5/24, full issue: Norcross library; Presidential candidates; More

HERE IS A RENDERING of what the proposed new Norcross Library will look like. It will be built between Buford Highway and Lillian Webb Park, facing the park. A parking area is under the library floor, and will be connected via an elevator. The library is expected to be completed in early 2021. The present Norcross Library is expected to be converted into the Norcross Police Department. For more details on this library, see Today’s Focus below where the architect explains the proposed design.

TODAY’S FOCUS: Here Are Thoughts Behind Design of Proposed Norcross Library

EEB PERSPECTIVE: With 23 Running, When Will You Announce for President? Why Not?

ANOTHER VIEW: High Number of Norcross People Reside in Extended-Stay Motels

SPOTLIGHT: Renasant Bank

FEEDBACK: Many Sick Cannot Afford to Take Big Pharma’s Expensive Drugs

UPCOMING: Buford City Schools To Have School Security Officers Next Year

NOTABLE: Suwanee Police Force Announces Promotion of Several Officers

RECOMMENDED: Solstice by Joyce Carol Oates

GEORGIA TIDBIT: From 1799, Many U.S. Naval Ships Have Been Named “Savannah”

MYSTERY PHOTO: Amazing, Fantastic Fountain Sparkles as Mystery Photo

LAGNIAPPE: City of Duluth Continues Tradition of Honoring Deceased Veterans

CALENDAR: Several communities Plan Memorial Day Remembrances

Here are thoughts behind design of proposed Norcross library

(Editor’s Note: The following description of the anticipated Norcross branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library is written by the architect for the new library. He is a graduate of Brookwood High, holds a degree from Georgia Tech, and a master’s degree in architecture from Princeton University. He is the son of Shirley and Don Smith of Grayson, and the grandson of the late Jane Alexander of Lawrenceville. Library is Chad Smith’s specialty, having done more than a dozen since graduation. The most recent were the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Arts Center in Marietta and the Bogart Library. —eeb)

By Chad Alexander Smith, AIA
President, CAS Architecture

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.  |  The planned LEED-certified Norcross Branch Library is set to be the centerpiece of a redevelopment campaign to encourage new development around the historic Lillian Webb Park.  With the goal to bridge the economically and racially diverse areas of the city of Norcross, the new library hopes to become a cultural hub linking the neighborhood’s historic downtown to the transitioning needs of its residents.

Smith

Positioned between the park and the well-traveled Buford Highway, the exterior façade was designed to integrate the effects that travel has on the building, offering smaller windows towards the heavily traveled thoroughfare and large glass walls facing the park.  Long horizontal lines of the building reinforce an embracing of the landscape, pulling views in and out of the library.  An elevated green roof overlooks the park which will host concerts, walking trails and a vibrant fountain where children will one day be seen playing.

Here are some concepts behind the library design:

Creating Space: Architecture is about the creation of space, walls and facades in turn which define that space.  The goal of the library is for the spaces to create a sense of peace, coupled with a sense of being at home.  Being inside the library should make you feel great, through a combination of admiration, awe, airiness and coziness.

Applying Proportions: The idea, for centuries, is that humans respond to a certain mathematical rule for the feeling of beauty and well-being.  The building is overlaid with a proportioning system that is derived from the human body and the “golden section” discovered by the ancient Greeks.

Designing for the Sun: The library incorporates thoughtful sustainable solutions.  Solar screens block direct sunlight from entering the library, but allow view to the outside.

Maintaining Security: Vehicles inside the parking deck are screened with planters which add visual interest to the architecture, but allow sight lines into and out of the parking deck, providing visual security.

Designing for Balance: Beauty is often defined as a balance of contrasting elements.  The library design balances solid brick walls with transparent glass walls.  Horizontal building lines created by the unique brick compliment vertical elements like the entry tower.

Articulating Details: The proposed brick for the library was selected for its strong horizontal quality.  The “Roman Size” brick is horizontally longer and vertically shorter than a standard brick, creating a distinctive linear look, drawing a viewer’s eye out into the landscape.

Blending into the Streetscape: The library continues the City’s already established street design with brick pavers, planters, trees and streetlights.

Providing Views: A north facing window wall opens to the park, providing both views and ample daylight to the inside of the library, blurring the distinction between inside and outside.

Providing a “Gateway” Plaza: An elevated green roof serves dual purposes. The plaza provides a connection from Buford Highway to the Park, but also conceals parking below.

Borrowing Views: The linear quality of the plaza pavers, benches and planters pull the viewer’s gaze towards the park.

Creating Social Spaces: Outside “rooms” are created with raised planters.  Patrons can sit and enjoy the park while using the library’s free Wi-Fi.

Highlighting the Park: The retaining wall and stairs are built with the same stone that is seen on the walls in the park “tying into” the park.

Embracing the Landscape: The vision for the library is to not just design a building, but rather a site in which the building blends into its surroundings.  The library’s design takes advantage of views to the adjacent park.

The new Norcross library plans are under final review by the county. The county should send the plans out for bid this fall, with construction anticipated to take 16-20 months, with the opening probably in early 2021.

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

With 23 running, when will you announce for president?  Why not?

By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum

MAY 24, 2019  |  So, if you are a Democrat, when can we expect for you to announce that you are running for the presidency?

After all, so far we have only 23 Democrats who have announced that they want to try to wrest the presidency from Donald Trump. Why not you, too?

Certainly, a few more will jump into the arena. Just let us know when you will make your announcement so that we don’t miss it. That way we’ll feel like we are taking part in history by being present when you sling your hat into the ring.

Seriously, with the Democrats having so many candidates, this  may work against them retaking the Oval Office.  There may be so much infighting among themselves that the Democrats will wear each other out, raise issues that President Trump will use against the eventual winner, and insure that we have four more years of the Trump presidency.  Hope not.

Now with all this announcing for the Grand Office, it’ll be interesting to watch the Democrats to see which will be the first person to make another announcement….that is, that they are for some reason dropping out of the race.

This being May of 2019, we suspect that at some point, perhaps by mid-summer, it will be obvious to more than a few of these Democratic candidates that the one element that they need to stay alive in this run is…money. And with so many candidates in the race, surely all the major donors can’t give substantially to all of them.

So who will the money people recognize which candidates they will not support?  And what will be the basis of this realization?

We have a suspicion. You got it.  The polls! They may knock several candidates out of the race rather soon.

Forecasters are already handicapping the candidates.  And though some candidates might figure that they will do well, obviously all of them cannot be high in the polls. Some have progressed so little that they cannot in reality call it progress so far, and maybe are already wondering if they did the right thing in making an announcement.

The average citizen cannot even tell you many of the names of the Democrats’ candidates. They might name three or four or five. Maybe those paying a little more attention might name six or seven.  But 23?  Come on now.

Yet in the face of the American public not yet paying close attention to the 2020 political races, these 23 announced candidates carry on as if the next thing they should tackle is writing their acceptance speeches. There’s still the hard work of making themselves known to most of America. And that’s no easy task.

It’s only seven months until 2020.Then in February’s cold comes the unique Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire and Nevada voting. By the March 3 Democratic primaries in Georgia and 13 other states, we suspect the Democrats will see remaining only four or five significant candidates who still have a chance at latching onto the nomination.

Maybe your own candidacy will still be alive by then. But you better make your announcement soon. Remember, we support you. “We’ll be with you all the way.”

• In case you are wondering, the best list we have seen of the 23 Democrats is on Wikipedia. To see it, click here.
• Have a comment?  Send to: elliott@brack.net

High number of Norcross people reside in extended-stay motels

By Aixa Pascual 

NORCROSS, Ga.  |  A report released by a group of Norcross stakeholders reveals that many hard-working families and elderly individuals on a fixed income are living in extended-stay motels located within the city limits. The groundbreaking study sought to find out who lives in these establishments and what barriers they face to finding permanent housing.

The findings were based on a survey of the residents of nine extended-stay motels. The study found that nine of the 14 hotels located within city limits are primarily residential facilities. These nine motels account for 1,249 rooms for rent. Researchers surveyed residents of these hotels over six weekends in October and November 2018.  Some 175 surveys were completed. The reasons patrons gave for moving into an extended-stay motel were overwhelmingly financial.

The study was conducted by LiveNorcross, a local program of the statewide Georgia Initiative for Community Housing that is supported by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Georgia Municipal Association and UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Through LiveNorcross, the city and community partners collaborate in pursuing innovative solutions centered around affordable housing that promote economic development and enhance the quality of life for all.

Lejla Prljaca, executive director of the Gwinnett Housing Corporation and a study co-author, says: “We were very surprised by the results of this study. From previous homeless point-in-time counts, we knew these motels were a primary place of residence for many, but until now, we did not know the extent to which this was the case.  We hope these findings expand our perception on housing insecurity in the suburbs and serve as a catalyst for more data-driven solutions.”

Norcross resident Kathleen Allen, who chairs the LiveNorcross Transient Housing Committee, says her children’s classmates inspired her to learn more about the families who live in extended-stay motels. “Too many families are precariously housed in extended-stay motels and want other housing options,” says Allen, who co-authored the study. “We hope this survey gives insights into the barriers to stable housing and potential policies that could help these neighbors of ours.”

Allen said that the quality of schools in Norcross keeps many of these families living in extended-stay motels. “Parents want to keep their kids in our schools, even when their low-wage incomes and the lack of affordable housing prevent them from buying or renting in Norcross,” she added.

The report’s title is When Extended-Stay Becomes Home. Highlights of the study include:

• 84 percent of respondents indicated that the extended-stay motel is their place of residence, and they are for the most part local Gwinnett families;
• These residents have jobs, but they are struggling financially;
• The main reason they can’t get out is because they can’t afford the upfront financial obligations they must fulfill to move into a rental unit:
• 29 percent of the residents living in extended-stay hotels are ages 55 and up; and
• 69 percent have one or two full-time jobs, and only a small fraction receive any public assistance.
• To view the full report, visit this link.
• Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net

Renasant Bank

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers.  Today’s sponsor is Renasant Bank, which has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Miss. bakery. Since then, we have grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with approximately $12.9 billion in assets, approximately 2,500 associates, and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of our banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people we serve. At Renasant Bank, we understand you because we work and live alongside you every day.

• For more details, go to gwinnettchamber.org.
• For a list of other sponsors of this Forum, click here.

Many sick cannot afford to take Big Pharma’s expensive drugs

Editor, the Forum:

Good article from Debra Houston about the drug companies taking advantage of all patients, young and old.  When did the price of life-saving medicine become so expensive?

When my Dad was still alive in 2005, he had stage four prostate cancer and one of the drugs he had to take cost in the thousands of dollars. Medicare would have paid for most of it, but he was in such bad shape, the medicine would not have brought any more relief or quality of life to him, so he said no. Even my husband refused a new gout medicine because of the price and stuck with good old Allopurinol because it’s been around for many years and cost pennies to make and is easy on the wallet. It’s a shame looking at the margin for profit these big Pharmaceutical companies make on the backs of the sick. (Note: read the side effects of these new expensive drugs, they sound worse than what ails a person.)

The two men who contributed letters to Feedback/Forum should reexamine their statements. The guy talking about Congress taking bribes should look at who he voted for and ask himself, are they serving just his wants or the needs of his whole community?

Both parties should be ashamed for contributing to the problems this country and not working together to solve what would be seemingly easy solutions by taxing the rich a little more and the middle class a little less. The very rich should be more like Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates, by giving back.

I’m so glad that second guy has a “lazy” assault rifle and it isn’t making mischief for him.

— Sara Rawlins, Lawrenceville

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

Buford City Schools to have school security officers next year

Mindy Bayreuther with School Patrol vehicle

Buford City Schools is setting up its own school safety and security office.

The board has hired Mindy Bayreuther, a retired Gwinnett County assistant chief with 30 years of service over support operations, will be the chief of the new Buford schools division. In turn, she has hired three Gwinnett County police officers, who will begin work on June 3. The new school resource officers hired include Aaren Dieffenbacher, Humberto Garcia and  Angelica McKinley.

New Buford City Schools Superintendent Robert Downs says that if you asked his principals, “Student and faculty safety is number one job, and that falls to me as well. If we can’t create safe environment, nothing else happens in the school system. That’s why we are establishing the school resource division.” The operational budget for the officers will be approximately $400,000.

Dr. Downs adds: “These officers will also build relationships with students. They don’t just protect them, but provide support for faculty and students and are a positive presence in the buildings. We reap a lots of benefit to have that type of programming among our students.”

In June the school safety officers will be in training to set up their operations for the coming school year. Buford schools open on August 7. The city system will approach 5,000 students, having ended the 2018-19 year with 4,860 students, including 1,442 in the high school.

A new high school building will be open in the coming school year. The system is planning an open house on two days in late July prior to the school’s opening.

Meeting on May 28 to discuss upgrading of water main near Grayson

The Department of Water Resources is hosting a public information meeting concerning an upcoming water main replacement project along Grayson-New Hope Road. The session will be at the Grayson Senior Center, Tuesday, May 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Work will begin June 10 to replace more than two miles of pipe along Grayson New Hope Road. During the year-long project, 1.75 miles of four-foot diameter pipe and 0.6 mile of 12 inch pipe will be installed to ensure long-term reliable water service for the southeastern portion of Gwinnett County.

Sections of Grayson-New Hope Road and Brannan Boulevard will be subject to intermittent road and rolling lane closures. Access to local residences will be available throughout construction and detour routes will be clearly marked. The Grayson Senior Center is located at 475 Grayson Parkway in Grayson. Learn more at www.GwinnettWaterProjects.com.

Gwinnett gets summer meal program for children at no cost

A program to ensure that children have access to healthy meals during summer break is coming to three Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation locations. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on May 7 approved an agreement with the non-profit Georgia Nutritional Services, Inc. to serve as the sponsor for the federal Summer Food Service Program at no cost to the county.

As the sponsor, GNSI will secure Meals for Kids to serve as the food vendor for the program. The meals program will be offered at Best Friend Park Gym, 6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard. in Norcross; Lilburn Activity Building, 788 Hillcrest Road in Lilburn; and Rhodes Jordan Park, 100 East Crogan Street in Lawrenceville.

The Summer Food Service Program will be available for children age 18 years and younger and those age 19 years and older who have a physical or mental disability. The program will provide a free daily meal and snack for summer camp attendees and will be open to the public as well.

The program will run weekdays June 3 through June 28 and July 8 through Aug. 2 (no service July 1-5).  Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and snacks from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. For a location to be eligible for the Summer Food Service Program, the site must be located in a Board of Education school cluster where more than 50 percent of its students receive free or reduced lunch.

District 4 Commissioner Marlene Fosque says as an added benefit, all three parks are in close proximity to a transit bus stop for easier access by participants. For more information visit http://www.GwinnettParks.com>.

Suwanee Police force announces promotion of several officers

Getting promotions are, from top left, Corporal Jeff Covert, Lieutenant Dwayne Black, Lieutenant Robert Thompson. On the front row are Chief Mike Jones, Lieutenant Jeff Dickens, Corporal Simon Byun.

City of Suwanee Police Chief Mike Jones has announced the promotions of several of his officers. They include:

• Captain Cass Mooney to Deputy Chief;
• Sergeants Dwayne Black, Jeff Dickens, and Robert Thompson to the rank of Lieutenant;
• Corporals Simon Byun, Kevin Skinner, and Robert Stevens to the rank of Sergeant; and
• Officers Chance Belcher, Jeff Covert, Tylon Johnson, and Brody Thomas to the rank of Corporal.

Mooney has been with the Suwanee Police Department for 21 years. He holds a Master of Public Administration with concentration in Justice Administration and graduated from the FBI National Academy Session 236.

Dickens has served the community as a member of the Suwanee police for nearly 26 years and is currently assigned to Selective Enforcement Unit. He has also 12 years of military experience.

Thompson joined the Suwanee police in August 2006, and is the police Public Information Officer and oversees the Criminal Investigations and Communications divisions. Thompson has completed training with the FBI Georgia Law Enforcement Executive Development.

Byun is approaching his 11th year with the Suwanee force. Byun is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division and is a member of the Special Response Team. He holds an associate degree in criminal justice.

Skinner has served the community as a member of the Suwanee Patrol division for 12 years. Skinner holds an associate degree in accounting, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and a master’s degree in public safety administration.

Stevens has been with the Suwanee PD for ten years. He is assigned to Patrol, and has worked in the Criminal Investigations Division. Stevens triple majored in criminal justice, sociology, and business at Georgia Southern University and served as a Corporal with the United States Marine Corps.

Belcher has been with the Suwanee police for nine years. He is assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division and is a member of the Special Response Team. Belcher is an accident reconstruction specialist and field training officer, and was the recipient of the Gwinnett Valor Awards Merit Award.

Covert joined the Suwanee police in 2017 having previously served the community as a Senior Deputy with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. Covert is a retired United States Marine Corps Master Sergeant. He holds an MBA in project management and a bachelor’s degree in information technology.

Johnson has been a member of the Suwanee Department for the past year and is assigned to patrol and is a member of the Special Response Team Johnson served 11 years in the United States Marine Corps infantry, with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts in forensic psychology.

Thomas has been a Suwanee police officer for nearly six years. He is assigned to Patrol and is a member of the Special Response Team, and previously worked as a dispatcher. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice with a forensics concentration.

Solstice by Joyce Carol Oates

From Karen Harris, Stone Mountain: Solstice is a darkly strange story about two women who are attracted to each other largely because each is so startlingly different from the other.  Sheila Trask is a quixotic artist who lives life large with intermittent manic and depressive episodes that occur around the creative process.  Monica Jensen, newly divorced and relocated to the area near where Sheila resides, is a teacher at a Preparatory School for boys. Sheila is a tall and arresting brunette, Monica a petite blond who is quiet and reserved. As they enter each other’s worlds through their friendship, boundaries merge with shattering results. Joyce Carol Oates has a unique style that slowly builds the events around what begins to feel like a cataclysmic event to come. The ending is so menacing that the reader is left catching their breath.

• 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

From 1799, many U.S. naval ships have been named “Savannah”

The fourth “USS Savannah”

Between the late 18th and mid-20th centuries, multiple ships belonging to the U.S. Navy were named Savannah. Two ships carrying the name CSS Savannah were part of the Confederate navy and are the subject of a separate article.

The first USS Savannah was a coastal galley constructed by John Patterson in Savannah in 1799. It was one of a few vessels commissioned by Congress to serve as naval militia training craft. The ship was designed by Joshua Humphreys and eventually came under command of Major General Charles C. Pinckney of South Carolina. After three years of use off the Georgia coast, it was sold in 1802.

The second USS Savannah was commissioned by the U.S. Navy as a frigate. Construction began in New York City in 1820 but was not completed until 1842 for lack of funding. Commanded by Andrew Fitzhugh, the Savannah joined the Pacific Squadron as its flagship in 1844. In preparation for the Mexican War (1846-48), the Savannah and the rest of its squadron were positioned off the coast of California. On July 7, 1846, less than two months after war broke out, the Savannah successfully took the provincial capital of Monterey without firing a shot.

In 1853 the vessel was assigned a three-year stint on the Brazil Station, a fleet of ships that protected American trade with Brazil and Argentina. Inactivated upon its return in 1856, the ship was then converted into a 24-gun sloop of war and later served as part of a home squadron that patrolled the Gulf of Mexico. On March 6, 1860, the Savannah and the USS Saratoga participated in the “battle” of Anton Lizardo, in which they engaged and captured two Mexican ships that had been commandeered by mutineers.

During the Civil War (1861-65), the Savannah was deployed off the coast of Georgia where it helped capture two Confederate prizes—a schooner, E.J. Waterman, and a ship, Cheshire—before being taken out of active service in February 1862. For the remainder of the conflict, it served as a training ship at the U.S. Naval Academy. After the war, the Savannah continued in that capacity on transatlantic routes, until it was decommissioned in 1870. In 1883 the vessel was sold to E. Stannard and Company.

The third USS Savannah was built in 1899. Originally a German commercial freighter named the SS Saxonia, the ship was seized by the U.S. Navy in Seattle, Wash., at the outbreak of World War I (1917-18). When the United States entered the war, the ship was converted to a submarine tender and renamed Savannah. It then sailed the Eastern Seaboard alongside the submarines N-1, N-2, and N-3, patrolling waters that were well-removed from the hostilities overseas.

After the war, the Savannah participated in routine patrol missions along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Hawaiian coasts while also taking an active role in torpedo testing for the navy. The third Savannah lost its name in 1933, when the same name was assigned to CL-42, a new light cruiser battleship. The third Savannah was then known as the AS-8 until 1934, when it was sold to a merchant shipping company and later renamed the Orbis.

The fourth USS Savannah (CL-42) was a light cruiser that engaged in Atlantic and Mediterranean operations during World War II (1941-45). Constructed in New Jersey between 1934 and 1937, the ship completed multiple patrol trips during the late 1930s, including a visit to the Port of Savannah in 1939. It relocated to Pearl Harbor for training in 1940 and then conducted neutrality patrols off the coast of Cuba and along the Eastern Seaboard until Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941.

Nearly a year later, the Savannah participated in its most notable effort, Operation Torch, the allied invasion of North Africa. On November 8, 1942, the cruiser opened fire on the Vichy-held Port Lyautey in Morocco in order to provide support for invading troops. The ship’s scout planes then introduced a devastating new tactic in warfare, dropping depth charges from a considerable height directly onto enemy lines. This multi-pronged barrage continued until November 11, when hostilities ended. Soon afterward, the Savannah returned to Norfolk, Va.

The Savannah took on many roles throughout the rest of the war, including patrols along the coast of Brazil to destroy Nazi blockade-runners, participation in the Allied invasion of Sicily and Salerno, and as part of the convoy that carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference in Crimea. Finally, the Savannah participated in Operation Magic Carpet, the massive endeavor to bring American troops home from Europe at war’s end. The ship was officially deactivated in 1947 and was sold for scrap metal in 1966.

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

Amazing, fantastic fountain sparkles as Mystery Photo

How about this beautiful, amazing water fountain. Isn’t it something?  Now, do you recognize it? Take a crack at it, by sending your thoughts to elliott@brack.net.  And include your hometown. By the way, we rate this Mystery Photo as “difficult.”

The location of the last mystery photo may surprise you. It is the Wat Hathainares Buddhist Meditation Center, near Waycross in Ware County, Ga. The photograph comes from Brian Brown of Fitzgerald in his Vanishing South Georgia series.   He says: On one of the most rural roads in Georgia it is quite a surprise to come upon this fascinating place. Wat Hathainares is a Buddhist meditation center located on the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp. It’s not a cult or a compound, but simply a place of peaceful meditation. The statuary is quite impressive, and contrary to popular belief, these statues are not worshipped.”

Entrance to Buddist Center near Waycross.

A few readers immediately recognized it, with Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill being the first.  “This is the Wat Hathainares Buddhist meditation center near Waycross. The practitioners at this particular center practice a type of Buddhism from Thailand. This is not a particularly big place and it’s in a rural area which may surprise some people. But I’ve noticed a number Buddhist centers and temples in rural areas. When I was in vacationing in the Catskills a few years ago, I came across a Buddhist center in the middle of nowhere and, inside its main room, was a display of more than 1,000 Buddha statues.”

Allan Peel, San Antonio, Tex.: writes: “This is one of the least likely places you would expect to see a Buddhist statuary built to promote peaceful meditation. The Meditation Center was established as a 501(c) non-profit organization in February 2016, and its practitioners originate from Thailand where almost 95 percent of the population are practicing Buddhists. In fact, Buddhism is believed to have originated in Thailand as early as 250 BC.

“All of the statues depicted in the photograph are various Buddhist arhat monks or saints. An ‘arhat’ is a saintly person that is closely associated with miraculous power and who practiced asceticism (i.e. self-discipline and abstinence). Contrary to misinformed, popular belief, these statues, while revered and respected, are not the subject of worship.”

The only other reader to get the correct answer was, of course, George Graf, of Palmyra Va.

City of Duluth continues tradition of honoring deceased veterans

Duluth continues its tradition of recognizing veterans with a flag adjacent to the name of local deceased veterans throughout the city. Meanwhile, the city is gearing up for a Memorial Day Service, to be held at the Red Clay Music Foundry, to recognize the American Legion’s legacy over the last 100 years. This service will feature the pledge-to-the-flag, led by Cub Scout Pack 420, while the Duluth Junior ROTC will present the colors. There will be a 45-minute video presentation by the American Legion and a song performance by Lucy-Blair Owen.

• For more information, visit this link.

Baseball games The Gwinnett Stripers return to Coolray Field for a seven-game homestand ending May 27. The Stripers will host the Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles) for four games from May 24-27. The homestand includes Salute to Armed Forces and Friday Fireworks on May 24, a Ronald Acuna Jr. National League Rookie of the Year Bobblehead Giveaway on May 25, and a  Memorial Day Picnic on May 27.

Gwinnett Aquatic Centers and pools will open Saturday, May 25 for the summer season. They offer water play structures, giant water slides and picnic areas. There are a variety of amenities such as private, semi-private, and group swim lessons and private rental opportunities. All pools are accessible for people with disabilities and are safe, supervised, and open to patrons of all ages. Visit the aquatics webpage for aquatic center locations, rules, and hours.

Former Prisoner of War Captain William A. Robinson, USAF (Retired), will present the keynote address at the Memorial Day Observance Ceremony to be held in Andersonville National Cemetery at 2 p.m. on May 26. Robinson was born in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. He spent the next seven and half years as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. After his release and return to the United States in 1973, he was one of three enlisted men to receive a direct commission to lieutenant in the United States Air Force by the President of the United States, in recognition of his conduct while being held as a Prisoner of War. In addition, Capt. Robinson was the first enlisted man to receive the Air Force Cross, a medal for valor, second only to the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award. Andersonville National Historic Site is located 10 miles south of Oglethorpe, Ga. and 10 miles northeast of Americus, Ga. on Georgia Highway 49. Admission is free. For more information on the park, visit on the web at www.nps.gov/ande/.

Sugar Hill’s Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at city hall on Monday, May 27 at 11 a.m. The Suwanee Creek Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will hold a wreath laying ceremony on the steps of city hall. The ceremony will be followed by residents placing American flags next to graves of veterans in the Sugar Hill community cemetery across the street.

Porsche Car Show, will be Sunday, May 26 at Lillian Webb Park in Norcross from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m..  This is hosted by the Porsche Car Club, and is free to attend.

Memorial Day Remembrance in Norcross will be held May 27 at 11:20 a.m. in Thrasher Park. Guest speaker will be Tyler Reiss, a Norcross policeman and former Army Ranger. Entertainment will be provided by the 116th Army Band.  The Norcross Masonic Lodge will be providing hot dogs.

Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27 at 1 p.m. The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners invites citizens to the annual ceremony, held in front of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville, at the Fallen Heroes Memorial. Gwinnett County honors fallen military and public safety heroes. At this year’s ceremony, the county will remember the life of Gwinnett County Police Officer Antwan D. Toney, who was killed in the line of duty October 20, 2018. Colonel George S. “Steve” Pitt (ret.), 42nd commandant of cadets and dean of students for Georgia Military College, is to be the keynote speaker this year.

Indoor Pest Control workshop will be May 29 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at OneStop Centerville, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville.  Many pests, such as roaches, ants, and spiders, can be bothersome to homeowners. In this workshop, learn how to use a multitude of tactics to control them and keep them out of the home. For ages 18 and up. Preregister online with code EXT34501.

Lilburn Dinner: To provide funds to support the Georgia Fresh for Less program, the Lilburn Farmers Market is hosting a Farm to Market to Table fundraising dinner on Friday, May 31 in the outdoor courtyard at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church. Chef Lisa Lowe of Cooking for Caregivers has crafted an amazing three-course meal focusing on the locally grown and produced products found at the market. It is a preview of the upcoming Lilburn market which opens on June 7. However, the dinner is sold out!

Kids’ Fishing Day at Jones Bridge Park, 4901 East Jones Bridge Road in Peachtree Corners, will be Saturday, June 1 from 9 a.m. until noon. Bring the kids for food, fun, and fishing. For both beginners and the more advanced. Rod and bait will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 678-277-0906 for more information. Jones Bridge Park, 4901 East Jones Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners.

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