NEXT CHAPTER: Watching part of Duluth history past by, Ann Odum and Kathryn Willis see the wall of their father’s business, Parsons, come down as part of the renovation of downtown Duluth. Both these two, and their sister, Margaret, worked in the Parsons’ operations in Duluth. The site is being cleared for the location of a barbecue restaurant, Dreamland. It’s part of the remaking of the downtown area. (Photo from Kay Montgomery.)
IN THIS EDITION
TODAY’S FOCUS: Check Out Aurora Theatre Productions Coming in New Season
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Enjoy a Trip to the Four Corners……of the State of Georgia
FEEDBACK: Three Letters on Differing Subjects
UPCOMING: Prelude to the Fourth Returns to Lawrenceville Lawn; Ballet Conservatory
NOTABLE: Parks-Rec Offers Swimming Safety Programs; New Tethering Ordinance
RECOMMENDED BOOK: I Am Livia by Phyllis T. Smith
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Check Out Beautiful Art Works in Georgia Collection
TODAY’S QUOTE: Anyway, What We Are Doing on Earth?
MYSTERY PHOTO: We’ve Got To Start Offering Simple Mystery Photos
LAGNIAPPE: Views at the Governor’s Mansion by Frank Sharp
TODAY’S FOCUS
Aurora Theatre announces line-up of productions for coming year
By Chelsea Bohannon
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., June 26, 2015 — On the heels of a record-breaking year, Aurora Theatre will celebrate its 20th Anniversary season! The historic theatre setting in downtown Lawrenceville’s square will provide an intimate backdrop for the premiere productions for another season of top-notch productions.
The season’s line-up includes:
July 23 to Aug. 30: Memphis: When Huey Calhoun walks into the underground Rock ‘n’ Roll bar Delray’s in 1950s Memphis, it’s not the music that stops him in his tracks – it’s the blank stares. As the only white person in the bar, people start to leave until he convinces them that he’s only looking to listen to the music. Little did they know at the time, Huey would become Rock ‘n’ Roll’s pioneering DJ, moving the iconic sound from radio to TV. There’s a lot more to the story than what happened at Graceland. Winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical, Memphis is a co-production with Theatrical Outfit.
Oct. 1-25: Vanya and Sonia and Marsha and Spike: Last year’s most-produced play in America might be the funniest in a generation! It tells the story of the intertwined lives of three middle-aged siblings living in their Pennsylvanian family home. While butting heads and coming face-to-face with life’s tough decisions, this laugh-out-loud comedy explores the themes of love, friendship and sibling rivalry. Written by Christopher Durang, Vanya won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play and is co-produced with Horizon Theatre Company.
Nov. 19-Dec. 20: Christmas Canteen, an Aurora Theatre original and Gwinnett’s longest-running theatrical holiday tradition, returns to the Lawrenceville stage for its 20th season run. An audience favorite, this nostalgic musical revue is a Winter Wonderland that just keeps getting better! Stand-up comedy mixed with theatrical numbers and singing galore, Christman Canteen 2015 is a variety show that continually gets good reception from the Aurora audience..
Jan. 14-Feb. 7, 2016: Wit focuses on a woman after being diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic ovarian cancer, Dr. Vivian Bearing agrees to undergo an experimental chemotherapeutic treatment. As the professor makes the transition from teacher to student, she begins to examine her life through the minutiae of the English language. An emotional journey through the heart wrenching trials of cancer rearing its ugly head, Wit is a powerful tale of strength and sorrow that will speak to audiences of all ages. Winning the 1999 Pulitzer Prize, it is a perfect choice for Gwinnett County, which hosts the most successful Relay for Life fundraiser for cancer research in the nation.
March 10-April 17, 2016: Into the Woods features an evil witch cursing a baker and his wife for stealing her “magic” beans, so they must seek out special ingredients for her special potion in order for her to lift the curse on the wife’s fertility. Along their enchanting journey into the woods, they encounter Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack, Little Red Riding Hood and other fictional favorites, as they too come face-to-face with the consequences of their own desires and wishes. In this modern musical twist of intertwined Brothers Grimm fairytales, American composer Stephen Sondheim cleverly answers the question, “What happens after happily ever after?”
May 5-29, 2016: I’m Not Rappaport. This 1996 Tony Award winner is the touching humorous tale of two old men who inhabit a bench in New York’s Central Park. Nat Moyer, a feisty Jewish man, spins tall tales and doesn’t want his daughter dumping him into an old folk’s home, while half-blind, cantankerous African-American Midge Carter, hides from his disgruntled tenants.
EEB PERSPECTIVELet us suggest a trip to the Four Corners, that is, of Georgia!
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher
JUNE 26, 2015 — So one granddaughter was listening when she heard her grandparents were considering a trip to the Four Corners.
Geographically understanding the idea, she blurted out
…..”Maine, Florida…..” before we stopped her. No, it was another Four Corners, but it did raise an interesting point of the four corners of the USA.
Ever thought of the Four Corners of Georgia? Talk about a difference! How about a driving trip to the Four Corners of Georgia?
Start anywhere along this route. For this circumnavigation of the state, let’s start in Dillard, in Northeast Georgia. If you’re going to make this a continuous trip, why not spend the night in Dillard, so that you can start it all off right with one of those fabulous breakfasts that the Dillard House serves. We suspect if you do, there’s little need to have to eat for lunch.
Driving south, you’ll find that much of the trip on U.S. Highway 441 is four-laned these days. Since our next destination is the coast at Savannah, we’ll veer to the left at Cornelia-Baldwin, remaining on U.S. 441, taking it into Athens, and then to Madison. At this juncture, we’ll head on Interstate 20 to visit in Augusta. From there go, via U.S. Highway 25, all the way to Statesboro. There you can pick up 1-16 for the jaunt into Savannah. Be sure to dip your feet into the Atlantic Ocean at Tybee Beach, so you can say you’ve been to this corner of Georgia. Savannah is also a great place to spend the night and enjoy good seafood.
Next morning, it’s 114 miles to another corner of Georgia, via 1-95 to Kingsland, then turn left toward St. Marys, the real corner. You might want to stop off along the way at the Golden Isles of Georgia, always a winner. (Jinright’s Seafood on U.S. 17 in Brunswick is great for fried shrimp.)
Your next leg is to Waycross, and take in the Okefenokee Swamp Park along the way, one of the real distinctive places in Georgia. Then it’s on to Valdosta, with plenty of places to spend the night.
From Valdosta, Seminole is the state’s most southwestern county, so stop in Donalsonville, 102 miles, via U.S. 84. Your next destination will be Columbus, up U.S. 27 through Blakely and Cuthbert, a total of 119 miles. While in Columbus, visit the Fort Benning Infantry Museum, and the new White Water section of the Chattahoochee River in downtown Columbus.
Next destination is Lookout Mountain, Ga., with stunning vistas, just south of Chattanooga, Tenn., about 220 miles distant. Downtown Chattanooga is a great place to visit, and see some of its many attractions. Enjoy a B&B there. Be sure you check out the museum.
The final leg completing the circle takes you back to Clayton and is 140 miles. From Chattanooga go down I-75 to Dalton, where you pick up U.S. Highway 76, and follow it all the way, passing through Chatsworth, Ellijay, then Blue Ridge, Blairsville and finally Clayton. It is hilly the entire way, but with some surprisingly good roads. All these towns are neat, often spruced up because of tourist dollars, and the vistas are superb, especially along the Zell Miller Parkway, the four-lane part of this journey.
There. You’ve been to the Four Corners of Georgia. You might do it in hard driving in four days, but we suggest a more leisurely trip of about six or seven days. Stop and enjoy the sights, Georgia’s distinctive food, and its characters.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Brand Banking Company
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s sponsor is Brand Banking Company, headquartered in Lawrenceville, where it has three offices, with additional branches in Snellville, Grayson and Flowery Branch. It is the largest privately held bank in Gwinnett, with assets of $2 billion. The bank’s main office is in Lawrenceville on the Historic Courthouse Square, plus there is another branch on Hurricane Shoals Road. Other locations are in Grayson, Snellville, Flowery Branch, Buford, Duluth and Buckhead. Member, FDIC and Federal Reserve System.
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Her God is far different from Charleston shooter’s God
Editor, the Forum:
Andy Brack’s column tells us what it was like waking up in Charleston on June 18th and discovering the evil that had exposed itself. People like Roof, such as the gun-worshippers, are deeply afraid of their situation in life, and they also say they believe in God.
I wish someone could stress over and over again the scripture in Isaiah which says “Do not fear for I am with you.” But on rethinking, their response would be that God gave them the gun and told them to destroy. Their God is very different from my God.
— Alma Bowen, Gainesville
Reader sounds off on appropriateness of comment
Editor, the Forum:
Yup, never let a good tragedy go to waste. Your son’s editorial, while articulately written, is one that is ill-timed….supposedly by your standards. I remember quite vividly you publicly chastising me for including my two cents about gun control a few years ago so quickly after an incident.
I assume that because you probably agree with the political position the writer took, you won’t be so quick to point out that such views need only be expressed perhaps after those senselessly killed are mourned properly.
— Craig Heighton, South Hall County resident
Suddenly finds taxation without representation not so good either
Editor, the Forum:
Are we not encouraged to save gasoline? I took my governmental leaders at their word and have been driving two Prius Hybrids for several years.
Now I find that they were only kidding me or they have decided that I am a bad guy for saving gasoline. Each of my vehicle registrations now has an added surcharge on it for the first time for $200. It is called the “Alternative Fuel Fee.”
Looks like the State of Georgia has decided that my saving gasoline is costing it tax revenue and they are coming after “Do-Gooders” such as me.
I looked up the new law (Transportation Funding Act of 2015 HB 170). As is to be expected, it is full of double-talk but two parts caught my eye: “….to provide for additional revenue” (they want it so they can take it) and it ends with “for other purposes.” (How is that for open-endedness?).
Our Founding Fathers staged a revolution over “Taxation Without Representation.” It looks to me like “Taxation With Representation” is not much better.
— Alex J. Ortolano, Duluth
UPCOMINGPrelude (to Fourth) celebration returns to Lawrenceville Lawn
The City of Lawrenceville will host its 10th annual Prelude (to the Fourth of July) celebration to honor America’s Day of Independence on Friday, July 3. The event will feature a pre-event opening concert by Chris Hamrick and The City Lights at 5 p.m., followed by an outdoor stage performance of the Broadway classic, Camelot – performed by the Aurora Theatre at 7 p.m., and then a stunning fireworks display to conclude the evening on the Lawrenceville Lawn.
Lawrenceville Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson says: “We are thrilled again to be partnering again with the Aurora Theatre to provide a great evening of family fun for the Lawrenceville community. Celebrating our Nation’s history with a spectacular fireworks display and also celebrating the local arts with Aurora’s Broadway production provides only a glimpse of what the Lawrenceville community spirit encompasses.”
Camelot, a Lerner and Loewe classic, is known for its enchanting musical numbers that include The Simple Joys of Maidenhood, The Lusty Month of May, How to Handle a Woman, I Loved You Once in Silence, If Ever I Would Leave You and What Do the Simple Folk Do? Book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, music by Frederick Loewe, original production directed and staged by Moss Hart, based on The Once and Future King by T.H. White.
Come early, bring a picnic dinner, or discover a new favorite meal from one of the food trucks on-site, or have dinner at one of the restaurants on the Square. Then take the one block walk down to the Lawrenceville Lawn, at 210 Luckie Street.
Prelude is a free outdoor lawn event, but reserved seating for tables of six can be purchased for $100 through June 26, and $125 until July 3. Call 678-226-2639 to reserve a table.
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre initiates conservatory program in August
Young artists dreaming of a career in the dance world now have an opportunity to work towards their goal with greater intensity when Gwinnett Ballet Theatre initiates its Conservatory Program in August, 2015.
The Conservatory Program covers 36 weeks from August, 2015 through May, 2016. The Program consists of a curriculum of study where students attend dance classes at the GBT studios beginning at 12:30 p.m. while they are home schooled before, between and after dance classes. The program is designed for students in the Grades 6-12.
Each student is responsible for his or her own scholastic programming. Students will attend an advanced ballet class at 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Then from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. they attend dance classes such as Strength and Conditioning, Variations, and Choreography, or an independent unit of study. Conservatory students will complete projects relevant to the courses and collaborate with other dancers. They will also participate in outreach programs and public appearances.
The customary GBT schedule of classes and rehearsals begins at 4 p.m. Conservatory students are a part of this schedule as well. Their home school class time is conducted around the Conservatory and standard GBT classes and rehearsals.
GBT is accepting enrollment for this program now with a deadline for registration of August 2. Questions about costs and other requirements can be answered by calling GBT School Administrator Whitney Snuggs at 770-237-0046 or by writing to her at GBTconservatory@gmail.com. For more information about GBT, visit the web site at www.gwinnettballet.org.
Snellville presents two artists at city hall starting July 2
The City of Snellville will display two artists at City Hall starting July 2.
Cynthia Frigon and Joan Gornstein will have their work on display in the art gallery located in the Community Room in City Hall through August. The gallery is free and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
There will be a reception for the artists from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Community Room July 12.
Frigon
Frigon uses the vivid colors, patterns and textures of magazine and calendar artwork to substitute for pigment and brush strokes in her collages. She uses personal photos taken at various times and locations as her inspiration. The images she creates with only paper, scissors and glue can appear hauntingly real from a distance, and only up close can one see the individual pieces that make up the larger piece.
In 2012, she began exhibiting modestly by joining ART Station in Stone Mountain and entering her pieces in member juried shows. She won Best of Show at the 2013 Decatur Fine Arts Exhibition, and one of her collages was purchased by the city of Decatur.
Gornstein
Gornstein started drawing as a child, and later studied fashion design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y. She is self-taught as a watercolorist, having developed a passion for the challenges and vibrancy the medium offers. Gornstein began working with watercolors while living in the Southwest, where she became involved in a local watercolor society. Her painting Arizona Mesa, was awarded third place in a juried show of the Atlanta Artists Center.
Gornstein’s work shows particular attention to detail, and values of darks and lights. Subjects have included the Southwest, portraits and flowers.
NOTABLEParks-Rec programs features swim safety at aquatic centers
Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation (GCPR) will be hosting fun games, activities and prizes from June 29 – July 3 at various aquatic facilities. Children and adults can participate every day of the week and visit www.gwinnettparks.com to download activity sheets and information.
GCPR will be holding these events to increase awareness of water safety now that summer is in full swing. Through various swim classes, public service announcements and distribution of water safety information, GCPR is dedicated to providing residents with the tools they need to prevent water-related injuries.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the sixth leading cause of unintended injury-related death for people of all ages and the second leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14. Research shows that formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children aged 1 to 4 years. GCPR offers swim lessons for those as young as six months to adults of all ages. Group, private and semi-private swim lessons are available in a variety of class levels to benefit everyone from novice to advanced swimmers. For more information on swim lessons, details about GCPR aquatic centers or other planned events, visit www.gwinnettparks.com.
The scheduled activities will be at all aquatic centers and pools and are as follows:
- Monday, June 29, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Mountain Park Aquatic Center and Dacula Park Pool.
- Tuesday, June 30, from noon to 3 p.m. at Best Friend Park, and from 1-4 p.m. at Collins Hill Aquatic Center.
- Wednesday, July 1, from noon until 3 p.m. at Bogan Park Aquatic Center and Lenora Park Pool.
- Thursday, July 2 from noon to 3 p.m. at West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Park (Pinckneyville) and at Rhodes Jordan Park Pool.
- Friday, July 3, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Bethesda Park Aquatic Center.
Gwinnett commissioners approve tethering ordinance changes
Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved changes to the Gwinnett County Animal Control Ordinance recently. These changes are related to tethering, cruelty, and neglect and will take effect beginning July 1, 2015.
Under the revised ordinance, outdoor tethering is prohibited unless certain conditions are met. These conditions include, but are not limited to, the following: the owner or adult custodian of the animal must be outside with the animal at all times; the animal must be visible to the owner; single-point tethering is prohibited; a trolley system tether is the only approved form of tether; and only one animal may be attached to each trolley system.
I Am Livia
By Phyllis T. Smith
Set in the reign of the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus, the story begins with the assassination of Julius Caesar, and its implications for those embroiled in the struggle for power. The narrator, Livia, is the daughter of a savvy Roman politician, detailing her first arranged marriage, the internal struggles of the Republic of Rome, and the choices one makes to attain power. This is a well-written, descriptive historical fiction that relies on the known facts of history – Livia did exist. She meets Octavian, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, and over time develops an attraction to the future Emperor. The side stories of Antony and Cleopatra, and the strengthening of women’s rights, complement the tale. When Octavian/Augustus reaches power, he risks public displeasure to secure Livia for his own and it has a lasting effect on the future of Rome.
— Karen Garner, Dacula
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 TIDBITClick to see beautiful art works from Georgia State collection
Inspired Georgia: 28 Works from Georgia’s State Art Collection is an exhibition featuring a selection of two-dimensional artworks from Georgia’s State Art Collection.
From October 2013 to December 2014 the exhibition traveled to nine venues across Georgia, including the Quinlan Arts Center in Gainesville, the Dogwood City Art Gallery in Tallapoosa, and the Georgia Museum of Agriculture at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. The exhibition and accompanying catalog were sponsored by the Georgia Council for the Arts, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Georgia Humanities Council, and the Georgia Museum of Art.
Bolinas 3 (date unknown) by Michael Junkin
Inspired Georgia features 28 works, including drawings, etchings, mixed-media pieces, paintings, photographs, woodblock prints, and woodcuts, all selected from the more than 600 works that make up Georgia’s State Art Collection. The pieces, produced between the 1960s and 1990s, include examples of folk art, abstract and realist painting, landscapes, and portraiture. In the words of Georgia governor Nathan Deal, the Inspired Georgia exhibition was launched to encourage citizens around the state “to learn more about Georgia’s artistic heritage and artists, to celebrate local arts and culture community, and to explore and support the power of art and culture in shaping the future of Georgia.”
- (Editor’s Note: to see the 28 art works, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/special-collections/inspired-georgia-28-works-georgias-state-art-collection. Then you must click on the various elements at the right, such as paintings drawings and others. This is a wonderful visual element of the Encyclopedia, and we urge you to click on the art works.—eeb)
- To access the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Give background on the lady below
The last few mystery photos have been to difficult for our readers. No one recognized what we thought would be an easy photo from Karen Garner last week, of the beach at Garden City, S.C.
By the way, we misidentified last edition’s mystery photo. It was at the harbor at Portofino, Italy looking down from the El Splendido Hotel, from Tom Merkel.
Now check out this lady, and give the background of the photo, and tell us where it is located. Send your ideas to elliott@brack.net and be sure to include your hometown.
Mansion roses
Roving Photographer Frank Sharp followed the Fernbank Museum roses to the Georgia Governor’s Mansion and took several stunning photos. Here’s a view of the front of the mansion, with some of the rose bushes on the sides. Below you can see the mansion’s backyard and where Gov. Nathan Deal and his family can take a plunge into the swimming pool on these hot days. Frank reports that “The governor’s rose garden was a big disappointment compared to Fernbank. Fernbank’s garden was world-class — this was a far-cry from that status.”
CREDITS
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