MAY / JUNE 2022 10 Business Spotlight: The Providence Group Since 2001, The Providence Group has developed, built and managed some of the most beloved communities throughout Atlanta and the Southeast, with many new local communities on the horizon.
16 Grow, Grill & Garnish Our friends at S&S ACE Hardware offer tips to transform your outdoor patio into a space full of fresh herbs and vegetables perfect for your next outdoor barbecue. PLUS, an exclusive giveaway valued at nearly $1,000!
30 George Pierce Park Renovations
PHOTO BY GARY DOWD
Suwanee park unveils new renovations that allow children with disabilities to have access to active play with their peers.
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Best Mother in Suwanee Contest Winners This year’s Best Mother in Suwanee Contest winner received a day of pampering at Salon Greco, plus other prizes! Read the winning essay, submitted by her three daughters.
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Frontera Mexican Kitchen Suwanee staple Frontera Mexican Kitchen celebrates its 35th anniversary of serving metro Atlanta.
44 StillFire Honors the Champs
53 Good Eats
Chef Jarrett offers tips on choosing between a personal chef and private chef to make your next dining experience exceptional.
City of Champions Peach Pilsner was brewed to salute Atlanta’s world champions. Plus new beers and upcoming events.
54 Class of 2022
48 6S Brewing Company
Duluth’s 6S Brewing Company has crafted a culture where friends, family and neighbors can come together to enjoy a unique craft beer experience.
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The Faces of Suwanee highlights some of Suwanee's graduating seniors.
56 Sugar Hill Christian Academy
Private school offers a top-rated education in a safe, Christian environment.
Summer Adventure Guide
For this year’s Adventure Guide, we sought out adventures close to home that families and friends could enjoy all summer long.
IN EVERY ISSUE: 6 Editor’s Letter 9 Currently Loving 15 Investment Strategies 34 Party Hacks 36 Family Matters
62 The Faces of Suwanee 64 City Buzz 72 Sugar Hill City Buzz 74 People & Places 80 Event Calendar 5
letter
a note from our managing editor
a note from our managing editor
Summers Are For Adventure! I get, the more I lean into the idea that there are, in fact, seasons in life. Sure, there are the four seasons we all know — and have strong opinions about whether you love the warm or cold weather — but the seasons of life depend less on an earthly rotation and more on spiritual and emotional growth. For me, there has been no season of life more challenging, joyful and special than becoming a mother. This season of motherhood, though a lot different on the surface than I imagined, has taught me so many invaluable lessons and nurtured personal growth I never knew possible. This is why I love our annual Best Mother in Suwanee Contest so much. Although we do crown an overall winner, the contest is truly meant to shine a light on all of the incredible mothers in our community. The moms who always go above and beyond for their families, becoming at once a cheerleader, tutor, personal chef, nurse and therapist to their children. Moms are real-life superheroes. This year, our call for entries for the 2022 Best Mother in Suwanee Contest garnered a number of submissions about the amazing mothers here in Suwanee. Husbands, children, friends and family members submitted essays detailing the many selfless acts and monumental love that the women in their lives have shown to them. We had a hard time choosing a winner, but in the end selected Rachel Meyer as this year’s winner. Rachel’s three daughters, Ari, Tori, and Bella, submitted an amazing essay detailing the love they have for their mom that touched all of our hearts. Turn to p. 18 to read the winning essay and learn more about Rachel, as well as our second HE OLDER
Turn to p. 30 to learn about George Pierce Park’s recent renovations, including a brand-new playground that is accessible for kids with disabilities.
and third place winners, Valisa and Catherine. We also want to give a huge thank you to our contest sponsor C.C. Liquidations Home Furnishings and More for helping us highlight the amazing mothers in our community, as well as the local businesses who donated prizes for the winners. Another important season of life is the transition from childhood to adulthood, which is happening for many graduating seniors in our community. We recently partnered with The Faces of Suwanee to highlight some of Suwanee’s graduating seniors on p. 54. After reading through this issue, be sure to visit TheFacesofSuwanee.com to read Q&A’s with each of the seniors. We also spoke with North Gwinnett Middle School principal Wanda Law, who is retiring at the end of this school year, ending a large season of her life. Law, who has spent 30 years in education and the last 13 years as North Gwinnett Middle's beloved principal, is well-respected by so many in our community, and we wish her the best in this next chapter of life. Read more on p. 62. As for the summer season, children are excitedly heading into summer break while visions of beach vacations and days on the lake dance in mom and dad’s heads. In that spirit, we always dedicate our May/June issue to highlighting summer adventures near and far. In the past we’ve highlighted thrills like skydiving and scuba diving, visited animal sanctuaries and highlighted North Georgia hiking destinations. This year, we wanted to find adventure closer to home. Flip to p. 22 for our list of “adventures close to home” that families and friends can enjoy all summer long — from go-karting in Buford and jousting in Lawrenceville to tossing axes in Sugar Hill, we’ve got your summer planned out for you. Whatever season of life you find yourself in, or whatever adventure you seek out, we can all be grateful to live in a community that offers a little bit of everything — including summertime fun.
ALICIA CARTER, MANAGING EDITOR Alicia@suwanee magazine.com
COVER: 2022 Best Mother in Suwanee winner Rachel Meyer photographed with her daughters by Gary Dowd on April 12th in Sugar Hill.
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Creative Director RANDALL VEUGELER Art Director LAURA HOLCOMBE Writers JAYA LORD • NATALIE GARRETT JESSICA DACEY Production Manager APRIL MILLER Web Editors CLARKE GLIDEWELL • KYLE WILSON Graphic Designers MADISON NORTH BRENDAN DUFEK • KAYLEE SKELTON Photographers KARL LAMB • JULIE PERDUE GARY DOWD
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For SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES or BACK ISSUE ORDERS, call 678-482-2270. For ADVERTISING INQUIRES, call 678-482-2270, or email info@suwaneemagazine.com.
Suwanee Magazine is published bi-monthly by Veugeler Design Group. Opinions expressed by the contributing writers and editors are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or Suwanee Magazine. The publisher will not accept responsibility for submitted materials that are lost or stolen. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. However, the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or ommissions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. ©2022 Veugeler Design Group. The editors welcome unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. Please email submissions to Alicia Carter at Alicia@suwaneemagazine.com.
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Snapshots of the food, shops, events and more we’re loving around town.
BEST SUGAR RUSH
Sweet Treats
BEST COLD DRINK
Sugar Hill, Scoops is much more than your average ice cream shop. In addition to the 32 flavors of handcrafted ice cream, Scoops is also a kid’s paradise with walls covered in an assortment of candies, chocolates and other goodies — think old-school candy, cookies, gumball machines, truffles, ice cream floats and more. Yes, more. Flavors include Cookie Monster, yellow cake batter, sea turtle, brownie batter, Key Lime pie, banana pudding — and that’s just the tip of the ice(cream)berg. Scoops is located at 5029 W. Broad St. N.E., Suite T-134, in downtown Sugar Hill. ScoopsIceCream.com/sugar-hill LOCATED IN
Iced Coffee Alternative to give a huge shoutout to Sam, a Rushing Trading Co. team member, who introduced my new go-to order and current obsession: a large iced matcha latte with oat milk and a splash of coconut flavoring. This is sunshine in a cup! If you've never tried matcha, it is a great coffee alternative for anyone who needs a caffeine kick without the coffee jitters. Matcha has a unique flavor profile and is naturally sweet, nutty, and slightly bitter but has a savory ending. Not a coconut fan? Ask your Rushing Trading Co. team member for additional flavor options — vanilla is my second favorite. Try this drink next time you visit! Rushing Trading Co. is located at 5029 W. Broad St. N.E. in downtown Sugar Hill. RushingTradingCo.com I NEED
- Alicia Carter, Managing Editor
World Comfort Cuisine WE TAKE our group lunch orders seriously here at Suwanee
Magazine, and for us, nothing beats the workday rut like a refreshing salad from our friends at Rico's World Kitchen in Buford! My favorite is the strawberry salad with grilled chicken. Other standout menu items include the “Royal Rooster” (a fried habañero chicken sandwich) and the “Mojo Pork” (hickory-smoked pork with guava barbecue sauce). Be sure to check their Facebook page for daily specials! Rico’s World Kitchen is located at 306 W. Main St. in downtown Buford. RicosWorldKitchen.com
BEST LUNCH SPOT
- Tammy Luney, Ad Manager
- Jaya Lord, Contributing Writer
Suwanee’s Summer Porch Jam excited to take the kiddos to one of my favorite Suwanee events: the Summer Porch Jam. With similar vibes to an old-school block BEST party, the Summer Porch Jam hosts musicians on outdoor stages OUTDOOR (and porches, of course) at multiple venues throughout Old Town EVENT Suwanee — including the mayor’s front porch! The event is fun for the whole family and in addition to the music there will be food trucks and beverages along with good ol’ summertime fun! Bring a chair or blanket and sit back and enjoy the tunes. Summer Porch Jam takes place Friday, June 18, from 6-10 p.m. throughout Old Town Suwanee. For more information, visit Suwanee.com. I’M SO
- Alicia Carter, Managing Editor
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business suwanee business community news and info
Three Bridges neighborhood
B U SINE SS SPOTL IG HT:
The Providence Group Since 2001, The Providence Group has developed, built and managed some of the most beloved communities throughout Atlanta and the Southeast, with many new local communities on the horizon. By Alicia Carter / Photos Courtesy The Providence Group last 20 years, The Providence Group (TPG) has grown into one of Atlanta’s most respected names in homebuilding. Known for its well-crafted new homes created with a personal touch, TPG has developed, built and managed some of the most beloved communities throughout Atlanta and the Southeast. At the helm of it all is TPG President Warren Jolly, Three Bridges who founded the company with his father in 2001. Jolly, an experienced home builder who has been in the business since he was a teenager, has overseen VER THE
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TPG’s tremendous growth and success throughout the metro Atlanta market. “For more than 40 years, I have been developing neighborhoods and building homes in and around Atlanta,” Jolly says. “I built my first house when I was just 16 years old and have always enjoyed the challenge and hard work needed to build something that lasts. When I established The Providence Group with my father, we brought this same passion for homebuilding and land development along with us. One of our visions was to approach managing land development and home building in tandem and build a reputation as a builder who developed innovative site plans and home designs.”
Warren Jolly, President of The Providence Group, conferring with two of his most tenured team members, Mike Smith and Tom Peterson.
Key Services
The Providence Group is a full-circle builder, developer, real estate sales and management company that works to develop strong ties with the city and community in which it builds. The TPG Harvest Park single family homes team helps to guide the developed by the Providence Group homebuyer through the journey of buying and building a home, from beginning to the end, partnering with a management company to offer fully maintained homesites in gated settings with upscale amenities. “Our goal is to provide each homebuyer the lifestyle, location and luxury they deserve that includes multiple price points and product types to meet every life stage,” Jolly says. “We also develop and build communities that withstand the test of time. Our motto has always been to leave the places we select for our communities better than we found them — not only for our buyers, but also for the surrounding community at large.” TPG’s process starts by analyzing properties with their professional team of planners and engineers to determine how to best maximize the potential of the land. During this time they also address any challenges that are unique to
the property or concerns of surrounding neighbors and city managers. The next step is to meet with their architects to design homes and select the product types that work best with the land and location to maximize value. Finally, TPG builds their communities with low maintenance homesites and amenities that offer homeowners a luxury, care-free lock-and-leave lifestyle. “We take pride in this time-tested approach that has generated multiple award-winning communities within the Atlanta market and earned The Providence Group a reputation for excellence,” Jolly says.
Local Communities
To see examples of TPG’s craftsmanship, look no further than Suwanee’s Three Bridges neighborhood. Developed
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in 2003, this mixeduse development includes office, retail, single family and townhomes in an amenity heavy, gated community that is still the gold standard for the area today. Another example is the recently completed development of Suwanee Towneship, a townhome community with 92 homes adjacent to The Providence Group Three Bridges. Other developed Suwanee’s local communities of Three Bridges neighborhood in 2003, note include Villages featuring office space, of Huntcrest in retail, single-family homes and townhomes. Lawrenceville, Glens at Sugarloaf, Rivers Edge at Abbotts Bridge, and Greysolon in Duluth. These communities all showcase TPG’s ability to create signature, award-winning communities. Their strong product diversity and innovative design allows them to maximize land potential to create a one-of-a-kind neighborhood feel. “I pride myself in execution and have instilled this in everyone who works with me throughout my career,” Jolly says. “You have to execute a development the right way, the home the right way, and execute the neighborhood maintenance and HOA the right way to see continued success. You can draw a really good plan, but if you can’t build it like the plans are drawn with the details and the quality, it is not the type of home or neighborhood you want to sell.”
UPCOMING COMMUNITIES BY THE PROVIDENCE GROUP Millcroft Located at the corner of Woodward Mill and Buford Highway just north of Suwanee City Center is a masterplanned, gated community with both single family and townhomes. Current plans call for an event lawn, community center, swimming pool, fitness center, pavilion and sidewalks, pedestrian trails, and neighborhood parks through-out. Millcroft is expected to open in early summer 2022.
Evanshire This master-planned community located one mile east of downtown Duluth on Highway 120 will be gated with a swim club amenity. Both single family and townhomes will be available in early spring of 2023.
The Future of TPG
The Providence Group shows no signs of slowing down any time soon with several exciting new communities in the planning and development phases in the cities of Suwanee, Duluth and Peachtree Corners. Jolly says that each of these locations was intentionally selected for accessibility and proximity to the best school districts, entertainment, shopping and dining options, and
Ellington TPG has also recently opened its second phase of single-family homes in its highly successful Ellington community, located off Sugar Creek Road in Suwanee. Ellington is gated with a swim club amenity and also includes townhome opportunities.
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Three Bridges monument
every neighborhood is outfitted with amenities tailored for the lifestyle of the area. The Providence Group’s continued success truly lies with each member of their team. Even with all of TPG’s growth, the company still retains many of the original team members who have been with it from the start and helped grow it to what it is today. The team’s passion for homebuilding and land development, as well as their vested interest in the longterm quality of each community they build, is at the center of everything they create. In fact, many of the team members call a TPG neighborhood home. This personal investment in their craft and vision for the future of our communities is what maintains The Providence Group as one of the most respected names in homebuilding. ■ For more information, visit TheProvidenceGroup.com.
INVESTMENT S T R AT E G I E S BY: Bill and Cindi Porter, AILERON INVESTMENT ADVISORS
Q&A
Q: HOW SHOULD I INVEST TO ADJUST FOR HIGH INFLATION?
Stocks have been a dependable tool over the decades. The politicians who tell us that inflation is not a problem obviously have not been to a gas station, grocery store, restaurant, or tried to buy a house lately. The problem is real and will not just disappear as some politicians suggest. Why? The Federal Reserve has “purchased” trillions of dollars of federal debt — even though it did not have any money. It simply “created” it on paper in order to let the government continue its fiscal irresponsibility. The net result is that the government continues spending trillions more than it takes in taxes and the Federal Reserve’s new “funny money” inflates the money supply. Hence, the price of everything goes up. Unless the debt gets paid off (it won’t) higher inflation will be a factor we must plan to deal with. So what do we do as investors? Some assets have been able to successfully meet and beat the historical eroding effects of inflation. Over the past 90 years, there have been 176 twelvemonth stretches when inflation ran above 6%. Stocks — especially value stocks — typically covered the inflation rate and also added real gains as well.* Any asset earning less than the inflation rate is incurring a loss. Think of a bank account. If inflation is 6% (it is higher) and a bank pays you 1%, your funds lost 5% in purchasing power. The same would be true with most bonds. Every asset has strengths and weaknesses. However, if it does not adequately address inflation it is no longer an “investment.” It has been nearly 40 years** since we have had to deal with such high levels of inflation. Your portfolio may need an adjustment. A conversation with your trusted advisor is a good place to start. ■ *Inflation: Not So Bad for Stocks https://www.barrons.com/articles/november- jobs-report-lookedweak-but-looks-can-deceive-51638565054 **https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/11/economy/inflation-history/index.html
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Send your investment questions to: submissions@ SuwaneeMagazine.com
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Grow, Grill & Garnish
Our friends at S&S ACE Hardware offer tips to transform your outdoor patio into a space full of fresh herbs and vegetables perfect for your next outdoor barbecue. By Scott Snedecor of S&S ACE Hardware pring and summer have always brought people out into their yards. Throughout the pandemic, hobbies and interests involving the home and yard became even more popular. We also saw this trend 10 years ago when the recession took the wind out of many folks’ vacation plans, making staying home the affordable option. This is when we first heard the term "staycation.” During the pandemic, people once again embraced the staycation. While some suffered financially, many people still had a disposable income, they just weren't using it for traveling. Obviously, this was one of the factors of the current real estate home remodeling boom as well. While so many television shows feature major expensive remodeling projects, many homeowners are enjoying the rewards of their own efforts through simple planting and gardening projects and following up with outdoor cooking and relaxing.
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Bypass Georgia’s red clay and grow your herbs and vegetables in raised beds on your patio.
BUSINESS all part of a good soil base. Another important consideration when using raised beds is to be sure to allow for good drainage to not over-soak the soil.
CHOOSE STAPLES FOR YOUR GARDEN
OPT FOR RAISED BEDS FOR PLANTS
It doesn't take a farm and acreage to plant some herbs, vegetables, or a few tomato plants. As a matter of fact, with our Georgia clay, bringing in better soil with more nutrients and better drainage is often a prerequisite to getting things to grow. Sometimes deep tilling can be difficult, so many people opt for 8-inch boards or other means to create a raised bed that can be filled with the good soil plants need. Taking this a step further, containers like 5-gallon buckets, large flower pots, or raised planters can be the basis for easy gardening anywhere — especially around your deck or patio. Special "raised bed soil" is composed of nutrientrich soil that allows for maximum drainage and proper compaction,
Seedling plants "prestarted" can accelerate your plant growth by more than a month and are readily available at the hardware store or garden center. When choosing which herbs to plant look for thyme, oregano, basil, parsley (regular or curly), cilantro, and mint (for drinks), which are all good staples. Cherry tomatoes, Italian tomatoes, and a small pepper plant (bell or hot, maybe tabasco), are all popular home garden options. A couple marigold plants can add some insect prevention, and the combination of all of these will make your outside living area colorful and alive! When caring for your garden, consider adding Miracle Gro or Fertilome fertilizer to your water, and be sure to occasionally pinch off the dead leaves to keep your garden healthy and beautiful!
GROW, GRI L L & GARNISH
GIVEAWAY! Sponsored by:
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Do you want to step up your patio game? S&S ACE Hardware is giving away some AMAZING items to help give your patio a makeover in time for summer! PRIZES INCLUDE:
■ Raised Garden Bed/Planter ■ 22-inch Weber Grill ■ Breeo Smokeless Fire Pit
LIGHT UP THE GRILL!
Gather up the fresh herbs and tomatoes for your next barbecue! Then, later in the evening after dinner, kick back with your fire pit and enjoy the simple pleasures of your own backyard — with the savings of two years of pandemicdeferred vacations! ■
S&S Ace Hardware & Mower has two locations: 4160 Buford Drive, Buford, 3740 Village Way, Braselton. SSAceHardware.com
TOTAL VALUE OF NEARLY $1,000! HOW TO ENTER:
It’s easy! Visit SuwaneeMagazine.com/ ACEgiveaway and fill out the entry form.
THE DEADLINE TO ENTER IS MAY 31ST! 17
2022 WINNER:
Rachel Meyer ➽ This year, our Best Mom in Suwanee Contest winner is Rachel Meyer. We were so impressed with the essay that her daughters, Ari, Tori and Bella, wrote about the love and admiration they have for their mother and we are honored to feature the essay in this issue: Dear Suwanee Magazine,
SPONSORED BY:
Best Mother in Suwanee contest is a time we get to celebrate all of the moms in our community. This year, we were touched by all of the sweet stories about the wonderful women in our community who go above and beyond for their families. The stories were submitted by sons and daughters, husbands and friends, all praising the dedication, selflessness, and love these mothers have shown. To say it was difficult to choose a winner is an understatement. Thanks to our friends at C.C. Liquidations Home Furnishings and More, as well as the generosity of local Suwanee businesses, we were able to spoil our Best Mother in Suwanee winner with a day of pampering that was well-deserved. HE ANNUAL
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A contour gauge is a tool used by construction workers to measure the cross-sectional surface of an irregular shape. It consists of plastic or steel pins that are set against each other in a frame. These pins determine the potential shapes that could fit into an area. For the worker, each pin's movement is vital in determining the new shape created that will be meticulously put in place. This part of the tool is exactly what defines the categories the shape can fit into. Like these different shapes, our mom fits into many unique categories. Whether it’s life lessons, sports, breakups, or happy moments, she’s always there for us, knowing how to handle the situation. She
is truly the most special woman in our lives and our number one cheerleader, always urging us to do the best we possibly can. With this, we have the pleasure to introduce our mom, Rachel Meyer of Suwanee. Being adopted from Korea at age nine, our mom knows what it means to come from absolutely nothing. From learning an entirely new culture and language, to even trying ice cream for the first time, everything was new for her. That is why today, she is so selfless to those around her who have nothing, because she at one point came from nothing. She uses her days volunteering for countless organizations such as the North Gwinnett Schools Foundation and being involved in events around Suwanee, as well as working with children
She is truly the most special woman in our lives and our number one cheerleader, always urging us to do the best we possibly can.
Meet our 2022 Best Mother in Suwanee contest winner, Rachel Meyer, along with her daughters, Ari, Tori and Bella.
2021 Best Mom in Suwanee Contest winner Veronica Pennington received a day of pampering from Salon Greco.
within the community. She is incredibly supportive and dedicated to everyone around her and cares deeply about how they are. Ari, Tori, and Bella, who are all students at North Gwinnett High School, are her three daughters. We, the three sisters, are each other's closest friends. Our “other halves.” If you see Ari walking downtown, Tori will be right there by her side with Bella buying frozen yogurt for all of us to share. We do everything together and love each other endlessly. This is all thanks to our mom, who spent her entire life growing our relationship to make sure that we stay super close. She focuses so much on the importance of family, which is really her number one priority. When there is conflict or unrest, she always knows what to do or say. She keeps this family together and running as a whole, never missing an opportunity to tell us how proud she is. She says, “You girls will be spending the rest of your 90 years with each other, you are each other's best friends.” When people come to describe our mom, they would say she is the definition of supportive, loving, and sincere. She may not fit into the typical categories of
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square or circular like most construction shapes, but with a contour gauge, she has been able to uniquely fit into the spaces meant for her. She showers her family with kisses and warmth, not only giving us everything, but never demanding anything in return. The way she cares for everyone in the family inspires us to do the same in our futures. Her most famous quote is, “Aim for contentment and be a good human.” Essentially what she means by this is that life is not always happy, there will be ups and downs, highs and lows. And of course, be a good human. So, in a world where many people struggle to find a role model, our mom, Rachel, has been able to effortlessly provide one for us and everyone in our community. When we hear “Best Mom in Suwanee,'' one name comes to mind and that's Rachel Meyer! We hope that one day, we will become half the woman our mom is, caring for our family, friends and community!
- Ari, Tori, and Bella Meyer, daughters
As the winner, Rachel received a makeover from Salon Greco, a stunning flower arrangement by Suwanee Towne Florist, as well as a gift basket with goodies from C.C. Liquidations, Bare Bones Steakhouse, and Planet Smoothie. These businesses also generously donated gifts for our second and third place winners, too.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:
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Salon Greco team members celebrate Rachel Meyer's makeover.
SECOND PLACE
Valisa Kerr Valisa is one of the most loving, giving, and caring people I have ever known. She has lived in Suwanee for many years and once worked for the city when Suwanee was still a very small town. Her life has not been an easy one. She lost her husband to cancer at an early age and her only son was critically injured in a car accident shortly after high school graduation that left him permanently in a wheelchair with a traumatic brain injury. For many years she has cared for her son, with some help, and her love for him is limitless. Somehow, Valisa always has a beautiful smile on her face, a good attitude, and a willingness to help friends whenever she can. She is beyond generous when it comes to charity and helping people who need encouragement or just a helping hand. I admire her greatly as one of my dearest friends and I can't think of anyone more deserving of the title "Best Mom in Suwanee."
- Anonymous SUBMISSION
THIRD PLACE
Catherine Usher
My mother is the most selfless, giving, and hard-working woman that I have ever met. I am nominating her because my mom’s character and resilience have taught me how to be a better person and love others unconditionally. She treats others with dignity and always makes life fun. I have never met someone who has endured as much difficulty in their lifetime, but I know that she is so much stronger because of it. My mom has dedicated the last 19 years of her life to raising two children. My younger sister has a rare genetic disorder known to have no viable treatment or cure. Against all odds, my mom continues to fight for my family and provide the best life possible for my sister and me. She is selfless; she would drop any and everything to help someone else. She is giving; she volunteers in her community and in our schools. Above all else, she is resilient. I owe my successes to my mom because she has taught me that hard work can get you where you need to go. I am so grateful to have a mom that I can look up to, talk to, and share experiences with.
- Brooke Usher, Daughter
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A D VENTU R ES CL O SE T O H OME
Get in a few rounds at Buford’s Topgolf with friends, food and drinks.
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ach year, our annual Travel and Adventure Guide lists a number of ways for the family to get out and explore. Over the years we’ve gone in search of offthe-beaten-track roadside attractions throughout North Georgia, spoken to those who’ve hiked the Appalachian Trail, and sought out thrills like skydiving and scuba diving. This year, we wanted to find easy adventures that families and friends could enjoy all summer long (and beyond!). Along the way, we discovered that sometimes the best adventures are the ones found right here in our community or just a short car ride away.
FUN FOR THE KIDS Catch Air at Urban Air Adventure Park
Kids (and kids at heart) can jump, swing, climb, race and play all day long at Urban Air, the ultimate indoor adventure park. Offering attractions such as laser tag, bumper cars, trampolines, obstacle courses and so much more, you’re sure to find something fun for every member of the family. Check out their website for updates on weekly activities. 3480 Financial Center Way, Buford, UrbanAir.com
Indulge Your Competitive Side at The Complex
The Complex is a family-friendly entertainment center featuring high-tech and interactive sportsthemed games for everyone. Test your skills in the sports arena at any of the 14 sports games, get competitive with three of your friends at the four-person air hockey table, or experience the thrill of the indoor zip line. Once you work up an appetite, grab a table at their full-service restaurant. Parents can also visit the selfserve beer and wine wall. Located near the Mall of Georgia. 3230 Woodward Crossing Blvd., Buford, TheComplexSports.com
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Enjoy Hands-On Learning at Interactive Neighborhood for Kids Take
the family to visit Gainesville’s hands-on learning environment at Interactive Neighborhood for Kids. Museum admission is $9/person and is good for one of its two-hour play blocks. Check out their gift shop and pottery studio for some goodies on your way out. They also offer scheduled group rates and birthday parties if you’re planning a group outing or celebration. Hours: MondaySaturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Play blocks: 10 a.m.-noon, 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.) Sunday, 12:305 p.m. (Play blocks: 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.) 999 Chestnut St. S.E., Gainesville, 770-536-1900, InkFun.org
Visit Main Event for a Family Game Night Suwanee's Main Event packs
as much fun as they can under one roof. From bowling to laser tag to virtual reality, you’ll have no problem keeping the kids busy and entertained. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, graduation, or other event, Main Event offers a multitude of customizable packages and a full-service restaurant to fuel you for a full night of gaming. 471 Northolt Parkway, Suwanee, MainEvent.com
Start Your Engines at Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games is a premier entertainment and event destination featuring exciting attractions, delicious food and massive event spaces. The 155,000-square-foot facility features high-speed electric Superkarts on a multi-level, banked turn track, more than 100 games in their arcade, virtual reality experiences, racing simulators, two-story laser tag, duckpin bowling, restaurant and full bar. You’ll find excitement at every turn. Open seven days a week. Located in the new Exchange at Gwinnett development near the Mall of Georgia. 2925 Buford Drive, Suite 300, Buford, AndrettiKarting.com/buford
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FAMILY ADVENTURES Enjoy a Joust at Medieval Times
From the moment you walk through the doors of Medieval Times, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Medieval Spain. Inspired by the 11th century, guests are served a four-course feast (vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available at request) as they watch two hours of jousting and head-to-head battles from six noble knights. You will be crowned with the color of your kingdom upon arrival so get your battle voices ready and be prepared to cheer on your knight as they fight for the victory. The castle gates open one hour before showtime allowing plenty of time to take a tour through the Hall of Arms, snap a photo in front of the castle, or stop for a stein of beer at the bar. The official entrance is located inside of Sugarloaf Mills Mall. 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, MedievalTimes.com
Take a Walk on the Wild Side at Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary Yellow River Wildlife
Sanctuary is a first-of-its-kind establishment in Gwinnett that provides a home for injured or orphaned wildlife. Guests can interact with animals in the petting zoo area as well as feed certain animals from Yellow River Wildlife’s special feeding cups. Guests are encouraged to purchase daily tickets or memberships in advance online. With reservations spaced in 10-minute intervals, guests are free to roam the sanctuary as long as they would like. Guided tours are also available for groups of up to five. These two-hour-long guided tours include admission to the sanctuary, two animal encounters, feed cups for everyone in the group and a guaranteed chance to feed the bison! Open WednesdaySunday. 4525 US Highway 78, Lilburn, YellowRiverWildlife Sancturary.com Visit wildlife right here in Gwinnett County at Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary.
Solve a Mystery at Paranoia Quest Escape the Room Are
you the mystery-solving, code-breaking, pressuretesting type? Paranoia Quest tests your group’s ability to solve clues in order to reach one goal — escape the room. With eight unique and immersive rooms, each one has their own storyline and mission. Players are encouraged to work together to complete their mission in 60 minutes. Everything in the rooms can be touched, moved and used in the game to help lead you one step closer to freedom. Check out their website for a complete list of quests along with their description to see which one is right for you. Located by Smokey Bones at the Mall of Georgia. 3333 Buford Drive, Buford, ParanoiaQuest.com
PHOTO BY JULIE PERDUE
Visit Works of Art at Suwanee’s SculpTour
Suwanee’s SculpTour is an award-winning program of the Suwanee Public Arts Commission. The recently launched 20222024 exhibit features 16 new pieces in addition to the existing permanent pieces throughout the park, including a mural painted by the Honors Art Students at North Gwinnett High School. Sponsored by Chick-fil-A FSU, the outdoor sculpture exhibit is free Todd Frahm with "Devil Fish" and accessible 24/7 in and around Town Center Park with pieces from artists from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri and Utah. The sculptures represent a broad range of interests, such as a child’s drawing come to life, space, nature, the circus, and more. Sculpture and artist information will be posted on the city’s website and a walking brochure will be made available by mid-May. The exhibit runs through the end of March 2024. For more information visit Suwanee.com.
EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS See What's in Bloom at Gibbs Gardens Put
on your walking shoes and stroll through the beautiful and meticulously landscaped Gibbs Gardens. Nestled on more than 300 acres in Northeast Georgia, Gibbs Gardens’ Seasons of Color is one of the nation’s largest residential estate gardens. As the seasons change, the colors of the gardens do, too, offering a serene and peaceful setting for any time of the year. On the grounds, you will find Japanese Gardens (largest in the nation), more than 20 million daffodils, and Manor House Gardens with seven terraces. The summer months are filled with colorful daylilies, crape myrtles, hydrangeas, and more! 1987 Gibbs Drive, Ball Ground, GibbsGardens.com
Play a Game of Disc Golf at Suwanee Creek Park While Suwanee is home to many
beautiful parks filled with walking trails, playgrounds, and open fields, Suwanee Creek Park is the only one to offer disc golf. An offshoot of Frisbee, disc golf is actually more similar to regular golf, but instead of using golf clubs and balls aiming for a hole, disc golf players use golf discs and aim for a disc golf basket, which is a pole that extends up from the ground with chains and a basket where the disc lands. More information available at Suwanee.com/Services/Parks.
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Kayak or Canoe With Broad River Outpost
Located in Danielsville, Georgia, The Broad River Outpost, aka "the BRO," was established in 1984 and rents kayaks and canoes on Georgia's Broad River. The BRO offers two fun floats. The first is an easy scenic float on the Upper (section 1) with moving water over shallow shoals including one small avoidable rapid near the end. The second option is the Lower (section 2), which features beginner whitewater including four major shoals each with Class II rapids. Visitors can bring a small cooler (no glass or guns, please!). Reservations are required to avoid crowding and to enhance your experience. Masks available on the bus. For reservations, please call 706-795-3242. For more information, check their website, Google or Facebook page. BroadRiverOutpost.com.
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Reach New Heights at TreeTop Quest The two
metro-Atlanta Treetop Quest adventure parks offer a welcomed escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Tucked into the forests of Buford (at the Environmental and Heritage Center) and Dunwoody (inside Brook Run Park), both locations are conveniently located for an adventure close to home. The parks feature a multitude of treetop elements including zip-lines, sky bridges, Tarzan swings, cargo nets and other obstacles. Treetop Quest boasts a “challenge by choice” motto so participants can climb at their comfort level. Courses start low and easier for kids as young
as 4 and advance gradually, reaching heights of 60 feet with challenging obstacles for adults. During the entire course participants wear a harness and use a belay system that stays connected to the lifeline. The Gwinnett park in Buford also features a free-fall from the end of a course and Level 5 for the boldest climbers. The most loved zip-lines are 200 feet long and are sure to summon the excited adventurer out of the whole family, sullen teenagers included! Leave your screens for a few hours and enjoy some time with friends and family immersed in nature. Treetop Quest is open weekends from March through November and daily during the summer. Treetop Quest Gwinnett: 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford, 404-277-6113, gwinnett@treetopquest.com Treetop Quest Dunwoody: 2341 Peeler Road, Dunwoody, 770-365-0356, dunwoody@treetopquest.com TreetopQuest.com
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FUN FOR THE ADULTS Test Your Axe-Throwing Skills
Axe Master Throwing is bringing back one of the oldest sports in existence and turning it into a fun and exciting activity to do with family and friends. Guests have the choice between a standard, handpainted target or an interactive target, which is projected onto wood with scorekeeping and other gaming options such as tic-tac-toe and Zombie Heads Hunt. Feel free to bring the little ones along who will get their very own foam axe and targets and get throwing. Axe Master Throwing is a BYOF (bring your own food) facility, however, they’re still in the process of obtaining an alcohol license so don’t BYOB (bring your own beer) just yet. 225 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Suite 103, Sugar Hill, AxeMaster.com/sugar-hill
Improve Your Swing at Topgolf Local golf lovers 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. Located at the Exchange at Gwinnett in Buford, Topgolf is certainly fun for the whole family, but consider making it an adults night out and share a few drinks with your friends or your spouse for some friendly competition. 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. More seasoned players can take part in Topgolf’s more advanced games. 2935 Buford Drive. For more information call 470-822-1711 or visit Topgolf.com.
Topgolf’s Buford location is a great destination for food, drinks and a little friendly competition.
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Sip and Shop at Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival Presented by Chestatee Artists, the seventh
annual Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival takes place May 21-22 in historic downtown Dahlonega and the adjacent Hancock Park. The festival features art, wine, and jazz for an exciting event in the heart of the North Georgia mountains. For wine and craft beer enthusiasts, there
is a Wine & Beer Garden featuring fine wines from Dahlonega Plateau wineries, which opens at 11 a.m. on Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tasting tickets are purchased at the “door” of the Garden. Free lively jazz can be enjoyed in Hancock Park starting at 1 p.m. both days. Festival admission is free! Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information visit ChestateeArtists.org.
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health &
wellness
Accessible Play for ALL!
GEORGE PIERCE PARK UNVEILS A NEW PLAYGROUND AND OTHER RENOVATIONS THAT ALLOW CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES ACCESS TO ACTIVE PLAY WITH THEIR PEERS. By Alicia Carter / Photos by Karl Lamb
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June 2020, Gwinnett County announced it had approved $2.55 million in improvements to Suwanee’s George Pierce Park, including a new playground designed to be accessible for children with disabilities. The playground’s list of accessible features includes a solid rubber tile surface that allows children who use a wheelchair or other mobility device easier access to play, along with ADA-compliant swings, a whirl spinner with straps, and a play tower designed so that a child in a wheelchair, by means of a paved ramp and bridge, can access the highest point of the tower to overlook the playground below. “It’s important that our parks be accessible to everyone,” said District 1 Commissioner Jace Brooks. “This allows kids with disabilities to play with other kids, have fun, and be included.” ACK IN
In addition to the new playground, George Pierce Park’s woodland trail system, which is also considered part of the play experience, is entirely accessible to wheelchairs as well as adults with mobility issues. The trail, which ventures deep into the woods then loops back to the playground, has slopes with less than a 5% grade, allowing a wheelchair-user or any person with mobility issues to be able to enjoy the park more comfortably. In a combined statement, Glenn Boorman, Deputy Division Director of Project Administration, and Rex Schuder, Project Manager, addressed how the changes to George Pierce Park will benefit the community at large, stating, “Children and adults will have an easier time walking or wheeling through the trail. We hope the combination of play activities and trail access will provide parents with children using wheelchairs a good destination for their activity.”
Why is accessible play important?
Accessible playgrounds and other play spaces do not solely benefit children with disabilities — they benefit all kids. All children deserve access to free and active play with their peers. No child should be forced to sit on the sidelines because public spaces are created without them in mind. In fact, access to active play offers many physical, emotional, cognitive, and social benefits for our children. These benefits include motor skills, problem-solving skills, social interaction, emotional regulation, and many more. “Play is a child's way of communicating and expressing themselves to the people
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around them,” says Jennifer Wilmoth, Founder of Thrive Forward Therapy in Suwanee. “When play is accessible to children regardless of their abilities it gives children the opportunity to communicate, learn, and develop friendships with all of their peers. It is a way for children to experiment with the positive and negative outcomes of their behavior in a safe context and gives them the opportunity to explore interactions with peers and learn about the world around them.” When children are denied this access to play and socialize with their peers, it can lead to loneliness, feelings of rejection, and a negative self-image. “It can be especially difficult for a child when they know and can see other peers playing and developing friendships together but they are not able to join,” Wilmoth says. Without these accessible public play spaces, not only are children with disabilities missing out on opportunities to socialize with their peers and make friends, but typically- Jennifer Wilmoth, Founder developing children of Thrive Forward Therapy also miss out on the opportunity to play and interact with disabled children. Accessible playgrounds foster understanding and reduce prejudices, which creates inclusive environments where all are invited to play no matter their abilities. It has been reported that 53% of children with disabilities lack friendships, which is a disheartening statistic. Part of the reason for such a high percentage is that many of our public spaces exclude them from certain activities. Wood chips may seem like a harmless choice for a playground flooring, but to a child who uses a wheelchair, it can be a determining factor as to whether they are able to participate or watch from the sidelines.
WHEN PLAY IS ACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITIES IT GIVES CHILDREN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMUNICATE, LEARN, AND DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS WITH ALL OF THEIR PEERS.
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George Pierce Park’s new playground features a solid rubber tile surface, accessible swings, a whirl spinner with straps, and a play tower that can be accessed by a paved path.
“Children benefit from an inclusive community by feeling they belong and are valued,” Willmoth says. “When play areas are accessible, this provides a rich opportunity for children to learn and develop friendships with peers who have similar and different abilities than them. Even beyond offering more diversity in peer relationships, this helps to model honor and respect for diversity in the community as The rubber tile surface at George Pierce Park’s new playground allows children who use wheelchairs to join a whole.” in on the fun. These accessible spaces are also invaluable to adults, especially those with children with disabilities, because they allow a child to experience independence. A parent or caregiver who would normally have to help maneuver their child throughout the playground in order for them to participate, can now watch their child enjoy playing with fewer limitations. When playgrounds and parks like George Pierce Park are designed to be accessible to all, it benefits the entire community.
Welcoming children of all ages and abilities to explore, learn and grow together builds stronger, more inclusive communities where everyone is invited to play. ■ George Pierce Park is located at 55 Buford Hwy. N.E. in Suwanee. For more information, visit GwinnettCounty.com.
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PARTY HACKS with Nat
NATALIE GARRETT Contributing Writer
Suwanee Magazine's official party queen shares insights on making your next event a smashing success!
ConGRADulations! ONGRATULATIONS, CLASS of 2022! You’ve made
it! For approximately 180 days out of each year, your entire childhood and adolescent life has been dedicated to fulfilling your academic duties. You’ve prioritized attendance, completed dreadful homework, set and achieved goals, participated in extracurricular activities and clubs, excelled in sports… Your main focus has been working toward this first major life milestone, and now it’s time to honor these hard-earned and well-deserved accomplishments. And, congratulations to the parents of these graduates! You’ve also made it. Day in and day out, school year after school year, you’ve played a vital role in your child’s academic career. From the ongoing titles of homework helper, coach, project-doer, taxi driver, tear-wiper, lunch-maker, rule enforcer… You’ve been their biggest cheerleader and fan, encouraging them to always push forward and be the best they can be, all while never leaving their side. Now it’s time for you, too, to commemorate this major parenting milestone!
So, what’s next? Postgraduate plans are set and upcoming summer fun is already brewing. The only item left on the agenda is the celebration! You can’t let this special moment flee by without proper recognition. However, you CAN tailor it to your own budget and style.
A Traditional Graduation Party For the social butterflies of the class, this could very well still be the best option. With a never-ending source of creative party concepts from Pinterest and TikTok, immersing yourself in a themed bash with family and friends remains a sure-fire way to go out with a bang. Take “do it for the ‘gram” to the next level with one of these ideas:
One Smart Cookie:
A subtle nod at academic success meets a dreamy dessert spread.
Farewell Fiesta:
Because who wouldn’t want to say ‘sayonara’ with a bottomless build-your-own taco/nacho bar?
Goodbye School, Hello Pool:
A classic backyard barbecue by the pool handles all the entertaining for you!
Plus, don’t forget: 1. Must-have décor: A balloon arch! This DIY showstopper is easily the most trending photo prop of ANY party right now. 2. Something sentimental: As this festivity is a reflection of the last 18 years afterall. Guests would enjoy a glimpse into the past that led up to this point, perhaps through a photo collage of school photos from each grade that ends with senior portraits. 3. Something that indicates next steps: Whether it’s representative of a specific college, military branch, or trade-school path, show off what adventure is in store!
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
A Small Group Gathering The art of celebration is never a one-size-fits-all approach. For many, the grand parties seem daunting and the urge to try something new isn’t very strong. And that’s perfectly okay! Plan something with your circle that’s catered exactly to your preference. This could be:
■ Hosting an epic game night at home with your closest buddies ■ Competing in a round of racing or challenging each other’s golf swing (check out local hot spots like Andretti or TopGolf )
The Gift of an Experience For those who thrive on a bit more of a thrill, that graduation party fund might be better invested in creating a more significant memory. Think…
■ Bucket-list road trips ■ Never-been-to-before concerts ■ Ultimate game-day tickets (chop on, Braves fans!) ■ Serene spa days full of pampering ■ Spontaneous weekend getaways
■ Reserving a private, guided session for your group at a paint studio ■ Taking on an escape room ■ Finding somewhere more nostalgic that has some of your favorite pastimes like bowling, arcade games, and laser tag ■ Enjoying the day at one of our area’s many attractions (Six Flags, World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium, Stone Mountain, Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame — Atlanta is always buzzing with options!)
■ Outdoor escapades (insert white water rafting, camping trip, ziplining, etc.) ■ Indoor crusades (rock climbing or skydiving, anyone?) When it comes down to it, the provided opportunity to live and explore can often be much more meaningful than something tangible. This will most likely end up a more intimate celebration compared to a party with an open guest list, but it’s a guaranteed way to ensure it’s a truly unforgettable one!
Alas, the final tests have been passed, the stage has been walked, and the cap has been tossed with a turn of the tassle. However you and yours choose to celebrate this notable transition of closing one door and soon opening another, be sure to pause and soak it all in. The next 18 years will fly by even more quickly than the last! Congrats and Best Wishes!
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FAMILY MAT TERS Jennifer Wilmoth, LMFT, Thrive Forward Therapy
3 Benefits of Social Connection and Community nothing like the feeling of laughing with friends at dinner, cheering on your favorite sports team, or joining a community project to help others. Community and social connection have changed throughout the pandemic but still remains one of our core needs. Many people are experiencing the impact of being disconnected from family, friends, or the community and are looking for ways to re-engage with others. THERE IS
Here are some benefits you may experience from engaging in the community around you:
1. Happiness When we make social
connections, our body releases the hormone oxytocin which has become known as the bonding and happy hormone. This helps us bond with loved ones and seek out new connections in our community because it simply feels good. So, if you are looking to increase your happiness try meeting up with a friend, going on a date night with your significant other, or joining a group in your community.
2. Friendship The more we are involved in
our community the more opportunities we have to meet new friends and deepen the friendships we already have. Good friendships can help reduce stress, offer emotional support, reduce loneliness, and be a lot of fun. Friends can be there to celebrate our successes and rally around us with support when life is difficult. The emotional support friends offer can even help us to bounce back and be more resilient through difficult life circumstances such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, or family problems.
3. Greater success Teamwork really
can make the dream work. We can accomplish more as a team or community than we can as individuals. The community of people around us can offer new creative ideas from their varying backgrounds, careers, and experiences that we may not have thought of on our own. The more we lean into community organizations and the friends around us the more we can accomplish.
There are many benefits to connecting with those around us. We can feel happier, have more friends, and accomplish more than we would by ourselves. We are better together than we are apart. ■
JENNIFER WILMOTH, LMFT
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Jennifer Wilmoth is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of Thrive Forward Therapy in the Suwanee area with over a decade of experience. She received her Masters of Family Therapy from Mercer University School of Medicine. She works with families and individuals dealing with a variety of concerns. She specializes in working with couples who want to improve their relationship, teens experiencing difficulties at home or school, children experiencing behavioral or relational concerns, anxiety, and depression. Learn more at ThriveForwardTherapy.com.
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WHAT'S BREWING AT STILLFIRE BREWING
fooo
local food, craft beer & wine trends
FRONTERA MEXICAN KITCHEN
SUWANEE STAPLE FRONTERA MEXICAN KITCHEN CELEBRATES ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF SERVING METRO ATLANTA’S FAVORITE FAJITAS
BY ALICIA CARTER / PHOTOS BY KARL LAMB
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R E S TAU R A N T S P O T L I G H T:
Churros drizzled with chocolate
group Norsan Restaurants has launched many successful restaurants in metro Atlanta over the years, including Frankie’s the Steakhouse, Pampas Steakhouse, and Luciano’s Ristorante. However, its very first restaurant concept, Frontera Mexican Kitchen, may be its most successful. Frontera Mexican Kitchen has served traditional Mexican favorites to hungry diners across the metro area since 1987, and has made a name for itself with its brand of fast-casual dining combined with exceptional service. This year, Frontera celebrates its 35th anniversary and has seen the type of success that many restaurants only hope to achieve. In fact, there are now 11 Frontera Mexican Kitchen locations, with a 12th planned for Hamilton Mill in the near future. It’s safe to say that the restaurant’s focus on service and its adherence to using only quality ingredients has played a large role in its growth and longevity. “We have really established ourselves as a staple here in metro Atlanta,” says Gabriella Copello-Hall of Norsan Restaurants. “We’re family-friendly but still serve high-quality food, and I think that's one of our unique selling points. We have a fast-casual vibe and we’re a place that’s friendly for people to bring their kids, but at the same time, we're serving amazing Mexican favorites. We source all our meats from our sister company, Prime Meats, so we're ensuring really good quality.” The high quality Burrito al Carbon of the food is seen in menu standouts such as the burrito al carbon, which is served with either marinated skirt steak or grilled chicken breast strips and smothered in delicious cheese dip. The vampiro tacos OCAL RESTAURANT
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Frontera Mexican Grill’s Suwanee location is home to Paquito, the restaurant’s new robot server who will bring you your food and even sing Happy Birthday.
are also a popular choice, and are described as a tasty combination of a quesadilla and a taco. They come served with Oaxaca cheese, a spread of guacamole topped with marinated New York strip steak, fresh pico de gallo, and fresco cheese alongside black refried beans. “We’re so much more than just a regular American Mexican restaurant because we offer some really cool stuff,” Copello-Hall says. “The vampiro tacos are filled with steak, specialty cheese, double tortillas and are flash fried, which makes them unique. Our chicken fajitas are also a big hit. As part of our big 35th anniversary push, we’ve been coming up with some taglines and one of my favorites is ‘Serving Atlanta's favorite fajitas since 1987.’”
FOOD & DRINK
Frontera’s friendly staff, comfortable seating, and warm lighting gives the restaurant a homey feel.
Margarita
The vampiro tacos are filled with steak, specialty cheese, double tortillas and are flash fried for a satisfying meal.
While the food will always remain the main event, Copello-Hall says that one thing that truly sets Frontera apart, as well as Norsan’s other restaurant concepts, is their focus on service and creating an inviting atmosphere. “We want people to feel at home,” she says. “Just like you feel at home at your local grocery store or your local coffee shop that you always go to. It’s a place that’s always there for you, always has your favorite food, and you know you're going to get exactly what you want. We work hard to connect all the different pieces of a cozy dining experience — friendly staff, comfortable seating, warm lighting, and even our decor, we want it to feel inviting.”
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R E S TAU R A N T S P O T L I G H T:
Clockwise from top left: Frontera’s homestyle guacamole and chicken fajitas are popular menu items. The restaurant's bar boasts Corona-ritas, sangrias, multiple margarita options, and beer from local breweries.
The team behind Frontera has worked hard to build an atmosphere that is both family-friendly as well as a fun place to grab a few drinks after work. Copello-Hall praises Frontera’s bar program, noting “you don’t have to go down I-85 to Atlanta to get delicious, well-crafted margaritas.” Frontera’s drink menu includes Corona-ritas, sangrias, and a Skinny Margarita, as well as beer from local breweries such as StillFire Brewing. In addition to the inviting atmosphere, high-quality menu, and stand-out service, Frontera is also firmly securing its place in the future of dining with the introduction of Paquito, the restaurant’s new robot server. “Paquito is friendly and he talks; he'll bring you your food,” Copello-Hall says. “It’s just a really cool and unique dining experience right here locally.” A favorite among diners, Paquito has even been
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known to lead a cheerful rendition of “Happy Birthday” to guests celebrating at the restaurant. The future sure looks bright for Frontera Mexican Kitchen. With the addition of Paquito as well as a brand-new location opening soon, the restaurant isn’t planning to slow down any time soon. And as long as they continue to focus on serving the high-quality food we’ve come to know and love, locals will continue to visit again and again. ■
Frontera Mexican Kitchen is located at 2137 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road in Suwanee. For more information call 770-963-3872 or visit MyFrontera.com.
WHAT’S BREWING
STILLFIRE BREWING RELEASES BEER TO HONOR THE CHAMPS
CITY OF CHAMPIONS PEACH PILSNER BREWED TO SALUTE ATLANTA'S WORLD CHAMPIONS Photos by Gary Dowd & Jaya Lord N FRIDAY, April
1st, StillFire Brewing celebrated the most exciting title run in recent memory with a special release party for its newest beer: City of Champions Peach Pilsner. Hundreds of baseball fans descended on the Suwanee brewery to witness a live radio broadcast from StillFire's taproom by Chuck and Chernoff of 680 The Fan and to have their picture taken with Blooper, the ultimate hype man and official mascot of Atlanta’s World Champions. Plus, the authors of the new children's book Night 6 of the Series were on hand for an exclusive book signing. A limited edition City of Champions glass was made available for purchase along with 4-packs of the special beer. Party attendees who purchased a glass or a 4-pack were entered in a raffle to win 4 tickets to an Atlanta Braves home game. City of Champions is a peach Pilsner that is softly bittered in the Bohemian tradition. European barley lends a smooth malty palate while Nelson Sauvin hops balance with hints of grape and gooseberry. The final ingredient is all Georgia – hundreds of pounds of fruit that add a delicate touch in a way only peaches can. The 5.7% ABV beer is now on tap and limited 4-packs are available for purchase.
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StillFire Brewing celebrated the launch of its City of Champions Peach Pilsner with a visit from Braves mascot Blooper and a live broadcast from 680 The Fan. StillFire's own Bandit the raccoon mascot also joined in the fun!
FOOD & DRINK
NEW BEER RELEASES AT STILLFIRE BREWING: Vinny the Elder Double IPA 9.3% ABV Brewed to honor Brew Master Phil Farrell's late brewdog buddy Vinny. Farrell combed the archives back when Vinny was just a little fuzzball for the prototype of many Double IPAs he brews today. Like its namesake, Vinny the Elder is a 9.3% ABV that is a big dog in a small package. American pale and caramel malts create the perfect foundation to showcase the resin, pine, and grapefruit deliciousness that come from classic "C hops" grown in the Yakima Valley. The explosion of flavors and aromas transition to a classic Double IPA lingering bitterness with a touch of malt. ON TAP NOW.
Our Little Secret Altbier 6.7% ABV In Altstadt (old town) DÜsseldorf, there is only one beer: Altbier. Like its gold cousin in Cologne, it is an Ale femented at cool temperatures then lagered to smooth it out. Dark amber color with a smooth, chocolate finish, servers will keep full 200ml "stanges" in front of you until you tap out by placing a coaster over your glass. If you know a brewer once a year they will bust out their Secret/Special (Sticke) Altbier that is stronger and more flavorful. StillFire used all German ingredients from Bamburg and lagered Our Little Secret for 6 months. ON TAP NOW.
Extra Suwanee Bitter ESB 6.2% ABV StillFire Brewing's English Strong Bitter (ESB) has a taste of West London in every sip. A Silver medal winner from the 2019 Can Can Awards, the brewery brought back this ale from their first year by popular demand. Authentic English malt, Kent Golding hops and yeast reward the drinker with a fragrant balance of herbs and slow malted barley. The London yeast in contrast adds a fruity counterpoint of complexity that makes the beer so delicious. The finish is firm yet smooth, making it a very quaffable pint. ON TAP NOW.
Azalea Shandy Mocktail 3.5% ABV Just in time for golf season, StillFire's new Augusta-inspired Shandy Mocktail is the perfect beer after hitting the links. More famous than the pimento cheese sandwiches in Augusta are the Azalea cocktails. This drink gets its name because the pink color matches the flower that is most associated with Augusta National Golf Club. StillFire's version is a Blonde Ale Shandy made with a careful mix of lemon, pineapple, and lime juices. A small touch of Grenadine adds a pink hue to complete this refreshing, fruity Shandy that is the perfect club selection on a sunny day. Best of all, the gentle ABV allows you to knock a few back and still eagle the 510 yards of the Par 5 #13 Azalea at Augusta. ON TAP NOW.
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OUR DOUBLE-SIZED FREAK OF A N I PA R E T U R N S . . .
HOPNOXIOUS
DOUBLE
IPA VER 3.0
VERSION 3.0
HopNoxious Double IPA Ver. 3.0 10.24% ABV The 3rd incarnation of StillFire Brewing's most popular beer returns May 7th. This once-a-year beer is a hopalicious beast of an IPA that is bursting with crazy amounts of grapefruit, orange, pine and apricot flavors with an old-school, West Coast-style hop punch. Surprisingly balanced, the delicious drinkability of this beer belies its massive 10.24% ABV. If you love a great beer, this is one you simply cannot miss! Plus - StillFire Brewing is so obnoxiously obsessed with this beer, they are throwing a block party in honor of its release. The HOPNOXIOUS BLOCK PARTY will feature live music all day Saturday, May 7th starting at 1 p.m. with headliners Interstellar Echoes (Pink Floyd cover band) and more. Tickets available in the taproom or online at BigTickets.com for this event. ON TAP AND AVAILABLE IN 4-PACK CANS STARTING SATURDAY, MAY 7TH.
Strawberry Breaking Blonde Blonde Ale 5.3% ABV
RELEASE BLOCK PARTY SATURDAY, MAY 7TH! T I C K E T S A V A I L A B L E I N TA P R O O M A N D O N L I N E AT B I G T I C K E T S . C O M .
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StillFire Brewing took their popular blonde ale, infused with real strawberries, and released it last spring. The response to the smoothie-like beer was so overwhelming, they decided to release it in cans this season. Just in time for Mother's Day, the fruity flavors of this easy-drinking beer are the perfect gift for the mom in your life. ON TAP AND AVAILABLE IN 4-PACK CANS STARTING SUNDAY, MAY 8TH.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT STILLFIRE BREWING: MAY
HopNoxious Block Party
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Mother's Day at StillFire
JUNE
Dueling Pianos
JUNE
StillFire’s ’90s Summer Jam
A V A I L A B L E T H I S M O T H E R ' S D AY. . .
StillFire Brewing is breaking out all the stops for the release party for their most popular beer. The HOPNOXIOUS BLOCK PARTY will feature live music all day Saturday, May 7th starting at 1 p.m. featuring a MUST-SEE laser light show from Pink Floyd cover band Interstellar Echoes, food trucks, beer tents, local vendors, a funnel cake food truck, a fire dancer, a caricature artist, gladiator jousting, axe throwing AND SO MUCH MORE! Tickets are $20 and are available in the taproom or online at BIGTICKETS.COM / $25 at the door.
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5.3% ABV
Enjoy Mother's Day festivities all day long with the special release of Strawberry Breaking Blonde (on tap and in 4-packs to go!), food trucks Biscuits and Brunch (NOON) and Holy Crepe (3 p.m.) and live acoustic music from Jason and Adin singing Bon Jovi covers starting at 4 p.m.
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The Andrews Brothers are making their return to the outdoor stage Saturday, June 4th for an all-request sing-a-long music and comedy show that is definitely not for kids. The brewery will not be taking reservations for this event spots are first come, first serve so it is highly recommended you bring your own seating for the beer garden. There will be a $5 cover at the door starting at 5 p.m.
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Alright stop, collaborate, and listen — StillFire’s back with a brand-new event! Lace up your high tops, grab your fanny pack, and get ready to feel the nostalgia with their ’90s Summer Jam on June 18th! StillFire is transporting the entire taproom back in time with ’90s themed music all day, including three specialized sets from Luke Latimer’s band, Mud Donkey: 1st hour: Acoustic (think MTV's Unplugged), 2nd hour: Grunge Rock, 3rd and 4th hours: ’90s Pop! PLUS, enjoy ’90s snacks as you try to be the next ‘American Gladiator’ at the gladiator jousting station. Make sure to come dressed in your ’90s best to win prizes! It’s gonna be all that and a bag of chips. There will be a $5 cover at the door starting at 5 p.m.
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A BLONDE ALE MADE WITH REAL F R E S H ST R AW B E R R I E S O N D R A F T A N D N OW AVA I L A B L E F O R T H E F I R S T T I M E I N C A N S M AY 8 T H .
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WHAT’S BREWING B R E W E RY S P OT L I G H T:
6S BREWING COMPANY
DULUTH’S 6S BREWING COMPANY HAS CRAFTED A CULTURE WHERE FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND NEIGHBORS CAN COME TOGETHER TO ENJOY A UNIQUE CRAFT BEER EXPERIENCE. By Jaya Lord / Photos Courtesy 6S Brewing Company
the buzzing center of downtown Duluth, 6S Brewing Company serves a little bit of everything for everybody. The brewery’s impressive tap list includes IPAs, Sours, Ciders, Hefeweizens — you name it, they've probably got it! 6S is passionate about creating a welcoming and entertaining place for people to kick back, relax, and enjoy fantastic beer. We recently had the chance to enjoy a cold one with Founder and Owner of 6S Brewing Company, Robb Watson, and hear more about their success story. LOCATED IN
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY? I was a home brewer for over 20 years, and I traveled for a living so everywhere I went I toured different breweries. About seven years ago, I was in Colorado with a friend of mine who got married and we did a beer tour where we visited seven breweries — small ones up to Oskar Blues. When I came back, I realized that it was something I wanted to do. I started interviewing different cities and learning the culture to see where the best place would be to put it. I decided I want to be connected to the downtown area and the City of Duluth was 110% behind us. WHAT ARE SOME PERKS ABOUT BEING IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN DULUTH? There are multiple reasons! Not a lot of people realize that the City of Duluth has a diverse population similar to Manhattan, New York, and has people from all ages and different backgrounds. The city and community are great and downtown Duluth has a true town square. Every
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FOOD & DRINK The 6S Brewing team is passionate about crafting not only great beer, but also creating a welcoming local hangout to kick back and relax.
6S Brewery opened in July 2021 in Duluth’s bustling downtown area, with food and entertainment just steps away.
weekend there are live band TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR performances and different activities HEAD BREWER. Jason Ford is our happening. To put things in perspective, Head Brewer and he’s been in the the city has 128 days a year with events industry for more than 13 years. Jason so there's always an opportunity to has worked with SweetWater Brewing, have some fun. We have dozens Monday Night Brewing, he spent some of restaurants around us and it’s all time with Oskar Blues, within walking distance. and before joining Downtown Duluth has the 6S, he helped Left open container law, so Nut Brewing get people come in here, get a started. I interviewed beer, and walk across the I asked my wife many, many brewers. street to tacos or next door what we should Being a home brewer, to great pizza. We have call this place and I’m knowledgeable several different types of about the craft but eateries around us serving she asked me, barbecue, steaks, seafood, “Well, how did this not the production side and Jason has and more. 6S only serves idea come about?” a lot of respect from beer, but people are more and I answered his peers and came than welcome to bring their by saying, it was highly recommended. meals here. In fact, we have a great tap list with plenty driven by success Jason and I just click! of different types of beer to and she said, “Well, It takes a unique person to understand pair with all cuisines. then call it that.” not only how to make - Robb Watson, Founder HOW HAS THE beer, but also be 6S Bewing RESPONSE BEEN SINCE entrepreneurial. When OPENING? We opened we were getting the our doors in July of 2021 brewery ready, we both rolled up our and were very openly received. We’ve sleeves to get things done — from gotten a lot of positive reviews and we piping, electrical, and all the other stuff continue to ramp up each month. that you have to oversee. We would go
to my home and use my home brewing craft system to refine recipes I already had and to develop new recipes that he or I had come up with. We just gel. Jason is a great guy and is a true artist. WHAT INSPIRED THE INTERIOR DESIGN AND OVERALL THEME OF 6S? I grew up building and racing cars and motorcycles but when I started 6S, I found passion in not only the art of making our beer but also the mechanics and elements that go into it. So all our little details are inspired by that. We have a beautiful gears mural under the bar, the stainless-steel foot rail is made from pistons and rods, our tap towers are headers off a Chevy 350, and all our beer names and can labels are car or riding inspired. WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER BREWERIES AND BREWPUBS? I would say our beer, we are true to the flavors and styles. We believe the beer should be a beer first, meaning that when you drink beer, you should want and be able to drink the whole thing. We like to say that we have a little something for everyone. We brew many different beer styles and aren't
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limited to just IPAs and sours. We have ciders, stouts, Kölsches, Weizenbock, lagers and a lot more. Another thing that sets us apart is our team. With the pandemic, it was hard for businesses to hire and retain employees but through it all we’ve been able to retain all of our employees and our employees have done a lot of recruiting for us. I think that says a lot about a workplace if the employees are encouraging others to join our team. We have a real passionate team with a lot of drive. Also, my wife and two daughters help out too. My wife painted our gears mural, my oldest daughter designed all our can labels, and my youngest daughter helps with our posters — it’s a real family affair. Can you explain the story behind the name 6S? That's what built this place. I asked my wife what we should call this place and she asked me, “Well, how did this idea come about?” and I answered by saying, it was driven by success and she said, “Well, then call it that.” I have been in sales my entire career so to open this place up I had to save money and focus on creating a successful business plan. To make it stand out, we decided to use the number 6 and the letter S. What is your top seller? Our top seller is our KickStand Kölsch, which is a Germanstyle ale. This crisp, never bitter ale is brewed for summertime! It is straw in color, has notes of fruity yeast esters, delicate malt and hops, with a dry finish. We like to tell people, “KickStands up and go for a smooth ride!” We receive a lot of high marks on our beer and have had patrons tell us our beers remind them of their home in Germany, which to us is the best compliment ever. Do you host any community events? In addition to what the City of Duluth has planned out, we have Adult Trivia on Wednesday nights, Jackbox on Thursday nights, and live music on Friday and Saturday. We have a room full of flat-screen TVs to watch any sporting events, outdoor seating, and a wide-open beer garden that has its own sales window overlooking the main stage! ■
6S Brewing Company is
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located at 3111 Main St. in downtown Duluth. You can find more information by visiting their website, 6SBeer.com.
6S’s KickStand Kölsch is a top-seller in the taproom, but be sure to try any of their ciders, stouts, IPAs, Weizenbock, or lagers on draft.
FOOD & DRINK
CHEF JARRETT Chef Jarrett offers custom-tailored services to meet any culinary need (no need too small). His distinctive culinary style provides a unique meld of some of your all-time favorite dishes designed to provide a "taste beyond expectations.” Learn more at PlateworksbyChefJ.com.
GOOD EATS
Chef Jarrett offers tips on choosing between a personal chef and private chef to make your next dining experience exceptional. HERE ARE many benefits to hiring a
private or personal chef. These trained, professional chefs can help clients meet dietary needs and personal preferences, create meals around a busy schedule, prepare one-of-a-kind dinners for anniversaries and special events, as well as help with entertaining. When choosing a private or personal chef, it’s important to know the difference between the two, as both have similarities. A private chef is employed by a single household on a full-time basis, cooking every meal, every day. Private chefs are part of the household staff; they may live on or off the premises. A personal chef prepares meals for multiple clients, either in a client’s kitchen or out of a commercial kitchen. These meals are then stored or delivered with instructions for heating and serving. You can also hire a personal chef for a one-time event, special occasion or romantic dinner. There are many perks to hiring a personal chef, but the biggest may be that it allows you to enjoy top-notch cuisine in the comfort of your home — you don’t have to fight traffic, you’re able to imbibe without the worry of how you’re getting home, there are no parking fees or wait times and, best of all, the chef is there to do all the work for you. Plus, you get the chef’s total
creative cuisine that isn’t always given freely in a restaurant or catering company setting.
Quality Training and Experience
Both personal and private chefs require quality training, which can come from a culinary school as well as experience in the culinary profession. When choosing a chef, it’s important to find one with extensive experience. This experience can be from a restaurant, catering company, corporate dining, or any other field, but keep in mind that the chef’s background should mirror your needs. For instance, if you host large parties, the chef you choose should have experience in large-scale dining from a catering or banquet background. It’s also important to note that not all chef experiences are created equal. A qualified chef should be an expert in more than one type of cuisine. If you favor a particular cuisine, be sure to inquire about it.
Quality of Food
Above all else, taste is the final arbiter of food quality. When inquiring about private and personal chef services, take the time to try their food. Most do a tasting for a minimum price. Before you commit to a chef, be sure to look at their social media. 95% of the time if the chef’s presentation is great, amazing food will follow. ■
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learn all the latest from schools in and around suwanee
Alex Forrand
North Gwinnett High School
Anthony Harris
North Gwinnett High School
The Faces of Suwanee shines a light on Suwanee's graduating seniors. Over the course of the last few months, we highlighted some of those local seniors on The Faces of Suwanee website and Suwanee Magazine's Facebook page. We decided, however, that online interviews just weren't enough. Here, we've highlighted The Faces of Suwanee Class of 2022. Congratulations to all of the graduating seniors and best of luck in all your future endeavors! To read the full interviews with each student, visit TheFacesofSuwanee.com. ONCE AGAIN,
Bryce Perry
Lambert High School 54
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Cole Fox
Hayden Morton
Lilly Runaas
Ryan DiFrancisco
Homeschool
North Gwinnett High School
North Gwinnett High School
North Gwinnett High School
Conner Moniri
Jamez De Ocampo
Madeline Mayer
Shaun Deedy
North Gwinnett High School
Desiree Robertson
North Gwinnett High School
North Gwinnett High School
Kayla Foran
North Gwinnett High School
North Gwinnett High School
Perry Luzier
North Gwinnett High School
North Gwinnett High School
Thomas Allard
North Gwinnett High School 55
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LEARN
SUGAR HILL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
PRIVATE SCHOOL OFFERS A TOP-RATED EDUCATION IN A SAFE, CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENT By Angela Veugeler / Photos by Karl Lamb & Melissa Manderson HIS MAY, Sugar Hill Christian
Academy (SHCA) will celebrate its third graduating class of high school seniors. The private Christian school has been known for the quality education and nurturing environment it has offered at the preschool and elementary school for decades. In 2009, the school grew by adding grades 7 and 8, and then high school just five years ago. SHCA is accredited through both the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and COGNIA. Though the upper school is still fairly new, it has experienced massive growth in recent years. “We have had 90 new families join our school the last two years, mostly transitioning from public school,” shared Assistant Principal Kristi Burlison. With approximately 60 students currently attending the high school and more than 75 attending the middle school, SHCA is anticipating more than 100 middle school students for the 2022–2023 academic school year and is hiring 16 new teachers for the upcoming year to keep up with the growth, mostly for the middle and high school.
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“This year is all about growth,” said Courtney Simmons, Dean of Students. “We are literally doubling the number of middle school classes. We have been interviewing candidates daily. Many of them are very qualified, over half have their master’s degrees and many are retiring early from public schools.” “They are passionate about teaching; and they come here and it renews their joy in teaching,” added Burlison. With a 10:1 student to teacher ratio and class sizes no larger than 20, the environment allows teachers and staff to really get to know the students and invest in their growth and development. “We teach to the whole child. We teach problem solving skills, self-advocacy. Safety is another important aspect we offer to families. This is a very safe and secure environment.” When asked about the ideal student for their school, Burlison shared that it is “a student who is above average academically, loves learning, enjoys small class sizes and takes initiative.” “Our purpose statement here at SHCA, is to offer an excellent academic and Christian education, while developing a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ,” said Simmons. A typical day at school starts out with spiritual development, - Lara Swift then moves into academic classes and finishes with enrichment classes such as the arts or sports. Athletic offerings at the middle and high school include cross country, volleyball, basketball, golf, soccer, and archery. So far this school year, SHCA brought home seven state championships in the Georgia Christian Athletic Association league and at the writing of this article, soccer and golf were currently undefeated. Other extracurricular and enrichment opportunities include band and chorus, theater, beta club, student leadership committee, as well as National Honors Society
The education has been second to none, but just as important the academy has laid the foundation for success in life and helped our boys grow into men. From academics to sports to music and the arts, SHCA provides a complete educational experience.
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LEARN
Sugar Hill Christian Academy, who is wellknown for its preschool and elementary programs, has seen a lot of growth over the years. The school added grades 7 and 8 in 2009 and high school just five years ago.
for Science, Spanish and Art. The school also offers home school students the ability to be part of many of the enrichment opportunities such as band and sports. Several of these families have enrolled their students at SHCA after experiencing the school through one of these routes. At the high school level, SHCA has a partnership with Liberty University. “Most students will have one class through Liberty in the upcoming school year, with 90% of their day spent in live teaching classes,” shared Burlison. Simmons added, “The Liberty connection is very good for us as a school. Think about all the people in our world that work from home now. I think online learning needs to be a component that brings us to a wellrounded student.” SHCA also offers dual enrollment classes for their juniors and seniors, giving them the opportunity to earn college credit at Liberty University, University of North Georgia, Georgia Gwinnett College and several other schools. The college acceptance rate for graduating seniors is
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In addition to providing students a top-level education, SHCA also fulfills students’ spiritual and social needs with spiritual development in the mornings along with extracurricular activities such as band and sports.
100% and students have been accepted to multiple schools such as Georgia Tech, Alabama, the University of Georgia, Auburn and Clemson to name a few, with some being given multiple scholarship offers. The Swift family has two high school boys currently attending SHCA, one who is graduating this year and will be attending UGA in the fall. “Sugar Hill Christian Academy has provided a ‘home away from home’ not just for our children but for our entire family. The education has been second to none, but just as important the Academy has laid the foundation for success in life and helped our boys grow into men. From academics to sports to music and the arts, SHCA provides a complete educational experience,” shared Lara Swift. Simmons shared his thoughts on the school's recent growth, “Ultimately, this is the time of year I would be
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stressed. We are going to hire 16 teachers. Most years it is three or four. This is the Lord’s school. He is going to bring the people and keep the people who need to be here. Every year we have to walk by faith. It’s our families that keep us successful. It’s God’s goodness that keeps us successful. Because it is His. He brings the families, he brings the teachers.” Sugar Hill Christian Academy’s recent growth has allowed the school to reach more students in our community, and the success of their graduates showcases the importance of providing a Christianbased education in a safe and nurturing environment. ■ Several grade levels are already full for the upcoming school year and others are filling up fast. For more information on SHCA or to schedule a tour, visit SugarHillChristian.org or call 678-745-4121.
WANDA LAW Principal of North Gwinnett Middle School
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
Interview by Julie Perdue
members of our community as a way of telling the story of
WHAT INSPIRED YOU OR LED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT CAREER? My
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 regularly.
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Wanda Law is a familiar face in Gwinnett County and best known as the principal of North Gwinnett Middle School, where she cares for many of our kids each week. After 30 years in education, and the last 13 years as a beloved principal, Wanda is hanging up her hat at North Gwinnett Middle School and retiring at the end of the school year. We had the chance to catch up with Wanda and learn more about her during this transitional phase of her life.
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grandmother. She was a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse teaching first through eighth grade. She talked about teaching children of grade levels all together in one room. I loved imagining her classroom and this inspired me to become a teacher. I started teaching in 1989 and this is my 33rd year, all in Gwinnett County. I student-taught at Lilburn Middle School and got my first job there. I have been a teacher, assistant principal and now a principal. I opened North Gwinnett Middle School 13 years ago and was a principal for three years at Sycamore Elementary before opening North Gwinnett Middle. I am from Georgia, born in Atlanta. I went to school in DeKalb County, Clayton County and Rabun County. My parents lived in Rabun County, so I returned there for high school.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN SUWANEE AND WHAT DO YOU LOVE THERE? I would say Cheeky. I love their cheese dip!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED OR LIVED IN SUWANEE? 13 years WHO IS THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON YOU’VE MET IN SUWANEE? I would have to say
Dr. John Green. He has always challenged me to think. He keeps in touch and will call me to talk about what I’m doing and what’s going on in our schools. He’s a great influence on me and offers ideas for next steps. He sometimes has a different perspective than me and it makes me think!
LEARN
IF YOU COULD TAKE ANYONE TO LUNCH (DEAD OR ALIVE) WHO WOULD THAT BE AND WHERE WOULD YOU GO? It would be Princess
Diana and we would go to Crab Daddy’s on St. Simon’s Island, Georgia. It is one of my favorite towns. I loved that she was royalty, raised a family and did so much good in the world. She worked with children a lot, and that was probably part of why I was influenced by her.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC? NAME THREE BANDS/PERFORMERS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE. I listen to country music the most but I like older pop. I recently saw the Eagles and would love to see Elton John. And Journey as well.
WHAT LOCAL BUSINESS MAKES YOU THE MOST NOSTALGIC ABOUT SUWANEE? It’s not actually a business, but I would say Town Center Park because of the events there. It is the hub of the city and we love the Suwanee Fest parade and when the students perform at events.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SUWANEE? It would be WHAT HAS KEPT YOU HERE? I love
the children, the community, the staff here, and our great schools. I believe in our schools here so we will be here until my daughter graduates from high school.
HOW BIG IS YOUR FAMILY? I have a husband, a grown son, daughter-inlaw (who’s also a teacher), a teenage daughter and two cats, Piper and Malibu.
IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, WHERE WOULD IT BE AND WHY? I have always wanted to go to
Australia because of the culture, nature, physical features and the Sydney Opera House. Also, I’d like to go to Fiji and stay in the huts on the water.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A CROWD OF PEOPLE? To recognize and appreciate the differences in people. I love working with so many different people, cultures, and interesting children. Our diversity here makes us unique.
WHAT IS SOMETHING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? I really enjoy traveling. We would like to have a motorhome and travel the U.S. When we retire, we would love the flexibility to visit and stay some place for a couple of months if we choose, and travel at our own pace.
WOULD YOU RATHER SPEAK TO A CROWD OF 500 OR SING TO A CROWD OF 50? Definitely speak!
the community. I love that the city is progressive and there is a strong sense of community and family. We can go to concerts in the park and find families, old friends and new. People are friendly and it’s so much fun! There is so much pride in Suwanee.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS? Hopefully living in North
Georgia in Rabun County doing something part-time, maybe with the Board of Education in a small town or volunteering with children.
WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I love to travel, shop and snow ski. My mother is a mayor in a small town.
I enjoy public speaking and do a lot of it!
For F more The Faces Of Suwanee interviews, go to
TheFacesOfSuwanee.com
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City THE LATEST FROM IN AND AROUND SUWANEE
FAMILY-OWNED ORCHARD FAMILY DENTAL PROVIDES EXCELLENT CARE IN SUWANEE ORCHARD FAMILY DENTAL is a
modern, family-owned dental practice located in Suwanee. Genuine patient care is their top priority along with excellent clinical care to provide the best treatment options based on each patient’s unique needs. Every room is outfitted with ceiling-mounted TVs, noisecanceling headphones, and Netflix to help you relax so that you won’t even notice the appointment fly by. A great range of services is provided at Orchard Family Dental from preventative care such as cleanings, exams, and digital X-rays to major services such as root canal treatment, implants, and bridges. Utilizing the latest technology and methods, your treatment plan will be tailored specifically to your needs and concerns. Dr. Jae Lee walks every patient through their diagnosis and possible treatment options to ensure they are fully aware of all available options. Dr. Lee and his team strive to build life-lasting relationships with every patient to have every confidence in pursuing a happier and healthier smile. Orchard Family Dental is located at 8010 McGinnis Ferry Road, Suite F, in Suwanee. For more information call 770-765-2815 or visit OrchardFamilyDental.com.
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New Full-Service Salon Opens In Suwanee K BEAUTY STUDIOS SALON
is a brand-new full-service salon located in Suwanee that was designed to provide the best services possible in a clean, contemporary, and sophisticatedly beautiful atmosphere. K Beauty’s guests enjoy use of their state-ofthe-art equipment for hair and skin treatments. The salon provides guests with top-notch service and the best products on the market, such as the Goldwell Color and Hair care line. Guests enjoy having the convenience of multiple services all in one spot, including hair, makeup, lash extensions, facials, and waxing services. The salon caters to all hair and skin types, and is staffed with licensed hair stylists and estheticians whose skills and experience provide clients with the best service possible. K Beauty’s booking process is very convenient for guests: They can book online, call, text, and walk in to schedule an appointment. All guests are
greeted by a friendly K Beauty team member upon arrival and will be catered to throughout their service, such as enjoying a glass of wine with their service. The salon also has familyfriendly kids hair services and men's cuts available. K Beauty Studios Salon celebrated its grand opening in March, and the team is so excited to be a part of the Suwanee community. “We truly do appreciate the outpouring of support that the community and neighboring towns have shown to K Beauty Studios Salon in such a short time,” says Kim Richards. “We look forward to growing here in Suwanee and can't wait for you all to come for the service and leave with experience!”
⊲ K Beauty Studios Salon is located at 3255 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road in Suwanee. For more info call 678-765-2755 or visit KBeautyStudios.com.
Friendship Christian School Home To Competitive Recurve Archery Program
PHOTO COURTESY GREENWOOD PRODUCTIONS
FRIENDSHIP CHRISTIAN School is a K-12 private institution located in Suwanee. As a part of its athletic program, Friendship Christian has a competitive recurve archery program. They train year round for multiple state and national competitions which are held all throughout the country. These competitions are held over the course of a few days and include qualification and elimination rounds, just like the Olympics! The archery program is coached by three coaches, Coach Anna, Coach James, and Coach Yun, who is an Olympic Recurve Gold Medalist. Friendship Christian is a one-of-a-kind high school team as many archery clubs in high schools do not compete at the national level. There are semiannual tryouts for the students to join the competitive team and practice takes place three times a week after school. The team is home to two archers who finished Top 20 in the nation last national season. For more information about Friendship Christian School, visit fcsga.org.
North Gwinnett High School Graduate, Holly Haynes, Crowned Miss Georgia USA THIRTY-SEVEN YOUNG women from all across the state of Georgia competed for the title of Miss Georgia USA held in McDonough on Feb 26, 2022. Holly Haynes, a Sugar Hill native, will now advance to Miss USA later this year to represent Georgia. Haynes has a strong pageantry background having competed previously in the Miss University of Georgia, Miss Cobb County (2020 winner) and Miss America Organization. Haynes plans to use scholarship money earned through the Miss America Organization to earn an MBA from Emory University and help her reach her goal to become the CEO of a sustainable fashion company that focuses on STEM education and philanthropic efforts. Being a public figure, Haynes uses her platform to push her message of “I Am Enough,” promoting self esteem to young adults and teens through her #IAmEnough Program.
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Frosty Caboose by Marni Smith
Snowy Sunset by Amy Doherty
Sunrise in Sunset by Amy Doherty
Fountain Fun Dip by Traci Dickson
SNAP SUWANEE PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED SPONSORED BY Suwanee’s Public Arts Commission, the
annual Snap Suwanee community photo competition provides an opportunity for participants to share images that illustrate the Suwanee community in a unique and beautiful way. The winning photographs will be on display at City Hall through February 2023. The Judges’ Choice Winner is “Jubilation” by Kate Durden.
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Additional winners include: “Catching Up Over Coffee” by Keith Costley; “Fountain Fun Dip” by Traci Dickson; “Fountain Surprise” by Mary King; “Frosty Caboose” by Marni Smith, “Harmony at Amphitheatre” by Keith Costley; “Live Colorfully” by Marni Smith; “Snowy Sunset” by Amy Doherty; “Stillness I” by Koyya Russell; and “Sunrise in Sunset” by Amy Doherty.
CITY BUZZ
Jubilation by Kate Durden - JUDGES CHOICE
Harmony at Amphitheater by Keith Costley
Stillness I by Koyya Russell
Fountain Surprise by Mary King
Live Colorfully by Marni Smith
Catching Up Over Coffee by Keith Costley
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CITY OF SUWANEE ANNOUNCES THE SUWANEE YOUTH LEADERS CLASS FOR 2022 THE CITY of Suwanee recently
named the members of its seventh Suwanee Youth Leaders (SYL) class. These students were chosen based on a combination of the strength of application, recommendations from teachers and school administrators, and extracurricular resume. SYL is a 10-month leadership program for high school sophomores and juniors living within the North Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge, or Collins Hill clusters. Participants gain exposure to local initiatives and community and civic leaders, while also offering multiple
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volunteer opportunities. This year, the class will be involved in planning a city-wide event, as well as planning and implementing a community service project. “SYL gives the City of Suwanee a meaningful connection with our schools and encourages youth involvement by forming sincere, authentic relationships,” said Assistant City Manager Denise Brinson. “Through SYL, we are able to foster a group of young people who have more knowledge about how local government works and spark a lifelong desire to be involved.”
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Suwanee Arts Festival Celebrates Art in Our Community AFTER A two-year hiatus, the Suwanee Arts Festival
is returning to Suwanee Town Center Park as a twoday event celebrating all things art! The event will take place May 14-15 and is being presented by the Suwanee Arts Center. Festival attendees can stroll from tent to tent viewing vibrant displays by local artists presented in a variety of mediums, including painting, ceramics, photography, sculpture, wood, jewelry, glass, fiber and more. This family friendly event has something for everyone. Kids can attend the Animation Academy, book readings, show their artistic skills in the Chalk Walk, and participate in a scavenger hunt to win a prize! On the Town Center Stage, artist demonstrations and musical entertainment will bring art and music to life with performances all through the event. Food trucks, snack vendors, and local businesses will be offering food and beverages to purchase. The Arts Festival will also serve as the official unveiling of the City of Suwanee’s seventh SculpTour exhibit. SculpTour is the City of Suwanee’s recurring temporary sculpture exhibition. The public art encounter has brought nearly 100 sculptures to a walkable one-mile area of downtown Suwanee since 2011. With goals to enliven Town Center, attract visitors, and stimulate interest in Suwanee’s public art program, SculpTour adds to the sense of dynamism, energy, rhythm, and ritual in the city. Suwanee Arts Festival takes place at Town Center Park on Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, May 15, noon-5 p.m. For more information visit SuwaneeArtsCenter.org/ SuwaneeArtsFest.
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Artwork by Suwanee Arts Fest artist Vickie McCrary. TOP LEFT: Connected, TOP RIGHT: Lynn's Creek, BOTTOM: Drops of Color
VISIT THE SWEET CITY FOR MUSIC, FOOD AND FUN! PHOTOS COURTESY CITY OF SUGAR HILL IT’S CONCERT
season in Sugar Hill! Sugar Hill Live on Stage is back at The Bowl for its 8th concert season and they’re announcing a concert that’s guaranteed to get you on your feet and dancing. On June 10, coming back to The Bowl for the first time since 2016, the eclectic rock and country group known for crisscrossing musical boundaries: The Mavericks: En Español World Tour. Debuting the band’s first-ever all Spanish album, the songs are as diverse as Latin America itself, and as cohesive as the ideal of the American melting pot. Sugar Hill has earned a reputation for bringing a variety of musical genres that appeal to every audience. It all started in 2014 when The Bowl welcomed Haley & Alexis, Andy Velo and The Bacon Brothers for the city’s first-ever Bowl concert. Except for having to take a break during the pandemic in 2020, the venue has continuously hosted more than 50 performers in the past seven years. For most concerts, doors will open at 7p.m., the opener will perform at 8 p.m., and the headline act will perform live on stage at 9 p.m. Spend the day in Sugar Hill before unleashing your best singing voice and dance moves at The Bowl.
SPLASH PARK
Are you having a family day out? Bring the kids earlier in the day so they can enjoy Splash Park. The splash
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pad is located on the Dawn P. Gober Plaza, just above The Bowl with tables, umbrellas, and plenty of turf to spread out a picnic blanket. While you dry off, grab an ice cream cone from Scoops and hang around downtown before the concert begins. Splash Park will close at 2 p.m. for soundcheck, so be sure to get here before then to soak in the sun!
THE SHINE DISTRICT
The Mavericks: En Español World Tour comes to Sugar Hill June 10th. Tickets available at TheBowlatSugarHill.com.
Night out with friends? Take advantage of the SHINE District. Purchase an alcoholic beverage from Cantina Loca, Central City Tavern, Indio Brewing, or the Sugar Hill Distillery and ask for a SHINE to-go cup to take your drink anywhere
CITY BUZZ
Sugar Hill celebrates the summer season with outdoor concerts, a splash park, and plenty of good food and drinks in the Shine Dristrict.
within the SHINE District. You’ll be able to enjoy your food and drinks on the Promenade and West Broad Street without having to worry about finishing your drinks before you get to The Bowl.
DATE NIGHT
Going on a date? Check out the latest exhibits at the Sugar Hill Art Gallery and History Museum. The exhibits at the History Museum include photographs, documents, and memorabilia that highlight the community’s churches, schools, gold mining and moonshining history. While the Art Gallery casts a spotlight on an eclectic mix of changeable featured works and travelling exhibitions from artists. Pack a picnic before you leave the house and spread your blanket out on the Plaza before stepping down into The Bowl for a night filled with The Mavericks’ rich musical paella.
GOLF
Want a day to yourself? Before heading to The Bowl in Downtown Sugar Hill, stop by the Sugar Hill Golf Club to play a round. Located on Suwanee Dam Road, the golf club is one of the most beautiful and artfully laid out courses in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains with a driving range and practice green.
Sugar Hill Golf Club
One visit to Sugar Hill and you’ll find a week’s worth of activities and exploration, so start planning your concert weekend now. They’ll be announcing a full concert series and event calendar soon. ■
For updates, subscribe to Sugar Hill’s monthly e-newsletter, the Sugar Hill Snapshot, or visit The Bowl at Sugar Hill’s website, TheBowlatSugarHill.com.
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ON THE SCENE
Care for Cops 5K Saturday, March 12th
DOWNTOWN SUGAR HILL
PHOTOS BY KARL LAMB
April SBA Meeting Wednesday, April 13th FRIENDSHIP PAINT & BODY
PHOTOS BY JULIE PERDUE
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The Celebration of Life of Adam Edge Thursday, March 31st STILLFIRE BREWING
PHOTOS BY PAUL BARA
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Beer Chaser 5K
Kiwanis Shamrock Run 5K
Saturday, March 5th SUWANEE GREENWAY
Saturday, March 19th
PHOTOS BY JAYA LORD / GARY DOWD
SUWANEE GREENWAY
PHOTOS BY KARL LAMB
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CITY BUZZ
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Suwanee Beer Fest Saturday, March 19th TOWN CENTER PARK
PHOTOS BY GARY DOWD
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CITY BUZZ
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calendar MAY & JUNE EVENTS
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May
1 30 7 thru
GEORGIA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL 2022 ____________ _______ Sat. & Sun., 10:30am-6pm ____________ _______
Fairburn ____________ _______
GREAT STRIDES ATLANTA 5K_______ ____________
DULUTH DERBY DAY ____________ _______ 2:30-7:30pm ____________ _______
Parsons Alley, Duluth ____________ _______ More information at DuluthGA.net.
9am ____________ _______
Town Center Park ____________ _______
Join the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as they raise funds to cure cystic fibrosis. More information at FightCF.cff.org.
More information at GARenFest.com.
7 6 MAX’S MOON_______ RUN ____________ 6:30pm ____________ _______
Town Center Park ____________ _______
More information at Maximus JantonFoundation.org.
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MAKE RARE VISIBLE IN HEALTHCARE CONCERT
____________ _______ 5-9pm ____________ _______
Town Center Park ____________ _______
Rare STRIDES launches its Make Rare Visible Challenge concert to honor children and adults with rare diseases. More information at RareStrides.com.
22 BRITISH CAR_______ SHOW ____________ 10am ____________ _______
Town Center Park ____________ _______ More information at Suwanee.com.
TACOS & TEQUILA 5K ______________ 11am ______________
Town Center Park ______________ More information at RunSignUp.com.
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SUWANEE ARTS FESTIVAL
________________________________________________ Sat.: 10am-5pm,_Sun.: noon-5pm _____________________ ___________________
Town Center Park ____________ _________________________ A two-day celebration of art with art vendors, food trucks, and kids’ area. More information at SuwaneeArtsCenter.org.
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GWINNETT COUNTY SCHOOLS LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
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RED, WHITE, BLUEGRASS AND BACH MEMORIAL WEEKEND CONCERT ____________ _______ 7pm ____________ _______
Town Center Park ____________ _______
A patriotic outdoor concert featuring a lil' bit o' bluegrass and a smidge of orchestral music as well! Bring your own chairs and blankets to this outdoor event; beverages, food, and dessert items will be available for purchase. More information at Suwanee.org.
30 MEMORIAL DAY
&
June
3
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
____________ _______ 5:30pm ____________ _______
Town Center Park ____________ _______
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MOVIES UNDER THE STARS _______ ____________ 7pm ____________ _______
Town Center Park ____________ _______ Movie titles will be announced on the City's social media outlets.
Trucks open at 5:30pm; Music begins at 7pm.
10 24 TEE UP TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GOLF TOURNAMENT ____________ _______ Registration: 9am / Shotgun Start: 10am ____________ _______
Bears Best ____________ _______ More info at PADV.org.
SUWANEE SUMMER PORCH JAM_______ ____________ 6pm ____________ _______
Old Town Suwanee ____________ _______
An old-fashioned summer block party featuring food, drinks, music and fun!.
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With multiple communities located throughout the city The Providence Group is Suwanee’s
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