FEB 2021: (GREEN) Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Monthly Magazine

FEBRUARY 2021 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Grayson Dacula Loganville Lawrenceville

Up Close with Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry, see story on page 5.

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Partnership Spotlight: Creation of Police Citizens Advisory Board Making a Difference: Universal Joint Feeds Our Heroes Business Spotlight: Catching Up with Camp Bow Wow One on One: M.W. McKinley’s Debut Novel

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Feb ‘21 Our Town Gwinnett

On the Cover: Dinner and a Smile: See What’s on the Menu at the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry

By Kristen Eleveld This past year has been rough on a lot of people. Many families are finding it hard to put food on their tables every night. But one local ministry is working to feed those people and to remind them that they are loved. Meet the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry, a Co-Op that has made a mission out of helping everyone in their community meet basic needs, like having enough to eat.

Led by Executive Director Laura Drake, this ministry has seen it all – and even the events of 2020 couldn’t stop this team from serving their neighbors.

“When the pandemic hit, the Lord had already put a team in place that would weather the storm,” said Laura. “Through teamwork and perseverance, the Co-Op staff oversaw the distribution of 1,141,000 pounds of food and $350,000 in financial assistance in 2020.”

The Co-Op is fortunate to be surrounded by a community that cares, that has offered support, and that continues to spread awareness of the Co-Op’s services and needs. These efforts made it possible to meet the needs of the underserved, and the team at Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry is thankful to be part of a neighborhood that believes in showing compassion to others.

A large factor in the success of the Co-Op is due to the team’s passion for helping people – not just to put food on their tables, but to realize their value to the community as a whole.

“A friend of mine once said that he thinks we’re all called to something,” Laura said. “I felt the Lord calling me to let people know that they have so much worth – more than they could ever imagine.”

It is this commitment to encouraging the people they serve that motivated the Co-Op team to continue serving through the coronavirus pandemic that has affected thousands of local families since March. While the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry typically serves around 150 families a week, that number has doubled over the last several months as more people turned to the Co-Op for assistance with meeting essential needs.

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Usually, the families would go inside the Co-Op to pick out their food and speak with a team member to learn what other services and opportunities were available to them. For the last several months, in an effort to comply with social distancing guidelines, the Co-Op has been serving people by loading food and other supplies directly into their cars – a system the Co-Op team created in just three days. Laura estimates that they have loaded food in about 15,000 cars, and the demand is not slowing down.

But for the staff and volunteers at the cooperative, this is not an obstacle to overcome, but another chance to love their community.

“We want people to know that this is about more than just putting food on their tables,” said Laura. “If they come to us for help, we are able to take the burden of food expenses off them, which hopefully allows them to use that money for other needs.”

Much of the Co-Op’s success during the pandemic is also due to the incredible response of Continued on page 11

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IN THIS ISSUE 5 On the Cover: Dinner and a Smile: See What’s on the Menu at the Southeast

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Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks Learning Lessons: How to Support Your Child’s Music Development One Man’s Opinion: The Bubba Factor Pet Perch: What is the Rush?

Sports Talk: 2021 Spring Season Middle School Golf League Community News: Gwinnett County Community Outreach Gwinnett County Renames Water Supply Intake to Honor Wayne Mason Travel Tales: Destination Spas Gwinnett Partnership Spotlight: Creation of Police Citizens Advisory Board Making a Difference: Universal Joint Feeds Our Heroes Inside Look with Emily: Life on Campus During the Pandemic Coach Chan Brown Receives Ethics in Coaching Award Meet the Team at Dyal Jenkins: Your Trusted Legal Resource Meet Johnny Griffin: 2021 Outstanding Teacher of American History Ruff and Tough: How Camp Bow Wow is Persevering through a Pandemic One on One: M.W. McKinley’s Debut Novel

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Feb ‘21 Our Town Gwinnett

From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks

By Ryan T. Sauers

@RyanSauers

@RyanTSauers

I have written countless columns over the years that are positive and encouraging. Each one has been written with my full heart. We are at a unique place in time as we enter the second month (February) of 2021. Let us not forget, however, that we live, work, worship, and play in an amazing community. I know now, more than ever, that our community represents the very best of America.

We know COVID-19 and the changes it has caused to our lives are unprecedented. I challenge you to find the best in this ongoing situation. We must be patient, caring, tenacious, innovative, loving, and supporting. We are ALL in this together. So, maybe we should think: How can we give back? How can we support those who are hungry or homeless? How can we support small business?

This is way bigger than any one person. It does not help anyone when we post things online that are negative and divisive. We must not grow weary but keep up the good fight. I promise you – we will prevail. And, if we do these things, then we ALL will be stronger for it.

This unique time in our history demands great leadership. Remember, anyone can be a leader, not just “people with titles.” I have seen a lot of leaders develop in the past year from all areas of my life. It has been great. We must remember the time we have on this earth (regardless of this virus) is short. Let us make it our passion to make others smile and laugh – even if from under a mask and six feet apart – and to be a breath of fresh air as we help and serve others.

Again, I encourage you to support small businesses during this time. They are the backbone of our country and community. Please find ways to help them. The changes in our lives have been real and seemingly going on for more than we can remember. However, we must not let this moment define us. Instead, we must define this moment. We will do so: one step at a time, one punch at a time, one round at a time.

Please remember that 100 years from now people will be talking about this time in history – our moment of time. The choice is up to us. How are we going to create the change we want to see? How are we going to teach younger generations what can be learned from this time? Is it possible we can all come together and UNITE? Maybe we can have real dialogue again and put our silly differences aside. This is not the time for Republicans or Democrats, but it is the time to come together and focus on our common humanity. We are all human beings made of flesh and blood.

So, keep your head up. This too shall pass. You cannot control some things that are happening; however, you can absolutely choose how you respond to them. This is your choice. Finally, thank you as always for being in our corner during this time. It means a lot to all of us. And thank you for continuing with us on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town.

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Learning Lessons: How to Support Your Child’s Music Development

By Tanisha Turner Young children love music. This is easy to see in the way they clap their hands or move around when an upbeat tune comes on. While children are likely to be exposed to music naturally, being intentional about their music development has a lot of benefits and can be fun for the whole family.

Research shows that early exposure to music enhances children’s ability to create and enjoy it, and it fosters brain development. Specifically, engaging young children in music can: • Boost cognitive development. Songs help young children build memory skills, learn new vocabulary, and practice sequencing words and phrases in a fun and meaningful way. Learning to distinguish sounds in music also helps children discern sounds of language. And, music instruction improves verbal memory, which is the key to reading comprehension.

• Cultivate social-emotional skills and self-confidence. In group settings, musical activities nurture children’s social-emotional development and motivate them to cooperate with one another. Music can draw out the shyest child and make him eager to participate in group activities like singing and dancing while building self-confidence along the way.

• Encourage movement and motor skills. Moving to music, learning rhythm, and playing musical instruments help children enhance their gross and fine motor skills. Songs, poems, and rhymes that have accompanying movements also get children active while helping them develop coordination.

Encouraging Music Development at Home To make the most of music as a learning opportunity for your child at home, try these simple games and activities: • Sing the first line of a familiar song. Have your child sing the next line. Continue taking turns. This activity not only builds verbal memory, but also develops listening skills and Continued on page 11

Pet Perch: What is the Rush?

By Terie Hansen As the saying goes, “You don’t get a second chance for a first impression.” The same applies when introducing a new dog/puppy to your current dog(s). My best advice: go slowly through the process. And it is a process. It could go either way if you just put them together to see what happens. It could seem fine short term, but long term could be building toward a fight.

For the first few days or week just have the dogs exist around each other – no interacting and certainly not playing. Have a separate crate/area where the new dog is confined for sleeping, meals, down time (preferably for several weeks). Walk the dogs together (two people, one dog each). Have the dogs hold commands such as place or down around one another. Have them on leashes that are tied to something so that they cannot make contact. Train each dog while the other looks on.

After a few days, allow them to sniff each other (keep initial interactions brief), then separate them for a bit before allowing them another short introduction. This fragmented initial contact can help to prevent escalation of tension and aggression. Keep leashes loose and relaxed.

Stay quiet, and pay attention to each dog’s body language. If either looks nervous, freezes, or hard stares, move the dogs away, pulling their leashes to the side, not back.

Remove toys/bones, food bowls, or anything that could be valued by your current dog to avoid territorial behaviors.

This process helps the dogs relax and feel safe. Remember, the new dog knows nothing about you, your dog, or the rules of your household. Your current dog may view this new dog as an invader of his territory. All are stressful situations.

Everybody wants to let the dogs meet straight away and to become best friends. But what is the rush? This is a long-term commitment, right? You have all the time in the world.

Terie Hansen, Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www. gooddogcoaching.com

PAGE 8

One Man’s Opinion: The Bubba Factor

By Bill Crane As I am writing you now, books are being written about the magical political calculus which “turned the Red State of Georgia...Blue.” And while I congratulate President Biden, Vice-President Harris, and Senators Ossoff and Warnock, let me share a story with you that almost no one is writing about.

I’ll call it the Bubba Factor.

I first met Lauren “Bubba” McDonald in the mid-1980s when I was a young staffer in the secretary of state’s office.

Bubba was the powerful and highly regarded chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and a favorite of legendary Democrat and House Speaker Thomas B. Murphy Bremen of Georgia. Speaker Murphy had been instrumental in the election and two terms of outgoing Governor Joe Frank Harris, and during the election season of 1990, Murphy placed his chips and his influence behind Bubba McDonald running for governor.

Bubba had followers and support in that governor’s race and the Democratic Primary, but Ambassador Andrew Young and Lt. Governor Zell Miller had more. Young and Miller would go on to the runoff, and Miller would later become governor.

Bubba left politics and returned to Commerce and his family-funeral home business. He was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) as a Democrat in 1998 by Governor Roy Barnes, serving an unexpired term through 2002. Bubba then ran for re-election, but his name appeared on the ballot as just Lauren McDonald for the first time. No “Bubba.” He lost. Now, there were some other issues at play; Republicans took the governor’s office and a US Senate seat as well as Bubba’s seat on the Public Service Commission. Each was a surprise upset.

In 2008, Bubba McDonald returned, now a newly minted Republican, and he ran for his PSC seat again. And Lauren “Bubba” McDonald was re-seated on the PSC during that 2008 election for another six years, and then was re-elected handily in 2014 in a race against Democratic Party challenger Daniel Blackman.

Blackman would seek a rematch in 2020 under conditions much more favorable to statewide Democratic candidates. On the Democratic side during the general election runoff (the Libertarian candidate again prevented the GOP candidate from winning the general election contest outright), billboards, yard signs, and even bumper stickers featured a ticket of Ossoff, Warnock, and Blackman. State and national party mailers also plugged the potential win by a two-black man triple play.

But Bubba, who had limited campaign funding and even less attention, ran on two very simple, direct and centrist messages: “I will keep your utility bills low” (20 percent below the national average during his tenures on the PSC), and “We Need More Solar.”

That’s pretty much it. No social media demagoguery, no real attacks on his opponent. And I should mention, Bubba McDonald was among the first and most ardent supporters of Donald Trump, as a candidate, as president, and throughout his re-election campaign. It may come as no surprise, but other than a brief mention on Runoff Election Eve at the Dalton, Georgia Trump Rally, President Trump never really returned the favor. I thank him NOT doing more, as it helped Bubba.

When all ballots were in and finally certified, a GOP candidate for the Public Service Commission, which typically down tickets will see 100,000-200,000 ballot count dropoffs, received 2,234,689 votes and bested Daniel Blackman by nearly 125,000 votes in their rematch. The GOP Senate incumbents, each running with practically UNLIMITED resources, would only receive 2,214,979 (Perdue had 20,000 votes LESS than Bubba) and 2,195,841 votes (Loeffler close to 40,000 votes LESS than Bubba). Both Senate contests had vote totals of 4,484,900+ votes, but the PSC contest also drew 4,435,651.

While many will continue to write the Georgia GOP’s political obituary, the real story may be the benefits of reaching OUT and beyond the party’s core and base, giving undecided, Libertarians, and independent voters a place to go. They may just wander back into THAT GOP’s bigger tent. Senators Perdue and Loeffler won only two of the top ten counties in metro Atlanta. In contrast, Bubba outdrew both in each metro Atlanta county by several thousand votes making several of those core counties almost competitive again for the GOP. Hardly an outsider, Bubba McDonald has been in public life and public office for nearly four decades. His son, with the same name, who goes by Lauren McDonald, now serves in the State House (District 26) as well, serving in his father’s old State House seat. I’m telling you – it’s that magic “Bubba” factor.

Crane is the senior political analyst with WSB Radio and TV and owns the full-service communications firm, CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

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Feb ‘21 Our Town Gwinnett

Sports Talk: 2021 Spring Season Middle School Golf League

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff The Middle School Golf League (MSGL) announced online registration for the 2021 spring season will open January 31st and is scheduled to close on February 23rd. However, registration is limited and will be cut off if participation reaches 100 before the end date. Play will begin in March and run through the end of May. The Middle School Golf League is organized with parents registering through the South Gwinnett Athletic Association. Players are assigned teams based on middle school attendance and receive golf shirts with their middle school or feeder high school colors. Play during the fall season is planned to be at Dacula’s Trophy Club of Apalachee, Lawrenceville’s Collins Hill Golf Course, Loganville’s Cedar Lake Golf Course, Monroe’s Bear Creek and Providence Golf Course, and Snellville’s County Club of Gwinnett and Summit Chase Country Club.

“We had a great turn out with 113 players representing twenty teams in the fall,” said League Director Les Witmer. “I think the players just wanted to get outside away from the computer, and we put into place Coronavirus procedures that allowed us to have a safe and successful full fall season.”

According to Witmer MSGL will again be employing COVID related precautions.

“Because we usually have two to four teams at one of our six golf courses,” he said, “we will not have a large gathering of players and parents at one place. We, of course, play outdoors, and that increases our safety precautions, and we will be following the same contact tracing procedures the schools employ.”

Continued on page 13

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Community News: Gwinnett County Community Outreach

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff Applications are now open for Gwinnett Community Outreach’s signature programs, and those interested in a behind-the-scenes look at their local government are invited to apply. Last fall, twenty-five participants graduated from the Gwinnett 101 Citizens Academy’s 11th cohort, the only cohort in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic.

Participants learned about the history of their county government, took virtual and in-person tours of county facilities, and had conversations with county leadership. In addition, twenty high school students participated in the 2020 – 2021 Gwinnett Youth Commission and were sworn-in as youth commissioners on July 29, 2020. The weekly classes that took place during the eight-week training session were completely virtual.

“Despite the challenges that came along with hosting our signature programs this year,” said Community Outreach Director Shaunieka Taylor, “the cohort members and youth commissioners still were able to have a rich and worthwhile experience while learning about the many services Gwinnett County provides and how they can get involved in their local government.

As we look to 2021, we hope to continue offering these programs while keeping our participants and county staff safe.”

Three members of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners are past graduates of Gwinnett 101 Citizens Academy and the chairwoman was the founding director of the program. Gwinnett County residents, business owners, and students are invited to submit applications for the Spring 2021 Gwinnett 101 Citizens Academy. Applications for the spring class are available online at Gwinnett101.com. The deadline is March 1st.

Continued on page 15

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Gwinnett County Renames Water Supply Intake to Honor Wayne Mason

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff Gwinnett County officials formally dedicated the Wayne Mason Water Supply Intake Facility to honor former Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Wayne Mason.

Originally known as the Lanier Raw Water Intake, the facility has been renamed in Mason’s honor for his vision in establishing a robust water and sewer system to accommodate growth in the county.

“Back in the 1970s, Wayne recognized before anyone that for Gwinnett to grow and be an economic power, we had to have an expansive and reliable water and sewer system,” said former Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Charlotte Nash. “He also was willing to take steps to make that happen. Without his vision, determination, and energy, Gwinnett would not be the great place it is today.”

Mason said he felt humbled to have the water supply intake facility – which provides water to hundreds of thousands of residents and to tens of thousands of businesses – bear his name.

“Gwinnett has given a lot to me, and I just tried to give something back to Gwinnett,” he said.

“We had to make a lot of tough decisions back then. I was fortunate to serve with people who would do what was best for the county without regard to how it would affect their re-election.

It took unity of purpose by many people to get where we are today.”

Mason served as a district commissioner from 1973 through 1976 and as chairman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners from 1977 through 1980. He also served as chairman of the Gwinnett County Water and Sewerage Authority. During his years of service, he helped secure critical funding for major water and sewer projects that formed the foundation for today’s award-winning Gwinnett County water and sewer system.

He also was instrumental in obtaining permission from the US Army Corps of Engineers for Gwinnett to withdraw water directly from Lake Lanier. This set the stage for Gwinnett to have a stable source of high-quality water that continues to serve the County’s needs today.

The 40-million-gallon-per-day Lanier Filter Plant and the Lanier Raw Water Intake satisfied Gwinnett’s water needs for decades and set the stage for Gwinnett to emerge from a rural county

to one of the Southeast’s leaders in economic development. Mason also was instrumental in the installation of a countywide loop of large water mains for reliable water supply and fire protection.

As a private citizen, Mason has been a great supporter of Georgia Gwinnett College, the first four-year college founded in Georgia in more than 100 years, and he developed subdivisions, country clubs, and shopping centers. He helped found and lead many business and community organizations, and provided facilities for youth sports and churches.

Because of Mason’s extensive contributions to Gwinnett as an individual and as a public servant, he was named a Gwinnett Trailblazer during the closing ceremony of Gwinnett County’s Bicentennial celebration in December 2018.

Since the actual water supply intake is located underwater, the County erected a monument at the Shoal Creek Filter Plant to commemorate Mason’s contributions. The monument represents the water production process of drawing water from Lake Lanier, cleaning and treating the water, and then distributing it to nearly one million residents and the many businesses in the County. The monument provides an additional educational component to the plant’s public tours.

Travel Tales: Destination Spas

By Pam Walker What could be better in the time of COVID-19 than a visit to a beautiful and healthy spa?

Over the years, I have been lucky enough to travel the world, and my best way of getting over jet lag has always been a massage on arrival at my destination. This gets all your tired bones and muscles relaxed from sitting on a plane for so long. With a big glass of spa juices or fruit enhanced water and a few minutes in a mineral tub or steam room, you are ready to either go to bed for a wonderful and restful sleep or to meet clients for your first meeting.

Having just spent the weekend at the Lodge and Cloister at Sea Island, I can tell you this is one excellent spa and a good place to relax – even if you are just making the five-hour drive from Atlanta. There are, however, many such destination spas all over the US. Flying is now considered to be safer than your local grocery store, so what is stopping you? Here are a few of my favorite destination spas in the US and just a short flight away.

The “biggies” of course are Canyon Ranch in Tucson or the Berkshires, or Miraval or the Ranch at Malibu in California. There is also an amazing wellness spa at Lake Austin Spa and Resort in Texas or Mii amo in Sedona, Arizona.

If you feel so disposed to go a little further, try the wonderful Chablé in the Yucatán or Rancho La Puerto in Tecate, Mexico. Although European Spas are yet to open, hopefully little by little we will be able to book some healthy places soon. Some in the US are now open.

In the meantime, closer is better and even with masks in place, the treatments and services are there to make us all feel better during these difficult times. Take care of yourselves first so you can help others enjoy good health as well.

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

PAGE 10

Gwinnett Partnership Spotlight: Creation of Police Citizens Advisory Board

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff To strengthen relationships between the Gwinnett County Police Department and the community, the Board of Commissioners recently approved the creation of a Citizens Advisory Board to offer input on issues like transparency, use of force, training, and dealing with complaints.

The eleven-member board, made up of representatives from various groups around the county, will provide advice to the police department, the county administrator, and the Board of Commissioners. The Citizens Advisory Board will assist the department using a collaborative problem-solving process that supports both the community and the police department’s desire to enhance public safety.

The board will offer feedback on reforms to improve community-oriented policing practices, transparency, professionalism, accountability, community inclusion, fairness, effectiveness, Continued on page 19

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Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Continued from page 5

Learning Lessons: Continued from page 8

the Gwinnett community and the state of Georgia as a whole. Gwinnett County Parks and Rec employees have made dozens of runs to the food bank, ensuring that the Co-Op always has food to distribute to the people who are counting on them. Georgia deployed its National Guard to offer assistance with loading the food into cars as well as with keeping the entire process organized and supplies updated.

While the Co-Op has received a lot of help and donations, they are always in need of additional supplies to meet the increasing demand of the community. They can’t currently accept more volunteers due to CDC guidelines, but they are accepting all types of food and many toiletry items as well.

“As we look ahead to all of 2021, we anticipate the need will remain high for our services,” Laura said. “We commit to continuing to stand in the gap on behalf of those who are struggling.”

More information at https://www.segwinnettcoop.org/

concentration.

• Start with a familiar song like “Wheels on the Bus” and take turns inserting new words to replace the original ones. Together, you can invent a gesture for each word and enjoy the giggles that follow.

• Start dancing to one of your child’s favorite songs, and then stop the song at random. When the music stops, freeze! When the music starts, begin dancing again. This gets you both moving and teaches careful listening.

• Have an old-fashioned jam session! Grab some instruments, cue up some music, and play, play, play.

Remember, children benefit from consistency, so engaging in music at home to complement your childcare provider’s music program is ideal for their development.

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

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PAGE 11

tweak it a bit and incorporate it into his restaurant process.

He knew that many healthcare workers were feeling the biggest effect of the virus, not only through direct contact with affected patients, but becoming exhausted by the long and stressful hours, many times missing meals to care for their patients. They were the true heroes of the community, as far as he was concerned. He contacted Northside Hospital to find out how he could help. Many of the frontline workers there are loyal customers of Universal Joint, and Bruce felt it was right to return the support. That conversation led Bruce to create Feed Our Heroes Project.

For nearly four months, the cook at Universal Joint came in early every day to prepare fresh deli sandwiches for these frontline workers. All health and safety measures were taken.

The bar doubled as a food-prep counter and was sanitized with bleach, then plastic wrap was placed on top for an extra layer of protection. The cook also wore a mask and gloves during

preparation. Condiment packets and chip bags were sanitized, and each sandwich was wrapped in butcher paper and cut in half, then wrapped a second time for freshness. Each sandwich was placed in a sealed brown paper bag and was labeled with a T, H, or R to signify turkey, ham, or roast beef. This made it easier for healthcare workers to identify which sandwich they wanted and allowed them to eat half and then come back for the rest later, with freshness intact.

Bruce drove to the hospital to deliver the sandwiches. Upon arrival, he called the administrator to let her know he was on the premises. Hospital staff, cloaked in masks and gloves, met him outside to retrieve the sandwiches. Universal Joint donated over 4,000 sandwiches to the hospital in a span of nine months.

In July 2020, the COVID-19 numbers had decreased, so the need for the sandwich service wasn’t as high and remained that way for several months. Even though Bruce was saddened that Feed Our Heroes Project had come to a halt, his restaurants continued to gain momentum through offering curbside meals and eventually transitioning to socially distanced dinein services.

In the second week of January 2021, Bruce received a call from the hospital stating that they needed his service again.

In one week, Bruce and his helpers prepared and delivered 350 sandwiches to the hospital! Because this is a labor of love, Bruce relies on donations from his customers, local citizens, and local businesses to keep the project going. Universal Joint has personally covered the cost of over 500 sandwiches as well because Bruce believes this is a worthy mission. The Lawrenceville United Methodist Church created a video presentation about the project and released it to the congregation in hopes of collecting more donations. Members of the church also contributed hand-written notes of encouragement to include in the meal packages.

Bruce hopes to continue offering this much-needed service Continued on page 19

day of that class, three of us showed up.

Another class that I attend on Thursdays has ten students in my group. My professor gives us a repeat of the lesson he gave the other half of the class two days before. All three of those courses are structured for each student to attend class once a week in order to social distance and minimize possible exposure to COVID-19. When we go to class, we have to sit in the seat we chose on our first day for contact tracing in case another student or the professor contracts COVID-19.

My other in-person class is structured in much the same way. There are two groups of ten students who attend inperson classes on either Tuesday or Thursday. The group that does not meet in-person has to log in to an online video session during class to hear the professor’s lecture.

Just like every semester, there are fifteen minutes between class times. This tight time is a slight problem for me because I attend one class on-campus on Thursdays, and fifteen minutes after that class ends, I have to be logged in online for my next lecture. My apartment isn’t far from campus, but I can never be sure that I’ll make it back in time to log in. Since it’s so early in the semester, I haven’t quite figured out how to manage that.

I could sit in my car for an hour and fifteen minutes or go to the library on campus. I’d rather not use the library because every student who attends online must participate vocally during the class, and I don’t want to disturb anyone using the library to study.

Along with that challenge, being on campus again means being at risk. There are more people walking around the buildings now, and many of them are not wearing their masks correctly. Even though signs posted outside say to wear masks at all times on campus, many people take them off when

not in the buildings. Last semester, our student center was overcrowded, and no one had masks on when sitting down at a table, even after they had finished eating. I passed through a few times when I went to get textbooks during the first few classes, and somehow that problem worsened.

I’m glad to be back on campus, and I enjoy meeting my professors in person and getting out of my apartment every day, but I fear it might not last long unless people get their acts together. My professors warned us to be prepared to switch to online-only at any time, and that might happen if students don’t start wearing their masks at all times.

Every classmate and professor I’ve talked to has mentioned being happier this semester because they can return to campus and get some form of social interaction. I feel less stressed, but I know at any moment we could revert to online. Nothing about this school year has been predictable, and I can only hope my fellow students will try their hardest to keep us on campus for the rest of the semester.

Making a Difference: Universal Joint Feeds Our Heroes

By Traci Sanders Many small businesses were rocked to the core when COVID-19 hit. Some shut down immediately. Others hung on for a few months but eventually closed their doors. Some businesses not only survived but found a way to even turn a profit, by choosing to think outside the box. And some even went a step further and found ways to pay it forward. Such was the case for Universal Joint owner, Bruce Kennedy, who decided he wasn’t ready to give up on his dream so quickly.

In the beginning of the pandemic, Bruce closed the dining room and transformed the outside area of the building into a sidewalk market and food station. Universal Joint essentially offered three menus: the usual ready-to-eat food off the regular menu to-go; prepared Market Meals such as lasagna, chili, and meatloaf (with side dishes included) to take home and reheat for dinner throughout the week; and the option to purchase a few essentials when picking up to-go food or Market Meals, such as mayonnaise, milk, toilet paper, and high-quality produce all at affordable prices, and without having to brave the grocery stores.

Bruce’s heart was troubled by all the loss and devastation all around him. He wanted to do more for his fellow citizens but wasn’t sure how. The answer came from a most unexpected source.

One day, Bruce received a call from a young student from Decatur who had formed a small program called the Meal Train, where she was going around asking businesses to donate food or funds to help her create and deliver meals to nearby hospitals. Though Bruce wasn’t able to help with it at the time, the idea intrigued him, ultimately inspiring him to

Inside Look with Emily: Life on Campus During the Pandemic

By Emily Rubin A few months ago, I wrote about my experience attending the first semester of my junior year of college in an online format. This semester, my school decided to open the campus back up for more than just lab classes and dance classes.

Almost every course in my major was offered in both inperson and online formats. I chose to sign up for four in-person classes and one online class. Much as the last semester seemed different from my past semesters at school, this semester seems different and is in no way back to normal.

In order to keep social distancing measures in place, in-person classes are split into smaller groups that attend on alternate days. This means that even though I have a Tuesday/Thursday class, I only go to campus on one of those days. For three of my classes, I only participate in one lecture a week. We meet on campus for one class, and then we complete homework assignments on our own time.

My interviewing class is scheduled for Monday/Wednesday/ Friday, but we only meet on Mondays. The class is small enough for us to space out in the classroom and meet once a week. When I go to campus on Mondays, I see the largest number of classmates, which is about twenty-four other students. On Wednesdays, I attend my smallest class, which is supposed to have five students in my group. On the first day of that class, only my professor and I showed up. On my second

PAGE 12

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Feb ‘21 Our Town Gwinnett

BEST BEST BEST BEST

Middle School Golf League Continued from page 9

golfer playing as team members in the best ball Lauderdale format. Players play from forward or junior tees based on ability. The league schedules four weeks of team best ball play for all, In the past players participating attended many different middle schools including Bay including a week where high school players are invited to play with their cluster middle school Creek, Couch, Creekland, Crews, Dacula, Five Forks, George Walton, Loganville, North team, and then the middle school golfers are introduced to stroke play where they play their Gwinnett, McConnell, Osborne, Providence Christian, Shiloh, Trickum, and Youth Middle own ball for an individual score. The season culminates with a very popular Drive, Chip and Schools Putt competition and awards party.

“We’re really proud of the interest we have received in the past from these middle school According to Witmer the league play and clinics are normally held on Sundays at 4 players and parents and the support from their middle school administration and their cluster pm. “Each team has a volunteer team marshal who is responsible for team lineups and superhigh school golf coaches,” Witmer said. vises the play on the course,” he added. “Parents are welcome to walk or ride carts along the The program’s goal is to teach the fundamentals of golf, and through team best ball play, course as spectators, but they must remain on the to cartfinding paths.” the perfect provide a positive environment where everyone participates no matter whether he or she is just When it comes to f When it comes roof At the close of online registration, there will be a parent orientation either in person or via a beginner or a junior player who has playing experience. for your home we h your we have aprecautions, HUGEroof selection itvideo comes to finding the perfect When it comes to roof finding the perfect conferencing.

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PAGE 13

Coach Chan Brown Receives Ethics in Coaching Award

Meet the Team at Dyal Jenkins: Your Trusted Legal Resource

By Tim Morse

By Kristen Eleveld

Chan Brown tried his best to shift the attention elsewhere. As the recipient of the 2021 Ethics in Coaching Award, the longtime Parkview High School baseball coach refused to take credit for the honor, one of the highest a high school coach can receive from the Georgia Dugout Club (GDC).

“It’s a big honor for the program, community, and our staff,” Brown said. “There have been a lot of people who have put blood, sweat, and tears into the program.

A lot of pieces of the puzzle have to come together.”

Brown, already a GDC Hall of Famer, was honored at the GDC Coaches Clinic in January, along with the six newest members of the Georgia Dugout Club Hall of Fame.

“Chan Brown has been recognized many times for his success on the field, but his leadership off the field made him an easy choice for this award,” said Greg Frady who chairs the Ethics in Coaching Committee for the Georgia Dugout Club. “He is a man of strong principles. Many times, coaches talk about doing it right, and Coach Brown has done it right from the beginning.

“Like many coaches, he has had strong role models around him to show the way,” Frady continued. “He was blessed with Coach Hugh Buchanan and Coach Roy Massey that came before him. Those two men were pillars of strength in their community. Coach Brown not only learned from those men, but has taken his commitment to doing it the right way to a new level.

He is a committed father, husband, and role model.”

Brown, who was inducted into the GDC Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2018, has a decorated coaching career. He is in his eighteenth season at Parkview, seventeen as the head baseball coach. After inheriting the Parkview program from longtime coach Hugh Buchanan in 2005, he helped keep the program among the nation’s elite.

In twenty-one seasons as a head baseball coach, he boasts a 449-149 record. He has guided the Parkview program to eleven region titles and five state titles (2011, ’12, ’15, ’18, and ’19).

His 2012 team was voted the national champions by Baseball America.

The 2015 Parkview squad was named national champions by five national media outlets, including Baseball America and USA Today. His 2018 state championship squad was named as national champions by Baseball America, while his 2019 squad won a state record thirtysix games.

Brown was named National Coach of the Year in 2015 by USA Today, Max Preps, Perfect Game, and Baseball America. The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) named him Southeastern Regional Coach of the Year three times (2011, ’12, and ’15), and the Baseball Coaches Association named him Regional Coach of the Year in 2015.

In 2019 Brown was named the ABCA National High School Coach of the Year. He boasts three Georgia Dugout Club Coach of the Year honors and three Gwinnett Dugout Club Coach of the Year awards. His peers also have great respect for the Parkview coach.

“Chan is one of the premier high school coaches in the country who always gets the very best out of his players and has developed a total high school program that rivals any program anywhere,” Johns Creek head coach Billy Nicholson said. “Chan has always been more than willing to share his model of success with anyone and has always been very accommodating to help young and old coaches with advice, mentoring, and being an incredible ambassador for high school baseball in our state and across the country.”

While Brown’s coaching career is impressive, he wants to be known more for helping young players grow into better men. “We want to make sure we run things the right way,” he said.

“When I first got here, I made a lot of mistakes that hopefully I learned from. I don’t know if I was the best coach for Parkview, but I like to think I’ve grown and matured.”

Brown has helped guide many players to the next level, but he said when they keep strong relationships with him and his staff and come back home for the program’s annual alumni golf tournament, it means a lot. He added that more than twenty-five alumni sat in the dugout at

When you need help, where do you turn? It’s hard to know who can show you the next steps to take, especially if you need legal help or if you have suffered an injury because of someone else’s actions or inactions. Thankfully for the people in the Atlanta area and northeast Georgia, they have a reliable resource in the team at the law firm of Dyal Jenkins, P.C. Growing up, Jim Jenkins knew his dad wanted him to become a lawyer – which made sense, considering his dad was a lawyer, too. But it wasn’t until Jim was out of college and working in an entirely different field when he realized that he not only found the idea of studying law to be interesting, he wanted to make it a career.

After graduating from law school, Jim clerked for three Superior Court judges for a year prior to joining his father, Steve, at his firm. His father had been practicing for forty years at the time, and was a wealth of knowledge in many areas of the law, which helped Jim develop a broad-based understanding of the interplay between many areas of the law. Three years later, Jim moved his family to Atlanta. For a year, he focused on real estate transactions before he opened up his own firm in the Atlanta area, and in 2014 began focusing on helping clients who needed legal counsel to navigate challenging circumstances involving injuries and accidents.

“I want to help people who are in difficult situations,” said Jim. “My own experiences have allowed me to understand how hard it can be when you’re dealing with an injury and you’re not sure what to do next.”

Of course, Jim does not operate alone. He merged his firm with his father’s firm in Elberton, Georgia on January 1, 2020, creating Dyal Jenkins, P.C. This merger included the addition of partner Chris Dyal, who brought with him the expertise and knowledge from his time as a criminal prosecution and defense attorney for five years. Prior to becoming an attorney, Chris was in the law enforcement field for nearly six years, which has served him well as he helps his clients determine how they should proceed when they seek his help.

A high priority for the Dyal Jenkins team is education. They want their clients to not only understand the next steps of their own case, but also to learn that every case must be considered from its own unique angle.

“We look at each case individually and review the facts,” said Jim. “No two cases are identical, and we want clients to know what they can expect and how we can help them.”

“We are always going to tell you the truth, often without sugarcoating it,” added Chris. “We will not pretend something is going to happen when we know it won’t.”

The firm’s attention to detail and commitment to honesty makes them a trusted resource within their community. Whether you are making an appointment with Jim in the Atlanta/ Tucker area or with Chris in Elberton, you will find no shortage of clients who will recommend these attorneys as a reliable route to having your questions answered. In fact, most of their clients are referred to by word-of-mouth instead of advertising, because each client recognizes the value of this team.

“We never judge anyone who walks into our office,” said Chris. “We just want you to tell us the truth so we can know how to help you.”

When they are not at the office, you will probably find both of these men with their families, and, of course, the pets they have adopted. Jim’s wife, Tiffany, and Chris have fostered cats and kittens in need, and have each adopted one (or several) of their own to keep. Under nonpandemic circumstances, you might run into Jim at his oldest son’s sporting events around Mountain Park, coaching and cheering him on, and see Chris at one of the many groups in which he holds a leadership role, like the Rotary Club, the Elberton Bar Association, or the Elks Club, to name just a few.

If you’re looking for an attorney in an area other than personal injury or criminal defense, Jim, Chris, and Steve can still help. Thanks to their years and experience in this business, they have a list of trusted contacts who can help you with any type of problem you have. In fact,

Continued on page 18

Continued on page 18

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Gwinnett County Community Outreach Continued from page 9 The twelve-week session begins April 1st and continues through June 22nd. Weekly sessions are expected to take place in person. However, to keep everyone safe and to allow for social distancing, the class size will be reduced to fifteen participants. Masks will be required.

Participants must be at least eighteen years old and be a resident or business owner in Gwinnett or a student attending a Gwinnett college or university. High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can take part in the Gwinnett Youth Commission, which consists of an eight-week training session and a graduation, at which participants are sworn-in as youth commissioners.

The Gwinnett Youth Commission is an initiative to develop youth leaders to speak on behalf of their peers, help county government leaders better understand youth issues, plan community events, and participate in volunteer projects. To be eligible for the commission, students must be a resident of Gwinnett County, be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior at a Gwinnett high school, and submit a completed application and a typed essay by April 12th.

More information at Gwinnett Youth Commission or GwinnettCommunityOutreach.com.

Meet Johnny Griffin: 2021 Outstanding Teacher of American History

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By Our Town Gwinnett Staff Every chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has the option to select an Outstanding Teacher of American History from their own community. The Philadelphia Winn Chapter in Lawrenceville selected Johnny Griffin as their 2021 nominee.

The purpose of this award is to recognize a notable, full-time teacher of American History (and related fields, such as social studies, government, and citizenship education) in public, private and parochial schools, grades 5–12. Candidates must meet the following requirements and complete an application to be considered: a) must have taught school for the current and previous academic year; b) must teach in the state of the sponsoring chapter; c) must have an incisive knowledge of American history readily shared with students; d) must foster a spirit of patriotism and loyal support of our country and constitutional government; e) must demonstrate the ability to relate history to modern life and events; f) must have high academic standards, requiring excellence at all times from students; g) and must be committed to students and enjoy a good rapport with them.

Griffin’s nomination was suggested by a former student. What better acknowledgement to the lasting power of one’s teaching! Randi Minor suggested our nominee who was his student in eighth grade at Shiloh Middle School. Surprisingly, during the Zoom chapter meeting in January, we also found out he taught the mother of one of our American History essay winners this year, as well as children of additional members. A retired Gwinnett County teacher, Griffin currently teaches eighth grade Georgia History at George Walton Academy in Loganville. He has been teaching for thirty-three years.

Griffin has a zest and vitality, an immediacy, to his teaching that he imparts to students, as if historical events are happening – right now! He makes them feel they are “in the moment” by using plays, biographies, and group debates. Ben Franklin has been known to come to class in period attire and offer words of wisdom. After all these years, Griffin is certainly aware of the mercurial needs of eighth grade students and continues to rise to the challenge.

As he spoke to the chapter in January, Griffin shared how meaningful it was to hear the Preamble, the pledges to the flags, and the America’s Creed. He thanked all Daughters for promoting history, understanding our government, and appreciating our citizenship. He recognized how his goals of teaching students are very similar to the goals of the DAR: learn our history, preserve it (both good and bad), understand the workings of our government, and participate in the process. Many of his vacations have included visits to historic sites to expand his knowledge of both American and Georgia history.

Georgia State Society DAR Historian Kate Sievert Cook recently announced that Griffin will also be recognized as Georgia’s nominee for Outstanding Teacher of American History.

He will be honored and speak at a luncheon at Georgia State Society DAR State Conference in March. If he is also selected for the National Society DAR honor, he will be invited and honored at the annual Continental Congress in June in Washington, D.C. An official certificate and monetary award are presented at all levels of recognition.

This is indeed an exceptional honor for a teacher who loves his subject and his students.

Thank you, Mr. Griffin, for continuing to inspire the youth in your classes to understand and take an interest in our government, to become good citizens, and to remember to “Go forth and learn!”

Feb ‘21 Our Town Gwinnett

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PAGE 15

Ruff and Tough: How Camp Bow Wow is Persevering through a Pandemic

By Kristen Eleveld If you are in the Gwinnett area, you’ve probably heard of the amazing work that Camp Bow Wow is doing in Lawrenceville and beyond. This doggy day camp, which has been the recipient of multiple awards for its excellent care and willingness to go above and beyond for its customers, has quickly risen through the ranks to become the number one place to keep your dog safe and happy during the day.

During a typical year, you can certainly find the team at Camp Bow Wow in their Lawrenceville location, doing what they do best and offering top-notch services to dogs in the community. But you can also find them out and about in Gwinnett, helping dogs through programs like the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation. This charity is designed to help those furry friends who are sick or injured and are in desperate need of medical care. Thanks to the efforts of the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, hundreds of dogs have been saved. Learn more about these paw-some pups at www.bowwowbuddies.com.

Of course, the events of 2020 affected industries across the board, and Camp Bow Wow was no exception. While they were not able to host many of the wonderful celebrations they are known for, they did have the opportunity to celebrate their fifth anniversary as a member of the Gwinnett community.

While the celebrations are always fun, Camp Bow Wow Lawrenceville has had a different focus this year: taking care of the pets of healthcare workers.

“Our mission this year is to help those in the healthcare industry,” said Kathy Stone, who owns the camp. “We know they are working long hours, and we can help by caring for their dogs.”

Camp Bow Wow has extended their usual camp hours. They are now open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. This timetable was designed to accommodate the schedule of many healthcare workers at Northside Gwinnett, which is just down the road from the camp. Healthcare workers can also join a special VIP program that gives them a discount on the services offered by Camp Bow Wow so they can ensure that their furry canine friends get what they need while their human is hard at work.

Along with providing these extra perks for healthcare workers, Camp Bow Wow Lawrenceville is also working to educate the community by sponsoring a podcast that covers many important topics for dog owners and potential dog owners.

“The focus of the podcast in on dogs, but it can be helpful for any pet owner,” said Kathy.

“We are covering a lot of subjects that will be helpful in choosing, raising, and caring for your dog.”

To date, the podcast has talked about what to consider when choosing to add a dog to your family, best practices for grooming, and an interview with a representative from the Humane

Society to help people navigate the steps of pet adoption. Moving forward, they plan to cover important info you need for traveling with a dog, understanding the differences between breeds, and many other useful topics that will help every dog owner feel confident in the care they give their pup. The podcast, titled All About Dog, is available on nearly every major podcast streaming service.

As always, Camp Bow Wow stands ready to serve the community through its high standard of pet care and flexible hours and services. If you are interested in seeing if your dog is a good fit for the camp, and vice versa, just give them a call at (770) 995-3500 to schedule a visit. This trial interview is free of charge, and the camp’s highest priority is to determine if your dog will feel safe and happy as a camper during their stay. Don’t miss the chance to let your favorite furry pal experience the best doggy day camp in Gwinnett County.

More information at www.campbowwow.com/lawrenceville-ga.

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Feb ‘21 Our Town Gwinnett

One on One: M.W. McKinley’s Debut Novel

By K. Coats Being a young adult is tough. You’re not really a child anymore, but you’re nowhere near being an adult yet. You’re stuck somewhere between Happy Meals and Happy Hour. It’s always been a strange age, but one thing that today’s young adults and tweens have more of than previous ones are novels specifically geared towards them. Young Adult (YA) novels are a literary genre that are really having a heyday. Just a look at the newer layout inside the local Barnes and Noble reveals that emphasis as the YA section has gone from lonely side-aisle to feature focus near the center of the store. Young Adults are a fun group to write for, and now they can count another novel among their ranks. M. W. McKinley recently released her debut novel, the first in The Brotherhood Series, entitled Please Stay for Me. It’s the story of a student photographer, Avery, studying abroad in Oxford and meeting musician Liam. But while one might mistake this for a simple teen romance, McKinley cautions, “Please Stay for Me is more than just a teen romance. My favorite thing about this story is how the characters find family outside of the so-called nuclear family. Readers get to see glimpses of the main characters’ past and how those experiences make them perfect for each other. Other than romance, the themes in this novel are family, friendship, grief, forgiveness, and pursuing one’s dreams.” That’s a lot to pack into a single novel. Good thing the second novel, Please Fall for Me, is slated for release in late 2021 or early 2022.

“This novel is told from a dual point of view,” McKinley says. “Avery is a recent high school graduate who’s embarking on her first overseas adventure to studyabroad in Oxford, England. She’s more comfortable viewing the world behind the lens of her camera. Liam is a talented violinist and the lead-singer of a British indie-rock band, Brotherhood.” Much like how her characters’ interests stay center stage, McKinley knows all too well how it feels to have one’s hobby take over. The novel itself is evidence of that. “I’ve been writing fiction for the past ten years,” she says. “It began as a hobby before eventually turning into something I wanted to share with others.”

McKinley has shared more than just her characters with us. Much of her book was inspired by personal experiences. “Some of Avery’s childhood memories come straight from my own life” she states. “My own emotions from losing a parent definitely influenced Avery’s character.” But it isn’t just about parents. “This novel became an ode to grandparents as well,” she adds. “Meme’s character is based on my grandmother who’s not related to me by blood. I never knew my maternal grandmother, so when Meme started babysitting me as a toddler, I adopted her as my own!” In addition to those family connections, more humorous elements also worked their way in such as a real-life based twenty-one-pound cat.

It would be easy to think the novel itself was started by real life events, but McKinley’s writing inspiration has less conventional origins. Like Mary Shelley or JK Rowling, her novel came

Feb ‘21 Our Town Gwinnett

as a flash. “Most of my story ideas come from a single scene flashing through my mind,” she explains. “For this novel, it was the prologue where young Avery hears a boy playing violin at Lincoln Center. Since I couldn’t get that scene out of my head, I had to write it down and the rest of the story followed.”

But the scene that started it isn’t the only favorite moment. One of her favorite scenes, without spoilers, takes place in a hospital. “The scene where Avery’s in the hospital with her mom is particularly poignant to me,” she says, “not only because it shows her feelings about her mom’s illness, but it also shows what the relationship with her dad used to look like.” And it’s scenes like this where McKinley’s real message to her young readers emerges. She says, “I hope readers connect with Avery and Liam as they come to terms with their pasts, make decisions about their futures, all while falling for each other.” But in addition, McKinley also hopes “my novel shows that people can create their own families, regardless of DNA, by surrounding themselves with positive people who genuinely care for them.”

This is particularly important to her young adult audience as their peers can often be their

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Continued on page 19

PAGE 17

Coach Chan Brown Continued from page 14

Dyal Jenkins Continued from page 14

Hugh Buchanan Field when his Panthers played Mill Creek for the Class 7A state championship series in 2018.

“That was a very cool thing to experience,” Brown said. “Hopefully, we have made an impact on all of them to be highly successful people in society, and the most important thing is I hope we have helped them along the way to become leaders, great husbands, and fathers.”

“Much success has come Parkview’s way over the years and with that has come personal recognition,” Frady said. “However, Coach Brown has always put his players first and helped them to be recognized without compromising his values. He has built a family environment for all players to thrive. His commitment each year to the off-field work with charities and fundraising efforts is exemplary.

“This has given his program and players experiences they could not have experienced without his strong leadership,” Frady concluded. “This award reflects how Coach Brown was raised by his family and now, how he mentors his values to his community.”

More information at https://parkviewbaseball.com/

Steve, who began his firm in the Elberton location, is knowledgeable about many different types of law, including real estate, probate and estate planning, and many others, and often acts as a resource to clients that the team works with.

Your first consultation is free. For personal injury claims, Dyal Jenkins’ fee is based on a percentage of what they are able to recover for you, so payment is never required up front.

When you’re looking for help with a personal injury, the best way to reach Jim is through his paralegal Andretta, who will become your best friend before the end of your conversation.

You can reach their office at (404) 919-7297. For criminal defense issues, you will want to get in touch with Chris at his office – (706) 283-8240. His paralegal team, Megan and Tanner, will be able to set you up with an appointment, and both attorneys place a high priority on staying in touch with their clients on a regular basis.

You only want the best when it comes to your attorney – so make your first call the right call. Dyal Jenkins.

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Police Citizens Advisory Board Continued from page 10

M.W. McKinley’s Debut Novel Continued from page 17

and public trust while considering national standards, best practices, current and emerging research, and community expectations.

“The Citizens Advisory Board will support the Board of Commissioner’s vision of a vibrantly connected community where all stakeholders feel informed, engaged, and heard,” said Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson. “Establishing the Citizens Advisory Board will help build an open and positive relationship between the public and law enforcement. It builds mutual understanding and trust.”

District 4 Commissioner Marlene Fosque said the Citizens Advisory Board fulfills a promise she made with community leaders to improve police connections and engagements.

“The board will empower people and help them to be more knowledgeable about law enforcement,” she said. “Hopefully, it will open some eyes and enlighten our community even more. The dialogue that stems from a citizen’s advisory board can broaden how people perceive things. Both parties may very well end up saying, ‘I never knew that’ or ‘I never thought of it that way before.’”

The board will be made up of appointees from each member of the Board of Commissioners, a Gwinnett 101 Citizens Academy graduate, and a member each from the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Gwinnett Bar Association Criminal Defense Section, the Gwinnett Tech Student Government Association, View Point Health, and Gwinnett cities within the Police Services District. Members will serve staggered two-year terms.

The Gwinnett police has a good relationship with the community and the department wants to build on that. Hearing from the diverse members on the board will help the department better understand the dynamics in the community.

More information at https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/

biggest asset as well as their biggest stressor. “I really enjoy writing young adult characters,” she says, “because they’re just starting to think about their places in the world, but no one expects them to have it all figured out yet.”

McKinley credits her major writing influence to an atmosphere of books. “Reading still has the most significant influence on my writing,” she explains. “Reading other peoples’ stories encouraged me to create my own. Growing up, my mom always had a book checked out from the library (and still does). The go-to gift for my dad was the latest historical non-fiction book, and on Sundays you could always find my stepmom curled up somewhere with a crime novel.” The ever-present book meant that reading was second nature. Her family “created an environment where reading was just as important as our Tuesday movie nights.” And it seems a natural progression from reading the stories of others to writing one’s own. Her mother had the honor of being the first to read Please Stay for Me. McKinley says, “She encouraged me to keep writing even when I doubted myself. I couldn’t have self-published this novel without the support of my family and friends, especially my husband.”

So, if you’re in the mood for violins, photography, indie-rock bands, Oxford, Juilliard, family, and love, Please Stay for Me might be just the book for you. Here is an excerpt: “My focus shifts back to Liam as he stands up while the other violinists remain seated. The violin is nestled between his sharp jawline and shoulder. When the conductor signals him, he raises his bow and slowly slides it against the strings. His fingers move quickly one by one creating sounds so beautiful the man next to me finally puts his phone down.

“As I watch his fingers continue to move, I think about touching the calluses on his fingertips and how he brushed hair away from my face yesterday. I could feel those calluses as his fingers accidentally touched my cheek. Or maybe it wasn’t an accident. All I know is a touch so brief never affected me that way with anyone else.

“Liam is captivating as he seems to get lost in the music. He sways back and forth slightly as the song’s tempo increases. Maybe lost is the wrong word. Because I hope, instead, he’s found, every performance, over and over again. I still don’t really know him, but I want that kind of happiness for him.”

More information at https://www.facebook.com/mwmckinleywrites or https://mmckinleywrites.wixsite.com/author/books.

Universal Joint Feeds Our Heroes Continued from page 12 to frontline workers at Northside Hospital, and other hospitals as well if the funds become available.

Donations to Feed Our Heroes Project are welcomed through Venmo @Ujlawrenceville and PayPal.me/ujheroes and for more info visit https://www.ujlawrenceville.com/

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770.931.1414 | www.RogerSGreen.com | 3700 Crestwood Pkwy, Ste 140, Duluth, GA 30096 Investment Advisor Representative offering securities & advisory services through Cetera Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker/Dealer, member FINRA, SIPC. Green Financial, Gwinnett Tech & Cetera Advisors are not affiliated. Awards are not to be considered a guarantee of future results, nor as an endorsement by any client. Best of Gwinnett winners are chosen via voting and editors’ input, & opinions are vetted with the use of other available information. Pinnacle award rankings are based on growth, revenue, community service, & other criteria.