GwinnettForum | Number 23.92 | Nov. 22, 2024
NEW MARKER: This America 250 Patriot Marker arrived in Lawrenceville this week as a gift to the City of Lawrenceville from the Philadelphia Winn Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of Lawrenceville. It was placed at the entrance to the Lawrenceville Lawn. In 2020, the United States Congress established the Semiquincentennial Commission, to lead a nationwide commemoration of this historic event. The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a member of this America 250! Team with the objective to install similar America 250 Patriot Markers from “sea to shining sea.” Among those speaking at the dedication was Georgia State DAR Regent Helen Powell of Gainesville and Lawrenceville Mayor David Still. This five-year project to honor Patriots with this Lawrenceville marker spanned the administration of three Philadelphia Winn Regents: current Regent Randi Minor (now of Madison), Lynn Jacques and Connie Rifkind. The chair of the local America 250 Committee for the past five years is former Regent Lydia McGill, who handled logistics involved getting the marker made, delivered, and installed.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Williams family building wedding venue at Lake Lanier
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Most have been told: “No elbows on the table!”
SPOTLIGHT: Aurora Theatre
FEEDBACK: Encourage lawmakers to improve gun legislation
UPCOMING: Section of Peachtree Boulevard to get improvements
NOTABLE: Here are safeguards to take for holiday shopping
RECOMMENDED: Ben in the World by Doris Lessing
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Early colonial Georgia military play a key role
MYSTERY PHOTO: Colorful architectural gem awaits your identification
CALENDAR: It’s nearing tree-lighting time around the county
Williams family building wedding venue at Lake Lanier
Lakeside Chapel and Garden
By Kasie Bolling
BUFORD, Ga. | A spire is on the rise in Georgia – one that holds deep personal meaning for the family behind one of the South’s most popular destinations, Lake Lanier Islands resort. Under their company – Islands Management, The Williams Family purchased the lease rights to the lakeside resort from the State of Georgia in 2005.
Sara Williams and Mendy Williams Bowling
The latest vision of CEO Virgil R. Williams, the Lakeside Chapel and Garden will serve as the newest addition to the resort’s wedding and event locations. Set amongst the towering pines, mighty oaks, and waters of Lake Lanier at one of the highest points within the resort, it represents far more than that for the Williams family. Upon the completion of the non-denominational structure and neighboring garden in Spring 2025, the Lakeside Chapel and Garden will be dedicated as living memorials to Virgil Williams’ late wife, Sara D. Williams, and their only daughter.
Matthew Bowling, president of Lanier Island resort, says: “The Lakeside Chapel and Garden will serve as perfect tributes to my grandmother and mother. Both women embodied elegance, loved a great love story, and were the very best of friends. I can’t imagine a better way to memorialize them – they’ll continue to be a part of the Islands and so many families’ special memories, celebrating side-by-side for all eternity. My grandfather always speaks about the importance of leaving a legacy. The love story he shared with my grandmother is an incredible legacy that spanned 62 wonderful years. I hope it’s one that every single couple who says, ‘I Do’ in that chapel embraces and carries on over the decades to come.”
Inspired by Lower Chattahoochee Valley architecture, the white clapboard structure will exemplify simple Southern elegance – like the women to whom it will be dedicated. A covered porch leads to a foyer that feeds into the sanctuary, with seating for up to 130 guests. Surrounded by arched windows and framed by heavy timber columns and beams, the beautifully-lit sanctuary will face a raised lectern. The chapel will also feature a bridal holding room, – where countless brides will await the moment when they take their first steps down the aisle – just as Sara did when she married Virgil in 1959. Sara went on to raise three sons and one daughter, who gave her nine grandchildren whom she cherished deeply until the day she passed away in 2021.
The garden adjacent to the chapel will be dedicated to the memory of Mendy, an avid gardener and devoted mother who tragically passed away in 2019, leaving her husband and two sons. Her stunning garden will boast brick-lined pathways that lead to a timber-framed gazebo.
Bowling adds: “This realization of my grandfather’s vision goes hand in hand with his belief that faith and family come first. Whatever their faith, it will be a place where couples come together to become family, and people gather to celebrate meaningful moments.”
In addition to wedding ceremonies and vow renewals, Lanier Islands envisions hosting celebrations of life, baccalaureates, and more at the new chapel. The resort has been recognized with awards for its wedding venues over the years, most recently with The Knot Best of Weddings 2024 and the 2024 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award®. The Lakeside Chapel and Garden represents the first new addition to their wedding venues since the premiere of Peachtree Falls in 2019. Visit www.LanierIslands.com to view the various venues, packages, menus and accommodations.
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Most have been told: “No elbows on the table!”
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
NOV. 22, 2024 | How many times have you heard this from your childhood: “Don’t eat with your elbows on the table!”
This probably came when you were a small child, when you found elbows on the table almost natural. But you forever heard the stern words from a mother, grandmother or even an aunt, “Elbows off the table!” (For some reason, we can’t recall hearing it from a man.)
Now our foremothers may have not been familiar with Emily Post necessarily. Manners had probably been ingrained in them as children. But such instruction sticks in your head. And we bet if you have children, you have found yourself instructing your offspring.
We’re glad you did. Good manners is not only a practicing the social graces; it is a common courtesy to others.
- Say “please” when asking for something.
- And say “Thank you.”
- Don’t talk with your mouth full of food.
- Open the door for others, male and female. Don’t go in ahead of them.
- Offer a greeting when seeing someone.
- Give full attention to whoever is speaking.
- Especially when talking to individuals, maintain eye contact, a sign of respect.
- We were taught you take your hat off when you entered the house, and never, ever eat with your hat on.
- Don’t push and shove in a line. Show respect and wait your turn.
- (Bet you maybe can add items that particularly stayed with you.)
What brought these thoughts was when attending a luncheon recently. A well-dressed young man with a necktie and friendly personality had impressed several of us prior to eating. But the time the food arrived, his position was singular: he placed both his elbows on the table, and went after eating like a freight train on the loose.
Don’t know what others at the table were thinking, and perhaps it was that I was sitting opposite him, and perhaps had the best view. But his conduct was so obvious and a departure from normal manners! All during his meal, except when cutting his meat on his plate, both elbows were in position opposite his plate and the fork was used to shovel food into his mouth. The elbows seemed more like a contortion; how did they ever remain so firm on the table. Wasn’t that tiring to his elbows?
And let me repeat: otherwise, the young man, perhaps 22-25, was so charming and respectful. But the elbows told me that he didn’t have a loving grandmother or other person to admonish about his elbows when growing up.
We remember another incident of bad manners. A business friend and I were having lunch years ago for the first time. (He has since passed.) Before the food arrived, we were conversing nicely about different industry matters. But from the time our food arrived, something changed.
This businessman started shoveling food into his mouth at a nonstop pace. No longer was he friendly in discussion, calmly eating his food and conversing. Instead, he stopped all talk, and like an Army charging, did nothing but shovel, chew, eat, shovel, chew and eat. He finished his food well before I did, and started talking more later. But though the two of us maintained contact with one another, we never ate together again. It remained distinctly in my mind today, perhaps after 30 years.
That young man using his elbows is still in my mind today. Let’s hope he finds someone to point out, “No elbows on the table!”
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Aurora Theatre
The public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s sponsor is Aurora Theatre, providing the best live entertainment in northeast Georgia. Aurora Theatre produces Broadway’s best alongside exciting works of contemporary theatre. Aurora Theatre manages Lawrenceville Arts Center (LAC) in partnership with the City of Lawrenceville. This $45 million world-class facility with five venues, has the ability to host a wide variety of performances, weddings, celebrations and community events both indoors and outdoors. Nestled on the historic downtown square, Lawrenceville Arts Center has FREE attached covered parking and is surrounded by restaurants and shops. Don’t miss any of the concerts, stand-up comedy, children’s programs, award-winning theatre, or Atlanta’s only professional Spanish language theatre, Teatro Aurora. Visit our website to learn more information and secure your seat today!
- For more information or to purchase tickets: http://lvilleartscenter.com/or call 678-226-6222.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
Encourage lawmakers to improve gun legislation
Editor, the Forum:
In a letter to the editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution a few weeks ago, I recommended that after the election citizens should determine who won in their state senate and house seats and then write to them, encouraging them to vote for gun safety laws in Georgia. I also recommended that they write the Governor to encourage him to appoint a committee of the legislature to develop gun safety legislation which could pass in the session beginning in January. Getting more people behind gun legislation can only improve the now-inadequate laws.
– John Titus, Peachtree Corners
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.
Section of Peachtree Boulevard to get improvements
Gwinnett County is set to enhance safety and traffic flow along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard through major intersection upgrades. The improvements will target five intersections spanning 1.6 miles between the Holcomb Bridge Road intersection, at the entrance to Norcross and Medlock Bridge Road in Peachtree Corners.
Recently, county commissioners approved a $4.89 million contract with Ohmshiv Construction LLC of Lawrenceville to fund the project. It will include a new northbound turn lane and upgrades to five traffic signals within the project area. These enhancements aim to improve safety and mobility for both drivers and pedestrians traveling along this busy corridor.
See list of nonprofits getting $4.95 million
In the last issue of GwinnettForum, a few readers had difficulty opening the link to the story of Gwinnett County Government selecting 65 nonprofits to receive a combined $4.95 million in nonprofit capacity building grant funding. We regret this difficulty. Click HERE to see the complete list. The funds were provided to Gwinnett by the United States Department of the Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Here are safeguards to take for holiday shopping
With the holiday season approaching quickly, it’s that time to get your gift list ready and precautions you should take. According to the National Retail Federation, 57 percent of consumers will do their holiday shopping online, whether that’s using a laptop or a phone. With that convenience comes the opportunity for phishers and scammers to ruin your shopping experience, your credit, and yes, take your identity.
Khokhar
Georgia Gwinnett College’s (GGC) Dr. Umar Khokhar, associate professor of information technology, says there are steps you can take to help avoid being phished or scammed while shopping online.
“Phishers and scammers are like honey pot bees. They make things look legitimate, but it’s their way to get access to your computer or phone, and your information,” he says. “If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.”
Be Wary of Unrealistic Deals: Scammers often promote fake discounts to trick people into clicking unsafe links or giving up personal information. Double-check deals on reputable sites before making a purchase.
Check the Website’s Authenticity: Many scam websites look like well-known retailers, often with small differences in the URL, like “.net” instead of “.com” or misspellings in the name. Always verify the web address and use official retailer apps when possible. Know that a site having https:// in the URL is good but not always reliable when it comes to site security.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication and Use Strong Passwords: With many people reusing passwords across sites, stolen passwords from one site can compromise others. Use strong, unique passwords and turn on two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security on accounts.
Avoid Shopping on Public Wi-Fi: Public networks can expose shoppers to hackers. It’s best to avoid logging into sensitive accounts or making purchases over public Wi-Fi. Instead, wait to use a secure, private connection.
Choose Secure Payment Methods: Paying by credit card or through trusted payment services like PayPal can offer additional protections compared to debit cards or direct transfers.
Be Cautious of Emails and Texts Claiming “Urgent” Action: Scammers frequently impersonate well-known brands via email or text, tricking users into clicking malicious links. Rather than clicking directly on these links, visit the retailer’s website directly to check for any issues.
Monitor Your Financial Statements Regularly: Regularly reviewing bank and credit card statements during the holiday season can help you quickly spot any unauthorized transactions.
Be Cautious of “Order Confirmation” and “Tracking” Scams: Scammers send fake “order confirmation” or “package tracking” messages to lure people into clicking malicious links. If you’re not expecting an order update, it’s best to verify directly with the retailer.
Khohkar adds that should you become a victim of phishing or a scam, the first thing you should do is contact your financial institution and the company where you purchased the item. In addition, you should report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov. Your report is shared with thousands of law enforcement agencies.
“By reporting phishing and scams, it helps agencies prevent others from becoming victims and track down the individuals or organizations that commit these crimes,” Khokhar says.
Ben in the World, by Doris Lessing
From Susan J. Harris, Stone Mountain: This is the sequel to her book, The Fifth Child. Ben’s journey to finding a way to belong continues in stark and unbelievable ways. Ben Lovatt was born different, being too big, loud, inhumanly made and for many, frightening. Finding his own way in an inhospitable world is challenging. He looks for kindness but finds fear and revulsion. Ben finds a few people who are genuinely kind and see his intrinsic worth despite his appearance and minimal speaking skills. Ben meets unscrupulous people who use and take him to France, Rio, and the Andes mountains with the goal of using him to make money. Ben is at a crossroad when he realizes he has been used by people he trusted. The reader will both cheer and cry for Ben Lovatt as he tries valiantly to find the community that is his. This is a painful and thought provoking read.
- 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.
Early colonial Georgia military play a key role
From the arrival of the first British settlers in February 1733 until the onset of the American Revolution (1775-83), the military in colonial Georgia played a fundamental role for the British Empire by protecting the southeastern frontier of its American colonies.
Georgia, initially founded as a defensive proprietorship to protect the more-settled colony of South Carolina, periodically saw small detachments of the regular British soldiers assigned to it, but the militia and provincial units remained the primary security force in the region throughout the colonial era.
During Georgia’s 43-year history as a British possession, the militia (a reserve made up of every man in the colony from ages 16 to 60) and the provincial military units, or Rangers (a full-time, paid force recruited from the ranks of the militia), provided the buffer between settlers and the enemies of the British government: southeastern Indians, including Choctaws, Creeks, and Cherokees; French colonists in New France; and settlers in Spanish Florida.
Between 1733 and 1754 a small militia force of only a few hundred men defended Georgia. General James Edward Oglethorpe, the first proprietor and founder of the colony, originally recruited the Rangers to bolster the weak militia in 1734. Although the militia did participate in the military ventures of Oglethorpe, who raided Spanish Florida in 1739 and launched a full-scale invasion of the same area in 1740, the reserve militia was primarily defensive. Since it was generally constituted of farmers who were not paid for their service, the militia drilled sporadically and spent much of its active-duty time as a slave patrol. Despite this poor training, the men performed adequately during the early decades. The militia, Rangers, and the Forty-second Regiment of Foot of the regular army all participated at the Battle of Bloody Marsh in 1742, successfully defending Georgia against a Spanish invasion.
In 1754 Georgia officially became a royal colony under Governor John Reynolds. Reynolds and his successor, Henry Ellis, increased British efforts to improve the frontier military. Since the militia was derived from the entire male population of the colony and had officers commissioned by the colonial governor, this force required strict management to be effective. Reynolds approved the Militia Act of 1755, which established rules for the administration of the primary colonial military force.
During the French and Indian War (1754-63), the British government built five military fortifications to defend coastal Georgia from the threat of French and Spanish naval attack. In 1763 King George III sent three companies of the Sixtieth Regiment of Foot to shore up these garrisons. By the mid-1760s, unpopular British taxing policies were taking their toll on colonial allegiance to the British crown. In 1766 Wright personally led the Rangers against a revolt by the Sons of Liberty, a group of colonists angered by the Stamp Act. Wright’s successful use of provincial troops to put down the revolt demonstrated to the colonists that they needed to gain influence over local military units if they were successfully to resist British policy.
Having learned their lesson, the colonial Whig Council of Safety seized control of the militia in late 1775. By this point the Ranger units supporting Wright had been disbanded, and the Georgia militia had grown to nearly 2,500 men. The final military endeavor of the colonial period saw the militia eject British regulars from the colony at the Battle of the Rice Boats near Savannah in March 1776. Even though the British seized the valuable rice, which was the primary objective of their raid, the militia again performed admirably. Following this engagement, the militia played another major role by acting as the primary bulwark against a Loyalist counterrevolution on the Georgia home front during the early days of the Revolution.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Colorful architectural gem awaits your identification
Check out today’s Mystery Photo, a colorful and gorgeous architectural structure. You must let your mind wander to determine what and where it is. Try your skill and send your determination to ebrack2@gmail.com, and tell us your hometown.
The last mystery photo is of the tomb of Christopher Columbus, a monument located in the Seville Cathedral in Seville, Spain, as Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. wrote. He adds: “It is believed that Columbus’ bones are located inside the lead coffin that sits above the shoulders of four symbolic pallbearers, statues intended to represent the original Christian kingdoms of Castile, León, Aragon, and Navarre from the Middle Ages which eventually unified to become Spain.” The photo came from Molly Titus of Peachtree Corners.
Peel continues: “But not everyone believes that the tomb here actually contains his remains. After Columbus died in 1506, his body traveled to many countries after his death: first to Valladolid, then Seville, and later to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and Havana and eventually back to Seville in 1898. But in the 1870s, a box labeled with Columbus’s name was found in Santo Domingo, sparking a debate about where his remains really are located.
“In 2003 and 2005, DNA testing confirmed that some of the bones in the Seville Cathedral were from the Columbus family lineage. But considering that Fernando Colón, the second son of Christopher Columbus was also buried in the cathedral, it’s possible that some of the remains in the tomb are those of Columbus’ son. To this day, the Dominican Republic still claims that the remains of Columbus never left the country while refusing to allow archaeologists access to the bones to conduct further DNA tests.
“So …is Christopher Columbus really in the Seville Cathedral? Is the world really round? At least one of these questions may remain a mystery for years.”
Others getting this mystery right include George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.; and Stewart Ogilvie of Rehobah, Ala.
- 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.
It’s nearing tree-lighting time around the county
See Norcross through photography. The exhibit Norcross: Our City is on display through December 7 at Norcross Gallery and Studio. These photographs, taken by local lensmen, give a glimpse into the everyday life of Norcross. The studio is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday or by appointment. The exhibit is free. The gallery also hosts ongoing classes, including Daytime Open Studio sessions on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Figure and Portrait Study sessions on Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Messiah sing-along: Join with Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church and members of Gwinnett Symphony Chorus to start the Christmas season: A Messiah sing-along! This will take place on Sunday, November 24, at 3 p.m. This event is free to all and all are welcomed. Audience members are invited to sing or simply sit back and enjoy the performance. (Choral scores will be provided.)
Improve Your Writing Craft: Learn how to improve your writing craft with award-winning author and Emory University creative writing professor Tiphanie Yanique. Books will be available for sale and signing. The program will be at the Snellville Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library on November 23 at 11 a.m.
The Lilburn Holiday Tree Lighting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, November 23, in City Park. Performances will be at the bandshell from local school groups. There will be arts and crafts booths, and a selection will be from food truck vendors. Kids can take pictures with Santa, listen to stories read by Mrs. Claus, and enjoy a ride on the Lil’ Holiday Train, among other activities. The big tree in Lilburn City Park will be lit at dark, marking the start of the holiday season!
Ring in the winter holidays in Peachtree Corners with the annual tree lighting at The Forum. This year’s event offers family-friendly activities, crafts and live performances on The Plaza’s main stage, all leading up to the lighting of the big tree. This will be November 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Historic Gwinnett Courthouse Lighting of the Tree will be Thursday, Thanksgiving night, November 28, from 5:30 p.m., with activities continuing until 8 p.m. around the Lawrenceville Square. Santa will light the tree then will receive visitors in his living room inside the Courthouse. Visitors can enjoy self-guided tours of the decorated Courthouse. There will be kids’ activities, s’mores, live entertainment, voting on gingerbread houses and more! Vendors wanted.
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