GwinnettForum | Number 21.75 | Sept. 28, 2021
GWINNETT’S HOUSING CORPORATION scored not once, but twice recently. The Good2Care celebration of the Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia (CFNE) announced a grant of $100,000, and as a result, the corporation’s board committed to funding a matching $100,000! See more below in Notable. At the event from left are Bruce Johnson, Senada Prljaa, Chairwoman Lisa Johnson, Executive Director Lejla Prljaca, Deputy Director Keira Dran, Vice Chairperson Rory Johnson, Kathleen Allen and Gwendolyn Rone-Johnnson.
The Duluth Fall Festival was the most fun and successful in its entire 38 year history. Because of space constraints, there were a few less vendors, but there were more successful, happy vendors than ever before. This year the Festival had about 150 sponsors, for a total of about $150,000 from our sponsors alone. The Festival is thankful for them, as this is how it is able to donate so much to nonprofits and to improve Downtown Duluth. The weather was absolutely the most perfect yet. There have been many festivals with no rain, but it was often too hot, and this year there was even a touch of fall in the air. More people attended than ever had before! The booths were busier than ever, and a fun and upbeat feeling was everywhere. The Festival group is already working on next year. Steve Lynn, the husband of City Clerk Teresa Lynn, will serve as co-chairperson next year, along with Downtown Duluthian Mary Buck. The two of them will surely take the Festival to new heights! So put Saturday and Sunday, September 29-30, 2022, on your calendars now, and make your plans to be here in Downtown Duluth for the 2022 Duluth Fall Festival!
TODAY’S FOCUS: Two GACS seniors help fund school in Cameroon, Africa
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Decline of newspapers is not good for the future of our republic
ANOTHER VIEW: Wants Georgia to re-examine the legal age for drinking alcohol
SPOTLIGHT: The 1818 Club
FEEDBACK: Feels that Joe Biden is second most incompetent president
UPCOMING: Different 2021 Great Day of Service aims to bolster non-profits
NOTABLE: CFNE grants $100,000 then finds the agency’s board matches it
RECOMMENDED: The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
GEORGIA TIDBIT: CCC work in Georgia can be seen in many state parks
MYSTERY PHOTO: Building with classic tower is today’s Mystery Photo
LAGNIAPPE: Elisha Winn Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
CALENDAR: Snellville Commerce Club to hear Mayor Barbara Bender on October 5
Two GACS seniors help fund school in Cameroon, Africa
Hale Academy in Cameroon.
By Margie Asef
NORCROSS, Ga. | Two Greater Atlanta Christian School students have helped raise funds to assist a school in Cameroon, Africa.
Greater Atlanta Christian School seniors Marilee Karinshak, 17, of Lawrenceville, and Molly Pritchard, 17, of Duluth, raised funds for three years to help open the Hale Academy in Cameroon, which officially opened its doors on August 23, 2021.
GACS seniors Molly Pritchard, left and Marilee Karinshak.
It all started several years ago when Marilee and Molly, soccer players with the Atlanta Fire United Soccer Club, and students at Greater Atlanta Christian School, joined Nadine Kezebou’s soccer team. Coach Nadine’s path to America began when she was selected to play soccer for the Cameroonian national team. This decision ultimately led her to play professionally before attending Georgia State University and coach and train players.
Nadine overcame poverty and many challenges on her inspirational journey. Looking to give back to her homeland, Coach Nadine formed the Nadine Foundation, a 501(c)(3) to help children access education, healthcare services, and humanitarian aid. Specifically, the Nadine Foundation undertook efforts to build a school in Mfou, Cameroon, to provide free education to children who would otherwise not be able to attend school.
Marilee, Molly, and their teammates were inspired by Coach Nadine’s story of overcoming poverty and participated in numerous fundraising activities to help build the school. Finally, years of hard work paid off as Hale Academy officially opened its doors to students this year.
Marilee says: “I am honored and humbled to be a part of this important work and help Coach Nadine make this school a reality. Education is critically important for a better life, and Hale Academy will impact lives for generations to come.”
Keeping with its foundation, soccer is a large part of Hale Academy. And Marilee and Molly have donated uniforms and soccer cleats to the school. Additionally, the students have plans to continue their fundraising efforts to provide more resources to the school, such as computers, books, and other enrichment.
Both students were invited to the Grand Opening Ceremony but could not make the trip because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Marilee and Molly are both GAC athletes and have played soccer since their youth. Marilee began her soccer career at the age of 3. They have participated in GAC’s soccer program since 9th grade. Last year, Marilee served as the team captain, and the team made it to the 3A State Championship, finishing as the runner-up.
Molly Pritchard will continue playing soccer at the collegiate level as the goalie for Ohio State University.
CUTLINE: GAC seniors Molly Pritchard, left and Marilee Karinshak.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Decline of newspapers not good for future of our republic
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
SEPT. 28,2021 | Not too many years ago, most families took a local daily newspaper, which not only kept them up on the news, but by reading it, they became better citizens. After all, they were better informed.
The Internet has changed all that, to where newspapers are a shadow of what they once were. Many newspapers have closed, or either drastically reduced their printing days.
Most newspapers have sought to provide digital newspapers as a substitute. Instead, people today just simply unsubscribed. Realize that digital advertising doesn’t bring in the big dollars like the printed newspaper.
Newspapers have faded because they lost many advertising pages from the department stores, automotive, real estate and help wanted. Do you remember when the Atlanta newspaper, for instance, had three whole SECTIONS of classifieds? And big sections of single department store ads?
Don’t think for a moment that people took the newspaper only for its news. Many deeply read its advertising, if nothing else but to compare the prices of foods in the supermarkets. Many a cook has made up their mind on where to shop because of supermarket prices they saw in newspapers.
Now much advertising has vanished. Newspapers’ profitable print dollars may be gone forever. And now people are faced with getting news from far less reliable and credible sources on the Internet. One of the big advantages of stories in newspapers is that nearly all of them were read by a minimum of at least three editors. You think Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and other digital postings are vetted? Think again.
And do you think every posting you see on the Internet you can believe, and that this so-called “news” is always credible? If so, let me talk to you about the price of the Brooklyn Bridge. Or if you want something less costly, let’s talk about the Peachtree Corners bridge!
Back before I retired, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) covered the state of Georgia well. It had more than 500 people in its newsroom, and today maybe 100. Their eight giant Goss presses churned out 600,000 Sunday editions. Even the daily edition was rolling along convincingly at 400,000 circulation.
Another story made the news recently. The AJC announced it would close its giant Gwinnett printing plant next year, and move its entire print run to the presses of The Gainesville Times. The AJC printing plant originally cost $16 million, and its eventual investment was $66 million. And now it’ll be gone, along with the jobs of more than 100 people at that plant. The AJC also printed other newspapers there (The New York Times and The Birmingham News), so this may mean that Cox Enterprises (who owns the AJC) sees no future in even printing newspapers.
Each September newspapers are required by postal regulations to print their statement of ownership and circulation. Last Sunday the AJC printed their statement. Its print product now has a paid circulation of 59,892, plus having 33,258 paid electronic subscribers, or a total daily circulation of 93,150. Their Sunday edition totals a little more, now 138,486 subscribers, paid and print. People who pay for the print edition get the electronic edition at no extra cost, with 38,993 (on Sunday) as digital subscribers. All this is a far cry from its previous whopping 600,000 subscribers in Georgia.
As someone involved all his adult life in newspapering, and now in publishing online, I must admit I never saw the decline that newspapers are going through. It’s sad, and as alluded to above, not necessarily good for the state of our democracy.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Wants Georgia to re-examine legal age for drinking alcohol
By Alexander Tillman
VALDOSTA, Ga. | It’s time for the State of Georgia to reexamine the legal drinking age. This law was written decades ago with good intentions, but times have changed. Before discussing this issue some background information is needed.
Tillman
I turned 18 in January of 1980. The legal drinking age was 18. I was a high school senior and I could buy beer, wine, liquor, and go to a bar. Fortunately, my family is composed of moderate social drinkers. We had a wet bar in my house. My parents did not drink too much and they taught their children to drink in moderation. We were also taught to be responsible.
Drunk driving was a major problem in the early 1980s. Uber apps were non-existent and small town taxis were dirty at best. The concept of a designated driver had not been heard of. As a result, there were a lot of people intoxicated and driving and they were killing innocent people. Something needed to change.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving ( MADD) changed the behavior of a lot of Americans. Through their advertising campaigns, they championed the idea of a designated driver. Bar employees began to call cabs for over-served patrons.
The biggest breakthrough in the war on drunk driving is the Uber app. The young people I speak with today are more responsible in terms of drunk driving than my generation. Drunk driving remains a problem today, but thanks to MADD and other like-minded groups, we have come a long way since 1980.
The question is should the adult’s right to partake in alcohol still be denied to some legal adults? 18 year olds are legal adults. We do not customarily deny rights and privileges to certain adult age groups. On the other end of the age spectrum, the American Association of Retired People fights age discrimination every day.
Forty years ago we raised the legal drinking age with good intentions. The intention was to save young lives from car wrecks. The behavior of young people has changed for the better.
The drinking age of 21 is making criminals out of otherwise law-abiding young people. Visit any college town to see how often a student under 21 who is not driving is charged with under age drinking. Drinking beer should not be a crime.
Most students walk to bars or have a designated driver in the car. They are acting like responsible adults. They should enjoy the adult privilege of enjoying a drink.
This weekend, my 19 year old son and I are going fishing. Like my father, I have taught my son that if you choose to drink, drink responsibly. Like father, like son, he enjoys a cold beer on a fishing trip.
Yes, that means I am contributing to underage drinking. It would be nice if we could just enjoy a good craft beer on tap, legally, just the two of us. How is that a crime?
All above is why I maintain that it’s time for the State of Georgia set the drinking age to 19 instead of 18 so that these high school students can legally drink. It’s time to revisit the legal drinking age.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
The 1818 Club
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s underwriter is The 1818 Club, named for the year that Gwinnett County received its charter. The 1818 Club is a member-owned, private dining experience providing the best in food, service and meeting accommodations for its members. Whatever your business or social dining needs, the 1818 Club has the proper facilities, recently renovated, to gracefully host your gatherings.
- 100-seat formal dining room open for breakfast and lunch.
- Capital Room open for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as cocktails.
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- 220 seat Virgil Williams Grand Ballroom, divides into three sections, all with AV.
- Gwinnett Room for upscale dining, with Frankie’s menu available.
Our top-notch service team enhances your experience by providing a sophisticated social atmosphere, engaging events and a full serving of dining and entertainment opportunities. If you want an urbane and central site to entertain people, consider joining the 1818 Club. For more details, visit https://www.the1818club.org/Home.
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Feels Joe Biden is second most incompetent president
Joe Biden is definitely not a bombastic jerk like Donald Trump but he’s just as incompetent. In the first few months of his Administration, we have had an exponentially worsening crisis at the Southern Border, a disastrous exit from Afghanistan, and the pending dissolution of his self-aggrandizing FDR-level-equaling legislative agenda (hopefully). Whew, where to begin?
Let’s start with the good news. The AUKUS agreement is an excellent foreign policy initiative. Kudos to Biden. Australia needs superior submarine technology to help contain China. The French nuclear boats the Aussies had previously agreed to buy are substandard. But even here Biden managed to screw up. A guy who chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee didn’t think a heads-up phone call to French President Macron would have been a good idea??
The optics coming from our Southern Border scream incompetence. One need only see the humanitarian crisis brewing as thousands of people gather at Del Rio, Texas. They came here despite pleas by the administration to not come. They came anyway. What a surprise!
This disaster was the direct result of incompetence by Joe Biden and his pig-headed refusal to listen to his advisors.
Domestically, Speaker Pelosi is planning a series of votes, as promised, to push through their $3.5 trillion progressive spending agenda. But Democratic infighting is threatening to derail the effort. If so, that political failure will be and should be laid at the feet of the second most incompetent president of the modern era, Joe Biden.
— Theirn (TJ) Scott, Lawrenceville
Dear TJ: Say what you want, it may not have been a smooth exit, but many are pleased that finally, finally, we are out of Afghanistan. We hope for our country that you will find President Biden is not as bad as you think. -eeb
Feels recklessness in birth control should not be rewarded
In December, the Supreme Court has scheduled the Mississippi abortion case that sets 15 weeks as the limit for an abortion short of the 24 weeks of viability, but far beyond the five weeks of a detectable heart beat that Texas Law set. There seems to be a barrage of cases to limit Roe v. Wade to challenge its constitutionally.
Federal law seems to be challenged around the country, whether it’s drug laws, or immigration laws, to long held laws about theft, assault, destruction of public property. Behavior that led to punishment or scorn is now viewed as the product of some abuse or inequity. Many offenders are viewed as the victim.
In today’s world, birth control by the educated partners common in our modern society is widely and commonly available. Yet, there is the mistake where the efforts have failed. This should be extremely rare. Recklessness should not be rewarded. Limitations should be on this choice whether it’s a good one or not. In 15 weeks, one knows if one is pregnant.
— Byron Gilbert, Duluth
Dear Byron: Did you read where the Democratic House is considering legislation to reinforce Roe vs. Wade, particularly now as a tactic, so that the Republicans (especially in the Senate) will look bad voting against it, and therefore, this will become an election year issue? Yep, democracy works in strange ways. –eeb
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, and include your hometown. The views of letters are the opinion of the contributor. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Send feedback and letters to: elliott@brack.net.
Different 2021 Great Day of Service to bolster nonprofits
Gwinnett Great Days of Service, powered by the Gwinnett Coalition, is keenly anticipated by Gwinnett nonprofits this year as demand for their support services from individuals and families is at an all-time high. In years past Gwinnett Great Days of Service involved day-long, hands-on service projects onsite at hundreds of locations around the county. However, public health concerns because of the pandemic have forced a new model.
In the coming weeks businesses, churches, neighborhoods, schools, municipalities, and other organizations will host collection drives across the county. Citizens will have the opportunity to donate needed items to meet the real-time needs of people in crisis in the Gwinnett community. On October 22-23 the hosts will deliver their items to the agencies they have adopted. A limited number of on-site volunteers will be enlisted to help receive, sort, and store the supplies.
This year 31 nonprofits have signed up to be benefactors of Gwinnett Great Days of Service. To date 14 of those nonprofits still need to be adopted. To “adopt” an agency, a company, church, neighborhood, club, school, etc. simply registers to host a donation drive for an organization of their choice and coordinates delivery of the items back to their adopted agency. Just some of the items being requested this year include diapers, cleaning supplies, bottled water, personal care items, shelf-stable food, clothes, linens, art supplies, toys, and such.
Renée Byrd-Lewis, Gwinnett Coalition president and CEO, says:“ It’s awe-inspiring how our community steps up every year and helps with capacity-building for our nonprofits. As the waves of COVID-19 continue, the needs in our community continue to exponentially grow. Many nonprofits are holding on by a thread at a time when our community needs them most. In 2020, Great Days of Service partners collected over 100,000 essential items and the list of needs this year is even longer. We know, however, that Gwinnett will rise to the challenge and do what it takes to help take care of its own.”
Since its inception 22 years ago, Gwinnett Great Days of Service has changed lives with its community-focused projects and purposeful volunteer work. Gwinnett Great Days of Service provides aid to those who struggle with issues like homelessness, hunger, and unemployment. The event supports populations such as veterans, seniors, low-income families, single parents, victims of domestic violence, citizens with disabilities, at-risk youth, those struggling with substance abuse, and more.
There are two ways Gwinnettians can help power the 2021 Gwinnett Great Days of Service:
- Adopt a nonprofit and host a collection drive; or
- Register to volunteer onsite at a nonprofit. Explore all of the options at www.gwinnettgreatdaysofservice.org.
Ministries plans event on Oct. 5 with Richt speaking
An evening of celebration, inspiration, and community building is coming up on Tuesday, October 5 at Atlanta Tech Park in Peachtree Corners. Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries is hosting “Putting the Pieces Back Together” to raise awareness and support for those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Ex-University of Georgia football Coach Mark Richt will headline the event, as the organization answers their charge to help those in need get back on their feet.
The year 2020 brought dire need to the community, with the number of individuals served by the Co-Op increasing by almost 50 percent. Over $1 million was provided in direct aid to clients, an almost 70 percent increase from the previous year. Food distribution exploded with an increase of 104 percent.
Shirley Cabe, NCM executive director, explains: “Our organization is needed now more than ever. Coach Richt’s message couldn’t come at a better time as an increasing number of our families are struggling in the aftermath of the pandemic. 2020 was both the best and worst of years for us. The worst in terms of community need, but the best in terms of supportive generosity. We are grateful to our donors who make it possible for us to provide community assistance and we celebrate what has been accomplished. Our future vision includes lofty goals to continue ministry and make a difference in our neighbor’s lives.”
As the Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries completes their capital campaign, the organization has a unique opportunity to exponentially accelerate their assistance capability. Through challenge grants, two Atlanta foundations will provide a 275 percent match to NCM for Beyond the Building campaign designated donations that are received by mid-November. This would allow the Co-Op to be able to turn $200,000 into $750,000. Better service to clients through a one-stop ministry experience is the vision of the organization. Funds raised will be used to accomplish evolving the organization into a center with multiple nonprofit providers co-located in their 45k square foot building.
Tickets for the upcoming Celebration are now on sale at https://www.ourncm.org/celebration/ for $100. The evening will also include a silent auction with a variety of prizes, trips, and event tickets. For more information about the upcoming fundraiser event and a comprehensive look at the mission and scope of Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries, visit www.ourncm.org.
Gravel Springs Road at I-85 ramp paving begins Oct. 1
The Gwinnett County contractor building the new Interstate 85 interchange at SR 324/Gravel Springs Road will be paving the ramp tie-ins at night on weekends through October.
E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc., plans to complete asphalt paving activities on the project during weekends from October 1 through October 17, weather permitting. The work involves closing an outside travel lane and the shoulder on I-85 to safely complete this phase of the project.
The contractor will work along the southbound shoulder of I-85 the weekend of October 1. The work will last from 8pm Friday through 5am Monday, October 4. The contractor will then shift over to complete the northbound work on the following weekend of October 8. That work is scheduled for 10pm Friday through 6 am Monday, October 11.
The project includes four new ramps from Gravel Springs Road, with turn lanes and traffic signals, sidewalks, sound barriers and retaining walls. The project is funded by local, state and federal funds. Weather permitting, construction is forecast for completion in mid-2022. To view the project layout, please click here.
CFNE grants $100,000, then agency’s board matches it
The Good2Care celebration of the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia (CFNE) announced a big surprise for the Gwinnett Housing Corporation: a grant of $100,000. And as a result, the Gwinnett Housing Corporation’s board committed to funding a matching $100,000!
Randy Redner, CEO of the CFNE, says: “We wanted to find an organization that’s been at it for a long time, doing really good work, but an organization where an injection of some money, like $100,000, would move it to the next level. So we began having conversations with the Gwinnett Housing Corporation’s Executive Director Lejla Prljaca, then with her board, and then with our board, and then said we want to make this [funding] commitment.”
He added: “Our board has been talking about its impact investing. For 35 years we’ve been a check. As we work through our strategic plan, one of our questions is: how do we move beyond that? We are basically now giving away $1 million every month into the community. So, when we looked at affordable housing, coming out of this pandemic, we thought ‘we can either be catalyst funders or accelerators.’ And on this one, we wanted to be an accelerator.
Executive Director Lejla Prljaca says: “We thank the Community Foundation board, Randy and his team for believing in our vision, and for giving us this platform to advocate, to inform and to scale our work so that we can make sure all children have access to safe housing, and that their parents have the dignity to provide for themselves. This check will make that happen.”
Along with the $100,000 giveaway, the evening also highlighted Aurora Theatre’s expansion and upcoming season and featured a special performance of A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman.
Jackson EMC Foundation awards grants totaling $112,173
The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded $112,173 in grants during its August meeting, including$67,529 to organizations serving Gwinnett County.
$15,000 to Hebron Community Health Center to fund the Next Step Project, which provides diagnostic referrals, testing and prescription medication and supplies.
- $15,000 to St. Vincent de Paul Society of Flowery Branch, to help fund direct aid for housing assistance, including rent, mortgage and temporary housing for Barrow, Gwinnett and Hall county families in crisis.
- $12,000 to Buford First Methodist Church, for its Sack Kids Hunger relief program that provides weekend food bags for children in need.
- $10,000 to Wellroot Family Services (formerly United Methodist Children’s Home of North Georgia), in Gainesville, to help close the gap between the need in Northeast Georgia and the number of available homes.
- $5,550 to Wellspring Living, to provide furnishings and kitchen appliances for its women’s residential program in Gwinnett County, which serves victims of sex trafficking and exploitation.
- $5,000 to Skye Precious Kids, to provide resources to Gwinnett County families in financial crisis who are caring for children facing life threatening illnesses and disabilities through its Precious Health program.
- $4,979 to Lawrenceville First Baptist Church, for its First Book Club 165, which will provide 2,405 books to Pre-K, kindergarten and first grade students at Lawrenceville and Winn Holt elementary schools.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
From Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill: Guilty or not guilty? Scotland Yard’s Inspector Grant is recovering in a hospital bed when he sees a portrait of a medieval man he suspects has high principles and good character. He is shocked to learn this is Richard III, the Yorkist king accused of having his two nephews murdered so he can keep the throne of England for himself. Thus, Inspector Grant begins a fascinating attempt to unravel what really happened in 1483. If you enjoy a puzzle and British history, you may be spellbound by this modern classic about Britain’s Wars of the Roses. I never tire of it. Even though it’s historical fiction, this book is about research. It emphasizes that much of what we think of as historical truth can be completely biased. If nothing else, it may cause you to question something that is presented as historically accurate and not accept it at face value.
An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (150 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next. Send to: elliott@brack.net
CCC work in Georgia can be seen in many state parks
(Continued from previous edition)
Across the state, the Civilian Conservation Corps carried out projects of lasting value to all Georgians. Enrollees planted more than 22 million trees, constructed nearly a half-million erosion-control dams, and ran more than 3,600 miles of telephone lines. Perhaps their most tangible legacy is found in Georgia’s state parks, national parks, and national forest.
In 1933 Georgia had two “state forest parks” at Indian Springs, in Butts County, and Vogel, in Union County. With support from the National Park Service, six more state parks were established over the next nine years. CCC workers built lakes and ponds, constructed cabins and lodges of now characteristic “park rustic” design, blazed trails, and in collaboration with the Works Progress Administration, or WPA, erected group camps at selected parks, then known as “Recreational Demonstration Areas.”
Today, visitors still enjoy CCC craftsmanship at the parks mentioned here, as well as at A. H. Stephens (Taliaferro County), F. D. Roosevelt (Harris County), Fort Mountain (Murray County), Hard Labor Creek (Morgan County), Kolomoki Mounds (Early County), and Little Ocmulgee (Telfair County and Wheeler County) state parks.
CCC work in Georgia’s national park properties focused on the preservation of natural or historic features. At Chickamauga and Kennesaw Mountain battlefields, in Walker and Cobb counties respectively, preservation included the construction of roads and trails, and restoration of historic fortifications. At the Ocmulgee mounds, outside of Macon, enrollees supported archaeological work and building construction. They carried out road and bridge work at Andersonville National Historic Site, in Macon County, and restored the masonry walls and dikes at Fort Pulaski National Monument, located just outside Savannah.
While CCC work in the Chattahoochee National Forest (created from the Cherokee National Forest in 1936) in north Georgia focused on reforestation, insect control, and fire prevention, CCC men also constructed campgrounds and recreation areas that remain popular today at the Pocket, Lake Conasauga, and Lake Winfield Scott.
The CCC also worked on numerous other projects around the state. Workers helped construct the Appalachian Trail in Georgia and built the oldest shelter at Blood Mountain, and they cleared land and built fire towers and roads at Fort Stewart. An all-Black unit developed facilities at the Okefenokee Swamp Wildlife Refuge.
At Vogel State Park a small museum, the John B. Derden CCC Museum, contains artifacts and photographs of the men.
A poem written by an anonymous CCC enrollee sums up the enduring value of their labors: “All over this country, the work we did with our hands, our minds, and our bodies, still stands today as a monument. . .. We put our mark on this land and that mark will be seen for many years to come.”
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Building with classic tower is today’s Mystery Photo
A building with a classical tower (left), including both a clock and weathervane. It’s your turn to tell us where this Mystery Photo comes from. Send your entry to elliott@brack.net and include your hometown.
For the most recent Mystery Photo, George Graf of Palmyra, Va. recognized it early on. The photo came from Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill. Graf writes: “My wife and I visited the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Va. about 15 years ago and took the tour. It is a fantastic place with excellent guides, and ours was a WWII veteran.
Photo by Peel.
Bedford lost more residents per capita in the Normandy landings than any other American community. Nineteen soldiers from Bedford, whose 1944 population was about 3,200, were killed on D-Day. Three other Bedford soldiers died later in the Normandy campaign. Proportionally this community suffered the nation’s most severe D-Day losses. Bedford was originally known as Liberty, named after the colonial victory over Cornwallis at Yorktown. Founded as a village in 1782, Liberty became Bedford County’s seat of government, replacing New London which had become part of the newly formed Campbell County. Liberty became a town in 1839 and in 1890 changed its name to Bedford City.”
Lou Camerio of Lilburn and Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. also identified the mystery. Peel wrote: “It is built on an area of over 50 acres and was officially opened on June 6, 2001 with 15,000 people present. Today, the memorial receives more than 60,000 visitors each year. My wife and I visited this memorial on July 4, 2011, and our tour guide, shown in the attached photo, enlightened us with touching stories of his father’s experience during the Normandy Invasion. He had many of the tour group in tears.”
Elisha Winn Fair is this weekend near Dacula
This weekend, October 2-3, is the Elisha Winn Fair, held at the site where Gwinnett County was founded back in 1818 at 908 Dacula Road, Dacula. The event is sponsored by the Gwinnett Historic Society and runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days. Roving Photographer Frank Sharp’s lens found these images at the restored historic home.
Snellville Commerce Club’s October 5 meeting will hear from Mayor Barbara Bender. The meeting will be at noon in the Snellville City Hall Community Room.
The 49th Lilburn Daze Arts and Crafts Festival will be Saturday, October 9 hosted by the Lilburn Woman’s Club at Lilburn City Park. Lilburn Daze is a staple event for the community, and a great time to enjoy fall weather, great shopping and food vendors, and live music on the stage.
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