EXPLORERS CLUB: A proper British play turns out to be that, though with hilarious features, starting soon at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville. The Explorers Club stars, from left, Al Stilo, Courtney Patterson and Chris Kayser. (Photo by Chris Bartelsk.) For more details, see Today’s Focus below.
Issue 14.98 | March 17, 2015
IN THIS EDITION
TODAY’S FOCUS: Hilarity To Unfold at New British Presentation at Aurora Theatre
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Fire Destroys Macon Institution Many Will Remember
FEEDBACK: Suggests Possible Winner of Hudgens Art Prize
UPCOMING: Snap Suwanee Winners; Time to File Exemption; Poet Laureate at Brenau
NOTABLE: Gwinnett Village CID Gets New Board Member; Historic Plaque Unveiled
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Writer’s Association Works To Improve Quality of Life for Authors
TODAY’S QUOTE: On Scientific Power and Spiritual Power
MYSTERY PHOTO: This Time We Need Significance, Not Just Location
LAGNIAPPE: Gwinnett Tech Breaks Ground on North Fulton Campus
TODAY’S FOCUS
Hilarity unfolds at very proper British play soon at Aurora Theatre
By Chelsea Bohannon
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., March 17, 2015 — Prepare for an adventure filled with zany humor, mad science and a touch of gender inequality. Oh my! hilarity unfolds as one woman propels Victorian England’s prestigious Explorers Club into a tizzy when she is nominated to join the all-male sanctum! With the potential to uproot the patriarchal foundation of the British Empire, The Explorers Club combines wry humor with cheeky disposition to present a riveting engagement at Aurora Theatre, from March 26 to April 19. With its fast-paced and witty dialogue, the show takes audiences on a journey of juxtaposition of feminine ideals against the oppressive backdrop of conservative 19th century Great Britain.
Director Jaclyn Hofmann says: “What I love most about this play is that every character is so much fun; you can’t take your eyes off of them! Playwright Nell Benjamin created roles for men who are each uniquely hilarious and display a ton of heart – and Courtney Patterson can go toe to toe with each of them.”
She adds: “On top of all the funny, the explorers are telling a story with real issues of gender inequality that are still prevalent in today’s society.”
Written by Tony Award nominee Nell Benjamin and under the direction of Aurora’s Director of Education Jaclyn Hofmann, The Explorers Club chronicles the journey of anthropologist Phyllida Spotte-Hume and her discovery of a lost civilization of brightly blue-painted tribesmen. After presenting proof of her findings, turmoil unfolds amidst London’s most gifted minds. As the gentlemen decide if her intellect and skill are worthy of acceptance into the influential club of scientists, philosophers and aristocrats, Phyllida sets out to the beat of her own drum to prove she deserves to be an explorer. With an out of kilter encounter with Queen Victoria, the escape of deadly cobras, irate Irishmen and vines gone wild, London may never be the same.
A discount weekday matinee will be offered on Wednesday, April 15 at 10 a.m. for $16 per person. Regular show time tickets can be purchased for $20-$40 per person online at tickets.auroratheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 678-226-6222.
Show times are as follows:
- Wednesday – Friday: 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
- Sunday: 2:30 p.m.
EEB PERSPECTIVE
Middle Georgians lament fire at hot dog stand spelled incorrectly
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher, GwinnettForum.com
MARCH 17, 2015 — Pardon me for a personal reflection today.
Those of us who grew up in Middle Georgia, and in particular in Macon, are saddened today. You see, an institution which succored us from our earliest memories as a kid, burned down Friday morning.
It was the Cotton Avenue location of Nu-Way Weiners, a Macon institution for 99 years, and second oldest hot dog stand in the nation. Though there are seven other locations in Middle Georgia, Cotton Avenue was where it was founded, and many of us remember eating there before we began school. When I was coming along, you could get two hot dogs ‘all the way,’ meaning a liquid chili sauce with fresh onions on top, for 25 cents, which included a Coke.
The spot was strategically located across from the Macon City Auditorium. Many Georgians remember it as a place to grab a hot dog during the many visits high school basketball teams made to state tournaments, played at the City Auditorium.
“What’s so special about a Nu-Way hot dog?,” many Atlanta Varsity lovers will ask. If you were raised on the Varsity chili dog, you probably will never be won over to the Nu-Way brand. It’s an entirely distinctly different taste, more zingy and delicious in your mouth. It’s smoother, too, and included this red, red wiener, grilled, not boiled. Then that tangy sauce, which reminds you of a vinegar taste, adds its own distinctiveness to the flavor.
Our GeorgiaClips had the story Friday morning. By mid-day, people l knew originally from Macon but now in far-flung parts of the country were chiming in to one another about the fire, recalling their memories, and lamenting the blow to the Macon psyche.
One came from Washington, D.C., from Sidney Wood: “WOW! Of all the posts that John Henry Pittman (webmaster of Lanier High class of ’53) has sent us over all these years, I think this one has attracted more responses/comments than any other. I guess it just goes to show that those good memories from our younger selves remain with us – and that’s a good thing.”
From Macon, Melba Gassett Horne wrote: “I have tried numerous Nu-Ways over the years and found the Northside Drive to be the closest in quality to Cotton Avenue. I have decided all Nu-Ways are not created equal!!! We must always hold memories close and remember the good times of our youth. ”
George Barfield of Macon, recognized that other Nu-Way locations were around,, saying “Yes and I can still get ’em on Zebulon Road, but, there’s nothing like the Cotton Avenue location.” Sue Coggins of Macon chipped in, remembering her late husband: “That’s what Bill always said.”
The good news is that co-owners Spyros Dermatas and Jim Cacavias never wavered for a moment on their plans: they would immediately start to restore the Cotton Avenue location. The estimated time to rebuild will be 9-10 months. They had originally planned a 100 year anniversary celebration in 2016, but now, they look forward to a grand re-opening, perhaps by the Feb. 27,2016 anniversary.
What a day that will be! We bet many former Middle Georgians are making plans to be there…..to enjoy another Cotton Avenue Nu-Way weiner.
* * * * *
PS: Why the incorrect spelling as “weiner”? The old neon sign misspelled wiener. But at the high cost of the sign, the original Greek owners never changed it. Luckily, it survived the fire.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Heaven & Associates, P.C.
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring Gwinnett Forum to you at no cost to readers. Heaven & Associates, P.C., is a certified public accounting firm. They provide solutions for success. They are located at 4720 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Suite 201, Norcross, Georgia. They work with clients to minimize their tax obligations, address the financial and accounting needs of their businesses and address the broader accounting needs of estate planning, business succession planning, and benefit and retirement planning.
- They can be reached at 770-849-0078. Their web site is www.heavencpa.com.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: https://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.
FEEDBACK
Feels she has found a logical winner of Hudgens Prize
Editor, the Forum:
Too bad Michelle Carmona who did the Snellville Days tee shirt design wasn’t in the running for the Hudgens Prize.
— Beverly Lougher, Lawrenceville
Rant. Rave. Send your opinion: Our policy: We encourage readers to submit feedback (or letters to the editor). Send your thoughts to the editor at elliott@brack.net. We will edit for length and clarity. Make sure to include your name and the city where you live. Submission of a comment grants permission for us to reprint. Please keep your comments to 300 words or less. However, we will consider longer articles (no more than 500 words) for featuring in Today’s Issue as space allows.
UPCOMING
See “Snap Suwanee” winners on display at Suwanee City Hall
Suwanee appears fun, outdoorsy, artsy, and snowy in the dozen winning photographs that comprise the 2015 Snap Suwanee exhibit, currently on display at City Hall, 330 Town Center Avenue.
‘Paddleboarder on the Chattahoochee,’ by Kelly Haggard Olson
Sixty entries were received for this year’s annual community photo competition. The winning photographs will be on display until February 2016.
Public Information Officer Lynne DeWilde says:”Snap Suwanee has become one of the City’s favorite community engagement projects. It’s always fun to see what strikes our photographers as noteworthy from year to year. This year’s winning photos capture moments one doesn’t see every day in Suwanee – from a hot air balloon in Town Center to snow to a paddleboarder on the Chattahoochee. They also capture those moments that are more ubiquitous, including folks interacting with public art and utilizing Suwanee parks as backdrops.”
The winning photos and photographers in the exhibit are:
- ‘A Beautiful Fractal,’ from Diana Duffield.
- ‘Christmas at Town Center,’ from Sean and Zane Tackett
- ‘Four Ladies in Hats at the Lake,’ by Carla Hoff.
- ‘Heal the Past. Live the Present. Dream the Future,’ from Terri Lynn Bealle.
- ‘Inspired,’ from Lesa Kelley Osborn.
- ‘Little Smokie – Pig in the Park.’ by Connie White.
- ‘Never Forget!’ from Sharron Callahan.
- ‘Paddleboarder on the Chattahoochee,’ by Kelly Haggard Olson.
- ‘Past Meets Future: International Space Station over Historic Suwanee, by Kristen Fredriksen.
- ‘Magical Moments,’ from Dallas Gillespie.
- ‘A Walk in the Woods,’ at the Suwanee Creek Greenway, from Steve White.
- ‘Winter in Old Town,’ Sandy Weaver.
Deadline nearing for filing of homestead exemptions for 2015
Tax Commissioner Richard Steele wants to remind homeowners that the deadline for all homestead exemptions for 2015 is April 1 and urges them to apply. “Now is the time to make sure you are taking advantage of everything that can reduce how much you have to pay,” said Steele.
Gwinnettians must own and occupy the property as their primary residence as of January 1 of the tax year for which application is being made. No exemptions are granted automatically; however, once an exemption is granted, there is no need to apply each year.
- Visit www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com to apply online, check an application status or view exemption requirements. Email tax@gwinnettcounty.com or call (770) 822-8800 for exemption-related questions or to request an application.
Brenau University to host Georgia poet laureate on March 23
Award-winning Georgia poet laureate and novelist Judson Mitcham will talk about the art of writing poetry and fiction and also read excerpts from his work at Brenau University’s Trustee Library on Monday, March 23, at 3 p.m.
The event – the first public gathering to showcase the newly renovated “thought zone” of the library with its wall-of-windows exterior view – is free and open to the public. Teatime refreshments will be served.
Mitcham, a Walton County native, ironically, did not begin his career as a writer. In something of a parallel to the career of Georgia physician-turned-novelist Ferrol Sams, Mitcham studied psychology at the University of Georgia, where he earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He received his Ph.D. in 1974. From then he taught in the psychology department at Fort Valley State University until his retirement with the rank of associate professor in 2004. Since 2002, he has taught creative writing workshops at the University of Georgia, Emory University and Mercer University.
In 2012 Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal named him the state’s 10th official poet laureate, and in 2013 Mitcham was inducted into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame. He resides in Macon, with his wife, Jean. They are the parents of two grown children and they have three grandchildren.
NOTABLE
Hixson is new member of Gwinnett Village CID board
The Gwinnett Village CID is welcoming a new board member, while it recognized the years of service of another. Norcross City Councilman Andrew Hixson has been selected to serve as the City of Norcross’ appointee on the board, replacing Keith Shewbert.
Hixson
As Assistant Vice-President of MUFG Union Bank, Hixson was first elected to the Norcross City Council in 2008 and was re-elected to his post in 2010, 2012, 2014.
He says: “As a resident, the GVCID started my civic engagement with the Brook Hollow pedestrian walkway. As a Norcross council member I have seen the value of partnering with the CID for security and mobility projects and now, as a board member, I look forward to continuing the GVCID mission of increasing property values for the owners and increasing quality of life for the residents.”
Chuck Warbington, executive director for the CID, says: “The CID and City of Norcross have always worked hand in hand to achieve the shared goal of revitalizing the Gwinnett Village Community. Having the City’s participation on our board ensures that we continue to coordinate and make the best use of the funds with which we are entrusted.”
Shewbert
At the March 12 board meeting the CID presented an award to Keith Shewbert in recognition of his decade of service (2005-2015), and named him a board member emeritus for his role in the formation of the CID.
Warbington adds: “I really cannot say enough about what Keith has meant to this organization. When the CID was just an idea, Keith was one of the community members that took the reins and turned it into a reality. He was hands-on in building the organization and in setting the vision for the area.”
Shewbert says: “Helping to build this organization, develop the vision for what this community can become and to see the strides we’ve made is something I’m extremely proud to have been a part of.”
First county marker erected at Chesser-Williams House
Commissioners on Tuesday unveiled a new marker at the historic Chesser-Williams House located on the campus of the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford. This marker is the first in a pilot program championed by the Gwinnett Historical Restoration and Preservation Board to identify historic buildings and sites on County-owned property. Staff from the GEHC developed the template for the marker.
Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash said, “With Gwinnett County’s bicentennial celebration only a few years away, it’s very important that we support initiatives like this historic marker program to help residents and visitors learn about our rich history.”
From left are Chairman Nash and Commissioners John Heard, Lynette Howard and Jack Brooks.
The following narrative appears on the sign: “One of the oldest surviving homes in Gwinnett County, this house [the Chesser-Williams House] was built in the 1850s. The house was originally two rooms wide and one room deep. This style is referred to as an I-house. The house is unique because of the beautiful, hand-painted folk art found on the exterior and interior, making it one of the only surviving examples of painted exterior decorations in the state of Georgia and perhaps the South. The unknown artist was a traveling German painter who created the artwork in exchange for room and board. The house was located on property originally owned by Sue and Jerald Williams and moved from its original site six miles away.”
RECOMMENDED READ
An invitation: What books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (100 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next. — eeb
GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA TIDBIT
Writers Association works to improve quality of life for authors
The Georgia Writers Association is a nonprofit support and advocacy group for writers in the state. The mission of the organization is to seek “to improve the quality of life for writers by providing information about the literary industry and skills-building knowledge; fostering ongoing communication among writers of diverse literacy, genres, geographies, ethnicities and backgrounds; increasing public awareness of the lives and works of contemporary Georgia writers; encouraging the imagination and integrity of the written word; and organizing activities that celebrate the achievements of writers across the state of Georgia.”
Founded in 1994 by writers Geri Taran and Anthony Grooms, and literary agent Susan L. Graham, the association sponsors conferences, seminars, monthly meetings in several cities, writing contests, and Georgia Writers News/Mag, a bimonthly journal. Taran served as executive director until 2006, when she was succeeded by Ralph T. Wilson. Taran also selects the annual recipient of the association’s Taran Family Memorial Award, which honors “special literary achievement in a spiritual, humanitarian, or environmental endeavor.”
Especially noteworthy among the association’s activities are the annual Georgia Author of the Year Awards (GAYA). Shortly after its founding, the Georgia Writers Association assumed responsibility for the awards, which were first given in 1964 by the Dixie Council of Authors and Journalists. Commercially and independently published authors from Georgia are eligible for nomination. Awards in a variety of categories, including poetry, fiction, biography, memoir, history, essay, self-help, first novel, and children’s literature, are announced and presented at an annual banquet.
Prominent winners of the GAYA include David Bottoms, for his poetry collection Vagrant Grace (1999); Turner Cassity, for his poetry collection Devils and Islands (2007); Jimmy Carter, for his essay collections The Virtues of Aging (1998) and Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis (2005); Pearl Cleage, for her novel I Wish I Had a Red Dress (2001); Judith Ortiz Cofer, for her essay collection (in Front of the Sun (2000); Terry Kay, for his novels Valley of Light (2003) and The Book of Marie (2007) and his short story collection The Greats of Cuttercane (2012); John Lewis, for his memoir Walking with the Wind (1998); Frank Manley, for his novel The Cockfighter (1998) and short-story collection Among Prisoners (2000); and Philip Lee Williams for his essay collection In the Morning: Reflections from First Light (2006), novel Campfire Boys (2010), and epic poem The Flower Seeker: An Epic Poem of William Bartram (2011).
The organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award has been given to such notable figures as Bettie Sellers (2004), Furman Bisher (2009), Terry Kay (2011), and Ferrol Sams (2012).
The Georgia Writers Association is housed at and partially sponsored by Kennesaw State University in Cobb County. Other sponsors include the Georgia Council for the Arts, the Georgia General Assembly, and the National Endowment of the Arts.
MYSTERY PHOTO
Stairway to?
CLUE: Nice stairways, but where are they, and what is the significance of this photograph? Figure it out and send your idea to elliott@brack.net, and be sure to include your hometown.
Richard Lux of Trickum was the first person to correctly identify last edition’s mystery photo, “The harbor entrance at Lindau, Germany on Lake Constance with lighthouse and Bavarian Lion.” The photo was sent in by Ross Lenhart of Pawley’s Island, S.C.
Also recognizing the area was Ruthy Lachman Paul of Norcross, who tells us that “the entrance statue has on it the Bavarian Lion, the symbol of the City of Lindau and has existed from the year 882. It is called by Germans the ‘Bodensee.’ Here the Roman period was dominated fishing town on three islands. Its landscaped gardens and ancient buildings were built and designed in the Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance and Rococo styles.’
Bob Foreman of Grayson and Lynn Naylor of Atlanta had he right answer. Naylor also noted the Port of Lindau with its lighthouse and lion statue. Lindau is on the eastern side of Lake Constance.
LAGNIAPPE
Groundbreaking
Gwinnett Tech finally held a groundbreaking at its new North Fulton campus last week, after years of waiting to serve the North Fulton area. The new campus is under construction at Georgia Highway 400 and Old Milton Parkway. Classes will begin there in January 2016. Gov. Nathan Deal was in attendance, and noted that the school will be adding its workforce that will serve many technology firms, medical centers and other companies that call North Fulton home. The first campus building, one of three planned, has three stories and approximately 95,000 square feet, housing both classrooms and administrative offices. When built out, it’s projected that the campus could serve up to 10,000 students in three buildings. Gwinnett Tech now serves more than 18,000 students annually in college credit, adult education and continuing education classes. Gwinnett Tech has been serving North Fulton since mid-2010 and now offers adult education, continuing education and dual enrollment for high school students to area residents.
The large group participating in the service include Rep. Harry Geisinger; Sen. John Albers; Dr. Lynn Cornett, TCSG State Board; Sen. Brandon Beach; Michael Sullivan, TCSG State Board; Lauren Pelletier, Gwinnett Tech 2015 GOAL winner; Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle; Governor Nathan Deal; TCSG Commissioner Gretchen Corbin; Dr. Glen Cannon of Gwinnett Technical College; Joe Yarbrough, chair, TCSG State Board; Commissioner Liz Hausmann, vice chair, Fulton County Board of Commissioners; Wendell Dallas, past board chair, Gwinnett Technical College; and Mike Price, board chair, Gwinnett Tech Foundation
CREDITS
GwinnettForum is provided to you at no charge every Tuesday and Friday. If you would like to serve as an underwriter, click here to learn more.
- Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves or comments on any issue to Gwinnett Forum for future publication.
- MORE: Contact Editor and Publisher Elliott Brack at: elliott@gwinnettforum.com
UNSUBSCRIBE
We hope you’ll keep receiving the great news and information from GwinnettForum, but if you need to unsubscribe, click here.
© 2015, Gwinnett Forum.com. Gwinnett Forum is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA.
Follow Us