SEPTEMBER 2025: (BLUE) Our Town Gwinnett Monthly Magazine for Gwinnett/NE DeKalb

SEPTEMBER 2025 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Lawrenceville | Snellville | Lilburn | Stone Mountain | Tucker

Up Close with Run the Reagan, see story on page 5.

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September 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

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Seen in Gwinnett Emil’s Photo of the Month

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On the Cover:

Gwinnett’s Premier Road Race Returns to Snellville in 2026

By Jenna Cooper

The annual Run the Reagan road race is a longstanding tradition for the community in Snellville, and it will return for its 31st year on February 21, 2026. The event features a half-marathon, timed and untimed 10K and 5K races, and a 1K fun-run down Ronald Reagan Parkway, but the impact extends far beyond the finish line.

All proceeds (after expenses) from the event sponsorships and participant fees are donated to organizations that give back to the community, averaging around $65,000 in contributions each year. Beneficiaries for 2026 will be the Lilburn Co-op, the Brookwood Schools Foundation, and the South Gwinnett Cluster Foundation.

“Run the Reagan is such a great community event. We love to see all the people who come out to spend time with their families, get some exercise, have fun, and give back to Snellville,” said the organization’s president, Kelly McAloon.

In the early 1990s, Vietnam War veteran and active community member Parks Mann founded Run the Reagan as a charitable organization, hosting the first race shortly after Ronald Reagan Parkway opened. At the time, proceeds from the event benefited the Gwinnett County Clinic until its closure, and have since been designated each year to other local charities that help the community and support the event through volunteering and promotion.

Fueled by Mann’s dedication to serving the community and his commitment to charitable causes,

September 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

Run the Reagan has been a successful event every year since its founding, even during the challenging years marked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Run the Reagan received a proclamation from the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners in recognition of its contributions to the community.

Now, what started as a small charitable organization has evolved into a premier event in Gwinnett, offering family-friendly entertainment and attracting between 1,500 and 1,800 runners throughout the county and beyond. On race day, attendees can expect inflatables for kids, a live DJ, school bands and cheerleaders, and a variety of vendors providing goods and services.

“It’s a great opportunity for businesses to get their name out there as a vendor or give back to the local community by sponsoring the event,” said McAloon. “We are very excited to have Piedmont Eastside returning as a great partner and title sponsor for our 2026 race.”

The event offers sponsors of all sizes the opportunity to promote their businesses through meaningful contributions and invites vendors to connect with the community through food, crafts, sports apparel, games, and more.

To bring the race to life, however, it’s the combined passion of the volunteers, board members,

sponsors, and dedicated leaders that makes it possible. The event requires the time and energy of over 200 volunteers, the approval of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners for the use of the road, as well as the planning and recruitment efforts of Run the Reagan board members.

“I’m all in,” said McAloon. “I believe Run the Reagan is such a worthy cause because it benefits so many different people in our community, and as president, I am 200% committed to seeing it continue to grow and thrive as a Snellville tradition.”

More information at https://runthereagan.net/

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Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

— An EndResultz Media Company EndResultz.com

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

Entire contents copyright 2025 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

Feature Writers

Publisher/Owner Dr. Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultz.com

Cover Photography Emil Powella Photography

Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultz.com

Distribution Coordinator Rob Rome

Contributing Writers

Editor Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultz.com

Cover Story Feature Writer Kristen Eleveld

Jane Bishop Bill Crane Pam Walker

Jenna Cooper Victoria R. Crosby Tana Poncsak Traci Sanders

IN THIS ISSUE

5 On the Cover: Gwinnett’s Premier Road Race Returns to Snellville in 2026 7 From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks 7 Travel Tales: Where Has the Year Gone?”

8 One Man’s Opinion: So Long Old Friend 9 Local Playwright’s Newest Production Set to Open at OnStage Atlanta 10 Getting to Know: Mid-Century Modern Furniture Finds 11 Gwinnett Tech Cybersecurity Students Win National 2025 SkillsUSA Competition 13 Weeding…A Word for Your Day 14 Health Matters: Key Steps to Healthy Aging 15 7 Things Doctors Want Families to Know This Back-to-School Season

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From the Publisher:

Travel Tales: Where Has the Year Gone

Ryan’s Remarks

By Pam Walker

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.

Our community continues to grow. Why? We are blessed with amazing people who choose to live, work, and play right here in Our Town. We should be proud of our community. Most communities are not as close as the ones we have. With that said, our attention span is short (or some might argue non-existent), so here are three points I want us to think about.

1. People love to smile and laugh. How many times have you heard a funny story that made your day? How often have you seen something so silly that it makes you laugh? You know – when you keep laughing and can’t stop? How much fun do we have with long-term or deep friends with whom we can truly be ourselves? A lot of fun. And what do we do? We laugh. So, make someone’s day and make them smile and laugh.

2. People love to have fun. Why do you see so many people playing fantasy football, going to theme parties, and/or playing mindless games on their mobile devices? Many use these things as breaks from their everyday routine and to relieve stress from our constantly connected and noisy world. They are fun, simple, and mindless. Have you ever seen adults dress up in full gear for football games or a Halloween outfit? People really get into it. Why? We all love to have fun. This “feeling like a kid again” is the magic that most experience when they visit Disneyworld. And, it is what Disney is selling.

Wow, can you believe it is already fall 2025? It seems like yesterday the holidays were ending, and here we go again for this year’s festive events. Have you planned your holiday travels yet? It’s time to start doing so if you haven’t already.

Costa Rica has always been a favorite of mine. Not only do they have active volcanoes and jungles, but also beautiful beaches, some with black sand and others with white sand. On the Caribbean East Coast, there are marshlands with a diverse array of tropical wildlife, excellent sport fishing, and coral reefs.

The weather is best from December to April, the dry season. The Green Season (because of the rain in the afternoons) is from May to November. The tropical climate throughout the year makes it a great time to visit.

This small country in Central America also has the most incredible biodiversity in all of Latin America. There are also crazy, wild, and colorful frogs, as well as jaguars and tapirs. Let’s not forget about the monkeys. Many nights near Corcovado Park, I slept to the sounds of the nearby troops swinging through the trees looking for mates and food. Several types of monkeys are found in Costa Rica, but beware of those that frequent resorts. They have become quite skilled at stealing. If you leave your belongings around, expect them to disappear into the treetops.

There is always plenty to do in Costa Rica, from hiking the trails in the jungle to white water rafting and kayaking in the rivers. Some excellent new and very exclusive hotels specialize in wellness treatments. There is even a very special one called Oxygen that offers massages in a stream. The massage table is set up over the water, and the therapists work their wonders while you relax, listening to the trickle of water over the stones below.

Continued on page 10

Continued on page 11

By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers

@RyanTSauers

@RyanTSauers

September 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

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One Man’s Opinion: So Long Old Friend

By Bill Crane

It will be forty years next spring since I returned home to Atlanta from days away in college and began my career in Macon, Georgia. I moved into a modest apartment in Midtown, within stumbling distance of Manuel’s Tavern, and as I set up my utilities, I began my subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC).

Growing up in a newspaper and printing family, I can readily admit to a bias in favor of tangible, printed products. Though I have become a fan of a few podcasts and occasionally will read an e-book with my Amazon Fire, this comic book nerd VASTLY prefers the in-hand hard copy for newspapers, books, comic books, magazines, and particularly for the bane of my existence...e-tickets.

I am not suggesting that I have always loved the copy, the editorial viewpoints, or even the selection of stories in the AJC. But the talent combined inside was phenomenal, the reporting occasionally award-winning, and as

to the daily chronicling of major happenings about the state and across the southeast, there was no more unmistakable voice.

At a point in the late 80s, while working for Georgia’s Secretary of State, the state and I were paying for three copies of the paper a day. The morning Constitution, the afternoon Journal, and the late street edition Blue Streak Journal at 4 p.m., intended as a commuter ride home aide as well as still breaking stories ahead of their broadcast competition in drive-time as well as the evening news.

Our family competed with as well as admired the much more successful Cox Enterprises, through a series of weekly newspapers based in DeKalb County. We even printed the AJC one day, when construction operations at the Five Points MARTA station knocked out power and the presses at 72 Marietta Street.

At the peak of their operations, roughly coinciding with the Centennial Olympic Games, the paper’s editorial/reporting staff was approximately 525, and the revenue generated by the AJC alone in those years reportedly reached $4-billion—though as a private company, they did not publicly report earnings.

The biggest shock to my system upon learning of the demise of the print edition was discovering that, across a 20-county metro region of more than 6 million people, just over 40,000 print subscribers remain. Doing the math on those household percentages makes voter turnout on a Special Election Primary Day look robust.

But ready or not, we will all be soon turning this big page. No daily newspaper market wide will change the way we share and broadly communicate the news of the day. Many tell me this window already passed; I just missed the shift change.

Wishing the AJC.com, AccessAtlanta (a founding subscriber via Prodigy) and the AJC E-Paper all well, here are a few pointers to maximize your chances of success.

• Fix your search engine. You have better luck finding AJC stories on Google, Yahoo, or any number of specialized media databases.

• Offer NEW and additional tiered content. I would not pay more for all of the interviews the Sports Desk did with UGA Dawgs Coach Kirby Smart, but there are plenty of folks who would. Add live feeds of multiple municipal, county, and school board meetings across the metro area, and an archive of the same. Create a one-stop marketplace for the public-facing version of local governance.

• Stream the Georgia General Assembly Committee meetings and legislative sessions, stepping into a space that Georgia Public Broadcasting, minus federal funding, may not be able to afford in 2026 and beyond. Go deeper there.

Continued on page 10

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Local Playwright’s Newest Production Set to Open at OnStage Atlanta

By Tana Poncsak

There’s an old adage that says, “Laughter is the best medicine.” And when was the last time you had a good laugh? If it’s been a while, perhaps you can find your next belly laugh at the upcoming stage production of A First Lady’s Guide to Killing the President, written and directed by Topher Payne, coming to OnStage Atlanta September 12th to 28th.

According to a press release by The Process Theatre Company, the play was inspired by the book, The Strange Death of President Harding, that accused First Lady Florence Harding of murdering her husband when she’s driven to her breaking point. The press release says that the comedy imagines the final day of the Hardings’ whistle-stop tour as a “door-slamming, mistaken identity, pratfalling farce—with the action confined to a single cramped train car.”

“I wanted to create a story that made it feel safe for all of us to laugh together again,” Topher says. “I’m glad the play takes place 100 years ago because it gives us the distance to be able to relax and enjoy the story.”

And that’s Topher’s goal—to bring people back together again and enjoy a story together.

As rehearsals for the production ramp up, Topher explains that there’s a lot of physical comedy in the show.

“This is a Carol Burnett-type farce, so it’s a lot of slamming doors and people crawling over furniture,” he adds.

Topher’s directing process starts when he’s in his office alone using paper dolls. “I move them around like pieces on a gameboard, figuring out where everyone’s going to go and what the formations are,” he says. Then he shows up at rehearsal and tries it with the actors to see how much of it actually works.

“It’s like learning a dance. And then watching as the actors gain confidence

to take risks and try new things as we’re developing the show, it’s just such a pleasure to watch.”

Growing up in Mississippi during his early years as an aspiring storyteller, Topher says it was his stuffed animals that performed his plays as his parents watched. At age 11, his parents gave him his first video camera that he used to capture the movies he created with his friends from school. And by the time he was 18, he wrote stories that he borrowed or stole from his family, which is what he knew best at the time. That was also around the same time he showed up on the steps of a local theater in Jackson, Mississippi, and asked them to put him to work.

“They asked me if I was afraid of heights, and I said no,” he says. “That’s how I became an electrician.”

He spent two years at that local theater behind the scenes hanging lights, building sets, painting, and working on the production side of the theater. It’s also where he saw firsthand what all goes into a production.

“The amazing thing about that for me as an aspiring writer is that I was watching every performance of every play,” he says. “I would see the play grow and change and see the ones that were working and the ones that weren’t working.”

Through that experience he developed his own opinions and tastes, and he gained an understanding of what the audience connected with. After that, he moved to the Atlanta area to sell his skills.

“I kept right on working on the production side,” he says, adding that he also started to show people his writing and began building relationships with the people and the companies he worked with, including those who were willing to give him his first shot. He’s been writing, acting, directing, and more ever since.

Now as an experienced and professional writer and director, he explains that seeing your work move from the page to the stage is much like that feeling you get when you’re responsible for Thanksgiving dinner.

“Everybody finally makes it to the table, and you’re so exhausted you barely even have an appetite by that point, but everybody else is arriving and experiencing all of that work at once,” he says. “Seeing people experience everything that you poured yourself into is just like making a beautiful meal for the people that you love.”

What’s next for Topher Payne? He’s scheduled to have a new Hallmark Christmas movie premiere on the Hallmark Channel this upcoming holiday season with details to be announced later in the fall. And he says he’s looking

Continued on page 13

Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 03 12-5 p.m.

6-9 p.m.

4-8 p.m.

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Music, Fun and Games by DJ Lee PAGE 9

Getting to Know: Mid-Century Modern Furniture Finds

By Victoria R. Crosby

In 2019, right before the pandemic, Tucker residents Lindsay Barrett and her husband Javier, decided to start a small business, or as Lindsay put it, “It started as a side hustle.” They purchase and repurpose Mid-Century Modern furniture and sell it on the internet.

Because of the delays in shipping during the pandemic years, it worked out for them as they were able to deliver locally wearing masks. They had a big truck, which made pick-up and deliveries easier.

Mid-Century Modern style is from the 1950s, created by architects and designers that include Charles and Ray Eames, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, and Knoll.

Lindsay worked at a law firm setting up events and meetings for the firm in Atlanta for three years before quitting her job to sell furniture and accessories full time. Her husband worked in event planning, and left his job to work in the furniture business full time before Lindsay did the same. Their son helped to create the website, while their daughter created videos for social media to help promote their business.

At first, Lindsay and her husband were only looking at estate sales to purchase furniture for themselves, until they met a man at a sale who was restoring furniture for other businesses who would then resell. He told them that MidCentury Modern furnishings are very popular. After he restored a dining room set for them, they started to look at buying, refinishing, and selling online.

Continued on page 12

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Ryan’s Remarks Continued from page 7 We are supposed to act like kids and smile there, so we do. And in case you missed the memo, it is okay to have fun each day of your life. It is contagious.

3. People love technology yet miss the personal touch. How many of us want someone to handle our requests promptly, get things right the first time, and save us time/stress when dealing with a problem we’ve had with a good, service, etc.? I know I do. But instead, we hear, “For faster service, visit us online.” Note: This is CODE for “Don’t call us. We are busy; if you go online, we don’t have to talk to you or staff as many people.” Thus, be sure technology works for us and that we do not work for it. The personal touch in relationships built on trust matters now more than ever. Small businesses usually get this right, so please support one in our community today.

If we want to communicate more effectively, we must consider our audience. Do we encourage others? Do we make other people smile, laugh, and have fun? After all, adults are just big kids at heart. Being “normal” (whatever that means) is pretty dull. People want to see real, genuine, and authentic behavior. So, be YOU and enjoy living in your own skin, and quit worrying about what other people are doing. You know the whole FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) type thinking.

People will talk about you no matter what you do. So, my advice is to give them something good to talk about. Time is ticking and today is “a present,” “the present,” and “our present.” So, make the best out of each hour you have and encourage and inspire each other.

I wish everyone a super September and encourage you to make someone’s day. WOW them. Why? Because it feels great and it is an amazing thing to do. Be upbeat, be encouraging, smile, laugh – and if all else fails, “fake it until you feel it.” And until next time, and as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!

One Man’s Opinion Continued from page 8 • Simplify and make more intuitive the ability to clip, download, and share content; if well marketed, you create an additional revenue stream.

• Expand partnerships and share credit with other news outlets for more in-depth coverage. The AJC of today cannot be everywhere at once.

I plan to remain a subscriber and have already opted in during an earlier online sale, as readers are unlikely to pay several hundred dollars for the electronic version alone without some of the “added’ new content I referenced above. The AJC voluntarily retired some of its best talent last year, which was also to be expected, as payroll expenses began to exceed revenue. I wish Cox Enterprises and the AJC E-paper every success. Perhaps in the future, consider listening a bit more to your readers and long-term subscribers. It is always easier to keep a long-term customer than it is to develop and convert new ones.

Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

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Gwinnett Tech Cybersecurity Students Win National 2025 SkillsUSA Competition

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Gwinnett Technical College’s cybersecurity students earned national gold medals at the 2025 SkillsUSA Post-Secondary State Leadership and Skills Conference, held from June 23rd to 28th in Atlanta, Georgia. The college’s Cybersecurity program, accredited by both the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is one of the largest in the state, with over 1,100 students currently enrolled. This year’s competition highlighted the strength of Gwinnett Tech’s hands-on training and academic excellence, as students competed against top talent from across the country in leadership, health occupations, trades, and technology.

Two Gwinnett Tech students earned Gold Medals in Cybersecurity at the national level: • Garret Stand, Cybersecurity • Mathias Sosa, Cybersecurity In addition to individual accolades, the Gwinnett Tech SkillsUSA chapter was honored with two prestigious chapter awards: • Level 1 Chapter of Distinction – Chapter of Excellence Program Quality Chapter • Level 2 Chapter of Distinction – GOLD Level-Winning Chapter These awards recognize chapters that demonstrate excellence in developing students’ personal, workplace, and technical skills through high-quality programming and community engagement.

Dr. D. Glen Cannon, president of Gwinnett Technical College, praised the students’ achievements: “Our students’ results at this competition continue to prove that their educational foundation is exceptional and that they can apply their learning in real-world situations. The winners at both the national and state competitions confirm our students are also ready to compete in the realworld job market.”

He added, “With metro Atlanta emerging as a national hub for cybersecurity innovation, our students are not just winning medals—they’re preparing to lead in one of the fastest-growing sectors in the region.”

SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders, and responsible American citizens. Through its structured

programs, SkillsUSA enhances the quality of America’s skilled workforce and helps set industry standards for job training.

Gwinnett Tech offers more than 160 degrees, diploma, and certificate options that can be completed in two years or less.

More information at www.GwinnettTech.edu.

Travel Tales Continued from page 7 Costa Rica itself has a fantastic website, http://visitcostarica.com, where you can learn about all the activities and attractions available. Their motto is “PURA VIDA,” which in Spanish translates to “pure life” in English.

Whatever you do this holiday season, now is the time to start booking. Costa Rica might be the perfect place for your family this year.

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@walkeradventures.com

Seen in Gwinnett Emil’s Photo of the Month

September 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

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Mid-Century Modern Furniture Continued from page 10 Lindsay said, “The quality of the furniture built in the 1950s and 60s is really good, but sometimes we find something that is 1970s or 1980s that is vintage and also well made. We just give them a little love so they can have a second chance.”

Most of their furniture comes from estate sales and Facebook Marketplace.

“Sometimes people reach out when they’re ready to let go of a family piece, and we do our best to honor that,” Lindsay said. “A lot of our favorite finds come with stories, and it’s meaningful to help those pieces live on in a new home.”

Lindsay and Javier say that there’s something about Mid-Century pieces— the clean lines, the craftsmanship, the way form and function come together—that just feels right to them. The style is timeless, but still livable. They’ve always been drawn to pieces that are well made and have a story behind them.

They try to keep things original whenever possible. Some pieces just need a good cleaning and a little love, and others are too far gone and need full resto-

ration. Their goal is never to make things perfect. It’s to make them functional, beautiful, and ready for another chapter.

They say that one of the best parts of what they do is getting to connect with people. Whether it’s someone picking up their first vintage piece or a couple furnishing a new space, it’s always special to see something they’ve worked on find the right home.

“We love that this work brings together creativity, sustainability, and community,” Lindsay added, stressing that they don’t do custom refinishing for others, only for themselves or for resale.

The accessories section of their website features paintings, lamps, shades, and many other collectible items, priced from under twenty dollars to over five hundred. The furniture includes teak, walnut, chrome, and glass pieces, priced from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

Finding and restoring iconic pieces from the 1950s and 1960s is their passion, turning forgotten treasures into beautiful functional furniture. They ship nationwide, with regional deliveries and local pick up.

You can browse their available pieces or get in touch through their website.

More information at https://www.classicmcmfinds.com/ or call 404 9857255.

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Weeding…A Word for Your Day

By Jane Bishop

I’ve always found yard work to be a surprising source of therapy. There’s something grounding about sweat equity, especially when it comes to weeding. By definition, weeding means “to remove invasive or unnecessary elements; to make space for new growth.”

Weeds are persistent and stubborn. Left alone, they quickly take over, choke out healthy growth, and create more work down the road. The same is true in life.

When we neglect parts of our self-leadership, “weeds” can take root—draining our energy, stealing our joy, and diminishing our effectiveness.

Weeding also has another benefit: it helps us climb out of the doldrums. The doldrums—those sluggish stretches when we feel stuck, unmotivated, or heavy—are often the result of neglected clutter in our inner or outer lives. The simple act of pulling weeds in the yard or removing “weeds” from our habits restores momentum. It creates small wins that shift our perspective, re-energize us, and help us see new possibilities.

So, how can the act of weeding strengthen our self-leadership and lift us from the doldrums?

Ask yourself: • What area of self-leadership have I ignored for too long?

• What weeds have taken root and begun to crowd out my effectiveness?

• How is my leadership—of self and others—impacted because I’ve let them grow unchecked?

Just as weeds multiply when left unattended, unresolved issues and lack of structure only get worse when ignored. That’s why performing a Weeding Audit can make such a difference:

Continued on page 15

Playwright Topher Payne Continued from page 9 forward to participating in Y’allmark Christmas, a live and highly improvised performance of a Hallmark Christmas movie based on audience suggestions, at 7 Stages Theatre in Little Five Points.

But for now, Topher is looking forward to the opening and run of A First Lady’s Guide to Killing the President.

“This is a comedy about politicians, but it’s not political,” he says. “No matter what box you check on a form, I promise you’ll have a great time.”

And perhaps we could all use a good belly laugh.

More information at www.topherpayne.com or www.onstageatlanta.com.

September 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

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Health Matters: Key Steps to Healthy Aging

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

As you age, your health needs change. Staying on top of senior wellness activities is important, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Creating a list of health and wellness to-do’s can help you stay organized, so you look and feel your best.

“Aging well is living well, and it all starts with a combination of activities that can improve our mental and physical well-being,” says Dr. Scott Kaiser, chief executive officer of Determined Health and a physician specializing in geriatric medicine. “Although health and wellness may seem to get increasingly

complicated with age, it doesn’t have to be a struggle. A few simple – and fun – steps can keep us on the healthy aging path. By taking a proactive approach and prioritizing health, seniors can live their best life.”

Kaiser shares a simple senior-health checklist to help keep you or a loved one focused on wellness: 1) Annual physical: Everyone’s health is different. Even if you see specialists for certain conditions, it’s typically recommended to get an annual physical with your primary physician. This is an opportunity for important health screenings that may include tests to evaluate blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, bone density, and more. It’s also a good time for you to ask any questions and discuss concerns.

2) Vaccinations: Staying current on recommended vaccinations can help you stay healthy and limit the spread of disease. When cold and flu season arrives, be sure to ask your doctor about getting an influenza vaccine. The risk of severe illness from COVID also increases with age. COVID vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe illness and you can help protect yourself and the people around you by getting vaccinated.

3) Physical activity: All seniors eligible for Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, or group retiree plan may be

Continued on page 15

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As Fall Approaches, Don’t Fall Behind Whether you’re tidying closets or turning over a new leaf, it’s also the perfect season to take care of your final wishes.

Here’s a simple checklist to help you get started: l Have you documented your final wishes? l Have you explored preplanning options? l Have you discussed your plans with loved ones? l Have you chosen a funeral home you trust?

Don’t fall behind. Get ahead with peace of mind.

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PAGE 14

Visit WagesandSons.com or call one of our locations today to learn more about how preplanning can protect your family.

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7 Things Doctors Want Families to Know This Back-to-School Season

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

As your children return to the classroom this fall, the American Medical Association (AMA) offers seven tips to ensure your family has a healthy school year.

“As you purchase school supplies and prepare the students in your family for academic success, you can take concrete steps that prioritize physical and mental health, too,” said AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, M.D. “A healthy start can set the tone for a strong, successful year ahead.”

1. Ultra-processed foods are linked to health risks. Many busy families depend on ultra-processed foods because of their convenience. However, regularly eating these foods raises the chance of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, some cancers, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Carefully read nutrition labels, paying attention to sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar, shop the perimeter of the grocery store where fresh, whole foods are usually

Key Steps to Healthy Aging Continued from page 14 eligible to join SilverSneakers at no additional cost and have access to live and on-demand virtual workouts, including nearly 2,000 activities and classes per week in a variety of lengths and formats.

4) Social connection: Maintaining friendships and connecting with others is an important component to supporting physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Set up coffee with friends. Join community groups. Check out social engagement opportunities through programs that feature working out with a group of peers to build friendships and community.

5) Mental health: Although prioritizing mental health is now more widely accepted, it still can be a challenge for older adults to admit they need help. Talk with your doctor about how you feel and about mental health concerns you may have. There are many ways to help with a variety of mental health concerns, including mindfulness techniques to reduce anxiety, seeing a therapist, and taking medication.

6) Mental enrichment: Cognitive decline can occur as you age, so it’s important to be proactive to help support brain health through mental stimulation. Read books. Join a weekly game group. Check out GetSetUp, new for SilverSneakers members in participating health plans. This program provides an online learning platform designed for seniors with a wide range of live video classes – over 2,000 hours per week on more than 1,800 topics – to support mental enrichment.

7) Nutrition: What you eat fuels your body and mind, so it’s important to pack your pantry and refrigerator with wholesome foods. Stock up on fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, beans, and low-fat dairy. Then explore recipes you can try to experience new flavors and keep mealtime exciting. If you need help or have strict dietary concerns, consider working with a nutritionist for additional guidance.

Doesn’t it feel good to check a few things off your list? For more ideas on how seniors can stay active and connected, visit SilverSneakers.com. (BPT)

Weeding…A Word for Your Day Continued from page 13 1. Set aside a time to begin.

2. Identify one area of your life where weeds are choking growth—or keeping you in the doldrums.

3. Name the weeds—maybe procrastination, lack of boundaries, or an unhealthy relationship.

4. Decide what action is needed to remove them.

5. Take that action.

6. Plan how you’ll prevent them from growing back.

This process requires honest reflection, but it also unlocks renewal. Yard weeding gives me a visible sense of accomplishment; a personal weeding audit does the same internally. It clears space in our mental and emotional landscape for peace, energy, and satisfaction—and it often sparks the forward motion we need to climb out of stagnation.

Consistent weeding also prevents the return of negativity, self-doubt, or complacency. It cultivates an environment where personal growth and healthy self-leadership can thrive.

I invite you to practice your own weeding audit regularly. Remove what’s invasive or unnecessary, lift yourself out of the doldrums, and create space for new growth—keeping you, and those you lead, moving forward.

More information at www.janebishoplive.com.

September 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

found, and prepare meals that focus on whole foods like fruits and vegetables for both children and adults.

2. Eating disorders are often misunderstood. This silent epidemic affects people of all ages and backgrounds, impacting their physical and mental health deeply. Despite how common they are, the seriousness of eating disorders often remains private, causing many to struggle silently. If you think your child or teenager might have an eating disorder, their doctor can guide you to useful resources.

3. Make sure your vaccinations are current. Vaccinations protect you and your family from serious illnesses and disabilities and save millions of lives each year. Consult your doctor during the back-to-school season to confirm everyone in the family is vaccinated. When the respiratory virus season begins later in the fall, get the influenza vaccine to help minimize time missed from school or work.

4. Norovirus is highly contagious but preventable. It seems everyone has experienced a sudden stomach upset, leading to a frantic dash to the bathroom due to vomiting, diarrhea, or both. Unfortunately, staying near the bathroom may be the only option for the next day or two. The most common culprit is norovirus, and it can affect anyone. When buying school supplies, also stock up on cleaning products to disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Model good hand-washing habits for your children. Keep children with norovirus symptoms home from school for at least 2 days (48 hours) after symptoms end to help prevent spreading the virus.

5. Too much screen time is unhealthy. People are spending more time on their devices than ever before. However, excessive screen use can negatively affect mental and physical health, and it can also increase feelings of loneliness.

The start of a new school year is a great opportunity to replace screen time with other activities, such as after-school clubs and sports, playdates, quality family time, and sleep.

6. Eye health is vital. Don’t overlook it. Fall is a great time for an ophthalmologist checkup. If your tween or teen wears contacts, make sure they wash their lenses and lens case, and remove their lenses at night. Taking regular computer breaks, wearing sunglasses, and eating a healthy diet also support good eye health.

7. Sleep is vital for overall health. Factors like school stress and illnesses can interfere with a good night’s sleep. Establishing a consistent sleep routine for the whole family is a strong first step. For teenagers, 8-10 hours of sleep is recommended, while children aged 6-12 should aim for 9-12 hours. If sleep problems persist, consider consulting a doctor to identify if a sleep disorder is involved and to get proper treatment. (StatePoint)

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September 2025 Our Town Gwinnett

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