GwinnettForum | Number 21.84| Oct. 29, 2021
NOW REFURBISHED after four years of work is Gwinnett’s Crooked Creek Wastewater treatment plant in Peachtree Corners. It is Gwinnett’s oldest wastewater facility, and was purchased by the county in 1972. Recent enhancements brought the plant to a higher treatment standard, while improving efficiency and reliability. During the four years of construction, the plant was awarded twice the “treatment plant of the year.”
TODAY’S FOCUS: GGC halls resonate with rhythmic sounds of drumming
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Gwinnett’s pride shows through its modern fire department
ANOTHER VIEW: Rainbow Village honors Stricklands with first Humanitarian Award
SPOTLIGHT: Heaven and Alvarez, LLC
FEEDBACK: After reading Forum, feels better on hanging up on scammer calls
UPCOMING: Lawrenceville adopts downtown master plan update
NOTABLE: Hydroponic farm begins operations in Peachtree Corners
RECOMMENDED: The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel, with Bret Witter
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Richard Russell father of national school lunch program
MYSTERY PHOTO: Critter alongside a road is today’s Mystery Photo
LAGNIAPPE: Norcross officials cut ribbon for opening of its new library
CALENDAR: Norcross to hold first Deutsche Klassic Autoberfest on Saturday
GGC halls resonate with rhythmic sounds of drumming
Drumming away are Tobias Miller, Nick Abrahams, Dr. Todd Mueller and Hunter Mosley.
By Charlotte Reames, GGC Class of 2021
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. | The signature beat of drumming vibrates down the halls of Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC). It’s been a long time in coming for senior public administration student Hunter Mosley and his cohorts, who were eager for an outlet to express their musical creativity.
In the early days of GGC, those who were interested in drumming met periodically to play. At that time, GGC students of all skill levels huddled over buckets that once stored pickles to practice drumming techniques from around the world.
Eager for a community focusing on musical expression, Mosley, alongside a few other students, first initiated Grizzly Percussion in 2012. Later, Mosley “re-founded” the club in 2017 when he returned to school after a stint in the workforce.
At its start, the club lacked funding for instruments, but the students made do with what they had. Much of their equipment is student donated, which is an improvement from pickle buckets.
Dr. Todd Mueller, associate professor of music and adviser to Grizzly Percussion, notes: “This first generation…they’ve built something from scratch.”
As the pandemic raged on last year, Grizzly Percussion continued to meet and practice while socially distancing, donating their personal time to the club. The community involvement and grassroots beginnings of the organization are at the heart of its success, according to Mosley.
“It puts the power back into the hands of the people who are part of it. It gives them the tools to create their own expression.”
Last year, the club mastered an Irish drum called the “Bodhran,” a traditional Celtic instrument. They wrote a song and entered it into the American Conference for Irish Studies (ACIS) Southern Conference, an international organization that holds a national event for the academic community and the public to celebrate Irish culture. Today, GGC is one of the few higher education institutions in Georgia to offer instruction on the Bodhran.
According to Mueller, the club’s notoriety has “snowballed” recently. Club members can be found participating in on-campus concerts, drumming on the campus green and playing for community events. These activities led to more traction for development. This semester, GGC officially established its first Percussion Ensemble class. “The academic class would not have happened if it wouldn’t have been for the club,” said Muller.
Grizzly Percussion has bigger plans for the future, including several more ensemble courses, a drumline and a larger presence in the Lawrenceville community.
Just recently, GGC’s School of Liberal Arts commissioned a set of steel drums for Grizzly Percussion. According to Dr. Marc Gilley, associate professor of music and associate dean, the set will be shipped to the U.S. from Trinidad and Tobago, a dual-island country in the Caribbean where the steel drum originated.
This progress means a lot to Mosley who dreams of how these drums will expand the Percussion Club’s offerings, interest and membership.
“I believe everybody’s got a bit of rhythm in them,” said Mosley. “You could just be riding down the road in your car and tapping the steering wheel. It’s something simple that everybody can do.”
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Gwinnett’s pride shows through its modern fire department
Future building design.
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
OCT. 29, 2021 | A South Georgia native and attorney, John Mattox, was a good friend of mine. We keep remembering his idea about how any community looked upon itself. John thought anyone could tell a good deal about any town’s pride by the way it took care of two elements in that town: its cemeteries and its courthouse. If you saw either of these run down, the community didn’t take much pride in itself.
Let me add another such element. Consider the way any community builds and maintains its fire stations.
A solid fire department is a key component of any community. This department is vital, and most necessary, and its buildings should be built to last for years and years, since communities will always need fire stations. Good community fire departments can make a town proud. Well-run fire departments also determine how much homeowners pay for fire insurance. Fire stations must be in close range of homeowners to get the best rates for fire insurance. Another element in determining fire insurance rates is adequate water pressure and sufficient fire plugs throughout a community.
Fire insurance rates are set by the national Insurance Services Office(ISO). Before Gwinnett had county-wide fire protection, its ISO rating was nine, which is high. Today all across Gwinnett, the ISO rating is four, giving our suburban area a substantially lower fire insurance cost.
Gwinnett County has had a well-run fire department for 50 years, starting in Norcross on December 14, 1970, and at first only covering areas in Pinckneyville. It came as a result of Gwinnett’s first big industry, Western Electric’s Laboratory and wire cable plant coming to Norcross in what would eventually employ 3,800 people at its location by Interstate 85 at Jimmy Carter Boulevard.
Western Electric officials did not announce it was coming to Gwinnett until county commissioners could provide sufficient sewer and a fire department to cover that plant. To get matters underway, Gwinnett County, led by the late Commissioner Ray Gunnin, formed an innovative solution. They paid DeKalb County to provide temporary sewer capacity and fire protection for the plant until Gwinnett could provide its own services. (Western Electric also helped spur Gwinnett’s growth in another way: it was Gwinnett’s new water department’s biggest customer, helping ensure the financial stability of that department.)
Station 1
But back to fire departments: Today Gwinnett has 31 handsome fire department structures, all built solidly out of brick (except for one station.) We know of many towns where the fire stations are not solid brick buildings, but can either be older buildings not well maintained, or even metal buildings, and not nearly as attractive as the Gwinnett fire stations, of which many are of the design of the original Fire Station No. 1 in Norcross.
All along since its inception, Gwinnett has continually improved its fire services, today to include emergency medical services and ambulances. It has been expanded to include Tactical Rope Rescue Unit and Trench/Building Collapse Rescue Units. The Tactical Rope and Trench Rescue would later become the Technical Rescue Team.
So during its 50th anniversary celebration, we take pride in Gwinnett’s fire departments, and its fine looking stations. It’s another way Gwinnett shows its pride.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Rainbow Village honors Stricklands with first Humanitarian Award
onorees of the first Joel Hudson Humanitarian Award are Clyde and Sandra Strickland with Rainbow Village’s Melanie Conner.
By Michelle Alcorn
DULUTH, Ga. | Although the 30th anniversary celebration of Gwinnett County-based Rainbow Village will continue throughout the end of the year, the nonprofit has already received the biggest anniversary gift imaginable.
On the heels of an unprecedented year when Rainbow Village had to transform its annual “We Are Family” Benefit Gala to a virtual event because of COVID-19, there were a lot of unknowns heading into this year’s live Gala. Rainbow Village supporters showed up big time in support of the Duluth nonprofit, shattering all prior fundraising records and nearly doubling the totals from the last two Galas.
By the end of an evening on October 16, the nonprofit had raised $492,000. In the hours that followed, an anonymous donor came forward to push Rainbow Village over the top with an $8,000 donation plus $30 in commemoration of the 30th anniversary. In total, $500,030 was raised in support of Rainbow Village’s vision and the families it serves.
Of course, the evening was not solely about fundraising. At the heart of it all was a celebration of Rainbow Village’s rich past over the last three decades and a hopeful look at the organization’s future. Among the evening’s esteemed guests was the birthplace of Rainbow Village. Also in attendance was Rainbow Village’s very first donor, Josh Costell, a member of Christ Church who provided $25,000 to refurbish the first house that became a part of the church’s outreach ministry, then known as Rainbow House. It wouldn’t have been a proper commemoration without the presence of Rev. Nancy Yancey, who served as the CEO of Rainbow Village for 25 years.
The Rev. Hudson, having passed away earlier this year at the age of 91, it was only natural to honor the memory of the Rev. Hudson and his selflessness with a Humanitarian Award in his name. Designed to recognize the extraordinary contributions of individuals, corporations and other nonprofits who have made a profound impact on the lives of others, the first inaugural Joel P. Hudson Humanitarian Award recipients were Clyde and Sandra Strickland, of Lawrenceville, who not only wholeheartedly support Rainbow Village, but also 33 other nonprofits that serve a multitude of causes.
Melanie Conner, CEO of Rainbow Village, said at the event: “I paraphrased a quote from Corinthians: Some plant, some water, but God provides the increase.’ We had people in attendance who had a hand in planting the first seeds, those who watered those seeds to help bring our organization into existence, and those who continue to plant and water to ensure the continued health and growth of Rainbow Village. And God has truly supplied the increase. There was an unbelievable amount of love in that room, and I will never be able to thank our sponsors, donors, volunteers, team members, prayer warriors, or corporate, faith and community partners enough for their support. With the money raised that night, we will not only be able to continue to provide transformational programming and housing to the families we serve, but we will also be able to look to the future with great hope.
For anyone who wishes to have an impact on Rainbow Village and the families it serves as it looks ahead to the next 30 years, visit www.RainbowVillage.org.
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After reading Forum, feels better on hanging up on scammer calls
Thanks for your article about Amazon scammers. I’ve gotten several of these calls, and now I’ll feel better when I just hang up on them.
— Bill Baughman, Snellville
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.
Lawrenceville adopts downtown master plan update
The Lawrenceville City Council has unanimously approved the Downtown Lawrenceville Master Plan Update, funded in part by the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) program. The Master Plan Update has taken a comprehensive look at Downtown Lawrenceville today and developed a plan to ensure its continued growth and expansion as a vibrant, mixed-use community core.
City Manager Chuck Warbington said of the approval: “The Master Plan Update is a roadmap for the community as we work to resolve challenges and create new opportunities to benefit the City of Lawrenceville.”
The Master Plan Update focuses on land uses, placemaking opportunities, economic development, market realities, and mobility, connectivity and transportation improvements. Opportunity areas identified for LCI boundary expansion include:
- Redevelopment opportunities around Central Gwinnett High School;
- College corridor and depot development;
- Redevelopment opportunities around Paper Mill Road; and
- Redevelopment opportunities along Grayson Highway.
Elements of the Downtown Master Plan are a direct result of the public engagement activities conducted throughout the process, which began in December 2020. A combination of community education and collaboration guided the planning process through a variety of engagement opportunities, including activities on the project website, interactive public meetings, and Core Team meetings.
The final piece of the plan discusses implementation and envisions Downtown Lawrenceville in 5-10 years. An action plan outlines next steps related to land use, housing and transportation. The Downtown Master Plan Update serves as a foundation for decision making as the City of Lawrenceville considers policy changes, development proposals, capital improvements, and infrastructure investment.
Coolray Field to host recycling event again Nov. 6
Gwinnett County residents will be happy to learn that Saturday, November 6 marks the return of an annual recycling event at Coolray Field. It is hosted by Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful and Gwinnett County Solid Waste Management. The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon at the field at 2500 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville. will give locals a “one-stop-shop” opportunity to drop off items that are typically more difficult to recycle, such as electronics, tires, clothing, sneakers, and latex and oil-based paint. Paper shredding will also be available.
Schelly Marlatt, executive director for Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, says: “We are delighted to once again bring back this event for our neighbors in Gwinnett County.” It is designed to encourage Americans to not only recycle, but also to invest in recycled materials. In addition to diverting items from our landfills, recycling helps conserve vital natural resources, taps a domestic source of materials while supporting American manufacturing, prevents pollution, saves energy and creates jobs. We hope to see a lot of our neighbors come out on November 6 as they declutter their homes while doing something good for the environment and U.S. economy.”
Items collected during the event for 2021 include:
- Electronics – Recycling is free except for TVs, monitors and printers. Attendees are asked to bring cash – $35 for projection or console TVs, $15 per monitor or flat screen TV and $5 per printer.
- Paint –Both latex and oil paint will be accepted at this event. Collection is limited to ten gallons per vehicle. Latex paint cans must contain 25% wet paint in order to be recycled.
- Tires – Limit 8 tires per vehicle – no dealer tires, please. Tires must have rims removed and be free of water and debris.
- Paper shredding – Limited to five copier paper boxes
During the event, there will be certain precautions in place to help ensure the safety of attendees, staff members and vendors in keeping with COVID-19 social distancing/masking guidelines:
- Boxes and containers will NOT be returned, therefore bring materials in disposable containers or boxes
- Attendees should remain in their vehicle at all times
- For contactless drop-off, items to be recycled should be placed in the trunks or backs of vehicles where they will be removed by vendors
Hydroponic farm begins operations in Peachtree Corners
Decorated bee boxes at the farm
Construction will begin later this month on Peachtree Farm, a hydroponic farm at 230 Research Court in Peachtree Corners, where people with disabilities will find meaningful employment and lead more independent lives. Mike Twiner, president of Peachtree Farm, said the organization will construct five hydroponic facilities over the next few years.
The organization plans to grow and sell produce locally, starting with tomatoes. After the farm is up and running, the organization plans to construct 15 cottages that will allow people to live safely on the farm.
The farm consists of five acres. It has applied for nonprofit status.
The idea for Peachtree Farm stems from the Twiner family’s experience. As a family with an adult with disabilities, creating inclusive and accessible spaces has always been at the core of its engagement with the community, Twiner said.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel, with Bret Witter
Many of you may have seen this movie or read the book. This tells the story of a few curators and museum directors, in a special branch of the Army that worked to save art treasures that the Nazis had looted and shipped to hidden locations in Germany. Adolph Hitler and his henchmen created units to steal and hide these exceptional works of art, shipping them by the trainload to the Fatherland. These few Monuments Men, working independently, sought to advise Army commanders from destroying buildings containing works of art while the Armies were advancing against German forces. Much art was secretly stored in salt mines, castles and caves. It took ingenuity, probing of records, and risking their lives in the front lines to achieve their goal. Their work saved these valuable art works for the world to admire. Of course, as usual, the book is better than the movie.—eeb
- 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
Georgia’s Russell was father of national school lunch program
Russell with his protege, Lyndon Johnson, in a 1963 photo.
Richard B. Russell Jr. served in public office for fifty years as a state legislator, governor of Georgia, and U.S. senator. Although Russell was best known for his efforts to strengthen the national defense and to oppose civil rights legislation, he favored describing his role as advocate for the small farmer and for soil and water conservation. Russell also worked to bring economic opportunities to Georgia. He helped to secure or maintain fifteen military installations; more than twenty-five research facilities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Russell Agricultural Research Center; and federal funding for development and construction. Russell believed that his most important legislative contribution was his authorship and secured passage of the National School Lunch Program in 1946.
Richard Brevard Russell Jr. was born in Winder on November 2, 1897, to Richard B. Russell Sr., a lawyer, state legislator, businessman, and judge, and Ina Dillard Russell, a teacher. He was the fourth child, and first son, of what became a family of thirteen children. Russell was related to Marietta’s Brumby family through his paternal grandmother, Rebecca Harriette Brumby, and in the 1950s his cousin, Otis A. Brumby Jr., worked for him as a Senate page.
Serving in the U.S. Senate from 1933 until his death in 1971, Russell was one of that body’s most respected members. Secretary of State Dean Rusk called him the most powerful and influential man in Washington, D.C., for a period of about twenty years, second only to the president. Russell attained that position of power through his committee assignments—specifically a total of sixteen years as the chair of the Armed Services Committee and a career-long position on the Appropriations Committee, serving as its chair for his last two years in the Senate. In large measure he determined the agricultural and defense legislation considered by the Senate, as well as matters affecting the federal budget. During the twentieth century Russell, along with Carl Vinson in the U.S. House of Representatives, was undeniably among the nation’s foremost experts on military and defense policy. An advisor to six presidents and a 1952 candidate for president, Russell ended his career as president pro tempore of the Senate, making him third in the line of presidential succession.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Critter alongside a road is today’s Mystery Photo
You may have spotted this critter alongside the road, but you would have to be mighty alert to see this small creature. It’s somewhat famous, and its color might tell you something. So figure out where it is and tell us about it. Send your answers to elliott@brack.net and be sure to include your hometown.
The last Mystery Photo proved difficult, as only two readers recognized it. It was the Point Iroquois Light Station on the upper peninsula of Michigan. Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. sent in the photograph.
Steady George Graf of Palmyra, Va. recognized it, as did Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill. George wrote: “This is the Point Iroquois Light Station, located on West Lakeshore Drive, northwest of Brimley in the Hiawatha National Forest Brimley, Bay Mills Township, Michigan.The Point Iroquois Light Station stands high above the waters of Lake Superior at the entry to St. Mary’s River. It served passing sailors by marking the narrow channel.
“Point Iroquois was named for the Iroquois warriors massacred there by the Ojibway in 1662. The native Algonkian name for the Point is Nadouenigoning, composed of the words ‘Nadone’ (Iroquois) and ‘Akron’ (bone). The Iroquois had invaded the area in an attempt to gain influence and dominate the fur trade, but the Ojibwa were able to defeat the Iroquois war party, thus halting their westward expansion. According to the Indian agent of scholar Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, the Ojibwa called Point Iroquois ‘Nau-do-we-e-gun-ing.’ which in their native language means ‘Place of Iroquois Bones.’”
Cutting the ribbon for the opening of the new Norcross Library on Buford Highway, facing Lillian Webb Park, are city officials from Norcross. From left are Councilmen Bruce Gaynor, Andrew Hixson and Matt Myers; Mayor Craig Newton; and Council members Arlene Beckles and Josh Bare (and his children.) This new library doubles the size of the previous Norcross library and offers more modern features of today’s libraries. It also has a parking deck underneath with spaces for 128 cars.
The first Deutsche Klassic Autoberfest will be held in Norcross on October 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featuring 150 classic German automobiles, the event will bring BMWs, Audis, Porsches, Mercedes Benzes and Volkswagens to downtown Norcross. Enjoy German food, beer and music in this family-friendly festival. Proceeds benefit local non-profit Special “K’s.” For more information, visit deutsche-klassic.com.
Braselton Halloween Path Parade and golf cart Trunk ‘n Treat party, will be Saturday, October 30 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for top decorated golf carts and costumes. If you’ve got it, haunt it.
Symphony SPOOK-tacular: The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra will open its 15thanniversary season with “Symphony SPOOK-tacular,” a family-friendly matinee performance on Saturday, October 30, at 2:30 p.m. at the Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume if they like, and to arrive early to participate in hands-on activities in the lobby, courtesy of the Johns Creek Arts Center. Face masks are required inside the church. The hour-long concert will be performed without intermission, and it will include tunes that honor the traditions of both Halloween and Día de los Muertos. Some of the featured works include Saint-Saens’ Danse Macabre, Themes from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Dukas, and Día de los Muertos by Richard Meyer. Tickets range from $15-42.50, and children ages 0-2 are admitted FREE. For tickets, call (678) 748-5802 or visit www.johnscreeksymphony.org.
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