Welcome to the NOV 2020 (BLUE) Our Town Gwinnett Monthly Magazine for Gwinnett/NE DeKalb.

NOVEMBER 2020 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker

SpaStinny MASSAGE

Up Close with Spa Stinny Massage, see story on page 5 12 15 19 20

Making a Difference: Virtual Outreach in Gwinnett County Up Close with Snellville: Past, Present, and Future Local Community News: A Look Back on Hispanic Heritage Month Community Member Spotlight: Dorothy Campanelli Celebrates 100 Years!

The Village Corner

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Dr. John Simmons and Dr. Robert French combine a blend of experience, wisdom and fresh new knowledge to affordably serve our patients with healthy, beautiful smiles.

Our experienced team provides 5 star service, personalized care, and an extraordinary commitment to your health and well-being.

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2020 babies are coming in!

Currently available l Macaws l Amazons l Cockatoos l Cockatiels l Conures

We take pride in providing “pets” not just parrots to educated customers.

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Featuring Zupreem, Pretty Bird and Dr. D’s pelleted diets, laAvian seed diets along with our own mix, Fancy Feathers, of seeds specialized for parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, finches and Gouldian finches.

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On the Cover: Relax Your Way to Better Health

By Kristen Eleveld Spa Stinny, voted Best of Snellville and Best of Gwinnett, is a spa oasis that was once Snellville’s best-kept secret.

Fast forward eight years later, and the cat is out of the bag.

Meeting the needs of Snellville, Loganville, Grayson, and Lawrenceville for nearly a decade, Spa Stinny has made a name for itself among top student athletes and community members by providing the essential relief and release necessary for the ultimate self-care success.

The spa began in 2012 by offering massage therapy for relaxation. Now it offers a variety of cutting-edge massage services such as Lymphatic Massage, CBD Oil Massage, Cupping Massage, and even a hands-free Muscle Tension Relief Massage. And although Spa Stinny made its mark on delivering the best massages in town, even becoming your massage therapist massage studio of choice, they have branched out with an extensive Esthetician line and have begun offering Laser Lipo, Cool Sculpting, and other nonevasive fat reduction and skin tightening procedures. Still, Spa Stinny has always retained its community-centric strategy, making sure that each client knows he or she is a priority.

“We’ve gotten great support from the community,” says Manager Ayana Stinson. “And we want them to know we care. They are the glue that holds us together.”

It is this commitment to care that drives Spa Stinny to offer the personalized appeal of a small business that makes a point to get to know its clientele. Along with the personalized feel is state-of-the-art equipment and specialists who are among the best of the best, and who also care deeply about their community. In fact, a love for the community is one of

the qualifications the spa looks for when hiring new therapists, going so far as to offer training that encourages and teaches team members to value each client who walks through their doors.

“We love to listen to our clients, and develop relationships with them,” says Stinson. “Our staff cares about the community, and we want to show them we are here for them.”

Spa Stinny works with local schools to offer gift certificates for giveaways, and they participate in events designed to highlight various businesses in the area. They also sponsor local sporting programs, support the local hospital with breast cancer awareness, and contribute to marathons and drives designed to bring attention to community and health causes and events.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the spa has taken extra steps to ensure the safety and health of every client. Spa Stinny is adhering to all of the Center for Disease Control guidelines and has implemented every important safety standard. They are protecting staff and clientele by temperature checking each staff member and client that walks into the massage studio. They are practicing frequent handwashing, and there are full bottles of hand sanitizer in every room. Each therapist wears a mask, and physical distancing

Celebrating 20+ Years Years Of Making Smiles Blossom!

precautions are being maintained in the reception area. The health and total well-being of their clients is their number one priority!

To the team at Spa Stinny, a wellness spa is about so much more than a luxurious way to relax. It is a form of self-care, and a way to give oneself a much needed treatment to help a person work through the stress and struggles of life – especially as the world recovers from the last few months of this year. It is easy to see why this spa was voted Best of Gwinnett, and why it has become such a vital part of the Snellville area.

Between the amazing services and excellent customer service, visiting Spa Stinny means you are in for a unique, relaxing experience that is tailored especially to your needs.

More information at www.spastinny.com

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PAGE 5

Gwinnett’s premier event destination for 23 years!

Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

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

Entire contents copyright 2020 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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IN THIS ISSUE 5 On the Cover: Relax Your Way to Better Health 7 From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks 9 Redeemer Church Has a Heart for Community 11 Blazing New Trails: How Your Child Can Be Part of a Bigger Story 12 Making a Difference: Virtual Outreach in Gwinnett County 13 Crane’s Corner: Confirmation Obfuscation?

14 Challenges and Differences in College Education Amid the Pandemic 15 Up Close with Snellville: Past, Present, and Future 19 Local Community News: A Look Back on Hispanic Heritage Month 20 Community Member Spotlight: Dorothy Campanelli Celebrates 100 Years!

21 The Post-9/11 Generation

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From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks

1988 Eddie’s Automotive Service 2020 5440 Webb Pkwy. Lilburn, GA

By Ryan T. Sauers

@RyanSauers

770-381-7574

@RyanTSauers

We are in unbelievable and unprecedented times. It seems like everything around us has changed, and yet at the same time most days blend together and feel the same. School is different, jobs are different, and LIFE is different.

We are now in the month of November 2020. Can you believe it? It seems like 2020 has been the never-ending year and has flown by at the same time. We will be celebrating Thanksgiving in a few weeks.

I do not think we should forget what we have learned and continue to learn in 2020.

There is no greater time than now to try to find something you are thankful for. I challenge you to do that. It could be Election day has finally passed or that sports have returned. It could be the great freedom we have as Americans. Or it could be how thankful you are that you simply woke up this morning to live another day.

We all have 24 hours and 7 days a week. What we do with this precious 168 hours of time each week makes all the difference. How have you grown as a person during the pandemic? Have you grown physically, socially, spiritually, mentally? I know I have and sure hope you have, too. And if not, it is never too late to start. You can be reactive or proactive in life, and I encourage you to choose the latter.

I challenge you to take the high road in dealing with others. Many people are at their emotional maximum, so be a blessing to them and do not push them over the top. Let us all focus on the many things we have in common and not our differences.

Have a wonderful November and Thanksgiving holiday Our Town Gwinnett community. And as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town!

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FULL TABLE

full heart

Thanksgiving has always been about the tradition of coming together and memorable meals. This year—more than ever— is about the celebration of family and friends, and the joy that togetherness brings.

thankful THURSDAYS Join us for a personal tour of our community and apartment homes any Thursday in November.

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Redeemer Church Has a Heart for Community

By Amy Ney David Goebel best explains Redeemer Church this way: “We are a church body who embraces the diversity of culture and race in our community.” Their website states that the Bible says there will be a great multitude in heaven that no one can number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. “We have a tremendous heart for wanting to reflect that description of heaven right here, right now in our community!” Goebel added, who said there are currently more than twenty countries represented in their church family, which makes for a joyful, unique blend of worshiping God together.

Service is a huge part of Redeemer’s history and passion. Even though they did not meet during the COVID quarantine, Goebel said they still supported and met the needs of several of their strategic partners, such as Obria and Gwinnett Southeast Cooperative Ministry and Food Bank. Obria exists to empower the community to make healthy decisions regarding their reproductive health and their families by providing medical services and material services to women, youth, and families. “We gathered diapers, infant formula, wipes, and infant clothing that the center needed,” Goebel said. “Our members were very generous, even during this difficult season.”

There are many opportunities for adults to get involved in ministries at the church, which are designed to help people grow and strengthen their faith alongside others.

Goebel was hired last June. He came to them most recently from California, but he is a son of the South who grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. “I felt led to this church,” he said. “They had been around for more than thirty-five years, and the congregation purposely has adapted to reflect its community and diversity of Gwinnett.”

The church hosted a prayer vigil as a night of compassionate care and concern for their community amidst all the civil unrest. “Following the George Floyd death,” Goebel explained, “we hosted a silent candlelight prayer vigil along Hwy 124. Motorists passing by were very gracious, waving, fist-pumping, honking their horns, saying things like, ‘Thank you’ and ‘God bless you.’ That was one of the more memorable experiences I’ve ever been a part of as a pastor.”

Goebel and his wife, Nancy, have been married for more than thirty-one years and have four adult children. Charlie, their oldest son, and his wife, Katie, are third-year residents in

Family Medicine in Minneapolis. With his Master’s degree in Public Policy and working for an international development corporation, Goebel’s second son, Ben, and his wife, Jenny, reside in Bangladesh Washington, DC. Goebel’s third son, Jeremy, and his wife Nicole, are both working toward their master’s degrees through Denver Seminary with a view toward careers in full-time Christian ministry. Anna, their youngest daughter, began law school this month at the University of Denver.

Nancy has a Master’s in Vocal Performance and has served in the music ministry and is a private-school teacher. She has released a CD titled, My Heart. Nancy also teaches private lessons and performs with symphony orchestras. Nancy and David met when they were both at Wheaton College. Goebel was a Clinical Psychotherapist prior to serving in the ministry. In their free time, they enjoy spending time outdoors, training, and breeding Retrievers, cooking and hospitality, and woodworking.

Redeemer is meeting in person at 9 a.m. each Sunday. “We have a large field adjacent to the church that is perfect for outdoor service,” explained Goebel. “Just bring your chair or blanket, coffee or water, a mask, and a Bible. You may want to grab sunscreen or bug spray, too,” he added. The church also live-streams service on YouTube.

More information at https://redeemerpc.com/

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Blazing New Trails: How Your Child Can Be Part of a Bigger Story

By Kristen Eleveld As a parent, you know how valuable it is for your child(ren) to have a safe place to grow and learn and make new friends. Thanks to the events caused by the COVID-19 crisis, many children are missing their usual opportunities to participate in after-school activities or groups that they love.

But there are two local groups that check all the boxes for meeting your child’s needs – and they are always welcoming new members.

The American Heritage Girls (AHG) and the Trail Life USA (TLUSA) organizations have made a name for themselves over the last few years as they work with children

and teenagers to learn and develop important life skills. Much like the Girl and Boy Scouts of America, these groups are organized into local troops, which then work with each member on specific skills and tasks. But these troops also add something extra: an emphasis on the Christian faith and what it means to be a godly man or woman.

While you can find these troops all over the country, one man recently decided to start a local troop in Norcross, and, three years later, is just as dedicated to this goal.

“I saw an opportunity to start a group that was more than just a youth group – it was a place to help kids grow,” said John Dunn, Charter Representative for AHG Ga-0210 and Troop Ministry Advisor for TLUSA Ga-0109. He will transition to Troop Master for his Trail Life group later this year.

Dunn first heard of American Heritage Girls when his own daughter joined a local chapter a few years ago. Unlike many other programs, Dunn noticed that the troop did not focus solely on the activities and events typically found in an all-girls organization. Instead, this group was teaching girls archery, camping skills, and, most importantly, how to grow in their faith.

Meanwhile, Pastor Carole Hulslander had been praying for a way to start scouting organizations for children as a ministry of Still Waters Community Church. The Norcross pastor reached out to Dunn to see if he would be interested in chartering a new AHG troop, as well as Continued on page 17

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PAGE 11

Virtual Outreach-Gwinnett County

By Beth Volpert Johansen

In a county the size of Gwinnett varied outreach programs designed to meet the needs of its citizenry begin at birth and continue through to serve the most mature in the community. Even the non-human occupants are considered in the services offered by Gwinnett.

But what happens to those outreach services when a pandemic changes everything in a single day? Like many things, Gwinnett reacted to the unprecedented events surrounding COVID-19 by putting heads together, making a plan, and moving forward, adjusting to changes along the way.

A non-negotiable point in all the planning and executing of changes was that services to the community would not be discontinued. There would be a way to reach the most vulnerable of the population: children, seniors, and their companions. With food insecurities already an identified need in the county, COVID-19 instantly placed more stress on the system.

Even with employees in departments across the county facing personal COVID-19 choices, every department met the challenge to switch gears by adapting service models.

Overwhelmingly, employees came together bringing innovative ideas to the table. The Department of Community Services is one of those intricate departments encompassing a broad swath of duties. The www.GwinnettCounty.com website describes the department as being organized into divisions that provide high-quality recreational, educational, electoral, human services, and other services in partnership with the Gwinnett community.

With considerable responsibility, Community Services set about to triage the many needs and literally “hit the road” to provide meals to the children and seniors who were dependent upon the outreach. “We began by expanding our food delivery through a State of Georgia exemption with the USDA, so we were not restricted by previous site qualification standards,” says Community Services Deputy Department Director Lindsey Jorstad. “To date, we have served over 321,095 breakfast and lunch meals.”

One of the many ways Gwinnett County has managed to shift gears so quickly for the delivery of services has been the reassignment of staff. “Staff from several different departments helped fill the need of bringing services to the community,” explains Jorstad. “Grounds Maintenance, Recreation, the Public Library, and Health and Human services are among those who collaborated to bring meals to 33 sites around the county. This has been an all hands on deck model with adapted staff roles.”

In addition to providing “grab-and-go” style meals, Gwinnett County has relied on the community and other departments by partnering to bring services to the pick-up lines. “We have been able to provide on-site car seat safety checks by partnering with Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services,” says Jorstad. Kids have also received STEAM kits from the Girls Scouts and have kept up with literacy efforts through the Gwinnett County Public Library.

Beyond the basic work of providing nutrition is the human contact part of the wellness equation. One of the most important components of outreach is that of human contact.

Seniors who were dependent upon Gwinnett’s Senior Centers were suddenly homebound – many of them alone. “The staff at our Senior Centers remained in contact with our Seniors to make sure they had healthcare transportation, food, and social engagement,” says Jorstad. “We developed a contactless system to deliver meals on doorsteps, back away, and wave at a distance in order to maintain that social connection.” Mid-July saw more than 79,506 meals served to Senior residents.

To accomplish all the necessary outreach, Gwinnett County made good use of all things digital. “We have changed our operations to include a digital impact,” says Jorstad. “Using these resources is setting a good model for future programming.” The future of Gwinnett’s programming has already begun by calling on resources at TV Gwinnett, Health and Human Services, and the University of Georgia Extension Gwinnett. “We have worked with TV Gwinnett to create short videos geared toward Seniors,” explains Jorstad. “Some of the topics include cooking, exercise, and UGA Extension Services.”

Despite the current outreach and commitment to quality programs, Gwinnett County is researching additional resources to serve an aging population. “Our priority is to make sure our Seniors can age in place – at home,” says Jorstad. “We continue to seek input and guidance from our Seniors all the time. They bring an array of knowledge and stories.” An upcoming innovative service delivery model facility in Dacula will fill a service gap. “Multi-generational programming is exploding because Seniors want to connect with our youth,” Jorstad adds.

“They offer a great deal of wisdom.”

Along with the wisdom of the ages comes additional responsibility for many Seniors in the Gwinnett Community. “There are many grandparents raising grandchildren or supporting working parents,” says Nazanin Weck, Community Services Marketing Coordinator. “Their contributions go beyond caregiving and into transferring knowledge to a new generation.”

Seniors also share histories by planting things from their hometowns or home countries in Gwinnett’s community gardens, as well as providing treasured traditional recipes. “We also thank them for contributing to volunteer hours,” Weck adds.

Continued on page 17

More than 30 Years of Helping People with their Money Roger S. Green, MSFS, CFP®

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Awards are not to be considered a guarantee of future results, nor as an endorsement by any client. Best of Gwinnett winners are chosen via voting and editors’ input, & opinions are vetted with the use of other available information. Pinnacle award rankings are based on growth, revenue, community service, & other criteria. Barron’s: based on total assets (AUM), revenue, & other factors. Office located at 3700 Crestwood Pkwy, Ste 140, Duluth, GA 30096.

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Crane’s Corner: Confirmation Obfuscation?

By Bill Crane Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a member of the 7th District Court of Appeals, is our 163rd nominee to serve as Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court since 1789. She is only the fifth woman to be nominated, and the second female to be nominated by a GOP president. Three female Associate Justices have been nominated by Democrats.

Twenty-nine nominations have taken place during a presidential election year. In nineteen of those cases, the political party controlling the White House was the same as the Senate Majority. In ten of those cases, the opposite was true. When the Senate and White House were from the same party, seventeen justices were confirmed; when they were in opposition, only one of those ten designees was confirmed. Only seventeen nominees to the court have been rejected since 1789.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed by a vote of 50 to 48 in 2018. Justice Clarence Thomas was confirmed by a vote of 52-48 in 1991. Associate Justice Kavanaugh is the newest member, and Justice Thomas currently is the longest serving. Then Senator Joe Biden, a Democrat, presided over the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings for Thomas, who was nominated by President George H.W. Bush. Senator Charles Grassley, a Republican, chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings of Kavanaugh, nominated by President Donald Trump.

Those bookends presenting the court, partisan splits, and close votes are non-remarkable, as there have also been landslide confirmations.

In 1993, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was confirmed by a vote of 96-3, the second woman nominated to serve, and Supreme Court confirmation hearings were again chaired by Senator Joe Biden. Only three Republicans voted against Ginsburg, despite her well-established credentials as an advocate and legal expert on progressive causes and ending all discrimination based upon gender. Ginsburg was confirmed in forty-five days.

Here are some important things to know if you do not have days or hours to devote to these hearings. Amy Coney Barrett is a native of Louisiana and attended Rhodes College in Memphis. She went on from Rhodes to law school at Notre Dame in Indiana on a full scholarship. IF confirmed (at the time this article was written it is unknown), she will be the only Continued on page 18

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Challenges and Differences in College Education Amid the Pandemic

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This year I was supposed to be in my major-specific courses and meeting peers with the same career interest, but in reality, I just sit in my apartment and only chat with my classmates when one of us needs help understanding a homework assignment. The day is lonely even though I have three roommates here doing the same thing.

Classes are different now, too. Some professors just post a video once a week and give us assignments, while some try their hardest to make their virtual sessions as close to in-person class as possible.

I have noticed that my roommates and I spend more time on our online classwork than we

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did when we had regular classes. Without a consistent schedule, we end up falling behind a bit and end up working nonstop during the weekend trying to get back on track. “I don’t feel as motivated because I don’t have to go on campus,” my roommate Alaina said.

I rarely set foot on campus, but when I do there are maybe thirty other people there. Masks are required and our restaurants are mobile ordering only. The student center where we used to eat our fast food has tables blocked off and regular sanitization, but most students prefer to eat in their cars or apartments now.

I do not even have a meal plan to eat at the cafeteria this semester because I do not feel comfortable taking my mask off and eating in an area with a bunch of other people. Because of this, I must plan my meals when I go grocery shopping and come up with some sort of variety since I was used to eating on campus when I lived there last year. “I can only cook one meal a week,” another roommate Katy said. “I’m just too busy to do it more often.”

During our exams with Lockdown Browser, a software that only gives users access to the exam page and requires video and audio recording, we experience some difficulties. If you look away from your screen you get flagged as cheating, but we have a kitten in the apartment who likes to attack us randomly. If the cat is in the room with one of us while we take an exam, we risk getting flagged for cheating or our legs getting bitten.

The bus also stops right outside our apartment every 15 minutes. The brakes on the bus are so loud that I have to time when I can turn my microphone on and answer a question in class.

Overall, this semester is just harder than last year because of the lack of structure and interaction. We cannot stay after to talk to our professors or ask questions during class when a professor just posts videos for class. My roommates and I hope that everyone continues to wear their masks and follow CDC guidelines so we can return to in-person classes in the spring.

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Snellville: Past, Present, and Future

“Make Last Call Your First Call”

By Beth Volpert-Johansen A quick look at the City of Snellville’s website gives the impression of a city on the “grow.”

Community Forums are filled with conversation threads that wind their way through the pros and cons of various projects, a little like the way Wisteria Drive and Oak Roads wind their way through downtown.

A more modern extension of those connecting motorways will be the addition of the Greenway Trail. The project will provide a trail system around the city’s The Grove at Towne Center development. Connecting the City’s past and future, the Greenway Trail will link to the growing Gwinnett County Greenway Network designed to connect people with places within the county and into the metro area.

Continually empowering the vibrancy of the community is the Snellville Farmers’ Market, which will continue offering fresh produce on two Saturdays a month throughout the fall, winter, and spring. “We will have farmers’ markets on the first and third Saturdays of each month, October 2020 through May 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to noon in the City Hall parking lot,” said Market Organizer and Councilwoman Gretchen Schulz. “Our first Saturday markets will feature 15-20 of the vendors you have enjoyed patronizing all summer long. Our third Saturday markets will focus on farm products, which we are doing to support our farmers who can greatly benefit from a second market during the month.”

Fostering a sense of collaboration and innovation, The Grove at Towne Center is designed to benefit everyone from the entrepreneur to the youngest leaders. “This project is a major piece in our goal to create great places to live, play, work, learn, and shop in Snellville,” says Mayor Barbara Bender. “The Grove at Towne Center’s design and its connections to existing parks via greenways and neighborhoods will be a wonderful place where community and commerce meet.” When completed, The Grove will offer luxury multi-family residential units, a parking deck, a unique City Market with special event space included, the new Elizabeth Williams Public Library, and numerous dining and shopping options.

Weaving the past into the present, the newest rendition of the Elizabeth Williams Public Library will offer so much more than just books, just like the lady herself. Marlene Buchanan of the Snellville Historical Society describes Elizabeth Williams as having been an amazing teacher and community member. “Mrs. Williams graduated from the Snellville Consolidated School in 1932,” says Buchanan. “She returned in 1943 as a teacher who was known for a keen sense of humor and her strict classroom discipline.” She was also known to have inspired many children both in school and out. “Each day,” Buchanan continues, “she would read classics to her students and oversaw the drama department where she orchestrated many plays and events for the community. Ms. Elizabeth even ‘called’ the square dances!”

Elizabeth’s legacy of educating the community will live on in the new library. “It is more than just a library,” says Brian Arrington. “The new center will encompass educational space for satellite campuses and a community learning center as well as a library.” In addition, the location will connect the government with local students. “The key to our Snellville Youth Commission (SYC) program is in the link it provides between local government and the schools,” Arrington adds.

Promoting the value that students bring to the city can be found on the City of Snellville’s Continued on page 19

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Blazing New Trails Continued from page 11 a Trail Life USA troop for boys. While Dunn was less familiar with Trail Life USA, he agreed to be the representative for both new troops and began to work with the church and community to invite kids to join.

Dunn was joined by Hugh and Cindie Nguyen, who served as the Trail Life committee chairman and the American Heritage Girls troop coordinator, respectively. Together, they worked to form each troop and reached out to the community to join in the fun.

“I love being part of these troops because it isn’t just a meeting – there are so many activities for the kids to do, and so many new skills for them to learn,” Dunn said.

He also loves that both organizations are faith-based. While AHG and Trail Life USA are not identical in every way, they do share the priority of setting aside time to help each of their members develop their faith. One of Dunn’s roles is to act as the liaison between the troops and the church that hosts them, to ensure everyone is on the same page when it comes to their beliefs.

If you are looking for a fun, faith-based option that will allow your child to grow in multiple areas of their life, your search is over. Contact John Dunn at c3a.scouts@gmail.com to learn how your child can be part of a troop.

And while these programs are for kids, they rely on parents and volunteers to make sure they can provide each child with a safe and fun experience. So, consider making this a family activity, and sign up to help with your child’s troop.

“If you are searching for a troop like ours, we’re waiting for you!” said Dunn. “We welcome anyone who wants to join.”

More information at americanheritagegirls.org or www.traillifeusa.com

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Virtual Outreach-Gwinnett County Continued from page 12 Beyond the human element, but no less important to those who depend on them, are the furry companions. Whether waiting to be adopted into a fur-ever home, or already in place, but also food insecure, pets of all types offer a critical component to the health and well-being of humans of all ages. “These animals that act as companions directly impact the improvement in mental wellness engagement,” says Jorstad. “Case managers noticed people were saving a portion of their meals to feed their pets, especially when transportation was an issue.” Pairing those needing assistance with community partners has allowed the county to help residents feed their furry friends.

Assisting with keeping pets at home has cut down on the number of animals surrendered at the Animal Welfare Shelter. But for those animals waiting for adoption, the process has gone digital. With a limited number of people able to occupy the shelter at any one time, staff had to get creative. Social media has played a big part in showcasing the pets available for adoption, and technology has streamlined the process. “We have had a great response to social media,” says Jorstad. “People are more engaged and educated about the pets before they arrive.”

For Lindsey Jorstad, Nazanin Weck, and all the departmental staff and community partners they work with, COVID-19 has been a challenge – just like it has been for everyone. Their response to the shift in delivery models and the ability to leverage social media and other technologies have allowed them to fast-track a path to the future of each vital program. Whether life returns to a more “normalized” state in the near future is yet to be determined. In the meantime, the Gwinnett Department of Community Services will continue to seek input and respond in a forward-thinking manner for the good of its residents.

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Crane’s Corner Continued from page 13 justice on the current court not to have attended Yale or Harvard law school. By the age of 30, Notre Dame had hired Barrett as a member of their law school faculty. While concurrently serving on the 7th District U.S. Court of Appeals, she remains on the Notre Dame faculty to this day.

Since her nomination, Barrett has commented and joked that she is used to being in a group of nine – her family. She is the mother of seven young children. Barrett said, “While I am a judge, I’m better known back home (in Indiana) as a room parent, carpool driver and birthday party planner.”

Critics of Barrett point to some of her more conservative writings in academic journals, and remarks made in speeches to groups like the Federalist Society. Similar criticisms were initially lobbed at Chief Justice John Roberts, whose earlier writings on the bench and as legal counsel in the Bush White House would not exactly belie some of his later decisions made while on the court, or several decisions which formed the majority opinion, occasionally siding with court progressives.

PAGE 18

In 1992, Ruth Bader Ginsburg gave a lecture, just prior to joining the court. She believed that the broad authority and decision making granted by Roe v. Wade was flawed, and that a narrower and more prescriptive decision would have likely sooner opened up dialogue on this subject in legislatures across the country, many of whom were already moving towards liberalization of abortion access at that time. Ginsburg said, “Roe halted a political process that was heading in a reform direction and thereby, I believe, prolonged divisiveness and deferred stable settlement of the issue.”

It has long been a Democratic Party talking point that given control of the U.S. Senate, White House, and Congress, what we know as Roe v. Wade would be codified into federal law. Back to facts: American voters gave just that to President Barack Obama in 2008, and though the Democratic majority in Congress did pass the Affordable Care Act (by seven votes in the U.S. House and one vote in the U.S. Senate) before losing majority in the 2010 mid-term elections, there was not a single bill introduced or passed by Congress to establish a federal standard for allowing safe and legal abortions. Hmmm...probably just got lost in the mail.

Bill 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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Snellville: Past, Present, and Future Continued from page 15 website, which says, “Businesses want places where productivity and creativity increase and where professional networks foster collaboration and innovation. This is the essence behind the collaborative nature of The Grove at Towne Center and the entrepreneur and small business programs offered by the collaborative partners of the city. In addition, the city partners with South Gwinnett High School, Brookwood High School, Grayson High School, and the community at large to support and encourage business development, and the engaging mission of the second floor of the Elizabeth Williams building that will offer Gwinnett Tech classes and co-working space.”

Describing the SYC as a youth leadership organization that seeks to prepare our young people for a lifetime of public and community service is at the heart of Councilwoman Cristy Lenski’s personal service as the creator of the SYC. “SYC students are selected by an Adult Advisory Board based on a rigorous application and interview process,” says Lenski. “After graduation, students are then invited to serve on the SYC Adult Advisory Board.”

No doubt, Elizabeth Williams would be pleased with the efforts of the SYC. “I think the new library would tickle her to no end,” says Buchanan. “She was the most delightful person I ever met.”

As a present-day teacher at South Gwinnett High School, Lenski witnessed the obvious rivalry between the Snellville area schools. Her own goals aligned closely with those of Elizabeth Williams. “As a City Council Member, I knew it would be incredibly powerful to unite the students in the implementation of a sustainable and civic-oriented student leadership team,” she explains. “Now, we have participants from Brookwood, Grayson, Shiloh, and South Gwinnett High Schools. Our teens have gained insight into the growing multicultural aspects of Snellville and Gwinnett County.”

Councilwoman Lenski and Mayor Barbara Bender are no doubt proud of what the students have accomplished as they have served as the city’s ambassadors, made presentations before mayor and council, interacted with business and civic leaders, planned and hosted community youth summits, and developed and refined their leadership skills. “In short,” says Lenski.

“They have become the face of our city.”

With this outlook, the future looks bright indeed. Weaving the old with the new in a stateof-the-art building located within a carefully planned live-work project will create a space that combines the historical energy of a vibrant town ready to take the next step on a long and winding path towards the future.

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A Look Back on Hispanic Heritage Month

By Kristen Eleveld Did you know that Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year from September 15th to October 15th? If not, you’ll will want to mark it on your calendar for next year – not only for the many fun celebrations that happen right here in Gwinnett County, but also for the opportunity to learn something new about the culture of many friends and neighbors. Many Gwinnett citizens identify as Hispanic, and this rich culture spans dozens of countries, traditions, and celebrations.

People like Nury Castillo Crawford are especially invested in showing local communities exactly what it means to be Hispanic, and some of her thoughts may surprise you or challenge ideas you’ve always held. For instance, Nury, a Peruvian native, points out that many people outside of Hispanic culture tend to lump all Hispanic and Latin countries together. But the truth is that these countries are just as diverse as any other set of countries, with different customs and a vast array of ethnicities.

“As an educator and a mom, I feel it’s important that we all learn a little bit more about each other,” said Nury, who currently serves as Director of the Division of School Improvement and Operations for the Gwinnett County Schools.

Nury has made diversity education a priority in multiple areas in her professional life. Along with introducing more diversity-focused education in the school system, she is also a published author. Each of her books, which are written for children and parents alike, discuss how it feels to be different than others in your class or in your group of friends, and speaks about ways everyone can recognize and celebrate the differences found in each culture.

Along with education through books, Nury also feels it is important for children to be immersed in other cultures to truly experience what they are like. As Nury says, once you begin to learn a new language, you begin to learn about the societies that go with it, and subsequently the art and literature that it produces. This promotes the idea of not only being bilingual, but bicultural and biliteral, the accomplishment of which Nury compares to having a superpower.

We invite you to honor and remember your loved one in our

Continued on page 20

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PAGE 19

BEST BEST BEST BEST

Hispanic Heritage Month Continued from page 19

Dorothy Campanelli Celebrates 100 Years!

By Traci Sanders More than anything, Nury wants people to know that it’s okay not to be an expert on every Hispanic culture in the world – and that it’s also okay to ask questions so you can increase your Thursday, October 8th was an incredibly special day for Dorothy Campanelli, a resident at knowledge about the people in your life. the senior living community, Gwinnett Christian Terrace.

“It’s all about getting to know each other and learning,” Nury said. “These learning opporLilburn City Mayor Tim Dunn, Lilburn City Manager Bill Johnsa, Lilburn City Police tunities help other communities see we are a vast and diverse group.”

Officer Mike Johnson, and Georgia State Representative Jasmine Clark were among those in For the second year in a row, Nury was named as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Latinos attendance and presented Dorothy with a centenarian certificate from the state, as well as a by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and was recently featured on ABC News for declaration from the city of Lilburn. Dorothy’s son Glenn and his wife Camille were present, her work with students, receiving national recognition for her leadership. It’s easy to see why. as well as a few Gwinnett Christian Terrace staff members.

Her dedication to bringing cultural awareness to her students and the community around her is it comes When comes to finding the perfect roof On Dorothy’s official birthday, her it close family and friends gathered in theWhen community room to not only bringing new levels of understanding, but also helping Gwinnett citizens of all backof the senior living community to celebrate.

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The Post-9/11 Generation

By K. Coats

Recently, the country paused to observe 9/11 and reflect on the events of that day.

My own social media was filled with people detailing where they were when everything happened that fateful morning in 2001. For me, I was in college, walking across the student lobby to check my mail when I saw everyone staring at the TV and walking slowly towards it. When I began teaching close to fifteen years ago, the students and I could discuss the events together. After all, they had been about thirteen years old at the time. And through the years I have taught high school seniors, their memories have been fainter and more confused as they were younger when it happened. One group remembered nothing more than upset parents picking them up early from school. But this year’s group was one of the first ones to have absolutely no one even alive yet on 9/11/2001.

So, when I looked around the room on that Friday morning of the 19th anniversary, I looked at a group who shouldered a unique burden. Like many times when I’m at a loss for words with my class, I was quiet for a bit and then spoke the simple truth, “None of you were alive for this event, were you?” There was a small shaking of the heads. They were trying to be respectful and serious, but in their silence, there was a tinge of confusion. I felt bad for them.

You see, the events of that day have followed these students all their lives, but they do not share in the collective grief the other citizens feel. It is like they are at a funeral for a relative they did not really know. They are sad and try to understand the gravity of things, but there is a disconnect. They have no measure of what life was like “pre 9/11.” They have never known what it was like to greet a loved one right off the plane at the actual gate. They have never known an airport without body scanners. They have never known a seventh inning stretch at a Braves game without “God Bless America” sung by Mr. Timothy Miller. Many of what stands out to us as decidedly “different” from that historical moment is their normal. They have grown up in a time where that collective national trauma shapes our choices subconsciously.

I’ve noticed over the last few years a certain romanticization from my students for the 1990s.

They have certainly never lived in that time, so I was confused as to why it was getting wistful murmurs from them. Nineties vintage shirts and grunge fashions crept back into my classroom.

And while I am always glad to see flannel shirts tied about the waist, I had to force myself not to laugh when I heard one girl say “the 90s” in a reverent tone. Short term, I put a stop to the romanticizing of that decade. It had its share of problems, and I wanted my formative years decade to be viewed in all its reality – both good and bad. But for the long term, I tried to see why they had picked that specific decade to yearn for. I suppose, in the end, it is the last decade they have learned about before this horrific event that their parents and loved ones lived through. It is the last stop, in their mind, before their own reality.

On the one hand, I do like talking about “life before” 9/11, but I think there is a risk of disservice to these younger citizens. We cannot allow ourselves to constantly yearn for what was before and lament its loss and stagnate there. For their sake, the shadow of those events must be put into light alongside the hope for a brighter future. For each time we lament about what was, let us also seek to look forward to what might be. In giving our youth something to hold on to for the future, we give ourselves something as well. They have shouldered a burden of an event they have not even experienced. Maybe now we should help them also know the joy of their own time. Celebrate today and seek out that future that will be. They deserve as much, and so do we.

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PAGE 21

Dorothy Celebrates 100 Years! Continued from page 20 Dorothy grew up in a typical Irish family. Her father hailed from Cork, Ireland, and her mother was American. At a young age, Dorothy married a soldier named Patrick and taught elementary school to children at the hospital during WWII as part of the war efforts while her husband was overseas. The couple moved from North Carolina to Lilburn many years ago and were blessed with two sons, Glenn and Roger. Dorothy now has three grandchildren and three great grandchildren, some of whom never met Patrick as he passed away in 1983.

Dorothy went on to contribute to the community of Lilburn in many ways. One was serving as a founding member of the Lilburn Women’s Club, where she assisted with the beautification of highways by helping prevent an overload of billboards.

In excellent health, especially for her age, Dorothy does not wear glasses and takes no medication. Each morning she rises and pours herself a pot of coffee that she enjoys with a bowl of Post® Grape-Nuts and a banana. Though she likes corned beef and cabbage, her favorite food is Italian. In her younger years, Dorothy enjoyed playing Bridge, hosting dinner parties, and traveling.

These days Dorothy spends a great deal of time in her apartment at Gwinnett Christian

Terrace, where she has resided for more than ten years. She enjoys socializing with her neighbors each evening, where they gather in the sitting area to catch up on one another’s lives and to enjoy the fellowship.

Even though she’s not as mobile as she once was, and doesn’t get out as much due to her age and COVID-19, Dorothy is faithful in attendance at the St. Patrick’s Day event held at the senior living community each year, staying true to her Irish roots.

Dorothy Campanelli is definitely a woman to be celebrated for 100 years of a life well lived!

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