The following reports were filed by the Gwinnett County Police Department between June 14, 2019 and June 28, 2019.
• Officers responded to a forced entry residential burglary in the 300 block of Level Creek Road in Sugar Hill.
• Reports were filed for non forced residential burglaries in the 1000 block of Level Creek Road in Sugar Hill and the 2300 block of Hillbriar Drive in Buford.
• A call for a forced entry nonresidential burglar came in from the 200 block of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Sugar Hill.
• An attempted burglary was reported in the 1900 block of Harvest Ridge Circle in Buford.
• A person was robbed at knifepoint in the 2200 block of Satellite Boulevard in Buford.
• A Strong Arm Rape was reported in the 4600 block of Amberwyck Court in Buford.
• Police received reports of motor vehicle theft in the 3500 block of Buford Drive and in the 3500 block of Gravel Springs Road. Buford addresses.
• Entering auto thefts occurred in the 500 block of Star Flower Lane in Sugar Hill, 1100 block of Owen Circle in Sugar Hill, 1300 block of Buford Dam Road in Buford, 1500 block of Jimmy Dodd Road in Buford, 1800 block of Millwood Park Court in Buford, 4100 block of Buford Drive, 1900 block of Satellite Boulevard in Buford, and 3200 block of Buford
NORTH GWINNETT
Drive in Buford.
• Reports for theft by taking were filed for locations in the 6100 block of Austin Garner Road in Sugar Hill, 1100 block of West Shadburn Avenue in Buford, 200 block of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Sugar Hill, 100 block of Forest Street in Buford, 4900 block of Bryant Road in Buford, 4300 block of Hamilton Mill Road in Buford, 4300 block of Commerce Drive in Buford, 4100 block of Buford Drive in Buford, 4000 block of Buford Drive in Buford, 4300 block of Hamilton Mill Road in Buford, 3300 block of Buford Drive in Buford, 3200 block of Sardis Church Road in Buford, 2100 block of Hamilton Creek Parkway in Buford, and 2900 block of Sardis Mill Trail in Buford.
• Theft of services was reported in the 5900 block of Suwanee Dam Road in Sugar Hill, 2000 block of Buford Dam Road in Buford, 2700 block of Mall of Georgia Drive in Buford, and 2100 block of Hamilton Creek Parkway in Buford.
• Police responded to calls for theft by deception in the 900 block of Laurel Green Lane in Sugar Hill, 3600 block of Dunbar Lane in Suwanee, and 2200 block of Hamilton Creek Parkway in Buford.
• Parts were stolen off a vehicle in the 4800 block of Wages Way in Sugar Hill.
• Theft by conversion was reported in the 6100 block of Sparkling Cove Lane in Buford.
• Shoplifting reports were filed for various locations in and around the Mall of Georgia, 3200 block of Sardis Church
Road, 1900 block of Buford Highway, 2100 block of Buford Dam Road, and 2200 block of Hamilton Creek Parkway. Buford addresses.
• Officers arrested people for DUI in the 5400 block of Cumming Highway in Sugar Hill, Chatham Road at Johnson Street in Buford, and Braselton Highway at Hamilton Mill in Dacula.
• Police filed reports for disorderly conduct in the 3300 block of Buford Drive and in the 1700 block of Buford Dam Road. Buford addresses.
• Incidents involving simple assault were reported in the 5100 block of Antler Court in Suwanee and in the 2100 block of Andrewood Place in Buford.
• Reports for simple battery were filed for the 1300 block of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in the 4100 block of Summit Gate Drive in Suwanee, 1300 block of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Sugar Hill, 2900 block of Pebblebrook Drive in Buford, 1400 block of Mall of Georgia Drive in Buford, 3700 block of Plantation Mill Drive in Buford, 2600 block of Sardis Way in Buford, and 4500 block of Spout Springs Road in Buford.
• Battery was reported in the 4100 block of Brynhill Lane, 4500 block of Thompson Mill Road, 2700 block of North Bogan Road, and at North Bogan Road at Hamilton Mill Road. Buford addresses.
• A person was arrested for aggravated assault with a gun in the 4400 block of Water Mill Drive in Buford.
Staff Writers:
Contributing Writers:
Shooting in Buford leaves 15-year-old boy dead
Alicia Couch Payne
(Buford, Ga.) — Just after midnight on July 1, police responded to a call about a shooting at the Gas Plus convenience store in the 4500 block of Thompson Mill Road in Buford.
When officers arrived they found one 15-yearold Hispanic male later identified as Branden Gerena of Buford with a gunshot wound to the head. Gerena was rushed to a local hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Upon reviewing footage of a nearby surveillance camera, it was determined that Gerena and another 15-year-old male were standing outside behind the store. A black male approached the two teens and fired a single shot which struck Gerena in the head. The suspect can be seen running away while the other teen stayed at the scene with his friend. Gwinnett Police Department utilized K-9 and air units to assist in the search for the suspect but were unsuccessful in locating him. The suspect is described as a black male in his 20s wearing blue jeans, a black jacket with red lettering, and a backward baseball hat.
A motive is not currently known but Gwinnett County Police Department Public Information Officer Chris Smith stated, “It appears that there’s something suspicious related about it…. Why they were possibly meeting someone here but we don’t know definitively what it was.”
Upon learning the identity of the victim and determining that he was a student at Buford High School, Buford City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Robert Downs emailed the parents of BCSS children and faculty. In his email he said, “It is with great sadness that I must inform you about the tragic loss of one of our students. This morning we learned that Branden Gerena, a rising 10th grade Buford High School student, was tragically killed. We are saddened by the loss to our school community and I know you will join me in sending our heartfelt sympathy to the family during this time of loss and grief.”
If anyone has any information to share in this case, please contact GCPD detectives at 770-5135300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com<https://www.atlantapolicefoundation.org/programs/crime-stoppers/>. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. Case Number: 19-059699
Family business leaves low-carbon footprints in Buford
Jim Simpson
Much has changed in Buford over the past 100 years, especially in the shoe business. The Tannery Row campus that today features the eponymous artist colony and ale house, along with office space, was originally home to the Bona Allen Shoe Factory. Built in 1919, the business became immediately successful by using scrap leather pieces from other divisions of the tanner to make and sell their footwear. By 1921 there were 521,000 pairs of shoes produced and sold from the building.
After a contentious labor strike, Bona Allen closed the operation, but six months later the U.S. Army
II. The business closed shortly after the war.
After a nearly 40-year break, shoes were once again being cobbled together in Buford thanks to an Iranian immigrant named Bahman Irvani. Since 1984, he and his family have owned and operated a shoe business named Okabashi based in Buford, specializing in eco-friendly flip-flops and sandals inspired by Japanese concepts of reflexology and design.
Bahman, the son of a successful shoemaker running 60 multi-national factories across the Middle East at the time, had just begun working full-time for his father. Shortly therafter, the 1979 Iranian Revolution occurred and the new regime nationalized the family's footwear company, wiping them out. The family arrived in the United States in 1981 to begin their American dream.
“We lost 99 % of what we had,” Bahman said. “We cried for about a year and then decided either we spend the rest of our lives looking back or looking forward. We decided let’s move forward.”
In 2017, Bahman’s daughter Sara became CEO of Okabashi, which is a Japanese word that, according to Sara, has no specific meaning but is associated with wellness.
“The theme for Earth Day this year is: End Plastic Pollution,” Sara posted on the company’s website in 2018. “The thought of well-loved flip flops and sandals ending up in a landfill or in a floating plastic island in the ocean breaks our hearts. Every Okabashi shoe is recyclable and eco-friendly. We
are proud to do our part in reducing plastic pollution with our closed loop recycling process.”
Located in a 100,000-square-foot facility surrounded by trees north of Thompson Mill Rd. just off Buford Hwy., Okabashi has sold over 35,000 pairs of shoes, all made in the United States. With more than 99% of American-worn footwear made abroad, Sara is proud to continue her father’s dream of making the 1% in this country.
Regarding the company’s low carbon footprint, Sara said, “Our sandals on average contain 20-percent recyclable materials. We regrind the materials in our factory without any water or chemicals, remold and reuse the materials to create new shoes.
“We have a circular program. We recycle pure scraps at our manufacturing facility and when a customer sends back to us their worn shoes, they receive a 15-percent discount off their next pair.”
Okabashi partners with local vendors where possible, and works closely with the Two Ten Foundation and Souls for Soles, and has donated over 100,000 pairs of shoes to natural disaster victims, veterans, and more.
Since the company’s inception, sustainability has been a key component and one that Sara vigorously adheres to.” Sustainability to us, what it’s meant, has evolved. It’s been about being Made in the USA with a carbon footprint and as a family run business, it’s also been about the values of not creating waste even before sustainability was a topic.”
Okabashi employees in the company’s factory in Buford, GA.
Photo courtesy of Okabashi
Sara Irvani and her father Bahman Irvani, founder of Okabashi Brand shoes
Photo courtesy of Okabashi
OPINION
GROWING up BUFORD
Cindy Wiggins Tapia
The minute I arrived back in Buford, I stepped into the crosshairs of everybody who knew me.
Once a runaway, always a runaway after all.
Jerry Anglin brought my mugshot into the diner and said, “They won’t be needing this again—will they?”
Uncle Larry Elinburg came in with a few choice words that flew into the Delete files of my brain.
My homeroom teacher forgot to mark me present one day, and the principal’s office called Mama, and the search was on. Mrs. Grizzle found me in her home economics class.
One afternoon, I was waiting on two itinerant construction workers, when Uncle Harold Morris walked in and sat down at a nearby table. One of the construction workers wanted to know where he could find a carwash.
“There’s one on Moreno Street,” I said and gave him the directions.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I live across the street from it.”
“Now we know where you live,” he kidded.
Uncle Harold got up and marched out, shaking his head.
That evening, I was in front of the stereo, go-go dancing to Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog when Daddy thundered in and chewed me out about my two new boyfriends. I started bawling, and he ran out of the house before Mama could whack him upside the head with her cast-iron skillet.
Uncle Harold had gone from Teen’s Diner to Daddy’s part-time gas station job and told him I was flirting with two grown men. Ew. To me, anybody
in their mid-twenties was old enough to have spied Moses in the bulrushes.
Mama called the cook, JR Carr, who assured her that I had not been batting my eyelashes at those two builders. She called Danny’s wife, Brenda who said, “Christine, I trust her with my own husband!”
Danny felt so bad about what happened, he gave me a whopping twenty-five cent per hour raise and promoted me to assistant cook.
And so, it went.
The last time I saw Susan Robinson was the afternoon she came in with her best friend. Two years later, she was found murdered. But for the grace of God that fate could have been mine. And then I got arm-twisted into going to Gwinnett Hall Baptist Church— “Just one Sunday morning,” Mama promised. So, I went. And I got saved three Sundays later.
Talking about a change of habit I was in church every time the doors were open. When my working hours threatened my catching the Wednesday night bus, I reached out to God for a solution and He showed up and showed out. When I asked Danny if I could get off fifteen minutes early on prayer meeting night, he allowed as how he would start closing earlier every night.
That arrangement played out just fine until my youth pastor, Pete Wallis, asked us teenagers to go soul-winning at 2 p.m. on Saturdays. But I worked. What to do? I quit Teen’s Diner. What was money compared to service to Christ?
What a great God we serve! He sent His only begotten Son to die and take up His life again for a delinquent like me—and for you. No matter who you are or what you’ve done, His grace is sufficient.
Adventure awaits those who choose to travel
Windy Locke
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” These wise words of Saint Augustine resonate somewhere in my soul. Between soccer practice, packing lunches, meetings and deadlines and all of the routines that keep the wheels of our family turning, I find myself plotting and planning on how to fill the pages of our book with adventure.
I was a young adult when I stepped on to a plane for the first time, bound for a cruise ship that would take me to Caribbean waters so clear and blue it didn’t seem like something that could exist in real life. The moment my toes touched that water I realized what a small slice of the world I had known growing up. I also realized how to reach the rest of the world.
Throughout the years the world did become a smaller place as I shared adventures with friends in places far from home. I have felt the breeze of a Parisian night from atop the Eiffel Tower, indulged in Belgian chocolate in the storybook city of Brugge and stood in the majesty of Westminster Abbey, to name a few of the moments that left an impression on my heart. When I embarked on the great journey of motherhood, I was filled with hopes and dreams for my sweet baby as most parents are. I knew that
one of the gifts I most wanted to give him would be a sense of adventure but I couldn’t have imagined the precious memories we would make together as we set out to explore the world around us.
Something different happens when you leave the comfort of your own nest and go somewhere you’ve never been or do something you’ve never done before, together. You watch your kids develop confidence as they try new things, you realize how capable they are and you all have an opportunity to learn something new about each other. Without the confines of home and your usual responsibilities, your kids can see you in a different light as you embrace your own sense of adventure and explore with them in childlike wonder with an open and curious mind. Traveling together creates deep family bonds that develop when you are relying on each other, investigating, asking questions, solving problems and learning together.
Numerous studies have shown the benefits of traveling with kids, including social and emotional growth as well as brain development. Visiting another country can give children a broader perspective of the world and an appreciation for different cultures when they experience both the similarities and differences of others. Visiting historical sites makes history come alive for them in a way that they can’t learn in a classroom. Perhaps most important is the time spent together, whether in a tent under the stars or on the white sand beaches of a Caribbean shore. You will never regret taking the time to travel.
Second annual Suwanee Summer Porch
Jam a hit with locals and visitors
Jim Simpson
It was a sweltering and breezeless summer solstice Friday evening in Old Town Suwanee. Volunteers stationed on Main St. handed out paper fans with the Suwanee Summer Porch Jam logo on one side and a map of venues on the other. The fans gave people the chance to stir up some personal breeze as well.
Local musicians serenaded listeners across nine different porches on Main St. and along Stonecypher Rd. At Huthmaker Violins, located in the historic 1880 Rhodes Hotel on Russell St., bluegrass band Delusions of Adequacy played from the front porch to toe-tapping folks seated on the lawn. Between tunes the band quipped that folks were so nice in the neighborhood that the late Mister Rogers would approve. A “violin petting zoo” in one corner of the property gave young and old alike the chance to get some hands-on time with stringed instruments.
Dave Masters and his family were visiting
Suwanee Council Meeting MinutesJune
2019
Nida Merchant
(Suwanee, Ga.) — June 25, 2019 — Suwanee Mayor James Burnette called the June Suwanee City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall. The council dived into the public hearing actions. Councilmember Marty Allen reviewed the 2020 Proposed General Funds hearing as well as the 2024 Capital Improvement Program. This concluded the
from Missouri for a friend’s wedding. “This is really neat. Everyone is so relaxed, nice and friendly,” he said, glancing up Main St. “Some of these old houses remind me of the ones in my grandparents’ neighborhood. Really sweet area.”
The Suwanee Summer Porch Jam, in its second year, is part of Make Music Day, an international celebration of music. Originated in France in 1982, it’s held on the summer solstice every year in more than 750 cities in 120 countries.
France’s Ministry of Culture dreamed up the idea for a new kind of musical holiday. They imagined a day where free, live music would be everywhere: street corners and parks, rooftops and gardens, store fronts and main streets.
Unlike a typical music festival, anyone and everyone would be invited to join and play music or host performances. The event would take place on the sum mer solstice, June 21, and would be called Fête De La Musique. (In French, the name means both “festival of music” and “make music.”)
the turnout we had this year. Looking forward to next year and still trying to decide how we handle the event falling on a Sunday.”
upturned red buckets in a drum circle, while down the street at Suwanee Mayor Jimmy Burnette’s house a folk/ rock duo performed as listeners sat in the front yard or chatted in the street. Around the corner on Stonecypher St., the historic Ireland House featured a karaoke stage where anyone could sign up to perform.
“It was great to have it fall on a weekend night,” City of Suwanee Events & Outreach Manager Amy Doherty said. “It was a good crowd and we were happy with
second and final public hearing for both documents.
A proposed amendment was featured to the City of Suwanee’s zoning ordinances. The proposed feature would add indoor recreational facilities and was recommended by city staff. The amendment was approved.
Following the Public Hearing was the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of Agenda and Meeting Minutes.
Mayor James Burnette and the City Council took time to recognize Chief Mike Jones for his 20th year anniversary in working with the Suwanee Police force. In the month of March, Chief Jones was honored at the State Capitol as Georgia’s 2018-2019 Chief of the Year. The Mayor took time to thank him for his devoted work for the city as the room stood for applause.
Food trucks lined up in front of the old red caboose at Pierce’s Corner offered BBQ, Greek food, pizza, ice cream and kettle corn. The longest lines were at the Jerk Bros. truck for their popular jerk chicken tacos.
Toddlers and teens pounded away on
A special presentation was given by two members of the Suwanee Youth Leaders (SYL) program. SYL is a 10-month leadership initiative meant to call juniors and seniors from North Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge, and Collins Hill high schools. They participate in many volunteer opportunities and gave their midway report thanking the city and program for their experiences.
During the audience participation, I was able to introduce myself to the city council and inform them of my latest endeavor to work with the city to bring their projects to the public’s attention with news items in the North Gwinnett Voice.
The Council considered the contract amendment with Hogan Construction for the Municipal Court Renovation and Addition. In May, the Council allowed Hogan Construction to complete the site
Two houses down at Everett’s Music Barn, the usual Saturday bluegrass show came a day early specially for this event. Three bands rotated throughout the night inside while local pickers jammed out front adding to the hometown, block party vibe that spread throughout the neighborhood.
work associated with the project. The amendment, as a result, adds building scope to their contract. The city staff recommends action towards this amendment after receiving the guaranteed maximum price.
The City Council updated the public on the city’s latest activities occurring in Suwanee including their weekly summer Farmers Market in the Suwanee Town Center. The event is expected to last through the season on Saturdays from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. The City is also hosting a Broadway in the Park event with hit classics such as Frozen junior and Elf junior. The event is hosted by the Suwanee Performing Arts on July 26 and July 27. This concluded the regular public meeting. The Council then went into executive session.
Huthmaker Violins photo credit
Photo by Jim Simpson
Players Guild performs entertaining comedy
“Never Too Late”
Nida Merchant
The Players Guild at Sugar Hill proudly presented their latest play, “Never Too Late.” The Broadway-inspired play was directed by Alan Hyma and is originally written by Sumner Arthur Long in 1962.
The Broadway sensation stars a man in his middle years who finds out his wife Edith (Karin Goss), is expecting a child. Confused and frustrated, Harry (Joe McLaughlin) is not at all excited to hear this news, especially after the disaster of a husband his daughter marries. Kate (Allyssa Brooke) and Charlie (Michael Crocker) do not have a care in the world until their mother announces her
pregnancy and everyone is soon riddled with problems of their own. But the birth of a new child does not startle Harry as much as the social humiliation, the expensive house renovations or Edith’s fascination with her own checking account. “Never Too Late” is a hilarious reminder that life is a never-ending series of changes that calls for a great adventure!
The entertaining show is a fun twist on an everyday American family from the 60s with plenty of entertainment and laughs for the whole family. Their overall message is to show that change is inevitable but relies deeply on the reactions of the people involved.
“Never Too Late” is the final show of the Players Guild's inaugural season in
the Sugar Hill Eagle Theatre. They have announced their sixth season to be as fantastic and entertaining as this one with hits such as “Calendar Girls,” “Up, Up & Away” and “Dilemmas with Dinner.”
As the Players Guild closed the curtains on their final show, they look forward to seeing their dedicated audience next year for yet another exciting season.
TROUBLE HEARING?
Caption
Photo courtesy of PHOTO Caption
Photo courtesy of PHOTO
New BHS Performing Arts Center continues a long legacy
Alicia
Couch Payne
Buford High School has a tradition of supporting fine arts at the school dating back nearly 100 years, nurtured by people like Daisy Shadburn. The first auditorium for the Buford City School System was built in 1926 and was the city’s cultural center. The new BHS Performing Arts Center will open this fall, 93 years after the first auditorium opened.
The school system excels in three areas: academics, athletics, and the arts; the three state-of-the-art buildings on the new campus reflect this.
For BCSS Fine Arts Coordinator Dr. Chris Fowler, this has been a labor of love. The building’s design was conceived by Fowler with input from teachers in the school’s performing arts program.
“We were not just constructing a building, but building a legacy that will last well beyond my time here,” said Fowler.
The Center Performing Arts building holds suites of classrooms for chorus, dance, band, and theatre, with connecting rooms for offices, prop and costume storage, instrument storage, dressing rooms, and smaller group
practice rooms.
The dance classroom has a wall of mirrors and barres for the dancers to practice routines. The band room has custom storage for uniforms, three practice rooms, a percussion room, and climate-controlled instrument storage
The theatre is the building’s gem with stadium seating and a massive stage rivaling most college stages. With acoustic sound panels there’s not a bad seat in this 950-seat theatre.
The production equipment, lighting and sound systems, audio and visual recording equipment are all state of the art, designed and purchased with ease of use in mind. Both the sound and lighting systems have control panels on the stage so virtually anyone can enter the theatre and select a numbered button to bring up programmed settings. The school didn’t want to construct a catwalk over the seats in the theatre to be able to adjust lighting nor did they want to have to bring in a lift to clean them. Instead, they installed the lighting attached to a hydraulic system that will lower the entire row of lights all the way to where a student can stand on the floor near the seats and adjust the lights.
The thought and planning put into this building are mind-blowing. To include all the details would require much more space than we have here. The students of the Performing Arts program at Buford High School will be the envy of other programs around the state. The Buford community, City Commission, and the Board of Education have shown their level of commitment to the performing arts students in the creation of this building. Dr. Fowler humbly states, “We are blessed beyond words.”
A performer’s view of the Theatre from center stage.
Photo by Alicia Couch Payne
Uniform storage for the band.
Photo by Alicia Couch Payne
Caption
Photo by Alicia Couch Payne
Each programs’ classroom is spacious and has been made specifically with their unique needs in mind like the chorus room pictured here.
Photo by Alicia Couch Payne
Buford Schools SRO Chief nominated for a Gwinnett Chamber award
Alicia Couch Payne
On June 24, Chief Mindy Bayreuther, the School Resource Office Chief for Buford City Schools, was notified that she had been nominated for an award called the
One family’s dedication to the children of Buford spans nearly 50 years
Alicia Couch Payne
Buford is blessed with families devoted to the community. I had the honor of meeting one of those families recently, the Murrays. I’d met the patriarch on several occasions at the Buford City Schools Central Office without realizing it. Walter Murray is a man one remembers not for his name or position, but for his actions and character. Although I didn’t know his name until recently, I knew I liked him. Each time our paths crossed, I walked away thinking he was a genuinely kind man.
In August, Mr. Murray will retire from the Buford City School System after 48 years of service. I was asked to tell his story, and this is how I learned the identity of the kind gentleman who always made me smile. It is a story of a man and his family dedicating their lives to the betterment of the Buford community. The Murrays are a hardworking, selfless, loving family that will leave Buford better than when they “found” it. Arriving in Buford in 1956 from the small
Pay it Forward Award. The award is given out at the Gwinnett Chamber’s annual Moxie Awards.
The Moxie Awards recognize women and businesses in the community who in their words “make it happen” and support the advancement of women in the workforce. The Moxie Awards has seven designations that will be awarded on August 29, 2019, at the Infinite Energy Forum in Duluth. Those awards are the Enlightened Employer Award, Greater Good Award, Influence Award, On the Rise Award, Outstanding Organization Award, Moxie Award, and the Pay it Forward Award.
Krogh, Senior Vice President of Programs & Events at the Gwinnett Chamber. “This program will highlight the wonderful work that is being done within our community.”
According to the Gwinnett Chamber’s Moxie Awards website, the Pay it Forward Award “pays tribute to an individual who is generous with her time, talent, or resources. Our community is a better place because of her contributions.”
“In Gwinnett, we are fortunate to have a strong network of women and organizations that support them,” said Alicia
town of Lincolnton, GA, Walter found work building the new powerhouse on Lake Lanier. He married Maebelle in 1958. Walter’s career at Buford City Schools began in 1971 when he was hired as a custodian at Buford Elementary School. He spent most of his time at BCSS’s middle school. His hard work and dedication were noticed, and in 2004 Walter was promoted to the school system’s head custodian.
In a statement, the Buford City Schools reflected on Walter’s 48 years of service to the children, staff, and buildings. “Mr. Murray has provided a quiet strength for over four decades that has truly been a crucial part of Buford City Schools’ foundation. His work in the district, as well as the community, has impacted many and will be greatly missed when he retires. We are thankful for his service and dedication to our system.”
Behind every great man is an equally great woman. Maebelle Murray has always been a galvanizing force, and her good cooking is the stuff of legends. She raised three children, Linda, Deborah, and Dennis, while Walter worked two jobs. Her love of family is evident in the large meals she prepares at family dinners every Friday. Maebelle’s love has extended to the entire community as she has volunteered and cooked for school functions for many years.
Linda, their eldest child, graduated from BHS in 1975 and is married to Rufus Smith. She completed both her student teaching and entire 34-year career in the Buford City School System working as a teacher, administrator, and counselor. The most memorable moment of her career was winning the system-wide Teacher of the Year Award.
“I am incredibly humbled and honored by the nomination for the Pay It Forward Moxie Award,” said Chief Bayreuther.
“My passion is to be a servant leader, and I appreciate the opportunity to serve the Buford community. I strive to pay it forward by making our environment the safest it can be for our students and their families.”
BCSS Superintendent Dr. Robert Downs remarked that everyone is very proud of Chief Bayreuther’s nomination for the Pay it Forward Award. “She exemplifies service not just in her job duties but in every action she takes. We have seen her contributions stretch throughout the Buford community for years and are excited to have her as part of our staff,” said Dr. Downs. “We are grateful to the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce for nominating Chief Bayreuther and sharing with everyone the tremendous work she does for our community.”
In retirement, Linda continues to work for Buford by coordinating the high school’s SAT testing, Saturday school, and assisting at sporting events.
Middle child Deborah graduated from BHS in 1979 and is now a retired educator who spent her career at Loganville High School and Youth Middle School. Her son Adam is a BHS graduate as well. Deborah currently works for Buford City Schools helping with SAT testing and assisting at sports events.
Dennis Walter will leave his position in the hands of his son Dennis, a 1984 Buford High School graduate who has been working alongside his father since 1980, when he worked part-time as a custodian at Buford Middle School. In 1984 he was brought on
full-time. He was transferred to the high school where he will remain until he takes over for his father as the Manager of Custodial Services this August. Dennis has four children: Derrick, 35; Demetris, 29; Alexus, 22; and Delaina, 18 and a stepson, Chastin Newman, 22. His four children each graduated from Buford High School. Dennis is kept in line by his lovely wife, Dr. Linda K. Murray. With 39 years of service to Buford already, Dennis could easily surpass his father’s 48 years.
I feel honored to have met this dynamic family. It is because of families like the Murrays that Buford remains a family-oriented city and holds true to its identity. This family embodies everything Buford stands for.
BAYREUTHER
Walter Murray (center) with daughter Linda and son Dennis.
(Photo credit: Alicia Couch-Payne)
Patricia Roebuck Nash graduated from Buford High School in 1962. She was bor ni n1 944 in Buford to Nell and J.W.R oebuck. Mrs. Nash is the eldest of four daughters who each graduated from BHS. She said her parents “always taught us children about loyalty and commitment to our city.” These lessons were never far from her mind. They spur red Mrs. Nash to always strive to do her best and her hard work has been evident throughout her life.
While at Buford High School, Mrs. Nash was actively involved in activities at the school. She played the clarinet in the band and was am ajorette. She was also am ember of the Future Te achers of America Club, Future Homemakers of America Club, and the Beta Club. Mrs. Nash par ticipated in the One Act Play and Literar y, as well as, was ac ast member of her senior play.
Several of her proudest moments at BHS took place in the old Buford gym on Hill Street. She was crowned Miss Buford in 1960 and gave her valedictorian speech in that gym. In her speech, Mrs. Nash predicted that man would walk on the moon and it took place just seven years later.A fter graduation, Mrs. Nash went to Nor th Georgia College where she graduated with a bachelors degree in English literature. She ear ned an assistantship at Appalachian State University that afforded her the oppor tunity to ear nt wo masters degrees, English and Psychology.U sing her new degrees, she taught students at Appalachian State University,M iami Beach High School, and Gainesville College before retur ning to her roots in Buford.
Where ynow are the
v e m e n t i n t h e
f o r m a t i o n o f t h e fi r s t D r a m a C l u b a n d T h e s p i a n S o c i e t y a t B H S . T h e a t r e
w a s a p a s s i o n o f h e r s a n d s a i d t h e l a s t p l a y s h e d i r e c t e d w a s t h e “ L i t t l e S h o p
o f H o r r o r s ! ”
T h e s e d a y s M r s N a s h i s l i v i n g i n B u c k h e a d w i t h h e r h u s b a n d o f n e a r l y 3 4 y e a r s ,
M r. L a m a r N a s h w h o o w n e d L a m a r N a s h B u i c k a n d P o n t i a c i n B u f o r d . M r s . N a s h h a s a l w a y s e n j o y e d t r a v e l i n g a n d o f t e n t o o k h e r s t u d e n t s o n t r i p s t o l o c a t i o n s l i k e E u r o p e , C a l i f o r n i a , a n d N e w
Yo r k . S h e s h a r e d h e r l o v e o f t r a v e l i n g w i t h h e r h u s b a n d . W h i l e o n a t r i p t o I s t a n b u l , Tu r k e y h e r h u s b a n d s u f f e r e d a s e v e r e s t r o k e a n d r e q u i r e s a s s i s t a n c e i n h i s d a i l y l i f e w h i c h i s w h y t h e y m o v e d
t o B u c k h e a d i n 2 0 0 9 t o b e n e a r d o c t o r s a n d he r s o n M r s N a s h ’s s o n , C a s e y K e e s e e , a 1 9 8 9 B H S
g r a d u a t e h e l p s h i s m o t h e r fi n d c a r e g i v e r s f o r h i s s t e p f a t h e r C a s e y h a s w o r k e d f o r S o t h e b y ’s F i n e
H o m e s a s a r e a l e s t a t e a g e n t f o r t h e l a s t t e n y e a r s A l t h o u g h M r s N a s h n o l o n g e r l i v e s i n B u f o r d , h e r h e a r t r e m a i n s fi r m l y i n t h i s c o m m u n i t y. S h e i s s t i l l i n v o l v e d w i t h t h e M i s s B u f o r d p a g e a n t a n d k e e p s
t a b s o n t h e p e o p l e s h e c a m e t o k n o w o v e r t h e y e a r s f r o m B u f o r d . T h a t i s m o s t e s p e c i a l l y t r u e o f h e r
f o r m e r s t u d e n t s w h o p r o b a b l y c a n c a l l t h e i r f o r m e r t e a c h e r t h e i r n u m b e r o n e f a n .
B u f o r d h a s b e e n a b l e t o h o l d o n t o t h e i r c o r e v a l u e s o f t r a d i t i o n , f a m i l y, c o m m u n i t y, a n d h a r d w o r k .
M r s . N a s h h a s d e d i c a t e d h e r l i f e t o t h e b e t t e r m e n t o f t h e c h i l d r e n o f t h i s c i t y. E v e n i n h e r r e t i r e m e n t ,
M r s N a s h s a y s , “ I ’ l l a l w a y s h a v e a s o f t h e a r t f o r m y Wo l v e s ! ” O n c e a Wo l f , a l w a y s a Wo l f !
North Gwinnett alum Charlie Blackmon selected for MLB All-Star Game
Stanley Bowen
On Sunday, June 30, the roster for the 2019 MLB All-Star Game that will take place on July 9 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio was announced. For the third time (second consecutive), North Gwinnett alum Charlie Blackmon was selected to represent the National League in that game.
Blackmon made his debut for the Colorado Rockies back in 2011 and still plays in the outfield for them. Prior to his major league
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career, Blackmon started at North Gwinnett High School as a pitcher and outfielder. During his time at North, he was named the Academic Player of the Year three times. Following his graduation in 2004, he went to Young Harris College and was a pitcher for the school for two years.
In 2006, Blackmon received a scholarship to Georgia Tech and transferred there. He pitched for Tech for three years before switching to the outfield due to elbow tendinitis issues. He found even more success in the outfield than he did on the mound.
Blackmon was drafted in the second round of the 2008 MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies. He played several years in the minors before being called up to the big leagues in 2011. He divided seasons in 2011, 2012, and 2013 between the minor leagues and the Rockies. He has been an asset to the Rockies since his pivotal year in 2014. He has broken numerous records during his career at Colorado which included breaking a 58-year-old MLB record for most hits (15) in a four-game series. This occurred on June 16, 2019, against the San Diego Padres.
You can catch Charlie Blackmon and all your favorite All-Stars on July 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX for the MLB All-Star Game.
Buford’s Kimberly Harris earns spot at Pan American Games
Alicia Couch Payne
Rising Buford High School senior Kimberly Harris will be representing Team USA at the Pan American U20 Championships. The Pan Am Games will take place July 18-21, 2019 in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Kimberly participated in the USATF U20 Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Miramar, FL on June 21-23. Kimberly ran the 400m dash. She beat her personal best record during the 400m race with a time of 52.16. She finished 4th overall competing against college athletes. It was her performance at this meet that earned her an invite to compete for Team USA in the 4x400m relay in Costa Rica. This summer has been a busy one for Kimberly. She has competed in the 2019 Memorial Barrientos
meet in Cuba on June 7-9. Kimberly competed for Team NSAF. She placed 3rd in the 400m and her relay team placed 2nd in the 4x400 relay. June 1316 Kimberly competed at the 2019 New Balance Nationals Outdoor meet held at Aggie Stadium in Greensboro, N.C. She placed 7th in the 400m in N.C. Kimberly was most recently in South Carolina at the AAU Region 8 Qualifier from June 27-30. In South Carolina, Kimberly anchored the winning 4x100 relay team.
Kimberly has been a part of the three-time GHSA State AAAAA Girls Track and Field Championship team at Buford High School. She is the reigning champion for the GHSA State AAAAA 200M Dash, 400M Dash, 4x100m relay, and the 4x400m relay. Many of these races she has won multiple times in her high school track career. The list of Kimberly’s career accomplishments is simply too long to list fully.
When she is not representing Buford High School, Kimberly can be seen representing the Jack Rabbit Track Club where she trains up to four days a week. She used to play soccer which she picked up when she was just three years old. In her sophomore year
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Thursday, July 4, 2019
Phillip Hugh Roberts, age 77, of Suwanee, Georgia, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2019. A memorial service will be held at Buford United Methodist Church, date and time TDB.
Phillip is preceded in death by his parents Percy Hobson and Pauline (West) Roberts; brother Malcom Moody Roberts; and sister Sandra Roberts Meeks. He will be greatly missed by his wife Joy (Portman) Roberts; daughters Theresa Evans (Frank), Mitzi Geshrick, Jennifer Bailey (Tad); grandchildren Steven Geshrick, Trenton Bailey, Ryan Bailey; and many nieces and nephews. He will be remembered as an avid outdoorsman: a fish whisperer who took great delight in reeling in crappie, a keen hunter, and a talented gardener. Phillip will also be remembered for his love of his precious dog, Lila. Arrangements entrusted to Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory, 201 Morningside Drive, Buford, Georgia 30518. 770-945-9999.
James “Buster” Moon, age 70, of
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Buford, GA, passed away Saturday, June 29, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, James A, and Grace Wansley Moon; brother, William James Roberts. He is survived by his children, Melinda Moon Sadler and husband David Sadler, Buford, GA, Bonnie LaFaye Brown, Buford, GA; grandson, Joseph Edward Brown, Buford, GA; granddaughter, Nevaeh Broadneaux; sisters, Martha and Sylvester Richards, Middleton, OH, Johnnie Moon Bennett and husband, Jan Bennett, Buford, GA, Ira Moon Studivant and husband Randall, Jefferson, GA; brother, Merlin Moon, Buford, GA; great-grandson, Nathan Thomas Brown; special friend, Helen Broadneaux, Oakwood, GA; nieces, nephews, cousins and host of friends. Mr. Moon was born on July 27, 1948, in Buford, GA. He was a 1966 graduate of Buford High School. Mr. Moon was a veteran of the U. S. Army, having served in Vietnam. He was retired from Moreno Press as a master printer with over thirty years of service. Mr. Moon was a Christian, and an artist, brick mason, electrician, and barber, as well as numerous other
jobs. Funeral Service will be held Monday, July 8, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home, with Pastor Randall C. Studivant, Sr., officiating. A wake service will be held on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Flanigan Funeral Home, 4400 S. Lee St., Buford GA 30518.
Claude M. Feagins , age 65, of Buford, GA passed away on Friday, June 28, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Mamie
Elrod Feagins; and brother, Joseph Franklin Feagins. He is survived by his daughters Nancy Feagins, Monroe, GA and Amanda Feagins, Flint, MI; granddaughter, Caydence Foster; brothers and sisters-in-law, James W. and Enid Feagins, Covington, GA and John “J.D.” and Paulette Feagins, Hoschton, GA; aunt, Florine Elrod, Buford, GA; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be no services. Flanigan Funeral Home, 4400 S. Lee St., Buford GA 30518.
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On July Fourth,wecelebrate thebirthdayofthe United States of America, andall thegreat things ournationrepresents. We’re proudofour countr yand thevalues it upholdsand we gratefully salutethe bravemen andwomen of ourArmed Forces who fight to defendAmerica andher ideals. God blessthe U.S.A.
