January/February 2022 by Suwanee Magazine

50+ LOCATIONS IN METRO ATLANTA. 75 BOARD-CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS. EXCELLENCE AT HEART IS HERE FOR YOU.

At Northside Hospital Heart Institute, you’re at the heart of everything we do. Our team of 75 board-certiﬁed physicians are focused on providing you exceptional care above all else. With the support of the Northside network, including the latest technology and the leading facilities, our experts are ready to treat any cardiac condition. From preventative care and blood pressure management all the way to advanced surgeries—we provide Excellence at Heart. Find a provider near you with over 50 locations across Metro Atlanta. Scan the QR code to learn more.

EXCELLENCE AT HEART

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022 10 Business Spotlight: Ansley Real Estate: Kelly Kim One of the area’s top realtors, Kelly Kim opened her Suwanee office in July 2020 with a diverse team of real estate professionals.

14 Web Design Trends

The team at Veugeler Design Group outlines seven trends in web development and design that you don’t want to overlook in 2022.

Health & Fitness Guide

40 Galentine’s Day

Contributing writer, and resident party planner, Natalie Garrett shares ideas for the perfect Galentine’s Day.

From cycling and group workout classes to Pilates and walking the trails, there are a number of ways in Suwanee to kick-start your health — it’s all about finding what works for you.

50 Coffee That Matters

PHOTO BY GARY DOWD

Duluth’s Phoenix Roasters has a mission to create local and global change and bring relief to underdeveloped communities through its coffee.

55 Cloudland Vineyards + Winery

Gwinnett’s newest vineyard and winery brings a touch of North Georgia Wine Country to Buford.

Suwanee Beer Fest:

Drinking for a Good Cause

PHOTO BY BAYLEE VIDAL

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Big South Productions, the company behind Suwanee Beer Fest and its sister events, gives back to our community in big, long-lasting ways.

Restaurant Spotlight:

Rodeo Mexican Restaurant & Bar

PHOTO BY KARL LAMB

Since opening in March 2021, Rodeo Mexican Restaurant & Bar has been serving up a delicious combination of traditional Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican cuisine.

58 What’s Brewing at Suwanee's StillFire Brewing

From donating to charities to winning beer festivals, there's always something going on at Suwanee’s hometown brewery.

IN EVERY ISSUE: 6 Editor’s Letter 9 Currently Loving 19 Investment Strategies 43 Family Matters 66 The Buzz

72 Faces of Suwanee 74 Sugar Hill City Buzz 76 People & Places 80 Event Calendar

letter

a note from our managing editor

Kari Dees from ToLife! Yoga and Pilates coaches Pat Holmes during a private pilates session.

a note from our managing editor

NEW BEGINNINGS IN SUWANEE FTER THE confetti has fallen and the final verse of “Auld Lang Syne” has been sung, waking up to a new year brings the possibility of a fresh start in many areas of our lives. With the holidays behind us, it’s time to concentrate on all the “news” that 2022 will bring. For our annual Health and Fitness Issue, the obvious place to start is, well, your health and fitness!

New fitness journey: For this year’s Health and Fitness Issue, p. 20, we wanted to find out how Suwanee stays fit. In this spirit, we reached out to our readers and other locals to learn more about their go-to exercise routine, from cycling and group workout classes to pilates and running. We also outlined our favorite Suwanee parks and trails on p. 30. We have so many amazing greenspaces right here in our community, including Sims Lake Park and George Pierce Park, among others, there’s no reason we shouldn’t take advantage of their walking trails to help us get our steps in! In addition to these stories, Big Peach Running Co.’s Billy Simpson provides a training plan to help you prepare for your first 5K on p. 36, while Living Well Farmers Market’s Corey Lea offers tips on how to kick-start your new year with a healthy detox on p. 27.

right now, so that’s why it’s more important than ever to find the right person to represent you on your home buying (or selling!) journey. Turn to p. 10 to read about one of Suwanee’s top real estate agents, Kelly Kim, and learn more about how she and her team can help you navigate one of the most important purchases you will ever make. New restaurants: 2022 should be the year to step up your restaurant game. There are so many great restaurants popping up around Suwanee, so we need to take advantage of all the great food to be had! One such restaurant is Rodeo Mexican Restaurant and Bar. Located off of Satellite Boulevard, Rodeo opened in March 2021 and has gained a following with its combination of traditional Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican cuisine served in a fun, family-friendly environment. Read more about the restaurant on p. 46. New website: Maybe this will be the year you spend time overhauling your business’s website. Luckily, Veugeler Design Group has provided a roundup of trends in web development for 2022 on p. 14. From website responsiveness to new styles of layout and design, VDG is your local source of web developers and designers who will help take your web presence to the next level! Whatever the “new” is you plan to focus on this year, we wish you all a very happy and healthy new year!

New home: Maybe 2022 is the year you finally find your forever home. We’re experiencing an unprecedented market ALICIA CARTER, MANAGING EDITOR

COVER: Lizzy James And Boone photographed by Gary Dowd on the Suwanee Creek Greenway on December 14th.

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Alicia@suwanee magazine.com

ANGELA VEUGELER President / Editor-in-Chief angela@suwaneemagazine.com RANDALL VEUGELER Vice President and Publisher ALICIA CARTER Managing Editor TAMMY LUNEY Ad Manager ads@suwaneemagazine.com

Creative Director RANDALL VEUGELER Art Director LAURA HOLCOMBE Writers JAYA LORD • NATALIE GARRETT Production Manager APRIL MILLER Web Editors CLARKE GLIDEWELL • KYLE WILSON Graphic Designer MADISON NORTH Photographers KARL LAMB • JULIE PERDUE GARY DOWD

JULIE PERDUE Executive Sales and Business Development 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. ©2022 Veugeler Design Group. The editors welcome unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. Please email submissions to Alicia Carter at Alicia@suwaneemagazine.com.

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Snapshots of the food, shops, events and more we’re loving around town.

Oysters at Seaside Oyster Bar

BEST HOT DRINK

BEST RAW OYSTERS

Hot Cocoa at Cafe Amico

IN LIEU of our annual

WHAT’S BETTER than a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter day? Cafe Amico, located in Suwanee Town Center, is the spot to go for decadent hot chocolate creations. We love the Hot Nutella. The rim of a mug is dipped in Nutella, rolled in rainbow sprinkles, filled with hot cocoa then topped with torched marshmallows and finished off with a drizzle of chocolate. It’s sure to be a hit with the kiddos — and let’s face it, adults too. 320 Town Center Ave. in Suwanee Town Center / Facebook.com/cafeamicousa

Charleston trip, my husband and I visited Suwanee’s Seaside Oyster Bar to celebrate our anniversary, and we were speechless! From the restaurant decor, service and food, we felt like we were sitting at our favorite oyster bar on King Street. We tried several items off their menu including the hush puppies, mussels, and their glorious seafood tower. All items were delicious but our favorite was their raw oysters! Seaside has a rotating list of oysters that come served on a bed of ice along with a house-made cocktail sauce, mignonette, horseradish, and lemon wedges. Their oysters are fresh, clean and meaty! 3890 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suwanee / Facebook.com/seasideoysterbar

- Alicia Carter Managing Editor

- Jaya Lord, Contributing Writer

A Drink With All the Fixins

BEST BLOODY MARY

OVER THE TOP BURGER BAR’s Bloody Mary is just that — over the top. What is so impressive about these Bloody Marys isn’t necessarily the drink itself, but the plethora of toppings that come adorned on top. These fixins are based on a threetier system - the higher the tier, the more fixins. For example, “The basic” is topped with Wisconsin white cheddar cheese curds, assorted veggie skewers, candied maple bacon, and bison sausage. As you move up in tier, so do the toppings, which can include bratwursts, chicken wings, cheeseburgers, and a pretzel. Over the top, indeed. 2685 Buford Hwy., Buford / OvertheTopBurger.com

- Alicia Carter Managing Editor

B U S I N ES S S POT L I G HT:

Ansley Real Estate: Kelly Kim ONE OF THE AREA’S TOP REALTORS, KELLY KIM OPENED HER SUWANEE OFFICE IN JULY 2021 By Alicia Carter / Photos by Karl Lamb

knows, location is everything. Which is why it’s no surprise that Kelly Kim chose Town Center, the city’s bustling downtown area, to open her real estate company’s new satellite office. Located next to Bottles and Bones, Kelly’s office is as chic and sophisticated as she is. The front room welcomes  Kelly grew up in the Stone Mountain area guests with a bright white and attended college at Boston University, interior and a shiplap accent wall where she studied communications. After completing school, Kelly adorned with traveled to Korea, where she her logo. The worked as an actress for a comfy sitting area little over 10 years. Family is impeccably needs, including her father’s decorated for When I was ailing health, eventually the season and building my home, brought her back to Georgia, leads to a more and Kelly and her husband everyone would formal office area officially planted roots here in ask me, ‘Why in the back. It’s Suwanee four years ago. Suwanee? Why an inviting space “When I was building my that will calm any not Johns Creek or home, everyone would ask nerves, especially me, ‘Why Suwanee? Why not Alpharetta? I just Johns Creek or Alpharetta?’” since those who knew Suwanee Kelly says. “I just knew walk through was going to grow, Suwanee was going to grow, these doors will and it’s grown and it's grown tremendously.” be making one Suwanee is now an in-demand tremendously. of the biggest location with amazing parks, decisions in their - Kelly Kim, Team Leader a great school district, and Ansley Real Estate lives: buying or a burgeoning shopping and selling a home. restaurant scene. S EVERYONE

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Kelly Kim opened her office in Suwanee’s Town Center last July with a diverse team of real estate professionals.

BUSINESS

Kelly has dedicated herself to the real estate business ever since getting her license in 2013, and she’s seen tremendous success in the field. “I think God gave me a gift to become a realtor,” she says. “Working in real estate, you have to have devotion. You have to have patience. You have to have dedication. And you also have to make sacrifices. For instance, on weekends, I want to stay home. But you know what? People are off on the weekends. It’s when they need to look at homes. So I’m available to them. I basically work 24/7. I am available for holidays, you name it. I worked on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year's, New Year's Eve. But I also enjoy what I'm doing, and I think that’s very important. When I take on a client, I treat their home-buying process, or selling process, as if it's my own.” For nearly 10 years, Kelly has worked hard to make a name for herself in Atlanta, and she now brings those years of experience and dedication to the Suwanee market. Not only does Kelly and her team represent buyers and sellers alike, but she also helps her clients with additional needs such as renovations and upgrades once they purchase their home.

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An innovative high school environment that is Christ-centered and leader building.

“I can help change out the light fixtures, shiplap, accent walls. I mean, you have to dress it up and make it what you want and enjoy it,” she says. “Most people only fix up their home when they're ready to sell, but you know what? You're spending all this money and you don't get to enjoy it. I advise my buyer, if you have some budget, you need to dress up your home. It’s going to add value.” When asked what sets her team apart from other realtors in the area, Kelly says it’s all about finding the right person who fits your needs. “You have to find the right person to represent you, someone who's knowledgeable and dedicated,” Kelly says. “We also have a diversity of agents. I call my agents the United Nations because of our diversity. We have Indian agents, Chinese agents — we cover a lot of demographics. I think that's very important.” If you’re interested in working with Kelly Kim and her team, she reiterates that she’s available any time. “My - Kelly Kim, Team Leader Ansley Real Estate phone is open 24/7, and my office doors are open,” she says. Kelly also says she doesn't foresee the market slowing down any time soon. “I don't have a crystal ball in front of me, so I can’t really tell you exactly what's going to happen, but as far as I'm concerned, I think this market is going to stay very strong. And I think it's both a seller’s and buyer's market because, for instance, we have a very good interest rate right now. I have a lot of people who are calling me and saying, ‘I think the market's going to crash and prices are

You have to find the right person to represent you, someone who's knowledgeable and dedicated. We also have a diversity of agents. I call my agents the United Nations because of our diversity. We have Indian agents, Chinese agents — we cover a lot of demographics. I think that's very important.

going to go down.’ But you know what? I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. So if you wait for that, you're going to lose out on a lot of things and you're going to regret waiting.” One thing you won’t regret is choosing Kelly Kim and her team to represent you during your home-buying or selling journey. Kelly’s knowledge, dedication, and the care she has for her clients is sure to lead you to your best possible outcome no matter if you’re selling your current house or buying your forever home. ■

For more information about Kelly Kim, visit Facebook.com/kellykimrealestateteam, email her at kellykim@ansleyre.com, or call 678-464-4929.

BRAND-AID

MARKETING TIPS FROM

VEUGELER DESIGN GROUP

WEB DESIGN TRENDS FOR THE NEW YEAR BY

JAYA LORD , V E U G E L E R D E S I G N G R O U P

It’s been 30 years since the world's first website launched in 1991. It's incredible how fast the computer science industry has grown within that short time frame and even more fascinating to see how much it's evolved. Today we live in a multi-screen society where information is quite literally sitting in the palms of our hands and is only a "swipe up" away. So, what does this mean? It means that you have to keep up with ever-changing trends.

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BUSINESS BELOW ARE SEVEN TRENDS IN WEB DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN THAT YOU

Website responsiveness remains one of the most important features as more than 60% of web browsing takes place on a mobile phone.

DO NOT WANT TO OVERLOOK IN 2022:

1. Responsiveness

Not all trends are new or go out of style, and responsiveness is one of them. Have you ever accessed a website on your smartphone and found yourself scrolling for five minutes to read the information? Have you had to turn your phone sideways to access the site menu? If you answered yes, then you were on a non-responsive site! In short, a responsive website automatically scales its content and elements to match the screen it is viewed on. Having a responsive site not only improves user experience, but also enhances your search engine optimization and flexibility.

2. Parallax Animation

Possibly the hottest trend this year, parallax animation is a graphics technique that creates an illusion of depth by allowing background images to move slower than the foreground images. Not only is this eye-catching, but it generates an immersive experience for the user. This effect is an efficient way for our developers to incorporate an additional layer of dimension and flare that keeps website visitors engaged.

3. Page Transitions

In addition to parallax animation, page or scrolling transitions have made a significant impact on website activity. Transitions can increase time spent on the site by giving the visitor a more entertaining and interactive experience. Depending on your audience, you may need a quick transition so that users can access information faster while others may prefer more elaborate transitions that show off their dedication to customer service. User experience is crucial, from smaller details like movement while scrolling, to larger accents like page transitions.

4. Simple Menu and Header

Organizing and prioritizing menu options is important to a successful website. A condensed menu that is user-friendly will enrich the layout and design. This helps keep the header clean and easy to navigate while avoiding any unsightly text wrapping that can occur during optimization if there are too many menu options.

5. Branded Content

While the functionality of the site is certainly the main priority, the look and feel of each page are equally impactful. Working with a website team that focuses on both design and development is extremely advantageous. A graphic designer and web developer should work hand-in-hand to create a site that is not only functional, but aligns with client branding. A designer’s eye can arrange the content in a way that guides the user straight to the information they intend for them to view first. Utilizing the various weights within a font family, consistently adjusting font sizes throughout the pages, and strategically placing copy and photos from top to bottom are just a few ways to achieve this.

6. Neutral Colors and Gradient Backgrounds

Piggybacking off of #5, colors and textures matter! Neutral colors often evoke feelings of happiness. As our brains associate emotions with colors, it’s important to have a website that flaunts an inviting, fresh palette. However, companies who have brand colors that are brighter can still integrate a more neutral color palette by using the bolder shades as accent colors. This serves as a complementary balance to the — PR Newswire eye while staying within brand guidelines. And, an effective way to add texture could be something as simple as a gradient background, which truly adds life to the page without causing disruption to the content.

39% of web

users are drawn to color more than any other visual element when visiting websites.

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7. Animated GIFs

Visuals are everything to consumers, from colors to photo quality, because they can convey a message that is not written. An alternative yet successful way to catch someone’s eye is to consider including animated GIFs. This is highly recommended by our web developers as gifs can be customized to your brand and are much smaller in size compared to other large format files such as videos that could potentially increase your site’s load time. If your website is not something you're bragging about, it may be time to give it the attention it needs! A knowledgeable web design team can help explore how sprucing up your website could benefit the way your consumers view your company and brand. Whether it’s a refresh or complete overhaul, a smartly designed website can attract — and keep — the attention of your audience. ■

Veugeler Design Group is located at 554. W Main Street, Unit A200 in Buford. For more information, call 678-482-2270 or visit www.vdgatl.com.

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678-482-2270 / info@vdgatl.com / VDGatl.com

INVESTMENT S T R AT E G I E S BY: Bill and Cindi Porter, AILERON INVESTMENT ADVISORS

Q: MY BROKERAGE ACCOUNT DROPPED

WHEN THE MARKETS DECLINED RECENTLY. DID I LOSE MONEY?

Yes – if you sold your securities at a loss. No – if you stayed invested. The stock market always has ups and downs. The only time you make money or lose money is when you actually sell your security. All of the up and down movement in your account prior to the moment you sell are only losses or gains on paper. Consider this: For the past 34 years, the S&P 500 has experienced a market downturn in EVERY year — with no exceptions, ranging from -3% in 2017 to -49% in 2008. Yet in 28 of those 34 years the S&P 500 ended up in positive territory.* In EVERY case, the year ended with the S&P 500 higher than its intra-year low. In all but six years, it ended up in positive territory. The key is to not sell a position at a loss, but to instead wait for a recovery. For example, in 2020 the S&P 500 had a 34% pullback but finished the year up 18%. The timing of when you sell your securities is one of the biggest factors of how well or how poorly your investment will ultimately perform. Unfortunately, too many investors panic and sell in a down market. Last year, the difference between the high point and low point in the market was 50%. Similarly, systematically harvesting your investment gains is too often ignored. Making a wise and timely purchase of a security is only half of a successful investment. Making a wise and timely exit is equally as important. Sometimes that requires emotional discipline. A conversation with your trusted advisor about your personal risk tolerance and your emotional discipline would be time well spent. ■ *Macrotrends.net2526sp-500-historical-annual-returns

Securities and advisory services are offered through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), a registered investment adviser & Member FINRA/SIPC. MAS and Aileron Investment Advisors are not affiliated companies. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Neither the firm nor its agents or representatives may give tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult with a qualified professional for guidance before making any purchasing decisions. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Send your investment questions to: submissions@ SuwaneeMagazine.com

2 0 2 2 H E A LT H A N D F I T N E S S G U I D E

This year, get Suwanee

FROM CYCLING AND GROUP WORKOUT CLASSES TO PILATES AND RUNNING, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS IN SUWANEE TO KICK-START YOUR HEALTH — IT’S ALL ABOUT FINDING WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. S T O R Y B Y ALICIA CARTER

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Maggie Hudson

Owner of Fit2Fly THERE ARE so many reasons why I

love aerial silks. Exercise has always been part of my life and I have tried many different things, but I get easily bored and need to work toward a goal. When I started learning aerial silks, I had so much fun that I didn't even think of it as "exercise." Meanwhile, I'm in the best shape of my life because of it. Climbing on the silks, wrapping, and inverting all improve your all-over body strength, flexibility, and coordination. Aerial silks training even promotes calmness! While you're up in the silks, you have to focus on how to wrap, which muscles to engage, etc., so you don't have time to think about anything else. It's a form of meditation for me, to put some music on and just "dance in the air!" Another reason why I love aerial silks is that it boosts my self-esteem. There is a real sense of achievement because you're placing trust in yourself when working at a height and mastering those skills. And even after my eight years of training on aerial silks, there's always more to learn and another goal to achieve.

I love the adrenaline rush I get when performing different drops. It’s so exhilarating! ” 21

Alexis Wilmot

Georgia Tech Student RUNNING IS a way for me to stay fit

while also giving me a mental break from everything around me. It gives me something to look forward to every day! I love how results from a hard training block are clearly reflected back in races and they give me even more reason to try harder the next go-round. I started running just for fun years ago, and ran on the Suwanee Greenway every morning. It was so nice seeing the same people every day walking and enjoying the outdoors just as I was. As one could guess, I got hooked on running very quickly. Now, I run marathons and will be running the Boston Marathon next April! To supplement running, I also really enjoy cross training, such as swimming, biking, and strength training. I think that it's super important to stay balanced between different activities so that I can keep myself healthy and injury free!

Jessica Rantamaki 51 Business Development Specialist at Geo-Hydro Engineers AFTER A near fatal car accident in 2017, I used a basic stationary bike as part of my physical therapy plan. It helped me get back to running, and compete in a few half marathons and the Peachtree Road race every year since. As I have turned older and my joints haven’t enjoyed running as much as my mind does, I decided to embark on the Peloton journey and purchased my bike in January of 2020, just before the pandemic. This was the best purchase of my life so far as it has helped to keep me fit mentally and physically. I am now almost at my 1,100th ride. In 2021, I biked over 13,000 minutes, 3,800 miles, and burned over 120,000 calories! Look for me on the leaderboard as #bionicspine and taking most of my classes with my favorite coach, Matt Wilpers, who was a track star at GSU now turned Peloton coach.

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Tony Heringer

2022 H E A LT H AND FITNESS GUIDE

Specialist Leader at Deloitte I STARTED cycling about

11 years ago. Jeff Nalley at Suwanee Creek Bikes initially put me on a hybrid bike to get me started before spending a lot of money on a more expensive road bike. At the time, I was really just wanting a way to cross train with my running, but two years in I was hooked on cycling and ready to invest in a road bike. My wife and I go to the Silver Comet on the weekends as often as possible, and we’ve recently discovered Suwanee's Brushy Creek Greenway a little closer in. We have biked a great deal on the Rails to Trails paths in Florida and in the Keys, and we also like to bike on Jekyll Island several times a year. It’s so relaxing and beautiful down there. We also took on the Virginia Creeper dirt trail a couple of years ago. On weekdays I normally bike around Suwanee, staying on surface streets and off of busy roads like Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. It’s been a great way to get to know our little town. When possible I run errands on my bike.

I’d recommend cycling to anyone looking for an outdoor exercise option that is both challenging and fun.”

2022 H E A LT H AND FITNESS GUIDE

Beth Hilscher

Attorney / Suwanee City Council Member

Greg Jones 59 / Madi Jones 26 Self-employed • Occupational Therapist WE RUN in Suwanee to stay fit. Suwanee is

a runner’s paradise. From the Greenway to numerous parks and trails, there is no shortage of places to run safely in Suwanee. Suwanee also hosts multiple running events each year that allow this father-daughter duo to cover our best miles on foot, stay fit, and stay connected to one another!

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A FEW years ago, I ventured upon a gym located off of Old Suwanee Road, now known as Amrack Fitness. The gym, owned by a former Falcons football player and his wife, Derek and Lisa Rackley, had the appeal of a 30-minute, highintensity interval training workout. It saved the expense of personal fitness training and I figured I could fit a 30-minute routine into my busy schedule. At that time, I could hardly complete a single pushup. I had previously tried various fitness routines — nothing really stuck. Now, more than three years later, while the 30-minute workout remains fresh and challenging, what draws me to Amrack at 6:15 most evenings is the sense of community cultivated by the owners and trainers. My trainers and classmates have become some of my most cherished friends. We encourage each other in our accomplishments, we break bread together in celebration, and we lift each other in times of need and sorrow. For that, I have been blessed. And as an added bonus — I dare most men my age to challenge me to a push-up contest!

Sandra Izaguirre

Stay-at-Home Mom and Local Volunteer FITNESS HAS been an important part of my life

since I was in college. It’s a big part of who I am. I have enjoyed many different forms of exercise, but group classes have always been my favorite. I even taught group fitness classes for many years at the former BodyPlex and then at Georgia Fitness. When I hung up my microphone in 2016, I decided to join Orangetheory Fitness. I really enjoy the social aspect of the workouts as well as the ability to always challenge myself physically. At 53 years old, I have had my share of orthopedic issues, and at Orangetheory Fitness I have been able to become stronger while being conscious of any physical limitations. The coaches and members are incredibly supportive. Obviously, working out provides a myriad of physical benefits — strength, heart health, flexibility. For me, however, the mental calm and balance that I feel after a tough workout is the main reason I show up each day. We jokingly call it our “Orange Therapy,” but those endorphins are real and keep me showing up even on those days when I don’t always feel like going. The sweat and sore muscles are the icing on top!

Pat Holmes says that Pilates classes at Buford’s ToLife! Yoga and Pilates studio have transformed her body and improved her quality of life.

FITNESS SUCCESS STORY Pat Holmes

Pilates at ToLife! Yoga and Pilates Pat Holmes is a testament to the adage that health is timeless. After all, it’s never too early or too late to invest in your health and well-being. At 76 years young, Pat is thriving after discovering ToLife! Yoga and Pilates studio four years ago. “When I walked into the large, open, and beautifully appointed ToLife! studio, I had no idea what a life-changing experience it was going to be for me,” she says. Located in downtown Buford, ToLife! is a boutique fitness studio opened in 2017 by mother-daughter team Marilyn Hildebrandt and Kari Dees. There, they offer intimate and specialized classes to help members “attain health and balance for the mind, body, and spirit, resulting in a greater overall wellbeing.” Pat’s weekly Pilates classes at ToLife! have not only improved her overall health, but she also saw dramatic changes in her body composition. “During the first year of Pilates, some friends kept commenting on how great I looked,” she says. “I felt great, and seemed to have more energy than ever. Back problems disappeared, my core muscles strengthened, and my body alignment improved. The dowager’s hump, which had plagued my mother, was not going to plague me, due to constant instruction

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in shoulder and neck alignment throughout all of the Pilates moves.” While the classes helped her energy and strength, the improvements to how her body felt and its overall alignment are what she considers the biggest changes she’s noticed since starting Pilates. “When Pat started taking Pilates, she had

chronic back and neck pain,” says Dees. “For the first couple of months, she couldn't lift her head off the mat without neck pain, and her thoracic spine was very kyphotic (exaggerated thoracic curve). Pat no longer has neck or back pain, and the kyphosis in her thoracic spine has reversed substantially. She is actually one of our most advanced Pilates clients! She is very strong, and has much better posture and body awareness. It just goes to show that anyone can do Pilates and benefit from it, regardless of age, gender, size, or fitness level!” While ToLife’s Pilates classes may have drastically changed her body, the true testament to Pat’s success is her commitment to attending the classes weekly, plus the effort and dedication she has put behind overhauling her health. Pilates may be the driving force behind her improved fitness, but her consistency in showing up and putting in the effort is the key to her success. “The private class I attend once a week, in addition to the mat and tower classes, have kept me in great physical condition. Pilates is a physical and mental workout, requiring concentration on body alignment and muscle awareness,” Pat says. “The Pilates instructors at ToLife! are knowledgeable, welltrained and personable. I try to attend three classes each week, and intend to practice Pilates at ToLife! for as long as possible. I am 76 years young and with the help of the instructors at this studio, I hope to be practicing Pilates here when I am 86!”

2022 H E A LT H AND FITNESS GUIDE

Detox in the New Year

STARTING THE NEW YEAR WITH A DETOX IS A GREAT WAY TO HIT THE RESET BUTTON ON YOUR HEALTH. By Corey Lea, Living Well Farmers Market

Wow, it’s been a rollercoaster ride during the last almost two years of this COVID-19 pandemic! There’s been plenty of eating and drinking, which have us a few pounds heavier and feeling a little more sluggish and lethargic than ever. With that, it’s time to think about renewing and refreshing our bodies to get back to normal and get out of the proverbial funk we’ve been in. The only thing is, most of us don’t know where to start. A detox or cleanse is a great way of hitting the reset button. Think of your body as a machine; what you put in is exactly what you get out. If you put regular gas in a high-performance vehicle, over a few months you will notice a subtle decline in its performance and its inability to move like it once did. By adding high-octane fuel back to the vehicle, it will slowly start to regain its ability to perform to its best ability. If you imagine your body as the vehicle and the food you eat and the things you drink as the fuel, it’s going to act pretty much in the same fashion. But before drastically changing your diet, it’s always good to speak with your physician or other dietary professional! Consider even looking into having a food allergy panel done to see if something is “clogging your engine.” This is also wise if you are overweight or have other major health issues in order to make certain that you are making the best, safest decision for your body. Remember: what works for your co-worker or neighbors might not be the best for you.

The Daniel’s Fast

It’s important to note that during a detox or cleanse, you are flushing out the bad stuff and giving your body a “tune-up” with the right stuff. In this case it’s always good to consider what

kind of food and drinks you put in. In my household, we do the Daniel’s Fast at the beginning of each year for three weeks. This might not be for everyone, but it provides us with a great cleanse of everything from the holidays. Even though this is not technically a detox it does act in the same way as we regiment our eating habits to healthy foods and drinks to reset our body. We cut out dairy, sugar, all meats, just about everything processed, and any alcohol from our diets… Like I said, it’s not for everyone. We replace those with all the berries, nuts, beans, fruits, and vegetables you can eat. So, why is this important? It actually serves many purposes. Your body is constantly detoxing, but if you give it some help, you can feel more refreshed and balanced. Cleansing also reduces inflammation throughout your body. Yep, all those aching joint pains and sore muscles go away, skin clears and tightens, sleep is improved, and hormone levels are balanced. Most importantly it clears your mind, reducing stress and anxiety levels, and increases clarity of thought. At Living Well Farmers Market we have great choices to help guide you through this process. Some foods and drinks to consider when you start your detox or cleanse are ginger, beets, green tea, fresh fruit, fresh greens, and many more. Our staff can help point you in the right direction or even give you a suggestion or two. Come support our local vendors and farmers to provide you with the right ammo to help you “rev up” your body for 2022! Living Well Farmers Market is located at 400 Buford Hwy., Suite 1102, at Suwanee Town Center. For more information, visit LivingWellGa.com.

2022 H E A LT H AND FITNESS GUIDE

Flossie Fitness

WHAT GRANDMA FLOSSIE TAUGHT ME ABOUT EXERCISE THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY. an activity requiring physical effort, carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness. Words like workout, fitness, strength training, weightlifting, and running sometimes make me cringe. Don’t get me wrong, I have a workout room and I am down there about 60 minutes a day in an effort to maintain my 61-year-old “America’s Next Top Model” body (not)! But I can’t help but think about what my parents, and my grandparents, especially Grandma Flossie, think of what we call fitness. What would they think of treadmills for walking, ellipticals for climbing, rowing machines for, well, rowing, and weights for lifting heavy things? I think they just walked, climbed, rowed, and lifted heavy things! At least that is what Grandma Flossie would EXERCISE IS

STEPHANIE WOLFE The Whole Food Health Coach

Stephanie Wolfe, NBC-HWC, is Gwinnett County’s only National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach. She holds credentials from the National Board of Medical Examiners, and is a Master Certified Health Coach with Dr. William Sears, MD. Her advanced training, professional resources and personal experience have proven successful in assisting her clients to correct health issues, reach weight goals, and optimize wellness at any age or fitness level. WholeFoodHealthCoach.com

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do, and I use her life as an example for my own. My goal is to live to be 100! I’ve seen it done. In fact, you might say, I’ve seen how it’s done. I just ask myself, “WWGFD?” You guessed it, “What would Grandma Flossie Do?” Grandma Flossie lived to be 102 (almost to 103). When she turned 100 years old, we threw her a birthday party, of course, and it was there that I met her two older siblings! Yes, you read that correctly. Flossie mowed her own lawn (in her work dress and grandma shoes) until she was 95. I can still see her out there, fit as a fiddle! Lest you envision her atop a riding lawn mower, let me clear that up.

It was a push mower propelled only by her push! Once her mower needed the blades sharpened, so she called the local hardware store in the town she had lived for 75 years. They offered to come pick up the mower and bring it back to her for a $10 delivery fee. Flossie wasn’t having that, so she walked the mower down to them (about a half-mile) on the side of the two-lane highway (there was no sidewalk, mind you, actually on the roadway), in grandma shoes and all! Grandma Flossie and I believe in fitness the oldfashioned way. Just move! No gym membership or expensive equipment needed. Under protest, her family insisted on moving MORE FITNESS TIPS: her washing machine and dryer up from Sit up straight. Sit less, but when you do, sit up straight and engage her cellar (it was your core. a real cellar with cement stairs). Stand up every 15 minutes. Sitting They said they is the new smoking, meaning it is just didn’t want just as dangerous to the body! her to go up Park far away and leave the front and down the spots for those who really need stairs anymore, them, or one day you may be the to which she one who really needs them! said, “I’ll go up and down those Walk tall. Walk like you own the stairs as often place! as I want to!” Focus on posture while standing, And I have no walking, and sitting. doubt that she did just that, Use your entire body to walk, go and probably up steps, dry your hair, etc. right after they left that day. Do squats while putting dishes away or doing laundry. I encourage what I call Turn on ’60s, ’70s, or ’80s music “Flossie and dance around your house. Fitness” (fitness the oldTake up a new hobby: tennis, fashioned way). walking clubs, etc. Exercise is very important to Call your Health Advisor! your health. I believe that fitness is less about what you do in the gym for 60 minutes, and more about what you do all day, every day. Most of our grandparents and great-grandparents didn’t suffer with 80% of the preventable diseases that we suffer with today. Maybe it is because they didn’t pay people to mow their lawns, clean their houses, or wash their cars — or pick up their push mower (WWGFD?). Try Flossie Fitness! Clean your own house. Mop your own floor. Vacuum your own carpets. Move your own furniture. Mow your own lawn. Pull your own weeds. Wash your own car. Walk your own dog. Garden. Cook your own food. Walk, run, climb, row, and lift heavy things! And if it helps you, just ask, “WWGFD?” ■

ON THE TRAIL

LACE UP YOUR TENNIS SHOES AND HIT THE WALKING TRAILS AT ONE OF THESE FABULOUS SUWANEE AREA PARKS. BY

ALICIA CARTER

While walking on the treadmill is a great way to incorporate movement in your daily routine, we much prefer to get outside and get our steps in at any of Suwanee’s scenic walking trails and parks. We’re blessed to live in a community with such excellent greenspaces, so why not take advantage of them? Plus, the added vitamin D will also work wonders on our health with its own benefits, including helping to boost weight loss, reduce depression, and strengthen our bones.

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2022 H E A LT H AND FITNESS GUIDE

SIMS LAKE PARK 4600 Suwanee Dam Road, Suwanee ⊲ This scenic park may best known for its beautiful and serene lake – complete with a picturesque water fountain that will make the perfect backdrop to any photo – it’s also home to a wide, paved 1.2-mile walking trail that is perfect for experienced runners and walkers, but is also a great beginner trail for even the most leisurely of walkers. You’ll see couples walking their dogs, families out for a bike ride, as well as others enjoying the greenspace with a picnic or sitting by the lake to catch views of the turtles and geese who call it home. In addition to the walking trails and lake, Sims Lake also boasts a great playground complete with shade structures that the kids (and parents!) will appreciate on a hot Georgia day. Plus, there’s easy access to restrooms and seating areas around the park.

1.2-MILE PAVED WALKING TRAIL PLUS A PLAYGROUND WITH SEATING

GEORGE PIERCE PARK 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee ⊲ Within George Pierce Park’s 304 acres, there’s truly something for everyone, including sports fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, basketball courts, a community recreation center and senior center, pavilions, marshes, and a pond great for spotting deer and partaking in a little bird watching. The park is also home to a 2.6-mile paved trail and 1.2-mile soft-surface multiuse trail. Keep an eye on this park in early 2022, when it will unveil its more than $2 million in improvements that include accommodations for children with disabilities.

2022 H E A LT H AND FITNESS GUIDE

SETTLES BRIDGE PARK 380 Johnson Road, Suwanee ⊲ Settles Bridge Park is home to 268 acres of beautiful wooded and paved trails great for hiking, walking or jogging. The park features 4.5 miles of trails, including 1.6 miles of a wide, paved multi-purpose section (located near the park entrance on Johnson Road) that eventually segways into a path featuring a varying mix of dirt and gravel. The non-paved portion extends into a wooded trail that feels more like you’re in the remote trails of northern Georgia rather than the suburbs of Atlanta. In addition to the great trails, Settles Bridge also features a nice playground and skate park, and is home to the only dog park in Suwanee, so bring along your four-legged BFF.

SUWANEE CREEK GREENWAY Trailhead: 1170 Buford Highway, Suwanee ⊲ In a sense, the Suwanee Greenway is a connecting path through Suwanee. The nearly 5-mile hardsurface, multi-use trail connects 400 acres of parkland with residential and commercial areas, beginning at George Pierce Park and running along Suwanee Creek all the way to Suwanee Creek Park, with several access points along the way. On any given day you will find a number of people getting their steps in or biking along the trail, which follows along four miles of wooded areas, wetlands and wildlife habitat making for an attractive backdrop to an afternoon stroll. And bonus points for access to disc golf along the trail in Suwanee Creek Park!

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TOWN CENTER PARK Intersection of Buford Highway and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suwanee ⊲ While different from the other parks on this list, Town Center is the hub of Suwanee and features a multitude of shops and restaurants and is a true neighborhood gathering spot. Perfect for a family outing, Town Center features the Big Splash Fountain along with a paved path where patrons can walk or jog, as well as a large, open greenspace where you can picnic with a to-go order from a nearby restaurant, play catch, fly a kite, or even attend a festival or concert.

E.E. ROBINSON PARK Multi-Purpose Complex: 650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Sugar Hill ⊲ E.E. Robinson is located on 66 acres and offers a .95-mile paved trail with a bridge. It’s a nice loop trail to get in your steps with some gradual inclines and declines. This park also features a football/multipurpose field including a lighted track, and a tennis center with six lighted courts. Kids love the large playground and enjoy cooling off and hours of entertainment in the interactive fountain during the summer months.

Wine Festival to conducting COVID testing for a wide variety of companies and events, including SK Battery and the Boy Scouts of America Golf Tournament at Chateau Elan. DVANCED URGENT CARE & AESTHETICS is a fast growing, locally owned network of Urgent Cares and Aesthetics centers namely, Braselton Urgent Care, Cumming Urgent Care and Duluth Urgent Care where you can expect kind and compassionate care from highly qualified medical providers. Their friendly team of professionals would love to help you FEEL BETTER FAST! They welcome walk-ins and same day appointments with minimal wait times. You will also meet Bear, their therapy dog to enhance your experience! Braselton Urgent Care opened in May 2019 and owing to the warm welcome they received in the community, they quickly became the leading Urgent Care in the area with an average daily visit volume of over 100 patients per day. Progressively, they opened Cumming Urgent Care in September, followed by Duluth Urgent Care in December 2021. Advanced Urgent Care and Aesthetics have now expanded their range of offerings to include Wellness and Aesthetics services at all of their locations. Advanced Urgent Care and Aesthetics is proud to partner with local businesses and events, from providing first aid services at the Suwanee

URGENT CARE SERVICES: ■ On Site Labs & X-ray ■ Telemedicine ■ Workers’ Comp/ Physical Exams ■ Employer and Individual COVID-19 Testing

L O C AT I O N S :

BRASELTON URGENT CARE

2620 Old Winder Highway, Suite 300 Braselton, GA 30517 678-821-2401 F. Douglas Harkrider, MD, FACEP Caleb Henson, PA-C Jarrod Luttiohann, PA-C Kim Tran, APRN, FNP-C

WELLNESS SERVICES: ■ Hormone Therapy

AESTHETICS SERVICES: ■ Botox/Filler Treatments ■ Non-Surgical Body Contouring ■ Non-Invasive Skin Tightening

CUMMING URGENT CARE

5610 Bethelview Road, Suite 500A Cumming, GA 30040 678-821-5376 F. Douglas Harkrider, MD, FACEP Caleb Henson, PA-C Ryan Risley, PA-C

DULUTH URGENT CARE

2320 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Suite 101 Duluth, GA 30097 678-821-5377 F. Douglas Harkrider, MD, FACEP Caleb Henson, PA-C Jean Lee, PA-C Megan B. Betts, PA-C

WELLNESS AND AESTHETICS All locations 678-821-2401 Amy Smith Jessica Haro, RN

AdvancedUCA.com

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2022 H E A LT H AND FITNESS GUIDE

Better Health Starts with Better Breathing CLEAN AIR BRINGS PURE BLISS. BREATHE CLEAN WITH CORE AIR SYSTEMS. new year and as we all try to find our healthier, happier selves, resolutions often include eating better, being more active, getting more sleep, lowering stress, and ultimately living our best lives. Every aspect of our health starts with the air we breathe. Core Air is not a filter but does help the filter capture more allergens, like dust, dander, and pollen while working in the air to destroy viruses, kill bacteria and mold, neutralize VOCs, smoke, and odors. Live your best life!

IT'S A

Core Air System  The Core Air System from Core Air is a

brush-style needlepoint ionizer producing positive and negative oxygen ions that neutralize odors and harmful pollutants. The system creates millions of ions that are pushed out through your ductwork and into your living spaces. These ions create mountain fresh air in your home and start scrubbing your air immediately. The ions continuously work to clean your air 24/7, so you can rest easy and breathe easier.

Personal Air Purifier  Core’s Personal Air Purifier goes where

you go. When worn, CoreAir Pod will create a bubble of ions to battle pathogens like viruses, bacteria, mold spores, VOCs, odors, and allergens like dust, dander, and pollen. With the addition of our Vent Clip, CoreAir Pod is the perfect product to keep you safe while driving. Cars and traffic emit some of the nastiest and most toxic fumes and ions will neutralize them in minutes. Also great against odors from food, pets, and smelly feet. They are portable, ultra light, mini and wearable, silent, and maintenance free.

BENEFITS OF CLEANER AIR 1. Reduce Illnesses

Removing airborne contaminants from your home helps you and the family breathe better.

2. Eliminate Pests

Pests thrive in homes with dust, dirt and mold, which can be resolved with improved indoor air quality.

3. Allergy Relief

4. Reduce Pet Dander

Core Air helps reduce dander and other allergens by 80%.

5. Sleep Better

Every night you’re not sneezing or scratching from allergies is a good night’s sleep. Wake up congestionfree for a better start to your day!

7. Better Overall Health

Breathe easier in your home knowing you’re turning allergy-affected air into healthy air.

In addition to less allergens and pathogens, ions improve overall mood, cognition, and energy.

Use code SUWANEE for $30 off Core Air Pod, $100 off Whole Home Unit and GET FREE Installation. Call today at 800-291-9921 or visit www.coreair.green

2022 H E A LT H AND FITNESS GUIDE

Train for a

BEGINNER 5K TRAINING PLAN: 6 WEEKS

This training plan is for people who are essentially starting from zero. All of this can be tweaked if it feels too easy or too hard at any point.

Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday are rest days. Fridays can be used for strength training or another form of cross training until the Friday before your 5K, which you will use as an extra rest day.

SUWANEE’S BIG PEACH RUNNING CO. SHARES A PLAN TO GET YOU OFF THE COUCH AND READY FOR A 5K!

Training for a 5K — or any run for that matter — can be intimidating. However, incorporating a regimented training schedule can be the secret to success to tackling your first 5K! Here, Big Beach Running Co. Suwanee’s store manager, Billy Simpson, shares a plan to help take you from running novice to completing your first race, plus tips to take you to the next level. 

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WEEK 1:

Tuesday: Run 1 minute, walk 1 minute. Repeat 8-10 times. Thursday: Run 2 minutes, walk 4 minutes. Repeat 5 times. Sunday: Run 2 minutes, walk 4 minutes. Repeat 6 times.

WEEK 2:

Tuesday: Run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes. Repeat 4 times. Thursday: Run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes. Repeat 4 times. Sunday: Run 5 minutes, walk 3 minutes. Repeat 3 times.

WEEK 3:

Tuesday: Run 7 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat 3 times. Thursday: Run 8 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat 3 times. Sunday: Run 8 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat 3-4 times.

WEEK 4:

Tuesday: Run 8 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat 3 times. Thursday: Run 10 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat 2 times. Then run 5 minutes again (slightly faster if possible) and cool down with a 2-minute walk. Sunday: Run 8 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat 3 times.

WEEK 5:

Tuesday: Run 9 minutes, walk 1 minute. Repeat 3 times. Thursday: Run 12 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat 2 times. Run 5 minutes again. Sunday: Run 8 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat 3 times.

WEEK 6:

Tuesday: Run 15 minutes, walk 1 minutes. Repeat 2 times. Thursday: Run 8 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat 3 times. Saturday: RACE DAY! Don’t go out too fast. Run until you feel like you need a walk break. Most importantly, have fun!

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ESSENTIAL GEAR:

Preparation is key. Here is a list of suggested tools you’ll need for a successful race day:

A fitted running shoe

The most important item in your fitness journey is the right shoe. Big Peach Running Co. in Suwanee Town Center can take you through a fit process that scans your foot and analyzes your gait to find the best running or walking shoe for you. This will make running far more comfortable.

Good moisturewicking socks You wouldn't want a luxury car without leather seats, right? Better socks will enhance your experience by letting your feet breathe better and preventing blisters.

4. A foam roller

A good watch

A stopwatch works, but if you want to track things like distance, heart rate, pace, and more, look no further than Garmin!

Running will make you sore, especially when you are first starting out. A roller will help with muscle soreness and promote blood flow, as well as recovery.

Train for a

TIPS FROM BIG PEACH ON IMPROVING YOUR RACE TIME Make sure that you are doing different types of runs throughout the week, including at least two easy runs, a long run, and a speed workout. This workout can be done as a faster run on the road like a tempo, on the track as repeats, or hill sprints. Varying your runs and speeds are what makes you faster. Make sure that you are warming up before your race. Have a lighter weight shoe for race day to make the run feel easier.

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UPCOMING RUNS Now that you have a training plan, mark your calendar for these local upcoming runs.

Chilly Willy 5K, 10K and Half Marathon Sat., Jan. 15th, 8:30 a.m. Race through the sweet city of downtown Sugar Hill. The 5K is on a certified course and starts at 8:30 a.m.; the 10K continues and the half marathon is a double loop. There will be finisher medals for all half marathon participants, and the 5K and 10K participants may purchase one during registration. All participants will receive a Chilly Willy long sleeve race shirt. There will be chip timing with awards for the Overalls, Masters, Grand Masters, Senior Masters, and the five-year age groups. For more information visit RunSignUp. com/Race/GA/SugarHill/ ChillyWilly5K10KHalfMarathon.

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Suwanee Sweetheart Sprint 5K and Fun Run Sat., Feb. 12th, 9AM The Rotary Club of Buford/North Gwinnett hosts the 11th Annual Suwanee Sweetheart Sprint 5K and Fun Run at Suwanee Town Center. The race is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier and boasts tons of fun, including medals for each age group, fastest dog, most senior finisher and a Valentine-themed costume contest. After the race enjoy some hot chocolate, post-race snacks, and some fun with your friends and family at the photo booth. Proceeds support Rotary Club of Buford/North Gwinnett scholarships and other charities. For more information visit SuwaneeSweetheartSprint.com.

Suwanee Half Marathon and Old Town 5K Sun., Feb. 20th, 7:30AM The Suwanee Half Marathon has been an annual tradition since 2015. This year, races will take place on Sunday, February 20th, with the half marathon beginning at 7:30 a.m. in front of City Hall and the Old Town 5K starting at 7:45 a.m. The 8th annual event is presented by Performance Race Services along with the City of Suwanee, and will benefit the Suwanee Public Arts program. For more information visit SuwaneeHalf.com.

Suwanee Beer Fest Beer Chaser 5K Saturday, March 5th, 11AM The Suwanee Beer Fest Beer Chaser 5K returns to Town Center Park for its second year with its beer-centric twist on the traditional 5K. This timed, Peachtree Road Race qualifying event is perfect for experienced runners and newbies alike. Just choose the ticket that best fizzes up your beer belly – either non-stop or with beer stops. All 21+ runners will cheers together at the finish line. For more information visit SuwaneeBeerFest.com/beer-chaser-5k.

Suwanee Kiwanis Shamrock 5K Saturday, March 19th, 8AM

The Suwanee Kiwanis will host its 10th annual Shamrock 5K at Suwanee Town Center to raise funds for their Don Lee Memorial scholarships. The proceeds last year assisted in awarding scholarships to three local high school students. The 3.1-mile course begins at City Hall at 8 a.m. There will be prizes for top male and female runners, with T-shirts and goodie bags available for registered runners. For more information visit Suwanee.com.

Big Peach Suwanee’s Group Run Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30PM At 6:30 every Tuesday and Thursday evening, runners meet at the amphitheater in Suwanee Town Center Park to get some fresh air and exercise and run or walk a 2-mile, 4-mile or 6-mile route. Runners and walkers of all paces and abilities are welcome and they also receive 10% off Big Peach merchandise. It’s a great way to get or stay in shape and make new friends that will help hold you accountable.

PARTY HACKS with Nat

NATALIE GARRETT

Suwanee Magazine's official party queen shares insights on making your next event a smashing success!

Contributing Writer

Think of all the fun things you could do without having to go anywhere at all. Who doesn’t love a girls’ night in?! Check out these six Galentine’s Day party themes and see which one fits your bestie group the best: Cocoa & Candles

of February brings one of Hallmark’s most popular (and arguably lucrative) holidays: Valentine’s Day. The great debate between those struck with Cupid’s arrow and those who don’t believe in flower bouquets or assorted chocolates… some people love it, while others love to hate it. Whether you’re falling in or out of love with this established day of expression, I’m here to highlight a twist on your celebration by introducing Galentine’s Day. You’ve probably heard of this, but Galentine’s Day is another excuse to do something special with your closest girl gang. My sister-in-law hosts this every year and it’s always a night to remember. From friends and cousins to neighbors and aunts, the gals gather to get all dolled up, take fun photos, and enjoy dinner reservations at the chosen restaurant of the year. Some of us are single, others are married, and a few aren’t even old enough to date, which makes it even more meaningful by offering an evening affair that’s welcoming for anyone to attend. HE MONTH

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February in Georgia is inevitably one of the coldest (if not THE coldest) months of the year. This makes sipping on hot chocolate and cozying up near a heavenly candle a highly desirable wintertime activity. A cocoa bar is always a crowd pleaser, and don’t forget to load it up with toppings: marshmallows (obviously); white, milk or dark chocolate chips; crushed peppermint or candy canes; sprinkles; caramel cubes; and whipped cream. Then, top off the festivities with a candle swap! Similar to playing White Elephant at Christmas, everyone can bring a candle for exchanging (and stealing if the game gets juicy!).

Tour of Napa

This is another activity that’s popular among our get-togethers. Everyone brings a bottle of wine that they haven’t tried before — anything that jumps out to them from the shelf — along with whatever cheese looks appetizing at the deli. We sit around the dining table and begin tasting one at a time, discussing what we like and don’t like, and what cheeses end up pairing well with our assortment of vino. We often walk away with a yummy new recommendation, and of course plenty of fellowship.

Game Night

This one is solely up to your discretion, but don’t assume you’re ever too old to play games. It’s not only acceptable,

From sipping hot cocoa to ordering pizza in your PJs, there are a number of fun ways to celebrate Galentine’s Day.

but completely encouraged to break out some classic board games that make you nostalgic for the good ole days (LIFE, anyone?). If your crew is more of the competitive and confident kind, trivia is always a true test to call someone’s bluff and opens up a plethora of categories. The selfdisciplined folks who are up for a challenge could try their hand at

mastering an unfamiliar game like Chess, or a mind-boggling venture such as an at-home Escape Room (pro tip: order a pre-made kit!). Or, if a streak of gambling spirit lights your fire — a casino night full of poker or blackjack might be more your speed.

Pizza & Pajamas

Honestly, what’s more comforting than losing count of your slices while snuggled up in your comfiest jammies? If you can make it an overnight event, take advantage of a slumber party! This is the opportunity many are looking for…

a reason to wind (or “wine”) down and see where the night takes you.

Crafts & Cookies

Cookies are such a versatile sweet treat fitting for any occasion. With the endless culinary creativity of flavors, an array of cookies could very quickly come together if everyone brings a different type. Calories don’t count on holidays, amirite? Pairing this guilty pleasure with a craft means your party just took it to the next level by creating a unique keepsake. This could be a group canvas painting, jewelry, home accents like coasters or table centerpieces, wooden signs, or floral arrangements. Pinterest will be your go-to resource that has an idea suitable for any style or preference!

Make Cotton Candy Cocktails If there was ever the perfect occasion for a cotton candy cocktail, it’s now! No matter how you spend it, Galentine’s Day isn’t complete without this irresistibly adorable beverage.

Directions: Moisten the rim of a champagne flute with water. Twist the glass around in sprinkles to coat the rim. Fill the flute with pink cotton candy, then fill with champagne so the cotton candy melts into the liquid and gives it a pink hue. Top off the drink with another piece of cotton candy. Voila! NOTE: To make it a mocktail, try a nonalcoholic spritzer such as club soda or Sprite.

Drop-In Pancake Brunch

Realistically, we all know how difficult it can be to pin down your crowd throughout all of the hustle and bustle life brings. If you only have a limited time slot, make it a drop-in style meal convenient for guests to visit for a shorter period of time. By having something like a pancake brunch, everyone can swing by as their schedule allows, just to say hello. With a variety of toppings like chocolate chips, strawberries and blueberries, whipped cream, sprinkles, syrups, powdered sugar, and Nutella, this is a flexible way to let each person prepare their own plate as they wish.

However you choose to spend your Galentine’s or Valentine’s Day, find what motivates you and make the most of it. Chances are, someone around you craves quality time with you — whether it’s your long-lost gal pal or romantic significant other — so expound on the idea of turning it into an experience. You just might surprise yourself!

- Natalie 42

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FAMILY MAT TERS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Jennifer Wilmoth, LMFT, Thrive Forward Therapy

Sunday Scaries Tips to outsmart the work week dread in the new year.

How do you usually feel on Sunday evening? If a sense of dread and anxiousness starts to creep in as the weekend fades away and the work week is around the corner you are not alone. According to a recent survey of American adults, 39% of people age 18-21 and 38% of people aged 22-39 experience this dread and anxiousness all or most weeks. These feelings on Sunday evening have become known by many as the “Sunday scaries.” The name may sound silly and cute, but if you are experiencing this it probably feels far from it. The Sunday scaries can set in for a variety of reasons such as being overwhelmed with responsibilities, feeling your abilities are mismatched with your job, overworking, lack of support, and so on. Anytime our responsibilities outweigh our resources this can lead to stress, dread, anxiousness and, over time, maybe even feelings of burnout.

Check out these tips to help outsmart the Sunday scaries in the new year: Identify the reason.  Take a few minutes and ask yourself these two questions: “What am I dreading about my work week?” and “If I could change anything about my work week what would I change?” There are likely parts of your week you enjoy and some you dread. For example, you may dread waking up early or the flood of emails in your inbox but enjoy talking with a coworker or working on a new project. In the rush to prepare for the week ahead we may blow past these feelings of dread. However, in the rush we may be missing some important clues for what we need to increase or decrease throughout the week to reduce the dread and stress. Make changes.  Just because you are feeling dread about your week doesn’t mean you need to make a drastic life or career change. Start with small changes with the parts of your week you have control over. For example, start your day with reviewing daily goals, plan lunch with a friend or coworker, review your responsibilities with your team, or plan an unplugged vacation. If regular feelings of dread continue after multiple changes then you might be experiencing more on-going stress or feelings of burnout and more extensive changes might be needed. Reach out to a friend, mentor, or therapist to talk through possible life or career changes you think could be helpful. Prioritize self-care.  When you dread times of your week you have no control over, focus on increasing self-care or add things you enjoy to offset the dread. For example, listen to your favorite music when working on dreaded tasks or ask a friend to help out with a difficult part of your week. Prioritizing your own well-being and communicating what you need can really help to reduce stress and dread. The people around you cannot read your mind so unless you ask for what you need they may assume you are taking care of yourself and feeling good about your role and responsibilities. ■ YouGov research survey https://today.yougov.com/topics/economy/articlesreports/2021/08/13/sunday-scaries-poll-data

I'M NOT A MONDAY PERSON

JENNIFER WILMOTH, LMFT Jennifer Wilmoth is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of Thrive Forward Therapy in the Suwanee area with over a decade of experience. She received her Masters of Family Therapy from Mercer University School of Medicine. She works with families and individuals dealing with a variety of concerns. She specializes in working with couples who want to improve their relationship, teens experiencing difficulties at home or school, children experiencing behavioral or relational concerns, anxiety, and depression. Learn more at ThriveForwardTherapy.com.

Winter Fun at Margaritaville Lanier Islands

Enjoy the winter season with a visit to License to Chill Snow Island and the Lakeside Lights Spectacular at Margaritaville Lanier Islands for a time of wintry fun! Create special memories for the whole family with snow tubing, amusement rides, ice skating, and playing in the snow.

Lakeside Lighrt!s Spectacula

For more details visit MargaritavilleAtLanierIslands.com

60 SUWANEE BEER FEST

DRINKING FOR A GOOD CAUSE

fooo

local food, craft beer & wine trends

PHOENIX ROASTERS page 50 II CLOUDLAND VINEYARDS + WINERY page 55 II  WHAT'S BREWING: STILLFIRE BREWING page 58

R E S TAU R A N T S P O T L I G H T

Best of Both Worlds

SINCE OPENING IN MARCH 2021, RODEO MEXICAN RESTAURANT & GRILL HAS BEEN SERVING UP A DELICIOUS COMBINATION OF TRADITIONAL TEX-MEX AND AUTHENTIC MEXICAN CUISINE FOR HUNGRY SUWANEE DINERS.

BY ALICIA CARTER / Photos By Karl Lamb

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INCE OPENING its doors in March 2021, Rodeo Mexican Restaurant & Grill is already gaining repeat customers with its combination of traditional TexMex and authentic Mexican cuisine. Located off of Satellite Boulevard in the same shopping center as Walmart, the former Wild Wings Café location has been completely remodeled. The space has been opened up into one large dining room featuring plenty of seating, including booths, high tops, and long tables perfect for larger parties. The dark wood U-shaped bar anchors the room, with the bartender busy mixing up margaritas for the hungry dinner crowd. Large ornate light fixtures mimic the arms of a colorful blown-glass octopus outstretched overhead. It’s really remarkable what they’ve done with the space — revamping it from a low-lit, wing-slinging sports bar to a family-friendly spot with southwestern flair. The horse saddle bar stools at the high top tables are a nice touch, too. Don’t worry, there are still plenty of TVs spread around the dining room to keep tabs on the game while the family shares a large bowl of queso or guacamole (more on that later).

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One holdover from the former tenant is the excellent outdoor covered patio. With an outdoor bar, table-top seating and plenty of flatscreens, it’s a great escape for an adults-only crowd to watch the game or explore the restaurant’s drink menu. There’s even a true outdoor patio area with umbrellacovered seating and mini table-top fire pits that would make an ideal setting on a pleasant evening. Rodeo truly seems to have the best of both worlds with the more traditional restaurant setting inside and the bar-like atmosphere outside. The restaurant also hosts live music and events like trivia, making it the perfect spot to gather with friends for a fun night out.

Rodeo Mexican Restaurant & Grill serves a combination of TexMex and traditional Mexican cuisine. Menu items include (clockwise from left) Alondra’s Plate, Angel’s Plate, and the Cowboy Margarita.

EXPLORE THE MENU

The best way to start your meal at Rodeo is by ordering a round of Cowboy Margaritas, made with Jimador Reposado 100% Agave and a splash of Mezcal Monte

FOOD & DRINK

Alban and Grand Marnier liqueur. “Our margaritas set us apart because we use both tequila and mezcal,” says General Manager Jose Montes. The margarita menu has to be one of the largest in the city, with two pages in their drink menu dedicated to them — one page for “specialty” margaritas, like the pomegranate margarita, presidente, and Skinny Girl, and another for their “premium” margaritas, where patrons will find the Cowboy.

Rodeo’s covered patio features an outdoor bar, tabletop seating and plenty of flat-screens to watch the game.

Don’t miss out on the fresh guacamole as another tasty way to start your meal, which is prepared tableside and large enough to please the entire table. Featuring fresh avocado, chunks of

onion, tomatoes, serranos and cilantro, it’s definitely some of the best in town. Montes says that Rodeo only uses the best quality meat, which is evident in standout dishes like the fajitas or Mary Tierra, featuring a hearty assortment of proteins including grilled tilapia, jumbo shrimp, pork ribs, grilled steak, chorizo and chicken served alongside a grilled cactus. “It’s like surf and turf, but better,” Montes says. Other popular dishes include Angel’s Plate, featuring a fried flour tortilla filled with grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, chorizo and onions topped with a delicious cheese sauce. Alondra’s Plate is served with chicken breast, mushrooms and onions covered with cheese dip and served alongside steamed vegetables and rice. Rodeo Mexican Restaurant & Grill is a welcomed addition to Suwanee’s dining scene. With an extensive menu of Tex-Mex favorites and traditional Mexican fare, everyone at the table is sure to find something they love. When asked what sets Rodeo apart from other restaurants in the area, Montes notes that their service truly is the key to their success. “Come give us a try,” he says. “You won’t be disappointed.” ■

 Rodeo Mexican Restaurant & Grill is located at 3265 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road in Suwanee. For more information, call 470-589-1866.

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INTRODUCING OUR NEW ROMA DINING ROOM FOR YOUR NEXT CELEBRATION! INQUIRE ABOUT OUR PRIVATE DINING OPTIONS FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT.

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Coffee That Matters Duluth’s Phoenix Roasters has a mission to create local and global change and bring relief to underdeveloped communities through its coffee. BY ALICIA CARTER / PHOTOS BY KARL LAMB

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FOOD & DRINK

We just keep loving people and loving broken people and that’s really what we're all about.” - Brian Holland, co-founder Phoenix Roasters

roastery Phoenix Roasters takes its coffee very seriously. In fact, its motto “coffee that matters” is emblazoned on the wall of its new coffee shop, which opened last October in the foyer of the roastery. In addition to making a great cup of coffee, Phoenix Roasters makes that coffee with the intent to help create local and global change. ULUTH-BASED

The Phoenix Roasters team calls the mission behind their coffee “the cycle of relief.” They purchase the coffee at a fair price that’s much higher than the fairtrade minimum, and that income helps to support the farmers, the Phoenix team, and the mission efforts they provide throughout Central America. Locally, the roastery has partnered with the Phoenix Community of Atlanta, a network of churches, to help spread the ministry here at home. Partially funded by the roastery, the Phoenix Community’s mission is to plant and nurture churches around the city of Atlanta. Faith is always at the core of everything the Phoenix team does. They believe that people are much more alike than we are different, and we connect on a deep level of “like-brokenness” that transforms isolation into community. And while faith and service are the backbone of Phoenix Roasters, co-founder Brian Holland is truly the heart. To hear Holland tell the story behind

Phoenix Roasters is to hear the story of how a man, who was once broken, came to find a new purpose through a community that he helped build.

A Bright Light “I was a youth pastor for 20 years, and I thought I was going to be a youth pastor for life,” Holland says. “My three-word story describes my whole life. It is bondage, freedom and forgiveness. I grew up in a bright light. I've never experienced divorce; my parents just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. I grew up in a great church. I experienced bright light everywhere. But when I was 5 years old, my neighbor started molesting me. So I was in perfect light along with the deepest darkness, and I existed in this balance. But once I left home, the light went away and all I was left with was darkness. So I began self-medicating and acting out. I was trying to calm that pain any way I could until May 2, 1988. That’s when I received the love and forgiveness of Jesus.” “I had always played the victim,” Holland continues. “But what I realized after I received the love and forgiveness of Jesus is that we're all busted, we're all broken, and we all need forgiveness. Over time, I was able to start forgiving everybody. And it led me to ministry. It led me to wanting to help young people. I didn't want anyone to experience the depth of pain that I had.”

Ministry

“I'd been a youth pastor here in town, and I noticed a trend that it seemed like we spent all of our time in ministry kind of building the church,” Holland says. “But there wasn't a whole lot of individual transformation. On Tuesdays, we had what we call the ‘benevolence hour’ where people could come in who were broken and hurting and desperate, and

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FOOD & DRINK Phoenix Roasters coffee is 100% Arabica coffee, grown and rated as specialty coffee and ranking among the top 1% of coffee in the world.

Phoenix Roasters is dedicated to their community, and recently hosted a class for a local home-school group at the roastery.

they could receive assistance for paying bills. They could get a sack of groceries. It was an hour where people could come and find some relief. They would come week in and week out to that benevolence hour, but they would never come back for the worship. One day, I was walking through and I said, ‘I wonder why they never come back for the worship hour?’ And I felt like the Lord said, ‘Because you can't afford them.’ As a youth pastor, I got the cost of helping broken people because you're helping them pay the bills. But what I wasn't ready for is what it would cost in leadership to see a person go from broken to transformed. I wanted to do what Jesus did: reach the brokenhearted.” By 2007, Holland had spent a year dreaming about his Phoenix aspirations. During a mission trip in Brunswick, Georgia, Holland felt the calling of the Lord to start planting the seeds of his new journey. He had been with his current church for 11 years but wanted to leave to fulfill his desire to reach the people who were broken. Originally, Holland wasn’t looking to start a church, but during the mission trip in Brunswick his heart was led to start the Phoenix Community of Atlanta. Holland’s friends Greg Sweatt and Jeff Bagwell joined to help realize his dream.

Coffee That Matters

“We had dreamed about being a marketplace church and doing something different,” Holland says. “We knew that coffee brought people together. I always say there are three commodities that bring people together in a social contract:

beer, cigars, and coffee. So we started a coffee company with the idea that we were going to use coffee to bring people together.” The team originally got permission from a coffee company to sell its coffee with the Phoenix name on it. But over time, they knew they would need to take matters into their own hands. Through a series of God-led events, the team was able to procure the correct equipment and location to begin roasting their own coffee. Phoenix Roasters coffee is 100% Arabica coffee, grown and rated as specialty coffee and ranking among the top 1% of coffee in the world by the Specialty Coffee Association of America and the International Coffee Association. While most of their coffee is single origin, their blends take into consideration complementary flavors and tastes, avoiding blends of lower quality beans. Through this coffee, Holland is able to fulfill his dream of positively impacting communities locally and globally. Locally, the Phoenix Community of Atlanta provides resources to domestic relief projects, including ending the commercial exploitation of children, ending homelessness, restoring abuse victims, supporting single mothers, and more. Phoenix Roasters allows Brian to truly do what he set out to do so many years ago: reach the brokenhearted. “We just keep loving people and loving broken people,” Holland says. “And that's really what we're all about.” ■

Phoenix Roasters is located at 2650 Main St. N.W., Suite 400, in Duluth. For more information, call 770-884-1496 or visit PhoenixRoasters.coffee.

FOOD & DRINK

The brainchild of Sean Wilborn, Cloudland Vineyards + Winery is a wine oasis located in Buford.

WHERE WINE MEETS THE CLOUDS

CLOUDLAND VINEYARDS + WINERY BRINGS A TASTE OF GEORGIA WINE COUNTRY TO BUFORD. BY JAYA LORD / PHOTOS COURTESY CLOUDLAND VINEYARDS + WINERY

BUFORD'S NEIGHBORHOOD winery,

Cloudland Vineyards + Winery, is the product of passion and hard work. Owner Sean Wilborn dreamed of owning and operating a vineyard, and in 2011 he found the ideal place to build it. "I was driving and saw this property with a barn that had trees growing up around it and out of it and thought, 'This is the most epic scene right here,'” Wilborn says. “But it wasn't for sale." The land that Wilborn pictured his vineyard on had many interested buyers over the years, but the owner couldn’t let it go — until he spoke with Wilborn. After coming to an agreement and closing the deal, Wilborn’s dream was closer to becoming a reality. He spent six months gutting the house that was left on the land to make it livable Sean Wilborn, Owner Cloudland for him and his family while also Vineyards + Winery envisioning the potential future of the property. "I'd look out my kitchen and think, 'I could plant grapes and maybe that shed could be a tiny place where I could sell wine,’" Wilborn says.

Like all good things in life, Cloudland took time. After purchasing the land in 2011 and planting the first grapevines in 2015, Cloudland officially opened for business in October 2020. Nestled in one of metro Atlanta's busiest suburbs, the vineyard and winery is a short two minutes from I-985, and visitors often describe the location as "an amazing spot in a place you would never expect to see a winery." Truth be told, Buford isn't considered a part of Georgia Wine Country, but you’ll think twice once you step onto the property. The moment your feet touch the gravel, your eyes are met with rows and rows of grapevines, a cozy tasting room, and Georgia's big blue sky — weather permitting, of course. Wilborn refers to his land as “sky country” because of how it lays on the ridgeline. "In Georgia, it's really rare to see the horizon because there are trees everywhere, so to get a panoramic view anywhere around the area is super rare," Wilborn says. “Whereas up here we see the horizon, from sunrise to sunset, you can feel breezes that are passing by because we are up in the air. From a grapegrowing standpoint, it's awesome because the airflow is good."

I wanted you to come in and feel comfortable, relaxed, and at home so that you can get engaged with the experience and our staff.

A DREAM GROWING ENVIRONMENT

At the time of purchasing, Wilborn knew that the land was special but he didn't know just how impeccable it was. In addition to its elevated state, Cloudland is in the middle of the Eastern Continental - Sean Wilborn, Owner Divide, where rainfall on Cloudland Vineyards one side of the vineyard + Winery will make its way to the Atlantic Ocean while showers on the other side of the property travel down the Gulf of Mexico. Combine vast air circulation, sunlight, steady rainfall, and natural drainage and you have a dream growing environment. As the pieces came together, the next step was to find a grape that he could grow in an organic program. "I did a lot of research, digging, and tasting. I came across a lot of wine, a lot of bad wine but also some good wine,” Wilborn says. "I ran across this grape that nearly became extinct due to Prohibition. The grape had some really good

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Cloudland wine is made from Lomanto grape, a Pierce’s Disease-tolerant red wine grape.

FOOD & DRINK potential so I planted it and several other grapes. Of all the grapes I planted, I chose that one." The grape that Wilborn speaks so passionately about is the Lomanto, a Pierce’s Disease-tolerant red wine grape. Pierce's Disease is a deadly disease of grapevines and is prevalent within the United States. Wilborn is very passionate about having a small environmental footprint and, although the winery does not have organic certification, all of its growing techniques and sprays are organic-centered. After finding the perfect grape, Wilborn started planting grapevines one by one with his own hands. Wilborn has been a part of some of the best winemaking programs including nearby Château Élan and Asheville's Biltmore Estate. Through his time at both establishments, he learned a lot about winemaking, of course, but he also realized how he wanted his vineyard to be different. "I started to see that certain styles can be very intimidating and therefore really hard for you to be comfortable,” he says. "I wanted you to come in and feel comfortable, relaxed, and at home so that you can get engaged with the experience and our staff." From the Scandinavian, minimalist-inspired tasting room to the lawn furniture dispersed within

the vines, Cloudland evokes a familiar warm, homey feel. Wilborn and his staff pride themselves on the immersive experience they offer. There are 10-12 rows that work as sitting nooks where guests sit at the head of the vineyard row, but guests are allowed and even encouraged to move deeper into the rows for a more intimate experience. "It's all right here. The vineyard, the production area, the tasting room, the winemakers, the growers — you're sitting in the middle of all of it," Wilborn says. Whether you are a seasoned sommelier or new to the wine scene, Cloudland has a place for you. The winery, which recently celebrated its first anniversary in October, is open five days a week and offers various red and white wines by the glass or bottle, staff-guided tastings, and winery tours. Bring your friends, family, and furry companions to experience the fruition of all of Wilborn’s hard work. ■

 Cloudland Vineyards + Winery is located at 3796 N. Bogan Road in Buford. For more information, call 678-765-7945 or visit Facebook.com/cloudlandwines.

W H AT ' S B R E W I N G

ST I L L FI R E B R EWI NG :

WINNING AWARDS & GIVING BACK SUWANEE'S HOMETOWN BREWERY PROVES ONCE AGAIN ITS BEERS ARE AMONG THE BEST IN GEORGIA STILLFIRE BREWING continued

its award winning ways with Black Mask an impressive first place win at Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout The 8th Annual Strong Beer Festival on December 4th. The festival, sponsored by the Wrecking Bar Brewpub in Atlanta, celebrates "strong" beers that are 8% ABV or higher. Professional beer judges evaluated 83 entries from 39 different Georgia breweries with StillFire Brewing's 13.5% ABV Black Mask Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout being selected as the best beer at the festival. Bourbon Black Mask is the culmination of a two-year championship trajectory for the brewery. StillFire Brewing in its short time has already won 19 national and regional awards including two Great American Beer Fest bronze medals. For the Strong Beer Festival, the brewery took its 2020 Bronze US Open Beer Championship winning Imperial Stout and aged it for 18 months on American

StilFire Brewing Brew Master Phil Farrell

Spirit Works bourbon barrels. The result is a complex beer with sweet bourbon, vanilla and oak aromas that meld effortlessly with chocolate, coffee, and dark fruit flavors. "We have a medal, bragging rights, and a really sweet trophy that weighs 50 pounds to keep for a year,” said StillFire Brewing brew master Phil Farrell. “Once again, the brewing team proves they are the best among their peers in the state." StillFire Brewing is located in the heart of downtown Suwanee, Georgia. To learn more about the brewery and their award-winning beers visit StillFireBrewing.com.

INAUGURAL FIND YOUR FIRE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT STILLFIRE BREWING’S Find Your Fire Foundation hosted their first annual Charity Classic Golf Tournament on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021. Over 120 community leaders from several industries, including healthcare and construction, teed off at The River Club in Suwanee, Georgia. More than $43,000 was raised with all proceeds from the tournament going to the foundation and ultimately back into the community. “The tournament was a great success and all profits raised from this tournament went towards our Find Your Fire Foundation with a goal to help create a more positive quality of life in Gwinnett County and beyond through our charitable giving,” shared StillFire Brewing General Manager, Aaron Bisges. To learn more about the Find Your Fire Foundation or to donate visit FindYourFireFoundation.com.

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PHOTO BY ALE SHARPTON

By Alicia Carter

SUPPORTING THE OUR FRIEND CHRISTOPHER MEMORIAL CHARITY AFTER ANOTHER

successful second annual Miles Memorial fundraiser, the StillFire Brewing team was honored to be able to present local organization Our Friend Christopher with a check for $3,500. These proceeds will be awarded as monetary scholarships for senior basketball and/ or football players at North Gwinnett High School to help them as they venture off to college next year. The Our Friend Christopher charity was created to honor Christopher Miles, a North Gwinnett High School student who passed away following the diagnosis of a glioblastoma brain tumor. The charity spreads awareness of brain cancer and gives back to the community that loved Christopher so much. Christopher's story touched the hearts of everyone at StillFire so much so that the brewery dedicated one of their fermentation tanks last year as a tribute to him and has reserved a day each year to raise funds for the charity in his name. For more information about Our Friend Christopher, visit OurFriendChristopher.com.

U PCOM ING E VE N TS AT STILLFIR E BRE WIN G: JAN

2000’s Throwback DJ Party featuring DJ Mad Hatter

Todd from Team Trivia brings his alter ego and all the hits from the 2000s for a throwback party on Friday, January 21st from 8-11PM. There will be no cover for this event. Plus - win great prizes in StillFire Brewing's 2000's costume contest!

FEB

StillFire Brewing Big Game Party

FEB

Mardi Gras Carnival Party featuring Live Jazz Band

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Game sound will be on in the taproom plus giveaways, Commercial Bingo, Prop Bet Challenge and Super Squares. There will be no cover for this event.

An all-day event on February 26th featuring a special Mardi Gras beer release, hurricane glasses for sale and great Cajun/New Orleans food. $5 Cover begins at 4PM.

For more information on all the events going on at StillFire Brewing go to stillfirebrewing.com/calendar.

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W H AT ' S B R E W I N G

SUWANEE BEER FEST 2022

DRINKING FOR A GOOD CAUSE!

Big South Productions, the company behind Suwanee Beer Fest and its sister events, gives back to our community in big, long-lasting ways. By Alicia Carter Photos by Baylee Vidal

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FOOD & DRINK

Heralded as one of the best craft beer events

in the Southeast, the Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest returns to its roots this year. After an unexpected sabbatical in 2020, followed by a postponement to a summertime date and new theme in 2021, Suwanee Beer Fest makes its way back to Town Center Park on March 19, 2022, to reclaim its title as the biggest St. Patrick’s Day weekend party in Gwinnett. In 2020, USA Today named Suwanee Beer Fest as one of the 10 Best Beer Festivals in the U.S., and rightly so. The festival draws more than 6,000 attendees looking to partake in the ultimate selection of more than 350 craft beers from around the country. Festival-goers can choose to stake out the best beers from throughout the nation, or make a beeline to the Georgia Beer Garden for all of the best homegrown craft beers the Peach State has to offer. In addition, event organizers outdo themselves each year with an amazing lineup of musical entertainment, festival games, shopping, and food vendors. The event, however, is more than just a beer festival. Sure, there’s plenty of amazing craft beer to drink, but it’s also a communal experience where like-minded people gather together to enjoy an afternoon exploring and learning about beer. Plus, it’s a great opportunity for local businesses to get in front of a large group of people. It’s a win-win for all involved. “We are excited to leave the heat of summer behind and to paint Suwanee Town Center green again this year,” says Tiffany Belflower, Suwanee Beer Fest’s event coordinator. “In 2021, we expanded our Georgia beer section by bringing in more local breweries than in past events. Our goal is to top those numbers again this year. We not only bring a large number of local breweries to the event, but the owners and brewers as well. It provides attendees a chance to actually meet and chat with the people behind some of the best beers in Georgia.

TO DATE, BIG SOUTH PRODUCTIONS HAS

RAISED MORE THAN $ 140,000 FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

While Suwanee Beer Fest may make headlines as a highly

anticipated annual celebration of craft beer, event organizers put just as much thought behind their philanthropic deeds as their party planning. Big South Productions, the metro Atlantabased event production company behind Suwanee Beer Fest and its sister events, including Suwanee Wine Fest, the Beer Chaser 5K and the Spooky Spirits 5K, tends to fly under the radar for the substantial way it gives back to our community. To date, Big South Productions has raised more than $140,000 for local charities and organizations through proceeds raised from its events. Benefiting charities include Cooper’s Crew, Annandale Village, My Friend Christopher, North Gwinnett Co-Op, Home First Gwinnett and the City of Suwanee’s Sculptour. “When we began our festivals, it was something fun to do for the community. At the time, we had no idea how much the community would embrace our events. They have become annual outings for many — friends, spouses,

and co-workers all come together to celebrate,” Belflower says. “We saw this as an opportunity to give back in a way few in our area did. People want to get outside and play. Why not use our festivals as a way to create a fun atmosphere and bring awareness to our selected charities? By making a donation from every ticket sold, it is truly the entire festival community contributing to these important organizations.” This year’s benefiting charity is Cooper’s Crew, an organization that is dedicated to finding a cure for Sarcoma. Cooper’s Crew was formed in the memory of Cooper O’Brien, who passed away in 2014 after a long-fought battle against the disease. Diagnosed at the young age of 13, Cooper was an inspiration to all who knew him, and his parents aim to honor his memory by helping to give other kids, just like Cooper, the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest. Cooper’s Crew works to bridge

the childhood cancer research funding gap and also makes a huge impact here at home, granting scholarships to North Gwinnett High School students who have overcome unique adversities or hardships. “Suwanee Beer Fest has provided us the opportunity to continue to grow our college scholarship program at North Gwinnett High School,” says Kevin O’Brien, Cooper’s father and co-founder of Cooper’s Crew. “In addition, we are able to give to specific research that involves pediatric cancers.” Community is at the heart of everything Big South Productions does. From creating community-focused events that bring people together for a shared love of beer and wine to paying it forward to local nonprofits who are making a difference right here in our community, the company is making a long-lasting impact here at home. “Our staff all live in Suwanee and the surrounding areas. Our children go to school here. We shop at local stores. We attend local churches,” Belflower says. “The people impacted the most through our charities are our friends, neighbors and co-workers. Their stories have become a part of the Big South Productions story. Their causes are always in need of support and we want to be that support.” ■

BY MAKING A DONATION FROM EVERY TICKET SOLD, IT IS TRULY THE ENTIRE FESTIVAL COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTING TO THESE IMPORTANT ORGANIZATIONS. - Tiffany Belflower, Suwanee Beer Fest Event Coordinator

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YOUR EXCLUSIVE SUWANEE BEER FEST UPDATE:

5 THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO AT THIS YEAR’S SUWANEE BEER FEST 1. LOCAL BEERS IN THE GEORGIA BEER GARDEN

2. LIVE MUSIC FROM JOURNEY COVER BAND DEPARTURE

The Georgia Beer Garden shows our home state some love and features more than 50 local breweries offering samples of their homegrown beers. Each year event organizers add new local breweries to the lineup and this year is no exception. New breweries for 2022 include 6S Brewing Company, Outrun Brewing Company, and Bold Monk Brewing Co.

After playing the inaugural Suwanee Beer Fest in 2011, the popular band DEPARTURE is set to return to the festival’s main stage this year. DEPARTURE is the most respected Journey tribute band in the nation, replicating the look, sound and feel of the original ’80s rock supergroup. Their high-energy stage show is sure to have Beer Fest patrons up on their feet dancing!

4. FESTIVAL FUN & GAMES

3. GEORGIA BREW BATTLE

Each year, Suwanee Beer Fest asks festival attendees to vote on their favorite Georgie brewery to help crown a winner in the annual Georgia Brew Battle! Local breweries will offer up their most popular brews and compete for the title of Georgia’s Best Beer. Festival attendees will receive a voting token when entering the festival that they can use to cast their vote with their favorite brewery after sampling their beers in the Georgia Beer Garden. Last year Suwanee’s StillFire Brewing took home the coveted Golden Cup Trophy. Who will win this year?!

Everyone’s favorite beer-drinking activities make their return, including Giant Jenga and Peach State Cornhole. After making their debut at the 2021 festival, organizers are also bringing back giant beer pong and mobile axe throwing! Axecessive Force will be on site with their mobile axe throwing cages, giving attendees a chance to (safely) test out their axe throwing skills.

5. NON-BEER BEVERAGES TOO!

While beer is the name of the game, there will also be nonbeer options available at the festival for those searching for something different. In addition to samples of more than 350 craft beers from across the country, attendees can also quench their thirst with samples of seltzers, wines, and ready-to-drink cocktails. In addition, Sugar Hill Distillery will be on hand with an assortment of their liquors.

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Collins Hill High School and Buford High School Win State Championships

THE LATEST FROM IN AND AROUND SUWANEE

LAWRENCEVILLE CELEBRATES BICENTENNIAL

Photos by Jim Blackburn

 BUFORD HIGH School's football

 ON DECEMBER 15, the City of Lawrenceville celebrated its Bicentennial as residents gathered at the new Lawrenceville Arts Center for an evening of festivities, including speeches from current and former city leaders. The day marked 200 years since Lawrenceville was incorporated as a city, coming just three years after the Georgia legislature established Gwinnett County. The county seat is believed to be the oldest city in metro Atlanta. Lawrenceville is now Gwinnett’s second largest city, with 30,629 residents. The city has also continued to evolve, going from a rural town to a center for the arts, as well as a college town. In addition to the festivities the city also created a bicentennial logo and T-shirts, as well as launched a bicentennial podcast and YouTube channel. The event also unveiled a 100-year time capsule that will be buried with plans for it to not be opened until the city’s tricentennial in 2121. Its contents include printed copies of available photos of Lawrenceville’s mayors as well as a USB drive with those photos on them; letters from Lawrenceville Elementary School first-graders detailing what it is like to be a first-grader in 2021; and donated items from city departments and businesses.

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team celebrated its third straight Class AAAAAA state championship on Dec. 10th with a 21-20 victory against Langston Hughs at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium. The game ended in an exciting fashion, with a fourth-quarter Buford comeback to finish on top. With another state championship under his belt, Bryant Appling hasn’t lost a playoff game in three seasons as head coach. According to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, he is the first Georgia head coach to win state titles his first three seasons. Collins Hill High School claimed the program’s first Class AAAAAAA state title with a 24-8 win over No. 3 Milton at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium on Dec. 11. The team, who went 15-0, opened the season in August by defeating No. 9 Brookwood in the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Other big wins included one over Mississippi powerhouse Greenville Christian 37-22 in the Freedom Bowl Classic and Region 8-AAAAAAA rival North Gwinnett in a nationally televised game in October.

I January / February 2022

GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN COLLECTS CANS FOR SALVATION ARMY'S CAN-A-THON SUPPORTING THE Salvation Army's CanA-Thon has been an annual school-wide tradition at Greater Atlanta Christian School. Realizing the need was more significant than ever due to the pandemic, the administrators challenged the students to raise an astonishing 30,000 cans. The students responded in a big way: 34,000 non-perishables were collected and delivered to the Salvation Army on December 3. The students (infant to 12th grade) rallied their efforts for three weeks in varying ways to accomplish their goals. Different competitions (social media, boy-girl, grade-level) all spurred the number of cans to grow. A unique twist for the high school was that as each "can goal" was met, a selected faculty member committed to doing karaoke in front of the whole student body. On Can-A-Thon collection day, more than 80 students from the performance training, swim, and student ministry classes volunteered their strength to load the boxes into Salvation Army trucks. On-site at Salvation Army, the GAC Concert Choir serenaded volunteers with spirited Christmas

music while student leaders unloaded boxes and presented the donations for the 11Alive Can-A-Thon. It truly was a schoolwide collaborative effort that made this donation possible. Making the Can-A-Thon fun adds to the success, but the larger goal is much more intentional. "It's inspiring to see our students, from the youngest to the oldest, come together and make a big impact for the food pantries. Our goal is more than collecting canned goods, it's to develop a love for giving in all capacities," shared Greater Atlanta Christian School President, Dr. Scott Harsh.

NEW CHILDREN'S LITTLE FREE LIBRARY AT SIMS LAKE PARK  Families now have another exciting reason to visit the playground at Sims Lake Park — free books! Claire Brautigan, a high school junior at Notre Dame Academy, has built a Little Free Library where children can "Take a Book and Share a Book." This is the first Little Free Library in Sims Lake Park and it is the only one in Suwanee that specifically has books for children. This Little Free Library is part of Claire's Gold Award Project called "Read to Succeed," which encourages parents and children to read together 20 minutes each day. On Dec. 11, Claire hosted a ceremony where more than 20 local Girl Scouts brought children’s books to donate. Special guest Linnea Miller, Suwanee Councilwoman and Claire’s former pre-school teacher, was in attendance to read her favorite books to the Scouts. Three-year-old twins John and Ella Beck join Clarie Brautigan to choose books from the new Little Free Library at Sims Lake Park.

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Suwanee Wine Fest Proceeds Donated to Annandale Village  FOLLOWING A hiatus in 2020, the 8th annual Suwanee Wine Fest returned to Town Center Park on November 6, 2021, treating attendees to samples of more than 150 wines from around the world. Each year festival organizers partner with a local nonprofit as their benefiting charity. This year a portion of proceeds benefited Annandale Village, a residential and nursing facility in Suwanee that provides life assistance to adults with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries. Following the festival, Suwanee Wine Fest was excited to donate more than $4,000 to Annandale Village to help support its awardwinning programs and services. For more information about Annandale Village, visit Annandale.org.

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I January / February 2022

Blue was a trained IED detection dog who found her forever home with BK Kang. The two served together in Afghanistan.

Honoring Blue, the Military American Hero Dog AS TOLD BY HER FAMILY, A FAMILY OF HEROES  THERE IS so much to say about our baby Blue. But let’s start at the beginning. She was born Blue II P491 on December 13, 2008. Blue was born into the service life. She trained very hard for the first 3 years of her life to be an IED (improvised explosive detection) dog. In 2011, Blue was paired off with me (BK Kang) for a deployment to Marjah, Afghanistan. It was her first deployment to a war zone. She was a rockstar! The true definition of a hero. Overall we went on more than 300 combat patrols, and she found about 20 confirmed IEDs and at least another 13 unconfirmed ones. On the other side of it, she was also a dog and I have so many memories of her just being a playful dog in the midst of hell. One that I’ll share is that one day we were on patrol and a firefight began. I raised my rifle and began engaging with Blue by my side. The next second I look over and I don’t see Blue. I immediately go into panic mode. Firefight and all, with no regard for the bullets flying past me, I began

to look for Blue. A few seconds later, that felt like an eternity, I found her. She was enjoying a nice swim on the waddy (which is like a ditch but slightly bigger) behind us. This is just one example of how much of an amazing soul she was. During our deployment I promised her that one day I would adopt her and give her a good home away from all of the scary stuff. After our deployment and many more adventures like the one I just shared, we went home. When we got home, I was getting ready to be discharged from the Marines and she was awaiting her new assignment. Before parting ways, I asked about the adoption process and they advised that she wouldn’t be retiring anytime soon. I tried my hardest to keep track of her, but it was hard due to op-sec (operation security) or need-toknow information. I was told she was possibly going to go to Virginia for a bit. Throughout the years I continued to submit adoption applications for Blue.

Ultimately, I didn’t know where she was until 2015. I got a call asking if I wanted to adopt Blue since she was up for retirement soon. I was overjoyed and of course I wanted her! She had to wait for formal retirement but in that process, with me ready to pick her up within a week, she got orders to a new assignment. The Marine Corps thought she was too good at her job and she would be a good fit for what they had in store for her. Once more I lost track of her, but I managed to find out she was maybe going to Japan. My wife, also a Marine, did everything to get her retired and in my arms. She contacted the Department of the Air Force, the Department of the Navy, Marine Corps Headquarters, Department of Defense, and one of our Georgia Senators. We actually got some traction and found out where exactly she was located. One more year and we lost momentum again; no word from anybody. Finally my wife reached out to a couple of female Marines Facebook groups to see if we could track her down — and she did! For Christmas 2017, I received a video of Blue playing with one of her new handlers. It was an amazing gift! Word got around in the current unit that Blue was serving with and we eventually got an email we could only dream of — the kennel master wanted to talk about Blue’s retirement. The logistics of it were a bit hard since she was in Japan. We waited as patiently as possible for her retirement to come up and for her to be transported from Japan to the United States. On November 25, 2018, she arrived in San Antonio, Texas, at Lackland Air Force Base, and from there Mission K9 rescue, a non-profit organization, transported her to Atlanta. In the early morning of November 28, 2018, we were reunited at the airport and I vowed to give her the best retirement I possibly could. She loved walks, she loved to destroy stuffed animals, and she loved playing with tennis balls and swimming. She loved the water! She enjoyed Lake Lanier, Pensacola, Panama City Beach and the water hose. She also got to go to Nashville and on plenty of nature hikes around Georgia. She loved napping and being lazy when we weren’t out on adventures. She also enjoyed her occasional puppuccinos. She was the most loving, loyal retired military working dog that there ever has been. On March 3, 2020, Blue was the recipient of a medal from the United States War Dogs Association for her service and deployment to Afghanistan, and on October 19, 2020, she won the title Military American Hero Dog from the American Humane Hero Dog Awards. She is our hero, our Salty Marine. Sadly, on December 7, 2021 at 1948 hours, after a very tough few days, Blue went to guard the gates of heaven with other Marines. She will be missed tremendously in this life. We love you very much, baby girl Blue! ’Til we meet again. ■

Wishing you a healthy and prosperous

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DONNIE THIGPEN Author

Donnie Thigpen is a very interesting person and the author of Standing on the Solid Rock, a book about his life and how he and his wife, Cheryl, have dealt with the unexpected. It is a fascinating tale about living in Suwanee as well as a sweet love story. We recently sat down with Donnie at Brown Bag Deli to learn more about his life and the story behind his book. CREATING CLOSER community is a big part of what we do here at Suwanee Magazine. That’s why we’re proud to bring you The Faces of Suwanee. Suwanee is a great community with great people. We’ll be featuring conversations we have with members of our community as a way of telling the story of Suwanee, one smiling face at a time. The Faces of Suwanee shines a light on the people who live and work here. You can read all of the interviews at TheFacesofSuwanee.com, and even nominate someone you think should be featured on the website. Be sure to follow Suwanee Magazine’s Facebook page where we’ll be sharing new Faces of Suwanee interviews weekly.

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I January / February 2022

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR HISTORY IN SUWANEE.

I was born and raised in the cotton fields of South Georgia in a large family of seven boys and two girls. We grew up very poor and my dad struggled with alcohol throughout his life which was detrimental to the structure of our family. Our childhood did not produce fond memories, unfortunately. Of the nine children, only two of us are alive now. Some died tragically and others battled with cancer. My dad died at an early age and my older brother owned a steel fabrication shop in Suwanee on Burnette Road (it was a dirt road back then). In 1965, my mother decided to move to Suwanee with my younger brother and sister and me. She bought a house trailer and we moved onto the steel fabrication shop property when I was in 10th grade and attending North Gwinnett High School. When I was seventeen, I met my sweetheart, now my wife, Cheryl, who lived across the creek in a nice big home. I knew instantly that she was very special. I wasn’t sure that she would even date me! We graduated high school and she went to Mercer University and I went to Southern

Donnie's book Standing on the Solid Rock is available on Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble.

Tech. I got an associates degree in civil engineering and she stopped day school and began night school so that she could work and I could continue going to college. We had very little money and I wanted to marry her. We went to tell her parents our plans and they tried to talk us out of it! Eventually, we married at Suwanee First Baptist Church on Eva Kennedy Road and made Suwanee our home. I served on the city council for three and a half years in the late ’70s. I was also the assistant chief of the volunteer fire department. David Pierce was chief. We raised our children here and were very involved in sports. We built a huge 6,000-square-foot house and my son Jamie called it “the country club” because it had everything you’d want: woods to play in, a lake, and a swimming pool. Our home became a gathering place for other kids.

THE BUZZ

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT AND WHAT DO YOU LOVE THERE? LongHorn Steakhouse,

not necessarily because of their steaks, but they have excellent salads.

HOW BIG IS YOUR FAMILY? We raised three sons here and they all graduated from North Gwinnett High School. We have six grandkids.

WHO IS THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON YOU’VE MET IN SUWANEE? James Burnette. I served

with him on city council and he was also the building inspector. He had had some tragedy in his life and seemed to move past it.

IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, WHERE WOULD IT BE AND WHY? Israel. It wife and take care of her. A large Cheryl started developing multiple portion of this book was written in sclerosis and began having trouble the early morning hours between 4 walking up and down stairs, so and 6 a.m. we decided to downsize and This book would never have moved to Hall County in 1999 into happened without my a home that would dear friend, Becky be more accessible DeWitt, who gave for her. Even though countless hours to we no longer live in this project. She was Suwanee today, we the go between me still consider it home and the publisher. because of the many My book, She handled all the friends and family that Standing on necessary details and are still here along with our church family the Solid Rock, communications to get this to print. She at Shadowbrook took two years is a blessing. I hope Church, where we are to write, and I that people will read charter members. My book, Standing am not really an something in the book that would inspire on the Solid Rock, author. I asked them and help them to took two years to myself what persevere, not turn and write, and I am not run. Many marriages really an author. I I could do to suffer because one asked myself what honor God and that spouse has serious I could do to honor also to be a good health issues don’t stay God and also to be a good encouragement encouragement the course together. I made the book short to others. I believe to others. on purpose so that it that God had a plan could be easily picked and purpose for my up and read and hopefully inspire life that I wasn’t aware of as a others to love well. I hope that it child, but He set the foundation will be a great keepsake for my in my childhood for who I would grandkids and I plan to do some become later in life. I think His plan speaking engagements. was for me to fall in love with my

would be amazing to stand in a place where Jesus stood. I often regret that I didn’t put that on my agenda many years ago when Cheryl could still walk.

WHAT IS THE FIRST MOVIE YOU REMEMBER SEEING IN A THEATER?

I don’t remember the first one I saw, but my favorite movie is Caddyshack. I have seen it numerous times and it still makes me laugh!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A CROWD OF PEOPLE? Put God first in

your life.

WHAT IS SOMETHING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? I’ve always wanted to

catch a big fish in Alaska. I had a trip booked for myself and my sons about 20 years ago but called it off because one of my employees passed away.

IF YOU COULD TAKE ANYONE TO LUNCH (DEAD OR ALIVE) WHO WOULD THAT BE AND WHERE WOULD YOU GO? President Kennedy.

I think he would be fascinating to talk to and I would take him to a local restaurant for some nice comfort food. ■

For F more of this and previous The Faces Of Suwanee interviews, go to

TheFacesOfSuwanee.com 73

EXPLORE A NEW YEAR AND NEW BEGINNINGS IN SUGAR HILL PHOTOS COURTESY CITY OF SUGAR HILL

e all know the saying, “New Year, New Me.” When it comes to fulfilling your New Year’s resolutions, the City of Sugar Hill has you covered. Sugar Hill is the perfect balance of live, work, play — so perfect you could spend every single day in this thriving city. Between signing up for an E Center gym membership, working from the Suite Spot, or attending an epic concert at the Eagle Theatre or The Bowl, all your New Year’s resolutions can be crossed off in one visit to downtown.

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RESOLUTION: Shop Small in Sugar Hill. ⊲ From ice cream cones, nachos, craft cocktails and brunch to clothing, handmade items, and accessories, we’re proud that so many wonderful eateries and shops call downtown Sugar Hill home. After all, it’s their special and unique offerings that make our charming city thrive. The City of Sugar Hill is a proud Neighborhood Champion. Whether you purchase a new sweater for a friend from Perazim or stop for a coffee at Rushing Shop local in downtown Sugar Hill. Trading Co. after a day full of shopping, every purchase impacts the city, your neighborhood and you. So, make sure to come out, shop small and support these local businesses. For a complete business listing, visit CityofSugarHill.com/app/business-list.

RESOLUTION: Attend five Sugar Hill City and community group events. ⊲ Last year, the city’s community groups hosted a record number of events like the Black Women’s Association’s second-annual Juneteenth event, Sugar Hill’s Community Garden 10-year anniversary celebration, and Sugar Hill Historic Cemetery clean-ups with hundreds of volunteers. The City of Sugar Hill is honored to have so many amazing volunteers. It is thanks to the support of our involved

I January / February 2022

Take advantage of all downtown Sugar Hill has to offer in the new year, from shopping and restaurants to entertainment.

THE BUZZ

residents and community groups that the city is able to honor historical sites, bring art into downtown, reach the youth of the city and so much more. To volunteer, visit City-of-Sugar-Hill.volunteerlocal.com. In 2022, we’re looking forward to a few of our favorite events like Sparks in the Park, all new movies for $2 Tuesdays at the Eagle Theatre, and concerts in The Bowl! Coming this February 25 & 26 is Sugar Hill’s thirdannual Broad St. Film Fest, a gathering of storytellers and audiences seeking new adventures, experiences, and perspectives. This festival includes various genres

of short films such as comedies and documentaries, ranging from high school, college, and professional submissions. Hear from filmmakers and speakers through panel discussions and Q&As. The BSFF Team created this festival in an effort to help the City of Sugar Hill continue transforming into a hub for art, culture, and to help kickstart individuals in our community who dream of a career in the booming film industry in Georgia. For more information visit BroadStreetFilmFest.com. Whether you’re planning a special date night, a family outing or just want to solo it, you can’t go wrong with an event downtown.

Resolution: Learn something new every day.

Consider a membership to the E Center gym.

⊲ From its farming, leather tanneries and gold mining industries to its military veterans, schools and churches, established in 1939, Sugar Hill is steeped in history. 77 years later the Sugar Hill Historic Preservation Society (SHHPS) was formed. The SHHPS exists to discover, promote, and preserve Sugar Hill’s rich past. Since its formation, the Society has worked with the city and its residents to discover gold mines, preserve historic gravesites, record the history of the area, and make all of it accessible to the public. So, what’s your biggest resolution for this New Year? 2022 in Sugar Hill is a year full of experiences, excitement, and entertainment. ■

The E Center gym

ON THE SCENE

Suwanee Wine Fest Saturday, Nov. 6th TOWN CENTER PARK

PHOTOS BY GARY DOWD

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I January / February 2022

Happy Feat's Run Run Rudolph 5k Saturday Dec. 4th TOWN CENTER PARK

PHOTOS BY KARL LAMB

Jolly Holly Day Friday, Dec. 3rd

OLD TOWN SUWANEE

PHOTOS BY JULIE PERDUE

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I January / February 2022

city

buzz JANUARY & FEBRUARY EVENTS

January

20 Thru Feb.

8 &

February

9 15

REPTICON ATLANTA ____________ _________

Sat: 9 p.m.-4 p.m. Sun: 10 p.m.-4 p.m. ____________ _________

Gwinnett County Fairgrounds ______________ _______ More info: Repticon.com

SUWANEE WINTER FARMERS MARKET ____________ _______ 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.. ____________ _______

Town Center Park ____________ _______

PEACHTREE VILLA AT SUWANEE GRAND OPENING ____________ _______ 4:00 - 6:00_______ p.m. ____________

1475 Satellite Blvd., Suwanee ____________ _______ More info: PeachtreeVillamc.com

8 15 12 27 29 20 12 SUGAR HILL ICE RINK _______ ____________

More info: Suwanee.com

City of Sugar _Hill ____________ ______ More info: haidrink.com

Thru Feb.

BRING ONE FOR THE CHIPPER CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING ____________ _________ 9 a.m.. ____________ _________

LICENSE TO CHILL SNOW ISLAND AND LAKESIDE LIGHTS SPECTACULAR ____________ _______

Sims Lake Park

CHILLY WILLY HALF MARATHON ____________ _______ 8:30 a.m. _______ ____________

Downtown Sugar Hill ____________ _______

More info: RunSignUp.com

SUWANEE SWEETHEART SPRINT ____________ _________ 9 a.m. ____________ _________

Town Center Park ____________ _________ More info: Suwanee SweetHeartSprint.com

Margaritaville at Lake Lanier _______ ____________ Tickets at Margaritaville Resorts.com

SUWANEE WINTER FARMERS MARKET ____________ _______

GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE_________ ____________

9:00 - 11:00 a.m.. ____________ _______

Town Center Park ____________ _______ More info: Suwanee.com

7:30 a.m. _________ ____________

6:30 p.m. _________ ____________

Town Center Park ____________ _________

More info: GreaterAtlanta Christian.org

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SUWANEE HALF MARATHON/OLD TOWN 5K _________ ____________ More info: SuwaneeHalf.com

I January / February 2022

Infant-12th Grade DiscoverGAC.org 770-243-2273

LEADERSHIP | FAITH | INTELLECT | COMMUNITY Come learn what it means to Be Greater.

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Run more than just your mouth. 8th Annual Suwanee Half Marathon & Old Town 5K SUNDAY, FEB. 20, 2022 Half Marathon

Before February 17th ....... $75 Race Day ....................................... $85

Before February 17th ....... $35 Race Day ....................................... $40