OCT 2013: Our Town Gwinnett/NE Dekalb Monthly Magazine

The Gwinnett/NE Dekalb Monthly Community and Family Magazine

Our Town

October 2013

Lilburn l Lawrenceville l Snellville Grayson l Stone Mountain l Tucker

Meet the Team at MBS Motors 5 MBS Motors: A Moving Story 10 Conversation with the UPS Store Stone Mountain 15 The Family Tree Garden Center: Family History Shares Its Roots

16 Q and A with the Trickum girls’ basketball coach, Tim Yates 17 Elaine’s Personal Care: Making Seniors Feel at Home

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Our Town

On the Cover: MBS Motors: A Moving Story

By Stacye Carroll After thriving in Chamblee for twenty-eight years, MBS Motors’ move in 1995 to its current location on Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth was a decision based on familiarity with the area. Hans Vorpahl had settled his family in Gwinnett County years before. His kids grew up here, attending both Norcross High and Greater Atlanta Christian School. So when road construction resulted in their business property being condemned, the Vorpahls would not be moved.

Larry Vorpahl smiles when describing his father Hans’ stubbornness, which was something Hans developed as a child in post-war Germany. The trait served him well during his escape from East to West Germany at the age of seventeen. Hans went to work for Mercedes-Benz right away, eventually rising to the rank of engine designer.

Later, as Mercedes worked to increase American market share, Hans and his young family traveled to the United States as part of a planned three-year work program… and they never left.

Though retired now, Hans still has a presence at MBS. He comes by every couple of weeks, walking past a beautifully crafted reproduction of the President’s Resolute desk, to take up residence at the end of a building that houses thirteen service bays.

It is here--among boxes of vintage parts, well-used tools, and cars in varying stages of repair--that he is most at home. And he is, after all, among family. From the techs that share space with Hans in the service bays, to Jeff who has greeted customers for most of the last eighteen years, to his sons, Larry and Axel, who now run the business, it is evident that longevity and continuity are hallmarks of MBS Motors.

Axel Vorpahl joined his dad in the business in 1985 after graduating from Georgia Tech with a degree in engineering. Larry took a more circuitous route, eventually leading him back to his roots in Germany, where, after graduating from West Point, he took part in the destruction of the Berlin Wall as an infantry officer in the United States Army. The irony is not lost on him.

In 1992, Larry joined the family business with an eye towards growing the retail market, which continues to flourish despite road construction that removed their Pleasant Hill Road entrance as well as a good chunk of their parking lot. Today, the entrance off Summit Ridge Parkway is well marked, and customer loyalty is rewarded with staff members who pride themselves in knowing customer likes and dislikes.

Business, according to Larry Vorpahl, is about building relationships, and MBS Motors prides itself in conservative business practices, providing exactly what the customer asks for, and delivering only what is needed. “Our customers are smart. Treat them honestly, treat them fairly, and they’ll keep coming back.” It is this philosophy that has customers from all over Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and even as far away as Arizona, coming back.

Complete and partial restoration of older Mercedes-Benz models, such as those on display in their showroom, are a specialty. But to quote Larry: “If it has a Mercedes star on it, we will work on it.” They also sell and service BMWs, Minis, Smart Cars, and Sprinters.

Customers trust MBS Motors to locate the make and model car they are looking for, knowing the dealership will find it, deliver it, and sell it at a reasonable price.

Later, scheduled and unscheduled services can be performed while the customer waits, and, if a repair should take a little longer, loaner cars are available.

Over the years MBS Motors has proven that the way around obstacles is perseverance, and the key to growing business is building relationships. You can find them on the web at www.mbsmotors.com.

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Our Town

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PAGE 5

The Gwinnett/NE Dekalb Monthly Community and Family M agazine

— An EndResultz Company

Publisher Ryan T. Sauers Creative Director Elsie Olson Cover Photographer Dave Skillen Feature Writer Stacye Carroll Contributing Writers Jane Bishop Richard Carlin, M.D. Kathy Coots Terie Hansen Amy Hentschel Alexa Lampasona

Our Town 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 reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town 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 2013 by Our Town.

Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

Our Town Monthly 1227 Rockbridge Road Suite 208-171 Stone Mountain, GA 30087 678-825-2049 info@endresultz.com www.endresultz.com

Julie Mills

16 17 18 20 20

IN THIS ISSUE

Our Town

5 7 9 10 10 11 11 12 13 14 15

On the Cover: MBS Motors: A Moving Story One Man’s Opinion October Calendar Crossword Puzzle Conversation with the UPS Store Stone Mountain For Teenagers: Exploring Different Career Paths A Senior Moment: Prepare for the Future Put Your Money Where Your House Is The Treat IS the Trick!!

Flashy Websites Don’t Always Equal Competent Pet Sitters The Family Tree Garden Center: A Family History Shares Its Roots Q & A with the Trickum Girls’ Basketball Coach, Tim Yates Elaine’s Personal Care: Making Seniors Feel at Home The Progression of Cataract Removal Visiting the Great Barrier Reef Change It Up!

Online edition at: www.ourtownmagonline.com www.Facebook.com/ourtowngwinnett www.twitter.com/ourtowngwinnett www.youtube.com/endresultzinc

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Welcome to the October edition of Our Town Magazine.

Halloween is around the corner, football season is well underway, and baseball is deep in the playoffs. Yes, I am a sports fan. This publication, in printed and online form, continues to connect people across the county. We have some tremendous articles this month, and I encourage you to read all of them as well as support our awesome advertisers. Without our advertisers, there would be no magazine. We have a great community and are pleased to have expanded to now include our NE DeKalb friends in Smoke Rise and Tucker.

As I shared last month, we have added new items that will help the Our Town Community. First, we have the source for your custom print needs (invitations, notecards, photo collages, birth/wedding announcements, holiday cards, and much more).

Visit www.ourtowncustomprint.com where you will find a specifically designed site to meet the needs of our readers. Second, you will see information about a limited-seating three-part workshop coming to Gwinnett in November that will focus on organizational strategy, branding/marketing, and sales growth. Third, Our Town Magazine’s parent company, End Resultz Inc., will be bringing many new things to you in the coming months. One of the newest is mobile media solutions, such as phone APP creation, text marketing, and more. Stay tuned as we continue to integrate print and digital media!

Finally, as we mentioned last month we are working to establish the first ever Our Town Community Liaison Committee (CLC). This group will consist of leaders in the community who will come together once a quarter at the Our Town office (breakfast or lunch will be catered in) to share what they see is going on in the community and to provide insights that will help make our community a better place. Please email us directly at info@endresultz.com with nominations for others or for yourself. This information will go on to the nomination committee.

So, until next time, keep the emails and calls coming, the referrals churning, and the word of mouth going. And, as always, remember this is my town, your town, a great town … OUR TOWN. TEXT SAUERS to 71441 to see video welcome message from the Publisher

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Our Town

October Calendar Earthly Creations – Exhibition Of The Ceramic Work Of Michele Smith October 1-20 Objet D’art Gallery & Studios Peachtree Corners www.objetdartgallery.com Exhibit, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12pm6pm 678-429-2550

“Harvey” October 10-13, 17-20, 24-27 New Dawn Theater, Duluth www.newdawntheatercompany.com Theatre Thurs-Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm, 678-887-5015

MC Twinklin’s Seminar Schedule October 3, 10, 12, 24 MC Twinklin Lilburn www.mctwinklins.com Oct 3 Mantles and Garlands $10 per person; Oct 10 - Ribbons & Bows $10 per person; Oct 12 Tree Decorating 101 $20 per person RSVP 2-3hr class; Oct 24 Tree Decorating Basics $10 per person, 770-9727237; 2178 McDaniels Bridge Ct., Lilburn Grayson Farmers Market October 9 Grayson City Park www.facebook.com/GraysonFarmersMarket 3pm-7pm, 678-697-6331 The Market At Duluth October 10 Town Green, Duluth www.duluthga.net Thurs 4pm-7pm, Sat 8am-2pm, 770-476-3434

Bluegrass Festival & Picnic October 12 Gwinnett Historic Courthouse Grounds www.gwinnetthistoriccourthouse.com 12-3pm, 770-822-5450 Sugarloaf Ballet Presents Snow White October 13 Performing Arts Center At Gwinnett Center, Duluth www.gwinnettcenter.com Ballet, Sat 2pm & 7:30pm, Sun 2pm, 888929-7849

Fall Benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association & Grand Opening of the Pete Pike Museum October 19 Family Tree Center, Snellville www.familytreegardeing.com Groovin’ On The Green – Funky Bluester October 19 Loganville Town Green www.loganville-ga.gov/events-tourism.html 7pm-10pm, 770-466-1165 Autumn Heritage Festival October 19 Loganville Town Green, Loganville www.autumnheritagefestival.com www.loganville-ga.gov/events-tourism.html Festival, 10am-5pm, 770-466-1165

Taste Of Home Cooking School October 24 Gwinnett Center-Convention Center, Duluth www.gwinnettdailypost.com www.tasteofhome.com/Cooking-Schools/Find-a-Class/ Show-Detail/ GA/Duluth/7006 Cooking Show, 4pm 770-963-9205 Fundraiser Fun Run October 26 Mountain Park Fitness Center 770-381-0077 8am; 5385 Five Forks Trickum Rd Stone Mountain; Fun run 3.2 miles $25 to resistor; All entries go to St. Judes Children Research Hospital

Spooktacular Dance And Play Party October 26 Netherworld Haunted House Bogan Park Community Center, Buford www.gwinnettparks.com October 21 Georgia Antique & Design Center, Norcross Halloween Fun, $10/age 3-5 (1:00pmSimply Dancing Grand Opening 2:30pm) or $15/age 6-10 (2:30pm-4:30pm), www.fearworld.com October 13 Haunted House, Fri & Sat 7pm-12am, Sun- 678-277-0850 5330 Lilburn Stone Mountain Rd., Thurs 7:30pm-10:30pm, Thurs 31st 7pmLilburn, GA 30047 Trick Or Treat Trail 11pm, 404-608-2484 770-921-6669 October 26 1-4 PM, MoonWalk, Face painting, Door Rhodes Jordan Pavilion, Lawrenceville Prizes, Free Classes & More! www.gwinnettparks.com Eddie Owen Presents: An Evening Of Halloween Fun, 3:30pm-5pm, Jazz With Annie Sellick 678-277-0890 October 17 Red Clay Theatre, Duluth www.eddieowenpresents.com Concert, 8pm 404-478-2749

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For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

PAGE 9

OCTOBER CROSSWORD

Conversation with the UPS Store Stone Mountain

Across 1. Send to the canvas 5. Fire starter 10. Alka-Seltzer sound 14. Aces, sometimes 15. Hawaiian island 16. Native American dwelling 17. Fundamental Art 19. Black cat, maybe 20. Favor 21. Actor, director, producer Sydney 23. Approaches 24. Twerp 26. Descretion 31. Amscrayed 34. Aged 35. High nest; Var. 36. Lincoln 37. Moo goo gai pan pan 38. Something to chew 40. Not just trime 43. Sticker 44. Black gold 45. Spice for grinding 49. To wash out 50. English writer, Evelyn 55. Mine 58. Disfigure 59. “… there is no ___ angel but Love”: Shakespeare 60. Cutting edge” 63. French door part 64. Legislate 65. Diminutive suffix 66. Aspersion 67. Social 68. “___ quam videri” (N. Carolina’s motto)

PAGE 10

By Our Town Magazine Staff Writer

Down 1. Susan B. 2. Biscotti flavoring 3. “Fiddler on the Roof” role 4. Baslet material 5. Brickbat 6. Amigo 7. “Gimme ___!” (start of an Iowa State cheer) 8. Scraped 9. Japanese robe 10. Greek astronomer 11. Andes capitol 12. Crude group?

13. Ribbon color 18. ___ Verde National Park 22. Like composition paper 24. 3 Day ___ 25. Armageddon 27. Ghost sound 28. “Cogito ___ sum” 29. Not yet final, at law 30. Blue hue 31. Coarse file 32. ___-bodied 33. ___ tide 37. Young seal 38. Cancer hope 39. Ashes holder 42. Bee constestant 43. Imitates human behavior 46. Devastated 47. Seriesl 48. Kind of song 51. Fish 52. Citrus fruits 53. Secluded valleys 54. Hog 55. Space research org., abbr.

56. Elliptical 57. Hokkaido native 58. Crew member 61. Blanched 62. TV monitor?

Solution on page 17

Our Town Magazine had a chance to talk to the owner/operators of the UPS Store in Stone Mountain.

Our Town: Who runs the UPS store and where are you located?

UPS: The store is run by brothers Ayon and Peter Walters. We are located at 1227 Rockbridge Road, suite 208, which is between Old Tucker Road and Old Tucker Lane SW. Our Town: How long has this location been open?

UPS: We opened in March 2009, so that makes it a little over four years and a half years.

Our Town: What was your background before you started this UPS store, and why did you decide to open up the store?

UPS - Ayon: I was an Environmental Scientist, working for a national engineering firm. Peter was an account specialist working for Blue Cross Blue Shield. I did not want to travel away from home for long periods of time anymore. I wanted something closer to home because I enjoyed watching my son Justin play baseball.

UPS - Peter: For me it was the opportunity to give exceptional customer service while working for myself and my family.

Our Town: What is it like living in the same community where you run a business?

UPS – Ayon: Working in your home community has its advantages. It allows you to get to know your neighbors and to develop relationships with customers that can last for years. You can become an integral part of the community. A lot of people still remember what customer service is really like. We strive to give them that quality of service.

UPS – Peter: I commute from several miles away. Working in this community is much better than commuting and fighting traffic to and from Buckhead where I used to work.

Our Town: What are some of the services you offer that most people would not know about?

UPS: We offer many office services, such as Notary, printing, laminating, and binding.

Our Town: What is the most satisfying part of your job?

UPS – Ayon: Meeting my customers’ needs by giving them world class customer service.

UPS – Peter: I am a people person, so I love helping people.

Our Town: What do you think makes the Our Town community a special place to live and work?

UPS – Ayon: We had our house built in Stone Mountain (Gwinnett) because we wanted a small community without a pool or other amenities. We ended up in a community that has strong community ties, with an emphasis on family.

UPS – Peter: We see a lot of the same customers every week, so we are able to develop relationships, which I really look forward to.

Our Town: What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

UPS – Ayon: Watching my son play and compete in baseball is all I need!

UPS – Peter: I enjoy family time, gardening, fishing, and sports.

For more information, visit the UPS store at http://www.theupsstorelocal.com/6094/

For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

Our Town

For Teenagers: Exploring Different Career Paths

By Carol C. Wood If you are a teenager you are probably thinking about the many career choices there are to explore. If you are not quite sure what career path to take, look over the list of reasons why people choose and enjoy certain careers over others.

Your high school counseling center probably has a career interest inventory that you can take to narrow down some better choices for you. Once you have determined a few career u Working with others in a team u Working at a job requiring physical strength u Working alone u Helping people or animals u Working outdoors u Playing a sport u Being your own boss u Entertaining others u Receiving longer vacations u Traveling u Having flexible work hours u Selling things u Fixing or repairing things u Helping people solve their problems u Creating or developing new things u Playing a musical instrument or singing u Working with computers and technology u Building things areas, you can then begin to explore which form of post-secondary education is most appropriate. Be mindful that not all careers require a 4-year or beyond degree program. In fact, some of the most rewarding and financially beneficial careers can be attained after being trained through a vocational or technical training program. In Atlanta, we are fortunate to have many quality technical colleges that offer a variety of programs.

It is important to develop job skills and personal traits that employers consider important and that will set you apart from other job candidates. Here are a few character traits to consider developing: Interpersonal skills – Be able to get along well with others and show respect to your managers and colleagues.

Reliability – Show that you are a dependable person. Complete tasks on time. Abide by the philosophy, “If you see it, you own it.” In other words, when you see something that needs to be done, do it!

Honesty – Demonstrate that you are trustworthy by honestly earning each hourly wage.

Do not tend to personal matters or use technology gadgets and cell phones during business hours. Doing so is the same as stealing from the company with which you work!

Work habits – Be consistently responsible, on time, diligent, and, when your responsibilities have been completed for the day, find new projects or ways to help the company become even better-serving of its customers.

Communication skills - Be able to write and speak effectively and clearly. Think before you speak, and be mindful of what you say and how you say things to avoid Continued on page 19

A Senior Moment: Prepare for the Future

By Amy Hentschel Dear Amy, My parents are in their seventies and are in relatively good health. The subject of senior care came up this weekend, and I asked them what their wishes were if they ever needed full time care. My father just said that we “would cross that bridge, when we got there.” My mother remarked about how healthy they were, and that I shouldn’t worry needlessly! I am worried. I’m worried that they haven’t done any planning, and I’m going to have to deal with a crisis situation in a few years. Do you have any suggestions on how to get them thinking about the future? Is there anything that I should be doing myself? I hope they never need care, but I want to be prepared.

Karen--Stone Mountain Dear Karen, Good for you for bringing up the subject of senior care. I see many folks in their sixties and seventies who have no plan and believe that they don’t need to plan for care; and then they find themselves in a crisis. I, too, have had this tough conversation with my parents.

Their responses were similar to your parents as well. Some simply don’t want to acknowledge that they are aging, or that a time will ever come where they will need help with bathing, dressing, or toileting. But that time will come. Most parents are very private and don’t feel comfortable discussing these tough issues with their children. I suggest that you explain how much you love them, and that because of that love, you would feel reassured if they had a plan. Senior care planning involves the whole family, not just the senior. If

Continued on page 19

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What improvements will make the most impact when I get ready to sell? is the most common question I get from homeowners who are thinking of selling their home in the not too distant future. Surprisingly, the largest return on investment isn’t kitchen/ bathroom remodels, but more likely just cleaning, painting, and de-cluttering the home. So often we become comfortable with our homes that we overlook the little things we could do to help sell the home quickly and with minimal investment. A professional stager can use items that are already in your home and transform your living space into a more inviting environment by just rearranging furniture and reorganizing your home décor. Neutral paint throughout will help buyers picture themselves in the home easily. Laying down a fresh layer of pine straw, adding a few flowers around the front door, and removing screens from the windows at the front of the home will brighten the appearance and increase the curb appeal.

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PAGE 12 For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org Our Town

The Treat IS the Trick!!

By Julie Mills Without a doubt, fall is my favorite time of year. I love the crispness of the air, the colors, the football games, and, of course, the holidays that are right around the corner. It’s also a time when some of our healthiest foods are available to us. Been apple-picking lately? Then again, autumn’s not all honey and no bees. What do you think my least favorite holiday is? You got it. Halloween! Think about it, we have a national day to celebrate the consumption of...sugar!

Parents, let me assure you: the treat IS the trick! If your child came to you and asked if he could go door-to-door with a wagon, beg the neighbors for cups of sugar, and then come home and eat it all with a spoon, would you let him?

Many people think that the change of seasons makes us more susceptible to illness.

The truth is that much of the sickness we suffer with in the winter is brought on by the sugar we consume in the fall! Think about it. In October we have Halloween and “Harvest Festivals.” In November we have cakes and pies galore. Slide right into Christmas with a few more barrels of treats. Top it off with New Years’ delights, and bingo, every kid in the house is sick. And, if anyone has had the nerve to survive all of that, we’ll pick off the rest during Valentine’s Day and Easter!

The point I really want to make is simply that sugar is making us sick. Sugar lowers our immune function. It only takes 17 teaspoons of the stuff to lower your immunity for up to 6 hours! That much sugar is found in one can of soda! Now, consider this.

You have a party where you supply the kids with cookies, cupcakes, sodas, and, for dessert, candy. Let’s do the math on this one. Divide the grams of sugar in each item by 4 (1 tsp = 4 grams) and that will tell you how many teaspoons of sugar are in a serving. The average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week, and that includes highly refined sugars in the forms of sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup that are processed into so many foods. In the last twenty years, we have increased sugar consumption in the U.S. from 26 pounds to 135 pounds. of sugar per person per year! Around 1887-1890, the average consumption was only 5 lbs. per person per year!

Here is a list of ways sugar can affect your health: i Suppresses the immune system and upsets the body’s mineral balance. i Contributes to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children. i Produces a significant rise in triglycerides, elevates LDL (harmful cholesterol) and reduces HDL (good cholesterol) i Interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium and promotes tooth decay. i Contributes to weight gain and obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, and eczema. i Causes food allergies, toxemia during pregnancy, and fluid retention. i Causes liver cells to divide and increase the size of the liver, and causes hormonal imbalances and migraines. i Causes an increase in delta, alpha, and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind’s ability to think clearly.

My suggestion for the upcoming fall festivities is to be creative, limit sugar consumption, and increase good healthy eating!

Julie3.5” Millis is Owner of Body of Health and30 LifeptLLC www.bodyofhealthandlife.com x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size:

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For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

PAGE 13

Christmas is Here

Flashy Websites Don’t Always Equal Competent Pet Sitters

By Terie Hansen

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To continue our discussion from last month on flashy websites for pet sitters, I did not find this particular website that we have been looking at to be a member of any professional pet sitting organization, nor did the site list if they were licensed or insured. Were they certified in pet CPR or first aid? Did they receive continuing education? I also did not see references or testimonials on their site. These all should be present when hiring a “PROFESSIONAL” pet sitter or care giver.

Just because someone has a nice website does not make him/her qualified to care for people’s beloved pets. Dogs are simple and complex at the same time. If someone is not supervising them while they are in a free environment, then it is only a matter of time before something bad happens. Would you put your dog in that situation? I surely would not.

One last thought… Being licensed, insured, a member of trade affiliated organizations, CPR/first aid certified, and staying abreast of the latest information in one’s field through continuing education, does increase the cost of doing business and thereby the cost of service. However, it also increases the quality of service and care!

When looking for a professional pet sitter or dog boarder, a great place to start is NAPPS – the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, www.petsitters.org You can search for pet sitters, dog walkers, and dog boarding facilities by zip code, as well as find a wealth of information on caring for your pet, what to look for when hiring a pet sitter, an emergency plan for pets, and so much more!

So when you are getting ready to travel and are in need of a pet sitter or a dog boarding facility, do your homework. Investigate and call to check references. A great pet sitter will answer all your questions, take great care of your pets, and give you peace of mind.

Terie Hansen, Professional Dog Trainer, Pet Sitter & Owner at Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care www.gooddogcoaching.com

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For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

Our Town

A Family History Shares Its Roots

The Family Tree Garden Center in Snellville Unveils a Museum This October

By Alexa Lampasona Pete Pike bustles through the garden center, shuttling stacks of frames and reams of notebooks into a closed-off room that houses his latest project. Pike, founder of Pike Nurseries, may be 83 years old, but he is not one to slow down.

“He never stops. He’s always going 24/7,” his daughter, Dana Pike Van-Vlake says of her dad’s involvement with her business, The Family Tree Garden Center. “He gets bored being retired, so this is his hobby.”

Pike has been creating the Pete Pike Museum, a new addition to The Family Tree Garden Center that offers a glimpse into his personal history. He plans to unveil the museum at The Family Tree’s Alzheimer’s Benefit on October 19th.

The museum offers a timeline of Pike’s life and the humble beginnings of Pike Nurseries, complete with memorabilia that includes the nursery’s first cash register, photos of each of Pike’s homes, and a big-screen television to show the first commercials.

Hanging from the ceiling is a red plow, the tool that shaped Pike’s youth. He dragged it through his family’s field where he worked after each school day from 3 until 11 p.m. Pike’s father taught him that hard work gets things done, and Pete carried this work ethic along with his experience from the Navy into his nursery business.

“He’s always been an entrepreneur, and I think caring about people is what has made him successful,” Van-Vlake boasts of her dad.

Van-Vlake grew up working for her dad and then pursued a Marketing/Advertising degree at the University of Georgia. She worked in football recruiting throughout college, but it wasn’t until she graduated that she

realized she wanted to follow in her dad’s footsteps. She started the Human Resources and Recruiting department at Pike Nurseries.

“As a kid I thought I wanted to do my own thing, but then I wised up in college and realized I wanted to keep supporting the family legacy,” she says.

Pike sold Pike Nurseries in 2004, but it wasn’t long before the next chapter in the family’s legacy continued. In 2009, Van-Vlake and her husband Jeff opened their own nursery on the property of a former Pike Nursery in Snellville.

In its third year, the garden center has become the community’s “happy place.”

Customers use it as an oasis when they’re stressed, some just coming in to walk around or chat with the employees. When asked what the top three things that draw customers to her nursery, Van-Vlake doesn’t hesitate to respond: The customer service is number one. Each employee is either a Georgia Certified Plant Professional or a Certified Horticulturist, so they are very knowledgeable and able to assist any level of gardener. Some employees even know customers by names.

The plants are hand-selected to assure customers that each one is of the best quality.

Having one store compared to 26 allows for more plant variety. You can always come and find something new you’ve never heard of.

With the Pete Pike Museum opening in October, Van-Vlake hopes to turn The Family Tree Garden Center into a destination for gardeners. The fall is the perfect time to make the trip because it is the best season for planting. The cooler temperatures give the roots a chance to grow downward. The Family Tree Garden Center offers a variety of fall classes and events, from vegetable to tabletop gardening, that cater toward all levels and types of gardeners.

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PAGE 15

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This month Our Town Magazine talks to Tim Yates, Head Coach of the 8th grade girls’ basketball team at Trickum Middle School.

Our Town: Besides participating in the game itself, what can kids learn by playing basketball at the middle school level?

Coach Yates: Middle school basketball is the first time kids in Gwinnett County get to play on a school team. Their parents are not coaching, and the expectations are more like what they face in high school. The kids have to learn that grades matter in terms of eligibility, that behavior matters, and that coaches are going to play the best players. Furthermore, many of them have to learn how to manage their time to allow for practice every day. I also place much of the responsibility for making team decisions on team leaders; so they develop leadership skills.

Our Town: In what grade can students try out for the basketball team and what are the requirements?

Coach Yates: Kids may try out in the 7th and 8th grades, but only 33% of the team can be made up of 7th graders. They must have passed 5 out of 6 classes in the spring of the previous year.

Our Town: As a coach, what do you look for when assessing a player? Are there differences based on whether the player is male or female?

Coach Yates: You look for the same things when assessing males and females. The levels are different, however. Coaches want to see speed, athleticism, determination, hustle, and a good attitude. Each team also needs players who can play the different positions, such as guard, wing, and post.

Our Town: What is your biggest challenge as a middle school basketball coach?

Coach Yates: My biggest challenge is dealing with the different skill levels. I can have anything from college-bound players to beginners on the same team. This makes it tough to figure out how to construct a practice.

Our Town: How many players do you anticipate will return from last year’s team? What are their strengths?

Coach Yates: I have four players who played for me last year. All are good players. In fact, two of them started for me last year, and one was my back-up point guard. Thus, it was very nice to develop these players to get them ready for a great 8th grade year. By the way, this was the first group of 7th graders that has ever been allowed to play in the middle school league.

Our Town: Do you, as a coach, prefer games or practices?

Coach Yates: I know this sounds crazy, but I love practice. I get the most satisfaction out of watching the young ladies improve and gain confidence in their abilities. I get to see their progress as they play games. I love to win, but watching the girls grow and play their best means the most to me.

Our Town: Define success as it pertains to the Trickum Middle School basketball team.

Coach Yates: Success is learning to make goals, work hard, and work together.

Most kids will not play in the NBA or WNBA, but they can carry the lessons they learned from playing competitive sports with them for the rest of their lives. When they realize they can run an extra sprint, and work with a girl that they didn’t really like at the beginning of the year, they build confidence in themselves and learn important life skills.

Our Town: Several Trickum alumni are playing now at both the collegiate and professional levels. Can you give us a few names?

Coach Yates: On the girls’ side, Katie Carroll is playing at Belmont University, Mia Marshall plays for Appalachian State, Marissa Mandeldove plays for Augusta State University, and Erika Joseph plays for Western Carolina, just to name a few girls. As for the boys, Jeff Francouer played basketball at Trickum.

Our Town: Where are Trickum games played? What is the cost to see a game, and where and when is the schedule posted?

Coach Yates: All middle school games are played at their cluster high school, so we play at Parkview on Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings. The cost is only $3, so come out and support us.

You can find a schedule at our basketball webpage, http://tmsbasketball.onmycalendar.com/

For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

Our Town

Elaine’s Personal Care: Making Seniors Feel at Home

By Stacye Carroll

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Like most of us, Charmaine Bristol had a goal. Hers was to earn a degree in logistics and launch a career in business. She wouldn’t discover her real passion, though, until years later when caring for elderly relatives. Through her experiences it became obvious just how few choices Gwinnett families had when considering living arrangements for their elderly loved ones. In 2006, that realization prompted Charmaine to open the first Elaine’s Personal Care Home.

Thanks to customer demand, business has expanded to include three homes, and there are hopes to add a fourth. Each home is located in a quiet suburban neighborhood easily accessible to senior centers, parks, and churches. According to Charmaine, it is not unusual for neighbors to be unaware that the house down the street is a personal care home. The homes are well maintained, and, thanks to residents with green thumbs, some feature gardens. That’s just one of many personal touches ensuring that residents at Elaine’s Personal Care Home feel just that‌at home.

Charmaine Bristol uses her considerable experience to help families coordinate Medicaid and VA benefits for patients experiencing long-term disabilities, Alzheimer’s, dementia, depression, or stroke. In addition, Elaine’s Personal Care Home provides residential and respite care for those recovering from illness or surgery.

In-home visits are available, as is hospice care.

Twenty-four hour supervision is provided by certified nursing assistants who work closely with home health nurses, nurse-practitioners, and a range of therapists, including occupational, physical, and speech, who provide care as directed by each resident’s personal physician. Assistance with hygiene, bathing, and medication supervision is provided.

Residents of Elaine’s Personal Care Home are served three family-style meals, and care is taken to respect dietary needs and/or desires. Requests are honored within a specific time frame, and family members are encouraged to come for dinner.

Susan’s mother has lived in two different Elaine’s Personal Care Homes. Susan enjoys visiting her mother and says the food is “great.�

After visiting several homes and deciding that nursing home care was not an option for her mother, Susan found Elaine’s Personal Care Home online. She visited and found the staff warm, loving, and attentive. She knew immediately her mother would be at home there. Now eighteen months later, Susan says the staff pays lots of attention to her mother and they seem to “love her to pieces!� Every patient seems to get the same treatment and families are made to feel welcome. Susan likes knowing that residents are taken on outings, sometimes going from one house to the other to have lunch with other residents. In this way, at a time when many elderly people find the world around them slowly shrinking, Susan’s mother’s world is actually expanding, thanks to Elaine’s Personal Care Home.

Teresa’s family had a similar experience. “All the residents are treated with dignity and respect. Birthdays are always celebrated, and on special holidays, all the residents come together for a wonderful meal and entertainment. Also, once a month people would come to the home to entertain. Sometimes it would be a singer, someone who played the guitar, and even belly dancers!�

By establishing Elaine’s Personal Care Home, Charmaine Bristol has provided the community with an alternative to conventional nursing homes, while providing a legacy her two sons will be proud to one day inherit.

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How far we’ve come in the world of cataracts!

When I started practicing over 35 years ago, cataracts were removed only after the patient was legally blind; unable to see the big “E” on the eye chart; or unable to see to drive, read, watch movies, or identify friends and relatives.

Surgery, performed in a hospital, took 1½ hours and used 10 sutures. The patient was then transferred back to the stretcher with the surgeon holding the patient’s head, and recovery involved a week’s stay in the hospital. No implants were used. After 3 months of healing -- without special glasses -- the patient could only see how many fingers were held up in front of his/her face.

Thick “cataract” glasses were prescribed which magnified everything, making objects appear closer than they really were. Instructed to go home and eat peas for dinner, patients had to practice getting used to reaching for objects to figure out where they really were, which led to spills, accidents, and falls. Then the process started all over for the second eye.

Today, cataracts are removed when there is an alteration in the vision that interferes with one’s daily life. Surgery is done at an outpatient facility in about 10-15 minutes.

No sutures are used and the patient goes out to lunch afterwards! Vision is improved by the next day, at which time all normal activities are resumed. Implants are routinely used and glasses may no longer be necessary, even if worn before. The other eye may be done within a week or two and the vision is often better than it ever was before. Just imagine what the next 35 years will bring!

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Serving the Mercedes and BMW Community since 1967

MBS Motors, Inc.

WE PROVIDE: • All scheduled and non-scheduled services and repairs for all Mercedes and BMW’s from vintage to current model year vehicles.

• Quick services done while you wait.

• Complete vehicle and engine diagnostics to include check engine lights.

• Loaner cars available by appointment.

• Complete and partial restoration services available.

• All parts for all models from vintage to current model years.

• Pre-owned sales and vehicle search services.

• Family owned and operated since 1967.

Come and see why customers all over the Southeast place their trust in us to provide honest, dependable, and reliable services for all their Mercedes and BMW needs for almost 50 years!

Mercedes • BMW Mini • Smart • Sprinter 3175 Pleasant Hill Rd Duluth, GA 30096 (770) 623-8280 - Service (770) 623-8485 - Sales www.mbsmotors.com

Mercedes & BMW Specialists

See our website for current pre-owned inventory.

PAGE 18

For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

Our Town

For Teenagers: Exploring Different Career Paths

Our Town Gwinnett

Continued from page 11 being misinterpreted.

Application abilities – Develop good problem solving abilities and be able think critically.

Think outside the box!

Positive attitude – Be optimistic toward your job and employer. If you are not pleased with something on the job, always have a solution to offer when voicing your concern. Find things about the company and customers you serve that are good, and voice this when appropriate.

Persistence – Be consistent with your efforts, even when the work environment or people are challenging. Maintain a “can do” attitude.

Flexible – Be able to shift tasks easily. Be available to work extra hours and on different tasks when asked.

Resourceful – Know when and where to find answers, or ask for assistance after you have attempted to locate the answers yourself.

Carol C. Wood is Founder & CEO of Total Learning Concepts, Inc.

A Senior Moment: Prepare for the Future

Small Business Owner Workshops Who is this for?

Business or organizational leaders who desire to learn new ways and time tested ways to grow the front end of their organization.

Facilitator:

Ryan T. Sauers, President of Sauers Consulting Strategies, a national speaker, trainer, author, professor, and consultant. National business topics are being brought back to Gwinnett. Sauers’ specialty areas include: human dynamics and organizational behavior, organizational culture and change, branding, marketing, integrated communications, social media, and sales performance. www.sauersconsulting.com

What?

Continued from page 11 something unexpected happens to either one of them, it is always close family who steps in to help make decisions and provide care. You may also want to help them understand that if they plan now, they can save a lot of money and spare themselves stress in the future.

When families have to make last minute care decisions, they often spend more than they need and usually have fewer options. I often meet with families and talk about the “what-ifs.” We assess their current circumstances and educate them on available financial resources like veteran’s benefits and Medicaid. At the end of the meeting, everyone knows what their wishes are, and they have a peace about having a plan. We can’t see into the future, but giving it consideration is not only wise, but absolutely necessary. I suggest that you bring these points up with them again, and keep trying. Suggest that they ask some of their friends what they are planning. Peer pressure works at all ages. Speak to them with love and respect and I know that they will listen. I’ll keep you in my prayers.

Amy Hentschel is founder of Senior Provisions LLC More at: 678-925-0223

Our Town

is proud to present...

A multi-part session dedicated to helping your organization grow-- held three weeks in a row. Focus on organizational strategy, marketing/branding and sales growth with a special emphasis on what the social space (networks/media) mean to your organization. (more information for each session at website listed below)

When? Thursday Nov 7, 2013, Nov 14, 2013, and Nov 21, 2013 from 5:30pm-7:30pm

Where? Our Town Gwinnett Magazine’s Office: Main conference room.

Address: Fountain Square Business Center Suite: 510-C 2140 McGee Road Snellville GA 30078 (Corner of Hwy 78 & McGee Road at the traffic light)

To Register, for more event information, specifics of sessions, additional items that are included for free and more visit:

TEXT

RESULTZ to 71441

For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

PAGE 19

Experience The Difference at MOUNTAIN PARK FITNESS… After joining Mountain Park Fitness this past May, I look forward to going to my workouts every day. The gym has a great and relaxing vibe with all the machines of a franchise gym but without the intimidation.

The trainers here are great and personable and provide you with the guidance to achieve all of your personal goals.

Stephanie Berry For an opportunity to enroll CALL NOW!

770-381-0077 5385 Five Forks Trickum Road Stone Mountain, GA 30087 (At the corner of Five Forks Trickum and Rockbridge Road) www.mountainparkfitness.com

• 24 Hour Access • Life Fitness Strength • Hammer Strength • Free Weights • Treadmills • Bikes • Ellipticals • Personal Training • 36-Week Weight Loss Program • Tanning • Showers

Visiting the Great Barrier Reef

By Pam Walker I was fortunate enough to have seen the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef up close and personal, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This required a flight to Sydney and then up to Cairns on the East Coast of Australia.

The Great Barrier Reef is so large that it can be seen from outer space. Although hotels exist on the small atolls of the Reef, the real fun was flying over the coast and then landing on the Reef in a float plane.

The expanse of the ocean lay before us as the pilot started his landing procedures in the small four-seater. The sensation of crashing was all too real. When we softly touched down on top of the waves and coasted to a stop…wow! That was special!

The pilot taxied to a small floating platform that was anchored to the Reef. From there I began a full day of activities: swimming, snorkeling, diving, and sailing along this World Heritage Site. Lunch, drinks, and shade were available on this floating island in the sea.

In the Whitsunday Islands the warm clear water and psychedelic coral reefs were just two feet below the floating island. I loved snorkeling through vivid coral that was full of purple sea fans, canyons of brain coral, and marine turtles.

For the more experienced diver you can join a certified dive school and explore the deep dropoffs, underwater tunnels, and caves. In some places you can even dive to shipwrecks.

If getting up close and personal with the Reef is not your style, you can check out the Technicolor coral and marine life through a glass-bottomed boat from Cairns or Port Douglas.

There is so much to see in Australia’s wonderful undersea world, and swimming over one of the most beautiful reefs on the planet is truly spectacular!

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor and can be reached at pliwalker@earthlink.net

Change It Up!

S.D. STONE CABINET

678-374-1855 678-891-9336

By Jane Bishop There is a pitch in baseball known as the “changeup.” It is an off-speed pitch that is thrown to look like a fastball, but it arrives at the plate slower. Since our eyes cannot tell the speed of an approaching object until it is around 30 feet away, the changeup tricks the batter, causing him to swing too soon. Sometimes we need a changeup pitch to reactivate our passion. We need to confuse our minds by doing something out of the ordinary.

At one point in my life, I enjoyed the Saturday morning pleasures of sleeping in, eating a leisurely breakfast, and reading the paper at the table or outside on the patio (weather permitting). I could not recall the last time I had experienced those pleasures, as Saturdays had morphed into nothing different from Mondays through Fridays.

A “reminder” came with the need to mow the lawn and an invitation to a birthday party. Due to many days of rain, my yard was overdue for a cut. On the Friday night before this “change it up” Saturday, I was thinking through the tasks for the next day: mow yard, shop, and attend a birthday celebration for a 90-year-old friend. I knew it wouldn’t be until mid-morning before the lawn was dry enough to cut. To make the most of the day, I decided I would get up, go out to breakfast, and arrive at a specific store when it opened. I could then return home, mow the yard, and get ready for the birthday party.

Executing this simple plan set an entirely different tone for my day. I was energized, excited, and encouraged. It was suddenly not the same old Saturday. I had confused my mind by throwing it a changeup! I had allowed my Saturdays to change into nothing distinctive. I have since worked on changing-up my Saturdays, and I am enjoying the results!

What needs a changeup pitch in your life?

How will you execute the changeup?

How has the noise of life squelched your passion?

Will you manage change, or will it manage you?

Change it up today!

Jane Bishop is Founder/Owner of Take the Next Step www.takethenextstepcct.com

PAGE 20

1660 Dogwood Dr SE, Suite A, Conyers www.sdstonecabinetcorp.com

OCTOBER SPECIAL All Maplewood Cabinets - factory direct, wholesale price

FREE STAINLESS STEEL KITCHEN SINK! With Any Granite Orders Over $2,000 With coupon. OTM. Exp 11-10-13

25% OFF CABINETS With coupon. OTM. Exp 11-10-13

For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

Our Town

300

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00

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ANY NEW CART E-Z-GO or BAD BOY With this coupon • EXPIRES 11-15-13

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ANY REFURBISHED OR PRE-OWNED CART With this coupon • EXPIRES 11-15-13

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50

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allpro.com 315 Buford Dr. • Lawrenceville, GA 30045 Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm

00

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Life-Changing Cataract Surgery

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n o i s i V l u f h t You Restored!

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2377 Lenora Church Road

Our Town

Snellville Georgia 30078

770.979.2020

CarlinVision.com

For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

PAGE 21

October Breast Cancer Awareness Event— Thermal Imaging Thermography is Painless—Non Invasive—No Radiation—No Compression





Friday, Oct. 25th 9am - 2pm Space is Limited! Call to Schedule!

 Take your first step towards cancer prevention with Thermography, a non-invasive screening to detect inflammation and dysfunction of the breast tissue, colon, liver, female organs, digestive tract and more. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

770-513-8922

We Are Different!

Call Us Today!

CALL TO SCHEDULE APPT. 770-513-8922 or EMAIL US at info@acspineandwellness.com AC Spine & Wellness Center offers a variety of services, including spinal rehab and specialized medical testing to restore health and get to the root cause of your issue.

Try our natural approach to better health!

217 Scenic Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA For more information: www.acspineandwellness.com

A+Welding & Fabrication Mobile

We have a gas mig welder, generator, a stick welder, and cutting torches, (we can tear it apart too) Utility trailer & tractor repairs, (new chains & wiring harness in stock)

Call Kevin

A/C Cages

770-406-7964

Starting at only

250.00

$

Mailboxes, new poles, boxes, and lattice in stock

That’s painted & installed!!!

Restaurants, stainless steel

(extra bars, lattice, & hinge top extra)

18 Wheeler trailer welding

Licensed All major credit cards accepted.

PAGE 22

For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

Our Town

The Village Vets

Medicine • Surger y • Dentistr y • Boarding

The Village Vets would like to honor our wonderful team of veterinary technicians and assistants.

Join us in celebrating

Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week this month from October 13-19th!

Pictured from left to right, Azusa Adams, RVT, Angela McKinnie, Amanda Moore, Kristi Luthi and Renee Freeman.

Dr. Carrie McColgan Dr. Louise DeLong

Dr. Amanda Irish

Mention this ad for

10% OFF First visit

Limit one per household. Vaccines and services only. Products not included.

Coupon need not be presented for discount. Terms subject to change without notice at practice discretion.

By appointment only. Expires 10/31/13

Dr. Françoise Tyler

Dr. Will Draper

7 Days a Week!

Serving Gwinnett and Dekalb Counties

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat 8am-2pm, Sun Now 10am-6pm

www.TheVillageVets.com

770-717-1650

1227 Rockbridge Road in Stone Mountain (Near the Kroger Shopping Center)