Suwanee Magazine Sept-Oct 2015

SUWANEE’S PINK WARRIORS Community. Culture. Lifestyle.

SEPT / OCT 15

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT:

SIDNEY’S AT LANIER

2015

SUWANEE FEST exclusive GUIDE

THE FALL FESTIVALS YOU CAN’T MISS

2O15 SUWANEE HIGH SCHOOL

PIGSKIN PREVIEW HEAD COACHES OF Lanier, North Gwinnett, Collins Hill & Peachtree Ridge GIVE THEIR PREDICTIONS FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON

contents27 sept / oct 2015

PHOTO BY: Walt Wooden

on the cover

27 Suwanee High School Pigskin

Preview 2015 Head coaches of Lanier,

North Gwinnett, Collins Hill & Peachtree Ridge give predictions for the upcoming season

33 Suwanee’s PHOTO BY: Karl Lamb

When the dreaded “C” word shook the City of Suwanee family at its core, two Pink Warriors and a community around them rose up...

45 Restaurant Spotlight:

Sidney’s at Lanier

Local southern fare from area farms to Lanier Island forks

Head Chef, Richard Sykes and Culinary Director, Michael Klein of Sidney’s at Lanier Islands

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PHOTO BY: Steve Glass

33 45

Pink Warriors

64 Fall Festivals

You Can’t Miss From craft beer and wine festivals to family-friendly events, Suwanee and surrounding cities have calendars packed with fall festivities

2015

SUWANEE FEST exclusive GUIDE pg. 60

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contents

Jim Hillman of Hillman Flooring & Design

sept / oct 2015

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empower 13 SBA News A peek into the

future: Suwanee, Georgia 2035

15 Investment Strategies

Aileron Investment Advisors answer how a rise in interest rates will affect stocks

16 Lift Your Sole

Fitness inspired jewelry

20 Hillman Flooring

Celebrating 25 years in Suwanee

24 Marketing Tips

Digital Marketing

thrive

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Two Maids & A Mop clean with purpose

41 Coping with a Cancer

Diagnosis Licensed therapist

Laura Lebovitz gives advice

42 Why Pilates?

49 Fresh & Easy Healthy,

Ready-made meals with Fresh ’n Fit Cuisine

50 Restaurant Listings

The area’s best dining options

54 The Grapevine: Everyday Wines Interesting wines

under $15

56 What’s Brewing: Fall Beers are in Oktoberfest,

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71 Soul Asylum Exclusive

Porter and Pumpkin styles

I Suwanee Magazine I suwaneemagazine.com I SEPT / OCT 15

interview with Dave Pirner

74 SculpTour: The Herd Phil Proctor’s work symbolizes awareness

Rainbow Pilates explains 3 reasons why

savor

Rainbow Pilates

create

38 Cleaning for a Reason

PHOTOS BY Karl Lamb

learn

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Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

76 Back to School Pics from area students

on the first day of school

citybuzz 80 The Buzz 84 People & Places 94 Calendar

in every issue 08 Editor’s Letter 11 Share

letter

a note from our managing editor

As long as I can remember, fall has always been my favorite season.

My sister and I used to get so excited when it started to “smell like fall.” We would eagerly run inside, grab my mom Rachel Pillow and make her “come outside Managing Editor and smell it!” Joining in our rachel@suwaneemagazine.com enthusiasm, my mom would point out colorful leaves starting to emerge in our backyard and talk about plans to take us to the pumpkin patch. As much as we liked the pretty, colorful leaves, what we really couldn’t wait for was when they’d get crunchy and fall - so we could rake them up and jump into piles off the back porch. I have to admit, that still sounds pretty fun!

September and October bring beautiful weather to Georgia and I can’t wait to get outside and enjoy it. Yes, tailgating counts as an outdoor activity! With anticipation of the 2015 football season mounting, we set out to gain insight and predictions on the area’s local high school teams. In a rare moment caught on camera, we gathered the Head Coaches of North Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge, Lanier and Collins Hill for a photo shoot and interviews about the upcoming season.

The rival coaches demonstrated sportsmanship and camaraderie during the shoot, but when it came time for interviews – those had to be done separately, seeing as the season had not yet started.

October is national Breast Cancer Awareness month and in this issue we feature two amazing Pink Warriors

S U W A N E E M AG A Z I N E

SUWANEE’S PINK WARRIORS Community. Culture. Lifestyle.

SEPT / OCT 15 SUWANEE'S PINK WARRIORS • RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT: SIDNEY'S AT LANIER

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT:

SIDNEY’S AT LANIER

2015

• 2015 SUWANEE HIGH SCHOOL PIGSKIN PREVIEW

SUWANEE FEST exclusive GUIDE

THE FALL FESTIVALS YOU CAN’T MISS

On our cover:

The next few months are jam-packed with awesome events in Suwanee and surrounding areas. Be sure to check out our Festival Guide and calendar for information about the area’s best festivals, including: Gwinnett Beer Fest, Suwanee Fest, Jubilee Fall Festival, Suwanee Wine Fest and more! I know I’m not the only one who thinks fall is the best season. And if you don’t agree with me, you might change your mind after flipping through the pages of this issue. There is definitely a lot to look forward to- I can smell it!

Lanier Head Coach: Korey Mobbs, North Gwinnet Head Coach: Bob Sphire, Collins Hill Head Coach: Kevin Reach and Peachtree Ridge Head Coach: Mark Fleetwood photographed on August 3rd at Suwanee Magazine HQ by STEVE GLASS.

2O15 SUWANEE HIGH SCHOOL

SEPT / 0CT 2015

PIGSKIN PREVIEW HEAD COACHES OF Lanier, North Gwinnett, Collins Hill & Peachtree Ridge GIVE THEIR PREDICTIONS FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON

Visit suwaneemagazine.com for some great web only articles and frequent updates.

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– Amy Doherty and Tammy Hiler. Through my role with the magazine, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know some incredible people and these women definitely make the top of my list! When I heard the devastating news of Amy’s breast cancer diagnosis last year, my heart sunk. But in true Amy fashion, she lifted it up again with her positive attitude, witty sense of humor, fierceness and strength. Her friend and coworker, Tammy, was fighting cancer at the exact same time and together they formed a sisterhood that inspired the community. Nothing can stop these “cure seekin’ pink lovin’ cancer fighting, strong kinda girls!” In fact, you’ll probably see them running around with the rest of us at Suwanee events this fall. If you do, be sure to congratulate them on officially kicking cancer’s butt!!

I Suwanee Magazine I suwaneemagazine.com I SEPT / OCT 15

In the July/August issue, there was an error in the article featuring Wild Birds Unlimited in Suwanee. The owners names are Jim and Judy Stoops. We strive for 100% accuracy and apologize for this error.

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comments about the july / aug ‘15 issue

S U W A N E E M AG A Z I N E SUMMER 2 SCHOOL: TRANSITION TIPS • RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT: SUWANEE PARK TAVERN • BIRDING WITH WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED JULY / AUGUST 2015

“I wanted to compliment you and your staff on the newest SUWANEE PARK TAVERN issue of Suwanee WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED Magazine. It is such a beautiful magazine and always a pleasure to read and look at. The article on Fräbel is excellent!

Thank you for supporting the arts and all of our great causes!”

A Song Can Change Your Life: HOME BY DARK CONCERT SERIES Community. Culture. Lifestyle.

MAY / JUNE 15

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT:

BIRDING WITH

SUWANEE SUPERMOMS AND LOCAL EDUCATORS GIVE THEIR TOP TRANSITION TIPS

CARON BURNETTE “Your Business Spotlight on Bremen Autowerks was spot on!! As a first-time Mercedes Benz owner I was slightly horrified at some of the maintenance stories that I was hearing from some of my peers! I just happened to see the ad for Bremen Autowerks and decided to give them a call. OOOOHHH BOY! Those guys were GREAT!! Not only did they ease my fears, but they were honest and down-to-earth guys that really know their stuff!! Awesome crew! I’m a lifer now!

Just gotta acknowledge that I’m one satisfied customer.”

ERNEST FRANKLIN, JR.

David Pirner from Soul Asylum!

HOW TO REACH US: Email: submissions@suwaneemagazine.com. Fax: 678-730-0691. Or join the conversation on facebook and twitter. Letters and e-mails should include full contact information. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and brevity. All submissions become the property of Veugeler Design Group and will not be returned. Submission constitutes permission to use photos and stories in all media.

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ANGELA VEUGELER President / Editor-in-Chief angela@suwaneemagazine.com RANDALL VEUGELER Vice President and Publisher RACHEL PILLOW Managing Editor / rachel@suwaneemagazine.com LAURA CARTER Advertising Director / ads@suwaneemagazine.com

Account Executives MICHELLE FASIG, NATALIE STUBBS Creative Director RANDALL VEUGELER Art Director ERICA ABRAMS Production Manager LAURA PAYNE Web Editors WALT WOODEN • ROBERT WRIGHT Digital Marketing Manager PRISCILLA SALMASI Graphic Design APRIL MILLER • SHAY HARBAUGH BRIAN HASSINGER CHRISTINA ZAVLANOS Photographers KARL LAMB • JULIE PERDUE WALT WOODEN • STEVE GLASS

Sales JULIE PERDUE julie@suwaneemagazine.com

PUBLISHED BY VEUGELER DESIGN GROUP 554 W. Main Street, Suite 200, Buford, GA 30518 SuwaneeMagazine.com For SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRES or BACK ISSUE ORDERS, call 678-482-2270.

For ADVERTISING INQUIRES, call 678-482-2270, or email info@suwaneemagazine.com.

Suwanee Magazine is published bi-monthly by Veugeler Design Group.

Opinions expressed by the contributing writers and editors are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or Suwanee Magazine. The publisher will not accept responsibility for submitted materials that are lost or stolen. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. However, the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or ommissions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. ©2015 Veugeler Design Group. The editors welcome unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. Please email Rachel Fasig at rachel@suwaneemagazine.com.

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empower suwanee business community news & info.

SBA NEWS 13 / INVESTMENT 15 / LIFT YOUR SOLE 16

HILLMAN FLOORING & DESIGN 20 / MARKETING TIPS FROM VDG 24

Suwanee Business Alliance News A

P E E K

I N T O

T H E

F U T U R E :

SUWANEE, GEORGIA 2o35 { BY: Ed Szczesniak / OWNER, GEORGIAN LANDSCAPE DESIGN } hile our dear friend Stanley, aka Suwanee Man, is on vacation in Disney World – we stole a quick sneak peek into his topsecret time machine (he should probably come up with a better password than “IloveSBA”) to see what’s happening in Suwanee 2035. Read on fellow Suwanee-ite and THE CITY hold on tight….

votes. Even more surprising is the fact that 20 years later, Mr. President “Da’ Man” Jimmy Burnette has remained in office, as not one single opposing candidate has surfaced over the past four elections. Sources close to the White House (now located in the former “Pierce’s Corner” in Old Town Suwanee) say that “Jimmy’s ability to lead Suwanee to monumental growth and prosperity, not to mention his ability to broker the first OF SUWANEE two decades of total global peace, means he’ll be “Da’ Man” for our HAS GROWN FROM foreseeable future.

In related news, Secretary 17,000 RESIDENTS IN The City of Suwanee has grown of Defense, Mike Jones (former from 17,000 residents in 2015 to a 2015 TO A STAGGERING Suwanee Chief of Police,) has staggering 4,237,543 residents in 4,237,543 RESIDENTS equipped every global member of 2035 – expanding the City’s footprint the US Armed Forces with radar to include former neighboring cities: IN 2035... guns – thereby single-handedly Buford, Duluth, Norcross, Sugar Hill, solving the former National Debt Flowery Branch and….Dawsonville?

Crisis by issuing over 200,000,000 Yes, we were surprised about that speeding citations to driverless vehicles around the last one too, but discovered a political twist behind it. world. They gained momentum during the “Great Former NASCAR driver, Bill Elliot aka “Awesome Bill from Auto-Correct Fail of 2019,” when Siri hijacked Google Dawsonville” is now the Vice President of the United car’s operating system and caused absolute chaos in States. And you’ll never guess who the President is! the air (yes, Google cars fly now).

At a point when you thought the 2016 US presidential The 51st annual 2035 Suwanee Fest is kicking off with campaign couldn’t get any stranger, Suwanee Mayor a new competition called Surf Suwanee. US Secretary of Jimmy Burnette swooped in as a last-minute candidate the Interior and former SBA President, Pete Patel, had and won in a historic landslide with 99.9% of electoral

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the genius idea to connect Suwanee Creek to the Atlantic Ocean, thus creating a waterside paradise in Gwinnett. Excavating the 322-mile long and 35-mile wide ditch took only two short months thanks to a group of over 10 million wonderful volunteers. Suwanee Magazine helped spread the word and even attracted volunteers from oversees, being that the global publication is now distributed in over 63 countries and translated into 41 different languages.

In case you were wondering (which you shouldn’t be!) the SBA and its 3 million members are successful and thriving beyond belief. Ray and Suzanne, Owners of Friends American Grill, opened their 5,236th location: a field-level rotating restaurant inside the Atlanta Falcons stadium, offering 360-degree “as close as you can get” views of the game. Ray’s special wing sauce is even rumored to play a role in President Burnette’s “total world peace” offerings. Bob and Starla, Owners of Pooch N’ Paws, just welcomed their 1 billionth visitor.

Having expanded from a small, Suwanee pet boutique into the world’s largest zoo/ water park/ animal-friendly amusement complex, P&P World (as we now call it) has won the hearts and kibble of adults, children and puppies around the globe. Being the first theme park to include rides for puppies has really helped them grow.

And the invention of their exclusive “doggy barf bags” made the roller coaster a great experience for pups and owners alike.

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suwaneemagazine.com I JULY SEPT//AUG OCT15 15 I Suwanee Magazine I suwaneemagazine.com

Dillard’s BBQ is still in it’s original building.

Despite massive economic development and fiscal growth, Suwanee has retained its small-town, tight-knit community feel; due in part to an awesome network of local businesses called Suwanee Business Alliance. The SBA still gathers each month, at various locations around the City, where they foster professional relationships and friendships, network with other business owners, have fun, eat & drink, laugh, learn, and support one another.

Some things never change – and that’s a good thing.

For more information please visit suwanee.org and come be our guest at the next SBA gathering – where you too can be part of Suwanee’s future! We hope to see you there! ■

- ED

The SBA meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at different business locations in town. For more info: Suwanee.org.

INVESTMENT

empower

BY: Bill & Cindi Porter, AILERON INVESTMENT ADVISORS

How will a rise in interest rates affect stocks?

Answer: The last seven times the Federal Reserve increased the cost of borrowing money, and thus increased the yield on treasuries, eight of the 10 market sectors in the Standard & Poor’s 500 suffered losses shortly thereafter. History may or may not repeat itself.

The worst performing sector has typically been consumer discretionary, this includes nonessential items such as cars, luxury and leisure goods. When higher interest rates increase the cost for borrowing money, many people decide to forego these type of optional purchases.

The second worst sector has been materials which includes commodity-related manufacturing industries.

When higher interest rates increase the cost of financing the acquisition of a house or building, fewer and fewer people are willing to absorb the additional cost, related industries suffer.

The third worst performer has been utilities. In low interest rate environments, many investors look toward utilities for income. However, in a higher interest rate scenario, money has tended to leave the utilities and reposition into the new higher rates being offered by treasuries.

Only two sectors have usually done well in spite of the whip saw effects of rising interest rates. According to market analyst Brad Sorenson, health care and consumer staples, such as food and household items have posted gains in the six months following an initial interest rate increase.

Repositioning your portfolio for what appears to be an imminent increase in interest rates might be a timely exercise. Market dynamics of the past do not necessarily apply to the future, but they are worthy of consideration. Since it has been over six years since we have seen a rate increased, there may be some additional pent up repercussions. Ask SEND YOUR your trusted advisor when INVESTMENT you can meet and have a QUESTIONS TO: preemptive discussion. â– SUBMISSIONS@ SUWANEE MAGAZINE. COM The views expressed in this article are not necessarily that of Suwanee Magazine.

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Business Spotlight:

PHOTOS BY: KARL LAMB

Fitness inspired jewelry that inspires you to renew yourself and...

BY:

ANGELA VEUGELER

ift Your Sole is a jewelry line designed for and inspired by women in the running and fitness communities.

Founded by Jill Burgett, it was born out of her passion for running and her hobby of deconstructing old or broken pieces of jewelry and reconstructing them into beautiful, new pieces. Burgett comes from a family of avid runners and has completed three marathons and thirteen halfmarathons herself. When her sister ran the Marine Corps marathon in 2006, she made her a very special necklace to congratulate her. It was so well received by her sister and friends, that Burgett realized there was a market for her jewelry.

The Lift Your Sole jewelry line is designed to appeal to and

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motivate women who may be working toward a fitness goal, or have recently conquered one such as: running their first 5K, half or full marathon, or even starting to run for the first time. The fitness-inspired jewelry resonates with women of all ages and fitness levels and is not only geared toward runners, but bikers, swimmers and anyone who uses fitness to renew themselves and “lift their soul”.

Jill and her husband Greg started “Lift Your Sole” out of their Suwanee home, traveling to large athletic events and expos throughout the country. The couple would attend as many as 60 expos per year! In 2010, they moved their office and workshop to historic Buford (coincidentally in an old shoe “sole” factory.) The business is heavily focused on online sales and the local market, but they also open their Buford shop to the public each Saturday.

empower

Lift Your Sole is especially crafted to inspire and uplift women, to honor the unique challenges they face every day.

According to Jill Burgett, owner of Lift Your Sole, there are five big reasons people get into running and fitness:

1.

2.

3.

They have a type A personality and run to help de-stress Weight loss

They are a survivor and may have had a close call with their health that spurred them to change their lifestyle

4.

5.

Much of the sterling silver jewelry is stamped with motivational words or phrases, such as “courage,” “strength,” “faith,” “believe,” “persevere,” and “fearless”

Life changing event such as post divorce

Addictions: they may have been addicted to drugs or alcohol and have overcome that addiction and replaced it with an addiction to running

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The storefront boutique and custom online store are full of charms, rings, bracelets, earrings, shirts, magnets, handmade bags and more. Much of the sterling silver jewelry is stamped with motivational words or phrases, such as “courage,” “strength,” “faith,” “believe,” “persevere,” and “fearless.” Burgett shared that these themes apply not only to fitness, but to their company’s vision as well. Some of their most popular phrases on shirts and jewelry are “soul sisters,” “motherhood- the ultimate endurance sport” and “my race, my pace.”

The Lift Your Sole logo consists of wings, to illustrate rising from the ashes like the wings of a Phoenix, and accomplishing great things. One of their most popular accessory items is shoe wings that tie to your laces and “make you SOAR,” according to their website and customer reviews. Lift Your Sole accessories are especially crafted to inspire and uplift women and to commemorate the unique challenges they face every day. The 22,000 Facebook followers and long string of testimonials on their website make it clear that their products and mission have warmed many hearts and left many satisfied customers.

If you visit, you may receive a friendly greeting from one of their staff who clearly loves what they do, or Bennie, their office dog that ran right through the front door to their workshop and claimed his home the day before Thanksgiving in 2012.

Lift Your Sole supports several nonprofits, including Soles for Souls, who provide shoes to people in need. They serve as a drop-off location for shoe donations and had an entire van nearly filled with shoes during our interview. They also support Medals4Mettle, a charity who award medals to sick children and others who are facing challenges with courage, as well as Girls on the Run. The boutique is open to the public on Saturdays or online at liftyoursole.com. ■

Lift Your Sole

115 E. Main Street Suite A1A Buford, GA 30518 678-765-6711

liftyoursole.com

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Business Spotlight:

HILLMAN FLOORING & DESIGN

A 25 YEAR JOURNEY FROM A SUWANEE SHACK TO A SUPER-SIZED SHOWROOM! BY:

Rachel Pillow

In November of 1990, Jim and Cathy Hillman started a commercial tile installation business called “Ceramic Services” in Suwanee. 25 years later the Hillmans have come a long way from the “shack next to a lumberyard,” as they described it. Now known as Hillman Flooring & Design, the “shack” has since grown into a 10,000 square foot showroom and full-service commercial & residential flooring installation and interior design company.

When the Hillmans started the business they were the first tile installation company to set up shop in North Gwinnett. Today, the local competition has heightened, but so has their reputation as a leader in the industry. They built their first store on LawrencevilleSuwanee Road, then moved to their current location on Peachtree Industrial just three years later as they quickly began to outgrow their original space. The Hillmans truly seem to have their pulse on the industry, adapting and evolving as the industry does.

“We started as a tile company because there was a need in the marketplace,” said Jim. “Nobody was doing tile in North Gwinnett, for the builders,” he said. Continuing to follow the demand, they added to their list of commercial services, by selling and installing carpeting, hardwood and eventually all types of flooring. But in 2005 when the builder

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While a lot of customers will come into the store with an idea of what they want, they often end up leaving it in the hands of the Hillman team who will customize and choose options based on each client’s unique space and budget.

market died, Jim and Cathy Hillman had to reevaluate their business model again. “We decided to stay in the commercial sector and work with what little builder business was out there at the time, but made a major transformation and focus on retail in 2006,” explained Jim. Investing half a million dollars into their new façade on Peachtree Industrial, changing the name from “Ceramic Services” to “Hillman Flooring and Design” and building an impressive showroom from the bottom up has certainly paid off for them. “Now, retail is 50% of business and that’s huge for us! We went from being a builder-services company to full-service with retail, residential, remodeling design, and walk-in sales,” said Cathy.

More importantly though, “the biggest reason for changing the name of the company is that we wanted our clientele to know that we are family-owned and named; and that they are working directly with us, not some kind of corporately-owned business,” said Jim. Those words

empower

David, Cathy and Jim Hillman are proud to celebrate Hillman Flooring & Designs’ 25th Anniversary this year.

They agree that working alongside family is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, aspects of their job.

This beautiful kitchen setup is one of many displays in the Hillman showroom that showcases their large scope of services.

Jonathan Waller, Showroom Manager, and his team of Designers, work with customers to create custom designs for every room of the house.

certainly ring true for the Hillmans. “All three of our children have played an active role in the company at some point in their lives,” added Cathy. Their son, David Hillman, is a leader in builder sales. “I grew up running around the warehouse,” he said, “we all did!” His brother and sister, Michael and Elise, are no longer full-time employees but still remain involved with the business in other ways. “It’s the most challenging, but also the most rewarding thing, to work right alongside your family,” said David.

It took some trial and error for Jim’s career path to switch from corporate identity to a family-focused business. In the 1980’s he was in the international corporate sector, at one of the top manufacturers and distributors of ceramic tile in the world. The Hillmans were living in Orlando at the time, but Jim was spending five days a week out of town, and at least 3-4 days a week making connecting flights in Atlanta. “I hated being away from my family…it got to the point where it just made sense to move the family to Georgia so I could at least see them during extended layovers or delays,” he said. The Hillmans ventured to Atlanta over 26 years ago, at a point when Suwanee was just a cute little town. “We were looking for homes in the Metro Atlanta area and started in Cobb County. But somebody had told us to stay on 120…so we drove all the way around and ended up in Suwanee. Immediately, there was just something about it that we both

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fell in love with,” Cathy said. After moving themselves and their three young children to the developing City of Suwanee, the Hillmans built a home and soon after, a business that has guided their family’s future.

While Jim jumped headfirst into growing a solid network in North Gwinnett, Cathy went back to school for design, knowing full well that the flooring industry would be headed in that direction.

“It was extremely difficult with one kid in preschool, one in elementary and one in middle, but she did it!” bragged Jim. “We both knew that the future was interior design and it wasn’t just about white or almond 4x4 tiles anymore,” Cathy explained.

And Hillman Flooring & Design’s complimentary design consultation services have proven to be one of the most important services for their clients.

While a lot of customers will come into the store with an idea of what they want, they often end up leaving it in the hands of the Hillman team who will customize and choose options based on each client’s unique space and budget. Websites like Pinterest are great as a place to start brainstorming; but the Hillman’s insist on (and their client’s contest to) the fact that the best inspiration truly comes from physically walking through the showroom.

“Conceptually, the whole purpose is to give people a great idea of what it really will look like in person.

We have over 20 vignettes in this showroom: from bathroom spaces to kitchen to fireplaces and we are expanding to include an outdoor patio, deck, grill and fireplace showroom,” said Jim. Yes, they are even selling the highly sought after Kamodo grills now. It truly is becoming a one-stop shop for remodelers or any new homeowner.

Keeping current with the industry and the demands therein is the only way to continue to succeed. “It’s because they have these,” said Jim – pointing to his cell phone. “They have access to everything at their fingertips, so we have to make sure that we’re smarter than the customer,” he continued. Ongoing education is monumentally important. “And it’s not even about knowing the trends,” said Cathy. Trends can be fun too, she explained, but it’s about knowing what is going to last and still look amazing in the long-run – especially when the client is making such a big investment into their home. It is exactly that mentality which makes the Hillmans and their experienced team a business that Suwanee residents and surrounding cities have wanted to work with for 25 years now, and will continue to trust. ■

Hillman Flooring & Design

201 P’tree Industrial Blvd., Sugar Hill 30518 770-271-0902 hillmanflooringanddesign.com

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M A R K E T I N G

T I P S

Getting your business’ message out with

BY: Shay Harbaugh, Junior Art Director / Veugeler Design Group & Priscilla Salmasi, Digital Marketing Manager Veugeler Design Group

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empower

It is no secret digital marketing is rapidly growing and will soon be the number one platform for marketing.

If digital media is not on your company’s radar, then it is time to think about making it a priority.

What constitutes digital media?

Websites combined with search engine optimization strategies should be the first thing that come to mind.

Other key practices are pay-per-click advertising, email marketing, social media marketing and Internet banner ads. The beauty of these marketing strategies is that they can be done on your own, but to have the biggest impact, it’s best to team up with a professional design team.

One important aspect of digital marketing, especially for your website, is user experience. When a user has a good experience with your website, they can potentially become a new client or customer. You know your brand and your audience, but do you know what type of website functions well for your industry? If you’re having a website built for your

design will draw in users that are business or organization, more likely to then share your ad with working with a design others. The more your information is team will bring your shared online, the more people you ideas to life. Talk with reach, the higher your search rankings the designers about the rise, and the more recognizable your message you want to company becomes convey, to the public. Just along with In a web culture imagine the effect it’d examples that’s constantly have on your business of websites if you were “trending” you like and changing, it’s on social media. don’t like. Good important to keep In a web culture designers will build up with online trends that’s constantly a website for you, but great designers and know what grabs changing, it’s important to keep will make it work user’s attention. up with online specifically for your trends and know target audience. what grabs user’s attention. A Before the digital and social professional marketing and design media boom, you would have to firm is dedicated to staying ahead wait forever for your internet to of the curve in ways that will get connect and have to sit there and your business noticed and keep it listen to that dial-up sound. Now we relevant. A few current trends for are constantly plugged in and have this year are mobile optimization, access to the world at our fingertips: social conversion, retargeting ads anytime, anywhere. That’s why and customer marketing. Today, it is so important to make sure engaging with users online has as big your brand is noticed and not of an impact as meeting customers getting lost in today’s noisy, digital face-to-face. Your audience is sitting world. It can be challenging and behind a screen somewhere and overwhelming to those that do not having a powerful online presence is have a background knowledge in the most effective way to establish a design and web marketing. But, a connection with them. Don’t miss this professional marketing and design opportunity to firm will work with you to build and reach them maintain a strong, secure online your customers presence, and make sure your are literally message is delivered to the right one click, one people. swipe How your business looks online or one finger is equally important as the content you share. A professional design tap away! ■ team knows how to take your core message and transition it into a visually appealing, digital marketing strategy. First impressions are huge, but maintaining a lasting impression is even more significant to your ROI. Whether you are sending an e-blast, launching a Facebook ad or updating a blog post – having a consistent brand identity is key. An attractive

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2 O 1 5

S U W A N E E

H I G H

S C H O O L

PIGSKIN PREVIEW This summer has been hot but fall shows no sign of cooling off as Gwinnett County coaches and players hustle on the football field to battle it out under the Friday Night Lights. This region has quickly become one of most competitive in the state and the communities of fans are excited to see if their team will go all the way. What can the fans of our local high school teams anticipate this season? Area head coaches took a time-out to talk about their teams’ goals on the road to victory.

By: Priscilla SalmasI / PHOTOS BY: STEVE GLASS, WALT WOODEN

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REGION 7-AAAAAA

REGION 7-AAAAAA

2O15 SUWANEE PIGSKIN HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW

COLLINS HILL

EAGLES HOME SCHEDULE:

Aug. 21 Sept. 4 Sept. 18 Oct. 2 Oct. 23

Dacula S. Gwinnett N. Gwinnett Mountain View Mill Creek

LIONS

HOME SCHEDULE:

HEAD COACH:

KEVIN REACH

Aug. 22

Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Oct. 2 Oct. 30

Christ Presbyterian McEachern Meadowcreek Duluth Collins Hill

HEAD COACH:

MARK FLEETWOOD

SNAPSHOT (OVERALL) :

SNAPSHOT (OVERALL) :

With eight returning starters on offense and seven on defense, Collins Hill has no problem with experience for the 2015 season. Coming off a great spring session, head coach Kevin Reach says it is as physical as it’s been since his first year of coaching at Collins Hill in 2008.

This year the Lions will take advantage of their junior starting quarterback as the team looks to reestablish the run game with his mobility. While the positions left and right tackle are slightly inexperienced, they are very talented and have come a long way. Offensively they’re looking to correct the run game and that has been the focus in the off-season.

STRENGTHS: Reach says this year the Collins Hill defense is their strong point. With their talented linebackers and defensive line, they’ve got more experience in their secondary.

STRENGTHS: From a football standpoint,

GOALS: After not making the 2014 state playoffs for the first time in six seasons, Reach said their first goal is to win every region game and win a region championship; of course the higher goal being to win a state championship. Reach said right now, it’s “stepping stones” to a region championship. He said, “Hard work always pays off. It’s not how you start, but how you finish.”

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PEACHTREE RIDGE

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the team’s group of talented receivers will work well to compliment their mobile quarterback.

Fleetwood said the team is “one heartbeat: the coaches, players and staff.” Fleetwood stated the number one focus for the team is academics and to work with the boys to build character through football.

GOALS: Fleetwood said there are so many good teams in the region that it is essentially a “war zone.” In this region, “It doesn’t matter who you’re playing, it’s tough.” The goal for Peachtree Ridge is to always try to win a region and state championship. For Fleetwood, “Different years bring different things but you’ve got to put it all together and that is what we strive for and work for every day.”

LONGHORNS HOME SCHEDULE:

Aug. 21 Sept. 4 Sept. 25 Oct. 16 Nov. 6

Lambert Clarke Central Loganville Heritage Apalachee

NORTH GWINNETT

BULLDOGS

REGION 7-AAAAAA

LANIER

REGION 8-AAAAA

cover story

HOME SCHEDULE:

HEAD COACH:

Sept. 4 Sept. 25 Oct. 9

Oct. 23

Hillgrove Mill Creek Peachtree Ridge Duluth

PINK OUT

KOREY MOBBS

HEAD COACH

BOB SPHIRE

SNAPSHOT (OVERALL) :

SNAPSHOT (OVERALL) :

Lanier Longhorns are coming off their first ever region championship after going undefeated during the regular season. Head Coach Korey Mobbs looks to build on the success of last year to be better prepared for playoff football.

The North Gwinnett Bulldogs are faced with one of the most difficult schedules in the state combined with one of the most inexperienced teams in over a decade. There are only eight players who have started a varsity game, so the team will need to grow up very quickly.

STRENGTHS: Mobbs said the Longhorns’ biggest strength is their offensive backfield along with their defensive front seven, quarterback and running back. In addition, the Lanier fans are “tremendous” and as the crowds grow each year, the players feed off of the energy that the crowd produces.

STRENGTHS: The running back positions are filled with several talented young players who can contribute and Sphire considers the running backs the strength of the program. The team also has some explosive receivers along with the senior center leading everything up front. Although the defensive front is young, it is talented.

GOALS: Mobbs wants to continue to play winning football. His goal for the 2015 season is to find the Longhorns in the mix come playoff time.

He wants to continue to build a winning tradition at Lanier High School. Mobbs teaches his players to stay humble and hungry and that each day is a new opportunity to improve in the classroom and on the football field. He believes doing well in the classroom is a daily choice of discipline and effort and when done with consistency the results take care of themselves.

GOALS: Along with the new group of players,

North Gwinnett acquired familiar faces and new alike to assist Sphire. Jeff Carlberg and Todd Faulkner of Centennial and Troy Hobbs from Shiloh will be tested with the tough, non-region schedule. Sphire said “We have some tough games early and we have a lot of holes to fill.” But, the team is confident that despite a challenging schedule, they will be viable contenders in their region this year.

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2O15 SUWANEE PIGSKIN HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW

PHOTOS BY: WALT WOODEN

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RAINBOW PILATES

health.

happiness. wellness.

TWO MAIDS AND A MOP 38 / HOW TO COPE WHEN A LOVED ONE IS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER 41

OCTOBER IS

When the dreaded “C” word shook the City of Suwanee family at its core, two Pink Warriors and a community around them rose up...

BY: Rachel Pillow / PHOTOS BY: Karl Lamb

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October is national breast cancer awareness month.

Each over 290,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Last year, these statistics became more personal for the City of Suwanee staff (a team that is more like family than coworkers) when two of their own were diagnosed with breast cancer... n August of 2014, Tammy Hiler, City

of Suwanee’s Public Works Administrative Assistant, went in for her yearly mammogram: an annual routine that seemed nothing out of the ordinary. When she was called back to the hospital for a second and then a third time to go over the results, she said, “I was still oblivious at that point. Nothing was hurting, I didn’t find a lump - the possibility of cancer just never crossed my mind.”

Hiler’s world was turned upside down that day. “The doctor sat me down and as soon as I heard the word cancer, I didn’t even hear anything else she said after that…I was just scared to death,” she confessed. Hiler has worked at the City of Suwanee for 13 years, and when her closest friends and colleagues heard the news, they built a fortress of support around her. “Immediately the women here were like, ‘we’re going to feed you, we’ll take you to and from treatments…they helped me so much,” she said.

One of those friends was City of Suwanee’s Event Coordinator, Amy Doherty, who has worked by Hiler’s side (literally - their offices are within arms reach of each other) for ten years.

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Just a few short months later, the tightknit group behind City Hall walls was hit with another emotional bomb. Amy Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2014. As you can imagine, this news brought even more tears, questions, pleas toward God, and heartache for a family of coworkers and a community who holds them close.

If you have ever enjoyed one of Suwanee’s beloved events in Town Center Park, such as Suwanee Fest or the August Concert, then you have Amy Doherty and Tammy Hiler to thank. Doherty is the face of Suwanee events and the engine that keeps them running smoothly. Often faced with the unpredictable chaos that event management tends to bring, Doherty has mastered the art of troubleshooting, tackling the issues at hand, keeping visitors Tammy Hiler smiling, and making sure the festivals never miss a beat.

And, “Tammy is THE girl of Public Works, the only girl and the go-to girl!” said Doherty.

Hiler and her team ensure that our parks, streets, grounds, water systems, sidewalks and Suwanee-favorite features such as the Town Center Fountain, are at optimal performance, efficient and ready for the community to enjoy.

When Hiler was first diagnosed she was very private, sharing the news only with coworkers and a few close friends. “I felt like I caught something that was embarrassing.

I mean, I know it isn’t but that’s just how I felt

“I felt like I caught something that was embarrassing.

I mean, I know it isn’t but that’s just how I felt at the time.”

-

City of Suwanee Event Coordinator, Amy Doherty and Public Works Administrative Assistant, Tammy Hiler

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at the time,” she said. Figuring out when and how to tell her son was the hardest part, the single mother shared. Her son had just been accepted to play football at Bethune-Cookman University. “I was so proud of him and didn’t want this news to make him come home and quit,” she said. With encouragement from friends and a counselor, Hiler finally told her son, but not until after her first surgery. At that point, her strength and determination to get through it, proved more of an inspiration for him - at school and on the football field - than it did a deterrent. He posted photos of his mother on Facebook with the caption “my hero” and rallied his teammates to wear pink Coworkers showed support for Doherty in her honor. by decorating her office windows Once Hiler began sharing her journey on social media and with the general public, her whole demeanor began to change. “It truly lifted my spirits to see the outpouring of support and prayers,” she said.

typically avoids hugs, Doherty is very appreciative of the love that has been poured upon her. “It’s so weird that the treatment options are so different per person, however, when I’m in the grocery store and somebody wants to hug me because they see that I have no hair they’re hugging me to show their support. They don’t ask anything about what type of cancer I have – it’s just the sisterhood of people powering through.”

Both Doherty and Hiler have not let cancer overrule their lives. And it seems like their friends and family have not either. The interview was interrupted with the ding of a text from Doherty’s 17-year old daughter who was seemingly frustrated and dishing the news of some drama to her mom, who responded with, “Take a deep breath and we’ll talk about it when I get home.” In the grand scheme of things, her three children definitely realize that their everyday issues are minor compared to what their mother is going through. But, she and her husband want their lives to remain as normal as possible and they’ve made sure, to the best of their abilities, to not let cancer stand in the way of that.

Both Doherty and Hiler were recently proclaimed “cancer-free” – which is incredible news, but their journey is not yet over, and that includes continuing to share their story and inspire others through it. They want to help other women or families going through similar situations. “I don’t mind people asking questions.

When they ask, especially women, I feel like I’m helping them,” Hiler said. “People who feel like they have to do this alone are at a huge disadvantage. It takes a lot of people’s support to get through this,” Doherty added.

Before Doherty was diagnosed she had watched this

emotional transformation occur in Hiler, which made her more apt to publicly share her story once she and her family received the news.

What she didn’t expect though, was how different their cancer types actually were and the subsequent treatment options. “I never knew there could be so many different types. To me, breast cancer was breast cancer, it was all the same in my mind,” Doherty said.

Doherty had watched Hiler get surgery within three weeks of her diagnosis, followed by eight rounds of chemotherapy and hormone therapy, and therefore was expecting a similar treatment plan. She was shocked to learn that her treatment involved 16 rounds of chemotherapy without hormone therapy, followed by surgery nearly 7 months later. A self-proclaimed “non-touchy” person who

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“Amy & Tammy have had a sense of humor and great attitude throughout the process, as seen by this “Wig Swap Wednesday” prank they pulled at the office!"

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The City of Suwanee staff proudly shows their support for Tammy Hiler by posing in pink for a photo in front of City Hall.

On July 22, 2015, Hiler shared on Facebook,

“Yesterday was my last surgery on this long journey of getting rid of the big “C”.... I am truly blessed to be here and don’t know if I could have made through without my family, friends and all the prayers that’s been coming my way. So this post is to thank you all for being there for me physically, spirituality, and emotionally. God is Good!!!”

One day later, on July 23, 2015, Amy’s husband, Dan Doherty wrote on Facebook, “Guess who is out of the hospital?!! Guess who has GREAT news to share?!! Amy’s final pathology shows she is completely free of any cancer cells!!! Even though the hardest part is behind her, she still has a challenging recovery at home over the next several weeks. We will slowly but surely get to a new place in the next several weeks, a cancerfree place. When we look back in the mirror at where we have been we will be thankful to

God, and His plan for each one of us. We will also be thankful for each one of you for your concern, thoughts, prayers, generosity and so much more. So today we start down a new path, still open to where He may lead us. The journey will be full of faith, trust, hope, love, and God willing “GOOD HEALTH.” It’s going to be GREAT!!

These women, who have affectionately dubbed each other “bosom buddies,” have become icons of inspiration, hope and determination in the community of Suwanee – they are our Pink Warriors – and they will NOT let cancer win this fight! ■

Both Doherty and Hiler were recently proclaimed “cancer-free” – which is incredible news, but their journey is not yet over, and that includes continuing to share their story and inspire others through it.

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Cleaning for Nonprofit offers house cleaning for women suffering from cancer BY: Mackenzie Stephenson

Two Maids and a Mop, a cleaning franchise with a location in Gwinnett County, is part of the national organization Cleaning for a Reason, a nonprofit that serves women suffering from cancer. They offer free house cleaning in hopes of letting women focus on their health and alleviate some of the stress of worrying about cleaning.

Mike Miller, owner of Two Maids and a Mop in Gwinnett County, has lived in Gwinnett for over 20 years and graduated from the University of West Georgia with a Bachelors in Business Administration and Finance. Miller said that his interest in opening a branch in the Suwanee area was that he heard about Two Maids and a Mop’s pay for performance plan, as well as finding out they were a part of Cleaning for a Reason. “I saw it as a great way to give back. I’ve always liked getting involved in the community,” he said. “We’ve cleaned the homes of six patients through Cleaning for a Reason and most of the people I’ve met have great attitudes and love to talk about their lives.”

Miller said that their mission through Cleaning for a Reason is to take one worry off of a cancer patient.

“They have so much going on in their lives; it’s one less thing on their minds and will hopefully brighten their day,” he told us. These women already have a lot to worry about, and being able to offer them a free house cleaning is something Miller is glad they can provide.

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a Reason Two Maids and a Mop visits these women once every few weeks, offering not only a clean house but a friendly face and conversation as well. “I really enjoy it,” he says, “I think it’s something that is worth investing in.” Miller and his team enjoy visiting their clients and talking to them while being able to help them in their time of need.

If you are interested in learning more about their services, visit their website at twomaidssuwanee. com or cleaning forareason.org.

Patients do not need to live in Gwinnett County to participate in the program. Cleaning for a Reason is a national organization, that offers services across the United States. Their program matches patients with a cleaning service in their area. The Two Maids and a Mop franchise has been involved for many years and Miller himself got involved as soon as he opened the Suwanee branch earlier this year.

Two Maids and a Mop is one of the fastest growing cleaning companies in the US and by partnering with Cleaning for a Reason, they’re able to give back to their local communities in a unique way. ■

Miller said that their mission through Cleaning for a Reason is to take one worry off of a cancer patient.

“They have so much going on in their lives; it’s one less thing on their minds and will hopefully brighten their day.”

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thrive

How to cope when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer Having a loved one diagnosed with breast cancer can be a hard and scary experience.

A cancer diagnosis brings a prolonged grieving experience called anticipatory grief. This is a grief response that occurs in anticipation of a potential loss. Anticipatory grief can be especially difficult and confusing for friends and family members. There are many ways friends and family members can cope with their own anticipatory grief and find ways to continue to connect with their loved one.

BY:

Laura Lebovitz

LAMFT AT GROW COUNSELING

Laura Lebovitz is a licensed therapist at GROW Counseling located in Suwanee. She specializes in working with anxiety, depression, life transitions, autism, sensory processing disorders, and families.

It is ok to be uncomfortable and uncertain about what to do. Cancer reminds us all of our own mortality. It is normal to feel suddenly awkward around your loved one or even guilty about being healthy. You may want to help but feel unsure about the best way to approach them. The best way to figure out how to help is to ask them directly. Some people with cancer want to talk about it and some want to keep their illness more private. Let them know that you are there for them in whatever way they want you to be. You may find that you are able to be more comfortable and present for them if you know what would help them the most.

Allow space and flexibility for changes in the family. Treating

cancer should include good care for the patient as well as the family. Research shows that families who are able to communicate effectively tend to report fewer problems in functioning than families who try to solve problems individually. It is important to communicate openly about changes in routine and responsibility. Families also must find a way to communicate about the nature of the breast cancer with children. Seeking outside help can be very beneficial for families that feel like they are getting stuck in any of these important communication areas.

Find connections in the community. Getting a breast cancer diagnosis is a stressful life change. It can be helpful for patients, family, and friends to know that they do not have to cope by themselves. Finding others in your community that understand and empathize with your experience can be very beneficial. There are many support groups or charitable organizations that can offer support and a way to find meaning in the grieving process.

Take good care of yourself. It can be especially difficult and emotional

for family and friends when a loved one is diagnosed. Family and friends might notice themselves feeling more anxious about their own health. You may even notice yourself acting more emotional overall. It can be tempting to put all of your needs aside and focus solely on taking care of your sick loved one. It is so important to find time to keep yourself healthy in order to be a good support system for your loved one. Find space to talk about your own fears, uncertainty, or anger about the diagnosis. Try to eat healthy, exercise, spend time outside, or many of the other healthy ways to manage stress. Trust your gut and find time for what you need as well. â–

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Why try

BY: MACKENZIE STEPHENSON

As a Pilates skeptic who believed Pilates was all about having the latest Lululemon gear and stretching on a mat, I set out to speak with Sonya Simpson, the Owner of Rainbow Pilates. “People do have the misconception they’ll just be stretching, but it’s really a work out. Start with a beginner class and go from there,” she advised. Turns out, unlike the now deceased Ab Master 12 workout fad, Pilates actually works. And here are 3 reasons why:

Body Awareness Pilates focuses on users developing a stronger core while building strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, balance and good posture- which additionally leads to a safer workout and helps “prevent future injures.” Some of the primary concerns beginners have when starting Pilates is that they will injure themselves. Simpson originally began her career as a physical therapist in a women’s gym where she was certified as a rehab instructor who used Pilates during her therapy sessions. A lot of people come here because “they’re hurt and they want to make sure this is safe for them. It’s safe. It’s for anyone; doesn’t matter your size or age,” she said.

As an added bonus, a strong core attributes to better posture, making you look longer and leaner.

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Rainbow Pilates uses a wide variety of techniques to achieve a total body workout

It's Challenging

PHOTOS BY: Karl Lamb

Pilates is an extremely flexible exercise system ranging from beginner to advanced levels, and Rainbow Pilates offers six different types of classes to cover the entire spectrum. From Cardiolates to HuBolates, which offers an intense workout combining hula hooping, boxing, Pilates and dance, Rainbow Pilates ensures they cater to a wide variety of options for novices and experts.

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It’s Fun & Personal “We have fun here, that what it’s all about us with,” said Simpson.

And, with classes such as Barre, Shh I do Pilates and Cardioblast which engages the class by using rainbow colored car tires, it is not hard to see why. Rainbow Pilates is much different than a regular gym; they only offer classes and private lessons. “All of us know everyone’s name. I know what they’re doing, if they’re cheating on their workout, and can personally help people attain their goals. I wanted to create a place where people could live a healthy lifestyle but also create lasting friendships and I really feel like I’ve reached that goal.”

Recently Simpson has begun offering classes online so people can participate at their convenience. The excuses of “too tired, too hungry, no time” can no longer apply when Sonya is taking the step of bringing her exercise classes directly to you with the goal of simply encouraging you to be “healthy at the end of the day.”

One thing is evident, she is clearly seeing success with this model. Having opened Rainbow Pilates four years ago, she recently expanded in May, almost doubling in size to accommodate her businesses growth.

Eventually Sonya hopes to franchise her business.

Additionally, she admits things have been a little hectic at the studio as they are in the process of filming a reality show called “Mat Girls” which follows her life and the lives of some of her instructors. “It’s sure to be a fun and interesting show!”

To learn more about Rainbow Pilates, visit them online at: rainbowpilates.com.

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FALL BEERS

PHOTO BY: STEVE GLASS

FRESH & EASY MEALS WITH FRESH ’N FIT CUISINE 49

savor

local food. craft beer. wine trends.

RESTAURANT LISTINGS 50 / THE GRAPEVINE 54

The farm-to-table concept - or “farm-to-fork” as Chef Michael Klein and Chef Richard Sykes of Sidney’s at Lanier Islands like to call it - has become so trendy in recent years that it is almost a cliché in the restaurant industry. So, what does this often-overused term actually mean and how can consumers tell if a restaurant is just dishing up buzzwords or just-foraged greens from down the street? written by:

rachel pillow

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Restaurant Spotlight

Sidney’s at Lanier Island's Resort From Georgia farms to Lanier Island forks

biggest challenge for n my opinion, a true farm-tome, but I’m embracing fork restaurant should use 80-85% it,” he said. Because of local and fresh products,” said the popularity of locally Sidney’s Head Chef, Richard Sykes. sourced He explained dining, many the purpose as a regional trickle-down effect: farmers are one that starts with “With this farm-to-fork committed the environment, then concept you have to be able to stocking a commitment to to build relationships with Farmer’s sustainable farming Markets or and then the benefit a lot of regional vendors: grocery stores to consumers. “It’s to keep the food local, to like Publix supposed to benefit keep it fresh and seasonal… and Kroger everybody,” he said. that has probably been the – because Sykes comes biggest challenge for me, even the from a rich culinary large retailers background of fine dining in but I’m embracing it.” have caught Georgia, but for the first time, John Aguirre, General Manager of Sidney’s, is - Sidney’s Head Chef, Richard Sykes well versed in wine knowledge and offers pairing onto this has had to focus on directly suggestions for each menu item movement. developing and fostering While all of Sidney’s personal relationships with food growers. “With produce is Georgia grown this farm-to-fork concept you have to be able and local farms are listed on the menu, they to build relationships with a lot of regional were very candid in their approach and the vendors: to keep the food local, to keep it fresh fact that they will branch out of state at and seasonal… that has probably been the

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PHOTOS BY: STEVE GLASS

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homage to the South maintaining a commitment with the addition of to supporting regional aged white cheddar, and sustainable food Floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views of the resort’s lush property delicious smoked providers. One such pork belly, crispy example is their roasted tobacco-style onions Wreckfish - a deep-water, and a buttermilk pesto ranch dressing.

Atlantic fish that inhabits caves and shipwrecks (thus the name), caught off the coast of South “The menu in front of you is just a week old,” Carolina. The Sidney’s menu will always stay said Sykes. And while it continues to evolve and true to its Southern roots by keeping the food adapt depending on what’s in season, there is pure and identifiable by the Southeast region one menu item that will stay forever. “The fried in which it’s derived from. Even their BLT pays green tomato. I try to do it a little differently every time but I can’t get rid of it!” he joked. Seriously though, they can’t.

Customers specifically request Sidney’s take on the Southern classic: fried green tomatoes topped with Beecher’s handmade white cheddar pimento cheese and a Georgia pecan, peach chutney.

“We are a destination resort and there are a lot of people who visit that aren’t from our area or even the Southeast region,” said Lanier Islands Culinary Director, Chef Michael Klein.

“I’ve always felt that it is important to recognize what makes us unique here,” he said. “Aside from being on a lake, which is unique in and of itself, we have the farms the hills, all the different climates that exist in Northeast Georgia – and all of that is tied into the food that’s grown, the food that’s produced and the people who cook it,” he explained.

Sidney’s Restaurant at Lanier Islands Suwanee Magazine Editor, is saluting its namesake and historical Rachel Pillow interviews Lanier Islands Culinary Director, poet, Sidney Lanier, by honoring their Chef Michael Klein history, respecting the environment and by proactively tending towards our future. And if we can join them by enjoying delicious, local cuisine, then Georgia-grown mushrooms and fried, I say: more power to us all. Hand over goat cheese-stuffed that farm-dusted fork! ■ squash blossoms complete this savory dish of roasted Carolina Wreckfish

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savor

fresh

easy

Fresh ‘n Fit: “Heat and Eat” Ready-made Gourmet Meals BY: Natalie Stubbs

Fresh ‘n Fit Cuisine offers the convenience, affordability, and flexibility of being able to consume a healthy diet. With “heat and eat” ready-made meals, Fresh n’ Fit President, Elton Collins loves being able to help his customers lead a healthy lifestyle.

He shared that owning the company is most rewarding because, “with the rate of obesity and health problems of today, getting testimonials of success means these meals are making a difference.”

Through local distributors, meals are crafted from the freshest ingredients. Collins and his team believe this is what really sets Fresh ‘n Fit apart from their competitors. He notes the “tremendous response” to the Paleo diet: “I think people like it so much because of the fact that it’s completely organic and we use cagefree, antibiotic-free, grass-fed chickens from Springer Mountain, Georgia.” With updates to the menu four times a year, fruits and vegetables are always fully seasoned. Fresh ‘n Fit also serves as Atlanta’s only USDA inspected kitchen, guaranteeing the highest level of food safety.

Julia Lott, Fresh ‘n Fit’s Registered Dietician, is consistently on-site to ensure that each meal plan

Customers can choose a plan from five different menus - gluten free, healthy mix, low-carb, Paleo, and vegetarian - or create their own menu with more than 300 options. is nutritionally balanced and proportioned.

Working with their five gourmet chefs is her favorite part of the business. “We all get along really well and I enjoy being able to let them be creative with the meals, while I make sure that they’re still healthy.”

Fresh ‘n Fit currently has 110 pickup locations across the metro Atlanta area and ships meals to six different states.

Customers can choose a plan from five different menus - gluten free, healthy mix, low-carb, Paleo, and vegetarian - or create their own menu with more than 300 options. To further customize menus, customers can select 1200 or 1800 calorie portions; 1 to 3 meals per day; and 3, 5 or 7 day plans. With a variety of choices to fit anyone’s needs, meal plans can be specially designed without additional preservatives or trans fat and with low amounts of glycemic, sodium, and cholesterol.

Social Media Manager, Roger Spence, spends a great amount of time launching Fresh ‘n Fit’s platform of health and wellness goals. Customers can stay updated with the latest news, menus, and testimonials by following Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and their website blog.

The customer service team is also on standby Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm, ready to offer personal advice for those ready to indulge in their own ready-made meal plans.

Fresh ‘n Fit currently has 110 pickup locations across the metro Atlanta area and ships meals to six different states. They partner with local nutrition stores, fitness facilities, and corporate wellness communities to employ and encourage a lifestyle of healthy eating. Catering services are also available upon request. Fresh ‘n Fit Cuisine invites you to check out their meals online at freshnfitcuisine.com as they transition into their fall menu and to take advantage of their first-time and existing customer promotional deals. ■

Fresh ‘n Fit Cuisine President Elton Collins and Executive Chef, Chris Borden 49

savor

restrt LISTINGS BEST AREA DINING OPTIONS FROM FINE DINING TO FUN FAMILY FARE Dollar signs indicate the typical cost per person for meal, includes one non-alcoholic drink, tax and tip. $ UNDER $10 $$ $11 - $30 $$$ $31 - $50 $$$$ MORE THAN $50

Athens Kouzzina

5900 Sugarloaf Parkway • Lawrenceville 678-847-0150 AthensKouzzina.com I $$ Athens Kouzzina is Georgia’s premier Greek restaurant. Authentic flavors, classic recipes and the finest ingredients cooked expertly combine to create a Greek experience that’s sure to have you coming back again and again. With flavors that are subtle, classic and absolutely delicious, Athens Kouzinna guarantees you are in for a treat.

The Curry Pot Authentic Indian Restaurant

3370 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd Suwanee 470-266-1520 TheCurryPotSuwanee.com $$ The Curry Pot offers the best of traditional Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine. They aim to give you a glimpse of India and its rich cultures through the food. All of their food is freshly prepared and cooked to order; there is always something to suit everyone. They offer vegetarian, lamb, chicken, and seafood dishes at the spice level of your choosing: mild, medium or spicy, and even a lunch buffet 7 days a week starting at $8.95.

Suwanee Park Tavern 340 Town Center Ave. • Suwanee 470-266-1516 SuwaneeParkTavern.com I $$

Suwanee Park Tavern is a family-friendly restaurant and tavern located in the heart of Suwanee. At Suwanee Park Tavern, the focus is on excellent cuisine with the warmth and charm of Southern hospitality.

Tanner’s

525 Peachtree Industrial Blvd • Suwanee • 770-614-1335 TannersToGo.com I $$

Tanner's family-friendly restaurant, known for the “best” chicken fingers and wings, has been serving Suwanee residents since 1986. They offer a diverse menu that is sure to please even the pickiest eater with their delicious assortment of burgers, sandwiches, ribs, seafood and salads prepared fresh to order for dine-in, take-out or catering. If you’re in the mood for some down-home American comfort food, Tanner's is sure to hit the spot.

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MEXICAN

SEAFOOD

Cinco

1500 Peachtree Industrial Blvd Suite 100 • Suwanee 678-541-0645 I CincoRestaurants.com

Gulf Coast Grill I

$$

Cinco is authentic, Latin-infused Mexican Cuisine served in a family-friendly setting.

With a unique menu, Cinco offers an upscale variety of Mexican dishes that are carefully prepared from scratch. Weekly specials include: Kids eat free Monday & Tuesday, daily drink specials, Sunday brunch and an adjoining After Five lounge that offers live music, fresh tapas and over 60 specialty martinis!

Twisted Taco

Bringing the taste of the coast to Suwanee, Gulf Coast Grill serves fresh seafood ranging from salmon, mahi, shrimp, oysters, grouper, catfish, crawfish and crab; as well as sirloin, sausage and chicken with a Cajun twist.

SUSHI

Mi Chi Sushi & Pho Central 1300 Peachtree Industrial Blvd Suwanee I 678-541-5222 MichiSuwanee.com I $$

3433 Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd • Suwanee 678-541-6675 I TwistedTaco.com I $$

Twisted Taco is an American Mexican Cantina that fuses new American and bold Mexican flavors to form a one of a kind “Twist” on Mexican cuisine. At Twisted Taco they use only the freshest and best quality ingredients inspiring their California style burritos, sizzling fajitas, homemade salsas and of course, their famous “twisted tacos.” They cater any event! Come enjoy one of their 15 signature margaritas and soak in the summer sun at their Suwanee location’s full-service rooftop patio!

Mi Chi brings over 25 years of experience to the sushi and pho business. Combining their traditional and modern skills, they are dedicated to providing a dining experience our Suwanee neighbors will love.

Specializing in pho, they are proud to have gradually perfected the popular soup dish by adding their own personal touch to a family recipe. Visit their website to view the full menu and take advantage of their coupons and specials throughout each week!

ITALIAN

DESSERT

Suwanee Pizza Tavern

Piece of Cake

9775 Medlock Bridge Rd Johns Creek I 678-990-2930 PieceOfCakeInc.com I $$

3463A Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd Suwanee I 678-765-8270 GulfCoastGrillSuwanee.com I $$

1500 Peachtree Industrial Blvd • Suwanee 678-546-0823 I SPTavern.com I $$

Piece of Cake has been creating delicious baked goods, crafted from fresh and wholesome ingredients, since 1985. They will make you the perfect dessert, whether it’s a gourmet celebratory cake or just an everyday treat. Beginning from scratch in the baking process, to the carefully wrapped delivery, they are committed to providing an exceptional dessert at your event.

Be sure to visit them at their new location in Johns Creek!

Suwanee Pizza Tavern is known for their made-from-scratch wood-fired Pizza, Garlic Knots, Wings, Sandwiches, Pastas, and friendly atmosphere. The open pizza pit showcases their wood-fired oven where you can watch their pizza chef create your pizza. The dining area is perfect for a family outing, or you can head over to their signature bar with your friends to watch your favorite sports on the flat screen TV's. Visit Suwanee Pizza Tavern, your local upscale pizza tavern!

Ippolito's

350 Town Center Ave • Suwanee 678-985-4377 I Ippolitos.net I $$

Specializing in pizza, pasta and other authentic Italian dishes. Ippolito’s candleit, romantic restaurant provides a fine-dining environment.

The menu features antipasto, Chicken Francese, Shrimp Scampi, Salmon Gabriella & more.

AMERICAN

Tannery Row Ale House

554 West Main Street • Buford 678-765-8979 I TanneryRowAleHouse.com $$

Tannery Row Ale House is the home of the best barbeque, pizza, sandwiches and libations on this side of the tracks! Located in the Historic Tannery Row building, their menu features modern comfort food inspired by the history and culture of our surroundings. They also host a variety of events like trivia night, live performances and nighttime entertainment- so grab your friends and head over for a good time!

Friends American Grill

3890 Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd • Suwanee 678-765-6477 I FriendsAmericanGrill.com $$

Friends is a neighborhood grill and bar featuring a wide variety of American food items, as well as liquor, beer and wine. They are a great place for families as well as to just get a couple of drinks. They were voted "Best of Gwinnett" as well as a "Readers Choice Winner" in the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Schlotzsky's

2941 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd • Suwanee 678-765-6336 I Schlotzskys.com I $

Schlotzsky’s offers a wide variety of freshly baked bread, delicious hot sandwiches, Artisan flatbreads, specialty pizzas, toasted wraps, freshly tossed salads, gourmet soups, and more! Schlotzsky's taste remains true to their roots by using the highest quality ingredients to make the world’s best sandwich.

REVIEWS & MORE!

ONLINE @ SuwaneeMagazine.com 53

BY: Claire Addison WINE & BEER MANAGER BEVERAGE SUPERSTORE GRAYSON

EVERYDAY WINES ost of us have busy schedules in the fall.

Kids are back in school, the vacation time is over and it’s back to the grind. With all the stress of settling back into a fall schedule of late meetings and soccer practice, we need a wine that will be available, interesting, pair-able, and stress-free. Most of us also have to be budget conscious, meaning that wines under $15 are the way to go. But how to choose? Do you look at the label? The score from some website or publication that you’ve never heard of?

Which varietal to go for?

White? Red? Bubbles? I’ve taken the liberty of listing out three wines that you must try. These wines might not be household names, but they are tried and true wines that have proven to be as comfortable as your couch at the end of a long, hard day.

FOR MORE “EVERYDAY WINES” GO TO SUWANEE MAGAZINE.COM

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Charles & Charles Rose $10.99 – From the wonderful Columbia Valley in Washington State, the well-known Charles Smith has done it again. A fantastic rose that surprises even the harshest critics with a wine that is refreshing with aromas of watermelon and citrus that follow through on the palate.

A crisp, enticing wine that could be dubbed a “patio pounder” for the approachability of the wine.

Clayhouse Cabernet Sauvignon – $13.99 – Paso Robles is probably one of the hottest wine regions of California right now. Their great climate and soil content make for amazingly complex wines at a fantastic value. This cabernet is complex, light on tannins, but still has the ability to pair with spaghetti or pizza nights. Rich in color, a lot of dark fruit and hints of cedar and vanilla show through and accent the richness of this wine that over delivers for the price.

This is a wine you’ll want to have around all the time.

19 Crimes Red Blend $9.99 – Australian wines sometimes get a bad reputation for being mild and unimpressive. This wine will definitely change your mind!

The wine has a great intensity with bright hues of dark berry fruits and strong vanilla aromas that are followed with chocolate and cedar.

As an added bonus, each cork is marked with one of the 19 crimes that would’ve gotten you deported to Austrailia. Collect all 19!

3RD ANNUAL

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7th, 2015 SUWANEE TOWN CENTER PARK BENEFITING ANNANDALE VILLAGE

❧ Live Music & Entertainment Georgia Craft Beer Tent featuring ❧

Unlimited Samples with a Big

Screen showing the College Football “Game of the Day”

Freshly-Prepared Food Samples & ❧

Live Cooking Demonstrations

❧ Backyard Games & More!

UNLIMITED SAMPLES OF

OVER

100 PREMIUM WINES

HAND-SELECTED BY THE WINE EXPERTS AT

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, SEPT. 18TH @ NOON! TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT

www.SuwaneeWineFest.com

BY:

MICHAEL LUNDMARK

OWNER, JEKYLL BREWING

s we retire from our light, crisp summertime brews, we welcome a new crop of styles for the upcoming season. Fall is that time of year when we invite a fresh lineup of beer styles to the table.

From spicy pumpkin styles, to bready and sweet Oktoberfest beers to porters, this season’s brews stand up to cooler temperatures and warmer foods.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, you may even run into a few beers made with sweet potatoes, nuts or maple syrup!

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Pumpkin Beers

Ubiquitous through the fall and into early winter are “pumpkin beers.” Beginning in September, brewers exhibit an impressive range of approaches to the pumpkin ale style. This style is usually mild and malty, easy-to-drink, and often presents a spice-forward character from pumpkin pie spices such as allspice, cinnamon, clove, or nutmeg. These beers can be ambers, browns, stouts, or porters.

Great examples of locally-brewed pumpkin beers are Terrapin’s Pumpkinfest and Five Season’s Pumpkin Ale.

Oktoberfest Styles

On the heels of pumpkin beer releases are the Oktoberfest styles, like Jekyll Brewing’s Seven Bridges Oktoberfest. This amber-colored lager is also referred to as a Märzenbier, and it has quite a history. Before modern

These seasonal brews call for the family gatherings and beg to be paired with roasted turkey, bratwurst and pretzels, a simple pecan pie dessert… or football. If you’re a fan of pumpkin, try a few pumpkin ales paired with a slice of mama’s pumpkin pie to see how it stands up.

Porters

refrigeration, German brewers started this beer in the month of Märzen (German for March), stored it (or, “lagered” it) in caves through the spring and summer to keep it cool until it was ready to enjoy in October. You may notice notes of toasted cereal, toffee, and earthy hops in Oktoberfest beers like Seven Bridges. Other breweries producing Oktoberfest styles include the quintessential Sam Adams’ Oktoberfest and Sierra Nevada’s Reigele Oktoberfest.

Porter is another style whose popularity rises as the mercury falls. Legend has it that this style emerged as a beer created for the deckhands on British shipping ports of the 1700s, earning the name Porter.

Typically low in bitterness and complex in flavor, porters are frequently made with dark malts to produce their color, which can range from deep brown to nearly black. Craft beer drinkers often cite notes of chocolate, coffee, or even smoked wood.

If you’re new to porters, fall is the time to try one!

Look for Fuller’s London (English) Porter or Red Brick’s American Porter. Slow n’ Low Smoked Porter is one of Jekyll’s most anticipated styles in the late fall. Chocolate and smoked malts give this brew its flavor. Just like a slab of smoked meat, the smoked malts retain the Cherry Applewood chips’ flavor profile and carry it into the finished beer. The result is a sultry and savory beer with a medium body and a robust finish. Slow n’ Low is hefty enough to keep you warm through November and well after Thanksgiving dinner. ■

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2015 SUWANEEFEST FEATURED EXHIBITORS:

Join the First Annual Peach State Chili Cookoff - Saturday, October 3 @ Suwanee Town Center Park from 12 to 5pm. An International Chili Society State Championship with proceeds to benefit the Gift of Adoption Fund. Taste over 30 world-class chili samples! Live Music, Kids Area, Food and Craft Vendors.

Suwanee Town Center Park

954-599-4754 I peachstatechili.com Traditional Irish ice cream recipes meet the flare and style of the modern day at DaddyO’s Irish Ice Cream Pub! Offering gourmet artisan ice cream for the whole family as well as their homemade alcoholinfused ice cream creations, DaddyO’s is a one of a kind experience.

Opening soon at 5000 West Broad St Sugar Hill GA.

S EP T 19 & 20

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5000 West Broad St. • Sugar Hill, GA 30518

404-513-1118 I daddyosicecream.com

Imagix Dental of Suwanee specializes in creating beautiful smiles, maintaining your oral health and fulfilling your optimum dental needs. Their practice takes into consideration today’s busy lifestyles and has multi-specialty providers to make dental visits convenient for parents and kids. Their promise is to provide the best dental care to you and your family for many years to come.

350 Town Center Ave. Suite 301 • Suwanee, GA 30024

678-448-4123 I imagixdental.com

North Atlanta Primary Care has been providing quality healthcare to the community since 1988. Their unique approach to your healthcare allowed them to become the most awarded practice in Georgia and expand into your community. NAPC offers same-day appointments and a walk-in clinic from 7:30AM to 8:30AM, Monday to Friday. Booth #136.

Alpharetta, Cumming, East Cobb, Johns Creek, Paces Vinings, Sandy Springs, Sugar Hill, & Woodstock

770-442-1911 I NAPC.md

Photomats are a unique, customized gift idea. Perfect for displaying your favorite photos and memories. Imagine your timeless photos mounted behind letters/symbols in your choice of messages. Photomats4u will help you display your special moments to share with your family and friends.

Order today at www.photomats4u.com or call 678-345-1275.

6036 Addington Dr. • Acworth, GA 30101

678-345-1275 I photomats4u.com

Fun at birthday parties, family reunions, scouts, retirement homes, church groups... any venue will appreciate tame, performing parrots. Educational entertainment: cuddle, touch and learn about exotic parrots. Great photo opportunities arise when a child is cuddling a parrot in their arms. Adults also enjoy a feathery friend singing: Happy Birthday.

3161 Little Forest Ct. • Snellville, GA 30078

770-715-5337 I parrotproshows.com

Gwinnett County Public Library: Supporting your informational, educational, and recreational interests with convenient, creative, customer-friendly access to materials and services.

361 Main St. • Suwanee, GA 30024

770-978-5154 I gwinnettpl.org Savage Jerky Co. is a small-batch jerky company producing hand crafted recipes with ingredients that belong in a kitchen, not a lab.

2133 L’ville Suwanee Rd. Suite 12-405 *mailing only Suwanee, GA 30024

866-958-2444 I savagejerky.com Art Unabridged was created by a 17 year old jewelry artist. Working in silver and copper, she creates unique pieces of jewelry in her home studio. She began making simple jewelry 6 years ago and now works in metal-smithing and apprentice with a professional jewelry artist!

Art Unabridged • Suwanee, GA

P 770-904-6688 • C 678-779-6599 Jesseparry150@gmail.com 60

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Suwanee’s 32nd Annual Celebration Suwanee Fest is returning to Suwanee Town Center Park on September 19th -20th. The two-day festival, features more than 100 arts and craft vendors, dozens of food vendors, a parade, live entertainment, rides and activities for children.

The theme of this year’s festivities is “For the Love of Suwanee,” and the celebration begins just as it has every year for over two decades, with the annual parade. The Family Fun Zone is restyled this year, with entertainers, vendors, and activities geared toward families. It will include a free photo booth, “the parrot lady” and her exotic birds, entertainment with Sir Crazy Pants (https:// www.facebook.com/SirCrazyPants), the Bubble Man, zombie makeovers, a reptile exhibit, sidewalk chalk, and more!

As festival attendees walk through the park, they are able to explore art, jewelry, artisan products, carnival games and watch the large variety of performances on the main stage.

The award winning festival highlights community, heritage, family, business and culture within the City of Suwanee. Originating in 1984, just 75 people attended the first festival. Now, in 2015, Suwanee Town Center Park is preparing for over 50,000 attendees. For almost three decades, the City of Suwanee has made it a priority to gather together to celebrate our community and seeing how the festival grows year after year; it appears the citizens of Suwanee believe this is something to celebrate too.

You don’t have to travel far for the authentic flavors of the islands, come join their table! Country Pepper serves up an array of traditional Jamaican favorites with an abundance of sweet hospitality all in a relaxed atmosphere. They are family owned and operated.

686 P’tree Industrial Blvd. • Suwanee, GA 30024

678-765-6070 I countrypepperga.com The Lowe’s of Suwanee is here to help people love where they live. Feel free to visit their location and let them build something with you today.

3260 L’ville Suwanee Rd. • Suwanee, GA 30024

770-904-8283 I lowes.com

Stepping Stone Montessori School is a private school for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years which fully implements Montessori Education. Only authentic Montessori programs can offer children the support that their development requires. Every child will find joy and success in their carefully prepared environments.

Stepping Stone 65 P’tree Industrial Blvd. • Sugar Hill, GA 30518

Eat out without going out!

How often do you want to order in and feel all you have to choose from is the same old Pizza or Chinese? Now you have CHOICES!!!! Simply go to choicestoyou.com put in your zip and choose from a wide variety of real food to have delivered right to your home. They also can deliver to your business for events or just lunch when you cannot get out.

facebook.com/choicestoyou

678-765-8989 I choicestoyou.com

North Gwinnett Arts Association is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation with a mission of promoting the Arts through education, supporting local artists, and engaging in public art projects like the Piano in Suwanee Town Center Park. Their Open Studio in Town center is your place for connecting with local artists and amazing artwork!

Schedule of Events:

P.O. Box 342 • Suwanee, GA 30024

Saturday, September 19th

678-948-NGAA I ngaa4arts.com

9:00 am Parade 10:00 am-7:00 pm Arts & Crafts Exhibitors 10:00 am-7:00 pm Inflatable rides & Children’s Activities 10:30 am-7:00 pm Free Entertainment

5:30 pm Headline Performer:

Stay cool during these hot summer days. Stop by Suwanee Fest 2015, Booth #166 September 19-20, to find out how Mitsubishi Electric can keep you cool. They’re located in that big brick building on Satellite Blvd., right here in Suwanee. They make comfort personal. Visit mitsubishicomfort.com

1340 Satellite Blvd. • Suwanee, GA 30024

678-730-1710 I mitsubishicomfort.com

Face to Face Billy Joel/Elton John Tribute Show

Tutoring K-12. Jump ahead of the class this year by tutoring at Omega Learning. Omega’s certified teachers solidify core fundamentals and help students build critical thinking skills needed to apply their knowledge to more advanced learning concepts and succeed with challenging Common Core Curriculum. Tutoring programs available: reading, writing, math (all levels), homework help, spanish, SAT/ACT prep, COMPASS prep, Kindergarten Success, enrichment.

Sunday, September 20th

For a full list of entertainment visit: suwaneefest.com

$4.99 off delivery Use Promo Code: suwaneemag

For updates, specials & promos

Call 678-765-8989 or Visit www.choicestoyou.com

12:00 pm-5:00 pm Arts & Crafts Exhibitors 12:00 pm-5:00 pm Inflatable rides & Children’s Activities 12:30 pm-5:00 pm Free Entertainment

770-614-4310 I steppingstonemontessori.com

Tutoring K-12

SHUTTLES AVAILABLE: Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 12-6pm

•

SACS Accredited

3429 L’ville Suwanee Rd. • Suwanee, GA 30024

770-932-8363 I omegalearning.com

Road Atlanta is a world-renowned road racing circuit that annually hosts the historic Petit Le Mans, a 10-hour sports car endurance race that brings some of the best teams, cars and drivers from across the globe and finishes under the stars. See manufacturers like Corvette, Audi, Mazda, Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini compete for the title on October 3rd at Road Atlanta.

5300 Winder Hwy • Braselton, GA 30517

800-849-7223 I roadatlanta.com Suwanee Dental Care offers everything under one roof: Sedation & Family Dentistry, Invisalign, Implants, Cosmetic Dentistry and Wisdom Teeth. It was named 2014 Best of Gwinnett in Dentistry. Schedule an appointment today to meet their team and see how their office can meet all your dental needs!

4355 Suwanee Dam Rd. • Suwanee, GA 30024

678-745-5227 I suwaneedental.com

The Fresh Market is Suwanee’s European style organic food market and premium quality local produce store. Local products, inspired by our roots and the community we live in, epitomize the heart of The Fresh Market and what they stand for. From their delicious and wholesome food options to their sensational staff and exceptional customer service, The Fresh Market has become an iconic business in the Suwanee community.

2015 SUWANEEFEST FEATURED EXHIBITORS:

Montessori School

1500 P’tree Industrial Blvd. • Suwanee, GA 30024

678-714-0976 I thefreshmarket.com

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2015 FESTIVAL

SUWANEE TOWN CENTER PARK

Buford Highway - Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road Food / Concessions

BOOTH #

Wild Wing Cafe........................................ 1 Taste Jamaica...........................................2 Sugar D's Sweet Shack.......................... 12 Tasting Maine........................................14 K & G Concessions................................. 17 Sara Donuts............................................. 17 Dunwoody Cafe......................................18 Dandy Cotton Candy............................ 20 Country Pepper...................................... 21 Reys Cuban..............................................22 Gone Nuts!!!............................................23 DaddyO's Irish Ice Cream Pub............ 24 Runaway Pigs.........................................27 Marco's Pizza......................................... 28 Tracy's Tasties, LLC............................... 29 Twisted Taco.......................................... 30 Jimmies Ice Cream Company............. 31 Penn Station East Coast subs..............32 Chick-Fil-A Moore Road.......................33 Cool Hawaiian Ice..................................43 Williamson Bros BBQ......................15, 16 Henry's Concessions....................... 25,26 Rita's Italian Ice............................... 3, 210 The Fresh Market.................................4, 5 Johnny's Pizza.......................................6, 7 Greek Tavern..............................8, 9, 10, 11 Hobie Pop Kettlecorn.............................H Granny's Old Fashioned Lemonade.........................................A, C, F Roberts concessions............................... B SnoBayou, Handcrafted Snoballs.......D King of Pops.............................................G

Non-Profits

Gwinnett County Public Library.....35 North Gwinnett Arts Assoc................ 36 Suwanee Business Alliance................38 PSC Events, LLC...................................... 46 Humane Society of the U.S.................. 51 The Gideons International..................57 New Directions for Old Collections...............................................60 North Gwinnett National Art Honor Society................................103 4:4 No More! Water for the Poor..................................................214 Georgia Thrombosis forum,.............. 215 Savage Jerky Co.................................... 217 B&B Enterprises...................................218 Java Genesis..........................................219 Serenity Gardens................................ 220 L. Marie's Spa Botanicals................... 221 GASPCA.............................................49, 50

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Sponsors

Gwinnett Daily Post..............................37 Gwinnett Medical Center................... 39 Imagix Dental of Suwanee..................47 State Farm...............................................52 Free Chapel..............................................83 Gwinnett Gladiators Hockey.............112 Sugar Hill Spine and Wellness......... 118 Choices To You...................................... 119 Renewal by Andersen.........................120 Delta Community Credit Union........121 North Georgia Pediatric Dentistry................................................ 122 Southern Remodeling........................124 Omega Learning Center.....................126 Quantum National Bank...................128 Power Home Remodeling Group......................................................130 EverDry Waterproofing...................... 135 North Atlanta Primary Care.............136 Madaris Siding & Windows.............. 137 Suwanee Dental Care......................... 140 Freedom Family Chiropractic........... 143 CubeSmart.............................................144 Leaffilter North....................................149 Christian Brothers Automotive........ 153 Lowe's Home Improvement.............. 157 Stepping Stone Montessori School..................................................... 160 Tiger Tails Animal Hospital.............. 161 Whitney Orthodontics.......................162 Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating............................................. 166 Pinnacle Home Improvements........167 Food Should Taste Good......................171 Larabar................................................... 173 Children & Teen Dental Group......... 183 Suwanee Sports Academy................. 185 Taylor Construction............................ 187 Dr. Rhonda Hogan, DMD.................... 191 Georgia Fitness.................................... 224 Suwanee Magazine.............................225 PeachSkin Sheets........................ 113, 113A Cross Pointe Church.....................141, 142 Road Atlanta.................................. 150, 151 Costco..............................................154, 155 Jim Ellis Buick GMC Mall of Georgia...................................... 158, 159 PNC Bank........................................174, 175 12Stone Church..............................34, 34A Pre-Press to Printing, Inc Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Ippolito's Shadowbrook Baptist Church Suwanee Spine & Wellness Center

Arts & Crafts

Parastrap.com........................................ 48 W A Hill Designs....................................53 Lose a Finger...........................................54 Mary Walters Stitch Art.......................55 Lynn's Gourmet..................................... 56 Antique Glass Wind Chimes.............. 62 Brenda's Designs.................................. 63 Timshel Apothecaries......................... 63 Livingston Oden.................................... 64 French Silver, LLC.................................. 65 A. HER Artistry......................................66 A Good Life............................................. 67 Lynnies Art............................................. 68 Country Dog Creative Mutt................80 The Guided Path of the Wolf.............. 82 Cultured Creations By Jean................ 84 Uncorked Candles..................................85 That Soap Place......................................87 B.R. Marketing.......................................90 LKY Glass, LLC.........................................91 Deb Nolan............................................... 92 Grady and Peggy................................... 93 Diane Atkinson..................................... 97 Quilts By Katie...................................... 98 Southern Essentials.............................99 Together on a Shelf............................. 101 Spoonmaker KDS.................................102 Chateau Le Pup.................................... 104 Marissa Hudson Loose Pottery.........105 Organic Pure Shea Butter................. 106 Jan's Glass Gardens.............................107 Baskets by Andi.................................. 109 Jutesculptures....................................... 111 StuffyShirtDog..................................... 114 Ocean Friends........................................115 Yardstix.................................................. 116 Purple Unicorn Pottery.......................117 Peaceful Creations Jewelry and Gifts................................................ 123 Cuppa Cake........................................... 127 Southern Sass Design......................... 133 Strother Magic & Airbrush Tattoos....................................................146 ER2 Workshop.......................................148 Wilderness Rustic Coolers................. 152 Personalized Name Mats and Gifts................................................156 Simply Skirts / Paint Me Designs... 168 Four Corners of the World................ 169 Dazzle Doo Designs.............................170 Fine Woodworking, L.L.C.................... 172 Spirit Jewels.......................................... 178 Cheryl's Country Collectables...........179 Four Little Bubbles............................. 180

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Wood Craft Toys...................................184 C’ville Corner........................................188 GoSwing LLC........................................ 189 Love My Hair Bows............................. 190 PaintedExpressions Face Paint and Henna.............................................192 Forget Me Nots...................................... 93 Wilson Design Studio........................ 196 Hanalei Bath.........................................197 Masterpiece Mixers Paint & Party Studio.........................................200 Mom & Me Hand Stamped...............201 Sweet Tea and Lemonade.................204 Mee Her................................................. 205 Hello Half Pint.....................................208 Wonder Colors Art Studio.................209 LuvMyLeash...........................................211 Maeday Gourmet Sauces...................216 Sandy Candy.........................................223 Simple ‘n’ Pure Herbal Remedies and Natural Products......................... 226 Little Onez Boutique.....................131, 132 The Bruce’s Eyeview.....................176, 177 Sally’s Famous..............................194, 195 Linda Mills....................................... 40, 41 Zadic’s Fashion & Magnetic Jewelry.............................................. 58, 59 Photomats4u................................... 78, 79 Zeebows............................................94, 95 Barbara Pirkle........................................ 44

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Fine Art

Lisa R.Chile Jewelry...............................45 A Measure of Clay..................................61 The Grapevine Wall............................. 88 WonderWorks Fine Art Photography.........................................124 Faith Clay............................................... 138 Nancy’s Pottery................................... 190 Alize Metal Works.............................. 203

Jewelry

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Shop. Eat. Bounce. Smile Meet Friends .

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Art Unabridged......................................81 Designs by Anne................................... 86 Sarka Havlova........................................ 89 Skye Beads..............................................96 Tiger Stripes......................................... 100 Tainos Hidden Treasures.................. 108 Stones to Wear...................................... 110 BSwitched Jewelry.............................. 125 Georgian Gypsy...................................139 LSI Jewelry............................................. 145 Bjeweled13............................................. 147 Macks Beads......................................... 181 Yuki Takahashi....................................182 Tizo Designs......................................... 186 Beth Blanc Designs..............................222

Other

Not Just Nuts, LLC................................129 Netherworld.........................................164 Medieval Times................................... 202 The SandArt Cart................................206 Parrot Productions...................... 198, 199

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you can’t miss...

BY: RACHEL PILLOW

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2015 SUWANEE WINE FEST NOVEMBER 7TH

Viva VINO!

he air is cool and crisp,

leaves are crackling beneath your feet, the kids are still in a candy coma from Halloween... and wine is all around! It’s a little hard to imagine “cool, crisp air” when it’s still 85 degrees outside, but beautiful weather that’s begging to be enjoyed is right around the corner – and so is the 3rd annual Suwanee Wine Festival, set to take place November 7th, 2015 in Suwanee Town Center Park.

The event organizers behind the awardwinning Suwanee Beer Fest and the inaugural Gwinnett Beer Fest are once again, stepping outside of the craft beer world, to bring you a premium wine event of equal caliber. But don’t worry - they are still demonstrating their craft beer love by bringing a college football/ Georgia beer tent to the festival again! Festival goers can expect another premium winetasting experience, as Beverage Superstore will hand-select a menu featuring over a hundred of the world’s top wines!

Festival attendees will sip and stroll around beautiful Suwanee Town Park while enjoying unlimited samples of delicious wines; specialty food items from The Fresh Market that pair perfectly with featured wines; live bluegrass music; artisanal products for sale from local vendors and artists; food for purchase from some of

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2014 Wine Fest attendees enjoy wine samples on a beautiful fall day the area’s most popular restaurants, and more! The General Admission experience is $55 per person for unlimited wine & beer samples and festivities in the park from 1-5pm.

The VIP experience begins with early admission at noon, where VIP attendees can enjoy everything in General Admission plus access to a private dining & tasting tent. VIP tickets are very limited and at $110 per person include: higher-end exclusive wines to taste, sommelier insight during wine tastings, a gourmet food spread provided

by The Fresh Market and a goody bag including a 2015 Suwanee Wine Fest shirt.

The event organizers are committed to providing the best wine-tasting experience around, while also giving back to the local community. A portion of proceeds will directly benefit Annandale Village: a Suwanee organization that provides care and life assistance to adults with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injuries, and enables them to maintain their independence in the least-restrictive environment possible. Earlier that morning, Annandale is hosting their 2nd annual 5K, “The Extra Mile” at Suwanee Town Center Park.

Enjoy a morning workout and then treat yourself to unlimited samples of delicious wine!

Tickets for the 2015 Suwanee Wine Festival go on sale Friday, September 18th at noon at suwaneewinefest.com. Attendees are strongly encouraged to purchase in advance, as this event may sell out early. ■

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JUBILEE FALL FESTIVAL

OCTOBER 17TH

Fun-filled, family event to say “thank you!” to the community Urbana Holdings is throwing another big fun-filled, familyoriented event at their Suwanee Jubilee Shopping Center off Peachtree Industrial Boulevard! On Saturday, October 17th from 12-4pm the shopping center is being transformed into a big fall festival open for free to people of all-ages.

Guests are invited to participate in carnival style games, face painting, inflatables, picking pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, music and much more!

This festival stems from Urbana Holdings desire to “say thanks” to the community for supporting the shopping center and to invite them “to come have fun!” Based on the success of their last event, The Suwanee Jubilee Center Easter Egg Hunt which saw a turn-out of over 1,000 people, there is no doubt this event will be a similar success! ■

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DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 26TH & 27TH

the camaraderie and friendships formed by all, working together for a common goal, has been just as important. This has gone a long way towards keeping the wonderful, small town spirit of Duluth alive. ■

Ask anyone in Duluth what is the biggest thing there every year, and all would give the same answer, the Duluth Fall Festival. With more than 400 volunteers, it is the largest festival in the Southeast with no paid staff.

A huge parade through the streets of Duluth kicks things off on Saturday morning. Afterwards, the opening ceremony is held at the Festival Center, honoring dignitaries and major sponsors, then on to continuous entertainment at three venues for the rest of the day. Sunday starts with a 5K Road Race through Downtown Duluth, with about 800 runners. Then, at 10:00 a community worship service is held on the Town Green, followed by more entertainment.

However, the heart of the Festival is in the almost 400 arts & crafts and food booths. You will find handmade crafts of every description, clothing, linens, furniture, jewelry, toys, fall and Christmas decorations, plus, much, much more. There is ‘Man’s Corner’, Kid’s Korner, plus a full-fledged carnival, so this is definitely a festival for the whole family. The Festival Committee sponsors many other events as well throughout the year, including a free concert on Saturday, September 12th.

All funds raised have gone to improve Downtown Duluth. Throughout the past 33 years, over two million dollars have been donated from the festival. However,

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2015 GWINNETT BEER FEST

SEPTEMBER 26TH

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BEER FEST!

The organizers the award-winning Suwanof Craft Beer Fest are backee American with exciting new festival: another

THE 2015 GWINNETT BEER FE at the Gwinnett BravesSStT in Lawrenceville!

adium

BY: RACHEL PILLOW

With five years of

craft beer festivals under their belts, the Event Management team behind the award-winning Suwanee Beer Fest decided to take on the challenge of bringing yet another mouth-watering, hopped-up and crazy, epic beer fest to Gwinnett!

Lo and behold – the inaugural GWINNETT BEER FEST at Coolray Field on September 26th!

Voulunteers will be pouring an abundance of unlimited beer samples that true craft beer lovers will appreciate and enjoy. To kick off everyone’s favorite season, there will also be a “Best Of Fall” competition featuring 12 standout craft breweries and their freshest, fall brews of choice. The catch? Only YOU can decide which brewery reigns

champion by drinking their way to the top.

Powered by DRAFTSERV Technologies, the “Best of Fall” competition will be poured from a self-serve, interactive, hightech trailer with live leaderboard displays that will tally the results.

You can also track the which beer is winning on your mobile device. Pour your fave fall brew and watch as it moves towards the top!

And since the event is on September 26th, you can expect a festive Oktoberfest tent pouring the best Märzen styles around. Yes, lederhosen and dirndls (apparently those are the official names of “beer girl” and “german dude in suspenders” outfits) are HIGHLY encouraged!

Lederhosen, dirndls and cowboy boots, that is. Because, on the field will be two of Georgia’s biggest, rising country stars! Atlanta’s #1 country station, KICKS 101.5 will be onsite, adding to the “southern party” vibe. Then watch for the dynamic, husband-wife country duo LAUGHLIN to rock the stage, followed by the Georgia-born-and-raised, true country grit, Southern rockers – Daniel Lee Band. Daniel Lee Band has shared the stage with national acts like Colt Fold, Brantley Gilbert, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Gretchen Wilson and Corey Smith, to name a few, and is quickly becoming a household name in the country world.

As if the thought of tasting unlimited samples of 150+ craft beers wasn’t enough to get you pumped,

A portion of proceeds will benefit The Chris Singleton Foundation

GwinnettBeerFest .com 66 I I I Suwanee Magazine

suwaneemagazine.com

SEPT / OCT 15

fall festivals

2015 GWINNETT BEER FEST AT A GLANCE:

OVER 150

CRAFT BEERS TO SAMPLE GREAT FOOD, FESTIVAL GAMES, & VENDORS LIVE BROADCAST FROM ATLANTA’S #1 COUNTRY STATION

KICKS 101.5

1PM5PM

VIP GATES OPEN @ 12pm

LIVE MUSIC

FROM LAUGHLIN &

DANIEL LEE BAND

BEST OF FALL COMPETITION POWERED BY

DRAFTSERV TECHNOLOGIES

Festival Games & Entertainment Oktoberfest Tent • Live Music • Great Food Exclusive Vendors & Merchandise

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

GEN. ADM.: $40 $45 after Sept 12th, $50 day of event

VIP: $95

you can also be on the lookout for awesome festival games like human foosball and cornhole, vendors dishing out tasty samples, delicious food offerings in concessions and more!

For the true connoisseurs you can get exclusive VIP passes for 1 hour early admission to the stadium, free parking, and all-day access to the 2nd level where top-secret stuff is going down. And by top-secret stuff we mean: specialty-brewed casks and hard-to-find brews, college football on all the flatscreen TVs, a premium food buffet from 12-2pm and upper-level

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT PARTICIPATING

RESTAURANTS, THE GWINNETT BRAVES BOX OFFICE & ONLINE @

TICKETS ARE LIMITED DON’T .

WAIT!

GwinnettBeerFest.com

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fall festivals

party deck/suite access where you can look down on all the action below.

VIP tickets are very limited and available now for $95. General Admission tickets start at $40, with prices going up after September 12th.

Gwinnett Beer Fest attendees can enjoy their unlimited samples of 150+ beers without any worries: to encourage safe driving, Pruitt Law is sponsoring 100 designated driver tickets, available free of charge while supplies last, with the purchase of a General Admission or VIP ticket. Gwinnett Beer Fest has partnered with UBER who is offering a FREE first ride (up to $20) for all new users; all you have to do is enter promo code GBEERFEST15 at checkout.

There is also complimentary shuttle service for ticketholders to & from the stadium at Tilted Kilt

Mall of GA and Tannery Row Ale House in Buford – both excellent spots for pre-gaming, footballwatching and after-partying!

A portion of the proceeds from The Gwinnett Beer Fest are benefitting The Chris Singleton Foundation, which supports local organizations and causes such as educational development for at-risk youth in Metro Atlanta. Chris Singleton calls Gwinnett County his home and is a former MLB player and current ESPN ‘Baseball Tonight’ analyst. He is looking forward to his involvement with the inaugural Gwinnett Beer Fest on September 26th, 2015.

Don’t miss this event! Tickets are very limited and available now at gwinnettbeerfest.com. ■

2015 GWINNETT BEER FEST SPONSORED BY:

BEER & WINE BREWING SUPPLIES

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SUGAR RUSH OCTOBER 17TH The City of Sugar Hill brings back their annual fall festival bigger and better than ever! Renamed as Sugar Rush, the funfilled event will be held downtown on Saturday, October 17. Enjoy carnival rides, inflatables, food trucks, a car show, bakeoff competition, and the world’s largest ice cream party challenge – according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Kick off the day with the Sugar Rush 5k Run at 8:00am. Registration is $20 when you sign up prior to the race, or $25 when you register on the 17th.

An awesome selection of different vendor’s artwork will be on display in the exhibition from 10:00am to 4:30pm. There will also be a competition awarding artists as: First, Second, and Third Place; Best in Show; Mayor’s Choice; Honorable Mention; and Artistic Merit. The winners of these awards will be announced on Broad Street’s stage at 3:30pm.

Closing out the festival and Sugar Hill Sweet Life Concert Series, the City is excited to announce the performance of two-time Grammy Award Winner, Travis Tritt. General Admission tickets are free as he takes the stage at The Bowl at 8:00pm. Doors open for families and fans to find seating as early as 5:00pm. Additional performers of the show include Presley Sullivan, Pilot, and the Gasoline Brothers.

Travis Tritt

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74

SCULPTOUR:

the exploration of a community dedicated to the arts...

THE HERD

BY PHIL PROCTOR

PHOTOS BY: KARL

E X C L U S I V E

LAMB

I N T E R V I E W

SOUL ASYLUM Dave Pirner, lead singer of alternative rock band, Soul Asylum sat down with Suwanee Magazine's Rachel Pillow to share his thoughts on Taylor Swift, social media and their upcoming album

lternative rock band, Soul Asylum formed in 1981 in Minneapolis and does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Lead singer Dave Pirner, age 51, is the only original member in the band today and led the group on a USBY: tour – with a stop in Suwanee to rock PHOTOS the Perdue Town Center Park stage as headliners for Julie

the City’s annual August concert. The platinum selling band, most known for their emotional power ballads in the 90’s had hit singles with “Runaway Train,” “Black Gold” and “Misery.” The band looks forward to wrapping up an album that Pirner describes as, “an exciting record…without ballads and all that meandering kind of stuff.”

➼

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Had you heard of Suwanee before booking the show here?

No, but it’s beautiful here. Seems like a good place for a squirt gun fight! (a reference to the JulyAugust cover of the magazine) It’s definitely hot enough! So, where are you guys headed next?

We’re headed to Dallas tomorrow…I think… somewhere in Texas!

Is it hard to be on the road so often that you don’t even really know where you’re headed next?

Yeah, well, the cliché is true. When you’re on the road you wanna be home and when you’re home you wanna be back on the road. This was a threeweek tour, which is just long enough to be away from your loved ones. I’m used to it now though. It kind of becomes more fun, because the band starts to get in a routine of playing every night and we get really good and start to gel with each other as the tour goes on.

Any memorable performances during this tour?

Granted, after tonight, Suwanee will probably be your favorite!

We had a good gig in LA and a good gig in Chicago.

That always feels good to get a good turnout in the big cities…in the “groover towns.”

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Tell us about your new album coming out.

We have a new record in the can, as they say, and it’s finished. We just picked out the typeset for the album cover 2 days ago and it’s going to be called “Change of Fortune” and it is spectacular!

Everything on the menu is excellent. It’s a pretty exciting record - not a lot of ballads and meandering kind of stuff. We can’t seem to nail down a release date, but we’re saying before the end of 2015!

create

You’ve been in the industry for quite awhile - how is it different today than when you first started out?

I think it’s a little more special now, in a weird way. I was actually thinking about this last night… we have become more of an internet-kind of community where people maybe do a lot of stuff without leaving their house. It takes a little extra effort to get them out here, so we do feel like the people at our shows really wanna be here. And then it becomes a bonding experience among human beings.

Speaking of the “internet community” – how do you feel about so much free access to music and sites like Spotify?

You know, I don’t think you’ll find many people my age with much of an appreciation for not being able to sell records anymore! I mean that part of it has really flipped the industry on its head…there have been a lot of casualties in the industry because of that.

True. It doesn’t quite seem fair, does it?

I’ve been trying to explain to people what’s happening to the music industry for a long time. A new model has not revealed itself for quite some time now…so I don’t know. But, maybe it will change with Taylor Swift putting her foot down and saying, ‘No more taking my music for free,’ and then everyone else will have to follow suit. I mean, it’s great, she’s standing up for all of us (artists) and she’s probably the only person right now that anyone will listen to.

She certainly has a lot of influence, but you have the years of experience and a network of support behind you. So, where do you want to drive people to listen to your music?

We partnered with the website “Pledge Music” to get Soul Asylum up to speed with our internet-savvy audience. They seem like a bunch of bright kids and we’re doing a lot with “Pledge” to raise awareness about the band…and to pay our producers. ■

We hope that there is a shift in the industry so that talented musicians such as Pirner can continue to make a living by doing what they are great at and what they are passionate about. Pledge Music is a social platform designed to directly connect consumers to the artists themselves. To learn more and get insider-access to Soul Asylum’s not-yetreleased album, check out pledgemusic.com.

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The Herd invades Suwanee!

The Herd by Phil Proctor The Herd , by artist Phil Proctor, features a collection of eight steel-fabricated goats, each weighing about 100 pounds and standing three feet tall. The sculptures are displayed in downtown Suwanee as part of the fourth annual Suwanee SculpTour. Proctor’s Herd symbolizes the idea of awareness.

One particular goat in the group lifts his head in observance and appreciation of his surroundings. As his head is raised, he notices that the other goats are facing toward the ground, secluding themselves from Phil Proctor has permanent experiencing sculptures placed across the beauty the southeast as well as in around them. countries across Western The Herd serves Europe. Originally from Mississippi, Proctor has as a reminder to degrees from the University continue looking of Southern Mississippi and up and stay East Carolina University. He focused on the has been producing art in his importance of Atlanta studio for the past 10 years. One of Proctor’s life, even when works, “Iron Canopy,” is part getting caught of a permanent collection up in the midst of sculptures in the City of of everyday tasks, Suwanee. work or worry blurs our outlook on life. ■ The Herd is available for purchase! If you are interested, please contact Toni Shrewsbury at the City of Suwanee.

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learn

news from the suwanee schools universe

Aiden Pos

ey

1st Grade White Oak Elementa ry

Raul Ramirez 3rd Grade Johns Creek Elementary

Emily Jomaa

Kindergarten Settles Bridge Elementary

Lena Towne 5th Grade Riverside Elementary

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Teagan,

Thoma

s & Taela 3rd, 6th a h Seay nd Kinde Level Cr rgarten eek & No rth Gwin nett Mid dle Scho ol

B ro d y & ve Owen LaFe de 6th & 8th Gra Hull Middle School

B a ile y Ponder

2nd Grade Roberts Elementary

Owen Gaines

Kaitlyn & Sydney W

1st Grade Suwanee Elementary

hite

4 th & 1 st Grade Roberts Elementary

Kaden Velez

2nd Grade Buford Academy

Yohann Kim 2nd Grade Suwanee Elementary

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August Concert & Wing Festival

citybuzz

THE BUZZ 80 / PEOPLE & PLACES: ON THE SCENE 84

news and events

from in and around suwanee.

EVENT CALENDAR: UPCOMING AREA EVENTS 94

Atlanta Falcons “Rise Up” at Buford High School

PHOTO BY: Karl Lamb

Each year the Atlanta Falcons kick off their training season with an intrasquad scrimmage event called Friday Night Lights.

Presented by KIA Motors, the 8th annual event took place on August 7th, 2015 at Buford High School’s Tom Riden Stadium.

The free, family-friendly event, followed by autograph sessions and a fireworks show, is just one way that the Atlanta Falcons encourage the community to “rise up” and get pumped for the upcoming season.

And rise up they did! Falcons fans flocked to Buford in droves and the stadium was blanketed in black and red. The scrimmage showcased the team’s newfound and returning strength this year with rookie WR Justin Hardy’s winning touchdown catch from QB Matt Ryan; and unsurprisingly, a performance of incredible speed by RB Antone Smith. Recent predictions have pegged Desmond Trufant as one of the top Cornerbacks in the NFL this season, and in true Trufant fashion, he proved them right with an incredible interception that brought the stadium to their feet and chanting “Truuuuu!”

Atlanta CHECK OUT EXCLUSIVE PICS Falcons new FROM THE EVENT IN PEOPLE & Head Coach, PLACES Dan Quinn, page 88 is confident they’re headed into - not just a great season - but a new era that fans can look forward to! ■

79 53

The survey is in… and Suwanee wins again!

The City of Suwanee recently won two Voice of the People Awards for Excellence, for Community Engagement and Recreation & Wellness. Judged by the International City/County Management Association and National Research Center, Suwanee ranked #1 compared to other benchmarked communities in the following areas: • City-sponsored events • How Suwanee government welcomes citizen involvement • Overall built environment • Availability of affordable quality childcare • Overall confidence in local government • Acting in the best interest of the community • Being honest • Treating all residents fairly In the National Citizen Survey, Suwanee residents reported extremely high levels of satisfaction, compared to residents of the other 300+ participating jurisdictions. Managed by the National Research Center, the survey measures residents opinions and satisfaction with local government and services, using a scientific, representative approach.

Survey results are used to inform budgeting, performance measurement, and program planning.

Greater Atlanta Christian Students receive

Perfect Scores on National Latin Exam

Animal Planet’s “Tanked” films episode in Suwanee Animal Planet’s “Tanked” is a hit reality TV show that follows Wayde King and Brett Raymer, brothersin-law and co-owners of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing in Vegas, as they build some of the world’s most enormous and awe-inspiring, custom aquariums.

The Tanked crew traveled to Suwanee this summer, when King and Raymer tackled a request from Rugged Ridge to create a “rugged aquarium” that matches their brand. While most aquariums are designed to be peaceful and tranquil, this job presented them with a unique opportunity to “feature a tank like no one’s ever seen,” they said.

Rugged Ridge is a division of Omix-ADA, leading manufacturer of Jeep parts and accessories, headquartered in Suwanee, GA. After meeting with Al Azadi, President of Omix-ADA and Henk Van Dongen, Director of Marketing - the Tanked team set out to design a unique, jagged–edge aquarium and “the most angled tank they’ve ever built.”

The 5th season premiere of “Tanked” airs Friday, September 18th at 10pm EST on Animal Planet. The “Rugged Ridge” episode number has not yet been disclosed, but should be one of the first few. Stay tuned to see your hometown featured on TV and how King and Raymer handle the rugged tank challenge.

Three GAC students achieved perfect scores on the 2015 National Latin Exam - Caroline Bower (10th grade), AnnaBelle Hellinger (10th grade), and Elise Karinshak (9th grade). Latin teacher Judy Tenney says this is Caroline Bower's second year to achieve a perfect score. This high honor was achieved by only 1,004 students out of over 140,000 who participated worldwide. Two students scored an incredible 39/40 - Jack Hollier and Lacey Shaffer.

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Professional Lacrosse Team “Swarms” Gwinnett The first National Lacrosse League (NLL) team in the Southeast US, the Georgia Swarm, made Gwinnett their home earlier this year, and were officially welcomed to the community at a press conference on July 16, 2015 at Gwinnett Center.

Surrounded by a large turnout of community members, media, citizens and young athletes proudly carrying their lacrosse sticks - the Georgia Swarm expressed great excitement about their move. “This is a community we’re going to play our hearts out for,” said CoOwner & President, Andy Arlotta.

Previously known as Minnesota Swarm, the strategic move to the Southeast was a first for the league’s 30-year history. “On behalf of the NLL I would like to formally welcome Georgia into the National Lacrosse League,” announced George Daniel - Commissioner of the NLL, amidst a roar of cheers and applause. “Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the country. It’s high-energy, fast-paced, high-scoring and hard-hitting action and you’re not going to find any other sport like it.” he continued.

The Georgia Swarm are eager to introduce the sport to new fans in metro Atlanta’s rapidly-growing lacrosse community. “The primary reason we wanted to relocate was to find a partnership

with a community like this and we’re really happy we found that here in Gwinnett County,” said John Arlotta, Andy’s father and Co-Owner/General Manager of The Georgia Swarm. “Raise your sticks!” he said to the audience.

Excitement and energy surged the crowd, as young, local athletes raised their lacrosse sticks in the air. “You can tell from the kids in the audience here that the lacrosse community is growing and we have an opportunity to give something back to them. With our team, our coaches and players, we can accelerate that growth,” he continued. The team is confident that once people come experience a live game, they will be hooked. With team mascot Stinger leading the pack, they even prepared the crowd for game day by teaching the team’s signature goal dance.

The NLL season starts in January 2016. For more information visit georgiaswarm.com.

Mustang Pony Drive to benefit Annandale Village The inaugural Mustang Pony Drive, hosted by Running Pony Events and the Gwinnett Mustang Association, is expected to bring out some of the finest Mustangs in the metro Atlanta area. The event will take place on Saturday, September 12th, 2015, starting at Coal Mountain Elementary in Cumming. After check-in and map review, about 300 Mustang drivers will head toward Dahlonega on Hwy 9. The 30-mile drive has over 40 twists and curves with speed limits at 25-35 MPH. The drive will stop at the Dahlonega Baptist Church, where participants can stop and grab a bite to eat at one of the many area restaurants or on-site food trucks.

At about 1:30PM, drivers will head to Chestatee Ford on Hwy 400, who will be hosting a cruise-in.

The owners and management will select a few Mustangs from various generations and award trophies as well as raffle ticket items. This cruise will take about 2 hours. Sheriff’s departments from 3 counties will be offering traffic control at major intersections.

Proceeds from the event will be benefiting Annandale Village, a Suwanee based non-profit organization dedicated to providing progressive life assistance to adults with intellectual disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.

If you are interested in participating in the Pony Drive, pre-register by September 5th at run4thegold.com. If the event is not full, day of show registration will also be available.

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the buzz

Reeves Young breaks ground in Sugar Hill for New Corporate HQ

On the shovel toss, left to right: Nick Masino-Sr. Vice President, Gwinnett Chamber; Bryan WoodsonCampus Pastor,Free Chapel Gwinnett; Bill Reeves-Founder, Reeves Young; Benny Sims-President, Southern Wall Systems; Dean Reeves-Chairman, Reeves Young; Eric Young-President/CEO, Reeves Young; Steve Edwards-Mayor of Sugar Hill, GA; Marc CohenCouncil Member, City of Sugar Hill; Brandon Hembree- Mayor Pro Tem/ Downtown Development Authority, City of Sugar Hill; Paul Radford- City Manager, City of Sugar Hill.

Reeves Young, one of the top commercial contractors of technically challenging heavy civil, multi-story commercial and water reclamation projects throughout the Southeast, held a groundbreaking ceremony on July 16 for its new corporate headquarters. The new 2-story Class-A office building, located on Peachtree Industrial Blvd. is the first of its kind in Sugar Hill. Southern Wall Systems, one of the most prominent stucco and EIFS subcontractors in the Southeast will also occupy the building.

Reeves Young, founded as Reeves Contracting in 1952 by Bill Reeves, has grown 18-22 percent per year for the past five years and currently has more than 100 employees with plans to expand. Because its new office is twice the size of its previous area, the new place can properly support their growth.

“Everything we do - from 30 feet below the ground to 30 floors above – is all about the people,” said Eric Young, Reeves Young’s CEO/President. “Our commitment to our employee’s quality of life has allowed us to build the best team in the business. We look forward to growing Reeves Young in Georgia and the Southeast.”

“We are excited to be building the first and only Class-A office space in Sugar Hill,” said Reeves Young Chairman, Dean Reeves. “The City of Sugar Hill and Gwinnett County are a committed partner of Reeves Young, and we look forward to bringing jobs and economic development to the area.”

The new Reeves Young office space will include a fitness center, spacious lunchroom and breakrooms, all of which were designed to give employees a comfortable and modern workspace. This building was designed with the objective of reducing its carbon footprint and the state-of-the-art technology integrated throughout is one of the ways Reeves Young hopes to reach this energy efficient solution.

Fowler Design Associates is joining Reeves Young in the construction of the new building. The corporate office is expected to open in fall 2016.

Annandale Resident Celebrates 90th Birthday More than 60 Annandale Village staff members and villagers joined together to celebrate Mary’s 90th birthday on July 4th. Mary was born in 1925 and was one of the first Villagers at Annandale, living there for 41 of Annandale’s 46 years.

She currently resides in the D. Scott Hudgens Center for Skilled Nursing. Mary enjoys taking care of her plants in her room and loves puzzles. She completes a puzzle book almost every day and starts a new one the next.

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U13 Hotlanta Gwinnett Girls Lacrosse team wins River City Rivalry

Congratulations to the U13 Hotlanta Gwinnett Girls lacrosse team. This team is comprised of girls from the North Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge and Buford cluster Middle Schools. The team practices out of George Pierce Park, and plays in tournaments throughout the southeast, over the summer.

people&places on the scene...

Annandale Kiss A Pig Wednesday, July 8th ANNANDALE VILLAGE PHOTOS:

ANGELA VEUGELER Thirteen community leaders vied for the opportunity to kiss a pig at Annandale’s annual fundraising event.

Mike Dominy, of Dominy Construction Group, was the lucky winner with the highest number of votes and dollars raised for Annandale Village.

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August Concert & Wing Festival Saturday, August 8th TOWN CENTER PARK PHOTOS:

KARL LAMB

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Braves Game on the Green

Saturday, August 1st TOWN CENTER PARK PHOTOS:

MICHELLE FASIG

Dinner & Brew with Cooper’s Crew Saturday, July 25th

SUWANEE PIZZA TAVERN PHOTOS:

MICHELLE FASIG Suwanee Pizza Tavern hosted the inaugural “Dinner & Brews with Cooper’s Crew” to raise funds and awareness for the Cooper O’brien Scholarship Fund memorial.

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Falcons Friday Night Lights 2015 Friday, August 7th

BUFORD HIGH SCHOOL PHOTOS: KARL LAMB

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Cheyenne Faith Run

Skylar’s Run

Saturday, July 18th

Saturday, August 15th

SUWANEE CREEK PARK

TOWN CENTER PARK

PHOTOS:

PHOTOS:

KARL LAMB

KARL LAMB

Thin Mint Sprint

Saturday, August 22nd TOWN CENTER PARK PHOTOS:

KARL LAMB

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people & places

July SBA Meeting Wednesday, July 8th QUANTUM BANK PHOTOS:

JULIE PERDUE

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Broadway in the Park

Friday & Saturday, July 24th & 25th TOWN CENTER PARK PHOTOS:

KARL LAMB

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calendar

upcoming suwanee area events

Setember 2015 Sept.5

thru

Oct 3

Suwanee Farmer’s Market Saturday’s 8am-noon through October 3 (except September 19) Town Center Park

4

Food Truck Friday September 4th 5:30pm-9:30pm Town Center Park

7

Labor Day September 7th School Closed

8 thru 10

Annual Care for Cops Charity Golf Classic September 8th-10th 8:00am TPC Sugarloaf care4cops.org

12

Pooch ‘N Paws 5th Annual Customer Appreciation Event September 12th All Day Town Center Park

12

Suwanee Fest Superhero 10k, 5k, & 1k Fun Run September 12th 7:30am Town Center Park

12

Run 4 the Gold Pony Drive September 12th 8:00am Start: Coal Mountain Elementary, Cumming Finish: Chestatee Ford, Dahlonega

18

Tickets for the 3rd Annual Suwanee Wine Festival go on sale September 18th 12:00pm

Visit Suwaneewinefest.com to purchase tickets

19 20 thru

20

2015 Suwanee Fest September 19th 9:00am-7:00pm September 20th 12:00pm-5:00pm Town Center Park Sugar Hill Spine & Wellness Lecture “Gut Gremlins” September 20th 6:30pm Sugar Hill Spine & Wellness Visit sugarhillchiro.com to register

Visit run4thegold.com to register

12

Duluth Fall Festival Concert September 12th 12:00pm-6:30pm Downtown Duluth Free concert featuring Rupert’s Orchestra

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2015 Gwinnett Beer Fest September 26th 1:00pm-5:00pm Coolray Field

Over 150 craft beer samples & 75 breweries - visit gwinnettbeerfest.com to purchase tickets!

26 thru 27

27

Duluth’s 33rd Annual Fall Festival September 26th-27th Parade begins @ 10am on Saturday!

Downtown Duluth Sugar Hill Spine & Wellness Lecture “Thyroid Maze” September 27th 6:30pm Sugar Hill Spine & Wellness

Visit sugarhillchiro.com to register

3

1st Annual Peach State Chili Cookoff Benefitting the Gift of Adoption Fund October 3rd 12:00pm-5:00pm Town Center Park

6

Suwanee Big Peach Runners Anniversary Walk/Run October 6th 6:30pm Town Center Park

9 17

thru

October 2015 2

Food Truck Friday October 2nd 5:30pm-9:30pm Town Center Park

Georgia Mountain Fall Festival October 9th-17th Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee Arts & crafts, music and more

10

The Georgia SPCA 6th Annual Masquerade Ball October 10th 6:30pm-11:00pm Gwinnett Center Ballroom Visit georgiaspca.org for more info

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October 2015 10

Taste of Suwanee October 10th 12:00pm-5:00pm Town Center Park

16 17

Colonial Lighting Tent Sale October 16th-17th Sugar Hill

17

Sugar Rush Festival October 17th 5K begins @ 9am Events 11:00am-8:15pm Downtown Sugar Hill

thru

17 24

Alive! Festival October 24th 10:00am-6:00pm Town Center Park

30 thru 31

Suwanee Performing Arts presents Sleeping Beauty October 30th 7:00pm October 31st 2:00pm Sylvia Beard Theatre, Buford Community Center

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Jubilee Fall Festival October 17th 12:00pm-4:00pm Suwanee Jubilee Shopping Center

Trek or Treat October 31st 11:00am-1:00pm Suwanee Creek Park