Suwanee Magazine Nov-Dec 2016

HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR THE CRAFT BEER LOVER

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 16

2016 H

Cakes from The Baking Grounds are some of the most elaborate and beautifully designed cakes in the industry

OLIDAY SHOPPING

GUIDE

HEALTHY EATING AT GO-GRILL A 60-YEAR BAKING TRADITION:

THE BAKING GROUNDS

THE

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contents

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER

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Holiday Gift Guide

Unique gifts from local businesses for everyone on your list

grow 9 13 14

Mega Package Investment Strategies with Aileron Marketing Tips: How to Boost Holiday Sales

savor 51 58 60

Go-Grill Holiday Gift Wines Gifts for Craft Beer Lovers

create

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Atlanta Classic Cars: Driving the Arts

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A Christmas Carol: The Musical

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Tarzan: The Stage Musical

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North Gwinnett Arts Association Center For the Arts News

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Holiday Traditions

Suwanee area residents share memorable holiday traditions and recipes

2016

in every issue:

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Letter Ask Henry Famlly Matters Restaurant Guide City Buzz People & Places Event Calendar

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Bike Share Program

City of Suwanee unveils Gwinnett County's first bike share program Linnea Miller tries out one of the City of Suwanee's new bike share bikes

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The Baking Grounds

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letter

a note from our managing editor

One family tradition that I really enjoyed learning about for this issue was the 60-year baking legacy with The Baking Grounds Bakery Café in Buford. They made the beautiful cake that you see on the cover of this issue and shared their story with us on page 26. It all started when Owner, Lorne McCaslin’s father began a part-time job with a German baker at the age of 12, and professional baking has been in their family ever since!

Rachel Pillow

Managing Editor rachel@suwaneemagazine.com

We are also very excited to announce a gift that any craft beer or wine drinker will love…The Festival 3 Pack! The 3 Pack gives you access to three amazing festivals in 2017: Suwanee Beer Fest, Gwinnett Beer Fest and Suwanee Wine Fest – as well as perks throughout the year such as free local brewery tours and discounts on merchandise from our festival partners. At only $99, this is an awesome deal – it’s like getting tickets for one of the festivals completely FREE! Learn more about the Gwinnett Craft Beer & Wine Festival 3 Pack on page 40.

As 2016 comes to a close we wanted to take a moment to thank all of our loyal readers and advertisers. Suwanee Magazine is celebrating its 6 year anniversary with this issue and we wouldn’t be where we are today without all of you. We look forward to many more years and are always continuing to try and improve. We’d love to hear your feedback! Please go to suwaneemagazine.com to fill out a Reader Survey.

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR THE CRAFT BEER LOVER S U W A N E E M AG A Z I N E

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 16

2016 HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE • RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT: GO-GRILL • THE BAKING GROUNDS

can’t believe it’s already time for our Holiday issue! This year has flown by. And I can’t believe my little one is already two months old!

It’s true what people warned me about: time really does go by faster when you have a baby. I’m especially excited about this holiday season because it will be our first as a family of three! My husband and I both have fun traditions with our families that we’re excited to continue, while creating our own new traditions and memories with our daughter too. This year we asked some of our advertisers and friends to share their special holiday traditions and recipes and we love the responses we got. Flip to page 19 to check out how other families in our community celebrate this wonderful time of year.

The holidays are also my favorite time of year to go SHOPPING! Call me crazy, but I kind of like the hustle & bustle during this season. It’s also the best time of year to find amazing deals. Check out our exclusive “Holiday Gift Guide” on page 36 featuring great gift ideas from local businesses. Whether you’re shopping for your family, friends, kids or pooch – there is something for everyone! Be sure to check out the ads throughout the magazine for discounts & coupons as well!

2016 6

Cakes from The Baking Grounds are some of the most elaborate and beautifully designed cakes in the industry

HO IDAY HOL SHOPPING

GUIDE G

HEALTHY EATING AT GO-GRILL A 60-YEAR BAKING TRADITION:

THE BAKING GROUNDS

NOVE M B ER / D E C E M B E R 2 016

THE

ISSUE

ON THE COVER

Naked Holiday Cake baked and decorated by The Baking Grounds, photographed on Friday, October 14th at Suwanee Magazine HQ by JULIE PERDUE.

WANT MORE? STAY CONNECTED WITH SUWANEE MAGAZINE. FOLLOW, TWEET, SHARE >

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ANGELA VEUGELER President / Editor-in-Chief angela@suwaneemagazine.com RANDALL VEUGELER Vice President and Publisher RACHEL PILLOW Managing Editor rachel@suwaneemagazine.com

Account Executives MICHELLE FASIG • NATALIE STUBBS ads@suwaneemagazine.com Creative Director RANDALL VEUGELER Art Director ERICA ABRAMS Production Manager LAURA PAYNE Web Editors WALT WOODEN • ROBERT WRIGHT CLARKE GLIDEWELL Digital Marketing Manager PRISCILLA SALMASI Graphic Design APRIL MILLER • SHAY HARBAUGH BRIAN HASSINGER • LAURA GRANT Photographers KARL LAMB • JULIE PERDUE WALT WOODEN

Sales JULIE PERDUE julie@suwaneemagazine.com

PUBLISHED BY VEUGELER DESIGN GROUP 554 W. Main Street, Suite 200, Buford, GA 30518 SuwaneeMagazine.com

For SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES or BACK ISSUE ORDERS, call 678-482-2270.

For ADVERTISING INQUIRES, call 678-482-2270, or email info@suwaneemagazine.com.

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. ©2016 Veugeler Design Group. The editors welcome unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. Please email submissions to Rachel Pillow at rachel@suwaneemagazine.com.

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suwanee business community news and info.

HOW TO

› INVESTMENT STRATEGIES WITH AILERON INVESTMENT ADVISORS 13

Business Spotlight:

MEGA PACKAGE STORE

Gwinnett County’s largest selection of beer, wine and liquor offers mega deals and mega service in Suwanee BY: RACHEL PILLOW / PHOTOS BY: KARL LAMB

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“EVERYONE’S TASTE IS DIFFERENT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AT A GOOD PRICE AND WITH EXCELLENT SERVICE” - Owner, Oknam Kim

ith the holiday season upon us, many of us will be hosting family get-togethers, parties and extravagant dinners. Whether you are looking for the perfect wine to pair with your Thanksgiving feast, the best eggnog to spike at your company party or a local craft beer to share with your visiting relatives, Mega Package Store in Suwanee has you covered. Their beer, wine and liquor experts can offer helpful suggestions to guide your beverage menu for any occasion.

Owners, Oknam Kim and Sang Joon Kim, have been proud residents and business owners in Gwinnett for over 25 years.

When they purchased Mega Package Store in 2014, they had never worked in the beverage industry before. “Actually, I do not even drink alcohol, but I know how to run a business and it is about the team you have. I have such great employees… my staff are the experts,” said Oknam.

And, the feeling is mutual between the staff and owners.

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“Employees are incentivized because the owners also work so hard – they are here seven days a week working side by side with us,” said Jerry Giacobe, the Floor Manager.

And while the (truly mega) Mega Package Store has the largest selection of beer, wine and liquor in Gwinnett, they pride themselves on being a “neighborhood store,” said Oknam.

“We have so many regular customers that we know really well now,” explained Lindsay Dockery, Assistant Wine Manager. Other package stores in the area only further motivate the Kims to make the store even better. “I always like competition,” said Oknam. “It really makes you grow and challenges you,” she continued. One way they have differentiated themselves is by offering monthly “Mega Deals” – a customer bonus program with a list of 20 or so items on special each month that are greatly discounted. “Also, because of the large size of the store and the amount of inventory we buy, we already can offer our products at a lower price point,” said Giacobe.

Members of the Mega Package team, from L-R: Shauna Smith, John Wherry, Jerry Giacobe, Eunice Asao, Shawn Crews and Jeff Nix

Mega Package Store boasts thousands of bottles of wine, every type of liquor imaginable and a craft beer selection to satisfy even the most particular beer lover. But, if for some reason you cannot find what you’re looking for, then special order forms are available. “Some people might feel uncomfortable putting in a special request, especially if they only need one item, but it’s okay – we want you to be able to do that. If we can get it for you, then we definitely will,” explained Giacobe. “Everyone’s taste is different - I want to make sure we have what you are looking for at a good price and with excellent service,” Oknam added.

For those wanting to try something new, they are encouraged to attend Mega Package Store’s weekly beer and wine tastings in the Tasting Room directly next to the store. Every Saturday from 1-3pm they feature 4-8 different wines to try. And at only $5/person with small snacks that pair with the wine, it is a great way to expand your wine palate at a great price. Immediately following the wine tasting, beer lovers are invited to try complimentary beer tastings from 4-6pm on Saturday where Shawn Crews, Beer Manager, will feature about five new beers for customers to try. Crews makes sure that there is always a great variety of beer offerings and

with the recently expanded refrigerated section in-store, customers can take home individually-sold, cold bombers – which is also a great way to try something new.

The vast selection of product is enough to inspire any libation lover in the area, but it is the customer experience, great prices and quality of service that keep Mega Package Store regulars coming back for more. ■

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INVESTMENT

Strategies

grow

BY: Bill and Cindi Porter, AILERON INVESTMENT ADVISORS

Should my portfolio include investments in the oil industry?

We think oil and related investments such as oil and natural gas pipelines and storage tanks are a good longterm investment.

Last month in Atlanta, we experienced the immutable laws of supply and demand when an oil pipeline in Alabama burst. Supply suddenly dropped and the price of gasoline rose as a result. Some gas stations ran out of gas as panicked drivers converged on stations in a mad rush to get some of the dwindling supply. This real and If China local example of basic economics becomes a major at work should remind us that the importer as it irreversible laws of supply and appears it might, demand will always affect our the worldwide portfolios – regardless of the dynamics of commodity. oil supply and If a hurricane destroys the demand will play Florida orange groves, expect the out... price of OJ to rise substantially.

The worldwide supply and demand of oil and gas is affected by many factors, but some are much more important than others.

For example, on August 12th the Wall Street Journal reported “The Worldwide Oil Glut is Vanishing.”

Two weeks later on August 26th, The Wall Street Journal reported “China’s Oil Production Heads Downward.”

Given that until now China has been the world’s 4th largest producer of oil, a tipping point, there may be a world-wide game changer. Usually when there is noise at the end of your straw, your milkshake is nearly gone, or in this case oil for one of the planet’s largest consumers of oil and gas. If China becomes a major importer as it appears it might, the worldwide dynamics of oil supply and demand will play out – of course other factors could counteract such an event.

Whenever there are major economic shifts, portfolios will be affected – some will lose and some will benefit. It may be a good time to discuss these important factors with your trusted advisor before the possible changes actually take place. ■ This is for education only. Before using this information in any way discuss it with a financial professional. There are many risks associated with stock trading. You may lose some or all of your financial investment. Securities offered through Dempsey Lord Smith, LLC Member FINRA/SIPC. Securities offered through Integrated Financial Planning Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Dempsey Lord Smith, LLC.

Send your investment questions to: submissions@SuwaneeMagazine.com

All the information in this letter is published in good faith and for general information purposes only. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information is strictly at your own risk.

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MARKETING TIPS

How to during the holidays Retailers and ecommerce businesses can take advantage of the upcoming holidays with the widespread and ever growing popularity of Black Friday, Cyber Week and Small Business Saturday. Using these shopping bonanzas to benefit your business is easy with our tips on promoting your business and products during the holiday season...

By: PRISCILLA SALMASI AND SHAY HARBAUGH, Veugeler Design Group

Discount Something Different

If you sell products or services in store or online and are able to offer a discount – holidays are the perfect time to do so, as people are bargain shopping and looking for deals. Offer a discount that differs from your typical discount or offer. Doing so encourages people to act on these discounts if they are outside of the normal deal they receive from your business.

If you’re able to do so, bump up your normal offer or give some sort of incentive to buy now through the holiday season. After all, it is the season of giving!

Offer A Promo Code

Shoppers are savvier than ever, as many people are on tight budgets around the holidays. Fans of your brand will often check your Facebook page for promos before they buy, so offering promotions through social media is a good way to gain followers and keep them. If you’re trying to promote online sales, offer an online-only promo code on days when your sales may be at their lowest to encourage more activity on those days.

If you have a brick-and-mortar location, offering the promotion that is available online as well as in store will also increase traffic inside the store.

Build Your Email List

Holidays are a great time to increase subscribers to your email list. If you have an ecommerce store, offer a discount off the first purchase if customers sign up for your email list.

Remember to keep it a simple process by not making it difficult for the customer to use the discount. Signing up for your email list is one thing, but having to verify the email, then click through the email to receive the discount is more than the average person will do. If you don’t sell products online and have a retail store only, always ask your customers for their email address so they will be notified of sales and deals.

Put Together A Marketing Plan

Think about what type of promotions you will be advertising and ask yourself, “Who is my target audience? What customers will benefit and be excited about this promotion?”

During this time of year there is an overload of sales, promotions, and information, so it’s best to get organized and put together a marketing plan. You don’t want to just throw something together. Think about what type of promotions you will be advertising and ask yourself, “Who is my target audience? What customers will benefit and be excited about this promotion?” Your goal is to get people excited and thinking

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about shopping at your store. Once you have an idea of what you will be promoting and who you will be promoting it to, get together a list of the marketing materials that you will need to advertise your sales.

Think about the overall look and concept and invest in signage, postcards, posters, website graphics, social media ads, etc.

Have Professional Marketing Materials

If you’re trying to promote online sales, offer an online-only promo code on days when your sales may be at their lowest to encourage more activity on those days.

Having an exciting and attractive look for your marketing materials can help build up the hype of your promotion and draw more people in. The trick is to have a holiday look that is integrated well into your current branding and logo. For example, if you sell electronics and your brand color scheme is black and white, you can use red and green sparingly. If you are promoting a huge sale on TVs, you can utilize a product image and have a nice picture of a family gathered around a Christmas tree on the TV in your ad. Keep it clean and stay away from clutter. Don’t get too crazy with the graphics and don’t place every single product that’s in the store on the ad. Focus on the main big promotions you are offering and use professional, high-quality product images. Keep the layout clean and use hierarchy for the type. The message of what you are selling needs to be clear and highlight those important deals. ■

Call today to discuss your holiday marketing efforts: 678.482.2270 VDGatl.com

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ISSUE

2016

The holidays are a time to make new memories and to celebrate old traditions. We asked our advertisers and friends to send us some of their favorite traditions or recipes. We love hearing about how people connect and spend time with their families during this special time of year, and we’d love to hear from you too! Connect with us on Facebook and share your own holiday tradition or recipe for a chance to be featured on our website.

EDITED BY: ANGELA VEUGELER

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A fun tradition we have picked up over the years is while traveling to see family in Cincinnati, we always make a point to stop downtown and go ice-skating at the famous Fountain Square with cousins and top it off with yummy hot chocolate from Starbucks!

INGREDIENTS: 1 baked pie shell 1-1/2 cup water 3/4 cup sugar 2 Tbsp. cornstarch 1 (3 oz.) pkg. strawberry Jello 1 qt. cleaned, fresh whole strawberries Few drops of red food coloring Cook in saucepan over medium heat: water, sugar and cornstarch until clear and thickened. While hot, add the Jello and food coloring. Stir until dissolved. Fill the baked shell with whole strawberries. Pour chilled syrup over all and return to refrigerate. Chill well and serve with whipped topping.

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is coming to the Jolly Holly-day celebration at Town Center Park. My kids love it because there are s’mores and hot chocolate, and I love it because Suwanee always has the REAL Santa year after year (i.e., my Santa photos consistently have the same Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick!)

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I was a Rockette for many years in NYC and always performed on Christmas Day, with my family flying to NYC to see me at Radio City, so we always opened gifts one night early on Christmas Eve. Now that I am living in GA surrounded by my family, we still celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve-that tradition stuck with us years later!

Co-Director, Chambers Performing Arts

younger ecause I still havefavo rite kids, one of my elf on traditions is the f does the shelf. Our el not appear until our Christmas tree cause goes up! He doesien'f tbu he too much misch d outr kids does have fun anre he ends love to find whe . We like up every morning out their that he reports abSanta! If good behavior to we have to he ever falls over t pads to use tongs and ho doesn't handle him so helove lose his magic! I and we when he arrives g our also enjoy readinelf books about the kids on the shelf. The at are usually sad thnta he leaves with Sa r a on Christmas aftehim month of having around! Our elf is named Fisby.

INGREDIENTS:

10 lb. full-cooked, bone-in ham (shank or butt work best) 1 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup pineapple juice 1/3 cup honey 1/3 orange, juiced & zested 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves Cherries (to garnish, optional) Pineapple Slices (to garnish, optional can also use 1 can of sliced pineapples for both slices & juice)

TO MAKE GLAZE:

1. Mix all ingredients in small saucepan and bring to a boil 2. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes

TO BAKE:

3. Bake ham uncovered for 2 hours at 325 degrees 4. Brush ham with glaze and add pineapple slices and cherries with toothpicks

5. Bake for an additional 30-45 minutes, continuing to brush ham every 10 minutes

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Stepping Stone Montessori The holidays are coming and Stepping Stone Montessori School couldn’t be happier! From Thanksgiving through the winter holidays we celebrate family, friends, our community, and different cultures. Thanksgiving is a time to honor those that we are most thankful for, so we always prepare a huge feast for friends, parents, and our grandparents.

Our children are involved with all of the preparations and are in charge of the day’s entertainment as well.

INGREDIENTS:

3 pears peeled and cut into bite size pieces 1 cup fresh cranberries 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

DIRECTIONS:

- Put all ingredients in a 2 quart sauce pan.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 1 hour. Stir frequently.

- Cool for 1 hour while stirring occasionally.

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The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, my family and I go to Garland Brothers to buy a Christmas tree.

They are not even open for business yet for the year.

They never seem to mind, though.

We choose our tree and take it home that night.

The tree doesn't get decorated until the day after Thanksgiving.

We cannot ignore one holiday to rush in another! On that Friday, our tree is decorated, the magical Elf appears and we usher in the cheer of the Christmas season.

Suwanee Annual Christmas Tradition:

The Suwanee Academy of the Arts Gingerbread Festival

First held in December 2007, Patty Etherton & Berneta Davis conceived this event to serve as a living, breathing Christmas card to the community. As in years past, the community is invited to participate in the Gingerbread House contest, enjoy performances by the talented young singers and dancers of Suwanee Performing Arts’ Sounds of Suwanee and Suwanee Ballet, and delight youngsters with an interactive telling of The Nutcracker by Ms. Bernie in an intimate tea party atmosphere.

The 2016 Gingerbread Festival will be held on Sunday, December 18th, beginning at 1:00 pm.

GINGERBREAD FESTIVAL 2016 HIGHLIGHTS: Gingerbread House Contest

Tiger Tails Animal Hospital Tiger Tails Animal Hospital opened the Monday after Thanksgiving 2012. Starting in 2013, and every year since, we've celebrated Thanksgiving with our Tiger Tails employees on the day before Thanksgiving. Dr. Zack fries several turkeys, sides are catered in and the employees bring a favorite dessert to share. We are grateful for the team members who work beside us every day to care for our clients and patients!

Theme: favorite Christmas movie. Featuring songs performed by Sounds of Suwanee.

Location: Suwanee Academy of the Arts (341 Main Street, Suwanee). Time: 1:00 - 3:30 pm

Nutcracker Tea

Featuring dancers of the Suwanee Ballet. Location: Main Street Playhouse at Suwanee Academy of the Arts (341 Main Street, Suwanee).

Time: 1:30 - 2:30 pm. Tickets required.

Best of The Nutcracker

Selections from The Nutcracker performed by the Suwanee Ballet. Featuring The Actor’s Company. Location: Lanier High School Theater (918 Buford Hwy NE, Buford GA).

Time: 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Tickets required.

Event details and tickets are available at

SuwaneePerforms.com

or visit Suwanee Performing Arts on facebook.

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In the Burkhart family, while some traditions have continued from childhood, my siblings and I have begun to form our own traditions. In the days leading up to the 25th, it is now custom to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with a glass of “strong” eggnog in hand. On Christmas Eve through Christmas Day, its 24 hours straight of The Christmas Story on our televisions (“You’ll shoot your eye out!”). Also, I cannot leave out the annual Christmas Day family basketball game in the driveway of the house I grew up in.

It’s all tradition. Traditions begin and traditions carry on with each generation.

Traditions are what make each of our families and friendships unique and special.

Partner at Alford & Burkhart LLC WET INGREDIENTS:

2/3 cup buttermilk 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 large egg 1/3 cup orange juice 1 teaspoon grated orange zest

DRY INGREDIENTS:

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 3/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/4 cup fresh cranberries, quartered 3/4 cup chopped pecans

- Grease 9 x 5 loaf pan - Pre-heat oven to 375O - Combine and whisk wet ingredients in small mixing bowl - Whisk dry ingredients (excluding canberries & pecans) together in large mixing bowl - Mix wet ingredients into dry until combined making sure not to over mix - Gently fold cranberries and pecans into batter - Transfer batter to pan and bake for approximately 55 minutes - When toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan

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TO START:

6 chicken breasts with skin 3-1/2 qts. Water - Bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook until chicken is tender. Remove chicken & place in a large bowl to cool.

- Skim off and put in a separate bowl: 1/4 cup broth, 1/4 cup chicken fat and add 1 tsp salt in a bowl (for dumplings).

TO BROTH ADD:

Greater Atlanta Christian School The Christmas season at Greater Atlanta Christian School is always special. We delight in opportunities for our community to celebrate through intentional acts of service and missions. Our families and students alike enjoy donating toys, coats, and food to Atlanta-area organizations, and partnering with 11Alive and the Salvation Army in the annual Canned Food Drive. The annual Christmas Tree lighting and caroling is a favorite event, as is the all-school Christmas Concert featuring students in choir, dance, band, and orchestra. These are some of the many ways we enjoy celebrating this joyous Christmas season!

1 Tbsp salt 1 tsp celery salt 1-1/2 tsp parsley flakes 1/2 tsp black pepper 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper 5 chicken bullion cubes Add 1-2 more pts of water 2 cups diced carrots 1-2 large potatoes, peeled and sliced 1 large onion finely diced

- Boil until vegetables are almost tender.

- Remove skin and bone from chicken. Break into small pieces and add to soup.

DUMPLINGS:

- Using chicken fat, broth, and salt. Add: 1 large beaten egg 2 cups flour - Roll onto a floured board to 1/4� thickness Let stand 15 minutes.

- Cut into small squares and add to broth a few at a time. Cover and turn heat to low.

- Cook approximately 15-20 minutes.

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Louis McCaslin learned how to bake from a local, German baker, starting at the age of 12

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ISSUE

The Baking Grounds:

A 60-Year Baking Tradition in Buford The beautiful cake gracing the cover of our magazine this issue is from The Baking Grounds, a quaint, cozy bakery/cafe, tucked away on Lee Street in historic Buford.

Owned by Lorne and Malinda McCaslin, the Buford location has been open for just a little over three years, but the McCaslin family has been professionally baking for nearly six decades.

BY: RACHEL PILLOW PHOTOS BY: JULIE PERDUE & WALT WOODEN

orne’s father, Louis McCaslin opened the family’s first shop, McCaslin Bakery, in Sandwich, Illinois in 1958. Yes, the city is actually named “Sandwich” – maybe their profession was destiny. Louis first entered the industry at the age of 12 when he started training under the expertise of a local, German baker. And what started as a part-time job as a kid to earn a little extra spending money, turned into a lifelong career for both him and his family. Lorne, alongside his four siblings, grew up working in his dad’s bakery, joking that they were all born on a flour sack.

Malinda also began working at the McCaslin Bakery when she was in high school, which is when she and Lorne first started dating. By that time Lorne was already one of the bakers and his older sister, Lisa, was the main cake decorator. “I started as a sales clerk in the storefront but little by little I wanted to get more into the decorating side, so Lisa took me under her wing to teach me,” reminisced Malinda.

Today, Malinda’s cakes are some of the most elaborate and beautifully designed cakes in the industry. As a preferred vendor for Lanier Islands and Ashton Gardens, her wedding cakes are undeniably a work of art. But, while many cake decorators use fondant, a sort of edible paste, for ease of decorating, The Baking Grounds prides itself on using homemade, delicious icing on all of their cakes.

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The Baking Grounds Team

Just like Louis’ original McCaslin Bakery, The Baking Grounds is also a full-line bakery making fresh cakes, rolls, pastries, cupcakes, donuts, muffins and breads from scratch each day. “Working at McCaslin’s in the early days, before there were large supermarkets, was really neat,” said Malinda. “It was just like the storybooks where you have a butcher and a baker, and everyone goes to the bakery to get their supply of bread, rolls and sweets,” she continued. The Baking Grounds does continue that tradition with their storefront

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where customers can purchase freshly baked goods to take home, such as their line of specialty breads including: sourdough, jalapeño cheddar, rosemary olive and the 7-grain Siebenfelder (German for 7-fields).

The baking roots run deep in the McCaslin family with Lorne’s brothers also having their own bakeries and his cousin’s shop called “Cake Among Us” in Rancho Cucamonga, California, which recently won Buzz Feed’s 2016 award for “Best Donut Shop in California.” Lorne and Malinda’s daughters are helping carry on the family tradition having all worked in the shop either as decorators, bakers or sales clerks. Their daughter, Lexi, has been their lead wedding cake decorator for the past few years but is now looking to open her own cake shop in the Roswell/Alpharetta area within the next year.

But, life as a baker is no piece of cake (pun intended). The hours are long and tedious, requiring hard work and dedication.

The Baking Grounds also serves breakfast and lunch, so each morning Lorne and his team start between 5 and 6am. Lorne sets the daily specials, including which homemade soups, specialty coffees, sandwiches and breakfast items will be made. “My fatherin-law (Louis) really instilled an amazing work ethic in us,” said Malinda. “He taught us a lot about consistency and hard work – he always said it was about having a consistent product, consistent schedule and consistent pricing.” The original McCaslin Bakery in Illinois was sold about 15 years ago, about the time that Lorne and Malinda decided to move down South, but its legacy lives on through The Baking Grounds and the McCaslin’s dedication to their craft. ■

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your health,

wellness and happiness.

TEACHING CHILDREN TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE › ASK HENRY: QUESTIONS FOR SUGAR

HILL ANIMAL HOSPITAL 32

City of Suwanee unveils new

Bike Share Program In conjunction with the Alive! Festival, the City of Suwanee unveiled its new bike-sharing program on October 22 in Town Center Park.

Sponsored by CIGNA and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, bike station structures, each housing up to eight bikes and equipped with self-sustaining internal energy sources, have been installed at Suwanee Creek Park and Town Center Park.

PHOTOS BY WALT WOODEN

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“We’re excited that we are the first to implement this type of program in Gwinnett County.”

Adam Edge

Downtown & Business Development Manager

hether you’d like to take a few laps around Town Center Park or bike from Town Center to Suwanee Creek Park or viceversa, the bike sharing program is a great way for Suwanee residents and visitors to get some exercise, experience the greenway and enjoy the great outdoors. The ride from Town Center to Suwanee Creek Park is roughly 3.1 miles each way, with the Ivy Creek Greenway Trail through George Pierce Park also accessible, adding another 2.5 miles of paved trails.

Annie Valenty, Community Development Officer for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta shared, “Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is pleased to be a part of this

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wonderful recreation opportunity in Suwanee. As an organization dedicated to health and wellness, we believe in programs that encourage families to be active. This bike program will undoubtedly foster the importance of regular family recreation to all in the community.”

This is the first bike-sharing program of its kind in Gwinnett County. “We’re excited that we are the first to implement this type of program in Gwinnett County. We believe this additional recreational option will encourage further use of our greenway, larger trail system, and parks,” said Downtown & Business Development Manager, Adam Edge.

Riders can use a smart phone app to rent bikes for up to three hours for free. Each additional hour costs $3 per hour, with a maximum daily fee of $30.

Riders must be at least 18 years old and provide their own helmets. Signage explaining how to use the bike share program is placed at each station to orient new users to the system. For additional information, visit zagster.com/Suwanee. ■

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thrive

Ask Henry Ask Henry at SugarHillAnimalHospital.com

Q: My family just relocated from Florida and we need to find a new vet for our cat, Mr. Meow. How do we find a good vet?

- Tom J. from Suwanee, GA

A:

Just because a vet is conveniently located or has sent you a coupon, does not always make them the best. A good way to find a reputable veterinarian is to ask people who have the same approach to pet care as you. Start with a recommendation from a friend, neighbor, animal shelter worker, dog trainer, groomer, kennel employee, or pet sitter. Another way to find a great vet that practices high quality medicine is to search for an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited hospital in your area. Only 14% of veterinary clinics meet the high standards set by AAHA in areas such as medical care, records, and cleanliness. Once you've narrowed your search, schedule a visit to meet the staff, tour the facility, and learn about the hospital's philosophy and policies. This is a reasonable request that any veterinarian should be glad to oblige. If they won’t give you a tour of their clinic and boarding facility, I don’t recommend taking your pet there!

Q: We want to get a puppy for the holidays. What is the best way to pick one out?

- Mary from Buford, GA

A:

There is no better present than a puppy as long as you have truly researched and planned for this long-term commitment! You really increase your odds of having that perfect relationship with your dog when you consider your age, health, living environment, lifestyle, family structure, work schedule, and personality first... Then choose a breed and/or puppy that 'fits' with both your dreams of dog ownership and the practicalities of your lifestyle. Vets love to get calls from future puppy owners to discuss the general temperament and health concerns of your chosen breed. If you want a purebred puppy, be sure to go to a reputable breeder and meet both parents. Often the personality of the puppy (high energy, shy, easy going, etc.) is inherited from the parents. Check with your vet regarding how to investigate health issues ranging from hip dysplasia to allergies. Please don’t overlook rescuing a pet from a shelter, animal control, or rescue organization!

Of course, complete vaccination and deworming records for your puppy should be included from the breeder’s or shelter’s veterinarian.

Henry’s helper for this issue was West Hamryka DVM. Dr. Hamryka is the Owner and Medical Director of Sugar Hill Animal Hospital. His special interests include geriatrics and orthopedics.

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FAMILY MATTERS BY: LAURA

LEBOVITZ LAMFT AT GROW COUNSELING

Teaching Children to Express Gratitude s the holidays approach, one of the greatest gifts you can give your kids is to strategically develop their sense of gratitude. Rather than having the focus be on presents or parties, you have an opportunity to help them turn their attention to others and to cultivate a sense of gratitude. Studies have shown that children who regularly reflect with gratitude report a higher level of life satisfaction, more positive relationships with others, and more enjoyment of school.

Here are some ways to build gratitude in your family this holiday season: Give Back. Children learn best from experience. Giving back to others will help your kids recognize what they have, as well as recalibrating their focus on what is truly important. Find an organization that matches your children’s interests or talents to help them connect more with the experience. VolunteerMatch. org is a wonderful resource for opportunities.

Model gratitude. Children will learn the most about gratitude from you! Make it a regular practice to thank family members for their help. Keep a running list on the fridge of things you are thankful for. Engage the kids in random acts of kindness.

Create Traditions. For most of us, looking back on

childhood, what we recall with fondness are the traditions and special moments of celebrations. Incorporate some of your favorite traditions. Charge the kids with creating a new tradition.

Think outside the box – who wants milkshakes for breakfast on Christmas Eve???

Notice Blessings. Start an intentional practice of

gratitude! Create a family gratitude journal and establish a moment each day to sit down and discuss the good things…friends, fall, football, and fires. Research tells us that the people who develop a habit of gratitude are happier and report more satisfactions in life. This is a great opportunity for your kids to start good habits early.

More Time, Fewer Gifts.

Brainstorm ways to spend quality time with each other and build fun memories. Shifting the focus away from gifts frees up time, energy, and resources to invest in memory making and relationship building. My favorite holiday tradition from my family was each of us planned a “date” for the family…we looked forward to the “dates” all year!

With a little intentional planning, you can help your kids learn to focus on the most important things and to cultivate a life of gratitude! ■ LAURA LEBOVITZ Laura Lebovitz is a licensed associate marriage and family therapist that works in the Suwanee area at GROW Counseling. She received her Masters of Family Therapy from Mercer University School of Medicine. She works with children, adolescents, young adults, and families dealing with a variety of concerns. She specializes in working with anxiety, autism, self-harm, life transitions like divorce, and building healthy relationships within families.

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2016

ISSUE Suwanee Magazine

2016

Our annual Holiday Gift Guide features gift ideas and exclusive deals to help make your holiday shopping easier. Local businesses have given us their top picks for the best gifts this season, no matter who you’re shopping for. Shop on!

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Town Center Music is Suwanee’s hometown music store, outfitting pros and beginners alike with the best gear and top-notch instruction.

They also rent and repair band and orchestra instruments, and carry a full complement of accessories. Want to start playing? There’s no better time to start than now!

4072 Suwanee Dam Road Suwanee, GA 30024 TownCenterMusic.com 770.831.7936

Tell Frank Ruane about the speakers you want… And he’ll build them for you! Designed and crafted locally.

Engineered to your listening preference.

Finished to your taste.

Buford, GA 404.580.3218

Bear’s Best is a high-end, daily fee course focused on corporate entertaining and golf outings. To create Bear’s Best, Jack Nicklaus selected 18 holes from his more than 200 course designs worldwide and put them into one, extraordinary round of golf.

5342 Aldeburgh Drive, Suwanee, GA 30024 ClubCorp.com/Clubs/Bear-s-Best-Atlanta 678.714.2582

Of Golf: Give The Gift hen purchasing a

Magazine w a Mention Suwanee cate and Bears Best will include ifi ft cert EE! $50 (or more) gi 1 Golf Balls ($14.99 Value) for FR V O PR of sleeve 37

Check out Interactive Neighborhood for Kids’ Gift Shop offering a wide range of items for various ages, including Melissa & Doug and Ty brands! They can be your one-stop-shop for Christmas gifts! INK Family Memberships are also a great gift that keeps the fun going all year long!

Interactive Neighborhood for Kids 999 Chestnut Street, Suite #11 Gainesville, GA 30501 InkFun.org 770.536.1900

Unleashed Creations Pet Spa offers customized care for your furry kids.

They boast cozy yet spacious resort suites, interactive day care and award-winning grooming. You can always have peace of mind knowing your pooch will be pampered.

Their friendly, highly qualified staff is always ready to help you with your fur baby’s needs. Purchase a $25 gift certificate for a a new customer and get a $25 coupon for yourself. (Coupon is valid 1/9/17 through 3/6/17.)

1495 Buford Highway, Suite 140 Suwanee, GA 30024 UnleashedCreationsPetSpa.com 404.806.1860

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Make memories and give the gift of fun at Funopolis Family Fun Center! Purchase a Family

Four Pack during the month of November and get $10 OFF! Family Four Pack includes unlimited bumper

cars, rock wall, spider zone, tornado or pirate ship, hip hop ride, go karts or mini go karts, mini golf, two sessions of laser tag, (4) $5 game cards, (4) pieces of pizza and (4) small fountain drinks.

(Not valid with any other coupons or offers).

40155 Highway 441 South, Commerce, GA 30529 FunopolisFamilyFunCenter.com 706.335.3866

Get your hands on a designer bag just in time for the holidays! Get to Panache for a designer handbag $10 off $50 regular price. Check out their large selection of formalwear, trendy jewelry, infinity scarves, designer handbags, and jeans.

Panache

The Sophisticated Consignment Boutique

340 Town Center Avenue, Suite A-11 Suwanee, GA 30024 PanacheConsign.com 770.945.5227

Void Space Productions showcases a variety of talents, passions, and art forms. They are impulsive trendsetters in art, photography, music, and dance. Their gallery presents multi-media art, jewelry, and unique treasures. There’s a

universe in you‌

425 Buford Highway NW Suite 106-B Suwanee, GA 30024 InTheVoidSpace.com 770.676.8700

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After years of hosting some of the best craft beer and wine festivals in the state, Big South Productions is excited to announce a new libation lovers club: The Craft Beer & Wine Festival 3 Pack! The 3 Pack memberships are only $99 for the year and include General Admission tickets to the award-winning Suwanee Beer Fest, Gwinnett Beer Fest and Suwanee Wine Fest! With tickets for each event starting at $40 $50, members are essentially receiving admission to one festival completely FREE. And as if admission to all three festivals wasn’t enough, The 3 Pack also includes other awesome

member perks throughout the year, such as exclusive deals and freebies from local breweries, businesses and sponsors! Perks include free brewery tours and discounts on merchandise or goods from local businesses.

Tickets for each event include unlimited samples of craft beer and wine, plus access to all General Admission areas of the festival where attendees can enjoy live entertainment, delicious food, games, giveaways, local vendors and more! If a member cannot attend one of the festivals, he has the right to pass along his ticket to someone else.

Check out a sneak peek of what each 2017 event has to offer: 3RD ANNUAL

GWINNETT BEER FEST MAY 6TH, 2017 COOLRAY FIELD

GWINNETT D AILY POST READER’S CH OICE

BEST FESTIVA IN GWINNET L T 2014 • 2015 •

2016

7TH ANNUAL

SUWANEE AMERICAN CRAFT BEER FEST

MARCH 18TH, 2017 / SUWANEE TOWN CENTER PARK This award-winning event has been named “Best Festival in Gwinnett” by Gwinnett Daily Post’s Readers Choice Awards for three years in a row and is the largest craft beer festival in the state. Breweries across the Southeast dub Suwanee Beer Fest as a “must-attend” event bringing their best beers forward for attendees to try. With unlimited samples of over 350 craft beers, there is definitely something that even the pickiest beer drinker will love. Suwanee Beer Fest takes place on St. Paddy’s weekend each year, so wear your green and shamrocks because they have Irish dancers, a bagpipe player and other Irish festivities. A portion of proceeds go to support Cooper's Crew.

Visit SuwaneeBeerFest.com for more information.

The ever popular, Gwinnett Beer Fest will be held again in 2017 at Coolray Field, home of the Gwinnett Braves. Beer tents circle the concourse and out on the berm, allowing attendees to roam through the entire stadium while sipping unlimited samples of 200+ premium craft brews. Live music, backyard games, a wing eating contest, delicious food, a fortune-telling tent and a wedding (yes, a real, live wedding) helped make this festival a one-of-a-kind experience in 2016, and they are bound to have some exciting things up their sleeve in 2017. Visit GwinnettBeerFest.com for more information.

5TH ANNUAL

SUWANEE WINE FEST NOV. 4TH, 2017 SUWANEE TOWN CENTER PARK

This premier wine event boasts unlimited samples of over 150 wines from around the world, hand-selected by wine experts at Beverage SuperStore. With a wide variety of reds, whites, sweet, sparkling and blends, it is a great opportunity to try new wines and find new favorites. The festival takes place in beautiful Suwanee Town Center Park each fall when the weather is just right for strolling and sipping wine. Beer lovers fear not, because there’s a spot for you too! The craft beer tent plays host to unlimited samples of local craft brews and TVs playing SEC football’s top games of the day. Local vendors and artists showcase their products, offering great “wine fest only” deals. A portion of proceeds goes to support Suwanee's Annandale Village. Visit SuwaneeWineFest.com for more information.

3 Pack memberships are only $99 for the year and include General Admission tickets to the award-winning Suwanee Beer Fest, Gwinnett Beer Fest and Suwanee Wine Festival!

Become a 3 Pack member today to gain access to these premium craft beer & wine events as well as other exclusive perks throughout the year! Learn more and buy your 3 Pack at Festival3Pack.com.

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P R E S E N T S

T H E

festival pack 2017

Get your tickets for all 3 of GWINNETT’S 2017 BEST FESTIVALS :

2 0 17

2O17

For just

99

$

festival 3pack 2017

VIP Festival 3 Pack available for $299!

MAKES A GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT!

For more info and to purchase your 2017 Festival 3 Pack, go to:

FESTIVAL PACK.com

2016

Founded in 1999, Video Game Trader is your Retro Game Headquarters. They sell it all: from classic Atari & NES to PlayStation 4 and everything in between! They also sell video game related collectibles and board games.

Trade in your old games, collectibles and consoles and they will pay top dollar!

1328 Buford Highway, Buford, GA 30518 VideoGameTrader.com 770.271.0112

Splash and Dash in Suwanee stocks an extensive selection of dog food, snacks and toys. Check out their bakery which includes seasonal and themed cookies.

They are your one-stop-shop for your fur-baby this holiday.

7784 McGinnis Ferry Road Suwanee, GA 30024 Suwanee.SplashAndDashForDogs.com 470.719.8713

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Universe+Soul Couture is a boutique and a “rolling store” that brings fashion forward clothing, jewelry, and accessories that inspire individual expression and a positive lifestyle. The ultimate personal shopping experience! Bringing the Universe together… one Soul at a time.

425 Buford Highway NW, Suite 106-B Suwanee, GA 30024 UniverseSoulCouture.com 770.676.8700

Fireplaces and the holidays go together. J.R. Bolton has many fireplace accessories that make beautiful gifts, or get your own fireplace ready for the holidays! Visit their newly remodeled showroom and see their large selection of fireplace screens & décor, gas logs, wood stoves and more!

160 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

Sugar Hill, GA 30518 JRBolton.com 770.449.3692

Fun, new, exciting, one-stop gift shopping at Parsons Gifts & Cards! Your favorite boutique in Suwanee features many lines, including Alex and Ani.

1500 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

Suwanee, GA 30024 Parsons-Suwanee-GA.com 770.271.7735

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For your favorite pooches, check out the wide selection of holiday goodies at Pooch ‘N Paws – including personalized doggie ornaments, toys, treats, apparel, collars, leashes and more!

Suwanee Town Center, Suite C-9 The Forum, Suite 102 PoochNPaws.com 770.932.7040

Before you print your holiday invitations, stop by Cartridge World in Suwanee to fill your ink and toner needs. Whether it’s for the home or office,

Cartridge World of Suwanee offers great savings.

They stand by their products by offering a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee and they are environmentally friendly.

3320 LawrencevilleSuwanee Road, Suite 1D Suwanee, GA 30024 CWSuwanee.com 678.482.4822

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Celtic Christmas Gifts! Give the gift of heritage and elegant classic style to celebrate Christmas! Near Suwanee town center, find the kilt, tartan, or Celtic accessory to make the perfect gift! Â Reasons to wear a kilt: golf, weddings, cruises, proms, football games, Celtic events, memorials, holidays, celebrations, just for fun or at work!

Atlanta Kilts

1275 Buford Highway, Suite 105 Suwanee, GA 30024 AtlantaKilts.com 877.411.KILT (5458)

Suwanee Girl or Suwanee Mom shirts are the perfect gift for anyone who lives in or loves Suwanee. Purchase online at SuwaneeMagazine.com.

Seasons Treatings! Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together with bird feeding and nature products, local expert advice and educational events.

Whether you are a master birder or beginner, WBU is the place for you! Bring Nature home this holiday season with a gift for your friends and family.

Wild Birds Unlimited 2133 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road Suwanee, GA 30024 Suwanee.WBU.com 678.442.9691

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TM

Experimac has premium AppleTM products at non-premium prices! Plus - they have Apple specific expertise for all

your computer-related issues.

425 Buford Highway / Suite 106-A Suwanee, GA 30024 Experimac.com/Suwanee-GA 678.765.7625

Hairllucinations is giving clients a delectable dose of holiday cheer by offering specials on gift sets, styling tools and a holiday promotion, "Treat Others While You Treat Yourself". Mention this ad to take advantage of this offer. Receive a $20 gift certificate when you spend $100, to either use on yourself or gift to a friend.

340 Town Center Avenue, Suite A-6 Suwanee, GA 30024 Hairllucinations.com 770.932.9999

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S&S

Hardware

&Mower

Easy shopping, cool stuff, helpful folks - Ace is the Place! Holiday lighting and hook-up, gifts, gadgets, tools, home and hearth items, outdoor cooking and games and much more! Featuring quality, premium branded products!

S&S

Hardware

&Mower S&S

&Mower

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&Mower

&Mower

Hardware

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Hardware

Hardware

S&S

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S&S

S&S

Hardware

Hardware

&Mower

&Mower

S&S Ace Hardware 4300 Buford Drive NE Buford, GA 30518 SSAceHardware.com 770.932.1458

Suwanee GA shirts are the perfect gift for anyone who wants to represent their favorite town. Purchase online at SuwaneeMagazine.com.

Reserve Daycare for Your Pet While You Shop This Holiday Season!

Sugar Hill Animal Hospital is an AAHA accredited, full service animal hospital offering in-house diagnostics and medical treatment in their state-of-the-art facility. They pride themselves on their pet resort and offer VIP suites, doggie daycare and Gwinnett’s only heated saltwater pool. Their professional groomers provide grooming services for all breeds.

Sugar Hill Animal Hospital 5305 GA Highway 20 Sugar Hill, GA 30518 SugarHillAnimalHospital.com 770.271.7777

Get Schlotzsky's to Cater Your Party The mission of Schlotzsky’s Catering is to be your trusted source for catering needs by providing a great menu of craveable choices that are thoughtfully packaged & delivered on-time and accurately and supported by a helpful and caring team motivated to make each occasion special.

2941 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd Suwanee, GA 30024 Ordering.Schlotzskys.com 855-DELIVER / 678.765.6336

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local food. craft beer. wine trends.

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GIFTS FOR THE CRAFT BEER LOVER › SUWANEE AREA RESTAURANT GUIDE 55 › THE GRAPEVINE: HOLIDAY GIFT WINES 58

Pick a customer favorite or create your own delicious, heathly bowl

A fresh and healthy new restaurant concept at Suwanee Jubilee Shopping Center features health-conscious fare served in a fun, creative way.

BY: MICHELLE FASIG PHOTOS BY: KARL LAMB & WALT WOODEN

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RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT:

he Suwanee Jubliee Shopping Center, home to The Fresh Market, recently welcomed Georgia’s first Go-Grill location, one of just three locations in the United States. This fresh and healthy new restaurant concept features health-conscious fare served in a fun, creative way.

When Go-Grill owners, Kathrik Kanakoraj, Vijay Chinnadurai and Babu Bakthavatsalu began researching the restaurant industry, they noticed an unfulfilled market in the Suwanee community. While Suwanee has taverns, sushi bars and Mexican cantinas in abundance, there did not seem to be a single restaurant that specialized in healthy dining. Go-Grill aims to fill that void.

Go-Grill opened their doors on June 21st and proudly introduced the new fast-casual concept to the anxiously

Step 1:

Pick your

BOWL

Pick your bowl size, small, medium or large

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awaiting Suwanee community. Specializing in freshly prepared, healthy food, Go-Grill is a Mongolian style restaurant that invites its patrons to get as creative as they want with their own meal. With three bowl sizes to choose from, ranging from small to large, customers can fill their bowls with any ingredients they like from the back bar. Delectable choices like shrimp, pork, tilapia, fresh jalapenos, mushrooms, bean sprouts and pineapple line the wall.

Customers can simply pick and choose anything they crave, to create a meal to suit their taste buds; perfect for foodies and picky eaters alike.

Once customers have filled their bowls with their combination of choice, they are presented with numerous sauce options like Sesame Bang Bang, Thai Red Curry, and Firecracker. Go-Grill even has gluten-free options like the Mongolian Sauce and Butter Chicken Sauce. The open concept kitchen provides direct access to the chef

Step 2:

Fill your bowl with

VEGGIES & PROTEINS

Step 3:

Choose your

SAUCE & SIDES

savor

Fresh ingredients are grilled to order for each custom bowl

who is more than willing to provide suggestions if you are unfamiliar with the ingredients and options.

Once a sauce is chosen, you can add an egg, choose a complimentary side, like brown rice or noodles, and then watch while your meal is steam cooked directly on the grill.

For the less adventurous eaters, Go-Grill also provides a menu with Chef Selections, such as the Sweet Chili Shrimp: peeled shrimp, red and green peppers, green beans, and spicy orange sauce, or Spicy Pork and Bok Choy: spicy boneless pork, bok choy, red and green peppers, carrots, onions and fire cracker sauce. Favorites like grilled Fire Cracker Chicken, or Bang Bang Shrimp are a popular way to begin a meal, and there are even kid options like Mac 'n Cheese and Orange Chicken.

Go-Grill prides itself on using fresh, healthy

Step 4:

They'll

GRILL IT

ingredients that are low sodium and preservative-free. “We believe living healthy starts by eating healthy,” explains Chinnadurai. “We want to make healthy eating pleasurable and fun at the same time.” With vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and kids options as well as their standard fare, Go-Grill truly has something for everyone. And, it is that fresh, healthy flavor, and fun process that has already made Go-Grill a popular location with the Suwanee community.

While Go-Grill is a go-to spot for healthy conscious locals, they also offer decadent desserts, like Chocolate Mousse cake and Tiramisu, for those who are less concerned about their waistline.

Paired with their beer and wine selection, customers often spend several hours enjoying their meal inside, or outside relaxing on their patio.

And, while the interior of the restaurant is perfect for those who want to enjoy a relaxing meal, the fast-casual setting is also ideal for healthy individuals on the go. Customers have the option to call in their order and pick it up, or they can simply call Choices to You for local delivery.

Either way, Go-Grill is definitely a fast, healthy alternative for a quick and delicious meal, and a new dining option the Suwanee community is excitied to have. ■

Step 5:

ENJOY!

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Wild Wing Café

GUIDE BEST AREA DINING OPTIONS FROM FINE DINING TO FUN FAMILY FARE Dollar signs indicate the typical cost per person for meal, includes one non-alcoholic drink, tax and tip. $ UNDER $10 $$ $11 - $30 $$$ $31 - $50 $$$$ MORE THAN $50

3265 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd. • Suwanee 770-945-9090 I WildWingCafe.com I $$

Wild Wing Café is a laid-back chain offering the best wings in the South in 33 different made-from-scratch flavors amid a sports bar atmosphere! While you might come for the wings, you will be tempted to try all the other delicious items they have to offer. From their hand battered, fried to order onion rings to creative combinations like the Bleu Cheese Basil burger, there is something on the menu for everyone. Throw in the Wild Child Menu for the little ones and you’ve got all your bases covered.

Valentino's Bakery

3294 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Ste. 1004 Duluth 678-878-4772 ValentinosBakeryInc.com I $ Chef Valentino is treating the US with his pastry talents brought all the way from Venezuela. With over 50 years of experience in the baking industry, Chef Valentino carefully crafts goodies not only full of flavor, but attractive in appearance. Stop by his bakery in Duluth to try his famous milhojas, flan, and fruit tart or any other decadently created pastry or dessert!

Bare Bones Steakhouse

115 E. Main St., Suite C-12 Buford I 470-266-1890 I BareBonesSteakhouse.com $$$

Located in the Bona Allen building of downtown, historic Buford, Bare Bones Steakhouse provides an atmosphere of character and originality. This classic, traditional steakhouse restaurant and bar also offers a comfortable lounge and additional space to host your next party or event. Stop by Tuesday through Thursday to add a free cheesecake dessert to your dinner and half priced appetizers from 4-6pm!

WANT MORE? STAY CONNECTED WITH SUWANEE MAGAZINE. FOLLOW, TWEET, SHARE >

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Go-Grill

1500 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

Suwanee I Suite 190 I 678.541.5858 GoGrillAtlanta.com I $ Go-Grill Atlanta brings fresh and healthier options to the fast food franschise! Now open at their Suwanee location. Choose from a large selection of meats and seafood, vegetables, rice, noodles, and tasty sauce to be grilled to perfection. Add a taste of sweet desserts or delicious beer and wine beverages. Dine-in for 15% off your entire bill! (Alcohol not included. Must present ad coupon. Expires 12/31/16).

MEXICAN

Cinco

1500 Peachtree Industrial Blvd Suite 100 I Suwanee 678-541-0645 CincoRestaurants.com I $$

Kids eat free Monday & Tuesday, hand-crafted margaritas, extensive tequila list, daily drink specials, Sunday brunch and live entertainment Friday nights!

ITALIAN

Suwanee Pizza Tavern

1500 Peachtree Industrial Blvd Suwanee I Suite 150 678-546-0823 I SPTavern.com $$ Suwanee Pizza Tavern is known for their made-from-scratch, wood-fired pizza, garlic knots, wings, sandwiches, pastas, and friendly atmosphere. The open pizza pit showcases their woodfired oven where you can watch their pizza chef create your pizza. The dining area is perfect for a family outing, or you can head over to their signature bar with your friends to watch your favorite sports on the flat screen TVs. Visit Suwanee Pizza Tavern, your local upscale pizza tavern!

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NEW

savor

AMERICAN

SPECIALTY SANDWICHES For a limited time only!

Schlotzsky’s

2941 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd. Suwanee I 678-765-6336 Schlotzskys.com I $

Schlotzsky’s offers a wide variety of freshly baked bread, delicious hot sandwiches, Artisan flatbreads, specialty pizzas, toasted wraps, freshly #hoorayitalysalads, gourmet soups, tossed E SICILIAN and more! Our taste remains trueOven-Baked to our roots, we still use the highest quality ingredients one of our NEW Pastas. to make the world’s best sandwich.

FREE Small Sandwich

The Diner at Sugar Hill

with purchase of 32oz. fountain drink & bag of chips

4500 Nelson Brogdon Blvd., Buford I 770.831.0180 TheDinerAtSugarHill.com I $$

d only at Schlotzsky’s Restaurant located at 2941 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd., anee, GA. Not valid with any other offer. One coupon per purchase. Offers valid on item of equal ser value only. Exclusive of tax and gratuity. Sale, resale and/or internet distribution strictly prohibited. where prohibited. Cash value 1/100¢. No cash back. Additional exclusions may apply. Valid through 1/15. ©2015 Schlotzsky’s Franchise LLC. CODE: 4290

Visit The Diner at Sugar Hill for all your breakfast, lunch, and dinner hometown grill favorites! Choose from an extensive selection of comfort foods and gourmet entrees and top off your meal with a cocktail. The Diner at Sugar Hill also offers both on-site and off-site catering services for you to enjoy hosting at your own location or in their private dining area.

PK-Tunn Bar & Grill

3103 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd Suwanee I 678.288.9632 PKTunn.net I $ Stop by PK-Tunn Lounge, Bar & Grill on Tuesday through Sunday evenings to try the best lamb burger in town! Offering a delicious dinner menu, fully stocked bar, and themed nights each week, PK-Tunn is a perfect Suwanee destination for a night of food and fun. Relax and hang out with friends or reserve your next party or event!

CHINESE

Peking Restaurant

360 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

Suite 101-A I Suwanee 770.271.3778 PekingOfSuwanee.com I $ Serving the best Chinese food in Suwanee since 2007! Offering a full lunch and dinner menu with an abundance of options including appetizers, soups, fried rice, pan fried noodles, seafood, egg fu young, poultry, lo mein, chow mein, and vegetables. Call Peking Restaurant for your Suwanee delivery or carry-out order or dine-in to enjoy a beer or wine beverage!

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2016

ISSUE BY:

Karl Furem WINE MANAGER, BEVERAGE SUPERSTORE

t’s that time of year again. The temperature is dropping, football is in full swing, and the holidays are right around the corner. That’s right, time to get ready for parties, dinners, and gifts. A good bottle of wine makes the perfect gift for the host of a dinner or party, or for that person who already seems to have everything. Now comes the hard part, what bottle to get for them? Well, let us help you with that. These bottles are in the right price range for a nice, thoughtful gift and worthy of any true wine lovers' palate.

Orin Swifts 2013 ‘Mannequin’

This is a white blend with grapes sourced from Carneros and Sonoma, with a composition that is 76% Chardonnay, 8% viognier, 6% Marsanne, 5% Grenache Blanc, 3% Muscat, and 2% Roussanne. The best way to describe this one is to quote the internationally acclaimed and most influential wine critic, Robert Parker. “This is amazing wine, a gorgeous, full-throttle, honeyed wine with a light gold color, oodles of tropical fruits including pineapple and mango, rose petal and floral notes, and beautifully integrated oak.” This one will definitely be a winner at $32.99 a bottle.

Beau Frères Willamette Valley 2014 Pinot Noir

This is both a big and complex Pinot Noir. On the nose you will experience a rich fragrance of sweet dark cherries, baking spices and sandalwood. It pours a dark ruby purple and as soon as you take a sip you are immersed in decadent flavors of black raspberries, blueberries, and currants. This particular wine stems from one of Oregon’s best growing seasons and only a very limited number of cases were produced. If you get this one for a gift definitely get one for yourself as well. $59.99 a bottle.

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This forward style Pinot shows gorgeous fruit and vibrant minerality from this warm vintage.

savor

Leviathan Red Blend

This big, full-bodied red is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 14% Syrah, and 25% Cabernet Franc. This blend is very rich and smooth, with hints of black cherry, raspberry, and spice. The tannins are supple and the finish is a lingering affair that leaves you longing for the next sip. This wine captures the essence and flavor of a great California vintage and sells for an incredibly reasonable price of $34.99 a bottle.

2012 Domaine Du Vieux Lazaret Chateauneuf-Du-Pape

Let's jump across the ocean to the RhĂ´ne wine region of Southern France for this next one. This one makes a great choice for a dinner party, because it will pair nicely with many holiday dishes. Its deep red color leads to aromas of dark fruit, vanilla and spice. It is full-bodied and bursting with cherry, blackberry, and a bit of mocha. Nice tannins lead to a lingering enjoyable finish.

At $29.99 a bottle, it’s an easy winner.

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E D I T I O N

HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR THE

2016 Chances are you’ve got a beer lover on your holiday gift list, right? While a 6 pack of local craft beer is always appreciated, beer-centric items are a creative alternative. We asked our friends at SweetWater Brewing Co. for ideas and what’s topping their gift lists...

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SWEETWATER CYCLING JERSEY

GRIZZLY 15 COOLER

SWEETWATER 420 CORNHOLE BOARDS

“TASTING BEER” BY RANDY MOSHER

For your friend who wakes up at 6:00 am on Sunday to get in a good ride to Falling Creek Falls, then rewards himself with some SweetWater Hash Session IPAs: a branded cycling jersey from Primal. $80.00 Shop.Primalwear.com.

Enter "sweetwater" in the search bar.

For the professional tailgater: The Grizzly 15 is an environmentally friendly, heavyduty cooler that has a 16-quart capacity and only weighs 12 pounds empty. Grizzly Coolers are built to last a lifetime, and come in a variety of sizes, whether you’re hauling a 6 pack or a couple cases. $169.99 GrizzlyCoolers.com.

For your neighbor, because then you can go next door and use it with them: Cornhole Boards, made locally by West Georgia Cornhole. $225.00 WestGeorgiaCornhole.com.

Enter "sweetwater" in the search bar.

For your friend who loves to drop knowledge: “Tasting Beer”

by Randy Mosher takes you from the definition and history of beer, to tasting notes, all the way through beer and food pairings. A great read for both an amateur beer drinker and an industry pro. $12.32 Available at Amazon.com.

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SWEETWATER SQUEEZE BOX IPA WITH GRAPEFRUIT It’s a long standing Southern tradition to gift a basket of grapefruit for the holidays, but this season SweetWater has an alternative that’s sure to make the recipient happy: Squeeze Box IPA with Grapefruit. Slice open citrus heaven – this winter seasonal is bright and crisp with five tropical hop additions and dosed with a shot of grapefruit. Tie a bow on it, and deliver this fresh new squeeze to be the best gift giver in town. (Available through January anywhere craft beer is sold.)

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EAGLE’S NEST OUTFITTER’S SINGLE NESTER HAMMOCK For the outdoor enthusiast: Eagle’s Nest Outfitters makes ultraportable hammocks – this single nester easily stuffs into a baseball sized bag, and takes seconds to hang. Post up in your backyard or atop your favorite mountain and pop open a brew. $59.95 EaglesnestOutfittersInc.com.

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TeKu - THE WORLD’S BEST BEER GLASSES For the true beer geek who wants to drink proper-like: TeKu glasses – the curvature enhances aromas and the craft beer tasting experience. $38.00 Available at Amazon.com.

festival 3pack 2017

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CRAFT BEER AND WINE FESTIVAL 3 PACK The three pack that's better than a six pack! Get your tickets for all three of Gwinnett’s 2017 best festivals for just $99. That's like buying two festivals and getting one free.

The perfect gift for the beer fan in your life.

If they can't make all three festivals, they can give the ticket to a friend! $99.00 Festival3Pack.com.

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news from a community dedicated to

the arts

SUWANEE CLASSIC CAR SHOW

› A CHRISTMAS CAROL 65 › TARZAN: THE STAGE MUSICAL 66

› NGAA NEWS 67

Atlanta Classic Cars and Suwanee Wine Fest are “Driving the Arts” A silent art auction sponsored by Atlanta Classic Cars at the 2016 Suwanee Wine Fest on November 5th will raise funds for the The Fine Arts Fund Foundation, a new program within the Gwinnett County School system that provides grants to students who otherwise would not have access to instruction or assistance in their field of study.

STORY BY: MICHELLE FASIG

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Atlanta Classic Cars is a fullservice, authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership that has proudly been NOV. serving the community for 40 years.

From 2007-2014, Atlanta Classic Cars was the proud recipient of the Suwanee Wine Fest Atlanta Consumers’ Choice award Town Center Park for Business Excellence, and Tickets available at SuwaneeWineFest.com was additionally named by the readers of Gwinnett Magazine as “Best Place to Buy a Car” and “Best Auto Mechanic.” However, what many people do not realize is that not only is Atlanta Classic Cars working hard to be the best dealership in the community, they are working equally as hard to give back to the community which has supported them for so many years.

As the Presenting Sponsor of this years’ 4th Annual Suwanee Wine Fest, Atlanta Classic Cars began exploring the idea to use this event as a way to draw awareness to their newest initiative, “Driving the Arts.”

On November 5th, at Chris Chapman Marketing Director, Atlanta Classic Cars Suwanee Town Center Park, Atlanta Classic Cars is proud to organize a silent art auction showcasing two pieces of 2-dimensional art from each high school in Gwinnett County that will run for the duration of Suwanee Wine Fest. All of the proceeds from the auction will go directly to the Fine Arts Fund Foundation. This program

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“When we were discussing Atlanta Classic Cars attending Suwanee Wine Fest, us bringing a car is not the point. We wanted to find a reason to be there, and we figured that Suwanee Wine Fest rolls into the arts.

Have a little drink, have a little art, the pairing made sense.”

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The silent auction at the 2016 Suwanee Wine Fest will feature two pieces of 2-dimensional art from each high school in Gwinnett County. All of the proceeds raised will go directly to the Fine Arts Fund Foundation.

serves to provide all students with a comprehensive, diverse, and world-class fine arts education through exemplary arts instruction by industry leading fine arts professionals.

The Fine Arts Fund Foundation is a new program within the Gwinnett County School system that provides grants to students who otherwise would not have access to instruction or assistance in their field of study. Atlanta Classic Cars is the first community sponsor of this program, which will help students develop their creative potential to the fullest.

create

Additionally, Atlanta Classic Cars is dedicated to donating a portion of the proceeds from each car sold back into the Fine Arts Fund Foundation. Originally this program was going to culminate in January, at the beginning of the new year. However, when Marketing Director, Chris Chapman, realized there was an opportunity to host a silent art auction at the Suwanee Wine Fest, he knew that there was no better time to introduce the cause to the general public. “When we were discussing Atlanta Classic Cars attending Suwanee Wine Fest, us bringing a car is not the point. We wanted to find a reason to be there, and we figured that Suwanee Wine Fest rolls into the arts. Have a little drink, have a little art, the pairing made sense.”

Atlanta Classic Cars has also been working with Toys for Tots for several years and is excited to continue participating in these upcoming months. Toys for Tots

is a charity that collects new, unwrapped toys each year and and distributes these toys as Christmas gifts for less fortunate children in the community. Atlanta Classic Cars not only matches the donations they receive dollar for dollar, but they also serve as a community drop-off location for toys. As a way to continue to increase their donations, Atlanta Classic Cars will be auctioning off two child-sized vehicles: a Mercedes G-Wagon and a McLaren at Suwanee Wine Fest. Both vehicles are equipped with bluetooth and are completely customized with one-of-a kind paint jobs.

The silent art auction will be held in the park and is open to all Suwanee Wine Fest attendees. Be sure to check out Suwanee Wine Fest on November 5th at Suwanee Town Center Park and know that you are definitely drinking for a great cause! Tickets are available at SuwaneeWineFest.com. ■

A Christmas Carol: The Musical Former broadway performer brings holiday classic to Infinite Energy Center A Christmas Carol: The Musical holds a special place in Paige Chambers’ heart as it is the creation of famed Tony award winners and husband-wife NOV. team the late Mike Ockrent and Susan Stroman, who gave Chambers her start on Broadway and became her mentors.

“It is such an honor to bring this particular Infinite Energy Center Broadway show to Atlanta this holiday season,” Ticket prices are $19 - $27. To order tickets go to axs.com and said Chambers. “Mike Ockrent, the co-writer and search “Chambers”. director of the original production of A Christmas Carol: The Musical hired me for my first show at 17 years old. During my 10-year career on Broadway, I had the privilege of working with both Mike Ockrent and original choreographer, Susan Stroman, many times, and I am proud to represent these Broadway greats by bringing their vision of the show to Atlanta audiences. I know that my personal connection to them will shine through, pushing our performance to outstanding levels.”

Susan Chambers Dance Company will perform the show on November 22nd at the Infinite Energy Center for the second consecutive season. Paige Chambers, who serves as co-director and instructor, will choreograph and co-direct a cast of over 60 actors, singers, and dancers performing alongside a live orchestra.

A Christmas Carol: The Musical is a full-length Broadway musical with huge dance numbers, beautiful music, hundreds of costumes, exceptional sets, and a live orchestra. The audience will feel as if they

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have been to Madison Square Garden, where this musical has delighted holiday audiences for 12 years,” said Susan Chambers, who founded the dance company in 1980.

A Christmas Carol: The Musical will be performed at the Infinite Energy Center (Formerly Gwinnett Performing Arts Center) on Nov. 22 with two shows at 11am and 7pm. Last year both shows sold out so get your tickets early! To order tickets go to axs.com and search “Chambers”. ■

Community Art Players of Suwanee present

Tarzan: The Stage Musical

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Community Art Players of Suwanee (CAPS), a performance group under the umbrella of Suwanee Performing Arts, is excited to present Tarzan: the Carlos and Sandra Cervantes Stage Musical. The Theatre for the Arts show will take place Tickets for all seats are $15 each at the gorgeous Carlos and available for purchase at SuwaneePerformingArts.org or by and Sandra Cervantes calling 678-482-6333.

Theatre for the Arts at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA on November 12th and 13th, 2016.

Based on Disney’s epic animated musical adventure and Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan of the Apes, Tarzan features heartpumping music by rock legend, Phil Collins.

The production requires the majority of the actors to move gracefully across the stage, swinging through the trees and vines.

Cirque performer Gina Hermansen was recruited by CAPS Director Rebecca J. Martell and Choreographer Melissa Joy to work with the actors.

Hermansen, in collaboration with Akrosphere Aerial Dance and Circus Arts, trained the actors in the circus art of Aerial Silks; the gorillas will literally be swinging across the stage.

All of the actors are middle and high school students that have no experience in acrobatic arts. Molly Day - who plays the part of a gorilla - said "I don't take dance classes, so Silks has allowed me to explore another side of the fine arts. It's given me an outlet for physical expression other than dance. I'm even using it for a physics project!"

Tarzan the Stage Musical will take the stage on Saturday November 12th at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm and on Sunday, November 13th at 2:30 pm. Tickets are available for purchase at SuwaneePerformingArts.org or by calling 678-482-6333. ■ NOV / DEC 16

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Events Raise Funds for North Gwinnett Arts Association Center For The Arts Center for the Arts Fashion Show The Center for the Arts hosted its first ever Art Gala & Fashion Show on Friday, October 21st. Presented by Void Space Productions, Universe + Soul Couture and Pooch N Paws Pet Boutique, the show included a cocktail party, silent auction and fashion models hitting the runway as well as doggie models wearing canine couture.

According to Vickie Johnson, President Emeritus of the North Gwinnett Arts Association (NGAA), “The NGAA gala fashion event was designed to treat the community to a fun evening of boutique clothing for women, men and even your doggies! It was a wonderful evening, with proceeds benefiting the NGAA art scholarships and initiatives.”

Proceeds from the event went to benefit the North Gwinnett Arts Association Center for the Arts.

The NGAA 2014 Suwanee Classic Car Show

uniform will be present along with the JROTC cadets from North Gwinnett and Collins Hill High Schools.

The Suwanee Classic Car Show is organized by and goes to benefit the North Gwinnett Arts Association Center for the Arts. For more information on the Classic Car Show, visit suwaneeclassiccar.com. For more information on the Center for the Arts, visit ngaa4arts.com. ■

Suwanee Classic Car Show The NGAA is gearing up for the Suwanee Classic Car Show, which will take place on Sunday, November 6th in Town Center Park. The show will feature pristine cars and trucks in the vintage, muscle, custom and exotic categories. “We expect more than 150 cars this year as we once again honor our veterans with an opening color guard ceremony. The award-winning event will showcase many types of classic and race cars on exhibit, Paint-A-Wreck, a silent auction and 50/50 raffle with an anticipated crowd of 3000+,” said Johnson. This year’s show will include a patriotic theme to honor Veterans of all branches of service. First responders from the Georgia State Defense Force who volunteer in

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events from in and around suwanee.

SUWANEE ACADEMY OF THE ARTS

GINGERBREAD FESTIVAL

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PEOPLE & PLACES 78 › SUWANEE AREA EVENTS CALENDAR 86

2016 SUWANEE FEST 5K/10K The superhero themed run took place on Saturday, September 10th in Suwanee Town Center Park. This event served as an opportunity for the community to help fight childhood obesity. Georgia Fitness took a portion of proceeds to provide after school programs and summer camps for local kids who might not otherwise be able to attend.

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Latest from in and THE The Around Suwanee

100-Mile Solo Run Across Georgia Benefits Hi-Hope Service Center Nick Reynolds, Volunteer Coordinator for Hi-Hope Service Center, ran 100 consecutive miles starting on October 27th and finishing on the 28th. The run began on the Georgia-Alabama border, and ended at the Silver Comet Trail and finished at HiHope’s main facility just north of Lawrenceville.

As Volunteer Coordinator, Reynolds asks potential volunteers about their strengths and interests and tries to develop activities based on that information. One day, Reynolds asked himself the same question, how could he help Hi-Hope with his strengths and interests? As a dedicated long distance runner with a passion for pushing boundaries, the answer was obvious and “Hi-Hope Hundred” was born. 100% of money raised goes to match a Challenge Grant from the Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia to support much needed renovations to Hi-Hope’s Oak Manor group home.

Hi-Hope is a 56-year-old 501©(3) non profit organization that supports adults with developmental disabilities in Gwinnett County. For more information on Hi-Hope Service Center, visit hihopecenter.org.

Suwanee City Council Approves Town Center West Master Plan The Suwanee City Council unanimously approved the master plan for the city’s newest park, Town Center West, at their September 27 meeting. Located on the approximately 25-acre site known as the DeLay Property, Town Center West will be situated behind the Suwanee library and PlayTown Suwanee on Suwanee Dam Road. The property was purchased in 2002 as an early acquisition of their community-driven comprehensive park and open space initiative.

“The success of Town Center Park has exceeded all expectations,” said Suwanee Mayor Jimmy Burnette. “The park draws over 200,000 visitors annually to events, as well as regularly serving our 18,000 citizens. The new Town Center Park West will help ease the demand on the existing park and surrounding community.”

MA S T ER P L A N GATEWAY SCULPTURE TRAIL CONNECTION TO TOWN CENTER

BRUSHY CREEK TRAIL

GATEWAY STEPS / WATER FEATURE EVENT PLAZA / FLEXIBLE

The park will feature a mixture of urban and rural environments, including:

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• An open terrace plaza and lawn area at the peak of the park’s elevation that will include several small-scale micro-business sites serving park patrons.

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• An extension of the existing Playtown Suwanee geared toward older children, expanding the age range of Playtown Suwanee without interfering with its existing success.

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• A roughly 900-foot, elevated signature bridge for pedestrian and bicycle use, spanning the entire park and crossing an approximately one-acre water feature.

• Sandpit volleyball courts • An iconic public art piece.

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I N C O L L A B O R AT I O N W I T H : Clark Patterson Lee jB+a, inc.

Lord Aeck Sargent

Entertainment. In her role, Day works closely with designers and gameplay programmers to create visually appealing graphics that deliver Overwatch’s unique combat look and feel. She also works closely with the user interface team to create a clear and impactful user interface.

Day also walked the audience through the creation of Overwatch and what a job as a VFX artist is like.

She left students who are interested in or are pursuing a job in the field with three pieces of advice:

Gwinnett Tech hosts Blizzard Entertainment Visual Effects Artist Rachel Day On October 10th, students at Gwinnett Tech interested in or currently enrolled in the Game Development program along with the general public, had the opportunity to meet and hear Blizzard Entertainment’s VFX Artist Rachel Day’s story. Day is part of the team that has helped create the wildly popular game, Overwatch. Released in May of 2016, the game now has over 20 million registered users according to pcgamesn.com.

Day shared the story of her youth and her early love of gaming, the influences throughout her life, how she decided on her career path and landed at Blizzard

1. “Don’t just wish for it, work for it!”

2. “Always be creating… draw, do photography… create something every single day.”

3. “Network! Tell everyone what you want to be and how you want to get there. Find people that are doing what you want to do.”

When asked how it feels to be part of such a popular game, Day said, “It’s humbling to think that literally millions of people are playing the artwork we created.”

While California, home of Blizzard Entertainment, is still the largest state in the nation for video game development, the industry has experienced growth around the country. According to Andrew Greenberg, Executive Director of Georgia Game Developers Association, Georgia is the 7th largest state for the game industry in the country with 3,142 people working in the industry and 350 games created in Georgia.

Gwinnett Tech offers an Associate’s Degree, Diploma and Certificate programs in Game development. For more information on Gwinnett Tech, visit gwinnetttech.edu. ■

Welcome New Businesses!

SelecSource Staffing Services Ribbon Cutting Suwanee welcomed SelecSource Staffing Services with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony on August 18th. “SelecSource is made up of a tight knit group of staff members that really take pride in serving their local communities through the most fundamental of business and personal needs – creative workforce solutions for our customers and career opportunities for our candidates,” said Tracy Williams, President of SelecSource.

3429 Lawrenceville Suwanee Road Suite C, Suwanee.

Universe + Soul Couture and Void Space Productions Ribbon Cutting On Friday, August 19th Suwanee welcomed Universe Soul + Couture and Void Space Productions with a double grand opening and ribbon cutting. Universe Soul Couture is a boutique geared toward teens offering clothing and accessories that inspire individual expression and a healthy lifestyle. Void Space Productions is a photography gallery featuring unique art treasures and jewelry.

The businesses are family owned

by Suwanee residents who are sister and brother.

Shoppes at Olde Towne, 425 Buford Hwy, Suwanee

Rock Solid Supplements Rock Solid Supplements hosted their grand opening on Saturday, October 8th.

Located on Peachtree Industrial Blvd. in Suwanee, Rock Solid specializes in a wide variety of workout supplements, vitamins, protein bars and other gym accessories.

525 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Suwanee

Avonlea Station Apartment Homes Ribbon Cutting On Wednesday, October 12, Avonlea Station celebrated their grand opening and ribbon cutting. Located off of Scales Road right off of McGinnis Ferry, these luxury apartments offer loads of amenities and easy access to the Suwanee Creek Greenway.

1035 Scales Rd., Suwanee

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Vitality Med Spa Wins & Welcomes New Plastic Surgeon Vitality Med Spa, new to Suwanee this summer, but in business since 2011, welcomes plastic surgeon Dr. Kristin A. Boehm, M.D., FACS. “We are so excited to introduce Dr. Kristin Boehm, double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to our clients. She specializes in the art of rejuvenation from Mommy Makeovers to facelifts and everything in between,” said Monique Hicks, Owner and Clinic Director.

This October, Vitality Med Spa was awarded the 2016 Pinnacle Award for WomanOwned Small Business of the year.

Hicks shared, “We are completely thrilled and honored. This is such an amazing recognition and we owe it to our amazing staff who blend medicine, aesthetics and art to create unparalleled wellness and rejuvenation. Our clients love the way they feel and look because of our talented professionals. We are so blessed to operate in Gwinnett County and to have the Gwinnett Chamber as an amazing resource for businesses and professional development.”

Congratulations to Team Ryan for winning the Gwinnett Chamber’s Rising Star Pinnacle Award "We are honored and grateful to the Chamber and to the community for this recognition. It is nice when hard work pays off!” shared Shara Ryan at Team Ryan Automotive. Team Ryan is an ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Recognized Shop and won Best of Gwinnett in 2015. For more information, visit teamryanautomotive.com. ■

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9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Honors 9/11 Heroes September 11, 2016 marked the 15th anniversary of the tragic attacks on the World Trade Center towers and Pentagon. The City of Suwanee, along with the Suwanee Creek Chapter of the “There are people Daughters of the here in Suwanee Revolution that have a personal American (DAR), connection to that worked to day. I have learned create an event to of some of these people after the fact. remember and honor It really felt good those that and was an honor lost their and privilege to be lives that day, and part of the day that meant so much to so the brave men and many people.” women Cathy Hyer that Regent of the Suwanee Creek Chapter of the served our Daughters of the American Revolution country and citizens throughout the aftermath of the attacks as well as those that help protect us today. Amy Doherty, Events and Outreach Manager at the City of Suwanee along with Kim Towne, Events Coordinator, worked with Cathy Hyer, Regent of the DAR Suwanee Creek

Chapter, to create a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in Suwanee Town Center Park that did exactly that.

The ceremony took place around the Remembrance Public Art piece in the park, opening with a medley of patriotic songs and the National Anthem from the Sounds of Suwanee chorus, followed by a presentation of colors by the Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services Honor Guard and an invocation from 12 Stone Church Sugarloaf Campus Pastor, Scott Mawdesley. Suwanee Mayor Jimmy Burnette, State Representative Brooks Coleman, and Suwanee Chief of Police Mike Jones recognized and honored members of the Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services and Suwanee Police Department.

Suwanee Police Officer Jeff Dickerson was awarded with a medal of appreciation.

The Sons of the American

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The Sons of the American Revolution were also present, and recognized Gwinnett County Firefighter, Lieutenant Sean Ballisty, and Suwanee Police Officer Jeff Dickerson with medals of appreciation.

Following the ceremony, Hyer met two sisters that were 9/11 survivors and had been in the World Trade Center that day. The women were police officers for the Port Authority. She told them that, “Our #1 goal here today is to honor you and your friends, especially those that didn’t walk away and I hope we did that.”

The women confirmed, “You did. We couldn’t be at home with our people there but were so glad we could be here.”

Hyer shared, “There are people here in Suwanee that have a personal connection to that day. I have learned of some of these people after the fact. It really felt good and was an honor and privilege to be part of the day that meant so much to so many people.”

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), is a 125 year-old national nonpolitical service organization with 111 chapters in Georgia. Their motto is “God, home and country,” and they focus on historic preservation, education and patriotism. The Suwanee Creek Chapter turned five years old in October and currently has 53 members.

Some of their service projects have included providing boxed meals at Thanksgiving and canned goods year round for the North Gwinnett Co-op, sponsoring seniors at Christmas, honoring and commemorating men and women that served our country, sending care packages to military service personnel, cleaning up the cemetery and some of the headstones at Suwanee Methodist Church, teaching proper flag etiquette, and more.

They are also involved with a national program called TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.) During the month of November look for baskets and displays of toy soldiers put out by DAR. People are encouraged to take one of the toy soldiers as a reminder to pray for our service men and women, as well as their families. Baskets will be placed in businesses throughout Gwinnett County, including one in Ippolito’s in Suwanee Town Center Park.

The organization is open to women 18 years old and up who can prove lineal descent to someone who served the American colonists during the revolutionary war. They have a network of people to help with the application process. If you are interested in joining or would like more information on DAR or the Suwanee Creek Chapter, email suwaneecreekdar@gmail. com or visit dar.org. ■

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2017 Miss Suwanee “We Crown for a Cure” Pageant The 2017 Miss Suwanee “We Crown for a Cure” Pageant will take place on February 25, 2017 at North Gwinnett High School. Since 2010, The Miss Suwanee Pageant has been bringing the community together and raising funds for Relay for Life. In 2017, along with partners at North Gwinnett High School, the pageant plans to grow and evolve this area tradition and to continue to “Crown for a Cure."

The 2017 pageant has expanded the competition and division categories to allow more participation.

These expanded division options will include more for youth, men, a revised category for “Largest Donations Raised” and a category to celebrate and honor cancer survivors... plus more!

The 2017 pageant will also allow Suwanee area businesses to have more of a participating role in the pageant through division sponsorship opportunities. “It is my goal to get as much of the basic operating costs for the pageant covered through the generosity of our great business community, so that more of the monies raised by our dedicated contestants can go directly to Relay For Life (through our partnership with North Gwinnett High School). With the help of area businesses the operating costs will be lowered and it will be a great way for our business community to get plenty of exposure leading up to, during and after the 2017 pageant,” said DeAnna Emborski, 2017 Miss Suwanee Pageant Director and current Mrs. USA titleholder.

Online registration for the 2017 pageant is currently open at MissSuwaneePageant.com, with early bird pricing ending December 1st, 2016. For more information on becoming a Miss Suwanee Pageant division sponsor contact DeAnna Emborski via email at: Director@ MissSuwaneePageant.com or visit their website at MissSuwaneePageant.com. ■

citybuzz

Suwanee Fest

Saturday, September 17th & Sunday, September 18th TOWN CENTER PARK

PHOTOS BY: KARL LAMB

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ON THE SCENE

Taste of Suwanee Saturday, October 8th TOWN CENTER PARK

PHOTOS BY: KARL LAMB

Annandale Extra Mile

Saturday, September 24th TOWN CENTER PARK

PHOTOS BY: ANGELA VEUGELER

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Suwanee Fest 5K and 10K Saturday, September 10th

TOWN CENTER PARK

PHOTOS BY: ANGELA VEUGELER

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Cooper O'Brien Memorial Golf Tournament Tuesday, September 27th

TOWN CENTER PARK

PHOTOS BY: ANGELA VEUGELER

Paint Gwinnett Pink 2016

Saturday, October 1st COOLRAY FIELD

PHOTOS BY: KARL LAMB

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Third Eye Blind Concert

Saturday, September 3rd THE BOWL @ SUGAR HILL

PHOTOS BY: PRISCILLA SALMASI

NGAA Fashion Show Friday, October 21st

NGAA CENTER FOR THE ARTS

PHOTOS BY: KARL LAMB

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people & places

SBA Sept Meeting

Wednesday, September14th FRIENDSHIP AUTO

PHOTOS BY: JULIE PERDUE

SBA Oct Meeting

Wednesday, October 12th SQUEAKY'S CAR WASH

PHOTOS BY: JULIE PERDUE

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calendar buzz the

A R E A

E V E N T

THINGS TO DO THIS NOV. & DEC. 2016

November 2016

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SUWANEE WINE FEST ____________________________________ Nov. 5th @ 1:00 pm thru 4:30 pm ____________________________________

Suwanee Town Center Park ____________________________________ Tickets available @ SuwaneeWineFest.com

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DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS ____________ Nov. 6th

THE ICE RINK AT SUGAR HILL OPENS FOR THE SEASON ______________________ Nov. 11th ______________________

SUWANEE CLASSIC CAR SHOW ________________________

Downtown Sugar Hill ______________________ For hours and more info visit icerinkatsugarhill.com

Nov. 6th @ 10:00 am ________________________

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SUWANEE KIWANIS ALL AMERICAN 5K _____________ Nov. 12th @ 10:00 am _____________

Town Center Park

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TARZAN: THE STAGE MUSICAL PRESENTED BY COMMUNITY ART PLAYERS OF SUWANEE ________________________________ Nov. 12th @ 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm Nov. 13th @ 2:30 pm ________________________________

Sandra Cervantes Theatre for the Arts at Riverside Military Academy / Gainesville, GA

For tickets visit SuwaneePerformingArts.org

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GWINNETT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THANKSGIVING BREAK

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE MUSICAL PRESENTED

BY SUSAN CHAMBERS DANCE COMPANY _________________________ Nov. 22nd @ 11:00 am and 7:00 pm _________________________

Infinite Energy Center _________________________ For tickets visit axs.com and search “Chambers”

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THANKSGIVING DAY

Dec. 2016

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CHRISTMAS AT GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL _________________________ Dec. 1st @ 7:00 pm _________________________

GAC Campus- Long Forum _________________________ Free Event featuring Greater Atlanta Christian School Orchestra, Choir and Band 88

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OLLY HOLLY DAY

_________________________ Dec. 2nd @ 6:30 pm _________________________

Suwanee Town Center Park

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PETER PAN & WENDY PRESENTED BY NGHS PLAYERS _________________________ Dec. 2nd and 3rd _________________________

North Gwinnett High School Theater _________________________ Tickets can be purchased at the door

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COOKIES WITH SANTA ____________

Dec. 3rd @ 2:00 pm 5:00 pm _____________

The Baking Grounds _____________ Free coffee, hot chocolate, cookies & photos with Santa.

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SANTA AND CHARACTER BREAKFAST _________________________ Dec. 3rd and 10th _________________________

Funopolis Family Fun Center _________________________

Make memories at the Santa and Character Breakfast for only $5 per person! Reservations are required and limited availability - book today!

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Jan 4th

GWINNETT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WINTER BREAK

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SUWANEE ACADEMY OF THE ARTS GINGERBREAD FESTIVAL ____________________ Dec. 18th @ 1:00 pm -3:00 pm ____________________

Suwanee Academy of the Arts

NUTCRACKER TEA* ____________________

Dec. 18th @ 1:30 pm 2:30 pm ____________________

Suwanee Academy of the Arts *Tickets required

BEST OF THE NUTCRACKER

Dec. 18th @ 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm ____________________

Lanier High School Theater ____________________ For details and tickets visit: SuwaneePerforms.com

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NEW YEARS EVE PARTY “RAT_____________________ PACK/VEGAS” THEME December 31st _____________________

Tannery Row Ale House

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