“Union Pacific Yellow Caboose” by John Bullock
As late spring turns to summer, Norcross Gallery and Studios’ thoughts turn to imaginative creativity in the current exhibit, “Pigments of Imagination.” It is a happy, colorful show filled with glowing landscapes, western scenes, flowers and animals, certain to evoke summer’s charms in the artists’ works presented. The showing of member artists’ works were chosen by Judge Gail Wegodsky who holds BFA degrees from Maryland Institute College of Art and MFA from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and was Atlanta Magazine’s Artist of the Month.
- “Mary’s Place” by Carole Chalmers is of the lovely marshland of coastal North Carolina; Ms. Chalmers says she loves to paint in that peaceful area and it shows in her work.
- Artist John Bullock’s bright, cheerful depiction of “Union Pacific Yellow Caboose” is a part of a train made into a hotel with other train cars in South Central Utah near the Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort.
- Kathryn Heller tells a story in her brilliant graphite of a wood stork and a laughing gull; the drawing is titled “The Encounter”. She laughingly said the small seagull won!
- Cindi Williams shares her portrait of roses, appropriately titled “Sweet Roses,” an avid gardener she has always loved to paint flowers. She says she enjoyed creating this more modern impressionistic interpretation of a sweet vase of roses.
Norcross Gallery and Studios is a 501(c))3 nonprofit community of established and aspiring artists who promote appreciation and awareness of art in the community, offering classes, workshops and exhibits throughout the year, which are open and free to the public. It is located in the heart of Norcross at 116 Carlyle Street; hours are Thursdays through Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone is 770-840-9844 and the website is norcrossgalleryandstudios.org
Iowa native to become chair of PA studies at PCOM
Thomas
Pharmacy Dr. Rebekah Thomas of Flowery Branch, has been named the chair and program director of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies for Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The program, with about 175 students enrolled, has teaching sites in both Philadelphia and Suwanee. She also serves as a professor on the teaching faculty.
With both a doctorate degree in pharmacy and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies, Dr. Thomas joined the PCOM Department of Physician Assistant Studies in July 2015 as an assistant professor.
She graduated in 2008 from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, cum laude, and then completed two years of general and specialty pharmacy residency training at Grady Health in Atlanta. At Grady, she served as co-chief pharmacy resident and worked in the pharmacotherapy and anti-coagulation clinics. Dr. Thomas also participated in pharmaceutical research at Grady where she served on the Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee.
Upon completion of her pharmacy education and training, she earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree, cum laude, from the College of Allied Health Sciences at Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia.
Dr. Thomas then worked as a hospitalist in inpatient hospital medicine for several years, and as an assistant professor of pharmacology at Augusta University.
A published author, Dr. Thomas has given presentations across the Southeast. She is a licensed and certified PA, a licensed pharmacist and certified in advanced cardiovascular and basic life support. In addition, Dr. Thomas is board certified in advanced diabetes management and as a pharmacotherapy specialist. She has volunteered as a preceptor for pharmacy and physician assistant students.
Dr. Thomas was honored in 2020 as the PCOM Georgia Advisor of the Year by the PCOM Georgia Student Organizing Council. In addition, she was nominated for the Physician Assistant Education Association “Rising Star” Award in 2018 and 2019. This award recognizes a faculty member who has made noteworthy contributions to PA education.
Dr. Thomas is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Physician Assistant Education Association.
Lenora Park getting new turf, Rec Center
Snellville’s Lenora Park’s natural turf fields will be converted to synthetic turf. The change allows for optimal use while reducing overall maintenance costs. In addition to the turf replacement, there will also be drainage renovations. This location is the last of Gwinnett Parks and Recreation’s natural turf fields to be converted. This project is funded by SPLOST at a cost of $1.7 million.
Lenora Park’s gym will also get a new Community Recreation Center. Crews will begin installation of floors, goals, wall padding, paint, lighting and bleachers. Staff offices, a game room and activity rooms will also be constructed. For those residents who enjoy walking indoors, a walking track overlooking the gym will be installed on the second-floor and accessible by a newly installed elevator. This upgrade will also include the addition of an outdoor basketball court and a parking lot expansion. Renovations will not interrupt the use of the gym or its use as a polling site during the 2024 election.
Housing group opens first Homeowner Resource Center
Snipping the ribbon at the grand opening of the GHC are, from left, Tom Bowers of Lennar; Lelja Prljaca of GHC; Adam Paterson of Lennar; Mandy Crate of Homeaid Atlanta; and Karen Ramsey of GHC.
Gwinnett Housing Corporation (GHC) has opened Gwinnett County’s first Homeowner Resource Center. To aid in its development, GHC partnered with Norcross’s Downtown Development Authority for a building at 128 Lawrenceville Street, down the street from the Norcross City Hall. The nonprofit also partnered with HomeAid Atlanta and Lennar to renovate the building. The ribbon cutting was June 5.
Through the Gwinnett Homeowner Resource Center, the GHC will provide programming in cooperation with other partner organizations, which include Habitat Gwinnett, Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc. (ANDP), Money Management International, Catholic Charities, Community Sustainability Enterprise, the Gwinnett County Housing Department, and Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA). Programs will include housing counseling, referrals for down payment assistance, access to non-profit developers, lenders, owner-occupied rehabilitation, and home modification activities.
In addition to home ownership programs, GHC provides access to affordable rental housing, transitional housing, and shelter assistance. To learn more about the Gwinnett Housing Corporation, its programs, and projects, visit www.GwinnettHousing.org.
The GHC was established in 1997 due to the overwhelming need for affordable housing in the area. GHC is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 development organization with a focus on creating, rehabilitating, and operating quality affordable residential housing.
Be alert for rabies: second infected cat reported
Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement and the Gwinnett County Health Department advise residents to use caution and avoid animals behaving in unusual ways after another cat tested positive for the rabies virus. A second rabid cat has been found in Gwinnett County. On June 10, a cat attacked an individual at 6500 block of Barker Station Walk in Buford. Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement promptly collected the cat, which was then taken to the shelter for testing.
Pet owners are strongly advised to ensure their pets are current on the rabies vaccination. If you or your child have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or suspected rabid animal, immediate preventive treatment is necessary. Seek medical care immediately and inform the healthcare provider of the exposure. Then, contact the Gwinnett County Health Department at 770-339-4260 and request to speak with the on-call epidemiologist.
EMC Foundation makes $81,000 in grants in Gwinnett
The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded a total of $122,675 in grants for organizations during its recent meeting, including $81,000 to organizations serving Gwinnett County. Among them:
- $15,000 to Camp Kudzu, to support 18-20 children, teens and their families in the 10 counties served by Jackson EMC to attend a variety of camp activities for children and teens with diabetes.
- $15,000 to Camp Twin Lakes, a not-for-profit organization that offers year-round recreational, therapeutic and educational programming for children facing serious illnesses and other challenges, to help children in Jackson EMC’s 10-county service area.
- $15,000 to Spectrum Autism Support Group, for a parent-run nonprofit group in Suwanee that provides Gwinnett and Hall County families with support, education and resources for the entire spectrum of autism disorders, to help disadvantaged autistic individuals ages four to 22 attend the organization’s weeklong summer camp programs.
- $15,000 to YWCO of Athens, to help 30 girls from low-income families attend the summer girls camp program, a structured recreational and educational summer program targeting young girls ages 5 to 14 from low-to-moderate income families.
- $10,000 to Camp Amplify, Winder, to provide 15 children ages eight to 12 from underserved communities with a week-long camping experience to develop character, leadership and teambuilding skills through a high adventure, overnight camp.
- $6,000 to Families of Children Under Stress (FOCUS), a nonprofit agency serving children, teens and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, to help provide 18 children the opportunity to build social skills, self-respect, character and community living skills at Camp Hollywood in Lawrenceville.
- $5,000 to Foster Siblings Reunited, to enable children in the 10 counties Jackson EMC serves to attend Camp to Belong summer camp, which reunites siblings living separately in foster care or other out-of-home care to strengthen relationships, increase self-esteem, create healthier attitudes and childhood memories.
Follow Us