OCT 2017: Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Monthly Magazine by Our Town Gwinnett Magazine

OCTOBER 2017 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Grayson Dacula Loganville Lawrenceville

Meet the team at The Wellness Studio and ProMotion PT, see story on page 5.

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Get Off Your Couch: 5K & Fun Run Fundraiser in October Sports Talk: Archer Athletic Association Up Close with Sherry Aglietti: Bay Creek Middle School Getting to Know: Friends of Disabled Adults and Children

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On the Cover: The Wellness Studio and ProMotion PT Promote Healthy, Active Lifestyles By Heidi Campbell In 2001, Amanda Pilz opened ProMotion Physical Therapy Loganville, GA. Her practice grew, and in 2006 she opened a second location in Grayson. In 2013, she closed the Loganville office in order to focus on the Grayson location, where she had plans to extend services into the community in a more proactive manner and to be a resource for prevention as well as rehabilitation. In 2013, the Wellness Studio opened, incorporating her physical therapy practice with other important wellness programs including nutrition, therapeutic massage, personal training, fitness and wellness classes, and educational workshops on health-related topics. “Opening the Wellness Studio has allowed us to help members of our community realize the benefits of preventative health and wellness,” says Pilz. “There’s often a sort of mystique surrounding physical therapy. People don’t really know what it is, how helpful it can be, or even how to pursue it. This approach gives the community greater access to our services. In addition to physical therapy, we are able to offer classes, nutrition workshops, and free consultations to help people address health issues earlier. We are a great resource for people!” Clients enjoy classes offered in the Wellness Studio, and some enjoy the 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening Yoga class that takes place under the pavilion at Grayson Park. Studio classes include interval training, Pilates, yoga, Zumba, and barre – which are all available with drop-in rates or memberships. The nutrition program, led by a registered dietitian, offers quarterly workshops with topics including, “How to eat healthy on the run,” and “Sports nutrition.” “One really unique thing about what we offer here,” explains Pilz, “is the collaborative approach. Our instructors team with our physical therapists to truly individualize plans to meet the needs

of each patient and client. When patients finish their therapy, we can continue to work with them as they transition into a wellness routine to improve their overall wellness.” Pilz, a wife and mother of four children, was born and raised in Pennsylvania. After experiencing the benefits of physical therapy when her mother underwent physical therapy, and after she had her own first-hand experience as a collegiate level gymnast, Pilz decided to pursue physical therapy at Duquesne University. “There are so many amazing benefits of physical therapy, and I enjoy sharing them with my community. My favorite part of this work is helping someone’s situation,” Pilz says. “I honestly love seeing them improve their way of living and functioning.” The professional staff at the Wellness Studio and ProMotion Physical Therapy is a group of trained experts that works to help most insurance programs, are a great opportunity for retirees to patients overcome a wide range of physical problems including keep moving and stay in shape. “Our older clients also can benefit headaches, chronic pain, neck problems, low back, hip and knee from our strong focus on balance and prevention of falls,” says problems, and even more complex TMJ or vestibular issues. With Pilz. “We teach people that there are many things they can do to seven clinical staff members and four front office employees, the minimize the impact that aging has on balance. This can really practice offers a unique one-to-one ratio to meet the individual make a difference for our elderly population.” needs of their physical therapy patients. The moment a patient Pilz has witnessed many success stories throughout her years enters the practice, they are received with attention and care. “We as a physical therapist. One of her most inspiring experiences was cater to those patients who are really looking for individualized working with a man who had been in a motorcycle accident where attention and guidance,” explains Pilz. “Oftentimes, patients come he was thrown into the air and landed upside down. He crushed to us and feel like they haven’t been heard, or they’ve been misunthe entire left side of his body, including his shoulder, pelvis, derstood. We listen to them to understand their goals, and set up femur, and ankle. He came in to the office in a wheelchair with a plan to really help them reach or exceed their goals.” pins and screws holding him together. “We worked diligently with The Studio serves a wide range of ages, usually beginning him. He was so motivated because he learned that each short-term with school-age all the way through elderly patients. Teens can goal was attainable. When he left here,” shares Pilz, “he was able participate in the Teen Yoga class, children can enjoy the Young to return to all the things he enjoyed – sand volleyball, bike riding, Yogis camp offered in the summer, and toddlers can spend time and even running. His determination was amazing! That’s why we with their moms by attending the “Mommy and Me” Yoga classes. doReed -- to help1 people their People over the age of 65 can take part in Silver Sneakers classesRemediesdo 11108_Dr. Chris's Natural Julywhat Ad Dr. we Ashley ad.pdf 7/25/2017attain 11:40:41 AM goals.” More information at thewellnessstudio.com offered throughout the week. These classes, which are covered by

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Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

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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 2017 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

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IN THIS ISSUE 5 On the Cover: The Wellness Studio and ProMotion PT Promote Healthy, Active 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 14 15 15 15

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Lifestyles From the Publisher: An Acronym We SHALT Remember Get Off Your Couch 5K and Fun Run October 21st Getting Schooled: TNT Academy Inspires Student Success Our Town Community: Watching the 2017 Solar Eclipse Retired Brookwood High School Teacher Publishes Her First Young Adult Novel October Photo of the Month: Camp Bow Wow Lawrenceville What to Do When a Tooth is Knocked Out Sports Talk: Archer Athletic Association Atlanta Radio Stations: Win Awards from Georgia Association of Broadcasters One on One with DS Murphy Inspections Pet Perch: Domestic Cats Causing Extinction Travel Tales: Greatest Show on Earth Vecoma at the Yellow River: Creating Lifetime Memories in the Our Town Gwinnett Community Character Counts: Up Close with NG3 and Grayson High School Legal Matters: Elder Financial Abuse Chaplain’s Corner: Changes – Good, Scary, and Necessary! Bay Creek’s Sherry Aglietti Embraces New STEM Role with Outreaching Results Learning Lessons: Exploring Different Career Paths in High School Getting to Know FODAC Up Close with Dynamic Image Community Spotlight: Eagle Scout Skylar Taylor Makes the Grade

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From the Publisher:

A T H E N S

An Acronym We SHALT Remember By Ryan T. Sauers

@RyanSauers

Most people are very much the same. We all eat and drink. We all sleep. We all live and die. We all seek to be loved. And, we all have different emotions. It is what makes us human. What we have in common (UNITE) is far greater than anything that makes us different (UNTIE). With that said, I want to focus on an idea from a book by Laurie Jones. It is the word/ acronym SHALT. SHALT stands for: Sad, Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. How many times have you said something or written something you later regretted? How often have you acted in an “out of character” manner and wished you could get a “do over”? If you are like me, you have done so, and this information should prove helpful. If you are sad, it is best to postpone a decision until you are in the right frame of mind. You will be glad you did. Second, many of us get grumpy when we are hungry. So, if you have not eaten, wait until you are no longer hungry and you will think more clearly and communicate more effectively. How about when we are angry? In the world of social media, it is easy to fire off a tweet, post, text, or email in seconds. You know the drill – when someone makes you mad, blast them right then for the whole world to see. Of course, this is not the best thing to do. Like sadness, anger is an emotion that will settle itself in time. And you should wait until that emotion is gone so you calmly respond to what you are facing. In youth sports, there is often a 24-hour rule after a game. This means if you are upset with your child’s playing time, etc., you must wait 24 hours before talking to the coach. If you still are angry after that time has passed, then it is a real emotion and it’s okay to begin the conversation. However, in many cases, the emotion dies down before 24 hours, and you are glad you did not react on adrenaline. Time has a way of making us think more clearly in what we say and write. Every time I have reacted in the moment, I later kick myself for getting baited (when I knew better) and should have waited. How about when we are lonely? Maybe you have not had a lot of time around people in recent weeks, or are just bored in life. When you have a lonely mindset, it is not a good time to make decisions on important matters because you are out of balance and need to be centered. It is easy to feel everyone else is getting something that you are not, or feel they are in a better place than you are. Such thoughts creep into our heads when we are lonely. Social media such as Facebook can seem like the ultimate “highlight reel” of others’ lives and can lead to us feeling even more alone (Note to reader: such highlights are not “everyday life,” but can sure seem that way). What about when we get tired? After all, in our rapidly moving world, we ALL get tired at some point. This is a time you feel great stress and need to rest. You know... chill out. So, do not communicate something you will later regret because you’re worn out. It will come across the wrong way. Instead, get some rest and approach everything with a fresh perspective. This is why we tell people to get a good night’s sleep and things will look better in the morning. So, there you go. You have my take on the SHALT rule and how it helps us better understand our emotions and when we should/should not communicate. What about you? What “SHALT” you no longer do when you are not in the right frame of mind? Let’s also focus on what we SHALT do to make a positive difference in our community each day, week, and month. How can we bring people together? How can we help people find common ground? How can we listen more and talk less? The Our Town community always seeks to UNITE and grow together. Finally, I thank you for your kind feedback on my column each month. I shalt continually work hard to make it better. Until next time, I wish you a great October. And, as always, thank you for continuing with me... on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!

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Get Off Your Couch 5K and Fun Run October 21st By J. Rice A great excuse to get off your couch is this year’s 5K and Fun Run, hosted by Couch Middle School (CMS) of Grayson. The race begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 21st, and takes place at Tribble Mill Park in nearby Lawrenceville. “This will be Couch Middle School’s second year holding the event,” says Patti Morris, one of CMS’s Level 4 ASD teachers. “It supports our Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) program. And although the actual event is October 21st, it’s a good time now to sign up to run or to become a sponsor.” The PBIS program was adopted about five years ago at Couch Middle and benefits all students in the school. The idea behind PBIS is a simple one: reward students for making positive choices. “Oftentimes teachers are so busy correcting undesired behaviors, that those students who are making positive choices fall by the wayside,” Morris says. “The PBIS program allows teachers to acknowledge those students and behaviors in a positive light.” According to the Georgia Department of Education, more than 24,500 US schools are implementing PBIS and saving countless instructional hours otherwise lost to administering discipline. At Couch Middle, students are rewarded with stamps for positive behaviors, which can range from getting better grades to helping clean up without being asked. “All staff members from teachers, to administration, to cafeteria and custodial staff and even bus drivers can give stamps for positive behavior,” Morris explains. “We even give our substitute teachers a stamp so they can participate in our program.” Students are then able to use their stamps to purchase things they want in the school’s PBIS Store, or participate in fun activities, such as having lunch outside, Student/Staff kick ball games, or the once-a-semester Lunch-A-Polooza where students can earn an extended lunch time. In this way, the stamps serve an additional purpose, which is to teach students how to spend responsibly. Each student has to decide how to spend their stamps, and how to save for items they want. “The way the program is set up, all students can earn stamps for modeling kindness, striving for success, accepting responsibility, or respecting others,” Morris says. “When you can praise a student for doing something right, we have seen a decrease in undesired behaviors. We can easily see if kids who were frequently in trouble last year are not this year. And parents are telling us that their kids are actually excited to tell them about the stamps they earned that day.” The money raised from the 5K goes to support activities and to supply rewards for the students. Individuals and businesses that wish to additionally invest in PBIS outside of the 5K event are invited to donate products which would be desirable to teens, or to donate funds to help the school purchase products on its own. More information at GetOffYourCouch5k.com or CouchMiddleSchool.org.

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Getting Schooled: TNT Academy Inspires Student Success By Kim Hill Nancy Gordeuk is a breast cancer survivor. She is also the dedicated founder and director of the TNT (Teaching New Traditions) Academy, a small private, accredited middle and high school located in Stone Mountain. As such, she did not allow her rigorous treatment to keep her away from the work and the students she loves. Nancy says her faith in God, along with the knowledge that her students depended on her for their education, are what kept her going. Seven years later, she and TNT are continuing to enable students to reach their potential! Nancy had been teaching for sixteen years when she had felt led to start her own school. She started TNT Academy fifteen years ago in her basement with two students. She also tutored for area schools, and home schools soon sought her out for assistance with science and math. Realizing these students were going to have to take the GED, Nancy did some research and began the process of becoming an accredited non-traditional (one day a week) school. The Georgia Accrediting Commission accredited the TNT Academy non-traditional school with the highest honors, a distinction it maintains to this day. As Nancy’s school grew, her neighbors started complaining, so she moved to a location in downtown Lilburn, a facility the school outgrew in one year. During this time, school standards started changing and Nancy started getting requests for “a one-stop shop” where her students could come to receive all their learning. At that point, Nancy decided to pursue accreditation for a traditional private school. She says that God then literally dumped a foreclosure building, the school’s current location, in her lap. The two-story building houses classrooms, offices, and a small library. After painting the walls in colors to her liking, Nancy opened for business. “I hired teachers and I filled in math and biology for the first couple of years,” she says, “but now I am running the school and have teachers doing all the rest.” In addition to the awesome teachers, Nancy notes that her assistant, Michele Lewin, and the registrar, Hannah Wilson, who is a former student, have been with her since the beginning. It is a faculty of Christians modeling Christian values, but Nancy stresses they never try to force their beliefs on anyone. “We have students from many religions.” Of her qualified and caring staff, Nancy laughs and says, “They are not here to get a salary!” The school offers low tuition and receives no government funding. Nancy explains that many of her students are kids who were struggling in the public school environment. Some may just need a little more time, or have ADHD or a slight learning disability. TNT offers individualized instruction to ensure student success. Regarding instruction strategies, Nancy says, “We are not here for memorization; we are here for hands on projects, computer assignments, and speeches. In the small environment the kids are not afraid to participate or ask a question – they are in their comfort zone.” TNT’s largest classes are around 12 students, and the school averages between 70 and 120 students each year. TNT Academy offers the same curriculum as other schools in the area. “Our SAT and ACT scores are well above the state averages, so we know we are doing the right thing,” Nancy says. The traditional school gives end of course tests to maintain accreditation. GCPS students may attend the school for credit recovery, which is offered during the school year and as a summer school class, and payment plan options are available. The non-traditional students come once a week to trade out their work. These may be homeschooled students or public school students who want to work ahead. Students can work at their own pace. Some students who are self-starters and can work independently are able to complete two grades in one year. Traditional school students come four days a week. The fifth day is used for field trips or as a work day for students who are sponsored by a local business. Sponsored students are those who have received a tuition scholarship from a company in the community, and they work one day a week in their sponsor’s office both as a thank you and to learn responsibility and job skills. Nancy maintains that the school’s tuition is one of the most affordable in the community, but some parents need assistance so the sponsorship program is a valued resource. The school is always looking for more businesses to get involved. Nancy has students from thirty years ago who still stay in touch, and she even had a former student dedicate his doctoral thesis to her. Those are the things that keep her going and that make her mission so rewarding. “Our heart is with the kids,” she says. “Everyone should be able to at least earn a high school diploma.” More information at www.tntacademy.com

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PAGE 9

Our Town Community: Watching the 2017 Solar Eclipse

PAGE 10

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Retired Brookwood High School Teacher Publishes Her First Young Adult Novel By Heidi Campbell Alayne Smith knew when she retired from Brookwood High School in 2004 that she wanted to explore the possibility of writing. Smith, who created the award-winning Brookwood Broadcasting at Brookwood High School, was instrumental in building the high school journalism programs in Gwinnet County. Recognized as Brookwood’s Teacher of the Year in 2003, she also found time to serve as an advisor on the CNN student Bureau, created the first courses in Broadcast Journalism and Video Production at the high school level, and served on the International Student Media Festival committee. Her passion for journalism has not waned since retiring, and after signing with an agent in 2015, her first young adult novel, Ellen and the Three Predictions, was recently published by Cactus Moon Publications. Smith grew up in Marion, Alabama and graduated from the University of Montevallo. She married her husband, LC, over fifty years ago, and they have two sons. Soon after she retired, she convinced her husband that they both needed to sit down and write their story. “I knew when I retired I wouldn’t be happy unless I was creating something and being productive,” Smith explains with a smile. “I wanted to write our story for our children, who think they know us. We both wrote our stories from our earliest memories up until the boys were born. I encourage everyone to do this!” Once they wrote their stories, the memories inspired Smith to begin writing her novel. She took a class at Emory on writing for children, and planned her story, originally thinking it would be a three-book series. After outlining her plot, she decided that Ellen and the Three Predictions should be combined into one novel, one which would prove to be rich in character development, packed with broadcast journalism pointers, and spun with family memories and adventures. “After writing about my own Aunt Zena, I realized that there was a story for my novel’s Zia. The publication of this book is a miracle to me!” Smith shares. “I’m not a writer!” Ellen and the Three Predictions is the story of Ellen Jones, a multi-dimensional character who tells the story through her eyes. She is level headed, stands up for what’s right, and knows that she wants to be a broadcast journalist. After losing her mother, Ellen find a role model in her Aunt Zia, a relationship that ultimately leads to the novel’s most daring adventure in Cuba. The three predictions mentioned in the title serve as the foundation of the novel’s plot, which lead Ellen to heightened levels of heroism as the story unfolds. The novel incorporates not only valuable broadcast journalism connections, but it also includes a compelling love triangle, a historic mystery, comical characters, and compelling action. A great deal of her own memories and backstories are incorporated into the plot of Smith’s novel. For instance, the air force stationed Smith and her husband in Libya, which became their first home.

This made a great locale for Jojo, one of Ellen’s suitors in the novel, who travels to Tripoli. Smith’s aunt Zena was also a great backdrop for the compelling character of Zia. “I have heard so many stories about her [Zena] in my life,” shares Smith. “She supposedly studied with Freud in Austria and was at a cocktail party with him when the war started. We don’t know if that’s true, but we do know that she married a plantation owner in Cuba and that she had no children! She, like Zia, would come home from Cuba and bring us books written in Spanish and we had to count to learn to count to 100 in Spanish before she’d give us the books!” In one part of the novel, Zia manages to get her stepson into the United States, and he joins several other kids, known as “Pedro Pan” kids. This story line came about because an acquaintance of Smith was a Pedro Pan kid, and was able to provide Smith with all the details about her experience. “During this time, Castro was sending kids to the Soviet Union camps,” explains Smith. “Parents felt they were losing rights over their children, which is why I felt like I needed to include that in my story. It was so terrible for those kids.” In one scene of the novel, Ellen finds herself at the National Honor Society “Tapping Ceremony.” This event was one that Smith actually experienced as a high school student; she never forgot the anxiety of waiting to see if a current member might tap her on the shoulder. In another scene, Ellen describes her frustration with trying to learn to dance in college, which was also something that Smith struggled with. “The Twist came out when I was in college,” recalls Smith. “I couldn’t do it at all! My college roommate really did get down on her knees to physically move my knees and teach me!” On top of the exciting plot line, Smith weaves in some excellent life lessons which will benefit teenage readers. One of the strongest involves Ellen standing up for the rights of a Jewish student to participate in the local beauty competition. In numerous scenes, Ellen describes the value of family history and learning from her elders. She finds a soldier’s grave and explores her grandfather’s plantation to learn about the past. “My grandfather also had 12,000 acres,” explains Smith, “and there was a small cemetery on the property. I remember hiking to the tombstones of a revolutionary soldier and his wife, which led me to Ellen’s fascination with Jonas Stockman’s tombstone.” Ellen and the Three Predictions is not only available on Amazon in both print and Kindle editions, but it is in all Gwinnett County Public libraries as well. Smith has enjoyed promoting her novel through book signings and festivals, and was featured as one of the emerging authors at the Fox Tale Continued on page 19

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PAGE 12

October Photo of the Month:

From our friends at Camp Bow Wow Lawrenceville: Here is Lina balancing treats on her nose!

What to Do When a Tooth is Knocked Out By Dr. Richard P. Gangwisch, DDS, MAGD, ABGD Having your child run to you, mouth bleeding, and holding a front tooth in his or her hand can be a very disconcerting thing. The key is -- don’t panic. There are methods to save the tooth, but you must not delay. Time is of the essence. Your first thought is to clean the tooth since it came from the dirty ground. Make certain that you DON’T CLEAN THE TOOTH! It can be rinsed with salt water or milk. If these aren’t available, then tap water will do. Saliva works great since there are bacteria-fighting antibodies in it. It is best to replace the tooth back into the socket within 20 minutes of the injury. This would be best done by a dentist, but that is not always possible since most injuries happen during off-hours, and even then, by the time the child hands you his tooth, you are probably close to the 20-minute mark already. That means you will need to be the one to reinsert the tooth. This is not the time to be squeamish. Your cool, calm actions can mean the difference between your child enjoying a beautiful smile, or a lifetime of maintaining replacements. First, have your child vigorously swish with water to remove any blood clots that may have formed in the socket. Next is crunch time. Take the previously rinsed tooth and quickly and firmly insert the tooth back into the socket. This will probably bring stars and a few tears to your child’s eyes, but you’ve got to remember – it’s tough love. Once the tooth is back in the socket, have your child close his teeth together to make sure that it doesn’t interfere with the bite, and then you can adjust the alignment as needed. A dentist would be best seen within 24 hours for follow up care. In my dental career, I have had the opportunity to assist two people who have had a tooth knocked out at a sporting event. One of those incidents was during a baseball game that I was coaching. My left fielder ran at full speed right into the outfield fence. He was down on the ground while the ball was in play, then while I was running out to check on him (it was a high school field, so I had to run quite a ways to get to him), he got up and came to me with something in his hand. It was his front tooth. It turns out that of the ten foot sections of the cyclone fence, he would decide to choose the few inches of pole to collide with. Needless to say, when it came to tooth versus pole – the pole won. Since there were no restroom facilities at this field, I had him roll the tooth around in his mouth to clean it. Then, after asking his parent’s permission, I reinserted it back into the socket. He handled it very well for a 14 year old because I could tell he saw stars when I put it in. After the game, I took him over to my office, opened up the tooth, placed medicine inside, and then splinted it to the surrounding teeth with braces. Later, I did a root canal on the tooth and removed the braces, and then I rebuilt the chipped tooth. Now his smile looks as good as new. Dr. Gangwisch is a board certified general dentist with Killian Hill Dental Care. More information at http://www.killianhilldentalcare.com/

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With the dedication of many volunteers, the Archer Athletic Association (AAA) has provided a special athletic experience for thousands of children and their families. Today it offers sports for children ages 4 through 14 in football, football cheer, basketball, soccer, baseball (recreation and travel ball programs), softball, and lacrosse. The Association was developed as an extension of the Archer community of cluster schools – Harbins Elementary, Lovin Elementary, W.J. Cooper Elementary, J.P. McConnell Middle, and Archer High School – seven years ago to “promote, encourage, direct and operate athletic programs for the children of the community” as part of its mission. “Creating a community where there is no actual town is no easy task, and our association was built on the backs of some really great people,” said Archer Athletic Association president, Chilli Mills. Those who were instrumental in the establishment of the AAA were past presidents on the executive board: Barry McKelevy, Rick Sammons, Kim Brown, and the association’s former secretary, Shelly Bearden. In sport operations, Mark Craven, who served as the football director for four years, paved the way for the development of the association’s football park and program that serves hundreds of children and their families. Andy Fullard and Mark Rainwater, the associations first baseball and softball directors respectively, spearheaded the completion of the baseball/softball park that both teams enjoy. Since the beginning of the soccer program in 2011, Neil McNabb, program director, have seen a great increase in the number of participants in the sport through its recreational, after school, and summer youth soccer initiatives, despite the area’s lack of soccer fields. “I have had the honor to have served with all of those folks, and I now have the pleasure to be somewhat of the bridge to the new group of fantastic leaders and volunteers,” Mills added. The dawn of a new era is upon the Archer Athletic Association that will continue to “promote good sportsmanship through its athletic programs and activities,” as outlined in its mission statement. The current executive board is made up of Alex Mitchem—Vice President, Kent Roberts—Secretary, Angie Aufderheide—Communication Director, Melinda Vallotton—Treasurer, Cecily Waites— Assistant Treasurer, and Nicole Morris—Concession Director. The current sport directors are as follows: Charles Daniel (football), Quiana Clark (Cheer), Dusty Hayes (baseball), Bucky Gravitt and Katie Padgett (softball), Neil McNabb (soccer), Daniel Perry (basketball), and Karla Ellington Continued on page 19

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PAGE 13

Atlanta Radio Stations: Win Awards from Georgia Association of Broadcasters

One on One with DS Murphy Inspections

By Our Town Staff

DS Murphy & Associates, Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants, has spent the last two decades building effective working relationships with real estate agents by providing industry-leading customer service and relevant continuing education for realtors. It was a natural extension of their real estate appraisal and consulting services when they founded DS Murphy Inspections (DSMI) in 2017. There are many inspection companies to choose from, but DSMI was founded by individuals with a long history in real estate and construction. Scott Murphy, the company’s CEO, is also Chairman of the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board. Executive Vice President Steve King and his son Ryan bring with them four generations of construction, real estate sales and brokerage, appraising, and inspection experience. When you work with DSMI, you get people who care about helping real estate agents keep the sale once it enters into contract. In a recent continuing education class for real estate agents, Steve King pointed out that the number one reason contracts on houses are canceled is that the inspection report scares the buyer away. The solution, he says, is a realtor-centric report that is easy to understand and that doesn’t use alarming language, but still informs and educates the buyer about his or her new home. Most houses are going to have problems. There is no need for a buyer to think a contractor is needed for every minor problem. The realtor-centric inspection report DSMI provides makes it easy for all parties involved to have a clear but simple understanding of a home’s issues. Rest assured, however, that if a repair is major enough to require a contractor, DSMI’s report will make that known. In addition to purchase inspections (typically ordered by the buyer), DSMI provides an Inspection Consultation, a thorough inspection conducted in the presence of the homeowner and the realtor that gives them an idea of what to expect to see in a buyer’s inspection. Sellers are able to find out about their home’s problem areas before they list it, so that they are not suddenly caught off guard by the buyer’s inspection. It also gives the seller a little extra time to get the most major repairs done, instead of feeling rushed to get them done in order to meet closing deadlines. Kings shares what information to look for in a home inspector. Look for one who is certified. Home inspectors are not required to be licensed in the state of Georgia, so certification by the American Society of Home Inspectors or the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors is very important. DSMI is a member of both, and all of its inspectors are certified with one or both agencies. Ask what the turnaround time on the report is. According to King, it should take 24 hours or less to get your report, and the report should include a summary for ease of understanding. Finally, ask whether the inspector provides more than just the basic home inspection. DSMI also provides mold, pool and spa, dock, chimney, and radon inspections, but many inspectors do not provide these services. According to King, the goal of a home inspection really should be to “help educate the buyer, not beat up the house.” More information at dsmurphyinspections.com

JW Broadcasting was honored by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters at the 2017 GABBY Awards as its two radio stations took top honors in the large market category. NewsTalk 1160 WCFO, which airs business news and political talk programming, was recognized as the Best Locally Produced Program (Non News or Sports) for Make It Go Zoom with Don Nicholson, while the station’s Southern College Football Frenzy with Raj Verma and Steve Cole received a merit award as Best Sportscast or Sports Series. Meanwhile, AM 1690 WMLB, broadcasting a mix of eclectic music and arts features, was awarded a merit of Best Locally Produced Program (Non News or Sports) for Blank Canvas Radio with Stephen Key. Jeff Davis, Vice President and General Manager of JW Broadcasting, noted that these awards underscore the positive impact of the format as well as the dedication of the JW Broadcasting staff. “It is my privilege to work with a group of talented, dedicated professionals and for an organization which supports and encourages media that has a truly positive impact in our community. To be recognized by the industry for those efforts is an honor that I humbly accept on behalf of the entire JW Broadcasting team.” The Georgia Association of Broadcasters’ mission is to provide assistance that enables members to serve their communities of license in a manner that meets or exceeds the spirit and intent of FCC rules and regulations through education, representation, and advocacy. NewsTalk 1160 and AM 1690 WMLB are owned and operated by JW Broadcasting, headquartered in Atlanta, GA. More information at www.1690wmlb.com and www.newstalk1160.com.

770-972-3803 I firmly believe in settling cases if a fair settlement is possible, it saves time, money and stress. But if the other side is unreasonable, we will “see them in court.”

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PAGE 14

By Michelle Watson

Be Our Guest for an Open House! Sunday, Nov. 5th at 2pm Meet our staff, tour our campus and learn how our school can provide your child an excellent, Christ-centered education in a safe, loving enviornment. Providence combines a Christ-honoring school culture with a top-tier K-12 academic program that includes multiple offerings in art, drama, music, athletics and STEM. RSVP online at

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Pet Perch: Domestic Cats Causing Extinction By Terie Hansen You may never think of your cuddly cat as a killer, but domestic cats are causing the extinction of other species at an alarming rate. To date thirty-three species worldwide have become extinct due to cat predation. The Stephens Island wren, one of only three flightless songbirds ever known, was discovered by lighthouse keeper David Lyall, only to be hunted to extinction by his pet cat and a number of others shortly after. While the majority of mortalities are caused by unowned cats (which include farm/ barn cats, strays that are fed by humans but not granted access to habitations, cats in subsidized colonies, and cats that are completely feral), owned cats that have access to the outside also pose a large threat. It’s estimated that freeranging domestic cats kill 1.3–4.0 billion birds and 6.3–22.3 billion mammals annually. Many owners don’t believe their cuddly kitty is a killer. A recent study from the University of Georgia attached cameras to sixty pets and found almost half were active hunters. It also revealed that they ate roadkill, lapped at sewer water, and dodged cars. Yikes! “Through the use of Kitty Cams, our research team measured cat predation on wildlife and quantified common factors threatening the health of owned free roaming cats.” To learn more visit http://www.kittycams.uga.edu/research.html How can you help? One of the easiest ways to minimize the impact that your cat may be having on local wildlife is to put a bell on its collar. This simple act can give at-risk prey a heads up that your cat is close. Keeping your cat inside at night can reduce kills by 50%. Spaying and neutering helps eliminate the possibility of your cat adding to the feral population. To take it a step further, trap, spay/neuter, bell, and release neighborhood feral cats. Every little bit helps to preserve other important species inhabiting our world. Terie Hansen is Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com

Travel Tales: Greatest Show on Earth By Pam Walker I have been lucky! Out of 195 countries in the world, I have traveled to 122 of them. I still have more to go, obviously, but among the top ranked that I want to visit is the one continent my feet have never touched – Antarctica! I haven’t gone there because of the “Dreaded Drake Passage.” In the past, there was no way to get to Antarctica except to board a small exploration ship (without stabilizers) in Ushuaia, Argentina or the Falkland Islands and sail for two to three days in the roughest waters in the world. I have friends who have made this voyage several times only to be strapped in their bunks for two solid days. No meals, no service, no anything – because who wants to eat or drink when your ship is bobbing up and down over 40-foot swells! Finally, however, a smart Chilean group, Antarctica XXI, has made my trip possible – and no Dreaded Drake Passage! Flying into Punta Arenas, Chile, you spend one night (maybe two, depending on weather conditions) in this southernmost Chilean city getting your instructions, your boots and gear for your expedition, and a few lectures on what to expect. Early the next day, you are driven to the airport for the flight to King George Island on the Antarctic side of the Drake Passage. After the two-hour flight in a military charter plane complete with deluxe seats, you walk across the ice to your waiting ship/hotel for the next few nights. Close to shore all the way, you can even make your way to the South Pole on some shore excursions. Then the greatest show begins: penguins, sea lions, sea birds, and wonderful wildlife just waiting for you to walk up and greet them face to face! No other humans nearby – only the 70 passengers you flew over with. You can make this experience more wonderful by doing kayak explorations daily or even snowshoeing on your shore excursions. So, this is my chance to finally make it to the one continent I have never visited. The Greatest Show on Earth will be me making this journey…finally! Pam Walker is a Virtuoso travel advisor and can be reached at pam@walkeradventures.com

Our Town

Vecoma at the Yellow River: Creating Lifetime Memories in the Our Town Gwinnett Community

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Character Counts: Up Close with NG3 and Grayson High School By Dustin Mattox Every job has its perks, and at NG3 it’s getting to be around guys like Solomon Egbe. Egbe is a senior at Grayson High School and a member of the football team. Besides being an outstanding athlete, Egbe is also a member of the Student Athlete Leadership Team, the Technology Student Association, and a current Scholar Athlete. Here is a recent Q and A with Dustin Mattox and Solomon Egbe: Dustin Mattox (DM): How are you a part of NG3? Why did you get involved? Solomon Egbe (SE): I got to know NG3 through being on the football team at Grayson High School. I have been a part of Dustin’s huddle group for more than two years. I got involved with NG3 because I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. NG3 is a group that genuinely wants to help both the community and the people in it. DM: What have you learned from being a part of NG3? SE: From my experience with NG3, I’ve learned that anyone can bring positive change and make an impact in his or her community. Bringing change starts with developing one’s own character. I’ve learned the importance of doing life with others through huddle, and I want to continue that. DM: What would you tell someone if they asked you what NG3 is? SE: I would tell them that NG3 is an organization that invests it’s time through local high schools, the next generation, and in the people of the community. They do community service projects and other good volunteer work. NG3 strives to develop character in young men and women, but most importantly, they encourage spiritual growth. More information at http://ng3.org/

Legal Matters: Elder Financial Abuse By David S. Walker

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Our office is getting an increasing number of inquiries about elder financial abuse. Recurring situations include misuse of a power of attorney, and someone convincing the elder person to give him or her money. A power of attorney can be very helpful for management of the finances of an elder person. Often a power of attorney is given to a relative to handle banking and to pay bills. The holder of the power of attorney has a strict legal duty not to misuse the elder’s resources. Powers can be abused because of easy access to the elder’s assets. This can vary from outright taking of money to using the assets to pay their own bills. A recent case involved two sisters, one holding a power of attorney from their mother. The sister holding the power of th th attorney moved the mother to Georgia from another state. th account th That sister then removed $150,000 from the mother’s and placed it in her account. A letter to the sister holding the money, threatening a lawsuit and possible prosecution, was enough to have the money returned. In other cases, elderly women were befriended by strangers who gained trust and then convinced the elderly person to provide money. One of the “friends” was a middle-aged man with multiple convictions for theft by deception and similar charges. He convinced the elderly lady to provide a credit card, a rental vehicle, and cash. The elderly lady was lonely $259.99 (Regular Price $299.99) and not at her best mentally. She became easy prey for this professional fraudster. The “friend” was $259.99 (Regular Price $299.99) wanted inMeet anotherTaurus county forReps the same type of offense. A meeting was arranged with this person | Test Taurus Products on Us | Games & More at a car rental office to renewReps the vehicle lease. He was unaware that the notified, Meet Taurus | Test Taurus Products onpolice Us | were Games & and More (No Cash Value) they arrested the fraudster. This was a good step,(No butCash recovery of resources can be a difficult task. Value) Victims of such scams can be ashamed or confused and not want to admit what is going on. Killian Road Lilburn, GAin30047 770.923.9810 Relatives of the405 elderly should Hill be vigilant andNW look |into any change spending| habits or be aware 405 Killian Hill Road NW | Lilburn, GAin30047 | 770.923.9810 of new acquaintances who seem to take an unusually strong interest being friendly, in an unusually short time.

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Chaplain’s Corner: Changes – Good, Scary, and Necessary! By Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz There is something about changes that is exciting and appealing. My kids could spend hours changing the channels on Netflix if we let them. They don’t even care about finishing a show; they can just change it. My wife loves a TV show called Fixer Upper. If you are familiar with that show, you know that it’s about how some changes in a house can bring happiness to a family. For me, as Fantasy Football League is approaching, I can’t wait to draft my team, and to change my roster on a weekly basis so I can get the best opportunity of winning my church league…again (not bragging). So, I would say that changes are good. Yet, changes are also scary. Our oldest son just started middle school in August. He is changing schools, teachers, friends, and schedules. He has been embracing the changes like a champ, yet Mommy and Daddy are having a harder time with them. Our third child started kindergarten last month as well. Somehow, I am not concerned about him. I am more concerned about his teacher, bless her heart. He is in the midst of a lot of changes in his life, and he is literally kicking and screaming through them. So, I would say that changes are scary. Yet, changes are also necessary. With the newest addition to our family, we have been facing a lot of changes lately. It is amazing how such a “little” change has brought so much joy and chaos at the same time. Sometimes I wonder if all the changes that we are facing are really needed. Yet, every time I change a diaper, I realize that changes are not only needed, but are actually a good thing. I don’t know what changes you may be facing in your life, but I know you must be facing some. So, I just want to encourage you to face them, to embrace them, and if need be, to just get through them. Most of the time it smells better on the other side – trust me. Rodrigo Cruz is the Lead Pastor of The Nett Church. More information at www.thenettchurch.com.

At the Conservative Spine & Joint Center we strive to provide a conservative, comprehensive program to help you with all musculoskeletal problems including: -back and neck pain -joint pain -muscles -pinch nerves -tendons and nerve problems -numbness on hands and legs *Se habla español

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We’re Hiring Bus Drivers! • Competitive hourly wages. • Benefits and paid training. • Good driving record required. • High School Diploma or GED required. "I love doing what I do. It's a certain type of reward you get when you know that you have an impact on students—we ALL have an impact and play a vital role. It's fun seeing the little ones get in in the morning. You're the first person and last person from GCPS they see each day. You're not just a driver, you're an encourager and counselor.

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PAGE 17

Bay Creek’s Sherry Aglietti Embraces New STEM Role with Outreaching Results Ms. Aglietti is also Bay Creek’s robotics sponsor, and teams participate in SeaPerch, Having taught 7th and 8th grade science for twenty years, Bay Creek Middle School teacher a Navy program with underwater robots. Sherry Aglietti was thrilled when her principal, Dr. Fehrman, approached her last year about startStudents build robots from PVC pipe, watering a new STEM connections class. She was warned, however, that money was limited, so Ms. proof the motors, and learn to maneuver the Aglietti said she would try to obtain some funding through grants. A faculty member nominated ROV (remotely operated vehicle) through an her for the Atlanta Families Excellence in Education Award – a rigorous 5-step process spread over underwater challenge course. Two years ago, several months that included reflection, a video of a lesson highlighting the use of differentiation teams took first and second place at the state in the classroom, and an observation. She laughs and says at each point she received a letter saying, competition as first year participants, with “Congratulations, you move on!” She eventually won a $7,500 award. the first place team competing at Nationals at The title of Ms. Aglietti’s project was “Cultivating Community,” which is also the school motto. LSU. Last year, participation grew from four The beginning of the award process was to explain what you would do if you received the grant. As teams to ten. the 7th grade focus was on the human body with cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems, her idea As a previous grant applicant, Ms. Aglietti was to incorporate plants as they also include all of those things. She asked the SE Gwinnett Co-op received a letter from the governor’s office to come speak with the students about area families’ needs for food, focusing on percentages – how inviting her to apply for a “Tiny Grant.” much they get, and what portion belongs to fresh vegetables. The kids will do research to see what Wishing to expand the robotics program to they can grow. The process will tie into science and also math by looking at yield based on space, include the “Robo Rams” land robots, she amount of dirt, etc. Grant money was used to purchase a 10’ x 12’ greenhouse where seedlings will applied and received an award of $4,800. She be grown. The seedlings will then need to be planted, and student groups will have their own raised used the grant money to purchase four Lego beds. The students will develop plans showing what they are growing and how they are growing and kits to build EV3 robots which require the kids caring for their plants. They will then report back to the co-op and donate what is grown. A master to use coding skills to maneuver them. She also gardener from the UGA extension office told Aglietti that she would need to heat the greenhouse purchased a Vex kit to build the Vex robots Strength training on aFreight regular basis Strength training can lower blood glucose Strength training a regular basis along Strength training can lower blood glucose during January, February, andon March. As it turned out, Harbor had given her aalong great deal used in robotics and engineering at the high Strength training on a regular basis along Strength training can lower blood glucose on the greenhouse, so she was able to use the savings to purchase solar panels, which provided an school level. Currently thirty-eight students with lifestyle changes like reaching a on a regular which helps reduce your risk forbasis diabetes with lifestyle changes like reaching a can which helps reduce your riskblood for diabetes Strength training on a regular Strength basis training along Strength Strength basis training training along on a lower regular Strength blood glucose training along can lower Strength training glucose can lower blood glucose with lifestyle changes like reaching a which helps reduce opportunity for body the 6th weight and 8th grades to tie intoatheir energy units. or better manage your have joined the robotics club, which meets every Friday morning.your risk for diabetes healthy and eating healthy blood sugar levels healthy body weight and eating a healthy or better manage your blood sugar levels with lifestyle changes like with reaching lifestyle a changes which like with reaching helps lifestyle reduce a changes your like which risk reaching for helps diabetes reduce a your which risk for helps diabetes reduce yourblood risk for diabetes Strength training a regular basis along Strength training can glucose The STEM class enhances the science standards using problem-basedhealthy learning (PBL) and real- onand Ms. Aglietti that the Atlanta Families promotes its lower winners with commercials and body weight eating a shares healthy or bettergrant manage your blood sugar levels � � diet, can reduce your risk for stroke, if you already have diabetes. diet, can reduce your risk for stroke, if you already have diabetes. world applications. 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Aglietti is passionate about her as Science enrichment/STEM � � � ‡ certain cancers, and heart disease. healthy body weight and eating ayou orselected better manage your blood sugar levels diet, can reduce your diet, for can reduce risk diet, for if can you stroke, reduce already your have risk diabetes. for ifon stroke, already have diabetes. ifasyou already have certain cancers, and heart disease. training ahealthy regular basis along Strength training can lower blood glucose recently microwaved radish seeds risk to see whatstroke, radiation does to your the growth of plants, and they areStrength Creek Middle School, and was recently Bay Creek’s Teacher of thediabetes. 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Membership must begin by 11/30/17, first month’s fee waived. mustNot begin valid by with 11/30/17, any other first Membership month’s offer or fee discount. waived. must begin Not by valid 11/30/17, with any first other month’s offer fee or discount. waived. Not valid with any other offer or discount. † Membership ‡ ‡ http://www.cancer.org http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/fitness/types-of-activity/ http://www.cancer.org PAGE 18 locations only. No cash To become anlocations Our Town advertising partner visit OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049 Valid at participating Valid value. at participating only. No cash Valid value. at participating locations only. No cash value. ‡ © 2017 CURVES INTERNATIONAL, INC. INTERNATIONAL, INC. © 2017 CURVES † †http://www.cancer.org † http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/fitness/types-of-activity/ http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/fitness/types-of-activity/ http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/fitness/types-of-activity/ ©‡ 2017 CURVES INTERNATIONAL, INC. ‡ ‡

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Learning Lessons: Exploring Different Career Paths in High School By Carol C. Wood You are likely thinking about the many career choices that there are to explore. It can be overwhelming, but it is important that you do not lose sight of your dreams and goals. If you have the determination to reach your goals, and are willing to make the necessary sacrifices and investments of energy and time, you have increased the odds that you will reach your career dreams. If you are not quite sure what career path to take, then the following list will give you some of the reasons people choose and enjoy certain careers over others. Select the three items that are most important to you on this list. o Working at a job requiring physical strength o Working with others in a team o Helping people or animals o Working alone o Playing a sport o Working outdoors o Entertaining others o Being your own boss o Traveling o Receiving longer vacations o Selling things o Having flexible work hours o Helping people solve their problems o Fixing or repairing things o Playing a musical instrument or singing o Creating or developing new things o Working with computers and technology o Building things Your high school counseling center likely has a career interest inventory which you can take to narrow the choices for you. Once you have determined a few career areas which interest you, you can then begin to explore which form of post-secondary education is most appropriate: a vocational/ technical degree; 2-year Associate degree; 4-year Bachelor degree; Master or Doctoral program. Be mindful that not all careers require a 4-year or beyond degree program. In fact, some of the most rewarding and financially beneficial careers can be attained after completing a vocational or technical training program. In Atlanta, we are fortunate to have many quality technical colleges that offer a variety of programs. Continued on page 21

n Traditional, private middle and high school n Non-traditional high school n Credit Recovery n Accredit homeschool work n Accredited by the GAC- Georgia Accrediting Commission n HIGH ACT/SAT scoresWay above state averages n Accepted to all Colleges and Universities n Hope Scholarships/MOWR

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Retired Teacher Publishes Continued from page 11 Book Shoppe in Woodstock. She was thrilled to be interviewed recently on the “Artist First” radio show. She is enjoying every step of the publication process and says enthusiastically, “I’m so excited to share my book!” More information at http://www.alaynesmith.com/

Archer Athletic Association Continued from page 13 (Lacrosse). Through its commitment to promote a well-coached, competitive and winning environment, to teach proper skills and techniques, to provide an opportunity for fun and enjoyment, to develop an attitude of teamwork, and to keep the traditions on which it was founded, the Archer Athletic Association will continue to grow its sporting opportunities for children and families in the community it has built. More information at www.playaaasports.com.

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Getting to Know FODAC By Daidra Annis If you (or someone you love) have never had the need for durable medical or mobility equipment, you may not know there is an organization to help with those needs. FODAC (Friends Of Disabled Adults And Children) began serving the community thirty years ago, and is headquartered right here in Metro Atlanta. What began in the home of Ed Butchart, a local resident who was also well-known as a Santa Claus, has grown into a full-service organization with expanded services, warehouse space, and a thrift store. Butchart recognized the overwhelming needs of those in the disabled community, and founded FODAC with the ambitious mission to provide wheelchairs and other mobility equipment at little to no cost for persons with disabilities, equipment that is vital to helping them lead more independent lives. Chris Brand has been the executive director of FODAC since 2001, but he has worked with the organization since 1993 (with a three-year break in the late 1990s). He first became involved with FODAC as a volunteer. Brand was exposed to the disability world when he was just a toddler through the son – who had been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy – of the family that helped raise him. Through his experiences he was introduced to FODAC, and, as they say, the rest is history! Under Brand’s leadership, great strides have been made in making FODAC a more viable and sustainable organization. Through its most recent fundraising campaign, FODAC paid off the substantial mortgage on its property, allowing more funds to go directly to the mission. A recent matching grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta will support planned green upgrades to the current facility, which will maximize energy efficiency and greatly reduce operating costs in the future. When an individual requests services from FODAC, a profile assessment is completed so the client’s needs can be fully met. FODAC staff then works to effectively match the equipment to the applicant. A one-time registration fee of $25 is the only cost to the client, other than the cost of replacement batteries for power chairs, and small fees for repairs on items that the client brings to them. FODAC provides a variety of services, including vehicle modifications, durable medical equipment (crutches, wheelchairs, hospital beds, etc.), and home modifications. For modifications like wheelchair ramps, FODAC is able to provide the installation by skilled staff members and/or volunteers, with the client providing the materials needed for the project. One thing that sets FODAC apart from similar organizations is its accessibility to both the community at large as well as medical professionals. It partners with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Rockdale Medical, Grady Healthcare, and several independent living facilities to offer delivery services directly to the facility as well as to patients’ homes. Visiting nurses at all area hospitals can get the equipment they need for their clients, and hospitals often refer patients who are under financial hardship. Twice a month FODAC makes deliveries to other parts of the state, including Macon, Savannah, Columbus, Augusta, Dalton, Darien, and Rome. Children’s needs are met with special-sized equipment, and they can also provide specialty equipment like recreational bikes and sport wheelchairs, which are often not covered by insurance plans. While FODAC receives a small amount of federal grant funds, it primarily relies on equipment and monetary donations from the community. Thirty drop-off sites provide convenient locations for donors to contribute gently used equipment for refurbishment and redistribution. Lack of awareness of the organization and its services are the primary challenges that FODAC faces. It depends on community advocates to spread the word about the services they offer and the needs they have. Currently, it is actively pursuing expanded donation sites, especially outside of Metro Atlanta. In addition, FODAC hosts three fundraising events each year, all of which rely on the support of the community: Run/Walk/Roll in the spring, a golf tournament in October, and the most popular of all, “Breakfast with Santa” in December. More information at www.fodac.org

PAGE 20

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Learning Lessons Continued from page 19 Relative to beginning your career, it is important that you begin now to develop job skills and personal traits which employers view as very important and which will set you apart from other job candidates. Following are a few character traits to consider developing: Interpersonal skills – Be able to get along well with others and show respect to your managers and colleagues. Reliability – Show that you are a dependable person. Complete tasks on time. Abide by the philosophy, “If you see it, you own it.” In other words, when you see something that needs to be done, do it! Honesty – Demonstrate that you are trustworthy by being honest and earn each hour of salary you are being paid. Do not tend to personal matters or use technology gadgets and cell phones during business hours or your supervisor will lose trust in you. Doing so is the same as stealing from the company with which you work! Work habits – Be consistently responsible, on time, and diligent, and when your responsibilities have been completed for the day, find new projects or ways to help the company become even better at serving its customers. Communication skills - Be able to write and speak effectively and clearly. Think before you speak, and be mindful of what you say and how you say things to avoid being misinterpreted. Application abilities – Be able to apply knowledge to practical situations. Develop good problem solving abilities and be able think critically. Think outside the box! Positive attitude – Be optimistic toward your job and employer. If you are not pleased with something on the job, always have a solution to offer when voicing your concern. Find things about the company and customers you serve that are good, and voice this when appropriate. Persistence – Be able to keep your efforts going even when the work environment or people are challenging. Maintain a “can do” attitude. Flexible – Be able to shift tasks easily. Be available to work extra hours and on other tasks than customary when asked. Resourceful – Know when and where to find answers or when to ask for assistance after you have attempted to locate the answers yourself. Do not interrupt your manager or co-workers if the questions can be answered on your own with a little effort. For additional recommendations regarding your high school, college, and career path, contact me to arrange for a College Admissions Process & Scholarship consultation. Carol Wood is Founder & CEO of Total Learning Concepts, Inc. More information at http://www. totallearningconcepts.com/

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Up Close with Dynamic Image By Michelle Watson Dynamic Image, Inc. is a non-profit organization that was founded by Channet Huggins-Guishard in 2009. Huggins-Guishard is a native of the US Virgin Islands. She started Dynamic Image, Inc. to continue to keep the culture and arts alive for others who moved to the US mainland from the Virgin Islands, especially the children. Dynamic Image, Inc. started hosting toy drives and school supply drives, and they distributed Christmas presents at different shelters. The children’s reactions were what spurred them to want to do more on a regular basis. The organization currently serves the community by offering many different programs and events throughout the year. They host an annual Easter egg hunt, recycling drives, health awareness drives, and a Children’s Arts & Cultural Program, and they collect school supplies to benefit one teacher per year in Gwinnett County Public Schools, as well as children in the community. SPARKLES – which stands for Shining, Passionate girls in whom Ambition Reflects Knowledge, Love, Excellence, and Spirit – is another program the organization sponsors. Huggins-Guishard feels it is important for girls aged 5 to 10 to be taught the life skills they need to be heard, such as communicating with proper eye contact, resume building, community service, technology, and positive voice projection. Dynamic Image, Inc. not only benefits the kids, but parents and adults can also benefit from their outreach programs. They provide women’s health days, and partake in AIDS and cancer walks. They also provide tutoring and other educational opportunities along with resume writing. These programs give adults an opportunity to see their own potential in a whole new way. One of the other outreach programs is the Dynamic Diva, which is a group specifically for women. They meet once a month, rotating between each other’s homes, to learn and grow together through a close community. Dynamic Image, Inc.’s vision continues to grow as they learn about the needs of the community. They are constantly adding new services or finding new ways to meet those needs. More information at www.dynamicimageinc.org.

Community Spotlight: Eagle Scout Skylar Taylor Makes the Grade

It begins with a plan

By J. Rice

Planning is everything, particularly when it comes to your long-term financial objectives.

It It begins begins with with aa plan plan

Planning is everything, particularly when it comes to your Planning everything, particularly when it comes to your long-termisfinancial objectives. long-term financial objectives. Chris Buckley

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In typical Eagle Scout fashion, Skylar Taylor saw a problem and set about to solve it. While an 8th grade student at McConnell Middle School, Skylar noticed that the wooden benches outside in the bus loop were deteriorating to the point of no longer being safe to use. Skylar approached Principal Clent Chatham and proposed a long-term solution. “Skylar’s idea was to make the benches last much longer by rebuilding them with synthetic wood products,” Chatham says. Having the approval of Principal Chatham, Skylar then had to present his plan to the PTA in order to be considered for a $500 grant. The Taylor family donated the remainder of the funds needed to complete the project. Skylar worked on building the replacement benches during the summer while he prepared to transition out of MMS and join the freshman class of Archer High School at the start of this school year. His new benches have been installed and are ready for use. “Almost every year a student looking to earn Eagle Scout status reaches out to McConnell to help with a community project,” Chatham says. “Skylar is another example of this continued community support by our Boy Scout Clubs.” Chatham feels confident that good things lie ahead for Skylar. “He’s been an excellent student who always exhibited TIGER (Trust, Integrity, Growth, Effort, Respect) traits as a student here,” says Chatham. Skylar came as a transfer student, “and yet became a TIGER almost immediately.”

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