SNELLVILLE SUMMER FUN! Endless Possibilities for a fun-filled Summer! Summer 2012
Comprehensive Heart Care – Closer to Home
Nothing is more important to your health than taking care of your heart – and now, it’s much easier to get comprehensive cardiac care even closer to home. Piedmont Heart Institute – an established leader in world-class cardiac care – is partnering with Eastside Medical Center to launch a comprehensive heart care program. This powerful partnership means expanded cardiology services, access to top heart care experts, plus 24/7 access to care when it’s needed. From prevention to intervention to emergency care, we’re here to help you – and your heart – stay healthy for years to come. Learn more at: eastsidemedical.com
Piedmont Heart Institute now at Eastside Medical Center
Summer 2012 - Volume 7 Snellville Spirit Magazine is produced by: Snellville Tourism & Trade Association P.O. Box 669 Snellville, GA 30078 Website: www.snellvillepride.com Snellville Tourism and Trade Association’s mission is to promote business, tourism and events in the city of Snellville.
President Don Britt
Vice-President Kelly McAloon
Secretary Aysha Cooper
Treasurer Paul Slifko
Board Member Gretchen Schulz
Board Member Brian Pendley
Board Member Susan Chappelear
Board Member Sam Roper
Board Member Barbara Bender
Executive Director Joe Burnett
Mayor of Snellville Kelly Kautz
City Council Tom Witts - Mayor Pro Tem, Mike Sabbagh, Diane Krause, Bobby Howard and Dave Emanuel Snellville City Website: www.snellville.org Magazine Design by Accent South Media, Inc.
Contributing Writers Emily Hill Kathy Emanuel Joe Burnett Gretchen Schultz Claude Baham Debbie Puette
Dear Snellville Supporter: Summer is such an exciting time in Snellville. Briscoe Park is alive with outdoor athletic events, picnics, joggers, and splashing in the pool. In addition, our popular Popcorn in the Park outdoor movies will pack the park lawn with three screenings this June, July, and August. On the heels of the 39th annual Snellville Days Festival we invite you to check out the lineup of great events planned for this summer featured in this edition of Snellville Spirit. Things are moving so fast that some events this summer are still taking shape. We hope to produce a series of Live! on the Lawn concerts in July, August, and September. Star Spangled Snellville will take place on the 4th of July this year with fireworks, food, inflatables, music and games. Start making plans now for the first ever Around the World Visits Snellville on September 29th in Briscoe Park. Like so many of you, I can remember my reaction when I first heard the tragic news about one of our own-Aimee Copeland. My heart went out to her and her family. Many of our Board members have sons and daughters that went to school with Aimee at South Gwinnett. Others worked with one or both of her parents, went to church with them, and saw them on a regular basis around the community we all love. An e-mail from one of our members said what we were all thinking: “We need to help raise money for Aimee and her family!” We quickly decided to redesign our Sizzling Summer Weekend as a fund-raiser for Aimee. With the help of Vickie Gallup and her daughter Brianna Gallup Quador, we reached out to bands, athletes, artists, media outlets, singers, food vendors and countless others to make this year’s Sizzling Summer Weekend the biggest ever. We hope you will come out this weekend to help us show the world what our city motto “Everybody is Proud to be Somebody” in Snellville really means. Best Regards,
'RQ
Don Britt, President don@summitchasecc.com
Cover Photo by: Kathy Emanuel
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ATHENS ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC - Snellville -
Convenient location . M - F: 8am-5pm Walk-in appointments . Most insurances accepted David C. Harkins, D.O.
Shoulder & Elbow/Sports Medicine
David I. Katz, M.D.
Hand, Wrist, & Upper Extremity
Julian P. Price, M.D. Spine & Scoliosis Surgery
M. Shane Smith, M.D. Sports Medicine
COMPLETE ORTHOPEDIC CARE
Orthopedic Consultant for The University of Georgia since 1966
www.AthensOrthopedicClinic.com 4
1553 Janmar Rd., Ste. A, Snellville, GA 770-274-0007
CONTENTS 6 14 16 20 22 26
COMMUNITY NEWS SNELLVILLE DAYS SUMMER FUN FEATURE Snellville’s Superior Athletics
BUSINESS NEWS SNELLVILLE COMMERCE CLUB PARKS & RECREATION
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SNELLVILLE SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
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SNELLVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET
Snellville Tourism & Trade would like to thank La Quinta Inn & Suites and Crestwood Suites for their support and invite all guests to stay at one of these exceptional hotels. Photos Courtesy: Barbara Bender
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Community News
AIMEE’s WEEKEND sizzling weekend Snellville Summer
Celebrate the first big weekend of the summer, along with Father’s Day, with a tremendous weekend of fun in Snellville at the Sizzling Snellville Summer Weekend on June 15th and 16th on the Towne Green. Proceeds from the weekend will benefit Aimee Copeland and her family. The weekend kicks off on Friday, June 15th with Live! on the Lawn from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. on the Towne Green. At this live concert and food event, STAT will present one of Atlanta’s outstanding musical groups-Banks and Shane. Banks and Shane has been thrilling audiences around the world with its high-energy, hard-kicking, blow-the-roof off sound for years. So legendary is this band, that their fans all over the world are known as “Banks and Shaners”. Opening for Banks and Shane will be Jordan Rager and Elements of Style. In addition there will be food, beer and wine, and inflatables for the kids until 8:00 p.m. Proceeds on Friday will benefit the Aimee Copeland Fund. On Saturday morning, June 16th, at beautiful Briscoe Park, the weekend continues with the second annual Eastside Medical Center’s Run of the Ville, which will take place between 7:00 - 11:00 a.m. Run of the Ville is anchored by the highly acclaimed half marathon event. In addition the Run will feature a 5k run and a Fun Run/Walk. You can register at 404-448-4801 or at the event that morning. While the Run of the Ville is finishing up, the awardwinning Snellville Farmers’ Market will be cranking up on the Towne Green from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.. Featuring over 50 fresh fruit, vegetable and meat vendors, the market is in its third year as one of the region’s largest farmers’ markets. It is also an award winning farmers’ market. Following on the heels of the busy market in the morning, the afternoon will feature the second annual Grill’n on the Green – music and food festival. This event will feature local restaurants and vendors in addition to beer/wine, inflatables and great live music. The event will run from 2:00 - 11:00 p.m. in order to showcase all
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of the great bands and individuals who have donated their time to benefit Aimee Copeland. The line-up will include Brandon Whitley (accoustic country), Corey Durkin (acoustic singer/songwriter); the band Hero (soft R & B); Wade Sapp (acoustic country/southern rock); The Fineline Band (rock/pop/progressive country); and the Dam Band (classic rock covers and southern rock). Donations will be taken throughout the day for the Aimee Copeland Fund. A LifeSouth bloodmobile will be on-site to take blood donations. Local athletic stars like David Green, Jon and Matt Stinchcomb, and Atlanta radio personalities will be on hand to sign autographs and lend their support.
At a Glance: Aimee’s Weekend / Sizzling Summer Weekend Line Up
Live! on the Lawn 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. on the Towne Green Friday, June 15th Live entertainment: Jordan Rager Elements of Style Banks and Shane
Saturday, June 16th Live entertainment: Corey Durkin Brandon Whitely The Hero Band Thad Clark The Dam Band
Eastside Medical Center’s Run of the Ville Saturday, June 16th 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Briscoe Park Half marathon, 5k, and Fun Run/Walk
Snellville Farmer’s Market 8:00 a.m. – noon on the Towne Green Visit the open-air market featuring live music and brand new vendors
Grill’n on the Green 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. on the Towne Green Music and food festival including local celebrities and live music benefiting the Aimee Copeland Fund
Community News
Sun, Sand & Smiles at
BEACH
BLAST Special Thanks from STAT by: Joe Burnett After months of planning it was gratifying to have the day finally dawn bright and warm. Thanks to the generous help of E. R. Snell Contractors and Vice President Chris Snell, the 60 tons of bright white sand were delivered by Georgia Sand & Stone in a gigantic mound on the eve of the big event. With help from the front-end loaders of Walters Grading and Sandman Top Dressing, the sand was spread out and smoothed over awaiting the arrival of hundreds of children, many of whom had never seen a real beach. Beach decorations provided by Encore Events transformed the Towne Green into an exotic desert island. Palm trees, a tiki hut, a Gilligan car, parrots, netting, and pylons made the beach scene come alive for all. Kurt Schulz hand made the surf boards, octopus, mermaid, and shark wood cut-outs that were painted by Kelly McAloon, Darla and Sarah Dixon, Marcy Pharris, and Marilyn Swinney. McAloon, a STAT board member and Beach Blast’s event coordinator, orchestrated the watermelon eating contests, cake walk, cookie walk, and limbo contest. A huge number of inflatables, including a water slide, a Euro-Bungee Jump, and trackless train kept kids begging for more all afternoon and into the evening. There was even beach badminton for those so inclined. Kids made up games of Frisbee, Nerf football, and catch on the Towne Green while hundreds of their friends sculpted castles, animals, and other creations on this fantasy seashore. At dusk, the Back in Time Band took the stage for a two hour medley of great beach tunes. The brass and vocals transported old and young alike back to a more innocent time. STAT would like to thank the city for providing their new portable stage as well as Councilman Dave Emanuel, Councilman Bobby Howard, and Jay Krause for all their hard work setting up and breaking down the stage. STAT gives special thanks to all the sponsors including E.R. Snell Contractors, Gwinnett Citizen, Collision Consultants Auto Body, Sam’s Club, A Better Sign Company, and the City of Snellville. Thank you to Snellville’s finest the Police Department for keeping us safe, and to Councilman Mike Sabbagh and Mayor Kelly Kautz who welcomed the crowd and introduced the band. We’d like to recognize all the STAT board members and spouses, and the many volunteers for their hard work all day long. Most of all, we all would like to thank Councilwoman Diane Krause and STAT board member Susan Chappalear for the vision and encouragement to create this wonderfully successful event.
Photos Courtesy: Barbara Bender
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Community News National Night Out
AGAINST CRIME with the Snellville Police Department by: Kathy Emanuel
Tuesday, August 7th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Towne Center @ Snellville National Night Out is an opportunity to talk to local police officers and learn more in a relaxed, fun atmosphere how to protect yourself and your family. The impressive Snellville Police Department Color Guard will begin by presenting the colors for the National Anthem, then the evening will kick off with police demonstrations, entertainment, and kids activities including exhibitions with SPD’s popular K-9 unit German Shepherds. The SPD will be on hand to demonstrate police vehicles with the latest crime-fighting accessories, tactical equipment, and weapons. Members of the Police Department including Chief of Police Roy Whitehead will be available to answer questions. There will be demonstrations by the K-9 units as well as examples of traffic stops, self-defense and gun safety, and information on increasing home security. Ongoing entertainment, including a treasure hunt for the kids and child fingerprinting IDs will also be available. Representatives from the Snellville Police Explorers will discuss this unique unit that focuses on law enforcement education for teenagers. The Snellville Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association will have information regarding the Citizens’ Police Academy. The Snellville Work-Intelligence-Network, a group of local merchants and banks that meet regularly to share information with law enforcement to help deter and report criminal activity, will also have a booth to educate about their program. This event offers an opportunity for the residents of Snellville to connect with their local police and learn how they can take an active part in promoting not only their own security and safety, but how they can contribute to the efforts of their local police to make all of Snellville a safer place to live and work. The event is free and all Snellville citizens and members of the business community are encouraged to attend.
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THE INAUGURAL
BEACH BLAST RUN
Community News
The Results Are In!
On Saturday, May 19th, the 1st annual Snellville Beach Blast Run kicked off with 70 runners competing in a 10k, a 5k and a 1 mile Fun Run. The route began inside Briscoe Park, circled surrounding neighborhoods, and wound around Pate Lake. Gwinnett County Commissioner Mike Beaudreau was the first runner to cross the finish in the 10k, Peyton Adkins crossed the finish first in the 5k race, and Spencer Viternse crossed in front in the Fun Run. All proceeds from the races will benefit the Snellville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (SCPAAA) and the Snellville Rotary Club. Snellville extends huge congratulations to all the participants who made this year’s inaugural run such a success!
The winner scoreboard is as follows:
Female 5k 13-19 class: Katie Faulk 20-34 class: Rebecca Carrico 35-49 class: Jill Coleman 50-64 class: Kendra Skellen
Male 5k 13-19 class: Peyton Adkins 20-34 class: William Maloch 35-49 class: Younes Sediki 50-64 class: Rick Dial 65+ class: Wayne Yancey
10k Female 13-19 class: Sarah Parker 20-34 class: Kendal O’Lenick 35-49 class: Kerri McMahon 50-64 class: Brenda McKelvey
10k Male 13-19 class: Kyle Dodd 20-34 class: Petr Smid 35-49 class: Mike Beaudreau 50-64 class: Tony Powell 65+ class: Francis Fuld Photos Courtesy: Barbara Bender
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Community News
Green Thumbs Dig Deep:
COMMUNITY
GARDEN GROUNDBREAKING by: Kathy Emanuel
Shovels hit the dirt on April 22nd in Briscoe Park, heralding the official groundbreaking for the Community Garden @ Snellville. Welcoming a crowd of over 85 Snellville citizens, including Snellville Mayor Kelly Kautz, Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts, City Council Members Dave Emanuel, Bobby Howard and Diane Krause, State Representative Brett Harrell, and Superior Judge Candidate Tracey Mason Blasi, the ceremony included the unveiling of the 3D master plan illustration and planting of apple trees in celebration of Arbor Day. In addition to its primary purpose of providing space for families to grow flowers, vegetables, and fruit, the Community Garden will add a new dimension to Snellville’s sense of community. Its design will make it suitable as a school field trip destination, and also includes an amphitheater that can be used for both youth and adult seminars. Master gardeners will be hosting informal instructional classes in the near future, and when pavilion and gazebo constructions are completed, the garden will also be ideal for special events. Attendees learned the garden will be constructed in multiple stages. When completed, the site will feature a greenhouse, compost area, two small barns, and several pavilions. Garden plots will soon be available for a nominal rental fee. The Community Garden @ Snellville was conceptualized completely by volunteers. With the construction officially underway, this volunteer corps plans to build and maintain the garden property. The project still has many opportunities to participate, including digging in the dirt, assisting with a variety of construction projects, contributing building materials and/or providing financial assistance. Any interested individuals are encouraged to contact Community Garden @ Snellville on Facebook.
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Photos Courtesy: Kathy Emanuel
Community News
visits
This September come and experience a voyage around the globe without ever leaving your neighborhood public park! The Snellville Tourism and Trade Association presents “Around the World Visits Snellville.� Join neighbors and friends as we celebrate Snellville’s growing international community with a dazzling array of international art, cultural displays, traditional costumes, dances, music, and exotic flavors. Collect “passport� stamps from each country represented to document your cultural experience. Briscoe Park will feature main stage performances and demonstrations, international vendors, and global bazaars. Bring the whole family for an educational day dedicated to culture, food, and fun. If you would like to be involved or have additional questions please contact Aysha Cooper 404-805-3464 or Keisha Cameron 678-597-8811.
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June 9th
Wednesday, July 4th Begins at 3:00 p.m.; Concert at 5:00 p.m.
The largest July 4th event in the area! Continuing the long tradition established by First Baptist Church of Snellville, the Snellville Tourism and Trade Association will present an unforgettable 4th of July experience in the heart of Towne Center. Star Spangled Snellville begins at 3:00 p.m. with family friendly entertainment, including the tastes and smells of some of the finest holiday foods on the Towne Green along with a large playground of inflatables, train rides, and a space ball. A whole host of games will entertain attendees all afternoon, such as a watermelon-eating contest, cake walk, cookie walk, and pie-eating contest. Food vendors include Texas Roadhouse, Rey’s Cuban CafÊ, the Lion’s Club, and many others. The 50-piece Gwinnett County Orchestra will perform a patriotic concert from the Main Stage at 8:00 p.m. and a recorded melody of patriotic music will accompany the huge fireworks display following the concert at dusk. Opening for the orchestra will be Snellville’s own singing police officer, Thad Clark. Thad will also perform the national anthem at 8:00 p.m.. Come in your best red, white and blue, and bring your blankets and chairs to assure your seats for the music and fireworks show. Thank you to our 2012 sponsors: Summit Chase Country Club, Eastside Medical Center, The Gwinnett Citizen, City of Snellville and Hamilton Financial
-XO\ VW presented by
$XJXVW WK
A Special Thank You to First Baptist Church of Snellville and Snellville First United Methodist Church for offering their spacious parking lots for this great event. 11
Community News Update from
EASTSIDE MEDICAL Snellville’s Community Hospital
Eastside Medical Center is making significant strides and I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with a high level summary of what is happening in your community hospital. Improving the health and wellness of our community is one of Eastside’s top focuses. At some point, we will all require healthcare services and our community deserves the best, right here in Snellville. We believe that hospitals don’t heal patients, people do. Our team of providers and caregivers is skilled, committed, and continuously improving to ensure that you get the best, right here at home. In addition to our committed team, we are also expanding the healthcare services we offer and continuously recruiting highly skilled physicians to join our team. Eastside recently opened the comprehensive “Eastside Spine Center” on our campus. The spine center is run by a triple boarded physician, Dr. Ruben Diaz, to evaluate and treat patients who have back or neck trouble. Dr. Diaz works closely with any other physician who may need to be involved in your care to ensure you receive conservative, compassionate, and comprehensive care right here at home. Eastside opened a state of the art interventional cardiac catherization program. This means if you or a loved one is having a heart attack or requires an intervention, commonly referred to as a stent or angioplasty, they will have immediate access to care at Eastside Medical Center. The faster a patient receives treatment, the more
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“heart muscle” can be saved. Our cardiac cath program is equipped with brand new, state of the art labs and will be run by a nationally recognized heart program and physicians, the Piedmont Heart Institute. In addition to our new service offerings, you may have also noticed significant construction activity on our campus. Eastside opened a new and expanded emergency department earlier this year. With the expanded “ER” and complete commitment from our team, we are significantly reducing wait times to ensure our patients see our doctors and caregivers in a timely fashion. You may have also noticed the cranes and steel erecting behind the existing building. We are in the midst of our “North Tower” expansion, which will include the addition of forty-eight new private rooms as well as an expanded and renovated surgical suite. The north tower is expected to open in December of this year and will not only expand our capacity, but will ensure our patients and surgeons have some of the most technologically advanced operating suites in the area. It is a pleasure for our team to serve the community and as always, thank you for trusting us to care for you and your loved ones. Sincerely,
Eastside Medical
Snellville Spirit magazine would like to recognize 1st place winner Stephanie Wagner, who was awarded both 1st and 2nd prizes in 2011 Pursuit of Excellence Gwinnett County Art competition held at Cobble Creek Studios. She was erroneously omitted in last issue’s article naming the county-wide art competition winners. Art instructor Debi West of North Gwinnett High School was mistakenly named among the winners. Cobble Creek Studios Director Deborah Kepes said, “The work was spectacular. The art instructors in the Gwinnett School System should also be applauded for their efforts they make to not only instruct art, but teach them the business of art as well.” The list of winners in the competition is as follows:
Community News
CORRECTION:
Grand Prize: Georgia Bland Best of Show: Sharon Pak 1st Prize: Stephanie Wagner 2nd Prize: Stephanie Wagner 3rd Prize: Anne Archer Honorable Mention: Eyoel Tewdros Pictured Stephanie Wagner, 1st and 2nd place winner
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Snellville Days Best of the Fest: SNELLVILLE DAYS 2012
A SUCCESS by: Debbie Puette The City of Snellville Parks and Recreation Department would like to express our gratitude to the Snellville Days Committee, Snellville Days Sponsors, volunteers, parade participants, and festival attendees for all they did to make this festival possible. The event welcomed over 25,000 attendees, with families, craftmakers, and artisans coming from across the Southeast. If you enjoyed this year’s festival, we are looking for suggestions for improvements. Please visit our Snellville Days Facebook page and leave your thoughts. Next year will be our 40th anniversary festival, and we would like to present your feedback at the Snellville Days Committee meeting to make 2013 our best event ever.
photos courtesy Younes Sediki
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1st
Snellville Days
Special congratulations to the three parade float winners!
PLACE
Marine Corps Georgia Devil Dog Detachment #952
2nd PLACE
Brookwood High School Mock Trial
3rd PLACE
The Red Hat Divas
photos courtesy Phil Davis
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Summer Fun Feature GWINNETT’S GOLD STANDARD: Snellville’s Superior Athletics
Heat at the Rink Mark your calendars this month as SGAA hosts the ECHO Nationals tournament series June 19th – 24th. Welcoming inline hockey teams from up the entire east coast, the stiff competition and large grand prize will make for excellent spectating.
Registration Opens Soon! Gwinnett County has some of the strongest athletics and parks infrastructure in the nation. Named Sports illustrated 50th Anniversary Sportstown for having the best community sports programs, Gwinnett was also awarded the Grand Gold medal by the National Recreation and Park Association and the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, naming it the number one park agency in the country. Our community’s strong network of parks and green space is backed by sports associations, high school booster clubs, and countless parents and volunteers. These highly organized, pitifully under-recognized groups spend hundreds of hours every year organizing practices, leagues, and community teams. The love of sports that is fostered in the dugout, the deep end, or the end zone of Briscoe Park, high school intramural fields, and our HOAs is now revealing itself in stellar athletic performances and state titles. Gwinnett athletics took two backto-back football state championships in the last two years, with Brookwood High School winning the title in 2010, and Grayson High School triumphing over Walton in 2011. South Gwinnett Athletic Association’s Ronnie Williams points out, “Almost every high school in Gwinnett County is a 5A school for athletics. That shows what a strong athletic community we have here.” For our communities to foster championship teams at a high school level, the athletic excellence has to start young. It’s no surprise that summers in Snellville are packed with outstanding athletic opportunities. From kicking the ball around with summer league friends, to national level tournament competitions in state-of-the-art facilities, Snellville has a sports option for every age group and skill level. This infrastructure is key in our community’s quality of life, health, and economy. We hope this summer you’ll find something that gets you out on the field or into the swimming lanes. Read on to discover the scope of our city’s athletic offerings.
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Fall rec hockey online registration opens July 1st. Visit sgaasports.com to sign up.
PROGRAM LISTING SGAA Leagues visit sgaasports.com for times and schedules
Adult Hockey A AA 35 and up
Junior Softball Tee Ball Minor Major Junior
Junior Hockey 8 and Under 11 and under 14 and under 17 and under
Adult Softball Tuesday Night Men’s Wednesday Night Men’s Thursday/Friday Co-Ed
Baseball Coed Rookie Tee Ball Pee Wee Minor Major Pony Dixie Boys Sr.
Summer Fun Feature
[Spotlight on] INLINE HOCKEY SGAA Fosters Lifelong Love Housing the largest inline hockey program in the Southeast, South Gwinnett Athletics Association is Snellville’s go-to organization for recreational sports and summer leagues. Not only is it one of the area’s most professional and well-oiled athletics associations, it’s also an incredibly strong community institution. Fostering love for inline hockey since the program’s inception in 1996, SGAA Director Tim Gaines says loyalty takes hold fast within the sport. Many young hockey players on junior leagues continue to play at SGAA until becoming coaches and administrators. During its infancy, the inline hockey program operated outside on the hot Georgia tarmac. The game, foreign to most warm weather Georgians, quickly became popular. SGAA Director of Operations Ronnie Williams, who started as a rec league assistant coach in 1996, now sits on three different state roller hockey boards. “I had never even skated, but my son wanted to play, so I was researching the game by watching VHS tapes,” he laughs. Over the next 16 years the program grew exponentially. The facility was moved indoors in 2002, the rink boards and floor laid by the volunteers themselves. It is now the largest two-rink facility in Georgia, hosting the most national level tournament play anywhere in the Southeast. Williams attributes the sport’s popularity to the fast pace and indoor sanctuary from Georgia heat. As opposed to the lengthy game play of baseball or football – the only sports available during his youth – Williams says in inline hockey, “as a player, you’re always engaged. Although the game can be over within an hour, every player gets to play and is involved even from the sidelines.” Williams’ son,
Trace, who started playing when he was 9 years old, is now 24 and still deeply involved at SGAA, playing on the adult team and refereeing. At 18, Trace was selected to compete in the inline hockey world championships in Dusseldorf, Germany, the only SGAA athlete to date to be selected by Team USA. George Goodwin, who joined the adult league in 2005, now simultaneously coaches three junior travel and recreational teams. His three young sons also play. “Playing and coaching hockey at SGAA has made us a part of an extended family,” Goodwin says. “We’ve been involved with multiple other organizations around Atlanta for recreational sporting activities, and in our opinion, none have measured up to the family atmosphere that we have with SGAA.” The association’s size and organization is a true feat of community support and dedication. Run almost entirely by volunteers, SGAA’s success can be attributed to the community’s commitment to athletics. Williams and Goodwin like most other coaches, juggle their SGAA commitments with full time professions. “I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t love it,” admits Williams. The time investment all seems worth it when the kids are happy: “The kids really are number one,” he says. “What I enjoy the most is seeing them on the rink with smiles on their faces playing a great sport.”
Get Started at SGAA Anyone age 5-65 interested in inline hockey, are invited to email Program Director Tim Gaines at tgaines@sgaasports.com. SGAA offers a First Time Player Program for $50. Don’t miss the FREE Learn To Skate/Learn To Play program every Tuesday night at the Dual Deck Arena.
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What has it been like to see your children grow up playing the sport? It was been pure joy to see the boys enjoy and thrive in the sport. Georgie (9 years old), Xavier (7 years old) and Christopher (5 years old) all play hockey at SGAA. They all started in more traditional sports in Georgia, like baseball, basketball and soccer, but each one gravitated toward hockey. Once they tried it, none of them wanted to go back. Even more important to me is that it gives us time together, a common ground and serves as a platform for many life lessons that I get to teach them right in the moment.
GET TO KNOW: SGAA Head Coach George Goodwin What originally attracted you to the sport of inline hockey? My parents are originally from Minnesota and so I was very familiar with the sport of ice hockey growing up. Once inline skates became available, National Inline Hockey Association started and I jumped at the opportunity to play while I was in college in the early 90s in Arizona. It was the closest means to playing hockey without the need for ice (especially advantageous in Arizona). Little known facts about this sport? Offense and stick handling are emphasized more in roller as there is no checking, there is more room to move with fewer players, and there are no offsides or icing penalties. A real plus for inline hockey is the cost to play a season of competitive inline hockey is much lower than its ice counterpart. How is the experience of coaching different than being a player? This may sound a bit odd at first, but coaching takes a lot more energy than playing. When you play, you’re mostly concerned about your own individual effort, positioning, and skill. When you coach, you have to think about the motivation and execution of these three things for 10 to 12 individuals. You think about it before the games, during them, and long after they’re over. As a coach, I love seeing the kids improve through the season - growing in skill, confidence and character - it’s very rewarding. As a player, especially as a goalie, I love the thrill of performing under pressure - as the saying goes, “standing on your head.”
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What is special about SGAA? What do you think SGAA brings to the Snellville community? SGAA is like extended family. People genuinely try to help each other and great friendships result for both the kids and parents. What I find is that kids that come to SGAA to play sports keep coming back. In hockey specifically, most of the kids I coach quickly make hockey their favorite sport, and can’t seem to get enough. SGAA fosters a sense of community in Snellville - an important vehicle for people to come together for common interests and fun. SGAA promotes healthy kids through sports and activities and provides a great facility for all to enjoy.
[Spotlight On]
TENNIS & GOLF Hometown Heroes Offer Intimate, Intensive Lessons Summit Chase, Snellville’s most beloved familyrun country club, is set back from the highway nestled in the wooded fields off Main Street. Not only has Summit Chase preserved a large swath of green space from development, the club also functions as a hometown relic. The white washed walls, bow ties, and first-name exchanges that are common on Summit Chase grounds preserve the small town intimacy that makes Snellville so family-friendly. Since 1980 the club has offered world-class golf, tennis, and swimming on their rolling greens and state-of-the-art sports facilities. Their athletic programs, taught by local and national sports professionals, consistently produce exceptional athletic talent. This summer offers even more reason to hone your skills on the court or the course with Summit Chase’s wide variety of entry level, intermediate, and expert clinics and camps.
Summer Fun Feature
PROGRAM LISTING SUMMIT CHASE GOLF ACADEMY
SUMMIT CHASE TENNIS
Intermediate Golf Academy
Quickstart Tennis Team
This instruction is for players (boys and girls) in the 6th, 7th & 8th grades with advanced skills who are looking to excel in the game of golf with goals of playing in high school and beyond at a competitive level. You must apply with the golf professional. Two days per week for 4 weeks 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Tuesday/Wednesday June 19th - 27th, July 10th - 18th
Quickstart team tennis is offered year-round by invitation from the Tennis Academy Director, Steve Hill. The Quickstart tennis team is held two days a week for four weeks on Saturday, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. and Monday, 6:00 7:00 p.m..
Advanced Golf Academy The Advanced Academy is designed for the golfer who is either on a golf team, going out for a team and/or the golfer who is looking to succeed in the game. Drills focus on all areas of the game including course management and mental toughness. Drills on the range are transposed to situations on the course to help the golfer lower his/ her scores. The aim for these drills is to keep the junior golfer’s game sharp year round through the use of these sessions and participation in regional and/or club junior golf tournaments. Placement in Advanced Academy is determined by a player evaluation with the Director of Golf, David Epps. Two days per week for 4 weeks 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Tuesday/Wednesday June 19th - 27th, (skip week of July 4th), July 10th - 18th Junior Private Lessons: Lessons are available at a reduced rate for juniors. All lessons are ½ hour with a PGA professional at Summit Chase.
Tennis Summer Camp Pee-Wee 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Pee-Wee 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Quickstart Beginner 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Schedule: June 19th - 22nd June 26th - 29th July 10th - 13th July 24th - 27th July 31st - August 3rd
Tennis Academy Tennis Academy is offered year-round by invitation from the Tennis Academy Director, Steve Hill. Tennis Academy is held four days per week, Tuesday through Friday 3:45 - 5:45 p.m. for advanced elite, and 5:45 - 7:30 p.m. for intermediate advanced. When school is out these two are combined and offered Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Players in the Academy are offered a discount on private lessons. Camp start dates may vary due to inclement weather requiring make- up sessions.
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Business News The Business Owners’
SECRET WEAPON Snellville Business Toolbox Official Launch The City of Snellville Office of Economic Development, in partnership with the Snellville Entrepreneur Council, is proud to launch a new online resource for small businesses in Snellville. The Snellville Business Toolbox is a one-stopshop that has a variety of resources and tools to help start, sustain, or grow businesses. This invaluable tool will set the Snellville business and entrepreneurship community apart from all others and foster a community of entrepreneurship and economic vitality. For more information or questions, contact Eric Van Otteren at 770-985-3502 or email economicdevelopment@snellville.org.
Students Pitch Big Ideas,
WIN BIG MONEY 1st Annual Community Investor Panel Competition On Tuesday, May 8th, nine high school entrepreneurs walked out of Snellville City Hall with $2,500 in start-up funding. A six-person Community Investor Panel heard fifteen students from the South Gwinnett High School Entrepreneurship Alliance pitch their businesses in a contest similar to the hit TV show “Shark Tank.” Students gave a five minute pitch, and then were subjected to five minutes of hard-hitting questions from the Community Investor Panel. The panel, made up of successful business people from Snellville, had donated personal and business funds to support the young entrepreneurs and the program.
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The big winner for the day was Jon Gayden, whose business, IpodResQ, a personal electronics repair service won $500, and the Investors’ Choice Award of $100. This funding will be used for purchasing materials to fix damaged smartphones. Another business that did well was Khoobsurat Kreations, a henna tattoo and eyebrow threading salon, which won $400 to grow their already successful business. The South Gwinnett High School Entrepreneurship Alliance is a program created from a partnership between South Gwinnett High School and the City of Snellville, with the joint goal of educating Snellville’s next workforce in entrepreneurship education, while creating new employment opportunities for the community. For more information, contact Eric Van Otteren at 770-985-3502 or email economicdevelopment@snellville.org.
Business News
Photo Courtesy: Eric Van Otteran From left to right: Mike Albright, Southeast Urgent Care; Malik Dosani, Pearle Vision; Mike Foy, Stevie B’s Pizza; Bobby Howard, Councilmember; Barbara Bender, Hamilton Financial PC; Dave Emanuel, Councilmember; Van Adams, Van Adams Jewelers; Claude Baham, Big Frog Tshirts; Sam Thomas, About Face Salon
Shopping District Development with new
SHOP ON SCENIC by: Claude Baham Snellville’s Scenic Highway corridor is a great place to shop. And now Shop on Scenic, an exciting new economic partnership between retail and service businesses, is making it even better. Shop on Scenic combines buying power and marketing dollars to provide better goods and services to shoppers on Scenic Highway. The primary goal of Shop on Scenic is to increase the value of the businesses along Scenic Highway. Through a cooperative effort between area businesses and Snellville’s Office of Economic Development, we will develop the area as the premier place to shop in Gwinnett County. Current Shop on Scenic projects include the creation of a discount shopper’s card for businesses and retailers and identifying signage. The discount cards will enable businesses and shoppers alike to pool special offers and earn points or additional discounts between partnered Shop on Scenic businesses. Businesses will enjoy greater traffic in their stores and customers will enjoy a wider array of discounts. Shop on Scenic will soon be launching a website and Facebook page to provide expanded consumer awareness and interaction. For more information on the ways “Shop on Scenic” can benefit your business, contact us at info@ ShoponScenic.com.
SHORTEN YOUR
COMMUTE! The Snellville Office of Economic Development wants to ease traffic and reduce commute times. We are researching possible collaborative offices and satellite campuses right here in Snellville. Help us gauge interest and possible corporate partners: Please send an email to economicdevelopment@snellville.org with your company name and location of your daily commute.
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Snellville Commerce Club
Commerce Club Awards
STAND OUT
SCHOLARS Brookwood High School senior Robert “Coleâ€? Hembree and South Gwinnett High School senior Asante Farquharson were named this year’s recipients of the Snellville Commerce Club college scholarships. Each year, the club presents a scholarship to a graduate from each school who participates in their school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) or Distributive Education Club of America (DECA) program. Club co-president Jon Richards said, “Again this year, the scholarship selection committee was very impressed by the quality of the applications we UHFHLYHG DQG FKRRVLQJ WKH EHVW RI WKH EHVW ZDV GLIĂ€ FXOW The FBLA and DECA programs at South Gwinnett and Brookwood provide a great opportunity for students to learn about entrepreneurship and prepare for rewarding FDUHHUV ,W LV DQ KRQRU WR UHFRJQL]H WKHVH Ă€ QH VWXGHQWV Âľ With two inspiring stories, Asante and Cole have accomplished great things in their short four years of high school. It’s clear that both students have even greater things in store as they head to college in the fall.
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Snellville Commerce Club
Photo Courtesy: Jon Richards From left to right: Cindy Bazell, Cole Hembree, Debbie Dees, Principal
Scholarship Winner
Cole Hembree Brookwood High School
University: Georgia Gwinnett College
Intended majors: Biology / Marketing Management
With a long list of accolades ranging from DECA Regional Champion and DECA Chapter President, to Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation lifeguard instructor, this Brookwood graduate epitomizes the American bootstrap success story. Cole Hembree admits that his high school career started off rocky, “I made mistakes with grades that have affected me now. I learned from my mistakes and have willingly admitted them in order to become a better student,” he wrote in his Commerce Club scholarship essay. “I had to realize that I was growing up. I realized that I was expected to take responsibility for my actions and nobody else could be blamed.” During his senior year, Cole revolutionized his record, working his way up to DECA president, the high school marketing and entrepreneurship club. “Being president really inspired me to have a better outlook on life,” he says. “And through it I also gained a new social circle that I now count among my closest friends.” Jimmy Norton, President of the Snellville Commerce Club, was especially impressed with Cole’s self-motivation and marketing leadership. “In addition to succeeding in DECA, he managed jobs, college planning, and civic service; all indicators of an achiever,” Norton says. With the Commerce Club scholarship, Cole will pursue studies in biology and marketing management at Georgia Gwinnett College. Inspired by scalpels and dissection in his 7th grade biology class at Crews Middle School, Cole has career aspirations of studying disease and prevention at the CDC, ideally “studying viruses.” “Dissecting and finding out what the body does and learning how the environment works together has always just been a fascinating topic,” he says. Cole’s plans to go to GGC will keep him close to his family and friends at home. “Snellville is my home now, and I don’t think I could leave all my friends and my dad here while I was off to college,” he says. His father’s influence served as the main catalyst for Cole’s high school reformation. “It has just been me and him living together for all 18 years of my life, and I look up to him. When we would sit down and talk about my future it made me think about what I was doing...” Cole was awarded a $1000 stipend from the Snellville Commerce Club just before graduation in May.
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Photo Courtesy: Jon Richards
Scholarship Winner
Asante Farquharson South Gwinnett High School
University: Georgia State University
Intended major: Neuroscience
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Before graduating high school Asante Farquharson had been awarded the key to the city. In the next few years she will own and run her own boutique in downtown Snellville. She’ll do this while simultaneously studying to be a brain surgeon. Her motivation? “I wish nothing but to see the smile on my mom’s face when she turns to her friends and says, ‘See, that’s MY daughter!’” she says. During her high school career, Asante has divided her time between volunteering at the Red Cross blood drive, interning at Eastside Medical hospital, and taking various leadership roles inside South Gwinnett’s DECA chapter. Her plans are already underway to develop an accessory boutique called Jem’s Gems. Asante talks authoritatively about her business strategy, pointing out “there are no accessory stores currently in Snellville and I know I could fill that demand for all age groups. Although I am sincerely passionate about my medical aspirations, my mother always told me it is best to try and be your own boss, especially in this economy.” Her interest in medicine sprang from her fascination with her younger sister’s peculiar habits. “She would perform the ritual of measuring and re-measuring her bed sheet edges, making sure they were perfectly symmetrical.” Later diagnosed with a mild case of obsessive compulsive disorder, her sister’s behavior incited Asante’s curiosity. “Ever since then, my mother and I have read medical journal after medical journal about the brain. I frequently go on YouTube to watch brain surgeries. It is one of the most intricate and complex surgeries but that is why I am drawn to it,” she says. Asante attests her mother is not only the family bedrock, but her most motivating role model. “She raised three girls, while going back to school, and working. How does she stay sane? That is what a definition of a strong black woman is if I ever saw one. She has pushed me to do better for myself in school and for my community.” It was exactly this community commitment that touched the Snellville Commerce Club scholarship committee. Jimmy Norton, Commerce Club President says, “Asante not only placed in the top 5 percent of her class, but has started a volunteer medical internship in our community.” Asante received a $1000 stipend from the Commerce Club and is planning to attend Georgia State University in the fall.
SWIM
GOLF
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Keeping Families Connected Since 1973 3197 Classic Drive, Snellville, GA 30078 www.summitchasecc.com
770-963-3699
Advertise. Let direct mail and community news work for you! Would you like to share a stor y? email: info@gwinnettcitizen.com or call (770) 963-3699
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Gwinnett’s oldest locally owned newspaper - established 1988 25
Parks & Recreation Summer 2012 Activities T. W. Briscoe Park, 2500 Sawyer Pkwy., Park Office (770) 985-3535
BRISCOE OUTDOOR COMMUNITY POOL Admission: Ages 4-49: $4 All others $1
Swim Lessons Registration is Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m. Lessons range from $45 to $70, depending on residency. Proof of residency required. Please visit www.snellville.org for further details.
DANCE Tap & Ballet Fall Session Combines tap and ballet for a 45 minute class Ages 3-5 meet Tuesdays from 4:10 - 4:55 p.m.
Hip-Hop Dance Class Learn to dance hip-hop style! Ages 6 and up meet Thursdays from 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. Contact Robyn Donaldson at 770-934-8848 to register or go to creativemovementanddance.com.
YOUTH SPORTS Under 10 Quick Start Tennis Organized by USTA 4 week program Contact Coach Jones, at 404-642-8393 or QuickStartTennis@yahoo.com
Fall 2012 Soccer Registration Boys & Girls ages 4-19 Saturday Registrations: August 11th & 18th 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at TW Briscoe Park Office Open Registrations: August 1st at CreekSide Sports Center For registration and information please go to www.SnellvilleSoccer.com or call 770-466-7177
Youth Flag Football i9 Sports Boys and girls ages 4-14 Summer (Tuesday evenings) June 12, 19, 26, July 3, 10, 17 Fall (Sunday) Sept. 16, 23, 30, Oct. 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11 www.i9sports.com (select Dunwoody, N. Dekalb and South Gwinnett) Phone: 404-551-2036 Email: rhammell@i9sports.com
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Basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts are available on a first come, first served basis without lights during park hours. Tennis lessons are available. Contact USPTR Certified Instructor Jean Hagan at 770-469-5966.
Gimmie Some Sports presents‌
Parks & Recreation
ADULT SPORTS
Snellville Adult Flag Football League at Briscoe $250.00 per team/plus referee fee - $20.00 per game @ $2.00 per person 8 games/plus playoff; $50.00 - free agent; For detailed information contact Alvin Hill 678-920-4136 or hill.alvin45@yahoo.com or Visit www.gimmiesomesports.com
2012 Adult Softball Please contact 404-570-7422 or sgaasports.com for dates, prices and registration.
International Adult Soccer League(8v8) Divisions: Over 30 & co-ed; 6 teams per division (max 8 teams) Fri nights 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m, 9:00 p.m Sunday night 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. Fees: $475 per team + $13 per game Ref fee: $55 per player for house team League Director: 678-629-6755 Register online: www.IASL.info
For further information: T.W. Briscoe Park 2500 Sawyer Pkwy Snellville, GA 30078 Park Office (770) 985-3535 www.snellville.org
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Park Rentals (Requires 14 days notice)
PAVILION RENTALS Rental times: 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. We have three outdoor open-air covered pavilions holding 35 to 50 people and one gazebo holding 10 people. NON-PROFIT OR INDIVIDUAL Snellville City limit residents $35/2hrs Gwinnett County residents $50/2hrs Outside Gwinnett County $60/2hrs BUSINESS/FOR PROFIT Snellville City limit residents $70/2hrs Gwinnett County residents $85/2hrs Outside Gwinnett County $95/2hrs Includes picnic tables and benches
OUTDOOR POOL Holds 200 We rent our pool Friday, Saturday, or Sunday from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. $200 refundable deposit $200 rent for the 2 hours Lifeguards must be hired through our pool company with one lifeguard for every 25 attendees
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Rental times: any 4 hour time period between 7am and 10pm
Betty McMichael
Courtland Williams
MEETING ROOM/ PARK OFFICE
PAVILION Holds 35
Holds 100
$100 refundable deposit and:
$200 refundable deposit and:
NON-PROFIT OR INDIVIDUAL Snellville City limit residents $85/4hrs Gwinnett County residents $115/4hrs Outside Gwinnett County $125/4hrs
NON-PROFIT OR INDIVIDUAL Snellville City limit residents $200/4hrs Gwinnett County residents $260/4hrs Outside Gwinnett County $270/4hrs BUSINESS/FOR PROFIT Snellville City limit residents $335/4hrs Gwinnett County residents $395/4hrs Outside Gwinnett County $405/4hrs Includes twelve 8-ft rectangular tables & 100 chairs, microwave, refrigerator, and sink.
Parks & Recreation
Indoor Rentals
BUSINESS/FOR PROFIT Snellville City limit residents $135/4hrs Gwinnett County residents $160/4hrs Outside Gwinnett County $170/4hrs Includes six 6-ft rectangular tables & 35 chairs, microwave, refrigerator, and sink.
For room or pavilion rentals, call the park office at 770-985-3535. For field or athletic facility rentals, contact Matt Wright at 770-985-3533.
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Spotlight On: Snellville Seniors
ACTION PACKED
Summer for Seniors by: Debbie Puette There’s no slowing down for those over the age of 62 in Snellville. No, the Snellville Senior Center has plans to keep your days occupied with lots of fun activities this summer. Even though they already have over 300 members, they are sometimes still referred to as “Snellville’s best kept secret.” One thing’s for sure: you can’t beat the price. For only $25 per year, you can become a member and enjoy a variety of programs. City limit residents even get a discount and they only pay $15 a year. Wow, what a deal! They have a small workout room with bikes and weight machines. There is also a pool room with a large screen TV, computer lab, book area and more. Not to mention a number of ways to keep you healthy such as aerobics, Zumba, and Pilates classes. They offer Spanish, computer, crochet and knitting classes. Day and overnight trips are offered as well. Here is just a taste of what they have coming up. Be sure and stop by and check it out. Kathi, Leslie or Wayne would love to show you around.
ORLANDO & THE HOLY LAND EXPERIENCE October 21st - 25th $450 per person based on double occupancy Includes 4 night stay at Comfort Suites, tickets to Holy Land Experience, Winter Park Boat Tour, tour of Magic of Disney hotels, shopping, Makahiki Luau, and 6 meals included (4 breakfasts, 1 dinner, 1 lunch). $200 deposit due at sign-up. Space is limited so hurry and sign up!
BINGO 1st Friday of each month Bring a snack to share and join in the fun. Who knows, you could be a winner!!
SENIOR DANCES 2nd Sunday of each month 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. Cost: $12 per person Come enjoy the great music by the new Laigh Langley band. Refreshments served.
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SIPS, DIPS & DABS Tuesday, June 19th 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Cost: $25, includes all supplies. Come learn how to paint or join us if you already can. Lynn Ulmer will be our instructor for the evening as we complete a beautiful piece of art. Yes, even if you have never painted before, you will go home with some treasured artwork. Everyone is asked to bring a dip to share. The center will provide drinks, chips and other snacks.
LOW IMPACT AEROBICS Mondays & Thursdays 9:15 a.m.
MEDIUM IMPACT AEROBICS Mondays & Thursdays 10:15 a.m.
ANNUAL COOKOUT Wednesday, July 18th We plan to grill hotdogs and hamburgers outside, but we eat inside where it’s nice and cool. All members of the center are invited to join us for a free lunch from the Snellville Parks & Recreation Department. You will be able to request songs from the past for the DJ to play. Ice cream will be provided by PNC Bank. Space is limited so sign up soon!
Call the Snellville Senior Center to sign up for any of these events at 770-985-3580. If you are not a member, but are interested in joining, your first three visits are free. So give it a try! A full calendar of events can be found on their website, www.snellville.org under the Parks and Recreation Department.
Hill Top
PAWN WE BUY
GOLD & SILVER!
Pawn Broker / Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer We are a family-owned full service pawn broker/retail merchant, located in downtown Snellville, GA. We first opened our doors in 1994, and since have served thousands of customers. People come from all over Georgia to take advantage of our great deals and great customer service. Please come visit us at our new store location at 1882 Athens Highway/Hwy 78, right beside the QuikTrip.
770.978.7079 Our merchandise includes:
Firearm brands include:
Jewelry Guns Tools Electronics Musical Instruments TVs DVDs Laptops Car Audio Equipment High-end Watches Fishing and Hunting Equipment Car Titles ATVs Personal/Commercial Lawn Equipment Boats Personal Water Crafts .and more!
Glock S &W Springfield Remington Savage Browing Keltec Rossi Charter Arms Mossberg Bushmaster Henry GSG Winchester Custom design & build your own AR-15 rifle ...and more!
Senior Center
Body of Health will be providing free chair massages at various times prior to or following our regular exercise classes:
Snellville Farmers’ Market
STROLL, SHOP, AND SING-ALONG A season of new offerings at the Snellville Farmers’ Market by: Gretchen Schulz June 2nd marked the opening day for the award-winning Snellville Farmers’ Market. As in previous years the market will be held from 8:00 a.m. to noon on the Towne Green in front of Snellville City Hall. The market was recently featured in a USA Today travel story that named 10 farmers’ markets throughout the nation worthy of a summer vacation visit. Last season the market was voted the #1 market in Georgia and the #3 market nationwide in the large market category in a contest administered by American Farmland Trust. Many vendors who have been customer favorites will be returning this season, including Dillwood Farms, King of Pops, Buffalo Lick Farm, Cooking with Bubba, Pearson Farm, Snellville Honey, Purely Simple Catering, Rick Rack Rosie, Goodness Gracious Granola, and Thompson Family Farm. The farmers’ market is ecstatic to welcome several stellar new vendors to the market this season, offering organic produce, homemade baked goods, and fresh breads among many other locally sourced goods. In addition, the Gwinnett County Extension Service will host a booth several times during the market season. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions, provide resources, and offer advice about home gardening. More live entertainment is coming to the market this year as well. Thanks to the city’s new mobile stage, purchased with the 2009 SPLOST funds, the market will now feature more live music while you shop and browse. Local performers interested in booking performances can email the market committee at snellvillefarmersmarket@gmail.com. Photos Courtesy: Kathy Emanuel
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Snellville Farmers’ Market
NEW THIS SEASON AT SFM: BEST BREAD BAKING COMPANY Mediterranean-style breads and artisan baked goods, all made in a small Chamblee bakery that some reviewers have called the “best little bakery in Atlanta�
JESSANNE HEIRLOOMS OF GOOD HOPE Heirloom produce, fresh cut flowers and homemade herbal body products
SNAPOLA FARM Certified naturally grown produce
CEDAR SEEDER Live, edible flower plants, packets of edible flower seeds and handcrafted wooden seed organizers
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Watch local performers on the Snellville mobile stage
Experienced care for them. Peace of Mind for you. Adult Day Care Centers At SarahCare, we keep families together by providing a vibrant and social center for seniors who require assistance during the day, in turn providing peace of mind for the family.
“At SarahCare. we believe life in the senior years should be enjoyed, not endured.�
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1567 Janmar Rd. Suite 200 | Snellville, GA 30078 www.sarahcare.com/snellville | Open Mon - Fri, 7am-6pm
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Snellville Farmers’ Market Snellville Farmers’ Market Vendor Spotlight
Get to Know: The Honey Man by: Emily Hill Where are you from originally and when did you move to Snellville? Originally I’m from Eastern Europe, Romania. I was born in Bucharest. Romania is a beautiful country with a beautiful language that derived from Latin roots – close to Italian, French, and Spanish. I came to this country in 1981, first to Chicago, and then moved to Snellville 15 years ago. Snellville is a city with deep southern roots, and history, and we love living here. Your honey business started as a hobby – what sparked your interest in honey and beekeeping? My interest in bees’ lives started many, many years ago when I was 13 or 14 years old. Born in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, we did not have any agricultural high schools close to the city limits. My only option was to read and study any books about bees I could get my hands on. After all, the entire world is worried about this amazing little insect because they have mysteriously started to disappear… and the bees are responsible for over 75% of our food chain by pollinating wild and cultivated plants. Without bees, it would be very hard and difficult to have any harvest at all. Honey bees, also known scientifically as Apis mellifera, are vital pollinators. Five years ago, I decided to finally make the big step. I brought home a few hives where I experimented with the beauty and uncertainty of bee keeping.
Edward Sezonov, also known as “The Honey Man” was a young Romanian boy with a fascination for bees. Decades later, as a suburban Atlanta family man, he resurrected his boyhood passion and turned his hobby into a career. Sezonov now owns and operates 31 local hives, and derives as much pleasure from honey cultivation as he does sharing his passion for apiculture each week at the Snellville Farmers’ Market. 34
What is the hardest thing about working with bees? What is the most rewarding? The hardest thing about working with bees is that you begin to love them so much…but they don’t like to be petted. They are so perfect, and well organized…almost like a little military base in a wooden box. Most of the time, you are on the defense, accepting and taking the risk that you will be stung. As for the most rewarding, everybody will be tempted to say “the honey!” but if you do the right things and have patience, the honey will come anyway—this is what bees do! Instead, the most rewarding thing is properly preserving the swarm. If a swarm is lost, then you’ll lose more than half of the bee colony and more than half of the honey they already made. More importantly, there is the grave chance the swarm will not survive in the wild or be poisoned by human pesticides.
It is also incredible to think that honey never spoils. They found honey in the tombs of King Tutankhamen that is over 2,000 years old and is still edible. The most little known thing about bees is that they are technically classified as “livestock” – the only livestock without fences or boundaries.
Snellville Farmers’ Market
have the potential to develop into either a queen or a worker. It all depends on the kind of diet the young larva receives after it is hatched. The Queen flies 600 feet up into the air toward the sun to mate with a whole swarm of drones, but only one succeeds. She will then lay 1,500 eggs a day, more than her own body weight in eggs. They always come back to the same hive because of the queen’s secretion of a very particular scent: her pheromones. The queen is the brain of the hive. Neither the hive population nor the queen can survive as individuals.
What makes your Snellville Honey special? Just having them in Snellville makes them special! After all, everybody is proud to be somebody in Snellville. I’ll apply this to my Snellville bees too! Being local, the honey is more powerful to help with local allergies, making people happier. What do you like about selling at the Farmers’ Market? What do you enjoy about Snellville customers? It is that “WOW!” when I let people taste my honey. I always see that mysterious, beautiful smile on people’s faces. And when people are happy, they start to radiate their happiness. It’s just wonderful when you see them interested in bees’ lives, and questioning why they disappear and what can be done to protect them. Raw honey is excellent for health; why is it so good for you? Raw honey is the best, most natural product and has many applications for our lives. Honey not only sweetens things for us, but is also used for medicinal purposes. Local honey especially helps with allergies. Honey contains enzymes which are used by the body to activate chemical reactions, digestion being the #1 reaction. Honey has the advantage over sugar because it doesn’t create a higher blood sugar level than the body can assimilate. Honey is excellent nourishment and a power supply for the heart as well as the best food for quick energy Being very acidic, nothing grows in honey, and it has antiseptic properties. If applied on cuts it will prevent infections, it can also help heal burns with fewer scars.
I really enjoy the quality time here. Our volunteers are the most special people. What do you expect? They’re Snellvillians. They put their hearts into every Saturday morning - flawless and well organized. I love them as much as I love my bees. Overall, every Saturday morning, between the customers, the volunteers, and the vendors everybody has a good time. It looks like a little festival. This is what makes the Snellville Farmers’ Market special.
What would you say is the most interesting thing about bees? What is the most little-known fact? In my opinion, the most interesting thing about bees is their organization. In their relatively very short life, they will perform all the levels of work in a hive. It takes about 556 members to gather one pound of honey from about 2 million flowers. One honey bee alone makes only 1/12th a teaspoon during an entire life span. That is hard work! Bees are so mysterious and so full of wonder: like the process of becoming a Queen! Who can explain this amazing development? In the beginning the female eggs
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Snellville Tourism & Trade P.O Box 669 Snellville, GA 30078
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