THE ECONOMIC IMPACT of Gwinnett County having a four-year college continues to grow. According to an economic impact study released by the University System of Georgia (USG), Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) contributed more than $515 million to the economy of Gwinnett County and the surrounding area during fiscal year 2018. This represents an increase of about $51 million over GGC’s economic contribution the previous year. Including its capital outlay for construction projects, GGC has generated about $3.77 billion in cumulative economic impact since the college has been included in the study. GGC also is responsible for the creation of 4,429 jobs, of which 818 are on campus and 3,611 jobs in the community. Meanwhile, classes are now in session, with over 13,000 students already enrolled.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Northside, Gwinnett Hospitals Combine Operations Starting August 28
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Get Out of the Fast Lane and Enjoy Georgia’s Back Roads
ANOTHER VIEW: Quiet Now, But Watch Out as Brexit May Erupt in Chaotic September
SPOTLIGHT: E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc.
FEEDBACK: “Fudge Lady” Will Return for 46th Annual Lilburn Daze Festival
UPCOMING: 33rd Annual JapanFest Weekend Is Sept. 21-22 at Infinite Energy Center
NOTABLE: Gwinnett Young Professionals Kick Off 2019-20 Leadership Class
RECOMMENDED: A Nearly Normal Family by M. T. Edvardsson
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Will Harben of Dalton was Popular Novelist in Early 20th Century
MYSTERY PHOTO: Just Which Mountain Is this Issue’s Mystery Photo?
CALENDAR: Moxie Awards on Tap for the Gwinnett Chamber Next Week
Northside, Gwinnett hospitals combine operations starting Aug. 28
After August 28, this building will become Northside Hospital Gwinnett
By Katherine Watson
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. | Northside Hospital and the Gwinnett Health System are completing arrangements to combine their health care operations. The effective date of the new system is Wednesday, August 28.
The expanded Northside Hospital system will have 1,636 inpatient beds; more than 250 outpatient locations throughout Georgia; and nearly 21,000 employees and 3,500 physicians on staff.
Debbie Mitcham, longtime chief financial officer and 25-year veteran of Northside Hospital, will be the new president and CEO of Northside’s Gwinnett health care campuses. Phil Wolfe, who served as president and CEO of the Gwinnett system for the past 13 years, has announced his retirement effective August 28. Other important leadership changes are occurring – all with the single goal of seamlessly integrating operations to strengthen this new, expanded system.
Wolfe
Patients of the Gwinnett Health System will notice virtually no changes in their regimen of treatment and care. Patient and family care is the central priority of the two systems, which are led by strong medical professionals with great passion for health care services.
Also, beginning on August 28:
- The Gwinnett Medical Center-Lawrenceville, located at 1000 Medical Center Blvd., will be called Northside Hospital Gwinnett.
- The Gwinnett Medical Center-Duluth, located at 3620 Howell Ferry Road, will be called Northside Hospital Duluth.
- The Gwinnett Extended Care Center at GMC-Lawrenceville, located at 650 Professional Drive, will be called the Northside Gwinnett Extended Care Center.
- The Glancy Rehabilitation Center, located at 3215 McClure Bridge Road in Duluth, will be called Northside Gwinnett Joan Glancy.
However, there will not be any rapid signage changes at these or other Gwinnett Health System locations. This process will be conducted gradually and with appropriate research, input, and planning. For care provided at Gwinnett locations beginning August 28, patient bills and statements will be addressed from Northside Hospital, and payments will be made to the same. For care received at Gwinnett locations prior to August 28, patient bills will come from and be payable to Gwinnett Medical Center.
- For more information about patient billing and other updates, visit northsidegwinnett.com.
* * * * *
Additionally, GwinnettForum has learned that the new CEO of Northside Hospital Gwinnett, Ms. Mitcham, has worked for the Northside Hospital for 29 years. During her tenure at Northside, she has served as the director of Decision Support, director of finance and system controller. Since 2004, she has served as the Vice President of Finance and CFO of the Northside Hospital System.
Prior to working with Northside, Ms. Mitcham worked with the Georgia Baptist Medical Center and HBO and Company. Ms. Mitcham graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a BS in Health Systems. Ms. Mitcham also has an MBA Degree in Finance from Georgia State University.
Ms. Mitcham serves on the Board of the Ovarian Cancer Institute. In her spare time, Ms. Mitcham enjoys playing polo, running and reading. Ms. Mitcham has one adult daughter.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Get out of the fast lane and enjoy Georgia’s back roads
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
AUG. 23, 2019 | There’s something about the back roads of Georgia that tugs at me.
Returning from Moultrie in deep Southwest Georgia last week, we stayed off busy and always frantic Interstate 75 and enjoyed a four-lane road without much traffic most of the way. We took U.S. 19 north of Albany for about 3.5 hours until we reached Hampton and the beginning of many traffic lights. At Hampton, we cut over nine miles to I-75 at McDonough for the rest of the trip home.
Where our drive south to Moultrie on I-75 took us about 4.5 hours to reach our goal, coming back may have taken another 30 minutes. But it was a much safer road with less traffic, and made driving much more enjoyable. Plus, the scenery is beautiful, seldom obscured by billboards.
The drive was so quiet and relatively easy. Many times we were alone for stretches of highway. Before we reached Griffin, I suspect we did not see more than 15-20 of the 18 wheelers.
Compare that with lots of traffic on Interstate 75, both going your way, and coming the other. At any stretch of this roadway, it’s possible to see from 15-20 of the big black-smoking 18 wheel trucks. And you and almost all the other cars and trucks are traveling along at least 70 mph, and many at even higher speed. Yes, you must pay strict attention and stay alert, for something at that level of speed and traffic can pop up at any time.
When we say we enjoy the back roads returning, that doesn’t mean they were narrow two lane roads. The Department of Transportation of Georgia has four-laned several north-south highways, making the trip north-south much easier. U.S. Highway 27 and 19 on the west side come to mind. You can also take on the east side much of U.S. Highway 441 all the way through the state to the North Carolina line, and avoid the more frantic traffic on I-16 and I-75.
South of Americus on U.S. Highway 19, the roads are straighter than north of the city. Americus and northward is where the rolling hills begin. But even this is comfortable to drive. The speed limit is sometimes as much as 65. However, we mostly poked along at 60 mph, taking it easy and enjoying it all.
Guess what you see in housing along these back roads? Of course, older homes, and almost all of them situated with front porches. (As you move northward, you see fewer old homes and fewer porches.) Those homes, when built, were often not equipped with air conditioning, so the people at leisure sat out on the porch to catch any breeze they could. They might have a fan to cool them, and they interacted with their neighbors, also on a porch. It’s a way of life somewhat forgotten these days when we often stay inside the house enjoying cooler temps.
Another item not as prevalent on back roads: modern gas stations, and few stations between towns. So be alert to your gas gauge when traveling our back roads.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Quiet now, but watch out as Brexit may erupt in chaotic September
Photo by Bill Hawker.
By Darryl McDonald, UK Correspondent
LONDON | Mrs. Theresa May duly resigned on May 7 as prime minister. With Brexit now put back to October 31, it was time for the Conservative Party to elect a new prime minister to take us forward.
The campaign started with 10 candidates and after a series of Parliament’s votes was reduced to the final two, Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Minister, and Boris Johnson, most people’s favorite. The vote was then opened up to all the members of the Conservative Party and overwhelmingly won by Boris Johnson, at last a true Brexitier in charge!
Johnson ended his first speech by saying “We will leave the EU on October 31, no if’s or but’s,” which meant deal or no deal in a very Trump-like statement! He has told the EU that Mrs. May’s deal is dead and they need to compromise if they want the United Kingdom to leave with a deal.
So far the EU has stuck to their guns of no new deal, but with Germany, their biggest economy, slipping towards recession, how long before we see the cracks appear?
Parliament is now in its summer recession and not due to re-open till September 3, so nothing can be decided on Brexit. Johnson is using this time to put forward his domestic plans and throwing a lot of money around. Could we be heading for a General Election soon after October 31?
In the meantime, the Labor opposition led by Jeremy Corbyn is trying to gain enough votes by canvassing other parties to hold a “No confidence” vote when Parliament returns. If the vote succeeds, this would depose Johnson as the prime minister and Corbyn could then take control of Parliament to stop a No Deal and delay Brexit again.
The delay would allow for another Referendum to leave with a deal or remain in the EU. He could even force a General Election. This would mean Conservatives for Brexit and Labor and others for remaining, in effect another way of resolving the issue once and for all. This is an unlikely scenario, but plausible. Johnson made the following statement which in my view sums it up: “This government believes the people are the masters and votes should be respected. Jeremy Corbyn believes that the people are the servants and politicians can cancel public votes they don’t like.”
We are definitely heading for a chaotic September with another series of votes and ultimately a final showdown between the two factions. Even if I was a gambler I would not put any money on the outcome, but suspect that Johnson may just win the day as the people are fed up with indecision and would prefer just to leave!
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc.
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s sponsor is E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc. of Snellville. Founded in the 1920s, ERS was built on Christian beliefs with honesty and integrity leading the way. Specializing in roads, bridges and culverts, its goal is to build a safe and modern highway system while preserving our natural environment. Through quality production and high safety standards, it strives to be the best contractor possible, while continuing to be a positive influence on its employees and the community.
- Visit online at www.ersnell.com.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
“Fudge Lady” will return for 46th annual Lilburn Daze Festival
Editor, the Forum:
In 1976 a young woman with a very special talent spotted an article in a Farmer’s Market Bulletin seeking vendors for an event called Lilburn Daze. It would be the third year of Lilburn Daze and hosted by the Lilburn Woman’s Club and the City of Lilburn and would be held in a K-Mart parking lot in Lilburn.
On a whim, she called the number and asked if they would be interested in having someone like her participate in the event. At that moment, everything changed for Estelle Roberts and Lilburn Daze – the “Fudge Lady” was born!
For the following 43 years, Estelle has been a vendor at Lilburn Daze, never missing a single year!! Every year Woman’s Club members ask the same question as the annual Lilburn Daze committee comes together to plan the event: “Will our “fudge lady” return?”
We are so very proud to announce that as our 46th Annual Lilburn Daze comes together on Saturday, October 12, the answer to that question is a resounding “YES!” Estelle will be back again this year with her wonderful fudge in delicious flavors such as Pecan Chocolate, Black Walnut, Almond Coconut and of course, the chocolate and peanut butter flavors too! So mark your calendar for October 12, and come to Lilburn City Park between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and get in line for some of Estelle Roberts’ (a.k.a. the ‘Fudge Lady’) delicious fudge. Visit the information booth for her exact location, so you won’t waste any time getting to her spot!
— Brenda Dana, Lilburn
American presidents have been stalwart supporters of Israel
Editor, the Forum:
American presidents have been there for Israel, period. From the beginning, President Truman put our support behind the Jewish state at its most vulnerable moment. World War II pilots flew in defense of the new Jewish state. Nixon resupplied the heavily diminished air force when SAM’s took out many Mirage jets. F4 Phantoms and A4 fighters saved a vulnerable Israel, and British Centurion tanks drove Egyptians back forcing peace talks.
Carter took the largest Arab army out of the game with the Camp David Accords that ended large national armies attacking Israel. The Bushes built up Israel’s ability to defend itself assisting in its missile defense system. Obama was mixed toward Israel but $38 billion over years was pledged for Israel defense.
President Trump has delivered goals Israel has wanted for 70 or more years. Both sides have delivered for Israel and will continue in the future.
— Byron Gilbert, Duluth
Brown’s comments underscore great method of problem-solving
Editor, the Forum:
Charlie Brown in the last issue nails it and underscores that method of community problem solving that we need so badly today. No one cared who got the credit, as individuals were just happy to be a part of the solution.
I think of Charlie, Leo Rainey, Paul Duke, Dick Myrick, Herb Hamby, Jim Pack, Jack Sawyer, Ray Weeks and you working along with J.W. Benefield, later Alton Crews with the School System and the Boards of Commissioners—Wayne Mason, Bill Atkinson, Scott Ferguson, etc. The Gwinnett Chamber was the convener.
It was fun. I was fortunate to be able to see some of it first-hand. We got some great things started…Leadership Gwinnett, Council For Quality Growth, Community Foundation, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Civic Center and Arena, liquor by the drink, Gwinnett Commerce Club as the precursor to the 1818 Club, and on and on.
— Mike Tennant, Johns Creek/Duluth
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
33rd annual JapanFest weekend is Sept. 21-22 at Infinite Energy Center
Experience Japan like never before at this year’s JapanFest Atlanta!
JapanFest Weekend is on September 21-22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday) and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday) at the Infinite Energy Center, located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Tickets for an entire day are $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
The 33rd JapanFest this year is all about “traveling” to Japan to enjoy the traditions, natural beauty, and pop culture of the nation that is hosting the 2020 Olympics. JapanFest 2019 will provide visitors with learning about Japan through a wide array of performances, presentations, and national cuisine that will entertain, educate, and delight.
The traditional Japanese tea ceremony, sumo wrestling, karate and ninja performances, Japanese flower arranging, traditional Japanese dancing and more will all be a part of the festival entertainment program.
As the largest Japan-related event in the Southeast, this is an opportunity to share all things Japanese with Georgia and the surrounding states. Many of the approximately 550 Japanese companies based in Georgia will display their products in the “Japanese Businesses in Georgia” exhibition (JBiG) including their latest in Japanese technology, such as automobiles, tractors, and electronics.
Downtown Duluth offering “A Remembrance of 9/11” on Sept. 11
The City of Duluth and The Dream Keepers present “A Remembrance of 9/11” with guest speakers Kathy Fincher and Rodney M. Cook Jr. The event will be Wednesday, September 11.It is free to all.
Learn how this world tragedy reshaped a Georgia patriot forever. Cook says: “The events of 9/11 changed me forever. Of three close college fraternity brothers, only I am alive today. The tragedy almost took my father-in-law as well. The ramifications of this event will impact the United States for over a century.”
The two part remembrance will start at the Dream Keepers monument on Duluth Town Green at 6:30 p.m. as Kathy Fincher, artist and sculptor, shares the story behind Duluth’s 9/11 public art. The second portion will take place at Red Clay Theater at 7:30 p.m. where Cook shares his story.
Gwinnett Young Professionals kick off 2019-20 leadership class
Gwinnett Young Professionals have kicked off its newest Leadership Institute class. A total of 54 high-potential young professionals will be a part of the 2019-2020 class.
An initiative of the Gwinnett Chamber, Gwinnett Young Professionals Leadership Institute provides an eight-month deep dive into leadership principles. Participants will hear insights from educational experts as well as learn first-hand from regional leaders. Examples of topics covered in the program include emotional intelligence, performance management, influence and power and strategic leadership.
Gwinnett Young Professionals Coordinator Jessica Stewart says: “In less than a year, more than half of our workforce will be comprised of millennials. We look forward to being a part of these individuals’ success as they advance into leadership roles across metro Atlanta.”
- To learn more about the Gwinnett Young Professionals portfolio or to be considered for a future class, visit gwinnettyoungprofessionals.com.
- To see a list of members of the class, click here.
A Nearly Normal Family by M. T. Edvardsson
From Karen Harris, Stone Mountain: Eighteen-Year-Old Stella Sandell stands accused of murdering a man 15 years her senior. She comes from an upstanding family, which includes her lawyer mother and pastor father. Stella seems to be an ordinary teen who has weathered some storms that are part of these turbulent years. The investigation gradually uncovers a web of lies, secrets and ethical conundrums. Told from the viewpoints of the Father, the Daughter (Stella) and the Mother, the story unfolds hidden horrors and shocking occurrences that impact others ensnared in the events. The wonder of this story is the author’s ability to portray characters that the reader can relate to as fallible human beings unable to communicate with each other. The ending is both satisfying and morbidly stupefying.
- 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
Will Harben of Dalton was popular novelist in early 20th century
Considered a minor author today, Will Harben was one of the most popular novelists in America during the first two decades of the 20th century. Although in his 30 books and numerous short stories, Harben portrays the mountaineers of his native north Georgia with authenticity and color, the sentimental romanticism demanded by readers of his day mars his novels, consequently diminishing his position in the world of letters. However, his sharp, sincere observations of the speech, manners, wisdom, and morality of north Georgia mountaineers are a significant contribution to the literature of the American South.
Harben
William Nathaniel Harben was born on July 5, 1858, of well-to-do parents, Myra Richardson and Nathaniel Parks Harben, in the town of Dalton. Harben was a bright, fun-loving youth who showed an interest in writing at an early age. He became familiar with the rustic people he would later glorify by working for many years as a merchant in Dalton (fictionalized as “Darley” in his works).
At the age of 30, encouraged by both Joel Chandler Harris and Henry Grady, he decided to take his chances on writing as a profession. After several successful short stories, he made his first mark on the literary scene in 1889 with a melodramatic but extremely popular novel entitled White Marie, about a white girl brought up as a slave. The novel’s success prompted him to move to New York City, although he always spent part of every summer in Dalton. He married the South Carolina socialite Maybelle Chandler in 1896, and the couple eventually had three children.
The 1890s were Harben’s experimental years. Almost Persuaded (1890), a religious novel, was so well received that Queen Victoria of England requested an autographed copy. It was followed by a moderately successful romance, A Mute Confessor(1892). In 1894 Land of the Changing Sun, his only science fiction novel, appeared. The story concerns a voyage to the center of the earth and was obviously influenced by Jules Verne’s popular novel Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864). Using Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes as a model, Harben also created the supersleuth Minard Hendricks in three detective novels. During this decade he continued to write short stories about his native region, all published in leading magazines of the day.
(To be continued)
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Just which mountain is this issue’s Mystery Photo?
Here’s a mountain, on a gorgeous day, asking you for its identification. Send your idea to elliott@brack.net and be sure to include your hometown.
That handsome building that was the latest Mystery Photo was recognized by several people.
Lynn Naylor, Atlanta: “Today’s Mystery Pix shows three of the 12 ‘Corporate Goddess’ sculptures that overlook the financial district in San Francisco, Calif. Artist Muriel Castanis, known specifically for her eerie draped figures, created the 12-foot high sculptures for the Philip Johnson-designed building in 1982, looking out from the four sided rooftop, three to a side. Since they were revealed they have been interpreted as everything from grim reapers to angels, but the artist described them as “corporate goddesses.”
Others recognizing them include Tim Sullivan, Buford; and Elizabeth Neace, Dacula: “The statues in today’s mystery picture stand on the 23rd floor of the high rise office building located at 580 California Street in the Financial District of San Francisco, California.” Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill: “If this is the building I think it is, it’s at 580 California St., San Francisco, between Montgomery and Kearny.
Artist Muriel Castanis created the 12-foot high sculptures in 1982. They look out from the four sided rooftop, three to a side.”
George Graf of Palmyra, Va. sent this in: “If you have ever wondered about the sculptures on top of this building, the sculptures were created by Muriel Castanis, an American sculptor best known for her public art installments involving fluidly draped figures. In 1983, Philip Johnson commissioned her to create sculpture for the top story of 580 California. Three different heroic-size figures are repeated on each side of the building.”
Alan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. says that “…..the building was completed in 1987 and is 23-stories (351-feet) high. Visible in the photo are three faceless, ghostly female figures, each eerily reminiscent of the Grim Reaper. Collectively, these statues are entitled ‘The Corporate Goddesses’ by Muriel Castanis, and were installed in 1982, a few years before the building was completed. Interestingly, they were transported to the final destination by helicopter, so on that one freaky day in 1982, the San Francisco sky was filled with damned souls!”
Pico de Gallo Day is Saturday, August 24 at Lillian Webb Park in Norcross, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Norcross Community Market. It will showcase the Mexican cultural staple, pico de gallo, the iconic condiment made with tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro and lime juice. Ingredients will be supplied by local school and community gardens from Peachtree Corners and Norcross. Come enjoy local entertainment, free food samples (featuring pico de gallo prepared at the market by project moms and public representatives working side by side), student presentations, kids’ activities, and an outdoor Zumba class.
Christ Church Players will present ON THE AIR, a 1940’s-style radio show, on Saturday, August 24, at 7 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 Holcomb Bridge Road in Norcross. Hear overbaked prima donnas, bluegrass , belting convicts and gossip mavens from the beauty shop, plus impersonating of George Burns and Gracie Allen. Tickets are $10 available through the church office, 770 447 1166.
Moxie Awards will be presented by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 29, at the Infinite Energy Forum. The awards recognize women who are making things happen. A panel program will precede the awards presentation. Panelists include Liz Gillespie of North American Properties; Sara Irvani of Kabashi; Hala Moddelmog of the Metro Atlanta Chamber; and Natalie Morhouse of RaceTrac. Moderator will be Carla Carraway of Precision Planning.
Community Health Fair for all ages will be September 7 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Best Friend Park Gym, 6225 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, in Norcross. The Fair is free and includes health screenings, dynamic exhibitors, fitness demos, wellness presentations, giveaways, blood drives, and more. It is put on in partnership with the Gwinnett Daily Post and Live Healthy Gwinnett. Call 678-277-0222 for more information.
2019 British Car Fayre, the 19th annual, will be in downtown Norcross on September 7, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Come and view, with no admission cost, over 400 distinctive British automobiles and motorcycles. Hop on and hop off a London Double Deck bus. Visit the Boot Sale. Proceeds benefit the Amanda Riley Foundation. Details: atlantabritishcarfayre.com.
Call for Art by the Tannery Row Artist Colony. The 2019 Fall Juried Art Exhibit will be from September 14 until November 1. Deadline for entries will be August 21 at midnight. The judge for the 2019 Fall Juried Exhibit will be Allison Lauricella, assistant gallery director Brenau University. For a prospectus and online entry form visit tanneryrowartistcolony.com. Tannery Row Artist Colony is located at 554 West Main Street in Buford.
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