OCTOBER 2019: (GREEN) Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Monthly Magazine

OCTOBER 2019 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Grayson Dacula Loganville Lawrenceville

Up Close with City of Loganville, see story on page 5.

9 13 14 21

Getting Schooled: Surgical Unit at Grayson Tech From War to Family: A Story of New Beginnings Community Member Spotlight: Meet Santa Rick Parent Teacher Organization: Keeps McConnell Middle on Track

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On the Cover: Celebrate the Loganville Way This Holiday Season

By Kristen Eleveld When it comes to creating a magical holiday experience, Loganville takes on that task very seriously. And that is due in a large part to the excellent work of Kristy Daniel, Director of Events and Marketing for the city.

“I realized that there was a lot of potential in Loganville to grow its calendar of events, and I wanted to be the person to make that happen,” said Kristy of what she loves about her job.

Through the combined efforts of the city and the community within, Loganville has, indeed, made it happen. They now host dozens of holiday events, and each one is a spectacle to look forward to every year.

First on the docket is Loganville’s annual Fall Fest. This is a particular favorite as it brings in fall with a series of vendors, concerts, dance performances, and delicious food. The Fall Fest takes places on October 19th, which gives you plenty of time to plan to join the fun.

“It is fun to see Loganville celebrate being a community,” said Kristy. “From the kids enjoying the Kids Zone to seeing the kids performing on stage, from the mouth-watering smells coming from the food court to seeing Main Street lined with hundreds of booths, there is so much to bring people out and come celebrate Loganville.”

It is this type of community spirit that carries the city right on through the Christmas season, with a tree lighting ceremony and a parade. Kids (and grownups) can visit with Santa and then enjoy the rest of the festivities that light up the city’s main drag.

While the fall and winter holidays are a favorite for many of its citizens, Loganville enjoys the spirit of celebration all year long. Moms can enjoy a special carnival designed for the whole family in recognition of Mother’s Day. Later in the summer, you can also find a festive Independence Day celebration happening the Saturday before the Fourth of July. And the third Friday of every month in the summer is the perfect time to enjoy the Groovin’ on the Green concert series with your neighbors and friends.

The community members of Loganville have made up the backbone of each and every one of these celebrations – and it is thanks to their community spirit that the city of Loganville is so dedicated to creating a unique experience for every holiday they enjoy.

“We would not be able to enjoy the success we do without the support of our community,” said Kristy. “Our business community is really great about supporting our major events like the

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summer concert series, our Independence Celebration, and the upcoming Fall Festival.”

If you are looking for a fun way to ring in the fall and winter holidays in one of the best communities in Gwinnett, your search is over – Loganville invites everyone to participate in all the festivities they host. Find them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to keep up with their activities and view the photos of their events!

More information at https://www.loganville-ga.gov/

isJohn honored to beIV, we are committed to providing you with the high AtDr. the Simmons dental office of W. Simmons, comprehensive dental care, focused on both the function and beauty of your smile. A one of only nine dentists improving in patient care and comfort are our primary concerns. We are proud to run a practice that treats ea Georgia to have passed the kind, gentle, and caring manner, just like family. We offer a full range of the latest cosmetic a rigorous required to long-lasting, earn procedures thattesting concentrate on ensuring brilliant results you will love, and others

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Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultZ.com Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultZ.com

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— An EndResultZ Media & Communications firm EndResultZ.com Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett /Walton 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 2019 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

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Distribution Coordinator DeeDee Chapman

Read Online:

Feature Writers Pearl Aidoo K. Coats Kristen Eleveld Kim Hill Ron Lambros Amy Ney Traci Sanders Beth Volpert Johansen

OurTownGwinnettOnline.com

Contributing Writers Tanisha Turner

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IN THIS ISSUE 5 On the Cover: Celebrate the Loganville Way This Holiday Season 7 From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion 8 Learning Lessons: Helping Young Children Understand Differences 9 Getting Schooled: Surgical Unit at Grayson Tech 10 Up Close with Dr. Keller: Clinic to the World 12 Welcome Back, Jarrett! SGHS Welcomes an Old Friend as New Principal 12 Bring a Little Spook into your Fall Spark 13 From War to Family: A Story of New Beginnings 14 Celebrating Santa All Year Long 14 From Childhood Hobby to Big Business: J & J’s Sports Superstore 18 Gwinnett Animal Welfare: Receives Best Friends Society Grant 21 PTO Keeps McConnell Middle School on Track

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From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion

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It is nice and cool here in October. That was a joke. Can you believe we are in the final quarter of 2019? Time sure flies. With that said, I want to discuss our time in more detail. It seems everyone says the same things about time. For example, we are “buried, covered up, slammed, swamped,” etc.

Time is a gift. It is a present and the present. We cannot make time go faster or get it back. It does not matter how much money we have because we cannot buy MORE time. It is the great equalizer for all mankind.

We are human beings not human doings, but we behave more like computers with no off switch (I am talking to myself here, too). We have 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at our disposal. So, what do we do with our time? How do we focus on what is most important as we cannot get to all the things on our list?

I recommend deciding what things we are going to put on our “stop doing” list, so we can get to work on our “start doing” list. I suggest we slow down and reflect on what we want to do with this gift of time and focus on the person more than the technology. This approach is what I call Human2Human. People are more important than the next call, text, email, social media, or whatever distracts us from deep and meaningful conversations.

I am so thankful for the Our Town Gwinnett community. Our goal with this publication – and through our many digital and social media channels – is to continually provide you with much needed information about positive people, groups, events, and happenings that are covered almost nowhere else.

I wish you a wonderful and safe month. We may see 90 degrees and Halloween at the same time the way we are heading. Thank you for your attention and valuable time when reading my column each month. Finally, thank you for continuing with us on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town!

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Learning Lessons: Helping Young Children Understand Differences ®

By Tanisha Turner Does it ever seem like “why” is your child’s favorite word? It’s completely natural for children to ask a lot of questions, and young children are particularly curious about differences: why another child’s skin is lighter or darker than his or her own or why some people speak another language. As children begin to notice these differences, talking openly about them and encouraging acceptance will help children develop an appreciation and respect for others.

Young children learn about differences through a two-step process. First, they must learn to recognize the traits and customs that make them unique. Then, with a little guidance, children will be able to recognize and embrace what makes others special. Following are five at-home activities to help children understand and appreciate differences.

Share Your Family History. Show pictures of family members and talk about each person.

Children love and remember stories, so share a favorite story or something you remember about each person. This builds your child’s awareness of family history and culture.

• Create a Self-Portrait. An art project is a fun way to help children understand their unique traits. As you point out different physical features, like hair length and eye color, ask your child to draw him or herself accordingly. Afterward, ask your child to draw his or her best friend or a family member, asking similar questions about the person’s appearance. Have your child name a few similarities and differences between the two drawings.

• Listen to Music. Play music from your family’s country of origin or your region of the United States and share favorite songs you sang as a child. Then play music from other cultures or parts of the country and ask your child to identify the similarities and differences.

• Read a Book. Reading to children is one of the best ways to introduce people of different origins from all over the world. Characters and storylines are great starting points for discusContinued on page 10

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Getting Schooled: Surgical Unit at Grayson Tech

By Pearl Aidoo Imagine a surgical lab filled with young students engaged, exploring, and learning; a room bursting with technology, innovation, and information. For anyone contemplating a career in veterinary medicine, this is where you want to be! This is what is new at the Grayson Tech veterinary science program – the installation and outfitting of a brand new veterinary surgical unit.

Veterinary science teacher Jennifer Allen, a registered veterinary technician, is excited about teaching her students and utilizing this surgical unit. “It is definitely emulating a high quality of care and a true representation of what a working surgical environment would be like,” Allen says. “I’m excited to engage in hands-on teaching, using my professional skills to teach my students, and to allow them to gain the experience they should have. The students I teach truly want to be here and are ready to learn.” As a teacher, Allen wants to encourage and expose their young minds to the endless possibilities and potential of future career paths as they call this new state of the art facility their place of learning.

Our Town Magazine (OTM): How did the veterinary science program end up with a brand new surgical unit at Grayson Tech?

Jennifer Allen (JA): This came about because the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) has to give accreditation to veterinary schools as well as veterinary technology schools on a six yearly basis. Upon its last re-accreditation process for Gwinnett Technical College’s (GTC) Veterinary Technology Program, the AVMA proposed some changes to the program and one of them was for students to perform surgical check-offs in a higher standard of care facility that more closely resembled a modern day veterinary practice to prepare them for graduation and taking National Board Exams.

Dr. Ryan Cheek, Director of the Veterinary Technology Program at GTC, reached out to me with the idea to convert the current Grayson Tech facility – which was being used as a pseudo veterinary practice – to an industry standard unit equipped to provide a higher standard of care in a teaching environment. Therefore, in collaboration with Dr. Cheek, we put together a proposal which we presented to Ms. Jodi Reeves, the former career technical education director for Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS). To our delight the proposal was approved at the end of May 2019. Construction began in June and the surgical unit is currently complete. GCPS funded the permanent structure and fixtures, and Gwinnett Technical College is responsible for the expendables, such as the supplies that are needed.

OTM: How does the program work?

JA: During blended schedule days, GTC will bring 4-5 veterinary technology students and staff that includes practicing doctor Dr. Michelle Goodnight and two registered veterinary technicians, Stefany Dixon and Ryan Cheek, to perform surgeries, instruct, advise, and superContinued on page 17

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Learning Lessons Continued from page 8 sions on diversity, so look for books that have characters that your child can identify with, even though they may have different appearances or customs. Some suggestions include It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr (ages 4-7) and The Crayon Box That Talked by Shane DeRolf (ages 4-7).

• Think Outside the Box. Look for opportunities for your child to interact with children from different countries and cultures. Visit museums, festivals, ethnic restaurants, and other places that will help your child learn about various customs and cultures firsthand.

One of the best ways to help young children understand and embrace all forms of diversity is to speak openly and honestly about the differences between people. When your child points out someone who is different, don’t shy away from the topic and remind him or her that appearances have nothing to do with what’s on the inside. With a little guidance, your preschooler will grow into a kind, accepting person who understands that diversity makes the world a better place.

Tanisha Turner is Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway. More information at www.

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“The Voice of Business” Up Close with Dr. Keller: Clinic to the World

By Ron Lambros

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Dr. Scott Keller has been a physician in the community for decades, but his heart beats for international missions, as well. “I’ve made seventeen medical missions to Peru, six to Haiti, two to Kosovo, and one to Lebanon,” Keller says with a smile of accomplishment.

After logging thousands of miles by air and land, Dr. Keller now finds that his travels require no more than twenty miles, because the world has literally come to him – in Clarkston, GA. That’s where the Grace Village Medical Clinic is located. “In Clarkston alone, there are 150 individual people groups, represented by 54 countries, speaking 47 different languages,” Keller states. “Our ministry is the most diverse square mile in the United States.”

Dr. Keller explains the incredible challenges refugees face coming to this country. “After being carefully vetted, families are given enough assistance for eight months. After that, they’re on their own. Sadly, 34% of these people live below the poverty level.”

One of the most pressing needs for this community is health care, and that is why the clinic was established. From humble beginnings of volunteer health professionals going door-to-door throughout the countless apartment complexes in Clarkston, the clinic is now blessed with its own buildings through the generosity of the Grace Fellowship Church.

“Working in cooperation with the Christian Medical and Dental Association, we can now serve the folks in Clarkston five times a month in our own beautiful, permanent clinic,” Keller proudly says.

So the people come. Young and old, all ages and faiths, they walk through the door of the clinic and are met with the compassion and understanding that medical training does not always provide.

“We are a total volunteer staff, including many specialists, who see each patient as needed,” Dr. Keller says. “We personally underwrite all expenses – labs, medicine, physical therapy – whatever is required. This is our mission and our ministry.”

Coupled with medical attention, each patient is greeted with the friendliness many are desperate for. “Each morning, before we see our first patient, the medical staff, volunteers, and even the patients in the waiting room, gather together, hold hands, and pray over the day, asking God to bless our efforts. It is a very moving and important part of what we do.”

The Grace Village Medical Clinic is also a training ground for medical professionals, both locally and nationally. “We have the privilege of training healthcare professionals from all the schools in the Atlanta area and from other states as well,” Dr. Keller explains. “Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical therapists, nurses, and doctors-in-training, even high school students interested in medicine, care for our patients and learn every time we are open, and are seeing first-hand how their skills and education can, perhaps, change a little bit of the world.”

For all the incredible good the clinic has done, Dr. Keller feels it has just scratched the surface of meeting the community’s medical needs. “We desperately need to include dental care and have digital imaging available for our clinic, things like mammograms, x-rays, CAT scans, and ultrasounds. Having these capabilities would expand our care ten times over.”

When asked why Dr. Keller does this, he responds, “My initial reason to serve is gratefulness.

I have been overwhelmingly blessed, and helping people in need is a way of expressing gratitude.

Another reason is that I think that serving the incredibly diverse community in Clarkston might demonstrate to the people there, and maybe others in the world, that despite our differences, we can care for each other.”

Well done, Dr. Keller! Well done!

More information at gracevillagemedicalclinicinfo@gmail.com.

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PAGE 11

BEST BEST BEST BEST

Welcome Back, Jarrett! SGHS Welcomes an Old Friend as New Principal

By K. Coats

South Gwinnett High School (SGHS) received a pleasant surprise at the end of the last school year when the new incoming principal was announced. One of their own, Mrs. Dorothy Jarrett, would be returning to lead.

The reaction in the gym as the announcement was made sounded like a family member When it comes to finding the perfect When itroof comes to finding had just won the lottery, and in a way SGHS for your home we have a HUGE selection for your home we have a has. Anyone who has had the pleasure to work When it comes toitfinding perfectthe roofperfect roof When comesthe to finding with Principal Jarrett knows she has what it ofhome brands colors to choose so and colors to c offrom, brands for your home we have a HUGE selection for your weand have a HUGE selection takes to lead SGHS students and faculty into a weand can make from, your house look we perfect.

All your house can make fantastic year: patience, fairness, clarity, aspiof brands and colors to choose so from, of brands colors to choose so

By Kristen Eleveld of our roofs come with one of of ration, and passion. the best our roofs come with o we can make houseyour lookhouse perfect.

Allperfect. All weyour can make look Jarrett’s time at SGHS began as a special warranties theone industry we usefor families warranties in the industry It may still beour warm outside, but fall isthe here!

This isofa favorite time of year to enjoy education teacher in 2002 when she was hired of our roofs with one ofin best ofcome roofs come with theand best some exciting events together and, of course, toroofing celebrate amaterials. favoriteabove holiday for kids everywhere: by then principal Mr. Bobby Crowson. The above standard standard roofing m warranties in and in the industry andyour wefalluse Halloween.warranties Wethe have industry some great ideas onwe how use to make a little spookier with these familynext principal, Mr. Berry Simmons, didn’t above standard materials. friendly Halloween events. aboveroofing standard roofing materials. take long to notice Jarrett’s potential, and Nothing is more fun than a stop at the Buford Corn Maze which is open all season long. within two years he had recommended her to Beginning in October, the maze is open seven days a week, and is host to some of the best activibecome an assistant principal. When asked about the leap from teacher to assistant principal, ties for kids and adults alike. You and your family can start the night off enjoying a hayride, Jarrett explained, “I saw an opportunity to have a broader impact on student achievement by Certified Professionals Certified Professionals which gives you a fun tour of the premises to help give you that fall feeling. Then, your kiddos working with teachers to build their capacity.”

And within the school halls, that impact was can enjoy the popcorn jumping pillow and make their way up and down the combine inflatable felt by all. Students and teachers alike respected the assistant principal’s consistency in the When it comes to your homeWhen you need a it comes to your home you need a Certified Professionals Certified Professionals slide. No visit to the corn maze is complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch, and the Buford rules as well as her encouragement and positivity.

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From War to Family: A Story of New Beginnings

By Kristen Eleveld A few years ago, Michelle Reed was inspired to find out a little more about her family history. Her ex-husband, who was adopted, wanted to see if he could find his birth parents, and turned to a DNA test and genealogy website to learn more about his past. Michelle, who has over twenty years of experience as a genealogist, decided to join him, thinking she might find out some interesting new facts about her own history. What she didn’t expect was to find another member of her family.

In 2017, she and her younger brother, Kevin Brunell, who had also taken the DNA test, received a message that their DNA profile had matched with someone else on the registry, meaning this person was closely related to them. The message was from someone they had never met, and this person asked if Michelle and Kevin had any close relatives who served in the Vietnam War. Both their father and uncle had served, but it was through Kevin’s connection that he and Michelle discovered they had a half-brother, Peter Pham. While their father had passed away a year earlier, Michelle, Kevin, and Peter decided to meet.

Michelle and Kevin flew down to Georgia to spend time with Peter, where they learned more about their newfound family. When Michelle went back to Michigan, she realized that she wasn’t satisfied to have only met Peter – she wanted the chance to know him. And she felt compelled to give that same opportunity to others facing a similar situation.

“This type of thing is a lot more common than people realize,” said Michelle. “A lot of children born during and after the Vietnam War are missing parts of their family, and we want to help reconnect families.”

Now that she realized how prominent this issue was for so many people across the world, Michelle decided to create Warbabies.org, a website dedicated to helping Amerasians find members of their family. She worked to create a specific focus for War Babies – making connections Continued on page 19

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Bring a Little Spook into your Fall Spark Continued from page 12

Celebrating Santa All Year Long

and then take in some entertainment that features your favorite classic storybook characters. After dark, the fun continues with the annual glow festival – and Stone Mountain promises that this year will be one to remember. You can find out how to make this visit happen by visiting https:// www.stonemountainpark.com/Events/Pumpkin-Festival.

Trying to test your bravery this year? Head over to the Lawrenceville Ghost Tours, where you will enjoy a walking tour that will not only give you some great information about Lawrenceville’s history, but will also make you look twice over your shoulder for any visiting ghosts. The tour is open to people of all ages, but be aware that young children may be a little frightened. If you and your family enjoy a little scare with your stroll, this is the perfect way to spend an evening together. You can sign up at http://www.scarystroll.com/ghost-tour/. This popular event often sells out quickly, so sign up early or you might miss the fun.

Whether you are searching for the perfect pumpkin or hoping to discover a new tradition, Gwinnett has tons of great options to make your Halloween extra-spooky – and extra-fun. Ring in the fall season with an experience the whole family will remember!

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When you think of Santa Claus, you think of Christmas. It’s impossible to have one without the other, right? Unless, of course, you’re Santa Rick – then you can celebrate as Santa Claus all year long.

Fifty years ago, at the age of sixteen, Santa Rick decided to try his hand at becoming Santa Claus, just for a season. At the time, this was an anomaly, as most people who donned the infamous red suit were men in their sixties or older. But Santa Rick discovered that being Santa wasn’t just something he wanted to pretend to be – he wanted it to become his way of life.

“You really become a different person when you become Santa,” said Rick, who takes his Santa Claus responsibilities very seriously. “It’s not just about wearing the red suit – you have to become the person.”

Santa Rick has appeared as Santa Claus throughout the years in a myriad of venues and locations. He has his hair cut and styled once a month, with each appointment taking half a day to ensure his white locks remain pristine. When he is appearing as Santa Claus, he takes care not to eat garlic or onions to create a more fragrant experience for anyone he speaks with. He doesn’t even eat spaghetti, noting that the sauce can turn your beard red!

“A lot of Santas have more hair care products than their wives!” Santa Rick said as he described how he maintained his Santa persona. “I have a ton of products to keep my hair and beard looking their best.”

It takes commitment to be Santa Claus – which makes sense, because Santa Rick plays Santa Claus all year long. He is the official Santa for the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons, appearing with them at both public and private events as needed. He also makes regular appearances in a multitude of locations, spanning not only the nation, but the world. From Turkey to China and back again, Santa Rick has quickly gained the reputation of being the best in the business.

Santa Rick loves being Santa so much that he started a school for others who wanted to the learn the art of portraying Santa Claus. His school, Northern Lights Santa Academy, is the second-largest Santa school in the country and boasts one of the top programs of its kind. Santa Rick believes that while anyone can look like Santa Claus from far away, the best Santas are the ones that take that extra step to make each moment memorable. That’s why he believes in consulting with experts when it comes to creating content for the classes at his school. For Rick, the Continued on page 16

From Childhood Hobby to Big Business: J & J’s Sports Superstore

By Ron Lambros Joe Davis, by his own admission, hated the first grade. Like many others his age, he struggled with his grades. His mother wanted to help, so she decided to motivate Joe by rewarding him with baseball cards when he got good grades. Better grades meant more cards, and in the process of helping her son excel at school, Joe Davis’ mother helped launch a dream that became her son’s passion and ultimate career.

“Since childhood, I was a passionate sports card collector,” Davis says. “By my late teens, I dreamed of opening my own card store. In 1991, I got that opportunity.” From humble beginnings in a tiny 500-square-foot space in Avondale Estates, Joe is now the proud owner of J & J’s Sports Superstore, a 10,000-square-foot center that serves the novice or most serious sports collectors in the country, if not the world.

Continued on page 17

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Celebrating Santa All Year Long Continued from page 14 only way to be Santa Claus is to learn the persona inside and out, right down to what a reindeer loves to eat and the ability to answer questions about Santa magic.

“I have held babies who were a few hours old, and spoken with people who were over a hundred,” said Santa Rick. “All of those people have a story to share with Santa Claus, and I have to be ready to laugh, cry, or just hug a person when they need it most.”

Santa Rick maintains the philosophy that it is the job of every Santa Claus to give people the hope they need – and the memories to go with it. Of course, Santa can’t work alone, and Santa Rick has a lot of help from the elves on his team, who go the extra mile to coordinate visits, arrange appearances, and spread the joy of Santa Claus to people and places around the world.

If you’re searching for a Santa Claus who can help at your next event, or just want to know more about the magic behind the red suit, Santa Rick can help! He and the other Santas he represents are ready and waiting to help any time.

“It’s not just about acting like Santa Claus, or wearing the right clothes or having the right beard,” said Santa Rick. “The best Santas will give people memories to last a life time.”

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J & J’s Sports Superstore Continued from page 14

Surgical Unit at Grayson Tech Continued from page 9

“We are proud to be the largest sports card store in Georgia,” Davis says. “We offer a huge selection of individual sports cards, including baseball, football, basketball, hockey, racing, and soccer, with approximately 10 million cards in stock. We offer unopened boxes and complete sets and packs of trading cards, as well as a large selection of autographs, memorabilia, jerseys, collecting supplies, and more. We carry individual trading cards dating back to the early 1900s, all the way up to today’s newest releases.”

Davis adds, “The sports card market is as strong as I have ever seen it, with new collectors entering the hobby at a rapid pace. Many sports cards and related collectibles have shown to be a very solid investment. We are part of a multi-billion dollar industry world-wide, supplying collectors both locally and across the globe, shipping hundreds of orders each week.”

Joe Davis has every reason to be proud of what he’s accomplished. After all, not everyone can offer customers the quantity of cards and quality sports collectibles that J & J’s sells. But that’s not what Joe Davis is most proud of. “Even though we have the largest selection in the state, our products are not what make us truly special,” he explains. “It’s because of our people that we stand out. I’m so blessed with an incredible team that works very hard to meet the needs of our customers. We have years of experience in the hobby, with many of us being lifelong collectors. We see ourselves as the center hub for sports card collectors in metro Atlanta.”

And it goes much deeper than merely business for Joe Davis. “As a Christian, I am a strong believer in the principle of serving others,” he says. “We offer a variety of services to assist collectors with their cards. We offer grading and authentication of both sports cards and autographs. We also offer a consignment program to auction off high-end cards and autographs, provide free appraisals for those considering selling their collections, as well as buying personal collections and helping collectors turn their cards into cash. My faith in God is central to all that I do and who I am. Our mission statement is ‘To honor God in all that we do as we serve collectors both locally and globally.’”

Walk into J & J’s Sports Superstore and stroll around the vast array of cards, jerseys, autographed pictures, and the myriad of other sports collectibles. It won’t take you long to remember your own childhood and how you wish you had saved your card collection, contemplating what they might be worth today. If you’re one of the lucky ones who saved your cards, you’ll join the loyal brotherhood of collectors that values everything about J & J’s: honesty, integrity, full-service, quality collectibles, and 10 million cards. What could be better than that?

More information at www.gotbaseballcards.com.

vise the students. In collaboration with Gwinnett County Animal Shelter, a shelter officer will bring in animals that need to be spayed and neutered in preparation for adoption. The students admit the animals and perform various tasks from start to finish in different areas, such as the checking-in process, checking vital signs, temperature, pulse, respiration, and weight. Another group will be doing surgical prepping, and yet another group will be monitoring anesthesia, as well as recovery care. Animals are then returned to the shelter.

There is no profit to the school to perform these procedures; it is purely a service to the county, while providing an amazing learning opportunity for students. This is the real thing.

Students also have an internship totaling about thirty hours during their second semester at a local vet practice, which is arranged by the school to go in for about two hours a week to get some hands-on knowledge. The exposure they will receive from the surgical unit will better prepare them once at their internship. Most college students at GTC will have a job at graduation since there is a high demand for veterinary technicians and not enough registered technicians. This is an area of great employability.

OTM: How does Grayson Tech’s facility compare to other veterinary science programs in the state?

JA: Grayson Tech is the only program that teaches veterinary science in Gwinnett County.

To be honest, I will not anticipate the majority of other veterinary science programs that are being taught outside of the county having this level surgical unit and a facility such as this.

What we have here, in general, is a gorgeous facility anyway, even without the surgical suite, and then you add that and it blows your mind.

OTM: Did you say this is the only veterinary science program in the county?

JA: Yes it is. The program is in its sixteenth year, and I have been here for six years. Taught by professionals, the program is the only one in Gwinnett County for high school juniors and seniors. It is taught in a block of three periods per class, and split in morning and afternoon sessions. We currently have about fifty-three students with a class size of about twenty-seven students per period. All Gwinnett County high schools in the county, even as far as North Gwinnett High School, attend the Grayson Tech program.

The unit is scheduled to formally open in September with an Open House at the school. As always, support from the community in the form of a corporate sponsor for the surgical unit will be most welcome.

More information at jennifer_c_allen@gwinnett.k12.ga.us.

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Gwinnett Animal Welfare: Receives Best Friends Society Grant

By Our Town Staff Best Friends Animal Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting pet adoptions and no-kill animal rescue and spay and neuter practices, has awarded Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Division a $50,000 grant to help keep animals out of the shelter and in loving homes.

The grant aims to manage and ultimately decrease the number of shelter intakes by at least 20 percent in 2019 – 2020. Many people surrender their pets for financial reasons – an inability to pay for food, veterinary care, or even leashes. The extra funds will be used to operate a new mobile unit that will provide remote services such as vaccinations, spay/neutering, microchips, and educational assistance that will encourage people to keep their pets.

“We’ll find out what services or resources they need to ensure their dog or cat stays with them,” said Alan Davis, Animal Welfare and Enforcement Division director. “We anticipate that providing these services to those who might not otherwise have access to basic veterinary resources will create a healthier environment for pets and families while reducing the number of calls and intakes from these neighborhoods.”

Davis said the money will provide a big boost to the Animal Welfare outreach program.

“We’re very excited and grateful to receive this grant,” Davis said. “This is the biggest grant Gwinnett Animal Welfare has ever received.”

The funding will allow Animal Welfare staff and volunteers to canvass targeted neighborhoods in Snellville, Lawrenceville, and Norcross, and assist families thinking of surrendering their pet to the county.

Carrie Ducote, senior manager for the Southeast Region of Best Friends Animal Society, said Gwinnett was chosen because it has a high adoption rate and this new community outreach program will benefit even more animals and families in Gwinnett and possibly beyond.

“We wanted to help start this program from the ground up,” Ducote said. “Once this is up and running, Gwinnett can then teach other shelters how to save more animals.”

Gwinnett Animal Welfare anticipates receiving about 7,100 animals in 2019. It typically adopts out about 96 percent of the animals it receives, one of the highest rates in the Southeast.

More information at Facebook.com/GwinnettAnimalShelter or www.GwinnettAnimalWelfare. com.

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From War to Family Continued from page 13 for children of Vietnam War veterans.

Once the website launched, Michelle was immediately flooded with requests and questions from Vietnamese, Korean, and Filipino people who were seeking their American fathers. Many people were asking the same types of questions, and Michelle quickly created articles on her website to guide people through the process.

“It can be painful to talk about, but people want to know the truth,” said Michelle, who is determined to connect as many families as possible. “This is a chance to know your entire family.”

While Michelle’s reunion with Peter was a joyous one, she recognizes that not every encounter will be the same. That’s why she is adding a new element to her website, where both parents and children can seek support and community for those who are going through similar situations.

Michelle’s brother, Peter, was as surprised as Michelle to learn he had siblings – and just as thrilled to meet them.

“When I was a kid, I would ask my mom about my dad, but she didn’t have an answer for

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me,” Peter said. “As I got older, I decided to look for a picture of him – I just wanted to see if we looked alike.”

Peter asked a friend to help him set up his DNA profile online, and the rest is history.

Moving forward, Michelle and Peter have a dream of creating reunions like these for all children of war veterans who are looking for their families, especially their fathers who may have never known about these children. That’s where the community can help. War Babies needs support to make their dream a reality. You can go to their website to donate a DNA kit, donate to their general fund, or even become a volunteer to help them spread the word on their mission.

“When I came to the United States, I felt very alone. I had trouble connecting with people,” Peter said. “But the last two years have been totally different. I know my father’s family now.”

If you want to learn more about ways you can make a difference for people like Michelle and Peter, head to warbabies.org to find out how they need your help. You can also check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

More information at warbabies.org.

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Welcome Back, Jarrett! Continued from page 12 That experience is what Jarrett brings with her as she returns to the halls of SGHS. But staying in the principal’s office isn’t part of her plans as the school year begins. Principal Jarrett will be out and about as a highly visible presence around the school. She wants to “ensure that I am in classrooms 80% of the time, participating in curriculum meetings, developing leaders for the district, and building community partnerships.” When it comes to manning the helm of a middle school or a high school, Jarrett points out that “as a principal, we lead the people and manage the operations.” And like the best leaders, Principal Jarrett will be leading from the front just as she always has. “There are a number of teachers who are here from my previous years as a Comet, and they remembered me as the fast walking AP in high heel shoes supporting teachers,” she says. “I love being back; now I will be the fast walking principal in high heel shoes supporting teachers.”

Concerning her own inspirations, Principal Jarrett didn’t have to look far. “CEO/ Superintendent Mr. Wilbanks is my role model,” she claims. “He had the capacity to see what Gwinnett County Public Schools might be over 22 years ago when he became our leader. I think really good principals are great dreamers, thinkers, visionary leaders who can successfully communicate a clear vision of the future, creating a synergy that produces a team of people committed to making it happen.” She adds, “I am so thankful to Mr. Wilbanks and the school board for approving me to be principal of SGHS.” As the school year begins, Principal Jarrett has high aspirations for her students and the community as a whole. Concerning local school goals, she explains, “I do know that we must teach the curriculum at high levels, communicate clear expectations for student academic performance/behavior while creating a culture of excellence in everything we do.” But her long-term plans are even more comprehensive and take into account that a school and its community are joined. She looks forward to “building relationships with our students, encouraging them to be the best they can be, providing social, emotional, and academic support.” Principal Jarrett also adds, “I look forward to 100% of our students graduating on time, ready for college or a career. All of our students will become productive citizens in our society and hopefully bring their talents back to Gwinnett County.”

As a former SGHS teacher who went to Assistant Principal Jarrett many times for help and guidance, this writer, along with all of the staff at Our Town, wishes Principal Jarrett and her faculty, staff, and students at South Gwinnett High School a wonderful year as they begin new adventures and seek exciting opportunities.

More information at www.southgwinnetths.com.

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PTO Keeps McConnell Middle School on Track

By Kim Hill How does a constantly growing school find funding for a large but needed project? In the case of McConnell Middle School, Gwinnett County’s largest, Principal Clent Chatham knows he can count on his parent-teacher organization (PTO) to raise funds in a really big way. McConnell has a PTO rather than the national association of PTA, which requires local chapters to pay national dues. A few years ago, McConnell’s PTA decided to get out of the national association and become a local non-profit organization. “Every year, whether they were PTA or PTO, they worked really hard to make a contribution,” says Chatham. “They are always asking, ‘What do you want, what do you need?’”

Amy Schnupp, who was the PTA/PTO president over a five-year period, says, “Leaving PTA took us out of the politics, and we were able to keep all of our money.” She explains that by not having to pay dues, they were able to drop their membership fee to $5.00 while still raising more money overall. “It’s a big job to leave,” she continues. “You need people who know what they are doing. I had been trained in PTA; there is no training in PTO, just a manual.” She maintains that while the new organization created its own by-laws, nothing really changed as far as how it is managed. The organization is very self-directed, and like traditional PTA, needs and is always looking for volunteers; but Amy says it survives because of Mr. Chatham’s commitment. “He attends all the meetings and supported all my crazy ideas.”

One of the largest projects McConnell’s then PTA and now PTO has funded was the creation of an outdoor classroom, which took place over a couple of years with a cost of about $40,000.

The six original green picnic tables were sold to Couch Middle School and replaced with over twenty new red ones. A concrete floor was poured, and a large tent was built. It now serves as an outside classroom and picnic area. Another of the organization’s projects was the re-striping of the gymnasium floor. The group also holds an annual Pink-Out fundraiser every October, selling pink t-shirts to raise money for cancer charities. All funds raised are divided equally between the school’s Relay for Life team and the CURE organization for childhood cancer research.

“The school has kept growing and growing since I’ve been there,” says Amy. “We’ve done a lot of projects and we were looking at new ideas for the school. Mr. Chatham and the Physical Education teachers saw the need for an additional track.” The school’s current track was built shortly after the school was opened and is used for PE classes as well as other activities such as a Relay for Life cancer walk and the PBIS program (positive behavior interventions and supports) where students earn a “Walk ‘n Talk” privilege. Mr. Chatham says the extra track is needed due to the growing number of students and the number of events for which the track is used. The school currently has four PE classes with about 40-45 students per class, so if all classes are on the track at one time, that puts about 180 kids on one track.

Last year the PTO committed to providing the funds for the new track. It will be built at the other end of a large field from the current track, behind the school’s two-story building. “We’re pretty excited about it,” says Chatham. The project all together is about $23,000, and while the school provides some local funding from sources like ice cream sales, Chatham says the PTO is funding the “lion’s share” and plans to contribute to the remaining balance this year. Amy says they worked closely with Coach Meme, one of the PE teachers, to determine what was needed for the track and to get quotes, and then set out to raise the funds for it. Groundbreaking for the new track was scheduled to begin the last week in August.

More information on their Facebook page at McConnell PTO.

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