On the Cover: Family Remains the Key Ingredient at Mellow Mushroom Snellville
By Jenna Cooper
A lot has changed for Mellow Mushroom in Snellville since its opening over twenty-five years ago, but one thing has remained constant: it’s all in the family. For owners Barbara “Barbie” Rosselle and Greg Merkle, that not only includes their own family histories of restaurateurs, but also the staff, customers, and atmosphere of their business.
“We have a lot of regular customers, and we want everyone who comes in to feel like this place is their home away from home,” said Merkle. “Many of our guests call us Snellville’s Cheers.”
Rosselle and Merkle know many of their customers’ names, pizza orders, and family members, and have witnessed the children of those families grow up to become customers themselves. The loyalty of their customers has also been a driving force behind the partners’ commitment to giving back to the Snellville community.
Their collaboration began ten years ago when Rosselle offered Merkle the partnership after he had worked his way up at the restaurant since starting as a busboy at age 17.
“I worked hard for a long time, and as I get closer to retirement, it has been such a blessing to pull back and let Greg take the reins,” said Rosselle. “We work well together—he’s big picture and I’m in the details, and when we put our two minds together, it seems to work out nicely.”
Over the years, Rosselle and Merkle have spearheaded fundraising for local public servants and team members in need, as well as support for the legislation that passed, allowing them to expand their offering to customers through the Sunday sale of alcohol.
Evolving and expanding offerings to meet customers’ needs is a consistent priority at the restaurant. The decline in business during the pandemic in 2020 led to an increase in their third-party delivery options, and plans now include new late-night hours of operation on the weekends to address the lack of restaurant options available to Snellville residents after 9:00 p.m.
Beginning September 2nd, customers can also try the latest addition to the Mellow Mushroom menu: pizza rolls with a choice of six different dipping sauces.
Those who prefer the menu staples may want to try Merkle’s favorite pizza—the Holy Shitake with bacon—or one of the throwbacks to old favorites that are always available on a special side menu. That includes Rosselle’s
“We always have new specials and items on the menu to keep things lively,” said Merkle, “but the old reliables are still there, and if we have the ingredients, we will make it. We always try to say yes if we can.”
Whether trying out the menu or joining them for trivia nights every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., the team at Mellow Mushroom Snellville invites everyone to come and be part of the family.
More information at https://www.mellowmushroom.com/locations/ or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mmsnellville
favorite menu item of her own creation: the Magical Mystery Tour pizza with a vegetarian pesto base, two types of mushrooms, spinach, feta cheese, and light jalapeños.
Our Town
Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine
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. —
Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett/Walton area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.
Publisher/Owner
Dr. Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultz.com
Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultz.com
Editor
Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultz.com
Cover Photography
Emil Powella
Photography
Distribution
Coordinator
Rob Rome
Cover Story
Feature
Writer
Kristen Eleveld
IN THIS ISSUE
Feature Writers
Jenna Cooper
Victoria R. Crosby
Tana Poncsak
Traci Sanders
Contributing Writers
Bill Crane
Jane Bishop
Dr. Jenny Reesman
Tanisha Turner
Pam Walker
5 On the Cover: Family Remains the Key Ingredient at Mellow Mushroom Snellville
7 From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks
9 Learning Lessons: Four Key Connections to Foster Your Child’s Early Development
9 Pet Perch: Loss is So Hard
9 One Man’s Opinion: So Long Old Friend
10 Local Playwright’s Newest Production Set to Open at OnStage Atlanta
10 Weeding…A Word for Your Day
10 Catching Up with Brookwood Animal Hospital
12 Travel Tales: Where Has the Year Gone?”
13 7 Things Doctors Want Families to Know This Back-to-School Season
13 Walton Court Booster Station Serving Snellville and the Surrounding area
15 Rainbow Village Expands Scope with Georgia Uplift Partnership
From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks
By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers
@RyanTSauers @RyanTSauers
Hello, everyone. Happy September. The fall season is almost here, and I always look forward to the fall weather with its cooler temperatures. I love all sports. Football is back, and baseball will be fun to watch down the stretch.
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. 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 audi-
Continued on page 14
Learning Lessons: Four Key Connections to Foster Your Child’s Early Development
By Tanisha Turner
The brain develops faster in the first five years of life than at any other point, and studies show that the human brain is never more receptive than during this time period. Understanding some key facts behind children’s brain development can help parents and caregivers better support a child’s learning during this critical time.
Dr. Laura Jana, a pediatrician, award-winning author, and member of the Primrose Schools Early Learning Council, employs four key connections to help explain why the first five years are critical for children’s development:
1. Connecting the Neurons. Babies are born with more than 100 billion nerve cells in their brains. These neurons must connect and communicate with each other in order to form the circuits needed to think, learn, and succeed – something neurons do at the remarkable rate of 700 connections per second in the first five years of life. In fact, peak development of sensory pathways, such as hearing, vision, and language, occurs during the first six months of life. Parents can make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by nurturing their child’s natural desire to explore, asking meaningful questions, and creating as many learning experiences as possible.
2. Making Connections with Caring, Responsive Adults. The everyday back-and-forth interactions adults have with babies – from babbling to singing, cooing and other responsive gestures – shape brain development far more than parents and caregivers may realize. Research from The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University reveals that a strong relationship between a caring responsive adult and a child is so powerful, it can literally serve as a protective buffer against the potentially negative effects of stress and adversity on the developing brain. Start building this relationship with your infant by responding to his babbles, gestures, or cries with the appropriate eye contact, words, or a hug. This supports the development of your little one’s communication and social skills.
3. Connecting Language and Literacy Skills with Future Life Success. Reading and talking to young children is fundamentally important to their development. Betty Hart and Todd Risley, child psychologists at the University of Kansas, found in their landmark 1995 study that the frequency and quality of words spoken to children has significant implications on their vocabularies, IQ, literacy skills, and future academic success. Parents don’t need to wait until their child can sit up, hold a book, or even focus on the words to start reading together – the earlier, the better!
4. Recognizing the Connection between Early Skills and Workforce
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
Development. All parents strive to raise happy, successful children, but over time certain skills have become more relevant for success in today’s workforce. Instead of focusing solely on academic success, parents, caregivers and early educators are also focusing on instilling essential traits and skills like grit, perseverance, compassion, and problem-solving. Early childhood is when the foundation for these attributes is built and nurtured. Modeling these skills and traits is one of the best ways parents can help their child develop them.
The first five years of a child’s life are special for many reasons. Recognizing the rapid development that takes place during this critical stage and fostering the above connections will help ensure your little one gets the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity!
Tanisha Turner is the Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway. More information at www.PrimroseSugarloafParkway.com or call 770-5130066.
Pet Perch: Loss is So Hard
By Dr. Jenny Reesman, DVM
Max lays on the table, purring gently, lifting his head with every little bit of strength he has left. Red cheeks below tear-soaked eyes look at him longingly. Time is so precious, and often seems like not enough. One more chase of mousey. One more leap onto the couch to curl up in a waiting lap. One more head bump. One more…
I am often told that euthanasia must be the hardest part of my job. I agree, but it is often for different reasons than the person is thinking. Yes, I am sad for the pet. It is the end of a life well lived. It is hard because of the face or faces looking at me, eyes welled with tears. The knowledge of the heartbreak, having been there as an owner saying good bye to my own pet. The memories from the months or years I have known this pet, this family. The puppy that came bounding in years ago now lying white faced on the blanket. The thin bones that age has given the kitten that once played with string on that first visit so many years ago.
I am sad for the family, the owners, the people that cared for this friend for so long, that now must say goodbye and leave with memories and a handful of tissues. That is the hard part. That is why I cry, sometimes in the room, sometimes in the bathroom long after the appointment.
But, with the sadness is the honor that comes with being present at that moment. The last breath. The smiles as we reminisce and tell stories. Laughs that get choked with tears as we help our friend cross the rainbow bridge. It is hard, but it truly is an honor, and one I will never take for granted.
Dr. Jenny Reesman is the Proud owner of Brookwood Animal Hospital
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
Continued on page 12
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
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?
Continued on page 15
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 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.
Catching Up with Brookwood Animal Hospital
By Kristen Eleveld
Brookwood Animal Hospital has been a staple of Gwinnett for over forty years. Now, as they continue to grow and meet the needs of their clients, a new era has started for the team at Brookwood Animal Hospital.
Dr. Craig Yeomans opened the hospital in 1983 and has led his team faithfully since that time. This year, as Dr. Yeomans steps down completely to enjoy a much-deserved retirement, he leaves his patients with only the best of care providers—namely, Dr. Jenny Reesman, who purchased the practice from Dr. Yeomans over five years ago.
Dr. Reesman first worked with Brookwood Animal Hospital as a high school student. After running the practice for over five years, Dr. Reesman is looking forward to the next chapter of her veterinarian career.
“I am excited to have the reins given to me and to be able to step in completely on my own,” said Dr. Reesman. “Dr. Yeomans was able to step away because he knows the clinic is in good hands.”
And while the Brookwood Animal Hospital has always been known for its incredible patient care, Dr. Reesman is excited about making some changes to the practice to best suit her patients’ needs.
For instance, Dr. Reesman plans to utilize her staff to their full ability in order to see as many patients as possible during the day. Many times, a vet
Continued on page 15
Travel Tales: Where Has the Year Gone
By Pam Walker
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 15
One Man’s Opinion
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.
• 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
Seen in Gwinnett
Emil’s Photo of the Month
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 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
Continued on page 15
Walton Court Booster Station Serving Snellville and the Surrounding area
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
The City of Snellville is proud to announce that a Community Project Funding request submitted by U.S. Congressman David Scott has successfully secured $1,092,000 in federal appropriations to support critical infrastructure improvements just outside the city limits.
“I am proud to announce that the House Appropriations Committee has provided over $1 million in federal funding to upgrade the drinking water infrastructure for Gwinnett County, particularly Snellville,” Scott said. “This investment to enhance the Walton Court Booster Station will ensure access to clean drinking water for residents in the surrounding area. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to ensure that this funding is signed into law.”
The funding, which was requested on behalf of Gwinnett County, will be used to modernize the aging booster station located along Walton Court. The project was initially submitted with a total request of $1,760,000.
“This federal investment will directly benefit residents in Snellville by ensuring more reliable and secure water infrastructure,” said Mayor Barbara Bender. “We are grateful to Congressman Scott for advocating on behalf of our community and to Gwinnett County for prioritizing these critical upgrades.”
The Walton Court Booster Station currently supports approximately 1,750 people through numerous water connections. Built more than 40 years ago, the
Continued on page 14
Remarks
ence. 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!
Walton Court Booster Station
station faces several operational and safety challenges, including:
• Corroded and leaking piping and pump surfaces
• Outdated and undersized electrical systems
• A deteriorated building secured only by a single manway door with a keyed lock
• No perimeter fencing or enhanced site security
Planned improvements will address these issues through a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade.
• Replacement of booster pumps
• Upgrades to electrical and power systems
• Building renovations
• Installation of standby power for emergency operation
Enhanced on-site security measures
The funding is part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Federal Appropriations Bill, which still has to be passed by Congress. Federal lawmakers aim to pass the bill by September 30th, though final passage may occur later in the fiscal year.
STORMS CAN DAMAGE YOUR ROOF WITHOUT YOU EVEN KNOWING.
IF ONLY YOUR HOME HAD A CHECK ROOF LIGHT
KNOWING FOR SURE, COSTS NOTHING. NOT KNOWING CAN COST THOUSANDS.
Weeding…A Word for Your Day
from page 10
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:
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.
Travel Tales Continued from page 12
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
Brookwood
Animal Hospital Continued from page 10
assistant may be the one who gives your furry friend a monthly booster shot, while the vets on staff will be available for well checks or more complicated appointments involving illness or new problems. They hired a new veterinarian, which increased the number of patients that can be seen each day.
“Our goal is to be as available as possible for all of our patients,” said Dr. Reesman. “We want to be efficient without losing any one-on-one time with our patients.”
Dr. Reesman and her team have already started to implement many of these strategies, which allows her assistants and vet assistants to learn even more about the best ways to care for your pets.
Of course, some things never change. Dr. Reesman always likes to remind her clients that the best way to keep their pets healthy is preventative care.
“I always give the same answer when someone asks about preventative care: yes!” said Dr. Reesman. “Parasites like heartworm, fleas, and ticks are so prevalent in Georgia, and it’s not always obvious that your pet needs a check-up.”
Even animals like cats who stay indoors at all times will benefit from a regular well check.
“Cats age faster than people do, and people are still recommended to get a well check once a year,” said Dr. Reesman. “The more we see your pets, the better we can predict trends for their health.”
Another thing that has not changed is Dr. Reesman’s passion for giving back to groups and sports at her alma mater, Brookwood High School. When one of the women’s teams reaches out for sponsorship or help, Dr. Reesman is always willing to give it.
And, of course, she continues to be a staunch supporter of the Brookwood Robotics Club.
“Robotics teaches to many life skills: learning different roles in a group, problem solving, managing different personalities working closely together, following a leader, and so much more,” said Dr. Reesman, a self-described “robotics mom” who continues to support her children during their time in the Robotics Club. “The club teaches them that it’s okay to fail. Sometimes we learn the most by failing. Failing teaches us to pursue our goals and find a different way to achieve them.”
If you want the best care for your furry friends, the answer is simple: Brookwood Animal Hospital is the place to go.
More information at https://www.brookwoodanimal.com/, (770) 979-0089
Rainbow Village Expands Scope with Georgia Uplift Partnership
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Having recently launched the Building Homes, Building Hope Capital Campaign to more than double the number of families it can serve, Rainbow Village is also exploring other ways to grow. The nonprofit, dedicated to bringing Help, Hope, Housing, and Healing to families experiencing homelessness, announced today a new partnership with another local organization, Georgia Uplift. With a mission to connect the intellectual and developmental disability workforce with resources and support that foster a stronger, more resilient community of professionals, Georgia Uplift proves an ideal match for the Success Coach model that has been in place at Rainbow Village for decades.
“We say it all the time…homelessness can happen to anyone,” said Melanie Conner, CEO of Rainbow Village. “When that ‘anyone’ is someone who works closely with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, it can have a domino effect. Direct Support Professionals who strive to make a difference in the lives of the people they serve deserve the same level of stability, support, and success in their own lives.”
Conner added, “Low industry wages paid to these essential workers, coupled with the high cost of housing and other necessities, can put them in danger of becoming financially strapped or even unhoused. We believe that the Success Coach model that has proven such a game changer for the families Rainbow Village serves can be modified to fit the needs of those in the Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities industry.”
To help them launch this new outreach program, Rainbow Village has added Yuli Fernandez to the team as Georgia Uplift Success Coach.
Fernandez brings a big heart, a psychology degree from Purdue University, a passion for serving the community, and an impressive career that includes stints with Gwinnett County Juvenile Court and Atlanta Public Schools to this newly created role. In her service to Direct Support Professionals, Fernandez empowers them to navigate daily life challenges, address barriers to home and work-life balance, and develop a roadmap of hope to guide them toward their best life.
“My Georgia Uplift cases may need assistance identifying ways to help meet their basic needs, from rent and utilities to food and health,” shared Fernandez. “I offer connectivity to a wealth of resources that can help these critical need professionals and their families thrive every day. When the occasional crisis arises, I’m there to coach them through it. I can help them identify potential resources for childcare, transportation, housing, and more. Their daily job is critical. My goal is to offer them peace of mind. They know that I’m here for them, offering the same levels of caring, compassion, communication, and confidentiality they extend to their own clients.”
Georgia Uplift is a joint venture funded by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and operated by the Service Providers Association for Developmental Disabilities.
More information at https://rainbowvillage.org/.
Back-to-School Season
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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)
