GwinnettForum | Number 23.45 | June 7, 2024
FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS COMING: The Gwinnett Stripers baseball team may be on the road this Independence Day, but Coolray Field will still be the place to see Gwinnett County’s largest July 4 fireworks display this year. The Stripers are hosting “Fourth on the Field” on Thursday, July 4, an event that will include a movie, live music, food, kids activities, and more. Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 for kids (12 and under) in advance. Day-of-event tickets on July 4 will be $15 per adult and $10 for kids. Parking is free until 7 p.m. that night. For more information, visit www.GoStripers.com.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Salvation Army “lassies” were first females in the military
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Native recalls her boomer childhood, with humor
SPOTLIGHT: Comet National Shipping
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
UPCOMING: County plans T-SPLOST referendum in November
NOTABLE: Tech Wins Distinguished Credentialing Award
RECOMMENDED: El Lobo Mexican Restaurant
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Insurance giant Aflac has 50 million policies worldwide
MYSTERY PHOTO: Can you deduce where this flagpole is standing?
CALENDAR: Youth Talent Show to be at the Lionheart Theatre on June 8
Salvation Army “lassies” were first females in the military
Handing out doughnuts. Photos provided.
By Capt. Paul Ryerson
Commander, Gwinnett Salvation Army
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. | When you hear that it is National Doughnut Day, you may think it’s just another marketing ploy to get you to stop at your local doughnut shop. However, you might be surprised to learn that National Doughnut Day is one of the few national food days that has history behind it.
Two essentials: A doughnut and coffee.
In 1917, The Salvation Army embarked on a mission to provide spiritual and emotional support for U.S. soldiers fighting in France during World War I in the American Expeditionary Force. At the personal request of General John J. Pershing, about 250 Salvation Army women volunteers traveled overseas to serve the needs of the troops on the front lines.
Ryerson
When these women volunteers arrived, the military brass in charge were skeptical of having them on the front lines because, well…they were women. The leaders felt it was their responsibility to protect the women, and because the war was already hard enough, they didn’t want to bear that responsibility.
This, however, did not stop the Salvation Army “lassies,” as they would become known. They insisted and told those in charge, “The boys are on the front lines, and we must be with them!”
To solve this problem, the U.S. government brought every Salvation Army lassie into the U.S. Army, issued them a firearm, and told them they were responsible for their own safety. Without even realizing it, this move made them the first women to be in the U.S. Armed Forces. All 250 survived the war.
However, that is not what they will be remembered for. Instead, it was a small request that came from a young soldier on the front lines that would solidify these young women into the history books. After 36 straight days of steady rain, one of the lassies saw a young soldier depressed and missing his home. To cheer him up, she decided to bake up a small treat. The only rations she had were: flour, sugar, lard, baking powder, cinnamon, and canned milk. She asked for the soldier to hand her his helmet. She turned it upside down, poured oil into it, warmed it up, and dumped the ingredients into the helmet.
Lining up for snacks.
What came out would change the morale of the American troops for the rest of the war. She handed the young soldier—a doughnut. Thus the Salvation Army “doughnut lassies” was started. They made an estimated 9,000 doughnuts daily and distributed them among the troops, along with hot coffee.
Every time the front line moved; the lassies moved with the troops. In addition to baked goods, the lassies would sew and patch the soldier’s uniforms when needed, take down and write letters back home (and pay for the postage), and even serve coffee and doughnuts in the muddy and cold trenches during actual combat.
Serving in the trenches.
It is estimated that The Salvation Army served close to one million doughnuts during World War I. The troops ate so many doughnuts that they returned home with the nickname, “doughboys.” Food historians credit The Salvation Army for popularizing the doughnut in the United States.
In 1938, the very first National Doughnut Day was established to honor and remember the work done by the doughnut Lassies. Today, it is marked on the first Friday of June every year. When you eat your next doughnut, take a moment to remember the fearless lassies of the Salvation Army, who served our country then, and continue to serve our country today. Now…go grab a doughnut, and remember the lassies!
- Have a comment? Click here to send an email.
Native recalls her boomer childhood, with humor
Julie and Joe attend a Braves’ game. Photos provided.
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
JUNE 7, 2024 | There’s a new book out from a Gwinnett native and retired middle school math teacher who remembers wonderful stories of growing up in Norcross in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Early into the book, you’ll be smiling as you read it.
The author is Julie Carlyle Rutkowski, who lives in Norcross in her parent’s former home. The book’s title sends a message about the understated humor of the book: “I should have gotten a manicure….”
We were continually turning to the next chapter, as her stories pulled you in wanting more. We finished most of it the first sitting, and completed it the next day, with her continually reminding us: “I should have gotten……”
Julie’s father, Jimmy, was the postmaster in Norcross, while her mother, Katherine, a Willis from Marietta, was an elementary school teacher. Julie’s a middle child, having an older sister, Jody, and a younger one, Jill. All still live in the wider area.
Rutowski
Julie started the book four years ago, once she retired. “I was waylaid so many times, and didn’t know where I was headed. I was thinking about my childhood, as a boomer analyzing my life, and the way Norcross was an unbelievably good place to grow up. I wanted to share the story of what it was like back then.” The book is full of personal photographs of the era of the Carlyle activities.
Julie’s parents, Katherine and Jimmy Carlyle.
Readers will think of their own lives in this era as Julie unfolds stories, such as playing softball in the front yard, attending Braves games, or watching television like Saturday Night Live or “unforgettable characters” like Roseanne Roseannadanna on television, or camping trips or vacations and flights gone bad. Her stories tickle your own family memories.
“The ideas came easily, but the implementation was more challenging. When I read segments to friends, they would laugh and that was helpful. I bounced ideas off my sisters, Jody and Jill. I have an acute memory of my childhood. And I also drew from when I was a student at Georgia Tech, and from raising a family.” She and husband, Joe, who have been married 40 years, met at Tech. They have an adult daughter and son, who live nearby.
Julie also says: “I had some fantastic English teachers in high school, who taught me so much about language and using it properly. Working on the newspaper at Norcross High was a highlight and true learning experience.”
She and her longtime friend, Paula Green Jones, always found people interesting and they were observant: “We noticed mannerisms about people, how they acted and talked. We would do impersonations of people, often our teachers. And as 12 year olds, we were listening to television and making tapes of national figures during Watergate days. We saw the doubletalk at that early age.”
Many a ball game was played inn the Carlyle front field.
Chapter headings include Julie should have….:
- Passed on a few cheeseburgers;
- Learned to play the guitar;
- Cared about geography;
- Tried my hand at hair styling;
- Turned off the TV;
- Should have known how good I had it.
She said to friends on Facebook: “I have published a book on Amazon. It’s a humorous memoir full of stories about Norcross, Georgia Tech and my wonderful family and friends. I hope you’ll give it a look.”
To this date, Julie still has not had that manicure.
But she is already thinking of a second book. It’ll be entitled: When they wrote that song, were they thinking of me? Bet it will make us smile, too.
The book is available at Amazon for $15.
- Have a comment? Click here to send an email.
Comet National Shipping
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s sponsor is Comet National Shipping. If you have trucking needs, why pay for a WHOLE flatbed or covered truck, when all you need is half the space? Comet National Shipping of Lilburn can provide you with the transportation, packing, and warehousing solutions that will keep your costs reasonable and suited to your company’s needs. With more than 26 years of nationwide service, our customers put their trust in Comet National because we understand their shipping needs can change from shipment to shipment. In business since 1992, Comet is dedicated to delivering cost-effective solutions for transporting your products quickly and safely to your customer’s destination without compromise. At Comet National, our full-service shipping, packing, and warehousing resources are sure to fulfill your requirements. Call us at 1-800-831-5376. We will respond quickly to provide you with quotes and see to it that the loads are handled as you have specified, and delivered on time! Visit our new offices at 4149 Arcadia Industrial Circle in Lilburn.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
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: ebrack2@gmail.com.
County plans T-SPLOST referendum in November
Gwinnett’s Board of Commissioners on Tuesday took a significant step toward improving mobility for residents. The board approved, by a 4-1 vote, a transit referendum to be placed on the November 5 General Election ballot. If approved by voters, the transit referendum would impose a one percent sales tax for 30 years to fund up to 75 transit projects in Gwinnett. Commissioner Matthew Holtkamp voted against the proposal.
A Transit Special Purpose Local Option Sales (T-SPLOST) tax aims to distribute financial responsibility among all residents, businesses and visitors, alleviating paying for a larger transit system on Gwinnett’s property owners. Currently, Gwinnett’s transit system is funded by property owners through the county general fund, the federal government, discretionary grants and Ride Gwinnett fares.
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson said she is proud of the work Gwinnett Transportation placed on prioritizing feedback from residents when forming the transit plan. “With this initiative, we’re committed to offering Gwinnett residents transit options that are efficient, sustainable and accessible. I look forward to this process, which will allow voters to decide on a measure that could positively impact their daily lives.”
The transit plan includes several different ways the money will be spent. One will be a direct shuttle to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, another is enhanced and expanded county coverage by local bus, plus additional transit transfer facilities, and the expansion of microtransit providing 100 percent countywide coverage. The new transit referendum does not include heavy rail or any funding for MARTA.
Gwinnett Transportation Director Lewis Cooksey says: “Efficient transit options and improved mobility are essential for our community’s growth, economic vitality and quality of life. We are excited about the opportunities this brings to reduce traffic congestion, improve accessibility and connect our neighborhoods and businesses.
The ballot question will read:
“( ) Yes ( ) No
“Shall a special one percent (1%) sales and use tax be imposed in the special district consisting of Gwinnett County for a period of time not to exceed thirty (30) years and for the raising of funds for transit projects?”
The dedicated T-SPLOST would be paid by all people who purchase goods in Gwinnett County. To learn more, visit GwinnettCounty.com/YourRide.
Playtown Suwanee re-opens sporting recycled plastics
PlayTown Suwanee, sponsored by Primerica, has now reopened for the community. Established in 2004 through the collaborative efforts of hundreds of volunteers, the original PlayTown Suwanee quickly became the most used community playground, known for its engaging play structures and vibrant atmosphere.
After 20 years, the original wood materials needed replacing. Through extensive community input, including interviews with over 300 local schoolchildren and a steering committee comprising more than a dozen adults, PlayTown Suwanee 2.0 was born.
Kathryn Kieser, chair of The Primerica Foundation of Primerica, says: “The City of Suwanee has created an environment where children of all abilities can play side-by-side. Primerica is proud to be a part of the effort aimed at building a stronger community. Supporting PlayTown aligns with our commitment to help create better places to live, work and play.”
PlayTown Committee Build Captains Colette Grodzicki and Zach Whigham shared the journey of PlayTown, from its imaginative beginnings to the playground it is today. Recognizing this community asset, over 1,200 in the fall of 2023 spearheaded the construction of a newer, more inclusive, and sustainable iteration of PlayTown Suwanee. The updated playground, designed to be accessible to all, features thoughtfully designed play spaces and utilizes recycled plastics as the primary building material.
An aspect of the playground’s redevelopment was the involvement of local high school artists and students from Suwanee Youth Leaders, who contributed design elements to enhance the playground’s aesthetic appeal. “I truly loved the way the community came together to rebuild this park, impacting the future generations of Suwanee” says PlayTown Committee Member and North Gwinnett High School Art teacher Alexandra Sorto.
Spanning 13,000 square feet, the playground boasts various amenities, including separate areas for toddlers and older children, a dinosaur fossil excavation activity area, one exit and entry point for safety, and a lighted pavilion with picnic tables accommodating wheelchair users.
Gwinnett Tech wins Distinguished Credentialing Award
Gwinnett Technical College boasts one of the nation’s premier Respiratory Care programs, a distinction well-earned by its graduates. The college has a 11-year streak of 100 percent pass rates on the field’s national credentialing exam.
This month, the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) will recognize Gwinnett Tech’s Respiratory Care program with the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award. To qualify for this honor, colleges must demonstrate three or more years of outcomes data, maintain accreditation without any progress reports, and achieve RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) credentialing success rates of 90 percent or higher.
Dr. D. Glen Cannon, President of Gwinnett Technical College, says: “Earning this accolade underscores Gwinnett Tech’s unwavering commitment to our students and community partners. Our respiratory care program consistently meets workforce demands and ensures a 100 percent placement rate for our graduates.”
Respiratory care therapists play a critical role in caring for patients with heart and lung conditions. Gwinnett Tech’s program equips students with cutting-edge medical technology and hands-on training, preparing them for successful careers in the field. From premature infants with underdeveloped lungs to elderly patients with respiratory diseases, these professionals provide essential care. They also respond to emergencies, supporting high-risk patients during intense moments such as heart attacks, drownings, or shock.
GGC grads in education surpass state test averages
Before teachers can teach, they must pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) exam to earn their license. In the past year, Georgia Gwinnett College’s (GGC) graduates in its School of Education surpassed the Georgia state average score by 16.4 points.
Dr. Angie Jasper, dean of GGC’s School of Education, says: “Over the last academic year, 93 percent of our completers passed all of our teaching certificate program exams. These are not easy exams, but the strength of our program and dedication of our faculty and staff are an important part of the success of our students as they prepare to become teachers.”
In all, there were 277 candidates enrolled in the teacher certification programs, which include elementary education, special education, middle grades education, teacher certification programs for English, math, history, science, biology, chemistry, political science and reading endorsement programs.
El Lobo Mexican Restaurant
From Nancy Burdges, Berkeley Lake: Recently my husband and I went to El Lobo Mexican Restaurant, after seeing a review on the restaurant. What a nice surprise! We were welcomed as we walked in and waited on immediately. The owner told us his Mexican food cooking history, which may explain the good tastes. We had the lunch fajitas ($9.15) which was a generous serving. The steak was tasty and the sides were all good, too. Our server was very attentive and the owner came back out before we left to say thank you for coming. We will go back! Since it is a new place, consider giving it a try. You will definitely be appreciated. Address: 2820 Peachtree Boulevard. Go north past Pleasant Hill. It is past the traffic light at Chattahoochee Trace, on the right side. Enjoy!
- 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. Click here to send an email.
Insurance giant Aflac has 50 million policies worldwide
Aflac, based in Columbus, is a leading writer of voluntary insurance coverage. Founded in 1955 by brothers John, Paul, and William Amos and incorporated as American Family Life Insurance Company, the company grew from 6,426 policyholders in 1956 to more than 50 million policyholders worldwide in 2023.
Viewed historically, growth followed a number of innovations and management decisions. Expanding from life insurance, American Family Life pioneered cancer insurance in 1958. Over the years the company added policies to cover accidents, disability, dental work, specified health events, hospital confinement, hospital intensive care, and long-term care.
Beginning in 1964 the company decided to focus sales on worksite settings. By 2003 more than 98 percent of the company’s policies were issued on a payroll-deduction basis, making Aflac the U.S. leader in that sales approach. The decision to sell insurance internationally grew from John Amos’s 1970 visit to the Osaka World’s Fair in Japan. In 1974 the American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus, as it was then known, became the first U.S. company to sell insurance in Japan after the Allied occupation following World War II (1941-45). For eight years the company monopolized Japan’s cancer insurance market. By 1994, its cancer life policy covered one out of four Japanese households.
In 1973 American Family Life adopted a new trade name, Aflac. The name change set the company apart from the many others that included the word “American” in their names. In 2000 the company initiated an advertising campaign featuring a duck, which has become well known. A USA Today/Harris poll showed this campaign to be one of the best liked of that year.
From 1992 to 2002 Aflac’s net income grew on average more than 20 percent annually, with single-year sales surpassing $1 billion in 2002. Annual revenues for 2003 exceeded $11.4 billion, and total assets exceeded $50 billion. By 2003 Aflac had become Japan’s leading life insurance company in terms of individual policies, the largest foreign insurer when measured by premium income, and the second most profitable foreign company operating in Japan. For the full year of 2023, total revenues were $18.7 billion.,
The Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service, located at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, hosts one of the country’s largest childhood cancer programs, sustains the nation’s highest patient-load in terms of sickle-cell anemia patients, and serves as a referral facility for pediatric cancers and bleeding and coagulation disorders. The center is the company’s largest service project. It is consistently voted one of the best places to work.
John Amos, one of the original founders, served as president and chair of the company from 1955 until his death in 1990. After John’s death, his brother Paul Amos became chair, while his brother William Amos continued as an executive. At the same time, Paul’s son Daniel Amos, whom John had chosen as his successor, assumed the role of chief executive officer and later became chair upon Paul’s retirement in 2001. He helped to broaden the company’s product line and is responsible for launching the Aflac national advertising program.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Can you deduce where this flagpole is standing?
Just where is today’s Mystery flagpole? And what does that plaque say? Here’s your best hint: it is in Gwinnett County. Figure out this mystery and send your answer to ebrack2@gmail.com, including your hometown.
The last mystery is a famous house, which several people recognized. Jay Altman of Columbia, S.C. was first in: “This is the Olson House, a 14 room Colonial farmhouse in Cushing, Maine. The house was made famous by its depiction in Andrew Wyeth’s Christina’s World. The house and its occupants, Christina and Alvaro Olson, were depicted in numerous paintings and sketches by Wyeth from 1939 to 1968.The house was designated as a National Historic Landmark in June 2011. The Farnsworth Art Museum now owns the house, and it is open to the public.”
The photo came from Charles Anderson of Hartwell.
Ruthy Lachman Paul, Norcross, also spotted this mystery: “The Olson House may be hard to find, but once you see the place, you know you’ve landed in the right place. It was on our trip 18 years ago driving from New Jersey to Maine. It was at the Olson farm that Artist Andrew Wyeth painted Christina’s World (1948), perhaps his best known work. He became the first artist to win Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
Also identifying the mystery were Stew Ogilvie of Lawrenceville; Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex.; Lou Camerio of Lilburn; and George Graf of Palmyra, Va.
- 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: ebrack2@gmail.com and mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
Youth Talent Show to be June 8 at Lionheart Theatre
Youth Talent Show for ages 8-18 will be at the Lionheart Theatre on June 8 at 7 p.m. All are welcome. To sign up to perform, email Case196.sc@gmail.com. Tickets are $10 and available at the door. Lionheart is located at 10 College Street in Norcross.
Peach Fuzz Zine Fest will take place at the Duluth Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library on June 9 from noon until 6 p.m. The Peach Fuzz Zine Fest is dedicated to showcasing zinesters, artists, writers, and other makers of creative work based in and around the Atlanta Metro area. Artists will sell and trade their zines along with participating in various panels throughout the day.
Author Visit: Bestselling author Omar Tyree will discuss his new psychological thriller, Control. This visit will be on June 11 at 7 p.m. at the Norcross Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. Books will be available for sale and signing.
Attend a Writers’ Workshop given by the Atlanta Writers Club at the Lilburn Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library on June 15 at 1:30 p.m. Learn more about writing, network with other writers, and listen to accomplished authors offer tips to improve your writing.
Embark on a musical journey on Sunday, June 16, at 2:30 p.m., and celebrate Broadway composer Irving Berlin and the birth of American popular song. Join Atlanta’s top musical theater artists for an unforgettable performance of Berlin’s timeless classics, from Blue Skies to God Bless America. Discover the remarkable story of this Russian immigrant turned legendary songwriter who penned over 1,250 songs, including 25 chart-toppers, and crafted 17 Broadway musical scores. This show is part of the Molly Blank Concert Series at The Breman, presented by The Flying Carpet Theatre Company, but will be showcased in Gwinnett at the Lawrenceville Arts Center main stage. For tickets, click here.
Hear Author Rhonda McKnight in conversation with Vanessa Riley on June 20 at 7 p.m. at the Snellville Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. They will discuss McKnight’s new novel, Bitter and Sweet, a dual-timeline tale of family, grief, secrets, and the sweet redemption that lies within the bonds of sisterhood. Books will be available for sale and signing.
The Vidalia Theatre Company will present Summer Harvest 2024, a collection of 10 minute plays that explore the theme of “unexpected goodbyes.” This will be presented on the Lionheart Theatre stage in Norcross on June 21-23. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30, while the Sunday performance is at 3 p.m. For tickets, visit www.vidaliatheatre.com.
Women in Sports Panel Discussion will be held Saturday, June 22 at 2 p.m., at the Norcross Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Calling all sports enthusiasts, aspiring athletes, and supporters of women in sports! Join Atlanta Women in Sports for an inspirational discussion featuring game-changing women.
Helping Kids Manage Big Emotions will be at the Collins Hills Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library on Tuesday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m. Gain a greater understanding of the challenges facing your child and practical steps you can take to ensure your child’s needs are met.
GwinnettForum is provided to you at no charge every Tuesday and Friday.
Meet our team
- Editor and publisher: Elliott Brack, 770-840-1003
- Managing editor: Betsy Brack
- Roving photographer: Frank Sharp
- Contributing columnist: Jack Bernard
- Contributing columnist: George Wilson
More
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 1365, Norcross, Ga. 30091
- Work with us: If you would like to learn about how to be an underwriter to support the publication of GwinnettForum as a community resource for news and commentary, please contact us today.
Subscriptions to GwinnettForum are free.
- Click to subscribe.
- Unsubscribe. We hope you’ll keep receiving the great news and information from GwinnettForum, but if you need to unsubscribe, go to this page and unsubscribe in the appropriate box.
- © 2024, Gwinnett Forum.com. Gwinnett Forum is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA.
Follow Us