September/October 2022

10 Business Spotlight: Sesmas Tree Service

Sesmas Tree Service is a local, familyrun tree removal business that helps homeowners and businesses get to the root of the problem.

14 Brand Aid: 2022 Marketing Quiz

Veugeler Design Group’s handy quiz helps businesses find out if it’s time to revisit their overall branding.

26 Party Hacks with Nat: The Great Fall Debate

Suwanee Magazine’s resident party girl offers recipes to appease both apple and pumpkin lovers.

28 Fall Fun Guide

The ultimate guide to local fall fun, including fall festivals, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, haunted houses, and more!

38 Hello, Stranger

Celebrate spooky season with a self-guided tour of 4 local filming locations for Netflix’s hit show “Stranger Things.”

60 Italian Ice, Ice Baby!

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice serves up a flavorful blend of Italian ice and gelati from its vibrant shop in Suwanee.

64 What’s Brewing

Sugar Hill Distillery, Apparition Brewing and Wunderbar Bierhaus bring a unique experience to Sugar Hill's Shine District. Plus, StillFire Brewing releases its fall event schedule.

PHOTO BY KARL

LAMB

The hills are alive with sunflowers!

Lawrenceville’s Prospect Farms’ sunflower fields, which make the perfect backdrop for fall photos, bloom in September and October. Read more on p. 18.

FALL-ELUJAH!

T FINALLY happened. As I stepped out the door this morning I had to pause to enjoy the slight chill in the air — a crisp 71 degrees. The first taste of fall. I stood there, rejoicing in it. After a brutally hot summer, it was just what I needed. I soaked it all in while visions of sweaters, pumpkin carving, and fun fall-time activities danced in my head. “We’ve almost made it,” I thought to myself. “Just hang on a little longer.”

I’ve noticed that as I’ve gotten older, the change in seasons hits differently. When I was younger, I would balk at the fall decorations lining the shelves in August, when it’s still very much summer. Now it’s a welcome prelude to the best time of the year (at least in my opinion). I even had to text my husband on a recent grocery trip: “The Halloween candy is out.” “Well go ahead and get some,” he responded. He gets it. The Halloween candy and fall-themed décor may be a little premature, but so what? Bring on fall — all of it!

Over the last few weeks we’ve been working hard to put together our fall issue. It’s been a joy to research all of the fun activities that are headed our way, such as Suwanee Fest , the annual event that officially puts a period at the end of summer in Suwanee. The beloved festival returns September 17-18 for its 38th year, and this year they’re pulling out all of the stops. In fact, it's sure to be out of this world. The spaced-themed two-day event will feature a parade, more than 200 vendors including artists, crafters, and food, as well as a Family Fun Zone with activities for the kiddos. Get all the information about the event in our Suwanee Fest Guide on p. 43.

Speaking of annual local events, Suwanee Wine Fest returns to Town Center Park on November 5. With more than 150 wines from around the world in tow, the festival embraces the fall aesthetic and really runs with it. We’re talking wide-brimmed hats, oversized sweaters, boots — and did we mention the wine?! This year, in addition to the wine samples, vendors, and live music, festival organizers have added grape stomping to the mix, so it’s sure to be a fun time. Turn to p. 70 to learn more about what’s in store for this year’s festival.

Our Fall Fun Guide , p. 28, is like an autumn scavenger hunt: pumpkin patches, haunted houses, corn mazes, carnivals, chili cook-offs, fall festivals, and more. We’ve highlighted all of the fun activities (family-friendly and adults-only) that you’ll want to add to your calendar. And while you’re at it, be sure to check out our Fall Bucket List on p. 16. It’s a great list to keep handy and check off as you complete each of the activities with your family. Roast marshmallows for s’mores? Check. Schedule a family photo shoot (like the adorable one on our cover)? Check. Host a tailgate? Double check. Maybe even scout out some of the local filming locations for Netflix’s smash hit “Stranger Things” ? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered on p. 38.

In each issue we make an effort to showcase some amazing local businesses, like Jeremiah’s Italian Ice , p. 60, where owner Vipul Patel has provided delicious Italian ice and gelati to help us cool off throughout the summer (and beyond!). Sugar Hill’s Apparition Brewing and Sugar Hill Distillery , p. 64, is part craft brewery, part distillery, and part Euro bistro that is bringing a unique experience to the Shine District. We also spoke to Noel Sesmas to learn more about his family-owned business, Sesmas Tree Service , p. 10, which has been trimming, pruning, and removing trees for local residential and commercial properties since 2005. While summer can be fun, I encourage you all to really relish in the fall season. Pick the biggest and best pumpkins. Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by your loved ones. And don’t forget to stand in the crisp fall air and savor that fall-time feeling.

ALICIA CARTER, MANAGING EDITOR Alicia@suwanee magazine.com

COVER: Willow and Lydia photographed at Prospect Farms by Karl Lamb on August 16th.

ANGELA VEUGELER

President / Editor-in-Chief angela@suwaneemagazine.com

RANDALL VEUGELER

Vice President and Publisher

ALICIA CARTER Editor

AMY KIMBALL-NIEPMANN

Creative Director RANDALL VEUGELER

Art Director LAURA HOLCOMBE

Writers JAYA LORD • NATALIE GARRETT JESSICA DACEY

Production APRIL MILLER

Web CLARKE GLIDEWELL • KYLE WILSON

Graphic NORTH BRENDAN DUFEK

Photographers LAMB • JULIE PERDUE MELISSA MANDERSON

JULIE PERDUE

Executive Sales and Business Development julie@suwaneemagazine.com

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

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

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

PUMPKIN TO TALK ABOUT

BEST FALL FLAVORS

WHAT MOST people call fall, I call Pumpkin Spice Season. From mid-August to the end of October, I try to fit as many pumpkin spice things as I can into my daily food regimen. Call me obsessed, but one thing is for sure — I never suffer from FOMO! My favorite pumpkin-spiced treats come from Sugar Hill's Rushing Trading Company. All of their pumpkin-spiced items are made with REAL pumpkin! Be sure to try their pumpkin pie French toast that comes loaded with sweet cream cheese, pumpkin pie filling, and is topped with caramel and walnuts. This dish pairs nicely with their Lumberjack Breakfast and, of course, a pumpkin spice latte! 5029 W. Broad St. N.E., Sugar Hill, 678-288-9808, RushingTradingCo.com

- Jaya Lord, Contributing Writer

Love You a Latte

BEST NEW COFFEE SHOP

Cips Coffee Roasters is a new neighborhood coffee roaster serving delicious coffee that’s roasted on site. We love stopping by to grab a strong iced coffee to help fuel a long writing day, as well as a bag of their dark roast beans to help kick-start busy mornings at home. In addition to all of the coffee drinks you know and love, Cips also serves up matcha lattes, chai lattes, hot chocolate, nitro cold brew, and a selection of specialty tea drinks, like the Moroccan Mint Green Tea or the London Fog, made with Earl Gray, steamed milk, and lavender or vanilla. 2780 West Village Drive, Suite B, Suwanee, CipsCoffeeRoasters.com

- Jaya Lord, Contributing Writer

Matcha Makers

THIS PAST JULY, Mochinut Donuts opened in Suwanee and has already garnered quite the following — including the Suwanee Magazine staff! It’s also no secret among my co-workers that I have a (not so) small obsession with matcha, so I was excited to try Mochinut’s matcha-flavored donut. Spoiler alert: It’s my new go-to! The adorable donut shop uses mochi flour to create sweet treats that are light and crispy and perfectly chewy. The popular franchise originated in Hawaii and has finally made its way to our neck of the woods, and we are forever grateful. 315 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite 106, Suwanee. For more info, visit their social media pages at @MochinutSuwanee.

- Alicia Carter, Managing Editor

BEST NEW DONUT

LEAF IT TO THE EXPERTS to the of the

By Jessica Dacey / Photos courtesy Sesmas Tree Service

EORGIA IS known for beautiful, towering oak trees. While stunning to look at and to admire, sometimes they can impose issues on your home or business. Sesmas Tree Service has been trimming, pruning, and removing trees for residential and commercial properties around the metro Atlanta area since 2005. Noel Sesmas, president and owner of Sesmas Tree Service, operates his business based on core principles and creating long-term customer relationships. When asked what sets Sesmas apart from other tree service companies, Noel emphasized their certifications and customer service. As a familyowned business, Sesmas exudes family values, including ethics, respect, fun, safety, training, quality,

and dependability. These values are the driving force behind Sesmas’ services and the promise that “The job is not done until you’re happy.”

Certified Local Arborist and Safety Professionals

 The health of your trees and shrubs is an essential part of keeping your yard looking its best, which is why it is important to turn to an ISA Certified Arborist, such as Noel at Sesmas. There is more to trees than their color-changing leaves and sprawling branches. So much so that there is an entire field dedicated to the study and research of their biology, identification, and care. Being a certified arborist is a key distinction between many of the tree service companies in the area. ISA Certified Arborists undergo training, testing, and additional experience in the field in order to achieve that level of certification.

ISA isn’t the only certification Noel has under his tool belt. As the owner of Sesmas Tree Service, he implements the company’s safety practices and procedures, which is why he became a Certified Safety Professional. In fact, Noel also hosts weekly safety meetings with his crew to ensure a high level of dedication to safety procedures.

"Safety starts with me," Noel says. "As the owner/president of the company, I have to lead by example, so safety is a big player in the operations of the company."

PHOTO BY KARL LAMB

Wearing Many (Hard) Hats

 Sesmas Tree Service truly is your one-stop shop for all things tree, shrub, and plant care. As a full-service tree care company that is arborist-certified, Sesmas is efficiently able to assess problems that you may not be aware of by performing in-depth risk assessments, soil conditions, root analysis, structural stability and more. Sesmas also provides tree planting and replacement, emergency tree services, trimming, removal, mulch supply, and stump grinding all while taking a holistic approach

by offering green waste disposal and recycling services. Sometimes the removal of a tree is absolutely necessary, whether it be a safety hazard, or due to storm activity, so why not turn the remains of your tree into mulch to “spruce” up your yard?

If you’re looking for a reliable and knowledgeable tree service company to do more than cut down and haul off your trees and that is also local and family-run, Sesmas Tree Service is here to help you meet your dream yard. With 35 well-trained employees and services ranging from emergency tree removals to purely aesthetic, such as planting a vibrant blossoming tree in your front yard, Sesmas has you covered. ■

Sesmas Tree Service is located at 1530 Purcell Road in Lawrenceville. For more information, call 678-896-8352 or visit SesmasTreeService.com.

Safety starts with me. As the owner/president of the company, I have to lead by example, so safety is a big player in the operations of the company.”

- NOEL SESMAS, PRESIDENT AND OWNER OF SESMAS TREE SERVICE

STRATEGIES

BY: and Cindi Porter, AILERON INVESTMENT ADVISORS

Q: HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO SPEND OR TO INVEST MY MONEY?

A proper balance is generally the best option. Consider this. Suppose you were 30 years old and wanted to buy a new car for $30,000. You could have a new or newer car for a period of time. It would depreciate and eventually wear out. If instead you had invested the $30,000 in the S&P 500 until you were 65 years old, much would be different.

The S&P 500 has averaged 10.72% for the past 35 years.1 Hypothetically, if you had only earned the average (many investments have done better, some have done worse) over those years, the $30,000 would now be worth $1,059,000.2 That is an expensive car. We all need to spend money on cars and other items. However, some people spend too much and invest too little. It takes discipline — and common sense.

The U.S. Federal Reserve notes that the wealthiest 10% of Americans hold 89% of all U.S. stocks.3 Investing is an option for everyone. So is running up credit cards for non-essential “I have to have it now” personal items which do not grow in value. Some people lean toward investing while others lean toward non-essential spending. Both are necessary — but the proper balance is key.

The Federal Reserve notes that 52% of Americans have credit card debt that is not paid off every month.4 The rate of interest on credit cards is usually more than the 10.72% of historical earnings on the S&P 500. Investors may earn returns and frivolous spenders will pay returns. Which is better for you?

A conversation with your trusted advisor may help you decide. ■

*1 https://www.macrotrends.net/2324/sp-500-historical-chart-data

*2

*3 89percent-of-all-us-stocks.html

*4

2022 MARKETING QUIZ:

Is it time for a brand refresh?

WHILE IT’S certainly an important piece of the puzzle, successful branding goes beyond simply creating an eye-catching logo for your business. These days, it’s crucial to not only capture the attention of potential customers with that memorable logo, but to also keep their attention by crafting a cohesive brand identity across your digital and traditional marketing efforts. This means that your brand is immediately recognizable no matter where a potential customer interacts with your business, whether digitally via your website and social media or through tangible marketing such as print advertising, flyers and brochures. So, has your brand identity stood the test of time or is it in desperate need of a refresh? Take our handy quiz to find out if it’s time to revisit your business’s overall branding.

BY ALICIA CARTER, CONTENT MARKETING MANAGER VEUGELER DESIGN GROUP

1. How old is your current logo?

a

Our current logo is less than 5 years old.

Our current logo is more than 5 years old.b

We do not have a professionally designed logo.c

2. Does your business have a social media presence?

Yes, and we run targeted ads promoting our services regularly. a

We’re on Facebook and post less than three times a month.b

Do networking functions count as social?c

3. Do you have a consistent brand identity across all platforms?

Very consistent: Our brand is cohesive no matter where it appears and follows very clear brand guidelines. a

Fairly consistent: For the most part, our branding is consistent across most platforms, but there is still room for improvement. b

We do not have clearly defined brand guidelines and there is no cohesion in our brand presence across multiple platforms. c

4. How well does your current branding represent your business?

a

Very well: Our design clearly reflects our services and communicates our message well.

b

Pretty well: Our design reflects most of what we do, but there is room for improvement.

Not well: Our design doesn’t convey what we do or who we are as an organization. c

5. Is your website easy to navigate and user friendly?

Yes: We have a responsive website where visitors can easily locate the information they’re looking for on either a desktop, tablet, or phone browser. a

b

Somewhat: Our website can be difficult to browse depending on what information is being sought and what device it’s being used on.

c

No: We find ourselves hesitant to direct potential customers to our website as it does not function well enough for today’s internetdriven market.

Results:

Mostly A’s:

If you answered mostly A’s, your branding is up to date. It communicates the message you want to tell and is modern, consistent and thoughtful. Even if your branding is fairly recent, you should still check in and evaluate your brand from time to time, but you likely won't need to make any significant changes for a few years.

Mostly B’s:

If you answered mostly B’s, your branding is probably adequate ... for now. To better know if it's time to refresh your branding, you should evaluate your current branding efforts more carefully. A brand audit may be a good next step to see where there is room for improvement. It also might be a good idea to consult a professional marketing team to learn more about how a brand refresh could help and whether it is a practical option for your business.

Mostly C’s:

If you answered mostly C's, it has likely been many years since you last took a close look at your brand identity. It could be outdated, incomplete, inconsistent, or even unrepresentative of your current business. A refresh is long overdue and should be made a top priority to ensure your brand remains relevant and captivates your audience.

Out with the old, in with the new

Don’t be intimidated by a brand refresh. Reach out to VDG today to explore how we can update your identity without compromising the integrity of your brand.

⊲ If you have questions about creating a cohesive brand identity for your business, or if you’re interested in learning how a digital marketing firm can provide additional assistance, call 678-482-2270 today. 678-482-2270 / info@vdgatl.com

By Alicia Carter

Indulge in some outdoor fall-time fun by hiking to a waterfall like Amicalola Falls, pictured here.

Schedule a family photo shoot

Fall is the perfect time to schedule a family photo shoot. The air is crisp and the colors are rich, making for the perfect backdrop to those beloved memories captured on film — or memory card. We love Prospect Farms in Lawrenceville, a 21-acre family owned and operated farm that is home to a beautiful sunflower field that blooms in September and October, making for a truly picturesque background. They have a plethora of other backdrop options, including an apple truck, pumpkin truck, spooky Halloween piano, tailgate photo sessions, fall-themed VW bus, and a new pumpkin wall. While you’re there, stop by the pumpkin patch or snap a photo with the Scottish Highland cows. Contact them via facebook to schedule a photo session appointment. 1839 Prospect Road, Lawrenceville, Facebook.com/theprospectfarms

Go apple picking

Gather the kids for a fun trip to the farm to pick apples together! They will come in handy for all the delicious treats sure to fill your table this fall, including apple pie, apple cider, apple turnovers, apple strudels and good old-fashioned baked apples — see a theme here? Visit nearby Jaemor Farms where u-pick apple orchards are open on select days (5340 Cornelia Hwy., Alto) or make the trek to Ellijay to visit Hillcrest Orchards, where the u-pick season begins September 3 (9696 Highway 52 East, Ellijay).

Watch a movie at a drive-in theater

Fall is the perfect time to cuddle up and watch a movie — perhaps a scary movie to really get into the spirit of the season! So why not take it up a notch and head out to a drive-in movie theater for an old-school movie experience? Atlanta’s Starlight Drive-In, located at 2000 Moreland Ave. S.E., is open seven days a week and tickets are only $10 for adults and $1 for kids ages 5-9. There’s also the Swan Drive-In in Blue Ridge, located at 651 Summit St.

Rich fall colors like red, orange, and yellow make the perfect backdrop for family photos.

make s’mores

Put on your favorite wornin sweatshirt, charge up the bluetooth speaker, and make family memories around the fire pit in the backyard as you gather the trifecta of fall flavors: marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. The littles will love toasting the marshmallows over the fire, but we can all agree that eating the gooey sandwiches is the best part.

Roast pumpkin seeds

Whether you choose to go the old-school route with a set of plastic carving tools and a traceable design or pull out all the stops and decorate your gourd with paints, glitter and other supplies, nothing beats gathering together as a family to carve pumpkins during the Halloween season. But don’t waste those seeds! After you finish carving, rinse the pumpkin seeds and then roast them in the oven for a tasty fall treat.

Take a fall foliage drive through North Georgia

Hop in the car and make your way north to take in the visual splendor of the North Georgia Mountains during the fall season, when the leaves change into deep shades of red, orange and golden yellows. As you take in the fall beauty, be sure to stop to snap photos and maybe even plan a pit stop at a country store along the way. Prime spots for foliage rides include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Vogel State Park, and Tallulah Gorge State Park, among others.

Hike to a waterfall

Located just north of Dawsonville, Amicalola Falls State Park is a fun day trip for the family, especially in the fall, when the surrounding trees turn to the brilliant shades of the season. Spend your morning hiking the trails before you make your way to the stunning Amicalola Falls, Georgia’s tallest waterfall that spills 720 feet down a towering, mossy bluff. Make a day of it by visiting the nearby Burt’s Pumpkin Farm afterward.

Visit a farmer’ s market

Beginning October 8, head over to Suwanee Town Center for the Winter Farmers Market and load up on seasonal produce and other goodies from local farmers. The market takes place from 9-11 a.m. on select Saturdays, and is a fun morning for the family as you go from stall to stall picking out all the ingredients for the perfect family dinner. For a complete market schedule, visit Suwanee.com.

Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville is Georgia’s largest waterfall and a great day hike for the family.

Go on a train ride

Step back in time with the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway as you and your family enjoy a railway excursion along the Toccoa River from Blue Ridge to McCaysville. During your layover in the mountain town of McCaysville, treat yourself to lunch and then take a walk across the "Blue Line" on the street, which is the line that separates Georgia and Tennessee. You can actually stand in two states at once if you have one foot on the Georgia side and the other on the Tennessee side. (The kids will love it.) The train ride is four hours in total: a two-hour, 26-mile round trip, with a two-hour layover to explore. BRScenic.com

Host a tailgate

Okay, okay… we’ve talked about fall leaves and pumpkins and spooky season, but you didn’t think we’d forget about football season, did you? Nothing screams fall time in America quite like football, so get in the spirit by inviting family and friends over for one of our most time-honored traditions: a tailgate party! Fill up the cooler with your favorite drinks, light up the grill, and dust off the cornhole boards as you cheer on your favorite team surrounded by your favorite people.

All aboard! The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is a wonderful way to see the North Georgia fall leaves at their best.

Photo by Lifestyle Photography

Photo by

NATALIE GARRETT Contributing Writer

PARTY HACKS with Nat

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

THE GREAT FALL DEBATE:

Apple Pie Punch

I love this drink recipe because, (1) it offers a refreshing version of apple pie filling (yum!), (2) it can be easily adapted for both an alcoholic and non-alcoholic batch, and (3) it’s completely hassle-free, especially when planning for a crowd! Plus, it includes diced apples - so it’s basically healthy, right? I recommend serving them up in mason jars and garnishing with an apple slice on the rim of the glass for an extra touch of all the festive fall feels! Your guests, grown ones or little ones, won’t be disappointed.

Ingredients

4 cups apple cider

1 cup pear or mango nectar

3 cups ginger ale

1 apple, diced (I’m partial to honeycrisp!)

DIRECTIONS: Mix together the apple cider, pear or mango nectar, and ginger ale in a punch bowl or pitcher. Toss in the diced apples and enjoy! It’s as simple as that. To turn this into an adult beverage, replace the ginger ale with 1 bottle of extra dry champagne.

umpkin spice latte or hot apple cider? Apple picking or pumpkin carving? Pumpkin pie or apple pie? Last fall, my husband and I took a day trip to Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge (which I highly recommend, BTW!). We explored the gorgeous grounds, sampled delicious wines from their tasting room patio, and uncontrollably filled up a buggy’s worth of apple-themed goodies from their general store and bakery. I posted a few photos on Instagram with the bold caption: “Apple over pumpkin as the superior fall flavor.” As comments began rolling in and conversation buzzing, it was in that moment that I discovered there truly is a divide between apple lovers and pumpkin aficionados. As you can probably assume by now, I don’t find myself falling far from the apple tree… but, I won’t let that sway today’s topic as I share a few ideas for the season that are sure to appease both sides of the debate.

*Pro-Tip: If you’re preparing these bars for a gathering, offer them without any toppings (iced only) and let guests choose their own.

Pumpkin Bars

These pumpkin bars are slightly dense compared to your standard cake, making them ideal for cutting into bar-size treats. Plus, the more concentrated consistency helps to pack in the flavors that highlight the taste and elevate the aroma of pumpkin. Smother with a smooth, cream cheese icing and adorn with your choice of topping(s) for the ultimate pumpkin delight!

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. ground ginger

⅛ tsp. ground cloves

Wet Ingredients

15 oz. can 100% pure pumpkin

2 eggs

½ cup vegetable oil 1 tsp. vanilla

Cream Cheese Icing

1 cup powdered sugar

4 oz. cream cheese

3 tbsp. butter 1 tsp. vanilla

Optional Toppings miniature chocolate chips crushed pecans crumbled graham crackers cinnamon

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients. Using a stand or hand mixer on medium speed, combine all wet ingredients until light and fluffy. Reducing the mixer to low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until thoroughly combined. Transfer pumpkin batter to a 9”x13” baking dish generously sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare icing by softening the cream cheese and butter in microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir to combine. Add powdered sugar and stir until smooth. Lastly, add vanilla and stir once more. Allow the cake to cool completely. Pour icing over the top and cover with your favorite topping(s).

Adapted from the original recipe found on FrugalMomEh.com

So, whether you find yourself to be a pumpkin-holic or a member of AA (Apples Anonymous), we want to know which side you’re on! Make sure to tag us on Facebook or Instagram — @SuwaneeMagazine — as you partake in any pumpkin or apple decadents this season. Happy fall, y’all! Natalie

BY ALICIA CARTER

We survived the hottest Georgia summer in recent memory and now it’s time to celebrate the beginning of the best part of the year! Gather your sweaters, boots, hats, and pumpkin spice lattes because the fall season is right around the corner — and it can’t come soon enough! To celebrate, we’ve pulled together a list of local fall fun, including pumpkin patches, festivals, corn mazes, haunted houses, and more that are sure to have you reveling in not only the dip in temperatures, but also the kickoff to the highly anticipated fall festival season. Hooray!

C or n Maz es

BUFORD CORN MAZE

The Buford Corn Maze provides a labyrinth of fun for families looking to ring in the season with good oldfashioned fall-time festivities. The 5-acre maze has been named one of the best corn mazes in the country by Country Living magazine for three years in a row and boasts hayrides, a pumpkin patch, haunted forest, pony rides, concessions, and an animal viewing area! Mark your calendar for Labor Day weekend, when the husk-filled maze opens for the 2022 season. Sept. 3-Nov. 13, hours vary depending on day, 4470 Bennett Road, Buford, bufordcornmaze.com

JAEMOR’S HARVEST CELEBRATION

Starting mid-September through the first weekend in November, Jaemor offers a fall farm experience that includes hayrides, farm slides, a petting zoo, a pumpkin train, apple cannons and concessions — as well as a mini-maze for those who want a quicker visit. It’s a fall-time extravaganza, all centered around Jaemor’s annual corn maze. Sept. 10-Nov. 6, hours vary by month, 5340 Cornelia Hwy. (Highway 365), Alto, 770-869-3999, jaemorfarms.com

UNCLE SHUCKS

Located in Dawsonville, Uncle Shucks is best known for its elaborate 15-acre

corn maze. Spend the day exploring the farm grounds and then enjoy fun activities like pumpkin picking, a jumping pad, tire mountain, kids maze, wagon ride and more. For the more adventurous, be sure to check out The Dark Rows, Uncle Shucks’ new and improved haunted nighttime adventure through the corn patch that’s illuminated only by the glow of the moon. Sept. 10-Nov. 13, hours vary by month, 125 Bannister Road, Dawsonville, uncleshucks.com

BURT’S FARM

The North Georgia mountains provide a picturesque backdrop for Burt’s Farm, a family-run farm that dates back to the 1800s. In 1972, the Burt family started growing pumpkins, which they sold from a stand in their own front yard for 20 years before expanding in 1991 into the beloved destination it’s known as today. Although pumpkins (which range from tiny 1-pounders to massive gourds weighing in at more than 150 pounds!) are the star of the show, Burt’s also provides hayrides for the kiddos and stocks an on-site country store with fresh-baked goodies and everything you need to decorate your home for the fall season.

The patch opens for the fall season in September. Visit their website for more details. 5 Burt’s Pumpkin Farm Road, Dawsonville, shopburtsfarm.com

WARBINGTON FARMS

P ump k i n P atc h e s

RANDY’S PUMPKIN PATCH

Located in Lawrenceville, Randy’s Pumpkin Patch is a local favorite with tons of pumpkins along with fun activities for the kiddos, including a petting zoo, bounce houses, a train ride and more! Come back for the winter holidays when the area transforms into a Christmas tree farm. September-October. 1460 Lawrenceville Hwy., Lawrenceville, randyspumpkin patch.com

Warbington Farms is a thirdgeneration family farm that has opened its doors to the community. Visit the farm to explore the corn maze during the day or, for the more adventurous, challenge yourself to conquer the maze at night! Once you find your way out, visit Warbington’s pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin or spend time at the Fun Park featuring a “hey” ride, petting zoo, giant inflatables, and more!

The 2022 season kicks off in September. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 5555 Crow Road, Cumming, warbingtonfarms.com

Oh my gourd! North Georgia’s pumpkin patches are home to more than just pumpkins. Make a day of it with hayrides, corn mazes and more family fun.

Suwanee Chili Cook-Off & Music Festival

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 NOON-5 P.M.

➽ Suwanee welcomes its first annual Suwanee Chili Cook Off & Music Festival. This event is a fundraiser for Project Green, a local children's nonprofit that helps sponsor children to summer camps, school excursions, and other educational programs. The Suwanee Chili Cook-Off & Music Festival is a fun, family-friendly community festival featuring a chili cook-off with one overall prize winner, a runner-up and people's choice award for chili. The cook-off is an official ICS certified cook-off, which means the top winner will receive a certified cook-off certificate from ICS, plus qualification and paid entry into the World Open Chili Challenge (amateur division) at the WCCC. In addition, the festival will host local and regional vendors, artists, a Family Fun Zone with activities for children of all ages, food trucks, and live music from local Atlanta area bands. The Suwanee Chili Cook-Off & Music Festival is free to attend and enjoy for all. Chili tasting armbands will be available for sale for $10 per person the day of the event. To become a sponsor or vendor email kim@aliveexpo.com or call 770-806-7492. To participate as a chili cook (amateurs to professional welcome) contact info@chilimusicfestival.com. The vendor lineup and a schedule of performers will be available online at ChiliMusicFestival.com.

C arni v al s

CUMMING COUNTY FAIR AND FESTIVAL

The Cumming County Fair and Festival is always at the top of many locals’ lists for fall-time fun and features daily attractions, concerts, carnival rides, and lots of fun carnival food. Check the website for a complete list of events, free admission days, and discount nights. Oct. 6-16, hours vary, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming, cummingfair.squarespace.com

GWINNETT COUNTY FAIR

The Gwinnett County Fair is packed with fun events, including pageants for all ages, concerts, and of course, awesome carnival rides and food. The fair opens its gates to the public Sept. 15-25. Hours vary for the exhibit Hall and carnival. 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, gwinnettcountyfair.com

GEORGIA STATE FAIR

Located at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the Georgia State Fair is worth the drive and features carnival rides, awesome foods, pony rides, a petting zoo, magic show and more! The State Fair is fun for the whole family! Sept. 30-Oct. 9, hours vary, 1500 Tara Place, Hampton, georgiastatefair.org

F amil Y F u n

DULUTH HOWL ON THE GREEN

This event is meant for the whole family — even your dogs! — and will be filled with lots of entertainment, food, and sweet treats! As it gets dark, watch for fire dancers, mystical creatures, and aerialists who hang from the Festival Center Stage while dancing characters light up the night! Oct. 29, 5-9 p.m., duluthga.net/community/howl_on_ the_green.ph

YELLOW DAISY FESTIVAL

Stone Mountain’s Yellow Daisy Festival features more than 300 artists and crafters along with fabulous festival food and artist demonstrations. Visit the all-new Yellow Daisy Vintage Village, located at the lower meadow of the Yellow Daisy Festival, featuring curated antiques, collectibles, home goods, and decor. Sept. 8-11, 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, stonemountainpark.com

LAWRENCEVILLE’S BOO FEST

Calling all ghouls and goblins! The City of Lawrenceville will host an evening of thrills and adventure at

FEATURED FAMILY EVENT:

Yellow Daisy Festival

STONE MOUNTAIN PARK PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

Stone Mountain’s Pumpkin Festival is a family-favorite event that features some of your favorite classic storybook characters! After the sun goes down, enjoy the new nighttime parade and plenty of other new not-so-spooky glowing experiences. There’s even a pie eating contest. Select dates from Sept. 17-Oct. 30, 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain, stonemountainpark.com

SUGAR RUSH ARTS FESTIVAL

The eighth annual Sugar Rush Arts Festival returns to downtown Sugar Hill on October 15 and 16, and features visual and performing arts, food, music, history, and family fun. David Nail performs a free, general admission concert at The Bowl on Saturday at 3 p.m. The two-day event will be fun for the whole family! Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m. For more information visit cityofsugarhill. com/sugar-rush-arts-festival. Read more about the Sugar Rush Arts Festival on p. 90.

SUWANEE FEST

This annual two-day celebration of community returns to Town Center Park September 17-18 for an event that is truly out of this world! Nearly 200 vendors and exhibitors, numerous entertainment acts, and an amazing parade are just some of the highlights of this beloved fall tradition. Bring the kiddos — they will love it! Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday Noon -5 p.m., Town Center Park, suwaneefest.com. Read more about Suwanee Fest on p. 43!

A d ult F u n

OKTOBERFEST IN HELEN

Helen’s 51st annual Oktoberfest brings people together from all over the country and is listed as one of the top Oktoberfest events in the country because of its authentic atmosphere. This festival is all about German traditions with Germanstyle bands from around the country along with authentic food, drinks and dancing, and is fun for the whole family. This Oktoberfest is the longest running in the United States and festivities will run ThursdaySunday throughout September and daily from Sept. 29 to Oct. 30, hours and prices vary each day. helenchamber.com/ oktoberfest.html

Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival

A u n (cont.)

NETHERWORLD

Consistently voted one of the top haunts in the nation, NETHERWORLD is an annual Halloween rite of passage for those brave enough to enter. The haunt recently announced its new themes for 2022: The Undying Horror and Parasitic. In the Undying Horror, an ancient monstrosity that has been

concealed in the chaos of a deadly storm launches massive tentacles to the surface corrupting everything they touch! A worn group of survivors fight their way past the legions of Wraiths and Netherspawn to defeat this nightmarish creature. In Parasitic, a bizarre parasitic plant-based lifeform infects people with mind-controlling spores and unleashes an army of carnivorous plant and fungusbased creatures. Don’t let it get you next! Sept. 23-24 and 30, Oct. 1-31, Nov. 4-6 and 11-12. SundayThursday, 7:30-10:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m.-midnight. 2076 West Park Place Blvd., Stone Mountain, fearworld.com

Since 1997, NETHERWORLD Haunted House has been a local favorite for Halloween fun — and frights!

PHOTO COURTESY NETHERWORLD HAUNTED HOUSE

SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 31

FRI. & SAT.: 6:30 P.M.-11 P.M.

Duluth Fall Festival

SEPTEMBER 24-25

➽ The Georgia Renaissance Festival’s outdoor haunt experience returns this September and October. The two-part event incorporates a carnival-style midway with games, food, beverages and music in an area called The Courtyard, along with a ticketed walkthrough outdoor haunt called 'The Village', sure to give you a good scare! Sept. 30Oct. 31, Fridays and Saturdays, 6:30-11 p.m., 6905 Virlyn B. Smith Road, 13storieshauntedhouse.com/village FAMILY EVENT:

SAT.: 9 A.M.-7 P.M. / SUN.: 8 A.M.-5 P.M.

➽ Voted Best of Gwinnett and Reader’s Choice many times and Best Large Festival in the Southeast, the Duluth Fall Festival is the largest festival in the Southeast with no paid staff and more than 400 volunteers. The festivities kick off on Saturday, September 24, in downtown Duluth with a huge parade at 10 a.m., followed by more than 300 booths of arts and crafts, food, and sponsors. Sunday begins with a Peachtree Road Race-qualifying race at 8 a.m., followed by Worship on the Green by Duluth First United Methodist Church. There will also be entertainment, booth shopping and food. Pro tip: Plan to ride one of the 12 FREE large shuttle buses schools so you won’t have to worry about parking. For information visit DuluthFallFestival.org.

FEATURED EVENT:

Spooky Spirits 5K OCTOBER 15 11 A.M.

➽ The second annual Spooky Spirits 5K returns to Suwanee’s Town Center Park on Saturday, October 15. Presented by the team behind the award-winning Suwanee Wine Fest, this Halloween-themed race offers a cocktails and costumes twist on the traditional 5K and is sure to get you in the spirit of the season — literally. This timed, Peachtree Road Race-qualifying event is fit for anyone, whether you are a competitive runner trying to beat your personal record, or you’re simply looking to sip and stroll with your closest cocktail-loving friends. Just choose the ticket that channels your Halloween spirit — either nonstop or with "spirit" stops — and we’ll all cheers together at the finish line! Every runner will also get to take home an official Spooky Spirits 5K long-sleeve T-shirt, medal, and souvenir glass to brag about your well-deserved accomplishment. It’s going to be a frightening good time! October 15, 11 a.m. Town Center Park, spookyspirits5K.com

FEATURED FAMILY EVENT:

Suwanee Taste of BBQ& Music Festival

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

10 A.M.-6 P.M.

➽ The Suwanee Taste of BBQ & Music Festival returns to Town Center Park for its fifth year on Saturday, October 8. The festival is a community event featuring local vendors, an artist market, live music from local, regional, and international up-and-coming artists, a Kids (and Family) Fun Zone with activities for children of all ages, and of course, the Taste of BBQ! In the Taste of BBQ area, attendees will be able to taste some delicious barbecue from festival vendors as well as purchase full plates. Taste tickets are $1 each and will be sold by Project Green to raise money for the Kids Summer Camp program. The Suwanee Taste of BBQ & Music Festival is free to attend and is a fundraiser for Project Green, with BBQ samples ranging from 1 to 4 tickets each. For more information or to become a sponsor or vendor, email kim@aliveexpo.com or call 770-806-7492. The vendor lineup and a schedule of performers can be found online at AliveExpo.com/Festival.

OktoberFest at StillFire Brewing

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 NOON - 12 A.M. / SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 12:30 P.M.- 8 P.M.

➽ Dust off your lederhosen and get to StillFire for their 3rd annual twoday OktoberFest celebration! Enjoy traditional German food and five authentic German beers made just for the occasion including a Marzen, a Doppelbock, a German Chocolate cake beer and more. Enjoy live German Polka music from Class Act Band from 4-7 p.m. each day under a giant OktoberFest tent. DJ Mad Hatter spins Saturday night from 8-11 p.m. There will be a costume contest each day with the best dressed winning great prizes, plus German beer drinking games! German beer steins will also be available for purchase. Get there early - $10 cover starts at 3 p.m. each day. Oct. 1 & 2. 343 Buford Hwy., Suwanee, stillfirebrewing.com

HELLO, STRANGER

Celebrate spooky season with a self-guided tour of 4 of the local filming locations for Netflix’s hit show “Stranger Things.”

BY ALICIA CARTER / PHOTOS BY ALICIA CARTER, STAN PERRINE AND ATLANTA DTOURS

ver the last decade, Georgia has grown into one of the country’s top movie-making capitals. A number of productions have filmed here in Georgia, including the TV shows “Ozark,” “The Walking Dead,” and “Vampire Diaries,”

along with movies like The Hunger Games, Captain America: Civil War, and I, Tonya, among many others. While filming locations have been scouted all across the state, it’s not uncommon to drive through Gwinnett County and see those coded yellow signs marking filming locations, or to find yourself taking a detour to work because a downtown area has been blocked off for filming.

Perhaps the most popular recent franchise filmed in

Georgia has to be the Netflix smash hit “Stranger Things.” Many of the key filming locations actually took place in Gwinnett County and nearby cities, including Starcourt Mall, aka Gwinnett Place Mall, the main setting where most of the action took place in Season 3, as well as Stone Mountain Cemetery, the location of the heart-wrenching scene in which Max reads a touching letter at her brother’s gravesite in Season 4.

In celebration of the impending spooky season, we’ve highlighted four local “Stranger Things” filming locations that you can visit. So hop on your bike, grab a few Eggo waffles, and get ready to relive your favorite ‘80s nostalgia mixed with supernatural fun — just be sure you don’t get stuck in the Upside Down.

Located just south Patrick Henry High School in Stockbridge was transformed the main characters attend school. It’s you can visit and take —

BRIARCLIFF

Hawkins National Laboratory is where a secretive government agency studied and performed experiments on telekinetic children, including "Stranger Things" protagonist Eleven. Emory University's Briarcliff Campus, a drab, brutalist building located in Atlanta, depicted the exterior of the lab, and was a fitting setting for all of the suspicious activity that went on within its walls. In fact, the actual building has an unusual history of its own. Once the mansion estate of Asa Griggs "Buddie" Candler Jr., the son of CocaCola's cofounder, it also served as the Georgia Mental Health Institute from 1965 to 1997, where actual psychiatric research projects took place. Strange, indeed.

Duluth’s Gwinnett Place Mall was one of the key filming locations for Season 3. Prior to filming, part of the building was remodeled to resemble a stereotypical ’80s mall, but hometowners are sure to recognize the familiar structure even with the facelift (especially those of us who were able to enjoy the mall in its prime). Starcourt Mall housed Scoops Ahoy, where series favorites Steve and Robin served up scoops of ice cream while building one of the most unsuspected friendships on the show. Without giving too much away, the group of friends discover the mall is actually a secret Russian base and at the end of the season houses an epic battle between Eleven and the bad guy. The mall may be closed to visitors, but you can still stop by for photos of some of the exterior filming locations. But you better hurry, Gwinnett County recently acquired the mall and the 93 acres it sits on and plans to convert it into a mixed-use space with retail, housing, and offices.

Would you rather opt for a professional tour of local “Stranger Things” filming locations? Check out Atlanta DTours’ “The Upside Down” Tour, where you’ll visit landmarks like the homes of the Wheelers, Sinclairs and Hendersons, Hawkins Public Pool, Hawkins Middle and High School, as well as Screen Gems, the studio where the show was filmed. Book your tour at DTour.me/tours-atl.

Season 2 opens with Mike, Lucas, Will and Dustin meeting at Palace Arcade, a neon-filled hangout that will feel familiar to those of us who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s. In reality, the arcade is a former laundromat located in Douglasville, Georgia, that now sits deserted, save for “Stranger Things" fans who swing by for an Instagram-worthy snapshot in front of the bright purple and orange building. Too bad we can’t stop by to try to beat MADMAX’s notorious Dragon’s Lair high score. #GameOver.

Simple Tips to De-Stress

THE FALL season can be a busy time of the year with kids settling into school, attending events, and cheering on our favorite sports teams. Our schedules and to-do lists can quickly become overwhelming and stressful. We all talk about being stressed from time to time, but what really is stress? One of the most commonly held descriptions of stress is when our demands exceed our personal and social resources such as our time, energy, or money. In other words, let’s say you have an important deadline at work and you lack time to complete the project; you may feel stress because the demand of the project requires more time than you have available. Most people will experience this type of stress at some point in life and want ways to help de-stress.

Here are three simple tips to help reduce stress:

Understand your stress

⊲ When do you usually feel stressed? Some common stressors are long to-do lists, life transitions, being overscheduled, conflict, financial problems, parenting, traffic, work, and school. When we experience stress our body often responds with the fight or flight response to help us get through the situation. However, being in a frequent state of stress can wear out our body and mind. The more we know about what is stressful for us the better plan we can put into place to help reduce the stress we are experiencing. For example, if you know you often feel stressed when you arrive home after work it is probably not the best time to have an in-depth conversation with friends or try to help your kids with homework. Instead, plan a short break for yourself

when you get home or while you are driving to reduce stress.

Identify what you control

⊲ Some stressors are within our control and some are outside of our control. For example, how many activities we plan for the week is within our control while a rainy day or a sick kid is outside of our control. If we are feeling stressed by something within our control we can make changes to our situation to help reduce stress. These changes could be deciding to reduce our workload or scheduling more free time on the weekends. Sometimes even small changes can make a big difference in how stressed we feel day to day.

Find coping strategies

⊲ Some stressors cannot be changed such as the amount of homework due, medical bills, or slow traffic; but we can still reduce stress by finding coping strategies. Coping strategies

are simply activities or things we can do to help reduce stress such as planning ahead, going outside, setting a boundary with someone, being creative, going for a walk, finding a new perspective, and many more.

For more ideas for coping strategies for all ages visit ThriveForwardTherapy.com/selfcare.

JENNIFER WILMOTH, LMFT

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

Learn more at ThriveForwardTherapy.com.

Jennifer Wilmoth, LMFT, Thrive Forward Therapy

WHERE YOU TAKE THEM MATTERS

Whether your child is learning to walk or learning to drive, their g rowi ng body needs ci al ca re. C hild ren ’s has u np arall ele d expertise because we only treat kids and teens From the simple to the complex, injuries illnesses that a ect kids and teens should be treated by a pediatric specialist, not an adult provider No matter their age, take your child to the specialists at Children’s.

It’s a community celebration of cosmic proportions! Join us in Town Center Park September 17 and 18 for the 38th annual Suwanee Fest – an entire weekend of shopping, arts, entertainment, food, and more!

The festival kicks off with an out-of-this-world parade featuring bands, floats, performers, police cars, and more. Prizes are awarded to floats and participants in a variety of categories.

The parade ends in Town Center Park where nearly 200 vendors and exhibitors offer a variety of hand-crafted items and delicious delights. Festival exhibitors include artists, craftspeople, and yummy food vendors.

Festivalgoers will also enjoy hours of performing talent throughout the weekend! Dance groups, acrobats, solo artists, bands, and other groups with diverse backgrounds will be featured on the Town Center Stage and throughout the park.

Many free activities for children are offered in the Family Fun Zone, a.k.a. Mission Control. Young visitors can complete the astronaut training course, knock down aliens, and catch falling stars, among other galactic feats. Rides and inflatables are also available throughout the park.

AKA Tree

678-482-4400 www.alignlife.com/sugarhill 5422 Hwy 20 Sugar Hill, GA 30518

A Liberty Mutual Company

Offices in Suwanee and Alpharetta. To find a local agent, please visit: comparioninsurance.com 404-713-4305 www.akatreeservice.com 4104 W White Road Oakwood, GA 30566

Railhookz

G 19

Rugged Axe Throwing Co. B 49

Sandy Candy G 33

Simple and Pure Natural Products R 07

Slothulu Studios Y 11

Southern Addiction Decor P 12, P 13

Southern Essentials B 06

Stones To Wear B 05

Stuck with You G 01

SunHeist Eyewear R 32

Swinehearts Chattahoochee Gold Sauce Y 30

TagUrIt Creations G 02

That Soap Place R 20

The Blue Ridge Nursery R 13

The Bruce’s Eye View G 09, G 10

The Imperfect Quilter B 25

The Purple Daisy R 24

The Quesnell Group, LLC B 21, B 22

The Retro Flamingo.............................................. Y 12, Y 13

The SandArt Cart G 20

Tina’s Tie Dye B 30

Topped, Wrapped, Covered, and Tossed, LLC G 07

Treebok Pets Y 17

Turtle Cove Studios R 29

Tutu Cutesy Boutique R 41

Tyson’s Craft Spot P 20

Unique Boutique G 24

Unique Magnetic Jewelry G 03, G 04

Vintage Praise Designs R 28

Volcanica Coffee R 21, R 22

W.A. Hill Designs Y 26

Wood Craft Toys G 14, G 15

Woodie’s G 16

Yellow Rock Farm R 39 Yuki Takahashi G 06

FOOD VENDORS

Azucar Cuban Cuisine 8

Branch House Tavern 7

Cobachi C.R.E.A.M., LLC 16

Dad’s Seasonings G 42

Dippin Dots B, G

Flavor Rich Food Truck 12

Henry’s Concessions 1

Hobie Pop Kettle Corn 24

King of Pops, Suwanee C

Lemonade Mixology 25

Mangos 20

Heartbeet Juices 18

My’s Vietnamese Food Mobile 11

Operation Mini Donuts 6

Pico’s Hot Dogs 23

Rita’s Italian Ice & Custard 17, G 44

Southern Grace 5

Sweet Chimney Bakery....................................................... 19

Sweetacular Treats, LLC 21

The Mad Greek 4

Wilkes Concessions 9

Yaardie Eats 10

NONPROFITS

Geekspace Gwinnett Y 04

Big T’Do Winner, Girl Scouts Y 05

Global Thrombosis Forum G 39

Great Adventure Missions Y 18, Y 19

Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Y 22, Y 23

Gwinnett County Public Library Y 01 Gwinnett County Public Schools Y 03

Humane Society of the United States, GA Y 14

Ignite Robotics G 27

Imago Dei Church G 28 North Gwinnett Co-Op P 11

Pippi’s Place Pet Rescue Y 16

Second Chance Greyhounds R 18

Student Docs for Shocks G 26

Suwanee Arts Center R 16

Suwanee Creek Chapter DAR R 17

Suwanee First United Methodist Church B 40

The Gideons International Y 02

SPONSORS

THRIVE | Coworking

B 13, B 14

Suwanee Magazine B 11, B 12

Southeast Medical Group B 9, B 10 Kennon Heating & Air B 32, B 33

Quantum National Bank B 15, B 16

Road Atlanta B 44, B 45

True Source Family Chiropractic P 05, P 06

Northeast Georgia Health System R 37, R 38 Solis Reynolds Place P 03, P 04

5 AM Vinyl P 21, P 22

Free Chapel B 23, B 24

Purifi IV R 30, R 31

AKA Tree Serivce P 14

AlignLife of Sugar Hill R 26 Atlanta Extreme Volleyball Club Y 28 Atlanta Falcons P 16 Atlanta Gladiators B 07, B 08

Bath Planet & Guttergard South................................... Y 25

Capital Vacations G 22

Comparion Inurance Agency (Liberty Mutual) ........... G 43

Dippin Dots G

Friday Health Plans G 35

Hayloft Cottages B 43

Jacuzzi Bath Remodel of Atlanta G 21

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice R 34

Kelly Kim Team P 15

LeafFilter North, LLC B 18

Level Minds CBD G 12

Mistubishi Electric Trane HVAC G 11

Notre Dame Academy Y 29

Puppy Haven Johns Creek Pet Shade

Renasant Bank Y 27

Rugby ATL G 38

Smile Doctors DBA Serinity Orthodontics................... G 37

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company B 17

StillFire Brewing Man Cave

Walmart Health P 01 Wyndham Vacation Ownership 02

May the Shopping Be With You.

From crafts to fine art, wood and metalworking to gourmet food,

Suwanee Fest has SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

Explore over 200 artisans throughout Town Center Park.

African Lady Foods Booth #B 29

African Lady Foods creates authentic Liberian-inspired bread mixes, spicy hot pepper sauces, and seasonings from fresh, all-natural ingredients. Spice up your weeknight favorite with Spicy Hot & Smoked Herring Seasoning Salts, go for something exotic with Banana Rice Bread mix, or try their famous mouthwatering caramelized Shortbread Biscuit mix (perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!). Not sure how to use these fabulous products? Check out the recipes at AfricanLadyFoods.com.

Arnie’s Beer Cap Art Booth #R 35

Who knew a bunch of discarded beer caps and reclaimed wood could create such amazing art? Arnie’s Beer Cap Art began on a whim in 2016 and has since grown into a life of its own. Unbottling his own creativity, the artist strives to create new works while still keeping up with his classic designs, as well as completing custom pieces. Stop by Arnie’s booth at Suwanee Fest and say hi, maybe bring him a beer.

Blue Ridge Nursery Booth #R 13

Succulents, violets, and cacti, oh my! Blue Ridge Nursery is dedicated to the propagation and growth of an assortment of interesting and often rare or exotic plants. Flora is hand-potted with care and love to make certain plants live a healthy and fruitful life. Blue Ridge Nursery also offers handmade macrames, concrete pots, and wood crafts.

Hong Ware Booth #P 08

In 1999, Minna Hong sustained a spinal cord injury from a car accident that left her a widow and a wheelchair-bound single mother. Refusing to be slowed, she began working at Shepherd Center, where she was awarded Hospital Hero by the Georgia Healthcare Association for her work as a Peer Support Manager. Minna then retired to pursue her passions: disability advocacy and creating art. Her goal is to infuse the two in various mediums of artistic expressions. A self-described “serious curious dabbler,” Minna creates beautiful handmade pottery with a whimsical twist. Moosey Adventures

Do you ever find yourself tailgating, camping, on a boat, or some other activity where it was just easier to grab something boring in a can – when what you really wanted was a cocktail? Enter McKinnon’s Cocktails: all the necessary ingredients to make an infused craft cocktail in a Mason jar. Just add your favorite spirit to the dehydrated ingredients in the jar and chill in the fridge for three days. Each batch makes up to eight drinks to help you either be the most popular person at the tailgate/campsite/cove, or the funnest.

Have you ever had blue hoof moments in your life? Those times when you feel different from everyone else? Meet Marvelous Moosey: a moose with blue hooves. Other moose made fun of his hooves, but his friend, Winston the Owl, teaches Marvelous Moosey to be himself and proud of his uniqueness. You can meet a soft, plush Marvelous Moose – along with his creators, Dawn and Steve –at Suwanee Fest, where they will also be selling his children’s book and other marvelous accessories.

Railhookz Booth #G 19

Accessorize your deck sides! Railhookz is an innovative line of patented universal, adjustable clamps that will allow users to attach umbrellas, bird feeders, hanging baskets, etc. to wood, metal or solid plastic decks, balconies, docks – whatever outdoor living space you want to enhance! Each metal hook is cut, bent, and welded in-house. Come see Railhookz at Suwanee Fest for the best quality selection of clamp-on deck hangers and accessories.

Saturday, September 17

Stayin’ Alive Crew 10:40am

Entertaining and inspiring audiences all over Atlanta and the Southeast for the past four years, The Stayin’ Alive Crew dance team consists of dancers ages 50 and up. This non-profit group performs all styles of dance (but hip hop is their favorite!) and promises to bring a smile to your face as they demonstrate that age is just a number!

World Class Taekwondo 11:30am

The World Class Taekwondo Demonstration Team was founded in 2021 by three international competition champion grandmasters who teach traditional Taekwondo with the sole purpose of sharing the sport with as many people as possible and upholding its values.

Dominik Dandar

12:15pm

An active musician for over half his life, Dominik performs a variety of genres from classic rock to modern pop hits on both the guitar and piano. You might remember this Suwanee resident and his high-energy style from Summer Porch Jam in June!

Jason Stephens 1:00pm

Jason “Stat” Stephens is a multifaceted artist and an 11-time award nominee and a three-time award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and engineer. Known for his unique ear and sound, Jason has become one of the most sought out audio engineers in the indie market.

Dalby Biehl 2:15pm

Fifteen-year-old Dalby Biehl writes and performs her own music that is equally relatable to your youngest sibling and your favorite grandparent. Dalby’s goal is to connect to people through music whether “it’s standing up for social justice, connecting to someone in a dark place, or just giving someone a song to scream in the car.”

OUT WORLDOF THIS man

Distinct Grace 3:30pm Suwanee Fest favorite Distinct Grace delivers high-energy rock and roll shows with lots of crowd participation. The band has played their portfolio of cover songs and music from their four studio albums professionally across the Southeast for over ten years.

HEADLINER Remember When Rock Was Young

The Elton John Tribute starring Craig Meyer 5:30pm Craig Meyer has traversed all four corners of the entertainment industry, making strong impressions in theatre, film, television and music. With a striking resemblance and uncanny ability to sound like the rock and roll legend, Meyer was persuaded to expand his repertoire and began impersonating Sir Elton John. Today, he is considered to be the best Elton John tribute artist in the market. This spectacular musical journey celebrates the decades of chart-topping hits by the Rocket Man, including Benny and the Jets, Philadelphia Freedom, Crocodile Rock, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and Candle in the Wind. A celebration of the character, costumes, and charisma of the famed pianist and singer, Meyer’s fully produced show has captivated audiences throughout the world.

ENTERTAINMENT

Sunday, September 18

Future Failure

3:00pm

Moksha Dance 12:10pm

Moksha is an Indian fusion dance troupe that mixes a variety of styles into their performances, including Bollywood, folk, classical, and hip hop, as they aim to represent the various sub-cultures and regions of India.

Dance Arts Centre 1:00pm

Suwanee dance studio Dance Arts Centre is home to a prestigious competitive program with numerous national titles. Their competitive dancers train in various styles of dance, such as jazz, contemporary, lyrical, open, musical theatre, acrobatics, tap, and hip hop.

Atlanta Chinese Dance Company 2:00pm

At nearly 100 dancers strong, the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company educates and entertains audiences about Chinese dance, history, and culture. The dance company helped showcase Atlanta to the world when it performed in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.

The guys of Future Failure aren’t rock stars, but on any given Thursday, you can find them pretending to be. Born out of a desire for some post-pandemic fun, the guys got together and started banging out cover tunes that simply made them happy.

HEADLINER

Nicholas Williams 4:00pm

Nicholas Williams is a multi-instrumentalist and storyteller dedicated to “playing it forward” by preserving the songs and styles that have shaped our country: ragtime, Piedmont blues, traditional folk, old time, and early country. He has spent the last 15 years touring the US, the UK, Western Europe, and Australia, blending the roots music spectrum in his own style.

Suwanee Fest Parade STREET SUWANEE

Have an out-of-this-world idea for a parade entry? Get your group together, decorate a float/boat, dress up, and/or prepare a 60 second performance for your chance to win a prize. Cash prizes are available for best use of theme, most entertaining, best costumes, and other categories. Register at SuwaneeFest.com! STREET SUWANEE PARADE ROUTE

Blast off into Suwanee Fest weekend with the annual Suwanee Fest Parade! The parade rolls down Main Street on Saturday, September 17 at 9:00 am, traveling along Suwanee Dam to Buford Highway, passing in front of the judges’ station at Town Center Park.

Saturday, September 17 10am - 7pm Sunday, September 18 Noon - 5pm

We’re searching the universe for kiddos who want to explore the final frontier! Young Suwanee Fest visitors can complete the Astronaut Training Course at Mission Control, located on the west side of Town Center Avenue. Try a series of obstacles that will challenge you to boldly go where no kid has gone before:

• Moon walk

• Flying saucer toss

• Outer space obstacle course

• Alien blaster

Those who successfully complete the challenges will receive a certificate of completion, a prize, and might find themselves recruited for adventure light years away!

The Family Fun Zone area is dedicated to our younger Suwanee Fest visitors; all activities are complimentary. Galactic fun includes a photo booth, caricature artists, a balloon artist, roaming performers, giant sandbox, and a living statue!

Rides

Suwanee Fest also features a massive ride and games area, providing non-stop fun for kids of all ages (not to mention child-free shopping time for mom and dad!). Tickets are available for purchase at the festival for inflatables, small rides, and carnival-style games.

Saturday, September 17

Rides open at 10am and close at 7pm Ticket sales end at 6:30pm

Sunday, September 18

Rides open at noon and close at 5pm Ticket sales end at 4:30pm

Parking & Shuttles

Parking is unavailable at Town Center during Suwanee Fest, and traffic in the Town Center area can be congested throughout the festival weekend. Please plan on utilizing the free shuttles for a hassle-free Suwanee Fest parking experience. Off-site festival parking and complimentary shuttles are available at three convenient locations:

• Blue Star Lot

Shadowbrook Church 4187 Suwanee Dam Road

*This lot features wheelchair-accessible shuttles.

• Red Rocket Lot

Shawnee North Business Center 305 Shawnee North Drive at Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road

• Green Astronaut Lot

Southeastern Freight 3655 Windsor Park off of Buford Highway

The air conditioned shuttles will run from 8am-8pm on Saturday, and from 11:30am-7pm on Sunday. Please note that bus service will be very limited during the parade, from 8:45am-approximately 10:30am on Saturday. Dogs are welcome on the shuttles! Problem

Find ING YOUR TRIBE AND THRIVING THRIVE | COWORKING IS COMING TO SUWANEE,

OFFERING A BETTER WAY TO WORK — AND GIVE BACK

It all came down to a gluten-free bakery.

Nicole Comis had just relocated from Chicago to the Atlanta area, opening the next chapter in her life. She had been a mortgage broker, working in a tight-knit environment with an inspirational boss, but was launching a new career as a professional certified coach. She was determined to stay in her new city but there was one problem: She was a stranger there.

“I worked from home and I didn't know anybody in the area,” she says. “It was really challenging.”

Enter the gluten-free bakery, which happened to be next door to a THRIVE | Coworking location. “Oh, that place looks cool,” she thought.

Nicole has been a THRIVE member for more than a year now, recently upgrading to her own private office (complete with a bookshelf built by her dad). More importantly, though, Nicole found a community.

“I worked for the same company for 13 years. It felt like my family — we were very close,” she says. “And what I love about THRIVE is you still get to have a work family without working for a company, just being an entrepreneur. It’s really awesome. I love it.”

It’s no accident Nicole found her tribe at THRIVE: The fast-growing company has made workplace culture and community involvement cornerstones of its operation. Always established in vibrant, walkable neighborhoods like Downtown Suwanee, THRIVE goes beyond just stylish décor and bountiful snacks and drinks, promoting a very mindful gameplan for encouraging interaction and collaboration. Monthly catered breakfasts and lunches, as well as happy hours, have become must-attend activities for members.

“We offer really cool events, not just like, hey, come to the conference room and learn how to market your business better and we’ll give you some bagels,” says THRIVE Co-founder and CEO Ramon Gonzalez. “We’re getting the music going, serving the drinks, we have the bartender. We’re hanging out, talking, having a good time, regularly, with the people who are here, helping them to get connected to one another. Sounds soft and fluffy, but man those things matter, big time.”

And taking it even a step further, THRIVE schedules a lineup of extracurricular outings.

“We do quarterly adventures, too. Like hang gliding, ax throwing, hiking,” says Ramon. “Talk about experience, talk about connection. I don’t care if you’ve never talked to somebody before — if you go hang gliding together, you’re friends; it’s as simple as that. That’s magic, we get it. We’re not focused on cramming people into offices. Coworking can be such a commodity-type offering if you let it be.”

THRIVE is also committed to being a good neighbor and civic partner, acting as an economic engine driving business to nearby retailers and creating remote workhubs for area enterprises. And with the launch of THRIVE | Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that went live last month, the company is making purpose-driven philanthropy the heart and soul of its business. The THRIVE | Initiative app is a microdonation platform that rounds up debit or credit card purchases to the nearest dollar, then donates that leftover change to a locally participating charity. Call it conscious commerce, turning every grocery run or gas-tank fill up into an act of kindness.

“People are hard-wired to help one another, it’s just in our nature,” says THRIVE Chief Revenue Officer and Initiative Co-founder Chris Smith. “But folks are often at a loss as to how they can help, especially if they’re on a budget. And we envision businesses getting involved, too, matching their employees’ contributions, adding mission and purpose to their bottom lines. The THRIVE | Initiative makes giving back safe and simple — it brings technology, philanthropy and community together in a profoundly powerful way.”

RESTAURANT

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is the coolest — literally! Treat yourself to one of Jeremiah’s blended gelati delicacies or Italian ice, which comes in dozens of flavors.

ITALIAN ICE, ICE, BABY!

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice has served up its flavorful blend of Italian ice and gelati from its vibrant shop on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard since November 2021.

By Jessica Dacey / Photos by Karl Lamb

HILE THE long days of enduring Georgia’s scorching summer heat will soon be in our rearview mirrors — phew! — the desire for a cool, sweet treat never fades away. Besides, who can say no to the nearly limitless flavor combinations of gelati from our new favorite sweet shop, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice? With more than 55 locations spanning all across the southern U.S., Jeremiah's has been serving up its blended gelati delicacy since 1996. The superior frozen treats have finally made their way to Suwanee and we couldn’t be more excited.

Jeremiah’s has been scooping up its delicious and authentic blend of flavorful Italian ice and creamy soft serve ice cream in Suwanee since November 2021, with a fun, vibrant shop located on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. From the moment Suwanee franchise owner Vipul Patel tried a spoonful of the classic mango and vanilla combination, he knew he wanted to be a part of the Jeremiah’s Italian Ice concept.

From its use of high-quality ingredients to its dedication to being involved in the local community, Jeremiah’s has certainly become a popular destination that gives more to its patrons than just the satisfaction of one’s sweet-tooth craving. Giving kids

the opportunity to gain work experience at a young age is just one of the ways Jeremiah’s stays true to its reputation of giving back to the community. Behind the counter you’ll see that many of the employees are local high school students getting their feet wet in the working world.

NOT YOUR TYPICAL SHAVED ICE

By blending fresh and natural ingredients in-store daily, Jeremiah’s sets itself apart from the typical shaved iced, snowcone, and ice cream shop experience. The texture of the homemade Italian ice has been perfected, which means you won’t have to worry about your sweet treat melting into a cavity-inducing puddle of sugary syrup at the bottom of your cup. (Thank you, Georgia heat!) With more than 40 flavors on the menu, the endless creative combination possibilities will send your taste buds on an adventure.

Try the cake batter and strawberry flavored Italian ice blended with vanilla soft-serve and topped with cookie crumbles for a strawberry shortcake imitation — you’ll thank me later. Unsure of which of the hundreds of flavor combinations to try? You can get a free sample of each and every one, which I highly recommend. The team members can also point you in the right direction based on your favorite

flavor profiles. (They get to try them daily, too. Quality control, right?)

Once you settle on that very difficult decision, be sure to top your creation with either sprinkles, cookies, or chocolate chips for the figurative “cherry on top.”

Jeremiah’s also has sugar-free flavors along with options for those who are intolerant to dairy, tree nuts, soy, gluten and peanuts.

So far, there are six locations in Georgia. However, keep an eye out for new locations popping up around the Peach State soon because according to Vipul and Minesh Patel, there are a whopping 29 in the works all over Georgia. Each location will be representative of the upbeat, family-friendly atmosphere and plethora of flavor options that Jeremiah’s boasts.

So take a seat indoors or under the umbrella shade on the patio, grab your favorite gelati creation and a pup cup for your furry-friend (yes, the patio is pet friendly), and enjoy all of the classic and eccentric flavors offered. Also, don’t forget to take advantage of Jeremiah’s J-List rewards to start earning points towards free treats, because who doesn’t love free gelati? ■

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is located at 991 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. in Suwanee. For more information call 470-758-4444 or visit JeremiahsIce.com/locations/ suwanee-ga.

Jeremiah’s Gelati is the perfect layering of Italian ice and soft ice cream.

WHAT ’ S BREWING

PART DISTILLERY, PART CRAFT BREWERY, PART EURO BISTRO,

SUGAR HILL DISTILLERY, APPARITION BREWING AND WUNDERBAR BIERHAUS

BRING A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE TO SUGAR HILL'S SHINE DISTRICT

BY JAYA LORD / PHOTOS BY JESSICA DACEY AND JAYA LORD

Located in the heart of Sugar Hill’s Shine District is the nation's first dual-permitted craft distillery and brewery with a full-service Euro bistro. Sugar Hill Distillery is truly one of a kind and has a place for everyone of all ages. The power couple behind Apparition Brewing, Sugar Hill Distillery, and the Wunderbar Bierhaus are Keri and JD Liebrock, who are always working hard to serve their community.

Tell us about your head brewer. JD is our head brewer and distiller and is a former federal officer and Director of Intelligence for the U.S. Army. He learned to distill in foreign countries by fermenting fruit cups. After getting out of the military, he went to receive formal training at the University of Kentucky and has worked with many people in the industry, including a Jack Daniel’s expert. Fast forward to 2014, JD started his hobby of beekeeping and we wanted to use the delicious honey to make whiskey and shine. After Sugar Hill Distillery, LLC was born in 2016, he did a lot of one-on-one training with Nathan, owner of Brewha Equipment Co., to create a system that could both brew and distill. He did a lot of research to create recipes and

How did you get involved in the craft beer industry? This isn’t what we originally envisioned, we were content with setting up a few small stills in our backyard and making spirits and beers just for ourselves and for our friends. JD originally applied for a small batch, federal experimental license but our application was denied because they stated that there were enough of those out in the industry. We came back with a business plan and the next thing you know, Sugarhill Distillery LLC was born in January of 2016.

The City of Sugar Hill heard about us through the grapevine and invited us to be a part of their downtown vision and growth. We ended up where we are now and went back to the drawing board

Sugar Hill’s Shine District is home to the nation's first dual-permitted craft distillery and brewery with a full-service Euro bistro.

to figure out more ways to serve our community. We’ve got the distillery covered but not everyone is a spirit drinker, so how about beer? Well, if we are going to have spirits and beer, what about food? We had a great working kitchen so we decided to make it a Euro bistro, too.

What are some perks about being in the heart of Downtown Sugar Hill? It’s the Shine District! It's open container down here and encourages the “live, shop, play” mentality. Parking has been difficult in the downtown area but the City is working on that and is currently in the process of building a parking garage. Overall, the City of Sugar Hill is very supportive!

How has the response been since opening? It’s been great. We are Sugar Hillions and we love our community, so we take pride in producing high-quality beer, spirits, and food! We are veteran-owned so we do discounts for all veterans, military, and first responders. We also have a Drink It Forward Board where you can buy beers and drinks for veterans you know, and our Founders Club has been fantastic. If you join you get great benefits like free cocktails, beers, and discounts on your food.

What inspired the interior and overall theme of Apparition Brewing?

It’s a mixture of both of us! In the beginning stages, everywhere we would go we would see something and just say, “What if we did this or what if we did that?” We just wanted it to feel homey. Traditionally, when you think of German

Be sure to check out the Drink It Forward program, where you can buy beers and drinks for veterans you know.

anything it's dark and heavy, so we really wanted to liven it up and have a different view. In here you’ll see tables that JD and his brother handmade, a fan system we found while on a family trip in Chattanooga, and copper accents to give that industrial and “I’m in a brewery/distillery” type of feel. In our beer garden there is tons of comfortable seating with string lights all around that make people feel like they are enjoying a night in their friend's backyard.

What sets you apart from other breweries and brewpubs? There are a couple of things that set us apart. First, we have professional chefs and our food is phenomenal. Since our beers are primarily European, German, Irish, Scottish, etc., our chef can come up with dishes that complement and work with our beers and vice versa. Second, we’re not a brewpub so you will only consume alcohol that was manufactured here. Our lead mixologist, Emory, has been in the industry for practically forever. And since we’re a federal manufacturer, we can’t use cointreau or any other liqueurs so she makes all of our syrups, mixes, and anything that goes into our cocktails in-house. Third, you will find comfort in our consistency. A lot of breweries are constantly tweaking their product, but because JD is so methodical in the way that he brews and distills, once you try something and you come back months later, it will still taste as great as it did the first time.

What is your top seller? Our top seller for beer is either our Glückspilz Lucky Devil Kölsch or our Alice Hazy IPA. On our cocktail side of things, our Georgia Peach is a top seller. It’s made with our peach-infused vodka, fresh peaches, and housemade peach syrup and lemonade.

Do you host any community events?

Yes! In addition to being open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner we have trivia every Monday night, kids

eat free all day on Tuesdays, five dollar pints all day on Wednesdays, bingo and Thirsty Thursday specials on Thursdays, and live music on the weekends. We also do live, free comedy shows and will be celebrating Oktoberfest September 30-October 2, where we will be offering a collectable 32-ounce stein, hosting a pretzel eating contest, live music, and more!

Sugar Hill 1166 Church more information 470-589-1775 SugarHillStills.com ApparitionBrew.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT STILLFIRE BREWING:

10 SEPTDisco Party Featuring ABBA Cover Band

Neon Queen

Attention ABBAholics: looking for your “Dancing Queen” fix? The Neon Queen performs live at StillFire Brewing on Saturday, Sept. 10th. It will be a night of soaring three-part harmonies, 80s-style synthpop beats, crazy mash-ups, and an incredible light show all inspired by the greatest pop act of all time. Pure 100% ABBAtainment - please dance responsibly! Win great prizes in their 80s costume contest starting at 8:30! $5 cover.

OktoberFest at StillFire Brewing

Enjoy traditional German food and five authentic German beers made just for the occasion including a Marzen, a Doppelbock, a German Chocolate cake beer and more. Enjoy live German Polka music from Class Act Band from 4-7 p.m. each day under a giant OktoberFest tent. DJ Mad Hatter spins Saturday night from 8-11 p.m. There will be a costume contest each day with the best dressed winning great prizes plus German beer drinking games. German beer steins will also be available for purchase. Get there early - $10 cover starts at 3 p.m. each day.

StillFire Brewing 3rd Anniversary Party

StillFire celebrates 3 years of building community with triple beer releases including Glorious Maximus III Triple Hazy IPA, a Belgian Triple and a stout that is a blend of 3 barrel-aged beers. There will be live music from Nashville artists Megan Fowler and the July Turner Band, an oyster roast and so much more. This is an event you don't want to miss!

Halloween Costume Contest

DJ Madd Hatter

MCs Gwinnett's best costume contest with great prizes for the winners!

StillFire Brewing Find Your Fire Charity Classic Golf Tournament

StillFire Brewing's charity arm, the Find Your Fire Foundation hosts its 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament at The River Club in Suwanee raising funds for the Find Your Fire Foundation and local charity Cooper's Crew.

ABBA Cover Band Neon Queen

You’ll be saying “Sip, sip, hooray!” at this year’s Suwanee Wine Fest as you sample more than 150 wines from around the world.

EORGIA’S FAVORITE wine festival makes its way back to Town Center Park on November 5, 2022, to usher in the official start of the fall season — at least for all of us here in Suwanee. As one of the most anticipated local events of the year, Suwanee Wine Fest offers oenophiles a chance to sip their way through samples of more than 150 premium wines, from rosés and Chardonnays to Cabernets, many of which were hand-selected by the experts at TopShelf Beverage. The festival will feature a large selection of wines from around the world, with Georgia wineries taking center stage in the Georgia wine section, where you can enjoy all your favorite Peach State wines.

In addition to all of the wine samples, festivalgoers can also stroll the park and shop from local vendors, taste delicious food, participate in backyard games like giant Jenga, and listen to live music from local bands. This year, local country musician Seth Michael makes his return to Wine Fest, but this time on the main stage! Read more about the homegrown singer on p 72.

New for 2022: Grape Stomping!

 Channel your inner Lucille Ball as Suwanee Wine Fest gives attendees the chance to experience grape stomping this year. This old-school wine-making method may have been replaced with more modern technology, but it sure is a fun experience for all wine lovers — so kick off your shoes and feel the grapes between your toes as you stomp away!

BOUTIER VINEYARDS

Located in Danielsville, Georgia, Boutier Vineyards boasts a long growing season producing rich, ripe fruit and healthy vines. Whether your wine choice is sweet or dry, this winery has something to satisfy your thirst for wine. Sitting on nearly 32 acres, the vineyard's current varietals include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Syrah, Corot Noir and Cynthiana. The winery is open to everyone for a casual afternoon glass of Chardonnay or a private wine-tasting session with a group of friends. For those looking for more than an afternoon, Boutier Winery and Inn has accommodations. BoutierWinery.com

CHATEAU ELAN WINERY

Located just 40 minutes north of Atlanta and 50 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Chateau Elan Resort has 329 guest rooms and suites (including a European Spa mansion with 33 treatment rooms and 14 overnight suites), 63 holes of championship golf, a 25,000 square-foot conference center, five restaurants and two lounges. The full-production winery, the largest in the state of Georgia, produces 20,000-25,000 cases annually and showcases the only vegan certified muscadine wine in the Southeast. The winery also produces other traditional European varietals, sparkling, and an American Port. ChateauElan.com

CLOUDLAND VINEYARDS AND WINERY

Established in 2015, Cloudland is a farm winery located in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains. Located along the Eastern Continental Divide, the 10-acre site sits at a unique 1,300-foot elevation in the unexpected urban setting of Buford, Georgia. Cloudland focuses on growing premium quality fruit and rare grapes that are ideal for the region. The tasting room is designed for a truly personal experience. Enjoy nooks and experiences tailored for visitors’ special outings, all while nestled among the vines of Cloudland’s estate vineyard. Facebook.com/ cloudlandwines

ETOWAH MEADERY

Located in Dahlonega, the very heart of Georgia’s wine country and wine tasting capital of Georgia, Etowah Meadery gives “wine” a unique buzz. In fact, their meads are wines made with only the finest honeys, fruits, and spices. Mead is a honey-based wine enjoyed by many enlightened civilizations throughout time, and its enthusiastic acclaim is known to China, Europe, Africa — anywhere in the world that honey is produced. Thankfully, the modern artisans of Etowah Meadery have resurrected this golden elixir for our enjoyment. EtowahMeadery.com

Get a sneak peek at some of the 2022 wineries:

Seth Michael

SUWANEE WINE Fest attendees may remember a young Seth Michael filling the VIP tent with his amazing vocals back in 2017. Well, he’s all grown up and ready to rock the main stage at this year’s festival, which returns to Suwanee’s Town Center Park on Saturday, November 5th. The Buford native began his career at the young age of 10 by performing at weddings, birthday parties and local events. After graduating from Lanier High School, he jumped feet-first into the music world and began chasing his dream. He spent some time in Athens, Georgia, before moving to the country music capital, Nashville, where he created long-lasting relationships with some of country music’s biggest stars. We recently had a chance to catch up with Seth Michael ahead of the festival, while he’s hard at work writing a ton of new music.

Tell us about how you got started in music. I grew up in Buford and I went to a Christian school. Every morning I was always singing praise and worship songs, so I ended up joining the praise and worship team. I have been singing every single day since I could remember and I love it. At 9 or 10 I was starting to get good at it. I sang for my aunt's wedding, and then I started doing a bunch of weddings and special services for different churches.

INTERVIEW BY JAYA LORD

I would sing Rascal Flatts songs because they were my favorite band at the time — they still are. When I was 12, my parents surprised me with

Rascal Flatts meet and greet tickets.

At the time, I didn’t know they were meet and greet tickets so I thought I was just going to see them play. I was already excited about that and when I got there, they slapped a little sticker on me and I walked backstage and they were sitting right there. They passed around a bucket where you could write on a card what you wanted to ask them, and I wrote, “Can I sing with you guys?” They read probably five cards out of the 30 people that were there and they read mine second to last and asked, “Where’s Seth?”

Did you get to go on stage and sing? Oh yeah. I got up on stage and sang with Rascal Flatts! I was so nervous that I didn't have to really use vibrato in my voice — I just shook my knees. I thought I was going to fall over [laughs].

When you were on stage with Rascal Flatts, was that a turning point for you? Yes. That moment in time, I was given the best feeling I ever had. Singing is what I love to do most, and it was just so cool to have everybody recognize that and give me all their attention. Music is very powerful. You can make people laugh, cry, and give them chills — you can change the world with that. In my eyes, it's kind of like a superpower.

After you graduated high school in 2019, did you go to college or did you invest in music full force?

After I graduated, I took some time

to figure out what I wanted to do because I knew in my heart I didn’t want to do anything but music. I moved to Athens, Georgia, and I played the tailgate parties. I would sit out on the street corners during the Bulldogs games and I’d play to everybody walking by. I started from the street, but eventually I got picked up by a local band. They were like, “Hey, do you want to be in our band?” and I was like, “Yeah, sure.” I'd never been in a band before. They wanted me to play bass, but I had never played bass. So, I went to the store and blew all my pocket change on a bass guitar. I learned their entire set in less than a week and we played for like 2,000 college kids. To this day it was probably one of the biggest shows I’ve played.

I started getting into writing songs after that. So, I wrote one and I submitted it to 94.9 The Bull’s Backyard Country. It’s a program they have every Saturday night where they play all the new artists out of Georgia and listeners can vote on them. And people voted for me, and I was number one for five weeks straight. After that, I went to iHeartRadio and I got to open for Justin Moore, Locash, Russell Dickerson, Lauren Alaina — I played that show and I had no idea what was about to happen. But when I went backstage, I was in the screening room with all those famous people and I thought that was pretty cool.

 At the end of 2019, Seth Michael visited Locash at his condo in

Nashville. Soon after, the pandemic hit and turned the world upside down — concerts came to a halt, and so did the momentum behind Seth’s career. Even so, he decided to stay in Nashville and began pounding the pavement. He walked up and down Music Row with his guitar and knocked on every record label’s door, only to be turned away. Eventually, Seth turned his attention to Nashville’s Broadway, where he came across a couple musicians who would provide the foot in the door he was looking for. Soon after, Seth began working his way up from playing Tootsie’s at 9:30 in the morning to being hooked up with a full band, eventually becoming the Seth Michael Band. Then, on a chance karaoke night at a restaurant called Sidelines, Seth met a songwriter who would teach him everything he needed to know about writing songs. From there, Seth met several well-known performers, including Chris Young and Michael Ray, who helped to restart Seth’s momentum toward becoming an established musical artist.

Tell us about your plans for the future.

Right now, I have about 10 songs that I’m in the middle of recording. I have a bunch of new material ready to come out, but the next one that I’m releasing is called “Probably from Georgia,” and I think that's going to be a big one.

What is your ultimate goal with your music career?

Well, my goal is to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame. You only get one life, so I would love to be in a couple of movies. I want to be a really good actor and get good at that. I would also like to become a producer and maybe start my own record label, start my own publishing company, and eventually sign people. ■

2022 SUWANEE

WINE FEST PREVIEW

Wine is meant to be shared with friends, and there will be plenty to share at Wine Fest, along with games, live music, and vendors galore.

Cheer on Your Team at the Tailgate Tent

Don’t want to miss the game? Head to the Tailgate Tent to catch the latest scores and see what StillFire Brewing and Indio Brewing Co. have on tap. Taco Mac

will also be on hand serving up chips and salsa to help pad your belly before venturing out for more wine samples.

Take a Wine Break

In addition to all of the amazing wines that will be on hand, attendees can also sample a number of readyto-drink cocktails from Cayman Jack, Cutwater Spirits, The Long Drink, Superbird, Six Bridges Brewing, and Crown Royal.

Support a Good Cause

A portion of the Wine Fest proceeds will be donated to Annandale Village, a Suwanee organization that provides care and life assistance to adults with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injuries and enables them to maintain their independence in the least-restrictive environment possible.

Suwanee Wine Fest takes place Saturday, November 5, 1-4:30 p.m. VIP opens at noon. General admission tickets are $60 and increase to $65 on Sept. 25. For more information about Suwanee Wine Fest and to purchase tickets, visit SuwaneeWineFest.com.

Elliana and Ethan Ezell NORTHGWINNETT MIDDLE SCHOOL 6th GRADE& Level Creek 4th GRADE

Level Creek grade teachers

Tyler Hahn NORTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL 11th GRADE

Jayden Dunlap Buford Senior Academy 5th GRADE

Shane & Sebastian

Roberts ELEMENTARY 2nd GRADE and kindergarten

Hudson and Easton Cavanaugh Roberts Elementary 2nd GRADE & kindergarten

Level Creek Principal, Daniel Skelton, Assistant Principals, Camala Mitchell, Helen Morris, & Jennifer Warren

Jordan J. Lee ROberts

Jaid Ray LANIER HIGH SCHOOL GRADE

Lynden

Mason Jacques Creek

Noah and Ethan Thomas Riverside ELEMENTARY 1st GRADE

Gabie NelsonNORTH GWINNETT HIGHSCHOOL 11th GRADE

Roberts Elementary3rd grade teachers

Ava Belflower NORTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL 11th GRADE

Lilly CarterDuncan Creek 2nd Grade

Level Creek 2nd grade teachers

Addison HarrisNORTH MIDDLEGWINNETT SCHOOL6th grade

AUSTIN Harris NORTH GWINNETT MIDDLE SCHOOL 8th grade

Level Creek4th Teachersgrade

Jamie and Janna ByrnesLevel Creek ELEMENTARY3rd GRADE & 4th GRADE

Level Creek 1ST grade teachers

Mark & Vincent Sanders Buford Senior Academy 5th GRADE & Buford Academy 1st GRADE

Emily SchulzLevel Creek4th grade

Sterling Page NORTH GWINNETT MIDDLE SCHOOL 8th grade

Charlotte Creek

Avery and Carter Hague Riverside ELEMENTARY kinDergarten & 2nd grade

Austin Payne Creek kindergarten

Tharin McGruderWalnut Grove Elementary

Charleen ROBERTS

Camden,

Lilly BaileySuwanee Elementary

Corinne

Ben

Ashley

THE LATEST FROM IN AND AROUND SUWANEE

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The salon offers a twist to tanning, with luxurious 2022 KBL P9S tanning beds, featuring aromatherapy, bronzing, facial beauty with light therapy, cool airflow, and misters. Take advantage of sunless tanning with the new 2022 Mystic Kyss automated custom spray tan or choose a private customized airbrush spray tan. Stop in today for a personal tour. Your first suntan is free! No Tan Lines is located at 4325 Suwanee Dam Road, Suite 400 in Suwanee. For more information call 770-614-0788 or visit No-TanLines.com.

NONPROFIT SATISFEED FINDS A NEW HOME

 “SATISFYING THE needs of the hungry in and around Gwinnett County” continues to be the mission for local nonprofit Satisfeed. Prior to suspending services for the past six months, Satisfeed had served more than 32,000 families and partnered with more than seven schools with one focus: to end food insecurity in Gwinnett County.

A staggering 20 percent of children struggle to secure their next meal in Gwinnett. Satisfeed desires to reduce that number through food rescue, donations, and access to local resources weekly. Each box of food that is distributed to a hungry family is a reminder of hope.

Founder Tim Turner shares that the team is thrilled to announce a relaunch in September of 2022. The new location will be in Central Gwinnett. Satisfeed invites the community to join them as they celebrate the opening of the new Satisfeed Distribution Center on September 10, 2022, at North Metro Baptist Church located at 1026 Old Peachtree Road in Lawrenceville

“Together, we can fight food insecurity and eliminate food waste,” the Satisfeed team says. “The food is here. Our only job is to make sure it goes to the people who need it most. Join us in distributing surplus food and delivering joy to our community.” For more information, visit Satisfeed.org or call 470-202-8114.

Halloween Costume Contest

 WE WANT to see all of the cute, scary, silly or super creative costumes from this year’s Halloween festivities for our 2022 Kids Halloween Costume Contest, sponsored by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Upload a photo of your kid in their best costume during our submission period (Oct. 28-Nov. 6) then get your friends, family and co-workers to vote! Beginning Nov. 7, we’ll open up voting to crown a 2022 Kids Halloween Costume Contest winner!

The winner will be announced on Nov. 11 and will win an awesome prize package! For more information visit SuwaneeMagazine. com/2022HalloweenContest

Last year's winners

Tuck and Davis

THRIVE I Coworking to Open in Suwanee Town Center Area

IN JULY, the City of Suwanee Downtown Development Authority announced the addition of THRIVE I Coworking — a hybrid workspace solution — to the robust Suwanee Town Center area.

"The Suwanee Downtown Development Authority is thrilled to help bring a workspace for every type of business need to downtown Suwanee,” said Kevin O’Brien, Chairman of the DDA. “We anticipate unique, collaborative thinking and ideas coming from this unique, collaborative space.”

The DDA purchased 10,000 square feet of ground floor mixed-use commercial space in the Skye apartment building, located on Buford Highway, in December 2020. In September 2021, THRIVE I Coworking entered into a lease agreement with the DDA to lease and build out the space, which will include a second floor mezzanine to add an additional 2,344 square feet of office space.

In addition to dedicated workspace, the new space will feature an attached coffee shop with a patio and 30 dedicated retail parking spaces with additional on-street parking. The location will front Buford Highway and is within a fiveminute walk of both Suwanee Town Center and Old Town Suwanee.

“We are excited to bring THRIVE I Coworking to Suwanee. The property on Buford Highway supports THRIVE’s vision for coworking spaces that offer a healthy work/life balance and options to meet others in a physical workspace close to home and within walking distance of attractive amenities like restaurants, gyms and shopping,” said Thrive CEO Ramon Gonzalez.

For more information about THRIVEICoworking Suwanee, visit WorkatTHRIVE.com.

Suwanee Hosts First Ever Talent Show



Suwanee's Got Talent — a collection of local performers, games, children's activities, and food trucks. Plus a closing concert! Think

The North Gwinnett Co-op hosts Annual Book Bag Bash

THE NORTH Gwinnett Co-op held its annual Book Bag Bash event on July 23, handing out more than 650 book bags filled with age appropriate school supplies to vetted students living in Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwanee and the Gwinnett portion of Auburn, Hoschton and Braselton. Co-op staff and volunteers worked hard to make the day possible along with many companies and individuals that donated. The fun family event was held in the Co-op parking lot complete with a DJ, balloon arches, candy bags and food from Chick-fil-A.

In September, The North Gwinnett Co-op is gearing up for End Hunger Action Month. 13% of the population in Georgia is food insecure. The need is great in our community, with the Co-op distributing 442,476 pounds of food in 2021. The Co-op is collecting food and monetary donations to support families in need in their service area. For a list of current needs or more information on how you can help, visit northgwinnettcoop.org.

Local Girl Scout Completes PlayTown Suwanee Mural Project

 IN JUNE, local Girl Scout Lena Towne of Troop 2440 completed her Gold Award project, PlayTown Painters: A Work of heART, which showcases murals from different local artists, highlighting the creativity and diversity in Suwanee. The new works of art definitely make the sidewalks at PlayTown Suwanee brighter for everyone to enjoy. We recently spoke with Lena to learn more about how the project came to be.

Tell us about the PlayTown Painters Project and how you came up with the idea. I came up with PlayTown Painters after seeing how rundown my favorite playground had become. My mom and I were walking the trail to explore a different project idea when I saw how dull the once magical park looked.

How were the artists chosen? The artists each had to submit a sketch along with a short form that included information about the art as well as the artist. Once all the pieces were submitted I sent the images to a board of professionals in the field and the winning artwork was selected through popular vote.

When was the project revealed to the public?

Overall the project took about a month to paint, and even longer to plan and carry out. The paintings were officially finished on June 18 this year.

Why did you choose PlayTown Suwanee? I chose PlayTown because of both the special meaning it had for me and that PlayTown was a community-built park. This park had been built by volunteers almost 16 years ago and I thought that a community art project would be a perfect continuation of that idea to add more art in the park.

Which of the artworks is your favorite?

I would say that my favorite pieces are the koi fish or the bull. Both of these paintings are not only beautiful but they also hold a deep significance for the people who painted them. All of the artists’ stories are on Suwanee.com.

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about the project? I hope that everyone can enjoy a new piece of art in our favorite parks, and I encourage them to interact with the sidewalk games and learn more about the artists’ stories on Suwanee.com! The best part about this project is that it involves the community through interactive games and the website even after the painting is done.

Ride Clean Auto Spa Now Services Suwanee Area

RIDE CLEAN Auto Spa has been in business since 2017 and has recently moved to Suwanee. The auto spa specializes in paint correction, ceramic coatings, and paint protection film and clear bra application. According to their website, the team members at Ride Clean Auto Spa are “strong believers in quality over quantity. We use premium products matched with up-to-date tools and techniques to ensure we deliver the best possible results for your vehicle while also giving you great customer service for an overall detailing experience.”

 Ride Clean Auto Spa is located at 50 Old Peachtree Road, Suite 211, in Suwanee. For more information call 404-343-5140, visit RideCleanAutoSpa.com, or follow them on social media at @RideCleanAutoSpa.

Suwanee Hosts Dinner and a BOO-vie at Town Center

 WITH THE announcement of Hocus Pocus 2, millennials everywhere are running amok with anticipation! And while we’re sure the sequel will be amazing, nothing will ever beat the original. Head to Suwanee Town Center on October 29 for Dinner and a BOO-vie and relive that fateful night when the Sanderson sisters came back to Salem to wreak havoc on a group of meddling kids. That night, the city will screen the original Hocus Pocus along with Ghostbusters: After Life, so bring the kiddos for some trick or treating from local Town Center businesses from 5-6:30 p.m., then grab a bite to eat from your favorite local restaurant before the double feature kicks off at 7 p.m. Hocus Pocus: 7 p.m.; Ghostbusters: After Life: 8:45 p.m. For more information, visit Suwanee.com.

Bert’s Big Adventure Now Accepting Applications for its 2023 Trip

 BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE, a nonprofit organization that provides a magical, all-expenses-paid, five-day journey to Walt Disney World for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families, recently announced that they are now accepting applications and nominations for their 2023 trip, which marks the organization's 20th trip.

Throughout the five-day journey, families will receive an incredible VIP experience, including airfare, hotel, souvenirs, private character visits, dining, all-access passes to the Walt Disney World parks, dessert, dance parties, and so much more.

"This upcoming trip is especially exciting as we’re embarking on our big 20th trip to Disney, and we can’t wait to mark this milestone with our newest families,” says Bert’s Big Adventure founder and host of “The Bert Show,” Bert Weiss. “When we started Bert’s Big Adventure 20 years ago, our initial goal was to provide deserving children and their families with an escape from doctors, hospital visits, and daily struggles by providing

them with a trip away from it all. Since our start, it has become so much more than just our annual trip, it's grown into a support system nationwide with year-round aid through various programs for our 250 families. Without the continued support over the decades, we wouldn’t be celebrating our 20th trip next year. I'm forever grateful for everyone who has made this organization what it is today.”

To qualify, children must be between the ages of 5 and 12, be diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness, and have never been to Walt Disney World. The family must prove financial need and live in the radio listening area of “The Bert Show,” a nationally syndicated morning radio show based in Atlanta.

The complete application and nomination forms are now available online for the 2023 trip. There is also an option to nominate families anonymously. For more information on nominating a child and/or family or applying for your own family, visit BertsBigAdventure.org/ nominate-a-child-or-apply.

SUWANEE MAYOR JIMMY BURNETTE WINS 2022 STARR AWARD

THE GEORGIA CITIES Foundation (GCF) awarded Suwanee Mayor Jimmy Burnette the 2022 Starr Award at the Georgia Municipal Association’s annual convention in Savannah on June 27. Established in 2019, the Starr Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution toward creating a unique and vibrant environment in the downtown area of a city in Georgia.

Burnette has served as Mayor of Suwanee since 2012 and previously served as a member of the City Council from 1996 until 2011. He was a charter member of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), serving for 12 years until he was elected mayor.

Burnette regularly served as the liaison between the DDA and City Council, forging consensus to continuously grow, develop, and foster a vibrant environment in downtown Suwanee. He advocated for acquiring and rehabilitating Pierce’s Corner — one of Suwanee’s oldest structures — in order to activate Old Town Suwanee, the original city center.

Burnette has also been intricately involved in every Comprehensive and Downtown Master Plan for more than 25 years, with the most recent project — the redesign of Buford Highway into a walkable urban boulevard — nearing completion.

“Mayor Burnette has provided long-term leadership and vision as Suwanee has grown into a regional leader in all areas of smart managed growth, downtown development, and open spaces. He is always thinking about what is next, how to improve, and how to bring people along,” said Suwanee Economic Development Manager Chris Hardin.

The Starr Award is given annually in memory of Mike Starr, who served as the Georgia Cities Foundation’s President for two decades until his death in 2019. The Georgia Cities Foundation seeks to create this permanent legacy in President Starr’s memory by celebrating those who emulate his best traits: visionary, innovator, servant leader, and champion for downtowns.

CREATING CLOSER community is a big part of what we do here at Suwanee Magazine. That’s why we’re proud to bring you The Faces of Suwanee. Suwanee is a great community with great people. We’ll be featuring conversations we have with members of our community as a way of telling the story of Suwanee, one smiling face at a time. The Faces of Suwanee shines a light on the people who live and work here. You can read all of the interviews at TheFacesofSuwanee.com, and even nominate someone you think should be featured on the website. Be sure to follow Suwanee Magazine’s Facebook page where we’ll be sharing new Faces of Suwanee interviews regularly.

KIM TOWNE

City of Suwanee Events Coordinator

As the Events Coordinator for the City of Suwanee, Kim Towne is certainly a familiar face around town and a major presence at all of Suwanee’s outdoor city events. Towne is a respected community member and loving mother who is passionate about her children, the Girl and Boy Scouts of America, and the community she loves.

Interview by Julie Perdue

WHAT INSPIRED YOU OR LED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT CAREER? I have always been interested in leadership development and event planning. I moved to Atlanta in 1997 from Ohio with a Master’s in Higher Education Administration to work for a nonprofit college honor society. I traveled to dozens of campuses and was also responsible for publications, conference planning, and leadership retreats. At home, I was very involved in volunteering for the Suwanee Fest committee, so when the opportunity arose to work for the City, I jumped at the chance.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN SUWANEE AND WHAT DO YOU LOVE THERE?

We don’t go out to eat a lot, but I would say our favorite hangout is StillFire Brewing. We like to play Music Bingo on Thursdays! They really define the downtown area quite a bit.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED OR LIVED IN SUWANEE? We have been in Suwanee since 2004.

WHO IS THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON YOU’VE MET IN SUWANEE? Adam Edge, who was our Downtown Business Development Manager. He was gregarious, funny, and had a great life story that was inspirational.

WHAT HAS KEPT YOU HERE? My kids and our involvement in the community. I am passionate about Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and we have chartered three troops. Our boys’ BSA troop is the only one in Suwanee, and our all-girls’ BSA troop was one of the first in the entire country. Both of my kids

HOW BIG IS YOUR FAMILY? My husband, son, and daughter. My kids are truly amazing!

IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, WHERE WOULD IT BE AND WHY? I have always been drawn to Italy. I studied Latin in high school and would love to see some of that history in person. But Italy will have to wait. I am going

to London, Paris, and Switzerland next summer with a large group of Girl Scouts instead!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A CROWD OF PEOPLE? My daughter would say that I would announce: “Thanks for coming, thanks to our Police and Public Works Departments, and please pick up your trash!” since that’s what I say at Suwanee events when addressing a crowd [laughs]. Seriously, though, I would quote Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can do until you know better; then when you know better, do better.”

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! I enjoy public speaking and do a lot of it!

IF YOU COULD TAKE ANYONE TO LUNCH (DEAD OR ALIVE) WHO WOULD THAT BE AND WHERE WOULD YOU GO? My paternal grandfather who died in a car accident just before I was born. My dad (his son) is an amazing cook, so I would love for him to be able to cook for us.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC? NAME THREE BANDS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE. For a while, I’d say cheesy ’70s singer-songwriters and then ’90s hip-hop. Now, I love Motown, which I discovered through hip-hop mostly, Jimmy Buffett, and I also enjoy orchestral music.

WHAT LOCAL BUSINESS MAKES YOU THE MOST NOSTALGIC ABOUT SUWANEE? It was Dillard’s BBQ, which is no longer. What’s better than drive-thru BBQ? It was always a requested stop for our out-of-town guests.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SUWANEE? I love that our family knows so many faces wherever we go. My daughter refers to our mayor as “Jimmy” and has been to his house. That level of familiarity is not very common in most cities!

WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? The way I learned to drive a stick shift: Twenty years ago, while on a business trip, I spotted my dream car in a lot. I ran inside and immediately put down a deposit. The salesperson asked if I wanted a test drive, but I didn’t know how! I quickly learned on the drive home from Tampa. It was a ’97 green Miata and I still enjoy it.

F For more The Faces Of Suwanee interviews, go to TheFacesOfSuwanee.com

CELEBRATE THE ARTS IN SUGAR HILL

RTFULLY FESTIVE.

It’s what the City of Sugar Hill strives for through its Sugar Rush Arts Festival, Arts Commission, and Art Gallery. The city showcases its artfully festive ways using several mediums like photography on the city’s social media channels, live musical performances like Sugar Hill Live On Stage at The Bowl, and public art installations.

⊲ Soak in your love for the arts at the city’s eighth annual Sugar Rush Festival on October 15 and 16!

The Sugar Rush Arts Festival is an outdoor event located in Downtown Sugar Hill featuring visual and performing arts, food, music, history, and family fun. Spend the day in Sugar Hill on Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and catch a free, general admission concert at The Bowl beginning at 3 p.m. Then, go home and get some rest because Sugar Rush's festivities open back up again for day two on Sunday from noon-6 p.m.

With pumpkin painting, inflatables, arcade games, and family-fun activities on West Broad

Street, in the E Center, and the Eagle Theatre, this year’s Sugar Rush promises to be bigger, better, and more artfully festive.

EAT: Experience the sweet flavors of local cuisine while listening to and watching live entertainment throughout the Arts Festival. Stop by one of the many food trucks or drop by your favorite downtown restaurant like Shine Pizza, Rushing Trading Co., Rivermill Bakery, Cantina Loca, Sugar Hill Distillery, Indio Brewing, Scoops Ice Cream, and Central City Tavern. Additional dining options in Downtown Sugar Hill are Home Spun, Uptown Wings, La Perla Del Ulua, and the Sugar Hill Bakery. It wouldn’t be Sugar Rush without a variety of sweet treats from vendors who make candy creations right in front of your eyes.

PLAY: Festivalgoers can watch talented young, local artists live paint for the duration of the festival. In addition to DIY crafts for all to bring home, Sugar Rush will have a juried art show representing local,

regional, and international talent. 50 artists will have their mixed media artwork on display at Sugar Hill’s Art Gallery during festival hours on Saturday and Sunday. After viewing the artwork, take a stroll down West Broad Street to shop from more than 70 local art, food, and business vendors.

GET INVOLVED: Become a Sugar Hill Arts Commission member! The Sugar Hill Arts Commission is a group of artists and art lovers set on a mission to encourage, promote, and expand public interest in the arts in Sugar Hill. Carefully selected by the city’s Arts Commission, art installations are placed throughout the downtown area. The purpose is to enhance the quality of life while creating a colorful and unique community where individuals can come together for shared experiences and spend time with family, friends, and neighbors. Have a passion for something else? Many of the city’s community groups volunteer at the Sugar Rush Arts Festival. Meet and greet some of the groups you’re interested in, including Sugar Hill Arts Commission, Black Women’s Association of Sugar Hill, Broad St. Concert Band, Sugar Hill Business Alliance, Community Garden, Downtown Development Authority, Friends of the Greenway, Sugar Hill Historic Preservation Society, Players Guild, Sugar Hill Planning Commission, Sugar Hill Area Women’s Club, Youth Ambassadors, and Youth Council. ■

For more information on each group and how to get involved, visit downtownsugarhill.com.

Mark your calendars for Sugar Rush, a two-day festival celebrating the arts with visual and performing arts, food, music, history, and family fun.

Button Down Dash Saturday, Aug. 6th

TOWN CENTER PARK PHOTOS BY KARL LAMB

Suwanee Business Aug. Meeting Wednesday, Aug. 10th

VEUGELER DESIGN GROUP PHOTOS BY ANGELA VEUGELER

ON THE

Friday,

OLD TOWN

PHOTOS BY JULIE PERDUE

Suwanee Business Alliance July Meeting

Wednesday, July 13th

ATLANTA FLOORING DESIGN CENTER PHOTOS BY JULIE PERDUE

August Concert

Saturday, Aug. 13th

TOWN CENTER PARK PHOTOS BY MELISSA MANDERSON

Taste of BBQ & Music Fest benefiting Project Green

10am

Town Center Park

For more information visit ProjectGreenUSA.org.

Spooky Spirits 5k

11am

Town Center Park

A costumes & cocktails twist on the traditional 5k. For more information visit SpookySpirits5k.com.

The Dam Dinner

6pm

Sims Lake Park

________________________

Dinner on the dam at Sims Lake Park.

For more information and tickets visit suwaneeartscenter.org/damdinner.

Dinner and a BOO-vie

7pm: Hocus Pocus

8:45pm: Ghostbusters: After Life

Town Center Park

Duluth Howl on the Green

5pm

Duluth Town Green

For more information visit DuluthGA.net.

Coming in November:

Lake Lanier Boat Show

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands

Lake Lanier will have its first lake-wide fall boat show bringing together boat dealers, vendors, entertainment, festive food and a chance to preview new 2023 boats from manufacturers across the country. thru

Sugar Rush

10am-6pm

Downtown Sugar Hill

Art, live music, performances, food and craft vendors and more! For more information visit CityofSugarHill.com. Fest

1- 4:30pm

Town Center Park

Purchase tickets at SuwaneeWineFest.com.