JUNE/JULY '18: Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Monthly Magazine

JUNE/JULY 2018 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Grayson Dacula Loganville Lawrenceville

Meet the team at Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway, see story on page 5.

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Family Business Spotlight: Meet High Priority Plumbing Up Close with Run the Reagan: Approaching 25th Anniversary Mayor’s View: Meet Dacula Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks One on One with Grayson High TOTY Niles Davis

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5/3/18 10:20 AM

On the Cover: Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway Blends a STEAM-based Education with Character Development

By Kim Hill “The best part of working in early childhood education is the more your inner child comes out, the better you are at your job,” says Tanisha Turner, owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway-East. “What kind of job can you just be a kid again and everyone thinks you’re awesome?” Ms. Turner has been an educator for thirty-two years. “It’s a lifelong passion and love for me.” She has owned the school for fifteen years, having become involved after experiencing Primrose’s benefits with her own three children. With the oldest graduating from MIT in Boston, and the second soon to be attending the University of Michigan, she says her children are proof that a Primrose education sets students up for success in life.

Primrose offers a STEAM-based program, with STEAM standing for science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. “Young children can go through a scientific process and think and understand that it’s okay that you don’t get it right the first time, and that when you don’t get it right the first time you don’t stop but you try something else, you do something different,” says Ms. Turner. “You have them learn persistence, and hard work, and perseverance.”

While the concept of STEAM may seem intimidating, Ms. Turner says children ages 1 to 5 are hungry for it, they love it, and they can – no one has told them they can’t yet. “They’re not afraid to try, they are not afraid to spill, because no one is telling them ‘Don’t do it;’ they are saying ‘Let’s see what happens!’ We can teach them cause and effect here at school.”

STEAM is introduced to the toddlers through characters that

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teach a color, a character trait, and a skill. For example, Molly the Cow does math and teaches counting.

A child demonstrating the month’s character trait is chosen as Student of the Month and everyone wears the corresponding color on a specified day. A Molly Math Bag is sent home with an age-appropriate lesson that encourages parent participation. Classroom lessons give children ideas and let them do role-playing. If the character trait is respect, the teacher can say, “How do you show respect for Mom, for Grandma, for the person in line at Walmart?” Ms. Turner explains that putting the concept in their world helps them remember when they are in that situation.

While some schools have STEM curriculums, or STEAM minus the art, Ms. Turner says the neat part about having the art component is that the children are studying artists’ purpose and mood. “It’s cute to see children say, ‘I think he was really sad because he used blue and blue makes you sad.’” Primrose has a music program as well. Children learn songs and finger plays, and parents can get an app for their phone that plays some of the songs the children learn in school.

When addressing technology in the Primrose curriculum, Ms. Turner says, “In our world technology is important, but so are the basics – socialization at this age. You can’t get socialization on the screen.” Technology use is limited to children ages three

and older. Teacher-led lessons are taught in centers and students can use iPads to play interactive learning games. A favorite app of Ms. Turner’s integrates technology with science. By allowing an iPad to function as a magnifying glass, students can walk around and observe objects through the screen rather than just sitting and watching it.

The Primrose Curriculum uses the Balanced Learning approach. “We make the academic portion and the character development and social/emotional portion equally as important,” explains Ms. Turner. “We don’t have all these kids who know how to read and write and spell, but nobody knows how to share. One doesn’t really go well without the other.” Children are taught to give back to the community. The school partners with the SE Gwinnett Co-op to collect canned goods, and with Action Ministries to pack over 500 sack lunches for children Continued on page 19

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Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

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Entire contents copyright 2018 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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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.

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Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultZ.com Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultZ.com Editor Catherine L. Osornio Cover Photographer Amadorphoto Distribution Coordinator DeeDee Chapman Feature Writers Daidra Annis Heidi Campbell Kristen Eleveld Patty Gabilondo Kim Hill Maple Johnson Amy Ney J. Rice Joanna Shackelford Contributing Writers Jane Bishop Bill Crane Terie Hansen Beth Volpert-Johansen Pam Walker Jocelyn Wykoff

drchrisnaturalremedies.com This office complies with applicable Federal Civil Rights Laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.

IN THIS ISSUE 5 On the Cover: Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway Blends a STEAM-based 7 8 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 21 22

Education with Character Development From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion The Balancing Act Family Business Spotlight: Meet High Priority Plumbing Book Club Revival Safety First with Summer Fun in Lawrenceville Run the Reagan: Approaching its Silver Anniversary Up Close in Lawrenceville: Beat the Heat – Or At Least the Boredom Mayor’s View: Meet Dacula Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks Grayson High TOTY: One Local Educator is Determined to Make a Difference Up Close with Two of Grayson Cluster’s School Gardens Community Spotlight: Garner Farm Crane’s Corner: One More Class with Professor Miller Book Review: Bear Town is a Novel Filled with Unique Characters Travel Tales: Exploring Explora Pet Perch: Special Needs of Senior Cats Leadership Lessons: Choice is a Powerful Life Skill Business Sense: Learning to Fail: A Leadership Reality to Embrace

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School is out and summer is here. Kudos to all the graduates of 2018 and all the academic and athletic state championships in our schools. Amazing! In this issue, as always, you will find local stories that are covered virtually nowhere else and provide a break from our “constantly connected and noisy world” that often focuses on quite little but negative news.

At Our Town, we never settle for less than the best in writing local and organic stories. And, our goal in writing each one of them is to focus on positive community and family content. This demands a great team, and we have just that.

We have amazing feature and contributing writers. We are blessed with a talented creative director, editor, and webmaster. We have top accounting, customer service, and photography people.

Our distribution coordinator, print partners, mailing team, online, and digital media group do an amazing job. As you can see, I am quite proud of everyone. They see Our Town as an opportunity to give back to the place they love and make a positive difference. Well done team!

With that said, we are never satisfied, and are aware that there is always room to improve. This is our goal each day, week, and month. Again, I may be writing this column (and you see my smiling face), but it is the super team of Our Town that makes it ALL happen. We are in growth mode and exciting things are in the works.

You see, we are not merely a “print publication,” but instead...a community connection point that people trust. Others may sell “advertising.” We offer value, expertise, and creativity. You have a choice of where you invest your marketing dollars. Go with who you trust and who understands 2018 and beyond.

So, the next time you are deciding where to allocate your funds, I suggest you ask the person “selling to you” what they know about branding and marketing. And I mean “all marketing” (i.e. content marketing, digital marketing, inbound marketing, influence marketing, traditional marContinued on page 15

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PAGE 7

The Balancing Act

By Jocelyn Wykoff

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Are you a “yes” or “no” mom? In a culture that screams “yes” to everyone and everything, surprisingly, I think I fall somewhere in the middle.

A yes mom says yes unless she has a valid reason to say no.

She tries to teach her children the difference between right and wrong through their own instincts.

She feels there should be a reason for her to say no.

Now, a “no” mom is quite the opposite.

A no mom says no to assert authority-last word.

She says no with the famous “because I said so.”

She wants to guide her kids’ choices with her instincts.

Now, these are purely my opinions and observations of myself and friends, but I believe that a lot of us could fall into these categories. For me, it comes down to what type of mood I might be in at the time. I was always the kid who needed a reason if my mom told me no – which honestly never seemed to help my case!

I’m going to date myself here, but a perfect example of an exchange between my mom and me would have been, “Mom, may I go to the skating rink Friday night? All of my friends are going.”

“No.” “Why?” “I’m tired.” “Okay, well, I can ride with Jodi.” “No, Jocelyn.” I would always get so frustrated because there was never really a good reason I couldn’t go. The funny thing is that as much as it frustrated me years ago, I can hear myself saying the same words to my daughter.

Honestly, sometimes I’m just tired – so tired that I don’t even feel like having the conversation or considering the alternative that she could ride with another family. It’s amazing how when you put things into words how horrible it sounds.

I’m not saying that we all should say yes or no, but maybe we should all strive to be a good mixture. Lead by example. Promote healthy conversations with our children. Allow them to be accountable for their actions and decisions. AND, most importantly, strive to raise productive citizens in their community. As parents, it’s a continuing learning process, and I’m learning to cherish every conversation and every moment that I can to impact my children’s lives in a positive manner.

Happy thoughts and reads until next time.

Jocelyn Wykoff is a dreamer, believer, wife, and mompreneur of the Wykoff Household.

Family Business Spotlight: High Priority Plumbing

By J. Rice Brian Simpson has been in the plumbing business for more than 25 years. High Priority Plumbing (HPP), which began in Brian’s garage, has become a booming business servicing most of the state of Georgia.

“Brian was introduced to the plumbing industry while working for his grandfather’s company at a young age,” says Brian’s wife Paulette. “Due to his outgoing personality, customers would often request Brian when in need of plumbing services.”

It was Paulette’s encouragement that helped Brian make the decision to start his own company in 2001. A decade ago she and Brian made the decision for her to leave her job at Suntrust Bank and come work at HPP full time. Even though the company has grown exponentially, the Simpsons still like to stress that they are family-owned and operated. Their company motto is “Our Customers Are Our Priority.”

“We approach each job with honesty, integrity, and the desire to provide our best at all times,” Paulette states. The couple believes their customers will stay with them long term if they are treated right.

The Simpsons feel it’s their recognition that each employee “brings valuable information to the table, and incorporating those ideas and thoughts into what we do at HPP” that is one of their keys to success. Paulette is the company’s CFO, and has been instrumental in the continued growth and success of HPP. The family is delighted by the positive feedback they receive. Paulette in particular takes note of those times “when employees state that HPP is the best place they have ever worked, or while in the community, customers come up to us and tell us how great our employees are and what a great experience they had with HPP.” She adds, “We provide quality services at a great price, and all our techs pass a background and drug screening. And we offer a 10% off coupon on our website, which is available to everyone!”

More information at highpriorityplumbing.com.

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Our Town

Book Club Revival

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Book club participation is on the rise. This is great news for people for whom the written word is a non-calorie handful of deliciousness meant to connect reader and writer with a world-wide audience. My personal research has shown book club participation leads to excellent conversation, new friendships, new connections with old friends, and connections one never considered.

One such consideration is Suwanee resident Daphene Jones, who gently floated into my own home on a Southern breeze when it was my turn to host my neighborhood book club. A bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of folks in my kitchen who had anticipated meeting the author of Our Southern Breeze, Daphene soon sized up the group and began to tell her story.

Our Southern Breeze gives the backstory of Daphene and her twin sister, Debbie Hall, upon whose life the book and movie Same Kind of Different as Me was based. Compelling in its own way, Our Southern Breeze gently dives into the circumstances that separated them as twins, what pulled them back together, and how, after losing her twin sister to a knock-down, drag-out fight with cancer, Daphene continues the legacy of reaching out to people who don’t even realize they need a good, warm Southern breeze to melt away a frozen heart.

“We all have a story,” says Daphene with a very Southern lilt to her voice. “I write about how we can all be restored to the people we were created to be.” It is that gentle drawl that makes her speaking events so compelling. Reaching out to women – mostly through ministry, but also through book clubs, luncheons, and any event where her story can intersect with the stories of others – is where the heart of Daphene’s personal mission continues.

While her sister’s outreach and ministry directly addressed homelessness in Texas, Daphene speaks to women in need of hope and healing from any number of abuses. “You never know who in the audience believes they are not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough,” says Daphene. “We hear things we take in and we believe them.”

And as to the power of a book club, Daphene can attest to exactly how it affected her. After a family health crisis, Daphene had been feeling down, a little like she might not have the energy or drive to speak in public again. Then one day out of the blue, a woman she had briefly met at the Texas homeless shelter that was the setting for Same Kind of Different as Me extended an invitation to attend our little book club. “I immediately saw it – you loved on me and gave me the strength to know that this upcoming event I had committed to was something I could do,” says Daphene. “I smiled all the way home.”

While the formats and delivery of written words continue to evolve, the appetite for those words appears nearly insatiable. What book clubs offer today’s readers is the opportunity to gather, bond, discuss, and create community based on common ground. The Gwinnett County Public Library Continued on page 10

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PAGE 9

Safety First: Summer Fun in Lawrenceville

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“Thank you very much for the compassionate, smooth and professional handling of a very sensitive procedure. I especially appreciate the extra steps you took in providing electronic copies of documents to help me simplify the logistics of working with a defendant residing in Europe. …

As I mentioned to Mr. Walker during our first meeting, I selected your firm for your business law expertise but am pleased with how the divorce was handled. …

I will recommend your services for both domestic and business matters to my friends and associates. “ CW What our latest estate planning client had to say:

Our Firm handles wills and probate, all divorce-related matters, and small business matters.

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By Kristen Eleveld Now that summer is in full swing, you and your family are probably enjoying the gorgeous days, cool nights, and all the fun in between. We want this summer to be a great one – and a safe one.

That’s why we talked to the Lawrenceville Police Department about the top tips they have for staying safe this season.

Tip #1: Plan Your Days The great thing about summer is that it’s more flexible. But while your days may be less structured, local officers caution you to make a plan with your kids for their daily routine. Arrange some playdates, find a great childcare center, or give your older children a list of tasks to complete each day. You don’t need to fill every second, but giving your kids a little bit of structure over the summer can keep them safe and keep boredom from setting in.

Tip #2: Make an Emergency Plan While you’re making plans, the Lawrenceville PD strongly suggests talking to your kids about a plan for emergencies over the summer. If you’re at an event with your family, it’s important for each member to know what to do if you all get separated. You might tell them to meet at a landmark, send out a group text, or to look for a certain storefront so everyone can find each other.

The police department also urges each family to talk to their children about the basics of first aid and emergency services. Even young children can learn how to dial 911 and can memorize their address. If your child can read, you can list out important steps for emergencies and post them in an easily visible place, like the refrigerator. Keep your plan simple, and practice it often.

Tip #3: Keep Track of Your Valuables One of the best ways to lose something valuable is to leave it in your car and walk away – only to have it stolen by a watchful observer. This type of crime, according to Lawrenceville police, easily makes up the highest percentages of thefts that are reported. Always lock your car, and never leave valuables inside.

Another way to keep your valuables where they belong is to give them each a serial number. Keep an inventory of the items that you would want police to be able to track and return, and make sure it’s up to date. You can get creative with this by making up your own serial numbers – use your initials, meaningful dates, or other memorable ways to label and organize your keepsakes. If your items do go missing, you have a current list ready to go – making it that much more likely they will be found before it’s too late.

Tip #4: Be Part of Your Community “If you’re going to be in a community, you have to be attached, not detached,” says Lieutenant Jake Parker, who has served with the Lawrenceville police department since 2000. “Get to know your neighbors and get to know your street.”

In order to help your neighborhood, stay safe, be part of it! Become familiar with your neighbors’ cars and daily routines and observe what’s happening around you on a daily basis.

You don’t need to start following your neighbor to the grocery store, but it’s important to know the basics so you can spot something out of place.

If something does seem off, speak up!

Reach out to your local police department to let them know something might be wrong. Don’t wait until the next day – if something is going on, the police are much more likely to catch a suspect or find information when you contact them immediately.

Now that you know where to start, you can help keep Lawrenceville safe this summer, so everyone can enjoy the fun! Remember – be smart, be safe, and be part of your community.

More information at www.lawrencevillega.org/187/Police-Department

Book Club Revival Continued from page 9 maintains a calendar of available book clubs along with suggested readings from a variety of sources.

Visit them at www.Gwinnettpl.org for more local information. And if you are in need of the Hollywood perspective, check out the just released flick Book Club that’s all about book club gals and their antics. What further proof could you need?

In the meantime, put Our Southern Breeze on your list under Local Writers.

More information about booking Daphene Jones for speaking engagements at djones@djconsultants.com.

To become an Our Town advertising partner email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049

Our Town

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With Gwinnett Medical Group Primary Care, you will have access to expert care that grows with you throughout every stage of life. To help you and your family feel your best, let’s partner together for better health.

To make your appointment with a GMG Primary Care provider, visit gwinnettmedicalgroup.com/scheduling.

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PAGE 11

Run the Reagan: Approaching its Silver Anniversary

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PAGE 12

Mention “Run the Reagan” to anyone who lives in southern Gwinnett County and you will probably be told that it is the day the parkway is closed and everyone can ride bikes or walk their dog or stroll their children along the normally busy road. In fact, the race, which features a half marathon, a 10K, a 5K, and a 1-mile Fun Run, will celebrate its 25th year at its next running in February of 2019. Originally benefitting the Gwinnett Community Clinic, the Reagan brought on the SE Gwinnett Co-op and the Lilburn Co-op as the new beneficiaries when the clinic closed a few years ago. Later, the Brookwood Schools Foundation got involved and its president, Steve Ridley, and others joined the Run the Reagan Board as new members with the intention of injecting new life into the project and making it an even bigger community event. “This year was successful beyond our hopes,” says Ridley. “This year’s race raised $55,000 to be split between the beneficiaries.”

Special events were recently hosted to present checks to the recipients.

One of the things that was done over the last couple of years to bring in more runners was to invite the drum lines from some local schools. Grayson, Berkmar, and Brookwood drum lines were stationed along the course. “The race is just an out and back course with not much to see, so we created some of our own stuff to add excitement to the race,” Ridley explains. Cheering sections from Brookwood and Shiloh were also present along the parkway, and volunteers from South Gwinnett, Shiloh, and Brookwood were everywhere manning water stations. A radio station that was part of last year’s festivities was unable to participate this year, but Ridley hopes to have it back next year for the 25th anniversary. There were over 250 volunteers this year, including a team from Primrose School of Five Forks as well as medical personnel from Eastside Hospital. Large volunteer groups come from the co-ops also. Generous sponsorships from over twenty-five community businesses play a huge part in making the race possible.

This year over 1,500 runners participated, and the board is hoping to continue to grow that number. The race draws from a large area, with over 20% of the runners coming from outside the county. Ridley wants to see it become a bigger race involving more groups, and they are trying to get lots of the schools involved by helping them see the opportunity to earn money by forming a team. “This year we will be giving back $3,500 directly to schools in the community for their participation and involvement in the race,” says Ridley. “Brookwood Schools Foundation wants to improve educational opportunities for students. That’s our whole purpose – to raise money for grants for the schools in our cluster. Similarly, the school foundations for all the other clusters want to do the same thing, so we can help all the schools in the community by getting them engaged in the race.”

As community outreach director at Cannon Church, Ridley understands that co-op resources are strained in summer months as they try to provide additional food to families whose children rely on school lunches the rest of the year. He explains that his church and others reach out to provide additional resources and volunteers, but that alone doesn’t cover it. The money from the race enabled the co-ops to provide the additional services to clients over the summer. “Of course being a part of the race makes us feel so good in knowing where those resources are going and how it’s really helping people in an immediate and local way,” he adds. These groups can be reached via their websites at segwinnettcoop.org and lilburncoop.org.

Ridley says the race feels like a real community event with vendors and businesses and teams wearing matching shirts. “It’s more than a race,” he says. “It’s a time to gather and get folks together and see people outside of your regular community. They only close the parkway one day a year. It’s such a neat opportunity to see the whole community get together and enjoy the day.”

He is excited to promote the upcoming 25th anniversary race and hopes to draw a record crowd.

“We’re excited every year to get to see the community come together, both sponsors and participants, to help make it a great event and raise this money for the community organizations that we support,” Ridley explains. “We hope we’ll find new groups to partner with and new schools to help and continue to grow in a way that helps our community and gives back to all those that have been a part of it for so long.”

More information at runthereagan.net

To become an Our Town advertising partner email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049

Our Town

Up Close in Lawrenceville: Beat the Heat – Or At Least the Boredom

By Kristen Eleveld School’s out, summer’s in, and everyone has the same question: Now what?

With more free time and great weather to go along with it, you know you want to get out and do something. But you might not have any ideas. And that’s the good news: We do!

The city of Lawrenceville has a history of making summer one of the best seasons to celebrate, and this year is no exception.

Whether you’re looking for a great date night or a chance to spend time as a family, there is no shortage of options waiting for you just down the road.

After an extra-long winter, this summer is all about the outdoor fun. If you love old and new movies alike, you’ll want to head to Movies on the Lawn to catch some of these fabulous flicks and features. Of course, you won’t want to skip dinner – you can check out some of the delicious cuisine from the food trucks, or head to a local restaurant on the square to start your evening off right.

“We love eating in the square,” says Sherry Ward, who has been a resident of Lawrenceville for the last twenty years. “Some of our favorites are McCray’s Tavern and Dominic’s. It’s great to have such a wide variety to choose from.”

Mrs. Ward’s favorite activity to attend is the Summer Concert Series, which also takes place on the Lawn a couple of times each month over the summer.

“My husband and I are really excited about the Eagles tribute band coming at the end of July,” Mrs. Ward adds. “We love going to these events because it make us feel like we’re part of a community.”

Of course, no summer in Lawrenceville is complete without their legendary Fourth of July celebration. You won’t want to miss the chance to be part of this year’s events – especially because 2018 is particularly exciting. Lawrenceville will commemorate 200 years of Gwinnett County history, looking back at how Gwinnett has changed over the last two centuries, and how its residents are what make it so great. While the actual bicentennial date falls in mid-December, the city couldn’t miss the chance to celebrate with its residents this summer.

“The Fourth of July events are always my favorite,” says Jenna Cooper, who was born and raised in the heart of Lawrenceville. “My family has a tradition of celebrating the Fourth of July as a family, and we always celebrate in the square.”

As always, the Independence Day fun happens on July 3rd, to give city workers time with their families on July 4th.

Movies and concerts aren’t the only ways to get involved with your community. If you want to find out more about where the city is heading for the next 100 years (or least the next 10), why not join one of the City Council meetings this summer? These meetings take place once a month and give you the opportunity to be part of the changes you want to see in your town. Anyone can attend – all you need to do is check the calendar for the next meeting date.

From concerts to movies to all types of celebrations in between, the people of Lawrenceville invite you to join them as they make the most out this summer. Grab your favorite chair, try a new restaurant, and we’ll meet you on the Lawn for all the fun.

More information at www.lawrencevillega.org.

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Recently, I had the distinct opportunity to sit down and talk with Dacula mayor, Jimmy Wilbanks, at his office at City Hall. Although Mayor Wilbanks is serious about the business of Dacula, there is also a sensitive and fun-loving side to this seasoned gentleman. Not only has he been a resident of the city all of his life, he has seen many changes take place here, and has been a part of the continuing developing history of the city.

His first term as mayor began back in 1971 when he served two consecutive two-year terms. He later began working for the State of Georgia, and then returned to work in the city back in 2002 when he was appointed as successor to the former mayor who had resigned. During his term as mayor, he has witnessed the city grow from approximately 400 residents to over 7,000. “The city has grown considerably in the last twenty years or so,” said Mayor Wilbanks. He remembers when some of the major thoroughfares were unpaved, and a depot stood as one of the city’s centerpieces. According to historical documents, a railroad was run through the city back in 1892 to allow merchants the ability to send and receive goods during that time. “I haven’t been here since 1892, but sometimes it seems like it,” he says with a chuckle. Mayor Wilbanks has enjoyed his tenure as mayor and hopes to continue to be a part of this continued growth in the years ahead.

Maple Johnson (MJ): Are you working on any projects that could impact future economic growth of the City of Dacula?

Jimmy Wilbanks (JW): We’re spending our SPLOST money on infrastructure and some sewer projects. We’re redoing our connector roads that feed into the main county road network. There are also some sanitation projects that we’re working on. Growth is going to happen, and we want to make sure it’s quality, sustainable growth. We’d also like to have an employment center and a manufacturing facility here. This will put jobs in town. We suffered from a few stumbling blocks during the recession in 2008, but I think we’ll be fine in the future. We would love to utilize the railroad for some type of manufacturing, but it’s a waiting game. But we’re ready to begin when all the other players are in place.

MJ: Do you currently have any projects going on to funnel money into the city (i.e., retail shops, etc.)

JW: Although we don’t have a huge shopping district, most citizens shop here in town. We have several medical facilities and a few major food chains. I’ve always thought we needed more commercial businesses here, but we don’t have a large enough tax base to attract some of the bigger companies. For the last twenty-seven years, we’ve had a Memorial Day Parade, and it’s the biggest one in the state. It doesn’t bring in much revenue, but it brings in some money to local businesses.

We have a few car shows every once in a while, but these shows are usually individually generated, so the only revenue that’s generated from this event is a permit fee.

MJ: What has been one of your major accomplishments since you’ve been mayor?

Continued on page 18

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Grayson High Teacher of the Year: One Local Educator is Determined to Make a Difference

By Kristen Eleveld When Niles Davis went to college, he had no idea he would wind up as a Special Education teacher, let alone be voted the 2017–2018 Teacher of the Year at Grayson High School. But that’s exactly what happened last September.

After originally studying and working in sports management, Davis felt like he needed a change after he graduated from college. Through a series of old connections and new opportunities, Mr. Davis, who hails from New York, found himself working as a Special Education paraprofessional in nearby Forsyth County. “I felt like this was where God wanted me to be,” he said of his move to Georgia.

In 2009, when deciding to move to a school closer to home, Mr. Davis found a Special Education paraprofessional position at Grayson High School. When the position of Special Education teacher opened up the following year, he jumped on the opportunity.

Mr. Davis has continued to teach the same character building class for the last seven years. The curriculum is designed to give students the opportunity to learn skills they will need after high school. For instance, Mr. Davis has his students pay pretend bills every Friday to teach them about budgeting and managing money. They also work on interview skills, time management tips, and ways to effectively deliver a presentation in front of a group. Guest speakers visit the class to talk about what types of skills are needed in their respective industries.

“I love working with my students,” Mr. Davis said. “I absolutely love Grayson.”

In addition to teaching practical life skills, Mr. Davis says he wants his students to learn to be leaders. As the class progresses, each student has an opportunity to branch out into different classes and leadership roles that use their newfound skills in a real-life setting. It comes as no surprise that a teacher who invests so much into his students was nominated for Teacher of the Year.

“It was humbling, because I was grouped with people who I look up to and for which I have a high level of respect,” he said. “It was incredible. It’s so much more than an award – it’s an opportunity to give my students a voice and the ability to be proud of themselves.”

One of Mr. Davis’ students even had the chance to speak at the awards ceremony, which seemed especially fitting as he gave a speech about the teacher who had taught him to use that very skill.

Mr. Davis credits his success with his students to two important things. First, his students are the ones who deserve the recognition for their hard work. As they learn to cultivate these lifelong skills that continue to prove to be difficult for many adolescents transitioning to adulthood, they begin to see themselves in a new light – as leaders and as individuals with incredible potential.

The second secret to his success is his own family, particularly his wife, Lynda.

“She pushes me out of my comfort zone to try new things,” he said. “Many of the activities in my classroom are based on ideas she’s given me over the years.”

As Mr. Davis continues to teach, he hopes more and more opportunities will become available for his students to lead and learn within their community. “I want my students to know that although they may have had obstacles on their journey, they have the ability to overcome them and become great.”

Great leaders begin with great teachers. We are honored to have you teaching in Gwinnett County, Mr. Davis!

More information at http://graysonhs.org/

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People look forward to reading Our Town each month. They trust it, pay attention to it, and spend time with it. There is no “trick” in what we do – just expertise built on strong relationships to help you grow your organization in a methodical manner... one brick at a time.

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PAGE 15

Up Close with Two of Grayson Cluster’s School Gardens

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One of the best ideas to come to the classroom is that of cultivating school gardens. It’s an enjoyable and engaging activity for all students, but particularly so in urban areas where exposure to gardening and farming is sparse.

Besides requiring students to be intellectually and socially engaged, even the most basic school gardening requires research, planning, budgeting, physical activity, a connection to nature, and responsible care. Studies done a decade ago noted that students with positive, early exposure to gardening tended to eat more fruits and vegetables, and to continue gardening after graduating.

The Grayson cluster schools have embraced the concept whole-heartedly and have gardens well underway.

Couch Middle School (CMS) began their program this year, under the supervision of teachers Cindy Apley-Rose and Alexia Sandow and the encouragement of CMS Principal Devon Williams.

CMS has two gardens – one indoor and one outdoor. “We are gardening traditionally and also hydroponically,” explains Rose.

“It began with me having a MONSTER sized plant in my room,” says Sandow. “Folks assumed I knew a lot about plants.” She rooted some clippings of plants given to her, “and ended up with over 100 plants. I asked Principal Devon Williams if I could place a tiered gutter system in my room.

He agreed. That was my intro into trying a modified hydroponics system. Then I asked if I could have REAL hydroponics.” And Williams gave the green-light.

Funding began to come in when Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful offered to donate supplies to start a traditional garden, and Rose received the Innovative Teachers Grant from the State of Georgia.

The grant money was used to get the hydroponics lab started.

“We are also participating in the Monarchs Across North America project,” Rose adds, “and have milkweed planted to feed the butterflies. During the season, Mrs. Sandow offers classes to our students about the monarchs. Students take data about pollinators, and this information is reported to the project’s website. During the colder months, we offer classes on vermiculture and teach students about the role of earthworms in the agricultural process.”

Both teachers and their students are enthusiastic about the results so far, and they are excited about the learning possibilities. “The purpose of the gardens is two-fold,” Rose states. “Many of our students have never gardened or cared for any plants. The primary focus is enrichment through the studies of the butterflies, worms, and growing patterns of the various plants we harvest.”

“Gardening is new to us,” says Sandow. “We are learning as we GROW! I want folks to know that Mr. Williams has been incredible about all of this. He is supportive and letting me grow as an urban farmer while I teach kids this concept.”

“Through a grant from Whole Foods, we will be putting in a grape arbor and fruit trees,” Rose adds. “We would love to hear from others who have experience with growing grapes and trees.

Seed and plant donations are always welcome as we are primarily funded through private grants. In addition to the Whole Foods and State of Georgia grants, we received two grants from the Grayson Cluster School Foundation. These grants have given us a foundation, but we would like to expand our gardens.”

On the expansive campus of Grayson High School GHS), they are endeavoring to take school gardens to a whole new level, restoring an old greenhouse on their property and beginning an ecosystem. It was an idea pushed by teacher Lara Larson and sanctioned by GHS Principal Dana Pugh.

The school has applied for grants from the Food Well Alliance for hydroponics and gardens, from Walton EMC for hydroponics and solar, and from Infinite Energy for a solar-powered Aquaponics Lab, and they are very grateful for all the community support. The school is among the finalists for the United Way SPARK Prize to help with refurbishing the greenhouse.

The fifty-eight “student farmers” at GHS have been busy tilling the soil, putting in fences, and developing huge gardens. Most of the food harvested in their gardens will go to the Gwinnett Southeastern Food Co-op.

As ambitious as that all sounds, Larson admits it is just the beginning. Her long-range vision includes drip irrigation for even larger gardens, the addition of orchards and berry patches, and some small animals as well!

Larson is already orchestrating an integration with nearby Gwinnett Tech and the culinary school. She says the gardens help build on Grayson students’ Math, Science and Engineering curriculum. “It makes science come to life for them!” she says.

“Most schools don’t have the space that we do,” Larson continues. “We’re trying to start something new that no other school is doing. We consider ourselves an urban farm run by students.

We’re all learning and experimenting together – which is what life is all about.”

Larson envisions in the not-too-distant future having other schools make field trips to Grayson High School, stating, “We would like to be the model of what’s possible.”

More information on Couch Middle School at couchmiddleschool.org. More information on Grayson High School at http://graysonhs.org.

To become an Our Town advertising partner email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or call 678-825-2049

Our Town

Community Spotlight: Garner Farm

By J. Rice While most of metro Atlanta’s once-thriving farmland has been lost to urban sprawl, it’s become a labor of love for one family in Lilburn to purchase, preserve, and restore one of Gwinnett’s oldest small farms and use it for the benefit of the local refugee population.

“The Garner Family established Garner Farm back in 1890,” says Jessica Vaughan. She and husband Paul purchased the 5.7 acre farm and its rundown homestead in 2017. “The farmhouse is one of the oldest surviving homes in Lilburn. Our children, Scarlett, Aiden, and Haddon, convinced us to buy the farm, restore it, and gift it to the people of Lilburn.” The Vaughans envisioned a working farm which would bring people in the community together to form friendships and work toward a common goal.

“Our dream for Garner Farm is to cultivate a welcoming community for our Lilburn neighbors to gather and experience a slower, more meaningful life together,” Vaughan explains. The farm will host workshops and events, sell locally produced eggs and honey, as well as freshly grown fruits and vegetables, and display goods created by local artists.

“Every purchase made through Garner Farm will provide housing, jobs, and education to refugee families resettled in our local community.”

The Vaughans have carefully and lovingly restored the old farmhouse with the help of countless friends and neighbors. They have already hosted a gardening workshop this year, and had a “celebration of community” in April, with dessert, tea, and coffee being served during an evening of music and dancing. Additional events are already planned for June. This year’s harvest of lettuce and carrots will be available to purchase later this spring, with peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, muscadines, blueberries, and blackberries ripening in the summer. Honey will be harvested and cultivated for spring 2019.

All of this has been no small feat for Paul, an aerospace engineer at Delta Airlines, and Jessica, a teacher with Gwinnett County public schools, who admit to being “inexperienced in all things farm-related.” But the Vaughans see it as a perfect opening to develop a strong sense of community and to pass that skill along to their children.

“The biggest challenge for us has been our lack of knowledge on what to do with a farm,” Vaughan says. “But we’re up for the challenge. We see our limitations as an opportunity to reach out to our community and invite them to mentor us.”

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She continues, “We actually believe God didn’t give us the farm as much as give THROUGH us the farm to our community. The farm is a great experiment in risking failure to learn something new. We want to be an example to our kids and their friends that it’s okay to not know something. It’s okay to ask questions.

It’s okay to ask for help. It’s how we were made to live – in a community that fills in the gaps for one another.”

The Vaughan’s credit one of their first pastors with planting the seed of this kind of community inter-dependence in their minds. They recall as middle and high school sweethearts being impressed with the idea of community support and later experienced it firsthand when they moved into a new home.

“When Paul and I were in high school, our pastor, mentor, and friend, Buddy Hoffman, taught us the secret to life,” Vaughan declares. “‘Build and encourage.’

We’ve limped along trying to practice this way of life. We moved to Lilburn seven years ago, and this life was modeled for us from Day One. The Cuttinos brought fudge to welcome us. The Conways brought a cookie cake. The Smiths brought bread. The Krugers welcomed us warmly to the swim team, as did the Mecredys to Music on Main. And words can’t begin to express how much gratitude we have to the faculty, staff, and parents at Camp Creek Elementary for how warmly they’ve received our family – first our kids as students, and this year with me joining the staff.”

Vaughan adds, “Gwinnett has given much to our family. It’s our turn to pay it forward. Our mission is cultivating a community that ‘builds and encourages’ each other to love one another deeply and extend this welcome to refugee families resettled in Gwinnett.”

She wants people to remember that refugees are legal residents of the United States who have been forced to flee their own countries because of war, persecution, or violence, and during their time of transition they are especially in need of community. The family has already hired some of Gwinnett’s local refugees to help with farming the gardens.

Paul and Jessica are grateful their own children can witness this “secret of life” – demonstrated literally in their own backyard – and they know exactly the legacy they want to pass down from parent to child.

“We encourage our kids to explore. Create. Get lost in adventure,” Vaughan says. “Make mistakes so they learn to forgive themselves and others. Think deeply, but love even more deeply. And try something new every day. We hope to instill in them a love of God, Who teaches us to demonstrate our love for Him by loving our neighbors as ourselves. And we hope our work on the farm will establish our kids on a life-long journey of sowing seeds of welcome and goodwill wherever life takes them.”

More information at garnerfarm.com.

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PAGE 17

Crane’s Corner: One More Class with Professor Miller

By Bill Crane Zell Miller was many things – author, Marine, governor, senator, husband, father, and more. But to many who knew him well, he was first and foremost a student and a teacher of history. The one-time college professor from Young Harris, Georgia made history, and in many ways defined the shifting sands of Georgia politics in the modern era. Leaving office with a vibrant and well-established legacy – including the HOPE scholarship for dozens of thousands of young Georgians who otherwise would never have attended college, as well as infants and toddlers whose minds were expanded by Miller’s gift of classical music, or later public-school pre-K – Georgia’s educational and collegiate history may now be measured in pre- and post-Zell Miller.

Republican US Senator Paul Coverdell had long served with Miller in the Georgia State Senate.

When Coverdell passed away due to a brain hemorrhage on primary election day July 2000, Democratic Governor Roy Barnes debated about who to appoint as a chosen successor. Barnes favored fellow Cobb County Democrat, former Congressman Buddy Darden, who lost his seat in 1994. But Miller had left office in 1998 with an 85 percent approval rating. South Dakota US Senator Tom Daschle, briefly Democratic Senate Majority Leader, convinced Barnes that the party needed to recoup that Georgia Senate seat, and that with Miller it would be easier to raise the necessary funds and win, rather than building out statewide name ID and support for Darden. Barnes took Daschle’s strong suggestion and appointed Miller.

Miller easily won the Special Election against former GOP Senator Mack Mattingly to fulfill the remaining four years of Coverdell’s term. Heading soon after to Washington, Miller found the partisan divide on Capitol Hill much deeper than he expected.

Miller, a lifelong Democrat, also felt that his party had drifted from its moorings as the party of the people. He began frequently voting with Republicans in the Senate, and after the tragedy of 9/11, he increasingly broke with his party on votes and concerns of national security. The Georgian also began to develop a friendship with Texan and President George W. Bush.

In 2003, Miller penned one of his many books, and this one a best seller, entitled A National Party No More: The Conscience of a Conservative Democrat. It was in many ways a breaking point for Miller with the DNC leadership, as the partisan split in the Senate was 50/50, with ViceContinued on page 22

Mayor’s View Continued from page 14 JW: Well, when you have your nose down in the dirt, growling around, sometimes you don’t see some of the things that have occurred. We’re transitioning from a very rural setting to a setting that’s more suburban-like, and it’s going to become more urban-like as the county urbanizes more, and that’s hard. It’s hard for the citizens and the council, and the employees sometimes. The city currently operates on a $3.5 million a year budget, which is a small amount of money when you’re talking about city governments. We’re small and we operate the city efficiently with a very small staff. Today, we have 15 full-time employees working for the city of Dacula as a whole. As we move closer to becoming more urbanized, I think we’re going to find that that’s a big change for lots of folks. The numbers just keep coming – people want the good school systems and they want to work close to home, and people don’t like spending so much time on the road. Out here was country ten or fifteen years ago, and that’s a hard transition for a lot of people to make. We spend a lot of time making that transition as easy as we can for everybody.

MJ: What makes you get up and go to work every day with a smile on your face?

JW: Well, I have more fun working with the kids. Sometimes the kids come to the council meetings here. We have a program where we go and read to the kids. The ages of the children I read to range from K – 4th grade. Sometimes the children help make placards to mark storm water structures around sewers drainages. I enjoy working with the children on the Storm Water Marking Projects.

MJ: What do you do when you’re not operating in the role of Mayor?

JW: I don’t have any hobbies. I teach Sunday school at church every other Sunday up the street on Dacula Road. I like to read a lot. Sometimes I read to the children when they have that program going on. I like to read biographies, fiction – it doesn’t matter. If it interests me, I’ll read it. If it doesn’t, I’ll throw it down. I usually go to the library once a week and get a book or two. Sometimes I finish them, sometimes I don’t – depending on what I’ve got going on. Sometimes my leisure time is determined by what’s going on in the city.

As our interview ended, I found Mayor Wilbanks to be a joy to talk to, inspiring to know, and gracious to meet. His true genuineness was refreshing and resonated in his personality – from the way he manages the city to the way he treats his fellow colleagues and employees. After spending time with him, I can truly say that I found a “Gem” in Jim. More information at https://daculaga.gov/departments/mayor-city-council/

PAGE 18

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Our Town

Book Review: Bear Town is a Novel Filled with Unique Characters

By Heidi Campbell Fredrik Backman, the New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, has taken his writing to a new level in his latest novel, Bear Town – a story set in a small “hockey town” somewhere in Sweden. Bear Town will resonate with nearly every reader, and could just as easily be set in any northern town. It is a place everyone can envision because many have lived in this town. The novel calls into question numerous issues prevalent in our modern times – bullying, homophobia, victim shaming, and the treatment of immigrants, to name a few. Backman manages to speak from the perspective of more than a handful of narrators, and in the end the reader can internalize nearly the entire town.

The book claims in its early pages that “this is a hockey town, and there are plenty of things you can say about those, but at least they’re predictable. You know what to expect if you live here.” As the story unfolds, however, the irony of that statement becomes evident. Indeed, in a town where winning is more important than ethics, one should predict that the star athlete might believe he is a superhuman – someone who can have whatever he wants. This mentality leads to a rape which has the town supporting the villain and shaming the victim. Very few people are willing to take the less-traveled path of doing what is right because money, jobs, and reputation are at stake.

Indeed, careers and reputation are two important elements in this story. Right from the beginning readers are made aware of the town’s desire to replace the long-standing hockey coach with a new, younger model – one who guarantees to bring home the gold. When Peter, the manager of the town’s hockey arena, questions the decision, the president of the board says, “Do you know what happens to coal if you apply enough pressure to it, Peter? It turns into diamonds.” The board of directors, as well as the parents of the players, clearly indicates their desire for winners, and they don’t believe that a nurturing coach can take the team to the top. Group-think wins small victories over and over, both with the adults, and the teenage bullies.

When violence ensues, Maya, one of the main protagonists, decides to bring it to the police, an act which causes most of the town to turn down a dark path of protecting the villain. Venom pours from the mouths of many, and people take sides. Backman, the puppeteer, knows precisely how his puppets will behave in light of the violent act. He writes, “…the first thing that happens in a conflict is that we choose a side, because that’s easier than trying to hold two thoughts in our heads at the same time. The second thing that happens is that we seek out facts that confirm what we want to believe—comforting facts, ones that permit life to go on as normal. The third is that we dehumanize our enemy.” Backman’s analysis of human nature, so cleverly braided into the novel’s fabric, is completely on the mark.

Thankfully, not all of the characters in the book are lacking in virtue. Amat, the novel’s immigrant and one of the story’s few teenagers with a backbone, upholds a strong morality thanks to his single mother, Fatima, who is a positive role model for him. She works through intense back pain to support her son’s love of hockey, but always stresses honesty over all. She gives him, right from the start, a poem that he keeps taped to his bed that begins with lines that truly resonate later in the novel: “If you are honest, people may deceive you. Be honest anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfishness. Be kind anyway…”

Continued on page 20

Top-Tier Academics in a Christ-Centered Environment Providence offers top-tier academics, competitive sports, and a wide range of fine arts offerings to K-12th grade students.

Most important, Providence is a school centered around the person of Jesus Christ.

Whether it’s in the classroom, on the stage, or on the ballfield, spiritual formation is an everyday part of school life.

Primrose Continued from page 5 locally. This is done “assembly line style” in the classrooms. Ms. Turner says even the toddlers can put an apple in the bags. Children draw pictures and put encouraging words on the bags or write notes to put inside the bags.

The school features a culturally diverse and healthy menu, and meals are made fresh on site and served family-style in the classroom. A small garden called the Primrose Patch allows kids to learn basic gardening skills where they grow crops like green beans and lettuce that can be included in the meals.

Many popular events take place throughout the year, such as Teacher of the Month, Family of the Month, Donuts for Dad, Muffins for Mom, Trunk or Treat, ice cream truck visits, and a Red, White, and Blue parade. There is even a formal graduation ceremony complete with caps and gowns. Full-time care covers ages six weeks through private Kindergarten. After school and summer camp programs go to age 13. “Our kids feel secure in their environment; they grow leaps and bounds with us,” says Ms. Turner. “Primrose just does a really good job for kids!”

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PAGE 19

Travel Tales: Exploring Explora

By Pam Walker

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While attending a travel meeting in Buenos Aires, a friend asked me where I was going following the travel show. After all, South America is a long way to go for three days. When I told her I had no plans, she invited me to visit her new lodge near the famed Machu Picchu in Peru.

I jumped at the opportunity!

I had already visited the other three Explora Lodges – Explora Patagonia, Explora Atacama, and Explora Rapa Nui (Easter Island). But now I had the chance to visit Explora Sacred Valley – the first Explora Lodge that is located outside of Chile in the Sacred Valley of Peru.

All the lodges were built by a Chilean entrepreneur who believes that to know the world, one must explore it. These lodges do not have TV, and WIFI exists only in the living room/bar area.

Rooms are simple but comfortable, and they always have huge windows to view the surroundings.

The entrepreneur believes that it is the outside rather than the inside that counts. The lodges are all inclusive of meals, with wine and bar drinks, transportation, and all activities. Only active travelers should apply to stay at these places, where each evening you meet with your guide to see what hike, bike ride, or horseback trail you will take the next day. At Explora Sacred Valley a visit to nearby Machu Picchu is included for guests.

Soon a fifth Explora lodge will be located near El Chalten and Parque National de los Glaciares in Argentina. As with the others, it will have spectacular views of the forty-seven glaciers hanging from the Andes in Patagonia.

I am quite happy hiking and breathing in the fresh air and staring at the beautiful Andes that surround this lovely lodge. Exploring the Exploras is an amazing way to get to know our world better.

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor and can be reached at pam@walkeradvnetures.com

Book Review Continued from page 19

It begins with a plan Planning is everything, particularly when it comes to your long-term financial objectives.

It It begins begins with with aa plan plan

Throughout the novel Backman seems to highlight that the decent, honest kids in town have people in their lives to care for them and spend time with them – parents who care about more than winning. On the contrary, Kevin, the story’s antagonist, has parents who are cold and distant – never supporting anything other than winning. The stark contrast between the two types of families becomes unmistakable as the story ensues and the reader peels apart more and more layers to learn the dynamics of numerous townsfolk.

The characters in Bear Town are fictional, yet real. They are flawed, and they face life’s difficulties without knowing what to do. Characters like Benji, who struggles with his own sexuality, cannot bring himself to support a villain, and must decide whether or not he can maintain a friendship with a rapist. The novel also delves deep into the love a parent has for a child. It examines what a parent is willing to give up, whether it is peace, honor, reputation, or even truth, in order to protect his or her children. Parents sacrifice, but the sacrifices aren’t always visible. Maya’s mom, Kira, shares her parenting stress throughout, and is perhaps one of the more honest characters in the story.

She says, “…being a parent makes you feel like a blanket that’s always too small. No matter how hard you try to cover everyone, there’s always someone who’s freezing.”

This novel is one that nearly anyone could connect with, and readers should not be scared away thinking this is just a book about hockey; it is so much more. The story weaves clever repetition throughout, particularly the mysterious “Bang-Bang-Bang,” which the reader wonders about until the very end. Is it the hockey puck hitting the goal, or is it something more sinister? Backman has truly created a masterful story, one entrenched in current issues. This is a very important read.

Backman begs readers to consider their actions and the ripple effect those actions have. He asks human beings to think for themselves and not fall prey to any sort of mob mentality. And, perhaps most importantly, he reminds us to love our children enough to want to guide them down the path of goodness and honor. This novel will not disappoint.

Planning is everything, particularly when it comes to your Planning everything, particularly when it comes to your long-termisfinancial objectives. long-term financial objectives.

Chris Buckley

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PAGE 20

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Chris Buckley Financial Advisor Chris Buckley

Our Town

Pet Perch: Special Needs of Senior Cats

TNT Academy Presents

By Terie Hansen Just as human seniors may have special needs, so do senior cats. A cat can be considered senior at ages 7-9 years, and geriatric beyond that.

As your cat ages, the process can be accompanied by physical and behavioral changes which may not be outwardly obvious. An aging cat’s immune system can be weaker than that of a younger cat. Dehydration, which is common in older cats, can further diminish blood circulation and immunity.

Older cats tend to groom themselves less, leaving their fur to matte or smell. Their claws can thicken and become brittle. They may experience memory loss or dementia, causing them to wander about, meow excessively, and even become less social. Hearing loss is also found in cats of advanced age. Dental disease is extremely common and painful, and may cause a loss of appetite which can further lead to the cat’s overall decline in health.

A cat’s kidneys can undergo a number of age related changes, which may lead to diminished function or even complete failure. Arthritis and hyperthyroidism are also common ailments.

Although aging is inevitable, you can make a difference. Starting with nutrition, feed your cat a healthy diet. Wet food is preferable to kibble in keeping your cat hydrated. Annual teeth cleanings can go a long way in maintaining your cat’s overall health. Exercise is important. A daily dose of playtime can increase muscle tone and blood circulation. Lastly, reduce stress by keeping a routine.

If you have multiple cats, make sure you have ample litter boxes, preferably not all in the same place as territorial disputes can be stressful. If you travel, an in-home pet sitter is absolutely less stressful than boarding.

These few simple changes can have your cat living longer and healthier!

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

Leadership Lessons: Choice is a Powerful Life Skill

By Jane Bishop It was a Tuesday and outdoor conditions were good for another step in my preparation for the 10K Peachtree Road Race on July 4th.

The temperature was mild, and the humidity was high. I “geared up” for a 5.6-mile outdoor run: water bottle belt, loose clothing, energy gel, and stop watch. As I took the first step, I pressed start on my stopwatch and my workout began. At two miles, my pace and breathing were labored, and I begin to question if I would go the full distance. I chose to use some of my “keep going self-talk” techniques I learned as a basketball/softball player: “I can do this; a few more steps; breathe deeply; I can do this!”

At several points along the route, I could have quit, stopped, or turned back. But my choice was to keep going.

It was my choice to keep putting one foot in front of the other. It was my choice to continue, although my muscles were tiring. It was my choice to go the distance! Napoleon Hill has said “Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.” Had my choice that day been to quit, I would have missed the reward, physically and emotionally, of accomplishing the goal. I would have missed the sights and sounds along the way. I would have missed the great release of endorphins. I would have missed experiencing the reward of refusing to quit.

Choice! A powerful life skill we all possess and often underestimate. We make choices each day, consciously and subconsciously. The choices we make shape a moment, a day, a ministry, a job, a relationship. How will you use this life skill today? What reward will you experience by refusing to quit? It’s your choice! Live4ward today.

Jane Bishop is President of Take the Next Step. More information at jane@takethenextstepcct.com or www.takethenextstepcct.com

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PAGE 21

Business Sense: Learning to Fail: A Leadership Reality to Embrace

By Ryan Sauers

We’re Hiring Bus Drivers!

We’re Hiring Bus Drivers!

• Competitive hourly wages

Let’s face it, we live in a new world. It is comprised of new ways (see: snaps and live videos) to communicate, a variety of generations meshed together, a life that’s overloaded with info, is noisy, and is moving at warp speed. I know this title may raise some eyebrows as to what I am getting at. But the fact is simple. We must learn to fail.

Each day your organization experiences failures, mistakes, and oversights. Do you fail and then learn from those failures? Do you get better from them? Do you have an organization that encourages people to try new things, even if it means failing?

When handled correctly in an organizational culture, failures can encourage growth. Thus, such occurrences are not told to be an embarrassment to someone or something, but they are shared so everyone can get better through these learning experiences. Think of it this way. If a “failure is not openly shared,” then that failure will likely happen again somewhere else in your organization. Right? And how dumb would that be?

Real dumb. Yet, we do it all the time.

Let me share some common themes I see in my consulting and coaching work. I see sales and other staff not producing at levels required for 2018 (and not being held accountable). I see people (at all levels) resistant to new ideas or change, thus slowing down progress. I see people who are unsure of where they want the organization to go or what direction to head. I observe people who cannot articulate why their organization or brand is unique. I see people who view marketing as one person’s job function instead of a companywide strategy. I see people who know they need to change and do strategic planning (setting a vision), but who are unable to ever find a time (and sometimes this is for years) to get the help they need. I see people who are still trying to sell in ways that are super old school OR too new school in nature. And the list goes on and on.

Common issues that need to be addressed in most organizations include: Leadership growth, marketing and brand strategy, new sales development, talent assessment (of current team), strategic planning/change initiatives. I see these day in and day out. Do you?

You must admit you need to embrace failure, and that you need to get better. If you are average, you should desire to become good. If you are good, you should want to become really good. If you are really good, you should seek to become great. And if you are great, you should work harder than ever to maintain your edge as things WILL CHANGE and people will be on your heels. There is no such thing as complacency. See Kmart, Blockbuster, and Radio Shack. Second, you must fully commit to making the changes (even when you are busy and when they are tough) you want to make. Like the Garmin on my wrist, the journey of 10,000 steps each day begins with the first one.

So, I challenge you to come on a journey with me and learn how to fail. Hey, let me admit to you that I fail all the time. But that’s okay because I am not afraid to try new things and grow. And I learn from each failure and seek to get better. Now, how about you? Do you want to change and grow in any of these areas? If not, now is the time. The present. It is all we have been given. The choice is what we do with it. What is your choice? Now, let’s roll!

Ryan T. Sauers is President of Sauers Consulting Strategies and both a national speaker and author of the books Everyone is in Sales & Would You Buy from You? More info at SauersConsulting.com

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PAGE 22

Crane’s Corner Continued from page 18 President Dick Cheney, a Republican, often acting as presiding officer of the Senate to provide a tie-breaking vote. Miller, however, remained a Democrat for the rest of his life.

Yes, Miller was only one man, the one man who had nominated Governor Bill Clinton, “The Comeback Kid,” who later dethroned the elder President George H. W. Bush. It was also Miller who introduced Clinton to his campaign manager, the colorful James Carville. And then twentytwo years later, that same Miller would keynote the GOP convention, in part re-nominating President George W. Bush for the second term that escaped his father. Thanks to Miller’s efforts, one became Bush-whacked, and the younger Bush was soon propelled to a second term, as Miller believed he would do the better job – post 9/11 – of keeping America safe.

These last few years were not easy for Miller, nor his family. But I am certain where he is now, he is at peace, at least until he gets a chance to settle in, and then the Zell so many of us love will have a few thoughts on improving things, because even heaven can be better than it might be today.

Even God can use a bit more hope. Give ‘em hell, Zell.

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

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$

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3197 Classic Drive 197 Classic Drive Snellville, Ga 30078 Snellville, GA 30078

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www.summitchasecc.com www.summitchasecc.com www.summitchasecc.com www.summitchasecc.com email: info@summitchasecc.com email: info@summitchasecc.com email: info@summitchasecc.com email: info@summitchasecc.com

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TENNIS • SWIM • DINING • •SOCIAL GOLF • TENNIS • SWIM DINING • SOCIAL 2018 INTRODUCTORY MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL 2144 Fountain Square, Snellville, GA 30078 678.344.0200 All Full Facility Golf Memberships pay $150 per month and Tennis Swim Social Memberships pay $75 per month for first twelve months.

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SUMMIT CHASE COUNTRY CLUB 3197 Classic Drive, Snellville, Ga 30078

© 2017 Curves International, Inc. (1802)

770-979-9000

www.summitchasecc.com You belong here!

#CurvesStrong

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