4/13: Lawrenceville’s vision; Favorite hymn; Politicians’ decisions

GLOW IN THE PARK: On Saturday, April 14, the City of Suwanee invites everyone to get lit in Town Center at the community lantern parade. Inspired by the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade, Suwanee’s Glow in the Park will feature a strolling jazz band leading an illuminated pageant of light, music, and color around Town Center Park, ending with a concert starring The Glow Band. Amy Doherty, Events and Outreach Manager for the City of Suwanee, says: “This event is a community celebration of creativity. All are encouraged to create illuminated costumes and carry their pre-made lanterns to parade.” Activities begin at 5 p.m. the lantern parade begins at Town Center Park at dusk, winding around Town Center and ending at the stage for a concert starring The Glow Band at 7 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the best glow looks and costumes. There is no charge for the event.

CORRECTION: In the last edition, in a story about Brand Bank, GwinnettForum said there would be two mainline community banks remaining in Gwinnett after the Brand Bank sale. There will be three: Piedmont Bank with $827 million in assets, Gwinnett Community Bank with $277 million in assets and People’s Bank and Trust with $296 million in assets.

TODAY’S FOCUS: Tuesday Breakfast To Highlight Lawrenceville’s Vision Forward

EEB PERSPECTIVE: Recalling an Early Memory of a Favorite Gospel Song in Church

ANOTHER VIEW: Decisions by Trump and Perdue Make Businessmen Look Bad

SPOTLIGHT: Aurora Theatre

FEEDBACK: Considering Modern Banking, and Remembering Older Banks

McLEMORE’S WORLD: Cell Phone

UPCOMING: Water Resources Department Plans Two Workshops in April

NOTABLE: Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful Launches Community Crusader Award

RECOMMENDED: Movie: The Miracle Season

GEORGIA TIDBIT: Colonial Georgia Had Early Presence of French

MYSTERY PHOTO: Today’s Mystery Photo Presents Detailed and Unusual View

CALENDAR: Nature Photography Workshop coming to Environmental Center

Tuesday breakfast to highlight Lawrenceville’s vision forward

By Lisa Sherman

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga  |  The county seat of Gwinnett County, is to join with Partnership Gwinnett to present, “Renaissance Gwinnett: Lawrenceville’s Vision Forward,” at the upcoming Economic Development Breakfast on April 17 from 7:30 until 9 a.m. at the City of Lawrenceville Public Works Complex, 435 West Pike Street.

Strategically positioned at the heart of Gwinnett, Lawrenceville is experiencing a resurgence of growth and expansion that is infusing not only the City, but also Greater Gwinnett, with regional economic impact, a solid core and infrastructure to support and grow Metro Atlanta’s most dynamic community. At the breakfast, guests will hear from nationally acclaimed developers Jim Borders of Novare Group, George Berkow of GB, Inc. and Rick Porter of Richport Properties, on how Lawrenceville’s new urban vision blends lifestyle with business development to create a metro-feel in suburban Atlanta.

Representing current developments including the South Lawn project, the Lawrenceville Housing Authority project that will provide improved multi-family units to existing housing authority residents, and the City View project along Oak Street—these improvements and expansions are propelling Lawrenceville forward and infusing Gwinnett’s core with an urban residential, retail, and cultural focus in a mixed-use environment. Together, these projects coupled with the city’s public investment in street improvements, parks and utilities and service infrastructure will total nearly $1 billion in the next three years.

The breakfast will showcase Lawrenceville’s new $20 million Public Works complex, which was an instrumental component to allow for further development in the City’s downtown central business district. Included in this development is the South Lawn project, which will infuse the already well known and frequented historic downtown with over 600 residential living units, more than 15,000 square feet of retail space, connect City Hall and the Police Station via the Lawrenceville Lawn, and create a comprehensive walkable environment straight down to the Lawrenceville Square.

The meeting will also highlight the departments now housed at the newly opened Public Works Complex including the city’s Gas, Electric, Damage Prevention, Fleet Maintenance, Streets and Sanitation Departments. In honor of National Lineman Appreciation Day, held on April 18, the City of Lawrenceville will give a special tribute to its lineman who service the City with power support.

The City of Lawrenceville Electric Department provides electric power to most of the citizens within the city limits of Lawrenceville plus many customers in outlying areas around Lawrenceville. It is often the first on call in emergency situations.

Directions to the City of Lawrenceville Public Works Complex: From Georgia Highway 316, take Georgia Highway 20 (Pike Street) , then turn left on Don’s Way between Autobell Car Wash and Budget Rent a Car. A Lawrenceville police officer will be stationed at the intersection for further assistance. For more information and to register for the event, visit www.gwinnettchamber.org/events

• Have a comment? Send to:  elliott@brack.net

Recalling an early memory of a favorite Gospel song in church

By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum

APRIL 13, 2018  |  One of my earlier recollections came when about age 4-5-6, when going to church with my parents. It was at Walnut Creek Baptist Church, still a vibrant congregation near Allentown, Ga.

For some reason, at that young age, my favorite hymn was No. 70. Now what the name of that song was, I just don’t remember. But it might have been “I Feel Like Traveling On.”  You remember the lyrics.

My heavenly home is bright and fair I feel like traveling on
No pain nor death can enter there I feel like traveling on
Yes I feel like traveling on I feel like traveling on

My heavenly home is bright and fair I feel like traveling on
Its glittering towers the sun outshines I feel like traveling on
That heavenly mansion shall be mine I feel like traveling on
Yes I feel like traveling on…

The Lord has been so good to me I feel like traveling on
Until that blessed home I see I feel like traveling on
Yes I feel like traveling on…

You might remember that when I wake up about every morning, there’s some song traveling around in my brain. It stays there through walking the dog, through breakfast, and on the way to my office. Usually by the time I settle down at the office, other things kick in, and the song is forgotten.  Except sometimes. That “song of the day” can return in the afternoon. Various type of lyrics, or just a tune, most from my earlier days, often pop into the mind each morning. The other morning it was “Oklahoma, OK,” and I can’t tell you why. Another day it was the “Traveling on” song that came to my mind.

Just as modern kids today have their iPhones and music players, those of us growing up in and after World War II were in another world with our popular music. And those popular lyrics, and music, of those days are in my mind often.

In my growing up years, radio was today’s television, giving news, but mostly playing music. Growing up in Macon, we were fascinated with a new sound from Macon’s own: Little Richard. Man, that was new and different music for us! But we also remember the songs of Sinatra, Crosby, Peggy Lee, Nat “King” Cole, Perry Como, and many others of that day. Spike Jones came on with his zany lyrics and surprising sounds. We loved ‘em all.

The Bibb County School System employed Miss Henrietta Collins who helped us appreciate music. She went to the public schools with her portable record player, pulled out classical records, and had us listen to them. We particularly remember when Miss Collins instructed us to listen to the “surprise” in Haydn’s Surprise Symphony. She also played the standard classics, from Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Bach, Brahms and Handel. That gave us an early appreciation of a music I had never known before.

Later in life, in Metro Atlanta, we were re-introduced to classical music. That was from 40 years ago from WABE-FM, presenting symphonic music during the daytime. Few radio stations today concentrate on the classical masters. Today the classics are among the channels on Sirius on my car radio, and I often enjoy hearing these classics again.

Yes, the first gospel song I remember was Number 70 in an older Baptist hymnal. Can anyone tell me, for sure, the name of it?

• Have a comment? Send to:  elliott@brack.net

Decisions by Trump and Perdue make businessmen look bad

By George Wilson
Contributing columnist

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga.  |  President Trump and Senator Perdue regularly tout their experience as knowledgeable and good businessmen. Of course, they say this experience makes them ideal to be in government.  Through their actions, I’ve become highly skeptical of this claim and the premise generally.

Trump, with his multiple bankruptcies, ran a small organization with inherited money; he has a history of not paying his suppliers, coupled with running fraudulent companies like Trump University, along with having had numerous lawsuits. The current operation in the White House reflects his lack of management skills. We have leaks, high turnover (44 percent turnover at last count), back biting, intrigue, and a lack of focus and policy on serving the country. I’ve never bought into his con, and neither have the majority of the American people.

On the other hand, Senator David Perdue had two main jobs: one closing a company and shipping the jobs overseas, the other running the Dollar General chain selling principally cheap Chinese imports. Both men have nothing sterling as far as innovation, handling complexity, frugality, and growth for which successful businesses are noted.

Let’s examine just one of their latest fiascos when it comes to spending your tax money or cutting good programs like Medicare to pay for disappointing policy decisions.

That subject is making a decision to not close the Guantanamo prison. Here are some facts:

• Only 5 percent of the prisoners were ever captured on the battlefield;
• The prison population is now only 41; and
• It costs $440 million to operate, or nearly $11,000,000 per detainee.

Furthermore , it is my understanding that even more money is required to renovate  the place. We have numerous security facilities in the United States where we can safely handle these prisoners.

Finally, Guantanamo has become a propaganda symbol for our enemies because of the in humane activities carried out at this facility.

Bottom line it is a waste of money and needs to close. That’s something an intelligent businessman would do immediately.

• Have a comment? Send to:  elliott@brack.net

Aurora Theatre

The public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers.  Today’s sponsor is Aurora Theatre, home of the best entertainment in northeast Georgia. With over 750 events annually, Aurora Theatre, now in their 22nd season, has live entertainment to suit everyone’s taste. Aurora Theatre presents Broadway’s best plays and musicals alongside exciting works of contemporary theatre. Additionally, Aurora produces concerts, comedy club events, children’s programs, and metro Atlanta’s top haunted attraction, Lawrenceville Ghost Tours. Aurora Theatre is a world-class theatrical facility with two performance venues. It is nestled on the square in historic downtown Lawrenceville, with free attached covered parking and is surrounded by myriad of restaurants and shops.  Currently running are: Mamma Mia! as part of Aurora Theatre’s Peach State Federal Credit Union Signature Series and El Gran Día de la Madre as part of the Harvel Lab Series and Teatro Aurora, auroratheatre.com.

• For more information or to purchase tickets: http://www.auroratheatre.com or call 678-226-6222.
• For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.

Considering modern banking, and remembering older banks

Editor, the Forum:

Regarding Brand Bank buy out, Bartow Morgan Jr., current president and CEO of Brand Bank, was quoted as saying: “No one much goes to local banks anymore.”

That’s right Mr. Morgan. Many of us now go to our local Credit Union quite often.  They make us feel welcome, and speak to us by name.  Some of us “oldsters” are not into distance banking, and like that personal touch.

On another note, the recent GwinnettForum story of borrowing money for a child’s college reminded me of a trip to Moultrie Banking Company with my grandfather many years ago when I was a small child.

Daddy Floyd, as we called him, was a farmer, and needed money to buy seed, fertilizer, etc. for the upcoming planting season.  I remember him saying of his intentions: “Well, I’m going to see if Mr. Lee will let me have some money.”

I for some reason was allowed to go with him. I sat very quietly in the inner sanctum of the banker’s office while he and my grandfather exchanged pleasantries, asking each other about the other’s family. That was the way people acted in those days, catching up with one another.  Mr. Lee, did, indeed, loan him the money, and my grandfather walked out with cash in his hand.  I believe it was cash.  I doubt my grandfather trusted banks or wrote checks back in those days; and he did all of his “trading” locally.

— Elizabeth Truluck Neace, Dacula

• Send us your thoughts:  We encourage you to send us your letters and thoughts on issues raised in GwinnettForum.  Please limit comments to 300 words.  We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length.  Send feedback and letters to:    elliott@brack.net

Cell phone

• For more of Bill McLemore’s cartoons, see his page on Facebook.
• Have a comment? Send to:  elliott@brack.net

Water Resources department plans 2 April workshops

Attend a Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources spring workshops to learn tips for spring cleaning and maintenance for both the inside and outside of your home.

At the Spring Cleaning Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Management Workshop attendees will learn how to identify, manage and dispose of household hazardous wastes like cleaners, batteries, lawn care products, oils, paints and pesticides instead of allowing them to collect, posing a risk to the health of their family and the environment. The HHW Management Workshop will be held April 12 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Lilburn City Hall, located at 340 Main St. in Lilburn.

The Rain Garden Workshop (outdoors) will teach attendees about the practical and aesthetic benefits of having a rain garden. Through this hands-on learning experience, attendees will also learn the most beneficial locations to place their rain garden. The Rain Garden Workshop will be held April 17 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Gwinnett Tech Horticultural Garden, located at 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville.

Pre-registration is recommended, and there are three ways to register:

1) Visit the Events page at www.gwinnettH2O.coml;
2) Email your name, address and phone number to DWRworkshops@gwinnettcounty.com; or
3) Call 678-376-7126.

• DWR offers workshops throughout the year. The complete calendar is available on the Events page at www.gwinnettH2O.com.

French is new development director at Rainbow Village

French

New development director at Rainbow Village is Justice French, Melanie Conner, chief executive officer for Rainbow Village announced. He previously was director of advancement for Hebron Christian Academy and marketing manager for InTouch Ministries. He has also been a professional minor league baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds. French will be responsible for designing a development strategy for Rainbow Village, fundraising and solidifying a robust donor base, and establishing new messaging to grow awareness about Rainbow Village’s mission to break the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence in Georgia.

Born in Tucker, Georgia, French is a graduate of Collins Hill High School. He is a graduate in psychology and communications from Mercer University in Macon. He first came into contact with Rainbow Village when “My mom volunteered for Rainbow Village over a decade ago, but she never forgot the experience. When the opportunity presented itself for me to make the move to Rainbow Village, I jumped at the chance.”

• To learn more about Rainbow Village, its mission and programs, please visit  www.rainbowvillage.org.

Animal Shelter cuts adoption fees for dogs to $45

The Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement Division has cut adoption fees to $45 for dogs. Dogs and cats up for adoption at the shelter are examined, vaccinated and neutered or spayed by Animal Welfare staff veterinarians, so they are ready to go home on the day of adoption.

Shelter fees are typically $90 for a dog. Cat adoptions are $30. The shelter is open for adoptions Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Shelter asks that patrons keep in mind that adopting an animal is a decision that should include responsible planning for space, permission if renting, and follow-up veterinarian care from a local clinic.

Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful launches Community Crusader Award

Livsey, the first individual Community Crusader

Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful (GCB) has launched a new initiative—Community Crusaders—to recognize outstanding individuals and businesses throughout the county who are shining examples in the county on the impact they are having on the local environment.

Schelly Marlatt, executive director of Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, says: “It takes teamwork and vision from a vast network of people in order to achieve our mission of making Gwinnett County one of the cleanest, greenest and most livable communities in the nation. This new Community Crusader-Unsung Hero initiative gives us a

Dan and Shara Ryan

spotlight on making Gwinnett County an even better place to live.”

Community Crusaders are local businesses or organizations that demonstrate a standard of environmental stewardship that rises above the rest.

The first company to be recognized as a Community Crusader is Team Ryan Automotive Service and Repair, of 2959 South Waterworks Road in Buford, owned by Shara and Dan Ryan. This Community Crusader prides itself on being an environmentally-friendly auto shop. No strangers to recycling, Team Ryan recycles everything from the cardboard from parts box deliveries….and coffee cups from the waiting area….to antifreeze, car batteries, oil filters and tires. Team Ryan even reuses any collected engine oil and transmission fluid by burning it in a waste oil heater to heat the auto shop during the winter months.

The first individual to be named is Community Crusader is Chad Livsey of Snellville.  Hailing from a family with a long history of community improvement and humanitarianism, this Unsung Hero has personally adopted eight sections of road in the Snellville area in recent months and has been cleaning up each section on a weekly basis. He told Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful that he is on a personal mission to keep his hometown of Snellville clean and beautiful if he has to do it all by himself. Livsey is an entrepreneur who owns a vending machine distribution company.

Businesses and individuals named Community Crusader and Unsung Hero will be placed into consideration for GCB’s annual ECoS (Environmental Consciousness and Stewardship) Awards.

Georgia Gwinnett College holds 8^th annual Button Gwinnett Day

Georgia Gwinnett College hosted its signature event, Button Gwinnett Day, on Wednesday, April 11. For eight consecutive years, the college has hosted the annual event in recognition of a Georgia signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Attending Button Gwinnett Day at GGC were County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash, Jason West and Lawrenceville Mayor Judy Johnson.

The event included a one-man performance of Button Gwinnett by Jason West, director of programming at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, narrating the history of the county in addition to a series of panel discussions on the diversity and evolution of education, business and the medical profession in the county over the past four decades.

As part of the Button Gwinnett Day activities, a presentation of the GGC Preservation Award to Gwinnett County, was accepted by Charlotte J. Nash, chairman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, in recognition of Gwinnett County for its efforts to preserve the historic properties of the county. The county was selected as the award recipient in appreciation of county officials, the Gwinnett Historical Society and the Historic Restoration and Preservation Board working together throughout the years to protect landmarks of historical significance to Gwinnett County.

Movie: The Miracle Season

Reviewed by: Cindy Evans, Duluth  |  This firm is based on the true story of a school volleyball team that lost their captain and how they try to move forward in spite of their grief. It is very touching and heartwarming and has great music as well. The acting is wonderful, including William Hurt, with Helen Hunt as the coach. It’s a film the whole family can enjoy with an inspirational ending.

• 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.  Send to:  elliott@brack.net

Colonial Georgia had early presence of French immigrants

In the 18th and early 19th centuries, distinct populations of French immigrants arrived in Georgia—Huguenots, Acadians, refugees from the French Revolution, and colonists in flight from slave rebellions in Haiti.

The Huguenots were French Calvinists who fled religious persecution under Louis XIV; they came to Georgia via South Carolina. A large Huguenot community in South Carolina dates from the 1680s, and some of its members crossed into Georgia as early as the 1730s.

Lacking a French Protestant church in Georgia, Huguenots often affiliated with an with Anglican congregations. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, reported visiting a French-speaking village near Savannah in 1737. By 1745 an Anglican priest in Savannah offered to hold services in French for their benefit.

The Acadians arrived in Savannah as unwilling emigrants. Acadia, the original French name for Nova Scotia, came under British rule in 1710. The 6,000 French settlers there in 1755 had been dispersed by the British, who doubted their loyalty at the outbreak of the French and Indian War (1754-63).

The 400 Catholic Acadians sent to Georgia found themselves in a colony that forbade the practice of their faith. The destitution they experienced encouraged many to accept passports to leave Georgia in the spring of 1756 and travel to colonies farther north. The 100 to 200 Acadians who remained behind built huts outside Savannah and made oars and other sailing implements; still, poverty and illness debilitated them. At the war’s conclusion in 1763, the Acadians left Georgia, where they had lived in misery and without the comfort of priests. Many resettled in the French colony of Haiti.

With the outbreak of revolution in France, a stream of French immigrants came to America, mainly between 1790 and 1793. In Georgia the largest communities of refugees were located in Savannah and Augusta, but pockets of French settlers found their way to Wilkes County, as well as to the barrier islands of Sapelo, Jekyll, and Cumberland.

Merging with the wave of emigrants from France were those from Haiti. A slave uprising in 1791 sparked an exodus of colonists from Saint Domingue, as Haiti was then called. Some immigrants arrived in Savannah early in the 1790s, but others came to Georgia as late as 1809 after intermediate stops in Baltimore or Philadelphia. A sizeable contingent of Haitian refugees settled in Augusta, while a small but visible group lived in St. Marys.

The increasing number of French Catholic refugees in Georgia at the end of the 18th century led to a stronger presence of the Catholic Church in the state. A French-speaking congregation received a trust lot in Savannah in 1799 to build a Catholic church. The small wooden chapel on Liberty Square, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, opened its doors in March 1801. By 1810 a largely French parish was also organized in Augusta, and the Church of the Most Holy Trinity was completed in 1814.

The French identity was still intact in 1825 when the Marquis de Lafayette received delegations of French descendants in Savannah and Augusta during his tour of Georgia. By mid-century this identity had largely disappeared through assimilation.

• To view the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org

Today’s Mystery Photo presents detailed, unusual view

This Mystery Photo can’t be just anywhere, and we suspect, it’ll prove difficult for most people to determine where and what it is.  But do all the thinking you can, and if you come up with a solution, send it to elliottt@brack.net and include your hometown.

Last week Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. thought it was an easy mystery photo, and even one hour behind Gwinnett in a Central Time Zone, he nailed the identification: “It is the Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. It was opened in May 2012, after having been moved from its original location in Gatlinburg, Tenn. At 22,000 square feet over two floors, it is the largest Hollywood Wax Museum in the United States. The building is a tribute to the U.S. film industry and the artists who have become part of American culture. The exterior of the building includes a replica of the iconic “Hollywood” sign and a Hollywood twist on Mount Rushmore, with the faces of film legends John Wayne, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin. Climbing atop a six-story version of the Empire State Building is the 40-feet the Great Ape of Pigeon Forge (à la King Kong).”

Other identifying it included Jim Savadelis, Duluth; Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill and Joseph Hopkins, Norcross, who wrote: “This is one of the many tourist traps in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.. I am proud to say I have no idea what it’s name is. I just visit to see the foliage and wildlife (and to eat good food).”

Southern Wings Bird Club will meet Saturday, April 14 at 8:45 a.m. The club will take a Bird Hike at BriarLake Forest Park, hosted by Dan Douthart. The plan is to meet at Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center and carpool to the site.  The club will leave the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center at 8:45 a. m.  For more information, contact: BriarLake Forest Park at  https://www.briarlakeforestparkcom/information-about-the-park.html.

(NEW) Informed Aging, a program for older adults and their families, will be presented on April 22 at 2 p.m. at Temple Beth David in Snellville. Conducted by Debbi Dooley, Geriatric Care Manager for Aviv Older Adult Services at Jewish Family & Career Services, the program will cover having legal documents in order (wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives); alternate living options; and making choices to age healthfully. There will be a Q & A period following the program. This program is presented at no charge by Temple Beth David, 1885 McGee Road, Snellville.

(NEW) Free Nature Photography Workshop at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford, on April 28, at 1 p.m. Join the Georgia Nature Photographers Association for this informal talk and Q&A photography workshop.  They will provide information about cameras, editing software, and tips for getting better photographs with the equipment you already have.

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