: Salude Re-Hab Center
Tuesday October 16th 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Sleep From A-ZZZ w/ Jennifer Cicora P/T From: Healthpro Heritage
Wednesday October 24th
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ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE
1754 Grayson Highway Grayson GA 30017 ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE
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On the Cover: Eternal Hills Celebrates Lives By Kim Hill Imagine a catered event taking place in a facility transformed to resemble a stadium complete with Atlanta Falcons paraphernalia and the Falcons’ theme song playing. Imagine this event being live-streamed so those who are unable to attend can access it remotely. Now imagine that this event is actually a funeral service to remember and celebrate the life of a loyal Falcons fan. “There is pretty much no limit to the things that we do,” says Sabrina Blackston, Funeral Home Manager for Eternal Hills Funeral Home and Cremation Services. ”People are not going to the churches for services as much – they are now doing things in a funeral home or are opting to do a celebration of life event where they have a service that truly reflects the life of the decedent.” The Life Well-Celebrated Event is unique to the Dignity Memorial corporation brand. Eternal Hills offers a reception room, an event coordinator who will decorate that area to reflect whatever hobbies or interests the decedent had, and a caterer to serve favorite fare. Music can be whatever the decedent loved, from Elvis to Mahalia Jackson. “We provide personalization,” says Mrs. Blackston. “We’re honoring the life of the loved one by displaying the things that reflect his or her life, but we are also giving the family something to truly
celebrate. It’s more of a joyful occasion; that’s what more people are wanting.” More people are also choosing cremation. “We do still have some from the earlier generation who believe in the traditional funeral, and we often do traditional funerals before cremation to satisfy both sides of the generation,” says Mrs. Blackston. “But we’re doing cremation memorial services now more than anything. We also have a lot of families doing cremations and no services at all.” Mrs. Blackston says most people who come in do not know what they want and the most frequently asked question is What is this going to cost? She explains it is a common question because so much is unknown about the process, and that is why pre-planning is encouraged. “It allows you to have that conversation before you have to sit at the table with us and guess what your loved one would have wanted. Families should discuss their final wishes and how they want them to be honored. When you make the selections in advance, the biggest decision you will have to make at the time of need is the day and time.” Pre-planning can also save money by locking in at today’s rates and taking advantage of promotional periods that offer discounts. Those with children or grandchildren who have pre-arrangements with Dignity will have services covered should a dependent child under the age of 18 pass away.
“Dr. Simmons is proud to offer Botox and Dermal Fillers. Call the office to schedule your consulta Hope Line offers grief support with a skilled, Another thing that differentiates Dignity from other service providers is a series of provider benefits, including a 100% service guarantee. As the largest network of funeral and cemetery providers across North America and Canada, Dignity offers national transferability of benefits to families with pre-arrangements who move more than 75 miles away. The Bereavement Travel Program arranges flights, hotel rooms, and rental cars for family members coming to a service from out of state. Additionally, a resource library is available for grief management and a 24-hour Compassion
licensed counselor for family and attendees of the service. “We try to make it as seamless and easy as possible,” says Mrs. Blackston. “We provide ministers if necessary, we assist with obituaries and flowers, and we create a photo movie for you. Anything the family needs, we’re here.” Every May, Eternal Hills partners with the Boy Scouts of America and the American Legion to hold a Memorial Day service in the cemetery to honor veterans. The second Continued on page 11
isJohn honored to beIV, we are committed to providing you with the high AtDr. the Simmons dental office of W. Simmons, comprehensive dental care, focused on both the function and beauty of your smile. A one of only nine dentists improving in patient care and comfort are our primary concerns. We are proud to run a practice that treats ea Georgia to have passed the kind, gentle, and caring manner, just like family. We offer a full range of the latest cosmetic a rigorous required to long-lasting, earn procedures thattesting concentrate on ensuring brilliant results you will love, and others
Cosmetic Dentistry The cosmetic procedures we offer can dramatically enhance the appearance of your smile. We offer a wide selection of procedures that can correct almost any dental imperfection.
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accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. His state-of-the-art equipment and updated technology allow him to affordably serveDENTAL CARE AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY D.M.D., P.C. • SUPERIOR his patients by providing healthy, beautiful smiles. Our experienced team provides five-star service, personalized care, and an extraordinary commitment to your health and well-being. Please join our Call for an Appointment family by scheduling a new patient exam.
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Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine
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Contributing Writers Bill Crane Terie Hansen Andy Isakson Beth Volpert Johansen Tanisha Turner David Walker Jocelyn Wykoff
Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett/Walton 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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IN THIS ISSUE 5 7 8 8 9 9 10 12 12 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 19 20 21 22
On the Cover: Eternal Hills Celebrates Lives From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion Snellville First Baptist Preschool Opens 25 Year Old Time Capsule October Photo of the Month: Precious Kittens Learning Lessons: It’s All About Balance First Man Gives Gwinnett Daughter First Chance on the Big Screen Gwinnett Spotlight Story: When Less Really Means MORE Loganville AutumnFest Spotlight: Welcome to Fall, Y’all Musical Fallout: Thoughts on Generations and Genre Crane’s Corner: The Last Straw Making a Difference in Lives: The Butterfly Model From Facebook to Fancy Funnel Cake: A Story That’s Twice as Sweet The Balancing Act: Crash and Burn Legal Talk: A Personal Law Practice Brookwood High School Student Claims Pageant Title Pet Perch: Would You Follow You? Getting Schooled with Bay Creek Middle School: Meet Principal Jeremy Reily Photo Fun Flashback: GIMMESHELTER and Grayson Concert Garden Talk: Gardening and Plants Can Reduce Stress One on One with Impact 46: Lawrenceville Youth are Making an Impact
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From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion By Ryan T. Sauers
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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
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Snellville First Baptist Preschool Opens Time Capsule
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By K. Coats The year 1993 was a busy one. Bill Clinton was president, Israel and Palestine reached an accord, a bomb went off in the garage of the World Trade Center, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court. And while Snellville, Georgia might seem small compared to the scale of global events, 1993 was still a special year because it marked the 25th anniversary of Snellville First Baptist Preschool. To celebrate that anniversary in an important way, the staff and children of the preschool set up a time capsule. Using a large, capped off PVC pipe, they filled it with a variety of items, and buried it on the property. Fast forward to 2018, and after a couple of hours of digging, current staff, children, and local community members – around 60 people in all – were treated to a trip down memory lane in celebration of the preschool’s 50th anniversary. The scent of hardened red clay was unmistakable as the capsule and its contents were unloaded. Inside were various papers, artwork, programs, brochures, budgets, rosters, handbooks, newspaper clippings, and a child’s t-shirt. All of the items brought back memories of a time before smartphones or Google were everyday terms. Of course, the budgets and cost sheets were some of the immediate documents that would tell how times had changed since that silver anniversary back in 1993. When the capsule was buried, a teacher pay’s was anywhere from $190 to $752 a week. To send your child to school there for five days, you could expect to pay between $80 and $86 a month. Current tuition of $215 is a price comparable to most church preschools in the area. Continued on page 10
October Photo of the Month: Precious Kittens
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Dr. Cat and her team at American Heritage Animal Hospital rescued these kittens near a car lot. Their names are: Chevy, Lexus, Cadillac, and Ford.
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Learning Lessons: It’s All About Balance By Tanisha Turner Children start learning from the moment they are born, soaking up information from observing, discovering, and eventually exploring the world around them. Research shows that the first five years of a child’s life hold the most potential for development. During this once-in-alifetime opportunity for learning, parents, caregivers, and educators can help children build a foundation for future success by providing a rich balance of learning experiences. “The first five years are the best time to engage children’s minds and help them develop skills that will allow them to thrive later on in life,” says Gloria Julius, Ed.D., Vice President of Education and Professional Development at Primrose Schools. “There is no one-sizefits-all approach to teaching and learning, so an ideal learning environment for young children balances purposeful play with nurturing guidance from adults and offers a variety of experiences.” Learning occurs as children play freely and interact with their environment, as well as through guidance and modeling by adults. Child care and preschool environments that blend both approaches to learning while balancing different skills and subjects – from science to music to lessons in kindness – help ensure every child reaches his or her full potential. Of course, learning is not limited to the classroom. The following fun at-home activities also nurture important skills and developmental areas for little ones. Best of all, you can do them together! • Exercise decision-making and critical thinking skills by playing with puzzles together. Let your child try out different pieces rather than showing him or her the right ones. • Build language and literacy skills by writing a story with your little one. Let your child add the illustrations and contribute to the storyline. • Develop important motor skills by tossing a ball with your child or chasing each other in a game of tag. Being active together helps children build a love for physical activity. • Explore science and nutrition by planting a fruit and vegetable garden together. Your child’s natural curiosity will spark questions and exploration as the planted seeds grow and transform. Continued on page 14
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First Man Gives Gwinnett Daughter First Chance on the Big Screen By Jess Wells Lauren Stafford had been keeping an eye on the Facebook page for Baby Faces Atlanta for some time. The page was a place for agencies to list calls for kids to audition for acting jobs in the Atlanta area. Lauren, a mother of four living in Suwanee with her husband, Brad, always thought it would be a cool opportunity for one of her children to try for a role on TV or in a movie. When she saw a casting call for a feature film looking for a young girl between the ages of two and four, she decided to submit a photo of her daughter Lucy. Four days later, to her surprise, Lauren heard back from the agency asking her to submit a video of Lucy, “just acting like a kid.” “Brad and I don’t want Lucy to necessarily become a child actor,” said Lauren. But when the agency called back saying that Universal/DreamWorks wanted to hire Lucy to play Karen Armstrong, daughter of Neil and Janet Armstrong, in the upcoming film First Man, the Staffords agreed to let Lucy, at two years old, take the role. At that point, things started moving quickly. Lauren brought Lucy to Tyler Perry Studios for her costume fittings. “Lucy loved trying on the clothes and shoes,” said her mom. “She wanted to try on every costume!” Fittings moved into rehearsals, where Lucy got to meet the film’s Academy Award-Winning Director, Damien Chazelle, and the two actors playing Lucy’s parents, Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy. After rehearsals, the shooting schedule was released, and Lucy was called for three days of filming on set. “It was eye-opening being behind the scenes,” said Lauren. “I don’t think people realize that movies aren’t filmed in order. Many of Lucy’s shots were done when Ryan and Claire weren’t on the set, even though both of them appear in those scenes with Lucy.” Lauren was extremely appreciative of the care and attention the production gave to her and Lucy. “We were allowed to park very close to the set each day,” she said. “I got to be with Lucy the whole time. They always had a special place for me to sit while Lucy was on the set.”
Our Town
Continued on page 13
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Gwinnett Spotlight Story: When Less Really Means MORE By Bill Crane “The most frequent complaint we hear at MARTA [Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority] about transit is that we simply need MORE of it,” says longtime MARTA Board Chair, Robbie Ashe. “We’re working on that now.” The metro Atlanta region gained another nearly 80,000 residents during 2017. The largest population increase was in Gwinnett County, and the highest percentage gains against base population in the 9-county core metro were in Cherokee and Henry counties. At the same time, growing recognition of the benefits of mass transit for the metropolitan Atlanta region, as well as improved connectivity and performance by existing transit agencies in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties – along with state players at the Atlanta-Region Transit Link and the Georgia Department of Transportation – have the area on the real cusp of region-wide transportation system planning and expansion. Much fretting has been done by some during these discussions of a nationwide decline in transit riders in most every major metropolitan jurisdiction. From San Francisco’s BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to metro New York’s MTA, the Chicago subway and L-Train, and metro Washington D.C.’s Metro, most every major system has seen a year over year ridership decline in the 5 percent range. Near full employment, near record minority employment, and growth in the second quarter exceeding four percent all suggest a healthier economy, which means more consumers with greater incomes and more choices. Greater employment options and higher wages among lower skilled workers also typically mean there will be fewer transit dependent riders. The Atlanta United soccer team now brings on average 70,000 soccer fans, predominantly via MARTA, to the new Mercedes Benz stadium for 17-18 homes games per year. Taking a round trip, that’s well over 2-million new riders for MARTA per season, many from the outer suburbs. We call these folks “choice riders,” and by every indication, those numbers are rapidly on the rise. Commercial and residential real estate adjacent to our new MARTA Transit Oriented Developments (TODs), as well as the Atlanta Beltline, are among the highest in demand for residential addresses in the region. Transit access appears to be one of the primary factors on realtors’ radar. Limiting transit options will likely raise rates on the remaining rides and potentially push some riders back towards more expensive cabs. Here in Atlanta, the latest arrival on the streets of Midtown, Downtown, and Buckhead are electric scooter rentals from two more ride sharing services called Bird and Lime. These smart phone enabled scooters are an inexpensive, sustainable and privately funded “last mile” transit option, ideal for that short hop from a MARTA rail station to your final home, work, or play destination. If you have the benefit of regular travel, try out some of these options locally, but also experience similar networks in other cities and metro regions. Check out the signage, ease of use, and connectivity. Pick up a few “best practices” that you might bring home to your community. That is, of course, your choice, just like being a “choice” rider, but I think if you give it a shot, you will also find out that not always being on a packed train or bus is a good thing, and that if we can spread demand from rush hours and drive-time to a broader cross section of each day, then less really is more. Bill Crane is the owner of CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com
Time Capsule
Continued from page 8
But beyond the costs, other small details give away different changes. The rosters looked like they had been typed on an older word processor, with one looking like it was a Ditto Machine document. The edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution showed a picture of Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin shaking hands in front of a smiling President Clinton, boasting “Peace in the Middle East appears to be contagious.” And that edition of the news? It cost 50 cents. However, what is also remarkable is what hasn’t changed over the years. The news clipping of the preschool’s plans to celebrate its Silver anniversary showed children who looked the same then as those do in 2018. And the sweet lady sitting with those children is Mrs. Lorene Haynes, the school’s director, who was present at both the capsule’s internment and its exhumation. The children’s artwork is timeless, and the older, chalky pigment paint still smells like what you’d find in any self-respecting preschool or Sunday school materials closet. What also remains the same is the preschool’s dedication to its children. The love and care evident in the time capsule’s documents and artwork are still solid and the program strong. And as the preschool continues its mission of educating and ministering to its youngest community members, there is no doubt they’ll look fondly back on those documents and pictures from the Golden Anniversary in 2018 as they celebrate their Diamond in 2043. Thank you and best wishes to Snellville First Baptist Preschool in their service for many years to come. Diane Wiggins is the director of Snellville First Baptist Preschool. More information at fbcsnell.org
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Eternal Hills Celebrates Lives Continued from page 5 Saturday of December marks an annual remembrance service for all families served over the past year. Eternal Hills participates in many area events, such as those hosted by Snellville Tourism and Trade and career days at local elementary schools, and also supports Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity and Rock Goodbye Angel, an organization that offers support to families of pregnancy and infant loss. “We’re very community and service oriented because that’s really, truly where our passion is,” says Mrs. Blackston. “We care about our community and we care about every last person that we serve. People have to know that we’re here to help in whatever way that may be.” More information at www.eternalhillsfuneralhome.com
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Loganville AutumnFest Spotlight: Welcome to Fall, Y’all By Kristen Eleveld Here in Georgia, we may not always feel the chill in the air that announces fall is arriving, but thanks to the city of Loganville, we can still get into the autumn spirit! On Saturday, October 20, Loganville invites you to join them for their annual AutumnFest. This is no ordinary seasonal celebration. Every year, the city welcomes thousands of residents and 150 vendors for the perfect way to ring in the fall season. Past attendees will be excited to welcome back some old favorites like the Tommy Taylor Band and Groove Brittannia, who will both perform at different times during the festival. Afterwards, guests can also enjoy a concert by The Departure Band, who will be singing on the Town Green at 6:00 pm. The space fills up fast, so be sure to arrive in time to find a spot for your family! And the musical performances aren’t the only exciting attractions at AutumnFest this year. Visitors will have the chance to see performances from Southern Gymnastics, Sole Momentum, and A Step Behind, which come courtesy of a local dance studio. One especially thrilling presentation will be a skit by Lux Productions, which will be the Rock Gym’s first theater show since the city reopened it as an event venue. No matter what your taste, there is something for everyone. You won’t want to miss your chance to see these talented people entertain! Even if you’re an old hand at AutumnFest, there is always something new to see. This year, we are excited to welcome Nojoe and Toot’s Clown Circus, which, in addition to walking around during the festival to entertain the children in attendance, will also offer three shows throughout the day. AutumnFest is also adding more activities to their kids’ zone, which was very popular at last year’s celebration and will again serve as a fundraiser for the Walton County Special Olympics. Of course, no AutumnFest is complete without one essential item: Delicious food! Dozens of vendors and food trucks will be on hand, so be sure to come hungry. You will see a mix of old favorites to enjoy and new meals to try. When you’re passing the time between scrumptious snacks, you should make your way over to the hay bales and dozens of activities that await you all around the event. Continued on page 15
Musical Fallout: Thoughts on Generations and Genre By Beth Volpert Johansen
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Recently, I hosted a book club meeting at our home. The September book was entitled, The All-Girl Filling Station Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg. The setting bounced back and forth between present day Point Clear, Alabama and 1940s Pulaski, Wisconsin. In the story, Fannie Flagg made certain to mention the music of the wartime era, so in addition to crab, shrimp, hushpuppies, and Polish sausage with pierogis, we set the mood with some 1940s background music. The question as to whether today’s kids listen to this type of music came up. Those of us who have watched our own kids play the popular video game series, Fallout, can attest to the fact that indeed kids DO listen to early wartime music. Turns out their video game music can potentially qualify as “deep eclectic cuts.” The discussion at the book club made me think about what kids are listening to and if it has some connection to generations past. So, like any good journalist, I went right to the source. When you have five kids in the house like I do with about two to three friends each on any given weekend, you get a varied and valid research sample. All one needs to do is provide some snacks to get survey questions answered. And the question I asked was, “What kind of music do you and your parents listen to together?” This being the South, country came up, but not just any type of country. Seems the kids and their parents are keen on the old Johnny Cash and Conway Twitty tunes – a kind of nod back to the burgeoning Nashville scene. Second in the results was classic rock. Several of the sampled kids had seen an old 96 Rock license plate tacked up somewhere on the garage wall at home. Journey managed to edge out Van Halen for the top seed in the rock race among the sampling pool gathered at my kitchen table. Interestingly, Frank Sinatra also made the very honorable mentions. Just after the survey, I walked by my stepdaughter’s room and heard what I thought was Paul Anka. Sweet, I thought. Put Your Head on My Shoulder is a real classic, but it turns out, it wasn’t Paul at all. It was a “Lo-Fi” cover delivered with the exact kind of teen pain and angst that is crossgenerational. I mean, hasn’t every pre-teen mooned over an adorable idol crooning just for her? We spent the rest of the evening belting out the soundtracks to Grease and Mama Mia. One of the kids who regularly hangs out at our house is a walking discography. He has an Continued on page 19
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Crane’s Corner: The Last Straw
Big Screen Continued from page 9
By Bill Crane
For Lucy’s part, she seemed to enjoy the experience, although one of the days was a challenge. Said Lauren, “We were called the second day from one to seven to shoot a picnic scene at sundown.” Lauren, however, knowing that could be a tough time for kids, was prepared. “Every day, I made sure to pack a bag full of snacks and activities.” When Lucy would get restless, Lauren was there with a snack. “I love to tell my friends that Ryan Gosling told me my ‘snack game was strong!’” glowed Lauren. “He loved that I brought Skittles and asked to have some. So when Lucy finished her last day, we brought little bags of Skittles for the cast and crew to say thank you for the experience.” First Man is set to release in theaters on October 12th. The Staffords have arranged a private screening at the Movie Tavern for family and friends. There will even be a red carpet for Lucy to walk down. While the film has received some advance criticism concerning the topic of planting the US Flag on the moon, Lauren hopes that everyone will still come see the movie her daughter is in. “It’s a movie about relationships, and I hope people will come to see it!”
Seattle, Washington has banned the use of all plastic straws. Starbucks is phasing them out by 2020, and McDonald’s is now ending their use in Ireland and the United Kingdom. It’s estimated in the United State alone that 500 million disposable straws are consumed each day. And according to a recently published study, as many as 8.3 billion plastic straws annually add to the pollution of our oceans and beaches. But it’s also worth noting that plastic straws comprise only 0.025 percent of the world’s massive plastic waste stream. In the midst of the South Pacific, there is a massive and floating “garbage island” almost a million-square miles across, larger than Mexico and visible from space. Ocean currents wash the primarily plastic debris from six of the world’s larger and more polluted rivers where they congregate in what is also one of the world’s most productive fishing and fish breeding grounds. Discarded fishing nets are the largest source of plastic waste within this floating monstrosity. These large “webs” are deadly for sea turtles and larger marine mammals. Deep sea fishing is governed by international law and treaties. Fish net disposal can be better monitored and regulated. You may think a floating plastic island in the South Pacific is too remote for you to be concerned about, but there is almost no way you haven’t eaten fish caught from those waters and already taken a good bite of plastic inside the fish who breed or swim there. Personally, I only use straws for the occasionally milk shake. But for many around me, they are a daily staple of life, like napkins. The elderly, anyone with throat, swallowing, or any of many diet disorders, need straws to consume liquids, and sometimes pureed fruits and proteins which they otherwise can’t ingest normally. Hospitals are among the largest daily users. There are now glass, stainless steel, and non-PET hard plastic straws available, though they are not inexpensive or universally accessible. However, if those straws are not regularly washed and cleaned, they become a breeding ground for germs, bacteria, and many a virus. It would seem than rather than ban a waste stream item which is proverbially a spit in an ocean of trash, we should better and more largely focus on a wider swath of the entire waste stream with multiple programs to reduce, re-use, AND re-cycle. America’s largest grocer, Kroger (which also owns Harris Teeter and Ralph’s), is leading by example and will phase out the use of all plastic bags by 2025 while still offering consumers paper bags, re-useable bags for sale, or boxes/other packaging brought in by the consumer. Several large global non-profits are attempting to remove the trash from the ocean, but the scope of this environmental challenge remains monumental. Western democracies and heavy consumer nations could consider a sun-setting surcharge of around 25 cents on all canned fish products, as well as frozen foods, with those proceeds benefiting existing efforts to rid the oceans of such waste. Another reason for the fast-growing plastics glut in the US is that China has stopped purchasing our plastic waste due to its low quality and frequent taint with remaining food waste. Road asphalt, like plastic, is a petroleum-based product. There are now recycling methods tested and available to melt down and re-utilize plastic waste to replace the petroleum base within asphalt. It is also cheaper to make asphalt this way. How about incentivizing state and local governments to bulk collect mixed plastics for pelletizing into their road paving and patching base material? Let’s approach waste reduction with common sense and from the stand-point of re-use and innovation, versus constriction and product bans. If we can put men on the moon, as well as significantly reduce the pollution into our nation’s lakes and rivers, we CAN do this. Before we grab the last straws out of the hands of someone battling throat cancer, or a child on the Autism spectrum who cannot normally drink from a cup, let’s use a bit more effort and commonsense practices by a larger swath of our population as well as encouraging local governments and larger businesses to take on a more leading role. It will require a bit more effort from all of us to get there, but to me that makes a lot more sense than banning the last straw. Crane is the senior political analyst with WSB Radio and TV and owns the full-service communications consulting firm, CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com
One Man’s Opinion
Continued from page 7
the way 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!
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Imagine living a full, healthy life – experiencing the sweetest, extraordinary highs and simple joys as well as the hardest challenges that come with being human. Maybe you have raised generations of children. Maybe you have loved and lost. Each day, you gave it what you had, and now those memories are fading. You cannot do things for yourself as you once were able. You need more than you would prefer to admit, and you must rely on your children to make many of your decisions for you. Now, imagine watching the man who has been your hero for the entirety of your life, slowly fade. Your father is still with you, but his memories, personality, and cognition slowly slip away as you try to lead and care for him as he always has done for you. This is a challenge countless families face around the globe and in our very own neighborhood. I have managed continuing care communities for 15 years and watched families deal with the emotional reality of losing a loved one to dementia while they are still physically here on earth. The process is exhausting for loved ones caring for an aging parent or relative. Some feel guilty for removing them from things that are familiar, but they do not have the means or skills to properly care for their aging relatives in the home. Traditionally in the US, assisted living facilities provide routine to help individuals suffering with dementia, giving families needed support and space as loved ones slowly decline and receive needed care. A steady, familiar schedule helps management work consistently in caring for large numbers of patients. However, facilities throughout the United Kingdom have seen those living with dementia actually make improvements in their emotional state and behavior so that their life can be the best that it can be. These facilities operate within an innovative approach known as the Butterfly Model. When I learned about this unique method to care, I decided to undergo the process to obtain the Highest Level 1 credential for Park Springs, a Memory Care home by Isakson Living in Gwinnett County. We are the first in the nation to offer this approach to families walking through the challenge of dementia. We underwent a year-long staff training, construction, and evaluation, and we are honored to bring the Butterfly Model to families in Gwinnett and beyond. The Butterfly Model and Household Model of Care encourage Members – as certified homes refer to the people living there – to retain their independence with the support of the care partners and homemaker in each household. The innovative concept is focused on Members and the emotional connections we look to nourish. When memory begins to fail, emotions still remain, and may even be heightened as the body compensates. Our mantra and training is based on “feelings matter most.” Requests and preferred routines are first priority, while scheduled times for wakeup, meals, or activities are no longer the standard. Members are met in their own reality – where they are emotionally and mentally – to provide meaningful experiences and relationships in a setting specifically designed for their needs and interests. For example, a former physician would be encouraged to discuss medicine, and former teachers are offered school papers to “grade.” There is an open kitchen concept offering members the opportunity to observe or assist with meal preparation and cozy seating areas with many engaging items placed strategically for interaction and conversation. Additionally, at Park Springs, the staff wears regular clothes instead of uniforms to enhance the home-like setting, even donning pajamas when on night shift. The Butterfly Model’s focus on meeting members where they are in their mind’s eye has shown tangible results with unprecedented emotional and behavioral improvement, which lead to improvements in their general health. Members are loved for both who they are and who they were. This helps bring out the best in members and creates meaningful moments with the individual, family, and friends. If you are visiting an aging individual who is struggling with dementia, try to engage them where they are. If they are in college in the 1940s, ask them about class. If they are gardening in their golden years, comment on the beautiful roses and ask which plant is doing best this season. While they may not meet you in your present, you may learn something new about the life your loved one lived. Managing Partner Andy Isakson is the Park Springs’ visionary-in-chief. More information at http:// www.parksprings.com/
Learning Lessons: It’s All About Balance Continued from page 9 • Model important character traits, such as compassion, kindness, and generosity, for your child. Volunteer at your local animal shelter or share veggies from your garden with a neighbor so your child can witness and learn firsthand the joy of giving back. Every experience can be a learning opportunity for children. Encourage them to explore, observe, investigate, and ask questions. Allow lots of time for play and provide guidance along the way to take learning to the next level. Tanisha Turner is Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway. More information at www. PrimroseSugarloafParkway.com.
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From Facebook to Funnel Cake: A Story That’s Twice as Sweet By Kristen Eleveld In 2013, Kashaun and Domonique met by chance over Facebook. In 2014, their relationship was still going strong, and they decided to take their children to a local theme park for the day. During their visit, they stopped to enjoy some funnel cake. It was then that one of their boys said he thought funnel cake should be available all the time, and not only at a theme park. Kashaun and Domonique liked the idea of starting a funnel cake restaurant that would be available to everyone all the time. They started filling out paperwork and working on making their idea a reality. Over the next few years, they never lost interest in the idea, but they had a lot on their plates in both their personal and professional lives. Kashaun and Domonique had married (becoming the Coopers), and their five boys and full-time jobs kept them very busy. The Coopers were also focusing on other interests near and dear to their hearts. Both had long seen the need to care for the less fortunate in their community. In 2009, Kashaun had started Father’s Rock, a non-profit that helped fathers become active parts of their homes and communities. Together the Coopers started the YO Gwinnett program, which focused on housing for homeless or runaway teenagers. They also have co-authored multiple books, including What If I Am? The Four Stages in Life for Teens, which seek to show struggling teenagers how resilient they can be and how they can be great in their own way. Kashaun and Domonique believe in the power of education, and have served on multiple school boards and councils to make their voices heard in their community. They also have worked with the G.I.V.E. Center in Lawrenceville to mentor students who are struggling to pursue their education, and they continue to be active school council members. Domonique serves on the Salvation Army’s Advisory board, and they both serve many other philanthropic organizations in order to reach out to families, children, and teenagers who need a helping hand. With so much community involvement, it’s no wonder that it wasn’t until early 2018 that their restaurant dream could become a reality. They saw a perfect space for rent in Lawrenceville, quickly assembled a team, and got to work. In the eight months that followed, the whole family created a unique and flavorful menu that is unlike anything else in Georgia. They asked each of their boys to create or contribute to a specialty menu item, making it a true family business. By the beginning of August, they had over thirty delicious funnel cake menu options that were just waiting to be enjoyed by the community around them. Finally, on August 15th, after months of hard work, Fancy Funnel Cake opened its doors to Lawrenceville and surrounding cities. And, contrary to popular belief, Fancy Funnel Cake is more than just a dessert shop. “We are here for lunch, dinner – any time you want to try something new!” says Domonique. “You could eat here every day for a month and still not make it through the menu.” There are plenty of sweet treats available at Fancy Funnel Cake, but the options for lunch and dinner seem limitless. If you’re looking for a new twist on an old classic, give the PB&J Funnel Cake a try! Or maybe you’re more in the mood for a BLT Funnel Cake. You can even enjoy a breakfast treat with the Fancy Frooty Loopy Funnel Cake. Whatever your taste, you will find a new way to experience it at this restaurant. If you stop by on holidays or during a new season, you will also have the chance to try seven new, seasonal recipes in addition to the dozens that are available year-round. Looking ahead, Domonique and Kashaun hope to expand their business into multiple locations, including a food truck, and even franchising in 2019. They are also restructuring their YO Gwinnett program to include younger children who need housing, and will begin calling the organization Youth of Gwinnett once restructuring is complete. The official Grand Opening for Fancy Funnel Cake is scheduled for later in the fall, but don’t wait until then. Stop by today to see what makes their restaurant – and their family – one of a kind! Kashaun and Domonique Cooper are owners of Fancy Funnel Cake. More information at www. fancyfunnelcake.com
Loganville Spotlight Continued from page 12
COMPETITION MATCH October 7th at 5:00pm-9:00pm November 4th at 5:00pm-9:00pm December 2nd at 5:00pm-9:00pm * Must be a GSSF member to compete-join at gssfonline.com * $15 Per match, must attend two out of three matches to qualify for plaques or prizes, please sign up in store or email us for more information. * A chance to win a free standard 9/40/45 Glock pistol.
Glock Day- October 27th Come out and meet the Glock representatives, test shooting, free merchandise giveaways, and a chance to win a free standard 9/40/45 Glock pistol.
405 Killian Hill Road NW
Lilburn • 770-923-9810 Extended Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-10pm • Sun 12pm-7pm www.mainstreetgunsandrange.com
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Handmade crafts and local businesses make up even more of the family-friendly booths that you will find as you walk around Main Street. This is your chance to pick out a truly unique gift for a family member or yourself this holiday season. “I love finding local vendors to shop from and seeing all the different ways people can be creative,” said Melissa Farr, who teaches high school in Loganville. “This is a great opportunity for folks to see what Loganville has to offer.” Whether you’re part of a large family or want to make this a romantic outing, Autumn Fest has 20 Grayson New Hope Rd, Grayson GA 30017 - www.promotionpt.com - 770-554-7977 activities and fun for everyone. Even if you’re just passing through the area, the city of Loganville 20 20Grayson GraysonNew NewHope HopeRd, Rd,Grayson GraysonGA GA30017 30017- www.promotionpt.com - www.promotionpt.com- 770-554-7977 - 770-554-7977 is eager to welcome you to be part of their biggest celebration of the year. The fun begins at 9:00 20 Grayson 20 Grayson NewHope Hope Rd, Rd, Grayson - www.promotionpt.com - 770-554-7977 New GraysonGA GA30017 30017 - www.promotionpt.com - 770-554-7977 a.m. See you there! More information at https://www.loganville-ga.gov/news-events#Festivals. 20 Grayson New Hope Rd, Grayson GA 30017 - www.promotionpt.com - 770-554-7977
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The Balancing Act: Crash and Burn By Jocelyn Wykoff Crash and burn. As a full time Jack of all Trades wife, mom of three, and employee, I know that at some point it’s bound to happen. One plate of detail in my balancing act slips from the grip of my stressed and sweaty fingers and CRASH, the plates begin to fall. I begin to juggle, straining to keep all that’s salvageable afloat. Is it the end of the world? Well, no. But it sure feels like it sometimes. I think the worst part is the disappointment I may cause someone or a project I may not complete if I lose my grasp. I have a mini army that depends on me daily to ensure all the puzzle pieces fit together, and I’m not a good loser. Dean Kamen said, “Sometimes we crash and burn. It’s better to do it in private.” The act of balancing is just that – an act. We jugglers become really good at letting those around us only see what we want them to see. Deceptive? No. We’re just cautious not to expose perceived weaknesses. I just recently completed a leadership retreat and learned quite a bit about my personality group and others. You may have heard or have been asked, “What personality color are you?” Well, I’m a full red (Meditative) with even traits of green and blue. This theory of thinking was developed by Robert Alan Black, Ph.D., CSP to aid people in understanding that their individual styles can be best matched with the styles of all the people they work with to produce the best results. As I already thought, my “how to” analytical thinking was confirmed. We juggle, research, need facts, and strive to produce the best if not perfect results. It’s the traits of the blue (Negotiative) and green (Intuitive) that I think help me most often when I need to pick up the pieces and rebuild the balance. I have learned it’s okay to rely on a team to help me, and to trust my gut sometimes instead of just the facts. “There’s no ‘I’ in Teamwork” is a common phrase used by coaches alike to help initiate a bond between teammates. Although, there is an “I” in the “Act of Balancing,” the common phrase rings true here as well. While individually we’re strong, as a group we’re even stronger. And while it may be better to hide your ugly and crash and burn in private, it’s best to pick up the pieces, rebuild, and grow surrounded by your support system. Jocelyn Wykoff is a dreamer, believer, wife, and mompreneur of the Wykoff Household.
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Legal Talk: A Personal Law Practice By David Walker Having practiced law in Gwinnett County for over forty years, I found that the journey took many directions. I began as a real estate closing attorney. At the time, Gwinnett County was the fastestgrowing county in the country. I was also appointed for criminal defense cases in Gwinnett, a great training for learning how to be an effective courtroom attorney. Closings were a good way to meet people, and these clients would return if they had cases involving their homes, or about their business matters, or personal injuries. A litigation practice followed; then a recession came, slowing down real estate. Our firm handled family law, injuries, business, closings, and construction, and virtually any court case. I also handled bankruptcy cases, wills, probates, and estate litigation. I designed pension and profit sharing plans for small businesses, and I also did Social Security disability cases. Litigation evolved further into medical malpractice and medical device cases, which were extremely interesting. Most litigation was against a larger corporation, an insurance company, or some other wealthy entity. These involved contingent fees, where clients couldn’t afford to pay for the services involved unless we won. There is a large risk-reward factor with these cases, which is not so gratifying if you don’t win since you make nothing. These often involved jury trials, and I’ve done over 140. After roughly four decades, dealing with individuals is most gratifying. Everyone has personal legal needs, such as wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives. Divorce is more common and spawns other cases. Modifications of support, custody, or enforcement actions continue for years. Many small businesses need legal services, like a shareholders’ agreement, business purchase, or a contract. Experience in multiple fields of law helps bridge gaps between these areas of practice. A divorcing couple may have business ventures to divide, involving divorce and business law. Estates often need real estate transactions done. We can handle numerous related matters for individuals. I find it most gratifying to work with an individual or small business to achieve a legal goal. David S. Walker is Owner of Walker Law Firm. More information at https://www.walker-law-firm. com/
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Brookwood High School Student Claims Pageant Title By Amy Ney Abigail Lee Hilliard, a sophomore at Brookwood High School, won 2018 National American Miss Georgia Junior Teen at the State Pageant held in July. She will now progress to the National Pageant, representing Georgia during Thanksgiving week in Anaheim, California. “I am so excited!” bubbled Hilliard. “My mom and dad and I are all going, and it’s going to be a great trip.” Hilliard will have the opportunity to win a share of over $500,000 in cash and prizes at the event. The National American Miss competition is dedicated to developing the success of young women across the nation. Participants are ages four to twenty, and compete in five age divisions. Princess division is for girls between the ages of four and six, and Junior Preteen is for girls between the age of seven and nine. Contestants ages ten to twelve compete in the Preteen division, and Junior Teen competitors are ages thirteen to fifteen. Hilliard will be competing in the Teen category, which is for girls ages sixteen to eighteen. The Miss division has participants ages nineteen and twenty. Each girl who qualifies at the National level also has a chance to win a new 2018 Ford Mustang. Each year, the Pageant annually awards $1.5 million dollars in cash, scholarships, and prizes to recognize and assist the development of young women. The National American Miss Pageants are for Today’s Girl and Tomorrow’s Leaders. The program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise, and presentation, and offers an All American Spirit of fun for family and friends. Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confidence, learning new skills, learning good attitudes about competition, and setting and achieving personal goals. The pageant seeks to recognize the accomplishments of each girl while encouraging her to set goals for the future. Hilliard competes on the platform of Growing Girls, an effort which focuses on allowing girls to explore computer, science, mathematics, and similar STEM subjects. “I love science,” Hillard explains. “I believe everyone should be able to follow their dreams and not be afraid of being held back. I want girls to be open to STEM classes and resources.”
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Continued on page 19
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PAGE 17
Pet Perch: Would You Follow You? By Terie Hansen Think about it. If you wouldn’t follow you, how can you expect your dog to? Would you follow someone who is inconsistent, nervous, unsure, doesn’t advocate (protect) for you in times of uncertainty, high excitement, fear, or nervousness? Inconsistency on the owner’s part is one of the biggest reasons dogs misbehave. Being consistent and addressing/correcting all the little indiscretions your dog exhibits are very important because they prepare your dog to know what to do in the big moments. ALL the little things MATTER. Dogs need clarity and consistency in the daily messages we are conveying to them through our words, but mostly through our actions. When you are consistent in teaching them the behaviors you expect from them, you are leading them. When you allow them to do whatever they want, you are following them. If you allow any given behavior, let’s say pulling on the leash one day, and then change the rules the next day by correcting them for it, you send mixed messages to your dog. Are they allowed to pull or not? It cannot be “Sometimes you can pull and sometimes you cannot” because dogs can’t understand that. Many owners get mad or frustrated at their dogs when they misbehave when other people are around – such as jumping in moments of excitement or distraction – but then allow it when they are alone with their dog. This inconsistency is unfair to your pet, and it creates a confused, not stubborn, dog. Without a clear, consistent message – “You are never allowed to pull on the leash” or “You are never allowed to jump on people” or “You can come up on the sofa when I invite you (on command), but not when I don’t” – your dog will continue to push the boundaries because he or she is unclear about a message that is always changing. Dogs don’t consistently follow an inconsistent person. If you’re not the leader, you’re just another follower. Terie Hansen is Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com .
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Getting Schooled with Bay Creek Middle School: Meet Principal Jeremy Reily By K. Coats When most of us think about our middle school experience, at best we can remember it as a mixed bag. There were probably tears, frustrations, confusion, and maybe our first love, and first heartbreak. It was a time when we left the shelter of our elementary school and wandered new halls, wondering where we fit in. Middle school is a tough time, but its importance in developing who we are cannot be overstated. And Mr. Jeremy Reily, Bay Creek Middle School’s newest principal, has a front row seat to all of it. Mr. Reily started as a new teacher in Gwinnett County in 2006. Like many in education, Mr. Reily didn’t begin with the plan of becoming a principal. He had originally started his career with the intentions of becoming a lawyer, but he quickly decided life as a barrister was not for him. He explored education as an interim while deciding what to do next. However, like many teachers before him, the students won him over. “A month in,” he states, “I knew I wanted to do this the rest of my life. I knew I’d gone home every day having made a difference.” However, there is a huge shift between being a teacher and becoming an administrator. Considering how much those student interactions meant to Mr. Reily, he explained what prompted him to make the leap. “That was a gradual thing,” he says. “During my third year teaching, I was department chair over social studies. I had a principal who pushed me to help make the school better.” That principal also gave him a huge gift as far as teachers are concerned. “He gave me a lot of freedom and autonomy to do that. Through that I learned to work with others. I got to multiply my impact.” And through this experience, Mr. Reily had a realization. “If I could help good teachers become great teachers,” he says, “that’s how kids’ lives get changed – through great teachers.” From there, Mr. Reily graduated from the Gwinnett County Aspiring Leader Program and went on to administration full time. Since he started with sophomores, one might wonder what drew this former high school teacher to the middle school grades. “Middle school is the turning point,” he states. “In a lot of ways, that’s the point in the story where things happen. Middle school is where students are deciding who they are. One day they’re this type of person, another day they’re [that] type of person. I love seeing a student come in at the beginning of their 6th grade year – they’re basically an elementary student – and by the time they leave they’re basically grown. There’s no other time where you’ll see that much change.” And it’s this change that forms the backbone to Mr. Reily’s leadership at Bay Creek. Citing the strong sense of community, teacher dedication, and parental involvement, Mr. Reily echoes his former realization about helping teachers in his role as principal. When asked about initiatives at the school, he mentions being consistent, intentional, and providing support for his faculty and staff. From incubators to lively discussions on wave diffusion, Mr. Reily knows his faculty goes above and beyond for their students. And he is prepared to go above and beyond for them. His final words concerning his plans for Bay Creek: “Help teachers be great and then get out of their way.” We wish to extend to Mr. Reily a warm welcome to the Grayson Cluster and wish the best for him, his staff, faculty, and all of the students at Bay Creek Middle as they innovate, create, and thrive this 2018-2019 school year. You make us all proud. More information at baycreekrams.org/home
Musical Fallout Continued from page 12 uncanny knowledge of a vast array of musical genres. His classic vinyl collection includes albums from ASIA to Zeppelin and everything in between. And, that stuff isn’t just for show; he knows the original release dates, current and former band members, recording studios, and more. It’s just uncanny. We leave it up to him to set the weekend cookout playlist because he always has something for everyone. Concerts are quite another story. We have been dragging our kids to live music venues since they were old enough – well, maybe not even old enough – to hear uncles, dads, grandfathers, and brothers perform live. So, it did not come as a big surprise that their obsession with live music and concerts began to edge into our “date nights.” Once they were old enough to figure out where we were headed, the concert ticket price went from two in comfortable seats to the family on the lawn. I once, very casually, asked the lads making their own music in our basement whether they were interested in seeing Steely Dan. Mercy! Did I get an earful! Shortly thereafter, I procured lawn seats for everyone, and a good time was had by all. Just like at our book club, there is background music for most any event. Our place has been known to leak an assorted mix of original prog rock, jazz, big band, barbershop harmony, cover band mixes, lo-fi, and rap on any given day. Weekends are a free-for-all that includes plenty of video games and the accompanying music. Today’s generation has heard the oldies, and I am here to report they tend to think the oldies are still goodies.
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Student Claims Pageant Title Continued from page 17 Hillard, the youngest of four children, began competing in pageants at a young age. “I was probably three or four years old,” she said. “Then I didn’t compete for a long time. Recently, we decided I would try it again because I had a good time and I won Little Miss Gwinnett and Little Miss Snellville when I was little.” Hillard said the National American Miss Junior Teen was a good pageant for her to start back into the competition. “It was one of the first few ones I remembered,” she said. “We knew it was a good competition and would be a great way to get back into the groove.” “Last year, I competed in the Brookwood High School Scholarship Pageant and was fortunate to win Miss Brookwood Freshman. It was one of my favorites,” recalls Hilliard. Hilliard’s other activities include cheerleading for Brookwood High school, as well as maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She hopes to pursue a field in Neonatal Nursing following graduation. Hilliard believes this program, centered around helping young women grow and expand their ideas about who they are and what they want to achieve, will help her develop a competitive edge to succeed in whatever program she chooses. More information at http://www.namiss.com/
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Garden Talk: Gardening and Plants Can Reduce Stress
Conservative Spine & Joint Center
By Our Town Staff In today’s busy world, we’re continually searching for new ways to slow down and unwind. This has led more people to discover the calming benefits of gardening and how incorporating plants into decor provides a way to reduce everyday stress. Studies have shown that indoor plants clean the air by removing 87 percent of airborne toxins in 24 hours and can make people more relaxed. In fact, the very act of planting and maintaining a garden provides relaxing stress relief in today’s busy world. With such pronounced benefits, there are many reasons people who live in crowded cities and spacious suburbs have taken up gardening. 1) Add a fiddle leaf fig to your living room With large, waxy green leaves that look like a fiddle, the photogenic fiddle leaf fig adds a stunning pop of green to any living space. The trees thrive in bright to medium light and prefer room temperatures. Water them only when the surface of the soil is dry or when the leaves start to wilt. You’ll know your tree is happy when its leaves are perked up toward the sun. Caring for the tree energizes your mood and, in turn, its healthy green leaves liven up your home. 2) Grow an herb garden in your kitchen Home chefs and foodies alike know how important it is to have fresh herbs on hand. Rosemary, mint, sage, and basil thrive in small terra cotta pots on your sunny windowsill. They not only add the finishing touch to a meal or a refreshing drink, but tending your herbs helps to relieve daily stress while enticing you to experiment with new healthy recipes featuring your homegrown harvest. 3) Monitor the air quality with Aloe vera plants Most people know about the medicinal properties in Aloe vera plants. Most of us have slathered some on after getting a sunburn. In addition, they’re great for purifying the air. They can also serve as a monitor of air quality because they will display brown spots if something isn’t quite right. Aloe vera thrives in sunny spaces and at room temperature, so make sure to position it near an interior window to help maintain a healthy plant. 4) Put a snake plant in your office or wherever you’re most busy Offices and cubes can be some sterile spaces, which can make it hard to stay motivated or feel Continued on page 22
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One on One with Impact 46: Lawrenceville Youth are Making an Impact By Kristen Eleveld
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Eight years ago, two men saw a need for change in their community. They were frustrated with a lack of answers or resources to many needs they saw around them in Lawrenceville. They decided to gather community leaders every month and pray for their city. Today, what started as a prayer meeting has turned into one of the most impactful youth-oriented community initiatives in Gwinnett County. As the group of two grew to include more and more people working for the same goal, they decided it was best to create an organization dedicated to positive change in their neighborhood. They called it Impact46 – both in reference to their local zip code, 30046, and in reference to Psalm 46, which has been the main source of inspiration for the group’s mission. As an organization, Impact46 seeks to build partnerships with a purpose to change their city. They believe that a collaborative investment will lead to a collective impact in Lawrenceville. Though they have been partnering with the community for several years, Impact46 officially became a non-profit organization in May of 2017. Since then, they have not wasted a moment in their efforts to promote a positive, growing community atmosphere that includes nearby schools, local businesses, and teenagers and children who desire the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. At the beginning of the year, three key players worked together to create the Summer of Impact, which is a community impact initiative for teenagers in the Central Gwinnett High School cluster. The initiative facilitates a partnership between local businesses and the school to provide internships for juniors and seniors who are interested in developing skills for future jobs. In addition to the internship program, each participant will attend Leadership Development Training, which is a weekly meeting facilitated by Impact 46 that provides the interns with additional skills that will allow them to rise as a leader in their own community. But the high schoolers aren’t the only ones who were given the chance to have a big impact this summer. In partnership with SportsServe, Impact46 also runs Kidsgames, a one-day community camp that targets the elementary schools in the Central Gwinnett cluster, as well as local neighborhoods. The interns are encouraged to participate in the camp as leaders, both as a way to increase their leadership skills and as a way to give back to their own community. “We want to help students discover their God-given purpose, passion, and influence as we build a legacy of leadership in Lawrenceville by investing in children and students,” said Jen Young, Executive Director of Impact 46. Together with Brent Cruce, Academy Coach at Central Gwinnett High School, and Jasmine Billings, Event Coordinator for the City of Lawrenceville, Young and her team hold a firm belief that, given the right resources and opportunities, Lawrenceville can become a place where families go to find a positive, uplifting community that is focused on developing leaders. Looking forward, the Impact46 team hopes to expand the number of internships to twenty for the summer of 2019. They also hope to find additional businesses that will provide an internship and increase the types of experiences available to the interns. However, as Young emphasized, their first goal will always be the enrichment of future leaders. Whether 2019 brings twenty participants or twelve, Impact46 is focused on developing leaders at a personal level that will help their community rise together. Indeed, this is truly a community effort – and one that needs your help. Whether you think your own child is a great fit for this iniative or you think your business is a wonderful internship opportunity, Impact46 needs you! More information at 770-842-4363
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PAGE 22
Garden Talk Continued from page 21 content during the work day. There are a million and one reasons for putting a plant in your office, and because you need to focus on the work at hand, you need a stress-free plant. When it comes to caring for a plant, it doesn’t get much easier than a snake plant. These beautiful plants grow in a wide-range of lighting conditions and at any normal room temperature. They offer a lowmaintenance boost of zen, produce oxygen, and, because sometimes you go on vacation, can go weeks without water. 5) Liven up your shaded bathroom with a peace lily The dark leaves and curvy white blossoms on a peace lily are easy on the eyes and easy to grow. Perfect for those less-well-lit areas of the house, peace lilies thrive in shade and can withstand a variety of temperatures. Looks aside, they’re known for reducing both airborne toxins and mold, making them the perfect plant for bathrooms or other damp areas of your home. The wellness benefits of caring for and being around plants are endless. The next time you’re feeling stressed, spend some time in the garden or take a stroll through a park to enjoy the greenery and the natural comfort that comes with being surrounded by plants. You will be glad you did and you will reduce your stress in the process. (BPT)
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or email: info@summitchasecc.com or email: Try info@summitchasecc.com Curves for yourself and find out
3197 Classic Drive 197 Classic Drive Snellville, Ga 30078 Snellville, GA 30078
www.summitchasecc.com www.summitchasecc.com www.summitchasecc.com www.summitchasecc.com howemail: greatinfo@summitchasecc.com you can feel in just 6 weeks. email: info@summitchasecc.com email: info@summitchasecc.com email: info@summitchasecc.com
and Operated TENNIS • SWIM • Locally DINING • •SOCIAL GOLF • TENNIS •OwnedSWIM DINING • SOCIAL 2018 INTRODUCTORY MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL All Full Facility Golf Memberships pay $150 per month and Tennis Swim Social
2144 Fountain Square, Snellville, GA. 678.344.0200 Memberships pay $75 per month 30078 for first twelve months. Social Dining Membership $300 per year. Summit Chase offers exciting junior lesson programs in golf, tennis and swimming.
Our junior who programs are open Curves to members and non-members. * Offer valid between 10/1/18 – 12/25/18. Available to new members, sign up for a 6-week Fitness membership, payable up front in full at the time of signing. 6-week Curves Fitness membership valid only at the club where the membership is purchased. Offer excludes CurvesSmart® and Curves Complete®. Valid at participating locations only. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. SUMMIT CHASE COUNTRY CLUBNo cash value. ( ) © 2018 CURVES NA, INC. 1810 3197 Classic Drive, Snellville, Ga 30078 770-979-9000 www.summitchasecc.com You belong here!
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