July/August 2021 by Suwanee Magazine

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JULY / AUG 21

10 Business Spotlight

Chris and Lisa Schlitz bring JP & Associates to the metro Atlanta market with a beautiful new office in Suwanee Town Center, offering first class service to buyers and sellers backed by a family-oriented spirit.

Best BBQ Contest

15 Investment Strategies

Suwanee’s Aileron Investment Advisors, a comprehensive planning firm run by fatherand-daughter team Bill and Cindi Porter, address why there is so much discussion about inflation.

For this year’s “Best” competition we were on a mission to find the best BBQ. Find out which of the seven restaurants came out on top. Bonus: Our readers also chose their favorite!

26 6 Tips to Up Your Grilling Game

Craig Tabor, owner of Suwanee’s Playing with Fire BBQ Emporium, offers tips on how to awaken your inner grill master.

30 Sun-Sational Patios

We’ve highlighted our favorite local patios that are perfect for sipping in the sunshine or people watching while you grab a bite to eat.

36 Labor Day Hacks

PHOTO BY KARL LAMB

Our resident Queen of Hosting shares some of her go-to hacks for spreading extra cheer this Labor Day.

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40 Faces of Suwanee

Get to know Symphony at Suwanee Creek Apartments’ Property Manager Kyle Berjeski and why she loves her community.

42 Broadway in the Park is Back

Suwanee Performing Arts brings performances of Pirates of Penzance JR. and Moana JR. to Suwanee Town Center this July.

43 Suwanee Arts Center

Get to know SAC glass artist Cord Hicklin and mark your calendar for the Art Center’s upcoming events.

Splash into Summer

Cana Wine Tours Cana Wine Tours offers a round-trip, all-inclusive experience to some of your favorite North Georgia wineries.

50 Bringing the Heat

Gwinnett County’s adaptive sports team Gwinnett Heat.

62 Find Your Fire Foundation

StillFire Brewing launches a charity foundation that helps in the fight against childhood cancer.

PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF DULUTH

Our community’s splash pads and water fountains are a fun and free way for families to cool off this summer!

IN EVERY ISSUE: 6 Editor’s Letter 9 Currently Loving 66 The Buzz 74 Sugar Hill City Buzz 76 People & Places 80 Event Calendar

letter

a note from our managing editor

Summertime in Suwanee annual Food Issue, is perhaps the one that our staff looks forward to the most each year. In past issues we have indulged in our fair share of food to crown winners of the best local pizza, burgers, tacos and wings, and this year is no different. For the 2021 Food Issue, we set out to find the best local barbecue, one of the most quintessential summertime foods out there. We reached out to local restaurants to submit their best pulled pork plate to go head-to-head before a panel of three judges who had the difficult task of naming a winner. As an added bonus, this year we invited our readers to vote on their favorite barbecue restaurant, and we were thrilled with the response we received — you guys really love your barbecue! We’re excited to share the results of our judges’ pick along with our readers’ pick on p. 17. Being outside and enjoying the sunshine goes hand in hand with summertime, which is why we went in search of the best local patios. Turn to p. 29 to read about our favorite outdoor spaces to wine and dine around town while soaking up some Vitamin D. We also included a roundup of local water fountains and splash pads — a fun and free way to keep the kids entertained and cool on these hot Georgia days, p. 45.

PHOTO BY KATIE VEAL

UR SUMMER issue, the

Personally, I’m so excited to feature Gwinnett’s adaptive sports team, the Gwinnett Heat, who took home state championships this year in basketball and football. As a mother to a young son who is disabled, oftentimes it can be difficult to find inclusive activities that he can participate in. Most public parks aren’t wheelchair-friendly and group activities can be difficult to coordinate, leading many kids to feel left on the sidelines. That’s why it’s so important that our young disabled community have activities and team settings that offer them the same opportunities as their typical peers. Not only does the Gwinnett Heat give these students that opportunity, it’s also a really talented team. Turn to p. 50 to learn more about the Heat and how the team nurtures personal growth and lasting friendships for its student athletes.

ALICIA CARTER, MANAGING EDITOR Alicia@suwanee magazine.com

COVER: BEST BBQ JUDGE SKYE ESTROFF PHOTOGRAPHED BY KARL LAMB ON JUNE 4th, 2021.

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Our community is filled with awesome patios — some with a lakeside view, some pet-friendly, and some perfect for day drinking, like StillFire Brewing (pictured above). Turn to p. 29 for our roundup of our favorite patios around town.

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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. ©2021 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.

BEST HEALTHY FOOD

SUWANEE SUMMER FARMERS MARKET

I’VE BEEN making an effort to incorporate more fresh fruits and

veggies in my diet, so my family has really enjoyed Suwanee’s Summer Farmers Market where we can stock up on fresh local food that is healthy and tasty. The market takes place every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon through September. I love that it’s located at Town Center Park next to nearby shopping and the kiddos love the Big Splash Fountain! For more information visit Suwanee.com. — Lizzy James, Contributing Writer

Scorpion Shots at Nacho Daddy in Duluth at Nacho Daddy are “double barrel daring” guests to see if they can survive their World-Famous Scorpion Shot. After hearing about the tequila shot filled with an actual scorpion (please note that the stinger is removed before being added to the glass), my friends and I decided to take the trip over to Duluth to give it a try! CRAZIEST While we all chickened DRINK out when it came time to actually take the scorpion shot, we still loved the outdoor patio, delicious over-the-top nachos, and boozy margaritas! Nacho Daddy is OUR FRIENDS

BEST STREEET TACOS

Tacos & Baseball My fave #TacoTuesday spot has teamed up with the Gwinnett Stripers and I’m here for it! Tacos + baseball = a perfect summer outing. Check out the Stripers’ schedule to see when they’re playing at their home field (Coolray in Lawrenceville), and make sure you’re following Beto’s Tacos on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on when they’ll be at the games! Pro tip: Beto’s will also post giveaways on their social media, so keep an eye out for the next chance to win some FREE Stripers tickets!

located at 3095 Main St. in Duluth. NachoDaddy.com. — Lizzy James, Contributing Writer

— Natalie Garrett, Contributing Writer

MARGARITAVILLE AT LANIER ISLANDS

BEST FAMILY FUN

MY FAMILY and I took an early beach vacation in May and I’ve had the post-

vacation blues ever since, so we decided to take a trip to the water park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands for some much needed fun in the sun! I enjoyed cooling off at the wave pool but the rest of the family took full advantage of all the fun water slides. Afterward we made a stop at LandShark Landing for some lakeside food and drinks. Visit MargaritavilleResorts.com for more information and a calendar of events. — Alicia Carter, Managing Editor

-- Tammy Luney, Ad Manager

B U S I N E S S

S P O T L I G H T

JP & Associates Metro Atlanta Chris and Lisa Schlitz bring JP & Associates to the metro Atlanta market with a beautiful new office in Suwanee Town Center, offering first class service to buyers and sellers backed by a family-oriented spirit. By Alicia Carter / Photos by Karl Lamb

past 30 years, Chris and Lisa Schlitz have made a name for themselves in the real estate industry. Moving from New York to Florida to Georgia, the husband-and-wife team have obtained a wealth of knowledge of the industry as they’ve navigated the milestones of their lives, including cross-country moves and growing their family. From their time in South Florida in the late ’90s when they began buying RE/MAX franchises all the way to their relocation to Georgia in 2018, where they discovered JP & Associates, Chris and Lisa have continued to learn and grow within the industry. During this time, Lisa took some time off to raise their children but kept her license active, not knowing that one day the brokerage business would become a family business. “In 2018 we met with the CEO of Franchising at JP & Associates,” Chris says. ‘We decided to purchase franchises for the Atlanta market. We purchased four franchises — we have two offices open already; one in Brookhaven and the one we just opened in Suwanee. We’re opening another office before the end of 2021 in the southside of Atlanta. Our fourth location is undetermined, but we will be open by June 2022. We’ve been doing this for about - Chris and Lisa Schlitz CEO and COO, JP & Associates 30 years. Our whole world is Metro Atlanta based around real estate.” OR THE

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JP & Associates Real Estate Metro Atlanta (JPAR) found great success with its first location in Brookhaven, becoming the fastest-growing real estate brokerage in Atlanta in 2019-2020 with well over 100 agents joining them in their first year. Spearheaded by Chris and Lisa, CEO and COO respectively, their son Michael joined as Vice President of Operations, fulfilling their vision to become a truly family-oriented business. The Suwanee location opened in January 2021, marking an exciting change for the team. “It was a big leap of faith to go into

Town Center instead of a traditional Class A office building,” Chris says. “We did an extraordinary build-out and Lisa decorated the place really nice. We feel that we could be a major player in that market to help buyers and sellers alike.” Chris cites Suwanee’s “hometown feel” as part of the reason they chose this specific location. “You have everything going on from yoga in the park in the morning to soccer games at night to concerts in the park to the restaurants and the farmers market,” he says. “We felt we could add a lot of value by bringing a real estate company here because of the mixed use development. It’s the best location that we found in Gwinnett County.”

CORE VALUES

 Chris says that one of the things that drew him to JP & Associates was the model they offer, which includes tools, technology, training and support. That support enables Chris, Lisa and Michael to focus on their core values: productivity and service. “Productivity meaning that the agents are productive and service meaning we serve our agents,” Chris says. “We come from a servant mentality and if we serve our agents properly they will in turn serve their clients properly and everybody is taken care of.”

on. We don’t just take any agent — we’re not numbers focused, we’re more focused on productivity and service.” Considering the current market, finding an experienced, reliable realtor is more important than ever. With an agent-first mentality, JPAR Metro Atlanta sets up each of its agents for success, dedicating time for extensive training and prioritizing its values of productivity, service and overall quality of agents over quantity. “We’re in a market right now where we’re seeing a lot of over-asking price, multipleoffer situations,” Chris says. “If you don’t have the right realtor - Chris Schlitz CEO, JP & Associates Metro Atlanta representing you, you could lose every offer you put in. An experienced realtor will understand things like When asked what JPAR Metro Atlanta looks for escalation clauses and such that make your offer in an agent, Chris says, “Someone who is filled with more powerful.” energy and enthusiasm. I feel like that’s the definition JPAR Metro Atlanta may not be a mom-and-pop real of sales. If you’re filled with energy and enthusiasm estate brokerage, but it embodies a hometown feel it becomes contagious, so your buyers or sellers that many of its clients appreciate, all backed by want to work with you because you have that going

We come from a servant mentality and if we serve our agents properly they will in turn serve their clients properly and everybody is taken care of.”

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unmatched technological support. With more than 50 training classes a month available to its agents, JPAR is setting a new bar for the real estate industry here in Suwanee and beyond, all while bringing a familyoriented spirit to the brokerage business backed by Chris and Lisa’s decades of experience. When it comes to buying and selling homes, you can’t beat that. ■

JPAR Metro Atlanta is located at 340 Town Center Ave, Suite A9, in Suwanee Town Center. Learn more at JPARMetroAtlanta.com.

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BUSINESS BY: Bill & Cindi Porter, AILERON INVESTMENT ADVISORS

Q: WHY IS THERE SO MUCH

DISCUSSION ABOUT INFLATION?

Because it is a big deal and it appears likely that increased inflation will be a factor in the near future. For older Americans who lived through the 1970s, the reality of the ravages of inflation are a vivid memory. Every trip to the store was more expensive than the trip before. Only by raising interest rates significantly in the early 1980s were the flames of inflation finally doused. The cure was a financially painful process – but necessary. In 1981, some Americans had an 18% mortgage.1 It was a scary time. In the past several years, inflation has been relatively tame compared to the 1970s. However, the booming economy just prior to the COVID lockdowns is now beginning to pick up where it had left off. Additionally, trillions of dollars in pandemic relief checks have caused a major spending increase by consumers. The numerous “Now hiring – and signup bonus” signs popping up everywhere suggest everything is probably going to be more expensive in the near future. Your income – whether from a job or earnings from investments, must keep up with inflation. Unfortunately, even in times of “low inflation” many people still fall behind. For example, in 1990 the average household income was $69,892. By 2019 it was $90,021 – a 23% increase. However, at the same time the price of a new car was up 78%, a new house 156%, a postage stamp 120%, a gallon of gas 128%, and so on.2 However, if we experience “high inflation” again, it may be devastating to the unprepared. Could your income be prepared to increase with the rate of inflation? It may be a good time to have a frank discussion with your trusted advisor. ■ Sources: 1. https://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/just-explain-it/why-mortgage-rates-matter-152241574. html Accessed June 3, 2021. 2. https://www.franklintempleton.com/forms-literature/download/BB-FLIE1 Accessed June 3, 2021

Securities and advisory services offered through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC and a Registered Investment Advisor. MAS and Aileron Investment Advisors are not affiliated entities. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Our firm provides links to third party articles in an effort to assist users in locating information on topics that might be of interest to them. Information presented has not been verified and is not guaranteed, nor can we attest to the accuracy of information provided. Linking to an article or web site does not constitute a representation of the services offered by our firm nor does it constitute an endorsement by Firm of the sponsors of the site or the products presented on the site.

Send your investment questions to: submissions@ SuwaneeMagazine.com

Tannery Row Ale House’s pork plate was piled extra high and served with Texas Toast, mac ’n’ cheese and baked beans.

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Contest t Suwanee Magazine we are always up for a little friendly competition, especially when it comes to food. In past Food Issues we’ve crowned the best pizza, burger, taco and wings in Suwanee. This year, we were on a mission to find the best barbecue! We're talking pulled pork piled high on the plate or sandwiched between two buns then smothered in a thick, tangy sauce. This year we opened up our annual "Best" competition beyond Suwanee and invited restaurants from across our distribution area, including Lawrenceville, Buford and Cumming, to put their best pulled pork plate forward. In addition, we asked our readers to vote on their favorite local barbecue joint for our first ever READER’S CHOICE WINNER. In the end we consumed a lot of tasty barbecue — a tough job, but someone had to do it. We’re lucky to have so many great barbecue joints around town, but only one could be crowned BEST BBQ. PHOTOS BY KARL LAMB

OUR JUDGES: Skye Estroff ➤ Skye is the owner of Skye Estroff LLC,

a company built to forge relationships through food. She works in TV, podcasts and radio, while helping clients with social media and marketing. She is a regular contributor on “Fox 5 Good Day Atlanta” where she Skypes-in and talks through Atlanta’s food trends. Skye also hosts “The Georgia Foodcast” podcast by Georgia Organics and is the Host and Executive Producer of “Foodie Road Trip,” a food TV show that spotlights restaurants with compelling stories and delicious food from across the country.

Craig Tabor ➤ Craig is the owner of Suwanee’s

go-to store for all things barbecue, Playing With Fire BBQ Emporium. Craig and his wife, Elise, have been in the barbecue world for a long time and offer their seasoned experience to their customers. They are experts on all of the products they offer because they have been using the items they sell for years. In fact, Craig wrote a book on the subject, Mastering the Big Green Egg, in which he lays out everything you need to know to conquer and perfect cooking with your Big Green Egg.

Natalie Garrett ➤ Natalie Garrett is a contributing

writer for Suwanee Magazine who is known around the office as the resident foodie. In addition to treating the magazine staff to baked goodies and tasty dishes, she is also a wealth of knowledge on hosting, cooking, organizing and making the most out of special moments and events. In addition to writing for the magazine, she is also part of the marketing team for Suwanee Beer Fest and Suwanee Wine Fest, and works with Veugeler Design Group to help clients with all their marketing and website needs.

CITY BARBEQUE Suwanee

LOLO'S PULLED PORK  City Barbeque’s pulled pork was served with an array

JUDGING CRITERIA: Each BBQ dish was judged based on four categories:

✓ Appearance ✓ Taste ✓ Sides ✓ Overall Impression 18

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of sides, including mac ’n’ cheese, corn pudding, green beans, baked beans, creamy coleslaw and banana pudding. The dish was also served with City Barbeque’s house sauces including Low Co, Swine Wine, Brush Fire Barbeque, Original, and Sweet City Barbeque.

Judges’ Comments: “Banana pudding — oh my! What a sweet surprise.” “Excellent overall.”

SONNY'S BBQ Buford

SMOKED PULLED PORK  Known as one of Sonny’s guest favorites, the

smoked pork plate was served alongside classic mac ’n’ cheese, baked beans and a buttery biscuit.

Judges’ comments: “Yummy - the sauce was delish!"

The sauce paired very nicely with the pork — a duo that will please most palates.” - Natalie Garrett

I love the tanginess of the ‘Low Co’ sauce and the mac ’n’ cheese has the classic flavor that pairs perfectly with pulled pork.” - Skye Estroff

THE BLACK PIG Buford

PULLED PORK SANDWICH  The team behind The Black Pig has worked

hard to recreate the barbecue they grew up on and served their standard pulled pork sandwich alongside a house-made barbecue sauce, green beans and Gouda bacon mac ’n’ cheese.

Judges’ Comments: “The pork is super tender.”

“I like that I can taste the smokey flavor! The sides are a classy take on your traditional BBQ meal.” - Natalie Garrett

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SOCKS’ LOVE BARBECUE Cumming

HICKORY SMOKED PULLED PORK  Known for their wood-fired barbecue, Socks' served their hickory smoked pulled pork with their “OMG” mac ’n’ cheese, collard greens, pickled red onions and cucumbers, along with a red and yellow sauce — all made in house.

Judges’ Comments: “Love the addition of the pickles!”

Greens are next level — perfect vinegar broth and spice component!” - Skye Estroff

READER'S CHOICE RUNNER Readers’ Comments: “Best BBQ! Mac and cheese, cowboy beans…” “The brisket is amazing! The Hartsock’s even better. They showed up during the pandemic with meals for first responders, support for other local businesses, and huge hearts FOR community. Socks is hands-down the best.”

-UP!

“Creative menu and outstanding flavor!” “Great food and great people — a winning combination.” “Always consistent, amazing BBQ with a great welcoming staff.”

READER'S CHOICE WINNER! Readers’ Comments: “Great place to enjoy lunch inside or out while working at the Gwinnett courthouse. Love the fried okra and the servers always have a smile!” “Love their food, delicious potato salad. Also love their partnership with the bakery working with special needs folks [Special Kneads and Treats].” “We love the food! Their brisket, ribs and sausage are amazing.

Meat is very juicy and tender and the smokiness comes through.

 Foggy Bottom BBQ’s specialty pork plate, featuring competition-style pulled

“We visit every time we are near Lawrenceville. Love the service and of course we love the BBQ (pork, beef, turkey and chicken). Don’t get me started on their great sides…”

Judges’ Comments:

“Best BBQ around, so good, great atmosphere, and wonderful staff!”

FOGGY BOTTOM BBQ Lawrenceville

“MONEY MUSCLE” PORK PLATE

- Skye Estroff

pork shoulder, was served with a side of homemade mac ’n’ cheese, classic Cajun red beans and rice, pickles and a side of Texas toast.

“I like the pairing of rice and beans! I appreciate the creativity on a change to your classic BBQ meal.” “Enjoyed the sausage in the beans!”

“Great family experience.”

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THE RESULTS: TANNERY ROW ALE HOUSE Buford

PULLED PORK PLATE

 Hand-rubbed with house seasonings and smoked for 16 hours over cherry and hickory woods, Tannery Row Ale House's Pulled Pork Plate was chosen runner-up in this year's competition by our judges. For the competition, the pork was piled extra high and served with Texas Toast, mac ’n’ cheese and baked beans.

Judges’ Comments: “Juicy! And plentiful! The mac ’n’ cheese was awesome!” “Nice bark! Very good overall.”

There is a nice tang and spice to the sauce, and the meat has a nice smoke ring!” - Skye Estroff

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JIM ’N NICK’S COMMUNITY BBQ Suwanee

CLASSIC PULLED PORK  Jim ’N Nick’s won over the judges with their “one of a kind” slow-smoked pulled pork served over their original BBQ sauce alongside extra cheesy mac ’n’ cheese, baked beans and their famous mini cheese biscuits.

Judges’ Comments: “Tender, flavorful pork. Very good!”

Ideal balance of texture with a flavor mastered so well that sauce is optional!” - Skye Estroff

6 Tips to

UP YOUR GRILLING GAME By Craig Tabor, Owner of Suwanee’s Playing with Fire BBQ Emporium

1. Use Good Fuel

Without a doubt, the first ingredient to any smoked or grilled protein is the fuel. Don’t skimp with the cheap stuff. Quality fuel should burn clean, be free of any debris, and produce very little ash or waste product. Whether you are using pellets, charcoal or smoking wood, a high-quality fuel builds a solid foundation for a great finished product.

2. Cook by Temperature

Cooking using time is a great way to undercook or overcook an item. Every piece of ’cue will cook differently based on fat content, the animal’s quality of life, and cooking temperature. Take the guesswork out of it by using handheld instant read and/or wired thermometers.

3. Brush Often

A clean grill is a happy grill. Those stalactites hanging from your grill grate isn’t flavor, it’s rancid drippings leftover from the last hundred times you grilled. Those crusty, charred and burned clumps will taint the flavor of your grilled foods. Using a grill brush or a wooden scraper will eliminate this issue.

4. Use Lube

All of those crusty clumps that you just brushed off are from food that is sticking to the grill grate. After you’ve brushed your grate, thoroughly lube your grate with cooking spray, an oiled towel, or even some fat trimmings from the on-deck protein. Lubing will prevent sticking, create better grill marks, and actually help with clean-up.

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5. Use Quality Proteins

This has to be the most important piece to the barbecue puzzle. Starting with a high-quality protein will yield a high-quality finished product. Spend the money and invest in the highest grade of beef, heritage breed pork and organic chicken that you can afford. Cooking at home is way less expensive than eating out so put a little more into it.

6. Rest

You’ve spent a lot of time smoking/grilling and we’re sure you are probably starving, but don’t forget to let your proteins rest. Juices are rapidly moving in meat that comes directly off the smoker or grill. Resting these cuts allows those juices to settle down and distribute throughout the meat resulting in a juicier bite. We recommend two hours for larger barbecue cuts, 30 minutes turkeys/prime rib roasts, and 10 minutes for steaks/chops. ■

BROADWAY IN THE PARK SUWANEE PERFORMING ARTS SETS SAIL WITH PERFORMANCES OF PIRATES OF PENZANCE JR. AND MOANA JR.

arts & entertainment local lifestyle & wellness

FAMILY MATTERS page 35 THE FACES OF SUWANEE: KYLE BERJESKI page 34 LABOR DAY HACKS page 36 SUWANEE ARTS CENTER page 43

SUN-SATIONAL PATIOS

Our community is home to many awesome patios that are perfect for sipping in the sunshine or people watching while you grab some food and drinks. From rooftop views and lakeside eats to familyfriendly (and pup-friendly!) outdoor spaces, we've highlighted some of our favorite local patios to enjoy this summer. By LIZZY JAMES

REMEMBER WHEN

you were younger and your parents told you to go outside and play? Well, we’re giving you the same advice this summer — and our community is filled with places to get outside and enjoy an ice cold drink or delicious meal. Plus, the benefits of soaking up some much needed vitamin D, aka the “sunshine vitamin,” are plentiful. In an effort to highlight the top outdoor patio and dining areas in our distribution area, while also enjoying a little vitamin D myself, I took on the “tough” job of scoping out the best patio options for every occasion. From a beer with friends to a nice date night out, these patios are sure to become your new summer hangouts!

Pig Tales

6800 Lights Ferry Road, Flowery Branch Nothing beats a summer day out on Lake Lanier! Whether you’re coming by boat or by car, Pig Tales in Flowery Branch is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal and a few drinks by the water (I highly recommend grabbing a mouth-watering Banana Cabana). Throw in cornhole, live music, and a pet-friendly patio and you have the perfect lake day meal! Pig Tales is only open seasonally, so be sure to go and check them out before they close!

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Nacho Daddy

3095 Main St., Duluth Duluth’s Nacho Daddy serves some of the most insanely delicious gourmet nachos I have ever had. Throw in a rooftop bar and patio, $5 happy hours, and a Taco and Tequila Tuesday (hello two for one tequila shots!) and you have the perfect recipe for a fun night out! If you’re feeling extra adventurous, Nacho Daddy is home to the original scorpion shot that has been featured on Food Network, Animal Planet and more.

StillFire Brewing 343 US-23, Suwanee

Whether you are looking to enjoy a beer with friends or have a family day out, StillFire’s dogfriendly patio features big shady umbrellas, stellar people-watching, and an adjacent playground in newly finished Station Park for the kids! On any given day you can find people enjoying a round of cornhole, playing giant Jenga, listening to live music or ordering a meal from one of the many rotating food trucks that visit the taproom! The only downside? Having to decide which of their 25 beers and seltzers you want to enjoy next!

McCray’s Tavern

100 N Perry St., Lawrenceville Located on the Square in Lawrenceville, McCray’s Tavern has been a favorite hangout since it opened in 2007. The restaurant’s large rooftop bar and patio provide great views of the Lawrenceville skyline and make for the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a meal or a few drinks with friends. If you are looking for a fun brunch option, head over to McCray’s on a Saturday or Sunday for a Bloody Mary, or spend all day on the rooftop with its $20 bottomless mimosas!

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Sugar Hill Distillery

1166 Church St., Sugar Hill Located in the heart of downtown Sugar Hill, the Sugar Hill Distillery is the first in the nation to manufacture and produce both fine spirits and Germanstyle beer in the same equipment. Throw in a full-service restaurant and awesome outdoor patio space, and you have a unique place to hang out with friends this summer! Stop by on a night when they have live music on the patio. Your pups are also welcome to tag along!

Bare Bones Steakhouse 101 E. Main St. N.E., Buford

Bare Bones Steakhouse has been a community mainstay for more than 5 years. Its new two-story location in downtown Buford opened this past spring and the outdoor patio is perfect for those who want to enjoy a nice date night out. The restaurant’s historic charm and high-class atmosphere carry over to the patio, which features high-top tables and a charming view of historic downtown Buford. Trust me when I say that few things in life beat pairing one of their BBTini’s with a delicious baconwrapped filet!

GIVE PEACH A CHANCE 2G CARBS / ZERO ADDED SUGAR 5% ABV / GLUTEN FREE

AVAILABLE ON TAP AND IN 4-PACKS FROM OUR TO-GO WINDOW

Cheeky Taqueria 1039 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suwanee

Chances are if you’ve lived in Suwanee long, you’ve enjoyed a house margarita or two out on Cheeky’s patio. Not only does their covered patio have a fun, inviting atmosphere featuring garage doors and string lights, but there's also something on the menu for the entire family to enjoy. I highly recommend pairing a pomegranate margarita with the Agave Chipotle Lime Wings (Voted 2019’s Best Wings in Suwanee)!

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FAMILY MATTERS Jennifer Wilmoth, AAMFT, Grow Counseling

Simple Tips to Beat the Post Vacation Blues! long wait, many people are taking to the roads and skies to enjoy summer vacations again. Vacations are a great way to have fun and relax with family and friends and as a bonus they are good for your mental health, too! No matter how you like to vacation, people often feel freedom, relaxation, and enjoyment by getting away from routines and stresses of life. Unfortunately, sometimes all the good feelings can start to fade into post vacation blues before you even arrive home. AFTER A

Here are some tips to help you beat the post vacation blues and keep the good vacation feelings going. Take an Extra Day Off Give yourself a day at home after your vacation to relax, unpack and do laundry before you jump back into your day-to-day routine. Changing abruptly from days filled with what you want to do back to days filled mostly with what you need to do can bring on feelings of disappointment and blues. So, help keep the relaxation going by giving yourself more time to ease back into your daily routine.

Look Forward to Home Think about what you like about being at home and in your town. Home offers a lot of comforts and joys we often take for granted. Plan to visit your favorite store or park when you return. Clean your house before you leave so you can look forward to walking back into a fresh

and organized home or simply think about how good it will feel to sleep in your own bed again.

De-stress with Vacation Memories Thinking of good vacation memories can help you to de-stress and feel happy months after returning home. Try imagining yourself at your favorite vacation spot or tell a friend about a fun vacation experience you had to help you feel less stressed and more energized in your day-today routine.

Plan the Next Vacation Think about the next vacation you want to take as you are on your way home. You don’t have to plan every detail but it is helpful to remind

yourself you will have another break from your routine in the near future. You can start thinking of the location and activities you might want to do on your next vacation. The ongoing excitement about your next adventure can be a great way to keep the blues about returning to work or daily routines away. ■

JENNIFER WILMOTH, AAMFT Jennifer Wilmoth is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor who works in the Suwanee area at Grow Counseling with over a decade of experience. She received her Master's 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.

Labor Day Hacks

Snack Hack

h, Labor Day! The grand finale of the sweet summertime season that’s sprinkled with those glorious three-day weekends. While we anticipate the rivaled arrival of all-things-fall (AKA football), make sure to relish those last few moments of fun in the sun. Enjoy some of my go-to hacks for spreading a little extra Labor Day cheer!

NATALIE GARRETT Contributing Writer

 First and foremost… FOOD. Any excuse to please someone’s palate in both a flavorful and festive manner is a win for both hosts and guests. A favored holiday Americans are proud to celebrate, the obvious answer is to maximize on the red, white and blue theme. To achieve this as a crowd pleasing appetizer, I recommend trying your hand at crafting a charcuterie board! You truly can’t go wrong with a spread of small bites. And, bonus - it’s completely customizable, so you can ensure there’s something tempting on the board for even the pickiest of eaters.

Pro Tip: A star cookie cutter + flour tortillas = tortilla chips taken to the next level. Cut out your stars, brush with olive or vegetable oil, lay flat on a baking sheet, and bake at 350 degrees until crispy (about 8 minutes) flipping the stars halfway through.

sheet, and bake at 350 degrees until crispy (about 8 minutes) flipping the stars halfway through.

Party Hacks  You don’t always have to invent grand, elaborate plans or purchase upscale party supplies in order to seize the moment. Memories can be made even more memorable by upping the ante in small, creative ways. Turn your typical summer activities and get-togethers into cherished ones by trying one of these tips and tricks!

Add glow sticks to the pool for a lively night swim! Find your favorite kiddie pool and fill it with ice to serve as a unique and efficient drink cooler.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

DID YOU KNOW? LABOR DAY dates back to the late

A festive charcuterie board makes for an eye-catching centerpiece at your Labor Day get-together.

Use bandanas to wrap cutlery sets. It’s a frugal way to advance the presentation of your plastic or silverware, and you can get them in red, white and blue colors. No pool? No problem! A tarp, water hose and soap (or bubbles) can become a makeshift slip ‘n slide in a matter of minutes. Fun for the kiddos to enjoy over and over, or even the adults to incorporate into a game of their own (adult beverages optional… hint hint).

Set up a projector outside for an epic movie night under the stars! Pile up blankets and pillows to make a comfy pallet, pull out the air mattress, or even break out the pool floats. Pro Tip: if you’re laying blankets straight on the ground, place a shower curtain liner underneath to help minimize the dew.

18th century when labor unions first began to form. The goal of these groups was to organize rallies and strikes to protest the terribly poor working conditions that employees were enduring at the height of the Industrial Revolution. Unfortunately, many of these events ended violently, but one in particular earned more positive recognition when nearly 10,000 workers volunteered their time to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City on September 5, 1882. This became the first Labor Day parade held in United States history! This concept of a holiday for the working man gained attention nationwide and many states passed legislation to make it official. It was not until 12 grueling years later, however, that Congress would finally legalize the popular holiday…. On June 26, 1894, the American Railroad Union led a boycott of Pullman railway cars, which congested railroad traffic across the country. The federal government deployed troops to Chicago to end the strike, which escalated to a wave of riots that took the lives of more than 12 employees. Fueled by efforts to quickly initiate peace and reconcile ties with the American workers, Congress passed an act to make Labor Day an established holiday, with President Grover Cleveland signing it into law on June 28, 1894. *Historical facts and research courtesy of History.com.

Italian Pasta Salad *Recipe courtesy of ThisIsNotDietFood.com.

If highlighting barbecue in our annual food issue suckered you right in and you’re firing up the Pit Boss for Labor Day, I suggest adding a twist to the popular picnic side - pasta salad - by taking it Italian style. This cold and creamy dish made with cavatappi noodles (my personal fave!) is both filling and refreshing for a large crowd! Ingredients:

- ¼ cup bacon bits

- 2 cups Cavatappi noodles

- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

- 1 cup halved grape tomatoes - ½ cup diced red onion

Dressing - 1 cup mayonnaise

- ½ cup chopped salami

- 2 tablespoons basil pesto

- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese

- 1 teaspoon pepper

- 1 teaspoon salt

Directions: Boil noodles until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Mix dressing ingredients in a separate bowl. Stir well into pasta noodles. Add the tomatoes, onion, salami, and bacon bits. Toss well. Mix in parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours prior to serving to allow for flavors to marry. Enjoy!

➽ Wherever the holiday leads you this year, make a splash! Schools will be kicking back into high gear, the temperatures will start to settle, and those summer nights will start getting shorter. Live Labor Day just as it was intended by all the hard working folks before us - by taking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to slow down and be present in the moment. And remember, my fellow party people, don’t be afraid to overdo the red, white and blue… and never, ever skimp on the food. CHEERS! ■

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Kyle Berjeski

Property Manager at Symphony at Suwanee Creek Apartments

Kyle is a friendly, familiar face in Suwanee. As the Property Manager at Symphony at Suwanee Creek Apartments, she has met many in our community. She is kind, fun-loving and has a way of making everyone she meets feel important and well cared for. Interview and Photo by Julie Perdue

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.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU OR LED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT CAREER? I was in

the real estate industry and my company closed right before the market crash, so I moved back in with my mom. I decided that I needed a different job where I wouldn’t have to move back in with my mom! So, I thought, “Where could I work and always have the opportunity to have a place to rent? An apartment community!” I started with one, with no experience, and worked my way through to my current job.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN SUWANEE AND WHAT DO YOU LOVE THERE? Tequila Mama. I love their Ahi Tuna Tostados and the guacamole.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED OR LIVED IN SUWANEE? I moved from

Michigan in 1994 when I was 12 to Hall County and then to Suwanee. I went to Collins Hill High School, and we moved around a couple of times in Suwanee.

WHAT HAS KEPT YOU HERE? The sense of community and how everyone is so welcoming. Suwanee has a big-town feel in a small environment, where

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we have the benefit of being as active or involved as we like or spend time alone. We can put up a hammock in Town Center Park and chill by ourselves or walk around and talk to people at the restaurants.

HOW BIG IS YOUR FAMILY?

I have one sister and my mom. My dad passed away 17 years ago after a skateboarding accident where he fell and hit his head and later died. I was 20 at that time and the experience definitely made me grow up fast. Nine years ago, my mom and stepdad moved from Suwanee to a house on Lake Lanier. My stepdad was critically injured in a boating accident and also later passed away. When this happened, I moved to Flowery Branch to be near her and help her with her house after this sudden accident. Eventually, my mom and sister moved to Destin, Florida. So, it’s now me, my fiancé and his family here. We have two dogs, Koda and Bailey, and a cat named Serious Black. I wasn’t supposed to keep the cat, so I gave him the nickname of Blacky and gave him away. But he came back! They are all rescues and I love them so much.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WHAT LOCAL BUSINESS MAKES YOU THE MOST NOSTALGIC ABOUT SUWANEE? Ippolito’s. I

remember their first location and how cool it was to go there in high school because the restaurant had a garage door. The food was so good.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SUWANEE? The sense of community. My favorite thing is that I know people and love to talk to them. I like being known and knowing people in my community.

WOULD YOU RATHER SPEAK TO A CROWD OF 500 OR SING TO A CROWD OF 50? Speak, clearly. I

WHO IS THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON YOU’VE MET IN SUWANEE? Can I say you [Julie Perdue]? You have a part in everything. You’re social and friendly whether you’re at work or not. Everyone knows who you are and being part of Suwanee Magazine, you help without being pushy.

IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, WHERE WOULD IT BE AND WHY? Iceland. I love the cold and the snow and everything I’ve seen is beautiful. The people are friendly, and living is not congested there.

WHAT IS THE FIRST MOVIE YOU REMEMBER SEEING IN A THEATER? Beetlejuice! I remember because I had a diary and wrote in it, “I just watched a movie called Beetlejuice with Michael Keaton.” It was a good movie! It may not have been the first, but it was definitely memorable.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A CROWD OF PEOPLE? Know your surroundings and be aware of what people are doing and how what you’re doing impacts other people. I think that dealing with COVID-19 has taught us awareness of others and what might be important to them.

WHAT IS SOMETHING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? To retire and not

have to work. I would like to live in the mountains away from people and have everything delivered to me by Amazon drone. I’d like to have someone cook our food and enjoy living in nature with wildlife. Enjoy the quiet. I would like to not have to be “on” all of the time.

IF YOU COULD TAKE ANYONE TO LUNCH (DEAD OR ALIVE) WHO WOULD THAT BE AND WHERE WOULD YOU GO? My dad, and I don’t care where. I would like to know him as an adult since I was not able to when he was alive. I would love to share my life with him and get his feedback.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC? NAME THREE BANDS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE. I like

any type of music with a good beat, although I am not a big fan of rap. I really love early 2000’s music when I had a convertible and rode around with the music loud! Presently, I love One Republic and any bands with anthems. I like Imagine Dragons, too, and Lewis Capaldi.

love making a fool of myself and I’m much more comfortable being silly and having fun than being serious! Plus, I’m not allowed to sing in public without compensation, according to my agent.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS? Retired in the mountains, doing nothing, with my fiancé, Anthony, and my dogs. Being able to finally relax.

WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I used to work at Medieval

Times. I was a wench. My friend and I worked there to meet friends. It was a hard job but the most fun to work in a castle. Most of the hours were at night and, of course, we were in character with an accent and costume, serving people in the dark. I learned the skill of pouring a drink in the dark without it overflowing! I loved being around horses, knights and the sand. It was the best time of my life! So, I am open to new things, and I have no shame. I like to help and serve people.

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

TheFacesOfSuwanee.com

PHOTO COURTESY SUWANEE PERFORMING ARTS

SUWANEE PERFORMING ARTS SETS SAIL WITH PERFORMANCES OF PIRATES OF PENZANCE JR. AND MOANA JR. AT SUWANEE TOWN CENTER PARK UWANEE PERFORMING ARTS’ Broadway in the Park

returns to Suwanee’s Town Center Park on July 30 and 31. SPA’s mission is to ignite a passion for the arts and nurture the creative leaders of tomorrow. By turning the outdoor amphitheater into a Broadway-style stage with professional lighting, sound, costumes and sets, our community’s talented high school, middle school and home schooled students can experience local stardom as they perform for the masses. This year, the family-friendly performance brings the high seas to the stage with Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance JR.

PHOTOS COURTESY SUWANEE PERFORMING ARTS

Broadway in the Park is Back!

followed by Disney’s Moana JR. To ensure safety for all attendees, capacity will be limited so advanced reservations are highly recommended. Based on the 1980 Tony award-winning Broadway production, The Pirates of Penzance JR. remains one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most beloved musicals and includes the famous "I am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” patter song. Disney’s Moana JR. is based on the 2016 Disney film with music by Lin-Manuel Miranda. It’s a thrilling and heartwarming stage adaptation of this coming-of-age tale in which Moana sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. She and the demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery as she learns to harness the power that lies within. In addition to the performances, Broadway in the Park fundraisers include a Virtual 5K and Fun Run (with a Pirate theme), an online auction, 50/50 raffle (drawing on July 31), Spirit Day at Daddy O’Brien’s (July 20), as well as pictures with the cast, Star-grams and more during the Broadway in the Park event.

Broadway in the Park performances are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. for one weekend only, July 30 and 31. General admission reservations open on July 12. General admission patrons will be seated on a first-come, firstserved basis starting at 5 p.m. For more information about Broadway in the Park and SPA’s other fundraising events, visit SuwaneePerforms.org. ■

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AREA SPLASH PADS AND WATER FOUNTAINS ARE A FUN AND FREE WAY FOR FAMILIES TO COOL OFF THIS SUMMER! BY ALICIA CARTER

PHOTOS COURTESY RESPECTIVE CITIES

It’s officially summertime in Georgia, which means it’s getting h-o-t, hot! Families are on the hunt for ways to keep the kids entertained and cool. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to cool off this summer around town, from nearby Lake Lanier and Margaritaville at Lanier Islands to community pools and more. Sometimes, however, there’s simply nothing better than watching your kids dart through jets of water at the local splash pad. One of the simplest ways to cool off, community splash pads and water fountains are a fun and free way to enjoy local parks and downtown areas. 

E.E. Robinson Park A LOCAL FAVORITE for its spacious

multi-purpose turf field, tennis courts, playground and walking trails connected to the Sugar Hill Greenway, E. E. Robinson Park’s Interactive Fountain hours are Thursday-Tuesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Wednesday, noon-8 p.m. Make a day out of it by walking the trails, playing on the playground, and then cool off in the fountain! Fountain rules include that children must be dressed in appropriate swimsuits, groups of 10 or larger should make reservations (contact EEFountain@GwinnettCounty.com), children must be supervised by an accompanying adult, no pets, no glass, and no running or rough-housing.

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Buford Community Center Suwanee’s Big Splash Fountain ➽ CELEBRATING 15 YEARS of operation this year, Suwanee’s Big Splash Fountain is one of Gwinnett County’s largest interactive fountains and features 43 jets using 1,400 gallons of (recycled) water Fun fact: every minute. While The Big Splash grand kiddos are encouraged opening on June 17, 2006, to enjoy the fountain, also served as a fundraiser for there are important Suwanee's adopted sister city of Long Beach, Mississippi. rules in place to The Suwanee community ensure the safety of raised more than $25,000 for all of the splashers, as Long Beach’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina. well as keep the fountain in tiptop shape. Rules include no food or beverages, no glass containers, no pets in the water and more. “One of our biggest jobs is maintaining the fountain,” said Luis Lopez from the Suwanee public works department. “Every day we test the chlorine, change the filters, blow off the top, and clean the grates. Every two weeks, we drain the entire fountain and replace it with 1,400 gallons of fresh, clean water!” Big Splash fountain is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

➽ THE BUFORD Community Center is a state-of-the-art facility that hosts a number of events, including weddings, seminars, large corporate meetings and live arts performances. It houses a 274-seat stage theater and an outdoor amphitheater that can seat up to 1,800. In addition to being one of the area’s go-to destinations for events, the Buford Community Center is also home to a popular splash pad for families to cool off in during the summer months. The splash pad is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. weekly.

Duluth Town Green Fountain

➽ DOWNTOWN DULUTH is an attractive downtown area filled with restaurants, shops and entertainment. Duluth’s Town Green is home to a Victorian-style performance stage and community center, and each year hosts free festivals, concerts, movies and other entertainment provided by the City. On hot summer days you can find kids cooling off in the central interactive fountain. The fountain's multi-jets shoot water 20 feet into the air before falling back to the surface with groups of happy kiddos racing between the jets. The fountain is open seven days a week from 9 a.m.9 p.m. Learn more about Duluth’s fountain at DuluthGA.net.

Margaritaville's Family Fun Zone is the perfect daylong staycation for the family.

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Sugar Hill Splash Park ➽ Downtown Sugar Hill’s Splash Park is one of the newest fountains in the area. Not only can you enjoy the Splash Park during its daytime hours (10 a.m.-8 p.m.), they also host Splash Nights. The free monthly themed Splash Nights take place on Friday evenings and are fun for the whole family. Upcoming Splash Nights include Friday, July 30, and Friday, August 27, and will feature food trucks and live music. While in downtown Sugar Hill, families can also visit E Center restaurants and vendors as well as enjoy the summertime weather at The Promenade's expansive patio. See a full list of Splash Park rules at CityofSugarHill.com.

BONUS:

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands Water Park ➽ The Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands has something for everyone, from toddlers to teens and adults. The park features exciting water slides, a wave pool, zip lines and more. It’s the Fun Zone, however, that lands the park on our list of splash pads. Located in Paradise Beach, the Family Fun Zone is what Lanier Islands calls “water-play central.” The little ones will have a blast in the Wiggle Waves, a junior version of the park’s Wild Waves wave pool, along with mini water slides, sprinkler features and a sandy beach where they can build epic sand castles. While the other water fountains and splash pads on our list are free for the public to enjoy, the Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands does have admission rates, but it’s worth it for a fun day out for the family. Tickets range from $24.99 to $49.99. Children age 2 and younger get in free. For more information visit MargaritavilleResorts.com.

BRINGING THE HEAT! Gwinnett County’s adaptive sports team Gwinnett Heat fosters personal growth and lasting friendships, all while winning state championships in the process. By Alicia Carter / Photos Courtesy Gwinnett Heat

adaptive sports team, Gwinnett Heat, gives opportunity to students with physical disabilities where too often there are none. Open to students as young as third grade all the way to high school seniors, Gwinnett Heat is part of the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP) and provides students with physical disabilities the opportunity to play football, basketball and handball in a team setting. As coach Len Boudreaux puts it, it gets students “off the couch and into the game.” Considering many students with disabilities often feel as though they are left on the sidelines, Gwinnett Heat is an important inclusive program that encourages students to actively participate in sports while also nurturing personal growth and creating lasting friendships. There are a wide range of disabilities that are included in the adaptive sports program, including more severe physical disabilities like cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and spinal cord injury as well as other conditions such as asthma or sensory impairments. Interested students with a qualifying disability can reach out to the Heat’s area coordinator for more information about the team. “If you have a disability then you’re basically on the team,” Len says. “You just need to want to come to practice, come to the games and be a part of the team. Our area coordinator Mike Phillips WINNETT COUNTY’S

Gwinnett Heat is part of the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP) and provides students with physical disabilities the opportunity to play football, basketball and handball in a team setting.

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will go meet with the student and see if they’re interested and how they would work with us. Then we get them out to practice and see if they like it or not.” Not only does the Gwinnett Heat give an opportunity to students to participate in sports who otherwise may not have had that opportunity, it’s also a really good team. This year, the Gwinnett Heat took home the state championship in both basketball and football. A key to

the team’s success are the players who have grown up in the program. This year, the Gwinnett Heat will graduate five seniors: Seth Earley, Hunter Rewis, Will Millikan, Mary Garcia-Brake and Kathy Luna. Coach Len is incredibly proud of his team, and especially these seniors who are each going on to college in the fall. “They are such great kids; such great competitors,” he says. “Seth is going to play basketball at the University of Alabama. Hunter will attend Georgia Tech on a scholarship. Will is attending a technical college. Mary will attend the University of Hartford, and Kathy is going to North Georgia.” For students with disabilities who are interested in joining the Heat, Len says “it’s the greatest opportunity

a parent could give their child. Maybe there are some things they need to work on. By being on a team, those things get worked on naturally. You naturally need to talk to the coaches. You naturally need to talk to your teammates. Communication, having respect for one another, understanding someone has a different disability than you — these are all key. I think it breaks down some walls, too. Some kids think they’re alone like, ‘I’m the only one who has this.’ Then they realize, ‘Hey wait a second. I have all these other people on the Heat who are similar to me.’ They definitely bond over that.” Almost more important than the excitement of the sport itself, the Gwinnett Heat gives students who enter the program the chance to grow as individuals. The team not only teaches students the important lessons of teamwork, dedication and breaking barriers, it also fosters lifelong friendships and a sense of belonging. Or as Coach Len says, it creates a family. “It’s interesting to see how these kids who maybe haven’t been too social or are shy or timid at the beginning of the season, and then as time rolls on all of sudden they’re texting one another, they’re calling one another, they’re supporting one another and they become really close friends,” he says. “I know our alumni, the kids who have moved on to college or have jobs, they still come back and watch our games. They still feel connected. And that’s the way I want it to be. I want it to be a family. Once you come into the Gwinnett Heat you’re always part of the Heat.” For more information about the Gwinnett Heat visit Facebook.com/GwinnettHeat.

local food, craft beer & wine trends

STILLFIRE BREWING SUWANEE BREWERY LAUNCHES CHARITY FOUNDATION

Sippin’ on Cloud Wine

CANA WINE TOURS OFFERS A ROUND-TRIP, ALL-INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE TO SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE NORTH GEORGIA WINERIES. BY LIZZY JAMES / PHOTOS COURTESY OF CANA WINE TOURS

few things wine lovers like myself love more than venturing up to North Georgia for a few wine tastings. However, coordinating driving to different wineries can often be problematic with one person in your group having to be a designated driver. So when I learned of a service that will pick you up from your house, drive you to multiple North Georgia wineries, and even provide guests with lunch, I was instantly intrigued. Enter Cana Wine Tours, an unforgettable highquality North Georgia wine tour and tasting experience that caters to residents on Atlanta’s southside. We had a chance to speak with Lisa Maye, founder of Cana Wine Tours, and learn more about the experience her Lisa Maye, founder of Cana Wine Tours company offers to Atlanta residents. HERE ARE

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Cana Wine Tours provides unforgettable, high-quality North Georgia wine tours and tasting experiences for residents around Atlanta.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND. WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START CANA WINE TOURS? My family is from Long Island and myself, my father, and my grandfather all owned businesses up there. You can say I have that entrepreneurial spirit built into me, so when I moved to Georgia in 2007 I knew I wanted to open another business. At the time, I was a maid of honor in a friend’s wedding and she had mentioned wanting to go on a wine train for her bachelorette party. I did a bunch of research and the closest one I could find was all the way up in Tennessee. Because of that, we decided on doing a more traditional wine tour instead. The pick up for the tour was 58 miles from our house, so I had to coordinate a ride with my son to and from in order for us to even get up there. The next morning it was like God dropped this idea into my lap and after some research I found that there was nothing available from Dunwoody down to Macon that made going on wine tours more accessible. After taking care of the legal structure and enrolling in a few classes through the Small Business Development Center, I stepped out

FOOD & DRINK

and purchased a transit van and set sail! Our Grand Opening Tour was in August 2018 and we have since bought three more vehicles. HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME FOR CANA WINE TOURS? "Cana" of Galilee was the scene of Christ's first miracle at a wedding, where he turned water into wine. Wine was an essential staple of that ancient agricultural society, and in this particular case, the hosts of the wedding had run out of wine. At the time this was a disaster and basis for irreparable humiliation, but Jesus took the time out to secure these hosts' continued ability to portray hospitality. I wanted to reflect this miracle and celebration of togetherness over a glass of wine within the company. That’s where the name came from and is even reflected in our logo with a pitcher of water turning into another pitcher of wine.

Each Cana Wine Tour includes round-trip transportation to 3 or 4 select North Georgia wineries, live music, as well as all tasting fees and lunch.

HOW HAS THE RESPONSE TO YOUR BUSINESS BEEN SINCE LAUNCHING IN 2018? I knew there was a need for residents in the southern metro Atlanta area to be able to do wine tours. When we first opened it was a little slow penetrating the industry, and believe it or not what really propelled us was COVID-19. When COVID hit, I started to offer every tour as a private

tour. Usually these private tours were for a minimum of 8-10 people, but I began offering it to any size group. This allowed us to keep our business going while also keeping people safe. From 2019-2020 my business went up 300%. After that, the word got out and I started leveraging my downtime. I went on TripAdvisor, Groupon, Expedia, etc., and created platforms on all of these selling venues. The response has been overwhelming and has generated us buying our third vehicle. TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TOUR OPTIONS THAT CANA OFFERS? Since everything has started to relax, I am now back to offering both public and private tours that can pick up residents in cities like Fayetteville, Covington, and even Macon. Our classic public tours include round-trip transportation to three or four select North Georgia wineries, live music at select locations, all tasting fees and lunch. Private tours are reserved for 6-10 people and include door-todoor round-trip in a private car/tour bus transportation for your party to three or four select North Georgia wineries, live music at select

Suwanee Magazine

Cana Wine tour packages are all-inclusive and include 4-7 wine tastings at each winery.

Cana Wine Tours’ premium tour package offers guests a private behind-the-scenes wine tour with a vineyard that's on their itinerary.

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locations, all tasting fees, a private lunch, and a private group experience. We also offer a premium tour, in which I network with 50 of the vineyards. Premium tours include individual pickup from your private or corporate address for your party of 10-32 people in a luxury coach, a customized winery experience, all tasting fees, lunch and live entertainment at select wineries. One of the three vineyards on these premium tours will offer a private behind-the-scenes tour of the winery for your group. We also have created a “His and Her package” which will include us visiting two breweries and two vineyards as well as a singles package that we will offer once every other month. The singles package is age specific and will have five men and five women (think speed

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dating). We also have a family package. Most vineyards are family friendly and a lot of people want to tour with their kids. This package is a private option that allows you to bring your kids under 18 for 50% off and that includes their lunch as well. The final package we offer is a transportation-only package, we will take you to three-four vineyards of your choice but you are responsible for paying for your own lunch and your own wine samples.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO CUSTOMERS NEED TO BOOK A TOUR? For those who know they want to book a tour, I recommend making a reservation at least two to three weeks in advance if you are set on a specific day. We ask for a 50% deposit to secure the date and you pay the rest 10 days before. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS PATRONS GET WHEN BOOKING WITH CANA WINE TOURS? Our packages are all inclusive. Your tour includes all of the tasting fees at vineyards and breweries. We arrange for pick up at your residence for all private tours, and if you book a classic tour we provide a ride if you have a group of six or more. We also provide lunches for you and your party. WHAT ARE THE DAYS/HOURS THAT THE TOURS RUN? We operate tours seven days a week. A lot of my tours actually get booked on the weekdays for people who come and visit while they are out of town. We also offer Groupons for tours on Mondays through Thursdays. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PATRONS WHO HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A NORTH GEORGIA WINE TOUR? I would suggest being mindful of your tolerance. People think, “Oh, I drink wine all the time and it is just a tasting,” but when we visit three vineyards that’s a total of 21 tastings. It catches up to you very quickly, and people often underestimate their tolerance. Also, we want to encourage people to be open to versatility. Some wine drinkers are set on only liking and drinking a certain type of wine. We want you to try and be open to tasting different types of wines while visiting these wineries. Also, these tours make for a great daycation. If you are weary about traveling, a daycation in the North Georgia mountains does a person good and it is an experience you really want to be able to log in your memory. CAN YOU RECOMMEND A GREAT SUMMER WINERY THAT SOMEONE MIGHT VISIT ON ONE OF YOUR TOURS? I would say Grapes and Ladders in Ellijay or Sweet Acres Winery in Alto are the perfect summer spots. When I think of summer, I think of light, airy and fruity wines, and both of those vineyards have a lot of those options. ■

 To learn more about Cana Wine Tours or to make a reservation, visit CanaWineTours.com or call 404-425-0531.

WHAT'S BREWING

STILLFIRE BREWING LAUNCHES CHARITY FOUNDATION

SUWANEE BREWERY'S FIND YOUR FIRE FOUNDATION GIVES BACK TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY By Lizzy James ON JUNE 5th,

Suwanee's StillFire Brewing launched its Find Your Fire Foundation in an effort to give back to the local community. “We have been so inspired by the support we’ve received over the past year and a half and we realized that we have the opportunity to do more than just brew beer,” says General Manager Aaron Bisges, “Since opening our doors, our StillFire team has not only been dedicated to creating innovative craft beers, but we have also strived to foster a more positive quality of life in our community.” The brewery partnered with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) to launch the foundation by hosting an event filled with live music, giveaways, and plenty of delicious food in the taproom! Throughout the

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We have been so inspired by the support we’ve received over the past year and a half and we realized that we have the opportunity to do more than just brew beer.” - StillFire Brewing General Manager Aaron Bisges

StillFire Brewing team members present a check to Annie Valenty from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

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the day, the brewery raised money through raffles, accepted individual donations, and also donated $1 of every full pour sold that day to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. But the giving didn’t stop there, the Find Your Fire Foundation also matched all of the donations made that day and was able to raise more than $9,000 for the fight

against childhood cancer. “We are so grateful for the community's continued support,” says Bisges, “and we look forward to hosting more Find Your Fire community events in the near future!” For more information and to donate to the foundation, go to FindYourFireFoundation.com.

TASTE SUMMER IN A CAN

Giveaways throughout the day included Atlanta Falcons tickets, Suwanee Beer Fest tickets and gift cards from Bare Bones Steakhouse, Bottles and Bones and Pour Taproom. Steve and Tracy Proell won a StillFire swag pack including the opportunity to be a "brewer for a day".

2G CARBS / ZERO ADDED SUGAR 5% ABV / GLUTEN FREE

StillFire Brewing Founders Angela and Randall Veugeler and John and Lori Bisges, Randy Redner from Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, Annie Valenty from CHOA, Amy and Cliff Bray, and StillFire Brewing General Manager Aaron Bisges.

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Inaugural Monkey Wrench Brewing 5K Benefits Suwanee’s Annandale Village The inaugural Monkey Wrench Brewing 5K benefitting Annandale Village was held on April 10, 2021. With more than 250 participants, the Monkey Wrench Brewing 5K started and finished at the brewery and was mostly run on the scenic Suwanee Creek Trail starting at Martin Farm Road. The 5K was won by Ben Tanoff, 28, with a time of 18:24, and the female overall winner was Molly Adams, 35, with a time of 25:13. The male masters (age 40+) winner was Chris Keysor, 54, with a time of 20:18. The female masters winner was Erica Pratt, 44, with a time of 25:51. Event participants were rewarded with pulled pork barbecue, tacos from El Tacoman, sweets from Whatever the O’Cakesion, live music from Grateful Dan, and Monkey Wrench beer. They were able to enjoy a post race party in the spacious brewery and beer garden and soak in their morning achievement. Annandale Village provided a host of local, enthusiastic volunteers to assist event organizer IWeLife and together raised more than $1,500 in donations. Monkey Wrench provided a donation incentive for participants — anyone who donated $25 or more received a $12 gift card to the brewery. The event organizer also donated a portion of registration fees to Annandale Village for their partnership. To learn more about Monkey Wrench Brewing, visit MonkeyWrenchBrewing.com.

THE LATEST FROM IN AND AROUND SUWANEE

Virginia Jones

Local Author Turns Passion for Etiquette and Helping Others Into New Book has lived in the Atlanta area most of her life. Over the years Fran developed a passion for helping others create beautiful homes through her work as a design consultant. A few years ago, a new passion was realized, teaching etiquette classes, so she created a program and taught through the community school at the high school. “I want to inspire students and adults to use etiquette knowledge as a tool to develop their own style of refinement so that they will feel naturally comfortable at any social or business event,” she says. Now Fran has parlayed her passion for etiquette into a new book, Magnolias and Lightning Bugs, which covers “good manners, gracious living, and Southern moments.” As she says in the preface to her book, “Magnolias and Lightning Bugs is about Southern hospitality, kindness, good manners and moments remembered. The purpose is to inspire the reader to enjoy the simple luxuries of life and share with others in a gracious manner.” In addition to insight into gracious living, Fran also features wonderful recipes to be enjoyed. For more information email theroyaltouch@bellsouth.net.

Abigail Boone

FRAN CHRISTIAN

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Katie Coleman

NORTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE THE COOPER O’BRIEN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD EACH YEAR, the O’Brien family works

with a committee of people who knew and loved their son Cooper alongside the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia (CFNEG) to select student recipients for the Cooper O’Brien Scholarship Award. The

scholarship recipients were chosen for the courage and spirit they showed in the face of adversity they have experienced. The candidates have the ability and willingness to confront uncertainty, intimidation, hardship, etc., and in the end, placed an importance on continuing their education. This year, Cooper’s Crew awarded scholarships to North Gwinnett High School seniors Abby Boone, Katherine Coleman and Virginia Jones. Boone will attend the University of Georgia, majoring in Mathematics; Coleman will attend the University of North Georgia, majoring in Psychology; and Jones will attend the University of North Georgia, majoring in Special Education at the Elementary Level. The award is funded by the Cooper’s Crew Fund, which was established in honor of Cooper O’Brien, who lost his battle to Clear Cell Sarcoma on July 5, 2014, at the age of 14. To date, Cooper’s Crew has awarded more than $42,000 in scholarships.

TEE TIME: TOPGOLF SCORES A HOLE IN ONE! By Alicia Carter

lovers will no longer have to make the trek to Alpharetta to enjoy a few rounds at Topgolf, the popular entertainment center that mixes golf with food, drinks and fun. Topgolf’s newest location opened in April in Buford’s new mixed-use development, Exchange at Gwinnett, and shares real estate with restaurants, shops and entertainment such as Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, Rooms to Go, Sprouts Farmers Market, Central City Tavern, Mod Pizza and more. The Suwanee Magazine team recently visited Topgolf in Buford for a couple rounds of golf and to see what all the excitement was about. We weren’t disappointed! LOCAL GOLF

 FOOD: Topgolf boasts a pretty extensive menu of elevated bar-type food, with burgers, sandwiches and salads to munch on solo (the Smokehouse Burger stood out on the menu with bacon, barbecue sauce, cheddar, lettuce, tomato and onion -- a substantial helping to help pad your belly for the inevitable drinks to come). Our group, however, decided to order a spread of appetizers to share, including dangerous Cheesy Macaroni Bites (I have a hard time controlling myself around anything with “cheesy” in the title), Queso Blanco (I see a trend here), Topgolf Wings (try the lemon pepper!), and an array of flatbreads. We also ordered “injectable donut holes” as a sweet treat which are simply cinnamon-sugar dusted donut holes served with syringes filled with your choice of chocolate sauce, raspberry jelly or Bavarian cream.  DRINKS: In addition to a nice beer list, Topgolf also has a fun menu of mixed drinks, which is where the majority of people at my table splurged. The Spiked Strawberry Lemonade, made with Tito's Handmade Vodka, Citrus Sour, Strawberry Réal and lemon, is a not-too-sweet treat on what was a rather humid evening. Another

standout, the Sangria, was a beautiful shade of burgundy that fit in well with the golf aesthetic. Sometimes, however, it’s better to go big or go home, so if you’re teeing off with your drinking buddies, try one of their “Golfbags,” which are drinks meant to be shared between two or more people served in a take-home cup. Bonus: The cup lights up! We got the Pineapple Punch, which can only be described as summertime in a glass with Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum, Monin Ginger, pineapple juice and lemonade.  FUN: Bays can be reserved on one of the two levels of the building. We were on the second level, which gave a great view of the holes. Pro tip: Reserve a bay ahead of time. The Buford location is very popular, especially considering the “newness” of just recently opening, and there could be a wait for a bay depending on the day and time you plan to go. Once you’re seated at your table, a Topgolf team member will help set you up to play. You will enter your names on the scoreboard, similar to what you see at the bowling alley, and then choose the game you’d like to play. In Topgolf’s signature game, players score points by hitting balls (assigned using their microchip technology) into any target. The more accurate your shot and the farther the distance, the more points you earn. We stuck to this game as newbies and we had a great time. More seasoned players can take part in Topgolf’s more advanced games, but we were happy with the standard game. Overall, Topgolf makes for the perfect date night, family outing (kids can play, too!), or social night with friends.

Suwanee Father and Sons Earn Top Trail Life Award Baron Reinhold and his sons, Kirk and Logan, received the Freedom Award in June, the highest award in Trail Life USA, a faith-based scouting organization. It is an achievement accomplished by the few who reach the apex of the Trail Life Program. Earning the award requires a demonstrated mastery of a significant skill set including 15 required and 10 elective Trail Badges, performing 20 hours of servant service each year, and the distinction of having proven himself as a leader among his peers. He must also complete four "Freedom Experiences" in three separate chosen fields; complete a Faith Building Activity; budget, plan, and organize a volunteer team to complete a Servant Leadership Project; and complete an advancement conference and formal Freedom Board of Review. Congratulations, Baron, Kirk and Logan! SUWANEE LOCAL

Topgolf Buford is located at 2935 Buford Drive. For more information, call 470-822-1711 or visit Topgolf.com.

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Kiddie Academy Opens New Location in Suwanee Educational Child Care is a nationally recognized provider of comprehensive educational childcare programs. The newest Georgia center, located in Suwanee, has been open and serving parents seeking childcare options since March 1, 2021. KIDDIE ACADEMY®

“Here at Kiddie Academy of Suwanee, we want to foster a nurturing environment for young children to learn while engaging in play. We provide actual curriculum versus day care service," says Sruthy Kuruvilla, Owner of Kiddie Academy of Suwanee. “We want to positively impact children and families in Suwanee by delivering the highest quality educational childcare possible.” The 9,000-square-foot location is expected to serve 139 students ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age in the area and is bringing approximately 30 new jobs to the community. Additionally, the new Academy will include a total of nine classrooms packed with educational toys and technology, including computers, tablets and smart boards, a 7,500-squarefoot outdoor play area that includes a versa court with a basketball hoop and tricycle track, WatchMeGrow camera access available to parents, and a hospitality lobby with two electromagnetic locked doors for enhanced security. “Other childcare centers cater meals whereas we provide - Sruthy Kuruvilla, Owner of Kiddie Academy of Suwanee healthy meals to our children that are prepared onsite daily in our commercial kitchen and tailored to meet specific dietary needs,” says Ashley Kuruvilla, Owner of Kiddie Academy of Suwanee. According to Sruthy Kuruvilla, the programs emphasize continuous, open communication between teachers and parents concerning each child’s development. Kiddie Academy serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full-time care, before and after-school care, and summer camp programs. Kiddie Academy's proprietary Life Essentials® curriculum, supporting programs, methods, activities, and techniques help prepare children for life. Kiddie Academy has received corporate accreditation from the globally recognized Cognia accreditation system, signifying its commitment to quality education and the highest standards in childcare.

“Here at Kiddie Academy of Suwanee, we want to foster a nurturing environment for young children to learn while engaging in play. We provide actual curriculum versus day care service.”

Kiddie Academy of Suwanee is located at 1446 Satellite Blvd., Suwanee, GA 30024.

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THE BUZZ

IMPERIAL GEMS CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING IN SUWANEE has more than 20 years of experience in the gem and jewelry business, leading her to open Imperial Gems, which just celebrated its grand opening at 333 Main St. in Suwanee. Imperial Gems sells a brilliant collection of large and small gemstones, rocks, fossils, jewelry and minerals, which have healing positivity energy. Imperial Gems also offers repair for customer-designed jewelry, restringing of beads and pearls, and a collection of mineral rocks for education. The shop caters to gem enthusiasts by offering WINNIE LAM

quality products that are unique and affordable in a classy environment, and is currently the only gem shop within 30 miles.

 Imperial Gems is located at 333 Main St. in Suwanee. For more information call 404-661-3103 or visit ImperialGems.us.

Greater Atlanta Christian Names STAR Student and Teacher Christian senior Darlene Nguyen, of Duluth, was recently named a Georgia STAR student. To become a STAR student, a high school senior must have the highest score on the SAT in his or her class on any single test date through November of his or her senior year, and also be in the top 10 percent of his or her graduating class based on grade-point average. What’s special about this program is that each STAR Darlene Nguyen student picks a teacher who has made a significant impact on his or her life or education to be his or her STAR teacher. Darlene chose GAC chemistry teacher Mary Lynn Huett. “Darlene has an excellent academic record and a long list of achievements, but what I most appreciate about her Mary Lynn Huett is that she is humble, kind, and has earned the respect of both teachers and peers. Her agility in handling the changes and challenges brought about by the pandemic have been remarkable,” said Ms. Huett. Darlene said of her STAR teacher: “I chose Mrs. Huett because she challenged me academically and pushed me to explore my interest in chemistry and science… The rigor of her classes encouraged me to push myself intellectually, and I feel like I was able to learn a lot with her support.” Darlene has plans to attend Emory University and study cellular and molecular biology this Fall. GREATER ATLANTA

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Restore Robotics Partners with Gwinnett Coalition for PPE Donation IN APRIL, Restore Robotics partnered with the Gwinnett Coalition to

distribute more than 1 million PPE items, including hand sanitizer and masks, to Gwinnett Cares program partners focused on caring for the community through COVID-19, including local charities and faithbased organizations. Because of Restore Robotics’ generous donation, more than 100 different nonprofit organizations can continue to provide vital protection to their staff, volunteers, and those they serve with zero impact on their bottom line. Restore Robotics is one of the nation’s leading medical device repair firms and has helped deliver and extend the life of medical equipment when manufacturers couldn’t produce new equipment fast enough. Throughout the pandemic families depended on Restore Robotics’ commitment and dedication to their work to help save the lives of those they love. Recently, in accordance with - Clif Parker, CEO Restore Robotics Restore Robotics’ company principles and dedication to service to both their customers and the communities they serve, their board of directors decided to make a significant donation of primary PPE items, and their leadership reached out to the Gwinnett Coalition for advice on how to get their inventory into the hands of those who needed it most. The Gwinnett Cares network notified nonprofits of the opportunity, and within a few days, all of the PPE was reserved. On April 26, Gwinnett Cares, in partnership with Gwinnett County and the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, hosted the distribution of more than a million items of PPE valued at $695,000. “Our company is a dedicated member of the community, and we believe that during this time of the pandemic, it is our duty to help where we can,” Restore Robotics CEO Clif Parker said. “We are thrilled to offer these supplies as a support to the dedicated staff of our local non-profits as they serve on the frontlines fighting through the ongoing pandemic.” To learn more, visit GwinnettCares.org.

“Our company is a dedicated member of the community, and we believe that during this time of the pandemic, it is our duty to help where we can.”

Restore Robotics Vice President, Mills Vautrot (third from right) stands with Gwinnett Cares volunteers at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center as they prepared for the big PPE Distribution event.

PHOTO BY ANGELA VEUGELER

CITRUS GOT REAL 2G CARBS / ZERO ADDED SUGAR 5% ABV / GLUTEN FREE

North Gwinnett Co-op Celebrates Opening of Second Blessings Thrift Store down for 15 months due to COVID and renovations, North Gwinnett Co-op recently hosted the ribbon cutting for its Second Blessings thrift store, which serves as an invaluable resource of clothing, shoes, and housewares for families in need. General contractor David Lee with WHBass graciously donated his time and services to give the thrift store a beautiful new look that complements all of the nice items currently available in the shop. Clients of the co-op are able to receive vouchers for free clothing items to assist with needs. Second Blessings also serves as a resource for families suffering from a fire or other disaster, and is also open to the community for shopping. Second Blessings serves as a funding stream for the co-op and is used to help provide medication or utility assistance to families in need. If you are interested in donating items to the store, the co-op follows the motto, “If you will wear it, we want it.” Items of need include men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes and accessories, such as hats, gloves, scarves, ties, handbags, wallets, backpacks, jewelry and belts. They also accept household items such as bedding, pillows, curtains, bath towels, kitchenware, small electrical appliances, picture frames, seasonal decorations, small pieces of furniture, baby items, books and more. Shop hours: Monday, 4-8 p.m. and WednesdaySaturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Tuesday). Donation hours: Monday, noon-8 p.m. and Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Tuesday). Second Blessings is located in the same building as North Gwinnett Co-op at 4395 Commerce Drive in Buford. For more information call 770-271-9793 or visit NorthGwinnettCoop.org. AFTER SHUTTING

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CityB

CityBuzz

THE SUGAR HILL G

Amid decades of remark Hill remains committed to space and new ways to co The Sugar Hill Greenway creates a trail network de cyclists, joggers, and other completed, the paved path throughout our city includ Park, and Sugar Hill Elem

GET A TASTE Summer in OF THESweet SWEETCity LIFE the

PHOTOS COURTESY CITY OF SUGAR HILL

ummer is nearly here. The days are longer, SUMMER HAS Grab your meal and seat school is out, the sun is shining, and the warm arrived in Georgia yourself at one of the many weather is inviting you to get outside and the City of your summer tables andincushy chairs on makeand the most out of months Sugar hascity! exactly Promenade, home to theHill sweet Sugar Hill may bethe a growing we know areHill justLive, featuring whatcity, youbut need for athat soloplaces to play Sugar as important as places to live and work. day, date night or family local bands every other

outing. Enjoy PARK the weather GARY PIRKLE

Wednesday. by making plans to dine Venture Gary Pirkle Park, located just off Suwanee Dam Road, over to Indio Downtown Brewing where you can offersoutside plenty ofinspace for play and programming. Pirkle ParkSugar is homeHill! to the largest synthetic turf fields in your the craft IPA outside take Southeast as a shaded playground, with two miles In as thewell morning, sip on you in the SHINE of paved and lighted walking trails, and the Sugar Hill local, freshly roasted coffee district after attending one Community Garden. while people-watching of Indio’s many events, like the sidewalk at CLUB Salsa lessons or trivia night. THEfrom SUGAR HILL café GOLF Just down the street, The Clubcan has ask your server for Rushing Trading Co.Sugar ThenHill GolfYou earned an established the most in the afternoon, reputation check out as one of a to-go cup, then sit under beautiful, and challenging, public courses in the North Central City Tavern, order the sun or catch a Movie Georgia foothills. With some of the most spectacular a jumbo andcourse catchoffers a Under the Stars. If you’re golfing vistas, pretzel the unique plenty of daily round cornhole. looking for something more HILL SPLASH PARK tee times asof well as regular tournaments and a club SUGAR house specialtoevents. available Tell yourfor friends meet casual, grab an ice cream Kids can cool off and splash around at the Sugar you at The Eagle then head cone from Scoops orHill a Splash Park in the heart of Sugar Hill. The exciting wateras feature offers free fun for all ages and is open over to the beer garden sandwich from Knuckies at Sugar Hill Distillery for you stroll downtown.seasonally from late spring to early fall. Located directly behind City Hall, the Splash Park offers familyin-house whiskey, rum, or Feel free to pack a friendly fun with dancing water fountains and lights as German-style beer and a picnic basket to bring well as plenty of local restaurants within a five-minute European-inspired menu. to one of this sweet walk. Grab something to There go orare enjoy a your own treats at of up waysthe sun on the plaza shaded picnic tables number or soak Down the street, you’ll find city’s many scenic spots. to eat, drink and surrounding the fountain. La Perla Del Ulua serving Whether you’re heading to have outdoor up mouthwatering tacos a concert at The Bowl or fun in downtown Sugar Hill. made with fresh tortillas. to the Splash Park, spread

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your blanket out on the soft turf and enjoy a bite to eat. Bring the family to Splash Night, the last Friday of every month from May to September to catch some muchneeded Vitamin D or keep cool under giant umbrellas while the kids run under the fountains. The Plaza makes for a lovely dining area amidst the magnolias with outdoor seating and activities for all to enjoy.  To learn more, visit

The Bowl at Sugar Hill will once again host summer concerts.

CityofSugarHill.com and keep an eye on their social media for updates. Then, get ready to SHINE this summer in Sugar Hill.

ON THE SCENE

Button Down Dash 5K

Saturday, May 22nd TOWN CENTER PARK

PHOTOS BY JULIE PERDUE

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Race to Cure Sarcoma Saturday, June 12th TOWN CENTER PARK

PHOTOS BY KARL LAMB

May SBA Meeting Wednesday, May 19th STILLFIRE BREWING

PHOTOS BY ANGELA VEUGELER

JUNE SBA Meeting

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Superhero Sprint 5K

SUWANEE ACADEMY OF THE ARTS

PHOTOS BY KARL LAMB

Wednesday, June 9th

Saturday, June 5th TOWN CENTER PARK

PHOTOS BY JULIE PERDUE

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SELTZER WITH BENEFITS NATURAL ANTIOXIDANTS 2G CARBS / ZERO ADDED SUGAR 5% ABV / ADDED ELECTROLYTES

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JULY / AUGUST 2021

J U L Y

Sat. SUWANEE FARMERS Thru MARKET Sept. 8am-noon 25th Town Center Park

Independence Day Celebrations

FANTASTIC FOURTH CELEBRATION Laser show and fireworks. For more info visit StoneMountainPark.com.

Duluth Town Green

SUWANEE WINE FEST TICKETS ON SALE AT NOON!

SAVE THE DATE:

Nov. 6th

SHOW US YOUR HUSTLE 5K 8am

Town Center Park

7pm

The Bowl at Sugar Hil

Braselton Town Green

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The Bowl At Sugar Hill

Duluth Town Green

SUGAR HILL LIVE ON STAGE: Tall Heights

6pm-10pm

8pm

11am-1pm

Learn more at CampGladiator.com.

E.E. Robinson Park

Suwanee Magazine

YOU WON’T STOP BELIEVING A TRIBUTE TO JOURNEY

A U G U S T

6:30pm-11:30pm

Learn more at maximusjantonfoundation.org.

Learn more at suwaneeperformingarts.org.

SUGAR HILL SPARKS IN THE PARK

Town Center Park

5:30pm-10pm

CELEBRATE BRASELTON 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL

7pm

7pm-9pm

DULUTH CELEBRATES AMERICA

Snellville Towne Green

Town Center Park

BACK TO SCHOOL BUBBLEPALOOZA

Lawrenceville Lawn

4pm-10pm

6pm American Tail 8pm Top Gun

5pm

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS

MAX’S MOON RUN

PRELUDE TO THE 4TH

STAR SPANGLED SNELLVILLE

Town Center Park

BROADWAY IN THE PARK PRESENTS PIRATES OF JR. AND & 31st PENZANCE MOANA JR.

Stone Mountain Park

2 3

6pm-10pm

9:30pm

thru July 5th

SIZZILIN’ SUMMER CONCERT

AUGUST CONCERT COWBOY MOUTH 6pm

Town Center Park

Town Center Park • 1pm-4:30pm

For more info and to purchase tickets, visit suwaneewinefest.com.

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GEORGIA SWARM FAN FEST 6pm

Town Center Park

ANNANDALE VILLAGE EXTRA MILE 5K 8am

Town Center Park

Learn more at annandale.org.

I JULY / AUGUST 2021

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Personal Care Home for the Elderly

Savannah Plantation enjoys a 25-year tradition of providing quality care at a reasonable rate. We offer all the services you’ll find at larger facilities, for half the cost. On average, we save families over $20,000 yearly in elderly care services.

INDEPENDENT LIVING RATES STARTING AT

2,850

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Savannah Plantation

102 Level Creek Rd. Buford, GA Admissions: 678-730-7707

SavannahPlantation.com Savannah Plantation Personal Care Homes Inc. savannah_plantation SavannahPlanta1

Georgia State License no. 067-02-011-1

QUALITY CARE IS BEST MEASURED IN YEARS. SINCE 1994

Savannah Plantation is an exclusive all women’s facility in Buford that is safe, secure, and affordable. • Exclusive All Women’s Facility • 24 Hour Awake Staff • Visiting Physician/ Nurse Practitioner • Visiting Podiatrist • Visiting Lab Services • Daily Laundry Services • Daily Housekeeping Services • 3 Home-Cooked Meals Daily (Special Diets Available) • Visiting Beautician/ Beauty Shop on Premises • Licensed Practical Nurse Compliance Manager • Pharmacy Delivery Services • Cable TV Access in Every Room • Staff To Patient Ratio Exceeds State Regulations • Secure Facility with Alarms • Daily Activities (Guest Singer on Weekends) • Security Cameras in Common Areas • Loving Family Environment

July/August 2021

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