Hometown Herald March 2018

HOMETOWN HERALD News from the Hamilton Mill Community Association

March 2018

Welcome

COMMUNITY NEWS

2 | HOMETOWN HERALD | March 2018

Welcome to Our Newest Residents Albert Nannis Kate McClellan William and Chelsea Lonergan William and Abby Rutledge

The Board of

DIRECTORS Get to Know Your Board Members Chris Singleton, President Kyle Shields, Vice President Anne Dotter, Secretary Steve Smith, Treasurer Karen Taylor, Member at Large Josh Emmett, Member at Large

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Do you enjoy receiving the monthly Hometown Herald? If so, please help promote the newsletter by inviting businesses you support to advertise to our community. Our newsletter is supported by advertisers, so please help spread the word. Interested parties can contact Leah Nelson at 770.535.6330 for more details on advertising opportunities.

To advertise in the Hometown Herald, contact Leah Nelson at The Times - 770.535.6330 - lnelson@gainesvilletimes.com The Hometown Herald is a publication of The Times. Subject matter published is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher of this newsletter. Professional advice should be obtained before making any decision in which a professional is readily available.

Advertisers assume responsibility for the content of the ads placed in publication. Material published may not be reproduced without the written permission of The Times. The information and advertisements contained in this Newsletter are provided for the members of the Hamilton Mill Homeowners Association as a courtesy only. No representations are made as to information presented, the quality of the goods or services advertised, or the veracity of the statements relating to the goods and services. The printing of opinions, information or advertisements does not constitute an endorsement by the Neighborhood or such opinions, information, goods or services.

Hamilton Mill HOMETOWN HERALD

inside this

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ISSUE 4 10

Annual Meeting

22

Around Town

Spring Carnival

14

Swim Team News

18

Hello

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March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 3

HELPFUL INFORMATION

SHABEN & ASSOCIATES ON-SITE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Ph: 678.546.3737 1669 Hamilton Mill Parkway, Dacula, GA 30019 Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm Email: PropertyManager@Hmill.com Property Manager: Gaye Cantrell CORPORATE OFFICE (for after-hours common area maintenance emergencies)

Shaben Main Office: 770-271-2252 After Hours Emergency: 770-271-2252 P.O. Box 3189 Suwanee, GA 30024-0989 ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT

Email: hmillevents@gmail.com You are welcome to contact the Activities Office via email at hmillevents@gmail.com for information on planned events or to RSVP for an event.

TENNIS SHOP

Ph: 770.945.6452 Jeff Dudacek: On-Site Tennis Pro GWINNETT POLICE NON-EMERGENCY

Ph: 770.513.5700 STREET MAINTENANCE

Contact Gwinnett County at 770.822.7474 to report a problem with street, curb or sidewalk.

MAILBOX REPLACEMENT/REPAIR

All mailboxes must be the same as a Community-Wide Standard: STYLE 311K • Addresses of Distinction: Ph: 770.436.6198 www.aodmailboxes.com • Mailbox Maven, Kathy Ramatowski: 678-551-8591

GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Emergency ......................................................... 911 Police Headquarters............................770.513.5000 Non Emergency...................................770.513.5700 Gwinnett Sheriff/Jail..............................770.619.6500 County Courthouse..............................770.822.8000 Dacula City Hall...................................770.963.7451 Dacula Post Office...............................770.962.4390 Poison Control......................................404.616.9000 Fire Headquarters.................................678.518.5018 Station 18.............................................678.518.5018 Tag Office............................................770.822.8801 Drivers License Services........................770.995.6855 Property Tax..........................................770.822.8800 Voter Registration.................................770.226.7210 Animal Control.....................................770.339.3200 Gwinnett Senior Services......................770.822.8850 UTILITIES

BFI Waste Management......................678.963.2800 Water Resources..................................770.376.6800 Buford Gas...........................................770.945.6761 Jackson EMC/Street Light Outage........770.963.6166 Charter Communications....................678.410.9362 AT&T.....................................................800.436.8638 Direct Satellite/Dish Network.................678.714.1495 For a complete listing of Gwinnett County Departments, please visit www.gwinnettcounty.com/portal/gwinnett/Departments

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Puckett’s Mill Elementary School.................. 678.765.5110 www.pmseonline.org

Osborne Middle School....................... 770.904.5400 www.gwinnett.k12/ha.us/OsborneMS.home.org

Millcreek High School........................... 678.714.5850 www.millcreekhighschool.org

Dacula High School............................. 770.963.6664 www.daculahs.org

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

These are resources only, no recommendations or assurances are made by the Association.

Hebron Christian Academy..................770.962.9250 Dacula Classical Academy.................678.377.0080 Oak Hill Classical School............................. 770-338-7945 Sugar Hill Christian Academy...............678-745-4121 Greater Atlanta Christian......................770-243-2258

AMENITY CARD REPLACEMENT

HOSPITALS/URGENT CARE

Hamilton Mill Amenity Cards are available to goodstanding residents. Please call 678.546.3737 or 678.546.1597 to set up an appointment. Replacement cards/tenant cards are $25 each. Check or money order ONLY. No cash or credit cards accepted.

RECREATION

LOST DOG/CATS/ANIMAL DISTURBANCES

If you have lost your pet, please email the On-Site Property Management and they will be happy to email the community. Please also contact the Gwinnett County Animal Control at 770-513-5100 to report your lost pet or a dangerous pet is running loose.

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Gwinnett Medical Center.....................678-312-1000 ChoiceOne Urgent Care - Hamilton Mill...... 470-326-7300 Northeast Georgia Medical Center.....770.219.9000 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta........... 404.150.KIDS Northeast Georgia Urgent Care...........770.848.6195 Community After Hours emergency....404.835.9100 Millcreek Athletic Association............ millcreekaa.net Dacula Soccer............................. dscrevolution.com Bogan Park (for reservations at any park).......678.227.0850 Gwinnett County Public Library.............770.978.5154 Gwinnett County Cultural Center.........770.813.7500 Lake Lanier Islands................................800.840.LAKE Road Atlanta....................................... 800.849.RACE

COMMUNITY NEWS

HAMILTON MILL REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOT by Scott Lacy Realty Before we officially close the books on 2017, I wanted to recap sales of homes in Hamilton Mill and compare that to the sales from 2016. After that, we can explore some other issues and how they may affect the market in 2018.

2017 RECAP In 2017, Hamilton Mill sold 122 homes. That is a small decrease from the 137 homes sold in 2016. Throughout the year, there was a serious lack of inventory, which probably prevented the numbers in 2017 reaching that of the numbers in 2016. While the number of units was down in 2017 however, the average sales price increased. In fact, the average sales price jumped $31,000 from $359,000 in 2016 to $390,000 in 2017.

STATE OF HAMILTON MILL As many of you know, Hamilton Mill was built in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. That means the homes in the neighborhood could be anywhere between 13-20 years old. When I sit with potential sellers, I am usually asked what needs to be done to make the house more marketable. Sellers always want top dollar, but in some cases, hesitate to invest in the house they are about to sell. If a seller chooses not to do any updates, then that most likely will be reflected in a lower than desired offer. Some sellers take the approach that they will let the seller pick out what they want based on their taste after they buy, but many of today’s buyers are looking for “move in ready”. Not investing in upgrades before listing eliminates half the buyer pool. There is also a lot of new construction in the Mill Creek cluster that demands that the older Hamilton Mill homes keep up or suffer through lower prices. The first area to focus on should be the kitchen. Granite countertops and nice backsplash are very important. Newer appliances and cabinet knobs also go a long way in modernizing the kitchen. The next step would be to replace any of the gold light and plumbing fixtures. Other areas to consider are the condition of carpet and hardwood floors, along with the age of your roof and hot water heater. Updating any or all of these areas will help compete with that new construction and get the house sold at a higher price.

Home prices in Hamilton Mill currently vary from $275,000 up to $750,000. To have such a wide range inside a golf community makes Hamilton Mill unique. Mill Creek High School is still a tremendous asset when compared to the other high schools in the immediate area. Overall, our swim/tennis and other amenities make Hamilton Mill one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the Mill Creek cluster.

INTEREST RATES The economy in 2017 saw steady growth and a very large jump in the stock market.

Recently we have seen a slow and steady rise in mortgage interest rates. In early 2017 interest rates were around 3.75%. As I write this article interest rates are about 4.25%. Even with the recent stock market correction, interest rates are projected to continue their slow and steady increase. Some project the rates will top out in the high 4% range by the end of the year. So, how does this affect the real estate market? Well, for every 1% increase in rate, a buyer loses about $30,000 in buying power. If a buyer is qualified to buy a $350,000 home and rates go up 1%, then that buyer can then only qualify for $320,000. The increase in rates affects both buyers and sellers. Betting on interest rates is a dangerous game, but my guess is that they will continue to trend upward as long as the economy and the stock market stay strong. While rates are higher now than they have been in the last 4-5 years, they are still historically low. Therefore, it is still a great time to buy!

HOUSING INVENTORY IN HAMILTON MILL There are currently [in early February] 31 homes for sale in Hamilton Mill. If I recall, Hamilton Mill carried about 60 or so listings during the busy selling months last year. To put that into a little perspective, before the market crashed in 2007, there were around 120 active listings at one point.

I expect to see the average price in Hamilton Mill have a similar increase to that from 2016-2017. In fact, if you look at today’s inventory, there are very few homes in Hamilton Mill listed under $300,000. The bulk of the inventory is currently in the $300,000—$500,000 range. However, fewer and fewer homes selling under $300K, and more and more homes being sold over $500K will push the average home price in Hamilton Mill upward.

To see a current list of ACTIVE homes in Hamilton Mill, visit HomesInHamiltonMill.com.

About the author: Scott Lacy has been a resident of Hamilton Mill since 2006.

He is currently with Keller Williams and has been a realtor for 11 years.

March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 5

HAMILTON MILL RECIPE

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Happy March and Happy St. Pat’s Day! Since the holiday lands on a Saturday this year, it’s much easier to throw together a shindig with friends and family and celebrate all day long.

For brunch, try a little St. Patrick’s Day Spinach Pancakes and Corned Beef Hash. These bright green savory pancakes have an incredibly moist, custardy texture, and a fresh oniony bite!

SPINACH PANCAKES AND CORNED BEEF HASH Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min

Total: 20 min Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients • 1 cup whole milk • 1 large egg • 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry (about 3 to 4 ounces after squeezing) • 1/3 cup loosely packed chopped chives • 1 cup flour • 1 teaspoon baking powder • Kosher salt and freshly grated black pepper • 1 cup grated sharp or medium Cheddar cheese • 1-2 tablespoons butter Toppings: • 4 fried eggs • 2 cups prepared corned beef hash, your own recipe or canned • 2 tablespoons chopped chives Directions: Blend the milk, egg, spinach, chives, flour, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a blender on medium-high, scraping down sides occasionally, until completely mixed and bright green.

Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cheese.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add about 1 teaspoon of butter to the pan, heat through until foaming subsides. Ladle about 1/4 cup of the batter onto the skillet; use the back of your ladle or a spoon to spread it slightly. Pour 1 or 2 more pancakes, taking care to keep them evenly spaced apart. Cook until the top is set and starting to bubble, and the undersides are browned and crisp at the edges, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip with a spatula and cook another 2 minutes on the second side adjusting the heat if the cakes are browning before the cakes fully set.

Serve immediately or transfer to a platter and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.

Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more butter to the skillet as needed, you should have 8 to 10 pancakes.

To serve pancakes, transfer 2 pancakes to each plate, top with 1/2 cup corned beef hash, a fried egg and a sprinkling of chives.

Recipes and photos courtesy of The Food Network

6 | HOMETOWN HERALD | March 2018

Cancer expertise is just around the corner at Center for Cancer Care-Hamilton Mill.

Our nationally recognized cancer program is expanding to better serve our community. Our specialty-trained cancer care team will begin providing its personalized care in a new soothing environment—adding to the comprehensive primary care and specialty services already offered at GMC Health Park-Hamilton Mill. Learn more at gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/ccchm.

This is Gwinnett Medical Center. This is now.

OPENING MARCH 2018

March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 7

8 | HOMETOWN HERALD | March 2018

12

25

Father’s Day

18

KEMP 10 and under Tennis 4:30pm

26

Grounds and Facilities Meeting 7pm

KEMP 10 and under Tennis 4:30pm

19

KEMP 10 and under Tennis 4:30pm

WEDNESDAY

27

20

28

21

KEMP 10 and under Tennis 4:30pm

KEMP 10 and under Tennis 4:30pm

KEMP 10 and under Tennis 4:30pm

Social Committee Meeting 6:45

First Day of Spring

7

14 Spring League Teams: Senior Men 9:00am

KEMP 10 and under Tennis 4:30pm

Spring League Teams: Senior Women 9:00am

13

KEMP 10 and under Tennis 4:30pm

6

Join us for any of the listed events RSVP to Hmillevents@gmail.com

11

Spring Forward!

Daylight Savings Time Begins

TUESDAY

The February Board Meeting is TBD after the annual meeting. Notifications will go out via the weekly emails.

5

Other

Meetings

Social Events

Swim Team

Tennis

MONDAY

4

Calendar Sponsored by:

SUNDAY

Join us for any of the listed events RSVP to Hmillevents@gmail.com!

1

29

22

Spring League Teams: Women’s Team 9:00am

15

8

Alta Tennis Adult Camp 9:30am

THURSDAY

2

30

23

16

9

Alta Tennis Adult Camp 9:30am

FRIDAY

MARCH 2018 3

31

Spring Carnival 1-4pm

24

St. Patrick’s Day

Spring League Teams: Men’s Team 1:00pm

17

Spring League Teams: Juniors 1:30 (Girls) 3:30 (Boys)

10

Alta Tennis Adult Camp 9:30am

SATURDAY

HAMILTON MILL CALENDAR

Accepting New Patients!

Welcome!

Please join Dr. Mary K. Falletta-Swegman and the Hamilton Mill Dental Staff in welcoming Dr. Ebad Habeeb to our Office!

Dr. Ebad Habeeb, is originally from Karachi, Pakistan. His family moved to United States of America when he was 10 years old where he attended Taylor Road Middle school, Chattahoochee High School and grew up in Alpharetta, Georgia. He received his Doctors of Dental Medicine (DMD) from University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Ebad is currently a member of the American Dental Association, The Academy of General Dentistry, and the Chicago Dental Society.

He is committed to provide the best possible comprehensive care for his patients which suits their needs. He is also a firm believer in building a long-lasting relationship with his patients while providing state of the art care in all aspects of dentistry. In his free time he likes to go camping, workout, and enjoys watching movies.

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$

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4 BITE WING DIGITAL X-RAYS, EXAM & GENERAL CLEANING

(NON-INSURED PATIENTS ONLY, AGES 13 AND UNDER.)

Extra charge for periodontal procedures.

Offer expires 8/1/2018.

Offer expires 8/1/2018.

59

NEW PATIENT $ SPECIAL $223 value

KID’S CLEANING EXAM, 2 BITE WING X-RAYS

Dr. Ebad Habeeb, DMD

$

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EMERGENCY EXAM AND X-RAYS Includes two periapical x-rays. Offer expires 8/1/2018.

We focus on Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. There are many services we provide, and a few are listed below. Please call if you have any questions about these procedures or other procedures not listed.

• • • • •

Whitening Oral Surgery Opalescence Digital Photography Veneers

• • • • •

Periodontal Disease Endodontics Dental Implants TMJ Treatment Crowns / Bridges

• • • •

Dentures / Partials Sports Dentistry Invisalign Cosmetic Procedures

Hamilton Mill Dental Associates 3611 BRASELTON HWY, STE 104 • DACULA, GA 30019 770-945-2733 • HAMILTONMILLDENTAL.COM

March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 9

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT NEWS

2018 ANNUAL MEETING RECAP The 2018 Hamilton Mill Community Association Annual Meeting was held on January 22, 2018 at the Lakeview Clubhouse with a report of 2017 accomplishments and 2018 goals. The Board of Directors President Chris Singleton introduced Board Members, Committee Chairs, guests, and welcomed residents in attendance. Chris discussed association achievements in 2017 and areas of opportunity for 2018. Improved communication and the appointment of a Budget and Finance Committee were highlights of 2017.

The 2017 Financial Report was presented with the following results: Total Assets: Operating Account: Reserve Account:

$1,493,899 $846,396 $647,503

Prepaid Assessments: $646,764 Retained Earnings: $973,144 Operating Equity: $10,000 Net Income: ($136,009) Liability and Equity: $1,493,899

For the full report and copy of the annual meeting presentation, please login to www.hmill.com, go to the Association Information tab, click on Association Documents and view a PDF of the presentation.

Budget and Finance Committee Chair, Kent Briggs, provided a report on the purpose of the committee and results of the first year. The goal is to keep reserve funds at a minimum 3 months operating expenses or $600,000 whichever is greater. An average $325,000 will need to be added to reserves to fund projected expenses as seen in the chart to the right: Grounds and Facilities Committee Chair, Laura Dillon, discussed projects planned for 2018, including detention pond maintenance and lake erosion control, Lakeview retaining wall replacement, Lakeview playground refurbishment, sidewalk repairs in common areas, floor covering updates at the Lakeview clubhouse, Lakeview pool cover replacement, card reader system upgrades, and the Millview pool slide refurbishment.

Tennis Committee Chair, Val Visintainer, spoke about tennis related projects for 2018, including a LED light replacement plan for the tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, resurfacing of courts 9-12, sign improvements and installation, finding a better solution for trash and recycling at the courts, and fence and windscreen replacements at Lakeview.

Activities Director, April Williams, reported on highlights from the highly attended events and exciting new vendors from 2017. She talked about communication improvements that were implemented in 2017, and will continue into 2018. Dates for 2018 events were presented as well.

10 | HOMETOWN HERALD | March 2018

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT NEWS

DESIGN

GUIDELINE CHANGES

The Board of Directors have also approved changes to Design Guidelines as follows:

Association Attorney Julie Howard discussed opportunities for amendments to the Declaration of Covenants to address leasing, covenant enforcement, and collections.

Officer Guck attended the meeting and provided an update on crime statistics in the Hamilton Mill area. He encouraged residents to avoid crimes of opportunity by keeping your car and house doors locked and keeping valuables out of view.

He stated that Hamilton Mill is a low crime area, and wants to work together to keep it that way. “If you see something, say something”, and call the Gwinnett County Police Department for parking complaints, suspicious activity, noise complaints, and any other Gwinnett County Ordinance Violations.

•

Failure to obtain prior approval before starting exterior work as defined in the Design Guidelines Modification Process is subject to fines.

•

Roofing replacement does not require approval if replacing with no changes to color or style.

•

Graduation Signs may be displayed on owners lot only during the month of May and shall not exceed 4 square feet

•

Removal of trees that are diseased, dead, or a safety concern do not require approval unless removing more than 3 trees. A landscape plan must be submitted and approved for replacement trees or new landscape.

•

Minimum Lease Term: No lease shall be executed for a term less than 12 months.

Mike Shaffer, President of Shaben and Associates, thanked the Board and Hamilton Mill residents for their support over the past year. Shaben looks forward to continued partnership in serving Hamilton Mill in 2018 and beyond.

We encourage you to make sure your contact information is up to date so you can receive our weekly communications and stay in the know on what’s going on around the neighborhood. These emails are sent out at the end of each week and contain information from Property Management, Social, Swim and Tennis news, and even what is going on at the Hamilton Mill Golf Club.

Thank you for your support, Gaye Cantrell, On-Site Manager for Hamilton Mill Hamilton Mill Community Association, Inc.

March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 11

SOCIAL NEWS

ATTENTION PARENTS OF CLASS OF 2018 GRADUATES! This May we will be creating a special edition of the Hometown Herald featuring the 2018 high school graduates. We plan on having a few spreads “yearbook style” in the newsletter as a keepsake for families with children graduating this year.

S p e c i a l Ed i t i o n !

If you would like for your child to be featured in the Hometown Herald, please send a photo of your child, the school they are graduating from and short message (200 characters or less) to hmillevents@gmail.com by April 1.

This is a hard deadline since the May newsletter materials are due that week.

We would also like to try and get everyone together for a group photo in front of the Wagon Wheel for the cover image. We know it is hard to find a date where everyone can participate, but if you are interested in getting into this image, please notify April Williams at hmillevents@gmail.com by Friday, March 16. The photo will be taken Saturday morning, March 24, at 9:30am.

Please stay tuned for further details and email communications about this special edition!

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March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 13

SOCIAL NEWS

14 | HOMETOWN HERALD | March 2018

March Madness Specials!

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Brazilian Butt Lift with three areas of LIPO

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FREE Consultations Laser Hair Removal .......................................... 50% off Organic Spray Tan ........................................... $20 HealtheTrim Natural weight loss and energy booster ...... $39.95 HCG Weight Loss 21 days ............................... $249 Botox ............................................................... $9/unit Fillers ................................................................ $425/syringe European Body Wrap - lose inches!.................. 3/$99 Laser Acne Control - great for teens! .............. $50/face Venus Freeze Cellulite Reduction and Skin Tightening ..... $99/area 2720 Mall of Georgia Blvd., Suite 107 • Buford, GA

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March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 15

SOCIAL NEWS

PENNINGTON FENCE Quality Built Since 1972

770-963-9961 accepting new patients Preventative Care Cosmetic Dentistry Common Procedures Pediatric Dentistry Gum Disease • TMJ-TMD Emergency Dental Care

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16 | HOMETOWN HERALD | March 2018

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COMMUNITY NEWS

March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 17

SWIM TEAM NEWS

SWIM TEAM NEWS

HAMMMERHEAD NEWS REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Please visit hamiltonmill.swimtopia.com to register

Don’t miss the...

BACK TO THE POOL PARTY @BOGAN Friday April 13th 6:30-8:30PM Back to the Pool Party and swim evaluations will be held at Bogan Aquatic Center. Registered swimmers are invited to our kick-off party, and all new swimmers must complete one length of the pool at this event in order to join the team.

We are VERY excited about the 2018 swim season and look forward to seeing everyone at the pool!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at hmsthammerheads@gmail.com

- HMST 2018 Board

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18 | HOMETOWN HERALD | March 2018

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SWIM TEAM NEWS

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March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 19

TENNIS NEWS

Pets Inn Suites 1st Day Lodging OR Daycare Free with this ad NEW CLIENTS’ FIRST VISIT ONLY

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Discover the Difference 20 | HOMETOWN HERALD | March 2018

TENNIS TIPS

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March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 21

TENNIS NEWS

MARCH TENNIS UPDATE from Jeff Dudacek, Director of Tennis

March is finally here and hopefully the winter is behind us down here in the south. Winter tennis can be a nightmare with scheduled matches that have to be rescheduled because of the cold, rain, or snow.

Spring is officially here and the Hamilton Mill Lakeview and Millview courts will start to get busy. Spring tennis is the busiest of all the league seasons. Besides the teams playing their matches, everyone from new players to seasoned players are on the courts enjoying the nice weather. The facilities at Hamilton Mill are 5-star, so let’s all work together to keep them in the same great shape.

WEEKLY TENNIS NEWS This weekly email reports what is going on with Hamilton Mill Tennis that week. No more guessing or running a search through your old email! It will be sent on Monday mornings. The paper copy will be posted at the Millview and Lakeview courts. Take a picture of the news if you are not getting the email. Along with pro-shop news, we will report on juniors and adult teams playing at home. Don’t be left out of any Hamilton Mill tennis events.

Email the tennis shop at milltennis@bellsouth.net or call 770945-6472 to receive the newsletter.

SPRING LEAGUE TEAMS Our 23 spring Alta league starts on Saturday, March 10th with the juniors. It will run for 7 weeks, and playoffs will follow. Courts will be at a premium, so be sure to cancel if you are not going to use your court. If the weekend gets rained out, a notice will be sent out to cancel practice courts.

March 10th, Saturday junior teams, girls 1:30-3:30 and boys 3:30-5:30 March 13th, Tuesday senior women’s team, 9:00-2:00 March 14th, Wednesday senior men’s team, 9:00-2:00 March 15th, Thursday women’s team, 9:00-2:00 March 17th, Saturday men’s teams, 9:00-2:00 March 18th, Sunday women’s teams, 1:00-6:00 JUNIOR NEWS Kemp junior tennis academy is located right in your back yard.

This is one of the premier junior academies. The academy runs up at Millview Monday through Friday. Programs start as young as 5 years old. There are classes for beginners to High school Varsity players. It is a great program for the inspiring tennis player.

Check out the flyer for all the information or Kemptennis.com

for FREE. Try the new Wilson Burn, Babolat new Pure Drive and Head. Along with our demo program, you get pro advice–a win-win for everyone!

24-HOUR RACKET STRINGING SERVICE GUARANTEED If you are not in the market for a new racket, then make sure you have fresh strings. Your game will change when the strings start getting loose. The rule of thumb to follow is take the number of days you play a week. That is how many times you would string your tennis racket per year. Of course bad winters, elements, leaving your racket in the car and hitting the ground can cause wear and tear. All rackets should get restrung in March to get ready for the spring season.

ADULT BEGINNER 101/102 CLASSES STARTS IN MARCH Calling all adult beginner players and rusty players! Have you ever played tennis? Has it been a while since you picked up your racket? Did you play a league season and you’re still lost with your strokes? Beginner 101/102 is for you. Tennis 101 is for new players, and 102 is for people who have played before.

This class is 5 one-hour group lessons once a week for $70.00.

The class will break for spring break in April. If you do not have a racket or it is over 5 years old, we will let you use a demo with the new technology until you are ready for a racket. The classes will get you ready for summer league play. New classes start in March. Email the tennis shop at milltennis@bellsouth.net or call 770-945-6472 for class times and days. We fill up quickly on the classes, so do not wait until the deadline.

HAMILTON MILL SPRING ADULT ALTA CAMP It’s time to get ready for spring 2017 Alta!

Come join us for 1 ½ hours of live ball drills followed by an hour of round robin play to help you get back into top form!

Groups will be set by ability and teams will stay together!

9:30-12:00 Thursday, March 1st 9:30-12:00 Friday, March 2nd 9:30-12:00 Saturday, March 3rd *rain dates 3/8, 3/9, 3/10 Cost is $20 per session Reserve your spot through the shop at milltennis@bellsouth.net or (770)945-6452. No walk-ins

PRO SHOP NEWS–NEW RACKETS! The Hamilton Mill pro shop is here to help you with all your tennis needs. If we do not have what you need in the shop, we can order it. We fit you to the right racket, not what needs to sell.

The racket or strings are guaranteed 100%. The pricing of the merchandise is the same as anyone else. In some cases it is much lower because the shop is a neighborhood shop. The best thing is the money goes back to HAMILTON MILL TENNIS. Remember Hamilton Mill residents can demo a racket for 3 days

22 | HOMETOWN HERALD | March 2018

TENNIS TIPS

TENNIS TIPS Winning Doubles Strategies Winning is not everything but it is pretty close. Warming up with your opponent, hitting around on a nice day, taking a lesson or drilling around with your partner does not constitute an aggressive competitive winning attitude. But when you start keeping score, then the attitude changes to ‘HOW CAN I WIN?’. Where’s the fun in losing? Over the years, I’ve learned that playing tennis isn’t just about players hitting a fuzzy yellow ball back and forth over a net until someone misses it. It’s about skill AND strategy. Here are some winning tips for doubles. Sure, these may seem pretty basic, but in the heat of the moment, it’s hard to think of even the simple stuff unless you’ve really learned it and practiced it.

DIVIDE AND CONQUER. When both opponents are at the net, hit the ball right down the middle of the court. That includes ground stroke and volley. Not only is this considered one of the safest shots (because it’s over the lowest part of the net,) but it’s one of the best that will mess with an opponent’s mental game. If the shot comes back from the middle hit back down middle.

PICK ON THE WEAKER PLAYER. Look for weaknesses in your opponents, and then target the one who has the most: a weaker second serve, a weaker backhand, or maybe that player hates being at the net. Just keep hitting the ball back to that one player (the BOTH of you!). The goal is not for them to miss the ball but give you an easier shot to hit the winner.

GET IN TO THE NET. In doubles, the team that controls the net usually controls the match, so you and your partner should always be working towards that goal. You might be able to do it right away in your deep return of their weak second serve, or their weak return of your powerful serve. The deeper you hit the ball, the sooner you can come in to the net. If you are playing lobbers, you can still come in, but if you are the cross court player from the ball coming in then stop around the service line.

AIM FOR THEIR FEET. When a ball lands down at your feet, it has nowhere for it to go but up, right? So hit the ball with lots of topspin, underspin, aiming right for their feet, and follow the ball in to the net because the odds are great that their return will be high and without much pace. A lot of volley winners happen with this strategy.

PUSH. I prefer balls with a little pace, as do most players because it is easier to hit. Use that to your advantage by hitting soft, mid-court shots. This will force your opponents to generate their own pace and forces players from the baseline, often resulting in balls that go long or wide.

MOVE TOGETHER. In doubles, you and your partner need to move together, as if you have a 10 foot rope connecting you. If your partner moves outside for a wide shot move with your partner. If they move back to the fence for a high lob move back with your partner. If they run to the net for a shot move to the net also. If your partner does not move, there would now be a huge gap between the two of you for your opponent to get the ball for a winner.

COMMUNICATE. I know it sounds basic, but there are advantages when teams communicate. Communication is not telling your partner what they already know. When the point is over and it is time to switch sides, do you come off the court with your partner? After break is over, do you come on the court together? If the other team is strategizing on the court, do you also come together and talk? Are you talking more with the crowd or other courts than your partner?

Even the partner that does not talk enjoys the confidence in your voice. COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR PARTNER IS KEY because these strategies WILL NOT WORK if only one of you knows what’s going on.

See ya on the courts!

March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 23

HAMILTON MILL TENNIS CAMP

24 | HOMETOWN HERALD | March 2018

T H E R E ’ S N OT H I N G R U N - O F -T H E - M I L L A B O U T L I F E A T A R B O R T E R R A C E H A M I LT O N M I L L .

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Live the lif CALL (770) 285-5625 TODAY TO LEARN MORE OR ARRANGE A TOUR.

3577 Braselton Highway Dacula, Georgia 30019 arborhamiltonmill.com

March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 25

NICHOLS BODY SHOP

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Ask your neighbors. They know us.

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26 | HOMETOWN HERALD | March 2018

Wednesday, March 14th 10am-2pm

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Vitamin Shoppe Atlanta Gastroenterology Moore’s Wealth Management Judy Paul, Keller Williams Lanier Partners, and Jenny Meredith, Medicare Agent with Affordable Health Care Solutions Merle Norman Skin Care Class

Prizes • Exhibitors • Health Screenings Food Trucks & Much, Much More!

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770-945-3777 thefoottraveler.com 3200 Woodward Crossing Blvd •• Ste. A103 • Buford, GA 30519 Mon-Sat 10am-8pm • Sun 12:30pm-5:30pm Outside The Mall of GA behind HH Gregg & across from Honey Baked Ham

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For more information, or to find out how you can be an exhibitor, call 770.535.6330 or email lnelson@gainesvilletimes.com

March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 27

COMMUNITY NEWS

Serving Gwinnett County’s Heating & Air Needs For More Than 20 Years!

R&S McKay HEATING & AIR We service all makes and models!

Hamilton Mill residents get

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any system replacement. *Expiration date 3/31/18

404.978.3082 WWW.RSMCKAY.COM 28 | HOMETOWN HERALD | March 2018

Feel like a kid again.

Don’t let the worries of pain stop you from creating memories you’ll never forget. This winter, give yourself the gift of a healthy, pain-free body so you can focus on those special times with your family. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) offers a range of orthopedic services to help get you there. In fact, our specialists have performed more than 6,000 procedures this year, including: • • •

Arthroscopic surgery Fracture care Outpatient surgery

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Joint replacement surgery for hip, knee and shoulder

Call 770-824-9790 or visit nghs.com/ortho-care to connect with one of NGMC’s experienced orthopedic specialists.

March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 29

EVENTS AROUND TOWN

Community News

MAMMA MIA

SUWANEE KIWANIS SHAMROCK 5K

A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Mamma Mia! combines the timeless tunes of super group ABBA with a sunny, funny tale that unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, Sophie’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back into her life for the first time in 20 years. Must-see theatre with all of your favorite ABBA songs, non-stop laughs, and explosive dance numbers. www.auroratheatre.com

Join us for the Suwanee Kiwanis 8th Annual Shamrock 5K on Saturday, March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day) located at beautiful Suwanee Town Center Park! Last chance for a Peachtree Roadrace qualifier! Prizes given to the most festive St. Patrick’s Day themed costumes. www.runsignup.com/Race/GA/Suwanee/SuwaneeKiwanisShamrock5k

March 8-11, 13-16

THE ORIGINAL SEWING & QUILT EXPO

Thursday, March 8 – Saturday March 10, 10am

Sewing. Quilting. Needle Arts. Original Sewing & Quilt Expo knows all about the care and feeding of your creative lives. The Expo is a place to find the latest and coolest techniques and products, and learn new skills with cutting-edge education. It’s three days of classes and workshops, stage shows, runway fashion shows, how-to demos, incredible display galleries, fabulous shopping and more! www.sewingexpo.com/Events/Atlanta,GA.aspx

Saturday, March 17 | 7:30am

BURGERS AND BREWS WEEK

Sunday, March 18 - Saturday, March 24

Burgers & Brews, presented by Explore Gwinnett, is your chance to get out and try some of the unique, delicious burgers Gwinnett has to offer. www.burgersandbrewsweek.com

PETER PAN

Friday, March 9- Sunday, March 11

Peter Pan is the classic tale of the boy who never grows up. Follow this exciting tale to Never Never Land where Peter takes his friends to visit the lost boys and, of course, his evil nemesis, Captain Hook. Families will marvel at the amazing costumes and scenery, especially the five flying characters.

A wonderful selection of popular classical music played live by our resident orchestra accompanies this professional production. www.northeastatlantaballet.org FIX-A-LEAK WORKSHOP

Saturday, March 10 | 11am

Join Gwinnett County Public Library in partnership with Gwinnett County Water Department, for a free Fix-a-Leak Workshop. Learn how to detect and correct water leaks around your home. Held in conjunction with EPA’s national “Fix a Leak” week, attendees will receive a water conservation kit at no charge! www.gwinnettpl.org/calendar/fix-a-leak-workshop MAN IN THE MIRROR: MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE

Saturday, March 10 | 10pm

Man In The Mirror is a reflection of the incredible career of Michael Jackson.

You will be blown away by this electrifying show and stunned by how much he resembles the King of Pop! This is Michael Jackson represented in his prime in the 80s, with all of the massive hits and signature stage moves. www.buford.37main.com BRASELTON FARMERS’ MARKET

Friday, March 16 at 4:00pm to 7:00pm

Shop for fresh produce, then stop into the downtown shops, which stay open during market hours. www.facebook.com/BraseltonFarmersMarket

March

HAPPENINGS IN & AROUND ATLANTA 30 | HOMETOWN HERALD | March 2018

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March 2018 | HOMETOWN HERALD | 31