MARCH 2022: (GREEN) Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Monthly Magazine

MARCH 2022 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

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On the Cover:

Feast on Your Favorite Foods at Fratelli’s

By Kristen Eleveld Nearly a decade ago, Fratelli’s New York Style Pizza and Restaurant opened its doors to the Snellville neighborhood and all of its surrounding cities. Now, this restaurant is not only surviving – it’s thriving, and its owners invite all of Gwinnett to take part of the delicious charm that Fratelli’s offers. So what makes this restaurant so successful (and tasty)? One word comes to mind: community.

In 2013, Danny Gomez and Doris Zaino joined forces to open Fratelli’s. The restaurant, which had pizza as its roots, soon expanded to cover a wide variety of menu options. In fact, this menu is all part of the community-driven mindset that makes Fratelli’s such a popular choice for many in the Snellville and greater Gwinnett area.

“If you can name it, we have it on the menu,” said Doris. “There is something for everybody – pizza, seafood, wings, burgers, pasta, and so much more.”

But they aren’t stopping there. Looking forward, you can expect to see even more updates to Fratelli’s menu choices, including delicious steaks. And they also have multiple options for vegans, vegetarians, and those who eat gluten-free. Since all of their sauces are

made right on the premises, Fratelli’s is able to tailor its menu to meet the needs of the customers that have been part of their story since the beginning.

It is these customers that both Danny and Doris credit with helping them thrive during the shutdown crisis of 2020.

“We are lucky that we continue to be in business,” said Danny. “It’s our customers and our community that have allowed us to keep going for so long.”

Danny and Doris work hard to make sure that everyone’s needs are met through the restaurant. Whether someone needs a wedding catered or wants to bring an out-of-town relative in for a delicious lunch, Fratelli’s does it all. They do it so well that they don’t just provide food to their customers – they become part of their lives. Every graduation party, every birthday celebration, every business luncheon that Fratelli’s hosts is one more opportunity to invest into the community that has loved them so well.

“We’re proud to still be here and we’re proud of the customers who have supported us, even through the Covid pandemic,” said Doris. “Thanks to them, we came out stronger. We are very grateful.”

Looking forward, Danny and Doris are

ready to keep up their hard work and grow their business even more. Along with delicious menu updates, Danny and Doris are also excited to open another business, which will boast a more Latin atmosphere. They also want to continue listening to their customers and offering menu choices that will offer a little something for everyone.

If you’re in the mood for Italian, try Continued on page 22

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Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

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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.

Entire contents copyright 2022 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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Jeremy Coleman Tana Poncsak Traci Sanders

Beth Volpert Johansen Contributing Writers Bill Crane Tanisha Turner Pam Walker

IN THIS ISSUE 5 7 8 9 9 10 11 13

13 14 15 17 18 18 19 20

On the Cover: Feast on Your Favorite Foods at Fratelli’s From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks Learning Lessons: Five After-School Activities for Busy Families Travel Tales: Do You Want to Travel?

Hometown Brag: Haley Reid Glasser, SGHS class of 2012 One Man’s Opinion: Mental Help is on the Way! One on One with Dennis Smock Small Business Spotlight: Three Ways to Support Local Small Businesses Meet Jordan Vickery: All Missions Are Possible One Man’s Opinion: Let the Buck Stop Here Summer is Coming: Time to Think About Summer Camp Sports Talk at Grayson High: From Player to Coach Lillie Who Said Exercise is Boring? Ideas for Spring Activities Calling All Girl Scouts for Camp Gwinnett!

One on One with Blake Hawkins Getting to Know: Parrot Productions and Fancy Feathers

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From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks

By Ryan T. Sauers @RyanSauers

@RyanTSauers

Here I am writing this column for March 2022, and I want you to consider a few things that began occurring over two years ago. February 25, 2020: CDC Says COVID-19 is Heading Toward Pandemic Status; March 6, 2020: 21 Passengers on California Cruise Ship Test Positive; March 11, 2020: WHO Declares COVID-19 a Pandemic; March 13, 2020: President Declares COVID-19 a National Emergency (https://www.ajmc.com/view/a-timeline-ofcovid19-developments-in-2020) Wow. Okay, I will stop there. It is difficult for me, and I am sure for you, to read this and see these events were over two years ago.

With that said, it seems like yesterday. This time period will be etched into our minds forever.

For example, I first heard the term “pivot” regarding business in early March 2020 from a friend. I have since heard it thousands of times. We have likely experienced this pandemic in different ways.

However, it is fair to say, we have all gone through a once-in-alifetime experience together. It has been tough, strange, weird, etc., to have so many things (even those trickle-down effect items) in a constant state of change.

We are approaching the spring season and warmer weather. This means longer daylight hours and more fun. So, hang in there folks as I predict we are all going to have a great spring and summer of 2022. Also, I may not know you directly, but your feedback and encouragement to me (directly or indirectly) is greatly appreciated. Your support helps me remain optimistic and encouraging in writing these columns and on radio, TV, podcast shows, etc. Iron (indeed) sharpens iron.

Let me encourage us all to take a moment and reflect on the past two years. It has been tough. Unprecedented. Frustrating.

Confusing. Overwhelming. Unknown, etc. Quite frankly, there are no real words that are good enough to encompass or describe how

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Learning Lessons: Five After-School Activities for Busy Families

By Tanisha Turner

These days, it is easy to see why families feel like there are not enough hours in the day. Whether it is balancing responsibilities at work and home, keeping up with busy after-school activities or schedules, or simply finding time to do laundry, many households are challenged with growing to-do lists, which quickly become points of tension and stress.

One of the most effective ways to balance out a busy schedule with quality family time is to plan ahead and combine enjoyable activities with tasks you need to get done.

Following are five after-school activities that will help you find better balance in your home: 1. Develop a routine – and stick to it. Establishing an after-school routine is key to making evenings run smoothly. Include children in the process of making your family’s after-school schedule so they feel part of decisions that will affect them. Ask limited-choice questions, like “Would you prefer to read a story before or after your bath?”

Once the whole family has agreed to a routine, document it with pictures and words so the emerging readers in your family can follow the sequence. Most importantly, keep the routine consistent. Once little ones know what to expect after school, nightly tasks like brushing teeth or picking a story for bedtime are more likely to run smoothly.

2. Prepare healthy snacks in advance. Unhealthy snacking habits are easy to fall into, especially at the end of a long day. Try preparing a week’s worth of healthy snacks in advance. Pre-chop and store fruits and veggies in plastic containers so they are ready for eating and easily accessible right after school. Most grocery stores also sell presliced cheeses, fruits, and vegetables if you want to save even more time. You can make after-school snack time even more valuable by leaving paper and crayons or books near the table to help keep children occupied.

3. Turn everyday tasks into games. Children love to help. Getting them involved in something on your to-do list is a great way to stay productive while spending quality time together. Turn the task of folding laundry into a matching game or ask children to sort unwashed clothes by color. Make up a song about silverware and plates while doing dishes. Get creative to make the task seem more enjoyable for both you and your little ones.

4. Fit in fitness. Some days, making time for physical activity seems impossible. One way to get in a few minutes of fitness is to have a Family Dance Party while dinner is in the oven. Put on a favorite song and show off those dance moves! Need to keep the children occupied for longer than one song? Invite each member of the family to select a favorite tune. It helps to remember that daily physical activity doesn’t have to mean a run every morning. Dancing keeps your family active and releases pent-up energy after a day at work and school.

5. Prepare for the next day. Preparing at night for the next day sounds daunting, but it really saves time and eliminates stress in the morning. Pack lunches and school bags, help your children pick out clothes and talk about the schedule for the next day. You’ll feel a lot better in the morning knowing your family is ready to face the day.

Tanisha Turner is Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway.

More information at www.PrimroseSugarloafParkway.com

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Travel Tales: Do You Want to Travel?

By Pam Walker

Join the group! In the travel industry history, seldom have we seen a rush to “get out of Dodge” like this one!

The pandemic is slowing down, and people have been in their homes for two years. Now they want to work from a remote location or just want to get away. Anywhere will do.

COVID restrictions have lessened all over the world, and now most countries have done away with pre-travel testing.

Everyone is jumping on planes, trains, buses, and cars to go anywhere they can. Cities and states in the southern United States are besieged with people from the north and the west.

People from California are willing to go anywhere to get away from the strict practices of their state. The weather recently hasn’t helped – except in Florida, where it is warm most of the time.

So now, where to go? If you haven’t made plans yet, begin now!

Planes are full just about everywhere, and airfares are high because of it. If you find an inexpensive airfare, grab it and go. Things are just going to go up from here.

Hotels, too, are packed full! In certain places, some have not re-opened due to a lack of employees. In other places you have to order cleaning and fresh towels daily in advance. And here, too, prices are on the rise.

It is great to see the world opening up again, but don’t leave your plans till the last minute, or you may be shut out completely. While Continued on page 16

Hometown Brag: Haley Reid Glasser, SGHS class of 2012

By K. Coats

If you’ve ever had the chance to see Haley Reid’s smile, I can promise you know all too well how contagious it is. Smart, funny, confident – ask any of her teachers, and they’ll all agree. She was also one of the hardest-working students I’ve personally ever taught. So, it is no surprise in the least that Haley Reid, now Haley Glasser, has gone on to do wonderful things like earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Emory Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. But before she earned her DNP, there were many stops along the way.

Haley credits her W.C. Britt Elementary 4th grade math and science teacher Tom McNeil, aka Mr. Mac, with setting the tone for her success. She says, “He changed my view on school and education, and ultimately shaped my academic career for the rest of my life. He made school fun and used humor to connect with his students.” And his lessons went beyond math and science. “He also taught me to be kind to myself,” Haley recalls, “and that it’s okay to not have perfect grades all the time; a lesson that definitely came in handy as I went through my college years. Thanks for everything, Mr. Mac!” Continued on page 21

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pandemic, 2,036 Georgians lost their lives due to an overdose of painkillers and other narcotics, fueled by their addiction and other mental

By Bill Crane health challenges. Thousands of mentally ill still live in Georgia, As late as the 1960s, Central State Hospital in Milledgeville was though now “home” is most often the nation’s largest asylum/sanitarium. At peak, the hospital was home found on the streets or in counto 40,000 patients, many there against their will, in multiple facilities ty jails and state prisons. And the across the 1,800-acre campus in Baldwin County, Georgia. During the resources to assist, support, treat, 1970s and through the 1990s, the state and federal governments began and hopefully return to productive a wholesale move away from institutionalizing the mentally ill. That is lives are not likely to be found a good thing. among the homeless, and Georgia’s Moreover, while Central State Hospital still exists on a much smaller sheriffs and prison wardens are also scale, its mission has changed; yet mental health and mental illness ill-equipped to deal with these conproblems have only grown, almost geometrically. During the recent cerns.

Thankfully, it would appear that mental help IS FINALLY ON THE WAY. Georgia House Speaker David Ralston is championing and co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation to make significant improvements to mental health and mental illness spending in Georgia, as part of a seventy-four page House Bill 1013, the Mental Health Parity Act. This legislation incorporates more than fifty recommendations made by the Georgia Behavior Health Reform and Innovation Commission, including: • Requiring private insurers to provide coverage parity – Covering Best of Gwinnett mental health, counseling, and addiction recovery services equal to for last 7 years that of physical health coverage • Significantly expanding funding for mental health beds – Adding capacity at county mental health clinics and crisis centers across Georgia • Increasing the number and availability of child psychiatrists – Currently, only 8 per 100,000 children • Additional training for law enforcement and first responders – To identify, treat, and refer for services mentally ill or people in crisis during the response to a 911 call • Restore authority for commitment to community-based organizations – To seek involuntary commitment for individuals needing extensive and ongoing treatment via a probate court judge • Raising pay and advancing recruitment for mental health staff and professionals – The loss of 3,837 state mental health employees Delivery available during the past two years meant 185 psychiatric beds could not be doordash and grubhub filled due to lack of staffing “There is no issue – and I want to be very clear – there is no issue this session more important to me than this issue. I am tired of telling desperate, hurting families that we have no treatment options available Order online at fratellispizza-ny.com in Georgia. I am tired of looking in the faces of mothers who have lost a child because they saw no hope, and I’m tired of seeing the faces of those whose downward spiral has been fed by substance abuse,” said Speaker Ralston (a bill co-sponsor) at a press conference announcing the filing of House Bill 1013.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has already announced his support for the bill. State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (District 82, Decatur/Druid Hills) is a Democratic co-sponsor, the only House Democrat who chairs a committee, and a longtime advocate for expanding mental health services. She will be further rallying support on her side of the aisle.

This expansion of Georgia health care services is part of what Speaker Ralston and his GOP Caucus refer to increasingly as Georgia’s “culture of life,” including: • Preferring adoption over abortion • Increasing funding to reduce Maternal mortality rates • Expanding maternity/paternity leave time for state government employees These significant public health and public safety challenges did not arrive overnight, and they will not be solved in one session or single omnibus bill. But, this IS a major step in the right direction, and a tip Continued on page 21 PAGE 10 Become an Advertising Partner: Info@OurTown Gwinnett.com or 678-825-2049

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One on One with Dennis Smock

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Everyone has a passion. Everyone has something that intrigues them and drives them to do what they do. If you are like most people, you have had several of these passions during your lifetime, but there is always a single, underlying passion that drives everything. It is the foundation for everything that you do. And though all others are secondary, they are all related to your primary purpose in some manner.

For many, their primary purpose does not fully manifest itself until the time is right, until everything they have experienced has been nurtured and matured to the point of action.

So, let us learn more about Dennis in his own words. My name is Dennis Smock. I am a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology.

For the longest time, I seemed to simply go with the flow – albeit the flow saw me do things without truly pursuing them. Most people who do pursue them never get to take part in the manner that I was able to. I got to be part of a team that was tasked with putting together a computer monitoring system for a nuclear power plant. I got to be part of the team that designed many recognizable buildings in Atlanta, L.A., San Francisco, and Times Square in New York. I have a patent in my name.

I was VP of Creative Services for a $45 million/year retail design/build firm. I was adjunct faculty at a small design college. I was a nationally recognized consultant and had several trade articles published. I was also able to be involved in the music scene and have many stories to tell – but none of these things were my passion.

It is funny how God will use a still, small moment to get your attention. About twenty-five years ago, my wife and I were sponsored to go on a three-day church retreat. The men go one weekend and then the women go the following weekend. During those three days, and the following few weeks, my purpose, my passion, slowly started to come into focus. The number of people in my community who had been on previous weekends like this numbered over one thousand, and they had only the US Postal Service to stay in touch. I was asked to put together the email addresses that they had and use these as a basis for mass email communications. These early communications were simply to notify people of upcoming events and urgent prayer requests.

I soon found myself wanting to send out positive messages, and so the daily devotionals were born. Recipients started asking if these could be shared, so I opened the list to anyone who wanted to receive them.

I worked from home during the early years of the daily devotionals.

Continued on page 22

March 2022 Our Town Gwinnett

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Small Business Spotlight: Three Ways to Support Local Small Businesses

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

There are millions of small businesses in the United States and so many in our local community owned by passionate people working hard to make their dreams a reality. Rather than buying from a big retailer the next time you need something, consider supporting the locally owned businesses around you. When you support a small business, you’re not only helping build your community, but also directly impacting someone’s life. Every customer counts when it comes to small business, which means your dollars can help that small business owner thrive.

For example, as the nation’s largest insurer, State Farm® has more than 19,000 agents who are small business owners themselves, and who are committed to restoring lives, rebuilding neighborhoods, and investing in the communities where they live and work. This desire to help started 100 years ago when the company was founded by a farmer who was concerned that big city insurance companies would not serve the specific needs of his business and community.

Here are three simple ways to support small businesses and have a positive impact: 1) Get to know your community through its businesses Your support matters all year long. For many people, this means shifting their mindset to thinking about local options first and getting to know the types of products and services your local businesses are providing. Whether you are purchasing items for yourself or someone else, start to understand how these local businesses can fill your needs.

Don’t forget, many small businesses offer gift cards, which are wonderful ways to show ongoing support.

2) Support small business service providers Small businesses aren’t just for tangible goods. Many provide important services, such as your local mechanic, dentist, or plumbing

Meet Jordan Vickery: All Missions Are Possible

By Beth Volpert Johansen

Jordan Vickery is from “around here.” His people have their roots deep in the red clay of Southern Gwinnett County, where he grew up among cousins, aunts, uncles, grands, and a whole host of people that loved on him. After losing his parents at an early age, all the family in the world could not keep Jordan from landing on Parris Island, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, where he would form a strong bond with his Marine brothers. However, the lessons he learned touring Iraq, coupled with the love he knew existed “back home” was enough to bring Jordan Vickery full-circle to a place where he knew he belonged.

Currently, Jordan, his wife Sunni, and their “yours, mine = ours” children reside in Grayson, where they both make it their mission to touch lives each and every day positively. Whether it is in their neighborhood where Jordan serves on the board for his community association, being a team parent and “unofficial” assistant coach, performing a wedding ceremony, or – most importantly – staying on the phone with a veteran who is close to ending everything, Jordan Vickery keeps his focus on the positive.

Nick-named “The Beard,” Jordan’s presence is not to be ignored.

He has traded his military weapons for words and uses them to bring to light the realities of our current global life struggles. “There is so much trauma out there right now that if we allow ourselves to be negative, then nothing will progress in a positive way,” says Jordan.

“We have to come together, learn how to cope, and move forward to March 2022 Our Town Gwinnett

company. So, no matter your needs, try and find businesses that are active in the community. You can spot these businesses by seeing how they engage with their neighbors. Look for the providers that are going above and beyond to support the neighborhood and other small businesses. By supporting those that have a strong investment in your community, you are helping them create a greater impact.

3) Share your experiences Many small businesses rely on satisfied customers to tell others so they can grow their client base. People trust word of mouth, so your effort makes a difference. In fact, more than eight out of 10 people around the world said they completely or somewhat trust the recommendations of friends and family, according to Nielsen. Plus, two-thirds said they trust online opinions from consumers. So, tell a friend in person, share a post on social media, or leave a positive review online.

If you’re a small business owner, consider using your platform to build up other entrepreneurs in your neighborhood. The next time you have a need arise, think of how a small business can help. Every effort counts to build your community, show your support, and ensure you continue to have thriving small businesses near you. (BPT) healing and building a good life.”

A good life was not always what Jordan thought he could have, or even deserved. Like many of his fellow servicemen and women, Jordan returned from three tours in Iraq with PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder. His immediate answer was to try to drink away his pain. “I needed something to fill my cup,” says Jordan. “Because I’ve seen some of the harder parts of life, I know we need other people to steer us back on a path to create a tangible change.”

Helping to steer others back on track has become a natural extension of Jordan’s daily routine. It’s not unusual for Jordan to be on the phone with a veteran late into the night or early in the morning, helping in any way possible. “I have learned that it is better for me to run into the fire than to sit by and watch,” says Jordan. “PTSD never goes away. It is a bear – unchecked, in the dark. We feel it, smell it, fear it. And we need treatment to turn the lights on.”

Turning the lights on has become a way of life for Jordan and Sunni. Blending a family isn’t easy, but it is rewarding. “We have a Continued on page 22 PAGE 13

One Man’s Opinion: Let the Buck Stop Here

By Bill Crane

For several decades of my life, Buckhead was one of my favorite parts of Atlanta. The finest restaurants, the nightlife, and the shopping and entertainment districts were almost unparalleled in the southeast. However, the Buckhead that was in many ways is not the Buckhead of today. Like it or not, the City of Atlanta government did not cause many of the challenges that the community has been more recently experiencing.

Random and increasingly violent crime rates are occurring across the nation. However, troubling patterns have developed more recently in Buckhead. The most beautiful houses in Atlanta, some say in

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the state, still line the streets of West Paces Ferry, Wieuca Road, Tuxedo Road, and the like, and the money flowing into and out of those homes and the Buckhead business/entertainment and retail district often show the highest disposable incomes in the state. That said, a new stand-up police department formed from creating a new “City of Buckhead” would not happen overnight and would not be likely to freeze or reverse those trends by itself.

An unincorporated area, incorporating, becoming a municipality, and following state law in offering at least four required services is not cleaving or cherry-picking property or residents out of an existing municipality. That has been tried once previously when the gated community of Eagle’s Landing in Henry County had its eyes on cityhood. The problem was without jacking property taxes for their residents through the roof, they needed some retail, light industrial, and sales tax revenues to make their math work – submitting proposed maps for a City of Eagle’s Landing which would subtract about 20 percent of the land within the existing city of Stockbridge, Georgia, as well as capture roughly 40-50% of that city’s annual sales tax and hotel/motel tax revenues, as Stockbridge does not charge residential property taxes.

Thankfully the voters of Stockbridge, and even in some precincts of the proposed Eagle’s Landing, saw a long list of unanswered questions. How would the existing bonded debt of the City of Stockbridge be divided and repaid? What about retired Stockbridge City employee pension and retirement benefit expenses? Stockbridge voters soundly defeated the proposal, 57% NO to 43% YES, in a universe of roughly 7,500 voters.

And, thankfully, there is finally an organized voice of opposition to the Buckhead cityhood movement. The Atlanta business community is now rallying to defend Georgia’s Capital City if a bit late in the game. Recently, more than 100 of the largest property owners and developers in Buckhead began to realize what just might happen to their property tax assessments and tax rates in a new municipality, NOT subject to any of the development contracts, tax abatements, or other incentives meted out previously by the City of Atlanta.

Continued on page 19

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Summer is Coming: Time to Think About Summer Camp

camp and location. According to the American Camp Association, in June 2019, the average weekly cost of day camp was $199 to $800, while sleep away camps averaged $680 to $2,000 per week.

• If you’re considering a camp for the first time, view the website thoroughly. Is it a well-put-together website? Read the online reviews and ask friends and family if they or anyone they know has had a personal experience with the camp. You’re looking for an unbiased opinion. And then consider speaking with the camp’s owner, manager, and perhaps a counselor or two to get a better feel for the camp overall. Are the counselors enthusiastic?

• Know the camp’s emergency, COVID-19, safety, and other general policies and guidelines before dropping your camper off.

Hopefully, with a little legwork and research up front, you’re less likely to get a “Hello Muddah…Hello Faddah” letter from your camper, and instead, he or she will have a summer camp adventure to remember.

By Tana Poncsak

School will be out in the blink of an eye, and summer will be here.

Moreover, if you haven’t secured your child’s summer camp plans, now is the time to get moving.

In case you’re thinking about sending your child to camp for the first time, here are some things to think about as you’re looking for the perfect fit.

• Consider the age of your child – Most sources say that the age of 8 or 9 is a good age for going away to a sleepaway camp, but many professionals also add that it depends on the child as well. As parents, we know our children best and can be the best judge when it comes to each individual child. But if you’re unsure, there are some signs to look for to know if your child is ready. According to the Camp Walt Whitman website, there are 7 Telltale Signs Your Child is Ready for Sleepaway Camp. The article points out that the ability to take care of their own personal hygiene, successful sleepovers, and the ability to successfully navigate new situations are all telltale signs your child might be ready. But if you don’t feel they’re ready yet or they don’t want to go to a sleepaway camp, a local day camp may be the better choice.

• Consider the child’s interests – As you’re looking to send your child off on an adventure at summer camp, give thought to the things your child likes to do and where his or her interest lies. While one child might love a sports camp, the child who is interested in art or drama may not be happy at a soccer camp. And you’ll want your child to have a good experience, especially if it’s his or her first time at camp. The good news is, there are all types of camps for most every type of camper. A quick search on the Internet or asking friends and family can help parents find a camp to fit almost any interest. From sports, arts and crafts, science and academics, religious – you name it, there’s probably a camp for it.

• Consider the cost. Camps can get pricy, depending on the type of

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Travel Tales Continued from page 9

Ryan’s Remarks Continued from page 7

some airfares are in the $200 to $300 range domestically, it will just be for a day or two until the flight fills up. Then the “giant computer in the cloud” will juggle everything around so that the airlines don’t lose any money. Up go the fares! It is also difficult at this time to find a decent hotel room for under $350 per night, especially if it is in a great location with great views. That is here in the USA. But in Europe, you will be lucky to find accommodations under 500 Euros per night (approximately $550 in US dollars).

So if you are ready to go, start your planning now! Ask your favorite travel advisor to help you to get the best of everything. They know where to look to help you with a wonderful get away from home!

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historians will define this period of time. However, I can see the finish line, and, man, I want to be there bad. I know you do, too.

So, let us continue to give each other the benefit of the doubt, love more, listen better, judge less, care more, smile, and be patient.

Someone I was interviewing said it best: BE KIND. We all need to be loved and told it will be okay. IT WILL. This, too, SHALL pass.

Trust me, I do not profess to have mastered all these things, and I work on them each day. And please know, we can only control what we can control. So, control the controllables.

To all my family, friends, colleagues, and this community, you are the best. Your support and partnership mean more than I can ever tell you. I wish all of you the best, and thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!

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Sports Talk at Grayson High: From Player to Coach Lillie

By Jeremy Coleman

Aleah Lillie is not much older than the young women she now coaches. Just several years ago, Lillie, the head coach of the women’s lacrosse program at Grayson High School, was herself a varsity lacrosse player at Archer High School.

“I was pumped,” she said. “When I was in college getting my degree to be a teacher, I wanted to dive into a lacrosse program once I was a teacher and in a school. I had the mentality of being a teacher and a head lacrosse coach as well. So, when I found that I was named head coach, I was excited and ready to take on the role because it was something that I always wanted to do.”

Once Lillie graduated from Emmanuel College, she sought to return back to Gwinnett County and find a teaching job. Currently, she’s teaching geometry and is available to help tutor her players in any math as well. While lacrosse has been in public schools for several decades, it’s still an unknown sport for many. Recruiting has been instrumental this year in adding players to the roster. For Coach Lillie, she started by recruiting students in her classes. Other players have recruited new players as well.

Many people do not realize that lacrosse is the oldest sport in North America and one of the oldest in the world. It was played by Native Americans and First Nations people in Canada as a way to resolve feuds between warring tribes without having a war. It was a much rougher game that ranged over land spanning miles. The French traders in Canada dubbed the sport, “lacrosse,” in reference to the stick with a woven basket on one end. The aboriginal peoples called it “Little Brother of War.” And when you watch a lacrosse game, you will understand the meaning. It is action-packed, high-scoring, and very fast-paced.

Coach Lillie is quick to point out that while the new girls on the team may not understand the game like some of her veteran play-

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ers, they are excited and enjoy the sport very much. Her strength as a coach helps her teach, while her ability to teach helps her on the field coaching. Both coaching and teaching are similar and her understanding and use of both disciplines interchangeably has given her an encouraging start in both her careers. While Lillie can recruit athletes from within the school, she knows that reaching out into the community through the recreation programs like the Gwinnett Lacrosse League can also work as a feeder program for the high school.

Being a young coach, not far removed from high school herself, Lillie can relate to the new players just picking the sport up. She did not start playing lacrosse until her sophomore year at Archer. However, she had found her sport. Upon graduation from high school, she played midfield at Emmanuel College, a D2 level university. Lillie has the confidence to motivate and coach her newest players.

“For me,” Lillie said, “I care more about my players as a person, rather than how they perform on the field. I care about how they react in sportsmanship and how they’re doing in the classroom.” Coach Lillie has found her calling. She has a calming presence and isn’t a blood-thirsty coach where everything is riding on wins and losses.

She fell in love with the sport and enjoys watching the girls she coaches fall in love with it as well. Her motivation at the end of the day is that the girls enjoy the game as much as she enjoyed it.

More information at http://www.ghsgirlslacrosse.org/

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Who Said Exercise is Boring? Ideas for Spring Activities

By Tana Poncsak

After the colder and shorter winter days, many people are ready for spring – when the days get longer and warmer. And when springtime arrives, most people come out of hibernation and get out and get active again. Perhaps it’s time to have some fun in the sun while getting some fresh air and exercise. In fact, Simplicable has a list of sixty things you can do outside to have fun and exercise. Here’s list of a few unconventional activities to get you outside and moving.

1. Go for a hike – Pull on your hiking boots and head for the hills for a long walk. According to an online article for Shape Magazine, a good hike is good for your health. It helps build muscle, strengthen your core, improve one’s agility, and much more. So grab a buddy and go take a hike!

2. Fly a kite – Whether you’re on the beach or in your own backyard, flying a kite and watching it soar is just plain fun. But according to author Tim Conner, M.D. in Is Kite Flying Good Exercise?, kite flying is not only great exercise, it also improves sensory-motor skills and hand-eye coordination. But before you send your kite in flight, check the area for things like power lines and trees that your kite could get tangled up in.

3. Join a kickball league – Believe it or not, kickball has made a comeback in a big way. So big, you can actually join adult leagues. With all the running and kicking and comradery, it could be the perfect sport for many. Check the Internet for a kickball league near you.

4. Fishing – That rod and reel is a great tool for low-impact exercise.

In Fishing for Some Good Health on the Medicareful Living web-

site, because of the peace and quiet fishing requires, it’s also a great form of relaxation. So grab your rod and reel and hit the nearest stream and go fish! Be sure to check to see if you need a fishing license.

5. Gardening – There are many health benefits to working the land and growing your own food.

Some benefits, according to Healthline, are helping fight diseases, building strength, improving memory, and more. Possibly the best part of gardening is that in addition to the health benefits from the act of gardening, you also have delicious and healthy homegrown vegetables to eat.

6. Birdwatching – Who knew birdwatching was more than just a hobby? Bird & Blooms says that there is more to birdwatching than meets the eye. But you can’t just keep a watchful eye through the window. You have to get out and experience the outdoors. Watch for birds on their turf as you’re out and about.

Getting outdoors is not only about the physical side, but after being inside during the winter, the sunshine is a great mood booster and a great source of vitamin D. But don’t forget the sunscreen!

So as the weather warms up, get outside for fresh air, exercise, and sun!

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to be medical advice. Seek the advice of your physician or health professional before starting any exercise program.

away learning a little more than they knew when they arrived.

If you’re not a Girl Scout but are interested in joining, the Camp Gwinnett committee encourages you to check out this event. It’s a

By Kristen Eleveld great way to preview what Girl Scouts are all about: girls teaching Spring is here and that means girls important life skills, along one thing: it’s camping seawith making some great friends son. And for many local Girl along the way.

Scout troops, that also means Local community businesses it’s time to start gearing up are also getting in on the fun, for Camp Gwinnett, an annual sponsoring events and activities outdoor one-day camp designed and offering resources to make to teach Girl Scouts useful outthis day unforgettable. You will door skills. But while many probably recognize some of adult leaders will be on hand to your favorite places, like Tree supervise, this isn’t your ordiTop Quest, REI, Sierra Club, nary camp, because it is the and countless others. older girls who will teach the The Camp Gwinnett commityounger ones, leading them into tee also plays a huge role in the the next steps of their Girl Scout success of the event. Council Journey. members Kathy Lewis, Martha For the last twelve years, Whitman, Laurie Zeisel, Pamela Camp Gwinnett in Tribble Mill Poston, Christine Townsend, Park has served as a staple for Kerri Crean, and Cyndi Davis the Girl Scout community, offering girls in all stages of troop life have worked hard for months to ensure that Camp Gwinnett is the the opportunity to gain important outdoor skills. Run by the Camp perfect mix of education, fun, and adventure.

Gwinnett committee, the day is devoted to learning things like outdoor Camp Gwinnett will take place on Sunday, April 24th! Early regiscamping, archery, building a fire, cooking outdoors, leaf tracing, and tration for the event ends on March 17th, so be sure to sign your girls some fun games that everyone will enjoy. And, of course, everyone gets up before that day. But if you miss the deadline, there’s still a chance to make a s’more. to attend, so don’t let that stop you from enjoying this amazing camp.

In order to teach and facilitate the outdoor skills learned during the If you have questions, just email campgwinnett@gmail.com or find day, Camp Gwinnett asks individual troops to sponsor booths that them on Facebook to learn just how exciting this camp will be for your are designed to teach a certain skill. One booth may be focused on Girl Scout. For those Girl Scouts who are Cadettes and older, register geocaching, while another helps girls identify different types of local now to learn about even more opportunities for you to enjoy at Camp wildlife, while still another may work to educate each scout on trail Gwinnett. safety. Each booth has a unique approach to helping everyone walk More information at https://campgwinnett.weebly.com/ PAGE 18 Become an Advertising Partner: Info@OurTown Gwinnett.com or 678-825-2049

Calling All Girl Scouts for Camp Gwinnett!

One on One with Blake Hawkins

OTG: What are your favorite things to do?

BH: I am a self-taught Chef through my mother’s cooking skills.

I like to garden and my German Shorthaired Pointer, Gunter, is my dog-child.

OTG: What excites you?

BH: Food, friends, and family OTG: What role does community play in your life?

BH: I love my Grayson family and community.

OTG: How do you give back to your community?

BH: For twenty years I managed the Grayson Children’s Fund, providing less fortunate children Christmas gifts anonymously. Today I look forward to offering educational opportunities through classes and workshops at the Farmacy to teach children about entrepreneurship, where food comes from, and “how to” learn many new hobbies such as crochet, art, and cooking and preserving.

More information at https://www.facebook.com/GraysonFarmacy/

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

The Our Town Gwinnett staff met up recently with Blake Hawkins, owner of the Grayson Farmacy, and asked him to share a bit about himself to our readers.

Our Town Gwinnett (OTG): Please tell our readers a little about yourself.

Blake Hawkins (BH): I am just a free-spirited entrepreneur and a proud Florida State University and a dog Dad. OTG: What do you want our readers to know about you?

BH: That I am passionate about the Grayson Farmacy.

OTG: Who were your mentors and role models?

BH: My Father was my mentor and is still my role model.

OTG: Describe some of the struggles you’ve encountered and how you overcame them.

BH: Recently I experienced a non-life-threatening disease which dramatically changed my life choices and allowed me to once again be the entrepreneur I was born to be.

Let the Buck Stop Here Continued from page 14 Those property owners are requesting that the Georgia General Assembly hit the “pause” button on consideration of a Buckhead cityhood referendum. Their collective properties pay roughly $54 million in property taxes annually to the City of Atlanta. If the General Assembly won’t pause the discussions, they are requesting to be drawn OUT of the proposed new city of Buckhead. These properties include major malls and much of the “golden goose” portions of the proposed municipality.

And as a more practical matter, if our State Constitution is of any real concern, if affluent communities in almost any city can, in essence, break away, sub-divide, gate themselves off, and give no concern to financing the broader costs of public schools, existing infrastructure, bonded debt, pension, and retirement obligations, and ownership of commons assets (schools, parks, roads, and bridges), how will the bonding agencies treat Georgia’s highest possible ratings for future bonded debt? Or won’t the bonding ability of major cities across the nation come into question once this precedent is set?

Moreover, Georgia already has a town of Buckhead, 65 miles east of Atlanta, not far off I-20. Now a sleepy hamlet of less than 200, it was once a bustling rail burg between Atlanta and Augusta. Though everything has a price, it does have its own Buckhead Post Office and ZIP Code™; if they later sell those to this small group of rich folks in Atlanta, I hope they extract a pretty penny for them. Furthermore, if you consider yourself an Atlanta native as I do, I doubt a decade from now you want to be thinking about the Atlanta that was and what is left of an Atlanta then. It’s time for this Buck to stop here.

Bill Crane is the owner of CSI Crane. More information at www.

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Getting to Know: Parrot Productions and Fancy Feathers

By Kristen Eleveld

Back in the 1980s, Brenda Bean found her calling: working with birds – more specifically, parrots. She spent her days training birds for local pet stores, making a name for herself as someone who wasn’t just a fan of her feathered friends, but was an expert who could teach the parrots to do remarkable things.

While she took a break from working with birds to raise four children, Brenda never forgot how much she loved spending time with the parrots. In 2006, she opened her own business centered around one of her very favorite things: training and teaching parrots.

“There’s something about a bird standing on your hand that is just magical,” said Brenda. “Sometimes they want to snuggle with you or they might lay down in your lap like a puppy. It’s the most extraordinary experience.”

At her shop Fancy Feathers in Norcross, Brenda’s time is split between training her birds, showing off their talents at events or parties, and, most importantly, educating her customers.

“We sell pets, not just parrots, to educated customers,” said Brenda.

“I always encourage my customers do a lot of research before buying a parrot.”

Part of Brenda’s emphasis on education for any potential bird owner is that parrots can live for decades. Some of them live for 75 years! It’s important to Brenda that anyone who is interested in buying a parrot understands that it’s a lifelong commitment. In fact, their bird might outlive them. Many people don’t realize that different types of parrots have a wide range of personalities and temperament, which is why Brenda is sure to ask her customers a lot of questions before helping them choose the right parrot for their home.

“It’s best to take your time before choosing a bird!” Brenda said. She gives this advice to all her customers. “It’s not an impulse buy. Do your research and educate yourself on what you’re getting into before you make a decision.”

Factors like the type of home you have, whether you have children, and how much noise you are willing to take are all part of the questions Brenda asks her clients to see which bird would best suit their needs, and vice versa.

Along with giving invaluable advice to her clients, Brenda spends

a fair amount of time teaching her birds to do and say a variety of different things. One parrot, often seen at parties, has learned to sing “Happy Birthday” and will even wish you a Merry Christmas! Another uses its feet to wave goodbye to you, much like a small child might do.

In fact, Brenda notes that these birds are probably about as intelligent as an average five-year-old child, which means they can learn quickly and even experience emotions.

If you want to see these birds in action for yourself, there’s good news. Brenda loves to bring her parrots to parties and events to show people what they can do. You can book her services and enjoy learning about her avian friends. Parrot Productions will bring twelve to seventeen exotic parrots to your function, show what they have learned, and allow you to hold and cuddle some of them. Brenda’s motto is “Cuddle, touch and learn,” so you are sure to have a memorable and educational experience.

While Brenda works hard, she does not tackle these amazing feats all on her own. Cleaning cages, feeding the babies and the adults, training and socializing the babies and the rescues are a massive undertaking by a special group of parrot lovers. Irene Stovall, Brenda’s right-hand Doctors Stewart Helton & Beau Upshaw person, is known by Brenda as the “Macaw Whisperer.” Irene is less than five feet tall, but handles the largest birds like a gentle giant, anticipating their moods and whims. Jack Bean, Brenda’s husband, has been a rock for Brenda, often stepping in to realistically limit her endeavors and sending her home to rest on her days off. He also assembles and delivers cages and large orders of food. Finally, Kristina Barron rounds out the team, providing the much-needed expertise on some of Continued on page 22

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Haley Reid Glasser Continued from page 9 Haley eventually graduated in 2012 from South Gwinnett High School. And while Mr. Mac may have left a lasting impression, he wasn’t alone. Haley particularly wanted to give a shout out to all her teachers. “Thank you to all the Gwinnett County Public School teachers who touched my life during my many years of school. I wouldn’t be where I am without your dedication to teaching and learning!”

As a student, Haley was involved across several areas of student life: varsity cheerleading, Comets in Action, Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Gwinnett Medical Explorers. Outside of school, she was involved with the Gwinnett County Swim League, participating in summer-league swimming for eighteen years with both Eastmont Cove Swim Team and Snellville Supersonics. “We spent many summers swimming at Briscoe Park pool and Rhodes Jordan Park,” she remembers. “I also grew up attending and volunteering at Vacation Bible School at Snellville United Methodist Church.” But as a varsity cheerleader, there was only one place to find Haley on those fall Friday nights – cheering the South Gwinnett High School Comets and hyping up the crowd. And while she now calls Jacksonville, Florida home, Haley has much love for her hometown. “The community spirit”, she explains. “I love that even though Snellville is developing and changing, it still maintains that cozy/homey hometown charm. Both my family and my husband’s family still live in Gwinnett County, so it will always be extra special to us.”

Once Haley left Snellville, her journey took her to Oxford College of Emory University before moving on to Emory Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, where she would eventually focus on pediatrics. “I worked in pediatric primary care for three years,” she says, “but made the transition to pediatric specialty care in January 2021. I currently work as a Nurse Practitioner with Nemours Children’s Health in their Continence Clinic. This clinic is really unique because it is nurse run and managed.”

Haley’s specialty allows her to have a different focus to develop lasting relationships with her families. “The Continence Clinic is a really cool ‘mash up’ of gastroenterology and urology,” she adds. “We help children with bladder and bowel issues. We see many children with spina bifida or other spinal defects, autism, and other chronic diseases that can affect continence. I love this job because I’m able to use a variety of my clinical skills, like interpreting ultrasounds, x-rays, and other specialty tests. I also perform in-office procedures. I work in the office and online using telehealth, so I have a great work-life balance.

It’s a really rewarding job, and I love being able to develop lifelong relationships with my patients and families.”

In her new town, Haley is just as active as she was in Snellville. “I love exploring my new city!” she says. “I love museums, trying global cuisine, crafting and DIY projects.” And in true Haley fashion, she adds, “I’m also in the process of learning ASL!” And her plans don’t end there. “I’d love to teach nursing at the masters and/or doctoral level, so I hope to one day be a faculty member at my alma-mater or another nursing school. I plan to go back to grad school for my Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in maternal-child health.” And to top it all off, she adds, “I also really want to write my own children’s book in the future.”

Well, from all of us here at Our Town Gwinnett Magazine, you’ve made us so proud, Haley, and we look forward to seeing all your wonderful plans come to fruition. We’re cheering you on just as you cheered on others all these years. Congratulations and Good Luck!

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Mental Help is on the Way Continued from page 10 of the hat and thanks is due to House Speaker David Ralston as well as the bill’s many supporters and co-sponsors. Thus, after many decades of darkness, some light and Mental Help is on the way.

Bill Crane is the owner of CSI Crane. More information at www.

CSICrane.com March 2022 Our Town Gwinnett

PAGE 21

Dennis Smock Continued from page 11

Jordan Vickery Continued from page 13

One day, something happened that solidified my passion. I have always used two computers, and this particular day had me only working on one computer with the other computer completely turned off. I heard the familiar sound of the second computer starting up and looked over to see that it had started and had loaded a web browser. It opened a site that I had never been to. It was a site put together by an engineer who set out to disprove the Bible, but became a follower of Jesus. This experience has given me the drive to read, study, and write.

“Be Still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a) had become my life verse. From the beginning, the daily devotionals were written to be able to be read in just a few minutes. They were created to allow a brief escape from the otherwise hectic lives that we find ourselves living in today’s society. These devotionals have always asked pointed questions that basically try to make the reader respond with personal reflections on how they are living up to the concepts presented in the Scripture for that day. I do not know how many times that I have heard from people telling me that what I had sent out was exactly what they needed to read that day.

To make a long story short, my twenty-four years of doing this have not been without distractions and troubles. Many times, the passages and insight gleaned from my experiences have also fallen right into place. I have become a student of God’s Word. I read and cross reference many different translations. I have also put some of that experience into Biblically-based books. I have also reviewed and edited the devotional archive and have created three devotional journal books.

DAILY LIVING Ministries, Inc. provides daily opportunities to allow God’s Word to take priority in our lives. Based on this mission, the decision was made to focus on providing resources that can go with people on the very thing that all of us take with us everywhere and the very thing that we can’t seem to live without - OUR PHONES! We are a society that seems to not be able to go anywhere without our smartphones. I recently had an epiphany and realized that everything that I have written and built is designed to be at our fingertips on these very devices. The website can be viewed on a phone. The devotionals can be viewed on a phone. The books are designed to be able to be read on a phone. If we can’t find the time to sit still with a Bible, most people can read on their phones. The resources created by DAILY LIVING Ministries, Inc. are designed to work in conjunction with the apps that are currently installed on your phones, and it is recommended that the reader cross reference Scriptures by downloading a Bible app.

In this ever-increasing hectic world, we need to find any and every opportunity to sit in His presence. We need to find time to “Be Still.”

I seldom look at the analytics, but I had a reason to do just that not too long ago. Besides the daily emails, and the postings to social media, the new website has seen visitors from 128 countries and six continents in the last twelve months. Many of these countries would surprise you if I listed them. This country count doesn’t even include the visitors to the backup blog site! DAILY LIVING Ministries is reaching the world.

I, too, still find myself using my degree from Georgia Tech. Many days are less than ideal. Deadlines and commitments, pressure and stress still abound; but I will make a daily decision to sit in His presence. I make a daily decision to share what I have learned.

The Our Town Gwinnett staff thanks Dennis for sharing his passion with us.

More information at https://dailylivingministries.org/

child at every level of school right now – elementary, middle, and a rising high school freshman,” explains Jordan. It has given the couple a perspective on just exactly what students are feeling right now in the face of the pandemic as well as the insecurities that are a part of daily life in Gwinnett County. “Kids are missing so much without the face-to-face interactions. They can’t learn to read between the lines if they can’t even see the lines.”

Noting that there is a level of food and housing insecurity in the county they call home that is beyond comprehension keeps the Vickerys on point with prayer and service. “Young people are supposed to be our most valued treasure,” says Jordan. “But right now, efforts are sidelined. We have cold children without coats, hungry children lacking basic nutrition, and children sleeping in cars in this very county. It is wrong and we want to set an example of getting involved.”

Being involved as a couple means relying on a solid marriage. Both Jordan and Sunni have proven they can make it as singles, but found their way to each other through their faith. It is in the vow and covenant of being true to their marriage that they find the lessons they need in order to provide a good example for others. In fact, they have made it their mission.

Mission Marriage was not so much founded as a business as it was a manifestation of being surrounded by love. “I wanted to surprise my sister at her wedding by performing the ceremony, so I went online and became ordained,” says Jordan. “She was surprised, as was our whole family, but very touched that I would do that for her.” After that initial wedding, Jordan’s family, friends, and friends-of-friends began to ask him to perform their weddings. At some point, Jordan and Sunni became so involved in Mission Marriage that they made it Sunni’s full-time “job.”

Sunni describes her story as a beautiful journey. She is a goal-setter and a dreamer who sets everything “sky-high.” With an entrepreneurial spirit, Sunni set about combining her dreams with her goals to bring brides and grooms together with the wedding they always envisioned. “I love, Love, LOVE helping others,” explains Sunni. “I also love entertaining and planning parties. This is just a natural extension of everything that makes me happy.”

As with any mission, it takes a solid and devoted team to make it work. Whether he is guiding veterans, caring for his family, or working with Sunni to make marriage dreams a reality, Jordan Vickery keeps one thing at the forefront of his mind: “If it matters to you, then it matters to me.”

Taking note of all that is potentially “wrong” or “bad” in this life and then stepping away from it allows Jordan to identify all that is good. “Learning to cope and navigate through the trials and hardships is KEY to this little experiment called life,” he says.

For a dose of what is right and positive in this world, follow Mission Marriage and Jordan Vickery on Facebook and Instagram.

Parrot Productions Continued from page 20

the smaller birds in the store. Standing in for Brenda on her days off, Kristina has worked for Fancy Feathers since before the Beans took over the store from Ivan Nelson in 2016. Brenda, Jack, and their limited crew were honored to take over Ivan’s legacy and are building Fancy Feathers and Parrot Productions into a unique adventure in business.

At the end of the day, Brenda’s main goal is to give these parrots a Continued from page 5 high quality of life and teach others in the community about just how Fratelli’s. Actually, if you’re in the mood for seafood, burgers, pasta, incredible and unique her birds are. But you don’t have to take her word desserts, appetizers, some vegan options, a gluten-free meal, or just for it. Just visit her shop in Norcross to see the parrots in action for about anything in between, you should still try Fratelli’s – they truly yourself. If you’re lucky, Brenda might even ask one to give you a kiss.

More information at parrotproshows.com or fancyfeathersstore. have it all. com More information at https://fratellispizza-ny.com/ PAGE 22 Become an Advertising Partner: Info@OurTown Gwinnett.com or 678-825-2049

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