Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its dedication to conservation and education, on June 17 will be introducing their River Otter Exhibit. This captivating enclosure offers visitors a unique glimpse into the aquatic world of these active creatures, complete with multiple viewing areas and interactive spaces for children.
Nestled within the sanctuary’s lush surroundings, the River Otter Exhibit boasts state-of-the-art features, including underwater viewing zones that allow guests to observe the otters frolicking in their natural habitat. Additionally, specially designed areas around the habitat offer children the opportunity to explore and learn about the otters’ environment in an engaging and educational manner.
What makes this exhibit even more special is its residents—four orphaned otters hailing from Louisiana. These adorable creatures found a new home at Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary, where they are thriving under the care of staff members.
The address of the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary is 4525 U.S. Highway 78 between Snellville and Stone Mountain.
Plans for Debbie Mason Memorial Garden are underway
Mason
A group of Peachtree Corners residents, with a shared goal of love for Debbie Mason and all that she has done for the City, has formed the Debbie Mason Memorial Committee to raise funds to build a mosaic-filled garden oasis that will delight with flowering color each season. It will be connected to Town Center. The contemplative garden space will be nestled in an area of the Peachtree Corners Botanical Garden in honor of Debbie.
A memorial committee is being formed in Peachtree Corners to raise funds for a garden oasis in memory of the late Debbie Mason, wife of Mayor Mike Mason, and a long-time activist for Peachtree Corners. The goal is to raise $60,000 for the garden. Already, $44,000 has been raised. The committee hopes to complete the project and have its dedication on October 26, 2024.
The goal of the DMMC is to preserve the memory of Debbie by transforming a space in the city’s Botanical Garden walk that will offer Peachtree Corners residents a quiet place to reflect, connect and rejuvenate among vibrant colored seasonal plantings and mosaic tiled artwork. The goal is to bring people together the way Debbie brought people together to build the community of Peachtree Corners. Jennifer Freeman, a Duluth mosaic artist, has been selected to design and install the project.
The committee is working with Peachtree Corners Arts, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, to collect donations. This project will be a gift to the city. Tax deductible donations to the Debbie Mason Memorial Garden will be applied 100 percent to the project.
The Debbie Mason Memorial Garden Committee consists of Bob Ballagh, Dave Huffman, Gay Shook, Pat Bruschini, Sarah Roberts, Robyn Unger, and Lynette Howard.
Lawrenceville plans another mural near college
Wall slated for mural in Lawrenceville
The Lawrenceville Arts Commission is planning a mural project at a prominent wall near Georgia Gwinnett College on Collins Hill Road. The new initiative aims to enhance Lawrenceville’s visual landscape and community spirit through a collaborative community mural. Artists are encouraged to submit designs for the new mural with a submission deadline of July 26, 2024.
The selected mural wall measures approximately 12 feet at its lowest point and 20 feet at its highest, spanning a length of 295 feet. A portion of the mural will be designed specifically for community participation, with a “paint by numbers” style that allows residents to contribute to the painting process easily and safely.
Members of the Lawrenceville Arts Commission are Aura-Leigh Sanders, chair; Amber Walden, vice chair; Alicia Chitwood; Alice Stone-Collins; Casey Spinks; and Jennifer Hammond.
- For additional information about the City of Lawrenceville and the Lawrenceville Arts Commission, visit their website and follow them on social media.
Peach State FCU focusing on fighting senior fraud
Peach State Federal Credit Union is focusing on teaching safe banking measures to senior communities and their families’ to help combat scams and fraud. With deep ties in the educational system, it is fitting for the credit union to use education as the primary defense for helping combat senior fraud. Peach State has held two seminars at local senior centers in Summerville and Toccoa, with plans to continue hosting sessions throughout their service area.
Jay Gilling, Peach State Vice President of fraud and loss prevention, says: “Criminals use various tactics to target, victimize, and financially exploit senior citizens. Often, it can be difficult to identify or speak openly about. We believe that the best way to combat fraud is to bring education directly into our communities and make resources accessible for seniors and their families.”
The credit union’s fraud prevention seminars are free for the public to attend; credit union membership is not required. Peach State is committed to educating its members and local communities about the dangers of senior fraud. In addition to hosting in-person public seminars, the credit union provides helpful resources such as fraud tips on their social media channels, blogs, and more.
JEMC foundation allocates $95,000 to local groups
A $15,000 Jackson EMC Foundation check to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) will support its Opportunities Academy Program for rising 10th and 11th grade students in Gwinnett County. At the check presentation were, from left, Kenny Lumpkin, Jackson EMC Foundation representative; Kevin Borgella, PCOM student and mentor; Christy Finely, assistant director of diversity and community partnerships at PCOM; Alisa Toney, senior director of development at PCOM; Dr. Shari Allen, associate professor at PCOM; Beauty Baldwin, Jackson EMC Foundation board member; and Jennifer Fennell, Jackson EMC Gwinnett district manager.
The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded a total of $140,000 in grants for organizations during its recent meeting, including $95,000 to organizations serving Gwinnett County.
- $15,000 to Camp Kudzu, to sponsor 15-20 children in a camping program for children and teens with diabetes who live in the 10 counties served by Jackson EMC to attend a weeklong overnight summer camp.
- $15,000 to Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia, Suwanee, to allow rising 10th and 11th grade students in Gwinnett County area high schools to attend its Opportunities Academy Program.
- $15,000 to Rachel’s Gift, Inc. an organization providing specialized bereavement care for parents who have lost a child to miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death.
- $15,000 to Spectrum Autism Support Group, Inc., Suwanee, a parent-run nonprofit group that provides Gwinnett and Hall county families with support, education and resources for the entire spectrum of autism disorders.
- $10,000 to Camp Amplify, Winder, to provide 15 children ages seven to 12 from underserved communities in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson and Lumpkin counties with a weeklong camping experience to develop character, leadership and teambuilding skills through a high adventure, overnight camp.
- $10,000 to MUST Ministries, Inc., for its summer lunch program, which provides breakfast and lunch to children in need in Gwinnett County five days per week for nine weeks.
- $10,000 to Quinlan Visual Arts, Inc., Gainesville, to provide free or reduced cost participation in its summer arts program for 120 students in underserved communities in Banks, Barrow, Hall, Gwinnett, Jackson and Lumpkin counties.
- $5,000 to Foster Siblings Reunited (formerly Camp to Belong) to enable children in the 10 counties served by Jackson EMC to attend summer camp and family camp weekend.
Jackson EMC Foundation grants are made possible by the 215,647 participating cooperative members who have their monthly electric bills rounded to the next dollar amount through the Operation Round Up program.
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