GwinnettForum | Number 21.90 | Dec. 2, 2022
LAWRENCEVILLE WELCOMED John Mullin, center, as the new police chief to its community this week, as a large crowd turned out. He will be sworn in on December 14 and will begin in his new role on December 16. The veteran police official has a bachelor’s degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a master’s degree from Columbus State University. He’s also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Joy in Duluth, as Peachtree Christian Health raises $593,900
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Baker’s fourth game strategy was turning point of World Series
SPOTLIGHT: Georgia Banking Company
FEEDBACK: Suggests that law enforcement use bait cars to nab yeggs
UPCOMING: Peach State FCU announces merger with two credit unions
NOTABLE: Stripers launch ticket package for 2023 season
RECOMMENDED: Servants of the Damned by David Enrich
GEORGIA TIDBIT: John Leadley Dagg was prominent Baptist theologian and scholar
MYSTERY PHOTO: Figure out who and where about this statue
LAGNIAPPE: ‘Tis the season: how the City of Norcross greets visitors
CALENDAR: Christmas Farmers’ Market in Snellville on Saturday
Joy in Duluth as Peachtree Christian Health raises $593,900
By Paige Havens
DULUTH, Ga. | Peachtree Christian Health (PCH) has been saved!
After announcing recently that it might be forced to close unless the community could raise $500,000, the community came through. Many large anonymous gifts came in.
Havens
As of Wednesday morning, the community had rallied by contributing $593,900 for PCH.
PCH President, Anne Mancini says, happily laughing: “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. Every donation made a difference. My phone has rung constantly and emails have surged. They are still coming! More than 475 donors across 24 states have given to the cause. Caregivers from across the region are calling to get on our 2023 enrollment list. Clearly, we are no longer the best kept secret!”
Board Chair Bob Dutlinger responds: “The decision to close was gut-wrenching. The setbacks we faced during the pandemic shutdown were deep and we needed $500,000 to bridge the gap. Knowing this was going to be so hard on the families we served, we needed to give them as much notice as possible to find alternate care options for their loved ones. We honestly never expected the overwhelming level of faith, devotion, and commitment we’ve seen over the past few weeks.”
As news of the victorious decision spread, there was an abundance of happy tears, hugs, and prayers of praise and thanksgiving. Caregiver Nadine Rowser, who had still not had the courage or heart to tell her husband that PCH was closing, says: “I’ve just prayed and prayed we would get our miracle. Too many in our community need PCH. Caregivers, like me, desperately need this quality, affordable adult day option. Participants, like my husband, thrive here because they have a safe place to belong where they can still have some independence with trained medical staff always watching out for their health and well-being. The staff here are amazing and their loyalty through all of this speaks volumes. Not one of them left.”
The community is invited to join PCH for a joyous party on Thursday, December 22 at 2 p.m. to celebrate this amazing Christmas miracle. Guests are asked to RSVP at www.bit.ly/PCHRSVP.
Looking ahead to 2023, PCH is excited to fill every opening available and reboot their business plan to shift from recovery to sustainability. There are immediate enrollment opportunities. Families of veterans are strongly encouraged to reach out as PCH is an approved Veterans Administration healthcare provider with new transportation options available.
Individuals and families caring for adult loved ones that need support during the day to work, manage household duties, or focus on self-care are invited to tour PCH in person or virtually. Those caring for someone with dementia are encouraged to learn more about PCH’s virtual dementia tour. PCH offers rewarding volunteer opportunities too. Those interested in learning more should call 770-624-2727 or email Anne Mancini at amancini@pchlec.org.
The Save Our Center campaign will now sunset and revert back to a Caregiving Scholarship Fund to help provide support to caregivers unable to afford PCH services. Donations can be made anytime at www.pchlec.org. Mancini says, “We must keep this incredible momentum going. Caregivers in our community desperately need our services. The community has spoken and affirms the importance of our mission. We have locked arms and are committed to ensuring caregivers and their loved ones have access to the life enriching services at PCH.”
Baker’s 4th game strategy was turning point of World Series
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
DEC. 2, 2022 | Fans of baseball will tell you that there is a lot of strategy in that game. It’s a simple game, which basically boils down to hitting a thrown object with a specially-designed stick. One incident from the recent World Series bears out the strategy argument.
Let’s review the recent Series. Philadelphia won the first game in Houston, but the Astros evened the Series in the second game. Then in the third game the Phillies really pounded the Astros 7-0 for the first game in Philadelphia. Not only that, but the normally explosive Astros seemed to balk, and it looked like the Phillies might win two more games in their home town and waltz through the Series.
But the Astros’ Dusty Baker is a sound manager. After all, he is the guy who, in 25 years in managing, had won 2,903 regular season games, and taken five different teams to division titles. He obviously knows the game well, something that losing managers do not. But the one achievement he never attained was being on a World Series championship team, not as a player with the Braves or Dodgers, nor ever as a manager. That’s why many were pulling for him and his Astros to take the Series.
Baker, via Wikipedia.
Baker had learned in his 73 years that the fourth game of the Series is often the decisive game, no matter how many games are played. So here was his strategy that turned the Series around and gave him that championship ring.
He held back his best pitcher, Cristian Javier, and didn’t start him until the fourth game. His 2022 record was 11-9, but Javier has held opponents to a .178 batting average in his career, the lowest among all pitchers with at least 300 innings pitched since 2020.
And what did Javier do in that fourth game? He pitched no-hit ball for six innings, struck out nine Phillies, and then turned the game over to Baker’s strong bullpen. In turn, the pen pitchers also held the Phillies hitless, striking out five more, in a complete no-hit game, winning 5-0.
And it evened the Series at two games each. It turned the Series around, with the Astros winning the second game in Philadelphia, then returning home to the deciding game and the title.
Of course, Dusty Baker had strong pitching from his entire staff, which whiffed 71 Philly hitters, a new record. And his own batters were strong in the last three games.
The key was that Baker kept his best pitcher strong, asking him to win that crucial fourth game!
Many managers’ traditional strategy, when he has a particularly strong pitcher in the World Series, is to use that guy all he can. They would put on the mound his best pitcher in game one, game four and if needed in game seven. Let the opposition face his best as much as possible.
But instead, Baker holds his best pitcher back, so that he will be entirely rested for game four, then sees him pitching no-hit ball for six innings, and ends up winning the key game.
Of course, it helps to have other key starters, the strong Justin Verlander, and Framber Valdez, plus a solid bullpen.
And as for Dusty Baker? Some have said that if he won the Series and his first ring in all his baseball days, that as the oldest manager in baseball, he might not be back for another long baseball season.
Now we learn that Dusty Baker is coming back for another season, saying: “If I win one, I might as well win two!”
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Georgia Banking Company
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Suggests that law enforcement use bait cars to nab yeggs
Editor, the Forum:
I think you can stop the stealing of guns from cars by putting bait cars out with a gun visible. However, put a plug in the barrel but leave the gun loaded and fully functional. When the thief fires the gun, well, guess what happens! The gun severely injures the shooter. Or you could put a plug in there with a load of butane, a big load, and burn him badly.
Others have used bait cars with the car keys in them, which lock the doors so the intruder cannot get out. Put the car on a flatbed truck and take it and him straight to the lock-up. Come to think of it, do both. Reduce crime!
– Raleigh Perry, Buford
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.
Peach State FCU announces merger with two credit unions
Two more South Carolina credit unions are merging with Peach State Federal Credit Union of Lawrenceville. Credit unions in Abbeville and Pickens, S.C., announced the mergers this week. The announcement follows votes last week by the two credit unions during a special meeting of their members. Both mergers, which have been approved by the National Credit Union Administration, are effective December 1, 2022.
The two South Carolina credit unions have a membership of 4,500, and bring $40 million in assets to the merger. That gives Peach State FCU a total of 70,000 members in Georgia and South Carolina and assets of $870 million.
With these mergers, Peach State FCU now has four offices in South Carolina, including those in Aiken and Greenwood. The mergers are the result of Peach State and the S.C. credit unions shared values, mission, and corporate culture. Local boards and management look to continue to grow while remaining highly competitive in today’s financial marketplace.
From left are Chuck Nash, Abbeville Community FCU Board chairman; Trish Fuller, Abbeville Community FCU Manager; and Marshall Boutwell, Peach State FCU President/CEO.
Abbeville was founded in 1971 to serve the needs of local railroad employees and their immediate families in Abbeville, Greenwood, Anderson, and McCormick counties. In January 2004, Abbeville was granted a community charter, and in July 2011, they became federally chartered. Their field of membership includes service to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Abbeville County, S.C., as well as any businesses.
Trish Fuller, manager at Abbeville Community FCU, says: “There is no better time than the present to bring about positive changes for our members. Our focus remains on our members and understanding their needs. We’re excited about this merger as it will create more opportunities to expand services and deepen relationships for the communities we serve.”
From left are Marshall Boutwell, Peach State FCU President/CEO; Phil Reece, Pickens Federal CU Board Chairman; and Clayton Kerr, Pickens FCU President/CEO.
Pickens Federal Credit Union was founded in 1961 as the Diehl-Poinsett Federal Credit Union and provided services to all Singer Company employees. In 2001 the credit union was approved for a community charter, expanding their field of membership to include service to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Pickens County, S.C. They also welcomed the teachers and employees of the School District of Pickens County into their field of membership in 2011, which ties in with Peach State’s start as an education-based credit union.
Clayton Kerr, President/CEO of Pickens Federal, says: “Our board and staff are elated about the endless possibilities created for our members through this union with Peach State. We will continue to focus on serving the members in our community with the highest level of care, but now with even more products and support.”
Marshall Boutwell, president/CEO of Peach State, says: “This partnership will allow us to provide increased accessibility, more financial products, services, and additional resources that will make a positive impact on the Abbeville community. This is a great example of a cooperative unity but more importantly, it demonstrates a strong commitment to the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people.”
Two new apartment complexes coming to Norcross
The city of Norcross is to see construction of 160 apartments through a grant from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Walton Communities and Blue Ridge Atlantic Development were both awarded $1,150,000 and will accommodate low-cost living for families, seniors, and individuals in need of supportive housing.
Walton Communities is the development partner that the Norcross Housing Authority chose to work with to redevelop their current property into a 90-unit apartment community. The development is located at Reeves Street, off Mitchell Road. At present there are 28 apartments on the tract.
Blue Ridge Atlantic Development plans to construct 70 apartment units intended for seniors and veterans. The development will be located behind the commercial storefronts in the northeast corner of Beaver Ruin Road and Buford Highway.
Town of Braselton will launch Spark Sessions on Jan. 12
The town of Braselton is launching its 2023 Spark Sessions, with the first session to be on January 12. At this meeting, attendees can learn about topics such as fundraising, cap table formation, marketing strategy and a host of topics led by experts in these topics. The events are free and open to the public, however there is limited space. Sign up here for the sessions.
The first session will be held at the Braselton Civic Center, 27 East Lake Drive starting at 6 p.m.
Spark Sessions is directed by BraseltonTec, a private-public initiative the Town has formulated in partnership with the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) headquartered at Georgia-Tech. ATDC’s mission is to develop a technology ecosystem that attracts technology companies, investors and the talent required to scale.
Stripers launch ticket package for 2023 season
Just in time for the holidays, the Gwinnett Stripers have launched their popular Hook, 9 and Sinker Packs for the 2023 season. Packs are available for purchase now at GoStripers.com/hook9sinker.
A perfect gift for sports fans of all ages, each Hook, 9 and Sinker Pack includes a seat for nine of the Stripers’ most popular games (including four Fireworks Nights), three guaranteed Premium Giveaways (including a “Leaping Fish” Bobblehead), and a Home Run Porch seat for the Atlanta Braves vs. Seattle Mariners game on May 21 at Truist Park.
Choose either the Infield Box for $160 (a $285 value) or Field Box for $135 (a $268 value), both over a 40 percent savings, and receive:
- One (1) ticket to nine of the Stripers’ most popular games:
- Friday, March 31 – Opening Night with Postgame Fireworks;
- Friday, April 15 – Jackie Robinson Day with Atlanta Black Crackers T-Shirt Giveaway;
- Saturday, May 6 – Star Wars Night;
- Saturday, June 10 – Special Appearance (to be announced);
- Tuesday, July 4 – Independence Day Celebration with Postgame Fireworks;
- Saturday, July 22 – “Leaping Fish” Bobblehead Giveaway;
- Friday, August 25 – Postgame Fireworks;
- Saturday, September 9 – Premium Giveaway (to be announced); and
- Friday, September 22 – Fan Appreciation Night with Postgame Firework.
- One (1) Home Run Porch ticket to the Atlanta Braves’ May 21 game vs. the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park
The first 100 purchasers of a Hook, 9 and Sinker Pack will receive a discount voucher for 20 percent off merchandise at Bobby’s Tackle Team Store.
Gwinnett Stripers’ Opening Night at Coolray Field is set for Friday, March 31 vs. Jacksonville. Memberships for 2023 are on sale now by calling the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340. For more information, visit GoStripers.com/memberships.
Servants of the Damned by David Enrich
From Tim Keith, Sugar Hill: Servants of the Damned is entertaining, easy to read and well researched. Its theme is that large law firms are driven by the pursuit of money while turning a blind eye to the pursuit of social justice. To illustrate, the author chronicles Jones Day, a huge, Cleveland-founded firm with thousands of lawyers and dozens of offices around the world. Jones Day’s most famous client is Donald Trump. The firm also defends firearms and opioid manufacturers and tobacco companies as well as many other ne’er-do-wells, stating that “everyone is entitled to counsel no matter how unpopular their cause.” The author maintains that their lawyers use tactics like helping clients declare bankruptcy to avoid paying for misdeeds, overwhelming plaintiffs lawyers with mounds of paperwork and disrupting trials by making abusive, meritless objections. Clients pay dearly to provide wildly extravagant salaries and bonuses for the partners.
- 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
Dagg was prominent Baptist theologian and scholar
Author, educator, and Baptist clergyman John Leadley Dagg spent the latter part of his career in Georgia, including 12 years as a professor of theology and then president of Mercer University in the 1840s and 1850s. His influential books on theology and ethics established his reputation as the country’s first systematic Baptist theologian.
Dagg was born near Middleburg, Va., on February 13, 1794. He received limited formal education, attending school from 1803 to 1810. In 1817 he married Fanny H. Thornton, with whom he had four children. In 1832 he married Mary Young Davis; they had one child.
After beginning his career as a Baptist pastor and teacher in northern Virginia, Dagg served from 1825 to 1834 as the minister of a prominent Philadelphia church, despite being lame and almost blind. After he lost his voice as well, he resigned his pulpit and became president and professor at Haddington Literary and Theological Institute, near Philadelphia (1834-36), and then at Alabama Female Athenaeum, Tuscaloosa, Ala. (1836-44). In 1843 the University of Alabama awarded him an honorary doctorate of divinity.
As an educator and theologian, Dagg is best known for his work in Georgia between 1844 and 1870. From 1844 to 1856 he was on the faculty of Mercer University, then located in Penfield, as professor of theology and later president of the college. Under his leadership four brick buildings were constructed; the student body almost tripled, to a total of 181; and a three-year program leading to the bachelor of divinity degree was established, with three full-time professors.
His greatest contribution to Baptist life came after his retirement in 1856, when he lived successively in Cuthbert, Madison, and Forsyth with his clergyman son, John Francis Dagg. He prepared A Manual of Theology (1857), A Treatise on Church Order (1858), The Elements of Moral Science (1859), and The Evidences of Christianity (1869). His reputation as a theologian and ethicist rests on these four works. All were used as textbooks and enjoyed wide circulation and commendation into the twentieth century. The first two are still in print.
In 1870 Dagg moved to Alabama, where he lived with a married daughter. He died on June 11, 1884, in Hayneville, Alabama. He is buried there in a grave approximately located and marked in 1957 by the Georgia Baptist Convention.
Dagg is perhaps the most representative theological figure among antebellum Baptists in the United States. To his contemporaries he was “the venerable Dr. Dagg,” a man of intellect and piety, of honesty and integrity, of clarity in thought and discourse. His gentleness and courtesy were frequently noted. One person wrote: “If there ever was a great man who did not know it, or knowing, cared not for it, that man is Dr. Dagg.”
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Figure out who and where about this statue
Perhaps you recognize this rendering of this person because of his long hair. Or because of his dress. Or maybe because of the location. Whatever your clue, can you identify this guy, and where this statue is placed? Send your thoughts along with your hometown to elliott@brack.net.
Barbara Dawson of Dahlonega was first in with the correction identification of Tuesday’s mystery (below): “A work of Igor Mitoraj in Boboli Garden, Florence, Italy.” She was quickly followed by Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill: “This is a huge bronze sculpture by Polish-born artist Igor Mitoraj called ‘Tindaro Screpolato’ or sometimes called ‘Tyndareus Cracked,’ and it is on permanent display in the Boboli Garden in Florence, Italy. It is named after a figure in Greek mythology, Tyndareus, king of the ancient city of Sparta and is meant to represent both strength and fragility. The crumbling visage of this cracked and disembodied face set against the lush landscape of the Italian garden is supposed to represent man’s pushing through nature’s elements and acclimating.”
The photo came from Raleigh Perry of Buford. Others recognizing it include Stew Ogilvie, Lawrenceville; Lou Camerio, Lilburn; George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; Sara Rawling of Lawrenceville; and Allan Peel, San Antonio, Tex.
Peel tells us: “Created by Germany-born Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj (1944–2014), this towering 13.5-foot high bronze sculpture was created in 1997 and donated by the artist to the Uffizi Galleries. It is actually the only modern sculpture in the Boboli Gardens, which otherwise features artwork spanning over four hundred years, from the 15th to 19th Century. Tindaro Screpolato simultaneously depicts both strength and fragility; featuring the cracked and disembodied face of a mythical man who once held a great deal of power, providing us all with a strong reminder of the effects of the passing of time and our fragility as human beings, no matter how powerful we may think we are.”
‘Tis the season: how the City of Norcross greets visitors
The rotunda of Norcross City Hall greets visitors with a giant Christmas tree these days, decked with numerous red bows. If you haven’t yet, time to hunt down those Christmas ornaments to deck your own halls.
The Nutcracker Ballet is returning to Gwinnett for its 41st season from December 3-18, at the Gas South Theatre. This is one of the largest productions of this presentation in Georgia, featuring over 90 dancers, 20 costume and backstage personnel, and a live orchestra at many performances. There will be two casts of dancers, from Gwinnett Ballet Theatre and Sugarloaf Youth Ballet.
Snellville’s Farmers’ Market is having an extended season on Saturday, December 3 in the parking lot behind Snellville City Hall. Shop while enjoying breakfast or lunch. The 2022 Snellville Christmas ornaments will be on sale.
Tree Festival: The Duluth Fine Arts League is sponsoring the Festival of Trees this year at the Southeastern Railway Museum. Decorated trees are highlighted among the train engines, railcars and other transportation vehicles throughout the museum. With any ticket purchase to the museum now through the end of the year, visitors can enjoy the tree display, the antique train memorabilia, the mini train village, the RR Gift Shop, and much more. Make plans to discover a treasure in your own backyard! For more details, go to: https://www.train-museum.org/.
Snellville Commerce Club Christmas Luncheon will be at noon Tuesday, December 6 at The Kitchen at Summit Chase. Members will share Secret Santa gifts and play the Secret Santa Game. The club is also collecting cash, canned goods and non-perishable food items to share with others at Christmas.
Authors and desserts in Duluth: Join the Gwinnett County Public Library in Duluth for this event on December 15 at 7 p.m. Bestselling fiction authors Kimberly Brock, Piper Huguley and Alayne Smith will be in conversation with Emmy winner Kolinda Scialabba. Books will be on sale and signing.
Two concerts are scheduled by the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra on December 17, both at Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road. At 2:30 p.m. there will be a kid’s Christmas concert. Then at 7:30 p.m., the orchestra will present a Christmas Pops Concert. To purchase individual concert tickets, visit johnscreeksymphony.org or call 678-748-5802.
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