One Man’s Opinion Continued from page 17
Getting to Know Universal Aquatics By Kristen Eleveld Have you ever dreamed of designing a water feature for someone famous like Shaquille O’Neal? For one local business who has mastered the art of water feature design, function, installation, and maintenance, that isn’t a dream—it’s just part of a resume. And the team at Universal Aquatics is making that resume more impressive with each passing day. Founded and owned by John Magyar, Universal Aquatics has quickly made a name for itself in the Gwinnett area and surrounding communities, offering expertise at designing and installing water features for homes and yards. John and his team have worked hard at giving customers and potential customers the information they need to create the water feature they want. A self-confessed “pond snob,” John always emphasizes quality over quantity for his company’s installations, and their expertise is not limited to function or design. Universal Aquatics strives to give each customer all the information they can. “All water feature companies are not created equally,” said John, who has a biology degree that often informs innovative solutions to client needs. “We start from the inside out. If you are going to have fish in a pond, the first thing we have to do is figure out the needs of the fish! Then we can work out the correct filtration system and style of your water feature.” For those unfamiliar with water features, you may be picturing koi ponds and outdoor fountains, both of which are offered by Universal Aquatics. But the potential for adding a water feature to your home goes far beyond a pond. You might be interested in installing a fountain in your foyer, or maybe you want to create a place where your kids and grandkids can go swimming on hot days. Whatever you are thinking of, John and his team can almost certainly get it done—and they do it in style. “I love designing features that have mossy boulders and logs—ways to make it look like it’s been plucked out of nature,” said John. “But I know some clients don’t like the natural look. Go with your gut and find the style that you like.” The process is easy. First, John and his team will talk to you to discuss what kind of features you want, your budget, and other considerations like design styles and whether you will have fish in your outdoor pond. One thing John prides himself on is his honesty with potential customers. If a proposed feature is out of line with a proposed budget, John lets a customer know that upfront. If the feature isn’t practical for the space the clients have, he works with them to redesign the feature or offer other options, keeping in mind the original inspiration that drove the client to pursue this idea from the beginning. At the end of the day, John would rather not install a feature than install one that isn’t right for a client. Of course, when that client is Shaq, the team can let their imagination run a little wild. On two separate occasions, John and Universal Aquatics have partnered with other businesses to create a water feature for the famous basketballer’s home in our very own McDonough, Georgia. “It was a beast,” said John of the most recent undertaking. “It took us ten days to complete, and we used over a million pounds of stone.” You can check it out for yourself at https://www.youtube.com/@ Universalaquatics to see not only this fantastic installation but several of the projects that Universal Aquatics has completed. Are you ready to talk about water features with John and his team? Just call them at (404) 680-2150 or email info@universalaquatics.com to start designing and implementing your water feature. More information at universalaquatics.com
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basic fitness and competency tests for continuing service after a benchmark birthday, such as 75. I am a big believer in the many values of proven performance and experience, but there comes a time when the best leaders realize it is time to step aside or focus on shaping and building that next leadership team. At least to my knowledge, none of us live or can perform at near-optimum levels in perpetuity. To slightly misquote “The Gambler” song by Kenny Rogers, “You got to know when to hold’em, know when to fold’em, know when to walk away, and know when NOT to run.” Thank you, Senator McConnell, President Biden, and others, for your decades of public service. Please consider making the intelligent choice before a stroke or, possibly worse, make that selection for you. It is time to plan for your successor, organize your affairs, and then take the long road home. Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com
Georgia to Get Quite a Kick Continued from page 21 the hundreds of millions of dollars. And though I have personally been a soccer fan and player since about age eight, the entire state is about to get a big Kick out of this coming soccer wave heading for metro Atlanta and north Georgia. Play ball! Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com
Remembering 9/11 Continued from page 13 Communities throughout the nation mark the day our country was attacked and remember the brave police, firefighters, and many other first responders who tried to save and help people trapped in the burning buildings. People from various countries were in those buildings, and according to reports, 2,753 died in the World Trade Center and the surrounding areas, 184 died at the Pentagon, and forty passengers and the crew died in Pennsylvania, with 6,000 injured. I personally knew two people who died in one of the towers and was acquainted with several others from Long Island, New York who were members of my church. Several thousand more have died over the past twenty-two years from illnesses related to the terrorist attacks. Many first responders and survivors of the attacks developed cancers years later after breathing the toxic air at ground zero. The City of Tucker will never forget!
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