Gwinnett Citizen South June 2019 by GwinnettCitizen.com

CITIZEN

Vol. 31 No. 8

Face to face relationships

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So u t h

gwinnett Est. 1988 Covering Snellville, Lawrenceville, Grayson, Loganville

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JUNE 2019

US Navy Veteran Bill York shares WWII memories By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com

Eagle Scouts

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To this day, he’s the kind of guy to strike conversations with strangers in the grocery store. A WWII US Navy Veteran, 93-year old Bill York can say ‘thank you’ in 42 languages, and he prides himself on communicating with almost everyone he meets in their native tongue. York traveled extensively during the Second Great War. From 1943-1945, he was primarily positioned in the Mediterranean working with the Allies’ Amphibious forces. On June 6, 1944, the Allies pulled off the largest seaborne invasion in warfare history. For the “D-Day” Normandy Landings, more than 150,000 troops from the U.S., Great Britain and Canada stormed the beaches of Normandy France in one of the most pivotal battles in the War. Codenamed “Operation Neptune”, York referred to the D-Day invasion as ‘deadly.’ At the time, York was stationed in Palermo, Sicily, on the opposite coast. “I was not there, but my brother was so I have a keen interest in the program,” York said of the D-Day invasion. For York, one of the most important stories to preserve is that of his elder brother. “My brother was a smart guy. We were born on a farm in Indiana, and even before I graduated high school he was gone. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, he volunteered. After that, I saw my brother

See NAVY on Page 30 Braylon

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Gourmet ice cream page 25

INSIDE Citizen Connection 4 Picture Perfect 6 Gwinnett Pulse 8 Road Runner 14 Health & Wellness 18 Spiritual 27 Weddings 30 PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ABC DIRECT ECR-WSS POSTAL CUSTOMER

Photo by Julie Thompson

US Navy WWII veteran Bill York is passionate about sharing his research and experiences from the Second Great War with all who wish to listen.

Amazon Delivery Service The Backyard Comic Partner Milton Collier “Smittyj” provides jobs to veterans

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Amazon launched its Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program about a year ago, hoping to hire qualified individuals and veterans to deliver locally and build their own businesses as an Amazon DSP.

By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com You’ve probably seen one driving along local highways or on the streets of your neighborhood. Amazon Prime’s delivery vans are everywhere. The online retailer launched its delivery service partner program about a year ago, hoping to hire individuals to deliver locally and build their own businesses as an Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP). For Milton Collier — a veteran who worked in the military for decades — getting his business “TranMa-

zon” started in Lawrenceville was like riding a bike with training wheels. “My job was pretty simple,” Collier said of his experience when launching TranMazon. “It was to take those tools [Amazon had provided] and connect with those [designated] resources. I now provide benefits for close to 100 employees. In the real world, I think I would have a challenge ramping up to 100 employees, but because of the program that Amazon put together, I’ve been able to ramp up to 100 employees in less than a year.”

See AMAZON on Page 28

Photo by Emmett Clower

With impeccable timing and his animated performance, comedian James Smith will have audiences holding on to the edge of their seats.

By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com His timing is spot-on as he stirs audiences with his animated performance. James Smith is a Desert Storm veteran turned comedian and hopes to encourage and uplift audiences by sharing laughs. “Laughter is a good workout. It does so much for the soul, body and mind,” Smith said. Originally from Greenville, SC, Smith has been telling jokes his

whole life. And some time about 20 years ago, he decided to try out the life of a comedian developing his brand as Smittyj, the Backyard Comic. “My dad always called me Smitty, and I just put my first initial behind it. And I’m the Backyard Comic because I’m all about the good times. Growing up, we used to have barbecues in the backyard with the family. Those were the good times.” Gas prices, work life and his late

See COMIC on Page 26

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June 2019

Business Spotlight: Tracey Wells Farmers Insurance Agency gets back to the old-fashioned business model By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com Jingly television commercials giving the “save 50 percent or more on car insurance” spiel aren’t the style of this US Navy veteran. A professional insurance agent for more than 20 years, Tracey Wells prefers to do business the old-fashioned way — by building relationships face to face. Wells and his wife, Sonya, privately run their own Farmers Insurance agency in Grayson, Ga. with the help of other trusted employees. They offer commercial and individual policies for automobile, home and recreational vehicles, and life insurance. “It’s actually pretty unusual what we do here. We try to use easy terminology so that when you leave here, you will know more about insurance than 90 percent of the population. Most people say they know how it works, but if you asked them to explain it, they couldn’t,” Wells said. He got started in the business in ’92 and finds the insurance industry has a bad rep due to the high volume of call center sales reps who are willing to say anything to make a sale. “I don’t trust call centers. The people there are often inexperienced and on a time budget. I’ve found people often get a cheap quote that way, but it’s not the policy that will meet their actual needs. One of my clients had a home insurance policy that had her home way undervalued. I was able to get her on the phone and explain that if anything did happen, she would lose everything. A few years later, her house actually burned down due to an electrical fire. She was fine, but if she had not changed her policy, she could have sued me for not ensuring she had proper coverage.” The biggest mistake he’s seen is when folks presume they are an expert, or when they just Google information and assume they don’t need to talk to someone about their policy. That’s why customer care is a critical component at the Wells Agency. Meeting with clients and having faceto-face relationships isn’t required for most insurance brokers, but for Tracey and Sonya Wells, it’s part of their trademark. “I’ve learned to treat people the way I want to be treated. I’m not going to be in any one’s face. I’ll tell you your

more about their policy can call Wells at (678)691-3438. Additionally, Wells regularly posts tips and advice on his YouTube channel. For topics of disaster clean up and water loss, he has collaborated with professionals from businesses like Serve Pro to create highly

informational episodes. For now, Wells’ advice is simple. “Don’t text and drive, especially at night because your phones light up in your hand, and if you’re pulled over, your insurance rates can go up.” In all earnest, he added, “It’s crit-

ical to take insurance more seriously. You can get substantially more coverage for much less than you think, and it will be at a better rate, too. I know plenty of people who wish they had before it was too late.”

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Sonya and Tracey Wells own the Wells Farmers Insurance agency in Grayson.

options and leave it up to you.” If he could do it again, Wells would try a life insurance policy earlier on. “I would have gone with a life insurance policy earlier on and kept up with it. A young person pays much less for life insurance, and over a lifetime, you can ensure your legacy is secured and that you can care for the ones you love in the case of tragedy.” During his time in the Navy, Wells traveled extensively to countries like China, the Maldive Islands off the coast of India, Dubai, Kenya, Singapore, Australia, Fiji, Thailand and the Seychelle Islands. He saw people from all walks of life, and many were impoverished and had next to nothing. These experiences taught him the value of material items and that they shouldn’t be taken for granted. “People should take their insurance as seriously as they take their attorney, CPA, or doctor. We’re the only ones who will bring you a check. Your only choice is what policy to buy. Give me a moment to explain each of your choices to you, and I’ll lay it out, showing which ones are good, better, best. It may save you from losing everything.” Whether they’re working with individuals or with businesses, they try to establish relationships of trust. For many of their clients, it can make all the difference. “Don’t think it happens to the other guy, because he thought that too. Banks can garnish your wages and come after the equity on your home. With the right knowledge, you can prevent that from happening,” Wells said. Those interested in learning

Co-Publishers/Editors Auveed Bagheri Cawthon Chris Cawthon 107 W Crogan St • Lawrenceville, Ga 30046 • Office (770) 963-3699 www.gwinnettcitizen.com • info@gwinnettcitizen.com The mission of gwinnettcitizen.com newspaper, a publication of Media Maker Group Inc. dba gwinnettcitizen.com, is to provide our readers with stories about their communities and people. Our stories and photos bring to life the passion of living, working, playing, living healthy and worshiping in Gwinnett County. We help connect readers with local businesses to facilitate and promote shopping and buying local. The newspaper, a free publication, is direct mailed to 3 geographic zones in Gwinnett County containing hyper-local news pertinent to each community for a total monthly distribution of 60,000 printed copies in Gwinnett County. The viewpoints of columnists, advertisers, submissions are not necessarily those of gwinnettcitizen.com. GwinnettCitizen.com is not responsible for errors or omissions. Publishers reserve the right to accept or reject all advertising material. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without permission from the Publishers. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2019. Media Maker Group Inc, dba GwinnettCitizen.com.

June 2019

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GWINNETTCITIZEN

connection

“What is your opinion of the proposal to rezone a 51-acre property on Ozora Rd. as a waste transfer station?” Citizen Connection is a random sampling of opinions regarding various subjects. Visit our Facebook page to add yours and see a whole lot more!

“I had no idea. I hope it doesn’t turn the city into a smelly place that people don’t want to visit.” ~ Kelley Wheeler-Weaver, Grayson, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)

“I think it’s a good idea.” ~ Toni Bah, Grayson, Ga. (Kroger, Grayson, Ga.)

“No. I don’t want that.” ~ Sandra Wallace, Loganville, Ga. (Kroger, Grayson, Ga.)

“Absolutely not.” ~ Holly Foulke, Grayson, Ga. (Kroger, Grayson, Ga.)

“No. That’s my thought.” ~ Samara Rudnick, Grayson, Ga. (Kroger, Grayson, Ga.)

“I heard bits and pieces about it. What I’ve heard is there are concerns. I would like to read more about it and maybe read a proposal.” ~ Angela Smith, Snellville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)

“I used to live in Loganville. I wouldn’t want one there. It’d be different if it was somewhere where other properties weren’t around it. I surely wouldn’t want to be the one that’s backed up to it.” ~ Grace Cox, Conyers, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)

“As a property owner on Ozora Road, I’m not sure how it affects the value of my property. I would say that anything that creates jobs is a positive thing.” ~ Joel Quinn, Grayson, Ga. (Kroger, Grayson, Ga.)

“I suppose they have to put one somewhere, but I’m not sure that’s the best place. Nobody wants a trash place by where they live.” ~ Lance Manley, Grayson, Ga. (Publix, Grayson, Ga.)

“No. I live off of Ozora Road and have been a resident of Loganville for seven years … I love this town as it is. It’s beautiful, and this shouldn’t be there.” ~ Patricia Neals, Loganville, Ga. (Kroger, Grayson, Ga.)

“I don’t live near that area, but I probably wouldn’t want that near my house. The county or city of whoever’s decision it is can probably find a better place, somewhere commercial as opposed to a residential area. They have to put it somewhere, but it would be better in a commercial area.” ~ Tony Westmoreland, Snellville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)

“No. There’s already too much traffic around here. They’ve already ruined Grayson. I remember when Grayson was a quiet, secret place, and it was awesome. Just, no. [The waste transfer station is] too close to schools, parks, and apartments. I want to keep the area clean and nice for my grandchildren to grow up now. We have it nice for future generations.” ~ Sue Jannakos, Grayson, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)

“I am not for it. It would affect the smell. I have friends who live in that area, and the traffic is already horrendous. I can’t see all these garbage trucks going up and down [being a good idea] without first improving the roads.” ~ Kim Williams, Grayson, Ga. (Kroger, Grayson, Ga.)

“No. Honestly, they should put waste “It’s a terrible idea. Trucks going up and somewhere undeveloped, not near this down would tear up the roads and cost kind of area. It would smell bad, and it’s more tax dollars. If the county approves not good for the environment. That’s the it, that would be just because of the number one reason.” convenience because it’s on the edge of ~ Tashia Green, Conyers, Ga. the county near Walton. Personally, I think (Kroger, Grayson, Ga.) it would be a travesty. [The land] should be turned into a park. There’s a beautiful stream there behind the quarry.” ~ Michael Spreher, Walton, Ga. (Kroger, Grayson, Ga.)

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June 2019

Proposed Waste Transfer Station- Noise, Odors Degraded Livability

Dave Emanuel

Cut to the Chase

If you think locating a waste transfer station in a residential area is a bad idea, you might want to look at a few facts. At this point, you’re probably thinking, “Oh, here we go. This guy is going to try to convince me that it’s not a bad idea to have a noisy, stinking waste transfer station in my neighborhood. Read on. You just might be in for a surprise. While I consider myself to be somewhat of a trash expert, (at my house, it’s my job to take the garbage out) I don’t know much about solid waste transfer stations. To get up to speed, I did some research and found a number of informative web sites including Dumpsters.com. According to information on the site’s blog page, “Tracking Your Trash: What Happens at Waste Transfer Stations” waste transfer stations are “industrial facilities where municipal solid waste or MSW is temporarily held and sorted before heading to a landfill or waste-to-energy plant.”

The two operative words in that description are “industrial” and “held”. As they relate to the proposed transfer station on Ozora Road, there’s a distinct issue with locating an “industrial facility” on land that is currently zoned residential and is surrounded by residential properties. “Held” means that garbage won’t merely be transferred at the facility, it will be temporarily stored, during which time attendant odors may well blossom into a full-fledged stench. Although people find the odor of garbage to be unpleasant, rats and mice often find it inviting. Another operation performed at waste transfer stations is the sorting of garbage to remove items that aren’t accepted at local landfills such as batteries or other hazardous materials. Whether or not hazardous materials are sorted and removed from the trash that is sent to a landfill, they will be spending some time at the waste transfer facility. If they are mishandled, they can leach into the soil and potentially make their way to a water shed, whereupon they may flow into streams that feed into a water supply system. Considering the equipment used at a waste transfer facility- heavy trucks, front end loaders, conveyors and compactors, such facilities have much in common with other heavy industrial sites. Consequently, such sites are inappropriate for location in or close to residential areas. Without question, the site being proposed for Ozora Road falls into the inappropriate category.

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Close to 600 citizens gathered at Graystone Church to learn about the proposal to rezone a 51-acre property on Ozora Rd as a solid waste transfer station

“Not in my back yard”, an expression used by many homeowners is usually more of a figurative phrase than a literal one. In this case it is entirely literal. To the south west, less than 150 feet separates four residential properties from the proposed site. Two more are less than 200 feet away. To the north, eight residential properties are less than 300 feet from the proposed site; over 100 residential properties are within a quarter-mile (1,320 feet) of the site. One can only wonder if it’s coincidence that the residences most would be most affected by odor, noise and traffic are in subdivisions where houses are primarily priced at less than $200,000. Would such a facility have been proposed if the site was surrounded by half-million dollar homes? If the foregoing considerations aren’t enough to convince the county’s planning commission and board of commissioners members that the proposed waste transfer station is an absurdly bad idea, perhaps the Gwinnett County 2040 Unified Plan will.

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Citizens picked up yard signs and flyers at Graystone Church to help spread awareness of the rezoning of a 51-acre property on Ozora Rd

Larry Rose lead the meeting at Graystone Church and told those in attendance they now have a lawyer who will work on their case in the weeks leading up to the Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing on July 2 and before the County Commissioners vote on the proposal on July 23.

Nowhere in the plan is it stated that a vision for the future is to reduce property values by locating waste transfer sites in residential areas. Instead, the “Our Vision” chapter includes five themes: 1 - Maintain Economic Development and Fiscal Health 2 - Foster Redevelopment 3 - Maintain Mobility and Accessibility 4 - Provide More Housing choices 5 - Keep Gwinnett a Preferred Place To “Keep Gwinnett a Preferred Place”, the theme states, “This

theme describes and ties together a broad array of issues that underpin “quality of life.” Among these issues are those related to the environment, open space and recreation, culture and entertainment, the quality of development, and adding more amenities and convenience to Gwinnett’s neighborhoods.” Clearly, maintaining and improving livability is a major component of the plan to keep Gwinnett a preferred place. Just as clearly, having a noisy, smelly waste transfer station in your backyard does not improve livability. It degrades it.

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Citizens on the move to stop a Solid Waste Transfer Station off Ozora Rd By Staff Reports The message citizens are spreading is loud and clear; “Stop the Waste Transfer Station on Ozora Road”. In early June, in little more than a weeks time, HOA members from Kensington Forest, a surrounding neighborhood, found out, mobilized, and spread the word through a Facebook group. They held their first meeting at Graystone Church with standing room only and announced that they found an attorney without a conflict in Atlanta, and have raised over $11,000 so far. The concern is real, regional, and will test just about every thread that makes up a community; from it’s local citizenry, property owners, business community, local government entities, and local elected officials - and the processes. It has brought out the best

June 2019

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in its citizenry. People are working together by researching, and getting the word out through signs, flyers, and good old fashioned conversations. New friendships are forming and it gives much hope for Gwinnett’s future; a citizenry that truly cares and works together for the common good. Not only are they saying No to a waste transfer station in their residential, they are saying NO to ANY Waste Transfer Station in any residential area. To learn more and to get involved, visit: www.StopOzoraRezoning.com Facebook Group: Stop the waste transfer station on Ozora Road! Give to the GoFund Me: www.gofundme.com/stop-thewaste-transfer-on-ozora-road Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing - July 2nd, 7 p.m. County Commission Hearing July 23rd, 7 p.m.

Graduations galore!

Meredith Chastain & Meghan Schroder Picture Perfect

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May is a great month. Great weather, new beginnings, and graduations galore. We were able to attend many of these graduations and see so many great moments. A surprise homecoming from overseas, a first generation American Valedictorian giving a “goosebumps giving” speech, and even hearing the roar when the person with the last name that starts with a “Z” receives their diploma – all of the moments make us smile with pride at our County. One of my favorite moments this year was at Archer High School Gradu-

ation. Principal Ken Johnson was able to hand son Kendall Johnson his diploma. The sweet moment began with a hug but turned into a crowd favorite when Kendall grabbed his dad and placed a big kiss on his forehead. Peachtree Ridge graduates had to be at the Infinite Energy Center at 6 am a few days after school let out. The graduates were very respectful during all speeches and the passing out of diplomas. But they win the award this

See GRADS Page 7

June 2019

GRADS continued from page 6 year for “Best Hat Toss” at the conclusion of the ceremony – filling the arena with unbridled energy before gathering themselves and filing out of the venue. Grayson High School had their ROTC present the colors and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. Graduate Kinza Surani stood in front of her peers and a full arena and belted it out beautifully. The high moment was, of course, the traditional note at the end which brought grins and cheers from

June 2019

her classmates. Even better was that this multi-talented Senior also spoke in the ceremony as a Senior Class Officer. These accomplished students are going to take this world by storm. Over at Brookwood High School, history was made this year. Abigail Obeng-Marnu, the school’s first African American Valedictorian gave a stirring speech that netted her a standing ovation from her fellow graduates and the fully packed stadium. The ceremony

was filled with highs and only included one forbidden firework! Dr. Christopher Martin, Principal of Lanier High School, opened up graduation for his school. A second-year Principal at Lanier, it was clear that he is making his mark on the student body by the fact that every single speaker spoke of his encouragement during their remarks. Of particular note seemed to be the way he greets students each morning with a “24 Karat Magical Day”.

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We rounded out May by attending the GSLT Summit at Peachtree Ridge High School. This huge event included leaders from 23 Gwinnett County Schools and was a full day of Leadership training and serious discussions. During lunch, students were encouraged to let loose by dancing to some current favorite songs and visiting our photo booth. It was fun to see the leaders of today and graduates of tomorrow get a little silly in their business casual wear!

As our year runs June – May, we are excited to see what this next year brings. Everyone starts with a clean slate so bring on our new Seniors, academic highs, and sports championships!

email: magicmoment777@yahoo.com or call 770-979-4203

Gwinnett Pulse Welcome Home

Photo by Emmett Clower

Grace Clower, President of Historical Society and David Snell.

By Grace Clower On a recent Sunday afternoon, the grandchildren of E. R. and Mable Snell and their families gathered at the former Snell home to celebrate their family. The Snell family recently allowed the Snellville Historical Society to use their home as their headquarters office. “Our Historical Society wanted to show our appreciation to the family by hosting them for an afternoon of hugs, laughter, and shared memories,” according to Grace Clower, President of Snellville Historical Society. This is a genera-

L-R (front row) Ferle & Neita Faye Snell, Chris Snell, Doris Snell, Amanda Franklin, Lea & Timothy Mitchell; 2nd Row – Nici & Kevin Snell, Van Snell, Martha Snell, LuAnne Manry, Krista & David Snell, Melinda & Billy Franklin, Mandy Snell, Steven Todd, Teresa Cofer, Russ & Garrett Stephens; 3rd Row – Rick & Toni Britt, Mary Jo & Robin Snell, Connie & Jackie Snell, Melodie & Keith Conner, Frank Cofer, Jimmy Camp.

tion of grandchildren who now have children and grandchildren of their own. Ferle Snell, the only surviving child of E. R. and Mable, and his wife Neita Faye were also present. “It was wonderful to see the grandchildren walk through the house and recall their special memory of their grandparents’ house,” said Clower. “That’s why it is important for us to preserve our history for future generations.” David Snell, immediate Past President of Snellville Historical

Society and Melinda Snell Franklin, Board member and Newsletter Editor, were instrumental in organizing this event. President Clower presented David Snell with an Appreciation Plaque for his service as President in 2017-2018. For more information about the Snellville Historical Society or to share your Snellville History, call 678-691-8187 or visit us at 2145 North Road, Snellville.

South Gwinnett Class Reunion

South Gwinnett High School Class of 1964

Photo by Emmett Clower

Kneeling: Marsha Aderhold Camp; Row 1 L-R: Clinelle Carswell, Nancy Spinks Maughon, Joann Knight Hogan, Linda Smith Gaddis, Sue Knight Briscoe, Janie Kilgroe Clower, Linda Dutton Ford, Avis Brownlee Williams, Diane Reddy Bowen; Row 2 L-R: Joe Babb, Marshall Haney, Gloria Underwood Myers, Jane Gresham Gunn, Linda Mitchell Eidson, Doris Ann Snell Roberts, Faye Butler Mauldin, Sandra Norris Ross, Mary Ellen Jones Mathias, Donnie Smith, Janie Wells Lester; Row 3 L-R: Terry Moon, Wayne Britt, Terry Myers, Tommy Nash, Ronnie Burroughs, Bobby Barnes, Donnie Gilleland, Tommy Towler. Attended but missed photo: Tommy Jordan, Faye Landress Prather, Barbara Cox Hood. Deceased: Shirley Rawlins, Winfred Adams, Danny Brady, Jerry Broadnax. Johnny Dobbs, Sandra Phillips, Paula Gilleland, Patricia Britt, Sylvia McCullers, Jimmy Malone, Don Hogan, Carolyn Hurst, Tom Campbell, Ernest Stevens, Ronnie Norton, Wayne Ewing, Bobby Still, Richard Wells, Sandra Wood.

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June 2019

McKinley Community Care Center, a second home for senior citizens By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com With daily activities like singalongs, games and meals, many participants have come to think of McKinley Community Care Center as a second home. The Snellville-based adult day center recently underwent a rebranding and changed its name after completing its previous franchise agreement . In Aysha Cooper’s words, they will continue to offer the same high-end service as always. “It’s the same owner with a new name,” Cooper said. Beyond the new signage and logo, the change is hardly noticeable. McKinley has maintained the same location, staffing, and most activities will continue as they have for years. “She’s been doing this for a while, so I understand she would want to do her own brand eventually,” said Frank Meyer, a participant at the Snellville day center for five years. As the owner of an independent business, Cooper will have the ability to add a more personalized touch to her company and to bring her values for family and community to the forefront of her business. “We have completed our franchise contract, and so we have picked up our corporate name ‘McKinley’ now that we are an independent business, “Cooper explained. “And if you’re wondering where ‘McKinley’ comes from, it’s my son’s middle name.” Cooper’s father Bob Treadwell says she’s “a natural” caregiver. “I’m proud

June 2019

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Owner Aysha Cooper and Bob Treadwell at the rebranding ceremony for McKinley Community Care Center.

of her,” Treadwell said of his daughter. “She went to school for healthcare and watched my parents who passed suffer from Alzheimer’s, and she helped us take care of them.” Cooper admits that caring for her grandparents was what inspired her to open a day center. At McKinley, her goal has always been to engage participants through activities that stimulate their minds and encourage them to utilize their intellectual and social skills. “They are leaders, and they only need the proper assistance to stay connected and live as independently as possible while enjoying their later years,” Cooper said of the seniors participating at the center. McKinley provides multiple opportu-

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Executive Director Tato Gayflorsee presents Joyce Spraggs with a gift at McKinley Community Center’s rebranding ceremony. Joyce’s mother, Odessa Spraggs has been a participant at the center for two years, and they both enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere at McKinley.

nities for seniors to lead group activities. Frank Meyer will seize that opportunity by leading several games of “Pictionary with Frank” with fellow participants in the month of June. “We’re more than a bingo parlor. We’re doing a lot more than that,” said McKinley’s Executive Director Tato Gayflorsee. Gayflorsee explained that many professional caregivers are concerned that seniors are spending too much of their time being inactive and alone. “Loneliness is an epidemic in this country just as lethal as cigarettes,” said

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Longtime participant Frank Meyer and his grandson, Hollis Meyer at McKinley Community Care Center. Occasionally, Frank leads “Pictionary with Frank” with fellow participants at the Center. Gayflorsee who is working towards a Ph.D in caregiving and is writing his dissertation on alternative forms of treatment for Alzheimer’s. Some of the regular activities participants enjoy at McKinley include plant and pet therapies, singalongs and movie nights. Mealtime tends to be one of the most popular activities. “We always begin with a daily greeting where we go over the lunch menu and what we’re going to be doing that day before breaking up into different activities,” said Program Director Michelle Johnson. Johnson explained that the staff tries to cater to participants’ tastes, and they accommodate requests for variations to

the menu. “It all works out in the end. It takes so many to make one day complete and to make sure everybody is happy,” Johnson said. New to McKinley Center is the Universal Yums program which allows participants to taste foods from around the world while receiving informational materials about the country’s cuisine and culture. “As far as I know, we are the only adult day center participating in this program,” Johnson said. The staff held a rebranding town hall on May 23, 2019, inviting loyal participants and their families to come celebrate. The ceremony commenced shortly after 6 p.m. and ended with cake and a presentation of gifts. “This is one of the best times I have had with my mother,” Joyce Spraggs said of the two-year period her mother, Odessa Spraggs, has been a participant at McKinley. “My grandmother died at an early age, so my mother never really had a mother. Our roles are reversed now, and it’s been beautiful. I feel good knowing my mother is being well cared for here at McKinley Care while I work during the day.” As the center enters its pilot year as an independent business, Cooper hopes to continue working with caretakers and families to provide customized care for each participant. She invites families to join in their daily activities as often as they have availability. McKinley is located at 1567 Janmar Rd. in Snellville. More information is available online at www. mckinleyga.com.

Scout Troop 553 — Eagle Court of Honor By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com

The members of Scout Troop 553 have had one heck of a childhood. Scouts Robert Heaton, Blake Ito, Allen Moore, and Everett Sommers joined as young boys and grew up together camping, cycling and sailing. The group has passed many milestones together, graduating from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, becoming Patrol Leaders and exploring the great outdoors. They recently passed the final threshold of their experience together as Scouts. These young men are now Eagles Scouts, having achieved the highest advancement in the Scouting ranks. Each of the boys was required to complete a project to receive the

status and spent many hours planning and executing their individual assignments. Allen Moore’s project required a fundraising effort to purchase items for personal hygiene kits which he assembled for those in local shelters. Explaining his idea which took 100 hours to execute, Allen said, “I wanted to have an impact on people. I put together hygiene kits because I thought that would be of help.” Each of the boys went to great lengths to complete their projects. Robert spent 50 hours building a split rail fence and three compost bins at the Southeast Gwinnett Food Co-Op; Blake designated 100 hours towards building four benches and assisted with additional maintenance work at a local Kindergarten. And Everett contributed over 150 hours

completing hand painted photo boards for guests to enjoy at three Gwinnett County Parks. Assistant Scout Master Alan Malone explained the life-long significance of the boys’ achievements, saying, “Being an Eagle is about more than accomplishment and merit. An Eagle Scout is someone who shows character by his actions. Many people are confused by the material characteristics of the award. Lists of have-done’s are impressive, but the will-do’s are what people should see when they see an Eagle Scout. We can talk about massive projects, endless merit badges, long hours of camping and challenging, high adventure trips. We should be proud of these accomplishments, but do we have to brag. What we have accomplished has provided

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Photo by Jasmine Ito

Eagle Scouts. L-R: Robert Heaton, Blake Ito, Allen Moore, Everett Sommers.

tools to teach us to be better people.” Robert, Everett and Allen graduated high school in Spring 2019. For them, moving on will be like the end of an era. “We’re going off to new places with no way to experience these outings in the same way ever again. It’s best in this time of change to remember the good times we have had with these people,” Everett said. Each of the boys has slightly different perspectives on the adventures they shared with together. To Everett, learning to cook and pack up camp were sure signs that they were growing as a troop. Allen recalls some of the goofier moments they shared but considers himself lucky for the friendships made with each troop member. “Together, we made some fantastic memories during our time together in Troop 553. We’ve gone sailing and snorkeling in the crystal, clear waters of Florida Key bays. We paddled with alligators in the Okefenokee Swamp. We crossed many, many times on the Silver Comet Trail on the Georgia- Alabama border. To think about how much changed, I’m convinced the Boys Scouts works. The self-confidence, experience, go-getter attitude and so much they taught me are invaluable.” Robert admitted having mixed feeling about splitting ways with the rest of the troop. “I’ve been a scout since first grade, and I’ve known most of these people my whole life. They’ve made me a better person,” said Robert. “It’s been a great time. Sad to see it end. We’re all going to college. We’re all going somewhere else.” The last man standing, Blake is still a junior in high school and won’t be going anywhere just yet. Of his experience with the others, he said, “It has been amazing. [Being a Scout] taught me a lot of stuff and helped me make new friends and great memories. I loved camping and being outside. It gives me a whole different look on life like you’re part of something bigger.” The boys were recognized for completing their Eagle Projects at a pinning ceremony on May 18, 2019. Receiving their pins, each took turn to thank their parents and others

Photo by Jasmine Ito

Everett Somers receiving his Eagles Scout pin.

Photo by Jasmine Ito

Allen Moore pins his parents, Beth and Paul Moore, to recognize their support throughout his Scouting journey.

who had helped them along the way. “They got a lot out of the Scouts,” said Robert’s dad, Bob Heaton. “I used to walk through them, but now, I walk around them – I have respect for them. I helped them grow, but they’ve helped me, too. I’d go on all the camping trips with them, and some days, I would have liked to stay home. But going through the program makes you a better person. A softer person.” Scout Master Mike Layman reflected on his journey with the Scouts saying, “It’s one of the best programs in the world for turning young men, and now women, into leaders.” Come fall, both Allen and Everett will be attending Georgia Institute of Technology. Robert will start his freshman year at Mercer University.

June 2019

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Live! It’s never too late! By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com If you could give advice to your younger self, what would you say? “I’d tell myself to never stop doing what you love doing,” said Alison Reid. Last December, Reid and a group of friends were at a networking event when the idea struck her. What if they started taking tap lessons? “I danced for 15 years as a child and loved it. I even thought I would become a dance teacher one day,” Reid explained. The idea was well received by the group, and before they had time to back out, one of them found a studio that offered adult classes. “Amy Stanitzke is a take charge kind of gal, and she immediately looked up a place and found the North Georgia Dance Academy (NGDA). Eight of us started taking lessons there in January,” Reid said. Unlike Reid, Stanitzke had never taken dance lessons in her life. “The group of us had decided to do it so I said, ‘Okay, I’ll plan it.’ [We live all over Metro Atlanta], so I intentionally chose a place near I85 that would be convenient for all of us,” Stanitzke said. They started at a beginner’s level, meeting at 7:30 every Tuesday for 30 minutes. “Welcome to Kindergarten,” their instructor, Yvonne Antinazi, joked during their first class. But over the next few weeks, the steps incrementally advanced. For some of the women, the commitment was too much, and the group grew smaller. “The first few classes, I really had to concentrate, and I had to keep up

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Front- Yvonne Antinazi, dance instructor and owner of North Georgia Dance Academy, Second-row L-R: Alison Reid, Student Teacher, LD Dekatch (hat on), Amy Stanitzke.

my practice at home. But all of a sudden, things clicked,” said Kris Brant, who works at a senior care center. Brant admits that at times, she got frustrated. Although she’s been active her whole life, when it came to dance, she was starting with a clean slate. “Once we got the first song down, I felt accomplished. Just going from zero background to actually end up performing something was pretty satisfying,” Brant said. In May, the group had their first recital. Four of the classmates was able to attend, and a few instructors and their daughters decided to perform with them. Forgoing costumes, the women wore all black and tapped to the “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” remake by Linda Clifford. “It was so much fun!” Stanitzke said. “We all went to eat afterward, and our friends and family came to support us.” During the summer, the NGDA’s regular classes go on break, as children get busy with swim clubs, travel-

ing and other seasonal activities with their families. But the ladies from the adult tap class are hooked, so they’ve negotiated to have a six-week summer series before regular classes resume in the fall. With their first performance in the books, the ladies hope to build their skills to be able to start performing at senior centers. “We hope to be ready by October. Most of us are in the senior service industry, so [performing at senior centers] is our goal,” Stanitzke said. As for the choreography, the women say it’s all a matter of muscle memory. “We’re not Rockettes by any means, but I’m proud of what we’ve learned,” Reid said. “It’s the best exercise for your brain, too. It’s all repetition.” Since they started, the group switched to 40-minute weekly lessons. As career ladies, time is not a luxury many of them have, but when they’re tapping, they consider it well spent.

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After beginning an adult tap class in January, the ladies enjoyed their first recital in May. For some of them, the performance was a tribute to all their hard work and the perfect occasion to let loose.

“All of us consider it the best time of our week,” said LD DeKatch who had danced most of her life until about 10 years ago. “As a working mom, tak-

ing time for myself is something, I tend to renege on. But we’ve all stuck with this, and it’s a great stress relief. And how often do you get to dance with other 45 plus-year old women?” For Reid, the class is a commitment to her young self, a way to live out a passion she’s always held. “It’s always important to challenge ourselves. It’s never too late to try anything — there’s 90-year-olds who go sky diving,” Reid said. “It’s interesting to see the parts of aging we can defy.” The group has advanced to an intermediate level after taking weekly lessons for half a year, and they encourage anyone to take that first step to try just try it out. “I think anyone could do it,” Brant said. “I’m 60, so sometimes my knees hurt. I was embarrassed, thinking I looked silly, but now, I’m proud of what we’ve learned. It’s a fun little bit of exercise, different than aerobics. We take it at our own pace, so it’s nothing crazy.”

June 2019

Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce: May’s OnTopic Meeting and Metro Waterproofing Celebrates 45 years with the Chamber! By Tiffany Brix GwinnettCitizen.com Once a month, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce has its On Topic Luncheon. Presented by Rocket IT, this signature monthly event features high-profile speakers throughout the year. Meetings are designed to keep members well-informed about current business and regional issues. During the May event, they discussed how Georgia is poised to be an attractive career destination for job recruits. Gwinnett Chamber meetings such as these give companies a finger on the pulse of the business community and provide a valuable resource for members. Most of the companies represented in the room had jobs that they needed to fill but, currently, cannot find adequate talent to fill them. The general requirements to hire potential employees for the jobs they need to fill was not elaborate. If you are looking for employment here are some straightforward ways you can find a job with many companies present at the On Topic meeting: 1) Show up. Yes, this was something that several companies mentioned. Take it a step further and show up on time, and you are off to a stellar start! 2) Dress professionally. Please do NOT show up in your pajamas, even just to ask for an application. 3) Don’t be on your phone. Don’t even look at it while you are there. Leave it in your car if habit makes this problematic for you. If you do have it with you, put it away and turn off notifications. 4) Be able to pass the initial employment drug test. 5) Don’t be afraid if you don’t feel you have enough prior training. If you have the above qualifications and a willingness to work, many companies will give you the training you need. Often, even if you start in an entry-level position, there are plenty of opportunities to advance. These requirements may seem like common sense. Unfortunately, many employment hopefuls don’t know these simple basics. Clyde Strickland, attending with his family to celebrate his company’s anniversary as Chamber members, spoke up during this conversation and explained adamantly that Metro Waterproofing has field jobs they need to fill when they can find talent with good work ethic. They will gladly offer whatever training needed when they find quality employees. Metro Waterproofing employees become a family and, with that, enjoy some incredible job incentives. Many companies create a work environment that feels like family. However, a story about what they call The Big Fire at Metro Waterproofing shows the depth of just how sincere-

June 2019

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L-R: Vince DeSilva, Sr. Vice President, Member Services presents the Chairman’s Club Business of the Month to Kenneth Strickland, Sandra Strickland, Clyde Strickland, Theresa Bullock and Myron Bullock.

Waterproofing actively supports are Path Project, Special Kneads Bakery, Repairing Hands Ministry, Partnership of Domestic Violence, among many others. As mentioned before, Metro Waterproofing offers some incredible employee benefits. From the very beginning, they offered health insurance before that was something many employers even considered. They pay half of the healthcare costs across the board, an excellent benefit. They also provide a retirement plan and profit sharing for all employees. One other jaw-dropping benefit that Metro Waterproofing offers is an extraordinary gift to every single employee who reaches 25 years of employment with them. When an employee, more a member of their business family, reaches that 25-year landmark, Metro Waterproofing

presents that employee with a gift of their choice worth $25,000. Some of the selections for this gift have been boats, RVs, cash, cars. Recently, they have been celebrating more and more 25-year employees. The best companies nurture life lessons as well as employment. Sandra painted a beautiful parallel that illustrates how Metro Waterproofing gives this sincere support, “Never forget where you came from, and make sure you’re on a solid foundation—in life and buildings.” For more information on the OnTopic meetings, visit the Gwinnett Chamber Events Calendar https://gwinnettchamber.org/ events For more information about Metro Waterproofing, visit their website metrowaterproofing.com

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L-R: Clyde Strickland, Sandra Strickland, Kenneth Strickland, Theresa and Myron Bullock.

ly Clyde instilled this pillar into his company. In 1986, flames consumed the business, destroying everything. As they assessed the damage, someone tried to comfort Clyde and said, “At least this wasn’t your home.” Clyde very earnestly and heavily responded, “Everything in my home can be replaced. This business is everyone’s livelihood—everyone’s home is affected by this fire.” Metro Waterproofing celebrated their own company’s 45th anniversary two years ago. This year is another distinctive landmark—45 years as members of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. In 1972, Clyde Strickland started Metro Waterproofing with a $1400 truck, $100 ladder, and eight employees. Now Metro Waterproofing has around 300 employees and is a multi-million dollar regional business. Those two points are not connected in a straight line, however. Clyde, his family, and the business had struggles and heartache along the way. The Big Fire was a big challenge—they lost everything. In that darkest of moments, the Metro Waterproofing family rose from the ashes. Before the cinders of the devastating fire fully cooled, Clyde’s best friend, Don Ross, handed over his entire inheritance to Clyde so that Metro Waterproofing could keep running seamlessly. Clyde humbly took that gift of faith and love and did not squander it. From that point forward, Metro Waterproofing operated as a cash-based company, a change for the better and something they feel helped steady their success, even in challenging economic cli-

mates. Clyde paid back that loan with interest and gifts of faith. Metro Waterproofing also gives considerable effort to stay ahead of new technologies and techniques. Continuing education is essential to the Strickland family. His wife, Sandra, nurtured that love for learning in her entire family. Their deep professional relationships with their vendors give them first glimpses into what’s on the horizon, enhancing the professional education of their waterproofers. Clyde faithfully grew his business until he turned it over to the next generation to continue the company. Clyde remains as CEO, and on the Board of Directors and Sandra is Corporate Treasurer. His son Kenneth Strickland is President, other son Mike Strickland and son-in-law Myron Bullock are VPs, daughter Theresa Bullock is Corporate Secretary. Metro Waterproofing’s top priority has always been to act in life and in business with integrity and honor, giving service to make sure the customer is happy. While every decision in business has ties to money, they make no decision with that as the driving force. They treat their employees like family and want every member of their business family to extend that warmth and service to every customer. Giving back and supporting the community is also an intrinsic part of how Metro Waterproofing operates. Being active members of the Gwinnett Chamber gives them many opportunities to support community businesses. Other groups that Metro

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The Gwinnett Roadrunner

“ON THE RUN” By Mar y Frazier Long

Congratulations Mary Frazier Long

Gwinnett County Author, Historian

Mary Long Photo

Down we go.

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Berry time in Loganville.

erate Reunion in Richmond. Among those were Captain J.R. McKelvey, D.M. Clower, and Jno W. Garner.” • The News-Herald June 26, 1930, “Boys’ Knickers are now $1.95.”

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“The sleeping fox catches no poultry.” ~ Benjamin Franklin “We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.” ~ Goethe

QUOTABLES “In free countries, every man is entitled to express his opinions—and every other man is entitled not to listen.” ~ G. Norman Collie “The louder he talks of his honor, the faster we count our spoons.” ~ Ralph “Waldo” Emerson

Golden Wedding Anniversary in May 2019.

• In 1963 gas was 25 cents a gallon and a postage stamp was 5 cents.

Is this Shrek’s buddy?

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• In 1962 B.B. Harris was Gwinnett County School Superintendent and Carl Sanders was Governor of Georgia.

GRANDFATHERS TOO!

Robert Cain with his granddaughter, Shaina, in 1992.

Tim and Gay Stewart celebrated their

IMPORTANT JUNE EVENTS • The Continental Congress adopted the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777. • Ford Motor Company was founded on June 16, 1903. • Congress declared war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812. • The Sioux Indians massacred General George Custer and his troops at the Little Big Horn, Montana on June 25, 1876.

GOLD STAR FAMILIES MEMORIAL MONUMENT Robert Bumgardner and the Rotary Club are working for the establishment of a Gold Star monument as a tribute to families who have lost a loved one in service to our country. The Hershel “Woody” Williams foundation will honor Gold Star Families and Robert hopes to have a monument placed in Lawrenceville which would be the first one in Georgia. Forty-one states have the monuments in place. SUMMER LUNCHES All Gwinnett County residents 18

and younger can get free lunches and snacks at Gwinnett Parks this summer. Lunches will be distributed between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. Snacks will be distributed between 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm. The program does not operate the week of July 1 through July 5.

TRUTH CLINIC This Community Clinic is located at 250 Langley Drive, Suite 1316. It provides limited medical and dental care to Lawrenceville, Dacula and Buford communities. For information about appointments call 770-277-4675.

THE LAWRENCEVILLE COOPERATIVE MINISTRY

IMPORTANT INFORMATION • The June Bug is the name for several large brown beetles seen in the United States during June. They are usually seen at night when light attracts them. These bugs eat the young leaves of plants and can cause much damage. • Children sometimes tie a string to a leg of one of these beetles and watch it fly. • Katy Belcher and Tanner Vines were married on March 29, 2019. PAST EVENTS IN GWINNETT • The Gwinnett Journal, June 7, 1922, “Mr. and Mrs. S.G. Brown, James Craig, Larry Pentecost, and M.C. Austin attended graduation at Emory last Sunday.” • The Gwinnett Journal, June 21, 1922, “A number of Lawrenceville citizens left on Sunday on a special Seabord train bound for the Confed-

Volunteers Glory Smith, Patsy Hudson, Sara White with Assistant Director Ruth Hardy.

The cooperative ministry located at 52 Gwinnett Drive in Lawrenceville provides for those in need. The ministry is staffed by volunteers and full-time employees. Tom Balog is Director and Ruth Hardy, Assistant Director began as a volunteer and is

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now a full-time employee. Hours of operation for pick up Monday 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday 10-1:30 p.m., Friday 10-1:30 p.m., Saturday 10-11:30 a.m. On the first Monday night, local beauticians provide free haircuts for clients.

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On May 9, 2019, Volunteer Appreciation Night was held at McKendree Methodist Church and 117 volunteers at the Coop were recognized and honored for their service.

June 2019

GRAYSON PHOTOS

SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

On Sunday, May 5, 2019, Joshua Bingham, Corey Case, and Myra Ashley Gray were awarded scholarships at a special recognition at the morning service at Lawrenceville First Baptist Church. Joshua Bingham plans to continue studying to become a Youth Minister. He is a graduate of Toccoa Falls College and is currently attending Truett McConnell University. Corey Case has been a student at Georgia Gwinnett College, and he plans to transfer to Kennesaw State University to pursue a degree in finance. Myra Ashley Gray has completed a year of study at Truett McConnell University where she

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L-R: Mya Ashley Gray, Joshua Bingham, Corey Case and Nancy Segars who presented the scholarships at the First Baptist Church on May 5, 2019.

is a Music Education Major, and she plans to continue pursuing a degree at the University.

All three scholarship recipients are outstanding students.

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2003 photo L-R: Rebecca Mason Page, Margie Knight McBryar, Raymond Henderson Evelyn Wade Elliott, Hilda Knight Underwood.

GWINNETT COUNTY RETIRED EDUCATORS The Gwinnett County Association of Retired Educators membership is composed of those who spent their careers teaching in Gwinnett Schools and other schools in Georgia and other states. Most of the members continue to enrich the area by volunteering in many places. Some read in schools or assist current teachers others work as hospital volunteers, the list of places that have been lit up by retired educators is a long one. At this meeting, Community Service Chairman Sarah Davis reported 1,220 hours were given to volunteer work by members of Retired Educators and many members did not report their hours of service. The May 17, 2019 meeting was held at the Northwood Country Club in Lawrenceville. The next regular meeting of the Association will be September 20, 2019. Members of the association who passed away between March 2018 and March 2019 were honored in a special ceremony. Those members were Daniel Wesley Bonner, Sr., Jane Alexander, Hugh D. May, and Rebecca Jordan Suggs (Becky). Music was provided by Lori Herren, vocalist, Kimberly Rooker, Cellist, and Norman Bernal, violin-

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2004 photo Elkin Couch, Mary Ann Couch Simonton, Roy Couch, three members of the Couch family whio attended Grayson High School

2005 photo of Jim Britt, Jo Dell Wade, Charles Stephens.

Penny Clavijo with 2019/2020 President Jan Calkins.

ist.

The new GCREA officers were installed and the gavel was passed from Terrie Adkins to Jan

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Calkins, president 2019/2020 and Penny Clavijo president-elect for 2019/2020.

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Norman Bernal, Violinist, and Kimberly Rooker, Cellist.

June 2019

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Penny Clavijo, President-elect for 2019/2020 with 2018/2019 President Terrie Adkins.

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James Snell Receives 60-Year Masonry Award in Snellville

Through the sun room Window

By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com The Snellville and Painesville Masonic Lodges collaborated to award James H. Snell with a pin for being a mason for 60 years. The award ceremony took place at the Snellville Masonic Lodge on May 6th around 7 p.m. and included a dinner in addition to the award ceremony. “I was amazed that so many people went through such effort to present me with the pin. They must have spent many hours in preparation,” Snell said. Snell was born March 19, 1931 in Fulton County and has lived a productive life as a Methodist minister, a husband, father and a member of the Painesville Masonic Lodge. Over his 45-year career as a minister, Snell preached in churches in Painesville, Temple, St. Mary’s, Dalton, Sommerville, and Snellville. During the course of his career and all throughout his 22-year retirement, Snell has taught Sunday School classes at Snellville United Methodist Church. It was at his Sunday School class that Snell met his wife, Joanne. She came in one day with her mother, and the rest is history. Three years after they met, the two married, and they went on to have three children – two boys and one girl who are now retired and have children of their own. James and Joanne Snell have seven grandchildren — six boys and

Marlene Ratledge Buchanan Hey Y’all

James and Joanne Snell.

one girl. Snell always considered it his duty to become a mason. His father was both a minister and a mason and instilled in him and his brother the importance of volunteerism and being active in the community. Following their father’s footsteps, both Snell boys became masons. “It brought back a lot of memories. My first contact with the masonic lodge was in Painesville. My father was there, and it’s just a good memory. I know a lot of people worked hard to make this happen. It took collaboration between the two lodges, and about five masons from

Photo by Emmett Clower

the Painesville lodge drove up to the Snellville lodge to present me with the award.” The Masonic Lodges are a conglomeration of nonprofit organizations that work together as a charitable fraternity. Their purpose is to help those in need in their respective areas through volunteerism and charitable work. The Snellville Lodge is located at 2785 Lenora Church Road. They can be reached by phone at (678) 344-4567 or by email via snellvillelodge99@gmail.com.

I do most of my writing in the sun room. It is by far my most favorite room in the house. Until the weather is warm enough, I keep all my house plants in this room. I have orchids blooming most of the winter and greenery everywhere. The best part is looking out the windows. It is a six-sided room that used to be shaded by a 300 year old oak tree. The tree was destroyed by Irma. We have bird and hummingbird feeders in the yard. There are plenty of birds and squirrels fighting over the bird houses. There are three outside cats in residence: Fluffy Mama, TDH (Tall, Dark & Handsome) and Spats. We feed them. They will have nothing to do with us. Fiona, our baby deer, is growing up in this yard. Our three crows, Geraldine, Edgar and Vincent, live here, too. We have a large backyard family. The piece d’ resistance is an outdoor toilet. Yep. An old potty. And I love it. I have an old outhouse that has cost me a fortune to move and restore. I don’t care. It is worth every penny. When we bought this property some 23 years ago there were two old barns and the outhouse on it. It took me years of trying to persuade Snell that I needed that outhouse in the backyard where it could become

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the centerpiece of a flower bed. I finally gave up on Snell and called someone to move the outhouse. It was taken apart board by board and each one was labeled with a location number. All the usable boards were assembled into what you see now. We replaced the damaged boards with old harvested pine that we had salvaged years ago. It is a two holer—a sort of deluxe model. The farmhouse that had originally stood on this site had a granite step with some initials and the date 1933 chiseled into it. I am assuming the core of the outhouse and the barns may be from around that period of time. Our neighbor did some research and his information indicated some of the out buildings could be older. We tried to save the farm house but termites and weather had done too much damage. The barns are still standing. Occasionally we nail another board or two on them for strength. We have surrounded the old barns with azaleas. Azaleas can make anything beautiful for a few weeks of each year. The flower bed around the outhouse will be iris, day lilies, wild flowers and native plants. I have put out tons of seeds and transferred a lot of iris and day lilies to the beds near it. Mother Nature has been taking this yard back with a vengeance. I am letting her have most of it. I guess I will try to make her happy and put what she likes in this bed. If all else fails, I’ll put in more azaleas. On the front of the outhouse is my traditional Hey Y’all greeting. Don’t you just love using the word Y’ALL? So soft. So southern. So comfortable. That “Hey Y’all” is my general greeting to most everyone I meet. It greets all of our outdoor critters to the back yard where they are safe and enjoyed in their beauty. This morning I was coming into the sun room with my first cup of coffee, and I heard honking. Not just normal honking but HONKING. I think the sun room windows were shaking. I looked out the back window, and there were two geese. Let me introduce you to our newest family members. Goosie and Gander. Apparently, they love the old outhouse, too. Hey Y’all. Welcome to the neighborhood.

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June 2019

Out of date beneficiary designations can spell disaster

James Miskell

Estate Planning

Many accounts, like retirement and investment accounts, allow you to designate the beneficiaries of the account upon your death. It’s a convenient way to distribute these accounts, and typically you make the selection when you open the account. What many folks don’t realize is that when they get a divorce or make a new will, these beneficiary designations do not automatically change. This is a detail that if overlooked can frustrate even the most expensive and thorough estate plan, whether you have a will, a living trust, both or neither. Don’t let your assets go to your ex. - Keep your beneficiary designations current! Making your estate plan begins

June 2019

with thinking about your values and your family and having conversations with your spouse and/ or family members. Consider all the details: the financial, the legal, and the shared understandings. Estate Planning documents and beneficiary designations should be kept up to date; both you and your spouse should know the location of all financial accounts and have the information to access them; and both you and your spouse should participate in regular updates from your financial advisor. You should discuss more than how your assets will be divided. Make plans for possible disability and long term care. You should talk about who will be acting on your behalf as your agents, those people who represent your interests through a power of attorney, will or trust. Picking the wrong people can frustrate your plans, whether due to lack of capability, dedication or trustworthiness. You need to ensure that only the right people hold your durable power of attorney or serve as executor or trustee. Some people are better suited for certain duties and it is not a comment on your love for or value of your heirs to make wise choices.

“Don’t let your assets go to your ex. - Keep your beneficiary designations current!” And of course, you will also discuss your inheritance – choosing who will benefit from your estate. Oftentimes, physical items are difficult to split up. How you split up sentimental family items can start a fight, or, if thoughtfully handled ahead of time, end fights before they happen. This is a topic worth discussing with your heirs and beneficiaries. That way everyone can express what things they may want and why. Family heirlooms represent an emotional connection that may even be more important to family members than financial assets. The estate you leave is not just about money it is also about the memories and shared values that hold families together. Money can be easily divided among your beneficiaries in any proportions that you believe are

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appropriate. Wills direct only the assets owned in your name when you die. Trusts can only distribute property held by the trust. Financial and retirement accounts with beneficiary designations don’t care about your will and are not interested in your trust. Plan administrators will pay the people you told them to pay when you last filled out the form. If you named the two children you had when you opened the account and have four when you die, half of your children will split the account and half will get nothing. If your ex-spouse is still named, he or she will be surprised and remember you fondly; your current spouse and children will also be surprised. Their reactions will be less favorable. Keeping your plan current is essential in avoiding unintended

consequences. Your priorities and goals for your estate plan should dictate the structure of your plan and the creation of the documents required to make it a reality. The critical first step is starting the right conversations with your spouse and family members. Continue the conversation with financial advisors and estate planning attorneys who can guide you in building the right plan to achieve your goals. Make certain that your beneficiary designations and other estate planning documents work together to achieve the right result. James M. Miskell received his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1993. His Asset Protection, Estate Planning and Elder Law practice has offices located in Lawrenceville and Johns Creek. He offers educational workshops and free consultations to assist clients as well as fellow professionals in creating individualized solutions. Visit his website: www.letstalkestateplanning.com. For more information, see his ad in this issue.

Health, Beauty & Wellness Ready To Move? Watch For These Summer Injuries Once upon a time, starting a new exercise or activity was no big deal. Well, as long as you had the motivation and the proper gear to do so. But after you reach a certain age, and you’ve suffered one too many pulled muscles or unexpected injuries, you learn that jumping into a new exercise isn’t quite that simple. However, just because it takes a little extra time and preparation to start a new activity the right—and safe way— doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try something different. After all, who can resist a little friendly competition with a round of golf or an invigorating mountain hike in the refreshing summer weather? So to help you make the most of the summer months, Adam Cochran, MD, an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Gwinnett Medical Center, offers key insights and helpful tips on some of the season’s most popular activities. Swimming: When it’s summer and you live in Georgia, there’s really only one place to be in the midst of a hot, humid day: in a cool body of water. While it seems harmless enough to just put on your swimsuit—and sun protection— and relax the day away, there may be hidden dangers you’re overlooking. “For instance, jumping into the pool, showing off those swim strokes or playing games in the water can all be tough on your body,” says Dr. Cochran.

Some of the most common sports-related injuries include: • Irritation and inflammation of the shoulder: pain and swelling, stiffness and loss of mobility • Lower back muscle strain: pain and stiffness that worsens when moving or bending • Jumping-related injuries: ranging from joint sprains to traumatic brain injury, paralysis or, in rare cases, death Remember these simple tips to stay safe while swimming: • Even if you don’t feel tired, take breaks every hour so that your body, namely your joints and muscles, can rest. • Look around at signage to see pool depth, pool rules and locate safety equipment. • Never leave children unattended, even if there is a lifeguard present. • Come prepared with water and healthy snacks to keep up energy and prevent dehydration. Golfing: Even if you don’t consider yourself one of 60 million routine golfers, the lush green courses and 2+ hours spent outdoors in the beautiful weather may be just enough to convince you to finally give it a try. So whether you’re taking for your first swing of the season or of your life, you’ll want to be sure that you prepare your body for the surprising toll this low-impact sport takes.

“While you may not notice any discomfort in the midst of playing,” explains Dr. Cochran, “spending 4 to 5 hours in a bent position, and making repetitive motions, can cause a number of injuries.” Some of the most common include: • Back pain: sharp or dull pain concentrated in the lower back • Elbow tendonitis: pain outside the elbow, forearm and wrist • Meniscal injuries: swelling and sharp pain in the knee, as well as a locking or giving-way sensation • Patellar tendonitis: pain in the front of the knee To keep your swing and health in good shape, keep these tips in mind: • Spend at least 10 minutes warming up and stretching, focusing on your hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, spine and pelvis. • Don’t do a full round of 18 holes on your first outing. Instead, build-up your endurance by starting with practice at the driving range, followed by 9 holes, then 18. • Opt for a golf cart and/or a bag carrier to avoid the straining of lifting your heavy bag. Hiking: With the wide variety of trails in Georgia—shaded, creek side routes; hilly, Appalachian trails; and everything in between—there’s a trail to bring out the happy hiker in all of us. But it isn’t just finding the ideal trail

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that you have to worry about. Even if you don’t pick a challenging route, be mindful of these common injuries: • Blisters: irritation and discomfort caused by a bubble filled with clear fluid • Ankle sprains: swelling, tenderness and bruising • Muscle cramping: Tightness and pain in the feet, legs and back Before you start your trailblazing, don’t forget to: • Pick out shoes that provide ample support, and break them in. • Bring along a stabilizer, like a hiking stick or trekking polls. • Wear clothing and socks that are moisture wicking to prevent chaffing and blisters. • Pack healthy snacks and ample

H20. • Stop along the way to enjoy the scenery and give your body a chance to recharge. Healthy summers are powered by GMC. During the summer months, we all tend to focus a little more on fun and a little less on routine things, like health care. But with a wide array of services at GMC Health Park-Hamilton Mill, you can find all of the expert care you need for this season’s most common illnesses and injuries. Summer-proof your health by scheduling an appointment today; you can visit gwinnettmedicalcenter. org/hmill, or call 678-312-8600.

June 2019

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Cardiac Odds That Men May Want to Consider By: Michael Lipsitt, MD FACC SCAI Interventional Cardiologist Eastside Heart and Vascular 1700 Medical Way, Snellville, GA 30078 (770) 736-6300 EastsideHeart.com I’m not a gambler. I don’t like the idea of dropping quarters into a machine, hoping that a waterfall of coins will pour out at some point. I don’t try to beat a train at a railroad crossing. But, I do call my philosophy when thinking about men’s heart health as “The Las Vegas Philosophy.” You may not know it, but coronary disease is the number one killer of men over 45. If you went to Las Vegas, wouldn’t you want to play the game with the highest odds of making you a winner? In this case, winning is living longer and healthier, so why not stack the deck in your favor as much as you are able? So…..there are certain “risk factors” for heart attacks that we can control to some extent. Why not try your best to make sure that you can to improve your odds? You can’t pick different parents, but you can avoid

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Dr. Michael Lipsitt

cigarettes, exercise regularly, have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked. You can try to reduce stress and have tests that will determine your risk of having a heart attack. If I were a gambler, I would bet that you could lose those 10 or 20 lbs. if you really wanted to. Short of having a cardiac catheterization, all the tests that we do to determine the risk of a heart attack are probability tests. The electrocardiogram is like flipping a coin. It has a

50/50 chance of detecting a problem. It is known that the most common EKG finding when someone presents to the ER with a heart attack is “normal.” The EKG may not show changes for hours when someone is having a heart attack. That is why we keep people in the hospital for further testing even when the first EKG shows no problems. Next in line is the stress test. You walk on a treadmill with a gradual increase in speed and elevation. If you can get to the predicted maximal effort, there is an 85% chance that it can detect heart disease. If we add a nuclear isotope to the scan and perform the scan at rest and after exercise, the odds increase to 90%. Sound pretty accurate? That means that in one in 10 people, the test says that you have no problem when you do, or that you do have disease when you don’t. So how can we use a test that is wrong in so many patients? We do it by adding other data such as the patient’s history. The medical term for this is “the pretest probability” or Bayes’ Theorem. It goes something like this in patients with chest pain: If you are a 23-year-old non-diabetic, non-hyperten-

sive female who has just lost her boyfriend, chances are that an abnormal test result is what we call a “false positive” meaning that the test is abnormal but in fact, you have no disease. If, on the other hand, you are a 65-year-old 2 pack a day smoking, hypertensive, overweight inactive male with a strong family history for early coronary artery disease, and chest pain on exertion, chances are that a normal test result is what we call a false negative; that is, you have disease that is missed by the test. That’s where the gold standard comes in. Cardiac catheterization allows us to put dye into the lumen (think of the hole in a doughnut with the doughnut as the artery and the hole as the path of blood) of the artery and visualize areas of narrowing (stenosis). It is agreed that if the lumen has more than 50% of it’s diameter filled with plaque (cholesterol, platelets, calcium) it will benefit from a revascularization

Ask the Senior Care Expert

How do I downsize?

Tim Golden BrightStar Care

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This is a question with which most of us must deal at some point. In our society, we tend to buy larger houses as our family grows and fill those houses with “stuff.” In some cases, lots and lots of stuff. Often, we reach the pinnacle of our career and therefore maximize our house buying ability, at a time when our family starts to shrink. Kids are leaving home, but we usually want larger homes even when it might make more sense to go smaller. However, at some point, that big old house is no longer needed. Mom and/ or dad might be coming to live with one of their children or moving into an apartment or an independent living or assisted living facility. So how do you go from, sometimes, 3,000+ square feet too, usually, less than 1,000? In that 3,000 square feet of space, you created your memories – you raised children, you entertained, you dined and played games with your family, you sat with your spouse in your favorite chairs and watched television. I’m not a big movie guy, but Hollywood even weighs in on the issue with their movie “Downsizing.” Unfortunately, the reality is not so simple as to shrink everything, so it all fits in less space. When we downsize, we have to make hard decisions. It won’t all fit, so we have to figure out what gets moved into the smaller space and what does not make the cut. The task may seem daunting. There are some things you can do to at least get started. For example, there are likely to be pictures collected from decades of events – every birthday, anniversary, wedding, etc. Rather than taking album

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procedure such as angioplasty/stenting or bypass surgery. In the case of the 23-year-old woman, we do the catheterization as a last resort. In the case of the male with multiple risk factors, we need little evidence to recommend a definitive study. So why tempt fate? If you are a male over 40, go to a physician and get an evaluation to exclude coronary heart disease. Start an exercise program of walking for at least 30 minutes 3 days a week. Have your cholesterol checked, as well as your blood pressure and pulse. Try to reduce stress in your life. Like they do in Las Vegas, do everything you can to help make sure that the odds are in your favor.

after album of pictures you might consider having those memories placed on a computer or some other digital format. That way you preserve the memories, but they take up less space. Books are another area where significant progress can be made with little effort. Many elderly have large numbers of books. Books take up lots of space and are very heavy and therefore difficult to move. Consider donating books to a local library or local senior center or senior living facility. There are also likely to be many family members that might like to have some of those things that won’t make the move so now is the time to consider gifting. If all this still seems a bit overwhelming, I have good news – help is available! Given the rising numbers of people faced with the issue of downsizing; an entire industry has formed to help. There are companies whose sole purpose is to help seniors relocate and usually downsizing is a part of that relocation process. These companies will come alongside and help you organize and make the tough decisions. Then they will help get rid of whatever has not been gifted or thrown away or digitized. Whether by donation to someone like Goodwill or by an estate sale. Then they will help get what is left moved and set up in your new home. What could be easier? Some of the local companies with which I am familiar include “Move My Nest” and “Senior Transition Services, Inc.” and “Smooothe Move Senior Relocation Services, Inc.”. If you do decide to use a company to assist it would behoove you to make sure they are a member of NASMM (National Association of Senior Move Managers), an industry association that sets standards to which all members must adhere. Throughout the process remember that downsizing may be tough but getting a fresh start can also be a really good thing. Tim Golden is the owner of BrightStar Care, Lawrenceville. You can reach Tim at (404)281-1537 or by emailing asktheseniorcareexpert@gmail.com. For more information please visit http://www. brightstarcare.com/lawrenceville/ -Tim Golden BrightStar Care (404)281-1537 PO Box 634 Lawrenceville, GA 30046 email: asktheseniorcareexpert@gmail.com

June 2019

Palm trees are not just for the tropics Grayson’s 8U All-Stars win Memorial Day Classic

Tim Daly

Gwinnett County Extension Agent

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Back Row: L-R: Coach Jamie Crunkleton; Coach David Greene; Coach J.R. Landress; and Coach Jeremy Wood; Middle Row: Tripp Durant; Bryce Maclin; Barrett Greene; Austin Leonard; Tanner Smith and Avery Merchant; Front Row: Jack Crunkleton; Easton Wood; Tristan Landress; Leyton Hale; and Kendall Crespo.

By Staff Reports On Sunday, May 26, the Grayson Athletic Association’s 8U All Stars won the All Star Memorial Day Classic held at Bay Creek Park.

Coming from behind to beat the Johns Creek Ocee Black team in the tournament’s 8U division championship game, the Grayson Rams 8U All Stars battled to win 14-13 in record-breaking heat.

What do your windows say about your home? What do your windows say about your home? Are your windows covered or un-covered? As a window covering professional, I am always drawn to the window coverings in homes, commercial spaces, and on TV shows! If I see a unique design or fabric somewhere, then I get a photo. There are dozens of photos on Pinterest and Houzz that reflect the character of the homeowner and the designer. There are a multitude of readymade products out there if you know what you want in terms of design and color. We’ll talk about drapery panels since they are a popular and simple window treatment. One of the challenges is finding the right length. Drapery panels should be hung several inches above the window frame. The ceiling height and overall window height should determine drapery panel length. Proper length should look in perspective to the entire room size. How do you choose fabric? I love pattern and color, but do you? Decorating style and color scheme in a home should be inspiration for fabric selection. If there are no patterns in the room, then look for some type of pattern in the fabric. A complimentary pattern can be used with other patterns in a room if they work in harmony. If you’re afraid of too much color or pattern on your

June 2019

Often, when homeowners think of palm trees, images of places with tropical climates such as Florida and Hawaii come to mind. However, you do not need to travel long distances to enjoy the beauty of these plants. Several palms can be grown in our area. They are attractive, low maintenance, tolerant of prolonged dry conditions and evergreen. The critical factor that determines where palms can be grown is cold hardiness. Some can tolerate our cold winters while others will need some protection. The ones that do the best in our area are the needle palm and the windmill palm. The needle palm is easy to grow. It is among the hardiest tolerating temperatures as low as -5o F. They have a slow growth rate and rarely

exceed five feet in height at maturity. The palms are a clumpy, small growing understory palm. They have fan-shaped leaves that are deep green on top and silvery green on the underside. Needle palms can be used as single specimens or in multiple plantings. They are an excellent choice for sites with limited space. The palms prefer to grow in partially shaded areas and thrive in most soils as long as they have adequate moisture. Windmill palms have a single slender brown trunk with dense fibers resembling burlap covering it. The trunk is usually wider at the top than the bottom. It has a moderate growth rate and can reach a height of 20 to 25 feet. It has fanshaped leaves that are two to three feet across. They grow well in most soils but require adequate drainage. Windmill palms prefer light to medium shade. They are attractive when planted in groups but do well as a single specimen and are a great tree to plant around swimming pools because they do not drop their leaves. It makes an excellent accent plant and does well in confined areas such as courtyards and entrances. Other palms, such as sabal palms, saw palmettos and others can be grown in our area, but are not as

cold tolerant and could suffer damage when the temperatures drop below 20 degrees. In the winter, tie the fronds together in bundles and then cover them with burlap or blankets to protect from the cold. Make sure the central bud is protected since the new growth originates from this point. Palm trees are best planted in the early summer when their root growth is the highest. They should be watered deeply and thoroughly. Apply mulch around the root zone to reduce water loss. Palms should be fertilized in the growing season before early August. Use a fertilizer that contains both potassium and magnesium since palms are prone to suffer from a deficiency of these nutrients. Broadcast or scatter the fertilizer over the root zone. Palm trees are not limited to regions with tropical climates. Even this far north, some palm trees are suited to our environment. If given proper care, they will thrive and will add interest to the home landscape. Timothy Daly is a County Extension Agent with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Gwinnett County. He can be reached at 678-377-4011 or tdaly@uga.edu.

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Joan Miller

The Blind Ladies

windows, solids with texture are an alternative. Use colorful pillows as accents. Drapery hardware is an important part of the equation. Make sure the brackets that hold the pole have sufficient clearance for the fabric to hang past any existing blinds or shades. Choose a finish that coordinates with the fabric and or a fixture in the room. Keep in mind the diameter of the pole. Does it fit with the overall scope of the room? Referencing pictures that you like will help you put it all together. If you’re not the DIY type, then give Joan a call for a free consultation. She has fabrics and ideas that will transform your home or office into a warmer, more inviting place. The Blind Ladies – 404 918-5288 or visit the website at www.theblindladies.com

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Your Green: Understanding Long Term Care Insurance ents. Of people turning age 65, 52% can expect to use some form of long-term care during their lives. (Source: U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services). As we age, the likelihood of someone facing an illness or injury that requires outside care is great. Care can be financially devastating without adequate coverage, and knowing you have more say about your care gives many peace of mind.

Roger Green, MSFS,CFP ® Green Financial Resources

What is Long Term Care (LTC) and who should have it? LTC is insurance that pays all or part of the care you may need should you become unable to care for yourself due to some form of disability. It is not income replacement, such as would be found under a disability policy. Many don’t realize long term care is generally not covered by health or disability insurance and there is only very minimal coverage provided by Medicare. In general, long-term care protection makes sense for people with a net worth of somewhere around $150,000$3 million. Those with less will exhaust their assets to qualify for Medicaid; those with more can selffund their care, but may not want to assume the risk. I recommend Long Term Care (LTC) insurance for many of my cli-

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How can I get LTC coverage and what will it cost? Although some employers offer group coverage at lower rates, most end up needing individual policies. These policies are not cheap, and waiting until you are older to obtain coverage only increases the premium cost. To give you an idea of how much LTC insurance policy may cost, the average annual premium for a 60-year-old couple is $3,490 (plan with an initial benefit of $150 per day for up to three years and a 90-day elimination period). Waiting until age 65 results in a 34% increase, on average, to $4,675. (Source: 2018 Long-Term Care Insurance Price Index, prepared by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance).

LTC insurance has continued getting more and more expensive due to an aging population and increased care costs. Policy premiums may increase significantly over time, and the benefits (term of coverage, daily benefits, and inflation riders etc.) available have been reduced or have become more costly. In spite of the rising cost of

protection, the expense of care can be enormous if you don’t have insurance, and it is also growing. The 2018 median cost of annual care ranges from $18,720 for adult daycare up to $100,375 for a private nursing home room. (Source: Genworth CareScout).

To provide alternatives to traditional LTC insurance, newer hybrid products have been created that combine LTC coverage and life insurance/other insurance products. Hybrid policies also may offer a way to keep the cost level over time. Traditional LTC insurance pays out only if an individual has a long-term care need. With hybrid LTC/Life policies, if you died without needing long-term care, the full death benefit would be paid out to your heirs. However, if there was a LTC need, that expense would reduce the cash value of the policy accordingly. There are pros and cons to the various ways to obtain coverage, and each situation and policy is different. One of the biggest issues with LTC is that medical underwriting is required to obtain coverage. Many people wait until they have health issues that disqualify them from coverage, or that greatly increase the cost of such coverage. Those who talk themselves out of LTC coverage often do so because they convince themselves “it will never happen to me” or expect someone in their family will care for them. Around 34

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million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult 50 or over in the past 12 months (Source: National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP 2015).

What do I need to ask about a LTC policy? • What does it take to initiate a claim? • What is the elimination period or waiting period before benefits are payable? • What is the benefit that will be paid – how much and for how long? • Can the premiums increase or are they fixed? • Does the policy provide for inflation increases to help cover the rising cost of care over time? • How is the insurer rated? Look for an “A” rating by A.M. Best and “strong” by Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s. • What exactly does your policy cover? For instance, if you want home care coverage, will you get to choose your caregiver or will they determine the provider? How can I make sure I am fully utilizing my benefits? Many people who have LTC policies are not aware of the wide range of benefits available, and as such, underutilize their policies. For instance, even before the elimination period is satisfied, many policies contain benefits to help with care needs, such as providing assistance coordinating caregivers; developing a plan of care, as well as monitoring the care and support services

received. A policy may cover expenses incurred to train an informal (unpaid) caregiver, such as a family member, to care for the covered insured in his or her home at the beginning of a health situation. A policy may also cover, even prior to the satisfaction of the elimination period, the purchase or rental of supportive equipment that allows the covered person to remain in their home; such as an adjustable bed, a ramp for access in the residence, or even pumps for intravenous injections. Some policies contain a home care benefit that actually provides coverage for home health care aids, adult day care, and hospice care without an elimination period. For these potential benefits alone, it is critical the insurance company be contacted from the very beginning. A LTC policy can provide much needed protection– no matter what type you choose. If you wish to review your situation and hear our recommendations, please contact us at 770-931-1414 or via www. rogersgreen.com for a no-cost, no obligation consultation on this and any other financial/retirement planning issues on your mind. Roger S. Green is a Registered Representative affiliated with Cetera Advisors LLC, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker/Dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Roger’s office is at 3700 Crestwood Parkway, Duluth, GA 30096. Visit his website at www.rogersgreen.com.

June 2019 APPROVED:

________ ______ INITIALS DATE June 2019

Wishing the 2018 Miss Gwinnett County queens the best of luck

Photo by Matt Boyd

Miss Gwinnett County Katie Hlavaty.

Photo by Matt Boyd

Miss Gwinnett County Outstanding Teen Sallie Stowers.

Katie will be a graduate of Kennesaw State University in July of this year with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Minor in Psychology. During her time at KSU, Katie was involved in many on campus organizations and clubs including Zeta Tau Alpha women’s fraternity, Order of Omega Honors Fraternity, KSUCares, KSU for Fit Kids and KSUMiracle. Her passion for exercise is already put to use by being a group fitness instructor at Twisted Cycle, where she teaches a combination of indoor cycling and HIIT circuits classes. Besides working out in the gym, Katie stays active by hiking all over Georgia and running the ATL BeltLine with her dog! Katie’s platform, Sweethearts of Our

Heroes, supports not only our nations military, but also their support systems. She volunteers on Dobbins Air Reserve Base as well as works with the Quilts of Valor Foundation and the ATL-USO. Throughout her time in the Miss America Organization, Katie has loved most the opportunity to be a goodwill ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and is sure to continue this passion well into the future. As Miss Gwinnett County, Katie could not be more thrilled to return to the Miss Georgia stage in June! Katie says she is most excited for the On Stage Question portion of the competition and hopes to make the community of Gwinnett County proud!

Sallie is a junior at Dawson County High School. A straight A honor student, she participates in Beta Club, Y-Club, Chamber Singers, and Relay for Life. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and major in Chemistry, before attending medical school to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. She’s been a competitive dancer in clogging and hip hop for 8 years and is in the studio 10-15 hours a week practicing and teaching. She’s won numerous national and regional titles along with “Dancer of the Year” and outstanding performer awards. She has competed at the prestigious World of Dance competition and

also performed for the Atlanta Braves at both Turner Field and SunTrust Park. Her platform, “American Cancer Society: Relay for Life”, has allowed her many opportunities to volunteer and meet new people, and she was instrumental in the creation of a Relay for Life fundraising team at her high school. She enjoyed working with the administrators on fundraisers such as duct taping the principal to a wall, selling suckers for “Cancer Sucks”, baking cookies, and throwing a pie in a teacher’s face, raising a total of $319 for the fight against cancer. She is beyond excited to represent the Miss Gwinnett County Board at Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen in June!

Miss Gwinnett County: Katie Hlavaty 1st Runner up: Lauren Hunter Interview Preliminary Winner: Katie Hlavaty Talent Preliminary Winner: Katie Hlavaty

Gwinnett’s Little Miss: Gabrielle Brantley 1st Runner up: Kyhlee Hansen 2nd Runner up: Haven Hill 3rd Runner up: Skylar Grace Robinson Photogenic: Skylar Grace Robinson

Miss Gwinnett’s Outstanding Teen: Sallie Stowers 1st Runner up: Sydney Keeling Interview and Talent Preliminary winner: Sallie Stower Gwinnett’s Teen Miss: Abigail Lee Hilliard 1st Runner Up: Anna Claire Hurley 2nd Runner Up: Deliah Haney Photogenic: Ana Claire Hurley

Gwinnett’s Wee Miss: Maisley Harper Hastings 1st Runner up: Corbin Buffun 2nd Runner up: Mia Ellithorpe 3rd Runner up: Lyla Rose Montgomery 4th Runner up: Talayna Britt Photogenic: Corbin Buffun Gwinnett’s Toddler Miss: Bradlee Rae Sorrells 1st Runner up: Rylee Frazier 2nd Runner up: Emerson Leigh McMinn 3rd Runner up: Miya Amor Danford 4th Runner up: Lily Byrd Brogdon Photogenic: Miya Amor Danford and Selah Joy Glass

Gwinnett’s Junior Miss: Sydney Penn 1st Runner up: Zaria Walker Photogenic: Zaria Walker

Baby Miss Gwinnett: Alaina Winters 1st Runner up: Caidyn Lee Benson 2nd Runner up: Mackenzie Kaufman 3rd Runner up: Charlotte Grace Long 4th Runner up: Everly Keppen Photogenic: Matti Jade Palmer

Gwinnett’s Young Miss: Kayli Copeland 1st Runner up: Grace Wolf 2nd Runner up: Gracie Bruce Photogenic: Gracie Bruce Gwinnett’s Young Junior Miss: Jaye Elizabeth Geyer 1st Runner up: Ava Mae Cheek Photogenic: Ava Mae Cheek

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Teen Miss Abigail Hilliard.

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Junior Miss Gwinnett Sydney Penn.

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Young Miss Gwinnett Kayli Copeland.

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Young Junior Miss Gwinnett Jaye Geyer.

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Toddler Miss Gwinnett Bradlee Rae Sorrells.

June 2019

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Little Miss Gwinnett Gabrielle Brantley.

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Baby Miss Gwinnett Alaina Winters.

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Wee Miss Gwinnett Maisley Hastings.

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Miss Gwinnett Queen Bless’n Edwards.

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Reid Mullins Scholarship Clower receives award recipient By Staff Reports The Reid Mullins Scholarship Committee is proud to announce the recipient for 2019 is Skye Williams. She is a graduate of South Gwinnett High School in Snellville, Georgia . Miss Williams plans to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point in the fall pursing a degree in criminal justice with a minor in political science. Miss Williams aspires to become a Judge Advocate General Officer (military lawyer). Skye is the daughter of Alexis and Derrick Williams of Snellville, Georgia. Miss Williams graduated with a 3.79 grade point average. During Skye’s senior year, she served as Battalion Commander of the South Gwinnett High School Army ROTC Program leading 232 cadets. She also was a Team Captain of the ROTC Female Raiders Team. She lead that team to earn 1st place in their region from 20162019. Miss Williams won the title of “Outstanding Attorney Advocate” at the Georgia Regional Mock Trail Competition 2018. Skye was one of the team captains for the first Gwinnett County high school all-girl flag football team sponsored by the At-

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Braylon Clower at Duke University.

By Staff Reports

Skye Williams.

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lanta Falcons during the 2018-2019 school year. Skye attributes much of her success to God, her family, and community. She states: “In life, I know I am given two options, either become a thermometer and let the environment change you; or become a thermostat where you manually change your environment for the better. I know I am that Thermostat”.

Braylon Emmett Clower, son of Tom and Katie Clower; grandson of Grace Clower and great-nephew of Emmett Clower recently participated in the Grand Recognition Ceremony of the Talent Identification Program at Duke University. Braylon was among 46,544 7th Grade students from all over the country to take the SAT or ACT. He scored in the top 10% of all test takers on the ACT nationwide. He was one of only 2,241 students to be invited to attend the ceremony at Duke University. Braylon is a student at Youth Middle School in Walton County.

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June 2019

Business Spotlight: Sweet Joy Ice Cream The Ripple Effect Bar serves gourmet ice cream By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com Folks will see the writing on the wall when they step into this parlor. Talia Holmes who owns Sweet Joy Ice Cream Bar absolutely loves ice cream. “Who doesn’t love ice cream?” said Talia explaining why she decided to open the shop in her hometown of Lawrenceville. From the signs and post-it quotes to the murals of anthropomorphic ice cream girls, it’s clear Talia has infused a lot of her upbeat personality into the business. “All our ice cream flavors are handmade on site with the best local ingredients we can find that are minimum sugar . . . just good, quality ice cream, and all of them are truly made with love.” As an ice cream connoisseur, Talia always likes to see what people order from her on-rotation menu that features over forty choices including the boozy flavors infused with ingredients like bourbon, bailey and other adult beverages. “We have interesting people in Lawrenceville. Butter pecan, piña colada and banana pudding are some of the most popular flavors. The banana pudding flavor I created with my grandmother’s banana pudding recipe in mind. It’s made with real bananas.” Having learned to bake in her grandmother’s kitchen, Talia likes to tinker with ingredients and flavors as she adds new items to the menu. She’s introduced a variety of goodies— ice cream sandwiches, scoops served in doughnut bowls. Some of her savory items include hot dogs and the specialty sausages, stuffed with ingredients like bacon, cheese, jalapenos, pineapple. Playing with pallets, Talia has also perfected a sweet and savory flavor that will incorporate bits of beef brisket from Foggy Bottom BBQ on the square in downtown Lawrenceville. Talia tries to make sure there is something for everyone, and that’s not just with the ice cream. She welcomes children, adults and groups to come have a karaoke night, play a game like Uno and Janga, or just kick back and watch a Disney movie while enjoying their preference of a frozen treat. “People can absolutely come in here and just do karaoke whenever they want to. Or we’ll put on movies, or just pull up Just Dance and have a dance off. I’m down for whatever,” said Talia, admitting her space was specially chosen to be a venue for birthday parties and group outings. She even lets people bring in food as long as it was purchased from a restaurant on the square in downtown Lawrenceville.

June 2019

Katie Hart Smith From the Heart

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Talia Holmes and her fiance Matt Mrorinzki co-own Sweet Joy Ice Cream Bar in Downtown Lawrenceville.

“It’s a great place for first dates. Sometimes I will see people come in here, and it’s so cute. I’ll just listen and smile. It’s an easy place for people to engage with the games.” ‘Community’ and ‘family’ are two words that come to mind when Talia describes her business. A patron of local businesses in Lawrenceville for years, Talia thought it would be a perfect place to open her shop. Taking every opportunity to work with other organizations in the community, Talia agreed to donate up to 250 scoops to Aurora Theatre’s .5K run on Saturday, April 6. As for family, that’s where the whole idea for the business originated, Talia admits. She named the shop after her mother “Joyce” and hopes to pass on some of her age-old lessons to her daughter, Latavia who helps regularly at the shop. “It’s like Chocolate Girl there,” Talia said pointing to the mural of a chocolate ice cream girl. A quote beside the mural reads, “Don’t waste time counting the sprinkles on someone’s else’s ice cream.” Talia explained, “You can’t waste time wondering what something else is doing, and I encourage my daughter to chase her dreams and not get caught up in what society or social media deems perfect. You got to do what’s right for you.” Talia believes that the energy she emits will attract similar kinds of people. She invites customers to make their mark by leaving notes on her display wall. “That’s just another way for people to engage with me and leave

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At Sweet Joy Ice Cream Bar, Talia Holmes welcomes children, adults and groups to come have a karaoke night, play a game like Uno and Janga, or just kick back and watch a Disney movie while enjoying their preference of a frozen treat.

their comments. I like reading what they have to say,” Talia said. Talia takes her uplifting message a step further with a big “I love you” inscribed on the floor near the front door. “I just want people to feel love when they come in here,” Talia said. “With my family, you couldn’t leave without a hug and an ‘I love you.’” Talia is engaged to marry her business partner, Matt Mrorinzki who co-owns Sweet Joy Ice-cream Bar. The shop is in the Honest Alley at 178 E Crogan St. and either Talia, Matt or one of their staff can be reached during business hours at 678) 744-3683.

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Do you have a mentor? Is there someone in your life that has had a lasting positive impact on you? Have you had the opportunity to pay it forward in what I call the “ripple effect?” My husband, Jeff, and I attended the Georgia Gwinnett College School of Nursing pinning and candlelight ceremony last month. We have been avid supporters of the program since the department doors opened five years ago. The history of nursing display honors my grandmother, Gigi, a first-generation graduate and registered nurse. Her story serves to inspire future generations of nurses at GGC. Following the beautiful service, students and parents came up to Jeff and me to thank us for our support. One student shared her heartfelt gratitude to our family for our philanthropic work and that they were appreciative of our mentorship. Another student joined the conversation, adding, “I Googled you, read your web bio, and I hope to be like you one day.” Unbeknownst to them, the past month had been filled with life’s trials and tests. In spite of the speedbumps, we were so joyful to be there for them that evening, cheerleaders amongst their fellow professors, administration, and community healthcare leaders. When her words filled our ears, the magnitude of their comments struck us to the core, and I broke

down and sobbed. We weren’t prepared to receive gratitude that evening; we were there to simply give it. When you throw a stone into a pond or lake, the ripple effect begins. Smaller rings lead to bigger and bigger concentric circles, forever expanding their reach to the beyond. Later that week, a colleague asked if her friend, also a registered nurse, could contact me to discuss how to explore and expand her career in the nursing field as I had. And, then I received another message to speak to high school students, followed by another call to present at an event. To touch the life of another human being initiates the ripples and more and more will be asked of you. I say, “Take the call and give of your time and talents to another. Be an active listener and an encouraging influence in the life of another so they can uncover the potential in themselves, ultimately finding their joy and calling.” “In order to be a mentor, and an effective one, one must care. You must care. You don’t have to know how many square miles are in Idaho, you don’t need to know what is the chemical makeup of chemistry, or of blood or water. Know what you know and care about the person, care about what you know and care about the person you’re sharing with.” — Maya Angelou I challenge you to lead by example and mentor the next generation in your profession or trade. Reach out and lift another up. Hopefully, they, too, will become a ripple, making the circle infinitely larger and larger with time. About Katie Hart Smith Katie Hart Smith’s column, “From the Heart,” touches the heart, inspires, and entertains. Smith, a published author for over twenty years, believes that words, written or spoken, have power. To learn more, visit www.katiehartsmith.com.

County offering meals for kids in summer, New After School Program in fall

Charlotte J. Nash

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Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation has offered summer camps for more than 25 years, and they keep getting better. Last summer, 7,581 campers attended 350 camps. To make healthy meals available to children during summer break, the County will host a free weekday lunch and afternoon snack program at three Gwinnett County parks by partnering with the

non-profit Georgia Nutritional Services, Inc. The USDA Summer Food Service Program will be available for children age 18 and younger plus anyone age 19 and older with a physical or mental disability. The program is open to about 140 summer campers and the public. Meals for Kids is the food vendor for the program. The meals program will be offered at Best Friend Park Gym, 6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Norcross; Lilburn Activity Building, 788 Hillcrest Road in Lilburn; and Rhodes Jordan Park, 100 East Crogan Street in Lawrenceville. All three parks are in close proximity to a transit bus stop for easy access. Lunch will be served weekdays from 11:30am to 12:30pm and snack from 2:30pm to 3:00pm. The program will operate June 3 through August 2 except for July 1-5. The federally funded nutrition reimbursement program ensures that children from low-income areas receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. Pro-

gram sites are all in Board of Education school clusters where more than 50 percent of students get free or reduced lunch. Georgia’s Department of Early Care and Learning is the state administrator, approving sponsors and sites and issuing funds. When school starts again next fall, Gwinnett Community Services will offer a new K-5 After School Program until 6:30pm at Taylor, Rocks Springs, and Walnut Grove Elementary Schools in partnership with the Collins Hill Education Foundation. The program offers social development, homework/tutoring time, supervised physical activity, academic enrichment/STEM, and a snack. The scalable format of the program is designed to be repeatable in other clusters. No transportation is needed and classrooms can be added as program grows. I’m proud and grateful that we’re able to offer these programs to help keep Gwinnett children safe and healthy over the summer and during after school hours.

COMIC continued from page 1 father often find their way into his jokes. Smith says his dad was “one of the funniest people [he] knew”, and some of his other influences include Richard Prior, George Carlin, Martin Lawrence and Cedric the Entertainer. To Smith, “Something that’s funny is something that makes everybody laugh. All ages. A good joke has a nice setup, something that’s way out there, and makes you want to repeat it and tell it your friends. And we are all guilty of probably messing up the punch line because you can’t remember it just right.” Special photo With high energy and a voice “Laughter is a good workout. It does so loud enough to have audiences at much for the soul, body and mind,” said the edge of their seats, Smith is a James Smith, the Backyard Comic. natural at his craft. Recently, he’s performed at venues including The and plays the trombone in the high Punchline Comedy Club in Atlanta, school band. Bryce also has a pasUptown Comedy Corner in Hape- sion for soccer and participates in ville, Ga. And by performing at cor- soccer leagues at SGAA. porate outings in metro Atlanta and Family always comes first for many others in S.C., Smith has per- Smith, who has etched that value fected his set lines. in the heart and soul of his comedy. Recently, he began the process He’s been cooking up a few side husof writing new scripts and perfecting tles such as a clothing line to boost ideas which he’s eager to start incor- his brand, but for now, being a father porating into his act. and spending time with his family is When asked where he gets the number one priority. ideas, Smith said, “Life. Everything I “I’m thankful and grateful to experience — the good, the bad and have time to grow up with my boys different. I mainly take things people and try to set a good example for wouldn’t talk about and present it in them to follow,” Smith said. “Being a way that shows we all go through a performer doesn’t come easily or it. Bringing darkness to light is what naturally. It takes courage, confiI do because we’re all in this race to- dence and conviction to perform in gether.” a room full of strangers hungry for Serving in the military during laughter and make them laugh. My Operation Desert Storm, Smith hope is that by seeing the passion traveled around the world and lived and dedication required to realize in California for many years before my own dreams, it will inspire my settling in Gwinnett with his wife boys to know that with heart and and their two sons. His oldest son, hard work anything is possible.” Jaden, plays on his high school baseSmith takes pride in the fact that ball team and is a violinist for the he’s never missed one of his sons’ high school orchestra. His youngest games, school functions, or perforson, Bryce, is also in high school

gwinnettcitizen.com

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James Smith and his friend, Chris Cawthon, acting like clowns.

mances. To him, that’s really what the Backyard Comic is all about – making time to be with the ones who matter. As the Backyard Comic, Smith also takes it upon himself to motivate others. On social media, he posts inspirational videos weekly about life, fitness, and wearing a smile throughout the daily grind. Check out his Instagram, @smittyj1971, for upcoming posts. “I want to be an influential comedian and inspire the world. My desire is to help and give as much as I can. I’m a light, a beacon; not demeaning, but optimistic. Pure sunshine on a cloudy day. My hope is that my energy and performances will resonate with those I entertain and inspire them to pass the energy and light on to their friends, families, and those they meet.” Smith can be booked for corporate events, birthdays, family reunions, and of course, he’d never turn down an invitation to a good old-fashioned barbecue. His family-friendly comedy is appropriate for audiences of all ages. Email him at Thaseed3@gmail.com or call (770)851-5188 for questions about quotes and booking.

June 2019

Who Killed Jesus?

Jonathan Howes

Lead Pastor Graystone Church Recently, churches all over the world observed Good Friday and Easter Sunday as we celebrated the life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. According the Scriptures, Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day. Then, Jesus appeared to over 500 eye witnesses. Through the miracle of the resurrection, Jesus Christ conquered sin, death and Hell and rose from the grave. And we too through faith in Jesus can conquer sin, death and Hell and be raised to life for all eternity. PRAISE GOD! If Jesus was raised to life, then he had to be dead. Which leads to the question, “Who killed Jesus?” This is a controversial question and has been debated for centuries. There are several key characters in the historical narrative that we can pin the blame. I have even heard pastors says that you and I are responsible

Regrets

Bill York

Nonagenarian “Did you brush your teeth, Billy Gene? I was maybe 6 years old. “Yes, Grandma.” “You ate a lot of orange slices, and sugar is not good for your teeth.” In the confines of the bathroom the toothbrush lay on a shelf as dry as a bone. I hated my toothbrush. My comic book was more interesting. Flash Gordon was my hero. I wet my brush in the basin. I went into the kitchen and hugged Grandma. I showed her my wet toothbrush. “Good boy, Billy Gene,” she said. Sometime, when everyone was asleep I’d sneak into the pantry and pilfer a cup of brown sugar from the container. Brown sugar would begin the rotting process on my teeth during the night. I convinced my grandmother that I

June 2019

for Jesus’ death, because of our sin. Well, who killed Jesus? If we go back to the story, there are several people who could take personal responsibility for giving Jesus the death penalty and putting him on the crucifixion cross. There is Jesus’ good friend and disciple, Judas Iscariot. For 30 pieces of silver, he betrayed Jesus and turned him over to the religious leaders. There is Caiaphas, the High Priest, and the other religious leaders. They put Jesus on trial and falsely accused him of blasphemy. They wanted Jesus dead, because Jesus was a threat to their power and religious system. The religious leaders did not have the authority to issue the death penalty, so they pleaded with Pilate, the Roman Governor. Pilate did not believe Jesus was guilty of any crimes, and he saw no reason to have him crucified. He offered to release Jesus, but the angry mob yelled, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate then turned Jesus over to the Roman Soldiers to be flogged and crucified. The Roman Soldiers whipped Jesus 39 times across his back ripping off flesh and blood. Then they tore off Jesus’ clothes, put a purple robe on him, made a crown of thorns for his head, and began to mock him. They spit on him and beat him with the staff again and again. Then they led him down the Via Dolorosa to the Hill of Golgotha, the place of the skull. The Roman Soldiers nailed Jesus’ hands and feet

to the cross and raised him between two criminals. Jesus hung on the cross for six hours that Friday from 9:00AM to 3:00PM. And finally, Jesus declared, “It is finished!”, and he gave up his spirit. So, who killed Jesus? Judas Iscariot? Caiaphas and the religious leaders? Pontus Pilate? The mob who yelled, “Crucify him!”? The Roman Soldiers? Was it you and I because of our sins? Actually, the Biblical answer is God. God is the one who killed Jesus. In fact, the entire Bible is the story of God redeeming His people to Himself through His son, Jesus Christ. Romans 8:32 says, “God did not spare His son but gave him up for us all.” God is the one who gave us His son. Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, says in John 10 that no one takes his life from him. He says that he lays his life down for his sheep. Jesus, God in the flesh, could have saved his own life, but he chose to lay it down for us. Why did Jesus die? The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus paid the penalty for us. He bore the wrath of God for our sins. He was the substitutionary atonement for our sins. He was and is “the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29).” Jesus died, so you and I could live. 1 Peter 3:18 says “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” Let me encourage

was attentive to my teeth. That con-job went on until I left the farm at age 14. During that age there was gummy bears, licorice, fudge; good stuff for teeth. I did not figure my grandparents were very smart on tooth care because each night there were false teeth grinning at me from water glasses on the ledge over the sink. My first session with a dentist was in sickbay aboard ship in North Africa, 4 teeth with decay causing agony. I was 17 years old. Since then, it has been abscesses, root canals, Hershey’s Kisses, injections, fillings, Nestles, M&M’s gold inlays, extractions, Milky Ways, Ghirardelli, tooth aches, profanities, ice cream, capped teeth, caramel corn, tapioca, root beer, coca cola and inattention to my teeth. “Did you brush your teeth Billy Gene?” Often I wished I had paid more attention to my Grandma’s concerns. “Yes, Grandma.” My dentist died. I went to my wife’s dentist for a couple years until I got one more tooth ache. I discover he did not extract teeth. “Did you brush your teeth, Billy Gene?” “Yes, Grandma.” He referred me to an oral surgeon who quoted me a mind numbing price. “Did you brush your teeth, Billy Gene?” “Yes, Grandma.”

I inquired around and found an office that was locked on Wednesday. I walked down the hall and found Kinsey Smiles, Brian Kinsey, a charming fellow, who does everything in dentistry. Capable staff. Talkative, smiling, an expert on new dental procedures, personable. If I were still in business, I would hire him. He’d make a great fur salesman. I am now into a sophisticate arena of dentistry with titanium implants. Of course, fewer vacations or new cars. I sat on my back porch on a cloudless night. I looked skyward. I could feel my grandma’s presence…still concerned. “Did you brush your teeth, Billy Gene?” “You should see my teeth Grandma. You would be so proud.” “Smile toward heaven, Billy Gene.” I smiled toward the brightest star. It had to be my Grandma. “Your teeth look great, Billy Gene. I’m glad you paid attention to me when you were little.” Kinsey Smiles 678 714 0525 3625 Braselton Hwy, Suite 102 Dacula, Georgia 30019

you to pray and thank Jesus for His sacrifice on the cross for your sins. Thank Him for dying for you, so you could be forgiven of your sins and live in Heaven for all eternity. Jonathan Howes has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Jacksonville State University and a Master in Divinity Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the lead pastor for Graystone Church. Locations include the Ozora Campus: 1551 Ozora Road Loganville, GA 30052, the Walton Campus: 723 N Broad St Monroe, GA 30655 and the Oconee Campus: 1275 Lenru Road Bogart, GA 30622. Phone: (770) 466-3159 Email: info@graystonechurch. com Website: GraystoneChurch.com Blog: http://toliveischrist.cc Twitter: @JohnnyHowes

Bill is a 92-year old WW II Navy veteran and retired President of York Furs in Buckhead. You can contact him by email at Sioux2222@gmail.com

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Rotary Fellowships

AMAZON continued from page 1

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Leigh McIntosh

Lawrenceville Rotary

Rotary Club of Lawrenceville is ending another productive year in June as a “Bronze” club. While this is not as prestigious as earning “Gold” club status, it still requires the efforts of many people to make it happen. Since less than half of the clubs in GA attained this status, we owe a special thank you to club president, Craig Roberts, for making sure our club was in the top 50% of clubs. After a year of articles discussing why rotary has a different focus each month, this article will close the year by describing Rotary Fellowships. Most of you know by now that Rotary has a mission to do good in the world. The one million Rotarians share this mission and sometimes they find people interested in specific areas to meet that mission. Fellowships are international and open to Rotarians, their families, and other interested people. Examples include environment, ethics, social responsibility, sports, various cultures, young people, E-clubs, and probably hundreds of other areas of interest. This is a good way to meet like-minded people from all over the

Rotarians delivering food to the Quinn House.

world while helping in an area that is important to the individual. We are fortunate to be in a community with some conscientious and ethical leaders who have made Gwinnett County into the powerhouse that it is. Some of these folks will not be seeking re-election and the leaders we chose will decide the direction of Gwinnett County that has been 200 years in the making. My sincere hope is that the majority of us wish to do well in the world, and we will start in our own communities when we elect the best people for the job without basing those decisions on political party, race, religion, gender, or anything else that has nothing to do with how qualified a candidate is. Leigh is a proud Rotarian and CEO of Creative Enterprises, Inc., a not for profit, training and employment, community rehabilitation program for adults with disabilities. A lifelong resident of Gwinnett County, Leigh divides her time between advocating for people with disabilities, enjoying her children, grandchildren and friends, helping her doTerra essential oil customers, traveling, and focusing on her spiritual journey to appreciate how we are all connected.

When starting their dispatch service, Amazon committed $1 million to help cover startups costs for military veteran DSPs around the country. For each qualified veteran candidate, the company allocates $10,000 to pay for vans, uniforms and other necessities. According to Amazon’s media representative Amanda Ip, they favor candidates who display ‘grit and strong work ethic.’ Explaining their incentive, she said, “Often veterans have those qualities.” Having spent years as a Military Logistical Veteran working with government, military and Department of Defense (DOD) freight, Collier was a perfect candidate for the program. He had opened his own logistics company after retiring from the military and jumped at the chance to partner with Amazon upon hearing of the opportunity. “I’ve been in logistics quite a long time, and I love the challenge [Amazon requires of us] to deliver to customers in one day. So, we’re changing the way we operate,” Collier said of the system that helps customers get their packages quickly and efficiently. In the seven months since he started, Collier has worked with his wife and relied on Amazon’s support to grow his business and acquire 52 vans. TranMazon now services areas in Lawrenceville, Johns Creek, Buford, Duluth, and parts of North Fulton. One of Collier’s first jobs out of the military was identifying pro-

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The Collier family. L-R — Alliyah, Milton, Beverly and Alexis Collier.

grams to help veterans transition to the workforce through the Department of Veteran Affairs. And so, when it comes time to hire, Collier tries to make veterans his top pick. “One of the things I do at least once or twice a week, depending on our needs when it comes to hiring, is I go to the military bases in Georgia. On those bases, I go to the military transition centers, and I participate in different job fairs.” With 19 veterans on TranMazon’s payroll, Collier hopes to continue hiring and to provide more benefits to his employees. “We do healthcare. We do dental. We do vision. All that’s part of our benefits program, and one of the things I’m going to do is I’m going to add a 401(k) plan,” Collier said. With sound infrastructure and extensive resources, he considers Amazon “one of the best dispatch systems [he’s] seen in a long time,” and Collier expects his employees to uphold that standard.

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“We’re changing the game and making sure we’re focused on customers and giving the customers what they want. I tell my drivers to get it right and get it right the first time. You deliver on time,” said Collier. While he’s not one to take it easy on his guys, the feeling Collier gets from helping those who have served the country can only be described as surreal. “That’s part of my heartbeat — to make sure I’m able to at least provide some level of service to veterans. Every day I wake up, I’m passionate about the veterans. I want to service veterans and figure out another way that I can improve their life. I’m thankful to Amazon for giving me the opportunity to do that,” Collier said. For more information about Amazon’s DSP program, visit their webpage https://logistics.amazon.com.

June 2019

The Brent Lanier Soccer Memorial Scholarship By Staff Reports Fernando Soto, a South Gwinnett Senior and honor student, has been named the recipient of the 2019 Brent Lanier Soccer Memorial Scholarship. Fernando is the son of Maria and Roberto Soto. Fernando is an outstanding young man, student, and athlete. Soccer has always been a very important part of Fernando’s life. He began playing soccer at the age of four. He has over 10 years of experience of organized soccer leagues. His team The Little Giants won the Univision Soccer Cup Tournament in 2015 and dozens of 1st place rankings in local tournaments. Fernando was a vital part of the South Gwinnett varsity team. He played on the varsity team 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. He was selected captain of the varsity team his Senior year. He led the team alongside the co-captain to the GSHA AAAAAAAA Boys Soccer Elite 8. He was very important in facilitating South Gwinnett High School’s first ever Regional Championship for boys’ varsity soccer. After the season concluded, Fernando was selected to the All-County team by the other coaches within Gwinnett County. His selection for this award was based from his athletic performance as well as his leadership displayed on the field. The coaches at South Gwinnett described Fernando as a great leader and role model on and off the field. Fernando’s academic record is equally as impressive as his athletic profile. He won the Highest-Grade Awards in Chemistry and Biology his freshman year. He has worked very hard during his high school career and has excelled in his classes to finish in the top 15% of the graduating student body. Fernando has been a very active and dedicated student while at South Gwinnett. He was enrolled in the STEM academy and has excelled in all his classes including Engineering, Calculus, and Foreign Languages. He speaks three Languages. Fernando has participated in many clubs such as FBLA, DECA, and SGHS

Fernando Soto.

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Peer Leaders. He is also very active in community service. He is dedicated to his church. He is a leader of his church youth group. He volunteers with religious educational classes on a weekly basis. Fernando will be attending Georgia State University in the fall. He has a passion to help people, and he will be majoring in social science. In 2002, the Brent Lanier Memorial Soccer Scholarship was created in loving memory of Anson Brent Lanier. Brent graduated from South Gwinnett in 1996 as an outstanding athlete and student. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia. Brent is greatly missed by his parents, Don and Debbie Lanier, his family, and many friends. The scholarship was set up in Brent’s memory to honor him. The scholarship is given annually to a deserving South Gwinnett Senior to assist him or her in pursuing their education. This is the eighteenth scholarship to be given. Fernando was highly recommended for the Brent Lanier Scholarship by his coaches and teachers. Fernando is a young man of excellent character and integrity who reflects all the positive aspects of the scholarship. He has consistently demonstrated through his dedication to his academics, soccer, and community that he is worthy of the honor of this scholarship. Fernando Soto will very ably represent the honor of Brent’s scholarship.

What is Credit Recovery? A new buzz phrase in education today is “credit recovery”. And, no, it has nothing to do with finances and the recovery of money! Credit recovery courses are for students who have taken a high school course previously, however, did not successfully complete it. This incompletion caused them to not earn credit hours towards graduation. It is an option offered to students by many public and private schools as a way for them to retake a course, and upon successful completion, “recover” the hours not earned the first time through. Credit recovery courses are typically shorter in duration than the traditional course since the student has sat through the course already and needs to prove mastery of topics not previously learned. A student must take a final exam at the end of the credit recovery course, and if an End of Course Test is required by the State of Georgia Department of Education in that subject, the student must take the applicable EOCT even if he/she passed it previously. There are many options for students regarding how and where they can “recover” the course hours not yet earned. Online courses are available through various schools, school systems, and the Georgia Department of Education, however, the online environment for learning is not ideal for some students. Other options include students enrolling in an accredited private school or educational center to be retaught the material not mastered during the regular course of study. Some of these private educational schools and centers teach

Carol Wood

Total Learning Concepts

students in-person with an instructor and in a structured setting, while others provide students with a packet of work to be completed by the student at home with associated deadlines for completion for each assignment. A final exam is administered at the end of all credit recovery courses. For parents who are looking at a credit recovery course for their student, they need to consider their student’s previous course grade, style of learning, level of discipline, best mode of instruction for their student, and the time frame in which the student must recover the course credit hours. If the student has earned less than 60% the first time through a course, his/her school will likely not allow the student to take a credit recovery course, rather require an entire course be taken again after school hours, during the summer, or in an evening course. If a student learns best in a traditional class setting or lacks good study habits, educational priority, or personal discipline, an in-person credit recovery course is best. If a student cannot learn at a rapid rate, it is best

to select a credit recovery course that allows for more time than not for the student to master the topics presented. I do not recommend online math and math related science courses for students for credit recovery or for an accredited course of study since math is a skill subject and sequentially learned. These courses are best taken in an educational setting with teacher and student working in-person together. The fees for credit recovery courses vary and are typically based on the amount of instructional time, length of the course, and fees for technology use and/or textbooks. For more information on credit recovery courses in your community, search for accredited private schools, public schools or tutorial and test prep centers like mine at Total Learning Concepts. Be certain to check with your student’s school before registering for any credit recovery course to gain prior approval for the accredited school or center you have selected for your student. Most students’ schools have a “school plus” form for you to complete and for the counselor’s signature which you will present to your choice provider of credit recovery course work. Carol Wood is the Founder & CEO of Total Learning Concepts, Inc. Visit www.totallearningconcepts.com for information about their tutorial and test preparation services. For more information about Total Learning Concepts, Inc., please call 770-381-5958 or visit their website at http://totallearningconcepts.com

Rev. Walter Jones By Staff Reports On Sunday May, 19th, Rev. Walter Jones completed 15 years of service at Snellville United Methodist Church. He is looking forward to serving as full-time Associate/Executive Pastor at Atlanta First UMC beginning June 23rd with Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. Rev. Jones enjoyed the longest tenure of any clergy at SUMC, serving with Senior Pastors Dr. Rev. David Bevel Jones, Rev. Richard A. Hunter and Dr. Rev. Jim Cantrell. A reception held in his honor, the SUMC members and staff expressed their love and support

June 2019

Photo by Emmett Clower

Margie Tutton, Rev. Walter Jones and Tony Tutton.

through prayers, hugs, tears and beautiful cards, generosity and gifts. God Speed, Rev. Jones, as you continue your ministry to serve God though the United Methodist Church.

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NAVY continued from page 1 one more time.” York paused before continuing, “I have a picture of me and my brother and my mother. If I get choked up talking about it, it’s because that was the last time, I ever saw him.” While it’s hard to attribute an exact number to the mass causalities of WWII, most agree the death toll was anywhere between 50 and 80 million — about 3 percent of the world’s population in 1940. “As Patton said, War is hell. It was, is, and always will be,” York said. Among a dwindling class of surviving veterans, York considers it important to remember the significance of that dreadful time. “If it were not for those men in D-Day, we might be speaking German, or Nipponese today,” York said. D-Day’s success can partly be attributed to a decoy strategy York refers to as “The Great Deception.” “Somebody got the idea to fool Hitler, so they manufactured hundreds of rubber tanks, rubber airplanes, rubber jeep. Everything rubber . . . and they convinced Hitler with these rubber things. Stationed in Dover, England that the invasion was going to occur in Callais, France. So, [Hitler} took 190 tanks away from Normandy and took them up to Callais and stationed them there. If he had not moved those, we would have probably lost 10,000 – 20,000 more troops. He moved them and made the invasion less costly, but not much,” York said. As for his experience in the war, York was mostly stationed off-land. One of the amphibious vehicles he’s perhaps better acquainted with than he’d like to be is the LCT, a landing craft that held a crew of 13. Recalling the two years in which he and 12 other men, York said, “It was like living in a small house. We were able to cook and get clean water.” York was first deployed as a passenger on an LST, one of the larger amphibious vehicles, where he had the responsibility of a 20 mm. gun mount. “We were attacked on that voyage,” York recalls. His ride back to the U.S. was

Photo by Julie Thompson

Bill York and his wife Dot York before his presentation at the Dacula Library.

Photo by Julie Thompson

Bill York with two young members from the audience after his presentation at the Dacula Library. L-R: Conner O’Lenick, 10 Asher O’Lenick, 7, and Bill York.

Photo by Julie Thompson

Bill York and the Dacula Library staff after his presentation on June 6, 2019: L-R: Radsha Ashok, Bill York, and Kelley Williams.

also on an LST. York had expected to see combat onboard a boat headed towards Japan, but then, when the Japanese conceded after the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he was never required to sail again. After the War, York found employment as a furrier, working in major department stores in San Francisco, and then in Atlanta where he met his wife, Dot. After marrying, York settled and began his own fur shop, “York’s Furs”, and the old building remains in business to this day in Buckhead. In memory of his brother and all those who fought, York spoke to a gathering at Dacula Library on June 6, 2019, sharing his research and experiences of World War II. “He is extremely passionate about this and really has so much knowledge. Our community would do well to come out and hear what he has to say,” said Radsha Shok, from the Dacula branch. The library staff is happy to work with York and hope

Photo by Julie Thompson

Bill York and his granddaughter Christina York at the Dacula Library.

Photo by Julie Thompson

Freinds, family and locals thanked Bill York for his stories about WWII.

to preserve the valuable history he shares. York has dedicated much of his retired life to researching and studying the War that made him into the man he is today. He has written seven novels and continues to write a monthly column in the Gwinnett Citizen. Those interested in learning more can direct their questions to Sioux2222@gmail.com.

Weddings, Engagements & Announcements Engagements, Weddings, Births and Anniversaries are complimentary.

Congratulations Margaret and Marc Mr. and Mrs. Jim Bronaugh (Shelley) of Lawrenceville are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Margaret Kathryn Bronaugh (Meg) to Marc Sporn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Sporn (Faina) of Lilburn. Meg is a 2012 graduate of Brookwood High School and a 2016 graduate of Brenau University. She is currently working on her graduate Nurse Practitioner degree at Mercer University and is employed as a Registered Nurse at Emory Saint

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Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta in the cardiovascular stepdown unit. Marc is a 2012 graduate of Brookwood High School and a 2016 graduate of Georgia State. He received his Masters of Taxation from Georgia State in 2017. He is employed by Williams Benator & Libby as a Tax Accountant. Meg and Marc will be married at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta on August 3, 2019 and will be honeymooning in Italy.

Marc Sporn and Margaret Bronaugh

June 2019

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June 2019