SEPTEMBER 2023: (BLUE) Our Town Gwinnett Monthly Magazine

SEPTEMBER 2023 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker

Up Close with Cumberland Counseling Centers, see story on page 5.

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September 2023 Our Town Gwinnett

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On the Cover:

Getting to Know Cumberland Counseling

By Kristen Eleveld It’s no secret that many communities are filled with people seeking help and advice to address mental health struggles in their lives. But finding affordable, accessible care can be a struggle of its own, and while many churches and other organizations stand ready and willing to help, it can still be difficult to find the specialized resources people so desperately need. Now, thanks to Cumberland Counseling Centers, many of those in Gwinnett and its surrounding cities are able to receive care from experts whose passion is to love the community around them.

Founded by Alexandra Thompson, LCSW, Cumberland Counseling Centers was created to fill a need that Alexandra saw in her church and in her community. She volunteered to counsel people seeking mental health services at her church. While the staff at Cumberland Community Church was working to provide as many people as possible with counseling, they were in need of some additional expertise to address specialized issues, which Alexandra was more than willing to provide. As Alexandra began counseling more and more people, she decided to make her services official and created Cumberland Counseling Centers.

“We feel that this is something every church should be doing!” said Alexandra, speaking about how so many people in the community already turn to houses of worship for help and advice. “We want to love our community and partner with faith-based organizations and churches to become a place where someone can go for therapy.”

Headquartered in Smyrna, Cumberland Counseling Centers has additional offices in Lawrenceville and Buckhead and partners with a church in Marietta to offer counseling services there. Alexandra and her team work hard to be intentional about creating an environment that allows their clients to feel safe and heard. The staff at Cumberland Counseling, which now has eight therapists plus an intake coordinator, recognizes

September 2023 Our Town Gwinnett

the diversity of the people they counsel and have worked to reflect that diversity in their own staff.

“We want to provide intimate relationships and safety with each of our clients,” said Alexandra. “Many of our team members have experienced struggles unique to different situations and have a heart to reach those groups who may not otherwise find the counseling they need.”

In addition to creating a safe space for anyone to receive mental health services, Alexandra and her team have also made it a priority to provide services at a cost that is truly affordable for a wide range of the surrounding community. They offer income-based scholarships on a sliding scale, Continued on page 17

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Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

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5 On the Cover: Getting to Know Cumberland Counseling 8 Trickum Middle School Holds Spring Car Show to Benefit Relay for Life “Cars for a Cause” 8 NO…A Word for Your Day 9 One Man’s Opinion: And Green Means Go! 10 Make Your Child’s Birthday the Best Ever

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11 Visiting Atlanta Botanical Gardens

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12 Up Close with Gwinnett Housing Corporation 12 Seen in Gwinnett: Emil’s Photo of the Month 13 Meet Dream Chasers 21: Making a Difference in Lives 15 Catching Up with Lilburn Day Camp 18 Malerie’s Hope: Helping Fight Childhood Cancer 19 Home Matters: Simple Ways to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

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From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks

By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers

@RyanTSauers

@RyanTSauers

Hello, everyone. Happy September. The fall season is almost here, and I always look forward to the fall weather with its cooler temperatures. I love all sports.

Football is back, and baseball will be fun to watch down the stretch.

I have worked with many individuals and organizations on the best way to build their brands. So, this month I decided to focus on how you (an individual or organization) can best communicate your brand and story.

Everyone has a brand. Yes—everyone. Thus, the question is NOT if you have a brand, but what do you do with your brand? Your brand is not defined by what you say it is, but is indeed characterized by what others say it is. To that end, successful individuals/organizations work hard to develop their brands through effective communication. Perception is a reality when it comes to your brand.

It is critical to remember that building a strong, recognizable, and consistent brand takes time, effort, and commitment. And it requires a deliberate, purposeful, and intentional strategy. We live in a constantly connected world, making it vital to keep your name and story in front of people through all mediums. Our company helps people in organizations do this every day, so please connect if you want to know more.

To help simplify this subject, I have developed a BRAND acronym.

A BRAND can be considered the Baseline (measurement) of one’s Reputation, Attributes, Name, and Distinctiveness. Reputation is all you Continued on page 9

September 2023 Our Town Gwinnett

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NO…A Word for Your Day

By Jane Bishop

Trickum Middle School Holds Spring Car Show to Benefit Relay for Life “Cars for a Cause”

By Tana Poncsak

Anyone who has been in Gwinnett County and has been a part of the Gwinnett County School District knows that the school system has supported Relay for Life for some time now, and that support continues in various ways. As for Trickum Middle School, their support took the form of a car show in April 2023.

Cars for a Cause took place on April 29th to benefit Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. The school’s core team members who coordinated the event included Sherri Brown, Regan Gritz, Shannon Terhune, and Yvonne Johnson.

According to Brown, a special education math teacher at the school, there were about 70 to 80 cars that registered to show in the event with an estimated 300 to 400 people who attended. For this event alone, the middle school raised about $4,300, with the school being listed as one of the top teams on the Gwinnett Relay for Life website.

Trickum Middle School enlisted the help of a seasoned car show planner and classic car specialist, Kelly Willoughby, of American Street Machines to help with the planning and execution of the show. Willoughby says the funds were raised through local businesses that sponsored the event, the small registration/entry fee for the cars in the show, raffles held, and food sold. Promotion was through ads and through social media, but Willoughby also pointed out that the location on Killian Hill Road with its great visibility didn’t hurt.

“Spectators were free, so we encouraged families and everyone to come out,” Willoughby says. “We had a good turnout.”

Continued on page 11

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What about this word “No”? It is a simple word, only two letters. Yet, saying “no” aloud is harder for some than saying, “I’ll be glad to.” Most of us said no quite well in the terrible twos phase. The adults in our lives at the time expected us to say no.

As we grow older, the word no begins to drop out of our vocabulary as we use phrases to be agreeable, to keep the other person happy, to not offend, and certainly to not say no to an authority figure. We say yes when we are thinking no. Underneath it all, we believe that saying no can cost us in our adult lives, and it impacts our self-leadership.

In that context, ponder these questions.

1. When you think about saying no, what are you aware of internally?

2. When you think about occasions that you have said no, what visual emerges?

3. When you consider saying no, what is the story you commonly tell yourself?

There is power in saying no. You are empowered to be yourself when you say no as Dr. Henry Cloud has written in the book, Boundaries.

Think about no as a tool that helps create boundaries and helps define what is me and what is not me.

Before you can create healthy boundaries with other people, you must create boundaries with yourself. When you are clear about where you end and someone else begins, it allows you to oversee your life more effectively.

Here are three actions to begin practicing immediately and experience the power of no: • choose your non-negotiables and guard them daily • develop key phrases that communicate no and practice, for example, “I am unavailable at that time” • grant yourself permission to say no Are you content with life managing you and just surviving, or would Continued on page 22

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One Man’s Opinion: And Green Means Go!

By Bill Crane

Though I do not believe that we should or will see a complete fleet conversion from fossil fuels to electric vehicles, they certainly should be a growing part of the mix. And if the U.S. is going to be a leader in this space, we do have to assemble and build those EVs somewhere. As that industry is exploding globally, Georgia is staking a smart claim to be its U.S. home.

And like it or loathe it, we are well on our way. Hyundai/ Kia is building a $5.5 billion EV plant near Savannah in Ellabell in Bryan County. Rivian will build its second assembly plant, nearly twice as large as its first, in Stanton Springs, an industrial park straddling the borders of Newton, Morgan, Walton, and Jasper counties off I-20, less than an hour east of Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Transportation has site prep underway for a new interstate exchange for the Rivian Plant, which will spread across nearly 2,000 acres on the other side of I-20 from Stanton Springs’s existing 1,800 acres.

And last week, Morgan County Superior Court Judge Brenda Trammell quietly signed a bond validation order following the Georgia Supreme Court’s refusal to hear an appeal challenging the Rivian project’s bond agreement by residents of the community of Rutledge in Morgan County. Previously, the Georgia Court of Appeals had ruled in favor of the usufruct and bond issuance.

That $5-billion bond issuance was the key to the tax incentive package offered to recruit Rivian to select Georgia. In addition to gifting the site, this means Rivian will not pay property taxes (on their land and buildings), but will make Payments in Lieu of Taxes as well as pay taxes on personal property (plant machinery and equipment), to the four counties in the Joint Development Authority.

Grading and site development on the Stanton Springs North Megasite started in 2022. Vehicle assembly is planned to begin in 2026. Rivian’s technology development center will also be housed on the campus, in effect, Rivian’s R&D for future innovation and products. The company has also voluntarily invested millions in charging stations and infrastructure in Georgia state parks and additional public spaces across the state, as well as announcing a showroom location at Ponce City Market in Atlanta slated to open this fall.

Rivian’s first plant is in Normal/Bloomington, Illinois, a college and insurance town (home of State Farm®), in a refurbished but abandoned Mitsubishi Assembly Plant. The company has nearly doubled the plant’s prior employment and footprint in only a few years. The plant sits among hundreds of acres of Illinois sweet corn, as well as quite a few sheep and heads of cattle, with an employee garden at the rear of their complex next to the Rivian Customer Experience Center. On my visit there last year, a Rivian plant worker cooked us supper using produce from that garden on a camp cook stovetop that came right out of the side of an R-1T model Rivian pickup.

Those unique pill-shaped Rivian headlamps will soon be a much more common sight on Georgia roadways. Rivian customers order their preferred make and model online and then go to pick them up at a customer experience center. Rivian owns and operates all of its experience centers versus the more traditional dealership network model.

Opponents of the project, as well as the economic development incentives, argue against the incentives and the lack of local input in those proceedings. Though I am no fan of usufructs, a similar deal near LaGrange, Georgia, for locating the continually expanding Kia Plant and related suppliers there, revitalized that area and dozens of counties in southwest Georgia, beginning in 2005.

Back in 1979, Greene County, also near the Rivian site, was among the September 2023 Our Town Gwinnett

poorest in Georgia. Georgia Power completed construction of the Wallace Dam on the Oconee River, creating Lake Oconee and its 374 miles of shoreline across Greene, Putnam, and Morgan Counties and beginning a real estate boon and wealthy retiree relocation boom still rippling across that region today.

This significant judicial sign-off is an official green light to move this project forward and past the starting line, along with the battery plants, related suppliers, and jobs that will follow. Those engines have been idling and revving for quite some time, and having had the opportunity to test drive and experience a Rivian R-1T, I can attest that they can make up a good bit of mileage in the most challenging of conditions quickly.

Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane.

More information at www.CSICrane.com

Ryan’s Remarks Continued from page 7 or your organization stands for. Attributes are the characteristics others use when describing you. Your Name suggests something (good, bad, or indifferent) when one hears it. Your Distinctiveness answers the question, “What makes you unique?” Or, “So What, Why You, Who cares?”

You see, price is price. Value is about your brand. Thus, value is = goods/services + price + YOU (your brand). Nobody else can be you.

Only you can be you. If people are only looking for the lowest price--well, wish them good luck and let them look.

Once you know your brand, you can determine how you want to purposefully grow, change, re-frame, promote, and/or strengthen your current brand position. So, how do you define your brand? Does it matter? You bet!

Finally, it is key to remember that we all have a brand, and there is no better time than now to address it. I wish everyone a terrific September.

Thank you, as always, for your support and for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN.

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Make Your Child’s Birthday the Best Ever

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Your child’s birthday is a special occasion that deserves to be celebrated with joy and creativity. As parents, we strive to create magical memories that will be cherished for years to come. If you’re looking for fresh ideas to make your child’s birthday unforgettable, look no further.

Here are five creative tips to help you plan a birthday celebration that will have your child beaming with excitement.

1. Choose a Unique Theme: Setting a theme adds extra fun to any birthday party.

Get your child involved in the decision-making process by allowing him or her to pick a favorite theme: a princess tea party, a superhero extravaganza, or an outer space adventure. Let your imagination soar and incorporate the theme into invitations, decorations, games, and even the cake!

2. DIY Decorations and Crafts: Add a personal touch to the celebration by involving your child in DIY decorations and crafts. Create colorful banners, paper streamers, or a photo booth backdrop. Encourage creativity by making handmade party favors or designing a special birthday crown. These homemade touches will make the event feel extra special and showcase your child’s artistic talents.

3. Make It an Interactive Experience: Engage the young guests with interactive activities that will keep them entertained and involved. Consider hiring a face painter or a balloon artist to bring an extra touch of magic.

Set up activity stations where children can decorate cupcakes, make their own crafts, or participate in a themed treasure hunt. The more interactive the experience, the more memorable it will be for everyone involved.

4. Plan Unique Games and Challenges: Take traditional party games to the next level by adding a unique twist. Organize a scavenger hunt with clues about your child’s interests, or arrange a mini Olympics with fun challenges and prizes. You could also set up a game station where chilContinued on page 17

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Visiting Atlanta Botanical Gardens

By Victoria R. Crosby

As you enter the Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG), not only do you see beautiful flowers, shrubs, and trees, but different sculptures and works of art that intrigue and delight, with a view of the Atlanta skyline as the backdrop. The exhibits change seasonally, so there is always something new and fun to see as you stroll through the gardens.

The latest exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens is called Trolls: Save the Humans. The Trolls look a bit scary at first, but these vast sculptures are made from recycled materials and will be in the gardens until September 17, 2023. Inspired by folklore and created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, they can be viewed and enjoyed by people of all ages. Dambo gave a recent lecture at the ABG, titled “Trash Trolls and Treasure Hunts,” and signed copies of his book with the same title. The book talks about his adventures and includes photos and poems about his journey in his home city of Copenhagen on his cargo bike, dumpster diving for items to use in his first small installation, and how he eventually gained international recognition as the leading recycling artist in the world.

Each of the six humungous trolls has a name and a different personality, which is recognizable by their facial expressions. The Trolls will travel

“Cars for a Cause” Continued from page 8 Both Brown and Willoughby say the biggest challenge was the Georgia weather in the month of April, since one never knows what the weather is going to do. Fortunately, they ended up with a beautiful day for a car show.

While there is much hard work and participation on the part of the teachers and administrators of the school, there’s also a lot of student involvement. The Trickum Middle School Junior Leadership Corps presented the flags, and there was other student participation as well.

Willoughby added that the event is a great way to include, not just the school, but the entire community—from the school leadership to the students, to the local business owners who sponsor the event, and the community residents who come out and give their support. It’s also a fun way to bring awareness to the American Cancer Society, and more specifically, all that the organization does to help cancer patients and their families.

The school is looking to hold the 2024 car show the last weekend in April. Volunteers include staff members, members of the PTA, and others.

For more information please email sherri.brown@gcpsk12.org or Regan Gritz at regan.gritz@gcpsk12.org.

Continued on page 16

September 2023 Our Town Gwinnett

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Up Close with Gwinnett Housing Corporation

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Gwinnett Housing Corporation (GHC) is pleased to announce the opening of Gwinnett County’s first Homeowner Resource Center. To aid in its development, GHC partnered with Norcross’s Downtown Development Authority to facilitate the building acquisition at 128 Lawrenceville Street. The nonprofit also partnered with HomeAid Atlanta and Lennar to renovate the building.

“I am truly grateful for our partnership with HomeAid Atlanta,” said Vice President of Operations Tom Bowers for Lennar Atlanta. “It provided us the opportunity to connect with Gwinnett Housing Corporation and the Norcross DDA to work on this unique project. It’s nothing short of remarkable to know that this completed facility will allow Gwinnett residents to obtain the coveted dream of home ownership.”

GHC hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the site on June 5th. Local leaders in attendance included Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson; Gwinnett County Commissioner Kirkland Carden; City of Lawrenceville Mayor David Still and Council Members Marlene Crawford Taylor, Victoria Jones, and Austin Thompson; City of Norcross Council Members Matt Myers and Josh Bare; and City of Norcross Downtown Development Authority Members Lauren Summers, Will Shipley, and Jim Eyre. Martha Revello of Senator Raphael Warnock’s

office and Kyra Reed of Congresswoman Lucy McBath’s office were also present.

Boasting a terrific turnout of supporters from all across the county, the event opened with an address from GHC Chief Executive Officer Lejla Prljaca about the growing housing crisis and lack of affordable homes in Gwinnett. During her speech, Prljaca revealed the steps GHC is taking to address the need and highlighted partners that will collaboratively work to ensure that more low-to-moderate-income residents in Gwinnett have the opportunity to become homeowners. The Center and its partners will also provide resources to low-to-moderate-income homeowners in Gwinnett that support the preservation of ownership of their current homes.

“The Norcross City Council and Staff, Downtown Development Authority, and I are all honored that our city is the birthplace of this first-of-its-kind offering for families in need in Gwinnett,” said Mayor Craig Newton. “As a Place to Imagine, Norcross offers the ideal setting for aspiring homebuyers not only to imagine but realize their dreams of homeownership.”

Through the Gwinnett Homeowner Resource Center, the Gwinnett Housing Corporation will provide programming in cooperation with other partner organizations, which include Habitat Gwinnett, Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc., Money Management International, Catholic Charities, Community Sustainability Enterprise, the Gwinnett County Housing Department, and Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America. Programs will include housing counseling, referrals for down payment assistance, access to non-profit developers, lenders, owner-occupied rehabilitation, and home modification activities.

“We are very excited to offer this important resource to support Continued on page 21

Seen in Gwinnett Emil’s Photo of the Month

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Meet Dream Chasers 21: Making a Difference in Lives

By Tana Poncsak

An old proverb states, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” This proverb seems to ring true for Lorri Brown, founder of Dream Chasers 21, located in Buford, Georgia.

Lorri grew up in Meridian, Mississippi, and was the daughter of some very giving parents. She recalls it was commonplace for people to knock on their door at any given hour. As a curious child and the youngest of nine, Lorri asked her mother why they had so many visitors at all hours of the day and night. Her father, self-employed and well-to-do, was also generous, and Lorri’s mother explained to her that the visitors were people in need. But Lorri still couldn’t understand “Why our door?”

Years later, she not only figured out why, but she finds herself doing the same thing – helping others. For Lorri, it started with helping the homeless; but over time it has grown to include anyone who has a need, including the many families in the area.

“After three years of helping the homeless, we started encountering people who said their children were hungry,” Lorri said, adding that a child cannot concentrate and excel in school if hungry. So they started helping families, too. She also said she wants to do more to help seniors living on a fixed income.

Several businesses have partnered with the nonprofit Dream Chasers 21, started by Lorri and her husband, Randy, as they work to help others.

But the organization recently lost the building where they offered a food pantry.

Currently, they help others individually and on a larger scale through Grace Point Community Church, but they are looking for a building or space to provide a more permanent food pantry for those in need. They are also looking for trucks that will allow them to be more mobile and get to more people in need of their services.

According to Lorri, the nonprofit served 8,399 people in the last year.

“With the economy the way it is – gas prices are high, groceries are high, and people cannot afford the higher rent,” Lorri said. “Because the rent

September 2023 Our Town Gwinnett

amounts have increased, people are struggling, and I just feel that as a community it’s up to us to help. I’m going to do my part even if I have to do it alone. People are in serious need.”

Lorri gets weary at times, but then a child comes up and hugs her after getting a fruit cup, and she keeps on going knowing her motivation and determination comes from a higher power. “I tell everybody this is not me,” she says. “This is God.” And her generosity has been recognized by her neighbors. Last year Lorri was nominated for the| Nextdoor 100 for her actions in helping an injured homeless man.

In the YouTube video, featuring Lorri and her nomination for the award, she said it makes her feel awesome to be nominated.

Continued on page 22

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Catching Up with Lilburn Day Camp

By Tana Poncsak

For many, summertime is synonymous with summer camp. And if you grew up or live around Lilburn, that might include Lilburn Day Camp, also known as Lilburn Girl Scout Day Camp. The camp has been around for more than forty years and is still going strong.

Deanna Simmons happens to be a Lilburn Day Camp expert, having been a part of the camp since its inception. She has served in a number of roles including camp director and camp nurse.

A nurse for more than fifty years, Deanna spent most of her career as a pediatric nurse because of her love for children. She retired about ten years ago, but she still enjoys taking care of the campers.

Deanna recalls getting the camp started. There was a core of five women who approached the city of Lilburn about starting the day camp back in 1982. She remembers how helpful and instrumental former Mayor Diana Preston, who has since passed away, was in making their dream become a reality. During the past four decades, Deanna, Catsy Clinger, Lyn Risher, Martha Whitman, Kathy Lewis, and Kary Alecia, serving as camp directors, have all done their part in making the camp a success.

Since those early times, Deanna has seen many changes. “Early on we had walk-in registration because we didn’t have computers back then,” she says. Now registration is online.

Deanna spent the first five years of the camp as the camp nurse, and then fifteen years as the camp director. For the last seven years, she’s back as the camp nurse caring for campers. And now her daughter, Kathryn White, and her daughter-in-law, Kimberly Simmons, have joined the camp as part of the staff as well.

During camp week, campers are divided into age groups starting with rising first graders through seventh graders. They must also be registered Girl Scouts. There are also special accommodations for the children of volunteers. Deanna says the first year of camp they had an estimated seventy-five campers, and from there the numbers grew until the pandemic, when they moved to an online version of the camp due to COVID restrictions. Now they are back to an in-person camp, and Deanna says they’re back up to around 200 campers.

Camp activities include an opening ceremony where a different Color Guard Unit presents the colors each morning, and they have singing,

September 2023 Our Town Gwinnett

announcements, and more. Then campers break out for their journeys that include activities such as cooking, crafts, and scout skills. New activities are added from year to year. Deanna started the activity called “Creek Walk” in the mid-1990s, and this past year, “Beyond the Creek” was added to give campers a chance to see and interact with some unique animals. In addition, the camp gives the many scouts in attendance a chance to do some work toward earning their coveted badges. It’s through these activities that campers can gain valuable life skills as well as self-confidence and leadership skills.

The camp’s most significant challenges include weather. Being outdoors in the summertime in Georgia can sometimes mean some stormy weather. And then there’s the need for volunteers. The number of volunteers needed is based on the number of registered campers for any given year. Deanna says there’s a mentoring program for new volunteers to help Continued on page 16

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Atlanta Botanical Gardens Continued from page 11

Lilburn Day Camp Continued from page 15 them get acclimated to the schedule and day-to-day activities, and they can be flexible when it comes to the amount of time a volunteer can give.

“We have great volunteers,” Deanna says. “Some of them were campers when I was the director, and now they’re back working and volunteering, and that’s just really cool.”

Deanna says they would love to see more younger kids signing up to attend the camp. Currently, their biggest source of promotion is word of mouth. The camp is always held the first full week in June, and they are already busy planning for next year. Next year’s camp theme is “Beyond the Stars.”

Deanna has seen the camp change and evolve, but one thing she says has remained constant – the fringe benefits.

“The most rewarding thing about being a part of the camp all these years are the fringe benefits of all the hugs and smiles from the campers,” Deanna says.

More information at https://lilburndaycamp.org/

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to other botanical gardens nationwide, but this is their debut appearance.

Like most of our gardens this year, the ABG suffered from a deep freeze at the end of last December. Some plants didn’t make it, and some are very slowly recovering. However, this won’t affect a visitor’s enjoyment of the flourishing plentiful plants that survived.

A Japanese garden within the gardens is a place for quiet reflection and meditation, and there is a beautiful display of lights and music during the Christmas holidays. Orchids are on display inside the Fuqua Orchid Center, with annual special exhibits. The Longleaf Restaurant in ABG offers full-service dining and has excellent reviews.

Membership in ABG has many perks and special events, including discounts at the gift shop, cocktails in the garden, musical events, previews of exhibits, and classes for adults and children. It’s a lovely place for taking photos of weddings and other special events.

Part of the permanent collection, and one of my favorite features in the garden, is a very large sculpture called Earth Goddess. Her head is covered with different flowers and plants, changing with the seasons. There are also two large glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly in different parts of the gardens.

The Atlanta Botanical Gardens first opened in 1976, and there are two locations, 1345 Piedmont Avenue, NE, in Atlanta, and 911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville, GA., which opened in 2015.

The Gainesville location is smaller, but is a little gem! The most recent exhibit, La Calavera Catrina, was there until August 27th. The exhibit featured nine large fiberglass sculptures of Mexican artists, including Frida Kahlo. Ricardo Soltero, an artist from Los Angeles, created these colorful sculptures. They represent Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, but it is a celebration of life, not death.

These celebrations are part of Mexican and Latin American culture and include a celebration of the Monarch butterflies, which migrate to Mexico from Canada and the US every winter.

There is also a wonderful children’s garden and playground, including Fairytale Fridays at 11 a.m., where young children can come dressed as their favorite fairytale characters and participate in a fairytale parade.

More information at www.atlantabg.org

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Cumberland Counseling Continued from page 5 allowing people from a wide range of financial backgrounds to get the care they need.

“We will financially support those in need whether they are with us in counseling for six months or two and a half years,” said Alexandra. “We don’t want finances to be the reason a person ends their therapy journey.”

Cumberland Counseling Centers is excited to be taking on new patients and offering as much help as they can to tackle financial obstacles. In 2022, the center gave away $45,000 in scholarships. Alexandra estimates that number will be doubled for 2023.

One way Cumberland Counseling Centers is able to provide these scholarships is through partnerships and donations. For instance, on October 7th, they will host their annual Fun Run and Fall Festival, which is open to anyone who wants to attend. Those who are able to make it out will enjoy a day of food trucks, popcorn, cotton candy, and, of course, the one mile fun run (or walk, if you prefer). The proceeds of this event will go to the scholarship fund, and businesses and individuals alike are encouraged to participate. Cumberland Counseling has even committed to helping market those businesses who are able to sponsor part of the event as a way to thank them for their help and participation. Check out cumberlandcounselingcenters.org/fundraiser to learn how you can sign up for this fantastically fun fall event!

Partnership with churches and non-profit organizations within the community is not just limited to special events. Alexandra and her team are always open to creating new partnership with local churches or other faith-based organizations who are passionate about being a leader in community healthcare.

And for those churches or other organizations that are interested in having mental health services for their attendees, they only have to reach out and ask. Cumberland Counseling Centers has created a system that allows churches to use their existing model to build on what the church already has. Alexandra’s vision is to link arms with these churches and help them develop mental health service offerings that complement each

September 2023 Our Town Gwinnett

individual church or organization.

“We want to supplement what churches are already doing—we don’t want to take over,” said Alexandra. “We just want to help them serve their community and handle the details so they can focus on loving those around them.”

If you need mental health services or want to find a way to bring those services to more people, Cumberland Counseling Centers is ready and waiting. Check out their website for more information on how you can get involved in helping Gwinnett become a leader in mental health resources.

More information at https://cumberlandcenters.org/ or (404) 884-8247

Child’s Birthday Continued from page 10 dren can try their hand at carnival-style games or host a friendly talent show where everyone can showcase their unique skills. The key is to keep the activities engaging and inclusive for all ages.

5. Capture the Memories: Don’t forget to document the special moments throughout the celebration. Hire a professional photographer or set up a DIY photo booth with props and costumes for guests to enjoy. Create a memory jar where everyone can write a favorite memory or wish for the birthday child. You can also create a personalized photo album or scrapbook as a keepsake filled with pictures and heartfelt messages from the guests.

With these five creative tips, you’re well on your way to planning a birthday celebration that your child will remember for years to come.

Remember, the most critical element is the love and care you put into making this day extraordinary. Tailor the celebration to your child’s unique interests, engage the imagination, and focus on creating a joyful and inclusive experience for all. Embrace the joy and wonder of childhood, and enjoy every moment of celebrating your child’s special day!

And from all of us here at OUR TOWN... happy birthday to your little one! May the day be filled with laughter, love, and beautiful memories.

PAGE 17

Malerie’s Hope: Helping Fight Childhood Cancer

By Tana Poncsak

Malerie Moulder was eight months old when her parents, Mike and Marla Moulder, were told she had a brain tumor. They were given the statistics, but Malerie’s mother, Marla, said at that point, they knew they had a God that is much bigger than statistics.

After many surgeries and grueling hours of intense therapies, including occupational, speech, and physical therapies, Malerie defied the odds. But the road to Malerie’s recovery wasn’t easy. “She was very, very sick for a long time,” Marla said, “and we decided that I can’t just wasn’t an option.”

The tumor was attached to Malerie’s brain stem, which according to WebMD, is the lower portion of the brain responsible for controlling a large number of the body’s automatic functions essential to life. Malerie’s treatment included a delicate surgery where surgeons removed about 80 percent of the tumor. Since then, Malerie has had regular MRIs, and Marla said that within a year post-surgery, there was no evidence of any remaining tumor. The good news – today Malerie is tumor free and thriving.

While the surgery was a success, Malerie experienced many complications, including total paralysis on the left side of her entire body, vocal cord paralysis causing the need for Malerie to be tube fed for two years following the surgery, and the development of hydrocephalus that caused fluid and pressure on the brain, which meant the need for more surgeries to place a shunt to relieve the fluid and pressure.

Marla estimates that between shunt revisions and other surgeries, Malerie had an estimated 35 to 38 surgeries in the first thirteen years of her young life. Her last shunt revision was in January 2011.

As one might imagine, finding the proper support early on was important. The Moulders had the support and help from family and close friends, especially Malerie’s grandparents. But they also found support in several organizations as well.

“One of the biggest things for us was getting involved in organizations early on,” Marla said, adding that it’s critical to get plugged into organizations for help. She pointed out that such groups as FOCUS and CURE Childhood Cancer, along with those that provide respite care, are vital to families in similar situations Even now Malerie is still prone to neurological apnea, so she requires oxygen, a pulse oximeter, and constant monitoring while she sleeps. That means she’s never been to a sleepover outside of family and a very few select family friends in her life. She can’t drive a car and relies on her parents, her brother, Michael, and friends for rides. And as a result of all that Malerie has endured, she will always have global developmental delays and disabilities.

But Malerie continues to amaze her family and others with the same determination and tenacity she demonstrated as an infant to beat the odds to become the young woman she is today.

“She beat the statistics,” Marla said. “She has gone on to defy the odds and has done many things that the professionals in her life said she would never do.”

Continued on page 21

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Home Matters: Simple Ways to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

With the fall months finally here, now is the perfect time to spruce up your home – both indoors and out. It’s a well-known fact that homes with strong curb appeal not only tend to sell faster, but also have higher perceived home values – as much as 7%-14% more. While there are many large-scale renovations that can add curb appeal to your home, there are just as many simple refreshes you can make without spending a lot of time or money.

Here are five easy ways to boost your home’s curb appeal, and its value, in as little as a few hours: 1. Clean or repaint your front door: Since your front door is exposed to the elements, simply washing away some of the built-up dirt and grime can breathe new life into this focal point of your home. For an affordable, more eye-catching upgrade, consider painting your front door a bold, vibrant hue that coordinates with the rest of your home’s color palette to help draw buyers in. You can also add visual interest with a simple seasonal wreath.

2. Ensure your doors, windows, and siding are sealed: With warmer months there often comes rainy and wet weather, so ensure your doors, windows, siding, and other exterior surfaces won’t fall prey to water leakage during the next storm. Perfect for exterior touch-ups of any size, DAP’s AMP All Weather Window, Siding, and Door Sealant

delivers a 100% weatherproof and waterproof seal for windows, doors, siding, trim, gutter, flashing, and concrete. It outperforms silicone in key performance attributes such as wet surface application, paintability, and crystal-clear clarity, while also offering exceptional weatherability, durability, and mold and mildew resistance, providing maximum performance for every project. It also has a 30-minute paint and rain/water ready time, making even the smallest touch-ups a breeze while giving you added peace of mind. Additionally, the sealant line includes a kitchen and bath-specific formulation perfect for all your interior touch-up needs as well.

3. Update outdoor hardware and lighting: House numbers, the entry door handle, and porch light fixtures are all elements that add style and interest to your home’s curb appeal, whether you realize it or not. Replace old house numbers with a customized or DIY number display, or simply choose larger, more modern numbers for a few dollars each. Also consider updating your porch light fixtures for added appeal and safety. Be sure to consider your home’s style and the fixture’s configuration to ensure it illuminates your walkway or porch adequately, and for added time and money savings, choose fixtures that use the same mounting system as your current ones. Complete your entryway upgrade by choosing a new entry door handle or lockset that complements your house numbers and light fixtures for the most cohesive look. For all three, bronze finishes often look best with traditional homes, while brushed nickel suits more modern ones.

4. Repair any unsightly cracked concrete: Driveway, sidewalk, patio, and other outdoor concrete cracks are both common and inevitable given they are in high-traffic areas and are susceptible to the annual freeze/thaw cycle. Without proper attention and repairs, these cracks are not only unsightly, but can lead to more serious issues or worse, pose safety concerns. Thankfully, fixing them doesn’t have to be a costly headache with the help of Textured Concrete. This premium latex sealant simulates concrete with the durability needed to properly move and flex with heavy-trafficked concrete surfaces while Continued on page 20

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September 2023 Our Town Gwinnett

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PAGE 19

Home Matters Continued from page 19 providing a long-lasting, crack-resistant seal. Perfect for use on concrete, mortar, brick, metal, stone, stucco, grout, and textured walls, it’s easy to use and apply, won’t stain or bleed, and can be cleaned up with just water if needed. While most latex sealants require a 24-hour dry time before painting, this one is ready to paint in just two hours so you can perfectly match any substrate and move onto your next project in record time.

5. Add color with flowers or plants: From adding flowers around your mailbox or planters on your porch, to installing window boxes for an added pop of color, this is an easy and affordable afternoon project that instantly makes your home look more welcoming, approachable, and modern while adding to its perceived value. Be sure to choose varieties that will get enough sunlight based on where they’re planted, and mix and match colors based on your home’s color scheme for the best results. (BPT)

PAGE 20

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Malerie’s Hope Continued from page 18 Despite the circumstances, Marla said she realized how fortunate her family has been as she saw other families face similar circumstances. It’s because of this that she said she wanted to use Malerie’s story to make an impact, not only when it comes to childhood cancer, but for those with global delays and disabilities as well.

In 2017, Malerie’s Hope was formed, a nonprofit located in Buford, with a threefold mission: to find the cause and cure for childhood cancer, to help families who have a child diagnosed with childhood cancer, and to make an impact in the life of a person who has made a difference and had an impact in the life of a person with special needs.

Each year Malerie’s Hope holds an annual fundraiser event – either a silent auction or a golf tournament. This year a golf tournament is planned for September 25th at Legacy Golf Course at Lake Lanier. The event will be held in September to coincide with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The goal for this year’s event is to raise $100,000.

Marla said that for those who would like to help, they are looking for volunteers and golfers to sign up to play during the event. Other ways to participate include becoming a sponsor for the event or creating a fundraising page on social media.

As for Malerie, today, she is twenty-five years old and works part-time at Chick-fil-A. She graduated from Mountain View High School and the UGA Destination Dawgs program (for Special Ed kids). When she’s not working, you can find her helping out at the family’s real estate office, playing baseball at ESP (Extra Special People) on their Miracle League Field in Watkinsville, or helping out as a Dugout Dawg for the UGA baseball team. She is definitely looking forward to attending day camp for a couple of weeks this summer at ESP. More information at www.MaleriesHope.com

Gwinnett Housing Corporation Continued from page 12 Gwinnett families and preserve homeownership rates in Gwinnett County,” said Prljaca. “First-time home buyers are facing tremendous challenges today. They compete with investors making cash offers and waived contingencies, while historically high mortgage interest rates and increasing property taxes are diminishing their purchasing power. We are truly thankful to Norcross DDA and all of our partners for working with us to make this center a reality.”

In addition to homeownership programs, GHC provides access to affordable rental housing, transitional housing, and shelter assistance.

More information at www.GwinnettHousing.org.

September 2023 Our Town Gwinnett

PAGE 21

Community Event Spotlight: Taste of Tucker

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

In 2010, Art and Karen Wood and Tucker First United Methodist Church (UMC) initiated the Taste of Tucker Street festival, which has grown from a church parking lot event to a town-wide extravaganza. This grassroots initiative showcases local culinary offerings and fosters a sense of togetherness.

By 2022, the event had reached a milestone. Adding a Beer Garden featuring six breweries and twenty-one eateries led to over $40,000 in donations to nonprofits, underscoring its community impact. Join the 14th annual Taste of Tucker on October 7, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tucker’s Main Street will host this culinary haven, inviting you to explore diverse tastes and connect with others.

Local restaurants will serve appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

The “Taste Ticket” grants access to this experience alongside the Taste of Tucker Beer Garden with craft beer, cider, and spirits sponsored by Pontoon Brewing.

Beyond food, support local artisans and businesses at non-food vendor stalls. The KIDS’ ZONE, presented by Kroger and Tucker First UMC, offers family-friendly entertainment.

Enjoy live music from SMAC and 293 Band on the Main Stage, sponsored by Fraser Roofing. Let the music guide your steps as you indulge in flavors and embrace the community atmosphere.

Art and Karen’s vision enriches the event, supporting NETWorks Cooperative Ministry, Camp Kudzu, and Olde Town Tucker Merchants Association. Volunteers play a pivotal role in the event’s success.

Contribute to the 14th Taste of Tucker’s success by volunteering. https:// tasteoftucker.com/volunteers/ So mark October 7, 2023, for a day of indulgence, connections, and celebrations on Main Street!

More information at www.tasteoftucker.com.

Dream Chasers 21 Continued from page 13 “It lets me know that what I’m doing is touching lives,” Lorri said.

Lorri has a flexible job working as a personal shopper, and her husband, Randy, is retired and helps out with the nonprofit, along with a couple of their children from the blended family. The organization holds BBQ fundraisers from time to time to help bridge some of the gaps when it comes to financial needs, but they can always use more.

More information at https://dreamchasers21.org/.

NO…A Word for Your Day Continued from page 8 you rather thrive and manage life? Visualize getting ready to say no using one of your phrases. You know it is the right thing to do; however, the self-sabotaging talk begins to church internally. When you note that, stop and make a physical shift. If you are standing, sit. If you are driving, move your hand. If you are sitting, shift in your chair, etc. That split-second physical shift will begin to trigger your brain so you can respond with your no.

Learning to say no is a common challenge I work on in coaching clients and teams. Once they grasp the power of no and create ways to communicate that message, it is very freeing. I also offer a one-hour virtual webinar on this topic. Contact me to schedule it for your team/organization.

When will you start practicing saying no? Who will you ask to hold you accountable?

More information at www.janebishoplive.com.

Snellville Events on the Towne Green 2342 Oak Road

SEPT. 16

SEPT. 23

FREE CONCERT Featuring

4-8 p.m.

Experience the Flavors of the Great Chefs of Snellville and Beyond • Cooking Demonstration • Japanese Swordsman Demonstration Chinese Lion Dance • DJ Lee Fun and Games Kids’ Zone

6-9 p.m.

WHO’S BAD

Michael Jackson Tribute Johnny Porrazzo opens the show at 6 p.m.

Beer, wine and food available for purchase.

Visit ExperienceSnellville.com for VIP table information.

www.ExperienceSnellville.com PAGE 22

OCT. 6

LAST FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY OF THE SEASON with Music andLefuen!

DJ

4-8 p.m.

Hole in the Wall • Gyro Chef Mediterranean The Patty Wagon • Vietnamese Truck Atlanta Seafood • South of Philly Frozen Sweets • Kona Ice Thanks to our Keystone Sponsors

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Let us focus on your full recovery so you can focus on what matters most to you.

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LILBURN 1227 Rockbridge Rd, Ste 402 P (770) 925-9210

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September 2023 Our Town Gwinnett

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