Gwinnett’s oldest locally owned newspaper - established 1988. Covering Snellville, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Loganville
Vol. 30 No. 3
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Genevieve’s journey
Make 2018 about YOU page 6
By Carole Townsend Gwinnett Citizen
Happy Birthday Gwinnett page 8
Genevieve
Happy Anniversary Judy and Gene! page 18
Hernia Q & A
Paige Beni Photography
Nadine McTaggart sits curled in a cushy oversized chair, one that diminishes her size and gives her the illusion of being even tinier than she is. Her long brunette hair and big dark eyes might give one the notion that she’s a bit sad, but the circle of women who have surrounded her for the past months knows something very different about Nadine. She is a strong, courageous and yes, a wiser woman than she was just a short year ago. Nadine’s mom Lori sits at the table next to her daughter, her face alive and animated, her voice ripe with the passion that she feels for her daughter, and for her granddaughter, now just barely a month old. The road that led these two women to this place, to tell this story, has been paved with fear and uncertainty; it’s been washed with a thousand tears. Here both women sit, and no matter what else one might see in their faces, strength and courage
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overshadow all else. Nadine gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in November, a child who already possesses her mother’s striking features. Lori held her daughter as Genevieve arrived in this world – “with just 11 minutes’ pushing,” according to a proud Nadine. The tiny little girl went home with Nadine, Lori and her husband Mike; she stayed there for two weeks until Abiding Love Adoption Agency came to take her to the adopting family from North Carolina. Many adoption stories might end right there, with emptiness and loss felt on one end, the boundless joy felt on the other, and nothing in between. But Genevieve’s journey is a different one. A new kind of family. “Today, birth moms have a lot of say in adoption. You can choose a closed adoption, but more women are choosing open,” said Nadine. And more adoptive parents are choosing open adoptions, as did Becky and Nate,
See GENEVIEVE on Page 28
National recognition for Veterans Services
page 25
INSIDE
JANUARY 2018
Photo by Paul Kakos
US Navy Petty Officer John Galusha
Ranked 4th in Nation by Military Times® and 8th in Nation by Military Friendly®
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their Military Times Best: Colleges 2018 rankings, formerly known as Best for Vets and Gwinnett Tech is ranked 4th among career and technical colleges in the nation; for By Staff Reports its commitment to education and Gwinnett Technical College providing opportunities to Amerhas once again been recognized as ica’s veterans, service members, one of the best in the nation. The and their families. This marks the College has earned significant na- second consecutive year Gwinnett tional recognition for their outstand- Tech has moved up in the rankings. ing Veterans Services in Military In 2017, the College was ranked 19 Times® and Military Friendly®. • Military Times released See VETERANS on page 10
Mountain View High School graduate, John Paul Kakos
Kakos Lands Leading Role in Full Count By Paige Havens Gwinnett Citizen In the spring of 2017, when John Paul Kakos walked off the Mountain View High School baseball field for the last time as a senior, it was a bitter sweet moment. It was the end of his baseball career and the start of a new chapter in his life. John Paul had dreamed of playing baseball in col-
lege and beyond, but several shoulder injuries caused him to rethink his path. As John Paul made plans to attend Kennesaw State University to pursue his college education, he thought he’d revisit an old interest, acting, to help earn some money for college. In middle school, John Paul had dabbled in acting and won
See
KAKOS on page 12
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The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
Page 3
Commissioners approve agreement with residential haulers Approved Solid Waste Plan Reduces Cost, Improves Recycling By Staff Reports The Board of Commissioners approved an amended eight-year agreement with the residential trash haulers currently operating in unincorporated Gwinnett County recently. The revised agreement will reduce the cost of residential trash and curbside recycling services in unincorporated Gwinnett County, improve recycling and provide continuity of services. The amended agreement begins July 1, 2018, and
Publishers/Editor Carolyn Ekenstierna Bagheri Auveed Bagheri-Cawthon
Residents will retain their current hauler. replaces the current eight-year contract that is set to expire June 30, 2018. City residents will not be affected by the plan. As part of the approved program, residents will retain their current hauler. In addition, the 17-gallon recycling bins will be replaced with a larger, covered 65-gallon cart on wheels. The haulers have cut their fees, reducing the overall monthly fee from $19.16 to $17.91. The senior discount will change from 15 percent to 25 percent, reducing se-
107 W Crogan St, Lawrenceville, Ga 30046 Office (770) 963-3699 www.gwinnettcitizen.com carolyn@gwinnettcitizen.com
The Gwinnett Citizen is a monthly community newspaper that has been providing community news for the past 30 years. It is Gwinnett’s oldest locally owned newspaper. Our readers know how to love life and have a passionate interest in the well being of our community. Through our stories and photos we bring to life the passion of living, working, playing, living healthy, and worshiping in Gwinnett. We help to connect readers with local businesses and services to promote shopping and buying local. We are a free and direct mailed publication with 3 geographic zones (newspapers) that contain hyper-local news pertinent to each community. Each zone distributes 20,000 copies via direct mail with a few select local businesses for rack distribution to total a distribution of 60,000 in Gwinnett County, Ga.
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© Copyright The Snellville Citizen, Inc dba Gwinnett Citizen, 2018. All rights are reserved, including those to reproduce this printing or parts thereof in any form without permission in writing from Gwinnett Citizen. Gwinnett Citizen is a monthly newspaper publication covering all of Gwinnett County. The publication was established November, 1988 as The Snellville Citizen. The views expressed in articles, columns and Letters to the Editor published in Gwinnett Citizen, do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Gwinnett Citizen.
nior fees from $16.47 to $13.75 per month. Residential trash and recycling service will still include weekly trash pickup of household waste and more than 30 types of recycla-
bles. Collection on each street will be on the same day of the week with exceptions for New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Service will continue to include bulky item and white goods pickup; residents will still need to contact their assigned hauler to schedule pickup. Yard waste collection will also continue to be offered as an
elective service, but at a 25 percent reduced cost for those who elect the 12-month plan. Unincorporated Gwinnett County residential solid waste customers would see the price reductions on their next billing, scheduled for summer 2018. New recycling carts will be delivered later next year.
The Gwinnett Citizen
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January 2018
Priceless expressions Winter brought the end of football season with many Gwinnett teams making it deep into the State playoffs. Grayson High School had a great group of seniors leading the way under the direction of first-year Head Coach, Christian Hunnicutt. They ended the season with a 10-2 record, and many of these boys are off to play college football. We are always proud to watch the successes of all our teams. Basketball season has begun! A true example of a friendly rivalry exists in the home of the Moreland family. Mom, Sandee Moreland, coaches daughter Preslee in the GAA Basketball Cheerleading Association. Son Jaret plays basketball for the Archer Athletic Association. Both attend Harbins Elementary this year. We were glad to see that they could keep things friendly for this photo shoot and word has it that big brother
this group picture gets bigger every year! Another event that we have been fortunate to photograph since its inception is the Benefield Elementary School
Meredith Chastain & Meghan Schroder Picture Perfect Jaret keeps a protective eye out for his sassy little sister at all times. Many of our schools create “READ” posters encouraging students to get into reading and showing how fun it can be. Taylor Elementary School principal Paula Cobb led her team in a poster depicting the “Three Little Pigs.” Her great example led to a multitude of fun and engaging posters starring teachers and staff that I’m sure the student body loves to see. As promised, the Christmas season gave us some wonderful photographic opportunities. Kids ‘R’ Kids is a great daycare facility that has locations throughout the United States but is based here in Duluth. Pat and Janice Vinson founded the company and own many of the metro Atlanta locations. Each year, we photograph the corporate Holiday luncheon where the staff gets a few hours to unwind from their crazy schedules. A testament to the growth of the company is the fact that
Holiday event. Principal Shonda Stevens spearheads the event, which highlights
See PRICELESS Page 5
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
PRICELESS continued from page 4 include a visit to Santa for any child who would like to and a wonderful performance by the Benefield Singers. This year, Principal Stevens roped her daughter into being her assistant. Here, they both took a moment out of the successful day to tell Santa their hopes for the upcoming year. Over fifteen years ago, we began photographing the City of Grayson Christmas Event. We have watched it grow and change every year, but its core is always the lighting of the huge Christmas Tree at the end of the night. Newly re-elected Mayor of Grayson Allison Wilkerson, City Councilmember Laurie Anderson, City Administrator Laura Cone, Assistant City Administrator Heather Brookshire, and recently retired Community Development Director Gail Lane took a moment out of their day to ask Santa to please put them on the “Nice” list. One of our favorite annual photo
shoots is with Santa at Boss Brothers Country Store. His expressions are priceless, and he has zero problems with the fact that most of his visitors are dogs, cats, ferrets, and even the occasional goat. This year, Gunter, the bulldog, came with his brother Hunter (parents are Marcy and Nick Owens). Gunter and Hunter are huge UGA fans that are so close they share a room. Gunter was intent on making a special plea to Santa and photographer Loralee Beard was wondering what it was. Well, now we know, it looks like his wish was granted and UGA won the Rose Bowl and is headed to the
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National Championship! As the National Title game looms, here’s hoping Gunter threw in an extra wish.
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The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
Lilburn Woman’s Club Donates $6,300 to the Lilburn Co-Op By Staff Reports The GFWC Lilburn Woman’s Club is excited to announce the presentation of a check in the amount of $6,300.00 to the Lilburn Cooperative Ministry. On Saturday, December 2nd, the Lilburn Woman’s Club hosted the Lilburn Christmas Walking Tour of Homes with all proceeds being donated to the Lilburn Coop. Such a successful event would not have happened without the wonderful residents who opened their beautifully decorated homes for the tour. Heartfelt thanks go to Scot and Alicia McCready, Hugh and Rowann Wilkerson, Lilburn’s current Mayor and his wife - Johnny and Anne Crist, John and Catherine Calhoun and Brad and Joann Roselle. Even the weather cooperated with a full moon shining on all the visitors. Carolers were singing along the lighted route and Santa enjoyed many selfies with guests. The members of the Lilburn Woman’s Club provided delicious homemade Christmas cookies for all the guests and homeowners also provided refreshments. On Tuesday, December 5, mem-
Christmas Tour check Presention.
bers of the Lilburn Woman’s Club along with members of the Christmas Tour Committee presented a check to Sharon Foster, the new Executive Director of the Lilburn Co-op in the amount of $6,300. $6,000 in proceeds from the Christmas tour and $300 in proceeds from a baked goods silent auction at the club’s annual Christmas dinner were
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combined for the total contribution. Ms. Foster stated the Lilburn Co-op served over 8,000 families this year and donations like ours help keep the heat on and food on the table for many families living paycheck to paycheck. “Community Concern” is our motto and it is a proud moment when our club can make a difference in our community.
Resolve to make 2018 ABOUT you...
Chrissy Thomas
About Face Skin Care
A new year is a time to start over. It is a time to give the thought about the things we do and how we would like to change them. This year, we would like to help you make 2018 ABOUT you, with the help of About Face Skin Care and About Mind and Body Fitness Boutique. About Face Skin Care has been a center of our community for many years. AFSC takes pride in providing a safe environment for facials, nonsurgical anti-aging treatments, injectable fillers and Botox, laser services, chemical peels, spider vein treatments, and much more. About Face will be celebrating its 16th year of business in March and takes great pride in maintaining an excellent record of safety and customer satisfaction in this industry. In 2012, About Face recognized the number one tool in aging smarter with the introduction of its fitness boutique studio, About Mind and Body. AMB employs the best-certified instructors who can safely guide clients of all fitness levels through healthy workouts. Located in the same space as About Face, AMB has completed our dream of being a “one-stop
shop” for healthy living and youthful aging. With a full schedule of Yoga, Barre’, Strength, and Zumba classes, as well as mind stimulating events, About Mind and Body Fitness Boutique provides an intimate gathering in a clean, safe studio. About Mind and Body Director, Heather Lenhardt, M.Ed, ACE, CPT, knows the importance of taking care of the inside of the body to delay aging as much as caring for the outside. Heather began her fitness journey in college when she became “hooked” on Reebok Step classes. When she started teaching children, she joined a gym to take group classes at night to relieve stress. That is when she found her true passion; to bring exercise and education together. Heather wanted to delay the external effects of aging, as well. She has been a regular client with AFSC for five years and feels it has made a big difference in her overall appearance. She is a big fan of the Hydrafacial MD treatments to clean her pores and hydrate her skin. She relies on Collagen Induction Therapy to minimize her pores, soften fine lines and reduce brown spots. She has also enjoyed “Botox Sprinkles” to minimize frown lines and forehead creases without giving her the frozen look. Heather is a true testimony to the beauty of exercise and noninvasive treatments to look youthful and healthy. Along with the entire staff of About Face Skin Care and About Mind and Body, Heather would like to welcome you to make 2018 ABOUT you. Whether you are looking to do a complete internal and external makeover, or if you are looking to make baby steps in your fitness and antiaging goals, we are here to help. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation
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Heather Lenhardt, About Mind and Body Director
with our nurses, aestheticians or fitness instructors to help you plan to be the best you can be. See our schedule online at www.aboutmindandbody.com and contact us for an appointment at info@ aboutfaceskin.com. We look forward to meeting you! About Face Skin Care and About Mind and Body are owned and operated by Chrissy Thomas, RN, BSN and is located at 1569 Janmar Road, Suite B. 770.935. FACE
visit gwinnettcitizen.com for more local news
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
Page 7
Philadelphia Winn Chapter NSDAR visits the William Harris Homestead Buy one lunch box, get one half off Photo by Frank Marchese & Lee Schermerhorn
Candle maker Dottie Harris Zazworsky, Sandi Christman, Regent Kitty Watters, Carol Pangle, Lynn Jacques By Lee Schermerhorn
Philadelphia Winn Chapter plans regular outings for their membership to explore historical places, promote education or to take part in all things patriotic! On Saturday, a brisk but beautiful day, 17 members, four HODARs (husbands of DAR), two grandsons, and one pending member were on hand to explore the William Harris Homestead in Monroe, GA. Thanks are given to Sandi Christman who planned this Membership event. The Homestead is on the National Register of Historic Places and
Offer expires 1/31/2018.
2023 Grayson Hwy, Suite 104 Grayson, GA 30017
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sweetbrownsuga.com Photo by Frank Marchese & Lee Schermerhorn
L to R front row: Membership Chair Traci Zierk, CAR (Children of the American Revolution member) Noah Tindall, CAR Chair Emily Tindall, Pending Member Alice Saroka, Michael Gaskins, grandson, Cindy Gaskins Back row: Nicholas Hamrick, grandson, Treasurer Anne Lockhart, Sandi Christman, Regent Kitty Watters, Corresponding Secretary Lee Schermerhorn, Bobbie Tkacik, Carol Pangle, Jean Axelberg, Lynn Jacques, First Vice Regent Ann Story, Cheryl Hall, Karen Hollingsworth has received several awards over the years. The farm and Homestead have been owned and farmed continuously by members of the Harris family since William and Harriet first set up housekeeping in 1825. They raised their 12 children there, and many descendants are buried in the family cemetery. The William Harris Homestead is one of the few
Photo by Frank Marchese & Lee Schermerhorn
Clarissa Clifton, Food Historian with Helen Hay, Laura Johnson
early Georgia plantations which remains sufficiently intact to depict the culture and lives of Walton County’s first settlers. Tours are available for groups to enjoy “A Day in the 19th Century.” For more information, contact dotty@harrishomestead.com. 3293 Stone Mountain Highway (on the corner of Britt Dr) Snellville, GA 30078 Photo by Frank Marchese & Lee Schermerhorn
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The Gwinnett Citizen
Page 8
January 2018
Gwinnett’s 200th Birthday Bash Launches
Dave Emanuel
Cut to the Chase
On December 15, 2017, Gwinnett County launched the opening event in the year-long celebration of its 200th anniversary. The celebration will include events throughout the year and culminate on December 15, 2018, the date that marks exactly 200 years since the county was created. Looking at the county through a 21st-century lens, it’s difficult to imagine the time when Gwinnett was on the frontier between the European settlements to the East, and the Creek and Cherokee Indian lands to the West. AQs was the case with Walton, Hall and Habersham Counties, Gwinnett was created from land that the Georgia General assembly had acquired from the Native Americans who formerly controlled the areas. As most people know, Gwinnett County was named after Button Gwinnett, one of Georgia’s three delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence. What isn’t so widely known is that Mr. Gwinnett never lived, or even set foot in the county that bears his name. At the time of its creation, Gwinnett County’s population was less than 5,000, and the landscape consisted largely of forests and farmland. County population grew slowly through the early part of the 20th Century. Then the population boom hit, and Gwinnett County began the
transition from farmland and forests to subdivisions and business centers. During a few years in the 1980s, Gwinnett was the fastest growing county in the nation. One of the largest counties in Georgia, Gwinnett offered an abundance of land, proximity to Atlanta and a road system that made travel relatively convenient. Many of those attributes still exist, but with a population approaching 1 million, travel has become more associated with traffic than convenience. Unfortunately, traffic and congestion are the prices of success. If Gwinnett County didn’t have so much to offer, it wouldn’t have become such a popular place to live, in which case, it wouldn’t have continued to have so much to offer. During 2018, the County will have even more to offer with a host of events scheduled throughout the County. A list of those events is posted on the county’s website, (https:// www.gwinnettcounty.com/static/ about_gwinnett/gcb2017/calendar. html) where you’ll find information about walking and bus tours, scavenger hunts, a mass wedding, (at 1:18 PM on 1-18-18) open houses, lectures, tea parties, festivals, and parades. There’s even a Bicentennial Pool Party. Another event that will make the bicentennial is a “torch run” that will emulate the one leading up to the Olympics. Cross-country runners from area schools will run a torch from the Justice and Administration Center on a route that will take it to every city hall in the county. It all adds up to a great way to celebrate the county’s history.
Members of the Gwinnett Bicentennial Advisory Committee and county staff accepting proclamation.
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Gwinnett officials commemorate bicentennial with proclamation and launch of historic site locator By Staff Reports
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners kicked off the County’s bicentennial observance in December with a proclamation declaring December 15, 2017, through December 15, 2018, Gwinnett County’s Bicentennial Year of Celebration. December 15, 2017, was Gwinnett County’s 199th birthday and marks the start of a full year of activities, events, educational opportunities and capital projects that will highlight the county’s two centuries of rich history. The proclamation was presented recently at a Board of Commissioners business session. Members of the Gwinnett Bicentennial Advisory Committee and County staff accepted the honor as thanks for their work to organize the yearlong celebration. The group began organizing activities for the
bicentennial in January 2017. At the presentation, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash expressed excitement for the bicentennial and its potential to help residents learn about and get involved with Gwinnett. She also mentioned another bicentennial project: Gwinnett County’s Story Vault. She encouraged residents to participate in the ongoing effort to gather and record stories from the people who live, work and play in Gwinnett. “Story Vault helps us learn about our residents, new and old. It allows us to ask one of my favorite questions: ‘Why did you choose Gwinnett?’” Nash said. “If you have a story, sign up for a session. We’re always looking for new perspectives.” The week also brought the launch of a historic site locator tool created by the County’s Department of Information Technology Services to help residents familiarize themselves with historic sites across Gwinnett County. The locator is an interactive map that will allow visitors to remotely
What’s in a name? By Katie Hart Smith GwinnettCitizen.com
How did Gwinnett County get its name? Gwinnett County was named for Button Gwinnett, one of the three Georgia signers of the Declaration of Independence. Today, his signature, the second on the document, is considered one of the rarest and most valuable of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Born in 1735, Gloucester, United Kingdom, Button Gwinnett married Ann Bourne. They had three daughters, Amelia, Ann, and Elizabeth Ann. Gwinnett relocated to Charleston, S.C. in 1762, moving to Savannah, Georgia a few years later where he became a merchant. He supported America’s independence from the Crown and gained political influence in Georgia, winning the election to the Commons House of Assembly in 1769. Active in the military and Georgia state legislature, he penned the first draft of the State Constitution of Georgia and served as Georgia’s Governor for three
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Gwinnett County was named for Button Gwinnett, one of three Georgia signers of the Declaration of Independence.
months, from February through May 1777 after the death of Governor Archibald Bulloch. Unfortunately, Gwinnett was not elected Governor by the new state legislature later that spring. During his political and military career, he became an enemy of Lachlan McIntosh, a brigadier general in the 1st Regiment of the Continental Army. Embroiled in a bitter rivalry, Gwinnett challenged McIntosh to a
explore sites in the county, using photos and descriptions to highlight historic buildings, homes, markers, churches, cemeteries and other locations important to the formation and development of Gwinnett County. Some of the featured sites date back before the County’s creation in 1818. The bicentennial celebration will reflect Gwinnett’s historic past while embracing the vibrant community of the present. Over the past 200 years, Gwinnett has evolved from a largely agrarian community to a thriving, cosmopolitan hub that is one of the fastest growing, most diverse counties in the Southeast. To access the historic site locator, a calendar of bicentennial events, videos from Gwinnett County’s Story Vault project and more information about Gwinnett County’s bicentennial celebration, visit www. Gwinnett200.com. To schedule an appointment to record your own Story Vault video, email info@gwinnettcounty.com or call 770-822-7180.
duel. Although each man sustained gunshots, Gwinnett’s was fatal. He died on May 19, 1777 and was buried in Savannah’s Colonial Park Cemetery. The exact location of his grave remains unknown. Gwinnett County, the fiftieth county created on December 15, 1818, was designed from lands ceded to the state of Georgia by the Cherokee and Creek Indians and a part of Jackson County. The county is 437 square miles, making it the fiftieth largest county in the state in landmass. Did you know? Gwinnett County is celebrating its bicentennial. For more information about upcoming activities and festivals throughout Gwinnett, or to submit an event happening in your community to the calendar listing, visit: https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/ static/about_gwinnett/gcb2017/events. html. Sources: Gwinnett County Government, www.gwinnettcounty.com; Deaton, Stan. “Button Gwinnett (1735-1777).” New Georgia Encyclopedia. 19 July 2017. Web. 29 November 2017.
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
Bicentennial Art Exhibition travels By Staff Reports As part of the Gwinnett 200 Bicentennial, a traveling art exhibit by local artists will tour the county from Jan. 16 until Dec. 18 with projects on life in Gwinnett County. The Gwinnett 200 Bicentennial Art Exhibition celebrates Gwinnett’s rich history by bringing together original art, photos and book excerpts from several Gwinnett County artists. On display will be artwork and book excerpts from the late Charlotte Edwards Howerton, oil paintings by artist Peggy Sullens, mixed media artwork by several Kudzu Art Zone artists and a pictorial documentary of historic Gwinnett County. Pieces of the exhibition will rotate among four locations: the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse in downtown Lawrenceville, George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center in Suwanee, Bethesda Park Senior Center in Lawrenceville, Peachtree Corners Branch Library, and Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center in Norcross. The public is invited to attend the free artists’ reception on Jan. 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Gallery Hall of the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. Guests attending the reception can meet the artists and their families, enjoy light refreshments and get a sneak preview of the touring exhibition. The Art Exhibition traveling schedule is below: Jan. 16 – April 10 Charlotte Howerton, Gwinnett Historic Courthouse; 185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville “Looking Back Through the Lens”, George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center; 55 Buford
Highway, Suwanee Kudzu Art Zone Artists, Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center; 4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Berkeley Lake Peggy Sullens, Bethesda Park Senior Center; 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville April 16 – July 10 Charlotte Howerton, George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center; 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee “Looking Back Through the Lens”, Peachtree Corners Branch Library; 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners Kudzu Art Zone Artists, Bethesda Park Senior Center; 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville Peggy Sullens, Gwinnett Historic Courthouse; 185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville July 16 – Oct. 9 Charlotte Howerton, Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center; 4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Berkeley Lake “Looking Back Through the Lens”, Bethesda Park Senior Center; 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville Kudzu Art Zone Artists, Gwinnett Historic Courthouse; 185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville Peggy Sullens, George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center; 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee Oct. 15 – Dec. 18 Charlotte Howerton, Bethesda Park Senior Center; 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville “Looking Back Through the Lens”, Gwinnett Historic Courthouse; 85 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville Kudzu Art Zone Artists, George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center; 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee Peggy Sullens, Pinckneyville
DIVORCE HURTS But You Don’t Have To Go Through It Alone By Staff Reports Separation and divorce are among life’s most difficult, painful and stressful experiences. Healing is not easy, but you don’t have to go through it alone. As you rebuild your life, you’ll want to be sure that you are building on a solid foundation. You need the help and encouragement of others as you attempt to restore balance to your life. If you are in need of an ongoing support team as you deal with the issues surrounding separation or divorce, join the next 13-week group session of DivorceCare. The next group session begins Sunday, January 21, 2018, 4:00 p.m., in Room F307 at First Baptist Church of Lilburn, 285 Main Street, Lilburn, GA. 30047.
Seminar sessions include “What’s Happening to Me?,” “Facing My Anger,” “Facing My Loneliness,” “Depression,” “New Relationships,” “KidCare,” and “Forgiveness.” During the first 30-40 minutes of each session, the group watches a video featuring top experts on divorce and recovery topics. Following the video, the participants spend time as a “support group” discussing what was presented in that week’s video and what is going on in the lives of the group participants. Child Care (through 5th grade) will be provided upon request. For more information, call First Baptist Church of Lilburn at 770-9211220 or visit www.firstbaptist.net and click on Ministries>DivorceCare.
Park Community Recreation Center; 4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Berkeley Lake The traveling bicentennial exhibition is organized by staff members of Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation. For more information, call the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse at 770.822.5450 or visit www.gwinnettparks.com.
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The Gwinnett Citizen
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January 2018
VETERANS continued from page 1 in the nation. • Military Friendly® has ranked Gwinnett Technical College 8th in the nation for its commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community. Gwinnett Tech also earned the 2018 Military Friendly Gold® School designation
by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs®, STEM JobsSM℠, and Military Spouse. “Gwinnett Tech is honored to be named one of the top colleges in the nation for Veterans. Our Office of Veterans Affairs continually strives to help prospective and current students transition from military life to
civilian life,” stated Dr. D. Glen Cannon, president of Gwinnett Technical College. Travis Simpson, Coordinator of Gwinnett Tech’s Office of Veterans Affairs, said, “Our office is deeply committed to helping veterans repurpose their military training and skills into lucrative careers in both public and private sectors. Through private philanthropy, Gwinnett Tech was the first technical college in Georgia to establish a dedicated Office of Veterans Affairs committed exclusively to serve veterans, spouses, and dependents. Our community continues to financially assist the College in ensuring that those who have served our country, have outstanding service and assistance at Gwinnett Tech.” Gwinnett Tech Veteran Services include:
• Veterans Educational Benefits Support • Yellow Ribbon Program • Veterans Scholarships • Dedicated Computer Lab • Student Veterans Organization • Veterans Resource Advocate • Career Counseling Each year, the distinguished list of Military Friendly® Schools is provided to service members and their families across the country, helping them select post-secondary university and college, to receive the education and training needed to pursue a civilian career. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation are evaluated using both public data sources and responses from Victory Media’s proprietary survey. Only 1,160 institutions in the U.S. were awarded the designation this year.
Annually, Military Times® invites career and technical colleges from across the U.S. to complete a rigorous survey comprised of 150 questions, about their operations involving current and former service members and their families. Additional data is then collected from the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments, as well as three Educational Department sources: the IPEDS Data Center, College Scorecard, and the Cohort Default Rate Database. Institutions are independently evaluated in five key categories: university culture, student support, academic outcomes/quality, academic policies and cost and financial aid. For more information about Gwinnett Technical College’s commitment to military students, visit the Office of Veterans Affairs or call 678-226-6343.
Hungry and Homeless in Gwinnett
The Gwinnett Coalition partners with local organizations to combat these disturbing issues
By Ellen Gerstein Executive Director, Gwinnett Coalition On a cold Monday morning in December a single mom calls the Gwinnett Helpline, a program of the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services, desperately seeking resources for herself and her two young children. Not only has she just received notice that she’s about to be kicked out of the extended stay hotel room she calls ‘home’- but since her funds are low, she is also struggling to find someone to help her provide her children’s next meal. The Reality No one should have to worry about when their next meal will be or where they will sleep for the night. The reality is hunger and homelessness are widespread problems that affect far too many people right here in Gwinnett County. Fifty-five percent of youth in Gwinnett County are on free or reduced lunch for the 2016-2017 school year. A large number of Gwinnett County public schools have over 90% of their children on free or reduced lunch. What’s Being Done Urgent calls like the one from this single mom are common at the Gwinnett Helpline. “Every day we field desperate calls for food, shelter, seasonal care, and financial help with rent or utilities,” said Suzy Bus, the Helpline Director of the Gwinnett Coalition. “Lack of affordable low-income housing and poor or non-existent transportation to obtain the basic needs of food and medi-
Ellen Gerstein
Special Photo
cal care are just a few of the issues Gwinnett County residents face that contribute to the matters of homelessness and hunger.” The Gwinnett Coalition, a nonprofit organization (located in Lawrenceville), brings awareness to these issues through committees that work specifically on identifying needs of Gwinnett residents, planning solutions, and being accountable for results. Who’s Involved “Homelessness and hunger have become a big problem in Gwinnett County in the past 10-15 years, especially the last 2-3,” said Shirley Cabe, Executive Director of the Norcross Cooperative Ministry. “There’s not enough homeless shelters in Gwinnett.” The Norcross Co-Op is one of the Gwinnett Coalition’s referral organizations that connects homeless families with food from their food pantry and provides short-term housing in extended stay hotels. Last year, they served 30,000 families and gave away 40,000 bags of groceries. “Many children go hungry in the summertime because of the lack of food drives,” said Davida Baker with Project Kids Eat, located in Norcross. “Everyone can do something,” said Baker. Davida Baker founded Project Kids Eat (PKE) 17 years ago to feed kids in the sum-
mer when school lunch is not being provided. PKE provided over 12,000 meals last summer to children living in extended stay hotels in Gwinnett. What You Can Do The Gwinnett Coalition has many opportunities to volunteer year-round through its Gwinnett Helpline, a referral service connecting people with immediate needs to resources in Gwinnett that can help them. Call 770-995-3339 today if you’re interested in volunteering, or to find out other ways of meeting these critical needs. If being on the phone is not for you, helping someone in need can be as simple as putting together a “blessing bag” to drop off at the Gwinnett Coalition or local food Co-Op. The staff ensures it will get it to a senior, youth, veteran, or other Gwinnett County resident in need. About the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the health and human service needs of everyone in Gwinnett County, Georgia. It does so through collaborative community planning, applied research, community education, membership diversity, consensus building, advocacy, and innovation.
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
Page 11
Your Green: Inheriting an IRA? What You Need to Know
Roger Green, MSFS,CFP ® Green Financial Resources
Unlike a simple monetary inheritance, when someone dies and leaves an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) to a beneficiary, there are several distribution options and important deadlines that must be met to avoid problems with the distribution and to avoid potential tax penalties. The distribution options available to the beneficiary depend upon: 1) The beneficiary’s relationship to the IRA owner (this is important because some options are only available to a spouse beneficiary); and 2) Whether or not the owner died before or after the RBD (Required Beginning Date), which is April 1 of the year following the year the IRA owner turns 70½. 3) The specific language within the IRA agreement.
There are multiple potential options available if you are the beneficiary of someone’s IRA account. Those options may include (Note: some of these options are only available to a spouse beneficiary, or have different rules for a non-spouse beneficiary): *rolling the account over into another account, *treating the account as your own, or *taking some form of life-expectancy based annual payout, or *taking the money out as a lump sum and paying income taxes on the money. A beneficiary spouse has the ability to roll the IRA account into an IRA account in their name or as a beneficiary IRA account. If the beneficiary spouse is younger than the deceased, there may be situations where a spouse would not want to have a beneficiary IRA account set up. One impact of setting up a beneficiary IRA in this situation would be on Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), where the RMD you are required to take could be greater than it would be if you put the money into a regular IRA account in your name. In addition to the options available for distribution, there are also many important deadlines that pertain to inheriting an IRA:
*Nine months after the date of death- This is the latest date any beneficiary may make a “qualified disclaimer”, where the beneficiary essentially refuses some or all of the assets. These types of refusals can be used to avoid federal estate tax and gift tax, and to create legal inter-generational transfers which avoid taxation, provided they meet specific legal requirements. *December 31st of the year of death- If the decedent was over 70½, make sure the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the current year has been taken by year end to avoid tax penalties. *September 30th of the year after the year of death - This date is important from a tax perspective because if any of the beneficiaries of the IRA were not individuals, all beneficiaries are forced to take full distributions within five years, rather than over their life expectancies. This can result in the loss of perhaps decades of tax deferral. For example, someone may list their children and a favorite charity as beneficiaries of their IRA. If the charity is not removed as a beneficiary the children lose the ability to take withdrawals over their life expectancy. The way to solve this potentially very costly problem is to redeem the interest that was specified for the charity. As long as this is done by September 30th of the year following the date of death, the indi-
vidual beneficiaries can take distributions over their lifetimes. *October 31st of the year after the year of death - If a trust was named as the beneficiary, trust documentation must be provided to the IRA custodian by this date. *December 31 of year after year of death- The first beneficiary RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) must be taken. If there are multiple beneficiaries, this is also the deadline to 1) set up separate accounts to utilize their own life expectancies to calculate the RMD; and 2) to take the RMD. There is a spousal exception allowing a spouse with an inherited IRA to delay taking a beneficiary RMD until December 31 of the year the deceased spouse would have been 70 1/2, if the decedent died before age 70 ½. Because there are so many factors to consider, options to choose from, and dates to adhere to, I strongly encourage all to seek the assistance of both a qualified financial professional and a qualified tax professional in these situations. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website has many online resources available to further assist you as well; such as their 590B Publication found at https://www.irs.gov/publications/ p590b. If you plan to leave an IRA to someone, you can help them tre-
mendously by making sure they are aware of some important deadlines. Where possible, I recommend bringing your designated beneficiary in for a meeting with your financial advisor to help ensure the beneficiary is educated on some of the things they will need to do and decisions they will need to make upon inheriting your IRA. At the very least, perhaps share a copy of this article with them, or keep it with your will and other documents to ensure these things are brought to the attention of your beneficiaries when this time comes. If you have an IRA you wish to leave to someone and want to better understand these requirements; or if you have recently inherited an IRA and need guidance on your options and your responsibilities, please contact our office at 770.931.1414 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. As always, we are here to help. 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. Visit his website at www.rogersgreen. com for more, including information on the retirement planning classes he has taught for 20 years at Gwinnett colleges.
The Gwinnett Citizen
Page 12
January 2018
Gwinnett County in 2040: Planning for our Future
KAKOS continued from page1
Charlotte J. Nash
County Business
Photo by Paul Kakos
Photo by Paul Kakos
John Paul Kakos takes direction from Full Count film director Robert Eager as the crew preps in the background for the next scene.
a few bit parts in some short films and
television shows, but his love of sports pushed that aside in high school. John Paul reached out and rekindled some industry connections and stumbled on a role he couldn’t be more suited for. It was an independent, faith-based film called Full Count. The story follows a high school phenom pitcher, Milton Young, who has visions of going to college and breaking free from the family business. After being accepted to the state university, Milton is struck with a series of life-changing events that cause him to give up his dream of playing professional baseball and return home to the town he fought hard to escape. What emerges is a heart-warming story of perseverance, faith, and triumph. John Paul says, “It was the perfect role for me. The casting call was for an 18-year old high school student that had played baseball. I had to go for it.” So, with no previous feature film experience, he jumped in and auditioned for the lead role. John Paul submitted a video audition tape and was called in for two additional auditions. He was beyond excited when he got the call that he was selected for the part. He couldn’t help but think it was fate. The script was penned by first-time writer/director Robert Eager from the Atlanta-based Buckhead Film Group, who said, “Many advised me against hiring a lead with no experience, but I loved John Paul’s audition. He had the look I wanted and a great presence on camera. I took a big gamble on him, and I didn’t regret it. John Paul is so humble, and he’s one of the hardest working people on the set. He’s got a wonderful future ahead of him.” Producer Bennie Swint of Reel One Entertainment shared, “It’s been so great to watch John Paul. He walked on a young, naïve kid. But every day he comes to the set on time and ready. He knows his lines and is eager to learn.” Swint continued, “John Paul has had a rare opportunity to work every day with experienced actors. Some Emmy award winners. He’s had a chance to listen and learn from them every day. He’s been blessed for this to be his first project – to have this kind of support around him. This rarely happens. You can’t ask for a stronger start to your career than this.” Swint said proudly, “As a producer, it’s so cool to realize we are growing him. Changing his life. It’s amazing to watch it right before your eyes.” Kakos’ castmates included seasoned
John Paul Kakos (center) stands proudly with his mom, Tracy; sister, Lauren; and dad, Paul as they support him on set at Mountain View High School. The family is wearing the official Full Count Movie production t-shirts with the #8 in memory of John Paul’s uncle who was a big mentor in his life. professionals like Natalia Livingston, Rick Hearst, Jason London, Robert Pralgo, E. Roger Mitchell, Victoria Staley, Vince Canlas, Robert Gresham and others. Several own their own acting studios and teach aspiring actors. John Paul said they helped him a lot because they would stop and offer him tips to make his scenes better. He said one of the biggest challenges for him was “bringing a character to life in situations I’ve never personally been in.” Kakos enjoyed filming in various locations across Georgia – Macon, LaGrange, Watkinsville, and Gwinnett - but his favorite was coming home to Mountain View to spotlight his home turf. John Paul was even more thrilled when Eager and the production team suggested they include some of his old teammates and coach as extras. Mountain View Baseball Coach Jason Johnson was full of pride when asked what it was like to be a part of the film with John Paul. He said, “It’s special to me and for the entire Mountain View family to have John Paul represent us. We preach to our players that it’s all about character, about being a good person. Everyone’s sports careers come to an end, so it should never be all about sports. John Paul has lived that and there couldn’t be a more perfect movie for him to star in.” When asked if being involved in a faith-based film has helped him grow in his faith, John Paul shared, “There are a lot of scriptures embedded in the plot line and script. As I studied my lines, I took time to look each one up and put them in perspective, to get to the meaning of the message. Doing that makes you think about how it applies to your own life too.” Ironically, so much of the film’s message does apply to Kakos’ life. There’s even a hidden character watching over him that most will never know. John Paul’s Uncle Mark was a professional baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies, and he was John Paul’s role model. Mark died of cancer four years ago. When the filmmakers asked John Paul what jersey number he wanted to wear he said number 8 – his Uncle Mark’s number. When they learned the story, the entire cast and crew wore the number 8 on their shirts too. John Paul wore his Uncle Mark’s jeans in the farming scenes, and Mark’s jersey hung in his bedroom on the set. John Paul’s grandmother, Helen Pottinger said, “I have no doubt Mark’s been here with John Paul through all of this.” Full Count is an inspired film that is driven by the unrelenting passion, perseverance, and faith of so many on the set.
The film has been 16 years in the making. Robert Eager wrote the first draft of the Full Count script in 2001 as part of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Project Greenlight. He was one of 1800 submissions that year, and he got great feedback on the script from some of the industry’s best. He took that feedback and built upon it. As he was rallying funds for production, the financial market crashed. Eager had to put the project on hold until the market corrected. This filmmaking journey has pushed Eager, John Paul and many others involved to live the very message of the script – to have hope, never to give up and never to let go of your dream. Full Count is expected to be released in the spring of 2018. To keep up with the movie follow the Full Count Movie page on Facebook. The hometown crowd can follow John Paul on his personal social media pages via Facebook at John Paul Kakos and on Instagram and Twitter @Johnny_Kakos. In the words of Bennie Swint, “We can’t wait to see what he does next.”
Gwinnett County has seen tremendous growth and change in the past 50 years. As we reflect on our first two centuries during the County’s Bicentennial this year, I can think of no better time to be planning for the year 2040 in this great County! The Department of Planning and Development has begun work on the 2040 comprehensive plan, which we call a unified plan. The purpose of the Unified Plan is to provide a blueprint of how the County will develop. Residents and other stakeholders will have a chance to provide input on how they want to see it grow and develop over the next 20-plus years. While future land use is an important aspect of the plan, this document with its maps, also attempts to address people’s needs, opportunities, goals, and vision; transportation, housing, and economic development; natural and cultural resources; and community facilities and capital improvements for Gwinnett County Public involvement is critical for creating the Unified Plan. In fact, it’s required by the state’s comprehensive planning standards. The Board of Com-
The joy of hugging….
Bill York
Nonagenarian A storm was raging over the farm. Flashes of lightning illuminated the alcove and thunder shook my bunk bed. My brother had told me about floods and how houses just floated away. I wondered if someone was awake. The coon hounds began a cacophony of howling from back in the house. I was five years old and terrified. Because my mother had moved out when I was two years old, I was living with my grandparents on the farm in Indiana. I crawled out from my bunk bed and made my way to my teenage
aunt’s bedroom. She too was awake. She threw back the cover. I climbed in with her. I snuggled up to her abundant warmth. She hugged me tightly. “It’ll be all right,” she said. I stopped shivering. Early in life, I learned the therapeutic value of hugs from my Aunt Luna. Anytime I felt terrible she hugged me. During WWII the navy took me away from the farm. There were times overseas when I needed her tenderness. I always remembered her hugs while making a living with problems occurring. I went back to visit her as often as possible. Because of the responsibilities of parenting, I endured some years with a hug-less person then several years of survival without experiencing any hugs. Because of a career change, I lucked out. The lady was a first-class hugger with a past similar to mine. We’ve been hugging every morning and each evening for 47 years. I fired up my calculator. 34,370. That’s a lot of hugs, accurate except for a fishing trip or a headache. If we miss one for any reason, we add a noon-time hug.
missioners held the first of two required public hearings at its evening meeting on Tuesday, December 19. This was the public’s first opportunity to learn more about the Unified Plan’s content and voice any concerns or issues. To ensure that all residents have ample opportunities to provide input, Planning and Development will conduct a series of public information meetings in January, February, May, and August. Meetings will be held in each of the County’s four commission districts, in addition to other meetings that will be hosted at various county facilities in Lawrenceville. In addition to traditional community meetings, members of the consultant team – led by Gwinnett-based Pond & Company – will be conducting interviews in public spaces such as the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, County parks, and community centers; setting up booths at County festivals and other events to provide information on the plan’s progress; and distributing “living room chat” kits so that residents can have open conversations about Gwinnett’s future at their convenience. If you are asked to provide feedback in any of these ways, please make sure you take a few minutes to voice your thoughts and opinions about planning for the future of the County. This plan will help shape decisions and policies that will affect the lives of everyone in Gwinnett County in many ways, big and small. Participating in this process could be one of the most significant and influential things you ever do. We look forward to hearing your input! For more information on the 2040 Gwinnett Unified Plan and to keep up with the plan as it progresses, please visit www. Gwinnett2040UnifiedPlan.com.
We do a gentle hug lasting maybe 10 seconds. Hugging imparts togetherness, the assurance of loyalty, appreciation, permanence, dependability, predictability, and devotion. Hugging is contagious like measles or runny noses. The habit has infected our family of nineteen people. I see most people when meeting, shaking hands or doing nothing. When our family gets together, it’s a frenzy of bear hugs. Everybody hugs everybody. The desire for closeness seems to increase as we age. One endangerment is that we have some muscled people in our family. When I get hugged by a 6’ 4” grandson, I can feel the rib-crunching sincerity. There is a difference between hugging and the antics of contemporary opportunists. Ostentatious living does not assure that simians completed the evolutionary cycle. We celebrate historical events in America. I suggest we allow time for a National Hugging Week. 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
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
Page 13
Pull over, Ma’am
Marlene Ratledge Buchanan Hey Y’all
I was notorious in the city of Atlanta for driving like a banshee on a mission, but I got better about that. Snell said I drove like I had a blue light and a siren on my car. I did learn to drive from an Atlanta policeman, so maybe so. On more than one occasion I have been pulled over on I-20 coming from Carrollton to East Atlanta. I was lucky though. I never got a ticket, but I did get a few warnings. “Patsy, if you don’t slow down I am going to call your Daddy.” Daddy always knew about it before I got home, anyway. “Slow down, Patsy. You are going to kill yourself or somebody else.” I am better now. I now know I am not invincible. That is a disease of youth, you know. “It won’t happen to me.” How many young people have paid the price for the youthful blind
faith that “it won’t happen to me.” I have slowed down, and I do put on brakes much further away than seven feet from the stop sign. I don’t go through many yellow lights, anymore. I have stopped pushing the limits of my youthful stupidity. However, last week I met a lovely young man who is a Gwinnett County policeman. I was driving sedately along the road from my house. I was in the flow of traffic, and we were progressing a legal rate of speed. Suddenly, I jerked the wheel to the right and took a turn into a subdivision on two wheels. I laid rubber stopping that car. I swear smoke was coming up from the wheels. I jumped out of the car and started the Comanche War Dance, complete with afore mentioned banshee screams of death, destruction, and terror. I didn’t stop when the policeman, with his blue light twirling, pulled up behind me. He even did a whoopwhoop with the siren. As the officer got out and slowly started to approach me I know, he thought he was going to have to call for back-up and the insane asylum van. Well, the blue light and the whoop-whoop didn’t help at all. Maybe if I had his gun… Do you all know what a wolf spider is? It is a big, hairy spider that probably spans the size of a 50 cent piece. I was driving along and saw one sitting on my right leg, looking at
me. Smiling at me. I think there was a little bit of drool coming out of the corner of its mouth. What would you do? I thought I handled the situation well. One spider scream and I got off the road and leaped from the car. I could have set Olympic records with the sitting to standing long jump. That spider was the size of a saucer and weighed an eighth of a pound and was looking at me. Wolf spiders can jump. They often capture their prey by jumping on it. The dang (expletives deleted and trust me there were plenty of expletives in use) thing was sitting in my lap and looking at me. I am pretty fat and would probably be a good meal for this half-pound, dinner plate sized spider. But he had to catch me first. When I hit the pavement, I did a shimmy that would make your Sister
Kate green with envy. (Yeah, I’m old. My references are old, too. Google it.) I may get bills for replacement windows because I let out one of my famous Spider Screams that might have cracked some glass. I don’t know who was more frightened, me, the spider or the cop. The policeman was pretty wide-eyed, and I was not a calm, sedate old woman. I did all my aerobic exercise for the month in that one minute. “Ma’am?” I hate being old enough to be called a ma’am, but it is better than the alternative. I was pretty sure that three-quarter pound, platter-sized wolf spider was going to kill me. I might have killed myself with a massive heart attack, and he would have had a big old feast of quivering cholesterol laying right there. “Spider!” That is the only discernible word that came out of my mouth. Well, “$%&(*^$$&* spider!” might have been understandable. The policeman looked at me like I was nuts. Then he jumped back and let out an expletive deleted himself. He saw it. “That is the biggest spider I have ever seen!” He had his hand on his holster. He might have been going for the stun gun, but I am not sure there were enough volts to stop that monster. By this time, I had begun to breathe more normally, and the policeman and I just looked at each other. We started to laugh. Both of
us were standing in the street laughing and crying. Apparently, the spider thought we were too dangerous to be around, and he crawled off to parts unknown. “I understand and don’t blame you.” The officer said as he started to return to his car. I smiled at him and said “Thank you. You should have shot him, but thank you for stopping to check on me. Look in your car before you get in. You left your door open.” Laughing, but with caution, both of us did a thorough search before we drove off, smiling and waving at one another. The spider is stalking another neighborhood. I am not going to tell you where. Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae, from the Ancient Greek word “λύκος” meaning “wolf.” They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude and hunt alone, and do not spin webs. Some are opportunistic hunters pouncing upon prey as they find it or even chasing it over short distances. Some will wait for passing prey in or near the mouth of a burrow. Wolf spiders resemble nursery web spiders (family Pisauridae), but wolf spiders carry their egg sacs by attaching them to their spinnerets. Two of the wolf spider’s eight eyes are large and prominent.
The Gwinnett Citizen
Page 14
January 2018
A New Year’s Resolution That Doesn’t Involve Working Out or Dieting
James Miskell
Estate Planning
It’s that time of year again. Yes, it is New Year’s resolution time. Was making a will one of your unfulfilled resolutions from past years? Is it on your “to-do” list for 2016? The good news is that with a modest investment of time and effort, you will be able to check this off your list in just a couple of weeks and you won’t even have to go to the gym to get it done! Estate planning is personal to every family. Only you understand your family’s priorities well enough to make the proper decisions. Legal and financial professionals are essential to understanding the best strategies, but the final decisions about what is right for your family can only be made by you. No surprise, but “estate plan-
ning” ranks right near the top when it comes to the most frequently broken New Year’s resolutions. You might say it is somewhere between flossing every night and losing twenty pounds. Compared with many such resolutions, however, estate planning is an entirely unique challenge with consequences for failing to follow through. So give this year’s resolution some legs! Here are six basic topics to help organize your approach: First, a health care directive or a health care power of attorney and living will allow you to appoint a person you trust to be your health care agent and let them know in writing what your wishes are so that if you become disabled, he or she can speak with the doctors and make decisions to make sure that the treatment you receive is consistent with your wishes. Second, a power of attorney allows you to appoint a person you trust to handle your financial matters in the event you become unable to do so. Third, a will or trust allows you to specify what happens to your property when you die. Deciding which tools (wills or trusts) are right for your situation depends on your fami-
“Start this year with a win without having to count calories or work out .”
ly’s assets and goals. Fourth, checking the titling of assets is important. The way that your assets are titled affects the way they can and will be transferred to others. Knowing whether they are owned individually, jointly or in common is critical in making planning decisions. Fifth, retirement and long-term care planning mean making a realistic assessment of the resources available for your support and care as you age. How soon you plan to retire, and the state of your health will factor into your planning. Pensions, retirement accounts, social security, veterans’ benefits, and Medicaid as well as long-term care insurance can all play a part and should be considered in your planning. Sixth, having a conversation with your parents to make sure that they have addressed these first five topics may be difficult, but is important for your family’s financial and emotional well being. It is important to ensure that their wishes for care and medical treatment are known to family
members so that siblings don’t end up arguing about “what mom would want” in the hallway of the hospital. Also important is discovering what additional planning might need to be done to provide for aging parents’ long-term care. If additional resources are going to be necessary, the sooner the rest of family knows and can plan to help out, the better. For many of us, the task of putting together an estate plan is one of those “to-do’s” that never seems to
get done. Not planning has a funny way of becoming planning by default. This can lead to some painful results. There is no time like the present to plan for tomorrow. Start this year with a win by taking the necessary steps to help secure your family’s future. 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.
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
Martin Luther King, Jr. Academic Decathlon By Ellen Gerstein Executive Director, Gwinnett Coalition The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services (Gwinnett Coalition) and the Single Parent Alliance Center (SPARC) are working together to host the first-ever Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Decathlon. We have dedicated this event to our Gwinnett County students to strengthen communities, increase historical awareness, and bridge community relationships. The Decathlon will take place on January 15th for MLK Day of Service from 10 am- 1 pm for elementary and middle school students of SPARC’s Kids Academy. Volunteers from SAGE Group and Gwinnett County will lead the students in fun, challenging activities to enhance their learning outside of school. This one-day event will teach students about the history and relevance of Martin Luther King, Jr. through interactive learning exercises and stimulate academic growth through fun competition. The Gwinnett Coalition, SPARC, and volunteers are working hard to create the best environment for both fun and learning!
Ellen Gerstein
Whether to Weather Life’s Storms
Katie Hart Smith From the Heart
As I glanced outside the office window that overlooks the garden in the backyard, I watched the tropical storm rains pelt the panes of glass while the winds ripped through the trees, tearing leaves from the branches. The trees swayed and swirled in circles, clock-wise then counter-clock-wise, as the winds quickly changed direction. Overhead, loud thuds and thumps made me step backward; realizing branches were breaking and striking the roof. I watched a century-old hardwood bend nearly ninety degrees before it snapped and crashed to the soggy ground. The window panes rattled, and pictures shifted on the walls with the force of the falling tree. The day following the destructive storm, I noticed some trees were completely unaffected; some were broken and tattered, while others uprooted. Isn’t that so true with each one of us? When the storms of life hit without warning, some tend to embrace the dance and sway in the high winds to avoid becoming bro-
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Students will rotate through stations, engaging in STEAM-focused activities, language arts, and historical facts. This culminates in the opportunity to compete in a decathlon that includes a Civil Rights Vocabulary Bee and a Dr. King “I Have a Dream” speech contest. If you work well with children, have a good sense of humor, and love history this volunteer opportunity is perfect for you. Sign up to volunteer at https://www.allforgood.org/ projects/zQGq6eJ7; there are only a limited number of spots left. We hope to celebrate this historical day of service with you!
ken. Others break and fall apart, believing they were alone and helpless, without support or anyone to lean on. So, how do you remain calm in the storm? “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” ~ Exodus 14:14. As a new year is ushered in, avoid bringing yesterday’s storms into the new day. Life’s challenges are unavoidable, but it is how we respond to them and how we choose, whether to weather life’s storms, that can make or break us. Through life’s trials, you are not alone. Know that everyone matters; everyone has meaning. Surround yourself with the love and support of family and/ or friends. Remain firmly grounded, nourishing your roots with joy, peace, and love. When you need help, lift your prayers to the heavens. You are never alone. God is always with you, even in life’s darkest storms. ”Yet when they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, the Lord brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm and its waves quieted down. So they rejoiced that the waves became quiet, and he led them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his gracious love and for his awesome deeds on behalf of mankind.” ~ Psalm 107: 28-31. Katie Hart Smith’s column, “From the Heart,” touches the heart, inspires, and entertains. Smith, a published author for over twenty years, believes that words, written or spoken, have power. To learn more, visit www. katiehartsmith.com.
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Tim Golden BrightStar Care
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This is a question with which most of us must deal at some point. In our society, we tend to buy larger houses as our family grows and fill those houses with “stuff.” In some cases, lots and lots of stuff. Often, we reach the pinnacle of our career and therefore maximize our house buying ability, at a time when our family starts to shrink. Kids are leaving home, but we usually want larger homes even when it might make more sense to go smaller. However, at some point, that big old house is no longer needed. Mom and/or dad might be coming to live with one of their children or moving into an apartment or an independent living or assisted living facility. So how do you go from, sometimes, 3,000+ square feet too, usually, less than 1,000? In that 3,000 square feet of space, you created your memories – you raised children,
you entertained, you dined and played games with your family, you sat with your spouse in your favorite chairs and watched television. I’m not a big movie guy, but Hollywood even weighs in on the issue with their movie “Downsizing.” Unfortunately, the reality is not so simple as to shrink everything, so it all fits in less space. When we downsize, we have to make hard decisions. It won’t all fit, so we have to figure out what gets moved into the smaller space and what does not make the cut. The task may seem daunting. There are some things you can do to at least get started. For example, there are likely to be pictures collected from decades of events – every birthday, anniversary, wedding, etc. Rather than taking album after album of pictures you might consider having those memories placed on a computer or some other digital format. That way you preserve the memories, but they take up less space. Books are another area where significant progress can be made with little effort. Many elderly have large numbers of books. Books take up lots of space and are very heavy and therefore difficult to move. Consider donating books to a local library or local senior center or senior living facility. There are also likely to be many family members that might like to have some of those things that won’t make the move so now is the time to consider gifting. If all this still seems a bit overwhelming, I have good news – help is available! Given the rising numbers of people faced with the issue of downsizing; an entire industry has formed to help. There are companies whose sole pur-
pose is to help seniors relocate and usually downsizing is a part of that relocation process. These companies will come alongside and help you organize and make the tough decisions. Then they will help get rid of whatever has not been gifted or thrown away or digitized. Whether by donation to someone like Goodwill or by an estate sale. Then they will help get what is left moved and set up in your new home. What could be easier? Some of the local companies with which I am familiar include “Move My Nest” and “Senior Transition Services, Inc.” and “Smooothe Move Senior Relocation Services, Inc.”. If you do decide to use a company to assist it would behoove you to make sure they are a member of NASMM (National Association of Senior Move Managers), an industry association that sets standards to which all members must adhere. Throughout the process remember that downsizing may be tough but getting a fresh start can also be a really good thing. Tim Golden is the owner of BrightStar Care, Lawrenceville. You can reach Tim at (404)281-1537 or by emailing asktheseniorcareexpert@ gmail.com. For more information please visit http://www.brightstarcare. com/lawrenceville/ -Tim Golden BrightStar Care (404)281-1537 PO Box 634 Lawrenceville, GA 30046 email: asktheseniorcareexpert@gmail.com
The Gwinnett Citizen
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January 2018
Hamilton Financial moves to a new home After 10 years of doing business on Scenic Highway, Hamilton Financial – a local C.P.A. and financial planning* practice – has relocated to a larger office at 2326 Wisteria Drive. The firm, serving the community for over thirty years, has close ties
to the Snellville area. The core firm members include founder Bob Hamilton, CPA, his son Richard Hamilton, CFP® and his daughter-in-law Michelle Hamilton, CPA, and Andy Mercer, CFP®. With the addition of Matt Remund, CPA, Ginger Mercer,
Kathy Garner and Tara Adkisson; the staff is made up of a large portion of Snellville natives and graduates of South Gwinnett and Brookwood high schools and subsequently the University of Georgia – helping to provide a sense of family and community to all clients serviced by the firm. Hamilton Financial was formed in 1977 by Bob Hamilton and is celebrating its 40th year of business. After moving from Stone Mountain to Snellville in 1979, the firm has been entrenched in the area ever since, growing the business alongside the community. The financial planning* side of the firm began in 1993, as founder Bob Hamilton discovered that pairing accounting with financial services was a natural progression of the firm. Mortgages were another service that seemed an excellent fit to offer clients, so Hammer Mortgage was formed in 2005 to provide lending services to clients. The move to a larger office space follows a string of very successful years of business in which they were named “Best of Gwinnett” accounting firms. The new location will allow clients to experience even greater service from the firm. “With the purchase of the office condos in Wisteria Place,” says Bob
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L - R: Michelle Bongiovanni, Tara Adkisson, Tammy Sharp, Dejah Woodward, Matt Remund, Kathy Garner, Andy Mercer, Ginger Mercer, Bob Hamilton, Michelle Hamilton, Richard Hamilton, Cooper Kostel.
Hamilton, “we are making a longterm commitment to continue to provide tax, accounting, and financial services to the citizens of Gwinnett County.” The new office space is significantly larger than the previous location, and those familiar with the office on Scenic Highway will be happy to hear of a vastly improved parking situation provided in Wisteria Place. By relocating offices, Hamilton Financial plans to continue providing exceptional service to the greater Gwinnett community, and the additional space will be extremely beneficial. The new office is up and running and current and new clients are al-
ways encouraged to stop by and see the new space. Bob Hamilton, Richard Hamilton, and Andy Mercer; Registered Representatives* *Securities offered through HD Vest Investment ServicesSM, Member SIPC, Advisory services offered through HD Vest Advisory ServicesSM, 6333 N. State Highway 161, Fourth Floor, Irving, TX 75038, 972-870-6000. Hamilton Financial is not a registered broker/dealer or registered investment advisory firm.
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
Age is a double-edged sword
Carole Townsend
(Not So) Common Sense I recently celebrated a birthday, something I’ve done more than 50 times in my lifetime. I’ve lived more than half a century, more than half my life (unless I turn out to be one of those folks who reaches triple digits). That’s a sobering thought. These days, birthdays seem to whiz by, but not before we get the chance to ruminate a little. It’s my opinion that there are a lot more pros to celebrating another birthday than there are cons, but I have to hand it to Bette Davis. She was right when she said, “Old age ain’t no place for sissies.” Let’s take a look at the “cons,” since I always like to end things on a high note. There aren’t many, but the ones that have surfaced are formidable. First, I hurt. For no apparent reason, at least one thing on my body hurts at any given time, night or day. I know I’ve shared this before, but I feel betrayed by my body. I take pretty good care of myself, and I feel as though my body should appreciate that. Apparently, it doesn’t. Second, I find myself consoling my girlfriends now that I’ve passed the “50” mark, about the fact that I have passed age 50. I was at a Christmas party recently, and a dear friend of mine pulled me
aside and whispered of my approaching birthday, “Aren’t you scared?” I told her that no, my 50s don’t scare me any more than my 40s did. My fear, in fact, would be of NOT having another birthday. I never understood the “fear of birthdays” thing. Third, I find myself struggling with the statement, “Wow! You look terrific for your age.” What does that mean? In my mind, you either look terrific, or you don’t. The woman sitting next to me in the pedicure chair yesterday was 65. She was beautiful. Period. She was strong, clear and healthy. That’s beautiful at any age. Not surprisingly, I hear this backhanded remark more often from men than I do from women. I have a theory about that. Beauty, to some men, is defined by firmness, brightness, perkiness, and perfection. I guess the fine print - “for your age” – means that, for an old chick, I’ve held onto as much of that beauty as gravity and time will allow, but it wouldn’t hurt to start price-shopping wheelchairs and nursing homes. Fortunately, my husband’s opinion in this department is the one that matters to me, and he truly believes that I am beautiful. He thinks I’m beautiful when we’re dressed to the nines for an occasion, and he thinks I’m beautiful when I first wake up looking like Don King in drag. He loves me completely, and for that, I love him dearly. Now, for the “pros,” the good stuff. I loved my 40s, and so far, my 50s haven’t been too shabby. I like myself, and I love my life. I remember my 20s and 30s, jockeying for corporate position, being ever-mindful of what others thought about me, what I wore, what I said, how I performed. I remember all too well, as a working mom, thinking that I was an awful mom and an awful employee. I don’t miss that emotional tug-of-war. I wish I could revise that history. I would have been 40 from age 12 on. Gone
are the days when someone else’s opinion, gossip, emotional slights could ruin a whole day – or days – for me. At my age, I care very deeply what a handful of people think. The rest is simply white noise, sometimes entertaining, more often just static. I don’t mean that in an uncaring or callous way at all; I have simply learned to prioritize using the right yardstick. Men and women age differently. I think that, as a rule, men tend to look better with the years - another of God’s little zingers He threw out because I believe He has a great sense of humor. Women spend billions of dollars annually, even going to the extreme of being cut, sliced, lasered, injected and extruded, all in the name of looking younger and more beautiful. Men just naturally age well. Go figure. Women tend to BE better with the years though, and if I have to choose, I’ll choose the latter. It makes for sound sleep and good days. I appreciate the stuff I’ve never seen before. I love the ages that my kids are, love seeing them become the adults I prayed they’d be. I finally get that serving others is the best way to be better myself. I get that the boundaries of life - set by my faith - are there to hold the good in and protect me from myself, not to keep me from having fun or fulfilling dreams. And I know without a doubt that my husband is exactly the man with whom I am supposed to walk into this next phase of life. Maybe for the first time, I am the woman I always wanted to be. And I really, really appreciate Tylenol and a good heating pad. 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. Visit www.caroletownsend.com for more information.
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“On 1-18-18…Two Become One” Free Mass Ceremony at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse At exactly 1:18pm on Jan. 18, 2018, a special mass wedding and vow renewal ceremony to celebrate the bicentennial will take place in the Superior Court Ballroom at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. Chief Magistrate Kristina Hammer Blum and Probate Judge Christopher Ballar will perform the free “On 1-1818…Two Become One” ceremony.
Couples must provide a marriage license from a Georgia Probate Court; no out-of-state weddings will be performed. Each couple may bring a maximum of six guests. Couples and their six guests can celebrate with an exclusive reception in the ballroom for $15 per person. The reception will include a DJ, first toast and dance, light refreshments,
cake and a ceremony keepsake. Preregistration is required for both events; call 770-822-5450. The Gwinnett Historic Courthouse is located at 185 Crogan St. in Lawrenceville. For more information or to rent the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, visit www.gwinnettparks.com.
January 2018
Weddings, Engagements & Announcements
Engagements, Weddings, Births and Anniversaries are complimentary. Email your announcement to: info@gwinnettcitizen.com Mail: GwinnettCitizen.com, PO Box 1779, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Congratulations Judy and Gene McDaniel
Peace Pole
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By Angela Wirt The first Rotary Peace Pole in Gwinnett County has been installed and dedicated at Briscoe Park, Snellville, GA.
The Rotary Club of Gwinnett Sunrise partnered with the City of Snellville to bring this pole to the Snellville Community and is one of tens of thousands of Peace Poles located in over 140 countries. The pole
is the second pole Gwinnett Sunrise has installed and dedicated this year. The other is located at Carmen Anaya Elementary School in Pharr, Texas. The Peace Pole stands as a memento of our communities anticipation of the victory of peace over violent and hostile attitudes and actions. More than this, it stands as a recognition that such a permanent peace begins today with our future: our communities young people. GRSP student Tehara Dalpethado of Sri Lanka began the Dedication with the song “Let There Be Peace” followed by speeches from Rotary District 6910 Governor David Cooper, Snellville City Manager Butch Sanders and The Rotary Club of Gwinnett Sunrise President, Angela Wirt.
Photo by Emmett Clower
Judy and Gene McDaniel 50th Wedding Anniversary
On Sunday, December 3, 2017, Judy and Gene McDaniel celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends at Corinth Christian Church in Loganville. The reception was held in the same sanctuary that they were married in 50 years
ago. The minister that performed the original ceremony, Don Hardison, was among the guests. The reception was hosted by their children, Greg McDaniel and Christy Spence.
Hernandez ~Little
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Nicole Marie Hernandez and Joseph K Little
Mr. & Mrs. Rolando B. Hernandez of Lawrenceville, GA are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Nicole Marie Hernandez of Daniel Island, SC to Joseph Bernard Little, son of Mr. Joseph K. Little of Lakeland, FL and Ms. Elizabeth A. Little of Ocala, FL. The bride-elect is a 2009 graduate of Brookwood High School and a 2013 graduate of Valdosta State University where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Nicole is employed with East Cooper Medical Center in Mt. Pleasant, SC. The future groom is a 2011 graduate of Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Florida and a 2015 graduate of Valdosta State University where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Management. Joseph is employed with Southern Eagle Distributing in Charleston, SC. A spring wedding is planned.
Gwinnett County Master Gardeners Association Start the New Year off right! Join the Gwinnett County Master Gardeners Association and learn about ‘WELCOMING BLUEBIRDS TO YOUR GARDEN.’ JUDY STOOPS, co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Suwanee, will offer tips on making our gardens bluebird friendly. Our meeting, Monday, January 15, 2018, will begin at 11:30 a.m., at Bethesda Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville, 30044. Bring your lunch and drinks will be provided.
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
Set Sail in Luxury Onboard a River Cruise
By Laura Long Expedia Cruise Ship Centers Lawrenceville River cruising, like all cruise travel, is a hassle-free way to unpack once, settle into your ship life, and sail away to multiple destinations. In many ways, river cruising is the way countries were meant to be seen, because you can immerse yourself in authentic experiences in some of the most beautiful regions of the world. Unlike their ocean counterparts, the size of river ships are fairly diminutive, as these ships are restricted to the rivers and canals they navigate. The advantage of the small ship size is that they often dock in the heart of cities and villages, allowing for seamless explorations of places that large ocean ships could never reach. You can walk straight off the gangway and easily take in the architecture, immerse yourself in the local culture, or browse for souvenirs in quaint shops. Despite their small size, river cruise
ships feel surprisingly spacious. Depending on which river cruise line you choose to sail with, you can find yourself in opulent surroundings that mirror the ambiance found in some of Europe’s finest hotels, or in a sophisticated and contemporary setting similar to those found in more modern hotels. Because river cruises have fewer passengers and tend to be more regionally inspired than ocean cruises, the vessels can procure a delightful sampling of local produce, cheese, seafood and meat for onboard meals. In terms of dining options, there is usually one main restaurant, and sometimes an alternative bistro as well as occasional alfresco dining on the top deck. Sommeliers may offer wine tastings, in addition to tasting dinners or events with local wines. Moreover, all onboard meals are included, with some river cruise lines providing an inclusive open bar, while others include wine and beer at meals only. Entertainment onboard a river cruise is also locally cultivated, and you can sometimes enjoy classical pianists, folk dancers and small bands that have been brought onboard for the evening’s entertainment. The lounge hosts an entertainer, often a multi-talented musician for casual listening or dancing. Apart from this, you can also enjoy destination talks from your Cruise Director, or a selection of lectures by a local historian on topics relative to the destinations. When you step off the ship, most river cruise lines offer at least one free shore excursion in each city. Led by local guides, you can enjoy walking tours or
visits to castles, Christmas markets and museums, all of which offer an authentic sampling of what each city has to offer from an insider’s perspective. Given that the boundaries of river cruising extend far beyond Europe, you can explore ports along narrow waterways such as China’s Yangtze River, the Nile River in Egypt, Miramar on the Irrawaddy River or the Amazon River in Brazil and Peru. Or, you can climb aboard an American River Boat for a memorable journey down the Mississippi, where you can travel back in time to the era of Mark Twain and listening to Dixieland Jazz. As river cruising continues to evolve, opportunities for themed experiences are more prevalent. For example, you can discover Holland during tulip season, stroll through Europe’s famous Christmas markets and France’s majestic wine region, or embark on a safari and wildlife cruise through Africa. There are biking, golf, music and history themed cruises as well. Expedia CruiseShipCenters Lawrenceville is a full service Travel Agency specializing in cruises. Please visit http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/lawrenceville for more information. Expedia Cruise Ship Centers Lawrenceville 3157 Sugarloaf Parkway Lawrenceville, Georgia (470) 282-0227 Email Laura Long at llong@cruiseshipcenters.com
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The Gwinnett Roadrunner
January 2018
“ON THE RUN” By Mar y Frazier Long REMEMBERING PAIGE
Mary Frazier Long
Gwinnett County Author, Historian QUOTABLES
They say honesty pays but it doesn’t pay enough to suit some people. “Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together.” Billy Graham
“An onion can make people cry, but there has never been a vegetable that will make people laugh.” Will Rogers Love makes the world go around, but laughter keeps us from getting dizzy. “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad.” Aldous Huxley “No one really knows enough to be a pessimist.” Norman Cousins PAST TIME IN GWINNETT • R.S. Simonton became Gwinnett County School Superintendent January 1, 1933, and served eight years. During his administration schools were consolidated and better buildings erected. There were 61 schools when he assumed office and 18 when he retired. Accredited county schools were Norcross, Dacula, Duluth, Grayson, and Snellville. Lawrenceville had an independent school system which was accredited. • The News-Herald January 4, 1934, “Dr. W.P. Ezzard is moving into his new residence annexed to the Hotel Button Gwinnett.” • In 1934 the Lawrenceville Garden Club improved Memorial Drive on the north side of the courthouse.
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BIG BIRTHDAY Elijah Long celebrated his first birthday January 1, 2018. He enjoyed his thumb instead of cake. L-R: Eli, Thomas and James Smith, Maggie Long tion on January 15, 2018. These t-shirts are available from Rubye Neal at 404-3165107. MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY PARADE JANUARY 15, 2018 The annual parade will begin in Lawrenceville at the Justice Center on Langley Drive at 11 a.m. The Ebony Society elected Hooper Renwick Alumni as Grand Parade Marshalls. The parade participants will leave the Justice Center after a ceremony at 11 a.m. and parade down Highway 29 to Moore Middle School where a program will be presented and participants recognized.
held and filled with people who looked as though they lived during the 19th century. State Representative Brooks Coleman was the emcee; Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson presented the invocation before a delicious dinner was enjoyed. Players from the Lionheart Theater gave performances. Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard led the Pledge of Allegiance. Gwinnett Historical Society Co-Presidents Beverly Paff and Betty Warbington planned the successful event.
GWINNETT COUNTY RETIRED EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION The first 2018 meeting of the association will be on February 16, 2018. The meeting will be held at Destin Events Venue, 1300 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite 2110, Suwanee, Ga. The February luncheon meeting will begin at 11 a.m. and Nancy Harris retired GCPS principal and administrator will present the program. CURRENT EVENTS IN GWINNETT FRONTIER AFFAIR On Friday, December 15, 2017, the Gwinnett Historical Society held an event which was a prelude to Gwinnett’s Bicentennial and the Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville where the dinner was
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Grace Cain and her great grandson.
• The News-Herald December 8, 1918, “Mr. C.M. Morcock has purchased from L.M. Brand the old Peeples Building on the northeast corner of the courthouse square and will move the Gwinnett Journal there. J.C. Flanigan with his auto business will occupy the Gwinnett Journal Building which he purchased from C.R. Ware.” • The News-Herald January 23, 1919, “Judge G.G. Robinson has purchased from the R.W. Peeples estate the house occupied by George Maffett on Perry Street.” ROBBIE SUSAN MOORE FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION The Robbie Susan Moore Foundation joins the Hooper-Renwick community in celebrating the recent announcement regarding saving the Hooper-Renwick School building. Many will support this history-making decision by wearing specially designed t-shirts during the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebra-
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1967 Central Gwinnett Glee Club Elaine Brock, Jane Farmer, Kathy Ford, Linda Harris, Helen Jensen, Libby Lacey, Frankie Queen, Valerie Perkins, Janice Reese, Carole Smith, Sanford Thompson, Dianne Patterson
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Paige Segars is a 1999 graduate of Central Gwinnett High School. Paige went on to Georgia College in Milledgeville where she majored in education, graduated from college and married Tyler Dunn. They are both educators and live in Manchester. Their two children are Bailey and Braelinn.
THE PATTERSONS SPENT FIFTY ONE YEARS IN BUSINESS
J.M. and Nona Patterson met while they were students at Berry College near Rome, Georgia. Nona is from Bakersville, North Carolina and J.M. hails from Calhoun, Georgia. Dwight Eisenhower was President when Nona and J.M. graduated from college and married in April 1960.TThe newlyweds moved to Lawrenceville to teach at Central Gwinnett in July 1960. Nona was on the Central faculty until 1967 and J.M. until 1969. J.M. and Butch Britt went into business together for a few years; they had a small furniture business on Buford Drive then J.M. with assistance from J.V. Hood at a local bank had a building constructed on the corner of Gwinnett Drive and Stone Mountain Street in Lawrenceville. They named their business Furniture Village, and they sold furniture for 51 years eventually opening stores in Stone Mountain and Buford. Both J.M. and Nona with their Special Photo two sons worked in the family stores. Son Nona Patterson, Sponsors of the 1967 Jonathan is an Associate Superintendent in the Gwinnett School System, and son Stacy Camelot Yearbook at Central Gwinnett manages the Stone Mountain Store. The Buford store is leased to another business. Nona remembers that people were excited about king-sized beds when they first became available, now more queen and king beds are sold than regular full sized beds. J.M. remembers that Lawrenceville was a small town when their business was young and as the town grew so did the furniture business. He recalled that when Carter was president interest rates were high and those were hard years for small businesses. J.M. and Nona said that people in Gwinnett have been good to them and they enjoyed their working years here. Both Pattersons remain active in the community; they belong to the Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church where Special Photo Nona sings in the Rejoice Chorus and J.M. Patterson taught Geometry, teaches Sunday School, J.M. has sung with Mechanical Drawing, and Woodworking Men of Praise since 1982. Nona is a found- at Central Gwinnett in the 1960s ing member of the Gwinnett Council for the Arts and she is a trustee for the council. She is a member of the Hospital Foundation, two book clubs and past president of Gwinnett Retired Educators Association. In 2009 Nona was awarded the prestigious Berry College Entrepreneurial Spirit Award which recognizes outstanding alumni at a ceremony held at the college.
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
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GWINNETT COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
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The Ray Nash Family was presented the Preservation Award for their work preserving the Hudson/Nash House and cemetery. With Mark, Grace and Todd Nash are Betty Warbington and Beverly Paff.
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The annual President’s Award was presented to Bill Baughman for his many hours of distinguished service to the Society. With Bill are co-presidents Beverly Paff and Betty Warbington.
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Lindsey Jorstad at the Frontier Affair.
Sons of the American Revolution at the Frontier Affair.
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(L-R) President of Ebony Society, Marlene Crawford and Rubye Neal.
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(L-R) Betty Warbington and Beverly Paff, Co-Presidents of the Gwinnett Historical Society.
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Tina Fleming at the Frontier Affair. Mary Long Photo
(L-R) Mary Long, Grace Cain, John Hopkins, and Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson.
GWINNETT PUBLIC LIBRARY, LAWRENCEVILLE BRANCH One of the best things going in Gwinnett is the many-branched library system, all branches have special sections set aside for children, and they provide programs encouraging young children to enjoy books. There are story times set aside when the children’s librarian reads and demonstrates stories for the very young. Toddler Time for ages 2 and under is Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30, beginning January 8, 2018, at the Lawrenceville Branch.
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Children’s Librarian Jaimie Lust blew bubbles with the children after a story about bubbles.
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Children blowing bubbles after the bubble story.
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Tamika Beauvil with twins Beau and Liam Legend at Story Time.
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January 2018
Health, Beauty & Wellness The Importance of Connecting Young People & Seniors Connecting young people (children and teenagers) and seniors can be extremely beneficial in fostering understanding between the two generations and helping to promote interaction. It doesn’t matter if the connection is made through organized programs or activities at home – ultimately the benefits of connecting these two groups will: • Strengthen the community • Encourage positive exchanges between the generations Ageism Affects Everyone Ageism, or discrimination based on age, can affect anyone. According
to statistics, seniors are more likely to face discrimination more often than any other age group. In both daily life (including interactions with their peers) and the media, they are mocked for having “senior moments,” like lapses in memory or physical deterioration. Young people can also be faced with ageism. Seniors may see them as haughty and disrespectful. This most often occurs when both groups fail to effectively communicate. Young people can perceive the reaction for the senior as “lecturing,” while seniors perceive it as offering valuable advice. Seniors may have negative feel-
ings about Senior Care because of the way they or others have been treated. Youth may not want to visit seniors who live in communities because they feel as if they are being judged. Children may feel frightened by seniors, who can look very different from the people the children are used to seeing and being around. Also, adults may also feel uncomfortable because they are reminded that they too will grow old. The Benefits of Bringing Generations Together To say that one generation cannot understand the other is false. Each has much to learn from the other. Intergenerational programs bring these two age groups together to participate in activities and cultural exchanges. By requiring socialization during the programs, both groups can help each other: • Understand and embrace their similarities and differences • Encourage learning about the other group Strengthen Communities through Mutual Understanding
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With increased communication, stereotypes are dismissed and both groups feel less alienated and more comfortable. Seniors who live in assisted living communities and the young people who visit their senior loved ones also get the benefit of enhanced socialization. Seniors Mentoring With more positive views of seniors, young people will be more likely to take greater care and treat them with more respect. With an increased interest in the community, both age groups will be more receptive to volunteering and seek to improve the area in which they live. Each generation can learn from the other. Despite popular misconcep-
tions, seniors are capable of learning new skills. By interacting with and learning from youth, they can have a better grasp of new technologies and expand skills they already have. Seniors can also mentor younger people, which can give the senior a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Young people who have positive role models in their lives have a positive self-image and are less likely to drop out of school. Being taught by an older generation could help children develop greater comprehension and empathy skills. For more information about volunteering or mentoring please call Dogwood Forest of Grayson 678-4962319, www.DogwoodForest.com/ Grayson
January 2018
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The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
Baseline tests are first line of defense against concussions
Paige Havens
The Concussion Discussion
On Saturday, January 27th Gwinnett Medical Center’s Concussion Institute will host its fourth annual Concussion Baseline Testing Day offering these valuable tests free to everyone ages 5-59 in the community. Baseline tests are simple and easy to take. The test is a computer-based program called ImPACT. You simply sit at a computer and answer the questions and prompts on the screen. The neurocognitive test documents your individual brain function as you work through the exercises. ImPACT works to measure five key areas of neurocognitive functioning: Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual-Motor Speed, Reaction Time, and Impulse Control. The idea is to measure your normal brain function in a state of wellness. Then, if you should ever sustain a concussion, the same test can be retaken, allowing the doctors to compare the data pre and post-injury. The data helps doctors better
gauge the depth of injury and craft a more effective concussion treatment plan. Marybeth Wydock of Lawrenceville offers a first-hand testimony to the importance of having a baseline. Wydock shares, “My two teenage daughters and I took the baseline tests on a previous community testing day. It was quick and easy. It was so simple in fact that I wasn’t sure how it would work. Recently my daughter Katie sustained a concussion in a soccer game, and I quickly saw what a difference it made. The doctors gave her a comparative ImPACT test in the clinic, and the results were shocking. It gave a great snapshot of what parts of her brain were most impacted and helped the doctors craft a very customized concussion management plan designed just for her.” Wydock says, “Having a baseline made a huge difference in getting my daughter the specialized care she needed. I encourage everyone to have one on file. You never know when a concussion can strike!” For those with test anxiety, don’t fret. ImPACT is not a “pass” or “fail” intelligence test, but one that provides valuable baseline data that helps when diagnosing and treating concussions. After the test you will be given an individual ID to keep, and in the event, you suspect a concussion, you share that ID with your doctor, and they can access your baseline data online. The test only takes about 30 minutes to complete. Adults only need to take baseline tests once. Youth with developing
brains should be tested every two years. So, if you’ve had your children tested at previous baseline days, it might be time for a new test. The Concussion Institute originally launched this event in 2015 with the goal of testing as many youth athletes in our community as possible. The mission has expanded through the years to reach any and all school-age children, college students, and adults because concussions can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone. This is a great time to bring everyone in your family ages 5-59 to get your baseline tests for free. Concussion baseline testing sites this year include: • Brookwood High School • Norcross High School • North Gwinnett High School • Hebron Christian Academy • Sugar Hill Christian Academy • JM Tull Gwinnett Family YMCA • Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA • Forsyth County Family YMCA • The Concussion Institute • Various Gwinnett County Public Library locations • Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett Other testing sites may be added based upon demand, so visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/baselineday for the latest list of testing sites and times. Registration is required, and space is limited. Walk-ins tested on a space available basis. Be head smart and sign up today!
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
Hernia Q & A WHERE DO HERNIAS OCCUR? Common locations for hernias include the belly button and both groins. Hernias can also occur at the site of a previous surgery incision of the abdominal wall. Hernias can also occur where the esophagus passes through the diaphragm (hiatal hernia).
Special Photo
Andrew Kramer, M.D., FACS
By Andrew Kramer, M.D., FACS Eastside Surgical Associates 770-972-7999 EastsideSurgicalAssoc.com WHAT IS A HERNIA? A hernia is a hole in the fascia (gristle) of the abdominal wall. Hernias can be congenital (you are born with it) or acquired (occurring secondary to lifting or strenuous activity). Once a hernia develops, the hole in the fascia will not close on its own, and over time may become larger.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO GET A HERNIA EVALUATED? Hernias can enlarge over time associated with lifting, straining, coughing, or activities of daily living. If a hernia becomes large enough, a loop of intestine can slip into a hernia and become trapped (incarcerated), which can lead to intestinal obstruction of death or the trapped loop (strangulation). HOW ARE HERNIAS REPAIRED? The goal of hernia surgery is to close the hole in the abdominal wall to prevent abdominal fat or intestines from pushing through the hole. This is often done with the closure of the fascia (gristle) with sutures and reinforcement of that closure with a piece of synthetic mesh. This enhances the strength and durability of the repair.
WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TIME AFTER HERNIA SURGERY? The surgeon will usually ask patients to avoid strenuous activity for some weeks after the surgery. This allows the repair and the incision to heal and become strong. HOW CAN I AVOID DEVELOPING A HERNIA? There is no specific way to avoid a hernia. Even professional athletes who have very strong muscles in the abdominal wall can develop inguinal (groin) hernias, as this is an anatomically vulnerable area. Cessation of smoking and avoidance of significant weight gain can help decrease the likelihood of hernia formation. WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IF I THINK I HAVE A HERNIA? Hernia symptoms often include, discomfort, ache, or burning sensation at the site of a hernia, often worsened with a cough or lifting. Sometimes a bulge will be present that may go away at night (reducible hernia). A hernia bulge that does not recede when lying down may be incarcerated and should be evaluated as soon as possible.
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The Gwinnett Citizen
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January 2018
Another Year, Another Opportunity
Carolyn Wright
Art Matters
As we embark on a new year, I have been reflecting on my own experiences in 2017. For me, it was a year of successes and failures, loss of family and friends, of joys and pains. Upon reflection, however, it was the kind of year that is the stuff of life, good times and bad, trials and triumphs. How we face life’s challenges and move forward is what really matters. I am inspired by a wonderful artist and friend, Shirley Shepherd. She is a delightful 80+ year old with feisty red hair and a personality to match. Shirley is kind and loving and passionate about life and her art. Shirley is a native of Charleston, West Virginia and a longtime resident of Lawrenceville with her husband, David. Primarily a self-taught artist, she began her art training in the early 70’s working in oils under the tutelage of fine artist Peggy Sullens in Lilburn, Georgia. Working full time and raising two children left little time for Shirley to explore
her love of painting, but her passion for art persisted. Retirement allowed her the time she needed to approach her art in a more professional way. In 1995 Shirley was introduced to watercolor by a friend, and she fell in love with the boldness of color and the fluidity of working with watercolor. Studying with Lynn Weisbach of Roswell, Georgia she was introduced to several forms of water media. With her love of color and excitement for mastering new techniques, Shirley succeeded in becoming a Signature Member of the Georgia Watercolor Society. Shirley has won a number of awards in state and regional competitions in addition to completing many commissioned pieces. When asked what is her favorite medium, Shirley is quick to answer “collage” because she says “it allows me the freedom to do most anything I want.” In the creation of her beautiful collages, Shirley uses acrylics, along with a collection of papers, gesso, and other natural components. Because she does such an amazing job of combining these elements into artwork, she is often asked: “how do you decide what to do?” To which she responds, “I let the papers speak to me.” Although that may sound a little crazy, Shirley has developed a keen sense of intuition, which allows her to see and use texture, color and all the other components she uses to create her truly amazing collages. Shirley enjoys creating new and exciting pieces which she purposefully designs to interact with the human
Walton EMC grants $366,742 to local schools Special Photo
Shirley Shepherd
spirit in each of us. When asked “What do you want people to know and remember about you as an artist?” Shirley shared that because she has so much to be grateful for in her life, she is a humble person, who likes to spread love and joy through her art and her interactions with people, because “isn’t that really why we’re here, to share love and to be loved”? Perhaps we can all begin 2018 with a resolution that mirrors Shirley’s mission, to follow our passions in life and to share love all along the way! Carolyn Wright is an Atlanta native and resident of Snellville, Georgia since 1987. Carolyn describes herself as a lover of art, world traveler and a student of life. She and her sister Sylvia Culberson own The LONA Gallery located on the square in Historic Downtown Lawrenceville.
Schools throughout Walton Electric Membership Corporation’s (EMC) 10-county service area have been empowered with grants to strengthen their instructional programs. During the week of Dec. 4, the cooperative presented more than $366,000 to 59 schools through 81 School EmPOWERment Grants in the program’s second year. “Participation in our School EmPOWERment Grant program greatly increased from last year,” said CEO Ronnie Lee. “The awareness that Walton EMC seeks to foster the development of our most valuable resource – our children – is growing.” This year’s grants bring the twoyear total to almost $670,000. The mon-
Holiday tradition
The Disenfranchised Guide to health insurance (WE’RE SCREWED!)
Jack Power
The POWER of Words December 31 usually brings, renewed optimism and hope for the future. In my case, however, it produces uncertainty more than anything else. Now, don’t get me wrong I’m thrilled that this mostly depressing year is over, but the uncertainty about my future won’t be far from my mind. As of December 31, I will be without health insurance. It gets worse, for those who don’t know Blue Cross Blue Shield and Huma-
na have both pulled out of Gwinnett County and most of Georgia. Which means, there’re even fewer options for people with what are considered pre-existing conditions. For those who did not read my last piece, I have a mild version of cerebral palsy; and I am most likely in need of a hip operation. Through no fault of my own, it has always been a fight to get personal health insurance. As before Obamacare, they were charging me an arm and a leg to do so. When Obamacare passed my monthly rate was under $200 however, the deductible was still reasonably high. With the Obama presidency as a whole, I had security and felt included in the conversation. With the 2016 congressional elections, that all began to change. I knew Obamacare was dead, and more than likely companies would begin to pull out of counties and/or states, as a whole. Both of these happened in relatively quick
succession. A quick side note, remember pre-existing conditions include cerebral palsy but also include cancer treatment, diabetes, and victims of rape along with a whole host of others. We knew there would be some changes to healthcare. I didn’t think the new American Care Act would be so horrific, as cancer treatments aren’t even covered under the newly proposed ACA. This isn’t just my issue this is a nationwide issue that affects millions of individuals. This column was not intended to make you change your political persuasion. I merely ask as a concerned citizen, that you try and stay informed as to what your government is doing. Ignorance is a dangerous attitude to have with this current administration. With that in mind is that too much to ask? Jack Power is a college student at Georgia Gwinnett College.
visit gwinnettcitizen.com for more local news
ey comes from unclaimed capital credit refunds. Capital credits represent the money remaining after Walton EMC pays its operational bills. Because the cooperative is owned by those who receive its services, making a profit is self-defeating. Leftover money (capital credits) is returned to the cooperative’s customer-owners. Customer-owners who move off Walton EMC’s grid may be due capital credit refunds. In some instances, those checks are returned by the post office because of an incorrect address. After Walton EMC exhausts all efforts to find the rightful owners, Georgia law allows the money to be used for community development projects.
Ella Thomas
Brookwood High School
Although there’s no place like home for the holidays, afterward is a different story. Keeping with the theme of my article last month, there is one tradition in my family that follows the holiday season, and that is a trip to Sanibel Island to celebrate the new year. Sanibel holds a special place in the hearts of my family. Growing up, Sanibel is where my father and his parents used to take their vacations. A few years ago, we decided to continue the tradition and take our first trip to the Island. Ever since then, it has become an essential addition to the end of our holiday and the beginning of the new year. One of my favorite things about Sanibel is the size. Since it is rather small, it is easy to bike or rollerblade everywhere rather than drive. That provides the perfect opportunity to take in all of the gorgeous scenery. Sanibel is covered in a beautiful array of palm trees, mangroves, and a multitude of different flowers. It is also not rare to come across many different species of animals like rabbits or tortoises. Another aspect that makes Sanibel so amazing is the insane amount of shells.
It is considered one of the best shelling locations in the U.S., and the evidence is all over the beaches. On any day, you are almost guaranteed to come across coquinas, scallops, whelks, and sand dollars. Anytime we leave the island; we have bags full of all of our recent finds. And in the rare occasion that you leave the beach empty handed, there are plenty of other opportunities to witness all the different types of shells such as the shell museum and numerous stores that sell seashells found on the island. Along with the shells, there is a large variety of sea creatures found all over the shore and in the ocean. If you happen to peer inside some of the shells that you find on the beach, you are likely to come face to face with the inhabitant. In that case, you should probably leave it on the beach (not making that mistake again). Walking along the beach, you will also come across all kinds of weird looking sponges of all different colors, shapes, and sizes. Sanibel is additionally well known for both its beautiful sunrises and breathtaking sunsets. It’s totally worth waking up early to catch a glimpse of the sky as it changes from pitch black to a whole spectrum of oranges, pinks, and purples until it eventually is replaced by the pale blue color that we are all accustomed to. And to watch the sunsets, it’s worth a quick trip to the neighboring island of Captiva to witness the whole thing again in reverse (and hope for a glimpse of the green flash). In closing, there are many qualities that make Sanibel a special part of our family tradition and keep us coming back year after year. Ella Thomas is a sophomore at Brookwood High School.
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018
Are you losing heat through your windows? This is the time of year when we realize that heat is seeping out through our windows, robbing the rooms of precious warm air. Did you know that as much as 50% of our heating & cooling energy is lost through our windows? Yes, right out the windows, making the HVAC system work that much harder or making it uncomfortably cold so that you have to turn up the heat. Fortunately, there are fixes out there, but do you know which one is the right one for you? There is a multitude of products out there, and it can be quite overwhelming. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, get out the ladder and take some measurements. It’s important to measure accurately at the top, center, and bottom, both horizontally and vertically. You will need the smallest of the three measurements
Joan Miller
The Blind Ladies
for the width and the largest of the three for the length. Now that you have the measurements, which product should you choose? The absolute best insulating shade is the Honeycomb. From the profile, the
How Are You Serving Your Community?
material looks like a honeycomb. Part of the 50% air loss from your windows is then trapped inside the cells of the shade, keeping the room warm in winter and cool in summer. Your investment in windows coverings will be made up in your gas or electric bill. Don’t like Honeycomb? Lots of other products will work. Anything that covers the window will minimize your energy loss. Hunter Douglas has a new product called Sonnette™. It’s a cellular roller shade with a cell-like fabric. You can preview it here: https://www.hunterdouglas.com/sonnette Sonnette™ comes in many neutral colors and is an attractive choice for any décor. If you need help with any window coverings, call Joan at The Blind Ladies 404 918-5288 or visit our website www. theblindladies.com
Special Photo
Debra Hayes, Kim Nelson and Richard Steele.
Leigh McIntosh
Lawrenceville Rotary
Entering a new year makes us think about the possibilities. We have an entire year to set goals, meet new resolutions, change direction, complete a makeover, or implement improvements. The choices and time seem endless, and we begin the year with great hope. We forget that with the successes, we experience roadblocks and when we come up against too many negatives, we lose momentum and stop the transformation we had envisioned. However, with the right mindset, we can use bad experiences to appreciate our blessings and find success. In Rotary Club of Lawrenceville, we recently learned about a significant adverse event from history that led to a positive outcome for some people. The wife of a Rotarian, Van Marosek, feels compelled to reach out to veterans of the Vietnam War to thank them for saving her life as well as millions of other lives during those war years. Van immigrated from South Vietnam 40 years ago when America left Vietnam. Her family was on the losing side and lost their country to communism. Though her heritage is Vietnamese, she has no country to go back to. She has acclimated to being an American and believed this is the greatest country on earth. It was thought-provoking to hear a story of Vietnam from a Vietnamese point of view. War causes great emotional turmoil, upheaval, and trauma to everyone involved and to their families. Our soldiers came back from that war-scarred emotionally and/or physically and dealt with a strong antiwar sentiment. For decades, they have struggled with conflicting emotions. Young people do not choose to go to war, but our nation’s young men were mostly drafted and as patriots of America, they honored
Special Photo
Club President Richard Steele presenting appreciation award to past President Dr. Russell Weekly
their country and fought to protect the rights and freedoms that all Americans enjoy. The irony is that the very people complaining the loudest were only allowed to do so because they live in a free country protected by our soldiers. How disheartening to fight for the rights that were used against them when they returned home. No wonder our soldiers were confused. If more veterans could hear Van’s story of how important our soldiers were to her family, it might help their journey of healing from that traumatic time in their lives. Van is looking for opportunities to get her message out to Vietnam veterans so if you have connections, please reach out to us on Facebook. On a recent trip to China, I was reminded that people living in communist countries still do not live in freedom and have to be very careful about what they say. Otherwise, their lives are at risk. The painful lessons our country has learned about communism must be taught to our children if we do not want to lose the freedom we take for granted. Rotary Club of Lawrenceville recently awarded the JM Tull YMCA a donation of $1500 to go toward their “Why It Matters” campaign. Kim Nelson, Executive Director of the Y.M.C.A., works to ensure that the YMCA provides safe choices for children after school and during the summer so that they have opportunities to reach their full potential. Though they annually serve 14,000 people from the community, they believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow and connect. Becoming a Rotarian allows us to learn about needs in our community so
that we can choose something we are passionate about and make a difference. If enough of us are involved, we can transform negatives into positives and improve our communities. There is a kind of magic that happens when we give to others that encourages us to continue. It is important for all of us, even those who are less fortunate, to give to others because they receive a unique blessing. We sometimes hear people say they hesitate to give because they are concerned their money is not going toward those in need. If we believe we should love our brother, we do not have to worry about the donation. We understand the person receiving the donation will have to deal with their Creator and that frees us up to be a cheerful giver. Each of us has arrived at this point in our lives because of the many choices we have made along the way. Some choices do not seem to make much difference, and other choices can transform our lives or actually mean the difference between life and death. As we begin this new year, the choices we each make will determine our future. I hope we are choosing to teach our children about the importance of their choices. Here is wishing the birth of 2018 provides hope for a positive future for each of us. Happy New Year! Leigh is a proud Rotarian and CEO of Creative Enterprises, Inc., a not for profit, training and employment, community rehabilitation program for people with disabilities. A lifelong resident of Gwinnett County, Leigh divides her time between advocating for people with disabilities, encouraging 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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The Gwinnett Citizen
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January 2018 GENEVIEVE continued from page 1
Photo by Paige Beni Photography
Nadine and Genevieve, who was just days old at the time this photo was taken.
Photo by Paige Beni Photography
Mother and daughter, Nadine and Genevieve, have entered into an open adoption with a couple in North Carolina
who chose Nadine’s “birth mom” profile from several presented to them. Incidentally, Nadine had chosen Becky and Nate’s profiles out of several, when she was looking at prospective parents. “I saw them, read their profile, and I just knew,” Nadine said. Then the two families had dinner together, and there was no doubt that they were the right family. Smiling, Lori said, “At the dinner, Becky said ‘you’re Genevieve’s grandma, and always will be.’” “Becky and Nate wanted to have an open adoption,” she continued. “They believe in the principles of it, and they believe that it’s for the best for all parties, especially the baby. On paper, it’s written that we get to see Genevieve three times a year, but Becky and Nate invited us up during Christmas, knowing we would have a hard time waiting a few months to see her again. They even invited us to stay in their home while we visited. It all just felt so right.” “They told me that Genevieve could call me ‘mom’ or whatever she’s comfortable with, too,” said Nadine. Nadine and Lori chose Abiding Love Adoption Agency for several reasons, including the fact that the agency represents and advocates for birth moms in adoptions. Many agencies work solely on behalf of the adopting parents. According to Lori, Abiding Love’s philosophy mattered very much, as the first prospective adoption (arranged by a different organization) was stopped. “They said it was an open adoption, but there were too many things that just didn’t sound right,” said Lori. In the hospital, when Genevieve was born, even the nurses saw that Nadine was being pressured. She had rights of which she wasn’t aware. Lori acted quickly to protect both her daughter and her granddaughter. A long, loving journey The mother and daughter sitting together in this coffee shop on this day had journeyed together too, long before Genevieve came along. This voyage of love and family began more than 20 years ago when Lori and husband Mike struggled with infertility. Nadine, born in Russia, is their adopted daughter. “We were
Photo by Paige Beni Photography
Grandfather Mike McTaggart holds granddaughter Genevieve.
Photo by Paige Beni Photography
Lori and Genevieve. “This baby is so loved,” said Lori.
Photo by Emmett Clower
The clinic’s Executive Director, Robin Mauck, is passionate about providing honest, respectful care to expectant mothers and fathers. always up front with her about it,” Lori said. “If Nadine would ask if she came out of Mommy’s tummy, we’d say, ‘No, but this is how God made our family.’” When Nadine discovered she was pregnant in early 2017, her circumstances were different from her parents. She was in a self-described abusive relationship, and the baby’s father was pressuring her to abort the baby. Nadine, confused and unaware of her options, was planning to do just that. But when her parents learned of the pregnancy, Lori did what mothers do; she jumped to her daughter’s defense. “I didn’t want her making such a decision without having all the facts,” Lori said, so she sought help and counsel for Nadine. Eventually, Nadine came to understand that there was a life growing inside her, not just a problem to be eliminated. Before Genevieve was born, Lori and Nadine learned about Obria Medical Clinics in Lawrenceville (formerly known as Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett). “When I went there, they educated me. They didn’t pressure me. They talked to me about how my body was changing, what was happening now and what would happen after either birth or abortion. And then I had an ultrasound, and I saw (the baby) in there, like a little jumping bean, and I turned to my mom and asked, ‘OK.
What do I do now?’” Shelly Dirig, the owner of In Due Time 3D/4D Ultrasound, isn’t surprised that Nadine’s ultrasound marked a turning point in her pregnancy. “So often, once moms and dads see their baby in an ultrasound, they begin to bond with the baby,” Dirig said. Giving parents this first introduction is Dirig’s passion, for good reason. A graduate of Gwinnett Technical College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, Dirig recalls her own life-changing experience with ultrasound. “About twenty years ago, when I was pregnant with one of my children, I was told that it wasn’t likely that the baby could survive outside the womb. Doctors diagnosed Downs Syndrome and a host of other conditions. “Our baby was born perfectly normal, and in fact, even the gender we had been told based on several ultrasounds was incorrect.” That experience and the miraculous outcome led Dirig to vow that someday, she wanted to “give back,” and she wanted somehow for that giving to involve ultrasound. Now, Dirig volunteers at Obria Medical Clinics in Lawrenceville, giving expectant moms their first glimpse of their baby. She volunteered her services while in school at Gwinnett Tech, and she simply
See GENEVIEVE on Page 29
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018 GENEVIEVE continued from page 28
Tiffany Lynn Photography
Shelly Dirig prepares to perform an ultrasound on a pregnant mom.
Photo by Tiffany Lynn Photography
Expectant parents interact with Shelly in a non-threatening, friendly atmosphere to learn about their new addition, such as the baby’s gender.
never stopped. “There’s something about every woman you meet there (at Obria Medical Clinics). They are genuinely good people who are passionate about helping women.” Dirig owns In Due Time 3D/4D Ultrasound in Snellville, a place for expectant parents and family members to get “entertainment ultrasounds.” With gender reveal parties now a part of the pregnancy experience and celebration, Dirig’s expertise and passion are definitely in vogue. With a relaxing, inviting atmosphere and family involvement, In Due Time has become as much a part of the pregnancy experience as
Lamaze classes for many couples. Robin Mauck, Executive Director of Obria Medical Clinics in Lawrenceville, smiles with understanding and compassion when she talks about the vast offerings the center gives to pregnant women, no matter whether they’re young, in school, married, single - decided or undecided - as to how to proceed. “We don’t push any agenda on a woman who walks through these doors,” said Mauck. “We simply tell them that they aren’t alone, we educate them about all of their options, and we provide community resources. Sometimes, all a woman needs to hear is, ‘You can do this.’ We show them that they can. They need to understand that everything doesn’t have to be decided right now, this minute. There is time. And the fact of the matter is, 82 percent of women who aborted would have chosen life (parenting or adoption) if just one person had encouraged them. We are here to be that One. In addition to pregnancy education and parenting classes for both Mom and Dad, Obria provides well-woman care also, including PAP tests, breast exams and STD testing performed by a staff Nurse Practitioner.
See GENEVIEVE on Page 30
Photo by Emmett Clower
Obria Medical Clinic in Lawrenceville offers baby care items such as diapers and bath products, as well as new clothing and blankets. “Every baby deserves this,” Mauck said.
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Who’s in Charge at Your House? As a parent, are you sometimes afraid you will make your children angry with you if you discipline them and/or require responsible, respectful behaviors? Are you worried you may cause them emotional harm if you hold them to your expectations and require certain behaviors? Do any of your children refuse to do homework, study for tests, attend after school tutorial sessions, and/or earn grades lower than his or her abilities? Have your children taken charge of your home? If your answers are yes to any of these questions and you want to regain control, please continue reading the following principles to put into practice, which should prove helpful. 1) Practice calm, conscious, confident parenting. 2) Practice the self discipline necessary to remain emotionally balanced in response to your children’s behavior. 3) Change things in small degrees because you can only improve your responses to your children’s behavior a little at a time. 4) Take note of your children’s misbehavior without immediately reacting, unless an immediate real danger exists. 5) Take a good look at your parenting anger and parenting fears because these emotional states indicate there is work you need to do on your own self. 6) Learn how to be firm without being emotional. 7) Communicate your children’s appropriate boundaries by consistently demonstrating respectful, responsible self discipline yourself, clearly communicating exactly the behavior you expect, and you disallow, and follow through with consequences when pa-
Carol Wood
Total Learning Concepts
tience and words do not work. 8) Be observant and learn how to talk to your children so they will listen. 9) Do not use harsh, angry criticism towards your children because this does not work. It lowers their expectations of themselves, lowers their self-confidence, and it fuels their fears, rebellion, and defensiveness, all resulting in an even worse behaviors and attitudes. 10) Do not fight with your children. Fighting does not work because when you engage in a frustrating power struggle with them, you will lose your own power and authority. 11) Do not do too much for your children to protect them from life’s challenges. Sometimes children learn more by dealing with events without your help and by you remaining uninvolved. 12) Remember children learn to behave in the ways that get them what they want. If you give them what they desire when they have been bossy and demanding, you have taught them that these traits satisfy their desires and they will disrespect others. 13) Remember that when children’s bad behavior goes without con-
sequences, it causes them to feel confused about what is expected of them and they may even doubt that they are truly cared about and interpret your leniency as apathy. 14) Develop emotional strength by remaining patient and composed when our children express hurt and angry feelings. You cannot teach your children self control when you are losing your own. Several years ago I heard a minister, Dr. Bill Blanchard, present five important points on parenting. He taught that when parents demonstrate affirmation, acceptance, appreciation, availability, and affection towards their children, it fosters in them a sense of authenticity, security, significance, importance, and lovability, respectively. He also taught that when parents have only rules in their homes and no relationship with their children, this could lead to rebellion. Take charge in your homes as parents, while at the same time developing a relationship with your children. Set an example they can model of responsible, respectful, and accountable behaviors, which will enable them to develop these same positive traits and become more confident and successful as students in the classroom. Your children will then also likely carry these same positive character qualities into their adult lives! 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
The Gwinnett Citizen
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Photo by Emmett Clower
Photo by Emmett Clower
New items for the boutique are sorted and categorized, and later displayed in the “store” for expectant moms to browse. Obria Medical Clinics accept donations of new clothing and blankets, as well as diapers and baby care products.
Photo by Emmett Clower
The boutique, a new offering at Obria Medical Clinic in Lawrenceville, offers moms and dads a rewarding opportunity to shop for baby products and clothes.
State-of-the-art medical equipment and dedicated healthcare professionals work with expectant moms to ensure the birth of a healthy baby.
THRIVE PROGRAM Moms and dads who decide to parent are partnered with a Personal Development Advocate who walks the path of pregnancy and parenting with them every step of the way and assigns them an individualized education course including online prenatal classes, individualized DVD instruction, and group classes. Moms and Dads earn points throughout this education process that they can use to shop for their newest family member. This recently-implemented program is called THRIVE. “Our new location here has a boutique, and in it, we offer everything from baby care products, to blankets, to clothes. All of the items are brand new because every baby deserves that. They love it, and we love offering it,” said Mauck. Obria Medical Clinics in Law-
January 2018 renceville is located at 565 Old Norcross Road, Suite 200. To make a medical appointment go to https:// www.obria.or g/locations/lawrenceville-ga/ To learn more about volunteering or investment opportunities, visit www.supportomcg.org. Obria Medical Clinics in Lawrenceville is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Gwinnett Life Run supports Obria Medical Clinics of Gwinnett and Southern Gwinnett YoungLife. Both are local organizations dedicated to making an impact in our local community. The Gwinnett Life Run is an AJC Peachtree Road Race Qualifying 5K and will be held on March 24, 2018. Be sure to mark your calendars for this popular community event. Go to https://gwinnettliferun.com/ to register to run. This year’s Gwinnett Life Run will kickoff the Spring Green Festival.
In Due Time is located at 2092 Scenic Highway in Snellville, across from Old Navy (in the old Hamilton Financial building). Visit www.induetime3D.com for more information.
Paige Beni Photography
(L-R) Mike, Lori, and Nadine are all participating in an open adoption of little Genevieve.
3D ULTRASOUND NOW IN SNELLVILLE
Serving Moms-To-Be in Gwinnett & Surrounding Counties
3D ULTRASOUND
STAGE
MOST IDEAL TIME
Early Peek Ultrasound 7-15 wks Gender Reveal Ultrasounds 16 weeks + 3D/4D/HD Ultrasound Between 28-35 weeks • Privately Owned & Operated - Non Medical Environment • Large Studio Accommodates Large Groups • Must be under the care of OB/GYN prior to visit • In Snellville Across from Old Navy-by the Vitamin Shop
Learn More & Book Online at www.InDueTime3D.com
January 2018
The Gwinnett Citizen
Page 31
Page 32
The Gwinnett Citizen
January 2018