© Best Version Media
© Best Version Media
Are you on the association board for your subdivision? Contact us for information on how you can submit articles, updates, reminders, events and more to the residents. We create customized homeowners association sections at no cost to the HOA or the residents.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Emergency, Police & Fire Department — 911
Village/City/Town Hall — Lilburn City Hall, 340 Main St NW, Lilburn, GA 30047
Library — Gwinnett County Public Library-Lilburn Branch-4817 Church St NW, Lilburn, GA 30047
Parks and Recreation
https://www.cityoflilburn.com/215/Parks
School District — Gwinnett County
Dear NEIGHBORS!
Welcome to 2025!
Happy New Year! Thank you so much for welcoming Lilburn Living Publication into your homes each month! We hope to be a staple in your household and communities. Bringing families and businesses together is what we do. We build connections better than anything and anyone else! We are known as “Facebook” in print. I am so honored to be your Publisher and lead this wonderful array of entrepreneurs into your community and homes from this moment on. And what an amazing time this is! We have you-our residents that are priceless, our January Feature Family-The JONES and of course our elite business sponsors!
Without our sponsors we would not be able to bring you this monthly magazine with community events, updates and so much more to come. Please reach out and support these local businesses and organizations that help make Lilburn Living possible. They are amazing!
As we grow-we welcome your feedback, suggestions and input. This is a publication for you and about your community. We love to hear from you. Please send over anything you’d like to hear or see about to me email: kboydmcdu e@bestversionmedia.com
Thanks again for joining us and As Always-Lilburn Is Living!
Welcome New Opportunities and a Blessed 2025!
KeishaBoydMcDu ie PUBLISHER LILBURN LIVING MAGAZINE
HappyNewYear
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January Around Town! LILBURN IS LIVING!
F WINTER LANTERN FESTIVAL
Dates: November 8th-January 5th
(Thursdays-Sundays)
Times: 5:00-9:30p
2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30045
Visit www.winterlanternfestival.com for more information
One of the most joyous activities during the Christmas & New Year’s Season is looking at the lights. This year another beautiful sight to see is Winter Lanterns! Before or after the 45-minute, 100 Chinese Lantern tour, visit the Winter Lantern Festival for fun things to such as
• Luminescent Night Walk
• Lanterns
• Sugar Paintings
• Live Entertainment
• Food & Drinks
• Bounce House
All Ages Welcome! Tickets range from $16.99-$26.99
F FROSTY FUN: FROSTY FINALE
Friday, January 3, 2025 6-8 PM City of Duluth, Town Green Fountain 3142 Hill St NW, Duluth, GA
F REPTICON ATLANTA
January 4-5, 2025
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA
F SALGIRAHARTS FESTIVAL: EXPRESSIONS OF SHUKRAN
Sat Jan 4, 2025 4:00 PM Gas South Theater Duluth, GA
F GEORGIA BRIDAL SHOW
January 12, 2025 5:00-8:30 PM
Gwinnett County Fairground 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA
F NORTH GWINNETT EQUESTRIAN
Sunday, January 12, 2025 9:00 AM
Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center 1855 Calvary Church Rd. Gainesville, GA
F KENAN PRESENTS VIP ACCESS COMEDY
F ATLANTA BEAD SHOW
Saturday, January 25, 2025 10 AM-5 PM
Thursday, January 23rd 7pm show
Atlanta Comedy Theater 4650 Jimmy Carter Boulevard #114b Norcross, GA 30093
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway Lawrenceville, GA
© Best Version Media
PRACTICING MINDFULNESS IN EVERYDAY LIFE
BY MADISON FARKAS
While meditation is a wonderful way of practicing mindfulness, it isn’t the only way. Here are a few practical strategies to supplement your meditation by fostering mindfulness at other times during your day!
PAY ATTENTION WHEN YOU EAT
This is one of the most important mindfulness techniques, and also the most di cult. With our busy lives, sometimes it’s hard to avoid grabbing the quickest, easiest meal we can and scarfing it down on the way out the door. If we do sit down to eat, often we feel like we need entertainment, whether that’s our phones or an episode of TV.
Whenever possible at mealtimes, focus your attention exclusively on your food. Before you dig in, take a moment to notice how it smells. Then, take slow, small, careful bites, being aware of all the di erent flavors and textures you’re experiencing. Set your fork down on the table between mouthfuls, chewing and swallowing each bite before you take another one. Not only will you enjoy your food more, you’ll probably find you need to eat less of it to feel full and satisfied.
DO ONE THING AT A TIME
In both the personal and professional spheres, too often we feel pressured to juggle multiple tasks at once but struggle to focus on any one of them. Rather than bouncing between them, whenever possible see one task to its completion before moving on to the next one. Remind yourself that whatever you’re currently doing, whether that’s writing a report or spending time with your family, is the most important thing in your life and your highest priority.
That’s not to say you can never think about the future or check your phone, of course: if you schedule dedicated time to plan your upcoming week, month or year, or to spend some time on social media, you can free up the rest of your day to stay in the present and avoid falling down an endless-scrolling rabbit hole.
Mindfulness helps you go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that you have, happiness comes.
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
FIND PRODUCTIVITY SOLUTIONS THAT WORK FOR YOU
I always feel better about myself on days when I know I’ve accomplished a lot of things I’ve been meaning to do. There are dozens of structures and methods designed to assist with this, but not every strategy will work for everyone. Consistent productivity requires a great deal of self-awareness. By mindfully interrogating how you function most e ectively, you can change your strategies to suit you rather than trying to shoehorn yourself into one you think “should” work.
You may try the famous Pomodoro Technique, in which you block o 25-minute chunks of time to focus exclusively on one task before a five-minute break. Alternatively, there’s also the “touch it once” method: whenever you’re faced with an incoming task, act on it immediately rather than letting it sit. It’s an antiprocrastination technique that turns three days of brain space spent thinking about an email you need to send into five minutes of action. When it comes to chores, My favorite strategy is to ask myself this question whenever I’m faced with something I feel like putting o : “Would the task I’m procrastinating take under a minute to complete?” If the answer is yes, then I do it immediately. You’d be surprised how many small daily tasks can be accomplished that quickly!
© Best Version Media
LET’S RING IN A NEW YEAR!
BY TAMIKA TURNAGE
BY TAMIKA TURNAGE | PHOTOS BY TYRICE FREEMAN
The five member Jones Family began with an introduction of Craig, 40 years old to 35-year-old Valerie through Craig’s sister. Valerie is from Dallas, Texas by way of Tulsa, OK while Craig was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mr. Jones attended Carson-Newman University, where he played football. Jones’ daughter, Kennedy, 16, was a cheerleader and ran track for years. Their boys, Sir and Soloman, six and five years old respectively, play Soccer every Spring and currently attend Jiu Jitsu.
Outside of purchasing and renovating houses, Craig’s main hobbies include working out and working on his businesses. He enjoys speaking with youth organizations and introducing young people to the inspection industry.
Although the family does not own a pet, there are plenty of interests to go around. Kennedy loves to read and experiment with hair. The Jiu Jitsu master is Sir. He also enjoys math and learning wheels. Five-year-old Soloman loves to play with his hot wheels and drawing materials.
© Best Version Media
The Jones Family likes to vacation together in Miami because of Valerie’s love for the beach. The beach holds special memories for the family. One of those memories includes the surprise Father’s Day trip to Tybee Island.
Living in their Cascade neighborhood for the last four years has proven to be a wonderful experience. The surrounding families have proven to be like-minded and helpful to each other. This is especially important to the Joneses because they will be able to grow together while raising their young families.
The message to their warm and inviting neighbors would be “if you want to know the road ahead, ask those coming back”. Cascade is where you want to be.
© Best Version Media
Let's Eat Lilburn! SEEKING STARS FOR STORIES!
HOME MADE HOT CHOCOLATE!
BY TAMIKA TURNAGE
• 8 cups whole milk
• 16 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped small or chips
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Bring the milk, chocolate, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla extract to a simmer in a medium saucepan.
BY TAMIKA TURNAGE
Do you want to discover new things about your neighbors? Want to be in the headlines? Want to see your pictures published? We’re looking for neighborhood families or individuals with a story to share to grace the covers of the magazine.
Your story might include love, romance, drama or any combination of the three. It could be to celebrate a milestone in your life, share about a recent vacation, or simply to introduce yourself and share what you love about the community. Everyone has a story to share, and we want to help you tell yours. We’ll talk with you, write the article and give you a free, professional photo session at your home so you can look your best in the magazine!
If you know others who would enjoy this opportunity, we welcome nominations. Begin by brainstorming the people you know who you’d like to see in this magazine. They might be your next-door neighbors and friends, volunteers who serve others through local charities, community leaders, athletes, artists or hobbyists.
To get started, go to www.bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” Or, simply e-mail your content coordinator at tturnage@bestversionmedia.com with your contact information and ideas.
With your help, we can bring people together, stay connected and create an informative, family-friendly forum through your magazine.
© Best Version Media
BEATING THE WINTER BLUES: VISION BOARDING
BY HANNAH TURNBULL
Vision boards serve as powerful visual tools that help individuals manifest their dreams, aspirations, and goals. Assembling a vision board involves a creative process of gathering images, words, and a rmations that represent one’s desires and ambitions, creating a collage that serves as a constant reminder and source of motivation.
At its core, a vision board is a tangible representation of one’s dreams and aspirations. It’s a physical manifestation of the law of attraction, where the act of visualizing goals helps to bring them into reality. By selecting images that resonate with personal objectives—be it career success, health and wellness, relationships, travel aspirations, or personal growth—an individual can harness the power of intention setting.
Creating a vision board can be an exciting and reflective journey. It begins by identifying short-term and long-term goals across
various aspects of life. From finding inspiring pictures in magazines or online platforms to handpicking quotes and phrases that evoke motivation, each element added to the board holds significance.
The process of crafting a vision board is deeply personal and allows for self-reflection. It encourages individuals to define their desires clearly and focus on what truly matters to them. Additionally, assembling a vision board can be a therapeutic exercise, fostering a sense of mindfulness and gratitude as one reflects on their aspirations.
Once the vision board is complete, its placement in a prominent and visible location is crucial. Placing it in a bedroom, o ce space, or any area frequently visited serves as a constant reminder of one’s goals and ambitions. Regularly engaging with the vision board—whether through daily visualization, a rmations, or updating it as goals evolve— reinforces commitment and motivation.
© Best Version Media
CAPSULE PROJECTS FOR THE NEW YEAR
BY GRACE SCHULTE
Creating a capsule is a wonderful way to capture special memories and moments in time. This simple project is perfect for kids and allows them to collect small treasures and notes to rediscover in a year. Here’s how to make a time capsule with your kids that they’ll be excited to open next year!
STEP 1: CHOOSE A CONTAINER
The container is the foundation of your time capsule. Use a sturdy, sealable container like a small tin or mason jar. Let your kids decorate it with stickers or paint to make it feel truly personal. Don’t forget to add their names to them in some way.
STEP 2: COLLECT TREASURES AND MEMENTOS
Now, gather items that represent the current year. Encourage your kids to think about the things they love now that they might find funny or nostalgic a year from now. Some ideas include:
• A favorite small toy, sticker, or trinket
• A drawing of something they love right now
• A “Top 3” list of their favorite shows, songs, or foods
• A note or letter describing their current hobbies, friends, and dreams.
TIP: You could even print out a few photos from the year or save a family snapshot–kids love looking back at how much they’ve grown!
STEP
3: WRITE PREDICTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR
This is a fun way to let kids think about what the future might
hold. Ask them to write down what they think will change in a year: What grade will they be in? Will they still have the same foods? Will they try any new hobbies or sports? These predictions are fun to look back on and give the capsule a playful twist.
STEP 4: SEAL IT UP AND FIND A SAFE SPOT
Once everything is inside, seal up the container securely. Help your kids find a safe place to keep the time capsule, like a closet shelf or tucked away in a drawer. Make a small note in the family calendar to remind everyone when it’s time to open it for next year. Set an event with a reminder in your phone to open it next year around the same time. Bonus points for adding a little note to remind you where you put the capsules!
Creating a time capsule is a fun and easy way to make memories. Plus, it teaches kids to appreciate the little moments as they grow. Enjoy this project together–it’s a treasure waiting to be rediscovered!
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!
BY KEISHA BOYD MCDUFFIE
Lilburn Living Magazine is all about bringing people together and fostering a closer-knit community! Check out the many ways that you can contribute to and take advantage of your monthly neighborhood magazine:
RESIDENT FEATURES: Get to know your neighbors and community one resident at a time. We enjoy featuring residents from all walks of life. Make the magazine your own by submitting nominations of families or individuals who you would like to see highlighted – could be the newest or longest-living residents on the block, your friends next-door, the hobbyist, entrepreneur, etc. Help us honor those people who make this community a great place to live, work and raise a family. Or use this feature as a way to share your own story with neighbors. See our center Family story for one example of a resident feature.
SOCIAL SCENE: What’s happening in the neighborhood? If you’re part of a book club, social group or charity organization promoting fun or service in the community, share your experiences and photos, and invite others to join you!
ASSOCIATION UPDATES: If your neighborhood has a homeowners association, we o er an open invitation to post information to your neighbors through this publication for free. Saving association money and putting it towards ways to improve your subdivision is important, so we create customized HOA sections, saving you time and money.
YOUTH CLASSIFIEDS: Budding entrepreneurs can submit free classifieds advertising their services to the community. With parental permission, youth can grow their babysitting, lawn care, pet care and other small business services by submitting a free ad. Please contact your Publisher-Keisha, for instructions on how to begin.
SCHOOL AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Showcase budding athletes, artists and actors among us by submitting photos and details on your kids’ accomplishments, as well as information on school events and fundraisers your family is involved in.
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS! Do you have pictures from your latest vacation? Have you captured a nature scene or a touching moment that begs to be shared? Let us help preserve your memories!
BULLETIN BOARD: Celebrate life’s milestones and events! Post announcements such as engagements, weddings or anniversaries, hats o to graduates, military recognition, new baby announcements, retiree congrats, neighborhood garage sales and more.
If you have a submission or feature idea, simply email Keisha Boyd McDu e at kboydmcdu e@bestversionmedia.com with your name and submission info. Please note the Content Submission Deadline found on page 3. We look forward to hearing your ideas.
HomeMade Baked Goods & Sweet Treats
• Birthdays • Holiday Baking • Babyshowers • Family Reunions • Private Parties
PET CORNER:
Share your love for your precious pet by introducing him/her to the community! Whether your friend is of the feline, canine, amphibian, avian or other species, we recognize the uniqueness of your pet and are happy to share his/her quirks, habits, favorite activities and more.
HOW TO CREATE A FAMILY HISTORY BOOK
BY GRACE SCHULTE
Building a family history book is a wonderful way to preserve memories, celebrate your family’s journey, and pass stories down to future generations. Here’s a simple guide with a few di erent ways to create a family history book that’s personal and meaningful.
OPTION 1: TRADITIONAL SCRAPBOOK STYLE
If you enjoy hands-on projects, a scrapbook is a great way to build your family’s history book. Start with a large binder or scrapbook and gather old photos, newspaper clippings, and handwritten notes. Organize them by year or by family member, adding captions to share stories or personal memories for each photo. Include spaces for family recipes, letters, or even copies of important documents.
This approach is perfect if you love crafting and want a personal touch for each page.
OPTION 2: DIGITAL FAMILY BOOK
For a cleaner look and easy duplication, consider creating a digital family book. With a digital book, you can make multiple copies for family members and add pages easily as you uncover new stories. There are many online platforms that can help you put one together. Digital tools o er various templates that make designing pages simple and organized. If you’re not super comfortable with technology but would like to try, reach out to a family member who might be able to help. It could be a great bonding experience!
OPTION 3: INTERVIEW-BASED STORY COLLECTION
Gathering stories from family members is a great way to bring history to life. Make a list of interview questions, like “What’s your favorite childhood memory?” or “Who influenced you the most?” Record these conversations or take notes, then transcribe them into your family history book. This approach works well if
© Best Version Media
BY GRACE SCHULTE
Winter doesn’t have to be all about staying indoors–so why not bring some color to the know with some DIY snow paintings? This fun, easy activity is perfect for both kids and adults alike and only requires a few simple items: food coloring, water, and some spray bottles. If possible, use naturally sourced food dye in consideration of the environment!
GETTING STARTED - To make your snow paintings, fill your spray bottles with water and a few drops of food coloring.
TIP: The primary colors of the color wheel are red, yellow, and blue. You only need these three to complete the rainbow. Mix red and yellow to create orange, mix yellow and blue to create green, and mix red and blue to create purple!
Once you have prepared your spray bottles, you can take them outside and let your creativity run wild. Spray patterns and make swirls, the snow is your canvas! You can even use them to decorate a snowman and give him a fancy outfit.
TIPS FOR EXTRA FUN - Add stencils: Place stencils on the snow and spray around them to create unique shapes. Use assigned bottles: Give each person their own color to work with for collaborative creations.
Try “snow gra ti”: Use the bottles to write messages or draw fun shapes for neighbors to enjoy! Not only is snow painting a fun way to enjoy winter, but it also adds a nice splash of color to those sometimes otherwise gray days. So next time the weather isn’t too frigid, bundle up and turn your backyard into your very own winter art gallery!
you want to create a book rich in storytelling and family voices. You can include personal anecdotes and even photos of family gatherings to accompany each person’s stories.
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR A MEANINGFUL FAMILY HISTORY BOOK
• Include a Family Tree: Start your book with a simple family tree to show relationships.
• Add Dates and Locations: Small details like dates and places to make stories easier to follow and help put family members’ lives in context.
• Save Keepsakes: Incorporate mementos like postcards, event tickets, or scanned letters to add depth to your family’s story.
Creating a family history book is a gift to yourself and to future generations. Whichever style you choose, this book will become a treasure trove of memories and a celebration of your family’s journey through time.
STUDENT ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT MAKAYLEE SMITH
BY TAMIKA TURNAGE
Makaylee Smith has always considered herself competitive in sports so the drive and determination it takes to play Softball was an easy transition. Her Softball journey began when she played recreationally. She enjoys the sport because she can have fun and learn with each game that she plays.
Displaying her growth as a player in a short amount of time is an aspect of the game that she considers to be an accomplishment. Makaylee strives to enhance her mental game, however ‘overall improvement is always needed’.
Our star Softball player primarily plays bases, an infielder. She considers playing second base a good time but currently plays both third base and first bases. Although playing a base is an individual component of the defense, Softball is a team sport. For Makaylee, an ideal accomplishment for her team would be for her team to have more ‘chemistry’. She believes that chemistry between them will increase their chances of winning more games.
Being that losing is her least favorite part of Softball, it goes to reason that her favorite part of the game is winning! Aside from winning, she appreciates the competition against other schools/teams as well as the opportunity to build relationships and bonds with other players.
Makaylee has faced her share of challenges as an athlete. Being a competitor, she has had to learn ways to display good body language no matter how the game is going or how many mishaps occurred. Ultimately, she would like to play her beloved Softball in college. More specifically she would like to play for a division school.
It is the hope of this month’s Lilburn Living Star Athlete of the Year, Makaylee Smith, will continue playing Softball across cities and countries. Batter up Superstar Youth Athlete!
© Best Version Media
FALLING INTO FEBRUARY
BY TAMIKA TURNAGE
F LOVE GAMES: WINTER EDITION
Love is in the air! Did you know that World Marriage Day is Sunday, February 8th, 2025. Each year Marriage Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of February. February also happens to be the National Wedding Month.
The purpose of Love Games is to build Love, Trust and Communication in your relationship. The Winter Edition event will provide Couples with an opportunity to do just that. Couples will participate in a series of fun games and activities competing against other Couples with laughter, fellowship and a chance to win prizes!
Love Game: Winter Edition is the perfect event to celebrate your love whether you are married or on the way to marriage or are smitten with your significant other. The Love Games: Winter Edition event will take place Saturday, February 15th, 2025
Contact Tamika Turnage (678-463-9058) & visit www.lovegames777.com for more information.
F COOKIES & CANVASES
Taking place at the Bethesda Park Senior Center’s Art Studio, senior citizens 50 years young and up will take part in an instructorled class learning how to paint cookies. The sweet soiree will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 1:00pm-3:30pm.
The cost for the event is $18 for residents and $35 for Non-residents. Registration begins on January 1st, 2025. Bethesda Park Senior Center 225 Bethesda Church Rd Lawrenceville, GA 30044
hosted by Truck & Tap in Duluth, takes place every Monday night from 7:30-10:00pm. A unique twist to a classic game, Music Bingo promises to amusing experience. Rather than using numbers and dots or chips as in the traditional game of BINGO, a song will be played, and the contest must mark the song on their card. Winners of the game will receive a discounted food and drink tab!
Details:
First date for the month of February: February 3, 2025 (470) 292-3630
info@truckandtap.com
Website: https://www.lightsuptrivia.com
How to Keep the Winter Blues at Bay
BY MIRANDA DOW
Seasonal A ective Disorder, or S.A.D., is a condition in which symptoms of depression appear or worsen during the winter months, due to lack of natural sunlight and warmth. Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do to keep your brain active and your mindset positive as you navigate through these often cold, dark winter days.
CHANGE YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Your environment can a ect your mood more than you realize—try to get as much sunlight as possible in your day, either from opening your blinds or using a therapy light that mimics natural sunlight without UV rays. Or if the temperature isn’t too frigid, bundle up and take a short walk outside, or just spend some time on your porch soaking in the sunshine!
STAY SOCIAL
Engaging in social activities can keep you occupied and help you connect with others, especially in these winter months where we can feel isolated. Participating in community events with friends and family, hosting or attending game and movie nights, and even attending online events and classes from the comfort of your home are great ways to keep your spirits up and social connections strong.
VOLUNTEER
Local non-profits like animal shelters and food pantries need all the help they can get, especially during the holiday season. Gathering items to donate or donating your time to one of these organizations is a great way to pitch in. They will be grateful for the time and energy you put into improving your local community.
