SEPTEMBER 2018: Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Monthly Magazine

SEPTEMBER 2018 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker

Up Close with Smoke Rise Agents, see story on page 5

9 15 17 19

A Little Taste of Tucker: Does the Community Good Sports Talk: Parkview High Athletics Fields Community of Support Making a Difference in Lives: More than a Swim Brookwood High’s Abigail Hilliard Claims Pageant Title

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isJohn honored to beIV, we are committed to providing you with the high AtDr. the Simmons dental office of W. Simmons, comprehensive dental care, focused on both the function and beauty of your smile. A one of only nine dentists improving in patient care and comfort are our primary concerns. We are proud to run a practice that treats ea Georgia to have passed the kind, gentle, and caring manner, just like family. We offer a full range of the latest cosmetic a rigorous required to long-lasting, earn procedures thattesting concentrate on ensuring brilliant results you will love, and others

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Our Town

On the Cover: Up Close with Pat Soltys and the Smoke Rise Agents Team

By J. Rice The real estate market is constantly changing, and it’s the job of agents like Pat Soltys and the Smoke Rise Agents team to stay ahead of the curve and help buyers and sellers make sense of it all.

Soltys, a long time Smoke Rise resident, is the lead agent and founding member of the Smoke Rise Agents team of Realty Associates of Atlanta. She was recognized in 2017 as the #1 Top Producer in the DeKalb Association of Realtors, having the most listings and sales units. She is not the only award winning agent on the team. DeeDee Wilson, Mike San Fratello, Corbett Jordan, Sonia Hellen, Ethlyn Clark, Rachel Bass, Jessi Ramsey, and Jason Oldham have all won industry and community recognition as well. Soon, their newest agent, Sarah Abrams, will be making her mark, too.

“Together we have a combined total of nearly 100 years of experience,” Soltys says of her Smoke Rise team. “Each of our agents, through the team and individually, is involved in his/her communities – participating, donating and leading. They are the ‘go-to people’ for community information, expertise, and connections to everything from social to vendors and tradesmen.”

Soltys continues, “Our business is based in building relationships, great communications, and exceptional service. We often receive letters of commendation and appreciation from our clients, and their repeat business speaks volumes about the relationships, trust, and efficiencies our clients and customers experience.”

Her team, established six years ago, will cumulatively exceed 450 transactions closed this year. “Our non-selling professionals behind the scenes make sure that the machinery of the business runs flawlessly, enabling our agents to have more time with our clientele and working on their behalf,” she says. “Pattie Hughes,

Transaction Coordinator, Jane Shaw Dewey, Marketing, James Tidwell Davidson, Assistant, Mark Soltys, Technology, and Brian Dewey, Referral Agent ensure smooth transactions, great marketing, and tools that work.”

She adds, “We have proven systems, extensive marketing, and a passion for the business that is hard to find in a group of such diverse people. Each team member brings talents, skills, area focus, a sphere of influence and his or her own style. We leverage the talents, skills, and expertise to help each agent grow and achieve.”

Finding ways of giving back to the Gwinnett and DeKalb communities is a priority for Soltys. “It is essential to be a part of the communities we serve through engagement, knowledge, and helping out,” she explains. “It is more than giving back. It is leadership. It’s being willing to take a strong position and to work toward the betterment of the community. Each of our agents are involved in causes and interests that enhance and support the objectives of the community, from humanitarian to civic.

“Our team has adopted FODAC [Friends of Disabled Adults and Children] as our primary charity,” Soltys states. “We also support many other charities and organizations such as schools, school teams, Art Station, Tucker Historical Society, Walk to Remember, Networks Cooperative Ministries, a number of churches, the Smoke Signal, Woman’s Club, and more. Our support is financial

and participatory. We help many seniors transition from their homes to other living and care arrangements. We are also involved in professional organizations and business groups.” Soltys herself serves on the Tucker City Council.

When they are not working or supporting their favorite causes, Soltys adds, “The team is still ‘on the move’ doing their favorite things: cooking, entertaining, reading, running, writing, golfing, and gardening – all within our community!”

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Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultZ.com Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultZ.com Editor Catherine L. Osornio Cover Photographer Marcie Reif Photography Distribution Coordinator DeeDee Chapman Feature Writers Daidra Annis Heidi Campbell Kristen Eleveld

— An EndResultZ Media & Communications firm EndResultZ.com

Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett /NE DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.

Entire contents copyright 2018 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

Our Town Gwinnett 1227 Rockbridge Road Suite 208-171 Stone Mountain, GA 30087 678-825-2049 Info@OurTownGwinnett.com

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Kim Hill Maple Johnson Amy Ney J. Rice Joanna Shackelford

OurTownGwinnettOnline.com @OurTownGwinnett @OurTownGwinnett @OurTownGwinnett

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5 On the Cover: Getting to Know Pat Soltys and the Smoke Rise Realty Team 7 From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion 8 Living Legacy Spotlight: Pat Besson Swan for Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies 9 A Little Taste of Tucker: Does Community Good 10 Getting to Know: Connie Fulcher and Biker Tales 11 Cooking from the Heart: Kids Summer Cooking and Baking Camp at Chef ’s Pantry 12 Catching Up with Matt Stinchcomb: Former NFL Player Proud to Call Gwinnett Home 13 Celebrating Two Hundred Years of Gwinnett 14 September Photo of the Month: Precious Kittens 15 Sports Talk: Parkview Athletics Fields a Community of Support 16 Top Tips for a Stress-Free Wedding 17 Making a Difference: More than a Swim 18 Main Street School of the Arts: The Pursuit of a Passion 19 Brookwood High School Student Claims Pageant Title 20 Community Spotlight: Smoke Rise Academy of Arts 21 One on One with Lilburn CID and Police Department

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From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion @RyanSauers

By Ryan T. Sauers

I hope everyone is off to a great September. I do a lot of things each week and thus get to meet many people locally and across the country. One of the common themes centers around the “seeming” lack of time people feel they have. You know what I mean. We say, “Where did the time go?” Or, that we have been “buried, covered up, slammed, running crazy, swamped,” etc. It seems our world moves faster with each passing day. However, I want us to consider if that is true. Apple, Amazon, and Google did not make the clock go faster. Yes, we have more technology and information at our fingertips than we can ever consume.

And, yes, that amount grows larger by the hour. But one fact remains: we have 24 hours a day and 7 days a week of time. No more and no less.

So, we must slow down and reflect on what we want to do with this precious gift. As I type this, several globally admired persons have recently passed away or are on their deathbed. It does not matter how much money you have because you cannot buy MORE time. Time is the great equalizer for all of us.

Why wait to do something you dream to do for “one day.” Why NOT now? Why settle? There are people I see who live their lives in a chaotic state and claim that everything is a disaster. It is depressing, and it is also not true for anyone. I encourage you to look at life’s challenges and reframe the way you want to think about them. You can either attack life head on and make time work for you, OR you can let life happen to you and your time will disappear.

I recently got back to working on my Doctorate in Leadership Studies. People often say I am crazy for taking on more. I say bring it on. And, I am going after my dream, and if I fail – well, at least I tried and did not sit on the sidelines talking about it.

You see, folks, if you want something bad enough in life, you will make time and find a way. And, if you do not, you will find an excuse and say you didn’t have enough time. So, anyone reading this Continued on page 10

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Living Legacy Spotlight: Pat Besson Swan for Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

By Patty Gabilondo Once in a while you meet someone who seems to have an unlimited supply of energy and who runs on the spirit and fuel of volunteerism. At the ripe young age of 82, Pat Besson Swan is just this kind of woman – ready at a moment’s notice to rally the troops for a good cause. Pat was recently awarded the 2018 Legacy Award for her forty years of working with the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (HMHBGA) to reduce the infant mortality rates among low to mid-income Georgia families.

Born and raised in Louisiana, Pat graduated with a nursing degree from Northwestern State University in 1957. She married the love of her life, Jerry Swan, and moved to Georgia. Her 20+ year career as a Registered Nurse serving in OB/GYN, intensive care, and oncology at various hospitals (including Athens General, Hall County and Northside Hospitals) served as a springboard to feed her passion of caring for expectant mothers and newborn babies.

“There’s nothing as heart-breaking as holding a critically ill newborn, when you know in your heart that if the mother had just access to basic prenatal care, chances are she and the baby would have survived just fine,” says Swan.

Forty years ago Pat and her friend Charlotte Wilen decided to make it their priority to advocate for free prenatal care for pregnant women who could not afford to have regular prenatal checkups. She and Wilen, a member of the Jewish Women International, brought together representatives from the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, the Service Guild Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Jewish Women International group, and the Zeta Pi Beta Sorority/Epsilon Chapter. They met to formalize their mission and strategy, and started offering educational programs for pregnant women. In 1973 they formed the Continuum Alliance for Development, an organization that allowed citizens to align with the Maternal and Infant Health Council to become the legislative voice for Georgia’s underserved mothers and children. They eventually changed their name and became the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Georgia in 1992.

In the early 1970s Swan became a spokesperson at the Georgia State Capitol, working with anyone who would listen to her story. Swan recalls that, “We had a difficult time finding doctors who would take the time to see patients and even getting in to see our legislators back then, until Tom Murphy’s Continued on page 15

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A Little Taste of Tucker: Does Community Good

By Amy Ney “What I love about this event is that it has something for everyone,” says Karen Wood, who along with her husband Art, founded Taste of Tucker. “Art is from Tucker,” she continues. “He had a dream to do this. The first year, 2010, consisted of music groups, but people brought their own food. We invited restaurants to the party in 2013. It’s our ninth year, and this event just keeps growing and getting better.”

Participants purchase Taste Tickets to be used as the currency of the day. Tastings will cost between $2 - $5. Beverages are donated and sold for $1 by Keller Williams Realty’s Tucker office, and there is also beer for sale. “This is a great event for the whole family,” Wood explains. “There is something for everyone: live music, a Family Fun Zone with inflatables and games, arts and crafts booths, and more.

And of course, all the delicious food from some of your favorite and soon-to-be favorite restaurants.”

This is also competition between the vendors. “All are chosen via blind taste test,” says Wood.

“There’s an award for the best entree, best appetizer, and best dessert. I think it will be a lot of fun.

We are also offering an award for the best-decorated booth tent this year. I am sure there will be some great looking tents.”

Wood explains that while the event is a lot of fun, it has a great purpose as well. “While Taste of Tucker is a fun and a family-oriented community event,” Wood explains, “our dual goal is to give back and make Tucker and the surrounding area a better place. So, each year, we donate proceeds to worthy causes. The event raised over $25K in 2017 to support our Taste of Tucker causes.” This year, the event will give back to three non-profits: NETWorks, Camp Kudzu, and Olde Town Tucker Merchants Association (OTTMA).

NETWorks’ purpose is to create a “safety net that works.” This safety net includes material assistance, advocacy, spiritual assistance, and referral to other appropriate agencies and services. They serve the community with a food pantry, resume café, financial education, a grocery alliance, and financial assistance. Wood explains, “We are worship leaders in Tucker, and NETWorks has been our beneficiary from the very beginning. The organization is important to Tucker and Tucker is important to us. They give back to our community and we wanted to give to them.”

Camp Kudzu touches their home and hearts. “Our son, Trace, was diagnosed with Type 1[diabetes] two years ago,” Wood says. “We do separate fund raising for the larger organizations [Juvenile Diabetes] and fell in love with Camp Kudzu and what they offer our children, so we chose to add them as a beneficiary last year. Camp Kudzu makes life better for children and teens from all over Georgia who live with Type 1 Diabetes by helping them and their entire families so they can gain confidence, make connections with others like them, and increase their knowledge about living with diabetes.”

Finally, OTTMA’s mission is to develop downtown Tucker into a pedestrian-friendly destination by providing excellent and friendly customer service, a mix of shopping, dining, and service options, and events that encourage community involvement. “This organization is comprised of business owners on Main Street and they are a huge help with all of the Main Street events,” Wood adds.

Taste of Tucker will be held on Main Street on October 6th from 1 to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

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Getting to Know: Connie Fulcher and Biker Tales

By Maple Johnson Born in Collins, GA, a small town just south of Savannah, Connie Fulcher moved to Gwinnett County when she was only six years old. Seeking better job opportunities, Connie’s family relocated back in 1963, and she has been a resident for over fifty years. She was raised in Duluth, but later moved to Grayson to be closer to her job where she worked as an associate in the Gwinnett County Public School System.

Connie has always had a love of nature and a passion for the outdoors, and as an adult, she found herself falling in love with motorcycles.

In August 2008, her husband presented her with a very special birthday gift – a brand new 96 cubic inch six speed Harley Davidson Deluxe. “It was one of the first 6 speeds made, and I love it,” she said.

Female bikers are transforming the culture across the globe, and Connie is one who’s not afraid to jump into the driver’s seat. According to statistics, in 1998, only 8 percent of motorcycle owners were women. But, in 2014, female ownership had increased to 14 percent. Connie’s husband, Randy, is a bike rider as well, so not only is she a biker’s wife, she’s also a biker chick! But, there’s also a softer side to this biker lady who wears blue jeans, tee shirts, leather chaps, boots, and dark sunglasses. She loves her family and enjoys spending quality time with her six-year-old great granddaughter, Maci, who rides with her occasionally.

After riding behind her husband for many years, Connie finally got the opportunity she’d always longed for – to ride solo. “Once you learn how, and you have your own bike, you never want to ride with anybody again,” she stated. “Riding is peaceful and serene. I ride alone because if I’ve got something on my mind, I can focus better. When you’re riding with someone else, they’re in control; but riding alone puts you in full control.”

The first motorcycle she owned was a soft tail. Back then, most women rode sportsters, which were smaller and easier to manage. But to Connie the larger bikes have always been more appealing. “They have more power and handle the road better,” she says. As a biker, she has ridden many miles and has seen many back roads from as far away as Hiawassee, GA to Philadelphia, PA, and everything in between. The only thing she doesn’t like about riding is the weather conditions. “Sometimes it can get eerily cold or steaming hot out there on the road,” she said.

Connie relishes the experience of hugging the road in her Harley Davidson, enjoying the scenery, and meeting new people along her route. A typical day is going out to breakfast on the weekend and hitting the road with no destination in mind. “Riding gives bike lovers the kind of feeling you can never explain,” Connie said. She considers herself an expert at bike riding, and says that two of her greatest challenges were obtaining her MC license and dodging deer and wild game on the roadways.

Equally so, one of her biggest concerns is safety. One of the most fearful things about biking is riding in the rain. “Once we were riding and it began to rain,” she said. “When we got to our destination, my boots were filled with water.”

Besides her husband, Randy, and her grandchildren, Connie says bike riding is her greatest love, and she will probably ride until either her bike or she departs this earth. When asked what has been her greatest challenge, Connie’s responded, “Riding with guys. Men want to take charge. I’ve always wanted to be able to ride up front and lead the pack. I want to be up front and I want everyone to know that I’m a female.”

A veteran rider, on any given day, Connie can be found releasing her kickstand, revving up her engine, and preparing to meet the wind. “It is exciting,” she said. “I can have a bad day at work, but I can get on my cycle and ride for miles, and it calms me. It’s just a totally different world!”

When asked, “What’s going through your mind as you’re embracing the journey?” Her answer was, “Nothing – Absolutely nothing. That’s the one time you can breathe in the fresh airs of nature, let your mind run free, and escape the woes of life. I really don’t come back to reality until I return home and pull into my driveway.”

From the Publisher Continued from page 5

PAGE 10

in print or online around the world, I challenge you to quit making excuses, focus on what matters, and make your time count.

I am so very thankful for the Our Town community. Our goal with this publication is to provide you some much needed downtime (away from a screen) where you can recharge your batteries and enjoy reading about positive happenings that are covered almost nowhere else.

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

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Meet Marcia Davidson, retired Special Education teacher and now Chef/Owner of the Chef ’s Pantry in Loganville. Davidson is a graduate of the Pope Culinary Arts School of Chicago, and in spite of the school closing its doors in 1971, our community is reaping the benefits of their recipes and generous spirit which lives on in the thousands of students they taught. Upon retirement from Gwinnett County Schools, Davidson looked for ways to combine her love of the culinary arts with her years of teaching experience. She opened the Chef ’s Pantry a few years ago, and last year expanded the business to add Summer Cooking and Baking Camps for Kids.

“We purposefully limit class size to 8 children so they can each have their own individual work stations and equipment,” states Davidson. “We have 7-year-old boys and girls working right next to teenagers, and they end up helping and learning from each other. It’s just amazing what these kids can do. They are so smart!” states Davidson proudly.

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Georgia native and former NFL player Matt Stinchcomb will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this month for his four years (1995-1998) playing at the University of Georgia (UGA), where he was a two-time All-American and named Georgia Sports Hall of Fame’s Male Athlete of the Year. “That will be a fun occasion,” he says in anticipation of the black-tie induction ceremony. “The whole family is really excited.”

You may have seen the personable Stinchcomb a decade ago playing for the Oakland Raiders or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or more recently on ESPN as a college football analyst, or perhaps at one of his numerous speaking engagements around the country. But his heart is in Gwinnett.

Stinchcomb grew up in the adjacent community of Tucker, and has lived in Gwinnett since middle school. He is an alumnus of Parkview High as well as UGA. His friendships, especially at UGA, are among his fondest memories of those years, and he remains in contact with many of those he knew there. Even during his stint in the NFL, he returned to train in Duluth every offseason.

Stinchcomb left the NFL in 2006 following a series of devastating injuries. “There are not many jobs like [professional football],” he says. “Playing the game is something I grew up doing, even though the level of play changed. For it to end so abruptly, it made it a challenge to move on.”

But this hometown football star doesn’t like to spend much time reminiscing – he’s focused on his family and working with his multiple business and charitable endeavors, and all of them right here in Gwinnett.

Stinchcomb and his brother Jon (also a Gwinnett resident) established the Stinchcomb Family Foundation, a private non-profit organization supporting pediatric issues. “We support children’s causes of all kinds, but with an emphasis on healthcare needs,” he explains. In addition, he has devoted countless hours in support of local charities, serving on the boards of the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation, the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Georgia Transplant Foundation. He saw firsthand the life-changing and life-extending benefits of transplant surgery when his own father was the recipient of a heart transplant in 2013. This month his foundation is a sponsor of UGA’s annual Dawgs 4 Kids fundraiser which will benefit the Georgia Transplant Foundation and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Stinchcomb joined Sterling Seacrest Partners, a brokerage and consulting firm, in 2009 as a partner and now manages the local branch in Peachtree Corners. His firm is the largest independently-owned business of its type in the state, and one of the Top 5 in the southeast. “We’re really excited to be in that Top 5 category,” he says. “We are positioned well to provide value to the business communities here in the southeast and internationally – but we’re especially pleased to be doing it all from Gwinnett.”

He adds, “In this county, there are so many great communities! To have grown up in Tucker, attended high school in Lilburn, have an office in Peachtree Corners, and raise a family in the Duluth area – we’re blessed to be part of this community in so many facets.”

So… is he a Falcons fan now? “Of course!” he says. “I have a good friend who works with the Falcons, so it makes perfect sense.”

More information at sterlingseacrest.com or mattstinchcomb.com

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PAGE 12

This office complies with applicable Federal Civil Rights Laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.

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11/28/2017 2:50:23 PM

Celebrating Two Hundred Years of Gwinnett

By Kristen Eleveld Many Gwinnett County citizens may remember some of their favorite celebrations or events, or have even witnessed an important part of our county’s history. But you might not know exactly how Gwinnett County came about in the first place. In honor of Gwinnett’s bicentennial celebrations, we want to take a look at the proud history of our community, and tell you how to join in on the fun.

Gwinnett County was founded in 1818 and named for Button Gwinnett, one of three Georgia signers of the Declaration of Independence. As the area began to attract more residents, a railroad was built through the county, resulting in the additions of four new cities, and making Gwinnett County a booming, bustling community.

In 1940, the population was estimated to be 29,087. The growth has been steady for the last 200 years, proving that one of the best parts of Gwinnett is its residents! Given our long history of developing family-friendly cities and events, it should come as no surprise that more recent studies predict that the county will be home to 1,000,000 people by 2020.

So how do we celebrate such a momentous anniversary for such an incredible community? A Bicentennial Advisory Committee comprised of citizen volunteers and supported by county staff has been tasked with making sure they commemorate 200 years the best way they know how: by giving our residents tons of opportunities to join the celebration! The fun started at the beginning of the year, but there are plenty of chances for you and your family to be part of this historical event.

Check out the Bicentennial Torch, which is currently on display at the Braselton Welcome and Heritage Center. Since last December 15th, the Torch has been relayed by cross country and track teams from Gwinnett Public High School for over 200 miles, making appearances at historic sites, public facilities, and several cities in Gwinnett. Once the Torch leaves Braselton, it will make its way to Hamilton Mill. Keep an eye out if you’re in the area – you might get to witness a part of history in the making!

If you’re a scavenger hunt champion, drop into the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse front office and pick up your list of historical items to see if you can find them all! Some are located throughout the Courthouse, while others can be found in the nearby grounds. This event occurs daily and starts each morning at 10:00 a.m., so grab a few friends and see how many items you can find! Once you find every item on the list, bring it back to the Courthouse to receive your bicentennial prize!

The biggest celebration of all takes place on December 15, 2018, which is the actual Gwinnett County birthday. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the fun and learn a little about your own community through some family-friendly events and parties!

However, you celebrate, you can make the 200th year of Gwinnett County one to remember.

Whether you’re visiting a history center or taking your family to the movies on the Lawn, you are making Gwinnett County a great place to live.

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Sports Talk: Parkview Athletics Fields a Community of Support

By Kim Hill The Parkview Athletics fall season got underway early as the first football scrimmage was held on the first Friday of the school year. Athletic Director Nick Gast, who speaks about Parkview’s athletic program with a mixture of enthusiasm and affection, describes the event. “As usual,” he says, “we had a great crowd. The community is excited as always to see what we have this year in football. We lost a lot of seniors from last year’s football team, but we have some good kids coming in behind them and we are excited for the group we have this year. I think it’s going to be an exciting year for Parkview football.”

He adds that the softball team is coming off back-to-back trips to Columbus for the Final 8 State Tournament, and while that team also lost many seniors, there are several great young players coming up and he believes softball will continue to be strong. He laughs and says, “We have a theme going here as volleyball is really young this year also; but it is a talented group that will be able to play together on the varsity team for a long time. They seem to be meshing and gelling together very well.” The other big fall sport, cross country, had time trials the first weekend of the school year as well, and both the boys’ and the girls’ teams got off to a solid start, with a large percentage of runners setting personal records.

Coach Gast explains that a word is selected each year to define the athletic department. Last year the word was purpose, so student athletes acted with a purpose, and knew what they were doing in order to accomplish something on purpose. This year’s word is uncommon. “We feel like we do common things in an uncommon way here at Parkview,” says Gast, “so that’s been a theme I think the whole school – coaches, student athletes, student body in general, and teachers – have embraced.”

The program has been uncommon indeed, having closed out last spring season winning three state championships, beginning with the boys’ track team and the girls’ soccer team winning championships on the same day! The girls were eventually named National Champions in both the MaxPreps poll and the USA Today poll. A couple of weeks later the boys’ baseball team won the state championship against Mill Creek at home at Hugh Buchanan Field. The baseball team was later named National Champions in the Baseball America poll. “So in the spring we had three state championships and two national championships, and we really want to carry that momentum into this year,” says Coach Gast. “I feel like all three of those teams are going to have great years again and continue Continued on page 20

Living Legacy Spotlight Continued from page 8 (then Speaker of the Georgia House) daughter had twins who needed and were cared for in the Grady Hospital neonatal unit.”

Pat is pleased to report that “…while Georgia’s rates for premature births, maternal and infant deaths, and low birth-weight infants are still below the national average, they have declined significantly in the past forty years.”

Today, HMHBGA remains one of the only organizations in Georgia that focuses on the full spectrum of maternal and child health concerns, from prematurity to maternal mortality, with a nonpartisan, nonprofit mission of advocacy and education. Over the past few years, the organization has expanded its programs to include toll-free hotlines, providing information and referrals to all Departments of Public Health programs and facilitating connection to Medicaid and low-cost healthcare providers for families who are experiencing difficulties accessing prenatal care across the state of Georgia.

We congratulate Pat Besson Swan, the 2018 Legacy Award, for her forty years of working with the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia to reduce the infant mortality rates among low to mid-income Georgia families!

More information at https://hmhbga.org

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Only you Professional Don’t look at Pinterest. Yes, there are gorgeous photos and ideas on Pinterest, but remember many of these photos are not from real weddings – they are from styled photo sessions! Decide on the details that you feel are most important and incorporate those into your wedding. Don’t feel like you have to do it all.

Ditch the High Heels. Smiles are very difficult to fake when your feet are killing you, and shoes are truly one of the least important items of the day. Stay focused on the moment and be kind to your feet with attractive but comfortable shoes.

Hire a Babysitter for Young Children. Young children are always one of the highlights of the wedding ceremony. They also can be a lot of fun to watch on the dancefloor. However, young children also require constant attention. Many times there have been screaming or rambunctious kids in the bride’s room while the bride is trying to get dressed. We’ve also seen kids running wild during the reception with no adult supervision. It’s hard for members of the wedding party to have a good time at the wedding if they have to watch toddlers whose mood can be unpredictable. Hire someone you trust who is not a member of the wedding party to be in charge of the children and agree in advance how certain situations will be handled. Everyone will be relieved.

Hire a professional DJ and Photographer. Professional wedding DJs know how to get the party going and how to keep the timeline on track. The best DJs also act as emcee for the event. A professional wedding photographer will have the best equipment and know how to get the photos you want without cutting in to your reception time.

Pamper Yourself the week before the wedding. By this time your major decisions have been made, so take time for a few long bubble baths. Turn off the news and watch some comedy movies, get your nails done, and savor these moments with your future spouse, friends, and family.

Delegate Last-minute Details to your Bridesmaids or Friends. Does someone need to be picked up at the airport? Delegate it. Did you forget to get something at the store? Delegate it. Don’t run yourself ragged trying to do everything yourself. If you can delegate a task, do it!

Let it go and Enjoy the day! If you didn’t make every cute sign that you wanted to, let it go and don’t worry about it. If something goes different than planned, go with it. If the bride and groom are happy and enjoying their wedding, everyone else will have a great time!

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Making a Difference: More than a Swim

Atlanta’s Premier J U N K R E M O VA L S E R V I C E

By Amy Ney “Childhood cancer research receives just 4% of the annual budget from the National Cancer Institute,” explains Dee Klerk, whose son Kyle is a survivor of childhood cancer. Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under age nineteen. Kids like Kyle are the motivation for Swim Across America (SAA) – Atlanta Open Water Swim. This year’s Make Waves to Fight Cancer event at Lake Lanier will be held September 22, 2018.

SAA was established to unite the swimming community by hosting benefit swims to fund cancer research and clinical trials. To date, SAA has raised more than $75 million dollars.

The Atlanta event began in 2013 and has raised more than $1 million to the Aflac Cancer Center of Atlanta. “We are proud to include over 1,000 swimmers, volunteers, spectators, and supporters, as well as Olympians,” said Nancy Tao, Atlanta Core Volunteer Chair.

Tao explained, “Our Atlanta Swim is known as the ‘Super Bowl of Swims’ due to the number of swimmers and the funds raised.” Tao pointed out that the success in Atlanta is due to the tremendous support from Lawrenceville-based Swim Atlanta Aquatic Center. “Our most dedicated swimmers and volunteers are from Gwinnett County,” Tao added.

Abby McCulloh of Parkview High School is swimming to raise funds for the third consecutive year. “The event helps me to appreciate the things that kids my age are going through,” she said.

“The doctors explain research developments that are being made possible because of donations raised through SAA.” “This is our fifth year with the event,” said Swim Atlanta Co-owner Scot Davis. “Last year, our club raised more money than any other club team in the country. This year, our goal is to surpass $60,000.

Being that we deal with so many children, this cause is near and dear to our hearts.”

“Our 40th reunion benefitting Swim Across America was a great success,” explained Atlanta Event Director Kimberly Thompson. “We had over 175 people attend, some traveling from California and Tokyo. This event, and the awareness it raised has our team halfway to our goal!” Thompson said they set a goal of $60,000 this year and are currently listed as twelfth on SAA’s top fundraising list.

“I am so impressed with our younger team members and the creative ways they come up with to Continued on page 20

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PAGE 17

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Lilburn residents Laurie and Kevin Morrison will tell you, “Success is not difficult, but it’s not easy.” Any entrepreneur lives this paradox, and the Morrisons have learned it through the colorful walls of their business that has been a home away from home since 2003.

Main Street School of the Arts, located in the heart of downtown Tucker, has evolved since the Morrisons took the plunge and bought the small commercial space long before Main Street received the quaint facelift of today. Inspired by their mutual love for music and Kevin’s background as a guitarist in Hollyfaith, a popular local band, the couple initially opened the doors as Main Street School of Music. Young aspiring musicians could take lessons in guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and voice.

Meanwhile, Laurie, with years of experience as a graphic designer, was growing tired of “working for The Man” and needed a change. She considered going back to school to become a public school art teacher, but after the crushing blow of the 2008 recession and much deliberation and planning, both Laurie and Kevin decided to reconfigure their careers and turned their full attention to molding their music school into something new. Kevin says, “I asked Laurie, ‘Why don’t you just teach art through our building?’” And the rest is history.

Within a two-year timeframe, Kevin and Laurie were able to quit their jobs and work full time at what became Main Street School of the Arts. They moved the studio from one space to five rooms of various art and music classes. The expansion worked. Not only that, but downtown Tucker exploded with growth – streets and sidewalks received renovations, and zoning allowed for more diverse small businesses and restaurants. Families were showing up.

Fast forward to 2018. Today during the summer months, dozens of kids bound up the stairs to the studio each morning. They’re greeted by Kevin, then quickly settled in to their respective summer camp classrooms. Teachers bustle about preparing art supplies, tuning ukuleles, or readying scripts and costumes. Laurie, better known among the children as the “Art Genie,” flutters through each classroom, supervising her well-trained staff and adding her own expertise.

Continued on page 22

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Brookwood High School Student Claims Pageant Title

By Amy Ney Abigail Lee Hilliard, a sophomore at Brookwood High School, won 2018 National American Miss Georgia Junior Teen at the State Pageant held July 8th. She will now progress to the National Pageant, representing Georgia during Thanksgiving week in Anaheim, California.

“I am so excited!” bubbled Hilliard. “My mom and dad and I are all going, and it’s going to be a great trip.” Hilliard will have the opportunity to win a share of over $500,000 in cash and prizes at the event.

The National American Miss competition is dedicated to developing the success of young women across the nation. Participants are ages four to twenty, and compete in five age divisions. Princess division is for girls between the ages of four and six, and Junior Preteen is for girls between the age of seven and nine.

Contestants ages ten to twelve compete in the Preteen division, and Junior Teen competitors are ages thirteen to fifteen. Hilliard will be competing in the Teen category, which is for girls ages sixteen to eighteen. The Miss division has participants ages nineteen and twenty.

Each girl who qualifies at the National level also has a chance to win a new 2018 Ford Mustang.

Each year, the Pageant annually awards $1.5 million dollars in cash, scholarships, and prizes to recognize and assist the development of young women.

The National American Miss Pageants are for Today’s Girl and Tomorrow’s Leaders. The program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise, and presentation, and offers an All American Spirit of fun for family and friends. Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confidence, learning new skills, learning good attitudes about competition, and setting and achieving personal goals. The pageant seeks to recognize the accomplishments of each girl while encouraging her to set goals for the future.

Hilliard competes on the platform of Growing Girls, an effort which focuses on allowing girls to explore computer, science, mathematics, and similar STEM subjects. “I love science,” Hillard explains. “I believe everyone should be able to follow their dreams and not be afraid of being held back. I want girls to be open to STEM classes and resources.”

Hillard, the youngest of four children, began competing in pageants at a young age. “I was probContinued on page 22

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Making a Difference Continued from page 17 raise money. They keep the ideas coming and keep planning successful events. Every little bit helps!”

Tao added, “Paralympian McClain Hermes (Gwinnett Online) will participate this year as the first Paralympian alongside the US Olympians.” Last year, Paralympian Hannah Aspden surprised Aflac patient and Swim Atlanta swimmer Grace Bunke when she showed up at Lake Lanier to swim the event. Thompson said, “We were inspired by Hannah’s gesture and plan to invite both Paralympians and Olympians to the Atlanta event every year.”

Bunke made national headlines as a huge voice for childhood cancer in previous years.

Unfortunately, Bunke lost her battle against cancer this spring. She was an inspiration to many at the event. Kyle [Klerk] and his older sister Mikayla swam the mile last year with Bunke. Mikayla said the event was memorable. “I have met many inspiring people. My brother [Kyle] has cancer, so this event means a lot to my family.”

Bunke competed the one mile Open Water Swim and was the top individual fundraiser for Aflac last year even though cancer had returned to her spine and lungs. Her webpage reads, “Rest assured, I will be at Lake Lanier come September 22, 2018. You just might not be able to see me. But …you will be able to feel my presence as we continue to make waves to cure cancer.

More information at http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/site/PageNavigator/SAA_Donate.html

Introducing

NEW elementary, middle, and high school

Community Spotlight: Smoke Rise Academy of Arts

By Our Town Staff The Smoke Rise Academy of Arts drama department will present in September the family musical Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr. Staged by the elementary drama class, the production will be performed Friday, September 14th through Sunday, September 16th in the Fellowship Hall of Smoke Rise Baptist Church. Members of Smoke Rise and the surrounding community are invited to attend this free performance.

The Academy’s elementary cast will lead the audience on a journey “under the sea” with Ariel and her aquatic friends in this timeless love story, adapted from Disney’s Broadway production and the motion picture. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr. is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance. The musical score includes familiar songs from the movie like “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World,” as well as original songs from the Broadway production.

Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr. is a fun family show suitable for all ages. Show times are 7:00 p.m. on Friday, 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Each show will have concessions available for purchase during intermissions. Attendance is free with no tickets required.

Smoke Rise Academy of Arts will begin their pre-school program in September. In addition to classes like Family Musikgarten, pre-k dance, Act One drama, and Twinklers violin, this year the Academy will launch a new Mommy (Caretaker) & Me Creative Movement class, an introduction to ballet which incorporates creative movement for toddlers and exercise opportunities for moms or caretakers. Individual music lessons are also offered to all ages on piano, violin, flute, guitar, drums, and voice.

More information at www.smokerisebaptist.org\arts

Sports Talk Continued from page 15

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

CHOICE Educational Academy 5510 Lilburn Stone Mountain Road Stone Mountain, GA 30087 Phone 770.921.3690 n Fax 770.921.3693 admin@choiceeducationalacademy.com www.choiceeducationalacademy.com PAGE 20

the tradition of success that they have had. We have great coaches and great athletes here and a long tradition of success, so the plan is just to keep that tradition going.”

Coach Gast says all of the athletic teams are active in community service both during their seasons and in their off-season. “For me the best thing about community at Parkview is that the community here just embraces our school,” he says. “Any time we have an event of any kind, there are community members here that maybe don’t even have kids at Parkview anymore, but they are here supporting, volunteering, and serving, and our teams like to give back in those same ways.”

The program is continuing some things that were started last year to enable the community to be even more involved, including live streaming of all stadium sports games. Gast says fans can go online and watch through the NFHS network even if they are out of town. A new online store has just opened so fans can purchase Parkview merchandise to show their Panther pride and support.

“We’re excited about the year,” says Coach Gast. “All of our head coaches are back and are continuing to build their programs. I enjoy getting to know all the student athletes because they do a really good job on the field, but they are also just great kids and are really fun to be around. The level of community togetherness in Lilburn, GA here at Parkview is really uncommon. You don’t find it everywhere.”

More information at www.ParkviewHighAthletics.com

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One on One with Lilburn CID and Police Department

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By Kristen Eleveld The Lilburn Police Headquarters and Municipal Court took the plunge and broke ground on a new building on August 13th. The new building, located at 4572 Lawrenceville Highway, will be 100% funded by SPLOST (special-purpose local-option sales tax) and will serve as a much needed improvement over the current headquarters.

“What we’re building here is a tool for our police force to make them more efficient,” said Lilburn Mayor Johnny Crist of the 10-acre space allotted for the new building. “We want to give this facility to the police department to not only make its presence known, but as a tool to create that place of safety we all long for.”

The Lilburn Police Department (LPD) serves the community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

That’s why it is so critical that they have the right resources to ensure the protection of Lilburn citizens.

In just eleven months, the new building is set to be completed. Of course, such an undertaking could never be fully successful without the assistance of community members. The Lilburn Community Improvement District (LCID), comprised of concerned citizens from the Greater Lilburn area, saw the need for a new building and took action to start the process.

“The Lilburn Community Improvement District works closely with the Lilburn Police Department to keep the businesses and residents safe within the community,” said a statement released by the LPD. The LCID also works to provide financing for community improvements that will increase property values, augment public safety, and advance local infrastructure. It is a partnership between public entities and private businesses that has served Lilburn well for many years. The LCID’s goal is continuous progress of the city.

More information at https://www.lilburncid.com or https://www.cityoflilburn.com/238/PoliceDepartment.

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Cooking from the Heart Continued from page 11 must use their math skills to multiply up the ingredients and increase portions. “It’s so heartwarming when the parents bring them to class the next day and tell me that they prepared the family meal the previous evening and it was delicious!” says Davidson.

The day we visited the children were baking individual loaves of bread, then prepared Chicken Fettucine Alfredo, a Honey Lime Melon Salad, and Old Fashioned Biscuits topped with Strawberries and Cream. “We use fresh ingredients and real food so that it tastes as good as it looks!” states Davidson. The kids hustled all morning to complete the daily recipes, and then the only time the room became quiet was at the end of the camp day when they all sat down to feast on their creations.

Davidson is thrilled to report that Food Network has recently contacted her, looking for children ages 9-13 who love to bake and who would be interested in competing for season 5 of “Kids Baking Championship.” So, who knows? The next national Kid’s Baking Champion might be someone right here from Our Town!

More information at chefspantry@bellsouth.net. Follow us on Facebook at Chef’s Pantry of Loganville.

Brookwood HS Student Claims Title Continued from page 19 ably three or four years old,” she said. “Then I didn’t compete for a long time. Recently, we decided I would try it again because I had a good time and I won Little Miss Gwinnett and Little Miss Snellville when I was little.” Hillard said the National American Miss Junior Teen was a good pageant for her to start back into the competition. “It was one of the first few ones I remembered,” she said. “We knew it was a good competition and would be a great way to get back into the groove.”

“Last year, I competed in the Brookwood High School Scholarship Pageant and was fortunate to win Miss Brookwood Freshman. It was one of my favorites,” recalls Hilliard. Hilliard’s other activities include cheerleading for Brookwood High school, as well as maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She hopes to pursue a field in Neonatal Nursing following graduation. Hilliard believes this program, centered around helping young women grow and expand their ideas about who they are and what they want to achieve, will help her develop a competitive edge to succeed in whatever program she chooses.

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Main Street School of the Arts Continued from page 18

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PAGE 22

This is no cookie-cutter craft camp pulled from Pinterest. Laurie’s curriculum for each art class is the result of hours of preparation and a lifetime of art training. Her art students, whether they’re five years old or fourteen, learn about art history, color theory, positive and negative space, and how to work with different mediums like chalk, pastels, paint, or clay.

But most importantly, while the kids are simply having fun creating, they’re learning “real” art, gaining self-confidence, and practicing problem solving skills. “If you don’t know how to draw something, for example, you figure it out. Or you change it. If you make a mistake, you can turn it into something else exciting,” says Laurie.

It is clear Laurie and Kevin have created a space that speaks to both their passions. Classes range from the conventional to truly imaginative. Students, both novices and experts, may try their hand at toy-making, mythical creatures, painting, or even Pokémon. Or they can experience performance art through drama, singing, ukulele, or improv camps. And that’s just during the summer.

When the school year kicks in students can take art and music classes after school and on Saturdays.

The school also offers birthday parties and school-year camps during holidays.

Not surprisingly, the kids keep coming back. Therefore, Laurie is constantly rewriting curriculum to keep it fresh. “Quality is important,” she says. Next year she’s already making plans for new classes featuring Harry Potter and Star Wars. Now, almost fifteen years later, they have nearly reached full capacity, both physically and mentally.

Where do they get the energy? Laurie says the students. “I say I’m tired, but I’m not. I thrive on all the energy from the kids – then I go home and crash at 8:30!”

Kevin sees the venture as “soul-nurturing.” Teaching kids is the biggest challenge but the biggest reward. “I can have the hardest day, but I still look forward to hearing them run up the stairs every morning,” he adds.

The Morrisons admit that owning a business takes a lot of self-awareness, living and dying by your own decisions. When they added yoga classes, for example, it didn’t work. They’ve also weathered through the slow community growth, constantly fighting for awareness. “There are tons of failures,” Kevin adds. “But you can’t let the speedbumps stop you.”

While students file out of their doors each day, freckled with paint, carrying wild creations, or tapping to a Bob Marley beat, the Morrisons head home to Lilburn, exhausted but satisfied. They followed a dream and continue to make an impact on local young people. Through art, they are changing lives.

More information at http://www.mainstreetschoolofart.com/

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