NEW for 1/26: Hudgens contest, Kendeda Fund, more

GwinnettForum  |  Number 23.08  | Jan. 26, 2024

THE BLUE RIDGE CONNECTOR TERMINAL near Gainesville is anticipated to be a catalyst for businesses through a competitive supply chain in the growing Northeast Georgia regional market. It is scheduled to be open in 2026.  The 104-acre location will link to the Port of Savannah’s Jimmy Mason Mega Rail, the largest on-dock rail facility in North America, with daily rail departures on CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads to inland markets. By linking to the Port of Savannah via rail, the Blue Ridge Connector will reduce congestion on Georgia highways, eliminating the 600-mile roundtrip drive to and from the coast. This means offsetting emissions by as much as 75 percent, and lowering transportation costs.

IN THIS EDITION

TODAY’S FOCUS: Hudgens Center accepting entries for $50,000 Georgia art prize

EEB PERSPECTVE: Learn the fascinating story of the Kendeda Fund

SPOTLIGHT: Mingledorff’s

FEEDBACK: Condo associations are weak link in that system

UPCOMING: Lanier Levett  becomes chairman of Gwinnett Chamber for 2024

NOTABLE: County urges legislators caution on proposed new city

RECOMMENDED: Blood on Their Hands by Mandy Matney and Carolyn Murnick

GEORGIA TIDBIT: Connecticut native is founder of University of Georgia

MYSTERY PHOTO: House of worship is this edition’s Mystery Photo

CALENDAR: Free open house at Pinckneyville Park  on Jan. 27 

TODAY’S FOCUS

Hudgens Center accepting entries for $50,000 art prize

Gallery at the Hudgens.

DULUTH, Ga.  |  Entries are now being accepted for the $50,000 Hudgens Prize and solo exhibit for a Georgia artist. The seventh Hudgens Prize is one of the largest awards in the nation given to an individual artist. The purpose of the competition is to elevate and promote the arts throughout Georgia, while providing a transformational opportunity for the winning artist. The prize is sponsored by the Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for Art and Learning.  

Laura Ballance, executive director at the Hudgens Center, says: “We provide the Hudgens Prize as an opportunity to strengthen and promote the arts across Georgia. The award provides unparalleled recognition and resources to emerging artists, and has served to help launch successful careers of former recipients while positioning Georgia as a central force for the arts.”

Kate Driscoll, the Hudgens’ curator of Exhibitions and Collections, states: “We are so proud to continue the prestigious Hudgens Prize competition as a potentially life-changing opportunity for emerging Georgia artists. We are honored, too, to assemble and work with such an impressive panel of jurors. Our 2024 Hudgens Prize jurors are unique in that they bring to the Hudgens Prize competition both national renowned professionals who have a personal investment in our community of Georgia artists.” 

The 2024 Hudgens Prize jurors include Annette Cone-Skelton, CEO and Founding Director, The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA); Floyd Hall, Executive Director, The Atlanta Contemporary; and Melissa Messina, Curatorial and Advisory Services Consultant, and Curator, Mildred Thompson Estate.

The Hudgens Prize competition is open to all individual artists, ages 18 and older, living as full-time residents in the state of Georgia. Visual artwork of any medium will be considered. Works previously exhibited at the Hudgens are ineligible for inclusion in Hudgens Prize exhibitions. All work must have been completed within the last two years. Entry requires a $30 non-refundable fee, and entitles each artist to submit up to ten examples of their work.

• For more information, visit www.thehudgens.org. Artwork may be submitted for application and consideration at 2024 Hudgens Prize.

The submission deadline for 2024 Hudgens Prize consideration is March 1, 2024.

Jurors will review images and artist statements throughout March, April and May, and will select four artists to participate in the Hudgens Prize Finalists’ Exhibition, based on submitted materials. Each of the four finalists will receive a $1,500 cash stipend to cover exhibition-related expenses.

The Hudgens Prize will be awarded based on visits to the four finalist’s studios and the works on view in the 2024 Hudgens Prize Finalists’ Exhibition. The $50,000 prize recipient will be announced at the Hudgens Prize Award Celebration, which will take place in September 2024.

The Hudgens Center for Art and Learning is a non-profit organization that has been focused on supporting the arts in Georgia since its establishment in 1981. Its mission is to bring together art lovers, leaders and learners through quality art education programs and exhibitions. 

The Hudgens Center is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300, in Duluth, on the Gas South District campus.  For more information about exhibitions, events and arts education at the Hudgens, visit www.thehudgens.org or call 770-623-6002.

• Have a comment?  Send to: elliott@brack.net

EEB PERSPECTIVE

Learn the fascinating story of the Kendeda Fund

By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum

JAN. 26, 2024  |  Perhaps you have heard of the Kendeda Fund, a nationwide nonprofit we learned that has been based in Georgia in a story from the Saporta Report. We read about it going out of business at the end of 2023, and found it to be one of the most interesting stories of the year, quietly and virtually anonymously operating without most people realizing who was behind it. 

It was run by Diana Blank, the first wife of Home Depot Founder Arthur Blank. She spent the last 30 years giving away more than $1 billion, particularly in Atlanta and Montana.  It’s a long, beautiful story. We won’t go into details because of space. But you’ll find it interesting by going to this link.

From Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful: When you get new products packed with SyrofoaM around it (such as a new computer or printer or coffee pot), what do you do with the packaging if it is Styrofoam?

Don’t send it away in your curbside recycling bin. No, Styrofoam does not belong in the recycling bin. If you participate in the Hefty Orange/ReNew program (the orange bag recycling), you can put it in there and drop it off at WestRock’s Transfer station in Lawrenceville, GC&B says.  Otherwise, you can place Styrofoam in your garbage can. 

Raleigh Perry sends this note as a reminder: “To everyone who received a book from me on Christmas, they are due back to the library on Monday.”  Boy, that’s gracious, Raleigh!

Labor unions developed in this country because of management in many industries being onerous, not thinking reasonably and often having a stranglehold over their employees. We saw an item the other day on how deep that stranglehold was.  

When the United Mine Workers of America began to organize in January of 1890, one of their demands was that workers be paid their wages in U.S. currency. Many mine owners paid their employees in company scrip, essentially tying the workers to the company even more.  Company scrip was often rejected at many stores, maintaining another way the company held unreasonable sway over its workers.

Can you imagine a company paying its workers today in its own fake money?

Gwinnett commissioners this week were together when asking the local delegation to the Georgia Legislature to use caution when considering the possibility of a 17th city (Mulberry) in Gwinnett County. 

You can understand the plight of the commission. It has crafted a good relationship with its current 16 cities on which government does what, on long-term planning, and how the sales tax will be split. To have to bring elected members of a new city to the table will take a lot of time and negotiation. In particular, the county is concerned about long-term efforts, such as the 2045 Plan. We’ll all watch this with interest.

Let’s close today with riddle time, which can also be Bad Joke Time: Why did the tomato blush?  Because it saw….get this….the salad…dressing!

• Have a comment?  Send to: elliott@brack.net

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Mingledorff’s

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s featured sponsor is Mingledorff’s, an air conditioning distributor of the Carrier Air Conditioning Company. Mingledorff’s corporate office is located at 6675 Jones Mill Court in Norcross Ga. and is proud to be a sponsor of the Gwinnett Forum. With 40 locations in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and South Carolina, Mingledorff’s is the convenient local source with a complete line for the quality heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration parts and supplies you need to service and install HVAC/R equipment. Product lines include Carrier, Bryant, Payne, Totaline and Bard.

• For all of your HVAC needs, and information on the products Mingledorff’s sells, visit www.mingledorffs.com and www.carrier.com. 
• For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.

FEEDBACK

Condo associations are weak link in that system

Editor, the Forum: 

GwinnettForum’s idea is a good one for small or no down payments like the Veteran’s Administration for condo buyers.   And I do agree that homeowners usually are more stable than renters.   

Some buyers can make the condo mortgage payments, however, but they cannot afford the expensive condo monthly fees that help pay for exterior maintenance and the common areas.  Do you have suggestions on how to handle these fees?

– Virginia Klaer, Duluth

Dear Virginia: Nope, but wish I did have a solution for the down payment. The problem is that condo association elect people who are popular, but may have little management experience. Therefore, they spend money with little regard to common business practices, essentially raising condo fees. This remains the weak link for owners of condos. In some cases, homeowner associations can also contribute to bad business activities.—eeb

Empty commercial buildings make good condos

Editor, the Forum:

Many condos are rented out by the owners. The property tends to degenerate with minimal upkeep or upgrades.  Taxes are paid by the owners, but the values hang below market and drive other unit values down. Homeowners Association covenants should control rental of the property and the maintenance.  Limiting condos was very popular in converting buildings in Manhattan decades ago. 

There’s empty commercial real estate that could be converted to condos.  Conversion makes them productive for the community and generate taxes. Empty buildings only fill the docket of bankruptcy court. 

     – Byron Gilbert, Duluth

Gransden is modest, a great singer and trumpet player

Editor, the Forum: 

I have heard Joe Gransden and his Big Band at the historic Ritz Theatre in Toccoa.
So I really enjoyed his article about the band. They are terrific. They deserve much praise. 

But Joe was being modest about himself. There is no better singer and trumpet player in the country than Joe Gransden. He is the consummate entertainer with an unbelievable smooth voice. Thanks for allowing Joe to tell his success story. Can’t wait to hear him and his Big Band again. 

        – Billy Chism, Toccoa

• 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.

UPCOMING

Levett  becomes chairman of Gwinnett Chamber for 2024

The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce announces the addition of 36 new members to its 2024 Board of Directors through its recently held board orientation meeting. The session provided an overview of the organization’s mission, activities, and the significant responsibilities entrusted to the board throughout the upcoming year. The Gwinnett Chamber conducted its first full board meeting of the year on January 18 where board leaders celebrated the newly renovated office building on Sugarloaf Parkway.

Levett

New chairman of the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce for 2024 is Lanier Levett, vice presidenet of Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Home. Levett says: “It is a great honor to serve as this year’s Chair of the Board of Directors and to welcome these new members to the Chamber’s leadership circle. We look forward to working and leading together as we champion business in our community.”

Nick Masino, president and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber, emphasizes the board’s responsibility in selecting members who reflect the diverse composition of the local business community. “The Gwinnett Chamber champions business and we rely on our board to lead that mission, actively working to appoint members who represent the richly diverse make-up of our business community,” shared Masino. “We extend a warm welcome to these new members and anticipate a productive collaboration in 2024.”

The newly appointed members joining the Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors for the 2024 fiscal year include:

Jackson EMC Foundation offers leadership workshops

The Jackson EMC Foundation is hosting a board leadership training series, consisting of four tailored workshops designed to train nonprofit leaders and board members.  

Each workshop will be held twice from February through May: Once in Gwinnett on the Jackson EMC campus in Lawrenceville at  825 Buford Drive, and once in downtown Athens at Synovus Bank. The workshops are held in partnership with the Athens Area Community Foundation. Each workshop is limited to 25 attendees.

Trainings are focused on bringing the best into the boardroom. Led by Victoria Prevatt, founder of Good Works, workshop participants benefit from Prevatt’s more than 20 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations – from small grassroots startups to legacy institutions with global impact. She works with leaders to elevate and enhance the experience and impact of nonprofit leaders, board members and investors. 

Attendees will learn best practices in board governance and hear from peers serving our community as board members. Registration is $15 per attendee and includes breakfast. All registration fees will be returned to the community through donations to nonprofits in our community.

County seeks poll workers at three upcoming sessions

The Gwinnett Voter Registrations and Elections Division is starting the year with several opportunities for residents to actively engage in the 2024 electoral process. 

Attend an upcoming poll official hiring event and play a crucial role assisting voters at the polls while earning up to $440 per election. The events are open to residents of diverse backgrounds, including those who speak two or more languages. During the event, attendees must complete an I-9 form and provide original identification documents for verification.

The meetings will be: 

• On January 26  from 1:30 to 4:30 at the Norcross Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library, 5735 Buford Highway, Norcross;

• On February 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bogan Park Community Recreation Center, 2723 North Bogan Road, Buford; and
• On February 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Lilburn Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library, 4817 Church Street, Lilburn.

NOTABLE

County urges legislators caution on proposed new city

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Tuesday sent a resolution urging Gwinnett’s legislative delegation and the Georgia General Assembly to carefully consider the impact a proposed new city of Mulberry would have upon Gwinnett and its residents.

The resolution suggests that incorporation could negatively impact the ability of the proposed city, Gwinnett County and the 16 existing cities to provide services to all residents and businesses of the county.

Gwinnett County maintains that the 16 existing cities have extensively negotiated a strategy for the delivery of services that has resulted in an efficient and comprehensive service delivery model countywide. 

Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson says: “As Gwinnett County provides all services to the residents and businesses within the area proposed to be incorporated as the new city, the Board of Commissioners urges the members of the General Assembly to take the time to carefully study and thoughtfully deliberate on the creation of a seventeenth city in Gwinnett County.”

Snellville names Pepper as city manager

Matthew Pepper is the new city manager of Snellville. He replaces James “Butch” Sanders who retired after 12 years in the post. 

Pepper

Pepper says:  “During the last two years, I have learned the position from my predecessor Butch Sanders and am confident I can help Snellville prosper for years to come. I am eager to continue serving our community and helping make Snellville the best it can be.”

Mayor Barbara Bender says: “We are very pleased Matthew agreed to step into this role as city manager. We are confident he will excel in his new position.”

The City Manager is responsible for the daily operations of the city, working with the various city departments and department directors. He is responsible for producing the annual city budget for general operating needs and longer-term capital projects, planning and managing all major projects within the city and making sure the public is well informed and knowledgeable about all city initiatives and activities.

Pepper came to Snellville after having served as the manager for the City of Oxford in Newton County. He previously worked for the City of Alpharetta’s Economic Development Office. Pepper earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Georgia.

RECOMMENDED

Blood on Their Hands by Mandy Matney and Carolyn Murnick

Most people in our country know of this story behind the Murdaugh family of Lowcountry  South Carolina  because of the persistent digging by journalist-turned-podcaster Mandy Matney. Realizing that authorities seemed to be withholding details of the double murder of Alex Murdaugh’s wife and son, she smelled an untold story, and stuck with it. Eventually she started podcasting, with her then boyfriend’s help, using a second-hand computer and Amazon microphone.  Their first 12 minute podcast took 60 hours to put together. She knew that the Murdaughs were powerful people, going back three generations as county solicitors and held sway in the county.  Her nose for news was soon No. 1 podcast.  Her disclosures finally culminated in Murdaugh facing murder charges in a county where he once held power.  Surprisingly, after a six week trial, he was found guilty in less than three hours. A powerful book, it’s a solid, quick read.  The full title is Blood on Their Hands: Murder, Corruption and the Fall of the Murdaugh Dynasty.  —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 TIDBIT

Connecticut native is founder of University of Georgia

The founder of the University of Georgia and a delegate to the constitutional convention in 1787, Abraham Baldwin was born on November 22, 1754, to Lucy Dudley and Michael Baldwin in North Guilford, Conn. His father, a blacksmith who had 12 children by two wives, borrowed money to send his son to Yale College in New Haven, Conn. Baldwin studied theology at Yale and prepared for a career as a minister before the turbulent years of the American Revolution (1775-83).

Baldwin  graduated from Yale in 1772 and taught there as a tutor until 1779, when he became a chaplain in the Revolutionary Army. During his time in the military, Baldwin associated himself with men of diverse social and economic backgrounds, which broadened his outlook on the future of the colonies. After the war ended, he studied law and was admitted to the Connecticut bar. 

Receiving a land grant in Wilkes County, Ga., Baldwin subsequently moved to Columbia County (which until 1790 was part of Richmond County). In 1784 Baldwin moved to Augusta, where he began practicing law. During this time, he also began a successful career in Georgia politics.

After Baldwin turned down a prestigious teaching position as professor of divinity at Yale, Georgia Governor Lyman Hall persuaded him to accept the responsibility of creating an educational plan for both secondary and higher education in the state. Baldwin strongly believed that education was the key to developing frontier states like Georgia. 

Once elected to the Georgia state legislature, he developed a comprehensive educational plan that ultimately included land grants from the state to fund the establishment of the University of Georgia (at the time also known as Franklin College) in Athens. Through Baldwin’s efforts, the state approved a charter for the University of Georgia in 1785. Baldwin served as the first president of the institution during its initial planning phase, from 1786 to 1801. In 1801 the University of Georgia opened to students; it was architecturally modeled on Baldwin’s alma mater, Yale.

Baldwin remained active in politics during his years as president of the University of Georgia. He continued to hold his seat in the Georgia Assembly until 1789, but in 1785 he was also elected to the Confederation Congress. Two years later, Baldwin served as one of four Georgia delegates to the constitutional convention of 1787 (the other delegates were William Few Jr., William Houston, and William Pierce). Of the Georgia delegates, only he and William Few signed the constitution. 

(To be continued)

• To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org

MYSTERY PHOTO

House of worship is this edition’s Mystery Photo

Any doubt that today’s Mystery Photo is a house of worship?  Now figure out where this building is located, and send your guess to elliott@brack.net.  Tell us also in what town you live.

The previous mystery was recognized by only three people, George Graf of Palmyra, Va., Cheryl Ritzel, Hoschton, and Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. The photo came from Rick Krause of Lilburn.  

Graf wrote: “This is the cowboy sculpture located at the intersection of Interstate 90 exit at 1807 S Douglas Highway in Gillette, Wyoming.  Knowing it was in Gillette was easy as someone posted a similar photo with the city name.  However, finding the exact location of the sculpture in the city was difficult, but finally I found it.”

Peel added: “The sculpture is called Looking Over the Remuda by Dixie Jewett (1945 – Present), an artist who grew up in rural Montana and later developed her artistic skills of crafting western-themed sculptures composed mostly from scrap metals ranging from auto parts and farm equipment to baling wire, railroad spikes, and broken tools. The sculpture was purchased in June 2007 by the Mayor’s Art Council of the City of Gillette in Wyoming as part of their ‘Avenues of Art’ project for a more visually pleasing environment and to expand the opportunities for residents.”

• SHARE A MYSTERY PHOTO:  If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but  make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!)  Send to:  elliott@brack.net and mark it as a photo submission.  Thanks.

CALENDAR

Free open house at Pinckneyville Park  on Jan. 27 

Free open house at Pinckneyville Park  on January 27, from 10 a.m. until l p.m. Find your creative spark in an array of arts programs. Enjoy a complimentary lunch with pre-registration. To register, call 678-277-0920. The address is 4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Berkeley Lake.

Last lecture: Come hear Dr. Michael Gagnon’s last lecture and celebrate his retirement. He will speak January 30 at 3:30 in Cisco Auditorium in Building C at Georgia Gwinnett College. His subject will be “Judge Augustin Smith Clayton (17830-1839), a life in the early republic. Refreshments and brief reception will be held immediately following the event in the Cisco foyer provided by the School of Liberal Arts.

Writing Workshop on “Remembering Black Food Traditions” will be held February 1 at the Centerville Branch Library at 11 a.m. Come write about your favorite memories tied to Black food traditions!

Author Karen Eber will be at the Lawrenceville Branch Library on February 3 at 11 a.m. Learn about the science of storytelling as author and professional storyteller, Karen Eber provides a sneak peek into her book, The Perfect Story. Books will be available for sale and signing. 

Tickets are available for the February 3 concert by the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra. Center Stage Rhapsodies will feature Pianist Awadagin Pratt in the concert at the Johns Creek Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. Pratt will be the featured soloist on Florence Price’s “Piano Concerto in One Movement.” The Symphony will also perform William Grant Still’s Festive Overture, Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement, and Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World. Secure your seats by calling 678-748-5802, go to this site online.

Historic Cemetery Tour of Norcross City Cemetery will be held on Sunday, February 4, at 2 p.m. Join Gene Ramsay for a historic tour. Discover Norcross’s history, decode street names, and hear captivating stories. Don’t miss this chance to connect with Norcross’s past! For details, visit here.

Snellville Commerce Club will meet at noon on Tuesday, February 6, at the Snellville City Hall Community Room. Speakers will be Nessa Griffin and Latifah Rasheed, both with the Gwinnett County Public Library. They will take the group on a field trip to tour the new Elizabeth H. Williams Gwinnett County Public Library in the Grove. Reservations are required.

Meet Author Hank Phillippi Ryan at the Lilburn Branch Library on February 8 at 7 p.m. She  will be discussing her new psychological thriller, One Wrong Word. Books will be available for sale and signing.

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