GwinnettForum | Number 21.22| March 25, 2022
CUTTING A RIBBON signifying the opening of a passport office in the Gwinnett County Courthouse are, from left, are Samantha Arrue, Supervisor; Tiana P. Garner, clerk of Superior Court; and Ruth McMullin, chief deputy clerk. Read more about this in Upcoming below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Gwinnett native Tucks help kids get through crisis together
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Ryan shows us how to bow out of Atlanta with grace
ANOTHER VIEW: Langdale was key to success of Georgia State University
SPOTLIGHT: The Gwinnett Stripers
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
UPCOMING: Passports now available at office of clerk of courts at GJAC
NOTABLE: Gwinnett Tech ranked among top college for veteran services
RECOMMENDED: The Last Days of Socrates (BBC radio dramatization) by Plato
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Tales of buried pirate treasure abound around Blackbeard Island
MYSTERY PHOTO: You’ll have to think outside the box to get this identification
LAGNIAPPE: Do you remember the Ugly Tie Contest? Here’s one year’s winners
CALENDAR: Ribbon-cutting at The Water Tower Wednesday, March 30 at 2 p.m.
Gwinnett native Tuck helps kids get through crisis together
By Jim Cofer
Vice President, Gwinnett Historical Society
SNELLVILLE, Ga. | Many in the Snellville community will remember (Curtis) Brooks Tuck (shown with wife, Shirley), who grew up on Hewatt Road in the 1940-50s, the son of Arthur and Katie Mae Tuck. He was a 1956 graduate of Snellville Consolidated School.
Brooks and Shirley Tuck. Photo provided.
Brooks and I are distant cousins, since our grandmothers were sisters in the large Hannah family whose plantation lay at the intersection of Killian Hill Rd. and U.S. Highway 78, just east of Snellville. The Hannahs moved into Gwinnett in 1840s.
Brooks was a kind-hearted and sensitive young man who accepted a call to the ministry at our home church (Bethany Baptist) in the 1950s. He graduated from Mercer University; then earned M. Ed. and Ed S. degrees from UGA. He pastored several churches including Beaver Ruin Baptist and a church in Luthersville. He married Shirley Ann Knight, and had one child, Mike. Later, Brooks entered public education, becoming a teacher and eventually a principal.
Prior to the 1954 Supreme Court decision, Georgia’s schools were separate and usually unequal for white and black children. By 1966, Henry County had made no progress in school desegregation, therefore, the courts ordered that one Henry County school would be integrated that year. Brooks Tuck was a young principal at Fairview Elementary, the most rundown of Henry County’s white schools. He stepped forward and volunteered Fairview as that test school. Community reaction was very negative, with his family receiving death threats, bomb scares, crank calls, etc.
When given the opportunity to attend Fairview, only 13 black families responded positively by sending their children. As the bus carrying the 13 children arrived at Fairview, an angry mob of white protesters lined the street to the school. The black children were afraid. Insulted and threatened by the crowd, Brooks made his way to the bus, stepped into it, welcomed the children, and told them “We are going to get through this together.”
Then he took the first little girl by the hand and escorted her into the school. He returned to the bus 12 times escorting each child, carrying some of the smaller ones in his arms, until all 13 were safely inside. The next few weeks and months were difficult for Brooks and the 13, but things did get better gradually.
Many years later, Mr. Tuck became sick and was hospitalized. He was often in and out of consciousness and not always aware of goings on around him. But one thing he did notice. An African American nurse spent a lot of time by his bedside, even after her shift was over. When he inquired who she was and why she didn’t go home to her family, she replied, “Mr. Tuck, you don’t know me, but I sure do know you. You held my hand and walked me to my first day at Fairview Elementary. You didn’t leave me on that day, and I’m not leaving you. We’re going to get through this together.”
In 2010, Mercer University conferred on Brooks Tuck the Doctor of Humanities degree, in recognition of his life of service to education. In his commencement address that day, he told for the first time publicly the story of the 13 heroes. Brooks passed away from liver cancer in 2012; his wife Shirley joined him in death in 2018. A book documenting his life and service, “Mr. Tuck and the 13 Heroes,” by John Harris, is available from Regeneration Writers Press, LLC, or from Amazon.
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Ryan shows us how to bow out of Atlanta with grace
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
MARCH 25, 2022 | Don’t you just love it when someone bows out with class and poise? It might happen anywhere, and whoever it is gains new stature because of their grace under dire circumstances.
This week we saw one person departing an Atlanta career with distinction. We’re talking about former Atlanta Falcon Quarterback Matt Ryan, who was summarily traded to the Indianapolis Colts after 14 seasons in Atlanta. He came to Atlanta in 2008 as the first quarterback taken in the National Football League draft after a great college career at Boston College.
Ryan has been the most prolific quarterback in Falcon history, amassing record after record. He has also shown not only his athletic ability, but his work under pressure, with characteristic aplomb. He has conducted his life in an exemplary manner, never sullying his name, someone kids could especially look up to.
He is departing for another team, though he plans to continue to live in Atlanta. Ryan reflected on his career in Atlanta in a timely full-page advertisement in Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday, two days after being traded.
“Thank you, Atlanta,” it headlined. Ryan said to his fans: “You have made all of this worth it, and thank you so sincerely, for the life you have given me all of these seasons.” He added: about the Falcons and Atlanta: ”There were disappointments, large and small. They did not shake my faith in this team, or in my determination to deliver. The disappointments became motivations. I will always be proud to come from an organization and a city whose creed is to rise up.”
No, thank you, Matt Ryan. Though we are not heavy pro football fans, we appreciate your diplomatic departure and plans to continue to live in Atlanta. We will be pleased if you can win a Super Bowl ring in Indianapolis!
Nonprofit agencies need to report periodically to their donors, often through annual reports, which can sometimes be a wordy document difficult to read. But have you seen the Annual Report of the Neighborhood (former Norcross) Cooperative Ministries? It’s a bright fan-fold shortened report which notes recent highlights of their ministry, lists member churches (27), names corporate partners (29) and lists the board of directors (19). It also shows how their funds are spent.
It’s one of the most attractive of such accountings we’ve seen. We congratulate this non-profit on their distinctive effort in communicating with us all.
The Georgia Legislature is in session. Many of you know of our being among those who get scared each year when the Legislature meets. We’re concerned, as many people and especially businesses are, about what the Legislature is about to do to us. They introduce much legislation that is not only disturbing, but often useless, which many times obviously helps a legislator’s neighbor or special interest of that legislator.
Unfortunately, many times such legislation becomes law that throws our tax system out of whack, as another group or company benefits, and the rest of us have to pay the consequences.
You might name your own recent legislation that you think is awful. (There is enough to go around.) It’s both political parties who are capable of introducing pieces of bad legislation. That hurts us all.
This is why we propose, as one of our List of Continuing Objections, that Georgia’s Legislature start meeting not for 40 days every year, but 40 days every other year. Cut the amount of time the legislators have for mischief and Georgia will be better for it.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Langdale was key to success of Georgia State University
By Hoyt Tuggle
BUFORD, Ga. | As a former Georgia State University (GSU) student, I have many memories of my time there as a night student. I enrolled in Georgia State in 1968, eight years out of high school. I was married, had two children, two jobs, and wanted the college education I had earlier foregone.
Tuggle
I had many classes in the old circular multi-storied parking garage that had been converted to classrooms. There were no elevators. You walked up the inclined ramps to go from floor to floor. Two fellow Gwinnettians who experienced this ahead of me were J. D. Caswell and Boyd Duncan.
The president of the college was Dr. Noah Langdale, a burly 6’ 1” 250+ lb. former tackle at the University of Alabama. He was a member of the distinguished Langdale family of Valdosta, and had degrees from the Harvard School of Law and its business school. He became president in 1957, when the college was known as Georgia State College of Business Administration. It would become Georgia State University) in 1969 under his tenure.
Langdale
Dr. Langdale would walk the inclines of that old classroom building at night between classes, stopping the students, asking their names, how were things going and what could he do to make things better for them. I met him so often that at times I would hear him yell, “Hoyt, wait up”. He, Dean Kenneth England, and Colonel Culp, gave me the encouragement to participate in college activities even though my time was limited.
During my time at GSU, new buildings were constantly being erected, and filled. By the time I graduated the campus was totally different than when I began.
When I walked across the stage to get my degree in 1972, my eyes met Dr. Langdale’s and I saw the biggest grin on his face. I shook the largest hand I have ever shaken as he said, “Hoyt, I am so proud of you”. He said that to most, if not all, of the graduates that day. That’s the kind of leader he was. He was essential to the success of GSU and he was, above all else, a “student’s president.”
I will always think of him when GSU crosses my mind. Here is a link to Dr. Langdale’s (Noah’s) obituary.
Without Noah Langdale, GSU would not be what it is today.
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The Gwinnett Stripers
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. The Gwinnett Stripers, Triple-A International League affiliate of the 2021 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves, play at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, Ga. The Stripers’ 2022 home opener is Tuesday, April 12 vs. Nashville. For single-game tickets, memberships, team merchandise, or more information, visit GoStripers.com. Follow the Stripers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at GoStripers.
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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.
Passports now available at office of clerk of courts at GJAC
Gwinnett County Clerk of Court Tiana Garner is opening a new passport acceptance office at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC). Passport services are now available at the office of the Clerk of Court. Residents can now apply for a passport by visiting the office from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with no appointment necessary. Passport photo services are also available for a fee.
For a list of all fees, acceptable forms of payment and necessary documents, visit the passport section of the Clerk of Court’s website at GwinnettCourts.com as well as the U.S. Department of State site at Travel.State.gov. The Office of the Clerk of Court is located at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.
Deadline is April 1 to apply for homestead exemption
Tax Commissioner Tiffany P. Porter reminds Gwinnett County homeowners that the deadline to apply for a homestead exemption is April 1. “Homeowners need to apply in order for us to help them,” Porter says. “Once the application is filed, we will work with citizens to determine their eligibility.”
To be eligible for the reduction in ad valorem taxes this year, the home must be owned and occupied as the primary residence as of January 1; other eligibility criteria apply, including providing supporting documentation.
Applications may be completed online at GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com/apply or visit any Gwinnett Tax Commissioner office to pick up or drop off a paper application. For in-person assistance regarding homesteads, make an appointment to visit the main property tax office at 75 Langley Dr., Lawrenceville. Appointments can be made in advance at GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com/appointments.
Homeowners with approved exemptions do not need to reapply unless their status has changed.
Gwinnett Tech ranked among tops in veteran services
Gwinnett Technical College has once again been recognized as one of the best in the nation for veterans services by Military Friendly magazine. It ranks Gwinnett Tech as ranked fourth among large community colleges in the nation for its commitment to education and providing opportunities to America’s veterans, service members, and their families.
Dr. Glen Cannon, president of Gwinnett Technical college, says: “Gwinnett Tech is honored to be named one of the top colleges in the nation for veterans. Our Office of Veterans Affairs continually strives to serve prospective and current students as they transition from military life to civilian life.”
Gwinnett Tech Veteran Services include:
- Veterans Educational Benefits Support
- Yellow Ribbon Program
- Veterans Scholarships
- Dedicated Computer Lab
- Student Veterans Organization
- Career Counseling
- Laptop Lending Program
- Text for Troops
- Priority Registration
- Application Fee Wavier
For more information about Gwinnett Technical College’s commitment to military students, visit the Office of Veterans Affairs or call 678-226-6343.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
The Last Days of Socrates (on BBC radio) by Plato
From Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill: “When I read this book last month, I found it very interesting, but there were times I wanted to pull my hair out. So, in my desire to get a better grasp of it before my book club meeting, I turned to the internet and was delighted to find an extremely well done BBC radio dramatization featuring Leo McKern as Socrates. This is what I’m recommending here. True, it doesn’t use the entire text of the book, but it does use the bulk of it and is a translation I found easier to understand than the one I read. It brought to life the discussions about piety, wisdom, loyalty to the state and one’s principles, how to live a good life, how to define justice, what it means to be good, how to take care of your soul, and the importance of questioning everything. You can find it at this link.
- 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
Tales of buried treasure abound around Blackbeard Island
The setting for generations of pirate lore and tales of buried treasure, coastal Georgia’s Blackbeard Island has had a compelling history for at least 200 years, including a period when it was the largest federal marine quarantine station on the south Atlantic coast.
The 5,618-acre island, northeast of Sapelo Island in McIntosh County, was named for Edward Teach, best known as “Blackbeard,” a pirate who conducted raids on merchant shipping in the region in the early 18th century. It was called Blackbeard Island as early as 1760, when the island was delineated as such on a survey map compiled by William DeBrahm and Henry Yonge. The legend that Teach buried his pirate loot on the island has persisted over the years, although no treasure has ever been found. Teach and his cohorts almost certainly frequented the area around the island. Tidewater Georgia, with its labyrinthine creeks, inlets, and secluded marsh islands, provided ideal cover for their illegal operations.
Blackbeard Island was owned by a consortium of French investors for 11 years beginning in 1789. In 1800 the island was sold at public auction to the U.S. Navy Department as a federal timber reserve. Live oak timber from the south Atlantic coastal islands was in heavy demand in the first half of the 19th century because of its suitability for the construction of wooden naval vessels. Public documents and personal accounts describe forays by northern shipbuilders to Blackbeard and other Georgia islands in search of the heavy, durable live oak timbers used in the framing of ships’ hulls. James Keen of Philadelphia made one such visit to Blackbeard in the winter of 1817-18. Keen kept a journal of the activities of his crew on the island.
Except for occasional leasing by the federal government for cattle stocking, Blackbeard Island saw little further use until after the Civil War. In 1880 the U.S. Marine Hospital Service opened the South Atlantic Quarantine Station at Blackbeard Island to monitor oceangoing shipping entering the Georgia ports of Savannah, Darien and Brunswick. The quarantine station was built in response to the yellow fever epidemic of 1876, which claimed 1,000 lives in Savannah alone. Yellow fever, typically spread by mosquitoes, was usually introduced to the American mainland by ships arriving from tropical Caribbean waters. Vessels bound for U.S. southern Atlantic ports were required to report to Blackbeard for inspection and, if necessary, disinfection.
(To be continued)
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Think outside the box to get this identification
You’ll need to think outside the box to identify this Mystery Photo. Associate the phrase “long time ago” to this photo. Send your answers to elliott@brack.net and include your hometown
Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. solved both the Mystery Photo and a second question with his answer to the last puzzle. The photo was submitted by Charles Anderson of Lawrenceville.
Peel wrote: “Today’s mystery photo is of the ‘gazebo’ on the grounds of the Camden Public Library in Camden, Maine. The library was first opened on June 11, 1928, and it underwent an expansion with the addition of the Centennial Wing in 1996. The Centennial Wing was actually built entirely underground, under the lawn where the ‘gazebo’ sits today. It was built underground so as to not obstruct the views of the Camden Harbor that can been seen from the main library building.
But why would anyone build a gazebo, surrounded by glass doors (or are they windows?), leave it empty, and then place iron bars around the perimeter.
Well, the structure is actually the rotunda of the underground reference room in the Centennial Wing. It is in effect a window that allows natural lighting into a room that otherwise be quite dark. The ironwork was installed to ensure that only light can get through the glass windows (yes .. they are windows, not doors). Pretty ingenious, huh?”
As is often the case, George Graf of Palmyra, Va. also solved this mystery.
Ugly neckties were once rewarded in Gwinnett
Years ago, there were annual Ugly Tie Contest for readers of the Gwinnett Daily News. Larry Zani, who then lived in Norcross, won one year’s contest. He now lives in Kaiserslauten, Germany and ran across this article. That year some 93 people contributed their own ugly neckties in the contest. The three top winners won a two-day weekend at what was then PineIsle resort at Lake Lanier. We’re also showing an old column about the contest, which Larry Zani uncovered at his home.
Ribbon-cutting of the new campus at The Water Tower at Gwinnett, 2500 Clean Water Court, Buford. The program will be Wednesday, March 30 at 2 p.m. The campus consists of 35 acres. Companies will use the campus to test innovative water technology to assist utilities. The campus also will provide training for new and existing water company employees.
Sundays in Suwanee Series with author Tiphanie Yanique will be on April 3 at 3 p.m. at the Suwanee Library Branch, 361 Main Street. Join this national award-winning author as she discusses her newest book, Monster in the Middle, a love story that captures both the mind and heart.
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