September 20, 2020 — Gwinnett Daily Post

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ sunday, september 20, 2020 ♦ A3

WORLD & NATION

WORLD

Canadian COVID-19 gargle test ‘one of the first of its kind’ in the world, doctor says Most children in British Columbia can say goodbye to those icky swabs and uncomfortable COVID-19 tests as the Canadian province launches a new gargle method for students ages 4 to 19.

“It is one of the first of its kind around the world,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, at a press conference Thursday.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control says the new test is just as accurate as tests using a nasal swab and is much easier to administer for children.

The announcement comes at a time when testing is in high demand: Canada has seen a doubling of new daily cases in the last month. And while experts are still looking into the role children play in COVID-19 transmission, a recent report suggests they can — and do — spread the virus, even when they have mild or no symptoms.

“This is a new saline gargle where you put a little bit of normal saline, so sterile water, in your mouth and you swish it around a little bit and you spit it into a little tube and that’s an easier way to collect it for young people,” said Dr. Henry.

B.C. public health officials say they compared test results in both children and adults and found the rate of COVID-19 detection was very similar between the nasal swab and the new gargle test.

B.C. is prioritizing children for the new test but hopes to expand to adults in the coming weeks.

While the sample will still have to be taken to a lab for processing the test does not have to be administered by a health care professional.

A record one person in every 1,500 in Japan is aged at least 100 Nearly 1 in 1,500 people in Japan is now aged 100 or older, new data from the Japanese government shows.

Figures from Japan’s Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry show the number of centenarians went above 80,000 for the first time this year — the 50th consecutive annual increase and the biggest rise to date.

There were 80,450 people aged 100 and over as of Tuesday — 9,176 more than last year — which equates to one in every 1,565 people.

The numbers show that women in Japan are far more likely than men to live for a century or more, making up 88% of all centenarians.

Japan has a rapidly aging population and average life expectancy across the country is also at a record high.

On average, women are expected to live to 87.45 years and men are expected to live to 81.41, government figures released in July showed.

Japan began documenting the number of centenarians in 1963.

At the time there were only 153 people aged 100 or over in the country. But 1988, that had ballooned to 10,000.

— From wire reports

Trump pushing to fill Ginsburg’s Supreme Court seat ‘without delay’

By Veronica Stracqualursi CNN

President Donald Trump on Saturday said that Republicans have an “obligation” to fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s vacant seat on the Supreme Court “without delay,” as Democrats argue the Senate should refrain from confirming a replacement until after the next president is sworn in. “@GOP We were put in this position of power and importance to make decisions for the people who so proudly elected us, the most important of which has long been considered to be the selection of United States Supreme Court Justices. We have this obligation, without delay!” Trump wrote on Twitter.

Ginsburg’s death — and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s subsequent statement Friday that “Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate” — opens up a political fight over the future of the court less than two months before Election Day on Nov. 3. The vacancy on the bench creates what many conservatives view as a once-ina-generation opportunity to move the makeup of the court from its current split of five conservative justices and four liberal justices to a

evan Vucci/ap

President Donald Trump speaks about the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg after a campaign rally at Bemidji Regional Airport on Friday in Bemidji, Minnesota. more dominant 6-3 majority.

CNN previously reported that the president had been “salivating” to nominate a replacement for the liberal justice even before Ginsburg’s death Friday and the possibility of picking her successor has weighed on his mind, according to a source close to the president.

The source told CNN that Trump specifically has said he would “love to pick” federal appeals judge Amy Coney Barrett, who is a favorite among religious conservatives, but doubts he’ll secure support from the U.S. Senate.

Barrett is among Trump’s list of 20 potential conser-

vative nominees he released earlier this month in an attempt to galvanize his base.

A senior administration official told CNN that the White House is prepared to move “very quickly” on putting forward a nominee to replace Ginsburg once Trump signals his intentions.

In a message to GOP senators on Friday, McConnell did not indicate a timeframe for considering the nomination but made clear he believes there’s enough time to take up the nominee this year.

While nominees typically take two to three months to process, McConnell, who controls the majority of the

Senate, could fast track the process.

Conservatives are pushing McConnell behind the scenes to consider moving before the November election to fill the vacancy — potentially leaving the conference divided over what timeline is best.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told Fox News on Friday that he believes Trump should nominate a successor to the court next week.

Ultimately, it will be McConnell’s decision and not one he’ll make without input from his members in the coming days.

Joe raedle/getty images

Forestry fire chief Doug Grafe would “ask for it,” he says.

Rain is forecast for parts of Oregon and Washington but there’s little rainfall in sight for California, where officials warned warm and dry conditions will elevate the danger of fire over the weekend.

The state has seen more than 3.4 million acres scorched so far this year, killing 26 people and reducing hundreds of homes to ashes. The death count rose by one after a firefighter was killed while fighting the El Dorado Fire, the blaze sparked this month by a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used at a gender reveal party.

Fresh evacuations were ordered Thursday in parts of southern California threatened by the Bobcat Fire, which has torched more than 60,577 acres and is 41% contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

NATION

Alabama governor on Hurricane Sally damage: ‘It’s really, really bad’ Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey flew over the coastal areas of the state on Friday to view the destruction left by Hurricane Sally.

“I’m sure it could be worse.

But what I’ve seen this morning in the flyover, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and Fort Morgan, it’s really, really bad,” Ivey said.

Sally made landfall Wednesday near Gulf Shores, Alabama, as a Category 2 hurricane and left a swath of destruction across the state. The storm flooded neighborhoods, submerged homes and left thousands of residents without power.

Two people died as a result of the storm, according to Baldwin County Coroner Dr. Brian Pierce. One of the deaths was an apparent drowning that occurred in Orange Beach and was discovered Wednesday morning. The second was a death in the Foley area from storm cleanup, Pierce said. The families have been notified.

Alabama Power said Friday morning that power restoration had been completed in central and southeast Alabama but now “all efforts are focused on the Mobile area.”

“There are tens of thousands of people who don’t have power in Baldwin County right now and might not see power for a long time because of the number of trees that are down,” said Rep. Bradley Byrne, who represents Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.

“The fact that they’re entwined in power lines, just being able to get the roads

An aerial view from a drone shows people walking through a flooded street in Gulf Shores, Alabama. open has been a real challenge,” he said.

On Thursday, officials urged residents to stay at home until local authorities deemed it safe to leave and evacuation teams can reach them. Ivey says the state government stands ready to help residents with recovery efforts.

Byrne said he’s spoken to the White House and says President Donald Trump is “extremely concerned about the situation” and would like to go to Alabama. Byrne added that he’s not certain when that would happen.

Congress’ inaction could leave more Americans hungry — especially kids Congress remains at a standstill over passing another coronavirus rescue package, but tens of millions of people still can’t afford enough food for themselves and their families six months after the pandemic began upending Americans’ lives.

Hunger has soared during the outbreak, and advocates are calling on lawmakers to extend two key child nutrition relief measures in their

spending bill before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.

They are also pushing Congress to boost food stamp benefits, which will also help stimulate the economy.

Nearly 11% of adults said in July that their households sometimes or often didn’t have enough to eat, up from 3.7% in 2019, according to Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, director of the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University. The share of adults in household with children in this situation was more than 14% in July, also far higher than last year.

As firefighters hope to gain ground on some West Coast fires, more evacuations are ordered With rain finally arriving in parts of the West Coast, fire officials hope the forecast will help them gain ground on the deadly wildfires that forced thousands to evacuate this week.

Much of the rain will drop over the west slopes of the Cascade Mountains, exactly where Oregon Department of

11 people are arrested after a demonstration outside a federal building in Portland Police arrested 11 people in Portland, Oregon, after a demonstration outside a federal building Friday night, authorities said The Portland Police Bureau said in a release that the demonstration happened outside offices for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security.

The PPB said a group began marching from a park to the federal facility around 8:45 p.m. local time. Police declared an unlawful assembly and warned people to leave.

— From wire reports

PEOPLE

New York to honor the late Justice Ginsburg with a statue in her native Brooklyn New York will honor the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with a statue in Brooklyn, her birthplace, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday afternoon.

Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, died Friday at 87.

“Her legacy will live on in the progress she created for our society, and this statue will serve as a physical reminder of her many contributions to the America we know today and as an inspiration for those who will continue to build on her immense body of work for generations to come,” Cuomo said in a press statement.

The governor will appoint a commission to select an artist and oversee the choosing of a location.

“While the family of New York mourns Justice Ginsburg’s death, we remember proudly that she started her incredible journey right here in Brooklyn,” Cuomo said.

“Her legacy will live on in the progress she created for our society, and this statue will serve as a physical reminder of her many contributions to the America we know today and as an inspiration for those who will continue to build on her immense body of work for generations to come.”

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he was “crushed” by the loss, tweeting that Ginsburg was a “daughter of Brooklyn” and a “tenacious spirit who moved this country forward in fairness, equality and morality.”

Ginsburg was born in Brookyn in 1933. Her family lived in the Flatbush neighborhood. They were members of the Conservative East Midwood Jewish Center.

Ginsburg was nicknamed the Notorious RBG, after slain rap star Notorious B.I.G., who was also from Brooklyn.

The nickname helped propel her status as something of a pop culture figure.

Van Morrison protests COVID-19 lockdowns in three new songs Van Morrison is railing against UK lockdowns and pandemic restrictions in three new songs, despite the government’s success at containing COVID-19 transmissions.

The 74-year-old Northern Ireland musician is best known for the soft-rock classic “Brown Eyed Girl.” But he is no longer so dulcet. His new singles feature lyrics so specific and incendiary they sound as though they were designed to be played at rallies and protests.

In a statement, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer described the forthcoming songs — “Born to Be Free,” “As I Walked Out” and “No More Lockdowns” — as “songs of protest” that criticize the government’s decisions to shut down businesses, including live music venues.

Morrison said his personal freedoms are being impinged upon.

“I’m not telling people what to do or think. The government is doing a great job of that already,” he said in the statement. “It’s about freedom of choice. I believe people should have the right to think for themselves.”

— From wire reports

7 continents, 1 wheelchair: Man shows travel has no boundaries

By Francesca GiulianiHoffman CNN

Going to Antarctica is a bucket list goal for many, but for Cory Lee, it was that and much more.

Exploring the world on his wheelchair and blogging about it since 2013, Lee visited the White Continent in February — just before COVID-19 upended travel plans for so many. The trip accomplished Lee’s goal of traveling to all seven continents, a first for a powered wheelchair user, he believes.

MUST READ “I remember the moment we arrived,” Lee told CNN, “I immediately just started crying. It was such an emotional moment for me, because I had worked so long and so hard to get to that point.”

The sights in Antarctica “completely blew me away,” Lee said.

He traveled aboard a cruise ship, after thoroughly researching every detail for two years before departure.

“To finally be there and see the whales, the penguins, the seals and

the icebergs was totally surreal.”

At the age of 2, Lee was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy. He started using a wheelchair full-time when he was 4 years old.

That didn’t stop Lee from visiting 37 countries, including Morocco, Australia, India, Costa Rica, Finland, and many more.

He has flown on wheelchair accessible hot air balloons over Las Vegas, and in Israel and Spain.

He went ziplining at Gatorland in Orlando, Florida, using a special sling. In Morocco, Lee rode a cam-

el using a specially designed seat.

Planning trips as a wheelchair user requires a lot of research, and through his blog “Curb Free with Cory Lee,” he has been sharing his tips on what to look for and where to go to have the best time.

He starts researching each trip six to 12 months in advance, looking for accessible transportation options and attractions, and calling hotels or rental homes ahead of time to request pictures and verify that they are truly accessible to him, something he recommends others do too.

courtesy curb Free with cory lee

Exploring the world on his wheelchair and blogging about it since 2013, Cory Lee has been to all seven continents, a first for a powered wheelchair user, he believes.

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ sunday, september 20, 2020 ♦ A5 POLITICAL NOTEBOOK|CURT YEOMANS

Gwinnett legislators picked to lead Asian-American, Latino for Biden groups in Georgia

By Curt Yeomans curt.yeomans@ gwinnettdailypost.com

Former Vice-President Joe Biden is turning to Gwinnettians to lead two community outreach groups in Georgia.

Biden’s campaign recently announced the leadership council for its Georgia Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for Biden-Harris group and its Georgia Latino Council group. Both will have Gwinnettians among their co-chairs.

State Reps. Pedro Marin, D-Duluth, and Brenda Lopez Romero, D-Norcross, will lead Biden’s Georgia Latino Committee.

Meanwhile, four of the five co-chairs of the Georgia Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for Biden-Harris group include state Rep. Sam Park, D-Lawrenceville; state Sens. Zarah Karinshak, DDuluth, and Sheik Rahman, D-Lawrenceville; and presumptive state Rep.-elect Marvin Lim, a Democrat who would replace Lopez Romero in state House District 99 next year.

Rep. Bee Nguyen, D-Atlanta, is the fifth co-chair of the Asian-American group.

“The Asian American community can be the margin of victory in Georgia,” Park said in a statement. “If we come out and vote, we have the power to elect Joe Biden and Democrats who will act to stop this pandemic, rather than ignore it, so we can begin a real economic recovery without sacrificing the lives of the elderly and the most vulnerable.

“Working together, our Asian American communities will help protect our democracy and elect leaders who will move our state and our nation forward so that all of us have an opportunity to pursue our American Dream and thrive.”

Marin said, “I am dedicated to being a voice for justice, opportunity, and equality for all people. Fighting for fairness for you, and on behalf of those that don’t feel they are represented, the ones that have always been denied a seat at the table.”

Other members of the Georgia Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for Biden-Harris leadership council include: Anjali Enjeti and Vianti Joseph, core organizers of They See Blue Georgia; BiLan Liao, chair of Chinese Americans for Biden Georgia Chapter; Lillie

WILBANKS From A1 not been too different from businesses in how they’ve been forced to make operational changes to address the pandemic.

“Without a doubt, the other 24 openings I should say have been very different than this opening,” Wilbanks said. “I would think you would say that’s been the case with you. You have to do things very differently today that we did this time a year ago.

“But, just because we have to do things different, doesn’t lower the expectations of people in wanting good services provided, and we’re trying to do the very best we can do to make sure that the children that attend Gwinnett County schools are getting a quality and effective education.”

The superintendent, who has led Gwinnett schools since 1996, touched on a number of COVID-19-related topics in his speech, including: the phased-in return of some students for in-person learning; how the district has used digital learning; what impact the pandemic has

Yeomans Madali, the eastern region chair of Filipino Americans for Biden; Bryan Ramos, an attorney and the Georgia chairman of Filipino Americans for Biden; Sonjui Kumar, attorney and coordinating committee member South Asians for Biden; community volunteers Lani Wong and Long Tran; Byeong Cheol Han, a pastor; Cam T. Ashling, a private wealth strategist; attorney Jason Park; political strategist Pallavi Purkayastha; Laura Cansicio, the founder of Verdant Industries LLC; and Kerry Lee, the Georgia chair of Young Asian Americans for Biden.

Other members of the Georgia Latino Council include: New Georgia Media CEO Clara Puerta-Navarro; community advocate and attorney Samuel “Antonio” Molina; Atlanta Board of Education chairman and attorney Jason Esteves; H3 Media Agency President Andrea Rivera; former state Rep. Deborah Gonzalez; and attorney Zulma Lopez.

Biden previously picked Marin and Lopez Romero to represent Georgia on his nationwide Latino Leadership Committee.

Republican ‘United Faces of America Rally’ set for this weekend in Lawrenceville Republicans are set to end this weekend with what is being touted as a celebration of “unity, diversity and patriotism.”

The United Faces of America Rally will be held at 3 p.m.

Sunday at Wild Honey Acres Farm, located at 1585 Hood Road in Lawrenceville. A group calling itself President’s Team Trump-Pence and the Gwinnett County Republican Assembly appear to be organizing the event, based on flyers that were circulated by the Gwinnett County Republican Party on Facebook this past week.

Speakers are expected to include: Republican congressional candidates Rich McCormick, Johsie Cruz, Angela Stanton-King and had on enrollment; and how the school system is providing meals for students who don’t return to school.

About 40% of Gwinnett students — or about 70,000 of Gwinnett’s roughly 177,394 pupils — have opted to attend Gwinnett schools in person this semester, according to Wilbanks. District officials point out that is a system-wide figure and that the percentages vary from one school to the next, however.

“I wasn’t able to make as many visits (to schools) during the opening as I normally would but I think I went to 15 schools since they started coming back in person and what I saw were things that we see on any regular school day in a regular school year, except there’s less students,” Wilbanks said.

“That less students in the building has really helped us I think with the mitigation of coronavirus (and) the spread that we know could happen if we don’t the things that we need to do.”

The district has also been purchasing additional Chromebooks to help students who do not have computer access, but whose parents want them doing digital

Karen Handel; Alex Johnson; Derrick Grayson; Ricardo Davis; K. Carl Smith; and Sunny Wong.

U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler and U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, both R-Ga., had been listed on earlier flyers for the event, but their names were not included on the latest flyer circulated Friday.

Promotional materials indicated the event will also have cornhole, a petting zoo, live music, horseshoes, family games, international food trucks and an artisan market place.

Anyone interested in attending can RSVP in advance at bit.ly/3mJp2mP.

Atlanta Press Club announces broadcast, livestream dates for candidate debates Gwinnett voters will soon get to hear from candidates for the 7th Congressional District and both U.S. Senate seats in debates hosted by the Atlanta Press Club.

The press club released the schedule for its Loudermilk-Young Debate Series this past week. Several, but not all, congressional district races will be featured in the series this fall, as will the two U.S. Senate races.

The Senate and congressional district races will be both livestreamed on the internet and aired on GPB-TV. The debate for the Senate seat held by U.S. Sen. David Perdue will be held on Oct. 12, with the livestream at 3 p.m. and the GPB-TV broadcast at 8 p.m. Meanwhile, the 7th Congressional District debate will be on OCt. 13, with the livestream at 2:30 p.m. and the GPBTV broadcast at 7:30 p.m.

The candidates in the special election for the Senate seat held by U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler will be spread across two debates on Oct. 19.

One debate will feature candidates who have reached at least 3% in two non-partisan polls and be livestreamed at 3 p.m. and air on GPB-TV at 8 p.m. The other debate will feature candidates who have not met that threshold, and it will be livestreamed at 1 p.m. and air on GPBTV at 9 p.m.

The livestreams will be available at www.fb.com/ TheAtlantaPressClub and at GPB.org.

Political Notebook appears in the Sunday edition of the Gwinnett Daily Post.

learning. Wilbanks told the Daily Post that “we’ve probably got 10,000 (Chromebooks) on backorder, maybe more than that.”

Once all of the Chromebooks are in, the district will have a total inventory of about 50,000 computers for students to use for digital learning.

But, Wilbanks conceded digital learning does not work for all students.

“We’re finding that parents actually can want one type of instruction for one child and another for another child and we’re accommodating,” Wilbanks said. “We’re able to accommodate that.

“I always say that there’s no scientific proof on this, I have no data, it’s just my observations over the years (but) I think about 30% of students can do well with digital learning. I think another 30% can do OK. The last 30% struggle with digital learning. They need that inperson learning and we’re trying to do all of that that we can. We find that particularly with our special ed students, but other students too. They just work better in school with inschool instructions.”

GINSBURG From A1 for takeoff, she worked on a draft of the speech she was to deliver.

She had just completed radiation treatment but did not want to cancel the commitment. The old friend who had persuaded her to schedule the University of Buffalo visits had recently died. Ginsburg did not want to pull out because of her own health problems.

Within weeks that fall, she followed up with scheduled appearances in Washington; New York; Little Rock, Arkansas; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Chicago.

Ginsburg wanted to stay in the public eye as much as possible. A little over a decade earlier, when she was being treated for her first occurrence of pancreatic cancer, she explained the importance of being visible. In the middle of difficult radiation treatment, she chose to attend Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress.

“First, I wanted people to see that the Supreme Court isn’t all male,” Ginsburg told me afterward. “I also wanted them to see I was alive and well, contrary to that senator who said I’d be dead within nine months.” (She was referring to the late Sen. Jim Bunning, a Kentucky Republican who had predicted her cancer was so serious it likely would kill her.)

Ginsburg possessed a cheeky humor but was never brazen.

She spoke slowly, with long pauses between sentences. In her chambers, bookshelves and tables were filled with family photos and mementos of her legal milestones, which included arguing six cases before the Supreme Court as a women’s rights lawyer.

She used a special cupboard for the elaborate collars and jabots she wore over her black robe. Off the bench, she dressed in colorful designer dresses,

VOTING From A1 ahead of the state primary election in June.

“The fairgrounds are going to give us an opportunity to offer a larger facility that will have more check-in stations and more voting machines,” Royston said.

The elections office will be open daily, including two weekends, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. while the fairgrounds and the county’s seven traditional satellite polling sites will be open daily, also including two weekends, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“We are increasing all satellite locations to be open the entire three weeks, which includes two weekends, and we’ve not previously had the

jackets and shawls. She enjoyed fashion and sometimes talked about the boutiques she had visited in her travels.

As a lawyer and justice, Ginsburg was exacting. She also admitted when she was wrong. And as a working mother, she never presented herself as perfect.

When daughter Jane was born in 1955, Ginsburg said she was afraid to pick her up.

“I was scared to death of her,” she told me in a 2012 conversation. “My natural reaction to Jane was that she would break.”

It was during that interview that Ginsburg rejected the assertion of commentators who declared that men, but not women, could “have it all” in the realms of home and work.

Neither men nor women could have all they wanted, she said, at any one time in life. Ginsburg’s mantra, instead, was: All in good time.

“What you do appreciate at my distance,” she said as she was nearing age 80, “is that the time during which child care is a major part of your life is relatively brief.”

My interviews with Ginsburg began two decades ago as I began researching a 2005 biography of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female justice. Ginsburg became the second woman on the bench, appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

Ginsburg described how O’Connor had reacted when Ginsburg sought her advice regarding the first opinion then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist had assigned her to write. Usually the first assignment for a new justice is a relatively easy unanimous case, but Rehnquist gave Ginsburg a complicated pension dispute.

“Sandra, how can he do this to me?” Ginsburg said to O’Connor.

“Ruth, you just do it,” O’Connor answered bluntly, “and get your opinion in circulation before he makes the next set of assignments.”

As Ginsburg related the story, she said of the no-nonsense O’Connor: “That is so typical

Sandra.” O’Connor, who grew up on a ranch, exuded determination in all things. She had been an Arizona state legislator before becoming a judge and had the distinction of being the first female majority leader of any state Senate nationwide.

Like Ginsburg, who raised two children, O’Connor managed her career and motherhood, with three sons.

But the women differed in style and legal substance, and Ginsburg sometimes marveled that she, a Brooklyn-born liberal, had forged a deep friendship on the bench with Arizona Republican O’Connor.

In our early interviews, Ginsburg spoke readily about Justice Antonin Scalia, another one of my book subjects. Ginsburg and “Nino” had become close when first serving together on the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. They were ideological opposites but often exchanged drafts of opinions as they worked out arguments.

They traveled together, shared a love for opera and celebrated New Year’s Eve at an annual dinner with spouses.

As dear as Scalia was to Ginsburg, he became a thorn in the side of O’Connor. It perturbed him that the conservative Reagan appointee searched for a middle ground on the law. After O’Connor balked at striking down abortion rights in a 1989 case, he said her rationale “cannot be taken seriously.”

Ginsburg told me, “Nino, in my view, sometimes does go overboard. It would be better if he dropped things like: ‘This opinion is not to be taken seriously.’ He might have been more influential here if he did not do that.”

“I love him,” she added of Scalia. “But sometimes I’d like to strangle him.”

Actually, Ginsburg initially said she wanted to “wring his neck,” but she quickly amended the phrase, perhaps thinking it sounded too aggressive. She often repeated her mother’s adage that she should always act like a lady even as she spoke her own mind.

satellites open for the entire time,” Royston said.

Commissioner Marlene Fosque said residents should not be alarmed by the fact that the elections office, which has in the past been open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during early voting for some elections, will be open less hours this time.

The larger number of early voting sites compensates for the hours lost at the elections headquarters, she said.

“Even though it appears we are decreasing the number of hours available at the main office, by adding the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, we are actually increasing the number of hours that our voters can actually go to to the polls and things like that,” Fosque said.

The early voting locations will be: ♦ Beauty P. Baldwin Voter Registrations and Elec-

tions Building, 455 Grayson Highway, Suite 200 in Lawrenceville ♦ Bogan Park Community Recreation Center, 2723 North Bogan Road in Buford ♦ Dacula Park Activity Building, 2735 Old Auburn Road in Dacula ♦ George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Highway in Suwanee ♦ Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville ♦ Lenora Park Gym, 4515 Lenora Church Road in Snellville ♦ Lucky Shoals Park Community Recreation Center, 4651 Britt Road in Norcross ♦ Mountain Park Activity Building, 1063 Rockbridge Road in Stone Mountain ♦ Shorty Howell Park Activity Building, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth

ENROLLMENT From A1 students last year and ... today’s enrollment is 177,395 or something like that.

And, I think that will say that these are different times.”

The superintendent told business leaders that the pandemic is to blame for the enrollment drop, which is something district officials have previously acknowledged this semester. Most of the gap between actual enrollment and projections is at the elementary school year, which is 3,810 below projections.

Enrollment numbers for kindergartners and first-graders, in particular, are down this year.

Pre-Kindergarten is itself down by 48.36%, with an enrollment of just 646 students as of this past Tuesday. That is 605 students below enrollment projections. Pre-K, however, normally has a significantly smaller number of students than kindergarten since it is not required, which is why district officials are focused on the gap in kindergarten enrollment.

The school system is under its enrollment projections for kindergarten by 1,365 students, according to district officials.

The school system had projected having 12,098 kindergartners this year, but only had 10,733 students as of Tuesday. That means kindergarten enrollment is 11.28% below projections.

By comparison, the district had 9,711 kindergartners when the first enrollment count was conducted.

“Heading into this school year, we knew

we did not have as many students registered,” school system spokeswoman Sloan Roach said. “We do know that some parents of five-year-olds simply held their students out this year as the Compulsory Education Law requires students to be enrolled at age six, while others may have looked for other options for kindergarten.”

At the same time, however, although Wilbanks said enrollment has actually increased in the older grade levels at the high school level. It’s the only school level, actually, that is currently above enrollment projections.

Although it was not nearly as high as the gap in the elementary schools, middle school enrollment was also below projections by 529 students.

But, high schools are a different story.

School system numbers show there were 59,264 students enrolled in Gwinnett’s high schools as of Tuesday. The district had forecast having 58,799 high school students this year.

That means the district’s high school enrollment has already surpassed projections by 465 students. The largest surplus is in the 11th grade, which is 3.08%, or 437 students, above enrollment projections. Enrollment in the 10th grade is up 1.86%, or 282 students, projections while 12th grade enrollment is 1.42%, or 192 students, above projections.

The 9th grade is the only grade in the high schools that saw enrollment below projections. It is 2.8%, or 446 students, below projections.

“Those (3,874) students that are less, most of those came out elementary schools,” Wilbanks said. “Middle and high schools are pretty much on target.”

and nephews. A private, graduated from Auburn as a child, driving her University of Montgomery grave-side service will be friends around town with degrees in English conducted on Saturday, in her Daddy’s yellow Literature and Spanish.

September 19 at 3 p.m. at Oldsmobile as a teen, A6 ♦ Sunday, September 20, job 2020 Her first out of♦ gwinnettdailypoSt.com Floral Hills Cemetery in and graduating from college was at the radio Tucker, Georgia. Due to Lawrenceville High station WHHY where COVID-19, a memorial School. Though she she edited copy and did service will be held on moved to Atlanta for voiceover work for the February 28, 2021, on a short time, she spent SNELLVILLE, GA station’s commercials. what would have been most all of her life in her 69th birthday, a The couple moved back her hometown. Sylvia party she will be most to Atlanta in 1976, where retired with 30 years of upset to miss. In lieu of Kathy worked for WRC service from the Gwinnett flowers, donations can Smith Publishing editing County School System, be made in her name Textilos Pan Americanos finishing her career as trade magazine. Two years to the Alzheimer’s administrative assistant to Association of Georgia or later, she gave birth to the President of Gwinnett Kathy Way Cochran the Westminster Music the first of her two sons, Technical Institute.

Kathy Cochran, wife, Ministries, Snellville, Matthew. They moved Sylvia and Dan were mother, lover, best friend, around the country for the Ga. She was one silly, members at Hebron runner, writer, tennis joyful and beautiful lady. next 10 years, stopping Baptist Church in player, softball player and Condolences may be briefly in Seattle in Dacula, GA for many cowgirl, died Sunday, sent or viewed at www.

1982 to give birth to her years before returning September 13, 2020. wagesfuneralhome.com. second son, Jeffrey. They home to Lawrenceville Diagnosed with Younger Tom M. Wages Funeral returned to Atlanta in First Baptist. She loved Onset Alzheimer’s disease 1986, where they still live Service, A Family to participate in Bible in 2012, she fought Company, 3705 Highway to this day. After moving studies and prayer groups fiercely and courageously 78 West, Snellville, GA back to Georgia, Kathy with her friends at for eight years and never 30039 (770-979-3200) and the rest of her family both churches and with let the disease define her. has been entrusted with joined the Westminster Stonecroft Ministries.

A long-time runner, Kathy Presbyterian Church in the arrangements.

Perhaps her favorite thing continued to participate in Snellville. She remained to do was brag on her races, including the 50th an active member of the beloved grandchildren to Peachtree Road Race last church, serving as an her many friends. Each year with her husband, Elder, Choir Member, of the grandchildren were son and new daughterYouth Group Leader and her “favorite” and she in-law. Kathy grew up in Clerk of Session. Always loved them “to the moon Avondale Estates in, as with a giving heart, and back”. A graveside she called it, her “Leave it she also gave her time inurnment honoring the HOSCHTON, GA to Beaver neighborhood.” volunteering for Covenant life of Sylvia was held A perpetual athlete, Counseling and the Heifer Sylvia (Lowry) Hawkins on Saturday, September she beat out all other Sylvia Lowry Robinson Project. She worked for 19, 2020 at 11:30AM at students at Avondale Hawkins, 82, went to Gwinnett Medical Center Shadowlawn Cemetery Elementary in the 50be with the Lord on for 12 years in Marketing with Rev. Inman Houston yard dash. She graduated Saturday, September 12, and Communications. officiating. The family from Avondale High 2020. She is survived by Although a professional received friends on School, where she was her husband of 40 years, writer, her favorite Saturday, September 19th on the tennis, basketball Dan Hawkins; Daughter, pastimes included having from 10:00AM-11:15AM and softball teams. Her Angie Robinson Welch one too many drinks in the Fellowship Hall favorite position was and her sons Jackson with family and friends, at First Baptist Church catcher because of all and Tanner Welch; Son, competing with her sons’ of Lawrenceville. In the equipment she got to George Robinson with burps, laughing at her lieu of flowers, please wear. After graduating his wife Catherine and clumsy husband, riding make donations to the from Avondale High, she their children Aidan, Tori her horse faster than Women’s Ministry attended Georgia State Beth and Caleb Robinson; or Missions Ministry she should and sitting University and worked Stepdaughter, Jennifer on St. Simons Beach. c/o Lawrenceville part-time in a nearby Phillips with her husband She is survived by her First Baptist Church. office. That office is Paul and their children husband, Marc; sons, Condolences may be sent where she would meet Katie and Emmie Phillips. to or viewed at www.

Matt (Lindsay) and Jeff her husband, Marc, who Sylvia was born and (Amanda); brother, Roger wagesfuneralhome.com. she was married to for raised in Lawrenceville, (Sue), Erica and Scott Tom M. Wages Funeral almost 49 years. When GA. She had fond Turner; her adorable Service LLC, “A Family Marc was transferred to memories of growing dogs, Rocky and Stella; Company” 120 Scenic Montgomery, Alabama, up playing on the her horse, Sierra; and Hwy Lawrenceville, Kathy enrolled in and numerous cousins, nieces, Lawrenceville Square GA 770-963-2411 has graduated from Auburn as a child, driving her and nephews. A private, been entrusted with University of Montgomery grave-side service will be friends around town the arrangements. with degrees in English in her Daddy’s yellow conducted on Saturday, Literature and Spanish.

Oldsmobile as a teen, September 19 at 3 p.m. at Her first job out of and graduating from Floral Hills Cemetery in college was at the radio Lawrenceville High Tucker, Georgia. Due to station WHHY where School. Though she COVID-19, a memorial she edited copy and did moved to Atlanta for service will be held on voiceover work for the a short time, she spent February 28, 2021, on station’s commercials. most all of her life in what would have been SWEETWATER, TN The couple moved back her hometown. Sylvia her 69th birthday, a to Atlanta in 1976, where retired with 30 years of party she will be most NOTICE Kathy worked for WRC service from the Gwinnett upset toTO miss.THE In lieu PUBLIC of Smith Publishing editing School System, flowers, donations can OF BUFORD County Textilos Pan Americanos CITY finishing her career as be made in her name trade magazine.

Two years FISCAL assistant to to the Alzheimer’s PROPOSED YEAR 2021administrative BUDGET later, she gave birth to the President of Gwinnett Association of Georgia or the first of her two sons, Technical Institute. the Westminster Music Mr. William Loyd Matthew.

They moved Sylvia and Dan were Ministries,that Snellville, The public is hereby notified the City of Buford anticipates around the country for the Ga. She was one silly, members at Hebron Bradberry , Jr. adopting Fiscal Year 2021 Operating atChurch its regularly next 10 years, the stopping Baptist in joyful and beautiful lady.Budget A loving husband, father briefly in SeattleCommission in Dacula, GA for many Condolences may be scheduled meeting to be held Monday, October and grandfather, William 1982 to give birth to her years before returning sent or viewed at www.

(Bill) Loyd Bradberry, 5, 2020 at 7:00 P.M.,wagesfuneralhome.com. at Buford City Arena, located at 2795 second son, Jeffrey.

They home to Lawrenceville Jr. left this earth to join returned to Atlanta in Baptist. hearings She loved Tom M. Wages There Funeral will First Sawnee Ave, Buford, GA 30518. be public his Heavenly Father on 1986, where they still live to participate in Bible Service, A Family September 10, 2020. He onAfter August 3, 2020 at 7:00 P.M., at Buford City Arena, toheld this day. moving studies and prayer groups Company, 3705 Highway was a man devoted to back to Georgia, Kathy withGA her friends at and 78 West, Snellville, GA 2795 Sawnee Avenue, Buford Hwy, Buford, 30518, God, family and country. and the rest of her family both churches and with 30039 (770-979-3200) Born in Duluth, Georgia joined alsotheonWestminster September 8,has2020 at 10 A.M. 7 P.M., and on Stonecroft Ministries. been entrusted with and on February 14, 1948 to Presbyterian Church in Perhaps2795 her favorite thing the arrangements. parents Claudie and Loyd, October 5, 2020 at 7 P.M., at Buford City Arena, Buford Snellville. She remained to do was brag on her he grew up in Dacula, anHighway, active member of the GA. beloved grandchildren to Buford, known as Billy, with his church, serving as an her many friends. Each three younger siblings Elder, Choir Member, of the grandchildren were making connections Youth Group Leader and of the proposed budget her “favorite” and she A summary draft may be inspected with all he encountered.

Clerk of Session. Always loved them “to the moon Proudly serving his beginning August 3, 2020 during regular business hours, 9:00 with a giving heart, and back”. A graveside country in the United she also gave timeP.M., Monday through Friday inurnment honoring the A.M. to her 5:00 at Buford City States Air Force, he was volunteering for Covenant life of Sylvia was held a life-long supporter of Hall, located at 2300 Buford Hwy, Buford, GA 30518.

Counseling and the Heifer on Saturday, September those in the military. He Project. She worked for 19, 2020 at 11:30AM at earned his associate’s Gwinnett Medical Center Shadowlawn Cemetery degree and served as the for 12 years in Marketing with Rev. Inman Houston Student Body President and Communications. officiating. The family at Truett-McConnell CITY OF BUFORD Although a professional received friends on NOTICE OF CURRENTSaturday, TAX DIGEST AND 19th College and obtained his writer, her favorite September CITY OF BUFORD undergraduate degree pastimes included having NOTICE OF CURRENT TAX DIGEST fromOF 10:00AM-11:15AM FIVEAND YEAR HISTORY LEVY from Georgia Southern FIVE YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY one too many drinks in the Fellowship Hall University.

After 2020 2015 2016 2017 2019 with family and friends, at First Baptist2018 Church graduating, he$1,735,366,332 was a Real & Personal $861,071,901 $940,114,884 $1,081,912,298 $1,383,905,110 $1,468,236,134 competing with her sons’ of Lawrenceville. In blessing to many young burps, laughing at her lieu of flowers, please Motor Vehicles & Mobile Homes $23,268,135 $17,835,115 $13,930,775 $11,174,245 $9,205,663 $8,174,833 athletes as a Physical clumsy husband, riding make donations to the Education teacher and her faster Publichorse Services Corp. than $31,903,623 $33,853,434 $41,195,505 $48,099,673 $48,915,698 $48,915,406 Women’s Ministry gymnastics coach earning she should and sitting or Missions Ministry the title of Gwinnett Digest $916,243,659 $991,803,433 $1,137,038,578 $1,443,179,028 $1,526,357,495 $1,792,456,571 onGross St. Simons Beach. c/o Lawrenceville County Teacher of the She is survived by her First Baptist -$78,671,072 Church.

Less: Exemptions -$54,661,078 -$66,320,308 -$66,584,984 -$76,535,650 -$86,062,124 Year and umpiring a husband, Marc; sons, Condolences may be sent Little League Southern Matt (Lindsay) and Jeff to or viewed at www.

Net Digest $861,582,581 $925,483,125 $1,070,453,594 $1,364,507,956 $1,449,821,845 $1,706,394,447 Regional Tournament (Amanda); brother, Roger wagesfuneralhome.com. before making a$21,585,890 career Tax Levy Erica and Scott $11,114,415 $11,892,458 $13,701,806 $17,397,476 $18,412,737 (Sue), Tom M. Wages Funeral change.

When he moved Millage Rate 12.90 12.85 12.80 12.75 12.70 12.65 Turner; her adorable Service LLC, “A Family Net Taxes Increase ($) $1,015,547 $778,043 $1,809,348 $3,695,670 $1,015,261 $3,173,152 to Sweetwater, Tennessee dogs, Rocky and Stella; Company” 120 Scenic Net Taxes Increase (%) 10.06 7.00 15.21 26.97 with his5.84 wife, Alva 17.23 her horse, Sierra; and Hwy Lawrenceville, Jean Bradberry, in 1976 numerous cousins, nieces, GA 770-963-2411 has he quickly became an The figures above contain both and Hall county property values as the City of Buford The figures aboveA contain both Gwinnett and HallGwinnett county property values asbeen the City of Buford is located in both counties. and nephews. private, entrusted with important member of his NOTICE grave-side service willcounties. be the arrangements. is City located inBoard both new community even The of Buford anticipates adpoting it's 2020 millage rate at its regularly scheduled Commission Meeting conducted on Saturday, to be held at 7:00 P.M., October 5, 2020, at Buford City Arena, 2795 Buford Hwy, Buford, GA 30518, though he remained September 19 at 3 p.m. at and pursuant to the requirements of §48-5-32 does hereby publish the following presentation of the doggedly loyal to his NOTICE Floral Hillstax Cemetery current year's digest and in levy, along with the history of the tax digest for the past five years.

Georgia Bulldogs. He and Tucker, Georgia.

Due toBoard anticipates adpoting it’s 2020 millage rate at its regularly The City of Buford scheduled his wife raised their three COVID-19, a memorial Commission Meeting to be held at 7:00 P.M., October 5, 2020, at Buford City Arena, 2795 Buchildren in Sweetwater service will be held on and he mentored many ford Hwy, Buford, February 28, 2021, on GA 30518, and pursuant to the requirements of §48-5-32 does hereby pubyoung men in his role as what have been presentation of the current year’s tax digest and levy, along with the history lishwould the following a baseball coach.

With a her a for the past five years. of69th the birthday, tax digest successful 41-year career party she will be most at Vestal Manufacturing, upset to miss. In lieu of Bill held the positions flowers, donations can of Traffic Manager, be made in her name

OBITUARIES

three younger siblings making connections with all he encountered.

Proudly serving his country in the United States Air Force, he was a life-long supporter of those in the military. He earned his associate’s degree and served as the Student Body President at Truett-McConnell College and obtained his undergraduate degree from Georgia Southern University. After graduating, he was a blessing to many young athletes as a Physical Education teacher and gymnastics coach earning the title of Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year and umpiring a Little League Southern Regional Tournament before making a career change. When he moved to Sweetwater, Tennessee with his wife, Alva Jean Bradberry, in 1976 he quickly became an important member of his new community even though he remained doggedly loyal to his Georgia Bulldogs. He and his wife raised their three children in Sweetwater and he mentored many young men in his role as a baseball coach. With a successful 41-year career at Vestal Manufacturing, Bill held the positions of Traffic Manager, Sales Manager, General Manager of Sales and Purchasing Manager before his retirement in April of this year.

He was preceded in death by: infant son Kevin Bradberry, his parents William Loyd Sr. and Claudie Bradberry and grandparents William Washington and Minnie Adline Greeson Bradberry and grandparents Lonnie Edward and Lola Mary Ann Ewing Moore.

Bill is survived by his wife of 47 years, Alva Jean Bradberry.

His daughter and sonin-law Wendy and Ray Stapleton of Virginia and grandchildren Joshua and Abby. His daughter Jessica Bradberry of Maryville. His son and daughter-in-law Russ and Cambrai Bradberry of Maryville and grandsons Payce, Paxton and Palmer.

His brother and sisterin-law, Ricky and Debby Bradberry of Greeneville.

His sister and brother-inlaw Linda and Marvin Westbrook of Dacula, GA. His sister and brotherin-law Judy and Jimmy Archer of Dacula, GA. Brother-in-law and sistersin-law: A.J. and Sharon Smith, of Sweetwater, Rebecca Parson, of Nashville, several nieces and nephews.

Friends may view from 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. on Friday, September 18, 2020 at Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater, visitation with the family will be from 5:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. A private service will be conducted with Rev. Marvin Westbrook, and Dr. Leonard Markham officiating. A private interment will be conducted in the Edgewood Cemetery, in Knoxville, TN. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater, in charge of arrangements. www. kykerfuneralhomes.com BUFORD, GA

Bobbie (Hudgins) Masters Bobbie Hudgins Masters, age 83, of Buford, GA passed away Friday, September 18, 2020. Flanigan Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”

— Helen Keller

GRAYSON, GA

Annie Sue (Kennedy) GRAYSON, GA Johnson Annie Sue (Kennedy) Annie Sue Kennedy Johnson age 93, of Johnson, Annie Sue Grayson, GAKennedy passed Johnson, age 93, of away on Sunday, Grayson, GA September 13,passed 2020. awayison Sunday,by her She survived September 13, 2020. loving daughter, Martha She is survivedRhodes by her Sue “Crickett” loving daughter, Martha Taylor; granddaughters, Sue “Crickett” Denise Bresky, Rhodes Darcie Taylor; (Aaron)granddaughters, Turpin, Brandy Denisebrother, Bresky,Hulon Darcie Lake; (Aaron) Turpin, Kennedy; sister, Brandy Mary Lake; brother, Hulon Cummings; great Kennedy; sister,Lauren Mary grandchildren, Cummings; great Head, Cole McClenny, grandchildren, Lauren Brenna McClenny, Tori Head, Cole McClenny, Bresky, Kennedy Turpin, Brenna McClenny, Anna Turpin; three Tori greatBresky, Kennedy Turpin, great-grandchildren; as AnnaasTurpin; greatwell severalthree nieces and great-grandchildren; as nephews.

She is preceded well as several and in death by her nieces parents, nephews. Robert She is preceded husband, H. “Bob” in death by parents, Johnson, Sr.;her son, Robert husband, Robert H. “Bob” H. “Bobby” Johnson, Jr. Johnson, son, Robert Annie SueSr.; was born in H. “Bobby” Johnson, Jr. Lawrenceville and resided Annie Sue was in in Grayson sinceborn 1946.

Lawrenceville resided She was an avidand gardener in Grayson and loved tosince sew. 1946.

Annie She was an avid gardener Sue a loving, devoted, loved tomother, sew. Annie and caring Sue was a loving, grandmother, and devoted, great and caring mother, grandmother.

A graveside grandmother, andthe great service honoring life grandmother.

A graveside of Annie Sue was held service honoring the life on Saturday, September of Annie Sue was held 19, 2020 at 2:00PM at on Saturday, September Gwinnett Memorial Park.

19, 2020 at 2:00PM The family receivedat Gwinnett friends onMemorial Saturday, Park.

The family 19th received September from friends on Saturday, 11:30AM-1:30PM at Tom September 19th from M. Wages Lawrenceville 11:30AM-1:30PM Tom Chapel.

Due to theatcurrent M. Wages Lawrenceville COVID-19 regulations, Chapel. to the current our staffDue is committed to COVID-19 taking care regulations, of our guests our staff is committed to and families that we serve. taking guests We askcare that of allour guests and and families that attending we serve. family members We ask that all guests and services to please familyand members bring wear a attending mask. services to please Condolences may be sent bring and wear a mask. to or viewed at www.

Condolences may be sent wagesfuneralhome.com. to or M. viewed at www.

Tom Wages Funeral wagesfuneralhome.com.

Service LLC, “A Family Tom M. Wages Funeral Company” 120 Scenic Service LLC, “A Family Hwy Lawrenceville, Company” 120 Scenic GA 770-963-2411 has Hwy entrusted Lawrenceville, been with GA 770-963-2411 has the arrangements. been entrusted with the arrangements.

SUWANEE, GA

Grace Ray Grace is originally from Sparta, Ga. She then moved to Atlanta Ga, and then to Lawrenceville, Ga, where she resided until moving to Brookdale 2 years ago. She was born on September 7th, 1920, her parents were Lorenzo Wiley of Sparta Ga. and Margie Dalton-Wiley of Winder Ga. Grace had 3 siblings: Her oldest sister Clare, brothers, L.B. Jr. and Dalton. She has one living sibling, Sally who is 102 years old. She married the love of her life when she was 1934, and they were married for 58 years.

His name was Clinton Ray. He passed away when he was 82. Together they had 2 children, Keith, and Donna. She has 2 granddaughters, Kathy and Janet, and 3 great grandsons. Mrs. Grace retired from Equifax.

She worked there for 25+ years. Her main job duty was to open new accounts. Grace attended church for 90 years, her most recent church was Central Baptist Church of Lawrenceville. She is a very kind lady, and always smiling! We love her and she loves to keep us all in line! She loves to play BINGO, and has won about $50 in quarters over the two years she’s resided here.

Her favorite thing about Brookdale is the people.

She enjoys the care staff, and likes having people around. **FUN FACT** Mrs. Grace has enjoyed a glass of orange juice, and an oatmeal cream pie everyday for 35 years!

A8 ♦ Sunday, September 20, 2020 ♦ gwinnettdailypoSt.com

Understanding Alzheimer’s: Effective Communication Strategies.

Join us on Thursday, September 24 at 5:30 pm for our informative event.

The Mansions Assisted Living & Memory Care communities are coming together to host this incredible virtual event that aims to help caregivers and loved ones gain a better understanding of Alzheimer’s.

Join us as we learn the affects Alzheimer's and dementia can have on a patient's communication skills and how we can better connect and communicate with them.

Don’t wait!

Please register

by September 22, 2020

This incredible event is presented by: Kim Franklin, MHA, Program Manager at Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter.

Call Kristen Lockwood at

(470) 735-4475 OR

KLockwood@TheMansionsatAlpharetta.com

Call Stacey Donald at

(770) 901-2360 OR

SDonald@TheMansionsatGwinnettPark.com

Call Cedric Bowler at

(470) 338-5316

OR CBowler@TheMansionsatSandySprings.com

sports

gwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION B ♦ SuNday, SEpTEmBEr 20, 2020

Mill Creek season, turf debut a success

By Will Hammock

will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com

HOSCHTON — Mill Creek’s football team set the tone quickly Friday night in the first game played on its new artificial turf.

The Hawks scored on their first three possessions and held on for a 20-14 victory over neighborhood rival Dacula.

The hosts led 17-0 after the first play of the second quarter, but Dacula fought to the end and scored a touchdown with two seconds left to make the final score a little closer.

“Our kids came out and were excited,” Mill Creek head coach Josh Lovelady said. “You could tell there were some butterflies with the penalties and mistakes we had that we’ve got to clean up.

They came out fast and physical and that’s what I challenged them to do.

Just come out there and get after it.”

Mill Creek’s players and coaches were more than ready to get after it. Issues with COVID-19 forced the cancellation of their first two games, including the planned Corky Kell Classic debut of their new turf, so they had to wait longer than most to kick off the season.

“It’s huge to get a win,” Lovelady said. “I think it shows the character of our team and probably the culture of our team in that we’re replacing eight (starters) on both sides. To not have a scrimmage, to not have spring and have question marks at a lot of positions, having that win was big.

“It was nervous for us. You didn’t know. There hasn’t been anything to try out some kids and have competition.

I didn’t know what was going to come out. I thought we could do some good things, but we’ve only gone against each other for the past six months.”

Mill Creek held Dacula (1-1) to zero yards on a quick three-and-out, and then responded with an 11-play scoring drive. Quarterback M.J. Patterson was 4-for-5 passing for 63 yards on the drive, and most importantly was 3-for-3 for 49 yards on third downs. He hit Tim Page for a 19-yard gain on the first third down, found Josh Battle for 14 yards on another and then capped the march with a 16-yard TD pass to Brendan Jenkins on third-and-goal from the Dacula 16.

Patterson finished 10 of 15 passing for 166 yards.

“I think M.J. did a good job, made some good decisions and threw some good balls,” Lovelady said. “Our receiving corps is very deep this year. It’s our job as coaches to put them in good situations to catch the ball. Our kids at that position are competing and getting after it.”

See MILL CREEK, B2

Craig Cappy

Mill Creek’s Josh Battle (28) follows the block of his teammate during Friday’s game played at Mill Creek High School.

Dale Zanine

Grayson’s Fernando Sanchez (14) reacts after sacking Collins Hill’s Sam Horn (21) during Friday night’s game at Grayson.

FINISHING STrONG Grayson outlasts Collins Hill in battle of unbeatens

From staff reports LOGANVILLE — Grayson got a big game from running back Phil Mafah, who flourished behind the Rams’ big offensive line, and outlasted Collins Hill 28-7 on Friday.

Mafah carried 24 times for 170 yards and three touchdowns to help the No. 1 Rams (3-0) overcome a 7-0 thirdquarter deficit.

“We needed that,” Grayson coach Adam Carter said. “We had been fortunate the first two weeks to be up at halftime significantly. So to come out and to respond, we needed that. I challenged our coaches, I challenged our kids … I’m proud of them. We needed to come out and see what we had in the tank and see what we’re made of. Hopefully we can build off that.”

Grayson, ranked No. 5 in the nation by the USA Today, found itself trailing 7-0 in the third quarter after Collins Hill scored on a seven-play, 87-yard drive that was capped by Sam Horn’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Clint Gilbert.

That seemed to get Grayson’s interest.

A long kickoff return by Jamal Haynes set the Rams up at the 39 and the hosts finally punched it in on third-and-goal from the 1 when Mafah went off right tackle for the score.

Grayson took the lead for good on Mafah’s 3-yard run with 8:19 remaining.

The big play was a third-down conversion pass to Mafah, with an additional 15 yards tacked on for a facemask. The extra point kick hit the right upright and Grayson led 13-7.

The Rams put it away on their next possession. Starting from the Grayson 5, Mafah began picking up chunks of yardage — 44 yards to reach midfield — and scored on a 16-yard run. C.J. Clements ran for the two-point conversion.

“At halftime I challenged those offensive coaches and that offensive line,” Carter said. “Hey, listen, that’s not the kind of football we’ve been playing. I want to see what you’ve got and they responded. I could not be more proud of that offensive staff.”

Grayson cinched it after Justin Alexander recovered an unfielded pooch kick at the 16. Joe Taylor on an 8-yard run two plays later to make it 28-7.

Grayson’s Jayvian Allen came up with

Grayson’s Phil Mafah (26) is tackled by Collins Hill’s Logan Brown (11) during Friday night’s game at Grayson. Below: Game action between Collins Hill against Grayson.

an interception and the Rams ran out the clock.

Collins Hill quarterback Sam Horn completed 22 of 37 passes for 151 yards and two interceptions. Logan Brown caught eight passes for 53 yards.

Grayson quarterback DeYon Cannon completed 8 of 17 passes for 61 yards.

Joe Taylor carried nine times for 35 yards and one touchdown.

The first half was a battle of field position and missed opportunities.

“Their defensive staff … they had a plan,” Carter said. “Our guys made some adjustments at halftime, which is a positive.”

The tone of the game became obvi-

ous once Grayson drove to the 12 and opted to go for it on fourth-and-8. The Rams came up short when Cannon tried to keep it and came up five yards shy.

Collins Hill couldn’t benefit and Horn’s pass was intercepted by Mu Mu BinWahad and retired to the 19. But the Rams stalled again and a fourth-and-9 play at the 19 lost yardage and gave it back to Collins Hill.

Collins Hill had its best chance early in the second quarter after Horn connected with Spencer Anderson for a 28yard gain — the largest of the half by either side. But the Eagles were stymied there and tried a fake punt on fourthand-2 at the 46.

Grayson had one other opportunity after kicking Collins Hill dead at the 1 and forcing a punt. The Rams started at the 36 and got as far as the 17 before turning it over on downs following two incomplete passes.

The Grayson defense came up with seven sacks and limited Collins Hill to minus-12 yards rushing and 151 yards passing. Jaidyn Hicks had two sacks to lead the defense.

“Our guys defensively played well at times, we ended up making some plays, which is a huge gain, and found a way to get off the field which we didn’t do last week,” Carter said.

North Gwinnett Bulldogs shut out Parkview Panthers

By Alan Cole

Staff Correspondent

SUWANEE — No Barrett Carter, no problem for North Gwinnett’s defense on Friday night.

Despite being without the superstar outside linebacker for a second consecutive week due to injury, the Bulldogs managed to keep Parkview’s vaunted running game under wraps all night.

The tandem of Cody Brown and Tyler Curtis combined for 411 rushing yards at Mountain View last week, but North’s defense held the duo to 141 yards on 31 car-

ries in a 21-0 statement victory at Tom Robinson Memorial Stadium.

It was a beatdown, and one that gave North (3-0) its first victory over Parkview (1-1) since 1977.

“We were out two linebackers and also out another backup linebacker,” North head coach Bill Stewart said. “A young guy Grant Godfrey (stepped up), and Jace Anderson stepped in. They’ve been practicing to play and they get their opportunity, and that’s what’s good about having depth. I’m just so proud of the performance those guys had tonight.”

Godfrey set the tone on defense for the

Bulldogs early, sacking Parkview quarterback Colin Houck twice on third down plays in the first quarter. In total, the Bulldogs sacked Houck six times while holding Parkview to 188 yards of total offense.

On the third possession of the game, North running back Marcus McFarlane ripped off a 35-yard run to move the Bulldogs down into the red zone for the first time, and his backfield partner Brinston Williams capped off the drive with a 9-yard touchdown on third-and-6 to open the scoring. McFarlane finished the night with 118 yards on the ground, and Williams chipped in with 51 more.

Quarterback Ashton Wood had a pair of 22-yard completions to Bobby Ezzard and Marek Briley late in the second quarter, and North was fortunate when Wood’s fumble on third-and-goal was scooped up

by Seth Anderson for a score.

The final touchdown of the game belonged to Williams, a 30-yard scamper off left tackle on the opening snap of the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 21-0.

The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by a combined score of 100-28 through three games. The win also gives North 27 consecutive home victories dating back to 2016.

B2 ♦ Sunday, September 20, 2020 ♦ gwinnettdailypoSt.com

FANS CHOICE FALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

Brookwood rallies past Walton Mountain View’s Derrick Smith blocked two punts, one that was recovered by Jaquan Ivy, and the Bears’ Trey Moss had an interception.

From staff reports

MARIETTA – Brookwood mounted a furious fourth-quarter rally to come from behind and defeat Walton 43-32 on Friday night.

The Broncos trailed 32-21 with just under 11 minutes to play in the game before hitting another gear on offense.

“All the credit to Walton,” Brookwood coach Philip Jones said. “It was like a heavyweight fight. This is the second game in a row we’ve had to come back and it’s a credit to the character of our kids.”

After falling behind 32-21, Brookwood’s Sam M’Bake hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Lonergan to trim the lead to three, after the twopoint conversion attempt was successful. After a stop on defense, Lonergan needed just two plays to put the Broncos back in the lead. The sophomore signal caller ran 13 yards and then 59 yards on successive plays for the score and the lead.

Brookwood scored one final time, with just under three minutes remaining, when Stone Bonner took a short pass and rumbled 65 yards for the gamesealing touchdown.

Lonergan was 23 of 29 passing for 347 yards, and also rushed five times for 128 yards.

Who: will bray School: brookwood Sport: cross country Class: Senior Highlights: won the gwinnett county championship in a time of 16 minutes, 17.60 seconds Coach Ben Dehnke’s take: “will is a consummate team leader. and his patience has paid off in this unique season. He has worked tirelessly, persevered after struggling during his junior year of cross country and overcome the disappointment of a canceled spring track season, and he is now performing really well in practices and races alike.

His career so far is a testament to consistent dedication, and he is a team-first kid who really embodies the ideals of our program and our community. i know that he is looking forward to continuing to improve as the season grinds on, and the South Gwinnett 21, season is geared toward the Central Gwinnett 0 biggest meets in late october LAWRENCEVILLE — South and early november.”

Gwinnett continued its strong

FANS CHOICE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Name: James Smith School: collins Hill Position: defensive end Class: Senior Highlights: Had eight tackles (two for losses), two sacks, and two quarterback hurries in a 3413 win over Sprayberry Coach Lenny Gregory’s take: “James Smith is why coaches like me love being a high school football coach.

He is a kid that just checks all the boxes. He is one of the most coachable kids i have ever coached. He has an incredible football iQ and he is a tremendous athlete for a big guy. James is the leader of our football team and is a big reason for where we are as a football team. James is a playmaker who is fun to watch.”

start to the football season Friday night, defeating rival Central Gwinnett 21-0 and improving to 3-0 on the season.

Rion White completed 6 of 10 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns, one each to Nigel Hussey, who had two catches for 60 yards, and to Armon Anderson. Corey Johnston added a pair of catches for 55 yards.

Khoreem Miller rushed 16 times for 110 yards and a TD, and Dequarious Thompkins carried 12 times for 85 yards.

“I thought we did a great job tonight of being disruptive on the defensive side of the ball, on offense we went with a hardnosed approach and wanted to focus on the run game and I thought we had a few guys run really hard tonight,” South head coach Steve Davenport said.

“Hats off to Central for doing some good things tonight but we still have a lot of corrections to make heading in to next week.”

South’s Elijah Johnson, Emmanuel Cannon and Xavier McDowell dominated with multiple sacks on the defensive line, and Ethan Ramos had an interception with a 20-yard return.

Moses Pryor led the Central defense, and teammate Mekhi Mews had an interception, in addition to leading the team in receiving and return yards. The Black Knights fall to 1-2 on the season.

“We played a team that was bigger, faster and stronger than us,” Central head coach Jason Thompson said. “Our kids played hard and fought for four quarters but ultimately came up short. …

We will continue to work to im-

Duluth 42, Alcovy 27

will Fagan

Brookwood’s Dylan Lonergan (12) breaks away from Walton’s Jonathan Chesser (63) for a long run during their game Friday at Walton High School in Marietta.

Hebron 23, Elbert County 7 prove in all aspects of the game.

We hope to get healthy as we head to South Forsyth next week.”

Wesleyan 19, Douglass 7

PEACHTREE CORNERS — Wesleyan’s football team fell behind early, and trailed at halftime, but it kept fighting.

The efforts paid off in the second half as the Wolves remained unbeaten with a 19-7 victory over visiting Douglass. Wesleyan, last year’s Class A Private runner-up, is 3-0 this season.

“It was a huge, gut-check, character win for Wesleyan over a triple-A, playoff-bound team,” Wesleyan head coach Franklin Pridgen said.

Douglass led 7-0 early, but Wesleyan inched back into the game on 28- and 37-yard field goals from Brooks Sturgeon that trimmed the margin to 7-6 by halftime. Sturgeon also averaged 42 yards on punts and put four of his five punts inside the Douglass 20-yard line.

“That made a huge difference in the field-position game,” Pridgen said.

Griffin Caldwell led the Wesleyan offense with 27 carries for 90 yards. Wyatt Hodges had four catches for 74 yards and the go-ahead touchdown catch in the third quarter.

J.D. Chipman (16 tackles) and Tanner Bivins (eight tackles) were among the Wolves’ defensive standouts. An interception return for a TD by Drew Ball sealed the Wesleyan victory.

Buford 39, Carver-Atlanta 6

BUFORD — Buford’s football team rebounding from a seasonopening loss with a 39-6 rout of Carver-Atlanta on Friday.

The Wolves’ defense dominated by holding Carver to 33 yards (34 rushing and minus-1 passing) and two first two downs.

Victor Venn rushed eight times for 89 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Buford offense, which rushed for 228

yards and threw for 19.

Gabe Ervin’s 5-yard TD run gave Buford a 7-0 lead after the first quarter, and the advantage grew to 25-0 by halftime.

Venn and Christian Butler had 1-yard TD runs in the second quarter, Malik Spencer ran for a two-point conversion and Alex Mata made a 40-yard field goal as time expired in the half.

A pick-six by Carver in the third quarter trimmed the lead to 25-6 before Venn’s 43-yard TD run opened the lead back up. The Wolves’ last TD came in the third when Mason McCranie returned a fumble three yards for a third-quarter score.

the other was snuffed out when the Blue Devils stopped East Coweta on four straight runs.

NORCROSS — Zion Alexander starred on offense, defense and special teams Friday in Norcross’ 28-14 win over visiting East Coweta.

Alexander answered an early Indians touchdown with a 98yard kickoff return touchdown, and his 48-yard score on a speed sweep in the second quarter gave the hosts a 14-7 halftime lead.

The Blue Devils (2-0) missed the first extra point, but Mason Kaplan hit Trey Goodman for a two-point conversion after Alexander’s rushing TD. Kaplan hit Goodman for a 38-yard TD pass in the third quarter before East Coweta got within 21-14 later in the quarter. Kaplan’s 1-yard TD run in the fourth sealed the win.

In addition to his TDs, Alexander also played cornerback and had an interception. Norcross’ Jarren Shaw added a fumble recovery that was caused by Kamren Lark.

East Coweta had possession three times inside the Norcross 5-yard line in the game, and was held scoreless on all three drives. One drive ended with a fake field goal attempt that failed, another ended when Jalen Garner forced a fumble that Josh Graham recovered and

Lanier 27, Mountain View 20

Norcross 28, East Coweta 14

sity men’s basketball program.

The 6-foot-8 forward helped the Rams to a state runner-up finish as a junior. He also mainThe Gwinnett Stripers baseball tains a 3.7 GPA. team, the Atlanta Braves’ TripleA affiliate, will have a new manager for the first time since the Jonathan Jaime commits to 2017 season.

Georgia Southern Braves officials confirmed Wednesday night that the club Brookwood junior Jonathan did not renew the contract of Jaime committed Tuesday to Damon Berryhill, who was hired Dec. 12, 2016 as the Stripers’ the Georgia Southern University baseball program. manager.

Jaime is a prospect as an outBerryhill was the 2019 Interfielder and first baseman. national League Manager of the Year, but his 2020 season with Morris, Camarda Gwinnett was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic. He had a named All-SEC 221-199 record over his first three seasons as the Stripers’ manager, Gwinnett grads Wanya Morris highlighted by his 2019 team that and Jake Camarda were named went 80-59 (a Gwinnett-best .576 to the 2020 Preseason Coaches winning percentage) and won the All-Southeastern Conference second IL South Division title in Football Team this week. club history.

Morris, a Grayson grad, is an Before joining Gwinnett, the offensive tackle at Tennessee. Caformer major league catcher had marda, a Norcross grad, is Geora successful stint as a Triple- gia’s punter. Both were secondA manager in the Los Angeles team selections.

Dodgers organization.

Berryhill not returning as Stripers manager

Brewer, Bray earn running awards

Hebron Christian’s Ellie BrewGrayson senior Tajé Kelly er and Brookwood’s Will Bray committed Wednesday to the were named the Gwinnett runCharleston Southern Univer- ners of the week by the county’s

Peachtree Ridge 34, Discovery 7

LAWRENCEVILLE — Peachtree Ridge rolled to a 34-7 win at Discovery on Friday.

Nick Best threw touchdown passes to Brandon Cade and Brandon Wright for an early 14-0 lead, then Best scored on a TD run for a 21-0 lead in the third quarter. Devin Martin of Discovery answered that score with a 75-yard kickoff return TD. Kyle Kingsbury also threw a TD pass to Jacobe Bea, who had two scores, for the final margin.

The Lions are now 2-0 on the season.

LAWRENCEVILLE — Andrew Blackford threw three touchdown passes, two to Tyler Washington, and Lanier won a back-andforth football game with Mountain View 27-20 Friday night.

Blackford completed 12 of 28 passes for 146 yards, and Washington had seven catches for 97 yards. Washington also rushed eight times for 51 yards.

Blackford’s other TD pass was a 20-yarder to Iajah Phillips.

Bryan Williams rushed 20 times for 86 yards for Lanier.

“It was a hard-fought game,” Lanier head coach Korey Mobbs said. “Hats off to Mountain View for hanging in there. Our kids battled, a lot to fix but I’m proud of their effort and toughness.”

Blackford’s TD pass to Phillips gave Lanier a 20-13 halftime lead.

The Longhorns’ defense also got a big play in the second quarter when Yanis Kasende returned an interception for a score.

Mountain View (1-2) got three TD passes from Nathan Payne, who was 7 of 21 passing for 140 yards. Jergotti Wilcox had 10 rushes for 57 yards, and the Bears’ David Gethers had 13 carries for 40 yards.

ELBERTON — Hebron Christian’s football team posted a nice win Friday night at the Granite Bowl, defeating host Elbert County 23-7.

The Lions, who jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead, gave new head coach Stan Luttrell his first win with the program.

They also rebounded from a season-opening loss last week at North Cobb Christian.

Jonathan Burke made three field goals in the win.

Hebron got an early 7-0 lead on a 44-yard TD pass from Colten Gauthier to Jaiden Stowers.

Burke converted a 37-yard field goal later in the first quarter for a 10-0 lead.

A 42-yard TD pass from Gauthier to Jack Luttrell pushed the halftime lead to 17-0.

Elbert cut the deficit to 17-7 early in the fourth quarter, but Burke made a pair of 34-yard field goals later in the quarter and the Hebron defense stood strong.

Lambert 38, Meadowcreek 20

SUWANEE — Lambert remained unbeaten with a 38-20 victory over Meadowcreek on Friday.

The Longhorns built an early lead and held the visitors off, improving to 3-0 on the season.

Campbell 35, Berkmar 0

SMYRNA — Berkmar opened its football season Friday night with a 35-0 loss at Campbell.

The Patriots’ first two games were canceled because of COVID-19 issues.

Campbell broke a 22-game losing streak with the win.

Prince Avenue 73, Providence 0

BOGART — Powerhouse Prince Avenue Christian defeated visiting Providence Christian 73-0 Friday behind five total touchdowns from star quarterback Brock Vandagriff, a Georgia Bulldogs commitment.

The Storm (0-3) trailed 52-0 at halftime to Prince Avenue, which intercepted five passes.

MILL CREEK

IN BRIEF

Kelly commits to Charleston Southern

DULUTH — Duluth football’s season opener was worth the wait.

The Wildcats blitzed visiting Alcovy with four touchdowns in the first quarter of an eventual 42-27 victory. They built a 42-6 lead in the second half before Alcovy tacked on some late scores.

It was the season opener for Duluth because it lost opponents because of COVID-19 complications.

Lonnie Ratliff scored Duluth’s first TD on a run, then teammate Jaiden Jones scored on a pair of TD runs for a 21-0 lead. Nyle Ervin capped the 28-0 first-quarter lead with a 53-yard scoring run.

Alcovy stayed within 28-6 at halftime, but Duluth pulled away in the second half. The hosts’ got a 10-yard TD pass from Ratliff to Jones in the third quarter, as well as a 37-yard TD run from Ervin for their final points.

cross country coaches.

Brewer was runner-up in the Gwinnett County meet with a time of 19 minutes, 48 seconds, finishing behind only her teammate, Brooke Browning. Bray was the Gwinnett boys champion with a time of 16:17.

Parker, Schnieders honored for academics Archer juniors Elizabeth Parker and Hadley Schnieders, teammates at Aftershock Volleyball Club, were named recently as AAU Academic All-Americans.

It is the second straight year Parker and Schnieders, also both scholar-athletes for the Tigers, have earned the AAU honor.

Fry third at True Blue Amateur Dacula grad Hunter Fry placed third in the recent the Golfweek True Blue Amateur at True Blue Golf Resort in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Fry finished the three-day event at 11 under par. He shot 69, 68 and 68.

He is a senior at the University of South Carolina Upstate, where he is playing a fifth season because of COVID-19’s cancellation of last season.

From B1 Another three-and-out turned into a 40-yard field goal from Brock Pellegrino and a 10-0 Mill Creek lead with 3:12 left in the first quarter.

A third-down sack from Christian McIntyre and Josiah Jordan stopped Dacula’s next possession, and Patterson found Page for a 49-yard TD on the first play of the second quarter for a 17-0 lead. Page had three catches for 101 yards.

Battle, who rushed 22 times for 123 yards, then nearly made it 24-0 but Dacula’s Kaleb Edwards made a TD-saving tackle at the 5-yard line after a 32-yard gain. That play was huge as Battle fumbled a handoff on the next play, and Dacula escaped without allowing points.

Battle made up for it with his big game, and helped the Hawks grind out the clock in the fourth quarter.

“Josh is such a unique player,” Lovelady said. “He goes and plays all defense last year. I asked him to come over and play offense and spot defense this year. He was very physical. Dacula’s defense, they’re going to put seven in the box no matter what formation you put in. They’re going to load the box. For Josh to grind out the yards he got was huge.”

Dacula dominated the third quarter, including a 14-play, 95-yard drive that chewed 7:13 off the clock. Kyle Efford’s 3-yard TD run with 2:07 left in the third closed the margin to 17-7.

craig cappy

Mill Creek’s Josiah Jordan (5) tackles Dacula’s E’Mond Pittman (19) during Friday’s game at Mill Creek High School.

Mill Creek didn’t have a first down in the third quarter, but took almost nine minutes off the clock with an 18-play drive in the fourth quarter. The drive looked to be stopped with 4:55 left in the fourth when Pellegrino made a 47yard field goal. But he was roughed on the play, and Lovelady took the points off the board for a first down.

The Hawks got as close as the Dacula 4 before holding and intentional grounding penalties pushed them back into the same position. Pellegrino converted another 47-yarder and this one stayed on the board for a 20-7 lead.

The roughing penalty on Pellegrino’s first field goal cost Dacula more than three minutes off the clock.

The Falcons had a successful drive in the final minute, capped by Efford’s 25-yard TD catch from Blaine Jenkins with two seconds left.

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PERSPECTIVES

Gwinnett Daily Post www.gwinnettdailypost.com

Todd Cline,

Editor and SCNI Vice President of Content todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com

COLUMNIST|DICK YARBROUGH

If politicians can pander for approval, why not columnists?

I

don’t know about you, but I find can put all the cheese or butter on the the political ads on television these stuff you want. It is still broccoli and days refreshing. At least we have I’m still not going to eat it. something to look at beside ads for amUnlike the predictable Johnny-Onebulance-chasing lawyers. (I try to find Note pundits who are hidebound in their the silver lining in every cloud.) political opinions, I promise to In case you haven’t figured it make you read into at least the out yet, the earnest, look-you-inthird paragraph before you figthe-eye promises the candidates ure out who my target is. are making don’t mean squat. If It may be chardonnay-sipand when they get elected, they ping liberal weenies who opare going to do whatever their pose separate bathrooms for leadership tells them to do or boys and girls lest we destroy otherwise they won’t be around Yarbrough their self-esteem but who have long enough to locate the privy no problem with potential terand will have to come home and find rorists disguised as poor, downtroda real job. den immigrants sneaking across the The real reason the vote seekers want border illegally and making the rest you to turn off reruns of Dr. Phil long of us pay for the privilege. enough to go cast a vote for them is Or it could be some Bible-thumper so they can go to Washington, make a who believes women can do anything lot of self-serving speeches in empty a man can do except preach the Word chambers and eat a lot of free meals of God in the pulpit because of someoff of fawning lobbyists. Then they can thing the Apostle Paul said a couple come back to the Rotary Club and talk of thousand years ago. Incidentally, about what a big mess Washington is Paul also suggested women keep their — as though they aren’t an integral mouths shut (1 Timothy 2:12). Good part of the mess. luck with that at my house.

But all of this reminds me that I If you are still inclined to vote for me, run for reelection, too. Every week. I promise I will take the views of the And you don’t even have to turn off multi-millionaire headbangers in the Dr. Phil. You vote with your opinions National Football League on any suband my job is to meet your expecta- ject beyond why they let a sure touchtions, whatever they might be. One down pass slip through their hands of my admirers (and I have so many) about as seriously as a talking frog. told me she used my column — face Once I am reelected, one of my first up – as a training aid to house-break acts will be to investigate why Sen. Daher new puppy. I get warm all over vid Perdue of tony Sea Island, Georthinking about that. gia, who is richer than Croesus, wears Another reader told me that he a denim jacket with the collar up over wouldn’t use my column for his kit- his button-down dress shirt in his TV ty’s litterbox. I’m not sure how his ads. If he is trying to look like a good kitty felt about that but he enclosed a ol’ boy, why not a sprig of alfalfa or photo of a one-finger salute to be sure a dip of Copenhagen under the lip? I I knew how he felt. I thought the dis- would ask his staff but the only time cussion of his feline’s ablution habits they call me is when they want a camwas quite enough. paign contribution.

I found out later that Mr. KitKat is OK, enough pandering. I want your in fact a part of the burgeoning film vote. I need your vote. Otherwise, I industry boondoggle in Georgia which may suffer serious mental stress bemeans I have probably lost my oppor- cause of your rejection. That means tunity of starring in one the next tax- there is a strong possibility that one giveaway productions to be shot in our day you could turn on your television fair state. A shame. I look so much like and there I will be — whining about you Brad Pitt. I could have been a star. to Dr. Phil. Neither of us wants that.

But, undaunted, I continue to seek your approval and promise that if you You can reach Dick Yarbrough at dick@ will reelect me as your modest and dickyarbrough.com; at P.O. Box 725373, Atlanta, Georgia 31139; online at much-beloved columnist I will condickyarbrough.com or on Facebook at tinue my vigorous crusade to oppose www.facebook.com/dickyarb broccoli in all its forms, meaning you

COLUMNIST|CAL THOMAS

Why so much anger?

T

here was a time in America, un- purpose, but it is not to solve problems known or not experienced by only an individual can address. People people under the age of 50, when who are angry at government, instead politics was a contact sport played with of looking to Washington, should be mostly accepted rules and the equiva- looking in the mirror. lent of “sportsmanship.” Losers would There have been injustices as long graciously concede and wish the victor as humans have walked the Earth. The well, in most cases vowing to work with U.S. government has tried mightily and him or her for the good of the at great expense to fix them, but country. The public expected it. most are matters of the heart, Somewhere around the time of not matters for politicians. If the the Vietnam War and Watergate latter, would not those injustices it started to become ugly and inby now have been solved? While stead of sportsmanship the “playit is possible for government to ers” began to engage in mutually impose or tolerate immorality, it assured destruction, to borrow a is close to impossible to impose term used during the Cold War its opposite. This is the role of Thomas when the United States and Sochurches and of individuals makviet Union had missiles aimed at each ing the right decisions for themselves other’s countries. It was appropriately and their families. abbreviated MAD. Is anyone ignorant of what creates It isn’t that in earlier elections politi- “a more perfect union” that establishes cians would refrain from slurring and justice and promotes the general welslandering each other. Many did. The fare? The information is readily avail1800 contest between John Adams able. It is not classified. and Thomas Jefferson was cutthroat The anger arises when people refuse in the extreme. to search, find and then live by wellAs CNN.com recalls, Jefferson’s camp established principles that have mostly labeled President Adams “a fool, a hyp- worked for those who have embraced ocrite, a criminal, and a tyrant.” them throughout history. Anger solves “In return, Adams’ men branded nothing and only deepens divisions Vice President Jefferson “a weakling, and multiplies the problems the angry an atheist, a libertine, and a coward.” claim they want to resolve.

That was nearly two centuries before In her book, “300 Questions to Ask the creation of modern-day media out- Your Parents Before It’s Too Late,” lets, like CNN or Fox News, capable Shannon L. Alder writes: “Anger, reof exacerbating division and promot- sentment and jealousy doesn’t change ing slug fests as in boxing matches, or the heart of others — it only changes long-ago outlawed cock fights. yours.”

This year’s pre-election rioting, lootIf only the rioters devastating our ing and shootings in many American cities would understand this and look cities is not only a consequence of the to themselves and not the next elecfailure or refusal of politicians to fix tion, or Washington, to redress real problems; it is also a failure by too and perceived grievances. many citizens who look to government to find solutions for things it was never Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. Look for created to address.

Cal Thomas’ new book “America’s It is not the fault of a train that it cannot fly. A car mechanic should not Expiration Date: The Fall of Empires and be blamed because he can’t perform Superpowers and the Future of the United States” (HarperCollins/Zondervan). open-heart surgery. Government has a

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: EmAil: letters@gwinnettdailypost.com mAil: 725 Old Norcross Road Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30046

COLUMNIST|KATHLEEN PARKER

T

We don’t need no reeducation

he words “patriotic education,” recently introduced by President Trump, bear an unfortunate similarity to patriotic reeducation, a term not generally associated with liberty.

Authoritarian rulers with genocidal tendencies have often used patriotic education — otherwise known as brainwashing — to turn children into little tattle-taling implants of the state. This isn’t what Trump intends, even if some on the left prefer to see it that way. And there are some other forms of American reeducation taking root around the country that merit examination.

Trump announced his intention to create a commission to study a pro-America curriculum during a speech Thursday, Constitution Day, from the National Archives. He said he wanted to “restore patriotic education to our schools,” largely in response to the Black Lives Matter movement and the New York Times Magazine’s “1619 Project,” a series of essays that reframed American history as beginning with the arrival of the first slaves in the Virginia colony. The project, now being embraced by some colleges and already headed for grades K-12, places “the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.”

While this would have been an interest- not having but should: how the unconing idea for a doctoral dissertation, I’m scious mind harbors racist attitudes. In not sure the country is quite ready to re- his 2010 book, “The Hidden Brain,” forbrand the Founding Fathers as little more mer Post writer Shankar Vedantam argues than cruel, greedy bigots. Trump, that all people — Blacks, Whites and while hardly the best narrator for everyone else — are 100% racist in this story, is not alone in worrytheir subconscious minds. These ing that the Black Lives Matter biases form at early ages, and we movement, for all the awareness basically spend the rest of our maof police brutality that it has creture lives trying to tamp them down ated, has become a cudgel for those or eradicate them. Sometimes we who want to deconstruct America, fail, usually when stressed, afraid, monument by monument. angry or just plain tired.

Parker Equally concerning are efforts This is also the underlying premunderway to educate some federal em- ise of the “diversity consultant” Howard ployees about “white privilege,” “systemic Ross, who happens to be White, and who racism” and “white fragility.” has led at least 17 training courses across In July, a whistleblower at the Treasury federal departments, including at TreaDepartment leaked documents about a sury, since Trump’s inauguration. The diversity training course titled “Difficult problem, however, is that telling people Conversations about Race in Troubling they’re unconsciously racist, which reTimes.” According to Christopher F. Rufo, quires about five minutes of explanawho received the documents and wrote tion, doesn’t mean that all Whites are about them in the Manhattan Institute’s standby racists.

“City Journal,” the course is based upon While I don’t worry much about adults the “premise that ‘virtually all White peo- being inconvenienced at work by a relaple contribute to racism’ and have inter- tively innocuous time-waster, I do wornalized ‘fairly consistent narratives about ry about programming young children race’ that ‘don’t support the dismantling to feel good or bad about their history. of racist institutions.’”

Ross tells his conferees to go home and Let’s just say, not really. At least not con- talk to their children about race, which sciously, which is the conversation we’re is fine to a point. The extent to which

schools incorporate critical race theory into their curricula is bound to vary widely by state and district. Learning about the realities of slavery, Jim Crow, the ongoing fight for equality and other historical facts is justified and necessary, but the age-appropriateness of material should be scrupulously overseen by parents and pediatric psychologists, not agenda-driven ideologues.

It doesn’t take a degree in politics to see that, with Election Day six weeks away, Trump is creating a cultural conflict he thinks will get him reelected. Plainly, “patriotic education” is a coded dog whistle at a time when self-proclaimed “patriots” tend to cluster on the far-right fringes, bearing arms and waving battle flags.

It’s the kind of tactic Republicans have employed for years, usually late in close campaigns. What a coincidence.

This much is certain: Trump isn’t the only one calling for a new curriculum in America. But he won’t be the one instructing children to go home and quiz their parents about their racism and white privilege.

No, that job falls to the authorities from the Diversity Educational Complex, who are busy rewriting history as we speak.

Kathleen Parker is a columnist for the Washington Post.

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Aurora Theatre set to debut first streaming performance

By Todd Cline todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to re-imagine themselves during this time of social distancing and exposure concerns. The Aurora Theatre is no different.

And like many businesses, the Lawrenceville theater has had to get creative with its approach. Fortunately, the Aurora is in the creativity business, which has led to some firstever pursuits by the organization.

One of those is the theater’s first streaming performance of a play called “Barbara’s Blue Kitchen” — a slice of Southern life musical that has energized the Aurora in many ways, Ann-Carol Pence said.

“Our Stage Onscreen is exciting for a few reasons: it fulfills our mission of producing professional theatrical for our community, it allows us to employ artists and it gives us a creative platform we’re all so desperate for at this time,” said Pence, who is the Aurora Theatre’s co-founder and Associate Producer. “We’ve (also) used this opportunity to implement safety protocols for our artists and staff so when we’re able to gather, we’ll be ready.”

Based on the novel by Lori Fisher, the musical spotlights kind-hearted See AURORA, C4

Photo: Casey Gardner

Chloe Kay plays Barbara Jean in the Aurora Theatre’s online presentation of “Barbara’s Blue Kitchen.”

IF YOU WATCH What: The Aurora Theatre’s streaming production of “Barbara’s Blue Kitchen” When: Sept. 25 through Oct. 4 More info: To purchase tickets to view online call 678-226-6222 or go to auroratheatre.com

Fireworks for Christmas?

By Todd Cline todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com

With the way 2020 has gone so far, it’s never too early for some good news — even if you have to wait until Christmas.

That’s how the city of Lawrenceville feels about its latest announcement that Santa Claus is coming to town, and he’s bringing fireworks.

Fireworks for Christmas?

That’s just some of the out-ofthe-box thinking that cities are doing these days, said Melissa Hardegree, who is director of community relations for Lawrencville. She said a socially distanced Santa will be on hand for the city’s Christmas celebration on Dec. 12, which will also feature a drive-in Christmas movie followed by fireworks.

“You get fireworks and Santa,” Hardegree said. “People have been calling to ask if we were going to have a Christmas parade (because of COVID-19), and I have to tell them ‘no.”

But we are having a Christmas event.”

The fireworks were not used

File Photo

Santa Claus is headed to Lawrenceville again this year, but this time he’s bringing fireworks instead of a parade. for the city’s Fourth of July celebration due to the pandemic.

But Lawrenceville recently received the go-ahead to use them on Dec. 12 as a way to celebrate Christmas and kick off the city’s bicentennial, which will be celebrated in 2021.

“We will encourage people to social distance and stay in

their cars as much as possible,” Hardegree said.

The Christmas celebration will culminate a year that has seen Lawrenceville, and other cities around Gwinnett County, change up the way they do events. Hardegree said Lawrenceville has concentrated on smaller events, which have

COVID forces Lawrenceville to change up city events worked well.

“We are getting to know the people who attend these events better and it is also helping us focus on our downtown businesses by giving them some unique opportunities,” she said.

“People want to get out of the house.”

One of the things Lawrenceville has done is start a series called Spotlight in the DTL. It’s an opportunity for artists to step into the spotlight and perform live in one of the city’s downtown locations. Vocalists, actors, magicians, dancers, musicians, artists are encouraged to submit a virtual audition. The best will be selected to perform, with performances being held most Fridays and Saturdays in September and October.

The city also hosts a Wellness Wednesday event in partnership with Fleet Feet, Performance Power Yoga and Fishery Fitness Studio. Activities such as kickboxing, yoga and fun runs are held during these free, 60-minute sessions that run Sept. 9 through Oct. 28.

Another new event is the city’s

Drive-In Movie Series. The city will bring classic movies to Lawrenceville’s Depot District to enjoy drive-in movies.

Reservations are required and spots are limited. Tickets for each movie are released online 10 days prior to the event. You can get more information at downtownlawrencevillega.com.

Lawrenceville will celebrate Halloween with a Movie on the Lawn event Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. No registration required. The Lawrenceville Lawn will host a daytime show, featuring Halloween goodies and “Monsters Inc.,” “The Addams Family” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet.”

And then there’s the Christmas event. Hardegree said children will be able to get their photo taken “near” Santa (respecting social distance, of course) in addition to enjoying the movie and, at the end of the day, a unique Christmas fireworks show.

“Santa is coming to Lawrenceville,” Hardegree said, sharing some much needed happy news.

C6 ♦ Sunday, September 20, 2020 ♦ gwinnettdailypoSt.com CLOSE TO HOME

John McPherson

FAMILY CIRCUS

Bill Keane

Today’s Solution

BEETLE BAILEY Mort & Greg Walker

BLONDIE Dean Young & John Marshall

DILBERT®

Scott Adams

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE Chris Browne

Zits Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

PEANUTS

GARFIELD Jim Davis

POOCH CAFE Paul Gilligan

Charles M. Schulz

PICKLES Brian Crane

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same numSolution to today's Sudoku ber only once.

WHATZIT SOLUTION:

Today’s Answer: Clear