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

DeKalb

Our Town Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker

On the Cover: Catching Up with Weinstein & Black, LLC

By Kristen Eleveld

Nearly two years ago, two attorneys decided to join forces: Mike Weinstein, who had opened up his own practice in 2008, and Jason Black, who brought invaluable experience from his time serving as a police officer. They saw an opportunity to partner up, and they took it. At the time, they just wanted to meet a need and to do it well. Mike had noticed that many people living north of Atlanta needed legal help but did not have many resources to draw from. Opening up a Jefferson office from which Jason could practice provided people with the commitment and experience that this dynamic duo and their team offered.

Now, after two years of continuing to serve their clients and bring a new meaning to the idea of a job well done, Weinstein & Black, LLC has become a community staple – and has experienced some transformation in the meantime.

When Weinstein & Black opened up in 2020, they had two attorneys and three support staff members. Today, they have six attorneys and a support staff of four, all ready to help you with your legal needs.

“All of our attorneys and staff members complement each other’s strengths and skills,” said Jason. “Thanks to Mike’s excellent rep utation as an attorney, we found people who were excited to join our team.”

“We were very strategic in who we brought in to join us,” added Mike. “The north Georgia corridor was in need of more legal rep resentation, and Jason took the ball and ran with it.”

Continued on page 20

Coats

R.

Poncsak

Barbara A. Bailey, PhD Jane Bishop Bill Crane

Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz

By Ryan T. Sauers

So how are you Our Town commu

I hope you are enjoying the fall

and the cooler

How about watching some great foot ball and a super finish to the baseball season? Yes, fall is my favorite time of the year. Can you believe we are enter ing the fourth quarter of 2022? Before we know it, we will be in the holiday season and then into 2023. WOW, time goes so fast. So, this month’s column will challenge all of us to think in new ways.

I challenge you to have a growth mindset and Keep Pushing Forward (KPF). I have told people for over twenty years, no matter what you are facing and no matter your age, age is just a number. A friend asked me recently, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?” I took this to heart and thought through this “supposed” age/number in my head: I live and feel 12 years younger than I am.

Why we are on this subject? Consider the pandemic as the “great human reset” that allowed us to remember what truly matters in life. And this life is so short. Even people who live well past the average age of life only make it to their mid-late 90’s (with a few exceptions).

Continued on page 11

Remember 9-11: Tucker Will Never Forget

By Victoria R. Crosby

A solemn ceremony took place in Tucker on Sunday, September 11th, twenty-one years after the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington DC, and possibly the Capitol Building or White House, whose attack was thwarted by heroic passengers who caused the hijacked plane to go down in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, miles from its intended target.

People were asked to arrive at the DeKalb County Police Department-Headquarters in Tucker by 8:30 a.m., and the ceremo ny began at 8:46 a.m., the exact time when the first plane hit the North Tower. A huge American flag hung between two extra-long ladders from the fire engines as the crowd gathered on that cloudy, drizzly morning.

A steel sculpture of a phoenix wing, symbolizing the rising from the ashes, stood behind a piece of the beams from one of the tow ers in New York. At the granite base of the sculpture, which is in the shape of a pentagon, are several plaques, one with the Police Officer Prayer, another with the Firefighters Prayer, as well as a plaque with the brief history of the World Trade Center, and one with information about the memorial. The memorial was designed by Doug Harms, a firefighter, and sculptor Curtis James Miller, a former Marine Corps Sargeant.

The ceremony began with a lone bagpiper, followed by the pre sentation of the colors. A guitarist sang and played the National Anthem. The flags were lowered to half mast, and a moment of silence was kept. Ladies from the Garden Clubs provided the floral wreath of red, white, and blue, and were asked to wear red, white, and blue outfits if possible, which several did.

The wreath was placed by the memorial by Glenndolynn Hallman and Susan Turner, who represented the Federation of Garden Clubs.

Every year communities all over the country mark the day our country was attacked to remember the brave police, firefighters, and many other first responders who tried to save and help people trapped in the burning buildings. People from many countries were in those buildings and according to reports, 2,753 died in the World Trade Center and the surrounding areas, 184 at the Pentagon, and 40 passengers and the crew in Pennsylvania, with 6,000 others injured.

I personally knew two people who died in one of the towers, and was acquainted with several others from Long Island, NY who were members of my church. Several thousands more have died over the past twenty-one years from illnesses related to the terrorist attacks. Many first responders and survivors of the attacks devel oped cancers years later after breathing the toxic air at ground zero.

The City of Tucker will never forget!

Travel Tips: AAA Urges Atlanta Travelers to Book Early

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Although the summer travel season has ended, Georgians are already beginning to lock in their holiday plans. When AAA fielded a travel survey this past summer, 24% percent of Georgia travelers had plans to take a holiday trip. Of those, a little over half (53%) said they would book earlier than in years past due to higher travel prices.

According to the survey, most (62%) of Thanksgiving travelers will finalize plans by the end of the month. Meanwhile, the share of those

History Matters: The Queen’s Passing

By Victoria R. Crosby

In an earlier issue of Our Town Gwinnett, I wrote about the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations in Norcross and the iron ic affection Americans have for someone whose ancestor they fought a war to separate from. On Thursday, September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral in Scotland at the age of 96. Many Americans and British expats in the US were glued to their TVs since that announce ment.

The outpouring of condolences from world leaders and the general public was evident in the floral tributes, candles, and other tokens left at the gates of Buckingham Palace and in many other Royal residences. Palace officials had to caution the public not to continue leaving marmalade sandwiches, as they attract insects and rodents.

The Queen was known for her sense of humor and had recorded a TV skit with Paddington Bear for her Jubilee in which they had tea and marmalade sandwiches. The recent celebrations of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee almost made it seem that she would live as long or longer than her mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who was known affectionately as the Queen Mum, and lived to be 101. The Queen’s husband of seventy-three years, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died at the age of 99 in 2021, a few months short of his 100th birthday.

During WWII when she was an 18-year-old princess, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service where she trained as a driver and a mechanic. She was the first female member of the Royal Family to join the armed services as a full-time active member.

People from all over the world attended the Queen’s funeral, and thousands traveled and waited for hours to view her coffin in Edinburgh, Scotland and at Westminster Hall in London, and many more thousands watched on televisions worldwide

The news of the Queen’s death seemed to affect some people, almost as the loss of a family member. Many had never known another monarch in their lifetime. She was a constant presence and was looked upon as the mother and/or grandmother of the nation, if not the world.

During the Changing of the Guard two days after 9/11/01, the Queen had the Cold Stream Guards play the American National Anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner, breaking with centuries of tradition. Another tradition was broken when Princess Anne, the Queen’s only daughter, stood in a vigil in her full navy ceremonial uniform at the coffin with her three brothers, a ceremony previously reserved only for princes.

Many world leaders attended the funeral at Westminster Abbey, including President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Now we anticipate the coronation next year of King Charles III, who was heir to the throne longer than any other monarch.

Conflict Corner: Hurry, Hurry, Hurry…

By Barbara A. Bailey, PhD

Has the pace of life picked up lately for you?

For many, school has started back for you and yours. That schedule alone can bring a faster tempo of life in your home, your work, and all the other activities that we find ourselves constantly juggling.

Maybe, you have decided to look for a new job, continue to look for a job, or decided to open your own place. I know around my community that new businesses have opened, and I haven’t had the time yet to visit them for a taste of new food or hear some live music or just browse for support and welcome.

It just seems to me that the demands on time and the pace have picked up since a few weeks ago when I found myself in more

control of my schedule. And I don’t know about you, but when this shift happens for me, I must take some breaths, some breaks, and some reality checks.

Conflict lurks when stress occurs. It has its own agenda and can erupt when time is short (real or perceived) and too much needs our attention (all at once). We get in the car and find ourselves distracted, gripping the steering wheel, and not paying attention and before we know it, we’ve run a stop sign, a red light, or a school zone. Hopefully, no one has been hurt by our actions, but it can happen “out of nowhere.”

You find yourself short-tempered. Your neighbor gives you a look and probably doesn’t realize he or she has done so across the parking lot or backyard. So much for a friendly wave or nod of the head, right? It’s not just you or me. It’s many of us and we need to think about it now.

Think about your plan of action when you get under stress from increased time pressure in your life. It will happen. It.will.happen. So, to keep the conflict gremlin at bay, what is your plan of action?

Exercise. Take stretch breaks. Eat (not the time to skip meals) or eat without reckless abandon if stress eating becomes your coping behavior. Talk it out. Journal your thoughts. Maintain your sleep schedule (a big one that many of us shortchange ourselves). Say “no” a bit more. Remember, as said often, “No.” is a complete sen tence. What works for you?

If you don’t have a plan, now is the time to craft it (How do you like that one? I added another item on your to-do list!). If you have a plan, work it and adjust it as needed to maintain focus, health, productivity, and perspective.

I have a sign in my home office: “Peace. This We Choose Each Day.” When the clock races, when my mind tries to race with it, and when the pace quickens, I find myself repeating this phrase. Maybe it will help you to practice proactive conflict management of yourself “in times like these.”

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

Karen

Karen is a bold visionary. At the young age of 23, she immigrated to America from Argentina. With only a suitcase, she used her determination, tenacity and magnetic personality to cultivate a real estate business and life right here in Gwinnett County. Karen knows and loves her Lilburn community, which is why she brings a passion for helping others succeed. She has an attentive eye for detail and knowledge that can only come from two decades of experience. Karen’s dedication shows in her responsiveness and determination. Her ability to communicate thoroughly and effectively in both English and Spanish (with a dash of Italian)

proven invaluable to her clients.

So, go for your dreams. There is no “do over.” There are people who tell me, “One day I will do this,” or “Someday I will do that.” This is crazy talk to me. What are you waiting for? The clock is ticking for ALL of us. So, I encourage you to Make It Happen. If you want something bad enough, you will find a way. And if you don’t, you will find an excuse.

I hope you work to find the best in people and to try and make others laugh and smile. Let us love more and hate less. Let us actively listen to get to know a person, build a relationship, and stop judging them. Do we really know a person’s story? Or do we just know what we “think” it is? Living in an authentic way is what I call “walking the talk,” and it is what we all need and want to be

around. If we seek to operate with the utmost in ethics and integri ty, although difficult at times, you will be glad you did.

I wish you a safe and blessed October 2022. Again, we have 24 x 7 hours = 168 hours of time each week. So, make it count! Finally, I would like to share we have some wonderful things happening and are in growth mode, so stay tuned for more.

Thank you for continuing to support the businesses in our maga zines. I know each of them personally, and they all get my highest recommendation. If you do not know them, give them a shot. You will not be disappointed.

Have a great month, Our Town community. And as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town!

Bringing

to

Get Ready for Soups and Ciders –It’s Officially Fall!

By Tana Poncsak

Change is good, right? Many say change is inevitable. And when the seasons change, the weather isn’t the only thing that changes. You may also notice a difference in food, clothing, routines, and activities. And after the hot days of summer, fall is often a welcomed change!

Here are some easy things you can do to embrace the fall season. Food

When it comes to food, fall is generally the season to pull out the recipes for warm, hearty soups and stews, and to replace your frozen concoctions with warm teas and hot apple cider.

Relish in the taste of seasonal vegetables and enjoy the robust flavors of roasted acorn and butternut squash. And don’t forget the pumpkin!

For the home

Make some small changes to the decor in your home to celebrate the season. Change out your sofa pillows with some that have fall colors or themes.

Add a fall wreath to your front door.

Replace summer smelling candles for some with autumn fragranc es such as apples and cinnamon. Or fill your home with the smell of autumn with a big pot of hot apple cider simmering on the stove. Activities

With the cooler temperatures, people still want to get outside and enjoy the cooler weather. Fun fall activities include:

Apple picking – We’re lucky in that apple picking is just a short drive away. And with those apples, you can bake my grandmother’s Apple Cake – a family favorite.*

Take in a nearby festival or chili cook off – Many metro areas hold festivals to celebrate the community and welcome the season.

It won’t be long before the greenery of summer will give way to the beautiful colors of fall. Take a hike or a drive and enjoy the scenery.

And for those sports fans, there’s always plenty of football!

Happy fall y’all!

*Nanny’s Apple Cake Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 1/4 cup vegetable oil

3 cups all-purpose flour

3 cups chopped apples

1 cups sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 tsp vanilla flavoring

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions

Beat eggs, add sugar, vanilla fla voring, and oil. Beat three minutes

Mix all dry ingredients together

Mix ingredients together -- the dry and the egg, sugar, and oil mixture

Add the chopped apples, then add chopped pecans - mix all ingre dients thoroughly

Pour into a greased Bundt pan or cake pan

Bake at 350 degrees for one hour and 15 minutes or until cooked through

Top with a dusting of powdered sugar

Serve topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and ENJOY!

finalizing Christmas plans

• 24% before September

• 38% September

• 33% October

evenly spread out

plans

5% November

0% unsure

Christmas travel plans would be finalized:

• 9% before September

• 27% September

• 25% October

25% November

11% December

3% unsure

“Travelers expecting to fly this Thanksgiving should start locking in those plans now,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Airline staffing shortages have resulted in fewer flights and higher prices. As we get closer to the holidays, airfares are likely to get even more expensive as flights fill up. Our best advice is simple. Book early. This will increase the odds of finding the flight you want at a competitive price.”

Georgia Air Travelers

Five in seven (71%) travelers plan to take at least one flight during the holiday season. Of those not planning a flight, 55% say it’s because their destination is close enough that a flight is not required. However, 43% say they don’t plan to fly because they’re concerned their flights will be canceled or delayed. Meanwhile, 25% blame the higher cost of airfares, and 12% are still worried about contracting COVID-19 on a plane.

AAA’s Advice for Booking a Flight

• Book early for the best combination of availability and price.

• Book a direct flight that leaves early in the morning. Afternoon and evening flights are more susceptible to delays/cancellations due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Connecting flights multiply the risk of something going wrong.

• Consider traveling a day or two earlier than planned. Even if you face delays, you will still arrive on time.

• If your flight has connections, build a couple of hours between flights. If your first flight is delayed, you are less likely to miss your second one.

“With all the unpredictability with air travel, we are seeing more and more passengers opt for travel insurance,” Haas said. “Travel Insurance is such a valuable resource for air travelers because it provides financial benefits for lost or delayed luggage, flight cancel lations, even flight delays of as little as three hours.”

According to AAA’s survey, 47% of Georgians are more likely to purchase travel insurance than before the pandemic began.

More information at https://media.acg.aaa.com/GA/

Monthly Meetings: All meetings are at 6:00 PM.

3rd Tuesday of the Month - Lilburn Five Forks Library2780 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville 770-978-5600

(Mike Owens-chapter leader – 225-315-0851)

3rd Wednesday of the Month - Tucker/Norcross

Always Fresh Restaurant 5394 Five Forks Trickum Rd, Lilburn 678-380-4656

“We

The book store has 32 authors and over 80 books.

To

3rd Thursday of the Month - Snellville Main Street Restaurant 1142 Athens Hwy Ste 115, Grayson (770) 985-9985

(Marlene Buchanan-chapter leader – 470-451-7921)

“ZOOM” chapter meets the last Monday of every month, anyone can attend. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86306717298

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Chaplain’s Corner: Make Your Story Count

By Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz

One of the things that my wife Kelly and I like to do at night is to watch TV shows together. Between juggling both of our jobs, trying to keep five children alive, managing a thou sand of activities for every family member, and what ever it is that life throws at us, spending some time to decompress together at night is something that we really treasure.

So, we have decided to alternate picking shows according to our preferenc es, and while one of us will choose the show of our choice, the other one has to endure it and actually try to enjoy it. Some of her shows include, This is US, Virgin River, and Handmaids Tales, and some of my shows include Breaking Bad, The Office, and Yellowstone.

Often while we are watching the shows, we find ourselves pre tending we are in the shoes of the characters, and we begin won dering what our actions or reactions would have been if we were the ones in the show.

The reality is that our lives are a little bit less dramatic than the lives of most of the characters that we watch, thank you

Jesus for that. Nevertheless, the roles we are playing in our lives count, and whether we are famous or not, we are writing our own story.

I am not sure what your life looks right now, but if your life is like mine, you may be in a season of drama, you may be leaving a sea son of comedy, or you may be even entering a season of terror. Yet, regardless of what your season may look like, I want to encourage you to make your story count.

The truth that we need to be reminded of is that someone is always watching, someone may be inspired by our words and actions, and more importantly, someone may be affected by the roles we are playing. For that reason, one more time, I want to encourage you to make your story count.

Rodrigo Cruz is the Lead Pastor of The Nett Church. More infor mation at www.thenettchurch.com.

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Exploring the Free Arts Movement with Tucker Art Alliance

By Victoria R. Crosby

Tucker Arts Alliance held a meeting at the Tucker Recreation Center in August. Most people attending were painters and artists in various mediums. I was the only writer and poet.

Claire Hayes, one of the founding mothers of the Tucker Art Alliance, introduced the evening’s speaker, Julie Fordham, who had everyone create a whimsical art project with the supplies she had brought.

Julie explained that the Free Arts Movement is where anyone can create art. It could be a poem, a piece of music, a drawing, or a col lage. The group was provided with magazines to cut out words or pictures, pencils to draw or write with, glue sticks, and paper. The attending artists were encouraged to post photos of their artwork on social media pages, then leave them in plastic baggies in the park or any public place for people to find, much like a scavenger hunt.

Several local artists were mentioned by Julie, including Catlanta (aka Rory Hawkins), who is a street artist known for his spray paintings of cats in Atlanta, and who is also an accomplished mural artist with large outdoor works in Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Costa Rica.

The other artist Julie mentioned is known as Blockhead (aka Chris Skeene), who was inspired by his own collection of Pez dis pensers to create small figures with magnets in the back of their square heads, which were then hidden in order for people to find them. Once again, the scavenger hunt concept.

The Free Arts Movement was started in Southern California by artist Nick Bahula to use and recycle art supplies, and to bring art

to everyone, regardless of their income, by making the arts more accessible to the public. The website theartlands.org states, “Free art events, opportunities and supplies for Southern California. Uniting free art of any kind for others to find.”

The movement has grown beyond the state of California, and has donated art materials to low income communities and to schools in need of supplies, and at music festival including Choachella, FYF Fest, and Desert Daze.

All styles of artists, musicians, and writers are welcome to join the Tucker Arts Alliance. There was a discussion at the meeting about starting a salon where musicians could perform, artists could talk about their art, and writers and poets could read from their work. Meetings at The Corner Cup a Coffee bar on Main Street in Tucker was also discussed, in addition to the monthly meetings.

The Tucker Arts Alliance came into being several years ago when a group of artists in various arts organizations saw how different counties and cities were supporting the arts, and the con versations between these artists led to action.

Remaining meetings this year will be held at 7 p.m. on October 3rd, November 7th, and December 5th at the Tucker Recreation Center, with different artists featured each month.

More information at tuckerarts30084@gmail.com

Conundrum – A Word for Your Day

By Jane Bishop

CONUNDRUM. Try saying that five times fast! Conundrum, conundrum, conundrum, conundrum, conundrum. How’d you do? Was it difficult or confusing? Did you find yourself wondering if you did it right? Well, funnily enough, a “conundrum” is described as a complex problem or dilemma that seemingly has no easy answer. At their core, conundrums can be confusing, puzzling, and even stressful.

Let’s delve a bit further. Are you at a point in your business or personal life where you seek some semblance of clarity? There are a couple of important ways to go about solving this conundrum. For example, working with a professional coach can give you action steps to help resolve any complex issues. Additionally, talking to a trusted colleague can allow you to achieve the peace or clarity you are seeking.

Regardless of your circumstance or season of life, in this moment, at this time, you can find your own solution to your conundrum. I encourage you to become aware of any issues you may not have noticed and be present with your needs. And once you’re there, go through your conundrum checklist.

1. Ask yourself how you got there and truly analyze what brought you into your situation.

2. Take account of the resources available to you and add them to your conundrum toolkit.

October Photo of the Month:

3. Make a decision to act. Moving out of the conundrum state all depends on YOU. Initiating that first action may seem difficult, but any step you take is a step forward.

After reading all of this and analyzing your situation, check in with yourself by asking, “Am I in a state of conundrum?” Look over your conundrum checklist and take the step towards what you need. Peace, clarity, and harmony are never far away if you’re willing to put in the work.

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

Camp Creek Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Lee Olson with Principal Valerie Robinett

Miles of Smiles and Miracles

By Bill Crane

My firstborn child was plagued, starting at an early age, by severe cluster headaches, which were often preceded by dark cir cles underneath her eyes. The pain was debilitating, and as a young child this frequently resulted in her curled up in a fetal position and weeping.

In daughter Barclay’s case, a multitude of tests would follow, ranging from allergies to a CAT scan and MRI looking for poten tial brain tumors. Those days, which turned into weeks, awaiting a report and those test results felt like some of the longest days in our lives. Though eventually what turned out to be a diagnosis of cluster migraines, which are still part of her life today, I also cannot quite express the relief I felt when told that her scans were clean and clear, and there were no tumors on or near her brain causing the severe pain.

Many families are not as lucky. My own first cousin, Shaye Sauers Kilby, would almost begin her life with swelling on her brain, and later a series of difficult to remove tumors and growths on her brain, near the top of her spine, and multiple difficult surger ies and years of radiation and chemotherapy would follow. Shaye’s life and health were permanently impacted, but she has been cancer free for several decades and is now happily married and volun teering at the Front Desk of the Egleston Campus of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA).

Aflac, the insurance giant based in Columbus, Georgia, would later make a five million dollar naming gift for the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Centers at Egleston and Scottish Rite as well as Hugh Spalding Hospitals in Atlanta. These millions and more that followed have evolved these pediatric cancer treatment centers into the 7th largest in the nation, as well as the most successful at treating blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and multiple forms of leukemia.

Christa Kirksey Named School Social Worker of the Year for Gwinnett County

By Traci Sanders

Christa Kirksey was recently honored as Gwinnett County School Social Worker of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year.

Kirksey serves several school systems in the Parkview Cluster, including Parkview High, Trickum Middle, Arcado Elementary, Camp Creek Elementary, Knight Elementary, and Mountain Park Elementary. Holding a master’s degree from the University of Georgia in social work, Kirksey has been employed with the Gwinnett County school system for twenty-seven years, serving the Parkview Cluster for the last sixteen years.

This is not the first time Kirksey has been recognized for her outstanding work in her field. She was also named School Social Worker of the Year for 2010 by the School Social Workers Association of Georgia.

One thing Kirksey would like people to understand about her work is that the social workers in her group are trained mental health clinicians. “Our work focuses on crisis intervention support with youth that involves both the student and their family,” she said. “We call it the Tri-A process, focusing on Achieving, Attending, and Adjusting in a school environment. We provide the link between the home, the school, and the community.”

Kirksey doesn’t feel comfortable being in the spotlight for something she does simply because she loves working with youth, but she’s excited for this award to shed more recognition

Cure rates, once in the low teens to twenty percent range, for the vast majority of pediatric cancers, are closing on the 80 percentiles, though medical personnel and researchers prefer terms like “can cer-free” and “no tissue at the margins” versus “cured,” as cancers often return or recur, morphing into attacks on other vital organs and sometimes decades after successful treatment.

Though I led or participated in small fundraisers for CHOA as well as for Shaye through the years, I am proudest of my role as a seed planter, suggesting and arranging for a tour of the Egleston ward of the Aflac Cancer Center, for legendary radio newsman and anchor, Scott Slade of WSB Radio. Slade would become the advo cate and founder of the WSB Radio Care-a-thon, now CHOA’s by far largest annual fundraising event, benefitting all three campuses

on her industry in general.

“There used to be just one social worker per cluster in Gwinnett County,” Kirksey explained, “but thanks to the awareness that’s been created around the need for these types of services due to awards such as this, we now have at least two pro fessionals per cluster. In the last two years, we’ve dou bled our staff.”

When asked if she’s ever had to apply her social work processes to her own children, ages 19 and 22, Kirksey replied, “I’ve been blessed in that department as we’ve never had anything of major concern to address, thankful ly.” However, Kirksey stated that she realized many other children in her community were struggling and she wanted to support them to reach their potential. Kirksey’s husband and children are very proud of her work.

With just three years until retirement, Kirksey has one more goal for her career: “I’d love to sponsor and mentor more social work interns before I walk away from this industry.”

Fun Getaway From Gwinnett: $12 Million Renovation for Omni Hotel at CNN Center

By Victoria R. Crosby

The Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center recently completed a $12 million renovation to the South Tower located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta. The renovations include four new food and beverage concepts, including Top Draft Sports Lounge, which is within walking distance of the Mercedes Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena; Centennial Grounds, a coffee bar with spacious working areas and ample connectivity; New South Kitchen, which embodies the Southern charm and flavors of Atlanta; and the Vues Lobby Bar, a sophisticated bar with unparalleled views of Centennial Olympic Park. The lobby has also undergone a transfor mation which is both sophisticated and comfortable.

“The ultimate goal with the renovations was to create inviting and fun spaces for every type of guest to enjoy while showcas ing our Southern hospitality and Omni’s signature service,” said Ramon Reyes, General Manager of Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center. “We are primarily a convention hotel, but our business changed due to COVID-19, and these completed renovations, along with our prime location in downtown Atlanta, will lead to a great place for both visitors to Atlanta, as well as locals to enjoy.”

The Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center recently introduced the History and Heritage Package, which includes a curated History and Heritage Experience App, a discount on the best daily room rate, valet parking, a $20 dining credit, and exclusive value savings to the following cultural attractions: College Football Hall of Fame (ticket offered per adult listed on the reservation), the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, the National Center for Civil and Human

Rights, and the King Center and Park. The Experience App also highlights minority-owned businesses, restaurants, and history of the Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta.

Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center, a four-diamond luxury hotel, is close by to many other historic attractions such as The Fox Theatre, Georgia Aquarium, the High Museum of Art, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, and the World of Coca Cola.

All Omni Hotels and Resorts follow the Safe and Clean program in collaboration with Ecolab, which includes extensive cleaning guidelines and procedures as set by the Center for Disease Control, and meets or exceeds the “Stay Safe” initiative set by the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

Offering Southern hospitality and charm with cosmopolitan ele gance and sophistication, the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center provides their guests with a truly memorable experience.

More information at omnihotels.com/hotels/atlanta-cnn-center.

Not only does their increased staff size allow the Weinstein & Black, LLC team to serve more people, but it also brings in new levels of experience that will benefit people all over Gwinnett and beyond. Whether you need help with family law, landlord/tenant, estate planning, criminal law, insurance coverage, personal injury, corporate law, or government-related legal issues, an attorney at this firm has you covered.

The staff may have more than tripled, but the mission of Weinstein & Black, LLC has remained the same: to give people the best legal representation possible to meet as many needs as they can. The process for potential clients is simple. You just reach out to the firm by phone or email, and they will set you up with a consultation that will help you figure out your next steps. Each

lawyer places a high priority on finding the right fit for each client. During the initial interview process, they want to make sure they can both meet your legal needs while also creating a relationship that will be the right fit for everyone involved.

“We are a full-service firm that covers a lot of specialties,” said Mike. “Ensuring that each of our clients is heard and given quality advice is very important to us.”

If you want to learn more about how Weinstein & Black can help you, all you have to do is get in touch. All the info you need is at www.wblegal.net, or you can head to their Facebook page to join the community there. No matter how you decide to reach out, you are guaranteed to find someone who is ready and waiting to help.

More information at www.wblegal.net or call (404)228-2629.

BSA Scout Troop 506 Snellville – Pouring into Our Youth

By Traci Sanders

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was founded in 1910. Today, there are dozens of BSA Scout troops throughout Gwinnett, both all-male and all-female units. For many of these youth, Scouting is an outlet for creativity and socialization. But, at its core, Scouting is about leadership, integrity, helping others, caring for the communi ty, and learning survival skills. Scouting provides a positive influ ence and safe space for youth that often helps them become resilient in tough times by focusing on ways they can provide service to their local community, ultimately impacting the world around them.

One of these local troops is Troop 506 in Snellville. This all-male, ages 10-18, troop currently has thirty registered scouts. Scouts focus on learning leadership and outdoor skills by progressing through seven achievement ranks, and along the way, they earn merit badges in multiple areas. Collectively, Troop 506 scouts have earned 492 Merit badges since 2017 and celebrated 132 Rank Advancements, including the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Only about 2% of all scouts achieve this rank. Troop 506 has had over 100 scouts attain the rank of Eagle Scout since the troop’s inception.

This scout-led troop plans monthly outdoor activities, and the current scouts have enjoyed over 1,100 nights of group camping. Recent camping and outdoor activities have included whitewater kayaking, cooking competitions, horseback riding, and campground service projects.

These bright young scouts are continually finding ways to serve our community. The current Troop 506 scouts have provided more than 2,530 hours of community service. Some of their recent ser vice projects include: a “Little Library” and reading bench at Craig Elementary School; a “Little Library” at Gwin Oaks Elementary School; picnic tables for the visitors’ side concession stand at Brookwood High School stadium; Outdoor Classroom refurbish ment at Craig Elementary School; a Prayer Garden installation at Cannon United Methodist Church; sensory picnic tables for the special needs students and coat kiosks for the playground at Craig Elementary school; and a playground refurbishment at Gwin Oaks Community Pool.

The leadership and accountability skills acquired in Scouts become fundamental core values for those who remain committed to the program. The Scout Oath and Scout Law become a way of life, and many of these youth become powerful influencers in their communities and the world. President Gerald Ford, Astronaut Neil Armstrong, Director Steven Spielberg, Homerun King Hank Aaron, and countless other politicians, actors, athletes, and CEOs have all

One Man’s Opinion: Long Live the King

By Bill Crane

Our family, particularly on my father’s side, is of Scotch/Irish/ Welch descent. I have long considered myself a bit of an Anglophile. Probably my two favorite fictional characters for decades have been James Bond and Sherlock Holmes. That said, I have never had much fascination with the Royal family or the crown in general. However, it would be impossible to overlook the reign of Queen Elizabeth II without noting more than the length of her tenure, but the stability that she has helped to provide for so many decades in both cement ing and strengthening that special relationship between the United Kingdom and the colonies, as the Royal Family are often said to refer to the United States behind closed doors.

Queen Elizabeth began her reign as head of state of the British Empire with Winston Churchill returning as Prime Minister (19511955), through Boris Johnson and Liz Truss today. The House of Lords has become all but an anachronism, and Elizabeth has worked with Labour, Tories, Conservative, and even coalition governments, all while serving her nation and her duty in a job and role which she never sought.

Only Queen Victoria has a length of holding the crown, which comes close (1837-1901) at 64 years. When Elizabeth’s grandfa ther was king, the royal families and heads of state of the United Kingdom, Germany (Kaiser Wilhelm II), and Russia (Czar Nicholas II) were all blood relatives. Yet two revolutions later, only the House of Windsor retains the crown. The will of the people is required for the maintenance and support of royal families. Great Britain’s crown is among the longest in existence today, and Queen Elizabeth has had few peers in terms of longevity worldwide. King Bhumibol of Thailand ruled for 70 years, his coronation in 1950 almost coin cided with the introduction of the fictional King & I film and later Broadway production, both starring Yul Brynner in a fictionalized portrayal of Bhumibol’s own great-grandfather. Emperor Hirohito of Japan had a reign from 1926 through World War II and concluded in 1989 (63 years).

Modern royalty are most often figureheads, sources of tradition, protocol, and a link to a storied nation’s past. As the House of Windsor has grown, alongside social media, its social fabric and standing have also unraveled a bit at its seams. No royal leader is truly perfect.

Prince Charles of Wales now becomes King Charles III. Based

Miles of Smiles and Miracles

Continued from page 18

of CHOA and the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Centers.

Each year, the total raised has grown, as has participation by WSB advertisers and program sponsors. During the 36-hour radio telethon, a significant percentage of time has hours with double-do nation and even triple-donation matches, from grateful patient families, solid corporate citizens, as well as public figures, elected officials, and celebrities auctioning dinners, event tickets and mak ing personal appeals. As the 2022 Care-a-thon ended, with a Power Hour match of $250,000, made possible by America’s Thrift Stores, the donations total set a record of $1,820,440.00. Total funds raised to date by the station’s efforts are closing on $30 million.

And as Scott Slade so well noticed all those years ago, this care is provided in an atmosphere of family, warmth, safety, and play. It is not unusual to see a few small bald-headed warriors racing down a hallway, with their IV poles in tow, or sick patients and their siblings together watching a movie or playing Nintendo, during a lengthy chemo infusion. And one of the most sacred spots on each of these wards is a bell hanging from the wall – and when that bell peels, someone has either completed their cycle of treatments,

on his earlier focuses in life, and now at the age of 73, we can expect him to retain much of the focus and direction of his mother on the throne; yet we cannot necessarily expect him to be either the world presence or the fixture of Britain’s steadfast support for its ally the United States that his mother cer tainly was.

King Charles has his quirks – as Queen Elizabeth had her omni present Yorkies. I think what I admire most about the Queen was what I continually heard was her dry, and occasionally bit wicked sense of humor. A highlight, at least for me, was her secret “parachute jump” into the Olympic Stadium, along with British Agent 007 (actor Craig Daniels) to open the 2012 Olympic Games (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AS-dCdYZ bo).

King Charles intends an even greater focus on making England and Great Britain operate on a more sustainable basis, particularly within its energy sector. Charles is also expected to do a bit of prun ing on the expenditures across the Royal Family tree, reaching $87.5 million pounds sterling in 2021, roughly equivalent to $101 million dollars. He is expected to focus programs and resources more on his immediate heirs than on the far-flung House of Windsor.

King Charles is believed to be in good health, in a family with both parents nearly making the century mark (his father did), so while he may not be a brief caretaker monarch, a larger function of his rule will be to pave the way for his successor, as he works to modernize what it means to be Royal in this 21st century.

His eldest son, William, now will hold his old title as the Prince of Wales. As Britain mourns the loss of someone many view as the “forever Queen,” William and his young family may have some very large and sensible British shoes to fill in the not-too-distant future. Should he stick with his existing surname, he would become King William V. And as my own true and given full name is Charles William Crane, I guess I could get used to this for a little while.

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

has their cancer in remission, or is leaving the Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, heading home much healthier than when they arrived along with their family in that moment of crisis.

The Care-a-thon and CHOA have paved a lengthening road filled with miles of smiles, and tears of joy – as well as gratitude to so many of you, and those survival chances and odds improve each year. And for those children and families yet to receive that tough diagnosis or phone call, let’s keep it going. For all of us.

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

BSA Scout Troop 506

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participated in Scouting during their youth.

Find out if Scouting is right for your child by visiting a local unit. Troop 506 is part of the Northeast Georgia Council and meets year-round on most Mondays at 7 p.m. on the campus of Cannon Methodist Church.

More information at https://troop-506.trooptrack.com.