5/15: Preservation inductees; North Korea’s leader; More

BEAUTIFULLY FRAMED: Roving Photographer Frank Sharp sent this beautifully framed photograph of the Female Seminary on South Perry Street in Lawrenceville, once a school house, and now a center for learning more about Gwinnett history from the artifacts inside. The original structure, dating from 1838, was destroyed by fire and the present building dates from about 1854. A Masonic lodge once met on the top floor, while the school occupied the bottom floor. Once privately owned, it was bought by matching grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Federal Open Air Grant and the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners (total price for acquisition and restoration was $113,216). Lead by Mrs. Annette Williams Tucker, the community got the building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was restored as nearly as possible to its original appearance under the supervision of restoration architect Mrs. Gloria Kidd Brown.

 IN THIS EDITION

TODAY’S FOCUS: New Preservation Hall of Fame Inducts 18 Groups and Individuals

EEB PERSPECTIVE: North Korean Leader Is Canny, Apparently Getting What He Wants

SPOTLIGHT: Primerica Inc.

McLEMORE’S WORLD: Seven Days

UPCOMING: Gwinnett Tech Offers Kids 4 Coding as Summer Camp Program

NOTABLE: Plein Air Art from Atlanta Botanical Gardens now at Kudzu Gallery

RECOMMENDED: Fascism: a Warning by Madeleine Albright 

GEORGIA TIDBIT: Roadside Architecture Often Designed and Built by Local Craftsmen

MYSTERY PHOTO: Mansion of One of the Founding Fathers Gets by Our Readers

CALENDAR: State-of-the-Art Electrophysiology Lab Coming to Eastside Hospital

New Preservation Hall of Fame inducts 18 groups and individuals

By Heather Sawyer

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.  |  Eighteen Gwinnett groups and individuals were inducted into a new Preservation Hall of Fame during an event held on the lawn next to the Isaac Adair House on Monday. The event was hosted by the Gwinnett Historical Restoration and Preservation Board and the Gwinnett County Department of Community Services, which supports a section dedicated to promoting the county’s natural and cultural resources.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash noted that many people have given freely of their time, talents and treasure to restore and protect tangible examples of everyday life years ago.

The Hutchins, Livsey, Nash, Hudgens and Williams families were recognized for their contributions. Individual honorees were Alice McCabe, Annette Williams Tucker, James Flanagan, James D’Angelo, Marvin and Phyllis Hughes, Marvin Nash Worthy, Robert Bowman, Charlotte Nash and Wayne Hill.

Hugh Wilkerson chairs the Historical Restoration and Preservation Board. He says:  “We are so grateful to all these folks who have collectively saved so much of our history for future generations.”

The honorees and their background include:

• Alice McCabe: author/editor of books on Gwinnett cemeteries and families and for serving 40 years with Gwinnett Historical Society.
• Annette Williams Tucker: for preserving the Lawrenceville Female Seminary and Gwinnett Historic Courthouse and founding the Historical Restoration and Preservation Board.
• James Flanigan: author of Gwinnett County History, Volumes I and II.
• James D’Angelo: for locating and preserving the site and artifacts of historic Fort Daniel.
• Marvin and Phyllis Hughes: for their, 10-year restoration of the Isaac Adair House and other historic properties.
• Marvin Nash Worthy: author of Gwinnett County History Volume III and official County Historian since 1969.
• Robert Bowman: for relocating and preserving the frontier-era Bowman-Pirkle House that was built with assistance from the Cherokee.
• Charlotte Nash: for supporting local government historic preservation efforts during her career with Gwinnett County.
• Wayne Hill: for leading county government efforts during his 12 year tenure on the Board of Commissioners to preserve historic sites and greenspace, especially Freeman’s Mill Park and McDaniel Farm Park, and establishing the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center.
• Amos Hutchins family: For preserving the Elisha Winn House where they lived as caretakers 1942-1992.
• Thomas Livsey family: for dedicated civic involvement and for protecting the property and history of the Promised Land area.
• Ray Nash Family: for donating the Hudson/Nash House with the only remaining detached kitchen in Gwinnett County and for preserving the Yellow River Post Office and site.
• Scott Hudgens family: for donating historic property that was part of the 562-acre Hudson/Nash farm in the mid-1800s.
• Jerald and Sue Williams Family: for preserving and donating the Chesser/Williams House.
• Gwinnett Historical Society: for preserving and operating the Elisha Winn House and saving countless artifacts over 38 years.
• Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee: for protecting the history and legacy of Hooper-Renwick School by preserving the memories of its former students and teachers.
• United Ebony Society: For preserving African-American history by organizing annual Black History Month exhibits and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade.
• Gwinnett Historical Restoration and Preservation Board: For more than 25 years of historic preservation leadership. Current members are Hugh Wilkerson, Jim Nitowski,  Chris Jenkins, Phyllis Davis, and Ben Satterfield.
• Have a comment? Send to:  elliott@brack.net

North Korean leader is canny, apparently getting what he wants

By Elliott Brack,
Editor and publisher, GwinnettForum

MAY 15, 2018  |  President Trump likes to take credit for what he calls his successful dealings with the North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un. President Trump thinks of himself as a great negotiator, and deal maker, and told us that the recent changes in North Korea prove that he came out ahead with his dealings with North Korea.

Yet we beg to wonder if maybe Kim Jong-un didn’t get exactly what he wanted, and in effect, out-dealt our president. After all, Korea is a mighty poor country, and needs help from the Western world to modernize.

Just how backward is North Korea?  Compare the two Koreas.  Look at these statistics, taken from The Guardian’s Datablog:

These facts show what a robust economy there is in South Korea, and the lack of a vibrant economy in the North.  The most telling fact shows South Korea exporting $552 billion of goods, compared to only $4.71 billion for North Korea.  It tells us that North Korea produces little that the rest of the world wants.

Imports are similar. North Korea only imports $4 billion a year, simply because they don’t have the money (from exports) to pay for them. Meanwhile, South Korea has  the money to buy imports of $514 billion a year, showing how viable South Korea is in world trade.

We all know North Korea is a closed society, not wanting the other worlds to penetrate its borders, and influence its people. Less than 0.1 percent of North Koreans are Internet users, while in South Korea’s 81 percent have access to the Internet. That’s another major comparison.

Life expectancy is 10 years better in South Korea, and infant mortality is 26/1,000 births in North Korea, and only 4/1,000 in South Korea. What does that say about the North Korean medical care for mothers, and by extension, to all North Korea’s people in health care?

In reality, North Korea needs more food, more money to buy other-worldy goods, better health care, and less military spending. Kim Jong-un, we feel, recognizes this, and also feels that if he doesn’t produce better for his people, even in his well-controlled country, there could be an uprising against his regime.

So North Korea builds up an atomic capability, threatens the West, then suddenly pulls back, offering virtually a peace dove.  Now Kim Jong-un even says that he will reduce his atomic war capability, no doubt using that money saving to spend more on products for his country.

Then last week he released three American prisoners. He knows how to function beautifully in the public relations market, just before his meeting with President Trump in Singapore.

Kim Jong-un is taking these steps by making him and his country, compared with previous years, look good.

We suggest that the apparent softening of the North Korea position is done with a long-long range plan that seeks to improve dramatically that country’s position in the world. Kim Jong-un has suddenly appeared to be a more reasonable person. He’s doing that for a reason, and reducing the threat of war. He’s the driving force, now apparently ready to move to a more Western economy.

That’s good for everyone.  In the long run, it may be best for North Korea more than any other country. The threat of nuclear devastation is reduced, and that’s good for the world. But Kin Jong-un is getting a lot.  And President Trump thinks he got the best of North Korea?

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

Primerica, Inc.

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Primerica, Inc., headquartered in Duluth is a leading distributor of financial products to middle-income families in North America and is Gwinnett’s fourth largest employer, with 1,700 employees. Primerica representatives educate their Main Street clients about how to better prepare for a more secure financial future by assessing their needs and providing appropriate solutions through term life insurance, which it underwrites, and mutual funds, annuities and other financial products, which it distributes primarily on behalf of third parties. In addition, Primerica provides an entrepreneurial full or part-time business opportunity for individuals seeking to earn income by distributing the company’s financial products. It insures approximately 5 million lives and had over 2 million client investment accounts at December 31, 2017. Primerica is a member of the S&P MidCap 400 and the Russell 2000 stock indices and is traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PRI.”

• For more information, visit www.primerica.com.
• For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here

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

Seven days

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

Gwinnett Tech offers Kids 4 Coding as summer camp program

“Screen time” gets smarter this summer as Gwinnett Technical College makes plans to host a wide range of new technology camps taught by Kids 4 Coding, a Metro Atlanta firm in technology and design youth education programming. This year camps will be offered for students ages 7-16 at both the Lawrenceville and Alpharetta North-Fulton campuses.

This year students can learn to code while composing hip hop, dubstep and pop music with Kids 4 Coding. Instructors use a web-based program developed by Georgia Tech to teach kids popular programming languages as they create music collaboratively. Cost is as low as $329, though a $299 spring discount is offered, which ends soon.

Students can access over 400 audio clips of different instruments and genres or create their own sound clips. Teens can then alter and combine these sound clips using computer programming languages. At the end of the week, students leave with a collection of original music that can be downloaded and published on a digital playlist, burned to a CD or saved on a flash drive. Ann Marie Laramee, Kids 4 Coding Co-Founder says: “Technology impacts every aspect of society and industry, from agriculture to commerce to healthcare, but many schools offer only a few tech courses that don’t always appeal to the entire student population.

“Music is a universal language that engages all types of students. This class allows us to meet kids on their level, then show them how they can use technology to create and share ideas with others in any field of interest.”

Students enhance their logical thinking, problem-solving, mathematics application and creative abilities in a collaborative, entertaining format. The company also has a similar programs in Cambridge and Brookline, Mass., plus in Roswell and Alpharetta.

Kids 4 Coding summer camps at Gwinnett Tech will run from May 29 through July 27. Half and full-day session are options. Camp fees include a t-shirt, healthy snacks and a certificate of completion. The ratio of student to instructor is 9:1, and space is limited. For full details, including tuition, session dates and registration details visit Kids4Coding.com/atlanta2018.

Plein air art of Atlanta Botanical Gardens now at Kudzu Gallery

“Zen Garden”

By Lucy Brady

One cold, grey day in March, 20 intrepid artists braved the chill drizzle and painted in Atlanta’s Botanical Garden producing works of astounding beauty in less than ideal conditions. These Plein Air paintings are currently exhibited at Kudzu Art Zone in Norcross through June 16.

“Sourwood Terrace”

The show includes a wide variety of media, styles and subject matter, reminding the viewer of a leisurely walk through these impressive gardens.

A few of the artists chose to paint in the charming Japanese Zen Garden area; Kathy Collins’ oil painting “Zen Garden” looks into the entrance and invites one into this small lovely area. Allison Doke chose another nearby viewpoint for her “Japanese Garden” also in oil medium.  Artist Ed Cahill masterfully portrayed the subject in his painting “Garden Zen” in oil. A complete work of art, it is beautifully framed in a most suitable gold Oriental frame.

Ladyslipper II

Elizabeth Lang presents two small paintings with strong contrasts and composition; the most striking is  titled “Botanical Still Life 2”.  Another arresting image is Lacy Freeman’s acrylic painting “Ladyslipper II” of a single  flower front and center.  Diana Toma, well known artist in the area, shows a lovely water color painting titled “Miniature Daffodils”.  “Sourwood Terrace” in another area of the garden is an inviting acrylic painting by Martha Tisdale; a viewer would love to stroll through this pleasant, woodsy section.

“Pondering frog”

“Minature daffodils”

Some of the charming small paintings included in the show are Donna Ladeforged’s small oil painting of one of the very appealing frog sculptures in the garden titled “Pondering Frog.” And there is Beth Gustavson’s very tiny paintings rendered in gouache, a ladyslipper and a tiny  handsome figure, “Garden Gnome,” Ms Gustavson’s minute works are little gems.

The show was organized, arranged and curated by Micah Goguen, a prominent artist from the Macon area who manages to participate in art events through the area, is a busy instructor and outstanding student along with many other activities. Kudos to Mr. Goguen for his efforts.

• Kudzu Art Zone is located in Norcross at 116 Carlyle Street; the gallery is open Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  For more information about this exhibit, artists’ studios, classes or workshops, call 770-840-9844 or go to Kudzu’s website kudzuartzone.org

Fascism: a Warning by Madeleine Albright

Reviewed by Alan Schneiberg, Sugar Hill |  Fascism is defined by Ms. Albright as a government led by a strong man who claims to speak for the whole nation, is unconcerned about the rights of others, and is willing to use any means to achieve his goals. Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin are examples of a few of the 20th century fascists.  Their histories are told through the personal history of Ms. Albright as the daughter of a Czechoslovakian diplomat.  Also mentioned are fascist movements in 20th century America, Britain, and Japan.  As Secretary of State under President Clinton, she describes the rise of fascism in our current century with North Korea, Venezuela, Philippines, Hungary, Turkey, and many others.  She also despairs about the fascist tendencies of our current president. Among questions of Mr. Trump is whether he echoes the attitude of Mussolini: “The crowd doesn’t have to know, all it has to do is believe and submit to being shaped.

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

Roadside architecture often designed and built by local craftsmen

Roadside architecture consists of the various structures built to serve the motoring public. Generally associated with 20th-century road development, the main types of roadscape resources are restaurants, automobile showrooms, recreation and amusement facilities, stores, specialized buildings and artifacts, overnight accommodations, and gas stations. In its early stages, roadside architecture was vernacular in form, but with advancing technology and the franchising of businesses, the buildings became standardized and therefore easily recognized by patrons.

In Georgia, as elsewhere in the South, the forms and stylistic elements of the early historic resources were simpler, built by local craftspeople, and constructed of native materials. This trend continued through the middle of the 20th century, especially in less-populated areas.

Two examples of such architecture are the 1930s wood-framed A. J. White Service Station outside of Acworth and the Dixie Motel (date unknown), a tourist court built from stone quarried in north Georgia located just north of Ringgold on the old Dixie Highway (U.S. 41). Down the road in Ringgold is the Chowtime Drive-In, a diner (circa 1955) still in operation with a working neon sign. While northern early-twentieth-century highways are known for their sometimes elaborate diners with sleek, metallic appearances, such eateries are rare in the South. However, Roy’s Grill (1949) in Rossville is a rare and excellent exception with its classic art deco appearance.

As the home of several early interstate highways, including both the eastern and western branches of the Dixie Highway, the National Highway, and the Bankhead Highway, Georgia had its share of franchised businesses that used standardized architectural plans. One was the Pure Oil Company. Self-trained architect Carl Petersen designed the Pure Oil station, with its steeply pitched blue roof, to look like an English cottage.

These easily identifiable stations, built in the late 1920s and early 1930s, can be found near the downtowns of Calhoun, Cartersville, Hartwell, Fort Gaines, Atlanta, and other cities across the state. Another distinctively designed national chain was the Alamo Plaza Hotel Court, designed in the Spanish mission style. Complete with smooth, white-painted stucco walls and rounded false parapet roofs, these overnight accommodations built in the 1940s were found in Atlanta and Savannah.

Georgia also produced native roadside entrepreneurs. In the early 1930s, Williamson S. Stuckey Sr. opened a pecan stand in Eastman and eventually expanded to restaurants, motels, and stores selling candy,  souvenirs, and gas. By the 1970s Stuckey’s stores were all over the country and often recognized by their “house with canopy” form and teal-colored roofs.

            (To be continued)

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

Mansion of one of the Founding Fathers gets by our readers

Today’s Mystery Photo may prove as difficult as the previous one. This photograph was obviously taken inside a building, and yes, it’s an old-timey fire engine. But where was this photo taken?  Give us an answer at elliottt@brack.net.

Icehouse

GwinnettForum stumped its readers with the recent Mystery Photo. The reason that George Graf of Palmyra, Va., didn’t answer is that he submitted the photo of James Madison’s Plantation home (called Montpelier.)

He says of his visit there: “I was totally blown away by his history and impact on our government, both in Virginia and for the federal government.”  By the way, he also sent this photo of a columned structure, which Graf says: “Madison didn’t want just a hatch over his ice house, so he added a little Roman Classicism architecture to top it off.” Thanks, George.

Chamber of Commerce Give Back: Friday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to noon. Help give back to the community and join a group at Peachtree Ridge Park, 3170 Suwanee Creek Road in Suwanee. The group will be spring cleaning the park’s grounds, planting and refurbishing green spaces, and generally sprucing up and readying the park for spring, summer and fall activities. Come and wear suitable clothes; bring work gloves. All work-related tools will be provided.

Open House and Festival activities at the Shoal Creek Filter Plant of the Gwinnett Department of Water Resources.  This will be on May 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and features tours of this award-winning facility.  There will be crafts and games for kids, festival activities, and free fairground food. The Shoal Creek Filter plant, located at 1755 Buford Dam Road in Buford, has won the Georgia Association of Water Professionals Plant of the Year.  The facility can produce 75 million of drinkable water every day.

Living for tomorrow: Cancer Prevention: Join Family and Consumer Science Agent Ines Beltran to learn about recommended breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings.  Also learn nutritional and physical activity guidelines for cancer prevention, healthy recipes, and resources to receive free cancer screenings in your community! Hosted by Gwinnett County Public Library, the program will take place Saturday, May 19 at 2 p.m. at the  Lawrenceville Branch Library, 1001 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville.  Registration is requested, but not required. RSVP to rachel.warner@gwinnettcounty.com. For more information, visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.

Free Photography Workshop at the Gwinnett County Collins Hill library, 455 Camp Perrin Road in Lawrenceville, on May 19, at 2 p.m. Join the Georgia Nature Photographers Association for this informal talk and Q&A photography workshop.  There will be information about cameras, editing software, and tips for getting better photographs with the equipment you already have.

(NEW) Ribbon Cutting and Open House at Eastside Medical Center in Snellville for the new state-of-the-art electrophysiology lab. This will be Wednesday, May 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. The new unit combines advanced imaging capability with a fully functioning operating suite. Ribbon cutting at 4:30, followed by tours of the new lab.

Open House of the Gwinnett County Human Relations Commission on Wednesday, May 23. Stop in between 6 to 9 p.m. and be welcomed by commission members, learn about the commission’s mission and the progress of the 2018 work plans. The event will be held at Tacos and Tequilas Mexican Grill, 3480 Financial Center Way, Buford.

Fourth Annual Fast Track 5K will be Saturday, May 26 at the Southeastern Railway Museum. The race will start at 8:30 am near Downtown Duluth’s Town Green. Proceeds of the race will benefit the education and equipment restoration and conservation programs of the Museum. The event is co-sponsored by the City of Duluth.

GwinnettForum is provided to you at no charge every Tuesday and Friday.

Meet our team

• Editor and publisher:  Elliott Brack, 770-840-1003
• Managing editor: Betsy Brack
• Roving photographer: Frank Sharp
• Contributing cartoonist: Bill McLemore
• Contributing columnist: Jack Bernard
• Contributing columnist: Debra Houston
• Contributing columnist: George Wilson

More

• Location: We are located in Suite 225, 40 Technology Park, Peachtree Corners, Ga. 30092.
• Work with us: If you would like to serve as an underwriter, click here to learn more.

Subscriptions to GwinnettForum are free.

• Click to subscribe.
• We hope you’ll keep receiving the great news and information from GwinnettForum, but if you need to unsubscribe, go to this page and unsubscribe in the appropriate box.

© 2018, 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.