AUGUST 2025: (BLUE) Our Town Gwinnett Monthly Magazine for Gwinnett/NE DeKalb

AUGUST 2025 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Lawrenceville | Snellville | Lilburn | Stone Mountain | Tucker

Up Close with Mays Law, see story on page 5.

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August 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

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On the Cover:

Catching Up With Mays Law

By Kristen Eleveld Mays Law has already made a name for itself in the Gwinnett community and beyond. Now, the company is growing—but its values will always remain the same.

After practicing law in various communities and at firms of all sizes, attorney John Mays realized that even the largest companies could not provide clients with what they needed most—excellent care, better communication, and a commitment to achieving the very best outcome for each client. The solution?

John started his own firm and resolved that no matter what the size of the case, he would never forget the values on which his firm was founded.

As Mays Law expands into an additional location, John and his team remain committed to each client and providing the best legal expertise possible.

“We are formed on a foundation of service,” said John. “We want to remain true to our roots and be a local resource for those in need.”

In twelve years of practice, John has always gone the extra mile to meet his clients’ needs. If a client cannot leave home, they will visit them. If a client needs to speak with John or his team about their case, someone is always there to answer the phone.

“I want people to have high expectations of me, my staff, and the service we provide,” said John. “We treat people with respect, stay in communication, and dedicate as much as needed for your case.”

It’s the best of both worlds—a local, homegrown law firm that has just as much, if not more, expertise and commitment as any large, corporate firm. And even as Mays Law grows and opens the location in Buford, they are “expanding with a purpose,” as John puts it.

Their influence extends beyond practicing law. John and his team remain actively involved in their local community, particularly in schools and local organizations. They continue to be a sponsor of Jambos, which provides pajamas to children in foster care, and Giving Kitchen, which provides financial assistance to food service workers in need. They are also regular sponsors of Buford City School events, including the Buford Middle School Annual Car Show.

“Every opportunity we get, we try to help,” said John. “If we can sponsor a

August 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

local organization, we will be there.”

It’s easy to see why so many people from the Gwinnett community and beyond have sought out Mays Law when they are suffering from an injury or loss of a loved one. Over the years, John has gotten some very unique calls, and has worked to help them all.

If you need a trustworthy lawyer who understands the value of going above and beyond for every client and every case, you need Mays Law. More information at https://www.mays.law/, (770) 299-0878 (call or text)

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Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

— An EndResultz Media Company EndResultz.com

Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett/NE DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.

Entire contents copyright 2025 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

Feature Writers

Publisher/Owner Dr. Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultz.com

Cover Photography Emil Powella Photography

Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultz.com

Distribution Coordinator Holly Cooks

Contributing Writers

Editor Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultz.com

Cover Story Feature Writer Kristen Eleveld

Jane Bishop Bill Crane Pam Walker

Jenna Cooper Victoria R. Crosby Tana Poncsak Traci Sanders

IN THIS ISSUE 5 7 7 8 9 9

On the Cover: Catching Up With Mays Law From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks Getting to Know Loganville Dance Academy Heading Back to School: Drive Carefully Family Fun as Summer Ends and School Begins Environmental Matters: Advocates Urge for More Protections for the World’s Oceans 10 Grayson Cluster Holds a STEM Event for Elementary Students and Their Families 11 One Man’s Opinion: Ending a Bad Dye Job 12 Navigate…A Word for Your Day 13 New Store Opens in Grayson for LEGO® Enthusiasts 14 Gwinnett Tech’s Respiratory Program Garners National Spotlight 15 Travel Tales: Exploring the Amazon!

15 Feeling Our OATS

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From the Publisher:

Getting to Know Loganville Dance Academy

Ryan’s Remarks

By Kristen Eleveld

By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers

@RyanTSauers

@RyanTSauers

Well, hello, Our Town community. Welcome to August 2025, can you believe it? Summer break is wrapping up, school bells are warming up, and before long, footballs and falling leaves will be in the air.

This month brings fresh routines and new momentum. And in that spirit, I want to revisit something I believe deeply in: GRIT. Not just the kind of grit that powers through tough times, but the kind that grows people, strengthens communities, and builds leaders.

Grit was at the heart of my doctoral research in leadership. Why do some people persevere while others give up? Why do some thrive under pressure?

The common denominator: grit. And I’ve shaped it into an acronym that still rings true today.

G is for Growth.

Growth doesn’t happen in comfort. It happens when we’re stretched, challenged, and a little unsure. Whether you’re starting a new school year, launching a project, or navigating a life change—lean into the discomfort. That’s where real growth lives.

R is for Resilience.

Life throws curveballs—some expected, some not. Resilience is our bounceback factor. It’s not about being perfect or having all the answers. It’s about showing up anyway, especially when things feel uncertain.

I is for Initiative.

In a world full of distractions and delays, initiative sets you apart. Don’t wait to be asked. Don’t wait for the perfect time. Take the lead—at home, at work, in your community. Start the conversation. Make the move.

T is for Tenacity.

Tenacity is what keeps us going when the excitement wears off and the

Continued on page 14

August 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

“Progress over perfection.” This is the motto that Loganville Dance Academy has adapted. And not only is it something they believe; it’s something they practice as they open their doors to dancers each day.

Led by founder Kellyn McMichael, the Loganville Dance Academy and the team that operates it are excited to welcome dancers of all experiences and goals.

In 2024, Kellyn felt the Lord put the desire on her heart to officially say that she would one day open a dance studio. After receiving overwhelming support from her friends, Kellyn began to look at which opportunities she could pursue to achieve her goal. She also deeply reflected on what kind of studio she wanted to run—and what she wanted her dancers to learn in addition to excellent technique.

As an experienced dancer herself, Kellyn could easily understand the high pressure environment that she and many other dancers faced during their formative years. Many of these dancers have carried those memories into adulthood, and Kellyn saw an opportunity to open a studio that would nourish a dancer’s love for their art, not just a desire for being the best.

“I am opening Loganville Dance Academy to create a safe and beautiful atmosphere for dancers from their first steps in the studio to adults wanting to continue their craft,” said Kellyn, who has been dancing for thirty-seven years and teaching for twenty-three years. “Our focus is on progress, not perfection, because true excellence comes from dedication and love for the art.”

Many times, Kellyn noted, the ballet world can focus more on perfection, even though that goal is unattainable. Kellyn knew that urging her ballet danc-

Continued on page 8

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Heading Back to School: Drive Carefully

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

As 1.6 million children across Georgia return to school, AAA urges motorists to slow down and stay alert in neighborhoods and school zones. They also must be especially vigilant for pedestrians before and after school hours.

Children are particularly vulnerable during the afternoon hours following their school day. Over the last decade, nearly one-third of child pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3 and 6 p.m.

“We are aware of the risk to children in and around school zones, which is why we developed the AAA’s School’s Open–Drive Carefully awareness campaign to help curb unsafe driving behavior near schools,” said Garrett Townsend, Georgia Public Affairs Director, AAA-The Auto Club Group. “If Georgia motorists slow down and stay alert, they can save lives.”

The AAA School’s Open Drive Carefully awareness campaign was launched in 1946 to prevent school-related child pedestrian traffic crashes, helping kids live fulfilling, injury-free lives.

AAA offers seven ways to keep kids safe this school year: 1. Slow down. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 25 m.p.h. is nearly twothirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 m.p.h. faster. A difference between 25 m.p.h. and 35 m.p.h. can save a life.

2. Eliminate distractions.

Children often cross the road unexpectedly and may emerge suddenly between two parked cars. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing.

3. Reverse responsibly. Every vehicle has blind spots. Check for children on the sidewalk, driveway, and around your vehicle before slowly backing up.

Teach your children to never play in, under, or around vehicles – even parked ones.

4. Talk to your teen. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death for teens in the United States, and more than one-quarter of fatal crashes involving teen drivers occur during the after-school hours of 3 to 7 p.m.

5. Come to a complete stop. Research shows that over one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.

6. Watch for bicycles. Children on bicycles are often inexperienced, unsteady, and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and the bicycle. If your child rides a bicycle to school, require that he or she wears a properly fitted bicycle helmet on every ride.

7. Look for AAA School Safety Patrollers. More than 679,000 AAA School Safety Patrollers stand guard at over 35,000 schools nationwide. When you see one, a school zone is likely nearby.

“If parents and other driver’s follow these simple rules when driving in and around school zones, countless children can avoid injury and death,” says Townsend. “It’s up to us to help all drivers become more aware of the risks of driving around our schools.”

Loganville Dance Academy Continued from page 7 ers to be perfect was actually a way to quickly discourage them, which is why she decided to take a different path.

Kellyn reminds her dancers that their progress is to be celebrated not only in their dancing, but also in their everyday lives.

“We always stumble, and sometimes fall, in our lives,” said Kellyn. “But there is always something to learn. No one has ‘arrived.’ As we pursue progress, we will one day achieve excellence in our technique, or whatever we do in life.”

With her motto in mind, Kellyn has opened a dance studio that not only focuses on technique, but in inspiring the joy that brings dancers to her studio in the first place. And while the studio has just gotten started, Kellyn and her team have already made a big impact in the community.

And on May 31st, Loganville Dance Academy held auditions for their dance company. Kellyn describes this as a ballet and contemporary dance company performing excerpts of the classics alongside contemporary pieces, creating thought-provoking and emotionally resonant performances that forge deep connections with audiences.

At Loganville Dance Academy and in their dance company, dancers learn that progress—not perfection—is the true measure of growth.

Through every step, they build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of movement.

“I hope to teach my students that they are worthy to be in our studio no matter what level they are; that they are dearly loved and can do great things; and that the art of dancing can be used to touch audiences and bring glory to their Creator,” said Kellyn. “This will be a place focused on progress, not perfection—where dancers feel seen, supported, and inspired.”

More information at https://www.loganvilledanceacademy.com/, 470-5044367

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Family Fun as Summer Ends and School Begins

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

As the school bells begin to ring and the summer sunshine starts to fade into the schedules of fall, it’s easy to feel like the fun is ending. But here at Our Town Gwinnett, we believe some of the best family memories happen in the “in-between” moments—like these last few weeks of summer and the early days of a new school year.

To help you get the most out of this transitional season, we’ve put together some simple, low-cost ideas to keep the fun going and the family connected.

1. One Last Summer Adventure Before everyone gets buried in backpacks and busy days, plan one final summer fun event. Whether it’s a picnic at Stone Mountain Park, a splash at the local pool, or a backyard camping night, the goal is simple: unplug and enjoy each other.

2. Back-to-School Bucket List Create a short list of fun goals to kick off the school year. Ideas like “try a new dessert recipe,” “have a pajama breakfast,” or “walk to school as a family” help make the transition from summer to going back to school feel exciting instead of stressful.

3. Game Night, Light Night Choose one night a week when electronics go off and laughter takes over. Playing board games, flashlight hide-and-seek, or having a family karaoke session can bring out everyone’s inner kid.

4. Celebrate Small Wins The first week of school brings big emotions for students and parents.

Celebrate completing the first day, turning in the first assignment, or simply waking up on time with a high five, a special snack, or a note of encouragement.

Environmental Matters: Advocates Urge for More Protections for the World’s Oceans

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

A recent report has found that expanded industrial fishing, ocean warming, acidification, and pollution severely impact the health of the oceans and, in turn, the planet’s health. Oceans regulate our climate and make life possible for humanity on this planet.

The Greenpeace International report, 30x30: From Global Ocean Treaty to Protection at Sea, presents a new global analysis of the threats facing oceans and argues for urgent intervention, setting out a political roadmap to meet the United Nations’ goal of protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 under the new UN Ocean Treaty.

The report’s launch is just beginning a year-long campaign where Greenpeace ships will conduct research worldwide. This research will inform a science-based approach to the call on leaders to ratify the Treaty and protect the world’s oceans. The Treaty, which advocates say is one of the most important international conservation agreements in history, is the first to focus on conserving marine life on the high seas.

“This report shows that the threats to marine life pervade nearly every corner of the world’s oceans and makes it clear that immediate action is needed to stem the rising tide of destruction,” says Arlo Hemphill, Greenpeace USA’s senior

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Grayson Cluster Holds a STEM Event for Elementary Students and Their Families

By Tana Poncsak

There was a packed house with more than 3,000 people at Grayson High School on February 6th as the elementary schools in the Grayson Cluster held a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) event for the students, their families, and guests.

Debbie Patrick, science specialist at Trip Elementary School, has taught for a total of thirty years with the last sixteen of those years at Trip Elementary, and she says she’s planned this happening for the elementary school for eleven years. Over the years, the event has grown. Last year the affair held at the elementary school was crowded and parking was limited. Thanks to the principal at Grayson High School, Rukina Stewart PhD., they were able to move the event to Grayson High School—a larger and more accommodating location—to bring all four of the elementary schools in the cluster together to celebrate STEM and experience the joy of learning.

Debbie’s intention is to bring a free event to the area for nearby families and for the affair to spark a love for learning.

“I want them [students] to be excited about science,” she says. “And to also have a love for learning. It’s so much fun to walk around and see them so excited and smiling and having such a good time.”

Debbie described the STEM event as a festival, similar to the Atlanta

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Science Festival that takes place annually in March at Piedmont Park.

“I attended it, and it was just wonderful,” she says, talking about the Atlanta Science Festival. “Everybody could go and look at the things they were interested in.”

Using a similar format, Debbie plans the STEM event using individual classrooms for different activities, subjects, or topics.

“I wanted to have rooms where people can go if they really like animals, or a room with robots if they really like robots,” she says, adding that it is free flowing with no set schedule. “You can stay in a room for five minutes or for the whole two hours. Or you can bypass a room if it’s too crowded or you’re not interested.”

When starting out ten years ago, she says they had only a few rooms of activities. But this year, the STEM event featured sixty rooms with different activities for people to visit.

Debbie doesn’t plan the event all alone. She leads a committee that plans the happening—along with teachers who volunteer their time and then a number of volunteers who come from local universities, associations, organizations, and businesses to participate. They come out to share their knowledge and expertise.

For this year’s affair, Debbie says Georgia Tech’s Optic Department came with a laser phone and microscopes. Emory, Georgia State University, and Georgia Gwinnett also attended, just to name a few. It’s through these participants that students learned about math through some fun math activities and how soil is tested for lead. And while wearing gloves, Debbie says students and guests learned about and touched a human brain.

“I guess the biggest thing for me is just how appreciative we are of all these colleges coming with their students, and then the other folks coming all the way here to be with us,” she says. “They’re not getting paid. It’s completely volunteer, and it’s just so heartwarming that they’re willing to do that.

I’m so amazed by their gift of time.”

The STEM event is free for students and their families, but there are also concessions offering food. Organizations in the school ran the concessions and were able to keep any proceeds raised. Police officers were also on hand to help with public safety.

The STEM event is traditionally held during the last week of January or the first week of February. The 2026 event is already in the early planning stages, and Dr. Stewart has agreed to hold next year’s happening at Grayson High School.

More information at www.gcpsk12.org/tripes and https://facebook.com/ tripelementary.

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Environmental Matters Continued from page 9 ocean campaigner.

Here are some of the report’s key findings: • Ocean temperature levels broke records in 2023. Heating acidification and deoxygenation are changing the oceans’ chemistry. This has wide-reaching impacts on ocean ecosystems and biodiversity and disrupts the vital role oceans play in regulating Earth’s temperature and climate.

• Using data from Global Fishing Watch, Greenpeace International investigators estimated that high-seas fishing hours in areas scientists have recommended for protection increased by a staggering 22.5% between 2018 and 2022. What’s more, much of the most common fishing gear is destructive, hooking anything in its path and putting many additional species at risk.

• Pollution, including plastics, continues to worsen. This is having devastating impacts on marine life and ecosystems. Shipping leads to chronic oil and noise pollution on the high seas, and there is always a risk of accidents and spills.

• Emerging risks threaten ocean health. For example, deep-sea mining, an industry still in the experimental phase, is particularly harmful to critical and fragile deep-sea ecosystems. While many governments support a global ban or a moratorium on deep-sea mining, many more still need to take action to stop the launch of this destructive industry.

• Fully or highly protected ocean sanctuaries, which provide a safe haven for marine life to recover and thrive, are a proven solution to the ocean crisis.

Currently, less than 1% of the high seas are adequately protected. Three sites are presented as case studies for protection under the Global Ocean Treaty: the Sargasso Sea, Emperor Seamounts, and South Tasman Sea/Lord Howe Rise, all of which are critically important in terms of biodiversity and their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and industrial fishing.

“Every year of delay, stacking pressures on the oceans grow,” says Hemphill.

“Consequences worsen for marine ecosystems and the billions of people who rely on healthy oceans for their food, livelihoods, and a livable planet. By signing, ratifying, and implementing the Ocean Treaty, global leaders can usher in a new era of ocean health.”

More information at greenpeace.org/international/publication (StatePoint)

Summer Ends and School Begins Continued from page 9 5. Visit a Local Favorite Take advantage of our wonderful Gwinnett community! Visit a local farmers market, grab a treat from a small business, or attend a free outdoor concert.

Supporting local while bonding as a family? That’s a win-win.

6. Sunday Setup, Together Make Sunday evenings a time for family planning. Review everyone’s weekly schedule, set goals, pack backpacks—and end with a fun tradition like make-your-own pizza night. When kids feel involved, they feel empowered.

As one season ends and another begins, remember this: family time doesn’t have to be fancy to be meaningful. Just a few intentional moments each week can keep your home feeling connected, calm, and joyful.

From all of us at Our Town Gwinnett, we’re wishing your family a happy, healthy start to the school year.

August 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

One Man’s Opinion: Ending a Bad Dye Job

By Bill Crane

Colorful candies and cereals, cheese “singles” brighter than the color of any real cheese, mac n’ cheese without any real dairy—these are the food staples of my childhood and adolescence. Though I am still standing, I am also battling a highly aggressive form of colon cancer.

Not blaming the artificial food coloring dyes or preservatives, but the data on both has been troubling for decades now.

I am a capitalist and want companies, large and small, to make a profit.

American food manufacturers began using food coloring and dyes in the early 1900s.

The U.S. government initially permitted the use of food dyes in butter and cheese.

Many of the earliest artificial colors and dyes were derived from coal tar, a toxic byproduct of burning coal to produce energy. Coal tar plants, which powered stations, were subsequently taken out of service or banned due to a variety of negative environmental impacts, and the food industry largely shifted to petroleum-based dyes.

Due to health concerns and numerous studies linking these dyes to cancer, the European Union and Canada banned the use of most petroleum-based artificial dyes during the 2000s. Yellow 5, Red 40 and six other dyes—used to enhance products from Froot Loops to Nutri-Grain cereal bars—are called the “rainbow of risk” by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. They were banned in Norway, Finland, France, Austria, and the U.K. on June 25, 2013.

Gatorade is not sold in most European countries due to the use of yellow dyes #5 and #6. There are, of course, natural alternatives; yet big food will repeatedly cite consumers and especially children preferring brighter colored food and products.

The most popular color additives are Red #40 (patent number), Yellow #5, and Yellow #6, making up almost 90% of all food dye used in the United States, according to Healthline. Artificial food dye consumption in the U.S. has increased by 500% over the past fifty years.

Perhaps if the packaging contained cancer warnings, like those on cigarettes, those preferences would quickly wane. Froot Loops cereal in the U.S. remains much brighter and possibly even tastier—as well as having the real potential of being more deadly with long-term consumption.

There is plenty of precedent for prior banning of toxic dyes, including the earlier prohibition of use of Red #1,2,4, and 32. Yellow #1,2,3, and 4. Violet #1, Orange #1 and 2, and my favorites (in terms of the name), Sudan #1 and Butter Yellow (banned in 1919).

Longtime plaintiff attorney and now Secretary of Health & Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., announced plans earlier this spring to ban all petroleum-based dyes and artificial food colorings from the U.S. food supply. Kennedy has been winning multi-million-dollar judgments for similar concerns with Big Food for decades. And before those regulations are even in

Continued on page 15

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Navigate…A Word for Your Day

By Jane Bishop

Life is often called a journey, but do we consider the skills needed to navigate it? Navigation involves planning and directing to find a way through a complex system or situation. We need tools, i.e. life skills, to navigate daily life with clarity, confidence, and direction.

We can use navigators’ skills in life to guide life decisions. These skills can provide insights to move forward, adjust when needed, and stay aligned with a bigger picture.

Consider these parallels for navigation skills to inspire your personal journey: 1. Reading a Map = Self-Awareness Navigators use maps and compasses. In life, our map is our inner sense of values, vision, and purpose, i.e. our CORE. Self-awareness is key to understanding where we are, what matters most, and what direction feels true. This

internal compass is required to avoid drifting through life so that we live with intention and direction.

2. Plotting a Course = Goal Setting A skilled navigator charts a course. Likewise, setting clear goals gives life structure. Goal setting connects today’s actions to tomorrow’s outcomes.

3. Adjusting to Weather = Adaptability Storms and detours are inevitable. Navigation—and life— require flexibility. When things don’t go as planned, resilience helps you stay grounded. Rather than resisting change, choose to adapt and adjust while keeping your purpose in sight.

4. Using Landmarks = Seeking Guidance Navigators rely on landmarks, lighthouses, and signals.

Who are your life landmarks? Mentors, feedback, and supportive communities are examples. When the path is unclear, wise counsel can help you reorient.

5. Making Mid-Course Changes = Problem Solving

Continued on page 13

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in for buy, sell, or trade.

The store plans to hold birthday parties, corporate events, robotics classes, stop motion animation classes, and more. Birthday parties can accommodate up to 20 kids for 90 minutes of building fun and time for traditional cake to celebrate the birthday boy or girl. Each attendee builds a car for a birthday race in pinewood derby style and a minifig to take home as a party favor.

“It’s just a fun and unique idea,” Mike says about the Bricks & Minifigs concept. Eventually, Mike says they may want to open a couple more stores. “That all depends on the success of this store,” he adds.

For now, they are focused on building up a loyal client base and providing exceptional customer service at the Grayson location.

The demographics around the store’s location are beneficial when it comes to the concept of buying, selling, and trading bricks and minifigs.

“And it feels pretty awesome when I talk with people in the community and about what we’re doing. We have a great community of folks,” he says, adding that the location itself is in a high foot traffic area.

Currently, the store in Grayson is the only location in Gwinnett County. The store opened in mid-May and is ready to buy, sell or trade bricks and minifigs.

More information at https://bricksandminifigs.com/grayson-ga/.

New Store Opens in Grayson for LEGO® Enthusiasts

By Tana Poncsak

Whether you’re a kid who loves building with bricks and minifigs, or you’re just a kid at heart when it comes to building a number of the many cool LEGO® sets, perhaps Bricks & Minifigs, a new store located in the Grayson Village Shopping Center at 2715 Loganville Highway, Suite 510A, is the place for you.

Mike and Nadine Bruce, owners of Bricks & Minifigs with both having professional backgrounds in Information Technology, decided it was time for a career change. Mike says he’s always been a fan of LEGO® having played with them as a child. But then about five or six years ago, he started collecting and building more complex sets—collector sets such as Titanic, Star Wars™, and F1® Collectible Race Cars.

Mike says a friend mentioned the Bricks & Minifigs franchise opportunity, and once Mike and Nadine did their research, they decided it was something they wanted to pursue. Now they’re bringing their love for building with LEGO® to Grayson and surrounding areas. Mike says even their three children, Nicholas, Alexander and Sophia, are taking on active roles so they can learn the business and understand how it works.

Bricks & Minifigs is a unique concept that includes buying, selling, and trading all things LEGO®. The way it works is very simple.

“Basically, if you have any LEGO® sets that you’ve taken apart and thrown in a bucket, and you no longer need that set…you can bring your sets or your loose bricks (also referred to as bulk) into our store and we will price them out,” Mike explains. “We have a proprietary system that deals with fair market value, and what we can offer. Then we’ll give you cash or store credit for your LEGO® sets and bricks.”

Mike emphasizes that you get more value with in-store credit. They also take retired sets still in the box. The only sets they can’t take are new sets that are sealed and still in the box that can currently be purchased at any mass or local retailer. However, current sets purchased, opened, and used, can still be brought

A Word for Your Day Continued from page 12 Even with the best plans, conditions shift. Navigation teaches us that it’s not failure to change direction—it’s wisdom. Learning to reassess and make thoughtful decisions is a key life skill that turns setbacks into steppingstones.

Navigating life isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about being willing to move, to adjust, and to trust the process. The more you practice these navigation-style life skills, the more equipped you’ll be to steer your life with purpose.

So, stop, pause, and think. Check your inner compass. Adjust your route if needed and move forward—not perfectly, but intentionally. That’s what it means to effectively navigate life.

More information at www.janebishoplive.com.

August 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

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Gwinnett Tech’s Respiratory Program Garners National Spotlight with Prestigious CoARC Award

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Gwinnett Technical College boasts one of the nation’s premier Respiratory Care programs, a distinction well-earned by its graduates. With an impressive twelve-year streak of 100 percent pass rates on the field’s national credentialing exam, their achievement is nothing short of remarkable.

In July, the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) will recognize Gwinnett Tech’s Respiratory Care program with the prestigious President’s Award for Excellence in Credentialing Success. To qualify for this honor, colleges must demonstrate three or more years of outcomes data, maintain accreditation without any progress reports, and achieve RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) credentialing success rates of 90 percent or higher.

Additionally, they must meet or exceed CoARC’s established thresholds for

CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) credentialing success, student retention, and on-time graduation rates.

“Receiving the CoARC President’s Award is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, the perseverance of our students, and the strength of our healthcare partnerships,” said Dr. D. Glen Cannon, President of Gwinnett Technical College. “This recognition reflects our mission to deliver exceptional education that leads directly to career success and community impact. Our Respiratory Care program not only meets the highest national standards, but also plays a vital role in preparing skilled professionals who are ready to serve on the front lines of healthcare. We are proud to be a leader in this critical field and to contribute meaningfully to the health and well-being of our community.”

Respiratory care therapists play a crucial role in caring for patients with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Gwinnett Tech’s program equips students with cutting-edge medical technology and hands-on training, preparing them for successful careers in the healthcare field. From premature infants with underdeveloped lungs to elderly patients with respiratory diseases, these professionals provide essential care. They also respond to emergencies, supporting high-risk patients during intense moments such as heart attacks, drownings, or shock.

For those interested in pursuing a career in respiratory care, Gwinnett Tech offers an associate degree program that can be completed in just two years.

More information at https://www.gwinnetttech.edu/respiratorycare/

Ryan’s Remarks Continued from page 7 obstacles show up. It’s digging deep, sticking with it, and pushing through—not because it’s easy, but because it matters.

Here in our community, I see or hear about GRIT every day. The educator adjusting to new demands. The small business owner chasing a vision. The student defying the odds. The neighbor stepping in quietly to help someone else.

These aren’t just acts of grit—they’re examples of leadership in action.

So, as August unfolds, let’s recommit to living with grit. Let’s grow, bounce back, step forward, and refuse to give up. Let’s model this for the next generation—because trust me, they’re watching.

And remember: Behind every problem is a potential solution. If you want something badly enough, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.

Here’s to a month of fresh starts, focused effort, and finishing what we begin.

As always, thank you for being part of my town, your town… OUR TOWN.

Owned by the Wages Family

As Fall Approaches, Don’t Fall Behind Whether you’re tidying closets or turning over a new leaf, it’s also the perfect season to take care of your final wishes.

Here’s a simple checklist to help you get started: l Have you documented your final wishes? l Have you explored preplanning options? l Have you discussed your plans with loved ones? l Have you chosen a funeral home you trust?

Don’t fall behind. Get ahead with peace of mind.

Gwinnett Chapel 1031 Lawrenceville Hwy. Lawrenceville, GA Stone Mountain Chapel 1040 Main Street Stone Mountain, GA

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Visit WagesandSons.com or call one of our locations today to learn more about how preplanning can protect your family.

Become an Advertising Partner: Info@OurTown Gwinnett.com or 678-825-2049

Travel Tales: Exploring the Amazon!

By Pam Walker

There are many great rivers in the world: the Nile, the Yangtze, the Mississippi, and the Mekong, to name a few. But also in this list is the amazing Amazon. The Nile wins in the distance category by a few hundred feet only, but the Amazon wins in biodiversity.

The Amazon flows from the Andes and innermost regions of Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, and exits in the Atlantic Ocean in Brazil.

Its rainforest is the largest on earth, and its river basin is teeming with wildlife! There are many creatures in the Amazon basin—such as monkeys, giant snakes called Anacondas, jaguars, and carnivorous plants that prey on insects—that inhabit the forest to survive. In the river itself, pink dolphins swim alongside

flesh-eating piranha fish.

The native tribes there survive on what the river and its creatures provide, and even we in the USA depend on the river’s resources for items such as medicinal plants, rubber, and exotic fruits. Tourism is a big business for the Amazon. So many people want the opportunity to see this great river and experience the largest biosphere in the world.

In the past, there was a small tourist ship called the Little Red Boat that operated between Manaus, Brazil and Iquitos, Peru. However, now there are only small yet super deluxe ships that cover the Andean portion in Ecuador or Peru. On the Brazilian end there are deluxe hotels and lodges in the rainforest and even some less deluxe ships for charter. There are, of course, the riverboats that the locals take, where you hang your hammock on deck to sleep at night, and the food is river fish and fruit for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Prices on Amazon cruises range from $2,000 for 3 or 4 nights to $8,000 for the deluxe ships on the Ecuadorian and Peruvian Amazon.

These recommended ships are small and deluxe, with a limited number of cabins and suites. The full picture windows in each cabin are well worth the money to see where the waters of this great river mix with the smaller tributaries. You can also see and sometimes swim with the pink dolphins on some of their shore excursions. Even visits to the local villages and hikes in the forest are included.

The best time to travel is during the transition between the wet and dry seasons, in May and June.

The Amazon is a fascinating trip for anyone who loves adventure and wants to explore the world’s most incredible ecosystem. When do you want to go?

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@walkeradventurers.com

One Man’s Opinion Continued from page 11 draft form, Heinz/Kraft Foods and General Mills, two of the larger players in the industry globally, have announced their proactive phase-out and removal of these dyes in all of their product lines by 2027. So, within two years, though Kraft Singles won’t actually be cheese, and its Mac n’ Cheese will no longer contain petroleum byproducts, healthier options like turmeric will become coloring staples.

However, the cereal king, Kellogg’s, recently sold, and M&M/Mars, one of the world’s largest candy and confectionery manufacturers, are still clinging to the toxic dyes. M&M says that its candies won’t look or taste as good using natural/organic products. Thank you for making it easier for me to leave behind my beloved M&M Peanuts. And Froot Loops and Toucan Sam will continue to share that same toxic rainbow we expect for years to come.

I, of course, routinely comment here when I think the Trump Administration has misstepped. This is instead a call for applause and a tip of the hat for protecting American health and holding Big Food accountable, particularly for products aimed at children. We recognize both good and bad deeds here.

Start taking your readers with you when grocery shopping and feel safer knowing that soon, only actual organic tomato coloring will be inside Heinz Ketchup and other beloved brand staples. However, please note that the phaseout will take some time and is not yet universal. This is one BAD DYE JOB that completely needs to go.

Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

August 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

Feeling Our OATS

By Tana Poncsak

Technology can be intimidating at any age, but especially for those who are older and unfamiliar with the new technology.

Fortunately, there’s help for older adults in the way of OATS, which stands for Older Adults Technology Services. According to the AARP website for OATS, www.oats.org, it’s an initiative launched in 2004 and became part of the Senior Planet curriculum with its mission to “harness the power of technology to change the way we age by empowering older adults with the tools and training to take advantage of today’s technology.”

Tom Rau is a Lawrenceville resident who spent forty-five years working in Information Technology.

“I like to say I did tech before it was cool,” Tom says. “It’s just all second nature to me at this point in the game.”

He retired from The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta in 2022, and now he’s bringing the OATS program to Gwinnett and Barrow counties in Georgia.

Tom saw his friends and other people around his age struggle with the same technology that came easy to him, and he decided he wanted to help.

“Many of my friends didn’t grow up in the tech business like I did,” he says.

“There were a lot of men my age that really didn’t have a clue of what was going on.”

Tom says it was like “a deer in headlights.” And it wasn’t just the men of a certain age but women as well.

“I got this burning inside of me to help these people,” he says.

In summer of 2024, while reading an AARP magazine, he stumbled across information about OATS. After a phone call and an email or two, he ended up in the training for the program, and now Tom is a certified OATS trainer.

Needing a place to hold classes, and since his wife, Kitti, already volunteered at the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry, he says he reached out to Laura Drake, director of the co-op, and together they brought OATS to Gwinnett, offering the first classes in August 2024. Since then, the local nonprofit program was awarded a $10,000 grant from AT&T that helped them purchase a number of resources for the classes.

Tom says they offer a number of classes on a variety of technology topics, and the classes include books and other quality resources.

“There’s exercises, and there’s homework,” he says. But what Tom says he likes most about teaching the classes is being able to help. “I’m talking through something and then I see the lightbulb go on behind their eyeballs. I can see a smile suddenly appear where there was fear before. That’s what turns my crank.”

Tom says he also likes to see his students talk amongst themselves and help one another. “They start saying, ‘Look, it’s right here,”’ he says.

And he points out that it’s the excitement of the students as they learn and understand the technology that was once so unfamiliar and foreign to them before. And while many OATS students are seniors, Tom says there are a number of international students who speak English as a second language as well.

Tom is looking to extend the outreach into other areas of metro Atlanta.

OATS classes are free, and in Gwinnett, they’re held from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry located at 55 Grayson Industrial Parkway in Grayson. In Barrow County classes are held at the Winder Barrow Brad Atkins YMCA located at 50 Brad Atkins Drive.

More information at https://oatsgwinnett.blogspot.com/2025/03/oats-gwinnett-march-2025-happenings.html.

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Primrose Schools is a registered trademark of Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. ©2025 Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. All rights reserved.

August 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

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