REMODELING JOB: Here’s an architect’s sketch of what the remodeled shopping center at Peachtree Corners Marketplace at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Holcomb Bridge Road will look like. The facility is getting a new face, plus will have the re-opening of a movie theatre as part of its new offerings. The remodeling is generated by JBL Asset Management of Coral Springs, Fla., which owns retail shopping centers throughout the South. City of Peachtree Corners residents have high interest in this project, since it serves as something of a gateway from the south of the City.
IN THIS EDITION
TODAY’S FOCUS: Four Students from Gwinnett Attend Washington Conclave
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Berlin Diary Remains Gripping Account of 1939-40 Germany
FEEDBACK: More on Buford Highway Appearance, Bus Stops and Pastor Protection Act
UPCOMING: Suwanee Plans Two Performances of Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang
NOTABLE: New Outdoor Theatre in Gainesville Offers New Educational Drama
RECOMMENDED READ: Books That Have Made History by Professor J. Rufus Fears
GEORGIA TIDBIT: More Professionals Needed in State Horticulture Industry
TODAY’S QUOTE: Perhaps It’s Getting There That Counts
MYSTERY PHOTO: Mystery Photo Stumps Readers of GwinnettForum
TODAY’S FOCUS
Four students from Gwinnett make EMC trek to Washington
By Kay Parks
JEFFERSON, Ga., July 17, 2015 | Just returning from a leadership trip to the nation’s capitol, local students Emily Bauer, Brookwood High School; Kristen Gomez, Mill Creek High School; Chris Larkins, Dacula High School; and Kirtan Parekh, North Gwinnett High School, joined 107 other Georgia high school students on one of the nation’s most prestigious, longest running leadership programs for teens.
Jackson EMC’s 2015 Washington Youth Tour Delegates, from left, are Kirtan Parekh, North Gwinnett; Emily Bauer, Brookwood; Kristen Gomez, Mill Creek; and Chris Larkins, Dacula, at Lafayette Park, with the White House in the background.
Earlier this year, the four were chosen as Jackson EMC’s delegates for the June 11-18 Washington Youth Tour (WYT), marking Georgia’s biggest group ever–111 students and 17 chaperones sent by 38 of Georgia’s EMCs. The Georgia delegation joined approximately 1,700 of America’s best and brightest students and 300 chaperones from 43 states.
The event kicked off with a banquet in Atlanta, where reining Georgia Youth Leadership Council representative and 2014 WYT delegate Michael Smith, Mountain View High School, addressed the incoming delegation. State Rep. Brooks Coleman of Duluth, House Education Committee chairman, delivered the keynote address to an audience of more than 400 attendees.
Later, the group took part in cooperative training, teambuilding and leadership exercises before flying to Washington, D.C. They visited historic landmarks and national treasures such as Arlington Cemetery, the Smithsonian Museums, Holocaust Museum, Mount Vernon, Supreme Court, U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, and the MLK, FDR, Jefferson, World War II, Korean War and Lincoln memorials. The group also toured the new American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, and met with staff and/or members of Georgia’s congressional delegation, including personal visits and photos with Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue and U.S. Representatives Buddy Carter, Doug Collins, Jody Hice, Barry Loudermilk, Austin Scott, Lynn Westmoreland and Rob Woodall.
Chris Larkins, Dacula High School, comments: “Meeting the other delegates and making lifelong connections, coupled with the trip’s agenda to our nation’s capitol, has left a lasting impression on us in ways we didn’t expect. We knew it was the trip of a lifetime, but the enormity of it is difficult to put into words.”
Emily Bauer adds: “Pictures, textbooks and class discussions can’t adequately convey key periods in history such as the Holocaust Museum and other monuments and memorials.”
Jackson EMC’s President/CEO Chip Jakins says: “These students are leading the way in the communities, and it’s important to provide them with a chance to see history come to life and give them a rare opportunity to connect with other student leaders like themselves from across the country. The students come away with an understanding of the challenges facing the entire nation and gain new insight as to the vision, leadership and sacrifices required to build better lives for themselves, their families and communities.”
- For 50 years, more than 50,000 young citizens have traveled to Washington with the help of their electric cooperative. Additional photos from this year’s tour can be requested and will soon be posted at www.jacksonemc.com/wyt2015recap.
Shirer’s Berlin Diary is gripping account of World War II build-up
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher
JULY 17, 2015 | Back in the winter of 1962, just after the publication of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Iowa native William L. Shirer was scheduled to speak at the University of Iowa. His book chronicled the Nazi era by someone actually living in Europe, and watching and chronicling this bit of history.
That night was one of those “dark and stormy nights,” with a heavy snow. But a big crowd made it on campus to hear Mr. Shirer at the appointed hour. However, he wasn’t there. The snowstorm had delayed him. We were told to sit tight, as he was trying to get there.
Then about 9 p.m. the author, relatively rumpled in somewhat disarray, arrived. He was delightful and entertaining, recounting his observations of the Nazi regime, especially in its build-up. Mr. Shirer had been a European newspaper correspondent, and later joined Ed Murrow of CBS News, in historic broadcasts from the Continent, something new for the media, as they reported each day what was taking place in Europe.
Shirer
Shirer left Europe in December of 1940, then turned to writing his epic Berlin Diary, which gave Americans a massive detailed account of what was happening in Germany. He helped pave the way to our joining World War II. By then Adolf Hitler had over-run many of Europe’s countries. He had destroyed Warsaw in his swift annihilation of many Poles. The low countries and France had fallen, Italy and Japan were on the German side, Russia was an ally of Germany, and everyone was expecting Germany to invade Britain any day now.
Shirer gives day-by-day blows, giving insight into Hitler, the German people, and how all this quick military build-up took place.
Among some observations:
- Hitler invaded countries like Denmark and Norway to “protect” those countries from the Allies.
- The Third Reich absolutely controlled the media, with obvious lies daily. Example: after a Berlin air raid caused extensive damage in the city, the newspapers reported that all British bombers had failed to reach the city.
- The regime employed nationalism to arouse the people. For instance, at the massive Hitler rallies, the first part of all programs was always symphony orchestras playing music of Beethoven, Wagner and other German composers.
Hitler in particular hated Churchill, and thought Britain would surrender to Germany.- The German people were led to believe that the British and French did not want peace, and were warmongers.
- Shirer, on a tour through France two weeks after that nation fell, observed that “the French did not fight,” putting up little opposition to the blitzkrieg.
Shirer did this reporting by close observation of the Germans and of Hitler in particular over six years. He recounts Hitler’s facial features, his method of walking, him becoming almost uncontrollable in his zealous speeches. He also tells us that Hitler was a “vegetarian, teetotaler and non-smoker,” not a garrulous person, not close to his main military figures, and had lunch with only a small circle of three or four adjutants.
William L. Shirer is the author of at least 18 books, mostly about the Third Reich, but also wrote a respected account of Gandhi.
His work is often relied upon for his scholarly accounts of Germany prior to and during World War II. He died in 1993 at age 89. Re-reading his personal account before America came into the war gives even more insight into how it all happened.
IN THE SPOTLIGHTPrecision Planning, Inc.
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s underwriter is Precision Planning, Inc., a multi-disciplined design firm based in Lawrenceville, Georgia with a 32-year history of successful projects. In-house capabilities include Architecture; LEED® Project Management; Civil, Transportation and Structural Engineering; Water Resources Engineering; Landscape Architecture; Interior Design; Land and City Planning; Land Surveying; and Grant Administration. PPI has worked diligently to improve the quality of life for Georgia communities through creative, innovative planned developments, through the design of essential infrastructure and public buildings, and through promoting good planning and development principles. Employees and principals are involved in numerous civic, charitable and community based efforts in and around Gwinnett County.
- For more information, visit our website at ppi.usor call 770-338-8103.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to https://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm.
Raises questions about transformation of Buford Highway in Duluth
Editor, the Forum:
It is a wonderful thing that downtown Duluth is receiving so much attention and revitalization. How sad, though, that we lost long-time landmark Huthmaker Violins; and that we couldn’t accommodate the New Dawn Theatre, which came in to fill the void when the fabulous Aurora moved to Lawrenceville!
And for those who access downtown Duluth by way of Buford Highway — when can we expect to see real progress that will transform U.S. Highway 23 from a Duluth deterrent into a Duluth Destination?
— Cathy Ramadei, Duluth
Seeks to clarify idea presented about school bus stops and signs
Editor, the Forum:
I think you missed Steve Jones’s point about the need for signs on the roadways identifying upcoming bus stops. What I got out of it was that the basic reason for the law is to save children’s lives, not generate revenue. Education provided by the signs would be the impending bus stop location. The action needed should be to prepare to stop 300 feet (for example) ahead.
The realignment of the 52,000 “bus stops” should be examined. There is a difference between a “bus stop” and a driveway “where a bus stops.” Money spent on cameras is the active way to deter and prosecute the violation. Signs in the proper place and with the proper wordage could be paid for in the lives or serious injuries saved.
— Howard N. Williams, Jr., Snellville
Dear Howard: We may have missed his point. But signs are also pricey.–eeb
Offers “AMEN” to questioning speaker’s Pastor Protection Act
Editor, the Forum:
A big “AMEN!” to the comment on Speaker Ralston’s proposed “Pastor Protection Act.” As I understand it, there’s nothing in the Supreme Court ruling that says ministers MUST perform same-sex marriages, only that the states cannot prohibit it.
I’m sure most ministers are capable of deciding for themselves whether or not to do so, and if they choose not to perform such a ceremony, I’m equally certain that the couple in question can locate someone who will. And the First Amendment definitely says the government should stay OUT of the religion business.
And, oh yeah—I didn’t lose any sleep on the Great Begonia Debate.
— Robert Hanson, Loganville
Send us a letter. 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.
UPCOMINGChitty Chitty to have 2 performances at Suwanee Town Center
In its ninth season for Suwanee, Broadway in the Park’s 2015 production will bring nearly everyone’s favorite flying car to the city, introducing new generations to the captivating magic of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. A mostly high school cast will bring the musical fantasy adventure, based on the 1968 film, to the Suwanee Town Center stage July 24 and 25. Performances begin at 7 p.m. both nights.
The actors in the photograph are, from left to right: Gabriel Ferrari (Caractacus Potts); Natalie Minter (Truly Scrumptious); Charlotte Wearne (Jemima Potts); and Luke Wilborn (Jeremy Potts).
In addition to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a middle school cast will perform The Finish Line, an original musical written by Suwanee Performing Arts’ Patty and Elise Etherton and Bernie Davis. The Finish Line features a young, rebellious girl who loves racing more than anything. The story ends at the 1910 Grand Prix, which is where the Chitty story begins.
Director and Production Coordinator Patty Etherton says: “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a fun story for all ages. No matter who you are, you’re going to love this show.”
The play features fun characters, including the Child Catcher, Baron and Baroness Bomburst, Vulgarian spies, and Truly Scrumptious, as well as unforgettable songs.
Between the two plays, about 125 high school, middle school, adult, and child actors will perform. The production also will feature a live orchestra, the Broad Street Concert Band at Sugar Hill. And producers plan to employ projection (and great acting) to make Chitty fly.
In the past, the rain-or-shine performances have drawn approximately 4,000 people for each show. Performances are free and open to the public, but the best seating is reserved for corporate sponsors ($500 per six-person tables) and patrons ($250 per table).
- For reserved seating or “sitting-room only” seating reserved for families with small children ($10 each), contact Suwanee Performing Arts at info@suwaneeperforms.com or 678-482-6333.
Lilburn police gearing up for National Night Out on Aug. 4
The Lilburn Police Department will celebrate the sixth annual National Night Out in Lilburn City Park on August 4, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Lilburn’s National Night Out is organized in partnership with non-profit SafetySmart Lilburn, Inc. The event begins at 6 p.m. and will wrap up with police canine demonstrations from 8 – 8:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet staff from local police, fire, and other public safety agencies, who will share personal and community safety tips. Various types of cars, trucks, and equipment will be on display. More than 70 participating vendors will bring community resources, knowledge, information, food, activities, health and vision screening to the public.
Lilburn’s 2014 National Night Out was recognized out of 244 cities nationwide by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). The national awards program recognizes registered cities, military bases, and various communities on participation and success of their National Night Out efforts. Lilburn placed in the top 17 percent of entries in the category for areas with a population of less than 15,000.
National Night Out, a yearlong community building campaign, is designed to: (1) heighten crime prevention awareness, (2) generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs, (3) strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and (4) send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. On the second Tuesday in August each year, more than 16,000 communities around the U.S. and Canada come together to celebrate this event.
Lilburn Police Chief Bruce Hedley says: “National Night Out creates a safer Lilburn by building strong partnerships between the police and the community. We invite the public to come enjoy the event on August 4.”
NOTABLENew outdoor theatre in Gainesville offers new educational drama
A new outdoor theatre company in Gainesville, the Wild Air Playhouse, is teaming up with the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue to bring educational theatre to the North Georgia community. This is the second summer of the collaboration.
This year the company is producing Rob Brooksher’s Half Mile Down, which follows one community’s struggle after learning Round Valley Electric wishes to flood their town to create a lake—a lake not too unlike the story of Lake Lanier. As the town bands together to try to save their homes, unlikely forces collide to underscore a classic Southern story of family, hope, and love. The play focuses on the power that is created when people stand together and protect one another. A feature of the production is live bluegrass music.
The company also offers a variety of educational programs, including a summer camp and youth workshops. For more information, visit www.wildairplayhouse.com.
GACS graduate of 2013 wins program to study abroad
Steele
Greater Atlanta Christian School alum Kevin Steele (Class of 2013) was recently named one of six University of Georgia recipients of the National Security Education Program’s David L. Boren Scholarship to study abroad.
Working toward a double major in International Affairs and Arabic, Kevin is looking forward to a possible future working with the Peace Corps. In the summer of 2014, Kevin studied Arabic in Morocco and has a personal goal of fluency by his graduation from UGA in 2017. As part of his Boren Scholarship, he will be studying Arabic in Amman, Jordan and will work for a local non-government organization that provides refugee aid.
Kevin is in the Honors Program and is maintaining a 3.74 GPA. He has served on the Student Government Association Freshman Board, has taken on a leadership role in Georgia Daze, and was admitted to the Student Alumni Association.
RECOMMENDEDBooks That Have Made History
By Professor J. Rufus Fears
The author takes readers on a wondrous journey through the compelling messages of titles that can have a pivotal influence in the world. He says a great book has a great theme, is written in noble language which elevates the soul, speaks across ages and possesses universality. He further states that reading a great book means sitting with the book and allowing it to speak. It will only speak if we open our minds. Many titles are explored, including The Iliad, The Book of Job, Letters and Papers From Prison by Bonheoffer, and works by Machiavelli, Plato, by Gibbon, My Early Life; Churchill and Remarque. He fears there is little life experience in place to appreciate the richness and the history of the times portrayed in these titles. He distills the message in each that is a challenge that if grasped will propel the reader on a quest to identify their values and bring the most to the world around them through their talents. The full title is Books That Have Made History: Books that Can Change Your Life.
— Karen J. Harris, Stone Mountain
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 TIDBITMore professionals needed in Georgia’s horticulture community
(From previous edition)
New crops such as wine grapes, Christmas trees and native plants for landscape use are also appearing in north Georgia. These challenges are being met by the combined efforts of several institutions. The Georgia Department of Agriculture as well as the College of Agricultural and Environmental Science at the University of Georgia are actively working with the industry to address these issues.
There is a great need for more professionals, however, because horticulture’s reach is vast and complex. The University of Georgia has formal college programs in horticulture that range from greenhouse production to molecular transformation of vegetable hybrids. The Georgia Department of Education has developed a strong program for high school students who wish to gain experience in commercial horticulture. Homeowners and gardeners can learn more about horticulture through the Georgia Master Gardener Program, which offers horticultural training to volunteer gardeners. Master gardeners aid local county extension agents by educating local communities about such gardening practices as composting, environmental gardening, and community gardens.
Geneticists are needed to breed new cultivars. More trained growers are needed. Agricultural economists are needed to help growers estimate control costs and manage profits. Agricultural engineers are needed to help automate production to relieve the labor shortage. Skilled business and management graduates are needed to help growers market new products. Plant pathologists and entomologists are key contributors to developing environmentally sound ways to control pests. As the population in Georgia continues to increase, the field of horticulture will continue to expand for many decades to come.
- To access the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Mystery photo stumps the readers of GwinnettForum
Perhaps this edition’s Mystery Photo will prove a little easier than last week. The architecture may tell you something. Now figure out where this building is located, and tell us what you can about it. Send your thoughts to elliott@brack.net, and be sure to include your address.
What? No one recognized the last Mystery Photo? It was a distant photo, sent in by the ever-roving Frank Sharp of Lawrenceville. He identifies it as “This is San Jorge Church in Palos, Spain, built in 1473. Columbus prayed here before leaving on this first voyage to the New World in 1492.”
Granted, that was a toughie.
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
Follow Us