Suwanee Magazine January - Febuary 2014

37 DATE IDEAS TO MAKE LOVE LAST AFTER VALENTINE’S DAY Community. Culture. Lifestyle.

suwaneemagazine.com

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT:

SEGRETO CUCINA ITALIANO

JAN / FEB 14

COOPER O’SUWANEE BRIEN TEEN

BATTLES RARE FORM OF CANCER

PEDIATRIC & ADOLESCENT DENTISTRY WITH

DR. RHONDA HOGAN

RY A RU DAR B Beth and Ryan lost a combined 100 pounds. Find out how - Page 31 E / F LEN Y AR S CA U N T JA EVEN

Trusted experts delivering the latest in cardiac care Northside is home to a team of talented and experienced professionals specializing in comprehensive cardiovascular services. From leading diagnostic services to angioplasty and pacemaker implantation, Northside’s experts deliver leading cardiac care right in your community.

Visit us online at www.northside.com.

letter

A Note From Our Editor

Executive Editor Angela Veugeler

Managing Editor Rachel Fasig

Features Editor

Tana Suggs tanasuggs.reporter@gmail.com or tana@suwaneemagazine.com

Advertising Director

Laura Lane ads@suwaneemagazine.com

appy 2014! For many, the new year is a time of new beginnings. A time to reflect on the past and take a long hard look in the mirror and set new goals (or revisit old ones) that will help us improve and grow.

This year, one of my goals is to start eating healthier.

Less carbs, more veggies, fruits and lean meats. I also want to start reading more- it’s hard to find the time with 3 kids and work, but there’s always an excuse, and those excuses will hold you back if you let them. Whether you want to focus on improving your physical, emotional, or financial health, Suwanee Magazine is here to help! This issue is filled with inspiring stories of some amazing people that have not made excuses. They are working hard and achieving their goals. There are Valentine’s date night ideas (and others you can use throughout the year), a story about a truly amazing young man and his battle with a rare cancer, and many more stories about local businesses, people, and what’s happening in our community. All of these stories make me think about what a great city Suwanee is, and the wonderful people that live and work here.

“Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.”

-Alan Cohen

We hope you enjoy this issue and good luck with those New Year's Resolutions!

Account Executive Darcy Seyller

Creative Director Randall Veugeler

Art Director

Erica Abrams

Production Manager Laura Payne

Graphic Design April Futey Shay Taylor Jon Rogers Brian Hassinger

Photographers

TO ADVERTISE, PLEASE CONTACT US @ 678-482-2270

Karl Lamb Julie Perdue Steve Glass Rachel Fasig Katrina Krom

Web Editor Walt Wooden

Sales

Julie Perdue julie@suwaneemagazine.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

President

Angela Veugeler

Publisher

Randall Veugeler

Corporate Office

554 W. Main Street Suite 400 Buford, GA 30518 Phone: 678-482-2270 Fax: 678-730-0691 37 DATE IDEAS TO MAKE LOVE LAST AFTER VALENTINE’S DAY Community. Culture. Lifestyle.

suwaneemagazine.com

COOPER O’BRIEN

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT:

SEGRETO CUCINA ITALIANO

SUWANEE TEEN BATTLES RARE FORM OF CANCER

ON THE COVER: Beth Rowe and Ryan Garrett photographed

by Steve Glass on December 14th, 2013.

PEDIATRIC & ADOLESCENT DENTISTRY WITH

DR. RHONDA HOGAN

Y AR RU AR FEB ND Y / LE AR CA NU TS JA EVEN

Beth and Ryan lost a combined 100 pounds. Find out how - Page 31

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Visit suwaneemagazine.com for some great web only articles and frequent updates.

I JAN / FEB 14

Suwanee Magazine is published bi-monthly by Veugeler Design Group.

Opinions expressed by the contributing writers and editors are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or Suwanee Magazine. The publisher will not accept responsibility for submitted materials that are lost or stolen. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. However, the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or ommissions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. ©2014 Veugeler Design Group.

The editors welcome unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. Please visit us online at SuwaneeMagazine.com for submission guidelines, or email us at info@suwaneemagazine.com

In this issue:

31 Departments: 6 Business

6 Suwanee Business Alliance 7 Investment Strategies 8 Rhonda C. Hogan Dentistry 12 Health 12 Atlanta's 5K Walk and Health Seminar 2013 14 4 Steps to Ensuring Successful Resolutions

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Features: 16 38 Date Ideas to Make Love Last After Valentines Day 31 Suwanee Fitness Success Stories

20 Food

20 Segreto Cucina Italiano 24 Chick-fil-A

28 Charity

28 Sweet Repeat Dresses

38 Drink

38 Belgian Beers 40 Georgia Grape Harvest 2013

42 City Buzz 46 Schools

46 Cooper's Fight 50 NGHS at State Championship

52 Arts 54 People & Places 62 Calendar

Correction from last issue: In the Panache article from the Nov/Dec 2013 issue of Suwanee Magazine one of the owner's name was reported incorrectly and should have been Bozena Costello. At Suwanee Magazine we strive for accuracy and regret the error.

Bebe Brumari, Karen Geganto and Bozena Costello

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Suwanee Business Community News & Information

business

BY: Ed Szczesniak, SBA Vice President Owner/Designer – Georgian Landscape Design riends of ours – let’s call them Brian and Liz (since those are their names) - moved to Suwanee about a year ago from Chicago.

Good move! Now if you’ve ever moved and changed cities or states – (which my wife and I have several times thanks mostly to “For Sale

by Neighbors” signs being posted in our front yard) – you’ve likely experienced the same things that our friends did. They came to us and said, “Where’s a good restaurant? Do you know a good mechanic? Who’s the best person to speak to about insurance?” etc., etc., etc.

I guess Brian and Liz began to trust my judgment about various businesses in Suwanee over the past year, as they continued to inquire about additional contacts for everything from car washes to handy-persons (see – I can be politically correct), to dog groomers, and yes…even health insurance providers (I actually know one who understands Obamacare)!!!

But the biggest question Brian and Liz asked me was, “Ed, you’ve only lived in Suwanee for six years. How do you know so many great folks - you’re just not that nice a guy?”

The answer was a simple one. When we moved here, I took the advice of a local friend and, somewhat reluctantly, went to a Suwanee Business Alliance meeting. Having spent 25 years with companies like IBM and Deloitte Consulting, I had been – shall we say - “STRONGLY Encouraged” to join various organizations such as Chambers of Commerce, Jaycees, numerous local networking groups, Friends of the Boring – you name it. But I’d gotten out of the corporate life, now had my own business, and nobody (other than my wife, Lucy) could tell me what to do. So I went to a meeting – mostly because it was at Wild Wings that month, and I’m from Buffalo and can eat about 200 wings at a sitting, and I heard the wings were free!

Well – over the past six years, I’ve missed ONE meeting!

Not because I have to report my attendance to anyone (and BTW – Lucy is now a member) or for the free food, but for the very reason that Brian and Liz have discovered – there are just so many nice people right here in town… and… “people do business with people they like”

I don’t know who said it, but you know it’s true! What I learned from that first SBA meeting was that I wasn’t in a room full of empty suits (PS - I still have some – along with a bunch of IBM white shirts – size 16 x 33 if anyone needs some). Instead of standing around trying to sell someone consulting services or impress some corporate CEO, I found myself just making new friends – no strings attached – no sales pitches – just friends! Over time those folks introduced me to their friends and I learned who to trust – who I wanted to do business with – and yes – even sometimes got a “nod” about which businesses I might want to avoid.

Now my banker, my CPA, financial advisor, insurance agent, car wash, mechanic, hair salon (yes – but don’t blame them – consider what I have to work with), eye doctor, dentist, photographer, Sophie & Rocco’s favorite pet shop and groomer (they’re our dogs not our kids), many of the restaurants we frequent (where the owners are usually SBA members and greet you like it is Cheers “Where everyone knows your name” in Boston), and even the food take out service we use when I’ve attempted to cook dinner – these are all our friends, who we now do business with.

And it works the other way too. In the six years I’ve been with the SBA, I’ve completed more than 40 landscape projects in and around Suwanee – thanks to my new friends!

So as new folks move into our growing Suwanee neighborhood, Liz and Brian are able to spread the word about the best places to shop, eat, and get reliable local services. They refer them to their new friends. It’s that old “you tell one person – who tells one person" – and pretty soon one heck of a lot of people know about who to use when they need something.

It’s a new year – and perhaps an opportunity for you to get to know some “new friends” here in town. You never know when you may need their services or when they may need yours.

As you can probably tell – we’re a pretty easy going group. Just ask one of our friends!

It’s a new year – and perhaps an opportunity for you to get to know some “new friends” here in town.

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The SBA meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at different business locations in town. For more info: Suwanee.org.

business BY: Bill and Cindi Porter Aileron Investment Advisors

How can I spot a potential market opportunity?

Answer:

If you were an astronaut, you could see a giant flame burning over the Bakken area of North Dakota. As reported by Yahoo Finance, more than $100,000,000 a month in excess natural gas is being flared or burned off because there are not enough pipelines or storage facilities to keep up with production. NASA has reported sightings of the flaring from space.

Because of the incredible new discoveries of gigantic gas and oil reserves in North America, like many investment researchers, our firm believes there is an investment opportunity in pipelines and storage facilities in the U.S. energy arena. It is currently the weak link in the energy chain, which is why there is the unfortunate spectacle of watching millions of dollars of high grade, usable, and clean gas being wasted. Investment money may solve that problem.

On November 13, 2013 the Federal Energy Information Administration announced that for the first time in more than 20 years, America produced more oil than it imported. Additionally, the press release noted that the U.S. produced more oil in September 2013 than in any other month in the past 24 years. There is currently much more capacity in the U.S. to produce oil and gas than there is the ability to transport it and store it.

Given the importance of energy independence and the ability to achieve it within reach, it appears that after adjusting for necessary environmental considerations, America will solve one of its most serious national problems: energy dependency. This is happening within the private sector – not the government – and thus provides the potential for individual investment opportunities. We know that all investments, including energy, bring a mix of risk, expense and potential reward.

Send us your Perhaps you and your investment advisor should determine questions to: if an investment in energy info@suwanee infrastructure would be an magazine.com appropriate consideration for your portfolio.

The views expressed in this article are not necessarily that of Suwanee Magazine.

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Rhonda C. Hogan, D.M.D., P.C.

Dentistry

Pediatric & Adolescent

BY: Tana Christian Suggs

he time has come for your child’s first trip to the dentist. But how do you know where to find the right dentist for your child?

Dr. Rhonda Hogan is a local pediatric and adolescent dentist with her office located on Peachtree Industrial Blvd. in Suwanee.

Hogan said she decided to become a pediatric and adolescent dentist after her experience with her first pediatric rotation back when she was in dental school.

“I loved interacting with the children and restoring their cute little teeth,” she said. “The most rewarding part was encouraging and supporting a frightened child through a difficult procedure. The delight on their faces when they realized it was not as bad as they thought it might be and the pride in their eyes for being courageous enough to get through it was just priceless. That was my ‘this is it’ moment when I knew I had found the career for me.”

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PHOTOS BY: Christy Martin

Hogan said she opened her office in December 2006 and she chose Suwanee for her family’s home and her dental practice because Suwanee is a great community where she wanted to live and work nearby.

“It has been a great location for my practice and I am happy to be here,” she said. “The city of Suwanee and the community as a whole have been very supportive of our practice. We have a great relationship with the local schools. We try to support the community as much as we can and the community in turn has been good to us.”

She is a proud sponsor of Suwanee Day every year, and during the month of February, the office participates in educational presentations in schools and daycare centers for Dental Health Awareness Month. In addition, Hogan sponsors and participates in the winter carnival for several local elementary schools and supports a couple of local charities as well.

business

The office holds a candy buy-back event in the office after Halloween where they buy-back their patient’s extra Halloween candy for $1 per pound. The candy is then donated to Hugs for Soldiers, a local organization that sends care packages to the troops overseas.

Hogan also supports several yearly functions for ACT Together Ministries that organizes a great back to school event for needy families in the area and recently held a Christmas event in the office where Mrs. Claus stopped in from the North Pole to read stories and collect wish lists for Santa.

This year the Georgia Dental Association held their second Georgia Mission of Mercy where local people

in need of dental treatment were treated over one weekend for free.

There, Dr. Hogan participated and treated some of the children in need.

While most of her patients come from Suwanee, Duluth, Buford, Lawrenceville and John's Creek, PHOTO BY: Katrina Krom a few drive greater distances, even from out of state, for services offered such as routine exams, cleanings and diagnostic X-rays as well as fillings, crowns, sedation dentistry and emergency treatment for children 1 to 18 years of age.

For people wondering what makes a pediatric dentist different than a family dentist, Hogan’s explanation is this – “…A pediatric dentist does an additional two to three years of training beyond dental school,” she said. “During this training, a pediatric dentist studies in greater depth the

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growth and development, management of medically compromised and special needs patients, management and treatment of dental facial trauma, sedation and hospital dentistry. We also gain more experience treating all routine dental needs.”

So in looking for a dentist for your child’s first visit and beyond, Dr. Hogan suggests looking for a pediatric dentist that is board certified and willing to take time to answer your questions and concerns.

“The friendliness and help of the team “The delight on members on the initial their faces when call is a good way to they realized it was assess the environment of the practice,” not as bad as they Hogan said. “Also, I thought it might think word of mouth is still a great way to be and the pride find a good dentist. If have friends and in their eyes for you family members who being courageous have children that have had good dental enough to get experiences, then they are a great source of through it was information.” just priceless” And as with anyone choosing a dentist, you want to make sure you and your child are comfortable with whom they see, since they will be visiting at least once a year. Hogan stressed that seeing the same dentist provides continuity of care and helps to build a trusting relationship between dentist and patient. In her practice she said they strive to make the parents feel comfortable as well by allowing them to come back and experience their child’s visit.

“I have a great team of individuals around me,” Hogan said. “And they do a great job of making the patients feel comfortable.”

For more information about Rhonda C. Hogan, D.M.D., P.C., visit the website www.drrhondahogan.com. ■

Rhonda C. Hogan, D.M.D., P.C. 1380 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. • Suite 150 Suwanee, Georgia 30024 770-614-8914

www.drrhondahogan.com

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Keeping up with your Health

health

Atlanta's 5K Walk and Health Seminar 2013 Teen promotes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to Asian Indian community BY: Sneha Divan he Asian Indian population is generally predisposed to illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity due to sedentary lifestyles. I wanted to do something about this and, with my mother’s help, proposed the idea of a 5K walk to the committee members of Maharashtra Mandal of Atlanta (MMA), an Indian organization that conducts cultural and religious activities. Everyone unanimously agreed with the idea and encouraged me to aid in planning. I hadn’t estimated the effort required to put together an event but was certain that, if successful, it wouldn’t be just a personal accomplishment, but a boost for the entire community!

I pitched an elementary outline of my thoughts to Dr. Atul Laddu, a veteran MMA member who harbored the dream of organizing a Health Seminar to raise awareness amongst the local community. It seemed natural that both ideas be conjoined, making a dream become a reality.

We set three main objectives: to promote the benefits of an active lifestyle, to increase awareness of preventive techniques to lead a healthier lifestyle, and to raise funds for MMA. Additionally, I hoped to achieve two smaller, priceless goals: to introduce our culture and community to others and to bring together many people for a day in nature that could be enjoyed regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity.

Only in eighth grade at the time, I needed sincere effort and generous help to pull it off; everyone was supportive and open-minded.

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NOV//FEB DEC1413 I JAN

Sneha Divan

Before all else, we decided to set a date and a location. After visiting many different trails, we finalized Settles Bridge Park in Suwanee, GA, which offered trails of various lengths and difficulties, a pavilion to conduct the Health Seminar, parking, and other amenities.

Community outreach attracted the attention of sponsors and participants. I personally had the opportunity to talk to many individuals and organizations and to share my dream. Everyone worked together to make this pioneer endeavor happen, and that is where the magic is. I was extremely thrilled with the experiences I gained through this process.

On June 16, which was also Father’s Day and the morning that would bring together all of our hard work, we reached the park early to set-up. I was quite nervous, but everything was overshadowed by excitement. At last, it was time to commence the 2013 MMA Walk and Health Seminar.

health

Atlanta's 5K Walk and Health Seminar 2013

The turnout was greater than I had imagined with more than 150 people attending the event. It was the best 14th birthday present I could have received!

Several topics under the theme, “How can you prevent major crises in your life by simple steps of early diagnosis?� were planned for prominent local doctors to speak at the seminar. Topics covered included the following: Early Detection of Prostate Cancer; Case History: Life After Prostate Cancer; Hypertension, Diabetes, and Preventive Immunization; Challenges in Gastrointestinal System; Health and Stress.

At the end of the seminar, a small raffle was held, and I had the honor of concluding the event. People approached me to share their thoughts about the event and to congratulate me. I am proud that all the objectives were achieved. All around me, I was a witness to an event, a cracked little seed, with no hope of survival, blooming, blossoming, into a flower with magnificent colors, orange, green, and white! â–

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health

BY: T. Cherie Miller

CERTIFIED WELLNESS COACH tcheriemiller@gmail.com

appy New Year!!! I’m so excited about 2014. It’s a chance to start fresh, take chances, and feel inspired that you can and will conquer anything you set your mind to this year. Oh and of course, how can I forget, it's resolution time. Yes, it’s that time of year when we make a huge unrealistic list of things we want to change and do to make ourselves “better”.

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38LOVE

date ideas to make

last after Valentine’ s Day

BY: Rachel Fasig

alentine’s Day is a special holiday that only comes once a year. It is a time for: dinner dates, chocolate boxes, teddy bears, flowers, jewelry, love letters and romance. But, that type of romantic pursuit should not be limited to merely one day.

Experts across the globe have stated that divorce rates are significantly lower in couples that regularly schedule date nights.

A date does not have to be steak & lobster dinners, a “date” can be any activity where a couple is spending quality, one-on-one time together. So here are nearly a years' worth of date ideas in the Suwanee area and beyond, and some won’t even cost you a dime...

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Go for a picnic Pack a basket, blanket, bottle of wine, cheese, crackers, sandwiches, etc. and set off on a hike at Sims Lake Park to find a private picnicking location.

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Do a 5K run or walk

Sign up for a 5k run or walk, and then start training together. A good plan to start with is “Couch to 5k” www.c25k.com.

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Go for a bike ride

There are several great biking trails in Suwanee including our favorite, the Suwanee Creek Greenway.

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Enjoy a wine tasting afternoon

Head to Château Élan for affordable winetasting and vineyard tours that are right in our backyard. Or, venture up to Dahlonega for the day and check out Three Sisters, Wolf Mountain, Frogtown, Cavendar Creek and Montaluce.

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Segreto Cucina Italiano

Catch a live band together

There are plenty of concerts at Gwinnett Arena, but it’s also fun to check out local restaurant venues. Segreto Cucina Italiano, Cinco's After Five, Suwanee Pizza Tavern, Wild Wing Café and Friends in Suwanee all offer live music on Friday nights, and some Saturday nights as well.

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Fish for love at the Georgia Aquarium Go to the aquarium and make a day date out of being in downtown Atlanta.

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Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest

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Volunteer together Sign up to volunteer together for a cause you’re both passionate about or for a festival that might otherwise be too expensive for you to attend.

Have a food truck date

There are plenty to choose from in the Atlanta area, from the Gwinnett Braves to the Gwinnett Gladiators.

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Catch a flick Movie Tavern in Suwanee is a cool spot that offers adult beverages and great food during your film. You can also set up an outdoor movie in the backyard with a projector, sheet, fire-pit and beanbag chairs!

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Go thrift shopping Set a $10 limit and find each other one unique article of clothing that the other person has to wear for the rest of the day. Then have fun taking pictures of your significant other walking around town in their fluorescent 80’s style sweat suit.

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Go fishing Grab your poles, drinks and snacks and head out to a local park, pond or Lake Lanier for a day of fishing.

14 Try Indoor Rock Climbing

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Show off your climbing skills at Adrenaline Climbing in Suwanee. They welcome climbers of all levels and offer introductory classes for beginners.

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Camp out There’s something very refreshing about waking up with the sunrise and cool air. Take hot dogs, s’mores, lots of blankets and a tent, then head to Lake Lanier Campgrounds or another local spot to enjoy the outdoors.

We know a great spot for that Food Truck Friday, the first Friday of each summer month at Town Center Park in Suwanee, offers a variety of food trucks and live music.

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10 Attend a sporting event

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Cut these ideas out and place them in a jar on your kitchen counter to draw from when it’s time for a date! Have fun!

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Plan a board game night Seriously, when’s the last time you played Monopoly?

Make a pizza together You can purchase pre-made dough at grocery stores like Publix. Have fun creating your own unique pizzas and grab a couple of Redbox movies on your way out.

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38LOVE

#

date ideas to make

Attend a festival at Town Center Park

last after Valentine’ s Day

Check out our calendar section in each issue for ideas - events begin in March.

17 Have a progressive dinner date

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Explore new spots around town by having drinks at one restaurant, appetizers at another, dinner at the next, and dessert at yet another!

Suwanee Wine Fest

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Make your own sushi It isn’t as difficult as you’d think! Visit Super H Mart in Suwanee for all of your homemade sushi needs.

19 Have a “Chopped Night”

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Plan a date modeled after Food Network’s show, “Chopped”. Give each other a basket of mystery items and see what the other person can prepare from it!

20 Hit the driving range The Peachtree Golf Center has a covered driving range #

open rain or shine, and mini-golf as well.

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Go on an Atlanta area brewery tour Visit Sweetwater, Red Brick, Jekyll Brewery, Three Taverns, Eventide or Blue Tarp.

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Visit the Suwanee SPCA

Visiting an animal shelter makes a great date. Beware – you might come home with a new pet!

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Build a fort and camp out in the living room Complete the experience by roasting smore's

over the fireplace or a candle.

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Go fly a kite Head out to Suwanee Town Center Park and fly a kite - you can usually find them at the dollar store!

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Have a fondue night Use a fondue pot or crockpot and make your own fondue feast

27 Learn a new sport or activity together

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Suwanee Creek Park just opened a new disc golf course worth checking out.

28 Visit a local farm and pick fruit

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You can use the fruit to make a pie or some creative cocktails when you get home.

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29 Do a DIY project together: whether it’s painting a room together, refurbishing a table or planting a garden,

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doing something together will bring you closer and make you feel accomplished at the end.

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Let out your inner kid Go to Dave & Busters in Lawrenceville for bowling, arcade games, pool and more! Then “buy” each other a little gift with your ticket winnings.

31 Go to a museum together

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Gwinnett Heritage Center is close by and makes a great date!

Plus, there are plenty of walking trails to explore. Did you know that Bank of America cardholders get free access to over 150 museums nationwide, including the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Atlanta History Center and Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville? www.museums.bankofamerica.com

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Have a jump date

Go jump together at SkyZone Suwanee!

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Make art together There are many locations that offer fun, instructional BYOB Painting Nights, including Masterpiece Mixers in Suwanee.

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Have a coffee shop date Grab your favorite book and head to a local coffee shop, like Brown Bag Deli, where you can sit by each other, read, chat and sip on some lattes.

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Walk the dogs: Take the pups to the dog park at Settles Bridge Park in Suwanee. If you don't have a dog, just go for a walk around the beautiful park or head to Town Center where you can window shop and people-watch at the same time!

36 Have an ethnic food cook-off

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Choose a type of food that neither of you have cooked before, whether its Indian, Thai, Chinese, Cuban, French, Spanish or Moroccan and then create a whole themed night around the feast with music from that region and a historical overview of the dishes created.

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Go to a trivia night: Show off your knowledge and compete at a local trivia night.

Mellow Mushroom has trivia Tuesday nights, and Friends Restaurant and Wild Wing Café on Thursday nights.

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Do some ziplining Treetop Quest in Buford has really cool obstacle courses to navigate with ziplines.

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The Best Culinary Experiences Suwanee Has To Offer

food Cucina Italiano

Suwanee's New “Secret Kitchen”

BY: Tana Christian Suggs hen thinking about Italian cooking, one often thinks of a large family gathered in the kitchen sipping Chianti, stirring specially made sauces that are filled with the family’s secret ingredients that have been handed down from generation to generation while the pasta simmers to a perfect al dente. After all, it has been said the kitchen is the heart of the home, so what better place for the family to congregate than the warmth of the kitchen while engaging in meaningful conversation over the aroma of fresh garlic and basil.

Now, Suwanee has its own “secret Italian kitchen.”

Segreto Cucina Italiano, which translates to the "secret Italian kitchen,” is located at 3370 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. Restaurant owners Robert and Wanda Mason and their two daughters, Britney and Brandi, opened Segreto Cucina Italiano in July 2013 with Nick Patel serving as Operating Partner and General Manager.

“We purposely call ourselves a Kitchen rather than a Restaurant,” Patel said. “While in Italy, the best food I had came from the kitchens of friends and family.”

Patel described the restaurant as “casually” upscale with accommodating, welcoming, and friendly service, featuring modern Italian cuisine including a few classic American-Italian dishes.

“We take our inspiration for the food, décor, and style from modern Venice, Italy,” he said. “Venice is not just canals and Gondolas. It has a rich history and holds many a mystery. Venetian ships ruled the waterways, and in doing so, Venice became a major hub for trade and commerce. Venice has always been at the crossroads of art, music, food, wine, and business. We strive to make Segreto the same for Suwanee.”

Patel explained that when it comes to the food, Segreto Cucina Italiano is unique in that it comes from the heart using quality local and imported ingredients.

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Segreto's Special Three-Meat Meat Balls

“We are not the typical Italian restaurant,” he said. “We have a modern healthy approach to Italian cuisine. We were looking to bring Italian fare to a place where you can eat it almost every day, not just once a month.”

After surveying the area and visiting numerous Italian restaurants, Patel said they found that not one restaurant was doing what the Masons and Patel wanted to do so they started to do their “thing.”

“And after speaking with numerous guests we’ve adjusted our ‘thing’ to include dishes that they wanted to see us do...Now we proudly serve ‘Classico Americano’ dishes.

Chicken and Veal with your - Nick Patel, General Manager choice of Parmigiana, Marsala, or Piccata Sauce served with Cappellini. And of course we’ve added our own little secrets to make them ‘ours,’” Patel said.

Popular menu items include the pastas that are either fresh or imported directly from artisan pasta makers in Italy. To

We are not the typical italian restaurant.

We have a modern healthy approach to Italian cuisine.

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complement the pasta, the restaurant also offers fresh sauces, including the Segreto Sauce, which Patel said is by far the most popular.

Stuzzis, which is a three meat ball (named for the three meats: beef, veal and hot Italian sausage used to make them) and chicken parmesan sliders, marinated in buttermilk, that according to Patel “brings out our southern roots,” are among the most popular dishes served. Other favored menu items include The Fico di Parma flatbread with Fig jam, Buttermilk Bleu Cheese, and Prosciutto di Parma, and the Short Rib Risotto, which is Chianti braised beef short rib with caramelized Cippolini onions and the Risotto, itself is finished using the braising liquid to give it depth and richness.

And then the Sea Scallop Risotto with three perfectly seared Fresh Wild Atlantic Jumbo Scallops with a Saffron and English Spring Pea Risotto finished off with Calabria pepper oil.

The vast wine selection also sets Segreto Cucino Italian apart from other area Italian restaurants.

“We didn’t want to just put together a wine list but wanted to create a wine program,” Patel said, adding that they wanted to take the pretense out of wine to make guests feel comfortable ordering wine.

“We are constantly educating our staff and giving them all the information so they can guide our guests in the right direction,” he said.

“We also have monthly wine dinners with new wines and special menus. Our next one is January 10, 2013.”

The knowledgeable staff can guide guests through the menu for a full dining experience.

Nightly events include Two-For-One Tuesdays featuring 2-for-1 food and drink specials, Wine-down Wednesdays Wine Club featuring half price wines by the glass, Thirty-Something Thursdays $30.00 couples dinners, Flycats Fridays featuring The Flycats Jazz Trio, Sommelier Saturdays, a wine tasting and light food pairing from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. every other Saturday and Tuscan Brunch Sundays featuring $2.00 Mimosas and $3.00 Bloody Marys. Patel said they also plan to add Movie Mondays... dinner and a movie featuring old, Italian movies and classic Hollywood movies played on big screen televisions, additional nights of live music, and they plan on putting together cooking classes as well. Segreto also offers full on and off-site catering.

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Robert, Wanda & Brandi Mason, and Nick Patel Since the Masons already own successful businesses in Suwanee, they said it was an easy decision to make Suwanee the location for their new restaurant venture.

“Suwanee is a great city for small businesses and local support for local business is really high,” Robert Mason said. “We felt that by opening Segreto in Suwanee, we would benefit from the local support and bring Suwanee something it hasn’t seen – a restaurant that is food-focused, chef-driven, and provides the highest level of service without any pretense.”

And they have been pleasantly surprised by the wonderful reception they have received so far from Suwanee residents and guests from around the area.

“Everyone has been so supportive and encouraging,” Patel said. “We are so grateful for the kind words and wonderful reviews we have gotten. Please keep them coming and please...Shhh...Tell Everyone.” ■

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"Community Meemaw", Ms. AJ makes sure every customer feels at home at Chick-fil-A Suwanee.

Chick-fil-A: Goingbeyond the BY: Rachel Fasig

chicken

hen envisioning the back kitchen of a typical fast food restaurant, you might expect a chaotic scene, with: chicken flying, sauces splattered on the counters, employees yelling orders, slippery floors, disorganized shelves…and the defrosting of frozen concoctions. But, Chick-fil-A is not a typical fast food restaurant, nor is it chaotic, and you most certainly will never see anything frozen.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mary Warren, the Marketing Director for Chick-fil-A at Moore Rd in Suwanee and her friendly, hard-working staff during a back kitchen tour that surprised me at every turn.

What is not surprising is that Chick-fil-A whips up some of the nation’s most loved fried chicken biscuits and sandwiches, and has amassed an increasingly large following in the South and beyond. To many, Chick-fil-A embodies comfort food, but it also embodies much more than that.

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As soon as I walked into the Chick-fil-A on Moore Road I was greeted by Ms. AJ and immediately felt at ease and embraced by her kind spirit. Ms. AJ is the hostess who makes sure every customer feels at home. According to Warren, Ms. AJ has been touted as “the community Meemaw” - she is a gentle, warm and welcoming woman who dotes on anyone that steps foot in the restaurant. At any given time of day you’ll find her giving hugs, asking high-school athletes how they played at their game, kneeling down and helping children open their complimentary kids meal toys, refilling drinks, wiping tables, giving extra sauces, extra smiles and extra hugs on the side! And, Moore Road’s Ms. AJ is not an anomaly for a Chick-fil-A restaurant.

Neither is their back kitchen!

The company prides themselves on freshness, and fresh is exactly what I saw. I witnessed a woman washing and chopping lettuce for handmade salads, a man handfileting fresh chicken breasts, dousing them in an egg and

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Drive-thru girls Rebekah Laible, Rachael Hammett & Marissa Beindorf milk bath, and covering them with “top-secret seasoning” and batter. I saw sandwiches made to order, whole tomatoes being sliced, buns toasted to perfection, a few hundred fresh lemons being squeezed and made into lemonade, and fruit cups being individually washed, chopped and prepared.

It was a meticulous system: completely organized, clean and fresh! There was a hand-written sign on a whiteboard in the kitchen that said, “FRESH food is the BEST food!

Let’s have a GREAT day today!!!”

I think Warren noticed my mouth wide open in awe, and she reminded me that, “Yes, absolutely everything is fresh here. The produce is from a local distributor and dropped off every morning. We wash, dry and chop it all ourselves. And, you just missed the breakfast shift, but in - hand-written sign on a the morning this table whiteboard in the Chick-fil-A is absolutely covered kitchen in flour [because] our biscuits are handrolled and baked right here in our kitchen!” That was news to me! No wonder they taste so great!

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Ms AJ, Oion Carroll & Marketing Director, Mary Warren But, then came the best part…

“Do you want to make your own hand-spun milkshake?” Warren asked.

Umm, of course I did! And the seasonal peppermint chocolate chip milkshake at that, please! After all, it is okay to indulge every once in awhile. Chick-fil-A has many healthy food options and, in fact, received the highest nutritional score in the Quick-Service Industry according to the book “Eat this, Not that!” And, with all fresh ingredients, they have nothing to hide. If you ask any cashier for a complete detailed nutritional report on your order, they can print it out on the receipt.

However, a healthy lifestyle is all about moderation, balance…and, yes, occasional milkshakes.

I was led to the drive-thru window area, where the ice cream and milkshake machines are located, along with the sweetest drive-thru employees I’ve ever encountered.

Before I got to work hand-spinning my very own milkshake, I talked to a few of the young girls who are always smiling at the drive-thru window. What they said pretty much summed up my entire visit and the values that Chick-fil-A personifies. They told me that they have “the best customers in the world…we love seeing our regulars and we all take care of each other.”

Chick-fil-A stands true to its values, the values that the company was founded on with Truett Cathy – and that goes beyond good, clean and fresh food; it is about giving people the ability to lead healthy and fulfilling lives; it is about demonstrating heart, community and a culture of love.

As I drove away from the Chick-fil-A on Moore Road, sipping my peppermint milkshake (which I did an awesome job at making by the way), I had a newfound appreciation for Chick-fil-A and the integrity that they continue to show in all aspects of their business. ■

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Businesses That are Giving Back to Suwanee

charity ch arity

BY: Tana Christian Suggs

Dresses

Local service makes dressing for High school social events affordable ith many extracurricular and social activities, being in high school is a fun and memorable time for many students. A homecoming dance and prom can oftentimes be the highlight of these activities. But for many, the cost associated with dressing for some of these events – considering the cost of dresses, shoes, handbags, accessories and given today’s economic environment: can add unwanted stress to what should be a happy and memorable occasion, and in some cases, even making attending the event cost prohibitive.

It was February 2013 and Susan Zanders’ daughter, Kendall, was a high school senior at Collins Hill High School. Kendall and her friends were getting caught up in all the excitement for their upcoming high school prom when it struck Zanders that some girls might have a difficult time affording the expense of a dress, shoes, accessories, and everything else that goes along with getting ready for prom.

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After speaking with school counselors and contacting a friend, Jennifer Macie, they came up with a plan and started Sweet Repeat Dresses, a local service that provides dresses for girls.

They contacted local schools through social media and signs and began to collect dresses. Then the dresses were offered to the local high schools for prom and offered again for homecoming in the fall.

The premise for the Sweet Repeat dresses is this – The girls come to a designated location to try on the dresses, just as they would in a local retail shop, and pay $25, which is fully refundable when they return the dress after the event dry cleaned and in good repair.

Zanders said the reception from the community has been amazing so far.

“For homecoming we gave out almost 40 dresses,” Zanders said, with word of mouth from the girls themselves promoting the service. “Not only are we handing out dresses to girls who don't have the means to pay for a dress, but also to families that are on a budget and don't want to waste money on a dress that will only

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PHOTOS BY: Vicki Mosley Gregory: Through the Looking Glass Photography be worn once. People are more than happy to donate these expensive dresses when they know they are being used again and again and not collecting dust.”

Many of the dresses have been donated by individuals, thrift stores, and other organizations. Local businesses have helped by offering racks and storage space to house the dresses between events.

Sweet Repeat Dresses now has approximately 170 dresses available for prom and homecoming events.

They also offer a limited amount of shoes.

Sweat Repeat Dresses cofounders, Zanders and Macie, who both have full-time jobs as Realtors, said in time, they hope to add a full range of dresses, shoes, and accessories with the rental of a dress.

“There is such a need out there for this,” Zanders said. “No one wants to have to spend the kind of money to go to an event that should be a rite of passage.”

They said they plan to register as a non-profit so that we can give receipts to people to enable tax write offs for donating dresses.

They accept all dresses in all sizes, bridesmaid dresses and cocktail dresses, formal and pageant.

“People ask us what is the catch,” Zanders said.

“There is absolutely no catch. We charge the $25 because we need an incentive for the girls to return the dresses.”

For more information, visit the Sweet Repeat Dresses Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ sweetrepeatdresses. ■

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SUWANEE

BY: Rachel Fasig

ith the New Year comes new resolutions, and often those goals are fitness-oriented.

It is easy to stay motivated in the first month or two, but many find it difficult to stay motivated throughout the remainder of the year. Well, here are five individuals who hope to give you that extra boost of inspiration and motivation to stick with your fitness goals beyond the shortterm. Included in the five, we have a man who was once an insulin-dependent diabetic who is now completely off of insulin, a woman who had heart surgery and is now competing in sprint triathlons; they have: lost a collective total of 260 pounds, run faster, lifted more, swam longer, biked farther and pushed themselves beyond what they ever thought possible. They have made complete lifestyle changes that continue to benefit and inspire their families and those closest to them. And one thing they have in common is saying, “Hey, if I can do this, I know you can too!â€? Read on‌

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RYAN LOST 80S! POUND

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Four years ago, Ryan Garret, a youth pastor, had a few students over at his house. He went downstairs to get the usual Cokes and Mountain Dews for everyone, but when he ran back up, 14 steps, he was completely out of breath. At that exact moment, he said, “This is it. I can’t live like this anymore.” Weighing over 260 pounds at the time, he was the biggest he’d ever been. A close friend of his suggested CrossFit, so Garret searched what CrossFit was all about and was immediately intimidated.

“275 pound deadlifts? Muscle ups? Hang cleans? No way! I have never worked out a day in my life…this stuff is gonna kill me,” he thought.

But, Garret’s friend, a gym owner, encouraged him to start out just doing what he could and slowly progress with time, but warned that he’d also have to change his eating habits and drink a ton of water.

In other words, no more running downstairs for Mountain Dew and Cokes.

Garret said the first step to making change is commitment. “Life change is hard, it takes work, but if you kill the voice in your head that says give up, then you’ve got a great chance of succeeding.” Within the first two months of eating healthy, cutting out white starches and sugar, and drinking half of his body weight in water daily, Garret dropped 20 lbs.

Garret admits that it wasn’t easy though, “when I started CrossFit, I was anywhere between 260-270 pounds, so just about everything was hard. I could only do 8 pushups in one minute, 10 sit-ups in one minute and pull-ups were a joke.” He said, “my body was used to being lazy, it didn’t like the fact that I was working out and in turn, fought me a lot.” But, Garret eased into a workout routine, and as the pounds started dropping off, he started getting stronger as well.

In May of 2013, Garret became the Youth Pastor at Sugar Hill Church and moved to Suwanee with his wife and three young children. Having participated in the sport of CrossFit for a few years by that time, he was itching to find a gym that fit him best in his new community. Then, almost fatefully, he was out to lunch with his wife and spotted a man wearing a CrossFit t-shirt, so Garret asked where he worked out. Turns out that the man in the t-shirt was owner of Suwanee’s No Excuses CrossFit gym, Ben Davis.

Davis invited Garret to try it out and train with him, and he’s never turned back. “The coaches and staff are great, they truly welcomed me into their family…I have never looked for another gym,” Garret said.

Garret has dropped over 80 pounds throughout his fitness journey! He now weighs 179 pounds, can run and play with his kids without getting worn out, keeps up when playing sports with the teenagers in his youth group, and is physically stronger than he ever imagined possible.

Garret is known to push himself hard, “you’ll pass out before you die… but, I’m living proof that if I can do it, anyone can.” What he hopes people can learn from his story is that the end result is worth the work - just do your best, take small steps and commit, commit, commit!

suwanee fitness success stories

As I glanced around Big Peach Running Store in Suwanee, looking for Kat it was not difficult to locate her. I immediately spotted a fit, energetic, happy and social woman. As I watched her initiate conversations with employees, customers and other Big Peach runners, she seemed like the type that knew everyone and that everyone liked.

I later learned that she considers the Big Peach Running Group her “running family” and support system. Kat is one of those rare people that loved running from the moment she tried it. She said that running relaxes and calms her whenever she is feeling stressed. Realizing that it isn’t for everyone though, she said, “Running is an amazing sport, but its hard if you don't love it. You have to find what works for you.”

She first fell in love with the sport at age 25 when she lived in Japan and her weekly workouts included running around Hiroshima castle, “it was so beautiful,” she said, “I got to run my first 5k in Japan!”

But, her health and fitness took a slow and steady decline when she moved back to the States, injured her back, gained weight, was working long hours, got addicted to cigarettes and had a social lifestyle that revolved around food and drinks.

Kat had a bulging disc in her back that hit a nerve, making it extremely painful to even sit down.

But, frustrated with being out of shape and wanting to get back to running, she started the slow and painful process of physical therapy. She said, “I had to take baby steps, I just started walking at first and eventually felt myself getting stronger.” She then decided to join Weight Watchers and was able to lose forty pounds through the program.

It took persistence and dedication, but Kat eventually was able to start running again. At that point, she realized there were other areas of her life that she needed to change in order to completely turnaround and create a healthy lifestyle for herself.

Once she was able to run five miles again, she decided to quit smoking. She noticed her strength and endurance was building on a weekly basis and she didn’t want to hinder that by smoking. Smoking cigarettes would have a literal effect on her run the next day. “One night I was out with friends, had 1 cigarette and literally couldn’t even run 1 mile the next day…at that point I quit for good,” she said.

“I rid myself of toxic friends and negative people. Staying positive will keep you going, and support from others makes it fun.”

Kat added, “I want to tell people to surround themselves with positive and supportive people. I rid myself of toxic friends and negative people. Staying positive will keep you going, and support from others makes it fun. I have my running family and they make me feel like anything is possible.”

Kat is an inspiration to the other Big Peach runners in that she makes it a priority to run as often as possible. She works in Habersham, lives in Brookhaven and stops in Suwanee to run 3-4 times a week, on her drive home. Even with long hours and an extremely long commute, she makes running a priority in her life. “You always have time!” she declared.

She learned that running cannot be the only thing you change though, “diet is very important as well,” she added. She also is always sure to “do the work before {having} fun.” She still loves to go out with friends and her fiancé, eat good food and maybe have a couple drinks, but does not let it interfere with her training schedule.

Her next goals: to run a sub two-hour half marathon in 2013 and run a full marathon within the next two years! We will be cheering for you, Kat!

KAT LOST 40 POUNDS!

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I was planning to meet Big Peach runner, Michael Timms, before one of the weekly Thursday night Big Peach group runs at Suwanee Town Center Park. The runs begin at 6:30pm, so I figured I’d meet with Michael around 5:45pm. “Don’t worry, I’ll be there right around 5:00pm – I’m always early, I come straight from work,” he said. I knew at that moment that I was dealing with a man who demonstrated drive, consistency and dedication.

As I walked into Big Peach Running, I immediately spotted him – he looked like a runner: fit and strong. But, as we started talking, I realized that it wasn’t until very recently that Timms started seeing himself in the same light: as an athlete, a runner, as a fit and strong individual.

“At age 38 I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and, unfortunately didn’t take the disease seriously....by my 44th birthday I weighed 280 pounds and was on several medications including high blood pressure medication and 90 units of insulin a day,” he confessed, “I knew I had to do something if I wanted to live a long life and one day walk my daughters down the aisle and spoil my future grandchildren.”

Completely amazed that the man sitting in front of me was once in such poor health, I was curious how he’d come so far.

Two years ago, in January 2012, Timms made a New Year’s resolution to walk at least three times a week. He said, “when I started I just walked for 15 minutes, three times a week…and slowly at that. But, I developed a habit and started setting small obtainable goals, turning my walks into jogs.” He said that it’s important to reward yourself immensely when you reach your goals, with something like a nice new pair of running shoes. But, how does someone go from a completely sedentary lifestyle to running half marathons? “Slowly, but surely,” he said.

“Don’t ever judge a run by the first mile. A runner’s high is real and you’ll get there! Just remember, a bad run is better than sitting on the couch doing nothing!”

But, another big motivator for him was to get involved in fitness groups. “I waited way too long to start running groups, it makes running so much more motivating and the group holds you accountable. You can’t let the fact that you may not run as fast as most of these people keep you from getting involved, “ Timms said.

The fact that his family also jumped on board helped make his new healthy lifestyle a habit. “It’s a huge motivator when your family gets involved…our routine over the summer was to get up and run together on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays… we sign up for family 5k runs and running has become part of our lifestyle.”

“It’s a huge motivator when your family gets involved… we sign up for family 5k runs and running has become part of our lifestyle.”

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MICHAEL LOST 7 POUNDS0!

You are probably wondering where he’s at now! He has come a very long way over the past two years. He has lost 70 pounds, run three 5k’s, one 10k and a half marathon – all while shaving his time off each race. But, it wasn’t until after his first half marathon, November 9, 2013, when he finally started considering himself an athlete! He realizes that he should have recognized it in himself much earlier.

And the diabetes? Well, “it isn’t a curse, it’s just a challenge. There isn’t actually a cure, but you can reverse the effects of it” he said. He is entirely off insulin now!

His goal is to be completely off oral medication as well, and he’s almost there.

Timms hopes that he can continue to be more involved in running groups as well as raise awareness in the diabetic community that there are ways to reverse the effects of it. If you are a beginning runner, Timms encourages you to check out the Big Peach Running store group runs every Tuesday and Thursday night at Suwanee Town Center Park at 6:30pm. He says if he can do it, then anyone can.

Just one year ago, in January 2013, Beth Rowe, read the Suwanee Magazine health issue cover to cover, twice! Having felt defeated for quite some time, Rowe said she felt empowered by seeing individuals such as herself who started to make healthy choices, get fit and stop making excuses.

And, what a testimony, that now Beth Rowe is one of the individuals gracing our cover for the 2014 health issue! She has certainly come a long way in the past year, losing over 8 inches, 20 pounds of body fat and gaining muscle.

Last Christmas, Rowe’s husband bought her a group-class trial package at Go Performance in Suwanee. “When I opened my gift, I cried, not because I was offended…the opposite. I cried because I was happy, I had the opportunity and the push to do something about my weight, which is something I’d been talking about for a long time.”

Rowe will tell you herself that she still has a ways to go and that the pounds don’t drop off easily; it takes dedication and hard work. But, she loves seeing her body transform, she loves being able to lift weights she never thought she’d be able to even budge and loves pushing her body to do things she never imagined doing. At Go Performance, there is never a finish line. “Just when I think I’ve mastered one thing, they switch it up on me!” she said.

Rowe’s goals are ever-evolving and her trainers are constantly pushing and challenging her. During the first nine months of her fitness journey, Rowe focused solely on working out, but didn’t change much in her diet or lifestyle beyond the gym. So, with the encouragement of her trainer, she signed up for the GoLean Program. By changing her diet and incorporating this new program into her lifestyle, over half of Rowe’s weight loss occurred in the past two months.

Rowe’s trainer, Ronnie Collins said, “What I feel is important for people to understand through Beth’s story, is that a healthy lifestyle via Fitness & Nutrition is a never-ending journey of learning and application, trial and error, strength and weakness, giving in and not giving in; it's enough to drive you crazy initially, but once you start learning your body, understanding the how and why it responds to your actions... the whole process gets easier.”

Rowe’s story has already inspired those close to her. “I lead by example and my six, ten and eleven year old daughters follow suit…they crave healthy snacks now, it’s great,” she said.

And her husband…well lets just say he is very pleased with the lasting effect of last year’s Christmas present. “Her husband pulled me aside in the locker room the other day and told me how proud he is of how far she’s come,” Collins confided.

BETH After Rowe’s 13 trial sessions, she became a self-proclaimed O L ST OVEESR! “Go Performance addict” and now goes several times a week to the 8 INCH group classes. “It’s very motivating to be in the group setting and I’d recommend it to anyone who is nervous about starting out and needs that added push.”

“Your skill level does not matter because the trainers are great at adapting to what your body is capable of doing”, she added.

Even when Rowe gets to where she wants to be physically, she will continue to push herself and create new goals. She said it is a lifestyle change and there’s no turning back for her now.

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LISA SHAY “Lisa Shay is the perfect example of when the mother of the house makes positive choices, it filters through the entire family.”

This was the introduction I received from Shay’s fitness instructor, Ruth Ungerer, when I met them on a cold, wet morning at Mulberry Park in Dacula for “Boot Camp class”.

Shay has been working out with Ungerer for four years now. She meets Ungerer at various locations around Gwinnett three times a week and has missed “fewer days than you can count on one hand.” Ungerer added that Shay is “the dream client…extremely reliable and makes fitness a priority and commitment in her life.” With four kids, three of whom are in college, balancing finances can be quite a task, but Shay always ensures that her fitness classes remain a priority.

In fact, her commitment to fitness, health and nutrition has penetrated every single area of her life. Once, both overweight, Shay and her husband would revolve family vacations around: eating, drinking and laying around. But, now, they go on trips with friends and family, where exploring, hiking and outdoor activities are key.

Shay says its important to, “surround yourself with likeminded people that’ll encourage you…friends that would rather go to the park and walk with you than sit around.”

Five years ago, Shay had heart surgery and gained a lot of weight. Feeling frustrated with being out of shape, a friend suggested that she check out Ungerer’s fitness classes, which offer a range of activities, from: kickboxing to biking, running, cross-training, boot camp and highintensity plyometrics at various outdoor locations.

When Shay started attending, her main goal was “to be able to keep up and play with her kids” but little did she know that she would surpass that goal and her life would change far beyond that. When Shay started training she couldn’t even keep her face in the water while swimming.

Now, she swims across Lake Lanier and does sprint triathlons with her husband.

Over the past four years, Shay has lost forty five pounds, which she is extremely happy about, but says the friends she’s made, the lifestyle change and the impact its had on her family is invaluable. In fact, once Shay started working out, her entire family followed suit. “My husband has surpassed me now, fitness-wise…I’m very proud of him.” And her three college-aged daughters have all learned from their mother. Kelly, age 20, teaches zumba; Maggie, age 22, is a personal trainer and was inspired by Ungerer; and Erin, age 19 is an avid swimmer. Her young son, is slowly coming around as well, and this year the entire family participated in their third annual “Shay Family Turkey Trot 5k” on Thanksgiving Day.

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LISA LOST 45 POUNDS!

“It takes time”, Shay reminds me; it can take time for your family to jump on board with your new lifestyle, but once they see the positive effect its having on your life, they’ll want to be a part of it.

“I kept telling myself…it took years to put this weight on, it’s going to take a long time to take it off too.”

Be patient, persistent and diligent. Those are central to any fitness and lifestyle journey.

Shay has clearly inspired those in her classes as well.

One friend stated, “if I ever feel like I don’t want to come, then I think of Lisa and how she never misses class, even if she has a good reason to, and it motivates me. She doesn’t make excuses.”

Shay doesn’t make excuses because working out is no longer a chore for her. “It’s a habit now, it’s my life now and I wouldn’t ever go back to the way I was.” she stated.

“But, of course you still have to indulge occasionally,” she added, “just be smart about it.”

Now, it is clear that Shay will continue to touch and inspire others with her story, and continue to be an ambassador for long-term health and fitness.

For more information on Ruth Ungerer's fitness program, email her at ruth@fitmomandfriends.com.

Beer and Wine News from the Experts

drink

What’ss Brewing in the Craft Beer Universe

BY: Curtis Stockwell OF THE BEER GROWLER

ello beer lovers, I hope the holidays went well for all of you and you were able to get out of your zone and try some new beers! In this issue I will be discussing Belgian beer! Hopefully, in your conquests of new beer you have heard what Belgium has to offer, or better yet had a chance to try some! Belgian brews are known for their deep and complex flavors, and in many cases, their understated high alcohol content. Arguably some of the best beer in the world comes out of this small country, but there are some American breweries that do a great job working within the parameters of their style. I will walk you through each of their basic categories so you will be able to choose one to your liking next time it counts!

First, let’s take a look at the lightest styles: Witbier and Blonde.

Witbiers are typically a light yellow to golden in color, with a noticeably cloudy haze throughout the beer, and are lighter in alcohol.

Traditionally, this style did not include hops in the brewing process, rather a mixture of herbs and spices to bring out the flavor. These days hops are used, but usually the bitter hop flavor is nowhere to be found. When enjoying a beer of this style you can expect to find flavors of orange peel, citrus, clove, and coriander. Allagash White is an excellent American example, and one of my favorite Belgian Wits is Blanche de Bruxelles, both of which can be found in Georgia. Blondes are a little more basic than their witbeir counterparts. These are pale yellow in color and are

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slightly sweet and do not have the typical Belgian spice. These beers are extremely approachable and are a good choice for someone just getting into the beer world. Give Leffe Blonde a try next time you are in the mood.

Saisons, or Farmhouse Ales, are next on the list and range from gold to dark amber in color and have a light to medium body. These beers are fruity, have hints of malty sweetness, a touch of earthy spice and a little bit of a sour character.

These beers start to climb up in the alcohol content ranging anywhere from 4.5-8.5 percent. Saison Dupont is often referred to as the benchmark for this style and I have to agree. If you have the chance to enjoy one, do not pass it up! Goose Island in Chicago brings us Sofie, which is also an excellent example of the style.

drink Now we are at the Dubbel, one of the more recognizable styles of Belgian beer. Dark Amber to even red in color, these beers bring notes of dark fruits, cocoa powder, heavy sweet bread and usually a touch of spice. The aroma is quite nice and should be sweet, fruity, a bit nutty, and roasted. Usually we find these beers to be somewhere in the range of 6-7.5 percent.

These beers are not bitter, but usually do have a touch of spice to offset the sweetness. If you are into this style and want to drink local, give Cherry Street’s Dylan’s Dubbel a try! As for a true Belgian offering, how about giving a Chimay Red or St. Bernardus Prior 8 a try!

On to Tripels! Here we have a style that is lighter in color but is huge in flavor and alcohol content. This style is highlighted by spicy and complex flavors, and an ABV ranging from 7-10 percent. On the nose you can expect to find citrus, banana, earthy spice and sometimes a little alcohol. These are medium bodied and bring notes of spice, honey and fruit on the tongue. Tripels are typically a little bitterer than other Belgian beers, but they have a nice malt balance to bring complexity to the table. On this side of the pond I would try Unibroue’s La Fin du Monde, and for a real Belgian - the Westmalle Tripel.

Quadrupels, or Quads are the last beers to discuss, and they are the biggest and boldest.

I will start off by saying that this is my favorite style of Belgian beer. We are talking about a beer that is dark amber in color and brings a ton of flavor to the table. Some of the overarching flavors we can find in this style are dark fruits, figs, raisins, candied sugar, and usually some earthy spice. These are typically pretty boozy, ranging from 10-12 percent. Much as with a fine wine, these beers open up when they are allowed to breathe for a few minutes and their sweet fruity aromas emerge. From Belgium, I absolutely love St. Bernardus ABT 12 and La Trappe Quad. To be honest I haven’t found any Belgian

Quad that I haven’t liked! From the States you could be very happy with Thee Philosophers from Ommegang or Avery’s The Reverend.

Do yourself a favor and see what all the fuss is about with some Belgian beers! Be careful though, Belgian beers are deceivingly high in alcohol, so keep that in mind when you are enjoying them!

What's Brewing in the Craft Beer Universe appears exclusively in every issue of Suwanee Magazine. Contact Curtis with all your beer-related questions at: curtis@thebeergrowler.net.

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drink

BY: Sean Wilborn OF CHATEAU ÉLAN y now it’s well known that our state is one of notable wine production. With nearly 60 wineries in the state, it’s easier to get to a tasting room than ever before.

From Suwanee it’s a short drive up 85 to the closest and largest winery in the state, Chateau Élan, or bear left up 985 and have the mountainous wine growing regions of Helen and Dahlonega in which to delight.

Legacy entrepreneurs have stepped out of the box and into wine production and thanks be to them, for it’s as much Georgia pride as it is our love for wine that keeps us wearing out troughs in the wine highway to satiate our palate for local artisan wine crafts. But as romantic as the notion may be, Georgia wine growing has its challenges. Just as the early Europeans discovered, producers in our state face a cadre of obstacles before getting the first ounce of wine into the barrel.

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I Suwanee Magazine suwaneemagazine.com I JAN / FEB 14

2013

As our recent 2013 growing season displayed, we get a lot of rain and with rain comes a host of molds and mildews that if left unchecked, will annihilate a vineyard. With the warmer winters we’ve been experiencing, a new and more serious challenge known as Pierce’s Disease, a disease caused by the bacterium Xylellafastidiosa. And if that doesn't sound scary enough, grape growers are now faced with a new arrival, the spotted winged fruit fly.

As Doug Paul of Three Sisters Winery in Dahlonega recently reported, “Vintage 2013 was a roller coaster ride. It rained everyday in July and just about everyday in August. That lack of sunshine pushed Three Sisters into the latest harvest ever.

We picked our last grapes on Oct 16th. Normally we’ve harvested by October 1st.”

Georgia will always be, well Georgia. Warm, muggy, and downright charming, but the wine movement is here to stay as growers find new ways to work with nature to produce a quality wine.

drink

Chateau Élan Winery & Resort As Doug Paul states, “Extra sprays will be on the agenda from now on. The good news is Three Sisters Vineyards’ 2013 yields were on par and Three Sisters Winery because of the cooler temps in summer and fall, the flavor development of the fruit was outstanding. We made a super Cuvee for our natural sparkling wine which debuts in February.”

Simone Bergese, Chief Wine Maker at Chateau Élan took a different approach this year by replanting the entire 30-acre vineyard with resilient varieties that can be grown organically with little drama caused by Georgia’s crazy weather. “We are working with native varieties and making them in a classic European style. In doing so, we are producing award winning wines from grapes that are often overlooked as a serious contender for premium wine production.”

Simone’s meticulous process has resulted in some lean, crisp and surprisingly dry wines from the muscadine variety that will make you forget you’re drinking muscadine wine. “Though I’m also committed to the classic European varieties such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, we are also doing exciting things with muscadine and proving that you can make a premium dry style with this variety, and we have even more exciting plans with it in 2014 and 2015.”

We’re moving into a new phase of Georgia wine as growers become firmly positioned for the long haul, they are also discovering how to refine their practices and to adjust to the kind of growing seasons like 2013. Look for even more exciting wines from your favorite producers and keep your eye out for new entries into the market as new entrepreneurs choose the tough profession of winemaking. And as always get out and support your local winery. Cheers!

Sean is the Tasting Room Manager at Chateau Elan Winery and conducts several wine tasting, educational and team building events at the resort.

Winner of Multiple Awards Including “Best of Class” and “Double Gold” in 2013

Introducing Muscadry, a new award-winning creation from Château Élan. An off-dry and crisp sensation like no other. Request Muscadry at your local grocery or bottle store!

www.chateauelan.com 678-425-0900 Château Élan Winery | 100 Tour De France Braselton, Georgia 30517 Located I-85 North, Exit 126 30 Minutes North of Downtown Atlanta

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Suwanee PD recognized for 'Professional Excellence In Policy and Practice’ The City of Suwanee Police Department has earned national re-accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), receiving recognition, according to CALEA, for "demonstrating a commitment to professional excellence in policy and practice."

Suwanee Police Chief Mike Jones, who accepted the accreditation award at the CALEA national conference in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, last week, notes that this is Suwanee's first re-accreditation, which can be harder to achieve than the original accreditation, which Suwanee earned in 2010.

The CALEA assessment team that visited Suwanee in August wrote in its final report that the Suwanee Police Department "provides a superior level of law enforcement services to the citizens of Suwanee and Gwinnett County.

The agency's accreditation program is one example of the agency's level of professional excellence."

CALEA accreditation is awarded for a three-year period.

NGAA brings classic car show to Town Center Park

Wendy Hood

Car enthusiasts gathered Nov. 10 for the inaugural Suwanee Classic Car Show held by the North Gwinnett Arts Association.

The event featured classic and exotic cars, music, food, and beverages. Trophies were awarded for Best in show.

Recipe book author at The Fresh Market

Fitness trainer and recipe book author Wendy Hood was on hand at The Fresh Market in Suwanee Nov. 9 and 10 to greet customers and sign her cookbook, “Yummy Food that’s Good for You!” The cookbook features recipes without any ingredients with artificial coloring or artificial flavoring – just the real stuff – fresh food as it was meant to be eaten.

Hood is a fitness trainer who combines fitness and good nutritional habits and also works as an assistant manager at The Fresh Market. For more information about Hood and her cookbook, visit myhealthkick.biz.

For more information about The Fresh Market in Suwanee, visit thefreshmarket.com.

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Christmas in the Park

Shadowbrook Baptist Church held the 6th Annual Christmas in the Park on Dec. 13 at Town Center Park where area residents experienced the true meaning of Christmas while strolling through the park, listening to live Christmas music, taking in a Christmas village setting, and experiencing a children’s nativity. Canned food donations were collected along with donations of shoes and coats to help “Warm Up Winter.”

I JAN / FEB 14

city buzz

Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity receives the Malachi 3:10 award On November 18th Gwinnett County Habitat for Humanity received the Malachi 3:10 Award from Habitat for Humanity International. This award recognizes a $500,000 lifetime tithe milestone. Founded in 1988, Habitat Gwinnett is the 84th U.S. affiliate to reach this milestone (there are 1488 active affiliates) and the 4th in Georgia.

Only six percent of all affiliates have received this award. U.S. Affiliates have collectively tithed more than $200,000,000 to support Habitat’s international work. Habitat Gwinnett County has, through its tithe, served in Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Honduras, Madagascar and other countries.

This coveted award is named after a verse in the Bible, Malachi 3:10: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that it may be food in my house. Test me in this and see if I do not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

For more information about Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity, visit HabitatGwinnett.org.

Local student participate in Letter Writing Campaign for service members Several Gwinnett County Schools including six schools in the Lanier Cluster participated in a recent letter writing campaign. The Buice School, Sugar Hill Elementary School, Sycamore Elementary School, White Oak Elementary School, Lanier Middle School and Lanier High School were all invited to participate in “The Big Thank You,” sponsored by a local radio station.

D. Allen Smith, President of the Lanier Education Foundation, submitted 2,100 handwritten letters of gratitude to service members stationed outside of the United States on Thanksgiving Day. The Lanier Education Foundation is the primary community organization contributing financial support to the six schools in the Lanier Cluster.

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city buzz

Mint Juleps Shop opens Mint Juleps Shop in Sugar Hill, celebrated their Grand Opening, Nov 8-10th with various drawings, giveaways, gourmet food samples, specialty coffee tastings, a fashion seminar and a book signing by Gena Knox – author of cookbook, Southern My Way. Sugar Hill's Mayor, Steve Edwards joined Mint Juleps owners Michelle Sullivan and Ashley Glover, along with their family, friends and employees as they cut the appropriately-pink ribbon. Mint Juleps is a boutique shop specializing in gifts, jewelry, fashion, gourmet food items and unique household goods. They are located at 5965 Cumming Highway, Suite 760, Sugar Hill, GA 30518.

Georgia State Senator, Renee Unterman visits North Gwinnett Co-op Senator Unterman visited North Gwinnett Co-op on November 8th and was given a tour by Executive Director, Maureen Kornowa, in order to assess and understand the growing issue of poverty in North Gwinnett County. North Gwinnett Co-op served over 16,000 individuals in 2013 and that number continues to grow. North Gwinnett Co-op is a nonprofit organization servicing the Suwanee, Sugar Hill and Buford areas. Services provided include: groceries, bread, baked goods, toiletries and other household products, financial assistance, utilities, prescription medication, emergency assistance under extreme circumstances, and a community thrift store.

To qualify for assistance you must live in Suwanee, Sugar Hill or Buford, GA; have a Georgia state photo ID, provide proof of residency and a social security card. The North Gwinnett Co-op operates solely from volunteers and donations. For more information on services, or to support the organization, please visit, northgwinnettcoop.org. North Gwinnett Co-op is located at 4395 Commerce Drive, Buford, GA 30518.

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Happenings In The Suwanee School World

schools

COOPER’S FIGHT

Suwanee teen and family remain positive in battle against rare form of cancer Cooper O’Brien

BY: Rachel Fasig he O’Briens represent Suwanee’s typical family: the type of family that gives back to the community and is a joy to be around. They have a beautiful home, a great marriage, awesome friends, a talkative cat named Allie and two boys: Parker, age 11 and Cooper age 13, who love sports, hanging out with friends, going to youth group and playing outside.

But, there is one major factor that sets them apart. Cooper O’Brien, an 8th grader at North Gwinnett Middle School, has Stage 3 Clear Cell Sarcoma – a cancer that started in a lymph node under his arm and recently spread to his lungs.

When Cooper was 11 years old, he noticed a small bump under his arm and his mom asked their doctor to take a look during a routine checkup. “Oh, it’s nothing to worry about, the lymph node is just a little bit larger than normal,” the doctor said. Two years later, the bump under his arm started irritating Cooper more, causing him pain around his armpit and down the side of his back. At that point, his pediatrician suggested getting it removed.

The O’Briens were assured that there was nothing to worry about, that it was just a reactive lymph node, and he’d be better in just a day or two after a quick outpatient surgery.

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Little did the O’Briens know that their entire world was about to turn upside-down.

When Cooper went under for his outpatient surgery, the surgeon noticed that the mass under his arm was large, deep and very concerning. He removed a small piece and told the O’Briens to wait three weeks for test results.

Three agonizing weeks later, in May 2013, they found out that Cooper was fighting Stage 3 Clear Cell Sarcoma.

Kevin and Donna didn’t know anything about this type of cancer, nor did they know how to even begin dealing with it. They proceeded to ask a million questions and discovered that only 1% of Sarcoma diagnoses are Clear Cell and that it’s generally unresponsive to chemotherapy and other traditional cancer treatments. A state of numbness, depression, shock, anger and a rollercoaster of emotions hit the family.

Suddenly, they had to figure out how to fight this disease to try and save Cooper’s life, all while continuing to make a living, remain positive and retain a sense of normalcy for the sake of their boys.

But, their friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, peers, classmates, church, school and the community of Suwanee was not, and will not, let them fight this battle alone!

In the past seven months, Cooper has been blessed with an outpouring of support. He was named Honorary Captain of the North Gwinnett High School football team during the Corky Kell Classic and again at the Class AAAAAA State Championships at the Georgia Dome.

schools

“You can’t have a miracle unless you believe in a miracle. We’re all going to be a part of something special.”

- Kevin O’Brien

PHOTOS BY ANGIE BARRETT PHOTOGRAPHY

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schools Happenings In The Suwanee School World

Knowing that basketball is Cooper’s passion and that many of his friends are on the team, North Gwinnett Middle School named him Assistant Manager of the 8th grade boy’s team. He had the opportunity to eat breakfast with the Atlanta Hawks, tour the Falcons stadium, meet Matt Ryan, fly a stunt plane on WSBTV 2, throw the starting pitch at a Gwinnett Braves game; and in November the entire O’Brien family was sent on a weeklong vacation to Oahu, Hawaii where Cooper got to fulfill his lifelong dream of swimming with dolphins – courtesy of Make-a-Wish Foundation. There have also been numerous fundraisers, including the “largest charity golf tournament ever hosted at the River Club in Suwanee,” said Donna.

“It truly is amazing how everyone has embraced Cooper…we had no idea the community would support us like this. We are incredibly thankful!” said Cooper’s father, Kevin.

The journey is just beginning for the O’Brien family as they search for further treatment options for Cooper.

And although Cooper’s type of cancer is rare and very aggressive, they remain hopeful. “You can’t have a miracle unless you believe in a miracle. We’re all going to be a part of something special,” said Kevin. The O’Brien’s said they try to make the best of each day they are fortunate to have.

Cooper with NGHS cheerleaders at the 2013 Corky Kell Classic

▲

Cooper's friends from The Gwinnett Basketball League show support with homemade O'Brien t-shirts

“It truly is amazing how everyone has embraced Cooper... we had no idea the community would support us like this.

We are incredibly thankful!”

- Kevin O’Brien

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▲ Cooper, Donna and Kevin O'Brien pose with the NGHS football team, coaches and cheerleaders

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▲ Cooper flies a stunt plane at the Salute America 2013 Air Show

Cooper’s family is passionate about bringing awareness to his condition and hope that they can help other families who are also struggling.

“The rare diseases and cancers get the least attention and the least amount of funding,” said Donna. Because of that, Cooper’s specific type of cancer has very few studies or clinical trials available, especially for children. But, there are initiatives in place to help bring more awareness and funding. The last day of February each year is Rare Disease Day – an international advocacy day to help raise awareness and generate action to help those struggling and their families.

So, how can you help the O’Briens? “First, with lots of prayers,” said Donna. But, they also hope that their story reaches others, “we’re trying to blaze the trail, hopefully we can help others that don’t have the knowhow, community and support that we’re blessed to have,” Kevin added.

Cooper continues to go to school and “wants to be just like every other kid,” his mom said. He is a strong, young man and his positive spirit has inspired the community of Suwanee. As the O’Briens like to say: through Cooper, we’re all witnessing a miracle in the making!

Visit rarediseaseday.us for more information about Rare Disease Day. Visit MORE PICS IN PEOPLE curecooper.com for more information & PLACES about Cooper O’Brien or to make a PAGE 54 donation to the family. ■

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schools

North Gwinnett High School Football team goes to State Championship

North Gwinnett Football had an outstanding season and the team made its way to the state championship game Dec. 14 in the Georgia Dome against the Norcross Blue Devils.

As the team headed to Atlanta for the big game, a crowd of fans lined some of the streets of Suwanee to give the team a “Bulldog send-off.” The sendoff was planned by Riverside Elementary to show their support for the team, since many of the current NGHS football players are also former students and team members of the Riverside Rockets.

Even the Mayors, Jimmy Burnette, Mayor of Suwanee, and Bucky Johnson, Mayor of Norcross, joined in the competition with a friendly wager. The loser had to sport the opposing city’s license plate on their vehicle through the end of the school year.

In the end, Norcross came out on top with the final score 31-14, giving the Blue Devils their second straight state title.

So don’t be confused if you happen to see Burnette driving around Suwanee with a City of Norcross license plate on his vehicle. At Suwanee Magazine, we’re sure his heart still belongs to Suwanee and his alma mater, North Gwinnett High School. ■

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I JAN / FEB 14

Photos courtesy TheWinningShots.com

MORE PICS IN PEOPLE & PLACES PAGE 60

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The Latest From The Suwanee Art World

BY: Tana Christian Suggs

The North Gwinnett Arts Association

Annual Members’ Show

CROSSING V

by Artist Christopher Newman The North Gwinnett Arts Association held its Annual Members’ Show at the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center located at 2020 Clean Water Drive in Buford.

The juried event began on Nov. 24 with a reception and awards.

Winners include: ■ Christine Leinbach ■ Dimitri Walker

MORE PICS FROM THE GAME IN PEOPLE & PLACES PAGE 58

■ Ingrid Bolton ■ Vickie Johnson ■ Victor Kennedy

The Members’ show will run through Jan. 23.

The North Gwinnett Arts Association was formed in 2010 with the purpose of joining artists and art lovers together with a shared interest in their love of art through knowledge, skills, and friendship. The organization, based in Suwanee, is a nonprofit that maintains an open membership policy to artists of all types.

The group holds regularly monthly meetings that include speakers, demonstrations, and networking opportunities.

Unless otherwise noted, the NGAA Open Studio is open to the public and members every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Open Studio is located in Town Center, Unit B-6, Charleston Market Place and next to Suwanee's City Hall.

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I JAN / FEB 14

Crossing V, by artist Christopher Newman of Chicago, is composed of four triangular planes emanating from a single point. Their shapes and angles invite the viewer to move around the piece to enjoy how they relate to one another. The resulting image calls to mind a leaf or flower that is balanced dynamically and magically upon one edge, and the yellow color gives the piece presence against both buildings and vegetation.

Newman received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. His work has also been shown in outdoor exhibits in Chicago and Key West.

The piece is 8’x5’x5’, fabricated of aluminum, and weighs approximately 250 pounds. Purchase price is $20,000.

For more information about the artist, visit chrisnemansculpture.com. For more information about Suwanee SculpTour, visit suwanee.com.

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people&places

people & places

Cooper O'Brien Fundraiser November 7th, 2013 THE RIVER CLUB

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PHOTOS

JULIE PERDUE

Operation Christmas Child November 25th, 2013

PHOTOS

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GAIL DIEDRICH

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people & places

Senator Renee Unterman Visits North Georgia Co-op November 8th, 2013

NORTH GEORGIA CO-OP

PHOTOS

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RACHEL FASIG

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Old Peachtree 5K November 8th, 2013

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people & places

North Gwinnett Arts Association Awards Reception 2013 November 24, 2013

GWINNETT ENVIRONMENTAL & HERITAGE CENTER

PHOTOS

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KARL LAMB

Pooch N Paws Grand Opening

Suwanee Academy of the Arts Gingerbread Festival

POOCH N PAWS

SUWANEE ACADEMY OF THE ARTS

November 9th, 2013 PHOTOS JULIE PERDUE

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December 7th, 2013

PHOTOS

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KARL LAMB

people & places

Caboose Lighting

December 13th, 2013 OLD TOWN SUWANEE

PHOTOS

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KARL LAMB

North Gwinnett High School Football Send-Off December 14th, 2013

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KARL LAMB

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December 13th, 2013 TOWN CENTER PARK

PHOTOS

TOWN CENTER PARK

PHOTOS

Christmas in the Park

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people & places

SBA November Meeting November 13th, 2013

SUWANEE MAGAZINE HQ

PHOTOS

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ANGELA VEUGELER

SBA December Meeting December 11th, 2013 CITY HALL

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JULIE PERDUE

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Upcoming Suwanee Area Events

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January 2014 2

1

7

Ballroom Dance Classes Begin

New Year’s Day

Gwinnett County Public Schools Begin 2nd Semester Tuesday, January 7th

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Academy 10 Suwanee of the Arts,

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I JAN / FEB 14

Friday, January 10th 7:00 – 8:30pm, every Friday, for 8 weeks.

Call 678-482-6333 to register

11

North Gwinnett High School Soccer Sprint 5K Saturday, January 11th @ 8am Town Center Park

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Home by Dark Concert Songwriters Show

Saturday, January 18th @ 8pm Gwinnett Performing Arts Center

20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February 2014 2 Groundhog Day

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Suwanee Sweetheart Sprint

Saturday, Febraury 8th @ 9am Town Center Park For more information or to register, visit sweetheartsprint.com

14 Valentine's Day 15

5th Annual Polar Plunge at Lake Lanier to support Special Olympics Georgia

For more information or to register, visit specialolympicsga.org/2014polarplunge

Day 17 Presidents' Gwinnett County Public Schools Student Holiday

26 Gwinnett County Public Schools thru Early Release: Elementary and 27 Middle School 65

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