South Gwinnett Citizen April 2018

CITIZEN

Vol. 30 No. 6

Citizen Connections

page 4

.COM

So u t h

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

FREE

APRIL 2018

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Barbara Howard – One of Gwinnett’s Greatest Treasures

By Phylecia D Wilson GwinnettCitizen.com

Father daughter dance

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For the past several decades Gwinnett County has been showered with amazing people who have shared their time, their talent and their wealth to make the county a better place for its citizens to live. Few have made a greater impact than Barbara and her late husband, Henry Howard.

As owners of Susanna’s Kitchen, a Georgia-based food processing company, the Howard’s had given back to Gwinnett in many ways since the early 70s when they moved here after their once-failing business became more successful than they had ever imagined.

Barbara Howard recalls how in 1960 the demand for their precooked frozen meat products was so great that they nearly went bankrupt trying purchase the Special Photo raw materials to supply their customers. Barbara Howard receiving the Legacy Award at the GMC Foundation Gala. L-R: Dr. Carlton Buchanan, Barbara and Phil Wolfe

See BARBARA on Page 38

Uncle Roy

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Brookwood High School Roger Green Celebrating 30 Years of Service junior aces tennis and sportsmanship

By Staff Reports

Connecting through trees page 23

INSIDE Citizen Connection Picture Perfect Road Runner Health & wellness

PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ABC DIRECT ECR-WSS POSTAL CUSTOMER

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Kendra Womack, 2018 Brookwood High School Girls Varsity Roster 2018

By Angela Greene GwinnettCitizen.com It is a beautiful combination when you find a person who is as talented as she is kind, which is exactly how Kendra Womack’s tennis

coach, Claudia Trandafir describes her. Womack is a junior at Brookwood High School and she has been playing tennis for almost ten years.

See ACE on page 36

On February 24th, hundreds of guests, clients, friends, and family members attended Roger Green’s 30 Years of Service client appreciation celebration. The event was held at the Infinite Energy Forum, and special guests included Gary Galloway with Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services, Debbie Brilling with the Auditory-Verbal Center, and Dr. James Merritt with Cross Pointe Church and Touching Lives Ministry. These are three charities near and dear to Roger’s heart that he devotes time, energy, and his earnings to support. Mr. Galloway and Ms. Brilling both spoke about the respective organizations they represented, while Dr. Merritt opened the event with a prayer and spoke about Cross Pointe Church and his Touching Lives Ministry. Entertainment was provided by comedian Henry Cho, followed by a fun celebratory evening of music, fun photos, and dancing.

The highlight of the evening came when Roger, the president and CEO of Green Financial Resources in Duluth, made a surprise presentation of a new car to one of his longtime staff members. Roger went on to say, “I have been helping peo-

Roger Green

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ple with their investment and financial planning for 30 years now, and have enjoyed great relationships with clients and staff members. For the past 19 of those years, I’ve been blessed by the devotion and servant heart of a sweet Christian lady whom I admire so very much – Betty Huff, our ‘office mom’. I jokingly said when she started working that if she stuck around for 20 years I might buy her a Lexus. Betty is planning to retire this year, and

See

GREEN on page 28

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April 2018

Connect Gwinnett:

Seeking input on Transit Plan

Charlotte J. Nash

County Business

Last summer, I wrote about the Connect Gwinnett: Transit Plan, the County’s first major look at transit since the launch of Gwinnett County Transit in 2001. In the time that has passed, the planning team has been hard at work analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data, information, feedback, and other details to begin to shape draft recommendations for the County’s transit future. The draft recommendations are organized as short-, mid-, and long-range plans and consider an array of transit modes and technologies to build a sustainable system that will help define the County’s future.

Transit is a hot topic in the region at the moment, with multiple legislative bills and concurrent transit planning studies happening in metro Atlanta. Beyond what the data tells us, what is in a transit bill, or what a group of engineers and planners has designed, I believe that our transit plan needs to be guided by what our community wants from its transit system. That’s why public involvement and input is crucial to the

development of this plan. To that end, the planning team is beginning a second phase of public outreach to help refine the draft recommendations.

Representatives are planning to attend events around the community, conduct an online survey, facilitate a phone survey, and host public meetings to gather input from Gwinnett residents, employees, and visitors.

The Connect Gwinnett team will host a series of public meetings designed for drop-in attendance. Each one will begin with an informational presentation, so please join the meeting most convenient for you and help us #ConnectGwinnettTransit.

• April 14: 2-4 p.m. | OneStop Norcross, 5030 Georgia Belle Court, Norcross, GA • April 16: 6-8 p.m. | George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Highway NE, Suwanee, GA • April 17: 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Lilburn City Hall, 340 Main Street NW, Lilburn, GA • April 19: 6-8 p.m. | Dacula Park Activity Building, 2735 Old Auburn Avenue, Dacula, GA • April 24: 6-8 p.m. | Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road SW, Snellville, GA 30078 • April 25: 6-8 p.m. | GJAC Building, First Floor Atrium (Outside DOT), 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA More information will be available soon about events in our community and the online survey, so stay tuned. The telephone survey will be rolled out in the coming month. If you receive a call, I hope will take the time to provide your input. I want to

thank you in advance for your commitment to improving Gwinnett’s transit system, now and in the future.

If you have any questions about the Connect Gwinnett: Transit Plan or opportunities for input, please contact the folks in our Department of Transportation at 770.822.7400.

Co-Publishers/Editors Auveed Bagheri Cawthon Chris Cawthon PO Box 1779 • Lawrenceville, Ga 30046 • Office (770) 241-8801 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.

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CITIZEN CONNECTION

2018

“What is your favorite thing to do in spring?”

By Cindy Gilbert | GwinnettCitizen.com All photos taken in Snellville.

“Festivals and Health Fairs and Food Truck Fridays.” ~ Velma Brown Rice, Snellville,GA

“Gardening.”

“Festivals and eating, love it and planting flowers.” ~ Von Gatling Edmon-Snellville, GA

“Walking at Alexander Park.” ~ Vickie Provancher, Snellville, GA

“Explore all the parks in Gwinnett, and farmers markets in Spring in Snellville.” ~ Rosie O’neil, Lilburn, GA

“Fesitivals Briscoe and Lenora Park.” ~ Lindsay Smith, (Child Sierra Longshore), Snellville, GA

“Boating on Laker Lanier and concerts in the park.” ~ Charene Cox, Lawrenceville, GA

“Take my kids to the park.” ~ Kyrra Boynton, Lawrenceville, GA

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~ Mal Thorne, Buford, GA

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“Taking my children to the parks to play when the weather is just right.” ~ Veronica Cope, Grayson, GA

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CITIZEN CONNECTION

2018

“What is your favorite thing to do in spring?”

By Cindy Gilbert | GwinnettCitizen.com All photos taken in Snellville.

“Listening to music and arts and crafts fairs.” ~ James, Tweedell, Lilburn, GA

“Coming to concerts, movies and going to church.” ~ Paullette Russel, Snellville, GA

“Making friends”.

“Snellville Days”

~ Lailah Daniels, Snellville, GA ~ Valerie Keye, Byron, GA

“Spring Green Festival, walk neighborhood with my little lady. “ ~ Lenise Alston, Loganville, GA

“Boating.”

~ Gary Cox, Lawrenceville (wife Charlene )

“Sell soy candles at festivals.” ~Michelle, Golden, Flowery Branch, GA

“Music Festivals.”

“Just happy to wake up every day.“ ~ Steve Riley, Snellville, GA

“Fishing, go to parks and swimming. “ ~ Robert Smith, Snellville, GA

April 2018

~ Kyliah Rand, Norcross, GA

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Spring brings much to smile about

Meredith Chastain & Meghan Schroder Picture Perfect

The advent of spring brings some of our favorite things, spring sports, spring school pictures and the always pleasant spring allergies!! The soccer team at Brookwood High School has a fun tradition of going to new or unusual places for a senior photo shoot. This year, the team chose the square in Duluth. Pictured are the Seniors for 2018 who have a myriad of plans for their futures – from playing college soccer to attending one of our Nation’s prestigious military academies.

Speaking of military academies, good friends Michael Neacsu (of the aforementioned soccer team) and Hamilton

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Dodd will be parting ways this year to attend two different schools when they graduate – one to the United States Military Academy and the other to the United States Air Force Academy. It’s quite an accomplishment as to get into either school; students must have high GPAs, good participation in school activities and a recommendation from a State Representative. We are so proud of both of these young men.

Another (almost spring) activity is the adorable Father/Daughter dances. At Grayson Elementary, Randy Brix is a dance veteran.

Daughter Mallory is in 5th grade and attending her final dance, while daughter Maggie is in 2nd grade. He

See SPRING Page 7

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April 2018

SPRING continued from page 6 has mastered the art of hiding from the dance floor while standing in the cupcake line. When not dancing, the family is active in softball, cheer, basketball, and supporting brother Maddox who plays football as well.

Sara Forrester, third-grade teacher extraordinaire, posed for Spring Pictures with her sons Tay-

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lor and Blake. Sara is a graduate of South Gwinnett High School and is a great example of someone staying in the community to give back. She passed down her love of community to her sons. Taylor recently spearheaded a fundraising initiative to assist the family of paralyzed football player Devon Gales. He helped to

raise over $4,000!

Spring means baseball. Deuce Smith has played baseball and football for years at Bay Creek Park.

This year, his brother Bam Bam joined in, recently winning the game ball for hitting a beauty off of Coach Pitch. Mom Bree is the Communications Director of the Grayson Athletic Association. She is famous for her inspiring emails and hilarious hashtags that pump everyone up.

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When we began photographing the tennis team at Central Gwinnett about ten years ago, it was a very small team of dedicated players.

Through great direction and coaching, the program has grown to over forty members! Pictured here are the Seniors – more athletes than were on the whole team a decade ago. These seniors have led the team to a great season.

As we head into playoffs for Spring Sports, we are excited to see multiple Gwinnett teams in Region and State playoffs and the pollen counts go down.

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

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Gwinnett Pulse

Bagheri retired after 30 years in publishing Gwinnett Citizen Co-Publisher Has Been A Treasured Storyteller Through the Years Gwinnett Citizen Co-Publisher Has Been A Treasured Storyteller Through the Years Carolyn Bagheri has been a media icon in the Gwinnett community for three decades. In 1988, when her daughter Auveed Cawthon founded The Snellville Citizen, Carolyn enthusiastically slid in alongside her serving as Co-Publisher and Co-Editor to embrace the entrepreneurial venture.

The monthly newspaper launched with a distribution of just 5,000 covering the South Gwinnett area and today distributes more than 60,000 copies countywide as the Gwinnett Citizen and offers a robust online platform that has global reach. Bagheri has been an innovative force through the years helping the publication move from the cut and paste stage to the electronic age. Bagheri shares, “It’s been amazing to watch this industry grow and change through the years. I remember when we bought our first computers in the mid 1990s. We’ve gone from ledgers to an online accounting system, from home delivery to direct mail - from tear sheets to new aggregators, from online news to tweets. It’s a whole different world from whence we

Carolyn Bagheri

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started, the way of doing business has changed.”

Even with the modernization of the trade, Bagheri has always stayed true to their core mission – to share community news of Gwinnett. The Citizen has always worked to be a community newspaper in every sense of the word.

Her daughter Auveed tells, “Mom has always had a gift of being able to capture the stories behind the stories.

She sought out real stories about real people that were making a real difference in our community.” Bagheri was known to be masterful at penning great articles about unsung heroes that were

otherwise overlooked by mainstream media and connecting people.

As the Gwinnett Citizen makes plans for its 30th anniversary this fall, Bagheri felt the time had come for her to retire and make way for the next generation. She says, “Its been a great journey, and I’m looking forward to having more time to enjoy other passions. My husband retired 18 years ago and has patiently waited for me to join him. We’re looking forward to traveling more, writing some new stories of our own, and devoting more time to another passion of mine, genealogy.”

Auveed says, “I have been blessed to work so closely with my Mom for all of these years. Her shoes are going to be big shoes to fill, but she deserves this and I am happy for her. We would not be where we are today without her dedication, insight, leadership, and passion. Though she won’t be coming into the office every day, her spirit will be embedded on every page. I have no doubt she will continue to push us to new heights and cheer us on every step of the way.” The Gwinnett Citizen looks forward to officially commemorating Carolyn’s retirement later in the year as part of their 30th anniversary celebration.

Girls learn the power of S.E.L.F. through goal-setting and sisterhood

By Angela Greene GwinnettCitizen.com

A Lawrenceville mother learned through her former role as a stay-athome mom of two young daughters, there is truth in the adage, “necessity is the mother of invention.” Toyasha Vaughn was inspired to develop S.E.L.F., an empowerment program for girls ages 5-18 after experiencing a few challenges of her own.

There are four pillars of S.E.L.F: self -determination, empowerment, love, and freedom, which encourages self-promotion, self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-worth. Vaughn chose these pillars because she wanted girls to be the best possible version of themselves by embracing their thought-power.

The goal of S.E.L.F. is to help girls and young women of color to succeed in their transition into adulthood. This program targets girls from disadvantaged communities who otherwise might not get the guidance they need in understanding the inherent challenges and dynamics they could face in life.

One can never under-estimate the power of thoughts because our thoughts influence who we are, what we do, what we acquire, whom we love, what we will become and what we will accomplish, says Vaughn.

“Our services influence girls positively by creating opportunities for girls to take pride in themselves, assume responsibility, act independently, tolerate frustrations, and maintain self-control,” said Vaughn. Moreover, she adds, “S.E.L.F. encourages girls to act independently while attempting

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new tasks, and challenges that are appropriate for their individual need, growth, and abilities.”

Although Vaughn did not participate in a similar program as a young girl, she understands the value of a gender-responsive program that promotes sisterhood. Ultimately, she hopes to drive girl’s inspiration, build growth, and personal development through individual power.

Shasta Rodgers’, daughter Haiden (12) aspires to participate in S.E.L.F. and it appears her mother agrees.

“I have seen Toyasha in action with the girls involved in her program and I believe that the passion she has for them and their growth and development is a great example of a role model. This is leadership that they may not otherwise see and the opportunities S.E.L.F. provides is a foundation for their future that may lead them to become leaders as well”, Rodgers said.

S.E.L.F. offers workshops to girls who are separated by their age and grade-level. Some of the workshop topics include attitudes and values, family and respect, human dignity, self-management, and education aspirations.

“I like to think the topics are focused on a growth mindset, which is the ability to see struggles as a natural part of getting better at something, the ability to persevere through challenges,” said Vaughn.

Many of the participants in the S.E.L.F. program are introduced through schools, after-school programs, and juvenile detention centers.

S.E.L.F. is currently seeking an opportunity to run its pilot program during which time, the program is free to participants and partners. Once the

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Third, Fourth and Fifth grade students from Ivy Preparatory Academy at Kirkwood gathered in the school cafeteria to discuss the importance of setting goals on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 during Professional Development Wednesday.

program is initiated, fees will be sitebased, and not on an individual basis.

“The girls at Ivy Prep Academy benefited from the program in a gamut of different ways. They were able to learn how to have a positive mindset, what a goal is, and how important it is to set attainable goals,” says Kelli White of Ivy Prep Academy in Dekalb.

She added, “The greatest incentive to participate is the quality of the program and the fact that it is purpose and results driven. Toyasha makes a point to make sure pre and post-test are given to gauge the effectiveness of her program lesson. She is focused on making sure that she meets with the participants that she is interactive, positive, and excited about what she is teaching them.

S.E.L.F. is an opportunity to participate in a sisterhood where girls unite to share and learn from each other in a fun and positive manner. What’s not to love about that?

April 2018

What’s in a name?

By Katie Hart Smith GwinnettCitizen.com Currently, which city is home to Gwinnett County’s first distillery? a) b) c)

Norcross Grayson Lilburn

The correct answer is (c) Lilburn. Lilburn Trigg Myers, the namesake of the city of Lilburn, is the face of Hope Springs Distillery, which is located in the Old Town area of Lilburn, Georgia, makers of Top Hat Vodka and Jetty Green Absinthe.

Located nearly twenty-four miles east of Atlanta in the area now known as Lilburn, settlers in the early 1800s

first called the community ‘Bryan’ and then changed the town’s name to McDaniel, named for John C. McDaniel, a cotton gin tycoon. In the late 1890s, the City of Lilburn was established by the Seaboard Air Line Railway. McDaniel was renamed Lilburn after the general superintendent of the railroad, Lilburn Trigg Myers of Virginia. Nearly twenty years later, Lilburn was incorporated on July 27, 1910.

Over the decades, the City of Lilburn faced its share of hardships ranging from a fire on November 15, 1920, to the destruction of cotton crops that affected the South after the infestation of boll weevils, to financial and economic devastation during The Great Depression in 1929. However, the town rebuilt,

grew, and thrived through adversity.

While the historical footprint of Lilburn is evident today in its Old Town with the train passing by City Hall hourly, its 6.3 square miles has grown to become a multi-cultural community that is home to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, the largest Hindu Temple in the United States. The Mandir is open to the public and the tour highlights the magnificent architecture and viewing of the sacred deities.

Lawrenceville Highway (Highway 29) serves as the city’s major thoroughfare. In 2015, the estimated population was 12,655, making it the ninth largest city in Gwinnett County.

For more information about the City of Lilburn, visit: https://www. cityoflilburn.com.

SCAM ALERT:

Con artist impersonating reps from Publisher’s Clearing House

By Staff Reports The Georgia Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Unit has received some complaints about scammers posing as representatives from Publisher’s Clearing House.

The scammers call consumers and tell them they have won a big prize through the Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes. They then instruct the consumer to send several hundred dollars via wire transfer or a Green Dot MoneyPak card to

April 2018

secure their prize or pay for fees or taxes. Consumers who comply soon discover that the “big win” they had imagined was actually a win for the scammer who made off with the consumer’s money.

To help you avoid Publishers Clearing House (PCH) scams, the Consumer Protection Unit offers the following tips: Never pay money to receive a prize. Not only is this a sure sign of a scam, but it is also a violation of Georgia law.

PCH sweepstakes are always free to enter, and there is never a fee associated with winning.

PCH doesn’t call ahead to say you’ve won; they notify winners of major prize awards in person via their Prize Patrol.

If you suspect something may be a scam or if you have been the victim of a scam, contact the Georgia Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Unit at www.consumer.ga.gov or (404) 651-8600.

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Gwinnett County Master Gardeners’ MONDAY, MAY 21, 2018, 7PM – ELEANOR CRAIG “LEARN FROM THE FERN LADY”

By Staff Reports Eleanor Craig is known across the southeast as “The Fern Lady”. Based out of Cedar Bluff, Alabama, her small specialty nursery known as “Fern Ridge Farms” ships all over the country, offering over 75 varieties of hardy garden fern, as well as select annuals, tropical ferns, perennials, natives, and many fern com-

panion plants. Previously located in Canton, Georgia, the nursery’s exhibits and garden displays have earned numerous awards at Atlanta’s Southeastern Flower Show. In addition, Fern Ridge Farms is recognized as a resource for locating unusual ferns in the recently published book _Plant Lovers’ Guide to Ferns.

With 20+ years experience in landscaping, lawn maintenance and the nursery industry, Eleanor has been a huge supporter of Master Gardener programs across the Southeast as both a lecturer and vendor. Her Gwinnett presentation will include insight into growing many

familiar and new garden ferns, including managing the impacts of climate change, identifying location needs and plant care.

Beware, her love for ferns is contagious!

GCMGA meets on the third Monday of each month at The Bethesda Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30044. The public is welcome at no charge, and is invited to bring a covered dish to join club members for dinner at 6:30. Otherwise, the presentation begins promptly at 7pm. For program updates and any cancellations, please visit www.gwinnettmastergardeners.com.

The Three Little Bears

Marlene Ratledge Buchanan Hey Y’all

Once upon a time, a handsome man met a beautiful woman on a blind date. The man and woman fell in love. The handsome man gave the beautiful woman a teddy bear and a proposal. She accepted both.

They married May 1, 1944, and the handsome man went away to war. They wrote to each other almost daily. The handsome man sent 746 letters home while he was in the army during World War II. She kept every one of them. When he died, she read them all again and cried afresh. When he came back from the War, the Teddy bear was sitting on the bed to welcome him home.

It has been 75 years since Daddy gave Mama that bear and the proposal. That little bear sat in the bedroom all of their marriage. They had been married 59 years.

Mama gave me the little bear and told me to take care of it. I had pretty well destroyed a lot of its mohair when I was a baby. I put the dress on it that I wore when I was brought home from the hospital at birth. The poor thing is nearly bald, so I placed a crochet doily that Mama’s Mama had made on its head.

I put my Granddaddy’s “spectacles” on it and gave it a cup to hold from my Great-grandmother’s china.

(Think I am just a little sentimental?)

Snell, James and I went to the Snellville Fall Festival, and James was intrigued by the Sunshine Bears

booth. (www.sunflowerbears.com) Donna and her daughter were making teddy bears out of loved ones’ clothing. It hit me. I have my grandmother’s handmade dress and my granddaddy’s overalls. I talked to Donna about the clothes I had, and she agreed to do something with them. I mailed everything off, and she sent me this adorable little bear in Grandmama’s floral dress and his overalls. She kept the smocking and tatting to make the upper part of the bear’s body and the jalousies of the overalls. I put one of my Grandmama’s handkerchiefs in the pocket and tied another piece of her tatting around the little bear’s head. There is a little-mended place on its foot. On its fanny, Donna put a label “These are the clothes we used to wear. Hug it tight & know we are there. Love, Grandmama Louisa Smith Evans 6/4/1889-6/15/1967 & Granddaddy Eli Evans 10/19/1889-3/21/1852.

I loved it. Then I thought “Daddy’s uniform!” I still had Daddy’s old police uniform complete with the light blue shirts, by far the prettiest uniform that the City of Atlanta’s law enforcement officers ever had. The all-navy uniform worn now is not that attractive to me. Donna and I had an-

other conversation, and off I shipped one of Daddy’s light blue shirts and dress uniform jacket. The buttons for the eyes are from his father’s uniform. In the 1920’s the police officer uniform had brass buttons. In later years, the uniforms sported silver colored buttons, which is my bear’s shirt front.

So Bear Number Three was born, “Daddy’s Bear.” Donna used the jacket and kept all the braiding on the sleeves and the City of Atlanta Police Department emblem. I have added Daddy’s cap, his smallest holster with one of my .38 snub-nosed toy guns and his whistle. His fanny reads” These are the clothes I used to wear. Hug it tight & know I am there. Love, Daddy. James Edward Ratledge 11/21/1916-9/24/1998.”

So I have three little bears. Mama’s Bear, Daddy’s Bear and my Grandparent’s Bear. And that is just how I think of them. The bears helped to cleanout Mama’s cedar chest, but most importantly, they are a great way to remember people who were so dear to me.

Bear hugs to all you fellow sentimentalists.

Live Local, Shop Local, Support Local Thank you to all our advertisers and community partners.

Contact the GWINNETTCITIZEN.COM today to share your community news & inquire about advertising and partnering.

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Spring Aboard: Boaters urged to get educated before boating season

By Staff Reports The temperature may be cool outside, but boating safety advocates urge boaters to enroll in a boating education course. Spring Aboard – Take A Boating Education Course campaign encourages boaters to get educated prior to the kick-off of the boating season. Many education providers offer discounts or other incentives for students during the week of March 18-24, 2018 to enroll in a boating education course.

“We know that an educated boater is safer on the water,” said Tom Guess, president of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, and lead organization for Spring Aboard. “If a boater has taken a boating safety education course the likelihood of their time spent on the water being a safe and enjoyable experience is much greater for them as well as their passengers. There’s no reason to head out on the water without knowing what you’re doing, and spring is the per-

fect time to take a course before the summer boating season begins.”

U.S. Coast Guard statistics indicate that of the accidents where the level of operator education was known, 77% of boating deaths occurred on boats where the boat operator had never received boating education instruction.

With today’s wide variety of courses available, there’s a course for every boater schedule. Boaters have multiple options from classroom courses offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons to online offerings available anytime day or night.

Education course providers and offerings will vary between states, so check with your local course provider or state boating agency to find out

I like small businesses

Bill York

Nonagenarian Having operated a small business for sixty years, I appreciate how difficult it is to develop a customer relationship. It takes time to build a reputation for ethics and quality and a profitable base.

I feel good when I walk into a store, and an employee or the owner greets me by my name. “Good morning, Bill. How’s Dot?” That doesn’t happen very often in big box stores.

My wife Dot opened Back By Popular Demand on Main Street in

Lilburn in 1980.Because of her ethics, she remained 23 years, sold the store which is still in business Because of my physical condition, we moved to a one floor home near to Dacula, but we often visit the village.

A customer at my fur salon brought in her mother’s old mink coat to have made into a vest. I hesitated because the pelt was too dry.

But she insisted, so I made the vest.

A month later the vest came back with rips in the back.

I apologized, explaining that I should not have made the vest. I suggested that I use the mink and make pillows and a hat so her mother’s fur would always be visible.

She was elated.

I refunded the charge for the vest.

That is ethics.

My wife and I had both cars serviced at the Chevron station in Lilburn for 20 years. We never had one problem. Great standards keep good customers. Get to know Bill, Harris or Mark.

what courses are accepted in your area. Many states require completion of a course verified by NASBLA as meeting the national boating education standard for powerboat rental or operation. To ensure a course qualifies, look for the ‘NASBLA-Approved’ logo.

Forty-nine (49) states and U.S. territories require proof of completion of a boating education course for operators of some powered vessels. For a summary of Georgia’s regulations and available courses, visit: http://gadnrle.org/boating-education.

The annual Spring Aboard campaign is led by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and produced under a grant administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, and it is supported by state, federal and nonprofit partners. It is open to participation by all states, territories, boating education organizations, instructors, and course providers. For more information, visit www.springaboard.org.

Several years ago I wanted a fleece jacket monogrammed with U S NAVY WWII. I went to ADB ADVERTISING on Lawrenceville Highway in Lilburn. The businessman’s name is Enrique Baracaldo. He has been in the location for 13 years.

I ordered two white jackets and one navy. When I went in to pick them up, there was one white and two navy. I showed Enrique the order.

He said, “My mistake. I’ll monogram another white one while you wait.

I am still wearing the jackets.

They still look new.

That is ethics.

Notice his ad in the current edition of the newspaper.

Enrique has a range of promotional concepts which can develop more business. Sioux2222@gmail. com Bill is a WW II Navy veteran and retired President of York Furs in Buckhead. You can contact him by email at Sioux2222@gmail.com

Duluth Rotary Car Show Exotic Cars take over Main Street

By Staff Reports Get your wheels ready for the 5h annual Duluth Rotary Car Show.

Unique hot rods will take over Main Street in Downtown Duluth for a fun and exciting car show.

The fun will take place on Saturday, April 14th from 10am-2pm. Antique Classics, Foreign Sports, Hot

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Rods, Muscles, and Pickups are the featured cars of the event. Professional judges will choose a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category. There will also be a “People’s Choice Winner.”

Enjoy music and a raffle. Burgers, hotdogs, chips and drinks will be on sale along with a commemorative t-shirt. Proceeds from the event will benefit Operation One Voice which

aids children and families of fallen Special Operations Forces. The event is FREE for all to enjoy. The entry is $20.00 per car for all entries received

by April 13th or $25.00 per car on the day of the event. An application must be completed for each car.

For more information, please visit http://www.duluthrotary.com/

April 2018

Votiva – Advanced, Gentle, Effective Feminine Rejuvenation

Barbara McClure RN, BSHA

Previously, women did not have many options to improve intimate issues that occur from childbirth and aging.

Now, with new technologies available, women have more options to resolve their discomfort.

There are innovative choices that are effective, safe and gentle.

Votiva uses Forma V and Fractora V technologies to address such feminine health concerns as :

April 2018

elasticity and wrinkled appearance of the labia and vulva; low blood flow and sensitivity; pain sensations caused by labial hypertrophy; decreased level of sexual interest and self-esteem. Forma V provides non-invasive skin contration (internal and external) and Fractora V provides skin renewal using special fractional energy tip. (external).

During the treatment a woman can expect to feel a warming sensation and results can be felt and seen immediately. Depending on the intensity of the treatment, there is little or no down time. Immediately after the treatment most may have only slight discomfort, and some have no discomfort. Usually 2-3 treatments are required depending on the treatment concerns and personal goals.

Please schedule a consultation with Barbara McClure, RN, BSHA to see if Votiva is right for you. Call number is 770-978-0956.

gwinnettcitizen.com

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My dogs hate me Well, maybe the word “hate” is a little strong. They’re too sweet to hate anyone. But they’re mad at me, of that I am sure. You see, this past weekend in Atlanta was beautiful and

sunny, perfect for those with spring fever to work outside getting the yard ready for outdoor living as only we in the South know how to do it.

We have a beautiful front lawn,

thanks to my talented husband. It is well manicured and, when temperatures permit, overflowing with dazzlingly colorful flowers. We have a shimmering blue pool in the back,

Carole Townsend

(Not So) Common Sense

and that’s about it because our dogs pretty much rule that domain. We are allowed to swim (because of an Irish Setter, a Goldendoodle and a Chihuahua, no one likes the water), but they have the run of the place.

Flowers and grass simply cannot survive their 85+ lb. antics - wrestling, racing, digging, etc.

Several years ago, I got into vegetable gardening. I love growing vegetables and herbs at home, and working the earth somehow makes me feel closer to my dad. I lost him in 2013; he loved to garden, and he was good at it. I think I developed my love of gardening from him.

Anyway, my husband built me two raised beds, 10 x 10 each. Every spring, at about this time, I clear the old growth and amend the soil with foul-smelling but nutritious additives – chicken manure and such. This year, for some odd reason, all three of our dogs have decided that they enjoy the taste of that rich, black dirt.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

We just installed an invisible pet fence. In fact, we finished the installation yesterday, and it went “live” yesterday afternoon. We put the collars on our dogs, and so the training began. It’s been a battle of wills, so far. I will say that I’ve gotten zapped twice, and I don’t eat dirt OR manure.

Oh well, everything I read and

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everyone I talk to says to stick with the training, that they will get the hang of it. Cassie, our Irish Setter, is still a bit nervous about the whole thing. She sticks close to us but is venturing out more every time she goes outside. Raleigh, our Goldendoodle, knows exactly where the boundaries are; she is disarmingly smart, and I have to wonder what she thinks about all this silliness. This morning I caught her eating potting soil straight out of the bag anyway; she’s already outsmarted us. The Chihuahua couldn’t care less about white warning flags or her bulky new collar. She goes where she pleases, and we just have to watch her closely to protect her from the consequences. That won’t change.

I had to laugh last night, after another full day of watchful vigilance.

This boundary-training is a lot more work for me than it is for them, and all so I can grow maybe $50 worth of veggies. I get the feeling that Dad is watching all of it, laughing his unmistakable laugh and critiquing my gardening skills while he does it.

Wish I could remember his tricks for growing prize-winning tomatoes.

Carole Townsend is a Gwinnett author and freelance writer. Her fourth book, BLOOD IN THE SOIL, was published in 2016. It is the true tale of a crime that took place in Gwinnett County nearly 40 years ago.

Her previous three books are written with Southern humor. Carole often appears on network television talk and news shows, as well as on national true crime radio shows. Her books can be found in bookstores, on Amazon. com, Barnes & Noble.com, and at www.caroletownsend.com. When she’s not writing, Carole travelsthroughout the southeast, talking to groups about women, writing, family and life in her beloved South.

April 2018

Gwinnett Medical Center receives new The perfect window cover Carestream X-ray system Funds provide new advanced technology for NICU facility

By Staff Reports The Women’s Pavilion at Gwinnett Medical Center (GMC) recently announced the addition of the Carestream DRX-Revolution for the Circelli Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The Carestream DRX-Revolution was specifically designed to offer babies in the NICU a gentler imaging process while empowering physicians with state-ofthe-art technology to deliver the best care. GMC- Lawrenceville is among one of the first hospitals in Georgia to receive this advanced technology.

This initiative was a part of GMC Foundation’s Next Generation campaign goal to transform healthcare in the community. Features include: • Instant tube and line visualization placement software.

• Fifty percent less radiation, lowering exposure to radiation-induced cancers.

• Wireless connectivity and digital imagery.

• Internal archive system featuring prior patient images for reference.

• Ability to fit under baby incubators, eliminating the need to re-

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Cink Charities Inc., L-R: Lauren Patterson, Tarryn Troutman, Lisa Cink, Stewart Cink

move attached wires and tubes.

“Our tiniest patients may receive an x-ray every day, during the most critical portion of their stay,” says Leslie D. Leigh, MD, GMC affiliated neonatologist. “This machine allows for a more patient centric approach in caring for this delicate population.”

The Women’s Advisory Council raised over $200,000 to purchase the new x-ray unit. Other major donors include Cink Charities Inc., the Jim & Ellis Foundation, Jackson EMC

and the Abigail Grace Foundation.

The Circelli Family NICU is a Level III facility, located in the Women’s Pavilion at Gwinnett Medical Center - Lawrenceville, offers compassionate customized care for neonatal ICU patients. Extensive care and resources include a NICU ambulance equipped with a transport team, specialized body cooling therapy to prevent brain injuries, board-certified neonatologists and various support groups.

I love to help people find the perfect window covering, be it a blind, shade, or soft treatment. When meeting a homeowner for the first time, I am almost always asked, “What do you think?” It’s not a simple answer. I have to know what is needed to create the perfect solution, so I get there with questions. Are you in need of privacy or light control, or both? Do you want this to be decorative or functional, or both? What is your budget? Budget is so important when planning a project. It helps determine which products or ideas can realistically be recommended and implemented.

Another factor in presenting a specific product or window covering idea is inspiration or what will work with your décor. Sometimes I draw inspiration from a piece of artwork or maybe even furniture. Overall, the space defines the solution. Each home has its own personality and it is up to me to work within the parameters of needs, wants, budget, and design.

The best part of what I do is making someone happy. I strive to accomplish this every single time. When we have

Joan Miller

The Blind Ladies

agreed on a project, and I hear, “I can’t wait to see this done,” I know I have done my job! And on installation day, that is confirmed!

If you would like help bringing an idea to life, please call Joan at The Blind Ladies: 404 918-5288 or visit the website: www.theblindladies.com Whatever your window covering need, call Joan at The Blind Ladies for a free consultation. 404 918-5288 or visit our newly up-dated website: www.theblindladies.com

Live Local, Shop Local, Support Local Thank you to all our advertisers and community partners.

Contact the GWINNETTCITIZEN.COM today to share your community news & inquire about advertising and partnering.

(770) 241-8801 • info@gwinnettcitizen.com • gwinnettcitizen.com April 2018

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Millennial minimalism:

A Transcendentalist rebirth? changes for each trend is twofaced and lacks character.

Julie Thompson

Millennial Musing

Millennial minimalism: A Transcendentalist rebirth?

Minimalism. It’s a word that describes the aesthetic preferences of many Millennials and extends to lifestyle choices as well.

As I mentioned in my last post, the millennial generation is often defined in terms of what it does without houses, marriage, stability. So the ideal Millennial lifestyle is then, simple, unencumbered and noncommittal. It’s a “Why toil for what you don’t need?” kind of mentality.

In this minimalist lifestyle is a bubbling of Henry David Thoreau’s philosophy, Transcendentalism. Developed while Thoreau lived as a hermit in a forest cabin, the philosophy challenges the importance of excess and modern convenience.

There is no question as to whether Transcendentalism is a major influence of modern minimalism, but beyond aesthetics, how closely does the Millennial lifestyle follow Thoreau’s teachings? Here are eight premises of Transcendentalism that show how Millennials tiptoe around the philosophy.

Premise 1: Man should live simply and within his economical means, neither spending too much nor consuming in excess.

At face value, Millennials certainly appear to meet this standard.

Known for nonacquisition choices, Millennials have little wealth as far as property or material possessions.

In fact, it is becoming more normal for Millennials to have no residence at all. A Pennsylvania University Study shows that homelessness amongst those in their 20’s has grown by 25% in the past five years. However, the hobo stigma it is changing too, with online “bohemian” communities portraying a romantic side of the lifestyle.

Premise 2: Live independently and make self-sufficiency a means of survival.

Nope. Although Google has provided a whole new landscape for self-help and quick fixes, Millennials have taken up communal practices.

Crowdsourced payment options are increasingly popular, especially with public transport systems that reduce the need for vehicle ownership.

Premise 3: Buck the tides of fashion because the man who

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In this aspect, Millennials do not meet the standards of Transcendentalism. Although staples such as cars and houses take a lower shelf on the Millennial’s spending priorities, fashion is a defining aspect of the generation. One study shows that 69 percent of Millennials are likely to spend money on clothes they don’t need, while 63 percent spend money on the latest technological gadgets.

Barista coffee, Ubers, and hot and new eateries are also more likely to be Millennial expenses than for any other generation.

Premise 3: Eat simply. Enjoy the fruits of the earth and edible plants. Meat is not as necessary as some would suppose.

Check. A 2017 study from Top Trends in Prepared Foods shows that veganism has grown by 500 percent since 2014 in the US and is taking the world by storm in European countries where numbers are even higher. A demographic aged 18 and 35 comprise the majority of this statistic, so Millennials are largely responsible for the meatless trend.

Premise 4: Live in harmony in nature and take time to appreciate wildlife.

Check, again. Millennials prove to be an eco-friendly generation. We believe environmentalism should be a priority in both politics and consumer spending. When it comes to energy, 71 percent of Millennials believe US policy should focus on developing alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and hydrogen technology, as opposed to a mere 25 percent that favors a continued focus on the production of oil, coal and natural gas, a New Geography article reports.

Premise 5: Educate yourself by spending time apart from luxury and convenience.

It’s hard to tell how Thoreau would feel about Millennial education. He found his time in solitude a better education than his years at Harvard University. In ​Walden​, he argued that philosophers and all true lovers of knowledge “solve the problems of life, not only theoretically, but practically.”

As the most educated yet unskilled generation yet, it’s hard to tell if Millennials would be the blunt of Thoreau’s admiration or scorn.

Premise 6: Entertain guests less frequently and find solace in solitude.

Even when they spend time alone, many Millennials’ minds are socially engaged while posting on social media and refreshing the inbox feed. Thoreau’s advice would be to ditch the phone for a while and spend time getting to know the world without a smartphone’s lens.

Premise 7: Read avidly. A good reader should study books with the

Uncle Roy

By Eric Bruce GwinnettCitizen.com “Every so often I would wake up on the ground – passed out because of oxygen starvation caused by my collapsed lung”, recalls First Lieutenant Roy Hanna. It was February 1944, and the Allies were fighting the Germans in Italy during World War II. Hanna was with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment having landed in Naples and involved in continuous fighting for several weeks.

The Third Battalion was holding a front line position, and the ‘H’ Company was ordered to attack but ended up being surrounded by the enemy. The Lt. Colonel directed Hanna and his Machine Gun Platoon to lead a patrol to make a flanking attack on the Germans. After surveying the situation and coming up with an attack plan, Hanna led his group of 25 soldiers down the backside of a railroad track toward a house that held German snipers. Using stealth and strategic cover, they approached the house and threw grenades in killing two and wounding one.

They next headed toward a wooded area behind the house, and as Hanna was running down a hedgerow, a rabbit darted out in front causing him to pivot at the same time a bullet pierced his chest. “The bullet entered the upper part of my right chest in the same area that just a few minutes before I had a hand grenade hooked to my harness. Luckily I had used this grenade. The bullet entered my right chest, passed down through the right lung, and exited through the lower part of my lung; the bullet didn’t touch a bone.”

Hanna periodically fainted from the collapsed lung but eventually made it back to safety and their heroic actions allowed ‘H’ Company to escape back to their original line of defense. That action earned Hanna the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart.

Roy Hanna is my great uncle, the brother of my grandfather. He is 101 years old and has survived many of his relatives, a bullet to the chest, and 233 days of combat in World War II. He grew up in Pennsylvania and now lives in Pinehurst, NC. I had never met him and drove up there to meet, visit, and hear the stories of my great uncle, the brave WWII hero.

Known as the “Greatest Generation,” there were 16 million Amersame ardour with which they were written.

Yet again, Millennials’ reading habits fall short of Thoreau’s standards. But that doesn’t mean we are not avid readers. While the average Millennial spends one hour reading each day, most prefer to scan texts for a quick synopsis and then jump to another source using the same

gwinnettcitizen.com

Roy Hanna and Eric Bruce.

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ican soldiers that participated in WWII and only about 558,000, or less than 4%, remain. They are dying at an estimated rate of 372 each day.

There were 291,000 killed in battle and 670,000 wounded during the conflict. These brave warriors gave their all for America, and the ones that survived the war are now being claimed by Father Time.

Roy Hanna has survived both so far and has lived to become a centenarian plus one. He had already graduated from Penn State with a degree in Food Science and was married when the war broke out. He volunteered at age 26 for a year and ended up staying five years. After starting out in the National Guard, he volunteered to join the paratroopers to get out of the guard. He went to Officer’s Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

From October 1942 to the end of the war, Hanna was involved in five combat missions. He made two jumps into enemy territory as a paratrooper, the first one being in Sicily at night as anti-aircraft guns blazed away at them. In February 1944, 82nd Airborne invaded Anzio, Italy where Hanna was shot and earned his Distinguished Service Cross.

In a military hospital, Hanna re-

cuperated which included inserting a syringe to extract fluid out of his lungs. By March, he was in England getting ready for the next campaign called Market Garden, an invasion into the Netherlands to secure roads and bridges for more advancing troops. This campaign was told in the 1977 movie, ‘A Bridge Too Far.’ Hanna’s part was crossing the Waal River in canvas boats under enemy fire.

After surviving that mission, he was sent home for a rest and got to see his 17-month old daughter for the first time. He rejoined his unit later to participate in clearing up areas from Cologne to Hanover, Germany till the end of the war.

Roy Hanna, the youngest of eleven children, went on to have a career in the dairy field, fathered four children, and retired at age 75. Two years ago the Queen Maxima of the Netherlands visited America and requested to see soldiers who helped liberate the Netherlands and Roy attended. At Fort Bragg, the 82nd Airborne has a command room called the “Roy Hanna Room.”

Hanna has lived a long amazing life including defending our county in World War II, and I’m proud to be related to him.

method.

popular amongst Millennials than in other generations.

While Millennials don’t quite pass as Transcendentalists, their ideals are aligned, modern youth are revisiting many of its aspects. A new generation, a new application. The resemblance is subtle as Millennials are inventing a philosophy all their own, even if it is tricky to pin down.

Premise 8: Citizens should dictate their own laws and live independently of government ordinance.

The generation is on two sides of the fence on this one. Opposing political viewpoints calls for varying degrees of government involvement, although liberal ideals are more

April 2018

Second Prettiest Woman in the Room About Face Skin Care has a long-standing reputation in the wedding business, but it may not be what you think. Sure, we love to pamper brides and wedding parties and make sure each bride, groom and wedding party member is glowing for the big day. Our number one passion, however, is helping the “moms” get ready for one of the most important events in their lives. This reputation really struck me recently when I was talking to a young woman at one of our events. She was telling me that she actually lived an hour away from us, but that she had come to the event at her Mom’s request. She is getting married in August, and her mom had wanted to visit us to see if we could help her freshen up for the wedding. She told her daughter she wanted to be “the second prettiest woman in the room.”

I thought these words were so inspirational. Of course, the bride is the center of attention during this special time, but the mothers (and fathers) realize they, too, will be captured in photographs and visited by friends and family they may not have seen in a long time. Feeling confident and radiant is another step to make this special day even better.

About Face Skin Care strives to restore appearances of clients who are seeing changes related to aging. Images that are seen on television and in magazines often show

Chrissy Thomas

About Face Skin Care

men and women who have radically changed their appearance negatively. Our staff prefers a more natural looking approach to maintaining a youthful appearance. Clients may use anything from gentle skin rejuvenation to injectable fillers like Juvederm to restore the volume to the marionette lines and folds around the mouth. Wrinkle relaxers, like Botox, help to smooth skin and slightly lift sagging facial tissues, relaxing the wrinkles of the frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead. Body FX may be used to reduce the circumference of the abdomen, thighs or any part of the body to make a trouble spot a bad memory in eight weeks. About Mind and Body, located in the same office as About Face Skin Care, offers a boutique fitness environment of Yoga, Pilates, Barre’, strength training and other classes to help get fit and healthy. (You can see the en-

tire schedule of classes and sign up for a free week at our website www. aboutmindandbody.com) Every face and body is different, and every treatment plan is customized to fit the personality, needs and budget of each client that seeks consultation.

One of the most important things to know about us is that we offer a “no-pressure” environment. As I told the young woman I was speaking with at the event, every Mom should feel comfortable that making a free consultation appointment with our staff to explore options does not commit her to purchase anything. I have been amazed over the last sixteen years at the number of men and women who say they have wanted to come in and see what we were all about but were hesitant. Many times, clients will have a consultation and return months later to have treatments. We have been here for over sixteen years, and we plan to be here for many more.

If you have a wedding or any other special event in your future, we would love to be a part of your plans. Give us a call for a free consultation at 770.935.FACE (3223) or schedule online at www.aboutfaceskin.com. About Face Skin Care and About Mind and Body are located at the corner of Scenic Highway and Janmar Road behind Lowes at 1569 Janmar Road, Suite B and C. We look forward to meeting you!

visit gwinnettcitizen.com for more local news

April 2018

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The Gwinnett Roadrunner

Mary Frazier Long

Gwinnett County Author, Historian

THINKERS April showers bring May flowers and lots of other things.

“When your children are teenagers, it’s important to have a dog so that someone in the house is glad to see you.” ~ Nora Ephron “I am a Southerner and an American.” ~ Jimmy Carter “Singing is to preaching what gravy is to steak. Gravy is not steak, but it makes the steak taste better,” ~ Rev. Willie Morganfield “A Southerner talks music.” ~ Mark Twain “If you are what you eat, a visit to North Carolina could make you a very interesting person.” ~ North Carolina Travel Department ad

Mary Long Photo

What did you say? “April Fool”.

• Paul Revere made his famous ride “On the 18th of April in ’65, hardly a man is now alive who remembers that famous day and year, and the midnight ride of Paul Revere.”

• The United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917. Many from Gwinnett served in WW I. • President Franklin D. Roosevelt died at Warm Springs, Georgia on April 12, 1945.

LOOKING BACK IN GWINNETT • The News-Herald, April 7, 1913: “The First Baptist Church of Grayson was organized April 4, 1913.”

• Lawrenceville is 1,200 feet above sea level.

“April First is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other 364.” ~ Mark Twain

• Barrow County was created in 1914, got some land from Gwinnett.

IMPORTANT APRIL EVENTS • President Thomas Jefferson was born April 13, 1743, he was third President and wrote much of the Declaration of Independence.

James Buchanan, 15th President, was born April 23, 1791, Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President, was born April 27, 1822, James Monroe, fifth President was born April 28, 1758.

• News-Herald April 7, 1919, “The Colonial Theater was passed from J.B. Puckett to J.L. Stone.”

• General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate Army to General Ulysses S. Grant April 9, 1865.

• Educator Booker T. Washington was born April 5, 1856.

CURRENT EVENTS LADY LION— MARY BLAIR ARNOLD Mary Blair Arnold was Mary Blair when she lived on Luckie Steet in Lawrenceville. Her parents were Magnolia and Frank Blair and her sister was Virginia. Mary went to the school on the hill in Lawrenceville and graduated from that school in 1948. She married Herbert Arnold; Arnold Road in west Gwinnett was named for Herbert’s family. Mary and Herbert moved to Blairsville and Mary has been generous with giving

REPRESENTATIVE BROOKS COLEMAN Brooks Coleman has announced his retirement from the Georgia State House of Representatives. He will retire after the 2018 session, and he has served in the House for 26 years. Representative Coleman has been the voice of Duluth High School where he announced the football games for many years. Coleman School in Duluth was named for Brooks Coleman he served as Chairman of the House Education Committee.

Brooks was a long time educator in Gwinnett County before he retired and entered politics, he has never lost an election.

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“ON THE RUN” By Mar y Frazier Long

Mary Long Photo

Supper party at the Cain’s home, seated L-R: Robert and Grace Cain, Martha Frances Hutchins, Jo Brownlee, Betty Powell, Peggy Britt, Sara Corley; standing L-R: Ferris Hutchins, Marvin Brownlee, Joe and Dottie Shaffer, Bob Powell, Jack Britt and W.C. Corley.

ROBERT CAIN

Gwinnett County native Robert Cain passed away on Monday, March 19, 2018. Robert was the son of the late Len and Winnie Cain, his sister, Hannah Shafer, also preceded him in death. Robert graduated from Bethesda High School where he was an outstanding basketball player. He and Grace Britt Cain were married for 65 years. Their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are Marcy Cain Mussman and her husband Steve, Mitzi Cain Mayhue and her husband Richard, Marc Cain and his wife, Brenda. Grandchildren are Clint & Beth Mayhue, Cameron Mayhue and fiancé Alyssa Gruber, Cacey & Trent Steinhauer, Aron & Ashley Mussman, Clayton Cain and Shaina Mussman. Great Grandchildren Brady, Hudson and Charley Grace Mayhue, Sawyer Winnie and Finley Steinhauer and Townes Cain Mussman. Brother Kenneth and Wanda Cain, sister-in-law Marie Britt Duncan.

Robert served in the United States Army, and after his military service, he went into the building business with his father and his son, Marc, kept the business going after his dad retired. Robert was active in the Jaycees, he coached Little League baseball and he served on the Board of Sweetwater Memorial Chapel. Robert joined the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church in 1952 and he remained active in the church where he and Grace married. Robert was well known for his skill with the rod and reel and for the wine he made from his homegrown scuppernongs.

Robert was a great storyteller and some of his jokes and stories will be remembered for generations.

her time to worthy causes in the community. When Lions of Georgia District 18-1 held their District Convention and Hall of Fame Ceremony Mary Arnold was presented with this most prestigious award—she was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Mary has been a member of the Lions club since 2001 and she has received many awards during her dedicated service with the organization. Mary has received the Anne Sullivan Award on the State Level, Melvin Jones Fellow on the International Level, and many awards on the local level. In addition to her work with the Lions Club, Mary works with church and community functions which center around Senior Citizens with special needs and with veterans who require assistance.

A special congratulations to Mary Blair Arnold from her Hometown Lawrenceville, Georgia.

NEW PARKING DECK IN LAWRENCEVILLE This parking deck will have 850 spaces, and will be located behind the Justice and Administrative Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.

LAWRENCEVILLE POLICE CHIEF Captain Tim Wallace of the Lawrenceville Police Department has been named Chief of Police; he has had almost 30 years in law enforce-

gwinnettcitizen.com

Mary Long Photo

Elliott Brack speaking at the March Historical Society meeting.

Mary Long Photo

Susan Gilbert Historical Society Membership Chairman.

GWINNETT COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Author Elliott Brack spoke to members and guests of the Historical Society at the March 19, 2018 meeting. Members were given Elliott’s book of facts about Gwinnett County and he tested them on the facts in the book.

The next meeting of the Society will be on May 21, 2018, at 7 pm. Meetings are held on the second floor of the Historical Courthouse in Lawrenceville. The meeting will be about the history of Lawrenceville and Gwinnett County as they celebrate their 200th anniversaries. ment. He began working as Police Chief on Friday, March 16, 2018.

BICENTENNIAL PLAZA The old fire station on South Perry Street in Lawrenceville will be demolished to make room for the plaza to be put in place of the station.

The existing walkway and trail along Constitutional “Boulevard will be improved to create Bicentennial Trail and connect Gwinnett Justice and Administrative Center with the Plaza and with Lawrenceville Lawn.

April 2018

The Gwinnett Roadrunner

“ON THE RUN” By Mar y Frazier Long

GRAYSON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION The association met for the twenty-second annual reunion at the Grayson High School Commons area on March 24, 2018. President Susan Gerard greeted Alumni. They were given an update on the school by Assistant Principal Community School, Jerilyn Hyndman. Margaret Goss and Margie McBryar presented scholarships. Officers for the 2018 “Alumni Association are President Susan Gerard, Vice-President Linda Turner Secretary Drusilla Gregg Treasurer Beverley Cooper.

THE 2019 REUNION WILL BE AT GRAYSON HIGH SCHOOL ON MARCH 30, 2019.

Mary Long Photo

Mary Long Photo

L-R: Grayson High School former teacher Al Herndon with Edith Couch Kemp and W.T. Kemp

Mary Long Photo

Grayson High School graduate Margie McBryar organized the first Alumni Reunion and has worked on all the succeeding reunions

Grayson High School Junior Carter Hunter and the Grayson Ram welcomed Alumni to the 22nd reunion

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The Grayson High School Brass and Woodwind Ensemble played for the Alumni

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L-R: Community School Director Jerilyn Hyndman with Alumni Treasurer Beverly Cooper.

Story Time

AT THE LAWRENCEVILLE LIBRARY

Mary Long Photo

L-R: Grayson High School graduate Edith Coach Kemp and Alumni Association President Susan Gerard.

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Grayson High grads Montine Hewatt Johnson, Robbie Nell Patton Hamrick and Hilda Knight Underwood

Jaimie Lust is the Children’s Librarian at the Lawrenceville Library on Highway 29 West. She presents age-appropriate stories, songs and handouts that the children enjoy. Toddler time is Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30-11. Older preschoolers have a time from 11 until 11:30. Children sometimes blow bubbles or wave scarves after stories. They also sing and wiggle to music. A fun time for toddlers and preschoolers!

KID’S CROSSING MUSIC TIME The Kid’s Crossing Day Care at the Lawrenceville First Methodist Church provides a fun environment for the children enrolled in the program there. Miss Carmen has been working with two-year-olds for over ten years and Music Teacher Lisa Hale gives regular fun music lessons to the children who respond to her enthusiasm for singing and dancing.

Mary Long Photo

Children’s Librarian Jamie Lust.

Time to play and dance at Story Time

Mary Long Photo

Mary Long Photo

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Lisa Hale singing with the children at Kid’s Crossing.

Aaluyan McWhorter in the play area at Lawrenceville Library

Mary Long Photo

Norah and Maggie at Kid’s Crossing.

Mary Long Photo

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Kid’s Crossing children enjoying the music time.

April 2018

Mary Long Photo

Kid’s Crossing children enjoying the music time.

Killian Mueller at the play area in the Lawrenceville Library.

gwinnettcitizen.com

Mary Long Photo

Lucy Fisher with Grandmother Tammy Cunningham enjoying Storytime at the Lawrenceville library

19

Ask the Senior Care Expert

What Legal Documents Do I Need to Have in Place as I Age? This is a question not asked often enough. None of us likes to think about aging. We don’t like to think about getting sick and not being able to make decisions about our health or finances. However, now is the time to deal with these decisions. If you don’t make your wishes known while you still can, someone else will be tasked with those weighty matters.

The examples are many and varied, and I give you but a couple.

Someone dying without a will dies in-

testate. That means the state decides who gets what of your possessions.

Maybe that’s not a big deal, but maybe you want that special relative to have a piece of jewelry that has real meaning to you and them. Can you say with certainty that will happen if you haven’t taken steps to create a legal, valid will? A will is a legal document by which the creator, the testator, makes known how they wish their property to be disposed of at their death. A will also names an executor, which is the title given to the

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person charged with making sure directions of the will are followed.

A will also names guardians of any minor children. That last piece is especially important, maybe not so much for the elderly, but for families with young children, its importance cannot be overemphasized. Do you want to say who will raise your children if something should happen to you or do you want the state to decide? The state may not necessarily make the wrong decision, but especially if there is dysfunction in your family (Let’s be real, whose family does not have dysfunction?), you probably want to say who you want raising your children.

Although a will is always the first and most obvious legal document to

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have in place, there are several others just as necessary. Since none of us like to think about dying or even being sick and since many will not create a legal will, the additional documents are even less common even if just as necessary. After a will, probably the next most important document you will want to create is Advance Directives. Advance Directives allows you to appoint someone to make health care decisions for you if you are not able to do so yourself. If, for example, you are too sick to communicate your wishes.

Advance Directives have four parts: 1) Health Care Agent – this allows you to appoint that person to make health care decisions if you cannot do so yourself.

2) Treatment Preferences – This allows you to make your treatment preferences known, a VERY personal matter if you have a terminal condition or are unable to communicate your treatment preferences. For example, if a feeding tube were necessary to sustain your life, would you want a feeding tube or would you not want that done? By creating Advance Directives, you make that decision, not anyone else.

3) Guardianship – This allows you to appoint someone as guardian should one ever be necessary.

4) Effectiveness and Signatures – This is just what it sounds like and is required to make the document legal.

Another document you may

want to consider is a DNR. A “Do Not Resuscitate” order. This instructs health care professionals that should cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR, be required to restart your heart, you do not want that done. This is a document that must be signed by a doctor. I have clients that do not have DNR’s but do not want CPR if their heart stops. You need to know that most health care professionals will do CPR unless as valid DNR is in place.

Obviously, this is a complicated topic that cannot be adequately covered in a 650-word newspaper article. If interested, I encourage you to seek legal advice from an elder law attorney who specializes in these issues. If you need help finding an elder law attorney or have any other questions, please call me, Tim Golden – The Senior Care Expert.

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

April 2018

Snellville’s Dining Jewel: Fratelli’s has a new location

By Angela Greene GwinnettCitizen.com Fratelli’s is relocating a few miles down Main Street with a Grayson address, but still, inside Snellville city limits with the same delicious Italian food people from far and wide have come to love. Fratelli’s new location as of April 17 is, 1711 Athens Highway, Grayson, GA 30017 and offers the same taste but in a “fancier, but simple” location, says, Doris Zaino.

Zaino and her business partner, Danny Gomez, are the proud owners of Fratelli’s Pizza.

Fratelli’s has a reputation for offering the “absolute best pizza” says friends, Richard Myers and Arthur Brown, both of Snellville who have been frequenting the restaurant since it opened four years ago and who will be traveling to the new location.

With a menu packed with authentic Italian cuisine including everything from pizza, pasta, salads, and wings, customers coming from all over metro Atlanta have made Fratelli’s NY Pizza and Restuarant a destination dining spot.

According to Zaino, Fratelli’s has grown tremendously over the last four years, but especially within the last year. “The first two years were very hard because of the building’s

previous reputation and just trying to make a name that no one knew.”

Now, it’s a different story. “Nights and weekends are our busiest times, but especially the weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sundays,” she added.

About 75% of their customers are from northern cities like New York and Boston, where pizza reigns supreme, but the rest are a mix of people from Gwinnett County. The pizza and the plates of pasta are the favorites among diners with Fratelli’s Favorite as their best seller says Zaino.

Solange Destang, of Snellville, says the Baked Ziti with its creamy texture and good portion size is what brings her back again and again.

In addition to a few new menu items like healthier food options and weekly specials, Fratelli’s will also have a full bar and private seating area that seats between 50-70 people, ideal for parties and celebrations like you find in restaurants in Buckhead or downtown. Although the new location will offer some new features, Zaino is adamant they want to maintain their family friendly environment the community has grown to love. In addition, they will continue to cater menu favorites like baked ziti, chicken marsala and of course, pizza.

Deck’s Entertainment Poker League has been meeting at Fratel-

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Fratelli’s has moved and will be open April 17th! They are now located at 1711 Athens Highway, Grayson, GA 30017

li’s on Tuesday and Wednesday nights for several years but according to the president, Mike Long of Snellville, their meeting days will change in the new location to Sunday and Wednesday nights. “They [Danny and Doris] are great people, and they will fix you anything you want”; but it’s the House Delight Salad that’s his favorite menu item.

Danny, who is also the chef, started working in a pizza restaurant when he was just 13 years old.

The irony of this story is Danny and Doris are both of Hispanic descent;

Danny is from Peru and Doris is from El Salvador. They share the responsibility of creating Italian recipes using premium ingredients. “I married into an Italian family, and I learned about Italian food from my mother-in-law,” said Doris.

“In the beginning, it was the taste of our food that would change people’s minds and word of mouth advertising because we did not have money for advertisements,” said Danny. It took a lot of perseverance and hard work to survive the early days, hoping each day would be The

New Location

Day, he adds. “I know they like the taste of our food and we have some loyal customers that come here every day. If we get a bad review on a website, we don’t have to say a word because our customers defend us,” said Zaino.

“If you have a dream and you don’t give up on it, you succeed.

You have to go into this business knowing you are not going to make any money. For a long time, we did not get a salary, and it was rough, but we never changed any recipes.

We didn’t change anything,” Danny said. “One of the first things people do when their business is not going well, is they start buying everything cheap. When you start taking away it’s not to your standards, and that is what has helped us maintain and keep going,” he added.

Danny says he is looking forward to the new location, but he too wants to maintain the family-friendly atmosphere. “I just want to be the jewel of the town. You don’t have to go to Buckhead to get some fine dining. I want to be the place where everybody wants to come, and I want people to wonder why are the people in Snellville the lucky ones.”

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Chair Yoga for Seniors A popular falsehood is that yoga is for young slim people who can contort their bodies naturally like a pretzel. This simply not the case.

Yoga is beneficial for many of all ages by reducing stress and anxiety, improving flexibility and overall fitness performance. Yoga can also be beneficial for your heart and overall health, assist with weight loss and help with chronic conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. Yoga also keeps us in tuned with ourselves and a feeling of connection with our own bodies.

Many of these benefits can be especially beneficial to seniors. However, many seniors may feel that the downward dog is for the limber 20, 30 and 40 years-old. Again, this assumption is false. Yoga can be adapted for people of any age including seniors. One of the ways to adapt this practice for seniors who may be less mobile is moving it off the yoga mat into a chair. This form of yoga is called chair yoga. Chair yoga is a great way to loosen stiff older muscles and joints that stiffen as we age.

Chair yoga can lessen the effects of the aging process by helping with muscle softness and flexibility and promoting muscle elasticity and keeping the mind sharp and spirit and energy relaxed.

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have the opportunity to engage with certified yoga instructors. For more information about the benefits of chair yoga, Dogwood Forest offerings including amenities, please call (678) 496-2319.

APRIL EVENTS `

April 18th - 6:00 -7:00

Other benefits: • Improve mobility and strength • Improve balance and overall stability • Improve sleep • Improve blood flow • Improve cardiovascular health • Lower blood pressure • Improve mood • Aid digestion • Help with recuperating from surgery • Assist with anxiety and anxiety related to grief Overall, yoga can keep the all-important trinity of mind, body and spirit, in perfect harmony reducing

the effects of aging.

Wine Tasting RSVP Requested 678-496-2319 April 24th - 6:30 – 7:30 Breathe Easy Seminar Dr. Gregory Mauldin RSVP Requested 678-496-2319 April 28th - 10:00 – 4:00 Visit us at Grayson Days

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How to get started?

If you are a senior and would like to get started with chair yoga, your regimen does not have to include daily practice. You can get started with dedicating 2 to 3 times per week. Usually, there are several classes available to get you started at local yoga studios as well as senior centers. But because Dogwood Forest is dedicated to improving the health outcomes of the senior adults it serves, Dogwood Forest of Grayson will provide this class and many more within its community.

Within the community, seniors will

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April 2018

Rotarians Connecting Communities Through Trees

Leigh McIntosh

Lawrenceville Rotary

Rotarians worldwide have been charged this year with planting a tree for every member. When that is completed, there will be 1.2 million new trees planted across the globe.

Rotary Club of Lawrenceville chose April 6, 2018 as the day to plant trees.

Let’s look at some of the ways this helps our community. For this event to happen Rotarians had to enlist the support of the community. For instance, Jackson EMC sent equipment and man power to dig holes with their auger so that our Rotarians did not have to dig each hole by hand. Creative Enterprises, a nonprofit agency for people with disabilities, provided the land and committed time and resources to help with the project. Gwinnett County assisted with technical assistance.

The Gwinnett Citizen was willing to publish this article so that the community could learn about the project.

Since Rotarians are employed by all of the organizations mentioned, they were able work together in order to assemble everything to make the project successful. Even though Rotarians actually put the trees in the ground, the project would have been much more difficult without the help of everyone involved. It was truly a community effort and it was a fun project because everyone was thinking of the Rotary motto of “service above self�. At the end of the day, 60+ trees were planted thanks to our community. We know that the very air we all breathe, and share comes from plants. In a community where we see rapid development, new trees will take unhealthy carbon dioxide out of the air and convert it to the healthy oxygen we need. This is similar to Rotarians going into troubled areas of the community and working

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Jackson EMC employees dedicating their time and talent to help plant trees.

Leigh McIntosh, Mrs. Bradford, Don Bradford and Richard Beatty.

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Jackson EMC employee helps out digging holes with auger.

Beatty McCaleb and Richard Steele are busy moving plants.

to improve those areas in order to benefit everyone. The clean-up on Old Norcross Rd. on March 24, 2018 is a good example of this.

Those of us fortunate enough to have access to a great, climbing tree as children learned valuable lessons from trees. We discovered that the shade from a massive tree cooled us down 10- 20 degrees in the summer. The leaves shaded us from the sun and emitted moisture that helped to cool us too. The thick branches provided space to sit or lie down and protected us from potential predators below, like an angry bull attempting to expel us from their pasture. While sitting in those branches, we discovered a whole world of nature that we do not usually see. There could be bird nests with mother birds bringing food to their baby chicks. There would be

ants and other insects crawling up and down the tree. Sometimes we discovered the hard shell of a cicada attached to the tree bark when it

Rotarians pitching in with the task of spreading pine straw.

April 2018

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was no longer needed. The sap from some trees could be chewed as a substitution for gum.

All of these amazing things happening in the same space reminds us of our communities now where so many lives are lived simultaneously.

We are connected and have choices to make. If we choose to accept the fact that the things we do affect each other, it makes sense to help our neighbors because it ultimately helps us in the process. The beautiful areas stay beautiful because the community works together. Rundown communities happen when people stop working together and focus on themselves. Trees have roots that grow deeper and extend farther over time. We can choose to be citizens with deep roots so that others can count on us when needed. Trees come in all shapes, sizes and types just like people and we can appreciate their differences just like we can appreciate the difference in an apple or peach tree. Trees are

resilient like people and grow and change over time. If each person in Gwinnett would commit to planting a tree this year, we would increase the number of trees in our community by almost a million and it would certainly increase our air quality so that we would all benefit. If you choose to plant a tree, leave a comment on our Facebook page at Rotary Club of Lawrenceville or our website at lawrencevillerotary.org. We would love to hear from you.

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.

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Health, Beauty & Wellness 5 Ways To Nip Your Allergies In The Bud (No Meds Required) Spring is an idyllic time of year (at least from the indoors). Flowers are blooming, trees are budding and temperatures are warming. And for those of you who love the color yellow, you may be the only ones who are excited about seeing pollen e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. For the rest of us, though, Springtime poses a bit of a dilemma.

On the one hand, after being cooped up all winter long, many of us have a serious case of Spring fever— can you hear that warm sunshine calling your name? On the other hand, you have the foggy, achy and itchy symptoms of allergies—yuck!

So, what do you do? Try taking your go-to antihistamine.

Well, it’s worth a try. According to Erica Melling, PA, a provider at ChoiceOne Urgent Care, a partner of Gwinnett Medical Center, you can also give these 5 simple—and surprisingly effective—tips a try so your Spring doesn’t blow (literally): 1. Add spring cleaning to your schedule.

Although we often associate our seasonal sneeze with pollen and other outdoor allergens, spending too much time indoors may actually

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be the root of your problem. While there are some indoor allergens that persist all year, like pet dander and dust, they can be especially irritating when coupled with outdoor allergens. Even if your windows aren’t open, anytime you go outdoors, you’re bringing pollen back inside with you on your shoes, clothes and pets.

So, if you weren’t in the mood to clean (is anyone ever?), hopefully, this will motivate you to add it to your weekly to-do list. After all, by regularly vacuuming carpets, dusting off surfaces, washing fabrics and changing out your air filters, you’ll be doing your allergy symptoms a huge favor.

2. Beware of mold.

As the temperatures outside continues to rise, so does the moisture in the air. Unfortunately, the two things that mold loves most are heat and moisture—so it’s essential to mold-proof your home. That means keeping your home 70 degrees or below and regulating moisture in the air with a dehumidifier (and fans in the bathroom). And don’t forget to clean those areas prone to accumulating moisture, such as showers

and/or tubs, beneath sinks, around air conditioning units and under refrigerators.

3. Arm your body’s defense system.

Eating a balanced diet high in vitamins and nutrients is always a good idea, but it’s essential this time of year. After all, your body needs all the help it can get to fight off all those allergens—right? Actually, it’s important to eat a diet high in anti-inflammatory foods (antioxidants and probiotics) to do the exact opposite.

Instead of ramping up your immune system, the idea is to help to temper your body’s immune response to allergens and reduce symptoms.

Make sure to add these foods to your grocery list (if you haven’t already): • Coconut milk yogurt • Apples • Strawberries • Turmeric (the supplement of Curcumin counts) • Pumpkin seeds • Salmon 4. Become a night showerer.

Pollen can stick to your body throughout the day – especially your

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hair. This is particularly true if you use hair products. If you go to bed without showering, all these allergens will transfer to your pillow and be inhaled throughout the night.

But you shouldn’t have to give up great looking hair throughout spring! If you opt for showering before bed, you’ll be able to get rid of any stubborn allergens that are stuck to your hair or skin. Also, be sure to wash your bed linens once a week to keep them free of dust mites, pollen and other allergens that build up over time.

5. Don’t overlook your overall lifestyle.

In addition to minimizing exposure to allergens and eating a healthy diet, there may be other, everyday factors that you’re overlooking. For instance, excess weight can affect your respiratory system, putting pressure on the diaphragm,

preventing you from expanding your lungs properly. In addition, too much stress can intensify allergy symptoms and make it harder for your body to bounce back.

Are your allergies holding you back?

While seasonal allergies may be unavoidable, your response to them can be the difference between enjoying the warm weather and finding yourself barricaded in your home— or anywhere away from pollen.

If your allergies are holding you back, let the experts at ChoiceOne Urgent Care provide you with the relief you need to get back to doing what you should be this spring— having fun with friends and family.

These specialists are available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at a convenient location near you. To learn more, visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/urgentcare.

April 2018

April 2018

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Navigate Lifeline Gwinnett Peer Recovery Program is now live in Eastside Medical Center’s Emergency Rooms

By Staff Reports Eastside Medical Center and Navigate Lifeline Gwinnett have officially launched their peer recovery program in both Eastside’s Main and South Campus emergency rooms.

Navigate Lifeline Gwinnett provides peer recovery coaches for emergency room patients of Eastside Medical Center who are in need of substance abuse support. Eastside Medical Center recognized the growing need for services such as Navigate LIFELINE Gwinnett in their emergency rooms due to the growing opioid addition crisis here in Gwinnett County and throughout the country. By collaborating with Navigate LIFELINE Gwinnett, Eastside is striving to make a difference in the long-term health and well-being of those who

are struggling with addiction.

“We are very grateful that the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) and Eastside Medical Center are both forward thinking organizations that saw the value of the Navigate Recovery LIFELINE program,” said Navigate Recovery’s Co-Founder and Executive Director Susan Barge. “Navigate Recovery coaches offer hope, connection and resources for patients and their family members. These services extend well beyond the initial meeting in the hospital with ongoing coaching for the following year.”

How does the program work?

Patients who are treated at an Eastside Medical Center emergency room for an overdose or suspected overdose are connected with a Nav-

igate LIFELINE Gwinnett recovery coach as part of their care. A Navigate LIFELINE recovery coach will arrive at the ER within 30 minutes of contact and provide a coaching session that will explore the patient’s options for treatment, detox, recovery housing, recovery centers, continued recovery coaching and meeting sites.

With patient consent, additional education and support will also be provided for accompanying loved ones who are present with the patient during treatment. If the patient agrees, the recovery coach will schedule a follow-up check for the next day.

“The opiate epidemic in Gwinnett County continues to grow,” stated Eastside Medical Center’s Vice President of Behavioral Health Services Margaret Collier. “We are proud to partner with Navigate Recovery LIFELINE Gwinnett to do our part to positively impact the crisis by connecting peer recovery coaches with individuals struggling with opiates and high-risk drug use.

It is our hope that we will be able to make a difference in the lives of in-

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Susan Barge, Co-founder and Executive Director of Navigate Recovery alongside Margaret Collier, VP of Behavioral Health Services at Eastside Medical Center

dividuals struggling with addiction by offering resources and support that will help them find long-term recovery.”

Navigate LIFELINE services are provided at Eastside Medical Center’s Main Campus and South Cam-

pus emergency departments and inpatient units. For more information on Navigate LIFELINE Gwinnett, please contact: Navigate Recovery Gwinnett 279 W Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA, 30046 , (678) 743-1808

In Pursuit of Happiness

Cindy Pitts Gilbert Sister Knowitall

Dear Sister Knowitall, Is the pursuit of happiness just that always something we are pursuing and never achieving? I want to be happy, but life just keeps getting in the way. Any words of wisdom? Sincerely; Downward Smile Dear Downward Smile, First, let me start by saying that you should start with turning that downward smile into an upward grin. There is a physical change that occurs when you smile and smiling is contagious. Try smiling to a complete stranger as you walk through a store you will be surprised how many smiles you get back. I can tell you that the old saying, “fake it till

you make it,” applies here. When you put on a happy face, it can be the beginning of a whole new you. In the meantime, I am going to share some of my favorite happiness sayings I have applied to my own life over the years. I hope some of them help you as they have helped me. #1. Do what you can with what you have where you are. Everyone is doing the best with the circumstances they have been given. #2. Overthinking is the biggest cause of unhappiness. #3. The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. #4. Happiness isn’t having what you want; it is wanting what you have. #5. Stop letting “It” bother you, just let it go. #6. Don’t let negative and toxic people rent space in your head.

Raise the rent kick them out. #7. Letting toxic people go is not an act of cruelty. It’s an act of selfcare #8. Walk yourself out of a bad mood. Even 10 minutes immediately increases brain chemistry to increase happiness. #9. No one every injured their

eyesight by looking on the bright side. #10. #HappinessHabitsHacks • Wake up early and make your bed every day.

• Ignore nonsense.

• Talk Less.

• Learn New Skills.

• Help Less Fortunate.

• Watch funny movies. Laugh- It is a great internal belly massage.

• Yawn, It releases cortisol (stress hormone).

• Look at pictures and videos of babies and puppies. It increases Oxytocin (relaxation/love hormone).

Cindy Pitts Gilbert is Director of Training for Know It Training for Professional and Personal Development in Gwinnett County. She is also the Home Remedy Guru of the Blog Sister Knowitall: sisterknowitall. blogspot.com. She has been learning natural home remedies after she developed allergic reactions to chemicals in household cleaning products. Send your questions to: askme@sisterknowitall.com. Tips are based on Cindy’s experiences, as well as “old wives tales” and local lore. They are not meant to be considered medical advice.

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April 2018

Zika Virus and Pregnancy Only if...

By Brittany Merritt, MD/MPH Gwinnett Gynecology and Maternity 1800 Tree Ln Ste 300 Snellville, GA 30078 (770) 972-6464 gwinnett-gyn.com We all know life doesn’t slow down when you are pregnant. Weddings, funerals and family reunions are all things many women and their partners don’t want to miss while pregnant or trying to become pregnant. One of the most frequent questions an OBGYN is asked both before and during pregnancy is “Can I travel?” Be sure to talk to your provider if you are traveling internationally during your pregnancy.

If you are currently pregnant or attempting pregnancy, there are some advisories in place for international travel.

One of the biggest concerns for patients who are pregnant or attempting pregnancy is avoiding the Zika virus. Zika was recently identified in Central, North, and South America, but there are now cases of Zika virus infection throughout the world. Luckily, cases are declining. Zika is spread through mosquito bites, sexual intercourse, or from mother to fetus during pregnancy. Zika virus infection generally causes no symptoms or mild flu-like symptoms. This includes headaches, fevers, rash, joint pain, muscle pain and red eyes. However, babies born to women infected with Zika virus are at risk of serious birth defects, including brain abnormalities, microcephaly, and pregnancy loss. Microcephaly can lead to lifelong problems, such as seizures, feeding problems, hearing loss, vision problems, and learning difficulties. Currently, there is no treatment or vaccines for Zika virus, but there are ways to protect yourself.

If you are planning a pregnancy, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends avoiding travel to areas with Zika. A list of areas with Zika exposure can be found on the CDC’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/zika/. The recommended waiting time to attempt pregnancy differs depending on which partner travels to areas of exposure. If the male partner is the one who travels to endemic areas, it is recommended that condoms or abstinence are used for at least 6 months following travel- even if he shows no signs or symptoms of disease. If the female partner is the one who travels, that recommended wait time is less- only 2 months of condom use or abstinence is recommended.

If travel to an endemic area is necessary, there are additional ways to protect yourself. Wear long sleeves to protect

April 2018

Katie Hart Smith From the Heart

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Brittany Merritt, MD/MPH

yourself from mosquito bites. Use a repellent with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. Consider spraying clothes with Permethrin, but do not apply permethrin to your skin, it is meant for clothing only. You may also consider using mosquito nets in windows and around bedding to further protect yourself.

If you think you have been exposed to Zika or have symptoms, please notify your doctor. There is testing available to determine if you have a current or previous infection with Zika virus. Positive results during pregnancy often means referral to a high-risk obstetrician called a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist who cares for you in conjunction with your OBGYN. Additional ultrasounds and testing are performed during the remainder of pregnancy. Even with positive results, there are still many things not known about pregnancy and Zika. Some of the issues researchers are still trying to determine are how likely it is that exposure to the virus will affect a patient or her pregnancy; how likely it is that the virus will be passed to the fetus; how likely it is that the fetus, if infected, will have birth defects; and when in pregnancy the infection might harm the fetus. While there are still many unknowns, talk to your physician if you have concerns regarding Zika virus and pregnancy. We are here to help you and your growing family!

Last week, my husband, Jeff, and I attended the funeral of a dear friend who died unexpectedly. During her Celebration of Life ceremony and the montage of photographs that illustrated a life well-lived, service to others, treasured friendships, and family memories, it reminded me of a recent conversation with a colleague who prefaced their life’s ambitions with, “only if.”

The conversation went something like, “I would love to travel, only if I were to win the lottery. I’m sure you have heard this comment made by family and friends, too.

It’s a phrase so frustrating to hear.

Only if...the stars were in perfect alignment; I was more successful; I had a bigger house; I wore the latest name-brand labels; or I drove the right kind of car.

Striving to live in the land of “only if” is an imaginary, distant, and isolated island. Think of it as a magical and mystical place, sheltered behind misty, grey clouds. It will evade your approach. Your feet will never

step on its sandy shores. You will waste precious time on this earth searching and waiting for “only if.”

Find peace, and assurance in who you are – the perfect person God made you be, already equipped with talents to be discovered and used for His glory. If only we controlled our time on this earth, but we don’t.

You are what you do, not what you say you will do.

“If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Runof-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers do that. I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never - I promise - regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind;

you be kind. Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults - unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back - given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” ~ Luke 6: 32-38.

Actions, not words, define us.

Avoid hanging hopes and dreams on conditional requirements that are prefaced by “only if;” it will prevent you from living a fulfilling and purpose-driven life. Learn to live in the present moment, for each day is truly a gift.

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.

Sources: 1. ACOG “Practice Advisory Interim Guidance for Care of Obstetric Patients During a Zika Virus Outbreak ” October 2017. https://www.acog.org/ Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/ Practice-Advisories/Practice-Advisory-Interim-Guidance-for-Care-of-Obstetric-Patients-During-a-Zika-Virus-Outbreak 2. CDC “Zika and Pregnancy” January 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/index.html

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Philadelphia Winn Chapter NSDAR visits the Swan House

By Lee Schermerhorn Publicity Chair, DAR

Photo by Frank Marchese

2018-20 New Officer Slate to be installed in May, from L-R: Regent-elect Ann Story, First Vice Regent-elect Connie Rifkind, Second Vice Regent-elect Lynn Jacques, Recording Secretary-elect Traci Zierk, Corresponding Secretary-elect Vivian Wiegand, Treasurer-elect Anne Lockhart, Registrar-elect Valerie Craft, Librarian-elect Becky Davenport

Recently, 40 Philadelphia Winn Chapter NSDAR Daughters, guests and one HODAR (husband of DAR) met at Ashton Senior Living to board a chartered bus for the Swan House, an excellent example of the Second Renaissance Revival style, and the Tullie Smith Farm, both located at the Atlanta History Center.

The group held their monthly meeting, before enjoying lunch at the Swan Coach House, once the garage of the Swan House Mansion.

Regent Kitty Watters presided over the meeting. Special thanks to First Vice Regent Ann Story for organizing the tour, Treasurer Anne Lockhart and Second Vice Regent Connie Rifkind for their many efforts on this project. This was the Chapter’s fourth annual chartered bus event and has become very popular with members and their guests.

The name of the Swan House is drawn from the swan or bird motifs that grace many of the interior rooms. Built by Edward and Emily Inman, heirs to a cotton brokerage

Growing Up in 2018

Soraya Bagheri

Grayson High School Growing up as a teenager in 2018 is a bit more different than what my parents described their high school and teenage years experiences were. I’m sure I’m not the only person whose parents have told them about what life was like growing up.

Whether it’s the clothes they wore, the music they listened to, or whatever they did after school with their friends.

In 2018, being a teenager is both very hard; yet very simple. As millennials, the access we have to our phones is literally at the tip of our fingertips. Unlike our parents, texting and calling is just one touch away. Not to mention social media. On the other hand, my mom has

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reminded me numerous times, that she didn’t have a phone growing up until she was almost in college. She said she used a land-line to call her friends until the cellphone came out and it was the size of a brick. (p.s. I hope this isn’t telling her age too bad!) The luxury of having a phone as a teen is very nice. However, I will admit without phones and social media, issues such as cyberbullying wouldn’t exist. Not to mention face-to-face interaction. I would much rather my generation connect and interact face-to-face rather than through texting or Snap Chat. Having a smartphone as a teenager leaves more room to make a mistake…and get caught. As my parents have told me, they could have done whatever they wanted back then and never get in trouble for it, because it wasn’t on social media for their parents to see.

Along with phones, our music and style are much different also. Although most high school students at my school all come in sweatpants and t-shirts (which I am also guilty of), our style outside of school is VERY different than what my parents remember wearing in the 80’s. Just like a typical high schooler, we like whatever is new. The newest clothes, hairstyles, shoes, etc. Today’s style varies very much, from converse

fortune, the house was designed by well-known Atlanta architect Philip Trammell Shutze in 1928 and decorated by Ruby Ross Wood of New York. The tour is interactive with Whitni Kent, a historic interpreter, in the role of Ruby Ross Wood. Most recently, the Swan House was used as a film location for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2.

The Tullie Smith Farm is also located at the Atlanta History Center.

Several members of the group visited the farm. Here’s an interesting tidbit: Two years ago a Supplemen-

GREEN continued from page 1

Photo by Frank Marchese

Front row L-R: Recording Secretary Valerie Craft, Second Vice Regent Connie Rifkind, Regent Kitty Watters, First Vice Regent Ann Story; Back row, L-R: Past Regent Lydia McGill, Corresponding Secretary Lee Schermerhorn, Treasurer Anne Lockhart, Chaplain Linda Olson, Librarian Becky Davenport, Past Regent Peggy Freeman; Up the staircase,L-R: Cindiella Nixon, Nancy Nixon, Bobbie Tkacik, Vanessa Wynn, Denise Phillips, Joyce Howard, Linda LaPerre, Edith English, Diane DeVore, Debra Houston, Kathy Lobe, Marcia Robertson, Cindy Gaskins, Margaret Craig, Mary Lou Godbey, Amy Stanton, Beth White, Traci Zierk, Christine Enck, Alice Saroka, Lynn Jacques, Kathy Schmidt, Babs Richman, Jenna Black, Cinda Foglesong, Julianne Gross, Cheryl Hall, Evelyn Schneider, Barbara McCay, Emily Tindall

Photo by Frank Marchese

Regent Kitty Watters

tal application on William Robertson, whose daughter Elizabeth married Robert H. Smith, was submitted to national headquarters in Washington, D.C. However, they needed more information to prove the generational link to the Smiths’ son Nathaniel. Having exhausted all avenues, an appeal was made to State Lineage Research Chair and Philadelphia Winn Chapter Regent Kitty Watters for help. Talented researcher and State Lineage Research Vice Chair Connie Rifkind went to the DeKalb County Courthouse, and there, in a box of “Miscellaneous” papers, was the will of Robert H. Smith. It held the proof needed! The Supplemental was approved, and a copy of the will was given to the Atlanta History Center.

No discussion about the NSDAR would be complete without mentioning the two requirements for membership. A woman must be 18 years or older and have proven lineal descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence.

There are currently 219 Philadelphia Winn Chapter members.

I decided that this event was the perfect opportunity to reward her years of service and dedication by making that in-jest comment a reality. I wouldn’t be where I am without the love and support of so many, but this is one special lady very deserving of this surprise! Watching my GFR family grow and thrive has been a reward in and of itself.”

When asked what he’s learned through his 30 years, Roger explained, “When you’ve been in the workforce for any period of time, you learn quite a bit along the way. One of the most valuable things I’ve learned, that I would like to pass down to my children, is the importance of having a giving heart. I strive to act on Matthew 10:8, ‘freely I have received so I must freely give.’ Endeavoring to be the best steward I can be has been a driving force in my life and I am forever grateful for

the opportunity bestowed upon me.”

Roger went on to explain that when he was growing up, his parents were model examples of what a hard worker and a giving heart should look like and he always tried to follow their lead.

No matter how successful you are, you should always strive to keep learning, keep growing, and work as hard as you can. Roger believes that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. He added, “I enjoy helping others manage their money and hope to continue for at least the next 30 years.

Over the course of that time I will be working closely with my sons who now work at my firm, Michael and Andrew Green, so that they can carry my legacy into the future.”

Roger advised that Michael and Andrew are currently working as Client Service Managers to “learn

the ropes” as they train and study to become best advisers they can be. He is looking forward to seeing them grow and be profoundly impactful in the lives of others.

In closing, Roger added, “I want to say thank you to all my friends and family that have enriched and so blessed my life with love and to all my clients who have supported and trusted me through the years. In an industry that requires a great amount of confidence and faith on the part of the client I truly appreciate it as I embark on the next 30 years.”

aka “Chuck Taylor’s” to the newest pair of Nikes. Even aviators and club masters are still in. Although, tight-rolled jeans and big permed hair are not. As for music, I know for sure that I’m not the only teenager whose parents still play DuranDuran, and R.E.M. while riding in the car.

My generation’s music as we all know is very diverse and very, very different.

On a serious note, growing up today as a teenager is beginning to be much scarier. A little over a month ago, as many of you saw on the news, Grayson High School was threatened by a shooter. Luckily nothing happened, and our local police were call in and secured the

premises, but this shouldn’t happen. It’s becoming an everyday thing now, that school shootings are occurring very often. And for Grayson High School, a place that I call home, to be threatened with an issue that is occurring nation-wide really hits home… literally. My parent’s generation never dealt with any fear such as this one in high school. As everyone says “Enjoy your teenage years,” but between the fear of school violence and the pressure of getting into a good college leaves minimal room to really enjoy it.

Despite the differences between my generation and my parents, today’s youth is offered many more opportunities than

any other generation before us. We are given opportunities to choose to be whoever we want, decide on whatever occupation we want, form opinions and take action, etc. And with the guidance of our parent’s and grandparent’s generation, teenagers growing up in 2018 will be able to achieve that along the journey.

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Roger S. Green is a Registered Representative of Cetera Advisors LLC, member FINRA/ SIPC, with his office located at 3700 Crestwood Parkway, Suite 140, Duluth, GA 30096. Cetera and Green Financial are not affiliated. Visit Roger’s website at www.rogersgreen.com for more, including information on the retirement planning classes he has taught for 20 years at Gwinnett colleges.

See pictures on page 29

Any questions, comments of recommendations email What Goes Around at: whatgoesaroundcitizen@gmail.com And that’s what’s going around! Soraya Bagheri is a freshman at Grayson High School.

April 2018

April 2018

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Your Green: Growth versus Saving for Retirement

Roger Green, MSFS,CFP ® Green Financial Resources

Very few people could “save” enough for retirement with today’s long life expectancies and earlier retirements. If you just “save” – yet do not have growth that exceeds both income taxes and inflation, you are more likely to run out of money.

Let’s look at a “perfect world” example. Assume you paid no taxes, saw no inflation, never encountered any setbacks such as unemployment or disabilities, and you made $60,000 each year, and every year for 30 years saved $6,000 (10% or $500 a month) faithfully. If you wanted to maintain the same standard of living (living on about $60,000 a year)….how long before your retirement money runs out?

Assuming no growth on your

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“savings” of $6,000 a year for 30 years, you would have saved $180,000.00 at retirement. To retire on the $60,000 a year you think you need to live comfortably, let’s assume you need to withdraw $25,000 from your savings to get to your $60,000 after estimating a $35,000 annual Social Security payment for this example, your $180,000 would only last slightly over seven years of retirement if you withdrew $25,000 annually! If you retire at age 67, this would only carry you through age 74. What will you do if you live beyond that age? How will your life change if at age 74 your monthly income dropped over 40%?

Using the same set of “perfect world” example figures, it would take 125 years to save at that $6,000 annual savings rate, without growth, for a 30 year retirement to cover you until age 97 ($6,000 x 125 years = $750,000 saved and $750,000 divided by $25,000 needed annually = 30 years).

Many people actually expect to do things they have never really done once they retire; at least in their early retirement years. Many dream of traveling the world, having more time for visiting family out of state, taking up hobbies like golf or boating – things they perhaps didn’t get to do while working full-time and raising a family. Healthcare needs and costs also tend to increase when you are older, potentially eating up a

higher percentage of your income.

So, if you think you will be able to live on less in retirement; that may not be true. You actually may want more money to live on, at least in your earlier retirement years.

One thing that can help you accrue enough assets to last during your retirement and potentially enrich your retirement is GROWTH through investing. I consider growth to be by far the most important part of retirement planning for all but the extremely wealthy. And I believe most people will need to continue achieving growth on investments even throughout their retirement to make their assets last and to give them a chance at the retirement quality of life they desire.

As you can see by the earlier example, needing a $1 million dollar portfolio is not unthinkable, and we haven’t even covered the impact of inflation and taxes on the value of your money 10, 20, or 30 years from now. You may not, however, have to enter retirement with all that you need for your expected retirement period. You may be able to continue investing to try to grow the assets you are not needing to draw from for the next few years during your entire retirement period. Since longer life spans now have many people spending 15-30 or more

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years in retirement, additional growth on your assets during this time will help your money last longer.

The chart below puts the impact of growth in perspective, showing the monthly savings required at different percentage rates of return.

Yrs to $1 Million

@4%

@6%

@8%

15 years

$4064

$3439

$2890

$2412

20 years

$2727

$2164

$1698

$1316

25 years

$1945

$1443

$1052

$754

30 years

$1441

$995

$671

$442

35 years

$1094

$702

$436

$263

@10%

These examples are for illustrative purposes only, and the rates of return are hypothetical and do not represent the returns of any particular investment, but you can see the impact of being able to achieve growth on your investments, as well as the benefits of starting as early as possible.

There are investments available that have historically provided rates of return shown in the chart, and that can help you pursue your retirement goals. Very few investments of any type are guaranteed and past results are no guarantee of future earnings.

A financial professional can help you determine the mix of investments that may help you increase the odds of achieving your financial goals

through growth.

I also have a “retirement harvesting plan” to help you try to achieve such growth before and during retirement, and to withdraw your money in a strategic manner during retirement to allow you to continue investing for the potential growth most will need.

Do yourself a favor - to increase your knowledge of growth, compounding, investing, the taxes and inflation that eat away at your retirement assets, and my retirement harvesting plan register for one of my upcoming retirement planning classes at Gwinnett Technical College. Visit www.rogersgreen.com for more information on upcoming dates/times.

If you don’t have time to attend class, call us at 770.931.1414 or visit www.rogersgreen.com to schedule a free consultation to review your retirement planning situation for potential growth opportunities. I’ve been teaching retirement planning classes for over 20 years and have been helping people with their money for over 30 years, so no matter what your situation may be, we are here to help!

Roger S. Green is a Registered Representative with Cetera Advisors LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, with Green Financial Resources, LLC located at 3700 Crestwood Parkway, Duluth, GA 30096. Neither Green Financial nor Gwinnett Technical College is affiliated with Cetera Advisors LLC.

April 2018

Freshly updated for Commissioners approve Legacy Project to 2018: Fishing prospects commemorate Bicentennial, celebrate future for Georgia rivers and reservoirs

By Staff Reports

Need fishing tips for Georgia reservoirs and rivers? Look no further than the updated fishing prospects on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) website. These web pages provide in-depth information detailing 32 reservoirs and 18 rivers in one convenient location - http://georgiawildlife. com/fishing-prospects.

“Anglers, let me tell you, if you have used the annual Fishing Prospects in the past, you are in for a treat for 2018 – each prospect is now connected to an interactive map, providing a new layer of information to this already excellent resource,” says Thom Litts, Operations Manager for WRD Fisheries Management Section. “If you are not checking out these prospects for your favorite water body before heading out, you are making a mistake!”

Georgia’s waters offer anglers some of the most diverse fishing opportunities in the southeast with more than 500,000 acres of reservoirs and 12,000 miles of warm water streams.

Each fishing prospect guide includes best bets, technique tips, target recommendations and contact information.

Lake prospects include Allatoona,

April 2018

Andrews, Bartlett’s Ferry, Blackshear, Blue Ridge, Burton, Carters, Chatuge, Chehaw, Clarks Hill, Goat Rock, Hamburg, Hartwell, High Falls, Jackson, Juliette, Lanier, Nottely, Oconee, Oliver, Rabun, Randy Poynter, Richard B. Russell, Seed, Seminole, Sinclair, Tobesofkee, Tugalo, Varner, Walter F. George, West Point, and Yonah.

Rivers detailed include the Altamaha, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, Conasauga, Coosa, Coosawattee, Etowah, Flint, Ochlockonee, Ocmulgee, Oconee, Ogeechee, Oostanaula, Satilla, Savannah, St. Marys, Suwannee and Toccoa rivers.

Georgia anglers support fisheries conservation! Did you know that your license purchase allows the Georgia WRD to continue to do important research, maintain and operate public fishing areas and more? Purchase a Georgia license at https://gooutdoorsgeorgia.com/.

For more information on fishing in Georgia, visit http://georgiawildlife. com/fishing/angler-resources.

For even more fishing tips, check out the weekly Fishing blog post at www.georgiawildlife.wordpress.com. .

Gwinnett County will demolish its old Fire Station 15 at 275 South Perry Street in Lawrenceville and build a Bicentennial Plaza in its place. The project will also upgrade an existing walkway and trail along Constitution Boulevard to create the Bicentennial Trail, which will connect the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, the Bicentennial Plaza and the Lawrenceville Lawn.

Board of Commissioner Chairman Charlotte Nash said, “This project not

only helps commemorate Gwinnett County’s bicentennial with a permanent legacy but it also recognizes Lawrenceville’s role as Gwinnett’s county seat. We welcome the chance to add the Bicentennial Plaza to the many great things that are happening in the city.”

Commissioners awarded the $1.875 million construction contract to low bidder Surfaces Group, LLC, during their regular meeting on Tuesday. The work will begin on the walkway and trail next month, and the entire project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

District 4 Commissioner John Heard said the spot would be a place to reflect on the County’s past, appreciate the present and make plans for the future.

“Sharing this new amenity with the county seat, Lawrenceville, will give all our residents an opportunity to learn about our great heritage, celebrate our diverse and vibrant community and continue to make Gwinnett County the best place to do business now and in the future,” said Heard.

SPLOST park and trail funding

By Staff Reports The Snellville city council approved a measure recently, which will help pay for the bulk of the new Oak Road Park and the proposed Towne Center MultiUse Trail.

The city will use a maximum of $1 million in County Special Local Option Sales Tax funds to pay for a majority of the costs of the two projects. Oak Road Park had a price tag of $400,000 while the trail system is expected to cost $1.25 million.

The trail is expected to offer a path for pedestrians and cyclists to and from the city’s proposed Towne Center which will feature commercial, residential and business space.

gwinnettcitizen.com

Beginning at Scenic Highway on the west side of the downtown area at a new trailhead, the proposed 1.25-mile multiuse trail will travel east crossing North Road. It is designed to include park space at many points along its path and will incorporate needed stormwater features that double as scenic lakes/ponds.

The trail is slated to traverse the entirety of the proposed Towne Center area and become part of the city’s Greenway system.

The trail will serve a larger purpose than just general recreation use as it will be an integral part of the city’s Towne Center development tying together residential, retail and education aspects of the development creating a new downtown Snellville.

City officials said the trail would be constructed ahead of or in conjunction with the Towne Center project.

Oak Road Park was envisioned first in 2003 when a 4.67-acre tract of land was acquired by the city on Oak Road which included the stipulation that it could only be used for greenspace. In 2015, a united Mayor and Council agreed on how it should be developed as a neighborhood park. This plan included working with the county on building a sidewalk from Scenic Highway to Mountain View Road, also with joint SPLOST funding, to make the park easily accessible to downtown and nearby neighborhoods. The city hired the engineering firm of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood to design the park and oversee construction.

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Shout out to Sebastian Soler

Obituaries

By Staff Reports

Sebastian Soler, a 13-year-old 7th Grade student at Crews Middle School in Snellville and an avid film maker/computer coder/game creator, has had an amazing six months.

He was the State Winner for Georgia in the PTA Reflections Award for Film Production. He won with a short stop-motion movie and received the award at the Woodruff Art Center. He also won Best Animated Movie in February in the Gwinnett County Public Library Teen Film Challenge with his stop-motion movie “The Galactic Titan” (check it out on YouTube!). Just this weekend, Sebastian and his best friends from Crews Middle, Sanjay Ravigopal, Azeez Hussain and Elijah Vaughn, competed in the Code Day Atlanta for high school and college students at Georgia Tech and Won the Best Game Award for the game they cre-

Special Photo

Sebastian Soler, Brookwood High School freshamn

ated! CodeDay is a nationwide event where students design and code games and apps in only 24 hours.

The participants spend 24 hours at the site working on their games and writing code, sleep and eat whenever they can and continue working until the end. Hosted three times a year in

Special Photo

Sebastian with his many awards.

up to 38 cities simultaneously, CodeDay sparks an interest in Computer Science by showing high school and college students how creative and empowering coding can be.

Sebastian received three academic awards at Crews and made

Special Photo

Sebastian Soler, Brookwood High School track meet.

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gwinnettcitizen.com

Kenneth “Peanut” Dalton Kenneth “Peanut” Dalton, age 78 of Social Circle, GA, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lilie Mae & Steve A. Dalton; siblings, Wendell Dalton, Rubye Spence, Thomas Dalton, Opal Dalton, Pasney Dalton, and Margaret Dalton; and great-granddaughter, Ireland. He is survived by his wife, Carol Sorrells Dalton; daughter, Lisa Dalton; granddaughter, Heather Dalton; great- grandson, Key “Little Peanut”; sister, Dottie Ahrens; step-son, Vince Marzula; and step-daughter, Tina Collins.

Peanut graduated from Central Gwinnett High School in 1959 and attended Moeller Barber College.

He then owned and operated Dalton’s Barbershop, where he faithfully served his clients in Snellville and the surrounding areas. He retired after 57 years of service. In 1988 & 1989, Peanut was the Gwinnett County Barber of the Year.

The Funeral Service to honor and celebrate the life of Kenneth “Peanut” Dalton was held on Saturday,

the Honor Roll: Citizen Award, Straight As and State Reflections Winner Award. Sebastian plays the Cello in the orchestra. He is an avid tennis player as well. He participates in USTA/ALTA leagues, as well as in the newly created Intramural Tennis Program at Crews Middle, a free program started by his uncle, Carlos

“Peanut”

Special Photo

April 7, 2018 at Snellville United Methodist Church. Rev. Phil Gambil and Rev. Todd Milligan officiated the service. Interment followed at Snellville Historical Cemetery. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, A Family Company, 3705 Highway 78 West, Snellville, GA 30039 (770979-3200) was entrusted with the arrangements.

Soler, a professional tennis coach, and two pillars of the Crews Middle staff: Mr. Roderick Hames and Coach Frank Hedrick.

We’re very proud of Sebastian, and wcan’t wait to see what else this bright young man has in store for his future!

April 2018

Death, Taxes and Disability?

James Miskell

Estate Planning

The largest obstacle to effective estate planning is procrastination.

Sitting down to prepare a Last Will and Testament is not at the top of anyone’s “this is a fun thing to do” list. Yet death, like taxes is a certainty.

Whether you tell yourself there is still time or “I do not have enough assets to have an estate worthy of planning,” the excuses likely run much deeper. Perhaps you are intimidated by the process, by the concept of facing mortality, or the fact that you really need to involve (and pay) an attorney to help you. Whatever the reason, even if you do not realize that there is a reason, the fact remains – you still need to do it and

April 2018

need to know how to do it right. Plan now to reduce or eliminate family disputes when you die.

Writing your Last Will is not just a set of decisions, but also a part of a larger comprehensive plan. As you think about what goes where, and to whom, you might come across other issues. The plan you create may not only affect you, your loved ones and your assets. In the big picture, estate planning can be much, much more.

Not all planning is about how you leave your estate to your loved ones after you are gone.

For an ever-growing number of American families, disability is becoming a third inevitable issue to contend with along with death and taxes. Recording your wishes now can assure that the treatment you receive is the treatment you would want if contending with some extended illness or period of disability prior to death. Some of the most important planning concerns should include making sure your loved ones have the legal right to take care of you later in life. Consequently, there are some essential end-of-life documents you need to have in place to make this happen.

End-of-life planning has much to do with medical planning. Doctors

“The largest obstacle to effective estate planning is procrastination.” can only do what you ask of them.

But what if you cannot communicate your own wishes to them? What then?

Contrary to popular belief, your loved ones cannot automatically step in and make your medical care decisions for you. If you haven’t taken the time to give them the authority to act on your behalf, your family may be faced with the prospect of court proceedings to have a guardian appointed who can make decisions for you.

This formal legal procedure adds extra expense, is time-consuming and exposes your personal circumstances and finances to the public record.

To avoid this situation, your planning should include an Advance Directive for Healthcare as well a Power of Attorney to provide authority for legal and financial matters. A living trust can also enhance your end of life planning as well as serving as a will substitute which can distribute the property in your estate

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while avoiding probate proceedings.

These legal documents need not be overly complicated, but they are important to have in place and at the ready. Whatever you do, do not put this planning on the back burner until it is too late! Be sure to engage competent and experienced legal counsel who has been there and done that.

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.

Girlscouts Snellville Service unit

By Staff Reports

The Snellville Service Unit is part of the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.

Our Service Unit consists of 30+ troops serving over 260 girl scouts ages 5 to 18 and 75+ adult volunteers in Snellville and surrounding areas of Gwinnett County.

We deliver the Girl Scout program in the South Gwinnett School Cluster to include: Norton, Rosebud, Magill, Britt, Anderson-Livsey Elementary Schools, Snellville, Grace Snellville Middle Schools, South Gwinnett High School, and area home schools.

Our goals and programming are aligned with the Girl Scout Council of Greater Atlanta and Girl Scouts USA. Our Mission To build girls of Courage, Confidence, and Character, who make the world a better place.

We host tons of events like cookie rally, world thinking day, and pajama parties to name a few. This is a wonderful experience for all girls and volunteers. If you would like be a part of this please send us a email at snellvillegsevents@yahoo.com

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The Gwinnett Leadership Council of the American Cancer Society recognized volunteers for their outstanding service in 2017 Join the movement for more birthdays!

Visit morebirthdays.com and declare the American Cancer Society the official sponsor of your birthday.

MARCH 2018 ALL PHOTOS BY EMMETT CLOWER

Will Scott – “Outstanding Relay for Life Volunteer Award”

Val Griffin, Michael Larche (Not pictured) – Relay for Life “Above & Beyond Award”

L-R: Connie Boller and Tony Wall – “Heart of Relay Award”

L-R: Jacque Kenol and Maria De La Cruz – “Outstanding Look Good Feel Better Volunteer Award”

Karen Landgreen – “Outstanding Reach to Recovery Award”

L-R: L-R: Kiana Matthews – Presenter (Senior Development Manager, Distinguished Events) and Pat Lane “Martha & John Adams Award”

L-R: Nona Ingham - “Advocacy Volunteer of the Year Award” and Storm Goodlin – Presenter (Georgia Grassroots Manager, Field Advocacy Operations)

Martha Ashworth – “The Heart of Pink Ribbon Award”

Charlotte Barge – “Pink Ribbon Achievement Award”

L-R: Duane Downs, Pat Lane, Pat Swan, Kirsten Baker

Pat Swan Hope Lodge Volunteer Award: Lynne Bee Outstanding Fashion Show Volunteer: Cathy Sanders

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L-R Back row: Bob Field, Charlotte Field, Luci Johnson, Jack Cunnigham, Louis Camerio, Bobby George – “Outstanding Road to Recovery Award”, L-R Front row: Man Jai Ree, Betsy Whitson, Lesile Morgan, Judith Hooper, Judie Fogle

Imagine a world with more gwinnettcitizen.com

birthdays.

April 2018

New Alzheimer’s Association report reveals sharp increases in Alzheimer’s Prevalence, Deaths and Costs of Care Alzheimer’s deaths in Georgia increased by 201 percent from 2000 - 2015.

By Staff Reports For the second consecutive year, total payments to care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias will surpass a quarter of a trillion dollars ($277 billion), which includes an increase of nearly $20 billion from last year, according to data reported in the Alzheimer’s Association 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report released today.

New findings from the report show the growing burden of Alzheimer’s on people living with the disease, their families and caregivers, as well as society at large. The number of older Americans is growing rapidly, so too is the number of people living with Alzheimer’s and the subsequent impact to the nation’s economy. By 2050, the total cost of care for Alzheimer’s is projected to increase to more than $1.1 trillion.

“This year’s report not only shows the impact Alzheimer’s has on our nation, but the overwhelming impact on our state”, added Linda Davidson, Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Association. “Georgia is expected to see a 35 percent increase in people with Alzheimer’s by 2025.

Without an effective treatment, this will lead to enormous costs to the society”, added Davidson.

Given the long duration of this disease, the strain on Alzheimer’s caregivers can last several years and produce serious declines in caregiver physical, emotional and financial well-being. In 2017, 16 million Americans provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of unpaid care in the form of physical, emotional and financial support – a contribution to the nation valued at $232.1 billion. The difficulties associated with providing this level of care are estimated to have resulted in $11.4 billion in additional healthcare costs for Alzheimer’s and other dementia caregivers in 2017.

Mortality from Alzheimer’s disease continues to rise. While deaths from other major causes continue to decrease, new data from the report shows that deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have more than doubled, in-

creasing 123 percent between 2000 and 2015. For context the number of deaths from heart disease – the number one killer in America – decreased 11 percent. Georgia had a 201 percent increase in deaths related to Alzheimer’s.

Updated Alzheimer’s Statistics

The Facts and Figures report provides an in-depth look at the latest national and state statistics and information on Alzheimer’s prevalence, incidence, mortality, costs of care and caregiving: Prevalence, Incidence and Mortality

• An estimated 5.7 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2018.

• Of the estimated 5.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2018, 140,000 are Georgia residents.

• By 2025 – just seven years from now – the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia is estimated to reach 7.1 million – an increase of almost 29 percent from the 5.5 million age 65 and older affected in 2018. Here in Georgia, the estimated number of individuals with Alzheimer’s will be 190,000.

• Barring the development of medical breakthroughs, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia may nearly triple from 5.5 million to 13.8 million by 2050.

• Two-thirds of Americans over age 65 with Alzheimer’s dementia (3.4 million) are women.

• Every 65 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s dementia. By mid-century, someone in the U.S. will develop the disease every 33 seconds.

• Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S., and it is the fifth-leading cause of death for those age 65 and older. In Georgia, 3,714 died with Alzheimer’s in 2015, the most recent figure available.

• As the population of the U.S. ages, Alzheimer’s is becoming a more common cause of death, and it is the only top 10 cause of death that

cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.

Cost of Care

• Total national cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated at $277 billion (not including unpaid caregiving) in 2018, of which $186 billion is the cost to Medicare and Medicaid; out-ofpocket costs represent $60 billion of the total payments, while other costs total $30 billion.

• In Georgia, the report estimated total Medicaid costs for Americans with dementia age 65 and older is $1.1 billion for 2018. In the next seven years, that figure is expected to increase 40 percent.

• Total payments for health care, long-term care and hospice care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are projected to increase to more than $1.1 trillion in 2050 (in 2018 dollars).

• In 2017, the lifetime cost of care for a person living with dementia was $341,840 – with 70 percent of this cost borne by families directly through out-of-pocket costs and the value of unpaid care.

Caregiving

• Nearly half of all caregivers (48 percent) who provide help to older adults do so for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

• Approximately two-thirds of caregivers are women, and one-third of dementia caregivers are daughters.

• Forty-one percent of caregivers have a household income of $50,000 or less.

“Alzheimer’s Association is ready to take action by continuing to make Alzheimer’s a state and national priority”, added Davidson. “The Georgia Chapter is working hard with our state partners including Department of Human Services, Department of Community Health, Department of Public Health, Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Georgia Council on Aging to make Georgia a dementia capable state”.

GCPS May 22nd Last day of school

April 2018

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ACE continued from page 1 Womack proved her skills and abilities her freshman year when she not only became a member of the Brookwood High School Varsity tennis team, but she has remained a starting player all three years.

Womack was recently recognized by the Georgia chapter of the United States Tennis Association (U.S.T.A.) for her athletic abilities as a junior Spotlight Player of the Month. According to Coach Trandafir, Kendra is a great strategist with an incredible work ethic. Kendra says while she has had many coaches, Coach Trandafir is the one coach who knows her goals as a tennis player and gives her the tools to achieve them.

Additionally, Kendra was also recognized as one of Gwinnett County’s Super Six 2018 tennis players.

She says what drives her is her love of the sport and her desire to be better.

“Kendra has such a good heart and she does everything from the heart,” said her mother, Diane Womack. “I believe it is because she loves, loves, loves that it drives her accomplishments. She never wants to disappoint anyone or say no and although that is good, it does have its pros and cons,” she adds.

According to Trandafir, Kend-

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ning as I do on just taking the match one point at a time. For me, as soon as I think about winning or losing, I lose focus and tend not to play as well,” said Womack.

It should come as no surprise that her favorite tennis player is the incredible Serena Williams; they are both accomplished athletes.

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Kendra at the DecoTurf High School Tennis Team Championships - Boys and Girls A Division (TN L3/STA L5) on 2016 March 18-20 at Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN.

ra can easily receive a scholarship to a D1 or D2 college because her future is bright in whatever she decides. This prediction suits Kendra just fine because as it happens, she would like to play tennis for her college team.

Perhaps she inherited at least some her athletic ability from her parents. Her father, Ken ran track and played basketball in college.

Diane ran track in high school but played other sports as an adult including tennis, racket ball, cycling and volley ball as hobbies to exercise. They both frequently travel with Kendra when she participates in her annual tournaments; she has been playing in tournaments for seven years now.

“I’ve won most of my matches.

I never really focus so much on win-

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The one thing Womack says she would like to change about the game is the sportsmanship and integrity in junior tennis. She adds bad calls made by players ruins the spirit and joy of the sport for players and spectators.

“There’s nothing I’d rather do than play tennis, said Womack.

The Atlanta-Journal Constitution names Gwinnett County Public Library a 2018 Top Workplace

By Staff Reports For the second straight year, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution has recognized Gwinnett County Public Library as one of the Top 150 Workplaces in the Atlanta area. GCPL earned a place in the midsize category, among organizations with 150 to 499 employees.

“We are committed to creating a positive and nurturing work environment for our employees,” says Charles Pace, GCPL Executive Director. “I want to say a word of thanks to all of our em-

ployees for their hard work and dedication in providing the best possible library service to the citizens of Gwinnett County.”

More than 2,300 companies were nominated or asked to participate in the 2018 rankings by Energage, a Philadelphia-based employee research and consulting firm. Several aspects of workplace culture were measured, including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.

Visit ajc.com/top-workplaces for the full list of 2018 Top Workplaces.

April 2018

The Tiger that dreamed of being an Eagle

By Staff Reports Kevin A. Greenhaw, 16, son of Robert and Lisa Greenhaw of Grayson, has achieved Boy Scouting’s highest rank, that of Eagle Scout.

Kevin began his scouting career as a Tiger Cub with Pack 599 and continued through Cub Scouting to earn the Webelos Super Achiever Award and the highest of Cub Scout awards, the Arrow of Light.

As a member of Troop 499 in Grayson, Kevin has held numerous leadership positions including Quartermaster, Troop Guide, Patrol Leader and has earned 32 merit badges. He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow as an Ordeal Member of the Lau-in-NIH Chapter of Mowogo Lodge 243 in 2015.

Kevin has participated in many camp outings at Camp Rainey Mountain in Clayton, GA. He served as a Counselor in Training in 2016 and on summer staff in 2017 working in the NEW Trail department teaching new scouts their scouting skills from Tenderfoot to First Class ranks.

In July 2017, Kevin and a crew of 22 participated in a 12-day trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, which is one of three Boy Scouts of America High Adventure Bases. They backpacked 80 miles and participated in activities such as horseback riding, rifle, and shotgun shooting, reloading, fly fishing, rock climbing and rappelling. The highlight was watching the sunrise from atop Philmont’s iconic Tooth of Time, 9,003 ft in elevation.

For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Kevin wanted to bring his love for the outdoors to his Middle School alma mater. He coordinated the building of an outdoor classroom at Couch Middle School in Grayson. Under his direction, scouts, adult leaders, and volunteers built and installed nine benches and one high counter table surrounded by landscape timbers and mulch that took more than 180 man hours to complete.

Kevin is a sophomore at Grayson High School and a member of the JV Golf Team. He passed his Eagle Board

Kevin in the outside classroom.

April 2018

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Kevin Greenhaw, Eagle Scout.

Spring Time Readiness Assessment for Pre-Kindergarten Students!

Is your pre-kindergarten student ready to enter a formal school environment and meet teacher and school expectations?

Many parents assume that their young child is ready for preschool or pre-kindergarten based on his or her chronological age. Are they correct to assume their child is ready to begin formal instruction in the development of his or her reading, math, and language skills because they are chronologically of age? Not necessarily!

At a young age, children vary much in terms of their developmental maturity; which is essential for early school learning. And, children develop at varying rates! It is important that parents are fully aware of school curriculum and expectations and then make sure they have given their young child ample opportunity to be prepared.

One assessment which has as its purpose to determine the extent that each of the underlying competencies has been developed so instruction can be modified to meet the needs of the student is the Kindergarten Readiness Test or KRT. The KRT

Carol Wood

Total Learning Concepts

assists educational professionals, teachers and/or schools in determining a student’s readiness for beginning kindergarten. It is best administered towards the end of a child’s preschool years or the summer prior to the start of school.

The KRT consists of eight subtests: 1. Letter Recognition 2. Visual Discrimination 3. Phonemic Awareness 4. Listening Comprehension 5. Vocabulary 6. Numbers and Operations 7. Measurement 8. Geometric Concepts

Benefits of the KRT are: • Its emphasis is on current curriculum • It can be administered individually or in small groups • The student’s scores & skills ratings are determined for each individual subtest • Parents receive an overall readiness score and rating that relates to a national percentile and stanine scores • Parents and educators are provided with suggestions of areas to work on to increase the student’s readiness for kindergarten before school begins in the fall and they can track the student’s progress in each of the eight subtest areas.

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

Live Local, Shop Local, Support Local Thank you to all our advertisers and community partners.

Special Photo

Kevin with the outside classroom bench and project plaque.

Contact the GWINNETTCITIZEN.COM today to share your community news & inquire about advertising and partnering.

(770) 241-8801 • info@gwinnettcitizen.com • gwinnettcitizen.com

of Review on October 28, 2017, and received his Eagle badge and two Eagle Palms during a Court of Honor ceremony on February 18, 2018. He is a 4th Generation Scouter with his Grandfather and Great Grandfather also being Eagle Scouts.

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BARBARA continued from page 1

Barbara Howard

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“We didn’t even know we were almost bankrupt until we went to Mills B. Lane at C&S Bank for a loan,” she laughed. “A young loan officer, Gus Connelly, was assigned to our account and he tried to sell us, but we had nothing to sell!”

A seven-year capital loan allowed them to “get started” in commercial cold storage in DeKalb County. During the process, they also met Lane’s then-secretary, Celeste Sigmund who had a side business making and selling Brunswick stew.

Sigmund, who later became the first woman C&S Bank vice-president, had been looking for a distribution partner, so she swapped her recipe for stock in the company.

“The recipe came from the lady who was her ‘mammy’ growing up,” Howard shared. “Her name was Susanna.”

Thus the company became known as Susanna’s Kitchen and their best-selling product? Susanna’s Brunswick Stew.

The Howard’s moved their successful business to Gwinnett in1993 when they built a new $6,000,000 “state of the art” plant on Buford Highway at North Berkley Lake Road in Duluth with money from Gwinnett County revenue bonds.

Their journey to make Gwinnett a better place to live began shortly after moving to Duluth in the early 70s, when they became involved with the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Linda Nash Edwards, who retired from the ACS in 2009 as the then-South Atlantic Division V.P. for Business Unit Development, remembers well when the Howard’s became involved.

“A state-level volunteer, the late Bob Womack, recruited them. They came in gangbusters and were involved for years to come,” she recalled.

Edwards call Barbara Howard, “the perfect volunteer.”

“If you looked in the dictionary under ‘perfect volunteer,’ her name would be in there,” she stated. “Barbara had wonderful leadership skills, was engaging, humble, dependable and reached out to people.

“She was the kind of volunteer that every non-profit wants to have and Henry was right there supporting her in everything she or the ACS

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did.”

Through the years, Barbara Howard worked in both patient services and fundraising and she and her husband chaired the Education /Funds Crusade in Gwinnett. Edwards said that she was involved in practically every special event fundraiser the ACS held.

The first fundraiser they helped with was the ACS Golf and Tennis tournament held at the Atlanta Athletic Club in 1977, which raised $30,000. “The Howard’s had all the contacts at the club and chaired that very successful tournament for several years,” Edwards said.

Both the Howard’s served on the ACS board/Leadership Council and along with Gwinnett Citizen editor, Carolyn Bagheri, she started the Gwinnett Auxiliary, a group of women who raised money for the ACS. Initially, the group held fashion shows at the Atlanta Athletic Club, headed by Barbara Howard. Later she led the ACS Tour of Homes. But the group is best known for their very successful annual Hope Fashion Show, which through the years raised tens of thousands of dollars.

The show also honored cancer survivors, one of which was Barbara Howard, by then, a breast cancer survivor, who served every year as one of the “survivor models,” gracefully modeling fashions at the close of the shows.

The couple became involved with the Gwinnett Hospital Foundation when it was formed in the 1980s as charter members and gave lead gifts for the Gwinnett Medical Center in Duluth.

Sadly, Henry Howard passed away in 2004, from bladder cancer.

But his wife carried on with their service and dedication to helping others.

In February, Howard received the Gwinnett Medical Foundation’s prestigious Legacy Award for her dedication to the medical center and generous giving through the years.

“When you walk into that Duluth hospital and see the picture (of Barbara and Henry Howard) on the wall in the lobby, you know they have been generous,” Gwinnett Medical Center (GMC) President/CEO Phil Wolfe commented in the video shown at the gala when she received the award.

Like all who know her, Jason Chandler, president of the Foundation, is generous with his praise of Howard. “She was one of the first lead gifts for our concussion center and has given to sports medicine and of course, cancer care.

“After she broke her hip, she showed up at a special event in the community a few weeks later.

“I’m thinking, there’s no excuse for the rest of us,” he marveled. “It’s like if I have a cold, I have to go because Barbara went and she broke her hip.”

“She’s one of the most generous,

unselfish people that I know,” stated Kathryn Parsons Willis of Duluth.

Other words describing her in the video were “energetic,” “enthusiastic,” “inspirational,” “a trooper,” and “lives for others.”

The Foundation’s Legacy Award is not the first time the Howard’s have been recognized for their hard work and generosity. Since 1984 they annually receive the ACS Excalibur Award for generosity in giving. In 2005 Henry Howard was posthumously given the Gwinnett Chamber Legacy Award. Barbara Howard was recognized by the Chamber as their Citizen of the Year in 2013 and has been a recipient of the United Way Women’s Award.

Rainbow Village in Duluth, which provides transitional housing for homeless families, also has been a recipient of the Howard’s generosity and when Barbara Howard was their campaign chair in 2010, they raised $6M. She also has been a volunteer with Aurora Theatre and has supported them since 2000 and Hudgens Center for the Arts since 1974.

Today, Barbara Howard is enjoying retirement after serving Susanna’s Kitchen as its president for 55 years. The Howard’s son, Brad is CEO, having taken that position at his dad’s passing.

“The company is employee-owned now,” Barbara Howard said. “It’s one of the premier small food companies in the country and is the number one co-packer in the country.”

And like its founders, Susanna’s Kitchen gives back to the community. As their website says, they reinvest a significant portion of their time and profits back into the community where they live through their employees, civic organizations and religious institutions.

Evidence of their giving is beautifully evident on Duluth’s Town Green where the company’s donation helped make the “Dreamkeepers” sculpture possible. Their contribution also is helping make possible the WWII memorial that will be in the new Peachtree Corners Town Centre.

“We always felt like Gwinnett so good to us,” Howard reminisced. ”The industrial revenue bonds we received from the county enabled us to build our “new” building in Gwinnett in 1992.

“I always loved and believed in the “Gwinnett is Great” slogan that was on the big water tank off I-85 for so many years. Gwinnett helped make it possible for us to prosper and we always wanted to give back in every way we could.”

Indeed, the Howard’s have left their footprint across Gwinnett County and few have surpassed the unselfish sharing of their success.

Henry Howard once said that their business “grew to be a great company not through genius on our

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part, but because we have been blest with divine guidance.” He believed that giving back was the only way to live.

“Henry’s belief in giving back did not die with him as evidenced

by Barbara’s continued generosity,” Edwards said. “They were two of the most giving, generous people I’ve ever known. Barbara is continuing that legacy which will live on for decades to come.”

Special Photo

Barbara and Sandra Strickland.

L to R: Barbara Howard, Paige Havens and Kathryn Parsons Willis.

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